Businesses sought for school interview program

Word on the Street:

The Rome Kiwanis Club is partnering with Pepperell High School to once again assist students in the process of preparing for job interviews. The club has worked with instructor Alana Ellenburg’s Freshman 101 class on the project for nine years.

There is one twist to the program this year. During the fourth period on both days, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24, a limited number of seniors from four county high schools will go through a mock interview process.

John Pillsbury, who coordinates the project for the service club, said this year the ninth graders would interview for positions with a dummy restaurant. “The students have enjoyed it and learned a lot,” Pillsbury said. “Our volunteers have been so helpful to make this work.”

The volunteers do not have to stay the entire time and can choose from a number of different

time slots between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day

Each interview will be for five to seven minutes with an opportunity for the business leader to provide the youngsters with feedback at the end of the session. Students will have a resume and some sample questions to ask.

People interested in helping with the process, including restaurateurs, can email Pillsbury at JLPillsbury0114@aol. com, or call 706-506-4185.

Mount Berry Mall launches Community Connection

Hull Property Group, owners of the Mount Berry Mall, have launched Community Connection, a new program that will feature special events the owners hope will result in an improved shopping experience.

“The goal of the Community Connection program is to give shoppers more ways to connect with the Mall. We want to bring people together, show them what the Mall has to offer and reenergize the community about what is right here in Rome,” said Coles Doyle, Marketing Director for Hull Property Group.

New events include Color for a Cause, a mural coloring contest and shopping event in support of local nonprofits, and Sports Zone, a night out at the mall that inspires local youth to be active. The Rome READS program, which encourages students to read and supports school libraries, will also return this year.

As part of the Community Connection program, the mall will also create a new seating plan for patron benches anchored by seasonal community displays to bring a new sense of energy to common areas and corridors. Shoppers can expect to see these enhancements in the second half of the year.

“We want to encourage everyone to connect with us whether signing up to be a Fashion Insider or coming out for a new mall event. We are going to be doing some exciting new things and we want to wow our shoppers by creating a truly unique experience that the Rome community is proud to be a part of,” said Doyle.

Sienna & Bellini leaving mall

Upscale fashion merchandiser Sienna & Bellini is leaving the Mount Berry Mall. The store opened just prior to the Black Friday shop-athon in November 2014.

Employees at the store said they don’t have a hard closing date but that it would take place around the end of February.

Described as a casual chic clothier, the decision to close the store opens up another approximately 4,000 square feet of space in the mall.