About Shelby County, AL

Are you a wine lover?

There are many opportunities to attend free wine tastings in and around Birmingham.

Here is a list of a few of them.

Tria Market

Fridays, 5-7 p.m.

205-776-8923

The Vintage Wine Shoppe

Fridays, 5-6:30 p.m.

205-980-9995

Western Supermarket - Rocky Ridge Road

Fridays, 5:30-7 p.m.

205-822-5920

Whole Foods Market

Fridays, 5-7 p.m.

Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.

205-912-8400

The Wine Loft

Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

205-323-8228

Wine'd Down

Wednesdays and Fridays, 6-7:30 p.m.

205-988-9463

AREA WINERIES OFFERING FREE TASTINGS AND TOURS

Morgan Creek Vineyards (Harpersville)

Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

205-672-2053

Ozan Vineyards (Calera)

Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

205-668-6926

Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP

BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE

205.902.4868

Keller Williams

One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150

Hoover, AL 35244

Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com

© 2008 Ann Allen, All rights reserved

As we are fast approaching the New Year and a time for New Beginnings in 2009, it is also time to start preparing our

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!

Everyone has their own resolutions to make based on their personal situations and what seems to be important to them at this particular time in their lives. The following are some of the most popular resolutions from the past.

To Lose Weight

To Get Out of Debt

To Save Money

To Get A Better Job

To Exercise More

To Eat More Healthy Food

To Go Back to School

To Stop Drinking

To Quit Smoking

Ahhhh to MAKE the Resolutions is the EASY part!

The challenge is in KEEPING them!

If you truly want to fulfill your Resolution you must

1. Be committed. Whatever you are trying to achieve should have a plan. Set your goals, make your plan and commit yourself to the end result. It all begins with YOU.
   
2. Don't give up. If you have a minor setback, don't give up. So you ate a cookie, that's OK, just don't eat the whole bag. One cigarette? NOT the end of the world, but NOT another one. Couldn't make it to the gym, fine GO tomorrow. But do not give up!
3. Stay Motivated. Write down your goals, share them with close friends, ask for support, give yourself rewards. Do whatever you can to keep a positive attitude toward your success. You CAN succeed!

And remember that there are all kinds of Resolutions that you can make. They don't have to be limited to the typical ones that are most often made, they can be most anything that might make you feel better about yourself, about who you are and who you want to be. And of course it is nice to be rewarded with good comments and pats on the back from the people around you, but the true reward comes from within. That wonderful proud feeling you have when you accomplish your goals!

There is nothing more fulfilling than to be able to say "I did it!" I made my resolutions, set my goals, committed myself to a plan, kept myself motivated and I was successful!

Have you made your New Years Resolutions? What will you change about yourself this year?

NAR, The National Association of Realtors, which is the largest trade organization in the Nation is excited to participate in one of the greatest New Years Day traditions and have a float in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade that will take place on Thursday, January 1, New Years Day in Pasadena, California!

The theme of this 120th Rose Bowl Parade will be Hats Off to Entertainment so NAR has based the theme of their float around "The Swiss Family Robinson" and in conjunction with NAR celebrating it's 100th Anniversary named the float Celebrating the Dream of Home Ownership for 100 Years!

"The Swiss Family Robinson" is a story that has been embraced by the American people as a tribute to the wholesomeness of basic family values. The National Association of Realtors, with its inaugural float, celebrates those values and the true meaning of home ownership.

VIEW THE RENDERING OF THE FLOAT.

What a great time to take part in such a huge celebration and take advantage of an opportunity to remind the American people of one of the most important parts of life, Home Ownership! And what better way than in the words of a song?

NAR has even gone to the extreme of having their own special theme song dedicated to the parade! The famous Charles Fox, composer, along with Oscar winning Marilyn and Alan Bergman have chosen singer Steve Tyrell, a highly regarded balladist to sing the song.

Together they have created an upbeat, feel good song that you can take to your heart and gives you a feeling of "HOME" .....the place where we live our lives.

The following video shares with you the making of this beautiful song that will accompany the float in the parade.

LISTEN TO THE SONG!

And not only can the public watch the parade, this year you can participate in the vote for the Viewers Choice Award to vote for your personal favorite float! WOW, what fun! Let's all inspire the belief of the American Dream of Home Ownership and after watching the parade go to www.ktla.com/roseparade and vote for the NAR float!

VIEW MORE ABOUT THE PARADE OF ROSES

As we wind down from all of the holiday celebrations of Christmas and the meaning of FAMILY is fresh in our minds, lets celebrate the NEW YEAR and the prospect of GREAT things to come! A year of happiness, prosperity and a joyful life.

Life is......a HOME......a SONG......a PARADE!

Santa made an early appearance this afternoon in Pelham AL!

Each Christmas Eve he finds time to ride through every neighborhood in Pelham with a special Fire and Police escort, waving to all the kids and adults.

He rides with his sleigh on top of a firetruck, while his reindeer are back at Santa's Workshop at the North Pole getting ready for a long night of work!

Here is Santa visiting the Ivy Brook neighborhood.....

Courtesy of Ann Allen, e-Pro, SRES, ASP

BIRMINGHAM AREA REAL ESTATE

205.902.4868

Keller Williams

One Chase Corporation Drive, Suite 150

Hoover, AL 35244

Ann@AnnAllenTeam.com

© 2008 Ann Allen, All rights reserved

Photo taken by Ann Allen, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of Ann Allen, Keller Williams Realty, Hoover AL. Please check if Creative Commons License as been granted for this or other photography provided by Ann Allen. Permission usually granted if credit is given with a link back. Thank you for your understanding.