My Alabama Vacation

Music & BBQ

2010-11-08T13:41:00.022-06:00

Posted by Edith Parten, Alabama Tourism PR/Media Relations Director:

In July, 2010 Alabama Tourism's PR Department teamed up with Georgia Turner from Daytona Beach to host seven travel journalists to a Music and BBQ tour. We hosted Patick Humphries from the UK, Sharon Spence Lieb from Charleston, Pat Brennan, Canada; Suzanne Corbett, St Louis; Leslie Long, New York; Diana Lambdin Meyer, Kansas City; and Renee Gordon, Philadelphia.

The writers were treated to Alabama's Music attractions and BBQ as part of the Year of Alabama Music pre-promotion. The tourism department kicks-off the year-long campaign in January 2011.

The journalists got a snippit of what the state has to offer from its music history. The group went inside the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia and a few even recorded their own song to cd. We also toured the renowned FAME recording studios and Cypress Moon Productions in Muscle Shoals.

We visited during the W.C. Handy Music Festival where we saw W.C. Handy's birthplace and museum, he is considered the "Father of Blues." We also visited the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Florence to hear the Handy Community Choir. What a treat! It had me and the journalists on their feet dancing. For dinner we were treated to sandwiches and ice cream at the famous Trowbridge's in Florence. What could be better?

We stayed at the Marriott Shoals where guests can hear nightly music by local muscians in the Swampers Bar. They also have the Sam Phillips suite compelte with its own jukebox.

From the Shoals area we headed out to Tuscaloosa to visit the Alabama Blues Project where we met blues musicican Debbie Bond and a student of hers, Rachael Edwards. Boy can these ladies sing. The project also teaches kids about the blues. Oh, and the home that houses the project is right next to an old train station, where we are told the blues muicians used to hop off the train to play in Tuscaloosa.

We were hungry for something good and ended up at the original Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa. Yes, the sign is right. "ain't nothin' like em nowhere." and the banana pudding is not to miss.

From Tuscaloosa we headed east on I-20 for Birmingham and our hotel, Ross Bridge. Driving up to Ross Bridge you would think you were in Scotland as the castle-like hotel sits atop the rolling, lush green golf course that is part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. I don't paly golf, but the site of this course makes me wish that I did. And if I was not working I would definitely be at the Spa or out in the swimming pool.

We checked in and prepared to head out for the evening, but before we leave we are treated to a man dressed in a kilt playing the bagpipes as is the traditon every evening at Ross Bridge.

We visited WorkPlay in the loft district of Brimingham, where we heard Jazz Guitarist Kevin Williams. The next night we visited Moonlight on the Mountain which is a community listening room. He heard Kassie Miller play that night. We also played the drums at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

We were treated to a personal tour of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame by the 82 year old Dr. Adams who played with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Adams plays the clarinet and saxophone. If you're lucky he'll tell his stories of meeting Ella Fitzgerald and playing with Sun Ra.

We also visited the historic Alabama Theatre built in 1927 as a showcase for Paramount films.

Sharon Spence Lieb has written her article on the trip. Read it here: http://www.moultrienews.com/travel/-03TRAVELNOVEMBER

Renee Gordon's Article in the Phildaelphia Sun can be found here: http://www.philasun.com/news/860/43/Alabama-s-Music-Trail-Part-Two.html

and Leslie Long's article in Limite is here:
http://www.limitemagazine.com/2010/08/the-alabama-blues-project/#more-23616

Enjoy Alabama's Music Trail.

Girlfriend Getaway to Alabama's Gulf Coast

2010-03-22T16:31:00.003-05:00

"Girlfriend Getaway to Alabama's Gulf Coast"

Guest Blogger Jennifer Kornegay writes about her "Girlfriend Getaway" to Alabama's Gulf Coast.:

While the Alabama Gulf Coast is a great place to visit year round, a late February trip isn’t very conducive to sunning on the beach or swimming in the sea thanks to blustery breezes and chilly temps. So what’s a group of girlfriends enjoying a weekend away in Orange Beach supposed to do for entertainment? As four of my friends and I found out, the answer is easy…eat, eat, eat and then shop.

We arrived at our condo on a Friday afternoon to find the sun shining and gentle waves lapping the shore. We took in the beach view for a moment before the cold pushed us back inside, and after we exhaled a relaxed sigh in unison, the talk turned to dinner.

The restaurant selection in the area has grown in the years since Hurricane Ivan hit. Old favorites are back in business and better than ever, and new eateries are upping the ante on coastal cuisine and bringing a fresh food in a fun atmosphere to the forefront.

Our group chose two of the best names in Alabama beach eats: Cosmo’s and Cobalt. Show up at Cosmo’s on Canal Road and make yourself right at home. The easy-going, neighborhood pub vibe makes everyone feel welcome. A guy strumming guitar and outdoor seating on a large deck are reason enough to visit, but the spectacular sushi pushes this place to the top of the list. Other popular dishes include chicken roulade with risotto and the grilled tuna salad. And if you’re wondering about the doggie décor, it was inspired by Cosmo’s namesake, a black lab rescued by the restaurant’s owners.

Cobalt’s wall of windows facing Perdido Pass offers a picture-perfect water view. Nosh on tasty jumbo BBQ shrimp or the tuna and avocado stack as you watch the boats float by. And the raised bar ensures everyone gets a good look. Sleek décor and friendly service seal the deal. We finished our meal with Cobalt’s tiramisu split five ways. Yum!

Tacky Jack’s in Orange Beach is an old standby, and for good reason. After an evening of indulgence, nothing satisfies a craving like a pile of Jack’s Mexican Garbage nachos. There’s almost always a crowd of happy diners and drinkers making it great spot for socializing while satiating your appetite for ample portions of delicious food.

Once you’re good and full, walk off the calories with a shopping excursion to the many stores at The Wharf. Sassy Britches is a good bet for cute tops and flirty dresses. H.L. Hood has classic offerings and some funky options, and Shades has a huge selection of sunglasses from every designer name you can imagine. A welcoming staff is just fine watching you try on pair after pair in your search for the “right look.” Two of my gal pals found some cute and stylish sunglasses on our visit.

So if you’re in need of a beach escape, go ahead and make a break for the Alabama Gulf Coast. Don’t worry about the weather. Close proximity to the ocean will always provide instant stress relief, and there’s plenty to do (a.k.a. buy and eat) no matter what’s going on outside.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

2010-02-26T08:33:00.007-06:00

My U.S. Space & Rocket Center Experience
by: guest blogger - Jennifer Kornegay

“To infinity and beyond!”

This phrase, the rallying cry of Buzz Lightyear from the movie “Toy Story,” is what kept reverberating in my head as I toured the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville recently. I kind of hate to admit that a line from an animated movie was the first on scene in my mind…not “a few small steps for mankind…” from Neil Armstrong, or “we choose to go the moon…” from the speech Kennedy made when promoting the idea of space exploration.

But as I walked around and marveled at the size and scope of the exhibits, I felt a little less guilty. After all, infinity is a concept that, at least for the average guy or gal (and I certainly fall into that category) stands for “just too much to grasp.” The Space and Rocket center is almost too much to take in.

I was blown away (pun intended) by the massive Saturn V rocket that’s suspended in all its massive glory from the ceiling in the Rocket Center’s newest facility, the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. The Saturn V launched Apollo 11 and the subsequent Apollo missions.

A simulator gives you an idea of the force (and noise!) exerted by a rocket so large. All I could think about was how scared I would be to have that much rocket fuel firing up below me if I were an astronaut. I guess that is just one of the many, many reasons I am not an astronaut.

I was equally impressed by the people in Huntsville who’ve made the U.S. Space program what it is. The Center does a great job detailing the history of the “space race” and spotlighting the integral role Huntsville played. Thanks to the innovation at Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in the city, Huntsville went from being the Watercress Capital of the World to earning the name “Rocket City and now boasts more Ph.D.’s per capita than anywhere else in the country. Pretty cool, huh?

The Center’s interactive exhibits were covered up with kids. All ages were having a blast (sorry, can’t resist) participating in activities that taught about gimble, G-forces and other laws of physics that make my head hurt when I think about them too long.

Exploring a replica of the International Space Station will give you a new level of respect for astronauts and the “special” living conditions they endure in the name of science. How anyone does anything in such cramped quarters is beyond me.

I could go on…but I won’t. I hope I’ve piqued your curiosity. Now maybe you’ll take the next free weekend you’ve got and check out the U.S. Space and Rocket Center for yourself.

ON THE ROAD WITH A TRAVEL WRITER FROM NYC

2010-01-21T15:04:00.007-06:00

One Day in Alabama with a Travel Writer from New York City

Recently I had the privilege of showing freelance and culinary travel writer, Corinne Trang around Alabama. Corinne is from New York and this was her first trip to Alabama. Here is what we did in Alabama in one day. I picked Corrinne up at the airport in Huntsville late on a recent October morning and met with Charles Winters at the Huntsville Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Charles took us to an early lunch at a fabulous restaurant in the Providence shopping area of Huntsville.

We walked in to Grille 29 for lunch and sampled an array of appetizers. Corinne is a food writer as you know so it's in her nature to sample as much as possible. http://www.grille29.com/.

We tried a sample of entrees. The Tenderloin of Beef Carpaccio was awesome. The Grille 29 cheese plate offered a trio of cheeses, the Gorgonzola Fondue was fun and very tasty, the mussels were excellent but the Tilapia in a Bag was the best dish. Fresh tilapia was baked in parchment paper with a white-wine broth.

From lunch in Huntsville it was time to head straight to Scottsboro to sample an array of lost luggage items at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. If you have ever lost you luggage, chances are good that you will find your items here, that is unless someone else found them first. After looking through electronics, handbags, jewelery, household items, and clothing of all sorts it was time for a coffee break. They serve Starbucks coffee at Unclaimed Baggage.

Corinne almost bought a pair of high-heeled shoes, but they were a tad too small. http://www.unclaimedbaggage.com/.

The next stop on the way to Florence from Scottsboro is the small town of Rogersville. We strolled the small downtown area before stopping at Stanfield's Steakhouse. We were supposed to stop in to sample desserts, but we ending up sampling more. The ribeye steak was cooked to perfection and very juicy. The sweet potato was fresh and yummy and the fried pickles were tasty and tangy. The we sampled cakes and pie. What a hidden treasure in Rogersville.
Next stop - Florence.

We stayed at the Marriott Shoals in Florence. The Swampers bar in the lobby is a great place to relax and unwind with live music nightly. If you need more relaxation, the Spa offers massages, body treatments, pedicures, manicures and facials.

We had dinner at Ricatoni's in downtown Florence. The Margherita pizza was excellent as well as the bread with herbs and olive oil which is listed in the "100 Dishes To Eat in Alabama Before You Die" brochure. We then headed over to Smokehouse Billiards where we met and hear blues musician Max Russell playing, youtube video.

One more stop before heading back to the hotel for the evening. We stopped for a cup of coffee at the Rivertown Coffee Company. They are open late and have excellent lattes, coffee and hot tea.

Around 11 p.m. it was time to head back to Marriott Shoals for a good night's sleep. What a day! Tomorrow, well that's another story.

posted by: Edith Parten
PR/Media Relations
Alabama Tourism Department

The Last Day of My Internship At the Alabama Tourism Department

2009-07-30T14:18:00.003-05:00

Posted by Alabama Tourism Department intern Brooke Franco

On the last day of my internship at the Alabama Tourism Department it is hard for me to really pin- point all of the things that I have learned, and my favorite things that I have done while I have been here. The biggest things that come to mind is how working in this industry is always about keeping and staying in contact with people, and how you must always have an open ear about what new things are happening and what is going on. I have also learned that promoting an entire state is not an easy job, and it requires an entire dedicated team which everyone working in this office has shown me this. From promoting events and cities, to creating brochures and advertisements, to coordinating tours in the state, to helping people with travel questions, managing the welcome centers to a whole lot more, I have seen how complex working in Tourism really is.
Working in Public Relations in this office is not just about doing press releases, is about doing anything and everything you can thing of to get Alabama’s name out there. It’s about finding out every new thing in the state and promoting every detail of it. It’s about offering the public a chance to see anything that Alabama has to offer and why they would want to see/be apart of it. I have also realized how staying on top of social networking groups like Twitter or Facebook are a critical part of Public Relations. As these networks have become less for entertainment use to for business use, it is a normal thing that groups like the Alabama Tourism Department use them for promoting themselves. In the work that I have done I realize how detailed you must get when writing a press release or an article for the public. Anyone out there can be convinced to attend or visit something because of the tiniest detail that they read in something that you write, therefore it’s best to leave nothing out.
This is just a sample of the things that I have learned while I have interned with this office. I have taken a lot from this internship and I will use it as I work on my plans for the future. I thank everyone in the Alabama Tourism Department for the help and the opportunities that they have given me this summer!

Meeting Governor Riley!

2009-07-16T10:32:00.001-05:00

Posted by Alabama Tourism intern Brooke Franco:

There’s something very unique about taking a trip to the state capitol building in Montgomery. From taking in the picturesque view of it as you walk up Dexter Avenue, to climbing up the massive marble staircase at the foot of the building, to checking the time on the enormous clock on the front, to walking around the buildings tribute to all 50 United States flags, to gazing up into the mural of the history of Alabama inside the rotunda, there is just something exciting you find every time you go over to Goat Hill in Montgomery. History and stories abound from the moment you step onto the property.

I was able to take a special visit to the capitol. Ten other interns and I for the Office of the Governor were able to go and meet Governor Bob Riley in his office inside the building. We were all very excited that he was able to squeeze us in between traveling and all of his duties as Governor.

The Wednesday afternoon in July that we were to meet him we were taken into the grand reception area outside of his office to wait while he was in an important meeting. None of us said a word, as we stared at the pale yellow walls anxiously thinking about the man we had heard so much about on our internships.

When he was ready, we filed into his office and greeted him one at a time for a picture. From the second we walked into the room we found out how personable the Governor was. He talked to each of us asking where we went to school and what we were studying, things we had done on our internship, to even talking football and making jokes with us. He seemed so happy to meet us all despite how incredibly busy of a man he is. We all left his office excited at the opportunity we had just had.

Now when I take a trip to the capitol building I will always think of the day I was able to meet Governor Riley in his office. I will remember the exquisite way his office was decorated as it grandly looked out onto the grounds of the capitol. Most importantly, I will remember how happy he made a group of interns just by spending a little time with them!

A Trip to the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Plant

2009-07-15T12:01:00.003-05:00

Posted by Alabama Tourism intern Brooke Franco:

As a part of my internship, I recently had the opportunity to visit the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant located right off I-65 outside of Montgomery. I was amazed at what I was able to see on the tour of this facility. This particular Hyundai Plant produces the Hyundai Santa Fes and Hyundai Sonatas. They offer guided one and a half hour tours Mondays-Fridays three times a day, and only one evening tour per week, with a reservation.

The tour started off as our guide gave us a brief overview of the history of Hyundai, the plant itself, and the car making process. They then showed us a brief video about how the plant was run and gave us an idea of things to look for as we were on our tour. The entire facility is huge, spanning several miles. The tours are given on trams driven by your guide and take you as up close as you can to seeing how the process is done.

I was completely amazed with the robots and the technology that the plant uses in making its cars. Hundreds of robots are used that perform jobs like welding, stamping parts of the car from steel, putting in the car consoles, and placing on the windshields, all in a matter of a few seconds.

The tour first takes you into the stamping section where steel is cut, transformed into recognizable parts of a car, and then welded on to create what looks like a car body. You are next taken into the general assembly building where the majority of the production is done. Watch as the wiring, engine, battery, seats, windows, doors, and everything else are put into the car by both workers and robots. As cars leave this building they are drivable and ready for the rigorous testing done to each vehicle. Your final stop of the tour takes you to where the engines are assembled as robots cut the parts that are assembled by team members.

Overall, I was very impressed with the tour and watching how the facility was run. I was really impressed with the fact that so many of the Hyundai team members stopped and waved to the tram as the tour passed along, and that they seemed to be so happy to have visitors. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone!

My Internship at the Alabama Tourism Department

2009-07-06T15:54:00.003-05:00

My name is Brooke Franco and I am an intern this summer at the Alabama Department of Tourism. Here are some of my reactions on my first day of my exciting internship.

After living in Montgomery for 22 years I thought that I knew a lot about Alabama and what goes on here, but as I finish my first day interning at the Alabama Tourism Department I am really taken back by all the various aspects and the tremendous effort that it takes to show the things that make Alabama such a great state. From sandy white beaches, to restaurants, golf courses, historical monuments, events, and big and small cities alike, there can be no expense in what can be promoted in and out of the state. One thing that I never realized is that almost any given day anywhere in Alabama there is an event going on. From the smallest and most unique events to the larger well-known festivals and activities, anyone anywhere could find something that would make them want to visit Alabama for. I was also amazed at how many different types of travel one could possibly do in Alabama. There are
countless historical sites to be visited, such as the Rosa Parks museum in Montgomery, Helen Keller’s birthplace in Tuscumbia, and the Hank Aaron Museum and Learning Center in Mobile. Golf fans will want to head straight to one of the eleven Robert Trent Jones Golf courses the state has. One can visit literary landmarks the state has like Monroeville, home of Harper Lee and Truman Capote, or the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery.
Another big thing that I learned on my first day as an intern was how much media exposure helps bring a better image to Alabama. From major companies using Alabama as a backdrop for ads their products appear in, to television shows and movies filmed all around the state, these are the kinds of things that help put Alabama’s name out. One of the more recent things that Alabama has been filmed for was for a documentary reality series named “On the Road In America” where four Arab young adults are traveling from Los Angeles to Washington learning about American culture and history. The show stopped in Montgomery to film a segment about the Civil Rights Movement.
As I complete my internship for the next six weeks there are so many new things that I want to learn about tourism and how it can be successfully done. From event scheduling, to creating advertisements, knowing facts and backgrounds of the places you are promoting, and everywhere in between, these are some of the important things that I hope to learn about tourism in the state of Alabama.

Does Medical Museum in Foley Have Ghosts?

2009-06-16T15:31:00.008-05:00

Does the Medical Museum in Foley Alabama have ghosts?

Photos courtesy of : Patrice Raplee

Photos by © Patrice Raplee

Foley, Alabama has many hidden treasures, some that may surprise you. On a recent press trip that included the small, charming town of Foley, something unexplainable appears next to me at the Medical Museum ... was it some sort of energy? You be the judge.

The museum is housed in a former hosptial built in the 1930's and closed sometime during the 1960's. Many babies were birthed in the hosptial, in fact, the docent giving the tour was born in the hospital. Doctors also performed surgery at the hospital and took care of whatever ailed the townspeople. The equipment looks medieval compared to today's standards.

As I was walked up the stairs to the second floor of the hospital, I began to feel a little uneasy. It was dark and the items on display made me feel a bit nervous. Long needles sitting next to a needle sharpener. They didn't have disposable needles in those days so they ussed the same needle and sharpened it from time to time. When I walked into a room with old medicine bottles, may eyes caught the site of a skeleton hanging at the far end of the room. A professional photographer on the trip asked me to stand next to the skeleton to have my photo taken. As I neared the skeleton it appeared, REAL! The docent said it was real. I let out a shriek and was frightened to be standing next to a real skeleton, not the plaster ones we are used to from our childhood teachings of the human body.

Before I go on, keep in mind that this was a cloudy day, one window at the opposite corner of an approx. 200 square foot room, no other people, no shadows and no flash was used. The photogrpaher had a long lens on the camera (10 inches). I leaned in toward the skeleton to make it appear that I was touching it when in actuality I was slightly behind it. The photographer snapped by photo as I posed and said with a gasp, OH my! I asked what was wrong. She said I'll show you in a minute let me take another photo. Her gasp brought others into the room and she snapped another picture. Upon showing me the first photo I too gasped! Yikes! I could not believe my eyes. The photo showed me standing next to the skeleton, and appearing in front of me was a black, whispy, transparent apparition (for lackof a better description). It looks like a person standing with their arms in the air. No, this was no the photographer's hand or fingers, she was holding a long telephoto lens and I saw her take the photo.

So I leave it to your eyes. View the photos, the first with the black, transparent cloud and dark corner compared to the photo taken immediately after. Keep in mind there was nothing to cast shadows, no flash, noone else standing in the room. Does the Medical Museum in Foley have ghosts? You may have to visit to see for yourself.

PS, the docent told us others have reported seeing ghosts and that paranormalists have visited. And she left it at that.

There are also several other hidden tresures in Foley, Sweetie Pies (pie shop), an amazing railroad museum with the largest model train exhibit I have ever seen, fantastic antique shopping and a B&B you don't want to miss, The Magnolia Inn.

I can't wait to go back to Foley.

Birmingham in Garden and Gun Magazine

2009-06-08T10:08:00.006-05:00

Garden and Gun magazine just published a fantastic article on Birmingham. Here are some highlights from the article.

By Charles Gaines and Jeff Book

June/July 2009
The Big Heart of Birmingham

Why Alabama's biggest city is loaded with small-town charm
By Charles Gaines

If you lived in Birmingham in the 1950s, it was a glumly accepted fact that to get to heaven you were going to have to fly through Atlanta—probably with a four-hour layover.
Then in the early sixties the city’s low-grade inferiority flu turned into a life-threatening pneumonia of shame—a feverish nightmare of fire hoses, police dogs, and the heartbreaking deaths of four young black girls that left my hometown with the national nickname of Bombingham.

Aided by a natural abundance of coal, iron ore, and limestone, its production of steel and iron through the early 1900s so quickly grew it into the foremost industrial center of the South that it became known as the Magic City.

When the funds fueling that growth dried up during the Great Depression, Birmingham nearly expired again. Resuscitated this time by wartime demand for steel and the postwar building boom, the city went back to being a one-trick pony, doing nothing much more with itself than supplying that demand and grousing about having to fly through Atlanta.
Then in the seventies a sea change began for the Magic City. New commercial buildings started to appear downtown for the first time since the 1920s. Art galleries and music clubs blossomed. Then in 1982 a young chef named Frank Stitt opened Highlands Bar and Grill, and the Birmingham renaissance had truly begun.

Like many Southerners, I unapologetically tend to attribute historic importance to food: What Stitt did with Highlands (and the three other fine restaurants he later bestowed on the city) was announce to Birminghamians with a megaphone that we were through sucking hind tit to Atlanta or anyplace else where food was concerned. More important, his elegant adaptation of local, down-home food, such as shrimp and grits, into high culinary art was a powerful metaphor for how we could, so to speak, have our community cake and eat it too.

In becoming one of the most livable and lovable cities in the nation, that is exactly what Birmingham has done: taken the best of the old life here (the inexorable friendliness, the lack of stress, the easy access to outdoor recreation, the quiet, leafy neighborhoods) and transformed it into something au courant, piquant, uncopyably delicious. The metropolitan area is now over one million people, but in many salubrious ways Birmingham still feels like a small city. Walking down 20th Street or waiting for a plane in the (now much improved) airport, it is hard not to run into someone you know or are kin to; in the middle of downtown there are at least four places where my dogs can take an undisturbed leak.

We now have one of the finest art museums in the country (with a permanent collection, by the way, twice the size of Atlanta’s), a shout-out civil rights museum and almost fifty art galleries. We have state-of-the-art performance and science centers; an excellent symphony orchestra; opera and ballet companies; world-class art, film, and music festivals; five live-performance theaters; and vibrant film and music scenes. We also have kick-ass gun and boat shows, turkey-calling competitions, NASCAR races at nearby Talladega, an utter city-wide mania for college football, and a museum housing the world’s largest collection of motorcycles.

In this city that has more green space per capita than any in the country, you can shoot a deer or catch a stringer of bass and crappie fifteen minutes out of town, then go to a Yo-Yo Ma concert that evening. For lunch that day you could eat some of the world’s best barbecue at Demetri’s or the Golden Rule or Dreamland, or fried chicken and field peas good enough to make you want to slap your mama at Niki’s West or the Irondale Café; then after Yo-Yo you could have a meal—at one of Frank Stitt’s restaurants, or the equally superb Hot and Hot Fish Club, or a half dozen (I counted them and I’m picky) other white-tablecloth restaurants in town—and a bottle of wine worth flying into town for from, say, Seoul, South Korea.

There may be other cities in the South where that particular yin and yang of good living, past and present, town and country, are so enjoyably mixed as they are now in Birmingham, but I don’t know of one. Yes, Charleston is still older and more refined, and Atlanta still has a bigger airport and more highways; but in Birmingham these days we don’t believe we have to fly through anywhere to get to heaven.

You can read the entire article by clicking on this link:
http://gardenandgun.com/article/big-heart-birmingham

Helen Keller Festival

2009-06-08T10:04:00.007-05:00

I am looking forward to this year's Helen Keller Play and Festival of the Arts in Tuscumbia. I went to the play and juried art show last year and both took my breath away. The talent of the actors who perform the Miracle Worker play on the grounds of Ivy Green is amazing. http://www.helenkellerbirthplace.org/.

I asked if the actors were hired from New York. The Director of Ivy Green said they are all local. A true statement of the fine talent we have right here in Alabama. We now have two American Idol winners and a runner-up, a Survivor winner and final four survivor. We now need a talent show for actors.

The young girl who portrayed Helen was amazing. I watched her the entire performance to see if she blinked, or lost her concentration due to the noise in the crowd or the flashes from cameras. Not once did I see here break her concentration. She had me believing she was blind.

I did pick up several things at the art show last year. A painting and a teak wood bench. The award-winning juried show also features clay, glass, metal and wood works of art as well as other fine crafts.The Festival of the Arts is held as part of the Helen Keller Festival and takes place June 27-28 at Spring Park. The festival itself kicks off Monday, June 23 and also features live music. For more information you can check out http://www.helenkellerfestival.com/. And, by the way, the art show is free!

Year of Small Towns-Downtowns Press Trip

2009-06-08T09:33:00.009-05:00

2010 will commemorate The Year of Small Towns & Downtowns in Alabama. Instead of writing a blog about a recent Small Towns and Downtowns Press Trip coordinated by the Alabama Tourism Department. Here's an article from one of 10 travel writers on the Press Trip.

Positively Entertainment 5/13/2009 Travel Excursion - Alabama Small towns & downtowns entice visitors By Patrice Ra plee Photos by © Patrice Raplee

Mobile

A subtle floral scent drifts on the balmy, afternoon air in Mobile, Alabama. Visitors stroll along historic Dauphin Street, marveling at the ornate, period architecture and plan their day. The bay city of Mobile, Alabama, offers a plethora of exciting indoor and outdoor activities for visitors eager to explore this charming southern region. From celebrated cuisine, famous gardens, grand historic homes, the arts and revitalized urban center, to science museums and world-class golf courses, Mobile prevails with an appealing southern hospitality. I

In addition, near-by small towns such as Fairhope, Foley and Monroeville present a unique mix of interesting attractions with oodles of character and, of course, the alluring white-sand beaches of the region’s coastline.

Downtown Mobile A great way to enjoy a new destination is to become familiar with its history, whether you seek out a group tour or opt for a brochure (Mobile offers these brochures for free) leading you on a self-guided walking tour. Mobile is best seen by the latter and is easily traversable by foot, with most sites located within a 17-block area. Begin your exploration on Dauphin Street, where mixed architectural styles of Victorian to classical revival and art deco combine seamlessly in a splendid visual palette of rich brick and cast iron. This scenic avenue is an excellent representation of Mobile’s fascinating heritage and a view into the city’s past origins that began in 1702. Along with the beautiful historic buildings on Dauphin Street, visitors will find dozens of quaint shops, the Bienville Square City Park, the scrumptious Three Georges chocolate shop founded in 1917 and the wonderful Mobile Arts Council. For additional information, visithttp://www.mainstreetmobile.org/. http://www.exploreum.com/.

Oakleigh Mansion
Mobile’s grand, historic homes and famous neighborhoods reside within roughly eight historic districts.The Oakleigh Districtis especially interesting with gorgeous homes and neighborhood parks interspersed with Cajun shotgun homes (steep roofs) and Creole cottages (larger and with gabled roofs). This area is lovely with multitudes of live oaks and mansions featuring sprawling lawns in an unmistakably southern graciousness. And, the beautiful Oakleigh Period House Museum is open daily for tours. Moreover,Government Street is lined with spectacular, historical palatial homes and is perfect for a photographic spree. While this area is traversable by foot, it is a rather large district and a car tour might be a better option. For additional information, visithttp://www.historicmobile.org/.

For a more scientific bent to your travels and one especially geared toward kids, visit Mobile’s Exploreum Museum, located on Government Street. The museum features amazing hands-on interactive educational exhibits, such as a harp with lazar beam strings and an IMAX theater. The BioLab is one of the best exhibits in the museum with a health and biology lab where visitors can perform various experiments and even knee and heart surgeries via virtual real-time simulation. For additional information, visit http://www.exploreum.com/.

Bellingrath Gardens
One of the most magnificent gardens in the U.S. is the exquisite Bellingrath Gardens, located about 20 minutes from Mobile in Theodore. Walter and Bessie Bellingrath created the stunning 65-acre gardens 75 years ago out of a meek little fish camp. Today, the gardens feature a conservatory with dinner-plate sized tropical Hibiscus and over two-and-half miles of cultivated walking paths that meander through themed landscape designs that incorporate Mirror Lake and Fowl River.

Bright southern azaleas highlight the gardens and glorious water features with European statues grace the grounds next to the Bellingrath’s home that is now a museum. The 10,500 square foot Bellingrath home (completed in ’36) possesses perhaps the most antiques in a southern historical home. Every inch of the brick and cast-iron mansion boasts discriminating and rare period furniture, statues, paintings, china and porcelain treasures to make a duke weep. The surrounding rose gardens, about 75 different varieties, encompass the house with vivid red cardinals chirping in the Spanish moss-accented trees. The mansion also resides on the cusp of Fowl River accented with terraced stone patios and its own covered dock portico, followed by walking paths and fantastic stone waterfalls.

Bellingrath Gardens encompass a wide variety of flora and fauna in sculpted landscaped surroundings that bespeak the allure only a southern environment could create. If you yearn for beauty and nature, visit the gardens anytime of year and you will find blooms and serenity equal to a dream. In addition, the gardens are open at Christmastime with a dazzling display of over three million lights that create an enchanted fantasyland that is unparalleled. For additional information, visit http://www.bellingrath.org/. For additional information on Mobile, visit http://www.mobilebay.org/.

Fairhope

Fairhope presides as a romantic, small coastal bedroom community where world-class artists and the literary society reside. Famous author Winston Groom (Forrest Gump) and renowned international artist Nall stroll about this eastern shore, flower-clad town and enjoy its spirit of community and tranquility. The town is also one of the only single tax corporation communities in the U.S., based on the spirit of Cooperative Individualism. The single tax refers to the colony paying only a single land tax and no other.

The resort town has always been a haven for visitors seeking a restful holiday in lovely, scenic surroundings with boating, quaint shops and fabulous art. The community’s rather eccentric residents imbue a warm character to the town that adds to the overall charm and allurement. Some resident artists build small castle houses that resemble a cross between Harry Potter and JRR Tolkien, such as artist Dean Mosher and others work in mixed media.

Moreover, Fairhope is known for its striking display of landscaped flowerbeds and baskets that have won national and international awards and adorn the area year-round. Impressive shops, boutiques and art galleries in the downtown area draw visitors with a bevy of unique and interesting wares and art. Before searching the town’s excellent art galleries in search of a must-have piece, visit theEastern Shore Art Center, located on Oak Street. International and local artists are on exhibit with vibrant sculptures in glass media from artists, such as Nall, Richard Jolley and Joseph Hobbs. Most of the pieces are for sale, including a wide array of paintings and art media in this insightful art center that features six exhibit galleries and five teaching studios.
Several streets offer an assortment of bounty that you’ll want to investigate.

Here are a few shops worth note: the Church Mouse, located on Church Street, proffers the finest in British imports and excellent teas; Aubergine, located on De La Mare, is brimming with lovely French culinary antiques; In the Company of Angels, located on De La Mare, sells the best and hard-to-find White Ginger lotion bars in the nation.

For the best seafood in town and sumptuous deserts, visit Old Bay Steamer on Section Street. Fairhope’s locals dine at this fabulous eatery and are especially fond of the sweet, steamed Royal Red Shrimp that is found only in the Gulf off Alabama and parts of Florida in extremely deep water. The food is awesome, the service is excellent and the staff friendly. For additional information, visit http://www.oldbaysteamer.com/.

Fairhope is unique and to understand how it grew and continues to attract travelers, authors and artists, visit the Museum of History on Section Street. This little museum is a fascinating den of local history, artifacts and presents a captivating story on a colony with a new vision of community and a fair hope of succeeding. For additional information on Fairhope, visit http://www.cofairhope.com/. Point Clear If you plan to visit Alabama’s eastern shore, there is a resort that will take your breath away; the magnificent Grand Hotel is located in Clear Point, just a few miles south of Fairhope. The Grand isn’t ordinary, rather an oasis of beauty that is nestled on the bay with live oaks, extensive, sculptured grounds (550 acres) and a small but elegant marina.

Many travelers and their families frequent this historic haven to golf and seek relaxation in the Grand’s exquisite spa. The spa is definitely posh with delicate, tiny mosaic tiles in shiny pastel colors depicting southern floral designs and a stunning water spa large enough for 20 people. The Grand spa combines essential elements of superior service and environment to create a soothing reverie.

The hotel is a destination in itself with waterfall swimming pools, secret gardens and balconies off the guest rooms to view the bay at sunset and sip a cup of tea. Or, indulge in lavish cuisine in the Grand Restaurant. The Grand is a special place and one a traveler will never forget. For additional information, visit http://www.marriottgrand.com/.

Foley

The small town of Foley is located 10 miles from the Gulf and one of those places travelers should absolutely visit. It is almost as if you stepped back into the ‘50s with an old time soda fountain in Stacey’s Rexall Drugs, where a cup of coffee is still 10 cents. Stroll down the street andSweetie Pie’s serves the most delicious mile-high meringue and pecan pies in the southern counties, all in an atmosphere you’ve almost forgotten.

Foley is the kind of town that would remind you of an Orange Crush (it was made here) on a hot summer day and miniature railroads are cool to watch. The town even has an Alabama Railroad Museum where visitors can plop down on a bench and become mesmerized by tiny towns with trains running past and fire engines racing to put out a house fire…all in miniature! But, that’s not all; there are some fine antique shops and beautiful hotels in this little hamlet, as well as the Medical Museum that will raise your eyebrow; electroshock therapy anyone?

Foley is utterly charming and the local residents are some of the finest and most interesting people you are likely to meet. Come and visit for Harbor Heritage days and ask to speak with 96-year-old Gus Sultz; he’ll tell you a tale of a little town that was quite cutting-edge and in the most important ways, still is. For additional information, visit http://www.cityoffoley.org/.

Gulf Shores

Two words; amazing beaches! Gulf Shores’white, sugar sand beaches are perfect for family vacations and couples who want to stroll for miles. You won’t see out-of-control spring break crowds here but a community that offers fun activities such as a wharf with big-name concerts, a giant Ferris wheel, boardwalk, waterpark, excellent restaurants and dolphin cruises. Take a two-hour tour on Captain Ritchie Russell’s Dolphin Express II for a close-up look at dolphins leaping and spinning behind the wake of the boat. The cruise is fun and watching the dolphin pods frolic on Alabama’s intracoastal waterways while learning about the playful mammals is fascinating. Bring your camera; you will see dolphin’s on this cruise. For additional information, visit http://www.dolphinexpresscruises.com/.

Monroeville

In 1960, Harper Lee wrote To Kill A Mockingbird; the book went on to win a Pulitzer and was made into a famous Hollywood movie starring Gregory Peck. Lee grew up in Monroeville and lives reclusively there today. The courtroom where she watched her father practice law in Monroeville set the stage for lee’s incredible book. The Monroeville 1903 courthouse that lee’s book was based on has been restored and turned into a comprehensive heritage museum. Each year in May, the Mockingbird Players stage sell-out performances on the museum grounds with act II taking place in the actual courtroom!

Lee was also life-long friends with Truman Capote, who also grew up in this small Alabama town. The Courthouse Museum features detailed exhibits on Capote and Lee and there is even a walking tour that guides visitors around the town that Lee and Capote knew in their childhood. Monroeville is Alabama’s literary capital. Many famous writers grew up in town, and this distinction shows in the many small shops, heritage museums and café bookstores that embellish the area. For additional information on Monroeville and the County Heritage Museums, visit http://www.monroecountyal.comwww.tokillamockingbird.com/http://www.tokillamockingbird.com/http://www.tokillamockingbird.com/.

For sophisticated and elegant accommodations in Mobile, visit the historic Battle House Renaissance Hotel with its breath-taking, European interior design, renowned spa and incomparable Trellis Room restaurant. http://www.rsabattlehouse.com/.

For Gulf Shores Beach accommodations, visit Lighthouse Condominiums http://www.lighthousecondominium.com./

Great Restaurants to visit in Gulf Shores are LuLu’s at Homeport Marina (Jimmy Buffet’s sister) http://www.lulubuffett.com/ and theCobalt Restaurant http://www.cobaltorangebeach.com/.