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

Big Beach BreweryMay 5, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - Big Beach Brewing Company has partnered up with the NUISANCE Group to bring you not only local beer, but local fare to boot! We’d like to introduce Big Beach’s first ever pop-up dinner in collaboration with local non-profit, the NUISANCE Group and local chefs. We’ll have Chef Chris Sherrill & Haikel Harris of the Flora-Bama Yacht Club, Local Chef Jon Gibson, and Chef Brody Olive of Perdido Beach Resort. The NUISANCE Group aims to raise awareness of species of flora and fauna which are considered to be a Nuisance, Underutilized, or Invasive, but Sustainable and Available, through Noble Culinary Endeavors.

2017 Red Snapper SeasonMay 3, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - NOAA Fisheries announced today that the 2017 Gulf of Mexico red snapper recreational seasons in federal waters will open for the private angling and federally permitted for-hire components on June 1, 2017. The private angler component season will be three days, and the federally permitted for-hire component season will be 49 days in federal waters. The private angling three-day season is the shortest red snapper season to date in the Gulf of Mexico.
 
“We are greatly disappointed at the extremely limited federal red snapper season. The red snapper fishery off the coast of Alabama is phenomenal. For NOAA Fisheries to allow our anglers only three days to harvest red snapper from federal waters is ridiculous and unjustifiable,” said Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy, Jr. “Alabama has built a great fishery and has worked diligently to rebuild this once overfished species. Now that the fishery is rebuilding, we are catching larger fish, and they are so plentiful that we are being penalized for our success. We need a radical change on federal red snapper management. Alabama will continue to work with Senator Shelby, Senator Strange and Congressman Byrne to pass legislation that will make real changes to how NOAA manages this fishery.

April 27, 2017 - Big Beach BrewingGulf Shores, AL (GSA) - Big Beach Brewing Company will host Big Beach Big Brew on May 6 in honor of AHA Big Brew. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) created AHA Big Brew as an annual, worldwide celebration of National Homebrew Day. AHA Big Brew is held each year on the first Saturday in May and unites homebrewers from around the world to gather around the brew kettle and indulge in the same beer recipes.
 
At noon Central time, thousands of homebrewers and beer lovers all around the world will raise their glasses for a toast to homebrewing and the homebrewers that craft outstanding homemade beer, mead and wine. This year’s official recipes—which were selected by the AHA to celebrate the upcoming release of the fourth edition of How to Brew by John Palmer—are Rushmore American IPA, Battre L’oie Saison and Klang Freudenfest Oktoberfest Lager, all of which are featured in the book.

Full Moon Paddle on Wolf BayApril 27, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The City of Orange Beach - Relay for Life Team is gearing up for another fun summer of fund raising events with their popular Full Moon Paddles.  Two summers ago the team decided that hosting monthly paddles would be a fun way to raise money.  That first summer proved so successful that it has now become a staple for the team.


The events are held at the Wind & Water Learning Center, located at 26267 Canal Road, behind the Orange Beach Public Library.  Prior to participants leaving to experience the night time paddle, area restaurants caterer food for everyone to enjoy and area musicians donate their time to entertain.  After enjoying the food, entertainment and meeting new friends everyone dons their headlights and PFD’s and take to their kayaks or canoes to paddle in the moonlight.

April 27, 2017 - Blues fans in Orange Beach were treated to extra sightings this week in Orange Beach. Here's a video of the Blues flying home on Sunday after thier air show in New Orleans...

April 27, 2017 - Pensacola NAS - On Tuesday, April 25 leaders and staff from the Escambia County Commission, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Navy met to discuss the impacts on traffic from the very popular Blue Angel practices held at the National Naval Aviation Museum located on Naval Air Station Pensacola. In an effort to help alleviate traffic conditions for both air show goers and those traveling Gulf Beach Highway, the following steps will be taken: 

April 25, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Flora-Bama Mullet Toss 2017 coming up this weekend...

April 23, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - As expected, the Blue Angels smoked the Alabama Gulf Coast Beaches as they returned from their air show this weekend in New Orleans.

April 21, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The world famous Flora-Bama Mullet Toss is coming up next week. Here's a preview of what to expect.
 

Gulf Shores Shooting SuspectApril 21, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - GSPD Detectives are reporting the arrest of a suspect in the April 1st shots fired incident on East Gulf Place at the public beach.
 
On April 1, 2017, at 11:28 p.m., Gulf Shores Police patrol officers responded to a shots fired call in the area of the board walk at the public beach and East Gulf Place. When the officers arrived, they discovered that an argument had taken place between members of a crowd gathered there. During the course of this argument several gunshots rang out. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
 
Detectives were requested and a thorough follow up investigation began that night. During their investigation, Detectives were able to identify 19-year old Jodeci Lamarques Holley of Prichard, Alabama as the primary suspect. Warrants were obtained for Holley and he was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Task Force on April 19, 2017. He was originally booked at Mobile Metro Jail before being transported to the Gulf Shores Police Department.

By DAVID RAINER - Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

April 21, 2017 - Gulf State Park (GSP) - The frenetic activity on the tip of the Gulf State Park Pier last weekend is more proof the northern Gulf of Mexico’s premium fishing and education pier is reeling with action.

Fishing on the Octagon at the end of the 1,542-foot pier that reaches into some prime Gulf fishing waters is not for the faint of heart.

Anglers are lined up against the rail. Some are rigged for free-lining cigar minnows, while others have long plugs tethered to the ends of their lines. Still others play a waiting game with a large cobia jigs ready to cast in front of the migratory fish that swim past the pier on their westward journey in the spring.

When one of the anglers hooks up, Octagon rules kick in. Those along the rail quickly make room for the engaged angler as the fish runs in one direction and then back.

David Thornton, who regularly travels to Gulf Shores from his home in Mobile to feed his pier-fishing addiction, calls that dance the Gulf Shores Shuffle. Pier anglers gladly yield right-of-way to keep from tangling lines, which results only in a lost fish.

“The pier has really perked up,” Thornton said. “The weather has been real conducive to the king mackerel run. Some of the regulars are talking about how an average day will yield five to 10 kings. An exceptional day will be 20-30 kings, and they’ve had a couple of days where the count has been 50-plus.”

April 18, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The City of Orange Beach unveiled the Perdido Pass Historical Marker today, with over 100 spectators looking on.
 
 
Photos of the front and back side of the Perdido Pass Historical Marker...

Perdido Key Wine FestivalApril 17, 2017 - Perdido Key, FL (PKF) - The 8th annual Perdido Key Wine & Art Festival will be held at Villagio Town Center (13700 Perdido Key Drive) April 21-23, 2017. The festival is being co-produced by Perdido Key Events and its' original host the Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in part by The Meridian, Vista Del Mar and ResortQuest the official accommodations sponsor. Guests will have the chance to taste a variety of wines from different regions while enjoying local cuisine, music and arts.
 
On both Friday and Saturday nights, April 21st and 22nd, from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, we are bringing back the ever-popular “Taste of Perdido” for those wishing to enjoy a signature dish from local restaurants paired with an ideal wine. This classic Perdido event has sold out the past few years and by popular demand, a second night has been added. On Friday night, our Taste of Perdido spans from Pensacola to Orange Beach, AL.

2017 Shrimp Festival Poster Artist Robert TownsonApril 14, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - The 46th Annual National Shrimp Festival has selected a design by artist Robert Towson as its Official Poster Design for this year's event. Mr. Towson's design was selected from over thirty entries. This is the second time one of his designs has been selected for the official poster following his first winning design in 2014.
 
The poster competition is an annual tradition of the Annual National Shrimp Festival and the winning poster is selected each year by the Shrimp Festival Committee Members.
 
"The vibrant colors and animated shrimp featured in the design really evoke the fun and excitement of our festival," said Vicki Stillings, VP of Special Events for the Chamber. "The winning design does a great job of encompassing the three primary elements of the festival: food, music, and art."

Red Snapper ManagementBy DAVID RAINER - Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
 
April 14, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - It appears the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will make at least one more attempt at regional management of the red snapper fishery.
 
At the Gulf Council meeting last week in Birmingham, three states petitioned the council to manage the fishery off their respective coasts out to 200 nautical miles, based on historical landings.
 
The council approved motions by Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi by 11-5 votes to eventually shift red snapper management to those states.
 
Chris Blankenship, who served as Alabama Marine Resources Division (MRD) Director for almost six years before being recently promoted to Deputy Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said that motion is only the first step in the amendment process that could take at least a year to develop.
 
“We have a long way to go,” Blankenship said. “But the motion passed 11-5, which shows there was pretty broad support for doing that.”
 
The Gulf Council had previously attempted to shift management of the red snapper fishery to the five Gulf States, but after many changes, the amendment strayed so far from the original intent that it was abandoned.

Chris ElliottApril 13, 2017 - Daphne, AL. – Chris Elliott, a successful Baldwin County business owner and Chairman of the Baldwin County Commission, has announced his candidacy for the Alabama State Senate, District 32, as a Republican in the June 2018 primary.

“As a Baldwin County Commissioner, I have built coalitions to substantially increase the efficiency of your county government saving taxpayers 10’s of millions of dollars each year and reducing substantially the overall county employee headcount all while increasing spending on road and drainage projects to address our critical infrastructure needs. We have brought new high paying jobs to Baldwin County with even more prospects in the future so that we may diversify our economy. We have enacted new planning, zoning and subdivision regulations that help to protect our quality of life and our environment while being respectful of private property rights. I have rekindled positive working relationships with our school officials, mayors and city councils that allow us to address our growth challenges together. It is time to take these proven principles of government efficiency and a cooperative spirit that have been so successful in Baldwin County to the State Senate.”

Summertide Theatre presents Smoke on the Mountain April 12, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - The University of Alabama’s professional summer theatre, SummerTide, will bust out the banjos this summer during its 14th season. Returning after last year’s successful trip to the past, the cast of SummerTide will present Smoke on the Mountain, a 1930’s musical comedy set in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains. Join the Sanders family as they return to performing after a five year break. When Pastor Oglethorpe hires them to revive his congregation at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, the Sanders inspire everyone through song and reveal a few family imperfections along the way.

The show’s infectious combination of gospel and bluegrass music will launch the audience into a harmonious sing-along spirit. Ring of Fire and The Marvelous Wonderettes director Stacy Alley returns this summer to direct the production, which will feature students and faculty. Alley says, “We've thought about doing this show for a while now and I'm thrilled we are finally bringing it down to the beach. It provides an evening full of songs that will make you clap and sing along as well as a cast of characters that will touch your heart and lift your spirits. The show is heartwarming, family-friendly, and hilarious.”

Naval Aviation Symposium“Power Projection in the 21st Century” May 10-12
 
April 12, 2017 - Pensacola NAS (PNAS) – The National Naval Aviation Museum opens its doors for another exciting glimpse into the history and future of Naval Aviation at the Museum Foundation’s Annual Symposium, May 10-12. The three-day event will feature a golf tournament on Wed., May 10, followed by panels and special events on Thurs., May 11, and Fri., May 12.
 
The theme for Symposium ’17 will be “Power Projection in the 21st Century” and will consist of a number of panels and guest speakers who will provide briefings on the current and future role of Naval Aviation in modern Power Projection. The Symposium will culminate with a distinguished panel of flag and general officers who will discuss both current challenges facing Naval Aviation and future initiatives.

Orange Beach Magic ShowApril 11, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Building on its regional reputation as a family-friendly activity provider, Destin-based TripShock.com announced today it has partnered with the talented impressionist and illusionist Brandon Styles. Creating a show specifically for a new venue, the 220-seat club behind Orange Beach’s Live Bait, Styles delivers a perfect mix of impressions, comedy, dance, grand illusions, ventriloquism and award winning magic. His tours have taken him all throughout the country. Whether you are 8 or 80, the Brandon Styles Illusions & Magic Show has something for everyone!
 
“We’re very excited to join forces with Brandon,” said TripShock CEO, Greg Fisher. “His unique blend of comedy and singing, not to mention his magic, will delight audiences from Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and beyond.”

Safe Boating CourseApril 11, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The “About Boating Safely” Class is being presented by Flotilla 3-10 of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary on Saturday, April 22nd, 2016 from 7:45 A. M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Orange Beach Community Center.
 
Upon completion of this 8 hour boat safety course you will receive a boating safety education certificate that satisfies the Alabama requirements for a boating license. The course provides instruction in types of boats, boating law, boat safety equipment, boat handling, and navigation.
 
The course is open to ages 12 and above at a cost of $35.00 per student or $50.00 for two family members sharing a book. The cost includes a textbook, instructional materials, and lunch.

Red Snapper Season in AlabamaMarch 30, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA) - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division (MRD) announces that Alabama’s waters will open for the recreational harvest of red snapper from 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 26, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2017. Alabama state waters extend 9 nautical miles from shore. The daily bag limit will be two red snapper per person, and the minimum size will be 16 inches in total length.
 
The federal red snapper season has not been set by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. For information concerning the federal red snapper season, call (727) 824-5305. NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office also indicated that they will send out a fishery bulletin once the federal season is established.

Blue Angels Practice Shows
March 27, 2017 - Pensacola Naval Air Station - (OBA) - The Blue Angel Practice sessions reopen on Tuesday, March 28th for the 2017 season.

Beginning this week and running through November, the Blue Angels opens the gate at NAS Pensacola tarmac to invite the public to watch the Blue Angels practice their shows.

March 24, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - The City of Gulf Shores has announced the lineup for the Music at Meyer Park concert series. These annual springtime concerts have become a fan favorite for locals and visitors alike.

On March 30, CBDB takes the stage to kick off Music at Meyer Park. Formed in Tuscaloosa, CBDB is known for their unique brand of progressive jam-rock, dubbed joyfunk. Fresh off the release of their third album, titled "The FAME EP," CBDB combines impressive musicianship with solid songwriting and a spectacular live performance. The group is comprised of Cy Simonton - guitar and vocals, Kris Gottlieb - guitar and vocals, Glenn Dillard - sax/keys and vocals, Paul Oliver - drums, and Mike Sinopole - bass and vocals. 

Naval Aviation Museum FoundationMarch 21, 2017-OBA- The National Aviation Museum will celebrate Robotics Week Saturday, April 15th from 12-5pm.
 
Featured will be IHMC (Institute for Human and Machine Cognition) Robot demonstrations will take place in the Blue Angels Atrium and free screenings of National Geographic’s film, “Robots” will be shown.
 
IHMC will demonstrate kid-friendly robotics concepts and real-world applications that inspire and amaze. Hands-on science kit activities will also be set up by the Pensacola MESS Hall.
 
Kids and families are invited to see National Geographic’s film, Robots in the newly renovated Giant Screen Theater. Tickets to the film Robots on Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. are free, on a first come-first served basis. Complimentary popcorn and a beverage will be also provided.
 
The following video demonstrates the latest advancements in human-like robotics. 

Fitness on the BeachMarch 9, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Fitness and health fanatics have plenty to do this spring and summer when vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach including yoga retreats, paddleboard competitions and more.

 

March 9th, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The wait is over. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band will return to The Wharf Amphitheater for one night only, Tuesday, June 6th at 8 pm, as part of Jimmy Buffett’s “I Don't Know'” Tour 2017.

Local Parrotheads won't want to miss their chance to soak in the full Margaritaville experience.

Big Beach BreweryMarch 8, 2017 - Gulf Shores, AL (GSA) - This Saturday, March 11th, Big Beach Brewing Company will be hosting a fundraiser in support of the GSHS marching band students that were injured during the tragedy on Mardi Gras Day.
 
As many of us know, Fat Tuesday on the Alabama beaches wasn’t the usual light-hearted occasion filled with costumes, beads, debauchery, and way too many moon pies. It took a turn for the worse before the parades even started rolling when some of our own were injured in a terrible accident.
 
Big Beach wanted to do their part in supporting the community, too. The local brewery will host a day concert benefiting recovery efforts for the injured GSHS band members. John Hart Duo, which includes previous GSHS marching band member Adam Cooper, will play from 1pm-4pm at the brewery.

The Small Business Development Week takes place between March 20th & 24th.

OBA Editor Note: If you own a small business you'll benefit from information and resources offered by these small business advocates! 

Small Businesses are a critical component of Baldwin County’s vibrant economy and this week has been chosen to highlight the importance of these unsung heroes by highlighting business’ resources that are available to existing and start-up businesses across the county. Most of these programs are on-going but have come together on this particular week.

The week includes: