ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — October always brings a buzz for cooler weather, beautiful water and renewal after a long hot Summer. The Commons shopping Center is abuzz with the new expanded location of Wildflowers Boutique and the first Local’s night of the Season. 

Welcome the new owners of Duck’s Diner. Master Joe’s next to Sam’s on Canal Road is under renovation and is hiring. It’s that time of year, Wildflower’s Boutique has a “Canned Food drive” for Christian Service Center and Orange Beach United Methodist Church is filling up over 500 shoe boxes to send to children in foreign countries. 

Gilbey’s Seafood and Steak at the Shoppes at Palm Pointe on Thursday, October 23 at 6:00 pm is hosting a four course meal with wine pairings benefiting CARE House. The cost is $60.00 per person. CARE House is Baldwin County's only child advocacy center which conducted over 250 forensic interviews in 2013 to determine if a child has experienced abuse.  Approximately, 35 of these children were from the Island. Children who have experienced trauma are provided counseling, medical evaluation, family advocacy and court preparation at two CARE House locations. Support this cause by making your reservations at 251-981-2988. 

Local’s Night on October 23 is at Cobalt and on October 30 for the Halloween Party at The Tiki Hut at Sportsman Marina. 

Congratulations to the employees at Doc’s for being a great seafood dive and at Publix for being one of the best supermarkets! 

Thanks to the City of Orange Beach for their contributions to keep our children safe at Orange Beach Elementary School, as it is being recognized for its safety measures. Stay engaged to protect and educate our students from the inside out. Thanks to Larry Ramirez for chairing the Coastal Education Advocates (CEA) Committee. 

Spooky night at The Wharf is October 23 with hay rides, popcorn and a movie on the lawn at 7:30 pm.

Gulf State Park, City of Orange Beach and the Backcountry Trail Foundation are hosting a Wicked Woods Festival at 6:00 pm on October 25 including hay ride (from the Sportsplex), costume contest, marshmellow roast, etc. following the Running Scared 5k run at the Backcountry Pavilion and Butterfly Garden. 

October 31 is Trunk-A-Treat at The Wharf hosted by Christian Life Church beginning at 6:00 pm. The Orange Beach Elementary School Fall Festival is November 7 at The Event Center. Donate today!  

Rumor has it: the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is planning a festival in Orange Beach in 2015 and a new convenience store is coming to Canal Road.