Written by Meyer Real Estate on February 8th, 2010

Three days of non-stop concerts on four stages at The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 14-16, 2010.
The first major music fest to be held at the beach on Alabama’s Gulf Shores island is scheduled for May 14-16, 2010.
The four stages for The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival will highlight some pretty terrific talent over the three-day event, with music playing non-stop from noon to 11 p.m. each of those days.
Some of the acts are still being finalized—the plan is to have more than 60 bands—but you are sure to find some favorites among this initial slate:
Zac Brown Band
John Legend
Alison Krauss and Union Station (featuring Jerry Douglas)
The Black Crowes
Gov’t Mule
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Blind Boys of Alabama
Matisyahu
Girl Talk
Guster
Brett Dennen
Keller Williams
Jerry Jeff Walker
A.L.O.
The Whigs
Ozomatli
OK GO
Orianthi
Pnuma Trio
Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears
Toubab Krewe
Mat Hires
A.A. Bondy
Rachel Goodrich
Moon Taxi
Locals have an opportunity to purchase a discounted three-day pass between Feb. 8 and 14, paying only $115 (picture ID required). Public three-day passes will go on sale Feb. 15 for $159. One-day passes may become available at a later date. For details on ticket purchases, as well as more bands and other to-be-announced activities, check out The Hangout Beach, Music & Arts Festival website.
Planning for the festival is easier when you make your lodging reservations through Meyer Real Estate. Choose from the island’s largest number of houses and condos on or near the beach. Stay in Gulf Shores for easy festival access. Or get the fourth night FREE in Orange Beach, Fort Morgan or Perdido Key when using the promo code XMUS.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Performing, Beaches, Concerts, Events, Gifts, Nightlife, Vacation specials | No Responses »
Tags: A.L.O, Alabama, Alison Krauss, band, Beaches, Black Crowes, Black Joe Lewis, Blind Boys of Alabama, blues, Brett Dennen, concert, condo, destination, family, Florida, Fort Morgan, gift, Girl Talk, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, Guster, house, island, Jerry Douglas, Jerry Jeff Walker, John Legend, Mat Hires, Michael Franti, Moon Taxi, music, Nightlife, OK Go, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Rachel Goodrich, rental, Rodrigo y Gabriela, sale, shoreline, Spearhead, Union Station, Whigs, Zac Brown
Written by Meyer Real Estate on February 5th, 2010
Every community has its own personality, fostered by those who live and work there.

Join us for home tours in Orange Beach, Alabama (Feb. 9) and Perdido Key, Florida (Feb. 23).
Meyer Real Estate is sharing a special public opportunity to get a more intimate feel for local communities by walking into a handful of houses and condos. During February, you are invited to tour select properties in Orange Beach, Alabama and in Perdido Key, Florida.
Highlighted on these tours are condos and houses for sale as well as those available for vacation rentals.
You might be surprised to learn that you can afford a gulf-front or near-beach home. Even if you are not ready to buy at this time, it may help you decide on an eventual second home or retirement location.
Vacation rentals are not typically open for inspection, so these open houses are a rare live glimpse into popular rental properties. Admire the scenery from each room, picture your family or friends sharing a condo or home, and imagine the many fond memories that will be created from each visit.
The public is welcome to attend these free walk-throughs that are open between 1:00 and 5:00. For the Orange Beach, Alabama tour, maps are available beginning Saturday, February 6, while the tour itself is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9. The Perdido Key, Florida tour is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23; maps will be available beginning on Saturday, February 20.
To participate in either of the Tour of Homes events, simply stop by one of the Meyer Real Estate offices (Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan or Perdido Key) to pick up a map. Although the tour is self-guided, you will find friendly, knowledgeable real estate and rental agents at each location.
Whether you are interested in real estate sales, vacation rentals, or long-term rental of personal or commercial property, Meyer Real Estate can be of service. Learn more at our blog, or view our website.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Beaches, Events, Florida, Shopping | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, condo, destination, family, Florida, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, house, island, open house, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, real estate, rental, sale, Shopping, Tour of Homes
Written by Meyer Real Estate on February 3rd, 2010
Quick – name the two foods most associated with Mardi Gras.

Treat yourself during the Mardi Gras season!
Hints: Both are circular in shape. One is associated with parades while the other will be found at the parties (often masked balls) of the season, although both will often show up as a treat in homes and businesses.
Mardi Gras balls and seasonal gatherings are not complete without a king cake. Generally speaking, the king cake is a large round or oval cinnamon coffee cake that is glazed or frosted and then sprinkled generously with sugar colored in the royal hues of purple, green and gold. A small plastic trinket is inserted through the bottom of the cake for a lucky person to find. The person who receives the trinket is said to be the king or queen for the day and will have good fortune for the coming year. Another interpretation explains that the person who finds the trinket must host the following week’s party.
As for the other food, you may be surprised to learn that although Mardi Gras is most often associated with the southern coastal states, the moon pie actually originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the early part of the 20th century. It was made by placing marshmallow cream between two graham crackers, then completely coating the sweet, spongy sandwich in chocolate. Years later, in Mobile, Alabama, it became a parade throw (an item tossed from parade floats) due to its soft yet sturdy consistency. Today, moon pies come in a variety of flavors and colors, and parade-goers expect to catch their share of this extremely popular item.
February 16, 2010, is Mardi Gras Day. Since mid-January, numerous organizations have been leading their masked members along parade routes throughout the South. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the fun and gather some colorful throws. Local parades are as follows:
Fri., Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Orange Beach – Hwy. 182 from Wintzell’s Oyster House to Hwy. 161
Sat., Feb.13, noon – Foley – east on Roosevelt St.
Sat., Feb.13, 6:30 p.m. – Orange Beach – Hwy. 182 from Live Bait to Perdido Pass Bridge
Tues., Feb.16, 10:00 a.m. – Gulf Shores – Hwy. 59 from south end of the Intracoastal Bridge to the beach
Tues., Feb.16, 1:30 p.m. – Orange Beach – Hwy. 182 from Wintzell’s Oyster House to Hwy. 161
Tues., Feb.16, 3:00 p.m. – Gulf Shores – boat parade begins at 3:00 at Bear Point Marina and ends by 4:30 at LuLu’s Homeport Marina
Come to the beach soon and “laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!”
If you do not have your Mardi Gras beach accommodations yet, we can help! Now through Feb. 17, 2010, you can stay five nights but only pay for three nights! If you can’t stay that long, or will be here during a different time frame, take a look at Meyer Real Estate’s many specials and hot deals to make your getaway more affordable.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Events, Florida, Food, Holidays, Vacation specials | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, Beaches, destination, family, Florida, Foley, Fort Morgan, Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores, holiday, house, island, king cake, Mardi Gras, moon pie, music, Orange Beach, parade, Perdido Key, sale
Written by Meyer Real Estate on February 2nd, 2010
Snickerdoodle. Pecan praline. Banana split. Bailey’s and white chocolate. Apple walnut.

You are rewarded when you help Hope's Cheesecake celebrate 14 years in Gulf Shores.
Those are only a few of the flavors available. We’re not describing cookies, ice cream, adult beverages or pie. But now you’re in the right frame of taste bud for the best cheesecake around.
There is no time like the present to give in to your craving, as you can indulge for less until February 16. To celebrate 14 years of business in Gulf Shores, Hope’s Cheesecake is treating you to free samples, gifts, and discounted prices if you mention their ad in the local newspaper, The Islander.
Sold by the slice, mini cake or full-size cake, their masterpieces are made with quality ingredients and careful preparation. There is no worry about leaving their shop with more than you need (yes, you’ll want to buy extra), since it will last 10 days in the refrigerator. You can even freeze it up to 6 months, and it will still taste great after freezing, thawing, refreezing and thawing again.
How about a twist on the traditional slice of cheesecake? Their famous Hope Bar is a slice of cheesecake on a stick, dipped in chocolate.
Those watching your sugar intake will be pleased to know that there are four flavors (New York, Amaretto, Chocolate and Key Lime) made with Whey Low.
For a decadent treat for yourself, a sought-after dessert for a gathering of any size, or as a delicious gift shipped to your non-local friends and family, Hope’s Cheesecake offers the right variety to suit all tastes.
Hope’s Cheesecake is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at 210 E. 20th Ave., just east of the south end of the Intracoastal Canal Bridge. Call 251-968-5858 or visit their website to place an order.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Businesses, Dining, Food, Gift certificates, Gifts, Shopping | 2 Responses »
Tags: Alabama, anniversary, bride, celebration, cheesecake, destination, family, Fort Morgan, gift certificate, Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores, Hope's, island, Orange Beach, reception, sale, Shopping
Written by Meyer Real Estate on January 22nd, 2010
When Fairhope, Alabama artist Cynthia Rush discovered a box of nearly 400 photographs taken shortly before World War II, it captured her interest in multiple ways.

Flight and military photos from just prior to WWII pair with modern mixed media at Orange Beach Art Center through Feb. 13.
The black and white photos that encompassed military life and flight training were taken by an uncle she never knew. Lt. John Rush lost his life at age 27, while testing a plane in Pensacola during the summer of 1941.
Cynthia had always been interested in flight, often bringing her perspective to canvas as she developed her own artistic skills.
The discovery of the photographs began an exploration into her uncle’s life, creating a strong bond between two family members who never met, yet shared the same passion for flight and a keen artist’s eye.
The exhibition Flight Paths: A Fighter Pilot and Artist Meet Outside of Time is the culmination of Cynthia’s research and visual expression of the similarities between the lieutenant and herself.
You can view this touching display for free at the Orange Beach Art Center through Saturday, February 13. The center is located at 26389 Canal Rd., and is open Tuesdays through Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Arts, Arts Visual, Events, History | No Responses »
Tags: Alabama, art, exhibit, family, flight, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, History, island, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, photograph, WWII
Written by Meyer Real Estate on January 18th, 2010
What’s buzzin’, cuzzin? Lookin’ for a chance to ditch Squaresville? Start gettin’ ready—The Hangout in Gulf Shores is hosting a ’50s Rock ’n’ Roll Party!
Throughout the day and evening of Thursday, January 21, in addition to the regular menu, you’ll find a peachy-keen selection of ’50s diner favorites. Yes, the fresh Angus hamburgers, foot-long hot dogs, patty melts, crinkle-cut fries, banana splits and root beer floats will put you on Cloud 9.
But that’s not all! From 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., you can bop ’til you drop. Live rock ’n’ roll will fill the place, giving all you hep daddy-o’s and chicks a chance to show off your twist, hand-jive and box step talents. Wowsville!
A slate of judges will be eyeballing everyone, so if you don your bobby socks, saddle shoes, rolled-up jeans, poodle skirt or letter sweater—and top it off with a bonafide pony tail or D.A.—you’ve got it made in the shade to win the contest for best dressed. Gee, wouldn’t that be swell?
C’mon, what are you waitin’ for? Your date will flip when you jump in your deuce or rag top and head to the ginchiest party of the winter instead of sitting home watching yet another flick.
January 21 at The Hangout will be a kick—be there or be square!
For even more special times with your date, friends or family, check out the nifty specials and hot deals offered by Meyer Real Estate. We’re ready 24 hours a day to help remove any smog in the noggin’ regarding beach vacations and getaways, proving why we’re the hippest company along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast.
Posted in Activities, Alabama, Dining, Events, Food, Nightlife | No Responses »
Tags: 1950s, Alabama, banana split, band, Beaches, family, Foley, Fort Morgan, Gulf Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores, History, island, music, Nightlife, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, rock n roll, root beer float, sock hop, twist