GULF SHORES, Ala. – Before Saturday, the goal of this year’s Sweetheart Run organizers was to make the 2012 edition the biggest and best in the 11-year history of the event. By all accounts, the event, sponsored by the LA Fleet Feet running club, lived up to the organizers’ goals.

“We had more participants than we’ve ever had,” Race Director Walt Graham said. “At the beginning of the week we knew we had more than 450 participants pre-registered, and we had a few more trickle in by Thursday. However, by the time late registration was held Friday afternoon and walk-up registration was completed Saturday morning, we had registered more than 800. That is by far the most participation we’ve had in the history of the event.

While race officials were shooting for more than 600 participants, the official count for registrations was 827. “Several of us, including Donna Holmes, Pam Winstead, Richard Dickerson, Rob and Jenny Barnas, Jane and Norm Thomas worked on this event for several months. The hard work that our L. A. Fleet Feet Club members put in paid off in a big way Saturday,” Graham said. “Mother Nature cooperated and we had a great day for running. It may have been a little on the chilly side for those standing along the race route, but the temperature was perfect for the runners and walkers.”

There were 122 runners who participated in the 10K run, 329 runners who participated in the 5K run, 166 walkers in the 5K walk and 126 participants in the one-mile fun run and walk. Winners included Jose Pulgarin of Pensacola, Fla. who won the 10K race with a time of 36:03, Rebecca Massie of Robertsdale who was the first woman to cross the 10K finish line at 40:04, Matthew Babikow of Gulf Breeze, Fla. took home first place in the 5K race with a time of 19:08, Svetlana Como of Gulf Shores won the women’s 5K with a time of 21:21, Al Vekovias of Orange Beach won the 5K walk with a time of 33:15, Stephanie Pluscht of Mobile won the women’s 5K walk with a time of 35:55, Gerrod Broxson of Elberta won the Fun Run with a time of 5:05 and Amaivani Pimentel of Elberta took first place for the women in the Fun Run with a time of 6:07.

Graham said the number of actual participants was slightly lower than the number who registered, but that is true for almost any race. “We all have personal lives that sometime interfere with our best-laid plans,” Graham said. “However, even though we had some register who didn’t participate, they can rest assured their entry fees will go toward some great causes this year, such as the Gulf Coast Arts Council, Foley High School Jr. ROTC program, Alabama Free Clinic in Baldwin County and the 8 to 10 local school teams that participated in the 1 mile run.” In its 11-year history, the Sweetheart Run has generated well over $75,000 for worthwhile causes in the area.

Graham said he wanted to give special appreciation to The Hangout restaurant in Gulf Shores. “The restaurant was not only our finish line, they provided a great post-race meal for our runners and walkers and a great facility to give out our prizes and awards,” Graham said. “I can’t say enough about how important The Hangout was to our race. I was afraid we would catch them off-guard with the post-race meal because of the number of people we had sign up at the last minute. However, they had plenty food and beverages for everyone.”

Along with The Hangout, Graham said the other race sponsors played a vital role in the race, providing everything from fresh bananas and water to gift certificates and post-race refreshments. Sponsors for the race included the UPS Stores in Orange Beach and Foley, Publix, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sports Commission, Island Air, Results Fitness, South Baldwin Medical Center, Original Oyster House, Thomason Storage, Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar, Cobalt restaurant, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Riviera Utilities, Sunny 105.7, Tacky Jacks, DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen, Columbia Southern University, Edward Jones Investments, the Mullet Wrapper, Papa Rocco’s, Meyer Real Estate, Kaiser Realty, Four Seasons Properties, Sports-N-More and Fullerton Tax Associates, Inc.

“We’ll take a little time off to recover from the race,” Graham said. “But we’ll be back at planning next year’s race before too long. Our organizing committee and club members are going to have to continue doing a great job to top the results from this year, but I have confidence we can do it.”

The L. A. Fleet Feet Running Club invites all runners and walkers to participate in an easy run/walk Tuesday nights at 6:30. They meet in the West parking lot of the Gulf Shores Public Beach restrooms located at the intersection of Ala. Hwy. 59 and Ala. Hwy. 182.

For more information about the L. A. Fleet Feet Run Club contact Graham at 205-966-4366, or visit www.lafleetfeet.com.

GULF SHORES, Ala. - Runners from all over are preparing to take to the streets of Gulf Shores Saturday for the 11th Annual Sweetheart Run and Walk. Sponsored by the L.A. Fleet Feet Running Club, the event raises money for several worthy causes in the area. Although the event first began as a 5K run in 2002, it has expanded to include a 10K run, the original 5K run, a 5K walk and a one-mile run/walk for children in elementary and middle schools, according to Race Director Walt Graham.

Through the years, the Sweetheart Run has raised approximately $75,000 for various civic, charitable and athletic organizations in the area, according to Graham. Groups such as the Gulf Coast Arts Council, Foley Junior ROTC, Alabama Free Clinic Baldwin County and other local charities have benefited from the proceeds of the race.

“Some runners take it seriously, but the majority of the people come out for the fun and to help raise money for various organizations that depend on community support,” Graham said. Each year the Sweetheart Run Committee has continued to build the race into a major regional running and charity event, according to Graham.

Trophies will be awarded in numerous age categories ranging from 10 and younger to 80 and older in all three runs. “This is a great event for the entire family,” Graham said. “We have events for people of all skill levels and ages. They can run competitively or just put on their shoes and have a little fun as they walk or run through the course.”

Previous editions of the race have drawn more than 500 runners from 27 states and Canada. “We already have more than 450 pre-registered and are shooting for more than 600 participants this year,” Graham said. “Our club is hoping to make this Sweetheart Run the biggest and best yet.”

In addition to the race itself, there will also be a lively post-race party at The Hangout which will include live music provided by local favorite Smokey. The post-race party includes a wide variety of food and beverages for all who register for the runs.

The 5K and 10K race will begin promptly at 9 a.m. The start line for all races will be on 2nd Ave. west of Ala. Hwy. 59. The finish line for all races will be in front of The Hangout at the main public beach area of Gulf Shores. The 5K and 10K runners will proceed west from the start line until the 5K participants turn back on West Beach Blvd. towards the finish line. The 10K runners will proceed west until Little Lagoon pass, where they reverse their direction and run back to the finish ling.

The fun run begins at 10 a.m. on 2nd Ave, west of 59 and finishes in front of the Hangout.

Late registration will take place Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at The Hangout. The fee is $25. Graham said participants in the 5K and 10K events may also sign up Saturday from 7 until 8:30 a.m. Fun run participants may register on race day from 7 until 9:30 a.m. All race day registrations will cost $30.

Race applications can be downloaded at www.lafleetfeet.com by clicking on the Sweetheart Run Race Application. The L. A. Fleet Feet Running Club invites all runners and walkers to participate in an easy run/walk Tuesday nights at 6:30 in front of the Gulf Shores Public Beach restrooms and bath house at the end of Ala. Hwy. 59.

For more information about the Sweetheart Run or the L. A. Fleet Feet Run Club contact Graham at 205-966-4366. E-mail inquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

(Gulf Shores)

Indie-Folk cellist Ben Sollee and his crew have decided to put the van and planes aside and pedal there way from show to show on his "Ditch the Van Tour".  The tour is scheduled to stop at The Hangout in Gulf Shores on November 2nd at 7:30.

GULF SHORES, Ala. ­— Almost everyone along the Alabama Gulf Coast has a favorite shrimp dish, and the best way to prepare the tasty crustacean is always a matter of taste and often leads to a heated debate. Last week, chefs Levi Proffitt and Tony Luna of The Hangout put an end to the debate – at least for the next year.

The duo took part in the 4th Annual Zatarain’s National Shrimp Festival Chef’s Challenge. The Challenge is part of the 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival presented by Zatarain’s and produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce. This year’s festival will take place Oct. 13 – 16 in Gulf Shores where Ala. Hwy. 59 meets the Gulf.

Chefs from 13 other top area restaurants did their best to make Proffitt and Luna work hard to earn the top prize. The rules for the challenge were simple. The winning dish had to feature Alabama Wild Shrimp and at least one of the more than 200 Zatarain’s New Orleans-style food products. Zatarain’s is the presenting sponsor of this year’s festival and Alabama Wild Shrimp is a major sponsor as well.

The winning dish prepared by Proffit and Luna was Fiery Irie Island Shrimp atop Zatarain’s Caribe Cakes. The recipe consisted of mango and chile glazed shrimp infused with dark rum served on top of Zatarain’s Caribbean rice. The dish was served with arugula, pea tendrils and mint tossed in lime vinaigrette and topped with sweet potato hay.

“It was incredible,” Chamber Special Events Director Jan Umphrey said. “To watch them take all of those individual ingredients and make something truly cohesive and delicious was nothing short of art.”

The dishes were rated by a panel of three judges whose identities remain a secret except to Chamber staff members. The event was held Sept. 7 – 9 at The Gulf Coast Culinary Institute at Faulkner State Community College.

Along with taking home the Chef’s Challenge trophy, which will be displayed in The Hangout, the winning chefs took home $1,000 and a set of Royal Prestige cookware.

The unusual name for the dish was a collaborative effort between the two chefs and The Hangout Marketing Director Tara McMeans. “It was the brainchild of all three of us,” Luna said.

The inspiration for the dish, according to Proffitt and Luna, was simple. “We just thought about what would taste good on shrimp,” Luna said. “I love mango and chipotle together.”

Proffitt said the Zatarain’s product they decided to use was Caribbean Rice. “We looked for a Zatarain’s product that we thought would be different than what the other teams were using,” he said.

Shucker’s Oyster Bar in Orange Beach took home $500 and the second-place trophy with their Chicken-Fried Blue Grits with Jalapeno Smoked Sausage and Shrimp Cheddar Cream Sauce prepared by Chef Robbie Redd. Big Fish Restaurant and Bar in Orange Beach took home $250 and the third-place trophy with its Kaffir Blackened Demi over Paneed Gulf Shrimp prepared by Chef Leck Labron Lilayuva.

Umphrey said something new this year for the Challenge winners is a date to prepare their dishes on television. “We have dates during the weeks leading up to the festival for our three top chefs to prepare their dishes on Fox 10 television’s Studio 10 morning show,” she said. “So, if you want to find out how to make some of the best shrimp dishes anywhere, tune in and watch on Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct. 13. It’s exciting to know that these chefs and their restaurants will gain some notoriety outside our immediate area for all their hard work.”

Umphrey said the winners will be presented with their checks and trophies during the festival on Oct. 14. “The dishes these chefs came up with were amazing,” she said. “It just goes to show you what great ingredients like Zatarain’s and Alabama Wild Shrimp coupled with great culinary minds can create – the best shrimp dishes anywhere.”

GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – This weekend, hundreds athletes will converge on Alabama’s white-sand beaches and emerald green waters for the Fifth Annual Brett-Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon on September 10. Event organizers remind motorists traveling on Saturday morning along Highway 182/Perdido Beach Boulevard (from West Beach to the Perdido Pass Bridge) and on State Park Road 2 that both cyclists and runners will be on these roadways.

“We have all of the necessary safety crews in place but it is best practice for motorists on these roads to be aware of the triathletes,” said Beth Gendler, vice-president of sales for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission, which is hosting this triathlon.

New to the event this year, the triathlon has been designated as the 2011 Best of the US Amateur Championship, which brings together the top amateur triathletes from all 50 states. Each state has just one qualifier race, from which the top three men and women–– regardless of their age ––qualify to represent their state at the national championship in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

“Pulling together an event of this magnitude requires a team effort, and we were extremely grateful to our continued partnership with Team Magic and the generous support of our title sponsor Brett-Robinson,” said Gendler. “Athletic events like this one provide great exposure to families across the Southeast and Midwest – families that will hopefully fall in love with our great beach destination and choose to vacation again with us.”

The triathlon will include a 1.5k gulf swim, 40k bike ride and a 10k run but athletes can also register for the “Tri-It-On” triathlon, which includes a 300 yard swim, 10 mile bike ride and a two mile run. The Hangout in Gulf Shores will serve as the race headquarters and is the location of the start/finish line.

Registration for both races can be completed online at www.team-magic.com and will cost $125 for an individual, $195 for a relay team and $70 for the “Tri-It-On” race. While online registration will close on September 7, last-minute on-site registration will be available on race day.

Individuals who would like to be a part of the action but do not wish to compete are encouraged to become an event volunteer.

To sign-up as a volunteer, go to http://teammagic.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer.

For more information on the triathlon or to sign-up as a competitor or volunteer, go to www.team-magic.com, or call the sports commission at 1-800-745-SAND.

(Gulf Shores)

With the "Big Game" right around the corner we are going to take a look at a few different places to watch it and what they have going on.

Our first location is The Hangout on public beach in Gulf Shores. The Hangout has put together some great football game day events all year.  For the "Big Game" The Hangout will be offering .50 seasoned char-grilled wings served with Carolina Beach BBQ Sauce and $2.50 Draft Beer.  Squares boards, door prizes and the famous Hangout Football Toss.  The Hangout is family friendly and located at 101 East Beach Blvd. in Gulf Shores.

West Beach Grille is another great place to enjoy the "Big Game".  West Beach Grille has been filling the place up with their great Saturday and Sunday game day specials.  On "Big Game" Sunday they will be offering $2.00 bottled and $1.75 draft beers.  If you happen to be a fan of West Beach Grille on Facebook and mention it, you will receive a complementary shot on the house.  Find West Beach Grille at: 1154 West Beach Blvd.

If you happen to be in the Orange Beach area Tacky Jack's is another great place to watch the game.  At Tacky Jack's Grill and Tavern game watchers can enjoy free finger foods while viewing the game from their heated deck.  "Big Game" viewers will also receive happy hour prices.  If you want something a little different, Tacky Jack's Cigar Bar will be hosting a shrimp boil from 4:00-9:00.  You can find Tacky Jack's at: 27206 Safe Harbor Dr. in Orange Beach.

The last location to watch the game Sunday is Cohiba Dunes Cigar Bar at Pelican Place in Gulf Shores.  Cohiba Dunes is a purveyor of fine cigars and spirits in a classy comfortable atmosphere.  During the "Big Game" they will be offering Happy Hour Prices and Free Bar Snacks.  Cohiba Dunes is for patron 21 and up located at: 3800 Gulf Shores Parkway #210.

If you know of any businesses running special for the "Big Game" let us know.

(Gulf Shores)

The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores has announce their 2011 artist lineup.

THE HANGOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS 2011 LINEUP FEATURING
PAUL SIMON, FOO FIGHTERS, WIDESPREAD PANIC,
THE BLACK KEYS, MY MORNING JACKET, FLAMING LIPS,
CEE LO GREEN, PRIMUS, MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, PRETTY LIGHTS, BASSNECTAR, GIRL TALK, WEEN, AND MORE!

TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND at 9 AM CST

February 1, 2011 (Gulf Shores, Ala) – The Hangout Music Festival is thrilled to announce its 2011 lineup featuring Paul Simon, Foo Fighters, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Flaming Lips, Cee Lo Green, Primus, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, Girl Talk, Ween, Matisyahu and dozens more. The one-of-a-kind music festival takes place May 20th - 22nd on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama - just minutes from the Florida border. Tickets go on-sale this Wednesday at 9 am CST. A confirmed lineup is listed below. More bands, amenities and activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Hangout Music Festival debuted in 2010 and set itself apart from other festivals by featuring a blockbuster lineup of bands performing on stages located directly on the beach. Thousands of condominiums within walking distance add to the exceptional experience shared by music enthusiasts and beach lovers.

This year, the festival is adding a fifth music stage under an air-conditioned tent and creating Hammock Beach, a replenishing salt-water lagoon where music fans will find shade, hammocks, and art installations. Another feature of Hammock Beach will be the Sky-bar tower, a structure built specifically for Hangout offering 360-degree views of the festival. For fans interested in taking their festival experience to the next level, VIP ticket holders are invited to take a dip in Hangout’s new resort style in-ground pool with views of the main stage (deck side bar service is included). Other new attractions include an extended kids’ area, family events, late night deejays, and shuttle service between stages.

Last year’s festival drew thousands of music fans who danced to live music just steps away from swaying palm trees and a crystal blue ocean. Southern Living Magazinecalls Hangout the South’s “Best New Music Fest “ and raves that it is “a head-bobbing beach-comber’s dream.” Jambase describes the festival as an “eclectic crossroads of Southern culture and the progressive festival scene… unforgettable.” Grace Potter, of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, who performed at last year’s festival, calls it “Coachella on the beach.”

The wide assortment of lodging options surrounding the festival sets Hangout apart from other events. The Hangout Music Festival is in walking distance to over ten thousand fully equipped and affordable vacation rental condominiums, beach houses and traditional hotel rooms. Camping at the local state park is also an option. Visit www.hangoutmusicfest.com more information.

A limited quantity of festival tickets will be available for $159 and will go on-sale Wednesday, February 2nd at 9 am CST at www.hangoutmusicfest.com through Front Gate Tickets and at The Hangout Restaurant in Gulf Shores, AL. Once tickets at the $159 price level are sold-out, tickets will then go on-sale for $174. VIP ticket packages and travel packages start at $525 and are also available online or by phone at 1-888-512-SHOW.

WHEN:                     FRIDAY MAY 20th - SUNDAY MAY 22nd, 2011
WHERE:                  101 EAST BEACH BLVD, GULF SHORES, ALABAMA
(JUST 15 MINUTES FROM FLORIDA /1 HOUR FROM THE PENSACOLA, FL AND MOBILE, AL AIRPORTS)
PRICES:                  $159 3-DAY PASS /VIP TICKET AND TRAVEL PACKAGES AVAILABLE
TICKETS AVAILABLE:            HANGOUT WEBSITE AND FRONT GATE TICKETS/ THE HANGOUT RESTAURANT
FESTIVAL WEBSITE:            http://www.hangoutmusicfest.com

CONFIRMED ARTISTS INCLUDE: Paul Simon + Foo Fighters + Widespread Panic + The Black Keys + My Morning Jacket + Flaming Lips + Cee Lo Green + Primus + Michael Franti & Spearhead + Pretty Lights + Bassnectar + Girl Talk + Ween + Matisyahu + Warren Haynes Band + Umphrey’s McGee + Slightly Stoopid + Drive-By Truckers + Amos Lee + Old Crow Medicine Show + G. Love & Special Sauce + Medeski, Martin & Wood + Keller Williams + Galactic + Xavier Rudd + Minus the Bear + Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue + Portugal. the Man + Beats Antique + Dead Confederate + Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights + Easy Star All-Stars + Mariachi El Bronx + Truth & Salvage Co + Kristy Lee + Civil Twilight + Rich Aucoin + A Thousand Horses + Jon Black + Cas Haley + Roman Street

Hangout is the most posh and pimped-out festival you will ever experience – an incredible roster of musicians perform on stages overlooking white sandy beaches and a sparkling ocean.  New features to the Hangout this year include: a salt-water lagoon surrounded by hammocks and shade trees, a Skybar with 360-degree views of the festival, a resort style in-ground pool with views of the main stage, late night DJ sets and more.

(Gulf Shores)

For several weeks The Hangout has been hosting a weekly ping pong tournament on Tuesday nights.  Due to a two week closure, the tournament will be played at City Grill in Gulf Shores January 4th and 11th.  The tournament will resume at The Hangout January 18th at 6:00pm.  The entry fee is $10 and a cash payout goes to 1st and 2nd places.  City Grill is located at 2200 East 2nd Street.  251-223-4202.

(Gulf Shores)

For several weeks The Hangout has been hosting a weekly ping pong tournament on Tuesday nights.  Due to a two week closure, the tournament will be played at City Grill in Gulf Shores January 4th and 11th.  The tournament will resume at The Hangout January 18th at 6:00pm.  The entry fee is $10 and a cash payout goes to 1st and 2nd places.  City Grill is located at 2200 East 2nd Street.  251-223-4202.