The first full week of February leads to a full Wednesday at the Orange Beach Public Library—a day when readers, authors and history buffs are in for a treat.

Patricia Brady will speak Wednesday, February 8, 2012, of her newest book, A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel Donelson and Andrew Jackson

At 10 a.m. on February 8, The Friends of the Orange Beach Library will present Patricia Brady, a historian and author, who will speak about her newest book, A Being So Gentle: The Frontier Love Story of Rachel Donelson and Andrew Jackson.

From Rachel and Andrew’s love affair to his rise in the military and political worlds, and from wars to plantation life to raising children (often alone), Rachel unwaveringly supported Andrew’s aspirations. Unfortunately, Rachel died just weeks prior to Andrew’s move to the White House, and the president’s devotion to her kept him from remarrying.

Ms. Brady brings the touching story to vivid life for her readers, and you will enjoy her personal glimpse into the lives of the powerful couple and the research that helped to create the narrative.

After savoring a leisurely lunch and shopping in town, return to the library by 3 p.m. for a different brand of insight into our country’s more recent past with the author of a historical novel that ties together events from present day and 1940.

Bob Buckley's novel The Slave Tag finds two college students investigating an unreported murder from 1940.

Bob Buckley’s compelling story, The Slave Tag, is directed by two college students who stumble upon some information about an old, unreported crime. Their interest piqued, the characters eventually follow their research to an unpleasant set of circumstances in the Deep South.

In addition to the discussion of his book, Mr. Buckley (yes, the geocaching expert from previous library programs) will also enlighten his audience on the changed landscape of publishing in today’s world and how it affects authors.

Join fellow booklovers, history enthusiasts and authors for both of these enlightening (and free!) conversations. But don’t say we didn’t warn you—after visiting with these authors, you will be so intrigued by their books that you will just have to purchase your own copies. Happy reading!

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.

If you are a blues fan, you know how great North Mississippi blues is. It catches your ear and then captures your heart with its deep-felt lyrics and haunting melodies.

Let the Cedric Burnside Project shower you with their mixture of blues, funk, R&B and soul for an exhilarating evening of free music Friday, February 3, 2012.

National recording artist Cedric Burnside is one of the modern greats of this genre. And he comes by it naturally, as his grandfather was the legendary blues man R.L. Burnside.

This Friday, February 3, 2012, you will want to be in the audience at The Hangout for a free performance by the Cedric Burnside Project. The main man will be joined by his younger brother, Cody Burnside, on vocals including rap (yes, rap and blues!) and Trenton Ayers on guitar and bass. You’ll discover how amazingly flexible and inventive this trio is as you soak up the sounds of their North Mississippi/Mississippi Hill Country blues, funk, R&B and soul. You might try, but you won’t be able to keep your feet still while they are on stage.

Come early and enjoy your evening meal at The Hangout. Not only will you have a terrific menu to choose from and an energetic atmosphere to enjoy it in, but it will also allow you to claim your favorite spot, as this is a free show with no reserved seating. The music is scheduled for 7–10 p.m. where Highway 59 ends and the fun begins!

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.

Valentine greetings have been popular since the Middle Ages. The first commercially printed Valentine cards in America appeared in the 1840s. Today, an estimated one billion cards are sent each year, often accompanying the popular gifts of candy and flowers.

Make Valentine's Day even more special when you bring your valentine to the beach.

Those gestures are wonderful, sweet, and certainly appreciated by anyone who receives them. But wouldn’t you like to do something a little different for your sweetheart this year? Say “I love you” by creating a wonderful memory together at the beach.

We can help by offering some love to your budget. When you take advantage of the Valentine Special through Meyer Vacation Rentals, you’ll receive TWO free nights. Rent a romantic 1-bedroom beach or bay property for four nights, but just pay for two. That’s a 50% savings!

If you prefer to celebrate the occasion with spacious, private accommodations for the whole family, rent a house for seven nights and get the sixth and seventh nights free.

Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use them for an early check-in and late check-out, allowing for more leisure time along the coast.

So instead of thinking red or pink this Valentine’s Day, think white sands and blue water—and a little extra green in your pocket. Your sweetheart will love you for it.

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.

If you enjoy nature-related discussions and you are in the coastal Alabama area this week, you are in the right place at the right time.

Learn about the Backcountry Trail fire damage and recovery, plus historical and future significance of longleaf pine forests.

This Wednesday, January 25, Philip West will be presenting information on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach, and how the fire of 2011 has affected it. As the Coastal Resources Manager for the City of Orange Beach, Philip will offer an overview of the timber and trail damage as well as the recovery efforts. Admission to this 6:00 p.m. event held at the Senior Activity Center (east of Hwy. 161, on Canal Rd., next to the library) is free and open to the public; you may wish to sign up at the Orange Beach Public Library or via their website.

Author Roger Reid, writer/director/producer of the Emmy award-winning Discovering Alabama television series, and scientist Mark Hainds, research director with the Longleaf Alliance, have collaborated on a presentation regarding longleaf pine forests in Alabama. In this free seminar geared to all ages, they will include historical background and future significance of these ecosystems. Their appearance is scheduled for Friday, January 27, from 4 until 5:30 in the Orange Beach Public Library Meeting Room. You may register at the library or their website.

Enjoy the Backcountry Trail and locate longleaf pine during your next stay with us. You and your significant other can hike and/or bike many areas while using a 1-bedroom Orange Beach condo as your home base. Or bring the entire extended family to the beach for a nature-centered reunion—there’s plenty of room in a 5-bedroom Orange Beach property.

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.

Think ahead to February 5, 2012. It’s the height of the winter season. You need to escape to the beach for a bit of warmth, a change of pace, relaxation . . . and football.

Imagine watching the biggest football game of the year while looking out over the beach. Meyer Vacation Rentals can help make that happen for you!

That combination may not be top of mind, but why not? On Super Bowl Sunday, wouldn’t you love to chuckle at the idea of parkas, hats and gloves to get to and from the stadium as you admire the beach view from your condo?

Let us help you make the decision by sweetening the pot with FREE nights. Pay for 2, 3 or 4 nights in a condo and get an extra night free, or book a house for 3 or 4 nights to get another night free. Better yet, come enjoy the beach life for a week—pay for 5 nights in either a house or condo, and we’ll give you TWO more free nights! (Even if you can’t stay the extra nights, you can use those as a late check in or check out.) You’ll find the details at our Lazy Winter Special page.

If you’d like to watch the big game among a cheering crowd AND play some games (how about a grand prize of $5000?), join the folks at The Hangout for their Super Bowl Sunday party. The first 200 people in the door an hour before kickoff will receive free tailgating food, and the regular menu also will be available.

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.

Love to read? You’re in the right place at the right time.

Stock up on great reading at the Orange Beach Public Library Book Sale this Friday and Saturday.

The Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library host a sale each January, and this year it’s Friday and Saturday, January 13 and 14. (Yes, this weekend!)

Of course, you’re aware of the tremendous variety of reading material found at a library. The sale will naturally reflect that, so no matter what you enjoy reading, you won’t be able to leave empty-handed. The challenge will be how many books you can carry—but multiple armloads are encouraged!

Browse to your heart’s content Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. But don’t go to the library. Instead, you’ll find the book sale at the Orange Beach Community Center, 27235 Canal Rd., just east of Hwy. 161. If you have questions, give the library a call at 251-981-2923.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.