DISPATCH #15
Good morning Crew,
Tides are turning. The quiet season hasn’t gone away just yet, but you can feel it winding down. Umbrella boxes are lining the beaches once again, traffic is ticking up just a bit, and Spring Break is right around the corner. It’s like the coast is slowly stretching its arms out after a long nap — and getting ready to come alive again.
TODAY’S CATCH
Big conversations are brewing at City Hall in Gulf Shores. Officials are set to discuss putting a temporary development moratorium in place while the city works through its new comprehensive plan, essentially hitting pause on certain new projects to make sure future growth lines up with long-term goals. Leaders say it’s about being intentional as the area continues to grow, giving planners time to map out infrastructure, traffic, and community priorities before more building moves forward. Foley, Orange Beach and Robertsdale are already under similar moratoriums. In short, it’s a “measure twice, cut once” moment as the coast keeps growing. pump the brakes
If your kitchen counter is currently buried in Mardi Gras beads, here’s your graceful exit strategy. Gulf State Park is giving those colorful throws a second life by collecting unwanted beads and repurposing them for art projects, education programs, and community efforts instead of letting them end up in a landfill. More than 2,000 pounds of beads were collected last year. It’s a simple, coastal-minded way to tidy up after parade season. save the beads
Good things happen when book lovers show up. Foley Public Library just received a $40,000 boost thanks to its annual book sale, with proceeds going right back into programs, resources, and services for the community. It’s one of those quiet wins that keeps story times running, shelves stocked, and lifelong learning alive here on the coast — proof that a few gently used paperbacks can turn into something pretty powerful. bookworms rejoice!
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
“Bon Secour bouncer”
Captured by Andrea Bredow near Bon Secour
Capture any sunsets, wildlife or cool shots around town?
WORD SCRAMBLE
IHHG IETD
(Answer at the bottom)
ON THE MARKET
Beach Home or Short-Term Rental
Gulf Shores | 3 beds | 2 baths | 2,075 sq ft | surf’s up!
Gated Community + Boat Slip & Lift
Orange Beach | 3 beds | 3 baths | 1,514 sq ft | island life
Southern Living Cottage w/ Pool
Magnolia Springs | 4 beds | 4 baths | 2,938 sq ft | take a peek
SNOWBIRD RADAR
The winter season may be winding down but these birds know how to keep the party going until the last minute! 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 6:21 am |
SUNSET 5:45 pm |
UV INDEX Moderate |
MOON Waxing Crescent |
LOW TIDE 1:21 am |
HIGH TIDE 1:17 pm |
GULF TEMP 62°F |
*Tides are at Gulf State Park Pier. Gulf temp at Perdido Pass.
ADOPTABLE FRIENDS
Got room in your heart — and on the couch — for one more?
Ruby the dog
A sweet girl with a gentle heart and playful spirit, ready for happy walks and plenty of tail-wagging joy.
Jacob the dog
A senior gentleman with soulful eyes and a calm nature, ready to spend his golden years in a forever home filled with love.
Marble the bunny
A very sweet, yet shy young lady who needs a home where quiet companionship and head pats are always waiting.
Tuesday 24th
Bingo w/ Rhonda Hart | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm
Live: David Wiley | Picnic Beach Bar & Grill | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Pizza Pillow (3rd - 5th grade) | Orange Beach Public Library | 4pm
Tuesday Jeopardy | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Live: Clay Watson | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Stargazing at the Pier | Gulf State Park Pier | 6:30pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Wednesday 25th
Senior Wednesday | Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo | Gulf Shores | 9am - 3pm
Snake Encounters | Gulf State Park Nature Center | 10am
Welcome Wednesday | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 11am
Bingo | Picnic Beach Bar & Grill | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Chess Club (ages 6-18) | Foley Public Library | 4pm
Wednesday Karaoke | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Ana Popovic | OWA Theater | Foley | 7:30pm
Live: Saucy FuzZ | The Undertow | Orange Beach | 10pm
Thursday 26th
Live: The Band Wanted | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm
Tech Talk: Neo Robot Butler | Orange Beach Public Library | 2:30pm
Thursday Bingo | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Karaoke (21+) | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Tim Nowell | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Live: Lauren Murphy | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Karaoke | Groovy Goat at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Friday 27th
Live: Smokey Otis Band | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 12pm
Bingo w/ Rhonda Hart | Flora-Bama | Perdido Key | 1pm
LEGO Club | Orange Beach Public Library | 4pm
Live: Elaine Petty | Tacky Jacks | Fort Morgan | 5pm
Live on the Lawn: Troi Atkinson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Bingo | Foley Public Library | 5:30pm
Live: The Shrimp Shack Shooters | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5:30pm
Live: Destiny Brown | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Friday Night Karaoke | Cozumel Bar & Grill at OWA | Foley | 6pm
Saturday 28th
Pancake Art | Foley Public Library | 10am
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway | Orange Beach City Hall | 8am - 11am
Market Day | Coastal AL Farmers & Fishermens Market | Foley | 9am - 2pm
Magic the Gathering (age 10-18) | Orange Beach Public Library | 3pm
34th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival | The Wharf | 10am - 4pm
4th Annual Fort Morgan Oyster Festival | The Beach Club | 12pm - 4pm
45th Annual Arbor Day | Coastal AL Farmers & Fishermens Market | Foley | 1pm - 4pm
Winter Trivia 2026 | Orange Beach Event Center | 5pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Cowboy Johnson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Live: The Homies | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5:30pm
Live: Jesse Taylor | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 6pm
Brandon Styles Variety Show | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 7pm
Sunday 1st
Pickleball Brunch & Rally | OWA | Foley | 1pm
Live: Jim Pennell | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Trip Down Memory Lane | Brandon Styles Theater at OWA | Foley | 3pm
Live on the Lawn w/ Austin Thompson | Doc’s Seafood & Steaks | Orange Beach | 5pm
Live: Lefty Collins | Tacky Jacks | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Live: The Undertow Band | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5:30pm
Bluewater Highway | OWA Theater | Foley | 7pm
Monday 2nd
Meet, Greet & Game | Picnic Beach Bar & Grill | Gulf Shores | 2pm
Monday Trivia | The Hangout | Gulf Shores | 5pm
Books & Brews: My Friends | Luna’s | Orange Beach | 5:30pm
Trivia Night: Guess the Year | Big Beach Brewing Co | Gulf Shores | 7pm
*Event details are subject to change.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
Thanks for reading along this week. Here’s to calm seas and good company, and until next time, may God bless you and your crew!
Shawn
P.S. The sound of waves fixes things you didn’t know were broken.
How did you like today's dispatch?
Word Scramble Answer: High Tide