Shorter University to Bring Its Alabama Arctic Blast to Wilson Morgan Softball Complex- February 20-22

Ten collegiate softball teams from as far away as Missouri will travel to Decatur to compete in the 2014 Alabama Arctic Blast hosted by Shorter University. The three-day tournament is set for February 20-22, 2014 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur.

Teams competing in the 2014 Alabama Arctic Blast include Tennessee Wesleyan College, Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.), Campbellsville University (Ky.), Bellhaven University (Miss.), Auburn of Montgomery University (Ala.), Freed Hardeman University (Tenn.), Point University (Ga.), Martin Methodist College (Tenn.), Reinhardt College (Ga.), and William Woods University (Mo.). Games get underway at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 20^th. The following day, games are scheduled at 2 p.m., 4p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. and on Saturday, February 22, games will be played at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. Admission for spectators is $10 per day ($5/day student) or a weekend tournament pass will be available for $20 per person.

From 2008 to 2011, the invitational was held on Shorter University’s home field, Alto Park Softball Complex located in West Rome. In 2011, organizers announced the relocation of the event from Rome to Wilson Morgan Park to accommodate and allow for its continued growth. In 2012, the tournament made its first appearance in Decatur and attracted 14 teams from six states. Wilson Morgan Softball Complex will serve as host venue through 2016.

Wilson Morgan Softball Complex features six lighted fields, centrally located concessions, quad, press box, batting cages, and complete Wi-Fi access enabling live video and statistical streaming on all fields. 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 more information on the Alabama Arctic Blast, contact David Wisdom at 256.341.4831.

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

Decatur's Mardi Gras Celebration set for March 1

 In January, the Carnegie Visual Arts Center held its Twelfth Night Dinner, in preparation for the 2014 Carnegie Carnival, a day-long event where downtown Decatur transforms into a Mardi Gras-style celebration. Set for the first Saturday in March, Carnegie Carnival fills Decatur’s historic downtown area with parades, a red beans and rice cook-off, and other family-friendly activities.

Promoting art and creativity and family fun, the third annual Carnegie Carnival returns to Decatur March 1, 2014. The event gets underway at 8 a.m. with the Mardi Gras 5K sponsored by the Junior League of Morgan County, and throughout the day, a variety of activities geared for adults and children are planned. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Carnegie Visual Arts Center will host a photography exhibit “Captions of Carnegie Carnival.” The first parade of the day, sponsored by Animal Friends Humane Society, is the Carnival Canines on Parade. Starting at 11 a.m., four-legged friends will trot through downtown Decatur beginning on 2^nd Avenue at Gordon Drive and ending at Founder’s Park.

The Red Beans and Rice Cook-off is set for 11 a.m. at Casa Grande Park on 2^nd Avenue with the award presentation at 4 p.m. The tasty event is open to professional and amateur Cookin’ Crewes. There will be first, second, and third place winners and the team with the most “tips” in the Tip Jar will be presented the People’s Choice award.

From noon to 4 p.m. the Kiwanis of Decatur Creation Station art area will be set up at Founders Park with free hands-on art activities for children, and on 2^nd Avenue, adjacent to the Alabama Center for the Arts, a children’s play area sponsored by Morgan County CAC will provide family-friendly entertainment.

At 2 p.m., the Prince and Princess Parade for children takes to the streets of downtown Decatur beginning at Founders Park and ending in front of the Princess Theatre. The parade, for tots through teens, is sponsored by the Princess Theatre.

The grand finale is the Carnegie Carnival Parade at 6 p.m. Crewes will proceed in a traditional Mardi Gras-style, complete with themed floats, costumes, “throws”, and music with the route beginning on 2^nd Avenue at Gordon Drive, continuing onto Lee Street/Bank Street, and ending at Founder’s Park near the Old State Bank. The parade will be led by 2014 Carnegie Carnival King Jimmy Dawes and Queen Juanita Healy.  The evening will conclude with the crowning of the 2015 Carnegie Carnival King and Queen at the Carnegie Carnival Crewe Party at Ingalls Harbor.

During Carnegie Carnival, downtown merchants will be open and shoppers can browse for locally made and one-of-a-kind items and participate in the Carnival Crawl. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., shoppers can visit merchants and collect stickers for a chance to win a prize.

Parade registration forms and activity information are available at www.carnegiecarnival.org. Proceeds benefit the Carnegie Visual Arts Center and other non-profits organizations in the Decatur area. For additional information, call the Carnegie Visual Arts Center at 256.341.0562.

Weekend Bass Series Championship Renamed for Ray Scott

David Hagood, American Bass Anglers
dhagood@americanbassanglers.com
Office: (256)232-0406

The Weekend Bass Series Championship has been renamed the Ray Scott Championship, announced American Bass Anglers officials who conducts the largest and most prestigious tournament trail for weekend anglers.

“I am both honored and humbled that this great weekend angler championship will be named after me,” said Scott, a bass fishing legend. “My heart has always been with the weekend bass angler from the very first days of this great sport. I like the format used in the Weekend Bass Series because it really tests the mettle of the angler in fair and honest competition and it will be exciting to watch the best anglers rise to the top and take this championship.”

Most people know Ray Scott as the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and for his involvement with promoting professional bass fishing over the past 45 years.  However, he has also been honored many times for his influential work in conservation, boating safety and the fishing environment.  He received the prestigious Horatio Alger award and was named by Field and Stream magazine as one of “Twenty Who Have Made a Difference” in the American outdoors during the 20^th century along with people like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold.

“Ray Scott is a true living legend who created B.A.S.S. and the sport of bass fishing as we know it today,” said Morris Sheehan, president of American Bass Anglers, Inc. “We are extremely excited to have him in this position. Ray has been a very strong supporter of ABA and will serve as the official spokesman for ABA activities. He will do personal appearances on behalf of ABA and membership promotions throughout the year. This will be the most prestigious award ever given in bass fishing history. It is exciting that the first-ever Ray Scott Championship will crown the best weekend bass angler in the country in Ray’s home state.”

Set for Nov. 12-15, 2014, the first Ray Scott Championship will be held on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala. The no-entry fee championship will be awarded to the first-ever Ray Scott Champion. The Boater Division winner will receive $100,000 in cash and possibly more than $100,000 in contingency bonus money from sponsors. The Co-Angler Division champion will also win a big payout including $50,000 in cash and possibly more than $50,000 in contingency bonus money from sponsors.

As a special Ray Scott Championship bonus, the Boater Division and Co-Angler Division champions will each receive entry fees and sponsorship into the one of two professional bass fishing series of the angler’s choice. The sponsorship includes entry fees into three professional events and sponsorship support. This sponsorship will put the champion within striking distance of one of two professional bass fishing championships.

The Weekend Bass Series’ 2014 season kicks off on Lake Murray near Columbia, S.C. on Jan. 18, 2014. The anglers will run out of Dreher Island State Park, located at 3677 State Park Road in Prosperity, S.C. For more information about the Weekend Bass Series or the Ray Scott Championship, visit www.weekendseries.com

Pancake Day

Join the Kiwanis Club of Decatur for their 48th Annual Pancake Day!

Decatur High School

Saturday, February 22, 2014

6:00am until 6:00pm

3 Women 3 Media Art Exhibit at the ACA

Athens State University
Office of Public Relations
256-233-8296
news@athens.edu

With the start  of the new year, the Alabama Center for the Arts is hosting a new exhibition entitled 3 Women 3 Media. The show will be featured in the Center's main gallery and will be on exhibition now until February 14. The Alabama Center for the Arts is located at 133 end Ave. NE in Decatur. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:00am to 7:30pm, and Friday 8:00am to noon.

3 Women 3 Media features ceramicist Carolyn Wass, painter/mixed media artist Gina Perciful, and printmaker Rachel Lackey.

A reception is planned for Thursday, January, 23, 2014 beginning at 5:30pm with an informal gallery talk with the artists at 6:30pm.

The Alabama Center for the Arts represents a collaborative program in art between Athens State University and Calhoun Community College. College coursework  taught at the facility will lead to Associate of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees with class offerings that include art appreciation, painting, drawing, computer graphics, sculpture, ceramics, pottery and a teaching major leading to licensure for art instructors.

THE CLASSIC FILM WITH ON-SCREEN LYRICS SO EVERYONE CAN JOIN IN. IT'S THE ONE THAT YOU WANT!

SING-A-LONG-A GREASE
 

Saturday, January 25, 7:30 pm at the Princess Theatre- Decatur, AL

The brand new sing-a-long-a version of the classic film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John brought to you by the producers of Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music. Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a T-bird or a Pink Lady but never quite felt cool enough to pull it off? Well, now is your chance to don those pink jackets and let your inhibitions go for an evening where you are the stars and remember GREASE is the word…
The evening begins with your host leading a vocal warm-up before they show you how to use your free goody bag. You’ll even get a chance to learn how to hand jive. Then just sit back and watch Danny & Sandy and the gang, while singing and dancing along to the lyrics as shown on the screen.
It couldn't be easier… or more fun! Dressing up is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential.

Fesitval of the Cranes Returns to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for Second Year

Photo by David Rainer

 

A day of nature walks, live raptors, and refuge tours is planned when the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge holds the second annual Festival of the Cranes. Set for January 11, 2014, the celebration of Sandhill Cranes and Whooping Cranes will bring together experienced birders and those who would like to learn more about birding and other wildlife that call the Refuge home.

Over 12,000 Sandhill Cranes along with several pairs of Whooping Cranes spend the winter each year at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Hosted by the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association, the Festival of the Cranes kicks off at 6 a.m. with a Sunrise Breakfast in the Visitor Center classroom. Following breakfast, Refuge Manager Dwight Cooley will lead an early morning birding walk to see cranes and other waterfowl arrive in the fields to begin their day of feeding and loafing. Breakfast cost is $5 per person and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and to bring binoculars and a camera.

Throughout the day, the enclosed Wildlife Observation Building will offer views of thousands of Sandhill Cranes, along with Whooping Cranes, ducks, geese, raptors, and maybe a bald eagle. There will be bleachers and spotting scopes available along with volunteers and staff members on hand to answer questions.

At 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., Joan Garland, education outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation, will speak on the efforts to restore a migratory flock of Whopping cranes to eastern North America. The Whooping crane is on the verge of a comeback after nearly becoming extinct due to human activities. In 1941, the last migratory flock was reduced to only 16 birds.

Additional activities include two showings of Hope Takes Wing, a film by and about Operation Migration chronicling the history of the Whooping crane, and two presentations by the Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center to teach about birds of prey and offer an up-close look at owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a pizza lunch with proceeds benefitting the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association. The daylong event concludes at 5 p.m.

The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 3121 Visitor Center Road in Decatur. For more information on the Festival of the Cranes, visit www.friendsofwheelerrefuge.org or call Teresa Adams, supervisory ranger for Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, at 256.350.6639.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge was established on July 7, 1938 by Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the first National Wildlife Refuge placed on a multi-purpose reservoir to provide habitat for wintering and migrating birds. Covering 35,000 acres, it attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year and is home to Alabama’s largest wintering duck population. The Refuge also supports the state’s largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes. The 75^th Anniversary Celebration featuring live raptors and wildlife, children’s activities, and special guest and master of ceremonies “T.R. Roosevelt” as portrayed by Joe Wiegand, is set for December 7, 2013. For more information on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, visit www.fws.gov/wheeler.