Star Wars exhibit has big opening at U.S. Space & Rocket Center
From the article “The Force was with big opening weekend of Star Wars exhibit” by Paul Gattis in The Huntsville Times:

After hearing about the Star Wars exhibition that debuted Friday, apparently a lot of people wanted to see it. Crowds to see “Stars Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville were better than officials anticipated. “It exceeded our expectations,” said Geoff Abrams, the center’s director of special exhibition operations. Abrams said about 1,800 people visited the 12,000-square foot exhibit on Friday, followed by 2,000 people on Saturday. By mid-afternoon Sunday, about 1,000 people had visited. And once at the center, the exhibit received rave reviews. “Not a single complaint about the exhibit,” Abrams said. “They said it was the most amazing thing they have ever seen.” Holly Beach, the center’s vice president of marketing, agreed. “It’s been 99 percent satisfaction,” she said. “And the other issues are not with the exhibit. It’s a stroller or this or that or some process. “We have not encountered anybody who has gone through the exhibit and not loved it.” Consider that a sigh of relief for space center officials, who have worked more than a year in preparation for the Star Wars exhibit. The weekend provided the opportunity to sit back and enjoy watching visitors enjoy the fruits of their labor. Tickets for the exhibit have been purchased in 43 states and opening weekend visitors arrived from places such as Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Kansas. “I think the realization hits you when you see it in our own museum,” Beach said. “When you see it on your own floor, you’re like, ‘It’s ours.’ ”

So on this first weekend, what attractions were the most popular? “The R2D2 droid building has been the most popular,” Abrams said of the interactive exhibit. “There’s usually about 25 or so people around it trying to build an R2D2 and get it to do a specific task.  ”The (Millennium) Falcon has had a (90-minute) line to get in to see it.”Beach said the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers – sort of the exhibit’s equivalent of posing with Mickey Mouse at Disney World – were also a hit.”They were actually creating bottlenecks because people wanted to get their pictures taken – especially with the droids,” Beach said. “It was a good problem to have.”The exhibit will continue through Sept. 6. And on Sept. 7, work will begin to welcome the Narnia exhibit that will give visitors a chance to tour scenes from the fantastical literary world.”The day after (Star Wars) leaves,” Abrams said, “Narnia moves in.”

For the complete article please see http://blog.al.com/breaking/2010/06/the_force_was_with_the_big_ope.html

Travel+Leisure features “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die”

Baked Grits: Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham
If sweet tea is the “house wine of the South,” then grits are its daily bread. Executive chef and owner Frank Stitt does them right with country ham, chanterelles, and Parmesan. Dinner for two $90.

Tomato Salad: Hot & Hot Fish Club, Birmingham
Thick stacks of heirloom tomatoes mingle with fried okra, field peas, fresh corn, and studs of applewood-smoked bacon under a veil of balsamic vinaigrette—summer on a plate. Dinner for two $100.

Fried Chicken: Martin’s Restaurant, Montgomery
This old-school “meat and three” has been a local mainstay since the 1930’s. The chicken’s batter shatters with every crunchy bite. Be sure to order a side of corn muffins, crisp on the outside, fluffy, buttery, and piping hot on the inside. Dinner for two $40.

Barbecued Chicken: Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Decatur
In northern Alabama, a mayo-based white barbecue sauce reigns. Trust us, Big Bob Gibson’s tangy twist gets on with hickory-smoked chicken like a house on fire. Lunch for two $18.

Burger: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, Mobile
Served only on Wednesdays, the “L.A. Burger” is a spicy Lower Alabama mix of freshly ground beef and Conecuh sausage, the unofficial smoked meat of the state. It sells out fast—get there by noon. Lunch for two $20.

For the complete article please see http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/alabamas-best-southern-comfort-dishes/1

To download a copy of the “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” brochure please see  http://www.alabama.travel/dining/food-brochure/

Road Trips For Families names Florence in top ten list of 4^th of July fireworks
From the Road Trips For Families article “Top 10: Best 4^th of July Fireworks 2010:

Whether you’re going out of state, leaving the country or just packing a picnic and watching the fireworks, the weekend revolves around founding father President John Adams’ call for ‘pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations” in celebrating Independence Day. Here are our top picks for this year’s pyrotechnics:

Florence, Alabama
For almost 30 years, families have gathered on the banks of the Tennessee River in Florence, Alabama for the annual fireworks celebration. A barge in the middle of the river shoots fireworks set to patriotic music. The festival goes all day with music, kids activities, games, and food concessions. The festival has always been free, but with 30,000 people attending the fireworks, some families line up the night before the event in order to secure a prime spot. Other best spectator views are found in boats on the river, the bluffs across the river from the park, on rooftops around Florence and in various parking lots in downtown (Florence is elevated about the riverbank).

For the complete article please see http://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/2010/06/top-10-best-4th-of-july-fireworks-2010/  

Capitol Hill golf course joins Audubon Sanctuary Program
From the article “Alabama- Blazing a Golf Trail in Sweet Home Alabama” by Grant Fraser:

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill has received certification in Environmental Planning from the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP), an international program administered by Audubon International designed to help landowners preserve and enhance the environmental quality of their property. The plan was developed by Robert Wingo, Director of Maintenance, who is also recognized for his effort to plan for environmental stewardship. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides an advisory service to help existing golf courses develop effective conservation and wildlife enhancement programs.  This worldwide effort is coordinated by Audubon International and is sponsored in part by the United States Golf Association. “The open space of a golf course is utilized not only by golfers, but is habitat for a variety of wildlife species,” explained Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for Audubon International.  “We welcome Capitol Hill’s commitment to the environment and to managing the golf courses with wildlife in mind.”

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill offers three distinct golf courses including the Scottish-Links style Senator which is home to the Navistar LPGA Classic each year.  Named the number 2 public golf site in the country by Golf World readers, Capitol Hill is one of 11 locations on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail stretching from Muscle Shoals to Mobile. “Capitol Hill is dedicated to preserving its natural surroundings,” Wingo said. “It’s our priority to be mindful of the environment in every aspect of maintenance and we’re looking forward to working with the ACSP to further our efforts.” By joining and participating in the ACSP, Capitol Hill will be involved in projects that enhance habitat for wildlife and preserve natural resources for the benefit of the local community.  These projects may include: placing nesting boxes for cavity-nesting birds such as bluebirds and swallows, utilizing integrated pest management techniques, conserving water, and maintaining food and cover for wildlife.

“The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program benefits both people and wildlife,” said Sluiter.  “It’s a great way for the managers of developed properties and environmental organizations to work together to become better stewards of land and natural resources.” After the environmental plan is approved, properties in the program may apply for certification in Wildlife and Habitat Management, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, Water Quality Management, and Outreach and Education by demonstrating that they have met minimum requirements for each category.  For more information on golf and the environment, please visit www.golfandenvironment.org.  For more information on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail please see www.rtjgolf.com.

The Hotel at Auburn University honored for excellence
The Hotel at Auburn University was one of the top 28 finalists at the American Society for Quality’s (ASQ) 25^th International Team Excellence Competition held recently in St. Louis. The hotel competed against companies from around the world and was recognized by peers with a special award for Organizational Impact. “The Hotel at Auburn University is honored to have been a participant during this year’s ASQ’s 25^th International Team Excellence Competition,” said Hans van der Reijden, managing director of The Hotel at Auburn University.  “Even though we were one of the smallest companies presenting, we were recognized by our peers as having the highest organizational impact by means of what we have accomplished at the hotel during the last seven years.” The theme of The Hotel at Auburn University’s presentation was “Maximizing Customer Engagement,” and it reviewed how the property maximized customer engagement in order to secure repeat business.  Within three years, The Hotel at Auburn University was able to drive performance to 95 percent overall customer satisfaction.  The project has also propelled the hotel to number one in its respective marketplace, resulting in it receiving the award for “Organizational Impact.”

Teams from the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Thailand that represented industries from manufacturing, service, education, healthcare and hospitality were asked to take part in a live project presentation during ASQ’s Annual World Conference on Quality and Improvement.  More than 1,500 attendees observed the team project presentations using quality tools and creativity to demonstrate valuable business insights.  The Hotel at Auburn University is managed by The West Paces Hotel Group, whose founder, Horst Schulze received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award twice for his dedication to continuous quality improvement when he was leading the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.  Schulze was also the winner of the Juran Medal for leadership in quality in 2009.

For more information on The Hotel at Auburn University please see www.auhcc.com.

Tuscaloosa CVB board member featured on “She’s Got The Look”

Calendar of Events deadline extended to July 9
The Alabama Tourism Department is extending its deadline for submissions for the 2011 Alabama Calendar of Events to Friday, July 9, 2010. Please go to www.alabama.travel; click on Events, then click Submit an Event and fill out the form completely. FYI: Submissions seem to be easier in late afternoon and evening hours. Your events must be submitted by this deadline in order for it to appear in the printed Calendar. If you have questions, please contact Pam Smith at pam.smith@tourism.alabama.gov 334-353-4541 or Marilyn Stamps at marilyn.stamps@tourism.alabama.gov; 334-242-4544.  

If you wish to enhance your listing with a photo of your event, please send your photos and the name and date(s) of your event to Peggy Collins at peggy.collins@tourism.alabama.gov with a cc to: Tommy Cauthen at tommy.cauthen@tourism.alabama.gov. Please note: Alabama Tourism reserves the right to edit listings, including photo usage in the Calendar and other publications.

Upcoming “Great Alabama Homecoming” events
Some 215 towns across Alabama welcome you home this year during the Great Alabama Homecoming. It’s all part of the Year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns- a celebration of everything that is Sweet Home Alabama. There are homecoming events and festivals going on practically every weekend through mid-December. Upcoming events include:

Celebrate Guntersville- Guntersville- July 2-4
Bay Minette’s Homecoming Celebration- Bay Minette- July 3
Heroes and Patriots Weekend- Brent- July 3
Independence Day Celebration- Cherokee- July 3
100^th Anniversary of the City of Lincoln- Lincoln- July 3
Midway Homecoming- Midway- July 3
Pre 4^th of July Fireworks and Heritage Celebration- Pickensville- July 3-4

For a complete list of Great Alabama Homecoming Events please see www.alabamahomecoming.com.