2 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 LAGNIAPPE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WEEKLY November 12, 2015 – N ovember 18, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor The city of Orange Beach recently [email protected] unveiled the route of a $28 million Rob Holbert bridge over the Intrastate Canal. Co-publisher/Managing Editor 5 [email protected] COMMENTARY Steve Hall Reviewing two years of Mayor Sandy Marketing/Sales Director [email protected] Stimpson’s new government. Gabriel Tynes 14 Assistant Managing Editor [email protected] BUSINESS Dale Liesch The Dauphin Square shopping Reporter center just east of Interstate 65 is [email protected] getting a million-dollar renovation. Jason Johnson 18 Reporter [email protected] CUISINE Eric Mann Renowned New Reporter

[email protected] CONTENTS Orleans chef John Besh stays grounded Kevin Lee Associate Editor/Arts Editor in the wake of fame, [email protected] discussing his latest Andy MacDonald cookbook and his life Cuisine Editor in the bayou. [email protected] Stephen Centanni Music Editor [email protected] 2020 J. Mark Bryant Sports Writer COVER [email protected] The Mobile County Stephanie Poe Racing Commission, Copy Editor [email protected] which governs Mobile Greyhound Park Daniel Anderson Chief Photographer and distributes its tax [email protected] proceeds, recorded Laura Rasmussen the lowest financial Art Director www.laurarasmussen.com allocation of its history in 2014. Brooke Mathis Advertising Sales Executive 2626 [email protected] Beth Williams ARTS Advertising Sales Executive The third book in Ann Pond’s Mardi [email protected] Gras trilogy debunks the myth of the Misty Groh man credited for Mobile’s pre-Lenten Advertising Sales Executive 28 [email protected] celebration. Ariana Jokers MUSIC Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] “Dynamite Texas Soul” band Roxy Melissa Schwarz Editorial Assistant Roca, veterans of [email protected] BayFest, are returning Mary Burts to headline O’Daly’s Distribution Manager Movember dance [email protected] party. Contributors: Asia Frey • Brian Holbert • Ron Sivak Jeff Poor • Jennifer McDonald 32 Ken Robinson 32 On the Cover: Gone to the Dogs FILM The Fairhope Film Festival returns POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Thursday, with its third annual Editorial, advertising and production offices are showcase of “the best of the best.” located at 1100B Dauphin St. 40 Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: MEDIA [email protected] or Protests at the University of Missouri [email protected] LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature Offset, reveal lack of knowledge by 2610 Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. communication professor. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to 44 be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative News- weeklies and Alternative Weeklies Network SPORTS All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, A collegiate basketball season Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced without the expressed preview featuring profiles of the Jags, permission of the publishers. Rams and Badgers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free 45 of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per issue. Removal of more than one copy STYLE from these points constitutes theft. Violators are subject to prosecution. Boozie has the noozie from cook-offs and corndogs. For Lagniappe home delivery visit www.lagniappemobile.com/lagniappehd 50 Or call Mary Burts at 251-450-4466 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 G o ING Po STAL PoLIce dISPATch Oil storage ad is misleading Sexual assualt, weapon reported at MHS Regarding the recent advertisement panies have been gone for nearly 20 years, rezone the area around the community BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER appearing in Lagniappe, paid for by “Keep the community has had time to breathe gardens from residential to industrial to The Mobile Police Department had to make multiple trips to Mobile Growing,” either they have been freely and don’t want that industrial threat build warehouses, and are currently trying Murphy High School last week after two incidents led to police talking to the wrong Africatown residents hanging over their children’s heads like it to rezone property near Hopewell Baptist intervention and at least one arrest for the time being. or they just don’t get it and continue to did over ours. Church to store and auction off old military On Wednesday, Nov. 4, a sexual assault was reported between believe heavy industry across the street You imply the businesses operated safely vehicles? two male, special-needs students. According to police, both of the from a residential community and school for over 100 years. Well, my father worked Now you want to construct oil stor- students are 15 years old. children constitutes a healthy lifestyle for at IP for over 40 years and I worked there age tanks that could contain more than According to a spokesperson with MPD, police responded to the the Africatown community. for four summers and it was not safe. Why a million barrels of flammable oil at full high school, where the victim reported the assailant “crawling under The group claims its “members have no do you think IP and Scott closed down and capacity. A hundred years ago Africatown intention to expand beyond their current moved? They refused to spend the money residents could not vote and had no voice the bathroom stall and asking if he could perform [a sex act] on the footprint in the designated I-2 industrial necessary to make things safe for the com- in what was built next to our houses, victim. When he refused, the subject proceeded anyway.” zone outside the Africatown historical munity. schools, churches and children. Now we According to police, the boy was charged with first-degree sod- district where they have operated safely for Watching ash fall from the sky like do, and that voice says “no.” NO MORE omy and transported to the Strickland Youth Center, but his name over 100 years.” snow in July is not safe or healthy for TANKS ON OUR BANKS! has not been released and likely will not be. Well, first of all, you assume the resi- anyone. You say you don’t have any inten- Joe Womack In an unrelated incident the following day, police responded to dents want you there. They don’t. Now that tion to expand beyond the designated I-2 Mobile reports of a possible student having a gun near the campus of Mur- International Paper and Scott Paper Com- industrial zone. Well, why did you try to phy High School. The student was never identified, and police are still unsure of the identity. Insurance reform sounds like Obamacare Police stated they believe it was a student, but don’t know who I enjoyed, and then was mildly shocked from 1988 until 2006. Currently, I and billion standard required. the student was. However, the school system hasn’t been able to by, the article “More details revealed some other investors are working to start a In the past, AIUA has reported that it confirm that a gun was ever on campus on Thursday. in homeowner insurance reform plans” new insurance company. uses a “band reinsurance” program to “lay- “We did not see a gun, and we’ve not had reports of anyone with (Lagniappe, Nov. 5). Assuming that the monetary figures off risk.” Band reinsurance is the cheapest a gun on our campus,” Rena Philips, a school spokeswoman, said. What shocked me was the obviously quoted in the article are correct, it appears type of reinsurance and I believe that it “A neighbor called the police and said they saw somebody possibly “pristine ignorance” displayed by the that the AIUA is currently insolvent. The cannot come close to making the AIUA with a gun near campus.” Coastal Insurance Working Group, the current basic standard for risk versus capi- solvent in case of a Katrina-type claim, Despite those comments, police say the call they received came Alabama Insurance Underwriters As- tal and surplus is 3 or 4 to 1. This means which exceeded $41 billion for more than from Murphy High School’s own resource office, who identified the sociation and the Alabama Department of that if a company has $1 million in capital 1.7 million claims across six states. suspect as a student at the time. Insurance regarding the basic principles of and surplus, the company can write $3 The fundamental problem with the So far no arrests have been made, but following the report of the insurance and their obvious distrust of for- million to $4 million in business. CIWG, the AIUA and the ALDOI is that gun being seen, police responded to the scene with a K-9 unit to profit insurance companies in the coastal The article indicates AIUA has $87.5 under their proposals/options, insurance search the school and its surrounding areas. property insurance market, in favor of a million in capital and surplus but is writing ceases to be insurance, and becomes On Tuesday, Nov. 10, a spokesperson with the MPD said no quasi-governmental, nonprofit insurance $5.6 billion in total insured value; $5.6 bil- something else, namely a very badly “significant event report” was ever filed on the matter, and so far, company/entity. lion in business suggests an approximate constructed cost-sharing program akin to “nothing has resulted” from the incident. My own background is as a licensed $1.9 billion in capital and surplus. I do Obamacare. Despite both brushes with the law, Philips said safety remains a life and property/casualty insurance agent realize that some of the risk is “laid-off” Bob Walsh top priority at Murphy and at all Mobile County Public schools. since the early 1970s and founder and to reinsurers, but I am confident that the President, Gulf Administrators LLC, Mobile “We still believe the safest place for any child to be from 8 a.m. president of a casualty insurance company reinsured volume is nowhere near the $1.9 to 3 p.m. during the week is in school,” she added.

4 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | BALDWIN COUNTY BB orange beach unveils proposed route of $28 million bridge BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

ccording to recent surveys conducted on behalf of Baldwin County’s coastal residents and the Alabama Depart- ment of Transportation (ALDOT), the Aremedying of traffic woes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach should be a top priority for state and local officials. On ALDOT’s list of the state’s 20 busiest two-lane roads, Canal Road — with a daily average of 15,510 vehicles — ranks 18th. Coincidentally, in an unrelated, informal survey, Orange Beach residents listed traffic improve- ments as their second priority in a list of 10. A new bridge — either over the Intracoastal Wa- terway or Wolf Bay — was the second priority in a separate list. The city is already planning to widen Canal Road and improve its congested intersection with State Highway 161. A separate project will expand William Silvers Parkway near the Or- ange Beach Sportsplex. But at a town hall meet- ing Oct. 20, the city unveiled the proposed route of a new bridge to span the Intracoastal Canal, Photo/City Orange Beach providing a new route between the Foley Beach Express and State Route 182 along the coast. The proposed route of a new bridge The proposal includes plans to carve a new (yellow) and existing one (orange). road through Gulf State Park, where the state is also planning to spend more than $85 million Shores resident, is leading a social media charge in BP oil spill fines to build a resort hotel and against the proposal, which is just one and a half convention center. Vince Calametti, ALDOT miles west of the existing Foley Beach Express Southwest Region engineer, said the bridge toll bridge. Emerson suggested any hopes a new is necessary to meet the county’s needs for bridge would alleviate traffic on Canal Road additional north-south traffic. According to Cal- without an additional connection to the beach ametti, State Route 59 is at capacity and some are unfounded. drivers are still hesitant to use the Foley Beach “My complaint is that this bridge is going to Express toll bridge because they don’t want to do the exact opposite of what they are saying it pay the $3.50 fee. is going to do,” he said. “It is supposed to ease The bridge is still in the design phase and traffic on Canal Road, but instead it is just going will be the second of three phases of construc- to dump traffic back onto Canal.” tion on the route, from north to south. The first Emerson started a Facebook group called two phases will create a new road from the “End the #Bridge2Nowhere” which included intersection of the Foley Beach Express and 380 members as of Nov. 9. He was also photo- Baldwin County Road 8 to Baldwin County graphed in The Islander newspaper protesting Road 4, through developed private properties at the site of the bridge with a homemade sign and forested land, past the eastern border of Jack declaring the project a “bridge to nowhere” and Edwards Airport, on the way to the proposed “poor planning.” He said it’s been a conversa- bridge and its connection to Canal Road. The tion starter. third phase would connect Canal Road to the “It is time that we stop just accepting things beach by cutting through the state park. the way they are,” Emerson said. “We need to ALDOT Director John Cooper said the first tell the people in charge that throwing $30 mil- two phases have an estimated cost of as much as lion at a bad idea is a waste of tax money.” $28 million. Calametti said the state would reimburse Property tax records indicate the project’s property owners for right of way acquisitions. first phase will cross land owned by the city of He said he could not judge the public’s reaction Gulf Shores, Turf Properties, Doyce and Shirley to the proposed bridge, but said residents at the Ellenburg and Anthony and Patricia Diliberto. town hall meeting seemed receptive to another According to records maintained by the Alabama announced project to add an additional lane to Secretary of State, Turf Properties is owned in Canal Road. part by Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft. “I didn’t get a feel for the reaction to the Additional property owners who could be im- bridge in any way,” he said. pacted by the project, for better or worse, include The first section of the project could be under Edwin G. Cowdin, Orlanda B. Clark-Perrault, contract next year, but Calametti said work on Richard E. Nolte Jr. and Olivia Reagan Coates. the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway won’t Further south, the road would travel along begin until the end of 2016 or into 2017. Still, the existing Waterplant Road — adjacent to the state has no concrete plans to connect the property registered to the family of former Gov. new road to State Park Road 2, which circum- George C. Wallace — through undeveloped navigates Lake Shelby in the park. canal-front parcels owned by Charlotte, North Without the connection, Emerson contends, Carolina-based Coastal Resort Properties. The the proposal will be a “bridge to nowhere.” An route crosses the canal, where the bridge’s employee of Pleasure Island Parasail, Emer- southern end — depending on its design — may son said, “I work in an industry that survives cross over Canal Road before connecting on because of tourism, so I understand the need to land owned by Laura Rogers Almaroad. make it easier for people to access the beach. Meanwhile, Joe Emerson, a 20-year Gulf This bridge won’t do that.”

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 5 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE COUNTY mcPSS rural land leases worth millions BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

n casual conversation, Tommy Sheffield, the facilities director In 2015, the most profitable individual lease was to a Citro- for hunting, and has some parents worried about its proximity to for Mobile County Schools, will refer to roughly 15,000 acres nelle-based oil and gas company, worth $981,000 alone. children. of school board public property as “his land,” but that’s prob- “These are actually production wells for natural gas and crude But according to Sheffield, there is a buffer of utilities leases ably because overseeing more than 40 parcels keeps his staff oil that are leased based on a percentage of their volume, which around the property and the section authorized for hunting is in Iout of the office more often than not. we’re paid annually for,” Sheffield said. “They find it, tap it and the center, at least a half mile from either school. Additionally, the Those parcels are non-campus properties owned by the board sell it. For us, it’s all dependent on how the market is doing.” lessee is only authorized for bow hunting. that are commonly leased out to businesses, community groups Those leases are typically profitable when oil or gas is discov- “If you’re hunting and you get in a dense forest, a bow and and private individuals for myriad uses. Last year, the school sys- ered, but even selling the rights to explore the property has been arrow is no danger to students that far from the school,” Shef- tem took in over $2 million from the leases, which Sheffield said good for the school system. Last year, J-Brex of Alabama LLC field said. “Historically, this area of the county was all woods. We is on the low side of average. submitted a bid to explore the same property in the Citronelle area didn’t even have these schools out there back in the day.” “These sections predate [Alabama’s] constitution, as far as land to the tune of $159 per acre, and the deal benefited the system to Others have questioned the school system’s practice of main- goes, and it’s a very good business for the school board,” Sheffield the tune of $101,000. taining and establishing trails on properties leased by hunters, but said. “Besides the income, we’ve got good tenants that keep an Another profitable endeavor is the sale of timber, which earned Sheffield said it’s a program geared toward the system’s lucrative eye on our property. There’s a lot of room for mischief in large the system more than $924,000 this year. Regions Bank man- timber operation. sections of the woods, so our tenants are really a plus.” ages the system’s day-to-day timber operations, which Sheffield “Most of the roads, or trails, on these sections are logging Those sections are “16th section of lands,” of which the school explained in a previous Lagniappe story as valued at around $20 roads,” Sheffield said. “We maintain these properties year round, board claims more than 30 throughout Mobile County, lands given million. but there’s no maintenance that directly lends a hand to a hunter at by the federal government to Alabama upon its becoming a state According to Sheffield, the system is very conscious about all. In other words, if someone wants a gate up to keep trespassers in 1819. The public school system and the University of South conservation and sustainability of the timber, which is why they out, that hunter is going to put it up.” Alabama were later awarded those lands by the state legislature in typically only harvest about 5 percent of the timber each year. Another responsibility of the leaseholder is to work with the 1969 and 1973, respectively. “If I cut 5 percent a year, I’ll have a sustainable resource for school system on wildlife conservation. Sheffield said deer, foxes, Today, those properties make up a significant portion of the life,” Sheffield said. “The growth factor is around 5 percent, so if I coyotes, turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and other animals inhabit system’s 22,000 total acres. They are occupied by various tenants cut 5 percent and plant 5 percent, I’ll never run out.” the lands, and all hunters are encouraged to use effective game such as hunters and farmers, and also by oil, sewer and utility Of this year’s timber revenue, more than $200,000 was management. companies leasing the parcels for their business endeavors. returned to the operation itself, money used to plant new pine sap- According to Sheffield, those practices, as well as long-term According to Sheffield, each lease is typically written for a lings and finance controlled burns necessary to promote growth. leases, keep hunters from overhunting an area during the limited five-year period, but as the landowner, the school system approves Though timber and oil leases generate the most money for the time they’re allowed to access it. Proper management, he said, can each use yearly. He also said the system could “cancel any lease at system per acre, the largest area of property is actually reserved actually increase the deer population on the properties. any time without cause.” for hunting — accounting for 32 of the school system’s 100 leas- “We keep a very good relationship with our local game warden. All of the money generated from the land leases is pumped es. This year, hunting leases have brought in more than $70,000. We update him yearly on the properties, and he has full access to back into the district’s capital accounts, which is mostly used Recently, however, one hunting lease caused some concern all of our sections,” Sheffield said. “We also make it very clear to to address critical and immediate needs at the district’s schools, among parents at two local elementary schools. A 640-acre section our hunters that safety and our resources are the top two priorities, though some also is used to maintain the properties themselves. of land between Collier and Taylor-White schools is authorized and your hunting is way down there at third.”

6 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE BB midtown group advocating for quality of life improvements BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

new grassroots organization is putting people friendly. It would add lights and side- together a comprehensive plan for walks. They’ve put a good plan put together.” Midtown and encouraging residents’ Midtown Mobile Movement is asking for input. Ashley Dukes, a co-founder as much community participation as pos- ofA the Midtown Mobile Movement, said the sible to develop the plan. Dukes encourages group wants to improve walkability and qual- interested parties to attend a planning meeting ity of life in the neighborhoods between Broad kickoff scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, Street and Interstate 65 by adding sidewalks, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Junior League of lighting, shops and other amenities defined in a Mobile building at 57 N. Sage Ave. developing long-range plan. There will also be an opportunity to “drop The goal, she said, would be similar to in” for various one-on-one sessions with plan- what was achieved farther west on Old Shell ners the same day, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and Road by another resident advocacy group again from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. The group will known as The Village of Spring Hill. plan another drop-in studio day with planners “Our goal is to make Midtown more on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 walkable,” Dukes said, suggesting additional p.m. The individual sessions Nov. 19 will be sidewalks, lighting and commercial space, followed by a presentation from the planners while also revisiting zoning ordinances on from 5:30 to 7 p.m. proposed development. As an example, she “It can’t just be what I want, or what my said, a 40,000-square-foot building with a neighbors want,” Dukes said. “It has to be parking lot may not conform with neighbor- what the community wants.” hood ambitions. Following improvements to Old Shell The group intends to develop a comprehen- Road, the group will turn its focus to areas of sive plan for Midtown, similar to the recently Airport Boulevard and Dauphin Street. approved Map for Mobile, only more detailed. Much as the Spring Hill group did to earn The plan would include ordinances for historic matching funds for additional sidewalks, districts that would tell developers what Mid- Dukes said Midtown Mobile Movement in- town residents wanted in their backyards. tends to hold fundraisers and apply for grants. Generally, the group aims to “support sys- In a separate mission, the Movement has tems neighborhoods can run through,” Dukes already made efforts to support and oppose said, adding they have also begun the process various developments in the Midtown area. to register as a nonprofit. “Of course people are concerned,” Dukes Dukes, who lives near Murphy High said. “They don’t want it to be a drawback. School, said while she and a few neighbors Whatever we do will make neighborhoods began talking about starting the organization more attractive.” about a year ago, they really “got serious” One proposal receiving the group’s over the summer. The group plans to initially endorsement is the possible development of focus on a swath of Old Shell Road from a grocery store at the site of the old Augusta Broad Street to I-65 in order to connect to Evans School, just north of the intersection existing sidewalks in the Spring Hill area. of Old Shell Road and Florida Street. In a “We’re starting on Old Shell because of survey, Dukes said, nearly 89 percent of Mid- Spring Hill,” she explained, where “you have town residents were in favor of the develop- green and sidewalks and go under the Inter- ment. She said the developer would know by state and it’s like, ‘where am I now?’ We want the end of the month if a company consider- to make it look like a place people care about, ing the location chooses it. because it is.” More recently, Midtown Mobile Move- For guidance, the group has enlisted Good- ment joined with residents in the Loop area wyn, Mills & Cawood, the same engineering to oppose the development of a gas station firm the city contracted with for the Map for and 24-hour convenience store on Airport Mobile. Additionally, Dukes said Midtown Boulevard, on property most recently home to Mobile Movement received about $65,000 Benjamin’s and Antiques at the Loop. in combined discretionary funds from City “I learned about it through neighbors on Councilmen Levon Manzie and Fred Rich- nextdoor.com,” Dukes said. “As far as oppo- ardson, as well as County Commissioners sition, [we] opposed it because it’s develop- Merceria Ludgood and Jerry Carl. ment that doesn’t support walkability.” Manzie, who represents a large portion of Dukes said she attended a meeting with the Midtown, said he gave $12,500 in District 2 developer at Little Flower Catholic Church discretionary funds for the project in order to last week before the plan was scheduled for “help get the plans off the ground.” consideration by the Planning Commission. “It is a great group of interested citizens, She said almost 95 percent of the residents at who’ve seen the success in Spring Hill and the meeting were opposed to it. Apparently realize the success could be copied,” he said. the developer subsequently withdrew the “I gave them capital improvement funds … to application. hire a planner.” “That’s going to be the key with mov- Carl, who also contributed $12,500 toward ing forward,” Dukes said. “If we could have four to five blocks of the targeted area he meetings with developers before it gets to represents on Old Shell Road, explained, “It the Planning Commission stage, it would be would be cleaning Old Shell up so it’s more beneficial for everyone.”

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS | POLITICS State boe race gets crowded, while baldwin dA, judge run unopposed BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

he race for the District 1 seat on the state board of said. “It isn’t personal against Mr. Brown, I just believe we need never ceased sending their prayers and support,” she said. “I was education — representing all or part of seven counties someone with a good working knowledge of the education sys- elected to champion the people and to imbue your district attor- in southwest Alabama — is crowded. As recently as last tem. I saw as a teacher that bad policies from the top can trickle ney’s office with a passion for seeking truth and justice. Having week, incumbent Matthew Brown was unopposed, but down and hurt everyone.” fulfilled that mission is the greatest professional accomplishment Tby Friday’s campaign filing deadline, four additional candidates Originally from Greenville, Alabama, Myrick said his family I can imagine, and I will remain forever honored to have been were in the mix. moved to Baldwin County when he was a child. He said he has given that privilege.” District 1 is home to 154 public schools spanning Baldwin, friends who are teachers throughout District 1. At 35 years old, he Dixon’s announcement left former circuit court judge Robert Butler, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia and Mobile said technology is the future of education and the system could Wilters unopposed for the Republican nomination for district counties with more than 110,000 students and 6,000 teachers. benefit from younger people getting involved. attorney. According to FCPA filings through Oct. 30, Wilters has Brown, appointed to the seat by Gov. Robert Bentley in June, “Someone has to step up and do something,” he said. “This received more than $70,000 in contributions. His biggest contri- faces a challenge from Adam Bourne, Carl Myrick, Jackie Zeigler isn’t a money problem, it is a policy problem.” butions came from a pair of political action committees — $1,850 and Harry Brown. As a Chickasaw City Councilman, Bourne cites his experi- from Foley-based Coastal PAC and $2,000 from DVA Holding Matthew Brown is an advocate for school choice and public ence in establishing the Chickasaw City School system. His wife, Company PAC. charter schools and was the public face of the Educate Baldwin Jenny, is a teacher at Davidson High School in Mobile and a Wilters received several $1,000 donations from the legal com- Now campaign against a push from Baldwin County Public member of the Chickasaw City School Board. munity, including Kenneth Raines, Lee L. Hale Jr., W. Gregory Schools for higher taxes to fund a capital campaign in March. “I believe great public schools are the foundation for pros- Hughes, Julian “Buddy” Brackin, Floyd Enfinger, William L. According to Fair Campaign Practices Act reports, he received perity in our state,” Bourne said in a statement last week. “You Bass, Blackburn & Conner PC, the Citrin Law Firm, J.R. McKin- $9,099 in contributions through Oct. 31, including $1,000 from cannot talk about economic or workforce development without ney, Dan Benton, David P. Broome, John W. Beck and others. John Parker and $500 apiece from Robert E. James, William also talking about providing a quality education for students. I am Wilters reported $40,965 in expenses since June, including McNair, John White-Spunner, Rick Skinner and Lee Pittman. committed to doing right by every student in this district and I re- five $3,500 payments to Fairhope-based Catalyst Associates, “I believe Alabama’s K-12 education system has great potential for improvement,” Matthew Brown said this week. “I ally do not care about pleasing special interest groups. Alabama’s $2,640 to Wolf Bay Lodge, payments of $2,500 and $1,075 to unabashedly believe we must disrupt the status quo and embrace children will be my special interest each and every day.” Joseph Brown & Associates and $1,500 to Tamara’s. bold policies that refocus our attention on ensuring that our In the race for a pair of contested Baldwin County Board of Scott Taylor, Wilters’ replacement on the circuit court and young people are graduating from Alabama public schools ready Education seats, one of the four candidates has withdrawn from the only candidate running for the position, reported $43,277 in to be independent contributors to our society and economy.” the campaign. Foley attorney Narissa Nelson withdrew because contributions through Oct. 20. Of those contributions, the largest Myrick is the son of Baldwin Board of Education member she does not live in District 4, leaving longtime Baldwin educator were $2,000 from Cunningham Bounds LLC, $1,500 from TMS Tony Myrick. A teacher in the school system for two years before and former assistant superintendent JaNay Dawson unopposed LLC and $1,295 from Daniel Craven. Taylor also reported $1,000 being laid off without tenure during the financial crisis, Myrick for the seat. donations from Dampier Law Firm PC, Daniel H. Craven PC, learned how statewide decisions can impact teachers and students Elsewhere in Baldwin County, District Attorney Hallie Dixon Frazer Green Upchurch & Baker LLC, Matthew E. Rone, Mitzi at the local level. announced last week she will not seek another term in office. In Johnson Theodoro LLC and Tobias McCormick & Comer LLC Myrick said Bentley’s appointment of Brown — who had no a statement, Dixon said she made the decision after prayer and as well as a $750 contribution from Jimmy W. Junkins. prior experience in school administration — was a wake up call consideration. Dixon is completing a six-year term that began in For expenses, Taylor reported payments of $5,905, $2,923, for him. Myrick has a master’s degree in education administration, January 2011. $2,588 and $1,500 to TMS LLC for media management and something he believes will benefit him on the state school board. “I am incredibly grateful for the voters who gave me the consulting, $4,860 to Owen Gray for catering and three payments “After the appointment I felt like it was now or never,” Myrick opportunity to serve as your district attorney and all those who of $2,000 to Catalyst Associates.

8 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE BB Mayor, council reflect on administration’s first two years BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

or the second straight year, the city was “I think what you’ve seen in this council denied a $13.6 million federal grant for is a willingness to move forward,” he said. making improvements to Broad Street. “We’ve made some tough decisions … That’s When the U.S. Department of Trans- what the people hired us to do.” Fportation (DOT) announced its annual award In addition to the fiscal discipline, Stimp- of Transportation Investment Generating son and the council have benefited from big Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants, Mobile economic developments in 2015, including was excluded from the list. the return of Carnival Cruise Lines to the But city spokesman George Talbot said Alabama Cruise Terminal and the opening of the grant’s denial won’t kill the “Bring Back Airbus’ first U.S. assembly line and support- Broad” initiative, which seeks to add mobility ing businesses. to one of downtown’s busiest thoroughfares. While Stimpson gives a lot of credit for “We still say we feel very good about the the Airbus opening to Sam Jones’ administra- project,” Talbot said. “We’re still looking at tion, he said his own administration has since options. If we can’t get the money through expedited some permitting processes. He does, TIGER, we’ll get it somewhere else.” however, take credit for bringing the cruise Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the city would industry back to town, noting that in doing so, soon receive feedback from the DOT on the he fulfilled a campaign promise. application and could use it to reapply. In a separate development prioritized by Birmingham was the only city in Alabama to the Stimpson administration in collabora- receive TIGER money, one of three beneficia- tion with U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, Congress ries in the South. There, the city received $20 passed a six-year highway bill last week that million to develop a new, 15-mile rapid transit could ultimately benefit the proposed $85 bus line to connect specifically low-income million Interstate 10 bridge project, promising residents to employment centers, educational to relieve congestion in both the Bankhead opportunities and community services. and Wallace tunnels. Stimpson said he was The announcement sets back Mobile’s recently reassured by Gov. Robert Bentley of project to reduce vehicular lanes on Broad the governor’s commitment to complete the Street to add bike and pedestrian infrastructure bridge’s design before he leaves office. at least a year, and constitutes one of the few During his first year in office, Stimpson blemishes the City Council and administration made changes to Planning Commission ap- officials cited in an otherwise successful two- pointments. year run of Stimpson’s first term. Meanwhile, the new Planning Commission Stimpson explained that alternative funding has presided over several contentious debates sources are important because of his hesitance this year, but Stimpson said that’s not unusual. to borrow money. Two years in, he boasts of One involves regulations for petroleum stor- not adding debt. age tanks near the Mobile River and another “We have tightened up the operating budget continues regarding entertainment districts to make sure we didn’t need to borrow money,” downtown. Stimpson said one of the reasons he said, noting a broader effort to square up the for those debates has been the city’s lack of a city’s finances. “The underlying accomplish- detailed long-range plan. ment of getting the fiscal house in order was a “There has been little or no effort in the last hallmark of this administration. Without that, 30 to 40 years to go through all our ordinances we can’t get anything else accomplished.” to make it simple and make sure there are no Meanwhile, he admitted keeping the city in discrepancies,” he said, assuring members of good financial standing is an ongoing process, the Planning Commission are “very qualified” requiring department heads to stay within their and are doing an “excellent job.” budgets on a monthly basis. The collaborative Stimpson, Daves, Council President Gina work by the mayor and council to keep the Gregory and Councilman Levon Manzie all city operating within its means has impressed said the relationship between the mayor and Councilman Joel Daves, a former banker. council is improving. Specifically, Daves cited ending the prac- “The mayor and council have a very good tice of transfers from the capital budget into working relationship,” Gregory wrote in an the operating budget, which helped the city email. “We are communicating, we have suc- turn a $4.5 million deficit in 2013 into a $27 cessfully tackled some difficult issues, and we million surplus this year. are all onboard with our capital improvement “We now have a fully funded reserve and plans.” can spend $21 million this year in capital Gregory also praised the council. improvements,” he said. “We are a great team, we respect each The council’s three-year extension of a other, and we consistently work to reach con- roughly 15 percent sales tax also helped. sensus,” she wrote. Although Stimpson had asked for a one-year Meanwhile, Manzie believes the council extension, his veto was ultimately overridden has “done a tremendous job representing during budget discussions last year. citizens and providing services,” calling it Daves said the capital fund helps the city “transformative.” plan for the future by chipping away at a $250 “We’ve bonded as a group,” he said. “We million backlog of infrastructure repairs. all want to see us move the city forward.”

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 9 BB BAYBRIEFS | EASTERN SHORE Spanish Fort annexation proposal fails by three votes BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

panish Fort’s effort to bring an addi- Census data showed it had a population of tional 30 parcels of land and as many 3,732, it has swollen to 6,798 residents in as 1,870 residents into the city through 2010 — an 82 percent increase in 10 years. an annexation referendum failed by McMillan said a single referendum failing Sjust three votes after provisional ballots were won’t stop that growth. counted and certified at noon Tuesday in Bay “We are blessed to have a lot of undevel- Minette. oped, raw land here,” McMillan said. “We are The final vote count was 170 against the going to grow regardless.” annexation and 167 in favor of it. Last Tues- The city’s proposal would have affected day’s referendum resulted in the annexation approximately 750 rooftops, bringing in unin- defeat by just a single vote, but 17 provisional corporated rural areas north of the city as well votes had yet to be counted. After seven of as residents on Stagecoach Road and on the those were disqualified, Probate Judge Tim north side of Spanish Fort Estates, as well as Russell, Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack and Cir- Rayne Plantation, Grace Magnolias, Cambron cuit Court Clerk Jody Wise Campbell counted and Old Highway 31. just 10 more on Tuesday, resulting in six If the proposal had passed, residents com- against the proposal and four in favor of it. ing into the city through annexation would Spanish Fort Mayor Mike McMillan said have been afforded police and zoning protec- it has been a long week waiting for the results tions from the city. McMillan said there are to be finalized, adding that even though it was a host of reasons why someone would vote defeated, he was encouraged that about 50 against the proposal, but some residents did percent of votes went the city’s way. not want to pay the city’s 5 mill property tax. “Even though it didn’t pass, we still have The city spent approximately $10,000 on the a lot of people who do want to come into the election. city,” McMillan said shortly after the final Probate Judge Tim Russell said the tally. “There’s a chance that some people will provisional ballot count was completely try to annex on their own.” confidential. The city is one of the youngest in coastal “That’s the process in America, and that’s Alabama but also one the fastest growing. the process here in Baldwin County,” Rus- Incorporated on July 19, 1993, when 1990 sell said. daphne releases redistricting plan BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

ollowing a population boom in Districts According to numbers provided to the 7 and 4 reflected in 2010 Census data, city by Carey Technology President Cynthia the city of Daphne has unveiled details Feirman, four of the city’s districts will gain about its proposed plan for redistricting voters, while Districts 2, 3 and 7 will lose Fahead of the 2016 municipal elections. voters in the new plan. District 6 will see the The proposal, for which the city paid Carey biggest increase, with a 5 percent increase to Technology $14,000, will help the city more 3,259. District 5 will gain 2.52 percent, rising equitably distribute its population of 21,727 to 3,182 and District 1, a heavily minority dis- throughout its seven districts, reaching a goal trict, will rise by 2.55 percent to 3,183 making of an average 3,104 in each district. The city’s it the second most populated district. District current district lines were drawn in 2008 using 1 will have 1,344 black residents — or 42.22 2000 Census data. According to City Council percent of its population — eligible to vote President Pat Rudicell, the new districts will be under the proposal. in place for at least two voting cycles, in 2016 “Cynthia did a wonderful job, she has and 2020. worked hard with the council to make sure the The City Council expects to hold a public districts are where they would like them to be,” hearing on the redistricting plan at its Dec. 7 Hayes said. “I’m comfortable with what they meeting. It could then introduce the plan as have come up with. I look forward to getting early as its Dec. 21 regular meeting. Council- this process done before next year’s election.” man Robin LeJeune said he hopes the city does Under current districting, Lake Forest — not move too quickly with a vote right before the city’s largest subdivision — is represented the holidays. In an effort to ensure more open- by five councilors. With the new plan District 7 ness and time for the public to understand such will be realigned, but districts 3, 4, 5 and 6 will an important issue, LeJeune suggested holding still be represented there. a second public hearing or pushing the date Daphne’s newest City Councilor Angie Phil- until the first of the year. lips, appointed at the previous council meeting Upon approval, the city will voluntarily to replace Joe Davis III, represents District 7. submit the plan to the U.S. Department of “There would still be four council rep- Justice (DOJ) for review. Because of recent resentatives for Lake Forest,” Phillips said. changes to the preclearance requirement of “That little sliver that was in District 7 is not the Voting Rights Act, the city is not required that much of a change. It does seem like we by law to submit the plan to the DOJ, but City Clerk Rebecca Hayes said it will do so to still have great representation there; that’s the ensure everything is above board. majority of the council.”

10 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE BB Council approves float barns BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

he Mobile City Council voted Tuesday Johnson and Jay Weber could be reappointed to approve a rezoning request to allow to the committee, Councilman Fred Richardson a local Mardi Gras society to build float argued it was no longer needed. barns on a visible Midtown property. “I have reservations about it,” he said dur- TThe application of the Infant Mystics was ing the pre-conference meeting. “Do we know affirmed with a unanimous 6-0 vote and no of any recommendations they’ve given us? debate. Councilman Joel Daves abstained. They’ve raised many issues, but haven’t made The approval allows the society to construct any recommendations. I think their time has float barns near the intersection of South Broad come.” and Dauphin streets, adjacent to property where Councilwoman Bess Rich said Weber, her the group received previous approval to convert appointee, has been very helpful in the past. the historic Protestant Children’s Home into an Councilmen C.J. Small and John Williams event space. echoed her remarks about their own appoin- A public hearing on the subject resulted tees. But Richardson blamed the committee in opposition from only two people, Samuel for negative publicity during the Sam Jones and Carol Parker, who were concerned that administration. He said “every week” the development of the property would restrict committee generated negative publicity about emergency access to a home they provide for problems with the city’s finances, arguing its the intellectually disabled. On Tuesday, Coun- members also “didn’t have a clue” about the cilman Levon Manzie said he heard pushback city’s ordinances. from other residents, but still supported the “When the dust settled, they made no rec- project. ommendations,” Richardson said. “If we were During the public hearing, applicants’ attor- that bad off, they should’ve made at least one ney Casey Pipes told councilors the organiza- recommendation.” tion would also voluntarily construct a privacy Separately, Mayor Sandy Stimpson an- fence, even though it’s not required because the nounced the hours for Riverside Ice, a seasonal Parkers’ property is also zoned for commercial ice skating rink at Cooper Riverside Park open- use. ing Saturday. Hours will be noon to 10 p.m. on The new barns will total 13,800 square feet. weekdays and noon to 11 p.m. on weekends. In other business, councilors approved two The 50-by-70-foot rink uses real ice maintained reappointments to the Citizen’s Budget and by refrigeration. The cost for skating will range Finance Advisory Committee, but not before from $8 to $12 per person. debating the group’s merits. Before Mike citizen supervisor documents park damage

BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

s the Mobile Area Water and Sewer pass apparatus, will begin on the lake’s south System (MAWSS) works to repair side, Cote said. drainage problems caused by a Once the project is completed on the north separate project to replace a sewer side, a landscape contractor will come in and Aline running underneath Langan Park, resident fix any holes and divots created by the bypass, Ronald Hunt created a blog to share photos of he said. the resulting damage. Hunt said his intent was “Our objective is to return it to the way it to “make sure they clean up their mess.” was before we started the project,” Cote said, “I have been promised it would be taken arguing the “cured-in-place” method actu- care of,” he said. “I’m trying to document it.” ally resulted in a lot less damage to the park Hunt’s photos show areas of what is also grounds than another method that would have known as Municipal Park that he deems “dan- required a trench. gerous.” Most of his complaints involved the Hunt said he’s going to keep documenting ground disturbance resulting from MAWSS’ the work. He apparently has some support, as work. members have begun signing up to comment “Most of the problems have been tearing up on the site, www.savingourparks.com. the grass and flowers and stuff,” Hunt said. In addition to four galleries of photos MAWSS Assistant Director of Operations showing the damage, Hunt added links to the Douglas Cote explained the massive project contact information of Mayor Sandy Stimpson to replace a 30-foot concrete pipe required a and City Council President Gina Gregory, as “cured-in-place” pipe, forcing contractors to well as a link for contacting MAWSS leader- build a bypass apparatus. ship. “The pipe was old and needed to be re- Gregory, who represents the area affected placed,” Cote said. by the project, reiterated that MAWSS would Work on the project will be done in phases. be responsible for restoring the park to the The first, which will be completed this week, same condition it was in before the project took place on the north side of the park’s lake. began. Afterward, a second phase, using the same by-

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 11 BB BAYBRIEFS | CRIME AND PUNISHMENT man convicted of jury tampering in hastie case avoids prison BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected] onathan Lawrence Oneal will not face incarceration despite The case, which accused the Hasties of conspiring to conceal pleading guilty to tampering with jury in the tax evasion case more than $58,000 of income from the IRS on five separate occa- against Mobile County Revenue Commissioner Kim Hastie sions, was dropped by federal prosecutors over the summer after a and her husband earlier this year. trial ended with a hung jury last May. JIn August, Oneal pleaded to attempted jury tampering at the Kim Hastie’s attorney, Neil Hanley was in the courtroom behest of Hastie’s husband, John Melvin Hastie Jr., who was also throughout Oneal’s sentencing Nov. 5, but was representing a cli- Oneal’s coworker and supervisor at Cooper Marine & Timberlands. ent in the same courtroom for an unrelated matter just before the According to the plea agreement, Oneal admitted that the same proceedings began. day a list of 103 potential jurors was made available to the parties Since the charges were dropped and Kim Hastie was acquit- in that case, he received a cell phone call from “one of the defen- ted of 16 separate charges in a corruption case, the Hasties’ legal dants.” In subsequent statements accessible in the court record, troubles appear to be over, but Oneal’s seem to just be beginning. that “defendant” was identified as Hastie Jr. Though he escaped the 10-month jail sentence recommended by federal prosecutors, his felony conviction over the jury tampering charges mean he’ll face a $3,000 fine and three years of super- vised probation. Photo/Daniel Anderson I don’t think he knew the In the courtroom last Thursday, Oneal’s defense attorney Peter severity of what he was Madden said there was no way Oneal knew the severity of the John hastie, above, allegedly solicited Jonathan oneal crime he was committing or the consequences for it. Madden to contact jury members on his behalf. maintained that his client only “did what he was accused of, as a doing, but I think the person who person that instigated the conduct.” favor to a friend.” “That’s not who I have before me,” she said of Oneal. “I don’t Madden did acknowledge that the potential juror and his wife contacted him probably knew. think he knew the severity of what he was doing, but I think the were concerned about discussing the trial, but he said Oneal never person who contacted him probably knew.” –U.S. district court Judge made any threats or used intimidation. Ultimately, Granade ruled that a fine and felony conviction was Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello, who prosecuted the callie Granade a sufficient punishment for Oneal “doing a favor he was asked.” case, said he agreed with the assessment of Oneal’s character and But, despite previous court records suggesting Hastie Jr. had a believed he posed no risk of recidivism. However, Costello sought clear involvement in the jury tampering, his name was never men- According to an original affidavit from FBI Special Agent prison time for Oneal out of “respect for the law.” tioned during Oneal’s sentencing. Eric Lawson, Oneal was asked by Hastie Jr. if he knew any of the “This undermines and threatens the proceedings of everything In fact, the only charge in Oneal’s unsealed indictment suggest- potential jurors. Oneal then made contact with the spouse of one in this court, which is based on the public’s trust and the system’s ing another party was involved was a conspiracy charge related of the potential jurors, identified only as “JT.” integrity,” Costello said. “Unless there’s a significant punishment, to the jury tampering. By its very definition, a conspiracy has to Oneal claimed he only asked JT to “pray for the Hasties,” but some other defendant may be tempted to weigh the sentence [they involve at least two persons. Lawson’s affidavit alleged other witnesses claimed he discussed could be facing] with the sentence of a jury tampering case.” However, the conspiracy charge, along with a third allegation some details of the case and his presumption that Hastie Jr. was “a U.S. Judge Callie Granade agreed with Costello’s concern over of lying to a federal agent, was dropped as a part of Oneal’s plea good man,” innocent of the charges. the court’s integrity, but explained the punishment would fit “the agreement.

12 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 CC COMMENTARYD AMN THE TORPEDOES Some time traveling in mobile BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

got to thinking a little about time travel last the Mobile of the past I would have had to fix roads or buy enough garbage trucks and night — primarily because of one of the call a friend to get me rather than standing police cars, even while running the city dumbest things I’ve ever heard uttered in on the Dauphin Street sidewalk baking for deeper and deeper into debt each year. Stimp- politics. 30 minutes waiting for a cab — if one ever son has been able to accomplish those things I The former Florida governor and current came. Instead I just hit the Uber app on my while moving us back into the black. Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush was not-as-smart-as-it-thinks-it-is phone, and in Three years ago Carnival Cruise Lines asked whether he would kill an infant Adolph two minutes a very polite and entertaining left Mobile at the altar pregnant with a cruise Hitler were he able to somehow travel back in lady picked me up in a clean car and whisked terminal, and all the administration had were time. The would-be leader of the Free World me back to work. nonsensical excuses. Stimpson has been able responded with a “Hell yeah, I would!” That felt very “New Mobile.” to go and bring Carnival back to the future, Besides grabbing the title of “Dumbest Po- Three years ago this city seemed mired in just lending more credence to the rumors litical Q&A Tandem Ever,” this sad incident a sludge of corruption and ineptitude drag- the ship left primarily because of personal- led me to wonder if a Jeb Bush administration ging us all down, but over the past two years ity conflicts with the mayor’s office and not would pump billions into time-travel research this mayor and City Council have done much financial reasons. that would then allow the president to send to change that. Is everything perfect? Of One other key thing that is different now assassins into the past to ice infant dictators in course not. Neither the mayor nor the council is how the administration is paying attention their cribs. One would hope the president and has been perfect, and I know there are still to who is placed on the various boards that his advisors would watch at least one of the political stresses between them, but mostly control so many things locally. For instance, “Back to the Future” movies first, just to get they have moved in the right direction. Are major Jones cronies are no longer on the some kind of handle on the ramifications of there are people on the council who would Mobile Housing Board, offering some hope changing the past. have kept Uber out for political reasons? that beleaguered mess may one day be turned Then I started wondering if President Jeb Sure. Would some have stopped the ice around. Bush XI 200 years from now is already send- skating rink? Yes. But at the end of the day Sure, Stimpson has ruffled feathers by cut- ing killers back to wipe out scumbags before Stimpson was able to lead effectively and get ting back on city contributions to numerous they do their damage, but the fact we still his goals accomplished. local entities, reworking the broken retirement know about Hitler probably means that’s not Those are both small examples. Where you system and planning to shut down the Civic happening or we never achieve time travel at can see the biggest difference between the past Center that houses so many Mardi Gras balls, all, right? It all kind of blew my mind, so I and present is in the way the mayor approach- but it’s hard to imagine these groups won’t all had to watch “The Terminator” just to get my es openness, fiscal management of the city be better off if the city is financially sound. thoughts on time travel back in line. and the myriad quasi-public organizations that And there are a few local politicians who, sur- Clearly my feeble mind isn’t really ready have been created over the years. Two years prisingly, have been much bigger obstacles to to handle the concept of retroactive abortions after taking office, Sandy hasn’t borrowed progress than I would have initially imagined. via time machine, but I was able to partici- money — hasn’t increased the city’s debt. The Even so, Stimpson has hit his stride in this pate in a simpler form of time travel earlier city’s reserve has been refilled and we’re now second year and it is now very, very easy to this week simply by walking down to Cooper spending real money on capital improvements see the differences between “Old Mobile” and Riverside Park. There were no killer robots or for the first time in years. “New Mobile.” He’s skating on thick ice for murderous presidential candidates skulking Former Mayor Sam Jones’ regime didn’t sure these days as he readies for the third year. about, but the place did look like someone had gone back to somehow wipe away what the park had become over the past several years. ThE G ADFLY For so long there were fences blocking entry into the park, and before that most visits to the park were primarily opportunities to be panhandled. But it was busy this past Monday I’m hear the at lunchtime as the crew was working to get mayor does a temporary ice skating rink ready for its opening this weekend. Mayor Sandy Stimp- a mean Triple son’s vision of seeing Mobilians ice skating along the river as part of this year’s Christmas Lutz! festivities has materialized. And the icing on that cake, so to speak, is Stimpson and his administration have already covered $80,000 of the $132,000 price tag through corporate sponsors, with Airbus taking the lead. At the end of the day, Stimpson believes most, if not all, other expenses will be recouped through skate rentals and the city should have a two-month-long opportunity to ice skate at almost no cost to the taxpay- ers. Looking at the skating rink, I thought about how just a few years ago something like this probably would have been nothing but straight cost to the city. A 501(c)(3) founda- tion would have immediately been set up to hide the finances from the public, while half the skaters would have done so for free after some elected officials grabbed as many tickets as possible.

That was just how things were in “Old Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen Mobile.” I had occasion to need a ride from down- The city’s temporary ice skating rink opens this week. town a couple of weeks ago at lunchtime. In

14 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 COMMENTARYHIDDEN AGENDA C drawing a line in the cyber sand BY ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR | [email protected]

ast week an Australian model quit social their lives, then let them do whatever they need media, saying it was suffocating her and to do. making her miserable. Granted, most of this But I wonder just how healthy or even ap- said misery came from the gorgeous gal propriate it is for strangers to be “liking” and par- Lhaving to take more than 100 photos to make her ticipating or even just acting as voyeurs on pages perfectly flat stomach look even more perfect to like this. I’m sure they would argue they only do her thousands of Instagram subscribers. Though it to offer support or gain awareness. But in many I’m sure that was just awful for her, I don’t think cases, it just seems like morbid fascination. I would mind being that kind of “miserable” — at I find myself trying to turn away from these least for a day or two. pages unless I have a personal connection But I do agree social media can be over- because I really just don’t want to be so hyper- whelming and even depressing. aware of every tragedy from Mobile to Missoula Back when we started this paper — a little anymore. over 13 years ago — the web existed but it I just can’t take it. It’s too much. We aren’t wasn’t the dominant force it is today. We were supposed to know all of this. There has to be a still primarily out on the streets cultivating story line drawn somewhere for the sake of sanity. ideas. While our reporters still pound the pave- Another area of our lives where lines seem to ments and sift through court documents the good, be getting drawn in the sands of social media is old-fashioned way, an equally important tool in race relations. As I watched what was happening

every individual community has such a complicated past — and present, for that matter — in regards to race. but now whenever something happens any- where in this country, a local conversation becomes a national one, with people who know absolutely nothing about the situa- tion weighing in on it, which just makes the dialog escalate out of control, with hate being spewed across the web in every community from to sea to shining sea.

finding out the latest breaking news, controversy at the University of Missouri on Monday (yes, or human interest story consuming our commu- via breaking news updates on social media), nity is by paying attention to social media. I witnessed the conversation devolve before I So I spend a decent part of each day looking think anyone in this country actually knew what to make sure we aren’t missing anything or to had happened in Columbia, Missouri, except see if someone is complaining about some- for maybe, I don’t know, the folks in Columbia, thing — other than lousy service at whatever Missouri. People were already offended or not restaurant they had lunch at — that could turn offended or offended by people being offended into a bigger story. or not being offended and name calling before I’m not going to blame it all on work, though, having any context whatsoever. as I do like seeing what my “friends” are up to How can this possibly be constructive? as well, especially the ones I’m actually friends Every individual community has such a com- with, but overall I’m starting to feel miserable plicated past — and present, for that matter — in and suffocated by social media as well. Just in the last few days, tragic stories have regards to race. But now whenever something come across my feed about a 6-year-old being happens anywhere in this country, a local con- shot by police in Louisiana and a young country versation becomes a national one, with people star from Tennessee saying goodbye to her who know absolutely nothing about the situation 1-year-old daughter as she loses her battle with weighing in on it, which just makes the dialog cervical cancer. escalate out of control, with hate being spewed Both of these stories made national news and across the web in every community from to sea perhaps would have come across our collective to shining sea. I saw many a Mobilian arguing radar even before the dawn of social media, but online about an issue that was occurring on a there are so many other gut-wrenching stories campus almost 800 miles away. Why? that never would have crept their way into our I know some people will say, “Well, this is consciousness without it — children being left great because these issues should be part of the brain dead by some horrible accident or born with public debate. We need to be talking about these some rare disease or killed in some preventable things.” And yes, we should. But is social media way, all with pages with names like “Hope for the best forum? And is arguing about another (insert name)” or “Prayers for (insert name)” or community’s problems going to solve our own? “Memories of (insert name).” When I was younger, I actually believed by The family will post heartbreaking updates the time I reached 40 (and I am getting close) no for their friends and family, but with the nature of one would even still be talking about race be- social media, these things go “viral” and people cause we would have figured this all out by now. from around the country — total strangers — But now I am more hopeless than ever. become active on these pages. The family always Because in the midst of all this cyber-shouting seems grateful for the outpouring of support not I rarely — if ever — see any resolution to these only from friends and family but also from these problems — only resignation that the problem people they have never met and probably never is just too big and we may never move past this will. It almost seems like a form of therapy for as a nation. some of these poor families, and God bless them, And that’s a sad and, yes, miserable and suf- whatever gets them through these dark periods of focating place to be.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 15 C COMMENTARYTAO OF JEN The fall and middle-earth civilization BY JENNIFER MCDONALD/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

e’re already swiftly approaching the middle of No- I treasure those sorts of moments, although I realize camp- nothing more relaxing than camping and hiking in the mountains vember and it looks like we might finally be getting ing isn’t for everyone. My guess would be about a third of you or woods. I love the exercise, the stargazing, the peace and quiet, a nice little stretch of that delicious fall weather we are nodding your head in understanding, another third are pretty and the wildlife and plants. And OK, let’s just be honest here. always look forward to here in Mobile. I suppose much indifferent and the rest are probably rolling your eyes if During our longer and more exhausting hikes, I love packing lots Wsome folks call it “football weather” or “pumpkin spice weather,” you haven’t already stopped reading. of lembas bread and pretending I’m on a very important and very but I call it “camping weather.” Through the years I must have heard dozens of comedians dangerous journey to Mordor. Never gets old. Come October, we usually dig up a few hoodies from the back joke about the perceived insanity involved in such “outdoorsy” I won’t lie, though; sometimes “roughing it” gets a little, well, of our closets, stuff a tent in the trunk and drive six to eight hours pursuits, often expressing their bewilderment over people rough. Occasionally there are times when things go wrong and north into the Southern Appalachians, where we’re pretty much voluntarily abandoning the comforts of home to hang out in nothing turns out like you planned. For example, there was the guaranteed a few crisp evenings in front of the fire. the woods and live like folks did before modern technology time Scott and I were enjoying a romantic weekend at a campsite October is less trustworthy here at home, but by November improved our lives. atop Lookout Mountain when we were awakened by a tornado we can usually find a perfect weekend or two to shut down the I hear it from some of my friends as well, and it seems like siren and driving rain and wind that threw our small tent off a Xbox and laptop and spend some quiet time just being together. I every time I start excitedly talking about an upcoming $100 cliff the moment we evacuated and ran for the car. always feel like I get to know my children more in a weekend of weekend getaway, at least one of my girlfriends will shake her Or the time we spent too much time picnicking and taking pic- camping than I do in months of hectic days full of homework and head and say something like, “So your idea of a fun and relaxing tures during a romantic hike in a canyon, and accidentally found practice and endless beeping devices. vacation involves leaving behind your memory foam mattress, ourselves miles away from the trailhead when the sun went down Saying that kind of makes me feel like I’m in some politi- strapping a bunch of crap on your back, climbing steep hills, ne- and left us to negotiate an unfamiliar rocky descent with cheap cian’s cheesy commercial about family togetherness, but it really gotiating uneven trails alongside open death-cliffs, peeing in the headlamps. is true. My son shows me (and himself!) what he’s made of forest and sleeping on the hard ground amongst the snakes, bugs Then there was the time we lost the car keys somewhere more on the hiking trails than just about anywhere else, when he and a variety of mammals that might possibly eat you?” along a six-mile trail, and I had to stay with the kids while Scott pushes himself past his aversion to strenuous exercise and savors Me: Yeah … well … your idea of a fun and relaxing getaway retraced our steps. Or the time we locked the dog and the keys in the victory (and the view) after a tough climb, or when he shows is paying $5,000 to drive nine hours to stand in line waiting for the car, miles away from civilization. off his natural scientific curiosity by asking a hundred questions a crowded bus full of sweaty people to take you to a commercial The worst was probably the time we planned a weekend of about every plant and animal he encounters. wasteland full of long lines in the hot sun, $20 cheeseburgers and camping with a feast for the grill each night. The night before we Without the constant distraction of electronic devices, I also enormous crowds full of over-stimulated children and exhausted left we had already packed all the room-temperature stuff, with enjoy meaningful conversations with his increasingly inde- and alcohol-deprived dads who have had-it-up-to-here with this a separate bag in the fridge full of steaks and sausages to put in pendent older sister. Early adolescence can be such a weird miserable, money-sucking mousetrap from hell. the cooler. Scott didn’t realize until the grill was hot the next time for moms and daughters, but seeing the soft look on my Just kidding. I love Disney World too, but “relaxing” is one of night that he’d forgotten to grab the bag of meat, so we had to eat (sometimes) surly tween’s face when she comes across a family the last words I’d use for such an adventure. Just planning a short potato chips and mustard sandwiches all weekend. of bunnies in the woods, or her sly little grin when she catches and efficient getaway that maximizes your time and money is Our camping trips are not always perfect, but we like to think the only fish of the day, assures me that I still understand this like strategizing for a large and complex military invasion. of them as adventures. Get outdoors and make your own adven- delightful young lady. We all have our own tastes and preferences, and for me there’s tures, Mobile! The time is nigh. The ring must be destroyed!

16 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 COMMENTARYBELTWAY BEAT C byrne’s real primary opponent: donald Trump BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

ere we go again. When primary season heats up in Alabama, In an apparent last-minute filing it’s not going to be just the Bradley Byrne and last week, Orange Beach businessman Dean Young show like it was in 2013. It’s going Dean Young qualified to be on next to be more 2012 — a flurry of presidential can- hyear’s ballot to run against incumbent Rep. didates touting their love for cheesy grits as they Bradley Byrne for the Republican nomination all vie for a share of the so-called SEC primary. for Alabama’s first congressional district seat. Let’s assume things continue down the cur- If that name sounds familiar, it’s because rent trajectory in this presidential race. The so- two years ago Byrne defeated Young in a called outsider candidacies of Donald Trump, runoff for the GOP nomination to fill the seat Ben Carson and Ted Cruz continue to outpace vacated by Jo Bonner earlier that year. Byrne the GOP establishment candidacies of Marco went on to win the general election. Rubio, Jeb Bush and Gov. Robert Bentley’s But for those few months in 2013, south- favorite, John Kasich. west Alabama was under a political micro- And when we get to Alabama, let’s assume scope. That off-year special election pitted there is a high amount of voter enthusiasm the so-called GOP establishment (Byrne’s for these outsiders that is a reflection of the candidacy) against the Tea Party (Young’s). national polling. When these voters come to This time, the players will be the same but the polling precinct to vote for their outsider the circumstances are going to be very different. candidate and look down the ballot, are they On March 1, 2016, voters will be pulling a going to check the box for Byrne, the incum- lever not just for the Byrne-Young match-up, bent establishment candidate backed by the but for the GOP’s presidential nomination as U.S. Chamber of Commerce? Or are they well. On that presidential ballot, there will going to check the box for Young, the so-called be a few candidates who will be citing their political outsider talking the big game about non-establishment and non-politician appeal, shaking up Washington? which is touted as a badge of honor at a time My guess is the latter, and that’s why, in a when many Americans are frustrated with way, Byrne is now running against Trump. Washington. In the first contest between Byrne and Young, If you’re Bradley Byrne, that’s potentially a the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dropped problem. $185,000 to support Byrne. Another outside Last week, the House of Representatives group, Ending Spending, financed by TD passed a $325 billion highway bill by a 363-64 Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, spent around vote. That’s a fairly overwhelming margin, $75,000 on his behalf. Other D.C.-based groups especially with the growing partisanship in poured money into Byrne’s effort. Washington. Byrne promptly touted the bill’s But this time, with the center of gravity passage, citing a number of projects throughout being the presidential primary election, Byrne his district: four-laning U.S. 84 in Monroe and may not get the backing of all these same Clarke counties, finishing the Baldwin Beach groups that helped push him across the finish Express out to Interstate 65, widening U.S. 45 line in 2013. in north Mobile and Washington counties and Another potential hurdle Byrne could be the much-needed new Interstate 10 bridge over facing: Without a lot of action going down the Mobile River. on the Democratic side of the ticket, assum- Despite this grab bag of potential goodies ing Hillary Clinton continues her domination, for the constituents of Alabama’s first congres- Byrne could be dealing with the potential vari- sional district, for some people, especially able of Democratic crossover voters wanting to your average conservative primary voter, this have something meaningful to vote on. massive spending bill represents exactly what That could go either way for Byrne. In is wrong with the federal government. 2014, incumbent Sen. Thad Cochran (R- How many times have we heard over the Mississippi), a GOP establishment candidate, past few elections we as a country need to im- was able to rally Democratic voters to stave off prove the nation’s “crumbling infrastructure” a Tea Party upstart challenge from Mississippi or some variation of that? Wasn’t the 2009 State Sen. Chris McDaniel. shovel-ready stimulus supposed to do that? Or it could go the other way, as Byrne In addition to the highway spending, tucked learned in his 2010 gubernatorial bid. Despite into this legislation is the reauthorization of having finished first in the Republican primary, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a Byrne lost a runoff election for his party’s nomi- government institution that provides taxpayer- nation to Bentley, which in part was blamed on backed lending to foreign businesses and crossover Democrats motivated by the Alabama governments to buy U.S. products. The Ex-Im Education Association teachers’ union. Bank, a relic of the New Deal, was perhaps a Normally the race for this House seat is a noble gesture at inception. But now it’s noth- snooze, in that the incumbent generally faces ing more than crony capitalism, with its three no legitimate opposition. For years the region biggest beneficiaries being Boeing, General was treated to token gestures of a re-election Electric and Caterpillar — three corporations effort from Jo Bonner, Sonny Callahan and hardly in need of any help from federal govern- Jack Edwards. But with the venom a presi- ment programs. dential campaign will inject into our politics, Yet, this is the type of thing Byrne is cham- this election is one Byrne probably should not pioning. take lightly.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 17 BB BUSINESSTHE REAL DEAL dauphin Square getting a facelift BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

ver $1 million in renovations is being & Rehabilitation Center, located at 8909 Rand leading patient safety experts and administered invested to modernize the exterior of Ave. in Daphne, is hosting a grand opening and by The Leapfrog Group, a national, indepen- Dauphin Square Shopping Center at ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 22, according dent nonprofit. The first and only hospital safety 3170 Dauphin St. in Mobile, reports to Vice President and Director of Marketing rating to be peer-reviewed in the Journal of oMarl Cummings of real estate firm Cummings Kevin Mohler. The facility treats a variety of Patient Safety, the Hospital Safety Score is free & Associates. The building facade, parking lot special needs including autism, attention deficit to the public and designed to give consumers spaces, parking lot lighting, landscaping and disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactiv- information they can use to protect themselves irrigation will be upgraded. Local contractor ity disorder (ADHD), Asperger’s syndrome, and their families when facing a hospital stay. Witherington Construction was selected for the cerebral palsy, developmental delays and other project, which is estimated to be completed by neurological and physical impairments. Weavil earns CCIM designation February 2016. Gulf City Body & Trailer spent $625,000 to Cameron Weavil, CCIM, vice-president of Current tenants at Dauphin Square include acquire a 30,000-square-foot industrial property The Weavil Company, recently was awarded Yak the Kathmandu Kitchen, Roly Poly, Dollar at 111 Short Texas St. in downtown Mobile. Joe the Certified Commercial Investment Member General and Greer’s. Three 1,000-square-foot Steen Real Estate & Development represented (CCIM) designation by the CCIM Institute. spots and the 10,000-square-foot former Anna’s the buyer; Adam Metcalf of Metcalf & Com- Weavil received the award during the Institute’s Linens retail space are now available for lease. pany worked for the seller. Annual Governance meeting in Austin, Texas. CentraLite recently announced plans to Half Shell Oyster House, with locations in Weavil was among 244 commercial real open new offices within the 10,000-square- Mobile, Mississippi and Florida, will open its estate professionals who earned the credential foot Exchange 202 coworking space, ap- newest eatery at 30500 State Highway 181, by passing the CCIM Institute’s Comprehen- propriately located at 202 Government St. in at the former Wintzell’s Oyster House site in sive Examination, the final element in the downtown Mobile. CentraLite joins as a core the Eastern Shore Centre, according to a news designation process. Out of approximately member of the facility, bringing a well-known release. The restaurant is roughly 6,000 square 150,000 Commercial Real Estate professionals local high-tech presence to the downtown feet and currently under renovation, with open- nationwide, only 6 percent hold the CCIM des- business community. ing targeted for January 2016. The business is ignation, which is awarded to commercial real “The flexibility and collaborative spaces at principally owned by Gulf Coast Restaurant estate professionals upon successful completion the Exchange allow us to bring various teams Group of Gulfport, Mississippi. Jonathan of an advanced analytical curriculum and pre- from our West Mobile campus into a vibrant Neely, the new location’s general manager, said sentation of a portfolio of qualifying industry space. We envision this space as an accelerant about 100 employees will be hired for the new experience. CCIMs are recognized experts for us as we work to enhance our emerging operation. in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, product ecosystem and aid in our continued According to Pratt Thomas with the Merrill asset management, valuation and investment positioning as a global leader in the ‘Internet P. Thomas Co., a local investor spent $160,000 analysis. of Things,’” said John Calagaz, chief technol- to purchase a five-unit apartment complex at ogy officer. 110 S. Broad St. in Mobile. Thomas worked for Phelps Dunbar named a 2016 “Best CentraLite plans to relocate current employ- the seller and Rameh Khazen of Bellator Real Law Firm” ees from its West Mobile headquarters as well as Estate & Development represented the buyer. U.S. News & World Report and Best Law- possibly hire additional IT, hardware and soft- yers, the oldest peer-reviewed publication of ware sales staff for the new downtown locale. Providence Hospital earns high the legal profession, recently included Phelps Vinyl Couture & Simply Southern Boutique safety marks Dunbar in its 2016 “Best Law Firms” rankings. has leased 1,600 square feet of retail space at Recent data released nationally by the inde- Phelps Dunbar was rated on the national level the Tillman’s Square Shopping Center, located pendent hospital ratings organization Leapfrog as well as locally. Eight of the firm’s Gulf Coast at 5441 Highway 90 West in Tillman’s Cor- Group indicate Providence Hospital is one of offices received accolades, with six practice ner. The boutique, which caters to female shop- only seven hospitals in the state of Alabama to areas ranking nationally and 88 receiving pers, features clothing, jewelry, embroidery and receive an “A” rating for safety, by reducing regional recognition. vinyl. David Dexter with NAI Mobile handled errors, injuries, accidents and infections af- Firms listed as “Best Law Firms” are the transaction. fecting patients. categorized by practice areas nationally and Harlow Salon at 1102 Dauphin St. in Mo- No other hospital in Mobile received an “A” in 170 metro areas. To be ranked, a firm must bile, adjacent to Red or White Wine & Gourmet grade from the ratings group. The latest award have at least one attorney ranked by best- Center, is hosting a grand opening Nov. 21. is the fifth consecutive accolade for Providence. lawyers.com, received strong feedback from The shop provides cuts, shampoos and scalp Every six months, The Leapfrog Group gives clients and received outstanding peer reviews massages for customers as well as offering hospitals a grade of A, B, C, D or F. from attorneys at other law firms. Phelps had high-end hair care products for purchase. The company’s Hospital Safety Score is 87 lawyers from eight offices included in the The 10,000-square-foot American Autism compiled under the guidance of the nation’s 2016 Best Lawyers listing.

18 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 19 CUISINETHE REVIEW John besh wows with latest cookbook, visit to mobile BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

Photos/ www.chefjohnbesh.com cheF JohN beSh’S LATeST cookbook “beSh bIG eASy: 101 home cooked NeW orLeANS recIPeS” oFFerS PLeNTy oF SINGLe-PoT dISheS

he modern chef is used to, even expects, fame. Television MacDonald: That’s important to me as a single dad. When don’t have access to fish like you and I, but they can get that wild channels devoted to shows about rising stars and competi- I get home I need to get these boys fed, and if I’m prepping all gulf shrimp. I’ve armed them with a ton of recipes on what to do tive cooking have eroded our senses to the point we accept night long …. and how to use them. every chef needs a trophy room and multiple projects heav- Besh: How old are they? MacDonald: Since the book is a lot about the home cook, Tily promoted on the air. It’s all about the credentials. MacDonald: I have a 5 and a 10. A nickel and a dime. when you leave a restaurant or event and you’ve been pulled a But when you hear the name John Besh it really doesn’t Besh: Whooo! Yeah, man, with sports you’re going to be run- hundred different ways, how do you decompress? And what does conjure up the image of flash and flare. There’s no catchphrase, ning from place to place. What I find is that I’ll get home every it take to get you into your own kitchen? bleached hair or crazy sunglasses. Sure, he’s a TV star in an now and then and even at night I’ll throw a couple of these one- Besh: That’s my sanctuary. When I can come home and just understated way. pot things on, help with homework, take the pots off and package cook, me by myself, quiet, that to me is a real rejuvenating time. His restaurant August was a bit of a renaissance for New them up for the refrigerator. The next day everything is done, but I do it very often, and these one-pot dishes become a process. Orleans-style dining. He’s a James Beard award winner. The Besh it’s home cooking at its best. Maybe it’s making a roux and you just focus on that. Listening to Foundation works to preserve our manner of eating here on the A lot of our food we grew up with along the Gulf Coast lends music. And it depends on the time of the day, but it could be wine Gulf Coast and in his beloved New Orleans. In short, he has the itself to that, and that’s what this is all about. or coffee or a whiskey drink. Enjoying the moment and adding credentials. But with his Southern charm and laid-back aura, he MacDonald: I love there is a whole jambalaya section of one ingredient after the next. That’s what I love to cook and that’s speaks more than most by saying less. He speaks with flavor. this book. Your last book, “Cooking from the Heart,” was totally what this book is really trying to tap into. The week before he headed to Mobile Nov. 11 for the Junior different. I loved it as well, but I felt it was maybe an autobio- MacDonald: One of my students sat behind you at a football League’s Christmas Jubilee, I caught up with the busy man for a graphical tribute to your mentors and a look into what shaped you game during the magical season. He spoke to what a down-to- quick few questions. outside of New Orleans. It’s a great read whether you’re a cook or earth Saints fan you are. I feel this book reinforces his opinion. Andy MacDonald: The new book, “Besh Big Easy: 101 not. Was this your way of saying thanks? Please tell me it’s true. Home Cooked New Orleans Recipes” — first off, I’d like to Besh: Totally. It was all about honoring those mentors and Besh: You know I haven’t made it very far. I’m still just down mention there’s an emphasis on home cooked. shining light on the fact that through my blunders in all these the bayou from where I started. I’m surrounded by people I grew John Besh: Absolutely. These are the dishes I grew up with kitchens I’ve learned so much. Part of learning is making mis- up with and people I love. Life isn’t going to last forever. We and many along the Gulf Coast grew up with. You kind of take takes and the kitchen is no different. I love paying tribute and share what we can along the way. Whether it’s cooking shows or them for granted. But I feel like, as I matured a little bit, I’m not homage to those greats that came before me and all of us chefs. cookbooks, it’s that we are generous with each other. I was in- cooking the same way as I used to. I’m craving those one-pot It all does come down to mentorship. spired by great people before me Like Paul Prudhomme. Having dishes that inform my palate, that truly told me who I am and MacDonald: “Besh Big Easy” is so different. To me it feels the chance to know people like that further the message it’s really where I am, and that’s what I love to share with everybody else. like if you live in a town with a halfway decent fishmonger about stewardship. When chefs write cookbooks we’re making it way too compli- you’re set, but you can still use the book for grocery store fish MacDonald: Paul Prudhomme in 1,000 words or less. cated. After four cookbooks I’ve learned what we want to do is and be effective. Besh: I met him when I was 11 and I think that changed my focus on recipes where people can obtain ingredients just about Besh: You certainly can. Let’s take shrimp, for example. Half life. Another guy from the bayou had made it to the pinnacle of anywhere and keep the prep time and cook time as low as pos- the book is about shrimp. Shrimp freezes great. Frozen on the chef-dom, bringing our culture to the ends of the Earth. He did it sible. If I can shave a few steps off here and there, people might boat are some of the best shrimp you’re going to get. They main- with humility, grace, generosity and certainly delicious food. cook at home a little more. tain their texture perfectly. Most people throughout the country

20 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 21 JAmAIcAN vIbe ($) Three GeorGeS cANdy ShoP ($) royAL ScAm ($$) GoLdeN boWL ($) Mind-blowing island food. Light lunch with Southern flair. Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 309 Bel Air Blv.d • 470-8033 JImmy JohN’S ($) TroPIcAL SmooThIe ($) rUTh’S chrIS STeAk hoUSe ($$$) hIbAchI 1 ($-$$) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. Exceptional service & taste. Asian Cuisine. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 2370 Hillcrest Rd. Unit B • 380-6062 Joe cAIN cAFé ($) 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 SAGe reSTAUrANT ($$) kAI JAPANeSe reSTAUrANT ($-$$) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. UNcLe JImmy’S deLIcIoUS hoT- Inside the Mobile Marriott. Asian Cuisine. $ UNder 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 doGS ($) 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 $10/PerSoN mAmA’S ($) Hotdogs. UNIoN ($$$) LIQUId ($$) $$ 10-25/PerSoN Slap your mama good home cooking. 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy S. • 307-5328 Premium steaks & burgers. Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. $$$ over 25/PerSoN 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 WILd WING STATIoN ($) 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 mArS hILL cAFe ($) Wings. TAmArA’S doWNToWN ($$) mIkATo JAPANeSe STeAk hoUSe ($$) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 1500 Gov’t St. • 287-1526 Casual fine dining. Upscale sushi & specialties. 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 yAk The kAThmANdU kITcheN 104 N. Section St., fairhope • 929-2219 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 comPLeTeLy mAry’S SoUTherN cookING ($) ($-$$) The bULL ($-$$) rIce ASIAN GrILL & SUShI bAr ($) Southern Cooking. Authentic foods from Himalayan region. N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. Sushi Bar. comForTAbLe 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 ALL SPorTS bAr & GrILL ($) mIcheLI’S cAFe ($) 400 eastern Shore Center • 459-2862 The TreLLIS room ($$$) rock N roLL SUShI ($$) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Cafe Contemporary Southern Cuisine Sushi. 3408 Plesant Valley Rd • 345-9338 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 3299 Bel Air Mall • 287-0445 AL’S hoTdoGS ($) mIko’S ITALIAN Ice ($) ‘cUe ZeA’S ($$) TASTe oF ThAI ($$) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats bAckyArd cAFe & bbQ ($) Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. Thai Cuisine. 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 Home cookin’ like momma made. 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 ATLANTA breAd comPANy ($-$$) mommA GoLdberG’S deLI ($) 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 WASAbI SUShI ($$) Sandwiches, salads & more. Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. bAr-b-QUING WITh my hoNey ($$) Japanese cusine. 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood A LITTLe vINo 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 CAfe 219 ($) 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 domke mArkeT Pho yeN ($) Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. moNTeGo’S ($-$$) brIck PIT ($) Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. A favorite barbecue spot. 720 Schillinger Rd. S. Unit 8 • 287-1851 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 cAFe mALbIS ($) 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 FAThomS LoUNGe Contemporary fare & spirits. moSTLy mUFFINS ($) dreAmLANd bbQ ($) A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music. 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 Muffins, coffee & wraps. Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 From The dePThS cAmILLe’S SIdeWALk cAFé ($) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898 PoUr bAby bAUdeAN’S ($$) NeWk’S exPreSS cAFe ($) moe’S orIGINAL bAr b QUe ($) Wine bar, craft beers & bistro Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 Oven-baked sandwiches & more. Bar-b-que & music. 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 cAmeLLIA cAFé ($-$$$) 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS FIrehoUSe WINe bAr & ShoP boNeFISh GrILL ($$) PANINI PeTe’S ($) 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 Wine Shop. Eclectic dining & space. Contemporary southern fare. 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 61 Section St., fairhope • 928-4321 Original sandwich and bake shop. 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 216 St francis St. • 421-2022 cAmmIe’S oLd dUTch ($) 42 ½ Section St., fairhope • 929-0122 SAUcy Q bArbQUe ($) red or WhITe boUdreAUx’S cAJUN GrILL ($-$$) 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Award-winning BarBQue. Wine Shop. Quality Cajun & New Orleans Cuisine. Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. 29249 US Highway 98 Daphne. • 621-1991 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 PdQ ($) 1111 Gov’t Blvd. • 433-7427 323A De La Mare Ave, fairhope • 990-0003 cArPe dIem ($) Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. Smokey dembo Smoke hoUSe ($) 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 cAJUN SeAFood ($) 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 Smoke House royAL STreeT TAverN Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 PITA PIT ($) 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 Live music,martinis & dinner menu. chAT-A-WAy cAFe ($) Pitas. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 crAvIN cAJUN ($) 211 Dauphin St. • 690-7482 SoUTherN NAPA Po-boys, salads & seafood. Quiches & sandwiches. 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 QUeeN G’S cAFé ($) droP deAd GoUrmeT Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. chIckeN SALAd chIck ($) Down home cooking for lunch. ALAbAmA crUISeS ($$) 2304 Main St. • 375-2800 ed’S SeAFood Shed ($$) 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 Fine dining & sailing Fried seafood served in hefty portions. Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. Orange Beach • 973-1244 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 reGINA’S kITcheN ($-$$) FALAFeL? Try Some dAUPhIN ST. cAFe ($) Sandwiches, subs and soups. bAy GoUrmeT ($$) FeLIx’S FISh cAmP ($$) 2056 Gov’t St. • 476-2777 A premier caterer & cooking classes. Upscale dining with a view. Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 hUmmUS 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 roLy PoLy ($) bISTro eScoFFIe ($$) 7 SPIce ($-$$) FIShermAN’S LeGAcy ($) creAm & SUGAr ($) Wraps & salads. Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 Fine dining French fare. 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 Deli, market and catering. Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. 1714 Dauphin St. • 450-2030 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 brIQUeTTeS STeAkhoUSe ($-$$) AbbA’S medITerrANeAN cAFe ($-$$) hALF SheLL oySTer hoUSe ($) d’ mIchAeL’S ($) roSIe’S GrILL ($-$$) Beef, lamb & seafood. Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 Seafood. Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. S2. • 607-7200 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne • 626-2440 cAFé 615 ($$-$$$) JerUSALem cAFe ($-$$) LUcy b. Goode ($$) deLISh deSSerTS ($) royAL kNIGhT ($) Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. Lunch & dinner. American fare with local ingredients. 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. Great desserts & hot lunch. 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434 200 e. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores • 967-5858 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 medITerrANeAN SANdWIch deW droP INN ($) royAL STreeT cAFe ($) cAFé royAL ($$-$$$) comPANy ($) LULU’S ($$) Homemade lunch & breakfast. Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. Live music & great seafood. Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 Great & quick. 200 e. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores • 967-5858 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 2502 Schillinger doWNToWNerS ($) SATorI coFFeehoUSe ($) dUmbWAITer ($$-$$$) Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 mUdbUGS AT The LooP ($) Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. Serving local seafood & produce 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 107 Dauphin St. • 433- 8868 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 ISAbeLLA’S ($$$) mINT hookAh bISTro ($) orIGINAL oySTer hoUSe ($-$$) e WING hoUSe ($) SerdA’S coFFeehoUSe ($) Great Mediterranean food. Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. Steakhouse. 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 A great place for kids & seafood. Wings. 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 305 DeLaMare Ave, fairhope • 990-5513 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 SPoT oF TeA ($) kITcheN oN GeorGe ($-$$) rIver ShAck ($-$$) FIrehoUSe SUbS ($) Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. Contemporary American food. FAr eASTerN FAre Seafood, burgers & steaks. 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. Hot subs, cold salads & catering. bAmboo bISTro ($$) 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 SoUTherN decAdeNce deSSerTS ($) LeGAcy bAr & GrILL ($$$) Asian Cuisine. The hArbor room ($-$$) FIve GUyS bUrGerS & FrIeS ($) Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. American, Seafood,Stekhouse. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 Unique seafood. 1956 B University Blvd. • 300-8304 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 Burgers & Fries bAmboo FUSIoN ($$) 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 STevIe’S kITcheN ($) mAGhee’S GrILL oN The hILL Asian Cuisine. The bLUeGILL ($-$$) 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. ($-$$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 A historic seafood dive w/ live music. FooSAckLy’S ($) 41 West I-65 Service rd. N Suite 150. Great lunch & dinner. bAmboo STeAkhoUSe ($$) 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 Famous chicken fingers. TP crockmIerS ($) 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 Sushi Bar. The GrANd mArINer ($-$$) 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 American Restaurant & Bar meLTING PoT ($$$) 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 Local seafood & produce. 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 Fondue Restaurant. bANGkok ThAI ($-$$) 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 The bLINd mULe ($) 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. TIN ToP reSTAUrANT & oySTer 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761 Daily specials made from scratch. NobLe SoUTh ($$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 bAr ($$) 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. Local ingredients bANZAI JAPANeSe reSTAUrANT ($$) Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. GULF coAST coNey & Ice creAm The hoUSe ($-$$) 203 Dauphin St. • 690-6824 Traditional sushi & lunch. 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. • 949-5086 PArLor ($) Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. NoJA ($$-$$$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 WINTZeLL’S oySTer hoUSe ($-$$) Sandwiches, Coneys & Ice cream 4513 Old Shell Rd. • 408-9622 Inventive & very fresh cuisine. beNJAS ($) Seafood. 5395 Battleship Pkwy. • 660-4899 The hUNGry oWL ($) 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 Thai & Sushi 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 ISTANbUL GrILL ($) Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. oSmAN’S reSTAUrANT ($$) 5369 D Hwy 90 W • 661-5100 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., Saraland • 442-3335 Authentic Turkish Resturant. 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 Supreme European cuisine. cUISINe oF INdIA ($$) 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 The vILLAGe deLI ($) 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006 Lunch Buffet Deli. 3674 Airport Blvd. • 341-6171 312 fairhope Ave, fairhope • 929-3354

22 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 romA cAFe ($-$$) Memphis-style Q. IS The GAme oN? mAmA mIA! No GAmbLING Coast Restaurant at Beau Rivage ($) AShLANd mIdToWN PUb ($-$$) beNTZ’S PIZZA PUb ($) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 cASINo FAre Sports bar-style joint. Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. romANo’S mAcAroNI GrILL ($$) 245-A Old Shell Rd. • 479-3278 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 WINd creek cASINo: bUFFALo WILd WINGS ($) bUck’S PIZZA ($$) Italian. 303 Poarch Rd. Atmore • 866-946-3360 GrANd cASINo: Springdale Mall 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 Fire at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel ($$- 280 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 800-946-2946 Best wings & sporting events. Delivery. TAmArA’S bAr & GrILL ($) 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 $$$) LB’s Steakhouse at Grand Casino ($$- bUTch cASSIdy’S ($) GAmbINo broTherS ($) Wings, po-boys, burgers. Prime steaks, seafood & wine. $$$) 210 eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 • 929-0002 Grill at Wind Creek Casino & Hotel ($) Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. vIA emILIA ($$) Fine dining with steak & fine wine. 60 N. florida St. • 450-0690 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. Cuu Long Super Pho at Grand Casino Homemade pastas & pizzas made daily. cALLAGhAN’S IrISh SocIAL cLUb ($) GAmbINo’S ITALIAN GrILL ($) 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 hArd rock cASINo: ($$) Burgers & beer. Italian, Steaks & Seafood. 777 Beach Blvd.Biloxi • 877-877-6256 Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 18 Laurel Ave. fairhope • 990-0995 GUIdo’S ($$) Vibe at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino heroeS SPorTS bAr & GrILLe ($) oLé mI AmIGo! ($-$$) ISLANd vIeW: Sandwiches & cold beer. Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. dAUPhIN ST. TAQUerIA ($) Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. 3300 W. Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 877-774-8439 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic fare. Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Hard Rock Emeril’s Gulf Coast Fish House at Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 LA roSSo ($$) Hotel & Casino ($$$) Island View Casino ($$-$$$) Comfort food. mANcIS ($) eL chArro ($) Exceptional servie & taste. Kick it up a notch. Burgers. 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 Finest Mexican in WeMo. Hard Rock Café at Hard Rock Hotel and C&G Grille at Island View Casino ($) 1715 Main St. • 375-0543 meLLoW mUShroom ($) 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 Casino ($) Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. mcShArry’S IrISh PUb ($) Pies & awesome beer selection. FUeGo ($-$$) American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. Outstanding Mexican cuisine. Satisfaction at Hard Rock Hotel and PALAce cASINo: 101 N. Brancroft St. fairhope • 990-5100 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 Casino ($) mUG ShoTS ($$) NAvco PIZZA ($$) LoS ArcoS ($) Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. 158 Howard Ave. Biloxi • 800-725-2239 Bar & Grill. Pizza,subs & pasta. Quaint Mexican restaurant. Wahoo’s Poolside Bar & Grill at Palace 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 1368 ½ Navco Rd.• 479-0066 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 IP cASINo: Casino Resort ($-$$) oLd 27 GrILL ($) PIckLeFISh ($$) LA cocINA ($) 850 Bayview Ave. Biloxi • 888-946-2847 Fresh seafood & more. Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. Pizza, sandwiches & salads. Authentic Mexican cuisine. Tien at IP Casino Resort Spa ($-$$) Mignon’s at Palace Casino Resort 19992 Hwy.181 Old County Rd. 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. ($$-$$$) fairhope • 281-2663 PAPA’S PLAce ($$) mArIA boNITA AGAve bAr & GrILL ($-$$) Highlights Sports Lounge at IP Casino Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. The LANdING ($) A Taste of Italy . BYOB. Mexican cuisine. Resort Spa ($) From seafood to steaks. 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 3977 Gov’t Blvd. • 660-4970 Brews & game on 65 screens. TreASUre bAy: 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 High Tide Café at IP Casino Resort Spa ($) PINZoNe’S ITALIAN doWNToWN ($$) SANTA Fe GrILL ($) 1980 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 800-747-2839 LUcky’S IrISh PUb ($) Italian, catering, to-go. Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. The Den at Treasure Bay Irish pub fare & more. 312 fairhope Ave, fairhope • 990-5535 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 PINZoNe’S ITALIAN vILLAGe ($$) TAQUerIA mexIco ($-$$) beAU rIvAGe: Casino ($-$$) 875 Beach Blvd. Biloxi • 888-952-2582 Intimate & casual with daily specials. The STAdIUm ($) Italian. Authentic Mexican flavor. Catch the games with great food. 312 fairhope Ave, fairhope • 990-5535 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 BR Prime at Beau Rivage ($$-$$$) CQ at Treasure Bay Casino ($$-$$$) 19270 Hwy. 98 fairhope • 990-0408 rAveNITe ($) Fine dining establishment. Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. WemoS ($) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more Jia at Beau Rivage ($-$$) Blu at Treasure Bay Casino ($) Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 Exotic cuisine. Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 Memphis Q at Beau Rivage ($)

SeNd LISTINGS To [email protected]

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 23 CUISINEWORD OF MOUTH C John besh comes to Junior League’s Jubilee preview gala BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

hose who know me would understand that my favorite available. See the above website or call 251-471-3348. applause. This proud immigrant is as busy as anyone I’ve seen organization right now is the Junior League of Mobile. and rarely sleeps in his Los Angeles apartment. If he thinks it’s Why, you may ask? Because they’re bringing John Besh Café Del Rio opens on Causeway the greatest country, he should know. He has seen all of it. I to the Mobile Convention Center! Can you believe there is now a waterfront Causeway res- was exhausted listening to his schedule. TIf you noted the item in our Calendar of Events last week or taurant that isn’t a seafood destination? Back when Ralph and The raffle prizes were presented by a very talented Vanna picked up an early copy of this issue, you may still have time Kacoo’s took over Lap’s they also gained possession of the White-esque lady who got better and better as the night went to attend the preview gala to Mobile’s 31st annual Christmas former Tacky Jack’s. We told you there were plans to place a on and the wine was flowing. The evening went off without a Jubilee Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. It’s Mexican restaurant there. Well, the time is here. hitch and the meal was well executed by the Athelstan Club sure to be special. This will be your first chance during the Café Del Rio is wide open at the 1175 Battleship Parkway staff under the direction of Mujumdar, though he admitted the weekend-long event to shop while enjoying delicious food, location and the name of the game is Tex-Mex. You can get fantastic butternut squash soup was not of his creation. beer and wine as well as entertainment and a silent auction. your tamales smothered in chili or queso. I’ll take both. Not only did I enjoy the food, I also was glad to get a closer Chef Besh will be doing a cooking demonstration you cannot This isn’t an order-by-number joint, so don’t expect a look at what Habitat for Humanity is doing in Mobile. afford to miss. Speedy Gonzales and a bowl of cheese. Be prepared to feast on Tickets are $60, available through www.juniorleaguemo- some well-thought-out dishes, all the while finding your Mexi- Celebrate Hope with USA’s Mitchell bile.org, and the gala is open to those 21 and older. Dress in can or Texican faves. Several shrimp dishes are on the menu Cancer Institute your favorite cocktail attire and let this be the kickoff to your so I guess Causeway fans should give them a pass. On my first Mark your calendars for Thursday, Nov. 19, as we Celebrate holiday season. visit I was tempted by the shrimp cocktail. The twist to this Hope from 6 until 10 p.m. at the Mitchell Cancer Institute, The following three days will be shopping, shopping, shop- version versus the typical cocktail de camaron is a mango salsa 1660 Springhill Ave. Celebrate Hope is a food and wine/ ping — with a Thursday morning VIP experience to avoid the that sweetens the pot. Several dips caught my eye. Don’t forget craft beer pairing event with live entertainment and delicious crowd — complete with morning cocktails, from 8:30 a.m. until the homemade coconut flan. I think you’ll like this place. company. 10:30 a.m. at $25 per ticket, followed by Friday’s Girl’s Night Tickets start at $175 each and sponsorship opportunities are Out Nov. 13, 6 until 8 p.m. This $35 ticket includes beer, wine, Mujumdar makes big splash at Chefs and available. That price may sound steep, but last year they raised appetizers and desserts from EllenJAY Stylish Events + Sweets. Hardhats event more than $388,000 in net revenue with all proceeds going Finally, Saturday morning begins with a Santa Breakfast. A good time was had by all at Habitat for Humanity’s toward advancing Mitchell Cancer Institute’s early-detection Seatings are at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Expect your $20 ticket Chefs and Hardhats event Oct. 29. It was a packed house at cancer research program. Nothing could be more important to get you story time, crafts, breakfast and, of course, photo ops the Athelstan Club as guests crowded the dining hall to see for those with a history of cancer in their family. Since its with the Big Man in Red. Shortly after is Cookies with Santa at Food Network’s Simon Mujumdar. The Indian with the British inception Celebrate Hope has raised more than $1.8 million for 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. For a mere $10 you’ll get more story accent was delightfully funny, incredibly informative and sup- cancer research. time and crafts, and decorate cookies with Santa! These last portive of the cause. For more information and ticket purchasing, visit www. two events are NOT restricted to 21 and older. We were treated to stories about the history of nutmeg and usahealthsystem.com. From a mobile device you may have to General admission will also be available for this event Thurs- insight into Simon’s own plight coming from England to the view the full site to get the proper information. day through Saturday and are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. United States. Speaking of his new home, he said, “There is College student, military, senior citizen and child discounts are no greater country.” You could tell he wasn’t looking for cheap Recycle!

24 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 COVERSTORY racing commission’s tax disbursements hit all-time low BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

ince it opened in 1973, Mobile Greyhound Park has “From 1991 to 1993, as the lottery came in and the casinos Despite track-side euthanizations being legal in Alabama, contributed more than $135 million in revenue to local started opening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, our distribution Menton said the commission banned the practice years ago except municipalities, public education and pension funds for dropped from $5.1 million to $2.5 million,” he said. “That was for cases in which a dog is severely injured and must be put down first responders, but over the last 25 years the funding has directly attributed to the casinos in Mississippi, and it’s continued for “humane reasons.” Sdropped dramatically in a continuing trend. to go down from there.” According to Menton, Mobile Greyhound Park was also the The Mobile County Racing Commission was created to regu- Since 1993, the revenues have never really recovered. In second track in the country to start an adoption program for retired late the operation of the dog track and oversee the dispersion of response, additional legislation was passed in 1995 allowing racing dogs — one it’s maintained since 1992. tax revenues generated from betting. In its heyday during the late bets on simulcast races. But while remote betting generates more Last year, 500 greyhounds were placed in adoptive homes, part 1980s, the commission distributed nearly $8 million annually to money than live races, it also yields a smaller percentage for its of the 4,240 dogs adopted since the program’s inception, accord- 22 public entities across the county. tax beneficiaries. ing to the commission’s own records. The beneficiaries are a mixed group of colleges, school systems Last year, simulcast dog races experienced the only increase and city governments. The percentage each group receives was in revenue recorded at the track, yet only 2 percent of those funds Changing ownership, potential new revenue outlined in legislation organizing the commission and legalizing were retained by the racing commission. Despite the decline in revenue, in 2009 the PCI Gaming dog racing in Mobile County. In total, only 112,000 people visited the track last year, but the Authority — an enterprise of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians The money the racing commission receives amounts to 7 per- slowdown in attendance and tax distributions doesn’t mean no — purchased 65 percent of the controlling interest of the track for cent of the proceeds generated from live racing and 2 percent of money is being made. In 2014, the total handle, or sum of bets a reported $10 million. the proceeds from simulcast racing, which facilitates bets on horse placed, totaled more than $25 million. The total includes $5.6 In response to inquiries from Lagniappe, Wind Creek Hos- and dog races broadcast live from tracks around the country. million from betting on live dogs, $7.2 million from simulcasting pitality COO Brent Pinkston said the declines in revenue at the Additional funds are generated by rounding all proceeds to the horse races and $12.9 million from simulcasting dog races. dog track are consistent with others across the country, which he nearest dime and from unclaimed winnings or “outs,” both of which Menton said it’s no small take. explained was the result of “other entertainment options.” are split between the commission and the owners of the track. “People act like the track is going out of business, but that’s a “The age demographic [for] pari-mutuel customers skews To date, with more than $51 million in proceeds, the Univer- significant handle,” he said. “It’s just that it doesn’t produce the over 60 years of age,” he said. “Thus, attracting new customers sity of South Alabama (USA) has received the most funding from same tax revenue it used to.” is very difficult with other entertainment options, including other pari-mutuel wagering. From betting in 1987 alone, USA received In all, the $25 million handle generated $819,044 for the racing forms of gaming.” $3 million. But to paint a picture of the decline in the park’s commission in 2014, and after roughly $800,000 of expenses, that But PCI in Mobile is limited in the kinds of “gaming” it can performance, USA only received $41,000 in 2014 — a 98 percent doesn’t leave much to split 22 ways. pursue, because unlike the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in At- reduction over 27 years. more, the dog track is not located on reservation land and is bound Overall, total allocations to all entities have seen similar de- Current operations, longevity by Alabama law. creases — falling from $7.5 million in 1987 to just under $127,000 The decline in attendance has also caused cutbacks to the rac- Menton said that is the reason neither PCI nor the commission last year, the lowest amount in the track’s 42 years of operation. ing commission staff. According to Menton, the commission had has entertained the idea of slot machines or electronic bingo at the Last week, Gov. Robert Bentley announced he would leave 26 employees in 1996, but is currently down to 8 full-time staff greyhound park in the past. continued enforcement of Alabama’s long-debated gambling laws members including coordinators, race inspectors and race judges. In October, in a case involving electronic bingo at Victory- to local jurisdictions, a move many think could pave the way for a There are also a handful of part-time veterinary positions. land in Shorter, Alabama, a Macon County judge determined the greater variety of “legal betting” in the state. “We’ve had to cut and cut, and we’re looking at it again, but machines were legal under Alabama law after a challenge from Though no plans have been announced or discussed publicly, we’ve never laid anyone off,” Menton said. “We’ve mostly cut Attorney General Luther Strange. Currently, the machines are sub- the change may also open the door for more opportunities at Mo- positions through attrition over the years.” ject to a stay by the Alabama Supreme Court through the appeal of bile Greyhound Park. According to a recent report by the Alabama Department of that ruling. On Nov. 9, days after announcing he would no longer “If you look at dog tracks and horse tracks all over the country, Examiners of Public Accounts, the commission doled out about use state resources to enforce gambling laws, Bentley released a if they don’t have some form of help — a poker room or slot $351,000 in employee compensation last year. That doesn’t in- statement praising the high court’s decision. machines — they pretty much go out of business,” Mobile County clude the $141,525 total salary split among the three commission- Pinkston said the Creek Tribe has “actively pursued a compact Racing Commission Chairman Edward Menton said. “I won’t say ers, or roughly $47,000 each. with the state for some time” to expand gaming operations within this one is going to go out of business, but it’s one of only three The commissioners, including Menton, Robert E. Davis and the confines of the law. Yet he also said if laws were to change, tracks in the country that doesn’t have some form of assistance.” Michael E. Box, are appointed separately by three individual electronic bingo would be “an option” for additional revenue. organizations. Davis was appointed by a two-thirds vote of Mobile However, one type of controversial gaming — historical The Biloxi effect County’s legislative delegation, Box was appointed by the Mobile horse racing — has already been considered in Mobile once be- The racing commission doesn’t mince words when pointing to County Foundation for Public Higher Education and Menton was fore, and Pinkston said it could again be a possibility “if deemed a cause for the decline in revenue. While Menton acknowledged a appointed by a majority vote of Mobile County’s municipalities. legal by the state.” lack of interest from a younger generation seeking “instant gratifi- In addition to regulating races, the commission is also re- To the unfamiliar, historical horse racing looks similar to a cation,” the commission wrote in its 2014 annual report “gambling sponsible for the health and proper care of the dogs at the track typical slot machine. It has the same lights, sounds and betting opportunities in close proximity to Mobile continue to inflict dam- — something Menton said is a priority. system, but instead of selecting winners at random, the machines age and erode the amount wagered at the track.” “Obviously people are going to come first because it’s a busi- use odds based on actual, historical horse races. The winner of In his discussion with Lagniappe, Menton blamed the Florida ness, but the dogs are on an equal playing field,” Menton said. each race is typically represented by a series of three images, such Lottery and Mississippi’s waterfront gambling specifically, which “We won’t tolerate any abuse, and if any is suspected, we alert the as cherries, that are selected by the person placing a bet. became operational in 1988 and 1992, respectively. district attorney right away.” Right now, historical horse racing machines are legal in

26 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 Photo/Jesse Knott via PCi Gaming PcI Gaming reported a $5.6 million take on live dog racing in 2014, a year the mobile racing commission distributed just $127,000 in tax proceeds to local organizations. Oregon, Arkansas and Kentucky, and are be- opinion on historical horse racing in Mobile ing debated in Texas. Until they were temporarily County doesn’t affect her position on enforcing halted last month, the machines were also operat- state law. ing in Wyoming, where proponents credited them “I’m in charge of enforcing the laws of the for an increase in profits and a resurgence in the state of Alabama and that’s what we’ve always popularity of live horse racing. done in Mobile County,” Rich said. “The law in Depending on who you ask, they’re currently Alabama says gambling is illegal, and we will legal in Mobile County, though they are not enforce that.” operational anywhere. Though he was unable to address historical “We have an attorney general’s opinion horse racing specifically, Mobile County Sheriff that says it’s legal here,” Menton said. “I was Sam Cochran issued a statement to local media convinced and still am convinced that it’s pari- following the Bentley announcement of state mutuel wagering and not gambling.” gambling, which he said “does not change any- That opinion was issued in 2000 by Mobile na- thing in Mobile County.” tive and former Attorney General Bill Pryor, who “The state law does not allow electronic is currently a judge on the 11th Circuit U.S. Court bingo,” Cochran wrote. “We have not allowed of Appeals. It concluded “the use of such ma- them to operate in the past and we will continue chines [was] permissible in Mobile County if [it’s] to enforce the law.” approved by the Mobile County Racing Commis- Menton emphasized PCI Gaming hasn’t ap- sion and if the use is otherwise legally permitted proached the racing commission about historical under Alabama’s lottery and gambling laws.” horse racing in over a decade. At this point, it’s As a result, the racing commission made a unclear what PCI might do going forward, but motion to allow historic horse racing 15 years Menton said he’s hopeful the legislature will ago, subject to the approval of then-District At- eventually allow “some kind of enhancement to torney John Tyson, who ultimately opposed the the track” to help restore some of the lost rev- machines. enue. Though as a commissioner, he said it’s not “I made the motion that we allow them, with his place to lobby for it. the approval of the DA,” Menton said. “That one As for PCI, it looks like business as usual little comma was the issue.” at the dog track even while the number of live Pinkston said if deemed legal, PCI “would races, participants and revenues in decline. consider testing (historic) horse racing as a form “Our plans are to continue racing activity,” of additional revenue,” but the proposal could Pinkston said. “We have recently remodeled the face the same legal challenges today. facility and have added more simulcast options in Current District Attorney Ashley Rich seems order to draw more guests and maintain a viable to agree, saying the 15-year-old attorney general business entity.”

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 27 ARTARTIFICE Mardi Gras mystery solved in Cain book BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected] favorite quote likens journalists’ social status to that of Pond cites not only Cain’s participation in New Orleans Mardi prostitutes and bartenders, but their philosophical standing Gras festivities of 1867 but newspaper accounts claiming the 1868 as “beside Galileo because they know the world is round.” Mobile Mardi Gras celebrations “ushered in a new era.” Those attributes aren’t independent but intertwined. To Rayford, Cain was a worthy source of information about AOutside the power structure, you have nothing to lose by speak- Mobile’s most cherished pastime. He extolled Cain’s virtues, ing truth. Yet to do so is a path to alienation and marginalization. engineered the long-dead city clerk’s disinterment from Bayou The same could be said of a good historian. Part detective, part La Batre to historic Church Street Graveyard and spurred the epistemologist and philosopher, their dogged adherence to uncov- inception of the Joe Cain Day procession on the Sunday preceding ering truth often puts them at odds with the status quo. Lundi Gras. Ann Pond enters the fray with the last in her trilogy of books on Pond’s book goes on to discuss the Mobile of Cain’s youth, a Mobile Mardi Gras, “Cain and his Lost Cause Generation.” More town on the crest of the Cotton Boom wave. The social picture she than a regurgitation of threadbare popular myth, Pond’s citation of paints is that of a frontier town on the rise, reinventing itself and sources and unraveling of fable reads as well-grounded in diligence. hewing away the rougher parts of its culture. Pond’s preview revisits territory meticulously traced in the Photo/Ann J. Pond Also included is an in-depth telling of the story of the Boying- previous works — “The First Cowbellion” and “Masons and The third book in Ann Pond’s Mardi Gras trilogy. ton Oak and the tragedy that led to its eerie legend. Fittingly, the Mardi Gras” — and sketches the intricate symbiosis between oak stands not far from Cain’s current resting spot. Mobile’s New Year’s celebrations and New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. There’s no way to tell this story without ample focus on New his findings fit his end goal of giving Mobile as many credited It’s a good primer. Orleans, and Pond doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Her descrip- The first chapter delivers a wallop when it looks at the central “firsts” as possible. Among those claims are that Mobile and his family had the first azalea, the first garden, the first gumbo and the tions of the Crescent City culture and Mardi Gras customs are just question of how modern myths about the holiday emerged de- as vivid and detailed as those of Mobile, detailing the similarities spite ample documentation to the contrary. Two names emerge as first Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast. Through his 38-year occupation with the Mobile Register and differences. the wellspring. Unsurprisingly, the nascent civic rivalry between both cities is Artist and writer Julian Rayford is well known as the man who and lifelong association with its editor Erwin Craighead, Diard’s obvious and manifested in the tourism marketing undertaken in the gave us the modern Joe Cain Day and wrote the first book-length claims were never subjected to due scrutiny. Plus, there is the hu- antebellum period. Let’s just say the “family Mardi Gras” angle historical account of Mobile Mardi Gras, “Chasin’ the Devil man tendency to believe what is most flattering. was well underway long before Mobile even observed Carnival. ‘Round a Stump.” It canonized contemporary beliefs. Diard claimed “Boeuf Gras” celebrations began in colonial Anyone drawn to Mardi Gras or Gulf Coast history should dive But where did Rayford gather his information? It seems to have Mobile and continued uninterrupted until Fat Tuesday of 1861. into Pond’s entire trilogy at first chance. You can grab an inscribed come from Francois “Frank” Diard, an early 20th century Mobil- Pond and previous researchers say historical proof for this is copy at a couple of upcoming book signings: Thursday, Nov. 12, ian committed to elevating the status of his hometown without nonexistent, not in d’Iberville’s journals, the Penicaut Narrative 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Serda’s Coffee (3 S. Royal St.) and Wednes- adherence to a historian’s ethics. or historically documented stories from subsequent French im- day, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m. at the Mobile Carnival Museum (355 Diard amassed a so-called “family history,” an abundance of migrants. Diard disseminated these other fanciful ideas as widely information and “records” about colonial Mobile and its residents as possible, including in articles written for national publication. Government St.). as spurious as his claims of relationship to the Brothers Le Moyne, After a while, it became the accepted narrative. Copies also are available at ann-j-pond.squarespace.com. d’Iberville and Bienville. Pond said no proof of such lineage exists. Rayford was undoubtedly influenced by Diard. Rayford also Kindle and electronic versions may also be purchased. The problem with Diard’s research is his dedication to making championed a vision of Joe Cain as a symbol of wresting power If “the truth will set you free,” then these three volumes are from elites and spurning outside influence. pure liberation.

28 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 29 ARTART GALLERY Mobile burlesque troupe ready for debut BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

ay the word “burlesque” and most folks call to mind raunchy entertainment akin to what’s found in strip joints. While they might be right about the risqué Selements, they would be wrong in equating it solely with striptease. With roots in musical theatrical parody, American burlesque shifted under influence from minstrel shows, then vaudeville. Burlesque would incorporate acrobatics, comedy, magi- cians, athletics and exotic dancers. Eventually the more varied entertainments fell away as cinema attracted audiences and the exotic dancing and comedy became more prominent. Even that fell away in the mid 20th century — excepting the musical “Cabaret” — as the disparate elements of burlesque were apportioned elsewhere throughout modern life. Cue the neo-burlesque movement of the last couple of decades, which has bloomed on both sides of the Atlantic. A resurgence began in 1990s New York City and has spread to all three U.S. coasts. Troupes can now be found from Seattle to Los Angeles to New Orleans Photo/ Courtesy Camellia Bay Burlesque to Charlotte to Brooklyn, where a 13th annual Camellia Bay Burlesque. burlesque festival happens this month. Now Mobile has its own troupe ready to strut the boards, widen eyes and lighten hearts. Ca- piano concerto by MSO’s former composer-in- mellia Bay Burlesque will premiere at Alchemy residence Kevin Puts and Jean Sibelius’ evoca- Tavern (7 S. Joachim St.) Friday, Nov. 13, at tive tone poem “Night Ride and Sunrise.” 11 p.m. Founder Takillya Sunrise describes The Saturday show begins at 8 p.m.; the Sun- their vintage-style performance as “theatrical day matinee is at 2:30 p.m. entertainment that includes a comic emcee and The concert is sponsored by Alabama Power performers ranging from dancers, an aerialist, Company and Lowell and Bobette. circus sideshow acts and much more.” Tickets are $20-$75 and can be purchased at For more information, go to Camellia Bay the MSO box office (257 Dauphin St.), online Burlesque’s Facebook page. at www.mobilesymphony.org or by calling 251-432-2010. Beautiful bodies at Blue Velvet Reduced-price student tickets are available It was back in the aughts when Blue Velvet for both performances. Through the MSO Big Studios began its annual Nudes in November Red Ticket program, students in grades K-12 event. Though Blue Velvet has migrated from can attend the Sunday performance free when its former Dauphin Street digs to 504 Church accompanied by a paying adult. Membership St., owner Karen Cassidy is still celebrating the packages are available at substantial savings human form each fall. off single-ticket prices. More details about the A reception for the 6th annual show unfolds MSO’s 2015-2016 season can be found online Friday, Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. All types of at www.mobilesymphony.org. media are included and a few copies of the pre- vious season’s Nudes in November book will be USA Opera at Laidlaw on hand as well. Artists on display include Pat The University of South Alabama Opera Hayes, Yevette Ward, Suzi Spies, David Trim- Theatre ensemble will stage its annual presenta- mier, Trey Oliver, Margaret Warren, Jeff Byrd, tion of Opera and Musical Theatre Scenes for Hunter Cobb, Daryl Evans, Sandy Vrchalus, two performances featuring its most promising Katrina Kiefer and Karen Cassidy. young talent. Attendance is free. Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Rowell, For more information, go to Blue Velvet hopefuls from the USA Department of Music Studio’s Facebook page. will perform works from Verdi’s “La Traviata,” Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale,” Stephen Sond- Symphony goes casual for heim’s “Putting It Together” and “Company,” Beethoven and Blue Jeans Bizet’s “Carmen,” Humperdinck’s “Hansel and In keeping with the laid-back vibe of its Gretel” and Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls.” Also hometown, one of the most popular series performing will be Department of Music faculty for Mobile Symphony Orchestra has been member Andre Chiang and piano accompanist its Beethoven and Blue Jeans concerts. That Dr. Jasmin Arakawa. continues Nov. 21 and 22 when maestro Scott Performances are in the Recital Hall at the Speck welcomes his dressed-down guests to the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on the USA Saenger Theatre (6 S. Joachim St.) to enjoy the campus. The Friday performance is at 7:30 p.m. sterling sounds of the Romantic era’s most pas- and the Sunday matinee at 3 p.m. sionate composers. Tickets are only available at the door. Admis- The playbill for this year’s event includes sion is $8, $5 for USA faculty, staff, students, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, one of the most youth under 18 and senior citizens. recognizable and dramatic works in the classi- For more info, call 251-460-7116 or 251- cal canon. Other portions of the slate include a 460-6136.

30 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 MUSICFEATURE A Movember to remember with Roxy Roca BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: Movember Dance Party feat. Roxy Roca Date: Friday, Nov. 13 with doors at 4 p.m. Venue: O’Daly’s Irish Pub, 564 Dauphin St., www.odalysirishpub.com Tickets: $5 at the door ach year, O’Daly’s Irish Pub becomes the Azalea City’s source for all things Movember, as its staff and dedicated patrons let their facial hair fly to generate money for the Movember Foundation, a philanthropy Efocused on men’s health issues. The Movember Dance Party will help collect funds for O’Daly’s Movember team, and they looked to Austin’s Roxy Roca to provide a fitting soundtrack for this charitable event. In the past, Roxy Roca won over the BayFest crowd with what the band calls “Dynamite Texas Soul,” a mixture of Texas rock and retro soul. The group will be returning to Mobile with sounds from its latest release, “Ain’t Nothin’ Fancy.” Front man Taye Cannon spoke with Lagniappe about the band’s trademark sound, the Austin scene and what the future holds. Stephen Centanni: It’s been a while since you’ve visited Mobile. How does it feel to be getting back? Photo/ Photo by Heather Johanning Taye Cannon: It feels great to be getting back. We came out “Dynamite Texas Soul” band Roxy Roca will headline O’Daly’s Movember dance party, benefiting men’s health of the gates in a big way there in Mobile by playing BayFest two organizations. years in a row. We really would’ve liked to have been in Mobile a lot more at this point. Things just unfold the way they do some- is still happening for sure, which I’m sure James could attest to. it, but we didn’t want to be a total throwback band. We wanted to times, and we’re definitely excited to be coming back on Friday There’s definitely a soul and funk movement coming out of Austin be relevant now and have this new sound. We think we’re getting the 13th. right now, which I’m really excited about. There’s several bands there and still trying to figure out what Dynamite Texas Soul is. Centanni: Your band name is a play on the actress Roxy with horns doing music rooted out of funk and soul from the ‘60s “Love Maker Deville” is a great example of it, and I think you’re Roker. What made you want to go with it? and ‘70s. There’s also a lot of progressive, new wave music coming right. It’s soul music with an attitude the size of Texas. Cannon: Man, there’s a lot of things. I guess you’d have to be out of there as well. It’s pretty expansive. Centanni: You released the album in February, and you guys inside my head a little bit to completely understand. I was born in Centanni: You were into more underground music before have traveled heavy on your first major tour with the new music. Alabama and grew up in rural Tennessee and Mississippi. So, I Roxy Roca. What made you want to get into this? What’s it been like? was raised in the Deep South. I always loved that show “The Jef- Cannon: I always tell people, and it’s the truth, that my heart Cannon: It’s a very rewarding feeling. You have to stay with fersons” when I was growing up. That show was my introduction and soul is in this kind of music. That’s what I listened to at a it and realize that it’s all about the journey. We started this thing to equality and civil rights and that kind of thing. That relationship very young age, and I have never stopped listening to it along the in Austin, and we’re branching out over 16 states and playing all between Tom and Helen Willis had a big impact on me and how I way. When you’re going through your teenage years and your over the Southeast and Midwest and going out West a little bit. treated other people. That always meant a lot to me. Later on, there early 20s and rebelling in different directions, there’s all different In the spring, we’re headed up to the Northeast. There’s no more was a little synchronicity when I found out her son was Lenny kinds of music you’re into. I was into everything from the ‘90s rewarding feeling than carrying the music you create to a wider Kravitz. This was after I was really into what Lenny was doing on grunge movement to ‘70s and ‘80s punk and new wave. The big audience. We’re not confused that this is a great opportunity. That his first couple of records. It just kind of unfolded that way. thing was that I met a songwriter that had come from the punk was always the plan and goal setting out. We weren’t messing Centanni: You know, I talked to James McMurtry the other rock scene in New York City when it was really happening. He around. We wanted to take this on the road. It’s rewarding after day (“Austin icon McMurtry returns to the road with new album,” was a transplant to Austin and wanted to be in a band, but he about five years to finally be where we’re playing more than 100 Lagniappe, Nov. 5-11) and he’s an old-school Austin scenester. didn’t want to be a front man anymore. I performed his songs and shows on the road. Cannon: Oh yeah! had a really good time with it. That was my introduction to being Centanni: What’s the next step? Centanni: He pretty much stays in that part of the scene with a front man in a band and doing that kind of thing. Cannon: The immediate future is more songwriting and the old-schoolers. With you guys being in the more modern scene, Centanni: That description of your music being “Dynamite expanding into new markets. Since we’ve been on the road, what’s your take on the city? Texas Soul” is just perfect, and the song “Love Make Deville” on we’ve only been in Austin a few times, and it was a short period. Cannon: Austin is growing at a rapid pace. It is really growing. your new album “Ain’t Nothin’ Fancy” is a perfect example of Touring is not letting up anytime soon, other than the week of I think there’s 70,000 people moving there a year right now, at least this style. You’ve got this Texas rock mixed with old school soul. Christmas. We’re going to write some songs along the way and that’s what the polls are saying. With that brings a lot of people How did you come up with this sound? hope to be back in the studio this summer, creating new music with the same dream. There’s definitely a lot of different genres Cannon: We definitely wanted to do this music created by the and cutting it to tape. going off at the same time. I would say that singer-songwriter thing pioneers of that era and definitely wanted that vintage aspect to

32 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 Ball in the fall BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: 2nd annual Footmarchers’ Ball / 50th anniversary kick-off party Date: Friday, Nov. 13 with doors at 7 p.m. Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soukitchenmobile.com Tickets: $20 available through Eventbrite and at the door ven though Joe Cain Day is still a few months away, the Joe Cain Marching Society is giving the Azalea City a taste of the Mardi Gras in November. This event will also be a kick-off party for the 50th anniversa- ry of the Joe Cain Marching Society’s People’s Parade and will include an appearance by a “special guest.” Not only is the Footmarchers’ Ball one of the biggest parties of the year, this event has another goal — to Ehelp maintain the original concept of the Joe Cain Day Procession, according to Head Marcher Lillian Dean. “The purpose of the Footmarchers’ Ball is to raise the monies needed to parade on Joe Cain Day each year so the participants do not have to pay anything to parade,” Dean said. “This is in keeping with the original intent of the Peo- ple’s Parade, as intended by Joe Cain ‘hisself’ and Julian (Judy) Rayford, who started the present-day celebration.” The evening will begin with a raucous second-line through the streets of LoDa, which will be led by Mo- bile’s Blow House Brass Band. These new-school masters of brass will blare the sounds of the Mardi Gras as the second-line arrives at Soul Kitchen. Blow House will continue its set as the crowd dances and enjoys food from The Blind Mule. New Orleans band Debauche will be the headliner of the Footmarchers’ Ball. This band won over locals with a set at last year’s SouthSounds Music Festival. Described as a “Russian Mafia Band,” Debauche will fill its set with “gypsy punk, Russian street folk, klezmer, traditional Ukrainian and Balkan-inspired tunes.” This will be a bal masque in the tradition of l’ancien régime. While it is not required, those attending are encour- aged to come in costume and/or mask. However, organizers want people to attend in anything they find comfortable wearing for the evening. Photo/ facebook.com/DebaucheMusic | Debauche

Two decades defined Into the wyld Band: IMC presents Malcolm Holcombe Band: Wylder, Aaron Taylor Date: Thursday, Nov. 12 with doors at 7:30 p.m. Date: Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 9:30 p.m. Venue: Satori Coffee, 5460 Old Shell Road, www.satori-coffee.com Venue: The Industry Bar, 2551 Government Blvd., Tickets: Suggested donation $5 at the door, free for USA students 251-470-0840 he University of South Alabama’s Independent Music Collective is finishing the semester with Tickets: $5 at the door a performance by Malcolm Holcombe. Holcombe immerses himself in the raw, unbridled ith a steady lineup of eclectic acts, The Industry Bar continues to establish its sounds of the backwoods. During the ‘90s, Nashville was establishing what evolved into reputation as one of Mobile’s most innovative music venues. The evening’s today’s pop country scene. All the while, Holcombe gathered a cult following that always ap- entertainment will consist of two acoustic shows currently on tour across the Tpreciated his roots country sound — the kind enjoyed with a Mason jar of moonshine on the porch as the Southeast. Hailing from Jackson, Mississippi, singer-songwriter Aaron Taylor sun sets behind the pines. bringsW his musical commentary on the New South to the Azalea City. Taylor combines gentle Through numerous releases and performances, Holcombe’s following has grown worldwide and he is trips across the strings with thoughtful lyrics, accented by just the right amount of rasp. currently celebrating 20 years in the industry. Holcombe is giving his fans an opportunity to celebrate the Wylder will bring its original acoustic compositions to Mobile, by way of Fredericksburg, milestone with his latest release, “The RCA Sessions.” Holcombe chose a veritable “greatest hits” from Virginia. This indie folk-rock band has been busy recording its debut album, for which it’s his 11 full-length albums and one EP and returned to RCA Studios in Nashville to rerecord them. “The gathered “industry professionals who have worked with bands such as Jukebox the Ghost, RCA Sessions” is a fresh retrospective for Holcombe’s dedicated fan base and new listeners alike. One Republic, Passion Pit and Modest Mouse.” Pulling influences from bands such as The Head & the Heart and Death Cab for Cutie, Wylder combines pop-influenced harmonies and folk-inspired instrumentation, with appealing results. Songs such as “Sunstroke” are a fun, infectious romp through the world of modern indie.

Photo/ facebook.com/malcolmholcombe | Malcolm Holcombe Photo/ facebook.com/Wyldermusic | Wylder

34 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 MUSICRUNDOWN The Great Gig at the Gulf BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

ome albums are considered sacred — legendary releases so widely revered by listeners that for another band to cover the tracks would be akin to blasphemy. The Black Jacket Symphony’s mission is to provide an Saccurate, live rendition of some of these iconic albums and the Bir- mingham-based band has performed the entirety of classics ranging from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to The Beatles’ “Abbey Road,” all the while boasting precision. Many seasoned music lovers would scoff at their claim. Numerous bands have performed entire albums but added their own touch. Black Jacket Symphony is not that kind of band, and its recent performance of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at The Hangout’s Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Festival Weekend was truly amazing, especially considering the respect Pink Floyd fans have for the work. Those in attendance might as well have been listening to the studio recording. As the band made its way onto the stage, the heartbeats that bring listeners into the album began. They were soon joined by a vocalist lacing the various monologues on death that open the album, climaxing with the initial swell of “Breathe.” Within the first few minutes of its set, Black Jacket Symphony had proven it has the talent to duplicate this album with the utmost precision. Their vocalist for “The Great Gig in the Sky” delivered all the power and emotion that was laid down on the studio tracks, and Black Jacket Symphony’s keyboardist filled the set with all the old- school effects Pink Floyd scattered throughout the album. After their performance of “Dark Side of the Moon,” the band did a Pink Floyd greatest hits set that was just as appealing. They opened with “In the Flesh” and closed with “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2),” which featured a children’s choir singing the iconic lyrics. With the exception of a few sound issues that were out of the band’s control, Black Jacket Symphony’s claim of precision was totally justified by the evening’s performance. If they can take on the Photo/ facebook.com/blackjacketsymphony music of Pink Floyd with that much skill and accuracy, future audi- The Black Jacket Symphony’s performance of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” was well-received by at- ences have much to look forward to. tendees of the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Weekend Nov. 6.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 35 AREA CLUB LISTINGS

3 S. Royal St. | 415-3000 Ravenite Pizzeria [Fairhope] The Handlebar [Pensacola] [DOWNTOWN] 102 N. Section St. | 929-2525 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 Skyview Lounge Alchemy Tavern 301 Gov’t St.| 694-0100 Rosie’s Grill and Record Bar The Wharf [Orange Beach] 4985 7 S. Joachin St. | 441-7741 [Daphne] Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 The Blind Mule 1203 U.S. 98|626-2440 57 N. Claiborne St. | 694-6853 Soul Kitchen 219 Dauphin St. |433-5958 Windmill Market [Fairhope] [AROUND AND ABOUT] Boo Radley’s 85 N. Bancroft St. | 517-5444 276 Dauphin St. | 432-1996 Spot of Tea’s Jaggers The Old Bama Barn [Theodore] 310 Dauphin St. | 375-6772 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973-0388 The Bar 352 St. Francis St. | 648-1596 Studio 5’4 [WESTMOBILE] Blue Gill Restaurant 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 The Brickyard All Sports Bar & Grill 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 T.P. Crockmiers 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. | 345-9338 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 Buck’s Pizza Billiards Club Bottoms Up 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 The Listening Room 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287-7781 78 St. Francis St.| 367-4599 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Cockeyed Charlies Briar Patch 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 Veet’s 6920 Airport Blvd.|725-1112 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. | 973-1120 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 Dauphin St. Blues Company & Crooked Martini Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 4901 Chicot St. | 228-938-6800 Draft Picks [MIDTOWN] 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 Flashback Club Ed’s Seafood Shed Ashland Midtown Pub 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 Firehouse Wine Bar Shop 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill Felix’s Fish Camp Blues Tavern 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 Gabriel’s Downtown 2818 Gov’t Blvd. | 479-7621 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 Lucky Irish Pub & Grill Midnight Rodeo Butch Cassidy’s Cafe 3692 Airport Blvd.| 414-3000 7790 Tanner Rd. |639-2222 The Garage 60 N. Florida St. | 450-0690 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 Mellow Mushroom Mississippi Coast Coliseum Kimberly’s Midtown Bar 5660 Old Shell Rd. | 380-1500 Hayley’s Downtown [Biloxi] 2660 Old Shell Rd. |478-1477 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 278 Dauphin St. | 433-4970 Patches Mellow Mushroom 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 The End Zone Sports Bar Joe Cain Café 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. 829-9227 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 Satori Coffee House Rear Pocket 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 Liquid The Oar Hous e [Dauphin Island] 2525 Emogene St. |476-0053 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 Runway Billards Royal Knight Restaurant 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 Loda Bier Garten Original Oyster House 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |287-1220 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 The Hungry Owl Silver Horse Pub 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 Pelican Pub & Restaurant Mobile Civic Center 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208-7261 Stir Mobile [Dauphin Island] 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342-9995 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 Moe’s Original BBQ [EASTERN SHORE] 701 Spring Hill Ave|410-7427 VFW Post 49 Pelican Reef Restaurant Bay House Pub [Daphne] 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. | 973-2670 O’Daly’s Irish Pub 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 Trader’s Club 44 [Daphne] [THE BEACH] 4015 Battleship Pkwy | 626-5630 OK Bicycle Shop 28850 US 98, #100 | 445-8069 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 Flora-Bama The Grand Mariner Gumbo Shack 17401 Perdido Key Dr., | 850-492-0611 6036 Rock Point Rd. | 443-5700 Pat’s Downtown Grill 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 The Hangout The River Shack Manci’s Antique Club [Daphne] 101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 6120 Marina Dr. S. | 443-7318 Riverview Plaza (Fathoms 1715 Main St. | 375-0543 Live Bait Lounge) Tin Top McSharry’s [Fairhope] 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. | 974-1612 6232 Bon Secour Hwy. County Rd. 10 | 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 251-949-5086 Lulu’s at Homeport Marina Royal Scam Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] 200 E. 25th Ave. 251-967-LULU 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) Touch Down Tavern 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 Old 27 Grill 5460 Inn Rd | 662-7543 [Fairhope] 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] Royal Street Tavern 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 VFW Post 7320 [Saraland] Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] 244 Old Telegraph Rd. |679-1188 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 Pirate’s Cove [Elberta] Saenger Theatre 6600 County Rd. 95| 987-1224 6 S. Joachim St. | 208-5600 Whiskey Blues [Theodore] Plow [Fairhope] 5791 Swedetown Rd.|633-1769 96 Plantation Pointe| 410-7569 Tacky Jacks Saddle Up Saloon [Orange Beach] 27206 Safe Harbor Dr, |981-4144 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 Zebra Lounge Courtyard 311 [Gulf Shores] 249 E. 24th Ave.| 948-8881 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. | 473-2997 Serda’s Coffee Company 311 Fairhope Ave. | 928-2032 1577 Alabama 180|968-8341

SEND yOUR CLUB LISTINGS TO [email protected]

36 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 AREA MUSIC LISTINGS NOVEMBER 12 - NOVEMBER 18

Jezebel’s Chill’n, 8:30p Beers— Bayou Rhythm, 2p THUR. NOV 12 Garage— Bust, 9p Felix’s— Grits N Pieces MON. NOV 16 Blind Mule— Paper Bison, Satan and Blues Tavern— Open Mic Jam Golden Nugget— Oak Ridge Boys, Flora Bama— Jack Robertson The Sunbeams, Sounds Good, 10p Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— Ross 8p Show, 1p// Frank Brown International BLUEGILL— Cary Laine Duo Burroughs, 6p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Spank Songwriters Festival, 6p/// Hank Blues Tavern— Lefty Collins, 8:30p Felix’s— John Miller the Monkey, 9p Cochran Tribute, 6p//// Newbury Flora Bama— Johnny Barbato, 2p// Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— David Hard Rock (Live)— Boogie Cathy Pace, 6p/// Smokin Elvis, 10p Chastang, 6p Syndicate, 8:30p//// Neil Dover, 9p Wonder Band, 8p Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus, 8p Fairhope Brewery— Modern Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Spank IP Casino— Sammy Hagar and the the Monkey, 9p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p Eldorados Veets— Port City Song Writers, Circle, 8p IP Casino— The Ultimate Bacon Felix’s— Hannah McFarland — 6:30p Isla Mirada Fish Company Bonanza// Anthony Cools, 8p Flora Bama— Frank Brown Tony Bowers Listening Room— Lisa Mills, 8p International Songwriters Festival, 6p Legacy— Andy Cobb and Jamie Lulu’s— Frank Brown International TUE. NOV 17 Legacy— Ryan Balthrop, 7p Byass, 7p Lulu’s— Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, 5p BLUEGILL— Lee Yankie Listening Room— Ryan Balthrop, Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— Gregg Songwriters Festival, 5p 8p Pirates Cove— Frank Brown Melting Pot— Tim Kinsey International Songwriters Festival, Fells, 6p Lulu’s— Frank Brown International Butch Cassidy’s— Andy Tin Top— Chris and Camille Wallin, Songwriters Festival, 5p 12p// Greg Crowe,12p/// Chris and 6p// Blue Mother Tupelo, 8p Camille Wallin, 1p//// Marc-Alan MacDonald Main Street Cigar Lounge— Callaghan’s— Lisa Mills with Gram Veets— Phil Procter & Harrison Barnette, Rusty Golden, Jimbeau John Law Band, 8p Rea McInnis, 8p Hinson, 2p//// Jeffery East, Neil Dover, Manci’s— Flow Tribe, 8p Felix’s— Grant Dunaway 3:30p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Tim Flora Bama— T. Bone Montgomery, — GlowRage ft. FRI. NOV 13 Kinsey, 6:30p Soul Kitchen 2p// Perdido Brothers, 6p/// Mason Alchemy— Camellia Bay Burlesque, Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Rock Breathe Carolina, 9:30p Hnderson, 10:15p 10p Bottom, 8p Veets— Sucker Punch, 9p Lulu’s— Ronnie Presley, 5p All Sports Bar & Billards— DJ O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell, Tony Main Street Cigar Lounge— Markie Mark, 10p Edwards and David White, 10p SUN. NOV 15 Save the TaTa’s, CLE Cigars & Boeri — Spike Premier Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Beau Rivage BLUEGILL— Peek Wine Event, 6p Boxing Champions, 5:05p Barbara Cloyd, Melissa Joiner, 5:30p// Blues Tavern— Sixty One/ 49 Trio, Blind Mule— Paw Paw’s Medicine Katie Rogers, James Adkins, 6:30p//// 5p Cabinet with Cary Laine, 10p Blue Mother Tupelo, 7:30p WED. NOV 18 BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// Tropics— Mud Bucket Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— John BLUEGILL— Ross Newell Cool Rayz, 6p Saenger— Nephew Tommy Law Band, 6p Blues Tavern— Art & Britt, 8p Blues Tavern— Ric McNaughton Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Callaghan’s— Andrew Duhon Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— Ryan Band, 9p Windmill Market— Lisa Mills, 6p Felix’s— Brandon Bailey Balthrop, 6p Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— David Flora Bama— Beachbillys, 1p// Callaghan’s— Deluxe Trio Chastang & The Long Road Home, 6p Frank Brown International Songwriters Cockeyed Charlie’s— Ryan SAT. NOV 14 Balthrop Callaghan’s— Hip Abductio Festival, 6p/// Freddy Powers Night, 5p BLUEGILL— David Chastang Duo Felix’s— Chris Powell Cathedral Square Gallery— Blues Tavern— Smokin’ Toasters, Lulu’s— Cadillac Attack, 5p Bayou Rhythm, 6p Flora Bama— Neil Dover, 2p// 9p Manci’s— Gram Rea w/Eric Erdman, Smokin Elvis, 6p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Vertigo Boudeaux’s Cajun Grill— Al & 6:30p Haze La Cocina— Adam Holt, 6p Cathy, 6p Pinzones— Ross Newell, 5p Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike Legacy— Cary Laine, 7p Brickyard— Ryan Balthrop, 10p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Lulu’s— Travelin’ Light ft. Karl Flora Bama— Frank Brown Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ Chill International Songwriters Festival, 6p// Mark True, 10:30// John Lee Sanders, Langley & john Keuler, 5p Delta Bike Project Gears and 11:45p Veets— Open Mic, 8p

SEND yOUR MUSIC LISTINGS TO [email protected]

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 THE LOADED QUESTION WHAT IS ONE PRODUCT yOU SPLURGE ON? ASKED DOWNTOWN

“Lipstick”

-Jessica

“Cologne”

-Charles

“W**d”

-Brett

38 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 Camellias, compost and collards: Fall in Mobile! The Greenery Sale iS cominG! Pre-order by nov. 14! BY BRENDA BOLTON/MOBILE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER | [email protected] WhaT: The Greenery Sale sponsored by Mo- bile Master Gardeners Q: What causes my camellia buds to drop before opening? Q: I would like to start my first vegetable gar- den next year. Is it best to wait until spring to till the grass into Fresh and beautiful Fraser fir wreaths, mail- A: Freezing temperatures. Hot temperatures. Wet weather. the ground for a garden plot, or should I do that this fall? box saddle arrangements (improved, larger Dry weather. Seriously. Bud drop is fairly common. Since ca- designs), table and mantel arrangements, mellias bloom during the winter months, they are susceptible to A: At the risk of becoming repetitive, we’ll beat this drum the wide temperature swings in our “normal” Gulf Coast winter. one more week: Right now, fall, is the best time for gardening in paperwhites and our popular, Freezing temperatures especially affect young plants and our Gulf Coast zone, and that includes preparing the garden for adorable twig reindeer are back! varieties that are cold sensitive. Long periods of hot weather in successful spring planting. When: Friday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. First, repeat with me the Master Gardener mantra: Get a soil the early fall can cause buds to drop off in late fall. In the spring, and Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. late-blooming varieties may drop their buds before opening as test and use the result … Get a soil test and use the result … You the temperatures begin to rise and shoot growth begins. can pick up the soil test kit at the Alabama Extension Office at Where: Mobile Botanical Gardens, Avoid planting varieties that open too late in order to avoid 1070 Schillinger Road N. in Mobile, or the Gulf Coast Research 5151 Museum Drive and Extension Center at 8200 State Highway 104 in Fairhope. this. Not all camellia varieties perform well in all locations. Deadline to pre-order: Saturday, Nov. 14 The Botanical Gardens marketplace sales and spring plant sales Take your soil sample according to the instructions and identify offer varieties that are proven performers in Mobile, and local your planting as “vegetables” to get advice specific for your in- (wreaths require pre-order) nurseries do as well. tended crop. Results from Auburn University cost $7 per sample For order forms and information, email: Fluctuations in soil moisture can also cause camellias to to analyze. [email protected] drop their buds. Keep moisture sufficient and uniformly ap- Organic compost is always a good additive in fall, as it will plied. Neglect of any cultural factor — soil, nutrition, water, improve soil structure, help retain moisture and add nutrients. drainage, shade — can cause bud drop. Finally, a camellia If the soil test results indicate you need to add lime, which UPcominG evenT: bud mite could be the problem. Spraying plants with a miti- provides the micronutrient magnesium, now is the time. Add Free and oPen To The PUblic compost and the soil nutrients your soil test advises, then relax cide (used exactly according to the label instructions), applied When: Nov. 16, noon until 1p.m. as soon as flower buds have set, will usually control flower and let the compost, nutrients and winter rains do their work. bud mites. Your plot should be just right for early spring planting! Where: Jon Archer Center, 1070 Schillinger Road N., Mobile WhaT: Lunch and Learn Q: There are tiny flies on my collards that are white and look like baby moths. Do you know what they are? ToPic: Plant propagation A: The insects are likely whiteflies (Family Aleyrodidae), and they attack a range of plants in the home landscape. Whiteflies suck SPeaker: Penny Smith plant juices and excrete a honeydew, on which sooty mold grows. Heavy infestations of sooty mold can cause further plant damage by Bring a lunch and a friend. Water provided. blocking out sunlight and interfering with photosynthesis so the plant can’t make its food. Use of an insecticidal soap applied as the label directs should control a large portion of the population that is already on the leaves. Email us your questions at [email protected] or call (toll free) 1-877-252-4769, the Master Gardener Helpline answered by Mobile and Baldwin county Master Gardener Volunteers.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 FILMTHE REEL WORLD Fairhope festival features films from local to global BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC | [email protected]

Photos/(left)facebook.com/WhatLolaWantsMovie (right) On The Corner Films “What Lola Wants” (left) is the story of a teenage runaway on a mysterious journey to Mobile. (Right) The musical documentary “Amy.”

he world-class Fairhope Film Festival, one of the area’s filmmaker will be here for a Q&A after the screening at 6 p.m. A documentary of regional interest, “61 Bullets” explores most wonderful fall events, starts Thursday, Nov. 12. The Thursday at the Faulkner venue. the controversy around the assassination of Louisiana Governor Alabama premier of the electrifying “What Lola Wants,” Also set close to home, “Counting for Thunder” is inspired Huey P. Long. “County Fair” is an intimate story of rural youth a sexy thriller worthy of David Lynch but set in Alabama, by the three years when Phillip Irwin Cooper, unlucky in work, and the 4-H Club fair. “Handmade with Love in France” is about Tkicks off four days of incredibly eclectic narrative and documen- money and love, returned home to the Alabama Gulf Coast when the French artisans who work in the haute couture ateliers of Cha- tary film selections. his relationship with Caroline, a UCLA college professor, hit nel and Dior. Explore the story of sake in the Japanese documen- The only thing these varied films have in common is this: They the skids — at the same time his mother received a dire medical tary “Birth of Sake.” are the best of the best. All of the selected films have been winners diagnosis. The filmmaker will also be present for this screening, These are just a few of the films to choose from over this or finalists at national or international film festivals in the past year. Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Faulkner venue. four-day festival. At just $40 for a four-pack of tickets, you will Four screening venues within walking distance of one another will I don’t think a single news outlet has failed to praise the pay less than you would at a big movie theater, and get to see an transform charming Fairhope into a veritable cinema village with Amy Winehouse documentary, “Amy,” and we finally get a amazing film you can only watch here. Visit www.fairhopefilm- panels, parties and more than 40 award-winning films. chance to see it Friday at 6 p.m. at the USA venue. Some of festival.org to pore over the full schedule and try to narrow down At the Faulkner State College Centennial Hall, the USA my favorite music documentaries have been about musicians I your favorites. You can buy tickets on the festival web site or in Baldwin County Performance Center, the Fairhope Public Library didn’t know much about, so fans and non-fans should be in for person at the festival box office, 20 N. Section St. in Fairhope. If and the Lyon’s Share Gallery, films will be shown throughout the an amazing experience with this film, in which only Winehouse you have questions, call 251-990-7957 or 251-929-4626. four-day period. Tickets are sold individually and in eight- and is shown throughout. And lest we forget, there is an outdoor screening and open- four- packs. French films “Gemma Bovary,” which plays with the classic ing night party ($35) on Thursday night. On Saturday, Nov. “What Lola Wants” features enough excitement and romance story when two contemporary people move to the village where 14, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a red-carpet reception ($35) for the most discerning of film fans: the sexy teenage daughter of Madame Bovary is set, and “Three Hearts,” a love triangle with heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer followed by a cer- a famous couple goes on the run and draws a handsome young boasting Catherine Deneuve and Charlotte Gainsbourg in its emony to announce winners of the jury and audience favorite pickpocket into her plan to escape to Mobile, Alabama. cast, are just two films you can’t see on the big screen anywhere awards. The party will be held at the Eastern Shore Arts Center, The impressive cinematography brings a sun-drenched, else. Indian, Thai and German films are represented by “Mar- 401 Oak St. in Fairhope; the awards ceremony begins at 9 p.m. If dreamlike quality that captures the girl’s mental state, and action garita with a Straw,” “How to Win at Checkers Every Time” you’re in a rut, you use this opportunity to throw together a seri- sequences are world-class stuff. The lead actors are riveting. The and “Phoenix,” respectively. ously classy date weekend. You’re welcome.

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 area (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 TheaTerS 208 Dauphin Street 6898 U.S. 90 Daphne, Shores Information accurate at press time; please call (251) 438-2005 (251) 626- 6266 (251) 968-7444 theaters for showtimes.

40 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 NEW IN THEATERS CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Little jerks 5. Head downtown? 10. Help in a holdup 14. Balming target 15. Beyond partner 16. Screenplay direction 17. T-bone region 18. Medical research goals 19. Every family has one 20. Illuminated 23. Holiday follower? 24. Skiier’s challenge 25. Unlike a litterbug 27. Palindromic windmill part 30. End of two state names 33. Scratch, say 36. Better copy? 38. Bahrain bread 39. Passed with ease 41. Genetic info carrier 42. Arboreal abode 43. Things to rattle 45. Fishtail, e.g. 47. Daydreamer’s limit? 48. Fit to be fare 3. Flu symptom 34. Military sch. 50. Killed, as a dragon 4. Grad-to-be 35. Enrolls 53. Tux accessory 5. Bushwhacker’s tool 37. Barbary ape’s lack 54. Prepare for hanging 6. Go to the edge of 40. The red 57. Wrestling area 7. The good olde days 44. Inner city concern Photo/ Ruby Films “Suffragette” 59. Serving as a diplomat 8. Cooking place 46. Most absurd 64. Beer selections 9. Transmit anew 49. Official orders SUFFRAGETTE LOVE THE COOPERS 66. Hindu grouping 10. Back on a battleship 51. Emotion of the miffed An all-star cast including Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep Four generations come together for the holidays. Starring 67. Tat-tat intro 11. Crooners, often 52. Long and thin tells the story of the radicalized working class British Alan Arkin, John Goodman and Diane Keaton. Carmike 68. Folk facts 12. Creation location 55. Sight from Biscayne women leading the feminist movement in late 19th century Jubilee Square 69. Pagoda roofing 13. “High School Musical” Bay England. Crescent Theater 70. Black cat, some think extra 56. Gourmand 71. It may come before 21. Main mail drop (abbr.) 57. Shoppers’ site “we forget” 22. Disconnected, as a 58. Ubiquitous lily relative 72. Failed as a sentry phone line 60. Place for some polish 73. Bird’s perch, perhaps 26. Like siblings 61. “Cast Away” setting 28. Chances in Vegas 62. Manual component NOW PLAyING DOWN 29. Roller Derby milieus 63. A driver may change 1. Chaucer bit 31. Checklist item one SPECTRE 32. Pretentiously stylish All listed multiplex theaters. 2. They may be clicked 65. Firm or fixed on 33. Attack deterrent THE PEANUTS MOVIE Answers on PAge 48 All listed multiplex theaters. BURNT All listed multiplex theaters. TRUTH Carmike Wharf 15 SCOUT’S GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALyPSE Eastern Shore Premiere Cinema 14 OUR BRAND IS CRISIS All listed multiplex theaters. ROCK THE KASBAH All listed multiplex theaters. JEM AND THE HOLO- GRAMS All listed multiplex theaters. THE LAST WITCH HUNTER All listed multiplex theaters. LIVING IN THE AGE OF AIRPLANES Exploreum Imax Theater BRIDGE OF SPIES All listed multiplex theaters. CRIMSON PEAK All listed multiplex theaters. STEVE JOBS All listed multiplex theaters. GOOSEBUMPS All listed multiplex theaters. WOODLAWN All listed multiplex theaters. PAN All listed multiplex theaters. THE MARTIAN All listed multiplex theaters. HOTEL TRANSyLVA- NIA 2 All listed multiplex theaters. THE INTERN Carmike Wharf 15 THE MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS All listed multiplex theaters. THE VISIT All listed multiplex theaters. WAR ROOM Carmike Wynnsong 16, Carmike Jubilee Square 12 Photos/imdb.com

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 Light the Night walk C O E WHEN: THURSDAY, NOv. 12 AT 5:30 P.m. WHERE: bIENvILLE SQUARE, DOWNTOWN mObILE

Light The Night, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual fundraising walk held in communities throughout the country, features teams of coworkers, families and friends walking together in twilight holding illuminated lanterns — white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember those who have lost their battle. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and the walk itself will kick off at 7 p.m. in Bienville Square. The walk, which commemorates lives touched by blood cancers, is a celebration with music, refreshments and family activities. For more information and to register, visit lightthenight.org/al. Photo/Courtesy of lightthenighr.org

NOvEmbER 12 of coastal Alabama for current and more than 110 merchants from around Fairhope Film Festival future generations. As part of the the country, Christmas Jubilee offers The Fairhope Film Festival presents development process, the state a broad selection of gifts. General four magical days of award-winning is seeking input from the public admission tickets, as well as tickets films Nov. 12-15. Returning for its to complete the first phase of the for the market’s special events, are third year, this has become a well- Alabama Coastal Comprehensive available for purchase. For more attended and successful festival on Plan (ACCP). The workshop will offer information, visit juniorleaguemobile. the Eastern Shore. All film venues are participants an opportunity to speak org or call 251-471-3348. within walking distance. Reasonably one-on-one with those working to priced festival tickets include a wide develop the ACCP, as well as a Golf for Kids variety of films, filmmaker panels and chance to experience the ACCP’s The YMCA is hosting the inaugural time with film industry leaders to make interactive website. The program will Golf for Kids tournament in support your experience both memorable and begin at 6 p.m. at Baldwin County of the Y Campaign for Youth and fun. For more information and ticket Central Annex Auditorium, 22251 Families. With a 9 a.m. shotgun start pricing, visit fairhopefilmfestival.org Palmer St., in Robertsdale. For more at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course, information, call 251-380-7944. the Golf for Kids tournament promises Light the Night walk a day full of great golf, food, fun Photo/Courtesy of Gears and Beers Light The Night, the Leukemia Outdoor farmer’s market and fellowship. There will be a silent & Lymphoma Society’s annual Fairhope’s market features local auction and specialty holes with great fundraising walk held in communities farmers, bakers, fresh produce, fresh- prizes. For more information, including Homebuyers seminar throughout the country, features cut flowers, plants, baked goods and sponsorship and ticket information, or This seminar is full of tips and teams of coworkers, families and more. Fairhope Public Library will to make a donation in support of the information for those wanting to EVENTS | NOVEMBER 12, 2015 - N OVEMBER 18, friends walking together in twilight have storytime and activities at 4 p.m. Y Campaign for Youth and Families, become a homeowner. Learn what holding illuminated lanterns — white For more information, call 251-929- please visit ysal.org or email Tricia you need to know about the home for survivors, red for supporters and 1466. Fairhope Public Library is at 501 Dueitt at [email protected]. buying process to avoid making costly OF gold to remember those who have Fairhope Ave. mistakes. This seminar starts at 8:45 lost their battle. Festivities begin at 5:30 LoDa Artwalk a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Register at p.m. and the walk itself will kick off at Thursdays at mmoA Downtown is the place to be the Lifelines/Consumer Credit Counseling 7 p.m. in Bienville Square. The walk, Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., second Friday of each month! Join office, 705 Oak Circle Drive E., Mobile. which commemorates lives touched the Mobile Museum of Art offers free downtown art galleries, institutions, Due to limited space, please call 251- by blood cancers, is a celebration admission to all visitors. Join MMoA studios and unique shops as they open 602-0011 to register in advance. with music, refreshments and family each week to experience the museum their doors and welcome you inside to America’s boating Course ALENDAR activities. For more information and to in new and exciting ways throughout see beautiful artwork, sample delicious the year. No reservations are foods and hear the sounds of the LoDa The Perdido Bay Power Squadron is

C register, visit lightthenight.org/al. necessary. MMoA is at 4850 Museum Artwalk. The Artwalk gets better and offering the premier boating safety Foo Foo Festival Drive. better each month. From 6 to 9 p.m. in education class, America’s Boating The Foo Foo Festival is a 12-day the Lower Dauphin Street district. Course, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from eclectic mixture of art and cultural 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Coleman NOvEmbER 13 Factory Outlet store, 1705 McKenzie events for a range of tastes, with Night Glow Golf Tournament Chocolate! The Exhibition everything from Blue Angel air shows The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science St. in Foley. The cost is $50 for student Come and enjoy the first-ever Night materials and lunch. Minimum age and songwriters’ music festivals to Glow Golf Tournament to benefit the Center brings Mobile and the Gulf ballet, opera, high art and even Coast a unique and educational is 12, and those under 16 must be South Baldwin Chamber Foundation! accompanied by an adult. Successful the PensaCon Comic Pop Expo. The four-person scramble begins exhibition that’s sure to be a “sweet The festival concludes Monday, treat” for young and old alike. completion of the course meets with nine holes in the late afternoon, educational requirements in Alabama, Nov. 16, in Pensacola, Florida. For a then nine holes at night! The course “Chocolate! The Exhibition” explores complete schedule of events and the rich natural and cultural history and several other states, for obtaining will light up with glow-in-the-dark operator licenses. Register and buy more information, please visit www. balls and course markings along the of one of the world’s favorite treats, foofoofest.com. tracing chocolate from its origin in student materials at the Coleman fairway. Cost is $500 per team or $125 Outlet or Bluewater Ship‘s Store. Make for individuals. Corporate sponsors the rainforest to its status as a global GSPC lunch forum economic commodity. Visit www. checks payable to Perdido Bay Power will be at tee boxes with company Squadron. Walk-ins are welcome if Alan Sealls, chief meteorologist at displays and some will feature a exploreum.com for more information. WKRG-TV, will be the guest speaker at space is available. For additional unique challenge on that hole, information, call 251-980-1536. the lunch forum at Government Street including chances to advance your NOvEmbER 14 Presbyterian Church, 300 Government position to gain on your opponents. Gears and beers St. Lunch is served at noon and costs Frank brown International Songwriter’s The tournament will be held at Glen Are you ready to hop on your bike Festival $10. The forum begins at 12:30 p.m. Lakes Golf Course, 9530 Clubhouse and party for a great cause? We are There is no charge to attend the The 30th annual Frank Brown Drive in Foley. For more information or pleased to announce Gears and International Songwriter’s Festival forum. For details, call the church to register, call 251-943-5520. Beers 2015, a fundraiser hosted by office at 251-432-1749. continues every day through Nov. the LoDa Bier Garten and sponsored 15 with Grammy Award-winning Christmas Jubilee by New Belgium Brewing Company, songwriters and up-and-coming stars ACCP visioning meeting Christmas Jubilee, the Mobile area’s Gulf Coast Distributing and other local The state of Alabama is working of tomorrow performing original songs largest holiday shopping market and businesses to benefit Mobile’s Delta in multiple locations in Perdido Key, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Junior League of Mobile fundraising Bike Project. This event consists of to develop a constituent-informed, Pensacola, Orange Beach and Gulf event, will feature traditional favorites two rides and a huge post-ride block Shores. For more information, including science-based coastal comprehensive and new highlights for the market’s party. Get ready to have fun! For more plan to strengthen the economic, a schedule and list of performers, visit 30th anniversary, Nov. 11-14 at The information and tickets, visit www. frankbrownsongwriters.com. environmental and social resilience Grounds, 1035 Cody Road N. Featuring gearsandbeersridemobile.com.

42 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 Dauphin Island boardwalk Talks

WHEN: WEDNESDAY, NOvEmbER 18TH WHERE: DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAb

Boardwalk Talks are held the first and third Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. Come to the Estuarium to participate in a dialog with the experts at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd. The Northern Gulf Institute presents a series of informal conversations about all things scientific in the Gulf of Mexico region. For more information, call 251-861-2141. Photo/Courtesy of DI Sea Lab

Cascading Chrysanthemums at Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament and-take activity will be offered. Program has 11 participants within bellingrath at Spring Hill College Golf Course, Registration is requested. Call or the Gulf Coast region working on Mum’s the word at Bellingrath 4000 Dauphin St. The entry fee will email 251-621-2818 or lyoungbood@ four environmental research projects Gardens and Home in November, be $100 per golfer and includes daphneal.com, respectively. ranging from estuary health in coastal when it’s time for the 52nd annual Fall lunch, beverages, prizes and a Texas to mule deer habitats in the Outdoor Cascading Chrysanthemums gift. Registration begins at 11 a.m. We-mo Farmer’s market Southern Rockies. The teams used show, the largest outdoor mums with a shotgun start at noon. Hole Farmer’s market is sponsored by NASA’s Earth Observing System display in the nation. The blooms will sponsorships are offered at $100 each Christ United Methodist church and partnered with federal and be at their peak Nov. 7-21. Guests and corporate sponsors are welcome! every Tuesday through Nov. 24 from nongovernmental agencies to will also see columns of mums and All proceeds benefit St. Mary Catholic 2:30-5 p.m. It features locally grown address challenges facing our society bedded plants along the Great School. produce, honey, seafood, baked and future generations. This event Lawn’s dramatic border in the rich fall goods and other homemade items. is free and open to the public, and colors of red, yellow, bronze, lavender Open studio Located at 6101 Grelot Road, on the will be held at Bernheim Hall, Mobile and white. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come enjoy complimentary mimosas corner of Grelot and Hillcrest. Public Library, 701 Government St. Admission: $12.50 for adults, $7 for as artists work at the Cathedral Square The showcase will begin at 3 p.m. For ages 5-12; free to Bellingrath members Gallery, 612 Dauphin St. in downtown bridge lessons more information, email vishal.arya@ and ages 4 and younger. For details, Mobile. Works by more than 60 area The Mobile Bridge Center is offering nasa.gov. check the Mum Watch page on www. artists also will be on display. For more free bridge lessons each Tuesday bellingrath.org or call 251-973-2217. information, call 251-694-0278. beginning at 6 p.m. at the Mobile Dauphin Island boardwalk Talks Bridge Center, 1510 University Blvd. Boardwalk Talks are held the first and NOvEmbER 16 Arrive a few minutes early to register. third Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. Come ballroom Dance If you have questions, call the Bridge to the Estuarium to participate in a The Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Center at 251-666-2147 between 10 dialog with the experts at the Dauphin Dance Society hosts dance classes a.m. and 2 p.m. Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd. The with professional instructors at 7 p.m., Northern Gulf Institute presents a series followed by dancing from 7:30 to 10 Tea for Two of informal conversations about all p.m. Admission is $10. This event is The Fairhope Museum of History hosts things scientific in the Gulf of Mexico BYOB and no need to bring a partner. Tea for Two each Tuesday afternoon region. For more information, call 251- Beginners are welcome. Fitzpen Place, at 2 p.m. Guests enjoy a cup of 861-2141. 11247 State Highway 31, Spanish Fort. delicious Baldwin County tea, cookies For more information, email Cassie and a lecture on an interesting aspect Ladies’ Wine and Drive Golf Clinic Fishbein at [email protected]. of Fairhope history. These very popular Learn to golf, improve your game afternoon events are sponsored by or just have fun with your girlfriends! Top Cats Toastmasters the Friends of the Museum. For more Come to Foley for a golf lesson, glass Are you terrified at the idea of public information on upcoming programs, of wine and friendship. If you’ve call the Fairhope Museum of History at speaking? We were. We got over it. always wanted to learn, this is a great 251-929-1471. Top Cats Toastmasters invites you to opportunity in a fun, low-pressure join us. We meet every Monday from atmosphere. One-hour golf lesson with noon to 1 p.m. at the Red Lobster NOvEmbER 18 glass of wine (before and after lesson) near the southeast corner of Airport Old Shell Road midtown Charrette costs $20 per lesson. All lessons taught Boulevard and Azalea Road in Mobile. Join us for a charette with Goodwyn by a PGA pro every Wednesday at Photo/bellingrath.org You can practice your speaking Mills & Cawood as we build from the and listening skills and learn to think visioning session held in February with 5:30 p.m. at Glenlakes Golf Club, 9530 market on the Square on your feet in a relaxed, friendly Main Street Alabama to develop Clubhouse Drive, Foley. Contact David Shop for the freshest crops every atmosphere. Dues are $43 twice a a plan for Old Shell Road Midtown. for more information, 251-955-1220 Saturday through Nov. 21 at year, and lunch must be purchased. You will be able to share your ideas Cathedral Square in downtown Toastmasters International is a with urban designers as they work Downtown Toastmasters Mobile. This time of year is our favorite worldwide organization. For further in a studio open to the public. The Are you interested in gaining more because you can buy locally grown information, call 251-344-2938. charette will close with a work-in- confidence in your public speaking fresh greens, fall corn, squash, progress presentation from Goodwyn ability? The Downtown Mobile peppers, sweet potatoes, pastas, NOvEmbER 17 Mills & Cawood. The first meeting Toastmasters Club 2815 invites you seafood, sausages, eggs, goat-milk will be at 8 a.m. at 57 N. Sage Ave., cheese, breads and baked goods Upcycle for the holidays to join us for our weekly educational Use what you have to turn used followed by drop-ins from 10-11:30 lunch meeting at T.P. Crockmiers, and much more. Stay for live music on a.m. and 1:30-5:30 p.m., and on Nov. the green. For more information, call and discarded items into holiday 261 Dauphin St., from noon until 1 decorations and personalized gifts. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a 251-208-1550. presentation at 5:30 p.m. (location p.m. Practice your speaking, listening Join us at the Daphne Library to find and leadership skills in a relaxed, out how you can change old items TBA). For more information, visit NOvEmbER 15 midtownmobile.org. friendly environment. Lunch must be into something new. The program purchased. Our dues are $42 twice Steve Thompson memorial Golf begins at 4 p.m. Teens, parents and yearly. Toastmasters International is Tournament educators are invited to attend. This is NASA DEvELOP Gulf Coast Fall St. Mary Parish Knights of Columbus a no-cost event sponsored by Friends Showcase a worldwide organization. For more will host the 8th annual Steve of the Daphne Public Library. A make- The NASA DEVELOP National information, call 251-404-3924.

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November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 MEDIAm EDIA FRENZY Disastrous day for once-great journalism program BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

ow bad have things gotten in the world of journal- protest story. although in Rouses’ case they were only discontinuing running ism? Once upon a time the University of Missouri was Maybe Click should join Wolfe in leaving the school. It’s in free, non-subscription papers. The move was a big one, as cir- considered one of the top two or three journalism schools hard to imagine how the program hasn’t been greatly damaged cular advertising now constitutes a good bit of the print revenue in the nation. Last week during the protests that led to by such ignorance of basic media law as well as her lack of among all the Newhouse-owned papers in the newly formed Hthe resignation of the school’s president, a professor in that very leadership. Southeast Regional Media Group. communications department called upon protestors to remove a In October we ran an article an article in this space detailing reporter from covering the event in a public space. Help! I can’t find my car keys… the findings of Jay Schiller, who has decades of experience in When we wonder why journalism has taken such a turn to- Continuing under the heading of “What passes for journalism the newspaper circulation business, including writing about it wards fluff and click-bait, it becomes easier to understand when these days,” al.com provided a couple of head-scratchers earlier for Editor & Publisher magazine and consulting with advertis- you realize tomorrow’s reporters are being taught by people who this week when reporter Cassie Fambro posted two stories about ers. Schiller said circulation at many Newhouse newspapers — either don’t understand or don’t care about the First Amendment people losing personal items at the Alabama-LSU game Satur- including the Press-Register — has fallen sharply over the past Rights that are the very underpinnings of our free press. day night. two years. For the P-R, he said, it’s been 40 percent for home As media descended upon Columbia, Missouri to cover the First was a story about someone losing a money clip and delivery and single-copy sales. protests that led to President Tim Wolfe resigning, many of those some cash at the game. The next came a post about another The Picayune has also seen a drop and is at the same time organizing in the public quad decided they no longer wanted the person losing his wedding band. fighting the advances of The Advocate. But one of the bigger media present — the very media that had made their protests Fambro was able to reunite the money clip with its owner and issues consultants like Schiller, and trade associations like the successful. Suddenly they were chanting, “hey, hey, ho, ho, let readers know her story had generated 21,000 shares in two Association of National Advertisers, are bringing up is whether reporters have got to go,” pushing reporters and trying to block days. With that number of clicks it’s hard to imagine we won’t some newspapers are being truthful in telling media buyers and photographs. be seeing more lost-and-found stories on Alabama’s biggest advertisers about their circulation. Many students wrongly thought they have a right not to have website. The issue is not a new one, as there have been highly pub- their photos taken while they were protesting in a public place, licized cases of newspapers knowingly overcharging custom- something they should have learned in a media law class. It NOLA moves help Advocate ers — particularly pre-print clients — and getting caught. The would have been a great time for professors at this elite commu- In the ongoing battle for the New Orleans newspaper indus- ANA, which represents more than 700 advertising buyers, nications school to come forth and teach the students a thing or try, there was a pretty major move that took place several months recently hired two major firms to look into questionable media two about life in these United States, but instead it was assistant ago that sort of flew below the radar. buying tactics. communications professor Melissa Click who was shouting for In April, The Advocate dropped a story claiming it had In Schiller’s case he says he represented an advertising “muscle” to help get a reporter out of the quad. taken a good bit of weekly circular advertising by two major client with the T-P concerning pre-print overruns. He said I suppose some relief could be taken in the fact that her Ph.D. grocery chains from the Times-Picayune. The Advocate is a the T-P ended up issuing that client a $150,000 credit. It’s a from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is in popular counterpart of the Baton Rouge Advocate that began publish- claim Ricky Mathews, who oversees the T-P and now runs the culture texts, but one would assume a Ph.D. would have at ing daily in the wake of the T-P being cut back to three days a SRMG, denies. least taken a media law course or two. If the irony wasn’t thick week a few years ago. But with falling circulation, any potential overbilling issues enough, Click had just two days before on Nov. 7 sent out tweets According to The Advocate story, both Winn-Dixie and could only add to the possibilities of pre-print advertisers jump- trying to figure out how to get the national media to pick up the Rouses had decided to move circular advertising from the T-P, ing ship.

44 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 SPORTSEXTRA Delta Bike Project’s fundraiser features rides, street party BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy

he exploits of the Delta Bike Project (DBP) have been well recorded in Lagniappe. In just two years, the group has grown from a social club for bicycle enthusiasts into one of Mobile’s most vibrant nonprofit organizations. T“While we tell people that we are a community bike shop and a do-it-yourself bike shop, we have almost a dozen different programs,” said Jeff DeQuattro, one of the founders. He listed Build-a-Bike, an endeavor for at-risk youth; Reading to Ride, a youth literacy program; and Time Is Money, a project for homeless or disadvantaged people to earn bikes and parts through volun- teerism. The DBP is playing a key role in the Crepe Myrtle Trail, a pro- posed bike path stretching from Three Mile Creek to the mouth of Dog River. Another big mission has been the installation for four bicycle fix-it stations across Mobile. “We’ve been lucky that we don’t have to have constant fund- raisers to stay open,” DeQuattro said. “But we decided that people really love to support our work. So we thought that through a big fundraiser we could expand each of our programs. We’re also rais- ing money for a large bike corral and four more fix-it stations.” The event — called Gears and Beers — will be this Saturday, and begins with two rides (one course covers 48 miles, the other 10 miles). The USA Cycling permitted event starts at 8 a.m. The cost is $45 for the long ride and $25 for the short ride. A street party with live music will follow at the LoDa Bier Garten on Dauphin Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a $10 entry fee for non-riders. For more information on the fundraiser, visit gearsandbeersridemobile.com. Photo/Courtesy of Delta Bike Project The Delta Bike Project is located at 561 St. Francis St., a block off Dauphin Street behind O’Daly’s Irish Pub. They are open Gilliard Elementary School 4th grader Courtney Amison won a bicycle through the Delta Bike Project’s Read to Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Ride program.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 45 SPORTSUPON FURTHER REv IEW Jaguars, Rams, Badgers look to exciting basketball seasons BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy

Photos/ Courtesy of USA Athletics and UM Athletics (Left) Six-foot sophomore guard Taishaun Johnson returns after setting a USA record for points scored by a freshman last season. (Right) Five-foot, 11-inch junior guard Starla Daggan has been a points leader for the Lady Rams in opening season play.

ocal college basketball teams tipped off the 2015-16 season Marquita Daniels, a 5-foot-7-inch sophomore guard, was votes in the NAIA preseason poll. One highlight is the return of last week, including the University of South Alabama’s second on the team in scoring (10.4 ppg) and led in assists (47) crosstown rival Spring Hill after a one-year absence. Mobile’s (USA) 98-43 win over the University of Mobile (UM) in and steals (53). Others earning varsity letters were guards Colby next home game will be Saturday against Point University. men’s exhibition action. A glance at these two schools, Davis, Juliann Miller and Genesis Perrymond, plus forwards SHC women: SHC continues its journey into the realm Lalong with Spring Hill College (SHC), follows. LaNeetra Guillory and Taylor Jenkins. of NCAA Division II athletics. All SHC teams remain in the USA men: The USA men’s basketball team is coming off USA opens its regular season Nov. 17, hosting Spring Hill. membership process, with the goal of attaining full status for the an up-and-down campaign. Despite a 12-21 overall record, the UM women: Last year was a disappointment for the Lady 2017-18 academic year. Jaguars managed to go 9-11 in Sun Belt Conference (SBC) action Rams. Coming off a trip to the NAIA National Tournament, After leaving the NAIA, SHC joined the Southern Intercol- that was good for a sixth-place tie. head coach Billy Evans’ team went 15-13 overall and 10-9 in the legiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The women’s basketball team “Last year, we accomplished one of our goals we set, and that Southern States Athletic Conference. found some success, going 14-12 overall and 11-7 in conference was to make the conference tournament,” said Matthew Graves, This campaign has gotten off to a much faster start. The Lady play. who is starting his third year as head coach. “Throughout the course Rams defeated Southern-New Orleans 59-51 in their opener, “This preseason I have been stressing the need for our players of league play, I thought there was great balance and parity.” before knocking off Selma 75-45. Their next home action is Nov. to have toughness,” head coach Karen McConico said. “I learned Junior Ken Williams has been selected to the All-SBC pre- 17 against Thomas University. last year that this conference is much more physical than we season squad. Last season, the 6-foot-3-inch guard was eighth in The top returning player is 5-foot-6-inch junior guard Kali were used to and that means we have to have physical and mental the Sun Belt in scoring average (15.7 ppg) and 3-point percent- Koenig, who averaged 12 points and 3.2 rebounds last year. She toughness.” age (.370), second in 3-pointers (2.6 pg) and ninth in free-throw earned second-team all-conference honors. Four returning starters are 5-foot-7-inch junior guard Natalie percentage (.791). Molly Speed, a 6-foot senior forward, is the Lady Rams’ all- Harper (4.9 ppg), 5-foot-7-inch senior guard Armanee Broussard Other returning starters are 5-foot-11-inch senior guard Bar- time leader in 3-pointers. She has 169 in her career, including 66 (3.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg), 5-foot-11-inch junior center Leah Washington rington Stevens III (7.4 ppg, 3.2 apg) and 6-foot sophomore guard as a junior. (6.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and 5-foot-9-inch junior forward Camry John- Taishaun Johnson (12.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg). Johnson set a USA record In the season opener, Starla Daggan, a 5-foot-11-inch junior son (3.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg). for points scored by a freshman (414). Also back are 6-foot-4-inch guard, led the Lady Rams with 13 points. Alicia Curry, a 6-foot- After starting on the road, the Lady Badgers play at USA Nov. senior guard John Brown, 6-foot-8-inch junior forward Tafari 5-inch junior center, added 11 points and 10 rebounds. In her 17. Their first home game will be Nov. 20 against West Alabama. Whittingham, 6-foot-7-inch junior forward Georgi Boyanov and collegiate debut, 6-foot-5-inch freshman Nandi Jorden had eight SHC men: The Badgers did not find quite as much success in 5-foot-11-inch sophomore guard Devin Epps. points and 12 rebounds. In their second win, Koenig led with 19 their initial NCAA campaign. SHC men were 10-18 overall and In the game against the Rams, Johnson had 22 points and points while Daggan added 15. 9-10 in the league action. Williams added 20, while Boyanov had 12 rebounds. The Jaguars UM men: The UM men’s basketball team is looking for better “The SIAC was just as athletic as we thought it would be last host Auburn-Montgomery on Friday. results this season. They wrapped up the last campaign with a year, but they had much bigger players then we had faced in our USA women: The Lady Jaguars are also looking for a turn- 11-18 overall record and 6-12 mark in Southern States Athletic old conference,” head coach Aaron Niven said. “That being said, around. USA went 5-24 overall and 2-18 in Sun Belt action in Conference play. we found out that we can compete in the SIAC and compete at a 2014-15. Head coach Joe Niland has five veterans to call on during his good level.” “Last year was a disappointing season for us,” head coach 17th season at the helm. The list includes 6-foot-9-inch senior The top returning players are 6-foot-1-inch senior guard Jarrett Terry Fowler said. “We thought we would be able to make some center Daouda Soumaoro (10.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 6-foot senior strides from the previous season. Unfortunately for us, that guard Will Hornsby (7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg), 6-foot-3-inch sophomore Calhoun (8.3 ppg, 2.5 apg, 2.0 rpg), 6-foot-1-inch sophomore didn’t happen.” guard James Davis (6.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg), 6-foot-7-inch junior center guard James Clarke (7.1 ppg, 2.6 apg, 3.8 rgp) and 6-foot-10-inch Hoping to lead the way will be 6-foot-3-inch sophomore center Dillon Pollard (4.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg) and 6-foot-4-inch senior guard junior center Dejan Stefanovic (6.5 ppg, 3.3 rgp). Chyna Ellis, who has been selected to the preseason all-SBC Lawrence Pierce (4.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg). Hornsby had 10 points, four Local fans will soon find out what kind of team SHC will have, third-team roster. She started 23 games as a freshman, averaging rebounds and two assists against the Jaguars. as the Badgers open with three home games: Shorter University eight points and 7.8 rebounds. Ellis led the conference with two The competition will remain tough for the Rams, as they on Friday, Nov. 13, Union University on Saturday, Nov. 14, and blocks per game. currently have 11 games set against teams ranked or receiving Mississippi College on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

46 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 SPORTSEXTRA Michael Seals fights to put Mobile on the map BY JONATHAN ADAMS/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Photo/Courtesy Premier Boxing Champions Michael Seals (right), a former Mobile football standout now living in Atlanta, is undefeated as a boxer heading into a bout with Edwin Rodriguez in Biloxi Friday.

he story started at Southside Boxing Academy, but not outs. He returns to the Gulf Coast Nov. 13 for a fight against of the greats,” he said. in the way one might expect. Growing up in Mobile, Edwin Rodriguez at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi. As part of his training, Seals finally entered the Southside Michael Seals passed by the neighborhood boxing gym “I can’t explain the feeling I had when I found out about Boxing Academy just a few weeks ago, after it had eluded him many times. However, as with many Alabama families, the match,” Seals said about the marquee showcase so close to so many years ago as an adolescent. Tanother sport took priority. home. “Everything just fell into place.” He has not fought since his March defeat of Carlos Reyes. “I played football as a kid. I always wanted to box and the It will be one of the most challenging fights of his career. Friday’s card gets underway in Biloxi at 9 p.m. and will be gym was a mile from my house. Football was the priority. In Rodriguez is 27-1 and enters as the favorite. broadcast live on Spike TV. An upset win against Rodriguez Alabama, football is a religion,” Seals explained. “I am a severe underdog against a world-class fighter, but I would go a long way toward helping Seals continue to advance Growing up, Seals never made it into the boxing gym he am out to prove that people from Alabama can fight,” Seals said. in the sport. passed so often. Instead, Seals excelled at football. He was part Seals notes there are a lot of similarities between boxing and Seals’ journey to this match reads like a movie script. The of the Blount High School football team that won three con- football. hometown football player returns to introduce the football- secutive state championships from 1996 to 1998, and continued “I watch a lot of film so I know every small detail about my crazed Gulf Coast to an entirely different sport he has fallen on to play football at Alabama A&M. opponent. The butterflies are the same. In both sports, after I get in love with. This time, it is impossible for him to pass by a Now undefeated as a boxer, he did not get introduced to the that first contact I’m settled in,” he said. boxing gym without going in. He hopes to pass that feeling on sport until his football days were over. Initially, he tried it to Despite his success, Seals has bigger dreams for the future. to others in the area. stay in shape. He wants to not just have more individual accomplishments, Whether or not Seals is victorious in the ring Friday night, “After the first day, I knew I loved the sport. The first time I but to put the area on the map in the sport of boxing. he has been successful in proving there is more to this area than sparred I gave the guy a run for his money. From there, I didn’t “I will be great and I’ll be in all the barbershop conversa- football. When asked what message he has for the people of miss a day at the gym for three straight years,” Seals recalled. tions in this area. My work ethic will get me there. I have the Mobile, Seals kept it simple: “Come out and support the home- Since, Seals has amassed 19 straight wins with 14 knock- talent and drive to accomplish that. I want to be known as one town guy. I will return the favor.”

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 47 STYLEPORT CITY PREm ONITIONS Virgo claims victory in defeat of annexation BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY Scorpio (10/23-11/21) — You’ll join the #StarbucksRedCup Pisces (2/19-3/20) — After growing tired of reading headlines Cancer (6/22-7/22) — After weeks of enduring a barrage of protest when you find feces smeared into the likeness of Santa about sexual assaults and domestic violence allegations against Halloween candy at the office, a coworker’s nice gesture of bring- Claus in the bathroom at one of the 15 Starbucks locations on football stars at every level of the sport, one of your more politi- ing doughnuts to the office will send you into a rage. Upon seeing your block. You don’t care what the latte purveyors use for cup cally correct friends will finally decide to boycott the game all the box of a dozen sorted, sweet pastries, you’ll have a temper decorations, but a poop Santa is just too much. Following a #hun- together. While he enjoys taking up new and productive hobbies, tantrum and begin flinging the glazed goodies all over the office gerstrike, in which you vow to resist Starbucks’ bacon and gouda you’ll continue to spend your weekends the way every real Ameri- kitchen. You’ll sarcastically draw a smiley face with jelly and set breakfast sandwich for a week, you’ll call the for the resignation can should — drinking all day, ignoring your family and getting fire to the box. The incident will result in tears and a visit to HR of the local shop’s manager, Ted, for his refusal to clean up the unprecedentedly upset about things that have no bearing on your the next morning. #pooSanta. life whatsoever. Leo (7/23-8/23) — Reading that the Mobile County School Sagittarius (11/22-12/22) — At a family gathering you’ll spill Aries (3/21-4/19) — After it’s revealed Hillary Clinton did not Board leases surplus property to various businesses and industries, the beans about Santa Claus in front of your niece and nephew. send or receive top-secret material via her personal email server, you decide to troll them with a proposal to host an outdoor, ho- In an effort to save face, you’ll decide to go ahead and ruin some you and countless other Americans will have to go back to the listic charter school for hunter-gatherers. Despite a lack of STEM other family secrets as well. You’ll tell one of the kids that his drawing board to find yet another reason to call for her arrest. curriculum, your idea will receive overwhelming support from an dad’s friend, “Uncle Terry,” is his real dad. Your niece will be sad While disliking her demeanor, policies and husband are all valid influential contingent of doomsday preppers, including a perpetual to hear that pro wrestling is fake and grandma’s famous dressing reasons to oppose her politically, suggesting she “ought to be Tea Party candidate for Congress who is always heaping praise on indicted” just sounds cooler. For that reason, you’ll spend the next came from Piggly Wiggly. The tirade gets you banned from future smaller government. few weeks anxiously awaiting the finding of a ninth congressional family events, which isn’t so bad after all. Virgo (8/24-9/22) — As a resident of Baldwin County who investigation into Benghazi. Capricorn (12/23-1/19) — You will have a bad week. A appreciates freedom from municipal ad valorem tax, you laugh Taurus (4/20-5/20) — Based on the success of a certain presi- coworker will pitch a fit and angrily destroy a dozen doughnuts maniacally after your voting fraud scheme results in the slim dential candidate, you’ll release a radio ad featuring terrible rhymes you brought to the office on Monday. You’ll anger your boss after defeat of Spanish Fort’s annexation referendum. Turns out, it was the people who support you will call rap. Of course, the people who instigating a loud argument at the office about whether or not hot would buy your products anyway are thrilled with your attempt to easy to fool poll watchers in the young city, who failed to question dogs are sandwiches. Your name will be leaked by Anonymous be “cool,” but it’ll miss with the target demographic, which in this the fake mustache and counterfeit passport that got you into the hackers as part of a document dump related to FarmersOnly.com. case includes fans of music in general. Like something out of a booth a second time. But the victory was sealed on your third You’ll get food poisoning a week after eating raw oysters at a Hitchcock movie, the rap will send several fans to the hospital. To attempt, with a brilliant sleight of hand involving a small purple festival at the beach. make a long story short, don’t release rap ads. pocket linen and a hard-boiled egg. Aquarius (1/20-2/18) — With the governor’s recent announce- Gemini (5/21-6/21) — Two months after NASA discovered Libra (9/23-10/22) — Anxious of impending early holiday ment to leave gambling laws up to local officials, you’ll be super what it believes to be an alien superstructure, visitors from another deadlines, you attempt to remove yourself from work obligations excited to hit up Mobile’s newest gaming option — the electronic world make landfall on Earth. They won’t be green, or grey, but altogether by infecting yourself with an aggressive strain of Vib- betting stations at participating Subway restaurants. While slot will look and act much like human hipsters. Because of this, the rio. While your initial effort to contract the virus by consuming machines are obviously illegal, the district attorney will determine Earth will soon sell out of anything “hand-crafted,” including old- copious amounts of raw oysters will fail, you will set a new com- that a game played by betting money on which toppings Subway fashioned bicycles and mustache wax. Their raw vegan sensibili- petitive eating record at Wintzell’s. Eventually, you are bedridden customers might choose takes a considerable amount of skill. As ties will also result in an extreme drop in the price of bacon and a from exhaustion right through Thanksgiving. But in your absence, has always been the case with Subway, you’re bound to leave with rise in the price of kale. You’ll quickly snatch up all the bacon and a Jewish investor buys half the company, leading to a month-long a lot of “lettuce.” sell your kale stock to the highest bidder. Christmakah with no end in sight.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

FROM PAGE 41

F U T U r e S h o c k

48 | LAGNIAPPE | November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 STYLEEXTRA Mertz School graduates enjoy reunion 62 years in the making BY JO ANNE MCKNIGHT/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Photo/Courtesy of Jenah Holland

Pictured at the Oct. 1 Mertz reunion are, from left, front row: Katie Lloyd Rasberry, Ellen Pope Rogers, Rhnea Till- man McDonald, Barbara Lambert Hebert and Theles Sut- ton Woodfin. Second Row: Patricia Allen Vester, Dot Smith George; Lenora Demetropolis DeRossett, Martha Murphy young and Mary Catherine Smith Cleveland. Third Row: Lois Ann Walker Necaise, Carolyn Cook Harris, James Thompson and Jeanette Garrett Sprinkle. Back row: Ira Thomas and Robert Brunson.

ixty-two years after they graduated from the 8th grade at no school nurse; when her brother, a year behind her in school, daddy before daylight to help him wash vegetables. On some Mertz School, a group of former classmates met again at broke his collarbone during a game of “grab and growl” and “he very cold winter days, the water was frozen, so we cracked the a reunion in Citronelle Oct. 1. Ellen Pope Rogers, now came into my classroom with one shoulder way higher than the ice and washed those vegetables in ice water. We had no gloves, living in Idaho, instigated the reunion when she realized other,” she had to take him home on her bicycle. and our hands would be frozen, but we delivered good, clean Sthat an unrelated family affair in Mississippi would bring her “He was in a lot of pain so I put him on the back of my vegetables to Delchamps before the store opened to customers,” through Mobile. bicycle and took him home. Neither the principal nor any of the he said. She said the 70 students who graduated from Mertz “gram- teachers telephoned my mother or offered to drive him home. Rogers remembered having a school holiday when there was mar” school had been friends and classmates since first grade. And because we didn’t have a car, my mother called a taxi to a presidential election (in 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower was At the end of 8th grade, depending on their residential location, take him to the doctor.” elected president) because Mertz was a polling site. some of them went to Theodore High School, some to Baker By the time these students graduated from Mertz, life was pretty But one of her favorite memories is the “invention” of and the rest to Murphy, which, even in 1953, was “a very large good. A new home cost $9,500; a new car was $1,700; gasoline oleomargarine, “which by law could not be colored by the pro- school,” Rogers said, “We never saw each other again.” was 20 cents per gallon and an average annual wage was about ducer,” she said. Within each cellophane container was a food In planning the reunion, Rogers used the Internet, the phone $3,500. But when they started to school, around 1945, the country coloring capsule and, Rogers said, “My siblings and I would and public records to discover 29 of the 70 students are still was just recovering from WWII and things were still tough. compete to squeeze the capsule to release the coloring and turn living. Unfortunately, she also learned 30 had died, but she con- Ira Thomas, at whose son’s home the reunion was held, and the margarine yellow.” tinues to search for the remaining students, whose whereabouts who was described by Rogers as having grown up in a home Iris Lundy Anderson, about 78 now, remembered how the are unknown: Claude Brazil, George Dunn, Lee Dell Freeman, “rich in love, wisdom and faith in God,” remembers his child- school came to be named Mertz. Barbara Rester Guy, Larry Horn, Betty Lee, Robert Little, Jo Ann hood vividly. “My grandparents gave the property for the school to be built; Ward and Billy Whitney. “When I was 9 years old,” he said, “I went to work for Bill the condition was it had to be named Mertz, to which the school “Most of us had not seen or communicated with each other in Broadus on his dairy farm, where I cleaned barns and cattle lots board agreed,” she said. The reason, as she recalled, was the high all those years,” Rogers said. However, “Judging by the conver- and did odd jobs.” He would climb very high up into a silo and esteem in which Mr. Mertz (she doesn’t remember his first name) sation among us at the reunion, none of us ever stopped thinking throw silage down to be bagged and loaded into a truck. “I was was held by farmers in the area. of and wondering about the well-being of our classmates.” too small to lift the heavy bags, but I could drag them over to the “The farmers had to go all the way to the foot of Government Mertz was a “clean, rural school with no luxuries, no school truck,” he said. Street to get to the train to ship their produce,” Anderson said. colors, no mascots” at the beginning of the second half of the Thomas’ pay each workday was one gallon of milk and, he But, “Mr. Mertz persuaded the railroad to build a spur, which 20th century, according to Rogers. Barbara Lambert Hebert recalled, “I was so proud of that gallon of milk, because I knew used to be across the road from our filling station/house at U.S. agreed. “Life was pretty sedate on the Mertz School campus, with it helped my parents feed us seven children. We had no refrigera- Highway 90 and Pleasant Valley Road … That is where the no playground equipment,” Hebert said. “I remember spending a tor, so my father would tie a rope to the handle and let the bucket name came from. When people of my generation speak of the lot of time on the ground at recess looking for four-leaf clovers.” down into the well to keep the milk cool. Mr. Broadus had Jersey Mertz community, they usually follow it with the word ‘station,’” “I usually walked to and from school every day,” Rogers said. cows that produced very rich milk, just about 50 percent cream, Anderson noted. “And since girls were supposed to be ladies, no matter how cold and my mother would separate the cream to make butter. She Rogers believes the bonds of friendship formed at an early the weather, we were not allowed to wear pants. I was cold all poured the cream into quart jars, tightened the lids, and my twin age become stronger with shared experiences. Those experiences winter every year,” she said. sister, Iris, and I would shake those jars until butter formed.” from age 6 to about 13 “remained important to us and enabled us Despite the mostly prosperous, fairly peaceful time between Thomas described his father as a sharecropper and “a man to gather joyfully for the reunion on Oct. 1, and we are already the end of World War II and the beginning of the Korean War, who took pride in all his work, but especially in the crops he pro- planning another reunion for October 2016,” she said. many families, if they had a car at all, only had one. Rogers’ duced.” In order to sell produce to Delchamps, the crops had to To participate in future reunions or to share information about family didn’t own an automobile, and she recalled that Mertz had be harvested and cleaned, and, Thomas said, “I would get up with former students, call Rogers at 208-699-5339.

November 12, 2015 - November 18, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 49 STYLEm O b ILE m AGNIFIED Of cook-offs and corn dogs BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

etween the horrible time change and the warm and/or cold Beach Hilton took the top prize handed out by the judges. and/or dreary weekend weather, the only thing keeping Another spy said she enjoyed listening to the sweet sounds of Boozie happy was her mixed drinks and, of course, the Lennon & Maisy, who you may know as The Conrad Sisters on crazy shenanigans you all kindly provide me each and the hit show “Nashville” on ABC. No, there were no Rayna James Bevery week. I hear the sun may be coming back out right about the sightings, though. Sorry! time this issue hits the stands, so go ahead and grab your prescrip- The spies also said celebrity chef Anne Burrell’s cooking dem- tion shades and soak up some sun with all this Vitamin D packed onstration was great and she even slipped in an Alabama incest gossip. That’s D for Deeeeeee-licious! joke. Nice! Maybe next year she can work in bestiality!

Governor or lawyer Corn dogs for days Last Tuesday night the second Republican candidate of the Boozie has eyes everywhere and this past weekend she had 2016 presidential campaign made a stop in the Port City, when eyes in Tuscaloosa for the Alabama-LSU game. Boozie’s spy said Ohio Governor John Kasich hosted a campaign event at Wintzell’s nothing makes you feel old like going to a college town and see- downtown. It didn’t trump Donald Trump’s visit, and so far no ing how much has changed. Yeah, sure, the campus has changed picture of an excited/laughing woman has surfaced on the Inter- a lot, but Boozie’s spy swears what girls are wearing has changed net. But we do have a Boozie-worthy story. more than anything. Alabama’s own Gov. Robert Bentley has been an early Kasich My fashionista spy said she felt like she needed to cover her supporter and was on hand to introduce his man. But Bentley got boyfriend’s eyes because of all the girls in short skirts and short put on the spot a couple of times. Once was when Kasich started Photo courtesy of Hangout Oyster Cook-off dresses. Guess those girls missed the memo that it was going to be talking about how he’d lowered taxes in Ohio to spur job growth, Winners of 2015 Oyster Cook-off, Pensacola Beach cold and raining or that butt cheeks hanging out makes you look then nodded to his Alabama counterpart looking for an “amen” on like a hooker. tax cutting. Guess he hadn’t read about Bentley’s struggles to get Hilton Boozie’s spy also reported some signs that were seen hanging a big tax increase through the legislature. from college student houses. Some were not appropriate and can Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson also had a little fun at Bent- A shuckin’ good time not be repeated, but here are two that are a little more fit to print, ley’s expense when he introduced him, telling the crowd he’d The threat of yucky weather did not keep folks from turn- as they say in the biz: “It’s a NO GEAUX!” and “@sam_ponder convinced the governor to send all of a recent BP settlement to ing for The Hangout Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Fest in Gulf Netflix and chill?” Keep up the creative writing, kids! Mobile County instead of dropping it into the state’s general Shores this weekend. The festivities began Friday night with tasty Of course, Boozie can’t mention LSU without mentioning corn fund. Stimpson definitely did not get an “amen” from the gover- suds from all over the Southeast and the Black Jacket Symphony dogs. I was told a lot of tailgaters had corn dogs as their tailgate nor there either. performing Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” food and they were quite tasty. Poor LSU. I forget how they got As Bentley was preparing to do an interview with a local TV On Saturday, the Absolut Bloody Marys and Veuve Clicquot that nickname, but I guess it’s all in good fun. I can certainly think reporter outside Wintzell’s before Kasich’s speech, a gentleman started flowing early, which was a big help to those who’d had of worse things to smell like. cruising down the sidewalk exclaimed loudly that, “You two look way too many tiny cups of strong beer the night before. My spies Well, kids, that’s all I’ve got this week. Just remember, whether like some sure-enough lawyers!” Boozie is guessing he doesn’t said their favorite oysters were from the Signa Grille out of Ridge- rain or shine, dramatic or scandalous, or just some plain ol’ oyster keep up much with current events or read Lagniappe. land, Mississippi, and Nashville’s 404 Kitchen, but the Pensacola lovin’, I will be there. Ciao!

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