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Covering the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast (AFGC)^tm since 2006!

Gulf Coast has a bounty of shorebirds to enjoy

A great blue heron overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach, Alabama. By John Mullen

December 14, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) - It’s not a question you hear every day.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever been inside a water tower?” Melissa Vinson asked. “Not many people have. It was my first time.”

Vinson, the Coastal Programs Coordinator for the City of Orange Beach’s Wildlife Management Center and Management Program, climbed in one this summer to get up close and personal with an osprey.

“It was the inside part underneath where the water is stored,” Vinson said.

Orange Beach school questions to be presented to county

A rendering of the new school planned for Orange Beach, Alabama. By John Mullen

December 13, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – As parents split into groups of those with high school students and those with middle school students each group ended up with the same first topic of discussion.

The parents gathered at the Orange Beach Community Center on Dec. 12 to ask questions and raise concerns about the new school Baldwin County is building on Canal Road. At the top of the list for both groups was athletics.

Garden Club to pick 'Light Up Orange Beach' winners on Dec. 18

December 13, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Garden Club's annual “Light Up Orange Beach” contest will award cash to the owners of the best-decorated homes, and recognize local businesses that are all decked out for Christmas.

For over 30 years, the Garden Club has held this annual contest.

Thieves take advantage of unlocked doors in crime sprees

Thieves target unlocked vehicles in Orange Beach Crime Spree.

By John Mullen

December 12, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Orange Beach residents could give the police department a big assist if they would take one simple step: locking car doors.

A spate of car “break-ins” along two streets in the southeastern part of the city off of Marina Road and Cotton Bayou Drive led to loss of property, cash, cars and, in one case, a gun. The chief’s report came during a dual council meeting-work session on Dec. 11, the final council meeting of 2018.

“Between the two we had multiple vehicles broken into,” Police Chief Joe Fiero said. “I shouldn’t even say broken into. Not one of them was forcibly entered. They just pulled on the handle.”

Celebrate the season at these Gulf Coast churches

Celebrate Christmas at these churches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. December 12, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Celebrate the birth of Jesus at a variety of churches this year in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. There are denominations of all kinds as well as nondenominational services available all over the island. Find a place for your celebration on our list.

ORANGE BEACH

Orange Beach United Methodist will have two services on Christmas Eve. There will be a casual family-type service at 3:30 p.m. and at 5 p.m. the church will have its traditional candlelight service.

Annadelle's improvement includes trip home to Orange Beach

Annadelle at the Flora-Bama visiting Santa Claus. By John Mullen

December 10, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Annadelle Faulkner conveyed her Christmas wishes to Santa Claus at the Flora-Bama recently, one of very few days she’s been out of the hospital since the first week of October.

“We were admitted to the hospital Oct. 1 and we hadn’t been home since,” her mom, Neeli Faulkner said. That changed recently when Annadelle was released to the Ronald McDonald House across the street from Children’s of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.

Recently the family took a two-day weekend and spent it at their home in Orange Beach where a Christmas surprise awaited them.

Project near Live Bait could raise noise concerns

Masterplan of the Summer Salt housing development in Orange Beach, Alabama. By John Mullen

December 6, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – For 25 years Live Bait restaurant has been serving up food and entertainment on the west end of beach road in Orange Beach.

Terry Humphreys of Live Bait is worried that a new Summer Salt development of 112 homes and cottages to the northwest of the restaurant will put a damper on live music and dance music from The Club At Live Bait. There are two buildings on the site, a restaurant fronting beach road and a dance club behind it. Most of the restaurant’s parking is also behind the dance club.

Gulf Shores Lighted Christmas Parade traffic flow modifications

December 5, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Gulf Shores would like to make all residents and visitors aware of the following traffic flow modifications related to the Gulf Shores Lighted Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 7.

At 6:30 p.m. entries will make their way from the Gulf Shores Public Beach to West 19^th Avenue and proceed west toward the David L. Bodenhamer Center. The parade will end with a Holiday Celebration at Johnnie Sims Park.

The 33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade has been canceled

December 5, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA®) - Due to the forecast for heavy rain and storms on Saturday December 8th and concern for the spectators, captains and crews, the Chamber's 2018 Lighted Boat Parade has been cancelled. This is the first time in its 33 year history that the parade had to be cancelled.

Out of respect for the cities, businesses and other activities scheduled in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach the committee decided not to reschedule it.

Holiday Happenings & Fun Things to Do on the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast

Fireworks over Perdido Beach Resort, in Orange Beach, Alabama at a recent New Year's Eve celebration. By John Mullen

December 5, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – The Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast knows how to throw a party no matter what time of year it is. But the upcoming holiday season will offer oodles of options for family fun as well as ways to whoop it up at midnight at New Year’s Eve.

And the most iconic hotspots on the coast will be right in the thick of it with LuLu’s at Homeport Marina providing two annual kids celebrations and the Flora-Bama providing two venues for fun – including fireworks at one. And the Perdido Beach Resort will bring back its annual celebration with several dining and partying options at the sprawling Gulf front venue.

New Year's Eve at Perdido Beach Resort

December 4, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Treat yourself to an incomparable New Year's Eve experience at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. PBR offers revelers a memorable evening featuring a world-class culinary experience in either the Grand Ballroom or Voyagers, with the hottest music, lights, and tastes on the Gulf Coast!

Summerdale’s Youth-Reach starts new funding program, gala

By John Mullen

December 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Youth-Reach’s two campuses in Baldwin County and Houston have successfully turned the lives of thousands of troubled young men around since it started in 1984.

“The turnaround is probably double the national average,” volunteer and contributor John McInnis said. “It’s just an extremely successful program. They turn boys around that are on the wrong track either in criminal trouble or have substance abuse problems or had abuse at home.”

The Baldwin County operation has been turning lives around since 2008, closed temporarily from January of 2012 to May of 2013 and has been operating since. About 200 young men have been through the program.

Orange Beach City Council meeting set December 4th

By City of Orange Beach

December 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 4th, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Aurora’s 'White Christmas in the Tropics'

November 30 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The "White Christmas in the Tropics" holiday event will be hosted by the Mystical Order of Aurora, Pleasure Island's newest all-female Mardi Gras krewe, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7th at Perdido Beach Resort.

Entertainment will be provided by Roxy and the Magic Johnsons!

6th Annual Toys 4 Kids benefit set Dec. 1 at Perdido Beach Resort

November 30, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 6th Annual Toys 4 Kids, benefitting the Christian Service Center and its annual toy drive, will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, December 1st at Perdido Beach Resort.

2018 Light Up the Arts set Dec. 13 at Coastal Arts Center

By City of Orange Beach

November 29, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach is hosting its annual Light Up the Arts event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, December 13th.

Winter Wonderland with ‘snow’ returns to Backcountry Trail on Dec. 19

By City of Orange Beach

November 29, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail Foundation will host Winter Wonderland from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19th at the trailhead at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.

New Director at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo - Patti Hall becomes Director Emeritus

November 26, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) – After 23 years as Zoo Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Patti Hall has formally stepped down and Dr. Adam Langston, the zoo’s longtime veterinarian, has taken up the role of interim director. It was announced by Steve Jones, Chairman of the zoo’s board of directors, that Hall will become the zoo’s first Director Emeritus and that these changes will take effect immediately.

115 players compete in 2018 Orange Beach Fall UTR Tennis Tournament

By City of Orange Beach

November 26, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) - The 2018 Orange Beach Fall UTR Tennis Tournament was held at the Orange Beach Tennis Center, November 16-18, with 115 players from seven states participating in the 3-day event.

Chamber Awards Island Spirit to Scott Koehn

By Coastal Alabama Business Chamber

Novermber 26, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber recently presented the Island Spirit Award for November 2018 to Scott Koehn, a performer at the Pleasure Island Tiki Bar.

Scott's nomination had this to say about him, "Scott's dedication to providing an exemplary experience at the Pleasure Island Tiki Bar each Thursday night for locals and visitors makes him most deserving of this award.

Gulf Shores 2018 Snowball Drop Dec. 7

Gulf Shores Snowball Drop

Submitted by the City of Gulf Shores

November 23, 2018 – Gulf Shores, AL. – (OBA^®) – The City of Gulf Shores will host a Snowball Drop on Friday, December 7, following the Annual Lighted Christmas Parade at Johnnie Sims Park.

The Snowball Drop is a man-made blizzard as 4,000 ping pong balls will be dropped from above by Santa. Winning snowballs will have a number that correlates with a prize supplied by our generous sponsors.

Prizes total at nearly $2,000 and range from gift cards, gift baskets, day passes, apparel and other merchandise. The grand prize is $500 Visa gift card!

Boats Wanted for the 2018 Lighted Boat Parade

By Rod Peevy

Attention Boat Owners - Your Community Needs Your Help

November 21, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 33rd Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade is Saturday, December 8th and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber would like your help. They are needing local boat owners to participate and enter a decorated boat in the parade.

The Boat Parade has been a proud tradition for decades and brings over 25,000 viewers to the island for the event. people get their friends or family and make the trek from LuLu's down the Intercoastal Canal, by The Wharf and in front of Ono island.

Public advised to use caution in waters with high concentrations of red tide

Red Tide detected in Alabama Waters By Alabama Dept. of Public Health

November 21, 2018 - Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Alabama Department of Public Health cautions the public that water samples collected from Alabama Point to Little Lagoon Pass in Baldwin County indicate the presence of red tide cells in the low to medium range.

Persons with respiratory problems or those experiencing symptoms of nose, throat or eye irritation should avoid any mist generated by these waters. In addition, fish kills are possible in this area because of red tide.

Coastal Christmas events in Orange Beach

It’s time to Light Up Orange Beach!

The annual City of Orange Beach Christmas Tree Lighting at The Wharf will be held Tuesday, November 27th. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and will feature a program with Santa, performers singing Christmas Carols, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and will culminate with the Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting. “Winter at The Wharf” features an ice skating rink that will add to the festival atmosphere.

Blue Angels 2019 Show Schedule

November 20, 2018 - Pensacola NAS - (OBA^®) - Below is the 2019 Airshow schedule for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

After many of the shows the Blues will buzz the beaches in Orange Beach on their way home on Sunday evenings. We publish estimated times we're expecting to see them on the OBA Facebook Page.

Governor Ivey Announces $48.7 Million for Restoration and Conservation Projects in Alabama

Submitted

November 19, 2018 - Montgomery, AL - (OBA^®) - Governor Kay Ivey announced on Monday the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has approved more than $48 million for eight new projects, which focus on the restoration and conservation of Alabama’s natural resources.

“Alabama’s Gulf Coast is of great ecological importance to our state, and it is imperative we protect and restore those natural resources harmed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,” Governor Ivey said. “Today’s announcement gets us one step closer to success. We are improving our water quality in the Bon Secour River and Mobile Bay, bolstering our fish populations with the expansion of artificial reefs, and ensuring resiliency along our coastline. Thank you to our local, state, and federal partners for developing this impressive slate of projects.”

Orange Beach officials, residents back bridge project

An artist's rendering of the south footing of the new Intracoastal Waterway bridge between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Coastal Alabama.

By John Mullen

November 19, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Just because Orange Beach is moving ahead with building its own Wolf Bay Bridge doesn’t mean officials there aren’t completely behind the state’s project to put a new bridge west of the Foley Beach Express Toll bridge.

“As far as it being an advantage for us it’s a free bridge, it’s two lanes more north and south than we’ve got now and it makes no sense to be in opposition of it,” Kennon said. “There is no logical rationale to be in opposition of it. Anyone who does has a selfish agenda and has something to do with the bridge company. It’s a no-brainer.”

Orange Beach was well represented at the state's public hearing on Nov. 15 over a road and bridge project in south Baldwin County. A standing room only crowd packed into the Gulf Shores Activity Center and more than 40 came to the mike to express views on the products. Many more submitted written comments.

33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade

November 16, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is excited to announce the 33rd Annual Lighted Boat Parade happening Dec. 8, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The parade route begins at Lulu's Homeport Marina, travels east past the Wharf, east to Bear Point, south to Ono Island, west to Perdido Pass, and finally north with a big circle ending in Terry Cove. The boats then can go to FloraBama Ole River Grill for an ending party and awards ceremony.

Gulf Shores Local Wild Bill Howard wins WFC Soup Or Bowl competition

From left are Johnny Magno, Jarvis Green and Bill Howard at the WFC Soup Or Bowl competition.

By John Mullen

November 16, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Bill Howard is no stranger to winning. His Wild Bill’s Hot Sauce for wings has won a handful award in the past few years.

During the recent World Food Championships at The Wharf, he added a first place in the Soup Or Bowl contest, one of three side contests entrants in the WFC’s main events were eligible to enter.

“It means anything you can serve in a soup or bowl,” Howard said. “Our entry was a Southwestern Shrimp Soup with rice grits and spicy Alabama crackers. We roasted peppers, onions, corn and hatch chiles we got from New Mexico.”

Orange Beach to spend $1.2 million on new fire trucks

Orange Beach added these two fire trucks in 2013 and is adding two more in 2019.

By John Mullen

November 15, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Congratulations! It’s twins for the Orange Beach Fire Department. Twin fire trucks that is.

“It takes seven and a half to nine months,” Fire Chief Justin Pearce said. “It’s just like having a baby.”

On Nov. 13 the Orange Beach City Council voted to spend $1.2 million to buy the Pierce pumper trucks from the Houston-Galveston Area Council. At the same meeting the council voted to buy two ambulances from the same company at a cost of about $600,000.

Pearce said the council wanted to go ahead and approve the purchase to try and get the trucks in service before the next busy season ends.