🌱 Local Restaurant Scores + Nearby Lionsgate Studio + Quilting Bee

Hey, friends! It's Saturday in Dallas-Hiram and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town this weekend, including updates on...

• Recent Paulding County restaurant inspection scores.
• Georgia House passes bill banning most gender-affirming healthcare for minors.
• Lionsgate to lead new film and TV complex in Douglas County.

But first, this weekend's weather:

Frost expected both nights. Saturday: Partly cloudy, high 51 with strong NNW winds. Saturday night: Cloudy early, low 26 with NNW winds. Sunday: Sunny, high 45 with NNW winds. Sunday night: Fair, low 25 with NNW winds.

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Here are the top stories in Dallas-Hiram today:

1. Lionsgate, one of the world's biggest movie studios, is set to become the lead tenant at a new film and TV complex in Douglas County. The complex, called "Great Point Studios", is located off I-20 at Fairburn Road in Douglasville and will cover 40 acres at a cost of around $160 million. The facility will have 11 sound stages, with the first stages scheduled to open later this year, and Lionsgate has a history of supporting Atlanta-based director Tyler Perry's films. (WSB-TV)
2. The Georgia House of Representatives has passed a controversial bill, SB 140, that would restrict most forms of gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. The legislation would prohibit hospitals and related facilities from providing gender reassignment surgeries, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical procedures that alter primary or secondary sexual characteristics to those under 18. Supporters of the bill claim it is necessary to protect children, while opponents argue that it could have serious negative consequences on the mental health and wellbeing of transgender youth. Similar legislation has been proposed in several other states, with some already enacting such restrictions. (11Alive)
3. Recent Paulding County restaurant inspection scores:
   • La Bamba Mexican Bar & Grill, 7951 Villa Rica Highway, Dallas, 91/A
   • Totopos, 51 East Paulding Drive, Dallas, 85/B
   • Pizza Shack, 80 Seven Hills Boulevard, Dallas, 96/A
   • The Hickory Hut, 531 West Memorial Drive, Dallas, 96/A

• Baby Janes, 1285 Merchants Drive, Dallas, 87/A
For more information on these inspections as well as other reports for Paulding County restaurants please visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Environmental Health Inspection Search Portal.

This weekend in Dallas-Hiram:

Saturday:

• Birding the Day Away - Pickett's Mill Battlefield (10:00 AM)
• National Quilting Day - Quilting Bee (10:00 AM)
• Book Jewelry Teen Time - Dallas Public Library (2:30 PM)
• Karaoke - The Box Sports Bar & Grill (7:30-11:30 PM)

Sunday:

• Soap Making - The Dallas Markets (3:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Paulding County High School JROTC: TSgt McDuffie's visit to The Paulding County High School JROTC provided cadets with valuable insights into what it takes to become an Airman in the US Air Force. During the visit, TSgt McDuffie shared information on the qualifications, specialties, and benefits of serving in the Air Force, providing cadets with a better understanding of what to expect if they choose to pursue a career in the military. (The Paulding County High School JROTC via Facebook)
• Maude P. Ragsdale Hiram Library: Libraries offer a wide range of services to help readers discover their next favorite book. One of these services is personalized book recommendations, which can be requested by providing information about preferred genres, authors, or specific titles. Hiram Library staff are available to assist readers in finding their next read and can provide suggestions tailored to their individual tastes and interests. (Maude P. Ragsdale Hiram Library via Facebook)
• Unity Baptist Church: Join Unity Baptist's annual SPRING FLING, a free event for everyone to enjoy. With food, music, kid games, and activities such as cotton candy, corn hole, horse shoes, a bounce house, and kid-friendly temporary tattoos, there's something for everyone. Parents and kids can also participate in fun activities like the 3 legged race at 1:30 p.m. and the egg spoon race for kids and adults. (Unity Baptist Church via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Seven Hills: Try Platinum Care Services for your home cleaning needs. (470) 546-9128. (Nextdoor)

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Featured events:

• Decade Days: Spring Break Camp (April 3)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Linda Marlow

About me: Linda Marlow is an experienced writer and communications professional with a diverse background in industries such as healthcare, education, publishing, and performing arts. She is a Dallas resident who is passionate about sharing the latest news and events happening in Paulding County through her writing. Linda is currently serving as a contributing writer for the Dallas-Hiram Patch newsletter, where she continues to use her storytelling skills to inform and engage the local community.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Dallas-Hiram Patch newsletter? Contact me at Dallas-Hiram@Patch.com