News for November 2009
Grand Am releases 2010 TV schedule
Fans at Barber Motorsports Park walk along pit road before the start of the race.
All 12 Grand Am Rolex Series races next year will be televised live on Speed, including the April 10 race at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham.
The Porsche 250 is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, part of a weekend package that includes the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on Sunday, April 11. The Grand Am race was moved from its usual summer date.
The season begins with the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan. 30-31 and ends Sept. 11-12 at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.
Edited: November 27th, 2009
FORD RACING MUSTANG CHALLENGE AND BFGOODRICH TIRES RAISE $40,000 FOR AUSTIN HATCHER FOUNDATION DURING 2009 SEASON
BFGoodrich Tires donated a one-of-a-kind tire for a silent auction to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation during the 45th Anniversary Celebration of the Ford Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park.
The “Mustang Tire,” truly a piece of motorsports history, bears a tread of 15 horses that represent the mustang logo. During Ford Mustang Racing Challenge’s 2009 season awards banquet, the Austin Hatcher Foundation hosted the first BFGoodrich/Ford Racing Mustang Challenge/Husrt Performance Pinewood Derby, where close to 50 pinewood derby cars custom-built to resemble the famous “pony”car were entered in the race.
“BFGoodrich Tires and Ford Mustang Racing Challenge’s sustained support of the Foundation and its mission has helped create lasting memories and provide much needed support for many families across the country,” said Jim Osborn, Co-Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. “We are truly fortunate to have the support of these world class organizations.”
The Austin Hatcher Foundation would like to thank Ford Mustang Racing Challenge, its drivers and BFGoodrich Tires for their dedicated and continual support. Together they are helping the Austin Hatcher Foundation make a difference in the lives of those affected by Pediatric Cancer.
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer. The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment as well as those who have lost children due to cancer. The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community.
Hatch’s House of Hope is a unique concept designed to keep the family unit whole when dealing with pediatric cancer. Specifically, these services include IEP neurocognitive testing, educational programming to help effected children overcome their cognitive and learning deficits, emotional counseling for the cancer affected child, their siblings and parents, and marital and financial counseling to ensure a safe environment to maximize the family growth as a whole. Erlanger Medical Mall in Chattanooga, TN is the site of the first Hatch’s House of Hope, which opened its doors September 18, 2009. For more information, visit www.hatcherfoundation.org.
Edited: November 26th, 2009
Alabama Bed and Breakfasts have so much to offer
Alabama has so much to see, do, and learn that it’s difficult to begin with any one thing but one thing that the state is really known for is its rich history. Alabama was a key state in the American Civil Rights movement and evidence of this can be found at museums and historic sites throughout the state. But Alabama is home to many other things worth visiting as well. The state is the birth place of a number of famous people, home to spectacular scenery, and the state touches the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors to the state can always find something to see or do whether they enjoy being outside, enjoy museums and historical places, or enjoy adventure driven activities that will get the adrenaline pumping before kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying some good old southern hospitality. These are the things that truly bring the many, many visitors to the state of Alabama every year.
For those individuals who really enjoy history this is the right place to be. The state of Alabama has one of the richest histories in America. For starters the state’s history dates back as far as 1519 and the state was at one point part of the Confederate States of America. But the state is also home to a significant list of famous people as well. Famous people that were born in the state include Hank Aaron, Helen Keller, Joe Louis, W.C. Handy, Jesse Owens, Hank Williams, and Mae Jemison. The state is home to a wide variety of historical museums, historic homes and land, and diverse cultural history as well. There is definitely no shortage of learning experiences for those curious visitors to Alabama.
For the outdoors lovers who visit the state of Alabama there is a diverse landscape available for a wide variety of outdoor activities. The state has spectacular Gulf Coast beaches with sugar-white sands and alternatively magnificent mountain areas perfect for the ultimate hiking trip. Visitors to the state also have the opportunity to choose from a long list of state parks that are each individual in their own way. The Noccalula Falls State Park is home to not only a 90 foot waterfall but beautiful Botanical Gardens as well. Here visitors can bask in the fabulous natural surroundings that can be found in Alabama. At the Jasmine Hill Garden and Outdoor Museum visitors can get a look at a magnificent southern garden but with an intriguing ancient Greek theme. Wherever you decide to spend your outdoor time in Alabama you’ll be sure to enjoy.
Finally, the state is rich with culture. Here you will find numerous outstanding art museums, plenty of festivals to attend year round, and a number of performing art venues as well as music venues of all types. And for those individuals on a family vacation you will find a number of kid-friendly museums that will delight the whole family.
Whatever you decide to do in Alabama you’ll be sure to leave wishing that you had just a little more time, but you can always come again.
Edited: November 21st, 2009
More racing a Barber Motorsports
Edited: November 20th, 2009
Start of race #1 on November 14th 2009 @ Barber Motorsports Park with PBOC. Basically a high horsepower Corvette who has more straight line speed than several of the lower powered front running cars
Edited: November 20th, 2009
TOP TEN EVENTS FOR FUN IN SWEET HOME ALABAMA
Stay in a bed and breakfast near you and enjoy some Southern home event….like…
Christmas at The Wharf
Orange Beach; Dec 1–31
Enjoy festive events full of holiday cheer, great shopping, dining, live concerts and even a visit from Santa. 251-224-1000
Homes for the Holidays
Anniston; Dec 1
Tour select area homes decorated for the holidays during this annual Anniston Museum League fundraiser. The self-driving tour allows participants to visit and enjoy at their own pace. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission charged. 256-237-6766
Ticket to Ride: The Rosa Parks Story
Montgomery; Dec 1
Dramatic presentation by Trenton, N.J., actress Doreen Griffin. Free. 7 p.m., Rosa Parks Library and Museum Auditorium. 334-241-8615
Candlelight Evening at Gaineswood
Demopolis; Dec 3
View beautiful Gaineswood by candlelight during this annual Christmas in the Canebrake event co-hosted with Bluff Hall and Lyon Hall. Holiday decorations, delicious confections, Yuletide entertainment and open house tours. Admission charged. 5:30-8 p.m. 334-289-4846
Christmas Light Festival, 17th Annual
Montgomery; Dec 3–31
Thousands of holiday lights illuminate The Montgomery Zoo in shapes of animals and Christmas themes. See the beautiful displays by train or by foot. Enjoy live entertainment, food, gifts and pictures with Santa. Dates: Dec. 3-6, 10-13, & 17-31.
Candlelight Christmas at Oakleigh
Mobile; Dec 5–6
Step back in time at the Oakleigh Historic Complex and enjoy a festive 19th-century holiday celebration featuring seasonal music, horse-drawn carriage rides, guided tours, Victorian Santa, exhibitors, and refreshments from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tours by candlelight are from 6:30-8 p.m. Admission charged. 251-432-6161
Christmas at Arlington
Birmingham; Dec 5–6
Celebrate Arlington Antebellum Home’s 52nd anniversary as Birmingham’s historic house museum, and see local floral designers transform the interior into replications of Christmas past. 205-780-5656
“Christmas at the Fort,” 25th Annual
Dauphin Island; Dec 5
Join the soldiers as they celebrate a non-commercial Christmas of yesteryear. Watch cooking, candle-dipping, and blacksmith demonstrations. Children can make Christmas ornaments with seashells and other old-time decorations. Admission charged. 9 a.m.-5p.m., historic Fort Gaines. 251-861-6992
Eufaula Christmas Tour of Homes
Eufaula; Dec 5
Stroll downtown through history and witness the magnificence of Eufaula’s finest homes all aglow in holiday splendor. Enjoy a seated luncheon or an elegant dinner at the grand historical Shorter Mansion. Free admission. Daylight tours, 1-5 p.m.; twilight tours, 5-8 p.m. 334-687-6664
Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour
Opelika; Dec 9–13
Northside Historic District – Visit an Old World Christmas wonderland and see more than 60 turn-of-the-century Victorian homes adorned with life-size Santas, angels, toys and other figures. Enjoy live entertainment, carolers and other festivities. Saturday, Dec. 12, walking tour only. Free. 334-887-8747
Edited: November 17th, 2009