Scottsboro-based 'Cantina' coming to Santa Fe site

Crews already are clearing out parts of the former Santa Fe Cattle Co. as Glen Garcia plans an extensive remodeling before opening as Buenavista Mexican Cantina on Turner McCall. Photo/Jamie Linder.

-By late summer, Glen Garcia hopes to have Buenavista Mexican Cantina in service at the recently closed Santa Fe Cattle Co. location on Turner McCall.

-Garcia was in the city clerk's office this afternoon, inquiring about pouring permits for the restaurant. He talked of plans to hire a local manager to run the operation as well.

-Developer Wayne Robinson says several groups looked at the site but Garcia was the first to move forward with a deal. The other options were some popular regional dining spots.

-Garcia hopes to open by late summer, perhaps by mid-August.

Elusive black bear probably back in the wild

-On Pinterest: BearWatch 2012

-Not even actor Kevin Bacon's filming a new TV  pilot at Berry College can rival the commotion caused by a 350-pound black bear on the move in downtown Rome Thursday morning.

-Spotted just after 6 a.m., the bear has been the focus of a search and then extreme monitoring near Riverside Parkway and Turner McCall.

-These photos (top by David Crowder, WRGA, and right by Chris Earnest) show the bear on the move today between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. 

-By 10:30 a.m., the Armuchee office of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources had suspended the search. Crews couldn't find the bear and assumed it had found its way back into the wild.

April employment report

Rome down 1,000 jobs vs. April 2011; up 700 from March

-Last month, 37,600 were working in Rome/Floyd County compared to 38,600 a year earlier, reports the state Department of Labor. Augusta down 7,000 jobs; Dalton, 4,300; and Savannah, 2,700. Atlanta was up by 18,000 new jobs.

First-time jobless claims: Up in March, plummet vs.  2011

Source: Georgia Department of Labor

Georga's jobless rate holds at 8.9% in April:

- Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the unemployment rate declined for the ninth consecutive in April.  The jobless rate was 9.8 percent in April a year ago. “We now have the lowest unemployment rate, the fewest unemployed workers, and the most jobs in Georgia in more than three years,” said Butler. “Our job market continues to improve at a modest and steady rate.” The industries showing growth: trade and transportation; leisure and hospitality; professional and business services; construction; and education and healthcare. State and local governments shed 3,300 jobs. County-by-county reports due next Thursday.

Latest Thursday updates:

-Berry's annual alumni weekend and work week begin May 18: More than 800 people are expected for this year's Alumni Weekend and Work Week festivities. Alumni Weekend

begins Friday, welcoming home more than 20 years of Berry graduates. Friday morning’s highlight is the Golf Scramble at Stonebridge Golf Club to benefit Berry’s men’s and women’s golf teams. Berry

-Floyd County 4-H Awards $1000 grant for Darlington School’s Robotics Club. Darlington

-Today's Georgia Trend's Business Daily report.  Trend

-Georgia Political & Policy Digest Daily Report. Politics

Rome associate pastor on ABC's new 'Duets' next week

-A local worship leader will soon be featured on ABC’s new show “Duets” premiering a week from tonight. Mark Hilliard, worship/associate pastor at Journey Church of Rome, was selected to audition in New York last month. He'll be in the premiere episode at 8 p.m. “The premise is that celebrities themselves look for talent to do a duet with,” Hilliard says.

-He was selected by Jennifer Nettles of the country group Sugarland. While in middle and high school, Hilliard was a part of a 4H performing arts group called Clovers & Company. And being from Georgia, Nettles also was part of the same group. She solicited directors of the group to see if any past members would be interested in auditioning.

- “After submitting a photo and file of me singing, I was selected to audition live in New York in April. But I wasn’t chosen as one of the final 12,” he says. Hilliard isn’t sure how much of his audition will be featured but part of it already is airing on commercials for the show

- “It was an awesome experience. I got to meet Jennifer Nettles and sing for her. I just really enjoyed it.” (Natalie Simms)

Latest public health restaurant scores: Several 100s this week with the lowest score in five-county area at 71. Dining

Now showing at The DeSoto: SpecTech Rome V

-The Greater Rome Chamber's fifth edition of Spectrum of Technology whirls to life today and continues into Friday. One of the oldest landmarks in downtown Rome, The DeSoto Theatre, is the base for this year's presentations. Details

-You can follow updates at #SpecTechRome. Photo by David Nuckolls/chamber

Summer sizzler on the way today: 87 degrees

-Thursday: High of 87, low of 58.

-Friday: High of 85, low of 55.

-Saturday: Sunny, high of 84, low of 53.

-Forecast / Radar / West Rome / Berry

Thursday's Buzz

-Big changes coming to two spots on Broad Street: During Wednesday's Historic Preservation Commission meeting, the group approved plans to demolish Ira Levy's Top Hat building and the adjoining former Bible store. That corner will become additional parking managed by the Downtown Development Authority with future plans for redevelopment. Levy has pushed a stylish retail/housing mix for the site.

-Also changing: Ed Hine's Cotton Block building and vacant land. The Rome attorney plans to renovate the building, fill the hole on the vacant lot at Second and Broad, and add nine parking spaces. The site, at one time, was to be home to a Rome edition of Cartersville's destination dining spot, The Appalachian Grill.

-Berry College Communication Professor Kathy Brittain Richardson has been named 'Teacher of the Year' by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Small Programs Interest Group. Berry

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM

-7 to 9 a.m. weekdays.  Listen live online 

-We thank our guests today including Layla Shipman on the GOP convention in Columbus this weekend; Tony Miller of First Bank Mortgage; and Dr. Frank Stephenson of Berry College on Greece, the Euro crisis and initial public offerings.

Sports    

-Braves win second straight, 4-2 over Augusta.

-Mills Fitzner's photos | 2012 schedule

May 24-26: The 2012 Home Depot and Rome Wolves Boston Butt, BBQ & Kids Workshop set. Details

May 25: The Rome High football program will be hosting its annual golf tournament at Stonebridge Golf Club.  Lunch  will be served at noon;  golf begins at 1 p.m. The cost is $300 per foursome.  Details: romewolvesathletics.net.

Sports/summer camps roundup: You'll find updates on special summer camps for young athletes on Rome Kids.

Politics

-More local politics: Click

-May 23: Floyd GOP office to open: The official opening is at 9 a.m. at 337 Broad St. Republican candidate qualifying will be held on May 23-24 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on May 25 from 9 a.m.-noon. Details: Layla Shipman at 706-853-9014. A grand opening will follow; the office will remain in operation through the Nov. 6 general election. Floyd Democrats have an office open at 5 Broad St. in Cotton Block.

-May 26: Floyd County Republican Breakfast, Western Sizzlin. 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. meeting. Guest speaker: Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens. Floyd GOP

-May 31: Rome Tea Party hosts County Commission debate. Four seats on the Floyd County Commission are on the July 31 ballot with two of those posts to be filled by the primary vote and two others in the Nov. 6 general election. The debate begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Charles Parker Senior Center, 1325 Kingston Highway.

-June 12: The Floyd County Republican Women are sponsoring a GOP Forum Debate from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Charles Parker Center (formerly Etowah Senior Citizens Center) on Kingston Highway. All local and state Floyd County GOP candidates have been asked to attend.

What's buzzing in Northwest Georgia. Click Buzz

-Why so many sports stores in Northwest Georgia? 'Sports in general, sports products and events are a tremendous economic engine' for our area, veteran retailer says.

-Politics: Preston Smith endorses; Casey Cagle hosts. New venue for Floyd GOP. Legislative brunch: check the audience on Wednesday as well as the podium.

-New brunch, new lunch brewing at La Marie's.

-Goodwill consolidates at Etowah Crossing.

-Hall of Fame honors for local dog trainer.

On our other pages today:

-Rome Kids: Summer Camps 2012: LEGO builds, flight simulators, pottery, Kids vs. Wild. Register now.

-Dining: Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.

-Business: Jobless rate dips below 10% in nearby counties.

-Health: Latest changes in healthcare industry.

-Jobs: Looking for a job? Try careerbuilder.com

Georgia Trend's Business Daily report.  Trend

• GA jobless rate drops to lowest level in more than 3 years
• GA foreclosure still high
• Music pros looks to widened tax break
• ATL, GA among most financially stressed in Q1
• Airport cuts ribbon on new international terminal
• Group warns of cozy airport deals
• Developer, Westmoreland cry foul at FDIC deals
• GA first lady speaks at Leadership Rome graduation
• Citi Trends Q1 profit down 16%
• Jackson County job fairs attract hundreds of applicants

Georgia Political & Policy Digest Daily Report. Politics

Calendar/Your links to local events

-Habitat Women Build Fifth Annual Memorial Day Boston Butt Sale tickets are available at the HomeMart store in Central Plaza or from members. Pickup: May 26. Details

May 17: Chamber's business after hours set. Details

May 19: Darlington School trustee Jeff Gardner, president and CEO of Windstream Corp., will give the commencement address at 9:30 a.m. His son, Brody, is a member of the Class of 2012. Darlington

May 19: The Rome/Floyd Recycling Center will host a Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Recycling Center on Watters Street off of Calhoun Avenue.  Please make an appointment before attending; call 706-291-5266.  This is not for businesses. Household wastes include oil, paint, pesticides, herbicides, or basically any liquid that you do not want to dump in your yard, down your drain, or take to the landfill.  Electronic items are typically old computers, TVs, VCRs, or any other audio/visual equipment.  All material will be disposed in an environmentally correct manner.   This is a “Household” event, meaning that businesses will not be allowed to dump.

May 22: NAMI-Rome offers workshop for churches: Learn about mental illnesses and how to minister to individuals in this free workshop. Details

May 24: Animal Rescue Foundation is holding its first Chow Down from 6-8 p.m. at Civic Center on Jackson Hill. Flavorful Events is catering a southern meal; there will be silent auction; and entertainment by Broad & Third Band. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at The Backyard Pet Boutique, The Garage, Living & Giving or by calling Janie Jones at 706-506-3611. Website

May 25: The Rome Braves, Northwest Georgia Public Health and the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition are partnering to provide free oral-head-and-neck cancer screenings at 7 p.m. at State Mutual Stadium for attendees at the Braves-Asheville Tourists game. Click

May 27: Bark in the Park is a fundraiser for homeless pets hosted by the Rome Braves and Claws for Paws. Begins at 2 p.m. and features a 1.3-mile dog walk, a Flealess Market, entertainment and a Braves' game. Cost: $20. Details: Bark

June 1: Kiki’s Kid’s Camp will be held June 18-21 at Darlington School; deadline for signing up is June 1. Kiki’s Camp  is for children ages 6-12 who have been diagnosed with diabetes.  Camp begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.  Youth who are between 13-17 and have diabetes are encouraged to apply as Counselor’s in Training.  Cost: $10 for Floyd residents; $25 for non-residents. Scholarships are available. Details: Floyd Healthcare Foundation at 706-509-3290.

June 1-3: The annual Dixie Highway 90-Mile Yard Sale is set for the first weekend of June. The Georgia Dixie Highway Association hosts the event which features hundreds of sales through Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Cartersville, Emerson, Acworth and Kennesaw.  Details: Click Facebook.

June 9: The Mount Berry Garden Club will celebrate its 80th year at Oak Hill and the Martha Berry Museum, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  The club, which is open to Berry College and Berry Schools alumni, staff, faculty and their spouses, was formed in 1931.  The celebration is free and open to all.

June 11: Rome Noon Optimist Club will sponsor a golf tournament for boys and girls ages 10-18 at Cherokee Country Club in Cedartown. Sign-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Entry fee is $10. Tournament will be played in conjunction with the Rome Junior Tour event. For more: Optimist

June 14: Local filmmakers will host a fundraiser for the documentary film, Blind Tiger, The Legend of Bell Tree Smith at the Rome Area History Museum from 6:30-9 p.m. Named for the local historical figure, William “Bell Tree” Smith, the Bell Tree Benefit will include a silent auction and live music by the Little Country Giants, Blake Rainey and Matt Green who are each featured on the film’s original soundtrack. Tickets are $10. Details

June 16: Iraq Veterans Parade, 11 a.m., with events to follow at The Forum (food, drinks, bands, kids' activities). Also scheduled to attend: Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. representatives Phil Gingrey and Tom Graves. Details

Sept. 28-30: 'Wings Over North Georgia' Air Show at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport. New performers added to line up: Dan Buchanan, Kent Pietsch and OTTO the Helicopter will join the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and Black Diamond Jet Team. Details 

Sept. 29: 2012 Arthritis Walk Rome, Ridge Ferry Park, Shoals Side. Registration begins at 9 a.m., the walk at 10 a.m. Details: Arthritis Walk or call Emily Young: 678-237-4448.

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-Here's a way to build your business with a different spin on Groupon or other "deal" sites. Hometown Headlines can now market your coupon or discount offer using Constant Contact and PayPal. Incredible local deals that you control. Contact us by email or phone: 706-346-2031.

Community service groups

Kiwanis Club: Mondays, noon, La Marie's at Magretta Hall. Kiwanis. 

The Noon Optimist Club of Rome, Mondays at 11:45 a.m., Three Rivers Club at State Mutual Stadium. The public is welcome.  noonoptimists@comcast.net

Seven Hills Rotary, noon Tuesdays, Coosa Country Club. Meal: $12.

Rome Rotary, noon Thursdays, Coosa Country Club.

Rome Toastmasters meet second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. at the library. Website

Rome Exchange Club: Meets at noon Friday, The Palladium

-May 18: Gen. Joe Jarrard, Deputy Adjutant General, Georgia Department of Defense, is the speaker.

Humane Society meets second Thursday: The meetings begin at 7 p.m. at 518 Broad St. Everyone is welcome. 706- 234-7979.

Corrections, typos, broken links: If you spot a fact error or typo, please let us know. And if links to any stories or advertisers don't work, please click Report

-State business headlines from Georgia Trend. Business

-Georgia Political & Policy Digest's daily headlines. Politics

 

 

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