Gulf Shore Getaway

Condos allowed in mouse habitat

Beach Club West and Gulf Highlands projects to move ahead in habitat protected by for Alabama Beach Mouse

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has announced it will allow developers to begin work on two separate projects in the Gulf Shores area. The agreement will permit developers of the Beach Club West and Gulf Highlands projects to begin work in areas designated as critical habitat for the Alabama Beach Mouse. The permits will allow developers to add over1,000 condo units, parking decks, commercial retail and office space, beach houses, swimming pools and tennis courts.

Ruling on new Ft. Morgan condos slated for January

Developers of the multi-million dollar Gulf Highlands and Beach Club West resorts condominiums will find out in January whether their building proposals will be accepted.

At issue is the question of building in what is considered critical habitat for the endangered Alabama beach mouse. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced this week that it was preparing a ruling that could permit the developments to proceed.

If approved, the developers will be able to develop the properties without legal liaibility for incidental damages to the endangered beach mouse or its habitat.

Bellingrath Gardens Magic Christmas in Lights

The 2006 holiday season officially opens next weekend with Bellingrath's Magic Christmas in Lights. The festivities begin on Friday, Nov 24th, and runs though the end of December 2006.

This year, as in past years, Bellingrath Gardens and Home will celebrate a Magic Christmas in Lights, a spectacular holiday light display. This amazing event, now in its eleventh year, is sure to be bigger and even more spectacular than ever before. This year's presentation will include over three million twinkling holiday lights and 25 holiday displays. You'll see traditional, whimsical and contemporary holiday scenes such as Winter Wonderland, Candyland, Toyland, Christmas Village and Butterflies in Flight. Everyone's favorite animated scenes and figures will be found somewhere along the way. In addition, the Bellingrath Museum Home, filled with priceless antiques and furnishings, will be decorated in holiday finery and splendor with guided tours available.

2006 Alabama Coastal Birdfest begins Thursday

The 2006 edition of the Alabama Coastal BirdFest begins this Thursday and runs through the weekend. It's that time of year. Many of the northern species of migratory birds have begun their southern migration this year and have found their way to the southeast.

All along the Alabama Gulf Coast neo-tropicals are flocked together, fattening up for the big push south across the Gulf of Mexico where they'll winter in warmer climates.

The Coastal BirdFest is the best place for birders to be right now not only because of the birds' arrival but because the organizers of the Alabama Coastal Birdfest go out of their way each year to make their event the premiere birding event for birders. Whether you're looking to get started and hungry for learning about birding, or you're a seasoned birder who knows where to look and what to look for, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest is just the ticket to birding success.

Not only that but it's a great social gathering too.

Alabama tourism ramps campaigns to lure vacationers

All along the Alabama Gulf Coast efforts are underway to bring in the tourism dollar. This time of year the weather is about perfect regardless of where you're from and what kind of weather you're used to.

Areas north are turning colder, and that means the fall migration is on. Birders head to the Gulf Coast this time of year because places like Gulf Shores are overrun by the little feathered ones stocking up on food for the big trip south across the Gulf of Mexico.

The Fishing's just about to take off

We're getting closer to the magic day when weather and water combine to create a fishing frenzy.

October and the Orange Beach October Fishing Rodeo are just around the corner. From the way things look the elements are combining in just about the right proportions at just about the right time.

Fish haven't caught up with cool weather

Boy, I love this weather, and so do the fishermen. All of the boat ramp parking lots have been full of vehicles and trailers as the cool front sparked a fishing frenzy.

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