The restaurant seats over 300 people both indoors and out. A flagship retail store is attached with custom t-shirts, specialty sauces and more fun items so visitors can take home a “piece of Lower Alabama.” Great times center around the outdoor boat bar christened The Pilar. With specialty drinks such as the “Long Tall Leslie,” Bushwackers and a secret Bloody Mary recipe that will knock your flip-flops off, The Pilar is THE place to grab a cold one after a hot day on the boat or before a rockin’ concert at The Wharf’s amphitheater. Patrons can chill out on the sunset deck, attempt to conquer the ring toss game, listen to live music and share tall “fish-tales” with their buddies. Kids and the young-at-heart will cheer on their favorite crab during lively and spirited crab races. The Compleat Angler creates the perfect atmosphere to relax, unwind and savor some of the finest cuisine in the area. It is all about Southern hospitality, top-notch service, meals that tickle your taste buds and the best sunsets on the coast! The entire crew at Compleat Angler and Aloha Hospitality are ready to welcome you on board so stop by soon! Come experience the local flavor of the Gulf Coast with a hint of the island life in Orange Beach.

Become a member of the Aloha Hospitality team! Positions are being filled now for the Compleat Angler and a soon to open Baumhower’s restaurant in Orange Beach. Apply at www.compleatanglergrille.com or www.Baumhowers.com or stop by the old Live Bait location at The Wharf Monday-Saturday from 11am – 3pm.

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South Baldwin Regional Medical Center Honors Volunteers: South Baldwin Regional Medical Center recently held their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, honoring volunteers for their dedication and hours of service. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center depends on volunteers for a variety of services. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center volunteers greet and assist patients, serve as information liaisons for family members in waiting areas, and transport hospital guests around the SBRMC campus on the volunteer-driven shuttle. Volunteers who have accumulated more than 100 hours of service were recognized, and volunteer Frances Sute was honored for reaching the 5,000 hour mark in her service. Ruth Theis was honored for reaching the 4,000 hour mark in service. Herman Doster was honored for reaching the 3,500 hour mark in service. Donna Stahl was honored for reaching the 3,000 hour mark in service. Bob Russell was honored for reaching the 2,000 hour mark in service. Marvin James, Bernie Tindall and Tim Sullivan were honored for reaching the 1,500 hour mark in service and Gertie Stearns and Harold Stevens were honored for reaching the 500 mark in their service. “We are so blessed to have such a special group of volunteers here at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center” said Mary Larue-Childre, Senior Circle & Volunteer Services Coordinator. “They give their time and talents so generously and go over and beyond their duties to be sure our patients and employees are helped in many ways.” South Baldwin Regional Medical Center is committed to providing superior care to Baldwin County communities and has been recognized for top performance on key quality measures. South Baldwin Regional Medical Center is the area’s first and only accredited Chest Pain Center. For more information, call 251-949-3479.

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Kaiser Realty Recognizes Kimberly Ray: Kaiser Realty, Inc. is excited to announce Kimberly Ray, Assistant Front Desk Manager, has been recognized as the “Employee of the Month” for May 2012. Ray embodies what it means to be a team player; eager to help in any way she can with everything from new projects to organizing charitable events. Moving to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area while she was in high school, the Tupelo, Mississippi native could not be happier to have grown up along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Starting her career with Kaiser Realty, Inc. in January of 2007, Ray is thankful every day to have found success by doing the things she truly enjoys. “Working at Kaiser Realty has been one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had,” stated Ray. “I love working with everyone and learning new things every day. I love my job and the people I surround myself with.”

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Career Consulting of South Alabama Ribbon-Cutting: South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce welcomed Career Consulting of South Alabama as a new member with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Career Consulting of South Alabama is dedicated to helping the individual as well as the small business owner meet their full potential. Services include; Individual Career Coaching, Corporate Outplacement, Headhunter Services and Small Business Consulting. Career Coaching benefits job seekers who are either out of work or want to transition into another career by providing them with the necessary tools to help them succeed. Corporate Outplacement is for companies that are either going out of business or downsizing and want to provide assistance to their employees’ transitioning back into the job market. Headhunter Service is designed to assist the hiring manager by conducting preliminary interviews and submitting only the best candidates for the final interview process, saving time and allowing them to stay focused on their managerial duties rather than the process of sorting resumes. Small Business Consulting allows the small business owner to look beyond the business in order to properly analyze the problems and opportunities facing their company. This valuable information will bring a fresh perspective and help them meet their full potential. To take full advantage of these services offered by Career Consulting of South Alabama, please contact Lisa Johnson, CEO/Consultant at (251) 943 – 6778 or visit their website at careerconsultingofsoal.com.

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ST. Benedict’s Catholic School is SBcC Business of the Month: South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month for May is St. Benedict Catholic School. Saint Benedict Catholic School is a fully accredited, parochial Catholic elementary school comprised of students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 8. Established in 1921 by the Benedictines in Cullman, Alabama, the school is located at the heart of Baldwin County in Elberta, Alabama and serves six parish communities. The faculty consists of certified teachers, including a media coordinator and a licensed counselor. Para-professionals, music, art and Spanish teachers complete the highly qualified, caring, professional staff. Saint Benedict School has a family like atmosphere where parental involvement is required and vital. Although unwavering in its Catholicism, Saint Benedict School welcomes students, faculty and staff of all religious affiliations. Saint Benedict School offers a challenging curriculum which emphasizes formation of mind, body and spirit through the teaching of Christian, Catholic values. Various intramural and interscholastic sports and extracurricular activities are offered. Two Extended Day Care programs are available either through the school or the YMCA in Foley. To learn more about these school programs, enrollment and facility tours contact Principal Jaivi Howell at (251) 986-8143.

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The Fairhope Connection: The Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony for The Fairhope Connection in Orange Beach. The Fairhope Connection is a “department store” of local and regional art. They represent over 100 artists along the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. After owning and operating their successful original store in Fairhope, owners Joe and Helen Stopa decided to open the Orange Beach store as their second store. According to their website, two more stores are on the way. The Fairhope Connection is located at 25122 Perdido Beach Boulevard in Orange Beach, AL. They can be reached at fairhopeconnection.com and at 251.623.0400.

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Ribbon-cutting at the Meat Mart in Orange Beach: The Meat Mart is a locally-owned full-serviced butcher shop featuring hand-cut steaks, certified Angus beef choice & prime, and a variety of specialties including twice-baked potatoes, hand-made sausages, beef jerky, homemade chicken salad and pimento cheese and much more. They also feature a selection of both fixed and customized “bundle” packages which offer variety and value at the same time. Owners Glenn and Dale Beard have brought their expertise to the Alabama Gulf Coast after owning a similar business in Georgia. The Meat Mart is located at 4518 Easy Street, Orange Beach at the entrance to the Orange Beach Golf Center. They can be reached at 251.981.6328 or at meatmartorangebeach.com

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Baleu Vacation Rentals open for business: The Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting for Baleu Vacation Rentals on May 10. Baleu Vacation Rentals is a full-service vacation rental agency that provides its guests with unforgettable vacations at beach front and lagoon condos available year-round in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Sean Beckham is the owner and Charlotte Corn is Vice President of Vacation Rentals. The company has offices in Fairhope and 632 Gulf Shores Parkway in Gulf Shores. You may contact them at 251.376.6300 or at baleu.com.

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CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON-CUTTING AT ALL SOUTHERN INSURANCE: The Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for All Southern Insurance. Owners Jim and Jacki Muhle provide a wide variety of services, including home insurance, wind and flood, business and commercial liability, auto insurance, workers compensation and surety bonds. All Southern Insurance is located at 750 Commerce Drive, Suite B in Gulf Shores. They may be reached at (251) 968-2100 or at http://www.allsoutherninsurance.com.

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MAYORS OF FOLEY AND GULF SHORES PROCLAIM NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK: At the recent City Council Meetings of both Foley and Gulf Shores, each mayors read a proclamation proclaiming the week of May 19 – 25, 2012 as NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK. The proclamation stated that nearly 700 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the U. S. Nearly 70% of these fatalities are caused by drowning. The vast majority of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment – not the boat or the weather. A large number of boaters who lost their lives by drowning, would be alive today had worn their life jackets. Modern life jackiets are more comfortable, more attractive, and more wearable than styles of the past. A year-round effort to promote safe boating starts with NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK. The proclamation urges all who boat to practice safe boating habits, and to “BOAT SMART, BOAT SAFE, and WEAR IT”.

The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading early continue to read throughout their lives. To develop a love of reading, children must have access to books which stretch their imaginations, touch their emotions, expand their horizons.

“We are so fortunate to have such support. With the added contribution of the Brechtel Institute we were able to achieve this grant, adding quality books to our children’s and young adult shelves. Already, our young patrons are enjoying these new titles,” said Alida Given, Magnolia Springs Librarian.

Magnolia Springs Public Library is located at 12440 Magnolia Ave., Suite 600 in Magnolia Springs. For more info, call 251-965-2305.

The musical selections include Armed Forces – The Pride of America, The Blue and the Gray, Captain America March, Colonel Bogey, Elegy for the U.S.S. Arizona, and Salute to Bob Hope. Trombone soloist Don Lewis will be featured on Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Bring your friends and family, lawn chairs and picnic baskets. The “Checkered Tablecloth Award” will be presented for the most interesting picnic setup and there will be a children’s march with flags after intermission.

Information on the Baldwin Pops concert schedule can be found at baldwinpopsband.com or by calling 251-928-3754 or 251-987-5757.

The summer fun begins as the Gulf Shores Museum hosts its first “Own the Night’ on June 7. This series of interactive programs will take you deep inside all of the nighttime wonders, including black holes, stars, constellations and more. Join the Gulf Shores Museum every Thursday at 2:00 PM and begin your adventure into the night with movies, activities and guest appearances. Space is limited so reserve your spot today by calling 251-968-1473.

On June 8, the Thomas B. Norton Public Library will introduce its summer reading program, “Dream Big-Read!”. “Dream Big-Read!” will be split into two sessions over the course of the summer. Session One will be held on Fridays throughout the month of June at 10:30 AM at the Activity Center in Gulf Shores. This first session will feature Charlie “The Noise Guy” Williams, drummer Mark Seymour, and Mr. Billy, a singer song rocker. Session One will begin on June 8.

Session Two of “Dream Big-Read!” will begin on July 5 at the Thomas B. Norton Public Library. This session will be held on Thursdays in July at 10:30 AM and will feature pajama parties, bedtime story times, movies and more. The “Dream Big-Read” and “Own the Night” youth summer reading programs are sponsored by the Thomas B. Norton Public Library, the Friends of the Thomas B. Norton Public Library, and the Gulf Shores Museum.

For more information about each of these youth summer reading programs contact the Thomas B. Norton Public Library at 251-968-1176 or the Gulf Shores Museum at 251-968-1473.