Volleyball Tournament to Attract Thousands in Indy

More than 20,000 people are expected to gather in downtown Indianapolis this weekend for one of the country's largest volleyball tournaments, reports Inside INdiana Business.

The 2009 Mizuno Mid-East Qualifier will be held tomorrow through Sunday (6-8 March) and feature 520 teams and 6,000 girls from across the country.

The Business of Sports

Sonny Vaccaro (pictured), Director of Vaccaro Sports Partnerships, will speak on "The Business of Sports" at 5 p.m. today (4 March) in Room 259 of the Indiana University School of Law at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

His presentation is sponsored by the The Entertainment and Sports Law Society. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Matt Nolley.

Considered one of basketball's most well-connected insiders, Vaccaro remains a formidable force in contemporary sports marketing and grassroots basketball. His promotional innovations (beginning with the signing of Michael Jordan to his first major endorsement package) revolutionized the sports marketing genre with shoe endorsements, team affiliations and other ground-breaking promotional partnerships which have helped propel the fortunes of countless athletes, collegiate programs and professional teams.

Ballard to be One Term Mayor?

Advance Indiana outlines a startling set of revelations about Mayor Greg Ballard's financial dealings.

Campaign pledges about accountability and transparency are trashed as the one-year incumbent curries favor with well-heeled contributors.

"Despite a pledge to restore ethics and public accountability, Ballard has governed this past year under the guiding principle that anyone wishing to do business with the city-county government must pay to play."

But, don't take my word for it. Read it all here.

MIBOR Reports Home Sales Figures

The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors (MIBOR) says the number of units sold from November through January is down 16 percent, compared to the same period a year earlier, reports Inside INdiana Business.

MIBOR says nearly 4,500 homes sold in the period had an average price of $125,700. Out of the 13 counties in the Indianapolis-area, only Decatur and Putnam posted increases in average sale price from November through January.

"It's a door slamming, bed spinning, wacky good time!"

Pssst! Want a good deal? The Ladies Man is the new comedy beginning at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in downtown Indy on 3 March.

Here's the word on a $10 off ticket offer, good for productions until 8 March: Call 317:635-5252 or go online, then use the discount code "special4you" to get your $10 discount!

Oh. there's a show synopsis here.

Indianapolis to Receive Stimulus Funds

The City of Indianapolis will receive $2.5 million in Community Block Grants and $3.9 million in Homeless Prevention Fund money as part of the federal stimulus package, reports Inside INdiana Business.

Indiana Author Awards Announced

The public is invited to nominate favorite Indiana authors for a new awards program through the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation. Funded by a grant from Eugene and Marilyn Glick, the awards will be given to three winners at a gala set for 26 September.

There's more information online. Nominations are due 8 April.

An Award Panel will select the winners, who, in addition to receiving a cash prize, will receive a grant of $2,500 to be given to their designated hometown Indiana public library.