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

Dogs not allowed on public beaches in Gulf Shores

City Logos Gulf Shores1 January 9, 2019 – Gulf Shores, Ala – (OBA^®) - The City of Gulf Shores would like to make all residents and visitors aware that no dogs or animals are allowed on any of the public sand beaches or at any part of the public beach accesses, including the newly renovated Gulf Place, as in the Code of Ordinances – Section 6-8.

Orange Beach group helps effort for S. Baldwin animal shelter

The Orange Beach Animal Care and Control Program helping in effort for South Baldwin animal shelter.

By John Mullen

January 8, 2019 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – An effort started as a trap, neuter, return program for feral cats in Orange Beach has blossomed into a regional effort to get a new South Baldwin animal shelter.

On Jan. 16 representatives from Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley will meet at the Graham Creek Center in Foley to come up with ideas about how to make that happen. The Orange Beach Animal Care and Control Program is urging citizens through its Facebook page to contact their local government officials in support of the plan.

“There is a serious initiative underway for an all-inclusive animal campus to serve the tri-city area of Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach,” the post said.

2019 Annual Electronic Recycling & Shred Day

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Recycle Day January 7, 2019 - Orange Beach & Gulf Shores - (OBA^®) - The Annual Electronic Recycling and Shred Day will be held on Saturday, January 19, from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Gulf State Park Pavilion.

This event is sponsored by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, the City of Orange Beach and the City of Gulf Shores.

Orange Beach council meeting agenda for January 8th

orange beach boat logo January 5, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 8th, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting. The meeting was rescheduled from Tuesday, January 1st due to the New Year’s Day holiday.

OBFD Resident Volunteer Firefighter Program accepting applications

January 4, 2019 - _Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Fire Department Resident Volunteer Firefighter Program (RVFP) is an exciting opportunity! The RVFP is designed to give young men and women who are interested in pursuing a career in Fire and Emergency Services.

Senior Snowbird Potluck begins 23rd year

Orange Beach Community Center Snowbird Potluck

January 3, 2019 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - For the 23rd consecutive year, the Senior Snowbird potluck will run each Thursday from January 17th to March 28th.

The weekly meetings will move to the Orange Beach Community Center on Canal Road. Set-up time will be 11 a.m. and serving time will be at noon.

Tacky Sweater Beach Getaway Giveaway

December 30, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Baby, it's cold outside! Who wouldn't like to trade in their white snow for white sand? Beach lovers have a chance to eat, drink and be TACKY this winter! Tacky Jacks is giving away a Gulf Shores and Orange Beach getaway to one creative crafter. Art enthusiasts of all ages are invited to make a tacky sweater using duct tape. “The idea came from years of teaching Ductigami classes at Tacky Jacks in Gulf Shores,” Tara McMeans said. “The restaurant is unique because it has colorful duct tape from floor to ceiling, each with a message that our guests leave behind. We have always wanted to incorporate a tacky sweater theme into our winter program. So, we bounced the idea around with our team and guess what? It stuck!”

Gulf Coast Wildlife Symposium returns Feb. 12-14

December 29, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Calling all wildlife veterinarians, veterinarian techs, and rehabbers: join the Orange Beach Wildlife Center for the 4th Annual Gulf Coast Wildlife Symposium on Feb. 12-14 at the Orange Beach Event Center.

Orange Beach Seafood Festival Set for February 23rd

Orange Beach Seafood Festival & Car Show

December 28, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 27th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at The Wharf on Main Street.

Garden Club announces ‘Light Up Orange Beach’ winners

December 27, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Garden Club has named the winners of the 2018 “Light Up Orange Beach” contest.

In the residential category, which includes a cash prize, the winners are:

January community potluck to feature ballet dancers

Orange Beach Community Potluck for January

December 26, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Monthly Community Potluck will be held on Monday, January 7th at the Orange Beach Community Center, featuring ballet dancers from the Coastal Ballet Academy demonstrating several types of dance narrated by the academy's artistic director.

One bullet, two legs in accidental shooting in Bear Point

One injured in accidental Bear Point shooting in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

December 22, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Orange Beach police say an accidental shooting in Bear Point on Friday night is still under investigation but Lt. Carl Bradley said they believe it was just that – an accident.

“Two male subjects in a trailer there at 5699 Perdido Avenue and one of the male subjects had a Springfield .40 caliber compact and thought it was unloaded because he had unloaded it earlier,” Bradley said. “He pulled the slide back and when he released it a round fired off from it. His friend was standing beside him and the round went through both of his legs and came out the other side. If had been an inch closer he would have hit a main artery in his leg and he would have likely bled out.”

Orange Beach Community Yard & Craft Sale set for Jan. 19

December 22, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The 2019 Big Community Yard & Craft Sale will be held on Saturday, January 19, from 7 a.m. to noon at the Orange Beach Community Center. The annual event is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Booth space is $30 and is limited to one space per individual. An application for booth space can be picked up at Orange Beach City Hall. Applications with payment can be dropped off at City Hall at 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., or mailed to the following:

Attn: Angela Bateman, Coordinator
P.O. Box 458
Orange Beach, AL 36561

Make checks payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 251-981-6629.

Eat at these OBA restaurants Christmas and Christmas Eve

Flora-Bama Christmas Day potluck buffet in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

December 21, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) - At least 13 OBA Community Website restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve and three of those will be serving on Christmas Day as well.

Those three are iconic names on the Gulf Coast with Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar and the Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar in Orange Beach and Hazel’s Nook in Gulf Shores open on the holiday.

Serving on Christmas Eve will be three Tacky Jack locations in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan, Bill’s By the Beach, Brick and Spoon, The Ruby Slipper, Bayes Southern Bar and Grill, Barefoot Island Grill, Duck’s Diner and Gilbey’s Seafood and Steak.

Police Chase from Foley through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key

Police chase through Alabama and Florida

By Foley Police Dept.

December 20, 2018 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at approximately 6 p.m. a Foley Police Officer observed a vehicle stopped in the southbound lane of Highway 59 at the intersection of Highway 98.

As the officer approached what he suspected was a disable vehicle, he observed that the driver was passed out behind the wheel.

Recognized for Outstanding Accomplishments in 2018

December 18, 2018 - Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - What did the Perdido Chamber accomplish in 2018? Members and Community members attended the Perdido Chamber’s Annual meeting on November 30, 2018 to reflect on how far we have come within the past year, discover what’s next for our area, and of course hear the winners for the 2018 Keys to Success Awards.

The 2018 Annual Meeting and Awards program began with a welcome by the 2018 Chairman of the Board, Cameron Price of the Flora-Bama. After leading a successful year as chairman of the board, he wistfully reflected on how far the chamber has come in such a short period of time, and shared excitement about where we are headed in the future.

Orange Beach Holiday Schedule for City Services

December 15, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - During the Christmas holiday, non-essential City of Orange Beach offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24th-25th.

Trash and recycling routes will run one day behind starting the day after Christmas.

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.