V3 April 2020

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / APRIL 2020

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APRIL 2020 COLUMNS

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Jim Alred offers a word of encouragement to athletes impacted by COVID-19, and challenges us to examine our priorities in a time of more flexible schedules.

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In contemplation of getting a dirt bike for her kids, Tammy Barron weighs the power of creating a deliberate positive narrative to limit the indulgence of fear, become a better parent, and find peace of mind.

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FEATURES 19

Spend a day on the river with the leaders of Georgia Women Fly Fishers to see how they’re making a difference one cast at a time

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In this time of quarantine, this photo journal showcases the impact that COVID-19 has had upon businesses and individuals alike

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Publisher's Note I think it’s safe to say that this April will be unlike any other in our lifetime. With a March that met that same criteria now in the rear-view, our nation has settled into the new norm. A world where take-out food reigns supreme, delivery drivers aren’t lacking for hours, streaming services are more appreciated than ever, fear and paranoia on many levels are rising and people are enjoying the great outdoors at a safe distance from others.

O W N E R & C E O Ian Griffin With media meeting the essential business criteria, I’ve had a bird’s eye view of downtown Rome throughout the fluid stages of the coronavirus pandemic. I am the only employee still working at our Broad Street office, with the rest of our staff working from home. The office is eerily quiet and at times, mainly at night, so is Broad Street. That serenity mainly comes in the decrease in traffic, because the number of people out walking, running or cycling has been immense.

In the evenings, locals are patronizing restaurants in an effort to support them and fill their bellies at the same time. The pulse stays alive as the sun sets and at times it seems like a normal day in the neighborhood, but darkness brings a different vibe.

It isn’t an uncomfortable feeling by any means, but it’s a far cry from normalcy. Two or three cars are scattered about on each block and the usually crowded sidewalks are empty other than a few downtown residents enjoying the night air in front of their loft apartments.

However different it feels, people seem to be adjusting well as the one constant I’ve noticed is the overall mood of the people not only downtown, but everywhere I’ve gone around town. Sure, people are scared, nervous and rightfully so, but I’ve also noticed an unspoken camaraderie amongst our citizens. From a safe distance, it seems this crisis has brought out the best in us.

We may be wearing protective masks and gloves, but I’ve seen more smiles from strangers in the last month than I can remember seeing in the last year. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, and if that’s the case perhaps this situation revived my attunement and the fact that others care about the well-being of their fellow man. Regardless, that’s one hell of a silver lining.

We may not be able to come together, yet we are. That’s a pretty powerful revelation.

So while I look forward to sitting down with my fellow Romans and enjoying a Roast Beef Relief while the jukebox blares in the background, I will always try to hold on to the feelings that surround this historic time in our lives. When amongst the fear and isolation, we faced the days with smiling faces. We scrapbooked, finally read those books we meant to get around to before, binge-watched movies and TV series, worked on our 5K times, completed projects around our homes and so on.

We aren’t out of the woods just yet, and I believe this situation will change us forever.

My heart hurts for those who will lose or have already lost loved ones to this virus, and I know that is what we all fear the most right now. My wish for all of you and myself is that we don’t have to face that fear head on. Regardless, I will always appreciate the smiles and kind gestures I’ve received and noticed others exchange during this time. Not that I ever lost it completely, but my faith in humanity has been restored.

Stay safe out there and keep smiling if you can.

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OWNER & CEO Ian Griffin MANAGING PARTNER Chris Forino MAG DESIGN Elizabeth Childers WRITERS Jim Alred, Ashlee Bagnell, Tammy Barron, DeMarcus Daniel, Ian Griffin, Cassie LaJeunesse, Nina Lovel EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Cameron Flaisch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Huynh Andy Calvert AD DESIGN Elizabeth Childers Ellie Borromeo PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC CONTACT 417 Broad Street Rome Ga, 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com CREATOR Neal Howard V3MAGAZINE.COM

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This too shall pass FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

With Jim Alred

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THE OTHER DAY I STOPPED IN A LOCAL GROCERY STORE, TOOK A FEW STEPS BACK AND LET OUT A LONG, SLOW WHISTLE AT THE EMPTY SHELVES. An acquaintance happened to see me and my reaction and mentioned the toilet paper aisle was much worse.

He then made a half statement half question that I agreed with at first, but now I’m not so sure.

“Aren’t you glad you’re not a sports writer at this time? I don’t even know what they would cover.”

I laughed and agreed with him as we made our separate ways while observing the correct social distancing standards.

The comment stuck with me. I planned for this column to be a tribute to my grandmother, who passed away in late February roughly a week and half before her 100th birthday. But that column has to wait.

I truly hope by the time you read this column, the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak has passed and our lives are entering a state much closer to what we know as normalcy.

I’m already crafting the outlines for SEC West football predictions that I’ve done for this magazine for the past few years. Ian Griffin handles the SEC East predictions, while I take the West. Now, the faint rumors and talk of a delayed college football season or even a season played in front of empty stadiums swirls.

For the moment, I’m putting those previews on hold. I prefer to get reports from spring football and spring football games before finalizing those previews. Those particular things are on hold indefinitely.

Speaking of sports at this moment seems a bit off. There are far bigger issues. However, during my lifetime sports have helped serve as an outlet in so many ways. As a high schooler, sports were one of the ways I attempted to fit in, although I’m not sure that ever worked well. It allowed me a way to channel energy and brought me some of my best memories.

My heart aches now for every high school senior who may not get a chance to play one final spring season. Because for almost all of them, this is their last go-round. My spring season brought

me big highs and a realization that I might be good enough to run collegiately. Without that spring season, most likely I never would have walked on the cross-country team at West Georgia and eventually walked on at Auburn.

For all those athletes aiming to compete beyond high school, have faith. If you continue to work hard, there are going to be chances. It might not be a full ride to a Division I powerhouse, but I promise you that there are schools all over the country looking for athletes.

A few weeks back, we had to cancel the Leprechaun-a-thon road race. Just a reminder, I work at Parks and Recreation and serve as the race director. The decision was brutal. At the time, I thought it was the right decision. I still think it was the right decision. The best news is we have a brand new race in October that everyone who registered for Leprechaun gets to run and walk.

For all the runners and walkers, use the time between now and October to keep striving to get in shape so that when it’s time to toe the starting line, you have a chance to do better than you ever have before.

At a time when there are no sports to be seen other than classic reruns or random videos of sports announcers commentating on everyday life events, find time to spend with your family. I wrote a column in this magazine a while back about enjoying every moment you have with your kids because it’s fleeting and one day you’ll blink and realize it’s gone.

Spend time with them. Enjoy them. Help them through this time.

When everything returns to normal, I’m guessing taking them to practices, tournaments or events will take on a far different meaning.

We often take for granted what life offers us. We are so focused on the future that we forget to stop and take time to enjoy the moment.

There are days as I head to soccer practice that I think about how tired I am and that maybe I should skip this practice.

Now, I would give so much for the opportunity to spend two hours with the group of players I’ve been helping coach and manage for the past half decade.

So if I still made my career as a sports writer, I would focus on the positives of the downtime and find the local athletes and coaches giving back to the community. I would sing the praises of our healthcare workers, who are truly going above and beyond to help fight an enemy we can’t see.

I would boast about the response to everything I’ve seen in our town with people helping other people and others making sacrifices so that hopefully in the near future our routines can go back to normal.

In the meantime, please stay safe. Enjoy your family and look forward to the day that this space returns to SEC previews, debates about the Hall of Fame merits of Pete Rose or Dale Murphy and celebrating the athletic achievements of those around us.

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The sound of crunching metal and plastic halt space and time in an instant.

The only awareness I have at the moment is the primal need to get to my child. I don’t register the ground or gravity as I bolt, feet flashing, and the only sound I hear is blood pumping in my ears. An arm – tiny and familiar – lay still under the wreckage.

Fast forward.

Scene: the E.R. “There is significant damage,” the doctor says. Pictures flash in my head of a new life, one in which a ramp leads to the front door of my home and I have to dry the tears of my child struggling to accept the limitations and/or peer rejection that weave the tapestry of their future in a wheelchair.

The movie continues to play disgusting indulgences of my worst fears. “STOP IT!” I snap at myself,

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perhaps a little too loud for social acceptability. My internal narrative can be my worst enemy, telling me lies and horrific fantasies that freeze my blood and strangle my breath. I struggle to control my anxiety and thoughts.

“Why can’t I get a dirt bike, Mom?” My daughter looks at me expectantly, and I weigh with caution how to respond. Here she stands before me, safe, fearless, confident, believing that in this moment, she is capable of greatness in anything she tries. How can mine be the voice she hears in her head that sells her ideas of limitations and fear? Moreover, how can I muster the courage to let her ride?

Our internal narratives hold such power over us. The things we say to ourselves – right or wrong, the tone kind or judgmental – our minds believe to be true. This inner voice leaves a lasting impression that affects our perception of choices and success. My incessant worry and fear creates a filter in my personal and professional life. It adds pigment to the memories

I gather each day and limits the color palette of my choices. When I was younger, I thought this fatalist point-of-view made me complex and mysterious, everything a young artist clings to. However, now I see how limiting this mindset really is.

Last week, I was watching some dreadful newscast, more of the same banal political babble.

The commentators were arguing about some government official controlling the narrative and therefore bastardizing the system’s integrity. This ambiguous concept of truth and perceived truth is a hot topic lately. It seems in the world in which we live, those that control the narrative control majority opinion. It’s strange to me to think that reality is so subjective. I think of Jean-Paul Sartre, the French philosopher, in his essay The Transcendence of the Ego: “People are fooled by the stories they tell themselves about their lives. A man is always a teller of tales, he lives surrounded by his stories and the stories of others, he sees everything that happens

Open Doors opened doors

By Tammy Barron

to him through them.” I suppose truth will always be as subjective as our perception. I consider how deliberately creating a positive personal narrative and limiting my indulgent fears may help me find peace of mind.

It was about 10 years ago that I quit smoking.

I know, terrible habit, don’t tell anyone. But it was nearly 10 years before that, that I decided I needed to quit. For a decade, I half-heartedly tried nicotine gum, the patch, mind-warping Chantix, herbal remedies and acupuncture. There was a lot of energy spent on the business of quitting smoking.

Failures and subsequent guilt dappled this decade’s attempt to reinvent myself. In my head, I was so concerned about the addiction. It had grown into this great beast, an invisible adversary, that waged an existential war in my mind. I spoke to a dear friend about my struggle. They said, “If you want to quit, quit. It may take three days for your body to stop wanting the nicotine, after that it’s all in your head.

It’s simple.” I found my willpower – as if lifting a veil – when my internal monologue changed. My impression of the challenge, to identify as a nonsmoker, shifted; I stopped obsessing about the idea of “the thing.” Instead, I repeated my friend’s words to myself whenever I felt anxious. I recognized the power I had over my mind. I found my strength and never picked up another cigarette.

Could the same thought-pattern-control help me keep my anxiety within the limits of sanity? I am constantly worrying and looking out for calamity and doom. “Is that man in the parking lot following me? Was I too harsh on the kids? Do they feel loved? Is that a lump I feel? Is it cancer? Did I forget to pay my credit card last month? Is my credit destroyed? There’s a lot of hair in the drain, am I going bald?” It never ends, this negative thought chatter. Meditation helps some; however, I need an alternate narrative to avoid dreadful visions of my children suffering, or grisly scenes of my

imminent demise in the grocery store parking lot.

Just like finding my willpower to quit smoking, deliberate thought replacements seem more effective in changing my anxious mindset. I like to throw a couple positive affirmations in there too, just to remind myself that I’m awesome and the world won’t end today.

“Can I get a dirt bike, Mom?” My precious one. (pause) “yes.”

I have to let her live outside the fear I cage myself in. I may still consistently feed my kids reminders of safety: “Look out for snakes. Don’t go too fast.

Watch out for cars.” I mean, I am still a mom. But it is important that I help nurture the framework of their self-confidence and positive thinking. If the lessons I teach them are the world is something only to be feared and they are fragile and destined to fail, then that is a far worse injury to their future than any they experience on a dirt bike.

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HOOK LINE

SISTERHOOD For the leaders of Georgia Women Fly Fishers, empowerment and community are only one cast away Text & Photos: Tammy Barron

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“Ffffhip!”

THE LINE WHIPS A MESMER IZING DANCE THROUGH THE AIR. Back and forth it travels, weightless, to place the little brown stonefly perfectly on the edge of a deep water current.

The Chattahoochee playfully chatters around small boulders in crystalline swirls, and the rich aroma of the surrounding moss is a joy for the senses.

The sun just crests the tree line as our tires crunch softly on the gravel shoulder. Today the hunt is on for some wild trout. It’s chilly this morning, 34 degrees in Helen, Georgia, and I’m thankful for all my layers beneath the waders Liz Lucabaugh, President of Georgia Women Fly Fishers, has brought for me. We are joined by Tori Walburn, 20

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vice president of the club and self-professed fishing fanatic.

“I am on the water every weekend. I can’t get enough of it,” Tori beams as she finishes the ties on her euro-nymph setup.

We don our packs and head toward the gentle rushing sound of the Chattahoochee. A familiar warmth fills my chest as the water nears. It may be the pristine morning, the easy mood the water always washes over me or the joyful anticipation of what discoveries the day will reveal; this feeling of happiness confirms fishing as my most favorite pastime. Ahead, the ladies eye the banks and merrily make their way into the water. The lightness in their voices and sureness of their steps reveal this is an ardent passion for them as well.

Georgia Women Fly Fishers is a memberdriven non-profit organization made up of anglers passionate about fly-fishing, friendship and community. Member Diane Minick describes the club’s mission: “To give women an opportunity to learn about fishing. To work with each other, mentor each other and share an enjoyment of the outdoors together.” Minick continues, “originally it was designed to support women, but we also have men who enjoy being in our club. We enjoy it together, so the club has evolved to become more inclusive.”

At the heart of the organization is the effort to introduce and educate women in the sport of fly-fishing in a supportive, non-competitive environment.

Tori Walburn

Liz Lucabaugh

Women make up about 31 percent of the 6.5 million Americans who fly-fish, according to the most recent study by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. They represent the fastest growing demographic in the industry yet surprisingly, finding proper gear, navigating social media and planning self-defense in the outdoors are deterrents for many women who would otherwise embrace the sport. This is where a club like GWFF comes into play.

Monthly, members gather to share more than just pictures of their latest catch – though there is plenty of light-hearted bragging at these tables.

Women and men gather from all over North Georgia to discuss all aspects of the industry. Helpful gear recommendations are ample, as I realize I

am not the only one to feel frustrated that many of the product lines offered to women are sadly lacking in concept. Hot pink and magenta reboots of similar products for men are obnoxiously bright and don’t fit women’s bodies for the best performance.

Slimming features that remove pockets and zippers are “flat out ridiculous and infuriating,” states one of the women in the group.

The group maintains a healthy social media platform free of ridiculous images of bikini-clad women holding giant rainbows with perfect hair and fresh manicures, but rather hosts a forum to connect its members to helpful resources and each other for upcoming group fishing trips and events. They are careful to keep locations private

to ensure everyone’s feeling of safety while in the remote outdoors.

At one monthly meeting I asked the members: why did you join GWFF? Many of the answers I heard are surprising, some all too familiar.

“I hate when I go into a fly shop and feel like the salesman assumes I’m lost. I want to ask questions about new gear and techniques, but don’t want to confirm their suspicions that I don’t belong there.”

“I grew up in Florida; fishing is in my blood. I grew up on the water, and when I moved here, I just had to find a like-minded community.”

“When I would go charter fishing with my husband, I was often left out of the machismo banter, and if I said anything about the sexist comments

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“Our goal is to help them feel that there is a real reason for living and continuing.

Catching fish, well that’s just extra.”

I would be dismissed as uptight. I wanted to learn more about the sport but didn’t feel comfortable asking questions.”

“When my husband and I split, I mourned the loss of our shared fishing trips, so I joined GWFF to gain independence in a sport I always loved.”

The dynamics of this group are wide and diverse, but a common theme prevails: these women are empowered by this network of anglers.

Beyond monthly meetings and fishing trips, GWFF is dedicated to community involvement, providing financial support to Back the Brookie, GA Council of Trout Unlimited and the Julie Stalnaker Memorial Fund to name just a few. Its members also volunteer and assist organizations such as Project Healing Waters, which is dedicated 22

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to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly-fishing. Reeling in Recovery (RiR) is an insightful program that supports women struggling with alcohol and drug addictions that finds the healing quality of nature and the calming focus of fly-fishing a perfect pairing with the teachings of a 12-step program, in addition to many environmental river-keeping events.

Perhaps one of the most cherished events supported by GWFF is Casting for Confidence, an annual one-day fishing retreat put on for female cancer survivors.

Women from all over North Georgia spend the day learning about all aspects of the flyfishing industry, from entomology to casting and

fishing techniques, in picturesque Frog Hollow in Dahlonega, Georgia.

“It’s a wonderful way to spend a day with people who sometimes don’t have such a good day,” Lucabaugh says. “We give these ladies an opportunity to think about something else other than their sickness and their struggles with cancer.

There is something very healing about being surrounded by nature. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, has proven health benefits, and teaching them to fish helps clear their minds of the stress.”

I was particularly drawn to the stories from women who previously participated as cancer survivors and, having been so impressed by GWFF members’ generosity, giving of their time and talents, decided to join and are now involved in

Casting for Confidence as club volunteers. “I got involved with CFC when it was in its early stages,” says Minick. “I like to talk about the insects in the water. I teach the women about the fish. It’s a wonderful way to give people an opportunity to see beyond their pain and struggles and see there is something beautiful out there for them. Something that they can do that doesn’t take a lot of effort, and will help feed their soul. To help them feel that there is a real reason for living and continuing. Catching fish, well that’s just extra.”

The sun is high and the morning’s winter layers are shed. We stop to talk to a man fishing a nearby eddy, your typical angler probing for insider flies and bites, then continue down the river. Liz Lucabaugh and Tori Walburn talk about their future plans for the club. “I’d like to see some of our women pursue guide school. There are not any licensed women guides in Georgia,”says Walburn. “I thought about it myself,” she continues. “Wouldn’t that be awesome? Maybe I’d get a boat and be on the water full-time.”

This doesn’t seem like much of a stretch as she admits she’s casting flies every chance she gets. Lucabaugh wants to see GWFF members try to nail down some local records.

“We have had a lot of success with our website lately, sure would be nice to spread the word about women in the industry by snagging some freshwater records,” Lucabaugh muses. Both women appear completely at home out here.

Fly-fishing takes so much nurturing and patience. It deepens the connection to natural rhythms all around by instilling a gentle humility and deep understanding that you are part of something much larger than yourself.

Fishing demands that you pay attention, to notice, to care. Perhaps this is why it appeals to women and men alike. All worries and stress, the to-do lists and demands of business, the pressures for self-improvement fade away; what remains is the intimate experience between you and the river.

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CHATSWORTH 1422 Green Road, Suite N (706) 695-9699

SUMMERVILLE 11638 Highway 27, Suite 1 (706) 857-6366

JASPER 620 J.L. White Dr., Suite 110 (706) 692-9080

ROCKMART 1081 Nathan Dean Pkwy (678) 757-1899

ROME 224 Shorter Ave (706) 235-2727

Thank You

Health Care Professionals

for everything you do to keep us safe and heathy!

WWW.STUDIOSIRI.COM 1205 DEAN AVE. ROME, GA • 706.409.3022

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un路prec路e路dent路ed adjectiv e without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled

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In a time of quarantine, our world seems to look different each day.

Yet despite uncertainty, individuals and businesses alike are working in innovative ways to provide hope in uncharted territory Photos: Cameron Flaisch

Local schools suspend in-person classes for remainder of school year, transition to digital learning

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Redmond Hospital establishes remote screening locations to lessen the spread of COVID-19

Broad Street businesses reduce hours and promote online shopping

Broad Street businesses implement curbside pickup options to practice social distancing

Grocery stores set quantity limits on popular items to account for a surge in demand

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Employee don mask and gloves before delivering curbside order to limit contact with products

Downtown traffic lessens as consumers utilize delivery and curbside services

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Local churches provide drive in Easter services to be able to worship while maintaining social distancing

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Restaurants transition to takeout orders only to limit the number of people entering dining rooms

Coworkers utilize videoconferencing technologies as a way to stay connected while working from home 32

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Life Church live-stream to watch from home

ms sermon to allow people

Grocery stores experiences product shortages as customers stock up while quarantining

Broad Street business restrict access to physical storefront while encouraging orders via phone call READV3.COM | APRIL 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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S I L I C O N E C O AT I N G S O L U T I O N S

Don’t REPLACE your roof, RESTORE it!

• Save 50-70% of the replacement cost on a commercial roof • 100% premium commercial silicone roof coating • Seamless repair of TPO/EPDM • Seal metal roofs • Environmentally friendly roof coating, anti-graffiti or wall coating

2101 Rockmart Road SE • www.siliconecs.com • 404-825-3174 34

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INNOVATION AT WORK: COVID-19 Business Spotlight

Braden Keith

SIR ISAAC NEWTON LIVED A VERY SIMILAR LIFE TO YOU AND ME RIGHT NOW. In 1663, a plague broke out in London, which forced him into quarantine in his family’s home of Woolsthorpe Manor. During his time there, he created a branch of math we know as Calculus and solved many of the complexities that drive our understanding of physics.

I don’t think any of us should be carrying the burden to redefine our understandings of the universe in our times of quarantine, but I did stumble upon this anecdote of Sir Isaac Newton when I was trying to solve some things in my own life and business.

My business, like yours probably, is in unprecedented times. Things we thought right about our clientele, their buying abilities, and experiences have all changed. We’re left having to relearn our craft, business model, and define what the future holds for ourselves. As I was thinking through this for my own business, I was overwhelmed with questions and sought clarity about how to take steps forward. That’s when I discovered how much Sir Isaac Newton was able to accomplish in his time of quarantine.

One thing Sir Isaac Newton did that helped me a lot is to track all those questions in one place. Write them out. Provide a framework for yourself to think through the problems at hand.

He’d then spend days just thinking over those questions. Anything in his day became a possible answer to the questions he recorded. Therefore, a simple apple falling from the tree became an answer to gravity and the moon's ability to stay in orbit. Our brains are curious things to be able to draw those correlations, but it requires us to organize its path to critical thinking.

Drawing these correlations also requires experimentation. During the time in isolation, Sir Isaac Newton, once stuck a needle in his eye to help figure out if the perception of color was from the eyeball or the brain. That seems like a painful experiment that we can probably avoid with the rise of Google.

I’ve seen a lot of experiments in our community already. I am greatly encouraged by what I’m seeing. Being in the technology space, I’m continually looking at what folks in San Francisco and New York are putting out.

A lot of great things take a long time to reach

towns like Rome due to a more limited user base. But overnight, we see demand for at-home deliveries, online shopping, remote meetings, and engaging audiences through social channels.

From a global perspective, this is nothing new. I have been putting these types of solutions in place for customers of Romega Digital for years. But I’m so encouraged to start seeing it throughout my community.

As you are thinking critically about what your future holds and deciding what experiments to try next, feel free to reach out to my team at Romega Digital. These are trying times, and we want to be there for you as you bring your business online or start building your social presence.

The time to experiment is now. Consider this paradigm shift in how people and businesses interact with each other. Then ask yourself how it affects you long term and how your business can pivot to match.

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PRIVATE DINING

CATERED EVENTS

CREATING THE MENU OF YOUR DREAMS IS WHAT WE DO. WE TAKE YOUR VISION AND MAKE IT A REALITY. 413 broad street, rome, ga 30161 lascalaromega.com 706.238.9000 706.238.9011 36

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From Hemp to Health: THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

From gathering dirty looks to capturing worldwide attention, take a look into the world of CBD and the benefits that it has to offer.

Text: DeMarcus Daniel | Photos: Cameron Flaisch READV3.COM | APRIL 2020 V3 MAGAZINE

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L-R: Larry Lassiter, Linda Wardlaw, Faith Wolf, Brenda Almaras

WHILE NATURAL REMEDIES LIKE CBD HAVE EXISTED FOR CENTURIES, recent years have seen an uptick in both interest in and use of the product.

V3 spoke with three local stores to get a glimpse into what CBD is, how it has captured the attention of our society, and the benefits that it has to offer.

CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is naturally found in plants in the cannabis family. “CBD comes from the same plant origins as marijuana,” says Andrew “Red” Ross of Native Escapes. “You have the hemp plant and the marijuana plant. CBD comes in both plants, it’s just that the marijuana buds have a high THC content and have low CBD content, while the hemp plant has high CBD and very little THC content.”

“Like many other seeds or plants that have the oil extracted from them (corn, sunflower, castor for example), CBD is a product from the cannabis plant that is cold-pressed,” explains Larry Lassiter of The Herb Shop. “The oil is the beneficial part of the actual plant that helps you (with stress, anxiety, sleep, arthropathy, systemic arthritic pain) versus buying a street drug, smoking it, and getting high. It’s two totally different animals.”

The oil, which can be consumed in a variety of forms from infused drinks to gummy candies, works by affecting the endocannabinoid system in the brain. This is the regulatory system of the body that maintains homeostasis (internal stability) in other systems of the body.

Despite the medical benefits that CBD offers, the potential for negative associations with marijuana has required that local proprietors work to educate their consumer as to the difference between the two products. In the 38

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Andrew "Red" Ross

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seven years that The Herb Shop has carried CBD oil, “the mindset about it has changed,” explains Lassiter. “When we first started selling CBD, we would literally have people from the churches telling us that what we were doing was wrong.

But after seeking more education on the product, now entire congregations of churches are referring CBD oil to their friends. The elderly generation in particular have been able to be more mobile and have more energy, they call it their ‘Go-Go Juice!”

“While the product falls in the family of cannabis, it is not marijuana,” says Nishad Pandya of Rome CBD Farm. “It’s not even the same as medical marijuana. A distributor of medical marijuana may sing the praises of their product but as medical marijuana is not available here, CBD is the next best option. There is no psychotropic effect; you won’t get high, you won’t have hallucinations and you’re not going to be tripping. CBD gives you all the benefits of medical marijuana, minus the high that comes associated with it, and that’s a win-win.

You cannot lose there.”

Each proprietor prides themselves on not only the quality of their product, but also the direct connection they have with their suppliers. The Herb Shop has worked with an organic farm in Canada for several years where all production steps are performed by a single source. “I don’t believe in buying at market price, where per se this guy is cheaper,” says Lassiter. “I want the quality, I want it tested, and I want the certificate of analysis saying that there are no funguses, pesticides, or other elements in the oil, so that I can provide to a customer on demand.”

Rome CBD Farm, which wholesales and distributes CBD in addition to selling retail, is affiliated with the product lab at Green Monkey Farms in South Carolina and gets their product ‘from scratch’. Green Monkey Farms focuses especially on flour and oil, with one of their most unique products being an organic MCT coconut oil infused with CBD. “Organic coconut oil is expensive. We’re about quality, we want to push the right product until the market,” Pandya says.

“Go to the right stores to get the right product.

Remember, the right product is not always cheap.

Price is the number one driving factor.”

Native Escapes takes great care to only work with transparent, reputable distributors. They are able to track their product through production from the seed all the way to bottling. “We’ve done a diligent job of taking the guesswork out for the consumer,” says Ashley Canty. “They are all third-party tested and lab-tested for quality and assurance. We supply mostly Full Spectrum products, but we do utilize a variety of brands.

We also have brochures on each product we sell for the customers and we have literature on how you could use the products.”

For more information or to purchase CBD, visit The Herb Shop at 103 Broad Street, Rome CBD Farm at 610 Shorter Avenue, and Native Escapes at 326 Ste 100 Broad Street.

Disclaimer: CBD distributors cannot diagnose or treat any symptoms a person may have. They can and do, however, stand behind their product.

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“Happy Easter from the Family and Staff of Henderson and Sons Funeral Homes and Rome Memorial Park”

“Rome’s Locally Owned Funeral Homes” Barry R. Henderson

Joe Paul Henderson (1919-2008)

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stro

THE DISH MEDITERRANEAN

bistro

www.getjamwiched.com

www.lascalaromega.com 413 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

706-238-9000

Hours: Mon - Sat: 6pm - 10pm 400 Block Bar & Lounge: 4pm-1:30am Live music each weekend.

La Scala offers both first-rate service and terrific Italian Cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere.

50% off cafe menu from 4-6 p.m.

www.schroedersnewdeli.com 406 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

706-234-4613

Hours: Mon-Thur: 11am-9pm Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm Sun: 11:30am-3pm

Schroeder’s menu includes sandwiches, calzones, soups, salads, potato skins, nachos, wings, and more. And don’t forget our pizza! It’s the best in town... and for a sweet treat, try our Cheesecake Calzone! (Draft and Bottled Beers & Wine also offered) Famous for: Their Roast Beef Relief!

www.hardees.com

1204 Turner McCall Blvd • Rome, GA 30161 2300 Shorter Ave • Rome, GA 30165 3110 Cedartown Hwy • Rome, GA 30161 104 S Tennessee St • Cartersville, GA 30120

We’re known as the place to go for juicy, delicious charbroiled burgers & made from scratch biscuits. Because if you’re gonna eat, you should Eat Like You Mean It!

429 Broad St Rome, GA 30161

706-295-5330

Hours: Monday: 11am-3pm Tues-Sat: 8am-3pm

706-314-9544

Jamwich - Serving distinctive sandwiches, salads, and soups. Sandwiches built with the finest ingredients: Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, Zelma’s Blue Ribbon Jams and Jellies, fresh sourdough bread, premium Boars Head thick cut bacon and farm-to-table produce.

www.moesoriginalbbq.com/rome 101 West 1st Street Rome, GA 30161

Hours: Sun-Thu: 11am - 10pm Fri- Sat: 11am - 2am

706-622-2977

Moe’s Original BBQ is a Southern soul food revival where great food is served in an atmosphere that is relaxed, spontaneous, yet civilized….well, sometimes.

www.swheatmarketdeli.com Hours: Mon-Sat: 5am-10pm Sun: 6am-10pm

706.291.2021

www.elzaraperome.com

510 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161

5 E Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

Hours: Mon and Tue 11-4 Wed and Thur 11-4 Fri and Sat 11-8 Sun 11-3

770-607-0067

Casual counter serve offering sandwiches, salads & American comfort food

www.maineonmain.com Hours: Mon - Thu: 11am-9:30pm Fri - Sat: 11am-10:30pm Sunday: 11am-4pm

Colorful, casual outpost serving Mexican street tacos & fajitas, plus beers & tequila drinks.

24 W Main St Cartersville, GA 30120

770-334-3813

Hours: Mon - Thurs: 11am - 9pm Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm Sun: 11am - 8pm

At Maine Street Coastal Cuisine, in the heart of historic downtown Cartersville, we pride ourselves on sourcing seafood from sustainable fisheries. Our passion is to provide a restaurant free of artificial flavors and ingredients.

Make it a meal worth remembering. Where to eat in Northwest Georgia.

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The Doctor Will See You Now from your phone, tablet or computer

HARBINCONNECT Your Connection to Complete Care

HarbinCONNECT allows you to access your healthcare provider without coming into the office for an appointment. Through face-to-face video chat or a phone call, your local provider can diagnose, manage, treat and prescribe. Call today to schedule your secure, convenient and easy-to-access appointment.

1

SCHEDULE a HarbinCONNECT appointment by contacting your provider's office or Harbin Clinic Immediate Care.

2

CONNECT using the link provided for video visits or via telephone for virtual check ins.

3

VISIT with your provider just like you would in the office.

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