The Gulf Coast area has seen significant population growth over the last fifty years, according to the results of a new census report.  U.S. coastal counties along the Gulf experienced a sharp jump in population with statistics indicating a 150 percent increase since 1960, with about 14 million residents.  This growth is higher than all other regions as well as twice the rate of increase experienced in the nation as a whole.  Much of this growth is attributed to the affordable living in the South and Southeast area.

For more on this story and other Mobile AL news, visit Al.com.

And for more on buying and selling real estate in the beautiful Gulf Coast AL area, contact expert realtor Barbara Reeves today.

This weekend kicks off the Healthy Coast Week in the Gulf Coast.  This week of activities is scheduled from May 2nd to the 8th and is brought to the Gulf Coast by the Smart Coast Healthy Coastal Connections Project.

Starting on Sunday, May 2nd, is the Smart Ride to LuLu’s, which is a 50K bicycle ride starting in Fairhope and ending with a party at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores.  Other events scheduled for Healthy Coast week include a school Smart Walk, a book signing and reading by Mary Collins (author of a new book called “American Idle”), and information sessions on Transportation planning, laws and policy for cycling and motorist safety, and a panel discussion seminar.  The week will end with the Village Point Park Hike that begins at 4:30pm on May 8th.

For more information on Healthy Coast Week in Baldwin County AL, visit Baldwin County Now online.

For more information on buying or selling property in the Gulf Coast of AL, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

In Gulf Shores, AL the beaches are going to look their best with the Clean Coast Expo.  This year is the 2nd Annual Clean Coast Expo scheduled for Thursday April 22nd.  This event is organized by the Clean Coast Partnership, which is comprised of city, state, business and individual efforts cooperating together to bring awareness to keeping the beaches clean.  The Expo is free of charge and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with exhibitors that will showcase environmentally friendly products, recycling methods, tours, and information on green building, clean marinas and bio diesel.  Helping the community as well as seasonal visitors understand the importance of keeping the beaches looking beautiful is what the Clean Coast Expo is all about.

For more information on Expo exhibits and other activities visit Baldwincountynow.com.

And for information on buying or selling property in the Gulf Coast of AL, contact local agent Barbara Reeves today.

A recent vote in Alabama by the House Constitution and Elections Committee was in favor of a bill that would divide Alabama’s electors proportionately.  In a 7-5 vote, a House committee approved the bill to scrap the current ‘winner-take-all- system’ that divides Alabama’s nine electors in presidential elections.  Though Democrats on the panel were in support of the bill as it would allow people voting for the losing candidate to feel like they are still part of the process, Republicans debate that this would only work if all states employed this system as well.  The bill will now be facing a decision at the House, and the bill will be further discussed pending approval or rejection.

For more on the latest news in Alabama, including Mobile and West Mobile, visit Al.com.

For more on buying or selling property in Mobile or West Mobile AL, contact local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent Baldwin County News article, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami will be issuing watches and warnings for storms earlier than ever before.  With advancements in track forecasts, a greater lead time for costal storms is made possible starting this year; the estimated new lead time for watches and warnings will be issued 12 additional hours earlier than in previous years, making it possible for residents to prepare for what may be coming.

For more on the NHC’s new technology in watching tropical storms, visit Baldwin County Now.

For more information on buying or selling property in Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Daphne, or Spanish Fort AL, contact your local, knowledgeable realtor Barbara Reeves.

There will be a few new changes to the beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast area for 2010.  These new policies include moving forward with the addition of more lifeguards and widening the area along the coast that they will patrol.  The key concerns for 2010 are improving beach operations through more focus on safety and cleanliness.  City officials also put forth a series of new beach policies that would regulate the use of personal watercrafts and limit where tents and heavy beach chairs can be positioned on the coast.

For more on beach policies in Alabama’s Gulf Coast region, visit Press Register online.

For more on available property in Gulf Coast AL, including  Mobile, West Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Daphne AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

The Orange Beach AL contest “Light up Orange Beach” will be held on December 21st this year.  The contest features two classifications to enter, one being residential and the other being commercial, condominium, and businesses.  There will be winners selected for each category with cash prizes for first, second and third place for residential and a first place award and certificate of merit for the commercial, condominium, and business category.  This annual contest will take place at the Orange Beach Garden Club and be judged in the evening of December 21st by members of the Garden Club; judges will consider overall appearance, creative use of decorations, condition of lighting and inflatable blow-ups, and effective use of space.

For information on how to enter the “Light up Orange Beach” contest visit the Press Register online.

For more information on real estate in Gulf Coast AL, including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort AL contact your local realtor Barbara Reeves today.

A recent City Council meeting unanimously approved a new budget for 2010 in Gulf Shores AL that is expected to reserve $1 million in funds.  For this 2010 budget, a reasonable increase in revenue is also anticipated and more control on expenses.  Also information about 2009 city revenue was given which showed revenues at about $24.6 million so far, which is higher than the predicted $23.5 million.  City officials hope that this coming year’s budget will pan out as expected allowing increased efficiency and less spending on the day-to-day costs.

For more information on economic conditions in Gulf Coast AL, visit Al.com.

For more information on real estate in Gulf Coast AL contact your friendly local agent Barbara Reeves today.

Holiday Events in Gulf Coast AL

The holiday calendar in Gulf Coast AL is packed with great entertainment for the entire family.  There will be a Christmas Tree Maze event starting on Dec. 3rd and running through Saturday, presented by the Daphne Optimist Club and Fish River Trees.  This family fun event located at the Chick-fil-A in Daphne AL will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day and give children an opportunity to explore the maze and donate a toy to charity.
And don’t miss the City of Gulf Shores Tree Lighting on Dec. 3rd beginning at 6 p.m. at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.  At the Tree Lighting activity, refreshments and entertainment will be provided and expect a visit from Santa later in the evening.

Starting on Dec 12th is the Gulf Coast Ballet in Orange Beach’s production of “The Nutcracker.” This ballet performance will take place at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores and feature over 80 local dancers and begin at 7p.m. with tickets available for $10 per person with children 5 years of age or younger admitted for $5 per child.

For more upcoming events in Gulf Coast AL this holiday season, visit the Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate in Daphne, Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Mobile and West Mobile AL contact Barbara Reeves today.

According to a recent report in the Press-Register, the owners of Homeport Marina have requested that the City Council rezone approximately 25 acres of land on the Intracoastal Waterway in order to accommodate a hotel and conference center.  The plans for this Gulf Coast AL project include a 250-room hotel, a conference center at about 40,000 sq ft in size, three restaurants, three retail buildings, a 500-space parking deck and a ferry terminal.  In order to accommodate these massive plans, East 28th Avenue would have to be moved northward otherwise the east-west portion of this avenue would bisect the hotel’s planned space.  The Planning Commission already voted unanimously in favor of the original designs in June and the vote for zoning is expected to happen in the next month.
For more information on the Homeport Marina plans in Gulf Shores AL visit the Press-Register online.

For more information on real estate on Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Mobile, West Mobile, Daphne, Spanish Fort, and Fairhope contact your local agent Barbara Reeves today.