2011 North Baldwin Christmas Ornaments

Fourth in a series

$12 each or $40 for set of 4

North Baldwin Utilities (Old Bay Minette Post Office)

Ornaments can be purchased at the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce or at the Chamber booth at Christmas Fest December 2 and 3.

Seventh annual Artic Express

Through Dec. 24

$12 per person

Wales West Light Railway; near Fairhope on CR 9

For more, visit whales west.com, facebook/waleswest or call 888-569-5337.

November 25 to December 14, open Fridays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. December 14 through December 24, open daily 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.Enjoy a mile long train ride on America's only steam powered Welsh narrow gauge railway. Ride past decorated Victorian-styled buildings, gardens, woodlands, and see beautiful lights reflecting on Lake Victoria on your grand journey to the North Pole. At the fully decorated North pole, the children will meet and visit Santa and adults may take pictures of their little ones on Santa's lap. Each child will also receive a wooden toy locomotive from one of Santa's elves during the visit. These toy trains are great keepsakes. The children may decorate the locos at the arts and crafts tables or make christmas cards or an ornament before catching the train back to the Silverhill Station. After returning to the train station, everyone will receive hot cocoa, a cookie, and a candy cane in the hospitality tent. The tent has seating available. Each weekend there will also be other special activities taking place.

Bellingrath’s Magic Christmas In Lights

5-9 p.m. through Dec. 31

Admission is Adults $12, Children ages 5 through 12, $6.50 and Children 4 and under are free. Closed December 25.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road

For more, visit bellingrath.org/mcil.html.

Stroll through the gardens with an estimated 3 million twinkling lights in more than 928 custom-designed set pieces in 13 scenes. Tour the Bellingrath Home decorated in its holiday finery.

New Member Artists exhibit

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 15-Jan. 21

Orange Beach Art Center. 26389 Canal Road, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-2787 or visit orangebeachartcenter.com.

OBAC has over 100 member artists who are the backbone to the art center’s exhibit space. Member artists are juried in and are predominately from the island but many are from Eastern Shore to Pensacola as well as part time residents from the Southeast and ‘snowbirds’ from as far away as Vermont.This is a wonderful opportunity for member artists to meet or reconnect with each other and for the community to show their support for our artists.

Wales West "Bluegrass by the Tracks"

7-9pm Oct.-March

$5

Located 1.5 miles south of Co Rd 48 or 2.5 miles north of Co Rd 32 on Co Rd 9, Fairhope.

For more information call 888-569-5337 or visit waleswest.com.

Featuring great local bands, refreshments and Train Ride!

Christmas Cupcake Factory

3 p.m. Dec. 16

Free

Tiki Island Golf and Games, Pensacola

For more, email Kristine@romjueadvertising.com.

Tiki Island Elves need your help! They have a Cupcake Factory churning out the tasty treats but need some kids with lots of island spirit to help decorate the mini cakes. You can take your decorated cupcake home or eat it there!

Supervised kids activities

6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 16

$10 per child

Bay City Gymnastics Academy

For more, email Mindy Key at mkeybcga10@att.net or visit bcgagymnastics.com.

Drop the kids off and use the time to shop or just relax. We offer supervised activities, games, and free play. Pizza is offered for only $1 per slice. Toddlers and up welcome. Event open to the public, no membership required!

Villagio Restaurant Welcomes Santa for Tea

10 a.m.-noon Dec. 17

Free

Villagio Restaurant at The Wharf

Call for reservations at 224-6510.

The Villagio Restaurant will welcome Santa Clause for tea on December 17th. Santa will be taking time out of his busy schedule to fly in and visit and have tea with all the kids.

Bake Sale to benefit A.R.F by the Performing Arts Association of Foley

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 17

Prices vary

Foley Art Center

For more, call 943-4381 or visit foleyartcenter.com.

We invite you to join us for this event and bring donations for the pet shelter (pet food, supplies, blankets, toys etc. If you prefer to donate to a particular shelter please let us know and we will be happy to direct your donations to them. The P.A.A. is now open for extended holiday shopping hours. We will be open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4pm, in addition we will be participating in the Uptown Foley Holiday Events on Friday, December 9th & 16th from 4pm - 7pm. The Uptown Foley Merchants will be holding a drawing for prize give-a-ways of $500, $250 and $150 - simply stop in and visit each of our 25 Uptown merchants to pick up your tickets then bring your entries to the PAA Art Center, the drawing will be held December 16 at 7:15pm.

Music at the Farm

7 p.m. Dec. 16 at

Tickets online $10, at musicatthefarm.blogspot.com, door $15

House concert at Seale’s farm near Walnut Hill

For more, call Melissa  850-207-2100 or Abby 850-292-4941.

Pierce Pettis singer and songwriter. Friday night, come early, enjoy the farm, eat gumbo.

Third Annual Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas Concert to benefit The Haven

7 p.m. Dec. 17

Advance adult tickets are $15, $20 at the door, and children under 12 are $5.

Mobile Civic Center Theater

For more, email linnhe_9@bellsouth.net or visit havenforanimals.org.

Started by local artist John Milham in 2008 as a jazz trio performing the music of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, the 3rd annual presentation will also include the popular local Mobile band, Roman Street, as its opening act, as well as vocalist/guitarist Lisa Mills. The Jubilee Children’s Chorus and Center Stage Youth Choir of Fairhope will also be part of the show, welcoming guests as they arrive.

The Gulf Coast Ballet presents: The Nutcracker

7 p.m. Dec. 17

$10 general admission, $5 for children 5 and younger

1930 W. 2nd Street, Gulf Shores

For more, call 269- 9297.

More than eighty local performers, including about 65 students of Gulf Coast Ballet, will perform this classical Christmas ballet. Tickets are available at the door.

Dr. Jazz Normand performs grand piano concert, “Winter Solstice and Holiday Music”

2-3 p.m. Dec. 18

Free

Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, 1150 Fairhope Ave.

For more, call 929-3207; visit fairhopeuu.org or email fairhopeunitarian@att.net.

All donations for concert and bake sale go directly into the tuition check for the Fairhope Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's Faulkner Nursing Scholarship.

Santa and His Paparazzi Photo Session

2-4 p.m. Dec. 18

Free

Island Style, Pensacola

For more, email Kristine@romjueadvertising.com.

Island Santa awaits your arrival in the Christmas room. The sweet smell of peppermint candy canes will lead you right to him. Have your photo taken for a nominal charge. Coloring Contest Winners announced 3:30 pm. Not an easy task, but the judges will award first, second and third places in two age categories.

“Forgotten Carols” Christmas Musical

7 p.m. Dec. 18

Daphne Civic Center

For more, call 626-5300.

Professional actors with local choirs.

Matinee Monday

TBA Dec. 19

$7

Harry Roberts Community House

Call 968-1434 on Wednesday prior to matinee for movie selection and time.

Candlelight and Carols Beach Church

6 p.m. Dec. 24

Free

Pensacola Beach Community Church

For more, email Kristine@romjueadvertising.com.

The choir invites visitors to join in their Island Christmas Eve tradition of caroling by candlelight.

Coffee and Chat

9 a.m. Dec. 28

Free

Harry Roberts Community House

Join us for coffee and announcements and get a jump on senior happenings around town and pick up a copy of next month’s Senior Scene.

New Year’s Eve Cruise

Dec. 31

$55

Harbor Lady out of Mobile

For more, call 968-1434.

Fee includes appetizer buffet, party favors, champagne toast, and fireworks.

New Year's Eve at The Wharf

10 a.m. Dec. 31

Free. VIP packages available.

4550 Main Street, Orange Beach

For more, call 981-6879 or 941-780-0538 or visit wharfresort.com.

Come and enjoy New Year's Eve at the Wharf. Family Celebration from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Activities include: discount Ferris wheel rides, face painting, special movie presentations, kids games, and much more. The Wharf Rockin' New Year's Eve Bash from 7 p.m.- til. Activities include: main street block party, live music on two stages, marlin drop and fireworks at midnight. Additional leisure events may be found at gulfshores.com/things-to-do/calendar-events and additional sports events may be found at alabamagulfcoastsports.com/events.

Early Bird New Year's Eve Bash featuring Brent Burns concert

7-10 p.m. Dec. 31

$15 advacne, $20 at door

Erie Meyer Center in Gulf Shores

For tickets, Visa/Mastercard call 251-948-8863 (Brent's office) Paypal is available at brentburns.com. Cash or check purchases may be made at the CSC office, 317 Dolphin Avenue, Gulf Shores, Mon - Fri 9 am til Noon. All proceeds benefit the Christian Service Center. Come enjoy the 2010 Trop Rock Songwriter of the Year and our own local favorite. BYO snacks and spirits, prizes will be given for the Wackiest Table Decoration. Buy a table of 8 and get reserved seating.

Grayson Capps and The Lost Cause Minstrels concert

8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Dec. 31

Limited $25 tickets, day of event price is $30

American Legion Post 199, 700 S. Mobile Street, Fairhope

For more, visit graysoncapps.com or AmericanLegion199.com, or call 928-9132 .

Endless hors d'oeuvres, complimentary champagne toasts, cash/door prizes, party favors and MORE! Party will include food and bar set ups in front bar, hall and outside tent areas. Music (and possibly live, screaming TV) will be piped into front bar,

outside tent, etc. Directly after midnight, a sumptuous breakfast will be served for $5.

New Year’s Eve Babysitting

8 p.m.-10 a.m. Dec. 31

$75

Bay City Gymnastics Academy

For more, email Mindy Key at mkeybcga10@att.net.

This year go out and have fun and don't worry about getting the babysitter home! Let us entertain your children with supervised karaoke, games and activities. Dinner and breakfast is included all for only $75! Space is limited, so register early! A deposit is required to hold your spot. Children ages 5 and up are welcome. Open to the public, no membership is required!

Fireworks

midnight on Dec. 31

Free

End of the Gulf Pier, Pensacola

For more, email Kristine@romjueadvertising.com

Ring in the New Year with Islandwide celebrations.

1st Annual Kiwanis Club of Gulf Shores Slip & Slide Polar Bear Dip

Noon Jan. 1

Free

Gulf Shores Public Beach in front of The Hangout

For more, visit thehangout.com or call Fran Thompson 968-5683 or Steve Jones 609-5292.

Slip and Slide your way into the Gulf of Mexico in style on our 33 ft. two lane slide. Of course, some participants may choose to take a more traditional route into the Gulf. But, regardless of how you get there, all participants will be treated to a free buffet at The Hangout afterwards. The event is family friendly and participants are encouraged to come in costume to celebrate the New Year with a refreshing dip into the Gulf of Mexico. Prizes offered.

Annual Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama

Noon Jan. 1

Free

Flora-Bama Lounge & Package

For more, visit florabama.com.

You'd have to be a polar bear to enjoy swimming in January, so say locals at the Flora-Bama. On Friday, New Year's Day, 'Polar Bears' will dip in the Gulf of Mexico at the Florida/Alabama line.

Polar Bear Plunge

2 p.m. Dec. 1

Free to spectators

Paradise Bar and Grill, Pensacola

For more, email Kristine@romjueadvertising.com.

The emerald waters of Santa Rosa Sound are filled with those hardy souls who wade, swim and scurry to the finish line. Heaping bowls of black-eyed peas wait to warm them. Entry fee benefits the Chamber.

Free Boot Camp Class

12:15 p.m. Jan. 4

North Baldwin Infirmary Wellness Center

Free and open to the public. For more information, call 937-9099.

Free Boot Camp Class

4:30 p.m. Jan. 4

Free and open to the public

Thomas Hospital Wellness Center

For more, call 279-1684.

"Tornados Touching Down" play

Jan. 5-15

South Baldwin Community Theatre, 2022 W. Second St., Gulf Shores, across from the Bodenhamer Recreation Center.

For more, call 251-968-6721 or go to sbct.biz

It’s the second play in the series about the fictional Whitfield family and their struggles with a wedding, a new baby and a tornado. Created by local playwright Laura Sansing Pfizenmayer, the play will be directed by Chase S. King and Meg Reed.

Operation FitKids Health Fair

9-11 a.m. Jan. 14

Thomas Hospital Wellness Center

For more, call 279-1684.

A wellness fair for children and teens includes health screenings, games and activities. Free and open to the public.

Operation FitKids Health Fair

9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 14

North Baldwin Infirmary Wellness Center

For more, call 937-9099.

A wellness fair for children and teens includes health screenings, games and activities. Free and open to the public.

White Christmas at the Swift–Coles House

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. Last tour starts at 3 p.m.

$5

Intersection of county roads 49 and 10

For more, email helenhunderwood@yahoo.com.

Decorations on the theme, “White Christmas,” include an antique creche in the entrance hall and holiday appointments throughout the house. Since the Swift–Coles House was opened in the spring of 2009 as Baldwin County’s premier historic home, over 5,000 guests have visited the house from 44 states and eight foreign countries.

Make your own ornament

2-4 p.m. Wednesdays in December

Free

Harry Roberts Community House.

For more, call 968-1434.

Bring your own projects, hobbies and crafts (painting, needlework, etc) or just come by and visit with other crafters. No instructor.

Legion Jams

7 p.m. Fridays

Free

American Legion Post 199, 700 S. Mobile Street, Fairhope,

For more, call 928-9132 or visit AmericanLegion199.com

Bring your guitar and join the fun—or just bring your friends for some great entertainment. Host schedule: 12/16 - Betty‘s Bros Band; 12/23 - Ron Stacey & Honky Tonk Country; 12/30 - Jimmy Lumpkin; 1/6 -Donnie Mills; and 1/13 - SouthernStar. Each Tuesday is Ladies Nite with Drink Specials from 5-8 p.m.; Karaoke with Mitchell Lee - Tuesdays starting 8 p.m.; check the Legion Bar for 8 p.m. Saturday and Wednesday hosts.

Pensters Writing Group meetings

10 a.m.-12 p.m. every month's second Saturday

Annual membership $20

Dalgren Hall at Faulkner State campus in Fairhope

For more, email President P.T. Paul at ptphantazein@gmail.com.