The OBA Community Website

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

Wounded pelican Obie in rehab after resident raises concerns

Pelican is rescued by Orange Beach Wildlife Center staff. By John Mullen

November 6, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Walking the beach in the early morning semi-darkness is routine for Skie Brown. She looks at the tapestry the sun paints on the clouds as it slowly rises out of the Gulf and snaps pictures and videos until it has completely freed itself of the horizon.

She loves seeing the animals as well. On this Oct. 29 she thought there in the dawn light she saw a familiar sight. But there was something unfamiliar about it.

“That morning in the dark I thought there’s my little heron but gosh, he looks short,” she said. “I thought it must be a baby because it looked so short. I got closer and noticed he was wide and fat and thought ‘that’s not a heron.’”

Restaurants open for Thanksgiving Day Dinners in 2018

November 5, 2018 - Orange Beach - Gulf Shores - (OBA^®) - Here's our 2018 list of Restaurants open for Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

You'll find links to additional details on each of the listings. The link on the restaurants' names will take you to their website, the link On OBA will take you to the restaurant's listing on the OBA Website.

Cobalt The Restaurant wins Silver Retailer of the Year

November 2, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Cobalt The Restaurant won Silver for the Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category. They tied with another Orange Beach restaurant, Wolf Bay Restaurant. Brian and Jodi Harsany, owners of Cobalt The Restaurant, were nominated by the Alabama Small Business Development Center – University of Alabama and the City of Orange Beach.

Foley Elementary Turkey Take-Out Helping Local Families

October 30, 2018 - Foley, AL - (OBA^®) - Foley Elementary School, along with area churches and organizations, is stepping up to help those in need in the Foley area. The Ninth Annual Turkey Take-Out is gearing up to feed an estimated 1200 people again this year, many of whom are the families of students at Foley Elementary School and the Foley feeder schools such as Magnolia Springs and Swift School, as well as Summerdale, Gulf Shores, and the Rosinton areas.

Coastal Christmas events abound on the Gulf Coast

Coastal Christmas Boat parade starting at LuLu's in Gulf Shores

October 29, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Choose sand angels over snow angels this holiday season on the Alabama Gulf Coast. From 65-acres of Christmas lights and lighted boat parades to Santa Claus parachuting down from the North Pole, there are plenty of joyful, family-friendly events happening this year during Coastal Christmas.

Helicopter rides available at Gulf Shores Airport on Oct. 26-27

Pictured: Pete Peterson, in red shirt, and Jodi and Brian Harsany on the Huey during its stop in August Click the photo to see a video from the ride.

By Matt McCrary

October 26, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Friends of Army Aviation- Ozark and its UH-1H Huey helicopter have returned to the area to participate in the AOPA: your freedom to fly Fly-In at Jack Edwards National Airport (KJKA) today and tomorrow, Oct. 26-27.

In early August, the non-profit was in Orange Beach providing unforgettable rides over the coastline. Don't miss this chance to experience it.

BuzzCatz in Orange Beach named best breakfast in Alabama

Sunday is Cinnamon Roll Sunday at BuzzCatz where guests can upgrade their breakfast sandwich with a house made cinnamon roll.

October 26, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – According to Yelp reviews, BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets serves the best breakfast in Alabama. PEOPLE Magazine worked with Yelp editors to identify their online reviews that focus on breakfast. Those restaurants were ranked based on a variety of factors for their Best Breakfast in Every State.

Gulf Shores Airport site of AOPA fly-in event on Oct. 26-27

AOPA fly in GS art October 25, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) - The Gulf Shores Airport Authority and State of Alabama Bureau of Aeronautics is hosting the 2018 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Regional Fly-In this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26-27, at the Jack Edwards National Airport.

The event will highlight static displays of military and civilian aircraft, offer biplane and helicopter rides and feature more than 70 exhibitors along with seminars and an AOPA Town Hall meeting with AOPA President Mark Baker.

Gulf State Park announces new 26 MPH Speed Limit

By City of Gulf Shores

October 23, 2018 - Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - Gulf State Park and the City of Gulf Shores will implement a new speed limit on Alabama Highway 135, one of the gateways to the park. On Tuesday, October 23, the speed limit will shift to 26 mph.

Public safety is the goal for the reduction in the limit from 35 mph, particularly in light of the increased use along the route for hikers, bikers, walkers and other park guests. New signage and radar reminders will be activated along Alabama 135 and there will be an increased presence of the Gulf Shores Police and Alabama State Parks rangers to enforce the speed limit, beginning at 7:15 a.m. on Thursday.

“We believe the unusual speed limit on the signs will help drivers take note and slow down,” said Gulf Shores Chief of Police Edward J. Delmore. “The new limit of 26 miles an hour emphasizes that something is different.”

Wolf Bay bridge brings ‘different perceptions,’ Schwartz says

Leonard Kaiser, left, and Richard Schwartz look at plans for the Wolf Bay bridge. By John Mullen

October 23, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^_®) – If there’s one person who’ll be affected most by Orange Beach’s effort to finally get a Wolf Bay bridge it’s Richard Schwartz, owner of the iconic Doc’s Seafood Shack and Oyster Bar.

The ramp for the bridge will split two pieces of property he owns at ground zero, one where his restaurant sits and one where his customers and employees park.

Go Fund Me for Orange Beach girl explodes over weekend

By John Mullen

October 22, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – A Go Fund Me campaign for an Orange Beach Elementary School kindergartner exploded over the weekend of Oct. 19-21 to surge past $17,890. On Oct. 17 it was just shy of $4,000.

The campaign is for Annadelle Faulkner who began complaining with a variety of symptoms in the closing days of September but doctors couldn’t pinpoint the causes. She is the daughter of Neeli and Chris Faulkner of Orange Beach.

“We went to two different urgent cares in Baldwin County and all of them sent us home and said she just had a virus and would get better,” Neeli said. “Monday when she got up and couldn’t walk we decided we’re going to Children’s. The second we walked in the door they knew exactly what was going on with her.”

Message in a bottle carries story of tragedy and hope

Message in a bottle was a tribute to George Gumpert Jr. By John Mullen

October 18, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL – (OBA^®) - It came from the sea and to the sea, it shall return.

Tracy Arnette was taking a walk along Johnson Beach in Perdido Key recently and she saw a bottle washed up on the edge. She had found a message in a bottle that led her to unravel a mystery about its contents and the heart-wrenching story behind it.

The message read: George Gumpert, October 24, 1982 – BETA. And a quote below over a picture of a dock over some water read: What do you do when you realize that the answer you’ve been chasing your whole life is really just the next question?

Tracy found out that message was from a heartbroken George Gumpert whose son, named George also, who had taken his own life in September of 2010 at the age of 28.

Orange Beach, Baldwin rally support for hurricane victims

By John Mullen

October 18, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) – Several groups, businesses, churches and governments in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and around the county are spearheading relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Michael.

While most group are collecting cleaning supplies, hygiene items, first aid kits and pet needs, the City of Orange Beach is planning a special effort for first responders who are also victims of the storm.

Orange Beach to spend $107,000 on recreation complex redesign

By John Mullen

October 17, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – Orange Beach is looking to spend about $107,000 to begin a redesign of the recreation complex at the northwest corner of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard.

“We’re trying to maximize that property to get the most out of it because it’s shrinking fast,” Mayor Tony Kennon said during the Oct. 16 regular council meeting. The council also had a work session after the regular session and discussed how the city will send help to Bay County, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association to land in Gulf Shores Oct. 26-27

Who:	Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

What:	Jack Edwards Airport is hosting the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s last fly-in for 2018. AOPA’s fly-ins are designed to give AOPA pilots and other aircraft enthusiasts the opportunity to connect with each other, learn more about aircrafts and have fun. This event is open to the public.

Gulf Coast Multi-Chamber Social to gather on the Line

October 11, 2018 – Perdido Key, FL - (OBA^®) - Those who live, work and play in the Gulf Coast may already know how lucky we are to be able to enjoy the most beautiful beaches, friendly community atmospheres and successful business ventures in our area. Being a part of a local Chamber of Commerce allows camaraderie and collaboration to business professionals and community members in the area where we strive to succeed and grow together. The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking social every year to bring together the local Chambers in the area to commend the continuing hard work for our common purpose of promoting successful business along the gulf coast.

Orange Beach City Council meeting set Oct. 16th

October 13, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 16th, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Following are the agendas for the meetings. Please note that the information below may not be the most up-to-date information. For the full and most up-to-date agendas and attachments, go to https://orangebeach.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/.

Gulf Shores remains under Tropical Storm Warning due to advancing Hurricane Michael

October 9, 2018 – Gulf Shores, Ala – (OBA^®) - City of Gulf Shores officials continue to monitor Hurricane Michael as it continues on an eastern track and is forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 major hurricane between Destin and Apalachicola on the Florida Panhandle. Gulf Shores’ residents and visitors are urged to continue to monitor this situation closely and take necessary precautions.

Tropical Storm Force Winds ranging from 39 to 74 mph can be expected as local weather conditions deteriorate rapidly Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

Road closures related to the 47th Annual National Shrimp Festival

October 8, 2018 – Gulf Shores, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Gulf Shores would like to make all residents and visitors aware of the following road closures and detours related to the 47th Annual National Shrimp Festival.

Tacky Jacks, Beach'N Buggys team up to help vets

Beach'N Buggys rents beach wheelchairs in Orange Beach, Alabama, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. By John Mullen

October 5, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Having access to the beach for handicapped vacationers can be a game changer for many potential travelers.

“We have so many people we service and people are changing their vacation plans,” Beach’N Buggys co-owner Marie Palmer said. “They’ve been able to see the beach but they’ve never been able to get onto the beach and it’s absolutely amazing.”

Palmer and her husband Chance Blaker have been in the business of making and selling the buggies with balloon-like tires that can make the beach accessible to more people since about 2010. About a year ago they went into the rental business and have about six in the fleet.

Recently Tacky Jacks restaurants and Beach’N Buggys teamed up to provide U.S. veterans with access to one of their chairs during their beach vacations. The restaurant purchased materials for chair and Blaker built it and painted it in Tacky Jacks’ color scheme. Veterans get a break on the rental fee when they ask for the chair.

Orange Beach taking ‘parallel track’ on ambulance service

Mayor Tony Kennon of Orange Beach, Alabama.

By John Mullen

October 5, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA®) – Even as MedStar tries to find solutions to problems with response times in Orange Beach the city is going to continue exploring starting an ambulance service if its own.

“We want to start a parallel track,” Mayor Tony Kennon said. “They may bring something that changes or turns all of our heads then that would be wonderful. If not, we’ll move forward with our plan. But we’ll start that parallel track.”

Kennon’s comments came during a joint city council session on Oct. 2 with the regular session first followed by a work session. The council also discussed subsidizing an increase in health insurance for employees coming in 2019.

Skins Game Tournament returns Oct. 7 to Orange Beach Golf Center

October 4, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach Golf Center will hold its first Skins Game Tournament of the 2018-19 fall/winter season on Sunday, October 7th, and then on the first Sunday of each month through April, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The public is welcome.

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

Baldwin Pops concert at Library Green in Orange Beach

October 3, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Baldwin Pops Band, conducted by Dr. Jason Rinehart, will present "Bernstein, Jazz, and Our Southern Roots" at 4 p.m. Sunday, October 14 at the Library Green in Orange Beach, overlooking Wolf Bay.

City of Orange Beach hosting informational meeting Oct. 22 on proposed Wolf Bay Bridge

Ocetober 2, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The City of Orange Beach will be hosting a public information meeting for the proposed Wolf Bay Bridge project from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, October 22nd at the Orange Beach Community Center.

The proposed Wolf Bay Bridge will extend from Alabama 161 to County Road 95 over the Intracoastal Waterway, within the City of Orange Beach.

Orange Beach Middle/High School Update

Sept. 28, 2018: Update from Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler and staff:

October 1, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler, along with his administrative staff, provided the following information about the new Orange Beach Middle/High School. District 5 Baldwin County School Board member Norma Lynch, who represents Orange Beach, as well as Mayor Tony Kennon and Council member Annette Mitchell share thoughts on the new school as well.

Boo at the Zoo set for Oct 21 in Gulf Shores

Face painting will be one of many fun activities at Boo at the Zoo.

October 1 2018 – Orange Beach, AL – Boo at the Zoo returns on Oct. 21 1-4 pm. Have your little ones don their favorite costumes for a fun time at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo's Boo at the Zoo. Be wacky and kooky because this celebration is not so spooky.

Dress up as your favorite ghost or goblin, have fun as a kangaroo or monkey, or show up as the best superhero or pumpkin. as our keepers will be walking around with golden tickets looking for costumes that catch their eye. Each ticket may be redeemed in the gift shop for a T-shirt.

Orange Beach City Council Agenda for Oct. 2nd Meeting

October 1, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach City Council will hold its regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, followed by the Committee of the Whole meeting.

Senior Center announces October 2018 Excursions and Events

Orange Beach Senior Center September 30, 2018 - Orange Beach, AL - (OBA^®) - The Orange Beach Adult/Senior Activity Center has announced its October 2018 Excursion and Events. Call 251-981-3440 to sign up for any of the events listed below.

October 1 at 6 p.m. - Community Potluck at Orange Beach Community Center”: Bring a Dish to Pass. Speaker: Community Development Director—Kit Alexander. Additional Info: Contact Mike O’Rourke at 251-981-6060.
October 10 at 10 a.m. - Grief Support Group: This group will be led by Community Hospice
October 10 at 10 a.m.: Senior Expo at Robertsdale Coliseum. The Senior Center group will depart at 10 a.m.. There is space available for 12 individuals.
Read more: Senior Center announces October 2018 Excursions and Events

Orange Beach considering starting ambulance service

By John Mullen

September 27, 2018 – Orange Beach, AL (OBA^®) – The City of Orange Beach is taking preliminary steps to run its own ambulance service for transporting patients from the city.

“The foundation, what’s it going to take, how much will it cost and how do we move forward,” Fire Chief Justin Pearce said. “Right now, we’re in the how do we move forward stage.”

At the Sept. 18 council meeting the effort got a boost in a memo from Financial Director Ford Handley and the city’s Finance Committee.

Prescribed Burn Planned for Sections of Gulf State Park Campground

by Outdoor Alabama

September 27, 2018 - Gulf State Park - (OBA^®) - A prescribed burn is planned at Gulf State Park as part of a forest management plan associated with longleaf pine restoration, fuel reduction and invasive species control. The planned burn will take place in the park’s campground between Possum Road and Raccoon Road (sites 317-394 and sites 409-439) on October 1-4, 2018, weather permitting.