The U.S. Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin, visited Alabama’s Mobile County Health Department last week and announced grants totaling $1 million to be given for the expansion of two local health clinics.  Benjamin, who is a Baldwin County native and founded a clinic in Bayou La Batre, reported at the recent news conference that Franklin Primary Health Center received a $500,000 grant, and the county Health Department also received a $500,000 grant as well.  These grants were allotted in an effort to expand services and enhance patient care.  Susan Stiegler, a director who oversees primary care for the Mobile County Health Department, relayed to the press that they would be using the grant to renovate the Citronelle clinic and she estimated that after these changes the clinic could treat 5,000 additional patients per year.

For more on this or other new developments in Mobile AL, visit al.com.

And for more on buying or selling property in Gulf Coast AL, including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

The Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach AL was just awarded for excellence for their superior resort experience as a meeting property, according to a recent article at baldwincountynow.com.  Readers of Meetings Focus South magazine rated resorts for overall excellence in the meetings industry and Perdido Beach Resort was on top, winning the prestigious 2011 “Best of the South” award.  Ranking for these awards were based on the level of service and quality, guest services and amenities, and high-tech services, just to name a few.  Perdido Beach Resort was one of three properties chosen within the state of Alabama where visitors have enjoyed great service and quality.

The Gulf Coast area of AL is great place to live as well as to visit.  For more on community news, events, or upcoming activities in AL’s Gulf Coast area visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Gulf Coast AL, including Mobile, West Mobile, Spanish Fort, Daphne, and Fairhope, contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Save the date for the 2011 Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores AL which will run from October 13^th to the 16^th.  The Shrimp Festival is always a good time for all ages with plenty of things to do.  Among the annual events for the festival are continuous musical performances, a children’s activity village where kids can create their own art and be involved in other exciting activities, and over 200 artists displaying their wares for sale.  There will also be a sand castle contest, chef challenge, and a poster contest.  And of course, expect some great shrimp!

Currently volunteers are needed to help the preparations run smoothly.  For more information on the 40^th Annual Shrimp Festival or to volunteer to help, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in AL’s Gulf Coast, contact Barbara Reeves today.

Released earlier this month, the Spring tourist data for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism showed that a new lodging record was set.  The last record for lodging rentals was $57.6 million back in 2007, but this spring brought in $64.9 million, which is an impressive 12.7 percent higher.  According to Baldwin County Now news online, these lodging figures reveal that the Gulf Shores area is making a strong recovery, as lodging revenue is the number one indicator of tourism growth.  In addition to high lodging revenue, the Gulf Shores has also seen high gross retail sales at $167.7 million for Spring 2011.

For more on this article or other things to do in the beautiful Gulf Coast of AL, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for more on buying or selling property in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, contact Barbara Reeves today.

Alabama’s Gulf Coast consistently has fun entertainment choices throughout the summer and August is no exception.  This week is the Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival which kicked off yesterday and runs to the 7^th at the Museum of Mobile and Bienville Square.  The festival features poetry readings, Jazz music workshops, and plenty of live music from seasoned musicians.  Tomorrow, August 6^th, is the Mobile Gospelfest starting at 6:00pm at the Mobile Civic Center Arena.  And on Sunday, August 7^th, The Hangout in Gulf Shores is presenting the Beach Blues and BBQ.   This event will run every Sunday throughout August and September and feature a different special guest musician each week.  The Beach Blues and BBQ is a great way to enjoy the beach with friends and family.

For more on these or other fun events this summer in Gulf Coast AL, visit wkrg.com.

And for more on buying or selling property in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, or Spanish Fort AL, contact Barbara Reeves today.

This year Fairhope AL will be bringing back their annual Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks display.  The event will be held at Henry George Park and the Fairhope Municipal Pier, with viewing areas in nearby locations as well.  Festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with a concert featuring music from the Baldwin Pops Band and Roman Street and the fireworks display will begin at about 9 p.m. with the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department coordinating safety.  Spectators can join in at the south end of the beach front park and Knoll Park and the live concert will be broadcasted via WABF 1220 AM so those on the beach front can listen to the music being played during the fireworks display as well.

For further details on this or other great events in Gulf Coast AL, visit Baldwincountynow.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, and Spanish Fort AL, contact local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Daphne High School has been using a new tool over this past school year to connect students to the community in which they live, as recently reported at baldwincountynow online.  This new tool is known as iHigh which allows parents and community members to ‘virtually’ enter schools where it hosts and streams school events free of charge.  Educators hope that iHigh will promote stronger ties between the community and Daphne High students, and it will be used in the future for a variety of school sporting events as well as classroom events.  You can learn more by visiting ihigh.com/Daphne.

And for more information on buying or selling a home in the Gulf Coast AL area, including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort, contact local Realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The Delta Explorer is set to begin its next eco tour June 11^th, departing from the Blakeley Park dock at 9:30 am and returning a few hours later.  This family-friendly tour will be narrated by a park ranger and the boat itself will be piloted by a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain.  Great for school field trips and private charters, the Delta Explorer visits the eco-system of the area in a unique way with a journey through the Mobile-Tensaw Delta including wetland habitats and indigenous wildlife.  Walk-on tours are priced at $22 for adults, $12 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6.  Reservations are required, so be sure to get your tickets today and experience the natural beauty of Alabama’s Gulf Coast area.  Visit blakeleypark.com for more information on boat and park tours at Historic Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort AL.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Spanish Fort, Daphne, Mobile, or Fairhope AL, contact local Realtor Barbara Reeves today.

Some good news came from the state Department of Industrial Relations this month—Baldwin County’s April unemployment rate was slightly lower than the 2010 average.  Alabama’s April 2011 unemployment rate was reported as 9.3 percent, which is down from the comparable rate of 9.8 percent from last year’s data.  Currently Baldwin County is ranked 55 among the state’s 67 counties (ranking is from highest to lowest) for unemployment and Mobile County is at number 33.  The national unemployment rate for April was 9 percent, which puts Baldwin County close to this percentage.

For more information on Baldwin County AL community news, visit baldwincountynow.com.

And for information on buying or selling property in Alabama’s Gulf Coast, including Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, contact trusted Realtor Barbara Reeves today.

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley commented recently that on his list of priorities is the beachfront hotel and conference center in Gulf Shores.  This first-class beachfront hotel  and conference center project would be built at the site of the old Gulf State Park hotel and lodge on Beach Boulevard, and could be expected to be a financial draw.   Although there are still some legal concerns involving whether a private company can build a convention center on state land, the governor has hopes that this project will re-shape the Gulf Shores and make it a top convention destination in the Southeast region.

For more on this or other Gulf Coast AL community and real estate news visit wkrg.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL, contact Barbara Reeves today.