Honors for Cedartown Exchange Club

Georgia Exchange Club President Marty Smith presented the coveted National Service Award to Cedartown Exchange Club President Tom Reilly at the club’s weekly meeting at Meadow Lakes. Pictured are District Director Buzz Wachsteter, Tom Reilly, Marty Smith, Pam Smith and Vice President Ted Noe.
The National Service Award is presented to clubs that complete local service projects for the good of the community. (Media release)

Gonzalez: LakePoint ground breaking possible in April

Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, left, talks with Andrew Carter of WRGA 1470 AM and Christina Saul of the Rome News.

Atlanta Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez, in Rome for the annual Hot Stove Gathering Monday night, says his group hopes to break ground on Emerson's LakePoint Sporting Community and Town Center by April. Twelve months later, they hope to see the first pitch, says Gonzalez, who starts his second year as manager of the Atlanta club.

-More ground will be moved to build LakePoint that was moved to build Atlanta's international airport, he says. Some of that work already is under way and a construction trailer and signage are on the site bordered by U.S. 41 and I-75.

-Look for two phases of initial construction, one for baseball and one for other sports, he says. The retail build-out will follow, including hotels, restaurants and Bass Pro Shop among other retailers.

-Also planned: Another Miracle Field for physically challenged baseball players. Gonzalez says the field will see league play among those athletes.

Ingle: It's good to be 'home'

Rome Braves General Manager Mike Dunn, left, with the team's 2012 field staff: from left, trainer Brandon Harris; manager Randy Ingle; pitching coach Derrick Lewis; and hitting coach Carlos Mendez.

The man who led the Rome Braves on the field from 2006 to 2010 is back to do so in 2012. Randy Ingle returns to Rome after a year in the Atlanta Braves' Danville organization. It's likely some of his stars from that club's successful year will be part of his 2012 Rome Braves' roster. "We're looking forward to having a very good year." Some of the Danville players were part of the Rome club late in the season.

-Ingle and the 2012 Rome Braves open the home season on April 12 vs. Charleston. Single-game tickets go on sale March 17.

-Braves Miracle Field of Rome opens April 14: Look for the field to be a tribute to longtime Braves' bench coach Jim Beauchamp who lost his battle against leukemia on Christmas Day 2007. Proceeds from Monday's 10th annual Hot Stove Gathering benefited Miracle Field.

Heart health dominates Redmond's February events

Big 'heart' put emphasis on Redmond Regional's heart month activities.

Discounts on critical (and painless) angio screenings, free education events, a heart walk and and a walk through the 'Ameriheart' are part of a big month of heart-healthy events planned by Redmond Regional Medical Center. Events include:

-$40 angio screenings are sites in Rome and Cartersville starting Friday. Details

-Feb. 20: ‘Redmond Has Heart’ community education event at the Forum, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with heart health information and education as well as the above display. Plus free parking at the Third Avenue Deck.  Redmond

-Feb. 25: The Heart of the Community Walk.

Tuesday's buzz:

-Isakson, Chambliss join bipartisan Senate group introducing legislation to approve Keystone XL Pipeline.  Keystone

-Rep. Tom Graves introducing legislation to cancel a Department of Transportation rule that hides government taxes and fees in airline ticket pricing.  Graves

-Georgia Northwestern Technical College President’s and Dean’s Lists for the fall semester. GNTC

Another spring-like day today; rain by midweek

-Tuesday: Sunny, high of 65, low of 41.

-Wednesday: 40-70% rain chance, high of 65, low of 49.

-Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 66, low of 38.

-Extended forecast / Latest Radar

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