DISPATCH #14
Good morning Crew — here’s your weekly scoop on life along the Gulf, served easy and breezy.
TODAY’S CATCH
A waterfront estate in Orange Beach just made history by selling for $9.25 million — the highest residential sale ever on the island, underscoring how desirable prime Gulf Coast real estate has become. With its sweeping water views, outdoor living spaces, and coastal charm, this home isn’t just a standout property, it’s a sign that Orange Beach’s high-end market is turning heads and could reset expectations for future listings. see this beauty
Heads up if you’ve got teens (or remember being one): Gulf Shores is reinstating its spring break alcohol ban, which means no alcohol is allowed on public beaches during the designated spring break period. City leaders say the move is about keeping things safe, family-friendly, and manageable as crowds roll in. In other words, the beaches are still open — just leave the White Claws at the condo. booze-free beaches
A little heads up for your weekend errand list: Alabama’s annual severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday is happening this weekend. Friday through Sunday, you won’t pay sales tax on certain storm-prep essentials — think batteries, flashlights, weather radios, and other approved supplies. If you’ve been meaning to refresh the hurricane kit, this is the time. tax-free items
FAT TUESDAY
The end of Carnival season has arrived and it’s the last chance to go catch some beads! There are two final parades to enjoy before it’s all over. If you’re planning on skipping these, make sure you get through town before the roads shut down.
Gulf Shores: Today at 10am
Orange Beach: Today at 2pm
CREW FAVORITES
We asked. You answered. Stomachs have spoken. Here are the top 10 restaurants Gulf Coast Crew readers love the most right now. Next time someone asks “Where should we eat?” — you know where to go.
Tin Top
DeSoto’s
Mikee’s
Cobalt
GTs on the Bay
Jesse’s
Papa Rocco’s
Coastal
Cosmo’s
Wolf Bay
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
“Hello?!”
Captured by Darrell Elmer at Fort Morgan
Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool shots around town?
WORD SCRAMBLE
NADS NDSUE
(Answer at the bottom)
ON THE MARKET
Lots of Character + Covered Pool
Gulf Shores | 3 beds | 3 baths | 2,000 sq ft | dive in
Golf Cart Lifestyle in Bear Point
Orange Beach | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,400 sq ft | island life
All-Brick w/ Bonus + 3 Car Garage
Foley | 4 beds | 3 baths | 3,256 sq ft | take a peek
SNOWBIRD RADAR
From cards and golf to singles dinners and trivia, these snowbirds know how to do winter right! Check out the links below to see what’s happening this week.
Wintering on the Gulf Coast? Tell us which state you call home — we’d love to know where our snowbirds are coming from this year.
SEA & SKY REPORT
CURRENT CONDITIONS |
|---|
SUNRISE 6:28 am |
SUNSET 5:40 pm |
UV INDEX Moderate |
MOON New Moon |
LOW TIDE 5:24 am |
HIGH TIDE 8:42 pm |
GULF TEMP 62°F |
*Tides are at Gulf State Park Pier. Gulf temp at Perdido Pass.
ADOPTABLE FRIENDS
Meet a local pup or kitty who’s ready to be someone’s whole world.
Dolce the dog
A sweet, loving girl with a gentle heart and playful spark, ready to add a little extra joy to her forever family.
Kendrick the dog
A friendly boy with playful energy, ready to find someone he can share plenty of happy tail wags with.
Maggie Mae the cat
A sweet kitty with a loving gaze, ready to share soft purrs, warm snuggles, and quiet companionship.
Tuesday 17th
Guided Eagle Hike | Lakeview Trailhead at Gulf State Park | 9am
Mardi Gras Celebration | Picnic Beach | Gulf Shores | 10am - 2pm
Mardi Gras Celebration & Boat Parade | LuLu’s | Gulf Shores | 10am - 9pm
Jambalaya Jam | CoastAL | Orange Beach | 11am - 2pm
Post-Parade Party | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 11am - 2pm
Mardi Gras Day | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm - 4pm
Live: Rachel Lane | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Wednesday 18th
Senior Wednesday | Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | Gulf Shores | 9am - 3pm
Bingo | Picnic Beach Bar & Grill | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Wednesday Karaoke | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Bingo | Tacky Jacks | Orange Beach | 6pm
Red Skelton Tribute Show | AL Gulf Coast Music Hall | Foley | 7pm
Live: Saucy FuzZ | The Undertow | Orange Beach | 10pm
Thursday 19th
History of Gulf Pirates | Gulf State Park Nature Center | 11am
Live: The Band Wanted | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm
Thursday Bingo | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Karaoke (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Live on the Lawn w/ David Wiley | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Karaoke | Groovy Goat at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Friday 20th
Guided Pier Walk | Gulf State Park Pier | 1pm
Bingo w/ Rhonda Hart | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm
Live: Smokey Otis Band | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm
Live on the Lawn: Troi Atkinson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Murder at the Mullet Fest | Orange Beach Public Library Senior Center| 5:30pm
Live: Matt Erdman | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Live: Tim Roberts Trio | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 6pm
Friday Night Karaoke | Cozumel Bar & Grill at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Brandon Styles Magic Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Saturday 21st
BAMARAMA 2026 - Geocaching on the Gulf | Elberta Civic Center | All Day
Market Day | Coastal AL Farmers & Fishermens Market | Foley | 9am - 2pm
Sheriff’s Showdown Pickleball Tournament | City of Foley Outdoor Pickleball Facility | 9am
Rabies Clinic & Open for Adoption | Baldwin County Animal Shelter | Summerdale | 9am
Turtle Time | Gulf State Park Nature Center | 10am
Not Your Book Club | Foley Public Library | 10am
Live on the Lawn w/ Cowboy Johnson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Live: Funky Lampshades | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Sunday 22nd
Pickleball Brunch & Rally | OWA | Foley | 1pm
Live: Lefty Collins | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 1pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Cedric Brooks | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Trivia Night | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Monday 23rd
Meet, Greet & Game | Picnic Beach Bar & Grill | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Monday Trivia | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
*Event details are subject to change.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
That’s it for this week, thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes. Go enjoy the coast and catch a good sunset if you can, and may God bless you and your crew!
Shawn
P.S. If your day gets tangled, think like a fisherman — reset your line and cast again.
Word Scramble Answer: Sand Dunes