Austal Seeks Dismissal of False Claims Case It's

2 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LAGNIAPPE WEEKLY April 9, 2015 – April 15, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor Baldwin Schools lose at least $7 million in [email protected] failed tax referendum. Rob Holbert Co-publisher/Managing Editor 5 [email protected] Steve Hall COMMENTARY Marketing/Sales Director Lessons learned from the Atlanta “cheating [email protected] scandal” could be applied locally. Gabriel Tynes Assistant Managing Editor [email protected] 10 Dale Liesch BUSINESS Reporter The 11-story Perdido Dunes Tower [email protected] in Orange Beach has scheduled a Jason Johnson groundbreaking ceremony. Reporter 13 [email protected] Kevin Lee CUISINE Associate Editor/Arts Editor [email protected] No bull about it: The

Andy MacDonald CONTENTS Istanbul Grill on Airport Cuisine Editor Boulevard offers a nice [email protected] Stephen Centanni Turkish spin on traditional Music Editor Mediterranean recipes. [email protected] J. Mark Bryant Sports Writer [email protected] Daniel Anderson Chief Photographer [email protected] 1616 Laura Rasmussen Art Director COVER www.laurarasmussen.com Underhill Family Brooke Mathis Orchestra, Eric Erdman Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] and Greg Fells are among the locals Beth Williams Advertising Sales Executive appearing alongside [email protected] regional standouts at Misty Groh the 2015 SouthSounds Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] Music and Art Festival this weekend at various Kelly Woods Advertising Sales Executive venues. 2424 [email protected] Melissa Schwarz ARTS Editorial Assistant Conductor Scott Speck will lead the [email protected] Mobile Symphony Orchestra through Contributors: the music of John Williams April 11-12. Asia Frey • Brian Holbert 30 Tommy Hicks • Ron Sivak Jeff Poor • Ken Robinson MUSIC

On the Cover: SouthSounds 2015 by New Orleans funk outfit Dan Anderson Gravy pours it on for a new album due out LAGNIAPPE (USPS 20) is published weekly, soon. The group will 52 issues a year, Volume 13, Issue 15, every Thursday by Something, Extra Publishing, Inc. Entered at the Mobile Post Office, 250 St. appear with Earpunk at Joseph St, Mobile, AL, 36601. Soul Kitchen April 10. Periodicals postage paid at Mobile Post Office, 250 St Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36601 and other locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are located at 1102A Dauphin St. 32 Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 32 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: ashley- [email protected] or FILM [email protected] LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature Offset, 2610 “Top Five” misses the charts, hits Rock Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to bottom instead. be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative Newsweek- 38 lies and Alternative Weeklies Network All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or MEDIA in any way reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers. Latest on local legals bill and “The Individuals may take one copy of the paper free of charge from area businesses, Company” battles for their right to racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per issue. Removal of more than one copy throw circulars in local yards. from these points constitutes theft. 39 Violators are subject to prosecution.

Help support Lagniappe Weekly by SPORTS becoming a “Friend with Benefits.” Former BayBears coach Hunter Ward Scan this code for more info: is included in the Southern League 42 Hall of Fame’s class of 2015. STYLE Boozie has the last of the Lenten 46 gossip.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 p olice dispA tch BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

“He had clearance from the state. It’s not something we doesn’t.” Background procedures questioned after Mobile would have known about,” Pierce said. “He had allegedly had According to Peek, Hill was put on leave March 5 — more teacher’s arrest a problem, but those were dropped, and the state didn’t take his than three weeks prior to his arrest in Mobile. Since then, Hill After a Denton Middle School teacher was arrested for two certificate. Are we supposed to do a background check on all the has resigned his position as a teacher for the Mobile County sexually related crimes in less than a year, questions started new teachers that have already taught somewhere?” Public School System, and has been removed from the school’s circulating as to how the Mobile County Public School System Dr. Michael Sibley, director of communications for the ALS- website. conducted the teacher’s background check. DE, told Lagniappe there’s nothing to prevent school systems “The day there was any indication there had been an incident, Deandre Gerard Hill, 32, turned himself over to police after a from ordering an independent background check, but typically we put him on immediate leave to have him out of the school warrant was signed for his arrest last week. The former 7th and they go through the ALSDE’s website. and he hasn’t been back since then,” Peek said. “It was reported 8th grade language arts teacher has been charged with “sexual “Mobile didn’t do anything out of the ordinary,” Sibley said. and handled immediately.” contact with a student under the age of 19,” stemming from an “There was a lag between when we notified Mr. Hill his teaching However, Sibley said if the incident with the student at investigation by the Mobile Police Department and the local certificate was being reviewed and when it became visible to the Denton hadn’t been reported, Hill could have potentially “flown Child Advocacy Center. public. In that time, though bold of him, Mr. Hill was employed under the radar” until there was a reason to review or look into According to police in Mobile, a warrant for the teacher’s in Mobile. We take complete ownership for that.” the status of his teaching certificate. arrest was signed March 31 after a female student at Denton MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek said the school system Middle School reported to school officials Hill had made state- followed procedure when vetting Hill for the job using resources ments of a sexual nature to her while she was in his classroom. Two officers injured during Theodore foot pursuit provided by the ALSDE. She said the school’s human resources But according to police in Montgomery, Hill was also ar- On Monday, two officers were injured in a foot chase that left staff did exactly as they were supposed to when Hill’s applica- rested for indecent exposure while working at Southlawn Middle one Mobile man behind bars. According to police reports, the in- tion was reviewed in August of 2014. School in Montgomery this time last year. The misdemeanor cident began when two MPD officers attempted to stop a vehicle “It was pointed on the ALSDE portal (Hill) had gone through charges there were later dropped, but at this point it’s unclear in the area of Bellingrath Road for a routine traffic violation. the background screening, ABI and FBI checks and was suitable why. However, when the driver, 26-year-old Demarcus Johnson, to teach under state law,” Peek said. “We also had a recommen- According to the MCPSS, Hill’s background check was pulled into Azalea Court Townhomes, he exited the vehicle and dation from the system he previously worked for (Montgomery cleared through the Alabama Department of Education (ALSDE) attempted to elude officers on foot. After attempting to enter one County Schools), which gave him strong recommendations and prior to being hired at Denton Middle School in the summer of residence at the complex where relatives lived, Johnson tried to said they would hire him back.” 2014, but no additional or independent background checks were flee through the back of the complex. According to Peek, the incident of indecent exposure wasn’t sought. As officers pursued Johnson, they sustained minor, non-life- brought up to officials in Montgomery County until Oct. 10 — FOX 10 reported earlier this week that members of the ALS- threatening injuries — one to his shoulder and the other to his after Hill was hired at Mobile. DE had confirmed the school system “never contacted ALSDE leg — during a chase that spanned approximately 50 feet. As for the ALSDE, Sibley said the 7-month “lag” in publicly for an updated background check or verification of Hill’s teach- Both officers were taken to a local hospital where they were posting the status of Hill’s teaching certificate was the result of ing certificate before they hired him last summer,” but now those treated and released. his right to due process. officials seem to be changing their tune. Johnson was charged with possession of a controlled sub- “If his teaching certificate had been revoked, Mobile would In the meantime, MCPSS spokesperson Nancy Pierce said on stance, resisting arrest, attempting to elude and possession of be made aware immediately, but sometimes that process can take Tuesday school officials in Mobile didn’t have any way of know- drug paraphernalia. According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s up to a year,” Sibley said. “We don’t expect this to happen again, ing there was a potential problem with Hill when he transferred Office, Johnson has a laundry list of previous charges including and we’re putting stop gap measures in place to make sure it from Montgomery. robbery, weapons violations and other drug charges.

4 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 BAYBRIEFS BB Contracts confirm city’s long relationship with dirt, inc. BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

company affiliated with Dirt, Inc., a yard waste per month at 23,900 cubic yards, as landfill at the center of a lawsuit be- compared to 22,000 for Midway. tween the city’s Solid Waste Authority The latest contract between the city and Gulf and Waste Management, appears to Hauling was signed in July 2013 by former Ahave had a contract with the city since at least Mayor Sam Jones, City Clerk Lisa Lambert 1995. and Harrison. Once again the contract was for Documents obtained by Lagniappe show a three years, but records show the price was set contract award to Gulf Hauling and Construc- at $3.28 per cubic yard and estimated the three- tion in 1995 for the removal of the city’s yard year cost to be $2.8 million, almost double the waste, starting on Oct. 2 of that year. The con- contract value in 2000. The 2000 contract was tract appears to be the result of a Request for signed by former Mayor Mike Dow, the city Proposals issued on July 21 of that year, which clerk and Michael Eubanks. was signed by John Bell, the city’s former During the trial, attorneys and witnesses public services director. made repeated claims to indicate the breach of In January, a U.S. District Court jury contract occurred in 2008. Those references awarded Waste Management Mobile Bay Envi- referred to the first year MW could seek judg- ronmental Center, the operator of the Chastang ment based on a statute of limitations. Michael Landfill, more than $8 million at the end of a Bass, a financial analyst for WM, estimated the week-long breach of contract trial against the city diverted more than 277,000 tons of yard city’s Solid Waste Authority. waste to the Dirt, Inc. landfill, which resulted in In the judgment, the jury awarded $3 million more than $8.7 million in lost profits. to Waste Management for breach of contract, Waste Management took over the original specifically related to the SWA entering into a 1993 contract from TransAmerica in 1998. contract with Dirt, Inc. for the disposal of yard The documents do show an increase in the waste, which attorneys for Waste Management rate the city paid to Gulf Hauling, while the said should have gone to the Chastang Landfill. $20-per-ton rate the SWA paid in tipping fees The jury also found the SWA in breach in was never permanently increased. The only the amount of $1.7 million for not allowing increase came during a period between 2005 Waste Management to increase the $20-per-ton and 2009, when the tipping fee charged to the rate it charged the city as a tipping fee, save a city was raised to $23.50 per ton. three-year period, despite a clause in the origi- SWA Attorney Jim Rossler has filed post- nal 1993 contract allowing for such a change. trial motions in the case asking U.S. District The jury found an appropriate tipping fee to Judge Kristi DuBose to rule in favor of SWA, be one set at $27.38 per ton. arguing attorneys for the plaintiffs never Waste Management was also awarded $3.5 provided to his office any documents related million because the jury found the SWA didn’t to Bass’ calculations on the profit and loss properly reimburse the operator for specific, statements. Rossler’s motion also asks for an regulation-based upgrades to the landfill. amendment to the judgment awards so they fall According to a contract from October 1997, more in line with evidence presented at trial. the city entered into a three-year deal with Gulf Rossler will have 30 days after DuBose rules Hauling and Construction for the disposal of to file an appeal. yard waste at the Dirt, Inc. landfill for a little more than $1.6 million. The contract states Solid Waste Authority origins Gulf Hauling had the lowest bid, offering the Documents provided by City Clerk Lisa disposal work at $1.49 per cubic yard. Lambert’s office show the SWA was organized In the bid proposal from the same year, Gulf in 1985. It had three original appointees — Hauling Owner President Steven J. May said Rodger Tew, B.J. Heggeman Jr. and Edward the company was born out of a 1987 expansion Morris Jr. — who were required to own prop- of Dirt, Inc., owned by Lamar Harrison. May erty in the city. stipulated the 1997 proposal would be for three The certificate of incorporation was amend- years, with an opportunity to renegotiate the ed in 1994 to increase the number of people price at the end of the contract. serving on the board from three to seven and to Records show the contract was extended for appoint them through districts. The move was another three years in 2000. Bell explained in made in a resolution sponsored by Councilors a letter to Gulf Hauling Vice President Mike Bess Rich and Mabin Hicks. Eubanks that the city would be interested in At the time, the four new appointees were increasing the unit price to $1.64 per cubic Odell Hose, Art Slack, John Thomas and yard, citing a consumer price index adjustment Thomas Lightcap. The members were appoint- of 10 percent. ed to staggered terms. Waste Management attorney Jaime Betbeze The current members of the Solid Waste argued in the January trial that an adjustment of Authority, the body that oversees operations WM’s tipping fee was appropriate based on the at Chastang Landfill and sets the tipping fee consumer price index, but it was never made. are: District 1 representative Lawrence Carroll, The estimated total cost of the 2000 contract District 2 representative Rae Richardson, Dis- was actually less than the 1997 deal, at $1.5 trict 3 representative Wesley Young, District 4 million for three years. representative Pete Riehm, District 5 represen- An undated bid document obtained from the tative Tim Morris, District 6 representative Les city shows Gulf Hauling at $3 per cubic yard Barnett and District 7 representative J. Michael outbidding Midway Material at $3.16, although Gulf Hauling estimated a larger quantity of Druhan Jr.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 5 BB BAYBRIEFS Judge considers motion to dismiss capital murder retrial BY GABRIEL TYNES/ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

ast week, a state appellate court ordered the release of Ala- warrant for Ziegler’s home and car owned by a co-defendant; any Bennett’s car in 2000. Defense attorneys have presented a narrative bama death row inmate Anthony Ray Hinton, who awaited audio recordings from the interrogation of any of the witnesses of the crime prosecutors apparently can’t refute: rather than their execution for 30 years after he was found guilty of a 1985 who eventually pinned the crime on Ziegler; the victim’s clothing; claim Ziegler killed Baker in the woods near his apartment, the de- capital murder in Jefferson County. Heeding a U.S. Supreme police photographs of a car defense attorneys argue was used to fense argues co-defendants Bennett and William Randall left with lCourt ruling that Hinton’s right to a fair trial had been violated, transport the victim and would undermine the prosecution’s ver- Baker in Bennett’s car, where he was either killed or his body was prosecutors admitted bullets found on the scene of two separate ho- sion of events; an evidence bag a witness testified at the Rule 32 transported to the site where it was later discovered. Randall and micides linked to Hinton did not come from a gun they originally hearing contained a bloody sweatshirt; a “be on the lookout” issued Bennett were sentenced to life in prison and 20 years, respectively, entered into evidence as the murder weapon. for the car; or any records of initial interviews with a witness who after testifying against Ziegler at the original trial. Hinton’s appeal and exoneration was championed by attorneys later recanted her testimony at the Rule 32 hearing. A defense witness — who repossessed Bennett’s car after he from the Equal Justice Initiative, a Montgomery-based nonprofit Ziegler was convicted of the 2000 murder of Russell Baker, defaulted on payments following his arrest — recalled during the that provides legal aid to “indigent defendants and prisoners who who was beaten, stabbed more than 100 times and nearly decapi- Rule 32 trial that police returned it to his custody in “disarray,” and have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system.” The tated after an alcohol-fueled Mardi Gras party in West Mobile. The that the carpet and seats were covered in dark “blood” stains. EJI reported that Hinton became 152nd person exonerated from Rule 32 hearing found co-defendants and witnesses only implicat- But Phillips told the court in January he didn’t “recall anything death row nationwide since 1983, and the sixth from Alabama. ed Ziegler after giving initial statements that would have absolved standing out,” about the vehicle, and although “our normal proce- Locally, a Mobile County Circuit Court judge is considering him of the murder. dure is to take photographs of all angels of the vehicle, including a similar ruling for another defendant. Last month, attorneys for The case was investigated by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the interior,” during an investigation, the MCSO or the District William John Ziegler filed a motion to dismiss after the state tes- including former Detective Dale Kohn, whose niece Dawn — rais- Attorney did not possess any photos of the car. It was also never tified in January that it couldn’t account for at least seven pieces ing charges of conflict of interest — was a witness to night’s events. documented any photographs were ever taken, Phillips said. of exculpatory evidence used to originally convict him of capital In January, Billinglea admitted “some pieces of evidence, we In their motion to dismiss, defense attorneys contend “any such murder in 2001 — a conviction that ultimately resulted in the don’t have,” but also suggested some of the evidence never existed. re-trial would again subject Mr. Ziegler to violations of his rights death penalty, but was overturned in 2012 by Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Battiste, a former MCSO investigator who currently to due process and a fair trial by virtue of the state’s numerous, Sarah Stewart. presides over the county’s juvenile probation program, testified in pervasive and egregious failures to preserve clearly relevant, and Months after an exhaustive “Rule 32” hearing in 2010, Stewart January about his role assisting Det. Kohn with the initial investiga- ultimately exculpatory, evidence necessary for Mr. Ziegler to concluded Ziegler’s original conviction was “based on [evidentiary] tion. He told the court he could not find the original affidavit for a receive a fair trial … To be clear, Mr. Ziegler contends that the re- violations, ineffective assistance of counsel, and juror misconduct.” search warrant of Bennett’s car “or any other files related to the case.” maining evidence that has been preserved would lead a reasonable Since, both county and state prosecutors have fought to maintain the Battiste, in what MSCO Spokesperson Lori Myles later said jury to acquit Mr. Ziegler of the charges brought by the state.” conviction ahead of a retrial scheduled later this summer. “never happens,” told the court he took all his investigative files A status hearing is scheduled in Ziegler’s case in May, but last Defense attorneys, who are not affiliated with the Equal Justice with him when he left the MCSO in 2004. Since, they have been month, defense attorney Nick Lagemann urged Stewart to rule on Initiative, are attempting to have Ziegler freed and the charge stored in his attic. the motion. dismissed before it reaches a jury again. Battiste also testified Kohn was present at least one of the crime “We’re talking multiple pieces of evidence,” he said. “We’re not In January, a team of prosecutors led by Assistant Attorney scenes and took a statement from his own niece. at first trial, we’re at retrial. What matters to Mr. Ziegler now is to General Stephanie Billingslea told Stewart the state could no David Phillips, a 21-year veteran of the MCSO, also testified he make sure he is entitled to his constitutional rights for due process longer account for: the original affidavit filed to obtain a search had little recollection of gathering evidence from co-defendant Jay and fairness.” Austal seeks dismissal of false claims case BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

t’s been just over a month since a lawsuit alleging Austal “Austal would like to affirmatively state that it has complied USA routinely submitted false claims to the U.S. Navy was with all contractual, regulatory and statutory obligations in unsealed, and the Mobile shipbuilder has since issued a scath- performance of its contracts with the United States,” the motion ing response asking a federal court to “dismiss the action in its reads. “Austal takes its commitments under the law and its federal ientirety rather than require Austal” to answer the allegations. contracts very seriously, and flatly denies that it has knowingly, The case, William Gates vs. Austal USA, was filed in June with deliberate ignorance, or with reckless disregard for the truth, 2014, but only made public in February after the U.S. Attorney’s presented or caused to be presented any false or fraudulent claims Office opted not to back the five ex-employees who initially filed for payment to the Federal government.” the complaint. After the case was unsealed in February many news outlets, Those employees, referred to as relators, are allowed under both local and national, wrote about the allegations. Since pub- the False Claims Act to file actions on behalf of the government, lishing our previous story on March 3, Lagniappe has received which is informally called “whistleblowing” when the relator communications from several people claiming to be current or is or was employed by the accused organization. Persons filing former employees who claimed they had been involved in similar complaints under the FCA also stand to receive a portion of any situations. recovered damages. In the original lawsuit, three of the five relators alleged the Since reporting on the lawsuit last month, Lagniappe has shipbuilder “retaliated” against them by “scrutinizing” their work attempted to contact several spokespersons within the Navy, the in ways the company had not previously practiced. However, in its Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Justice to find motion to dismiss, attorneys for Austal said the company “has not out why prosecutors opted not to join the lawsuit, but each organi- engaged in any form of retaliation against any of the Relators in zation has declined to comment on the matter. Photo/Gabriel Tynes this litigation or, for that matter, or any of its employees.” Attorney Thomas M. Loper, who is representing the plaintiffs, sen. Jeff sessions visited Austal last week. Though the company has effectively denied all three main said it is “not uncommon” for the government to initially stay allegations, Austal still hasn’t filed a formal response to the com- out of these types of lawsuits. Loper also said that until recently, ing certain portions of projects. The complaint said projects were plaint. But, the defendant’s motion to dismiss cited several “pro- Austal hadn’t responded to the complaint in any way. “routinely closed out in the billing system when the time budgeted cedural defects” it claims warrants a dismissal and asked court to According to the original complaint, Austal’s defense contracts to the project by the Navy had all been used even though the work address those before requiring Austal to incur additional expense with the Navy include specific requirements defining the number was not completed.” The work would then be completed in Final by responding to the complaint. of people in each trade class and company rank permitted to work Assembly, and billed to the Navy accordingly. Among the claims are that service to the company was prop- on each vessel. Accordingly, Austal’s compensation increases As Austal argued in its recent motion, operations are monitored erly issued and that certain federal rules of civil procedure weren’t along with the specified ranks. by “numerous Navy, Defense Contract Audit Agency and Defense followed, Austal’s attorneys have also asked the case be thrown Plaintiffs alleged Austal was regularly billing the Navy Contract Management Agency” personnel members, many of out because the plaintiff’s have “failed to state a claim upon which “supervision time” for work performed by others compensated a whom operate on site in Mobile. relief can be granted.” lower rate, which the complaint claimed was evidenced by several Though Austal hasn’t issued a statement publicly, the ship- Austal has also requested a hearing to address the procedural employees who say they were given timesheets that listed them builder’s attorney, William Daniels Jr., vehemently denied any issues it raised with the plaintiff’s complaint, but no date has been in supervisory roles, though they weren’t being compensated as and all allegations in a motion to dismiss the case filed late last set for a hearing at this time. such. month — suggesting the relators’ “misdescription of how Austal U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions visited Austal last week but did not take In separate count, the complaint also suggests Austal routinely bills and is paid for its efforts” could be what “led to the United questions concerning the suit. billed work incorrectly, to obscure the total time spent complet- States’ decision to not join this lawsuit.” 6 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 BAYBRIEFS BB Grant to expand scope of MhB redevelopment work BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

grant award from the U.S. Department of Housing and While it’s still early in the process, Vaughn said, MHB was “The neighborhood is going downhill,” he said. Urban Development will delay the beginning of a rede- excited to see the community come out to a warm Mae Eanes Burney said he’s a disabled veteran and would like to see a velopment project affecting three Mobile Housing Board Elementary School gymnasium last month. farmers’ market in the area. He said more parks in the neighbor- communities. “The thing we’ve learned is there’s excitement for change,” hood would be a good idea. AThe $457,500 award of a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Vaughn said. “It was hot there, but hardly anybody left.” “It would give kids something to do,” he said. “It would keep Grant for Thomas James Place has pushed back the master plan- At the meeting, Rosa and other facilitators spoke with com- them out of trouble.” ning of the proposed $750-million project more than a year, MHB munity members to seek input for the master planning process. Marissa Jenkins, a 17-year-old resident of Birdville, also Executive Director Dwayne Vaughn said. Camiros will have “primary responsibility for developing the attended the March meeting with Rosa and Camiros. She said The three developers — Hollyhand Development, Columbia master plan … in conjunction with the community,” Vaughn said. she’d like to see more jobs for teenagers in the area and an end Residential and Pennrose Properties Global Development Group The Boulevard Group’s President James Brooks, who was to the violence. — are all still on board with the 330-acre, mixed-use, mixed- originally identified as the program director, will have a “coordi- “I think everybody should come together as a whole to be able income project that would transform Thomas James Place, R.V. nating role” in the master planning process, Vaughn said. to sit down and help people,” she said. “Keep them from doing Taylor Plaza and Boykin Tower, Vaughn said. Rosa told the crowd that Birdville, built in the 1940s for “mili- wrong things.” “It’s a little more expanded now, with the HUD choice grants,” tary folks,” provided several opportunities for redevelopment of A similar grant was awarded for the Roger Williams Homes he said. “There are additional items required.” housing stock and retail space. For instance, he mentioned a car and the Three Mile Trace community. HUD awarded Mobile a The transformation plans for the three south side neighbor- wash near the community. second Choice Neighborhood Grant for the area on the north side hoods, which border the Brookley Aeroplex, includes a mix of “It’s a repurposing opportunity for commercial development,” of town. Vaughn said the same city getting similar HUD grants retail and residential space. The residential space will be split he said at the meeting. for two different communities was unprecedented. among public and market-rate housing. Each of the three develop- Rosa said the area offered “wide open green spaces,” including The $375,000 grant will help the MHB transform the com- ers currently on board have experience with similar projects in Arlington Park. munity with a mixed-use, mixed-income project, similar — al- New Orleans, Tuscaloosa and New Brunswick, N.J. Camiros planned a similar mixed-use, mixed-income facility in though smaller in scale — to the one on the south side corridor, The award of the grant for this particular project means plan- Rockford, Illinois, Rosa said. In addition to updating the housing Vaughn said. ning is a two-year process, Vaughn said. there, the community received a grocery store. “It needs to be taken down and something needs to go up,” “I wouldn’t characterize it as a setback,” Vaughn said. “We’re “We put in a grocery store based on community suggestions,” Vaughn said of Roger Williams Homes. taking the plan to a higher level.” Rosa said. MHB has not yet hired a developer, Vaughn said, but the proj- The grant means more community involvement for residents, Rosa told the crowd a second large community meeting ect’s scope includes redevelopment of not only the public housing in the form of seven-to-eight meetings, Vaughn said. A meeting would be set for late April, while smaller meetings would also neighborhood, but the surrounding community — including some for residents in Thomas James Place has already taken place and be planned. retail locations — along St. Stephens Road. MHB hopes to have another will be scheduled shortly, Vaughn said. Dauphin Island Parkway resident Jimmy Lee Burney, an at- a developer in place for Roger Williams within the next month or At the first meeting, Adam Rosa with Camiros, Ltd. — tendee of the March meeting, said he thought allowing commu- two, Vaughn said. MHB’s planning coordinator for the project — met with resi- nity members to get together for the meeting was “pretty cool.” Roger Williams is a 453-unit housing community, which was dents of the community in and around Thomas James Place, also As far as community improvement, Burney said, he’d like to built in 1954 and is severely distressed, according to a HUD state- known as Birdville, to see what they wanted from the redevelopment. Several units in the community are in a flood zone. ment project. see fewer illegal drugs problems.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS Stakeholders discuss future of county soccer complex BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

ast Thursday, representatives with Sports Facilities Advi- operations of the facility. Harrelson also said the facilities across the bay in Foley and Or- sory (SFA) met with several stakeholders with interests in a At this early stage in the project’s development, only one thing ange Beach could prove to be allies as well as competition. He men- proposed soccer complex the Mobile County Commission seems sure about the soccer complex’s future. If it’s constructed, the tioned the possibility of large tournaments similar to those held in has been discussing for more than a year. facility will likely be run by a private entity and not the county. and around Atlanta that could utilize and benefit all three facilities. lThe meeting was part of a $48,000 marketability study the com- During Thursday’s meeting, Hudson said Mobile County “doesn’t Others like Tyler Kerns, of the Mobile Swim Association, said mission approved in February aimed at shaping a business plan for have the personnel or the experience to manage something like this, the facility could also attract tournaments for swimming, lacrosse, operating a 10-field facility, estimated to cost anywhere from $20 and would “have to reach outside” for the facility’s maintenance and rugby and other sports. million to more than $40 million. operations. Mobile City Councilor Bess Rich made similar state- In a master plan for the project released last November, Neel- Members of the soccer community, as well as other sports like ments about the city’s ability to maintain a soccer complex. Schaffer Inc. gave a $12 million estimate for an indoor swimming rugby, lacrosse and swimming, sat down with members of the SFA has a sister organization known as Sports Facilities Man- facility or “aquatic center” included in the project. Because the Mobile City Council and County Commission President Connie agement that, as its name suggests, manages many but not all of the nearest similar facilities are in Auburn and Birmingham, Kerns Hudson to give SFA an idea of features the community desires at facilities SFA has built across the country. said Mobile could easily become a new hotspot for regional and the facility and what events and activities could keep it sustainable. During a February meeting, the company’s owner Eric Sullivan statewide swim meets. Though some of those questions were answered, others were was asked about SFM’s management fee, which he said could range With the various plans to utilize the soccer complex, Harrelson asked about how the facility would be operated and how it would anywhere from “$9,000 to $30,000 a month” depending on the size seemed to think the biggest obstacle would be convincing taxpayers compete with other facilities just across Mobile Bay. the facility. At that point Hudson told Lagniappe the county had no of how valuable the space could be to the county. “With new facilities in Baldwin County and their proximity to plans to partner with SFM, but didn’t rule out the possibility either. “No place in the country is really known for wanting to raise the beach, how are we — being inland — going to complete with Chad Harrelson, the director of the Mobile United Futbol Club, taxes, but certainly Alabama is not a place that’s very easy to do,” a facility in Foley to get tournaments here?” Mobile City Council said the facility would need a full-time professional to recruit, mar- Harrelson said. “We need to be able to sell the need and show the President Gina Gregory asked. ket, organize and oversee tournaments in order to be successful. people it’s not all taxpayer dollars, that there are also these public- Evan Eleff, who led the meeting for SFA, said there would be “I think anybody who’s been involved with big tournaments will private partnerships that are going to help fund it. We’ll have to competition from other locations, and said the newly-constructed, tell you there’s got to be a professional that’s doing it,” Harrelson have a plan going forward on how we’ll do that because a backlash 16-field complex in Foley would have a scalability Mobile’s facility said. “The facilities that have that management are the ones that from the constituency can end something like this pretty quickly.” wouldn’t be able match. continue to be successful year in and year out, while those that don’t Eleff was quick to say there’s been no determination on exactly However, Eleff said Mobile’s established infrastructure — par- usually make a big splash early but ultimately fade away.” what the financing structure will be or what levels of public and ticularly near its planned location at I-65 and I-10 intersection — Harrelson said the clubs and organizations he’s involved with private funds would be used. Previously, Hudson said the results gives the proposed facility a distinct advantage. could bring in at least two or three tournaments themselves, which of SFA’s study would give the county the data it needs to pursue “What’s important to people, as much as anything else, is the includes the Southern Shootout — a 64-team tournament hosted private investments for the project. infrastructure and the support services they can get. They want by St. Paul’s Episcopal School that recently has been played in No local tax increases have been discussed related to the project, those close to the facilities,” Eleff said. “The advantage of Mobile is Baldwin County. with the exception of the county’s lodging tax. In December, discus- its proximity to restaurants, hotels and entertainment.” Harrelson said other tournaments could easily be held in Mobile sions about a two percent increase in the tax revealed an almost Ultimately, how to utilize those advantages will be a component because of the benefit of having 10-fields in one location as well nonexistent support from the Mobile Area Lodging Association. of the 12-week marketability study SFA presents to the county, the as other fields in the general area that could be utilized. Such fields Members of MALA, including current president Kent Black- results of which are expected sometime in May. include facilities at the University of South Alabama and Herndon inton, attended one of the multiple meetings hosted by SFA last The other big question — at least among the stakeholders at last Park, where Mobile is planning to spend $1.6 million in upgrades Wednesday and Thursday. However, they’ve since been unavailable week’s meetings — was who would run and finance the day-to-day this year. for comment.

t was rather shocking last week to see 11 At- erly. After stories came out in the Atlanta complained to the system, she became lanta school teachers being hauled off to jail Journal-Constitution revealing the cheat- a pariah. But everything she ever told — facing sentences of up to 20 years — for ing problem in Atlanta, and also pointing me was verified by the school system, their involvement in a nationally publicized out potential cheating issues in other although the perpetrators received little icheating scandal. districts around the country — including punishment. Most of us, I’m sure, feel teachers cheating the Mobile County Public School System The test cheating scandals, I hope, are to help raise students’ test scores is an abysmal — Georgia’s governor took action. That a thing of the past as schools are mov- act that surely merits more than having to write action let to the arrest and conviction of ing away from them for several reasons. “I will not cheat on standardized tests” 10,000 those cheating educators. The investiga- The pressure to cheat is one of the more times on the white board, but it was hard to tion determined cheating was going on at prominent of those. But it’s still hard to imagine them actually being prosecuted and 44 schools and nearly 180 educators were take the school system seriously after going to jail. After all, it’s only a little cheating involved system-wide. having watched the lackadaisical way in on some goofy tests that don’t really seem to We can’t say there’s been that kind of which they dealt with the cheating issues. measure a whole lot other than how ready the interest in our own school district. Most It appears now we’re moving towards kids are to take a particular test, right? media around here have done stories on graduation rates as the benchmark for The more I thought about it though, the cheating in the MCPSS. Lagniappe was determining success. Low and behold, more I can see where the state was right to go the first to do an exposé on what was hap- MCPSS is suddenly blasting off in terms after this particular group of “educators” crimi- pening here. We talked to lots of teachers of graduation. Just six years ago MCPSS nally. If you’re sending your child to school to who confirmed over and over efforts to had a 55-percent graduation rate. Last learn, and the kid is being passed through and pump up the scores. It’s hard to say the year it was 82 percent — up a full seven helped on his standardized tests, you’re being school system and Superintendent Martha points from the previous year. ripped off. Peek have done a tremendous amount That’s terrific — as long as it’s real. I I’m sure the argument might be that most about the matter, though. have no reason other than common sense of the people being ripped off couldn’t give a Yes, a couple of people have been to be skeptical of that vast an improve- rip about their kids’ education in the first place, fired. Others were transferred. But Super- ment in such a short time. But maybe the which is why those particular kids needed intendent Peek has generally brushed the system’s leaders have learned a lesson all the help. And there is something to that whole thing off as if it wasn’t really hap- from the cheating scandals and we really argument. Teachers can’t do it all. If Johnny’s pening and most of the complaints were are suddenly graduating 82 percent of mom and pop don’t care what he’s doing or from disgruntled employees. our students with the reading, writing aren’t around to make sure he completes and I first heard about these allegations and math skills expected of high school understands his homework, it certainly makes several years ago from a friend and graduates. the teachers’ jobs all the harder. former MCPSS employee. She had started That kind of success would certainly But, and it’s a big but, I cannot lie, that’s no teaching and would come back and tell be a great thing for this community as excuse for educators abandoning their prime me the most horrific stories about cheat- long as it’s achieved in the classrooms and directive and bumping up scores and passing ing and test changing parties. When she not the backrooms. students so they can then bask in the glory and financial incentives that walk hand-in-hand with perceived success. Thus a fraud is being T HEG ADFLY perpetrated upon any community where this type of activity is either promoted or tolerated. So how is it a fraud? First, of course, there is the faith of the parents who do care and have gone to pains to make sure their kids get into a “good school.” That’s no easy thing. They go to bed and night at least feeling like they’ve given their children a shot at a good education because they’re told their school is one of the best in the district. Only maybe it’s not. Maybe the principal or some of the other top brass are fooling around with the numbers because it helps their careers if scores look good when the reality is perhaps otherwise. And there are other things most of us probably don’t think about. What’s one of the main determiners of property values? Good schools. People pay far more for homes in “good” school districts than in poor ones. Taxes are levied based upon those property values as well. So what happens to the value of your home when its discovered the great elementary school down the street is actually not so great? You’re out real money. So maybe it wasn’t so harsh after all for those Atlanta educators to have the book thrown at them. It would be surprising if the vast majority of their colleagues who work hard and stay within the rules would have much sympathy for them. The situation in Atlanta may be unsettling to Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen some, but what should be more upsetting is to be in a community where no one cares enough In the ultimate irony, upwardly-mobile families flee Baldwin County about cheating to actually investigate it prop- for the better school system to the west after a failed tax referendum.

10 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 COMMENTARYh IDDEN AGENDA C three things that make me proud to be a Mobilian right now BY ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR | [email protected] n this biz, we often use our ink to complain anything under the Alabama Media Group or Advance Central Services Alabama or Sounds of the South sun that is remotely bothering us, but lately I’ve noticed a few Speaking of exciting things “waiting for you” downtown, kudos al.com or “The Company” as they very creepily call themselves in things that have made me quite giddy and proud, so I decided to to Ted Flotte and his team for bringing the SouthSounds Music threatening letters to the council has deep pockets and their lawyers use my ink this issue to commend instead. (OK, there may be a Festival back to LoDa this coming weekend. This festival, which have already said they will fight the city if they aren’t allowed to littlei complaining still, but for the most part it is complimentary.) focuses on regional up-and-coming acts, has the potential to become toss these ad bags as they see fit. In fact, the reason Councilman Joel the next big thing. Set up similarly to Austin’s famed South by Daves held it over for two weeks is because the city received letters from those lawyers last week, and he said they needed time to “fully Lovin’ LoDa Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival, most of the acts play in area When I moved here in the mid ‘90s and started working and bars/music venues. This is a really cool setup for both the concert- digest” them. playing in downtown Mobile, some nights it would still look like goer, who gets a more intimate music experience and the venue In these letters, “The Company” maintains it is their constitu- an absolute ghost town, well until around 10 p.m., when the young owner, who benefits from the food and beverage sales of those tional right to throw ads in your yard, which certainly must make folks would come down and at least make part of the street hop. I attending — way more than he/she would if a stage was set up down the founding fathers feel like they really accomplished something remember the older folks telling me as I would complain about it, the street from their business with a tent selling draft beer for $8 special. “If you think this is dead, you should have seen it 10 years ago.” right next to it. The actions of “The Company” is what is so hard to digest But those days are long gone. And with SXSW getting insanely overcrowded and by some though. Last weekend as my husband and I headed down to meet friends accounts miserable, this really could become a go-to festival for not The city and an environmental group says, “Guys, you are litter- for a birthday dinner, I was amazed how lively Dauphin was from only local music lovers, but also from all over the country, not to ing our city and your products are ending up in our drainage system one end to the other at 6 p.m. Restaurants were full, people were mention the musicians who will want to be part of a festival where and waterways so much so we are going to pass an ordinance so you strolling up and down the street, young couples were having prom they won’t get lost in the shuffle. I’m excited to see it continue to can’t.” pictures taken in the squares. We met friends at the chic new bar The grow and evolve. Great job, y’all! Instead of “The Company” saying, “Oh my gosh, that’s horrible. Sidecar (next to and operated by The Noble South). We talked about We didn’t realize this was such an issue. What can we do to make all of the people passing by and about the hottest new downtown sure this doesn’t happen? As a business in this community, we Standin’ their Ground would never want to create a problem like this or doing anything to restaurant, The Dumbwaiter, which was so packed we couldn’t get a At press time, the Mobile City Council held over an ordinance reservation. harm our city,” they have essentially just said, “Sorry, we’ll try to requiring the Press-Register to place their “handbills” or bags of figure out which houses are vacant and we’ll try to stop throwing the There was just a lot of energy. Our city’s heart was beating and advertising they dub “Gulf Coast Life” on people’s doorsteps rather downtown was most definitely alive and kicking. bags at those, but if we miss some, oh well. Good luck cleaning up than just throwing them in their yards. The mayor and city council, our mess. We will sue your pants off if you don’t let us continue to And this didn’t happen by chance. A lot of people have been along with local environmental group Mobile Baykeeper, have all working really hard for a really long time to achieve this resurrec- do this. Love you, mean it!” said the bags are a big part of the city’s litter problem and they are In their letter, “The Company” even tells the council they better tion, like the Downtown Mobile Alliance and the City of Mobile’s also ending up in the city’s storm water drainage system. And too, Neighborhood and Community Services/Special Events office. And budget for “The Company’s” legal fees. So now, we not only have it just infuriates people to have a private company throwing a bag to use taxpayer money to clean up your mess out of our drainage of course, the business owners who set up shop when it was a con- of what they consider trash in their yards – a bag the homeowner is crete wilderness deserve much of the credit for being pioneers, but system, we now will have to also pay your attorneys’ fees. expected to dispose of or face fines. My god. The nerve of “The Company” is staggering! so do the ones who have opened up more recently, who could have You can call the P-R and “opt out” of the program, but many easily been lured to other parts of the city, with the promise of newer Politicos always fear bad press, so I’m sure it’s not easy for them residents have complained they continue to throw it in their yards to say “game on” to one of the largest media “groups” in the state, buildings and paved parking paradises. despite their request to stop. Or it stops for a little while but then I actually got a little chill to see it buzzing like it was. hell the country, so kudos to the Mobile City Council for not caving magically starts reappearing again. The latter happened to our on this. Who wants to sing some Petula Clark with me? household. We requested for it to stop twice. It finally did for a “Things will be great when you’re downtown! Everything is “The Company” does not care about our city or environment at couple of weeks, then we got another one. We called again. We have all, only their bottom line. They are bullies. Is this really the kind of waiting for you downtown!” once again been Gulf Coast Life-free for one week. We’ll see how (Sorry, I know I can’t sing.) “Company” we want to keep here? long it will last this time. Keep up the good fight, councilors!

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 11 C COMMENTARY Baldwin tax defeat surprising, but understandable BY KEN ROBINSON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ike seeds, ideas have a way of eventually bearing fruit. bearing they did not expect. 1776. America went from being part of a colossal global British Sometimes palatable and other times not, ideas will bear But, as I said, ideas produce results — they have conse- empire to being the preeminent superpower in the world today fruit — or produce results. This point has definitely been quences. One of the primary ideas that have flowered and with a total economic output in 2014 of more than $17 trillion. on display in our state and here locally recently. Let’s grown in acceptance in this state, and throughout the South in At its birth the nation was small, rural and agrarian, now it’s lstart with the state. particular, is that of a hatred toward taxes. Movements have large, urban, and economically complex and multi-faceted. As most know, Gov. Robert Bentley has painted a dire pic- sprung up and flourished, dedicated to the idea that adding any The central question now becomes: in this modern world, ture concerning the state’s finances. According to the governor, type of taxes is ruinous and even contrary to the intent of those what type of ideas should predominate to facilitate the nation’s a massive budget shortfall in the hundreds of millions hangs who laid the foundation for this country. To oppose taxes, the growth and advancement in a time when nations around the over the state like the Sword of Damocles, and if not abated, thinking goes, is synonymous with liberty and freedom itself. world are ascending economically and socially, many fueled by massive cuts to state agencies and programs will soon fall. His I’m definitely not here to advance the idea that taxes are a belief in their governments’ ability to smartly procure, invest solution: tax increases. Primarily in the form of increases in welcoming and should always be sought, but I do question and direct resources to further their nation’s prosperity? taxes on cigarettes and automobile purchases. He presented the efficacy and prudence of advocating never proposing or For America to compete on this increasingly competitive his financial prescription to the state legislature and challenged raising taxes. global stage, many are saying the wisest course of action is them to support him in his efforts to heal a perpetually fiscally It must be remembered that the rallying cry of the founding for political leaders on the local, state and national level to ailing state. fathers and American colonists was not “No Taxes!” but “No take pledges to never increase existing taxes or levy new A month into the 2015 legislative season, many legislators Taxation without Representation!” The founding fathers were ones. Political figures such as Ronald Reagan are deified due are treating the plan as though it’s been wrapped in the Ebola not against taxes, just against the idea the colonists were taxed to their perceived steadfast adherence to this no tax ortho- virus, and have not been very receptive to it. The repugnance to without their input or consent. As men greatly influenced by doxy. Yet, from 1980 to 1986 total U.S. government revenues tax increases — any type of tax increase — among the majority Enlightenment thinking, they understood that implicit in the increased from $517 billion to $769 billion. True, Reagan did of our legislators is real. idea of the social contract was the government’s responsibil- not raise taxes per se, but he did raise “fees,” plug loopholes, Locally, many of us were stunned (maybe naively) by the ity to carry out its functions for the good of society and the tighten IRS enforcement, initiate “revenue enhancements” and results of last week’s Baldwin County School tax referendum mutual prosperity of all. But it couldn’t be done without some “user fees” all to ingeniously increase the flow of monies to vote. I live in Mobile, so I, as the saying goes, have “no dog in form of taxes. the federal treasury. this fight,” yet was quite taken aback by the utter rejection of Indeed, one of the major weaknesses of the government Is that a bad thing? Not at all. These measures allowed for not just the plan to raise revenue to fund future school expan- immediately after the nation’s independence was the fact the the government to concomitantly increase spending during that sion, but also the elimination of existing revenue flowing into central government had no power to levy or collect taxes. period as well. the system. The founders soon realized that if not replaced, the Articles of The point I’m trying to make is that smart governance is The anathema to taxes was on high display. Even op- Confederation would facilitate a quick end to the young nation. about being able to make choices, not in limiting the pool of ponents of the referendum, are somewhat aghast at the fact To be sure, taxes weren’t popular, but the framers knew they choices that can be made. However, prevailing ideas seem to the school system now faces the loss of close to $7 million were needed. be setting us up for bleak outcomes instead of a bright and per year due to the cessation, in October of 2016, of the four Fast forward to the 21st century. America has a population prosperous future. renewable mills that were also on the ballot. This is a fruit of over 300 million as compared to the estimated 2.5 million in

12 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 COMMENTARYBELTWAY BEAT C Let sports figures stick to sports BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

n 1993, Alabamian and NBA great Charles Barkley appeared in a Nike commercial and proclaimed he wasn’t a “role model.” His point was that just because he could i“dunk a basketball,” it didn’t mean that he should be playing the role parents should be in their children’s lives. At the time, it was a controversial take on the obligations of superstar athletes. The argument was that since Barkley and his ilk were making millions of dollars off the public, they should be obligated to give back in some way — even if that meant filling the void for children where their parents were lacking. Twenty-two years later that notion still prevails when it comes to sports figures and their responsibilities to society. However, it has taken a curious turn to not just include things upon which most people can agree, like don’t drink and drive, don’t do drugs, stay in Photos/Facebook school, etc. Today, the concept has morphed Al.com columnist Kevin Scarbinsky into something where athletes have a duty to suggested Nick saban should weigh in not only speak out, but speak out on hot-button controversial issues and take the politically on criminal justice issues. correct side. Mike Krzyzewski took on similar criticism. In It should never have gotten to this point. a press conference before he took his team to If we’re looking to sports figures to cure play in the NCAA Division Men’s Final Four society’s ills, we have bigger problems. In in Indianapolis, Krzyzewski said he would other words, if you need Eli Manning to tell not be speaking out about Indiana’s so-called you that it is not OK to hit your wife during “religious freedom” law and asked reporters to halftime in a Bengals-Steelers game, you have stick to basketball-related questions. failed. Society has failed. It didn’t take long for the outrage machine Last month, Kevin Scarbinsky, a sports to fire up and demand Krzyzewski take a opinion writer for the Alabama Media Group, position. In the lead-up to the Final Four, some argued Alabama head football coach Nick of the more vocal actors in the sports world, Saban had a similar obligation after Alabama including the aforementioned Charles Barkley, defensive back Geno Smith was arrested for called on the NCAA to move their signature his second DUI arrest in two years and now- sporting event away from Indianapolis over former Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan the law they believed allowed for discrimina- Taylor was arrested for domestic violence for tion against homosexuals. a second time. Proponents of the law in Indiana argued it “No one, including the governor, com- was mischaracterized. Despite the ambigui- mands more attention or respect, including the ties, for whatever reason Krzyzewski and the power brokers Saban likes to joke are above other coaches participating in the Final Four his pay grade,” Scarbinsky wrote. “No one has were expected by some to have a clear enough more people hanging on his every word every understand of Indiana’s law to take a stand time he stands at a podium, no matter the time, against sexual discrimination. place or subject.” Let’s say for the sake of argument Krzyze- This is Exhibit A as to why sportswriters wski and Saban kowtowed to their critics in need to follow Saban’s lead and stay within the media, but take it a step further and add their pay grade. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to get to the equation they had losing seasons next out of that SEC college athletics bubble oc- year. Would all be forgiven because Saban was casionally. To suggest a football coach, albeit a vocal opponent of domestic violence and a very good one at the University of Alabama, drunk driving? Similarly with Krzyzewski, has a more elevated role than your state’s top would all be forgiven because he is a cham- elected official suggests you really ought to pion of same-sex marriage? reevaluate how your perceive the world. No one is going to say, “Well, coach has For starters, at least in Taylor’s case, these been an exemplary example of where society matters often involve pending legal action and needs to be on issue x, y and z. So even not always the most sterling of accusers — for though he went 3-9 overall and 0-8 in the con- example, in that incident involving the Tus- ference, let’s give him a four-year extension.” caloosa authorities, Taylor’s accuser recanted No one is saying coaches and players and is now facing false accusation charges. It’s shouldn’t weigh in on these matters, if that’s absurd to have the expectation a coach should their desire. We shouldn’t, however, expect wade into the situation, even if it’s with the them to just because of their elevated stature. best intentions. Being in the public eye is not a qualification to This is just one example of a situation pontificate on societal woes. fraught with pitfalls when it comes to sug- In the future, allow our sports heroes to gesting a sports figure should have been more stick to excelling at sports. If you’re looking vocal about something not directly related for social commentary, maybe you should their sport. broaden your news diet beyond The Birming- Last week, Duke head basketball coach ham News sports page or ESPN.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 BB BUSINESST h E REAL DEAL Perdido Dunes Tower to hold groundbreaking ceremony BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST | [email protected] | Twitter @rcvak

n April 14 Perdido Dunes Tower Con- presented the gift to the family in the audito- business ideas, write business plans, conduct dominiums, located at 27070 Perdido rium in the Office Complex. Since Jones Jr. is market research and pitch their plans to a panel Beach Blvd., will hold a groundbreaking blind, Magic Moments provided Disney theme of investors with the goal of hopefully launch- ceremony. The 11-story single-tower music to go along with the presentation as well ing and running their own legal, fully formed ocomplex was completely leveled in 2004 by as two Disney princesses for effect. companies. Hurricane Ivan, according to Laura Ward man- Training includes accomplished guest speak- ager for the Perdido Dunes Tower Association. Young entrepreneur in Gulf Shores ers from the local business community and The property will feature 100 front feet receives start-up funding grant field trips to local companies. According to the of beach space and sits 60 feet closer to the Thirteen-year-old Braswell McMeans, press release, YEA! is continuing to expand Gulf than neighboring condos. Prices will owner of Pleasure Island Paradise, producer across the country with the mission of teaching range from $675,000 to $750,000 for the of all-natural handmade scrubs out of Gulf students how to make a job, not just take a job. 1,900-square-foot four-bedroom, three-bath Shores, recently received a $1,250 grant from units. Two units are available per floor and the the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) “Many More Miles” campaign sets site sits about three miles west of the Florida program based in Foley. record in donations border in Orange Beach. Throughout the school year Braswell trav- Locals from both Baldwin and Mobile coun- According to Pratt Thomas of Merrill P. eled to Foley weekly for the YEA! Program ties recently donated a prodigious pile of gently Thomas Co., Bayou La Batre-based Von’s Res- sponsored by the South Baldwin Chamber of used footwear to Baldwin Bone & Joint’s taurant & Grill will open a new locale in LoDa Commerce. There he learned about entrepre- 12th annual Many More Miles campaign for a early fall at 69 St. Michael St. The site leased is neurship from volunteer instructor Rick Miller record-breaking year. roughly 1,200-square-feet. of Pro356 Consulting as well as from expert According to the press release, 2,729 Jimmy Lowe’s Produce located at 5830 U.S. several guest speakers invited to share their pairs of shoes were contributed to the 2015 Highway 90 in Theodore was recently bought knowledge. charity campaign. This more than doubles do- by a local speculator for $545,000. Mamun Sid- Braswell worked with mentors Tom and nations from the 2014 campaign, which yielded diq of REMAX Partners worked for both buyer Linda Spangrud of Spangrud and Associates 1,355 shoes. and seller in handling the deal. to develop a business plan and presentation. Baldwin Bone & Joint, P.C., Baldwin According to Tim Herrington of Herrington McMeans also worked with his parents — County YMCA, Port City Pacers, McCoy Out- Realty a 6,400-square-foot warehouse and of- Braswell and Tara McMeans of Design Print door Co., Dr. Glenn Glass and the University fice space located at 713 Lakeside Dr. has been Promote — on product branding, marketing, of South Alabama Student Recreation Center leased by Howard Services, a locally owned and trade shows. partnered to collect shoes for the homeless out- HVAC company in Mobile. “When I was a kid, we never had anyone tell reach programs of Wings of Life and Discovery us that you could work for yourself when you Ministries. The campaign got started in January Austal USA holds surprise ceremony grew up,” Tara McMeans said. “This program and concluded at the Azalea Trail Run held on On Tuesday, April 7, final assembly line not only teaches students how to do this, but that March 28. employee Dexter Jones and his family gathered they can start their own business at any age,” Students in Mobile and Baldwin Counties at Austal USA’s office complex — in a surprise Since opening his business, Braswell has were also given the opportunity to collect shoes ceremony — to witness his 13-year-old son, participated in several local events including and earn money for their schools’ PE programs. Dexter Jones, Jr., who is suffering from cerebral the GCAA Art Market, Merry Market, and Dixon Elementary won first place, collecting palsy and blindness, receive a paid trip for him Festival of Flavor and has received supportive 1,450 pairs of shoes and received a $300 prize. and his family to Walt Disney World Resorts in feedback from the community, customers and Fairhope Intermediate took second place and Orlando, courtesy of Magic Moments Chil- other local businesses. a $200 prize, and Spanish Fort Elementary dren’s Charity. “I am just so thankful to everyone that has received third place and a $100 prize. Magic Moments is the only wish-granting helped me get to this point,” McMeans said. For those who missed the deadline for dona- organization dedicated exclusively to children “But it’s not over now that the investor’s panel tions this year but still have footwear to offer, in Alabama suffering with chronic life-threaten- granted me $1,250 in funding. I’m just getting McCoy Outdoor Co. of Mobile collects used ing diseases. Founded in 1984, Magic Mo- started.” running shoes year-round. They can be dropped ments has granted over 4,300 fully paid trips His goal is to be a vendor at the Shrimp off at their store on 3498 Springhill Ave. in to children in each of Alabama’s 67 counties. Festival this year and in a handful of retail loca- Springhill Plaza. The charity establishes lasting relationships tions by the summer. Established in 1989, Baldwin Bone & Joint with children and families with programs such The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a provides orthopedic care to patients of all ages, as an annual Family Camp and regional events year-long class that facilitates in the transfor- with all conditions. Office locations include throughout the year. mation of middle and high school students into Daphne, Bay Minette, Orange Beach and Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, real world entrepreneurs. Students develop Mobile.

et’s face it. There won’t be many cooler days for months to come. I limped on through the winter with a package unit heater with a broken air conditioner. I had put off calling a repairman to fix the air conditioner, waiting until the Ala- lbama sun finally came out to prove to the ground hog, shadow or not, warm weather was coming sooner than later. I don’t enjoy being tethered to my property waiting on a service call any more than you would, but I could not ignore the problem any longer. Air conditioning is of utmost importance to me, so I wasn’t complaining one bit when my tech, whom we will call Ken, showed up with a handful of tools to tackle my problem. But you never know how long these things can take, so I figured it best if I ordered some takeout. The first thing that came to mind was Istanbul Grill. Ken was a nice enough fellow with the gift of gab so I asked him if he wanted anything. He politely declined but added, “They sure do have some good food over there.” Sounds like I was off to a good start. I sent out for a generous amount of food to get a good cross section of this Turkish restaurant, and I probably got a little more than I should have. The appetizer menu was filled with the usual Mediterra- nean fare, some of which came with Photos/Facebook a Turkish twist. Kibbe, falafel, and a istanbul Grill on Airport Boulevard offers both a buffet and menu items a la carte. Turkish pizza called Lahmajun looked tempting, but I played it safe with an Istanbul combo platter ($10.99). longer do the chops. She did, It was the kafta that took the blue ribbon. Kafta is ground meat, If you’d like to quickly and cheaply however, point me in the in this case beef, often shaped into meatballs or strips. Mine was get full then this is for you. Turkish direction of the lamb shank loaded with seasoning and had a nice finish that had me reaching hummus has a nice flavor to it with ($14.99). This shank was so for the cucumber sauce. I imagine I may just get the kafta kebab pita wedges. It’s not overpowering, tender you could have gotten next go round. nor is it under-seasoned. The baba it off the bone with a sponge. I have to say they do put a good deal of effort into the food at ghanoush is always something I can When my mouth is ready for Istanbul Grill. The Yester Oaks shopping center is better off with take or leave. If you don’t have your chops shank is no replace- them than without. Part of me felt that the cost was a little steep glasses on it’s tough to see the differ- ment, but this is about as close for what I was getting, but in the end I did have a great deal of ence between it and the hummus. This as they can get. Served over food I will not be able to finish before it goes south. If $60-plus version was no less appealing than rice with a side of onions and sounds steep for my lunch that would feed a few people then others if you are into that sort of thing. a giant grilled pepper, I find maybe consider their $10.99 lunch buffet or one of their many Stuffed grape leaves (aka dolma) no fault in this one. sandwiches in the $7 range. were really different from the ones I With the entrees you get a So my honest opinion of Istanbul Grill is I like it. Turkish am so familiar with. Maybe it was the combination of currents and choice of salad or lentil soup. For the lamb I had the lentil soup influence on popular Mediterranean food could take a little getting pine nuts or the particular onion they used, but something gave and it was heavenly. This was not a bad soup for a cold day or used to, and I do have an open mind. For the most part I found this dish a pretty sharp first bite. The best part of this platter was a day of sitting around in your newly repaired air conditioning. they are doing a very good job with a fairly large menu. If you the feta cheese rolls. These were deep fried phyllo dough rolled Lentils were never my favorite. I tip my hat to these. mind your manners and watch what you order it isn’t nearly as over feta cheese and fried. I guess you could call them Turkish I knew I had to at least try one kebab, but had trouble making expensive as it sounds. cheese sticks. I call them excellent. up my mind. Luckily Istanbul offers an all-inclusive Istanbul Ken likes it. And Ken got my a/c running like a champ. Listen As if the appetizer combo wasn’t enough of a start I had to kebab ($24.99). This is pretty much the combo platter of gyro to Ken. Give it a try. try the tubuli salad ($5.99). This refreshing salad is the version (beef), kafta kebab (beef), lamb, and chicken shish kebabs. Served that is heavy on the parsley and has just the right amount of over rice with the same giant pepper, this was the highlight of the Istanbul Grill lemon juice and olive oil. Despite its fresh herbs and vegetables meal. 3702 Airport Blvd. it keeps very well. The fire roasted chicken had an odd texture and wasn’t one I Mobile, AL 36608 I wanted lamb chops but the nice lady informed me they no would get again. The lamb was extremely good, as was the gyro. 251-461-6901

16 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 17 OySTeR ROCKefeLLeR ($$-$$$) 312 dew drop iNN ($) Queen G’S CAfé ($) 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. Down home cooking for lunch. 400 Eastern Shore Center. • 459-2862 river shAck ($-$$) 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 Seafood, burgers & steaks. dowNtowNers ($) ReGInA’S KITChen ($-$$) 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. Sandwiches, subs and soups. ‘CuE the hArBor rooM ($-$$) 107 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 BACKyARD CAfe & BBQ ($) Unique seafood. e wiNG house ($) ROLy POLy ($) Home cookin’ like momma made. $ UnDeR $10/peRSon 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830. Wraps & salads. 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 $$ 10-25/peRSon the BlueGill ($-$$) 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 BAR-B-QuInG wITh my hOney ($$) $$$ oveR 25/peRSon A historic seafood dive w/ live music. firehouse suBs ($) 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 Hot subs, cold salads & catering. ROSIe’S GRILL ($-$$) 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 TIn TOP ReSTAuRAnT & OySTeR BAR ($$) 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. Brick pit ($) Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. fIve GuyS BuRGeRS & fRIeS ($) 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne A favorite barbecue spot. SEAFOOD 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 626-2440 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 BAuDeAn’S ($$) dreAMlANd BBQ ($) Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. 949-5086 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 ROyAL KnIGhT ($) wInTzeLL’S OySTeR hOuSe ($-$$) fOOSACKLy’S ($) Steak night on fridays. Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 Famous chicken fingers. 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898. BoNefish Grill ($$) mOe’S ORIGInAL BAR B Que ($) Eclectic dining & space. 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 ROyAL STReeT CAfe ($) 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., Homemade lunch & breakfast. Bar-b-que & music. 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 BOuDReAuX’S CAJun GRILL ($-$$) Saraland • 442-3335 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS

Quality Cajun & New Orleans 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. sAtori coffeehouse ($) 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 SAuCy Q BARBQue ($) Daphne. • 621-1991 COmplEtEly istANBul Grill ($) 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 cAJuN seAfood ($) Authentic Turkish Resturant. SeRDA’S COffeehOuSe ($) Award-winning BarBQue. Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. COmFOrtAblE 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. 1111 Government Blvd. • 433-7427 AL’S hOTDOGS ($) JAMAicAN viBe ($) 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 SmOKey DemBO SmOKe hOuSe ($) 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. crAviN cAJuN ($) Mind-blowing island food. spot of teA ($) 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 Po-boys, salads & seafood. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. ATLAnTA BReAD COmPAny ($-$$) JImmy JOhn’S ($) 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 Sandwiches, salads & more. eD’S SeAfOOD SheD ($$) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. southerN decAdeNce desserts ($) DrOp DEAD 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 Fried seafood served in hefty portions. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. cAfe 219 ($) JOe CAIn CAfé ($) 1956 B University Blvd. GOurmEt 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. AlABAMA cruises ($$) feLIX’S fISh CAmP ($$) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 300-8304 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 Fine dining & sailing Upscale dining with a view. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 STevIe’S KITChen ($) cAfe MAlBis ($) mAmA’S ($) Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. Orange Beach • 973-1244 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 Contemporary fare & spirits. BAy GOuRmeT ($$) fISheRmAn’S LeGACy ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 A premier caterer & cooking classes. Deli, market and catering. 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 tp crockMiers ($) CAmILLe’S SIDewALK CAfé ($) MArs hill cAfe ($) American Restaurant & Bar 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. BriQuettes steAkhouse ($-$$) hALf SheLL OySTeR hOuSe ($) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 the BliNd Mule ($) Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 CAmeLLIA CAfé ($-$$$) mARy’S SOuTheRn COOKInG ($) Daily specials made from scratch. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. Suite 2. JACK’S CATfISh CAmP ($$) Contemporary southern fare. 607-7200 Steak & Seafood 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 mICheLI’S CAfe ($) the house ($-$$) CAfé 615 ($$-$$$) 4815 Halls Mill Rd. • 661-4434 CAmmIe’S OLD DuTCh ($) American fare with local ingredients. JOhn wORD’S CAPTAIn TABLe ($$) 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. mIKO’S ITALIAn ICe ($) 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434. Come wine, dine and dance. 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 The hunGRy OwL ($) CAfé ROyAL ($$-$$$) 2701 Battleship Pkwy • 433-3790 Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats cArpe dieM ($) 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. LuCy B. GOODe ($$) Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. mOmmA GOLDBeRG’S DeLI ($) 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. the villAGe deli ($) duMBwAiter ($$-$$$) 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores ChAT-A-wAy CAfe ($) 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 929-3354 Serving local seafood & produce 967-5858 Quiches & sandwiches. 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 LuLu’S ($$) 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 ThRee GeORGeS CAnDy ShOP ($) 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 ISABeLLA’S ($$$) Live music & great seafood. mOnTeGO’S ($-$$) Light lunch with Southern flair. chickeN sAlAd chick ($) Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 305 DeLaMare Ave, Fairhope • 990-5513 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. kitcheN oN GeorGe ($-$$) 967-5858 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 tropicAl sMoothie ($) 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 mOSTLy muffInS ($) Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. Contemporary American food. MudBuGs At the loop ($) dAuphiN st. cAfe ($) 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. Muffins, coffee & wraps. Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 LeGACy BAR & GRILL ($$$) 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 newK’S eXPReSS CAfe ($) unCLe JImmy’S DeLICIOuS hOTDOGS ($) American, Seafood,Stekhouse. ORIGInAL OySTeR hOuSe ($-$$) creAM & suGAr ($) 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 A great place for kids & seafood. Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy South Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 307-5328 mAGhee’S GRILL On The hILL ($-$$) 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 PAnInI PeTe’S ($) wild wiNG stAtioN ($) Great lunch & dinner. ORLeAnS PO-BOyS ($-$$) D’ mIChAeL’S ($) 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. Original sandwich and bake shop. 1500 Government St. • 287-1526 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. whistle stop ($) MeltiNG pot ($$$) 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Home cookin’ & BBQ. 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 orleANs cAfe ($-$$) delish desserts ($) NoJA ($$-$$$) Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. pdQ ($) 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 Great desserts & hot lunch. Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. yAK The KAThmAnDu KITChen ($-$$) Inventive & very fresh cuisine. 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 Authentic foods from Himalayan region. 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377

18 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 BuTCh CASSIDy’S ($) PInzOne’S ITALIAn vILLAGe ($$) hotel ANd cAsiNo ($) JerusAleM cAfe ($-$$) Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. rAveNite ($) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 CALLAGhAn’S IRISh SOCIAL CLuB ($) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more sAtisfActioN At hArd rock kAN ZAMAN cAfe ($) Burgers & beer. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 hotel ANd cAsiNo ($) 326 Azalea Rd. • 229-4206 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 roMA cAfe ($-$$) Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. meDITeRRAneAn SAnDwICh COmPAny ($) heroes sports BAr & Grille ($) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 Great & quick. Sandwiches & cold beer. 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 tieN At ip cAsiNo OSmAn’S ReSTAuRAnT ($$) 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. ROmAnO’S mACAROnI GRILL ($$) resort spA ($-$$) Supreme European cuisine. 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 Springdale Mall Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006. 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 mCShARRy’S IRISh PuB ($) 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 ROyAL SCAm ($$) MiNt hookAh Bistro ($) Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. TAmARA’S BAR & GRILL ($) hiGhliGhts sports louNGe At ip Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Great Mediterranean food. 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 Wings, po-boys, burgers. cAsiNo resort spA ($) 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 MuG shots ($$) 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 Brews & game on 65 screens. RuTh’S ChRIS STeAK hOuSe ($$$) ZorBA the Greek ($-$$) Bar & Grill. 929-0002 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 Exceptional service & taste. Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 viA eMiliA ($$) hIGh TIDe CAfé AT IP CASInO 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D • 633-2202 old 27 Grill ($) Homemade pastas & pizzas made resort spA ($) sAGe restAurANt ($$) Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. Inside the Mobile Marriott. 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 FAr EAStErn FArE Fairhope • 281-2663 Br priMe At BeAu rivAGe ($$-$$$) uNioN ($$$) BAMBoo Bistro ($$) the lANdiNG ($) Olé mi AmiGO! Fine dining establishment. Premium steaks & burgers. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 From seafood to steaks. cABo coAstAl cANtiNA ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 BAMBoo fusioN ($$) 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 JiA At BeAu rivAGe ($-$$) TAmARA’S DOwnTOwn ($$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 LuCKy’S IRISh PuB ($) dAuphiN st. tAQueriA ($) Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Casual fine dining. BAMBoo steAkhouse ($$) Irish pub fare & more. Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Sushi Bar. 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 the Bull ($-$$) 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 the stAdiuM ($) el chArro ($) MeMphis Q At BeAu rivAGe ($) N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. BANGkok thAi ($-$$) Catch the games with great food. Finest Mexican in WeMo. Memphis-style Q. 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope • 990-0408 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 the trellis rooM ($$$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 weMos ($) fueGo ($-$$) coAst restAurANt At BeAu Contemporary Southern Cuisine BANZAi JApANese restAurANt Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. Outstanding Mexican cuisine. rivAGe ($) Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 Sports bar-style joint. zeA’S ($$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 los Arcos ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. GoldeN Bowl ($) Quaint Mexican restaurant. LB’S STeAKhOuSe AT GRAnD 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. mAmA miA! 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 cAsiNo ($$-$$$) 309 Bell Air Blvd • 470-8033 BenTz’S PIzzA PuB ($) lA cociNA ($) Fine dining with steak & fine wine. kAi JApANese restAurANt ($-$$) Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. Authentic Mexican cuisine. 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 A littlE VinO 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 cuu loNG super pho At GrANd doMke MArket liQuid ($$) BuCK’S PIzzA ($$) sANtA fe Grill ($) cAsiNo ($$) Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. Delivery. Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. 2410 Dawes Rd. Ste. D. • 375-0599 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 fAthoMs louNGe MikAto JApANese steAk house ($$) GAMBiNo Brothers ($) emeRIL’S GuLf COAST fISh hOuSe A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music Upscale sushi & specialties. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. At islANd view cAsiNo ($$-$$$) 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 nO GAmblinG Kick it up a notch. POuR BABy rice AsiAN Grill & sushi BAr ($) GAmBInO’S ITALIAn GRILL ($) 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 Italian, Steaks & Seafood. CASinO FArE c&G Grille At islANd view firehouse wiNe BAr & shop rock N roll sushi ($$) 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 cAsiNo ($) 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 GuIDO’S ($$) AtmOrE Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. red or white tAste of thAi ($$) Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. fire At wiNd creek cAsiNo & 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 hotel ($$-$$$) wAhOO’S POOLSIDe BAR & GRILL 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 wAsABi sushi ($$) lA rosso ($$) Prime steaks, seafood & wine. At pAlAce cAsiNo resort ($-$$) ROyAL STReeT TAveRn Japanese cusine. Comfort food. 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 Fresh seafood & more. Live music,martinis & dinner menu. 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 Grill At wiNd creek cAsiNo & 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 yen ReSTAuRAnT ($) Mellow MushrooM ($) hotel ($) mIGnOn’S AT PALACe CASInO southerN NApA Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Pies & awesome beer selection. Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. resort ($$-$$$) Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. 2304 Main Street. • 375-2800 Jubilee Shopping Center, 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 Daphne • 625-4695 picklefish ($$) bilOxi The Den AT TReASuRe BAy Pizza, sandwiches & salads. viBe At hArd rock hotel cAsiNo ($-$$) FAlAFEl? try 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 ANd cAsiNo ($-$$) Intimate & casual with daily specials. iS tHE GAmE On? Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. AshlANd MidtowN puB ($-$$) PAPA’S PLACe ($$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 SOmE HummuS A Taste of Italy . BYOB. 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 CQ AT TReASuRe BAy CASInO ($$-$$$) 7 spice ($-$$) Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 RuTh’S ChRIS STeAK hOuSe AT Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 hArd rock hotel & cAsiNo ($$$) BuffAlo wild wiNGs ($) PInzOne’S ITALIAn DOwnTOwn ($$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 Italian, catering, to-go. Exceptional servie & taste. BLu AT TReASuRe BAy CASInO ($) ABBA’S meDITeRRAneAn CAfe ($-$$) Best wings & sporting events. 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. Beef, lamb & seafood. 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 hARD ROCK CAfé AT hARD ROCK 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 SenD yOuR CuISIne LISTInGS ReQueSTS TO [email protected]

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 19 CUISINEWORD OF MOUTh C 28th annual Strawberry festival in Loxley this weekend BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

pril is bursting with wonderful events and one Loxley appearance and is one of my favorite bands. I catch them weekly. For tickets call 251-415-1636 and for sponsorship opportu- tradition has plenty to offer. The 28th annual Baldwin They’ve begun to notice me in the audience and I am waiting to nities call Beth Mattei at the same number or email bmattei@ County Strawberry Festival is set this Saturday and be served with a restraining order. Oh, the things I would do for southalabama.edu. We will see you there. Sunday, April 11 and 12. Entry is free and attendees will a lock of Phil’s hair. Bringing up the rear is everyone’s favorite, Abe treated to arts and crafts, live music, an antique car show, a Rollin’ in the Hay, the equal of which you will not find. Zea’s announces Christini wine dinner dozen or more food vendors and a carnival, all of which will be Of course the crawfish are the centerpiece, but don’t neglect Zea’s announced a wine dinner coming up Wednesday, April presided over by the newly crowned Little Miss Strawberry and the gumbo, hot dogs, Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream, and 22. This four course meal features the wines of French Distribu- her court. Fairhope Brewing Company. Bring canned goods for the Bay tor Jean Francois Christini paired with what sounds like an Of course the best part of the event is the chance to get down Area Food Bank can drive. All proceeds from this fundraiser amazing meal. on some strawberries. Loxley Municipal Park has hosted the go toward Catholic Social Services “Legacy for the Future.” A sneak peak at the menu shows a poached pear salad with festival for years on the second weekend of April. Entertainment Picker’s Paradise Guitars has donated a beautiful Alvarez Guitar gorgonzola paired with Le Lys Semillon, crawfish and shiitake begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. both days. to be raffled off at the event. ragout with honey citrus cream vol au vent with Le Lys Rose’, Proceeds from the delicious gathering benefit Loxley Elemen- Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. High school stu- medallion of quail with escargot duxelle with roasted sweet pota- tary School and the Association of Retarded Citizens of Baldwin dents 13-18 years of age with a valid ID or driver’s license are to and sauce Perigourd beside Costes du Chateau Feret-Lambert. County (ARCBC). For more information on this event including $15. Kids 12 and under get in free, as do World War I veterans. Dessert course is a cappuccino torte with Le Lys Rouge. a live music schedule as well as how you can run for Little Miss Find these tickets at Zoghby’s Uniforms, Mobile Popcorn, or the Christini is a joy to listen to, and guests will come away Strawberry visit www.baldwincountystrawberryfestival.org. St. Mary offices. Online you will find them at brownpapertickets. much wiser. The cost is $50 per person, and seating is limited. com/event/1358702 or visit www.stmarymobile.org. Zea’s is located at 4671-A Airport Blvd. Call for reservations at St. Mary’s Crawfish and Bluegrass offers best 251-344-7414. lineup and ticket deals USA Children’s and Women’s hosts second Local I had not had any crawfish this season until this week. I Goodness Casino night shaping into quite the event managed to go to three different crawfish boils, purchase a new Last year’s event was amazing. I expect this year to be even As if the crawfish and bluegrass weren’t enough, St Mary’s is cooker, and make plans for my own. You could say I have the fe- better. USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital is having their gearing up for their Casino Night. Saturday, May 2 is the date for ver. I always get the fever when St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus second annual Local Goodness fundraiser Sunday, April 19. This “An Evening in Paris.” The tables will be hot and you may get to Crawfish and Bluegrass Extravaganza is just around the corner! farm-to-table event runs from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Alabama see our own Rob Holbert as a dealer. When you can’t get enough crawfish head to my favorite Cruise Terminal, and showcases local chefs with local seafood, Dine al fresco at the “Café du Mustang” with cuisine from event held this year on Saturday, April 18 from 4 p.m. until 9 meats and produce along with local art and music. Alec Naman of Naman’s Catering, Regina Flores of Regina’s p.m. at St. Mary Catholic School. Thousands of pounds of some This fundraiser helps provide women and children of our Kitchen, David Calametti of Bistro Escoffier, and John Weich- of the best crawfish I’ve ever had are usually enough to take region with the highest quality healthcare. It’s a worthy cause, man from the former Italian Fisherman. home a plate or two. Top that off with a lineup of bluegrass that and though tickets are $150 per person last year’s event was such Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $25 for seniors, is arguably the best we’ve ever assembled. a hit you won’t grumble about the extra bucks. Live music from and “special dinner” tickets are $100 for two with a chance to win Fat Man Squeeze has played every year except the debut and Fat Man Squeeze puts the “farm” in farm-to-table. The casual $10,000. Proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Catholic School. Call 251- will start this one off. Delta Reign is on fire and Pat Murphy feeling of amazing food and the amenities of the cruise terminal 433-9904 or visit www.stmarymobile.org for more information. plans on igniting a banjo. The Deluxe Trio is making its debut set the mood for fun! Until next time, recycle!

20 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 SOUThSOUNDS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIvAL

Joelle Rosen of Underhill Family Orchestra, Eric Erdman and Gregg Fells are among the local performers at the 2015 SouthSounds Music and Art Festival this weekend.

P22 - Madd Wikkid P24 - An interview with Maggie Koerner P26 - An interview with Boyfriend and Shaheed & DJ Supreme P27 - Debauche & The Honorable South P28 - Schedule

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 21 nOLA ‘madd’ hatter fuses brass and electronica BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected] “I dropped it in the club one day, and the crowd was really into it,” he Band: Madd Wikkid said. “I thought that maybe I should do a handful of these and put them Date: Friday, April 10 at 10 p.m. out. So, that’s how it happened. It was a just a curiosity and idle experi- venue: Alchemy Tavern, 7 S. Joachim St., 441-7741 ment until it clicked. Then, I was like, ‘Great! I’ll run with this.’” His explorative nature was fueled by the Chiptune style of electronic ome people see music as an exploration. Musically minded artistry. Chiptune drops music into the 8-bit tone world that was made individuals may experiment with new styles, build new instru- popular by the music on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Scioneaux ments or create new genres. In recent years, New Orleans has became fascinated with the concept through Andy Baio’s “Kind of Bloop.” been home to many innovative musicians. Bands such as New Baio took tracks by jazz legend Miles Davis and gave them the 8-bit treat- Orleans Bingo! Show, Morning 40 Federation, BONES and Quintron & S ment. Scioneaux’s fascination led him to his latest experience known as Miss Pussycat have all experimented with music in a variety of ways, and “Brassft Punk.” all have had very positive results. However, those who watch the latest in “I started thinking of it in the other direction,” he said. “I wanted to musical trends and styles are always left wondering what will be the next do modern classics with acoustic instruments. Then, I had to ask my- big thing. self, ‘what are modern classics? What are the best known tunes from the For New Orleans native Earl “Madd Wikkid” Scioneaux III, the future electronic world that I could use?’ It took a little bit to land on Daft Punk. of Big Easy sounds lies within the electronic realm. However, his musical Then, I thought that a New Orleans brass band would be the way to go.” taste does not come without criticism. Many feel that the electronic scene Many might think traditional New Orleans brass aficionados might should not be considered “real music,” and critics have been quite outspo- shake their head at such a concept. However, the New Orleans brass sound ken online. Scioneaux has a hard time understanding this. itself constantly incorporates elements from a variety of genres. For the “I don’t even know how to address that,” he said. “There will always musicians Scioneaux recruited, “Brassft Punk” would be no different. be purists, and that’s good. (But) different strokes for different folks. Even though most had never heard of Daft Punk, he said they all were Anybody that would make a comment like might not realize how much “super cool about it.” electronics goes into other music as well.” The final cut of the album is truly unique, and it serves as a testament Scioneaux is not some computer geek mashing up tracks with an ama- to the success of Scioneaux’s experiment in sound. Tracks such as “One teur ear. He has worked with bands such as Preservation Hall Jazz Band More Time” and “Around the World” are perfectly covered by a variety of and Pretty Lights, among others. For Scioneaux, music exploration has horns. become a life’s passion, one that involves mingling live instrumentation “Brassft Punk” is truly a traditionally untraditional experience. Cuts with electronic elements to create original tracks. from the album began to spread across the Internet. Eventually, they “I feel like my quest is exploring the places where electronic music and found their way to the ears of Rachael Cain, who is one of the founders of live music cross,” he said. “I think there are a lot of ways that hybridiza- legendary house music label Trax Records. Soon, the sounds of “Brassft tion can happen, and we’ve just scratched the surface. Most everything Punk” were spread far and wide, thanks to what Scioneaux calls “a lucky that I’ve been doing for the past several years is an exploration of seeing break.” what that’s all about.” Currently, Scioneaux is working on his next EP. After dealing almost Scioneaux’s quest has led him down an interesting musical path that completely with live instruments for Brassft Punk, he explained that his started with the mixing tracks from The Meters and Dr. John. As he next release will be heavily electronic and all original. As far as his South- progressed, he sampled more and more tracks from New Orleans artists to Photo/ facebook.com/maddwikkid Sounds performance, the crowd should expect Scioneaux to perform “an create “Oochie on the Bayou.” After it was finished, he decided to test it enhanced DJ set.” He will get the crowd moving with a number of original even casual listeners should be able to on the public. tracks and samples enhanced electronically and instrumentally. hear madd wikkid’s nOLA influences.

our dream. It’s magical that we get to hang out and create. Band: Maggie Koerner Date: Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m. SC: What was it like touring with Galactic? Do you miss it? Stage: Cathedral Square Stage MK: Of course! It was like going to stage/singer college. You have to step up your game, and you have to front a band aggie Koerner arrived in New Orleans by way that’s been playing for 20 years. They have loyal fans, and of Shreveport and quickly made friends and fans you’re playing in front of one of the best drummers in the with her pristine vocals and soulful power. After world. I had to step it up and be better than playing at the dive releasing her album “Neutral Ground,” her fan bar for four hours and making $100 and playing for 20 people. base expanded across the Gulf Coast. Eventually, her talent and M It was a completely new opportunity for me that helped me infectious stage presence earned her a spot as the lead vocalist grow so quickly in such a short period of time. I’m so grateful for legendary funk band Galactic. Today, she is preparing for a for the opportunity. I miss the energy and the crowds. Galactic set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and working on fans are some of the best people. They’re so sweet. I miss the her solo material. guys so much. I formed some incredible friendships with some But before she takes the stage at Jazz Fest, Koerner will give of them, if not all of them. They tour all the time. Eight times the Azalea City a preview of her new material as the South- out of 10 they’re gone. The whole experience was so lovely and Sounds headliner Friday night. Last week, Koerner spoke with so wonderful. Lagniappe and discussed her recent work. SC: Now that you’re back concentrating on your own mate- SC: You’ll be returning to Jazz Fest this year. Many know rial, what have you been up to? How have you been spending what it’s like from the audience’s perspective. What’s it like to your time? be an artist playing that event? MK: I’ve been writing my new album and traveling and MK: It’s been different every year. The first year was with writing. I’ve been going to Los Angeles and Nashville and New my band on the Lagniappe Stage (no relation to this publica- York. I’ve writing in New Orleans with friends like The Cardi- tion). The second year was with Galactic, and this year will nal Sons and David Shaw. I’ve been chilling out and working on be with my band again. The first time I played Jazz Fest, we myself and being present and being cool and being still. almost got our set cut, because of the rain and the flooding. SC: When can we expect the new album? I was so nervous and totally a ball of nerves. With Galactic MK: I don’t know. I wish I could tell you. Everything is in last year, I wasn’t nervous at all. I was like, “Alright, this is a the works. Nothing is official yet. We’re putting ducks in a row moment, and you’re in control. You can go out there and show right now as far as scheduling for studio time and all that good them what you’re capable of. This is your chance.” It was one stuff. There are a lot of festivals that I will be playing this spring of those dream-come-true moments. I always wanted to play a and this summer. We recently played our first couple of gigs in big stage at Jazz Fest, ever since I was a kid. Jazz Fest crowds Florida and Mobile. It was really incredible to hear those songs at the Lagniappe Stage really listen to the music. They’re sitting come together live for the first time, and the audience reacted so down in the shade, and it’s a refuge from the sun. I look at it as beautifully. They loved the songs. We’re kinda just testing it out an opportunity to have these songs heard and give an intimate right now, and I’m taking my time. That’s the beauty of this. Be- performance. Everybody is there to hear the music, but the fore, I was always controlled by time and doing it alone. I had Lagniappe Stage is more of an intimate crowd. my father help me and my band members help me. I didn’t have a manager at the time, and now, I have a wonderful manager. SC: I’ve noticed over the past few years that there is this I’m cool with taking my time. It’ll all happen. I’m not in fear feeling of camaraderie with the newer generation of New Or- anymore. The songs are good, and I’m excited to get them out leans bands coming around. What’s it like being in a scene like as soon as possible. that? Would you say there’s more camaraderie? Photo/facebook.com/maggie.koerner MK: I don’t know. I was living in Shreveport, and I had SC: How does it feel to be getting back to the Mobile crowd? some amazing musician and singer-songwriter friends in Regular mobile audiences may have witnessed mag- MK: I always love coming back to Mobile. It doesn’t mat- Shreveport. I knew Kristin Diable and David Shaw of The ter where I play or who I’m playing for. The people in Mobile Revivalists. I was like, “Well, those are two friends in the music gie Koerner’s growth as a vocalist over the years. always come out and support. Honestly, it feels like I’m hanging business down there.” So, that gave me the courage to move. Revivalists and Galactic. I have one hell of a sister in Kristin out with old friends from back in the day. I’ve gotten to know Then, once I moved down here, I realized that Andrew Duhon Diable. There’s no competition. There’s way less ego than there a bunch of people and gotten to know their faces and names. is here, and I went to college with him. We used to do the open is in other cities. Everybody is just happy to hang out with each It’s cool. I really have been playing predominantly for the Gulf mics at Mellow Mushroom. Then, I met The Cardinal Sons other. We’re living this life like we’re in high school. New Coast for the past three or four years. I had a fan come up to me and David Shirley — the drummer — started playing with me. Orleans is this really fun city that we get to live in and play at Callaghan’s and tell me, “You know, we’ve really watched We’re all really good friends, and we’re all connected through together. Like tonight, The Revivalists are playing, and I was you grow up over the past three or four years. It’s been pretty each other. It’s this really great family. I feel like I have a lot texting David. He was like, “Hey, why don’t you come on stage incredible to watch you play the shows that you used to play, of brothers in this town between The Cardinal Sons and The and do a song with us.” We’re all friends, and we’re all chasing and now, look at this crowd tonight.” It’s so incredible.

surprise and then delight. It’s hard to not engage and have a good Band: Boyfriend time at one of my shows. Date: Sat, Apr. 11 at midnight SC: If you had to describe Boyfriend to someone who has Venue: Alchemy Tavern, 7 S. Joachim St., never seen or heard you before, what would you say? www.alchemytavernmobile.com BF: I usually use “Rap Cabaret” to describe it. Rap describes what I’m physically doing with my mouth. The cabaret portion outhSounds participants need to prepare to enter the accounts for the theatrical aspect and the character aspect of it that world of Boyfriend. This one-woman rap cabaret is makes it more of a show than a concert. accented by an unfettered verbal style and a message of SC: Where do you find the inspiration for your music? love for the modern times. Boyfriend’s grassroots move- BF: Everywhere. The latest EP that I came out with, “Love Sment has been keeping the phonetic mistress busy performing Your Boyfriend,” was my contribution to the conversation about tracks from her “Love Your Boyfriend” EP. Her set is guaranteed love that I hear on the radio in almost all love songs that I see to be one of the more memorable at SouthSounds, and she took acted out around me every day. Love is a theme and a concept and time out of her schedule to give the Azalea City of what’s to come. an idea that everybody has strong convictions about. I think a lot of people are getting their messages from the wrong place. Most SC: What has been the best way to get Boyfriend and your radio songs have given us pretty unhealthy examples of what a music out there? relationship looks like, or they’re looking at Corinthians and are BF: Honestly, it is word of mouth. People want that stamp of saying, “Love is patient. Love is kind.” They have that stitched approval or that referral concept. If someone you know and trust on a throw pillow, but they don’t act it out in their real lives. So, is telling you about it, then you’re more inclined to look it up and I was looking around the world and listening to the music around get interested yourself. me critically and seeing a lot of disconnected between the defini- Photo/ boyfriend69.com SC: Hip-hop artists like you and Lil Debbie and Amanda tions that we celebrate and the ones that we act out. I wrote those Boyfriend may deliver a show of biblical proportions. Blank are really refreshing. You make all these assumptions based songs to combat that or at least add my voice to the mix. on how they look, then they open their mouth and it hits the fan. SC: So, creative writing people are typically pretty analytical other, and I don’t think that it is the freeing emotion that the Cor- What’s the origin of Boyfriend? How did you get in the rap game? people. What was your final analysis on the subject of love after inthians verse provides. It’s about ownership and obligation. BF: I don’t consider myself a hip-hop artist. I know that I get going through that? SC: When can we expect some new material from Boyfriend? grouped in with those artists that you mentioned, by virtue of the BF: I guess it’s something that’s in progress. One of the main BF: Oh, any minute now. I’ve got a lot of stuff up my sleeve. fact that I do rap, but I don’t refer to myself as a rapper at all. My songs that I point to as a summary of the EP is called “Love I’m constantly creating new content. It’s more about timing and roots are in theater and in creative writing. For me, my interests Me.” It takes that Corinthians verse that even non-Christians are waiting for the right moment. There’s still so many people who with both of those realms was the words. Words have always been familiar with and converts it to fit the definition of love that I’ve haven’t heard the “Love Your Boyfriend” EP and haven’t seen the thing that I’m able to manipulate. Rap songs and the rap genre seen acted out around me or experienced. I haven’t always been me live. I’m focusing on that right now and traveling around and have so much more work going for it than your typical song does. the victim. I’ve been the aggressor in some of those situations. getting into rooms with people and letting them know that I exist. A regular song is a pistol and a rap song is an AK-47. That’s what If you just live in the world and act out your love based on what Aside from music, I look at every piece of content as something drew me to it. I also didn’t consider myself a musician. I resisted you’re hearing on the radio or seeing on TV, it’s not going to look that has a concept behind it. Whether it’s a song or a photo shoot that for a very long time, simply because I come from a family of like that Bible verse. It’s going to look like the lyrics to my song. or an interview or article, I kinda put all that in the same category. musicians. When you’ve got like three cousins who have perfect The Bible says, “Love is patient/Love is kind/It does not envy/It I think music is just one of the things that I’m working on. I get so pitch and going to Vanderbilt on viola scholarships, I don’t play an does not boast.” My song says, “Love’s impatient/Love’s unkind/ pumped up to do a photo shoot just the way I get when I’m writ- instrument. It’s hard for me to consider myself a musician. I can Love is envy in my mind/Love is proud/This ring is proof/Love ing a song. It’s not always as easy to get across. There’s no sound. manipulate words more, and rap was the genre that I was drawn to. is boastful/Truth to truth.” It’s sort of looking at what I’ve seen It’s just a still image. There’s always a heavy concept behind our SC: Whenever you started doing it live, what kind of initial around me. You know, there’s the good for every three bad, but photo shoots as well. I usually collaborate with a photographer on reactions did you get? I come from a broken home, like most people my age. I’ve lived a very artistic level. We talk about concepts before we actually get BF: It’s the same reaction that I’m getting right now, which is through multiple divorces. I’ve seen the way people treat each together with a camera. Birmingham hip-hop duo emerge from underground scene BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

out there to the world, so it doesn’t go unnoticed.” with Supreme. Band: Shaheed & DJ Supreme Both Shaheed and Supreme began their hip-hop journey in “He’s the best at what he does,” Shaheed said. “To me, he’s in Date: Friday, April 10 at 11 p.m. their younger years. Beginning in kindergarten, Shaheed’s mother the same class as J. Dilla or Dr. Dre. He’s very soulful, and he’s Venue: Alchemy Tavern, 7 S. Joachim St., required him to keep a daily journal. As he grew older, he grew my soul brother when it comes to music. He knows what he is to www.alchemytavernmobile.com weary of the task and decided to break the monotony by forming me, and he’s the best at what he does. That’s how we became a raps out of the entries. Along the way, he found muses in hip-hop unit. It was an appreciation of each other’s work.” f you know where to look, Alabama is home to a rich and icons such as EPMD, Public Enemy and KRS-One. “We complement each other’s styles down to the letter,” Su- diverse hip-hop scene. However, the nation seems to turn a When he first heard Run DMC’s “Sucker MC’s,” DJ Supreme preme added. “I couldn’t think of a better situation to be in. I’ve blind eye to the talent here. Rappers such as Gucci Mane, fell in love with hip-hop. The beats created by Grand Mixer worked with a lot of people, but my relationship with Shaheed is Yelawolf, Rich Boy and The Last Mr. Bigg have beaten the Mugs, Dr. Dre and Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad led him to so genuine. I can just play a scale and put a dope beat up under it Iodds and achieved notice on the national level, but there are still concentrate on the production side of the hip-hop game. Eventu- and put Shaheed’s voice up under it, and I know it’s gonna be a many excellent MCs just waiting to be discovered. ally, he got his hands on a set of Synsonics drum pads and began hit.” Birmingham-based label Communicating Vessels (owned by creating his own beats. Shaheed and Supreme’s first effort on Communicating Vessels Jeffrey Cain of Remy Zero fame) is investing time and money “It (drums pads) was real cheesy, but you could put real drum is “Knowledge, Rhythm & Understanding,” an album filled with into two of the Iron City’s most notable hip-hop artists. Shaheed tracks on it,” Supreme said. “For me, that’s what influenced me to Supreme’s trademark beats that embrace the listener on a spiritual and DJ Supreme are two prime candidates lined up to be Ala- get into hip-hop and hip-hop beats.” level. Supreme’s rhythms are matched by Shaheed’s unmatchable bama’s newest superstars on the national level. As far as Shaheed and Supreme’s artistic partnership, the poetic flow. DJ Supreme is known for laying down smooth, soulful beats story of how they joined forces makes it seem like destiny played “Knowledge is one of the elements of hip-hop. Sometimes, it’s as Shaheed’s verbal technique flows effortlessly in accompani- a part. Back in the day, Supreme held an annual hip-hop event called ‘The Fifth Element,’” Shaheed explained. “It’s always gon- ment. The duo recognizes the challenge in making themselves called “Eargasm.” Shaheed was one of the many local rappers na be represented in the music. The rhythm represents Supreme’s recognizable nationally, but it is a challenge both are prepared to who showcased his skills regularly. His vocal science made quite soulful beats and what he provides. You add those two together, face with an arsenal of rhythms and rhymes. an impression on Supreme and eventually, a mutual friend intro- and you get the understanding. That’s our music.” “Traditionally, Alabama is not known for hip-hop,” Shaheed duced the two. Shaheed and Supreme are in the post-production phase of their said. “A lot of times, it gets overlooked, because of that. Howev- Supreme laid down a beat and Shaheed took on the hook next release on Communicating Vessels. The duo is calling this er, there have been a lot of groups that have come out of Alabama responsibilities. The duo went on to record popular local tracks album “The Art of Throwing Darts.” Akil the MC and Chali 2na over the past 10 years — quite a few of them. I don’t understand such as “Solutions” and “Spoken Word,” even though they were (both of Jurassic 5) have lent their verbal skills, as well as slug that when it comes to preserving the culture of hip-hop, that’s one not officially a duo at the time. After taking a break from the rap from Atmosphere. Supreme couldn’t pinpoint a release date, but of the things that myself and DJ Supreme are always trying to put game, Shaheed decided to come back in 2007 to a partnership suggested it would be soon.

26 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 A band for gypsies and The Honorable South has gutter punks something for everyone BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected] BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

raucous gypsy festival where spirits are bright pose. It’s that brotherly/sisterly vibe. We all have Band: Debauche and good times reign supreme. This makes Band: The Honorable South sensitivity to music, even though we all come Date: Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m. Debauche the perfect match for a city like Date: Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. from different backgrounds.” Venue: Cathedral Square New Orleans. Venue: Cathedral Square Stage Their songwriting process is as organic as Stage “New Orleans is a very unique city,” Ro- the bond that joins them. Taylor is no stranger to mantsov explained. “People love to party, and he Honorable South is going to give the pen and has crafted many poems and stories. xotic sounds are pretty typical in they love music. They love everything that we SouthSounds a heavy dose of rock ‘n’ When she hears certain beats or chords in her New Orleans. Each day, visitors do, and we have a good following. We always soul. This versatile group from The head, they are sometimes shared with the rest of have really good reception from them.” to the Crescent City are inun- Big Easy will be performing cuts from the band to create a new song. Other times, an- As far as the Ukrainians and Russians who dated with music from a variety of their album “Faithful, Brave & Honest.” Honor- other member may bring an idea to the table, and experience this music, Romantsov explains T backgrounds. Drawing inspiration from it all, E able South makes it perfectly clear that there is they band will work through it until it becomes a that they do not know quite what to think of Debauche is giving Big Easy music junkies no other band in New Orleans quite like them. these beloved traditional songs. Eventually, track. Taylor cites the track “St. Charles Parish” some of the most unique sounds that have “Faithful, Brave & Honest” opens with the reg- ever echoed through the old city. they begin to recognize the songs of their as a perfect example of their songwriting process. gae beats of “Miami” and closes with the modern The rebellious philosophies of punk and homeland and join in the energetic debauch- “Charles Lumar, who is our bassist, and alt. rock of “Money Bags.” In between, this five- gypsy converge in this band, and the New Or- ery that this band is known to create at their Jamal Baptiste are both from St. Charles Parish,” leans locals have quickly fallen in love with live shows. They have no choice but to join piece fronted by the lovely and talented Charm Taylor said. “Charles wrote a lot of the music its “Russian Mafia music.” Front man/guitar- Debauche in the world of gypsy punk. Taylor mingles a myriad of genres to formulate and lyrics and brought it to rehearsal. He said ist Yegor Romantsov serves as the foundation “Mostly, they (Ukrainians/Russians) freak their unique sound. According to Taylor, this is that he had been working on that song. He said it of Debauche. In the beginning, Romantsov out,” Romantsov said. “The way we do it, due to the members’ own varied influences. wasn’t finished. So, I heard it, and he played it. was playing this Russian style of gypsy punk nobody does it like that back home. There are Taylor grew up in a house filled with R&B I picked it up from the bridge on. You hear that as a solo act. Eventually, an “orchestra” grew very few bands that take these traditional crim- and soul before finding rock and Americana on shift in the music.” around him. All of them shared a love for this inal songs and take it to the next level. Most of her own. Jamal Batiste (drums) focused more on This group of young musicians is sure to our fans are English-speaking Americans.” unique style of music. funk. Danny Kartel (guitar) loved hip-hop. Matt inundate their audience with a versatile sound The Azalea City is sure to “freak out” over “They (the band) found me,” Romantsov Rosenbeck (guitar) came from a heavy metal wave of modern rock. According to Taylor, this said. “I was very loud and obnoxious, and Debauche as well. Local music lovers have background, and Charles Lumar II (bass) was yet to experience a band quite like Debauche. is the perfect time of year to experience this I was very hard to miss. Most members of drawn to jazz and Americana. Despite their dif- Upbeat rhythms are maintained for the entire band. my band in the beginning were from the ferent musical tastes, they found a bond that can set, and festive vibes emanate as each song is “The festival season for us is our favorite Zydepunks. This is a very unique way of be witnessed on stage and in the studio. doing gypsy punk. I always sing in Russian. played. Debauche will come armed with their time,” Taylor explained. “We look forward “I honestly think we do have a bond,” Taylor We have a few Ukrainian songs but mostly self-titled debut album as well as their newest to coming alive. We play come-alive music. Russian traditional songs of criminals. It’s effort “Songs from Underground.” said. “A part of it, I think, is something that we You’re gonna shout. You’re gonna shake and can’t explain. It’s whatever that brings people 100-year-old stuff.” Romantsov also revealed that the band is dance. You’re gonna feel good from the inside together to work on things like this over their When Debauche takes the stage, the audi- currently working on their third album and out and the outside in. Afterwards, you’ll be trying to arrange a tour with gypsy punk lifetime together. On the other hand, I think ence does not experience a concert. Those like, ‘Who is that again?’” in attendance are hurled into the middle of a master Gogol Bordello. there’s a real kinship and feeling of shared pur-

n a way, Scott Speck will fulfill a long-held wish April 11-12 and for “Warhorse,” he evoked British composer Vaughan Wil- on the stage of the Saenger Theatre. He won’t literally change liams (no relation). personas, but he can at least pretend. Speck and the MSO will glide across Williams’ career, with “I have to confess, when I was a teenager, growing up, I themes from “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Iwanted to be John Williams,” Speck said. “He was absolutely my “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Harry Potter” and a work from idol. I was going to follow in his footsteps in exactly his style.” “Schindler’s List” that features a violin solo written for Itzhak As maestro for the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, it was Perlman and performed at the Saenger by Jenny Gregoire. Speck’s decision to make America’s most famous cinematic com- “Most of what I chose for the concert was because they are poser the focus of this weekend’s concerts from MSO. It’s easy to epic. If we did his music from ‘Gidget Goes to Rome,’ or ‘The spot the inspiration. Reivers,’ or ‘The Cowboys’ people would love it but it wouldn’t Williams is one of the most prolific composers in American be that recognizable,” Speck said. “We could have a whole series history, much less cinematic history. Not only does he have four on him and still not run out of great music.” Golden Globes and 22 Grammy Awards to his credit, but also a The meteoric impact of the show is likely the entire first half staggering 49 Academy Award nominations, winning five. of the program. It’s a natural culmination for a composer who Perhaps Williams’ most lasting collaborative union has been wrote the themes for TV shows like “Lost In Space,” “Time Tun- with producer and director Steven Spielberg. It was Williams’ nel” and “Land of the Giants.” initial project with Spielberg that also caught Speck’s ear. “Of all (Williams) wrote for the movies, the ones with the “The first time I became aware of him was with ‘Jaws,’ back biggest cult following are the ‘Star Wars’ movies,” Speck said. in 1976,” Speck said. That really struck me as being the most “People are still obsessed with them and of course the seventh distinctive music for a movie, the most recognizable theme for Photo/imdb.com one is coming out this year — almost 40 years after the first and anything since ‘Psycho.’ From that point on it was just a love af- he wrote the music for all of them. Isn’t that amazing? So we’re fair with that lush orchestral sound.” Star Wars fans can use the force at a MSO tribute to playing works from all six of those movies.” Speck laughed at the apocryphal story of Williams’ first John Williams April 11-12 at the Saenger Theatre. Word has it there will be appropriately outfitted representatives meeting with the young filmmaker and how his conception of of Star Wars’ universe in the Saenger, especially one tall, dark “Tchaikovsky’s great keys to success were that he wore his a two-note theme elicited wary disbelief from the auteur. Once and imposing stranger. There might be other tricks in store but the heart on his sleeve so you felt like it was a friend pouring out Spielberg heard the full arrangement, his doubt evaporated. most helpful could come from the audience. his emotion and he had this unending fountain of unforgettable Since then, Williams has scored every Spielberg movie except “We think it be fantastic if people would show up in costume,” melodies. Look at ‘The Nutcracker,’ where it was an unforget- 1985’s “The Color Purple” and his latest, “Bridge of Spies.” For Speck said. table catch tune every minute for two hours.” his newest film, Spielberg has tapped Thomas Newman. The April 11 show begins at 8 p.m. The April 12 matinee is at Williams’ resume includes some derivations in style. He “There are few composers in history with (Williams’) gift for 2:30 p.m. implemented a jazz-inflected treatment for “Catch Me If You melody or so many tunes not just recognizable but ingrained in Tickets are $20 to $100. Students in kindergarten through col- Can,” a nod to his father’s musical roots and his own youthful the national consciousness,” Speck said, comparing Williams to lege can enter for $10. pursuits. In “Lincoln,” Williams nodded toward Aaron Copland Mozart and Tchaikovsky in that regard. For more information, call 251-432-2010.

30 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 ARTART GALLERY Lit Trail event spotlights Clotilda author BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

n 1914, Mobile artist and writer Emma Langdon Roche penned “Historic Sketches Lots of kudos for locals ‘done of the South,” which included the initial detailed discussion of the ignominious good’ Mobile artist Brad Robertson isn’t just a Ischooner Clotilda and its illegal human cargo popular name in the Azalea City, he’s appar- transported to Mobile Bay. In turn, Roche’s ently making a name for himself in the Big stories inspired Alabama-born author Zora Apple. The Oakleigh-based artist was named Neale Hurston who later had her own classic a “Top Seller” at New York’s ArtExpo 2014 novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” and is on track to appear again this year. Award-winning historian Sylviane Diouf If you’re in New York City April 23-26, expounded upon Roche’s work when she wrote you can browse the selection at Pier 94, 711 “Dreams of Africa in Alabama.” Also the cura- 12th Ave. tor of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library, If the exposition stretched into summer, Diouf ventures to Mobile and will speak on her then one lucky Mobile Bay resident could work, Roche and the Clotilda survivors who drop by to say “hey” or bring some grits or founded Africatown. Dr. Kern Jackson, director something. Young Presley Ready of Spanish of African-American Studies program at the Fort will travel to Manhattan to play Carnegie University of South Alabama, will be on hand Hall in July. as well. Ready is the only Alabamian honored with It gets under way Thursday, April 16, at 6 a spot in the National Youth Orchestra of the p.m. in Bernheim Hall at the Ben May Main United States of America. The bassoonist Branch of the Mobile Public Library. Admis- is one of 113 members from 37 states, aged sion is free. 16 through 19, who comprise the orchestra The event is presented by the Southern scheduled to tour the world July 10-26. Literary Trail, Mobile Public Library and the Congratulations on such an auspicious Mobile Arts Council. It’s made possible with a honor, Ms. Ready. I’m sure you’ll do us all grant from the Alabama Humanities Founda- proud. tion, a state agency of the National Endowment Likewise, Satsuma High School junior for the Humanities. Maggie Pierce recently won first place in the For more information, call the Mobile Pub- Public School Category in grades 9-12 of the lic Library at 251-208-7097 or go to southern- Alabama Wildlife Federation’s 2015 William literarytrail.org. R. Ireland, Sr. Youth Wildlife Art Contest. She bested 273 other entrants. History museum hosts April Pierce will be honored at a luncheon on walking tours downtown April 11 near Montgomery. Kudos to Pierce Most of Mobile’s early history takes place for topping such a wide field. east of Broad Street. Now, the good folks at the History Museum of Mobile are utilizing one of Marchman exhibits run the Azalea City’s most pleasant months to give through April folks an up-close look. For those who have been on the Mo- Each Saturday in April, the History Museum bile arts scene in the last three decades, the will lead walking tours through downtown name Fred Marchman certainly rings a bell. beginning at 10 a.m. They will convene at the A sculptor, cartoonist, painter and writer, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Marchman displays a unique humor and culminate at the History Museum. No reserva- philosophical insight that should have found tions are necessary. wider acclamation in a place mythically A little advice: bring your umbrellas as this tabbed “sweet lunacy’s county seat.” spring is proving warmer than usual and the A Marchman show in place at The Artists’ devices prove handy for showers of sun or rain. Comfortable shoes are also recommended. Place at the Episcopal Church of the Redeem- The tour subjects are as follows: er (7125 Hitt Road) will be on display until April 11: From Colonial Fort to Internation- May 2. A “meet the artist” reception occurs al Port — Assistant Director and Architectural Sunday, March 15, from 3 until 5 p.m. Historian for the Mobile Historic Development Trained in “formalist/abstract and figura- Commission Cartledge W. Balckwell, III will tive styles,” Marchman moves between the lead the tour. He’ll “highlight the architectural styles as he does between mediums. It was stage set that serves as a backdrop for, and during the 1980s he began to implement ideas stimulator of, Alabama’s oldest city.” from theosophy and Oriential ideals as subject April 18: Historic Mobile Theaters — His- matter and influence. Later, he embraced tory Museum Technician Nicholas Beeson will sources of “Southern Pop Art.” lead this tour that focuses on the numerous Marchman has worked at Sloss Foundry, movie houses which have called Mobile home Casey Downing studios and Fairhope Found- over the last century. ry. His work can also be found at Innova Gal- April 24: Old & New, Then and Now — lery, Koch Gallery, Eastern Shore Art Center History Museum Curator Scotty Kirkland takes WMCM Studio and Fairhope Connection. tour participants through the first half of the The exhibit at The Artists’ Place can be 20th century as they look at the city’s growth. viewed Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to For more infomation, contact Museum 2 p.m. by contacting the church office at 251- Public Relations Officer Jacqlyn Kirkland at 639-1948 or by appointment by contacting 251-208-7652 or email museumrelations@ Rob Bearden at 251-767-8362. cityofmobile.org.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 MUSICFEATURE Gravy pours on the funk with new album out soon BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: Earphunk, Gravy Date: Friday, April 10 with doors at 9:30 p.m. Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soulkitchenmobile.com Ticket: $10 in advance/$12 day-of available at Soul Kitchen, their website and by calling 1-866-468-7630 hen Gravy comes to town, they are sure to slather kid that was new in town. I called him their crowds in funk goodness. This NOLA power- up and invited him to do a practice house adds modern jam sensibilities to progressive with us to see how it goes. He shows funk, which makes their sound fresh within a genre up knowing all the parts and killing thatW can get stale. Gravy will be coming to the Azalea City with things and making all the changes. cuts from their upcoming release “Get Busy Living,” which is So, we did a gig, and he killed it. He’s sure to be one of their biggest releases yet. When Lagniappe spoke been with us ever since. That’s Aaron with guitarist Steve Kelly, he was brimming with excitement and (Walker, drums). We brought Aaron ready to share his funk testimony. in, and he immediately understood what we were going for and what we SC: Funk has always been a big part of the New Orleans music wanted. He was right there with us. scene, but it seems that over the past five or 10 years, there’s been We all agreed that we needed a fourth this increase in new, young funk bands. Why do you think that is? member to round things out. We SK: That’s a good question, man. I feel that a lot of it has to wanted a vocalist and a keyboardist. do with the music people are listening to. Funk really has its roots One (vocalist) landed in our lap when so deeply engrained in New Orleans and vice-versa. There are a Chris Dibenedetto moved from Baton lot of kids who grow up listening to The Meters and Lee Dorsey Rouge. He came and played, and we and Allen Toussaint and Dr. John. That’s their pop music. I think haven’t looked back since. it’s just pretty natural for that to kind of be the next evolution. The SC: How does it feel to be getting first step is replicating what you grew up loving. The next step is “Get Busy Living” out on the streets? taking it to the next level. SK: I tell you what. We’re really SC: George Clinton talks about finding the funk. How did you looking forward to it. It was such an find the funk? educational and inspirational process Photo/facebook.com/gravymusic SK: Well, I had a friend that turned me on to George Clinton in to make that album. We’re really New Orleans funk outfit Gravy appears at Soul Kitchen April 10. high school. Our high school mascot was the Bulldogs. For bas- excited to get it out and get it to the ketball games, they pumped in “Atomic Dog” over the loudspeak- people who need it. lot going on in the song, musically speaking. Where did that one ers, and I was like, “This is f*cking awesome! What is this?” So, I SC: You had Robert Mercurio and Ben Ellman of Galactic in come from? got into George Clinton. It’s a pretty great first step, I think. the production chairs, and they’re such a natural pick for a New SK: We collaborated with a songwriter out of San Francisco. SC: I think everybody’s first step is pretty much George Clin- Orleans funk band. How did you get them involved on this? It’s a guy named Jim Greer. He’s just a really special person. He’s ton. SK: We’ve known those guys for a long time. We’ve done a producer and a songwriter and a chorus generator. He’s an over- SK: I also had a band director in high school that got me hip shows with Rob’s side project Good Enough for Good Times. Ben, all inspirational kind of guy. He’s a muse, and songs just happen. to The Meters. In high school jazz band, we were playing “Sissy actually, played a couple of tracks with Corey Henry on our first “I Should Be the One” is something that he brought with him to Strut.” You know I didn’t grow up in New Orleans. I didn’t get to album. With this album, we knew that we wanted to do something the session. He’s like, “This might could work for you guys.” He grow up blessed to be surrounded by all those songs. I had to seek special. We wanted it to kind of get a master-class in how it’s had heard some of our demos and what we had been going for. We it out. really done. When you have four guys with four voices, you’ll all heard it, and thought it was awesome. He gave us the blessing and SC: You mentioned not being a New Orleans native. In fact, all come in and have ideas, and everybody lays down valid ideas. It’s came in and showed us how to do it. of you are from around the country. How did you come together in very helpful to have an objective third party that’s informed and SC: Summer is a big season for a band like Gravy. What are New Orleans? has a well-educated, experienced opinion. You have that voice to your plans? SK: Marcus (Burrell, bass guitar) and I have been playing guide the process. A lot of musicians get caught up in getting their SK: Man, summer is the time that we go to work. We will be together in projects for years and years. We actually started Gravy. part. They’re like, “This is my guitar part in this song.” It’s great bouncing all around. We actually just finished up a tour of Colo- For the longest time, we had a rotating cast of guys. It happens a to be able to take yourself out of that and have someone guide the rado and Texas that we will be following up on in the later part of lot in New Orleans where you’ll have two or three guys who rotate process. It was cool. They taught us about the songwriting process the summer. Early summer, we’re bouncing around the Southeast. on gigs. We had a lot of fun doing that, but we got to the point and how to make choices and how to write with purpose. The I think we’re even going into Florida. We’re going to be doing where we wanted a core group of guys to work with and grow whole process was pretty great. more of the same. We’re going to be getting out there and getting with and be inspired by. We were doing a gig in New Orleans and SC: Sometimes, it’s hard to keep funk fresh, but this album the music out there to people and spreading the music. one of the guys couldn’t make it, so they suggested this Canadian delivers, especially the track “I Should Be the One.” There’s a

32 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 Get a dog in this fight BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: Mud Bottom Revival at The Dog Pond Date: Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. Venue: The Dog Pond, 2415 Venetia Road, Mobile Tickets: $20 available at www.dogriver.org and Mellow Mushroom (MiMo) s summer approaches, the cool waters of Dog River beckon locals looking to escape the heat. The serene, natural locale in a moderately urban area is cherished by many, especially the nonprofit Dog River Clearwater Revival, which works constantly to restore the river’s quality. On April 12, both the environmentally and musically conscious are invitedA to bring drinks, blankets and chairs and support their cause with three local music acts that are sure to please. Deluxe Trio already had an extremely dedicated following, which grew after the release of their debut “Nobody Don’t Know.” Comprised of Phil Proctor, Stan Foster and Steve “Duck” Varnes, this group of pickers should perfectly accent a Sunday afternoon on the river. Deluxe Trio is a band that specializes in old school acoustic, whether it is blues, bluegrass or jazz. Sugarcane Jane will continue the natural vibe with their set. Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee Crawford leave crowds spellbound with their backwoods church harmonies. This duo will entertain the crowd with cuts from their latest release “Dirt Road’s End.” With a bit of fun and a bunch of emotion, Sugarcane Jane should be a crowd pleaser. Will Kimbrough will headline the Mud Bottom Revival. This Mobile native is a founding member of the iconic Will & the Bushmen. After his stint with the Bushmen, Kimbrough went on to be one of the nation’s premiere singer-songwriters. The talented man stays busy with both his solo projects and with the band Willie Sugarcapps, which also includes the members of Sugarcane Jane. Photo/Sugarcane Jane: sugarcanejane.com Practice safe sax freely Reach the Beach contest continues Band: Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang Band: The Revivalists, Denver Hawsey Date: Friday, April 10 at 9 p.m. Date: Sunday, April 12 at 6 p.m. Venue: The Blues Tavern, 2818 Government Blvd., Venue: The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd., www.thehangout.com www.bluestavern.com Tickets: Free Tickets: Free 2 ZEW’s six-week Countdown to the Hangout/Reach the Beach free concert series continues into its second week. For this round, the Eastern Shore’s Denver Hawsey he Blues Tavern not only brings a great lineup of local and national blues acts, but they also will have his chance to win over the crowd and the judges with his acoustic sounds provide entertainment for free. So if you don’t have other engagements, there is no excuse in an attempt to score a set at Hangout Fest 2015. Powerful vocals are met with for local blues enthusiasts to miss a special performance from blues icon Eddie Shaw in the thoughtful lyrics. Performing solo armed with only his guitar, Hawsey should create some intimate confines of “Mobile’s Only Blues Room.” 9 fierce competition for the bands that follow. The saxophonist honed his skills jamming with greats such as Little Milton and Ike Turner. Eventually, T Gulf Coast favorite The Revivalists will finish the show. This group has quickly risen in he was asked to join Muddy Waters’ band by the legend himself. In the early ‘70s, Shaw joined the ranks of popularity with a funk-infused pop sound that could only come from The Big Easy. Through Howlin’ Wolf’s Wolf Gang and wrote extensively with Wolf. He went on to help arrange the tracks on “The the tracks of their album “City of Sound,” fans across the country have developed quite a love London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions,” considered a hallowed album by many blues enthusiasts. affair with this band. Shaw has also found success with his solo projects. In 2012, he released “Still Riding High,” which earned him a Blues Music Award. He name is also listed in the Blues Hall of Fame, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has declared May 3 “Eddie Shaw Day.”

Photo/ Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang: eddieshawsax.com Photo/The Revivalists: therevivalists.com

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 MUSICRUNDOWN NOLA’s ‘grandfather’ fest approaching BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

outhSounds may be the earliest South- to spend a weekend camping and indulging in east festival in the 2015 season, but some of the biggest names on the road. Typi- music fans throughout the region may cally, the music there starts late Thursday night also be gearing up for Hangout Fest, and doesn’t stop until Sunday’s big headliner SShaky Knees, Bonnaroo, Wakarusa and the plays their encore. Bonnaroo is truly a one-of- grandfather of them all, the New Orleans Jazz a-kind music event that all festival-goers should & Heritage Festival. experience at least once in their lives. Each year, Jazz Fest brings some of the This year’s lineup includes Billy Joel, world’s biggest names to the Big Easy for two Kendrick Lamar, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, consecutive weekends in April and May. Jazz Florence & the Machine, Robert Plant & the Fest 2015 has already generated a buzz with a Sensational Space Shifters, My Morning Jacket, lineup that has left many counting the days until Alabama Shakes, Tears for Fears and so many the first note. jams and comedians it will be a challenge for Notable acts scheduled to perform on the even seasoned festival veterans to schedule first weekend include Keith Urban, Jimmy Cliff, every act accordingly. Hozier, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughn Tickets are on sale now through the Bonna- & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band featuring Lou Ann roo website and the festival is scheduled June Barton, Wilco, The Who, Ryan Adams, Tony 11-14. Bennett & Lady Gaga, Delbert McClinton, Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band and many more. Island funk Super Funk Fantasy has established a repu- The second weekend includes performances tation for providing an ‘80s music review that from No Doubt, Chicago, Galactic feat. Macy is energized by the wonders of modern tech- Gray, Elton John, Jerry Lee Lewis, T.I., Aaron Neville, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lenny nology and an electrifying stage show. Over Kravitz, Steve Winwood, The O’Jays and the years, the group has established a loyal fan Buddy Guy. base within the Azalea City and still keeps the Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. crowd pumped with every performance. On Sunday, April 12 at 4 p.m., Super Funk Fan- tasy will invade Dauphin Island at Islanders ‘Roo lineup packed Restaurant. Those in attendance should expect Up the road in Manchester, Tennessee, Photo/ facebook.com/superfunkfantasy all their ‘80s favorites delivered with impec- Bonnaroo provides a vibe reminiscent of Wood- cable showmanship. Bring your own sweat bands, Super Funk Fantasy is an exercise in time travel. stock, where thousands gather in green pastures

34 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 Drive-By Truckers take a rest stop at Hangout BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

n a little more than a month the gates to the sand and sonic utopia known as Hangout Fest (May 15-17) will swing wide open and welcome thousands of Imusic enthusiasts to the Alabama Gulf Coast. While national acts are a big draw, ticket-hold- ers are also looking forward to catching some of their favorite regional bands. Even though they are based in Athens, Georgia, North Alabama still lays claim to the Drive-By Truckers. This band has been pioneering their modern southern rock sound since the late ‘90s. Over the past two decades, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley have maintained this band’s cult following with a sound that is steeped in rock ‘n’ roll attitude and Southern hospitality. In 2014, Drive-By Truckers gave their fans “English Oceans,” their 10th studio album. Cooley and Hood shared songwriter duties and created 13 songs that serve as testimonies for the modern South. The formula proved to be beneficial as the album broke in to the Top 10 on several charts in the U.S. and the U.K. When they take the stage at Hangout, the crowd should expect them to sample from their entire discography. Tickets for the festival and the Thursday night pre-party are on sale now at the Hangout Fest website, and VIP and travel packages are still available. While the pre-party is a separate Photo/drivebytruckers.com ticketed event, it is included with VIP passes. Georgia’s Drive-By Truckers are no strangers to the Heart of Dixie and return for an engagement at Hangout Fest next month.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 35 ARe A Mu SIC LISTINGS APRIL 9 - APRIL 15

10p//// Hung Jury, 10:30p Rhoades & the Truth, 10:30p — Jonesy Gambino Duo, 11a THUR. APRIL 9 Hard Rock (Center Bar)— 5 Garage— Crowned Jewelz Tamara’s Downtown— Baumhower’s (OBA)— Finger Discount, 9:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar)—5 Jermaine English Destiny Brown Hard Rock (Live)— Gary Finger Discount, 9:30p Tropics— Rodger Fleshman, 4p Bill’s by the Beach— Ben Allen, 8p Industry Bar— Bayou Rhythm, Veets— Scott jolly & Gabby Tuberville, 7p Legacy— Rock Bottom, 7p 8:30p Merz, 8p BLUEGILL— Eric Erdman Lulu’s— Adam Holt, 5p IP Casino— ZZ Top, 8p Blues Tavern— Smokin’ Main Street Cigar Lounge— Legacy— Jimmy Lumpkin, 7p Toasters, 8p Eric Erdman, 8p Lulu’s— Lee Yankie, 5p MON. APRIL 13 Callaghan’s— Bobby Butchka Felix’s— Jon Miller McSharry’s— DJ Chi, 10p McSharry’s— DJ Twiggans, 10p Flora Bama— Marty McIntosh, Captain’s Table— Jerry Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Gregg Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Squires, 7p 3p// Cathy Pace, 6p/// Hung Jury, Fells, 7p// Ruby the Rabbitfoot, 8p/// Christina Christian, 6:30p// Mack 10p//// Smokin’ Elvis’, 10p Felix’s— Rebecca Barry Duo Rosco Bandana, 9p William, 8p/// Eric Erdman, 9p Flora Bama— Gove Scrivenor, Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus, 8p Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— The Old 27 Grill— Hannah Wallace, Lulu’s— Brett Burns, 5p 2p// Westside Players, 5p/// Dave & Budz, 8p 6:30p Joe Show, 6p//// Mark Sherrill, Chris O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell, Tony Pirates Cove— The Budz, 6p Newbury, Mel Knapp, John Joiner, Edwards and David White, 10p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — TUE. APRIL 14 6p//// Cory Rowe Band w/Dustin Old 27 Grill— Acoustic Punch, Soul Food Junkies, 5p Blues Tavern— Bruce Smith Butch Cassidy’s— Tony Bogue, 10p 6:30p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) Legacy— Ryan Balthrop, 7p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — — Brittany Bexton, 6p Chapman Lulu’s— Jeri, 5p Johnny Barbato, 5p Top of the Bay— Cinge Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p McSharry’s— Rock Bottom, Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) Tropics— Al & Cathy, 4p 7:30p — Jimmy Lee Hanniford, 6p Saenger— Mobile Symphony Cockeyed Charlie’s— Justin Old 27 Grill— Alan Hartzell, Tamara’s Downtown— Jim Orchestra: The Music of John Pace 6:30p Andrews Williams Exploreum— Roman Street Felix’s— Tim Kinsey Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) Tropics— Shifting Tracks, 7p Veets— 80’s Night w/Sucker — Lee Yankie, 6p Soul Kitchen— Earphunk// Punch, 9p Flora Bama— Ryan Conner, Sunset Fest @ The Wharf— Gravy, 9:30p Windmill Market— Melody 3p// Perdido Brothers, 6p/// Brian Brian Hill Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Duncan, 11a Hill, 10p//// Dream Experience, 10p Veets— Jason Taylor, 8p Windmill Market— Jon Miller, Lulu’s— Albert Simpson, 5p 11:30a// Lisa Mills, 6p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— SUN. APRIL 12 American Aquarium, 9p FRI. APRIL 10 Bill’s by the Beach— DJ Veets— Ryan Balthrop, 8p Baumhower’s (OBA)— SAT. APRIL 11 Mental Extract, 4p Double Dee Baumhower’s (OBA)— Jerry Bimini Bob’s— Destiny Brown Beau Rivage— The Band Perry Powell BLUEGILL— Brandon Baily, WED. APRIL 15 Bill’s by the Beach— Charlie Bill’s by the Beach— Barstool 11a// Gypsy Riot, 6p Bimini Bob’s— Al & Cathy Wilson & Mel Knapp, 6:30p Surfers, 7a// DJ Mental Extract, 10p Blues Tavern— Brother Figure BLUEGILL— Ross Newell Duo BLUEGILL— Jimmy Lumpkin, Bimini Bob’s— Ronnie Presley Callaghan’s— Steelism Blues Tavern— Johnny Barbato 11a// Blind Dog Mike, 6p BLUEGILL— Cary Laine Duo Felix’s— Jimmy Lumpkin Duo, 8p Blues Tavern— Eddie Shaw & Blues Tavern— Ric Flora Bama— Beachbillys, Bucky’s Birdcage (Grand The Wolfgang, 9p McNaughton Band, 9p 12p// Marty McIntosh, 1p/// Jack & Hotel)— Adam Holt Piano Show, Captain’s Table— Jerry Callaghan’s— Erin Go Paw Jezebel’s, 2p//// Big Muddy, 5:30p//// 8p Squires, 7p Fest// Willie and the Giant; Jesse Foxy Iguanas Duo, 6p//// Heritage Callaghan’s— Deluxe Trio Cathedral Art Gallery— Payne Band, 6p//// Perdido Brothers, 6p//// Captain’s Table— Jerry Bayou Rhythm, 6p Captain’s Table— Jerry Brian Hill, 10p//// Hung Jury, 10p//// Squires, 6p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Ben & Squires, 7p Tyler Mac, 10p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Ryan Friends Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike Garage— Fat Man Squeeze, 5p Balthrop Felix’s— Grits N Pieces Flora Bama— Destiny Brown, Legacy— Rebecca Barry Duo, Felix’s— Bobby Butchka SIC LISTINGS Flora Bama— J.Hawkins & 1p// Dave & Joe Show, 2:00p/// 11:30a Flora Bama— Neil Dover, 3p// James Daniel, 1p// Jezebel’s Chill’n, Jezebel’s Chill’n, 2p/// Jack Lulu’s— Cadillac Attack, 5p Smokin’ Elvis, 6p/// Devious Angels, 2p/// Jack Robertson Show, Robertson Show, 5:30p//// LeaAnne McSharry’s— Trad Irish Session, 10p//// Lee Yankie & Hellz Yeah, 10p 5:30p//// LeaAnne Creswell, John Creswell, John Joiner, Darrel 6:30 Garage— Jonesy Gambino Duo Joiner, Darrel Roberts, 6p//// Roberts, 6p//// Smokin’ Elvis’, 6p//// Old 27 Grill— Lisa Zanghi, Lulu’s— Albert Simpson, 5p

A M u Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Marty McIntosh, 7p//// Mustang Cass Hunter & Sam Anderson, 11:30a Sally, 8:30p/// Cory Rowe Band w/ 7p//// Brian Hill, 10p//// Cory Rowe Pinzones— Ross Newell, 5p Nigel, 6p Dustin Bogue, 10p//// Smokin’ Elvis’, Band w/Dustin Rogue, 10p//// Cat Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) Veets— Open Mic, 8p AR e SeND yOuR MuSIC LISTINGS TO [email protected]

36 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 ARe A CLu B LISTINGS

[DOWNTOWN] www.serdas.com Courtyard 311 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 Trader’s 3 S. Royal St. | 415-3000 311 Fairhope Ave. | 928-2032 Pirate’s Cove [Elberta] 4015 Battleship Pkwy Alchemy Tavern Skyview Lounge Ravenite Pizzeria [Fairhope] www.piratescoveriffraff.com 626-5630 alchemy.joltpro.com Atop the Lafayette Plaza 102 N. Section St. | 929-2525 6600 County Rd. 95| 987-1224 The River Shack 7 S. Joachin St. | 441-7741 301 Gov’t St.| 694-0100 Rosie’s Grill and Record Bar Tacky Jacks 6120 Marina Dr. S. The Blind Mule Soul Kitchen [Daphne] www.tackyjacks.com 443-7318 57 N. Claiborne St. | 694-6853 www.soulkitchenmobile.com www.rosiesgrill.com [Orange Beach] Boo Radley’s Tin Top 219 Dauphin St. |433-5958 1203 U.S. 98|626-2440 27206 Safe Harbor Dr, |981- www.booradleysmobile.com 6232 Bon Secour Hwy. County Spot of Tea’s Jaggers Windmill Market [Fairhope] 4144 276 Dauphin St. | 432-1996 Rd. 10 | 251-949-5086 310 Dauphin St. | 375-6772 www.windmillmarket.org [Gulf Shores] The Bar Touch Down Tavern Studio 5’4 85 N. Bancroft St. | 517-5444 249 E. 24th Ave.| 948-8881 352 St. Francis St. | 648-1596 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 [Gulf Shores] 5460 Inn Rd | 662-7543 The Brickyard T.P. Crockmiers 1577 Alabama 180|968-8341 VFW Post 7320 [Saraland] 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 [WeSTMOBILe] 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 All Sports Bar & Grill The Handlebar [Pensacola] 244 Old Telegraph Rd. |679-1188 Buck’s Pizza Veet’s 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. www.handlebarpensacola.com Whiskey Blues [Theodore] www.buckspizza.com www.veetsbarandgrill.com 345-9338 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 5791 Swedetown Rd.|633-1769 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 Billiards Club The Wharf [Orange Beach] Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Zebra Lounge 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 4985 Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. [MIDTOWN] Cockeyed Charlies 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 473-2997 Ashland Midtown Pub 6920 Airport Blvd.|725-1112 [AROuND AND ABOuT] Dauphin St. Blues Company www.ashlandmidtownpub.com Crooked Martini Bill and Charlie’s [Theodore] & Draft Picks [CASINOS] 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 www.thecrookedmartini.com 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973- 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 Beau Rivage [Biloxi] Blues Tavern 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 0388 Firehouse Wine Bar Shop www.beaurivage.com www.bluestavern.com Flashback Club Blue Gill Restaurant 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 2818 Gov’t Blvd. |479-7621 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 www.bluegillrestaurant.com 878 Beach Blvd.|228-386-7111 Gabriel’s Downtown Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 or 888-595-2534 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 Butch Cassidy’s Cafe 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 Bottoms Up Hard Rock Hotel & Casino The Garage www.butchcassidys.com Lucky Irish Pub & Grill 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287- 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 60 N. Florida St. |450-0690 [Biloxi] 3692 Airport Blvd.| 414-3000 7781 Hayley’s Downtown Kimberly’s Midtown Bar www.hardrockbiloxi.com Mellow Mushroom Briar Patch 278 Dauphin St. | 433-4970 2660 Old Shell Rd. |478-1477 777 Beach Blvd. www.mellowmushroom.com 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Joe Cain Café Mellow Mushroom |228-374-ROCK (7625) 5660 Old Shell Rd. | 380-1500 973-1120 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 www.mellowmushroom.com Harrah’s Hotel & Casino Patches Burnout’s Bar & Grill Liquid 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 [Saraland] [New Orleans] 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 Royal Knight Restaurant Satori Coffee House 7151 Hwy 158 W | 679-9255 www.harrahsneworleans.com Loda Bier Garten 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |287-1220 www.satori-coffee.com Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] 228 Poydras St.|504-533-6000 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 Silver Horse Pub 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 4901 Chicot St. | 228-938- Grand Casino [Biloxi] Mobile Civic Center 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 Runway Billards 6800 www.grandcasinobiloxi.com www.mobilecivicctr.com Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 Ed’s Seafood Shed 280 Beach Blvd. 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208- 110 S. Florida St.|478-7427 The Hungry Owl www.edsshed.com 7261 228-436-2946 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 Moe’s Original BBQ IP Casino Resort & Spa [eASTeRN SHORe] Stir Mobile Felix’s Fish Camp www.moesoriginalbbq.com [Biloxi] Bay House Pub [Daphne] 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342- www.felixsfishcamp.com 701 Spring Hill Ave|410-7427 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 9995 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 www.ipbiloxi.com O’Daly’s Irish Pub Club 44 [Daphne] VFW Post 49 Midnight Rodeo 850 Bayview Ave. 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 28850 US 98, #100 | 445- 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 7790 Tanner Rd. |639-2222 800-436-3000 OK Bicycle Shop 8069 Mississippi Coast Coliseum Wind Creek Casino 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 Gumbo Shack [THe BeACH] [Biloxi] www.windcreekcasino.com AR e Pat’s Downtown Grill www.guysgumbo.com Flora-Bama www.mscoastcoliseum.com 271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 303 Poarch Rd., Atmore 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 www.florabama.com 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 866-946-3360

Riverview Plaza (Fathoms A CL u McSharry’s [Fairhope] 17401 Perdido Key Dr., The End Zone Sports Bar Lounge) www.mcsharrys.com 850-492-0611 [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 [NeW ORLeANS] 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 The Hangout 829-9227 Royal Scam www.thehangoutal.com House of Blues Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] The Oar House [Dauphin Island] www.royalscammobile.com www.houseofblues.com

101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 B LISTINGS www.moesoriginalbbq.com 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) Live Bait 225 Decatur St . |504-310-4999 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 Original Oyster House Royal Street Tavern www.livebaitrestaurant.com [Fairhope] www.theoysterhouse.com Howlin’ Wolf 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 Old 27 Grill 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 www.thehowlinwolf.com/new- Saenger Theatre 974-1612 Pelican Pub & Restaurant orleans www.mobilesaenger.com Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] Lulu’s at Homeport Marina [Dauphin Island] 6 S. Joachim St. |208-5600 www.papaspizza.com www.lulubuffett.com 907 S. Peters St. 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 Saddle Up Saloon 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 200 E. 25th Ave. 504-522-WOLF (9653) Pelican Reef Restaurant www.saddleupmobile.com Plow [Fairhope] 251-967-LULU Louisiana Superdome 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 96 Plantation Pointe| 410- Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] www.superdome.com | 973-2670 Serda’s Coffee Company 7569 www.pinkponypub.net

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 FILMTHE REEL WORLD ‘Top Five’ misses the charts, hits Rock bottom BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC | [email protected]

he title of Chris Rock’s “Top Five” along with it, and throughout the day the two comes from the practice of listing one’s open up to each other. top five favorite musicians, but this film The primary energy of the film comes from is unlikely to land on anyone’s top five Chris Rock and Rosario Dawson relating to Tlist of movies. It’s about a popular comedian one another. She, too, is a recovering alcoholic, trying and failing to make a serious film, and and through flashbacks we see what some of it also is that: a weirdly hollow story that is their past problems have been. I found these neither funny enough nor moving enough. sequences to be particularly ineffectual; they Rock plays Andre Allen, and perhaps he just weren’t illuminating. The film’s deeper chose that name to directly echo Woody Allen, moments do not dig deep enough. who also made a movie, “Stardust Memories,” Judd Apatow made another film that looked about a comedian whose fearfully serious at the serious side of comedy, called “Funny material is rejected by fans who prefer his People,” and it was a mixed bag, too. What I “earlier, funnier” stuff. The funniest gag from thought was interesting about that film was that “Top Five” is the ludicrous billboard for Andre through Adam Sandler we got a look inside Allen’s new film. Entitled “Uprize,” it is the the way stand up worked. “Top Five” digs into true story of a Haitian slave who led a mas- the fame machine, too, but mostly the media sively bloody uprising, and features Chris Rock side, and the behind- the-scenes manipulations wielding a machete and trying to look seriously weren’t anything new to behold. vicious. Of course it’s preposterous. The strongest scenes were when Andre Al- Andre Allen is meant to be past his prime; len visits his family and friends in New York. his most popular character was a ridiculous There was a loose energy that gave the film all crime fighting bear, and strangers shout one- its best dialogue and Rock was at his best, too, liners at him constantly. The present day finds as if he really were more comfortable around him struggling to maintain his sobriety, and those people like his character was. engaged to a reality television star played by Photo/imdb.com Ultimately Dawson’s character is trying to Gabrielle Union. Their wedding has its own It’s hard to sympathize with Andre Al- dig out the real Andre Allen, while his fiancée’s Bravo show, and Allen bristles under the at- L.A. producers are trying to remake him for tention, especially when he is directed how to len’s rough life in the spotlight. their purposes, and his fans just want him to be act or dress in his real life, or when he goes to a bear. As viewers of this movie about movies, pick up their wedding rings and finds that his New York City, and is accompanied by a we have the meta-experience of just want- fiancée has switched them for a more camera- journalist from the New York Times, played by ing Chris Rock to be funny, and feeling like friendly choice. Rosario Dawson. He tries to refuse because the he’s mad at us for wanting that. We get a brief Amidst his film opening and his impending Times’ film critic has always been particularly glimmer of the joy of his stand up, but it isn’t nuptials, Allen does press interviews across cruel to his films, but of course he has to go enough.

NeW IN THeATeRS NOW PLAyING

Photo/imdb.com

“Woman in Gold” “The Divergent Series: “Focus” Crescent Theater. Insurgent” All listed All listed multiplex “Furious 7” multiplex t theaters. All listed multiplex heaters. “The Lazarus effect” theaters. “Do you Believe?” All listed multiplex “It Follows” Carmike Carmike Jubilee theaters Wynnsong 1 Square 12, Carmike “Fifty Shades of Grey” Photo/imdb.com 6, Regal Mobile Sta- Wynnsong 16 All listed multiplex dium 18 “Cinderella” theaters. tune in New York City. As “Get Hard” All listed multiplex “American Sniper” THe LONGeST RIDe their relationship is put to Nicholas Sparks’ best–sell- All listed multiplex theaters. Regal Mobile Stadium the test, the wisdom of an ing novel comes to the big theaters. “Run All Night” 18 aging man who recalls his screen in a romantic drama “Home” All listed multiplex “The SpongeBob own lost love serves as a All listed multiplex theaters. Movie: Sponge out of about a star-crossed love source of inspiration. Regal theaters. “Kingsman: The Water” affair between a retired bull Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike “The Gunman” All Secret Service” All listed multiplex fighter and an art student Jubilee Square 12 listed multiplex eastern Shore Pre- theaters. preparing to seek her for- theaters. mier Cinema 14

CARMIkE CINEMA’S HOLLyWOOD STADIUM 18 CARMIkE CINEMAS EASTERN SHORE PREMIERE Wynnsong 16 1250 Satchel Paige Dr. 23151 Wharf Ln. CINEMA 14 785 Schillinger Rd. S. (251) 473-9655 Orange Beach (251) 981-4444 30500 Alabama 181 #500 (251) 639-7373 Spanish Fort, Al RAvE MOTION PICTURE CObb THEATRES PINNACLE 14 (251) 626-0352 CRESCENT THEATER JUbILEE SqUARE 12 3780 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf 208 Dauphin Street 6898 U.S. 90 Daphne, Shores Information accurate at press time; please

AREA THEATERS (251) 438-2005 (251) 626- 6266 (251) 968-7444 call theaters for showtimes. 38 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 MEDIAMEDIA FRENZY Public notices bill sent to subcommittee BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

ast Wednesday there was a hearing before the Alabama Legis- paper’s circulation be paid. a couple of committee members admitted they were being pres- lature’s State Government Committee concerning House Bill Boone took a good bit of heat from Reps. Ed Henry and Ralph sured by their hometown publishers not to vote for the bill. 102, which would modify current law to allow free newspa- Howard, who grilled him on why exactly he and APA feel the Another bill, which would only affect the city of Mobile is pers like Lagniappe to sell public notices/legal advertising. restriction is best for the taxpayers. Henry said the point of legal also being offered, but it needs the approval of a supermajority of LThe bill, sponsored by State Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile), advertisement was to inform the public, not to “subsidize papers.” the county’s legislative delegation. would remove a current requirement that a newspaper must first “You believe it serves the public interest better if the state or The Circular saga. City v. P-R have a publications class permit from the U.S. Post Office before county pays for a public notice, and then you charge the public The battle between the city and the Alabama Media Group it could legally run public notices. The law has created a situa- to look at that notice … as opposed to them having the ability to continues and keeps getting hotter. tion in Mobile County where very small newspapers are able to look at that free?” Henry asked Boone. After it looked like the City Council was going to be voting run these ads while Lagniappe, with a far larger circulation and Citronelle Call News publisher Willie Gray also addressed the this week on an ordinance that would essentially leave AMG and readership, may not. committee, complaining his newspaper would have the additional the Press-Register having to deliver their much-despised circulars The hearing came hot on the heels of a resolution unanimously expenses of keeping its postal permit if the law were changed Yes! and Gulf Coast Life onto residents’ porches and doorsteps, passed by the Mobile City Council urging passage of HB102 be to make it legal not to have one. Gray’s newspaper has been the the council backed off this week to reevaluate. made law. biggest winner in the ongoing shift of public notice advertising in There’s probably little doubt the latest delay is due to a letter “Whereas, approval of HB 102 will provide local govern- Mobile County, which was once dominated by the Press-Register. fired off from AMG and the P-R’s attorney Archie Reeves threat- ment with publication options to meet the legal requirements Last year, from Mobile County alone, the Call News was paid ening a lawsuit if the ordinance is passed. Reeves points out the of advertisement, which not only opens up free enterprise and $51,836 for running public notices, according to county records. ordinance would make delivery of these circulars cost-prohibitive competition, but also allows local greater fiscal responsibility So far in 2015 it has already been paid $25,734. for “The Company” as it is jointly referred to in the letter. The with tax-payer dollars ... the Mobile City Council endorses HB During last year’s election cycle, The Call News was paid a Company also continues to claim the city’s efforts are a violation 102,” the resolution stated. total of $43,150 through the Probate Court, which included a cost of its First Amendment rights “on the basis of conditions that are The bill is opposed by the Alabama Press Association and of approximately $38,000 for running the voters list. From just impossible for the publisher to meet, and on and on.” its membership. At the hearing, Kenneth Boone, an APA board those two sources last year, The Call News made just south of Reeves cited a case in which the Cleveland Plain Dealer, also member and the owner of Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., spoke in $100,000. That does not include the large number of probate ads a Newhouse-owned publication, successfully fought and won a opposition to HB 102 saying the “current method works” and run by attorneys, or other advertisements purchased through a lawsuit over a similar issue. “there’s nothing standing in the way of any publication that wants private firm on behalf of banks and other businesses. Reeves said The Company is working to fine tune the way de- to become qualified.” For the past several weeks The Call News has been averaging livery is being handled as well as the performance of the “do not “Industries are regulated because there should be a level of about eight pages of public notice advertisements a week. deliver” phone number, which many citizens complain does not assurance for customers. The rules are there to follow and they’re In 2014, the Press-Register was paid $108,216 by the county serve to stop delivery of unwanted publications and circulars. there for a reason,” Boone said. “I can imagine a free distribution for legal advertising, including a one-day run of $67,679 for the While the saga goes on, one thing that is clear is how much newspaper or a high school newspaper would not be an accept- delinquent taxpayers list. So far in 2015 the P-R has only been things have changed. One longtime local media person com- able method of informing the public.” paid $3,016 by the county. mented to me the other day that, given its dominance not so long Free newspapers are unable to get the required postal permit At the end of the hearing, HB 102 was sent to a subcommittee ago, who would have ever imagined the day when the city would because the Post Office requires more than 50 percent of the to be worked on in hopes it can get out of committee. More than take on the Press-Register.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 C O E CRAWFISH IN THE COURTYARD Historic Walking Tours The multi-media experience The History Museum of for all ages invites visitors to WHEN - APRIL 14 AT 6 p.m. Mobile, in conjunction with touch real dinosaur bones and WHERE - THE ExPLORIUM: 65 GOVERNMENT ST. the Mobile Bay Convention reconstructed nests, dig for & Visitors Bureau, will lead eggs, experience hands-on Mudbugs, Music and More! Don’t miss out on an free tours through historic exploration stations and view evening of all-you-can-eat crawfish, beer, live music downtown Mobile as part of a animated video presentations from Roman Street and admission to the Exploreum’s statewide effort on the following featuring well-known dinosaur exhibits and IMAX. All event proceeds will benefit Saturdays: April 11, 18 and 25. experts. The Exploreum is open Discover Science, the Exploreum’s program with the The hour-long tours will start at daily, for more information visit Mobile Housing Board to provide underserved children 10 a.m. at Cathedral Basilica www.exploreum.com. engaging educational science experiences. This of the Immaculate Conception event is 21 and up and will be help at the Exploreum, and end at the History Museum April 14 65 Government St. For more information visit www. of Mobile. Participants are Crawfish in the Courtyard exploreum.com/event/crawfish-in-the-courtyard/ encouraged to tour the museum Mudbugs, Music and More! Photo/Provided by Crawfish in the courtyard (also complimentary admission) Don’t miss out on an evening immediately following the of all-you-can-eat crawfish, walking tour. beer, live music from Roman April 9 Art Adoption is $12.50 for adults and $7 for Street and admission to the The University of Alabama Affordable artworks of all kinds children. To register a car or Fairhope Walking Tour Exploreum’s exhibits and presents “42nd Street” that are looking for new homes. purchase tickets, or for more The city of Fairhope has been IMAX. All event proceeds will The University of Alabama’s one Artworks that do not find a home information about the Mobile invited to host free guided tours benefit Discover Science, the night only performance of “42nd that evening will be available for Bay Mustang Club, visit www. in the downtown area for visitors Exploreum’s program with Street” will be complete with purchase at half price the following bellingrath.org. and the local community every the Mobile Housing Board to big, flashy tap dances, gorgeous day (Saturday, April 11 from 10 Saturday in April. Tours will be provide underserved children costumes and a cast of 40 is sure a.m. until noon). The Art show will Grillin’ At The Grounds given by Fairhope Museum of engaging educational science to dazzle audience members at the be held at Downtown Fellowship The Grillin’ at The Grounds (1035 History Director, Donnie Barrett. experiences. This event is 21 Mobile Civic Center Theatre: 7:30 Church, 316 Dauphin St., during Cody Road) BBQ Festival will All are welcome and the tours and up and will be help at the p.m. Tickets: Now on sale $25 (plus ArtWalk, 6-9 p.m. For more feature dozens of teams, vendors, are free of charge. For additional Exploreum, 65 Government St. fees). For more information visit information visit mobilearts.org. entertainment, children’s activities information on Fairhope Walking For more information visit www.

EVENTS | A PRIL 9, 2015 - APRIL 15, www.mobilecivicctr.com and more. Tickets are $10 for adults Tours, call 251-929-1471. exploreum.com/event/crawfish- Joe Jefferson Players present “Aida” while children 10 and under are in-the-courtyard/ Anatomy of a Museum: Making Mirth With music by Elton John, lyrics free. Proceeds benefit the Patient April 12 OF Museum exhibitions are often by Tim Rice, “Aida” is the story Assistance Fund, which provides The Invincible Czars present Hope for Healing several years in the making. Come of forbidden love between the support for low income patients “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” Victory Health Partners and Eric get a behind-the-scenes view and Egyptian leader and the title undergoing treatment at the Austin-based band The Metaxas, author of “Miracles: listen to museum staff talk about character, a beautiful Ethiopian Mitchell Cancer Institute. For more Invincible Czars have scored a What They Are, Why They The Art and Design of Mardi Gras, princess. Performances scheduled information visit thegroundsmobile. soundtrack for the 1920 silent Happen, and How They Can from conception to “so how did this on weekends through April 12. com. film “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Change Your Life,” join together dragon get here?” at the Mobile Directed by Cathy Bouler. Tickets and will perform it live alongside for an evening exploring the Museum of Art, 4850 Museum start at $10 and are available Magnolia Run mystery of miracles and how

ALENDAR the movie for two nights at the Drive. For more information visit through www.joejeffersonplayers. Participate in the 5K run, 5K race/ Crescent Theater, 208 Dauphin they are more widespread than C www.mobilemuseumofart.com. com. walk and 1-mile fun run that leads St. on April 12 and April 13 at we can imagine. The reception runners and walkers down a 8:30 p.m. The Czars’ soundtrack starts at 5:30 p.m., followed April 10 Ark of India beautiful scenic route in Magnolia is minimal, spooky and even by the program at 6:30 p.m. Engaging the Next Generation “Ark of India: An Alabama Artist Springs with majestic oak branch includes the audience! For at the Renaissance Riverview If you are between the ages of 21 Explores Southern Asia” is an canopies overhanging the road, more information visit www. Plaza, 64 S. Water St. For more and 39, this year is an excellent exhibit about personal discovery lovely azaleas, flowering plants and crescenttheater.com/2015/jekyll- information call 251-460-2928. time to get connected with your and exploration. It is an account historic homes. Post-race activities and-hyde-the-invincible-czars/ community! This free, public of late 19th and early 20th century including music, delicious food April 15 gathering includes an exhibit India as seen by Alabama artist provided by Jesse’s Restaurant, Richard DAR House Garden Brown Bag in Bienville of 35 nonprofit organizations, Roderick D. MacKenzie, using his beverages and fabulous door prizes Party Come out and listen to the a food truck festival, and the paintings, drawings, sculptures and including a two-night stay in a Enjoy a Victorian Spring from soothing sounds of live jazz as SouthSounds Art & Music Festival most importantly, photographs and Gulf-front condo. To register and 2-5 p.m. at the Richards DAR you lunch in Bienville Square along with the monthly LoDa writings. The exhibition is organized for more information visit: www. House at 256 N. Joachim St. around the historic Ketchum Artwalk, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more by the History Museum of Mobile at southbaldwinchamber.com/major- Hat and ensemble contest with Fountain. Catt Sirten sets up live information, visit facebook.com/ 111 S. Royal St. and is on view until events/magnolia-run-overview. prizes. Categories: Breath of musicians and the city sets up engagingthenextgeneration. Sept. 1, 2015. Admission is free. Spring, Vintage, Funniest, Most tables for your enjoyment each HAM Fest Creative, Just for Kids. The $20 Wednesday in the spring, 11:30 LODA ArtWalk April 11 The Mobile Amateur Radio Club donation will go toward the a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To make your Downtown is the place to be! Join Discovery Day at Dauphin Island will be holding its annual Ham Fest $75,000 historic cast ironwork Brown Baggin’ easier, stop in downtown art galleries, institutions, This family-fun event includes a on from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the restoration on the grounds. Visit at your favorite Bienville Square studios and unique shops as they huge variety of environmentally- Abba Shrine Center, 7701 Hitt Road. www.richardsdarhouse.com for eateries and ask for the Brown open their doors and welcome you themed children’s activities; open Admission is $5. Ages 12 and under more information. Bag special. Questions? Call inside to see beautiful artwork, house at the research facilities of are admitted free. Door prizes, food 251-208-1550. sample delicious foods and hear the the Dauphin Island Sea Lab where and refreshments will be available. April 13 sounds of the LoDa ArtWalk. The the public can interact with marine License testing will begin at 9 a.m. District 4 community meeting Little Discoveries at the ArtWalk gets better and better each scientists and graduate students for those wishing to become a Please join City Councilman Exploreum month. From 6 until 9 p.m. in the to explore their ongoing research “ham” radio operator. John C. Williams at Christ Little Discoveries is a weekly lower Dauphin Street district. projects; and free children’s Anglican Church (3275 Halls programming series in the admission to the Estuarium, the Pet Adoptions Mill Road) for a very important Exploreum’s Wharf of Wonder Remington College Prom Night aquarium at the Sea Lab. For more April is National Prevention of community meeting. Invited for children six and under. Makeover information visit www.disl.org Animal Cruelty Month and The speakers include Mayor Sandy These lessons will fuse science, Students in the Remington College Haven will usher it in with two Stimpson, Public Services technology, engineering and Cosmetology Program will provide Camellia Classic Car Show events. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Director Bill Harkins, Planning math, with creativity, art and students headed to prom with Enjoy a display of hundreds of 2nd Chances on the 2nd Saturday & Development Director Dianne reading. Each session will begin free updos, manicures, pedicures, vintage and classic automobiles of the month event at Petsmart Irby and Police Chief James with a story reading that will and makeup for girls; guys can as Bellingrath Gardens and Home at the Eastern Shore Shopping Barber. The meeting will begin serve as the launching pad for get a haircut. All Prom Night hosts the Mobile Bay Mustang Plaza (10220 Eastern Shore Blvd.), at 6 p.m. the day’s hands-on activities. Makeover services will be done Club’s 22nd Annual Camellia showcasing cuddly, available cats Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. and in the Remington College School Classic Open Car Show on the and dogs, most of which have been Hatching the Past: The Great Thursdays 2-3 p.m. at 65 of Cosmetology, located at 4368 Great Lawn. Proceeds from car pulled from local municipal shelters. Dinosaur Egg Hunt Government St., downtown Downtowner Loop S. To schedule registrations will go to the Bay For more information please visit Hatching the Past features 100 Mobile. For more information call an appointment call 251-342-4848. Area Food Bank and the Juvenile www.havenforanimals.org or call us real dinosaur eggs and 100 Josh Holland at 251-208-6893 or Diabetes Foundation. Admission at 251-929-3980. replica eggs at the Exploreum. email [email protected]. SeND yOuR eveNTS TO [email protected] 40 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 CROSSWORD Pu ZZLe ACROSS 1. Recipe verb 4. Fashion 8. Work on the deck 12. Test 13. Bit of eye makeup? 14. Starch source 15. Beatnik interjection 16. Covers the earth? 17. General’s com mand 18. Play surfaces? 20. Back at sea 22. Little more than 23. Investors’ concerns 27. Signed vouchers 29. Charlotte’s creation 30. La-la intro 31. Tedious routines 32. Like Eeyore, typically 33. Charity’s plea 34. Beauty preceder? 35. Chronic critic 36. Toned down 37. Become active 39. Digestive aid 2. Cartoon expletive 29. Chin or tail action 40. Comparable to hills? 3. Levels with sticks? 32. Tightly packed item 41. Vivacity 4. Pinching sorts 33. Sound of fright 44. In need of a rug? 5. Reacted to the 35. Nothing, on score 47. Nile bird alarm boards 49. Bar stock 6. Nanny’s charge 36. Longs to see 50. Inspiration for an 7. Made an effort 38. Before midnight author 8. Express 39. Entity 51. Cloud to be on? 9. Dire declaration 42. Byzantine art form 52. ___ de plume 10. It’s often by your 43. Summer help, per 53. Soul mate side haps 54. They’re found under 11. Man of the future 44. Seafood restaurant layers 19. Comprehends accessory 55. Econ. figure 21. Minor invention 45. “Much ___ About 24. Staying around Nothing” DOWN 25. Pacifist’s symbol 46. Had the advantage 26. Lose a coat? 48. Word with band or 1. They’re pressed for 27. Marine hermit bang cash 28. Hardly petite Answers on PAge 44

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 SPORTSUPON FURTHER REVIEW Saraland’s Hunter Ward inducted into Southern League HOF BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy

ust like many red-blooded American boys growing up in Mobile County, baseball took up a huge part of Hunter Ward’s young life. Little did he know just how important the game would become as he grew older. JThe Saraland native went on to star at Satsuma High School, before playing at Faulkner State Community College and the University of South Alabama. After being selected by the Yankees in the 1986 free agent draft, Ward went on to enjoy a 12-year major league career with the Indians, Blue Jays, Brewers, Pirates, Diamondbacks and Phillies. Since, Ward may have hung up his glove, but he did not retire his uniform. He has gone on to be a very successful mentor, eventually making his way back to “The Show” as the hitting coach for Arizona. Along the way, Ward did return home to guide the Mobile BayBears to consecutive championships in 2011 and 2012. For this effort, he is being inducted into the Southern League Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015. “I just heard about it from our media department,” Ward said during a telephone interview with Lagniappe. “I am very excited about it.” Ward is one of a dozen inductees. The entire list includes Scott Photo/Jennifer Stewart/Arizona Diamondbacks Brosius, Carlos Delgado, Rollie Fingers, Trevor Hoffman, Randy Johnson, Chipper Jones, Jason Kendall, Harmon Killebrew, Razor Former BayBear coach Hunter Ward is included in the Southern League Hall of Fame’s class of 2015. Shines, Frank Thomas and Lou Whitaker. To view all the biogra- phies, visit www.southernleague.com. backs’ staff as the hitting coach. The BayBears are Arizona’s Savage, Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director. “The Reese’s “Just to see all those names that are going in,” Ward said with Class AA farm club. Senior Bowl has been looking for a signature event during the a sigh, “I am really honored to be mentioned with them.” “I help the players in many ways,” Ward said. “I work with off-season, to not only bring attention to our game, but to also In 626 major league games, Ward hit .251 with 73 doubles, 11 them on the mental part of the game, how to maintain a good support one of the great causes in our area. L’Arche Mobile is a triples, 39 home runs and 219 runs batted in. While he played in approach at the plate, and to stay with their strengths. Even as big perfect fit.” Toronto, the Blue Jays captured consecutive World Series titles in leaguers, your mechanics can get off synch. L’Arche Mobile is a Christian community that shares life with 1992 and 1993. In the 1999 National League Division Series with “The other part of my job is to know about the pitchers we are people with intellectual disabilities in a permanent family-like Pittsburgh, he hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer against the Mets. facing. I will watch the last three starts and look for any edge. environment. L’Arche relies on donations and fundraisers for Ward went 216-190 in four seasons as a minor league manager. What are his weapons, and how does he try and use them? I want financial support. After leading the Rookie GCL Pirates in 2006 and Short Season to have a good plan going into the game.” High school coaches who have had a positive influence on Class A State College in 2007, he returned to Mobile to serve as The Diamondbacks opened their regular season last week. So youth are also honored at the dinner. Hackbarth Delivery Service the BayBears’ hitting coach for three years. it may be hard for him to attend his latest Hall of Fame induction, and Aviation Services are presenting sponsors this year. Guest In 2011, he took the helm and directed Mobile to an 84-53 which follows invitations to the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in speakers will be announced soon. record and the Southern League championship. He was named the 2007 and Alabama Junior College Hall of Fame in 1996. league’s Manager of the Year, while the BayBears were recog- “I want to thank everyone for all the support over these years,” Jaguars open new online store nized by Baseball America as the Minor League Team of the Year. Ward said. He and his wife, Donna, have three children: Tucker, a The University of South Alabama has partnered with Advanced Although the club slipped to a 69-71 record in 2012, they rallied junior who plays at Louisiana Tech; Olin and Kendall. “It can be a Online to offer the “Jaguar Locker Room,” an Internet store show- in the postseason to defend their title. sacrifice being away from your family and friends. casing authentic USA gear. “Being inducted into the Southern League Hall of Fame as a “I’ve been in baseball for 20 years. It never crossed my mind The site, located at www.jaguarlockerroom.com, will serve coach represents the kinds of players you have,” Ward said. “All that I would have this career. It has been such a great honor.” as a general store for individuals who support USA athletics. In of these people made an impact, and should reap the benefits. addition to apparel and gear like that worn by coaches and player, “I had so many great players over the years in the Southern Mobile fixtures to host football preview other items include tailgating accessories, collectibles and gifts League. Many have moved onto the big leagues, and it has been The Reese’s Senior Bowl and DEX Imaging are coming representing all 17 sports. a great honor to see those guys go from a young age and mature together to help sponsor the L’Arche Mobile Football Preview “As Jag Nation has grown, the demand for our athletic gear has into big leaguers.” Some of those players he mentioned include dinner. The 21st annual event is set for Wednesday, May 27, at the increased exponentially over the years,” said Travis Toth, USA’s Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock, Chase Anderson and Adam University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center at 6 p.m. associated athletic director for external affairs. Eaton. “We are so honored and thrilled to link up with DEX Imaging A portion of the proceeds benefit the Jaguar Athletic Fund and After the 2012 season, Ward was promoted to the Diamond- in co-sponsoring the L’Arche Football Preview dinner,” said Phil gift certificates are also available.

42 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 S PORTSFEATURE Team Focus welcomes Nick Saban April 16 BY TOMMY HICKS/CONTRIBUTING WRITER he phone call Mike Gottfried had been waiting on, the one I’m settled now. It’s a good feeling knowing you’re where you’re said. “I saw my mom in a different light. She was working and he hoped would be coming, was made. After a few seasons supposed to be and I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” taking care of these three kids and she was tired at night and I as a college football analyst for ESPN, Gottfried hoped to On Thursday, April 16 at the University of South Alabama’s tried to understand her world and how my world and my broth- make a return to the game as a head coach. He had served Mitchell Center, Team Focus will once again host its biggest ers’ world had changed. I saw how God puts people in your life, Tprevious stints at Murray State, Cincinnati, Kansas and Pitt and fund-raising event of each year, “A Night with Nick Saban.” The people who help you get through life.” his desire to return to college coaching still ran deep. evening, featuring the Alabama head football coach as keynote Paying that forward was a factor in pushing Gottfried into A friend and former colleague phoned Gottfried offering the speaker, will include a silent auction and dinner, as well as meet- coaching, but he said the satisfaction that he has received through opportunity; the job was his, the friend said, all Gottfried had to and-greet opportunities with Saban. Team Focus is even greater. do was say yes. Author Andy Andrews and former Alabama running back Bob- “Just be there, that’s what we do,” Gottfried said of the men- “I got off the phone and I was smiling and Mickey (his wife) by Humphrey will also be on hand; they will receive the “Cham- torship aim of Team Focus. “If they want to talk, we’ll talk to said, ‘What are you smiling about?’ I said, ‘They want me to pion of Life” Award from Team Focus and the GoDaddy Bowl. them. If they want advice, we’ll try to give them advice.” coach, and I want to do it,’” Gottfried recalled. While Gottfried is the face of Team Focus, he is quick to point Calls to area ministers, coaches, city officials, guidance coun- But instead of returning a smile of her own and telling her out the idea belonged to his wife. selors and others in the city helped produce a list of 50 boys for the husband to return the call and accept, she had a question. “Mickey stopped me one day and said, ‘I want to do some first Team Focus camp where those attending learn leadership and “She said, ‘What about the boys?’ And I’ll never forget, I said, things for some boys in the area,’” Gottfried recalled. “About two discipline through sports and seminars and discussions led by a ‘What boys?’ She said, ‘The boys you told the last few years that weeks later, I went back to Mickey and I said, ‘OK, what do I variety of community leaders. Of that first group, Gottfried said 40 you were going to walk with them.’” do?’ We did that first camp and after that I really wanted to go all are still involved in some way with Team Focus. While the summer Mickey Gottfried was referring to the boys of Team Focus, a the way with it. ESPN gave me the opportunity to do it. It became camps are fun and important, it is the daily work — the daily pres- nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by the Gottfrieds to offer more important to me than the ESPN job.” ence of Team Focus volunteers and mentors — that has the greatest guidance and assistance for young boys without fathers. This year, Team Focus will have camps in Birmingham as impact on the lives of the boys involved, Gottfried said. “I thought about it for a little bit and called them back and well as in Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, South Carolina and Florida. “I think what Team Focus does is we walk with them in life said, ‘I can’t do it,’” Gottfried said. “I ached for about two weeks Saban isn’t the only big-name coach involved with the program. and we enlarge their vision,” Gottfried said. after that. I wanted to go back (to coaching). But I gave it up. I Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer, whose team won The “Night With Nick Saban” offers a high profile event for didn’t talk to anybody again about coaching.” the 2014 national championship, will highlight a similar dinner the organization, Gottfried said, one that helps fund the work he Telling the story now, there is no regret in Gottfried’s voice. If in Ohio on April 16. Coaches such as Kentucky head basketball wants to continue doing. anything, his tone is filled with pride. What he quickly realized, coach John Calipari and former Texas head football coach Mack Gottfried said, “You’re known by the folks you hang around he says today, is that while he always loved coaching, a career Brown have also worked with Team Focus. with sometimes and what better guy to hang around with (than to which he devoted much of his adult life, he has found another Mike Gottfried knows what the young men involved with Saban)? He’s doing it the right way and he got it from his dad. purpose, one that holds a greater importance. Team Focus are going through; his father died of a heart attack His dad taught him a very valuable lesson at an early age.” “I knew it was where I should be and what I should be doing,” when he was 11 years old, when his brothers Joe (the former Doors will open for the banquet at 5 p.m., with dinner sched- Gottfried said of Team Focus. “It’s probably the most important athletics director at South Alabama) was 15 and Johnny (now uled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and $600 for thing I’ve ever done. Coaching and working for ESPN, all that was deceased) was 7. a table of eight. Sponsorships are also available, some including good, but I think this is it. I know I’m supposed to be doing this … “When my father died a lot of things changed obviously,” he a meet-and-greet with Saban. For further information, phone 251- 635-1515 or visit the Team Focus website at www.teamfocus.org.

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 STYLEPORT CITY PREMONITIONS Leo’s puns met with indifference BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY Aries (3/21 - 4/19) — Now that college Cancer (6/21 - 7/22) — Regular readers Libra (9/23 - 10/22) — A discharged weapon Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19) — With Edward basketball season is over, you can get back to of these horoscopes can see it coming. You’ll during an Eastern Sunday service will only Snowden in the news again, you’ll remember focusing on the sport you hold most dear: com- eventually end up in porn. It’ll be great for you. increase the moral majority’s love for automatic that you were — at least for a few days — very petitive eating. News that a 120-pound woman You’ll shoot five movies a day in an abandoned weapons. What started as a gimmick news story concerned with government surveillance. Re- consumed five pounds of bacon in under five Beverly Hills mansion. Sure, it’s not exactly over a freak accident will evolve into movement doubling your efforts to stay off the grid, you’ll minutes has your competitive juices flowing. To what you pictured for yourself when you thought that culminates in Pat Robertson hosting an entire change your Facebook profile name to “Nunya one-up the big-mouthed pixie, you announce of the future, but it’s a good living. At least the episode of the “700 Club” from the center of a Biznes” and delete every photo of you known to plans to devour a live, 10-pound suckling in 10 health insurance is amazing (thanks, Obama!). live shooting range. Over time — priests, deacons exist electronically. You’ll be shocked when you minutes or less. As you study the anatomy of Everything is looking up until the president will and pastors from across the country will form one realize exactly how many there are, but after an young pigs and work out a game plan, PETA force everyone to move from California when it of the most “well organized militias” the world extensive digital purge, you’ll start working on a throws a monkey wrench into your plot. If you completely runs out of water. has ever seen, leaving a trail of bodies wherever fort in the woods behind your trailer park, where wish to carry on, offer to exchange some carbon the “War on Christianity” rears its ugly head. you’ll live out your remaining days. credits for the spectacle. Leo (7/23 - 8/23) — You’ll be outraged the s’more you think about your friends’ literal at- Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21) — After seeing the Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18) — In order to shave Taurus (4/20 - 5/20) —Because of your tempts to roast you. You definitely don’t knead outcome of Rolling Stone’s latest failed venture hours off your annual workload, you write failure at anger management, the judge will sen- friends like that, you’ll think to yourself. Days into the world of real journalism, you’ll start to a computer program to automatically scrub tence you to house arrest. You’ll be allowed to will go by before one of those so-called friends question whether or not the print extension of unedited copy of ridiculous synonyms. At the leave to come to work, but you won’t be allowed phones you in order to ketchup and see how what has become basically a “listicle” website is push of a button, all occurrences of “denizen” to use any electronic devices. This will prove you’re doing. You’ll tell them politely to drive the best source for hard hitting news. Realizing are switched to “inhabitant.” Words like “aural” a difficult task because you work in IT for the to the bay endive in, before you’ll conclude that a “systemic editing failure” is never a good and “sonic” are flagged so you know, at a glance, largest law firm in Mobile. While your boss will the call. Your friends’ attempts to get back into indicator, you’ll cancel your subscription and where to completely eliminate sentences. The say he appreciates the fact you keep showing up, your life will be enough to make a mango crazy. supplement it with the occasional drug-addled program may not appeal to the coastal masses, you’re effectively useless and you will be let go. You’ll begin to try to steak a claim for new ramblings of your friend from college that still but it’ll show no quarter to your time manage- News of your firing will once again send you friends. can’t over how great Jimi Hendrix was. It’s basi- ment, leaving you begging for more. into a rage. You really should work on that. cally the same thing. Virgo (8/24 - 9/22) — After much turmoil Pisces (2/19 - 3/20) — You are amused when Gemini (5/21 - 6/21) — A lawyer with the surrounding controversial tax hikes and subse- Sagittarius (11/21 - 12/22) — Taking in the the statewide leader of a news organization American Civil Liberties Union will hear the Se- quent special election votes, you’ll finally come gravity of the Atlanta Braves offseason trades, touts the hiring of an “artist in residence” as rial podcast based on your life and will petition to terms with giving the majority of your money you’ll start to feel concerned that your team will something remotely related to promoting quality President Hillary Clinton (who beat Jeb Bush to away to the powers that be. But soon, as talk turn sink the bottom of the Major League Baseball journalism. There are innovative new tools to get elected and then Rand Paul to be re-elected) serious about tax increases that may jeopardize barrel. Then however, you’ll realize it’s 1997 help reporters tell stories like never before, she to pardon you. The plan will backfire when lob- your only joys in life, booze and cigarettes, and your team has already sucked for the major- recognizes, but the introduction of more visuals byists for retailers become outraged at the pros- you’ll go straight into panic mode. Hitting up ity of the past two decades. Additionally, it hits will certainly be the key to integrity. Soon, in the pect of allowing a shoplifter to go free. You’ll the nearest gas station, you’ll stock up on Pall you that baseball is boring and a waste of your interest of full disclosure, she requires reporters have to wait until the two years on her second Mall and Natural Light, only to be forcibly time. Looking for more of a thrill in your daily who’ve already become de-facto public relations term are up. You really can’t trust politicians. robbed of it just a few blocks down the road. life, you’ll supplant your nightly baseball view- representatives for the Chamber of Commerce to Face it, you’ll never beat the system. ing with reruns of Masterpiece Classic presents also organize ribbon cuttings and job fairs. “Downton Abbey.”

CROSSWORD PuZZLe ANSWeRS

FROM PAGe 41

F U T U R E S H O C k

44 | LAGNIAPPE | April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 THE LOADED QUESTION WHAT IS THE CRAzI- EST THING YOU OR A FRIEND HAS DONE ON SPRING BREAK? ASKED IN MIMO/ LODA

“I spent the night on the sea wall next to the Fairhope pier.”

-Brian

“Skinny Dipping in a pool after hours.”

-Jeremy

“One of my friends had sex in the Gulf.”

-Jason

April 9, 2015 - April 15, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 45 STYLEMOBILE MAGNIFIED Passion abounds in the Port City BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

ent is finally over, so all of you who have been behaving and series of web chats he has on youtube, with a new character known making my job hard, you are free to go back to being your as “The Very Last Southern Gentleman.” (Search it and you’ll find bad selves. I mean I just hate to encourage such, but a gossip it.) Perez’s works include “Society Shell” and “Don’t Frack with columnist needs people to you know, create gossip, so help Society Shell,” which of course featured MiMo’s beloved Griffith LBoozie out here. Service Station. I do have a couple of reports from over the Easter weekend, And his most recent was “When the Saints go Marching into though it seems most of you were too busy dying eggs instead of Cockroach Hall,” all of which take jabs at some of the more ridiculous actin up. But you can still enjoy this small basket of Easter treats I elements of Mobile society, especially “Old Mobile.” put together for you. But his “Last Gentleman” series takes on national issues as well, including his commentary on the happenings in the Indiana state house. Passionate re-enactment scares some, They are a must see for any of Perez’s fans, but the language can be a moves others bit “salty” at times, so be careful if watching it at work. For the last couple of years, some residents have been a bit alarmed by the sound of whips and drums and screams in Latin coming from a I like nice feet and I cannot lie couple of Midtown residential neighborhoods. It seems a local church You know we like to peruse the “Missed Connections” on Craigslist organization was performing a re-enactment of the crucifixion around to see if there is anything entertaining. Though this week, I saw some 9 p.m. on Good Friday, and let’s just say it was very accurate in its pictures of a self-described “tranny” who was advertising his Easter gruesome portrayal of the events, according to my spies. specials and also showing, um, the tool he uses in his trade (Why can’t One resident said he jumped every time the whip cracked. This I unsee this? Yikes!), it seems another young man has fallen in love year, residents were expecting it more but last year, some were so with a dancer at The Candy Store but has a sense of humor about it. startled and didn’t know what was going on, the police were called. The title of his post was “I’m in love with a striperrrrrr lol.” Not Though once the officer figured out what was happening, he decided sure why the “lol” was necessary or the extra “rrrr”s but whatever. He just to keep on going. Probably a good call. said he wanted a lap dance but apparently didn’t get one. However, he Some of the residents who were actually expecting it this year said was impressed with how nice her feet were, which are generally the it was a touching re-enactment, but you always want to give your body parts focused on in such establishments, so that’s understandable. neighbors a heads up if you are going to be nailing someone to a cross Hopefully the two can play footsie real soon. LOL. in your front yard. Anyway, that’s all I got this time. I expect a whole lot more post- Photo/YouTube The Last Southern Gentleman tells it like it is Lenten action from you guys, so you better not disappoint me. Just For all of you who enjoy the humor of local playwright Thomas remember whether rain or shine, dramatic or scandalous, or some plain Local playwright Tom Perez is “The Last Perez and his South of the Salt Line Theater troupe, you will enjoy a stripperrrr lovin’, I will be there. Ciao! Southern Gentleman.”

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