Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights

Date: 11/27/2009 - 12/31/2009

12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd Theodore, AL 36582

Price: Admission: Adults $11, Children 5 – 12 $6 and Children 4 and under are free.

Tickets can be pre-purchased at all participating Regions Banks.

Phone: 251 973-2217

Website: http://www.bellingrath.org/

5 – 9 PM Nightly. Magic Christmas in Lights, Bellingrath’s annual Christmas light display, will feature over 3 million twinkling lights, 902 set pieces in 12 major scenes throughout Bellingrath’ s 65 acre estate garden. Like the rest of the Gardens, the Bellingrath Museum Home is decorated in its holiday finery. During MCIL guests may tour the home during the day and throughout the evening until 8:00 pm. Nightly choral performances are held on the South Terrace of the Bellingrath Home. Bellingrath’s Magnolia Café is open each day from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for lunch and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm for dinner. Dinner menus feature local seafood classics and traditional holiday favorites. Bellingrath’s Gift Shop is filled with holiday gift items and decorations for all types of collectors. The gift shop is open daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Make Glass for Christmas at The Hot Shop at Orange Beach Arts Center

Date: 11/18/2009
26389 Canal Road Orange Beach, AL 36561
Price: Fee: $70 all supplies and equipment provided
Phone: 251 981-ARTS (2787)
Website: www.orangebeachartcenter.com
FLAMEWORKING - BEGINNING Wednesday, November 18th; December 9; December 16 6:00pm - 8:00pm a one day work shop Instructor: Sam Cornman Learn how to create and work with molten hot glass at the torch. Students will learn the basic techniques of how to work with borosilicia glass through projects such as creating a bead and an ornament. Students will also be instructed on how to blow a glass bubble. This class is limited to three students.

MUMS! So many mums!

They cascade from railings. They reflect in the calm waters of Mirror Lake. During November at Bellingrath Gardens and Home - MUM is definitely the word - and the word is in bloom!

Come experience this floral wonderland for yourself.

http://www.bellingrath.org/

Tropical Storm? What Tropical Storm?

Aside from the novelty of having a tropical storm in November, Ida (now Tropical Depression Ida) didn't make much of an impression on Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

We had a damp, dreary day and some businesses opened on a delay Tuesday, but otherwise, everything is pretty much "business as usual". Rain and clouds are likely to continue through Wednesday, but the forecast for the rest of the week is sunny and mid- to high 70's. Not bad for the middle of November, huh?

Ida Update

This morning, Tropical Storm Ida was downgraded to a tropical depression, and all watches and warnings have been discontinued for the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. As this extratropical system continues to weaken, other watches and warnings will continue to be dropped.

The Cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have reported they received little or no damage due to Tropical Storm Ida. All roads are open and all City facilities will reopen at 12:00 noon today.
All public beach areas are closed for swimming until further notice due to high surf and strong rip currents. Until further notice, no motorized vehicles will be allowed on the beaches within the City of Gulf Shores unless authorization is obtained from the Building Department at 251-968-1142.

For additional information regarding public beaches and swimming, call 968-TIDE (for Gulf Shores) or 251-981-SURF (for Orange Beach). Information will be updated as conditions change.

The Baldwin County EMA closed the shelter located at the Baldwin County Coliseum as of 9:00 a.m. this morning in response to the storm's downgrade.

Time for Tune

The music is calling! The Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival kicks off on Wednesday at the Flora-Bama. Then it hits full speed on Thursday with a great lineup of performances.

Choose your favorite venue, order a cold one and relax and enjoy the music.

Visit the festival website to see the daily schedules through November 22nd.

Thursday Nov. 12th
Flora~Bama
Host: Cathy Pace
6pm Mike Boland, Sandra Laird
7pm Smokey Joe Peoples, Howie Johnson
8pm Marc-Alan Barnette
9:30pm Larry T Wilson, Robbie Fleming, Rick Whaley
10:30pm Jim Moose Brown, Wil Nance, Brett Jones
11:30pm Johnny Barbato, Jed Clampit

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill
7pm Tony Brook
8pm Doug Gill, Lynn Langham

Rafters Restaurant & Sportsbar At The Wharf
6pm Sugarcane Jane
7pm Cary Laine
8pm Sam Glass

Silver Moon Lounge & Package
3pm Newcomers Songwriter Showcase -
Host: LeaAnne Creswell
6pm Jimmy Louis
7pm Ottar Johansen, Tore Anderson, Joe Sun
8pm Ken Lambert
9pm Break
9:30pm Donna Slater, Rhonda Hart, Elaine Petty
10:30pm Alan Rhody, Wood Newton, Jimbo Sales
11:30pm Marc-Alan Barnette
12:30am Songwriters Jam

Tacky Jacks
6pm Randy Branch
7pm Keith Glass
8pm Wes Loper

Tipseas Steam Shack
6pm Open Mic
7pm Rhonda Hart
8pm Beverly Jo Scott
9pm Lisa Zanghi

Villaggio Grille
7pm Stephen Lee Veal
8pm Tammy Vice, John Ed Thompson

Canadian Group Golfs the Gulf Coast

Welcome to the Ed Nowak Group from Ontario Canada. This photo was taken yesterday at Peninsula, their second 18 of the day.

This group is on their second visit to Gulf Shores.

With today's forecast for sunny and highs in the upper 70s, we are certain the guys are back out enjoying another great local course.

We are delighted to welcome groups to enjoy our courses. Many of our visitors are returning for their second, third, fourth or more trip.

To learn more about area courses, follow the Gulf Shores Golf Association on Facebook.

Fall is the "par-fect" Time for Great Golf on the Gulf

Ahhh, fall. The season for pumpkins, apple cider, sweaters and… golf? While other spots on the globe may be preparing for a long winter’s nap, on Alabama’s Gulf Coast the temperatures are mild and golf course conditions are ideal. Add the appeal of late-fall rates and you’ve got the perfect recipe for that end-of-season buddy trip.

The Gulf Shores Golf Association can bundle rounds of golf on ten world-class courses with a variety of lodging options and build a customized and affordable stay-and-play package. Add to that the personalized attention you'll receive at every point of your stay, and you're looking at a golf trip that can't be beat.

Visit the Golf Association website for more information or to request a quote.

More Events Added to Championship Events on Alabama’s Beaches

As the highly competitive IFA Redfish Tours ends its season at The Wharf this weekend, the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission – along with its partners and sponsors – has added a few must-see events to the expanding list of athletic events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.


Returning for a second time this fall, champion guide and well-respected consultant Captain Ray Van Horn will present a free inshore fishing seminar on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 prior to the weigh-ins of the IFA Redfish Tour Championship. From 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day, Horn will share his 52 years of fishing knowledge (including 26 years of competition) and will tackle various topics, such as casting, patterns, season, tackle, technique and live and artificial bait. Both the seminar and weigh-ins are set to be held at Shucker’s Oyster Bar at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Ala.

Presented by Legendary Marine, this seminar also showcases the Ranger boats that will be on display. Since space is limited, reserve a free spot by calling 251-971-8300.

Also, the community is urged to participate in the Boat Load of Beans Food Drive, organized by the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center. Food generated from this drive will help the Christian Service Center in Gulf Shores feed an estimated 400 families in November and December.

The following holiday-type food items are needed: canned soup, ramen noodles, jelly, yams/sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, greens, canned corn, stuffing mix, gravy mix and canned tuna.

Drop off your food items early at the South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Alabama Gulf Coast Urgent Care and Imaging Center in Gulf Shores, The Peninsula, Baldwin EMC South Baldwin Office (located on the Beach Express) and Columbia Southern University.

Donations will also be accepted on Saturday, November 7 at Shucker’s at The Wharf, and these individuals will receive a door prize ticket in exchange for their generosity. The food weigh-in will occur between noon and 2:00 p.m., followed by the door prize drawing, which features prizes from Lester's, Bebo’s, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center and the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission.

Then, grab a front-row seat to see the weigh-ins of the IFA tournament. Two days of furious fishing action in this catch-and-release tournament will crown the tour championship and ultimately decide the several other top awards.For more information, visit www.redfishtour.com.

Other Area Athletic Events
In addition to these two championships, the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission will welcome a handful of other athletic events to round-out an action packed weekend.

Alabama’s beaches will once again host the SEC Women’s Soccer Championship at the Orange Beach Sportsplex from Nov 4 to 8.

The top eight seeds square off in quarterfinal action starting at noon on Wednesday as No. 7 Vanderbilt takes on No. 2 LSU. At 2:30 p.m., No. 6 Auburn battles No. 3 Ole Miss followed by No. 8 Tennessee verses No. 1 Florida at 5:00 p.m. Then at 7:30 p.m., No. 5 Georgia takes on No. 4 South Carolina to round out Wednesday play.

The winners advance to semifinal play on Friday, November 6 with games beginning at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Finally, the championship showdown is scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m.
Adult tickets are $5.00 per day while child tickets (K-12) are $2.00 per day. Children under 4 years old are free. Tickets will be sold at the gate, which will open one hour prior to each game.

For more information on the SEC Soccer Championship (including radio and live television coverage), call 251-981-PLAY, or visit www.obparksandrec.com or www.secsports.com.

Also, the USTA Southern Combo Doubles Adult Championship sponsored by Mini will be played November 5-8. Play will be held daily from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. each day at the following sites: the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, The Beach Club, the Gulf Shores Plantation, the George Meyer Tennis Center, the Johnnie Sims Park in Gulf Shores and the Orange Beach Tennis Center. Admission is free of charge. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.alabamata.com.

Finally, the USSSA Last Swing Gulf Coast Baseball Tournament is set for November 7-8 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. Play will begin each day at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude around 5:00 p.m. Admission is $6.00 per day or $10.00 for a weekend pass. For more information and a detailed schedule, visit www.alabamausssa.org.

For information, please visit www.alabamagulfcoastsports.com, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival Celebrates 25 Years

Songwriters Flock to Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast November 12 – 22, 2009

Orange Beach, AL & Perdido Key, FL– Starting November 12th and running through the 22nd, more than 100 acclaimed Songwriters will converge on the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Songwriters performing for the Festival’s Silver Anniversary have written some of the biggest hits in modern music.

Grammy Award-winning artists, chart topping writers, and up-and-coming young musicians will perform their original works in intimate settings at venues in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bon Secour, Lillian and Josephine Alabama, and Perdido Key Florida. Each will host a diverse lineup of Songwriters for the 10-day Festival. Songwriters will often team-up during these shows turning some sets into spellbinding jam sessions.

What began in 1984 as an end-of-season party for local performers has turned into one of the largest Songwriter Festivals in the United States. This year the Southeast Tourism Society has named the Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival as one of its Top 20 Events. Music lovers from all over the country plan their annual trek to the Gulf Coast for this event.

Frank Brown, the Festival’s namesake, worked as the night watchman at the Flora~Bama Lounge for 28 years from 1956 to 1984. The Songwriter’s Festival started the same year Mr. Frank, as he was known, turned 91 and retired. In that same year, Mr. Frank was featured in Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story. Mr. Frank passed away in 1988 at the age of 95.
The Festival’s 25th Anniversary has a line-up of Live Performances, Songwriting Seminars and two Golf Tournaments. This year’s Festival will feature two special Nights of Memories – A Tribute to Heaven’s Band on November 15th & 18th. The Night of Memories performances are in honor of songwriters past with a special dedication to the songwriter’s songwriter, Mickey Newbury. The Festival will culminate with the best of the best in a Legendary Songwriters Finale at the Silver Moon Café on November 22nd.

Special Events

Marquirette’s 2009 Holiday Gala, Nov. 8 – Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, AL-
Bringing the Beach to Montgomery with Flora-Bama legendary entertainers & renowned artists. Visit: www.marquirettes.com

Songwriters Kickoff Party, Nov. 11 – Local songwriters bust out the music at Flora~Bama
ASCAP & BMI Showcases, Nov. 13, 14

Night of Memories – A Tribute to Heaven’s Band, in honor of Songwriters past with Special Dedication to Mickey Newbury – Nov. 15, 18 – Silver Moon Cafe

Celebrity Songwriters Golf Tournament, Nov. 16 - Hosted by Perdido Key Chamber with the Songwriters at Lost Key Golf Club. Register: www.fbisf.com

Wild Womens Writers Night, Nov. 19 – All Female Revue – Flora-Bama

ASCAP & SESAC Showcases, Nov. 20, 21

ASCAP and MTSU Partners in Craft Songwriting Seminar, Nov. 21, 22 - Hosted by: The Island House Hotel in Orange Beach, AL. Register: www.fbisf.com

Mark Collie Celebrity Scramble & Concert on the Green, Nov. 21 – Hosted by Orange Beach Golf Center. Register: www.fbisf.com/celebritygolf.html
Legendary Songwriters Finale– Nov. 22– Silver Moon Cafe


Alabama Venues

Ginny Lane Bar & Grill – 4780 Wharf Pkwy, Orange Beach (251) 224.6500
LuLu's At Home Port Marina – 200 E. 25 Ave., Gulf Shores (251) 967-5858
Pirate's Cove – 6600 County Rd. 95, Josephine (251) 987-1224
Sunset Cork Room – East 2nd St. Suite E, Gulf Shores (251) 967-4772
Villaggio Grille – 4780 Wharf Parkway, Suite F 108, Orange Beach (251) 224-6510
Tacky Jacks –27206 Safe Harbor Dr., Orange Beach (251) 981-4144
Tin Top Restaurant – 17240 Bon Secour Hwy, Bon Secour (251) 949-5086
Lillian Community Center – 34148 Widell Road, Lillian (251)962-3366
Rafters Restaurant & Sportsbar – 4725 Main Street, Orange Beach (251) 224-6900
Tipseas Steam Shack – 23479 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach (251) 981-8477

Florida Venues

Flora~Bama Lounge – 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key (850) 492-0611
Silver Moon Cafe –17395 Perdido Key Dr., Perdido Key (850) 492-3407-2200

Registration Opens for Kaiser Coastal Half-Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Shed those turkey-related pounds in time for the holidays with the 2009 Kaiser Realty Coastal Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run, which will be held the Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) in Orange Beach, Ala.

Produced by Team-Magic and the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission (AGCSC), this event features a scenic USATF certified course that begins at the Orange Beach Sportsplex, travels along a paved trail through a lush wooded area and progresses to the beach road (for the half –marathon only) before ending at the Sportsplex. The 5K and 1 mile run will be held completely on the paved backcountry trail. Except for packet pick-up at Tacky Jack’s on Friday, all race events – including the post-race party – will be held at the Sportsplex.

“Last year, we debuted this race with Team-Magic as the perfect exclamation point to their successful string of 2008 events,” said Beth Gendler, director of sales for the AGCSC. “In its first year, the race had over 300 participants, which speaks volumes to professionalism of Team Magic and to the wide variety of activities that our beach destination offers. While the athlete in the family might be preparing for the event, the shoppers in the group always seem to discover our wide selection of uncrowded shopping venues to take advantage of those post-Thanksgiving sales.”

Addition to welcoming more athletes this year, the race also showcases over $5,000 in prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers in the following categories: overall, masters overall and age groups (in five year intervals ranging from 14 to 80-plus). In addition, every participant who successfully completes the half marathon will receive a commemorative finisher medal. Meanwhile, numerous door prizes will be given away throughout the race.

Registration is $50.00 for the half-marathon, $20.00 for the 5K, and $12.00 for the 1 mile fun run. On November 10th, the fees will change to $60.00 for the half-marathon, $30.00 for the 5K, and $15.00 for the 1 mile fun run. Although online registration will close at midnight on Nov. 24, race officials will welcome late registration during packet pick-up from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Tacky Jack’s Bar and Grill and from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Saturday before the race. To register online, visit www.team-magic.com.

Also, note that the Iron Bowl action will begin at 1:30 p.m. as Alabama and Alabama square off in this annual match. Pick-up your race packet at Tacky Jack’s in Orange Beach, cheer on your favorite team and enjoy an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner special ($7.99) provided by Tacky Jack’s.

On Saturday, the half-marathon will start at 8:00 a.m. followed by an 8:15 a.m. start for both the 5K and 1 mile fun run. At 9:30 a.m., an awards ceremony for both the 5k and 1 mile fun run will be held and then at 11:00 a.m., the half-marathon winners will collect their awards. All race participants must complete their respected courses by noon. Be sure to stay at the Orange Beach Sportsplex for the post race party with Miller Genuine Draft Lite 64 and food from many local restaurants, including Tacky Jack’s.

In addition, individuals wishing to volunteer their time and talent for this event may register online at www.team-magic.com. Volunteers are needed on Friday and Saturday for a variety of duties and varying times.

This event made possible through the title sponsorship of Kaiser Realty and these sponsors: Tacky Jack’s, Miller Genuine Draft Lite 64, AL.com, All Sport, H20, Hammer Nutrition and Publix.

For information, please visit either www.alabamagulfcoastsports.com or www.team-magic.com.

KIVA DUNES GOLF CLUB NAMED AMONG GOLF DIGEST'S 75 TOP GOLF RESORT COURSES IN NORTH AMERICA

Kiva Dunes Golf Club, a member of the 10-course Gulf Shores Golf Association (GSGA), has been ranked in Golf Digest's 2009 75 Best Golf Resorts In North America list.

When the list begins with the famous Pebble Beach Resort, the caliber is immediately established. From there the ranked resorts include notables from Hawaii, the Carolinas, Florida and all points in between. As a North American list, there are also courses from Canada and the Bahamas.

Ranked number 60, in a three-way tie with Kauai (Hawaii) Marriott Resort & Beach Club and Westin La Cantera Resort of San Antonio, Kiva Dunes is the only Alabama golf resort to make the list.

"It's flattering to have our golf course included on this list, considering that Golf Digest employs many, many raters to scour the country to single out the very best golf course designs and resorts," says Mark Stillings, General Manager at Kiva Dunes and President of the GSGA. "And it's gratifying to know that while Kiva Dunes was selected, the Gulf Shores Golf Association has nine other premier courses that also provide the best golf experiences available, both in the region and nationally."

Golf Digest has a panel of over 900 raters who helped compile the rankings and rated hundreds of resorts in the USA, Canada and Mexico. “Regardless of where on the list a resort ranks, each one offers a combination of fine golf, lodging, food and service” says Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde.

To read the article and see the full list, visit http://www.golfdigest.com/.

About Kiva Dunes Golf Club:
Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Kiva Dunes was masterfully designed by Jerry Pate and is consistently ranked among America's finest golf courses. The layout meanders through pristine sand dunes, lakes and natural wildlife areas. In addition to the Golf Digest awards, the course has also been ranked nationally by GOLF Magazine, LINKS Magazine, Golf Course Living and GolfSouth. Kiva Dunes offers a full-service clubhouse, meeting facilities, fitness area, three swimming pools, 3,000-feet of private beach and on-site rentals of two, three and four-bedroom luxury condominiums and beach homes.

About the Gulf Shores Golf Association
Founded in 1995, the Gulf Shores Golf Association is dedicated to promoting Alabama's Gulf Coast as a golf vacation destination. For detailed information on the GSGA, the area's golf courses and the golf packages offered by local accommodations, call (888) 815-1902 or visit http://www.golfgulfshores.com/.