Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Holiday Wish List

Our Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores, which was featured on Animal Planet's "Little Zoo That Could" series, is truly a treasure for residents and visitors. During the holiday season donors are invited to provide special treats for the 270+ animals. A Christmas tree containing ornaments displaying animal photos and their wish list is displayed in the zoo gift shop or you can refer to the holiday wish list below:

Cats and wolves: Frozen chicken, turkey, Cornish game hens, beef roasts, cheap perfume, large-breed chew toys and toys made especially for exotic cats and wolves.

Bears and coati mundi: Frozen chicken, Cornish game hens, fruit bars, Vienna sausages, fresh fruit and vegetables, yogurt, peanut butter, cookies, canned mackerel, canned sardines, PVC tubing, large ropes and toys made especially for exotic animals.

Monkeys: New and used toddler toys, fruit bars, yogurt, pudding pops, dry pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables, mill worms, crickets, grubs and exotic animal toys made specifically for monkeys. ,

Hoofed animals: Alfalfa or timothy hay, sweet feed, peppermint animal crackers, goat feed, sheep feed, fresh fruit and vegetables, corn and exotic animal toys made specifically for hoofed animals.

Birds: Ritz crackers, dry pasta, canned mixed vegetables, mixed nuts, leather straps or rawhide chews, trail mix, tropical bird seed, bird toys, cement perches, metal hanging bowls, scratch, mash, dry corn, rope, medium-sized chains, fresh fruit and vegetables and ratite food.

Reptiles: Frozen chicken, bearded dragon food, water dragon food, canned monitor and tegu food, aquarium accessories, river rocks, silk greenery, UV lighting, heat rocks and aspen bedding.

Rodents and ferrets: Cracked corn, chinchilla dust, chew toys, PVC tubing, aspen bedding, rabbit pellets, sleep sacks, fresh fruit and vegetables and toys made specifically for rodents and ferrets.

Keepers: Rakes, flat shovels, hoses, nozzles, Sevin dust, metal four-wheel lawn carts, mops, buckets, leaf blowers, weed trimmers, lawn mowers, 45-gallon trash cans, power tools and hand tools.

While many of the food items can be found at any grocery store, zoo officials suggest a trio of Web sites when toy shopping for tigers, bears and monkeys: www.naturalbalance.net; www.aussiedog.com.au; and www.boomerball.com.

The zoo will also accept gift certificates to local retailers such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Robertsdale Feed Store and the Elberta Farmers Co-op to purchase items from its wish list in the donors' names.

For more details call the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at 251-968-5732.

To make your holiday zoo visit more affordable enjoy a 25-50% discount on houses and condos for a winter vacation.

Vote NOW for Gulf Shores Vacation Photos

It's time to VOTE for the winner of Meyer Real Estate's "Focus on the Coast" Photo Contest. Over 900 photos were submitted and during a difficult process a group of 20 photos were selected as choices for your vote.

Click here to vote by ranking each photo 1 through 5 (5 being highest). The top ranked photo will win. The winner of the "Focus on the Coast" photo contest will receive a 3-night spring vacation at the beach and no doubt will capture more photos when he or she visits again.

Many more photos exemplified the relaxation and the fun of the coast and you will see these displayed in Meyer promotions over the next few months.

We are thankful for all the photos we received and we also appreciate your role in choosing the winner.

Have a Happy Coastal Thanksgiving at Gulf Shores

Break from the typical tradition this Thanksgiving and spend your holiday with family and friends on the Alabama or Florida Gulf Coast and create a new tradition.

In addition to the total and complete relaxation of a quiet stroll on the beach collecting shells or collecting your thoughts, there are other ways to entertain yourself. Check out The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, the Ferris wheel at The Wharf , the roller coaster at Waterville USA, The Rave and Cobb Pinnacle movie theaters, Gulf Bowl Family Entertainment Center, go-carts at The Track Family Recreation Center, Adventure Island Amusement Park and Pirate's Island Adventure Golf, all offering great family fun.

No worries about food since several restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving day either serving their usual seafood delicacies or a more traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sure your mouth will water when you review the list.

And then there is shopping to be done and bargains to explore. Begin your shopping adventure at midnight on Thanksgiving at over 120 stores at
Midnight Madness at Tanger Outlet in Foley (15 minutes north of the beach).

For an extra special treat your holiday accommodations at Meyer Real Estate are discounted 50% on condos and 25% on houses (4-night minimum). We will enjoy welcoming you to the coast for a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Affordable Gourmet Dining Near Gulf Shores Island

Gourmet cuisine in a beautiful setting without the usual gourmet prices is a rare discovery.

Famous local Chef Greg Buschmohle is once again delighting the palates of diners at Magnolia Court Cafe, a newly opened fine dining restaurant in downtown Foley. Magnolia Court Cafe is truly a unique experience combining the culinary talents of Chef Buschmohle with the beauty of this new restaurant that has the look and feel of a southern mansion. You’ll love the menu and you’ll love the affordable prices even more.

The Lunch Menu includes entree salads that are light but filling, a great variety of sandwiches and small plates such as Grilled Oysters, Shrimp and Grits and Crab Fritters The Dinner Menu at Magnolia Court Cafe changes seasonally and includes Fresh Fish Catch; Shrimp au Gratin; Crab Encrusted Fresh Grouper; a variety of chicken, pork and steak dinners plus your choice of a sandwich or burger.

This lovely venue, located on Hwy. 59 near the intersection of Hwy. 98 in Foley, is well worth the 15-minute trip from the beach. For a romantic weekend select a wonderful one-bedroom condo on the spectacular gulf or picturesque backwaters from Meyer Real Estate's diverse list of possibilities and choose Magnolia Court Cafe for dinner sure to delight both of you.