What's Cool on Monday Night in Gulf Shores?

Even on a Monday night in the winter in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach you can find delicious seafood and live music worthy of tapping your toes. Tonight I found my thrill at Joey's North Shore Grill and Hula Hula Tiki Bar.

The usual Monday night musician Jon Cook was in rare form with a bonus of three other musicians joining him to jam. Their jazzy, bluesy vibe was an unexpected treat.

And speaking of treats the chef, who is amazing, continues to find new seafood delicacies to add to the menu. So tonight I had the rare privilege of sampling three of his latest, greatest

creations. First there was a half-dozen char-grilled oysters that had a sweet, smoky flavor and were grilled to perfection. The next amazing dish was a bowl of mussels in a delicious sauce with grilled french bread for soaking up all the flavor. And finally there was a trio of scrumptious smoked salmon that the restaurant smokes on site and serves in a tasty barbecue sauce. I love seafood, especially oysters, and this meal was genuinely delicious.

Great food, awesome music and even on a Monday you can find something cool to do in Gulf Shores.

Hangout Music Fest HOT Tickets - Lineup Just Announced

For several months the upcoming Hangout Music Festival (May 18-20) has been on my mind because I had such a blast last year. Early, early this morning I began to get emails about the lineup because The Hangout team started populating their Facebook page with the news. I will admit that I actually do not know the music of all the bands but that is what I loved about last year because I found so many "treasures" by going to as many stages as possible.

Take a look at the list of Hangout Music Festival touring artists announced today and I'm sure you will be amazed at the talent:

Dave Matthews Band * Jack White * String Cheese Incident * Wilco * Skrillex * The Flaming Lips perform Dark Side of the Moon * Dispatch * Steve Winwood * Chris Cornell * STS9 * Gogol Bordello * Michael Franti & Spearhead * Mac Miller Flogging Molly * Coheed & Cambria * Paul Oakenfold * G. Love and Special Sauce * Randy Newman * Dr. Dog * Young the Giant * Cage the Elephant * Dawes * Alabama Shakes * M. Ward * Yelawolf * Switchfoot * Julian Marley * Zed’s Dead Mavis Staples * Sphongle * Rebelution * Gary Clark JR * Allen Stone * Big Freedia * The Devil Makes Three * Paper Diamond * Futurebirds * Tribal Seeds Hey Rosetta! * Sleeper Agent * The Lumineers * Archnemesis * Rich Aucoin * Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns

It was exciting to see that Dave Matthews Band will come this year among many other awesome acts. Last year I discovered Michael Franti, so now I'm a fan. One of my co-workers is happily wearing her Wilco t-shirt because they were announced today. I'm sure that all the bands will be great and they are coming to my "back yard" where thousands of music lovers can enjoy the sand, surf and music of the beach.

If you have not yet reserved your condo or beach house for the Hangout Music Festival weekend I strongly urge you to do so NOW. You can purchase 3-day passes at the same time that you reserve your Meyer Vacation Rental property. Keep in mind that tickets in general do not go on sale until Friday (Feb 10) so you can get a jump on the purchase and save the service fee as well.

Later in the week, possibly Thursday, there will be more lineup announcements which will increase the demand for tickets on Friday. Again you don't have to wait until Friday because Meyer Vacation Rentals has tickets as long as our supply lasts.

What's Biting on Alabama's coast?

When I was a young girl going fishing with my father was a special treat. The family claims I ate the raw shrimp we were fishing with and if that is true I guess I had raw seafood long before I knew anything about sushi.

I haven't fished in years, so I must rely on the experts to report what's hot in that world. According to the Reel Report by Jeff Dute published by AL.com this morning, catching whiting along the beach is a sure thing. He also states that sheepshead can be caught off the rock jetties at Perdido Pass. I love to watch the boats come and go through the pass, especially while relaxing with a refreshing beverage at Cobalt Restaurant overlooking the waterway.

In the article Mr. Dute quotes Chris Vescey at Sam's in Orange Beach advising that surf fishermen are catching limits of pompano, lots of black drum and some Spanish mackerel. There are some flounder coming out of Terry Cove and Bay St. John and limited amounts of speckled trout in Little Lagoon.

So for someone who no longer fishes, at least I haven't in awhile, I was a little excited to see that we do have some decent numbers of fish biting in our waters. I think I know what I want for dinner now.

Gulf Shores Brat Fest & Penthouse Tour for Charity both Feb. 4

Eating brats and touring high-end penthouse properties although different in nature will both support Gulf Shores' area charities and both happen this Saturday (Feb. 4).

In 1998 the first Brat Fest was launched by snowbird clubs and over the years this event has raised over $78,000 for three Pleasure Island fire departments. The concept was based on charitable functions in Indiana and other northern states and the formula works here too.

There are now 10 snowbird clubs involved with the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan Fire/Rescue departments to put on this one-day event with funds applying toward fire safety and prevention as well as needed equipment.

The 14th Annual Brat Fest will be held at the Gulf Shores Adult Activity Center beginning at 10:15 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 4). The cost is $4 per brat & $1 for soda or coffee. Plan to get there early to make sure you get a brat. When 3,000 are sold that's the end of the brats.

A rare opportunity to tour area penthouses happens this Saturday when the Sirens of the Sea has a tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. of six exquisite penthouses at Oceania, Phoenix West, Sea Chase, Caribe, Spanish Key and La Serena.

The cost is $20 with proceeds benefiting Mary's Shelter, a provider of family-style living for homeless mothers-to-be. Tickets will include directions to each building plus six raffle tickets for a beautiful basket at each property.

Contact Century 21 Meyer Real Estate agent Angela Martin at (251) 923-6082 for tickets.

I think you'll enjoy grabbing a brat and heading to some of the most high-end condos on the island. You'll feel good about your contribution to these charities and besides what else were you planning to do Saturday?