River City to Host Collegiate Anglers March 16-17, 2012

Wheeler Lake has been selected to host the third stop of the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series March 16-17, 2012 and is expected to attract up to 140 anglers representing universities from across the southeastern United States and beyond. Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series consists of three series tournaments and one championship. Wheeler Lake served as the 2010 Championship location and hosted the second stop of the series in 2011.

Ingalls Harbor located at 802 Wilson Street NW will host the takeoffs each day at daylight and weigh-ins at 3 p.m. on March 16^th and at 2 p.m. on March 17^th. Registration along with a dinner is scheduled for 5 p.m., Thursday, March 15^th (location to be announced). Event awards will immediately follow the final weigh-in on Saturday.

The Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series is open to all collegiate bass fishing teams. To qualify to compete in the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, each school must compete in two of the three series tournaments.

The Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series hosted by Auburn University has gained national recognition and contributed greatly to the explosive growth of collegiate bass fishing. The tournament series which was first held in 2008 attracted approximately 50 entries and has grown to over 400 competing in 2011.

For additional information about the 2012 Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series, visit www.auburn.edu/bass or contact Auburn University Bass Sports Club Advisor, Mr. Jann Swaim at 334-559-0343.

Delano Park 12-Hour Run

Annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run - Small Race Produces Big Results for Local Charity

The Decatur River City Runners will host the sixth annual Delano Park 12-Hour Run on March 10, 2012 at Delano Park. Spring has not always sprung in the middle of March and for the first few years, runners braved the elements and took part in the day-long run, but the 2011 event brought near perfect weather conditions and raised approximately $17K for a local charity.

 The race began in 2007 with just a 27 runners. Unfavorable weather conditions, from thunderstorms and hail to snow and ice, have not slowed the pace. Last year, the event was at capacity with 139 runners from across the United States participating. Founding organizer Eric Schotz, who moved St. Paul from Decatur in 2011, is expected to return to Decatur to compete in this year’s event.

The race consists of multiple laps of a one mile tree-lined path through Delano Park. Participants can compete as individuals or as part of relay teams with the goal to complete as many laps as possible within the 12-hour time limit.

The event will kickoff at 6 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m. Race forms are available for downloading at www.delano12.com. Packet pickup along with late registration is set for Friday, March 9 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 801 Jackson Street.

 Along with the 12-hour run, there will be a 50-mile race for those interested in running for a set distance as opposed to a set time. Walkers are also welcome to compete. Each participant will receive a personalized plaque, a race t-shirt, and other race goodies. In the 12-Hour Run, awards will be given based on highest mileage to the top 3 places overall, masters winner, and grandmasters winner for both genders. Relay awards based on mileage will be given to the top team. In the 50-mile, awards based on time will be presented to the first male and female individuals. The number of entries will be limited to 100 total including relay teams.

Delano park is located at 825 Gordon Drive Southeast in Decatur. Net proceeds from the race benefit the Centers for Developmentally Disabled - North Central Alabama. For more information, visit www.delano12.com or call Jon Elmore at 256.351.7426.

Calling All Girls and Their Girl Dolls

The Junior League of Morgan County invites girls, favorite dolls, families and friends to the 4^th annual American Girl Fashion Show on March 17, 2012 at the Princess Theatre. Featuring local girls, the Fashion Show showcases the current offerings from the American Girl Fashion Lines including Historical Daywear, Historical Nightwear, Contemporary Nightwear, Bitty Baby Nightwear, Bitty Twins Apparel and “Dress like Your Doll” Apparel.   

 Sponsored by Monarch Women’s Health, the American Girl Fashion Show celebrates all there is to being a girl through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Local models will don clothing from American Girl, and historical clothing from the American Girl characters of yesterday and today including Marie-Grace Gardner, Cecile Rey, Rebecca Rubin, Kaya, Josefina, Addy, Kit, and Molly will be on display.

Guests are invited to bring their favorite American Girl doll to the show. A doll hair salon, a nail salon for the girls, and refreshments will be available, along with American Girl souvenirs and a chance to win a few American Girl prizes including new dolls, doll accessories, bitty-baby sets, twin sets, and more.

The Fashion Show will be held at the historic Princess Theatre located at 112 2^nd Avenue NE in downtown Decatur. There are two opportunities to see the Fashion Show with the first showing scheduled at 10 a.m. followed by another one at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the Princess Theatre or online at www.princesstheatre.org. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Hand’s on Children’s Museum at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, a new partnership between the Junior League and the Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

 For more information, visit www.jlmorgancounty.com or call 256.340.1778.

 About American Girl

American Girl is one of the nation’s top direct marketers, children’s publishers, and experiential retailers.  American Girl Programs is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations to present Fashion Show events to raise funds for children’s charities. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to “celebrate girls,” American Girl Programs events have generated millions of dollars for worthwhile causes nationwide.

About the Junior League of Morgan County

The Junior League of Morgan County (JLMC) is a non-profit organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Established in 1949, the JLMC continues to develop projects to fill needs within the community. Some of the past projects of JLMC are the founding of PACT, HANDS Home, and many assistance grants including the Community Free Clinic and Habitat for Humanity. The Junior League of Morgan County reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County. For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org. 

2nd Ingalls pavilion adds $34K to project's cost

By Tiffeny Owens The Decatur Daily

The $3.6 million publicly funded Ingalls pavilion has been complete for more than two months, but the city is still getting bills.
On Monday, the Decatur City Council will vote on a $34,810 change order submitted by Decatur firm GBW Architects on behalf of Decatur contractor Fite Building Co. The new costs are covered by a $250,000 contingency clause for unforeseen expenses in the contract. However, this latest bill, combined with $37,867 in change orders GBW filed in July, increases the cost of the 27,000-square-foot facility by $72,677.
“This is just a housekeeping item so the builders get paid,” said Tom Chappell, Decatur Parks and Recreation assistant director. “The project is still within its $3.6 million budget.”
The pavilion structure now costs $3,089,204, up from the original contract price of $3,016,527, according to the latest change order dated Jan. 16.
The remaining $510,796, including the rest of the contingency money, was used on the parking lot and landscaping.
“We knew going in there would be some expenses we weren’t sure about,” Chappell said. “That’s why we had the contingency fee. We didn’t want to go back to the council and ask for more than the $3.6 million they already gave us for the project.”
Repaving the access road into the pavilion, a $26,285.96 expense, made up the bulk of the $34,810 change order.
Other costs included installing custom plastic laminate in bathrooms ($742.50), relocating two heaters ($1,977.03) and adding electric circuits and breakers for bathroom hand dryers ($1,406.51).
The city financed the pavilion by borrowing $2 million from its reserves and $1.6 million from the Morgan County Commission’s landfill fund. The Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association will repay both loans over a period of 15 years, using revenue raised by its $2-per-night tax on local hotel stays.
When the pavilion was conceived in 2010 to attract more tourism, the city set a budget of $2.4 million to build the structure and a maximum of $2.8 million for the entire project. The first round of bids came over those figures, with the lowest being $450,000 over budget. Designs were scaled down and the project rebid in January 2011.
Since opening in late November, the pavilion has played host to events such as the NAIA women’s soccer tournament welcome dinner and Decatur General Hospital Foundation’s Gala. And bookings for corporate and private events continue to come in, Chappell said. Rental fees go into the city’s general fund.
This spring, the pavilion will host proms for Decatur and Austin high schools and a banquet for the Hartselle High School state championship football team.
The city-owned facility is jointly-managed by the parks and recreation department and the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The council will vote at its 10 a.m. meeting.

The Circus Is Coming to Town

The Piccadilly Circus is coming to Decatur on February 27 at the Morgan County Celebration Arena with two scheduled performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In its 26^th year, Piccadilly Circus provides affordable family entertainment with everything you would expect to see at a circus.

Along with plenty of comedic clowns, the 1 ½ hour show features daring feats high in the air and fabulous human agility on the ground. Children particularly love the “Elephant Extravaganza” where an elephant balances on one foot. All of the action takes place in a one ring Cirque du Soleil format with state of the art lighting and sound.

Adult tickets are $30 general admission in advance or $32 the day of the show. Ticket price for children is $11 general admission. Free children’s tickets will be distributed at elementary schools in the area. Free tickets are also available at sponsoring businesses in the area and special “buy one get one free” adult tickets are available online at www.TheFunCircus.com for a limited time.

Piccadilly Circus is a production of ICE CAPADES producers and plays mostly one or two days in cities throughout North America.

The Morgan County Celebration Arena is located at 67 Horse Center Road in Decatur. For more information, call 256.584.6725.

Decatur Hits a Homeroom with Shorter University Softball Invitational Tournament

Wilson Morgan to serve as host venue 2012 to 2016
Shorter University recently announced it will relocate its NAIA Softball Invitational Tournament to Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur under a five year contract. Set for February 23-26, 2012, the four day tournament will be hosted by the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department and is expected to attract 20 women’s teams from across the southeastern United States.

For the past 4 years, the Softball Invitational has been held on the college’s home field, Alto Park Softball Complex located in West Rome. Organizers recently announced the relocation of the event from Rome to Wilson Morgan Park to accommodate and allow for its continued growth. The 2011 event attracted 16 teams from six states.

“We are thrilled Decatur, Alabama and its officials will be the host of this softball tournament. Their experience of previously hosting the NAIA National Softball Championship will certainly be a beacon of light as we move forward to prepare for this growing event,” said Al Thomas, head softball coach for Shorter University.

“I am ecstatic the Decatur Parks & Recreation Department, Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shorter University, and Head Coach Al Thomas could reach an agreement to bring the Shorter University Invitational Softball Tournament to the city of Decatur and Wilson Morgan Softball Complex,” said David Wisdom, Wilson Morgan Complex Softball Manager. “We feel by bringing this tournament to Decatur it is a win, win situation for everyone involved. We will be able to increase the number of teams that will be able to participate in the tournament as well as extend the tournament from two days to a four day event. This event will bring welcomed revenue in February to the hotels, restaurants and shopping centers during a time that is typically slow for the hospitality industry.”

Wisdom is credited with bringing the tournament to Decatur. According to Kelly Varnell, Recreation Superintendent for the Decatur Parks and Recreation, Wisdom served as a host coach for Shorter University during the NAIA Softball National Championship in Decatur in 2009 and 2010. He not only became friends with the coaching staff but to the players and their families and traveled to their home field to watch them play. David took a simple task of serving as a host coach to developing a strong bond between him and the entire softball family of Shorter University.

“I am very proud and honored to have played a part in bringing this tournament to Decatur but I believe this agreement was made due to the City of Decatur's dedication and reputation earned while hosting the NAIA Softball National Championships the previous 13 years at Wilson Morgan Complex in which Shorter University was a participant. The city of Decatur, Decatur/Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, hotels, Parks & Recreation's facilities, dedicated employees and the best grounds crew in America all aided in securing this tournament,” added Wisdom.

Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box and batting cages. Each field has a clay infield and beautiful grass, maintained by electronically controlled underground irrigation systems. The facility can seat over 2,000 spectators with additional seating available. For more information on Wilson Morgan Softball Complex, visit www.decaturparks.com.

For additional information on the 2012 Softball Invitational Tournament, contact David Wisdom at 256.341.4934.

Shorter University is a liberal arts Southern Baptist-affiliated University located in Rome, Georgia. For more information, visit www.goshorterhawks.com.

Alabama Artic Blast

The Shorter University Invitational that will take place February 23-26, 2012, will be changing the tournament name. The tournament will now be known as the "Alabama Artic Blast".