department
CONTENTS
6
THEY SPEAK Contributors
11
IN THE LOOP
13
THE SENSE OF IT ALL
15
YEAR IN REVIEW
52
SENSE GOES MULTI-MEDIA
31
Must-sees and have-to-dos throughout the South
COUSIN LEROY SPEAKS
LITERATI The Last Man On Earth
22 PHOTOS THIS PAGE: Oyster photo courtesy of Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission Future USS Coronado (LCS 4) photo courtesy of Bob Friedlieb, Austal USA Director of Security Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo photo courtesy of David Rainer/ADCNR Mobile Fashion Week Hair photo courtesy of Matt Gates Photo Award plate photo courtesy of Rachel Wright PHOTOS BACK COVER: Crescent Theater Lobby photo courtesy of Will Fawcett Makeup artist at Fairhope Fashion Fete photo courtesy of Jaan Childs Waiting in the rain at Oak Hollow Farm photo courtesy of Will Haring
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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 / DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014 Issues-oriented Sense magazine gives voice to diver se political opinions but does not endor se the opinions or reflect the views e x p r e s s e d h e r e i n . Yo u a r e w e l c o m e t o s u b m i t y o u r O p - E d p i e c e v i a e m a i l t o e d i t o r @ t h e s e n s e o f i t a l l . c o m .
2 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
the
35
YEAR
in REVIEW
2013
views 32
AND NEWS
48
THE WHY OF WRITING
49
BETWEEN THE LINES
Cassandra King reveals her sources of inspiration for writing
Recommended Reading from Page & Palette
20 SENSE MAGAZINE | 3
ENSE
ECLECTIC INTELLECT FOR THE SOUL
PUBLISHER Jamie Seelye Leatherbury VIEWS AND NEWS EDITOR
Stephanie Emrich
ART DIRECTOR Ronda Gibney-Burns CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Guy Busby CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Cara Bloch Kim Campbell Jaan Childs Tad Denson Chad Edwards Will Fawcett Bob Friedlieb Matt Gates Will Haring Susan Steber Kangal David Rainer/ADCNR Stephen Savage Mehrdad Vaghefi Keith Necaise Photography Peter Stanglmayr Rachel Wright Beth Maynor Young Alabama Seafood Commission ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Olivia Grace Fryfogle Marlene Rathle ADVERTISE WITH US
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EMAIL US editor@thesenseofitall.com art@thesenseofitall.com events@thesenseofitall.com SENSE OFFICES 251 South Greeno Road Fairhope, Alabama 36532 Tel (251) 604-8827 Fax (251) 990-6603
Sense is published and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License by Eco-Urban Media, a division of Eco-Urbaneering Corporation. Creative Commons defines the spectrum of possibilities between full copyright and the public domain. For more information go to http://www.creativecommons.org and http://creativecommons. org/about/licenses/ and http://www.theSenseofitAll.com. All content of Sense is copyrighted. However, Sense also works under Creative Commons licensing guidelines for works published in Sense by contributing writers, artists and photographers. All rights to works submitted to and published by Sense will revert in their entirety to the respective contributing authors, artists and photographers 120 days after publication. At Sense, we believe this policy promotes journalistic independence and fosters mutual goodwill between the publisher and the contributing writers, artists and photographers..
4 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
SENSE MAGAZINE | 5
| THEY SPEAK
C O N T R I BU TO R S GUY BUSBY has traveled by glider, hot-air balloon, sailboat, steam locomotive, Mardi-Gras float and other forms of planes, trains, boats and automobiles for more than 20 years to cover life on the Gulf Coast. He has been an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Mobile Press-Register and other publications. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the University of South Alabama. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Silverhill, Ala.
KIM CAMPBELL is a graduate of Bayside Academy and Tulane University. She is married to Chip Campbell and they have two children, Camille and Camp. Kim’s passion is action/sports photography. Kim hones her polo photography by traveling across the US with her husband and son, who both play polo.
MATT GATES is a local professional photographer talented beyond his years. His creative vision, ability to “paint” with light, and pleasant demeanor have made him a favorite of both commercial and non-commercial clients. His work can be found on Lysol® Air Filters packaging, investment firm walls, cherished wedding albums and more. See more of his work at www.mattgatesphoto.com.
MEHRDAD VAGHEFI is a photographer living in Mobile Alabama. His work has been on display in the Soho Photo Art Gallery in New York, the Center for Fine Art Photography in Denver and the acclaimed Washington School of Photography in Washington D.C. His work Remembrance, depicting the 9/11 tragedy, is part of the permanent collection of “National September 11 Memorial & Museum” at the World Trade Center. Originally from Tehran Iran, he is married to ballet dancer Lori Bilbrey Vaghefi.
WANT TO BECOME A SENSE CONTRIBUTOR? Sense is always looking for new talent. If you are interested in becoming part of the Sense team, e-mail us at editor@thesenseofitall.com.
6 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
SENSE MAGAZINE | 7
8 | NOVEMBER 2013
HERE’S WHERE TO FIND US... Alabama Coastal Foundation Ascent Audiology Belleshain Bellingrath Gardens Bissell & Blaise Fine Jewelry Bouch’s Premium Cigars
MOBILE Apricot Lane Ashland Gallery Ashland Pub Atchison Imports Atlanta Bread Company Azakea City Physicians for Women Ballin’s Limited Renaissance Battle House Hotel Bay Area Physicians for Women Bebo’s Springhill Market Bicycle Shop Bliss Salon & Day Spa Blue Rents Bradley’s Café 615 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Camille’s Grill Candlewood Suites Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Company Carter & Co Cathedral Square Art Gallery Chat A Way Café Center for Living Arts Center for Dermatology Claude Moore Jeweler Claudios Cold Snap @ Old Shell Road Cold Snap @ USA Crockmier’s Debra’s Downtown Mobile Alliance Dragonfly Boutique Estetica Coiffure Explorium Science Center Five Gold Monkeys Fort Conde Inn Fort Conde Welcome Center Fuego Coastal Mexican Eatery Gigi’s Cupcakes G Harvell Men’s Clothier Goldstein’s Hampton Inn Downtown Hemline
Center for Living Arts Downtown Mobile Alliance Kangal Gallery Leatherbury Real Estate Mercedes of Mobile Mercy Medical
Mobile Symphony Orchestra Mobile Ballet Parson’s Boat Works Project Mouvement in Art Sadies Southern Edge Dance Center
Southern Veranda The Bean & Bistro The Colony at the Grand Tmac’s Hair Studio USA Mitchell Cancer Institute Wrap It Up
Hertha’s High Cotton Consignment Holiday, Inc Iberia Bank Legacy Bar & Grill LLB&B Realty Martha Rutledge Catering Maghee’s Grill On the Hill McCoy Outdoor Company Mercedes Benz Mobile Mobile Arts Council, Inc. Mobile Bay Bears Mobile Infirmary Office Tower Mobile Museum of Art Mobile Regional Airport Red Or White Satori Coffee House Serda’s @ Royal Street Shoe Fly Something New Bridal Springhill Family Pharmacy Spoke ‘N Trail The Bull The Gallery The Ivy Cottage The Union Steak House Thompson Engineering Tmac’s Hair Studio Twists Cupcakes @ Legacy USA Mitchell Cancer Institute Wintzell’s Airport Wintzell’s Downtown Zoe’s Kitchen Zundel’s Jewelry
Hampton Inn Hilton Garden Inn Homewood Suites of Daphne Infirmary West Lake Forest Shell Market by the Bay Malbis Shell Moe’s Barbeque Publix Rosie’s Grill The UPS Store Thomas Hospital Thomas Medical Plaza
FAIRHOPE/POINT CLEAR
DAPHNE Baldwin Bone & Joint Baumhower’s Wings Comfort Inn Daphne Library East Shore Café Glamour Nails Guido’s
SPANISH FORT Boltz Pain & Wellness Center Bayside Chiropractic Don Pablo’s Eastern Shore Toyota Malbis Parkway Pediatric Dentistry McMurphy Orthodontics Magestic Nails Mellow Mushroom Private Gallery @ Spanish Fort Twist @ ESC Wintzell’s SOUTH BALDWIN COUNTY Beach Club Bimini Bob’s Cobalt Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar Jesse’s Kaiser Realty Lulu’s Meyer Realty M II the Wharf Prickett Real Estate The Hangout Turquoise Tin Top Restaurant Villaggio Grille
Agave Mexican Battles Wharf Market Bayside Orthopedics Bean & Bistro Boxwood Bouche’s Cigars Brown & McCool Gynecology Coffee Loft Cold Snap Dragonfly Restaurant Eastbay Clothiers Eastern Shore Art Center Eastern Shore Heart Center Estate Jewelers Fairhope Inn Fairhope Library Fairhope Physical Therapy Gigi & Jays Hair Designs by Ann Rabin Hampton Flooring & Design Hampton Inn Happy Olive Iberia Bank Locals Lyon’s Share Gallery Market by the Bay Mary Ann’s Deli Master Joe’s Mr. Gene’s Beans Page & Palette Panini Pete’s Papa’s Pizza Private Gallery Publix Red or White Sadie’s of Fairhope Sandra’s Place Shanghai Cottage Southern Edge Dance Center Marriott’s Grand Hotel
Sense is distributed to over 100 locations throughout Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Because we are in the business of promoting the economy and design in Gulf Coast communities, we distribute through our advertisers and local businesses. We feel that this brings the opportunity to exchange ideas, encourage conversation, and support the local economy. It will also move us forward by furthering thought for our future and how we wish to design it, resulting in participation by each of us in weaving the fabric that is our Sense of Community. Photo courtesy of Cara Bloch
SENSE MAGAZINE | 9
10 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
| I N T H E LOOP
TOP
10
1 Celebration in the Oaks
DECEMBER/JANUARY EVENTS
DEC. 1 – JAN. 2/ NEW ORLEANS, LA.
PHOTO BY CATT SIRTEN
Since the 1980s, this unique light show in historic, scenic City Park has been a holiday favorite for hundreds of thousands of people. Featuring displays such as Mr. Bingle, New Orleans’ Christmas snowman and a retelling of “The Cajun Night Before Christmas” in lights, Celebration in the Oaks has become of the most popular holiday lighting displays in the country. For more information call 504-483-9415, email mailto:info@celebrationintheoaks.com or visit their website, www.celebrationintheoaks.com.
2
The Black Jacket Symphony, The Beatles, “Abbey Road.” JANUARY 11 | MOBILE CIVIC CENTER THEATER
The Black Jacket Symphony will return to Mobile for a performance of the Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” at 8 p.m. at the Mobile Civic Center Theatre. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience through recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album. For more information go to www.blackjacketsymphony.com/tour.
3
Pearl Harbor and World War II Remembrance Day DECEMBER 6 | PENSACOLA, FL
The National Naval Aviation Museum will honor the World War II generation and present a newly restored WWII aircraft, an F6F-3 Hellcat. The public is invited to attend this free event, which starts at 10 a.m., and salute Pearl Harbor survivors and all World War II veterans. For more information, call 850-453-2389.
4
‘The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 14 & 15 | MOBILE CIVIC CENTER THEATER
Under the direction of Winthrop Corey, the Mobile Ballet presents the timeless family event, “The Nutcracker” at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. Tickets available from the Mobile Ballet by calling 251-342-2241 or at www.MobileBallet.org.
5 When the Saints Go Marching in at Cockroach Hall JANUARY 17 | FAIRHOPE, AL
South of the Salt Line Regional Theatre presents the newest play from Tom Perez, the author of ‘Don’t Frack With Society Shell” and the novel “Katrina lashes Arabia,” celebrates Mobile’s Mardi Gras madness. Performances run three weekends through Jan. 31 at the Mobile Theatre Guild at 14 N. Lafayette St.
6
Christmas on the Coast DECEMBER 13-15 | PENSACOLA, FL
The holiday tradition returns to the Pensacola Saenger Theatre with Christmas on the Coast and the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Allen and Susan Pote. For more information go to www.pensacolasaenger.com/events/christmas-on-the-coast.
7 Holiday Harmonies
DECEMBER 14 | MOBILE, AL
This year, the Mobile Symphony is giving their traditional Holiday Pops concert at the Mobile Saenger Theatre a more modern, upbeat touch. Pentatonix, a capella artists and winners of NBC’s “Sing-Off,” will amaze listeners with their vocal talents and beautiful harmonies as they make their orchestral debut with the Mobile Symphony. For more information, call 251-432- 2010 or go to www.mobilesymphony.org/event/holidayharmonies.
8 Christmas Lighted Boat Parade DECEMBER 14 | GULF SHORES, AL
The 28th-annual parade will start at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina near the Ala. 59 bridge at 5:30 p.m. Boats will go east down the Intracoastal Waterway. The parade will end at Zeke’s Marina in Orange Beach. For more information, call 251-968-4237 or go to beach.alagulfcoastchamber.com/events.
9
Battle of New Orleans JANUARY 9 | NEW ORLEANS, LA
Kicking off the year leading up to the bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans in 2015, the New Orleans Hotel Collection will present General Packenham’s Final Supper on the 199th anniversary of the battle. The event will include portrayals of British Gen. Sir Edward Packenham and America’s Andrew Jackson. The five-course dinner, prepared by Chef Agnes Bellet, is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hotel Mazarin. For reservations or more information call Tracy at 504-200-3113 or go to www.neworleanshotelcollection. com/1812
10 The Faces of the Future
DECEMBER 10 | MOBILE, LA
Brad Israel will sign copies of his book, “The Faces of the Future: The Struggle for the Next Generation In Paktika Province, Afghanistan,” at Atchison Home at 921 Dauphin St. from 4 to 7 p.m. Israel served in Afghanistan as an Army officer, writes about creating better lives for the Afghan youth through education. Israel will also speak at 5:30 p.m.
NEW YEAR’S EVENTS:
1 . Mobile Moon Pie Drop
Mobile’s downtown celebration will again include fireworks, music and fun, topped off with ringing in 2014 with the dropping of a 600-lb electronic MoonPie, a treat synonymous to the city’s Carnival season, at the stroke of midnight
2 . Pensacola Pelican Drop
The 2013 downtown celebration begins at 5 p.m. and continues until 12:30 a.m. The celebration includes live music on three stages, a children’s area, street performers, food, drinks and other activities. At midnight, the New Year Pelican and fireworks light the sky. For more information, go to www.pensacolapelicandrop.com
3 . Fairhope New Year’s Eve Celebration
The family-friendly downtown event begins at 8:30 p.m. and continues until 12:30 a.m. A ball will drop at midnight and fireworks will light up the sky to ring in the New Year.
4 . Polar Bear Dip
Flora-Bama, Orange Beach, Ala. The annual tradition will continue as hundreds of swimmers ring in the New Year with a dip in the Gulf waters at noon. The FloraBama provides the traditional feast with black-eyed peas, cornbread, ham and more for those who take the plunge. For more information, go to www.florabama.com/ events/155-polar-bear-dip.
Submit events to events@thesenseofitall.com SENSE MAGAZINE | 11
| IN THE LOOP
BOOK IT 1 Pat Conroy
DECEMBER 9 | 6 PM | THE VENUE
In this powerful and intimate memoir, the beloved best-selling author of The Prince of Tides and his father, the inspiration for The Great Santini, find some common ground at long last. The Death of Santini is at once a heart-wrenching account of personal and family struggle and a poignant lesson in how the ties of blood can both strangle and offer succor. Join us at 6 p.m. for a book signing and author discussion with Pat Conroy. Tickets are $38.95 and include a signed first edition of The Death of Santini. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are available for purchase at the store or at www.pageandpalette.com. The book signing will be opened up to the public beginning at 7:30 p.m. for those unable to attend the feature event.
2 Read It & Eat with Cassandra King
DECEMBER 10 | 12 PM | EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER
Join us at 12 p.m. for a Read It & Eat luncheon and book signing with bestselling author Cassandra King and her latest novel Moonrise. Moonrise is a modern gothic tale inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel Rebecca, which still enchants readers 75 years after its original publication. Set in the cloud-shrouded mountains of western North Carolina, at a summer vacation spot that attracts many of the wealthy from Atlanta and elsewhere, Moonrise combines du Maurier’s command of suspense, intrigue and foreboding with King’s light approach to human foible. This event is free and open to the public. Bring a “brown bag” lunch or call the store to reserve lunch from Andree’s for $10.
3 Read It & Eat with Lynn Cullen JANUARY 9 | 12 PM | TBA
Join us for a Read It & Eat luncheon and book signing with award-winning author Lynn Cullen and her new novel Mrs. Poe. Inspired by literature’s most haunting love triangle, award-winning author Lynn Cullen delivers a pitchperfect rendering of Edgar Allan Poe, his mistress’s tantalizing confession and his wife’s frightening obsession . . . in this “intelligent, sexy and utterly addictive” (M. J. Rose) new masterpiece of historical fiction. Location TBA.
4 Page & Palette Book Club Night
JANUARY 9 | 6 PM | PAGE & PALETTE
Join voracious readers and book club extraordinaires Stephanie Crowe and Anderson McKean for Page & Palette’s Book Club Night. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about their favorite titles and recommendations for book club picks, including new to paperback, debut novels and upcoming releases. Book giveaways and refreshments will be provided. Author Lynn Cullen will also be discussing her fascinating historical novel Mrs. Poe.
5 Read It & Eat with Drew Perry JANUARY 20 | 12 PM | TBA
In his latest novel, Kids These Days, Drew Perry paints a landscape of weird and beautiful Florida and its inhabitants — all wholly original and hilarious, and utterly believable. And at the center is a portrait of a father-to-be who is paralyzed by the idea of taking responsibility for another human life when he can’t seem to manage his own. Kids These Days takes perfect aim at the two sides of impending fatherhood — abject terror and unconditional love. Join us for Read It & Eat with Drew Perry. Location TBA.
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| THE SENSE OF IT ALL
L E ROY
S P E A K S :
O U T S I DE
TH E
BOX.
C O U S I N
The end of another year is swiftly upon us. The coming year poses to be an interesting one. Let us meet it with purpose and design such that we may overcome the politics that beset our country. Let us hope that our political leaders may overcome their stubbornness and end the turmoil that they have created.
T H I N K
CL I MB I N S I D E T HE
I send thanks to those that have contributed to make our magazine successful. I hope that you enjoy this issue as it takes a look back at 2013.
I send Best Wishes for a joyous and peaceful holiday season. I pray that the holy spirit will be with you in all joy and be of comfort to you when searching.
May we make laughter and remembrance of those we have loved. May we be of service and comfort to those who have fought for us and our freedom. They have sacrificed much to protect us.
Let us all be proud but never forget to be humble. Let us serve each other.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
B OX .
Yours in Community,
cousinleroy@thesenseofitall.com
THE RE
IS
A
SOLU T I O N . SENSE MAGAZINE | 13
14 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
the
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SENSE MAGAZINE | 15
2013 As the old year ended and a new one began, we watched images of the tragedy as tornadoes swept across Mobile and the triumph of seeing a crystal trophy held high by national champions. Filmmakers’ explosions rocked downtown Mobile, while shipbuilding and aircraft plant construction showed signs of a boom in the economy as well. The threat of Tropical Storm Karen did not stop us from celebrating in the streets. The year ended with another state team striving for the crystal trophy – a sign of the possibilities awaiting in the year to come.
In this issue of Sense Magazine, we want to recap the year and share with you the images of 12 amazing months on the Gulf Coast.
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Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
Trinity Episcopal Church sustained about $3 million in damage to its 160-year-old Dauphin Street sanctuary as a result of the 2012 Christmas Day Tornado. While the sanctuary is still being re-built, the church holds their services in the parish hall.
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Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
January saw the University of Alabama become the first team to win back-to-back championships in the BCS era when the Crimson Tide smashed Notre Dame 42-14 in Miami. Alabama is the third team to win three national football championships in four years by trouncing the first school to do so. Notre Dame won in 1946, 1947 and 1949.
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In February, Mercedes Benz of Mobile presented the Project Mouvement in Art premiere which was held at the Saenger. It featured 27 local youth and adult dancers, aged 8 to 28 along with many talented professional dance artists. Mary Thomas McKinnon, 12, dances as the mermaid in “Carnival of the Animals.� Photo courtesy of Mehrdad Vaghefi
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Above: Red snapper float in the Gulf of Mexico following a fish kill in February. One possible cause of the kill was underwater explosions used to demolish obsolete oil and gas drilling rigs under the federal “idle iron” policy. The government’s practice of using explosives to remove the old rigs is not only destroying valuable marine habitat, but is also directly at odds with other government policy aimed at protecting Gulf red snapper from overfishing. d ship. Right: On Valentine’s Day, the Carnival Triumph was towed into Mobile four days after an engine room fire. Some of the 4,200 passengers and crew reported overflowing toilets, no power, foul odors and food shortages. Many utilized social media to vent their frustrations aboard the crippled cruise ship. Journalists and other media from across the country awaited the arrival of passengers to attend a media briefing.
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Photo courtesy of Tad Denson - Myshotz.com
Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
SENSE MAGAZINE | 21
Photo courtesy of Alabama Marine Resources Division
Area waters were scenes of peace and chaos in the spring. Oyster tongers harvest their catch after local waters, closed since Feb. 15 were reopened for fishing on March 18.
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Photo courtesy of Tad Denson - MyShotz.com
At about 8:30 p.m. on April 24, an explosion rocked downtown Mobile as two fuel barges exploded on the east bank of the Mobile River. Three workers were injured in the blast. A series of seven explosions continued until about 2:30 a.m. leading officials to close the river’s ship channel and evacuate part of the Austal USA complex. The initial blast was triggered by a static charge.
SENSE MAGAZINE | 23
Photo courtesy of Susan Steber Kangal
In April, sailboats assembled on Mobile Bay during the 55th Annual Dauphin Island Race. The 18-mile competition down the bay has been called the longest point-to-point race in the country.
24 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
Photo courtesy of Tad Denson - MyShotz.com
With the backdrop of an A320 JetBlue, Airbus President & CEO Fabrice Brégier gives a “thumbs up,” at the Brookley Aeroplex during his departure after the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Airbus A320 assembly plant in Mobile. The plant is scheduled to produce 40 to 50 aircraft a year by 2018.
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Photo courtesy of Cara Bloch
Crowds pack the beach at the 2013 Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores. The festival drew 27,000 people to the May celebration. The festival provided a $31-million impact to the area economy with hotel and condo occupancy reaching 90 percent and about 80 percent of the audience coming from other states.
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The Fairhope Veterans Memorial monument and fountain was dedicated May 30 on the bluff at Henry George Park. The monument titled “Tears of Sorrow, Tears of Joy� recognizes everyone who served in the American military as well as the sacrifices made by families.
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Photo courtesy of MCE Photography/Chad Edwards
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Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
Above, Mary Blackshear Sessions (left) is helped by Austal A Class Welder Kyle Hinton as she she welds her initials into an aluminum plate during the Keel Laying Ceremony for the Montgomery (LCS 8) at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. June 25. Austal is under a $3.5-billion contract to build 12 of the 419-foot ships.
Left, frequent encounters between reoccurring Gulf Coast artists—Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough, Corky Hughes and the duo Sugarcane Jane featuring Savana Lee Crawford and Anthony Crawford—led to the birth of a band, the aptly named Willie Sugarcapps. Seen here performing at Levitt Shell in Memphis, the band Willie Sugarcapps released its first album in August, which climbed up the America Radio charts. Grammy winner Trina Shoemaker, of Fairhope, Capps wife, produced the album.
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Explosions, car chases and movie-star sightings caused downtown Mobile to erupt with excitement during the filming of “Tokarev� over the summer. The film, whose stars included Nicholas Cage and Danny Glover, had a budget of $15 million. Photo taken on the set of TOKAREV, directed by Paco Cabezas and produced by Richard Rionda Del Castro and Michael Mendelsohn.
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In June, Mobile, Alabama is home of the Grand Finish for The Great Race, a 2,500 mile, nine-day endurance race from St. Paul, Minn. to the Port City.Matching their incredible job on last year’s race, the unstoppable team of Irene and Barry Jason wheeled their 1935 Ford coupe to victory, taking home the $50,000 Grand Championship prize.
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The Mobile Arts Council presented The Greater Mobile Arts Awards in August. The program acknowledges the contributions that individuals, groups and businesses make to the cultural life of the community. Awards are presented in six categories: Artist, Business, Educator, Organization (the Kit Caffey Award), Patron (the Mabel Bedsole Ward Award) and Volunteer (the Fred and Ann Delchamps Award) Alison Herlihy presented the awards. Photos courtesy of Keith Necaise Photography
Carmen Brown receives the Lifetime Achievement Award. Brown has volunteered for numerous causes and is a longtime arts supporter.
Riley Brenes was presented the Emerging Artist Award. Brenes has made exceptional contributions to the local creative community.
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Dr. Thomas Rosandich received the Patron Award. Dr. Rosandich has made art as much a part of the Eastern Shore as athletics.
The Educator Award went to Lori Bilbrey Vaghefi. Vaghefi is on the faculty of Southern Edge Dance Center and is artistic director for Performance Mouvement in Art.
The Artist Award went to Mike McKee. McKee was the former director of Mobile Theater Guild.
Dan Silver was recognized with the Volunteer Award. Silver is a math professor at the University of South Alabama but also plays an important role in the Mobile Chamber Music Society.
Left, The Crescent Theater was presented the Business Award. Theater owner Max Morey accepts the award. Crescent Theater debuts locallyproduced works among other artistic endeavors. Right, The Organization Award went to the Mobile Symphony. Mobile Symphony Board President Jimmie Hatcher, left, and Diana Brewer, executive director accepted. The symphony has become a flagship organization for the fine arts in Mobile.
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Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
34 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
Photo courtesy of Matt Gates Photo
Left: Businessman Sandy Stimpson defeated eightyear incumbent Sam Jones in the race for mayor of Mobile. Stimpson shares a “thumb’s up” with his father Billy following his Aug. 27 victory. Stimpson took 53 percent of the vote and took office Nov. 5.
Above: Mobile Fashion Week was founded in 2011 with the mission of “Fashion...with a Cause” this crusade has raised money for Camp Rap-A-Hope a camp for “kids with cancer” since the beginning. Mobile Fashion Week has grown from a two-day event with 500 guests to a week of fashion with more than 4,000 participants.
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Photo courtesy of BayFest.com
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Photo courtesy of Peter Stanglmayr
Above: Natalie Chanin, founder and designer of Alabama Chanin, won the $75,000 grand prize in the CFDA Lexus Eco Fashion Challenge. Chanin launched her label Project Alabama in 2000. She produces her entire semi-couture collection in her hometown of Florence, Ala, with more than a dozen full-time employees and 30 independent contractors.
Left: In October, despite the threat from Tropical Storm Karen, crowds turned out for the 19th annual Bayfest in downtown Mobile. The storm caused organizers to reduce the number of stages, but Karen fizzled and most of the celebration took place in good weather.
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polo at the point pic
Photo courtesy of Kim Campbell
Polo at the Point celebrated its 25th anniversary in October. The Gulf Coast’s premiere charity sporting event, Polo at the Point’s designated charities were the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute and Thomas Hospital’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Program.
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Photo courtesy of Jaan Childs
Fairhope Fete was founded to celebrate Fairhope’s fashion community. The week-long event featured local, regional and national fashion to promote and inspire the latest fashion trends. Fairhope Fete benefits Point Clear Charities, Inc. As an extension of Fairhope Fete, businesses and individuals sponsored nine selected artists for “Painted White Jeans” where white designer jeans were a blank canvas for individual artwork. The jeans were auctioned at this year’s Polo At The Point.
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4513 Old Shell Road • (251)342-4911 shoptheholiday.com
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Photo Photo courtesy courtesy ofof Stephen Stephen Savage Savage
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Photo courtesy of Beth Maynor Young
Above: Naturalist Edward O. Wilson received the Lifetime of Conservation Achievement Award from the Alabama Coastal Foundation on Nov. 14. Wilson, who grew up near Mobile, has been called the father of sociobiology. His many awards include twice winning the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction.
Left: Audience members watch one of 40 movies presented at the inaugural Fairhope Film Festival in November. Films winning awards at the festival included Bayou Maharajah, winning the Grand Jury Award; “Eye on the Sixties,” for Best Documentary; and World Fair, Best Short Film. “America’s Amazon,” a film about the Mobile-Tensaw Delta took the Audience Choice Award.
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Photo courtesy of Tad Denson - MyShotz.com
Above: Hired by J.O. Wintzell in 1970, Willie Brown has been an outstanding oyster shucker at Wintzell’s for 43 years and in November, the City of Mobile proclaimed Willie Brown Day in honor of his years of service to Wintzell’s. Willie has been called “A tourist attraction in his own right.” Mr. Brown was also honored by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association as the 2013 Front-of-the-House Restaurant Employee of the Year.
Right: Phil Robertson, patriarch of the family featured on Duck Dynasty, was one of four Robertson family members – along with Kay, Si and Korie – to appear at the Bay of the Holy Spirit Jubilee in Fairhope on Nov. 15. The event at Oak Hollow Farms also included appearances by popular authors Jill Conner Browne, Andy Andrews and others.
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Photo courtesy of Will Haring
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Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
Alabama’s 38-17 victory over No. 13 LSU on November 9 was a highlight of the Crimson Tide’s 11-1 season. The win caused the usually reserved Saban to leap into the arms of QB AJ McCarron. In a postgame interview with CBS’ Tracy Wolfson, Saban, standing alongside McCarron, expressed his admiration for his highly successful signal-caller, calling him “the best quarterback in the country.”
46 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
Photo courtesy of AL.COM /Landov
Auburn’s Chris Davis celebrates after returning an Alabama field goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown to defeat the Crimson Tide 34-28 in the last play of this year’s Iron Bowl. Only four other field goal attempts have been returned for more than 100 yards since college football records began being kept in the 19th century.
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| VIEWS AND NEWS
THE WHY OF WRITING BY CASSANDRA KING
HAVE LUNCH WITH CASSANDRA KING
TUESDAY, DEC 10 12 PM AT THE EASTERN SHORE ART CENTER This event is free and open to the public. Bring your lunch or call the store to reserve lunch from Andree’s for $10.
LUNCHEON
48 | NOVEMBER 2013
Traveling around and speaking at conferences or festivals about my books, I’m often asked how writers come up with ideas for their books. Do they come from the imagination, personal experience or a combination of both? Obviously I can’t speak for other writers, but I like to think we don’t find stories…they find us. And sometimes in the most unexpected ways. That was the way it happened with my latest book, Moonrise. A few summers ago, my husband and I rented a house in Highlands, North Carolina — one of my favorite spots on earth and the setting for a new book I was about to start work on. Unlike our previous rentals, this place was really isolated, way out from town and deep in the woods. Even though I would be alone for days at the time because my husband was traveling a lot, the isolation sealed the deal. Alone time is one of the main things I need when working on a new book — time to visit that secret place writers go to create story. As it turned out, the big old house was not only secluded, but also dark and gloomy, surrounded with beautiful yet unkempt flower gardens. According to the realtor, the original owner had lovingly tended the gardens until her untimely death several years before. The new owners rarely came around. Alone, I settled in to work on my new book, which I hadn’t quite gotten a handle on at the time. After studying the Highlands area and taking copious notes, the characters were forming in my mind and the setting would be an old historic house on a mountain. I knew that the plot involved a new wife coming into an unfriendly situation, but I didn’t have the hook yet. One day something strange happened. Exploring the overgrown flower gardens behind the house, I stumbled on a circle of stones which marked the final resting place of the previous owner — the woman who had created the wildly beautiful gardens. As writers are apt to do, I became intrigued by the lonely site and was drawn to it again and again. I wondered about the woman who had once lived here, and now rested in a secluded spot that she must have dearly loved. I began to take her flowers and became fixated on her story. At night, I found myself searching for her in the shadowy hallways or imagined her standing at the foot of my bed, calling my name. I was sure she wandered through her sadly neglected gardens in the moonlight. And I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an intruder. I didn’t belong there — where she was supposed to be. Then one night, another serendipitous happening. To settle myself down, I looked through the stack of books I’d brought along — old favorites to re-read. I selected Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. Alone and spooked in a house haunted by the previous owner, I’m not sure why I thought reading that particular book was a good idea. But I had always loved the book, so I plunged in. I wasn’t far into the familiar pages when it hit me. Suddenly, the connection between my fascination with the previous wife of the house and Du Maurier’s unnamed narrator became clear. By chance, I’d found a new approach to my book. And thus the idea for Moonrise took shape — my admiring homage to the most deliciously gothic romance of all times, Rebecca.
B E T W E E N
T H E
L I N E S
REVIEWS OF BOOKS AVAILABLE AT PAGE & PALETTE BOOKSTORE
MRS. POE BY LYNN CULLEN
Inspired by literature’s most haunting love triangle, awardwinning author Lynn Cullen delivers a pitch-perfect rendering of Edgar Allan Poe, his mistress’s tantalizing confession and his wife’s frightening obsession . . . in this “intelligent, sexy, and utterly addictive” (M. J. Rose) new masterpiece of historical fiction. Cullen’s Mrs. Poe is a vivid and compelling novel about a woman who becomes entangled in an affair with Edgar Allan Poe — at the same time she becomes the unwilling confidante of his much-younger wife. It is 1845, and Frances Osgood is desperately trying to make a living as a writer in New York; not an easy task for a woman — especially one with two children and a philandering portrait painter as her husband. As Frances tries to sell her work, she finds that editors are only interested in writing similar to that of the new renegade literary sensation Edgar Allan Poe, whose poem, The Raven, has struck a public nerve. She meets the handsome and mysterious Poe at a literary party, and the two have an immediate connection. Poe wants Frances to meet with his wife since she claims to be an admirer of her poems, and Frances is curious to see the woman whom Edgar married. As Frances spends more and more time with the intriguing couple, her intense attraction for Edgar brings her into dangerous territory. And Mrs. Poe, who acts like an innocent child, is actually more
manipulative and threatening than she appears. As Frances and Edgar’s passionate affair escalates, Frances must decide whether she can walk away before it’s too late. Set amidst the fascinating world of New York’s literati, this smart and sexy novel offers a unique view into the life of one of history’s most unforgettable literary figures. Join us for a Read It & Eat luncheon and book signing with Lynn Cullen at 12 p.m. on Jan. 9. Location TBA. Lynn will also be the featured guest at Page and Palette’s Book Club Night later that evening at 6 p.m. ($26.00, Simon & Schuster, On Sale Now)
questions Julia has been trying to avoid. Interwoven with Julia’s story is that of a Burmese woman named Nu Nu who finds her world turned upside down when Burma goes to war and calls on her two young sons to be child soldiers. This spirited sequel, like the internationally best-selling novel The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, explores the most inspiring and passionate terrain: the human heart. ($15.95, Other Press, Pub Date 1/21/14)
brilliant geneticist who believes in science and numbers, destiny to him is about choice. Now, he and Shandi are about to meet their so-called destinies head on, in a funny, charming and poignant novel from bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson. ($26.99, HarperCollins, On Sale Now)
THE SPIRIT OF FAIRHOPE BY DEAN MOSHER AND MEGREZ MOSHER
COOKING FROM THE HEART BY JOHN BESH
SOMEONE ELSE’S LOVE STORY BY JOSHILYN JACKSON
A WELL-TEMPERED HEART BY JAN-PHILIPP SENDKER
Almost 10 years have passed since Julia Win came back from Burma, her father’s native country. Though she is a successful Manhattan lawyer, her private life is at a crossroads; her boyfriend has recently left her and she is, despite her wealth, unhappy with her professional life. Julia is lost and exhausted. One day, in the middle of an important business meeting, she hears a stranger’s voice in her head that causes her to leave the office without explanation. In the following days, her crisis only deepens. Not only does the female voice refuse to disappear, but it starts to ask
& Palette while supplies last. ($40.00, Andrews McMeel Publishing, On Sale Now)
At age 21, Shandi Pierce is juggling finishing college, raising her delightful 3-yearold genius son Natty, and keeping the peace between her eternally warring, longdivorced Catholic mother and Jewish father. She’s got enough complications without getting caught in the middle of a stickup in a gas station mini-mart and falling in love with a great wall of a man named William Ashe, who willingly steps between the armed robber and her son. Shandi doesn’t know that William has his own complications. When he looked down the barrel of that gun he believed it was destiny. It’s been one year to the day since a tragic act of physics shattered his universe. But William doesn’t define destiny the way other people do. A
In Cooking from the Heart, James Beard Award-winning chef John Besh shares the lessons he learned from his mentors through 140 accessible recipes and cooking lessons. Chef Besh’s third cookbook revisits the locations, lessons and mentors that shaped his culinary journey. From Germany’s Black Forest to the mountains of Provence, each chapter highlights heartfelt memories and delicious recipes — the framework for his love of food. The all-new, easyto-follow recipes, complete with regional substitution suggestions, make creating upscale farm-to-table dishes accessible for any at-home chef. The rich production values and personal narrative make this cookbook an equally engaging read. Featuring lush photography, inspiring personal stories and a rich expanse of culinary knowledge, Cooking from the Heart is the next best thing to having an apprenticeship with Chef Besh. Signed copies available at Page
For the first time, a book has been published that captures the spirit of Fairhope. Many of Fairhope’s most notable authors, including Fannie Flagg, Winston Groom, Rick Bragg, Frank Turner Hollen, Sonny Brewer and Andy Andrews, contributed to define their impressions of who we are as Fairhopians. Authored by the father-daughter team of Dean and Megrez Mosher, The Spirit of Fairhope blends Dean’s deep understanding of Fairhope’s history with Megrez’s knowledge of growing up surrounded by the authors, characters and the rich lineage she shares through her grandparents Craig and Butch Sheldon. This volume is filled with stories and anecdotes of the great historical figures, characters and events that make Fairhope one of the most unique small cities in the world. ($35.95, Page & Palette, On Sale Now)
SENSE MAGAZINE | 49
50 | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013/2014
| VIEWS AND NEWS
WHAT
THE AUTHORS ARE
READING
PAGE & PALETTE BOOKSTORE’S MOST POPULAR AUTHORS TALK ABOUT THEIR LATEST READS
LISA PATTON
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF WHISTLIN’ DIXIE IN A NOR’EASTER
Fannie Flagg makes me laugh out loud. Naturally her new book, The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion, is sitting right here next to me. It’s classic Flagg, chock-full of all the quirky, endearing characters we have come to expect. I love the names she gives them and the funny situations they can’t help finding themselves in the middle of. It’s imperative, though, that I read All-Girl Filling Station without a drink in my hand. Otherwise, I might spit Coke out of my nose! I’m the type to read two books at once — one current and one classic. Right now I’m reading Peter Taylor’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, A Summons to Memphis. As a born and bred Memphian now residing in Nashville, I find it fascinating. Taylor’s paradoxical characterizations of the oldschool Southerners are spot-on. He captures their repelling, yet comforting personalities with perfect pitch. I feel like I’m reliving the days with my deeply rooted Southern ancestors.
DREW PERRY
AUTHOR OF THIS IS JUST EXACTLY LIKEYOU,A FINALIST FOR THE FLAHERTY-DUNNAN PRIZE FROM THE CENTER FOR FICTION,A BEST-OF-THE-YEAR PICK FROM THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION AND A SIBA OKRA PICK
I’m reading Aimee Bender’s The Color Master, which, like everything she’s written, makes me feel as though what I ought to do is learn English, so that I might write in that language. Everyone makes such a show of the fantastical elements in Bender’s work (and, by the way, speaking of fantastic, try her novel, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake), but that’s not what brings me back to her stories again and again. Almost under the disguise of the strange or magical, Bender finds truly new ways to reveal what makes us plainly, wonderfully human. Could I add two more from the stack that’s on my desk? I love, with my whole heart, Kevin Wilson’s book of stories, Tunneling to the Center of the Earth. He was made rightfully famous by his novel, The Family Fang, but if you’ve not checked out these stories, do so right now. Today. Each is like a little jewel. And since Alice Munro won the Nobel, I’ve been going back to the many books of hers here in the house — what living writer understands the sentence, or the way the sentence can carry us through time, better than Munro?
CHARLES SALZBERG
JOURNALIST, ACCLAIMED WRITING INSTRUCTOR AND AUTHOR OF DEVIL IN THE HOLE
Usually, I’m catching up on serious fiction by Phillip Roth and Saul Bellow, but for some reason, lately I’ve been bingeing on reading about the Old West. James Muehlberger’s The Lost Cause, about Jesse and Frank James; The Last Gunfight, about Wyatt Earp and the gunfight at the OK Corral, by Jeff Guinn; and To Hell on a Fast Horse, about Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, by Mark Lee Gardner. Now, I’m juggling a biography of the gambler Arnold Rothstein, by Davis Pietrusza, Double Cross by Ben Macintyre, and Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks, and if you can figure out the connection there, let me know.
JOSHILYN JACKSON
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF GODS IN ALABAMA
I just finished a fabulous debut called Where the Moon Isn’t by Nathan Filer. I hesitate to tell you what it is about because it’s one of those books that, if I tried to explain it to you, you would say, “Oh no, I won’t read that! That sounds so depressing!” It’s about a young man with mental illness who blames himself for his brother’s death. He realizes he can hear his long dead brother if he goes off his medication. You see? You are already backing away. Don’t. This book is so beautiful. It has these tiny grace notes that start all soft and faint, but they echo back, amplified each time, returning larger and louder and sweeter until I was weeping from the ridiculous, frail beauty of being human.
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| LITERATI
THE LAST MAN ON EARTH BY BOB TRAMMELL
Today I will look for signs of life along the path I will stare into the jaundiced eyes of Tigers The folded glistening wings of wrens and sparrows The spotted fawns dancing on spindly legs I will search for foot prints and broken twigs Leading to deep woods and towering waterfalls I will follow the soulful sounds of crickets and frogs The steady hum of honey bees in the hollows of trees I will observe how morning breaks through swaying pines And the way pitcher plants open their tiny mouths I will walk across moss covered stones in ice cold streams And watch fingerlings as they dart to the shadow of a leaf I will search for evidence of my own life along the path A slip of paper with notes written on the front and back A poem I composed that fell among the tangled weeds An unsigned painting I misplaced a lifetime ago My foot prints along the path to the top of a large mountain
LITERATI SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Sense invites you to submit edgy, eclectic pieces. We welcome short fiction, essays, humor, and poetry submissions. Rights to the material submitted remain those of its author, who is protected under Creative Commons licenses. We reserve the right to choose all materials that appear in the publication. For more detailed submission information, email editor@thesenseofitall.com.
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