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 the evening off with a horse and carriage ride by Down South Carriage.

To learn more about the Ruby Red Christmas go to http://www.lookoutmountain.com

Remember you can stay in the Mentone Area in one of the many cabins offered by Mentone Cabins. Check the many cabins that are available near Ruby Falls at www.mentonecabins.com

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!

· Enjoy nightly entertainment in the pavilion, next to a warm fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa Sugar Plum Fairy Makeovers – available for children to enjoy face painting or dress up in costume and be magical fairies for a night.

· Gingerbread cookie decorating

Don’t forget to get your picture with Santa and his elves! To learn more about Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights follow this link http://www.seerockcity.com/pages/Enchanted-Garden-of-Lights/ You will see that Rock City is more than looking at seven States.

Remember you can stay in the Mentone Area in one of the many cabins offered by Mentone Cabins. Check the many cabins that are available near Rock City at www.mentonecabins.com

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 $130 and your are guaranteed two paperweights. These might make great Christmas gifts. Call Orbix Glass at 256-523-3188 to reserve your spot.

Also, just a reminder that the growers at the Mentone Market will continue to be there on Wednesdays but with a new schedule. They will be there from 2 until O dark thirty. There will be lettuces and other greens from their fall crops and there will be plenty of baked goods and holiday items in the weeks to come.

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, November 28, 2009, for an event sponsored by the Mentone Area Arts Council, Christmas in Mentone. It will begin at 6:30 with a reception for our local artists. At 7:30, entertainment will be provided by the Liz Wood Project from Gadsden. It is going to be a great event and admission at the door is only $10 per person.

Finally, we would like to encourage you to Buy Handmade on the Mountain This Holiday Season. There is nothing better than receiving a specially chosen, one-of-a-kind work of originality. Whether it goes on the living room wall or on the dining room table, in a special niche or around your neck, art is special and deserves special recognition from the buyer and recipient. These kinds of purchases and gifts are the ones which come with a story and are treasures that keep on giving even into the future. This holiday season, buy art and make it something unique, unusual, and special for everyone involved.

For more information or to find a place to stay, contact Paul Todd at www.mentonecabins.com

Hope to see you in Mentone!!

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 1, 2009.

Also on Saturday, there is an art show in Cedar Bluff that runs from 10:00 until 6:00. Many of Mentone's artists are participating in the show and would like to see you there. It's just a short drive from Mentone.

Also, please don't forget the upcoming Mentone Area Arts Council Lecture Series Event featuring Joe Cook, Executive Director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative, on Thursday, October 15, 2009. Joe will update us on the status of the water wars between Alabama and Georgia and how this might impact our rivers in Alabama. The event begins at 7:00 at the Crystal Lake Lodge.

Also, John Dersham will lead a Fine Art Landscape Photography Workshop on Friday, October 23 (Classroom presentation at the Mentone Community Building) and onsite instruction at Little River Canyon on Saturday morning. The cost of the workshop is $25. Register for the workshop by emailing mentonearts@aim.com.

And please don't forget to participate in the Artists' Gallery and Home Tour on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. Pick up your map at the Mentone Fire Station and tour homes and studios at your leisure. Artists from all over the region will be in each home to display their work. It's great fun so don't miss it.

And finally, if you are interested in the activities of the Mentone Area Arts Council, please make plans to attend the Annual Meeting at 6:30 on October 28, 2009, at the Crystal Lake Lodge.

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 24^th 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 asked to please call and schedule a Blow Your Own Ornament session on a separate date. We will be serving our usual yummy refreshments and you'll be able to purchase lunch on site. Come enjoy the beauty of Lookout Mountain in October and the fun that we always have at our open studio events. Don't forget to bring your cameras!

Paperweight Class: Sat Sept 26^th 9am - 1pm Friday, October 9^th 5pm - 9pm Saturday, October 10^th 9am - 1pm Saturday, October 31^st 9am - 1pm Saturday, November 7^th, 9am - 1pm

This class is designed for those who really just want see what molten glass is all about. Feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass into you own design. It is ultimately about the experience, some experimentation and a couple nice paperweights to take home or to the office to show your friends.

Class size at the largest will be five students so everyone has adequate time at the bench working.

There will be material provided before the class for you to review and become familiar with concerning safety and basic glassblowing vocabulary. Please join us for some in-depth discovery. Cost - $130. 3-5 students; reservations required; 50% non-refundable deposit

Blow Your Own Ornament:

Saturday, October 24^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, November 21^st 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 5^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 12^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 19^th 9am - 5pm Tuesday, December 22^nd 9am - 2pm

This has become very popular here at Orbix Hot Glass! Come design and literally "blow" your own ornament with the help of one of our glass artists. For this we welcome people of all ages (okay you have to be at least 5 years old). Space is on a first come basis. Cost - $35/ornament.

For groups or individuals wishing to make ten or more ornaments, we ask that you call and schedule a special session on a separate date.

Studio Tours/Group Events

Looking for a unique event for your club or a group of friends? Come watch one of our glass artists give a private glassblowing demonstration. They'll answer all your questions about the process (cameras are encouraged!) and you can view the end result of their hard work in our gallery. Cost is $160 for an hour. Maximum group is 30 people. 50% non-refundable deposit required.

Another option for groups is to schedule a date to come Blow Your Own Ornament (see above section for description) Cost - $35/ornament; Minimum of ten ornaments must be blown; $80 non-refundable deposit required

Give us a call to schedule either event, and we'll also put you in touch with people who can assist you with accommodations and/or dining.

ORBIX HOT GLASS 256.523.3188

Stay with Mentone Cabins when you come to visit Orbix Glass. Make your reservations at www.mentonecabins.com