People who want to adopt a duck pay $5 for one duck, $25 for a six-quack, $50 for a quacker’s dozen or $100 for a flock of 25 ducks, said Queen of the Quackers Kristin Demos. Each duck will be assigned a number.

About 10,000 numbered ducks will race down the Stones River beginning at 4:23 p.m. at the Sportsman’s Club at 1231 Medical Center Parkway. The person who adopted the winning duck will receive $5,000 bucks from presenting sponsor Sudsy’s Car Wash.

People who adopted the next 15 winning ducks will receive a total of about $18,000 in prizes.

Ducks may be adopted online at www.duckrace.com/murfreesboro or at Demos’ restaurant, Bell Jewelers on Northwest Broad Street, JoZoara’s at North Thompson Lane, Cox Family Martial Arts on South Church Street, Slick Pig on East Main Street, Lanes, Trains and Automobiles on Butler Drive, Top of the Block on Lokey Avenue, Sudsy’s Car wash on South Church Street, Murfreesboro Post on Rutherford Boulevard and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office on New Salem Highway.

CAC Executive Director Sharon De Boer said all proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon counties.

The Child Advocacy Center is a nonprofit agency that serves victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse, and drug-endangered children, along with their non-offending family members. In the last 12 years, the Child Protective Investigative Team consisting of the Child Advocacy Center, the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement, mental health counselors, and the District Attorney’s Office have investigated and prosecuted over 7,500 child abuse cases in Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

“We have had amazing sponsors for the 2012 Duck Derby,” De Boer said.

Troy and Donna VanLier and Sudsy's Car Wash are the presenting sponsor. Many other businesses and organizations have supported the Child Advocacy Center for the last five duck races including Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Bell Jewelers, Demos', MidSouth Bank, Predators Foundation, Bob Parks Auction, Bridgestone, C & K Hardwood, Parman Energy, Murfreesboro Medical Clinic Pediatrics, Waldron, Fann, and Parsley, Sandra Benson, John and Sharon Sant Amour, Bill and Lucy Whitesell, and many others.

Other prizes include:

Second prize: A MOAB bicycle with accessories.

Third prize: A $500 gift certificate from Bell Jewelers.

Fourth prize: A $500 gift certificate from Demos’ restaurant.

Best of the Boro Fifth Prize: Gift certificates for Lanes, Trains and Automobiles, Discovery Center Children’s Museum, Cox Family Martial Arts, Champion’s Run Golf Course, Sam Davis Home, Chuy’s, Stones River Grille, Miller’s Grocery, Puleo’s Grill, Slick Pig, Sir Pizza, Hickory Falls and Five Senses restaurant.

Gatlinburg Getaway Sixth Prize: Two nights at Clarion Hotel, tickets to Dollywood, Rafting in the Smokies, Sweet Fannie Adams Theatre, Christ in the Smokies and Tip a Canoe Rental.

Romantic Nashville Getaway Seventh Prize: One night at Gaylord Opryland Hotel, tickets to the General Jackson showboat and breakfast at Pancake Pantry.

Memphis Blues Eighth Prize: Two nights at Holiday Inn Select Downtown, tickets to Graceland, Memphis Rock ’n south Mueseum, Belz Museum, Chucalissa Museum, Pink Place, Lichterman Nature Center, Sharpe Planetarium and dinner at Folks Folly Prime Steak House and Huey’s.

Hello Huntsville Ninth Prize: Two nights at Embassy Suites, massage at Spa Botanica and tickets to Burritt on the Mountain.

Let’s Get Pampered 10th Prize: Gift basket from Top of the Block and four one-hour massages from Bodyworks Massage and Tangerine facial, manicure and pedicure.

Nashville Elegance 11th Prize: One night at the Sheraton Music City, tickets to Cheekwood, Frist Museum, Nashville Symphony, Hermitage and dinner at Peter’s Sushi.

Nashville Family Fun 12th Prize: One night at Courtyard by Marriott, tickets to Adventure Science Museum, Centennial Sportsplex, Lane Motor Museum, Traveler’s Rest, Tennessee State Museum and dinner at Ginger Thai restaurant.

Lucky No. 13 “Honey, we’re going to Tunica” 13th Prize: Two nights at Bally’s Casino, two nights at Gold Strike Casino and dinner at Chicago Steak House.

Reelfoot Lake Fisherman’s Getaway 14th Prize: Two nights at Boyette’s Resort Cottage, Bo’s Landing fishing boat rental and dinner at Boyette’s Diner.

Chattanooga Day Trip 15th Prize: Ruby Falls, Tennessee Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center, Hunter Museum, Tennessee Valley Railroad, Southern Belle Riverboat and dinner at English Rose.

Last Duck Standing All for a Year 16th Prize: Car washes at Sudsy’s Car Wash, Bowling at Lanes, Trains and Automobiles and Cox Family Martial Arts membership.

For more information, contact De Boer at 867-9000.

Murfreesboro, TN — Special Kids held its 13th Annual Golf Classic presented by Nissan and Kidz Zone Play Systems on Thursday at Indian Hills Golf course in Murfreesboro and raised $36,074.38 for the local nonprofit.

For the first year in the tournament’s history, the event offered both a morning and an afternoon session and grew to having over 240participants. Through the funds raised from registration fees and event sponsors, the event will help Special Kids to provide therapy and nursing services to over 200 in middle Tennessee.

“We were tremendously blessed by the beautiful day and wonderful turn out at Indian Hills yesterday,” says, Stephanie Folkmann, Director of Development at Special Kids. “It never would have been possible without all the help of our sponsors and wonderful volunteers. Thank you to Nissan and Kidz Zone for presenting this event for us. It sure was a great way to help our effort towards expansion.”

The morning session began at 7 a.m. with breakfast provided by Stones River Grill and started with Special Kids’ co-founder, Carrie Goodwin, expressing her appreciation for the golfers’ support of the organization. The morning tournament concluded with the Lorance Team in first place including, Marshall Lorance, Tony Switzer, BJ Bobo, and Jonathan Williamson.

Afternoon golfers enjoyed lunch provided by Slick Pig BBQ and teed off at 1 p.m. after Patrick and Amanda Nelson, whose son receives services at Special Kids, shared their family’s story and appreciation for the help they have received. The afternoon first place team was Jasey’s Team consisting of Jason Miller, Eric Smith Roger Farmer and Bradley Farmer.

Sponsors for the event included presenting sponsors Nissan and Kidz Zone Play Systems, ace sponsors OleSouth Properties and Tri-Star Title & Escrow, albatross sponsor Murfreesboro Magazine, grand slam sponsor Yates Services, eagle sponsor Aetna, birdie sponsors Newk’s Express Café, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Huddleston-Steele Engineering, and Mills Family Pharmacy, and several hole sponsors.

Special Kids is a Christian, nonprofit organization located in Murfreesboro, TN, that provides therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services to children with special needs. Since 1998, Special Kids has served over 2,200 families from 11 counties in middle Tennessee. For more information on Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com or call 615.893.4892.

Murfreesboro, TN - Special Kids has been selected as a finalist in the State Farm Youth Advisory Board Cause An Effect program and has a chance to win $25,000.  Over 3,000 applications were submitted to the board that narrowed the list to 100 finalists.  The winners will be chosen by the community via voting on Facebook.  The top 40 organizations will each be awarded $25,000 to apply towards their cause. Any Facebook user can vote up to 10 times per day from now until May 17.

http://www.facebook.com/statefarm/app_376288832400015?app_data=Camp-Ability

Diners can enjoy Toot’s chicken wings Tuesday, May 8 and donate to pay expenses for 30 Rutherford County student athletes competing in the state Special Olympics.

Toot’s will collect funds all day but Sheriff Robert Arnold and school resource officers will collect donations from diners from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Broad Street restaurant during the “Wings and Rings” fund-raiser. Donations will pay for the Tennessee Special Olympics May 18-19 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

SRO Dick Peach will entertain by singing Elvis tunes on request. Other SROs will join him in singing “Happy Birthday” to customers celebrating the special day at the restaurant.

“They definitely have good food and fun at Toot’s,” Peach said.

Co-chair Lou Paschall of Area 16 Special Olympics said the competition gives students with disabilities a chance to compete in athletic events.

Co-chair John Harris said Rutherford County students at the state games will compete in swimming, power lifting, track and field and bocce.

“Winning and losing is not the purpose of Special Olympics,” Harris said. “The purpose is to participate and be involved.”

Board member Mack Barnett said the Wings and Rings event gives athletes a chance to compete.

“You can see the joy on their faces,” Barnett said. “Winning is not everything. It’s the idea participants do something they enjoy doing. You can’t put a price on that.”

Paschall said “Wings and Rings” is a great opportunity for people who can’t be involved in Special Olympics to support the athletes financially. She suggested people might want to eat out that night for a “girls’ night out” or teachers and their families.

“We can’t say enough about Toot’s and their support financially,” Paschall said. “They get people out there.”

Toot’s owner Wade Hays said Special Olympics is a cause that fits within the restaurant’s wheelhouse of helping youth in the community.

“We feel this is a sponsorship that we can wrap our arms around, along with the sheriff’s SROs, to benefit our local Special Olympics organization,” Hays said. “We are very proud and honored to partner with the sheriff’s office in these great events. Even if you cannot dine with us on Tuesday, please take a minute and stop by Toot’s on Broad Street and make a donation to Special Olympics. Any amount is greatly appreciated.”

SRO Capt. Barry Hendrixson thanked Hays and the Toot’s staff for sponsoring Wings and Rings.

“The SRO Division would not be able to help as much if it were not for Toot’s and their dedication to Rutherford County,” Hendrixson said. “SROs see these students on a daily basis and to be able to help them participate in the Special Olympics makes all the effort worthwhile.”

Thursday, April 12 will be a great time to visit Great Clips!

Great Clips will be having a “haircut day” fundraiser in support of Special Kids, a Christian non-profit organization that provides therapeutic rehabilitation and professional nursing services to children who have special needs. Since opening their doors in 1998, Special Kids has gone from serving one child to serving over 2,000 children in Middle Tennessee.

Supporting the Local Community!!

Just present a coupon available online and at local area Great Clips and $2.00 per haircut will be donated to Special Kids of Murfreesboro!

Four Convenient Great Clips Locations:

Rutherford Crossing
2042 New Lascassas Pike
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-895-1344

The Oaks
452 N. Thompson Lane Suite D
Murfreesboro, TN 38129
615-849-3663

Kensington Place
1715M S. Rutherford Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN
615-895-2226

Stonetrace Commons
2441 R Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
615-494-1300

For more info on Special Kids:

Special Kids
202 Arnette St.
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
615-893-4892

About 10,000 rubber ducks are racing to Murfreesboro for the annual Child Advocacy Center’s Duck Derby race Saturday, June 23.

Queen of the Quackers Kristin Demos said this year’s race is predicted to be the most exciting to date. Sudsy’s Car Wash is the presenting sponsor.

“There is just a little bit of time left to be a Duck Derby sponsor and get your company logo listed on over 50,000 duck adoption papers that will be distributed in Rutherford and Cannon counties, as well as a whole "flock" of other incentives that our sponsors receive,” Demos said. “So join us and get a little quacky for our big race day on June 23. But most of all join us to help advocate for our children. They deserve our support.”

Executive Director Sharon De Boer of the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon counties said the deadline for sponsors and prizes to be listed on the 2012 Duck Derby duck adoption forms is Thursday, April 19. The deadline to be listed on the 2012 Duck Derby website is June 1.

CAC is still searching for a sponsor who will donate $5,000 for the grand prize. Prospective donors are asked to contact the Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000 to get involved.

Kevin Cox of Cox Family Martial Arts is supporting CAC and the Duck Derby by donating a one year martial arts membership valued at $1,200 and a six-month martial arts membership valued at $600. His students will demonstration their skills and he also hopes to partner with Space Walk of Murfreesboro and Fire Trucks for Rent to provide bouncy inflatables for the Family Fun event before the race at the Sportsman’s Club on Medical Center Parkway.

“The whole concept of the Child Advocacy Center is appealing to me,” Cox said. “I’m happy we can get involved.”

Murfreesboro, TN – BombShells Hair Studio and Spa is pleased to announce the second annual MSA Spring Fashion Show and Auction benefiting Miracles for MSA, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and money for Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) research. The event will be held at Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Thursday, April 26, 2012, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and will feature fashions from Penny’s Closet and Bella’s Boutique, jewelry and accessories from Trendy Pieces and hair and make-up by BombShells. Admission is $5.00 and includes refreshments. A cash bar will be available as well.

Models will begin walking through the crowd at 6:00 p.m. followed by a live auction featuring items including a round of golf and dinner for two at Stones River Country Club, grilling sets, tanning packages, a hotel stay, a photography package by Twila Allen, jewelry, gift certificates to local restaurants, several hair and nail products and more!

Last year’s fashion show raised over $4,000 and event organizers hope to raise at least $5,000 this year. Donations and auction items are still being accepted. Contact Michelle Williamson at 615-907-8004 for information about donating.

BombShells’ owner Michelle Williamson first learned about this terrible disease when the beloved wife of her high school softball coach Bob Summers was diagnosed with MSA, an extremely rare progressive neurodegenerative disease.

Coach Summers’ dear wife of 44 years, Susan, a breast cancer survivor since 1995, was diagnosed with MSA in July 2002. The doctors told Coach Summers that Susan would face severe disabilities and may only have a few years to live. He is now her constant and devoted caregiver. And while, she can no longer communicate or do anything for herself, the parts of her brain that control feelings, sentiment, memory and thoughts remain intact. She is quite literally trapped in her own body.

“It’s a horrible disease,” Williamson said. “Imagine being trapped in your own body unable to communicate with the people you love. Coach Summers and his wife are truly an inspiration. Their love for each other in the face of this disease is amazing. We just wanted to be able to show our support in some small way.”

For more information about the MSA Fashion Show and Auction, please call BombShells Hair Studio and Spa at 615-907-8004.

About MSA

Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) is an extremely rare progressive neurodegenerative disease. MSA impairs the autonomic nervous system, which regulates many important body functions including blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. Individuals with MSA may suffer from muscle tremors and rigidity, constipation, loss of bladder control, the ability to sweat, and sexual function. The disease may also cause difficulties with movement including ataxia and loss of balance, muscle atrophy, problems swallowing and paralysis of the eyes. There is currently no cure for MSA, but some treatments are available to ease the symptoms of the disease. MSA generally advances rapidly over a period of nine to 10 years with the progressive loss of motor skills and eventually confinement to a bed, and finally death.

Contributors donated more than $2,000 during the Wings and Rings fundraiser at Toot’s April 5 to pay for the Area 16 Special Olympics games Thursday at MTSU.

About 350 intellectually disabled students from Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools, private schools and adult centers will compete in the games beginning at 10:30 a.m. at MTSU’s soccer field.

School Resource Officer Dick Peach of Smyrna Elementary and Smyrna Primary will lead the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Other Rutherford County Sheriff’s SROs, deputies and high school athletes will run the Olympic torch beginning at 9:20 from Central Magnet School to MTSU’s soccer games. Runners will hand off the torch to a Special Olympics athlete.

The Special Olympics opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m. with the games beginning at 10:30 a.m.

SROs waited tables and collected donations from customers at Toot’s on South Church Street last Thursday during the Wings and Rings event.

John Harris, Special Olympics co-chair, said the Wings and Rings fund-raiser pays for transportation, ribbons and lunch for the athletes.

Toot’s owner Wade Hays and his employees partner with the SROs to fund the games.

The next Wings and Rings event will pay for sending athletes from the Spring Games to the Tennessee Special Olympics. SROs will wait tables during the next Wings and Rings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8 at Toot’s on Broad Street.

Co-chair Lou Paschall said many customers attend the Wings and Rings event to interact with their SROs.

“We are thrilled to have the support of the SROs,” Paschall said. “They do so much to promote schools. It’s characteristic of the SROs at Wings and Rings to benefit people with disabilities.”

Paschall thanked Hays, Billy McCrary, Toot’s director of operations, Toot’s South manager John Renteria and the Toot’s South staff for their participation.

“They have great hearts,” Paschall said.

McCrary said Wings and Ring said Toot’s employees enjoy the event.

“This is the most special one because we’re giving back,” McCrary said. “We love doing this. We hope it’s a long-term relationship.”

Murfreesboro, TN - Carpe Artista, Chick-Fil-A, Smryna and Hobnob Smyrna are pleased to announce the First Annual Hangar Party, a benefit for Carpe Artista.  The Hangar Party will be on Saturday April 21st from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Smyrna Airport. This is a family friendly event featuring over 69 local Artist, Artisans and Food Vendors. There will be a Kidz Zone featuring a rock climbing wall, a 67 foot obstacle course and a graffiti wall. Live music including the Jukebox Hero instructor band, Back in the Saddle, Chrissy and The Ball Brothers, Less Than Zero, Smyrna High School Jazz Band and more.

Local vendors include Lowes, Buffalo Wild Wings, Menchies, Papa’s Italian Ice,

Chick-Fil-A, Famous Daves, Scentsy Candles, The Party Bakery, Stone Horse Jewelry and many more.

This family friendly event begins at 4:00pm. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance for $3.00,with kids 12 and under admitted for free, at www.carpeartista.com

Tickets may also be purchased at the gate the day of the event for $5.00 with kids 12 and under admitted for free.

Mid South Bank, Libery Mutal and Smyrna Air Center are proud sponsors of the First Annual Hangar Party. All proceeds further the development of Carpe Artista and the Carpe Café on Front Street in Smyrna.

Carpe Artista's directive is to transform cultures globally by developing local arts communities through the nurturing of young creatives to reach their full potential in character, calling, craft and community. Locally the strategy of Carpe Artista is to infuse life into the historic part of Smyrna by infusing the physical area with the arts and development of an arts community. The vision is to create a hub of artistic activity through the creation of an artist development center based in a coffee shop.

For more information please visit www.carpeartista.com

Parents can entertain and educate their children by attending the Chuck E. Cheese’s non-profit fund-raising event from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 10 at Stones River Mall.

Children can receive 10 free tokens with any food purchase during the event with 15 percent of all proceeds donated to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office’s 9-11 Memorial, said Deputy Greg Dotson.

By supporting the event, children will be entertained while playing games at Chuck E. Cheese’s. Parents can pick up a flyer for the free tokens at the restaurant.

“I still feel school children will be educated when they come to the 9-11 Memorial to see a part of our history,” Dotson said.

Chuck E. Cheese will continue the fund-raising event the first Tuesday of each month through September.