Faith Rising and The Terry McNeal Band

August 31, 2009 Concerts by the River in Decatur

Let the spirit move you with music from two amazing bands who will redefine your view of contemporary Christian rock. The City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department proudly welcomes Faith Rising and The Terry McNeal Band in their debut performances at Concerts by the River on Monday, August 31, 2009. Bridging generations, this is a concert for the entire family that is designed to reconnect family members to each other and their faith through a shared love and experience of great rock music! Concerts are free and are held at Rhodes Ferry Park with music beginning at 6:00 PM and usually concluding by 8:15 PM. For updated schedule information, please call 341-4818 or visit http://www.decaturparks.com/. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be made after 4:00 PM.

Faith Rising was established as a power-focused rock band to spread its inspirational message through a hard-charging and dynamic sound that drives a positive path. Based in Huntsville, Alabama, this band features the talents of compelling frontsman Jamie Cooper, the earth-shattering drums of Gregg Taylor, the crunching guitar of George Buffington and the thundering bass of Norman Duffell. For more information on Faith Rising or to listen to a sound sample, please visit www.shoutlife.com/faithrising or www.myspace.com/faithrisingband. From power chords to powerful lyrics, Faith Rising rocks!

More than “another 3 chord praise band,” The Terry McNeal Band is composed of talented musicians whose musical gifts allow them to change lives with their fresh sound and thought-provoking message. Their unique sound and original Christian music is focused not only on youth, but also is directed to the “forgotten generation” who grew up listening to music from Pearl Jam, The Who and The Police. The musically-accomplished line-up of The Terry McNeal Band includes Terry McNeal (singer, songwriter, guitar), Bobby Hendricks (bass, vocals), Scott Owens (guitar, vocals) and Bryan Williams (drums, percussion and vocals.) To learn more about The Terry McNeal Band and to enjoy a music sample, please visit http://www.terrymcneal.com/ or www.myspace.com/terrymcneal. The power of their music and message will lift you!

Concert-goers are invited to bring their picnic baskets, lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy an evening of free entertainment on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River. For more information, please call 341-4818.

SlipJig and Judge and Jury

SlipJig and Judge and Jury to perform at the
August 24, 2009 Concerts by the River in Decatur

Come out to Concerts by the River on Monday, August 24, 2009 and you will return a verdict of guilty…of a good time had by all! The City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department invites everyone to enjoy music from SlipJig and Judge and Jury in this free concert to be held at Rhodes Ferry Park. Concerts begin at 6:00 PM and usually conclude by 8:00 PM. For updated schedule information, please call 341-4818 or visit http://www.decaturparks.com/. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be made after 4:00 PM.

Experience St. Patrick’s Day in August as North Alabama’s own Celtic band, SlipJig, make their Concerts by the River debut! The name “SlipJig” comes from a traditional Irish dance with the band offering a wild ride through the best of traditional and Celtic music. The five talented multi-instrumentalists combine tight melodies and rhythms with rich vocal harmonies to make the music of Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton come alive. The group is composed of seasoned musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds including Classical, Folk, Rock, Blues and Jazz who have found their true passion in the Celtic music tradition that tells the stories of the joys and sorrows of a simpler life. Though the members have been performing together since 2004, they have a combined 150 years of performance experience! Band members include: Mike Clem (mandolin, tenor banjo, whistles, guitar, bodhran), Stephenie Holtkamp (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Mike Lyon (whistles, bagpipes, vocals), Garrett Smith (mandolin, fiddle, guitar) and Phil Williamson (fiddle, bones, vocals.) Stomp your feet to high-energy jigs and reels, sing along with pub songs, or just close your eyes and listen to ancient airs and ballads. For more information on SlipJig, please visit http://www.slipjigband.com/.

Local favorites Judge and Jury will sentence the concert crowd to an evening of great music and entertainment, performing a fun blend of classic oldies and folk rock from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. The group’s acoustic blend of mandolin, guitar, harmonica and bass and appealing mix of music from artists such as the Drifters, CCR, Van Morrison, Otis Redding and others will take you back in time, and is the perfect accompaniment to a southern summer evening on the river. Judge and Jury performs at area festivals and special events, and band members include retired Lawrence County Circuit Judge Philip Reich, “the Judge, ” and “Jury” members Mitch Mardis, Don Shelton and Richard Thompson.

Concert-goers are invited to bring their picnic baskets, lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy an evening of free entertainment on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River. For more information, please call Melinda at 341-4818.

Back-to-school block party for 3rd Friday on Bank

From: The Decatur Daily

A back-to-school block party is the theme for the 3rd Friday on Bank event this week in downtown Decatur.
Several Bank Street shops will offer discounts if you donate school supplies, which will be given to Decatur City Schools — for example, bring $15 worth of supplies, get 15 percent off your purchase.
At 5 p.m., members of the Decatur High School chorus will perform. At 6, Taylor McLain, the Kojaks and Lori Lanier with David Higginbotham will play at various spots on Bank Street.
Local cheerleaders and football players will helm food vendors Domino’s Pizza, Brain Freeze Shaved Ice, Chick-fil-A and Pepsi.
Got the back-to-school blues? Then bring a pair of new or gently used jeans to Bungalow Home to receive 15 percent off your purchase. Donated jeans will go to the Neighborhood Christian Center.
A coin appraiser will be avaliable at Bank Street Antique Mall. You can also receive 20 percent off at Memi’s Pottery.
Others participating include Bank Street Uniques, Glee Interiors: Leslie Adair Photography, Little Feet Boutique, Sam Frank & Moore, Simp McGhee’s and The Paper Chase.
On the Net
bankstreet3rdfriday.com

Ingalls Harbor a boon thanks largley to Parks

8/13/09
EDITORIAL from The Decatur Daily

City leaders made the right move when they unveiled a new plaque at Ingalls Harbor on Tuesday naming the boat launch for David Parks.

Tourism leaders credit Parks as the “driving force” to create a first-class boat launch capable of serving major fishing tournaments. It instantly earned an outstanding reputation.

Fishing tournament organizers say Ingalls is second to none, and they’ve backed their words by scheduling more tournaments here. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau reports Ingalls generated a $3.9 million economic impact in less than two years since it opened.

Parks humbly said a team effort made Ingalls possible, and that’s true. Local hotels in particular deserve thanks for imposing a $2-per-night fee on themselves. This spared local residents from the tax burden of generating revenue to pay for projects like Ingalls.

But history shows great endeavors often succeed because one individual shows dogged determination to carry a project from conception to completion. Parks was that man for Ingalls.

Parks did everything from carrying civic leaders in his boat to scout locations to helping architects design Ingalls. When the city rejected early site suggestions — including one at Point Mallard — Parks never lost heart and continued searching for a suitable site.

Today, Decatur can boast of a facility that gives local boaters free access to the Tennessee River, puts out-of-town dollars into the local economy and provides the annual Riverfest with an ideal location to grow.

Well done, Mr. Parks.

Ingalls boat launch named for Parks

8/12/09
Marine police, rescue squad have new home
By Paul Huggins Staff Writer from The Decatur Daily

Morgan County Rescue Squad president Tony Weikert, second from right, with the squad’s newest boat following the dedication of a new building near Ingalls Harbor on Tuesday. With him is Decatur Mayor Don Stanford.
It was like catching two fish on one hook Tuesday at Ingalls Harbor.
The city unveiled a plaque naming the boat launch for David Parks, whom tourism officials credit with starting the Ingalls project that has drawn major fishing tournaments.
Immediately afterward, the city presented the floating dock, which will be home base for both the Morgan County Rescue Squad and the Alabama Marine Police.
Tami Reist, president of the Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the boat ramp and the floating dock go hand-in-hand with helping the city continue to attract lucrative fishing tournaments.
One of the first questions tournament organizers ask is proximity to marine police and rescue operations, she said, and now the city can tell them safety patrols are within a few hundred yards of where the boats launch.
The floating dock can hold three boats. It will have power lifts to keep the boats out of the water so both groups can spend less time keeping the hulls clean.
“For me, it’s just great to have a place where you can hang a sign,” said Alabama Marine Police officer Larry Adams.
Previously, the marine police kept its boat tied at Brickyard Landing, and three days of the week it was out of the water.
Adams said the marine police will have quicker response times and can make more patrols, but the greatest benefit is being connected with the Rescue Squad.
“Much of the time, we’re called out together,” he said. “It makes a huge difference to be able to coordinate everything face to face.”
The Rescue Squad had called Riverwalk Marina its home base. It will continue to keep a boat there.
Tony Weikert, Rescue Squad president, said that on past occasions, vehicle wrecks blocked traffic on Hudson Memorial Bridge and prevented the squad from deploying quickly. That will never be an issue again, he said.
The Decatur City Council, Morgan County Commission, state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and state Rep. Mickey Hammon, R-Decatur, provided the taxpayer-generated funds to build the $102,000 facility.
Decatur Utilities gave permission for the floating dock to locate on its property next to Ingalls.
It is a former DU general manager, Parks, whose name now adorns a plaque next to the boat launch.
Tourism officials said Parks was the individual with the initial determination to develop a world-class boat launching facility.
They said he did everything from scouting out locations for the harbor to helping architects design it to exceed tournament organizers’ expectations.
Wade Weaver, visitors bureau board treasurer, said Parks “stood above the crowd” and was the “driving force” for Ingalls.
He said fishing tournaments held at Ingalls have generated an economic impact of $3.9 million to date.
Parks said Ingalls was the result of many supporters, not just one person.
“I will accept this on behalf of everybody who likes this launch, who uses this launch and loves the river as much as I do,” he said. “Let’s go fishing.”

Decatur visitors bureau

Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau conducted the following business during its monthly meeting Thursday:
Reported the bureau received $62,128 in revenue in June and had $32,475 in expenses for a net income of $29,653; for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2008, income was $506,750 while expenses were $511,556, a net loss of $5,068.
Reported the occupancy rate for reporting hotels in April was 55 percent, down 3 percent compared to the same month last year.
Reported the $2-per-night room occupancy tax generated $44,225 in April, which was down $2,521 from the same month last year. For the year, the room tax, which supports local tourism projects, has raised $329,894, down from $386,076 for the same nine-month period last year.
Reported the city collected $82,780 in lodging taxes in April, down 7 percent from the same month last year. The bureau receives 75 percent of that amount.
Reported that from July 1 to July 21, it had 84 computer users visit its Web site section where they can download free MP3 audio guides of the Civil War Walking Trail and Historic Decatur Tour. The same guides are available on 1 gigabyte memory cards for $20 at the bureau office or at Parham’s Civil War Relics on Bank Street Northeast.
Reported the Wet-Dog Triathlon, organized by the Decatur Jaycees, had a record 508 participants this year, up from 325 last year.
Announced it will apply for a 22-foot setback variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustments to erect a new sign in front of its office on Sixth Avenue Southeast. The new sign will match the new wayfinding signs the city installed earlier this year.
Paul Huggins

After down year, tourism board ups marketing budget

By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
Despite a year with less than expected revenues, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau increased its spending budget for the next fiscal year.
The bureau board of directors approved $723,000, which covers everything from staff payroll, trips to trade shows, advertising, support for local festivals and fees to host special events.
Sales and marketing account for $410,000 of the budget, which includes $70,775 on advertising and brochures and $210,000 to cover bid, host and support fees for 23 special events. The latter category had an increase of almost $69,000 compared to last year’s amount for 19 special events.
The 2008-09 revised mid-year budget was $717,874, and the bureau projects revenues to come in at $670,320 this year for a net loss of $47,554.
Bureau officials cite fewer corporate travelers as the main cause of decreased revenue.
Board treasurer Wade Weaver said the bureau has enough reserves to compensate for this year’s deficit.
It had budget surpluses in previous years, including $15,647 last year.
Bureau President Tami Reist said one reason for the budget increase for next year is because Decatur will be host four major sporting events in October and November. Combined they will require $58,000 in host fees.
Reist also said she is optimistic corporate travel will rebound next year based on what she has learned from some local industries.
Corporate visitors traditionally are the backbone of the local hotel market.