Cryotherapy has arrived in Foley: Coastal Cryo opened its doors late last year and has been demonstrating the benefits of isolated and full body cryotherapy since. Cryotherapy involves exposing the body to sub-zero temperatures. This promotes the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response, releases endorphins, reduces pain and promotes overall health. “This new non-invasive alternative procedure is for individuals seeking a faster recovery without the financial burdens or stress of a medical procedure,” said owner and operator Beth Biggs. Coastal Cryotherapy features an immersive, enclosed whole body cryosauna, where clients are briefly enveloped by hyper-cooling air. The standard three minute treatment lowers the body’s skin surface temperature and starts to stimulate the body’s healing receptors. The treatment is painless, and very refreshing with many potential health benefits.
Studies suggest that cryotherapy can relieve pain, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation, reduce anxiety and depression and treat migraine headaches. Many athletes have been using this treatment to help with recovery from injury or intense training. Coastal Cryo has and top of the line equipment and a friendly and knowledgeable staff. For more info, visit coastalcryoal.com, facebook, visit the facility at 21040 Miflin Rd. in Foley, or call 251-943-4847.
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Rock Creek Among State’s Top 15 Courses: Rock Creek Golf Club is recognized by Golf Advisor as one of the Top 15 golf courses to play in Alabama. Golf Advisor recently conducted research on the top-rated courses in each state for 2017 according to golfer ratings and reviews. Rock Creek Golf Club was featured at #11 for the award of “Top 15 golf courses to play in Alabama”. Another Honours Golf course to receive this award include Rock Creek’s sister golf course, Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club, at #3 on the list. Rock Creek General Manager, William Chadick, had this to say: “We are very honored to be included in this prestigious group of courses. We continue to strive to exceed expectations and provide guests with the best golfing experience possible.”
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McKinney Is New SBRMC CEO: South Baldwin Regional Medical Center has hired Daniel McKinney as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 5. McKinney returns to South Baldwin Regional Medical Center where he served as the Assistant Chief Executive Officer from 2012-2015. “I am excited to be back. It will be a privilege to again work with and support the medical staff, employees and community as we build upon and strengthen the quality care we provide patients,” said McKinney. McKinney comes to Foley from his position as Chief Operating Officer at Mary Black Health System, a 207-bed hospital in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In this role, he oversaw numerous projects to strengthen cardiovascular and emergency services, expand the clinic network, as well as lead the birthing center renovation and cath lab replacement project. McKinney earned his bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management from the University of Alabama and master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. McKinney is relocating to Baldwin County along with his wife April, twin three-year-olds and expects the birth of his third child this month.
“We are pleased to welcome Daniel back to the Baldwin County community,” said Joan Hand, Vice Chair, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. “He brings valued skills and experience and will help us continue our work to care for our patients with safe, quality care.”
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Drowsy Poet Coffee Shop Open In Foley: Bryan and Stacy Tittle have opened the Drowsy Poet Coffee Shop at 218 S. McKenzie St. in the vintage gas station on the corner of S. McKenzie and W. Myrtle Ave. in Foley. The spacious building (which is owned by John Foley) has been going through a historic renovation for the last year and will have a nostalgic gas station theme inside. Stacy and Bryan are fairly new to the area and own a home in Perdido Beach. Stacy is a nurse and works full-time in Foley. Bryan is an executive chef and will be working in the coffee shop as owner/operator. They will be hiring additional help over the next few weeks. The Drowsy Poet at The Foley Station will be offering an array of coffees (coldbrew & nitrobrew) espressos, and lattes, and poetchinos. There will be daily offerings of sweets, soups, sandwiches, and salads. The DP will also have a drive through that will run behind the building!
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Ocean Camp Marine Center Approves New Board: Ocean Camp, a non-profit educational organization offering programs to school children and campers has appointed new board members Valerie Longa, Ken Kichler and Donna Pool. Valerie Longa is the board Chairman. Secretary Donna Pool will also head the marketing committee. Valerie has a strong background in environmental education working with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and currently Alabama Coastal Foundation. Donna has a background in television advertising, as well as a design decorating freelancer.
“Ken Kichler, CFO for Tacky Jack’s, is offering his fourth year as treasurer and we are very grateful for his dedication. This year is on i’s way to becoming a great success,’’ said Camp director Belinda Ringpfeil. Go to oceancamp.camp, facebook for registration and additional info. Or contact oceancamp@gmail.com or 251-802-8605.
Ocean Camp is a non-profit educational organization founded by Ringpfeil in 2010. Ringpfeil worked as a teacher in Alabama public schools and in environmental outdoor education for 20 years. She has a MA degree in gifted education from the University of Alabama plus marine education training from Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Sjhe has been a National Marine Educator member since 2003. The mission of Ocean Camp is to give priority to marine and environmental education in the Gulf Coast communities as an opportunity to build marine science career interests, respect for our natural world and increase attractions for our visitors.
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Big Changes and New Faces At Foley Sports Tourism: Foley Sports Tourism (FST) is continuing to gather steam and build a reputation as a world-class sports destination. Rather than being branded as a single complex, the umbrella of sports tourism now encompasses all sports events held around the city including those at Graham Creek Nature Preserve and the Foley Sports Complex. As the events hosted here in Foley continue to grow, the department has brought a number of new people to complement its current staff. Long-time city employee David Thompson has been named the Director of Recreation and Sports Tourism. Thompson is familiar with the Foley area thanks to his time as the head of recreation for the city, but also has a strong background in sports tourism and event operations. He spent the last eight years working on the national baseball and softball tournaments hosted by the Foley Sports Complex. He was named the interim head of the department after his predecessor, Don Staley, left for a position with the Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission in July of 2017. In October of 2017, Thompson was formally installed as the head of the Sports Tourism department. During his tenure, he has already made an impact drafting the department’s mission statement and booking events that fall in line with that long-term plan.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be on the front lines as Don Staley helped the City of Foley build this department,” Thompson said. “Knowing where it has come from puts me in a unique position to guide it into the future. We’ve developed a strong base. Now it’s time to take Foley to the next level and really grow its success.” Another man on board to grow Foley is new Deputy Director of Sports Tourism Don Dukemineer. He is joining the team after more than ten years as the Convention Sales Manager with a focus on sports and education for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Also the current chairman of Sports Alabama, Dukemineer will utilize his strong understanding of the industry to captain the sales and marketing arms of Foley Sports Tourism to draw economically impactful events. The event operations side of the department will also be changing. Former Executive Assistant Angie Johnston will move back into her role as Event Operations Manager. Hired to assist her is the new Event Operations Coordinator, Luke Persall. Persall comes to Foley from the University of Missouri where he was the RecSports Coordinator. His six years in recreational sports have given Persall an understanding of how events run. Rounding out the new hires is Angela Foley who has come on to assist in keeping the events at the Foley Event Center running smoothly and the facility in tip-top shape. She will be working under Jeff Ryan who has been maintaining the Event Center since he transitioned over from a grounds position in October. Other departmental changes include former Event Operations Manager Christy Raley moving into a new role as Sports and Sponsorship Sales Manager. Rhett Brown has been promoted to Field Superintendent, responsible for the care of the Foley Sports Tourism fields. The new direction and staff are all working toward fulfilling the department’s mission of bringing economically impactful sporting events to Foley that will draw visitors back for years to come. To learn more about Foley Sports Tourism visit FoleySportsTourism.com.
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Fisher’s Chef A Beard Award Finalist: Fisher’s Bill Briand named Beard Award Finalist: Bill Briand from Fisher’s Upstairs at Or ange Beach Marina is a semifinalist for Best Chef in the South. He was also a semifinalist in 2017 and 2016. Chefs are chosen based on having set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions. They may be from any kind of dining establishment and must have been working as a chef for at least five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region. The Foundation will announce the final 2018 nominees on March 14.
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ESAC names Maria Spies Director of Pottery Studio: Award-winning ceramic artist and nationally recognized instructor Maria Spies has been named the director of the ceramic arts program at ESAC. An independent studio potter since 1973, Spies has been an instructor at ESAC since 2008, and has taught and managed ceramics programs in Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.
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Fisher To Speak At Dem Meeting: Jason Fisher, a candidate for State Senate District 32, will be the speaker at the South Baldwin Democrats meeting on March 1 at 6 p.m. at Bay Forest Club House, 8110 Bay View Drive, in Foley. Come out and meet people that have stepped up to make a difference. Bring a snack, bring a friend, and bring a beverage of your choice.
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Theta Master Chapter Volunteers At Alzheimer’s Screening: Alabama Theta Master Chapter participated in the 2018 Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Screening and Balance program held at locations in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley and Fairhope, January through February. Chapter members and spouses volunteered by greeting and screening walk-in applicants. Those Chapter members and spouses with medical backgrounds assisted with memory and balance testing. The screening was free and confidential and took 15 minutes. The Chapter hopes to make this a yearly service project.
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Faust Running For Re-Election: Rep. Joe Faust of Fairhope has qualified to run for re-election to the Alabama House of Representatives for District 94 as a Republican. Faust was first elected in 2002. He has championed the Hurricane Homeowners Insurance Initiative to reduce insurance rates after premiums had been increased drastically following Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina. During his service in the House, Rep. Faust also sponsored legislation to prevent increases in property tax assessments for residents 65 and older. he has also served on the Baldwin County Commission. District 94 includes the municipalities of Fairhope, Magnolia Springs, Summerdale, Silverhill, part of Foley and other areas of western and southern Baldwin County.