2 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
WEEKLY
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
LAGNIAPPE
JUNE 6, 2018 - JUNE 12, 2018 | www.lagniappemobile.com
ASHLEY TRICE Co-publisher/Editor atrice@lagniappemobile.com ROB HOLBERT Co-publisher/Managing Editor rholbert@lagniappemobile.com GABRIEL TYNES Assistant Managing Editor gabe@lagniappemobile.com DALE LIESCH Reporter dale@lagniappemobile.com JASON JOHNSON Reporter jason@lagniappemobile.com
6 18 24
BAY BRIEFS
Local school officials are skeptical about the state’s plan to arm administrators in response to active shooters.
COMMENTARY
The trials and tribulations of teaching a teenager to drive.
BUSINESS
The Mobile Area Association of Realtors released its summary of highlights and accomplishments for the first quarter of 2018.
CUISINE
KEVIN LEE Associate Editor/Arts Editor klee@lagniappemobile.com
With so many great hamburgers in the Mobile Bay area, choosing your favorite can be a challenge.
ANDY MACDONALD Cuisine Editor fatmansqueeze@comcast.net
26
STEPHEN CENTANNI Music Editor scentanni@lagniappemobile.com STEPHANIE POE Copy Editor copy@lagniappemobile.com DANIEL ANDERSON Chief Photographer dan@danandersonphoto.com LAURA MATTEI Art Director www.laurarasmussen.com
COVER
Alabama’s first charter school reflects on the successes and shortcomings of its first year of instruction.
32
BROOKE O’DONNELL Advertising Sales Executive brooke@lagniappemobile.com BETH WILLIAMS Advertising Sales Executive bwilliams@lagniappemobile.com ALEEN MOMBERGER Advertising Sales Executive aleen@lagniappemobile.com DAVID GRAYSON Advertising Sales Executive david@lagniappemobile.com
42
ARTS
Author Watt Key returns with a new thriller, “Deep Water.”
MUSIC
ROSS PRITCHARD Distribution Manager delivery@lagniappemobile.com JACKIE CRUTHIRDS Office Manager jackie@lagniappemobile.com CONTRIBUTORS: J. Mark Bryant, Asia Frey, Brian Holbert, Randy Kennedy, John Mullen, Jeff Poor, Ron Sivak, Tom Ward, Judy Weaver ON THE COVER: ACCEL ACADEMY BY DANIEL ANDERSON POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are located at 704 Government St., Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Email: ashleytoland@lagniappemobile.com or rholbert@ lagniappemobile.com LAGNIAPPE is printed at Walton Press. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and Alternative Weeklies Network All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per issue. Removal of more than one copy from these points constitutes theft. Violators are subject to prosecution.
44 50 54 57 62
The Judge Roy Bean Reunion this weekend in Daphne will pay homage to a beloved, now-defunct watering hole while raising funds for charity.
FILM
“Early Man” and “Paddington 2” are two mustwatch films for the kiddos this summer.
SPORTS
A list of summer camps that give young athletes the opportunity to sharpen their skills before the start of their next varsity season.
GARDENING
Flowering vines can make a big show of flowers in less space.
STYLE
Bikers at Waffle House, an open bathroom stall and dirty dancing with watermelons were all spotted by Boozie’s spies!
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 3
GOING POSTAL No solutions Editor: I read with interest the letter from mayors Tony Kennon (Orange Beach) and Robert Craft (Gulf Shores) about another bridge onto Pleasure Island. As a full-time resident of Orange Beach, I hear conversations about this virtually every day. I believe most people on the island agree with the mayors that we need another bridge. There may also be some consensus that the traffic flow is limited by the fact that the only two north-south corridors across the island are State Route 59 and Orange Beach Boulevard. The big issue is where another bridge should go. Mayor Kennon clearly wants the bridge from the vicinity of Doc’s Seafood to the point near Barber’s Marina. There is a good bit of conversation in Orange Beach about this disrupting the scenic beauty of the Wolf Bay/ Bay La Launch area. My question goes more to the issue of who would actually use this bridge, which would empty onto rural roads with no foreseeable plan to steer that traffic onto larger highways. I have frequent visitors from many locations and all would continue to use the Baldwin Beach Express from the west, from Birmingham and from locations to the Northeast. I would be very reluctant to use such a bridge as an evacuation route because of the fear of a bottleneck on the rural roads to the north. Frankly, I have no idea who in Orange Beach or visiting Orange Beach would use the bridge as a major point of access to the island. I have no idea what the best solution is. There are many people in favor of a new bridge to the west of the toll bridge at The Wharf, but I am not sure how the obvious bottleneck this
would create at the west end of Canal Road would be resolved. I hope mayors Kennon and Craft will gather opinions from island residents who live in various locations and consider all options. Until there is a third road across the island itself, those options are obviously limited.
Many who saw the physical altercation on the floor of the Waffle House were disturbed the woman’s breasts were exposed. Let’s not be Editor: distracted in our concern about this altercation. The matter of the Saraland Waffle House is The police were under absolutely no obligation similar to the Starbucks incident in only one to protect the woman’s modesty. way — the police were called. What was required was that they prevent Surrounding the call to police at Starbucks her from doing harm to others, herself or the were circumstances different from those at the Thomas S. Bennett officers. Disorderly conduct, failure to obey Saraland restaurant. At Starbucks, the police Orange Beach a police officer, assault on a police officer — were called after some black men refused to she’ll probably face those charges and be forced leave. These black men were arrested, handto answer to them long before she can complain cuffed and removed from Starbucks. They did Feeling swampy not resist arrest nor did they make overtures of about how she was treated. any type to the Starbucks staff. As for boycotts, don’t. Most of the workDear Rob and Ashley: The Saraland incident differs considerably. A ing staff are black, single parents who were It only took Mayor Simpson one term to video that was recorded does not carry the full verbally threatened. The restaurant policies do join the “Mobile Swamp.” Our district attorney, extent of the conversation initiated by police. not allow them to confront customers and only along with the mayor, was able to convince the It only shows a seated black woman tussling the shift manager has any discretion whatsoever higher courts that she needed extra funds to run with a single white police officer who is seated in handling customer complaints. A boycott beside her. We do not hear the police tell the an obviously inept operation. would harm more black families and folk who woman that she is under arrest. So it seems that the mayor agreed by did nothing to this woman. We didn’t hear it in the Starbucks video eiLast thing: If black elected officials outside removing Bill Harkins from the public works ther. In the Saraland incident, the police had ap- of Saraland sought information from Saraland department. The mayor then appointed a parently said something to the women because police, they did so to acquire facts and informaproven non-performer (ex-county official John she was agitated and resisting their efforts to tion knowing full well that Saraland might Peavy) to be the new head of the public works control her. Unlike the Starbucks incident, the share information only as a courtesy and that department. His prior training as a local official Saraland incident became a physical altercation. anything shared might be subject to constraints will serve local government well in the rush to Both incidents were viewed widely on social associated with Saraland’s own police investiwaste money. media and national news. gation of the restaurant incident. In my residential area, household garbage If and when confronted by the police, do not Neither the Alabama Legislature as a was scheduled for today. As of 5 p.m., there has resist! Comply with directions from police and complete body nor any of its members have been no pickup — thank you, Mr. Peavy. shut up! At Starbucks the black men complied. the authority to compel Saraland officials to do Tomorrow is scheduled trash/limbs/etc. pick- They did not resist. They also did not shut anything without first passing some statewide up. Since sports betting is now legal in most of up. They were detained and taken to jail. In the USA, a good bet would be that no pickup Saraland, the black woman resisted. She did not law or law of specific application regarding incidents such as was visited at the Saraland will be made. comply with directions. She did not shut up. Thank you, Mayor Simpson and DA Rich. She was forcibly subdued and taken to jail. Had restaurant. she read and adhered to recommendations, then Joseph Mitchell Bob Walsh the physical altercation is less likely to have Mobile Mobile occurred.
4 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Just do what you’re told
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 5
BAYBRIEF | EDUCATION
The gun show
STATE PLAN TO ARM ADMINISTRATORS CATCHES EDUCATORS OFF GUARD BY JASON JOHNSON
A
labama Gov. Kay Ivey took educators across the state by surprise last week when, just days ahead of Tuesday’s primary election, she initiated a program to arm certain school administrators. Ivey signed an executive order launching the Alabama Sentry Program May 30, which would allow trained school administrators in facilities without a School Resource Officer (SRO) to keep a firearm on campus in a secured location to use in the event of an armed intruder. It’s a plan that grew out of the Securing Alabama Facilities of Education (SAFE) council Ivey created in the wake of the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17. The SAFE council made 10 suggestions to improve school safety but Sentry is the first being implemented. Ivey acknowledged there is still more to be done to ensure Alabama schools are secure, and billed Sentry as a stopgap measure until the Legislature can fund a more long-term solution. “Until we have a concrete plan to increase the number of SROs, we must provide a way for schools to protect their students in the upcoming school year,” Ivey said. “With the unfortunate continued occurrence of school violence across our country, we cannot afford to wait until the next legislative session.” Exactly how it will play out or be funded has yet to be determined. Ivey gave the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency until June 15 to develop an implementation plan that will detail how sentries will be selected, trained and evaluated. In practice, an approved administrator authorized by a school system superintendent, board of education and the county sheriff would have the full authority of a deputy sheriff in the event there is an active shooter at a school, but would still have to follow restrictions established by the Sentry Program. Sentries will be required to put on a “distinctively marked bullet-proof vest” before ever engaging a weapon, which must also be kept in a safe accessible only with a sentry’s fingerprint. Police will also be trained to identify a sentry’s bullet-proof vest so they aren’t mistaken for an intruder. Ivey first unveiled the Sentry Program at a televised news conference May 30. She appeared with ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor and newly hired State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey, whose departments will be integral in determining how the program will operate. However, the news conference was the first time most superintendents, administrators and teachers heard of Ivey’s plan to arm school personnel. Lagniappe obtained a copy of an email Mackey sent to superintendents across the state the follow day addressing that and other concerns. “I regret that most, if not all, of you found out about this program via media outlets, but the memorandum’s release was strictly embargoed,” Mackey wrote. “The training will be developed by ALEA and will be available by the end of summer. It will probably be a
6 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
two-day course.” Mackey said ALEA would develop a method to certify each prospective Sentry participant’s physical fitness and ability to handle a gun, while the Alabama Department of Mental Health would evaluate their “mental fitness” on an annual basis. In his email to superintendents, Mackey acknowledged the varied opinions expressed among Alabama educators about the effectiveness of arming school personnel and concerns about the potential legal liability school systems could be accepting if they participate. “We are well aware of an array of potential legal and logistical hurdles, but I assure you that a team of attorneys, law enforcement and educators is now working diligently to provide you with answers,” Mackey said. “I heard from a few of you, and the reactions are about equally mixed.” At this point, it’s unclear how the Sentry Program might affect local school systems or whether they’ll even participate. Both Mobile and Baldwin county public school systems are saying they need more information before deciding whether to arm their administrators. Outgoing Mobile County Public School System Superintendent Martha Peek has been frank about her opposition to anyone other than law enforcement being armed on campus, and Baldwin County Public School System Superintendent Eddie Tyler has likewise said it’s a proposal he would like to avoid. “The ALSDE is developing the training procedures and protocols. So, we’re waiting for that, and then we will study it,” said MCPSS spokesperson Rena Philips. “We will consider it seriously with input from local law enforcement and the board of school commissioners before we make any decision.” Spokesman Terry Wilhite said BCPSS officials are still reviewing the Sentry Program proposal, though he noted both Tyler and Sheriff Hoss Mack remain committed to adding more SROs at schools throughout Baldwin County. However, it’s unclear how the Sentry Program might affect SROs. It specifically states that “participation in the program shall be terminated immediately if the school hires an SRO.” Many systems use SROs, but not all of them are armed and many work in multiple schools. The 12 SROs who work in MCPSS schools are employed directly by the school system, and according to MCPSS Security Director Andy Gatewood, that has prevented them from carrying weapons since 2007. Both Gatewood and Peek said they’d support changing that law. At this point, it’s unclear whether Ivey’s executive order might allow SROs to act as a school’s sentry and once again carry a weapon on school campuses. In Baldwin County, SROs do carry weapons because they’re not, nor have they never been, on the school system’s payroll. Instead, they are contracted through municipalities or the county. “We have always believed and continue to believe that having full-fledged law enforcement officers is the best way to provide school safety,” Wilhite said.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 7
BAYBRIEF | MOBILE
Moving date TEAMS ANNOUNCE IMMINENT DEPARTURES FROM CITY-OWNED STADIUMS BY DALE LIESCH
Photo | Courtesy of the University of South Alabama
Despite the lack of secured funding, the University of South Alabama will break ground on a $78 million, 20,000-seat football stadium this summer.
W
ith a unanimous vote Friday, June 1, the University of South Alabama Board of Trustees agreed to move forward with a $72 million on-campus stadium project. The vote to begin site work on the stadium project would mean the Jaguars’ football team could no longer need to use the city-owned Ladd-Peebles Stadium as early as 2020. In the same week, the new owners of the Mobile BayBears officially announced the team’s move to Madison to start the 2020 season. The moves could leave the city with decisions regarding two publicly funded facilities at a time when Mayor
8 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Sandy Stimpson is committed to reducing the city’s involvement in these structures. In a statement, Stimpson’s office seems positive about USA’s move. “The city of Mobile was approached by the University of South Alabama to consider participating in a public-private partnership for construction of a new football stadium to be located on the university campus,” city spokesman George Talbot said in a statement. “The city is motivated to help USA achieve its goal and to continue its growth as an economic engine for Mobile. “The city is additionally motivated to secure a longterm home for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the Dollar General
Bowl, the Gulf Coast Challenge and future events that can promote economic development in Mobile,” Talbot continued. “Those events are currently held at the city-owned Ladd-Peebles Stadium, an aging facility in need of significant maintenance and repair.” USA Athletic Director Joel Erdmann told a gaggle of reporters outside the school’s boardroom the university would be happy to secure both the Senior Bowl and the Dollar General Bowl in the future. “It would be an honor and a privilege to host them,” he said. As for the trustees’ vote, Erdmann called it a “very positive step forward” for serious discussions that began roughly three years ago. He said the move could have a “ripple effect” for “40, 50, 60 years” and help the school build on a football tradition built 10 seasons ago. “In 10 years, we’ve gone to two bowl games … it speaks volumes,” Erdmann said. “We’re not new anymore. We’ll be very well positioned when this becomes a reality.” In addition to helping build a tradition, Erdmann said an on-campus stadium would enhance student life, as in the future enrollees would be able to walk out of a dorm room and down the street to the stadium. As for a construction timeline, Erdmann said for the university to seriously consider playing on campus in 2020, construction would have to begin in July. The school already benefits from strong infrastructure, which will help construction, he said. When the Jaguars eventually leave Ladd-Peebles, the stadium will still be home to a number of local high school football teams. But the future of Hank Aaron Stadium is less clear. The BayBears’ owner, BallCorps LLC, announced last week the company has received official approval from Minor League Baseball to relocate the team to Madison. Beginning with the 2020 season, the team will play in a new ballpark and multi-use venue being constructed by the city of Madison at the 500-acre Town Madison development. BallCorps had previously received permission for relocation from the Southern League on May 11 in a unanimous vote by the league’s board of directors. The final step in the process is a review of approvals by the office of the commissioner of baseball and the issuance of a “non-objection” letter, anticipated soon. The BayBears have played at the stadium for two decades and the city recently put more public money into it, based on the recommendations of Major League Baseball and the team’s former affiliate, the Arizona Diamondbacks. The city paid to replace nearly 1,000 seats, made drainage improvements and upgraded the public address system at the stadium. The city has been in discussions with organizations not related to Minor League Baseball about use of the stadium, but nothing has been announced.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 9
BAYBRIEF | BALDWIN COUNTY
Land grab
STATE CONDEMNS 17 TRACTS FOR BRIDGE PROJECT
L
BY JOHN MULLEN
and condemnation cases in a controversial bridge and road project in south Baldwin County could stretch out for years, according to an attorney with six clients who have had land taken by the state. “Of my six cases, two have been appealed to circuit court, where jury trials have been requested by both sides,” attorney Warren Herlong said. “But they have just been appealed. I would not expect the jury trials to occur for a year or so.” But that part of the legal wrangling will not hold up the project, Herlong said. When a condemnation case is appealed in the Baldwin County Probate Court it goes before a three-person land panel to examine the offer by the state and issue its ruling on how much the state should pay the landowners. “The state can proceed with the construction of the project if they pay into court the amount the probate court land commissioners award,” Herlong said. But whether or not the state can take the land is not up for debate. Herlong said that is going to happen. “I’m representing a number of owners, and while I have filed a pleading that objects to the taking there really is no legal basis to object to the taking,” Herlong said. “I’m not going to pursue that. What my clients have asked me to do is secure adequate, just compensation for their land being taken.” Herlong represents the Williams Joseph Evans Revocable Trust, Orlanda B. Clark-Perrault and Robert T. Perrault, the George Wallace family, Doyce and Shirley Ellenberg, Anthony and Patricia Diliberto, and Laura Waters Almaroad. According to the Alabama Department of
Transportation these are among 17 tracts of varying sizes that have been condemned by the state for the $87 million project. Three of those have come to terms and one has signed an agreement without any court action. Nine are on appeal before a probate court land commission and four have been appealed to Baldwin Circuit Court. Herlong says two of his cases have settled — the Perraults, who were originally offered $369,600 for 3.98 acres, according to court documents. It was broken down into $91,540 for the land at $23,000 an acre, $235,492 for structures, $26,808 for site improvements and $15,750 for damages and enhancements. The owners ended up receiving $475,000. “The Wallace property is currently pending in court and we’ve reached an agreement and plan to close by deed but not through the court system as we are doing with Perrault,” Herlong said. “At this time I would have to keep [the state’s offer] confidential.” Two other cases are headed to circuit court — Ellenberg and the Evans family trust — and likely are a year out from being heard. According to court documents, the state offered the Evans Trust $737,150 — $231,750 for property and $505,400 for damages to remaining property involving 3.09 acres. “Almaroad and Diliberto, there has been a probate court land commissioners hearing but we have not gotten the decision yet,” Herlong said. “Either side can then appeal that decision to the Circuit Court of Baldwin County. If either side requests a jury trial, then it is a jury trial as to the issue of just compensation. We always appeal and the state always does.”
Reborn on the Bayou
TEXAS COMPANY EXPRESSES INTEREST IN STALLED O.B. PROJECT
O
BY JOHN MULLEN
range Beach resident Bill Jeffries is tired of looking at the shuttered Bama Bayou project north of The Wharf and next to the Foley Beach Express tollbooth. “How many times have I come before you and told you how disappointed I was to see the ‘welcome to Orange Beach’ sign and I have to look at that,” Jeffries told the council in a special-called meeting on May 29. “Then I have to pay a toll. You’re correcting half of that.” The long-stalled Bama Bayou project in Orange Beach received new life this past week when the City Council voted to begin negotiations with a Texas company on a memorandum of understanding to create a tax district. The company Presidium is hoping to buy the 144-acre failed project. It includes land on both sides of the toll bridge. “They’ll keep half of whatever sales tax they create and half will go to the city of Orange Beach,” Councilman Jeff Silvers said. Mayor Tony Kennon said the agreement will cost the city nothing but will help Presidium attract investors. “This utilizes economic development tools at our disposal to facilitate development of this project without assuming any debt or taking any financial risk,” Kennon said. “If the new project is successful, we all succeed. If it does not happen, then the city of Orange Beach has not incurred any costs whatsoever.” But Jeffries isn’t likely to get relief from the eyesore at the city’s northern gateway. According
10 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
to lawyers representing Bama Bayou’s original investors and owners, the lawsuit over the failed mixed-use property is ongoing. A hearing is scheduled for July in the nearly 10-year-old suit to settle a foreclosure between Bama Bayou owners and guarantors and Southeast Property Holdings, according to Samuel McKerall, a lawyer who has represented Bama Bayou defendants from the beginning. His group claims it owes Southeast $20.4 million while Southeast contends the group owes more than $50 million to settle the long-standing dispute. The primary lender for the project, Visions Bank, said the original investors defaulted on a $21 million loan and foreclosed in 2009. Visions then bought the property for $10.3 million in the ensuing auction. McKerall and his group say Visions didn’t follow through with all the financial support it promised and that’s why the project faltered. He said the ownership of the property is up in the air until the suit is settled. Whenever the case is settled, Presidium could begin the process of actually purchasing the property. David Wallace of Presidium said the company is studying what type of development it would pursue if able to acquire the Bama Bayou property. “It’s going to be some kind of mixed-use development,” Wallace said. “What the different components are we’re still conducting feasibility studies, and we’ll continue to do that and let those numbers continue to drive what those uses will be.”
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 11
BAYBRIEF | FAIRHOPE
Trouble in paradise
FAIRHOPE POLICE CHIEF BLAMES MAYOR FOR FORCED RETIREMENT BY GABRIEL TYNES
I
n a contentious special-called City Council meeting Monday, Fairhope Police Chief Joe Petties blamed Mayor Karin Wilson for forcing him into retirement, days after receiving a performance evaluation in which he was accused of intimidating one employee and harassing two others. Petties denied the accusations and, flanked by dozens of supporters in the audience and with the support of every member of the City Council, said he would reconsider if he no longer had to answer to the mayor. The council unanimously rejected his resignation, with President Jack Burrell admittedly “grandstanding” when he asked the rest of the council to join him in tearing up Petties’ resignation letter. “There are times when you don’t always see eye to eye with your supervisor, but the treatment I have been subjected to has grown to a point that it can no longer be ignored,” Petties said. “My work and my leadership and, most importantly, my integrity has come under attack by Mayor Wilson and it has intensified over the past few months. I feel that these attacks have all been a ploy for me to surrender my position as chief of police.” Petties said there was “a page and a half” of false accusations levied by Wilson in the performance review, including his alleged failure to communicate with the mayor, failure to run background checks on contractors and failure to take ownership of the police department’s shortcomings, instead “blaming the mayor and the council
for everything.” “Never in my 35-and-a-half years of employment with the city have I received a deplorable evaluation of this magnitude,” he said. “This evaluation was filled with negative statements and lies and I feel that it was a personal attack on me, my integrity and my character.” Wilson said she could not comment on personnel matters, but was jeered by the audience after stating, “It’s unfortunate that this been turned into something about me, because this really was his decision.” Wilson used the opportunity to again voice her support of a city manager or a city administrator position added to the staff, offering, “The unfortunate thing with our form of government is our city employees have been the subject of political games since I’ve taken office. It’s unfair and it shouldn’t be this way.” Councilman Kevin Boone noted six other department heads had retired during Wilson’s first year and half in office. Petties said Wilson called one his lieutenants on May 28 and suggested the chief should retire, stating the police department “was like the Titanic, a sinking ship.” He also said the city published a news release about his retirement before he could even submit a letter of resignation. Burrell noted that the mayor has authority over the police chief by state law, but said that in rejecting Petties’ retirement, the council would explore legal options for taking responsibility for police department oversight. The issue will be revisited in a City Council meeting within the next month, Burrell said.
BAYBRIEF | FOLEY
Main focus
FOLEY SELECTED FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION EFFORT BY JOHN MULLEN
T
he city of Foley has been selected to join the downtown revitalization effort Main Street Alabama, a program City Planner Miriam Boutwell first heard about four years ago and began working for the designation. “I attended the Alabama Downtown Laboratory in 2014 to learn more about this program,” Boutwell said. “The city of Foley became a Network Community in 2015. Since that time city staff, elected officials and residents have attended various Main Street events and seen the results in other communities.” Main Street Alabama is a nonprofit following a national model focused on building stronger downtown communities. The program was launched more than 40 years ago and is used nationwide. “When a community is ready for Main Street, the time-tested Four Point Approach works,” Mary Helmer, state coordinator, said. “It brings jobs, dollars and people back to downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.” Cities accepted into the program must present a plan for the downtown district and show the motivation to implement the plan. A simple love of the downtown area helps, too, Helmer said. Boutwell said Foley scored big in all of those criteria. “Our downtown is the heart of Foley,” she said. “We are fortunate to have existing, established businesses as well as new businesses locating in downtown. There are many opportunities for our beautiful historic structures to become viable and a destination for locals and tourists.” To get started the city will establish a Main Street
12 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Board, which will be led by a Main Street director. “The director will serve the downtown merchants to assist with their success and to recruit new businesses to open in vacant spaces,” Boutwell said. “The Main Street director and board will serve downtown property owners and business owners. Their skills will be specific to this area only, which will be a huge asset to downtown. “Other benefits include the vast experience of the Main Street organization and their four-point approach of organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.” The director is a paid position and the board will be made up of community volunteers, Boutwell said. “Each city has individual needs and Main Street provides training, networking and educational opportunities to their Designated Communities,” she said. “With Main Street assistance, the local citizens can then set goals and implement program ideas to promote their downtown.” The first year of the program will cost the city about $65,000 and is planned for the 2018-19 budget year. That will pay the director’s salary, Main Street fees and startup supplies to run the board. Foley is one of three cities selected this year for Main Street Alabama, along with Scottsboro in extreme northeast Alabama and South Huntsville near the Tennessee line in the center of the state. According to Main Street Alabama, the effort has added 488 new businesses, 1,932 jobs, $283 million in private investments and $74 million in public improvements, and volunteers have put in 61,000 hours of time since June 2014.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 13
BAYBRIEF | MOBILE
WeMo 911 COUNTY UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART EMERGENCY CENTER BY JASON JOHNSON
A
fter nearly a decade of discussion, planning and facilities for first responders who are activated during and a bit of interagency squabbling, Mobile times of emergency and natural disaster, and really, the County officials opened a $10.5 million emerneed existed long before that,” Hudson added. gency operations center (EOC) just as the 2018 The new facility, adjacent to the Mobile County Comhurricane season began. munications District (MCCD) and NOAA’s Disaster ReThe EOC will serve as a centralized location used for sponse Center on Zeigler Boulevard, is 31,000 square feet coordinating multiple local and — quadruple the 7,500-squarestate agencies before, during foot space on McGregor. and after emergencies that It houses 78 workstations impact the area. It will also and features sleeping and living house the offices of the Mobile quarters, because representaCounty Emergency Managetives of multiple agencies could THIS HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR be there for days in the event of ment Agency. Prior to its construction, THE COUNTY FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS a significant emergency. both functions were based Congressman Bradley Byrne out of the county’s 1950s-era TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF INAD- was among several state and facility on McGregor Avenue federal officials on hand for the EQUATE SPACE AND FACILITIES FOR unveiling of the new EOC. He that has presented a challenge for first responders for years FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ARE ACTI- said the facility is necessary for because of its restricted space Mobile because the Gulf Coast VATED DURING TIMES OF EMERGENCY is prone to major hurricanes, and outdated technology. During a ceremonial openadding the a federal response AND NATURAL DISASTER, AND REALLY, to such events isn’t always ing for the facility last week, Mobile County Commission immediate. THE NEED EXISTED LONG BEFORE. President Connie Hudson said “We’ve been told for years the effort to build the facility that you all are the ones responhad “truly been a team effort” sible in the lead-up to a storm, between the county, the state, the city of Mobile and during a storm and for the first few days afterward — not Alabama’s federal representatives. the federal government,” Byrne said. “The important work “This has been a top priority for the county for over in these events is done by state and local officials out of eight years to address the problem of inadequate space buildings like this.”
14 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
The June 1 unveiling was intentionally set on the first day of the 2018 hurricane season. Mobile County EMA Director Ronnie Adair said he’d thought the first emergency response of this year would be coordinated out of the newly constructed EOC, but when subtropical storm Alberto came to the Gulf Coast a week early, it forced one last operation out of the old facility. Serving as the EMA’s director since 2009 and an employee for 25 years, Adair said a new EOC was a long time coming. He said he was “overwhelmed” by how the facility has turned out, adding that it is very likely one of the best, if not the best such facility in the United States. “They’ve worked day and night trying to get this done over the years, and here we have the sweat and tears from all of that work,” he said. “It’s really amazing, but it would have been impossible without the partnerships that came up with the funding for this project.” While the focus of Friday’s event was “working together,” finding the funding for the EOC over the past eight years caused some occasional friction among the entities it will serve. Even Hudson said getting everything in place to start construction in 2016 was “a struggle” at times. Around $2 million in federal grants got the ball rolling on the project in 2010, $800,000 of which went into drawing up design plans. Those initially priced construction at north of $15 million, which was too costly for some members of the county commission to support. The project stalled as plans for a cheaper option were drawn up, and the state had to step in to keep the county from losing grant funding over the delay. There was even some time when officials were concerned the county would have to repay the initial $2 million it received. The city of Mobile contributed the 8.3-acre property as well as $500,000, but Mayor Sandy Stimpson was asked to quadruple that contribution after the MCCD Board backtracked on an agreement to purchase the old EMA facility. That course change created a $1.5 million funding gap for the EOC after the commission had already publicly announced plans to build it. At the time, Hudson publicly criticized Stimpson when the city declined to increase its contribution to the county project. Mobile County spokeswoman Katherine Eddy said the old facility on McGregor will continue to be used as a backup EOC for Mobile County EMA as well as a backup facility for the MCCD. In fact, the facility has to continue serving that purpose because it’s owned by the board of the Mobile Area Water and Sewer Service, which put tight restrictions on what the county can use the building for.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 15
BAYBRIEF | HISTORY
Standing tall SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS UNVEIL NEW MONUMENT BY GABRIEL TYNES
Photo | Lagniappe
The Admiral Raphael Semmes Camp 11 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans dedicated a new Confederate veteran’s memorial in Spanish Fort last weekend.
I
t was Monday, state offices were closed in observance of Jefferson Davis’ birthday and the Southern Poverty Law Center released a report noting more than 1,700 monuments, place names and other symbols honoring the Confederacy remain in public spaces. In Spanish Fort, A.J. DuPree, memorials chairman for the Raphael Semmes Camp 11 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, proudly showed a reporter their latest monument. Just two days earlier, Camp 11 dedicated a 9-foot-tall marble and granite statue of a Confederate soldier at Fort McDermott. While technically not a “public space,” Fort McDermott is owned by Camp 11 but open to the public, and the new, gleaming-white statue flies in the face of a recent nationwide movement to remove such monuments.
The SPLC’s report also noted 110 publicly supported monuments and other tributes to the Confederacy have been removed since the 2015 church massacre by an avowed white supremacist in Charleston, South Carolina. DuPree emphasized the new statue is a “veteran’s memorial” — not depicting a specific individual but rather “dedicated to the Confederate soldier.” The two-piece monument weighs a combined 6,300 pounds and, with rifle in hand, gazes east toward Spanish Main Street. Behind it rises the earthen parapets of the horseshoe-shaped fort, the highest point on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Camp 11 acquired and improved the property in 2010 and built the statue using private donations. “After World War I, there was a great attempt nation-
ally to reconcile the perspective of each side,” DuPree said of the Civil War. “And that lasted for quite a while, but unfortunately the division has become a political weapon. And I think the identity politics and its usefulness has given birth to [opposition]. Because never before in American history has destroying veterans’ monuments been admired. And it’s unfortunate that none of that gets acknowledged because ignorance is vast about history.” Meanwhile, the SPLC’s updated version of its 2016 report “Whose Heritage?” catalogues 1,503 monuments, place names, state holidays and other symbols of the Confederacy in public spaces across the South and the nation. The updated report identifies 1,728 Confederate symbols, an increase that reflects new information obtained after government entities, journalists and others re-examined the symbols in their locales. It does not include thousands of markers, monuments or other tributes on or within battlefields, museums, cemeteries and other places that are largely historical in nature. “We’ve seen a remarkable effort to remove Confederate monuments from the public square, yet the impact has been limited by a strong backlash among many white Southerners who still cling to the myth of the ‘Lost Cause’ and the revisionist history that these monuments represent,” Heidi Beirich, director of the SPLC’s Intelligence Project, said in a statement. The SPLC said the 110 removals since the Charleston attack include 47 monuments and four flags, and name changes for 37 schools, seven parks, three buildings and seven roads. Eighty-two removals were in former Confederate states. This spring, the Alabama Legislature enacted the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, which requires local governments to obtain state permission before moving or renaming historically significant buildings and monuments that date back 40 years or more. The sponsor of that bill, State Sen. Gerald Allen, was awarded the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ highest civilian honor for his effort. Inscribed on the base of the new statue in Spanish Fort is a quote from Tacitus: “So as you go into battle, remember your ancestors and remember your descendants.” DuPree offered his own Tacitus quote in response to further questions about the current climate of monument destruction: “And so one is all the more inclined to laugh at the stupidity of men who suppose that the despotism of the present can actually efface the remembrances of the next generation. On the contrary, the persecution of genius fosters its influence.” In addition to its maintenance of Fort McDermott, Camp 11 also maintains Confederate Rest Cemetery in Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, and hosts the Lee-Jackson Salute each January and observances of Confederate Memorial Day each April. Camp 11 also maintains the Admiral Raphael Semmes statue at the intersection of Royal and Government Streets downtown, and restored a memorial plaque for the H.L. Hunley submarine near the site of its construction on the Mobile River. A historical plaque on the Fort McDermott site declares, “Here 200 soldiers from Georgia, Louisiana and Arkansas held off a numerically superior Union force for thirteen days and nights in the last battle of the War Between the States, April 1865.” After a brief tour of the site, DuPree expressed why it remains notable. “To me, whomever you wish to see as the promoter of your interests, if you see them exhibiting valor, I think it’s good to emulate them,” he said, stressing that he was not speaking on behalf of the organization. “I would like people to know how remarkable was the courage of these people. If you think of 195 Confederate soldiers here who held their ground for two weeks against 20,000 northern troops — they didn’t turn around and run. It’s an important message.”
BAYBRIEF | MOBILE
Trash talk CITY LOOKING TO CATCH UP THIS WEEK ON DELAYED DEBRIS PICKUP BY DALE LIESCH
A
ll yard debris routes should be on schedule by the end of the week, interim Public Works Director John Peavy told members of the Mobile City Council Tuesday. Councilors discussed concerns with what they call “trash” pickup during a pre-conference meeting. Peavy was on hand for an update during the regular meeting and took the blame for the delays in some areas. The new leadership, he said, had attempted to make changes that didn’t work. In addition, he said, the department was facing manpower issues. “I’m very confident that by this weekend, we’ll be caught up,” Peavy said. “We do need to be better permanently staffed.” In all, Peavy said the department was about 20 employees short of its needs. Councilors Fred Richardson, C.J.
16 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Small and Council Vice President Levon Manzie offered to host job fairs in their districts to help recruit for positions. To alleviate the burden, the city enlisted the help of Crowder Gulf to pick up some of the larger piles, Peavy said. Crowder Gulf would not be used as a subcontractor on a permanent basis, he said. Chief Procurement Officer Don Rose told councilors the contract was on a short-term basis to help the department “catch up” on trash pickup. This comes amid increased frustration among Public Works employees over complaints including harassment and low pay. A number of employees have referenced “the box,” which they described as a room for punishing supervisors who didn’t follow orders. The city has defended the practice, calling it a part of mandatory manual training. Employees have told councilors the treatment from
within the department has led to a number of earlier-than-expected retirements and caused manpower issues. Former public works director Bill Harkins recently left the city for a job with McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. City spokeswoman Laura Byrne has previously said the timing of Harkins’ departure is coincidental. In other business, the council tabled a license agreement with Ricky Breek Palacios to use the concession stands at Medal of Honor and Herndon-Sage parks to provide food and beverage services. In the agreement, Palacios would pay the city $300 per month, per park, to rent the concession stands. Councilors had a number of issues with the agreement, including the price and the exclusivity of the deal. Councilman John Williams said he was concerned the exclusivity of the agreement would prevent youth sports organizations from using concessions to fund their programs at the parks. He also said it could hurt local food trucks, which already provide concessions at some of the parks. “I believe it ought to be open to all,” he said. “ … We should never take anything away from youth sports.” Councilwoman Bess Rich agreed, saying she had concerns over the impact on youth sports, despite the agreement at Medal of Honor Park taking effect after the Cottage Hill Steelers finished their season. “A youth soccer group might want in there as well,” she said. Councilman Fred Richardson said the agreement wasn’t for enough money to make it worthwhile for the city, as the contractor would get to use city water and power at the stands. “The city would lose money,” Richardson said. “That’s why we tabled it.”
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 17
COMMENTARY | DAMN THE TORPEDOES
Time for a little driver’s ed ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR/RHOLBERT@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
I’M DOING MY PART TO MAKE OUR ROADWAYS SAFER BY FIRST MAKING THEM A LITTLE MORE DANGEROUS. I’M TEACHING A TEENAGER TO DRIVE.”
18 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
totally boring. An orange VW camper and a tan Chevy Suburban so stripped down and basic that window cranks were part of the “luxury package.” There was nothing remotely interesting in these vehicles to distract a young driver other than just not wanting to be seen driving them. Distractions aside, there are so many nuances of driving you don’t necessarily realize you have acquired over the years until you start teaching someone else. How many times do you look both ways when pulling out? How far should you stay behind another car on the interstate? When is the right time to flip someone “the bird” or honk while mouthing profanities? You also realize how many of your bad driving habits the kids have picked up on. “You have to come to a complete stop at a stop sign!” “You never do!” “I have a special letter from the president that allows me to slow-roll stop signs and run yellow lights, you don’t. Come to a complete stop.” I kind of think teaching teens to drive in 2018 is probably a lot like teaching a kid to ride a horse in the early 1900s. How long are they going to need these skills? Surely the robot cars are coming and pretty soon we’ll all be able to just take a nap or drink five scotch and sodas on the way home. In a way it will be sad when the day comes where we don’t drive ourselves. It’s a definite rite of passage the first time that new driver gets out there alone, entrusted with the family car for a run to the store. Still, I wouldn’t at all mind it if robot cars take over before I have to start teaching my daughter next year.
THEGADFLY
record, though, despite their snide remarks. When children are young we are always worried about them bumping their heads, falling into the toilet or having some other horrible accident, but there’s really nothing comparable to putting a child who still misplaces his belt every day behind the controls of a 2,000-pound hunk of internal combustion-propelled steel to make you worry. We’re way past helmets and kneepads here. This is literally ushering them into statistically the most dangerous period of their lives — that of being a teen driver. Where are those driverless cars everyone keeps talking about? Again, it’s not that my son isn’t doing well. So far he’s seemed cautious and very concerned about doing a good job and not hitting anything, but there’s still something in almost every trip that causes my butt cheeks to grab the fine Corinthian leather of the passenger seat. My car also has this weird button for the emergency brake, so I don’t even have the comfort of grabbing a handle I can rip straight up if I think we’re about to run over the neighbor’s cat. I’m dubious this little button is going to provide true stopping power. But I can also see the moments where he starts to get too confident — the 2-o’clock hand slips off the wheel and heads over to the radio dial, the speedometer creeps up over the speed limit to the point where we’re only going 15 mph slower than everyone else on Dauphin Street. It’s at this point I imagine what things will be like when I’m not there clawing the dashboard and issuing constant warnings. It’s then that I remember what I was like as a young driver. In the ‘80s in South Mississippi, most cars were actually propelled by sound waves generated by “cranking” up Van Halen’s “1984” album, or another of the approved metal/hair metal bands popular on MTV at
the time. It had to be loud and it had to be metal. You sure weren’t going to get much mileage out of Huey Lewis and the News. So essentially we were all driving with one of the five senses disabled. A train propelled by a 10 jet engines driven by a braying donkey could be bearing down upon most of us and it would never have made a dent in Randy Rhodes’ screaming guitar solo from “Crazy Train.” Having a ridiculously loud car stereo was my generation’s version of today’s teens focus on having abs. A loud stereo made up for deficiencies in other areas, such as hearing loss. Of course there’s also the desire to drive faster than you should. (That urge may not necessarily go away for some of us.) So if you combined 100 decibels of Sammy Hagar screaming that he “Can’t Drive 55” and two months of driving experience, sometimes the results were pretty shaky. Throw three idiot friends into the back seat and you’re really playing with fire. Kids today may not have to deal with Van Halen- or Ozzy-induced sensory overload as much, since the auto-tuned mumblings of Drake don’t really need that kind of auditory punch to be enjoyed properly, but everything else is worse. The dreaded cellphone is there seducing drivers to look at it every two seconds. Then there are also those stupid in-dash displays so we can watch the “What’s Behind Me” show and spend time trying to navigate various computer settings to make the car do what used to be handled by a plastic knob. The only thing that might make those displays more distracting is if they showed music videos or football games. The vehicles I learned to drive were
Cartoon/Laura Mattei
I
’m doing my part to make our roadways safer by first making them a little more dangerous. I’m teaching a teenager to drive. Actually I’ve slowly been working on this for about a year, but now my son has the learner’s permit in hand and driver’s education looming next month, so the process is speeding up. So is my heart rate. Not to say my boy isn’t doing well — he is — but I’m reminded just how unnatural driving is when you first learn. There are pedals to push, a wheel to turn, indicators to flip and, most importantly, songs to be played on the stereo. After years of driving, we all fiddle with the radio as if it’s a mindless bodily function, but for a novice, changing stations can also mean changing lanes or hitting one of Mobile’s nearly invisible “speed tables” like Bo and Luke Duke attempting to ramp the General Lee through the open hay loft of a barn (for some reason). I’m not going to lie to you fellow drivers, you’ve been closer to being sideswiped or rear-ended by my car than you usually might have. Although to listen to some members of my family talking about my own driving, there is some debate as to whether Mobilians may not actually be safer with a 15-year-old weaving nervously than a 50-year-old with a lead foot. I stand by my safety
FAIRHOPE MAYOR KARIN WILSON HELPS PUSH POLICE CHIEF JOE PETTIES INTO RETIREMENT.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 19
COMMENTARY | THE HIDDEN AGENDA
Is there really such a thing as ‘too polished’? ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR/ASHLEYTOLAND@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
I
am about to go on vacation and I can’t wait. I am going to sip on tropical drinks (hopefully served in coconuts) and read a book (maybe even a real one with real paper pages!). And I am going to avoid Twitter and any “news alert” that I get on my phone like the plague. It’s going to be pure bliss, or rather like living in the ‘90s! Same difference! I may even break out my Doc Martens, wear a grungy, plaid shirt as a bathing suit cover-up and listen to Nirvana and Soundgarden on the beach. Black Hole Sun! Won’t you come and wash away the rain (Full disclosure: I thought it was “Glaucoma Sun” for years.) But before I can fully enjoy this paradise, I must get a few things that have been bothering me off of my chest. You know, so I can fully relax, or chillax, as we said in the ‘90s. (Was it the ‘90s?) Whatever, let the pre-vacay rant begin!
“Too polished”? Seriously?
Before the election last week, I was listening to local talk radio and heard a caller saying she wouldn’t vote for Bill Hightower for governor because he sounded “too much like Mitt Romney.” After her call, the host and his guest were saying they did think sounding “too polished” in Alabama could be a political liability and a turnoff to voters. I’ve heard this argument before. Statements like “he thinks he smarter than us” or “he just doesn’t sound like us” often come up when this subject is broached. Geez. Where is the “shaking my head emoji” when you need one? So let me get this straight — being highly educated and well-spoken is something we DON’T want in our elected leaders? OK, so why are any of us even bothering sending our children to school? Forget the college fund! We don’t want junior soundin’ too fancy! I just don’t understand this mentality. I want my leaders at the city, state and national level to know every nook and cranny of policy, know the municipal or state code forward and backward, and sleep with the state and U.S. constitutions under their pillows. (I know, with the size of Alabama’s that will lead to neck problems, but that’s the kind of dedication I am looking for!) And the more degrees and education the better! Harvard, Yale, Princeton? Yes, please! The more uppity the school, the better! When I hear them speak, I want to feel like they are the smartest person in the room and I am really, really dumb, not the reverse. I am fine with having an inferiority complex. Because if they are brilliant, they have a chance at doing brilliant things for us. Right? If I wanted someone who sounded folksy or “like me,” I would encourage my uncles to run for public office. And trust me, that would not be a positive move. (Note to my actual uncles: I am not referring to you personally. I mean goofy uncles in the general sense.) This thought process is the same as when people stop seeing a brilliant doctor because he has a “bad bedside manner.” I’ve never understood this either. Sure, it’s a bonus if a doctor is likable, but it’s on the bottom of my list of my priorities for a physician. I don’t need my doctor
20 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
to be my best friend, I just want him to be the absolute best at what he does. If he’s an arrogant tool but saves my life because he’s such a badass, I’m totally fine with that. I’m not looking for someone to gossip about “The Bachelorette” with or go on vacation with; I just want someone who can remove my tumor with great precision. Same goes with my elected officials. Not the tumor extraction. Just being a brilliant badass. You know what I mean.
When will he have “Enough”?
My God. I really can’t stand watching the president of this country berate our former senator and current Attorney General Jeff Sessions anymore. I don’t care if you like Sessions or not, how can you not feel sorry for the guy? I wouldn’t treat my worst enemy like that. Well, maybe, my worst I would, but not someone I just generally disliked. It’s like watching some bad Lifetime Movie starring Valerie Bertinelli as the battered wife.
WHEN I HEAR THEM SPEAK, I WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM AND I AM REALLY, REALLY DUMB, NOT THE REVERSE. I AM FINE WITH HAVING AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX.” When will Valerie finally get the strength to fight back? (Probably after she takes a kickboxing class and cuts her hair during a heavily synthesized music montage — that’s how these movies work.) But when will AG Sessions find his strength and say “Enough,” like the battered wife played by Jennifer Lopez in the movie with the same title (and I think a haircut and some sort of boxing is also part of that movie)? Seriously though, the amount of emotional abuse the president heaps on him in such a public and humiliating fashion is painful to watch. It says a lot about both men, doesn’t it? I would just love to know what Sessions privately says to his wife every time he picks up his phone and sees another demeaning tweet about himself from the leader of the Free World. I imagine it goes something like, “That mother …” All I can say is I can’t wait for the book! Maybe they will turn it into a Lifetime Movie starring Eric Roberts as Jeff Sessions. (I know they don’t look alike, but Eric Roberts is the goto Lifetime lead male role actor, so it has to be him. It’s the law. Just ask the attorney general.) Thanks for letting me unload. I feel much better now. I have to pack my flannel shirts and bathing suits now. Can anyone tell me where I can find one of these real books?
M a y 3 0 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 5 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 21
COMMENTARY | THE BELTWAY BEAT
An opening for conservatives in pop culture BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST/JEFFREYPOOR@GMAIL.COM
T
he last four decades have been a struggle for conservatives in the culture wars. For whatever reason, liberals have dominated the cool kids’ table in the entertainment industry’s lunchroom. That is especially true since the turn of the millenium. Now and then something will come along that is treated as a breakthrough for conservatives, but often it goes wrong. “The Passion of the Christ” producer Mel Gibson’s struggles, “Duck Dynasty’s” Phil Robertson’s anti-gay controversy and Roseanne Barr’s illadvised tweet last week come to mind. Every time something like this happens, it deals conservatives a setback in the pop culture. Owning the culture is not a small thing. One of the biggest enablers of liberal policymakers has been Hollywood. The entertainment industry can operate from a set of assumptions that are compliant with liberal orthodoxy. There’s no debate. There’s just the premise that society has accepted certain things as prevailing social norms. Often the plot of a movie or a TV show operates as if specific behaviors are OK. But sometimes it goes beyond social norms and into policy. The popular long-running cop/legal drama “Law & Order” has often dealt with bringing run-of-the-mill liberal boogeymen to justice — corporate executives, the pharmaceutical industry, demagoguing preachers, etc. This is no small feat. The late Andrew Breitbart once said politics are downstream from culture, meaning that politics are dictated by the mood of the culture. That starts with the popular culture. In a way, Donald Trump used pop culture tactics to win the White House. But that was more gimmicky than culture shifting to the right and making a Trump presidency possible. Trump recognized through his previous exploits what sold to a mass audience and was able to engineer a popularity contest win through the Electoral College. There is an opportunity for conservatives. There seems to be a longing for that time gone by — when primetime TV wasn’t as brazen as it is now with liberal politics. Why is it that all these reboots of 1980s and ‘90s TV shows are suddenly on the uptick? Pop music isn’t an exception, either. The No. 4 song on the iTunes download chart: Weezer, a band that probably hit its peak in the 1990s and 2000s covering Toto’s “Africa,” a song that rose to the top of the Billboard charts in 1983. Is this simply happenstance? Did they run out of ideas? My guess is neither. This retro throwback movement is based on focus groups and polling or some other means of gauging the public’s interest. Entertainment executives recognized a lot of people want to go back to a time before things got so “progressive” — before there was a desire to cater to a mindset that Hollywood’s dual purpose was not to only entertain but to
22 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
make society better as well. This is an opening for conservatives. When was the last time a pro-United States military blockbuster movie hit the big screens? We have to go all the way back to the 1980s and “Top Gun” for the last big movie showcasing a positive display of American military might. Another lost American art is the classic western film. Decades earlier, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood flicks about life in the old west were a dime a dozen. Now they’re obsolete. Now and then, something like “Tombstone” will come along, but even that was 25 years ago. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for a souped-up, CGI-ified “Avengers” movie at the local 3D IMAX theater. Those are fantastic shows of how technology has improved cinema. There is a demographic that longs for the way things used to be — when Hollywood didn’t feel the need to atone for America’s sins every few months and wanted to showcase why our country is great. There is a money-making opportunity for the entertainment industry, which is not in the worst shape but has seen better days: Make movies and TV shows that appeal to conservatives. They don’t have to have a conservative message or the purpose of moving the needle for the Republican Party. But would it be so terrible to have a strong and wise patriarch instead of the bumbling “Everybody Loves Raymond” type of doofus? A lot has changed since the bygone era of basic broadcast network television. First, cable came along and instead of three channels and PBS, there are hundreds. And then the cordcutting revolution has given consumers a lot more options via the internet. In 2018, it shouldn’t be as hard as it once was to overcome any hurdles conservatives once faced. Hollywood will probably always be biased to left-of-center thinking. However, if the right got a few wins on the board and showed what was possible, winning the culture gets a lot easier. The problem is, it doesn’t need setbacks like Roseanne Barr’s tweets. That reinforces a notion that only bad things can happen when catering to this crowd. Sure, it may have mass appeal and draw significant numbers, but only to our ugliest instincts. The battle for the culture isn’t won easily. Takedown artists are looking to seize upon any opportunity when someone from the right makes just the smallest amount of progress. Ask Tim Tebow about some of the obstacles he’s faced. There’s a demand for content that is closely associated with good ol’ flyover country Americanism. That means leaving a safe space of the typical New York City or Los Angeles setting and also leaving behind its politics. Filling that demand is easier said than done, but at least now we know it’s there. It might even mean just waiting it out, because market forces have the ability to make the difficult possible.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 23
BUSINESS | THE REAL DEAL
MAAR reports 1st quarter highlights BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST/BUSINESS@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
R
ecently the Mobile Area Association of Realtors released its summary of highlights and accomplishments for the first quarter of 2018. Holly Hunt, MAAR community affairs director, said the year has seen above-average regional involvement for the association. With a roster exceeding 1,400 and comprising a virtual “who’s who” of high-profile member agents, MAAR is one of the largest affiliate real estate associations in the area. Highlights included: • MAAR’s Jan. 10 Governmental Affairs Forum featured candidates for Mobile County District Court judge, Place 4 — George Zoghby, Derrick Williams and Spiro Cheriogotis. Each candidate spoke to members and participated in a Q&A session. • At the February Governmental Affairs Forum, attorney Casey Pipes updated members on the “Map for Mobile” project. • 300 member real estate agents attended the 2018 Regional Alabama/Mississippi Education Conference at the Golden Nugget Casino Hotel in Biloxi in mid-March. Keynote speaker Leigh Thomas Brown, a real estate agent from Charlotte, North Carolina, addressed the group on “The 7 Deadly Sins of Sales.” • The March 29 membership breakfast at the Country Club of Mobile featured Julie Minto, NAR Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board chair and AAR Realtor Party Involvement chair. Fifty-seven new MAAR members were inducted and three new Coastal Key designation recipients were recognized. Coastal Key trainees received certificates reflecting professionalism in real estate industry standards.
24 | L AG N I A P P E |
June 6, 2018 - June 12, 2018
• MAAR’s “Flocking to RPAC” charity auction saw a successful conclusion in April. Roughly $32,000 in RPAC contributions were raised with 147 local Realtors participating. Additionally, this year for the first time MAAR held a silent auction online for two weeks leading up to the event. • In mid-April a Young Professional Network kickoff was held at Moe’s BBQ downtown that featured Nobu Hata, NAR’s director of digital engagement. • On April 27 MAAR held its inaugural Charity Clay Shoot to benefit Family Promise of Coastal Alabama. Four teams of four shot sporting clays at Taylor Creek in Theodore. • The May 3 Governmental Affairs Forum featured candidates for Mobile County Circuit Court judge, Place 6 — Brandy Hambright, Harry Satterwhite, Barney March and Buzz Jordan. Candidates spoke to members and participated in a Q&A session. • The week of May 14, leadership attended mid-year National Association of Realtor legislative meetings in Washington, D.C. MAAR attendees included Stephanie White, CEO; Deborah Robinson, president; Kelly Cummings, past president; Cameron Weavil, secretary; and Timothy Mills, governmental affairs chair. For the second quarter of the year, MAAR’s community relations committee is gearing up for many summer events, according to Hunt. • In June, MAAR will sponsor a charity dinner for more than 250 Camp Rap-A-Hope camper kids battling cancer. • In July, MAAR will serve dinner at Camp SMILE, designed to help kids and adults with special needs.
Additionally, the nonprofit’s committee will hold a summer school supply drive to provide backpacks with supplies for the Light of the Village event. Additional information about MAAR events can be found on the association’s website.
Ascension unveils new brand
Construction of a new medical office building on the campus of Providence Hospital in West Mobile is underway, with an expected June completion date. According to a news release, the building will house the offices of Ascension Medical Group at Providence Park. Providers will include internal medicine doctors and pediatricians. Providence Park will also offer the medical group’s first walk-in clinic for convenient care. The clinic will be staffed with nurse practitioners who can provide turnaround care for those unable to get an appointment within a reasonable time and/or do not have a primary care doctor. Ascension Medical Group at Providence Park is the first Mobile location to carry the new brand for the Providence Medical Group physician network. A grand opening event is planned for mid-summer. On the Gulf Coast, Ascension operates Providence Hospital and Providence Medical Group, based in Mobile, and Sacred Heart Health System, based in Pensacola. Ascension employs more than 6,600 workers along the central Gulf Coast and reportedly provided over $113 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty for fiscal year 2016.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 25
CUISINE | THE DISH
Who’s the king of Hamburger Hill? BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | FATMANSQUEEZE@COMCAST.NET
I
26 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
bun add the sweetness. It’s an elegant sort of burger-goes-tocollege meal that goes great with my favorite french fries in the city. I’m not one for gimmicky burgers. If you are, LoDa Bier Garten definitely has you covered with giant half-pounders featuring donuts, waffles, pineapple and even fried macaroni and cheese. Nestled in amongst the flair is the Courthouse burger, topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon and buffalo blue cheese butter. This is as wild as I get in the burger world, but it’s good. Burgers have gotten large over the past decade, thick enough to hospitalize someone with TMJ. For Roshell’s Café and Deli it’s all about covering surface area. Their Steer Burgers are 8-ounce thinner patties on huge sesame seed buns. The Garlic Steer is perhaps the best of all the combinations but you can’t go wrong with any of the 15 or so options. As a bonus, your jaw will remain safe. I have trouble saying no to a Dew Drop Inn hot dog, but the cheeseburger lures me away from time to time. This little cheeseburger is the perfect size (and price) with chili, mustard, ketchup and pickle. When I’m feeling extra healthy I order my steak fries with gravy. This place is the baseline for thin, small hamburgers in this town. It’s kind of trashy in a way that I like. The Haberdasher has been an unlikely rising star in the Mobile food scene. Unlikely due to the fact that it’s a craft cocktail and beer bar, but with all the muddling and mixing you’ll find the kitchen is cranking out the best bar food in the city. The PFG burger is no exception. They’ve had other burgers but this has been my favorite. It begins with Mississippi grass-fed beef and continues with garlic herb kefir cheese spread. Dressed with spinach, charred red onion and tomato, this was an instant classic among the more manageable-sized burgers. If there is a burger that is more legendary than all the rest, it’s the Pirate’s Cove burger. With one-third of a pound of Angus, it falls in the midsized range with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese. The only thing fancy about it is the special
Photo | Roshell’s Cafe & Diner
t’s polarizing. Ask 10 different Mobilians to name their favorite hamburger and you’re liable to get six different answers. Certainly every town has its go-to burger joint. My small hometown is famous for the burger basket at PDI, aka Phillips Drive-In. But here we are fortunate to have many great burgers, some of which have stood the test of time, others relatively new. While many of us are turning to the grill in an attempt to craft our own masterpieces, I thought maybe we should take a look at our best burgers on the Gulf Coast. I’m not rating these in an order, just putting them out there. For anyone visiting and reading this, use it as a burger guide. Know there are many I’m leaving out. These are but a few of my favorites. Let’s get the big names out of the way. Callaghan’s has the most award-winning burger in the city. Argue it if you wish, but the regular old bacon cheeseburger with cheddar is a killer. If you’re fortunate enough to make it for an early Wednesday lunch you may want to try the L.A. (Lower Alabama) burger. Considered by many to be Callaghan’s’ best menu item, the L.A. has the one ingredient Mobilians favor over any other: it’s stuffed with Conecuh sausage. The shame of it all is that it’s just a special. This is an unbelievable burger, but don’t expect to get it with fries. Butch Cassidy’s is the jewel of Florida Street with its “soon to be famous” Butch Burger. Let’s face it — it’s already famous. The best part of this burger is it’s just a good, normal burger. It’s about the same size as the Callaghan’s burger with a couple pieces of thick, crispy bacon and dressed the way you like. I prefer lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayonnaise, pickles and more mayonnaise. I ask for rare to medium rare and onion rings. Royal Scam is known as more of a high-end restaurant but has one of my favorites in their Black & Blue burger. The blackening seasoning with Gorgonzola and red onions has a bite soothed by creamy cheese. Baby greens and tomato on a brioche
Roshell’s steer burgers are thin, 8-ounce patties on a sesame bun, available in more than a dozen varieties. sauce, slightly sweet with mustard. You really get the flavor with the lettuce. When I think of a perfect burger, this one comes to mind. Ask for Lucia. She doesn’t take any nonsense but is a sweetheart who will get you your fries and onion rings on time to have with your cheeseburger that’s truly in paradise. Every burger on this list is one you wouldn’t kick out of bed unless it was better on the floor. It’s hard to say which is best, but I feel this list can cover whatever mood hits you. When it comes to burgers I think “go small or go home” most of the time, but the big boys can be cut in half. Go find your own king of the hill, or better yet, send me your favorites. I’m always ready to grab a burger.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 27
FATHOMS LOUNGE
SMALL PLATES AND CREATIVE COCKTAILS 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000
FLOUR GIRLS BAKERY ($)
COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE ALL SPORTS BAR & GRILL ($) 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. • 345-9338
AL’S HOTDOGS ($)
CLASSIC HOTDOGS, GYROS & MILKSHAKES 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243
ATLANTA BREAD COMPANY ($-$$) SANDWICHES, SALADS & MORE. 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444
BAKE MY DAY ($)
OLD-FASHIONED SOUTHERN BAKE SHOP 156 N. McGregor Ave. • 219-7261
BOB’S DINER ($)
GOOD OLD AMERICAN COOKING 263 St. Francis St. • 405-1497
BIG WHITE WINGS ($)
405 S Wilson Ave. • Prichard• 301-7880
BRICK & SPOON ($)
3662 Airport Blvd. Suite A • 378-8378
CAFE 219 ($)
SALADS, SANDWICHES & POTATO SALAD 219 Conti St. • 438-5234
CAMELLIA CAFÉ ($-$$$)
CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN FARE 61 Section St. • Fairhope • 928-4321
CAMMIE’S OLD DUTCH ($) MOBILE’S CLASSIC ICE CREAM SPOT 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710
CARPE DIEM ($)
DELI FOODS, PASTRIES & SPECIALTY DRINKS 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448
CLARK’S KITCHEN ($-$$) CATERING 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 622-0869
CHICK-FIL-A ($)
12 N Royal St • 415-1700 107 St. Francis St. • 415-1700 3244 Dauphin St. • 476-0320 3215 Bel Air Mall • 476-8361 4707 Airport Blvd. • 461-9933 435 Schillinger Rd. • 639-1163 1682 US HWY 98 • Daphne • 621-3215 30500 AL 181 • Spanish Fort • 621-3020
CHICKEN SALAD CHICK ($)
CHICKEN SALAD, SALAD & SOUP 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 5753 Old Shell Rd. • 408-3236 1802 US Hwy 98 Suite F• 625-1092
CHI-TOWN DAWGZ ($) CHICAGO STYLE EATERY 1222 Hillcrest Rd. • 461-6599
DAUPHIN ST. CAFE ($)
HOT LUNCH, DAILY MENU (INSIDE VIA) 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231
D’ MICHAEL’S ($)
PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS, GYROS & MORE 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979
D NU SPOT ($)
2159 Halls Mill Rd. . • 648-6522
DELISH BAKERY AND EATERY ($) BREAKFAST, HOT LUNCH & GREAT DESSERTS 23 Upham St. • 473-6115
DEW DROP INN ($)
CLASSIC BURGERS, HOTDOGS & SETTING 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872
DUNKIN DONUTS ($)
DONUTS, COFFEE & SANDWICHES 5701 Old Shell Rd Ste 100 • 442-4846 29160 US Hwy 98 • Daphne •621-2228
E WING HOUSE ($)
1956 S University Blvd. Suite H • 662-1829
EUGENE’S MONKEY BAR ($) 15 N Conception St. • 378-9377
FRESH CARIBBEAN-STYLE FOOD & CRAFT BEER 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 225 Dauphin St. • 375-1576
809 Hillcrest Rd. • 634-2285
MOON PIE GENERAL STORE ($)
HOT SUBS, COLD SALADS & CATERING 3694 Airport Blvd • 342-2352 5300-C Halls Mill Rd • 660-0995 3075 Government Blvd B105 • 461-6080 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 6890 US-90 #6 • Daphne • 625-8723 9912 Dimitrios Blvd • Daphne • 626-7827 113 S Greeno Rd • Fairhope • 990-3970
MOSTLY MUFFINS ($)
BURGERS, MILKSHAKES & FRIES 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2394 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 5319 Hwy 90 • 661-0071 1225 Satchel Page Dr.• 378-8768 6860 US-90 • Daphne • 626-4278
NOURISH CAFE ($)
FAMOUS CHICKEN FINGERS 29181 US Hwy 98 • Daphne • 375-1104 7843 Moffett Rd. • 607-6196 1109 Shelton Beach Rd. • 287-1423 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000
ORIGINAL SANDWICH AND BAKE SHOP 42 ½ Section St. • Fairhope • 929-0122 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031
FIREHOUSE SUBS ($) $10/PERSON • $$ 10-25/PERSON • $$$ OVER 25/PERSON
MONTEGO’S ($-$$)
FIVE GUYS BURGERS & FRIES ($)
FOOSACKLY’S ($)
FOY SUPERFOODS ($) 119 Dauphin St.• 307-8997
GULF COAST EXPLOREUM CAFE ($)
AUTHENTIC SUB SANDWICHES 29660 AL-181 • Daphne • 626-3161 3151 Daupin St• 525-9917 7449 Airport Blvd. • 375-1820
JIMMY JOHN’S ($)
SANDWICHES, CATERING & DELIVERY TOO 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 9 Du Rhu Dr. • 340-8694 62 S Royal St. • 432-0360
JOE CAIN CAFÉ ($)
PIZZAS, SANDWICHES, COCKTAILS 26 N. Royal St. • 338-4334
JUBILEE DINER ($-$$)
A VARIETY COMFORT F00D. BREAKFAST ALL DAY. 6882 US-90 • Daphne • (251) 621-3749
JUDY’S PLACE ($-$$)
HOME COOKING 4054 Government Blvd. • 665-4547
LICKIN’ GOOD DONUTS ($) 3915 Gov’t Blvd. • 219-7922 3226 Dauphin St. • 471-2590
LODA BIER GARTEN ($) PUB FOOD AND DRAFT BEERS 251 Dauphin St. • 287-6871
MAMA’S ($)
SLAP YOUR MAMA GOOD HOME COOKING 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262
MARS HILL CAFE ($)
GREAT SANDWICHES, COFFEE & MORE 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611
MARY’S SOUTHERN COOKING ($) 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232
MICHELI’S CAFE ($)
6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917
MCSHARRY’S ($-$$)
AUTHENTIC IRISH PUB 101 N. Bancroft St.• 990-5100
MOMMA GOLDBERG’S DELI ($)
SANDWICHES & MOMMA’S LOVE 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 219-7086 920 Industrial Pkwy • Saraland • 378-5314
28 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
CORNER 251 ($-$$)
ABBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFE ($-$$)
33 N Section St. • Fairhope • 990-5635
NEWK’S EXPRESS CAFE ($)
OVEN-BAKED SANDWICHES & MORE 1335 Satchel Page Dr. Suite C. • 287-7356 7440 Airport Blvd. • 633-0096 Eastern Shore Center • Spanish Fort • 625-6544 HEALTHY WHOLE FOODS & MORE 101 N Water St. (Moorer YMCA)• 458-8572
O’DALYS HOLE IN THE WALL ($) 562 Dauphin St.• 725-6429
PANINI PETE’S ($)
THYME BY THE BAY ($-$$) TIME TO EAT CAFE ($)
DOWN-HOME COUNTRY COOKIN 7351 Theodore Dawes Rd. • 654-0228
TP CROCKMIERS ($)
AMERICAN RESTAURANT & BAR 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890
THREE GEORGES CANDY SHOP ($) LIGHT LUNCH WITH SOUTHERN FLAIR. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-1689
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE ($)
GREAT SMOOTHIES, WRAPS & SANDWICHES. 9 Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 7450 Airport Blvd. A • 634-3454 570 Schillinger Rd. • 634-3454 29740 Urgent Care Dr.• 626-1160
PAT’S DOWNTOWN GRILL ($)
WAREHOUSE BAKERY & DONUTS ($)
POLLMAN’S BAKERY ($)
WILD WING STATION ($)
BAR FOOD 271 Dauphin St • 438-9585
COFFEE AND DONUTS 759 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope • 928-7223
SEAFOOD AND SUSHI 551 Dauphin St.• 219-7051
HIGH QUALITY FOOD & DRINKS 251 Government St • 432-8000
DAUPHIN’S ($$-$$$)
HIGH QUALITY FOOD WITH A VIEW 107 St. Francis St/RSA Building • 444-0200
DUMBWAITER ($$-$$$) 9 Du Rhu Dr. Suite 201 167 Dauphin St. • 445-3802
FIVE ($$)
GREAT FOOD AND COCKTAILS 609 Dauphin St. • 308-3105
KITCHEN ON GEORGE ($-$$)
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN FOOD 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890
NOBLE SOUTH ($$)
ROYAL SCAM ($$)
HOME COOKIN’ LIKE MOMMA MADE 3211 Moffett Rd • 473-4739
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE ($$$)
ROSHELL’S CAFE ($)
2904 Springhill Ave. • 479-4614
ROYAL KNIGHT ($)
LUNCH & DINNER 3004 Gov’t Blvd. • 287-1220
SALLY’S PIECE-A-CAKE ($) BAKERY 5638 Three Notch Rd.• 219-6379
BACKYARD CAFE & BBQ ($) BAR-B-QUING WITH MY HONEY ($$)
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE & TASTE 2058 Airport Blvd • 476-0516
BAY BARBECUE ($)
INSIDE THE MOBILE MARRIOTT 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400
THE TASTE OF MOBILE 59 N Florida St. • 408-9997
COTTON STATE BBQ ($)
DOWNTOWN LUNCH 101 N. Conception St. • 545-4682
DICKEY’S BARBECUE PIT ($-$$)
SATORI COFFEEHOUSE ($)
COFFEE, SMOOTHIES, LUNCH & BEERS. 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575
BBQ AND MORE 6882 US-90 G2/Jubilee Square •Daphne• 210-2151 1390 W D6 Tingle Circle East/McGowin Park• 471-1050 7721 Airport Blvd. E100/Westwood Plaza • 380-8957
SERDA’S COFFEEHOUSE ($)
DREAMLAND BBQ ($)
COFFEE, LUNCHES, LIVE MUSIC & GELATO 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 1539 US-98 • Daphne • 517-3963
SIMPLY SWEET ($)
CUPCAKE BOUTIQUE 6207 Cottage Hill Rd. Suite B • 665-3003
STEVIE’S KITCHEN ($)
SANDWICHES, SOUPS, SALADS & MORE 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. • 287-2793
SUGAR RUSH DONUT CO. ($) 4701 Airport Blvd. • 408-3379
SUNSET POINTE ($-$$)
AT FLY CREEK 831 N Section St. • Fairhope • 990-7766
THE CHEESE COTTAGE ($$) SPECIALTY GROCER/DELI 650 St. Louis St. • 251-308-8488
THE BLIND MULE ($)
DAILY SPECIALS MADE FROM SCRATCH 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853
THE GALLEY ($)
OPEN FOR LUNCH, INSIDE GULFQUEST 155 S. Water St • 436-8901
THE HARBERDASHER ($) 113 Dauphin St.• 436-0989
SUPREME EUROPEAN CUISINE 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006
GUMBO, ANGUS BEEF & BAR 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226)
BBQ, BURGERS, WINGS & SEAFOOD 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 829-9227
RIBS, SANDWICHES & GREAT SIDES 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898
MEAT BOSS ($)
5401 Cottage Hill Rd. • 591-4842
MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE ($)
BARBEQUE & MUSIC 4672 Airport Blvd. • 410-6377 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 3385 Schillinger Rd N #1 • 410-7428 6423 Bayfront Park Dr. • Daphne • 625-7427
SAUCY Q BARBQUE ($) AWARD-WINNING BARBQUE 1111 Gov’t Blvd. • 433-7427
TEXARBAMA ($)
GREAT MEDITERRANEAN FOOD. 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 460-9191
MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT & HOOKAH 1248 Hillcrest St • 634-9820 MEDITERRANEAN CAFE 9 Du Rhu Dr Suite 300 • 378-2678 1539 US HWY 98•Daphne • 273-3337
4513 Old Shell Rd. D• 473-0007
‘CUE
WRAPS & SALADS 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480
MINT HOOKAH BISTRO ($)
INVENTIVE & VERY FRESH CUISINE 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377
OSMAN’S RESTAURANT ($$)
ROLY POLY ($)
GREAT & QUICK. 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 3702 Airport Blvd. • 308-2131 6890 US-90 • Daphne • 621-2271 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161
FAR EASTERN FARE
AUTHENTIC FOODS FROM HIMALAYAN REGION 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 400 Eastern Shore Center • Fairhope •990-6192
SANDWICHES, SUBS & SOUPS 2056 Gov’t St. • 476-2777
MEDITERRANEAN SANDWICH COMPANY ($)
LOCAL INGREDIENTS 203 Dauphin St. • 690-6824
FUDGE, PRALINES & MORE 17111 Scenic Hwy 98 • Fairhope • 928-8477
REGINA’S KITCHEN ($-$$)
MOBILE’S OLDEST MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE 4715 Airport Blvd/Regency Square • 304-1155
TAZIKI’S ($-$$)
GREAT LUNCH & DINNER 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700
NOJA ($$-$$$)
334 Fairhope Ave • Fairhope • 928-2399
JERUSALEM CAFE ($-$$)
MAGHEE’S GRILL ON THE HILL ($-$$)
85 N. Bancroft St. • Fairhope • 990.8883
YAK THE KATHMANDU KITCHEN ($-$$)
4861 Bit & Spur Rd. • 340-6464
OLLIE’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL ($-$$)
HIGH QUALITY FOOD & DRINKS 251 Government St. • 432-8000
1500 Government St. • 287-1526
THE WINDMILL MARKET ($)
HEALTHY, DELICIOUS MEDITERRANEAN FOOD. 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177
LAUNCH ($-$$)
BAKERY, SANDWICHES & MORE 750 S. Broad St. • 438-1511 4464 Old Shell Rd. • 342-8546 107 St. Francis St. Suite 102 • 438-2261
R BISTRO ($-$$)
JERSEY MIKE’S ($)
THE SUNFLOWER CAFE ($)
MUFFINS, COFFEE & WRAPS 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855
3869 Airport Blvd. • 345-9544 5470 Inn Rd. • 661-9117 28975 US 98 • Daphne • 625-3910 MIND-BLOWING ISLAND FOOD 3700 Gov’t Blvd. • 602-1973
7 SPICE ($-$$)
320 Eastern Shore Shopping Center •Fairhope • 929-0055 3055 A Dauphin St. • 479-3200
PUNTA CLARA KITCHEN ($)
JAMAICAN VIBE ($)
CHUCK’S FISH ($$)
SOUTHERN COOKING & THEN SOME 1716 Main St. • Daphne • 222-4120
107 St Francis St #115 • RSA Bank Trust Building
HOMEMADE SOUPS & SANDWICHES 65 Government St. • 208-6815
HOOTERS ($)
THE PIGEON HOLE ($)
SAGE RESTAURANT ($$) SOUTHERN NATIONAL ($$-$$$) 360 Dauphin St • 308-2387
VON’S BISTRO ($-$$)
SEAFOOD, ASIAN & AMERICAN CUISINE 69 St. Michael St • 375-1113
ANG BAHAY KUBO ($$) AROY THAI ($$)
966 Government St.• 408-9001
BAMBOO STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR ($$) TRADITIONAL JAPANESE WITH HIBACHI GRILLS 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383
BANGKOK THAI ($-$$)
DELICIOUS, TRADITIONAL THAI CUISINE 28600 US 98 • Daphne • 626-5286 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995
BANZAI JAPANESE RESTAURANT ($$)
TRADITIONAL SUSHI & LUNCH. 312 Schillinger Rd./Ambassador Plaza• 633-9077
BENJAS ($)
THAI & SUSHI 5369 US-90 • 661-5100
TAMARA’S DOWNTOWN ($$)
CHARM THAI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR ($-$$)
THE TRELLIS ROOM ($$$)
CHINA DOLL SEAFOOD RESTAURANT($)
CASUAL FINE DINING 104 N. Section St. • Fairhope • 929-2219 CONTEMPORARY SOUTHERN CUISINE Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493
THE WASH HOUSE ($$)
17111 Scenic HWY 98 • Point Clear • 928-4838
A LITTLE VINO DOMKE MARKET
960 Schillinger Rd. S • 660-4470 3966 Airport Blvd.• 343-5530
CHEF 181 ($)
ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT 10179 Eastern Shore D • Spanish Fort • 621-2104
FUJI SAN ($)
THAI FARE AND SUSHI 2000 Airport Blvd. • 478-9888
WINE, BEER, GOURMET FOODS, & MORE. 720 Schillinger Rd. S. Unit 8 • 287-1851
HALAL CUISINE OF INDIA ($$)
FOOD, WINE & MORE 5150 Old Shell Rd. • 341-1497
HIBACHI 1 ($-$$)
FOOD PAK INTERNATIONAL FOODS POUR BABY
WINE BAR, CRAFT BEERS & BISTRO 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555
FIREHOUSE WINE BAR & SHOP
LUNCH BUFFET 3674 Airport Blvd. • 341-6171 2370 Hillcrest Rd.• 380-6062
ICHIBAN ($)
JAPANESE & CHINESE CUISINE 3959 Cottage Hill Rd • 666-6266
216 St Francis St. • 421-2022
KAI JAPANESE RESTAURANT ($-$$)
BAY GOURMET ($$)
323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494
LIQUID SUSHI LOUNGE ($$)
BRIQUETTES STEAKHOUSE ($-$$)
LIVE MUSIC, MARTINIS & DINNER MENU. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000
761 Nichols Ave • Fairhope
DROP DEAD GOURMET
RED OR WHITE
A PREMIER CATERER & COOKING CLASSES 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051
ROYAL STREET TAVERN
GRILLED STEAKS, CHICKEN & SEAFOOD 312 Schillinger Rd • 607-7200 901 Montlimar Dr • 408-3133
SOUTHERN NAPA
CLASSIC STEAKHOUSE + FRESH FISH 17107 Tennis Club Dr. • Fairhope • 517-7700
FALAFEL? TRY SOME HUMMUS
CHAR 32 ($$$)
BISTRO PLATES, CRAFT BEERS & PANTRY 2304 Main St. • 375-2800
QUALITY FOOD, EXCELLENT SERVICE 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454
AMAZING SUSHI & ASSORTMENT OF ROLLS. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109
RICE ASIAN GRILL & SUSHI BAR ($) 3964 Government Blvd. • 378-8083
ROCK N ROLL SUSHI ($$)
273 S. McGregor Ave • 287-0445 6345 Airport Blvd. • 287-0555 940 Industrial Pkwy • 308-2158 6850 US HWY 98 • Daphne • 753-4367
SHO GUN ($$)
JAPANESE ENTREES, SUSHI & HIBACHI TABLES 7038 Airport Blvd • 304-0021
STIX ($$)
10240 Eastern Shore Blvd • 621-9088
SUSHI 9 THAI & JAPANESE ($$) 720 Schillinger Rd • 607-7073
RALPH & KACOO’S ($-$$) THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 1595 Battleship Pkwy. • 626-0045
R&R SEAFOOD ($-$$)
LAID-BACK EATERY & FISH MARKET 1477 Battleship Pkwy. • 621-8366
RIVER SHACK ($-$$)
TASTE OF THAI ($$)
SEAFOOD, BURGERS & STEAKS 6120 Marina Dr. • Dog River • 443-7318
TEAK HOUSE
LOCAL SEAFOOD & PRODUCE 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-7540
9091 US-90 • Irvington • 957-1414 1703 US-98 • Daphne • 625-8680
WASABI SUSHI ($$)
THE GRAND MARINER ($-$$) THE HARBOR ROOM ($-$$)
JAPANESE CUISINE 3654 Airport Blvd • 725-6078
UNIQUE SEAFOOD 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000
FROM THE DEPTHS
751 Azalea Rd. • 301-7964
BAUDEAN’S ($$)
FRIED, GRILLED, STEAMED & ALWAYS FRESH 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070
THE BLUEGILL ($-$$)
A HISTORIC SEAFOOD DIVE W/ LIVE MUSIC 3775 Battleship Pkwy • 625-1998
BONEFISH GRILL ($$)
ECLECTIC DINING & SPACE 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196
BOUDREAUX’S CAJUN GRILL ($-$$) QUALITY CAJUN & NEW ORLEANS CUISINE 29249 US Highway 98 Daphne. • 621-1991
CRAVIN CAJUN/ MUDBUGS DIP SEAFOOD ($)
PO-BOYS, SALADS & SEAFOOD 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 • 479-0123
ED’S SEAFOOD SHED ($$)
FRIED SEAFOOD SERVED IN HEFTY PORTIONS 3382 Battleship Pkwy • 625-1947
FELIX’S FISH CAMP ($$) UPSCALE DINING WITH A VIEW 1530 Battleship Pkwy • 626-6710
FISHERMAN’S LEGACY ($) DELI, MARKET AND CATERING. 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2200
HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE ($) 30500 AL-181 • Spanish Fort • 206-8768 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350
LULU’S ($$)
LIVE MUSIC & GREAT SEAFOOD 200 E. 25th Ave. • Gulf Shores • 967-5858
MUDBUGS AT THE LOOP ($) CAJUN KITCHEN & SEAFOOD MARKET 2005 Government St. • 478-9897
OFF THE HOOK MARINA & GRILL ($) CAJUN INSPIRED/FRESH SEAFOOD & MORE 621 N Craft Hwy • Chickasaw • 422-3412
THE SEAFOOD HOUSE ($-$$) TIN TOP RESTAURANT & OYSTER BAR ($$) SEAFOOD, STEAKS, & EXTENSIVE WINE LIST 6232 Bon Secour Hwy • 949-5086
WINTZELL’S OYSTER HOUSE ($-$$) FRESH SEAFOOD FOR OVER 75 YEARS 805 S Mobile St • Fairhope • 929-2322 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 1208 Shelton Beach Rd. • Saraland • 442-3335
IS THE GAME ON?
ASHLAND MIDTOWN PUB ($-$$) PIZZAS, PASTAS, & CALZONES 2453 Old Shell Rd • 479-3278
BAUMHOWER’S ($)
WINGS, BURGERS & PUB GRUB 3206 Joe Treadwell Dr • 378-2444 6880 US-90/Jubilee Square • Daphne • 625-4695
BUFFALO WILD WINGS ($) BEST WINGS & SPORTING EVENTS 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955
BUTCH CASSIDY’S ($)
FAMOUS BURGERS, SANDWICHES & WINGS 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690
CALLAGHAN’S IRISH SOCIAL CLUB ($) BURGERS & BEER 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374
HEROES SPORTS BAR & GRILLE ($) SANDWICHES & COLD BEER 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376 36 Hillcrest Rd • 341-9464
HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS ($-$$)
WINGS, SEAFOOD, BURGERS & BEER 7721 Airport Blvd. Suite E-180 • 639-6832 25755 Perdido Beach Blvd •Orange Beach • 981-3041
ISLAND WING CO ($)
EVERYTHING BAKED OR GRILLED 2617 Dauphin St. • 476-9464 3947 AL-59 Suite 100 • Gulf Shores • 970-1337
MANCIS ($)
1715 Main St. • 375-0543
MCSHARRY’S IRISH PUB ($)
BRILLIANT REUBENS & FISH-N-CHIPS. 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100
MUG SHOTS ($$)
BAR & GRILL 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514
OLD 27 GRILL ($)
BURGERS, DOGS & 27 BEERS & WINES. 19992 Alabama 181 • Fairhope• 281-2663
LUCKY IRISH PUB ($)
IRISH PUB FARE & MORE 1108 Shelton Beach Rd •Saraland • 473-0757 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000
TAMARA’S DOWNTOWN ($)
WINGS, BURGERS & OTHER AMERICAN CHOW 104 N Section St • Fairhope • 929-2219
WEMOS ($)
WINGS, TENDERS, HOTDOGS & SANDWICHES 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877
MAMA MIA!
PAPA MURPHY’S
TAKE ‘N’ BAKE PIZZA 3992 Government • 287-2345 7820 Moffett Rd. • Semmes • 586-8473 2370 Hillcrest Rd • 661-4003 3764 Airport Blvd • 338-9903 705 Highway 43 • Saraland •308-2929 27955 US 98 • Daphne • 621-8666
PAPA’S PLACE ($$)
A TASTE OF ITALY. BYOB. 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999
PINZONE’S ITALIAN VILLAGE ($$) AUTHENTIC ITALIAN DISHES 312 Fairhope Ave. • Fairhope • 990-5535
RAVENITE ($)
PIZZA, PASTA, SALAD & MORE 102 N. Section St. •Fairhope• 929-2525
PIZZERIA DELFINA ($) PIZZA & PASTA 107 Dauphin St. • 375-1644
ROMA CAFE ($-$$)
PASTA, SALAD AND SANDWICHES 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217
CORTLANDT’S PIZZA PUB ($-$$)
OLÉ MI AMIGO!
GAMBINO’S ITALIAN GRILL ($)
TASTE OF MEXICO 5452 US-90 • 661-5509
GUIDO’S RESTAURANT ($$) FRESH CUISINE NIGHTLY ON MENU 1709 Main St. • Daphne • 626-6082
SEMMES HOUSE OF PIZZA ($) 3958 Snow Rd C. • Semmes • 645-3400
MARCO’S PIZZA ($)
5055 Cottage Hill Rd. • 308-4888 2394 Dawes Rr. • 639-3535 2004 US 98 • Daphne • 625-6550
MELLOW MUSHROOM ($)
PIES & AWESOME BEER SELECTION 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 2409 Schillinger Rd S • 525-8431 29698 Frederick Blvd.• Daphne • 621-3911 2303 S McKenzie St •Foley • 970-1414
MIRKO ($$)
PASTA & MORE 9 Du Rhu Dr. • 340-6611
NAVCO PIZZA ($$)
PIZZA, SUBS & PASTA 1368 Navco Rd.• 479-0066
MARIA BONITA AGAVE BAR & GRILL ($-$$) MEXICAN CUISINE 3977 Gov’t Blvd. • 660-4970
POOR MEXICAN ($)
30500 AL-181 • Spanish Fort • 621-7433
ROOSTER’S ($)
LATIN AMERICAN FOOD 211 Dauphin St. • 375-1076
AZTECAS ($-$$)
CAFÉ DEL RIO ($-$$)
MOUTH WATERING MEXICAN FOOD 1175 Battleship Pkwy • 625-2722
DAUPHIN ST. TAQUERIA ($)
ENCHILADAS, TACOS, & AUTHENTIC FARE Ok Bicycle Shop • 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453
DON CARLOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT ($)
850 Bayview Ave. Bilox • 888-946-2847 SEAFOOD, STEAKS, WINE
TIEN ($-$$)
INTERACTIVE ASIAN DINING
HIGH TIDE CAFÉ ($)
CASUAL & RELAXING, EXTENSIVE MENU
ISLAND VIEW:
3300 W. Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 877-774-8439
BEACH BLVD STEAMER ($) SEAFOOD
CARTER GREEN STEAKHOUSE ($$-$$$) RICH TRADITIONS, STEAK, SEAFOOD
TAQUERIA CANCUN ($)
C&G GRILLE ($)
TAQUERIA MEXICO ($-$$)
PALACE CASINO:
3172 International Dr. • 476-9967 AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FLAVOR 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496
BR PRIME ($$-$$$)
BUSTER’S BRICK OVEN ($-$$)
ITALIAN, STEAKS & SEAFOOD 18 Laurel Ave. • Fairhope • 990-0995
THIRTY-TWO ($$$)
QUAINT MEXICAN RESTAURANT 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484
VIA EMILIA ($$)
HOMEMADE PASTAS & PIZZAS MADE DAILY 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677
GREAT PIZZA. LUNCH & DINNER 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 342-0024
LOS ARCOS ($)
TRATTORIA PIZZA & ITALIAN ($$)
ITALIAN FOOD & PIZZAS 11311 US HIghway 31 • Spanish Fort• 375-0076
1715 Main St. (Next to Manci’s) Daphne. • 264-2520
IP CASINO:
NO GAMBLING CASINO FARE
BUCK’S PIZZA ($$)
DELIVERY 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444
830 W I65 Service Rd. S • 378-5837 4663 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553
BEAU RIVAGE:
875 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 888-952-2582
LARGE BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR DINNER MENU
158 Howard Ave. Biloxi • 800-725-2239
MIGNON’S ($$$)
STEAKS, SEAFOOD, FINE WINE
PLACE BUFFET ($-$$) INTERACTIVE ASIAN DINING
STACKED GRILL ($-$$)
BURGERS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT.
TREASURE BAY:
AMAZING ARRAY OF MOUTH-WATERING FOOD.
THE DEN ($-$$)
LOCAL SEAFOOD AND 40+ BEERS
CQ ($$-$$$)
EXOTIC CUISINE AND SUSHI
BLU ($)
ITALIAN COOKING
WIND CREEK CASINO:
THE BUFFET ($-$$)
COAST SEAFOOD & BREW ($-$$) JIA ($-$$)
STALLA ($$)
TERRACE CAFE ($)
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, LATE NIGHT
HARD ROCK CASINO:
777 Beach Blvd.Biloxi • 877-877-6256
1980 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 800-747-2839 INTIMATE & CASUAL WITH DAILY SPECIALS ELEGANT ATMOSPHERE & TANTALIZING ENTREES LOUNGE WITH COCKTAILS & TAPAS MENU
303 Poarch Rd. Atmore • 866-946-3360
FIRE ($$-$$$)
PRIME STEAKS, SEAFOOD & WINE
GRILL ($)
CONTEMPORARY & OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITES
EL MARIACHI ($)
HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE ($-$$) HARD ROCK CAFÉ ($)
EL PAPI ($-$$)
RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE ($$$)
FUEGO ($-$$)
SATISFACTION ($-$$)
FUZZY’S TACO SHOP ($)
HARRAH’S GULF COAST:
WATERFRONT BUFFET ($$-$$$)
HACIENDA SAN MIGUEL ($-$$)
280 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 288-436-2946
MAGNOLIA HOUSE ($$-$$$)
CHOPSTX NOODLE BAR ($-$$)
29669 Alabama 181 • Spanish Fort • (251) 625-3300 763 Holcombe Ave • 473-0413 615 Dauphin St • 308-2655 OUTSTANDING MEXICAN CUISINE 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8619 5713 Old Shell Rd.• 338-9697
TASTE OF MEXICO 880 Schillinger Rd. S. • 633-6122 5805 US 90 • 653-9163
LA COCINA ($)
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE 800 N Section St. • Fairhope • 990-0783
AMERICAN FARE & ROCKIN’ MEMORABILIA EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE & TASTE SOUTHERN FAVORITES BUFFET
FINE DINING, SEAFOOD AND STEAKS
SCARLET PEARL:
9380 Central Avenue D’Iberville • 800-266-5772
CHEF WENDY’S BAKING ($-$$)
MADE-TO-ORDER FESTIVE TREATS AND SPECIALTY CAKES.
UNDER THE OAK CAFE ($-$$)
CLASSIC ALL-AMERICAN CASUAL CUISINE WITH OVER 100 OPTIONS.
SOUPS, SALADS, FRESH SEAFOOD, AND MORE
VIETNAMESE SANDWICHES, PHO, AND APPETIZERS.
FLAVORS BUFFET ($-$$)
SCARLET’S STEAKS & SEAFOOD ($$$)
THE BLIND TIGER ($-$$)
BUTLER’S BAR & LOUNGE ($$)
ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET
quality food and simple unique cocktails
SAVORY STEAKS AND SEAFOOD
EXTRAORDINARY DRINK MENU, COCKTAILS
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 29
CUISINE | THE BEER PROFESSOR
O, Canada!
A
BY TOM WARD/THE BEER PROFESSOR
WORD OF MOUTH
Ruby Slipper Café opens morning to midday BY ANDY MACDONALD
Now open for biscuits and much more, the downtown Ruby Slipper Café at 100 N. Royal St. is slinging out breakfast, brunch and lunch made from scratch. Come join the fun as this New Orleans-based chain offers menu items such as Shrimp Boogaloo Benedict, stuffed French toast, corned beef or salmon bennies and Tex-Mex favorites. Grilled Fish St. Peter sounds amazing over grit cakes with sautéed spinach and tomatoes, grilled shrimp and Creole mustard hollandaise. Omelets, salads and sandwiches such as the Southern BLT and Croque Madame suggest lunch and brunch. Speaking of brunch, a problem we have in this town is brunch with no kid’s menu. These guys have it. But don’t be shy if you’re into the adult bever-
the U.S. It is also light — especially compared to today’s craft beers — but not as sweet as the Labatt’s, a lager with barley notes and a hint of bitterness. Like the U.S., Canada has also gone through a craft beer revolution, but most Canadian craft brews are not available in the U.S.; those that are exported here are often found in New England and the Pacific Northwest. However, while not easy to find in our area, LoDa Bier Garten did have a couple of styles from one of Canada’s best-known craft breweries, Quebec’s Unibroue. Founded in 1992, Unibroue focuses on producing beers in a traditional Belgian style. It puts out more than a dozen beers, including specialty brews, most of which are bottle-conditioned, allowing for natural fermentation. There were six Unibroue styles on the menu at LoDa, including a Witbeir and an apple fruit beer, but, unfortunately for me, some were already gone when I was there. I had the Maudite, a Belgian dubbel. At 8 percent alcohol by volume, the Maudite (which translates to “the Damned”) was strong but not at all overpowering, and actually very smooth for a dubbel. It had a deep red color, with good malt flavors and a touch of caramel sweetness. Not for everyone, but if you like strong Belgian ales, it is certainly worth a try. For those willing to travel up north for some good beer — but not as far as Canada — the Rocket City Brewfest is this weekend, June 8-9, at Butler Green in Huntsville. Tickets cost $40 and there will be more than 200 beers, meads and ciders to sample at a penny per pour. More information can be found at rocketcitybrewfest.com.
ages. They’ve got signature cocktails and morning libations. Ruby Slipper Café is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. plus Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. You won’t want to miss this one.
Southern National offers Friday Power Lunch
Downtown Dauphin Street’s Southern National is changing up its summer hours, opening every Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Power Lunch Fridays. Expect seasonal soups, salads and sandwiches such as a fried chicken BLT, the Dirty South open-faced meatloaf sandwich, stroganoff and veggie plates. The restaurant will no longer offer Saturday brunch. Sunday brunch remains from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and dinner service remains Tuesday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Happy hour begins at 4:30 p.m. Reservations are now accepted for dinner and private events only. Call 251-308-2387.
30 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Photo | Wikimedia commons
s June rolls around and everyone in Lower Alabama’s attention turns to hockey’s Stanley Cup Finals, I thought I’d examine some of the local beers from the finalists in the Sin Cities series. But as neither Las Vegas nor Washington, D.C., seem to produce any decent beers (or at least any that we can find around here), I decided to look to the home of Lord Stanley’s Cup — Canada — a place with a rich history of great beer, before we break off all diplomatic relations with our neighbors to the north. To many Americans like myself, Canadian beer was the original craft beer of the 1980s — it was different, came in green bottles, had a richer taste and was stronger than most of the American lagers we were weaned on. Moosehead, Molson and Labatt’s could be found on most grocery shelves then, but that’s no longer the case as American craft beers have begun to push into the market that once was open to imports from Canada and Europe. I sought out some of the beers of my youth and, after a great deal of searching, my wife was able to find both Labatt’s Blue (now owned by Belgium’s InBev, which also owns Budweiser) and Molson Canadian (now owned by MillerCoors) at the Piggly Wiggly. Labatt’s Blue, its flagship brew, is light and sweet, not bitter, but with a bit more heft than we’re used to from American pilsners. Molson Canadian — which myth used to hold was only available in Canada, while Molson Golden was the lesser beer sent south to the Americans — is now about the only Molson product you can find in many parts of
Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, described as a triple-style golden ale, recreates the style of beer originally developed in the Middle Ages by Trappist monks.
“A Night with Old Forester”
Full disclosure: I’ve had a night or two with Old Forester. Call me experienced. But the OK Bicycle Shop is having a bit of a different night than I’m used to with its “A Night with Old Forester” event this Thursday, June 7, 7-9 p.m. The event will be held at the Bike Shop’s neighboring sister venue, The Union, at 659 Dauphin St. Guests will be treated to a tasting dinner featuring the first bourbon bottled in the United States. Five different expressions of Old Forester will be paired with creative small plates. Tickets cost $40 per person and can be purchased at OK Bicycle Shop or Eventbrite.
National Rosé Day
I’m man enough to admit I’m a rosé fan. Color me pink as soon as the Old Forester wears off. The Fresh Market is helping you celebrate National Rosé Day on Saturday, June 9. Check out their rosé
guide at www.thefreshmarket.com, or check out this recipe: 3 peaches, halved 1 750ml bottle Whispering Angel Rosé ½ cup sugar ½ cup water ¼ cup lemon juice ½ cup frozen peaches Slice one peach into wedges for garnish and chop the other two. Make simple syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat with the sugar and water. Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil. Add chopped peaches; remove from heat and steep for 30 minutes. Strain syrup into a small bowl and chill for an hour. Blend chilled syrup and chilled and frozen peaches in a blender with lemon juice and rosé. Pour into chilled glasses and garnish with peach wedges. Recycle!
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 31
COVER STORY
Alabama’s first charter school celebrates inaugural graduates JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER
T
wo years after dropping out of high school, Kaitlyn Burgess walked into ACCEL Day and Evening Academy not knowing what to expect. Three years after dropping out of high school, she accepted a $72,000 scholarship to Spring Hill College as a high school graduate. As Burgess was starting her junior year at Davidson High School, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. She said there wasn’t a full-time nurse there to administer the emergency medicine she might need, and after having two seizures at school, she left. “I really just gave up,” she said. “For two years I didn’t know what I was going to do.” When she began pursuing a GED diploma, someone told Burgess about ACCEL, which opened in 2017 as Alabama’s first public charter school. If there is student who embodies the mission at the heart of ACCEL’s charter, it’s Burgess. Backed by the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF), ACCEL aims to serve high school dropouts and other “at risk” students by offering individualized instruction, smaller class sizes and a focus not just on academics, but also on students’ social and emotional well-being. Superintendent Jeremiah Newell said the term “at risk” gives some the impression ACCEL is an alternative program for “bad” or “troubled” kids. In reality, he said, it’s a mixture of students who, for many reasons, need a more flexible schedule or more individualized attention. ACCEL serves kids who are “at risk” too, but Newell defines the term differently. “Every school, and particularly public schools, have ‘at risk’ kids. We have students who are homeless, students who are primary caretakers of their family, students who have families of their own, students facing chronic health issues — these are not unusual,” he said. “The difference is we’re saying, ‘We hope that you come’ and not, ‘You’re in our zone so we’ve got to do something with you.’ We’re trying to plan a school around those realties.”
Trailblazers
While the approach is different, charter schools are, for most part, just a public school. The difference is they’re run by a nonprofit and are not governed by an elected school board. They do have a board, 20 percent of which has to be made up, by law, of the parents of students. Students take the same tests, master the same curriculum and, in Alabama, will be held to the same standard
32 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
when the state determines its annual list of “failing schools” next year. Additionally, charter schools are also bound by their contract with the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, which outlines specific academic goals or emphasizes a specific student population. At ACCEL, the focus is on high school students who require flexibility. Last month, 45 students graduated as ACCEL’s inaugural senior class, even though 20 would be classified as juniors and nine as sophomores based on their credits. For most people, senior year is marked by memories of longtime friends. Some might assume starting the year in a new school with classmates you don’t know would water down the experience. Burgess said those people would be wrong. When she gave her speech onstage at ACCEL’s graduation, she had to choke back tears. She believes the experience of building something entirely new brought students closer together. Newell said that’s why administrators emphasized giving students a sense of ownership in ACCEL and a voice in how it developed. From small things such as designing the graduation program, to input on the elective courses offered, Newell said their voices were heard. “So much went into supporting and building a strong school culture this year. Students didn’t feel like they lost something because they hadn’t been here for four years, it was much more a sense of pride for being the first,” he said. “These students really felt like they were trailblazers.” As the name implies, the ACCEL Day and Evening Academy offers classes to during normal school hours, but also in the evenings and through online courses for students who need additional instruction or can’t fit into the standard 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. school schedule. Other students, like Burgess, are simply trying to cover a lot of ground quickly. She completed the 11th and 12th grades in a single year and earned a high school diploma, but it wasn’t easy. “I was going to day school, night school and taking online classes,” Burgess said. “In my opinion, the work was more difficult than a traditional public school, but they give you the tools you need to do it. Teachers were actually helping us, not just sitting us down with a worksheet.” One thing setting the coursework apart is competency-based learning. Newell said students move to new concepts when they’ve mastered the previous one, as opposed to progressing through subject areas based on grade level regardless of their grasp on the material.
“Some ninth grade students took an algebra I course the entire year because they came in with third, fourth and fifth grade-level math skills. They just couldn’t master it one semester,” he said. “Others did it in one semester, then took geometry the next semester and are looking forward to taking algebra II in August. These are both true ninth graders, but their paths are different.” Newell said around 80 percent of the instruction at ACCEL this past year was geared toward bringing students below grade level up to where they should be. The other 20 percent, he said, focused on pushing students who were already on task to the next level. Carolyn Akers, CEO of MAEF, said she believes a large part of what makes ACCEL work is the counseling services underpinning what’s done in the classroom. The school has two full-time advocate counselors whose role is similar to that of a traditional school counselor. However, the school also brings in licensed therapeutic counselors to work with students on any issues they’re facing inside or outside the classroom. One of them was Burgess, who told Lagniappe the counselors at ACCEL are a “huge part of what makes that school run.” “I didn’t have the greatest home life, and just felt like I was having a rough time and needed someone to talk to,” she said. “They found that immediately.” She said counselors were also instrumental in helping her with the administrative side of college admissions, including financial aid and scholarship applications. She applied to around seven colleges and said she was accepted to most of them, including Spring Hill. After dealing with epilepsy at a young age, Burgess said she wants to be a nurse practitioner and focus on pediatric neurology. She wants to help young people going through what she did and worse. “Neurology can cover such a wide variety of issues, and if you don’t start addressing these things when you’re young, they can progress quickly,” she said. “I don’t think I would have ever seen myself as somebody who would have even been interested the medical field before, let alone have the confidence in myself to pursue something like that.”
A year in review
The results of ACCEL’s first year are still being calculated, in some respects. It serves students in grades 9-12, who took the same ACT and preACT tests required of other public school students. Because it’s ACCEL’s first year, there’s not yet a state-calculated graduation rate, and when one is compiled, the process could be more complicated. That’s because graduation rates are based on four-year tracks, and ACCEL students enter at different levels and progress at different paces. Though it wasn’t mandated by the state, Newell said ACCEL students took the Scantron Performance Series multiple times last year to measure progress. He said those assessments showed some notable gains in student achievement throughout the school’s first year. “Eighty-two percent of our students are on track at this point to move on to the next grade level, whereas 80 percent of those same students were off track when they came in,” he said. “Forty-one of the graduates this year left college and career ready and had benchmarked on the ACT or WorkKeys. That’s about 91 percent, which I think is really strong for a first year.” ACCEL’s first year didn’t occur without any growing pains, though. Akers said there is “a huge learning curve” to creating a school from the ground up. “We’re building this airplane as we fly it,” she said. As the first charter school in a state reluctant to allow them for years, ACCEL has been scrutinized, and that will continue as it goes through its first evaluation under the state charter commission in the coming months.
COVER STORY Akers believes ACCEL “got most of it right” this year, but not everything. One thing administrators didn’t account for was how costly it would be to feed 200 teenagers every day. Because the school opened in the former ITT Technical Institute campus on Cottage Hill Road, there was no cafeteria. Food is brought in every day through partnerships with local businesses such as Clarks Catering, Morrison’s Cafeteria and even places like Foosackly’s and Little Caesars. The students have loved it, but administrations have frantically tried to find a way to keep paying for it. “I think that probably was our big misstep, and that’s why we own it,” Akers said. “We had to do what we had to do, and that included raising a lot of outside money to help soften that blow.” Next year, the school plans to partner with a local school district to provide food through their Child Nutrition Program, which Newell said would provide significant cost savings. With no kitchen onsite, though, ACCEL will always rely on outside food preparation. ACCEL also struggled with some early student attrition. Its doors opened with 240 students last August, but around 39 left by the end of the first semester. While student attrition is common, 39 students translates to 16 percent of the student population. “We originally set a goal of having about 85 percent of our kids retained. I think we’re a little bit closer to 75 percent this year,” Newell said. “That’s OK considering it’s the first year, but as a school, we’d like to see that improve. It’s one of our main targets.” State school funding is calculated based on enrollment numbers in the first semester of the previous year, and that might be to ACCEL’s advantage if it only enrolls 201 students this fall. However, Newell said the school plans to expand enrollment. “We anticipate we’ll have more than 300 students next year, so it’ll be on us to figure out how to fund the school off of an allocation for 240. That’s going to be a challenge,” he added.
The politics of charter
Logan Searcy is the liaison between the Alabama Department of Education and the charter school commission, and despite the growing pains, she said ACCEL had a strong debut. “It was a good year, and Mobile has a lot
to be proud of,” she said. “There’s a lot of pressure on them, and they’ve withstood it and done a great job.” According to Searcy, the next hurdle for ACCEL is a thorough evaluation and audit by the charter commission this summer. She said a third party would be contracted to review ACCEL’s “academics, operations, governance, culture, climate and financial stability.” There will also be a public report of the findings of that evaluation. Many people don’t know charter programs go through this type of review, though, and Searcy said there’s “a misconception on a lot of Alabamians’ part” that charter schools have no accountability. “They have all the same requirements as any other public school, plus they have to meet what they’ve agreed to do in their charter contract. It’s a second layer of accountability that traditional public schools don’t have,” she said. “They have a five-year contract, and they can be closed down if they don’t meet those objectives.” Opponents of charter schools say they take money away from traditional public schools. Alabama spends around $9,000 per student annually, and if a system loses 10 students to a charter program, that’s about a $90,000 reduction in funding. However, Newell said that argument overlooks the fact that charter school students are are public school students, too. He also noted several of ACCEL’s students are dropouts for which no system receives funding. Newell said misconceptions about ACCEL’s role in the community have been driven by “the politics of charter.” He said he’s been disappointed to see the mindset of “charters are bad, so this school must be a bad thing” locally — something he called “completely reductive.” Akers said that type of political rhetoric can damage the perception of a school striving to meet a real need in the community. As someone who has worked with public schools in the Mobile County area for decades, she said, it’s also been upsetting to her personally. “I do think one of the biggest obstacles has been misinformation about what we’re trying to do here, and a lot of it has come from people I worked with side by side for a long time,” she said. “The charter school legislation, for us, was a vehicle we could use to try something different.”
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 33
34 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
NIGHTLIFE BEST ALL AROUND BAR A B C D E F
Alchemy Tavern Callaghan’s O’Daly’s Pour Baby The Brickyard The Haberdasher
BEST BARTENDER A Adam Yunker, Royal Street Tavern/Alchemy B Cary Scott, Gabriel’s C Pero Bringhurst, The Dublin D Randy Jennings, Sidecar Lounge E Rickey Havens, Pour Baby F Roy Clark, The Haberdasher
BEST BARTENDERESS A Courtney Anthony, Butch Cassidy’s Cafe B Jana Padgett Dunn, Brickyard C Shannon Frodge, Boondocks D Susan Richardson, Pelican Pub E Tasha Tupa, The Haberdasher F Tyger Kunz, Hayley’s
HOTTEST BARTENDER A Derek Dunn, Boo Radley’s B Hunter Vanderlinde, The Brickyard C Jay LeBlanc, Sunset Pointe D Rickey Slayton, B-Bob’s E Ricky Havens, Pour Baby F Sergio Muris, Alchemy Tavern
HOTTEST BARTENDERESS A Carrie Manning, Beef O’Brady’s B Chasity Varner, Ashland Midtown Pub C Crystal Dees D Jana Padgett Dunn, Brickyard E Leann Neilson F Stevi Lynn Hanenkrat, Champy’s Fried Chicken - Daphne
BEST NEW BAR A B C D E F
Baumhower’s Victory Grille SanBar Courtyard Serda Brewing The Dublin Waves DI Wet Willie’s
BEST DIVE BAR A B C D E F
Hayley’s Papa Buddha’s Patches The Garage Top of the Bay Veet’s
BEST E-SHO BAR A B C D E F
Manci’s Antique McSharry’s Plow Pour Nelson’s Tongue & Groove Top of the Bay
BEST WEMO BAR A B C D E F
Boondocks Bubble Lounge Cockeyed Charlie’s Key West Lounge Pour Baby The Dublin
BEST MIMO BAR Ashland Midtown Pub Butch Cassidy’s Lucky Irish Pub Mellow Mushroom Airport E Red or White F Silver Horse Pub A B C D
BEST LODA BAR A B C D E F
Kazoola LoDa Bier Garten O’Daly’s OK Bike Shop The Blind Mule The Haberdasher
BEST SOMO BAR A B C D E F
Dority’s Bar & Grill Islanders Pelican Pub River Shack Waves DI Zebra Club
BEST WINE BAR A B C D E F
Domke Market Firehouse Le Bouchon Pour Baby Red or White Southern Napa
BEST FANCY DRINK BAR A B C D E F
Flybar Royal Street Tavern Ruth’s Chris Sidecar Lounge The Haberdasher Tongue & Groove Drinkery
BEST HAPPY HOUR BAR A B C D E F
Butch Cassidy’s Cafe Dauphin’s Flip Side Sunset Pointe The Brickyard The Garage
BEST E-SHO HAPPY HOUR A B C D E F
California Dreaming District Hall Flybar McSharry’s Sunset Pointe Top of the Bay
BEST SPORTS BAR A All Sports Bar and Billiards B Baumhower’s Victory Grille C Buffalo Wild Wings D Draft Picks E Heroes Sports Bar & Grille F Touchdown Tavern
BEST WATERFRONT BAR A B C D E F
Bluegill Flora-Bama Pelican Pub Pirate’s Cove Sunset Pointe The River Shack
BAR WHERE YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET LUCKY A B C D E F
B-Bob’s Hayley’s McSharry’s Midnight Rodeo O’Daly’s Saddle Up Saloon
BEST PLACE TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY A B C D E F
B-Bob’s Boo Radley’s Boulevard Kazoola Midnight Rodeo Saddle Up Saloon
BEST GAY BAR A B C D
B-Bob’s Flip Side Gabriel’s Midtown Pub
FAVORITE CRAFT BEER A Abita Purple Haze B Fairhope Brewing Take the Causeway IPA C Fat Tire D Goose Island IPA
E Lagunitas Lil Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale F Sweetwater 420
FAVORITE IMPORT BEER A B C D E F
Corona Dos Equis Guinness Newcastle Pilsner Urquell Stella Artois
FAVORITE DOMESTIC BEER A B C D E F
Bud Light Budweiser Coors Light Mich Ultra Miller Lite Samuel Adams
BEST SPECIALTY COCKTAIL
BEST OVERALL STYLIST – BALDWIN
A Cool as a Cucumber Sunset Pointe B Dragon’s Eye - Flybar C Easy Tiger - Haberdasher D La Primavera - Haberdasher E Paloma - El Papi F Swampwater - Felix’s
A Brandi Hoover - Sanctuary Salon B Chandise Hampton - The March Hare C Cherry Wiggins - Fireflies Salon D Kayla Smith - Sanctuary Salon E Kristen Watler - Salon Royale F Tami Williams - Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio
BEST BAR TRIVIA Blind Mule Fairhope Brewing Fuzzy’s Taco Mellow Mushroom Airport E Moe’s BBQ F Serda
A B C D
BEST LOCALLY BREWED BEER
BEST GENTLEMAN’S CLUB
A Big Beach Brewing Satsumo Wit B Fairhope Brewing Judge Roy Bean Coffee Stout C Fairhope Brewing Take the Causeway IPA D Haint Blue IPA E Serda Brewing Clear Prop F Serda Brewing Tidewater
A B C D
BAR WITH BEST TAP BEER SELECTION A B C D E F
Buffalo Wild Wings Draft Picks Island Wing LoDa Bier Garten Mellow Mushroom Montego’s
FAVORITE CASINO A Beau Rivage B Hard Rock C Harrah’s Gulf Coast Casino D IP Casino E Palace Casino F Scarlet Pearl
BEST MARGARITA A B C D E F
Café del Rio Dauphin St. Taqueria El Papi Fuego Hacienda San Miguel Sunset Pointe
BEST BLOODY MARY A B C D E F
Blind Mule Brick and Spoon Kitchen on George Moe’s BBQ Pelican Pub Wintzell’s
Candy Store Cookies N Cream Diamonds Lionz Den
SHOPPING & SERVICES BEST SALON – MOBILE A B C D E F
Genesis Hair Salon Harlow Inspire Salon & Gallery Salon DMH Salon West 5400 Studio PH
BEST SALON- BALDWIN A B C D E F
Fireflies Salon Hair-Do Salon Salon Royale Sanctuary Salon Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio The March Hare
BEST OVERALL STYLIST – MOBILE A Jennifer Freeman - Salon DMH B Julie Burrus - Inspire Salon & Gallery C Lydia Belle Sexton Identity Salon D Phrankey Lowery - Studio PH E Vanna Uptagraft - All About You F Whitney Vittor - Salon West 5400
BEST COLORIST A Jennifer Freeman - Salon DMH B Julie Rhames - Harlow C Lauren Holmquist D Tami Williams - Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio E Taylor Jane Westwood Inspire F Vanna Uptagraft - All About You
SCISSOR WIZARD (BEST HAIRCUT-TER) A Brandi Hoover - Sanctuary Salon B Caitlin Trehern - Salon 8:31 C Chandise Hampton - The March Hare D Jakob Dozen - Studio PH E Julie Burrus - Inspire Salon & Gallery F Laura Vendetti - Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio
BEST BARBER A B C D E F
Gentlemen’s Barbershop Hillcrest Barbers Johnny Sullivan Mayo’s Barber Shop Mike’s Barber Shop Tillman’s Barber Shop
BEST MAKEUP ARTIST A B C D E F
Alexis Ruby Ashley West Cassidy Hester Kelsey Copeland Fields Kendall Smith Megan Layton
BEST HOOHA WAXER A Anna Bishop - LA Bikini B Crystal Quattrone - Primp C Elizabeth Spence - Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio D Jill McKinley - Revive Skin and Body E Jitka Boyd - Salon Royale F Karen Vogtner - Nouveau on Dauphin
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 35
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
BEST PLACE TO GET MANI/PEDI A B C D E F
J&T Nails Lilly’s Royal Day Spa Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio Venetian Nails Vivian’s
E Dr. Morgan Ashurst - Alabama Medical Group F Dr. Susan Sweeney Greater Mobile Urgent Care
MOBILE BAY’S BEST SPECIALIST (MD)
A Crystal Quattrone- Primp B Hanna Hogle - Sunrise Dermatology C Jade Kittrell - MPRSD D Karen Vogtner - Nouveau on Dauphin E Kayla Mitchell - Dr. Kimberly Donnellan - Skin & Laser Specialists F Kim Graves - at Lyons Elite Med Spa
A Dr. Adam Handwerger The Orthopedic Group, P.C. B Dr. James West, III - - The Orthopedic Group, P.C. C Dr. Ronald O’Gorman - O’Gorman Vein and Vascular D Dr. Steven G. Alsip - Alabama Medical Group E Dr. Thomas Barbour, III - The Orthopedic Group, P.C. F Rihner, Gupta & Grosz Cardiology, P.C.
BEST DAY SPA
BEST HOOHA DOCTOR
A Battle House Spa B Greater Mobile Laser & Aesthetic Center C LumaLife Therapy & Wellness Spa D Lyons Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center E MedSpa at the Park F Nouveau on Dauphin
A Dr. Danilo Herrera- Bay Area Physicians for Women B Dr. Glenn Gallaspy III Azalea City Physicians for Women C Dr. Helen Rogers - Bay Area Physicians for Women D Dr. Lauren Lambrecht Azalea City Physicians for Women E Dr. Patton Morrison Barton - Mobile Bay OBGYN Center F Dr. Quin Bixler - Mobile Bay OBGYN Center
BEST ESTHETICIAN
BEST TANNING SALON A B C D E F
Brush of Bronze LA Bikini Southern Glow Sunkissed Spray Tans Tiffany Tans Tuscan Sun
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST A Hannah Boltz - Therapeutic Arts Massage & Bodywork B Jessi Coors, LMT C Kathryn Mixson - Mountain Massage & Day Spa D Kelsea Tupa - Epione Massage & Bodywork E Massage Envy F Roderick Gibbs - Dynamic Orthopedic Massage Therapy
MOBILE BAY’S BEST DOCTOR A Dr. Charla Evans - Infirmary Health Diagnostic Medical Clinic B Dr. Clare Carney - Alabama Medical Group C Dr. Gamil Dawood - Hillcrest Urgent Care D Dr. John T. Houston - IMC Family Medical of Mobile West
BEST DERMATOLOGIST A Dr. Amy Morris, Center for Dermatology B Dr. Harold Hawkins, The Dermatology Center C Dr. Kathryn Dempsey, MPRSD D Dr. Ryan Ramagosa, Sunrise Dermatology E Dr. Scott Freeman, Sunrise Dermatology F Dr. Scott VanLoock, Mobile Dermatology
BEST WEIGHT LOSS DOC A Dr. Amy Armstrong, La Bella RX B Dr. James Q. Jardine, Medi Weightloss C Dr. Lawrence Carpenter, Aesthetics & Weightloss D Dr. Michelle Jackson, Slim & Trim E Dr. Ruth Shields, Healthy Weight 4 Me F Dr. William Urquhart, Medi Weightloss
BEST “DOC IN THE BOX” CLINIC A Compass Urgent Care B Eastern Shore Urgent Care C Greater Mobile Urgent Care D Hillcrest Urgent Care E Southern Rapid Care F Urgent Care by the Bay
BEST BACK CRACKER (CHIROPRACTOR)
A Dr. Charles Dyas, Bay Area Plastic Surgery Associates B Dr. Christopher Park, The Park Clinic C Dr. James Koehler, Eastern Shore Plastic Surgery D Dr. Kitti Outlaw - Outlaw Plastic Surgery E Dr. Randy Proffitt - Randy Profitt MD F Dr. William Burden, Destin Plastic Surgery
A Advanced Spine & Therapy B Corsentino Chiropractic Clinic C Dr. Cevin Cormier, Cormier Chiropractic & Physical Therapy D Dr. Ken Bishop, Tillman’s Corner Chiropractic Clinic E Dr. Spencer Callahan, Bayview Optimal Performance F Family Chiropractic & Health Center
BEST FACELIFT DOC
BEST DENTIST
A Dr. Christopher Park, The Park Clinic B Dr. Henry Barber, Martin Center C Dr. James Koehler, Eastern Shore Plastic Surgery D Dr. Kimberly Donnellan, Skin & Laser Specialists E Dr. Michael B. Lyons, Lyons Cosmetic & Laser Surgery Center F Dr. Stephen Martin, Martin Center
A B C D E
BEST BOOB DOC
36| L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Dr. David Salter Dr. Kristopher Portacci Grelot Dental Knollwood Dental Group Maitre & Crabtree Dental Group F Noblet Family Dental
BEST FITNESS FACILITY A Hillcrest Fit Body Boot Camp
B C D E F
JH Crossfit Mission Fitness Orangetheory Fitness ProHealth Springhill Fitbody Bootcamp
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER A Emily Powell, ProHealth B Jessica Callahan, Mission Fitness C John Burgard, Relentless PT D John Seddon, Life Plus Personal Fitness Training E Josh Foster, Josh The Trainer F Victor Fischer
BEST VETERINARIAN A Dr. Christopher Boudreau, Boudreau Veterinary Hospital B Dr. Madison Gordon, Westside Veterinary Hospital C Dr. Mary Katherine Cross, Old Shell Animal Hospital D Dr. Roxy Leslie, Village Animal Clinic E Mitchell Animal Clinic F Rehm Animal Clinic
BEST PET GROOMER A B C D E F
Addicted to Dogs Adorable Do’s Jeremy Henderson Lola Bell’s Paws on Pinehill Paws to Pamper
BEST FLORIST A B C D E F
All A Bloom Bay Flowers Belle Bouquet Lush Home and Garden Rose Bud Flowers & Gifts Wildflower Floral Design
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER/ STUDIO A Abigail Wellinghurst Photography B Evan Davis Photography C K Rae D Melinda Mercer Photography E Shane Rice Photography F Toni Riales
BEST YOGA STUDIO A B C D E F
Above and Beyond Glow Yoga Sterling Hot Yoga Sway Synergy Thrive Yoga & Massage
BEST CARWASH/DETAIL A Alabama Auto Clean B Bebo’s C Bumper 2 Bumper Auto Detailing D Down South Detail E Rich’s F Ultra Car Wash
BEST LAWYER IF YOUR SPOUSE IS A HO (DIVORCE) A B C D E F
Alison Herlihy Jerry Pilgrim Josh Boone Karol Kemp Molly Sullivan Stephen Johnson
BEST LAWYER TO KEEP YOU OUT OF PRISON (CRIMINAL) A B C D E F
Chase Barber Dennis Knizley Grant Gibson Jeff Deen Tom Walsh Walter Gewin
BEST LAWYER TO SUE THE PANTS OFF SOMEONE (TRIAL)
C D E F
Donna Gatlin - State Farm Julie Henson - Alfa Patrick Collins - Farmers Rachael Kidd - State Farm
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER/FIRM A Bay Mortgage B Embrace Home Loans C Jeanine Fowler, DSLD Mortgage D Magnolia Mortgage E Mortgage Team 1 F New Horizons Credit Union
BEST INVESTMENT BANKER/FINANCIAL PLANNER A Billy Williams, Williams Financial Group B Carl Dekle, Plan Sponsor Consultants C Chase Robinson, Northwestern Mutual D Coldsmith, Ryder & Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. E Keith Woodham, Edward Jones F Ryan Mahtani, BB&T Investments
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
A Clay Massey & Associates B Cunningham Bounds C David J. Maloney D Eiland & Ritchie E Greene & Phillips F Moore Law Firm
A B C D E
BEST REAL ESTATE FIRM
BEST CPA
A B C D E F
Bellator Courtney & Morris Diamond Properties LLB&B Roberts Brothers Stirling Properties
Bay Chevrolet Eastern Shore Toyota McConnell Automotive MCD Motors Palmer’s Toyota Superstore F UJ Chevrolet
A B C D E F
BJ Gilbert Gina McKellar Karen Simmons Rita Byers Robinson Tax Service Ted Crabtree
BEST REALTOR
BEST LANDSCAPER
A Andrew Dickman - Stirling Properties B Brandon Norstedt - Better Homes & Gardens C Chris Clarke - Roberts Brothers D James Henderson - Bellator E Laurye Brunson - Roberts Brothers F Team A & C - Diamond Properties
A B C D E
BEST INSURANCE AGENT OR AGENCY A Allison Horner - State Farm B Cory Luckie - C.A.Luckie Insurance
A Bloom Garden Center Bay Landscaping Cotton State Services Krob Landscape, Inc Southern Landscape Solutions F Weatherford’s Fountain & Lawn
BEST CONTRACTOR/ HOMEBUILDER A All Weather Roof & Construction B Batten Builders C Bo Wilder Contracting D GLH Homebuilders E Lipford Construction F Truland Homes
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER A B C D E F
Allyn Cameron Augusta Tapia Caitlyn Waite Lindsey Feenker Pat O’ Neal Randi Wilson
BEST HARDWARE STORE A Andrews Ace Hardware B Blankenship’s Universal Supply C Dawes Hardware D Eastern Shore Ace E Smith Hardware F Springhill Ace
BEST PEST CONTROL A B C D E F
Aegis Pest Control Arrow Cook’s Knockout Pest & Termite Semmes Pest Control Terminator Pest Control
BEST CLOTHING CONSIGNMENT STORE A B C D E F
Back on the Rack Hertha’s Plato’s Closet Rave Reviews Revolution Resale Second Edition Boutique
BEST DEPARTMENT STORE A B C D E F
Belk Dillard’s JC Penney Kohl’s Steinmart TJ Maxx
BEST PLACE TO GET MARDI GRAS ATTIRE A B C D E F
Fancy That Bridal Francia’s Formal Affair JoVi’s Bridal & Formal Metzger’s Putting on the Ritz Randall’s Formal Wear
BEST PET STORE A B C D E F
B&B Pet Stop Bella & Bows Pet Market Dog Days Barkery Pet Supplies Plus PetSmart The Waggy Tail
BEST FINE JEWELRY A B C D E F
Friedman’s Goldstein’s John Cauley Karat Patch Lou’s Zundel’s
BEST ANTIQUE STORE BEST DRY CLEANERS
Antiques at the Loop BackFlash Antiques La La Land Boutique Olde Mobile Antique Gallery E The Brothers Gallery F The Shop Around the Corner
A B C D E F
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE
A B C D
A B C D E F
CK Collection D&K Down South Native G Harvell McCoy Outdoor Metzger’s
BEST LINGERIE/NAUGHTY SHOP A B C D
NT Lingerie The Gift Spot The Little Drawer Victoria’s Secret
BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE A B C D E F
Crimson Blue Boutique Hemline Kenzlee Grace LTD Fashions Pink Post Office Boutique Ruby Blue Boutique
Champion Cleaners Gulf City Jaguar Cleaners Master Cleaners Paragon Waite’s
A Maids a la Mode B Mandy’s Cleaning Service C Scrub-N-Suds D Sweet Home E The Maids F Two Gals & a Mop
BEST OUTDOORS STORE A B C D E
Alabama Outdoors Bass Pro Shop Field & Stream McCoy Outdoor Quint’s Red Beard’s Outfitter
BEST LOCAL PHARMACY A B C D E F
Christopher Pharmacy Dawes Pointe Pharmacy McConaghy Pharmacy Midtown Pharmacy Saraland Pharmacy Semmes Pharmacy
BEST SHOE STORE – ATHLETIC A B C D E
Academy Fleet Feet Sports McCoy Outdoor Run-N- Tri Shoe Station
BEST LADIES’ SHOE STORE A B C D E F
CK Collection Dillard’s DSW Gallery Shoe Boutique Shoefly Shoe Station
BEST GIFT SHOP A B C D E F
Domke Market Marcie N Me Meggie B’s Oak Ridge Pharmacy Robert Moore Timeless Treasures
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS STORE A B C D E F
Black Door Studio Designer Collection Luke Phillips Lush M A Simons Woman In the Moon
BEST FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT SHOP A All Around the House B Fairhope Furniture Consignment C High Cotton D Kaglen’s E Something Special F White House Antiques
BEST VAPE SHOP A B C D E F
Cloud 9 Parlor Vapes The Vapor Hut Vapemosphere Vapor Dreamz Vapors Smoke Shop
BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION A Army Aviation Federal Credit Union B BBVA Compass C Iberia D New Horizons Credit Union E Regions F Renasant
KIDS BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE – NEW A B C D E F
Charming Darlings Creating Cuties Gigi & Jay’s Little Monkey Toes Sweet Magnolia Smocks The Holiday
BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE – CONSIGNMENT A Carousel Kids B Kids Klozet C Kids Kottage Upscale Resale D Kids Wearhouse E Savvy Mom Sale F Wee Exchange
BEST SUMMER CAMP A Bayside Academy B Dauphinway Baptist C Eastern Shore Repertory Theater D Gulf Coast Exploreum Center E St. Dominic Catholic School F St. Luke’s
BEST DAYCARE/MOTHER’S DAY OUT A Christ United Methodist B Springhill Baptist Child Development Center C St. Mary’s D Training Wheels Childcare E Weinacker’s Montessori F Westminster Presbyterian
BEST PRESCHOOL A B C D E F
Corpus Christi Catholic St. Dominic Catholic School St. Luke’s St. Paul’s EEC Weinacker’s Montessori Westminster Presbyterian
BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY PLACE A Altitude B Get Air C Gulf Coast Exploreum Lazer Zone D Pete’s Party Castle E Pump It Up
MOST KID-FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD A B C D
Brookwood Jackson Heights Ravine Woods Regency
E Ridgefield F Rosswood
BEST KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ATTRACTION A Bellingrath Gardens and Home B Dauphin Island Sea Lab C Gulf Coast Ducks D Gulf Coast Exploreum Center E OWA F The Fort of Colonial Mobile
BEST DANCE STUDIO A B C D E F
Classical Ballet Debbie’s School of Dance Grace Dance Center Mobile Ballet Sheffield School of Dance Turning Pointe
BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST A Dr. Maureen Baldy B Dr. Trey’s Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Trey Fellers C Malbis Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Kelly Jones D Mobile Pediatric Dentistry - Dr. Stephen E. Greenleaf, III E Pediatric Dentistry of Mobile, Dr. Joel Welford and Dr. Marion McMurphy, Jr. F Thomas and Moore Pediatric Dentist
BEST ORTHODONTIST A Donaghey Orthodontics B Glass Orthodontics C Harvey & Thomas Orthodontics D Hicks & McMurphy Orthodontics E Oliver Orthodontics F Pickett Orthodontics
BEST PEDIATRICIAN A B C D E F
Dr. Faye Roberts Dr. John Sands Dr. Lisa McDonough Dr. Matthew Cepeda Dr. Nancy Wood Dr. Robin McNair
BEST KID PHOTOGRAPHER A Chad Riley Photography B Jamie Roberts Photography C Janie Long Photography D Laura Cantrell Photography E Leslie Walley Photography F Paisley Studios G Samantha Vickers Photography
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL A ACCEL Day and Evening Academy B Collier Elementary C Dawes Intermediate School D E. R. Dickson Elementary School E Mary G Montgomery High School F Phillips Preparatory
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL A Corpus Christi Catholic B McGill Toolen Catholic High School C Mobile Christian School D St. Luke’s Episcopal School E St. Paul’s Episcopal School F UMS Wright
COOLEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER A Allison Dennis, Corpus Christi Catholic School B Amy Hodges, St. Paul’s Episcopal School C Caroline Graham, Semmes Elementary School D Elizabeth Partsch, E.R. Dickson Elementary E Jeremy Smith, O’Rourke Elementary F Jessica Sanders, Allentown Elementary
COOLEST MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER A Alison Burrow, Semmes Middle School B Amanda Richardson, Causey Middle School C Elizabeth Campbell, St. Paul’s Episcopal School D Jeanette Connally, St. Dominic Catholic School E Peter Stoyka, Corpus Christi Catholic School F Rosalie Hyatt, Grand Bay Middle School
COOLEST HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER A Eric Browne, Baker High School B Jeremiah Quattrone, Citronelle High School C Joseph Moody, Mary G. Montgomery High School D Margaret Delaney, UMS Wright Preparatory School E Mollie Betsch, Mary G. Montgomery High School F Yohanna Jimenez, St. Luke’s Episcopal School
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 37
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
CITY LIFE BEST MOBILIAN EVER A B C D E F
Dr. William Gorgas Eugene Walter Hank Aaron Jimmy Buffett Joe Cain Lonnie Johnson
BEST MOBILIAN RIGHT NOW A B C D E F
Chief Slacambamarinico IV Jake Peavy Judge Edmond Naman Mayor Sandy Stimpson Scott Tindle Uncle Henry
BEST HOTEL A Hilton Garden InnDowntown Mobile B The Admiral C The Battle House D The Grand Hotel E The Hampton Inn F The Riverview
BEST HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND Baker High School Davidson High School LeFlore High School Mary G Montgomery McGill Toolen Catholic High School F Murphy High School A B C D E
BEST MARDI GRAS PAQUINTESSENTIAL MOBILIAN RADING SOCIETY
A Chief Slacambamarinico IV B City Councilman Fred Richardson C Gen. Gary Cooper D Mayor Sandy Stimpson E Preston Griffith F Suzanne Cleveland
A B C D E F
BEST MOBILE POLICE OFFICER
BEST MARDI GRAS MARCHING SOCIETY
A B C D E F
Officer Justin Billa Officer Justin Billa Officer Justin Billa Officer Justin Billa Officer Justin Billa Officer Justin Billa
BEST MOBILE FIREFIGHTER A B C D E F
Chad Sprinkle Jimmy Lilley LeAnn Tacon Marty Demouy Ronnie Gilmore Wesley Foster
COOLEST NEIGHBORHOOD/STREET A B C D E F
Church Street East Copeland Island Jackson Heights Oakleigh Garden District Regency South Lafayette Street
BEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT A American Cancer Society Chili Cook-off B Camp Rap A Hope Turkey Trot for Hope C Downtown Cajun Cook-off D Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Annual Chef Challenge E Junior League of Mobile Christmas Jubilee F Mitchell Cancer Institute Go Run
A B C D E
Crewe of Columbus Mystic Stripers Mystics of Time Order of Inca Order of LaShes Order of Polka Dots
Cain’s Merry Mistresses Cain’s Merry Widows Dauphin Street Drunks Skeleton Krewe Wild Mauvillians
BEST MARDI GRAS BALL A B C D E F
Crewe of Columbus Fifty Funny Fellows Infant Mystics Knights of Revelry Mystics of Time Order of Polka Dots
COOLEST CHURCH OR HOUSE OF WORSHIP A Christ United Methodist B City Hope C First Baptist Church of Mobile D Government Street Presbyterian E St. Dominic Catholic Church F Wings of Life
BEST CLERGY PERSON/ PASTOR/SPIRITUAL LEADER A Dr. Brett Burleson, Dayspring Baptist B Dr. Robert Couch, Christ United Methodist C Father Chris Boutin, St. Dominic Catholic Church D Father Mark Neske, Holy Family Catholic Church E Pastor Chris Patrick, Wings
38 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
of Life F Trey Doyle, First Baptist Church of Mobile
D The Mulligan Brothers E The Red Clay Strays F The Underhill Family Orchestra
C D E F
BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (ATTRACTION)
BEST NEW LOCAL BAND
BEST SOLO MUSICIAN
Average Joes Brigham Cason Trio Delta Smoke Lauren Murphy & The Psychedelics E Paid To Pretend F Sloth Racer
A B C D E F
A Bellingrath Gardens & Home B Bienville Bites Food Tour C Gulf Coast Ducks D Mobile Carnival Museum E OWA F USS Alabama
BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (RESTAURANT) A B C D E F
Dauphin’s Dumbwaiter Felix’s NoJa Osman’s Wintzell’s
COOLEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY A Bay Breeze Apartments, Daphne B Charleston Apartment Homes C D’Iberville Apartments D La Maison, Saraland E Marine Street Lofts F The Vinings, Spanish Fort
BEST LOCAL COMPANY TO WORK FOR A Crow Shields Bailey B Cunningham Bounds C Express Employment Professionals D FTZC (Foreign Trade Zone Corporation) E Greene & Phillips F Rihner, Gupta & Grosz Cardiology
NAPPIE CATEGORY 2019 A Best Automotive Repair B Best Local Author C Best Rehab/Physical Therapist D Best Scientist E Best Tattoo Artist F Coolest Preschool Teacher
MUSIC
A B C D
BEST COUNTRY BAND/ PERFORMER A B C D E F
Anna McElroy Bruce Smelley Hunter Landry Jesse Howard Jordan Capers Sugarcane Jane
BEST METAL/UNDERGROUND BAND A B C D E F
D.R.E.A.D. Excessum Love the Hate Satan & The Sunbeams Subjugate Venom
BEST BLUES BAND/ARTIST A B C D E F
Chronic Blues Delta Smoke Jamell Richardson Johnny No Lisa Mills Rick McNaughton Band
BEST CLUB TO SEE LIVE MUSIC A B C D E F
Callaghan’s O’Daly’s Soul Kitchen The Brickyard The Merry Widow Veet’s
BEST OUTDOOR BAR TO SEE LIVE MUSIC A B C D E F
Bluegill Dority’s Flora-Bama LuLu’s The Frog Pond The Hangout
BEST LOCAL BAND
BEST VENUE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC (NON-BAR)
A Marlow Boys B Modern Eldorados C Paw Paw’s Medicine Cabinet
A Cedar Street Social Club B Mobile Civic Center Theater
Saenger Theatre The Listening Room The Steeple The Wharf
Abe Partridge Anna McElroy Bruce Smelley Eric Erdman Laurie Anne Armour Ryan Balthrop
BEST JAZZ MUSICIAN A B C D E F
Blake Nolte Chip Herrington John Cochran Rebecca Barry Roman Street Shawn Wright
BEST HIP-HOP ARTIST A B C D E F
2Face Bigmatt Miller Deago Peyton Mr 88 Tommy Chayne Young Tax Return
BEST MUSIC/RECORD STORE Bay Sound Dr Music Fairhope Music Lovin’ Vinyl Records Mobile Flea Market E Mobile Records F Picker’s Paradise A B C D
BEST LOCAL RECORDING STUDIO A B C D E F
Admiral Bean Studio Dauphin Street Sound Day 6 Entertainment Group Dogwood Productions Studio 78 Studio H20
BEST GUITAR PLAYER A B C D E F
Anthony Crawford Ben Cook Corky Hughes John Cochran Phil Proctor Zac Baugh
BEST AREA SINGER/ VOICE A B C D E F
Brandon Coleman Lauren Murphy Ross Newell Savana Lee Crawford Steven Laney Symone French
BEST AREA DRUMMER A B C D E F
Greg DeLuca John Milham Karl Langley Roy Durand Travis Patch Tyler Goodwin
BEST AREA BASSIST A B C D E F
Andrew Wood Ben Leininger Joe Grove Louis Bustin Stan Foster TJ Thompson
BEST PIANO PLAYER/ KEYBOARDIST A B C D E F
Andrew Ayers Blayne Pierce Chris Spies Jacob Hall John Anthony Scott Morlock
BEST DRAG QUEEN PERFORMER A B C D E F
Amber Douglas Champagne Munroe Jawakatema Davenport Miss Cie Venus Zamareyah Dawn
BEST DJ (MIXIN’, MASHIN’UP KIND) A B C D E F
David Jones DJ Dean Cruz DJ Lynch DJ Mbezzle Russell Combs Twiggins
BEST AREA MUSIC FESTIVAL A Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival B Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival C Hangout Music Fest D SouthSounds Music Fest E St. Mary’s Crawfish and Bluegrass Extravaganza F TenSixtyFive
ARTS BEST LOCAL PAINTER A B C D E F
Adam Underwood Ardith Goodwin Austin Boyd Cat Pope Christopher Murray E. Allen Warren
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
BEST LOCAL SCULPTOR A B C D E F
April Livingston Bruce Larsen Frank Ledbetter Freddie Blache Harlan Schwall Steven Dark
BEST LOCAL GRAPHIC DESIGN ARTIST A B C D E F
Andy Scott Bay Paperie James Currie Mallory Godwin Tara McMeans Tripp Gustin
BEST MIXED MEDIA ARTIST A B C D E F
Chris Cumbie Darryl Wilson Emily McCrocklin Julia Greer Fobes Riley Brenes Trey Oliver
BEST ART GALLERY A Alabama Contemporary Art Center B Ashland Gallery C Cathedral Square Art Gallery D Gallery 450 E Innova Arts F Sway
BEST MUSEUM A GulfQuest Maritime Museum B History Museum of Mobile C Mobile Carnival Museum D Mobile Medical Museum E Mobile Museum of Art F USA Archaeology Museum
BEST THEATRE GROUP
BEST ARTS EVENT
A Chickasaw Civic Theatre B Company 11 C Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre D Joe Jefferson Players E Mobile Theatre Guild F Playhouse in the Park
A Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival B LoDa Artwalk C Mobile Art Council Art Throwdown D Orange Beach Festival of Arts E SouthSounds Arts Festival F Theatre on the Bluff, Fairhope
BEST PLAY OR PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR A Annie - Joe Jefferson B Assassins - Mobile Theatre Guild C Cabaret - Joe Jefferson D Newsies - ESRT E Peter and the Starcatcher - Joe Jefferson F Vagina Monologues Company 11
BEST LOCAL ACTOR A B C D E F
Brooklyn Norstedt Lisa Costa Maslin Brown Matt Kridel Mollie Betsch Nick Smith
BEST DANCER A B C D E F
Carol Odom Caroline McGrath Caylee Farni Isabella Benton Rebekah Howard Shey Thorn
BEST THEATRICAL SINGER A B C D E F
Annabelle Steele Jasyn Fowler Larry Andrews Mollie Betsch Nick Smith Stacey Driskell
EATS & DRINKS BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT Briquettes Steakhouse Dauphin’s Felix’s Fish Camp Osman’s Restaurant Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina F The Noble South A B C D E
C D E F
BEST CHEF A Allie Henderson - The Harbor Room & Fathoms B Arwen Rice - Red or White C Chris Rainosek - The Noble South D Emmanuel Theris - Georgia Roussos Catering E Jeremiah Matthews, Southwood Kitchen F Weston Simpson - Pour Baby
BEST ATMOSPHERE A B C D E F
BEST NEW RESTAURANT A B C D E F
Char 32 El Papi Southern National Southwood Kitchen The Cheese Cottage The Dublin
BEST EASTERN SHORE RESTAURANT A B C D E F
Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill Camellia Café Char 32 Gambino’s Italian Grill Southwood Kitchen Sunset Pointe At Fly Creek Marina
LuLu’s Gulf Shores Pirate’s Bar and Grille The Flora-Bama Yacht Club The Gulf
Bluegill Dauphin’s NoJa Pour Baby Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina
MOST INNOVATIVE MENU A B C D E F
Dragonfly Food Bar Kitchen on George Pour Baby Southern National The Noble South Von’s Bistro
BEST OUTDOOR DINING Bluegill El Papi OK Bicycle Shop Old 27 Grill Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina F The Cheese Cottage A B C D E
BEST BEACH RESTAURANT
BEST APPETIZER
A Cobalt B Fisher’s Dockside
A Bluegill - Flaming Oysters B Bonefish Grill - Bang-Bang
Shrimp C Five - Baked Avocado D Heroes Crawfish and Spinach Dip E Mamies Famous Cheese Wafers F Pour Baby - Cheese Flight
BEST ENTRÉE IN MOBILE A Chicken & Grits, Pour Baby B Filet Oscar, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse C Hanger Steak, Red or White D Jaeger Schnitzel, Osman’s Restaurant E Lamb Chops, Royal Scam F Mobile Bay Stew, Dauphin’s
BEST HOME COOKIN’/ SOUL FOOD A B C D E F
Big Time Diner Delish Desserts Judy’s Place Mama’s on Dauphin Mary’s Southern Cooking Stevie’s Kitchen
BEST SERVER (SERVER NAME AND RESTAURANT) A April Baker - Camellia Café B Clyniece Turner - Heron Lakes C Dane Batley - Stevie’s Kitchen D Emily Muncaster - The Noble South E Mandy Pringle - Butch Cassidy’s F Stevie P - Dauphin’s
BEST SERVICE OVERALL (RESTAURANT) A Dauphin’s B Felix’s Fish Camp C NoJa
D Pour Baby E Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse F Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina
BEST DESSERT A Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe B Delish Desserts C ellenJay D Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse E Sno Dash Frozen Treats F Stevie’s Kitchen
BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST A B C D E F
Kitchen on George NoJa Pour Baby Red or White Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Trellis Room
BEST WINGS A B C D E F
Buffalo Wild Wings Butch Cassidy’s Café Heroes Sports Bar & Grille Hooters Moe’s Original BBQ Wemo’s Famous Wings
BEST CHICKEN FINGERS A B C D E F
Butch Cassidy’s Café Chick-fil-A Foosackly’s Raising Cane’s Wemo’s Famous Wings Zaxby’s
BEST ICE CREAM/ YOGURT/GELATO A Baskin Robbins B Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe C Kraze Frozen Treats
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 39
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T. A Mr. Gene’s Beans B Serda’s Coffee Co. C Sno Dash Frozen Treats
BEST LUNCH SPOT A B C D E F
Bob’s Downtown Restaurant Butch Cassidy’s Café Heroes Sports Bar & Grille Judy’s Place Panini Pete’s Stevie’s Kitchen
BEST EASTERN SHORE LUNCH SPOT A B C D E F
Bluegill Dragonfly Food Bar Eastern Shore Café Guido’s/My Cousin Vinny’s Panini Pete’s Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina
BEST WINE/GOURMET SHOP OR GROCERY A B C D E F
Domke Market Pour Baby Red or White The Cheese Cottage The Fresh Market Whole Foods
BEST WINE SELECTION – RETAIL A B C D E F
Cottage Hill Package Domke Market Greer’s CashSaver a la cork Red or White Rouse’s Market
BEST BEER SELECTION – RETAIL A B C D E F
Bebo’s Market Cottage Hill Package Domke Market Greer’s CashSaver Piggly Wiggly Rouse’s Market
BEST ANNUAL FOOD EVENT OR COOK-OFF A American Cancer Society Chili Cookoff B Bay Area Brunchfest C Downtown Cajun Cookoff D Feeding the Gulf Coast Annual Chef’s Challenge E Greekfest F Gulf Shores Shrimp Festival
BEST FOOD TRUCK A Bleus Burger Restaurant, Bar & Food Truck B Smokin’ Gringos C Texarbama BBQ
D Tin-tin’s Rock n Roll Food Truck E Von’s Food Truck F Yellowhammer Coffee
BEST GUMBO A Bob’s Downtown Restaurant B Dew Drop Inn C Original Oyster House D Stevie’s Kitchen E The Royal Scam F Wintzell’s Oyster House
BEST PO BOY A Bluegill B
C D E F
Mudbugs - DIP SeafoodCravin’ Cajun
Mudbugs at The Loop R & R Seafood The Boiling Pot Wintzell’s Oyster House
BEST SUSHI Chuck’s Fish Fuji San Master Joe’s Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar E Rock-n-Roll Sushi F Wasabi A B C D
BEST BAKERY Bake My Day Flour Girls Bakery Pollman’s Bake Shop Sally’s Piece-a-cake Sugar House Custom Cakes F Sweet Ryn’s Bakery A B C D E
BEST CATERER A B C D E F
Bay Gourmet Chef Rob Delish Desserts Georgia Roussos Catering Naman’s Catering Stevie’s Kitchen
BEST BURGER A B C D E F
Butch Cassidy’s Café Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Heroes Sports Bar & Grille LoDa Bier Garten Mugshots Grill & Bar Old 27 Grill
BEST STEAK A B C D E F
Briquettes Steakhouse Jesse’s Restaurant Longhorn Steakhouse NoJa Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Texas Roadhouse
40 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
BEST SEAFOOD Felix’s Fish Camp Half Shell Oyster House Original Oyster House R & R Seafood Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina F Wintzell’s Oyster House A B C D E
BEST BRUNCH A Bob’s Downtown Restaurant B Brick & Spoon C Callaghan’s Irish Social Club D Spot of Tea E Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina F The Noble South
BEST ETHNIC RESTAURANT 7 Spice Grocery and Grill Hala Cuisine of India Jerusalem Café Mediterranean Sandwich Co. E Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar F Yak The Kathmandu Kitchen A B C D
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT A Agave Mexican Restaurant Fairhope B Fuego C Hacienda San Miguel House of Tequila D La Cocina E Roosters F Taqueria Mexico
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT A Gambino’s Italian Grill B Guido’s/My Cousin Vinny’s C Olive Garden Italian Restaurant D Pizzeria Delphina E Roma Café F Via Emilia
BEST PIZZA A B C D E F
Buck’s Pizza Cortlandt’s Pizza Pub Mellow Mushroom Pizzeria Delphina The Ravenite Pizzeria Trattoria Pizza & Italian
BEST COFFEEHOUSE A Caffeine Corps B Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co. C Moka’s Coffee House D Serda’s Coffee Co. E Soul Caffeine F Starbucks
BEST EASTERN SHORE COFFEEHOUSE A B C D E F
Refuge Coffee Serda’s Coffee Co. Soul Caffeine The Burrow Coffee & Co. The Coffee Loft Warehouse Bakery & Donuts
BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE A B C D E F
Allegri Farm Market Domke Market Greer’s CashSaver International Food Pak Old Shell Market Virginia’s Health Food
BEST GROCERY CHAIN A B C D E F
Fresh Market Piggly Wiggly Publix Rouse’s Market Whole Foods Winn-Dixie
BEST PLACE TO GET LOCAL PRODUCE/FOODSMOBILE A B C D E F
Li’l Brian’s Produce Market in the Square Mobile Flea Market Old Shell Market Sessions Farm Ted & Nancy’s Fruit & Vegetables
BEST PLACE TO GET LOCAL PRODUCE/FOODS – BALDWIN A B C D E
Allegri Farm Market Burris Farmers Market Fairhope Health Food Greer’s Market Hazel’s Market
C D E F
Meat Boss Moe’s Original BBQ Saucy Q Bar-B-Que Texarbama BBQ
BEST RAW OYSTERS A B C D E F
Bluegill Felix’s Fish Camp Half Shell Oyster House Original Oyster House Papa Rocco’s Wintzell’s Oyster House
BEST CUPCAKE Delish Desserts ellenJay Flour Girls Bakery Sally’s Piece-a-cake Simply Sweet Cupcake Boutique F Sugar House Custom Cakes A B C D E
BEST SEAFOOD MARKET A Billy’s Seafood B Lartigue’s Seafood Market C Market by the Bay D Mudbugs - DIP SeafoodCravin’ Cajun
E Mudbugs at the Loop F Southern Fish & Oyster
BEST HANGOVER FOOD
Cotton State BBQ Dreamland Bar-B-Que Meat Boss Moe’s Original BBQ Saucy Q Bar-B-Que Sonny’s BBQ
BEST BARBECUE SAUCE A B C D E F
Cotton State BBQ Dreamland Bar-B-Que Meat Boss Moe’s Original BBQ Saucy Q Bar-B-Que Texarbama BBQ
BEST RIBS A Dreamland Bar-B-Que B McMillan Barbecue
Nick at Nite - WBLX Shelby Mitchell - WKSJ Tony Plosczynski - WZEW Twiggins - WABD
BEST DJ TEAM A Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell - WKSJ B Matt McCoy & Gossip Greg - KISS 107.3 C Mobile Mornings with Sean, Dalton & Kelly - FM Talk 106.5 D Sip & Chew with Mike & Stu, FM Talk 106.5 E Sports Drive - Randy & Creg - WNSP F TLC in the Morning - Tim and LeeAnn Camp WZEW
BEST MORNING SHOW/DJ A Mobile Mornings with Sean, Dalton & Kelly - FM Talk 106.5 B The Opening Kickoff with Mark Heim and Lee Shirvanian - WNSP C TLC in the Morning - Tim and LeeAnn Camp WZEW D Uncle Henry - News Radio 710
NAKED DJ VOICE – HIM (BEST VOICE)
A Bob’s Downtown Restaurant B Foosackly’s C LoDa Bier Garten D Old 27 Grill E Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar F Waffle House
A Dalton Orwig - FM Talk 106.5 B Gossip Greg - Kiss 107.3 C Matt McCoy - Kiss 107.3 D Tony Plosczynski - WZEW E Twiggins - WABD F Uncle Henry - News Radio 710
MEDIA
NAKED DJ VOICE – HER (BEST VOICE)
BEST BARBECUE RESTAU- FAVORITE RADIO RANT STATION FM A B C D E F
C D E F
A B C D E F
96.1 The Rocket FM TALK 106.5 WABD 97.5 WBLX 92.9 WKSJ 94.9 WZEW 92.1
FAVORITE RADIO STATION AM A Archangel 1410 AM B WABF 1480 C WNTM News Radio 710
BEST LOCAL DJ A Gene Murrell WZEW B Mystic Marge - WZEW
A Bambi - 93BLX B Jolene Roxbury - FM Talk 106.5 C Kelly Finley - FM Talk 106.5 D LeeAnn Camp - WZEW E Mystic Marge - WZEW F Shelby Mitchell - WKSJ
BEST TALK RADIO HOST/ SHOW A Midday Mobile – FM Talk 106.5 B Mobile Mornings with Sean, Dalton & Kelly - FM Talk 106.5 C Sip & Chew with Mike & Stu, FM Talk 106.5 D Sports Drive with Randy & Creg - WNSP E The Opening Kickoff with Mark Heim and Lee Shirvanian – WNSP F Uncle Henry
S A M P L E B A L L O T O N LY. N O P A P E R B A L L O T S A C C E P T E D T H I S Y E A R . P L E A S E V I S I T V O T E N A P P I E S . C O M T O C A S T Y O U R B A L L O T.
BEST SPORTS RADIO HOST/SHOW A John Racciatti Golf Show - WNSP B Paul Finebaum -FM Talk C Prep Sports Report - FM Talk D Sports Drive with Randy & Creg - WNSP E Tee Time for the Gulf Coast - FM Talk F The Opening Kickoff with Mark Heim and Lee Shirvanian WNSP
BEST LOCAL EVENING TV NEWSCAST A FOX 10 B WKRG 5 C WPMI 15
BEST LOCAL MORNING TV NEWSCAST A FOX 10 B WKRG 5 C WPMI 15
BEST ANCHOR A B C D E F
Bob Grip - WALA FOX 10 Darwin Singleton - WPMI Devon Walsh - WKRG Greg Peterson - WPMI Mel Showers - WKRG Rose Ann Haven WKRG
BEST METEOROLOGIST A B C D E F
Alan Sealls - WKRG Jason Smith - FOX 10 John Nodar - WKRG Kelly Foster - WPMI Michael White - FOX 10 Thomas Geboy – WKRG
BEST TV INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER A Andrea Ramey - WPMI B Cassi Fambro - WPMI
A FOX 10 B WKRG 5 C WPMI 15
Liesch & Jason Johnson B Cost of Water By Gabriel Tynes, Jason Johnson & Dale Liesch C Hooked by Jason Johnson D Love Bugs by Dale Liesch E Shell Shock by Jason Johnson F Undaunted by Dale Liesch
BEST WEEKEND TV NEWS TEAM
FAVORITE LAGNIAPPE COVER IMAGE
C D E F
Hayley Minogue - WKRG JB Biunno - WKRG Kati Weis - Fox 10 Peter Albrecht WKRG
BEST SPORTS COVERAGE
A FOX 10 B WKRG 5 C WPMI 15
HOTTEST LOCAL TV NEWSMAN A B C D E F
Bill Riales - WKRG Darwin Singleton - WPMI Jason Smith - FOX 10 Lance Crawford - WPMI Michael White - FOX 10 Peter Albrecht – WKRG
HOTTEST LOCAL TV NEWSWOMAN A B C D E F
Chasity Byrd - FOX 10 Devon Walsh - WKRG Kelly Foster - WPMI Lenise Ligon - FOX 10 Megan Gannon - WPMI Shelby Myers - FOX 10
FAVORITE LAGNIAPPE WRITER A B C D E F
Andy MacDonald, Cuisine Asia Frey, Film Dale Liesch, Reporter Jason Johnson, Reporter Jeff Poor, Commentary Kevin Lee, Arts
A Across the Barricade by Laura Rasmussen B Cost of Water by Laura Rasmussen C Deep Blue by Dan Anderson D Hooked by Laura Rasmussen E Nappies Cover 2017 of Sean Sullivan, Dalton Orwig & Kelly Finley by Dan Anderson F Shell Shock by Dan Anderson
FAVORITE AL.COM CONTENT CREATOR A B C D E F
Ben Raines JD Crowe John Archibald John Sharp Lawrence Specker Michelle Irvin
FAVORITE GLOSSY MAGAZINE A B C D E F
Access Exalte Mobile Bay Monthly Mobile Bay Parents Mobile Mask Relocating Baldwin County
FAVORITE LAGNIAPPE COVER STORY
FAVORITE LOCAL WEBSITE OR BLOG
A Barley Legal by Dale
A All Things Mobile
B C D E F
Arrested in Mobile Centsible Blonde Lemon Baby Mobile Mask The Wanderlust Dietician
BEST LOCAL TV AD A B C D E F
David J. Maloney Eiland & Ritchie Greene & Phillips Infirmary Cancer Care Joe Bullard Wind Creek
BEST WEBSITE DEVELOPER A B C D E F
Altegra Technologies Blue Fish Mighty Optera Creative Option 3 Media Southern View Media
BEST MARKETING/ EVENTS COMPANY A B C D E F
JJPR Marissa Thetford Marketing Muller Marketing Group Option 3 Media Oyster Shell Strategies Portside Adverstising
POLITICOS HARDEST WORKING OFFICIAL - CITY OF MOBILE (ELECTED OR APPOINTED) A Chief of Police Lawrence Battiste B City Attorney Ricardo Woods C Director of Communications George Talbot
D Finance Director Paul Wesch E Mayor Sandy Stimpson F Public Safety Director James Barber
HARDEST WORKING MOBILE CITY COUNCILPERSON A B C D
Bess Rich Fred Richardson John Williams Levon Manzie
HARDEST WORKING ELECTED OFFICIAL MOBILE COUNTY A Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson B Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl C Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood D Mobile County DA Ashley Rich E Mobile County License Commissioner Nick Matranga F Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran
HARDEST WORKING ELECTED OFFICIALEASTERN SHORE A Dane Haygood, Daphne Mayor B Jack Burrell, Fairhope City Councilman C Jimmy Conyers, Fairhope City Councilman D Karin Wilson, Fairhope Mayor E Kevin Boone, Fairhope City Councilman F Michael M. McMillan, Spanish Fort Mayor
HARDEST WORKING ELECTED OFFICIAL BALDWIN COUNTY
A Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack B County Commissioner Charles Gruber C County Commissioner Chris Elliot D County Commissioner Frank Burt E County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey F David Tarwater, Baldwin County School Board, District 2
HARDEST WORKING LOCAL STATE LEGISLATOR A B C D E F
Rep. Chris Pringle Rep. David Sessions Rep. Margie Wilcox Rep. Randy Davis Sen. Bill Hightower Sen. Rusty Glover
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA? A B C D E F
Bill Hightower Kay Ivey Scott Dawson Sue Bell Cobb Tommy Battle Walt Maddox
BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THE YEAR A Daphne Sewer Spill B Fairhope Mayor Council Drama C Mobile City Council President Impasse D Prichard Chief of Staff Arrest E Roy Moore Accusations F Sheriff Food Fund Law
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 41
ART ARTIFICE
Watt Key’s new thriller BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR/KLEE@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
F
or author Watt Key, everything hinges on work. It’s obvious. Does “work” mean his perseverance, his diligence, his lauded novels or his day job? Yes. Key credits his ownership of a software business — “custom stuff, business software, financial-type stuff” — for his flexibility to pursue literary passions. Not surprising since he was a computer science major at Birmingham-Southern. His novels are no secret. His debut work, “Alabama Moon,” snagged 20-plus awards, was tagged as one the 100 Greatest Young Adult Books of All Time by Time magazine and spawned a film. Key’s latest, “Deep Water,” is his seventh overall, the sixth to be marketed toward middle school-aged readers. It’s already received high praise from the Wall Street Journal and could be his most suspenseful story to date. It follows 12-year-old Julie Sims, who heads out into the Gulf with her father and two of his scuba diving clients, a reckless father and son pair. When Julie’s dad falls ill, she must lead the guest duo under the waves where they ignore her directions until one is injured and trailing blood. Once up top, they can’t find the boat and start to drift. Its inspiration was a diving ordeal during Key’s adolescence — “I came up, the boat was gone and we were about nine miles out.” A passing craft rescued him shortly but his “Deep Water” characters aren’t so fortunate. Key’s research began not long after his teenaged son began scuba lessons. Through development, the author dropped by Gulf Coast Diving with technical questions about injuries and so forth.
Public 3D printers at library
“I took a copy of the book by the dive shop a couple of days ago and they were all reading it. They were surprised. I don’t know that they thought I was very legit,” Key laughed. It bears similarities to his previous stories. Modern tech such as cellphones and video games aren’t present. His chief character has to rely on what they’ve learned from their parents, employ some imagination and develop survival skills against nature. “You see my characters go through decisions. Some are bad and some are good and they learn to make the good ones,” Key said. His books’ appeal to kids wasn’t an overriding design. Key recalls the books he enjoyed most, how they influenced him, and sees similarities. He writes stories with no strong language or sexual situations, and the publisher aimed at the young adult market. “I guess back when Mark Twain wrote a book nobody was thinking about it like that. He just wrote a book, you know? Nowadays it’s all classified into categories,” Key said. That means Key doesn’t do a lot of book tours. He speaks at educational facilities, libraries and the like. Key was always bound to be a storyteller. It began in his youth and he continued to write through high school. Entirely self-taught, he only took English 101 in college but kept honing his stories and submitting. “It took me about 15 years and I think it was about my tenth book that I sold,” Key said. He doesn’t consider himself lucky, but determined. He believes it’s like any other artistic endeavor: practice builds skill.
42 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
KEY’S LATEST, “DEEP WATER,” IS HIS SEVENTH OVERALL, THE SIXTH TO BE MARKETED TOWARD MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGED READERS. IT’S ALREADY RECEIVED HIGH PRAISE FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL AND COULD BE HIS MOST SUSPENSEFUL STORY TO DATE. IT FOLLOWS 12-YEAR-OLD JULIE SIMS, WHO HEADS OUT INTO THE GULF WITH HER FATHER AND TWO OF HIS SCUBA DIVING CLIENTS, A RECKLESS FATHER AND SON PAIR.” He’s disciplined enough to carve out two hours for writing in his home office every morning, whether he wants to or not. If it goes well, he might return for a bit in the evening but that’s not regular. “Because it’s not always fun. Some days I can’t wait to sit down and get to it, and other days I just don’t want to be there,” Key said. Mostly, the dread is worse than reality. With discipline, the reluctance passes. “When you’re writing something and you think it’s not that good, the next day when you read it, it’s not as bad as you think,” Key said.
Terms of service can be found at mobilepubliclibrary.org/ services/3d.php. For more information, email lcoleman@mplonline.org.
Performance art camps
The absence of school classes can be just the opportunity for young creatives to indulge in their passions full tilt. To that end, Azalea City Center for the Arts (63 Midtown Park E.) has a slate of activities to fill just that niche. Full Scale Music Camps are for ages 5 and up to learn music theory, rhythms, play instruments and collaboration. All camps end with a Friday concert. June 11, Hands-on Instruments; June 18, Star Wars Piano; July 9, Hands-on Instruments; and July 16, Rock Band Jr. Teen camps are: June 4, Rock Band; June 11, Praise Band; June 18, Rock Band; July 9, Songwriting; July 16, Rock Band; July 23, Advanced Solo and Ensemble; and July 30, Rock Band. The 17th run of Sunny Side Drama Camp for all ages will
be at the University of South Alabama (5751 USA Drive S.). Its options include: Drama Camp — Two-week camps ending with a full-length play with costumes, set, games and more. Cost is $260. Two sessions — June 18-29 and July 2-13 — remain. Special Rising Stars for grades eight and up run 1-3 p.m., June 25 to July 6. Cost is $190. Glee Camp has songs, dances and a final concert. It runs 1-4 p.m. June 11-22. Cost is $200. Musical Theatre Intensive with guest director/choreographer Ryan Scarlata from Columbus Children’s Theater — Campers will perform “Once on This Island, Jr.” at conclusion. Runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 16-20. Cost is $275. Additional camps for the youngest participants are held at Azalea City Center for the Arts. A selection of eight four-day camps run through Aug. 10. Cost is $130 per week and $50 for extended hours. For registration and more information, go to azaleacityarts.com.
ARTSGALLERY
If your creative urges take you in technological directions, you might want to check out the Mobile Public Library these days. That’s because the bibliophile’s favorite spot now boasts 3D printers for public use. According to a brochure distributed by the library system, printers are available at Ben May Main Library (701 Government St.), West Regional Branch (5555 Grelot Road) and Moorer/Spring Hill Branch (4 S. McGregor Ave.). The brochure directs interested parties to thingiverse.com for designs, then they can contact the library to print it. The library prefers white filament for objects because it is easiest to paint afterward. Design size and density determine cost and printing time. According to the brochure, the library charges 20 cents per gram of filament and the fee is due upon pick-up. Unclaimed printed objects become library property after seven days.
“But you’ve got to like it enough to do it anyway. It’s a lot of work,” Key said. So is his process. Book ideas are committed to about 10 pages of preliminary work then filed away. Every tale gets sole focus during development so, as each is completed, Key goes through his backlog and selects the next project. He said “Deep Water” was one of those. It wasn’t chosen for fleshing out until the last year or so. Trial and error has shown the method’s wisdom to serve the story and characters best. Key won’t talk about what’s in the hopper right now. “It kind of messes me up, but all I’ll say is I try to have a book coming out every year,” Key said.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 43
“It was a one-in-a-million place that did not belong,” Sully explained. “It would look weird anywhere. It was the heart and the soul of the people who came there and the music that played there that made it incredible.” Sully’s most vivid Judge’s memory took root in 1974 in Louisville, Kentucky. At that time, he was a high school senior and heard a song that on his ntil its unexpected fiery demise in family’s classic home intercom/radio system. Sully 2005, The Judge Roy Bean Saloon says the unknown song haunted him for years, until spent decades as one of the Mobile he opened for Muscle Shoals legend Mac McAnally Bay area’s most prolific and unique at Judge’s. watering holes/music venues. With “I played, then he played through my gear and decor from the rowdy days of the Old West and a breaks out into this song called ‘Crazy World,’” temperamental goat named Billy, Judge’s estabSully said. “It started bugging me. Then it dawned lished a reputation for being a premiere locale for on me that that was the song from Louisville, good times and good music. Kentucky, and I’m opening for this guy. ‘That’s the The Judge Roy Bean Reunion & Memorial song!’ Within two weeks, I was playing that song.” Benefit aims to rekindle the music and spirit of The experience led to a bond of friendship between Judge’s in memory of owners Jack West and Phillip Sully and the man who penned the song that had Calametti, both of whom lost battles with cancer followed him throughout his life. last year. In the process, this event also aims to raise The Judge Roy Bean Reunion will also bring money for the Anchor Cross Cancer Foundation and the Locust Fork Band before a number of familiar Pilots for Christ. faces. Even though they have The area around Daphne stopped playing full-time, City Hall will take on the spirit bassist Dwight Williams of Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon says the bond Locust Fork for the afternoon. From classic Band has developed in the Judge’s T-shirts to “The Bean area always pulls them back AS THE REUNION’S Sandwich,” the Judge Roy for a show, especially one so Bean Reunion will be a chance philanthropic. For Williams, MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT to revisit tender memories in Judge’s sometimes served as the name of charity. a veritable after-party for muPLAYS ON THREE STAGES, Over the years, West and sicians performing in Mobile, Calametti entertained their especially during the days of THERE WILL BE CULINARY guests with a long list of musiHurricane Frederic. cal acts, including Emmylou NOSTALGIA SUCH AS BEAN “After Frederic, we played Harris, Dr. John, Wet Willie, at Thirstie’s in Mobile,” SANDWICHES. Jimmy Buffett, Stephen Stills Williams said. “There was and Mac McAnally. However, a curfew, so we quit at 9. the big names were not the Everybody would get in their only great sounds to grace cars and head to the Bean, Judge’s stage. This entertainwhich had a full house. It was crazy every night ment centerpiece on the Eastern Shore also featured and great fun! I will add that Baldwin County had a number of regular performers who gave patrons a a midnight curfew, and we were staying at Robbie soundtrack to their own memories. Bacon’s house in Point Clear. Robbie didn’t have Many regular performers would be quick to say a curfew.” they also shared in many beautiful memories born Buzz Carpenter will also be on hand for this at Judge’s. Reunion performer Robert Sully is filled nostalgic trip to Judge’s past. Carpenter considers with an abundance of memories from his regular West and Calametti longtime friends, which led him gigs there. Sully describes Judge’s as a “magical to give back to the organizations that assisted both place” that maintained the spirit of a Neverland. of them. As with many regulars and performers, he Throughout his Judge’s tenure, Sully found himself remembers that Judge’s was always packed with sharing the stage with notables ranging from Buffett people. However, Carpenter notes that Sundays to Kevin Kinney (Drivin’ N’ Cryin’). were one of his favorite days to visit and/or perform
MUSIC
BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/SCENTANNI@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
FEATURE
In memory of The Bean Band: The Judge Roy Bean Reunion Date: Saturday, June 9, 3 p.m. Venue: Daphne City Hall, 1705 Main St., www.daphneal.com Tickets: $50 (includes four drink tickets), available at www.jrbreunion.com
U
Photo | Courtesy Judge Roy Bean Reunion
44 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
The building that became Judge Roy Bean Saloon stood on Scenic Highway 98 in Montrose from 1946 until it burned in 2005. at Judge’s. The “good food and great atmosphere” led him to play about 300 times, he recalls, for Judge’s patrons. “The atmosphere was so unique,” Carpenter said. “You really felt like you were back in the Old West, and it was always filled with familiar faces. It was the first place I ever played live.” For singer-songwriter Ryan Balthrop, performing at the Judge Roy Bean Reunion is personal: The late Calametti was his uncle. Even so, Balthrop established his own musical connection with Judge’s during his time with Slow Moses. During that time, Balthrop says, holiday performances at Judge’s was almost a Slow Moses tradition. Even on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas night, Balthrop says, there was no shortage of people taking in Slow Moses’ music. Between sets, he adds, there were “epic pingpong battles” between the bartenders and members of the band. “I loved playing Judge’s,” Balthrop said. “It was truly one of a kind. It was one of those places you thought would always be around. June 9 will be a lot of fun catching up with a lot of good folks from back in the day, and for a great cause.” The Judge Roy Bean Reunion would not seem complete without a musical sample of one of the area’s most promising up-and-comers. The Red Clay Strays’ involvement in the Judge Roy Bean Reunion is an answer to the question, “Who would be playing Judge’s if it was still open?” According to guitarist Drew Nix, The Red Clay Strays are honored to be involved with this event before they embark on a tour of the Southeast in the band’s new van. As the reunion’s musical entertainment plays on three stages, there will be culinary nostalgia such as Bean Sandwiches. Bacon My Day, Southwood Kitchen and The Dew Drop Inn will be on hand dishing out delicacies. There will be new and classic Judge’s gear for sale as well as a silent auction to generate money for this charitable event. Ultimately, this will be a perfect time to revisit Judge’s colorful musical and social past.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 45
MUSIC BRIEFS
Family affair
BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/SCENTANNI@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
Band: The Hunts Date: Thursday, June 14, 8 p.m. Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St., www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Tickets: $10 at the door
Photo | Courtesy of The Hunts | The Hunts
A
nother promising up-and-comer on the Southeast’s indie scene will make their Azalea City debut when Callaghan’s hosts The Hunts on June 14. With a lineup boasting seven brothers and sisters, The Hunts’ music is truly a family affair. The members began their respective musical training in childhood and over the years used community performances in their hometown of Chesapeake, Virginia, to establish a solid musical chemistry focusing on beautiful vocal
harmonies. Along the way, the siblings also used self-instruction to learn a variety of instruments, ranging from mandolin to drums. Callaghan’s patrons will hear tracks from the band’s new full-length, “Darlin’ Oh Darlin’.” With a sound falling somewhere between The Lumineers and Of Monsters and Men, each of the 11 tracks is a dreamlike experience filled with layer upon layer of warm vocals and profound instrumental work, begging listeners to close their eyes and succumb to The Hunts’ vivid musical reality.
The Shindig Round 2
Band: The Shindig, feat. Basshead Jazz, Lil Nardy, Robot House Date: Friday, June 8, with doors at 9 p.m. Venue: The Blind Mule, 57 N. Claiborne St., www.theblindmule.net Tickets: $5 (21+) / $10 (under 21) at the door
The Shindig will bring together a conglomeration of artists from the local progressive hip-hop community. Two local hip-hop projects will follow, with Robot House providing beats throughout the evening. Azalea City verbalist Lil Nardy (aka Leonard Populus) will bring his intimate hip-hop style to The Shindig. In 2007, Lil Nardy found his most powerful method of personal expression was through the rhythmic poetry of hip-hop. Since discovering hip-hop’s power, Lil Nardy has continued to develop his style and showcase his
work through live performances and mixtapes. The crowd can expect a heavy bass recoil cradling an elaborate, versatile flow. Basshead Jazz combines the talents of local hip-hop notable No Suh Foster with Ottie James and Bby. This trio has taken the classic sound of such groups as Digable Planets and The Pharcyde and given it an edgy dose of Dirty South underground goodness. Basshead Jazz’s seamless tag-team style of lyrical delivery and heavy bass beats is a sweet, hypnotic experience that is a standout in the Azalea City hip-hop scene.
Ramble on
Band: Winston Ramble Date: Saturday, June 9, 9 p.m. Venue: The Brickyard, 266 Dauphin St., 251-219-6488 Tickets: Call for more info.
For decades, Muscle Shoals has been synonymous with great music, and Winston Ramble proves the Shoals isn’t just a hotbed of quality studio work. This group’s regular visits to Mobile have made it a favorite with locals. Winston Ramble has crafted a backwoods, jam-filled style — a skillful mix of roots rock, folk and bluegrass — that’s a perfect reflection of the environment that nurtured and shaped this quintet.
46 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Winston Ramble’s Brickyard audience will witness a live performance of cuts from the group’s self-titled full-length debut. This collection of tunes is a blast of organic rock mixed with eclectic progressive bluegrass in the style of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. Winston Ramble delivers smooth, dirt-road acoustic grooves in “Don’t Go Away” and “Free State of Mind” and counters with rollicking trips such as “Left Behind” and “Cold, Cold Heart.”
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 47
AREAMUSIC LISTINGS | June 6 - June 12 Please send upcoming music to listings@ lagniappemobile.com by MONDAY before Wednesday’s paper.
WED. JUNE 6 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Dian Diaz, 8p Bluegill— Matt Neese Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill— Ryan Balthrop, 6p Brickyard— Delta Smoke Callaghan’s— Phil & Foster Cockeyed Charlie’s— Karaoke JJ, 9p Flora Bama— Neil Dover, 2p // Dustin Bogue, 5p /// Johnny Barbato, 5:30p //// Rhonda Hart & Jonathan Newton, 6p ///// Ja Rhythm, 10p ////// Spencer Maige, 10:15p IP Casino (Chill Ultra Lounge)— The Redfield, 8p Lulu’s— Adam Holt, 5p
THURS. JUNE 7 Alabama’s Bar— Funkhouse Fever, 7p Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Dian Diaz, 8p Bluegill— Adam Holt Duo Blues Tavern— John Fleming Duo Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill— David Chastang, 6p Brickyard— Yellowhammer w/ Jack Pearson Callaghan’s— Bodhi Trio Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ JJ, 10p Flora Bama— Spencer Maige, 2p // Shea White, 5p /// Dueling Pianos 5:30p //// Al & Cathy, 6p ///// Rebecca Barry Trio, 6p ////// Yeah, Probably, 10p /////// Four Unplugged, 10:15p /////// Skyelor Anderson, 10:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar) — 3HG, 8p IP Casino (Chill Ultra Lounge)— Kason Layne Band, 9p Lulu’s— Lee Yankie & The Hellz Yeah, 5p Manci’s— Josh Ewing Off The Hook— Sugarbabies Karaoke Our Cigar Bar @ The Wharf— The James Hayden Band, 9:30p Patricia’s River Club— Brandon Coleman, 7p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — JJ Mack, 6p
FRI. JUNE 8 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Dian Diaz, 8p Blind Mule— Basshead Jazz + Lil Nardy + Robot House Bluegill— Lee Yankie, 12p // Bust, 6p Blues Tavern— Disciples of the Crow Brickyard— Josh Ewing Callaghan’s— Motel Radio Dority’s Bar and Grill— The Wellborn Band, 6p Flora Bama— Alabama Lighting, 1p // J. Hawkins Duo, 2p /// Dustin Bogue, 4p //// Jack Robertson a.k.a.The Big Earl Show, 5:30p ///// Casey Kearney, 6p ////// Four Unplugged, 6p
48 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
/////// Scott Kohen Duo, 6p //////// Brandon White Duo, 8p ///////// Oliver’s Twist, 10p ////////// Smokey Otis Trio, 10:15p /////////// Red Clay Strays, 10:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar) — Cam Pyle Band, 9p IP Casino (Chill Ultra Lounge)— Kason Layne Band, 9p Listening Room— Delta Smoke Lulu’s— The Groovinators, 5p Moe’s BBQ (Daphne) — The Tree-Oh, 8p Moe’s BBQ (Foley) — $100 Car Moe’s BBQ (Mobile) — Stephen Sylvester, 6:30p // Sundance Head 7p Moe’s BBQ (OBA) — Mary Alice, 6p Moe’s BBQ (Semmes) — Joshua Stephen Ward Duo Off The Hook— Mike Rowland Our Cigar Bar @ The Wharf— The James Hayden Band, 9:30p Patricia’s River Club— John Hall, 8p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores)— Jimmy Lee Hannaford, 11a // Party of 2, 6p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Hippy Jim, 6p Traders— Doobious, 8:30p
SAT. JUNE 9 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Dian Diaz, 8p Big Beach Brewing— The Defrosters, 6:30p Bluegill— Stephen Sylvester, 12p // Matt Neese Trio, 6p Blues Tavern— Big All & Heavyweights Brickyard— Winston Ramble Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ MBezzle, 10p Dority’s Bar and Grill— Eric Erdman, 6p Flora Bama— LeaAnne Creswell Duo, 11a // Jimmy Lumpkin & The Revival, 1p /// Kyle Brady, 1p //// Jo Jo Pres, 2p ///// Sugarcane Jane, 2p ////// Augie Savage, 4p /////// Casey Kearney, 5p //////// Jack Robertson a.k.a. The Big Earl Show, 5:30p ///////// Brandon White Duo, 6p ////////// Four Unplugged, 6p //////////// Ben Jernigan Duo, 8p /////////// Mario Mena Band, 10p //////////// Dustin Bogue Duo, 10:15 //////////// Lee Yankie & The Hellz Yeah, 10:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar) — Cam Pyle Band, 9p Hard Rock (Live) — MJ Live, 6:30p IP Casino (Chill Ultra Lounge)— Kason Layne Band, 9p Listening Room— Joshua Stephen Ward Album Release Lulu’s— JERI, 5p Manci’s— Robert Sully The Merry Widow— Party at the Moontower, 9p Moe’s BBQ (Foley) — Justin Wall Moe’s BBQ (Mobile) — Glass Joe, 6:30 Moe’s BBQ (Semmes) — Jimmy Lee Hannaford and Jose Santiago Off The Hook— Tim Kinsey Our Cigar Bar @ The
Wharf— The James Hayden Band, 9:30p Patricia’s River Club— The Wellborn Band Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores)— Soul Food Junkies, 6p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Mac Walter, 11a // Pierce Parker Duo, 6p Top of the Bay— Topher Brown and the Family Business, 10p Waves DI— Crossroadz
SUN. JUNE 10 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Triggerproof, 8p Big Beach Brewing— Johnny Mullen + Brittany Bell, 4p Blind Mule— Paid to Pretend + Gilt + Bearmace Bluegill— Sergio Rangel, 12p // Yeah Probably, 6p Brickyard— Jake Burford Cockeyed Charlie’s— Karaoke Jordan Bramlett, 10p Flora Bama— Smokey Otis Trio, 12p // Al & Cathy, 1p /// Songs of Rusty McHugh w/ Jason Justice, 1:30 //// Brittany Grimes, 2p ///// Greg Lyon, 5p ////// Jo Jo Pres, 6p /////// Perdido Brothers, 6p /////// Yellowhammer, 10p //////// Alabama Lightning, 10:15p Hard Rock (Center Bar) — Cam Pyle Band, 9p IP Casino (Chill Ultra Lounge)— Ty Taylor & Friends, 8p Listening Room— Chip Herrington Jazz Quintet Lulu’s— Lee Yankie & The Hellz Yeah, 5p Off The Hook— Open Mic featuring Donnie Mills Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores)— Lisa Christian, 4p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Soul Food Junkies, 11a // Platinum Duo, 6p Waves DI— Leland Clay Zebra Club— Phil & Foster, 5:30p
MON. JUNE 11 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Triggerproof, 8p Brickyard— Open Mic w/ Brennan & Christian Flora Bama— Gove Scrivenor, 2p // Brittany Grimes, 5p /// Zach Diedrick, 5:30p //// Open Mic w/ Cathy Pace, 6p ///// Jo Jo Pres, 10p ////// Petty & Pace, 10p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p
TUES. JUNE 12 Beau Rivage (Eight75)— Triggerproof, 8p Bluegill— Jimmy Lumpkin Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill— Ryan Balthrop, 6p Butch Cassidy’s— Chris Powell Flora Bama— T-Bone Montgomery w/ Kyle Wilson, 2p // Tony Brook, 5p /// J. Hawkins Duo, 5:30 //// Perdido Brother, 6p ///// Red Clay Strays, 10p ////// Shea White Duo, 10:15p Lulu’s— Light Travelers, 5p Moe’s BBQ (Daphne) — Beer Bands and Bingo w/Jimmy Lee Hannaford, 6p
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 49
FILMTHE REEL WORLD
Two films to see with the kids
S
BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC/AFREY@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM
AREA
THEATERS CARMIKE CINEMA’S Wynnsong 16 785 Schillinger Rd. S. (251) 639-7373 CRESCENT THEATER 208 Dauphin Street (251) 438-2005 HOLLYWOOD STADIUM 18 1250 Satchel Paige Dr. (251) 473-9655 RAVE MOTION PICTURE JUBILEE SQUARE 12 6898 U.S. 90 Daphne, (251) 626- 6266
ummer vacation will surely find you watching some movies with any kids you may have on hand, so until “The Incredibles 2” comes out, there are some watchable kid flicks out there that parents can endure, and may even enjoy. Fortunately, there’s an Aardman Animations movie that just came out to rent, and you probably missed it during its all-too-short run on the big screen. “Early Man” is a gentle, tactile break from the gleaming and fast-paced computer animation to which we’re now accustomed. The characters, mostly cavemen and cavewomen, are rendered from clay that still bears the visible fingerprints of the artists who build and painstakingly move them. If I have a complaint about this charming adventure, perhaps I, too, suffer from a shortened attention span. The hero of the story is Dug (voiced by Eddie Redmayne), a caveman who is always pushing his tribe to try harder and improve themselves. Their simple lives in a verdant valley are disrupted by the progress of the Bronze Age, as a dazzling war machine lead by Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) takes over the valley to mine it for ore. Soon, Dug challenges his aggressive Bronze Age neighbors to a soccer match that will determine their fate. Charming details make for giggles throughout, from little alligators being used as clothespins to a dinner of “primordial soup,” but the veering into sports territory left me cooler than most films from director Nick Park. If you aren’t familiar with his work, let the holiday be your opportunity to check it out. His masterpiece is the duo “Wallace
and Gromit,” and their short adventures are not to be missed. Their full-length outing “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” reaches heights of energy and absurdity that “Early Man” never does. His 2005 “Chicken Run” was a droll riff on prison break films that used its chicken characters’ hilarious physicality to the most extreme degree at every opportunity. “Early Man” good by average cartoon standards, but only hints at the heights Park has shown us in the past. “Paddington 2” was also not on the big screen for long, the unlikely victim of Harvey Weinstein’s explosive fall from grace. I just hope we don’t end up having to hear a “me, too” moment from poor dear Paddington himself. His onscreen antics include a fabulously picturesque hot air balloon ride, a beautiful retro circus, a prison dining hall transformed into an elaborate tea room stacked with confections and peopled with men in striped uniforms that have been dyed pink by a single red sock. The human actors in both Paddington films are top-notch, from the Brown family who takes him in, to the villains and detractors they come up against. The impeccably wonderful Sally Hawkins plays the brave and generous mother of the Brown clan, and Hugh Bonneville is her kind but uptight husband. Hugh Grant goes full camp as Phoenix Buchanan, an over the hill actor who talks to himself in the voices of well-known stage roles, such as Macbeth, Poirot and Scrooge. They all fully commit despite appearing in a children’s film, and provide warm and convincing support to the CGI center of the action, Paddington himself, crisply voice by Ben Whishaw.
In search of the perfect birthday gift for his beloved Aunt Lucy back in Peru, Paddington goes to the magnificent Gruber’s Antique Shop and opens a pop-up book of London. This gives us the loveliest and most visually imaginative sequence in a film that is full of delights: Paddington and his Aunt Lucy strolling through a papery pop-up version of London. Holding a valuable secret, the book is soon stolen and Paddington framed for the crime. This turn of events gives him the opportunity to spread goodwill and marmalade into a penitentiary, and yet another splendid performance in the form of Brendan Gleeson as Knuckles McGinty, the prison cook with a marvelous beard and a limited palate. Every Oscar-nominated, world-class actor shows up in this touching bear film as if they were at the Royal Shakespeare Company. This family film puts most others to shame, spoiling us with its high quality until we expect every G-rated film to have emotional depth, erudite wit, a Charlie Chaplin homage and a hot air balloon. While we suffer the indignity of some scandal in the current movie “Show Dogs” involving canine testicles, which I cannot bring myself to investigate, Grant is giving us show tunes and multiple Shakespearean roles; Hawkins, one of the finest actresses working today, gives us a master class in both acting and mixing prints; and Whishaw enlivens one of the most beloved and warm-hearted fictional beasts of all time. “Paddington 2” shows us that just because a film has a talking animal, it doesn’t have to be an embarrassment to humanity.
CARMIKE CINEMAS 23151 Wharf Ln. Orange Beach (251) 981-4444 COBB THEATRES PINNACLE 14 3780 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf Shores (251) 968-7444 EASTERN SHORE PREMIERE CINEMA 14 30500 Alabama 181 #500 Spanish Fort, Al (251) 626-0352 Information accurate at press time; please call theaters for showtimes.
50 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Photos | Chris Johnson/Studiocanal S.A.S. / A24
From left: “Early Man” isn’t director Nick Park’s best work, but it’s still highly entertaining. Gabriel Byrne, Toni Collette, Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro star in “Hereditary.” NEW THIS WEEK
HEREDITARY A family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about its ancestry. All listed multiplex theaters. OCEANS 8 Eight female thieves try to steal a valuable necklace at New York’s annual Met Gala. All listed multiplex theaters, Nexus Cinema Dining.
NOW PLAYING
ACTION POINT All listed multiplex theaters. UPGRADE All listed multiplex theaters. ADRIFT All listed multiplex theaters. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY All listed multiplex theaters, Nexus Cinema Dining.
DEADPOOL 2 All listed multiplex theaters, Nexus Cinema Dining. BOOK CLUB All listed multiplex theaters, Crescent Theater. SHOW DOGS All listed multiplex theaters. BREAKING IN All listed multiplex theaters.
LIFE OF THE PARTY All listed multiplex theaters. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Nexus Cinema Dining, all listed multiplex theaters. I FEEL PRETTY All listed multiplex theaters. RAMPAGE All listed multiplex theaters. A QUIET PLACE Regal Mobile Stadium 18
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 51
CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE 6, 2018 - JUNE 12, 2018
GENERAL INTEREST MPD community meetings During the month of June, the Mobile Police Department will hold a community meeting in each of its four precinct areas: June 7, 6:30 p.m. at B.C. Rain High School, 3125 Dauphin Island Parkway; June 14, 6 p.m. at Dauphin Way Baptist Church Gymnasium, 3661 Dauphin St.; June 21, 6 p.m. at Trinity Gardens Community Center, 2668 Berkley Ave.; and June 26, 6 p.m. at Tillman’s Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road. June co-work day Learn what co-working is all about at the Container Yard on Thursday, June 7. Use our facility for free for an hour or the whole day. Come to 951 Government St., Suite B, Marine St. Lofts (enter on Marine Street side). Visit containeryardworks.com.
World Oceans Day at DISL Join the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on World Oceans Day Friday, June 8, at the Estuarium, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Take action in several exhibits to learn how you can protect the environment. Call 251-8612141 or visit disl.org. Tuesdays in Bernheim Come see Lisa Mills on Tuesday, June 12, 6:30 p.m. at Bernheim Hall in the Ben May Main Library as part of a free special summer library program concert series. Visit mobilepubliclibrary.org or call 251208-7097. Survivors Week Mitchell Cancer Institute will celebrate Survivors Week June 4-8, with free activities each day to inspire and celebrate life. RSVP for all activities by calling 251445-9691. More information available from vmcmillian@health.southalabama.edu.
Juneteenth Jubilee Join us beginning Tuesday, June 12, as the city of Prichard begins a six-day celebration of culture, heritage and unity. Experience education seminars, live entertainment, cultural events and more for the whole family. Register your attendance and view the schedule of events at prichardjuneteenth.com. Alabama Seafood Cook-Off The fourth annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off (ASCO) will take place Wednesday, June 13, in Bayou La Batre as part of the redesigned 30th annual Taste of the Bayou at the Bayou La Batre Community Center, 6-9 p.m. Tickets cost $10; visit tasteofthebayou.org. Kids Gulf Discovery Day Plan a day of summertime fun for the family. Come to Bellingrath Gardens and Home on Wednesday, June 13, 9 a.m. to noon, for Kids Gulf Discovery Day, an opportunity for children of all ages to learn about the wildlife and ecology of the Gulf Coast. $13 for adults, $7.50 for children aged 5-12; free for Bellingrath members and children aged 4 and younger. Visit bellingrath.org.
DI family movie series Free family movie nights at Dauphin Island’s West End Beach through Aug. 31. The Thursday, June 7, movie will be “The Little Mermaid” at dusk. Visit dauphinislandtourism.com for complete summer lineup.
Abba Shrine Craft & Attic Show Come out to Abba Shrine’s Craft & Attic Show Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, for amazing crafts, vendors, antiques and attic items for sale. Saturday hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find us on Facebook @ Abbashrinecraft.
Music and a movie Bring your lawn chair to Heritage Park Gazebo in Foley from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8, and enjoy music by Bo Grant followed by the movie “Wonder Woman.” Admission is free. For information go to visitfoley.com/play/ events.
Knit in Public Day Bring your latest knitting project to Ben May Main Library this Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginners and experienced knitters will work together on projects with light refreshments and door prizes. Call 251-208-7072 or 251-208-7085. For more information, visit wwkipday.com.
Kids Days in Bienville Join us in Bienville Square on Thursdays in June from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for this free event featuring crafts, story time, the Mobile Public Library Book Mobile, a petting zoo, karaoke and more. Visit ncsmobile.org.
Amateur piano competition Broussard’s Pianos announces its first Gulf Coast Amateur Piano contest on Saturday, June 9, beginning at 9 a.m. at Broussard’s Piano Gallery. Registration is open to all pianists age 14 and up; For info and to register email broussardspianos27@ gmail.com.
Street design summit Come and participate in a community dialogue exploring how street design impacts land development at The Steeple on Wednesday, June 13, from 5-7 p.m. Free; please RSVP to chunter@ downtownmobile.org.
Glow in the Park The city of Fairhope returns with the 4th annual “Glow in the Park Summer Movie Series” with three free family movies at Fairhopers Community Park the first Thursday in June, July and August. Bring a blanket and a picnic (no alcohol or glass containers). Showtime is 8 p.m. Call 251929-1466.
Market at The Pillars Join us Sunday, June 10, beginning at noon for a fun afternoon of shopping more than 50 vendors, including local farmers, makers, bakers, crafters and artists. Live music, local eats and specialty drinks. Pet friendly and kid approved. Find us on Facebook @themarketatthepillars.
Wet ‘N Wild Wednesdays Join us for this summer’s Wet ‘N Wild Wednesdays — June 13, 20 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at W.O. Lott Park in Daphne. Wear your swimsuits, bring your towels and pack your lunch to join us for this free water fun event! For more information, call Daphne Parks & Recreation at 251-621-3703.
52 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Discover the Pinta and the Niña On Wednesday, June 13, the Pinta and the Niña, replicas of two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, will open in Gulf Shores. The ships will be docked at LuLu’s Restaurant, 200 E. 25th Ave., until their departure early Monday morning, June 18. $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6.50 for students aged 5-16. Children 4 and under are free. The ships are open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No reservations necessary.
FUNDRAISERS Dragon Boat Festival Join us Saturday, June 9, at Battleship Memorial Park for the 5th annual Dragon Boat Festival. See authentic 46-foot Hong style dragon boats race and enjoy food trucks, vendors and a kids area packed with free activities. Hosted by FuseProject, the events begin at 7 a.m. Visit fuseproject. org/dragonboat. Up, up and away RE/MAX Realty Professionals is combining a client appreciation event with a benefit for the University of South Alabama’s Children’s & Women’s Hospital via the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals on Friday, June 8, 6 p.m. in Mardi Gras Park. Live music, food trucks, a photo booth, a jumpy house for the kids and RE/MAX hot air balloon for tethered rides with given donations. Judge Roy Bean Saloon reunion and benefit Join us for a day of memory and celebration for Jack West and Phillip Calametti on Saturday, June 9, 3-9 p.m. at the Daphne City Hall. Tickets are available online at jrbreunion.com. Price of ticket is tax deductible and benefits Pilots for Christ and Anchor Cross. Heart Gallery Classic Join us at Hank Aaron Stadium Sunday, June 10, and cheer on the Mobile BayBears while helping Heart Gallery raise awareness of children waiting in Alabama’s foster care system. The game starts at 5:05 p.m., but make sure you arrive early to see our Heart Gallery child throw out the first pitch. Tickets cost $15 each or $50 for a family 4-pack. Ticket price includes admission to the game, T-shirt and swag bag.
ARTS “A Beautiful Planet” “A Beautiful Planet,” a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space, provides a unique perspective and increased understanding of our planet and galaxy as never seen before. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 4-10 at the IMAX at the Exploreum. Call 251-208-6893 or visit explore.com.
Anniversary Artwalk Hosted by Innova Arts on Friday, June 8, 6-9 p.m, this Artwalk is our four-year anniversary and our last Artwalk on St. Louis Street. We will be relocating to midtown in July, so stop by and celebrate with us as we begin a new chapter in Mobile’s art scene. Music provided by Shannon Pierce, plus a huge sidewalk sale. Find us on Facebook @Innova.arts. “Pump Boys and Dinettes” The University of Alabama’s theater department presents the Pump Boys of the local gas station and their neighbors, the Dinettes of the Double Cupp Diner, coming together for an evening of lively country and western music. Showtimes are June 7-10, 12-17, 19-24 and 26-29 at 8 p.m., South Baldwin Community Theatre (2022 W. 2nd St., Gulf Shores). Admission: $20 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under. Call 251-968-6721 or visit sbct.biz.
“Mysteries of the Unseen World” Experience phenomena that can’t be seen with the naked eye as you are taken into earthly worlds secreted away in different dimensions of time and scale. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 11-17 at the IMAX at the Exploreum. Call 251-208-6893 or visit explore.com. “Ragtime” Based on the novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, Ahrens and Flaherty’s “Ragtime” is a compelling epic capturing the American experience at the turn of the 20th century. Performances run two more weekends, June 8-17 at the Joe Jefferson Playhouse. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Visit joejeffersonplayers.com.
MUSEUMS
Music in the Park Enjoy a free concert in the Pavilion at Town Center Park in Spanish Fort every Friday through August. Friday, June 8, at 6:30 p.m. will be Thom Oglesby. For more information on the entire summer lineup, visit spanishfortcenter.com/news/events.
“Ice Age Imperials” Imagine traveling 20,000 years into the past when fierce cats, enormous mastodons and wooly mammoths, 6-foottall beavers and other giant creatures roamed the land and every day was a struggle for survival. Through Aug. 26. Visit historymuseumofmobile.com or call 251301-0266.
“In the Eyes of a Child” Spring Hill Singers present “In the Eyes of a Child” Sunday, June 10, at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Saraland High School Theatre. Ticket office opens June 4-8 in the Spring Hill Baptist Activities Center from noon to 6 p.m. Call 251-342-5320.
Thursdays at MMoA Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Mobile Museum of Art offers free admission to all Mobile County residents. No reservations are necessary. MMoA is at 4850 Museum Drive. Call 251-208-5200.
“Windows to the Sea” Visit the latest permanent exhibit at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium. Visit disl.org. Fairhope’s Founding Learn more about the 1894 founding of Fairhope at the Fairhope Museum of History, 24 N. Section St. The museum is open daily (except Sunday and Monday), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 251-929-1471.
SPORTING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES BayBears vs. Jackson Generals Beginning Friday, June 8, Mobile BayBears will host the Jackson Generals in a fivegame home stand at Hank Aaron Stadium. Night games Friday through Monday with a Tuesday matinee at 12:05 p.m. Visit baybears.com for full game schedules and events or call 251-479-BEAR. Table Tennis Club Join us Mondays, 5:30-8 p.m., and Tuesdays, 6-8:30 p.m. (adults only), at Laun Park (5401 Windmill Drive). Mike Ho, Baker High School table tennis coach, will help everyone with their game. Paddles provided or bring your own. All levels welcome; $1 at the door. Call 251-463-7980. Learn disc golf Starting June 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Mitternight Park (5310 Colonial Oaks Drive). Class taught by Prodigy Disc Team member Dylan Hunn. Call 251-463-7980. Movie on the lanes Join us at Eastern Shore Lanes in Spanish Fort for our Kid’s Bowl Free Family Night
on Mondays in June and July. A movie will be shown over the lanes. Find us on Facebook @ESLanes. Group rides South Alabama and Mississippi Mountain Bike Association invites all levels of cyclists to join them every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. at USA Bike Trails and Sunday at 9 a.m. at Chickasabogue Park. EmailÊcarrie@rideSAMBA.com. Weekly 1K/5K Every Thursday evening at 6 p.m., join Red Beard’s Outfitter and Cortlandt’s Pub in the Spring Hill Village Shopping Center for a 1K or 5K run and walk. No cost to participate. Via! Bingo Bingo every Tuesday and Thursday, 1:303:30 p.m. Open to the public. Via! Health, Fitness, Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. Visit viamobile.org.
WORKSHOPS Investing for Women Knollwood Republican Women’s Club will host Cheryl McCormick-Hann, registered broker and accredited asset management specialist, on Wednesday, June 13, at 2 p.m. to speak on the topic of investing for women. She will address the issue of investing from several angles, including the perspectives of widows, singles and couples. Join us at Gordon Oaks Retirement Community. On the property, signs will direct the way to the meeting room.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 53
SPORTS UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Area colleges sponsor numerous summer sports camps BY J. MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER/SPORTS@LAGNIAPPEMOBILE.COM/TWITTER @GOULAGUY
needed to play basketball for grades 3-8. College Prep Camp is for players in grades 9-12. For details, visit terryfowlergirlsbasketballcamps.com.
Boys’ soccer
University of Mobile — The Rams Soccer Academy has several events set for this summer. For boys and girls aged 6-12, the Rams Day Camps will be June 11-14 at Hearin-Chandler YMCA in Mobile, June 11-14 at the Snook Family YMCA in Foley, and June 25-28 at the North Mobile YMCA. A Residential Camp is planned for July 8-12 at UM for boys and girls aged 8-18. For registration and prices, visit ramssoccercamps.com. SHC — Three camps are scheduled. The first is June 11-15 for those under age 6 up to under 14. The next is June 25-29 for under age 6 to under 14. The final camp is July 27-29 for grades 9-12. For more details, visit https://camps. jumpforward.com/shcsoccercamps/. The Intense Goalkeeper-Specific Training camp for boys and girls aged 10 and older will be held June 30 to July 2. For more details, visit topbarkeepers.com/registration. USA — The Richard Moodie Soccer Academy will be hosting numerous camps at The Cage on the USA campus. Moodie and his staff will be holding a junior camp for boys and girls aged 4-12 June 11-14. From June 29 to July 2, there will be a college prep camp for boys aged 12-18. For more details, visit RichardMoodieSoccerAcademy.com.
Girls’ soccer
Photo/ Richard Moodie
The Richard Moodie Soccer Academy will be hosting numerous camps at The Cage on the USA campus.
S
ummer camps give young athletes the opportunity to sharpen their skills before the start of their next varsity season. Thanks to area colleges, this knowledge is close at hand. The following is a list of camps compiled from news releases and college websites. Other camps may be taking place, so be sure to check back.
Baseball
Spring Hill College — The next summer youth baseball camp is set for July 16-19. Classes will run from 9 a.m. to noon at Stan Galle Field. For details, visit camps.jumpforward.com/SHCBaseball/. University of South Alabama — The Mark Calvi Baseball Camps have numerous events this summer. Dates are June 11-15, June 25-29 and July 9-13. These are open to players aged 7-13. For more information, visit jagbaseballcamps.com/.
Boys’ basketball
SHC — Session I Kids Camp runs June 18-21 for ages 7-12. Session II Kids Camp is from July 30 to Aug. 2.
54 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Times will be from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 7-12 and 2-5 p.m. for ages 13-18 at both camps. An Elite Camp for those entering grades 9-12 will take place June 23. For more details, visit shc.edu/bbcamp or call 251-380-4454. USA – Several Richie Riley Basketball Camps are planned. Individual Skills Camps for those in the grades 2-8 will be either June 18-21 or June 25-28. An Elite Camp for those in grades 9-12 will be June 23. For information, visit richierileybasketballcamp.com.
Girls’ basketball
SHC — The first event is Session I Kids Camp June 18-21 for ages 7-12. Session II Kids Camp funs from July 30 to Aug. 2. Times will be from 9 a.m. to noon for ages 7-12 and 2-5 p.m. for ages 13-18 at both camps. For more details, visit shc.edu/bbcamp or call 251-380-4454. USA — Coach Terry Fowler has finalized dates for his camps. The Team Play Dates will be June 7, 8 and 15; FUNdamentals and Shooting Camp will run June 11-14; and College Prep Camp will take place June 16. Team Play Dates are for varsity and junior varsity teams. The FUNdamentals and Shooting Camp will teach the basic skills
UM — The Rams Soccer Academy has several events set. For boys and girls aged 6-12, the Rams Day Camps will be June 11-14 at Hearin-Chandler YMCA in Mobile, June 11-14 at the Snook Family YMCA in Foley and June 25-28 at the North Mobile YMCA. A Residential Camp is planned for July 8-12 at UM for boys and girls aged 8-18. For details, visit ramssoccercamps.com. SHC — Two camps are scheduled. The first is June 18-22, open to girls aged 6-13. July 6-8, SHC will host an Elite/ID camp; this three-day weekend camp is ideal for all girls rising from grades 8 and above who are interested in of a camp modeled after the SHC collegiate program training. For more details, visit camps.jumpforward.com/shcwsoccercamps. From June 30 to July 2, the Intense Goalkeeper-Specific Training camp will be held for girls and boys aged 10 and older. For more details, visit topbarkeepers.com/registration/. USA — The Richard Moodie Soccer Academy will host numerous camps. A junior camp for girls and boys aged 4-12 will be held June 11-14. The girls’ college ID camp for girls aged 12-18 will take place June 15-18. Moodie will host a girls-only team camp June 22-25 for ages 12 to 18. For more details, visit RichardMoodieSoccerAcademy.com.
Softball
SHC — The summer all-skills camp is set for June 25-28 and is open to players aged 8-12. For more details, visit camps.jumpforward.com/SpringHillSoftball/. USA – Two sessions are planned for the Becky Clark Softball Camps. The All-Skills Camp for grades 7-12 will be June 18-20. A Fundamental Camp for ages 6-12 will be held June 20-22. For additional details, visit usajaguars.com.
Volleyball
USA — Amy Hendrichovsky Volleyball Camps will host four camps and one team tournament this summer. USA will host the Serve & Pass Clinic for grades 7 and up on June 9. The Jags will host a Team Camp July 12-14, with the first two days set to run 5:30-8:30 p.m. and the final day an all-day event. USA will then host its Team Tournament July 14 for freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams. The Jags host five sessions of Position Training Camp July 16-17 for those entering grades 7-12. USA will host six sessions of its All-Skills Camp July 18-20 for those entering grades 5-12. For more details, visit AmyHendrichovskyVolleyballCamps.com.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 55
SPORTS FROM BEHIND THE MIC
Predicting SEC season doesn’t have to be a total guess BY RANDY KENNEDY/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I
t’s not like anyone needed the recent United States Supreme Court ruling to feel liberated to bet on college football. According to Mobile’s Danny Sheridan, a recognized expert on such things, Alabama has for years led the country in per capita wagering on college football. But now that every state has the right to decide if it wants to allow legalized sports gambling, the topic is a little more out in the open. It may be a decade before Alabama agrees to allow legalized sports betting, but Mississippi is already preparing to accept the action and revenue that thousands of Alabamians will undoubtedly take across the state line. So, it is with that in mind that I offer you the 14 SEC teams and their win totals for the year, as posted by BetDSI, one of the many sites that list such totals. The premise is easy: The group making the line sets a number for how many games a team is going to win during the 12-game regular season. You simply say if that number is too high or too low. Let’s begin at the top, with the teams projected to win the most games.
Alabama 10.5; OVER
If you think Alabama is going to win fewer than 11 games, it’s because you believe the Tide has begun to decline under Nick Saban. Winning 12 games in the regular season is very tough. But winning 11 is standard procedure for Alabama. Last year the Tide reached that number even before the Iron Bowl.
Georgia 10.5; OVER
Georgia is not going to be as strong as last year. I believe Kirby Smart is going to have longterm success in Athens, but the depth of talent is not there yet to replace all the great departing players. Having said that, the Bulldogs’ schedule is laughable. Their toughest non-conference game is against Georgia Tech at home. A loss to Auburn at home is certainly possible. But there just isn’t enough competition there to think a two-loss regular season is realistic.
Auburn 9; OVER
The key game is the opening against Washington. This will be the Tigers’ third straight game in the new dome in Atlanta. The first two resulted in painful losses. The Tigers are a slight favorite to reverse that trend against Washington and I think they will. Playing at Georgia and at Alabama to end the season isn’t even fair. But Auburn should have nine wins before going to Tuscaloosa.
season-opening game against Miami in Dallas and it looks like 7-5 is being optimistic.
Texas A&M 7; UNDER
A first-year coach at a struggling program? Sure, let’s schedule Clemson in Week 2. I believe Jimbo Fisher will win big in Aggieland. But not in his first year.
South Carolina 7; OVER
Will Muschamp has worked miracles with a roster that has been far from dominant. With Jake Bentley back as maybe the best quarterback in the SEC, 8-4 looks likely this season.
Florida 7; OVER
Kentucky 6; UNDER
Even another win over Tennessee won’t be enough to get the Wildcats to a winning record.
Tennessee 5.5; UNDER
If this roster and coaching staff were suiting up for Vanderbilt the win total would probably be 3.5. But because the Tennessee name still carries some clout, 5.5 is the number. That’s ridiculously high. Tennessee went 4-8 last year with a roster that was better than this one.
Arkansas 5.5; UNDER
On paper the Bulldogs should go exactly 8-4. One of those eight wins is supposed to be over Florida in Starkville. I think one is more likely to produce an upset than any of the games the Bulldogs have a chance to win as an underdog.
A new coaching staff means an entirely new philosophy. That’s bad news for a team that isn’t Because of such mighty struggles at quarterback in recent years, fans tend to forget how good very talented. the Gators have been in every other area. With QB Whisperer Dan Mullen now in Gainesville, some Vanderbilt 5; OVER of that talent will be better showcased. A game at Notre Dame is almost certainly a loss. But playing Ole Miss and Arkansas from Missouri 6.5; OVER the West give the Commodores a chance to get I still don’t know why Missouri is in the SEC. to six wins. Still, the Tigers should be improved this season. Picking up Alabama hurts, but a weak non-conference schedule is likely to produce four wins. All of this is for entertainment purposes only. In the SEC East a 3-5 record should be obtainable But you will likely be more entertained if you for seven overall wins. take my advice instead of ignoring it.
LSU 7.5; UNDER
Ole Miss 6; OVER
Mississippi State 8; UNDER
I don’t believe in LSU. I also don’t like the fact that the Tigers’ two opponents from the SEC East are Georgia and Florida. Throw in a tough
56 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
I love the offense. I hate the defense. This one will come down to the Egg Bowl to determine if the Rebels win six or seven games.
Randy Kennedy writes a weekly column for Lagniappe and is co-host of “Sports Drive” every weekday, 3-6 p.m. on WNSP 105.5 FM, the country’s first all-sports FM station.
STYLE GARDENING
Add vines to increase your vertical gardening BY JUDY WEAVER, MOBILE MASTER GARDENER | COASTALALABAMAGARDENING@GMAIL.COM
Photos/Alice Marty
Q: I want to add some flowering vines to my garden. What would grow best in Mobile?
A:
Vines can create a beautiful show in the garden. If you get them started on a structure to climb, they will not disappoint. Let’s begin with annual flowering vines, and two weeks from now Master Gardener Nancy Adams will write about perennial flowering vines for our South Alabama landscape. The advantage of annual vines is that you start all over each year with little need to prune or shape. Not happy with last year’s growing site? Because annual vines are planted from seed each year, it’s easy to try a new location. Location, structure, fertilization Annual vines can make a big show of flowers in less space because they are growing up a fence, trellis or other support. Along with plants that grow tall, such as sunflowers and native hibiscus, vines add height to your garden. Most annual vines need a lot of sun and water if they are to reach their potential in one growing season. Most flowering vines require a half-day of full sun to grow vigorously enough to give you the blooms you want. Vines are very good at attaching themselves to whatever is available. If you don’t have a trellis, fence or arbor in the place you want to add vertical color, you can use netting, string or wire (aluminum or copper) to get them started. It is a gardener’s delight to observe their fast rate of growth and help them to entwine the structure you prepared for them. Wait until your vines are established to fertilize. In spring and midsummer add a landscape fertilizer, such as 12.4.6. Follow the directions on the packaging.
Morning glories and black-eyed Susans. Annual vines for our area Seven tried-and-true annual vines to consider: Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea): Colorful morning glories can make a fence disappear at their peak. Seeds need some help germinating. Nick the outer seed coat and soak them overnight in room temperature water. Drought tolerant. Moon flower (Ipomoea alba): This is a night-blooming relative of the morning glory, usually treated as an annual in all but the warmest areas of the United States. Nick and soak the seeds before planting. The fragrant white flowers are 5-6 inches across, open at dusk and last through the night. Mandevilla (Mandevilla splendens): There are more than 100 species of this tropical woody vine with funnel-shaped flowers, which can overwinter in tropical climates. Mandevillas do well in partial shade. When temperatures drop below 45 degrees, they don’t want to be outside, so prepare to move them into your house or let them go and start over next season. Unless you have a greenhouse to start your seeds, you will probably want to begin with a well-established plant from a garden center. Annual sweet pea (Lathyrus odorata): Try making a bamboo tripod for your garden and plant sweet pea in the early fall to get the root system started, allowing them to winter over for vibrant spring growth once the days become longer and warmer. Nick and soak seeds before planting. One version of its origin is that a wild sweet pea dates back to the late 1600s on the island of Malta, off Sicily. They prefer cool weather and will reward you with their fragrance and beautiful blooms for about a month in the spring. Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata): White/buff/orange/ yellow with dark eyes and arrow-shaped foliage. These vines
like full sun and are great for arbors or containers. This vine will quickly cover small structures. Purple hyacinth bean vine (Dolichos lablab): This is an annual flowering vine that keeps on giving. Collect the beans from the pods once they mature, put them in an envelope to dry out and plant again next spring. You will enjoy sharing these beans for planting with family and friends. This is a large vine that likes full sun and is easy to grow because it tolerates poor soil. Ornamental sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas): This vine is grown for its foliage, which provides a striking contrast in the garden. “Blackie” for burgundy foliage and “Marguerite”’ for chartreuse foliage. It likes full sun. For more information on vines, go to tinyurl.com/y9odb84e or visit aces.edu and search for ANR 1198 “Vines for Alabama Landscapes.” YOU ARE INVITED TO THESE UPCOMING GARDENING EVENTS What: Mobile Master Gardeners monthly meeting (free) When: Thursday, June 7, 10-11:45 a.m. Where: Jon Archer Ag Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile Topic: Historic Gardens — Evan Ware What: Mobile County Master Gardeners Lunch & Learn (free) When: Monday, June 18, noon to 1 p.m. Where: Jon Archer Ag Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile Topic: Gardening for Disabled — David Schmohl (There is no Master Gardener monthly meeting or Lunch & Learn in July.) Master Gardener Helpline: 1-877-252-4769 or send your gardening questions to coastalalabamagardening@gmail.com.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 57
STYLE HOROSCOPES ROW YOUR DRAGON BOAT
ANSWERS FROM PAGE 58
58 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
GEMINI (5/21-6/21) — With the primary election in your rearview mirror, you briefly celebrate before you are bombarded with another 153 days of pandering political ads before the general election. You will row, row, row your dragon boat to the center of the aisle. CANCER (6/22-7/22) — In an experiment of will and endurance, you will attempt to get out of bed by 6 a.m. every day for two weeks. Each day, you will rise, use the bathroom and return to sleep. You will row, row, row your dragon boat to some late night Netflix. LEO (7/23-8/23) — Always a skeptic, you can’t decide whether the battle between Fairhope’s mayor and police chief is legitimate or just more political theater. You will row, row, row your dragon boat away from the court of public opinion. VIRGO (8/24-9/22) — In an attempt to relive your glory days, you’ll mount a saddle on a goat and ride to the Judge Roy Bean Saloon reunion. No one has ever been charged with DUI on a goat, until now. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to a criminal law attorney. LIBRA (9/23-10/22) — Inspired by author Watt Key’s latest thriller, you’ll pen a masterful tome about the struggles of a man who became trapped on the toilet for three and a half days. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to The New York Times’ worst sellers list. SCORPIO (10/23-11/21) — Lacking a great deal of sportsmanship, you’ll attempt to win the Fuse Project’s Dragon Boat Races by mounting a trolling motor on the bow. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to automatic disqualification. SAGITTARIUS (11/22-12/22) — Seeing a glimmer of hope in public education after reading a story about Alabama’ first charter school, you’ll withdraw your financial support from Newton’s Secular School for Science and Mathematics. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to one of Betsy DeVos’ mansions. CAPRICORN (12/23-1/19) — With all your newly acquired dragon boat seamanship, you’ll commandeer the Niña and the Pinta from LuLu’s this weekend and establish the Royal Alabama Navy. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to the second Civil War. AQUARIUS (1/20-2/18) — Speaking of the Civil War, you’ll note how striking a resemblance the new Confederate statue in Spanish Fort bears to Colonel Sanders. A little bit hangry, you’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to the KFC drive-thru. PISCES (2/19-3/20) — Speaking of racial divisiveness, you’ll notice former State Rep. Joseph Mitchell wrote a letter to the editor published in Lagniappe this week. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat back to that time he sent “the email heard ‘round the state.” ARIES (3/21-4/19) — Celebrating The Ruby Slipper Café’s opening in downtown Mobile, you’ll reserve a table for an entire day and order one of everything on the menu. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat to gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. TAURUS (4/20-5/20) — After the trash sits uncollected on your curb for the fourth week in a row, you’ll lose faith in the public works department and begin recycling in earnest. You’ll row, row, row your dragon boat in a pristine and plastics-free ocean.
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 59
THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE PROVING THEM WRONG BY DAVID J. KAHN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ ACROSS 1 Overawe 4 Things falling out of Vogue? 11 Words to a Spanish sweetheart 16 Mover but not a shaker (one hopes) 19 Atlantic 10 Conf. school 20 Where techno music originated 21 Belly 23 Camel’s-hair color 24 Surplus 25 Where the Sun shines? 26 Doesn’t let it go 28 “Star Wars” name 29 Got into a mess? 30 Pie-eyed 31 Wee bit 32 Call it a day … or a career 33 Sunday delivery: Abbr. 34 Woolly ruminant 35 Very lowbrow 37 Fabulous fabulist 39 Achievement 40 Riverboat hazard 42 Linguists’ interests 46 Boat that landed on 94-Down 49 Final, countrywide competition 53 ____ tap 54 Go (for) 55 Salary negotiator 56 Alternated 58 Dress down 60 Winner of 11 Grand Slam tennis titles 61 Common seasoning for Italian sausage 62 Elected 63 Sports axiom refuted by this puzzle 69 “The Handmaid’s Tale” author 72 Not with it 73 Place in a 1969 western 77 Serious devotee 78 Papal-conclave members 82 Ghostly 83 He said, “It’s not bragging if you can back it up” 84 Group with five members in this puzzle, with “the” 85 Court plea 87 Sleep stage 88 Relief 89 Play the part of 90 Father of Phobos, the god of fear 92 Sound of the South 97 Liability of note? 100 Swagger 102 ____ Minella (Muppet monkey) 105 City ENE of Cleveland, O. 107 Lady’s title 108 Anticipate 109 Ball bearer 110 Fruit-soda brand 111 Temple of Isis site
60 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
112 Where General Mills is headquartered 114 Bank trouble? 116 Dated 117 “Be there in a jiffy!” 118 Encountered 119 Not be straight 120 Cold War-era inits. 121 Eppie’s adoptive father, in a George Eliot novel 122 Suffragist Elizabeth Cady ____ 123 Not opposin’
30 states 32 House speaker after Boehner 36 Sidesplitter 38 ____ platter 39 “Runaway” singer Shannon, 1961 41 “I’m off” 43 “My dear man” 44 Novelist Patchett 45 Fastball, in baseball slang 47 See 18-Down 48 Sharp 49 Pick up DOWN 50 Back 1 Is up to the task 51 Unaccompanied 2 Winston Churchill, notably 52 Company name ender 3 One concerned with aging? after “&” 4 Wedding pair 53 First U.S. city to host the 5 State since 1864: Abbr. Olympics 6 McQueen or King 57 “Baseball” documentarian 7 Things that corrections correct Burns 8 Tour hiree 58 Half a step? 9 Aggressive types 59 What ballplayers look 10 Typical intro? forward to after playing on 11 Heavy winds the road 12 Maternally related 61 Sustained 13 Colleague of Freud 62 Cartoon collectible 14 Encountered 64 Mortar carrier 15 Relatives of bobolinks 65 Hampton ____ 16 Only African-American to win 66 Words of confidence an Oscar, Tony and Emmy for acting 67 Court plea, briefly 17 Relevant, legally 68 Opera set in 1800 Rome 18 With 47-Down, driver’s 69 Not even close? question 70 Floor piece 22 “Say cheese!” 71 German hunting dog 27 County name in 74 1904 Jack London novel
75 Your, to Yves 76 Caste member 78 State with five teams in the 84-Across: Abbr. 79 Double-platinum album for Steely Dan 80 Mythological bird 81 Harriet Beecher Stowe novel subtitled “A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp” 82 Lining up against 84 Ways of doing things, for short 86 Numerical prefix 88 Parlor pieces 91 Bankrupts 93 Points (to) 94 See 46-Across 95 Actress Ryder 96 Admits 98 Charlotte ____ (Caribbean capital) 99 Proffer 100 Greek island where Pythagoras and Epicurus were born 101 Delivery that’s usually expected 102 Prop for a lion tamer 103 Insurance giant 104 Some calls on a police hotline 106 Kind of chips you shouldn’t eat 111 Before being outed, for short 113 H.S. study 115 Native Oklahoman
ANSWERS ON PAGE 60
F U T U R E S H O C K
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 61
STYLE BOOZIE
A little library love? BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
S
ummer is officially here! How do I know this? No, it’s not that Memorial Day is behind us, school is out and it’s raining every dang afternoon. Nope! I walked out of my house at 8 a.m. and by the time I walked 10 feet to my car, I was drenched in sweat. That’s how you know it’s summer on the Gulf Coast. And it’s here! But that’s fine by me because when people get hot, they get crazy, and as you know, that is good for a gossipologist. And there was some super crazy going on this week. So check out all of this oh-so-crazy scoop!
WH smothered with bikers
The Saraland Waffle House continues to be a hot spot for political expression covered with onions, cheese and little square pieces of ham. After it became a national news story in late April following the arrest of Chikesia Clemons, Saraland’s Waffle House was the center of a national boycott called for by civil rights activists. But this past weekend the pendulum swung back the other way when more than 150 bikers and scores of others showed up at the Waffle House to show support for their local police and the scattered, smothered and chunked food they love. The bikers gathered last Sunday morning and had breakfast around 11, then roared up to the Saraland Police Department and lined the roads, waving American flags to show support for the officers who arrested Clemons. As a fan of civil rights, hardworking police and delicious hangover food, Boozie says just let me know next time there’s a protest at the Waffle House, because I’ll be there. Probably still in my pajamas, but I’ll be there. If I’m late, save me some hash browns!
62 | L AG N I A P P E | J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8
Shut the bathroom door!
Last week, one of my spies was in The Shoppes at Bel Air Target doing a little shopping when she had to tinkle. So she headed to the “ladies” room to relieve herself but saw something she wishes she can now unsee. A woman was in the bathroom stall with the door cracked so everyone who walked by could see her. My spy wasn’t sure if the lady realized everyone could see her because the lady in the stall was too busy talking on her speakerphone, while taking care of her business. And my spy said to make matters worse, it was not the “number one” kind of business, if you get my drift. Ewwww! Who uses a public restroom — or any restroom for that matter — while talking on speakerphone or any phone? I can only imagine what the person on the other end of the line must be thinking — what’s that plopping sound?!? And who doesn’t shut the door, especially when “number two” is involved? My spy said she finished her tinkling as fast as she could and headed back to the Joanna Gaines aisle to help her get over this trauma. Retail therapy always helps one in stinky situations like these!
Get down on it!
The little library of love?
So I often check out the “Missed Connections” on Craigslist so I can see what is going on in Mobile’s seedy underbelly. And let me just tell you our said underbelly is still seedier than the aforementioned watermelons. There are always random people looking to hook up in strange places and apparently there is something called the “Well Equipped Men’s Group” of midtown. I don’t even want to know what that is! (Although I do have some ideas.) But in the middle of all this seediness, there was something really sweet. It seems a health-conscious book nerd was looking to connect with a kindred spirit. Someone put a particular book in that cute little library right outside of Callaghan’s and the person who posted the ad wanted to meet him or her. The ad read, “ISO (in search of) whoever put ‘Born to Run’ in library by Callaghan’s. Really great book/dietary advice, figure you must be a cool person.” So to the “cool person” who put it in the library, if you don’t frequent the Craigslist personals (as most non-seedy people don’t), you may want to reply back to this person! This could be your soulmate! I actually think this is a great way to match people up. You know what they say, the couple that reads together, breeds together! Wait — do they say that? I don’t know, but it’s true, so people should say that!
Another spy was driving down Airport Boulevard at The Loop last week when she witnessed a man unloading a semitrailer full of watermelons into another truck, right across from Public Safety Memorial Park. She said each OK, kids! That’s all I have this issue. Just remember, whether rain or shine, time the man would grab a melon, he held it up and danced with it, going all the way down to the ground with it even! dramatic or scandalous, or some plain ol’ lil’ library lovin’, I will be there! Dirty dancing with watermelons? That is a first for Boozie! Ciao!
LAGNIAPPE LEGALS | 251.450-4466 | legals@lagniappemobile.com FORECLOSURES FORECLOSURE NOTICE Default having been made by the herein referenced Grantee in the terms of that certain Vendor’s Lien Deed executed on January 23, 2018 by Nora Ann Jackson, as Grantee to Iras Development Company, Inc. an Alabama Corporation, as Grantor which said Vendor’s Lien Deed was recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate, Mobile County, Alabama, in Real Property Book LR7599, Page 703, and said vendor’s lien having been last assigned to W. Austin Mulherin, which assignment was recorded in the office of the Judge of Probate Mobile County Alabama in Real Property Book LR7605, Page 695, and default continuing under said Vendor’s Lien Deed, by virtue of and pursuant to the power of sale contained in said Vendor’s Lien, the following described real property will be sold at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the North entrance of the Courthouse of said County, located at 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36644, during the legal hours of sale, on July 11, 2018. Lot 21 as per plat of BURLINGTON, UNIT II as recorded in Map Book 87, Page 51, Probate Court of Mobile County, Alabama, including a (16 x 80) 1989 Mobile Home (3 x 2). Said sale is made for the purpose of paying said Vendor’s Lien debt and costs of foreclosure. W. Austin Mulherin Holder of said Vendor’s Lien. WILLIAM B. JACKSON, II STOKES & CLINTON, P.C. Attorneys for Lienholder Post Office Box 991801 Mobile, Alabama 36691 (251) 460-2400 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 20, 2018
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Jonathan W. Lockett, Jr. married man and Tawanda Lockett, his wife, originally in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Capstone Mortgage Inc. DBA Baker Group, on the 25th day of February, 2008, said mortgage recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Mobile County, Alabama, in Book 6341, Page 595; re-recorded in Book 6341, Page 595; modified in Bk: LR7284, Pg: 1986; the undersigned U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of The Igloo Series III Trust, as Mortgagee/ Transferee, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse at Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama, on May 17, 2018, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following described real estate, situated in Mobile County, Alabama, to-wit: Lot 12, Block 2, Top Mobile as recorded in Deed Book 156, Pages 66-67 of the records in the office of the Judge of Probate, Mobile County, Alabama. Property street address for informational purposes: 2413 Osage Street, Mobile, AL 36617. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN “AS IS, WHERE IS” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure. The successful bidder must tender a non-refundable deposit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in certified funds made payable to Sirote & Permutt, P.C. at the time and place of the sale. The balance of the purchase price must be paid in certified funds by noon the next business day at the Law Office of Sirote & Permutt, P.C. at the address indicated below. Sirote & Permutt, P.C. reserves the right to award the bid to the next highest bidder should the highest bidder fail to timely tender the total amount due. The Mortgagee/Transferee reserves the right to bid for and purchase the real estate and to credit its purchase price against the expenses of sale and the indebtedness secured by the real estate. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation. U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of The Igloo Series III Trust, Mortgagee/Transferee. The above mortgage foreclosure sale has been postponed until 06/14/2018 during the legal hours of sale in front of the main entrance of the courthouse in the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama. Elizabeth Loefgren SIROTE & PERMUTT, P.C. P. O. Box 55727 Birmingham, AL 35255-5727 Attorney for Mortgagee/Transferee www.sirote.com/foreclosures 422811 Lagniappe HD June 6, 2018
FORECLOSURE NOTICE Default having been made by the herein referenced Grantee in the terms of that certain Vendor’s Lien Deed executed on January 27, 2015 by Wayne A. Gunnison, as Grantee to Horace T. Jackson, as Grantor which said Vendor’s Lien Deed was recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate, Mobile County, Alabama, in Real Property Book LR7230, Page 604, and default continuing under said Vendor’s Lien Deed, by virtue of and pursuant to the power of sale contained in said Vendor’s Lien, the following described real property will be sold at public outcry, for cash, to the highest bidder, in front of the North entrance of the Courthouse of said County, located at 205 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama 36644, during the legal hours of sale, on June 27, 2018. Lots 1, 2, and 7 as per plat of SANFORD GARNER ESTATES, as recorded in Map Book 89, Page 14, Probate Court of Mobile County, Alabama. Said sale is made for the purpose of paying said Vendor’s Lien debt and costs of foreclosure. Horace T. Jackson Holder of said Vendor’s Lien. WILLIAM B. JACKSON, II STOKES & CLINTON, P.C. Attorneys for Lienholder Post Office Box 991801 Mobile, Alabama 36691 (251) 460-2400 Lagniappe HD May 23, 30, June 6, 2018
NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE OF COMPLETION
Alabama, Mobile County Default having been made pursuant to the terms of that certain mortgage executed by Yolanda Xyvetta Wilson, an Unmarried Woman to Wachovia Mortgage Corporation, dated August 12, 2005, said mortgage being recorded in Book 5830, Page 1942, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Mobile County, AL said Mortgage was last sold, assigned and transferred to U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee on behalf of and with respect to Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust 2016-C, Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2016-C. U.S. Bank National Association, as Indenture Trustee on behalf of and with respect to Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust 2016-C, Mortgage-Backed Notes, Series 2016-C, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash or certified/ bank check only. The certified/bank check should be made payable to or endorsed to Eady Law, LLC. The sale will take place during the legal hours of sale, on June 26, 2018 at the main entrance of the Courthouse at Mobile, Mobile County, AL the following real estate, situated in Mobile County, AL, to-wit: Lot 42, Woodside, Unit 3, according to plat thereof recorded in Map Book 78, Page 20, of the records in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Mobile County, Alabama. Said property is commonly known as 6372 Woodside Drive South Theodore, AL 36582. The indebtedness has been and is hereby declared due and payable because of default under the terms of said Mortgage and Note, including but not limited to the nonpayment of the indebtedness as and when due. The indebtedness remaining in default, this sale will be made for the purpose of paying the same, all expenses of the sale, including attorney’s fees and all other payments provided for under the terms of the Mortgage and Note. In accordance with Ala. Code §6-5-248(h) notice is given that Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as part of the foreclosure process. Said property will be sold subject to the following items which may affect the title to said property: all zoning ordinances; matters which would be disclosed by an accurate survey or by an inspection of the property; any outstanding taxes, including but not limited to ad valorem taxes, which constitute liens upon said property; special assessments; all outstanding bills for public utilities which constitute liens upon said property; all restrictive covenants, easements, rights-of-way; the statutory right of redemption pursuant to Alabama law; and any other matters of record superior to said Mortgage. Property is sold “as is, where is” with no warranties or representations of any kind, including without limitation, warranties regarding condition of the property or marketability of title. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the party in possession of the property is Yolanda Xyvetta Wilson or tenant(s). S. Keith Eady Eady Law, LLC P.O. Box 29667 Atlanta, GA. 30359 Keith@keitheady.com 404-633-1997 – Direct
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF MOBILE TOWN OF DAUPHIN ISLAND NOTICE OF COMPLETION In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, notice is hereby given that J. Hunt Enterprises, General Contractors, LLC, has completed the contract: Bienville Boulevard West End Roadway Repair and Beach Parking Restoration at the West End of Dauphin Island. All persons having any claim for labor, material or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify Hutchinson, Moore & Rauch, LLC. 1 St. Louis Street, Suite 1001, Mobile, Alabama 36602 J. Hunt Enterprises, General Contractors, LLC 4657 Gold Mine Rd. East, Mobile, AL 36619.
Lagniappe HD May 23, 30, June 6, 2018
PROBATE
NOTICE OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROBATE COURT OF MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA Estate of: JEAN ROSS FLYNN, Deceased Case No. 2018-0981 Take notice that Letters Testamentary have been granted to the below named party on the 14th day of MAY, 2018 by the Honorable Don Davis, Judge of Probate of Mobile County Probate Court, Alabama and that all parties having claims against said estate should file the same with the Probate Court of said county within the time allowed by law, or they will be barred. JEAN FLYNN SMITH as Executrix under the last will and testament of JEAN ROSS FLYNN, Deceased. Attorney of Record: CHARLES J. POTTS Lagniappe HD May 23, 30, June 6, 2018
NOTICE OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROBATE COURT OF MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA Estate of: LULA SAXON SIMISON, Deceased Case No. 2018-1141 Take notice that Letters Testamentary have been granted to the below named party on the 31st day of May, 2018 by the Honorable Don Davis, Judge of Probate of Mobile County Probate Court, Alabama and that all parties having claims against said estate should file the same with the Probate Court of said county within the time allowed by law, or they will be barred. THOMAS ROY SIMISON AKA THOMAS RAY SIMISON as Executor under the last will and testament of LULA SAXON SIMISON, Deceased. Attorney of Record: Fran Jones Smith, Esq. RESOLUTIONS, LLC 312T Schillinger Road S. #333 Mobile, AL 36608 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 20, 2018
PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF MOBILE Notice is hereby given that a bill as described in the synopsis below will be introduced in the 2019 Regular Session of the Legislature of Alabama and application for its passage and enactment will be made: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT SYNOPSIS: This bill relates to Class 2 municipalities and would provide that any federal Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE Program) in a Class 2 municipality would be allotted by the Alabama Medicaid Agency a minimum of 200 participants each fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019, and thereafter. Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018
Lagniappe HD June 6, 2018
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF MOBILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, NOTICE IS HEREBY given that James B. Donaghey, Inc. has completed the contract for University of South Alabama, Alpha West Bldg. – HVAC at 307 N. University Blvd. Mobile, AL 36688 for the State of Alabama and the City of Mobile. All persons having any claim for labor, material, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify CDC Engineers 4912 Oak Circle Drive Mobile, AL (251) 662-5891. James B. Donaghey, Inc. 1770 Old Shell Rd. Mobile, AL 36604. Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 2018
STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF MOBILE NOTICE OF COMPLETION In accordance with Chapter 1, Title 39, Code of Alabama, 1975, NOTICE IS HEREBY given that H & H Electric Co., Inc. has completed the contract for University of South Alabama, Feeder to Covered Practice Facility USA Job No. 15-61 in Mobile, Alabama. All persons having any claim for labor, material, or otherwise in connection with this project should immediately notify the Engineering Design and Construction Department, University of South Alabama 307 University Boulevard, N. Mobile, Alabama 36688. William H. Hill, President H & H ELECTRIC CO., INC. Lagniappe HD May 23, 30, June 6, 2018
STORAGE AUCTION NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Alabama Statutes, that the goods stored in units rented by occupants listed below will be sold to the highest bidder at a public auction online at www. storagetreasures.com on June 22, 2018 at 10:00 am to satisfy liens claimed by STORAGEMAX MIDTOWN, together with all costs of sale. Karly Dodson, Paul Goggins, Marcelene Lewis & Michael Mitchell. Any of the above goods may be withdrawn from sale by STORAGEMAX MIDTOWN at any time without prior notice. Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
ABANDONED VEHICLES NOTICE OF SALE The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 1212 McNeil Ave., Mobile, AL 36609. 2009 Dodge Charger 2B3KA43D29H557210 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 2427 S US Hwy 31, Bay Minette, AL 36507. 2013 Chevrolet Cruze 1G1PC5SB2D7204466 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 6873 Richard Lane, Eight Mile, AL 36613. 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1GCEC14W6YZ135587 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 24151 Hawk Lane, Robertsdale, AL 36567. 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1GCRCSE09BZ105038 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 10840 McGehee Rd., Grand Bay, AL 36541. 2006 Chevrolet Malibu 1G1ZT51836F108112 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 1037 St Stephens Rd., Mobile, AL 36610. 2001 Honda Accord 1HGCG16521A018871 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 1602 Main St., Daphne, AL 36526. 1988 Honda Accord 1HGCA5637JA217423 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 867 Kuffskie Lane, Mobile, AL 36618. 1997 Cadillac Seville 1G6KY5296VU806356 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 06, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 9471 Scenic Hills Dr., Semmes, AL 36575. 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG3274YA016956 Lagniappe HD May 30, June 6, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 1015 N Craft Hwy. Prichard, AL 36610. 2000 Honda Accord 1HGCG5655YA136785 2007 Dodge Charger 2B3KA43G17H890263 2006 Dodge Charger 2B3KA53H16H354068 2006 Pontiac G6 1G2ZM551X64130206 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 108 Waterway W Blvd., Gulf Shores, AL 36542. 2004 Open Ro/Pilgrim 5L4FR362941002882 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 8371 Barrington Woods Court W., Mobile, AL 36695. 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 1B7HC13Y7WJ170683 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 3782 Halls Mill Rd., Mobile, AL 36693. 1991 Chevrolet S10 1GCCS14R1M8294165 1998 Toyota Camry 4T1BG22K9WU354482 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 5795 Magnolia Rd., Theodore, AL 36582. 1991 Chevrolet Corvette 1G1YZ23J4M5800309 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 7960 Two Mile Rd., Irvington, AL 36544. 2009 Lincoln MKX 2LMDU68C79BJ09560 2004 Pontiac Grand AM 1G2NE52FX4M505942 1999 Pontiac Sunfire 1G2JB1248X7547141 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 2565 Halls Mill Rd Suite D., Mobile, AL 36606. 2006 Mercedes C230 WDBRF52H46A909916 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 616 Marcus Dr., Mobile, AL 36609. 2004 Infiniti G35 JNKCV54E54M308361 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
The following unclaimed vehicle(s) will be sold on July 13, 2018 - Time - 12pm, if not claimed - at 3151 Moffett Rd., Mobile, AL 36617. 2003 Ford Explorer 1FMZU62K33ZB48409 2005 Ford Expedition 1FMPU16515LB12285 Lagniappe HD June 6, 13, 2018
Deadline for legal advertising in Lagniappe HD is every Monday at 5 p.m. Lagniappe HD is distributed each Thursday. Lagniappe HD offices are located at 702 Government St., Mobile, AL 36604 For more information or to place your ad call Jackie at 251-450-4466. Or email at legals@lagniappemobile.com
J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 8 - J u n e 1 2 , 2 0 1 8 | L AG N I A P P E | 63