Weekend Weather/More rain due today, tonight

-Today: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph.
-Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. West wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
-Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
-Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56. North wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
-Extended forecast> Click  / Regional radar

Weekend Updates

-2010 Home & Garden Expo at Forum Saturday, Sunday> Downtown

-7th Annual Cowboy Gathering at Booth museum, Cartersville> Bartow

-Easter Bunny arrives at Mount Berry Square today.

-Saturday's Shorter College baseball contest with Emmanuel College has been moved up to noon. Also, because of the threat of inclement weather in the area, the Military Appreciation event that was scheduled for Saturday has been moved to April 17 vs. Lee University. The Hawks will still close out their three-game set with the Lions with a Sunday, March 14, double-header at 1 p.m.

-Latest public health restaurant inspection scores> Scores

-Wine News Vine: Fifth Annual Wine Highway Weekend begins today. Ten wineries, tastings for $20 in North Georgia> Wine News Vine

Tonight's PowerBall jackpot: $200 million> Details

Steak N Shake coming to Rome in July:

-Restaurant will rise off Turner McCall following removal of former Johnny Carino's site> Dining

-Johnny's changes opening date; service begins Monday> Click

Weekend Buzz:

-Harbin Clinic gets high satisfaction ratings from its patients> Health

-Special dinner-and-a show (My Fair Lady) to benefit DeSoto> Downtown

-Berry College Student Recognized by Am. Marketing Association> Berry

-April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia has scheduled the several awareness events> Click

-March 20 'Egg Stand' to honor founder Sherrie Lanier Bacon> Buzz

-Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehab coming to Cedartown> Health

March 13/Cartersville Medical Center showcasing Quality and Patient Safety during three-day fair > Release

March 21/Adairsville Baptist to Hold Prayer Walk

(Media Release) In conjunction with the Bartow Baptist Association, the Adairsville Baptist Church will hold a Prayer Walk on Sunday, March 21, following the morning worship service. The effort created by the association follows the missionary tradition of walking the area in which they are going to serve and praying for the needs of that area. Adairsville Baptist Church and members of the community plan to join forces to pray over every household in Adairsville. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to come to the morning worship service at 11 a.m. dressed in comfortable clothes for walking. Following the service, a covered dish luncheon will be enjoyed in the church fellowship hall prior to embarking on the Prayer Walk. Come spend Sunday, March 21, in prayer with Adairsville Baptist Church located at 107 Summer Street, Adairsville. Directions: I-75 Exit 306. Go west on GA 140, one mile. To learn more about the Prayer Walk and ABC Ministries please contact Rev. Richard Webster at 770-773-3198.

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-March 13-14:  Cowboy Gathering continues today through Sunday at the Booth. Concerts, exhibits, chuck wagon cookoff, cowboy church on tap> Click . 

-March 15: Bartow County Democratic Party meets at 7 p.m. at IHOP, 640 E. Main St. Agenda: Volunteering, lobbying matters in Congress Also: a meet-and-greet. Contact: J.M. Prince, chair, at 770-386-1379.

-March 18: Latest information/open house on 411 Connector: The Cartersville Civic Center once again is site of a DOT open house on the 411 Connector. The hours: 4-7 p.m. Click DOT.

Weekend Updates

-2010 Home & Garden Expo at Forum Saturday, Sunday> Downtown

Norman Arey's Sports Roundtable> Arey

-Tebow doesn't wow 'em with test score; no marque game for Georgia Tech this fall.

Sports/Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium> Sports

-Rome Braves' single-game tickets go on sale Saturday, March 20: The box office opens at 10 a.m.; ticket prices remain the same: $10, $8,. $6 and $4> Sports

-Braves announced 2010 promotional schedule.

-Redneck  Rummage Sale at State Mutual Stadium March 20> Click

Bartow County Schools have limited school choice options available for the 2010-2011 school year. A list of schools with available space is available at www.bartow.k12.ga.us. School choice requests for transfer must be received by the close of business on March 29. Forms may be picked up at your local school, the board office or downloaded from the above site. Notification of your application status will be mailed after May 14.

Cowboy Gathering today through Sunday at the Booth

Concerts, exhibits, chuck wagon cookoff, cowboy church on tap

The Seventh Annual Cowboy Gathering is today through Sunday at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. The schedule is below. For more, click Booth

Saturday
8 a.m -Noon: Southeastern Chuck Wagon Cook-off on the Museum festival grounds. Sponsored by Publix.
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Open Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar, and Banjo Contests in the Booth Ballroom. Sponsored by Vortex Bar & Grill
10:30 a.m.-noon: Adult Cowboy Poetry Workshop in Borderlands Conference Room.
11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Children's Art Activities stationed throughout the Museum.
7 p.m.: Western Concert with Red Steagall at the Grand Theatre. Sponsored by South 107.
 

Sunday
11 a.m.: Cowboy Church in the Booth Ballroom.
Noon-4 p.m.: Dutch Oven Cooking Contest on the Museum festival grounds. Sponsored by Wynn Buick GMC.
Noon-4 p.m.: Children's Art Activities, stationed throughout the Museum.
Noon-4 p.m.: Georgia Youth Cowboy Poetry Contest Finals in the Booth Ballroom. Sponsored by Bankers Fidelity.  

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia (Please click)

-Gubernatorial Soup: 411 Connector part of spicy week for GOP candidates.

-Cartersville, Bartow voters to hear about education SPLOST 'extension.'

-Floyd Relay for Life going back to basics in 2010.

-Peaks & Valleys: Northern Arc returns; just build it.

Red Cross sets upcoming blood drives> Donations

March 20: Bartow Winds announces spring concert: The Bartow Winds Community Concert Band announces its Spring Concert to be held on Saturday, March 20, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Musical selections include “My Father’s World” with members of Reinhardt College Concert Choir;" “Crown Him with Many Crowns” featuring John Russell on organ; and many other contemporary arrangements for bands. There is no admission charge but donations can be made to support local charities. The Bartow Winds is a non-profit organization founded in the spring of 2009 as both an outlet for local musicians and a way to raise funds for charities. Its members range from high school and college students to adults. Bartow Winds is under the direction of Michael D. Elzey, with assistance from David Snipes. Future concerts include a special patriotic concert for the 4th of July, a fall concert featuring show tunes, and a delightful Christmas concert. For more, e-mail  or bartowwinds@gmail.com or lwindsor57@comcast.net. Or click Facebook.

What's ahead in Bartow County:

-March 15: Joint meeting, Bartow County and Cartersville boards of education, 6 p.m.> Agenda

-March 15: Bartow County Board of Education, business meeting, immediately following joint meeting. Agenda

-March 18: Cartersville City Council, 7 p.m. Hear it live on WBHF 1450 AM or Web cast here on Bartow Headlines.

-March 19: Chamber lunch and learn topic--'What Business Owners Need to Know about Commercial Insurance.' 11:30 a.m. The presenter is Steve Molina, ARM, CIC, senior partner of Risk & Insurance Consultants. Complimentary lunch will be provided by C.L. Smith - State Farm Agency. Please click here to register for the event no later than Wednesday, March 17.

-March 24: The United Way of Bartow County's annual luncheon is at noon Wednesday, March 24, at the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce, Anheuser Busch room. The cost is $15 per person. Please RSVP by March 22 to morehouseb@bartowga.org or 770-386-1677.

-March 27: 2010 Women's  Expo returns to Cartersville: The latest Women’s Expo is set for Saturday, March 27, at the Cartersville Civic Center, sponsored by Coosa Valley Credit Union along with Georgia Power, Plant Bowen. The line-up: Learn about products and services that will help you look and feel better; examine career choices; sample a “Taste of Bartow;” and try your luck on the door prizes. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Red Cross office, 320 W. Cherokee Ave., Suite 109. Call 770-382-0981. Advance ticket holders will be entered into a special door prize drawing. For more, e-mail karonmauney@comcast.net.

The 11th Annual North Georgia Flint Knappers and Primitive Arts Festival will be held April 23-25 at Gatewood Park in Cartersville. Thursday, April 22 will be early vendors set up and will be open to the public.  The event gets under way at 8 a.m. each day and will continue into the evening. The show is open to the public and admission and parking is free. There will be plenty of handmade crafts, primitive tools, primitive weapons and works of art.  Demonstrations will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will include arrowhead, spear point and stone knife making, Atlatl demonstration, arrow and bow making, fire building, hide tanning, basketry, cordage, primitive snares and traps, a nature walk identifying useful and editable plants, soapstone working, pottery and much more. A public auction held at noon on April 23 and will feature unique, handmade items donated by the vendors.  For more, click Flint Knappers

Reverse raffle, dinner to benefit foundation serving Chattahoochee Tech: The March 16 event raises much-needed funds for student assistance and funds for college programs and services.  Dinner begins at 6, the raffle at 6:30 p.m. and is held in the Economic Development Building No. 400 on the Chattahoochee Technical College, North Metro Campus.  Tickets are $100, which includes dinner for two and a chance at the $5,000 Grand Prize. There are eight more cash prizes and numerous door prizes such as airline tickets. Sponsorships are available for $1,000, which includes reserved seating for 20 as well as recognition the night of the dinner and in all printed materials and publicity.  For more information, call 770-528-7494

Convention & Visitors Bureau seeks feedback on Cartersville branding: Take a quick three-question survey on a new brand statement for Cartersville. Participants could win two adult admissions to Tellus. Click here to take survey.

The Cartersville-Bartow County Visitors Information Center seeks residents along the Old Dixie Highway in Emerson, Cartersville, Cassville and Adairsville who might have available yard sale spaces for rent during the upcoming Dixie Highway 90-mile Yard Sale June 4-6.  Any church, non-profit organization or resident on Ga. 293 in Emerson and Cartersville, Cassville Road, U.S. 41 north of Cassville and the Old Dixie Highway/Main Street in Adairsville would be eligible to rent spaces. Please call 770-387-1357 to list your available space.  There is no cost to participate. For more on the sale, please click here.

Upcoming blood drives in the county:

Adairsville

03/15/2010: 2 PM - 7 PM: First United Methodist Church  Adairsville, 102 South Main Street

Cartersville

03/23/2010: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Excel Christian Academy, 325 Old Mill Road

03/30/2010: 12 PM - 5:30 PM: Cartersville Civic Ctr., 435 West Main Street

'Antiques & Arts in Adairsville' is the theme of April 17-18 festival

(News release) Adairsville, one of Georgia’s most historic cities and home to the Great Locomotive Chase Festival each October, will premiere a new spring festival this April.  Antiques & Arts in Adairsville is planned April 17-18 on Adairsville’s Historic Public Square.  Admission is free and the festival is open Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. More information may be obtained online at www.AdairsvilleInApril.com.  Interested exhibitors and vendors with questions may contact Rose McCranie, 770-877-5209.  Those interested in supporting this new event with sponsorship may call Heather Miller, 770-354-5318, or Stacy Stewart, 770-548-2144.

Seventh Annual Cartersville Summer Concert bands announced: The Downtown Development Authority has releases the 2010 downtown concert summer line up:

-Several differences this year: For one, the concerts will be on the second Saturday of each month, not the first. Also, the car shows that accompanied the downtown concerts will switch to the first Saturday and will run from April through August.

-Sponsors sought for downtown concert series. Packages range from $200 to $5,000. The 2009 concerts drew more than 4,500 visitors each night. For more, contact the DDA

Bartow Headlines' multimedia partners

On the Web:

In addition to this Web site and e-mail alerts, we offer several other ways to stay in touch with what's happening in Northwest Georgia.  Our Web sites include:

-Rome, Cave Spring, Floyd County: www.hometownheadlines.com

-Gordon, Calhoun, Resaca updates: www.gordonheadlines.com

-Polk, Cedartown, Rockmart updates: www.polkheadlines.com

On the radio:

-In Bartow County, you can hear Web casts of news and sporting events from WBHF 1450 AM on www.bartowheadlines.com.

-Listen each Tuesday at 7:50 a.m. on WBHF and Bartowheadlines.com

Social media:

-Join our new Cartersville, Ga., Facebook Directory. Click Facebook

-For regional updates, follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bartowheadlines

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

LOCAL LINKS

What's ahead at the Bartow History Center> Click

Lunch & Learn (Third Wednesday of each month at Noon).

-March 17, 2010: Joe Kirby, editor and columnist for the Marietta Daily Journal, will discuss and show images from his book, Images of America: The Bell Bomber Plant. Book signing to follow.

Evening Lectures (Last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.)

-March 25, 2010: Father Philip Scott, historian, will discuss the life of Adairsville native, Charles Arthur Floyd , also known as “Pretty Boy” Floyd.

Hospitality Headlines: What's ahead in Bartow County

Source: Cartersville-Bartow County Convention &  Visitors Bureau

 45th Atlanta Steeplechase is April 24:

Enjoy the most exciting horse racing in Georgia with family and friends at the best lawn party in the state during the 45th Atlanta Steeplechase at Kingston Downs on Saturday, April 24.  Additional fun includes the Disc Dog Southern Nationals, terrier races, hat contests and much more.  General admission tickets are $30 available through Ticketmaster or charge by phone 404-249-6400.  See photos

Etowah Valley Trails report

March 13/Vision Trek 2010 at Vineyard Mountain The Peachtree Tri Club will host this annual 10K Trail Run on Saturday, March 13, on Vineyard Mountain at Riverside Park Day Use Area in Cartersville.  The run will follow the yellow blaze on the 5.6 mile out-and-back trail.  All proceeds from this event will benefit the Georgia Eye Bank.  There will be no race-day registration.  To see a video of the Vineyard Mountain Trail and to learn more about the event see Peachtree Tri Club.  

Upcoming Moonlight Hikes  Go nocturnal and enjoy cool spring nights on Cartersville's Pine Mountain Trail during monthly Moonlight Hikes hosted by the Cartersville Parks & Recreation Department.  Upcoming group hikes are scheduled March 29 and April 28.  The hikes depart from the West Trailhead at I-75 Exit 288 for a stunning view of Allatoona Lake, the Etowah River Valley and the lights of Cartersville below.  Participants may wish to bring a flashlight.  Hikes make be canceled in bad weather.  Call 770-387-5625 or 770-607-6173 for departure times.