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Hey Orange Beach, hope your week’s off to a good start! Seafood festival and car show, a traffic-easing expressway plan, a Mardi Gras party and boat parade, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Thousands expected for family fun: The 34th Annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and MAAAC Car Show will be February 28 at The Wharf, featuring seafood, classic cars, arts and crafts, with proceeds benefiting local schools — get all the festival details.
Managing growth and mobility: Baldwin County commissioners approved an updated Beach Express II access plan, keeping a four-lane with diamond interchanges and fewer signals to ease Orange Beach traffic while preserving access rights — get all the details.
Coastal Alabama development roundup: Fairhope is getting a new Chick-fil-A this spring at the former Ruby Tuesday site, and Gulf Shores schools are proposing upgrades to baseball, softball and soccer facilities at the Sportsplex — get all the development details.
Community resources on display: Foley welcomes snowbirds with Snowbird Coffee at the Foley Civic Center on the second Tuesday, drawing 700 visitors. A highlight was a scavenger hunt through downtown with over 60 prizes — get all the details.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Tax season support starts: Free tax prep appointments are now open across Baldwin County through the Area Agency on Aging’s RSVP/TCE program. Returns are e-filed at no cost by IRS-certified volunteers. Appointments are required and limited. Bring a completed IRS Form 13614-C, last year’s return, and all W-2s and 1099s. See locations and required documents.
Spotlight on exceptional graduates: Applications are now open for the sixth annual $10,000 scholarship from The Wharf in Orange Beach for Baldwin County high school seniors. One graduating senior will be honored for strong grades, community service, and leadership, with an essay required. The scholarship is part of The Wharf’s Anchor Campaign. Get all the details.
Cheesy weeknight fix: When the mac-and-cheese craving hits, Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar plates cozy, chef-inspired comfort with fresh Gulf seafood and hand-cut steaks. A laid-back Orange Beach hangout, its deck invites lingering, and somehow that creamy pasta tastes even better with salt air and easy conversation.
Fresh threads, island vibe: Tiki Island Boutique is a beachy spot by women, for women, offering on-trend resort wear and easy pieces that fit Gulf Coast life. Their local sister line, 32 Mi Island, brings cozy pride gear. When your closet needs breezy yet put-together, this is it.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🎭 Art al Fresco: Mardi Gras Shoes @ Tacky Jacks Orange Beach | Tuesday (2/3) at 10:00 AM – Skip the king cake crumbs and bedazzle some Mardi Gras shoes al fresco. Pick your adult size 5 to 10, RSVP online before the good sizes vanish, enjoy an all-ages lunch and learn, and snag a Tacky Jacks gift card, then arrive a little early.
🌸 33rd Annual Floral Seminar @ Gulf Shores Methodist Church | Wednesday (2/4) at 10:00 AM – Consider this your annual permission slip to fuss over flowers. The Gulf Shores Garden Club hosts the 33rd Annual Floral Seminar at Gulf Shores Methodist with Mr Fabulous himself, Scot Wedgeworth. Big blooms, smart techniques, and a little church-approved spectacle.
🧵 Quilting Retreat @ Courtyard by Marriott Gulf Shores Craft Farms | Thursday (2/5) at 12:00 AM – Craving a calming escape that still lets you play with sharp objects? This Gulf Shores quilting retreat is a try-before-you-buy spree with sample quilts, test-drive rulers, Quilt Bingo, a free swap table, snacks, a sewing kit, dinners, and a $178 fee, friends optional.
This weekend
🧁 ARS Annual Bake Sale @ Our Lady of the Gulf Parish | Saturday (2/7) at 8:00 AM – Whether you’re stocking the freezer or dodging your oven, the Altar & Rosary Society bake sale in Waterway District serves homemade lemon and key lime pies, Judie’s quiche, Father Carucci’s sauce, chili, and soups. Come early, bring a tote, and feel good supporting parish ministries.
🖼 Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Art Market @ First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores | Saturday (2/7) at 9:00 AM – Trade beach traffic for a stroll through Gulf Coast Arts Alliance’s Art Market, a one-stop shop for original work by local and regional artists, indoors at First Presbyterian in Gulf Shores. Low-key, wallet-friendly, and air-conditioned, so bring your good taste, and maybe a tote.
🍲 Battle of the Bowls @ The Gulf | Sunday (2/8) at 12:00 PM – Pre-game your couch time at this Super Bowl Sunday showdown where bowls battle for bragging rights, and your second helping counts toward the Sea Glass Initiative. Throw your hat in the ring, or just taste, chat, and call it community service.
🎤 Cedric Brooks @ Doc’s Seafood and Steaks | Sunday (2/8) at 5:00 PM – Tonight, the lawn belongs to Cedric Brooks, and your folding chair finally earns its keep. Expect easygoing tunes, good company, and that smug feeling of doing something wholesome. Bring a blanket, a picnic, and your inside voice, because the grass carries sound.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Orange Beach report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 65°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 5%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Rain showers likely before 3am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 64%
Rain showers likely before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
This house is wild
In Bear Point Estates, Orange Beach, this GOLD FORTIFIED 4-bed, 3-bath, 2,000 sq ft home offers open living with gas kitchen and no flood zone. Sold furnished with a golf cart and commercial ice machine. Highlights include a lower level guest suite, cargo lift, boat storage, a deck with gas and retractable shades, plus optional beach and boat launch access.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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