The OBA Community Website

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

Whales in the Gulf of Mexico

By R. Ken Cooper - above photo is a whale shark captured by Capt. Greg with Last Cast on August 12, 2009.

July 25, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - We recently shared a video of a whale sighting in the gulf about 80 miles south of Orange Beach. The video attracted a lot of attention and comments. We were a little surprised to learn that so many folks didn't know that there were whales in the gulf. We decided to add a collection of videos showing some of the sightings of whales in the gulf.

Below is the video we shared on July 24th. It was taken by Derek Taylor from Atlanta while he and his sons were out fishing on a calm day in the gulf.

Fire Overnight at Shipp's Harbor Grill

Big Beach Brewing Celebrates IPA Day with Three Beer Releases on Aug. 3rd

July 24, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - The inaugural National IPA Day celebration will take place at Big Beach Brewing Company on August 3rd.

The nine-month old independent craft brewery in Gulf Shores, Ala. plans to release three different versions of the sought-after IPA on August 3rd, 2017.

In an effort to put a humorous twist on the release, as many breweries do, Big Beach will be dedicating this release to the mullet hairstyle. Not sure what a mullet is? Just think “Party in the back and business in the front.” And that’s precisely what Big Beach plans to do with this triple threat beer release aimed at hop lovers on National IPA day.

Please Respect the Sea Turtles!

Manatee spotted near Ono Island this morning

Orange Beach acquires piece of charter fishing history

Historic Charter Fishing Boat The Sea Duster

By John Mullen

July 24, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – There’s a history behind Earl Callaway’s effort to help Orange Beach retain an important piece of its nautical heritage: the vintage Walker charter fishing boat the Sea Duster.

“I tried to give it to ‘em one time and I had to buy it back to get it to ‘em this time,” Callaway said. “This is the second time I’ve owned it.”

Callaway, even though he sold the boat he had owned for 15 or so years, never gave up on his dream of it becoming part of the city’s folklore. On July 10 the city agreed to pay $6,500 for the classic 1935 custom-built boat.

Revamped style not enough for council to OK Dollar General

By John Mullen

July 19, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – A redesigned exterior for a more “coastal” look was not enough to sway a majority of Orange Beach Council members to give the go ahead for a Dollar General on Alabama 161.

“I applaud those changes,” Councilmember Annette Mitchell said. “I think that’s very attractive and I think it would look very, very nice anywhere in Orange Beach. Except there.”

The Wharf Uncorked Announces Culinary Lineup

4th annual food & wine festival to feature more than 20 chefs and restaurants, Sept. 14-16

July 18, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The Wharf Uncorked Food & Wine Festival presented by Wind Creek Atmore, set for Sept. 14-16, will bring a dynamic roster of culinary talent from the Gulf Coast and beyond serving up samples of their signature dishes, demonstrating their skills and competing for the ultimate prize.

Thursday, Sept. 14 - VIP Kickoff + Chef Showdown
The three-day experience will begin at 4720 Main Street from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Reigning showdown champion, Brody Olive (Perdido Beach Resort), will be joined by two mystery chefs for this year’s competition to create the best dish with Alabama Gulf Seafood fueled with culinary challenges and roadblocks. James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst, authors of The Couples Kitchen, will emcee as they race against the clock.

OWA is officially Open for Business, and Fun Times

by R. Ken Cooper with photos by Michelle & Dylan Stancil

July 21, 2017 - Foley, AL (OBA) - The Park at OWA has officially opened this morning at 10am in Foley Alabama. The 520 acre property features a 14-acre amusement park with 21 rides, 44,000 square feet of restaurants & shops, a 14 acre lake, a 90,000-square-foot indoor events center and much more. (As a comparison, the Orange Beach Event Center is just over 18,000 square feet.)

After only nine months of hard work, the 14-acre amusement park is ready to welcome the public. Festivities for opening weekend include nightly firework shows, a multitude of entertainers and live music throughout The Park at OWA.

Blue Angels 2017 Pensacola Beach Air Show

by R. Ken Cooper

July 13, 2017 - Pensacola Beach, FL (OBA) - We on the coast certainly love our Blue Angels. And here at the Orange Beach Community Website we love to keep you informed of their comings and goings because, well, we’re really big fans of the Blues, too.

We’re treated to practices and flybys throughout the year and we like to keep you informed when they are returning from shows around the country. And tell you what time they are likely to Buzz the Beaches her on the Gulf Coast on the way home. Thank you to our Blue’s Prognosticator John Mason-Smith for his calculations on the timing!

Watch the Blue Angels Airshow in Comfort

Cotton Bayou Beach to Reopen July 6th

Beach Express Tolls Drop

Pink Flamingos on the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast

Wednesday's Forecast

Pensacola Beach Air Show Schedule Released

Patriotic Spirit and Naval Fighter Jets Soar at Annual Pensacola Beach Air Show

Pensacola’s very own Blue Angels highlight Red, White and Blues Week with a spectacular air show over Pensacola Beach

Blue Angels Photo June 19, 2017 Pensacola, FL — Thousands flock to the sugar-white sand and turquoise water of this Gulf Coast destination each July to see the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron perform at their annual Pensacola Beach Air Show.

The Blue Angels — or “Blues,” as locals call their hometown heroes — are known across the country for their high-flying aerial maneuvers and laser-point precision. Started in 1946, the team celebrated its 70^th anniversary in 2016 — a long legacy in a city whose reputation as a tourist destination is rivaled only by its military heritage.

Indeed, Pensacola is known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation.” Naval Air Station Pensacola — located just west of the city’s colonial-era downtown — has trained generations of airmen and is the home base for the Blue Angels. In a city with such deep military roots, few things arouse more pride than the sight of the Blues soaring high above the Gulf of Mexico.

That pride will be on full display in days leading up to this year’s air show, to be held July 8 on Santa Rosa Island, just 15 minutes from downtown and a half-hour from the Navy base.

Fireworks Display Saturday Night in Orange Beach

June 9, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The 2017 Gulf Coast Dental Conference and 148th ALDA Annual Session is taking place at the Perdido Beach Resort this week.

As usual they're having their 4th-of-July quality fireworks show Saturday evening at 9pm (weather permitting, and it looks like beautiful weather this weekend).

At the Resort, it's a private show for the folks at the dental conference but, if you'd like to watch, here are some great spots: the decks of Tacky Jacks Grill & Tavern, Cobalt the Restaurant or out on Alabama Point East.

If you have pets that are spooked by fireworks, you'll want to secure them Saturday evening. We almost always get posts about lost dogs after this display.

Angler Protest at Perdido Pass

Shrimp Boil in a Bag - To Go

Rain Chances Continue Today

Clouds Starting to Break-up Over Perdido Pass

Karen Waldrup Returns to the Gulf Coast, with Millions of new Fans

Fresh off of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, the largest country music festival in the world, Karen Waldrop is returning to the gulf coast with six performances. She'll be performing three shows in Panama City and three shows at the Flora-Bama between June 15th & 24th. Full schedule here: www.KarenWaldrup.com

June 14, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Singer/Songwriter/Performer Karen Waldrup from New Orleans is currently living in Nashville Tennessee pursuing her music career. Karen has been performing gulf coast tours, including the Flora-Bama, with her band for the last 7 years.

Karen says in her bio that the artists who have influenced her music include Alanis Morissette, Ingrid Michaelson, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Otis Redding and Janis Joplin. I detetected a hint of a young Dolly Parton, with an (from her website) "in-your-face" style of country music. She's across the USA and Europe... her stage presence mesmerizes her audiences; often receiving standing ovations.

Karen has made huge strides in her career over this last year. Since her last visit to the gulf coast she's been discovered by CMT and Country Rebel, exposing her to millions of new fans. Based on the views, likes and comments on Karen's videos, she's on the fast-track to national recognition. It's not unusual for Karen's videos to exceed 10 million views and several have received over 20 million.

Memorial Weekend Flyover of Orange Beach

Have a Safe & Enjoyable Memorial Weekend

Internal Theft leads to felony charges at Hangout Music Fest

May 24, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - For the second year in a row, Kiel Thomas Sheppard, 32, of Newport, Florida left the Hangout Music Festival in handcuffs. Sheppard was arrested on Sunday, May 21, 2017 for doing business without a license after he was discovered selling Hangout Music Fest wristbands just outside the venue. Sheppard was also arrested in 2016 under similar circumstances.

His 2017 arrest is different and significantly more concerning to law enforcement. This year Sheppard was selling stolen Staff and Vendor wristbands. Police said these wristbands could potentially allow anyone that obtained one into secure areas. When apprehended by Gulf Shores Police Officers Sheppard had 9 authentic staff wristbands and 4 vendor wristbands. How many he sold prior to being caught on the last day of the festival is still unknown.

Red Snapper Fisheries Explained

Cotton Bayou Beach Parking Lot Almost Ready for Paving

Childcare services now available on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Kim Asbury, BuzzCatz Global Grand Champion Biscuit-Meister

May 23, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA) - The International Biscuit Festival took place last weekend in Knoxville Tennessee. Kimberly Asbury, manager of BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets here in Orange Beach, not only participated in the biscuit competition... she walked away as the International Biscuit Grand Champion.

So if you live along the Alabama/Florida Gulf Coast or you're visiting our area, you can try out this world class biscuit every Saturday and Sunday at BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets, 25689 Canal Road, Orange Beach (Cosmo's Courtyard).

Kim's Scotch Egg Biscuit is getting a lot of attention by the media as well as on social media...