The OBA Community Website

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

Chamber Awards Island Spirit to Charlie Williams - City of Gulf Shores

January 16, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - Coastal Alabama - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber recently presented its Island Spirit Award for January to Charlie Williams - City of Gulf Shores.

Megan Smith, VP of Business Development for the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, cited Williams' dedication to her job and the Coastal Alabama area. The person who nominated Ms. Williams had this to say about her, "Charlie is the friendliest and most courteous of all workers. She always stops what she is doing to visit with walkers, team members and families. Her instant smile endears her to all she meets."

Orange Beach Festival of Art named 2018 'Must-Attend' show by Sunshine Artist magazine

2018 Orange Beach Art Festival January 15, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The 44th Annual Orange Beach Festival of Art, set for March 10-11, is making waves in the arts and crafts world after being named by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of "11 Must-Attend Shows for Artists and Craftspeople" in 2018.

In the magazine’s January 2018 issue, the Orange Beach Festival of Art is the first show highlighted on the “2018 Contenders” list. The event is hosted each March on the grounds of Waterfront Park and the adjacent Coastal Arts Center on picturesque Wolf Bay.

Explaining “Why It’s Worth a Look,” writer Stephanie Hintz said, “While the festival showcases only a little over 100 artists, the variety and size of the event is perfect for attracting buyers to this small city (population 5,682). This festival is free to attend.”

Orange Beach to host Snowbird Town Hall meeting on Feb. 6

January 12, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and the Orange Beach City Council will host a Snowbird Town Hall meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 6 at the Orange Beach Event Center.

The meeting will be an opportunity for winter guests, affectionately known as snowbirds, and citizens to hear first-hand what major projects are underway or planned in Orange Beach. A presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Funeral arrangements announced for Ed Rodriguez

January 8, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL – Edward M. Rodriguez, 56, died peacefully on Jan. 7, 2018, at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola following a brief illness.

Mr. Rodriguez believed in lifelong learning and was awarded many certifications over the years. The following are worth noting: Leadership Miami – Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; Institute for Organizational Management - U.S Chamber of Commerce; Leadership Robins Region – Robins Regional Chamber; Georgia Certified Chamber Executive - Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives; Georgia Regional Economic & Leadership Development - Georgia Academy for Economic Development; Skills for Success - Dale Carnegie Course; and Disney’s Approach to Quality Service - Disney Institute. Away from the office, he enjoyed music, travel and remaining in contact with hundreds of friends across the United States. He was devoted to his family, including his late grandmothers, Carmen Cano and Margaret Rodriguez. He also maintained close relationships with extended family member throughout the United States and traveled often to his ancestral home in Alcoi, Spain.

Gulf State Park Falcon at Nature Center

Via Gulf State Park social media

January 8, 2018 - (OBA) - Hawkeye became a falconry bird when he was just a hatchling in 2015. Falconry goes back many years in some cultures and it’s a sport that involves hunting with a bird of prey (hawks, falcons, owls, etc.). Hawkeye at the Gulf State Park Nature Center.

He learned to trust his handler and started going on his own hunts to find food. Sadly, Hawkeye got West Nile virus while out hunting, which effected his depth perception.

Since being able to see correctly is key in surviving, a decision was made to keep him in captivity. Hawkeye is now partaking in our Radical Raptors program series.

Orange Beach debating residential vacation rentals

By John Mullen

January 7, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Problems with vacation rentals in city neighborhoods have been festering for years, councilmembers told a packed house at a Jan. 4 Orange Beach City Council meeting.

Crowding the chambers were Realtors from around the city and county to learn more about a proposed ban of new vacation rental licenses in residential sections of the city. A new ordinance is being written by the city to limit areas of town where vacationers can rent a place to stay for 14 or fewer days.

You're never too old for a Red Rider BB gun Christmas

John Mullen's grandparents Ed and Nellie Mullen.

A Christmas Story by John Mullen

January 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The holidays taught me you are never too old to have a Red Rider BB Gun Christmas.

Somehow in my early teens, I became the proud owner of my grandfather’s antiquated and simple .22 rifle. It was a bolt action model which you cocked by pulling back on a knob on the back of the bolt. Slide it open, slip in a round, push the bolt forward, pull back the knob, aim and fire.

I wasn’t much into firearms and still don’t hold any fascination for them. I don’t hate them, they’re just not my thing. As far as I can recall, my grandfather had little interest in them. Which makes it all the weirder he had a gun at all or that I somehow ended up with it.

2018 Orange Beach Festival of Arts Poster

January 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach and The Friends of The Arts are sponsoring a design competition to select the official 2018 Orange Beach Festival of Art poster.

The winning artist receives a $100 cash award and recognition through all social media. Creative Artists of all ages are encouraged to submit their designs. Entries should be appropriate for replication for posters, T-Shirts, and other Festival of Art promotional items.

Submission Requirements:

All entries must be a 12” x 14” hard-backed image. A digital jpeg image file also needs to be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The design should include the words: 44th Annual Orange Beach Festival of Art 2018.

Each submission must be an original design including elements of food, music, and art.

Each entry must include the artist’s name, address, email, and telephone number adhered to the back the entry.

Only one per artist may be submitted.

Orange Beach Public Library Winter Program

OB color logo new January 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The Orange Beach Public Library will be hosting a series of presentations every Thursday in January and February. These presentations are open to the public, and are free of charge, with the exception of the Peter Fletcher Concert on February 8^th. Tickets to this event are $7.00, and will be available for purchase at the Orange Beach Public Library.

All programs will take place at the Senior Center, next to the library, and will start at 6pm lasting for approximately one hour. If you have any questions about these presentations please feel free to call or email Dustin at Orange Beach Public Library.

Community Sales coming up in January

December 28, 2017 - (OBA) - Big Community Yard Sale returns to Orange Beach on January 13th and the Annual Book Sale is coming up January 19th-20th.

The 2018 Big Community Yard & Craft Sale will be held on Saturday, January 13th, from 7am to noon at the Orange Beach Community Center. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Annual Book Sale set January 19th-20th at Orange Beach Community Center

Friends of the Orange Beach Public Library will hold its Annual Book and Bake Sale on Friday, January 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, January 20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orange Beach Community Center.

A Members-Only Preview Sale, with wine and snacks, will be held Thursday, January 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Membership purchase will be available at the door.

Orange Beach votes in short-term license moratorium

By John Mullen

December 15, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Amid growing concerns about short-term vacation rentals in neighborhoods the city council put a moratorium on short-term rental business licenses.

The moratorium was passed on a 5-0 vote at a specially called council meeting on Dec . 15. It will go into effect on Dec. 20 at 5 p.m.

Orange Beach leaders say they will use the moratorium period to draft a new ordinance to further restrict using individual homes for vacation rentals. Some residents have been using vrbo.com and Airbnb to rent out their homes to vacationers.

December Island Spirit Award goes to Billy Hickman of GT's on The Bay

Dec. 14, 2017 - Coastal Alabama (OBA) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber recently presented its Island Spirit Award for December to Billy Hickman of GT's on The Bay.

The person who nominated Mr Hickman had this to say about him, "Billy is an ambassador of hospitality, an exemplary leader of teamwork, and a true Southern Gentleman who is the epitome of the Hard Working Man. Day in and Day out he shows up with a smile on his face ready to serve in any way he can. As far as we're concerned, he sets the example that all of us should follow for being just a plain ole good person."

November Island Spirit Award goes to Tammy Acreman of Hancock Bank

Nov. 27, 2017 - Coastal Alabama (OBA) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber recently presented its Island Spirit Award for November to Tammy Acreman of Hancock Bank in Gulf Shores, AL.

The person who nominated Ms. Acreman's had this to say about her, "Tammy always greets our customers with a smile and like family. She knows most by name and always goes above and beyond to help everyone, including her co-workers."

Orange Beach applies for RESTORE funding for Wildlife Center

Sewer, road, seawall and wildlife center on city's list of projects seeking funding.

Coastal Resources Director Phillip West.

December 13, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – The city is taking aim at RESTORE Act money with an eye on funding five projects in Orange Beach including expansion and relocation of the Wildlife Center.

Applications for the current round of projects will go to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment arm of NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and RESTORE funds. These will be the preliminary application, Coastal Resources Director Phillip West said.

“There’s an extraordinary amount of paperwork that goes along with these grant applications and they are not obligated to fund,” West said. “This is just the first round for full consideration. And if they make that level of scrutiny they’ll go to the RESTORE council and we’ll come back with the grant funding obligation paperwork. “

Asian steamed buns make Buns in the Sun a unique option

Buns in the Sun's homemade chicken salad sandwich with house-made mayonnaise.

Buns in the Sun chef and owner Joon Reid.

By John Mullen
December 12, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – The unique thing about Buns in the Sun is most definitely the handmade and house steamed buns.

Yes, they are really steamed. In fact, when you order something at Buns in the Sun, everything you eat, except the bagged chips, is made in-house from the bun up.

“It’s my own recipe,” chef and owner Joon Reid said of his buns. “I hand roll ‘em. I steam ‘em fresh daily to order. It’s still bread, it’s just not baked. It’s just prepared differently. It still has yeast, flour, salt and water, among other things.”

City seeking RESTORE money for Terry Cove research center

Orange Beach had a swearing in for three new police officers on Dec. 5. From left are Assistant Chief Steve Brown, new Officer Michael McBrayer, new Officer John Paul Burnside, Chief Joe Fierro, City Judge Brackin and new Officer Alex Monce.

By John Mullen
December 7, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – The city is pursuing RESTORE Act money to fund a sea lab and research center at property on Terry Cove east of Sportsman Marina and Pleasure Island Tiki Bar.

In other business, the council announced a new loop to the Backcountry Trail near the Sportsplex, said it is seeking bids on the refurbishing of the Sea Duster 1930s era charter fishing boat, and authorized Kennon to negotiate the purchase of property near the police station.

On the RESTORE Act project, Kennon said several universities and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab have all expressed interest in the lab. It is just one of several projects totaling about $50 million the city is seeking RESTORE Act money to complete.

32nd Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Dec. 9th

Dec. 1, 2017 - (OBA) - The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber's 32nd Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade will take place Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 5:00 PM launching from Lulu's Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores. The parade will travel east down the Intracoastal Waterway Canal, past The Wharf (public viewing area), around Bear Point, along the south end of Ono Island, west to Perdido Pass, north into Terry Cove Harbor, south to the bridge, and end at the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill.

Over the past 32 winter seasons, the Nautical Night of Lights has grown in size and scope, attracting motor and sail hulls alike and even a kayak or two! Over the past few years, the event has featured more than 50 boats, and nearly 60 are expected this year. The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will host judges on their vessel to rank the spectacular displays on presentation and creativity.

Latitude 30: Not your ordinary hotel restaurant

November 30, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – With a focus on quality and fresh ingredients, Latitude 30 raises the bar for casual, beachfront dining in Orange Beach.

Located inside the Perdido Beach Resort, Latitude 30 sets itself apart from the typical hotel restaurant, featuring fresh ingredients and dishes ranging from classic American fare to eclectic regional favorites. The restaurant prides itself on serving the freshest ingredients and promoting Alabama Gulf Coast Seafood. “All dishes served in Latitude 30 are fresh,” says Latitude 30 Chef Brad Gilstrap.

Flora-bama® iconic name under attack after 53 years in use

Flora-Bama Lounge by John Mullen

"Try starting a company named Coki-Cola and see how that works."

November 24, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Perhaps veteran Flora-Bama® entertainer Jack Robertson said it best.

“If they can’t even come up with their own name, I’m sure their show has nothing original about it either,” Jack, aka ‘Big Earl,’ said in a Facebook post.

Fans of the iconic and world-famous beach bar are both confused and outraged over an MTV show, far from reality, called “FloriBama Shore.”

Flora-Bama® owners would just say they approached us about doing a show, when we said no they took our name and did one anyway 100 miles down the beach. They only recently changed the name slightly.

Fans are asking “is it about the Bama?” as the bar is known to locals and visitors all over the world. “Or is it just a rip off of the name to ride the coattails of the Bama’s fame?”

Find a gourmet burger-craft beer combo at FlipDaddy’s

By John Mullen
November 23, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Traveling around the country plying his trade as a salesman, Bob Dames was always on the lookout for a place with a great burger and craft beer combination.

“And he could never find both,” Operations Manager Melissa Sullivan said. “He woke up one day and decided, ‘I wanna do that’ and put together FlipDaddy’s.”

Dames discovered Orange Beach when he came to stay in a friend’s condo and decided he wanted to bring a FlipDaddy’s to the beach resort town.

“He saw the area and loved it down here,” Sullivan said. “He thought it would be a good area for us to bring in a really good burger.”

Generations enjoy Voyagers' fine dining experience

Voyagers' dry-aged porterhouse steak with Bienville sauce.

November 22, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Executive Chef Brody Olive aims to serve dishes that are more than just a meal at the Perdido Beach Resort’s flagship restaurant, Voyagers.

“Dining in Voyagers is an experience to be had,” says Olive. “Voyagers is not the type of restaurant where you come to grab a quick bite. We provide our patrons with an engaging experience.” Olive and the Voyagers staff carry on a long-standing tradition of culinary excellence that Voyagers has provided to Orange Beach diners since 1986. Specializing in authentic coastal cuisine, Voyagers features a seasonal menu consisting of local produce, sustainable seafood, and organic meats.

“The key to building a loyal customer base is the repertoire and relationships you create with one another,” says Olive. “It is really neat to be able to talk to patrons who remember coming to Voyagers as children along with their parents and now do the same thing with their families.”

Rescued sea turtle released after 4-month rehabilitation effort

Orange Beach Turtle Release November 21, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Amid cheers late Monday morning on the shores of Orange Beach, an endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, named “Guill,” swam off into the Gulf of Mexico. Just four months earlier, the rare sea turtle was found barely clinging to life on Ono Island with fishing tackle wrapped around its neck.

It was in July that a concerned individual called the Alabama Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network’s stranding hotline at 1-866-SEA-TURT (1-866-732-8878) about the injured turtle. The call was relayed to Lisa Graham and Wade Stevens with the Orange Beach Coastal Resources Division.

Skins Game returns Dec. 3 to Orange Beach Golf Center

Orange Beach Golf Center Skins Tournaments

November 21, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The City of Orange Beach Golf Center will hold its first Skins Game tournament of the 2017/18 winter season on December 3, and then on the first Sunday of each month through April, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Each player places $5 to a pot for Skins and $2 in a pot for closest-to-the-pin on a designated hole.

There are nine Orange Beach merchants sponsoring a hole-in-one, which pays $250. Free hot dogs will be served prior to the tournament.

Christmas Season in Orange Beach

November 20, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Ready or not, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Orange Beach! Decorations are going up all across town and the holidays will get a lot brighter on Tuesday, Nov. 28 with the annual tree lighting at The Wharf!

The public is invited to join the city at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 as it celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season with hot chocolate, cookie decorating, letters to Santa, Christmas carols, the tree lighting at The Wharf’s Marlin Circle and a visit by Santa Claus.

The community event is free for the whole family. Festivities will be held throughout the month at The Wharf including its popular ice skating rink.

2017 Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival in Photos

November 20, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The 2017 Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival has come to a close.

Here are a few photos from this year's festival...

Phase 2 of Perdido Beach Blvd. median project to begin Nov. 20

November 17, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - On Monday, Nov. 20, the Alabama Department of Transportation will begin Phase II of Perdido Beach Boulevard/State Highway 182 Median Enhancement Project that will stretch from westerly Loop Road to the Romar Beach Access.

Mobile-based Hosea O. Weaver and Sons Inc. was awarded the low-bid contract of $2.7 million. Shoulder work will begin on the south side near the Romar Beach Access and progress eastward, and then loop back on the north side, with intermittent lane closures. The pedestrian/bike lane will be closed while work is ongoing.

Council considers $242,000 for Wolf Bay Bridge preliminaries

By John Mullen
November 16, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The City of Orange Beach is serious about tackling traffic issues on its own and is poised to spend more than $242,000 for environmental studies, permitting and conceptual design for the construction of a Wolf Bay Bridge.

A resolution was discussed during a work session on Nov. 14 and will be voted on by the council in a Dec. 5 regular session. If passed, Burk-Kleinpeter will be hired to do the preliminary work on the span.

During a proceeding regular session, also on Nov. 14, the council OK’d $68,000, again to Burk-Kleinpeter for design, construction engineering and inspection services for the widening of Canal Road from Alabama 161 to Wilson Boulevard. This project would include a possible roundabout in front of the arts center.

Orange Beach Town Hall Meeting for 2017

November 15, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and the City Council invited the public to a Town Hall meeting at the Orange Beach Event Center. The meeting included updates on transportation projects and the new middle/high school, with Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper as well as Regional Engineer Vince Calametti and Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler and his staff in attendance.

Following are two videos from this year's town hall meeting.

Young firefighter recruits find brotherhood in Orange Beach

November 14, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - One by one, task by task, dressed in full firefighting gear with air tanks, the recruits pressed on through the course. Climbing flights of stairs. Pulling a hose up four stories. Chopping wood to simulate cutting through a roof. Crawling across wood framing and then through a tunnel. Carrying weights, collecting and then laying out a hose. Tying a knot. Over and over again.

Nine weeks prior to this breezy November day, 10 young men started the Orange Beach Fire Recruit School and could barely go three laps on what’s called the “Consumption Course” at the fire department’s training tower. Now, they go until the air tanks run out.

Doc’s is family – and world-class shrimp and gumbo

By John Mullen

November 13, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Richard Schwartz loves to talk about the family that is Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar in Orange Beach. And share that with his customers, who after years of patronage also become like family.

A group of vacationing ladies who pick a different spot for their annual vacation and saw an advertisement for Doc’s “best fried shrimp in the civilized world” on their way to town.

“Sandy waited on them and they loved Sandy,” Schwartz said. “And I told them this is a family operation. See the man at the host station? That’s Sandy’s daddy. Her mama’s in the kitchen putting together to-go orders.

“They really liked our shrimp and came back several times during their visit.”