For 40 years now Cloudmont Ski Resort has been open in Alabama.  They have the pride of being the Ski slope farthest South in the Southeast United States.  Of course it is "man made" snow, but what fun it is.  The snow blowing machines allow Cloudmont to start making the glittering snow when the temperature drops below 28 degrees.  Cloudmont ski resort includes two one-thousand foot, beginner-intermediate slopes.  Two "pony lifts" take skiers to the top of the slopes that have an elevation of 1,800 feet and a vertical rise of 150 feet.                                            Quality machine-made snow provides a deep base to hold the snow through the warmer days with snow grooming equipment when necessary. Cloudmont Ski Resort is open daily during season - weekends & holidays - 9 a.m.... 01/04/2010

Is the weather outside too cold for you?  Do you want to enjoy some lights but it is raining?  Do you and your children want to see some snow?  Then a Ruby Red Christmas is for you. Plan on a visit to Ruby Falls where it is always 58 degrees.  Christmas time is a great time to visit the Falls.  There are several activities for the whole family.   As you approach the Cavern Castle, it's snowing! You will meet wonderful costumed characters as you are surrounded by holiday acoustical music. Listen to Mrs. Claus read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and after your tour of the cave and waterfall, visit the North Pole Workshop for festive activities! Ruby Falls is proud to feature LED lighting throughout the castle and waterfall, making the holiday experience even that much brighter! Finish t... 11/22/2009

If you are in the Mentone area there is something fun for the holiday season, Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights is a holiday tradition where families and friends come together to create shared memories during the holiday season. Rock City is just a few miles down the road on Lookout Mountain Parkway.   Create a cool new tradition this year as the Enchanted Garden of Lights celebrates its 15th year featuring the North Pole Adventure. This award-winning, light extravaganza features more than 30 holiday scenes and over a million lights (with new LED's) that transform the garden’s natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland.   ·          See snow and visit with St. Nick and his elves at the North Pole Adventure! ·          See elves harvesting candy canes and building toys! ... 11/22/2009

November 6, 2009   The weather is going to be great this weekend and there is a lot to do and see.   First of all, don't forget the Rattling Gourd Arts Festival down in Summerville.  It is at the Chattooga County Civic Center on Saturday from 9-5 Eastern and 11-5 on Sunday.  There will be plenty fine arts, crafts, food, music, demonstrations and affordable gifts.  You will have a great time!   If a drive to Summerville is not your cup of tea, try Canyon Fest at the JSU Little River Canyon Center.  It will be held on Saturday from 10-3 Central Time and will feature art, children's activities, musical performances and lots of good food.   If you would like to learn how to do something new, you might want to attend the paperweight Class from 9-1 on Saturday at Orbix Glass.  The cost is $1... 11/06/2009

 Beginning with Friday night, there is a workshop on how to make glass paperweights at Orbix Glass.  The workshop is from 5:00 to 9:00 and costs $130.  You will make two paperweights during the class and they are great looking.  Call Cal Breed at 256-523-3188 to make your reservation.   On Saturday, stop by the Mentone Realty Building an take in Alabama Waterways, A Photographic Celebration.  It is a collection of photographs by some of Alabama's premier photographers,  put together by the Alabama Rivers Alliance.  The display which was brought to Mentone by the Mentone Area Arts Council is open on Saturday from 10:00 until 4:00, and from 12:00 untio 4:00 on Sunday.  The exhibit is also open during the week from 9:00 until 4:00.  The exhibit will remain on display until Sunday, November... 10/07/2009

Gallery Schedule & Class/Event Description/Schedule Fall/Holiday 2009 ________________________________________________________________________   Fall/Holiday Hours:      Monday thru Friday  10am - 3pm                 (Sept.-Dec.)                Saturday 9am - 4pm                          OR By Appointment              Note:  Gallery is open on days that classes are held  Gallery will be open on Nov. 27 (the day after       Thanksgiving) -------------------------------------------------------------------Open Studio:Fall 2009  Sat  Oct 24th 9-5                        This annual event is the highlight of the Fall at Orbix Hot Glass.  Glass-blowing demonstrations take place all day and there are opportunities for you and your family to blow a Christmas ornament. Groups of ten or more are a... 10/07/2009

There is a lot going on in the area this weekend and some great activities coming up in the next few weeks.   This weekend, you might want to start with a short drive to Chattanooga for a special reception for Harry Krippes at the Lookout Mountain Gallery located next to the Mt. Vernon Restaurant on Broad Street (near the incline).  Harry specializes in metal art and does some incredible images of horses and long horned steers.  You will enjoy seeing his work and the work of many other talented artists showing their work there.  The reception begins at 6:00 EDT.    Also, there is a Gallery Hop in Chattanooga on Saturday from 12:00 until 9:00 PM.  You might want to start at Bill Shores Frames and Gallery or the InTown Gallery on the North Shore where information will be available for the... 09/09/2009

Hello Everyone,   Please read the linked press release about an intro viewing of Ken Burns new NPS documentary at the Canyon Center. This will be a great one to attend.    http://www.jsunews.com/news/?newsID=181   08/22/2009

Hi Everyone, I believe that I know the answer to the senario that I am about to write, but I want to make sure and it doesn't hurt us to have a lesson now and then.  Here is the scene: A buyer contacts an agent in a different state than where the buyer currently lives.  The agent at no time states how she is representing the buyer, however, does state that the state is a buyer beware state.  Once the agent has shown several houses and the buyer decides on one and the negotiations are verbally done, the agent lets the buyer know she is working for the seller as a single agent and the buyer as a transaction broker.  The buyer does some research on this and finds that nearly all of the agents in the area work this way.  Questions?  I have two...is it possible for the agent to even work as ... 07/21/2009

Mentone, Fort  Payne,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Sand Mountain September 11 Appreciation Day for First Responders Santa Fe Cattle Co. invites you to come and show your appreciation to our National Heroes.  This is and all day event honoring our Fire, Police, EMS, and Military Personnel. 256-844-9422 September 12 - 13 Family Weekend DeSoto State Park JSU Field Schools and DeSoto State Park will offer fun activities Friday night, all day Saturday and Saturday night for families who want to learn about nature together. Join JSU Dr. Jim Rayburn for fun live animal Campfire Talks Friday and  Saturday night. 256-782-5697 September 12 Wild Cave Tour Go beyond where the average tourist explores!  This 2.5 hour adventure is for those of you ready to explore on your knees, on your belly, in the mud... 09/09/2008

Mentone has it all! Excellent restaurants, cozy cabins, bed and breakfasts, historic hotels, lodges, Desoto State Park, and of course camps. Mentone literally means, "musical mountain spring," and while natural cascades and rippling streams create a melody all their own, it's the sound of church chimes and harmonizing home folk that draw the most interest, musically, today. As a special place, Mentone qualifies naturally!  It simply has everything good you'd expect to find in a mountain environment -- clean streams; lush fragrant flora; unobstructed vistas; cool temperatures; and a certain peacefulness so hard to find nowadays.  The air here is clear and crisp.  There are no flashing neon signs -- no shopping malls -- no traffic jams.  There's almost nothing to remind you of the city.  ... 09/07/2008

T.A.G BLUESFEST 2008 is coming to Mentone, Alabama. THE T.A.G. BLUES SOCIETY, MAPA  AND THE MENTONE INN  PRESENT OUR SECOND ANNUAL  T.A.G. BLUESFEST  ON THE GROUNDS OF THE  MENTONE INN 6139 Al. Hwy 117 Mentone, Al. SATURDAY 12-10 PM -SUNDAY 11-4PM SEPTEMBER 27-28TH   Wristbands will be available at the event for a donation toward the care and feeding of the artists!   THE LINE UP INCLUDES: TIN FEET, THE ALABAMA GRAVY SOPPERS, BO ADAMS, BILLYJIM SHENKAR, PENSACOLA REESE, THE DELTA FLYERS, MELISSA SIGLER, BROKEN, CHASMUSIC, BLACK SKILLET AND MEMPHIS ANNIE ENJOY TWO DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC, ARTS, CRAFTS, AN OLD FASHIONED CAKEWALK, DRAWINGS AND PRIZES, STORYTELLING AND MORE WITH FINGERLICKIN' BBQ BY CHEF TONY AT WINDWOOD FARMS If you have never visited Mentone, Alabama before, now is the time.  ... 09/06/2008

We have great news. The JSU Canyon Center continues to near its construction completion - ahead of schedule! Jacksonville State Univeristy has teamed up with the National Parks to develop a Center that will bring visitors from around the world to Little River Canyon-- The Grand Canyon of the East What a great opportunity for us in the DeKalb County area.  This Center will help increase traffic to our area.  Be sure and check out the YouTube video.  . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-2WjqHSyJ8 We will keep you informed about the grand opening so you can plan to attend. The formal grand opening will be scheduled for late February of 2009.      09/06/2008

Mentone Alabama: A History By Zora Shay Strayhorn Copyright © 2001 Mentone Area Preservation Association, Inc.  All rights reserved. An Overview Mentone, a place where Indians used to roam and call home Mentone, a place full of lore, history, and soul mending. --C. V. J. BREWER, Menlo, Georgia Like the stars that come out at night to brighten the night sky and to fade at dawn, so in a way is the town of Mentone, Alabama, ephemeral. At times past it has sparkled brilliantly; at times faded, only to return and radiate its quiet charm. The name Mentone is from two root words: The Latin "mens" meaning mind; the Latin root word "tonus," and the Greek root word "tonus": a stretching, i.e., the name Mentone means "Toning of the Mind" or "Mind Stretching." Maybe "Mind Boggling" would be a bette... 09/05/2008

October 18-19         Arts & Crafts Festival As the summer fades to autumn, leaves of crimson and gold begin to fall.  Swirling clouds of sparkling embers rise from a bonfire like fireflies bringing warmth to the crisp autumn night.  Mentone opens her arms to welcome one and all to Colorfest and the beauty of the mountain with its colorful splendor that comes only with the fall. Come to Mentone to the Annual Mentone Colorfest.  It is a beautiful time of the year just to drive down Scenic Hwy 89 or to go to DeSoto State Park or the falls.  But at The Brow Park there is so much more to see and do on this special weekend.  Many Fine Art vendors and crafters will be selling their arts, music will fill the air, dancers will entertain you, a good variety of food will be available.  The festiv... 09/05/2008

Stay calm, even if you are angry. Be assertive without being aggressive. Be clear about what you want while remaining polite. Back up your claim in writing wherever possible. Keep records: this includes copies of all receipts, letters, emails and notes from phone conversations. Never send original documents - send photocopies. 07/02/2008