Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Alabama Beaches Parkway naming ahead: Once controversial $52 million bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway and a southbound Route 161 connector are expected to open by Memorial Day, helping relieve Canal Road traffic in Orange Beach -- see what's planned and when.

Development plan faces scrutiny: A new Margaritaville phase in Orange Beach would rezone 28 acres for 142 residential lots. The planning commission will review the request amid traffic concerns on Orange Beach Boulevard -- see what's being proposed.

Government-backed coastal safety network: Lulu Gribbin shark alerts are live in Alabama, notifying phones after confirmed unprovoked attacks in Baldwin and Mobile, including south of the Intracoastal in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores -- see which areas are covered.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Weekend brunch, sorted: If your morning demands beignets and a build-your-own Bloody Mary, Brick & Spoon delivers with Gulf-leaning Cajun favorites like shrimp and grits, Bayou Benedicts, and sweet stuff like Bananas Foster French toast. Unhurried vibe, friendly crew, perfect for that slow Orange Beach start.

Self-pour, zero waiting: Orange Beach’s only smart bar, Pour Smart Bar lets you wander a wall of 39 self-serve taps, pay by the ounce, and find your perfect pour, then switch it up with a cocktail from the full bar. Commitment issues welcome, small tastes first, favorites later.

Volcano mini golf, anyone? Adventure Island has go-karts, bumper boats, two outdoor mini-golf courses with an erupting volcano, plus indoor Glow Golf and an arcade with over 100 games. Perfect when the beach crowds are extra, or you need a rainy-day plan that burns kid energy without sacrificing your own sanity.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🀄 Mahjong Mondays @ Gulf Babe Wine Boutique | Monday (4/27) at 5:00 PM – Whether you spot a pure double chow at twenty paces, just got hooked, or you’re Mahjong-curious, Gulf Babe Wine Boutique hosts open play every Monday. Bring a set or join a table, sip something lovely, and enjoy the only Monday meeting worth attending.

🎵 Soundcheck Music Bingo Night @ Big Beach Brewing (Gulf Shores) | Tuesday (4/28) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats singing along to the wrong lyrics, then scoring a prize when you nail bingo. Big Beach Brewing’s music bingo turns Tuesday nights into a nostalgia trip through the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, free to play, low on pressure, high on bragging rights.

🌕 Full Moon Beach Meditation and Sound Bath Journey @ The Lodge at Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores) | Wednesday (4/29) at 7:00 PM – Craving a reset under the Flower Moon? Hit the beach by The Lodge at Gulf State Park for a full moon meditation and sound bath, $22 via Venmo to @Desiree-Hullaster. Bring a mat, pillow, blankets, and water, then let the waves handle the heavy lifting.

🍷 April Wine Dinner @ Villaggio Grille at The Wharf | Thursday (4/30) at 6:00 PM – If your idea of multitasking is chewing, sipping, and nodding like you know terroir, this four-course, four-wine dinner is your kind of night. Real pairings, zero guesswork, just good company and grown-up flavors. Call 251-224-6510 to reserve your table.

🎈 Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026 @ OWA Parks & Resort (Foley) | Thursday (4/30) – Clear skies mean a sky full of hot air balloons, local artists, and that slow Gulf Coast kind of happy. Stroll, snack, browse, and watch giant colors drift by, and yes, bring your lawn chair, camera, and weather app just in case.

🎭 Seussical @ Orange Beach Performing Arts Center | Friday (5/1) – Thursday night means Seussical in town, a bright, funny spin through Whoville with the Cat in the Hat, Horton, and tunes you will hum in the parking lot. Bring the kids, or claim it’s for them and enjoy it yourself, no green eggs required.

🏇 Kentucky Derby Viewing Party and Hat Contest @ Coastal | Saturday (5/2) at 3:00 PM – Derby Day at Coastal Orange Beach means live music, cocktails, and a beachside menu. Wear the hat, pretend it's practical. Best Dressed Duo gets a Flora-Bama pontoon rental, and Best Hat, male and female, snag $300 gift cards from The Orange Beach Store and Coastal.

This 6-bed, 7-bath beachfront retreat pairs FORTIFIED construction with custom interiors, accommodates up to 18, and comes fully furnished for coastal living. Two primary suites, an elevator to every floor, and accessible features add ease. A private heated pool and outdoor kitchen elevate entertaining. Set on a rare high-dune X zone along Perdido Beach Blvd, with no condos permitted nearby.