When two lifelong friends stumbled into a glass-blowing studio class simply because they needed one more humanities credit to complete their requirements at the University of South Alabama, they never imagined that it would lead them to launch a business they love.

“It’s All About the Weather “ Whether you like it or not, the weather dictates your landscape needs. I sat down with Jeremy Gilbert, owner of Southern Lawn and Landscape in the Scenic 98 Coastal area, to discuss the challenges of keeping a beautiful landscape beautiful.

The restaurant business can be a fickle enterprise, with lots of ups and some downs along the way. We have, in the Scenic 98 Coastal area, a fellow named Harry P. Johnson, who is an institution in the restaurant business, and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

After the extreme heat of summer that seems to have encompassed the world, a couple of weeks ago, we had a weekend respite in New Orleans. My Father’s Day gift this year was for Linda and me to be treated to dinner followed by a concert by Jackson Browne at the Saenger Theater. My three sons, Zeb, Bryan, and Matthew, took care of everything.

Victor Wright has spent his entire life in and around the waters that surround Pensacola. As a kid living in Pensacola Beach, he attended school in a house that a resident, Harry Gownes, let the Pensacola School System use. It was the only school on Pensacola Beach. In the 8th grade, his family moved to Gulf Breeze so that he could attend middle school.

I recently enjoyed meeting and getting to know Ed Bloodsworth, Chief Meteorologist at WKRG in Mobile. He’s such a likable guy and a man of many talents. It’s not often you meet someone who knew at seven years old, exactly what he wanted to do in life.

On the waterfront in downtown Pensacola, one of the city’s most popular entertainment establishments, The Fish House Restaurant and Atlas Oyster House sit. The brainchild of the Merrill brothers, Collier, Burney, and Will, they formed Great Southern Restaurants seeing the need for new and exciting restaurants to revitalize the downtown waterfront area.

The old saying, “You get what you pay for,” is a tried and true axiom. Scenic 98 Coastal strives to offer its readers sage advice on where to go for good food, great entertainment, and fun places to shop. It's what we do. This week we bring you the go-to place for rock-solid advice on any subject, but it’s not free.

On Tuesday, July 18, a big announcement was made at a press conference held at Julep Point at the Grand Hotel, regarding The Eagle Reef Project. You may recall the story of John Shell, who took on the task of placing manufactured mini-reefs under wharves and piers around the Scenic 98 Coastal area, to help facilitate the growth of oysters and barnacles that, in turn, would filter water and attract fish and crabs.

“If you don’t believe you can do it, you’re right, If you do think you can do it, you’re right!” What a special place Sophiella Gallery on Dauphin Street in Downtown Mobile is. I had a wonderful time visiting with Kim Kelly, learning about her and her family and how the gallery came into being. When you walk in the door, you are immediately transported. The art and the space create an air of sophistication and the creative energy is palpable.

On the first Friday of every month, the downtown businesses in Fairhope host First Friday Art Walk, when stores, galleries, and restaurants offer special refreshments, music, and other entertainment.

No, Jack West did not build my house at 901 Captain O’Neal Drive in Daphne which I recently purchased, but his influence and guidance, and what I learned from the late owner of the infamous Judge Roy Bean (1977-2005) is immeasurable. The house at 901 was built 35 years ago by Dick and Beverly Swanson and I was their neighbor at the time… living at 801 Captain O’Neal.

Oyster farming has always fascinated me. I remember as a boy going fishing out of Dauphin Island and seeing small skiffs with men with long tongs pulling up wild-grown oysters from the oyster beds and piling them up on the decks of their boats. It looked like hard work, which it was. They would take their harvest to Coden or Bayou La Batre for processing, whether sold by the bag or shucked in pints, quarts, or gallon containers.

Al Graham owns 5-Star Event Photography in Pensacola and is an electronics wiz. He spent his 12-year active Navy career in Aviation Avionics, graduating top in his class. He was teaching micro-miniature repair under a microscope, which is an unbelievable task. It’s safe to say he knows electronics and has an array of photography equipment and a professional set stage to highlight any event.

With our four-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter, Penny, Linda and I ventured to Coden, Alabama, to visit an oyster farm operation. It was fascinating, to say the least! Penny was visiting for a few days from Athens, Georgia, and we were taking her to stay with her other set of grandparents after spending five days in Fairhope with us.

As a lifelong resident of Mobile who spent my summers, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, in Point Clear, Alabama, I’ve seen much change in my lifetime in the waters surrounding the Scenic 98 Coastal area. These changes are a cause for concern, and I’ve tried to gain a better understanding of what has happened and what can be done to preserve and protect these waters that we all enjoy.

You don’t see the word artisan associated with pleasure boats very often, but that is the exact word that fits the Caribiana Sea Skiff being manufactured in Foley, Alabama.

Zach Sierke is somewhat famous around these parts for his creative pottery, special hand-made kiln, and his deep knowledge of the native clays and their properties. The Eastern Shore is a mecca for artisans sculpting works of art, because of its clay.

With the Fourth of July celebration behind us, we are in peak grilling season, and nothing says summer like hamburgers and hot dogs. If you are looking for a good hot dog or hamburger in the Pensacola area without having to fire up the grill, look no further than The Dog House on Palafox Street.

One difference between cats and dogs you may not know is that cats wait until warmer weather to have kittens, whereas dogs tend to be year-round breeders. So if a cute, little furry kitten is in your future, now is a great time to stop by The Haven in Fairhope.

As I write about my retirement and the pursuit of happiness, I know that each adventure I share brings me a great deal of fulfillment. The journey is not always easy and joyful because of the insecurity and judgments that I hold about it. I think this is mostly about breaking out from old patterns of thought.

June 13th was Shamonee Baker’s first year anniversary at WKRG. Three weeks ago, she was promoted to Weekend News Anchor. Her story shows that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself and don’t let others limit what you can achieve.

I was recently introduced to an Orange Beach entrepreneur, Angelo DePaola, and among his many talents and interests is his love and appreciation for the best hamburger found along the Scenic 98 Coastal area. He even goes so far as to have his own YouTube channel, Cheeseburger in Paradise, to tout his latest finds.

Forty-five years in the making, local author Theresa Jensen Lacy is publishing her 21st book, a family cookbook. “It was back in 1982 that I realized none of my people used a cookbook,” she said.