DISPATCH #13
Good morning Crew and happy Tuesday!
Whether you’re sitting beachside or stuck at a red light on 59, I’ve got you covered. Let’s see what’s going on along the Gulf this week.
TODAY’S CATCH
Bear Point residents in Orange Beach are busy decorating their golf carts and getting ready for the community’s beloved Mardi Gras Golf Cart Parade, set for Sunday at 3pm. It’s a colorful, family-friendly celebration that brings neighbors and visitors together along the parade route to catch beads, candy, and other fun throws. After the parade, the party continues at OSO Restaurant featuring live music, waterfront views, and good times — an annual tradition that highlights the warm, festive spirit of the Bear Point neighborhood. catch some beads!
Good news for anyone who’s ever sat bumper-to-bumper headed beachward: the new ICW bridge is still on track to open by Memorial Day weekend. After two years of construction, crews are wrapping things up. Once it opens, the bridge will share the load with the existing bridge by The Wharf — meaning more lanes, smoother traffic flow, and (fingers crossed) fewer backups on busy summer weekends. more lanes coming
Some solid coastal karma this week at Gulf State Park, where Gulf Shores students rolled up their sleeves for the annual Planting for Protection event, helping restore dunes with native plants alongside park staff and Dune Doctors. It’s hands-on learning with a big payoff: stronger dunes, healthier beaches, and a new generation learning how to take care of the coastline we call home. protecting the dunes
MARDI GRAS MADNESS
Here’s a round up of Mardi Gras parades happening around our slice of the coast. Mark your calendars, grab your beads, and enjoy the fun!
Foley: Sat Feb 14th at 11am
Fort Morgan: Sun Feb 15th at 1pm
Bear Point OBA: Sun Feb 15th at 3pm
Downtown OWA: Sun Feb 15th at 6pm
Gulf Shores: Tue Feb 17th at 10am
Orange Beach: Tue Feb 17th at 2pm
WE HAVE A COLOR
The results of last week’s poll are in and we have a color for the upcoming Crew hat. Well, actually we have two colors. Navy and Khaki were the clear frontrunners, tied with 39% of the vote each. Since I don’t want to start a Navy-Khaki war, our first hat will be offered in both colors. Power to the people!
Next step — let’s choose a style!
(Gray is used for demonstration purposes only)
The Trucker Hat features a solid front with a plastic mesh back, originally popular for breathability and now a staple of retro, casual fashion.
The Dad Hat is a low-profile, unstructured cap with a pre-curved brim, offering a relaxed, comfortable, and often vintage look.
What style should we choose for the Crew hat?
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
I’m receiving lots of amazing photos each week and all I can say is this Crew has an eye for great shots! Here’s another beautiful sunset — my apologies for not being able to share them all.
“Sunset”
Captured by Carol Swart in Orange Beach
Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool shots around town?
DO YOU KNOW?
Which infamous pirate and privateer operated throughout the Gulf of Mexico in the early 1800s and had ties to the Battle of New Orleans? Legend has it he hid his treasure along the Gulf Coast.
ON THE MARKET
Low-Maintenance Living 55+
Gulf Shores | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,566 sq ft | retire here
Canal Road Convenience + No HOA
Orange Beach | 3 beds | 3 baths | 1,856 sq ft | look inside
Nice & Bright w/ Soaking Tub
Foley | 3 beds | 2 baths | 1,725 sq ft | take a peek
SNOWBIRD RADAR
Want to know what all the snowbirds are doing this week? Check out the links below to see what these birds have cooked up.
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 6:34 am |
SUNSET 5:34 pm |
UV INDEX Low |
MOON Waning Crescent |
LOW TIDE 2:48 am |
HIGH TIDE 2:05 pm |
GULF TEMP 59°F |
*Tides are at Gulf State Park Pier. Gulf temp at Perdido Pass.
ADOPTABLE FRIENDS
Your next best friend might just be waiting down the road.
Bentley the dog
An affectionate pup with a gentle heart and happy tail wags, ready to become a loyal companion.
Blue Ivy the dog
A curious pup with a playful spirit and sweet personality, ready for a forever home filled with love.
Franklin the bunny
A sweet, lop-eared bunny who is litter box trained and ready to hop into a loving home.
Tuesday 10th
Tuesday Jeopardy | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Live: Kevin Swanson | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Tacos, Tequila & Trivia | Waffles R Wild at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Music Bingo | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 7pm
Winter Concert: Hollywood Nights | Erie Meyer Civic Center | Gulf Shores | 7pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Wednesday 11th
Senior Wednesday | Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | Gulf Shores | 9am - 3pm
Red, White & Bloom | Orange Beach Event Center | 10am
Wednesday Karaoke | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Young Professionals Mixer (21-40) | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Bingo | Tacky Jacks | Orange Beach | 6pm
Live: Saucy FuzZ | The Undertow | Orange Beach | 10pm
Thursday 12th
Alabama Fossils | Learning Campus at Gulf State Park | 1pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Tim Nowell | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Live: Tennessee Tim & Doug Drake | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Karaoke (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Wine Tasting w/ Winston | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Karaoke | Groovy Goat at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Friday 13th
Flora-Bama Job Fair | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 10am
Live: Smokey Otis Band | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm
Guided Pier Walk | Gulf State Park | 1pm
Live: Prairie Smoke | Orange Beach Public Library | 4:30pm
Live on the Lawn: Troi Atkinson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Daddy-Daughter Dinner & Dance | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Friday Night Karaoke | Cozumel Bar & Grill at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Mardi Gras BAWL (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 7pm
Saturday 14th
Market Day | Coastal AL Farmers & Fishermens Market | Foley | 9am - 2pm
Flora-Bama Job Fair | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 10am
Smooch-a-Pooch | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 11am
Tropical Re-Union Wedding Vow Renewal | LuLu’s | Gulf Shores | 11am
Tea & Talk Book Club: The Light Pirate | Orange Beach Public Library | 12:30pm
Sugarcane Jane Valentine’s Show | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 2pm
Zeke’s Rescued Paws Pet Adoption Event | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Cowboy Johnson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Sunday 15th
Pickleball Brunch & Rally | OWA | Foley | 1pm
Mardi Paws Parade | The Gulf | Orange Beach | 12pm
PUP Crawl Parade | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 1pm
Free Concert: Jerry Salley | St. Andrew by the Sea | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Trip Down Memory Lane Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 3pm
Trivia Night | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Monday 16th
Art al Fresco: Beachy Birdhouse | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 10am
Mardi Gras Craft Time | Gulf State Park Nature Center | 10am
Native Animal Meet & Greet | Learning Campus at Gulf State Park | 1pm
MoonPies on Main | The Wharf | Orange Beach | 4pm
Monday Trivia | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
*Event details are subject to change.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
Appreciate you being here, truly. Until next time, take it easy and enjoy this place we’re lucky to call home. And as always, may God bless you and your crew!
Shawn
P.S. May your parade spot be shady and your hands be full of beads.
Trivia Answer: Jean Lafitte