Your weekend weather in a word: soggy.

-Friday: Low of 48, 90% rain chance.

-Saturday: 80-90% rain chance, high of 62, low of 53.

-Sunday: 30% rain chance, high of 65, low of 41

-Extended forecast / Latest Radar / West Rome

Evening edition

-Latest updates from the chamber of commerce. Chamber

-Feb. 7: Young Professionals of Rome to meet at The Venture Spot. Details

-Southeastern Mills receives Level 3 certification from the Safe Quality Food Institute at its First Avenue and Custom Food Coatings manufacturing facilities. It is a food safety and quality management system globally recognized by retailers and foodservice providers that implements food safety and quality monitoring programs to be practiced in-house. It is the highest level of certification awarded to manufacturers. SEMills

-Feb. 6: The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is opening registration for several youth spring sports starting Monday. That includes baseball, select baseball, softball, golf, soccer and tennis. Rome Kids.

-Berry Vikings open the 2012 baseball season with a 15-game homestand, including this weekend's season-opening series against Greensboro College. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday and a single game Sunday, although weather may play a role in the weekend's schedule. Baseball

-Feb. 7: Cancer Navigators hopes 50 teams participate in its Cast Off Against Cancer fund-raiser. The kickoff/captains meeting is at the office, 310 W. 10th St. Details

-Smithsonian picks Calhoun first for New Harmonies exhibit tour. Harris Arts

Plenty of changes at local restaurants

Amer-Pacific Rim Bistro closes at Midtown Crossing: The name took a visit or two to get used to but the fusion of  Thai, Chinese and Japanese food that kept fans coming back since 2009. A sign on the door states the 2,100-square-foot restaurant is closed and thanks patrons. It is the fourth Rome restaurant to close this year (Santa Fe Cattle Co., Milano's in East Rome and Country Gentleman. Also, Ryan's closed in Calhoun, Cartersville).

The Partridge starts breakfast Thursday: Beginning Feb. 9, The Partridge will serve breakfast three mornings each week -- Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The downtown landmark at 330 Broad St. will serve a southern country-style breakfast, ordered from a menu, from 6:45 until 10:30 a.m., says co-owner Shannon Wilson. The Partridge will continue lunch and dinner hours from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. except for 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sundays. Partridge

La Marie's at Magretta Hall changes hours slightly.

The fine dining experience at Second Avenue and Broad Street is now open for dinner from 5 until 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch weekdays between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. La Marie's

Troy's Barbecue at 1024 N. Broad St. is now open for dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 9. Troy's

Fat Nanny's gets beer pouring permit: The Dean Avenue restaurant can't sell adultbeverages just yet but you can now bring in "malt beverages" as described on the Facebook page. And with the restaurant located just behind the East Rome Beverage Center . . .

Mellow Mushroom gets creative: The year-old pizza shop on Broad Street has a new piece of artwork you can walk on -- the stairs to the second level. Take a look at the picture to the right.

Public health restaurant scores: The streak of scores in the 30s continues -- but lots of 95-plus scores, too. Dining

-Rome Dining Guide now offers restaurant operators a spot to tell their story. Today's snapshot: Steak 'n Shake. Guide

-On the go? Dining Guide is on Facebook.

Gingrey walks out of National Prayer Breakfast after hearing Obama's comments, according to the AJC

Elections 2012

-A closer look at the 2012 SPLOST extension including where those Floyd County dollars would go. SPLOST

Today's headlines

-Shorter Hawks stunning 73-72, lose first game. Hawks

-Greater Rome Realtors sell more homes in January -- but the average price drops. Business

-Lisa Smith, executive director of the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau, retires from the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus board. Click

-Anna Grace Rutledge and Chase Tolbert have been selected to represent Darlington in the 2012 High School Female/Male Scholarship Award Competition, sponsored by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association. GADA

-Feb. 25: Northwest Georgia Select Basketball tryouts set for Model Auxiliary Gym. A liability Waiver and $20 non-refundable tryout fee are required at the time of tryouts. Player evaluation forms will be provided to each player following his tryout. Boys groups are seventh (10 a.m.), ninth (11 a.m.) or 10th (noon); eighth or 11th graders may qualify depending on date of birth. Assistant coaching positions are available; click email

-March 10: Northwest Georgia Select's second annual alumni basketball tournament at Pepperell Middle School. Any graduates or high school senior from Floyd, Rome or surrounding area schools are invited. Team fees are $100; individual fees are $15. Individual players will be contacted with team information prior to the tournament.  Click email for application and liability waiver (required).

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM

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

-We thank our guests today including Scotty Hancock of Floyd County EMA on Severe Weather Awareness Week; U.S. Rep. Tom Graves on the latest updates from Washington, D.C.; Joe McCutcheon on the latest with the presidential primary; and Rollins' family attorney Henry Parkman on the latest developments on the 411 Connector.

Bryan Mullins' downtown entertainment report. Downtown

Rome Braves: Sports

-Home opener April 12; single-game tickets on sale March 17.

Meet the Noon Optimist Club's Students of the Month

The Noon Optimist Club of Rome Students of the Month for January include, from left: Darlington - Mary Bailey Jones; Armuchee High School - Megan Nichole Broome; Pepperell High School - Kayla Barnett; Floyd College and Career Academy - Candice Culp; Coosa High School - Jasmine Vickers; and Model High School - Trey Henderson. The club meets at 11:45 a.m. Mondays at Three Rivers Club at State Mutual Stadium.  The public is welcome. noonoptimists@comcast.net

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia. Buzz

-And we're off: 2012 election season is under way. Natalie Simms outlines what's ahead for Northwest Georgians March 6, July 31 and Nov. 6 -- and runoffs?
-More changes brewing in downtown Rome.

On our other pages today:

-Downtown: What's ahead in downtown Rome.

-Dining: Latest public health restaurant inspection scores.

-Business: Jobless rate climbs in December in our region.

-Health: Heart month celebrated at Redmond.

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

Latest library newsletter. Link

Georgia Trend's Business Daily report.  Trend

• GA TREND Feb. Cover Story: GA's new trustees
• GA manufacturing activity ticks up in January
• Jenkins County gets private prison jobs
• Georgians last in finanical security
• Savannah losing direct Miami flight
• GA labor officials will work with employers on unemployment claims issues

Georgia Political & Policy Digest Daily Report. Politics

Calendar/Your links to local events

Floyd County Schools Pre-K registration period to apply for the 2012-2013 school year is Feb. 20-March 2. Rome Kids

Today-April 11: AARP Tax-Aide Program available. Trained AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are ready to provide free help and electronic filing for low- to middle-income taxpayers. They will be available at the Senior Adult Center, 1325 Kingston Road, on Wednesdays, 1 to 4 p.m., through April 11, and at the Rome Floyd County Library, 205 Riverside Parkway, on Mondays, 1:30-5 p.m. Feb. 6 through April 16, and on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., through April 14. Bring last year’s tax return and all available information for this year. AARP Tax-Aide is a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction with the IRS. Details: 706-234-0931.

Feb. 3: The Rome committee of Ducks Unlimited will host its annual Membership and Fund Raising Dinner at The Forum at 6 p.m. "We are looking forward to a great crowd at this year’s 75th Anniversary dinner," said committee chairman David Culp of Rome. Details

Feb. 6: The Chaconne Trio ensemble will present a concert featuring European Masters at 7:30 p.m. at Shorter University. The free concert will take place in Brookes Chapel, located on the main campus in the Cooper Fine Arts Building.

Feb. 7: Seven Hills Rotary, Chamber, Ga. Northwestern to announce GOAL, Rick Perkins winners. Details

Feb. 7, 9: Award-winning journalist Mark Harris will speak about environmental burial as part of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow program at Berry College. The speech is at 7:30 p.m. in the Spruill Ballroom of the Krannert Center. The lecture is free and open to the public. He'll speak again at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Spruill Ballroom. 

Feb. 8: Greater Rome Chamber, Harbin Clinic present   Dr. Ken Davis, Harbin Clinic President/CEO and 'The History and Description of Harbin Clinic.' 7 a.m., Krannert Center, Berry College. Free breakfast. Register here.

Feb. 11: R.O.M.E.'s   Heart and Soul V, Clock Tower Jazz Ensemble and Soul Review, 7:30 p.m., Rome City Auditorium, mostly Motown. All seats $5

Feb. 13: Triple Threat Arts Company will perform its second Holiday Dinner Theatre production for Valentine’s Day at The Palladium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Details: website or 706-728-6200 (reservations required).

Feb. 16-19, 23-26: The Berry College Theatre presents “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” at the E.H. Young Theatre. The play shows at 8 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $5 opening night and $7 thereafter.

Feb. 16: New York Times columnist Ross Douthat will speak about 'Bad Religion and American Public Life Today' at 7 p.m. in the Berry College Krannert ballroom. This lecture is free and open to the public.

Feb. 17: The Georgia Southern University Faculty Brass & Percussion will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Berry College Ford Auditorium. The brass and percussion faculty will perform a wide variety of styles. The event is free and open to all.

Feb. 18: Women Build 2013 sponsors the Second Annual
Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s; seatings at 8-9 a.m. or 9-10 a.m. Cost $7 (includes a $5 coupon for next visit to Applebee’s).
Tickets on sale at HomeMart. Details: Dee at 706-378-0030.

Feb. 20: Redmond Regional Medical Center is hosting the ‘Redmond Has Heart’ community education event at the Forum from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Redmond will share heart health information and education with local middle and high schools, colleges and all interested community members.  The free vent features the Ameriheart exhibit, a walkthrough, interactive heart exhibit which educates visitors on heart anatomy, disease and disease prevention. Redmond

Feb. 23: Mohawk to post fourth-quarter earnings. Mohawk

Feb. 24-26: Darlington’s fine arts department presents Broadway's 'Crazy for You,' Rome City Auditorium. Friday-Saturday shows, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Admission: $10 adults; $7 for children, students and seniors. For more

Feb. 25: Fourth Annual Heart of the Community Walk kicks off at 10 a.m. at Citizen’s First Bank. The walk honors heart disease survivor Terry Simmons, a State Farm Insurance Agent and two-time survivor of heart complications. Heart walk 

Feb. 25: Northwest Georgia Select Basketball tryouts set for Model Auxiliary Gym. A liability Waiver and $20 non-refundable tryout fee are required at the time of tryouts. Player evaluation forms will be provided to each player following his tryout. Boys groups are seventh (10 a.m.), ninth (11 a.m.) or 10th (noon); eighth or 11th graders may qualify depending on date of birth. Assistant coaching positions are available; click email

Feb. 28: 12th Annual 'A Night at the Movies,' benefitting the Exchange Club Family Resource Center. Sponsored by Rome Cinemas and the Rome Hospitality Association. Hors d oeuvres and drinks at 6 p.m.; your choice of six movies at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, two for $75 or groups of 10 or more, $35 each. Details: 706-290-0764.

Feb. 28: ‘Comedy Tonight,’ Northwest Georgia WINDS, 7:30 p.m., Rome City Auditorium, music of Spike Jones, PDQ Bach, and more, free.

March 1: Floyd County Courthouse security gets tighter: One key change will be the ban on all cell phones, says Sheriff Tim Burkhalter. That's similar to the federal courthouse standards as well. The only exceptions at the Floyd courthouse will be cell phones used by staff, judges and attorneys.

March 2: R.O.M.E.'s ‘American Classics,’ Chamber Players of the South Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Rome City Auditorium, music of Copland and Gershwin, $10, adults; $5, students.

March 8: The Friends for Life Banquet, sponsored by the Pregnancy Center of Rome, will be at 6:30 p.m. at The Forum.  The speaker will be Tom Glessner, founder and president of a public interest law firm that is committed to providing legal counsel and the training of pregnancy resource centers.  A live ultrasound will be part of the program.  This event is the annual fund raiser for the Pregnancy Center.  Tickets are complimentary. Free parking at the Third Avenue Parking Deck.  Details: Pregnancy Center, 706-235-6833.

March 10: Northwest Georgia Select's second annual alumni basketball tournament at Pepperell Middle School. Any graduates or high school senior from Floyd, Rome or surrounding area schools are invited. Team fees are $100; individual fees are $15. Individual players will be contacted with team information prior to the tournament.  Click email for application and liability waiver (required).

March 17: The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority is registering for the first Leprechaun-a-thon 5K and 2 Mile Health Walk set for St. Patrick’s Day.  Click

April 26-29: 2012 Clocktower Classic returns. Known as a premiere race in the U.S. Handcycling National Racing Series, the classic brings the athletes downtown for some steep competition as well as other venues in here. It is a plus for downtown businesses the day of the race. Facebook

Community service groups

Kiwanis Club: Mondays, noon, Western Sizzlin. 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.

Rome Rotary, noon Thursdays, Coosa Country Club.

-Feb. 16:  Dr. Randy Sumner will discuss his trip to Ethiopia with Rotary’s PolioPlus effort at global eradication of the disease

 -Feb. 23:  Rotary World Understanding

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:

-March 2: STAR Student and Teacher recognition at the Exchange Club of Rome.

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

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-State business headlines from Georgia Trend. Business

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

 

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