Blue Angels practice at NAS Tuesday & Wednesday mornings - Mullet Wrapper

Mullet Wrapper: "By Ashley Chisholm The Blue Angels have scheduled extended practice sessions behind the National Naval Aviation Museum almost every Tuesday and Wednesday through the team’s season ending November Homecoming Shows at NAS. Practices begin at 8:30 a.m. and last about an hour. Admission to these practices is free and bleacher seating is available for about 1,000 people. The Blue Angels will host autograph sessions inside the Naval Air Museum following most Wednesday practices. But please note that practices are subject to change without notice due to weather conditions, flight operations or other unforeseen events."

Bratton Brothers Invitational earns attention from Golf Digest - Mullet Wrapper

Mullet Wrapper: "As if the pre-tourney recognition in your hometown bi-weekly was not thrilling enough, the participants in the recent Bratton Brothers Invitational Golf Tourney in Gulf Shores have now earned a feature article in their sport’s bible, Gulf Digest. The June issue of the magazine features a tourney article by the magazine’s senior travel editor, Matt Ginella, who surprised the BBI golfers at their welcome party at Guy Harvey’s at the Wharf."

3rd Annual Hangout Reunion slated May 31 - Mullet Wrapper

Mullet Wrapper: "Locals, former locals and those who just happened to come of age in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s will converge on the Gulf Shores Public Beach on Sunday, May 31 for the Third Annual Gulf Shores Hangout Reunion from 6-10 p.m. at the new Hangout at the southend of Hwy. 59. The Tip Tops will hit the stage at 5 p.m. for a no cover charge show. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, The Hangout was the coolest place to meet -"

Gulf Shores’ inventor with ALS creates his own beach chair - Mobile Bay Business Journal Online

Small Business - Mobile Bay Business Journal Online: "Wheelchair built for beach provides “Beach Power”
by Dave Perry

Unless you know someone confined to a wheelchair many of us go through our day without much thought about mobility and access. Sure, we see the blue-lined parking spaces, ramps and elevators and the 3-wheeled carts at big box stores. And arenas have special areas set aside too. Many accommodations have been made to improve access for these individuals."

June 6 Boating Safely Course

Open to everyone over the age of 12, the U.S. Coast Guard Approved Boating Safely Course meets all qualifications for the Alabama Boat Operator’s License.

The course will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Orange Beach Community Center, 27235 Canal Road in Orange Beach, from 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM. Cost of the course is $35.00 which includes course material and lunch. Additional family members can register for $10.00 which includes lunch only. Class size is limited to 25 so sign up early. Please call John Griggs at 955-1443 or go to www.a0810310.uscgaux.info to register for this or future classes.

Qualified instructors from the USCG Aux Flotilla 3-10 will be covering navigation, rules of the road (water), personal safety equipment, trailering boats, boating laws and boating for hunting, fishing and water skiing. They will also provide hands on instruction on tying basic knots.

Representatives from the United States Coast Guard and the Orange Beach Marine Police will be on hand to answer questions regarding Federal and State boating laws.

Photo: Auxiliarists Bob Czyszon and Richard Poulin demonstrate “rules of the road”

Emerging Artists to exhibit at Orange Beach Art Center

A highly anticipated exhibit of the areas graduating art students, chosen by their professors and/or deans, opens June 11 at Orange Beach Art Center. The graduates’ exhibit will include a diverse range of styles and mediums. Among the students exhibiting as Emerging Artists are University of West Florida’s Molly Bowen (abstract painting) and Daniel Gonzalez (mixed media, video); Springhill College's Matt Carpenter (ceramics); University of South Alabama's Skye Murrill (painting) and April Hopkins (figurative ceramics); University of Mobile's Laura Phillips (drawing, painting).

The Friends of the Arts, Inc. and Orange Beach Art Center began the Visiting Artists and Special Exhibits Series in 2009. One of the objectives is to attract diverse artists from the Southeast to exhibit their works. An important component of this mission is to encourage serious student artists who have chosen to pursue a formal education in visual arts at the university level. To accomplish this goal Friends of the Arts, Inc. and Orange Beach Art Center created the Emerging Artists Exhibit to draw attention to the works of chosen graduating artists. The hope is that this annual exhibition will enhance the careers of young artists by providing exposure, experience and encouragement.

The Artists' Reception is Thursday, June 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Orange Beach Art Center. The Art Center is located next to the Waterfront Park at 26389 Canal Road. For more information call 251.752.3133 or go to www.orangebeachartcenter.com.

To help support these and many other programs at the Orange Beach Art Center join Friends of the Arts, Inc. Contact Gloria Bridges at 251-981-2227 for more information about the Friends of the Arts, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the arts on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

The Orange Beach Bubble's Still In Tact

The Orange Beach Bubble's Still In Tact: "The storm system that passed through our area on Sunday May 17, 2009 caused a lot of problems along the northern Gulf Coast. While only sprinkles of light rain was seen in Orange Beach, water-born tornados (waterspouts) popped up in Mobile Bay near Fairhope, boats were capsized in the Gulf, and heavy downpours caused sewage spills in Foley."

Oyster spawn season aided by science - al.com

Oyster spawn season aided by science - al.com: "It's springtime and love is in the water. Wait. Water? You read right. With the longer, warmer days, oysters in Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound are ripening up and getting ready to spawn, releasing their gametes into the salty water by the millions. At first glance, it may not sound particularly romantic, but these oceanic mollusks are nothing if not devoted to the act of reproduction.

It is, of course, complicated. Most oysters begin life as males, but develop into fe males as they age. You can't tell from looking at the oyster's shell whether it's male or female at any given time, but regardless of the oyster's sex this is the time of year when the oyster is 'ripening up,' meaning the gonads are filling with maturing sperm or eggs. It's not unusual that more than three-quarters of a ripe oyster's mass consists of gonad."

Foley police arrest four teenagers following home invasion robbery - al.com

Foley police arrest four teenagers following home invasion robbery - al.com: "Foley police arrested four south Baldwin County teens Tuesday on felony burglary, robbery and assault charges after a man was attacked in his home in the early morning hours by masked intruders armed with a pistol and a shotgun.

Just after midnight, four people broke into the home of Hiwatha McGaster on McGaster Trail in Foley. McGaster told police that the intruders came through his front door and demanded money, said Lt. David White, chief Foley investigator."

Survivors tell of harrowing ordeal in water - al.com

Survivors tell of harrowing ordeal in water - al.com: "Jonathan Navas said Tuesday that he was prepared to drown rather than face another night drifting in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fortunately, Navas and his wife of only one month, Whitney, along with Michael Green, 31, and Becky Welch, 37, were plucked from the water by a Coast Guard helicopter about 1 p.m. Monday, almost 24 hours after their boat capsized."

Fort Pickens Road set to open Friday | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Fort Pickens Road set to open Friday | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "Fort Pickens Road should open to traffic Friday, allowing private vehicles to access the historic fort for the first time since the road was washed out in 2005.

Jerry Eubanks, superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, said the Florida Department of Transportation will complete a final inspection of the road this morning.

Many park facilities, including campgrounds and recreational vehicle spaces, also will open Friday but with limited services, Eubanks said."

Still No Sign Of Missing Officer - Mississippi Search Ocean Springs Boat - WKRG.com

Still No Sign Of Missing Officer - Mississippi Search Ocean Springs Boat - WKRG.com: "There is still no sign of a missing Ocean Springs police officer. Officer Stephen Bond was on board a 21 foot boat Sunday when it capsized. His fellow boaters: Officer Michael Green, his girlfriend Becky Welch, Officer Jonathan Navas, and his wife Whitney were all rescued Monday afternoon about 9 miles Southwest of Ship Island."

WKRG.com

Baldwin County’s Most Wanted - Alabama Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Meth Summerdale - WKRG.com

Baldwin County’s Most Wanted - Alabama Baldwin County Sheriffs Office Meth Summerdale - WKRG.com: "The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office considers Todd Gates a 'highly dangerous' man.

Deputies raided his Summerdale home Tuesday afternoon. They found meth and a stash of guns, but no sign of Gates."

WKRG.com

Meth suspect on the loose | Fox10tv.com

Meth suspect on the loose | Fox10tv.com: "BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. - The Baldwin County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspected meth dealer, 46-year-old Jeffrey Todd Gates. Deputies say he's believed to be armed and dangerous and he could be driving a white Ford F-150."

Summer school schedule released | Fox10tv.com

Summer school schedule released | Fox10tv.com: "Baldwin County Public Schools will again provide Summer School which will be hosted this year at Fairhope Middle School and Fairhope High School. The first session will begin on Monday, June 1 and end on Tuesday, June 16. The second session begins on Wed., June 17 and ends on Thursday, July 2."

Gulf Coast plane ticket prices down | Fox10tv.com

Gulf Coast plane ticket prices down | Fox10tv.com: "MOBILE, Ala. - Anyone who has compared ticket prices between Gulf Coast airports knows Mobile Regional is typically higher priced than Pensacola and Gulfport. But changes at the airport and the community could lead to changes in your wallet."

Are you prepared for hurricane season | Fox10tv.com

Are you prepared for hurricane season | Fox10tv.com: "PENSACOLA, Fla. - J.R. And Louise Tucker have lived on Pensacola beach for more than 50 years. They've been through more than 50 hurricane seasons. So they know a thing or two about dealing with these storms.

'We went through them all,' J.R. Told FOX10 News."

Proposed Gulf resort upkeep raises questions - al.com

Proposed Gulf resort upkeep raises questions - al.com: "MONTGOMERY — Baldwin County and some of its cities must negotiate with the state to pay maintenance costs for a planned hotel and convention center in Gulf State Park under a compromise hammered out in the State House this session.

But some mayors and county commissioners said they're reluctant to dip into their coffers until the hotel is built and generating revenue for their areas.

'At this point, we are not going to put any money into maintenance,' said Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon. 'That's just a line in the sand.'"

Alabama State Parks- Gulf State Park Pier Update

Alabama State Parks: "As of 5/19/2009 the progress of the pier is as follows:

All pilings but 8 are in place All buildings are 100 percent complete. The parking area and entrance road is complete. The pier is very near 100 percent completion. Once the remainder of the pilings are placed the opening should follow within 45 days."

Rough water trouble for boaters - al.com

Rough water trouble for boaters - al.com: "Twenty boaters along the Mississippi Gulf Coast had to be rescued from vessels caught in treacherous waters Sunday night, authorities said.

In the incident nearest Pascagoula, Coast Guard sailors were attempting to rescue seven passengers from a 22-foot boat stalled near Horn Island when the boat capsized, sending the boaters into the water, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Juston Wilcox, of Coast Guard Sector Mobile."