News for November 2010
Alabama Tourism releases Civil War Trail brochure
Alabama’s Civil War sites, attractions and battle re-enactments are showcased in a new brochure created by the state tourism department. Forty-seven attractions and sites along with the history, location and contact information for each are listed in the publication. A few of the sites include the state capitol and First White House of the Confederacy in Montgomery, Popes Tavern in Florence, Old Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores. Fourteen battles are listed including the Battle of Selma, Battle of Mobile Bay, Siege of Bridgeport and the Tannehill Skirmish. The brochure also provides details of Alabama’s 18 largest Civil War battles that include dates of the 14 annual reenactments. The sites and reenactment events appear as numbered icons on a state map on the back to make it easy for visitors to plan a trip along the trail.
An actor portraying a Confederate soldier on horseback during the re-enactment of the Battle of Selma appears on the front cover, while the First White House of the Confederacy is featured on the back of the brochure.“The brochure is ready for next year’s 150th anniversary of the Civil War,” said director Lee Sentell. “This brochure really tells the story of Alabama’s Civil War history and packages it so that visitors can easily create their own experiences.” The Civil War Trail brochure shows and tells the story of each of the five historic flags of the Confederacy on display at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. It also contains dozens of photos from reenactments to homes and battle sites. The sesquicentennial of the Civil War is one of three historical periods in state history being observed 2011 through 2015 under the “Becoming Alabama” campaign. Under this banner, the state is also promoting the bicentennial of the Creek Indian War and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. The brochures are available at the eight welcome centers across Alabama, at the Alabama Tourism Department office at 401 Adams Ave., Montgomery or by calling 1.800.ALABAMA (252.2262).
The brochure is available as a PDF download at http://www.800alabama.com/media/media_room/Brochure/civil_war_trail.pdf.
Bottletree in Birmingham named one of the “10 Greatest New Music Venues”
From the article “Bottletree named one of the 10 Greatest New Music Venues of the 21st Century” by Matt Cuthbert on al.com:
Just in time for its 4th anniversary, Bottletree has been named among the “10 Greatest New Music Venues of the 21st Century.” The list from Flovorwire ranked the Birmingham venue alongside spots in New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle, and Atlanta.
Here’s what they had to say about it…
This is the venue that gave independent music a home in Birmingham, much to the delight of the locals, so perhaps the hometown band Wild Sweet Orange describes it best: “They wanted to make the perfect place for bands; there are massage chairs and vegan food. They have this old Airstream trailer from the ’70s. It’s a fancy hangout, and not the typical bar you roll up to where nobody cares who you are.” Sounds good to us! The stellar schedule through the end of the year includes Azure Ray, The Low Anthem, and a New Years Eve blowout starring Man… or Astroman? Of course, those of us who live here already know how great the place is — both for concerts and food — but that’s some nice recognition.
For the complete article please see http://blog.al.com/nightlife/2010/11/bottletree_named_one_of_the_10.html#incart_hbx.
Tuscaloosa prepares for tourism dollar showdown on Black Friday
“Crimson Friday, Black Saturday” will be the theme for Thanksgiving Weekend as shoppers and football fans meet on a collision course in Tuscaloosa, Nov.26. Tuscaloosa’s Black Friday, traditionally the retail industry’s most celebrated shopping day, has an additional 100,000 person “bonus” as people converge on the city to witness one of college football’s favorite annual rivalries, creating the most interesting retail story in the state. The game kick off is 1:30 p.m. but to lure shoppers, area malls are “kicking-off” with big box retailer openings at University Mall starting at 3:30 a.m. at JC Penney and 4:00 a.m. for Belk and Sears, all University Mall doors open at 4 a.m. Friday, Best Buy at Midtown Village opens at 5:00 a.m. Saturday University Mall Sears opens at 7 a.m., Belk and JC Penney following at 8:00 a.m. Various door buster discount incentives are available throughout the morning to shoppers willing to venture out in the early hours which could prove safer than navigating Game Day traffic just prior to kick off.
Lower condo prices bringing buyers back to the Alabama Gulf Coast
From the article “Lower condo prices bring buyers back to Alabama shores” by Kathy Jumper in the Press-Register:
A young Louisiana couple plan to spend their first Thanksgiving in a three-bedroom cottage one block off the beach, a bargain purchased for $174,000 compared to a previous $300,000 sales price. “They had always wanted a place at the Gulf, but couldn’t afford it before,” said David Swiger of Swiger & Company Realtors in Gulf Shores. “A lot of buyers who have been coming here for years and renting now realize it’s at a price point that makes sense for them.” Deals at the beach are bringing buyers back this fall, Realtors said. Condominium units listed for $250,000 can be bought for under $200,000, agents said. Buyers who plan to use the units for second homes or vacations are scooping up units that once they only dreamed of owning, agents said. It’s not just lower-priced units that are selling. Condos with a boat slip at Vista Bella on Old River in Orange Beach that three years ago sold for $1.2 million are moving at prices in the $450s, according to Bob Shallow of REMAX Paradise.
“Everybody we’re seeing is looking for the deal of the century,” said Larry Powell of Century 21 Meyer Real Estate on Fort Morgan. “That used to give everybody a bad feeling, but now it’s about the only thing going and people are not too disappointed in it.” “We’re moving stuff, but we are very careful on how we price things,” said Pete Vakakes of REMAX of Gulf Shores. Sellers are asked if they want to be “in the market or on the market,” he said, adding, “There’s a big difference.” Some owners are taking low prices just to get out of the market, Vakakes said. He sold two condo units at Three C’s in Gulf Shores, both short-sale transactions, for $100,000 each when they originally sold from $275,000 to $325,000. Two-bedroom condo units that are priced right are selling quickly, said Tina Maynard of RealtySouth in Orange Beach. She sold two, two-bedroom, two-bath units in Phoenix IV in Gulf Shores for $240,000 each. One was a short sale. In the past, similar units sold in the $300s or more. “Even if people have a budget of half a million, they want to get the very best deal,” Maynard said. “If a buyer knows that people paid $240,000 for a two-bedroom unit, even if the deals were unusual, they want a deal at least as good or better. That can get tough.”
Sellers today are competing with short sales and foreclosures, and many properties are not appraising for the sales price, Maynard said. “I’ve lost a couple of deals lately because they didn’t appraise. The buyer was willing to pay that amount, but we couldn’t get the lending on it.” On Dauphin Island, “We’re beginning to see people buy because they want the house, not because it’s a deal,” said Toni Knox of ACP Real Estate. “But compared to 2005 or 2004 prices, they are good deals.” Interior lots or wooded lots on Dauphin Island are selling well, with some foreclosure lots selling for $22,000, she said. In 2005, those lots sold for as high as $189,000, she said. The prices have opened up the market again for average buyers, Knox said. “When thing were going wild and property was selling like crazy, it was exciting to a point. Then it became kind of scary because we knew the buyers were limited and the market was shrinking.”
For the complete article please see http://blog.al.com/press-register-business/2010/11/beach_property_deals_out_there.html.
Alabama-based clothing designer Billy Reid wins Vogue award
Clothing designer Billy Reid won the 2010 CFDA/ Vogue Award last week at an awards dinner last week in New York City. Billy Reid is based out of Florence, Alabama where his flagship store is located on North Court Street. Reid also has store locations in Nashville, Charleston, Dallas, Houston, and New York. Earlier this year GQ magazine named Reid the 2010 Best New Menswear Designer in America. To purchase Billy Reid fashions online please see www.billyreid.com.
From the article “Billy Reid Wins 2010 CFDA/ Vogue Award” on the Vogue magazine website:
When Billy Reid, the Alabama-based fashion designer who is taking home the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund’s top prize tonight, was asked on his way into the awards dinner held in New York City this evening what he thought of his chances, he offered up a humble response: “I have to say – and I mean it – I am just so excited to be here at all.” What? No butterflies? “Oh,” he laughed as his wife smiled at him, “there are definitely some butterflies.” The prestigious prize, now in its seventh year, was established by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America to mentor emerging American design talent, and it awards the winner this year not only $300,000 for his business but a one-year mentorship with a leading industry professional to help provide a sustainable path to success.
Edited: November 24th, 2010
Find a great drive near an Alabama Bed and Breakfast
Four drives from Alabama are featured on Goodyear’s list of the “50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives.” All of the drives featured in the national list are designated as scenic byways including the four in Alabama: the Natchez Trace Parkway, Selma to Montgomery March Byway, Talladega Scenic Drive, and Alabama’s Coastal Connection. According to a new national survey from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and America’s Byways, 70 percent of Americans are planning on taking at least one road trip this autumn. The survey, completed by Kelton Research, also finds that most travelers want their journey to be something that is beautiful and unique, not just another trip on a superhighway. In fact, the overwhelming majority of people (80 percent) would opt for a scenic, touring drive rather than driving directly to their destination. Unlike summer road trips, which focus on the destinations, fall getaway trips are built upon the overall experience of the journey. “Our survey showed that 97 percent of Americans planning a fall road trip agree that their overall comfort is the key to enjoying it, so we joined together with America’s Byways to unveil a list of the 50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives,” said Gary Medalis, general manager for Goodyear consumer tires. “These top 50 touring drives encompass comfort and scenery to enhance the trip and are all within reasonable distance of major metropolitan areas.”
For the list of the “50 Most Comfortable Touring Drives” please see http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/about/news/archives/2010/09/30/1618/.
Edited: November 17th, 2010
Talladega Superspeedway president goes to Barber Motorsports Park
Former Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey is returning to Alabama with a new racing assignment.
Humphrey has been named vice president of Zoom Motorsports and will be in charge of running races at Barber Motorsports Park, said Zoom President Gene Hallman.
“I was fortunate enough to get a heads up that my department was one of the ones that would be looked at to possibly be eliminated,” Humphrey said.
Humphrey replaces Jeff Ewing, who will move to the Bruno Event Team’s golf division. Zoom Motorsports is a division of the Bruno Event Team.
At Barber, Humphrey will oversee a much different track from the high-banked 2.66-mile oval at Talladega that hosts two NASCAR Sprint Cup races each year.
Barber is a 2.38-mile road course that hosts the NASCAR-owned Grand Am Series, the IZOD IndyCar Series and the AMA Pro Superbike Series.
“During my time at ISC I have gained some knowledge of Grand Am and the IRL,” Humphrey said.
He was also involved in ISC’s negotiations with the IndyCar Series about whether the open-wheel series would continue to race on ISC tracks. IndyCar ended up dropping all four of ISC’s tracks — Homestead, Chicago, Kansas and Watkins Glen — from its 2011 schedule because of disappointment with ISC’s marketing of IndyCar races.
Despite the ISC-IndyCar split, Barber has always had a close relationship with Talladega. Talladega, for instance, has loaned its trams to Barber to shuttle fans around the track.
For the spring races, which are only a week apart, the tracks are planning to offer special package deals to see both the April 10 IndyCar race at Barber and the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega on April 17, plus spend the week in between playing golf.
Still, Humphrey said, he doesn’t regret leaving Talladega for Daytona.
“You never look back,” he said of his decision to take the ISC job and leave Talladega. “Nobody knew what would happen when we moved down here.”
Fortunately, he said, he had not yet bought a house in Daytona Beach, so moving back to Alabama will be easier, even though “we’ve been unsettled for eight months.”
But he does admit he’ll miss the NASCAR culture.
“It’s been a part of my life since ’92 or ’93,” he said. “So yes.”
Edited: November 12th, 2010
Alabama’s Historic Homes and Holiday Lights
Montgomery, Ala. – Alabama’s gardens, trails, historic homes and parks light up for the holiday season. Visitors can see historic homes and mansions decorated with lights and holiday finery in Eufaula, Decatur, Opelika, Demopolis, Mobile, Tuscumbia and Montgomery. Parks in Arab and Florence offer dazzling light displays and winter wonderlands, while gardens in Huntsville and Mobile showcase millions of lights and hundreds of displays.
Catch spectacular holiday displays at these 20 Alabama Tourism recommended historic homes and holiday light festivals:
Anniston — Home for the Holidays
Dec. 7
Area homes are decorated for the holidays and are open for tours. The self-driving tour allows participants to visit and enjoy at their own pace. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 256.237.6766, www.annistonmuseum.org.
Arab — Christmas in the Park
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
For the 15th consecutive year, the City of Arab will offer a dazzling display of nearly two million holiday lights that transform the park into a winter wonderland. Visitors will enjoy holiday music and special decorations in the Historic Complex, which features an old church, a school and an operational gristmill. 256.586.3138, www.arabcity.org.
Bellingrath Gardens — Mobile — Magic Christmas in Lights
Nov. 26–Dec. 31
Stroll through a wonderland of more than three million twinkling lights and 928 custom-designed holiday displays throughout the 65-acre estate during Magic Christmas in Lights at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile. Tour the historic Bellingrath Home decorated in its holiday finery, enjoy nightly entertainment and visit with Santa. Light show and home tours nightly 5 – 9 p.m., 251.973.2217, www.bellingrath.org.
Birmingham — Christmas at Arlington
Dec. 3-5
Floral designers transform the interior of the Antebellum home into replicas of Christmas past. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of Arlington as Birmingham’s historic house museum. Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1-4:30 p.m., 205.780.5656.
Birmingham — Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo
Dec. 10-12, 17-23, 26-31, Jan. 1-2
Ride the Zoolight Express train while enjoying a half-million twinkling lights. The spirit is festive and the tradition comes complete with hot cocoa, a light show synchronized to favorite holiday tunes, trail ride and appearances by Santa. 205.879.0409, www.birminghamzoo.com.
Cullman — Christmas in the Historic Homes of Cullman
Dec. 11
Historic homes are decorated and aglow in holiday splendor. Tours are 2-5 p.m. 256.734.4799.
Decatur — Christmas Tour of Homes
Dec. 11
Decatur’s historic districts are decorated with luminaries, greenery and thousands of lights. Several homes are open for tours. Refreshments are served and carriage rides are available. Tour are from 3-8 p.m. 800.524.6181, www.decaturcvb.org.
Decatur — Parade of Lights
Dec. 4
River Walk Marina comes alive with a parade of boats lighting the way along the Tennessee River. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 1.800.524.6181, www.sowildfestart.com.
Demopolis — Candlelight Evening
Dec. 2
Visitors can tour beautiful, historic Gaineswood Mansion by candlelight. Enjoy holiday decorations, treats and entertainment during the tours. 5:30 – 8 p.m.
334.289.4846, www.preserveala.org.
Eufaula — Christmas Tour of Homes
Dec. 4
Visitors can stroll through downtown to see the antebellum homes aglow in holiday splendor. Enjoy a seated luncheon or dinner at the grand, historic Shorter Mansion. Daylight tours 1-5 p.m., twilight tours 5-8 p.m., 334.687.6664, www.eufaula-barbourchamber.com.
Florence — Open House & Festival of Lights
Dec. 3
Florence businesses and Wilson Park will be decorated in lights for Christmas. Visitors can shop while listening to music on the street corners and in the park. The jingle of bells on horses giving carriage rides adds to the festive atmosphere. 5 p.m. until, 256.740.4141, www.flo-tour.org.
Greensboro — Christmas Open House
Dec. 12
The open house at the Magnolia Grove Historic House Museum is a holiday tradition. Guests can see the home’s holiday decorations while enjoying refreshments and musical entertainment. 1-3 p.m., 334.624.8618, www.preserveala.org.
Huntsville — Galaxy of Lights Holiday Light Show
Nov. 19–Dec. 31
Celebrate the holiday season with a drive or a stroll through the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
The walking tours take place November 19-21 while the one-mile driving tours are November 25-December 31. This magnificent holiday light extravaganza features thousands of lights and more than 700 lighted displays arranged in 125 varied holiday scenes and themes. 256.830.4447, www.hsvbg.org.
Mobile — Candlelight Christmas at Oakleigh
Dec. 3-5
Step back in time and enjoy a festive 19th century holiday celebration. Enjoy seasonal music, horse-drawn carriage rides, Victorian Santa and refreshments 10 a.m. – 4 p.m… Candlelight tours 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., 251.432.6161, www.historicmobile.org.
Mobile — Christmas at the Mansion
Dec. 5
As visitors step inside the historic Bragg-Mitchell Mansion they will be treated to an afternoon of seasonal music, sleigh rides, holiday decorations and refreshments. 1-4 p.m., 251.471.6364, www.braggmitchellmansion.com.
Mobile — Christmas Celebration at Richards-DAR House
Dec. 4-5
Each room in the Victorian townhouse is decorated in an annual theme. Guests will be treated to refreshments, holiday music and a visit with Santa. Sat., 10 am.m-5p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m., 251.602.0324, www.richardsdarhouse.com.
Montgomery — Governor’s Mansion Candlelight Open House
Dec. 13-14
Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley will open the Governor’s Mansion for candlelight tours from 5-7 p.m. The 1907 Colonial Revival mansion located at 1142 South Perry Street in Montgomery will be aglow with lights and filled with the spirit of the season. 1.800.ALABAMA, www.alabama.travel.
Montgomery Zoo — Christmas Light Festival
Dec. 2-31
Thousands of lights illuminate the pathways for a leisurely stroll through the Montgomery Zoo during the city’s Holiday Lights Festival. Visitors can ride the train through the forested wonderland and see animals come alive in lighted displays. 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., 334.240.4930, www.montgomeryzoo.com.
Opelika —Victorian Front Porch Christmas
Dec. 8-11
Step back in time with a visit to an Ole World Christmas wonderland in Opelika. On the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour, visitors will see more than 60 turn-of-the-century homes in all their lighted glory featuring life-sized Santa, angels, toy displays and carousel horses. Also enjoy live holiday entertainment. 334.887.8747, www.aotourism.com.
Tuscumbia — A Plantation Christmas
Dec. 5
Visitors will enjoy a holiday event at Belle Mont Mansion that’s reminiscent of the “Old South.” Traditional decorations, period Christmas music, vintage ballroom dancers and more await guests at the historic 1828 mansion, 1-5 p.m., 256.383.0783, www.colbertcountytourism.org
Edited: November 10th, 2010