Good morning, Fairhope! Happy Monday !!! Time to kick off those Monday blues, grab some caffeine (or all the caffeine), and dive into your Fairhope Now FREE newsletter. It’s packed with all the local news and upcoming events you need to survive the week—because let’s be real, Mondays need all the help they can get! Got a friend who’s still in a Monday fog and clueless about what’s happening? Do them a favor— send them to FairhopeNow.com or forward this to them and have them click the big blue button below. - John Oldshue, Anne Dorman, & Lynn Oldshue

Note: There was a technical glitch on Friday and some people did not get the newsletter. We have re-printed a couple of the important stories from that version again.

In Today’s Fairhope Now Newsletter :

1. Update on Possible Hurricane Helene

2. Fairhope’s Future: A Plan for Growth, Green Spaces, and Innovation

3. Hatch Fairhope Launches First 8 Startups in Innovation Accelerator

4. Quick News from around Fairhope

5. Fairhope Adoptable Pets : Meet Lefty

6. Let’s Go! Fairhope Events Section

Update on Possible Hurricane Helene

As of 10AM The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has begun issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, soon to be named Helene, with the forecast track bringing it toward the northeastern Gulf Coast by Thursday. While the system is currently broad and lacks a well-defined center, models suggest it will become better organized over the next day, with favorable conditions for significant strengthening. In fact, there’s a 95% chance that Helene could intensify by 75 mph in the next 72 hours, potentially reaching category two hurricane status with winds of up to 110 mph at landfall. However, some models suggest it could even become a major hurricane (category three or higher). The NHC track currently projects landfall between Apalachicola and Cedar Key, with impacts like storm surge, wind, and rainfall extending well to the east of the center.

For Alabama’s Gulf Coast and the western Florida Panhandle (Pensacola to Panama City Beach), the system is expected to remain on the “good” side of the circulation for now, with offshore winds minimizing direct impacts. However, the east side of Helene will likely see the most severe effects, with storm surge, wind, flooding, and isolated tornadoes posing the greatest threat. Rainfall in Alabama is expected to reach 2-5 inches in northern and eastern parts of the state from Wednesday through Friday, with lighter amounts to the south and west. Wind gusts in southeast Alabama could reach 35-45 mph, but the strongest winds are expected to remain east of Alabama, impacting Georgia on Thursday and Thursday night.

Fairhope’s Future: A Plan for Growth, Green Spaces, and Innovation

The City of Fairhope released a draft version of The Fairhope Comprehensive Plan which outlines a blueprint for the city’s future growth, addressing a wide array of topics such as land use, natural resources, infrastructure, and economic development. It highlights the importance of maintaining Fairhope’s unique character while promoting sustainable growth. This involves managing residential development, expanding community facilities, and leveraging technology to diversify the local economy. Key strategies include the promotion of local businesses, preservation of natural resources, and the use of low-impact development techniques to manage water runoff and protect the environment. You can read more about the plan and download the entire document here.

Hatch Fairhope Launches First 8 Startups in Innovation Accelerator

Hatch Fairhope, Baldwin County’s tech and entrepreneurial hub, recently celebrated the success of eight startups completing its Powered by Bessel accelerator program. During the program, these companies participated in workshops designed to help them bring their innovations to market. Several have secured funding, moved into commercial development, and signed licensing and distribution deals. For example, DNA Nanobots received exclusive commercial licensing for gene-editing tech from UC Berkeley, while Endeavor Orthopaedics raised over $400,000 and signed a distribution deal for their Summit Patella Plating System. The program, funded by partners like Coastal Alabama Community College, the city of Fairhope, PNC Bank, and Innovate Alabama, marks an exciting first step in building a thriving innovation economy in Baldwin County. Hatch Fairhope’s new space is set to open in in the old K-1 building in downtown Fairhope by 2026.

Fairhope Adoptable Pets : Meet Lefty

Lefty is a vibrant and adventurous male puppy with a unique tan and white coat, making him the standout of his litter. His confident, natural leadership and fearless spirit set him apart as the pack’s guiding force, always eager to explore new territory and initiate play. Full of energy and charisma, Lefty’s bold and playful personality ensures he’s always at the heart of excitement, making him a beloved companion ready for a lifetime of adventures with his new family.. Find more information on Lefty and other adoptable pets from the Haven here.

Quick News from Around Fairhope

1. Fairhope Weather : Hurricane Helene Possible in Gulf by Tuesday

2. Fairhope Starts Hanging Lights for Tree Lighting

3. Monday Minute with the Mayor

4. Fairhope Library Book Sale on Thursday

5. Fairhope Film Festival Update

Let’s Go Fairhope sifts through endless posts, websites and insider-scoop information to bring you the skinny on events locally. It’s a simple list, presented in a friendly format, reminding us at-a-glance of what’s happening each week. Let’s Go! fans say they like it because it’s basic, easily accessible, can be printed and posted on the fridge, and found on social media. Click here to visit website and subscribe to the newsletter.

Monday, September 23
Sign up for Let’s Go! Fairhope here

• 8 am: Local Info / 9:05 - 10 am: Gulf Coast Swap Shop @ WABF 1480 AM Radio

• 9 am: First Hope Benevolence Ministry Meets @ First Fairhope

• 10 am: Knit & Crochet for a Purpose @ Fairhope United Methodist

• 1:30 - 3 pm: Craft Circle @ Fairhope Christian Church

• 2 pm: Eastern Shore Uke Club @ Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship

• 3 pm: Seeking Peace Grief Group @ Fairhope United Methodist

• 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Live Music @ Page & Palette

• 6 pm: Fairhope City Council Meeting @ Council Chambers, City of Fairhope

• 6 pm: Thom Oglesby Solo Piano @ Gambino's Italian Grill

• 6:30 pm: Magnolia Squares Square Dancing @ Fairhope Christian Church

• 6:47 pm - 7:10 pm: Sunset @ Fairhope Pier

Tuesday, September 24
Sign up for Let’s Go! Fairhope here

• 7 am: 62+ Seniors 5% Discount Day @ Piggly Wiggly Fairhope

• 7:15 am: The Nix Golfers meet on Tuesdays @ Quail Creek Golf Course

• 8 am, 9:05 - 10 am: Local Info / Gulf Coast Swap Shop @ WABF 1480 AM Radio

• 8 - 11am: Pickleball @ Fairhope United Methodist

• 10 am: Music and Movement Ages 0-5 w/ Caregiver @ Baldwin Co Youth Orchestra

• 12 pm: Weekly Sertoma Club Meeting w/ Guest Speaker @ District Hall

• 12:30 pm: Tough Dogs Cancer Support Group @ Fairhope UMC

• 2:45 pm: Boy's Bible Study @ Fairhope Christian Church

• 5 - 9 pm: Taco Tuesday $2 Tacos @ Dragonfly Foodbar

• 5:30 pm: Karlos Finley, Africatown Redevelopment Corp @ Fairhope UMC Life Center

• 6 - 7:30 pm: USA Vocal Faculty Recital @ CACC FH Campus, Giddens Auditorium

• 6 pm: Hammerfest 25 miles ride - Rear Light Required @ Procycle

• 6:30 pm: Running Wild Hills & Speed Run @ Meet at Pier Ave & Satsuma St

• 6 pm: Paint party - Crab, Poppies, or Folk Art Pig $35 @ Piggly Wiggly Fairhope

• 6:30 - 8 pm: DJ Trivia @ Section Street Pizza

• 6:46 - 7:09 pm: Sunset @ Fairhope Pier

• 7 pm: Bingo @ Bone & Barrel

• 7 - 10 pm: Karaoke @ Gambino’s Italian Grill

• 8 pm: Trivia Night @ Tongue and Groove

• 8 pm: Trivia Night @ The Ravenite Pizzeria

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