It was a very merry Christmas for the unwanted animals abandoned in Mobile County this month. In an unfamiliar scenario this week, every single dog and cat in adoptions at the Mobile County Animal Shelter this week was rescued or found a permanent home for the holidays. Turnout has been big during the month, in large part because of a $3,000 donation from an anonymous couple and media coverage. We have enough money left from the $3000 gift to adopt out approximately 40 more animals at $25 each. We currently have 8 animals in adoption and approximately 20 intake cards of animals becoming available through the end of the year. We will not exhaust all of the money donated and will be able to use some for specials/events scheduled in 2014.

 

For more information or to view the adoptable animals contact the Mobile County Animal Shelter at 574-3647 or Click Here to view the MCAS website. 

KEEP MOBILE BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING
 
When: Now through Wednesday, January 8, 2014 (Trees may be delivered at any time to the six recycling stations, but KMB volunteers will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 28 and 29 and January 4 through 5 to assist with tree unloading.)

Where: Parkway Plaza, 2655 Dauphin Island Parkway; 2501 Government Blvd. (next to Whataburger); Wildwood Shopping Center, 4055 Cottage Hill west of Azalea Road; the corner of Airport and University boulevards, behind the BP Station; Westwood Plaza at Airport Boulevard at Schillinger Road; and MAWSS Park Forest Center, Moffett Road at Forest Hill Drive. 

 

KMB will again collect used Christmas trees to be ground into mulch, which will be given out for free on a first-come, first-served basis at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds on Saturday, January 11, 2014. After you've removed all ornaments, tinsel and lights, you may drop off your tree, though flocked trees can't be recycled. Used Christmas tree lights can be recycled at the Metro Mobile Recycling Drop-Off Center at 1451 Government Street.

When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Now through Tuesday, December 31 (Closed January 1, 2014)

Where: Bellingrath Gardens and Home, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore  

Take a special trip to the North Pole at this year's Magic Christmas in Lights. Guests who stroll through the Gardens will see more than three million sparkling lights in nearly 1,000 displays throughout the 65-acre estate. Enjoy live holiday music, see the Bellingrath Museum Home decorated in its holiday finery, and savor a bite at the Magnolia Café, serving lunch and dinner.  

Cost: Adults $15; Children 5 through 12, $7; and Children 4 and under are free. Discounted tickets available for advanced purchase.  

For more information contact Bellingrath Gardens and Home at 973-2217 or Click Here.

Looking for a great, family friendly way to ring in the New Year? Search no further because the Exploreum has you covered. Instead of battling the crowds into the wee hours of the morning, come celebrate for "Happy NOON Year". You can also catch the wonderful "To The Arctic" movie before it closes on January 5.

Cost: Free for Exploreum members, General admission for non-members

For more information call 208-6849 or Click Here to view the Exploreum website. 

FUSE PROJECT NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

When:

Where: Downtown Mobile, Click Here to view an event map.   

5 to 6 p.m. - Local Act I SING performs on Bienville Square Stage and The Wolf Gambino Trio performs on Riverview Plaza Stage.

6 to 9 p.m. - Children's Activities and local live entertainment begin at Riverview Plaza Stage and Bienville Square. The Museum of Mobile, Exploreum and Carnival Museum will also be open and will have children's activities.

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Local Act Kyle and Karl perform on Riverview Plaza Stage.

6:30 to 7:45 p.m. - Local Act Worx performs on Bienville Square Stage.

7 p.m. - Giant edible MoonPie provided by Chattanooga Bakery begins serving at Riverview Plaza. Mayor Sandy Stimpson and City Council Vice President Fred Richardson will make the first slice.

7:30 p.m. - New Year's Eve Parade

The downtown parade will feature some of Mobile's best Mardi Gras floats and marching bands. As America's first Mardi Gras, Mobile takes great pride in this family-friendly celebration.

8:30 to 10 p.m. - Local Act Less Than Stellar perform on Riverview Plaza Stage

8:45 p.m. - Opening ceremony and remarks on Austal Stage.

Mobile's elected officials will officially kick off the MoonPie Over Mobile celebration and help prepare the crowd to welcome the New Year and Mardi Gras season.

9 to 10:30 p.m. - Opening act Latimore performs on Austal Stage.

11 p.m. - Gretchen Wilson performs on Austal Stage.

11:30 p.m. - Light show begins downtown

Gretchen Wilson will continue to perform as the lights of RSA Battle House Tower and the Renaissance Riverview Plaza put on a light show for the crowd.

11:59 p.m. - Countdown starts as the giant MoonPie descends from atop the RSA Trustmark Building.

Midnight - Laser and fireworks show over downtown Mobile.

In addition to the giant MoonPie and laser show on the RSA Trustmark Building, Mobile will have four synchronized fireworks shows to help properly welcome 2014.

12:30 a.m. - Gretchen Wilson performance concludes

For more information contact the City of Mobile Neighborhood and Community Services at 208-7540 or Click Here to view the event website.

EXPLOREUM WINTER CAMP    

When: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3

Thursday, January 2  

Get ready for falling moon pies, crackers, and confetti...wait or is it dancing dragons, lentils, and throwing water on each other. Grab your passport and travel around the world celebrating new years in many different ways.  

Friday, January 3  

There may not be snow, but that doesn't mean you can't have a jolly good time! Join in for a day of winter Olympics style games! Learn about curling, skiing, and much more.   

Cost: $40 for members and $56 for non-members per day. Campers must bring lunch and snack.

Contact the Exploreum Education Department at dcomeaux@exploreum.com or call 208-6849.

GREER'S/AL.COM/PRESS-REGISTER MARDI GRAS PARADE

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2014 

Where: Downtown Mobile, Click Here to view the parade route. 

This GoDaddy Bowl event features sixteen Mardi Gras societies represented with floats and throws for the crowd, local high school marching bands, and the bands and cheerleaders from each participating Bowl team. A huge crowd is expected to pack the streets of downtown Mobile for this early rendition of the Mardi Gras season. Immediately following the parade, a fireworks display over the Mobile River will highlight the festivities and set the tone for the official pre-game pep rallies and street party. Following the Spectronics fireworks display, the party will move to Water Street and South Plaza for team pep rallies and a street party with live music and refreshments to end the evening.

GODADDY BOWL

When: 8 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 2014 

Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium

A national television audience will tune in to ESPN for the 15th Annual GoDaddy Bowl featuring the SunBelt Conference (Arkansas State University) vs. the Mid-American Conference (Ball State University). The GoDaddy Bowl has built a reputation of fielding some of the most competitive and exciting games of the Bowl season. The game has featured incredible performances by future NFL standouts LaDanian Tomlinson, Byron Leftwich and Ben Roethlisberger.

For more information on GoDaddy Bowl events or to purchase tickets to the game call 635-0011 or Click Here to view the GoDaddy Bowl website. 

49TH ANNIVERSARY AT THE USS ALABAMA BATTLESHIP

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, January 9, 2014

Where: USS Alabama Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway, Causeway 

January 9, 2014 marks the 49th anniversary of the opening of USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. In celebration of this anniversary, FREE admission will be offered to all Alabamians with a valid Alabama ID.  

For more information call 433-2703 or Click Here to view the USS Alabama Battleship website. 

SERVIS 1ST BANK FIRST LIGHT MARATHON

When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, January 12, 2014 

Where: Click Here to view course maps.

This run features a pre-event pasta dinner, new courses for the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5-person relay, and 1.2 mile fun-run and benefits L'Arche of Mobile, a non-profit agency that serves those with intellectual disabilities.

For more information or to register call 438-2094, Click Here to view the marathon website or Click Here to download a brochure and registration information.   

For more information on City of Mobile events Click Here.