The New Alabama Gulf State Park Pier

Renderings created by David Thornton, better known as Pier#'r

Out with the Old & In with the New...

When many people think of Gulf State Park, the first thing that comes to mind is the saltwater fishing pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The 825-foot-long pier was Alabama’s most popular place to fish and watch others fish. Hugh Branyon, Gulf State Park's superintendent, says the pier attracted about 250,000 anglers and sightseers each year. On the busiest days, he said, almost 5,000 people would visit the pier.

Click here to read the full article.

More Good News for South Alabama Economy

Northrop/EADS wins tanker contract
Posted by George Talbot, Staff Reporter February 29, 2008 3:21 PM
Categories: Aerospace, Breaking News

Updated 3:47 p.m.

The U.S. Air Force today named Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS North America to build its next-generation fleet of aerial refueling tankers, spurning a bid from rival Boeing Co. with a decision that could bring an aircraft assembly plant to Mobile.

The Air Force made its choice after a fierce competition between the two teams for one of the single largest defense contracts in U.S. history. Estimated at up to $40 billion, the deal includes 179 planes to be delivered over the next 10-15 years. Boeing was considered a heavy favorite due mainly to its political clout and its legacy of building aircraft for the U.S. military.

The tanker contest pitted Northrop's larger, more capable KC-30 against Boeing's smaller, more agile KC-767. Los Angeles-based Northrop plans to assemble its tankers in Mobile, creating up to 1,500 jobs in a new factory at the Brookley Field Industrial Complex. Airbus, an EADS subsidiary, has announced plans to add another 300 jobs by shifting production of a commercial air freighter to Brookley.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Click here to see a Google News Search showing how fast this story is spreading.

Click here to read Forbes article about the Mobile, AL economy.

Coast insurance bills moving on

Thursday, February 28, 2008

By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN

Capital Bureau

MONTGOMERY -- A state Senate committee Wednesday approved three bills intended to help with the affordability and availability of property insurance along the Alabama coast.

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee approved the bills unanimously.

The most comprehensive one is sponsored by state Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile. It would overhaul the beach pool, or the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association, which is the insurer of last resort for coastal residents.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, would put the beach pool into state law. According to Bedford, Insurance Commissioner Walter Bell said during a hearing earlier this year that Alabama is the only state where the beach pool is not included in state law.

Brooks said Bedford's bill is good, but "we have got to do more."

The third bill, also sponsored by Brooks, would allow captive insurance companies to sell automotive coverage along with homeowners policies.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Click here to read the bill by Ben Brooks on the WKRG-TV website.

Orange Beach Family Medicine Physician Joins Sacred Heart Medical Group

Dr. Karin Pardue, a board certified family medicine physician and medical review officer, has joined Sacred Heart Medical Group at Orange Beach.

Dr. Pardue received her medical degree from Louisiana State University College of Medicine in New Orleans, La. She then completed residency training in family medicine at Earl K. Long Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La.

Dr. Pardue also has special interests in nutrition and aesthetic medicine including microdermabrasion, Botox, skin rejuvenation, and professional skin care products. She has provided pediatric, adolescent, and adult medical care at her Orange Beach office since 2004.

Dr. Pardue is currently accepting new patients at her office located in Orange Beach. For more information or an appointment, please call (251) 981-8713.

About Sacred Heart Medical Group
Sacred Heart Medical Group is the region's largest network of primary care and specialty physicians with locations in Baldwin County as well as Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties. Patients who choose Sacred Heart Medical Group experience coordinated care with easy access to specialists, preferred scheduling of diagnostic and imaging exams, and timely follow-up care.

Dedicated to serving the patient, Sacred Heart Medical Group is Joint Commission accredited and follows high standards for quality, safety and infection control. In addition, patients provide constant feedback through patient satisfaction surveys, enabling the team to continually monitor and improve the care provided.

Safe Boating & Electronic Navigation Courses

Safe Boating Course
The Alabama South Coast Flotilla 3-10, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach a safe boating class on March 1, 2008 at the Orange Beach Community Center. The class begins at 7:45 AM and will finish by 4 PM. The cost of the course is $35 per person and includes lunch and a book with CD. Additional family members willing to share a book can attend for $10. Successful completion of this course qualifies the student for the Alabama Boater’s License. The class is limited to 25 students so advanced registration is a must. Please call John Griggs at 955-1443 to register.

This course covers most basic aspects of boating including the types of boats, trailering, refueling, boat handling, what to do in emergencies, the navigation rules of the road and boating laws. The course usually has a Marine Police Officer and an Active Coast Guard Boarding Officer to answer questions on boating laws.

Traditional and Electronic Navigation Course
The Alabama South Coast Flotilla 3-10, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach a navigation class on March 8 at the Orange Beach Recreation Center. The class will begin at 0800 and should be completed by 4 PM. The cost of the class is $60 per person and includes lunch and the book “Weekend Navigator, Simple Boat Navigation with GPS and Electronics” by Bob Sweet with CD. The class is limited to 20 students. Please call John Griggs at 955-1443 to register.

This course starts with basic navigation skills such as reading and plotting coordinates on a chart and progresses to using electronic charts to plan and plot your course. The charting will be combined with GPS. This advanced course requires that the boater have had the basic boating class and be familiar with his or her own GPS. This class will not teach how to use any specific make or model of GPS.

City Marina project contemplated

Officials want to know how much income facility can generate before they build it

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

By RYAN DEZEMBER, Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- Before deciding whether to move forward with construction of a $18.5 million municipal marina on Terry Cove, city officials said they'd likely hire a consultant in the coming weeks to show them what sort of income it could generate.

To finance construction of the facility, which would replace Walker Marina that was destroyed by 2004's

Hurricane Ivan, Orange Beach would sell bonds. So city officials said they want to know how close the marina -- which will include a five-story parking deck, a 3,500-square-foot banquet hall, space for four retailers, 58 boat slips and a large restaurant -- can come to paying for itself.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Click here for a Birds-eye-view of the location of the proposed City Marina.

Gulf Coast Golf

Pensacola has high-flying jet aces, great beaches and surprisingly good golf

By Tim McDonald,
National Golf Editor

Pensacola is known for many things other than golf courses, but with gems like Lost Key Golf Club, Tiger Point and Perdido Bay (not to mention Portofino Island Resort Spa), there's enough quality and quantity to keep you busy for a week or more.

PENSACOLA, Fla. - As a native of Florida, I'm a little ashamed to say it's been many years since I've spent any appreciable time in Pensacola.

Driving around at my leisure here, I had forgotten about all the water around the place. The sheer volume of water stuns you: These are some of the best views and some of the whitest-sand beaches in a state known for watery views and great beaches.

They've been busy while I was away. The downtown is thriving again, with renovated, old historic buildings - theaters, stores, bars and restaurants are jumping. I'm not sure if it fits one of its many nicknames any more - the "Redneck Riviera," which sort of informally encompasses that wide curve of Panhandle from Pensacola to Mobile, Ala.

Click here to read the full article from WorldGolf.com.

Woodstock picks new city manager from Orange Beach

By KAREN ROSEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/26/08

Woodstock chose a new city manager who already has experience in metro Atlanta. The City Council approved a contract for Jeff Moon, the former Riverdale city manager, who has been the city administrator for Orange Beach, Ala., the past seven years.

He is expected to start April 15 at a salary of $125,000. Moon was one of three finalists for the job.

"They all had similar qualifications educationally and experience-wise, but we felt like Jeff Moon's personality would fit in more so than anyone else," said Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques.

Click here to read the full article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Click here to view a map of Woodstock, GA.

Lessons learned in condo market

Monday, February 25, 2008
By RYAN DEZEMBER
Staff Reporter

GULF SHORES -- The past four years on Alabama's beaches have provided plenty of learning experiences for condo owners.

There's been a duo of destructive hurricanes and subsequent increases in insurance rates, a boom and then a bust in the resort real estate market, a glut of inventory and falling prices, and the now the foreclosure-filled fallout.

What owners of the 13,604 condominiums on Baldwin's beaches should have taken from those times, and what they should look for going forward -- be it with their insurance policies, building construction or delinquent association members -- were the focus of Condo Owner Magazine's third educational symposium held Friday at Fort Morgan's Beach Club resort.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Beach towers will stop at two

Sunday, February 24, 2008

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- After battling for three years to clear mid-century land restrictions that blocked construction of two high-rises, developer Larry Wireman has canceled the third and fourth towers of his luxury condo project Turquoise Place.

Amid a sluggish resort real estate market, Wireman said last week that he declined to finalize deals with nine property owners with whom he contracted in 2004 to buy lots for a reported $55,000 per Gulf-front foot.

Each owner stood to collect about $5.5 million had the sales gone through.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Orange Beach joins Repton in fight against landfill

Town finds ally in battle against landfill proposal

Saturday, February 23, 2008

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- Forgive one for thinking that this resort's sister city might be neighboring Gulf Shores. Though there's a bit of sibling rivalry between Baldwin County's two surfside cities, Orange Beach's official sister city, since Tuesday, is Repton.

A square-mile speck of a town along U.S. 84 in Conecuh County, Repton has little in common with Orange Beach. The former, a rail town, was nearly wiped off the map by advances in transit. The latter, fueled by post-baby boom prosperity, boasts some of the most posh addresses in Alabama.

Repton's leaders are fighting developers who propose a 1,500-acre landfill on some 5,100 acres just south of the town's jurisdiction. Mayor Terri Carter said they've mounted a campaign to oppose the Conecuh Woods Municipal Solid Waste Facility, enlisting nearby cities, neighboring counties and now the political heft and expertise of Orange Beach.

Orange Beach, forecasting a lean year, approved a $42 million budget for 2008. Though it delayed some multimillion-dollar capital projects with the real estate market at a standstill, Orange Beach will pay its lobbyists in Washington and Montgomery $118,000 this year without a second thought.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Click here to view a map showing Repton, AL.

Click here to view a Google Search for Conecuh Woods Landfill.

Local company makes New York Time Travel Section

A Place to Park That Million-Dollar RV

About 8.3 American households currently own an RV, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. It seems only fitting that the luxury RV crowd — some of whom may have paid upwards of $2 million to purchase their mobile homes —prefer lots a bit spiffier than your average roadside campground.

Although private gated communities for RVs exist, starting this spring the country will have its first national chain. Called Bella Terra, the chain will open its first resort, above, in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Click here to read the full article from the New York Times.

Click here to visit the Bella Terra Resort Website.

3 finalists for Woodstock city manager

By KAREN ROSEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/21/08

Woodstock has narrowed its search for a new city manager to three candidates. The city will announce its choice on Monday and hopes to have the new manager on the job by the end of March.

The finalists are:

• Angel L. Jones, city manager pro tem of Eugene, Ore., since July 2007.

• Jeffrey S. Moon, city administrator for Orange Beach, Ala., since February 2001 and a former city manager of Riverdale.

• Steven T. Thompson, former city manager of Deltona, Fla. Thompson left his job in January after an election changed the makeup of the Deltona city council.

"All three have what we're looking for as far as experience is concerned," Woodstock Mayor Donnie Henriques said. "They all are well-versed in all facets of city management."

Henriques and Woodstock's six council members will make the final decision.

"It comes down to a question of chemistry," Henriques said, "and how we think one of these three will fit in with the staff we already have and the residents and the stakeholders."

Henriques said about 80 people applied for the job, which advertised a salary range of $125,000 to $155,000. Six candidates came to Woodstock for interviews.

Click here to read the full story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Alabama beaches gear up for spring break- USA Today

By Garry Mitchell, Associated Press Writer

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Alabama beach resorts posted record visitor spending on lodgings last year, bouncing back three years after Hurricane Ivan left widespread wreckage on the coast.

Tourism officials hope high gas prices and a slide in the national economy won't reverse those gains this year.

March heralds student spring break frolics and the kickoff of get-to-the-beach tourism.

Click here to read the full article from USA Today.

2008 Festival of Art at Waterfront Park

Submitted by Wanda Price, Orange Beach Art Center

The 2008 Festival of Art will be held March 8th and 9th. The Festival of Art is held annually at the lovely Waterfront Park in Orange Beach.

Come meet and talk with the artists from around the region and country. This Art Festival is designed and dedicated to those that create and those that appreciate and purchase art of all varieties. Whether you are looking for glass, jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics or fiber … you are destined to find art to fall in love with. For parents the Kids Park playground is located close by.

Potter Bruce O’Dell will be demonstrating the exciting process of Raku pottery. Watch as the clay comes alive with brilliant color from the fire and smoke of the Raku process.

Enjoy the beautiful Art, great food and music from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Coconut Dave will be performing for the crowds as they walk through the many booths. Regional and national Artist will be at the 2008 Festival of Art so come enjoy a day of art and music.

Once again the Fire and Rescue Ladies Auxiliary will be selling wonderful food at the Festival of Art. Enjoy lunch or a snack and support these women as they raise funds for charitable projects.

After you have enjoyed the art at the Festival stroll over to the newly renovated Orange Beach Art Center and see the work of over 100 local artists.

The annual Festival of Art is a program of the Orange Beach Art Center.

Click here to see the 2008 Art Festival on the Upcoming Events Page.

Click here to view the 2008 Art Festival Poster.

Netters ask for looser rules

They say change is crucial to industry's survival; but conservation group is pushing bill that would completely outlaw gill nets in Alabama waters

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

By BEN RAINES

Staff Reporter

Unhappy with an emergency rule change last year designed to cut their annual Spanish mackerel harvest roughly in half, Alabama's gillnetters have asked state officials to loosen the rules, a change they say is needed if their industry is to survive.

Meanwhile, the Coastal Conservation Association will try to have a bill introduced in the state Senate in coming days that seeks to outlaw gill nets in state waters altogether.

A similar measure introduced last year failed.

Prohibited from fishing for mackerel between every Thursday night and Sunday night since April 2007, Alabama's 105 net fishermen are asking to be allowed to fish in places that have long been off limits for much of the year, including more than half of Mobile Bay and the state's most popular stretch of Gulf beachfront, from Old Little Lagoon Pass to the Florida line.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile-Press Register.

16th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show draws record crowd

by Ken Grimes, City of Orange Beach Community News

The 16th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival was held last Saturday for the Orange Beach Sports Association. Breezy but near perfect weather helped attract what could be a record crowd to the event as just under 1,000 plates were sold and about 90 vintage cars and hot rods showed up.

Proceeds from this one day event benefit the youth baseball and softball programs in the Orange Beach area along with supporting other community needs.

The annual festival is formerly known as the Orange Beach Red Snapper Festival which began many years ago as charter fishermen from Orange Beach would go out and catch the fish in the off season, primarily red snapper back then, to be cooked and sold in support of the youth sports at a time when the City of Orange Beach had few facilities, fewer teams and much smaller population.

A big congrats goes out to Robert Stuart, Bradley Shivers, Shannon McCurdy, Jeff Silvers and the many volunteers that made the Orange Beach Seafood Festival another great success. Fryers, prep workers, grillers, servers and ticket sellers are all just a part along with the silent auction and of course the player registration tent.

Tunes from Brent Burns, Top Hat and Jackie and other locals added to the mix of the day. Oddly enough under the big entertainment tent there were plenty of seats to eat as people backed their chairs out of the shade and into the sun for some warm rays to cool tunes.

The biggest kudos this year in my opinion is to Denny and Debby Busbee who organized the “Big Car Show” at the festival. No doubt the car show has grown for several years but their hard work and planning paid off with plenty of nice rides to look at and tons of prizes for the owners.

Great job and thanks to the many sponsors of the car show and the festival itself. A last observation was the increase in sales compared to 2007 for the Girl Scout cookies sold by the Brownie Troops. If you missed the sale, stop by J&M Tackle and pick up a few boxes anytime.

To see a slideshow of the event log onto www.OrangeBeach.ws and click Seafood Festival Photos thanks to Mr. Ken Cooper.

Even though the Mardi Gras festivities are over for the year, you can still stroll down memory lane with a slideshow of this year’s parades by clicking on www.CityOfOrangeBeach.com then watch the show on the Home Page of the site. Feel free to right click and save the ones you like.

Insurance proposal raises concerns

Monday, February 18, 2008

By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN

Capital Bureau

MONTGOMERY -- The sponsor of two bills intended to help thousands of people on the Gulf Coast access affordable insurance said he is concerned about a "watered-down" proposal introduced by one of his colleagues in the Legislature.

State Sen. Ben Brooks, R-Mobile, said he has worked on the coastal insurance issue for more than a year and was never contacted about a bill introduced by Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville. "It is not intended to distract from his bill in any way," Bedford said.

Brooks has said some insurance companies told him his bill is too far-reaching. Paul Hubbert, head of the powerful Alabama Education Association, has said he is concerned that Brooks' legislation could drain money from the already cash-strapped state education budget.

"This is a political bill driven by the special interests to protect the status quo," Brooks said of Bedford's bill.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Orange Beach officials blame toll increases, economic slowdown on decreased toll bridge usage

Saturday, February 16, 2008

By RYAN DEZEMBER, Staff Reporter

ORANGE BEACH -- For the first time since the city became a partner in the Foley Beach Express toll bridge, use of the span over the Intracoastal Waterway decreased from the previous year, data show.

Last year's total usage of 2.96 million vehicles was a 14 percent drop from 2006, when 3.38 million vehicles crossed the bridge.

Orange Beach collected royalties in 2007 of nearly $636,000, or 21 cents per car, about half the $1.2 million take of 2006 when it received 36 cents per car.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Offshore Patrol Reveals Fishing Violations

(stock photo)

February 15, 2008- Alabama Gulf Coast

Alabama Marine Resources Division officers confiscated 110 red snapper fillets and four red drum recently during a patrol made possible by a joint enforcement agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Marine Resources Conservation Enforcement Officer Bo Willis and Lt. Scott Bannon boarded the Slick As Glass about 25 nautical miles south of Petit Bois Island off the Mississippi Coast and found four red drum that had been gutted and a mesh bag containing the fillets of 55 red snapper.

It is illegal to harvest or possess red drum in federal waters. The recreational season for red snapper is currently closed. The boat did not have a federal reef fish permit.

Capt. Marcus Murphy III of Pascagoula, Miss., and two crew members were advised the case would be turned over to federal authorities, and the red drum and red snapper fillets were confiscated.

“This case and several others are the direct result of the joint enforcement agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service,” said Vernon Minton, Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Marine Resources Division. “This agreement pays to allow officers to work overtime, both offshore and nearshore, to enforce regulations, as well as purchase equipment necessary for these patrols. It has also increased our presence in state waters.”

Major John T. Jenkins, Chief of Enforcement with Marine Resources, said the division received $750,000 last year from the joint agreement and were able to purchase 8-meter and 10-meter offshore boats.

“It also provided us with an additional 3,800 patrol hours – offshore, nearshore and dockside patrols,” Jenkins said. “This case was one of the offshore patrols we are conducting under the agreement.

During the patrol, Officer Willis and Lt. Bannon checked 10 boats (a total of 34 people) that day.

On the way out, they cited three people for not having a saltwater fishing license and one for improperly marked recreational crab trap.

“The point I’m trying to get across is the federal money gives us more patrol time, whether it’s crabbing, saltwater fishing or gill net fishing.”

According to the report filed by the officers, Bannon boarded the boat and asked what the fishermen were catching. When the fishermen responded they were catching redfish, Bannon advised it is illegal to harvest or possess redfish in federal waters. Bannon then checked the three ice chests on board and discovered four gutted redfish and a mesh bag containing 110 red snapper fillets with the skins attached. The defendants agreed the fish were indeed red snapper.

“This was a pretty egregious violation,” Jenkins said. “We forwarded the case packet to Special Agent Greg Houghaboom with the National Marine Fisheries Service in Niceville, Fla. He will review the case packet and forward it to Federal Prosecutor Karen Raine.

“In any enforcement situation, usually 10 percent of the people are responsible for 90 percent of the violations. This shows that we are able to apprehend these violators because of the equipment provided and extra hours to be on the water. This helps NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and it improves assets and man-hours for state enforcement, too.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Oil company seeks permit for seismic tests off coast

(Click image to right for larger view.)

Compressed air blasts would stretch from Gulf Shores to Dauphin Island

Thursday, February 14, 2008

By BEN RAINES

Staff Reporter

An oil exploration company has applied for permission to conduct a 400-square-mile undersea seismic survey in Gulf waters from Gulf Shores to the west end of Dauphin Island.

The survey area includes the mouth of Mobile Bay and coastal waters from the shoreline to 14 miles offshore, including shallow, nearshore waters.

More than 200,000 blasts of compressed air from 36 high-pressure air guns at a time will yield a picture of what lies beneath the seafloor, down to a depth of 31 miles, according to the application.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Replica of the Columbus Nina Ship to dock at Lulu's

(Click on image to right for larger view.)

The replica of Columbus' ship that's been cruising the coastal waters as a floating museum will be docked at Lulu's Homeport Marina from February 20th through the 24th. The ship will be open for tours from 9 to 5 daily. Prices for the tours are as follows: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children, free for children under 5 years old.

Three Reasons to visit the Nina
Written by John Malcom, Niña crew member.

* To see a near perfect example of a type of sailing ship-the caravel- of such clean, sculptured, honest design that it was produced for upwards of 125 years. with its Scandinavian style bow and midsection and its combination square and lateen rigging it was probably the best open water sailing vessel of its time- that pivotal time referred to as the ' Great Age of Discovery'.

* To, in some small way, enter that age, to perhaps get a feeling for Columbus himself, that enigmatic and flawed human being, who, admire or despise him, is one of perhaps only three individuals in all of our long past who, by themselves, for good or ill, personally altered the course of Western history.

* To stand on the sloping deck of the Niña, as true a replica as will probably ever be built. It was Columbus' favorite ship, the one he very nearly died on in 1493, upon which he ultimately logged more than 25,000 miles.

For more information visit the Nina Website.

Click here to view the Upcoming Events on The Orange Beach Community Website.

Beach Pool insurance board adds local businessmen

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Staff Report

The Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association, better known as the Alabama Beach Pool, has added two resident members to its newly expanded board of directors.

Gulf Shores City Councilman Robert Craft and Mobilian Jay Ison, vice president-secretary of the insurance brokerage firm Thames Batre Mattei Beville & Ison, have been appointed to one-year terms, according to a Beach Pool news release.

Besides his elected post, Craft owns Craft Farms, a sod business and golf course, and is chairman of Gulf United Metropolitan Business Organization, a business advocacy group usually called GUMBO. Ison is married to state Rep. Jamie Ison, R-Mobile.

Click here to read the full story from the Mobile Press-Register.

2008 Watermelon Queen to be Crowned in Orange Beach

(Feb. 11, PACKER WEB EXCLUSIVE) Jenna Stanford, 2007 National Watermelon Queen, will crown her successor at the 94th annual convention of the National Watermelon Association Feb. 20-24 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala.

Pictured right: Alabama Watermelon Queen Katherine Lynn Strickland

Click here to read the full article from ThePacker.com website.

Hopeful Realtors watch condo market

Sunday, February 10, 2008

By KATHY JUMPER

Real Estate Editor

Larry Wireman's 173-unit Turquoise Place condominium tower in Orange Beach will be finished this spring, and he said he's optimistic that the million-dollar-plus units will close.

"We have a very special product," he said. "But the fact of the matter is, we never know until we get to the closing table" whether the buyers who bought the units as presales will show up. The units average $1.5 million, he said.

The 24-story Turquoise Place on Alabama 182 is one of the few new condo complexes that will open this year at the Gulf, with some Realtors viewing the luxury units as a barometer for future sales.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Of Mice and Boats: Battle ensues as boater parking space shrinks

2/9/2008, 2:04 p.m. CST
By GARRY MITCHELL
The Associated Press

ONO ISLAND, Ala. (AP) — Residents in the wealthy gated enclave of Ono Island on the Alabama Gulf Coast used an environmental argument to keep an Orange Beach public boat launch off their sandy doorstep.

For Orange Beach officials, the defeat heated up a water access debate, increasingly familiar to Gulf communities, and sent them searching anew for space to park an overflow of boat trailers that only grows worse as the weather warms.

Finding parking for all those boat trailers remains a major problem on the Alabama coast — a magnet for sportfishing crowds, with some leaving their vehicles and trailers on the roadside or in shopping center parking lots when they can't find anywhere else to park.

Click here to read the complete article from NOLA.com.

Alabama Beach Resorts Post Record Lodging Spending In '07

By Associated Press

GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) - Alabama beach resorts posted record visitor spending on lodgings last year, bouncing back three years after Hurricane Ivan left widespread wreckage on the coast.

Tourism officials hope high gas prices and a slide in the national economy won't reverse those gains.

Next month will usher in student springbreak and an ad campaign promoting beach tourism.

Click here to read the rest of the story from NBC13.com.

Click here to read a more complete related story from the Mobile Press-Register.

Feds close firm accused of illegal workers on Alabama coast

2/8/2008, 2:42 p.m. CST The Associated Press

GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — Federal immigration officials have shut down a Gulf Shores-based labor firm that authorities contend had supplied some 300 illegal workers for area employers.

Some of the workers lived in a Gulf Shores trailer park owned by Gerald Jones, identified in court records as the owner of the firm, Skyline Services. Jones was not charged.

But an employee, Roberto Pereida-Dias, 25, of Brazil, pleaded not guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Mobile to allegations that he made fake identifications in connection with that scheme.

Click here to read the rest of the article from AL.com.

Click here to read a related article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Alabama Saltwater Tournament Action- Where Fishing Is the Real Winner

(Photo L to R: Gary Finch, Tony Kennon, Tom Steber, Maurice Fitzsimons, & Mark Mallet)
(Click on photo for larger view.)

by Steve Layton
Finch Productions, LLC
www.FinchOutdoors.com

Orange Beach Saltwater Series World Championship Tournament 4/4/08 – 5/26/08

Orange Beach Red Snapper World Championship Tournament 8/22/08 – 9/30/08

This season’s saltwater fishing is shaping up to become one of the best for Gulf Coast anglers. The Orange Beach Red Snapper World Championship Tournament, held in Orange Beach, Alabama, has already proven itself to be a real crowd pleaser. Over 30,000 fishermen have already participated in the event and this year the concept has even more to offer the recreational and competitive angler. This world recognized tournament has quickly grown to become a major event on the Gulf Coast calendar and has expanded into becoming a true state celebration of recreational saltwater fishing.

This year, fishermen can double their tournament chances by entering both the Red Snapper World Championship Tournament and the brand new Orange Beach Saltwater Series World Championship Tournament. For only a few dollars, any fisherman can purchase daily tickets to compete in a pair of tournaments that boast a total payout of $300,000 in cash prizes. The best part is, these two tournaments span over 13 weeks of fishing and they include the most popular species sought by Gulf Coast anglers. For lucky fishermen, that translates into multiple opportunities for success!

The proceeds from the two tournaments are directed towards improving and preserving the future of recreational saltwater fishing. In essence, participating anglers are actually fishing for the future of their sport. Last year’s tournament donations, when combined with Alabama’s 3-1 matching funds, generated over $250,000. In the last four years the tournament has raised almost $1,000,000.00. These funds are earmarked for the establishment, and continued maintenance, of the largest saltwater reef building program in the world. Approximately 1,200 square miles of Alabama waters are dedicated to the state’s artificial reef program.

Entrants for the new Orange Beach Saltwater Series World Championship Tournament will be the first to “test the waters” at winning cash with their fishing skills. The tournament format will be similar to the already popular red snapper version. The Orange Beach Saltwater Series World Championship Tournament dates will extend from April 4^th to May 26^th. The major difference in the “Series” tournament will be the variety of fish that can qualify to win and place. The Orange Beach Saltwater Series World Championship Tournament consists of eleven fish which includes; King Mackerel, Tuna, Wahoo, Grouper, Amberjack, Vermilion Snapper, Triggerfish, Cobia, Speckled Trout, Red Fish and Sheepshead. Prizes range from $20,000 for a 1^st place King Mackerel to $10,000 for a 1^st place Speckled Trout, and $10,000 for a 1^st place Redfish. After mentioning those three species, there are still eight other categories of fish and plenty of places to fill!

Later in the fishing season, anglers get to finish out the tournament schedule with what is considered the heavyweight main event. The dates of the Orange Beach Red Snapper World Championship Tournament will span August 22^nd to September 30^th. Fishermen will compete head-to-head off Alabama’s coast to bring home a red snapper worthy of becoming the $25,000 first place winner. A broken state record could result in some lucky angler becoming the owner of a new truck. The tournament will pay out cash prizes for the first 20 places in both the angler and boat categories. Beyond the cash prizes, merchandise will be given out to daily winners.

Anglers and fish aren’t the only winners in this coastal celebration. By honoring their heritage of recreational fishing, Orange Beach businesses stand to benefit from the summer long activities surrounding all the fishing action. A boat show at Lulu’s Homeport Marina and an RV show at the Gulf Park Pavilion are scheduled from April 11^th through the 13^th. These are just the first of the many events that will be associated with the two tournaments.

Historically, recreational fishing contributes approximately $800 million each year to Alabama’s economy. Forward thinking tournament directors have plans for that figure, and their fisheries, to grow through the excitement generated by this popular Gulf Coast celebration.

For more information visit: www.RedSnapperWorldChampionship.com
or call Tournament Director, Tony Kennon at 251-269-0277.

Bama snapper, grouper safe to eat

Thursday, February 07, 2008

By BEN RAINES

Staff Reporter

Eating red snapper or grouper caught off Alabama's coast should pose no health threat, despite a recent warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that several species from "the Northern Gulf of Mexico" contain a potentially deadly toxin.

That's good news for local fishermen but perhaps not much of a comfort for anyone buying seafood.

In today's global economy, it is almost impossible to know where fish sold at groceries, seafood markets or restaurants were caught. Indeed, repeated testing at markets and restaurants along the Gulf Coast has shown that it is often impossible to know even what species of fish is being sold.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Prescribed Burn Planned in February/March at Gulf Resort State Park

(Photo: The Orange Beach Community Website logo photo to the right was taken during a burn at the Gulf State Park in January 2003. The sunsets that occur during the burns at the Gulf State Park are some of the most beautiful.)

February 06, 2008

CONTACT: Forrest Bailey

334-242-3901

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division, in cooperation with the Alabama Forestry Commission, is planning a prescribed burn in the time frame of February/March 2008, weather permitting. The burns will occur off of County Road 2, Highway 135 and the park campground. A third longleaf pine restoration zone is included for site preparation prior to a winter planting.

The fuel load within the park has been significantly reduced by a series of burns the preceding two years. The Division feels that the further elimination of fuel rendered by Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina will create a safer environment in regard to wildfire within the park and the outlying communities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Every effort will be made to ensure safety and proper smoke management during this period.

For further information, contact Forrest Bailey at 334-242-3901 or 334-850-4331, or Gulf Resort State Park at 251-948-7275.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Orange Beach Development

February 3, 2008
Kathy Jumper, Mobile Press-Register

A 54,000-square-foot Publix Super Market with a pharmacy should open sometime in the third quarter of this year in the Shoppes at Palm Pointe at Alabama 182 and 161 in Orange Beach, according to Brenda Reid , a spokesman for the Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain.

The local developers of Maritime, a planned community on 182 acres on Canal Road in Orange Beach, say it will be at least 18 months before they start presales. The project will include 350 single-family units, a village center on 10 acres with 300,000 square feet of retail, office, and restaurants and 60 condominium units, according to Pat Martin , one of the developers. Looney, Ricks Kiss Ar chitects is designing the traditional neighborhood development, he said.

Construction should start later this month on the 10,000-square-foot Results Fitness facility on Alabama 182 next to Gulf State Park in Orange Beach, according to Bob Shallow of REMAX Paradise. He and his wife, Susan, are developing the two-story fitness center. The plans are finalized, and they are getting bids from contractors, he said.

Realty South Or ange Beach has expanded its office to 2,600 square feet at San Roc Cay on Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, according to agents.

Click here for more real estate news from the Mobile Press-Register.

Good Economic News for Alabama Coastal Communities

America's Fastest-Growing Metros
Brian Wingfield and William Pentland, Forbes.com

It's no secret that the Southeast and Western United States are booming. The costs of living and doing business there are often cheaper there than in big coastal cities. But where and how much those cities are thriving might surprise you.

Take Alabama. The state has some of the fastest growing metro areas in the country, including Mobile, which is projected to have the greatest change in "gross metropolitan product (GMP)," 34% between 2007-2012, according to research forecasts done for us by Moody's Economy.com.

One boon to Alabama is ThyssenKrupp's announcement last year to build a $3.7 billion steel plant in Mobile. And Huntsville--expected GMP growth 15% by 2012--has long been a hub for defense and space research. Since the mid-1990s, Alabama has also become a manufacturing center for automakers like DaimlerChrysler (nyse: DCX - news - people), Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people) and Hyundai.

Click here to read the complete article from Forbes.com.

Click here to read a related article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Three days of activities mark opening of new facility

Submitted by Betty Ingram

The city of Orange Beach will host a weekend of festivities Saturday and Sunday, followed by a ribbon-cutting Monday to open the new Teen Center in the city's Recreation Complex.

"We are very excited about the facility and the programs that we are going to be able to offer our teens," Orange Beach Mayor Pete Blalock said. "It is critical that we keep this age group involved in programs and activities, and we want to thank Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner for their help in securing the grant for us to develop this program."

In September 2006, the City Council accepted a $300,000 Department of Justice grant that paid for half of the cost of the Teen Center and an adjacent skate park, construction of which is slated to begin later this year or in 2009.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.

Business owner sues city

Ike Williams says city won't let him rent personal watercraft after saying he could

Friday, February 01, 2008

By RYAN DEZEMBER

Staff Reporter

A prominent south Baldwin County businessman has sued Gulf Shores, claiming that officials in City Hall illegally shut down his personal watercraft rental business last summer.

Ike Williams, who has run Ike's Beach Service for the past two decades, filed the suit earlier this month in Baldwin County Circuit Court alleging that city officials in July ordered him to stop renting personal watercraft months after he had started doing so.

And he claims that before buying the property at 800 W. Beach Blvd., then-Code Enforcement Officer Frank Breaux and Mayor G.W. "Billy" Duke III told him the property's zoning allowed him to rent personal watercraft.

Click here to read the full article from the Mobile Press-Register.