May is upon us and the dog days of summer are not far behind. There are still plenty of exciting outdoor events to take advantage of the weather throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area and across the Gulf Coast. If you fancy a road trip, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival cranks up again Thursday for the 2nd weekend of festivities.

Dharma Blue’s inaugural wine dinner, Five Flags Over Pensacola, will be a historic event. After 29 years, founder Charles Morgan and General Manager, Diana Mills are excited to explore the history of Pensacola through elevated food and wine next Thursday, April 10 from 6 - 9 PM.

It’s hard to believe that Dharma Blue, the iconic restaurant in historic Pensacola known for its outstanding fresh local seafood and sushi, opened 29 years ago on February 15, 1996, and is just now hosting its first-ever wine pairing dinner on Thursday, April 10. The theme for this event is Five Flags Over Pensacola, and it should be interesting, educational, and a whole lot of fun!

When so many of us were focused on the arrival of the famous ocean liner, the SS United States, a couple of weeks back, I started thinking about another big ship on our horizon. I decided to take a drive over and revisit the USS Alabama.

This exciting festival event is unique in its focus on fine art, combined with cultural charm, and the fun-loving spirit of residents of Coastal Alabama! Enjoy vendors offering fine art from across the southeast and a variety of local seafood options. Live music will be running all day long on both days of the festival and don’t miss the Banjo and Fiddle Competition on Sunday where the top 3 scores in each age bracket win a cash prize!

Kerrie Benson is a dynamo. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. She has found her calling through a lifetime of enthusiasm, love, and patience. As a development coordinator for Children’s Hospital of Alabama, she has brought many donors to the table, and the golf course, among other fun venues. All in the name of love for helping others!

Now it’s everywhere. Throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal communities, Mardi Gras is a celebration everyone can enjoy. In fact, Mardi Gras masks were originally worn so that people of all classes could mingle freely. The colors of Mardi Gras, purple, green, and gold represent justice, faith, and power, respectively.

On August 1, 2023, local musician Molly Thomas was on her way to Pensacola with her dog in tow, when tragedy struck. It was 9:30 am and Molly was crossing U.S. Highway 98 just south of Fairhope when another driver T-boned her. Her car flipped several times, and Molly had to be cut out of her vehicle and life-flighted to the University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile. She was there for one week before facing a year-long recovery.