An Appalachian Marriage of Beer and Music

2 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WEEKLY August 21, 2014 – August 27, 2014 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s proposed 2015 [email protected] budget includes a pay raise, but also a new Rob Holbert healthcare plan. Co-publisher/Managing Editor 6 [email protected] Steve Hall COMMENTARY Marketing/Sales Director If everyone thought like a 5-year-old race [email protected] wouldn’t be an issue. Gabriel Tynes Assistant Managing Editor 12 [email protected] CUISINE Dale Liesch Reporter The definitive guide [email protected] to food options at the Jason Johnson Dauphin Street Beer Reporter [email protected] Festival downtown this Saturday, Aug. 23. Alyson Stokes Web & Social Media Manager/Reporter [email protected]

Kevin Lee CONTENTS Associate Editor/Arts Editor [email protected] Andy MacDonald 18 Cuisine Editor [email protected] BUSINESS Stephen Centanni Music Editor Homeless advocacy group Housing [email protected] First recently launched a new J. Mark Bryant community-wide partnership. Sports Writer 24 [email protected] Daniel Anderson Chief Photographer COVER [email protected] The hunter becomes the Laura Rasmussen hunted as 150 people Art Director statewide are awarded www.laurarasmussen.com 26 tags for the annual Brooke Wilder Advertising Sales Executive alligator hunt. [email protected] Leigh Wright Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] Beth Williams Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] Beth McKee ARTS Advertising Sales Executive Artistic pursuits run wide, far and deep [email protected] in Mobile’s population, as one former Melissa Schwarz MCPSS employee shows. Editorial Assistant 28 [email protected] Contributors: Asia Frey • Brian Holbert MUSIC Jeff Poor • Jennifer McDonald Ohio’s Ben Davis Jr., Ron Sivak • Susan Larsson frontman of the Dirt

On the Cover: Alligator Hunt by Dan Anderson Poor Troubadours, is a former punk gone LAGNIAPPE (USPS 20) is published weekly, 52 issues a year, Volume 12, Issue 27, every country. Thursday by Something, Extra Publishing, Inc. Entered at the Mobile Post Office, 250 St. Joseph St, Mobile, AL, 36601. Periodicals postage paid at Mobile Post Office, 250 St Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36601 and other locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are 34 located at 1102A Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: ashley- FILM [email protected] or [email protected] Got MILF? Despite its sexy allure, LAGNIAPPE is printed at Walton Press, 402 “Adore” is more than idyllic lifestyle Mayfield Dr., Monroe, GA 30655. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to porn. be intended for publication. 40 Member: Association of Alternative Newsweek- lies and Alternative Weeklies Network MEDIA All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or If you want someone to repair your in any way reproduced without the expressed permission of the publishers. home and pay for it, now’s your time. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per 42 issue. Removal of more than one copy from these points constitutes theft. Violators are subject to prosecution. SPORTS Help support Lagniappe Weekly by becoming a “Friend with Benefits.” Spring Hill College is joining a new Scan this code for more info: league and Battleship Rugby hosts a 45 new tournament. STYLE An equine fan at the Kenny Chesney concert and Semmes’ most desirable 50 watercraft is on the market.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 3 GOING POSTAL Back to the future

To the editor: You mentioned at the end of your article (cover story, Aug. 7, 2014) that Mobile has not had a close call with a hurricane since Katrina in 2005. Have you not heard of Hurricane Ivan in 2004? It destroyed our beach home in Orange Beach, which would certainly be close enough to Mobile to be considered a close call!

Charles Keith

English teachers would be horrified

To the editor: Do y’all happen to have a proofreader employed? If so, please ask him or her to look closely at the front page picture captioned “35 Years Later”, and read carefully the short “paragraph”, if you will, and see if anyone can spot the glaring error. Maybe spell check on your computers, or a handy- dandy dictionary would work well for checking for spelling errors. Maybe nit-picky, but if I had written this, and it was published on the front page for all to see, especially my English teachers from the past, I would be horrified. Just thought I’d mention it.

Mary Alice Jordan

We feel the same way

To the editor: I so enjoy reading the Lagniappe. Today I started to read and was dismayed to see a misspelled word on the front page. I’m sure you caught it but possibly too late? Preparation has an “a”. In this day and age with spellchecker and , I’m sure, a capable editor, I feel these errors should be extremely limited. Thanks for allowing me to vent!

Tracey Baucom

Maybe we’re not that classy after all

To the editor: Come on guys. This happens all too often lately! “Preparations” while spelled correctly on page 24, is misspelled on the front cover (of all places) and in the contents page. This “paper” is too classy for these types of errors! Or is it? I guess time will tell.

Joy Burge, retired MCPSS English teacher. (available for hire if you need a pre-press reader!) LOL

Editor’s Note: Thanks to the many people who pointed out our error in the last issue.

4 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 5 BAY BRIEFS BB Budget has raises and cuts

BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

ayor Sandy Stimpson’s proposed The mayor’s proposed convention center 2015 budget includes two raises budget includes a $1.5 million decrease in for city employees, an increase spending overall. For example, BayFest will in healthcare costs, a 400 percent get $100,000 from the city this year, which Mincrease in capital spending and significant is $143,000 less than last year. In addition, cuts to performance contracts. the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors “Our focus is to increase and redirect Bureau budget was cut by $400,000. The capital dollars toward fixing things that are Senior Bowl and Events Mobile were level broken in the city’s infrastructure, from our funding at $135,000 and $100,000 respec- streets, sidewalks and parks to the outdated tively. computer management systems and other Wesch added that for at least one year old equipment the city uses to conduct day- the city would not be directly supporting to-day business and secondly, it addresses benevolent organizations and would replace long-needed adjustments to our employees’ previous funding with a $1.2 million alloca- compensation.” Stimpson told a crowd dur- tion to the United Way of Southwest Ala- ing a presentation Aug. 19 to members of the bama and the Community Fund to disperse Mobile City Council. “These two areas of those funds as needed. focus, when combined with better manage- The budget also includes revenues from ment by city government, will result in our a one-cent sales tax, which was put in place citizens receiving improved basic services two years ago. Stimpson asked councilors to which they deserve.” consider extending the tax increase by two The mayor’s proposed general fund months to September 2015. budget includes $227 million in revenue and Councilwoman Bess Rich, who voted $222 million in expenditures. Both revenues against the tax when it was first brought to and expenditures are within a half a percent the council in 2012, said she was willing of last year’s budget, Stimpson said. to consider it for this budget because of the City employees will be eligible to get increased capital improvement funds and two pay increases as a result of the proposed pay raises included. budget. The first is a cost-of-living adjust- “I look forward to rolling it off next ment of 2.5 percent, which will go to all of year,” Rich said. the city’s 2,400 employees and will go into The capital improvement fund will grow effect in October. The second 2.5 percent from $3.5 million in 2014 to $14.3 million raise will be merit-based and take effect in under Stimpson’s proposal. The increase April, but will be contingent upon employ- includes $750,000 for a litter trap on Dog ees meeting certain benchmarks, Executive River and a litter vessel. Another $750,000 Director of Finance Paul Wesch said. would be used to purchase new public works “The last time the city employees vehicles, $3.2 million would be used to pur- received a raise was in 2007,” Stimpson chase 100 new police vehicles, $2 million said. “The gap in raises may be a result of would purchase new fire-rescue vehicles and economic factors beyond the city’s control, another $3 million would be used for park but it is nonetheless too long. Our employees improvements. deserve a raise.” Those park improvements may include Stimpson also announced the percentage new ball fields, lights, upgraded restrooms, of health insurance costs the employees will dog parks, splash pads, walking and biking be responsible for will be increased. Previ- trails, drainage and buildings. ously, employees paid roughly 16 percent of “The city is also upgrading to a modern the cost of health insurance, but that would and efficient, citywide software system, an increase to 20 percent for current employees. investment costing $2.2 million,” Stimpson However, the city will pay the first year said. “This system will allow the city to shift of increased health insurance premiums for from paper-intensive operations to efficient the 1,100 current employees making $40,000 data input and processing capabilities.” or less a year. New employees would pay 40 The City Council scheduled a special percent of the cost share. public hearing on the budget for 5:30 p.m. The proposed general fund budget Tuesday, Sept. 2. The hearing will follow includes decreases in almost all of the city’s the council’s regular meeting, rescheduled performance contracts, for a total decrease for 4 p.m. to accommodate the hearing after- of almost $2.1 million. Reductions in hours. performance contracts include the complete In other business, the council unani- cutting of a $600,000 payout to the Gulf mously voted to amend the city’s ordinance Coast Exploreum. establishing two entertainment districts That cut represents about 25 percent downtown to eliminate the sunset provision. of the science center’s budget, Executive The council also voted to accept an Director Jan McKay said. agreement with the Alabama Department of “I hope there’s still room for a conversa- Transportation for sidewalks on Old Shell tion about our request,” she said. “It will be Road in the Village of Spring Hill. Com- something we’ll have to talk about.” munity members raised the money needed The center requested $618,000 from this for the municipal match, so the agreement is year’s budget, McKay said. made at no cost for the city.

6 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 BAY BRIEFS BB Former 911 board director drops ‘tailored’ insurance

BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

ess than a week after Lagniappe published an article Wasden said the district’s plan was simply not contributing also extends a $300 payment to the beneficiaries of deceased detailing the free health insurance coverage the Mobile meaningfully to Williams’ coverage. At the meeting, Wasden retirees. County Communication District was providing to one said the former director had successfully completed the neces- “We only have four retirees and most will get the $300,” of its retirees, former MCCD Director George Williams sary paperwork to be removed from the plan. MCCD Director Gary Tanner said. “Mr. Williams will get Lelected to opt out of that very insurance plan. Like all Mobile County employees, Williams was covered $425.” In Oct. 2012, the MCCD authorized a group insurance plan under the Local Government Health Insurance Plan, which Tanner told members of the board the payment would cost for retirees meeting certain criteria, though Williams was the pools together the premiums of public employees from several the MCCD $1,562 – a sum it isn’t required to pay until 2015. only one who met those qualifications. Then in June, the board governmental municipalities. The Mobile County Commission is scheduled to take up the approved a motion to limit the coverage exclusively to Wil- Wasden said the Attorney General’s opinion the board matter at its Aug. 25 meeting. Commission President Connie liams. sought on the matter is still pending. Hudson confirmed the item was on the upcoming agenda. According to officials at the MCCD, the former director “It’s actually awaiting a final review in the executive de- “I personally support it,” she said. “We haven’t communi- was receiving family health insurance coverage from the time partment,” he said. “They expect to have that to us by Monday cated about it and I can’t speak for the other commissioners, of his retirement in April 2013 until sometime this past week. or Tuesday of next week.” but I would anticipate it would be a unanimous vote.” The county’s cost for the coverage was $960 a month. Under Williams and the district’s other retirees got some good A public information officer for the county said if the com- the approved terms, Williams did not contribute to the cover- news at the same meeting, when the board of the MCCD voted mission approve it, former county employees would get the age. to participate in one-time bonus for retired employees ap- same offer as the MCCD’s retirees. “George Williams and I had a conference this week, and proved by Alabama Legislature earlier this year. Several other governmental bodies have already extended due to his comparisons of coverages, he decided to opt out of Offered through Retirement Systems of Alabama, the leg- the same bonus to their retirees, including the Mobile Area the district’s group insurance plan,” Attorney Bill Wasden told islation authorized a one-time bonus for retired employees of Water and Sewer Service and the City of Bayou la Batre. the MCCD during its Aug. 14 meeting. “At the end of the day, any government body that opts to participate in the program. The deadline to affirm participation in the RSA program is it was a decision that was made on a comparison of existing Retirees who qualify will receive a lump-sum payment Aug. 31. coverages and utility, or a lack there of.” of $300 or $2 for every month they were employed. The law Police arrest more than 20 people in multi-phase drug operation BY ALYSON STOKES/REPORTER | [email protected]

he Mobile Police Department Narcotics and Vice Unit ar- The detailed results of Operation ReVitalize will be released Woman sexually assaulted at nightclub rested 20 individuals at the R.V. Taylor Housing Commu- as they are finalized. Barber said the MPD will be following up A woman reported she was sexually assaulted at a local night- nity and the surrounding area Friday afternoon, executing in cooperation with the Public Housing Board in order to remove club after accepting a drink from a stranger in the early morning a mission they called “Operation ReVitalize.” people who are committing criminal activity in these residences. hours of Aug. 16. TAccording to officials, the MPD received numerous com- “We’re not looking for caches of drugs,” Barber said. “What According to the MPD, officers responded at approximately 1 plaints of drug activity in this particular area and logged 435 we’re looking to do is identify the specific locations that drugs a.m. to a report of sexual assault at Midnight Rodeo Bar on Tan- reports of narcotic law violations from Jan. 1, 2012 to June 30, were being sold from and who is responsible for it, as well as to ner Road. 2014, in the 1300 block of Arlington Street, plus the Thomas deal with the Housing Board in removing these people from that The woman told police a man bought her a drink before forc- James and R.V. Taylor communities. community.” ing her into unwanted sexual contact inside the club. As of Aug. In addition to drug use, MPD Police Chief James Barber said Prichard enforces new curfew for minors 19, police had no additional information, Officer Terence Perkins there have been two homicides and 42 individuals shot in the The Prichard Police Department is enforcing a curfew ordi- said. area. nance for minors as of Sunday, Aug. 17. According to a press “If we’re going to be the safest city, we’ll have to deal with release from the department, minors under the age of 18 or who those locations,” he said. “So there’s a concentrated effort by the have not been emancipated by law are in violation of the curfew police department, not to just go in with a lot of manpower, but if they are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during to identify exactly who is responsible and which locations within certain hours of the day and night. those hot spots are responsible.” Minors who are detained by police for violating the city’s cur- The goal of Operation ReVitalize was to execute 12 search few ordinance will be transported to the City of Prichard Curfew warrants while attempting to locate 21 people, who together Center and can only be released to a parent or legal guardian. have a total of 35 cases of unlawful distribution of a controlled The ordinance calls for various levels of fines, including, but substance. not limited to, issuing a verbal warning, fines or imprisonment, Barber said the multi-phase operation has been ongoing for officials said. two to three months and began with controlled narcotics purchas- The new law specifies daytime and nighttime curfew hours as ing at target residents, apartments and businesses. follows: “Twenty one people have sold drugs to us,” MPD spokes- Nighttime: woman Ashley Rains said. “We bought marijuana, spice, cocaine 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday for the entire city and prescription drugs.” except in the downtown district. Members of the Mobile County Street Enforcement Narcotics 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the downtown district (Lovejoy Loop East Team, SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service and the Mobile County Dis- to South Wilson Avenue). trict Attorney’s Office assisted the MPD in successfully executing 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. the operation. Daytime: Barber said the mission was purposefully timed around 1.p.m., 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during Mobile Photo courtesy of MPD while children were in school, to decrease the potential for an County Public School hours. impact to youth. Barber reported no injuries or damaged property MPD seeks help from the public to identify two during the raid. Boy shot after bullets enter two homes men accused of stealing a woman’s debit card. After the two-phase operation was complete, 21 people were A boy was injured after several shots entered two homes near arrested, processed and transported to Mobile County Metro Jail. Dauphin Island Parkway Aug. 15. The man is wanted on one count of first-degree sexual abuse. Of those 20 individuals, 10 were original targets of the operation, While police did not provide information on the boy’s condi- Rains said. Men wanted for alleged debit card theft tion, MPD spokesman Officer Terence Perkins said the juvenile The MPD asked for the public’s help on Tuesday to identify “[It was] highly successful considering it was a pretty danger- victim suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. two men wanted for stealing a woman’s debit card. ous operation,” Rains said. The incident was reported around 8:30 p.m. when bullets en- According to MPD spokeswoman Ashley Rains, the woman, Mobile’s newly appointed director of public safety, Richard tered two homes near the area of Englewood Drive at Greenwood who was not identified, suffers from a mental illness. Landolt, was present during the raid, marking the first major Avenue. In late May or early June, the two men stole the woman’s debit drug-related operation of his current tenure. The MPD did not provide any information on possible sus- card and used it to make over $600 worth of purchases, Rains “We captured a lot of folks and disrupted some networks here, pects related to the case. said. and that’s what it’s all about,” Landolt said. Anyone with information is asked to call 251-208-7211. Anyone with information is asked to call 251-208-7211.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 7 BB BAY BRIEFS Alternative school, Star Academy settle into new Midtown home BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

When the staff and students of Augusta Evans School moved to “Usually students are only here for an entire year if they’ve “These kids want to graduate on time and with their peers,” a new facility on Biloxi Avenue this summer, the old building on been recommended for expulsion to the board and the board Coleman said. “We try to nurture them and make sure they know Florida Street was planned to be yet another abandoned school in chooses to place the child here,” Coleman said. “That all goes everything they need to know and are equipped to go in to high midtown. through the principal and then through student services. They school.” However, Star Academy Principal Ron Coleman had other make the decisions about how long a child will be here.” Each year, only 80 students are allowed into the Star Academy, plans for the old school, which now hosts that program as well as The school only takes students in grades 7-8. Students in grades which is comprised of four core classes and one elective each Mobile County’s alternative school for junior high school students. 9-12 with discipline issues are sent to the Twilight Program, which semester. Coleman called the school’s curriculum rigorous, and Some confusion about the alternative program eventually led is facilitated after hours at each of the system’s high schools. though it’s technology driven, said teachers still work closely with to rumors that “at risk” students and students with legal troubles Coleman said any type of misbehavior could land a student in students. would be attending the school. Coleman said it’s not the first time an alternative program, but adjudicated students are exclusively Only students who have completed 7th grade and are ages that perception has followed his students. handled through the P.O.I.N.T.E. Academy – located in the Toulm- 15-16 as they enter the 8th grade are eligible to apply to the Star “We don’t get any adjudicated students here, and we don’t have inville area. Academy. School councilors work to identify the students who any children with serious problems in this building,” Coleman The P.O.I.N.T.E. (Progressive Opportunities In Today’s Educa- could benefit from the program and Star Academy teachers help said. “I’ll put my career of 30 years on the line for that.” tion) Academy is administered by the Boy’s and Girls Club of with the selection process. The alternative school was originally housed in Chickasaw, but South Alabama and isn’t technically a Mobile County school, Coleman said both the alternative school and Star Academy the county system lost its facility there when the city formed its though it does use the MCPSS curriculum. have five full-time teachers. The school also has a councilor, a own school system. It was then, both the alternative school and The system does act as a flow-through agency for nearly nurse and an assistant principal. the Star Academy were moved into the Mobile County Training $2 million in state funds for the academy each year, and it also “This is the only program like this in the state of Alabama,” School. employees a transition specialist for students returning from Coleman said. “We’ve had districts from Louisiana and Missis- “We only had 10 classrooms, one of which was in a separate P.O.I.N.T.E. to a typical school environment. sippi travel here to look at our program and how it works.” building,” Coleman said. “We were sharing another school’s “It’s a very specific program to provide educational services Two systems in Mississippi have already adopted the model space, and we had to adjust our schedule around them.” for those students,” Superintendent Martha Peek said. “The goal used in the Star Academy – a program that, in only its fourth year, The move to Florida Street provides space for a full-time is eventually for them to transition back into their regular school. has produced a consistently increasing number of high school nurse and councilor, and has made it easier to separate the kids in The funding comes from state foundation funds, and they provide students on track to graduate with their peers. the different programs. Coleman said it also gives the students a a per-student cost that allows those students to be in the program.” Coleman said the move to Augusta Evans was his idea, and school to call their own. Peek emphasized the school was not officially a part of the though it’s a work in progress, he’s grateful the school board ap- Though they may not be facing any legal issues, students are MCPSS system, but did say they work closely with the acad- proved the move. placed in alternative school for a number of conduct violations. emy – especially as students prepare to make the transition from “We’ve increased the number of students each year,” Coleman Coleman, who’s been involved with the program for five years, P.O.I.N.T.E. said. “We give the students an opportunity to pursue that dream said the school would typically house around 80 students in grades As for the old Augusta Evans building in Midtown, the major- and the opportunity to correct any problems they have academi- 7-8. He also said “alternative” is a word he doesn’t like to use. ity of its students are enrolled in the Star Academy. cally along the way.” “Alternative just sounds too negative,” he said. “I prefer to call Star Academy is designed to help overage students entering the Coleman extended an invitation to tour the school to anyone it ‘optional’ school.” 8th grade catch up to their appropriate grade level. When complet- with questions about the facility, its curriculum or the students. Despite his preferences, alternative school is far from optional ed successfully, Star Academy students can move through three “Come and talk to the children,” he said. “Don’t go on what when Mobile County students break the rules outlined in the grade levels in two academic years. someone is saying without knowing the facts. These are well- student handbook. Students can be required to attend alternative According to Coleman, the students at the Star Academy are mannered children with a desire to do well.” school for one semester and sometimes up to year, though Cole- there for one purpose – to get their academic circumstances cor- man said those cases are rare. rected. Disparity emphasized in city’s first ‘community conversation’ on race

BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

Hundreds of residents attended the first of several community don’t know if we’re going to get anything out of this, but I want many suburban schools, including all the schools in the Hoover conversations on race relations Monday evening at the Alabama to walk away saying ‘I was there and tried to make a difference.’” district, he argued. School for Math and Science auditorium. Turner spoke first at the event, highlighting the history of the Black said part of the reason for the school’s success is the The first of the conversations, titled “Why we need to talk south and the struggles of blacks in the South before and after the community started an education foundation that had the abil- about race,” featured guest speakers the Rev. Dr. Robert Allen Civil War. He said after the war, the federal government forced ity to make changes at the school and start a rebuilding process. Turner, assistant program director of the Dave Matthews Center the south to abide by the law, but when Southerners regained He said the new principal at the school was a “special kind of for Civic Life in Montgomery and pastor of St. Paul’s AME power they took those rights, like the right to vote, away through woman, who attracted like-minded teachers with the mindset that Church in Mobile and Stephen Black, grandson of U.S. Supreme the black codes and Jim Crow laws. every child has the ability to learn.” Court Justice Hugo L. Black and founder of the University of “The hearts and minds of the average Southerner had not “Ninety-nine percent of Alabamians don’t think George Hall Alabama’s Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility. changed,” Turner said. Elementary exists,” Black told the crowd. “At George Hall Before the forum took place, audience members were anxious He said once whites regained control of the South they locked Elementary you can smell the high expectations. It’s literally in to see what might come of the series of conversations. blacks up for the smallest crimes, which led to the “mass incar- the air.” Mobile resident John Davis said he came to the event because ceration of blacks.” In addition, Black said more and more people today are losing he was interested in the dialogue that could be begin from this “In my humble opinion, it’s disingenuous to talk about prison personal connections with people that don’t look like them and first conversation. overcrowding without talking about the racist history of the this is causing people to lose the ability to talk to one another. “I’m here to see how it will affect me as an African-American criminal justice system,” Turner said. “Not only do we not know what it’s like to lead a life like and how it will affect my grandchildren,” he said. Mobile needs to have a discussion on race, he said, because someone else, we forget the concrete facts of transformative suc- A survey conducted by Mobile United, the host of the event, it has its own set of problems. He told those in attendance to cess,” he said. showed that nearly 70 percent of the 600 respondents believed look at the number of black-owned businesses and the number For change to take hold, Black said Americans have to be that a conversation on the topic of race relations needed to take of African-Americans in upper management in the city. He said more open-minded and make a commitment to the possibility that place. Nearly 80 percent of respondents admitted race relations there is no representation. there’s new information that may change your mind. in the city needed to improve, said Dr. Rob Gray, co-chair of the He reminded the audience that the city still has segregated Mayor Sandy Stimpson first proposed the idea of a forum on Conversations on Race Relations Committee and director of the Mardi Gras societies and other organizations. race relations, after the council split along racial lines on the ap- film “Mobile in Black and White.” During his time to speak, Black brought up a fight in Hoover pointment of former Mayor Sam Jones to the Mobile Area Water Gwendolyn Darty, also of Mobile, said while she wasn’t sure over the cutting of busing for the school system. and Sewer System Board earlier this year. if the event would lead to a solution to race issues in the city, she Black compared that issue with the success of Mobile’s The idea of a singular forum to discuss race relations morphed wanted to be part of it. George Hall Elementary, where he said despite 100 percent par- into a series of community conversations the city will co-host “I want to understand what’s going on in our community and ticipation in free and reduced lunch, the school’s students have with Mobile United. The next is tentatively scheduled for Mon- I can’t do that if I’m not part of the solution,” she said. “Again, I flourished and have test scores to prove it. The scores beat out day, Sept. 22, in the same location.

8 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 BAY BRIEFS BB MAWSS to install temporary, above-ground sewer line downtown BY ALYSON STOKES/REPORTER | [email protected]

he Board of Commissioners for the Mobile proved a route for the bypass line to be laid above Area Water and Sewer Systems accepted ground. Ramps will be installed over the pipe at bids from two contractors Monday for an intersections and driveways in order for vehicles to estimated $1.5 million project to undertake a safely cross. Tmajor sewer relining project in downtown Mobile. While Conception Street between St. Michael The project will require an above ground bypass and St. Louis streets will be closed to thru traffic, piping system to divert the flow of wastewater while all downtown businesses will be accessible. In the actual relining work will take place underground. addition, the bypass will be monitored on-site 24 Because repair work will be done inside the hours a day to insure it is operating properly. pipe, there will be no digging in the streets. How- A meeting to discuss the project with the Mobile ever, MAWSS spokeswoman Barbara Shaw said Downtown Alliance is scheduled for Aug. 28. Shaw there will be some disruption to traffic and parking said Dianne Irby, the executive director of planning due to the route of the bypass pipe, but it should and development for the city of Mobile, will also not hinder motorists for the most part. attend the meeting to discuss stormwater issues. “[It] should not affect access to any street,” Shaw said. “We’re trying to get in and out of there Prichard takeover as quick as we can.” As of Monday’s regular board meeting, The 42-inch diameter concrete sewer line, MAWSS has yet to make a decision regarding which was installed under Conception Street from their takeover of the Prichard Water Works and Beauregard to Virginia streets in 1955, is show- Sewer Board. ing signs of deterioration after nearly 60 years of Though MAWSS only has until Sept. 3 to final- use and in order to prevent failure of the pipe, a ize a decision, Shaw said the board continues to cured-in-place pipe will be installed to reinforce seek information from the Prichard system and that and extend the life of the sewer main that serves all their attorneys are “pushing” Prichard’s attorneys. Photo courtesy of MAWSS of downtown. In addition, Shaw says she doubts there will be The project, which is set to take place between a public discussion on the matter. A temporary, above-ground sewer line (red) will transport the majority the weeks after BayFest Music Festival through The MAWSS board has no more regularly of downtown’s wastewater later this year while a 42-inch, 60-year- Thanksgiving, will extend the life of this particular scheduled meetings before the Sept. 3 decision old pipe underground (green) is re-lined. MAWSS said ramps will be pipe by 50 years, Shaw said. must be made. installed for vehicles where the pipe crosses roads, adding it will be “It’s a great technology,” she said. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8. ALDOT, along with the city of Mobile, has ap- under constant surveillance for leaks or other problems.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 9 BB BAY BRIEFS Probate court suing software company for breach of contract BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

ast month, Mobile County Probate Judge The situation with AMCAD isn’t unique to Don Davis joined others around the Mobile County. The company notified munici- country in filing suit against American palities across the country that it was getting Cadastre, LLC (AMCAD) after the com- out of the case management software business Lpany informed several municipalities it would on the same day. no longer be providing service and software “Information from various media outlets and support related to judicial case management. filings indicate that multiple lawsuits have been In November of 2012, AMCAD was or soon will be filed against AMCAD,” the awarded a 10-year contract with the Mobile complaint reads. County Probate Court to provide software and Similar cases have been reported in Ohio, maintenance related the judicial process and the Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona and Texas. In Ala- records the court is required by law to maintain. bama, Shelby, Jefferson and Madison counties The contract was broken into three parts are facing the same dilemma. that encompass the digital storage of land “We really got into this (contract) because records, which include deeds, mortgages, tax AMCAD was already providing the case liens, marriage licenses and local campaign management and land records services for two finance records; a case management system, of the largest counties in Alabama,” Erwin said. which electronically stores all of the judicial “That went a long way toward us deciding this files related to the court and a web-based search company was the one we needed to use.” engine know as “ROAM” used to access court Erwin said it was fortunate Mobile County documents. was only one year into its contract, adding that Though the contract should have run through many of the other municipalities in the same 2022, AMCAD suddenly terminated its case situation paid out a lot more upfront. management services with the probate court in At the advice of an IT consultant, the county a June 23 email from CEO Richard Lowrey. sought the source codes from AMCAD for the The court’s complaint maintains that “at the software it’s currently using, which would pro- time of the contract termination, (it) was in full vide a starting point for any vendor called in to compliance with its responsibilities under the maintain the system if AMCAD can’t perform contract.” the duties outlined in the contract. “The contract termination by AMCAD came “AMCAD voluntarily turned over what ap- without any warning or notice whatsoever, and pears to be the source code and associated ma- represents an enormous financial and operation- terial related to the judicial case management al burden for the probate court as well as local component, but has refused requests for source citizens,” the complaint reads. codes related to the land records component Mark Erwin, Davis’ chief of staff, said and the online record search component of the despite the sudden termination of part of its system,” the complaint reads. contract, AMCAD has continued maintain the The complaint also requests the court to storage of land records and the online search force AMCAD to turn over the remaining engine. source codes for all the systems being using in The original contract came with a $1.5 mil- the Mobile County Probate Court. lion price tag, but so far the county has only In its suit, the county is seeking any and paid $329,214. Erwin said monthly payments all compensatory and consequential damages, to AMCAD are invoiced separately and nearly plus the statutory interest rate, legal fees and half of each $11,000 installment covers the cost other relief deemed appropriate. The probate of the case management system the company is office has also entered an interpleader action, no longer maintaining. which means its remaining monthly payments The court also invested $72,303 in computer to AMCAD will go directly to the court until a upgrades in order to accommodate the AMCAD decision has been reached. system. Money aside, Erwin said the most impor- “As we moved toward implementing the tant part of the legal action is getting a judge’s new program, they came in and did an assess- ruling on the validity of AMCAD’s contract ment of all our current hardware, servers and moving forward. peripheral equipment,” Erwin said. “They sug- “Looking ahead, we need to know where gested we purchase some things like electronic we are so we can determine what the solution signature pads, small printers and some other is going forward – whatever company that may equipment required to support their system. We be,” he said. “We have to know where we are went along with it.” with AMCAD contractually so that we, as a In the meantime, the probate office is court, can know how to proceed.” contracting with Logical Computer Solutions, The probate office and its attorneys have Inc. to the tune of $3,100 per month – mostly taken a legal position that because AMCAD to maintain its servers and security backup for breached part of its contract, any binding obli- records. gation to the remainder of the contract should The case management system AMCAD be voided. However, that is something the set up is currently operating, but Erwin said courts will ultimately decide. “there’s always that opportunity for something A status hearing on the case will take place to go wrong with it.” at 2 p.m., Sept. 19 in circuit court, where the “We’re going to be in a bad situation if that case was filed. Attempts to reach representa- happens,” he said. tives at AMCAD have so far been unsuccessful.

10 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 BAY BRIEFS BB Did attorneys for Archdiocese recognize gay parental rights? BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

choice wording in an ongoing legal dispute gave the “After all, it is undisputed that Christine Hernandez has relat- relationship to the plaintiff and her individual experience with impression to some that the Archdiocese of Mobile, or edly represented that she is a parent of A.S., both in discussions the school staff. at least its attorneys, briefly recognized a same-sex mar- with St. Pius X school teachers, administrators, employees and Oddly enough, Hernandez used to be employed at the school riage last month. other personnel and on written St. Pius X school forms, docu- and had a direct working relationship with one of the teachers AThough attorney F. Grey Reddit was quick to say he nor the ments and other papers,” the court filing reads. named as a defendant in the “A.S.” lawsuit. his clients “recognize [Attorney Christine Hernandez] as the Reddit said the issue isn’t about Hernandez being a parent, The defense has also submitted that Hernandez wouldn’t be parent” of her partner’s child, their relationship was expressly but instead comes down to whether the school is authorized to protected from deposition because of a violation of the Alabama acknowledged in a recent court filing related to a 2013 case filed deal with her. Rule of Professional Conduct, which states that a “a lawyer shall over bullying and harassment at St. Pius X Catholic School on “We’ve been given papers from the school, but we don’t not act as advocate at a trial in which the lawyer is likely to be a Sage Avenue. recognize her as the child’s parent,” Reddit said. “In the past, necessary witness.” The suit began when minor plaintiff “A.S.” allegedly suffered schools have authorized a housekeeper to pick a child up or In the courtroom last Friday, Mobile Circuit Court Judge repeated bullying at the school for more than a year. The suit another family member or family friend. We weren’t saying she Sarah Stewart denied the Archdiocese attorneys’ motion to de- also claims that A.S. and her mother, April Sexton, made several was a parent at all.” pose Hernandez and granted a protective order. attempts to address the issue with multiple teachers as well as In the defendants’ court filings, the phrase “in her capacity Hernandez remains one of three attorneys representing the school and church administrators. as parent of A.S.” is used multiple times, and the defense even plaintiffs in all of the bullying cases filed to date, but attorneys Since the original filing, three similar cases have been filed specifically refers to A.S. as Hernandez’ “daughter.” are still waiting on a written order that is expected later this against St. Pious X – all claiming incidents of “name calling, Reddit said that language was used because Hernandez had week. Until then, all requests for depositions have been put on pushing, shoving, isolation, ostracization, harassing comments, repeatedly represented herself as the child’s mother in several hold. physical attacks and some claiming both sexual and racial documents filed at St. Pius X. Because of her involvement with the cases, Hernandez did not harassment.” “She’s represented to the school that she was in the position want to discuss the details, but did offer a brief comment about One of the cases claims that a plaintiff previously reported of a parent and had the authority act for the child,” he said. “She why she accepted the cases. bullying to Mobile District Attorney Ashley Rich, who addressed had made that representation, but we don’t recognize it.” “This case and the other three cases are not about me,” Her- the school through her “Bully Blocker” program. In a recent press release, Kennedy said, “in order for Ms. Her- nandez said. “It’s about the children.” Another case claims a minor plaintiff suffered substantial nandez to be legally recognized as a parent to the plaintiff in this Ironically, Hernandez and Kennedy are the attorneys in physical injury requiring medical assistance after an assault by a case, the state’s current constitutional ban on same-sex marriage another case that is currently challenging the state’s refusal student at the school last May. would have to be struck down by a federal court.” to recognize same-sex marriage and extend adoption rights to In the “A.S.” case, attorneys for St. Pius X and the Archbish- “Previously in this case, the defendants have all acknowl- same-sex couples. op of Mobile argued in previous court documents that Hernandez edged that April Sexton is the mother of the child involved, but The case involves Mobile residents Cari Searcy and Kimberly is a second mother to the minor plaintiff, which could require her in their recent filing, Christine Hernandez is identified as the McKeand, who sued Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, Attorney to be deposed by the defense. Due to her role as acting attorney child’s mother and parent,” Kennedy said. “Under Alabama law General Luther Strange and Mobile County Probate Judge Don in all four related cases, Hernandez and co-council David Ken- and the same-sex marriage ban, that’s legally impossible.” Davis after Searcy was prevented from legally adopting her nedy filed a motion to prevent the deposition. Kennedy said it’s the first time he’s aware of a Catholic partner’s daughter several times court. Hernandez’ relationship to the child is undisputed, but the church or organization making the argument that “two people of Since it was filed in May, Strange and Bentley have been offi- plaintiffs response to the request for deposition claims the “state the same sex should both be recognized as the parent of a child.” cially dismissed from the case. However, in late July a magistrate recognizes her as a legal stranger.” In an Aug. 15 hearing, law- However, the school’s attorneys have maintained that a judge recommended that a motion to dismiss filed on behalf of yers for the school argued otherwise. deposition from Hernandez would be necessary because of her Davis be denied.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 11 Damn the toR peD oes CommentaRY CC Perceptions may be more prevalent than racism BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

wonder if the people present at the con- grown apart as we got older and that there in America that by and large house blacks. versation on race the other night really are aren’t issues where we see things from Look at a city run by a black mayor for eight those who needed to be there most. completely different sides of the table, but if years who did almost nothing to improve Like most such attempts this one there’s racial hatred there, I’m not seeing it. the poorest sections of town — predomi- Iappears to mostly have devolved into the Being a white guy other white guys feel nantly black areas where residents sat on standard explanations of why Jim Crow Era pretty free talking around me, and it’s rare their hands during the last election allow- laws are responsible for today’s ills, recita- to hear what I would consider real racial ing a white mayor to win simply because tions of past atrocities and complaints about animosity expressed. Do people express they realized racism wasn’t the reason their unfairness. animosity about those they feel aren’t really neighborhoods weren’t improving. I’d be surprised if anyone had his or her contributing to society? Yes, but I hear that Look at many of the big business groups mind changed about race relations in Mobile from and about both black and white Mobil- in town that are predominantly white. I know as a result. Not that it’s a bad thing to have ians. many of those people probably feel poverty the forums or to start a discussion that might Mobile’s biggest problem is that there in the black community is a big problem for eventually go down a different road, but it are so many poorly educated, unmotivated Mobile, but are their groups really trying to seems to me most of the racial problems people of all races, many of whom frequent- help black businesses thrive? That has to be in Mobile and the country as a whole are ly hide behind racism or classism as reasons at the core of brining people out of poverty. primarily a matter of perceptions. they can’t succeed or be productive. Is the school system really doing the best That’s not to say there aren’t racists. There In addition to looking at the South’s it can to educate black and white children certainly are people who automatically dis- admittedly woeful history, at the race forum alike, especially those from poorer back- like one another because of their ancestry. there were complaints the city leadership grounds, or are they frequently busier wor- But I sincerely doubt that’s the majority of doesn’t properly reflect the city’s makeup. rying about making test scores look good? people in our city or country. Maybe that’s true, but it didn’t reflect it for Certainly we’ve seen lots of evidence of the Do we all have preconceived notions the last eight years either. latter, but not much in the way of making when we see people who fit certain stereo- Seems to me the people and groups that sure it isn’t all about the scores. types — the young, tattooed black man with really ought to participate in these forums on Most local cries of racism are manufac- sagging pants and gold teeth, or the young race are the ones who have may be quick- tured by politicians with an agenda who white redneck with tats, shaved head and est to point fingers at the other race while know the buzzword will work every time. missing teeth — sure. Is it always correct? simultaneously fostering some of the city’s If Mobile does have a problem with rac- No. But is more of a learned response or biggest problems. ism it’s that it is used as a crutch — an ex- inherent racism? Look at the almost totally African- cuse — for lowered or absent expectations. Much like what’s happening in Ferguson, American Mobile Housing Board that As long as we can point fingers at each other Mo., it often seems we confuse racism with oversees some of the most run-down slums there’s no need to look in the mirror. more fine-tuned perceptions gathered over years of life. In the case of Michael Brown, a very large young man who just shoved and intimidated a storeowner, then got into an altercation with a cop. Was the cop looking The Gadfly to shoot a black guy, or did he feel threatened by that individual? Did Brown make choices that put him in danger? Absolutely. But now the media speaks of him as a hero and victim. Maybe he is in some people’s minds, but burning the world down, looting and fighting hardly seem reasonable responses to the situation. So when we think about Mobile what are the big racial hurdles? Clearly we’re a city that is majority black but also one where much of the wealth is held by the minority whites. Is this fair? Maybe not, but it’s reality. What’s also reality, though, is that plenty of poor black and white people alike have found success in our area, so if racism or even classism are causes of poverty they doesn’t seem to have the gravity to keep a motivated individual from rising into the atmosphere. And for every poor black or white kid who does find success, it helps chip away at oth- Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen ers’ perceptions of what someone from that background can be. Here in the South we’re really fond of constantly talking about the Civil Rights Era and Jim Crow, but that time is half a century in the rear view mirror now. I’m in my mid- 40s now and grew up in a time in small-town Mississippi where I went to school with black children, had black friends, stayed the night at their houses and vice versa. We weren’t spraying each other with fire hoses and hav- Some bigger gators are trying to slim down so they don’t ing German Shepherds attack one another. look so attractive for next year’s hunt. That’s not to say we all may not have

12 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 Hidden AgendA COMMenTARY CC A mother’s note to her son on his fifth birthday BY ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR | [email protected]

Dear Anders, will haunt you until the moment you take your last breath. tricacies of race relations in this country — which ain’t pretty It is August, 19, 2014. At precisely 6:59 this evening, But such is life. No one is perfect. You just have to try and — and you will understand why this is such an upsetting and you will turn 5 years old. I’m not going to lie. Five is hard. navigate this world the best way you can and learn from your complicated issue and one that is so very hard for older folks People start expecting a lot more from you, like coloring mistakes. You must also realize your fellow navigators are to have an honest and frank conversation about. inside the lines, tying your own shoelaces and wiping your just as imperfect as you are. own heinie with much greater precision than you have been My hope is the further we get away from the atrocities thus far. I’m not going to sugarcoat this for you son, said world of the past, the easier it will be to talk about it. I pray your which requires said navigation is pretty crazy right now. generation doesn’t even have to engage in a “community dis- Yep, it’s going to be tough. But I have faith in you. Look cussion” about it, because I hope by the time you are having how much you have accomplished already in your very short People are being slaughtered in lands far, far away for not your own kids, it will be such a non-issue, no one will “have” life. When you first arrived, you were just a squishy blob believing in the things others think they should. to talk about it. who cried a lot and pooped even more. You couldn’t even hold your own head up, for Heaven’s sake. But, you learned You must always stand up for what you believe in, once But if these issues do persist, never let anyone else’s to roll over, scoot, crawl, pull up, take that first step. And you figure out exactly what that is, but you also must be prejudices affect or change the way you think about people. even though you fell a lot, you didn’t let that stop you and tolerant of people who think differently than you do. Try to Trust me on this one — this is the one issue it would be best you eventually learned to walk. Now you run. You went from understand from where they are coming and under what cir- to just keep thinking like a 5-year-old. drooling to dressing yourself (sometimes) and from teething cumstances their beliefs were forged. Don’t just write them to talking (incessantly). It’s a pretty amazing transformation off as weird or freaky because they aren’t like you. My sweet little man, I know this letter may make you when you think about it. think there is too much ugliness in this world, and there is. In lands not so far away in a place called Ferguson, Mo., But there is a lot of beauty and kindness in it as well. Now that you have mastered all of the elements that make and in our very own city of Mobile, Ala., grown-ups are hav- you a functional human being, we will now focus on master- ing a discussion about race. Don’t listen to a word of it! I’ve My heart had never been so full and I had never felt as ing the things that will make you a good one. watched you and your friends on the playground. If anyone much love as I did exactly five years ago today at 6:59 p.m., understands how “race relations” should be, it’s a bunch of when a squishy, slimy, bald, toothless blob weighing 7 lbs 8 Don’t worry, no one is expecting perfection by your sixth 4-and-5-year-olds. The amount of melanin in each other’s oz came into my world and changed it forever. birthday. You’ll still be trying to figure out if you made all the skin is not even a consideration. It never even crosses your right choices over the course of your life when you are 60. minds at all. And that is the way it should be. And remain. Happy Birthday, Anders. Thanks for allowing me to see the world through your eyes now and making it a much more And trust me, you won’t. But unfortunately, it doesn’t. beautiful place.

You’ll make some good ones and you’ll make some that As you get older, you will learn about the history and in- Love always, Mom

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 13 beltway beat COMMeNtaRy CC Sports Radio Talker: The Legend of Paul Finebaum BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

n Paul Finebaum’s world, he’s a kingmak- of the entire state – nearly 5 million people – er. Coaches – and in some cases politicians whose lives he believes all revolve around the – if they made it in the state of Alabama, University of Alabama or Auburn University’s he may have played a role their success. football teams. IFinebaum, the long-time sports columnist For better or for worse, Finebaum is a tow- and talk radio provocateur, teamed up with ering figure in the world of college football. ESPN’s Gene Wojciechowski for a 300-page He has become somewhat more regional than treatise published by HarperCollins, “My local, but he’s still primarily a Birmingham Conference Can Beat Your Conference: Why phenomenon who has struggled to become as the SEC Still Rules College Football.” big in other markets in the South, including The book meanders through Finebaum’s Mobile. life, from childhood to college and through Having grown up in Birmingham, I re- his media career to what he would have you member when Finebaum was just starting to believe is the mega-ESPN star he is today as hit his stride. He was always a bit of a bomb- he rubs elbows with Bill Murray and Drake thrower in his Birmingham Post-Herald and and pontificates on the politics of college later Press-Register columns, but it took years football on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” for his radio act to evolve into what it is now. Finebaum’s premise is solid. The South- I was first introduced to Finebaum by eastern Conference is the dominant collegiate listening to the Saturday morning show he athletic conference in the country because: A) moderated during football season with two in- college football is the top sport in all of col- state broadcast legends, Auburn play-by-play legiate athletics and B) the SEC has the best announcer Jim Fyffe and Alabama play-by- track record over the past several decades in play announcer John Forney. college football. It was the late-1990s that he became the That’s fine, if it’s your thing. Particularly go-to place whenever you needed to hear striking, however, are his implications that wild-ass speculation about the controversies the state of Alabama exists solely for college in college, especially at Alabama and Auburn. football season. That’s when Finebaum thrived, whether it be One of the perhaps more extraordinary Alabama’s first few bouts with the NCAA, claims in the nonfiction work is Finebaum’s former University of Tennessee head coach argument that University of Alabama head Phillip Fulmer feeding information to the football coach Nick Saban is by far and away NCAA about Alabama, Auburn’s failed the most powerful man in the state. coup to overthrow then-head coach Tommy He goes as far as putting Saban as occupy- Tuberville or perhaps better known and more ing positions 1-10, downplays Gov. Robert recently the allegations surrounding Auburn’s Bentley and then gives no mention of anyone Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam else. Newton. Forget Sens. Richard Shelby or Jeff Ses- And when there were no controversies to sions. David Bronner, head of the RSA? Paul exploit, Finebaum would simply invent them Bryant, Jr., who pulls a lot of strings behind by pitting his callers against one another, the scenes at the University of Alabama to which created a ratings sensation but also make sure Saban is around for long time? perhaps toxic atmosphere. And it seemed that Nope, in Finebaum’s world – it’s Nick Saban, ginning up those emotions could have some who he argues not even Bentley can match. consequences. Interestingly, Finebaum also takes credit Would convicted tree killer Harvey for Bentley’s governorship, albeit with some Updyke, who Finebaum for whatever reason revisionist history. As he tells it, Finebaum decided to make out to be a sympathetic had Bentley on as a guest on his show, but character in this book, have acted criminally only because of Bentley’s connections to if he had never gotten caught up in Finebaum- former Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bry- mania? ant. It was only after that appearance that the In our culture, we have tendency to so-called “accidental governor,” as he labeled blame outside influences for the acts of some him, catapulted in the polls and rallied to a crazies, especially in politics. Finebaum has commanding general election win in 2010. avoided taking a hit for Updyke’s poisoning That’s not exactly how it happened. Bent- of the Auburn Toomer’s Oaks in 2011, but ley was just at the right place at the right time it might have been worth him discussing if and found himself in a runoff with Bradley his manufactured disagreements on his radio Byrne, who was likely the victim of shenani- program motivated a guy like Updyke to do gans by political opponents in the Republi- what he did. can primary runoff. That gave Bentley the Nonetheless, if you can see through his advantage to win the nomination and in this shtick and endure his tedious similes and one-party state, in a midterm election against metaphors, the book is one that is definitely Democratic nominee Ron Sparks, one he in worth the read, even if you only read the three fact did win by a landslide. or four chapters about Auburn and Alabama But it was hardly because of Finebaum’s because they do provide insight into the king-making prowess. state’s history and culture. That passage highlights Finebaum’s In other words: Come to read about what problem (and it is a problem that undermines Finebaum thinks of your favorite SEC college his book’s arguments): He is a product the football program and stay to see the delusions sports talk, Alabama-Auburn college football of grandeur that caused him to formulate bubble. Thus, he presents a skewed picture those opinions in the first place.

ummer is slowly winding its way For whatever reason, I seem determined down, and although I’m definitely to waste this precious opportunity by looking forward to fall, my favorite revealing so many flaws over the past five time of year, I will kind of miss years that by now I probably sound like Sthe lazy summer days spent with the kids, some sort of walking, talking Garbage lounging on the beach or by the pool Pail Kid. (Great, there goes any chance soaking up all those warm rays of beauti- I had to maintain the illusion I might be ful sunshine. Safely protected by a thick too young to remember the Garbage Pail and sticky layer of unpleasantly scented Kids.) I guess I’m at it again, because ap- sunscreen, of course. Um … usually. parently this time I’m about to talk about We all know by now that tanning – my psoriasis. indoors or outdoors – is absolutely ter- So anyway, yeah, I have psoriasis and it rible for us. Not only is it the best way to ain’t exactly sexy. Although the autoim- prematurely age our skin but it can also mune disease is incurable, fortunately my be downright deadly. Skin cancer, caused symptoms have been pretty mild thus far primarily by exposure to UV rays, has and mostly amount to a small scaly patch more cases annually than breast, prostate, on each elbow. It’s something I’ve been lung and colon cancers combined. Mela- dealing with for about 15 years now and of noma, the most dangerous form of skin the dozen or so treatments I’ve tried noth- cancer, kills almost 10,000 Americans a ing has really made much difference. year, with more than 120,000 new cases I try not to let it bother me too much diagnosed annually. but it’s hard not to be at least a little With all the information we have today self-conscious when someone asks me intentional tanning seems like an incred- almost daily what happened to my elbow. ibly foolish decision, especially for folks I’ve used all sorts of stories ranging from like me. As a blue-eyed, fair-skinned an allergic reaction to an alligator bite to blonde who is covered in freckles, my accidentally scraping my elbow against skin cancer risk is much higher than most a chest full of pirate treasure while scuba and I’d pretty much have to be an idiot to diving in the Caribbean, but it gets old tempt fate. But yet … having to explain it all the time. The Oh my god, I freaking love the sun! I worst, however, is when people get kind adore the way it feels to bask under its glo- of squeamish and worry (erroneously) rious rays, especially with a cold cocktail that it might be contagious. nearby. And I love the radiant glow of my The one treatment I’d never really tried, skin when I spend time soaking up those which also happens to be known as one deadly, delicious rays. As long as I’m care- of the most effective, is regular exposure ful not to burn, I look and feel fabulous to UV light. Though I’d quit tanning long after a day of sunbathing. ago I figured I’d bite the bullet and at Or at least that’s the way I’ve always least start letting my elbows get some sun. remembered it. It’s been quite some time After a few sessions I figured since I was since I last intentionally invited the sun’s already out there, it couldn’t really hurt ultraviolet rays to mutate my DNA. I was THAT much to let the rest of my body get on a sensible and health-conscious roll for a little color, just this once. many years until the unthinkable hap- You probably see where this is going. pened. I am not proud to say this, but I Several weeks later I was golden brown will end this summer with the first golden from head to toe and thoroughly enjoying tan I’ve had in well over a decade. It’s not my short but frequent “psoriasis treat- the best decision I’ve ever made but at ments.” The only exception was my face, least it started with good intentions. which was carefully slathered in SPF 70 Aside: One of the coolest things about and covered with three towels. In a rather writing a column that requires neither mortifying testimony to vanity, I know I an accompanying photograph nor public should be far more afraid of cancer but appearances is that I get to share my instead, it is premature face wrinkles that thoughts with strangers while maintaining leave me truly shuddering in fear. complete control over their impressions of Fortunately I snapped back to my what I actually look like in person. senses pretty quickly and I’ve once again It would probably be pretty weird to turned my back on that most sizzling hot come right out and falsely claim I bear a of temptations. I will admit it wasn’t easy strong resemblance to a Swedish bikini and it did not surprise me to read a recent model, but it doesn’t seem like it could re- Harvard study suggesting sunshine was as ally hurt anything to drop subtly mislead- addictive as heroin due to the release of ing hints from time to time suggesting I feel-good hormones caused by UV rays. was far more glamorous and alluring than Must. Resist. I really am. Instead, it seems like I’m What the hell was I thinking? Who always complaining about some sort of knows what sort of damage I’ve already strange growth or embarrassing fashion done? Oh well. It’s done. Hopefully I’ll disaster or weight loss struggle. still be writing this column in 20 years so It is perhaps my biggest chance in life I can tell you guys all about my sexy pig- to present myself as a supremely hot babe, mented lesions and mutating moles. Look if only in the minds of oblivious readers. forward to it.

BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

t doesn’t seem like 17 years, but the Dauphin Street Beer Serda’s Coffee Festival is going strong. I know you’re attending. I know It’s not just coffee, though you may need some later. They you’re going to act a fool this Saturday. I know you’re going have wraps and Panini and sandwiches. The roast beef is really to drink too much. But what I am suggesting is that we grab a good. Turkey and artichoke is worth the mention. How does Ibite before things get out of hand. The event is Saturday, Aug. 23 smoked salmon BLT sound? It sounds like a winner to me. Don’t from 6-9 p.m. That’s three hours of pounding beer. How about forget the gelato. we meet somewhere an hour or so beforehand and work on our set up? Not every one of the venues serves food, so we shall take a Veet’s It’s a Mobile landmark. This place has quality live music look at the ones who do. That’s how we will decide where to more than any place in Mobile. The menu is great bar food begin our journey. Lucky for us it isn’t just Dauphin Street this including burgers, pizzas and the like. If you’re lucky Papa Veet downtown festival bleeds over to the Garage on Washington will be there ripping the strings off a guitar. If we don’t meet Street all the way down to the Royal Scam on Royal Street and here beforehand I will surely be here late at night. includes offshoots like the Blind Mule, B Bobs and Gabriel’s Downtown. Most of us know which places serve what, but if you’re from out of town this guide can be quite handy. Let’s start Photo/heroessportsbar.com as a map would read left to right. Buffalo style, spicy Cajun or tangy clipper, the Moe’s Original BBQ If you’re looking for preventative drinking maintenance wings at Heroes may be the best on Dauphin. barbecue is a great start. Of course the meats are amazing. Don’t neglect the catfish or the chicken wings. I am a huge fan of the Heroes Sports Bar pork rinds and the pimiento cheese. All of the sides are great. Tired of lame, cookie cutter sports bars? This is the real deal. Admit that tonight you’re kind of drinking for sport. This is some OK Bicycle Shop and Dauphin Street Taqueria of the best bar food ever, and they have the awards to back it up. Where else can you get sushi and tacos at the same place? These wings may be my favorite. I love the dry spicy Cajun or This establishment takes a lot of my money, drunken or sober. the sweet Clipper. Speaking of, the Clipper sandwich may be the If you’ve never tried a cow tongue taco (lengua) get there early. best original Mobile sandwich. I can’t mention Heroes without It’s a life changer. I get the grilled fish taco with radishes and a alerting you of the spinach and crawfish dip. If we meet here that Shaggy Kani roll a lot. will be the first thing I order. Photo/royalscammobile.com If it says “tuna” on the Royal Scam’s menu do The Union Loda Biergarten We’ll meet here if you want to lay down a solid foundation. A catalog of a bazillion beers requires a menu that contains yourself a favor and order it. This steakhouse brings the meat department like a boss. Hanger quality burgers. I mean amazing burgers. The menu recently steak is one of the favorites here. Stick to the proteins and watch changed. Get anything that has bleu cheese and bacon and you’ll the carbs. You have a lot of beer to drink. be a happy drinker. The corkscrew French fries are my favorite. Let’s meet here early to enjoy live music before and after the Royal Scam Wintzell’s Oyster House fest. What a way to end the list. We may have saved the best for One of the better gumbos on this run, maybe we should start last. I am a fan of the special, whatever it may be. If it says tuna with a bowl and split a few dozen raw. This is old school Mobile. T.P. Crockmier’s then you should get it. The tuna martini is to die for as is the That J.O. platter looks great, but you best have a couple of I remember when they were midtown folk. If we meet at their beef tenderloin appetizer. You could go as easy as an under $10 friends to share it with for the night we have ahead of us. downtown location we should go fried. Crab cakes, crab claws Bankhead Burger or up to a $30 filet. No matter what you get it’s and stuffed jalapenos would be my choice. a value. If we meet here I will let the server order for me. The Blind Mule Ever throw a dart at a map to plan a trip? You can pretty Joe Cain Café Seriously folks, you can’t go wrong with any of these estab- much do that with the Blind Mule’s menu. The Bayou Burger Just below the Battle House the Joe Cain Café is a great Royal lishments. That’s a lot of variety for everything in walking dis- is no joke. Shrimp and grits are some of the best in these parts. Street stop. The moniker refers to our founder of Mardi Gras tance. This doesn’t even include the eateries that aren’t a part of However, you may be a chipaholic who needs to get jacked up and the fare is better than fair. A shaved prime rib Panini sounds Beer Fest. Plan your strategy wisely, follow your tastes blindly, on nachos. Your life could be worse. As a comforting thought, I grand, but I might order a Prosciutto di Parma pizza with arugula and hail a cab safely. don’t believe there is any mule meat in Mule Chili. and marinated sun dried tomatoes. I won’t steer you wrong.

18 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 Word of mouth CuISINE C Domaine Serene for Fairhope Inn Wine dinner BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

Photo/vonsrestaurantandgrill.com Seafood fusion is the specialty at Von’s Restaurant and Grill.

he next wine dinner at the Fairhope Inn glass are making their way into the bottles due is Aug. 27 and will feature some out- to an error Corona says happened at a third standing selections with wines from Do- party-run facility that functions as one of their maine Serene. Guests will enjoy a rosé, bottle suppliers. Ta chardonnay, and a couple of pinot noirs with The recall affects only the clear 12-ounce the amazing food Fairhope Inn always delivers. bottles that are shipped in six-pack, 12-pack, Imagine a tomato tart with goat cheese, sockeye and 24-pack cases. Drinkers of the popular salmon with succotash, Spinalis Ribeye with Mexican beer will be able to check the alphanu- Yukon Gold and a pinot demi glace. Chocolate meric code on the neck of the bottles as well as Gateaux with raspberries should prove to be an the carton of the 12 and 24 packs. unforgettable dessert. If you have purchased Corona over the past Seating is limited and begins Wednesday few days it is strongly recommended that you evening at 6:30. The $85 price per person does not drink it until the code is cleared. A list of not include tax or gratuity. Call 251-928-6226 codes can be found at http://coronausa.com/ for reservations at the 63 S. Church St. loca- recall. If you are one of the lucky consumers tion. While you are at it, ask about Chef Brian who caught this before your esophagus was Larson from Clancy’s of New Orleans. He is sliced open then you must call 1-866-204-9407 coming Thursday, Sept. 18! for instructions on reimbursement. This volun- tary recall has no effect on Corona Light, any Von’s enters the food truck game canned products bearing the Corona name, or If you have never made it down to Bayou Corona Extra in the larger bottles. La Batre’s Von’s Restaurant and Grill then start Do not expect a Corona shortage. Cinco de planning your trip now. It is really a bit of a fu- Mayo is nine months away. But do heed the sion menu of Southern, Asian, southern Asian, warning. and seafood which, hey, let’s face it, sounds spectacular. I would be fine with a spread of Hangover cures loaded bacon cheese fries, spring rolls, an oys- This may not be scientific, but it works if ter poboy, chicken parmesan, pad Thai and pho. you believe it works. I know some of you are thinking, well, If you overindulge at Beer Fest this weekend Andy, Bayou La Batre is a pretty good hike. I here are some possible hangover cures. Every know, I know. But the good news is Von’s now person’s body is different. Maybe your body has a food truck! needs more or less than what my body needs. Instead of you coming to Von’s, they come Let’s look at the cause and then the solution. to you. First off you need to rehydrate. Water is The food truck roams around Mobile County probably the best thing for this. A couple of slinging the same style of cuisine the well- glasses with a little lime juice squeezed in will appreciated restaurant has for the past couple help wonderfully. of years as well as daily specials. The best way Your potassium should be low if you over- to follow the Von’s food truck is by liking them indulge. Bananas are great for replenishing the on Facebook or by calling the restaurant at 251- levels. 824-1444. Grab that smart phone and plug in Salt will be out of whack. Pickles are my 12953 N. Wintzell Avenue, Bayou La Batre and favorite for this situation. I’ll even drink the let that food pull you into the restaurant like a juice. The spicy pickles wake me up in a hurry. tractor beam. Blood sugar drops after you begin to sober For a glimpse of that expansive yet tempting up. Cranberry juice is probably best for this. If menu as well as catering options, be sure to you are out then substitute ice cream. check out http://vonsrestaurantandgrill.com. Forgo the Pepto for your stomach ache. Gin- Keep an eye on this one kids. ger is the key. Sip on a ginger ale or ginger beer or snuggle up to a ginger to get those stomach Corona Extra recall knots untied. If you are a Corona Extra fan then I have You may not have time to do all of these at some important news for you. This past week once. My suggestion is to make a banana split Corona, USA and Constellation Brands Beer topped with spicy pickles with a hint of lime Division announced a recall of specific bottles and climb in bed with a wet redhead. I guaran- of Corona Extra. Apparently tiny pieces of tee you’ll feel better. Recycle.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 19 riCe asian Grill & sushi Bar ($) Briquettes steakhouse ($-$$) deW drop inn ($) lava 3964 Government Blvd. Grilled steaks, chicken and Classic burgers, hotdogs & ($) Fish & Chicken 378-8083 seafood. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. setting. 1808 Old Shell Rd. 396 Azalea Rd. • 345-8121 the harBor room ($-$$) Suite 2. • 607-7200 473-7872. maGhee’s Grill on the hill Unique seafood. Cafe 219 ($) doWntoWners ($) ($-$$) Great lunch & dinner. 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. 107 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 taCky JaCks ($-$$) 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 mama’s ($) Gulf Shores favorite on the Cafe malBis ($) e WinG house ($) Slap your mama good home $ under $10/person Causeway. 1175 Battleship Pkwy. Contemporary fare & eclectic 195 S University Suite H cooking. 220 Dauphin St. $$ 10-25/person 621-8988 spirits. 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 662-1830. 2212 Dauphin Island 432-6262 $$$ over 25/person tp CroCkmiers ($-$$) 661-6620 Pkwy • 479-2021 mars hill Cafe ($) American Restaurant & Bar CaJun seafood ($) firehouse suBs ($) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 Seafood market & deli fresh Hot subs, cold salads & catering. 5025 Cottage Hill Rd. the BlueGill ($-$$) seafood. 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. 6300 Grelot Rd. 643-1611 Business Casual A historic seafood dive with live • 478-9897 631-3730 mary’s southern CookinG ($) Bonefish Grill ($$) music. 3775 Hwy. 98 625-1998 Camille’s sideWalk Café ($) fisherman’s leGaCy ($) 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 Eclectic dining & space. the italian fisherman ($$) Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. Deli, market and catering. melloW mushroom ($) 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 Seafood Italian style. 5817 Old Shell Rd. 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 Pies & awesome beer selection. Baudean’s ($$) 2503 Old Shell Rd. • 478-2881 343-0200 five Guys BurGers & fries ($) 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 Fried, grilled, steamed & always tin top restaurant & oyster Bar ($$) Camellia Café ($-$$$) 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 fresh. 3300 River Rd. 973-9070 Best seafood, premium aged Contemporary southern fare. 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 momma GoldBerG’s deli ($) BoudreauX’s CaJun Grill ($-$$) steaks, extensive wine list. 6232 Bon 61 Section St., Fairhope foosaCkly’s ($) Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. Quality Cajun & New Orleans Secour Hwy County Rd. 10.• 949-5086 928-4321 Famous chicken fingers. 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 Wintzell’s oyster house ($-$$) Cammie’s old dutCh ($) 310 S. University Blvd. 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 Daphne. 621-1991 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. 343-0047 monteGo’s ($-$$) ed’s seafood shed ($$) 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft Fried seafood served in hefty 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., Saraland Carpe diem ($) 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 beer. 6601 Airport Blvd. portions. 3382 Hwy. 98 442-3335 Deli foods, pastries & specialty 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. 634-3445 625-1947 zea’s ($$) drinks. 4072 Old Shell Rd. 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 mostly muffins ($) feliX’s fish Camp ($$) Gourmet rotisserie with prime rib 304-0448 istanBul Grill ($) Muffins, coffee & wraps. Upscale dining with a view. & seafood. Chat-a-Way Cafe ($) Authentic Turkish Resturant. 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Quiches & sandwiches in Spring 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 mudBuGs at the loop ($) half shell oyster house ($) Hill. 4366 Old Shell Rd. 343-9889 JamaiCan viBe ($) Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 ChiCken salad ChiCk ($) Mind-blowing island food. 2005 Government St. 478-9897 leGaCy Bar & Grill ($$$) Sandwich, Chicken Salad, Salad & 3700 Government Blvd. Ste A muG shots ($$) American, Seafood,Stekhouse. Completely Soup. 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 602-1973 Bar & Grill. 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 ComfortaBle 660-0501 Jimmy John’s ($) 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 luCy B. Goode ($$) al’s hotdoGs ($) Cravin CaJun ($) Sandwiches, catering & delivery neWk’s eXpress Cafe ($) Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. Classic hotdogs, gyros & Po-boys, salads & seafood. too. 6920 Airport Blvd. Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy 414-5444 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 milkshakes Joe Cain Café ($) 967-5858 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 287-1168 old 27 Grill ($) lulu’s ($$) ashland midtoWn puB ($-$$) Cream & suGar ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. Live music & great seafood. Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. Breakfast, lunch in Oakleigh. Ice 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores cream too. kitChen on GeorGe ($-$$) 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 Fairhope • 281-2663 967-5858 atlanta Bread Company ($-$$) 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 Contemporary American food. orleans po-Boys ($-$$) oriGinal oyster house ($-$$) Sandwiches, salads & more. d’ miChael’s ($) 351A George & Savannah St. 436- Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. A great place for kids and 3680 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & 8890 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 seafood. 3733 Hwy. 98 BenJamin’s ($) more. 7101-A Theodore Dawes lap’s GroCery & Grill ($-$$) orleans Cafe ($-$$) 626-2188 Burgers,wings and seafood. Rd. • 653-2979 Casual Seafood & southern oyster roCkefeller ($$-$$$) delish desserts ($) classics. Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. 312 2107 Airport Blvd. • 450-9377 1595 Battleship Parkway, Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 Great desserts & hot lunch Spanish Fort • 626-0045 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 23 Upham St. • 473-6115

20 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 wilD winG station ($) ReD oR white the staDium ($) 1500 Government St. 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope Catch the games with great food. haRD RoCK Café at haRD RoCK 287-1526 990-0003 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope hotel anD Casino ($) yaK the KathmanDu KitChen 1801 Old Shell Rd. 990-0408 American fare & rockin’ ($-$$)Authentic foods from 478-9494 wemos ($) memorabilia. 777 Beach Blvd. 877- Himalayan region. 3210 Dauphin Royal stReet taveRn Wings, tenders, hotdogs & 877-6256 St. • 287-0115 Live music,martinis & a light sandwiches. 312 Schillinger Rd. satisfaCtion at haRD RoCK dinner menu. 26 N. Royal St. 633-5877 hotel anD Casino ($) Panini Pete’s ($) Southern favorites & fresh- Original sandwich and bake shop. 338-2000 southeRn naPa smoked meats. 777 Beach Blvd. 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 Bistro plates, craft beers and 877-877-6256 19 S. Conception St. • 405-0031 ‘Cue mama mia! tien at iP Casino PDQ ($) baCKyaRD Cafe & bbQ ($) pantry. 2304 Main Street. bentZ’s PiZZa Pub ($) 375-2800 ResoRt sPa ($-$$) Chicken fingers, salad & Home cookin’ like momma made. Homemade pizza and Italian Pan-Asian cuisine made in front sandwiches. 1165 University Blvd. 2804 Springhill Ave. 473-4739 dishes. 28567 County Rd. 13 of you. • 202-0959 625-6992 Queen G’s Café ($) baR-b-QuinG with my honey ($$) buCK’s PiZZa ($$) 850 Bayview Ave. BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood FaLaFeL? try 888-946-2847 Down home cooking for lunch. Delivery. hiGhliGhts sPoRts lounGe at iP 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 bRiCK Pit ($) Some HummuS Casino ResoRt sPa ($) ReGina’s KitChen ($-$$) 7 sPiCe ($-$$) Gambino bRotheRs ($) Brews & game on 65 screens. Sandwiches, subs and soups. A favorite barbecue spot. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. Healthy, delicious Mediterranean 850 Bayview Ave. 888-946-2847 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 food. 873 Hillcrest Ave. 344-8115 RiveR shaCK ($-$$) 3762 Airport Blvd. Gambino’s italian GRill ($) hiGh tiDe Café at iP Casino DReamlanD bbQ ($) 725-1177 ResoRt sPa ($) Seafood, burgers & steaks. Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. abba’s meDiteRRanean Italian, Steaks, Seafood, Casual & relaxing, extensive 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River 3314 Old Shell Rd. 479-9898. 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope menu. 850 Bayview Ave. • 443-7318. Cafe ($-$$) 990-0995 Roly Poly ($) moe’s oRiGinal baR b Que ($) Beef, lamb & seafood. GuiDo’s ($$) 888-946-2847 Bar-b-que & music. Bayfront Park bR PRime at beau RivaGe ($$- Wraps & salads. 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. $$$) Fine dining establishment. 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS JeRusalem Cafe ($-$$) 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 701 Springhill Ave. la PiZZeRia ($$) 875 Beach Blvd. 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern 888-952-2582 Roma Cafe ($-$$) 410-7427. cuisine. 5773 Airport Blvd. Italian, pizza, seafood & steaks. Jia at beau RivaGe ($-$$) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. sauCy Q baRbQue ($) 304-1155 1455 Monroe St. • 380-6419 Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 Award-winning BarBQue. Kan Zaman Cafe ($) la Rossa ($$) Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. Rosie’s GRill ($-$$) 1111 Government Blvd. Catering and Market. Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. 326 Azalea Rd. 229-4206 875 Beach Blvd. 433-7427 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne 888-952-2582 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne meDiteRRanean sanDwiCh 625-0345 whistle stoP ($) ComPany ($) Great & quick. memPhis Q at beau RivaGe ($) 626-2440 PiCKlefish ($$) Memphis-style Q. Royal stReet Cafe ($) Home cookin’ & BBQ. 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 Pizza, sandwiches & salads. Homemade lunch & breakfast. 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 875 Beach Blvd. 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 888-952-2582 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 mint hooKah bistRo ($) PaPa’s PlaCe ($$) Coast RestauRant at beau saGe RestauRant ($$) Great Mediterranean food. A Taste of Italy . BYOB. RivaGe ($) Inside the Mobile Marriott. 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 28691 U.S. Highway 98, Daphne Sports bar-style joint. 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 626-1999 satoRi Coffeehouse ($) Drop DeaD ZoRba the GReeK ($-$$) Ravenite ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. lb’s steaKhouse at GRanD Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. Gourmet Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more Casino ($$-$$$) 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 alabama CRuises ($$) 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 633-2202 Fine dining with juicy steak seRDa’s Coffeehouse ($) Fine dining & sailing from Of via emilia ($$) & fine wine. Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. Homemade pastas & pizzas made Orange Beach • 973-1244 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 bay GouRmet ($$) daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. 342-3677 Cuu lonG suPeR Pho at GRanD smoKey Dembo smoKe house A premier caterer & cooking Far eaStern Fare Casino ($$) ($) 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. classes. banGKoK thai ($-$$) 1880-A Airport Blvd. Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. Asian noodle soups, bubble teas 473-1401 450-9051 & more. sPot of tea ($) 3821 Airport Blvd. oLé mi amiGo! Café 615 ($$-$$$) Cabo Coastal Cantina ($) 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast American fare with local 344-9995 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 emeRil’s Gulf Coast fish house & lunch. ingredients. banZai JaPanese RestauRant DauPhin st. taQueRia ($) 615 Dauphin St. ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. at islanD view Casino ($$-$$$) 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. 432-8434. Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic Kick it up a notch. southeRn DeCaDenCe DesseRts Café Royal ($$-$$$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 ($) Soups, Salads, Desserts & liQuiD ($$) 3300 W. Beach Blvd. Prime steak & seafood in elegant el ChaRRo ($) 877-774-8439 Sandwiches. 1956 B University setting. Amazing sushi & assortment of Finest Mexican in WeMo. rolls. C&G GRille at islanD view Blvd. • 300-8304 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 Casino ($) stevie’s KitChen ($) noJa ($$-$$$) miKato JaPanese steaK house fueGo ($-$$) ($$) Upscale sushi & specialties. Large breakfast, lunch or dinner Sandwiches, stuffed potatoes, Inventive & very fresh cuisine. Outstanding Mexican cuisine. menu. 3300 W. Beach Blvd. 877- soups, salads & desserts 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 RoCK n Roll sushi ($$) 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 774-8439 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. osman’s RestauRant ($$) los aRCos ($) wahoo’s PoolsiDe baR anD stRay DoG’s hash Supreme European cuisine. 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 Quaint Mexican restaurant. house DineR ($) wasabi sushi ($$) GRill at PalaCe Casino ResoRt 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006. Japanese cusine 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 ($-$$) Breakfast & lunch made to order Royal sCam ($$) la CoCina ($) Fresh seafood & more. 3654 Airport Blvd. suite C 263 St Francis St. • 402-4919 Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Authentic Mexican cuisine. 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 tamaRa’s baR & GRill ($) 72. S. Royal St. 725-6078 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 miGnon’s at PalaCe Casino Wings, po-boys, burgers. yen RestauRant ($) santa fe GRill ($) 432-SCAM (7226) Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. ResoRt ($$-$$$) 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 Ruth’s ChRis steaK Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. Extraordinary wine, steaks & 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 • 929-0002 house ($$$) 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 seafood. tP CRoCKmieRs ($) Exceptional service & taste. Jubilee Shopping Center, Daphne 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 American Restaurant & Bar 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 625-4695 the Den at tReasuRe bay 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 tamaRa’s Downtown ($$) Casino ($-$$) the blinD mule ($) Casual fine dining. Intimate & casual with daily Daily specials made from scratch. iS tHe Game on? no GambLinG 104 N. Section St. Fairhope buffalo wilD winGs ($) specials. 1980 Beach Blvd. 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. 929-2219 800-747-2839 the CouRtyaRD at 311($) union ($$$) Best wings & sporting events. CaSino Fare CQ at tReasuRe bay Casino ($$- Great food and large selection Premium steaks & burgers. 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 $$$) of spirits. 311 Fairhope Ave., butCh CassiDy’s ($) atmore 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 Famous burgers, sandwiches & Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing Fairhope • 928-2032 the bull ($-$$) fiRe at winD CReeK Casino & entrees. the house ($-$$) wings. 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. 1980 Beach Blvd. N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast hotel ($$-$$$) 800-747-2839 Seafood, sandwiches, salads & cuisine. CallaGhan’s iRish soCial Club World-class prime steaks, ($) Burgers & beer. blu at tReasuRe bay Casino ($) soups 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 seafood & wine. 303 Poarch Rd. Lounge with cocktails & tapas 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 the tRellis Room ($$$) 866-946-3360 menu. 1980 Beach Blvd. the hunGRy owl ($) Italian dishes & local flair. heRoes sPoRts baR & GRille ($) GRill at winD CReeK Casino & Sandwiches & cold beer. 800-747-2839 Burgers, flatbread pizza & Battle House Hotel, Royal St. hotel ($) maRGaRitaville seafood. 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. 338-5493 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. Contemporary & old-fashioned RestauRant ($$$) 633-4479 Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. favorites. Burgers, salads, specialties & the Royal KniGht ($) 341-9464 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 more. Open for lunch & dinner. mCshaRRy’s iRish Pub ($) 160 5th St. 3004 855-667-677 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1270 Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips biLoxi feeDinG fRenZy buffet ($-$$) thRee GeoRGes CanDy shoP ($) a LittLe Vino 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope vibe at haRD RoCK hotel (maRGaRitaville Casino) Light lunch with Southern flair. DomKe maRKet 990-5100 Wine, Craft Beer, Gourmet foods, anD Casino ($-$$) Featuring Gulf Coast Cuisine 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 the lanDinG ($) Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. tRoPiCal smoothie ($) & more. 2410 Dawes Rd. Ste. D. From seafood to steaks. 160 5th St. • 855-667-677 375-0599 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 maRina at lanDshaRK Great smoothies, wraps & 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Ruth’s ChRis steaK house at lanDinG($-$$) sandwiches. fathoms lounGe 973-2696 Du Rhu Dr. A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live haRD RoCK hotel & Casino ($$$) (maRGaRitaville Casino) 378-5648 luCKy’s iRish Pub ($) Exceptional servie & taste. music 64 S. Water St. Irish pub fare & more. 4 portable food stations. 570 Schillinger Road 634-3454 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 160 5th St. • 855-667-6777 438-4000 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 21 THIRSTY WORK CUISINE C State’s microbreweries highlight the Dauphin Street Beer Festival BY SUSAN LARSSON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER | [email protected] he 17th Annual Dauphin Street Beer Festival is Saturday, malt blend. At 4.5 percent ABV it’s meant to spur conversation, not (Sumpin’ Ale), which is not a “frilly girl” beer, despite the frilly- Aug. 23 and for those of you who haven’t been checking squelch it – and its light body makes an effective humidity antidote. looking girl on the label. This California girl has something up Facebook, this year’s event looks to include more venues Saddle Up will also serve Lasso IPA, released earlier this year her sleeve (or maybe tucked into her boot). The label says you can and more new beers than ever – many of them Alabama to mark Denver-based Great Divide Brewing Company’s 20th expect “hops, malt, hops, hops, yeast, hops, water and hops,” so Tborn-and-brewed. Sure, lots of the breweries are familiar, from anniversary. It’s another “session IPA” (5 percent ABV) that scores I guess it’s hoppy, but with a nicely burnt edge of roasted grain Abita to Widmer, but they haven’t stopped innovating and they’ll for its hop-malt balance and its pair-ability with food. Although mixed in – and 50 percent wheat in the grain. It’s absolutely not be showcasing their latest and greatest alongside a few old friends. Lasso is hop-forward, it isn’t pushy; it’s substantial – less of a brisk bitter, with malt up front and hops coming through on the long, I’m not going to attempt an all-inclusive list (that’s what Facebook refresher than Fence Post. Try it with beefy chili or chocolate chip dry finish. This beer makes a capable fire extinguisher (try it with is for), but I want to spotlight some recommendations from my cookies (yes, way). Mexican food). Basically, I like it and I don’t like wheat beers, personal taste tests. If you’re hunting beer from Huntsville, head to B-Bob’s for The so keep that in mind as you try it. (Limited summer release; 7.5 First up is Fairhope Brewing Company’s “I Drink Therefore Brew Stooges’ Blonde Dame, which I’ve come to love since first percent ABV.) I Amber,” which you can sample at the Joe Cain Café. Dan trying it at 99 Bottles of Beer on the Lawn. I was in an ultra-hoppy If you like Little Sumpin’ but want even more hops, check out Murphy, Fairhope’s Head Brewer, says, “this amber’s got a bit mood that day and although I found Blonde Dame mouth-filling, Hop Stoopid Ale, a beer that’s both dry-hopped and laced with hop more complexity than your average … amber. It utilizes two great slightly tart and very refreshing, I didn’t fully appreciate its malty extract (which Lagunitas brewers claim gives a cleaner hop flavor), and distinctive hops – Chinook and Australian Galaxy – and has a magic. It’s one to try when you want to dial down the citrus – and on tap at the Soul Kitchen. Don’t look for balance in this highly very forward malt profile that puts it at the darker end of the scale the alcohol (4 percent ABV). aromatic, bitter brew (8 percent ABV); it’s made for us unbalanced for the style.” Monkeynaught IPA from Huntsville’s Straight to Ale Brew- hop heads. It started life as a seasonal but, due to popular demand, it’s now ery will be poured at the Soul Kitchen. It’s an old standard from Hop heads will also want to drop anchor at the Brickyard for a year-round player. Straight to Ale’s playlist and a repeat festival performer, but not one Ballast Point’s Big Eye IPA, a San Diego brew dry hopped with My first impression of this cola-colored beer was more of a I’m tired of seeing. This beer has a dark gold color – more like an American Centennial and Columbus hops. Novices curious to chocolate Porter than an amber ale, due to a distinct roasted malt amber ale – super-hoppy (grapefruit, pine resin) flavors and floral know what these little flowers really taste like can stop searching. hit on the back palate. Further sipping (you can’t have just one) hop aromas (chrysanthemum, seriously). There’s a slight malty un- This bold, 7 percent ABV beverage doesn’t work or play well brought out hop notes around the front and sides of the tongue, and dertone, though, like a trellis supporting the hops. The alcohol, 7.25 with foods, unless they put up a fight. You might like it on its I caught myself making those “yummy sounds” – you know the percent, is not in the “sessionable” range, but Monkeynaught is still own, though. ones. Definitely not deadly at 5.8 percent ABV. an approachable, drink-with-almost anything (especially anything And to kill two birds with one stone, I’m hoping to try Rebel- I only wish Fairhope was also pouring its Hopua Session IPA. grilled) IPA. lion Red from Huntsville’s Yellowhammer brewery – also on tap With its golden-amber color, four-hop Satsuma nose and light body Blue Pants Brewery (from Huntsville’s neighbor, Madison) will at the Brickyard and a beer I haven’t actually had. The website (4.5 percent ABV), it would make for interesting comparison with have its Spare Pair Pale Ale on tap at T.P. Crockmeier’s and Amber calls it “contemplative,” and goodness knows drinking makes me the Festival’s other “session ales” – but it’s worth a trek to the tap Waders of Grain lager making an encore festival appearance at the contemplate (How did I get here? What am I doing here? How can room (hurry before this small-batch brew is gone). OK Bicycle Shop. Blue Pants says Spare Pair is a blend of two pale I get home?). It also promises German malts and light hoppiness, so Working our way north (on Alabama’s, not the Festival’s, map), ale styles and I say it’s close to an IPA – bitter hoppy, and just a bit we can contemplate how it differs from ultra-hoppy Big Eye. Gadsden’s Back Forty Beer Company will offer Fence Post Session grassy. At 6 percent ABV it’s still very refreshing and food friendly Don’t forget the fruit beers, Scotch ales and apple ciders on tap Ale for your consideration at the Saddle Up Saloon. Fence Post is – a great burger beer. at the festival, too. I’ve run out of space to describe them all, so lightly hopped and mildly bitter, with noticeable grain from its four- Alchemy Tavern will be serving Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ you’ll just have to taste for yourselves. Enjoy the journey!

ousing First, Inc., a local nonprofit dent Martha Peek praised those who sold their “Enviro-Master met all of our criteria,” Mike agency founded in 1996 with the goal holdings to facilitate forward momentum of the Blevins said. “We were looking for a business- of preventing homelessness in Mobile project. to-business model that would provide residual in- and Baldwin counties, recently launched “We appreciate the owners of the properties come and require reasonable capital investment, Hthe final phase of their Community Connections for supporting what will be a first-class high while providing an opportunity that is recession- Network (CCN). school remaining centrally located in the area,” resistant and isn’t technology dependent. The “The CCN is a community resource database Peek said. size of the territory was also highly desirable.” that allows all community agencies and service According to Randy Williams, co-owner of Beth Blevins added, “beyond the business op- providers working in the homeless sector to Red or White Wine & Gourmet Center, several portunity, Enviro-Master appealed to us because effectively and efficiently refer those in need to plans are in place for the extra space at their of shared values with their team, and we felt appropriate resources very quickly,” Michelle new location in the former Smith Bakery build- genuine support and caring, along with a sense Dees, COO for Housing First said. “For the ing adjacent to MiMo’s new “Media Row” on that this business operates with the highest ethi- first time, community service providers will be Dauphin Street. cal and moral standards. We see potential for our able to know that when they refer someone, the “This open space will increase inventory, franchise, and I am excited to see just how fast person will qualify for available services and allow us to add more beers, provide a private we can grow.” resources right away. Not only will this cut out tasting room and extra area to handle company Mike Blevins plans to handle operations redundancy (thus allowing the agencies to focus dinners as well as our own ‘winemaker’ meals. and sales while Beth will assist with sales and their resources on their particular mission), but The special event menu is still being finalized handle the role of office manager. Interest for the will allow those who are homeless – or at risk but will be done in classic family style for par- Enviro-Master concept has been well-received. of homelessness – to avoid wasting precious ties of 8 or more. Greater parking and larger bar “As we’ve been working out the details resources on referral searches that may or may space should be welcomed by our customers,” of our relocation, we’ve been reaching out to not pan out.” Williams said. schools for our son in the area and making busi- The Mobile and Baldwin county community The new location is expected to open in ness connections with local Chambers of Com- outreach teams and 15 Place will be the first September. merce and others. It’s been somewhat surprising agencies to go live. Eleven additional sites will to hear how many people want to know what join the CCN network over the next four weeks. Enviro-Master opens in Daphne and Mobile restaurants may become clients because they “We are excited to make this change as it Enviro-Master, a commercial restroom want to patronize hygienic establishments,” is anticipated to assist our community and the hygiene provider recognized by Entrepreneur Beth Blevins said. agencies that serve it. Great strides are being magazine as a top franchise for 2014, will made to ensure that all area homeless resources soon open its newest locations in Baldwin and Supreme Lending opens Mobile office are accessible to those in need of assistance,” Mobile counties. Supreme Lending recently announced the Dees said. The initiative was outlined and made Mike and Beth Blevins are relocating from opening of a new branch office in Mobile. Bill possible by the Department of Housing and Southwest Georgia to the central Gulf Coast. Robbins (NMLS 212581) is the new branch Urban Development. The hub of their business will be located manager and Ginger Cobb (NMLS 340331) is a in Daphne and Mobile, with selected office senior loan officer for the new lender located at Commercial Real Estate Moves locations in the final stages of the evaluation 900 Hillcrest Road. John Delchamps, Associate Broker process. Enviro-Master will serve restaurants, “Their expertise in the mortgage industry with Merrill P. Thomas Co. Inc., leased businesses and organizations throughout the is truly reflective of the quality that Supreme 1,400-square-feet of retail space at 1330 Spring area, including counties from Gulfport, Mis- Lending offers their clients as they become Hill Ave. (Five Points Shopping Center) and sissippi to Destin, Florida. A grand opening is not only customers, but hopefully also build 1,575-square-feet of office space at 6941 Bellin- tentatively scheduled for the end of August. lifelong relationships,” Shayna Arnold, public grath Road. Both locations will be occupied by Mike Blevins has a B.S. in math and an relations executive assistant said. Davis & Associates, a new locally owned tax MBA in international management from North- Established in 1999 and headquartered and financial services company. eastern University. Beth Blevins is a graduate out of Dallas, Supreme Lending continues to According to John Vallas at Vallas Realty, of the University of Alabama with a B.A. in aggressively expand their presence through- the Mobile County School Board has closed on human development and family studies. out the United States. The company has been the five properties needed along U.S. Highway To date, 26 franchises have been sold recognized as a top mortgage firm by Mortgage 45 to begin construction of the new Citronelle throughout the country. Major metropolitan Executive Magazine, has received the Lead- High School. The properties were operating as areas are targeted. Cities with a franchise ership Circle Award for Lending Excellence ongoing businesses but all the property owners footprint include: Orlando, San Antonio, by Genworth U.S. Mortgage Insurance and were very cooperative to insure that the new Tampa, Houston, Nashville, Jacksonville, mentioned by Scotsman Guide as a Top Lender school remained in the heart of Citronelle. Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Los An- in overall as well as retail volume. As reported previously, MCPSS Superinten- geles and now Mobile.

espite not taking an alligator during the first three nights a tag within a limited amount of time, or that hunter will be and attach a second line to its body and then will oftentimes have of the two-weekend-long Alabama season last week, passed up. One gator can be taken per tag. to wait the gator out again as it goes under water. Mobile native Joe McAleer said he and his friends aren’t Hunters who register for a tag are required to take a class “When he comes up for air we shoot him with a bow to put a disappointed; in fact, it’s just the opposite. before setting out to bag a gator. If a hunter is awarded a tag in second line in him to get better control,” McAleer said. “We get a DEven though he and his compatriots spent an estimated 45 two consecutive years, class is not required for the second year. harpoon on him after he comes up for air a second time.” hours traveling by truck and vessel over three days and a rear- McAleer said he has been lucky enough to receive posses- The harpoon allows McAleer and his friends to get the gator ranged sleep schedule, McAleer said he enjoyed the experience. sion tags in the past, but this year he was helping Oppenheimer “boat side” were they can “dispatch,” or kill it, usually with a shot “It was worth it,” he said Monday morning. “I’d do it again bag a gator. to the back of the head. tonight if I could.” “One of us has always gotten a tag,” he said. “I’ve been (on a But even before the season began last Thursday, hunters were On Thursday night, the first night of the season, McAleer, hunt) every year since 2009.” putting boats in the water and scouting different areas, looking for Charlie Daily and Harris Oppenheimer had a gator in their sights Hunter David Murphy, a partner in local engineering firm the biggest and best gator. and stayed on it all night, with their boat south of Cliff’s Landing Cowles, Murphy, Glover and Associates, said he’s received a tag “It’s like any other game you’re going to hunt,” Burnett said. “You on the Tensaw River. five out of six years since 2009, including this year. go out and scout beforehand. That way they are ahead of the game.” “We saw the gator at 8:30 and stayed in the same place,” he “I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. McAleer and friends chose not to go out ahead of time this said. “We waited for her to come up out of the water.” season, instead relying on their knowledge of the area to help The gator stayed down in the water for 10 to 15 minutes at a Alligator hunting origins them find the perfect animal. The day of their first outing, time and the group kept their boat within 100 yards of it the whole The state’s alligator population has been increasing since regu- McAleer said the group planned to hunt around Cliff’s Landing time, McAleer said. lations were put in place to outlaw poaching in 1938, according to in Washington County. “We finally got an arrow in her and fought for nearly an hour,” an ADCNR release. Before then, unregulated harvests threatened “We’ve spent a lot of time in and around that area, but not in he said. “Eventually, we cut the line at 3:15 (a.m.)” alligators with extinction. the last couple of days,” he said. After a long fight, the group decided to let the roughly 10-foot In 1967, American alligators were placed on the U.S. Fish and animal go in hopes of snagging a bigger trophy later in the season, Wildlife Service’s endangered species list, but the animal was On the hunt McAleer said. removed from the list in 1987. On Saturday, on private water just off of the Tombigbee River, “Harris kept looking at it and asking me, ‘What do you ADCNR District Wildlife Supervisor Steve Burnett said gator the group found its gator, a beauty of about 11 feet in length. think?’” McAleer said. “I told him ‘If it was the right one you season first opened on the delta in 2006. The opening of the sea- The group of friends, working as a team, managed to hook the wouldn’t be asking me.’” son wasn’t based on overpopulation, he said. gator, but it fought back before heading under water for about Even though the group didn’t fill the gator tag — the permit “The population, based on our surveys, was such that we could 10 minutes. When it resurfaced, the hunters missed with what allowing the taking of one alligator — the first night, McAleer allow legal hunting,” Burnett said. “There was an increase in McAleer estimated was a 25-yard bow shot. The gator went under called it “as good a hunt as you can get.” He said there were no nuisance complaints in addition to a population increase.” again and, this time, stayed under for about 40 minutes, he said. regrets about letting it go. While periodic reports of poaching remain, even after the first They waited another hour before they cut the line because it got “It was kind of a tag and release for us,” he said. “It’s a lot of season kicked off, Burnett said it’s really not a problem now. snagged on a log. work to mess with those things, you want to get one that’s worth it.” “It’s not a huge issue,” he said. “It’s not impacting the numbers.” Murphy had a more successful trip Friday night, as he and The group also hooked a small gator overnight Friday, but While the number of gators has increased over time, so has the released it as well because it was only about 4 feet long, McAleer popularity of the gator hunt. Chad Cole hooked a 10-foot, 2-inch, 354-pound gator, after stalk- said. But they would keep going. Last year, McAleer said he was part of three successful hunts, ing it for six hours. one of which was on his own tag. That hunt marked his personal Murphy and Cole used a standard fishing line to hook the ani- Possession tag system best, an almost 12-foot-long animal weighing in at 512 pounds. mal initially, but then upgraded to two bottom reels normally used Registration for the state’s ninth alligator season opened in “There’s really nothing like it,” he said of alligator hunting. for deep-sea fishing to help bring him in. June. Hunters in the state could apply for tags in any of the state’s “It’s a lot harder than any hunt I do.” “We started at the normal hunting time (8 p.m.) and chased three hunting regions, west central, southeast and southwest. The That gator is currently being stuffed and mounted by a local him until about 2 (a.m.),” Murphy said. southwest region, which includes Mobile and Baldwin counties, taxidermist, he said. He said they followed the gator from Grand Bay to nearly the had the most available tags with 150 out of the total 240 awarded A gator McAleer caught in 2012, a 442-pounder, is mounted causeway in Spanish Fort before reeling him in. statewide, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural and on display at Lap’s on the causeway. The skull is in the bait “That’s the furthest I’ve ever chased one,” he said. “It took Resources spokeswoman Kim Nix said. shop and the hide is hanging on the wall. forever with the boat traffic.” The application fee for an alligator tag is $22, and those regis- Hunting equipment can vary, depending on the hunter, but it usu- Although it appeared that the animal had drowned itself dur- tering for tags must also have a valid hunting license through the ally consists of a fishing pole with braided line and a treble hook. ing the fight before they reeled it in, they still shot it for safety state, Nix said. The fishing line is used to hook the gator initially, McAleer said. reasons, Murphy said. The tags are awarded by a computer program that randomly “The name of the game is getting a hook in him because you The friends had trouble getting the animal into the 18-foot selects names of those registered to hunt, she said. Next year, the sys- know where he is,” he said. johnboat, but a conservation officer assisted them, Murphy said. tem will be tweaked to allow an advantage to folks left out this year. Once a gator is hooked, it will go down to the bottom “from From there it was a mad dash to the weigh station. Nix said while hunters can register in any of the three regions anywhere between five and 45 minutes,” McAleer said. The skull of the gator will be mounted, Murphy said, but he to “increase your chances” of being picked for a tag, only one tag “We’ll be out there as long as it takes,” he said. “We’ll wait him plans to give the hide and its meat to a friend because gator meat can be awarded per year, meaning if a hunter earns multiple tags out. He might go down and pop up a quarter mile down the river.” he or she has to decide which tag to use. A hunter must accept When the gator surfaces, the group uses a bow and arrow to try is “too fishy tasting.”

26 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 Murphy said he has been on a series of successful hunts, filling all five of the tags he’s been awarded. He’s also assisted on enough successful hunts to have seen 12 gators harvested in six years. His personal record was a 560-pounder that had to be dragged to the bank before it could be lifted onto the boat. Tammy Barnhill, of Loxley, filled her tag Thursday night, after a three-hour fight with an almost 10-foot, 204-pound gator. Tammy, her husband, Roger, and her father James Mat- thews were waiting to get the gator weighed Thursday night. Roger Barnhill initially hooked the animal close to Conway Creek at about 8:30 p.m. before it went to the bottom and stayed there. Matthews had the honor of holding onto the braided fishing line, while the group waited in the airboat for it to come back to the surface. Photo/Dan Anderson “It was my first time with it and I think I’ll stick to fishing,” Matthews said. “I didn’t think health of the gator population in the area. he’d ever come up.” “The population is stable to increasing,” Tammy Barnhill said she’s applied for a tag Nix said. every year, but this was the first time she’s got- Hunting is open between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. ten a tag herself. She said she’s been on several during the six-day split season because alliga- successful hunts. tors are cold-blooded and are more active at After some initial problems earlier Thurs- night when it’s cooler, he said. day, Terry Brown and his son, Kenneth, made Marine Toxicologist Dr. Alison Robertson, it to the weigh station with a 165-pound female from Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Unver- gator. sity of South Alabama, accompanied conserva- The Browns were initially lucky, securing tion officers to take blood and tissue samples of the last tag of the season on their first year each gator harvested last weekend. registering for one. Terry Brown, a regular deer “We’re interested in environmental health hunter, decided to try gator hunting this year and we have currently funded projects in the because it had been in his head. delta to do that,” she said. “We look at all “It’s just one of those things that’s on the trophic levels, so all levels of the food web to back of your mind,” he said. “I had thought try and understand, you know, the health, get about it for years.” baseline data and see how everything’s going.” The luck the father and son had experienced She said the tissue samples can be tested before the season started ran out the night of for natural toxins, pollutants and any other the hunt, shortly after they put in at Scott’s manmade contaminants that get into the Landing. First, the boat’s outboard motor was animals system. One thing Robertson can’t test “acting up,” which kept the Browns closer to for is the presence of heavy metals because shore than they had planned, after scouting a many times the gators are shot when they’re location for the two previous nights. harvested. “It was just typical,” Terry Brown said. “I The research looks for stable isotopes, thought ‘here we go again’ although we were Robertson said. confident we were going to try.” “What that does is give us an indication of Later, the Browns hooked a larger gator where they’re feeding and at what level of the than the one they eventually caught, but it food web they’re feeding,” she said. “It gives broke the line. us a characteristic signature at every level.” Robertson added that she would also study the animal’s DNA to see how each is con- ADCNR weighing process nected to further study the health of the entire All gator hunters with tags in the southwest ecosystem. region must bring their harvested gator to As part of the hunt, Robertson was asking the ADCNR office adjacent to Five Rivers in hunters to provide her with the entrails of the Spanish Fort, so the weight, girth and length of animals once they were extracted. She said she the animal can be measured, ADCNR Wildlife was after the gators’ stomach contents, livers, Biologist Chris Nix said. The size of the animal kidneys and hearts. She said she is hoping to and the location it was found are recorded to study the organs of 50 of the harvested gators help the department study trends and track the this season.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 27 ARTIFICE | ART Artistic pursuits bring family legacy into focus BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

e pay prices for civilization. One is that specializa- “I did see something with different values of color, how tion has extracted creativity from so many lives. many different shades of color there are,” Henson said. “I was To this continent’s original inhabitants, arts and unaware I had not been fully utilizing that.” artisanship were part and parcel of daily life. Cul- Other classes helped build fundamental understanding – Wtural ideals and influences were expressed in pottery, blankets, “drawing is the basis of everything; if you can’t do that you carvings and instruments. In contrast our concept of art – can’t paint effectively” – and opened other avenues. Watercolor something apart from everyday life – was alien. caught her fancy before she took a break from art for a period. Some of us rediscover creative genes in our down time “About six years ago, I got into it more seriously,” Henson away from our professions. Its enrichment is as inescapable as said. “The hardest part is finding the balance between the paint that DNA. and the water, how the paint reacts to the paint and the water. “My grandmother supplemented her income with paint- In the other mediums, you just put the paint down and in wa- ing and in her later life that was her income. She was a china tercolor you use the water to thin the color.” painter who lived in Georgia, Florida and Alabama,” Phyllis She credits time under William Nolen-Schmidt and his wife Henson said. Michelle as being instrumental. She also listed Lynn Weeks, Henson attributes that forbear for her own yen to express Mary Rodning and Bill Morris as prime forces on her. herself visually. The retired Mobile County Public School Henson ventured further, joining the Mobile Art Associa- System employee spends at least two hours a day chasing her tion in hopes of making connections and learning from fellow muse with a brush in hand. members. Before long, she was nominated then approved to “You can just kind of get involved in it, concentrate on it join the Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society. Photo/courtesy of Phyllis Henson and everything else takes a back seat,” Henson said. Her diligence was further recognized when she picked up Like that aforementioned grandmother, Henson and her family a Best of Show at the Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society Kevin Lee profiles artist Phyllis Henson, whose hailed from other quarters of the Southeast, but Mobile isn’t entirely Members’ Exhibition at Mobile Arts Council in June 2012. At “Fred’s Mule” won the Hazel Harris Smith different for her. It reminds her of old haunts. WGAS’ Spring 2014 exhibition Henson’s “Fred’s Mule” won Memorial Award for Best Graphic Arts at WGAS’ “I’m from Savannah and my husband is from Charleston so we’ve the Hazel Harris Smith Memorial Award for Best Graphic Arts. got all the coastal towns covered by now,” Henson laughed. There’s still other forms Henson is eager to learn. Some are Spring 2014 exhibition. When the Hensons relocated to Mobile in 1976, she put her more familiar than others. “I’ve never done any abstract, I’ve been reading on it be- business degree to work during the day but her off hours were “I took Sumi-e but never had time to develop it,” Henson cause I want to understand it,” Henson said. “There has to be a spent perfecting other loves. She signed up for art classes to said. “In Sumi-e you put the paint down once and that’s it. To method and a theory behind it. It’s hard to switch from realism refine something she’d always done on her own. me it’s one of the most unappreciated forms of art because to abstract.” “Back then I was working mainly in oils and pen and ink,” people just understand how difficult it is.” It’s easy for her to find the reasons to push onward. It’s not Henson said. There’s also a bigger leap that that has vexed more artists the awards but something inside. Her day job kept her from exploring too many other mediums than Henson. It takes a perspective with which she’s still com- “It’s fulfilling to see your results,” Henson said. as time was precious. But the classes had an immediate impact. ing to grips. That and she’s got her genes to follow.

Auditions: Models for 4th Annual Mobile Fashion Week Playhouse in Park Where: Six Degree Marketing, 225 Dauphin St. above Cabo Coastal Cantina hosts holiday tryouts When: Aug. 23, 12-4 p.m.

ocal designers are ready to show off their talents with Mobile’s 4th Annual Auditions: Nightmares Three and Babes Fashion Week but they need a little help in the model department. Youthful aspirants are needed to help highlight the work of these local artisans. in Toyland There are no age limits, but people under 18 must be accompanied by a par- Where: Playhouse in the Park, 4851 Lent or guardian. Women must be 5 feet 7 inches or taller and size 0-6, while men must Museum Drive. be 5 feet 11inches or taller with a 30-34 inch waist. Women must bring or wear heels; When: Aug. 17, 6:30p.m. white or black tank or V-neck shirt; skinny jeans or tight ankle jeans. Men must bring or wear black tank or V-neck shirt; skinny jeans or tight ankle jeans. All prospective Summer is winding down and the holidays will be here models must be photo-ready and walk in front of a casting board. before you know it. For the Playhouse in the Park, that equals Models chosen must be available Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 24-26 (after 2 both chills and delights as they stage their annual productions p.m.) and all day Saturday, Sept. 27. for Halloween and Christmas. For more information, call 251-285-CHIC (2442) or email info@MOBFashion- The October offering will be Nightmares Three, a drama by Week.com. Jonathan Olensky based on horror stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson and H. P. Lovecraft. Auditions are open to ages 13 to mid-20s and require reading from a script. Performances will take place the last two weeks of October at A MOJO nod to female vocalists the Playhouse. Babes in Toyland is the classic musical with a score by Classics from the First Ladies of Jazz Victor Herbert. Auditions are open to ages 6 to mid-20s and require reading from a script. Performances will take place the Where: Gulf City Lodge, 601 State St. first week of December at the Saenger Theatre. When: Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m. For more info, call 251-602-0630 or go to mobilepip.org.

While you don’t see many female jazz instrumentalists, most of the genre’s notable vocalists have always been women. From Billie Holiday to Ella Fitzgerald to Sarah Vaughan to Anita O’Day to Diana Krall, it’s the feminine voice that has led the way at the microphone. Songstress Kathy Lyons leads a band comprised of Gino Rosaria, JoJo Morris and Bryan Foreign film screens Morris as MOJO salutes the most illustrious songbirds in jazz’s history. John Nodar will provide narration. Entrance is $12, $8 for MOJO members with student and military rates available. A light at Bernheim jambalaya dinner is included and a cash bar is available. For more info, call 251-459-2298, email [email protected] or go to mojojazz.org. Life is Beautiful Where: Bernheim Hall, Ben May Main Library, 701 Government St. Local duo headlines MMoA set When: Aug. 26, 6 p.m. Guido Orefice is a Jewish Italian book shop owner whose Muse Music: John Carolina Band creativity and sense of humor serves to win him love. Those Where: Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive same gifts are later utilized to shield his son from the horrors of life in a Nazi concentration camp. When: Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Roberto Benigni not only directed this foreign mas- terpiece but also won an Academy award for his starring The second in this new series at the Mobile Museum of Art showcases Steven Bryte performance. His jubilant acceptance of the Oscar became a Laney and Joelle Rosen of Underhill Family Orchestra in a smaller combo with an original classic moment noted for his unbridled enthusiasm fitting the catalog of folk and swing billed as “low country ballads sure to make you swoon” in a set- film’s title. ting emphazing the listening experience. The 1997 film is rated PG-13, runs 110 minutes and Underhill bandmate Ben Cook will open the show with his own bundle of original music. includes English subtitles. Admission is free. For more info, Entrance is $10. Wine and beer are available by donation. call 251-208-7097 or go to mplonline.org. For more info, call 251-208-5200 or go mobilemuseumofart.com.

30 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 31 AREA MUSIC LISTINGS AUGUST 21 - AUGUST 27

Hangout— Foxy Iguanas, 7p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Sharp Lulu’s— Greg Brown, 1p// Redfield, 6p THURS. AUG 21 Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Sharp Nine, 9p McSharry’s— Trad Irish Session, 6:30p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Jerry Powell, 6p Nine, 9p Hard Rock (Live)— Brandon Bennett’s Tacky Jacks (Causeway) — Neil Bill’s by the Beach— Barstool Surfers, 6p IP Casino— Smokey Robinson, 8p Remembrance of the King, 8p Dover, 3p Bimini Bob’s— Ric McArthur, 6p Laps— Eric Jones Duo, 6p Laps— David Chastang, 6p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Blues Tavern— Annika Chambers, 8:30p Legacy— Sugarcane Jane, 7p Legacy— Julie Anne, 7p Jonesy Gambino, 11a// Glen Templeton, 6p Callaghan’s— Tim Kinsey Live Bait— Isis, 10p Live Bait— Isis, 10p Veets— Brent Loper, 8p Celtic Irish Pub— Dustin Kahlil Lulu’s— Adam Holt, 6p Lulu’s— Kyle and Karl, 6p Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— McSharry’s— DJ Demps, 10p McSharry’s— DJ Demps, 10p Destiny Brown, 6p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Ben Davis Jr., Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Ryan Balthrop, MON. AUG 25 Felix’s— Jon Miller Dahlia’s Electric Piano Hall— Scott 6:30p 6:30p Hangout— Rhythm Intervention, 6p// Morlock, Gene Murrell & David White Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Cat and the Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Harrison Ellux Furor, 10p Felix’s— Grits N Pieces Truth, 8p McInnis, 7p Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus, 8p Hangout— Cornbred, 6p// Adam Holt Tacky Jacks (Causeway) — Crowned Pirates Cove— Them Again, 7p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p Duo, 10p Jewelz, 8p Royal Knight— Jerry Squires Hungry Owl— Phil Arceneaux, 5p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Lone- Tacky Jacks (Causeway) — Modern Legacy— Ryan Balthrop some Mel, 6p El Dorados, 8p Live Bait— Isis, 10p TUES. AUG 26 Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Butch Cassidy’s— Al & Cathy McSharry’s— Kyle & Karl, 7:30p Whyte Caps Duo, 6p Mel Knapp, 6p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Matt Neese + 1 Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Yellowham- Tropics— Major Moves, 8p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — John Hangout— Mojiles, 6p// DJ Sremba, 10p mer Productions, 8p Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p and Melissa Joiner, 12p// Soul Food Junkies, 6p Hungry Owl— Grant N Bayne, 5p

AREA MUSIC LISTINGS | Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) —Mel The Wharf— Jake Owen, Parmalee & Tropics— David Jernigan and Randy Lulu’s— Lee Yankie, 6p Knapp, 6p The Cadillac Three; 7p Landers Veets— Lisa Mills, 8p Traders— Steve Duck Varnes & the Windmill Market— Kyle and Karl, 6p Soul Kitchen— The Molly Ringwalds, Lizards, 7p 9:30p Veets— Emily Stuckey, 8p Veets— The Family Jewels, 6p WED. AUG 27 SAT. AUG 23 Windmill Market— Michael Tilley, 11a Baumhower’s (OBA)— Destiny Baumhower’s (OBA)— Tyler Brown, 6p FRI. AUG 22 Champion, 6p Bimini Bob’s— Greg Brown, 6p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Double D, 6p Bill’s by the Beach— Damiean, 6p SUN. AUG 24 BLUEGILL— Ross + 1, 6p Beau Rivage— Kenny Rogers, 8p Bimini Bob’s— Jerry Powell, 6p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Justin Fobes, 6p Blues Tavern— Kenny Proulx & Maple Bill’s by the Beach— Lisa Zanghi, BLUEGILL— Matt & Sherry Neese, 6p Bill’s by the Beach— Barstool Surfers, 6p Leaf, 8p 6:30p Blues Tavern— Michael Vincent Band, 9p Bimini Bob’s— Tony Bower, 6p Callaghan’s— Nora Jane Struthers and Bimini Bob’s— Greg Brown, 6p Celtic Irish Pub— Marlowe Ramirez BLUEGILL— Peek, 6p the Party Line BLUEGILL— KMAC Trio, 6p Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— Blues Tavern— Al & Cathy, 5p Celtic Irish Pub— Mike Blues Tavern— Ric McNaughton Band, 9p Mike Eagan, 6p Callaghan’s— Grayson Capps Cockeyed Charlie’s— Jonesy & Cockeyed Charlie’s— MT Pockets Courtyard @ 311— Lee Yankie & the Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— Gambino Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— Hellz Yeah Destiny Brown, 6p Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— Tyler Champion, 6p Dahlia’s Electric Piano Hall— Scott Courtyard @ 311— Sugar Cane Jane Jay Williams, 6p Courtyard @ 311— Brett Lagrave Band Morlock, Tony Edwards & David White Felix’s— Bobby Butchka Felix’s— Bobby Butchka Dahlia’s Electric Piano Hall— Scott DeCuba— Eric Jones Duo, 8p Garage— Ryan Balthrop and Friends, 6p Garage— The Perry Wall, 8p Morlock, Tony Edwards & David White Felix’s— Rhythm Intervention Hangout— Kyle and Karl, 6p// The Perry Hangout— Peek, 6p// Ellux Furor, 10p DeCuba— Harrison McInnis, 8p Garage— Fortunate Few, 9p Wall, 10p Legacy— Lee Yankie, 7p Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike Grand Central— The Blacklist Laps— Sugarcane Jane, 4p// Underhill, Live Bait— Miss Used, 10p Grand Central— The Dagnabbits Hangout— Oak and Ash, 7p// DJ Sremba, 11p 5:30p/// The Mulligan Brothers, 6:30p Lulu’s— Rhythm Intervention, 6p

SENd yoUR MUSIC LISTINGS To [email protected]

32 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 AREA CLUB LISTINGS [DOWNTOWN] Serda’s Coffee Company Ravenite Pizzeria [Fairhope] Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] The River Shack www.serdas.com 102 N. Section St. | 929-2525 www.pinkponypub.net 6120 Marina Dr. S. Alchemy Tavern 3 S. Royal St. | 415-3000 Rosie’s Grill and Record Bar 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 (under Dog River bridge) alchemy.joltpro.com Skyview Lounge [Daphne] Pirate’s Cove [Elberta] 443-7318 7 S. Joachin St. | 441-7741 Atop the Lafayette Plaza www.rosiesgrill.com www.piratescoveriffraff.com Tin Top The Blind Mule 301 Gov’t St.| 694-0100 1203 U.S. 98|626-2440 6600 County Rd. 95| 987-1224 6232 Bon Secour Hwy. County 57 N. Claiborne St. | 694-6853 Soul Kitchen Windmill Market [Fairhope] Tacky Jacks Rd. 10 | 251-949-5086 Boo Radley’s www.soulkitchenmobile.com www.windmillmarket.org www.tackyjacks.com www.booradleysmobile.com VFW Post 7320 [Saraland] 219 Dauphin St. |433-5958 85 N. Bancroft St. | 517-5444 [Orange Beach] 276 Dauphin St. | 432-1996 244 Old Telegraph Rd. |679-1188 Spot of Tea’s Jaggers 27206 Safe Harbor Dr, |981-4144 The Brickyard Whiskey Blues [Theodore] 310 Dauphin St. | 375-6772 [WESTMOBILE] [Gulf Shores] 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 5791 Swedetown Rd.|633-1769 Studio 5’4 All Sports Bar & Grill 249 E. 24th Ave.| 948-8881 Buck’s Pizza Zebra Lounge 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. [Gulf Shores] www.buckspizza.com 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. T.P. Crockmiers 345-9338 1577 Alabama 180|968-8341 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 473-2997 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 Billiards Club The Handlebar [Pensacola] Cabo Cantina Veet’s 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 www.handlebarpensacola.com 225 Dauphin St. | 441-7685 [CASINOS] www.veetsbarandgrill.com Midnight Rodeo 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club [Biloxi] 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 7790 Tanner Rd., Ste. B|639-2222 The Wharf [Orange Beach] Beau Rivage www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Cockeyed Charlies 4985 Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 www.beaurivage.com 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 [MIDTOWN] 6920 Aitport Blvd.|725-1112 878 Beach Blvd.|228-386-7111 Dalhia’s Electric Piano Hall Ashland Midtown Pub Crooked Martini [AROUND AND ABOUT] or 888-595-2534 258 Dauphin St. | 378-5025 AREA CLUB LISTINGS | MUSIC www.ashlandmidtownpub.com www.thecrookedmartini.com Bill and Charlie’s [Theodore] Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Dauphin St. Blues Company 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973-0388 [Biloxi] & Draft Picks Blues Tavern Flashback Club Blue Gill Restaurant 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 www.hardrockbiloxi.com www.bluestavern.com 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 www.bluegillrestaurant.com Firehouse Wine Bar Shop 777 Beach Blvd. 2818 Gov’t Blvd. |479-7621 Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 |228-374-ROCK (7625) Butch Cassidy’s Cafe 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 Bottoms Up Gabriel’s Downtown www.butchcassidys.com Mellow Mushroom 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287-7781 Harrah’s Hotel & Casino 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 60 N. Florida St. |450-0690 www.mellowmushroom.com Briar Patch [New Orleans] The Garage Kimberly’s Midtown Bar 5660 Old Shell Rd. | 380-1500 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. www.harrahsneworleans.com 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 2660 Old Shell Rd. |478-1477 Moe’s Southwest Grill 973-1120 228 Poydras St.|504-533-6000 Grand Central Mellow Mushroom www.moes.com Burnout’s Bar & Grill [Saraland] Grand Casino [Biloxi] grandcentralmobile.com www.mellowmushroom.com 280 McGregor Ave. S.| 342- 5233 7151 Hwy 158 W | 679-9255 256 Dauphin St. | 432-6999 www.grandcasinobiloxi.com 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 Royal Knight Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] Hayley’s Downtown 280 Beach Blvd. Royal Knight Restaurant 3004 Gov’t Blvd.| 476-6044 4901 Chicot St. | 228-938-6800 278 Dauphin St. | 433-4970 228-436-2946 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |476-6044 Patches Ed’s Seafood Shed Joe Cain Café IP Casino Resort & Spa Silver Horse Pub 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 www.edsshed.com 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 [Biloxi] 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 Satori Coffee House 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 Liquid Whistle Stop Bar & Grill www.satori-coffee.com Felix’s Fish Camp www.ipbiloxi.com 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 110 S. Florida St.|478-7427 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 www.felixsfishcamp.com 850 Bayview Ave. Loda Bier Garten Runway Billards 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 800-436-3000 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 [EASTERN SHORE] 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 Mississippi Coast Coliseum Wind Creek Casino Mobile Civic Center Bay House Pub [Daphne] The Hungry Owl [Biloxi] www.mobilecivicctr.com www.windcreekcasino.com 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 www.mscoastcoliseum.com 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208-7261 303 Poarch Rd., Atmore Club 44 [Daphne] Stir Mobile 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 O’Daly’s Irish Pub 866-946-3360 28850 US 98, #100 | 445-8069 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342-9995 The End Zone Sports Bar 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 Gumbo Shack VFW Post 49 [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. OK Bicycle Shop [NEW ORLEANS] www.guysgumbo.com 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 829-9227The Oar House 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 [Dauphin Island] House of Blues Pat’s Downtown Grill McSharry’s [Fairhope] [THE BEACH] 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 www.houseofblues.com 271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 www.mcsharrys.com Flora-Bama Original Oyster House 225 Decatur St . Riverview Plaza (Fathoms 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 www.florabama.com www.theoysterhouse.com |504-310-4999 Lounge) Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] 17401 Perdido Key Dr., 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 Howlin’ Wolf 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 www.moesoriginalbbq.com 850-492-0611 Pelican Pub & Restaurant www.thehowlinwolf.com/new- Royal Scam 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 The Hangout [Dauphin Island] www.royalscammobile.com orleans Old 27 Grill [Fairhope] www.thehangoutal.com 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) 907 S. Peters St. 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 Pelican Reef Restaurant Royal Street Tavern 504-522-WOLF (9653) Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] Live Bait 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 Louisiana Superdome www.papaspizza.com www.livebaitrestaurant.com | 973-2670 Saenger Theatre 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. www.superdome.com 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 Tacky Jacks [Spanish Fort] www.mobilesaenger.com 974-1612 Plow [Fairhope] www.tackyjacks.com 1500 Poydras St. |504-587-366 6 S. Joachim St. |208-5600 Lulu’s at Homeport Marina 96 Plantation Pointe| 410-7569 1175 Battleship Pkwy. |621-8988 Tipitina’s Saddle Up Saloon www.lulubuffett.com Courtyard 311 Trader’s www.tipitinas.com www.saddleupmobile.com 200 E. 25th Ave. 311 Fairhope Ave. | 928-2032 4015 Battleship Pkwy626-5630 501 Napoleon Ave. 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 251-967-LULU 504-895-TIPS (8477)

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 33 FEATURE | MUSIC Troubadours’ Ben Davis Jr. is a punk gone country

Band: Ben Davis Jr. Date: Friday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m. Venue: Moe’s Original BBQ, 701 Spring Hill Ave., www.moesoriginalbbq.com Tickets: Free he life of a DIY touring artist is a hard yet rewarding one. Ohio’s Ben Davis, Jr. would be first to admit to it. Back home, Davis fronts the band The Dirt Poor Trou- badours, which he hopes to bring with him on the road Tnext year. Until then, he is out on the road performing solo with his twanged-out alternative country sound that mingles rock ’n’ roll soul with honky-tonk. He is also introducing the nation to his band’s self-titled album. Davis gave Lagniappe a little insight into his world while on the road.

SC: When did you pick up the guitar? BD: When I was 14 years old, I had been begging for one forever. My dad finally got me one for Christmas. I strummed around on his a little bit, and he never really learned how to play either. I have been working on it for about 10 years now, and it’s been pretty challenging too.

SC: When did you start writing your own songs? BD: I actually started in a pop punk band with my buddies in high school. We were called In the Red, and I did that from freshman year all the way until I was 19. We wrote all kinds of different songs. It was sometime in 2008 when I finally decided to write solo, more serious stuff. It wasn’t all about getting girls as much as it was me saying what I was trying to say. Photo/Ben Davis Jr./Facebook

SC: You’re not the first musician that I’ve come across that’s Ben Davis Jr. is brushing off the Dirt Poor Troubadours for a solo show at Moe’s Aug. 22. made the shift from punk to alt. country. What was it about alt. country that appealed to you more than punk? focused fulltime on music. Before I quit, I was playing five nights out of 10 songs comes. The rest of them, I either have to write BD: Honestly, it’s more open and truthful and honest. I can and 40 hours a week. It was killing me, but I loved it so much that them all and fool with the guitar. Sometimes, I have to come back feel it a lot more. Don’t get me wrong. There’s a lot of honesty I couldn’t stop. Now, I’m just playing music, and it’s wonderful. to it a few months later with the lyrics and finish it. in punk, but it just feels better to me. There’s a lot of good music out there in alt. country like Drive-By Truckers and a band called SC: All songwriters have their method, and it’s something SC: What was it like bringing your twang sound to the Ohio Waylon Speed that was a big influence on me. My biggest influ- that’s always interested me. Where do your songs come from? scene? ence was David Childers out of Charlotte, S.C. BD: My method always starts first with the lyrics. Sometimes, BD: Well, Ohio has got a lot of punk and a lot of hard rock I have to have a guitar to write them. Most of the time, the lyrics bands. It’s very prominent there. We don’t have a lot of alt. coun- SC: What made you want to commit to music as a career? will come to me, and I’ll jot them down real quick. I’ll already try or anything like it. There was this guy Chris Keesey, he and I BD: My biggest hero is Todd Snider. He’s a great songwriter. have the idea, the melody and what chord progression that I’ll use were trying to develop a twang scene. He plays more old school I’ve seen him three or four times, and that last time, I was leaving in my head. “The Day Before Payday,” which is the title track to country stuff. We’re working really hard to make our footprint in and wanted to hang around. I wanted to get on the road and stay my record, is a perfect example of that. I was writing when I was the scene. There have been a lot of people in pop punk who have on the road. I was so wrapped up in the storytelling and how hon- driving home from work. My fuel gauge was on E, and I was just gone on to do great things. I just want to be a pioneer and work est and emotional those songs are. I wanted to be able to create thinking, “I don’t get paid till tomorrow. I’m broke.” Then, I real- hard to bring the twang scene to the front. that kind of music. I remember I was in line for a promotion at ized that I don’t have any food at home. All I got is PBR. Then, I a furniture rental company. I had gotten an award, which was a thought, “I probably drank all the PBR too,” but there was a little SC: Once you’re through with the tour, what are your plans? leather jacket, for being the best salesperson in the company that bit left in the bottle. I thought that I would get home and drink BD: We’re actually working on the next record. We’ll hope- year. It just didn’t matter to me. I had worked really hard and that, and it will get me through until tomorrow. Wednesday was fully release it in May of next year. I’ll do another solo tour in thought that it was as good as life could be. The page turned, and a payday. I wrote the whole song on my phone on the way home. March and have a release party. Then, I’m going to bring the band new chapter started, and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to be I got home and immediately picked up the guitar, and I already on the road, and we’re going to head out there, do our best and a musician. It still took two years before I finally quit my job and had the chord progression. It was just perfect. That’s how one spread the word.

he Blues & Grooves Festival is the inspiration for his song “What’s Left of celebrating its third year of promot- What Used to Be,” which is found on his album ing Down Syndrome awareness in the “Color the Silence.” While at Consenses Fest, Azalea City. Last year, the festival Erdman will give several performances and Tmoved to the Malaga Inn and brought together a participate in workshops. mob of music lovers, musicians and local business owners. The 3rd Annual Blues & Grooves I like it dirty Festival has been set for Saturday, Sept. 13 NOLA’s Dirty Bourbon River Show has and promises to be bigger and better than ever not visited the Azalea City in quite some time. with a lineup that keeps growing. Currently, Since their last local performance, this group the festival will feature performances from Eric of brass-laden “rock-infused gypsy” musi- Erdman, Lisa Mills, Ryan Balthrop, Johnny No, cians have performed at the New Orleans Jazz Harrison McInnis Trio, DieDra the Blues Diva & Heritage Festival and toured extensively and After Schock & the Deep End. Stay tuned across the country. They will also be returning to Lagniappe for line-up additions and ticket to Voodoo Fest on Halloween and making an info. appearance at Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Festival. This ragtag group of young, Erdman records new album eclectic musicians are busy working on their Speaking of Eric Erdman, the singer-song- ninth studio album in four years. writer has completed recording his upcoming album at the Nutthouse in Muscle Shoals. Meet ‘em and greet ‘em at However, he will not be coming home just yet. BayFest Erdman traveled from Muscle Shoals to Mar- BayFest is giving the public a chance to meet tha’s Vineyard to play at the Consenses Festival. one of the many impressive acts at the 20th Sally Taylor (daughter of Carly Simon and anniversary installment of Alabama’s Largest James Taylor) has held this festival for the Music Festival. Anyone interested is encour- past three years. It brings together 130 artists aged to purchase an advanced weekend pass on of varying mediums from around the globe. selected days to be automatically entered in the Together, both music and visual artists share contest. Would-be meet and greeters should add interpretations of each other’s art. Erdman got the festival on Facebook and Twitter as well involved with the festival after meeting Sally as sign-up for text alerts to get more info. Art- Photo/Blues and Grooves Fest/Facebook Taylor at the now defunct Southside Music ists will be announced at 8 a.m. on Mondays, Hall. Taylor sent Erdman a black and white Wednesdays and Fridays, and the promotion Ryan Balthrop is among the artists scheduled to benefit Down Syndrome at the 3rd photo of a weathered boat that later served as will last until the next artist is announced. annual Blues & Grooves Festival Sept. 13 at the Malaga Inn.

36 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 37 Struthers conjures Patsy Cline, Alison Krauss BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected] Band: Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line Date: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St., www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Tickets: $10 at the door ast December, Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line brought the Oakleigh Garden District into their world. The Nashville quintet kept the crowd hot with an impressive live show that combined an energetic vibe with a nostalgic Americana sound to draw comparisons to Alison Krauss. Struthers accented the show with her trademark vintage Llook pulled from the glory days of the Grand Ol’ Opry. Callaghan’s regulars experienced high times, and Struthers left with a batch of new fans. Struthers and her band of homespun minstrels have had an extremely busy year. The group began the summer with a spot at Merlefest. Then, Struthers welcomed two new members into the fold. Maryland native and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Vana brought his guitar ad harmonica into the mix while Struthers also recruited Brian Duncan on upright bass. Since, the group has released “Country EP No. 1.” Judging from the track “Used to the Noise,” Struthers has broken away from the classic bluegrass sounds found on her previous release, “Carnival.” From vocals to production, “Used to the Noise” is filled with classic country overtones. While Struthers used Krauss as her muse for “Carnival,” she connected with the spirit of Patsy Cline for her most recent release. Photo/courtesy of Facebook / Nora Jane Struthers

Three acts at Lap’s first Sunday Funday An Appalachian marriage

Band: Lap’s Locals Sunday Funday Date: Sunday, Aug. 24, 4 p.m. of beer and music Venue: Lap’s Grocery & Grill, 1595 Battleship Parkway, www.lapson- thecauseway.com Band: Underhill Family Orchestra: Stories of Appala- Tickets: $12 at Lap’s and through Eventbrite chia Porter Launch Party Date: Friday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m. couple of months ago, Lap’s held their first “locals only” music festival. The collection of talent Venue: Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Ave., included a host of local favorites on a stage surrounded the brown waters of upper Mobile Bay. www.fairhopebrewing.com Undoubtedly, everyone who attended had a great time, because Lap’s is bringing another lineup Tickets: Free of local musicians together for their first “Sunday Funday” event. ASugarcane Jane will start the afternoon/evening of local sounds. This musical, married twosome com- eer and music have prised of Anthony and Savana Crawford has been performing regularly with Willie Sugarcapps, but Sug- always been good arcane Jane still has a priority in the Crawford’s world. The crowd can expect minimal instruments fueling companions. Fairhope powerful songs that pull from a variety of genres. Brewing Company Underhill Family Orchestra should be fully recuperated from their party at Fairhope Brewing Company. combines the best of both worlds The Mulligan Brothers will complete the Sunday Funday lineup. The Nappie Award winners have been B with their “Brewsician Col- spreading their organic sounds across the Southeast, pleasing the fans and critics alike along the way. laboration” series of beer, which captures the essence of local musical acts and infuses it into a small-batch beer. Grayson Capps was given the honor of the inaugural batch of Brewsi- cian beer with Lil’ Poison Brown Ale. Now, the eclectic Underhill Family Orchestra has inspired the brewers at Fairhope Brewing Company to create Stories of Appalachia Porter. According to the “Behind the Brewsic,” the members of Un- derhill are big fans of craft beer, which made this pairing perfect. The band’s namesake beer is Photo/theunderhillfamilyorchestra| The Underhill classified as a smoked porter. Family Orchestra Beer fans should expect a “dark and roasty” taste with a “distinct Beechwood smoke flavor.” As the crowd imbibes this brand new brew, Underhill Family Orchestra will regale the crowd with their original sounds that were one of the highlights of the 2014 Hangout Fest. The event comes with one caveat, however. Fairhope Brew- ing is only making 10 gallons of Stories of Appalachia Porter, so Underhill fans Photo/sugarcanejane.com| Sugarcane Jane should drink it while they can.

hile the plot of the highly female-centric “Adore” is plenty shocking – two lifelong female friends become lovers with one another’s teenaged sons – it’s not even the Wmost shocking element of this unusual and fascinating tale. It is the faces of the film’s stars, Robin Wright and Naomi Watts. Their beautiful faces are also older looking. Women in their 40s are shown on screen AREA looking like women in their 40s. While their actions THEATERS are extremely surprising, their appearances are downright revolutionary. But more on those actions first … “Adore” tells the story of two lifelong best friends, shown growing up Mobile on an idyllic, utterly fabulous, and most importantly, solitary beach in Australia. They each have a son the County same age, and one of them (Wright) is married while Watts’ husband dies in a car accident. As adults, they CarMike live in magnificent neighboring beachfront houses and CineMa’s spend every day together, wearing tasteful but sexy Wynnsong 16 bathing suits and sarongs, eating on sunny balconies and drinking white wine. They also both have great 785 schillinger rd. s. jobs. It’s total lifestyle porn. (251) 639-7373 Of course, two such attractive women could not help but produce extremely hunky sons, who are also CresCent best friends. Their lives are perfect and they require Photo/imdb.com | “Adore” theater nothing but the four of them to be perfectly happy. The surviving husband keenly feels his extraneousness and the sons of two best friends become their lovers in “adore,” on DvD and streaming now. 208 Dauphin street attempts to move his family to Sydney, where he has got- (251) 438-2005 that’s where things are headed. One also wonders if the cales. We see their story through the various problems ten a better job. In his absence, during what is supposed sons are about to become lovers. In a way, they all are in you might imagine such an arrangement could create. to be a temporary break until his family joins him, things hollyWooD love with each other, and the situation that shakes out is The film is based on a Doris Lessing novella entitled get frisky on the beach. staDiuM 18 just the configuration that they pick. It’s a closed loop of “Two Grandmothers,” so that should give you an idea What makes this interesting and not merely scandal- intimacy. And yes, it’s pretty freaky. of how far we witness their complicated story. “We’ve 1250 satchel Paige Dr. ous in the all-around closeness of all four of the people So how far can these cougars in paradise take things? crossed a line” one mom says to the other in a vast (251) 473-9655 involved: the mothers’ relationship is often questioned as That’s another thing that makes the film interesting, understatement early on. As crazy as it may seem, it’s a being lesbian, and more than once the viewer wonders if beyond the appeal of tanned people surfing in lovely lo- pretty compelling journey to watch. balDWin County neW in theaters noW PlayinG MaGiC in the MoonliGht into the storM rave Motion Coffee Shop eastern shore Premiere Cinema 14, regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike PiCture The Eastern Shore Chamber of Com- Carmike Wharf 15 Jubilee square 12, Carmike Wyn- Jubilee merce is hosting the premiere of the What iF nsong 16, eastern shore Premier movie “Coffee Shop,” which was filmed eastern shore Premiere Cinema 14, Cinema 14, Carmike Wharf 15 square 12 in Fairhope. It is a love story about a Cobb Pinnacle 14 steP uP all in 6898 u.s. 90 young woman who is desperately trying boyhooD regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike Daphne, al to hold on to her quaint, small town Carmike Jubilee square 12, Carmike Wynnsong 16,Carmike Jubilee (251) 626- 6266 coffee shop. Friday Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Wharf 15 square 12, eastern shore Premiere at Centennial Hall, Fairhope campus of let’s be CoPs Cinema 14, Carmike Wharf 15 Faulkner State Community College. regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike GuarDians oF the Galaxy CarMike If I Stay Jubilee square 12, eastern shore all listed multiplex theaters. CineMas A car accident lands 17-year-old Mia in Premier Cinema 14 luCy 23151 Wharf ln. regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike a coma and claims the lives of her fam- the exPenDables 3 Wynnsong 16, eastern shore Pre- orange beach, al ily. Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike Photos/imdb.com regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike Jubilee square 12, eastern shore miere Cinema 14, Carmike Wharf 15 (251) 981-4444 Jubilee Square 12, Eastern Shore Pre- GroWInG CItIeS Premiere Cinema 14, Cobb Pinnacle herCules miere Cinema 14, Cobb Pinnacle 14, 14, Carmike Wharf 15 regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike From rooftop farmers to backyard bee- Cobb Carmike Wharf 15 Wynnsong 16 keepers, Americans are growing food the Giver theatres SIn CIty: a Dame to KIll for Carmike Jubilee square 12, Carmike the PurGe: anarChy like never before. A new documentary Another super-stylized, Frank Miller Wharf 15 regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike PinnaCle 14 film, “Growing Cities” tells the inspiring comic book noir bloodbath, in which the a Most WanteD Man Wynnsong 16 3780 Gulf shores Pkwy stories of these intrepid urban farmers, town’s most hard-boiled citizens cross Carmike Jubilee square 12, Carmike Planes: Fire & resCue Gulf shores, al paths with its darkest elements. Carmike innovators, and everyday city-dwellers Wharf 15 regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike (251) 968-7444 Jubilee Square 12, Cobb Pinnacle 14, who are challenging the way this country Get on uP Wynnsong 16, eastern shore Pre- Carmike Wharf 15 feeds itself. Presented by Victory Teach- regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike miere Cinema 14, Carmike Wharf 15 ing Farm, the first urban teaching farm Wynnsong 16, DaWn oF the Planet oF the aPes eastern When the Game StanDS tall in South Alabama. Saturday, Aug. 23rd at Family friendly tale of a legendary high the hunDreD-Foot Journey regal Mobile stadium 18, Carmike shore 4:15 p.m. at the Crescent Theater. Wynnsong 16, Carmike Wharf 15 school football coach who took his Crescent theater, Carmike Wynnsong PreMiere team on a 151-game winning streak that 16, Carmike Jubilee square 12, taMMy eastern shore Premiere Cinema 14, CineMa 14 shattered all records for any American Dr. Who SeaSon premIere: Deep regal Mobile stadium 18 Carmike Wharf 15 30500 alabama sport. Regal Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike 22 JuMP street Breathe 181 #500 Jubilee Square 12, Eastern Shore Premier teenaGe Mutant ninJa turtles regal Mobile stadium 18 One night only - Monday, Aug. 25 at the all listed multiplex theaters. spanish Fort, al Cinema 14, Cobb Pinnacle 14, Carmike Regal Mobile Stadium 18 Wharf 15 Information accurate at press time; please call theaters for showtimes. (251) 626-0352

here are several good opportunities for homeowners all go “digital first” in markets across the country. over the Mobile area to finally get that old project done People in Pensacola will soon get to see if Gannett’s version right at the right price. of digital first is any better than Newhouse’s, as the company has “Today’s Homeowner,” the nationally syndicated televi- announced plans to greatly reduce the amount of editors — calling Tsion show featuring Danny Lipford is ready to start taping for its them content coaches or content strategists now — and pushing 17th season. That means 26 new episodes will be shot and Lipford duties to regional hubs. and his team are hoping to do most of this in the Mobile area. The Pensacola News-Journal and five other papers “piloting” “We are looking for people who are excited about being a Gannett’s new direction apparently won’t see any reductions in homeowner. If you are energetic, upbeat and are ‘chomping at the print days, unlike Newhouse’s papers in Alabama and elsewhere, bit’ to be on national television, then we want to hear from you. but some of the rhetoric coming from the company would sound Our audiences love seeing episodes dealing with simple home strangely familiar to anyone who has lived in a Newhouse market. repairs and common do-it-yourself projects that are well within the Much like what was said when the Press-Register, Birmingham reach of most homeowners, but they just need a little help along News, Huntsville Times and Times-Picayune went to three days the way,” said Tiffany Burtnett, Danny Lipford Media’s Director a week, readers in Nashville are being told The Tennessean will of marketing and public relations. “That’s where we fit in! Get somehow do much more editorially with about 15 percent fewer your hands dirty along with Danny and the gang as we help you positions, delivering a “stronger, more interesting” newspaper. with the Honey-Do lists around your house.” The paper will actually increase reporters, but dump a number of In the show Lipford guides homeowners through home- editors. improvement projects, adding a professional’s know-how to a While it’s impossible to tell whether Gannett will see the type Photo courtesy o todayshomeowner.com do-it-yourself project. While that might be incentive enough, the of circulation and readership falloff Newhouse experienced — and other benefit is in cost. the decision to stay daily may drastically help that — it will be “In most cases, the show handles the costs associated with the interesting to see what occurs with our neighbor to the east as its “Today’s Homeowner,” hosted by Danny Lipford project, but will need the homeowners to participate in the major- newspaper casts its lot on a digital future. is looking for locals to be on the new season. ity of the work,” Burtnett said. Those interested in being on the show are encouraged to make Bengal radio “Yes we will be carrying LSU football as well as the Les Miles a “Danny Help Me Wish List.” There is a link on todayshome- Although the station won’t be carrying South Alabama football show on Wednesday night at 7,” Camp said, speaking of the show owner.com/locations where you can send your list and contact in- for the first time since the program’s inception, WNSP will be by the team’s head coach. formation. The site lists a few projects they would like to highlight airing the games of one of SEC football’s biggest names — the Camp said the reasons for wanting to run LSU football were as well. Louisiana State University Tigers. pretty obvious. The station lost out on a new contract with USA in July, but “Next to Alabama and Auburn they have the largest fan base, Great Leap Forward WNSP Director of Operations and Programming Tim Camp said there’s a good alumni organization here, plus many business own- The folks at Gannett may not have paid much attention to how they were able to move swiftly to secure this year’s local contract ers who are LSU grads,” he said. Newhouse-owned newspapers have fared since their decision to for one of the biggest programs in college football. The contract is year-to-year, Camp said.

42 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 43 CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS

1. Corner chesspiece 5. Bailiff’s concern 9. Bled, like dye 12. Face form 13. Fabled runner-up 14. Good ___ boy 15. Soaks in sauce 17. Bill’s partner in love 18. Acrobat catcher 19. Reserved 21. Cavalry weapon 24. Simon ___ 26. “___ ideas?” 27. Goes head-to-head 29. Waste, as time 33. Base bed 34. ___ Island National Monument 36. Vamp’s accessory 37. Cap site 39. Just in case 40. Advantages 41. Minimalist’s goal? 43. Havens 5. “Come again?” 32. Aberdeen miss 45. Mine passage 6. Teller 35. “Cheers” prop 48. Corn holder 7. Tick off 38. One with a pole posi- 49. Musician’s asset 8. Best left alone tion? 50. Moves in waves 9. “___ of Ages” 42. Practice piece 56. Glade shade 10. Cream additive 44. Addis ___ 57. It may get into a 11. Bright light on 45. Pursue jamb Broadway 46. Robust 58. Make a cake, e.g. 16. Chutzpah 47. General assembly? 59. Opener 20. It can’t hurt to do this 48. Pickle 60. Competitive plus 21. Type of race 51. Common consent 61. Culminating point 22. In a bit 52. Cat hater, stereotypi- 23. Memory unit cally DOWN 24. Tennis champ 53. Kind of dance Monica 54. Manage, with “out” 1. Computer acronym 25. Tag sale tag 55. Census datum 2. Female gametes 28. Misery causes ¬© Lovatts Puzzles 3. Sculler’s need 30. Nile bird 4. “Dave” star Kevin 31. Individual Answers on page 49

44 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 UPON FURTHER REVIEW | SPORTS SHC clubs joining new league; Olympic-style rugby tourney planned BY J. MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected]

he Spring Hill College athletic program continues to evolve Defending NAIA national champ Martin Methodist of Pulaski, Tenn., as it moves towards full NCAA Division II membership. The was selected first. Lady Jags having a ball The women’s volleyball team at the University of South Alabama is Badgers have now accepted an invitation to join the Gulf The Rams are coming off a 9-9 season, but won the SSAC regular coming off its best season in nearly 20 years. Hopes are high for head South Conference in men and women’s soccer along with season titles in 2011 and 2012. They open play Friday, Aug. 22, at coach Amy Hendrichovsky, who has all six starters back. Twomen’s golf. 7:30 p.m. against Columbia College of Missouri. “Honestly, if our team commits to it and sacrifices what it takes to SHC is in its second year of transition after having previously The UM women’s team is picked to finish fourth in the conference. compete for a championship, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be in the participated in the NAIA. The school had already aligned with the William Carey, the defending regular season and tourney champs, hunt,” she said. Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for its other varsity gained the most votes. Leading the veterans are sophomores Mechell Daniel and Jes- programs. The Lady Rams have finished as conference runner-up in three of sica Lewis. Daniel was the Sun Belt Conference’s freshman of the “This is a great affiliation for our soccer and women’s golf the four seasons as a member. They also face Columbia on Friday at 6 year and a first-team all-conference member. Lewis was on the programs,” said SHC Athletics Director Jim Hall. “We are thrilled to p.m., before hosting Houston-Victoria on Saturday at 5 p.m. second-team. be joining such a well-recognized and highly competitive conference Learn about rugby Among the freshman class is Emma Anderson. Over the sum- in the GSC. It was important for us to secure a conference home for The Battleship Rugby Club and the Mobile Area Rugby Founda- mer, her Wave 18 Brent club won the silver medal in the 18 Open these programs, and ensure that they will each have access to post- tion are coming together Saturday, Aug. 30, to promote their sport. bracket of the 35th annual USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National season automatic qualification once we are a full NCAA Division II The event will take place at Battleship Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Championship. member.” Brandon Buchel of the BRC said rugby is being re-introduced USA will have its annual Red/Blue Scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. The addition of Spring Hill gives the GSC 13 teams in women’s at the 2016 Summer Games. For this reason, a 7-per-side Olympic- 23, in Jag Gym. The team opens the regular season Aug. 29-30 in the soccer, 10 in men’s soccer and eight in women’s golf. The conference style rugby tournament will be played between local college and club Asics Classic at Pepperdine University. has previously been home to two national champions in women’s ten- teams. Rugby matches normally feature 15 players per side. nis and three in women’s golf. A free learning center will also be set up to discuss the benefits of Coming back home A familiar face will be on the field when the University of Among the members of the GSC are the University of West flag rugby, which is suitable for any age or athletic ability. The only Mobile’s softball team plays. Korie Fontenot has been named the Florida in Pensacola, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University equipment needed is athletic shoes or soccer cleats. For more informa- assistant coach. of North Alabama in Florence and University of West Alabama in tion, visit www.battleshiprugby.com. The Grand Bay native played four seasons for the Lady Rams, be- Livingston. The conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II, The BRC also hosts a rugby clinic for all ages and genders on the fore graduating in 2013 with a degree in elementary education. Twice having formed in 1970. third Saturday of each month at Battleship Park. The team will host its selected a NAIA Scholar-Athlete, she is working toward her master’s 36th annual tournament in November. Futbol followings degree in education while coaching. The SHC men’s soccer team will go into their new league with The Battleship Rugby Club can trace its history back to 1969, She has gained some coaching experience the last two seasons, a new coach. Tim Brooks has resigned after four years to accept the when some of its original members played at Spring Hill College. with the Mobile Thrillers Elite U16 and the South Alabama Elite U16. head coaching position at his alma mater at the University of the After graduation, a new group was formed that eventually became the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. BRC. The club won national titles in 1992 and 2001. Fifth Annual Children’s Cup Regatta Brooks led the Badgers to the first winning seasons in their 20- The Mobile Area Rugby Foundation was founded in 2010. It is a The races start at 12:30 p.m, at the Fairhope Yacht Club Aug. 23 and out-of-town and local sailors are welcome. Entry fee per year history in 2011 and 2012. Assistant coach Matt Tanner, who nonprofit focused on introducing non-contact rugby to children, both boat is $50 and $25 in the youth class entries are just $25. played his college ball at West Florida, will serve as interim head male and female, and to integrate youth rugby (contact and non-con- The Regatta is a fundraiser for Children’s of Alabama health coach this season. tact) into the local sports community. system. Meanwhile, the University of Mobile’s men have been picked sixth in the Southern States Athletic Conference preseason poll.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 45 C O E DAuphin STReeT BeeR FeSTivAl August 24 Where: lower Dauphin Street Open Studio When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 6-9 p.m. Come enjoy complimentary mimosas as artists work at the Cathedral Square Gallery, 612 Dauphin St. There will also be works Think locally and drink globally at the 17th by more than 60 area artists on display. For annual Dauphin Street Beer Festival. Sample more information call 251-694-0278. ugust 27, 2014 more than 100 craft beers at 29 different Steel Magnolias downtown restaurants and taverns includ- In the world of Truvy’s local-homegrown ing some of your favorite brews from the beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets, fears and state of Alabama alongside imports such as love for one another while engaging the Wells Banana Bread from the u.K., leibinger audience in hysterical and neighborly gossip. Zeppelin from Germany and Duvel from Bel- Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette St., gium. 6-9 p.m. in the lower Dauphin Street Mobile. Showtimes are Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (loDa) district. Tickets are $25 each and through Aug. 31. For more information, visit available at participating downtown ven- mobiletheatreguild.org dors. For more information find the festival August 25 on Facebook or call 251-208-1550. line Dancing ugust 21, 2014 - a Photo/Facebook The Springhill Avenue Community Center hosts line dancing every week throughout the summer. Mondays 4:30-7 p.m., Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. and Tuesdays August 21 information find the festival on Facebook or call 251- and Fridays from 10 a.m. until noon. Classes Thursdays at the Museum 208-1550. are free and open to all ages. 1151 Springhill

nts | a Every Thursday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. the Mobile Ave. Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Drive, offers free Salt Water Slam Fishing Tournament

admission to all visitors. Join MMOA each week to Join Mobile County Wildlife and Conservation August 26 experience the museum in new and exciting ways Association for a Saltwater “Slam” Fishing Tournament TOpS throughout the year. No reservations necessary. at Lap’s on the Causeway, 1595 Battleship Parkway. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a nonprofit, Tickets are $30 and include a one year MCWCA weekly weight loss support group. Learn August 22 membership. The tournament starts at and the weigh in how to lose weight successfully with no Steel Magnolias will begin at 2 p.m. immediate obligation to join. Tuesday In the world of Truvy’s local-homegrown beauty salon, mornings, 9:30 a.m. Christ United Methodist six very different women come together to share 5th Annual Children’s Cup Regatta Church, The Christ Center, Room C-201, their secrets, fears and love for one another while The races start at 12:30 p.m, at the Fairhope Yacht

ndar OF E v E 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile. For more engaging the audience in hysterical and neighborly Club and out-of-town and local sailors are welcome. information call 251-753-0755 or 251-447- gossip. Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette St., Spectators can enjoy the races free of charge. Entry fee 2179 or visit www.tops.org. Mobile. Showtimes are Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., per boat is $50 and $25 in the youth class entries are

Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Aug. 31. For more just $25. In addition to the races, there are activities for

Cal E August 27 information, visit mobiletheatreguild.org children and adults beginning at 4 p.m. and live music Tour Space 301 at the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. The Regatta is a Tours of the Main Gallery and Fabrication August 23 fundraiser for Children’s of Alabama health system. Hall are every Wednesday and Saturday, 17th Annual Dauphin Street Beer Festival 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Centre for Think locally and drink globally at the 17th annual Steel Magnolias the Living Arts/Space 301, 301 Conti Dauphin Street Beer Festival. Sample more than 100 In the world of Truvy’s local-homegrown beauty salon, St. Tours included with the price of craft beers at 29 different downtown restaurants and six very different women come together to share admission. Call 215-208-5671 or visit taverns including some of your favorite brews from their secrets, fears and love for one another while www.centreforthelivingarts.com for more the state of Alabama alongside imports such as Wells engaging the audience in hysterical and neighborly information. Banana Bread from the U.K., Leibinger Zeppelin from gossip. Mobile Theatre Guild, 14 North Lafayette St., Germany and Duvel from Belgium. 6-9 p.m. in the Lower Mobile. Showtimes are Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Dauphin Street (LoDa) district. Tickets are $25 each and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Aug. 31. For more available at participating downtown vendors. For more information, visit mobiletheatreguild.org

Send your eventS to [email protected]

46 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 47 THE LOADED QUESTION What’s your nickname and hoW did you get it? asked doWntoWn

“sasquatch, because i like the outdoors.”

-dave r.

“curls, not because i have curly hair but because i once killed a man with curly hair.”

-andy

“champange, because i am the champagne angel at café 615.”

- avril

48 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 PORT CITY PREMONITIONS | STYLE Gemini is a gas in Ferguson

BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY | [email protected]

Libra (7/23 – 8/23) - A surprise Ice Bucket Aquarius (1/20 – 2/18) - The recent addition Challenge will leave you feeling electrified. A of words like “amazeballs” and “sideboob” to “friend” with seemingly good intentions will the Oxford English Dictionary will have you shock you both physically and mentally when ready to give up communicating all together. they dump a bucket of freezing ice water over You will pledge to coworkers that all of your your head. However, they’ll fail to notice your future correspondence will be made with binary laptop, headphones and other electronic equip- code. They won’t believe you until your emails ment. You’ll experience a jolt of electricity surge arrive with the subject “110 00100110 000111” through your body like never before. You’ll and the body, “01010101 01010101 00001 feel like Electro from Spiderman and become a 10001 10001010101 10101 10101 10101010 spokesperson for the Anti-Ice Bucket Challenge 1010101011101 10101.” Movement. Pisces (2/19 – 3/20) - While heading to work Virgo (8/24 – 9/22) - You’ll be pretty excited one morning in the future, you will be struck by to learn the Dauphin Street Beer Festival will the number of wigs you see on an almost daily only be serving craft beer on Saturday. The beer basis lying on St. Stephen’s Road. Your mind snob inside of you is just tickled pink. After will wonder to all those poor, balding women spending an absurd amount of time studying the who must have succumbed to the Gulf Coast’s beer list and picking out the most pretentious windy days. You will then immediately begin to outfit to wear downtown, you’ll be ready to out- fantasize about opening a wig reclamation and shine your less-cool friends who only drink PBR refurbishing company. It might make HUN- on the regular. In a surprise turn of events, you’ll DREDS of dollars! You will then risk your life to lose your festival ticket and ultimately be forced pick up the musky piece of gas-soaked, synthetic to live out your worst nightmare by drinking Bud hair. You must follow your dreams. Light Platinum at a bar packed with girls in Nike shorts and guys in polo shirts. Aries (3/21 – 4/19) - You will enter the season more confident than ever that your fantasy Libra (9/23 – 10/22) - Your beloved coffee football team will dominate, after witnessing a will become a foe instead of a friend this week friend take the Miami Dolphins defense with his when your morning caffeine fix goes terribly second-round pick in the draft next weekend. wrong. During your morning commute, an unex- You will forever question his ability to do the pected bump in the road will cause your coffee easiest tasks, like tying his shoes, after witness- to splash all over your face, significantly injuring ing the dumb move. He will later take a kicker your lip. But instead of a burn, it looks more like in the third round, cementing your easy victory one of those unfavorable, looked-down-upon before the season starts. You will still lose. diseases. The blister will heal without complica- Kickers suck. tions, but you’ll spend the next week trying to CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS explain the suspicious-looking bump on your lip. Taurus (4/20 – 5/20) - The racial tension in Ferguson, Mo. seems to have the whole country Scorpio (10/23 – 11/21) - Your 2014 Dauphin walking on eggshells. Feeling conciliatory and in Street Beer Festival experience comes to an end the mood to make a viral video, you dress up as after one of Mobile›s finest spots you steal- a sideshow clown and go join the protests, with ing someone›s pretzel necklace near the First the singular goal of getting as much camera time Precinct. The selfish act lands you in the back of as possible. You’re rainbow wig and red, honk- a cruiser, but luckily you’re able to sneak your ing foam nose take the Internet by storm, but commemorative mug and its contents into your just as the thought of professional clowning as a jeans before the apprehension. The good news is career begins to take hold, you take it a step too you’ll get to keep a souvenir to accompany the far and tear gas yourself. story, the bad news is you›ll forever be know by the staff at Metro Jail as “the peed-pants bandit.” Gemini (5/21 – 6/21) - Your quiet deli breakfast is ruined by a white-haired politician who Sagittarius (11/21 – 12/22) - Fate will tragi- wants to shake hands and talk about Obamacare cally remind you not to go drinking with your and the upcoming midterm elections. You try to coworkers this week. After a few rounds down- dismiss him by saying you “aint worried ‘bout town, you’ll start complaining about your boss, it,” but he is insistent. Somewhere in a diatribe FROM PAGE 44 which transitions naturally into discussing how about rising premiums and socialism your grits little you actually work. A few strange looks will turn cold and things get personal. You interrupt force you to change the subject and get another him like Kanye, grabbing the glass of orange F drink. The rest of the conversation not even psy- juice out of his hand like a microphone and U chics can predict because even in the future, it’s proclaiming, “Omelette you finish, but the New T slurred and illegible. You’ll end the night crying Deal was the greatest social welfare program of in the back of a cab while texting everyone to all time.” U make sure they “still think you’re cool.” R Cancer (6/21 – 7/22) - Cuts in the mayor’s Capricorn (12/22 – 1/19) - By Thursday, proposed budget have you examining your own E your third-degree sunburns from the Flora-Bama extravagant spending as of late. You recently Jama should have started to heal. Showers are wussed out of the Ice Bucket Challenge and S still unpleasant, but you’ll finally be able to wear watched another $100 go down the tubes (or to shirts, the lack of which is a problem for a CPA, charity, if you prefer). But that is one of your H despite Kenny’s suggestive lyrics. When you do more reasonable expenses compared to the mon- O return to reality, the truth of your situation will ey you spent on Crossfit and GoPro accessories. hit you harder than it did Renee Zellweger after But at least you can share a first-person perspec- C the honeymoon. Smiling, you’ll box up the items tive of your 90-pound dead lift. So there’s that. K on your desk and make a move to pursue your dream of being a Carnival Barker.

LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 49 MOBILE MAGNIFIED | STYLE Horse spotted at Kenny concert and ‘honey hauler’ on the market BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

enny mania has subsided and been replaced with extreme of them was wearing a giant horse head. Um, OK. No shirt, no This selfless seller is heat. Suddenly those Ice Bucket Challenges look pretty horseshoes, no problem? even hoping to help darn refreshing. Newsflash: it’s hot y’all. But I’m not go- Another spy noted a group of six concertgoers headed to the someone find love or ing to waste ink complaining about heat when there’s so bar on motorized ice chests. Yes, motorized ice chests. This cer- well, something else, as Kmuch hotter gossip to get to. tainly gives drinking and driving a whole new meaning. Our spy described in the ad. So dive on in … reported extreme jealously upon seeing this crew. Some of our fancy pants VIP spies with backstage passes said “1984 Kawasaki X2 The skinny on Kenny the backstage area was actually pretty empty, but some of the with a 18 horse outboard An estimated 40,000 folks came by land and by sea to the Flora-Bama owners and Orange Beach mayor Tony Kennon were Johnson. Sumbeech will Photo/Craigslist Flora-Bama to enjoy a free concert by country music star Kenny spotted back there. fly. Nicknamed the honey Chesney Aug. 16. My spies said he did not disappoint and his Another VIP spy said one woman and total stranger who hauler for a good reason. You can have this “honey hauler” fans were singing along to all of his hit songs. The spies did say noticed he and his wife’s credentials tried to buy his wife’s back- Float up to the beach for a mere $650. they weren’t sure if it was his magnetism, the extreme heat or the stage pass from him. When the VIP spy asked what his wife was on this bad boy and the booze, or perhaps a combination of the three, but there were lots supposed to do then, the woman suggested the wife could hang (expletive) will flock. Happens to me every year. Every summer of folks passing out on the sand. out with her husband on the beach. Um, yeah, so needless to say, it’s the same old thing, give me a ride they ask… “I’ll take my that transaction did not take place. People have no shame when it bikini top off they say, but it doesn’t end there.” With this 1984 comes to loving their Kenny, even if it involves spouse swapping. ‘saki powered by a 18 hp two stroke Johnson, you’ll feel like Some other Speaking of VIP sightings, we are told a group of 13-year-old breaking bad mixing the oil and gasoline. Plus that extra seat and observations: boys who camped out on the beach in front of the Flora-Bama power means you can load this baby up with all the biggest beach A group of men who had got the wake-up call of their young lives. Rumor has it they were whales... (Trust me, I know.) played in a golf tournament (and awakened by none other than Kenny Chesney himself who had a This wave slammer hauls!! If the girl doesn’t take her top off, obviously won) earlier in the day, video camera in hand and said he was going to put the footage he that’s ok cause the wind will blow it off for sure. 40-year-old showed up at the Flora-Bama with was capturing in his “Flora-Bama” song video. This one seems a virgin? Girlfriend or wife cut you off at home? No problem. This their trophy in hand. Security did little hard to believe, but I guess we’ll see when the video comes is the ship for you. Built in 1984, the engineers had (expletive) not take kindly to this, as they out. magnet clearly on the build sheet. This ain’t no fishin’ boat but thought the men had stolen it from Anyway, huge props to the organizers who put this stellar it’s been hauling (expletive) for years. This is a bachelors dream the bar’s own trophy case. event on in record time. Someone said it was only 45 days in the right here and you won’t find a better price for this mini-yacht - The gentlemen golfers had to making. That’s pretty incredible when you think about how huge one easy payment of $650…” pull out their phones and fire up a production it turned out to be. their Instagram accounts to show Photo/Boozie Spy I sure hope this is a joke, but if not, perhaps it’s available for the guards pics of their trophy A beer guzzling horse-man viewing at the Semmes Yacht Club. presentation. Later they were “Honey Hauler” for sale was spotted at the Kenny You know we love us some creepy and/or funny Craigslist Well kids, that’s all I got. Just remember whether rain or shine, seen walking around with said dramatic or scandalous or just some plain ol’ honey hauler lovin’ trophy and oddly enough, one Chesney concert at the posts. This “for sale” entry that popped up this week from a Flora-Bama last weekend. “gentleman” in Semmes covered all those bases. And then some. I will be there. Ciao!

50 | LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 LAGNIAPPE | August 21, 2014 - August 27, 2014 | 51