Alabama Dams receive a Grade of "D". How safe are you?

by: Janet Kynard, It Happens in Alabama 

Just moments ago, the Alabama Forestry Commission announced:

 “Communities across the nation will benefit from a $262 million investment to rehabilitate dams that provide critical infrastructure and protect public health and safety. The 2014 Farm Bill increased the typical annual investment in watershed rehabilitation by almost 21 fold, recognizing the critical role of these structures in flood management, water supply, and agricultural productivity.” 

I wonder how much Alabama will see of this. In a report from the American Society of Engineers, “Dam Safety in Alabama” Presented during an information session of the ASDSO Southeast Regional Conference on April 16, 2014, it was reported that Alabama is the only state in the country without a state dam safety program; therefore the condition of nearly 160 dams is unknown. If that don’t scare the heck out of you, I don’t know what will! I live at Lake Jordan. The beautiful, historic town of Wetumpka is just 9 miles down the Coosa River from me. If our dam failed, Wetumpka would get hit with something near a tsunami.

 The report continues with:

        Alabama Dams are Aging and Un-inspected

               •Over two-thirds of the Alabama dams in the NID are more than 30 years old.

               •Based on inspections reported in the NID, only 19% of high-hazard-potential dams in Alabama have been inspected in the past five years and only 2% of all dams.

               •There is a very high likelihood that undetected rusted spillway pipes, embankment erosion, etc. of older and un-maintained dams will cause a dam failure incident.

                •It is also highly likely that development of areas downstream of dams has increased the population at risk from a dam failure.

        If a Dam Does Fail, Alabama Dam Owners are Unprepared and Emergency Officials Lack Information to Respond. 

The report also warns that Alabama has nearly 200 High Hazard Dams, of those only 37 have an EAP and those are owned and/or regulated by the Federal Government. 

We do have a House Bill that is to address this issue, House Bill 610, was introduced on March 18, 2014 by State Representative Mary Sue McClurkin, Republican District 43, with Representatives Mike Hill, Republia 41 and Kurt Wallace, Republican District 42 as co-sponsors. As of today the bill is to be addressed during this 2014 Regular Session. Since the March 18^th reading of the bill, there is no reported updates and currently no roll call votes are recorded for this bill. 

From a review of the dams in Alabama, during 2013, the American Society of Engineers gave us a grade of “D”. So I ask you, how safe do you feel?

 

Click Here to read the full report

Win Tickets to World Deer Expo

Attention Deer Hunters: IT'S CONTEST TIME! It Happens in Alabama is giving away 4 pair of tickets to the 31st Annual World Deer Expo. This is the LARGEST 3 Day Hunting Consumer Show in the COUNTRY and will be held at the BJCC in Birmingham July 18-20th. This is a MUST attend event and is fun for the whole family.

The expo will include:
- Alabama Whitetail Records Big Buck Competition - Get Your Buck Scored!
- Bowhunters of Alabama (BHA) Archery Tournament - Enter to WIN!
-... Shoot Like A Girl - SLG2, INc Shooting Simulation Trailer
- Live Predators of North America
- Lawton's Trout Pond
- Country Artist Concerts
- C Factor Singing Contest
- Monster Spider Jump
- PODS with Huntin' is Good
- Huntin' Is Good Kids' Coloring Area

Celebrity Guests include:
- Swamp People's RJ & Jay Paul Molinere
- Bone Collector's Travis "T-BONE" Turner
- Lizard Lick's Bobby Brantley
- Dexter Roberts
- Fear No Evil's Chris Brackett
- A&E Shipping Wars' Jennifer Brennan
- Discovery Channel Moonshiners' Tyler Wood
- Realtree's Tyler Jordan
- The Outdoor Option's Dan, Danny & Shannon Reaser
- Josh "Son of the South" Carney
- Bloodline's Alex Rutledge
- Vine Sensation Alabama Boss

To enter, upload your favorite Alabama deer picture to this post on Facebook: . Winners will be chosen at random and all pictures will appear on www.ItHappensinAlabama.com.

The deadline to enter is July 10th at 5:00 pm (cst) Winners will be notified July 10th and will be announced to the public on July 11, 2014.

Montgomery Alabama Voted Best Historic City in America

Montgomery Alabama Voted Best Historic City in America

by: Janet Kynard, It Happens in Alabama, janet@itHappensinAlabama.com

We are the Victors my Friends! After a fierce battle, it's final. The "Montgomery Alabama voted Best Historic City in America" is the headline we have been waiting for! Montgomery was nominated for the USA TODAY Readers Choice Award for Best Historic City on 10Best.com and beat out much larger cities. It Happens in Alabama thanks all of you who saw our posts and reminders on Facebook, twitter, Google+and our other social media platforms to vote and for placing your votes, bringing this honor to our great state. The recognition is expected to help further increase tourism to our state. Here is how the Top 10 shook out:
1.Montgomery, Ala.
2.Annapolis, Md.
3.Williamsburg, Va.
4.Savannah, Ga.
5.Charleston, S.C.
6.St. Augustine, Fla.
7.Boston
8.Santa Fe
9.Philadelphia
10.New Orleans

Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama is more than Gaming!

Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama is more than Gaming!

Wind Creek Casino and Hotel ~ Wetumpka, AL

By: Janet Kynard, It HappensinAlabama, janet@ithappensinalabama.com

I visited the New Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama and spent the night. Oh my, my! Whoever thought you could find a luxury Vacation and Entertainment Spot in the Heart of Alabama like this! I really want everyone to know that Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama is more than gaming. There is something here for everyone. Everything is absolutely beautiful and they really roll out the red carpet! Starting at the front desk, you are greeted and made to feel appreciated. They even give you your choice of soaps and toiletries that smell so wonderful!


My contemporary designed room was beautiful and the perfect combination of comfort and service. I would really classify it as a Junior Suite because of the size and amenities. The luxurious bedding with the pillow-top mattress sure made it hard to get up the next morning. The amenities also include complimentary wireless Internet, flat-screen televisions with cable programming, work desk perfect for the business traveler, refrigerator, coffee service area and more. The Bathroom was huge and the shower had two shower heads! Ladies, you are going to love getting dolled up here!

 

The views from the hotel of the Coosa River are breathtaking. Whether from your room, balconies, restaurants, lounges or pool area this is the place to sit back with a beverage and take in the sunset.

 

I got a special tour from Harry Joachim, Executive Casino Host and host Danny Thomas of the penthouse. I’m ready to move in! The penthouse is 2 stories tall with a balcony and a half, 2 bedrooms, fireplaces, weight room with sauna, billiard table on the second story landing with a full 2 story view of the river, media room, full kitchen with a 6 burner gas stove, large dining room,  several seating areas and oh yea, your own bar. This is a great place for events and will hold 300 people. This makes it great for a weddings (get married on the deck area, receptions – everywhere), charity events, mixers, corporate hospitality suites, business meetings and more. Make sure you tell your event planners to contact Harry or Danny and them know this is where you want your next event.     

Media Room

Kitchen

Master Suite

Billiards

First Level Entertainment area

The hotel tower is just steps away from the gaming floor, restaurants and shopping. Yes, I said shopping. You can not come to Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka without visiting Camille Dauchez and Lynn Cox at Essentials! If you like window shopping, you will be in heaven here, but I am going to tell you, you will not be able to go home without something! The store is full of unique and one of a kind items that you’ll not see anywhere else. Guys, it’s not only for women. There are great items for you, too.

The food is out of this world! You have a lot of choices on where and what to eat. Fire Steakhouse is said to have the best steaks in Alabama. For quick grab and goes you can get deserts and sweets at the Bean coffee shop and tasty burgers, fries and even egg rolls from the Grill to go, both are located right in the casino at the gaming floor for gamers convenience. I ordered the prime rib dinner from the Grill to take back to my room. It was so tender, juicy and seasoned to perfection! I am looking forward to my next visit when I will have the seafood buffet!


Due to rules I was not able to get you pictures of the gaming floor, but I did make the trip back on Saturday for the reveal of the Shark Tank. The 16000 gallon aquarium goes to the ceiling, in the middle of the casino gaming floor, above the Casino’s round bar.   Wayde King and Brett Raymer—co-owners of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) and the stars of Animal Planet’s new reality TV show Tanked built this masterpiece. The tank is absolutely beautiful. There are sharks, sting rays, blow fish and so many more kinds of fish. This is a great place to relax!

Wind Creek Casino and Hotel has already become a favorite travel destination with our neighbors to the east. Last Saturday there were 17 bus loads that came in from Georgia! I met so many people from all over Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi who had come in for the day or overnight.
Wind Creek has a huge pool and the Oasis Pool Bar that overlooks the Coosa River. This is going to be THE place to be for summer! When you are looking for things to do in Alabama or Places to see, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Wetumpka needs to be on your list!


As you are enjoying the festivals in Alabama, make sure you look for the Wind Creek Casino food truck. This is a great opportunity for you to sample their many wonderful dishes! Also, make sure you go to their tents where you can win swag and free play chips.


The Poarch Creek Indians are very charitable to our state, not just by donating large amounts of money to our schools, but they also help our communities and charities. When you are in Wetumpka, stop by the fire department and take a look at the new, state of the art fire truck PCI Gaming bought the city. We are so lucky to have them in our community.


I'll be stopping by, Wind Creek Casino Wetumpka Alabama, pretty regularly and hope to see you there. Please come say hello.

Tanked TV Show reveals Wind Creek Casino Shark Tank

Tanked TV Show reveals Wind Creek Casino Shark Tank

Wetumpka, Alabama, Wind Creek Casino ~ Wayde King and Brett Raymer—co-owners of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) and the stars of Animal Planet’s new reality TV show Tanked were in Wetumpka to film and reveal the new 16,000 shark aquarium at Wind Creek Casino. The tank is absolutely beautiful. There are sharks, sting rays, blow fish and so many more kinds of fish. This is a great place to relax! Make sure you add this to your Things to see in Alabama and Things to do in Alabama lists. You won't be disappointed!

Wetumpka CraterFest 2014

Wetumpka CraterFest 2014

Wetumpka, Alabama ~ Wetumpka Craterfest ~ I didn’t think it could happen but The Wetumpka Craterfest was even better this year. It was so nice to see so many of you there. The food was amazing and I really enjoyed visiting with the vendors!  Some of the big draws were the games and swag from Wind Creek Casino, the inflatables and Jubilee Farms Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, from Opelika, Alabama. They had a huge assortment of baby animals for the children to pet and feed. I believe the parents loved the photo opportunities as much as the children loved spending time with the animals. The bands were Kelly Archer, Mayday Malone, Local favorite Bradley Roberson, Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Drake White and the Big Fire and Chris Stapleton. We also ran into friends Don Day and Curt Gantt of Venture Outdoors TV Show for a few pictures to wish Jessica Meuse, Slapout, AL good luck this week on American Idol. I am already looking forward to next year’s festival! Make sure you add the Wetumpka Craterfest to your 2015 things to do in Alabama calendar. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll make sure you don’t forget.


  

Alabama the Bass Fishing Capital of the World?

Alabama the Bass Fishing Capital of the World?

By Janet Kynard, It Happens in Alabama
Is Alabama the Bass Capital of the World? Locations in Alabama have long carried nicknames that relate to the abundance and quality of fish in the area:

• Crappie Capital of the World ~ Cedar Bluff
• Catfish Capital of the World ~ Demopolis
• Bass Capital of the World ~ Eufaula
• #1 Bass Fishing Lakes in North America ~ Ray Scott’s Bass Retreat, Pintlala

But in the last year or so, Bass fishing has gone worldwide in popularity and Alabama is the place to be! With the announcement of the Alabama Bass Trail with its 11 premier bass fishing lakes throughout Alabama, the multitude of Bass Tournaments held for every possible reason all over the state, B.A.S.S. Bassmaster coming back home to Birmingham, the Bass Hall of Fame being built in Cullman and, we can’t forget the big one, The BassMaster Classic and Expo, held in Birmingham this last weekend, which Fans of the sport refer to as the “Super Bowl” of bass fishing, the title fits.
This was the eighth time Birmingham been the host and had 50 percent more attendance than four or five years ago, when it was held in Birmingham. Bass fishing is growing in popularity and Alabama is making its mark. With a central location and an abundance of natural resources, the state is a prime spot for anglers.
The bass Hall of fame site is expected to be almost on the shoreline of Smith Lake, not far from Lake Guntersville, which is where the Bassmaster Classic was held this past week.

Janet Kynard and Ray Scott

I can’t leave this article without mentioning my friend, Ray Scott. Ray, known to many as the GodFather of Bass Fishing, had a vision in 1967 of building the sport of bass fishing into a first ranked American sports.  His vision has led directly to the creation of a new industry that generates sales in the billions of dollars each year, and provides employment for millions people, directly and indirectly. That’s not bad for a guy who got his start selling peanuts at  Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama in the early 1940′s.
Ray has been so instrumental in the evolution of bass fishing from a pastime to an industry. It was his vision and rule of catch and release that transformed boats, adding live wells. By mandating the wearing of life jackets, countless lives have been saved. The list goes on and on. If you haven’t read his book ”Bass Boss: The Inspiring Story Of Ray Scott And The Sportfishing Industry He Created” you really need too.
Many are saying, Alabama is really the center of the universe for Bass fishing. What are your thoughts?