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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.

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."

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."

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.

Bubba’s Seafood House ‘is a good ol’ place to go’

Bubba's Seafood House on beach road in Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

May 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) - Jay Schenck has been serving up scrumptious seafood platters in Bubba’s Seafood House on beach road since 1998. And while he wants the seafood to draw ‘em in, he wants them to have fun during their visit.

“We wanted it to be just a good ol’ place to go,” Schenck said. “Everybody knows a Bubba.”

But the veteran restaurateur knows it’s more than food bringing people in the door and keeps ‘em coming back. He has been running restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for the better part of 30 years and has owned or been a partner in a dozen or more. Today he’s pared it down to Bubba’s.

“There are four or five things in the restaurant business you have to do to be good,” he said. “Your food has got to be good, but the food is the third or fourth thing. The first thing is the presentation and environment of the building outside.”

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.”

WWII vet, 95, volunteers to help fellow Marines

By John Mullen

November 12, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - Welton Hance’s cane is a custom job the 95-year-old Marine built himself. The handle looks a lot like the grip of a handsaw and it sports a little platform with two custom items: a bubble level and a compass.

“I had to have a cane,” said Hance with a perpetual twinkle in his eyes. “I have a shop, I had a board and a band saw. I thought well when I’m going, I want to make sure I’m on the level and not tipping over. And I want to know what direction I’m heading.”

Wife Wilma added: “He needs one of those slow-moving triangle signs on the back.”

The sprightly Hance brought his infectious smile out on a sunny afternoon to enjoy a lunch of Tacky Jacks as a reward for his fundraising efforts at the restaurant chain’s Shrimp Festival booth.

“Tacky Jacks has been working with the Marine Corps League for several years to help honor veterans and to help us find recipients for our ActionTrack Chair giveaways,” Tacky Jacks’ Marketing and Events Coordinator Susan Sizemore said. “Mr. Hance, in particular, worked most of the day on Thursday, the first day of shrimp fest in our booth, rode the wheelchair around to promote it. We wanted to do something to thank him and the others that helped out.”

Orange Beach raises hope for two bridges

A big crowd showed up to hear about transportation and education issues.

November 9, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – Mayor Tony Kennon issued a message of hope during a Nov. 7 town hall meeting on transportation and education issues in Orange Beach.

Hope for not one, but two new bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway, one west of the Foley Beach Express and one over Wolf Bay at Alabama 161 in the heart of Orange Beach.

More than 1,000 people came to hear the message during the meeting covering transportation issues and the new 7-12 school planned for Orange Beach with an eye on opening for the 2019-20 school year.

On hand for the meeting were officials with the Alabama Department of Transportation as well as leaders of the Baldwin County Board of Education.

Perhaps causing the most stir is the possibility of a Wolf Bay Bridge with the south end at Doc’s Seafood Shack – but keeping the iconic restaurant intact – and private land on the north side. No timetable was given for beginning construction or a completed bridge.

Orange Beach introduces new city website

November 9, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - The City of Orange Beach has officially launched its new website, www.orangebeachal.gov, with the assistance of Shelley Piraino of Shazam Interactive. The completely redesigned website has a fresh new look, improved navigation, up-to-date news, a dynamic events listing and an overall goal of keeping the public informed and engaged.

“The new website and domain name give the City of Orange Beach a new start as the official source for governmental information,” City Administrator Ken Grimes said. “Targeting our citizens, property owners and businesses, the new site takes another big step toward transparency like our Town Hall meetings, which offer an ‘open mic’ for any question to be asked and answered. The website gives another means to ask questions or voice concerns, which are always answered within 24 hours and often within the hour the email is sent. Our staff takes customer service as a top priority and the site is another tool in providing communication and information to our community.”

Blue Angels Change of Command

November 8, 2017 - NAS Pensacola (NAS) – U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, are scheduled to host the squadron’s change of command ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Nov. 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Cmdr. Eric Doyle will relieve Capt. Ryan Bernacchi as Blue Angels commanding officer/flight leader in a formal change of command ceremony.

Doyle joined the Blue Angels in September. Prior to his selection as the Blue Angels’ commanding officer, he was the Executive Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, the “Stingers,” at NAS Lemoore, California. Doyle’s previous commands include: Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125), the “Rough Raiders,” NAS Lemoore, California; Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115), the “Eagles,” NAS Lemoore; U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada; Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37), the “Ragin’ Bulls,” at NAS Oceana, Virginia; Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15, the “Valions,” at NAS Oceana, Virginia; 422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron, the “Green Bats,” at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada; and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, the “Stingers,” at NAS Lemoore, California.

Anchor Bar's new fall menu full of savory choices

A braised beef belly Philly is on Anchor's new menu.

November 3, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) – The Cuban had grown to almost legendary status on the Anchor Bar and Grill’s menu. And it’s a short menu.

Chef Jonathan Kastner opened in October 2015 with the concept of a simple menu and bar food done right. His cuisine and chalkboard specials and choice beer, wine and liquor specialty dinners have since left an indelible imprint on the island culinary scene. Anchor is located on the dock at Hudson Marina at the south end of Wilson Boulevard in Orange Beach.

What you get there are gourmet twists on foods traditionally found on a bar menu. Wings, nachos, tacos, salad, a specialty sandwich – including the famous Cuban – a hearty burger and this time around, a tuna gravlax poké.

There have been nine menu changes in just more than two years and through most of those, the Cuban made the cut, but Kastner is giving it a break in the latest offerings.

Walter Marine floated the beached boat this morning

November 2, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - After 5 days of trying to get the beached boat floating again the owner called David Walter with Walter Marine, Reef Maker.

Within 3 hours of arriving on the scene the Walter Marine Crew had the boat floating again.

Walter Marine starts work to remove boat from beach today

Photo by Brent Williams

By Marc Anderson, City of Orange Beach

November 2, 2017 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - On Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, City of Orange Beach staff, led by the Coastal Resources Division, held a meeting with the representative of a sport-fishing vessel that beached on the state-owned shoreline, behind the Hampton Inn, over the weekend.

Efforts to remove the boat had been unsuccessful up to that point. As of Wednesday afternoon, the vessel’s owner had negotiated a contract with David Walter Marine of Orange Beach to safely remove it from the beach. The city, in coordination with state agencies, approved the scope work and will ensure the beach is returned to its previous condition by the responsible party.

Church of God donates to Christian Service Center

From left are Church of God members and CSC volunteers Julie Reed, Teresa Luginbill, Stan Moss, Larry Luginbill and Lonnie Gjesvold.

November 1, 2017 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - For the fourth year in a row, the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, met at the Orange Beach Events Center. The group desires to bless the communities where they meet and again chose the Christian Service Center as the recipient of their outreach. Each day of their meeting, the group collected food, household supplies, personal hygiene items, baby supplies and cash donations for the CSC.

Hurricane Nate didn’t dampen their spirits at all because the group contributed 6,120 pounds of food and supplies. In addition, their generous cash donation will allow the CSC to purchase more than 20,000 pounds of food from the area food bank. All of this was accomplished in only seven days, in spite of Hurricane Nate.