Council Adopts New Building Codes
After many months of fact finding, public meetings and consultations with experts in the field, the town council recently adopted the 2018 International Building Code (including Supplemental), 2018 International Residential Code and the 2014 National Electrical Code, effective February 1, 2019. Such actions will ensure that all future on-island construction will include some of the highest standards currently available. Building stronger and smarter can pay dividends through reduced insurance rates and potentially less damage during the next big storm. As residents of a barrier island, it is especially important that we understand the pressing need to build in a more resilient manner and these new codes will help us achieve that goal.
DI Sea Lab News & Info
The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab will offer 15% off all regularly priced items in the gift shop on Black Friday. Skip the crowds and add a bit of island unique in your gift giving. The last Boardwalk Talk of 2018 at the Estuarium will be on Wednesday, December 5 at 11:15 a.m. Get some insight on the marine mammal research projects at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab with Postdoctoral Researcher Carl Cloyed. Also, during the holidays, the Estuarium will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Discovery Hall Programs invites educators of all levels to Explore the Deep with NOAA during a workshop on March 23, 2019. Learn more about the workshop and how to register at disl.org/dhp.
Arts Does It
Please join us in celebrating our artist-run gallery on Saturday, December 8th during our inaugural Handmade, Homemade Holiday Market, (10am-4pm) and our arts open house featuring local wood artist Perry Zirlott and his one man show “Family Traditions” 3-5pm. If you are an artist, crafter, or maker of handmade treasures please consider reserving a space at the Handmade, Homemade Market for $10.00. Contact regina@artdoesit.com, 251-214-6485, for more details and booth space reservations. ADI Oral History Project- Calling all folks with a story to tell about Dauphin Island and South Mobile County. Art Does It is producing an oral history audio/video archive and needs your input! Interested in “brushing-up” your skills in painting? Join ADI painter Margie Delcambre for weekly Monday painting classes 10am-1pm. Please bring your own supplies. $10.00/session. Calling all young artists–join us for our monthly Youth Arts Club led by ADI artists. Next meet is Monday, December 17, 4-5:30 pm. Free to all youths. Art supplies provided through the generosity of the St. Edmund Men’s Club. The ADI gallery, located at 1101 Bienville Blvd, is open Thursday and Friday 12-6, Saturday, 10-4pm and is home to many local and seasonal artists.
Little Dauphin/Gov’t Cut Repairs
Underway Those of you that spend much of your time on area waters will be glad to know that repairs to the breach in Little Dauphin are well underway. The main breach was caused by high winds and wave action associated with impacts related to Hurricane Nate in October 2017. Since that time, additional erosion served to further compromise Government Cut Channel to the extent that most mid to large size vessels had to take alternate routes. In fact, some vessels found themselves stranded in Dauphin Island Bay (at the marina) as they could not exit the channel and were too tall to pass under the DI Bridge. Fortunately, these significant inconveniences will soon be behind us as work will be finishing up in the coming weeks. Corps contractors will also make repairs to Little Dauphin at Billy Goat Hole (across from the boat ramps) where another over wash occurred during Hurricane Michael’s near miss. Many thanks to Senator Shelby and Congressman Byrne (and their staff) for providing the political support needed to get this done!
Town To Install Additional Rip Current Warning Signs
We all enjoy a refreshing dip in the waters surrounding the Dauphin Island community on occasion, right? However, we also realize that doing so can have deadly consequences when rip current conditions exist. Knowing your surroundings is one way to stay safe while enjoying a trip to the beach and the town council is planning to install additional signage that will provide up-to-the-minute information during times of dangerous surf conditions. For starters, three roadside solar-powered flashing signs will alert the public when rip current conditions reach high risk status. These electronic signs will be placed near the south end of the DI Bridge and along east and west bound Bienville Boulevard to get maximum exposure. In addition, free-standing signs will be posted near beach access points to remind swimmers of potential risks and offering easy access to websites containing facts about surviving rip currents and other water safety tips. Our goal is to provide residents and visitors with accurate and timely information so they can make responsible decisions for themselves and their families. Let’s all be Surf Safe!
Christmas Boat Parade Returns!
The Dauphin Island Christmas Boat Parade is back! After nearly two decades without the event, the DIPOA Board of Directors is sponsoring the return of the parade. It will take place Saturday, December 15, at 5pm. Parading boats will gather at Billy Goat Hole, then head to Dauphin Island Marina, entering the bays and coves to parade along the houses. All who may not be on the parade route and want to watch are encouraged to go the DIPOA’s Jefferies Park to see the boats as they pass. Hopefully, this island tradition will be renewed and become a part of island life for many Christmas seasons to come. If you have a boat and want to join the parade please contact the DIPOA office at 251-861-3144, or email at office@dipoa.org, or contact DIPOA President Dennis Knizley at his office, 251-432-3799, or cell 251-751-8100 or email at djknizley@hotmail.com.
On behalf of the Town Council and our citizens, best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season!
