Archive for the ‘Alabama’ Category
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Alabama
February 2nd, 2011
A museum built to remember revolution and reconciliation, it also serves as an institute for research.
520 16th St. N.
Birmingham, Alabama
205-328-9696
Type of Admission: Free
BCRI’s Richard Arrington, Jr. Resource Gallery offers an interactive multimedia experience to visitors who access oral history interview clips and other materials about movements for civil and human rights.
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Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
February 1st, 2011
The museum honors great jazz artists with ties to the state of Alabama. While furnishing educational information, the museum is also a place for entertainment.
4th Ave. & 17th St., N;
Birmingham, Alabama
205-254-2720
Type of Admission: Free
Cleve Eaton, Dr. Frank Adams, Ray Reach, and other giants of Alabama jazz are scheduled to participate in a panel discussion titled “The Roots of Jazz Music in Alabama” to promote the Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s 2011 Year of Alabama Music.
The program is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, February 4, at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham, 1631 4th Avenue North. The event is free and open to the public.
Eaton, an Alabama Music Hall of Fame 2008 Inductee and jazz bassist, and Adams, a charter member of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame are joined on the panel by Ray Reach, the director of student jazz programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and a jazz pianist. The event will be moderated by Natalie Elliott, Editorial Editor of the Oxford American Magazine and an Alabama native.
“We are excited to bring this wonderful lineup of panelists to Birmingham,” says Dixie says Dixie Connell, marketing director for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.”This is sure to be an engaging and enlightening event for not only jazz lovers but lovers of all music,” says Connell.
The panel will host several student groups as well as representatives of Urban Impact, a non-profit agency serving the interests of Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District.
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The Birmingham Zoo in Alabama
February 1st, 2011
Over 1000 animals are at home in this Zoo – a very popular Birmingham attraction.
2630 Cahaba Road
Birmingham, Alabama
205-879-0458
Type of Admission: Free
The Birmingham Zoo
The first post-war support for a new zoo came from the Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1946 Elton B. Stephens chaired a Jaycee committee to create a zoo. Planning and discussion continued until 1949. City Mayor James R. Morgan was a key supporter and instrumental in the success of this new initiative. A Zoo commission was established and decided to build the Zoo on 50 acres of land with a budget of $250,000. The budget would be spent to build Monkey Island, an elephant house, bear moat, birdhouse, snake pit and seal pool. Funds were raised through private donations, charter memberships, and in-kind donations from a broad base of community and business supporters. Monkey Island, the Zoo’s first official exhibit, was dedicated on April 2, 1955. The Birmingham Zoo operated as a quasi-private venture until the City Commission decided to assume responsibility in November 1955 with an initial annual budget of $663,000. Some years later the Birmingham Zoological Society was created to raise funds to supplement the escalating Zoo needs. Tamarin
During the ensuing decades the City of Birmingham had many needs more important in human terms than the Zoo. Such was the case with many municipal zoos, and Birmingham was no different. Funding for the Zoo was inadequate to maintain and operate it at acceptable professional standards. A series of Master Plans were developed but never came to fruition due to lack of funding. The need for significant improvements became increasingly evident by the 1990s. With so many financial demands on the city taking precedence and no leadership when it was needed most, the Zoo lost accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).
A Five Year Success StoryFountain
As with many endeavors it takes the right people at the right place and the right time to come together with an esprit de corps and undeterred commitment to make things happen.
In 1999 Mayor Richard Arrington led the way for privatization of the Zoo, recruiting strong community leaders to serve as the first Board of Directors of a new organization, Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI). The new organization established a transitional funding package with contributions from four government entities to support BZI during its first five years of operation.
BZI is now in its eleventh fiscal year as a private, non-profit organization. An intense 18-month effort addressed the most pressing and immediate problems so that the Zoo could become accredited by the AZA once again, ranking the Zoo in the top 10 percent of animal holding facilities in the nation. The Zoo also received 501 (c)(3) status from the IRS, and the Zoo’s first major capital campaign was launched in January 2001. In 2006, the Zoo was ranked as the number one tourist attraction in the state of Alabama.
William R. Foster, DVM, joined the Zoo as Chief Executive Officer in January 2004. Foster, a veterinarian and leading zoo management authority on the national scene, is Past President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and was president and executive director of the Louisville Zoo for many years.
Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!Submit it HERE under add the location form.
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Things to Do in Beckley West Virginia
May 4th, 2010
Things to Do in Beckley West Virginia
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Staycation in Kansa City – Country Club Plaza
April 15th, 2010
Modeled after traditional areas of the Spanish port city Seville, the Country Club Plaza is Kansas City’s most well-known strip of retail shops, restaurants and attractions. It’s easy to stroll down the Plaza and not spend a dime, taking in instead the sense of bustling activity and historic and aesthetic beauty of the architecture that separates the area from other shopping districts.
They are located at
310 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64112
816-561-3456
For more info about the country club plaza check out their web site:
www.countryclubplaza.com
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Staycation in South Dakota’s Indian Creek Recreation Area
March 10th, 2010
The rolling hills and beautiful river views make this park an excellent place to camp picnic and explore. Park visitors will find new adventure in this rugged land explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, cowboys used the area to fatten thousands of cattle for shipment south
Nature
Indian Creek Recreation Area offers over 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails. Along any of the three trails, a person can spot a variety of wildlife, from deer, raccoons, beavers, and bull snakes to turkeys, pheasants, gyrfalcons, and orchard orioles. Or, maybe you just want to take stroll with that special someone or spend some quality time with the family. Click here for a printable trail map and guide of the trails.
Resort Info
Bridge City Marina and Resort offers boats slip rental, floating fuel dock, bait, guide service, c-store and several modern cabins. The facility is privately operated under agreement with the Division of Parks and Recreation. Contact by phone: (605) 845-9129.
Contact them
Indian Creek
Recreation Area
12905 288th Ave.
Mobridge, SD 57601
(605) 845-7112
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Grand Canyon Deer Farm Petting Zoo – Staycation Arizona
February 13th, 2010
Since 1969, the Deer Farm is a great place to bring your children to teach them about animals as well as how to interact with animals.
When you first enter the farm you are greeted by “Mozart” and “Sparky” our talking birds.
We have a large variety of animals residing at the farm, including Reindeer, Axis Deer, Talking Birds, Wallabies, Coatimundi, Marmosets, Mini Cattle, a new Baby Camel and two Baby Bison.
Click here for a Grand Canyon Deer Farm Petting Zoo coupon.
Season: Open year round
Price: $5 – $8.50
Price Details:
Adults: $8.50
Seniors 62+: $7.50
Children 3-13: $5
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Hiking & Biking On a West Virginia Staycation
February 8th, 2010
Hiking Trails
Walking in the woods is a great way to spend time when you visit southern West Virginia. If you enjoy nature trails it’s hard to imagine a place with more to offer you. Between our 12 state parks and forests, as well as three areas managed by the National Park Service, there’s hiking to spare for everyone.
ATV and Motorsports
West Virginia is rapidly becoming the center of the ATV world. Much of that has to do with our passion for motorsports, and mountains. But also, we have the largest contiguous trail system, in the Unites States. Our southern mountains are the onramp for pure riding pleasure.
Mountain Biking
Come ride the mountains. Mountain biking on trails, singletrack, or old dirt roads is one of the great attractions in our area. West Virginia is a biker’s heaven, with great rides, great shops, and friendly local riders.
Horseback Riding
Getting on a horse is always a fun addition to a vacation. Here, you can see gorgeous vistas and ride through deep valleys, all with expert cowboys and cowgirls to help guide you.
Caving
Curious about getting underground? The porous limestone of our eastern counties has created some of the most well known and well loved caves in North America.
Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!Submit it HERE under add the location form.
Have FUN!
Staycation in New York City The Staten Island Ferry
January 20th, 2010
Want to see the New York Harbor up close? The Staten Island Ferry serves commuters traveling between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, but visitors looking to see New York City’s working waterfront (& the Statue of Liberty) will enjoy the free ride across the New York Harbor.
- Staten Island Ferry Addresses
- Manhattan: Whitehall and Water St
New York, NY 10006 (Map) - Staten Island: 1 Bay St.
Staten Island, NY 10301
- Manhattan: Whitehall and Water St
- Staten Island Ferry Phone: 718-815-BOAT
- Staten Island Ferry Cross Streets In Manhattan, Whitehall and Water Streets, at the water’s edge.
Each leg of the ferry takes half an hour.
But it’s a real treat for those on a budget.
The ferry, which runs frequently enough that if you just show up, one is probably not far off, offers a wonderful view of the harbor and all it has to offer. Among the sights to take in from either side of the vessel, are Governor’s Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, lower Manhattan and Wall Street’s skyscrapers, Ellis Island, and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge connecting Staten Island to Brooklyn.
Hop aboard. Or rather, push on board through the cattle-car feeling entranceway, and take a seat. If you want one of the seats on the benches on the borders of the boat, to overlook the harbor, grab one fast because they fill up quickly. Take the ride back and forth if you wish. Each leg is half an hour. Switch sides so you can take in all views. And as it pulls in to Manhattan, take a walk up to the front of the boat and bring your camera-it’s a great view you won’t want to miss.
- No cars are allowed on the ferry.
- Even on a warm day, a jacket is recommended. It is windy on the ride, and even when not sitting outside taking in the view, the interior of the ferry is breezy and cool.
- You’ll need to get off the ferry and reboard once it’s reached its destination if you would like to make the loop.
- The Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, home of the minor league Staten Island Yankees, is within walking distance of the Staten Island port of the ferry.
- If you’re waiting in Manhattan, next door is Battery Park, complete with a distant view of Ms. Liberty, a nice place to wait if you have time before your ferry arrives-which you can see coming from a distance and have plenty of time to walk to from the park. Staycation Directory is a personal courtesy, I compile the venues on my own time for your convenience. Sorry if you area is not yet covered. If you have a staycation idea or know a cool place that you would like to share with us? We are looking for some great local ideas especially for your hometown!
Submit it HERE under add the location form.
Have FUN!
Staycation in LA
December 21st, 2009
Los Angeles, CA Vacation Packages
Stay close to home and take advantage of affordable summer staycation packages at premier hotels in Downtown Los Angeles.