We've Moved to GrowCarroll.com!

Many of you have been following our work here at our Blogspot account for a couple of months now (it's up to 5,000 hits and more than 300 of you are also our friend on Facebook). While I know that internet friendships aren't exactly the most binding of ties, I really think that in the kind of world we live in, they go a long way in helping to foster greater fraternity in a community, whether it be an actual group of people living and working together or an online network. That's where GrowCarroll comes in.

After much hard work www.growcarroll.com was launched earlier today. It will replace this blog as our primary website.

When we were putting GrowCarroll together, we didn't want to create another space online that exists simply as a dumping ground for rote news or static press releases. We wanted to bridge the gap between the internet and the people on the other end of those fiber optic connections.

That's where you guys come in. I know it's cliché, but we want to hear from you. We're not just saying it, either. We really do. Create a commenter account. Talk to us. Talk to each other. Email us stuff for the calendar. Email us about adding locations to our master map. Email us if there's something on here you'd like to see more of. Email us if there's something that we're missing. Email us pictures. Email us blog entries if you're the type to put pen to paper. We want to hear from you. Together, we can really make this something special.

In the meanwhile, click around. Explore. Have fun. It's your community, and it's your GrowCarroll.com.

Visit GrowCarroll now.

Jinkies!

Tanner Health System Contributes $634.6 Million to Region’s Economy

Tanner Health System contributed more than $634.6 million to the region’s economy and created 4,666 full-time jobs in 2009, according to a report from the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA).

The economic impact represents a more than 16 percent increase from 2008, according to the health system.

“This continues to be a period of tremendous growth at Tanner,” said Loy Howard, president and CEO of Tanner Health System. “Over the time that this report documents, we opened Tanner Heart and Vascular Center in Carrollton and Willowbrooke at Tanner, the new inpatient behavioral health facility in Villa Rica. We’ve also seen very strong growth among the practices that are part of Tanner Medical Group, with established practices joining and new practices starting.”

UWG's 26th Annual Sunbelt Jazz Fest Friday

Jazz great Chris Vadala comes to the 26th Annual Sunbelt Jazz Festival at University of West Georgia on Friday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m.

UWG’s Department of Music and the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts host the annual show for lovers of great jazz.

A Note from the Carroll County Tax Assessors Office

By Sandra S. Ferguson

Chief Appraiser

Carroll County residents will see some changes this year to the way the Tax Assessor’s office notifies them about the value assigned to their property, and like all new things, it’s going to be confusing to some who are used to the old system. But there’s good news: it’s really not that different than in years past.

Last year, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Property Tax Reform Bill (SB 346), which made changes to the existing tax code; these changes took effect at the beginning of this year.

A Week Full of Earth Day Events

The University of West Georgia and Keep Carroll Beautiful are working together to host a week full of activities in celebration of Earth Day. Take some time this week to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty that Carroll County has to offer. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday
• Keep Carroll Beautiful Ribbon Cutting and 6th Birthday Party, 4:30-6:30 PM
105 Folds Dr. Suite 3. Sponsored by Keep Carroll Beautiful
• Movie Night: Disney/Pixar's “WALL-E” at 7 p.m. UWG Callaway Room 145
Sponsored by Love Not Litter, Keep Carroll Beautiful

Tuesday
• Flower Planting at John Tanner State Park, Noon. Sponsored by Love Not Litter, Keep Carroll Beautiful.

It's Not Too Late to Thank a Public Safety Telecommunicator

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Chappell recognizes public safety telecommunicators at the Carroll County E-911 Center with a proclamation declaring April 10-16 'National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.'

It's National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Carroll County, a time when we should all take a moment to recognize all the hard work that goes into keeping our 911 system running smoothly and efficiently. These professionals make us all safer and have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and the timely treatment of patients experiencing medical emergencies.

The proclamation after the jump.

Community Chorus Peforms 'A Tribute to Disney' Tonight

Carroll County Community Chorus presents the spring concert series, A Tribute to Disney, April 15 @ 7:30 pm, April 16 @ 4 pm and 7:30 pm @ the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center. The concert includes such Disney songs as "Beauty and the Beast," “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “Whistle While You Work,” “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” “When You Wish Upon a Star” and others. Tix are $10. 770-838-1083.

UWG Students Holding Car Wash for Japan

Students from the University of West Georgia's International Students Club and Multi-Asian Student Association will be holding a charity car wash today to raise funds for the Japan Relief Fund. The car wash is being held at the Chevron Gas Station on Maple Street in Carrollton. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. and lasts until 6 p.m.

VRHS Show Choir Performance Tonight, Saturday

Villa Rica High School's Show Choir will be performing a variety of songs tonight and Saturday at the school's Hall Theatre. Songs include Proud Mary, Fever and The Shoop-Shoop Song. The event kicks off both nights at 7 p.m., tickets are $3.

Temple Convenience Center Expansion Complete

The Carroll County Public Works Department recently completed work on an expanded attendant’s office at the Temple convenience center, the latest in a line of improvements to convenience centers around Carroll County; crews should begin work at the Dyer Road location in the next few weeks.

The work done at the Temple location came at a cost of approximately $6,000, which went towards modernizing the existing on-site facility. A new building was constructed, complete with weatherproofing, a heating and air-conditioning unit and new plumbing, altogether marking a significant expansion over the previous space.

Judicial Center has Beautiful View of Carrollton

Carrollton City Hall as scene from the fifth floor of the Carroll County Judicial Center.

Construction crews are making progress on the Carroll County Judicial Center every day. When finished the five-story building will house the majority of the county's court services. For the meantime the center's fifth floor provides a beautiful view of Carrollton and the surrounding area.

Business Leaders Gather for Carroll Chamber of Commerce's Energy Summit

Brandon Dillard, Manager of Southern Company's Georgia Power Plant Wansley, was one of the panelists at the 2011 Energy Summit.

Area business leaders gathered at the Burson Center in Carrollton on Wednesday as part of the 2011 Energy Summit.

Sponsored jointly by the local, the state and the national chambers of commerce, the event highlighted the energy needs of the future as well as what systems will need to be in place to ensure those needs are met.

Carroll County Awarded $100K Conservation Grant

Carroll County recently finalized a $100,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the development and rehabilitation of the 485-acre Moore’s Bridge Park.

The county is required a cash match of $50,000 for the grant, which will be paid from the 2003 and 2008 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

In 2009, Carroll County purchased the parkland from the Trust for Public Land for use as passive recreation. The land is located near Whitesburg, running adjacent to the Chattahoochee River for 1.4 miles.

Regarding Our Recent Absence

Some of you may have noticed that we haven't been posting as many blog entries as of late. Well, we have a good reason, and there's a hint as to what we've been doing in the above picture. That's right! You guessed it! We've been busy putting together a new website, chalked full of news, information and events (not to mention pictures and video).

Carroll County Gymnastics Team Shines in State Championship

Carroll County Gymnastics Prep Op 2 Team finishes season undefeated 

and claims the State Title; Prep Op 1 Team brings home the bronze! 

Prep Optional 2 State Champs 2011: Helen Vissering, Sara Wiggins, Catherine Tanner, Abby Garrett, Kaley Smith, Karolyn Sales, Kaitlyn Cole, Becky Nelson, Katie Tisinger.

The Carroll County Recreation Gymnastics teams travelled to Roswell, Ga. April 1-3, and competed in the 2011 AAU Prep Op 1,2 & 3 State Championships. The team went into the meet with high hopes & careful preparation, as they had an undefeated regular season. Their hard work and efforts paid off and the Carroll County Gymnastics Prep Optional 2 Team claimed the gold for the team competition along with 9 individual state titles! The prep op 1 team placed 3rd in the state and come home with 4 individual state titles. The county’s Prep Op 3 team came home with 3 state titles and did not compete as a team due to fact only two girls competed and it takes at least three to make a team.

Don't Forget to Order Vidalia Onions

It's springtime and that means sweet Vidalia onions are almost in season. Carroll County 4-H is accepting orders through Friday for 10-pound bags of the onions. Visit the Carroll County Ag Center (900 Newnan Road) to place your order.

Quilters Guild visits Whitesburg

Tuesday morning, members of the West Georgia Quilters Guild visited the Whitesburg Library to hold a small workshop for members of the community. Marylou Zigler, Jane Brownlow and Anita Thomas discussed quilting supplies for beginners, fabrics and patterns.

UWG Archaeological Lab Hosting Open House Saturday

The Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Archaeological Laboratory at the University of West Georgia is hosting an open house on Saturday, April 16, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited.

The open house will feature: an archaeological dig at the on-site mock excavation pit; a flint knapping demonstration by Mr. James Spake; and artifact identification by Dr. Thomas Foster, the director of the lab.

Spring E-Recycling Event a Success

Hundreds of local residents stopped the Southwire Corporate Parking Lot Saturday to take part in Keep Carroll Beautiful's spring Electronics Recycling Event. 

Cars started lining up at 9 a.m. when the event kicked off and by noon volunteers had amassed towers of old televisions, computers, and other electronics. Thanks to the hard work of Keep Carroll Beautiful's many volunteers and the support of the community, all the waste collected Saturday will be recycled rather than being dumped in landfills.

Annual Tractor Ride for Education

The West Georgia Two-Cylinder Club will be holding their annual Antique Tractor Ride for Education this Saturday to benefit the club's scholarship fund. The 40-mile long ride begins at the Carroll County Ag Center at 9 a.m.

Free IRS Tax Help Saturday

The Internal Revenue Service's free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be at the Tracy Stallings Community Center from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Saturday. 

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.

Watch a Free Horse Show Saturday

This Saturday horse riders will compete in dressage, stadium jumping and cross county jumping events during a three-phase schooling show at Red Horse Stables at 2800 West Highway 5. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and is free for spectators, so bring a lawn chair, relax and take in the show.

Reminder: E-Recycling, March of Dimes This Weekend

Have a drawer, box or closet filled with old and unused electronics? Tomorrow Keep Carroll Beautiful will be holding their spring Electronics Recycling Event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Southwire Corporate Parking Lot at One Southwire Drive in Carrollton.

Cancer Recovery Walkers Program to Resume April 13

Area residents who would like a little inspiration with their walking regimen are invited to join Tanner Health System’s Oncology Advisory Council as part of the group’s Cancer Recovery Walkers.

The Cancer Recovery Walkers went on hiatus during the colder winter months, but the group will resume weekly walking exercise sessions on Wednesday, April 13 at 9 a.m. on the walking trail behind Tanner’s Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center.

New Scholarship for Nursing Students at UWG

An endowed scholarship has been established at the University of West Georgia that will provide a helping hand to several students in the School of Nursing each year. Derek and Patricia Reynolds created the Reynolds Nursing Education Scholarship to celebrate a field that makes a substantial positive impact on society.

“The students and I appreciate the thoughtfulness and generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds,” said Dr. Kathryn Grams, professor and dean of the School of Nursing. “The scholarships they are funding will support the efforts of our students to become caring and competent nurses.”

Tanner Named to Georgia Hospital Association's Quality Honor Roll

All three Tanner Health System hospitals – Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton, Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica and Higgins General Hospital in Bremen – have been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) quality honor roll.

Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica is among 22 Georgia hospitals named to the Chairman’s category – the highest on the list – of the Georgia Hospital Association’s Partnership for Health and Accountability Quality Honor Roll. Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Higgins General Hospital were among 62 Georgia hospitals named to the President’s category – second highest on the honor roll.

Dancing-4-Hearts Zumbathon Raises $1,300 for Tanner’s Cardiology Services

More than 100 Zumba Fitness® fans participated in the Dancing-4-Hearts Zumbathon at the Lakeshore Gym in Carrollton on Feb. 27, raising $1,300 to benefit Tanner Health System’s cardiology services.

UWG Presents Blithe Spirit

The University of West Georgia presents Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward. The show will run in the Townsend Center for Performing Arts Main Stage from April 13-17, at 7:30 p. m. and April 16- 17, at 2:30 p. m. Tickets are $10 and FREE for students with their U.W.G I.D.

The tale follows socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. In a comical twist of fate, Madame Arcati accidentally summons the ghost of Charles’ former wife, Elvira. This is much to the displeasure of Charles’ living wife, Ruth.

National Quilt Day Babies Born at Tanner

In Carrollton, the lucky baby girl was Nyliah Davis, born at 3:21 a.m. to Paige Thomas of Carrollton. 

The West Georgia Quilters Guild donated two beautiful, vibrant quilts to Tanner Medical Foundation to be given to the first babies born at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica on National Quilt Day, Saturday, March 19.

Cotton Mill Farmers' Market Vendor Meeting Tonight

The Cotton Mill Farmers' Market will hold a meeting tonight for all previous and potential vendors at the Carroll County Ag Center (900 Newnan Road, Carrollton) at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be followed up next week with the Farm & Vendor Tour on Saturday April 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market's opening day is scheduled for April 30 from 8 a.m. to noon at 401 Rome Street in Carrollton.

Electronics Recycling This Saturday at Southwire

Johnny Isakson and David Ralston to Address UWG Grads

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson

The University of West Georgia will hold its spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 7 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the coliseum on the Carrollton campus.

The morning ceremony will feature a commencement address by Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston. The attorney from Blue Ridge has served in the House of Representatives since 2002 and was elected speaker on Jan. 11, 2010.

Dance for Dogs to benefit Carroll County Animal Shelter Saturday

A 17-month-old Boxer mix up for adoption at the Carroll County Animal Shelter.

Show off your dance moves and help support the Carroll County Animal Shelter at the first annual Dance for Dogs this Saturday at the Carroll County Recreation Department. The event begins at noon and lasts through 2 p.m. A $8 donation entitles guests to two hours of Zumba with two certified instructors, a limited edition t-shirt and refreshments.

WGTC Taking Submissions for Travelling Art Show

West Georgia Technical College is accepting submissions for the college's first campus-wide art exhibit through April 15. Current and recent WGTC staff, faculty and students, as well as high school students from Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, Meriwether and Troup Counties are all encouraged to submit their work.

Census Data Charts County's Growth

Over the past decade, Carroll County’s population grew by approximately 27% from 87,268 residents in 2000 to 110,527 residents in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The 23,259 additional persons helped the county’s overall population to occupy 39,187 out of 44,607 residences, an 88% rate of occupancy.

Nazi Hunter: Simon Wiesenthal Opens Friday at Townsend Center

The University of West Georgia’s Townsend Center for the Performing Arts will present Tom Dugan’s “Nazi Hunter: Simon Wiesenthal,” a one-man theatrical journey about the Austrian-Jewish Holocaust survivor.

Wiesenthal survived the horrors of concentration camps and then began a pursuit of Nazi war criminals. He tracked down and brought to justice more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals around the world.

Ephesus Public Library Holding Blowout Book Sale

 

The Ephesus Public Library is hosting a 'Blowout Sale' featuring used books, CDs, DVDs and cookbooks. The sale, which helps benefit the library, begins today and lasts through April 9th. The sale is a great opportunity to pick up some inexpensive spring reading material while supporting one of the county's local libraries.

UWG Names New Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs

The University of West Georgia is pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Horvath will become its next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Horvath is currently professor and dean of the School of Education at Indiana University South Bend. He has worked as a dean of education in public, regional institutions for the past 15 years, including as professor and dean of the School of Education at Missouri Southern State University and professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Bradley University.

Emergency Preparedness Fair Set for April 23rd.

Floods, severe thunder storms, tornadoes and even ice storms are constant reminders that west Georgia is not at all insulated against the threats of severe weather. 

Tanner's Short Stay/Clinic Avenue Entrance Closing, Courtesy Valet Parking Expanding

As construction continues on the campus of Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton, the Clinic Avenue/Short Stay parking lot and entrance to the hospital will close on April 4. The facility will begin offering free valet service on that date at the Dixie Street atrium as a courtesy to its patients.

Free Wind Symphony Concert Tonight

The University of West Georgia's Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will be performing a free concert tonight at the campus' Townsend Center for the Performing Arts at 8:15 p.m. It's a great way to unwind after a long Monday.

WGTC to Host Motorcycle Ride for March of Dimes

Set aside your walking shoes, break out your motorcycle boots and get ready to Ride for Babies! West Georgia Technical College is hosting a Motorcycle Ride to benefit the March of Dimes on Saturday, April 9th. 

Carroll County Boys & Girls Club Recognized with Proclamation

On Wednesday, Carroll County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Chappell toured the Carroll County Boys & Girls Club and signed a proclamation recognizing the club's efforts, designating March 20 through March 26 as 'Boys & Girls Club Week.'

UWG Grad Publishes Children's Book

Recent University of West Georgia graduate Brittany Reid has published her first children’s book, Quack-a-Doodle-Doo: Do it Like Dave. Reid says it is the first in what will be a series of books focused on self worth, positive self-esteem and education. “The series will follow the story of Uni, a duck who thinks he is a chicken, but slowly learns to love and accept himself for being different from the brids around him,” said Reid.

Last Day to Register for AJC's Peachtree Road Race

Registration ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. for the 2011 Atlanta Journal Constitution's Peachtree Road Race. This year's 10-kilometer race will have 60,000 runners, an increase of 5,000 over previous years. Register here.

Carroll Meth Awareness Coalition to Host Special Program Tonight

The Carroll Meth Awareness Coalition is hosting a free program tonight featuring a panel discussion on the types of intervention, treatment and support resources available for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction.

The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Carrollton Housing Authority's Elder Circle Community Center at 512 Elder Circle. Tonight's panelists include representatives from Drug Court, faith-based treatment programs and Willowbrooke at Tanner.

Electronics Recycling Event Set for April 9th

Tanner's Harmony for Healing to Feature Student Choruses

Tanner Health System's Harmony for Healing music therapy program is pleased to announce two unique upcoming performances in the atrium of Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton that the public is welcome to attend.

The Carrollton Middle School Singers, featuring more than 60 fifth grade students under the direction of Susan Fields, will perform on March 29 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Their program, “On the Radio,” will consist of songs heard over the airwaves from the Great Depression and World War II through the birth of rock-and-roll, the British Invasion and disco. “Tune in” for popular hits of years past, including “Ain’t We Got Fun?,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Hound Dog,” “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Footloose.”

Free AARP Tax Help in Whitesburg Today

Representatives from the AARP Tax Aide Program will be at the Whitesburg Public Library Today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is a free service run by the AARP to help moderate to low income tax payers with a special emphasis on senior citizens.

Upcoming Events at the Cultural Arts Center

More exhibits, classes, performances, shows and concerts on the way at the Carroll Cultural Arts Center.

Family Creates Women's Studies Scholarship

Michael Menkes, a UWG criminology and women’s studies student, on behalf of the Menkes family and in celebration of Women’s History Month, is pleased to announce the creation of the Menkes Family Women’s Studies Scholarship. This scholarship will give generous support to students who are planning to minor in the Women’s Studies Program.

Reception for New Villa Rica Head Football Coach Tonight

A reminder for all the Wildcats fans, Villa Rica High School will be hosting a reception to meet and greet new Head Football Coach Mike Falleur tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the school's cafeteria. Members of the public are encouraged to come and welcome the new coach. A spaghetti dinner will be served.

Professor Makes Homes for Eastern Bluebirds on UWG Campus

Spring is here and the changing of the season means more feathery friends on the UWG campus. 

Barbara Ballentine, assistant professor of behavioral ecology and evolution, is especially interested in the arrival of Eastern bluebirds. She is conducting a new research project to study their behavior and morphology.

Hundreds Visit John Tanner Park for Junior Sportsman Bonanza

Snake Master Steve Scruggs shows off the jaws on one of his many snakes during the Junior Sportsman Bonanza at John Tanner Park on Saturday.

Hundreds of local residents and guests from other counties visited John Tanner Park Saturday for the Junior Sportsman Bonanza. The event was one of the many great opportunities to have family fun close to home at Carroll County's beautiful parks.

Fallen Heroes Memorial Tour Honors Two Local Officers

The tour pulls into the parking lot of the Bradley Street Warehouse Friday morning in Carrollton.

WGTC Recognizes Student and Teacher of the Year

Karen Freeman

West Georgia Technical College has announced its Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership winner – Dale Bowers, a Registered Nursing student from Moreland – and its Rick Perkins Award winner – Early Childhood Care and Education instructor Karen Freeman of LaGrange. 

Silent Auction At Mt. Zion Community Center

Come and show your support for the Mt. Zion Community Center and Library by participating in their silent auction, which continues today from 9:30 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. through 2:30 p.m.

There are a variety of items to bid on, including gift sets and Mt. Zion hats and sweatshirts. You don’t have to be present to win your bid and all proceeds benefit the Mt. Zion Community Center and Library.

Carroll Tomorrow Announces New Economic Development VP

Brian Dill

Carroll Tomorrow is pleased to announce that Brian Dill has been selected as Vice President of Economic Development and Global Commerce for the Carroll Tomorrow Economic Development Foundation, according to Daniel Jackson, President and CEO. 

UWG Jazz Ensemble Performs Tonight

The University of West Georgia Jazz Ensemble will be holding their spring concert tonight at 8:15 p.m. in the campus' Townsend Center. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy live jazz while supporting collegiate musicians.