Friday, December 31, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Eighty-One


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Newest Alabama Blogger.

My baby, Noah James, was born last Sunday, December 19th:

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He has a very thrilled and proud big sister:
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If you'd like to read more about him (and his rather dramatic arrival), you can click here.


I’ll be around, but possibly scarce for the next few weeks as my sleep is diminished and my free time is spent napping. If you’d like to guest post during this time, I’d love to have you!! Just email me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas – I sure did!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas / Snow Link-Up!

I know you were all as shocked as I was to get a White Christmas – who ever thought we would see that??

(And for those of you in the very unfortunate areas of the state that missed out, you have my sincerest condolences.)

At any rate, link up your Christmas and Snow posts here, and let’s all visit each other’s holidays!

I hope you all had a wonderfully Merry Christmas!!


Monday, December 27, 2010

January Meet-Up!!!


By Wade



Time to mellow out. Our Alabama Bloggers meet-up in Birmingham will be at Mellow Mushroom in Inverness. (Yes, Inverness, not Five Points South, careful reader.)

We'll meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, for pizza, calzones, salads, drinks and greetings for the New Year. Join us for lunch and for fun.

Mellow Mushroom is located in the Inverness Corners strip mall, at the corner of U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road, (205) 981-9914. [map]

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Wade at wade[at]wadekwon.com.

(Event hashtag, as always, is #AlaBlogMeet.)

Start your new year off right! And please RSVP below by Jan. 14, so we can reserve the right number of tables.

We'll see you Jan. 19!

P.S. If you can help organize meet-ups for February or March, please e-mail Rachel at rachel@alabamabloggers.com.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Eighty


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Pure Magic: The Bright Star

Originally Published at Grasping for Objectivity on November 22, 2010

With a nickname like The Magic City, you would expect there to be many magical places in the Birmingham area. And there definitely are – the top of Vulcan, The Patio at The Club, Argyle Road overlooking the city at night, and Sloss Furnaces, to name a few.

But my pick for the most magical place in the metro area can be found right outside of Birmingham in the city of Bessemer – The Bright Star.

IMG_1621Owner Jimmy Koikos and niece Stacey Craig

There’s no other way to describe the experience of The Bright Star other than magical, because something transporting happens to me when I walk through the door – I literally feel like I stepped back into time – into a much more glamorous, romantic, and formal era.

The Bright Star has been in the same location since 1915 (and has been open since 1907, making it the oldest restaurant in Alabama), and still has the same murals on the walls that were painted that year by transient European Artists. The many dining rooms are all beautifully antique in gorgeous hardwood paneling, mirrors, and stained glass.

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The amazing setting, plus the music playing softly as I walk into the restaurant immediately takes me somewhere else in my mind – an elegant, cultured, and sophisticated world that only exists in novels and movies.

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But, despite the fact that it is a Greek-owned restaurant and I have family ties to it (My great-grandfather worked at The Bright Star after immigrating from Greece), I almost missed it.

I had always thought of it as too far out of town and “just another old Birmingham restaurant”. It wasn’t until our precious former neighbors, Darrel and Julie, gave us a gift certificate for The Bright Star for Christmas several years ago that we experienced it for ourselves, and learned about the magical place that it was.

And there’s definitely more to it than just the atmosphere – the food can literally be called the best in the state, as it is the only restaurant in Alabama to have won a Prestigious James Beard Award. Their Beef Tenderloin and Greek Style Fresh Snapper (Both of which they cut and prepare themselves) are dreamlike – I almost always get one of the combination platters so that I can have them both. But everything I’ve ever had there has been absolutely shockingly delicious!

I talked to co-owner Jimmy Koikos about his experiences at the restaurant. His Great-Great Uncle opened it in 1907, and then sold it to Jimmy’s Dad in the 1920’s. Jimmy started working at the restaurant when he was 13 years old, because his Father went on a three month trip to Greece and left Jimmy and his brother Nicky in charge. And, except for his time at The University, Jimmy has been working here ever since.

Jimmy and his brother and co-owner, Nicky, can always be seen in the restaurant, and make an amazing effort to know their customers. I asked Jimmy what percentage of their clientele were regulars, and he said that of the 4,000 people they serve a week, he knew 35-40% of them by name.

And besides the amazing way they treat their customers, their employees are just as happy. They have employees that have been working for them for 27, 32, and 45 years!

Many celebrities have frequented the restaurant over the years, including one that got his favorite private booth named after him, Bear Bryant:

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(And yes, if you really want a magical night, you can reserve any of their private booths for your dinner.)

Although our trips to The Bright Star are usually reserved for dates, I went for lunch last week and took my Mom and Ali along. It was Ali’s first visit – and I swear she felt the magic, too.

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Disclosure: I was not compensated nor asked to write this post. I simply wanted to share the most magical place in our city with all of you, and hope that if you live nearby, you will experience the magic for yourself.


p.s. – When you go to The Bright Star, ask to be seated in Darla’s section. She’s the best waitress in town – you won’t regret it!!

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Where do you find to be the most magical place in your city, restaurant or not?

Friday, December 17, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Feature Another Blogger Week!


This week, link in the best post you've read recently by ANOTHER Alabama Blogger. In your link title, include your name or blog and their name or blog, and let us know in the comments why you chose their post!

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading!

Be sure to link in a specific post, not just the general URL of the blog.

Monday, December 13, 2010

New Years Eve, Alabama-Style.

If you want to go to a huge party for New Years Eve this year but don’t want to go all the way to Times Square, there’s a great option right here in Alabama!

Instead of watching a Crystal Ball drop (which is SO last year), Mobile will be dropping a giant Moon Pie at midnight!

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And, of course you can’t drop a Moon Pie without serving RC Cola, which will be on hand in abundance.

The 350 pound, 12 foot Electronic Moon Pie has now been installed over Mobile in preparation for it’s big Debut:

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The celebration is free to attend, and will also feature a Mardi-Gras Style parade in the afternoon and a street party in the evening. The street party will have two stages of live entertainment, headlined by the O’Jays, the singers of the infamous “Love Train”.

There will also be an elaborate laser and fireworks show at midnight to accompany the Moon Pie drop.

Oh, and if you’re wondering “Why a Moon Pie??”, it’s because it is the most favored treat to be thrown at Mobile’s Mardi Gras parade, the oldest in the nation. And, as such, the Moon Pie has become an unofficial symbol for the city.

For more information, head to http://www.mobilenewyear.com/.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Seventy-Eight


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Seventy-Seven


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Blogger Meet-Up THIS SATURDAY in North Alabama!!

Don't forget that December's Meet-Up will be in North Alabama! Hosted by Carol Marks, the meet-up will be at Kenny Mango's Coffee Shop in Madison, Alabama on Saturday, December 4th, at 10 am.


The address is:
97 Hughes Road # A
Madison, AL 35758

(256) 461-6388


If you're able to attend, please RSVP on this post!! Also please help us get the word out to other North Alabama Bloggers - be sure to bring a friend!! The hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet.

Hope you're able to come!!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Thanksgiving Link-Up!

I didn't manage to get a Best Post of the Week up last Friday (not sure whether to blame the holidays or my rapidly growing belly, but either way...), so I decided to put a Thanksgiving link-up today instead.

So, link up your Thanksgiving post(s) here! Whether it's about how you celebrated the holiday, enjoyed the long weekend, or what you're thankful for, share it with the rest of us, and go visit everyone else's holidays, as well!!

(Maybe it will go a little ways to cheer us all up on this Monday-After-Super-Long-Weekend.)

(Or maybe not. But it's worth a try!!)

So link your posts up below!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

blue light special art show

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The blue light special art show is an absolute can’t-miss for Christmas shopping – I did over half my Christmas shopping there last year!!

This art show is a conglomeration of the works of over 30 local high-end artisans. They will have work from their regular collections, as well as highly discounted items including discontinued items, slightly imperfect items, and atypical items. It’s a great way to get amazing works of art for rock bottom prices!

The forms of art there will include pottery, jewelry, glass art, fiber, mixed media, basketry, drawings and paintings, soaps and lotions, and more. BlueLightSpecial

Plus you can help fight hunger with Empty Bowls: Purchase lunch served in handmade bowls—prepared by Chefs partnering with Cahaba ClayWorks benefiting First Light Women’s Shelter.

Your $25 (tax deductible!) lunch gets you an original, hand-made bowl with soup of your choice prepared by Chef Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club, Laney’s Country Cooking and Chef Sean Butler of Food Studio B.

The dates are Saturday, December 11th from 9-5 and Sunday, December 12th from 10-4.

The location of the sale is at Cahaba Clayworks in Leeds -

7575 Pkwy Dr.
Leeds, AL 35094

Admission to the show is $2, a portion of which goes to charity.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Alabama's Art Colony

By Amy

In 1992 Sarah Towery's children wanted to give her a special birthday gift to celebrate her life's dedication to art. They invited a few of Mrs. Sarah's artist friends to come to Lake Martin and paint.

And so The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony on Lake Martin was born in 1992.

Eighteen years later artists of all levels come to learn from Master artists during the Fall along beautiful Lake Martin. With two workshops as well as an independent study to choose from, artists from around the country are able to work and learn together.


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Alabama's Art Colony is committed to producing an enjoyable environment to educate, nurture and inspire artists through workshops. We will enhance the quality of life for the greater community by educating and providing opportunities to experience, appreciate and support the arts. We will contribute to the cultural enrichment of the city and its local communities through our on-going collection and exhibition of art and through partnerships with diverse community organizations that celebrate life and art. -- Mission Statement

As well as the annual colony, The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony hosts the Kitty Dark Kids Art Camp in Alexander City. The camp offers arts enrichment experiences each year during the first week of June.

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To learn more about The Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony or the Kitty Dark Kids Art Camp visit their website.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Exploring (New) Birmingham: Railroad Park and The Shops of Grand River

Originally posted on November 3rd, 2010 at Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life.

When I was a little girl, my impression of Birmingham’s downtown area was a jumble of closed up, falling apart, and run-down buildings. My Mom would tell me of their grandness when she was a child, and I would daydream as to what it must have been like to dress up in my Sunday best to go shopping downtown.

Because of this, my childhood assumption was that all downtowns were dead or dying like Birmingham’s was. I was amazed to visit vibrant city centers like Atlanta and Chattanooga and discover that in other cities, people not only went downtown, but actually lived downtown. I became, and stayed, very jealous of other cities’ awesome urban-ness.

So it absolutely thrills my heart that Birmingham is finally, but very rapidly, changing. We have real things in downtown now – Ali and I often visit our awesome children’s science center, The McWane Center, the historic but falling down buildings are being refitted and turned into lofts quicker than I can keep up with, and new and very-Atlanta-looking condominiums are popping up all around.

I hope that Ali’s assumptions about downtowns are completely different than mine were.

The newest addition to downtown’s growing appeal is Railroad Park. Located right in the middle of the city between 1st Avenue South and 1st Avenue North, it is a beautiful, crisp, fresh urban park. It is comprised of 19 acres of ponds, streams, playgrounds, picnic benches, walking and biking trails, and beautiful green areas.

We visited Railroad Park for the first time on Saturday, and it endeared me even more to our newly reviving downtown.IMG_1313

Ali loved running in the grass…

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And on the long benches.

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The playground was very clean and enclosed for plenty of safe playing,

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And the streams and ponds were beautiful – and made even more so by the railroad tracks and downtown skyline behind them: IMG_1318


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There were also “biking bowls” (for lack of a better term??) and a skate park across the street for those more daring than my child will probably ever be.
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They also advertise a Dining Car on their website at which we planned on eating, but it is either only open during the week or not quite open yet, or we were just too dense to be able to find it. However, there IS a Dominoes across the street that gladly sold us a Pizza Picnic.


Ali and I also visited another new addition to our city on Friday – one that I have been ever-so-anxiously awaiting the arrival of: The Shops of Grand River.IMG_1280
Located in Leeds (which is much closer than most people think – it’s the very next exit off of I-20 after 459), it’s a brand new and quite large outlet center – something that Birmingham has lacked for a long time (sorry, Watermark, but you never really satiated my needs for outlet shopping).

They opened last Thursday and have a great selection of stores – all of my favorites, for sure. At first, I wasn’t sure about the internal format – I was afraid it would be hard to get around, but once we arrived, I loved it – it felt very much like a mall with two open-air hallways:

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I was also surprised that the stores were already running some great deals – I figured since it was opening weekend, they might not have sales yet, but I picked up several things for Ali and Noah at highly discounted prices.

One store I was especially excited to visit was Stone Soup – run by my Aunt Tena of Earthborn Pottery (that I’ve talked about many times before), it is a conglomeration gallery of many local artists of all different types. And it was huge!!

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The selection was an awesome mix of paintings, pottery, furniture, mixed media, glass art, and all sorts of other exciting artisan-level pieces at great prices – I will definitely be going back there for some Christmas shopping.

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Ali found her favorite, a centipede:

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Ali and I also checked out the food court, which was really great, except that half of the eateries weren’t open yet. But once they all open, there will be a good selection.

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I was also very happy to see that, although the sidewalks were prepared for the arrival of my Nemeses…

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There were NO kiosks installed yet.

Maybe they’ll let us have a happy, peaceful holiday shopping season before implementing Kiosk Predators.

Despite all of the walking we did, even Ali was a fan – when it was time to go, she begged me for more - “But I want to stay at The New Mall for FOREVER!!”IMG_1264
Both Railroad Park and The Shops at Grand River are great additions to Birmingham and the surrounding area – I’m thrilled to see our city growing and changing!


Disclaimer: No one paid me or asked me to write these reviews - I just enjoyed our outings and wanted to make sure that all you local people knew about the exciting additions to Birmingham.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Seventy-Five


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tannehill Historical State Park

By Mama Hen

Alabama has many “best-kept secrets.” Today I am going to share one of my “best-kept” places in hopes that it will become one of your family's favorites too!

Tannehill Historical State Park is a wonderful family-friendly place where adults and children alike will have lots of fun. It is located on 1, 500 acres and you can do everything from hiking to camping, to fishing there, with lots more in-between. Located 12 miles southwest of Bessemer, it is a short distance from downtown Birmingham.

My husband grew up near Tannehill and his family camped there many many times. He has wonderful memories of playing with his cousins in the creek and hiking the trails. When we started dating it was one of the first places he shared with me. Now we take our own children there and they love it too!

Tannehill has three campgrounds (ranging from RV to improved to primitive). The way the campgrounds are set up provides a safe family-orientated place to go and relax. Children ride bikes up and down the paths and there is a great playground for younger children. Little children (and tired adults) love to ride the train from one side of the park to the other.

If RV or tent camping isn't for you then you can stay in one of the six rental cabins at the park. They are restored cabins and will give you a feel of how the pioneers lived. You can also visit the Country Church (available for weddings) and the Country School (available for receptions, meetings, reunions, etc...).

In the middle of the park there is a small country store and you feel like you are stepping back in time as you enter. The employees are always so nice and patient as my children decide whether they want Grapicos or root beer for their snack. We like to sit on the porch of the store and watch the children ride by on their bikes.

There is also a wonderful candy shop with homemade candies made right there in the store. You can get a gooey piece of chocolate or Blue Bell ice cream (or both!). Next to the candy store is The Furnace Masters Restaurant. Stop in for some real Southern cooking.

As you hike be sure to check out the Ironworks Furnace and the Ironworks Museum. It has been recently renovated and has a small bookstore and gift shop. Also, be sure to stop by the working Grist Mill to buy some local corn meal.

Tannehill has special events all through the year including Trade Days on the third weekend of every month except December. You can find everything from socks to purses to tools there. Its fun just to go and browse and people-watch. The first and second weekends of December Tannehill hosts a Christmas Village Open House. You don't want to miss it!

So, whether you take a picnic lunch and visit for the day, or take your tent and stay longer, you will love Tannehill. Just don't tell too many people. Its my secret, okay?

Visit www.tannehill.org to see all this great place has to offer!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Meet-Up Attendee Links

We had an awesome Meet-up at Urban Standard yesterday - Thanks to all of you who came out!! If you're looking for someone that was there, here were the attendees:

Rhoda of Southern Hospitality
Wade of Wade Kwon and Magic City Post
Katherine of Grass Stains
Nanci of Potential Birmingham
Karla Porter of Archer Creative
Carl of Over Coffee Media
Jessica of Dogingham
Andrea Walker of W Social Marketing
Andre Natta of Dre's Ramblings and The Terminal
Brian Jordan of Product Recall Monitor
and me, Rachel of Alabama Bloggers and Grasping for Objectivity

Thanks to everyone for coming out!!

And thank you also to those of you stepping up to help host the meet-ups while I'm out on Maternity leave - here's what you can be looking forward to:

December's meet-up will be in Huntsville and hosted by Carol Marks - details can be found here.
January's meet-up will be hosted by Wade - more details will be posted here later.
February's meet-up will be hosted by Nanci - more details will be posted here later.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Week Seventy-Four

***** Don't forget about the Alabama Bloggers Meet-Up today (Friday) at Urban Standard at 11:30!! Hope to see you there!!! *****


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

"Hope On The Horizon" Says Dr. Guy Harvey ... But "It Takes Cash To Care"

by BeachnRiver

Billy's Seafood Market On Bon Secour River, Bon Secour , AL Is Beautiful At Sunset.
JOURNAL --- The photos above are of Billy's Seafood --- the only open air fish market located at the end of the road of a quaint fishing village of Bon Secour, just 15 or so miles NW of Gulf Shores, AL. The photos were taken at sunset--- a particularly beautiful time on the Bon Secour River.

The Workers At Billy's Seafood Market, Bon Secour, AL Are Helpful And Will Help You Make Selections.
The appeal of Billy's Seafood Market lies in the imperfections of the place. Billy's is basically a wooden shack perched on the water. The parking lot and bank are made of cast off oyster shells. The workers have names like "Bubba" and some sport mullets (the hairstyle) along with their white shrimping boots. Large shrimping boats dock in and around Billy's to unload their catch.

Billy's Seafood Market In Bon Secour, AL Is The Only Open-Air Seafood Market Located On The Bon Secour River. Shrimpers Deliver Their Catch To Billy's Market And To Other Waterfront Markets Along The River.
The place smells fishy. It is not air-conditioned, yet fish and shrimp are nicely displayed on ice. That it still stands is a testimony of owner Billy Parks who has re-built after Hurricane Ivan --- despite not having insurance. In my mind, it is one of the best and wholehearted reasons why I am hopelessly in love with where I live.



This place is filled with resilient "overcomers."



But Park's business/livlihood, along with countless other businesses (like ours), is struggling to survive after the BP oil spill attacked our coast.
Signs On Cty Rd 10 Foley, AL Direct Guests To Plenty Of Fresh Seafood.


Tourists To Gulf Shores, AL Hired Shrimping Charters Prior To BP Oil Spill.

The Captain's Galley On The Bon Secour River Was A Favored Restaurant To Enjoy Seafood Prior To BP Oil Spill

Up the road a bit The Captain's Galley --- a restaurant that has been in business for the past 25 years (except to rebuild after the past three hurricanes: Ivan, Dennis, Katrina) is now closed due to lack of customers --- thanks to the BP oil mess killing our tourism business. Report from Locust Fork News of Captain's Galley Closure

The Captain's Galley Has Been A Foley, AL Business For 25 Years But Did Not Survive BP Oil Spill.
Countless other businesses are teetering on financial failure and the local news media has daily coverage of one business owner or another who says they may not survive until the end of the month --- yet alone the entire winter season. (I consider them the lucky ones --- at least their stories get picked up on the wires and get regional and national attention --- which may in fact boost their business. The businesses who are obscure from media attention will suffer most.)



These days are a real test for any "overcomer" and it takes shear will-power to remain "positive" in thinking --- especially when successful and long-standing businesses are falling like dominoes all around.




I was listening to a Joss Stone song earlier this morning, "The Choking Kind," and the lyrics "you can kill ... with a knife or you can take her pride" choked me up. "How true, I thought." Although the song had nothing to do with oil spills or financial struggles it got me to thinking about what has been the worst part of this whole BP mess --- the assault on our region's pride.


I get a knot in my throat when I think of how pristine our little Gulf Shores was prior to the oil spill.

As You Walk Gulf Shores, AL Beaches You Are Struck By Beauty Of Sugary White Sand.
Aside from having the whitest sandy beaches in the country, we are home to countless endangered species and a refuge for so many others. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Cleaning oil from Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge




Freshly Caught Shrimp Bon Secour, AL.
Oysters Served "Nude" Wintzells, Orange Beach, AL
The pride in our area is almost palpable. You don't just eat a plate full of raw oysters --- you are eating potentially the catch of the day from some happy local oyster man.

Royal Red Shrimp Are An Alabama Gulf Coast Pride.
Signs suggesting tourists buy "Alabama Wild Shrimp" were put up to help the industry --- yes --- but they are the Gulf Coast's bragging right. Our "Royal Reds" are a unique specialty that taste like lobster and come from no other place on the planet.


Our Gulf Shores tourism didn't rise on the backs of theme parks, high rise entertainment centers or the glitzy glamour found along many coastal areas.

Fishing Alabama's Gulf Coast At Gulf Shores Is A Favorite Pastime.
Our appeal was as a laid back "natural" destination --- a fishing destination --- a place to take the family to bathe in all of God's natural glory --- the kind of thing that some tourists long for but never get to see once the filter of commercialization sets in.


Speaking for myself, I didn't fall in love with Gulf Shores/Orange Beach because of nearby outlets and malls and proximity to numerous chains found in many "destination towns." I fell in love with the area because of the many "mom and pops" along the one road Hwy (59) and beach boulevard.

You Can See Gulf Shores Beach Boulevard From The Inside Of This Popular Souvenir Shop.
In my mind these type businesses are what gives the "character" and charm to the area. It is not a forced "theme" park imposed feeling --- it is the "real thing" --- and the "character" comes from the owner's stamina to survive years of struggle forging a living where sand, water and wind continuously impose their will to overcome.

This Photo Of A Rainbow Was Taken After A Gulf Shores, AL Storm.
You can't buy this type of "feeling."
If you haven't linked up and introduced yourself yet, be sure to go here to do so!