FRIDAY

MARDI GRAS DANCE: The Knights of Columbus in Gulf Shores will hold its Frank Calma Memorial Welcome Back Snowbirds Mardi Gras Dance to benefit local charities Friday, Jan. 21 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Erie Meyer Civic Center located at 19th Avenue and Second Street. Music will be provided by John, Jim and Jerry. Bring your own beverages, but set-ups are furnished. Casual dress and tickets are $10 per person. For more information and/or tickets, call 251-752-7422.

SATURDAY

REDNECK SHRIMP BOIL, 7-10 p.m.at The Beach Club Resort in Gulf Shores. Guests will be entertained with live music by The Favorites. There will be prizes awarded for the best “redneck” costumes. The menu for the evening includes boiled shrimp, corn, potatoes, Florida slaw, watermelon, rolls and iced tea. The cost is $20 per person. There will also be a cash bar. Reservations can be made by calling The Beach Club at 251-224-2582.

SUNDAY

TAILGATE PARTY COOKOFF at the Undertow in Orange Beach. Sample the fare from 20 teams for just $5 starting at 2 p.m. Twenty teams will compete for a $500 first-place prize with trophies for second and third place. Entering a team cost $50 and comes with an eight-by-12 cooking area, eight-foot folding table, a banner and serving plates and utensils, ice and refreshments. Teams are required to provide their own food, cooking supplies, spices and cooking utensils. Gates to the “back 40” open at noon with competition beginning at 2 p.m. Football kicks off around 3 p.m. For more information or to enter a team, call 251-981-3331or go by the Undertow on Canal Road in Orange Beach.

TUESDAY

SNOWBIRD COFFEES, 9-11 a.m. Come have coffee and enjoy fellowship at Gulf Shores United Methodist Church, South Campus Auditorium (Winn Dixie Shopping Center with Rev. Glenn Butler, Senior Minister, Gulf Shores United Methodist Church; Amelia Fletcher, Director of Servant Ministries and Ruth Gerace, Eastern Shore Institute of Lifelong Learning. For more information call 251-968-2411 or visit www.gulfshoresumc.org.

FEB. 3

2011 SNOWBIRD ROOST AT Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce. This event will be hosted by the Perdido Bay Community Center, 13660 Innerarity Point Road.  The Roost will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Lunch will be provided for a $2 donation to the Community Center. All Snowbirds are invited and asked to RSVP with the Perdido Key Chamber by Jan. 31.  If you would like additional information please contact the Perdido Key Chamber at 850-492-4660 or email chamber@perdidochamber.com. For more information on the Perdido Key Chamber visit www.perdidochamber.com or www.visitperdido.com.

FEB. 5

13TH ANNUAL SNOW BIRD BRATFEST at the Erie Meyer Civic Center, Gulf Shores to benefit Gulf Shores Fire and Rescue, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until the brats last. Brats are $4 a piece, sodas $1. For more information, call 251-967-1489. The Snowbird Bratfest group includes groups from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. They will sell between 3,000 and 3,500 of these tasty BRATS, made by Farm Fresh Meats of Robertsdale. There will be carryouts and a drive-through.

FEB. 12

SNOW BIRD PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the Erie Meyer Civic Center, Gulf Shores from 6-11 a.m. Price is $6 for adults, free to children 6 and under. Sponsored by the Gulf Shores Fire Department and 10 snow bird clubs. Proceeds go to equipment and education. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. For more information, call 251-948-4529.

FEB. 17

COASTAL CHORAL SNOW BIRD SERENADE at First Baptist Church of Gulf Shores. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at any area Vision Bank. For more information, visit www.coastalchorale.com. Thrill to the sounds of the popular Coastal Chorale as they perform many of your favorite songs from past and present. With their unique style and great sound, it is easy to understand why sellout crowds are singing their praises!

FEB. 24

THE 2011 ILLINOIS SNOWBIRDS’ GOLF TOURNAMENT at Perdido Bay Golf Course. The tournament will have a 4-person scramble format. Participants may sign up as a foursome or as a single to be assigned a team. Starting time is 9 a.m. Cost is $40 for greens fees plus $5 for prizes. The $5 includes a mulligan (to be used at any time, except closest-to-pin or longest putt) and one drink ticket. Prize money will be given for flight winners, closest-to-pin, longest putt and door-prize drawings. Reservations may be made by email to Glenn Philpott (gpott45@aol.com) or by calling Glenn at 251-981-6147, Jim Brueggeman at 251-981-9485 or Eric Wilson (after Feb. 1) at 251-981-2442.

Ongoing

SENIOR SNOWBIRDS WEEKLY POTLUCK: For the 15th consecutive year, the Senior Snowbirds weekly potluck will run each Thursday, from Dec. 2 through March 2011. Setup time: 11 a.m., Serving time:  12:30 p.m.  All seniors, visitors and locals alike, are welcome. Bring a dish to pass that will serve eight to 10 persons.  A 50-cent registration fee will be collected at the door to cover incidentals.  Drinks and table service will be provided.  The weekly meetings will be held in the Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center on Clubhouse Drive. For further information, call 251-981-2493.

MINNESOTA CLUB BREAKFAST:  from Jan. 4 - March 15 Minnesota Club will meet each Tuesday for  breakfast.at LuLu's Home Port in Gulf Shores: at 8 a.m. The Minnesota Club continues their dedication to the Christian Service Center. Food donations and/or cash for the Center are gratefully accepted at each breakfast meeting.

THE SNO-BIRDS FROM WISCONSIN  will be meeting at the Orange Beach Community Center, Canal Road, on the first and third Wednesdays of January, February and March in 2011.  Anyone from Wisconsin is welcome to join us for coffee, donuts, visiting and information about upcoming activities and day trips. Meeting will start promptly at  9 a.m. Today, meeting at OBCC - 8:30 a.m. Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon will be on hand to welcome us to the area. Jan. 26 potluck at OBCC, 11:30 a.m., Feb. 2 meeting at OBCC - 8:30 a.m.

Feb. 5, Brat Fest in Gulf Shores and Saturday night trivia. We have puzzles and books to exchange, and we are collecting Campbell Soup labels, General Mills cereal box tops, beer/soda can pop tabs AND motel-size toiletries.  Look for the appropriate boxes when you come to the meeting.  Our meetings always include door prizes, and any questions/comments/suggestions can be directed to Kenn at 251-967-2463

ILLINOIS SNOW BIRD CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Wednesday, 5 p.m., potluck and games (Illinois trivia contest) – Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center. Jan. 27, 8 a.m. Casino Trip to Isle of Capri in Biloxi. Jan. 28,  8 a.m. Breakfast at LuLu’s (doors open at 7:45):  Author Ryan Anderson will speak. Jan. 31, 6 p.m., wine tasting with Mary Jane Munsell. Feb. 3 at 5 p.m., potluck and games at the Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center. Feb. 5, 10 a.m.    Bratfest and trivia night hosted by the Missouri Snowbird Club. Feb. 10 at 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Alabama Lifestyle Expo at Caribe. Feb. 11 at 8 a.m. Breakfast at LuLu’s (doors open at 7:45):  “Still A Newlywed Game.” Feb. 12 at 7:30 a.m. Firemen’s pancake breakfast.

THE INDIANA SNOWBIRD CLUB will begin its twice-monthly breakfast meetings at 8:15 a.m. at Lulu's Restaurant in Gulf Shores. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. Other meetings will be Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 10, same place and times. You may make reservations by calling Doris Gammon at 981-6901-14153, Beverly Lockhart at 317-432-8708. Meal cost is $8, with drink, tip and tax included.  A short program is part of every meeting.

ANNUAL SNOWBIRD BIBLE STUDY will be at Kaiser Realty in Gulf Shores at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays through March 8. For more information, call Roy Nix at 251-981-6896.

LIGHTHOUSE RESORT ALUMNI meets every Thursday in January, February and March for breakfast at Ribs and Reds at 8:30 a.m. Every Tuesday we meet for coffee at the Hardee’s in Gulf Shores at 8 a.m.  The annual picnic will be Feb. 17 2011 at the Orange Beach Community Center on Canal Road in Orange Beach .  Reservations are required for the picnic and can be made at any breakfast or coffee. For more questions, call 251- 967-2463

 IOWA ALABAMA GULF COAST SNOWBIRDS CLUB meets for breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Jan. 26 and Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 at Lulu’s Homeport on the north side of the Intracoastal Canal Bridge. Contact Doris Wolf at 251-981-6901 ext. 5908 or email at clintwolf@aol.com to RSVP on the Saturday before the breakfast date. On Jan. 21, cocktail party, Phoenix V, 24400 Perdido Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, 5-7 p.m., NO RSVP required. Bring a dish to share and your own beverages. Feb. 4 – cocktail party, Phoenix VII, 26802 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, 5-7 p.m., NO RSVP required. Bring a dish to share and your own beverages. Feb. 18 – cocktail party, Phoenix on the Bay II, 27580 Canal Road, 5-7 p.m., NO RSVP required. Bring a dish to share and your own beverages. Golfers can sign up for the outings on the club's website: www.Iowa-AlabamaGulfCoastSnowbirds.org or call Don Brown at 251-981-6901-ext.7117 or Bob Matheson at 251-224-4171.

OHIO SNOW BIRD CLUB breakfasts are the first and third Wednesdays January through March at LuLu’s at 8 a.m. Reservations for the next breakfast on MUST be made by the Sunday before the breakfast by contacting Treasurer Gayle Hofacker at 251-540-7745 or email her at gayliano13@embarqmail.com. Bebe Gauntt of Christian Service Center will be our speaker. Feb. 2, we will have the Four Winds Barbershop Singers. Carolyn Rooks announced the following activities for January and early February: Friday is lunch at Magnolia’s at 1 p.m.  followed by a tour of Swift Cole Mansion at 3 p.m.; Jan. 21 will be a  Ladies Brunch 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Caribe Bldg. D; Jan. 26 is dinner at Rum Runners at 6 p.m. with the Dueling Pianos at 7 p.m.; Jan. 27 is the Pot luck lunch and game day, noon at Caribe Bldg.C; Jan. 31 is Red Hat and Romeos lunch at Live Bait, Perdido Beach Blvd. at 1 p.m..; Feb. 7-12 will be the Carnival Cruise for Ohio Club members.

DINNER AND A MOVIE NIGHT in the Club Room of Southbeach at The Beach Club. The next movie night will be Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Guests can order off of the Southbeach Winter Menu featuring discounted specials starting at $9.95. Specials include Beef Tips, Fresh Mahi, Pork Loin and more. For information, call the Club at 251-224-2582.

TUESDAYS

TANGER PLATINUM BINGO: If you are 50+ and looking for a fun activity, register for Tanger Platinum Bingo today. Bingo will be played every Tuesday in February from 9-10 a.m. in our Food Court. Call 251-943-9303 to register (you must pre-register to participate).  Check in at the Food Court on the day of Bingo. Tanger and our tenant partners will provide great prizes for you to win.  Plan now to join us for Tanger Platinum Bingo!

WEDNESDAYS AND SUNDAYS

PRIME RIB NIGHTS beginning at 5 p.m., in the Club Room of Southbeach at The Beach Club. Diners can enjoy a thick slice of house slow-roasted tender prime rib served with natural jus and a jumbo baked potato for $11.95. For more information, call Southbeach at The Beach Club at 251-224-3600.