Good Day Alabama for January 25, 2013

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for January 25, 2013:

Here is what you saw on Good Day Alabama for January 25, 2013:

GULF SHORES COOLEST TOWN CONTEST - BudgetTravel.com is searching for the "Coolest Small Town in America." Hundreds of towns were nominated but the list was narrowed down to the final 15 and Gulf Shores made the list! You can cast your vote and let the world know how cool you think Gulf Shores is. Other cities in the race include: Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Camden, Maine; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; Flagler Beach, Florida; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Greenville, Kentucky; Le Claire, Iowa; Lititz, Pennsylvania; Mount Carroll, Illinois; Put-in-Bay, Ohio; Quincy, California; Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Travelers Rest, South Carolina; &     Watkins Glen, New York. Beaufort, North Carolina, and Hammondsports, New York, tied as last year's winners and Lewisburg, West Virginia won in 2011. Visit budgettravel.com to cast your vote each day between now and February 15th. Also, visit Alabama.travel for more on Alabama's Gulf Coast and other great travel spots around the state.

BBJ - Mike talked with Ryan Poe from the Birmingham Business Journal about the latest business headlines. They discussed how small business loans impact businesses and the economy in our area, why economic development incentives will be a hot topic in the state legislature, and how new developments are coming along at local retail centers. For more on these and other business stories, visit www.birminghambusinessjournal.com.

BARGAIN MOM - Christie Dedman, Birmingham's Bargain Mom, joined us with some deals to save your family money this weekend! Headed to the circus?  Not interested in the $22 toys?  No problem stop at the Dollar Tree before you go. Look for clown bow ties, wigs, noses, glow sticks, stickers, even $1 bags of cotton candy on the kid isle. The cheapest souvenirs at the circus are $4 giant suckers and $6 coloring books.  Another tip, street vendors are usually around and their prices are lower than the prices inside if you're on a budget but want a glowing sword or whirly light. Since the theme is construction and build to amaze, you could also snag some plastic construction hats for a $1. Other possible options would be circus theme treat bags with stickers, candy and circus notepads or coloring books, all spotted at the dollar store.  The USPS will raise the price of stamps by 1 cent on Sunday making it 46 cents per stamp.  Forever Stamps are always valid for first class mail. Priority mail increases will occur Jan. 27 as well.   While purchasing stamps now may not sound like huge savings, it can add up if you plan on sending out graduation invitations, wedding invitations or even Christmas cards later this year.  Free Salamander Festival Saturday, Homewood is Saturday from 3 to 5:30 p.m .at the Homewood Senior Center at Homewood Patriot Park (816 Oak Grove Road). Entry to the Salamander Festival is free and open to the general public. Activities include animal exhibits (real salamanders, fish, turtles, and more) with biologists and naturalists to answer questions, nature crafts to make, educational displays, a live dancing demonstration, and music by the Herb Trotman Band. Displays representing several different groups will be available to explore. There will be t-shirts and novelty items for sale and a chocolate fountain for which one can buy a plate of dippers. More details at http://www.shadescreek.org/. For information on these and more deals, visit http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2013/01/.

JEH JEH LIVE - Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ®  Presents Built To Amaze! -  the 143rd edition of the Greatest Show On Earth. Surprise and wonder delights audiences with over the top feats of strength, agility and courage. As the momentum builds so does the anticipation, anything can happen when Ringling Bros. Presents Built To Amaze!  Circus performers from across the globe create the perfect blend of athleticism and bravery, where power meets fearlessness and amazement has no bounds.  Magnificent elephants, ferocious tigers, astonishing acrobats and awe-inspiring aerialists are engineered into one spectacular performance. Performances are tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 11am, 3pm, & 7pm, and Sunday at 1pm and 5pm. Tickets range from $14-$94. For tickets or more information, call (888) 305-9550 or visit http://www.ringling.com/SectionLandingPage.aspx?id=46818

MARTHA WHITE CORNBREAD CONTEST - Warm up your skillets! In honor of their commitment to preserve the celebration of all Southern food, Martha White® and Lodge® Cast Iron are once again searching the nation for the best original main dish cornbread recipes in the 17th Annual National Cornbread Cook-Off.  Now through Feb. 28, 2013, fans can submit an original main dish recipe prepared with at least one package of Martha White Cornbread Mix and cooked in Lodge® Cast Iron cookware. Ten finalists will be selected to compete during the National Cornbread Festival® and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize. Check out past winning recipes at MarthaWhite.com/recipes. For complete details, Official Rules and to complete the entry form for the contest, visit MarthaWhite.com.

ZOO CREW - Kelly Wall  joined us from the Birmingham Zoo to introduce Mickey to the Norway Rat. To learn more information about the animal or visit the zoo, go to birminghamzoo.com.

COMEDIAN - Marc Ryan is one of the most requested club comics touring today. It's no surprise because for 14 years Marc has delivered a highly energetic hilarious performance nightly. His fans describe him as extremely charismatic and fun to watch. Marc connects with his audiences with real stories from his life told in a delightfully mischievous way. Don't miss this show! For tickets or more information for this weekend's appearances, call the Comedy Club Stardome at (205) 444-0008 or visit stardome.com.

Next week on Good Day Alabama, the experts join us to take your questions on gardening, fishing, and your pets! And February begins next week - can you believe it? February 1st is Go Red for Women day and we'll explain what it's all about and how you can participate! February also means time for the Super Bowl! We check out some great ideas for your party to watch the big game! Comedian Ronnie Jordan joins us with a few laughs! We look at new movies and music hitting shelves to entertain you this week! Our Pet of the Week joins us in the studio! Plus Mickey takes us to the Birmingham Zoo and we check out your entertainment and business headlines! Join us for all of this that and much more next week on Good Day Alabama!