Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected
Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!
- Damage claims resume
- Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
- Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
- The beaches have been clean for awhile
- TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011
A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.
Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by
So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end. This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’
Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!
I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!
Welcome back!


has been hiding the snow from most of the ski resorts in the nation. Many skiers, snowboarders and outdoor winter enthusiasts are wondering where o where has all the snow gone!

Known as “The Soul of Seattle,” Pike Place Market was originally brought to life on August 17, 1907 when farmers brought their produce directly to the people of Seattle who showed up in overwhelming numbers. The farmers’ goods were sold out by 11:00 am thus beginning a supply and demand market that opened its own building with every space filled by the end of that first year. Today, the market is internationally known as America’s premier farmers’ market housing over 200 year round businesses.
minutes from all the shopping and entertainment at Hotel Five, one of the premier 
If you generally think of Colorado as a ski vacation Mecca, let me introduce you to the “off-season”. Summers in Colorado are known for whitewater rafting, camping, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, festivals, horseback riding and more! And Keystone’s central Colorado location excels in all of these Rocky Mountain summer activities.
Mountain Biking – Take advantage of the mountain’s lift service to experience world-class downhill mountain biking terrain, complete with views of the Continental Divide and Lake Dillon. Members of your group that don’t wish to go down on two wheels can take the lift back down to safety. Or mountain bikers can try out any of over 100 miles of cross country biking and hiking trails that wind through the Keystone area. Bikes, helmets, and safety equipment rentals are available at the Adventure Center in Lakeside Village. The center also offers paddle boating, kayak and canoe rentals, and fish feeding activities.