2 | LAGNIAPPE | August 18, 2016 - August 24, 2016 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LAGNIAPPE WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 | www.lagniappemobile.com

ASHLEY TRICE BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor The felony murder trial of Hiawatha Robinson, [email protected] accused of killing his 8-year-old daughter, began ROB HOLBERT Co-publisher/Managing Editor 5 last week. [email protected] STEVE HALL COMMENTARY Marketing/Sales Director The Mobile County Commission is still fighting [email protected] Ashley Rich’s lawsuit, despite Supreme Court GABRIEL TYNES rulings. Assistant Managing Editor 12 [email protected] BUSINESS DALE LIESCH Reporter Citronelle High School students begin the new [email protected] year at a new facility built by White-Spunner JASON JOHNSON Construction. Reporter 16 [email protected] CUISINE KEVIN LEE Associate Editor/Arts Editor In addition to its namesake, [email protected] Lickin’ Good Donuts in ANDY MACDONALD Midtown serves breakfast and Cuisine Editor kolaches, a stuffed European [email protected] pastry. STEPHEN CENTANNI Music Editor [email protected] J. MARK BRYANT Sports Writer [email protected] 17 STEPHANIE POE Copy Editor [email protected] COVER DANIEL ANDERSON Chief Photographer A surge in police patrols and [email protected] increase in law enforcement LAURA RASMUSSEN is making a difference Art Director downtown, but officials say the 22 www.laurarasmussen.com response to recent shootings is BROOKE MATHIS Advertising Sales Executive unsustainable. [email protected] BETH WILLIAMS Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] CANDACE HOUSTON Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] ARTS ASHLEY KILLIAN Joe Jefferson Playhouse’s production of “Sweeney Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] Todd” is full and impressive. MELISSA EDGE 24 Editorial Assistant [email protected] MUSIC ROSS PRITCHARD Gainesville’s Sister Hazel is Distribution Manager dipping its collective toes into [email protected] modern country. JACKIE CRUTHIRDS Office Manager [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS: Asia Frey • Lee Hedgepeth Brian Holbert • Jeff Poor • Ron Sivak James Miles • Dan Murphy 26 ON THE COVER: Downtown after hours by Daniel Anderson POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FILM P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices “The Little Prince” and “April and the are located at 1100B Dauphin St. Extraordinary World” are animation for the ages. Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: 32 [email protected] or [email protected] LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature MEDIA Offset, 2610 Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, You may notice a few changes at your favorite Mississippi. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered locally owned weekly newspaper. to be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative News- 36 weeklies and Alternative Weeklies Network All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced SPORTS without the expressed permission of the The University of South Alabama Jaguars return to publishers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper the gridiron Sept. 3 at Mississippi State. free of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 38 per issue. Removal of more than one copy from these points constitutes theft. Viola- STYLE tors are subject to prosecution. Bikes, beaches and brews fills up Boozie’s news.

For Lagniappe home delivery visit www.lagniappemobile.com/lagniappehd 42 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 3 POLICE DISPATCH

Teenager struck by drunk driver in Mobile Sept. 19. identity. A teenager remains in the hospital after being struck by a drunk Saraland police make multiple drug arrests An investigation revealed Campbell was attempting to avoid driver on Staples Road in Mobile last week. Police in Saraland kept busy last week, making multiple arrest for two active felony warrants issued by the Mobile The accident occurred the evening of Thursday, Aug. 26, drugs arrests and capturing a man wanted by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for probation violation. According to when officers from the Mobile Police Department responded County Sheriff’s Department. jail records, Campbell was on probation for a 2013 arrest on and arrested and charged 61-year-old Sandra Wetzel with driv- On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Saraland police made two separate multiple burglary charges. ing under the influence of alcohol. arrests and seizing methamphetamine, illegal prescription drugs Last Friday, the SPD’s narcotics unit joined the MCSO in According to Metro Jail records, Wetzel has no previous and drug paraphernalia. Arrested were Katherine Louise Buhl, the execution of a search warrant in Citronelle. There, officers lo- criminal charges in Mobile County. a 53-year-old resident of Altha, Florida, and Perry Joe Griffin, cated ICE methamphetamine, prescription pills, marijuana, drug The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Bryce Man- 49, of Saraland. paraphernalia and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. ning, who is a recent graduate of Alma Bryant High School. After stopping Buhl, police located methamphetamine As a result of the search, Jason Tyler Reed, 22, of Citronelle, In an interview with NBC 15, Manning’s mother said her son and prescription drugs in her vehicle, and though they were was arrested and charged with possession with intent to dis- sustained two broken legs and a severe concussion and is being separate incidents, the circumstances around Griffin’s arrest tribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled treated in intensive care. were similar. Stopped by police, a search of Griffin’s vehicle substance, first-degree possession of marijuana and possession However, some on social media have criticized authorities revealed him to be in possession of prescription drugs. of drug paraphernalia. because Wetzel was allowed to bond out of jail only five hours The following day, patrol officers in Saraland arrested and Reed was booked into the Mobile Metro Jail the same after being arrested. According to state court records, Wetzel charged Trent Devonte Campbell, 29, for obstructing justice day, and according to records; the arrest is his first in Mobile will not have an initial appearance in municipal court until after the Prichard resident attempted to give officers a false County. Compiled by Jason Johnson

GOING POSTAL

There is a ready source of trained, underpaid officers available from the Don your foil hats Police jurisdiction mixtape Shame on the Lagniappe for publishing Editor: Mobile Police Department. (“Spirits in the Material World”) a letter from Tom Harris of the International (Music selection: “Every Breath You Take”) I first thought a wall It’s probably a good thing I am not a Mobile County Commissioner Climate Science Coalition. Some opinions would be appropriate. A passport would be required to pass between (let’s accept as fact that I could be elected, regardless if it’s true). My deserve to have the opposition’s response Mobile and the hitherlands of WeMo. Some approaches to the airport first move would be to get a legal injunction against the city for the po- published. Climate change is not one of them. would be closed to Mobile residents as those approaches would require lice jurisdiction decrease until sufficient time is available for the county Can we expect letters from the Flat Earth traveling through the dreaded WeMo. I realized that would not be the to provide these services. Society to begin showing up in your paper? most positive approach. More on a solution later. My second move would be to sue the city for reversal of the illegal How about opinions from 9/11 Truthers? You cannot possibly believe that four months is enough time to gerrymandering of city limits by the Jones administration. This move Mobile, being a coastal city, is at great risk (“Time Is On My Side”): identify land for a fire station, bid the fire has taken money from the county. Those funds are needed now that from changes to our climate and giving station design, approve the fire station design, bid the fire station design Mobile is reneging on the police and fire protection deal. (“Money for credence to what Tom Harris and his energy and build the fire station. Nothing”) company-backed “coalition” has to say does a You also have to obtain all needed fire trucks and equipment. I have I’m truly disappointed in Mayor Stimpson, we had been big fans. great disservice to the community which you no clue what the lead time is for fire trucks as they are all custom made. (“Broken Hearted”) espouse to represent. You want to leave folks in WeMo with no home fire protection? (“Bring It On Home To Me”) W.P. “Tink” Wilkinson, Adam McAnally, Hiring additional sheriff’s deputies would seem much less difficult. Mobile Mobile

4 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 BAYBRIEF | COURTS Circumstantial evidence looms large HIAWATHA ROBINSON’S WHEREABOUTS, DEMEANOR QUESTIONED IN MURDER

BY JASON JOHNSON

here are two competing narratives in the felony find our daughter,’” Yosha added. murder trial of Hiawatha Robinson Jr. — one of Robinson’s defense attorney, Jeff Deen, claims his Photo | Daniel Anderson/Lagniappe a father whose daughter fell victim to a “horrific client was upset his daughter had been allowed to wander death” at the hands of an unknown perpetrator in around unsupervised, but no matter the reason, testimony aT dangerous neighborhood, and the other of a man who revealed Robinson’s behavior that day temporarily landed raped and murdered his own child and left her body in a him in the back of a Prichard police cruiser in an attempt pile of trash. to calm him down. Since Robinson’s arrest in 2014, prosecutors have In cross examination, though, Deen moved to impeach maintained that “while engaging in sodomy in the first Yosha Populus’ testimony based on a previous federal degree, Hiawatha Robinson Jr. caused the death” of his conviction and her admission to lying under oath to file a 8-year-old daughter, Hiawayi Robinson. fraudulent claim following the BP oil spill. In the opening minutes of the trial, Assistant District Court records show she received more than $23,000 in ATTORNEY JEFF DEEN (LEFT) CONSULTS Attorney Jennifer Wright told jurors forensic evidence undue compensation before pleading guilty to access fraud FELONY MURDER DEFENDANT HIAWATHA indicated semen was present on the victim’s clothes and charges in 2013 — a scheme Deen said involved multiple ROBINSON IN JUDGE CHARLIE GRADDICK’S COURTROOM EARLIER detected on swabs taken from the rectal and anal area. falsified affidavits. THIS WEEK. ROBINSON IS ACCUSED OF SODOMIZING AND KILLING However, because “no sperm heads could be found,” a Another witness, Prichard Police Cpl. Tashaun Pettway, DNA sample was impossible to obtain and profile, leav- said Robinson was “calm and relaxed for the most part,” HIS 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, HIAWAYI, IN 2014. ing much of the prosecution’s case resting on Robinson’s which “wasn’t normal for the situation.” To him, Robinson whereabouts, demeanor and statements to police in the days seemed aggravated by investigators’ questioning. footage, which shows a maroon-colored Tahoe prosecutors believe Robinson following his daughter’s disappearance on Sept. 16, 2014. FBI Agent Laura Fields said Robinson was also “dif- frequently drove. “It wasn’t what I thought a father would be like. I was ficult” in her interview. It also “stood out” in her memory However, as Deen pointed out, the driver of the vehicle is never seen in looking for him to feel like I felt,” Hiawayi’s grandmother, that Robinson voluntarily explained why he had changed surveillance video. Brenda Populous, said of Robinson’s clothes that day even though she Additional security video was seized from the home Robinson shared with demeanor that day. never asked him. his girlfriend, Tasha Parker. In footage recorded the day of Hiawayi’s disap- Populous was one of the last When Hiawayi’s body was discov- pearance, Robinson can be seen making multiple trips to and from his home. He people to see Hiawayi alive and the ered, it was Fields who first notified also changes clothes four times. The footage also captured Robinson returning first witness to testify against Hi- her family, and she said there were home that night in a maroon Tahoe and making several trips to and from it and awatha last week. On the stand, she “lots of tears” when she broke the the home. said Robinson called Hiawayi that EMERGENCY MEDICAL news to her mother — describing it Other evidence included Robinson’s phone records as well as photographs afternoon to talk about meeting so he as “very dramatic” and “nothing [she] of items found at the scene where Hiawayi’s body was discovered. Previously, could give her money for a birthday PERSONNEL RESPONDED AND would want to relive.” In her second investigators revealed plastic hair beads and pieces of black duct tape were present. ROBINSON WAS TRANSPORTED interaction with Robinson, though, found near her body. After the conversation, Hiawayi Fields said he “asked about his In her opening statements, Wright said testing performed by the FBI deter- left. According to her testimony, TO MOBILE INFIRMARY FOR driver’s license” but not his daugh- mined those to be an identical physical and chemical match to a hair bead and Populous believed at the time she ter’s murder investigation. roll of black duct tape found in a search of the Tahoe Robinson was driving. was either with Robinson already TREATMENT, THOUGH AN Yet another witness, Jasmine As for Robinson’s phone records, digital forensics examiner Paul Weathers- or with another relative at the St. INITIAL EVALUATION SHOWED Brackett, claimed to be a friend of by told jurors at least seven calls and text messages were “missing” from Rob- Stephens Woods apartment complex Robinson’s, though his testimony inson’s phone but showed up in the records kept by his service provider. After waiting for him to arrive. NO SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. suggests his friend tried to give him being cross-examined by Deen, though, Weathersby told jurors he couldn’t When she realized her grand- a “heads up” that the FBI might want “testify [they] were deleted,” only “missing.” daughter wasn’t with either, Brenda to speak to him. After four full days of testimony, prosecutors were still not done laying out the said she called the police and then According to Brackett, Robinson case against Robinson on Monday afternoon, and with a slew of witnesses still in called her daughter, Yosha Populus — Hiawayi’s mother said he’d told the FBI they had seen each other the after- the stable for the defense, the trial could last well into next week. and the prosecution’s second witness. noon Hiawayi disappeared, which he wanted him to know The trial also experienced an unexpected delay Aug. 30, when Robinson “I had it in my mind she was in that complex, I just had in case he was interviewed too. He claimed to have seen passed out and collapsed just before entering the courtroom on the fifth day of to find her,” Yosha Populus said, describing her family’s ini- Robinson near the time of his daughter’s disappearance testimony. tial efforts to locate Hiawayi the evening she went missing. driving a maroon Chevrolet Tahoe similar to one spotted in Emergency medical personnel responded and Robinson was transported to Like her mother, Yosha Populus described Robinson surveillance video taken from the Best Future gas station. Mobile Infirmary for treatment, though an initial evaluation showed no signifi- as “calm and quiet” until he was questioned by police and The same video system captured Hiawayi searching cant issues. became upset. On the stand, Yosha Populus said she told through the candy aisle at the store in the some of the last After the incident, courtroom personnel said the trial would likely be on hold Robinson it “[wasn’t] the time to be angry.” moments she was known to be alive. An employee of Best a little more than half a day, though the actual time of the delay couldn’t be “I was like, ‘calm down. They’re just trying to help us Future testified to voluntarily turning over the surveillance confirmed by to this publication’s print deadline.

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 5 BAYBRIEF | MOBILE COUNTY Out-lawyered SUPREME COURT DENIES COUNTY’S REHEARING ON DA LAWSUIT

BY JASON JOHNSON

labama’s Supreme Court refused to When reached for comment, Battles con- revisit a ruling favoring District Attor- curred and said there are and have been differ- ney Ashley Rich in a four-year lawsuit ences in the interpretation of the court’s ruling, seeking additional funds from the but she believes the county ultimately “doesn’t MobileA County Commission. have any obligation” to increase the funding for After several failed attempts to increase the Rich’s office. level of funding the county allocated to her While Elbrecht’s original ruling favored the office, Rich filed suit against the commission county, it also urged both parties to settle the in 2012. matter amicably. But, even with a new directive In March, the Supreme Court ruled in Rich’s from the high court, there’s still disagreement favor and concurred the county had failed to about what a second ruling might look like. follow local laws requiring it to match salary “Based on the [original] decision, we were adjustments at the county and state level for DA not obligated to pay anything to the district employees. attorney, and all of those terms were affirmed The Supreme Court’s ruling authorized a pay by the Supreme Court,” Battle said. “We’ll have range from $103,000 to $245,000, but Rich was to see what the trial court decides. For the most quick to offer a “compromise” in a proposal that part, I think the county would prefer to amicably included a $63,830 salary for first-year prosecu- resolve this and has made efforts to do that, tors and a $153,875 salary for any chief Assis- but the county can’t pay excessive amounts of tant DA with at least six years of experience. money to the detriment of other departments.” The county didn’t respond to that offer, opt- The statement also says the county is ing instead to request a rehearing from the court “prepared to meet its financial challenges in a to get clarification on any back pay and other reasonable way,” though it has expressed no interest in accepting the settlement offer Rich proposed in the spring — one she claims would AFTER SEVERAL FAILED be less costly than what the Supreme Court has ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE ordered. Speaking with Lagniappe, Rich questioned THE LEVEL OF FUNDING THE why the county attempted to appeal the Supreme COUNTY ALLOCATED TO HER OF- Court’s decision if its attorney believes the county was already in compliance with it. FICE, RICH FILED SUIT AGAINST In response, Battle pointed directly to the issue of back pay, of which Rich’s attorneys THE COMMISSION IN 2012. requested up to $5 million in March. The county believes it is “not obligated to pay” any of it. implications of the ruling. “The decision is the decision and anybody Though the request added another five can sit and read it,” Battle said. “When we read months to an already lengthy legal row, the Su- it, it looks like [the Supreme Court] affirmed preme Court formally denied it last Friday. For what the trial court said, which denies any re- her staff, Rich said the decision was “something quirement for us to pay additional monies to the to smile about” after a week of high-profile tri- district attorney’s office.” als and investigations. Rich, however, feels the county has already “I’m very pleased the DA’s office has lost the lawsuit but continues to drag it out. received another victory,” Rich said. “The “It should be over at this point,” she said. county didn’t feel things were very clear, but the “This entire time, I’ve had my offer of settle- Supreme Court has sent a message that confirms ment on the table and the county has done noth- things were very clear in their order.” ing. So many legal fees have been expended by However, the legal battle doesn’t appear to be the county to fight this battle, and the taxpayers over just yet. Procedurally, the confirmation of shouldn’t be asked to fund the ridiculousness of the Supreme Court’s order only sends the case any further appeals.” back to Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Yet Rich has also spent money “fighting this George Elbrecht, who presided over the original battle.” lawsuit after local judges recused themselves. Rich’s office has paid about $154,000 to the Elbrecht will then issue an order “consistent Helmsing Leach Law Firm for related litigation with the Supreme Court’s ruling,” which Rich between 2012 and 2015, while the county has said should translate to the county increasing its billed the Battle Law Firm and Adams and Re- funding to her office. ese LLP for $$258,074 since the lawsuit began. However, the county still has the option to However, since the case became active again appeal any order Elbrecht makes, and though with the ruling earlier this year, both agencies it’s unclear exactly how commissioners will have no doubt added to those legal costs. In the proceed, an official statement last week vowed meantime, Rich has continued to face funding “further proceeding in the trial court.” cuts on the state level and changes to Mobile’s “The commission’s counsel in this matter, municipal fines have impacted local revenue as LaVeeda Battle, has carefully reviewed the well. Supreme Court’s earlier opinion and determined Just since the motion for rehearing was the county is in full compliance with what the submitted in March, Rich said she’s continued a court has directed the county to do and states the trend of staffing reductions by dissolving three county has paid the district attorney everything positions at her office and laying off employees. her office is due,” the county’s statement reads. With the budgetary restrictions and a growing “There have been very public differences in caseload, she said her office is “drowning.” how the district attorney reads the Supreme “We are so barely keeping our head above Court opinion and how the county interprets the water with the employees I have left here in the opinion.” office,” Rich said.

6 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 BAYBRIEF | MOBILE Nonprofit nuance MDE IS UNLIKE HOUSING BOARD PARTNERS IN OTHER CITIES

BY DALE LIESCH

ike the Mobile Housing Board, neigh- development fees from Park Place, a Hope VI boring housing authorities in New Or- initiative. Currently, Bryant said, there is no leans, Huntsville and Birmingham use ongoing fundraising for it. nonprofit arms to manage everything Bryant said HABD does not share bank Lfrom the distribution of tax credits to resident accounts with either of the nonprofit organiza- services, but none had the scope of responsi- tions and neither run any day-to-day opera- bility Mobile Development Enterprises has. tions for the board. MDE has 23 employees, not including In addition to MDE, MHB has created a a maintenance crew once part of MHB’s second nonprofit called Renaissance Rede- vacancy reduction program. The maintenance velopment LLC to distribute tax credits for employees have since been laid off, executive the board’s portfolio-wide Rental Assistance director Dwayne Vaughn said in a previous Demonstration conversion. Lagniappe interview. This is similar to Huntsville’s nonprofit. Previous Lagniappe reporting and a report Sandra Eddlemon, interim executive direc- released last month by the U.S. Housing and tor for the Huntsville Housing Authority, said Urban Development’s Office of Inspector Gen- its nonprofit is used in association with a tax eral revealed that MDE and the board share credit entity, but it’s not active right now. She office space, phone lines and bank accounts. said since the nonprofit is financed through A source familiar with the inner workings development fees, it won’t be active until a of the board’s central office said some MHB for-profit company running the day-to-day employees would complete assignments for operations of the tax credit complex turns a the nonprofit. profit on it. Since it’s inactive, Huntsville’s nonprofit has no employees of its own. BRYANT SAID HABD While some authorities prefer to use a sepa- DOES NOT SHARE BANK rate entity to manage tax credits, in previous interviews with Lagniappe a spokeswoman ACCOUNTS WITH EITHER OF THE for HUD and a spokeswoman for the Alabama NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND Housing Finance Authority said neither orga- NEITHER RUN ANY DAY-TO-DAY nization has a preference. “Under the RAD program, a project can be OPERATIONS FOR THE BOARD. owned by the housing authority, a nonprofit subsidiary of the housing authority or any other nonprofit public body,” HUD spokes- The OIG report also found that while MHB woman Gloria Shanahan wrote. “In the case considers MDE a third-party affiliate and not of tax credits, the properties can be owned by technically part of the authority, its board a for-profit, as long as the housing author- included two MHB members and its executive ity maintains its interest in the project. Since director served as the nonprofit’s president. each community has different needs, HUD MDE still manages the WEALTH program, encourages housing authorities to evaluate which provides a variety of education and job all options available and choose the one they placement opportunities for residents. The find to be the most effective for their specific program also provides health services such as circumstances, based on their plans and local free eye exams and annual checkups, as well situation.” as classes on life skills. Kristi Gates, communications manager with MDE is also involved in the housing AHFA, wrote “the way an agency chooses authority’s day care program, community to structure itself is at the advice of its legal relations, grant writing and asset management, counsel.” Vaughn said. The Housing Authority of New Orleans, Comparatively, the Housing Authority of which recently redeveloped some of its the Birmingham District has two nonprofits, properties, uses one nonprofit entity, office the HABD Scholarship Foundation and the administrator Tomeka Jackson wrote in an Magic City Housing Development Corp., email message. spokesman Joseph Bryant said. The schol- The Crescent Affordable Housing Corpo- arship foundation provides education and ration has its own board of directors which training for residents with donated money and includes two HANO employees and a resident. proceeds from an annual golf tournament, he It is operated as a subsidiary of HANO. The said. Some of the scholarship’s board mem- nonprofit doesn’t handle any day-to-day op- bers are HABD employees, he said. erations of HANO and doesn’t share any bank The Magic City Housing Development accounts, Jackson wrote. The funds for the Corp. helps pay for other activities not cov- nonprofit, like with Birmingham and Hunts- ered by the authority and also sponsors an ville, come from developer fees. The organiza- essay contest. tion doesn’t have its own set of employees, The latter nonprofit is maintained through she wrote.

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BAYBRIEF | MOBILE Do not disturb HOTELIERS NOT PLEASED WITH MAYOR’S PROPOSAL TO CUT TOURISM BUDGET

BY DALE LIESCH

plan in Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s proposed hampered if the city cuts the budget. He said the TID was budget to provide additional tourism marketing meant to add revenue to be earmarked for tourism, not to funding through charges added to guest rooms fill a void left by the absence of public funding. could be a hard sell to local hoteliers. “The goal was to move the bureau forward, not keep it AThe idea for a so-called tourism improvement dis- the same,” Blackinton said. trict (TID) was discussed at a recent meeting of the City Blackinton said it’s very premature, but he’s not posi- Council’s finance committee. At the same time, Executive tive the proposal would be approved by more than the

Director of Finance Paul Wesch told councilors the budget needed 50 percent of operators making up the citywide Photo | Lagniappe for Visit Mobile! — formerly the Mobile Bay Convention TID. Less than half the hotels in the proposed district are and Visitors Bureau — had been slashed by $650,000. lodging association members, Blackinton said. According to Stimpson’s proposed fiscal year 2017 Al Hutchinson, Visit Mobile! CEO, said similar funding budget released last month, the CVB budget was slashed sources have been used in other areas to help make CVBs to just $2 million from the previous year’s $2,650,000. less dependent upon public funding. The money from Instead of tourism, the deduction was split between the Friends of African-American Heritage Trail with $225,000 MAYOR SANDY STIMPSON’S PROPOSED and Stimpson’s youth activity and employment initiative, BUDGET SLASHES $650,000 FROM A known as Move Mobile, with $425,000. THE IDEA FOR A SO-CALLED TOURISM PROMOTION FUND. “In cooperation with the area hotels, occupancy-based TOURISM IMPROVEMENT revenues could provide funding for marketing efforts that bulk of the money. This means that if Visit Mobile! wants its full funding, it would be, it is anticipated, greater and more sustainable DISTRICT (TID) WAS DISCUSSED AT A RE- will have to come from a different source. than the marketing efforts currently funded with taxpayer CENT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL’S He said the districts have been successful in cities such as Washington, dollars and individual hotel efforts,” Wesch wrote in an D.C., Chicago, Illinois, and Memphis, Tennessee, as well as several cities in email message. “The level of funding would involve a FINANCE COMMITTEE.” California. joint decision of the hotel industry and Visit Mobile! and The fiscal year 2017 convention center budget features level funding for the city.” other entities and events, according to the document, with events such as the That funding decision is important to local hotel own- the TID fund would be used to improve hotel occupancy Senior Bowl and entities such as the Mobile Sports Authority on track for ers, who are expected to vote on the measure soon. numbers, he said. level funding. Kent Blackinton, president of the Mobile Area Lodg- If the TID is approved by the hoteliers, Hutchinson Room taxes and sales taxes will see a slight increase, according to 2017 ing Association, said members may support a so-called said, it would move to the City Council for a vote. Even if projections. The city has also cut a $367,000 transfer to the convention center tourism incentive district if the city gives full support to the proposal is passed by the hotels and then by council, fund from the general fund this year, but added more than $150,000 in “car- the tourism budget, but any willingness to do so would be Hutchinson said it would take 10 to 12 months to see the ryover” funds.

8 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 BAYBRIEF | BALDWIN COUNTY Steelwood switch UTILITY RENTED HOMES INTENDED FOR RECRUITMENT

BY JASON JOHNSON

pair of country club homes pur- term payoff, their efforts to attract manufactur- chased by the North Baldwin Utilities ers to the site have so far been unsuccessful. board have been quietly rented out to “It is very well positioned to bring advanced private individuals for the past three manufacturing to the north end of the county years,A rather than used to temporarily house and help us with our stated goal of increased visiting business executives as intended. diversification within the economy of Baldwin As Lagniappe reported earlier this month, the County,” Commissioner Chris Elliott said. “I homes — located in Loxley’s gated Steelwood think it will be a very significant part of the subdivision — were purchased for a combined future of Baldwin County.” $830,000 in 2013 from a trust in the name of While Elliott suggested officials have been Bay Minette Mayor Bob Wills’ late father-in- selective while “looking for the right fit” in any law, Thomas William “Bill” Mitchell. anchor tenant, the lack of rapid growth at the Heading into the municipal elections Aug. mega site has forced NBU to find a use for its 23, the purchase became politicized as Wills properties in Steelwood. faced a challenger in former Bay Minette Mayor General Manager Jason Padgett says because Sonny Dobbins. Ultimately, Wills easily secured of that, the public utility began renting the re-election by a margin of more than 200 votes. houses through “word of mouth” with no long- As mayor, Wills automatically serves on the term lease agreements just a few months after NBU board, and many were critical of Wills they’d been purchased. or his family for benefiting from a real estate “The units are intended for industrial pros- deal that was never appraised, exceeded the pects and as a tool to recruit industrial develop- fair market value and was inked at a time when ment to the North Baldwin community, therefore other properties in the same subdivision were on NBU has never used an agent or agency to locate the market. rental prospects,” Padgett explained in an email. Though the houses are part of a development including Steelwood Country Club and golf LAGNIAPPE REACHED OUT TO course, Padgett said living there does not include THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S membership. He also said no NBU board mem- bers or employees use or have used the homes for OFFICE AND RECEIVED A COPY OF THE any reason since they were purchased. 2013 CORRESPONDENCE NBU SENT Earlier this week, Padgett provided the names of tenants who’ve lived in the publicly SEEKING AN AG OPINION ON THE owned properties — a list that includes a former PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY. hospital administrator as well as an engineer with ties to BCEDA. Joseph P. Bullock and his wife, Leslie, were In response, Wills said neither he nor James tenants in one of the two properties from No- H. Robertson — another NBU board member vember 2013 through December 2015, paying who manages the Mitchell Trust — voted to $1,850 per month in rent to the NBU. Joseph purchase the properties in May 2013. Minutes Bullock was an engineer and entrepreneur who provided by NBU confirm both Wills and also served as a member and past chairman of Robertson left the meeting during the vote to BCEDA. After his death in 2015, Padgett said purchase the Steelwood properties. Leslie Bullock moved to another state. Lagniappe reached out to the Alabama Eth- More recently, one of the homes was occu- ics Commission for clarification on the laws pied from April 2014 until June 2016 by former governing personal benefit, and after more than Thomas Hospital administrator Bill McLaughlin two weeks, General Counsel Hugh Evans III and his wife, Teresa, who, according to Padgett, responded to say that “the facts in each situation paid the same $1,850 monthly rent. matter greatly” in any ethics review. Padgett said the only current occupant is “As a general rule, a public official cannot Danny Spivey, who has lived in one of the two use his official position in a manner that person- homes since April — paying $1,500 per month ally benefits himself, a member of his family in rent to NBU. or a business with which they are associated,” “In all instances, all utility expenses — Evans wrote. “If a matter comes before a public including satellite — have been reimbursed to body requiring the public official’s vote, if the NBU on a monthly basis,” Padgett said. commissioner, family member or business are Lagniappe reached out to the Attorney affected uniquely or differently than all other General’s office and received a copy of the individuals that are affected, or if they are part 2013 correspondence NBU sent seeking an AG of a small class affected by the measure, he may opinion on the purchase of real property. In the not vote, attempt to influence the outcome or letter, the Mega Site is never referenced and the otherwise participate.” only reason listed for purchasing real property Originally, the properties in Steelwood were is to house “visiting consultants.” Though NBU purchased to provide temporary lodging for inquired, it was clearly expressed there was “no business executives visiting the South Ala- statutory authority” for the public utility to pur- bama Mega Site — a 3,000-acre, shovel-ready chase real estate for investment purposes alone. development area in Bay Minette to which the Despite that, NBU has collected upward of Baldwin County Commission has contributed $105,000 in rent since 2013, based on the num- $32 million. bers Padgett provided. Still, he said, the proper- Even though the commission and the Bald- ties aren’t intended to be profitable, adding that win County Economic Development Alliance “monthly rentals are merely a means to reduce remain optimistic about the mega site’s long- expense to NBU.”

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 9 BAYBRIEF | POLITICS

“The Senate sponsor is alleged to have said that letting voters know detail prior to vote on constitutional amendment is what killed Gov. [Don] Siegel- man’s proposed [lottery],” McMillan said. Not a winning ticket When contacted about that claim by Lagniappe, the Senate sponsor, Jim Mc- AFTER PASSING THE HOUSE AND SENATE, A LOTTERY BILL DIES OVER DETAILS Clendon, denied he’d said it. After the bill died, House minority leader Craig Ford said it was a bad result BY LEE HEDGEPETH for Alabamians. “After years of fighting for a lottery and finally getting it through the Leg- islature last night, the Senate killed it today and denied the people of Alabama labamians will not be voting on a proposed lot- and Democrat caucuses, there are also rules that apply. the right to vote. It’s a shame that democracy has lost to attitudes, personalities tery come November, but that’s about the only This organized process is crucial to a fair and transparent and egos from the Senate body.” thing lawmakers could agree on when they de- government. It is when these rules are not followed that the McMillan responded to the “right to vote” sentiment. bated the issue at length last week in Montgomery. breakdown of the system occurs. The process broke down “I have tried to come up with a response to ‘let people vote.’ Alabamians ALegislators were able to pass a lottery proposal through last week when these rules were violated.” do deserve to vote but on at least a minimally decent amendment so that voters both the House and Senate — with few votes to spare — After that Senate spectacle, the bill moved to the House, actually know what they are voting on. At least Siegelman’s proposal had com- but disagreements over details in the plan killed the bill in where again it was nearly dead on arrival. Using a seldom- panion enabling legislation with a proposed constitutional amendment.” the end when the Senate voted overwhelmingly to reject cited procedural rule, a few vocal lottery opponents in the McMillan also pointed out lottery revenue would not have filled the immedi- House amendments. House prevented a committee from considering the legisla- ate gap in Medicaid funding. Gov. Robert Bentley called lawmakers into the current tion. This delayed the bill by a day. “Even if a lottery were to pass, it could take up to 12 months to receive special session to consider a lottery as well as BP settlement Afterward, the House began debate on the lottery and funding for Medicaid and now, with questions pertaining to the time frame for a questions in an effort to pay down the state’s debt and fill didn’t stop for hours. Members voted to cut off debate vote on the constitutional amendment, could easily take much longer.” an $85 million shortfall in Medicaid, which provides health nearly half a dozen times. When the bill finally came up The biggest concern for McMillan, though, was the vagueness of the care for low-income Alabamians, mostly children. for a vote, it failed. Two-thirds of the House, though, then legislation. Despite its eventual failure, this session’s lottery voted to reconsider the bill. Amendments were made. “There was no good definition of ‘lottery,’ leaving an opportunity for Class proposal was able to garner more support than many had When it came up for a second vote, it passed with only two III gaming. It took several votes to finally adopt a restrictive amendment. Some imagined. Many thought the bill, which originated in the votes to spare. proponents were trying to open the door for Class III facilities. Proponents re- Senate, would be dead on arrival, but after a bipartisan The only thing preventing the lottery from being on jected four amendments to allow the legislative review of any compact between coalition of senators voted to cut off opposition debate, the the ballot in November was the Senate’s approval of the Indians and governor. A proposed amendment to nominally fund additional bill passed with not a single vote to spare. House version of the bill. It wouldn’t come. counseling and child abuse [prevention programs] failed.” That move — a bipartisan coalition cutting off mostly When the Senate met the next day, it had relatively As for lottery supporters in the Legislature, they said they felt their effort Republican opposition to the bill — gained the ire of one minimal debate before overwhelmingly rejecting the had been for naught after the Senate failed to approve the House amendments. Republican senator, Paul Bussman, in particular. After the House’s changes to the bill, which many said were the “I am so disappointed that the Senate failed to act on the lottery,” Rep. lottery’s passage in the Senate, Bussman and another sena- result of “wheeling and dealing” behind the scenes. The Pat Todd said of the lottery bill’s demise. “The House was in session from 10 tor resigned from the Senate GOP caucus, citing a break House’s amendments would have provided funding for a.m. to midnight dealing with the lottery and those that wanted to kill it. We in an agreement that Republican leadership in the upper rural firefighters and contained a looser definition of “lot- adjourned at 11:58 p.m. and went back in session at 12:01 a.m. to continue chamber would not cut off fellow GOP senators opposing tery,” which may have provided for other types of gaming, business. The House worked hard to reach a compromise. I voted YES for the bills on the floor. according to some of the legislation’s opponents. final bill, now I feel all that work was for nothing … This special session was a “As of Monday,” Bussman said in a statement, “I will no Lagniappe spoke to Rep. Steve McMillan, a Baldwin bust. So far nothing to help Medicaid. Sad.” longer affiliate with the Senate majority caucus. In order for County Republican, about his thoughts on the lottery While the lottery is indeed dead, a bill concerning the state’s BP settlement the Alabama Senate to operate fairly, we have a set of rules debate. McMillan said he opposed a lottery because he payments will still be up for consideration when the Legislature’s special ses- by which all members must abide. In both the Republican thought the plan lacked serious detail. sion resumes Sept. 6.

10 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 BAYBRIEF | MOBILE

However, Stimpson said he was in favor of the council voting on the item at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. Stimpson and Assistant City Attorney Florence Kessler said any agreements with county agencies could still be drawn Dialing it back up after a vote. COUNCIL DELAYS VOTE ON POLICE JURISDICTION REDUCTION The public safety committee had recommended the full council delay the vote two weeks to allow for greater transparency. Members and other councilors BY DALE LIESCH added they’d like to see the memorandums of understanding in writing before they vote. he Mobile City Council on Tuesday voted 6-1 to made possible by the Legislature this spring, would equate The committee’s recommendation was met with opposition from other coun- delay for one week a decision to shrink the city’s to nearly $2 million in savings for the city. cilors and the administration on Tuesday. police jurisdiction from three miles to just one-and- However, in order for the changes to take effect on Jan. Councilman Joel Daves said that while he respects his colleagues at the county a-half miles outside the city limits. 1, 2017, the council will have to vote to approve the roll- level, he said their interest in this topic is different from the city’s interest. Daves TSix of seven councilors have come out in support of back before Oct. 1 — a timeframe set in the aforementioned said the county wants to delay it as much as possible and “try to kill it.” the move which has been touted as a way to save the city legislation. Daves suggested going ahead with the vote and allowing the administration to around $2 million per year through a reallocation of resourc- Mayor Sandy Stimpson said his administration would then negotiate agreements with the county. es while improving police and fire response times within make agreements, or memorandums of understanding, with “We’ll be giving a stronger negotiating position to the county,” he said. “By the city. However, it was delayed following a contentious various county agencies to make the transition easier. The holding off, we’re saying we’re not going to agree to it unless the county does.” pre-conference meeting to allow city and county attorneys city would not ask the county for any money as part of these Councilman John Williams said the council routinely approves contracts and to iron out memorandums of understanding to assure contin- agreements. then authorizes the mayor to execute the agreements. This could be a similar ued coverage in the affected areas. Councilman Joel Daves For instance, the MPD would gradually roll back its re- scenario, if the council decided not to delay the vote. was the lone dissenter on the vote to delay action. sponse in that area until the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Councilwoman Bess Rich, who serves as chair for the public safety commit- Paul Wesch, executive director of finance, told council- had sufficient resources, though he said the city could only tee, said she has been given no indication from County Commissioner Connie ors in a meeting of the council’s public safety committee guarantee that through January 2018. Sheriff Sam Cochran Hudson — who spoke at the committee meeting — that the county would balk Monday that over a one-year period the outer one-and-one- has already indicated he would need 26 new deputies to to at any agreement terms. She added the delay would allow those county residents half-mile loop of the police jurisdiction accounted for some pick up the slack. affected by the change time to prepare for it. 10,000 calls for service from the Mobile Police Department Stimpson also said the city would work on a memoran- Stimpson said a delay would allow the “forces” against the changes to lobby and 2,000 calls for service from the Mobile Fire-Rescue dum of understanding with the county for areas where fire for their side. Department. He said that equates to roughly 3.3 percent of districts don’t overlap city fire coverage. The additional “Why not vote, if you all know you’re going to support it?” Stimpson asked. total police calls and 4.5 percent of total fire calls in the city year, Stimpson said, should give the county enough time “We have taken every obstacle off the table.” of Mobile. to secure funding for a new volunteer fire station for Seven Councilman Levon Manzie assured Stimpson nothing would change his mind, Given those percentages, Wesch has estimated the city Hills, one of the areas affected by the proposed change. because the shrinking of the police jurisdiction is in the best interest of the city. has been spending roughly $5.6 million worth of resources The county would also need to set up special elections to He asked Stimpson to trust the council. annually responding to calls in the outer section of the allow residents in the outer band of the police jurisdiction to The layover means the earliest the council would consider a vote on the police jurisdiction. However, if that portion of the police vote on joining one of the existing fire districts. change is Tuesday, Sept. 6. jurisdiction is removed, the city could lose roughly $3.1 Previously, members of the Mobile County Commission In other business, the council voted to approve the reallocation of roughly $3.3 million in annual sales tax and business license fee revenue asked the city for more time to consider the impacts the million in economic development funds for the city’s match portion of a $13 mil- as well. decision would have. In previous discussions, the city had lion federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant to In addition, Wesch said the city would lose close to indicated it would charge the county for additional service completely overhaul Broad Street. $300,000 in other, more minor revenues. Based on those after Jan. 1, 2017, but Stimpson said the administration The council also appointed Doug Dabney and Vanessa Davis Wright to the estimates, a reduction in the police jurisdiction, which was changed its mind based on the county’s concerns. newly formed Police Citizens’ Community Relations Advisory Council.

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 11 COMMENTARY | DAMN THE TORPEDOES

The county versus DA legal fight has crossed the line ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR/[email protected]

here’s a line where “tenacious” turns to “stub- was rejected? obvious ploy to keep dissention to a mini- born,” and there’s another line where “stubborn” So now the case goes back to the origi- mum — even Ludgood bailed on her. turns to “foolish.” I think we just crossed that nal Circuit Court judge who will affirm At this point it just seems like some second line, along with a big sign reading, “Wel- the Supreme Court’s ruling. But Hudson basic personality issues are leading to Tcome to Foolish — Population 2.” and Ludgood are ready to appeal that af- the waste of lots of money and a toxic When the Alabama Supreme Court refused last week firmation back to — you guessed it! — the atmosphere on the commission. The big- to go back over a case it had just ruled on 8-1 five months Alabama Supreme Court. gest problem is stubbornness bordering on ago, it might have seemed like the end of the four-year le- I understand having to fund the DA’s of- foolishness. gal UFC match between the Mobile County Commission fice is going to be expensive, but since she’s Hudson’s blinding determination to get and the District Attorney’s Office. It might have seemed been running the show Rich has maintained her soccer complex not only alienated her that way, but there’s a strong likelihood it’s not. that the underfunding creates a situation from Carl, but it led her to spend amazing Despite losing the case at the Circuit Court level and in which she can’t hire enough assistant amounts of political goodwill trying to get the Supreme Court level twice, it looks like two Mobile district attorneys to prosecute all the crime. State Rep. Margie Wilcox elected in his County Commissioners are determined to keep fighting The result has certainly been a low level place. Perhaps Hudson hoped having Mar- on and spending more and more of the taxpayers’ money of white-collar crime prosecution. It’s also gie on the commission would be a card she on a lawsuit they appear to have no way of winning. The made Mobile County a much more comfort- could play once she had to finally reveal meat and potatoes of the issue is District Attorney Ashley able place for political corruption, in my es- her funding plan, but it backfired. Trying Rich’s contention that the County Commission has been timation. Almost all of that burden has been to get Wilcox in was a bad idea in the first skimping on its legal funding obligations to her office for carried by the feds for many years now. place and a political long shot. many years. So far this legal battle has cost taxpay- This fight with Rich seems to have Rich argued her point several times to the commission ers more than $400,000, with roughly also become a personal quest for Hudson before finally getting fed up enough to sue in 2012. An $250,000 of that going to the county’s and Ludgood. They’ve been told they’re initial Circuit Court ruling went the county’s way, but in private Birmingham-based attorney. Why wrong, but only want to listen to the advice March the Supreme Court decided the law requires the Hudson and Ludgood are intent on pouring of people who get paid to keep litigating. county to fund the DA at a much higher level than it does more money into their attorney’s pocket It’s been a bad year for Connie, losing makes little sense, except that it seems to the soccer complex crusade, wearing out be a pattern. her shoes campaigning for Wilcox’s failed These two were the ones behind wasting campaign and having this legal battle RICH ARGUED HER POINT more than $500,000 on study after study shoved back in her face. Even her desper- SEVERAL TIMES TO THE COM- for Hudson’s big dream of a soccer/aquatic ate trip to Montgomery to have the law complex. They kept pouring more and changed so the county wouldn’t have to MISSION BEFORE FINALLY GETTING FED UP more money into it without Connie ever pay Rich was another loser. And Ludgood really answering the question of how it has at least been an enabler in most of ENOUGH TO SUE IN 2012.” would be funded. Of course she thought the Connie’s battles. BP Fairy would swoop down and deliver I doubt much can be done to stop all of $40 million in magic non-tax money, but it the foolishness right now, but Hudson and currently. The county appealed again, but the Supreme didn’t happen. When she finally revealed Ludgood need to learn when they’ve lost and Court denied it. But, like a punch-drunk fighter who’s a funding plan — at the very last moment figure out a way to move forward that doesn’t too battered to have the sense to throw in the towel, the before the land had to be purchased, in an involve simply wasting tax dollars. commission is ready to jump back in the ring for another

round. THE GADFLY In particular it is Commissioners Connie Hudson and Merceria Ludgood who continue to believe they can score a knockout blow in the final round when they’re behind on all the cards and have both eyes swollen shut. Commissioner Jerry Carl has distanced himself from this bloody mess and publicly said the county needs to find a Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen way to work with Rich. And Rich, too, has tried to work with the county. Since the beginning of this matter she has offered a compromise that would allow the county to pay out far less than the courts have said they should. But Hudson and Ludgood eschew any settlement for a plan that is either foolhardy in its expected outcome or diabolical in its efforts to simply keep kicking the proverbial can down the road in hopes something might change or that perhaps they’ll both be in different offices by the time the end is reached. When the Supreme Court delivered what essentially was a fatal blow to the county’s hopes of winning, Hudson and Ludgood threw the taxpayers’ checkbooks to the wind and immediately asked for another review by the same body that just ruled against them 8-1. It’s a lot like asking the same question and hoping for a different answer. But think about it. These two were willing to keep paying their expensive attorney in hopes of getting four justices to change their minds just weeks after issuing a ruling. Was anyone remotely surprised that approach CONNIE HUDSON, MERCERIA LUDGOOD AND ASHLEY RICH WILL STILL BE BATTLING IT OUT IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS.

12 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 COMMENTARY | THE HIDDEN AGENDA Another round of Kudos and Kooties ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR/[email protected]

t’s time for another somewhat exciting issue teorological science was used in the formulation of Kudos and Kooties, the Hidden Agenda of this section.) column gimmick which heaps praise and poo And now it’s time for everyone’s favorite part of poo on all of the good and god-awful things the program, Bob. Who are we giving Kooties to Igoing on in our community, respectively speak- this week? ing, of course. (If you say the previous sentence in Well, Ashley, there are so many, I only hope we a game show announcer voice, it takes this from have enough to go around. (Insert game show an- somewhat exciting to marginally exciting. (Or nouncer laugh). Let’s take a look, shall we? wait, maybe it’s the other way around. Strike that, The Alabama Legislature … for taking away reverse it!) Anyway, we have lots of things to get OUR chance to weigh in on the state lottery. The to this week, so let’s get started. Alabama Medicaid system is a disaster and the Tell us about our contestants, Bob! education budget could have received a nice chunk Well Ashley, Kudos go to: of change, but none of them care about that. Nope, Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the Mobile not at all. The four Ps were far more important. City Council … for continuing with their plan to Some were more worried about what their Pas- reduce the police jurisdiction from 3 miles to 1.5, tors thought, while others were trying to please the saving the good ol’ town of Mob millions of dol- Poarch and Pooch powers that be — the Poarch lars. Even though they have delayed the final vote Creek Indians, who have casinos in Atmore, for a couple of weeks, the majority of the council Montgomery and Wetumpka, as well as Mobile has said they favor the move. Though the adminis- Greyhound Park and Milton McGregor, owner of tration probably could have expressed a little more Victoryland Greyhound Park and Casino, both of effectively that they did not plan to leave these whom would like to keep the Alabama gambling citizens and the county in a “lurch” come Jan. 1, pie to themselves, the only official state dessert which many thought they would, including the (sorry, Lane Cake, but girl, you know it’s true). Mobile County Commission. And finally Politics, as some feared a Novem- But of course, they weren’t just going to watch ber vote on the lottery would bring out more vot- people’s houses burn down or let their homes be ers, which could turn elections in their hometowns invaded by zombies. Come on, now. The city has in ways they didn’t want. committed to making a sector-by-sector transi- Grrrrr. These puppets make me sick. tion, making it as smooth as a young Sandy Bear’s And I’m sure they will just try to use BP fur once was. So baby Kooties to them, for as the money that should stay in coastal Alabama to put a Beastie Boys would say, a little “ill communica- Band-Aid on the bullet hole that is Medicaid. And tion,” but still, this is more great news for our if they do that, here’s hoping an antibiotic-resis- city, as it should help strengthen our public safety tant, superbug strain of Kooties that is politically within the city limits and hopefully will help fund fatal will infect them all. But hell, who are we kid- the mayor’s budget plan to increase the embarrass- ding, it will probably just get them re-elected. ing wages of our police and firefighters. And to the North Baldwin Utilities Board, And I bet once everything is in place, it will which, as reported in the Aug. 18 issue of La- increase response times in the county too. Who gniappe by Jason Johnson, purchased two homes doesn’t love a win-win? back in 2013 in swanky Steelwood for “visiting And more kudos to college football season consultants” to use. These homes were purchased … for many things. For getting to prepare dips full from a trust in the name of the late father-in-law of cheese (or pasteurized cheese product) and sour of Bay Minette Mayor Bob Wills, who was just cream and sausage, as Tom Rinaldi makes you re-elected late last month. weep with some gut-wrenching story of death and/ The trust is managed by another board member, or disease every week on SportsCenter. James H. “Jim” Robertson. Though they had an For goofy GameDay signs involving Nickel- AG’s opinion saying the board could buy property back and other crappy bands. For butts, ribs and and both Wills and Robertson abstained from the burgers on the grill every weekend. For getting board’s vote, this is still as shady as shady gets. to awkwardly jump up and down in your living These consultant chateaus were supposed to room with friends and family, clumsily missing provide housing for those looking to locate into high fives, during an amazing play or touchdown. the $32 million Baldwin County Mega Site, which Or for even groaning together (or shooting your was built four years ago and still remains vacant. cousin) over a missed field goal or interception. Oops! For trash talking with your coworkers and So, now they are just informally renting out friends all week long and then either gloating or the houses, but they do swear they can kick their saying something like, “Well y’all deserved to tenants out at a moment’s notice if these mystery win. Y’all just outplayed us — plain and simple.” “visiting consultants” should ever magically ap- And for giving us all something less depressing to pear. focus on than the presidential election. In the im- Yes, the connection between Wills and Rob- mortal words of Bernie Sanders, I really don’t care ertson to the trust is beyond troubling, but why about Hillary’s damn emails anymore. I’ll take a water board would be buying not one but two a juicy NCAA investigation (of someone else’s luxury homes for “visiting consultants” in the team) over a DOJ one any day of the week and first place is just insane. I’m pretty sure God and twice on Saturday! Hilton created “residence inns” for such purposes. Did I mention cheese? I mean, MAYBE you could buy this story if, say, To our local weather peeps … for not sensa- there had been such a crazy consultant influx to tionalizing the coverage of Tropical Depression #9 the mega site that they were having to build tent (or perhaps Hermine by the time this paper hits the cities to house these gurus of the consult, but streets). It was nice to see most of them say, “Meh, yeeeeaaahhhh, that never happened. we’re probably fine” instead of “Stay constantly What was that again, Bob? Oh yes, it still sits glued to your TVs and weather apps and alerts and vacant. And Bob, I know we are giving Kooties to me, me, me because you just never know. There these guys, but could you tell us what the citizens is a .01 percent chance it could jog back to the of Bay Minette are also getting as part of their west, which I know is small, but if I have to suffer prize package? Well, Ashley, they just re-elected through this over-the-top coverage, I’m bringing him, so ding! ding! ding! They will continue get- you all along with me.” (I’m paraphrasing. No me- ting the government they deserve!

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 COMMENTARY | THE BELTWAY BEAT

Mobile emerges as birthplace of GOP populism a year after Trump speech BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST/[email protected]

ow far we have come in just 12 months. As with any first-time politician, Trump’s run A little over a year ago, Donald of a presidential campaign hasn’t gone smooth- Trump drew, at the time, the biggest ly. He has done it with much less money than crowd of the 2016 election cycle at any major party candidate has in a long time, HLadd-Peebles Stadium. It was a political event but for whatever reason he hasn’t been able to unlike anything Mobile had ever seen. avoid tweets or controversial statements that At the time, Trump compared the experience have plagued his candidacy. to what Billy Graham must have felt preaching That has caused many to doubt he can win to stadiums throughout the second half of the because as it currently stands, according to last century. It even featured a cameo by Sen. polling, he is in a deep hole compared to his op- Jeff Sessions, who would later give Trump his ponent, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. first major endorsement at a similar rally in There is one common thread. Just like the Huntsville toward the beginning of this year. critics a year ago, they continue to maintain the But Trump’s Mobile speech was hardly an Republican nominee is still at best a long shot to oratory masterpiece. Instead it was a rambling, win the White House in November. incoherent address that didn’t quite live up to its The aforementioned Larry Sabato’s Crystal buildup. Ball currently has Clinton winning in an Elec- What began as a football game-type atmo- toral College landslide, 348-190. Whether or not sphere with tailgating festivities wound up being being that wrong a year ago translates into being wrong again remains to be seen. Win or lose for Trump, Alabama seems to OVER THE PAST YEAR, have emerged as the birthplace of the populism TRUMP’S MESSAGE AT that is leading the way in the Republican Party today. THESE RALLIES HAS EVOLVED. Most of that is in part due to the efforts of Sessions, who has been pushing the “America AFTER CALLS FOR MORE POLICY first” idea of trade and immigration policy long SPECIFICS FROM THE MEDIA, THE before Trump emerged as a political player. Keep in mind that while touting these poli- DONALD HAS DELIVERED. cies Sessions has faced very little opposition. In his last re-election bid in 2014, he ran unop- an event with people leaving before Trump posed in the Republican primary and the general finished speaking. In fact, Trump didn’t even election. That’s rare in statewide elections these stick around for his advertised press availability days. after the event. There is an historic precedent. Populism has Nonetheless, he laid a marker and even been a theme in Alabama politics over the cen- though the attendance estimates varied from turies. After the Civil War, farmers in Alabama 15,000 to 30,000, Trump showed he could at organized the Grange over rising costs and least generate some sort of enthusiasm. falling crop prices. Right before the turn of the Still, the critics remained unconvinced. At century, for a brief moment the Populist Party the time, Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of was a viable alternative to the Democratic Party, Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball published by the which had dominated Alabama politics since the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told end of Reconstruction. Lagniappe he expected the Trump phenom- Former Democratic Gov. George Wallace, enon would not last. who was arguably the most notable Alabama “I think we need to be humble in looking at politician in the 20th century, was a populist. this because it’s a — it’s truly unprecedented — Aside from being a well-known segregationist, a guy who has made a splash like this, who is the other planks in Wallace’s platform involved more of a celebrity than a politician,” he said. “I an economic populism that was pro-labor, do think he’ll burn out at some point.” offered tax incentives to business locating in That turned out to be wrong. After July 2015, the state and made a big push with regard to Trump led the polls and no one could close the education by forming the state’s junior college gap. The one short-lived exception was another system. novice candidate, Ben Carson, who managed It was a far cry from what Sessions and to tie Trump in a few national polls during the Trump are pushing now, but both movements month of November. had anti-establishment characteristics. After a few Carson missteps, however, he Perhaps it was more of a geographical strat- faded. Then, as the other Republicans in the egy Trump employed by making one of his first field dropped out, Trump continued his domi- splashes in Mobile, given that when addressing nance all the way to the party’s nomination, the Mobile audience, you’re also in a media which included a lopsided win in the Alabama market that reaches into Florida and Mississippi. primary. However, to have done it in Sessions’ Over the past year, Trump’s message at hometown, where such policies are arguably these rallies has evolved. After calls for more very popular given election results in not just policy specifics from the media, The Donald has this GOP primary but in past elections, it does delivered. suggest Alabama’s Port City will remain an Unfortunately he has yet to show he is ca- important stop in future elections if the national- pable of getting out of his own way despite the ist populist theme remains a serious part of the message focus. country’s politics.

14 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 COMMENTARY | THE MONTGOMERY MINUTE Henry said. “That’s not unique to Hartselle. It’s across the entire state, so [S.B. 7] is something we need to do to be prudent.” Just in Mobile, more than two dozen bills — ranging from alcohol issues to tax regulations — could be invalidated just like Jefferson County’s sales tax. That is, Montgomery wants us to fix what they broke unless we give Montgomery what they’re asking for: a bailout. BY LEE HEDGEPETH/CONTRIBUTING WRITER During this special legislative session, while most of the media focus was on the lottery and its epic demise, Sen. Ward had only one goal in mind: keep those hundreds of bills alive. Through sheer grit and determination — and a court order — Sen. Ward successfully shepherded through the Legislature a constitutional ou can’t trust Montgomery politicians to get Earlier this year, an Alabama judge struck down a Jef- amendment Alabamians will vote on in November that would fix the BIR break- things done. We know that, and former Alabama ferson County sales tax, and the BIR breakdown began. down, if approved. But the question is: Should we have to fix what Montgomery The judge ruled that the House’s budget isolation process, Gov. Fob James knew that, too. That’s why it broke? I don’t think so. sounded like a fantastic idea when in the 1980s which has required a BIR vote with a three-fifths “majority JamesY fought the Legislature year after year in an eventu- of present members,” is unconstitutional because it does not ally successful battle to put into the Alabama Constitution a meet the requirement of “three-fifths of a quorum present” Below is a list of laws that could be in jeopardy if the amendment is provision called the Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR). mentioned in the Alabama Constitution. not approved by voters in November: That measure, which Alabama voters approved by a mar- That small difference in wording could be critical, be- cause the Jefferson County sales tax invalidated in the case • Mobile Optimist Club, Christmas tree sales, exempt from corporate and gin of three to one, requires that lawmakers pass the state’s municipal sales and use tax and gross receipts tax; wasn’t the only bill passed through this specific BIR pro- education and general fund budgets into law before passing • Mobile County ad valorem tax, county commission authorized to levy ad cess. And it wasn’t just a handful. It was literally hundreds. any other legislation. To address any issue other than the ditional for public school purposes, referendum; And now they’re all up in the air. budget, the resolution requires the consent of “three-fifths of • Saraland, corporation limits altered to deannex cert. territory; a quorum present” in the House and the Senate. The public “The potential impact of this ruling is far-reaching,” Sen. • Mobile County, circuit and district courts, additional court costs, distributed loved the sentiment — politicians having to focus on the Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) said of the Jefferson County court for alternative corrections program; state’s pocketbook before all else — but politicians hated it. • Mobile County, civil service system updates; After its passage, the Associated Press in a 1985 piece • Aircraft over 30,000 pounds, reconditioning, component parts, municipal said lawmakers would be “guinea pigs” in the upcoming YOU CAN’T TRUST MONTGOMERY sales and use tax exemption, retroactive effect; legislative session because of it. Legendary Secretary of the • Beer or malt beverage kegs, identification number and registration with buyer Senate McDowell Lee called it “the worst piece of legisla- POLITICIANS TO GET THINGS DONE. or lessor required, duties to sheriff, penalties; tion passed in my lifetime.” • Judge of probate, county commission authorized to appropriate funds for Now, more than 30 years later, the BIR is wreaking WE KNOW THAT, AND FORMER ALABAMA GOV. miscellaneous expenses related to office; havoc in Montgomery and across the state. The problem, • Mount Vernon, corporation limits altered though, isn’t the resolution itself. It’s legislative incompe- FOB JAMES KNEW THAT, TOO.” • Judge of probate, estates, general administrator elected position and expense tence. You can’t trust Alabama politicians to get anything allowance abolished, expenses for appointed position provided through done, and you especially can’t trust them to get it done right. probate court; Because budgets aren’t easy to agree on, and because ruling. “[It could end up] affecting funding for vital services • Centre for the Living Arts Inc., municipal ad valorem and sales and use tax Alabama’s Legislature only meets for 30 days a year, law- such as schools, courts, sheriffs’ offices, economic develop- exemption; makers have become self-proclaimed BIR experts. Because ment organizations and other critical services statewide.” • Bonds, issuance for land and capital improvements; the budgets are typically passed in the waning days of each Another Representative, Ed Henry of Hartselle, • Sheriff, compensation, certain payments ratified; regular session, nearly all bills that come up require a BIR echoed Ward’s sentiment, saying that a local revenue • License commissioner, issuance fee, additional, distribution for office of vote — and a three-fifths majority for passage before the source for schools could end if the amendment isn’t ap- license commissioner; and budgets. So at this point, it’s become routine: for a bill to proved by voters. • Alcoholic beverages, reasonable quantity purchased from military liquor or pass, there’s a BIR vote, and then there’s the vote on the “If the courts deem that in jeopardy, it would be hundreds package stores, for active duty, active reserve status or retired Armed Forces allowed, civil penalties. actual legislation. No big deal. Until now. of thousands of dollars that the local system would lose,”

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 15 BUSINESS | THE REAL DEAL with NAI-Mobile represented the tenant in the lease transaction. Twenty new jobs will come to Mobile and 25 positions will be retained locally. The company has nearly 1,900 employees and operates 11 sawmills, four second- ary manufacturing plants and a trucking firm, all located in the Southern U.S. In Alabama, Canfor has sawmills in Mobile, Jackson and Fulton as well as a treatment White-Spunner completes high school plant in Mobile. BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST/[email protected] Local Wendy’s earns recognition, visit by Department of Energy On Wednesday, Aug. 31, the newly remodeled Wendy’s eatery located at 3113 hite-Spunner Construction, established in involved in the project. Airport Blvd. and adjacent to The Shoppes at Bel Air earned national recognition Mobile in 1981 and recently ranked the 19th from the U.S. Department of Energy. largest general contractor in Alabama in 2015 Commercial real estate moves The DOE toured the newly rebuilt restaurant which showcases the Dublin, by Business Alabama, has completed the new Veteran-owned Warlord Beard Oil Co. has leased 3,800 Ohio-headquartered company’s innovations in reducing energy use. The Mobile W97,000-square-foot Citronelle High School for the Mobile square feet of office and warehouse space at 3759 Industrial location, owned and operated under Pensacola, Florida-based Wendco Group, has County Public School System, Alabama’s largest. More than Park Drive in Mobile, with Sept. 1 anticipated occu- reportedly achieved a 43 percent reduction in overall energy use. This energy sav- 800 students in grades 9-12 began classes in the new school pancy. Jack Conger, Stirling Properties leasing executive, ings was achieved through a number of retrofits including: building on Aug. 10. represented the tenant. • Switching exterior and interior lighting to 100 percent LED lighting; In late 2014, WSC won the bid for general contractor Warlord Beard Oil Co., which provides men’s beard • Installing energy-efficient, energy star-certified kitchen equipment; and with a $22 million proposal. Ground was broken in January and grooming products, was founded in Mobile nearly two • Retrofitting a new, high-efficiency HVAC system, including new rooftop units 2015 on the two-story building, across the street from the years ago, and this marks the first lease-purchase for the with variable-speed compressors and fans. existing high school on a 13-acre site. The project is one company. Owners plan to build a production site within the According to a news release, as the first restaurant chain to include franchisees of several included in Mobile County Public Schools’ plan next three years. in the DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge, Wendy’s International has committed to a to complete $100 million in school construction during the The Learning Tree Inc. has purchased property at 5451 20 percent energy savings over 10 years, across 1.5 million square feet of building next two years. Able Court in Mobile for $618,000. The property includes space within company-owned restaurants. Citronelle’s new North Campus consists of a new cafete- existing office and warehouse facilities totaling 15,190 More than 500 Wendy’s company- and franchisee-operated restaurants are ria and dining area, an expansive media center and library, square feet. The acquisition is located adjacent to The participating in the Better Buildings Challenge. As of July 3, Wendy’s collectively and an auditorium complete with a performance stage and Learning Tree’s current facility and will house office and has 6,490 restaurant locations worldwide. For more information about the DOE’s theater lights. The high school accommodates 37 high-tech support staff, as well as allow for future school expan- initiative, visit its website. sion. Stirling Property leasing executive Nathan Handmach- classrooms, each equipped with smartboard technology, plus Smart Home America promotes state-legislated insurance discounts fully functional chemistry and biology labs. er handled the transaction. The Learning Tree is a nonprofit Mobile-based nonprofit Smart Home America and its partners announce the According to Tommy Sheffield, executive manager of organization geared to providing educational, residential and launch of “Don’t Goof When You Re-Roof,” an education campaign to inform operations for MPCSS, the new Citronelle High School in- support services for children and adolescents with develop- homeowners about a new fortified home program and that could potentially save up cludes a career academy focusing on manufacturing, indus- mental disabilities. to 35 percent on homeowners insurance. try and technology. “When schools like this are built, new As first reported in Lagniappe last week, Canfor “Alabama and Mississippi have legislated insurance discounts for homes built businesses tend to grow up around them. Everyone wants to Southern Pine Inc., one of the world’s largest producers or retrofitted to the fortified standard,” Julie Shiyou-Woodard, president and CEO send their children to a brand new school,” he said. of sustainable lumber, pulp and paper, recently announced A second phase of the project will include demolition the relocation of its U.S. headquarters from Myrtle Beach, of Smart Home America, said. “Based on a new independent study, these homes are and renovation of the original school, WSC senior project South Carolina, to Mobile. Canfor Southern Pine merged being valued nearly 7 percent higher than similar homes without the standard.” manager Brandon Miller said. “Our team will also renovate with locally owned Gulf Lumber Co. in 2013 and currently Both states have legislated incentives for homeowners to build stronger homes, approximately 60,000 square feet of the existing school operates 16 facilities in the Southeast, according to its and many municipalities have incorporated fortified recommendations into local and furnish freestanding boys’ and girls’ locker rooms,” he website. building codes. said. “The newly renovated South Campus will serve as a The new headquarters will occupy approximately 18,000 Public service announcements are scheduled to soon run on local radio and tele- vocational and technical department, and a state-of-the-art square feet on more than three floors of the historic Van vision stations. The campaign website offers instructional videos as well as other culinary facility will replace the existing cafeteria.” Antwerp Building located at 101 Dauphin St. in LoDa, information to get set up on the program. For more information visit the campaign Mobile-based TAG/The Architects Group was also making the building now fully occupied. Allan R. Cameron website, smarthomeamerica.org.

16 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 CUISINE THE REVIEW

LICKIN’ GOOD DONUTS 3242 DAUPHIN ST. MOBILE 36606 Is there a kolache in your pocket? 251-471-2590 BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected] Photo | Daniel Anderson

ou may have grown tired of my nostalgia. I know I am bad about hearkening back to the days of my childhood, where I will swear up and down there’s a place in my hometown that Lickin’ Good Donuts is a growing franchise serving pastries and a limited breakfast at is a finer example of whatever treat I’m cur- rently chasing down in this part of the country. several locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties. YAnd when I go back to said hometown, I talk about all the great places in Mobile that people are missing by staying in Mississippi. I do have my favorites. When you bring up donuts I am in a similar situation. Rings or Irresistible Os. I walk in for a coffee and a small bag of 12 different rings, I will try to stick to hitting the high notes. I love Shipley’s in Laurel, Mississippi. It’s not just for the of holes and walk out with a dozen mixed. Right off the bat, one of the more popular flavors at Lickin’ donuts. Yes, I used to eat a dozen donut holes before getting But like the donut shop of my youth, I could steer the car Good is the maple glazed with bacon. You can certainly buy to the real breakfast. I still find their lemon filled creeping away from the donuts if that was all they sold. I am hooked one with just a maple glaze for the health-conscious donut its way into my brain during moments of weakness. But in on the breakfast. fans, but I went for the bacon. It’s so finely chopped that you modern times, with their modern sign on their modern build- Yes, Lickin’ Good serves breakfast items other than do- could call it bacon dust. This is the one that built their reputa- nuts, such as biscuits and croissants, with the usual choices of tion (around here, at least). sausage, egg, bacon, ham and cheese, but I may never try any My mom and I are partial to lemon-filled donuts. Here YES, LICKIN’ GOOD SERVES BREAK- of those. For me the kolaches are where you have a choice of either glazed or pow- my money is headed. dered sugar. You know me well enough to FAST ITEMS OTHER THAN DONUTS, Are you unfamiliar with a kolache? It’s predict that I got both. My favorite of the SUCH AS BISCUITS AND CROISSANTS, WITH a European thing, perhaps Czech in origin, two is dependent upon my mood and/or fa- and essentially could be a pastry stuffed cial hair. Some days you’re a glazed man, THE USUAL CHOICES OF SAUSAGE, EGG, with fruit. Here there is no fruit, but rather BREAKFAST SANDWICHES, others your beard is about to look like that BACON, HAM AND CHEESE, BUT I MAY NEVER an evolved kolache with sausages. My first COFFEE AND JUICE ARE scene from “Scarface.” was a boudin kolache ($2.19) served hot, AVAILABLE, SO AS I SEE IT Chocolate éclair was one from which TRY ANY OF THOSE. FOR ME THE KOLACHES and though I loved it my children were not I could not shy away. In donut form it was ARE WHERE MY MONEY IS HEADED.” fond of the smell as I ate it in the car. THE ONLY THING THAT COULD just the right size. It’s such a shame I was On my most recent visit I opted for the MAKE THIS PLACE BETTER only getting a bite. Conecuh sausage kolache with jalape- The apple filling was spectacular with ing in their new spot on 16th Avenue, I go for the chicken ños ($1.99). This may be the one. This is WOULD BE IF THEY HAD A a nice cinnamon dusting that made this do- on a stick. If I’m wasting a few calories, there must be meat the thing that gets me across the street. DRIVE THRU. GUESS WHAT: nut stand out. It was worthy of a mention involved. Breaded sausage with jalapenos is a great THEY HAVE A DRIVE THRU. for something I don’t ordinarily try. It may So here I am in our beautiful city with no such chicken. way to wipe the sleep out of your eyes. It’s be a go-to in the fall months. But this town has donuts, let me tell you. So I thought it like the churched up version of a pig in a With donuts I usually go for the fried would be great to let you in on what I love about the donut blanket. You have a two-dollar menu item kind, but if you are into the cake you are in shop closest to me and its only Midtown location, near Dau- that is filling and delicious. The bonus is it is perfect for eat- luck. I’d say this is where Lickin’ Good excels. The cake donuts phin and Interstate 65 in the same shopping center as Yak ing on the go and you won’t get your steering wheel sticky. here are good enough to convert me. Maybe the best donut in the and Greer’s Cashsaver, Lickin’ Good Donuts. The dilemma was that I was at a donut shop and really box was blueberry cake. It was stunning. I first heard of Lickin’ Good from friend William Spargo, needed to sample the donuts. I grabbed an assortment and left So I have found the Midtown donut shop. They don’t have who brought me a varied selection from their Robertsdale for the confinement of my judgment-free home, where I alone chicken on a stick, but the kolaches are a hit. The donuts store. What started as a mom-and-pop shop in Shreveport, would, for the sake of a newspaper article, sample a dozen are top notch plus the cake is perfect. Breakfast sandwiches, Louisiana, is rapidly growing and thankfully so, in Mobile different donuts. coffee and juice are available, so as I see it the only thing that and Baldwin counties. My kids couldn’t contain themselves This is possibly the only time I have used a fork and knife could make this place better would be if they had a drive thru. when one opened up just bicycle distance from our house. to eat donuts, but there was no way I could power down these Guess what: They have a drive thru. I’ve tried to keep my visits to a minimum, but the place without a visit to the E.R. I’m just not built for that anymore. Open everyday from 5 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m., Lickin’ often calls my name. They should change the name to Siren Notice I said anymore. Without launching into a boring recap Good, you are nostalgia in the making.

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 17 5319 Hwy 90 • 660-0071 PDQ ($) 7721 Airport Blvd • 380-8957 Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 Fuji San ($) 1225 Satchel Page Dr., E100 • 378-8768 Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. Dreamland BBQ ($) Zea’s ($$) Thai fare and sushi Foosackly’s ($) 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. 2000 Airport Blvd. • 478-9888 Famous chicken fingers. Pita Pit ($) 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Golden Bowl ($) 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 211 Dauphin St. • 690-7482 Moe’s Original Bar B Que ($) Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 Pollman’s Bakery ($) Barbeque & music. 309 Bel Air Blvd • 470-8033 $10/person 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 Bakery, sandwiches and more Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS A LITTLE VINO Hibachi 1 ($-$$) $$ 10-25/person 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761 750 S. Broad St • 438-1511, 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 Domke Market 2370 Hillcrest Rd. Unit B • 380-6062 $$$ Over 25/Person 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 4464 Old Shell Road • 342-8546, 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. Kai Japanese Restaurant ($-$$) The Galley ($) 107 St. Francis St. Suite 102 • 438-2261 Saucy Q BarBQue ($) 720 Schillinger Rd. S. Unit 8 • 287-1851 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 COMPLETELY Open for lunch, inside Gulfquest Queen G’s Café ($) Award-winning BarBQue. Fathoms Lounge Liquid ($$) COMFORTABLE 155 S. Water St • 436-8901 Down home cooking for lunch. 1111 Gov’t Blvd. • 433-7427 A tapas restaurant, cocktails & live music. Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. All Sports bar & grill ($) Gulf Coast Exploreum Cafe ($) 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 Smokey Dembo Smoke House ($) 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Homemade soups & sandwiches Regina’s Kitchen ($-$$) Smoke House Pour Baby Rice Asian Grill & Sushi Bar ($) 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd • 345-9338 65 Government St • 208-6815 Sandwiches, subs and soups. 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 Wine bar, craft beers & bistro 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 Al’s Hotdogs ($) Gumbo Shack($-$$) 2056 Gov’t St. • 476-2777 Tilmo’s BBQ ($) 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 Rock n Roll Sushi ($$) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Seafood and sandwiches Roly Poly ($) Fast BBQ w/ Drive-Thru Firehouse wine bar & Shop 273 S. McGregor Ave • 287-0555, 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 212 ½ Fairhope Ave • 928-4100 Wraps & salads. 3249 Dauphin St. • 652-3508 Wine Shop. 6345 Airport Blvd. • 287-0555, Atlanta Bread Company ($-$$) The House ($-$$) 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 940 Industrial Pkwy • 308-2158 Sandwiches, salads & more. Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. Rosie’s grill ($-$$) Red or White Taste of Thai ($$) 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 4513 Old Shell Rd. • 408-9622 Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. DROP DEAD GOURMET Wine Shop. 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 Bake My Day ($) The Hungry Owl ($) 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne • 626-2440 Bay Gourmet ($$) 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 Tokyo Japanese Steak House ($$) Old-fashioned southern bake shop Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. RoyaL Knight ($) A premier caterer & cooking classes. 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 Upscale sushi & hibachi. 156 N. McGregor Ave • 219-7261 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 340-2522 Lunch & dinner. 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 Royal Street Tavern 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 The Blind Mule ($) Jamaican Vibe ($) 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 Briquettes Steakhouse ($-$$) Live music, martinis & dinner menu. Wasabi Sushi ($$) Daily specials made from scratch. Mind-blowing island food. Royal Street Cafe ($) Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 Japanese cuisine. 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 Homemade lunch & breakfast. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. S2. • 607-7200 Southern Napa 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 Bob’s Diner ($) Jersey Mike’s ($) 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 901 Montlimar Dr • 408-3133 Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. PHO Yen ($) Good old American cooking Authentic sub sandwiches Satori Coffeehouse ($) Café 615 ($$-$$$) 2304 Main St. • 375-2800 Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. 263 St. Francis St • 405-1497 7449 Airport Blvd • 375-1820 Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. American fare with local ingredients. 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 Cafe 219 ($) Jimmy John’s ($) 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434 Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. Serda’s Coffeehouse ($) Corner 251 ($-$$) FALAFEL? 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. High quality food and drinks TRY SOME HUMMUS FROM THE DEPTHS Camellia Café ($-$$$) 9 Du Rhu Dr. • 340-8694 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 251 Government St • 460-3157 7 Spice ($-$$) Baudean’s ($$) Contemporary southern fare. 62 B Royal Street • 432-0360 Stevie’s Kitchen ($) Dauphin’s ($$-$$$) Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 Joe Cain Café ($) Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. High quality food with a view 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 Cammie’s Old Dutch ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. 107 St. Francis St • 444-0200 Abba’s Mediterranean Cafe ($-$$) The Bluegill ($-$$) Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 The Sunflower Cafe ($) Dumbwaiter ($$-$$$) Beef, lamb & seafood. A historic seafood dive w/ live music. 3775 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 Judy’s Place ($-$$) Inside Virginia’s Health Food Serving local seafood & produce 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 Carpe Diem ($) Home cooking. 3055 A Dauphin St • 479-3200 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 Istanbul Grill ($) Bonefish Grill ($$) Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. 4054 Government St. • 665-4557 Tin Roof ($-$$) FIVE ($$) Authentic Turkish & Mediterranean Eclectic dining & space. 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 Loda Bier Garten ($) Southern casual family dining Great food and cocktails 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 Chat-A-Way Cafe ($) Pub food and draft beers 10800 US hwy 31 • 621-4995 609 Dauphin St. • 308-3105 Jerusalem Cafe ($-$$) BOUDREAUX’S CAJUN GRILL ($-$$) Quiches & sandwiches. 251 Dauphin St • 287-6871 TP Crockmiers ($) Kitchen on George ($-$$) Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. Quality Cajun & New Orleans Cuisine. 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 Mama’s ($) American Restaurant & Bar Contemporary American food. 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 29249 US Highway 98 Daphne. • 621-1991 Chicken Salad Chick ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 Kan Zaman ($-$$) Cravin Cajun/DIP Seafood($) Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 Three Georges Candy Shop ($) Legacy Bar & Grill ($$$) Mediterranean food and hookah Po-boys, salads & seafood. 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 Mars Hill Cafe ($) Light lunch with Southern flair. American, Seafood,Stekhouse. 326 Azalea Rd • 229-4206 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 5753 Old Shell Road • 408-3236, Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 Mediterranean Sandwich Company ($) Ed’s Seafood Shed ($$) 1802 US Hwy 98 Suite F• 625-1092 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 Tropical Smoothie ($) MaGhee’s Grill on the Hill ($-$$) Great & quick. Fried seafood served in hefty portions. Chi-Town Dawgz ($) Mary’s Southern Cooking ($) Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. Great lunch & dinner. 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 Chicago Style Eatery 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 Felix’s Fish Camp ($$) 1222 Hillcrest Rd. • 461-6599 Micheli’s Cafe ($) 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 Noble South ($$) 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 Upscale dining with a view. Cream and Sugar ($) 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 Uncle Jimmy’s Delicious Hotdogs ($) Local ingredients Mint Hookah Bistro ($) 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 Coffee, breakfast, lunch, dessert McSharry’s ($-$$) 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy S. • 307-5328 203 Dauphin St. • 690-6824 Great Mediterranean food. Fisherman’s Legacy ($) 351 George St #B • 405-0003 Authentic Irish Pub Warehouse Bakery & Donuts ($) NoJa ($$-$$$) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 Deli, market and catering. Dauphin St. Cafe ($) 101 N. Bancroft St • 990-5100 Coffee and donuts Inventive & very fresh cuisine. Ollie’s Mediterranean Grill ($-$$) 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) Miko’s Italian Ice ($) 759 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope • 928-7223 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 Mediterranean restaurant and hookah The Grand Mariner ($-$$) 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats Wild Wing Station ($) Osman’s Restaurant ($$) 1248 Hillcrest St • 634-9820 Local seafood & produce. D’ Michael’s ($) 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 1500 Gov’t St. • 287-1526 Supreme European cuisine. 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. Momma Goldberg’s Deli ($) Yak the Kathmandu Kitchen ($-$$) 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006 The Harbor Room ($-$$) 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. Authentic foods from Himalayan region. Royal Scam ($$) FAR EASTERN FARE Unique seafood. Delish Bakery and Eatery ($) 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Bamboo bistro ($$) 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 Great desserts & hot lunch. 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 400 Eastern Shore Center • 459-2862 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 Half Shell Oyster House ($) 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 Montego’s ($-$$) Ruth’s Chris Steak House ($$$) Bamboo fusion ($$) 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 Dew Drop Inn ($) Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. Exceptional service & taste. 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 Lucy B. Goode ($$) Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 ‘CUE 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 Bamboo steakhouse ($$) Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872 225 Dauphin Street • 375-1576 Backyard Cafe & BBQ ($) Sage Restaurant ($$) Sushi Bar. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores • 967-5858 Dunkin Donuts ($) Mostly Muffins ($) Home cookin’ like momma made. Inside the Mobile Marriott. 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 Lulu’s ($$) 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 Donuts, coffee and sandwiches Muffins, coffee & wraps. 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 Bangkok thai ($-$$) Live music & great seafood. Saisho ($-$$) 1976 Michigan Ave • 442-4846 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 BAR-B-QUING WITH MY HONEY ($$) Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores • 967-5858 Modern gastropub inspired by Japanese kitchen 3876 Airport Blvd • 219-7369 Newk’s Express Cafe ($) BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 Mudbugs at the loop ($) 455 Dauphin St • 433-0376 505 Schillinger Rd. S. • 442-4845 Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 Banzai Japanese Restaurant ($$) Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. Union ($$$) 29160 US Hwy 98 • 621-2228 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533, Brick Pit ($) Traditional sushi & lunch. 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 Premium steaks & burgers. E Wing House ($) 1335 Satchel Page Dr. Suite C. • 287-7356 A favorite barbecue spot. 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 Ralph & Kacoo’s ($-$$) 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 195 S University Suite H • 662-1829 7440 Airport Blvd. • 633-0096 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 Benjas ($) The Seafood Restaurant! Von’s Bistro ($-$$) Thai & Sushi Firehouse Subs ($) 30500 State Hwy 181 #132 • 625-6544 Cotton State BBQ ($) 1595 Battleship Pkwy • 626-0045 Seafood, Asian and American Cuisine 5369 D Hwy 90 W • 661-5100 Hot subs, cold salads & catering. Panini Pete’s ($) Downtown Lunch 69 St. Michael St • 375-1113 Charm ($-$$) R&R Seafood ($-$$) 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Original sandwich and bake shop. 101 N. Conception St. • 545-4682 Laid-back eatery and fish market 42 ½ Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 Tamara’s Downtown ($$) Thai kitchen and sushi bar Five Guys Burgers & Fries ($) Dickey’s Barbecue Pit ($-$$) 1477 Battleship Pkwy. • 621-8366 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Casual fine dining. 960 Schillinger Rd. S • 660-4470 BBQ and more. Burgers, milkshakes & fries Pat’s Downtown Grill ($) 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Cuisine of india ($$) River Shack ($-$$) 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2394 Bar food Jubilee Sq.Ctr. Hwy 90, Daphne • 210-2151 The Trellis Room ($$$) Lunch Buffet Seafood, burgers & steaks. 4363 Airport Blvd. • 661-0071 271 Dauphin St • 438-9585 McGowin Park Ctr. Satchel Paige Dr. • 471-1050 Contemporary Southern Cuisine 3674 Airport Blvd. • 341-6171 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318.

18 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar ($$) Wings, seafood, burgers and beer Comfort food. Trattoria Pizza & Italian ($$) Mexican cuisine. 850 Bayview Ave. Biloxi-- • 888-946-2847 Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. 7721 Airport Blvd. Suite E-180 • 639-6832 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 Italian food & pizzas. 3977 Gov’t Blvd. • 660-4970 Thirty-Two ($$$) 6232 Bon Secour Hwy County Rd. 10. • Mancis ($) Macaroni Grill ($$) 11311 US HIghway 31 Spanish Fort• 375-0076 TaquerIa Mexico ($-$$) Seafood, steaks, wine 949-5086 Burgers. Small plates, pizzas, pastas and wine Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint ($) Authentic Mexican flavor. Tien ($-$$) Wintzell’s Oyster House ($-$$) 1715 Main St. • 375-0543 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 Homemade pizza & gourmet salads 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 Interactive Asian dining Fresh seafood for over 75 years McSharry’s Irish Pub ($) Mellow Mushroom ($) 7765 Airport Blvd. • 639-5010 High Tide Café ($) 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 Brilliant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. Pies & awesome beer selection. Via Emilia ($$) Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 Homemade pastas & pizzas made daily. NO GAMBLING 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., Saraland • 442-3335 Mug Shots ($$) 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 CASINO FARE ISLAND VIEW: 805 S. Mobile St. • 929-2322 Bar & Grill. 29698 Frederick Blvd, Daphne • 621-3911 BEAU RIVAGE: 3300 W. Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 877-774-8439 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 Navco Pizza ($$) 875 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 888-952-2582 Beach Blvd Steamer ($) Old 27 Grill ($) Pizza, subs & pasta. OLÉ MI AMIGO! BR Prime ($$-$$$) Carter Green Steakhouse ($$-$$$) Rich traditions, steak, seafood IS THE GAME ON? Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. 1368 ½ Navco Rd.• 479-0066 Aztecas ($-$$) Fine dining establishment. Ashland Midtown Pub ($-$$) 19992 Hwy.181 Old County Rd. Fairhope • 281-2663 Picklefish ($$) Taste of Mexico Coast Restaurant ($-$$) C&G Grille ($) Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. Lucky’s Irish Pub ($) Pizza, sandwiches & salads. 5452 Hwy 90 W • 661-5509 Burger, wings, pizza 245-A Old Shell Rd. • 479-3278 Irish pub fare & more. 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 Café Del Rio ($-$$) Jia ($-$$) PALACE CASINO: Baumhower’s ($) 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 Papa’s Place ($$) Mouth watering Mexican food Exotic cuisine and sushi 158 Howard Ave. Biloxi • 800-725-2239 Wings, burgers, pub grub WeMos ($) A Taste of Italy . BYOB. 1175 Battleship Pkwy • 625-2722 Stalla ($$) Mignon’s ($$$) 6880 US-90 #14, Daphne • 625-4695 Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 Italian cooking Cinco de Mayo ($) Steaks, seafood, fine wine Bishop’s ($) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 Pinzone’s Italian Downtown ($$) Mexican cuisine Terrace Cafe ($) Italian, catering, to-go. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night Place Buffet ($-$$) A southern grill & bar. 260 Azalea Rd. • 375-1095 Interactive Asian dining 3673 Airport Blvd. • 344-2131 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 Dauphin St. Taqueria ($) HARD ROCK CASINO: Stacked Grill ($-$$) Buffalo Wild Wings ($) MAMA MIA! Pinzone’s Italian Village ($$) Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic fare. 777 Beach Blvd.Biloxi • 877-877-6256 Burgers and everything in between Best wings & sporting events. Buck’s Pizza ($$) Authentic Italian dishes 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 Half Shell Oyster House ($-$$) 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 Delivery. 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 Fuego ($-$$) Seafood TREASURE BAY: Butch Cassidy’s ($) 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 Ravenite ($) Outstanding Mexican cuisine. Hard Rock Café ($) 1980 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 800-747-2839 Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. Cortland’s Pizza Pub ($-$$) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. The Den ($-$$) 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690 Great pizza. Lunch & dinner. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 Hacienda San Miguel ($-$$) Ruth’s Chris Steak House ($$$) Intimate & casual with daily specials. 4356 Old Shell Road • 342-0024 Pizzeria Delfina ($) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club ($) Taste of Mexico Exceptional service & taste. CQ ($$-$$$) Burgers & beer. Gambino Brothers ($) Pizza & Pasta 880 Schillinger Rd. S. • 633-6122, Satisfaction ($-$$) Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. 107 Dauphin St. • 375-1644 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 5805 US 90 • 653-9163 Southern favorites buffet Blu ($) Gulf Coast Wings ($-$$) 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 Roma Cafe ($-$$) Los Arcos ($) Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. Gambino’s Italian Grill ($) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. Wings, beers and drinks Quaint Mexican restaurant. HARRAH’S GULF COAST: 1850 Airport Blvd • 471-5520 Italian, Steaks & Seafood. 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 280 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 288-436-2946 WIND CREEK CASINO: 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 Heroes Sports Bar & Grille ($) Romano’s macaroni grill ($$) La Cocina ($) Magnolia House ($$-$$$) 303 Poarch Rd. Atmore • 866-946-3360 Sandwiches & cold beer. Guido’s ($$) Springdale Mall 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 Authentic Mexican cuisine. Fine dining, seafood and steaks Fire ($$-$$$) 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376 Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. Tamara’s Bar & Grill ($) 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 Flavors Buffet ($-$$) Prime steaks, seafood & wine. Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 Wings, po-boys, burgers. Maria Bonita agave All you can eat buffet Grill ($) Hurrican Grill & Wings ($-$$) La rossO ($$) 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 • 929-0002 bar & grill ($-$$) IP CASINO: Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites.

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September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 19 Photo | Facebook - You could also visit www.expertgriller. You Have a wonderful Labor Day! (And recycle!) Andy MacDonald/Cuisine Editor By Text GRILL to 55702 to get expert grill GRILL Text ing tips, recipes and how-to demonstration videos through Sept. 5. com for more tips and tricks as well as Grill-Out planner tool to make LongHorn’s Don’t your party planning a little smoother. be bashful. Let the pros guide you into a well- balanced meal and get ready for tailgating! 1-855-LH-GRILL (1-855-544-7455) to have (1-855-544-7455) to have 1-855-LH-GRILL can also You your questions answered live. have questions answered by a Grill Master all weekend long. Twitter on Facebook or IN ADDITION TO HUNDREDS OF TO CHOOSE FROM, BOTTLED BEERS TAP. THAN 40 ON OLD SHELL GROWLERS HAS MORE - Labor Day may be considered the last Grill Masters will be providing steak and Steak and a selection of wonderful desserts of Wood and wines. Club President Coleman The Epicureans presented Noble South gen- eral manager Myles Meade with the award and a plaque. also but it’s grilling holiday of the year, of tailgating season. If you are the kickoff stumped about the idea of barbecuing or just want to refine your skills, LongHorn Steakhouse has a Grill Us Hotline that will be open this weekend. Sept. grilling tips via telephone on Sunday, 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. central time. Dial LongHorn opens hotlines for Labor Day Derek Weidenthal, better known as “Weedy,” the brewmaster better known as “Weedy,” Weidenthal, Derek is a graduate of the prestigious Siebel Brewing Weidenthal that I grew up “I have always loved brewing beer in the city someone that I As for his replacement, “I am searching for Alabama brewing scene will miss The Weedy. Good luck, the founding Dan Murphy is a Certified Cicerone® and The selection of draft beer is vast and encompasses a wide The selection of draft at Blue Pants Brewery, announced recently he is leaving the announced at Blue Pants Brewery, Tombstone, Alabama brewery to help with a startup in north Arizona. the quality of Institute and is widely credited with improving four years ago. beers coming out of Blue Pants since his arrival wrote in a Weidenthal in and being near family and friends,” Facebook post. we’ve had and there can trust to continue to build on the success in the position.” are several great candidates that are interested you greatly. on Instagram @ brewer at Fairhope Brewing Co. Follow him @Beer_Man_Dan. Twitter Grand_Krewe and on Blue Pants brewmaster leaving for new opportunites Blue Pants shop or fill up one of the store’s namesake glass growlers (avail namesake glass growlers the store’s shop or fill up one of sizes) to take home with you. able in 32-ounce or 64-ounce local brewery was conspicuously absent array of styles, but our two occasions I stopped in. It may just from the tap wall on the beers just sell faster Fairhope’s be a coincidence, or perhaps important that local businesses but it’s than others on the wall, I hope the pelican taps become a regular and support each other, Growlers soon. fixture at Old Shell - A dining club with members from A It was tough to pick a favorite, but what - Mobile and Baldwin counties known simply The Epicureans meets monthly to dine as out as a group in our many fine restaurants. For this past season the “Restaurant of the award was presented to Noble South, Year” a downtown favorite. swung the vote was a menu of Pork Osso Chef’s Choice Bucco, Blackened Grouper, Open Monday through Saturday from 11 Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you will have plenty of opportunity in the charming to try something different outdoor seating just in time for fall. Epicureans name “Restaurant of the Year” Year” “Restaurant of the Epicureans name - - - September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 7, 2016 - September September 1, | | THE GRAND KREW GRAND | THE hen I first moved to Mobile in 2004, I asked a Mobile in 2004, I asked hen I first moved to I could find the best beer few poker buddies where pointed me The consensus selection in Midtown. deli that had The Bakery Café, a small gourmet to I’ve had several Filipino students brag on Ang No pictures of the menu are on I’ve said it before: Why are there no Fili I’ve said it before: pino restaurants in Mobile? Well, we finally Well, pino restaurants in Mobile? Ang Bahay Kubo opened last have one. week to good initial reviews, at 4513 Old Shell Road, Unit D, in the location formerly The House Restaurant. “Bahay” occupied by means house or home in the Philippine lan so what better location to Tagalog, guage of start what will hopefully be a growing trend? their native cuisine, yet never delivered me so much as a sample. Now I can finally see what they were talking about. Facebook page, but review Bahay Kubo’s ers were touting the dinuguan, ang sarap and more than one mention of the halo halo. CUISINE

When Old Shell Growlers recently opened its doors at the When Old Shell Growlers recently opened walking into the retail shop is akin to For a beer lover, which makes by brewery, alphabetically Beers are organized side long If you can pull yourself away from the retail It wasn’t much, but it scratched the itch. Soon after, however, however, the itch. Soon after, much, but it scratched It wasn’t WORD OF MOUTH | LAGNIAPPE BY DAN MURPHY/CONTRIBUTING WRITER BY DAN MURPHY/CONTRIBUTING

Old Shell Growlers an ‘oasis in the desert’ ‘oasis an Shell Growlers Old W corner of Old Shell Road and Kenneth Street in the heart of corner of Old Shell Road and Kenneth Street desert, here to slake Midtown, it was as if an oasis arrived in the urban dwellers. the thirsts of Mobile’s chocolate factory up close. Everything Wonka’s experiencing collection of is available to purchase as singles, and a massive I’ve been looking bottles lining one wall emphasizes that point. option for years. It encour- this forward to a store that offers for customers who ages experimentation and provides an option new and exotic, might not buy an entire six-pack of something one bottle. but are willing to drop two or three bucks on with the seemingly finding your favorite brews a breeze; but bad for the em constant influx of new craft breweries, I feel an entire other section of the store dedicated to enough, there’s beers 40 taps offer draft beer and high-end bar food. More than glass to enjoy while you can buy a You from around the country. land for Midtown Mobilians who didn’t want to drive west of want to drive who didn’t land for Midtown Mobilians Interstate 65 for their favorite brews. order. ployee tasked with keeping things in alphabetical The Bakery shut its doors, leaving a veritable craft beer waste The Bakery shut its doors, such exotic selections as Guinness, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Ale and as Guinness, Sierra Nevada Pale such exotic selections Abita Amber. 20 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 21 COVER STORY Downtown crackdown effective, but unsustainable BY GABRIEL TYNES

t’s been a year since an early-morning shooting in except for moderate lines to enter clubs like Xcite and the downtown entertainment district left two people Paparazzi Hookah Lounge. Police were on nearly every wounded and started a renewed dialogue about street corner and some places in between — on foot, on increased police presence and enforcement of existing horseback, in patrol cars marked and unmarked — re- Iordinances. minding patrons to pour out their cups and keep moving. That incident, where shots were fired on Dauphin The tactics have had a positive impact on the Street in the midst of a crowded, unpermitted “block downtown entertainment district, Assistant Police Chief party” organized and promoted on social media, led to Lawrence Battiste said. Officers have been successful the voluntary, permanent closure of one night club, more in breaking up the block party atmosphere that existed officers on patrol during peak hours and a more-focused before. enforcement of the city’s open-container ordinance. “From what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard … we But since then there have been other high-profile feel the crowds have been manageable and compliant,” shootings downtown, including one near Bienville he said. Square less than an hour into the New Year and another Downtown Mobile Alliance spokesperson Carol on Fat Tuesday behind Popeye’s Chicken on Government Hunter said she also believes the enforcement has shown and Scott streets, which resulted in the death of 15-year- results. old Amir Parker. “From what I hear, the police presence has worked In June, 48-year-old Lonnie Rayford was shot and well — we have heard that from bar owners and some killed while riding in a car in the patrons who have been down later Photo | Daniel Anderson vicinity of Broad Street and Spring in the evening,” she said. “The dif- Hill Avenue. In July, police ar- ference is with no drinking on the rested 24-year-old Tevin Gamble street after midnight … the effect for reckless endangerment and has been that people are inside unlawful discharge of a firearm patronizing the bars.” shortly after an unrelated shooting BOTH THE OPEN-CONTAINER Aliesha Francis was one of doz- resulting in no injuries in the 200 RESTRICTIONS AND CRUISING ens of people waiting to enter Xcite OFFICERS OF MPD’S MOUNTED block of Dauphin Street. just after midnight Sunday. Then, in two separate incidents ORDINANCE ARE EXPECTED “I come out almost every UNIT KEPT PERCH OVER DAUPHIN within an hour of each other on weekend and we don’t have any STREET FROM CATHEDRAL SQUARE LAST WEEK. Aug. 14, officers responded to shots TO SUNSET IN NOVEMBER, problems except when people start fired with injured victims in other WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL fighting,” she said. “There are a lot for violations of the cruising ordinance over both weekends but 18 people were areas of downtown. The first was of cops out here, it almost looks like warned about violating the noise ordinance. a shootout between 26-year-old IS EXPECTED TO EVALUATE too many, but it does make you feel Both the open-container restrictions and cruising ordinance are expected to Gerald Hale and an unknown male like they are watching everything sunset in November, when the City Council is expected to evaluate their ef- subject. Hale was briefly hospital- THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. and nobody is going to try any- fectiveness. But Mayor Sandy Stimpson suggested the increased police presence ized before being charged with thing.” is also temporary, as the surge of officers is unsustainable due to personnel costs. reckless endangerment and receiv- Indeed, according to preliminary He said the city would continue basing its police presence on the expected num- ing stolen property. The second reports from the MPD, the num- ber of visitors downtown each weekend. shooting sent an unidentified 24-year-old to the hospital ber of arrests, citations and warnings varied from the Battiste said the department uses a metric each week to determine how many in critical condition. weekend of Aug. 19 to the weekend of Aug. 26, but some officers are needed downtown on any given weekend. He said each week they After the most recent incidents, the city responded by of the numbers were skewed by the number of people plug crowd size, any recent violent crimes and any planned special events into a passing an “anti-cruising” ordinance to restrict drivers downtown for Beer Fest. model that helps predict manpower for the following weekend. from circling through the entertainment district more No major incidents were reported Aug. 20 or 21, al- The department accommodates a need for more officers in the entertainment than three times, while it also prohibited carrying open though a total of 19 people were arrested in the entertain- district by adjusting schedules, reassigning officers and using some overtime, containers of alcohol outside after midnight. During ment district. Last weekend, 12 people were arrested, one Battiste said. the past few weekends, the number of officers on patrol person was cut in a domestic incident and O’Daly’s Irish “I’m sure they’ll have presence down here as long as they believe it’s downtown has been notably higher, with a density per- Pub was warned for allowing patrons to leave the busi- necessary,” Hunter said. “But as school gets in, the crowd usually settles down haps greater than during Mardi Gras. ness after midnight with open containers of alcohol. anyway. I don’t know if it’s increased presence or the natural ebb and flow of Following the Dauphin Street Beer Festival last Sat- Officers issued 109 verbal warnings about open things but hopefully it’s something the police can monitor and stay on top of as urday, one year after shots rang out at the unsanctioned containers after midnight Aug. 27, compared to just 42 they need to.” block party, there was little to no congregating outside the previous Saturday. Only three warnings were issued Dale Liesch contributed to this report.

22 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 COVER STORY

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 23 ARTARTIFICE

vengeance, his range is more limited. Even his odd moments of complexity are spent wistfully stoking his depression. In comparison, Lovett is energetic, funny and as endearing as a cannibal can JJP ushers in autumn with ‘Sweeney Todd’ be. Lesley Roberts is a great cast in this role as she manages an abundant and BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR/[email protected] quirky personality without chewing scenery. Roberts’ vague resemblance to Lynn Redgrave helps sell the British overtones just that much more. Jackson Henson’s clear voice as the young sailor Anthony Hope stands out voices onstage are full and impressive, all in able resonance. in the cast. Even when joined with others, he rings out from the group. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” The five-member orchestra — playing eight instruments Elizabeth Bemis makes an ethereal Johanna. Though faint and unclear at Sept. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 — is deceptive. Buried in a small pit, they sound like a first, her voice grows far stronger at its top end and seems best in moments Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. larger outfit and perform flawlessly. she’s allowed that freedom. For tickets call 251-471-1534 The haunting opening number sets the tone with As Judge Turpin, Richard Coarsey does well tackling one of the most loath- or go to joejeffersonplayers.com angular lines reminiscent of Bernard Hermann’s work for some characters of the American stage. He shows admirable boldness in one Hitchcock. The introductory ballad is first ominous, then uncomfortable scene that unsettled seasoned professionals in other versions. orget light entertainment. If you’re unafraid to bracing — helped in large part by stark, then sanguine Always lively and appealing, Gene Murrell inhabits Judge Turpin’s villainous dance with the human id to the sounds of a genius, lighting — and when the ensemble reaches its full-throated malefactor Beadle Bamford. His voice is bolstering and his elocution spot on. then Joe Jefferson Playhouse (11 S. Carlen St.) is peak the psychological and sociological depths are felt. Kate Lotito Arrington employs wonderful range as she switches between the where you should be. Not long after, a masquerade ball reaches macabre de- Beggar Woman’s more pitiful and tawdry demeanors. Her shift from angelic FThrough Sept. 11, the oldest community theater in soprano to gruff tramp is the night’s first big tickle while crucifying the sailor’s Mobile stages “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet fanciful dreams of London. Street,” the Stephen Sondheim operetta cited as one of his Don’t let the cross-gendered casting for another chief role throw you. Two masterworks. Since its premiere just over 35 years ago, it THE HAUNTING OPENING NUMBER of the major stage revivals have pulled the same switcheroo as well because it has enjoyed numerous worldwide revivals, translation to SETS THE TONE WITH ANGULAR worked. film and enshrinement in the American theater canon. As mentioned, the voices all sound fantastic. The only issue might be clarity Though Todd claims to despise its Victorian London LINES REMINISCENT OF BERNARD HERMANN’S and at times lyrics were faded or garbled. Occasionally when singers were on setting, the titular character is as much a part of it as the set’s upper levels their voices got lost. industrial callousness and grimy street beggars. A victim WORK FOR HITCHCOCK.” The issue is that so much of the libretto in this play is carried in those lyr- of upper-crust skullduggery, he seeks bloody revenge and ics. There is little spoken dialogue and some of the finer points, especially the bides time with wanton slaughter and the resulting meat humor, can fade without every tidbit of those sung lines. pies gobbled down by an unwitting public. lirium as much for one character’s foreboding disguise as its My only real regret bloomed during the initial number, awash in the scarlet Though darkly humorous, this is a relentlessly sinister repugnant action. Kubrick fans might find it especially eerie. stage light, with ominous score and foreboding choir filling the air. This would tale. There is flagellation, sexual assault, insanity and Cory Olson plays the namesake barber and is in good have been ideal for the last three weekends before Halloween. plenty of murder. Even moments tinged with brief light- voice. Both his lines and lyrics reach across the 320-seat A glance at the JJP schedule showed the logistical impossibility of it. The ness give way to brutality as one scene buoyant with house. next production won’t start until early November. young love and sweet birdsong reveals. As anyone familiar with the play knows, as much Just consider this play an early start to autumn, an eye past hurricane sea- Directed by Dr. Patrick Jacobs, whose day job as head of or more of its weight is carried by meat-pie baker Mrs. son’s apex. It might have been a sultry and thick summer night when I left the the University of Mobile voice department is evident. The Lovett. Since Todd is consumed by singular obsession and theater but it was already October in my heart. Thanks for the relief, JJP!

Baldwin theater takes a ride with ‘Passengers’ Youth program students fill various roles, in the chorus and Center (257 Dauphin St.). They are open to all college music Life isn’t a clearly delineated series of scenes but rather mo- generally under the tutelage of professional singers and design- students in the Mobile area. ments that flow one to the next. Theater attendees can ride the ers. They also perform in gala and recital settings, in educa- Prepare two arias, art songs or classical pieces demonstrating GALLERY ARTS seamless vignettes that together make up the play “Passengers” tional venues and are expected to aid in various Mobile Opera vocal technique and talent. You must register by calling Mobile at South Baldwin Community Theater (2002 W. 2nd St., Gulf programs consistent with their academic schedules. Opera at 251-432-6772. Shores) when it runs through mid-September. Mobile Opera provides cash scholarships to participants The play by Sam Bodrick follows a series of characters worth $250 per semester. Two to four students are to be selected Baldwin Pops season starts Sept. 6 through eight sketches in a bus station. The revelatory and for the program, one of whom is designated the Susan B. The 20th season for the Baldwin Pops starts with new complex discussions embellish profound themes with comedic Gardberg Scholar and another as the Mobile Opera Workshop rehearsals on Sept. 6, 7 p.m. at the Fairhope Civic Center (161 relief, orbiting life and death, love and loss. Scholar. N. Section St.). Musicians interested in joining are invited to ar- Performances are Sept. 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18. Friday and Previous participants include baritone Andre Chiang, who rive with their instrument at least 15 minutes early. Participants Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday curtain is at 2 p.m. earned a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music, then should be able to read band literature at a high school level. Tickets may be purchased online at sbct.biz or call the box went to a residence with the Portland (Oregon) Opera. Chiang A special 20th anniversary event will be a Veterans Day office, 251-968-6721. now balances professional performance with his teaching at the Concert with the Mobile Pops at USS Alabama Battleship Park. University of South Alabama. Founding director Joe Riemer will be honored. Bass-baritone Nicholas Brownlee was a winner of the 2016 Opera youth program auditions The band typically plays 10 or more concerts annually, start- Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, the Zarzuela ing with Fairhope’s October Founders Day concert and running The Madame Rose Palmai Tenser Young Artist Program prize at Operalia 2016 and the 2015 Metropolitan Opera Na- provides area college and university students opportunities for through to the Fourth of July. All concerts are free and family tional Council Auditions, and is entering his final season as a friendly. experience and professional knowledge from a working com- Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist at Los Angeles Opera. He pany. Auditions through Mobile Opera are free and selection More information can be found at baldwinpopsband.com, makes his Metropolitan Opera debut later this year. by searching for Baldwin Pops Band on Facebook or by calling is made by Mobile Opera’s general director, chorus master and Auditions will be held Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m. at Larkins Music education director. 251-987-5757.

24 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 Photo | sisterhazel.com - You’ve done so well with this country Centanni: You’ve it depends on what songs we know, You Block: try to pick the best songs that speak to where We Guys like us who have been writing for a long Guys like us who have been writing for a long this album shoot up the Watching Centanni: Block: I tell you what, this has been an extremely It felt really good to have other people listen to the record and see what we’re saying. It fits have so much gratitude We places. in a lot different for the fact that we can still go out and play live shows and make a living doing what we love, and make music and continue to make new fans and keep the old. Sister Hazel stay in this country phase? Will vibe. We already writing for the next record. We’re write. The idea that had 90-plus songs for this last record. we landed in the country world until we started flesh ing them out and recording them and demo’ing them and seeing which ones we are drawn to — I think that process will happen again this time. I think a lot of those elements will we are right now. a lot of our fingerprint remain the same, because it’s have to write songs that are You and who we are. honest and record them in a way that you’re proud of. I really hope that we continue to grow our audience. songwriters. refreshing it’s time, long a for music playing and time respect to get in there with people that you trust and run, but you always hit a home don’t You and admire. you get in there and swing for the fences. Sometimes hit a grand slam. charts has to be redeeming. gratifying year for us as a band and [as] songwriters. “What are People have asked us our whole career, This What kind of music do you play?” you guys? time, when the album came out, we had a number four country record, a number six indie record and a what we’re here for. That’s number 12 rock record. all of those things. We’re - Gainesville, Florida, band Sis- ter Hazel steps into modern coun- try the Dark.” with its new release, “Lighter in You have to write songs that are honest and record have You hope that that you’re proud of. I really them in a way to grow continue we our audience. We’ve been in Nashville with our management We’ve What I love about it is that first of all, we can Most of it was great. They trusted us to They trusted Block: Most of it was great. I think a couple of headlines said, “Gone country.” have to have a relationship with your fans You Centanni: The songwriting process was pretty been a band for 23 We’ve loved it. Block: We erything. Then Drew started writing a little bit more. erything. every record, all the guys started writing more. With and writing deals for the last decade and made the We’ve been writing last four or five records there. just that a couple with people a lot over the years. It’s had some We of those cuts will make the record. more of those make it this time. nice to have people to come in evolve as a band. It’s perspective on an idea or a different with a different What I will It helped us grow. approach to a story. say about the Nashville songwriters, when you get in like the Ivy League of with guys you click with, it’s album dropped when you were like, “Hey, we’re do- album dropped when you were like, “Hey, ing a country record”? one That’s give them a record that they would love. They’ve of the beautiful things about our fan base. When we been in it with us for an awful long time. they’ve been along for the lean one way or another, ride and enjoyed it. because it wasn’t I think that was a little off-putting, really true. I think once the record came out, we received nothing but positive feedback. People didn’t know what to expect, but it sounded like a Sister Hazel album. not going to go We’re where they trust you like that. out and try to be somebody we’re not, but we can facets and elements, which has lean into different been part of who we are. elaborate and interesting. First, you had quite a few What was it like writing with Nashville collaborators. someone outside the band? The first couple of records, I wrote almost ev years.

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FEATURE MUSIC There’s a line in it that says, “Just a kid from Gaines- There’s were those kids who grew up in We That was us. Lo and behold, after years and years in a van and Lo and behold, after years and years in a van Centanni: This album has shown the public a think we ever made a decision to Block: I don’t came You” because I think if “All for funny, It’s got finished making this record, and a lot of We It seems like rock and alternative have gotten a Centanni: Fans are really weird when it comes to Yes. Block: Centanni: Sister Hazel has some really dedicated FRIDAY, SEPT. 2, 2, SEPT. FRIDAY, ville watching Petty with my lighter in the dark.” Petty and the Heartbreak Tom this town right behind ers. We were those kids with their lighters in the We ers. like dark, dreaming about being on that stage, just those guys. got to a trailer and bouncing from club to club, we really just a experience that on both sides. So, it’s metaphor for our journey. seldom-seen face of Sister Hazel. How did you guys get to your country roots? never fit neatly into any box. We’ve funny. do it. It’s weren’t We quite in the rock format. weren’t We quite alternative, but weren’t We quite Southern rock. we had elements of folk and elements of country and elements of rock and blues and Southern rock and all things. those different it might very well be a country record. out today, happened, I think as much as anything, [is] What’s we tried to lean into that part of our songwriting a little bit more and embrace some of those [elements] that are signature to us — which are big harmonies, slide guitars and thematically writing about growing up in North Central Florida — and are the foundation been a thread that has weaved of who we are. It’s times in its way through all our records at different songs. different people were saying, “This sounds like it could fit in said, We the country format as well as anything else.” that does!” Honestly, love to see how We’d “Great! I think if you look at genres of music like a highway, the country world has gotten wider and broader and encompasses a lot more ground. just make records and try to be We bit more narrow. We honest with our songwriting or performances. leave it up to people smarter than us to decide what they want to call it. things like this. What kind of reaction did you get before the fans. WITH DOORS AT 7:30 P.M. AT WITH DOORS September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 7, 2016 - September September 1, | SISTER HAZEL, KYLE COX TRIO KYLE COX SISTER HAZEL, BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/[email protected] BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC WWW.SOULKITCHENMOBILE.COM SOUL KITCHEN, 219 DAUPHIN ST., ST., 219 DAUPHIN SOUL KITCHEN, ITS WEBSITE, MELLOW MUSHROOM (BOTH WEBSITE, ITS

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In a recent conversa- Stephen Centanni: The I Ken Block: Well, ister Hazel exploded out of the mid-’90s scene and a worldwide audi- found album ence with its 1997 “… Somewhere More and the timeless Familiar” Seven You.” for single “All the studio albums later, Gainesville, Florida, band is rekindling its career with “Lighter in the Dark” and stepping into the world of modern country. tion with Lagniappe, Ken the explained how Block ‘n’ roll highway band’s rock shifted into a country road. title of your latest album is and “Lighter in the Dark,” it seems so symbolic to me. band That’s something any who has performed in front has seen. crowd of a large What does “lighter in the dark” symbolize to you? this record it think for One, there’s a was twofold. song on our record called In” “Something to Believe that Drew Copeland wrote with a buddy of ours over in Nashville.

LAGNIAPPE | LAGNIAPPE

Sister Hazel’s new sound Sister Hazel’s S 26 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 27 Country summer never ends BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/[email protected] Photo |EMI Nashville Records | The Brothers Osborne

MIRANDA LAMBERT, KIP MOORE, BROTHERS OSBORNE THURSDAY, SEPT. 8, AT 7:30 P.M. THE AMPHITHEATER AT THE WHARF, 23101 CANAL ROAD (ORANGE BEACH), WWW.ALWHARF.COM TICKETS: $59.75-$69.75, AVAILABLE AT THE WHARF BOX OFFICE AND VIA TICKETMASTER

s the summer season bids farewell Brothers Osborne will be using their set as a warmup for stage presence. to the Alabama Gulf coast, The their first headlining tour in September, in support of its Lambert entered the country world with her debut Amphitheater at The Wharf is losing latest album, “Pawn Shop.” “Kerosene.” Since then she has become modern country’s no momentum with another great Kip Moore will sustain the show’s energy with songs premier diva. In 2014, Lambert released “Platinum,” which evening of modern country. Miranda from his double-album repertoire. “Wild Ones,” his latest earned glorious praise from both critics and fans. With her Lambert is bringing her “Keeper release, has spawned two memorable singles in the form new single “Vice” scoring radio rotations, Lambert’s fans of the Flame Tour,” with Brothers of “I’m to Blame” and “Running to You.” In a live setting, should look for a new release in the new future and pos- OsborneA lending their support. As the evening’s opener, Moore’s passionate vocal work is matched only by his sibly new material at The Wharf. Later on Labor Day Flock to it BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/[email protected] BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR/[email protected]

enny Wayne Shepherd began his love affair with the guitar at age 7. This self-taught guitarist quickly fell in love with the Texas Flood blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan, which helped him hone his own blues rock sound. At 13, Shepherd caught the ears of the “Braille Blues Daddy” himself, Bryan Lee, who invited him to jam on stage. By the time he was 18, Shepherd released his first hit album, “Ledbetter Heights.” Since then, his albums have all hit the number one spot on the U.S. Blues Chart. Shepherd’s most recent effort is 2015’s “Little Something from the Road, Vol. 1.” Pro- Photo | Red Britain Peelander Z Kduced by Shepherd, this live album documents a performance at the State Theater in New Brunswick, New Jersey. When compared to his studio output, Shepherd’s live albums give his audience a more complete view of his guitar style. Listeners are treated to sweet runs on the fretboard without the restrictions of studio time.

BAND: KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD DATE: SATURDAY, SEPT. 3, 8 P.M. VENUE: IP CASINO, RESORT & SPA, 850 BAYVIEW AVE. BAND: PEELANDER-Z, HIBACHI STRANGLERS, FUTURE HATE, POST (BILOXI), WWW.IPBILOXI.COM • TICKETS: $30-$45, AVAILABLE MORTEM DELIRIUM • DATE: MONDAY, SEPT. 5, AT 8 P.M. • VENUE: THE VIA TICKETMASTER MERRY WIDOW, 51 S. CONCEPTION ST., WWW.THEMERRYWIDOW.NET TICKETS: $12, AVAILABLE AT THE MERRY WIDOW AND ITS WEBSITE Photo | www.ipbiloxi.com| Kenny Wayne Shepherd

n Labor Day evening, many will be returning from the beach. But The Merry Widow will be hosting a party offering an excuse to extend sum- mer just a few hours longer. Three of Mobile’s most popular under- ground bands are included on this bill. As Mobile’s longest-reigning punk band, Hibachi Stranglers have a dose of grimy garage punk for the crowd. Future Hate’s raging punk sounds have been a great addition to both the lineup and the local scene. Port Mortem Delirium will be on hand to regale the audience with its metallic horror punk. For the past decade, locals have relished Peelander-Z’s “Japanese action comic punk.” OWith the aesthetics of an anime, Peelander-Z’s shows bring a rock ‘n’ roll intensity not tailored for just any old weeaboo. Its latest album “Metalander Z” shows that the band has been experimenting with metal sounds. With a set rich in sound and audience participation, Peelander-Z’s live performances are truly unforgettable.

28 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 29 AREAMUSIC LISTINGS | September 1 - September 7 IP Casino— The Iguanas Trio, 11a// Jason THUR. SEPT 1 Temptations and the Four Justice, 1p/// Jay Hawkins Blind Mule— Black Titan, Tops, 8p Trio, 1:30p//// Rhythm Palafoxx, and Shadow Giant, Listening Room— Phill Intervention, 2p//// Mario 10p and Foster// Julia Lucille Mena, 3p//// Ryan Balthrop Bluegill— Eric Erdman Live Bait— The Velcro Duo, 4p//// Lucky Doggs, Duo Pygmies, 10p 5:30p//// Brian Hill Band, Callaghan’s— Phil Lulu’s— Albert Simpson, 6p//// Perdido Brothers, Proctor 5p 6p//// Sean Gassaway, 6p//// Cockeyed Charlie’s— JJ Main Street Cigar Zachary Diedrich, 8p//// Cowboys & Angels— Lounge— Jamie Adamon, Dallas Moore Band, 10p//// Center 8p Wes Loper Duo, 10:15p//// Felix’s— Grits N’ Pieces Manci’s— Harrison Adam Doleac Band, 10:30p Flora Bama— Tim Kinsey, McInnis, 7:30p Hard Rock (Center 2p// David Dunn, 5p/// Moe’s BBQ (Daphne) Bar) — John Milsted, 9p Frankie Golden & Steve — JERI, 8p Lulu’s— Greg Brown, 1p// Wilkerson, 5:30p//// Jay Soul Kitchen— Sister Three Bean Soup, 5p Williams, 6p//// Mark Sherrill, Hazel, Kyle Cox Trio, 8:30p Manci’s— Modern John Joiner, Chris Newbury, Veets— The Family Jewels, Eldoradoes & Mel Knapp, 6p//// Big 9p Muddy, 10p//// Mario Mena Duo, 10:15p MON. SEPT 5 Hard Rock (Center SAT. SEPT 3 Felix’s— David Chastang Bar) — Three37, 9p Bluegill— Jeff Johnson, Flora Bama— Lefty Listening Room— 12p// Lee Yankee, 6p Collins, 12p// Al & Cathy, Sugarcane Jane Cockeyed Charlie’s— 1p/// Curtis Shumate, 1p//// Live Bait— DJ Benji DJ Chill, 10p Gove Scrivenor, 2p//// Cathy Banks, 9:30p Cowboys & Angels— Pace, 6p//// Mario Mena Lulu’s— Adam Holt, 5p Fat Lincoln, 9p Band, 10p//// Smokin’ Elvis, Manci’s— Ross Newell Felix’s— Brandon Bailey & 10:15p Old 27 Grill— Friends Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p Songwriters Night, 6:30p Flora Bama— Jay The Merry Widow— Soul Kitchen— Marcus Williams Duo, 12p// Big Peelander-Z, 8p King Band, Paw Paws Muddy, 1p/// Hotel Oscar, Medicine Cabinet, 9:30p 2p//// LeaAnne Creswell, TUE. SEPT 6 Veets— Ryan Balthrop, 8p John Joiner & Darrel Bluegill— Quintin Berry Roberts, 2p//// Logan Spicer, Butch Cassidy’s— 3p//// Chris Beverly Duo, Warren Wolf and Jimmy FRI. SEPT 2 4p//// Jack Robertson Show, All Sports Bar & Roebuck 5:30p//// Al & Cathy, 6p//// Billiards— DJ Markie Cockeyed Charlie’s— Dallas Moore, 6p//// Wes Mark, 10p Jordan Bramblett Loper and Tim Kinsey, 6p//// Beau Rivage— Kenny G Fairhope Brewing— Mason Henderson, 8p//// Blind Mule— The Rayo Yoga in the Taproom Adam Doleac Band, 10p//// Brothers, Chase Smith, Felix’s— Christina Brian Hill Trio, 10:15p//// Robin Elizabeth Coleman, Christian James Dupre Band, 10:30p 10p Flora Bama— T. Bone Hard Rock (Center Bluegill— David Chastang, Montgomery, 2p// Perdido Bar) — Contraflow, 9p 12p// Ben Leininger Trio, 6p Brothers, 6p/// Albert Hard Rock (Live) — Blues Tavern— Halfway Simpson and John Kulin, Biloxi Sweet Science 6, 7p Show and Band, 9p 10:15p IP Casino— Kenny Wayne Callaghan’s— Winston Lulu’s— Jimmy Lumpkin, Shepheard Band, 8p Ramble 5p Live Bait— The Velcro Celtic Irish Pub— Philos Moe’s BBQ (Mobile) — Pygmies, 10p Moore Tim Kinsey, 6p Lulu’s— Lefty Collins, 5p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Veets— Chris Pirates Cove— Kelly 3HG, 10p Hergenroder, 8p Poole and the Swingsets, 6p Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike Veets— The Family Jewels, Flora Bama— Jay 9p WED. SEPT 7 Hawkins Trio, 1p// Logan Blind Mule— Comedy Spicer, 1p/// LeaAnne Open Mic, 9:30p Creswell, John Joiner & SUN. SEPT 4 Bluegill— Ross & Less Darrell Roberts, 2p//// Blind Mule— Olivia Blues Tavern— Bamboo Brittany Grimes, 4p//// Jack Mainville and The Aquatic Steamer, 8p Robertson Show, 5:30p//// Troupe, 3p Callaghan’s— Phill and Adam Doleac & Spencer Bluegill— Eric Erdman, Foster Waasdorp, 6p//// Lucky 12p// Tip Tops, 6p Felix’s— Tropic Flyer Doggs Trio, 6p//// Justin Blues Tavern— Bamboo Flora Bama— Neil Jeansonne Duo, 8p//// Foxy Steamer, 6p Dover, 2p// Smokin’ Elvis, Iguanas, 10p//// Wes Loper Callaghan’s— Peek 6p/// Albert Simpson Duo, 10:15p//// James Dupre Cowboys & Angels— and John Kulin, Band, 10:30p Jim Wainwright, 10p 10:15p Hard Rock (Center Felix’s— Bobby Butchka Shipp’s Harbour Bar) — Contraflow, 9p Flora Bama— Foxy Grill— Brent Burns, 6p

30 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 FILMTHE REEL WORLD

Animation for the ages BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC/[email protected]

ometimes “kids’ movies” are only that However, when that admittedly idiosyncratic story is alternate history in which technology stopped developing because they aren’t too scary or sexy for kids fleshed out, and the young girl faces the challenges of around the time of steam power, due to the mysterious AREA to watch. Films like “The Little Prince” and growing up and sets out on her own to find the prince, the disappearance of the greatest scientific minds, zapped THEATERS “April and the Extraordinary World” are suit- metaphor gets a bit strained, and the plot becomes that of by a traveling black cloud. Any surviving scientists are able for kids but lovely, inventive and smart a less-original kids’ movie. “The Little Prince” is overall pursued by the government and forced into service. CARMIKE enough for anyone. Abandon any animation still a good example of a good kids’ movie, but the seg- The titular April is the child of a family of generations CINEMA’S prejudice, and you have here two opportunities to marvel ments that truly capture the source material are absolutely of scientists. When they are chased by both the govern- Sat visual beauty. Besides, CGI is so pervasive in most ment and the black cloud, she is left to grow up alone and Wynnsong 16 films at this point that many could be considered largely in hiding, with only her talking cat as company. Ten years 785 Schillinger animated. after her parents disappear, she has a secret lab within a Rd. S. The long-awaited animated version of the beloved THE LONG-AWAITED giant metal statue of Napoleon (he wins in this version of (251) 639-7373 book “The Little Prince” hails from material that has long history and leaves a dynasty of Napoleons behind), trying transcended categorization by age. Adults continue to ANIMATED VERSION OF to recreate her parents’ lost serum for human invincibility. marvel over the sophisticated poetry and philosophy of THE BELOVED BOOK “THE LITTLE A series of events leads her to discover the truth about her CRESCENT the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry illustrated book long after family and the world at large. THEATER childhood ends. The cartoon, starring the voices of Jeff PRINCE” HAILS FROM MATERIAL April’s adventures are exciting and imaginative, but 208 Dauphin Bridges, Rachel McAdams and Paul Rudd, was abruptly my kids could still follow the plot. It is compelling, not Street dropped from a theatrical release and just came out on THAT HAS LONG TRANSCENDED convoluted, and, best of all, takes place in an imagined Netflix instead. steampunk world that is wondrous to behold. Parallels (251) 438-2005 Attempts to flesh out the original book into a more CATEGORIZATION BY AGE.” between the alternate past and our current world are traditional narrative are uneven. There is a plot concern- interesting to contemplate, but they don’t bog down a plot ing a harried contemporary girl and her friendship with that involves a Susan Sarandon-voiced lizard lady will- HOLLYWOOD the Aviator (Bridges) who introduces her to a story he extraordinary. ing to do anything to save life on earth from humanity’s STADIUM 18 wrote about a magical young man he met long ago, the Not, perhaps, as extraordinary as the dreamscapes in devastation. Just go with it — the journey is extraordinary 1250 Satchel Little Prince. When that story is told, a magical, papery “April and the Extraordinary World,” a stunning adven- indeed. Paige Dr. style of animation is used, and it is stunning, a marvel ture from French cartoonist Jacques Tardi. This extraor- “April and the Extraordinary World” is currently avail- (251) 473-9655 nested in the middle of a more average film. dinary world of an imaginary France in the 1940s is an able to rent.

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COBB THEATRES PINNACLE 14 Photos | Je Suis Bien Content / Fox Searchlight 3780 Gulf Shores From left: “April and the Extraordinary World” is a stunning adventure from French Pkwy Gulf NEW IN THEATERS first date in the summer of cartoonist Jacques Tardi, an alternate history in which technology stopped developing 1989. Carmike Wynnsong Shores ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS 16, Carmike Wharf, Regal around the time of steam power after the mysterious disappearance of the greatest (251) 968-7444 Join Edina and Patsy ex- Mobile Stadium 18 clusively at the Crescent scientific minds. “Absolutely Fabulous” brings the cult classic sitcom to the big screen. Theater as their beloved misadventures in fashion GREATER EASTERN The life and career of and debauchery journey NOW PLAYING All listed multiplex theaters. STAR TREK: BEYOND SHORE from cult classic sitcom to Brandon Burlsworth, one FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike Wharf of the best walk-on players DON’T BREATHE PREMIERE the big screen. After they All listed multiplex theaters. Carmike Wynnsong 16, Carmike Jubilee ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE in college football history. Square 12 Regal Mobile Stadium 18 CINEMA 14 inadvertently kill super- MECHANIC: model Kate Moss, the Carmike Wynnsong 16, Car- SAUSAGE PARTY LIGHTS OUT RESURRECTION All listed multiplex theaters. Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike 30500 Alabama outrageous pair flees to the mike Jubilee Square 12 All listed multiplex theaters. 181 #500 NINE LIVES Wynnsong 16 French Riviera. Crescent BEN-HUR All listed multiplex theaters. GHOSTBUSTERS Spanish Fort, Al Theater REMEMBER THE GOAL All listed multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex theaters. KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS SUICIDE SQUAD (251) 626-0352 A young female coach All listed multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex theaters. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU takes over the cross-coun- BAD MOMS All listed multiplex theaters. WAR DOGS All listed multiplex theaters. FINDING DORY Information accurate Future U.S. President try program at an all-girls Eastern Shore Premiere Cinema, Cobb Pinnacle 14 JASON BOURNE Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Eastern Shore at press time; please Barack Obama (Parker private Christian school All listed multiplex theaters. Premiere Cinema and attempts to lead them ANTHROPOID call theaters for Sawyers) and lawyer Carmike Wharf NERVE CENTRAL to a state title. Carmike Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Eastern Shore showtimes. Michelle Robinson (Tika PETE’S DRAGON INTELLIGENCE Sumpter) go on a fateful Wynnsong 16 Premiere Cinema Regal Mobile Stadium 18

32 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

GENERAL INTEREST will be Sept. 4 at 8:45 p.m. at the public beach. The concert will Dog show begin at 5:45 on the West End; The Mobile Kennel Club and admission is $5. the MS Coast Kennel Club will host four days of all-breed Labor Day parade dog shows Friday, Saturday, The 71st annual Southwest Sunday and Monday, Sept. Alabama Labor Council Labor Day 2-5. The shows will be held Parade will roll on Monday, Sept. at the MS Coast Coliseum. A 5. at 10 a.m. from the Mobile donation will be welcome at the Civic Center parking lot. Many of door. For more information visit the over 2,000 marchers throw mobilekennelclub.com. toilet paper and paper towels in addition to the more traditional Mobile Writers Guild throws of candy, beads and other The Mobile Writers Guild will trinkets. meet Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at the West Regional Branch of Labor Day blood drive Photo | visitsomo.com | Dauphin Island Labod Day the Mobile Public Library, 5555 LifeSouth Community Blood Grelot Road. Ms. Jodie Cain Center will be set up in front of Market (Fairhope). Concerts For more information call 251- Toastmasters Smith will be joining us with the the Gift Shop at the USS Alabama begin at 11:30 a.m. For more 666-2844. Do you want to learn how to topic of “A Very Good Place to Battleship Memorial Park for their information visit radioavalon.com. deliver a speech like a pro? Or Start: Nine Questions to Get You annual Labor Day Blood Drive, Midtown Optimist Club gain leadership skills to advance Going.” For more information visit 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 2703 Battleship Volunteer opportunity Join Midtown Optimist Club in your career? Toastmasters www.mobilewritersguild.com. Parkway. For more information Are you looking for a meaningful every Tuesday at noon for lunch International empowers individuals call 251-433-2703. way to impact our community? at Azalea City Golf Course. This to become more effective West End Movie Night United Way of Southwest week’s speaker is Capt. Dwight communicators and leaders. Six The featured film Friday night, Health education and screening Alabama’s 2-1-1 needs volunteers Smith of Mobile Fire and Rescue. groups meet regularly in Mobile Sept. 2, will be the animated Connie Hudson Senior Center in the call center. Shifts are For reservations and more and on the Eastern Shore. For movie “Kung Fu Panda 3,” and the University of South available weekdays, 8 a.m. to information, please call 251-348- more information visit www. followed on Saturday night by the Alabama present a health and 4 p.m. If you are interested in 3542. toastmasters.org. adventure movie “Nim’s Island.” education screening Friday, Sept. joining, please call Chalisse at Snack vendor will be onsite. 2, 12:30-2:30 p.m. The senior 251-431-5100 or email cpeltier@ Dauphin Island Boardwalk Talks FUNDRAISERS Admission is free and movies start center is located at 3201 Hillcrest lifelinesmobile.org to schedule an Boardwalk Talks are held the Road in Mobile. interview. first and third Wednesday of at dusk. Chef Challenge each month at 11:15 a.m. at the The 18th annual Chef Challenge Brown Bag Concerts Labor Day: Dauphin Island School supplies drive Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 will take place Thursday, Sept. 1, Join Cat Sirten for Brown Bag Dauphin Island will say farewell Now until Sept. 8, Tillman’s Bienville Blvd. The Northern Gulf at the Alabama Cruise Terminal. Lunch concerts every Wednesday to the summer tourist season Corner Community Center will be Institute presents conversations Guests will enjoy tastings of in Bienville Square (Mobile), on Labor Day weekend with collecting school supplies for kids about all things scientific in the dishes from local chefs and Thursday in Mayday Park fireworks and a sunset concert in need. The community center is Gulf of Mexico region. For more restaurants as chefs compete (Daphne) and Friday at Windmill on the beach. The free fireworks located at 5055 Plantation Road. information call 251-861-2141. to win votes for the night’s best

34 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 dish. Live entertainment, a vast with Friday lawn parties at SPORTING EVENTS/ is $10. Beginners are welcome. Main St. Work sessions are the silent auction, and complimentary Oakleigh, the first Friday of each Fitzpen Place, 11247 State second Monday of each month at beer, wine and spirits are also month through November. We ACTIVITIES Highway 31 in Spanish Fort. For 6:30 p.m., www.daphneal.com. part of the event. All proceeds will have food trucks, music, and more information email Cassie Dauphin Island Town Council: benefit Feeding the Gulf Coast. Holy Yoga $5 tours of the museum. Bring Fishbein at [email protected]. First and third Tuesdays at 7 For more information or tickets Tamara William will be leading your blankets, chairs, ice chests, p.m., 1011 Bienville Blvd., www. visit feedingthegulfcoast.org or call games etc. 350 Oakleigh Place, a lunchtime holy yoga at the Cindy Bloom at 251-653-1617, Steeple on St. Francis every PUBLIC MEETINGS townofdauphinisland.org. Mobile. For more information call Fairhope City Council: Second ext. 141. 251-432-1281. Wednesday. The cost is $15. Participants will be invigorated Baldwin County Commission: and fourth Monday at 6 p.m., 161 First and third Tuesday at 8:30 N. Section St. Work sessions are ARTS Mobile Medical Museum exhibit as they connect with Christ mind, body and spirit. For more a.m., 322 Courthouse Square, held before each council meeting Mobile Medical Museum Bay Minette. Work sessions are presents “Healing Women: information call 251-656-3269. at 4:30 p.m., www.cofairhope. Night Market the second and fourth Tuesday Medical History from a com. Mobile Museum of Art hosts Sunset yoga for charity at 8:30 a.m. rotating between Fairhope Planning Night Market Thursday, Sept. 1, 5 Female Perspective” at the Join Thrive Yoga and Massage Bay Minette, the Foley Satellite Commission: First Monday at 5 -9 p.m. featuring wares by artists Mary Elizabeth and Bernard at 7 p.m. every second and Courthouse, the Fairhope p.m., 161 N. Section St. For more and artisans. Bring a keen eye Rodning Gallery of Art, Marx fourth Friday evening through Satellite Courthouse and the for detail and become known for Library, University of South information visit www.cofairhope. October at the Henry George Park Baldwin County Central Annex the unique gifts you give. Support Alabama. For more information com. overlooking the Fairhope pier. All your local artists and join the party call 251-415-1109 or visit Building in Robertsdale. www. Foley City Council: First and classes will be by donation and and shopping fun with great food, mobilemedicalmuseum.org. baldwincountyal.gov third Monday at 5:30 p.m., 407 E. all proceeds go to charity. Bring drink and live music. The market Baldwin County Planning Laurel Ave. Work sessions begin your mat. All classes are beginner is Thursday, June 2, 5-9 p.m. at “Treasures of NOAA’s Ark” Commission: First Thursday at 4 p.m., www.cityoffoley.org. friendly. Well-behaved kids and MMoA, 4850 Museum Drive. Visitors to GulfQuest can at 6 p.m., 22251 Palmer Gulf Shores City Council: discover how NOAA charts pets are welcome. St., Robertsdale, www. Second and fourth Mondays at seas, protects and conserves baldwincountyal.gov. 4 p.m., 1905 W. First St., www. First Friday Art Walk Ballroom dance The Eastern Shore Art Center the nation’s marine resources, Bayou La Batre City Council: gulfshoresal.gov. Azalea Ballroom Dance Club returns with new art and music the and detects potential hurricanes Mobile City Council: Tuesdays hosts dances with live music the Second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 first Friday of every month. Come and tsunamis. This exhibit also at Government Plaza, 205 second and fourth Tuesday of p.m., 13785 S. Wintzell Ave., www. check out the new exhibits while highlights past and present Government St. Pre-council every month from 7-9:30 p.m., enjoying refreshments and live pioneers who made significant cityofbayoulabatre.com. meeting begins at 9 a.m.; council $10 admission. Beginners are entertainment by Adam Schrubbe. contributions to our understanding Chickasaw City Council: meeting begins at 10:30 a.m., welcome. At Via! Health, Fitness & The art walk begins at 6 p.m. at of shore, sea and sky. For more Second and fourth Tuesday at 7 www.cityofmobile.org. Enrichment Center (1717 Dauphin the Eastern Shore Art Center, information visit gulfquest.org or p.m., 224 N. Craft Highway, 251- Mobile Planning Commission: St., Mobile). For more information 401 Oak St., Fairhope. For more call 251-436-8901. 452-6450. First and third Thursdays at 2 email Cindy Youngblood, information contact Adrienne at Citronelle City Council: Second p.m., 205 Government St., www. [email protected], 251-928-2228, ext. 103. Thursdays at MMoA and fourth Thursday at 6:30 p.m., urban.cityofmobile.org. call 251-623-9183 or visit www. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. 19135 Main St., 251-866-7973. Orange Beach City Council: azaleaballroomdanceclub.com. to 9 p.m. the Mobile Museum Creola City Council: Second First and third Tuesdays at 5 p.m., MUSEUMS 4099 Orange Beach Blvd., www. of Art offers free admission and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m., Ballroom dance cityoforangebeach.com. to all visitors. No reservations 190 Dead Lake Road, #A, 251- Friday lawn parties are necessary. MMoA is at The Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Prichard City Council: 675-8142. The Oakleigh House Museum 4850 Museum Drive. For more Dance Society hosts dances the Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., Daphne City Council: First and would like to help our friends and information call 251- 208-5200. first and third Monday of every 216 E. Prichard Ave., www. neighbors kick off the weekend month, 7-9:30 p.m. Admission third Monday at 6:30 p.m., 1705 thecityofprichard.org.

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 35 MEDIAMEDIA FRENZY A little Lagniappe housekeeping BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR/[email protected]

figured I’d give you all some updates this People often ask where Lagniappe is printed week concerning your favorite newspaper, as or why it’s printed out of town. The truth is there most of this column is generally focused on aren’t a lot of local options for newspaper print- our area’s other media. ing — the Press-Register is one, but there aren’t IHere are a few things going on in the La- many more. gniappe world. Hopefully in a few weeks you’ll see an im- provement in how Lagniappe looks. New crossword Legal advertising In case you hadn’t noticed, we lost our Many people have asked lately about our crossword provider a couple of months ago and efforts to get the opportunity to print public no- finally replaced it last week with the best of the tices/legal advertising in Lagniappe. We’re glad best — The New York Times Sunday Cross- to say we’re almost across that desert. word. The biggest hurdle in fulfilling the state law For all of us crossword geeks, the NYT that allows a newspaper to print public notices NEW YOUR TIMES SUNDAY CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday is the gold standard. So those of you — foreclosures, pending legislative bills, etc. WONDER-FUL! who called and wrote in begging for a cross- — is getting a publications-class postal permit. BY KATHY MATHESON AND JEFF CHEN / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ/RELEASE DATE 8/28/16 word puzzle to once again grace the pages of After a lot of wrangling and three failed murder Lagniappe, your prayers have been heard. attempts, Lagniappe has finally gotten its postal ACROSS 122 Break up with someone 50 Beethoven’s “Sinfonia ____” I know, I know — no Sudoku yet. But who permit. 1 “It’s a pity other cars aren’t built this 123 Untethered 52 Purchase at an optometrist’s knows, maybe someday. way” cars 124 Nina Totenberg’s milieu 53 “Help!” Right now we await an Attorney General’s 6 Fischer, to Spassky, e.g. 125 Milk dispensers? 55 Feature of the Six Million Dollar Man ruling that will give the okey-doke to Mobile 11 “Stop!” at a port 56 Samovar, e.g. Brighter is better County Probate Court to consider Lagniappe an DOWN 16 Ring around a classical column 57 “Capeesh?” Something else we are very excited about official newspaper of general circulation. That 1 Blessed thing? 18 Verdi aria 60 Had too much of, briefly is our return in three weeks to being printed by 2 Painkiller containing caffeine should come any day, so anyone interested in 19 Spots for auto logos 62 Term of address for a noble Walton Press Inc. out of Monroe, Georgia. 3 Neighbor of Ger. running legals with us can contact our advertis- 21 Rap’s ____ Boys 66 Tyrant 4 Luncheonette order, for short Walton printed Lagniappe for a few years ing manager, Steve Hall, at 251-450-4466. 22 Flat-bottomed boat 67 Islamic law 5 Six, in Italy but we switched to a closer printer in order to 23 Passionate kiss 70 Defeat in a Nathan’s Famous contest 6 Dazzling save some trucking fees. Fortunately Walton has Baldwin beat 24 Busy time for malls: Abbr. 72 Cracker shape 7 Annoy figured out how to make things work better in And finally we are in the midst of a search 25 Nascar unit 73 Win by ____ 8 The Henry who founded the House of to replace reporter Eric Mann, who left us a few 27 Row maker 76 Feeling of hunger that department, and the result should be notice- Tudor weeks ago. 29 Life force in Chinese philosophy 79 Mends able. We’ve always thought Walton, with its 9 Raiders’ org. 30 High-powered guns 81 Not quite right stochastic press, had the finest reproduction of I’ve received a number of emails from people 10 Erupter at 32-Across 32 Home to more than half the world’s 82 PolitiFact finding any printer we’ve seen. concerned that we’ve given up on having a full- Radio host Shapiro active geysers 11 83 Actor Penn Stochastic may not mean much to the layman time Baldwin reporter, so we wanted to assure 12 Kind of pass 37 Enigmatic one in “The Hobbit” 84 Regimen adopted by Bill Clinton in 2010 readers that is not the case at all. We’re looking 13 Nothing but — and frankly, my grasp of it isn’t too techni- 38 Dunham of “Girls” 85 Clancy’s Red October, e.g. for someone who can get out there and dig up the 14 Henry W. ____, Union major general cal — but it means much clearer pictures and far 39 Organized hikes 88 Born during the Civil War fewer fuzzy images. good stories. We know Baldwin needs more news 40 Follower of Joel 90 Store head: Abbr. 15 Disco relative coverage. Hopefully that spot will be filled soon. 41 Approver of new meds 91 Mayo container? 16 “So You Think You Can Dance” judge 43 Snack brand whose name hints at its 94 Egg: Prefix Wire message flavor 17 95 “It’s the ____” (“I’ve changed”) 19 Harris’s role in “The Right Stuff” 44 Zika monitoring org. 97 Annual athletic honors 20 Jumps higher than, in sports slang 46 Alternative regimen to an 84-Down, 98 For whom the Edgar awards are named Gran Paradiso, e.g. informally 26 100 Wall St. “500” 28 It’s as good as XXX 49 Surrender 101 Drive-thru decision 31 Partner of sound 51 Whacks 102 Bob alternative … or partner 32 Word of support 54 U, e.g. 103 At this point 33 Dog created by Jim Davis 58 Highly rated bond 104 Webmaster’s medium 34 Actor Wheaton 59 Highly rated Bond? 105 Cookie with a Thins variety 35 France’s so-called “Capital of the Ruins” 61 Telenovela, e.g. 106 Oscar winner for “Dallas Buyers Club” 36 Exit key 63 Fury 107 Part of Y.S.L. 37 Sprint 64 Result of many years of study, for short 109 Thom ____ shoes 42 Parts of a Jerusalem skyline 65 Halley of Halley’s Comet 111 Virgin Mary’s mother 45 Harry’s Hogwarts enemy 67 Like Serbs, but not Hungarians 112 Zippo 46 Drivel 68 What might replace you? 113 Ninny 47 “Man, that feels good!” 69 Subject of many Ansel Adams photos 114 Goes down 48 Indoor plants popular in waiting rooms 71 Mortgage, often 117 Tavern attachment 49 Like the name Nguyen in Vietnam A.M.A. members 73 “The Simpsons” character in a green 118 jacket 74 Disney dwarf 75 Kind of treatment 77 Cousin of goth 78 Bethesda-based research agcy. 80 Federal agency established on Aug. 25, 1916 85 Like some oaths 86 Region of ancient Greece 87 Insult, say 89 Election night graphic, for short 90 Annual N.Y.C. fund-raising event 92 Oprah’s BFF 93 “Keep fighting the good fight!” 96 Like Sherpas 99 Very, very 102 Subatomic particle named for the weak force 104 “Mind … blown!” 108 House majority leader before DeLay 110 Good fact-checking types 115 “Three Coins in the Fountain” fountain 116 Light and breezy entertainment, informally 119 Dazzled 120 Portions 121 Concerted efforts ANSWERS ON PAGE 40 36 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 Photo | University of South Alabama - - South Alabama head football coach Joey South Jones says he is excited about the Jaguars’ new season. Defensive line — Starting at nose tackle is Zach Befort; at defensive end are will handle the duties. Waitman Punters —Corliss Secondary — Starters returning from last year are Kalen Jackson (96 tackles) Jones said coming off last year’s losing record he has no doubt his Jaguars are losing record he has no doubt last year’s Jones said coming off have to go out there and prove it,” he said. We “The proof is in the pudding. Linebackers — The Jags return two letter winners in Bull Barge and Roman two letter winners in Bull Barge The Jags return Linebackers — rence and T’Qwan Robinson. rence and Allen and Chason Milner; and at defensive tackle is Sean Grayer. Randy sition, our weakside linebacker,” Jones said. “This will be Roman’s fourth year fourth Jones said. “This will be Roman’s sition, our weakside linebacker,” had 36 total tackles last season. the headiest player we have.” Barge to start. He’s At the “Mike” position will be Darrell Songy. at “Husky” and Devon Earl (57 tackles, two fumble returns for touchdowns) at although Jackson was a linebacker last fall. Jackson has been voted to “Rover,” the second-team all-conference preseason list. Other veterans are Nigel Law underrated. have one of the tougher schedules in the country — everybody has talked “We about it — from the standpoint of where we play in the Sun Belt and some other games out of conference that include two SEC teams and a San Diego State team improved. much are we doubt no is There champion. West Mountain the was that want to compare year to year but I know we have improved overall as a I don’t team right now.” first-team all-SBC teams. As a sophomore, he had 96 total tackles and eight stops As a sophomore, he had first-team all-SBC teams. stuck him on the field and he didn’t for loss. “When he came in as a freshman we a starting role and he almost seemssay a word,” Jones said. “Last year he got into Quinton Dent will hold down the other side of the field. like a senior now.” 67 total seasons). Buchanan’s Buchanan (who played safety for the last three and he was named second-team tackles were the fourth-highest total for USA, player on our felt that the most valuable all-conference as a defensive back. “We linebacker po plays, is our ‘Stinger’ defense, the guy we need to make the most HIGH HOPES FOR 2016 Wide receivers — Josh Magee is Wide Aleem Sunanon was Kickers — me to do.” Easton Marshall played in five games, but did not make a catch. James Bynes led all Jaguar receivers in the Red-Blue spring game with four catches, including a 55-yard touchdown reception. on the second-team all-SBC squad after averaging 21.9 yards per catch and scoring three touchdowns. Jones would have Williams Tyrone said been a starter in 2015, but he missed the entire season. Other key players are Kevin Kutchera, Sa’Mory Collier and Jordan McCray. on the preseason all-conference team after scoring 80 points. However, he graduated in December and did not pass enough credits in graduate Coach Jones has been very pleased with this unit. “Our Cornerbacks — Jeremy Reaves has been named to the Offensive line — Having played in all games last year line — Having played Offensive 575 yards, ends — Gerald Everett (41 receptions, Tight defense is playing at a real high level right now, which is defense is playing at a real high level right now, very comforting,” he said. “As a head coach, you want and defense, but the everything great to happen on offense really We’re defense is really getting after [the offense]. good right now on defense.” preseason watch list and is on multiple Award Thorpe Jim touchdowns last season. He is on the watch list for the touchdowns last season. preseason second-team and is on the Award Paul Hornung honor is nice, but I know all-SBC squad. “The preseason and pushing myself and the I just have to keep working to Also looking Johnson said. other guys to do the same,” TDs) and Dami Thomas (552 yards, 2 Tyreis contribute are on the yards), who were second and fourth (119 Ayoola in 2015. team, respectively, (second-team all-SBC with Williams are left tackle Curtis and right 42 knockdown blocks), right tackle Noah Fisher Joining them are center Dominic guard Steven Foster. Esposito and left guard Steve McKenzie. He is on the 8 touchdowns) started every game last year. preseason list and is a first-team, Award John Mackey set it all-conference preseason selection. “I definitely on what aside,” Everett said of the honors. “I’m focused demands my coaches expect from me and what my team looking for of me. I’m not worried about what others are school to be eligible. Gavin Patterson will now take over the position. JAGUAR DEFENSE - A NEW CAMPAIGN A NEW CAMPAIGN MISSISSIPPI STATE. MEANS NEW HOPES DREAMS TURN INTO WHEN USA KICKS OFF THE 2016 CAMPAIGN AT AT THE 2016 CAMPAIGN REALITY THIS SATURDAY REALITY THIS SATURDAY FOR THE THOSE FUTURE. September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 7, 2016 - September September 1, | UPON FURTHERUPON REVIEW

SPORTS he University of South Alabama made history by Alabama he University of South Football Bowl Sub- NCAA becoming the youngest reach a bowl game in 2014. division team to ever unable to repeat the suc The Jaguars, though, were

A new campaign means new hopes for the future. Those hopes for the future. new campaign means new A “I want to say how excited I am about this football “Number one offensively, we “Number one offensively, are running the we “Secondly, Quarterbacks — Dallas Davis has been selected to Running backs — Much of the load will be carried After a recent scrimmage, Jones discussed what he feels After a recent scrimmage, Jones discussed what LAGNIAPPE | LAGNIAPPE BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER/[email protected]/TWITTER @GOULAGUY WRITER/[email protected]/TWITTER BRYANT/SPORTS MARK BY J, dreams turn into reality this Saturday when USA kicks off kicks off this Saturday when USA dreams turn into reality The game starts at Mississippi State. the 2016 campaign at broadcast on the SEC Network and via a.m. and will be 11 The Jag. radio by the new 99.5 FM head coach for season,” said Joey Jones, who has served as eight seasons. “This team has really come each of South’s I know sometimes coaches get up and say things together. of my heart. like that, but I mean it deep from the bottom I think we been a great transformation since January. It’s all realize what happened last season.” cess last season, finishing with a 5-7 record. cess last season, finishing need to get all the guys out there that are going to be playing on been Saturdays,” Jones said. “We’ve working three groups and giving just We’ve everybody a chance. been trying to look at guys one last time before we get to our one- and two-deep. football well. Our guys on de- fense have been going against the for a few weeks so they offense kind of know the plays and forma- tions and have a little bit of an doing some We’re advantage there. good things in our blocking. Our quarterbacks are throwing the ball Protection has broken down a couple of times and better. we have to fix that. Overall, though, I think we are on the right track. I think the defense is just a little bit ahead of right now.” the offense As a reserve in 2015, he threw for 108 yards and one start. touchdown. “Dallas is truly the most selfless guy we have care who gets the on the team,” Jones said. “He doesn’t credit; he wants our team to win.” His backups are Cole Garvin and Evan Orth. by Xavier Johnson, who rushed for 956 yards and seven the team needs to improve on offense the team needs to improve on offense before the first game in Starkville. JAGUAR OFFENSE

T Jaguars ready to kick off 2016 campaign off to kick ready Jaguars 38 STYLEGARDENING Fall and winter lawn care BY JAMES MILES/REGIONAL EXTENSION AGENT/ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

My lawn looked good this summer and I analysis). available at the Alabama Cooperative Extension Q want to keep it that way. What can I do to Treat for fire ants if needed with baits (pre- office at 1070 Schillinger Road N. in Mobile, or keep it healthy? ferred), but if you have them in an area where at 302A Byrne St. in Bay Minette. The kit is free they present a danger to children, pets, or you, but there is a small fee for the analysis by Au- September is the time to begin preparing use a fire ant killer for faster results, following burn University, which will be returned to you. A for next year’s healthy lawn. Living on the label instructions. December: Lime according to soil test result. Gulf Coast in plant zone 8, our lawn needs dif- If you have centipede grass watch for February: Apply pre-emergent herbicide fer from lawns in other zones. This means you common brown patch to appear, as circular if you have problem annual weeds each year. will need to consider whether or not national yellowing, then browning, patches. Treat with Note that most pre-emergent herbicides are to advertising and even regional or Southern “ad- fungicide by label directions. (See www.aces. be applied when grass is dormant, so be sure vice” is right for us. edu, publication IMP 1292, for recommenda- to do this before grass begins to green up to Our climate causes our grass to actively tions.) avoid grass damage. There are spring ephemeral grow much longer and our lawns “green up” October: Apply pre-emergent herbicide if weeds, which have a very brief life and do too earlier than in other areas, so the advertised you have problems with weeds, but skip unless little harm to justify using herbicides. Reserve time you need certain lawn maintenance tasks winter weeds are usually a problem. Read the herbicides for tough weeds that take over. will vary accordingly. Use the following sched- label and use what targets the weeds you have Each year we get questions about using ule of fall and winter lawn maintenance rather and is safe for the type of grass you have. Fol- weed-and-feed products. None of these products than relying on retail package advertising. low label instructions carefully. is effective for Mobile. Fertilizers are needed September: “Winterize” (fertilize) weak turf Note that most pre-emergent herbicides are to boost grass entering or in its active season. with 5-5-25 @ 4 lbs per 1,000 sq. ft. or 0-0-64 to be applied when grass is dormant, so don’t Pre-emergent herbicides are needed when grass @ 2 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. or equivalent. This is apply when the grass is still actively growing. is NOT active. optional. Since your lawn is healthy, skip this If you overseed with winter (rye) grass, skip all The timing factor means a single product and save your money. Also, don’t use a winter- fall pre-emergent herbicides. Note: Overseeding that delivers both in one application is ineffec- izer if you fertilized after June with a fertilizer is not a recommended practice. tive. These need to be separate applications as that contains potassium (the last number in the November: Get a soil test. Soil test kits are shown in the above schedule.

UPCOMING: (FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) 1070 Schillinger Road N. (Mobile) What: Herb Day 2016 presented by Gulf Coast What: Monthly Master Gardener meeting Topic: “Learn Where to Snip” Herb Society and Mobile Botanical Gardens When: Thursday, Sept. 1, 10-11:30 a.m. by Beverly Davis-Ikibana When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to noon Where: Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road What: Monthly Master Gardener meeting Where: Mobile Botanical Gardens N. (Mobile) When: Thursday, Oct. 6, 10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $30, includes lunch, info packet, door prizes Topic: “Permaculture” by Clint Burdette Where: Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road To pre-register, email [email protected]. What: Lunch and Learn N. (Mobile) MASTER GARDENER HELPLINE: Call 1-877- When: Monday, Sept. 19, noon to 1 p.m. Topic: “The Fungus Among Us — Mushrooms in 252-4769 or send your gardening questions to Where: Jon Archer Center, Your Garden” by Juan Mata, USA Biology [email protected].

September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 STYLEHOROSCOPES

KANSAS CITY IRKS TAURUS

VIRGO (8/24-9/22) — Based on the savings generated by shrinking its police jurisdiction, you’ll be inspired to push Mo- bile to shrink its borders to include only businesses. This idea will be unpopular among residents, but the business own- ers will elect you to the city council. LIBRA (9/23-10/22) — Following in Tim Tebow’s footsteps, you’ll try out for a number of Major League Baseball teams. The tryout will not go well, as even a pitching machine ball gets by your slow bat. You’ll still do better than Tebow. SCORPIO (10/23-11/21) — You’ll be added to the no-fly list after recreating the Joe Jefferson Players’ production of “Sweeney Todd.” Incidentally, your trip to “Chicago” will be canceled. Well, it’s all “Much Ado About Nothing” anyway. SAGITTARIUS (11/22-12/22) — Your unlicensed bookkeeping side gig booms after the Legislature fails to pass a lot- tery bill. Soon, using the proceeds from illegal snail races and dice throwing, you’ll purchase everyone’s Medicaid and save “Obama Care.” CAPRICORN (12/23-1/19) — With the support of increased police presence downtown, you’ll open the newest Lickin’ Good Donut shop. Business will be so successful you’ll open a second restau- rant. Stereotypical Stew will be popular among the lumberjack and Civil War reenactor crowd. AQUARIUS (1/20-2/18) — After listen- ing to a podcast about the reproductive habits of common waterfowl, you begin to look at the Duck Boats in a whole new way. While they are still charming, you know better than to park two of them to- gether in the same building or leave your children unattended in their presence. PISCES (2/19-3/20) — Taking a cue from a recent high-profile trial, you’ll pre- tend to faint at the beginning of a hearing next month over a delinquent municipal fine. However, you’ll realize it was bad choice when the ambulance bill comes out to five times the cost of the original parking ticket. ARIES (3/21-4/19) — A few years re- moved from college, you’ll finally start to question whether you ever truly liked the Dave Matthews Band. While the doubts will persist, you’ll eventually reach a con- sensus with yourself following a nostalgia- riddled karaoke rendition of “Satellite” at the Alchemy Tavern next week. TAURUS (4/20-5/20) — Fed up with their decades of lies to the American public, you’ll draft an open letter to city officials and residents of Kansas City, MISSOURI, urging them to decide what state they live. As a nice nod, you’ll date- mark the correspondence from Mobile, Alabama City, Hawaii, Florida. GEMINI (5/21-6/21) — Workplace friendships will get tested next week after management orders pizza as a treat for the staff. While the line for everyone’s first helping is amicable, the second time around will get testy. On the third pass, Susan from HR will kill interns over the last piece of supreme. CANCER (6/22-7/22) — You’ll lose a pickup game to Mobile’s own DeMarcus Cousins on the tarmac of the regional airport once he steps off his return flight home from the Olympics this week. You’ll be surprised your smoking habit has had a negative impact on your athleticism. LEO (7/23-8/23) — The success of the recent closure of the Bankhead Tunnel to allow pedestrians and cyclists will inspire you to build a half-pipe in your front yard. The half-pipe will be open to whomever FROM PAGE 36 wants to use it. This will turn into a bad idea, as it will attract millennials.

40 | LAGNIAPPE | September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 September 1, 2016 - September 7, 2016 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 STYLEBOOZIE

Bikes, beaches and brews fill up sampling the brews, didn’t report too many shenanigans, but some amateurs clearly didn’t know how to pace themselves or, even worse, came to drink with Boozie’s news an empty stomach. To put it nicely, there were multiple calls for cleanups on BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY Aisle Dauphin. Alcohol is known to encourage, among other things, “dancing like nobody’s watching.” One mother who was escorting her young son to the bathroom in the back of Moe’s instinctively shielded his eyes from a middle-aged couple, isten closely, can you hear that? It’s the sound of all of Boozie’s favorite watering holes, but that’s OK, I’ll who were grinding to J-Kwon’s “Tipsy.” The plus-size dancing woman was not whistles blowing, bags of chips being poured onto watch with a bushwacker in hand and in support of the dressed the least bit modestly, and had she not been wearing underwear, she trays and cold beers being cracked opened. It’s the Gulf Coast. The more attention we get, the better! surely would have violated indecent exposure laws. Mayor Sandy Stimpson sound of people in Alabama’s favorite time of year. was also spotted at Moe’s, but toward the end of the festival. Luckily he missed LIt is … football season! Even though the gossip doesn’t Beer me one of Mobile’s fine citizens enjoying a great event. flow as strongly during football season, it is still one of Dauphin Street Beer Festival wrapped up its 19th year Farther down Dauphin, someone was caught completely lounged out and Boozie’s favorite times of the year. this past Saturday night. Boozie thinks it gets more and “sleeping” on a pool table at Pat’s. With the help of some friends, and Mobile’s Yeah, it might still be hot as h*ll out there but I know more popular each year. By Friday most bars had sold out finest, they were gingerly awakened and asked to sober up at home. it won’t be long before it’s sweater weather. So I guess of tickets and only a few remained on Saturday. Boozie Speaking of the police, do you ever wonder what the horses of the Mobile I’ll keep dreaming and squeeze in one last weekend at the learned last year not to procrastinate when it comes to get- Police Department’s Mounted Unit are thinking? They must be very patient beach before I start on my winter bod. Anywho, get ready ting your tickets. beasts, as I don’t know many humans who would allow random drunks to rub to sink your cleats into this week’s gossip. A heavy police presence and enforcement of a new their foreheads, kiss their noses and force them to pose for selfies. Bless them open container ordinance didn’t seem to deter anyone. and their calm yet imposing presence. Looking for a beach Outside of Veet’s, a traveling comedian was telling some very funny, albeit Speaking of one last weekend at the beach, HGTV has un-PC, jokes about the Olympics, Hillary Clinton and kissing cousins, when been busy in the area. I first reported of a local couple he nearly committed the ultimate party foul. Veet’s is a destination for Mo- being on “House Hunters” — if you missed it there is still LISTEN CLOSELY, CAN YOU bile’s biker community, and the parking spaces out front are usually occupied a chance to catch it on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. Let’s just HEAR THAT? IT’S THE SOUND OF by every kind of Harley-Davidson, parked side-by-side, precariously, on their say it’s one you don’t want to miss and not to mention kickstands. entertaining. WHISTLES BLOWING, BAGS OF CHIPS BEING You can guess what almost happened next, and it was reminiscent of that Back on topic, the current season of “Beachfront scene from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” After delivering a punchline, the Bargain Hunt” features Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores! I POURED ONTO TRAYS AND COLD BEERS BE- jokester took a step backward, lost his footing on the curb and fell into one of know if you are just now reading this you missed the Dau- ING CRACKED OPENED.” the bikes, which fell onto the bike next to it. Luckily, there was someone stand- phin Island episode; sorry I failed you as Gossip Queen. ing between the second bike and the next 10 or 12 in line, and a very expensive But no worries, it will run again on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 6 domino effect was avoided. Had the comedian been less funny, he might have p.m. The Gulf Shores episode is set to run Sunday, Sept. Many venues were packed, especially the courtyards been “taken out back,” but he was incredibly apologetic and embarrassed, and 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 26, at 2:30 a.m. Who behind the OK Bicycle Shop and Union, O’Daly’s and the bike’s owner was gracious, saying he could fix the resulting scratches and is up on a Monday at 2:30 a.m. is beyond me, so I plan to Draft Picks, Kazoola, Brickyard and the Flip Side. Pret- dents himself. All in good fun! catch the earlier airing. Or I guess that’s why God invented zel necklaces were the hot accessory, but there was also the DVR (or whoever invented it). ample lederhosen, beer guzzler helmets, beer mug hats Well, kids, that’s all I’ve got this week. Just remember, whether rain or shine, I am sure since the Gulf Shores episode involves look- and risqué T-shirts. dramatic or scandalous, or just some plain ol’ Harley-Davidson lovin’, I will be ing for a home for the whole family, they won’t mention Boozie’s spies, who themselves were aggressively there. Ciao!

F U T U R E S H O C K

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