MIXED MEDIA AND ACRYLIC PAINTING CLASSES

DATE/TIMES: March 16, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Art Center. Instructor: Zach Baisden. This class includes acrylic painting with a variety of other additional media such as paper, charcoal and found objects incorporated into the work. Go a step further and experiment with unlikely combinations. Students will receive individual instruction. You will enjoy Zach's encouraging teaching methods.

COST: Class cost $65. The center offers a variety of classes in varying mediums.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-ARTS (2787) or visitwww.orangebeachartcenter.com

GUIDED BEACH TOURS OF DYNAMIC DUNES:

DATES/TIMES: March 15, March 22 at 10 a.m.; March 8 and March 17 at 9 a.m. Discover why these dunes are so important. Meet at the Mobile St. access parking lot.

COST: It is free to the public, but reservations are required. PHONE: For more information, call 251-50-7720.

GUIDED TOUR AT CENTENNIAL TRAIL:

DATES/TIMES: Tour March 24 at 7:30 a.m. Explore the transition from Maritime forest to dune swales to a swamp discovering different species of plants and wildlife. Meet at Jeff Friend Trailhead.

COST: It is free to the public, but reservations are required.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-50-7720.

FRIDAY THROUGH

SUNDAY AND MARCH 18-20 SOUTH BALDWIN COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: THE FOREIGNER: DATES/TIMES: Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Today through Saturday, March 17-19 with matinees at 2 p.m. March 13 and 20. A fishing lodge in rural Georgia is often visited by “Froggy,” a demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at the near-by army post. This time "Froggy"”has brought along a pathologically shy man, Charlie.

LOCATION: South Baldwin Community Theater, 2022 W, Secind Ave., Gulf Shores. COST: Tickets are adults $12; students $8.

PHONE: For more information,  call 251-968-6721 or visit www.sbct.com

EVENING DANCE

DATE/TIME: Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

LOCATION: The Orange Beach Adult Activity Center. The Vintage Vagabonds Band will be providing music for an evening dance.

COST: $5 per person

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-3440, visit obparksandrec.com or e-mail cvines@cityoforangebeach.com.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Speaker: “Turtle Czar”, Mike Reynolds of “Share the Beach” Sea Turtle program.

DATE/TIMES: Friday. Come for coffee at 9:30 a.m. and stay for the main event beginning at 10 a.m. at the Adult Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Drive in Gulf Shores.Learn how this local volunteer organization monitors and helps protect threatened and endangered turtles. The “Something to Think About” series of speakers is sure to entertain and enlighten listeners of all ages.  Each presentation will last about an hour and is free to the public. For more on this and other opportunities sponsored by the City of Gulf Shores.

COST: Free to public

PHONE: visit www.gulfshoresal.gov or call the Special Events Office at 251-968-1172.          

MARCH FANTASY DOLL AND TOY SHOW AND SALE DATE/TIME: Saturday by the Eastern Shore Doll Study Club of Alabama from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCATION: Fairope Civic Center.

COST: Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12.

PHONE: For more information call Ruth Ann Brett at 251-980-5958.

MARDI GRAS BEAD CRAFTS

DATE/TIME: Saturday  from noon-1 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Art Center, 26389 Canal Rd., Orange Beach.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-ARTS (2787) or visit www.orangebeachartcenter.com.

RUMMAGE SALE ST. ANDREW BY SEA COMMUNITY CHURCH

DATE/TIME: Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. sponsored by the Education Committee

LOCATION: at the Palm Plaza Shopping Center at 3501 Gulf Shores Parkway, which is across from the airport.  Needed are gently used items you no longer use such as household items, including pots & pans, linens, whatnots, clothing, electronics, books, furniture, tools or anything else you think someone would love to have, it may be someone else's treasure. 

PHONE: You may contact Dee Derstine at 251-923-6935 or Debra Housch at 251-747-1389 to arrange for a pick up or schedule a time to bring items to the church or the shopping center. For further information, please contact 205-335-7900.

PEPSI STAR SERIES AND THE WHARF PRESENTS:  COREY SMITH IN CONCERT WITH SPECIAL GUEST COLT FORD

DATE/TIMES: Saturday at 8 p.m. Opening for Corey Smith, Matt Stillwell. 

LOCATION: The Wharf in Orange Beach

COSTS: Tickets are $25 for General Admission on the floor or $20 for reserved 200 level seating.

PHONE: For more information call 251-224-1021 or visit www.ithewharfamphitheatretickets.com.

2011 ORANGE BEACH FESTIVAL OF ART

DATES/TIME: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at Waterfront Park on Canal Road in Orange Beach. The Orange Beach Festival of Art is held each year on the second weekend of March.  There will be a wide range of exhibits and shows including visual arts, music, kid’s art alley, performances, literary arts and great festival food. COSTS: Admission is free.

PHONE: For more information call 251-981-ARTS (2787) or visit www.obfoa.com.

MIXED MEDIA AND ACRYLIC PAINTING CLASSES

DATE/TIMES: March 16, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Art Center. Instructor: Zach Baisden. This class includes acrylic painting with a variety of other additional media such as paper, charcoal and found objects incorporated into the work. Go a step further and experiment with unlikely combinations. Students will receive individual instruction. You will enjoy Zach's encouraging teaching methods.

COST: Class cost $65. The center offers a variety of classes in varying mediums.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-ARTS (2787) or visitwww.orangebeachartcenter.com

AFTERNOON MATINEE SERIES

DATE/TIME: March 16, 3 p.m.

LOCATION:  Orange Beach Library shown in the meeting room at 26267 Canal Rd., Orange Beach. This 2009 film, “State of Play” starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, and Jason Bateman is an action-thriller. Film rating: PG-13; for some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content.

COST: free to the public.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-2923 or visit www.orangebeachlibrary.org.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER AND SING-A-LONG

DATE/TIME: 5 p.m. at the Erie Meyer Civic Center. Enjoy live entertainment and great food: the event begins at 5 p.m. and is BYOB.

COSTS: $10 per person

PHONE: For more information please call 251 968-1434.

GUIDED TOUR OF THE GATOR LAKE TRAIL,

DATE/TIMES: 8 a.m. March 17 and 9 a.m. March 23. Walk along a dune ridge and see many species of birds and plants that are typical of this transitional habitat between the Maritime forest and the frontal dunes.

LOCATION: Meet at the Gator Lake Trailhead nine miles west of Alabama 59 in Gulf Shores on Fort Morgan Road. COST: It is free to the public, but reservations are required.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-50-7720.

AFTERNOON MATINEE SERIES

DATE/TIME: March 23, 3 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Library. “Butterfield 8” from 1960 film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Harvey, Eddie Fisher and Dina Merrill. Shown in the meeting room of the Orange Beach Library, 26267 Canal Rd., Orange COST: free to the public.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-2923 or visit www.orangebeachlibrary.org.

PERDIDO VINEYARD AND LUNCH

DATE/TIME: March 25, leaVe Harry Roberts Community House at 300 E. 16th Ave. in Gulf Shores at 10:30. Enjoy a buffet lunch at the Stagecoach Café before journeying on to the vineyards to tour and taste the many flavors of wines and vinegars produced and bottled in South Alabama. You will also enjoy the history as told by the owner of the farm. PHONE: For more information call Sylvia Lamberth 251-968-1434 or e-mail at slamberth@gulfshoresal.gov.

BOATING AND SAFETY COURSE

DATE/TIME: March 26, The course runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Community Center. Course is offered by the Perdido Bay Power Squadron. The course meets the Alabama boating license requirements mandated for operating any type of watercraft in state waters.     Instruction is provided free by experienced members of the squadron. You may pre-register and materials for the course may be purchased at the Coleman Outlet Store or Blue Water Ship’s Stores, both located in Foley. Fee of  $50 covers all class materials, including a text book, an instructional video on chart navigation, two CDs and lunch for one person. If multiple family members are attending only one book is necessary and a small fee will be charged for additional lunches.  Class will be limited to 20 students.

PHONE: For more information please call 251-980-1536.

THE ORIGINAL GERMAN SAUSAGE FESTIVAL

DATE/TIME: March 26 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

LOCATION: Elberta Town Park, Main St., Elberta. The best German Sausage you have ever tasted! Made from a secret recipe developed by the founding fathers of Elberta. Arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides, baked goods & more. Don't forget to visit the Bier Garten for a large selection of imported beers.

COST: The event is free to public.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-986-5805 or visit www.sausagefest

.elbertafire.com

FREE CHOLESEROL, GLUECOSE, ANEMIA AND BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING

DATE/TIME: March 29, 9-11:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Parking lot of the Gulf Shores First Presbyterian Church located at 309 E. Ave., Gulf Shores. Fasting for 4 hours prior to testing is recommended, but not required.

COST: This free-to-the-public event is hosted by Sacred Heart's Mission in Motion Team and the Christian Service Center Emergency Aid agency of Gulf Shores.  The Christian Service Center, now celebrating its 20th year serving this community, is located at 317 Dolphin Ave., Gulf Shores.

PHONE: For questions call: 251-968-5256.

AFTERNOON MATINEE SERIES

DATE/TIME: March 30, 3 p.m.

LOCATION: Orange Beach Library. This 1999 film, “Remains of the Day,” starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, James Fox and Christopher Reeve, is an adaptation of the book of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro. Shown in the meeting room of the Orange Beach Library, 26267 Canal Rd., Orange Beach

COST: free to the public.

PHONE: For more information, call 251-981-2923 or visit www.orangebeachlibrary.org.