Bayou La Batre

2 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LAGNIAPPE WEEKLY June 11, 2015 – June 17, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor Something stinks in Fairhope as a [email protected] popular beach has run afoul of the Rob Holbert city’s tidy sensibilities. Co-publisher/Managing Editor 5 [email protected] COMMENTARY Steve Hall Marketing/Sales Director Although a jury failed to convict [email protected] License Commissioner Kim Hastie of all Gabriel Tynes serious charges against her, the trial Assistant Managing Editor 12 did a lot of good for the community. [email protected] Dale Liesch BUSINESS Reporter Local loan counselors have found [email protected] themselves at odds with the Federal Jason Johnson Trade Commission. Reporter 16 [email protected] Eric Mann Reporter CUISINE [email protected] At the height of

Kevin Lee CONTENTS watermelon season, Associate Editor/Arts Editor a guide to finding the [email protected] ripest fruit and a recipe Andy MacDonald Cuisine Editor for a refreshing dip or [email protected] garnish. Stephen Centanni Music Editor [email protected] J. Mark Bryant Sports Writer 18 [email protected] 18 Stephanie Poe Copy Editor COVER The opening of the Daniel Anderson Chief Photographer area’s first Costco and [email protected] other outlets at the new Laura Rasmussen McGowin Park is the latest Art Director development in a retail www.laurarasmussen.com renaissance in Mobile and Brooke Mathis Baldwin counties. With the Advertising Sales Executive increased competition, [email protected] Mobile’s original malls Beth Williams have been forced to Advertising Sales Executive innovate in order to [email protected] survive. 2424 Misty Groh Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] ARTS Kelly Woods Who is to blame when an artist Advertising Sales Executive doesn’t receive due recognition, [email protected] while the artists are alive to Melissa Schwarz 26 receive it? Editorial Assistant [email protected] MUSIC Mary Burts Distribution Manager Callaghan’s legacy [email protected] for exposing musical Contributors: talent before it Asia Frey • Brian Holbert Tommy Hicks • Ron Sivak becomes mainstream Jeff Poor • Jennifer McDonald will be inherited by On the Cover: New Retail By Dan Anderson Manci’s along with their new partnership. LAGNIAPPE (USPS 20) is published weekly, 52 issues a year, Volume 13, Issue 24, every 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, 30 250 St Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36601 30 and other locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are FILM located at 1102A Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box Sit back and enjoy a ride through 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: ashley- ‘70s SoCal in Paul Thomas Anderson’s [email protected] or [email protected] “Inherent Vice.” LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature Offset, 2610 Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 36 All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative Newsweek- MEDIA lies and Alternative Weeklies Network All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, The Fuse Project’s 2nd annual Dragon Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced without the expressed Boat Races left Lagniappe sore losers, permission of the publishers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free of charge from area businesses, and winners. racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per 40 issue. Removal of more than one copy from these points constitutes theft. Violators are subject to prosecution. SPORTS

Help support Lagniappe Weekly by Kayley Burdine, a local personal becoming a “Friend with Benefits.” trainer and former USA cheerleader, Scan this code for more info: 42 is gearing up for national mountain biking championships. STYLE Lagniappe’s team weren’t sore losers, but they were sore after 46 Dragon Boat Races June 6.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 PoliC e diSPatC h

Man arrested for attempted rape on Cone Street

BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

A Mobile man was property, possession of as Dominic Gerard Turner Sr. taken into custody last marijuana and fishing Due to circumstances of the investigation, McMillian was week for attempted without a saltwater charged with driving under the influence, manslaughter and rape, along with license. three counts of third-degree assault. several other lesser According to jail records, McMillan has two DUI charges on charges. Man’s third DUI his record already and a separate charge for leaving the scene of The incident began blamed for I-10 an accident. June 2, when police traffic fatality say a 55-year-old One of three Faith Academy vandals appre- female reported an At around 8:30 p.m. hended attempted sexual on Saturday, June 6, assault near the 2400 police responded to a Security camera footage from June 4 shows three younger block of Cone Street. three-vehicle crash that females breaking into Faith Academy on Tanner Williams road According to officers, left one person dead at around midnight, and authorities say once they were inside the victim stated leon Rhoden is accused of an and several injured. Willie McMillian arrested in they spray painted the walls. Leon Rhoden — with Initial reports show On Monday, police apprehended at least one of the suspects, whom she is familiar attempted rape on Cone the accident took place i-10 accident that led to 22-year-old Brittany Michelle Broadhead. She was charged with — attempted to rape Street. on I-10 East between death and injuries. third degree burglary, which is the only arrest on her record in her. Rangeline and Riviere Mobile County. As officers arrived Du Chien roads. The arrest was made after a still frame of the security foot- at the location, Rho- Authorities say a preliminary investigation revealed traffic age was released to the public through local media. den made an effort to flee the scene on foot, but was taken into was slowing for an unrelated accident when a Chevrolet Impala As of Tuesday, she was still being held at the Mobile County custody a block away. driven by 51-year-old Willie McMillian struck the rear of a Metro Jail, but authorities are still searching for her two ac- While under custody on location, Rhoden was able to briefly GMC Yukon carrying three passengers. The Yukon was pro- complices. escape, but was ultimately recaptured and transported to the pelled forward into a Nissan Sentra. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mobile Police Mobile Metro Jail where he remained as of press time. Several injuries were reported and four people were taken Department at 208-7211 or 208-7000. After the incident, Rhoden was charged with attempted to local hospitals. However, a male passenger in the Sentra was rape, escape, failure to obey a law enforcement officer, theft of pronounced dead on the scene. The victim was later identified

4 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | FAIRHOPE BB Beach feces video goes viral, city blames geese BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

he creator of a locally viral video showing what appears leaked, they’ve all been inspected. Our sewer treatment plant has to be human feces scattered in the wrack line of a popular had no spills.” Fairhope beach said he did not intend to cause controversy, Burrell said a sample of the fecal matter has been sent to a but rather create awareness of an apparent public health laboratory and the city hopes to have results in a few days. He tissue at a frequented Eastern Shore coastline. said if the waste originated from the city’s sewage treatment plant Elliott Gordon visited the public beach between the Orange about a mile away, there would have been paper, plastic and other Street pier and the American Legion early June 6, the night after a items present, too. jubilee. Hoping for signs of fish, what he found was much different. “It doesn’t have the physical characteristics of human waste,” Gordon’s video, shared on his personal Facebook page the he said. “There is no paper, no plastic, which would be there if same day, showed what appeared to be large amounts of fecal something had been dumped from a ship or some other waste matter on the shoreline for what he said was “a few hundred spill. It just doesn’t have that signature. yards.” Gordon initially believed it was human feces and posted “What we do know is there are a lot of geese in the area,” the video on Facebook to let the community know about a public he continued. “I was there today and they were swimming right health hazard. Within two days, it had been viewed nearly 40,000 offshore of the beach. We also know that we had a jubilee there times and shared by nearly 1,000 people. Thursday and Friday night. And one could assume maybe some “My biggest concern was that people fish there, and people geese had been down there feeding on the carcasses of marine life bring their kids to play down there, and there was what appeared and other organic material, which may have led to more poop on to be raw sewage on the beach,” Gordon said. the beach.” Gordon said he and a handful of other local business owners Burrell said the feces were removed by a crew from the Public routinely patrol the Fairhope beach for trash, but he was not going Works department. Photo/ Eric Mann/Lagniappe to handle fecal matter. On Monday afternoon a red notice from the Alabama De- “We care about the community,” he said. “I grew up on the bay partment of Environmental Management was posted beside the the alabama department of Public health issued an and I want others to be able to enjoy the same things I did.” Orange Street Pier, warning of potentially high bacteria levels. advisory about possible bacterial contamination at a The city of Fairhope posted a statement on its Facebook page The sign advised against swimming in the water until tests could popular beach in Fairhope this week. June 8 addressing the video and claiming the fecal matter came be completed. from Canada geese frequenting the beach. In 2012, the city euthanized about 40 geese from the public Lincoln, Nebraska, Canada geese are notorious for leaving large “We are aware of the situation and crews are on the beach beach to the north, citing similar water pollution issues. quantities of feces wherever they settle. The site says a single cleaning it up,” the statement read. “We are also getting reports of “In the future, we may have to decide how to deal with the Canada goose can defecate as often as every 20 minutes and up to dead fish washing ashore. We are fairly certain it is fecal matter geese issue if becomes a recurring problem again,” Burrell said. 1.5 pounds a day. from geese. We will be sending off a sample for testing.” “With a large goose population it is always a possibility. We’ll Information from the state of Washington’s Department of Fish Later in the evening, City Council President Jack Burrell of- have to cross that bridge when we get there.” and Wildlife advises against people feeding the geese food that fered more details. Burrell said the city believes the fecal matter is Late Monday evening, photos surfaced on social media show- is not part of their natural diet, as the defecation issue becomes animal in origin, and probably from the Canada geese population. ing similar fecal matter, bird feathers and tracks near the Village worse and the feedings can attract more geese to the area. Geese, “One thing we know for certain is that the city of Fairhope did Point Pier in Daphne. ducks, seagulls and other waterfowl are fed often by visitors to not have a sewage spill,” he said. “We’ve had no lift stations that According to the Canada Geese Management Website, based in Fairhope’s beaches.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 5 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE Zoning could halt new hotel BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

oning regulations in one of Mobile’s oldest neighborhoods might stymie attempts for a new hotel development. For a downtown Gavin Bender Sr., of Bender Realty, area of the city, six Zsaid his company has a contract with Im- age Hotels for a six-story, 140-room hotel at stories doesn’t seem that 166 South Royal St. — the former Rousso’s restaurant in Fort Conde Village — but only if extreme. if i were building the project can get two different variances next month from the Board of Zoning Adjustment. a hotel i’d want it to be six The original application, which went straight stories in order to let people to the board of adjustment, will be considered Monday, July 6 at 2 p.m. see the water. Bender said the applicants could not make the June meeting and the issue was held over. -larry Posner, owner At issue is both the use and height of the of Fort Conde inn planned building. Planner Richard Olsen said current zoning doesn’t allow for a building on the site of more than three stories, or for a ho- oper and owner of the Fort Conde Inn, said tel at all. The T5.1 zone within the Downtown he supports the new hotel project and doesn’t Development District allows for an inn, or bed mind the six-story height. and breakfast, of less than 20 rooms. “For a downtown area of the city, six The Fort Conde Inn, immediately behind stories doesn’t seem that extreme,” he said. the subject property, is a “boutique hotel” with “If I were building a hotel I’d want it to be six 13 rooms and two private cottages. stories in order to let people see the water.” “The main reason it was classified T5.1 Posner said he’s not too worried about the was to help maintain the scale of development building’s height fitting in with its surround- within Fort Conde Village,” Olsen said. ings because of where it is on South Royal The T5 zoning district, which is meant to Street. If it were proposed for a different area support mixed-use development of medium in the village, he said, he’d feel differently. density, is split up into two sub-districts, ac- “If it were right smack on St. Emmanuel cording to information on the city’s planning Street it wouldn’t fit, but it’s not,” he said. “I website. A hotel project of this size would be hope the building is tailored to the area.” allowed in a T5.2 sub-district, although the ap- Posner said he sent a letter of support for plicant would still need to seek a variance for the project to the Board of Zoning Adjust- the building height, even in a T5.2 sub-district. ment. Olsen said staff members recommended The building on the site was a restaurant the project for denial because there was no at one time and more recently had been under hardship, which is needed when requesting a consideration by John Serda for a brewery. variance. Under the current plan the building on the site Listed among staff concerns in the report now would be torn down, Bender said. given to the board were comments from the Although the Fort Conde Inn is around city’s traffic engineering department regarding the corner, Bender said the market is strong the dimensions of parking spaces. enough for a second hotel in the neighbor- “As currently arranged with the privacy hood. Additionally, he said Image Hotels has fence along the eastern property line, there is experience building with respect to historical little to no room for vehicles to overhang the personality in cities such as Charleston, South curb, which could reduce the aisle width and Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, and would negatively impact egress from this site,” the do a good job blending the building in among comments read. its neighbors. To alleviate parking concerns, the applicant “It’s going to be a nice, boutique-style — listed as Stephen Overcash — wrote in the hotel,” he said. “It’ll keep the integrity of the report that additional parking spaces would be historic district.” located across Royal Street. He said plans for the hotel were spurred by In the staff report, Overcash also wrote the a future Alabama Department of Transporta- hotel would create a strong edge along both tion project to remove ramps to Interstate 10, Royal and Theatre streets, while respecting which blocked much of the area’s visibility the form-based code in the area. Overcash also of the Mobile River. Bender argues that when wrote the project would include public spaces new zoning regulations were put into place, along both streets to include outdoor seating the ALDOT project was unknown. and dining areas. “It opens up this part of the city,” Bender Overcash states in the report that a variance said. “Fort Conde Village will become much should be granted for this project because it more visible and accessible.” would fill a vacant lot, but staff indicated a Local ALDOT spokeswoman Katie Ham- vacant building alone does not constitute a lett said the project to remove the ramps and hardship. “bring everything down to grade” is slated to Olsen also said the Downtown Develop- begin in 2017. However, there is currently no ment District’s Consolidated Review Commit- funding available for the project. tee, which is made up of representatives of the Hamlett said the project could be funded city’s planning department, historic develop- and completed along with a nearly $1-billion ment department, architectural engineering bridge project designed to divert Interstate department and three mayoral appointees, traffic away from the Wallace Tunnel. recommended the application for denial. Larry Posner, a Fort Conde Village devel-

6 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | ENVIRONMENT BB nRda transparency sought BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

hough most environmental organiza- through future criminal fines related to the tions have been enthusiastic about the RESTORE Act. latest round of early restoration projects “In all of these ecological restoration from the BP oil spill, several are still projects, there’s a shortage of material like tasking for more clarity and transparency into marsh grass,” Dungan said. “A big part of the how these multi-million-dollar projects are city’s oyster culture project is producing [that being selected. type of] oyster sand and aquacultural plants, Those questions were directed to repre- because all of those projects are going to have sentatives from several federal organizations be buying from somewhere.” June 3 during a public comment period at the Dungan said the restoration could turn into Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile. an extra revenue stream for the city as more Those federal trustees represent the U.S. “living shoreline” projects come down the Department of the Interior, National Oceanic pipeline for RESTORE Act funding. With al- and Atmospheric Administration, Environmen- most $93 million of shoreline and marsh proj- tal Protection Agency and U.S. Department of ects already approved, producing the necessary Agriculture, which were tasked with assigning materials could prove lucrative. up to $1 billion in early restoration projects Though Dungan didn’t speak during the using Natural Resource Damage Assessment public comment period of the meeting, he did (NRDA) funds. tell Lagniappe afterward he supports the Shell NRDA funds are intended to address the Belt Road Shoreline Project and a similar $2.3 immediate effects of any natural disaster but million project proposed in Point aux Pins, to are required to have a direct connection to the west of Bayou la Batre. the damage — an incident caused through Aside from more transparency, other speak- environmental impact or a measurable human ers told the trustees they’d like to see more in- loss of use. put from experts in environmental and biologi- Environmental groups have put emphasis on cal fields in addition to a doubled-down effort these NRDA projects because they have been to make sure any project selected is directly the first significant source of cash for restora- tied to something damaged by the oil spill. tion outside of BP’s criminal fines. They are Cameron Smith, a senior fellow at the R also highly scrutinized because they will ulti- Street Institute, said there’s a tendency with mately offset BP’s final civil penalties, which this type of funding for local governments to are expected to exceed $10 billion. pursue projects they’ve wanted but couldn’t Because the projects are ultimately part afford, as opposed to selecting projects that of a high-profile lawsuit, the negotiations actually address the damage BP caused. between BP and the trustees aren’t open, According to Smith, focusing on the actual though public input is sought throughout any damage caused and setting long-term sustain- NRDA-funded project. able goals for what each project hopes to When representatives for the NRDA trustees address could prevent wasteful spending of the stopped in Mobile last week on a tour of the NRDA damages. five Gulf Coast states affected by the spill, they “We need to look for accountability in the were commended for addressing Gulf-wide purpose of the projects versus the mere execu- restoration in the latest phase of projects and tion of the task contained in the project,” Smith for adding $11 million worth of ecological said. “In other words, we need to make sure projects in Alabama. [where we end up] is the metric for success Despite the praise, many local and national rather than simply asking, ‘Did the money we organizations expressed concerns about trans- gave you to do this project result in the project parency. being done?’” “I think with these [projects] there’s less in- Like others, Smith also said at least some formation put forward to the public compared funding needs to be set aside to maintain to some of the others,” Casi Callaway of Mo- the projects in the future after the “one-time bile Baykeeper said. “I think a lot of us would infusion” of cash has dried up. According to like a better understanding of exactly how Smith, not planning for those long-term costs those projects are going to go forward, but also and monitoring could “create an obligation we why they were selected over other projects.” can’t afford” down the road. In addition to the selection process, Calla- Despite the concerns with transparency and way said there were also very few details about long-term planning, the overwhelming sense at the materials that will be used in each of the the meeting was that even the most hard-nosed projects — many of which involve structures, environmental groups were pleased with the such as man-made Osprey habitats, being con- latest round of NRDA projects announced in structed in environmentally sensitive areas. late May, which wasn’t the case in all of the Still, Callaway said the projects slated for previous rounds. Alabama were in line with the state’s needs fol- Some of Alabama’s earliest NRDA funding lowing the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon was almost entirely directed toward the Gulf in April 2010. Of the state’s $11 million in pro- State Park Project in Gulf Shores. Groups posed projects, the largest allocation is a living like the Ocean Conservancy spoke out against shoreline project on Shell Belt and Coden Belt funding that initiative, and the Gulf Restora- roads near Bayou la Batre. That $8 million project would “promote tion Network ultimately filed a federal lawsuit colonization of marsh vegetation and create aimed at stopping the project. habitat for oysters, shrimp, crabs, fish and other “We’re very excited that these are ecosys- marine animals.” tem, marine and deepwater projects. This really According to Bayou la Batre Mayor Brett feels like restoring and I think we’re getting Dungan — who attended the meeting — it also back to the nexus of the injury,” Callaway said. plays into another project the Bayou la Batre “We’re all excited, we just want to see a little Port Authority is attempting to have funded bit more detail moving forward.”

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS | BALDWIN COUNTY Fallout from failed tax continues, cities discuss own schools BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

aldwin County Board of Education President Norm of schools in Fairhope. Mayor Tim Kant has said he wants “I think we need to be explicit. If [schools] need to spend Moore stepped down from his position as president at Fairhope’s schools to be in the “top 10” statewide. this money in a manner different than what we authorized, this the board’s special called meeting June 4. Vice President The first option is to continue funding Fairhope schools at an is the time to ask and justify and gain approval,” member Bob Shannon Cauley, Spanish Fort’s district 7 representative, annual expense of $350,000. The second option is to pursue a Riggs said. Bwas unanimously selected to replace Moore, and Angie Swiger Fairhope city school system, and a third option is what is being The EAC has secured $350,000 annually for Fairhope was voted to become the next vice president. called a “hybrid” option, where the EAC could contribute more schools since 2012. In the first year, the EAC divided the funds Moore had presided over the school board since November money through the use of a special overlay school district that equally among the schools in the city without parameters. In 2012. At an April 30 joint meeting of the Baldwin County Com- would allow it to provide additional funding. The hybrid option the second year, funds were allocated to science, technology, mission and the Baldwin County Board of Education, several would require a voter referendum to approve a three-mill tax engineering and mathematics (STEM) related projects. members of the public called for Moore’s resignation, citing his increase in the city. For the 2015 school year, the EAC divided its $350,000 role in the failed “Build Baldwin Now” push for higher prop- In 2010 the city spent $25,000 to commission a study on the among 15 projects at the elementary, intermediate, middle and erty taxes to fund school construction. viability of a Fairhope school system from consultant Ira Har- high schools in the city. Committee member Riggs was con- In a letter he submitted to the board, Moore cited personal vey. Councilwoman Diana Brewer said at the June 8 work ses- cerned that the funds may have been spread too thin. reasons for his decision to step down. Moore said he planned to sion if the city is interested in the EAC’s third option — a city “We have done this three years, and now we are looking at serve the rest of his term, which ends in 2016, as a representa- school system — it should use a different consultant and should a fourth year,” Riggs said. “I would challenge us to be able to tive on the board. not pay $25,000 again, saying it could be done for much less. show where we have moved the needle in any direction.” Moore’s resignation comes on the heels of the resignation Councilman Mike Ford asked Brewer why the city should Riggs also asked whether the committee believes funds spent of superintendent Robbie Owen, who exercised a clause in his consider raising taxes for schools when the county defeated the this year will spur momentum within the schools without ad- contract that allowed him to return to his previous job as princi- tax proposals in March. ditional money being allotted during the next five years. pal at Rockwell Elementary School in Spanish Fort. “The people of Fairhope do want better schools, so we are “Do we believe the injection of the money one time will Owen originally planned to leave his job as superintendent saying, how are you going to do that? You can’t just keep say- manifest itself and improve advanced placement and interna- at the end of June, but has said he would stay on to help the ing that and not be willing to do something different,” Brewer tional baccalaureate scores?” Riggs asked. board find his permanent replacement. Previously, the board said. Other efforts to create city school systems in Baldwin announced it would seek to have an interim superintendent in Ford said the purpose of the EAC was to create a city school County have failed since 2006, when the Daphne City Council place by July 1. system, which Brewer denied, saying the EAC supported the decided not to pursue its own system. In September, an effort On June 8, Cauley used the county’s School Messenger sys- tax referendum. to create an Orange Beach city school system by raising local tem to email a nine-question survey to parents asking for input The EAC will hold a special public meeting June 16 at 4:30 property taxes by 5 mills failed. on the search for the next superintendent. p.m. at the Fairhope Public Library to discuss how the funds it The effort to push for a Daphne city school system was Also at the June 4 meeting, Chief Financial Officer John distributed during the previous school year have been spent. revived in April when Councilman Robin LeJeune announced Wilson said the school system would have a deficit of ap- “We want to see, not only are there any changes to the plan his intentions to pursue a break from the county system. Coun- proximately $36 million if residents don’t approve two millage on how they are going to spend the money,” EAC member cilman John Lake disagreed, citing the results of the March renewals on the ballot for primary elections in March and the Cobby Witherington said. “But also, are they facing any chal- 31 referendum as evidence that residents did not want to pay penny sales tax is not renewed. lenges spending the money.” higher taxes. Results from voting precincts in Daphne showed a Meanwhile, members of Fairhope’s Education Advisory Schools were given until Dec. 31 to spend the $350,000 70-30 margin in favor of rejecting higher property taxes to fund Committee (EAC) have discussed three options for the future given by the EAC. construction in the county’s school system.

8 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE BB City park improvements rely on money pledged to county BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

proposal by Mayor Sandy Stimpson for Daves and John Williams were the lone dissent- $1.9 million in citywide park improve- ing votes. ments last week came with a catch for Stimpson said city parks are suffering from a the Mobile City Council. At a press con- $10 million backlog in repairs or enhancements. aference, Stimpson said the improvements to at Stimpson’s actions seemed to do little to dis- least one park in each of the city’s seven districts suade council support for the soccer complex. can only be realized if councilors rescind a $1.5 Councilwoman Bess Rich, who represents million pledge they made to the Mobile County District 6, said she still supports the county’s Commission last year to contribute toward a soccer complex, despite Stimpson’s proposals. proposed soccer complex. “I’m an advocate of having tournament soc- Stimpson’s proposal includes an estimated cer fields in one place,” she said. “The idea the $300,000 at Herndon Park in District 1 for new county is working on is a win-win …” restrooms and $475,000 at Maitre Park in Dis- Councilman Fred Richardson called Stimp- trict 3 for new lights. son’s proposal a political ploy and hinted that In District 2, Stimpson wants to spend with $3 million in capital money coming to each $145,000 for resurfacing the tennis courts and district due to the renewal of a sales tax increase, replacing stormwater gutters at Lyons Park. In he’d be able to build new bathrooms in Herndon District 4, the mayor wants to spread $75,000 Park anyway. across two parks. The money would be used for Council President Gina Gregory wrote in an new bleachers at Dog River Park, and new fenc- email message June 2 that the county is “weeks ing and dugouts at Theodore Park. away” from purchasing land for the soccer com- The mayor also proposed new restrooms and plex and the $1.5 million the council set aside a dog park for Public Safety Memorial Park in would be spent first. District 5 for $300,000 and in District 6, a per- Gregory added that she has plans to make manent tennis pro shop for $300,000. In District park improvements with the additional $3 mil- 7, Stimpson’s proposal includes shade structures lion in discretionary funds available to her office at both Hillsdale and Langan parks for $100,000. during the next fiscal year. Several of the park improvements are on District 2 Councilman Levon Manzie also Wednesday’s City Council agenda. Those items said his support for the soccer complex wouldn’t include contracts for design of the dog park, the change, and pledged to use next year’s discre- Herndon park restrooms and Maitre Park lights. tionary money for improvements to parks in his The council is also slated on Wednesday to vote district. on a resolution to participate in the acquisition of In an email message, Commission President the soccer complex property. Connie Hudson said she found Stimpson’s If the council approves the resolution to sup- actions disappointing. Last week, Hudson and port the soccer complex, the park improvements Commissioner Merceria Ludgood approved on the agenda won’t have immediate funding, a memorandum of understanding to send the Laura Byrne, a spokeswoman for Stimpson, said Mobile City Council requesting to hold its $1.5 Tuesday, adding Stimpson’s office would try to million pledge in escrow until the land purchase seek other options. for the soccer complex could be finalized. Com- At the press conference, Stimpson said the missioner Jerry Carl requested that his name be improvements were based on a months-long removed from the memo. process that included the recommendations of “I frankly don’t understand [Stimpson’s] Deputy Parks Director Matthew Capps, who reasoning, because the citizens of the Mobile visited between 40 to 60 parks and spoke to community have been begging for these soccer councilors about improvements they’d like to see tournament facilities for more than two decades,” at each. Hudson wrote. “Obviously, a majority of the “I understand there’s a lot of work needed in Commission and the City Council believe it’s each district,” Capps said Monday. “We’re just a priority project, not only to address the needs trying to improve our park system.” of our citizens, but to have a 10-field, state- Capps said he’s been working with the city’s of-the-art tournament facility that will have a architectural engineering department on a master very significant economic impact here on our list of parks improvements since he first took community. It’s my belief that the majority of the on the role of deputy parks director about four Mobile City Council will stand strong on their months ago. commitment and will support this amenity for “We have a running list of all parks,” he said. the benefit of their constituents.” Capps said he intends to develop a “menu” of Both Daves and Williams said they are still park improvements, with which a councilor, or opposed to city funding the county’s project. the mayor, could tell him how much discretion- Daves said with the recent addition of a new ary money is available and allow him to look at skate park, there’s a lot more activity in Public the list of prices to prioritize. Safety Memorial Park than in the past. He also Capps said one of the biggest issues facing said a dog park would be a good addition. the city’s parks is lighting, which allows parks to Williams said he opposes giving money for extend hours of play. the complex this year because it’s not one of the During budget negotiations last September, “immediate needs” for parks. He also said there councilors voted 5-2 to take $1.5 million of will be many years between now and when the the $3 million Stimpson had budgeted for park soccer complex is built. improvements and put it toward the county’s at Williams said if Stimpson introduces his least $20 million soccer complex project. Joel proposal to the council he’d support it.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 9 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE COUNTY Hastie, Yeager acquitted of all felony charges, will retain office BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

fter a two-week trial, Mobile County License Commis- steps. “We’re thankful for all the support we’ve been given …” sioner Kim Hastie and Deputy License Commissioner Hastie’s lawyer Neil Hanley spoke to reporters as Hastie left Ramona Yeager were found not guilty of all corruption with her family. and conspiracy charges listed in a federal indictment “In the 41 years I’ve been doing this, it’s still amazing how aunsealed last November. things just always seem to turn out right,” Hanley said. “From the Hastie was found guilty of a lesser charge added in a supersed- arraignment, I told you Kim Hastie hadn’t done anything illegal ing indictment in January that stemmed from misuse of taxpay- or improper.” ers’ email addresses. Throughout the case, Hanley often dismissed the charges as Though the jury didn’t find enough evidence to support the government overreach. After the verdict, he continued the narra- more serious felony allegations of extortion, conspiracy, wire and tive. mail fraud, it did bring a conviction against Hastie for sharing the “How much money do you think they spent on this trial? protected personal email addresses of more than 30,000 Mobil- Hundreds of thousands of dollars they spent investigating this ians with the campaign to elect Mayor Sandy Stimpson in 2013. case,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars and they were The email addresses were downloaded from a database of regis- trying to convict Kim for a $2,500 charge for trying to inform the tered motorists at the Mobile County License Commission. people by putting out a newsletter. It’s absurd.” The misdemeanor “infraction” carries no jail time and is Later, U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown, speaking alongside punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. But Hastie’s misuse of the prosecutors who failed to convict Hastie and Yeager of more seri- personal information is also the subject of a pending federal civil ous charges, offered his own thoughts on the verdict. lawsuit filed against the license commissioner in April. “Mrs. Hastie was not convicted of a felony offense, but she Photo/Jason Johnson Because the defendants were found innocent of all the felony was convicted of an infraction,” Brown said. “I think that’s still Kim hastie expressed relief in statements to the press charges, Hastie will retain her office as license commissioner and great evidence of corruption. Those emails should not have been after being acquitted of corruption charges last week. transition into revenue commissioner in October — a position used in that fashion. But, we certainly respect the decision of the she was elected to without opposition last year. U.S. Judge Kristi jury that’s been handed down in this case.” we have a chance to regroup … ” DuBose will sentence Hastie for the infraction on Sept. 4. Brown also pointed out that Hastie and her husband, John When asked about the setbacks in the cases, Brown referred to Beating the government’s primary accusations, Hastie exited Melvin Hastie Jr., still potentially face retrial in a tax evasion case Hastie as a “very popular politician,” but said he was still satis- the courthouse last Friday to applause from many of her support- that ended last month with a hung jury. fied with the evidence revealing how she used her public office ers — family, friends and employees from the license commis- That case also led to an investigation into jury tampering for political means. sion — some of whom attended the entire nine days of trial and against the Hasties, ultimately resulting in charges against Jona- “This job isn’t for the faint of heart,” Brown said. “You go after jury deliberations. than Lawrence Oneal, a coworker of John Hastie. Prosecutors corruption and crimes where you see them occurring, and you “Ramona and I have been through a horrible time, and we did originally indicated they would retry the tax case, but after the leave it to the people to decide whether there’s been enough evi- not deserve this,” Hastie said in a statement on the courthouse verdict Friday, Brown said “We’ll make a decision on that once dence to prove it. We’ve done our job. The jury has done its job.” BB BAYBRIEFS | BAYOU LA BATRE Former Bayou clerk, mayor acknowledge minor violation in ‘Wafflegate’ BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

ayou la Batre City Clerk Jaime Abastoflor was removed toflor almost immediately reimbursed the city after the complaint and they’re looking at it,’” Hickman said. “This is and was simply from his position by the City Council last week — a termi- was filed. However, despite claims he didn’t know about the an error in judgment by Abastoflor, and the moment we knew nation coming one day after he and Mayor Brett Dungan repairs beforehand, Dungan acknowledged “committing a minor about it, we had it paid.” “acknowledged committing a minor [ethics] violation” in violation” Wednesday, according to Hugh Evans, chief legal coun- Hickman continued to say that Abastoflor’s statements to the BMontgomery. sel to the Alabama Ethics Commission. ethics commission were “exactly” consistent with the comments According to Councilwoman Annette Johnson, Abastoflor was “A hearing was held and Mayor Brett Dungan and Jamie Abas- Dungan and Overstreet made to Lagniappe last November. dismissed for “just cause” after a majority of the council deter- toflor asked that their cases be handled administratively,” Evans Dungan and Johnson have been arguing publicly for some time mined there was a lack of “proper accountability” of the city’s said. “Now it will go to the local District Attorney, and a penalty now — a dispute that came to a head last month when Dungan finances. As clerk, Abastoflor was responsible for overseeing can be levied against them once the D.A. approves it and sends filed a civil suit against Johnson and other members of the council those finances and reporting them to the council — a contentious the case back to us.” for firing Overstreet and former city attorney Bill Wasden. Since issue in recent months. Though he wouldn’t comment in detail on the pending matter, then, Johnson filed harassment charges against Dungan that Johnson, who has been in a very public political feud with Evans did say generally law enforcement officials accept the resulted in his arrest May 19. Dungan since March, said Abastoflor was “commingling” grant recommendations of the ethics commission and will not conduct Those charges are still pending in Mobile County Circuit Court funds with the city’s general fund, specifically one grant the city an independent investigation into the violations before approving with a trial scheduled for June 24. received as a result of Hurricane Katrina. She also told reporters them administratively. Though Johnson didn’t file the ethics complaint detailing there had been issues with Abastoflor “informing the council of Dungan did not personally attend the Ethics Commission meet- “Wafflegate,” she claims to have filed others related to Dungan’s debts and contractual agreements in a timely manner.” ing and wouldn’t comment on the “violation.” However, Michael use of city credit cards and the $50,000 loan she claims to have As city clerk, Abastoflor was at the center of several financial Hickman, his attorney, said the mayor “made no admission to discovered on her own in February. questions appearing to have started in December 2014, when violating anything” and only agreed to the administrative handling Johnson was also in attendance at the ethics commission Abastoflor and Dungan sought and secured a $50,000 loan in the of the situation because “this happened on [his] watch.” in Montgomery last Wednesday, and said the complaint from city’s name without notifying the council first. Hickman said he disagreed with Evans’ conclusion, arguing “Wafflegate” was “just a drop in the bucket compared to what However, a month before Abastoflor had his first run-in with while it may seem to some like a “minor distinction,” the state would be coming down in the future.” the Alabama Ethics Commission over an instance that has since ethics law is based on a person’s intent when committing a sup- Despite those claims, Hickman flatly denied any other pending been referred to as “Wafflegate” — in which both Abastoflor and posed violation. ethics charges. He also suggested the other complaints filed could Dungan acknowledged some role last week in a closed hearing in “For it to have been a true violation of that statue that would have been shot down once they were reviewed by the commission. front of the ethics commission. warrant prosecution or impeachment, it has to be shown beyond “Regardless of however many things [Johnson] says she’s In November 2014, a complaint was filed against Dungan, a reasonable doubt there was an intent to violate for personal taken up there, this is it,” ‘Hickman said. “They’ve never asked claiming he’d struck a handicap parking sign at the Bayou la gain,” Hickman said. “All complaints that can be will be handled about anything of this other stuff, and the only issues I’m aware of Batre Waffle House with his personal vehicle, then asked city administratively. It’s not a felony, not a misdemeanor and it’s not is the one we’ve dealt with and that’s over.” employees to repair the damage. admissible in court …” Two other ethics charges against Dungan and former city coun- However, Dungan has consistently denied asking city workers Hickman said “no matter how preposterous” a claim is, the cilwoman Jennifer Stork were dismissed by the ethics commission to do anything. At the time, he and his former assistant both stated ethics commission is bound by law to open a file based on a last week, according to Bayou la Batre resident John Ladnier, who to Lagniappe that Abastoflor had instructed employees from the complaint. As a result, he said, complaints can often be used as filed all three complaints. Bayou la Batre Public Works Department to repair the sign, which political fodder. But like Johnson, Ladnier said there are more complaints to Wanda Overstreet called an “error in his judgement.” “They can look at it and say, ‘there’s nothing here,’ but your come, including some still pending before the commission. The cost of labor the city incurred was less than $30, and Abas- political enemies get to say, ‘I’ve given this to ethics commission,

suppose the easy takeaway from Mobile County mission froze Hastie’s recent efforts to Hastie’s upcoming retrial. License Commissioner Kim Hastie beating the rap give raises and promotions to 28 of her Maybe the government over-reached. last week on 16 of 17 federal charges could be that employees — nine of whom were on Maybe the federal laws are just too the government really overreached in going after her. witness lists to testify on her behalf, and complex and offer too much wiggle room iCertainly Hastie’s cadre of hardcore supporters expressed two of whom did in fact testify. The raises or maybe Hastie didn’t technically break that when the jury came back with 16 not guilties. were also stopped because they would put the laws she was charged with violating. It’s a reasonable point. This wasn’t a hung jury. On the commission’s personnel expenses at 76 The jury obviously felt that way. But it’s those 16 charges, 12 jurors agreed the government didn’t percent of its budget only halfway through hard not to feel like she got away with prove its contention Hastie had committed federal crimes. the year. something. Coupled with Deputy Commissioner Ramona Yeager Whew! Quite a list. And those are This trial pulled aside the curtain on a being found not guilty of all charges against her, it’s just the things proven by recordings and public official who is clearly operating in certainly tough to argue this was necessary. Still, in the documents. a deceptive, good-ol’-boy, backroom way end I do think her indictment and trial were beneficial to The trial also shined a little light on that landed her in hot water. Hastie has anyone in this county who cares about good government. some other possible issues. no one to blame but herself for the Feds The trial shed light on the way Hastie runs her of- It came out that in 2007 Ruffer de- coming after her. She and her cronies can fice and on her apparent willingness to manipulate and cided Crawford had overbilled the county claim harassment and conspiracy, but she mislead others. It also cast serious doubt upon whether by $82,000 and told him to pay it back. clearly lies and manipulates and has used she ought to be allowed the authority of consolidating the Though he denied overbilling, Crawford her power in most questionable ways, county’s license and revenue commissions, which was at paid the money back, but county officials which put her in the danger zone. the core of her legal problems. are saying they were never informed Maybe in the world of Mobile County The benefit of this prosecution — failed though it was about the overbilling and Ruffer won’t politics nobody cares much as long as we in terms of getting a conviction — is that voters got a talk about it. have 10-minute tags for our pickups and chance to hear for themselves how patchy Hastie’s ethics There was testimony Hastie has been bass boats, but the positions she holds and are when it comes to getting what she wants. Let’s review abusive to staff, punishes employees who hopes to hold have big budgets and little the FACTS discussed and revealed in the trial. “cross” her and often doesn’t work full oversight. The FBI won’t always be a- • Hastie misused money from a segregated $1.25 days. And testimony about Crawford’s knockin’ to make Hastie tell the truth and account to pay $10,000 to Strategy, Inc. to have the firm other relationships in county government the County Commission has historically write legislation that would combine the license and also raises eyebrows. been rather uninterested in what’s happen- revenue commissions. The first draft of that legislation Prosecutors were able to show that ing in License and Revenue. And Hastie would have given Hastie a huge raise equal to 75 percent State Reps. David Sessions and Margie never has to deal with the unpleasantness of the combined salaries of both positions. Wilcox, who have sponsored Hastie’s of regular public meetings. • Hastie lied in a recorded interview to Lagniappe re- efforts to combine the commissions, have Unless the Feds win their tax case porter Jason Johnson by claiming she didn’t pay Strategy almost zero knowledge about either com- against Hastie it looks like we’re stuck for that work. Incidentally, she also lied to Lagniappe mission’s financial operation. Both appear with her at least until the next election. co-publisher Ashley Trice and me about it as well during to have pushed the bill mainly to help out I don’t know if she’ll look at this as a a meeting to discuss the proposed consolidation. their friend Kim. Wilcox admitted she and license to do whatever she wants or a • She was recorded by IT contractor Victor Crawford Hastie were childhood friends and Wilcox warning shot across her bow, but if Hastie explaining that she doctored the numbers on what was even took time after the trial to gloat about can mend her ways, earn back voters’ trust being earned by the $1.25 account. She said she did the acquittal to Lagniappe’s reporter. and eventually become worthy of holding this in order to make the County Commission believe Outside that, there are still the issues of public office, she’ll ultimately have this the account was less productive out of fears it would be potential tax evasion and jury tampering in prosecution to thank. politically unpalatable if people knew how much money it was raising. “I only put what I wanted them to see,” she said in the recording. T HEG ADFLY • She was also recorded explaining to Crawford how money he paid to another political consulting firm, Strateco, was to be described as working on her newsletter, social media and Facebook if he was asked about it. She indicated the reason for this was to keep the County Commission from asking questions. “That’s kind of like IT and that’s what it’s all about. It’s easy and it justifies it because that’s all [Strateco] does. I just want to run it through you because I didn’t want to listen to Merceria [Ludgood] and them.” • Hastie’s lone conviction was a misdemeanor for taking 30,000 city residents’ emails collected by her office and having them sent to Strateco for the purpose of blasting out an email during the mayoral election with her photo telling voters Kim Hastie supported Sandy Stimpson. • In what seems an obvious attempt to hide what she was doing, Hastie used her daughter’s email address in discussing the email campaign with Strateco. • Hastie told WKRG, “We haven’t given anyone’s email information to anyone,” another lie to local media. In closing arguments Hastie’s attorney brushed off her lies to media by saying she told the truth “when the FBI came-a-knocking.” • She asked Crawford — a contractor who could be terminated by her at any time — to buy gifts for License Commission employees. These included TVs, a Kindle Fire and an iPad. • She had County Engineer Joe Ruffer tell Crawford

to contribute $2,500 to her campaign — the amount she Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen needed to file to run for revenue commissioner. • Last week as the jury deliberated, the County Com- The origin of Fairhope’s beachside fecal matter has yet to be determined, but one thing is certain: It’s not Baby Ruths.

12 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 COMMENTARYHIDDEN AGENDA C on sausage making and disillusionment BY ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR | [email protected]

hen my husband and I go to restaurants we always brainer. It was a good piece of legislation that would save the ties this would affect the most wanted it, asked for it and even like it when we get a chipper, young server. I taxpayers money, it had the backing of the three biggest enti- adopted resolutions to support it!! remember the first time it happened when we were ties who need this type of advertising — the city, county and But some of our own local politicos — save a few who did together on one of our first dates. Frank said as she Mobile Bar Association — and an airtight argument on why at least hear us out — didn’t like the way we covered their po- Wwalked away to put in our order, “Isn’t she cute? You can tell this was the right thing to do. I foolishly thought “How could litical allies or friends, like Sam Jones or Kim Hastie and others life hasn’t beaten her down yet.” anyone hear the case for this bill and not want to change the wanted to protect their buddies who owned newspapers who I nodded in agreement and smiled knowingly, as I thought law?” But that’s just it. Almost no one would even listen to us. are making a lot of money off the protection the law affords, about just how hopeful and untarnished I, too, was at her age. When we had a statewide bill, we quickly learned the old- like the Citronelle Call News. Who cares about the taxpayers I know that makes us sound like rather pessimistic people, school newspapers this antiquated law was designed to protect saving money, as long as ol’ Willie Gray is raking it in, right? and we’re really not. We both started out as idealists and still (so they wouldn’t have any competition) quickly called their In all of our trips to Montgomery we rarely got to have a are at heart. But the older you get, some of that idealism is defi- own reps and made a lot of noise. You would have thought discussion about the MERITS of the bill. Instead, if we weren’t nitely stripped from you as you repeatedly come across people we’d contracted the Bubonic Plague as we ventured up and totally avoided, we talked about all of the other aforementioned and/or institutions who disappoint you with their actions — down the halls to talk to reps around the state. It was like they political BS, which has absolutely nothing to do with this bill, either personally or just witnessing from afar. And even when knew if they talked to us they would actually have to weigh the which, once again, would have saved the taxpayers money. Is you disappoint yourself. I don’t think it makes you so much a pros and cons of the bill. Gasp! this as unbelievable to you as it is to me? pessimist but a realist. Somehow the phrase “oh, I am getting calls from home on We thought there would at least be a public hearing on the And there is no arena that can destroy your faith in human- this” became an acceptable and seemingly common excuse for bill so we and other supporters could simply make our cases, ity, truth, justice and the American way faster than the political them to just shut us down and ignore the bill instead of actually but even that was killed by our local delegation’s chair, Rep. one. engaging in thoughtful consideration of it themselves. David Sessions of Grand Bay, in what we’ve been told was a There has been one incident that has unfortunately served to We quickly realized it would be buried alive to die a slow very uncommon move. And my guess is it’s because they didn’t strip away a little more of my own sanguinity faster than any death in a statewide committee. And it did. want to go on record saying why they were against it. Because other has in recent years. But then it was suggested, by these lawmakers, that the law “you pissed off my buddy” or “my other buddy is making a This happened during our very eye-opening treks to should be changed by our local delegation since this problem lot of money off of this” is not really an acceptable reason to Montgomery, as Lagniappe was working to help support a law was affecting Mobile more than the rest of the state because of oppose it. change that would allow us to compete for legal advertising. I the problems that arose with the Press-Register’s mishandling They know it and we know it. And you know this goes on won’t get into the ins and outs of the very antiquated law that of these ads with Mobile County Probate Court. everywhere in the halls of the statehouse on issue after issue, should be changed, as that has already been done numerous And once again I thought this would be a slam-dunk. Our year after year. times on the pages of this newspaper. lawmakers knew the issues with the P-R and had been con- It’s just so disheartening to see firsthand how the sausage is But before we ventured up I-65 over the course of several tacted by many of their constituents who supported the bill, not made by these people in whom we place our public trust — or months, I did still have some faith in the legislative process. I to mention the city, county and Mobile Bar Association. Maybe rather, how it’s just ground up and left to spoil for no good rea- know, I know, some of you are asking what sort of meds I was the leaders from the northern part of the state didn’t care about son before it even has the chance to be put in the case. (That’s on to achieve such. It wasn’t meds but rather blissful ignorance. it, but by God, our local leaders would. what you do to sausage, right?) Sure, I knew the reputation the folks on Goat Hill have, but still But nope. Someone please get me a table for Bitter, party of one. And somehow I thought my own personal experience — especially It became crystal clear many of them weren’t going to listen don’t you dare send me a chipper, young server today. Get me with our own local delegation — would somehow be different. to us either. I think we actually met more resistance with these some grizzled old thing to bring me some cheese to go along And because I naively thought this change was such a no- particular local legislators. Even though, once again, the enti- with this whine.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 C COMMENTARYTAO OF JEN aboard the Muleneum Falken

BY JENNIFER MCDONALD/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

ne morning last week I rolled out influence his world view so abruptly, and in of bed and stumbled sleepy-eyed the weeks since we first binge-watched the towards the coffee pot. As soon as I original trilogy together he has YouTubed and opened my bedroom door, I heard the Googled everything there is to know about ounmistakable sound of “The Imperial March” Star Wars and approached his dad and others thundering through the walls of my son’s with an endless stream of Star-Wars-related room, filling the back half of our home with questions, some practical and others deeply its ominous refrain. philosophical. Ben has been warned many times not to My biggest chuckle came from watching blast music through the house before 7 a.m. him ask our awesome kung fu instructor, Alan (OK, it was probably more like 9 a.m.), but Brown, if he knew how to use The Force. I it’s hard to be too mad when your child’s suspect Alan was being modest when he told mild misbehavior affords you the tremen- him he’s still working on it, but Ben gazed up dous pleasure of marching down the hall on at him with complete earnestness and asked, your way to deliver a parental scolding with “Will you teach me?” “Darth Vader’s Theme” as your soundtrack. As far as my son is concerned Alan is I pushed open my son’s door (after paus- basically his Jedi master now, and I can’t ing briefly to enjoy a few noisy, mechanical think of anybody more fit for the task. I have breaths, obviously) to find him sitting beside witnessed Alan using The Force on numer- a shallow cardboard box, which he’d covered ous occasions when he thought no one was in plain white paper decorated in Sharpie looking, and with any luck my son should be drawings depicting various essential space- well prepared to save the galaxy should we ship components and the carefully printed ever fall into the hands of an oppressive evil label, “Muleneum Falken.” empire. In recent months my son has become Ben is certainly getting lots of Jedi prac- completely obsessed with anything and tice at home, usually insisting on musical everything Star Wars — an occurrence I’ve accompaniment. On this particular “Imperial been expecting for quite some time. I still re- March” morning, he was apparently playing member the earnest look in his dad’s eyes the the role of Han Solo, with his homemade day we first moved in together and he asked (paper towel roll) blaster strapped to his side me if I thought his light saber and collectible and his hands struggling to keep control of action figures would complement the living his ship as he expertly dodged enemy fire. room décor. LOL. That’s cute. The boy managed to set up a pretty cool I have been ruining his life ever since. little scene, but my favorite part was his clev- “Star Wars” was practically a bible for er use of co-stars. In the “Muleneum Falken” kids growing up in the ‘80s and it’s a lot of box beside him was his best pal, Bruce Lee, fun seeing yet another generation carry the our fluffy and extremely docile young cat, ob- torch of the spirit of adventure and using the viously playing the role of Chewbacca. Bruce entertaining action movie as a catalyst for Lee made an excellent Wookie sidekick, contemplating that great archetypal battle occasionally emitting strange noises as he between light and dark. faithfully kept his place beside his captain, Quite a few of my peers have already been impervious to the makeshift cardboard utility enjoying the experience of watching their belt thrown across his shoulders. own children fall in love with the story that Just behind them, in another shallow captured our imaginations so many years ago. cardboard fighter plane, sat Whisper, our Scott and I have heard so many cool stories much, much less friendly older kitty, glaring about friends’ kids’ Star Wars obsessions and dismissively at the light saber positioned near couldn’t wait for the fever to catch on at our her front paw. With her dark-colored fur and own house. disagreeable temperament, Whisper played We tried to introduce the original tril- an excellent Darth Vader, one of psychology’s ogy when our kids were a little younger but favorite examples of untreated borderline per- neither found it particularly interesting, and sonality disorder. at the time Ben lacked the maturity to really I thought Ben’s use of cardboard boxes follow the storyline. This time around it was as props was a pretty ingenious idea for a completely different experience. convincing our cats to cooperate in his adven- It was so much fun for me and Scott ture games. All he had to do was position the watching that unmistakable spark of wonder boxes on the floor and wait for the cats to and enchantment in our son’s eyes as he took jump in and chill. Because cats. Glorious and in all the characters and scenery, somehow no hilarious cats. less fresh and exciting to a modern child than I can’t think of anything nerdier than a it was to us more than three decades ago. couple of bored cats cosplaying Star Wars The best part was watching the tears roll characters, and it’s really a shame I didn’t down his face when Darth Vader gave up his send the whole troupe to Mobicon a couple life to save his son. It was a very emotional weeks ago. Oh well, there’s always next year. moment for Ben and he squeezed my hand For now we’re too busy counting down the and quietly whispered in awe, “Oh my god. days until Episode VII. One-hundred-eighty- He still has good inside him.” nine days until the magic returns! Until then, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything as always, may The Force be with you.

14 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 COMMENTARYBELTWAY BEAT C time for iraq’s Plan B BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

as Saddam Hussein all that bad? That was an unpopular opinion voiced by Sen. Rand Paul (R- That’s certainly a provocative question. Kentucky), another 2016 Republican presidential hopeful. Paul But here we are, nearly nine years after his death, has argued U.S.-led endeavors in the Middle East, including Iraq, still faced with the difficulties of determining what to Libya and Syria, have resulted in situations worse than existed Wdo with Iraq, including the emerging global threat of ISIS. previously. Remember the so-called Pottery Barn rule voiced by Colin “I think it’s a really important question, and I don’t think it’s Powell right before the invasion of Iraq? “If you break, you own just hypothetical. Because we seem to have a recurring question it.” The problem is, we never quite owned it. in the Middle East [as to] whether or not it’s a good idea to topple The United States completed its full withdrawal from Iraq in secular strongmen or secular dictators, and what happens after October 2011, but now faces the possibility of having to send that,” Paul said in an interview last month. “You know, Hillary troops back, particularly as no other nation appears willing to step Clinton’s war in Libya was the same kind of scenario. We toppled up and take on the rogue element of ISIS. Gaddafi, a secular dictator, but we got chaos and the rise of radi- Over the weekend, Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin), a candi- cal Islam, and I think we’re more threatened now. But I think the date for the Republican presidential nomination who has a decent same was true of Saddam Hussein. I think Iran is now stronger chance of winning if nominated, refused to rule out the possibility and emboldened. In many ways, Iraq is sort of a vassal state to of deploying U.S. forces in Iraq. Iran. We worry about Iran getting a nuclear weapon. So, I think “I don’t think we should ever send a message to our foes of we’re a lot worse off with Hussein gone. There’s a civil war going how far we’re willing to go,” Walker said to ABC News’ Jon Karl on there.” in an interview in Iowa. “I wouldn’t rule out boots on the ground. Unfortunately, the Saddam Hussein method of governance Photo/ wikimedia.org If the national interests of this country are ... at risk, in this coun- seems to be the most effective method in that region of the world. try or abroad, that to me is the Geneva standard that we do for It seems brutal dictators are the only thing that can maintain any- Protesters in the Maldives call for Sharia law in 2014. military engagement.” thing close to a civil society in the Middle East. Those remarks could be interpreted to mean there is a real Overcoming the internal politics, in particular the Sunni-Shiite Pahlavi and South Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Diem? possibility that the United States will once again send troops to divide, which has been in place for 1,300 years and isn’t going Bottom line is we don’t necessarily need a U.S. puppet in Iraq should an actual threat from ISIS manifest itself closer to the away anytime soon, is what it is going to take. Sure, the United power, but it would be ideal to have someone willing and able to homeland. States can send troops into Iraq and weed out ISIS, but another eliminate threats like ISIS. This may entail a three-state solution Between 2003 and 2015, there have been 4,491 U.S. casualties threat will emerge and we’ll be back to square one. comprising Kurds, Shiite and Sunni states, but whatever form it in Operation Iraqi Freedom, including 73 Alabamians. If we go The Jeffersonian democracy experiment in Iraq has failed. So takes, it needs to have staying power. back, there will certainly be more and we’ll relive the demagogic what’s next? U.S. troops in Iraq may come sooner than the next president. politics of war. As much as we Americans frown upon the notion of brutal We’re just one ISIS terrorist attack away from even President The ugly truth is that as bad as Saddam Hussein was, the regimes, installing one in Iraq is what may be in the best inter- Barack Obama being forced to rethink his air-assault-only strat- human rights atrocities he committed on his own people are still est of the United States in order to establish a lasting peace. But egy. But it would be wise to have a plan in place that would give better than having to see the flag-draped coffins of American dead we should learn from past mistakes where U.S.-friendly dictators us the best shot at being done with Iraq and not forced to have to come back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. lacked staying power, including Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza go back in another decade.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 15 BB BUSINESSTHE REAL DEAL FTC files landmark lawsuit against local loan counselors BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

or an industry that’s recently received bad press both statewide and locally the defendants promised to help people strug- from advocates claiming it preys upon the financially vulnerable and needs gling to make payments on their payday loans. Fbetter consumer protection, a new twist has been added in the form of a landmark lawsuit instead, they took the money and ran, leaving their recently levied by the Federal Trade Commis- customers deeper in debt. sion (FTC) against a locally owned payday loan counseling center supposedly created to - Jessica Rich, director of the FtC Bureau of Consumer help consumers get out of what some consider predatory business practices. Protection According to Michelle Grajales, who works in the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices, this injunction is the first of its kind in the country levied by the FTC against a payday in four to six months. nore “validation form letters” and continue col- loan counseling firm. “The defendants promised to help people lection efforts on consumers for nonpayment. “The FTC has filed cases in the credit struggling to make payments on their payday Furthermore, the validation program appears to card industry similar to this as well as against loans. Instead, they took the money and ran, mimic inapplicable provisions of the Fair Debt payday loan companies themselves for illegal leaving their customers deeper in debt,” Jessica Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). practices, but this is the first time in memory Rich, director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer The FDCPA does in fact contain a section that a payday loan counselor has been identified Protection, said in a statement. on “validation of debts” setting forth cir- in an indictment,” Grajales said. Allegedly, the two companies told financial- cumstances where consumers have the right, The lawsuit was filed Feb. 18 against two ly distressed consumers they qualified for a spe- within a specific time period, to request the Mobile companies, Infinity Client Solutions cial “financial hardship program,” and that they underlying data supporting collection attempts and PSC Administrative LLC (formerly known would negotiate an “interest-free” payment on by those debt collectors covered by the statute. as Payday Support Center LLC), as well as two the loans through the program, which required However, payday lenders collecting on their executives, Jared Irby and Richard Hughes. The the consumers to make biweekly payments to own behalf are not covered by the FDCPA in lawsuit accuses all parties involved of having the companies instead of to the lenders. Pay- most situations. violated the FTC’s ban on deceptive acts and ments typically were between $98 and $160. The FTC vote approving the complaint was practices as well as the telemarketing sales rule However, the FTC’s complaint states the 5-0. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for prohibiting abusive and deceptive telemarket- companies provided little or no debt relief the Southern District of Alabama. ing. The goal of the lawsuit, as stated in the in- services and lenders typically continued their Future timelines for the lawsuit include a dictment, is to put an end to the illegal activities collection efforts, leaving consumers deeper in discovery completion for all parties by Nov. 16, and obtain refunds for victimized customers. financial trouble after paying hundreds of dol- 2015, a final pretrial conference before Chief Payday Support Center and Infinity Cli- lars in “debt relief” fees. U.S. District Judge William Steele April 16, ent Solutions both shuttered their operations According to the indictment, the defendants 2016, and a firm trial date to be set for some in March, which may or may not have been ran radio ads saying: time in May 2016. directly attributable to the lawsuit, according to Are payday loans ruining your life? Do you Per a press release, an indictment contains Grajales. When contacted for comments for this have more payday loans than you’re able to only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The story, executive Irby, named in the lawsuit, had pay back right now? If you have two or more defendants are presumed innocent and are no comment. payday loan cash advances, listen closely. You entitled to a fair trial at which the govern- According to a press release, the FTC’s may be eligible for a program that the payday ment has the burden of proving guilt beyond a complaint is that, starting in 2012, the two loan companies don’t want you to know about, reasonable doubt. companies used radio ads, Internet and tele- a program that will get payday loan companies The FTC works for consumers to prevent marketing to target consumers who owed debt out of your bank account and put an end to the fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business on multiple payday loans and then told con- payday loan nightmare. All you need is two practices and to provide information to help sumers they would negotiate to get payments or more payday loan cash advances to qualify. spot, stop and avoid them. The FTC enters reduced and eliminate the debt. They also Even if you’re behind, in collections or have complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, allegedly told the indebted consumers to stop bad credit. We’ll even help you with your Inter- online database available to more than 2,000 making direct payments to their lenders and net payday loans. civil and criminal law enforcement agencies pay money to their “debt relief” companies A critical flaw pointed out by the FTC with in the United States and abroad. The FTC’s instead, promising the loans would be paid off respect to the defendants’ debt relief approach website provides free information on a variety was that many, if not most, payday lenders ig- of consumer topics.

have two boys that are as melon crazy as Gallagher with a texture was a bit like tuna, and the flavor was impressive; most Sledge-o-Matic. Somewhere deep within my vault of videos impressive. This adds to the list of the amazing things you can do I’ll never find again there is a clip of Lucas, now 10, when he with watermelon or melons in general. was a toddler pitching a fit for a lengthwise-cut quarter of a Fans of Michael Ivey may remember the way he served the iwatermelon. He still cannot resist it. Now his brother Graham, summer treat. Wedges of watermelon were sprinkled with mint 5, fans the flames by arguing in the aisles of grocery stores and and feta cheese crumbles rendering diners powerless to their call. open-air tables of fruit stands that I should purchase the largest The saltiness of the feta reminded me that when I was a kid we watermelon in stock. would sprinkle a little salt on the less sweet melons and the flavor Watermelons are actually from the gourd family. The seeds are would release instantly. spread throughout the fruity part just like squash and cucumbers, Watermelon-rind preserves used to freak me out because I but for me, that’s where the similarity ends. I’ve had yellow believed the rind came from the discarded refuse of some slob- watermelons that I wasn’t as fond of. Red ones tend to “blow my bering, barefoot child who gnawed his way down to the white skirt up,” so to speak. And like grapes, I will take them with or part. But if you trust the rind has been harvested responsibly, the without seeds. To me, seedless melons do not mean a sacrifice in preserves are as good as any. The rind is usually pickled, drained flavor, but you may have a more discriminating palate than I. I’ve and cooked in a sugar solution with lemon, ginger and vanilla. found flavorless and succulent versions of each, so I’ll roll the You’ll find recipes in almost any church cookbook and plenty Photo/ howsweeteats.com dice with either. online. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Watermelon salsa is refreshing as a dip or garnish. To test these beauties for ripeness, you must have a fairly College was an important time for watermelon discovery: It strong thump. The next time you’re surrounded by watermel- was the first time I ever spiked one. Part novelty, part gourmet ons, take a minute to thump each one as hard as you can. Strike treat, but 100 percent delicious, this party-pleaser is a cheap thrill 1 quart seeded watermelon, coarsely chopped toward the middle or fattest part of the fruit and listen to the for those looking to catch a buzz. Allow the melon to find its natu- 1 cup chopped white onion resonance. Find the one with the lowest pitch. That’s the one ral resting spot and stab an open bottle of booze into a smartly cut ¼ cup chopped fresh jalapeno you’re taking home. blowhole. Don’t let some sailor talk you into rum or gin. Vodka ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro I consider watermelon season from Memorial Day to Labor is the way to go. Once the liquor has drained from the bottle the 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Day, but it’s so hot around here you can find pretty good ones edible vessel is saturated and ready for slicing. No kidding, please ¼ teaspoon chili powder earlier and later. Right now is the height of the harvest. I grabbed eat responsibly and keep the kids away. Salt to taste one of the best ever on the way home from Dauphin Island a week Juice of two limes before last. It was as good as any Smith County, Mississippi, Watermelon salsa watermelon from my youth, and those folks are as serious about There are so many things you can do with watermelon that I In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients in this watermelon as Chilton County is about peaches. can barely scratch the surface in these pages. But if your tomatoes order. Take care to not mutilate the watermelon as you stir. The Bull surprised attendees at its Moet Hennessy wine dinner are not doing well this year, have a go at replacing them with wa- Cover the dish with foil or cling wrap and find a spot in the last week with “mock tuna” for the fish course. It was roasted termelon for your next soiree’s salsa. It really is just as simple as refrigerator. The peppers and onions need a little time to work watermelon with a wasabi soy glaze, and it tasted otherworldly. that, and you’ll have more tomatoes left for sandwiches. Monkey their magic, so give it at least an hour or two. Serve with your Had I not been told what it was, I would have guessed fish. The with the recipe to dial in your heat. favorite tortilla chips.

18 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 19 RiveR ShaCK ($-$$) deW dRoP inn ($) Queen G’S CaFé ($) Seafood, burgers & steaks. Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. Down home cooking for lunch. ‘Cue 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 BaCKyaRd CaFe & BBQ ($) the haRBoR RooM ($-$$) doWntoWneRS ($) ReGina’S KitChen ($-$$) Home cookin’ like momma made. Unique seafood. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. Sandwiches, subs and soups. 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 107 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 BaR-B-QuinG With My honey ($$) the BlueGill ($-$$) e WinG houSe ($) Roly Poly ($) BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood $ UnDER $10/PERSOn A historic seafood dive w/ live music. 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830. Wraps & salads. 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 $$ 10-25/PERSOn 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 BRiCK Pit ($) $$$ OvER 25/PERSOn the GRand MaRineR ($-$$) FiRehouSe SuBS ($) 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 A favorite barbecue spot. Local seafood & produce. Hot subs, cold salads & catering. RoSie’S GRill ($-$$) 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. dReaMland BBQ ($) tin toP ReStauRant & oySteR BaR ($$) Five GuyS BuRGeRS & FRieS ($) 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. from the depths Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 626-2440 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898. Baudean’S ($$) Moe’S oRiGinal BaR B Que ($) Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 Royal KniGht ($) 949-5086 FooSaCKly’S ($) Steak night on fridays. Bar-b-que & music. 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 BoneFiSh GRill ($$) WintZell’S oySteR houSe ($-$$) Famous chicken fingers. 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 Eclectic dining & space. 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 Royal StReet CaFe ($) 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 Homemade lunch & breakfast. 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 SauCy Q BaRBQue ($) BoudReauX’S CaJun GRill ($-$$) Award-winning BarBQue. Quality Cajun & New Orleans Saraland • 442-3335 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. SatoRi CoFFeehouSe ($) 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. 1111 Government Blvd. • 433-7427 Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 SMoKey deMBo SMoKe houSe ($) Daphne. • 621-1991 iStanBul GRill ($) 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 CaJun SeaFood ($) Completely Authentic Turkish Resturant. SeRda’S CoFFeehouSe ($) 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. JaMaiCan viBe ($) 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 Comfortable 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 al’S hotdoGS ($) Mind-blowing island food. SPot oF tea ($) drop dead CRavin CaJun ($) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Po-boys, salads & seafood. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 JiMMy John’S ($) Gourmet 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. atlanta BRead CoMPany ($-$$) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. SoutheRn deCadenCe deSSeRtS ($) alaBaMa CRuiSeS ($$) ed’S SeaFood Shed ($$) Sandwiches, salads & more. Fine dining & sailing Fried seafood served in hefty portions. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 Joe Cain CaFé ($) Orange Beach • 973-1244 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 1956 B University Blvd. Bay GouRMet ($$) CaFe 219 ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 300-8304 FeliX’S FiSh CaMP ($$) Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. A premier caterer & cooking classes. Upscale dining with a view. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 Stevie’S KitChen ($) 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 MaMa’S ($) Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 BiStRo eSCoFFie ($$) CaFe MalBiS ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. FiSheRMan’S leGaCy ($) Contemporary fare & spirits. Fine dining French fare. Deli, market and catering. 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 tP CRoCKMieRS ($) 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 MaRS hill CaFe ($) American Restaurant & Bar 1714 Dauphin St. • 450-2030 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 CaMille’S SideWalK CaFé ($) BRiQuetteS SteaKhouSe ($-$$) halF Shell oySteR houSe ($) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. the Blind Mule ($) Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 MaRy’S SoutheRn CooKinG ($) Daily specials made from scratch. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. S2. 607-7200 JaCK’S CatFiSh CaMP ($$) CaMellia CaFé ($-$$$) CaFé 615 ($$-$$$) Steak & Seafood 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. Contemporary southern fare. MiCheli’S CaFe ($) the houSe ($-$$) American fare with local ingredients. 4815 Halls Mill Rd. • 661-4434 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434. John WoRd’S CaPtain taBle ($$) 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 CaFé Royal ($$-$$$) CaMMie’S old dutCh ($) MiKo’S italian iCe ($) 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 Come wine, dine and dance. Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. the hunGRy oWl ($) Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. 2701 Battleship Pkwy • 433-3790 Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 luCy B. Goode ($$) CaRPe dieM ($) duMBWaiteR ($$-$$$) Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. MoMMa GoldBeRG’S deli ($) 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. the villaGe deli ($) Serving local seafood & produce 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 929-3354 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 967-5858 Chat-a-Way CaFe ($) iSaBella’S ($$$) lulu’S ($$) 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 thRee GeoRGeS Candy ShoP ($) Quiches & sandwiches. MonteGo’S ($-$$) Light lunch with Southern flair. 305 DeLaMare Ave, Fairhope • 990-5513 Live music & great seafood. KitChen on GeoRGe ($-$$) 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores ChiCKen Salad ChiCK ($) Contemporary American food. 967-5858 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 tRoPiCal SMoothie ($) Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. MoStly MuFFinS ($) Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 MudBuGS at the looP ($) leGaCy BaR & GRill ($$$) 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 Muffins, coffee & wraps. Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. American, Seafood,Stekhouse. dauPhin St. CaFe ($) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 oRiGinal oySteR houSe ($-$$) neWK’S eXPReSS CaFe ($) unCle JiMMy’S deliCiouS hotdoGS ($) 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy South MaGhee’S GRill on the hill ($-$$) A great place for kids & seafood. Great lunch & dinner. CReaM & SuGaR ($) 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 307-5328 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. Panini Pete’S ($) Wild WinG Station ($) 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 oRleanS Po-BoyS ($-$$) 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 MeltinG Pot ($$$) Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. Original sandwich and bake shop. 1500 Government St. • 287-1526 d’ MiChael’S ($) 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 WhiStle StoP ($) 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. noJa ($$-$$$) oRleanS CaFe ($-$$) 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Home cookin’ & BBQ. 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 Inventive & very fresh cuisine. Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. PdQ ($) deliSh deSSeRtS ($) Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. yaK the KathMandu KitChen ($-$$) 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 Great desserts & hot lunch. Authentic foods from Himalayan region. oSMan’S ReStauRant ($$) oySteR RoCKeFelleR ($$-$$$) 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 312 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 Supreme European cuisine. Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 400 Eastern Shore Center. • 459-286 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006

20 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 Kan ZaMan CaFe ($) 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. Ravenite ($) haRd RoCK CaFé at haRd RoCK 326 Azalea Rd. • 229-4206 CallaGhan’S iRiSh SoCial CluB ($) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more hotel and CaSino ($) MediteRRanean SandWiCh CoMPany ($) Burgers & beer. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. Great & quick. 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 RoMa CaFe ($-$$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 heRoeS SPoRtS BaR & GRille ($) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. SatiSFaCtion at haRd RoCK 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 Sandwiches & cold beer. 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 hotel and CaSino ($) 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. RoMano’S MaCaRoni GRill ($$) Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. Royal SCaM ($$) Mint hooKah BiStRo ($) Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 Springdale Mall 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Great Mediterranean food. ManCiS ($) 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 tien at iP CaSino 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 1715 Main St. • 375-0543 taMaRa’S BaR & GRill ($) ReSoRt SPa ($-$$) Ruth’S ChRiS SteaK houSe ($$$) ZoRBa the GReeK ($-$$) MCShaRRy’S iRiSh PuB ($) Wings, po-boys, burgers. Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. Exceptional service & taste. Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D • 633-2202 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 929-0002 hiGhliGhtS SPoRtS lounGe at iP SaGe ReStauRant ($$) MuG ShotS ($$) via eMilia ($$) CaSino ReSoRt SPa ($) Inside the Mobile Marriott. Bar & Grill. Homemade pastas & pizzas made Brews & game on 65 screens. 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 far eastern fare 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 union ($$$) BaMBoo BiStRo ($$) old 27 GRill ($) hiGh tide CaFé at iP CaSino Premium steaks & burgers. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. ReSoRt SPa ($) 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 BaMBoo FuSion ($$) 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. olé mi amiGo! Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. taMaRa’S doWntoWn ($$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 Fairhope • 281-2663 CaBo CoaStal Cantina ($) 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 Casual fine dining. BaMBoo SteaKhouSe ($$) the landinG ($) 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 BR PRiMe at Beau RivaGe ($$-$$$) 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Sushi Bar. From seafood to steaks. dauPhin St. taQueRia ($) Fine dining establishment. the Bull ($-$$) 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. BanGKoK thai ($-$$) luCKy’S iRiSh PuB ($) fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 Jia at Beau RivaGe ($-$$) 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. Irish pub fare & more. el ChaRRo ($) Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, the tRelliS RooM ($$$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 Finest Mexican in WeMo. Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. Contemporary Southern Cuisine BanZai JaPaneSe ReStauRant the StadiuM ($) 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. Catch the games with great food. FueGo ($-$$) MeMPhiS Q at Beau RivaGe ($) Zea’S ($$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope • 990-0408 Outstanding Mexican cuisine. Memphis-style Q. Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. BenJaS ($) WeMoS ($) 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Thai & Sushi Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. loS aRCoS ($) CoaSt ReStauRant at Beau 5369 D Hwy 90 W • 661-5100 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 Quaint Mexican restaurant. RivaGe ($) Golden BoWl ($) 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 Sports bar-style joint. a little Vino Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. la CoCina ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 doMKe MaRKet 309 Bell Air Blvd • 470-8033 mama mia! Authentic Mexican cuisine. lB’S SteaKhouSe at GRand Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. Kai JaPaneSe ReStauRant ($-$$) BentZ’S PiZZa PuB ($) 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 CaSino ($$-$$$) 2410 Dawes Rd. Ste. D. • 375-0599 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. MaRia Bonita aGave BaR & GRill ($-$$) Fine dining with steak & fine wine. FathoMS lounGe liQuid ($$) 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 3977 Government Blvd. • 342-5553 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. BuCK’S PiZZa ($$) Santa Fe GRill ($) Cuu lonG SuPeR Pho at GRand 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 Delivery. Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. CaSino ($$) PouR BaBy MiKato JaPaneSe SteaK houSe ($$) 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. Wine bar, craft beers & bistro Upscale sushi & specialties. GaMBino BRotheRS ($) taQueRia MeXiCo ($-$$) 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 Homemade pastas & sandwiches. Authentic Mexican flavor. eMeRil’S GulF CoaSt FiSh houSe FiRehouSe Wine BaR & ShoP RiCe aSian GRill & SuShi BaR ($) 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 at iSland vieW CaSino ($$-$$$) 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 GaMBino’S italian GRill ($) Kick it up a notch. Red oR White RoCK n Roll SuShi ($$) Italian, Steaks & Seafood. no GamblinG 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 C&G GRille at iSland vieW 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 taSte oF thai ($$) Guido’S ($$) Casino fare CaSino ($) Royal StReet taveRn 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. Live music,martinis & dinner menu. WaSaBi SuShi ($$) 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 atmore 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 Japanese cusine. la RoSSo ($$) FiRe at Wind CReeK CaSino & Wahoo’S PoolSide BaR & GRill SoutheRn naPa 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 Comfort food. hotel ($$-$$$) at PalaCe CaSino ReSoRt ($-$$) Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. yen ReStauRant ($) 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 Prime steaks, seafood & wine. Fresh seafood & more. 2304 Main Street. • 375-2800 Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. MelloW MuShRooM ($) 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 Pies & awesome beer selection. GRill at Wind CReeK CaSino & MiGnon’S at PalaCe CaSino Jubilee Shopping Center, 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 hotel ($) ReSoRt ($$-$$$) falafel? try Daphne • 625-4695 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. PiCKleFiSh ($$) 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 some hummus Pizza, sandwiches & salads. the den at tReaSuRe Bay 7 SPiCe ($-$$) is the Game on? 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 biloxi CaSino ($-$$) Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. aShland MidtoWn PuB ($-$$) PaPa’S PlaCe ($$) viBe at haRd RoCK hotel Intimate & casual with daily specials. 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. A Taste of Italy . BYOB. and CaSino ($-$$) aBBa’S MediteRRanean CaFe ($-$$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. CQ at tReaSuRe Bay CaSino ($$-$$$) Beef, lamb & seafood. BuFFalo Wild WinGS ($) PinZone’S italian doWntoWn ($$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 Best wings & sporting events. Italian, catering, to-go. Ruth’S ChRiS SteaK houSe at JeRuSaleM CaFe ($-$$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 haRd RoCK hotel & CaSino ($$$) Blu at tReaSuRe Bay CaSino ($) Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. ButCh CaSSidy’S ($) PinZone’S italian villaGe ($$) Exceptional servie & taste. Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 21 CUISINEWORD OF MOUTH C Carpe diem seizes new summer drinks and menu BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

ost folks don’t drive through the Spring Hill area kidding, got up to watch people enter a giant, membership-based without paying a visit to Old Shell Road’s Carpe Diem. center of commerce as the rest of the world went about its regu- After all, they were the first coffee rock stars of Mobile larly scheduled procedures. The disturbing thing was it didn’t feel and with roastmaster Alan Tolson cooking up the beans, weird at all. Mthere is no reason for them to cease being part of your daily caf- The hubbub about this grandiose opening isn’t just about the feine routine. deals on food, housewares, appliances and clothing. The real I recently got word Carpe Diem is expanding its summer food excitement is that Costco is selling hard liquor! The first of their menu to include more hot sandwiches as well as salads, wraps Alabama stores to do so, we finally have a giant supermarket that and the like. As it rolls out, patrons can beat the heat with the also sells the hooch. Maybe it’s a giant liquor store that also sells latest iced coffee flavors. Apricots and cream may be my favorite, groceries. Either way, I am thankful to have the opportunity to but the sweetness of blackberry crumble may tickle your fancy. get it all under one roof. If you’ve ever lived elsewhere, you will The featured coffee is a Bali Kintamani Organic, which Tolson realize how ridiculous the Alabama liquor laws are. describes as having a nice, full body with sweet, juicy strawberry Business and household memberships are $55, with execu- notes for the summer. tive memberships fetching $110. For the particulars, visit www. Carpe Diem is now serving a signature flavor of Cammie’s cotsco.com. Photo/Facebook Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe’s Mexican vanilla. Made by Cam- you’re bacon me crazy with Mobile’s newest food trailer. mie exclusively for Carpe, this Melipone vanilla is perfect for Chicken Salad Chick clucks her way across the bay sundaes and handmade ice cream sandwiches, or as an affogato With 15 original flavors to choose from, how could we not (ice cream drowned in espresso). Bacon My Day off to oinking start share with our friends in Baldwin County? Chicken Salad Chick The latest news in the food truck craze involves the other I didn’t think things could get better there, but they just did. is expanding to Daphne and plans to open its doors at 1802 U.S. white meat. Bacon My Day is a new food trailer serving the Visit Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea Co. at 4072 Old Shell Road. Highway 98 on Tuesday, June 30. greater Mobile area with a menu of tasty treats, featuring bacon Open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., and With the popularity of the Hillcrest location in Mobile ,those of burgers, pulled pork, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and quesadil- Sunday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. us around the office knew it was only a matter of time before las loaded with everything from beef, pork and chicken to shrimp. the Eastern Shore was ripe with the now famous salads, sand- Don’t forget the bacon. Costco opens at McGowin Park wiches and soups. The current owners of the Mobile location, Pecan-smoking the pork and chicken seems to be the secret to I remember my first trip to Costco. It was 14 years and 11 Misty and Heath McClure, are also behind the newest store to their flavor. Daily specials and sides such as beans, pasta salad months ago. I was living it up on the Left Coast and went on a grace our area. and fries add to the options. Don’t forget the key lime pie, though grocery run with my bestie, Jan Fulkerson. When we walked “We have absolutely loved getting to know the guests in I don’t think it has bacon on it. through the door of that giant building in a small California sub- our current store, and I’m so excited to be able to serve the Check them out on Facebook for daily specials and locations urb, it instantly took my breath away. This was grocery shopping best chicken salad in the South to a whole new community in or to book them for a catering event. And just in case you’re won- on a level I had never experienced. Daphne!” said head chick Misty McClure. dering, to my knowledge there is no connection between Bacon A decade and a half later, we have one here in Mobile at 1450 But it gets better. There are plans to open another location near My Day and the bakery Bake My Day. Tingle Circle W. near Hank Aaron Stadium. This past Thursday’s the University of South Alabama later this fall. How about we But I welcome all things bacon. opening was such an uproar the news channels covered it. I, no cross our fingers for a Midtown store? Recycle!

ccording to rumor, 19th-century outlaw James Copeland proximity to the highways, while convenient for the migrating restaurant and entertainment brands that are focusing their expan- and his gang used Wragg Swamp to hide loot. When it first population center, hurt downtown business. sion efforts in dominant middle markets,” he continued. “Therefore, opened more than 100 years later, what was then known “The most significant thing about it was it put the kibosh on Bel Air’s attractive position in the market make it the premier retail as Springdale Plaza offered loot of a different type, in the Dauphin Street,” he said. “The build-out began around the perim- real estate in Mobile.” asame area. eter of town, where the traffic was.” Harper was vague about what, if any, changes Rouse has planned In 1839, Copeland and his gang started fires to create a dis- Retail and residential abandonment of the city’s center forced for the mall’s future, but noted WiFi Internet access had been traction, before looting shops along Dauphin Street, architectural downtown to “reinvent itself,” Sledge said, as more of an entertain- installed “from end zone to end zone.” historian John Sledge said. Many locals believed the gang used the ment scene. Still, “old school” retailers, like Naman’s and Hoffman “While we can’t share any specific details at this time, we see nearby swamp as a hideout. Portions of the swamp were drained Furniture, remain. great potential in Bel Air and are evaluating similar opportuni- in the late 1950s to make way for shopping centers and as a result, The decline also created new opportunities for development ties,” he wrote. “We are very excited about Bel Air’s future and are Sledge said, rumor has it there’s still loot under the pavement. downtown, he suggested, offering the conversion of former busi- committed to ensuring it remains the premier shopping and social Whether or not there was ever any buried treasure, the open- nesses and warehouses to modern condominiums as an example. destination in the Gulf Coast. We look forward to making several ing of Springdale Plaza in 1959 and Bel Air Mall eight years later “Arts and entertainment scenes are logical places for people to major announcements in the near future which we believe will be signaled a new era for retail shopping in Mobile and was met with come,” Sledge said. “It becomes a destination.” well received and highly anticipated by the local community.” much fanfare. But he also admitted the process was harmful. With vacant lots, A fact sheet available on Rouse Properties’ website sheds some Mobile History Museum historian Scotty Kirkland wrote in an boarded-up buildings and comparatively inexpensive real estate, it’s light on Rouse’s investment, estimating that the population serving email message that while Springdale was considered to be on the evident downtown still hasn’t fully recovered. Bel Air Mall, along with average household incomes and total num- edge of Mobile “proper” at the time, the population shift westward “It was in decline for so long … we’re way ahead of where we ber of households, will increase by 2020. had already begun and continued to accelerate. With it came an were 30 years ago.” increase in automobile ownership, and the malls were strategically While city centers nationwide were vacated in what is generally Recent shopping center renovations located at the intersection of Airport Boulevard and a section of characterized as “white flight,” more recently, traditional enclosed While indoor malls have redeveloped since opening decades Interstate 65 completed in 1963. malls have been on the decline. ago, outdoor malls and strip centers have become commonplace in In the book “Mobile: The New History of Alabama’s First City,” In January, The New York Times quoted figures from Green both Mobile and Baldwin counties. Harvey Jackson III wrote “In the first decade after World War II, the Street Advisors — which tracks the mall industry — stating that Some of the early developments are undergoing renovations or number of motor vehicles in Mobile doubled and with the increase since 2010, “more than two dozen enclosed malls had been closed” facelifts, while others are still under construction or welcoming new came congestion usually associated with a larger metropolis.” and another 60 were on their way to closing. tenants. To alleviate some of that congestion, federal funds were sought In the 45 years since their construction, Mobile’s malls have Two, McGowin Park and Westwood Plaza, were developed to help finance a new beltline highway, “consisting of I-10 and faced their own competition. In 1998 and 1999, it was reported the through public-private partnerships, where a government entity I-65,” Jackson wrote. This beltline highway accelerated the city’s owners of Springdale Mall were planning to convert to a plaza-style incentivizes development with tax abatements. westward expansion, according to Jackson. center. For McGowin Park, which is zoned as an “improvement dis- “Where Airport Boulevard crossed the Beltline, developers Springdale also introduced big-box retailers, like Best Buy and trict,” the city will return 1.4 cents of its five-cent sales tax collec- began to build Mobile’s first shopping mall, Springdale, and shortly Sam’s Club, in order to compete in a changing market. tion and the county will return three-tenths of a cent of its one-cent downtown merchants, discouraged by the lack of off-street parking, Bel Air was renovated in 1990, 1997 and 2006. sales tax collection on revenues projected to be as high as $200 began to move out,” Jackson wrote. “This gave residents of the Local developer Phillip Burton, president and CEO of Burton million per year, fully leased. growing western suburbs a downtown of their own and marked the Property Group, said the retail market has been changing as a result One of McGowin Park’s anchor tenants, the first wholesale beginning of the decline of the city’s center.” of urban sprawl and the growing popularity of strip centers. retailer Costco in the Mobile market, opened last week. Josh Bur- Jackson wrote that by the time the interstates were completed, Stephen Schmidt, senior vice president at Cypress Equities, said meister, executive vice president at JLL Real Estate, said Dickey’s Springdale had been joined by Bel Air Mall, which opened in Au- the change can be attributed to the changing habits of shoppers. For Barbecue also opened recently. He said other tenants, like Field & gust 1967, to create “a new, regional shopping hub.” instance, Schmidt said, outdoor malls where a shopper can drive Stream and Dick’s Sporting Goods, will open in mid-July. According to newspaper clippings of the time, Bel Air was the right up to the store they want to visit are more convenient than tra- Construction has also started on phase two of the retail devel- city’s first indoor mall and was planned to be the largest in the state. ditional malls, where shoppers more commonly park far away and opment off Government Boulevard near Interstate 65, which will Plans for Bel Air were detailed in a Sept. 20, 1964, Mobile must walk through or past other stores to reach their destination. welcome tenants including Ross, Petco, OshKosh, Starbucks and Register story in which Sears was announced as one of the anchor But New York City-based developer Rouse Properties, which Jared, Burmeister said. Opening dates for phase two are planned for stores, noting a second location downtown would not be affected. A bought Bel Air Mall last year, argues there is still value in indoor September or October, he said. movie theater was also announced. malls. Chief Operating Officer Brian Harper wrote in a statement Burmeister also handled leasing for Westwood Plaza, which is Local department store chain Hammel’s joined Sears as an that the mall’s location made it attractive to the company. owned by Burton Property Group. Westwood struck a similar $9.25 anchor and the cost of the project was estimated to be $20 million. “Bel Air was a perfect fit for our portfolio of dominant, ‘only- million tax abatement deal with the city last year. Under the 15-year Construction started in January 1966. game-in-town’ middle-market malls, as it is the only enclosed re- agreement, Burton Property Groups’ $25 million investment in Across the street, plans to enclose Springdale Mall were gional mall within a 60-mile radius and has an expansive geograph- the old shopping center will be rebated by any sales tax revenue, “finalized” in 1974, according to the Register. At that time, it was ical reach, serving shoppers in Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida exceeding a 40 percent increase from what the shopping center anchored by Gayfers and Montgomery Ward. panhandle,” he wrote. “We see substantial opportunities to apply reaped in 2013. our national platform and create value through targeted improve- If Burton recoups $4.7 million in rebates for the initial capi- A changing retail landscape ments to the asset and to the retailer merchandising mix. tal expenses on the project, the deal is capped to a maximum of Sledge said the development of the two retail malls and their “In addition, there is a long and growing list of prominent retail, $450,000 a year until it expires. The deal further stipulates that re

24 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 Photo/Dan Anderson The area’s first Costco anchors the new McGowin Park retail development at Inter- state 65 and Government Boulevard.

tailers at the plaza have to either be the mar- major recession, an oil spill and a major hurricane. ket’s first-ever store, or a second store. A store “We hope the park becomes a great amenity already in the market is ineligible to relocate to for the city … and will help jumpstart leasing,” Westwood, at the southeast corner of Schillinger he said. Road and Airport Boulevard. Cypress Equities Managing Director of Burmeister said JLL just signed Mobile’s Leasing and Marketing Michael Wheat said second PetSmart store for the location. Other ten- he’s excited for the future of Spanish Fort Town ants include outdoor retailer Gander Mountain, Center, despite its slow start. After the ribbon clothier Ross and Hobby Lobby, among others. cutting, Wheat said two new restaurants would be Burton lauded the public-private partnerships coming to the center, which would be announced for allowing reinvestment in older shopping in the fall. centers. He said in most cases, the deals help Across Interstate 10, Jubilee Square has been bridge a funding gap and make investments of more successful. Burton said the center is now full. that size reality. “We’re very fortunate we’re at 100 percent “Without it, the investment wouldn’t be occupancy,” he said. possible,” he said. “It can make a project work, instead of not.” Economic factors In addition to Westwood Plaza, Mobile’s Numbers provided by local economist Dr. Pinebrook Shopping Center at Airport Boulevard Semoon Chang suggest an increase in sales tax and McGregor Avenue has been undergoing revenue countywide is attracting more retail renovations. When complete, it will be home to developers. the area’s first Whole Foods Market. Mobile County collected more than $54.5 mil- The Eastern Shore has seen the relatively lion in sales taxes in 2014, according to county recent development of at least three outdoor gross tax receipts, Chang said. That number is shopping centers — Eastern Shore Centre and up from $52 million in 2013 and $50 million in Spanish Fort Town Center in Spanish Fort, as 2012, when the area was still recovering from the well as Jubilee Square in Daphne. recession. While Eastern Shore Centre and Jubilee According to Chang’s numbers, 2008 was the Square have been fully leased, Spanish Fort Town Center has struggled to fill its immense last year prior to 2012 the county collected $50 space. million or more. For 2009, 2010 and 2011, the The center, anchored by Bass Pro Shop and county collected around $49 million per year. JCPenney, entered into receivership in 2007 Chang said developers are, most likely, bank- but emerged last year, according to developer ing on a full recovery and a bright future. Cypress Equities. Burton agreed, cautioning that while no one At a June 4 ribbon cutting for a new park the has a crystal ball, retailers and developers are developer hopes will lead to a turning point for the hopeful the trend continues. center, Schmidt didn’t deny its history. He noted “The climate has improved and retailers have that since it opened, the area has been hit with a become more active,” he said.

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 ARTARTIFICE Recognizing talent in the artist’s own time BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

t’s odd the roads to which inspiration leads. Sometimes it winds those same thoughts resounded. That took us to an intersection through turns, other times it’s like a glimpse onto parallel thor- with a street marked “overlooked and underappreciated artists,” oughfares. where we turned northward. Let’s start with the opening reception for potter Charles We rode on the story of a mutual friend’s recent journey to ISmith’s new show at the Mobile Museum of Art. For those famil- Birmingham artist Joe Minter’s African Village in America, and iar with this fixture of Mobile’s arts world, it was expected but no the personal tour Minter gave him. I avoided a turn-off marked less amazing. by my personal background in the same Magic City sector — it A sizable list of local collectors adorns one wall with thanks for wasn’t “about me” — but it enhanced the view from my seat in pieces lent to the show. They aren’t the only Mobilians possessing the conversation. Smith’s work and represent a tiny fraction of those who appreciate Another detour took us into the topic of “naïve,” “folk” or “out- his expansive talent. sider” art and how labels are used as a tool to marginalize, deni- Smith put his creative urges to therapeutic work after a tour of grate and condescend. Among inherently social humans, there’s a duty in Vietnam. He earned a B.S. in art education with a minor in subliminal stigma or suspicion associated with the term “outsider,” pottery from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. regardless of how much we claim to value innovation. We’ll take After moving to Mobile, he became artist in residence for the rebellion but only within parameters. city in 1977, painting murals and teaching classes. What he did in The morning following the reception, I opened my laptop to let Photo/ Courtesy Mobile Museum of Art his own time is what earned him accolades as his profound pottery the world come streaming in. It cranked the engine on the previous Pottery by Mobile artist Charles Smith. work began to crop up in traveling exhibits and heady arenas like night’s conversation. the National Museum of American Art in the Smithsonian Institu- In a June 5 column, Birmingham News columnist John tion in Washington, D.C. and the American Craft Museum in New Archibald asked why local creative genius has been feted in I’m not completely sure, but Archibald could start finding York City. larger cultural centers but failed to find the same acclaim in its answers by asking his Mobile-based al.com colleagues, who have In the new exhibit, it’s easy to see this man’s genius on display. home territory. In particular he referenced self-taught visual artist yet to cover said “better received” works of Dial, Minter and The novel concepts, the painstaking craftwork, the overall breadth Thornton Dial’s appearance at a posh New York City eatery in Lonnie Holley mere blocks from their office. The three are part of vision and task is both daunting and astounding. the last few weeks. of Alabama Contemporary Arts Center’s current exhibit “History As I chatted with a gallery owner and stalwart supporter of lo- The occasion was the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards and Refused to Die,” viewable through December at 301 Conti St. cal arts, we agreed Smith is underappreciated. Sure, his work has how Bessemer, Alabama-native Dial was honored along with The show opened more than two months ago and until Monday moved around the nation some; sure, locals know and love him. Usher and Robert De Niro. Dial was saluted as a 20th century art had been the subject of just one 17-shot online photo gallery from But we concurred he deserves wider fame. pioneer and compared to Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Rauschen- the town’s oldest print media outlet. Until Monday, there had been As is far, far too often the case with artists, once Smith slips berg and Jackson Pollock. no article, no review. the bounds of this existence his fame will balloon. His pieces will What Archibald wanted to know was if the Metropolitan Mu- I agree with Archibald’s basic contention, but if little ol’ upstart explode in value, moving into more and more prestigious collec- seum of Art has 10 of Dial’s works in their collection and plans for Lagniappe has made the effort to give these “outsiders” some love tions. It’s just a shame he can’t get a bigger taste of it now while his own featured exhibit next year, why the man can’t get as much when the exhibit opened, what was holding back the venerable he’s here to enjoy it. love at home. He said Dial and his contemporaries are “better Press-Register? Whose decision was that and why? In a conversation with a museum staffer a few minutes later, received in Montgomery and Mobile than around Birmingham.” Maybe the road to widespread acceptance leads through all of us first. We don’t need a map to get there, just the urge to find new routes.

obile Opera has announced its Also new are pricing plans. One is a VIP 2015/2016 schedule, and there are offer with season tickets for a cocktail table many changes in store. The new for four for both operas. Those attendees program meets with the expectations would have “their choice of a bottle of wine or Mformed when former musical director Andy sparkling juice, treats for the table and tickets Anderson resigned in late April, including a to the Winter Gala Concert.” That is $900 per shift in venue from the Mobile Civic Center table and available until Oct. 2. Theater to The Temple at the corner of Clai- Season tickets with traditional floor seating borne and St. Francis streets. are available for $80 per person. Those are The first show, Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci,” available until Oct. 5. is set for Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 2:30 Single-performance tickets will also be p.m. The story of betrayal, murder and the available at “dynamic pricing according to titular tragic clown is one of history’s most availability.” Those go on sale Oct. 5. famous operatic works. On Feb. 13, Mobile Opera will stage a Win- History Museum attendance ter Gala Concert just four days after an early still on upswing Mardi Gras. The show reportedly will feature There’s good news from Royal Street. More the Mobile Opera Chorus in addition to “area people are walking through the doors at the artists of renown.” History Museum of Mobile than in previous The company will feature Puccini’s comic years. work “Gianni Schicchi” in the spring. The During the second and third quarters of the fourth installment in Mobile Opera’s Puc- 2014-2015 fiscal year, attendance has risen cini Project — an effort to produce all of the roughly 60 percent. During the first quarter of composer’s works — will take place April 1 at FY 2014-2015, it rose 40 percent. This gives 8 p.m. and April 3 at 2:30 p.m. the museum some of its highest attendance Mobile Opera insists it was forced to numbers in nearly five years. redline a permanent artistic director due to Museum staff say March 2015 alone boast- shrinking funds, which prompted Anderson to ed almost 10,000 visitors, lured by events like resign along with some board members. Gen- the annual Colonial Day at Fort Conde, the eral Director Scott Wright said future directors Holi Festival of Colors (also at Fort Conde) would be hired on a per-performance basis. and the opening reception for an artistic exhi- Wright said changes in funding received bition commemorating the fifth anniversary of from the city, shrinking ticket sales and the BP oil spill. In April, the museum hosted increased fees combined to make trimming the annual meeting of the Alabama Historical necessary. He pointed to the cascade’s origin Association. as August 2014, when a number of arts groups Much of the increased traffic can be at- saw city of Mobile performance contracts tributed to the museum’s impressive Roderick either diminished or zeroed out. D. MacKenzie exhibit covering the artist’s According to Wright, Mobile Opera was time in India a century ago. It’s also aided by also affected by removal of the fee waiver the mayor’s October 2014 decision to waive it employed for a portion of the rent for the entrance fees. Mobile Civic Center Theater. He claimed the So when you make something free, people company spent $60,000 on the theater last will indulge? Who’da thunk it? season as a result. A few months after the performance contracts were altered, the mayor’s office divulged Last will and laughter at plans to demolish the 50-year-old Mobile Midtown theater Civic Center complex. The news sent alarm As the life of addled patriarch Buford Turn- through Mobile Opera and Mobile Ballet, as over winds down, his disparate children gather both entities cited the Civic Center facilities as at the family’s Texas homestead to await the irreplaceable for their needs. inevitable. What is most unavoidable, though, Wright claimed worries about the possible is the clash of their personalities and the eradication of its traditional venue inhibited humor it stirs. Mobile Opera contributions. Ideas for saving More than just greed and bickering, this the theater portion of the complex while razing play is fraught with the honky-tonkin’, hanky the remainder made the rounds. panky and substance abuse expected from a Now with Mobile Opera’s move to the classic Del Shores comedy. Mobile Theatre former Scottish Rite Temple, Mobile Bal- Guild has turned to Shores for many of its let stands alone as an arts institution with a productions over the years and this is sure to stake in the Civic Center Theater. While the produce results just as delightful. 88-year-old Saenger Theatre has been used for Performances at the 14 N. Lafayette St. occasional ballets, constraints and facilities playhouse run June 12 through 28. Friday and don’t match the Civic Center. Saturday curtain is at 8 p.m. Sunday matinee Mobile Opera’s plans for the is at 2 p.m. 10,000-square-foot main hall of The Temple Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, active mil- promise “live opera in a radical way, up itary and students. Reservations are available close and accessible” with “a stage and a side at 251-433-7513, by emailing mtg.boxoffice@ orchestra arrangement.” It is billed as a more gmail.com or by visiting mobiletheatreguild. intimate setting. org/box.html.

estled in the oaken shade of the Oakleigh Garden Dis- trict (OGD), Callaghan’s Irish Social Club has spent decades as Mobile’s ultimate neighborhood pub. This watering hole has earned nods from USA Today and NEsquire for its top-notch fare. These days Callaghan’s is becoming known as a launching pad for up-and-coming bands passing through the Azalea City. Co-owners Harry Johnson and John Thompson have played a big role in making Callaghan’s an intimate venue that attracts the next big act before they become superstars. With equal portions of Southern charm and hospitality, Johnson, Thompson and the Callaghan’s staff keep these big names coming back for more. The partners now plan to bring a little of the OGD to the Eastern Shore. While Johnson’s resume includes owning the Bluegill during its glory days as a music venue, Thompson fell into the music venue business haphazardly. Twelve years ago, he fell for the “old school charm and comfort” of Callaghan’s and decided to leave his job as a medical sales rep and invest his time and money in this historic neighborhood pub. “I always wanted to own a place, but nothing really struck me until this place,” Thompson said. “Even then, it was kind of a side gig. I never knew that it would turn into a full-time gig. I never knew that it would turn into a restaurant or venue like this.” In fact, Thompson and Johnson really had no intention of making Callaghan’s a music venue. In the beginning, they only featured local solo acoustic acts such as Bobby Butchka and Phil Proctor. Hurricane Katrina changed everything. When the Photo/ Michelle Stancil/facebook.com/MancisAntiqueClub devastating storm hit New Orleans, many local musicians were displaced, including Grayson Capps, who relocated from NOLA Great Peacock entertains music fans at Manci’s in Daphne last weekend. to Mobile and quickly made Callaghan’s his regular Sunday gig. “I probably could’ve had them five or six times before that, if I From there, Thompson explained, the venue began to evolve. Today, the Callaghan’s vibe has outgrown the OGD, and had been really sharp.” Today Alabama Shakes are celebrating the Capps’ shows would bring the masses, as would the band El Johnson and Thompson hope to share it with the Eastern Shore by widespread success of their sophomore effort, “Sound & Color.” Cantador. On a whim, Thompson began marketing Callaghan’s to reviving another classic neighborhood bar. For decades, Manci’s Callaghan’s also introduced Mobile to Justin Townes Earle. bands. Antique Bar in Daphne has drawn thousands with its quirky inte- A Steve Earle fan, Thompson was intrigued by the fact that he “We weren’t really on the map, and I still wouldn’t say that I rior and impeccable brunch. The duo behind Callaghan’s recently is Earle’s son. When the younger Earle made his debut at Cal- was looking to make it a music venue,” Thompson said. “I like bought Manci’s, and hope it will eventually develop a similar laghan’s with a free show, Mobile instantly fell in love with his music, so I would just tap people I like and say, ‘What the heck! reputation for live music. However, Thompson is humble when it modern Americana music tinged with classic country overtones. Let’s see if we can get them down here.’ Between New Orleans comes to this acquisition. Earle also fell in love with Mobile. As he began a steady rise to and Atlanta, there weren’t many places to play, so it was easy to “I had no interest whatsoever in having a second place,” fame, he continued to visit Callaghan’s and pack the venue. For get people.” Thompson said. “I don’t run this one very well. When my partner his most recent performance there, tickets sold for $60; he played Alabama Shakes was one band that answered Thompson’s call, Harry Johnson called me, I went over there, and it seemed so two consecutive sold-out shows. literally. At the time, the band had just changed its name from much like Callaghan’s. It seemed like a place that I wanted to Thompson said he owes Callaghan’s growing reputation in The Shakes. They were virtually unknown but had already begun hang out.” the music world to catching the next big act at just the right time, to generate a buzz that attracted Red Light Management, whose As far as entertainment goes, Thompson explained that they because he and Johnson may not be able to catch them the next roster includes artists such as Interpol, Phish and Ben Harper. will be bringing some of “the tried and trues” to Manci’s. Patrons time they roll down the Gulf Coast. Thompson initially learned of them from a kitchen worker. After can expect to see local favorites such as Grayson Capps and Ro- “We have to catch them early, because we’re so little,” Thomp- getting turned on to their neo-soul sound, Thompson called Brit- man Street, along with touring acts such as Mr. Sipp and Great son said. “We had Houndmouth last year, and now we can’t get tany Howard and eventually settled on a date. Thompson had his Peacock. them. They’re not even obtainable. Last year, St. Paul & the doubts about booking this still-obscure band, but today is glad he “We’re going to blend the two,” Thompson said. “We’re going Broken Bones played here; now they’re opening for the (Rolling) did. to bring in some new music, but we’re going to bring in some Stones.” “I finally got them once, and they blew up,” Thompson admits. great local acts too.”

30 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 DJs in heaven with dancing angels BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: Club Invazzion Dance Party Date: Saturday, June 13 at 9 p.m. Venue: Alchemy Tavern, 7 S. Joachim St., www.alchemytavernmobile.com Tickets: $10 at the door s with Mobile’s metal culture, the Mobile DJ scene may seem obscure, but shows like the Club Invazzion Dance Party prove there are Azalea City music consumers ready to absorb wave after wave of electronic beats. The show will featureA seven DJs ready to send the crowd into an electronic spiral on what’s sure to be a late night. Local favorite Simply Butta can seduce the crowds with gentle grooves before dropping into an intense array of break-beats. Wermzer is another local electronic dance music (EDM) superstar, whose dub- step madness will rattle the windows of the Saenger Theatre across the street. DJ Charlie B, EDM master representing Baldwin County, will bring a round of infectious beats that will have everyone on the dance floor. The crowd can also expect sets from Krave, DJ Future, Kam Sa- tor and the Mad Dr. Wiley. The Bass Angels will also be making an appearance. As the talent spins into the wee hours, The Bass Angels will add to the entertainment with their versatile choreography. Photo/ facebook.com/wermzer1 River City roaming AC/DC, refined

Band: Bryce Alastair Band: Black Jacket Symphony Date: Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. Date: Thursday, June 18 with doors at 7 p.m. Venue: The Listening Room, 78 St. Francis St., www.thelistening- Venue: Saenger Theatre, 6 S. Joachim St., www.mobile- roommobile.com saenger.com Tickets: $5 at the door Tickets: $22 to $27, through Ticketmaster and Saenger box office acksonville, Florida, has always been a hotbed of musical talent. The original Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit, Butch Trucks and nephew Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers hen the word “symphony” is used to describe a musical group, the term Band, and Vic Chesnutt all hail from Jacksonville. Bryce Alastair & The Blues-N-Brews are conjures visions of woodwinds and violins and sounds of Mozart and Wagner. one of the most prolific current local acts. Alastair will give the Azalea City a taste of Jackson- The Black Jacket Symphony has redefined the term and taken it to another Jville blues with a solo acoustic show at Mobile’s only true listening room. dimension. The group of seasoned musicians takes on iconic albums and With a repertoire of more than 200 songs, Alastair should have no problem entertaining the crowd. performsW them with a precision matched only by the original recordings. Over the years, the His education in the blues began during childhood, influenced by musicians ranging from Robert John- Black Jacket Symphony has performed albums from bands ranging from Led Zeppelin to Pink son to The Band. Floyd. Alastair and his own band produce a heavy, roughneck blend of rock and blues. His solo acoustic For this visit to LoDa, the Black Jacket Symphony will perform AC/DC’s “Back in Black” interpretations should make for good listening. in its entirety. In addition to the title track, the Aussie metal band also filled the album with such hits as “Shoot to Thrill,” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Hells Bells.” After they perform “Back in Black,” the orchestra will take a short intermission before treating the crowd to a best-of set featuring other AC/DC hits.

Photo/ facebook.com/BryceAlastairBand Photo/ facebook.com/blackjacketsymphony

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 AREA MUSIC l ISTINGS JUNE 11 - JUNE 17

Legacy— Chris Spies & La Cucuracha, Listening Room— Chris Duncan and The Grand Mariner— Brett THUR. JUNE 11 9:30p Friends LaGrave, 2p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Destiny Listening Room— Warren Wolf and Lulu’s— Cornbred, 6p Tropics— Al & Cathy Brown Friends Main Street Cigar Lounge— The Veets— Tim Kinsey, Jeff Fidler, Daryl Beau Rivage— YAYE, 7p Lulu’s— Lee Yankie Band, 6p John Law Band, 8p Huffman & Doug Previto, 8p BLUEGILL— Cary Lane Duo, 6p Main Street Cigar Lounge— Jimmy Manci’s— Timmy and Chris from Peek Blues Tavern— Rebecca Barry Trio, Lee Hannaford, 8p McSharry’s— DJ Carter, 10p 8:30p McSharry’s— DJ Carter, 10p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Brandon MON. JUNE 15 Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Brent Byrd, Reeves, 6:30p American Legion Post 88— Mark Felix’s— Jerri 6:30p Pinzones— Rebecca Barry Duo and Greg Hangout— The Perry Wall, 7p Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Rhythm Pirates Cove— Vicki Ray, 6p Beau Rivage— YAYE, 7p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— The Intervention, 8p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Felix’s— Brittany Grimes Flying Steinway Brothers O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell, Tony Melissa Joiner Duo, 6p Hangout— Rhythm Intervention, 7p// Legacy— Jimmy Lumpkin Edwards and David White, 10p The Grand Mariner— Brett Jay Williams, 11p Listening Room— Bryce Alastair Pinzones— Rebecca Barry Duo LaGrave, 4:30p Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 6p Lulu’s— Sugarcane Jane, 6p Tacky Jacks (Ft. Morgan) — Les Tropics— Rock Bottom McSharry’s— Fobes & Fant, 7:30p Linton, 7p Soul Kitchen— The Molly Ringwalds, Pinzones— Amy True Duo Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — 9p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — TUE. JUNE 16 The Groovenators, 6p Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Beau Rivage— YAYE, 7p Jimmie Lee Hanniford, 6p Tropics— Mango Fish Wind Creek Casino— Earth Wind BLUEGILL— Mobile Big Band Society, Saenger— Menopause The Musical Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p and Fire, 8p 6p Sunset Fest at the Wharf— Vibe The Wharf— Eric Church Windmill Market— Jimmy Lumpkin, Butch Cassidy’s— Andy MacDonald Irie Windmill Market— Lonesome Mel, 11a Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p Veets— Joe Anderson, 8p 11a// Harrison McInnis, 6p Felix’s— Chris Powell SUN. JUNE 14 Hangout— Mojiles, 7p FRI. JUNE 12 SAT. JUNE 13 Beau Rivage— YAYE, 3p//7p Lulu’s— Jimmy Lumpkin, 6p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Double Dee American Legion Post 88— Bill BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Bob Bill’s by the Beach— Lisa Zanghi & and Arron Gypsy Riot, 6p Erickson, 6p Scott Koehn, 6:30p Baumhower’s (OBA)— Ronnie Blues Tavern— Dillon Brown, 5p Veets— Josh Ewing and Greg Fells, 8p Bimini Bob’s— Sid Moore Presley Callaghan’s— Infant Richard and Blind Mule— The Hallers and Pompeii Beau Rivage— YAYE, 3p//7p Delta Stones Day, 10p WED. JUNE 17 Bimini Bob’s— Strictly Presley Felix’s— Jimmy Lumpkin Beau Rivage— YAYE, 7p BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// BLUEGILL— Brittany Grimes, 11a// Garage— Alice and Dave, 5p Bimini Bob’s— Al and Cathy Blind Dog Mike, 6p Soulshine, 6p Hangout— Kyle and Karl, 7p// The BLUEGILL— Ross +1, 6p Blues Tavern— Ric McNaughton Blues Tavern— Velvet Monkey, 9p Perry Wall, 11p Blues Tavern— 61/69, 8p ISTINGS Band, 9p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Cam & Bucky’s Birdcage (Grand Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ Chill Mike Hotel)— Adam Holt Piano Show, 8p Cathedral Square— Bayou Rhythm, Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike Legacy— Rebecca Barry and John Callaghan’s— Deluxe Trio 6p Garage— Tuscaloosa Station Cochran, 11a Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p Felix’s— Soulshine Hangout— Oliver’s Twist, 7p Lulu’s— Cadillac Attack, 6p Felix’s— Corey Rezner Garage— Crowned Jewels, 9p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— 5 Finger Manci’s— Grayson Capps Hangout— Mojiles, 7p Hangout— Peek, 7p// The Foxy Discount McSharry’s— Trad Irish Music, 6:30p Legacy— Lee Yankie Iguanas, 11p IP Casino— Happy Together Tour, 8p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Lulu’s— Wes Loper, 6p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— 5 Finger Legacy— David Chastang Melissa Joiner Duo, 11a Veets— Grits N Pieces Discount

AREA MUSIC l SEND yOUR MUSIC lISTINGS TO [email protected]

32 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 AREA Cl U b l ISTINGS [DOWNTOWN] www.serdas.com 311 Fairhope Ave. | 928-2032 Pirate’s Cove [Elberta] 6120 Marina Dr. S. 3 S. Royal St. | 415-3000 Ravenite Pizzeria [Fairhope] www.piratescoveriffraff.com 443-7318 Alchemy Tavern Skyview Lounge 102 N. Section St. | 929-2525 6600 County Rd. 95| 987-1224 Tin Top alchemy.joltpro.com Atop the Lafayette Plaza Rosie’s Grill and Record Bar Tacky Jacks 7 S. Joachin St. | 441-7741 6232 Bon Secour Hwy. County 301 Gov’t St.| 694-0100 [Daphne] www.tackyjacks.com The Blind Mule Rd. 10 | 251-949-5086 Soul Kitchen www.rosiesgrill.com [Orange Beach] 57 N. Claiborne St. | 694-6853 Touch Down Tavern www.soulkitchenmobile.com 1203 U.S. 98|626-2440 27206 Safe Harbor Dr, |981-4144 Boo Radley’s 5460 Inn Rd | 662-7543 219 Dauphin St. |433-5958 Windmill Market [Fairhope] [Gulf Shores] www.booradleysmobile.com [Saraland] Spot of Tea’s Jaggers www.windmillmarket.org 249 E. 24th Ave.| 948-8881 VFW Post 7320 276 Dauphin St. | 432-1996 310 Dauphin St. | 375-6772 85 N. Bancroft St. | 517-5444 [Gulf Shores] 244 Old Telegraph Rd. |679-1188 The Bar Studio 5’4 1577 Alabama 180|968-8341 Whiskey Blues [Theodore] 352 St. Francis St. | 648-1596 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 [WESTMObIlE] The Handlebar [Pensacola] 5791 Swedetown Rd.|633-1769 The Brickyard T.P. Crockmiers All Sports Bar & Grill www.handlebarpensacola.com Zebra Lounge 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 Buck’s Pizza 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Veet’s 345-9338 The Wharf [Orange Beach] www.buckspizza.com 473-2997 www.veetsbarandgrill.com Billiards Club 4985 Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club [CASINOS] Cockeyed Charlies [AROUND AND AbOUT] www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Beau Rivage [Biloxi] [MIDTOWN] 6920 Airport Blvd.|725-1112 The Old Bama Barn [Theodore] 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 www.beaurivage.com Ashland Midtown Pub Crooked Martini 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973-0388 Dauphin St. Blues Company www.ashlandmidtownpub.com www.thecrookedmartini.com Blue Gill Restaurant 878 Beach Blvd.|228-386-7111 & Draft Picks 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 www.bluegillrestaurant.com or 888-595-2534 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 Blues Tavern Flashback Club 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Firehouse Wine Bar Shop www.bluestavern.com 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 Bottoms Up [Biloxi] 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 2818 Gov’t Blvd. |479-7621 Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287-7781 www.hardrockbiloxi.com Gabriel’s Downtown 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 Briar Patch 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 Butch Cassidy’s Cafe 777 Beach Blvd. Lucky Irish Pub & Grill 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. The Garage www.butchcassidys.com |228-374-ROCK (7625) 3692 Airport Blvd.| 414-3000 973-1120 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 60 N. Florida St. |450-0690 Harrah’s Hotel & Casino Mellow Mushroom Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] Hayley’s Downtown Kimberly’s Midtown Bar [New Orleans] www.mellowmushroom.com 4901 Chicot St. | 228-938-6800 278 Dauphin St. | 433-4970 2660 Old Shell Rd. |478-1477 5660 Old Shell Rd. | 380-1500 Ed’s Seafood Shed www.harrahsneworleans.com Joe Cain Café Mellow Mushroom Patches www.edsshed.com 228 Poydras St.|504-533-6000 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 www.mellowmushroom.com 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 Grand Casino [Biloxi] Liquid 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 Satori Coffee House Felix’s Fish Camp www.grandcasinobiloxi.com 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 Royal Knight Restaurant www.satori-coffee.com www.felixsfishcamp.com 280 Beach Blvd. Loda Bier Garten 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |287-1220 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 228-436-2946 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 Silver Horse Pub Runway Billards Midnight Rodeo Mobile Civic Center 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 IP Casino Resort & Spa 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 7790 Tanner Rd. |639-2222 www.mobilecivicctr.com Whistle Stop Bar & Grill [Biloxi] The Hungry Owl Mississippi Coast Coliseum 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208-7261 www.ipbiloxi.com 110 S. Florida St.|478-7427 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 [Biloxi] Moe’s Original BBQ 850 Bayview Ave. Stir Mobile www.mscoastcoliseum.com www.moesoriginalbbq.com [EASTERN SHORE] 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342-9995 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 800-436-3000 701 Spring Hill Ave|410-7427 [Daphne] Bay House Pub VFW Post 49 The End Zone Sports Bar Wind Creek Casino O’Daly’s Irish Pub 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. www.windcreekcasino.com 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 [Daphne] Club 44 829-9227 303 Poarch Rd., Atmore OK Bicycle Shop 28850 US 98, #100 | 445-8069 [THE bEACH] The Oar House [Dauphin Island] 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 866-946-3360 Gumbo Shack Flora-Bama 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 Pat’s Downtown Grill www.guysgumbo.com www.florabama.com Original Oyster House

271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 [NEW ORlEANS] l b U AREA C l 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 17401 Perdido Key Dr., www.theoysterhouse.com Riverview Plaza (Fathoms House of Blues McSharry’s [Fairhope] 850-492-0611 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 Lounge) www.houseofblues.com www.mcsharrys.com The Hangout Pelican Pub & Restaurant 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 225 Decatur St . |504-310-4999 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 www.thehangoutal.com [Dauphin Island] Royal Scam 101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 Howlin’ Wolf www.royalscammobile.com Live Bait www.moesoriginalbbq.com Pelican Reef Restaurant www.thehowlinwolf.com/new- 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) www.livebaitrestaurant.com 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. orleans Royal Street Tavern 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. Old 27 Grill [Fairhope] | 973-2670 907 S. Peters St. 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 974-1612 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 Trader’s 504-522-WOLF (9653) Saenger Theatre Lulu’s at Homeport Marina 4015 Battleship Pkwy ISTINGS www.mobilesaenger.com Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] www.lulubuffett.com Louisiana Superdome 626-5630 6 S. Joachim St. |208-5600 www.papaspizza.com 200 E. 25th Ave. www.superdome.com The Grand Mariner Saddle Up Saloon 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 251-967-LULU 1500 Poydras St. |504-587-366 [Fairhope] 6036 Rock Point Rd. www.saddleupmobile.com Plow Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] Tipitina’s 96 Plantation Pointe| 410-7569 www.pinkponypub.net 443-5700 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 501 Napoleon Ave. Courtyard 311 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 The River Shack Serda’s Coffee Company 504-895-TIPS (8477)

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 MUSICRUNDOWN Sazerac’s debut performance highlights Vomit Spots reunion BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

he Vomit Spots reunion show debut album on the way, the Azalea City last weekend at Alchemy could be seeing a lot more of Sazerac. Tavern introduced Mobile to Sazerac. Taking its name from Campo Santo Summer Ta potent New Orleans cocktail, Sazerac Concert Series may be new on the underground scene, Speaking of New Orleans influences but its lineup features familiar faces. in Mobile, the city of Mobile Office Front man George Kennedy has spent of Special Events and the Downtown time with such bands as the Cunning Mobile Alliance have created an event Runts, Pain and The Hormones. Drum- in the spirit of NOLA’s Wednesdays in mer Tuan Titlestad provided beats for the Square. The groups have partnered The Hormones and Berkeley-based with Blue Moon Brewing to bring local Stiff Richards. Bassist Cliff Brown Jr. music lovers the Campo Santo Summer laid down bottom-end tones for The Concert Series on Thursday evenings at Hormones, and guitarist Jeff Dunnam’s Cathedral Square. licks have been heard in such bands as Campo Santo was an 18th century Breccia and Self-Inflicted. cemetery at what is now Cathedral This quartet has been creating its Square. Beginning June 11 from 5 until soon-to-be-released debut, “Absinthe 7:30 p.m., the Campo Santo Summer Minded,” an album exploring “the close Concert Series invites the public to connection between Mobile and New enjoy beer and free music. Organizers Orleans both musically and socially,” hope attendees will also support local according to a press release. The band businesses while enjoying LoDa. has been previewing tracks for through Multi will be featured July 11; singer- social media. Filled with roughneck songwriter Lisa Zanghi performs June metal guitar mixed with Southern rock 18; Emerge will perform June 25 and sensibilities, “Baby Jane” is a track that Stereo Dogs is slated for July 2. Enter- begs heads to bang. Funk-driven metal tainment for the final two weeks will be Photo/ facebook.com/sazerac.rocks accented by spontaneous rhythmic drops announced. The Campo Santo Concert “Absinthe Minded,” the debut album from Mobile-based Sazerac, will explore “the close dominates “Who You Mad At?” With Series runs through July 16. their debut show in the books and a connection between Mobile and New Orleans both musically and socially.”

honestly don’t know what happened in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Inherent Vice,” and I don’t really care. The first Thomas Pynchon book to be adapted to film, it was still utterly Icaptivating, hilarious and endlessly fascinating. Like, literally endless. It was two and a half hours long, but I enjoyed every weird, nonsensi- cal minute of it. With multiple meandering plots, “Inherent Vice” is a stoned mediation on unsolved myster- ies at the personal and global levels, and best enjoyed as a free-floating spectacle of cartoon- ish yet believable performances. Sit back and enjoy the ride through Southern California in 1970, abstractly picking up the vibes of films like “Chinatown,” “The Big Sleep” and even “The Big Lebowski.” Photo/ Warner Brothers After all, Joaquin Phoenix plays a brother Katherine Waterson as Shasta Fay and Joaquin Phoenix as Doc in ”Inherent Vice.” shamus, Doc Sportello, smoking weed and trying to solve various disappearances. (He even has a wandering daughter job.) His main con- some. He turns up everywhere, and he’s played yet they share a total conviction to their world. cern is locating his ex-girlfriend Shasta and her by Owen Wilson and we now know where the “There Will be Blood” was epic, almost Biblical current, married boyfriend, a real estate mogul character Wilson always plays actually belongs. in its mythic tone. Washed in blood and black into hard drugs and neo-Nazi biker gangs. He’s Everyone in this film is outlandish yet convinc- oil, it also dealt in black and white good and both hindered and helped by a lawman who is ing, and he is one of the best. evil, while “Inherent Vice” is foggy, sprawling his polar opposite, Josh Brolin, aka “Bigfoot.” The real key to this film is that you just want and shaggy, yet epic in its own way. Assisted by his attorney, played by Beni- to watch Phoenix’s Doc character do any and I’ll be the first to admit, I hated his film “The cio Del Toro, and his part-time squeeze, an everything. You want to follow him around Master,” which also starred Phoenix, not to assistant D.A. played by Reese Witherspoon, because he’s so quietly personable and amusing, mention the late great Phillip Seymour Hoff- Sportello also discovers something called the witty even when he seems hapless and well- man, but it is undeniable that the man has some- Golden Fang, which is either a drug cartel or a connected despite his oft-remarked-upon hippie thing to say. He has a signature, not to the more tax shelter for a bunch of dentists. One of the status. He’s utterly stoned and seemingly out obviously stylistic extant of the Coen brothers dentists is a velvet-clad drug fiend played by of it, yet demonstrably competent in his varied or Wes Anderson, but in his case the signature Martin Short, with a drawer full of cocaine and exploits as a private investigator. is depth. Even in a world as shallow as that of an office full of heroin addicts. Director Anderson conjures a rich and Doc Sportello, where people die by falling off Doc also goes in search of a musician named complex time period using not so much period a trampoline and massage parlor brothels hang Coy Harlingen, supposedly dead of a drug over- details, although there are those, too, as much as ludicrous “menus” on the wall, it is a world so dose but actually a snitch undercover, and then a powerful period vibe. He’s clearly a visionary deeply imagined that to watch it is to live in it. film director; each of his films is so different, NEW IN THEATERS NOW PlAyING

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Carmike Cinema’s hollywood stadium 18 Carmike Cinemas eastern shore Premiere Wynnsong 16 1250 Satchel Paige Dr. 23151 Wharf ln. Cinema 14 785 Schillinger Rd. S. (251) 473-9655 Orange beach (251) 981-4444 30500 Alabama 181 #500 (251) 639-7373 Spanish Fort, Al rave motion PiCture Cobb theatres PinnaCle 14 (251) 626-0352 CresCent theater Jubilee square 12 3780 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf 208 Dauphin Street 6898 U.S. 90 Daphne, Shores Information accurate at press time; please

area theaters (251) 438-2005 (251) 626- 6266 (251) 968-7444 call theaters for showtimes. 36 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 CROSSWORD PUZZl E ACROSS

1. Dentist’s administration 4. Peace talks result 8. Honey bunch? 12. Apiece, in scores 13. Place of worship? 14. Strike out 15. Flapper’s wrap 16. Got carried away? 17. Blueprint detail, briefly 18. Email origin 20. Cockpit abbr. 22. Eat by candlelight, perhaps 23. Obis and the like 27. Baking aid 29. Do a farmer’s job 30. Appreciative verse 31. Some shortening 32. Kicks, so to speak 33. Kind of bargain 34. Barley product 35. Lapidarist’s treasure DOWN 36. Corrupt 25. First family’s home? 37. Many sculptures 26. Ticket datum 1. Ties up the phone, say 39. Watch over, as the 27. Jalousie part 2. Medicinal plant flock 28. Christmas play prop 3. Defamer 40. Gold container? 29. It’s usually the bottom 4. Babysitter’s employer 41. Consider line 5. Previously, in poetry 44. Indian butter 32. Rankles 6. Gentleman’s opposite 47. Polish language 33. Bit of guilt 7. Turncoat’s crime 49. “That means ___!” 35. Baby talk 8. Legions 50. Where the Eagle 36. Do a balancing act 9. Little annoyance landed? 38. Pooped 10. Battle (for) 51. It’s a cover-up 39. Ancestral group 11. List limiting letters 52. Common street name 42. Actor’s ambition 19. Went nowhere at the 53. Windows application? 43. Word in a Carrey title box office 54. Expert in futures? 44. Intl. clock standard 21. Bar topic? 55. One who’s coming out 45. ___ polloi 24. Took vacation 46. Countless centuries Answers on PAge 44 48. Fawning one?

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 C O E CAMPO SANTO SuMMER CONCERT SERIES

WHERE: CATHEDRAL SquARE, DOWNTOWN MOBILE WHEN: THuRSDAyS THROuGH JuLy 16, 5-7 P.M.

Come enjoy live music in Cathedral Square from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, June 11 through July 16. Local and regional bands will perform. The concert series is sponsored by the Downtown Mobile Alliance, the city of Mobile Office of Special Events and Blue Moon Brewing. Photo/Downtown Mobile Alliance

June 11 Saenger Theatre. Visit mobilesaenger.com the year. No reservations are necessary. and impacts human resources.” This Gulf State Park planning for more information. MMofA is at 4850 Museum Drive. program has been preapproved for 1 hour Residents are encouraged to participate of general recertification credit through in Open House No. 2 for the Gulf State Campo Santo Summer Concert Series June 12 the Human Resources Certification Park Master Plan, including interactive Come enjoy live music in Cathedral Fiddler on the Roof Institute (HRCI). The meeting fee is $15 stations showing initial Park master plan Square from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Now on stage at the Joe Jefferson for chapter members and $20 for guests. concepts, ecological guidelines, and June 11 through July 16. Local and Playhouse, 11 S Carlen Street in Mobile, A buffet lunch will be served. Advance design principles. Your input is vitally regional bands will perform. The concert “Fiddler On The Roof”. This timeless reservations are required. Register online important as we continue developing series is sponsored by the Downtown story about Teyve the Dairyman and his at mobileshrm.org. concepts and ideas for the Park. Please Mobile Alliance, the city of Mobile family set in 1905 Russia features one of join us from 4-6 p.m. for this interactive Office of Special Events and Blue Moon the most memorable scores ever written Mary Poppins EVENTS | JUNE 11, 2015 - J UNE 17, and informative session. To learn more Brewing. including the songs “Matchmaker”, “If I Mary Poppins, enchanted umbrella in about the Gulf State Park Project, please Were A Rich Man”, “Sunrise Sunset” and hand, descends on the East wind to

OF visit www.gulfstateparkproject.ua.edu. Kids’ Day in Bienville many others. Directed by Eric C. Browne the Chickasaw Civic Theatre stage for There you can also provide feedback Bring the kids out to Bienville Square and featuring a 38-member cast and full the third and final weekend of Disney’s by taking the MyPark Survey. The open for summertime fun and enjoy live orchestra. Showtimes are Friday and Tony-Award-winning musical of the same house will be held at Gulf Shores Activity entertainment, arts and crafts, and visits Saturday nights at 8 p.m. (6/12-13, 6/19- name. Fall in love with Mary Poppins Center, 260 Clubhouse Drive Gulf Shores, with representatives of the Dauphin Island 20) and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (6/14 all over again. Show dates are June 12, Alabama 36542. Sea Lab, the Mobile Police and Fire- and 6/21). For more Information call the 13, 14; showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays Rescue Departments and much more! If JJP box office at 251-471-1534 or visit and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.

ALENDAR Master Plan Open House you have questions, please call 251-208- www.joejeffersonplayers.com. Reservations may be made online at You’re invited to attend Master Plan Open 1550 cctshows.com or by calling 251-457- C House No. 2 from 4-6 p.m. at the Gulf Flora-Bama Family Fun Fishing Rodeo 8887. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and Shores Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Summer Outdoor Market Flora-Bama ushers in summer fun with its $12 for students and seniors over age 60. Drive in Gulf Shores. This event is a The city of Fairhope will host a Summer 2nd Annual Family Fishing Rodeo at its 801 Iroquois St. great way to share your thoughts with Outdoor Farmer’s Market from 3 until 6 own Flora-Bama Yacht Club across the the Master Plan team about the future p.m. on Thursday evenings through July street from the world-famous honky tonk. LoDa ArtWalk of Gulf State Park. To learn more about 9. The market will be set up behind the This year is even better, with more than Downtown is the place to be! Join the Gulf State Park Project, visit www. Fairhope Public Library on Bancroft Street $200,000 in cash and prizes including downtown art galleries, institutions, gulfstateparkproject.ua.edu, where you downtown. The market will feature local a chance to win a brand-new $90,000 studios and unique shops as they open can take the MyPark Survey, or link farmers, bakers, fresh Baldwin County 22-ft. Contender with 250 Yamaha motor their doors and welcome you inside to see directly to the survey at mygulfstatepark. produce, fresh-cut flowers, local honey, and Ameratrail trailer! This “everyman’s” beautiful artwork, sample delicious foods com. plants, baked goods and more. The tournament allows anglers to arrive with and hear the sounds of the LoDa ArtWalk. Fairhope Public Library will hold story their catch by land or by sea. Weigh-ins The ArtWalk gets better and better each Guided Beach Walk times and children’s activities at 4 p.m. are Friday, June 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. month. From 6 to 9 p.m. in the lower Join the staff of Bon Secour National each Thursday at the market. For general and Saturday, June 13, noon to 7 p.m., Dauphin Street district. Wildlife Refuge on Jeff Friend Trail at information or for information about between the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and State Highway 180 in Gulf Shores at becoming a vendor, call 251-929-1466. Flora-Bama Ole River Bar. Any boats too Ark of India 9 a.m. for an adventure that involves large to go under Ono Island bridge can “Ark of India: An Alabama Artist Explores collection, identification and discussion Market on the Hill weigh in at the secondary weigh station Southern Asia” is an exhibit about of vertebrates and invertebrates living in An outdoor market of locally grown at Zeke’s Marina in Orange Beach. A personal discovery and exploration. Little Lagoon. Characteristics of different produce, seafood, soaps is being held captain’s meeting will be held at Flora- It’s an account of late 19th and early marine habitats will also be discussed. at Lavretta Park (Old Shell Road and Bama Yacht Club Thursday, June 11, from 20th century India as seen by Alabama Participants will get wet and should wear Parkway St. W.) every Thursday from May 6 to 9 p.m. All are welcome to join the fun artist Roderick D. MacKenzie, using his old clothes and shoes. The educational 28 to July 30. The Market on the Hill runs for the kick-off party. Anglers/boats do not paintings, drawings, sculptures and, most walk is free and open to the public but from 3 to 6 p.m. For more information, have to be present at the captain’s party importantly, photographs and writings. reservations are required. For additional please call 251-208-1550. to check out, unless they’re entered into The exhibition is organized by the History information or to reserve your spot, the King Mackerel competitive division. Museum of Mobile, 111 S. Royal St. On please call 251-540-7720 or email denise_ Community Conversations on Race For more information, contact Jenifer view until Sept. 1. Admission is free. [email protected]. Do we need to talk about race in Mobile? Surface Ivey at [email protected] Your input is crucial. All community or visit www.florabamafishingrodeo. Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur Menopause The Musical input will be reported to the city. The com or www.facebook.com/ Egg Hunt Menopause The Musical® is a conversation will begin at 6 p.m. at Pillans florabamafishingrodeo. “Hatching the Past” features 100 real groundbreaking celebration of women Middle School, 2051 Military Road. If dinosaur eggs and 100 replica eggs who are on the brink of, are in the middle you have questions, please contact Mobile SHRM Chapter Meeting at The Exploreum. The multimedia of or have survived “The Change.” [email protected]. The Mobile Society for Human Resource experience for all ages invites visitors Now celebrating 14 years of female Management will hold its June chapter to touch real dinosaur bones and empowerment through hilarious musical Thursdays at the Museum meeting from 11:15 a.m. until 1 p.m. at reconstructed nests, dig for eggs, comedy, Menopause The Musical® has Every Thursday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Heron Lakes Country Club in Mobile. The experience hands-on exploration stations evolved as a “grassroots” movement of the Mobile Museum of Art (MMofA) offers featured speaker is Dr. Semoon Chang, and view animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts. women who deal with life adjustments free admission to all visitors. Join MMofA Gulf Coast Center for Impact Studies®. The Exploreum, 65 Government St., is after 40 by embracing each other and the each week to experience the museum Chang’s topic is “U.S. and Local open daily. For more information visit Economy: An update — how this affects road ahead. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the in new and exciting ways throughout www.exploreum.com.

38 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 June 13 speaking? We were. We got over it. Top a guided tour of the gardens to see the Stop and Smell your Flat Tire Sunday Matinee at 5 Rivers Cats Toastmasters invites you to join combinations of plants used in this year’s This short class is designed for the needs Every Sunday throughout the day, take a us. We meet every Monday from noon summer displays and new additions to the of the riders in the Stop and Smell the step inside 5 Rivers Tensaw Theater and to 1 p.m. at the Red Lobster near the gardens. The program is the first in our Roses Riding Club. This day will start with catch a free film. This week’s movie is southeast corner of Airport Boulevard and Wonderful Wednesdays series in June and the normal Stop and Smell the Roses Bike “Predatory Birds.” For more information Azalea Road in Mobile. You can practice July. Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission: Ride, but will leave from the Delta Bike call 251-625-0814. your speaking and listening skills and $12.50 for adults, $7 for children ages Project at 8 a.m. Upon return to the Delta learn to think on your feet in a relaxed, 5-12; free to Bellingrath members and Bike Project, our class will commence Open Studio friendly atmosphere. Dues are $43 twice to ages 4 and younger. Visit www. and will cover the following: 1. Changing Come enjoy complimentary mimosas a year, and lunch must be purchased. Bellingrath.org to see the full schedule a flat tire roadside; 2. Patching your tube as artists work at the Cathedral Square Toastmasters International is a worldwide and register for your favorites. Bellingrath Gallery, 612 Dauphin St. Works by more in an emergency; 3. Basic bike set-up - Is organization. For further information, Gardens is located at 12401 Bellingrath your seat the right height?; and 4. What’s than 60 area artists also will be on display. contact 251-344-2938. Gardens Road. in your gear bag? Light brunch snack and For more information call 251-694-0278. refreshments will be available. Questions? June 16 Downtown Toastmasters Please call Jenn Greene, Director of Mobile BayBears bowl for Via! Are you interested in gaining more Operations, 603-828-6607 or email at This event is for members, individuals, [email protected] families and company/organization teams. confidence in your public speaking Enjoy a night of bowling, pizza and adult ability? The Downtown Mobile Murphy 1965 Class Reunion beverages, and enter the Best Dressed Toastmasters Club 2815 invites you to Did you graduate Murphy High School Team contest for special prizes. Individual join us for our weekly educational lunch in 1965? In so, it’s time for your 50th bowler fee is $30 and includes t-shirt. meeting at T. P. Crockmier’s, 261 Dauphin class reunion! For complete details and Team packages available for $300. The St., from noon until 1 p.m. Practice your reservations, visit www.murphy165.com event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Eastern speaking, listening and leadership skills Shore Lanes. For more information call in a relaxed, friendly environment. Lunch Tomato Tango 251-470-5229. must be purchased. Our dues are $42 Come by Market in the Square for the twice yearly. Toastmasters International best tomato sandwiches on the Gulf Addiction Counseling is a worldwide organization. For more

Coast. From 8 a.m. to noon, the Gulf Narconon would like to remind families information, call 251-404-3924. EVENTS | JUNE 11, 2015 - J UNE 17, Coast Herb Society will be selling its that the use of addicting drugs is on the famous tomato sandwiches topped with Photo/Courtesy of McT Youth Football Camp rise. Take steps to protect your family Brown Bag in Bienville avocado, basil or herb dressing. All from drug use. If you know anyone Come listen to the soothing sounds of OF proceeds go the Gulf Coast Herb Garden June 15 who is struggling with drug addiction, live jazz as you lunch in Bienville Square at Mobile Botanical Gardens. Questions, McT youth Football Camp get them the help they need. Call for a around the historic Ketchum Fountain. call Kathy at 251-680-7979. Grades 1 through 8 are invited to free brochure on the signs of addiction Catt Sirten sets up live musicians and participate in a football youth skills camp. for all drugs. Narconon also offers free the city sets up tables for your enjoyment Market on the Square Under the guidance of Head Coach screenings and referrals. Call 1-800-431- each Wednesday during the spring, 10:30 Shop for the freshest crop at Cathedral Caleb Ross and the entire coaching staff 1754 or visit DrugAbuseSolution.com. a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To make your Brown Square in downtown Mobile. This time of McGill-Toolen, each participant will Baggin’ easier, stop in at your favorite ALENDAR

of year is our favorite because you can receive attention to accelerate his natural Teen Tech Tutor Program C Bienville Square eatery and ask for the buy locally grown tomatoes, potatoes, ability, all in a fun and structured camp The Baldwin County Library Cooperative Brown Bag special. Questions? Call 251- sweet corn, cantaloupes, watermelons, environment. The camp starts at 8 a.m. at recently implemented a Teen Tech Tutor 973-2217. plants and flowers as well as seafood, Lipscomb Stadium. For more information program at the Robertsdale Library. This baked goods, pastas, casseroles, pies, contact Kimberly at 251-610-8294. program is designed to match high- handcrafted goods and much more. Stay school-age students who have strong Little Discoveries at the Exploreum for live music on the green. For more Ballroom Dance technological skills with adults and Little Discoveries is a weekly series in the information, call 251-208-1550. The Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Dance seniors who are unfamiliar with basic Exploreum’s Wharf of Wonder for children Society hosts classes with professional laptop computer technology. The free 6 and under. Lessons will fuse science, June 14 instructors at 7 p.m., followed by dancing program is available Monday through technology, engineering and math with Distinguished young Women Arrival from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10. Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 18301 creativity, art and reading. Each session Ceremony There will be a cash bar and no need to Pennsylvania St., Robertsdale. An will begin with a story reading that will Join us in welcoming the Distinguished bring a partner. Beginners are welcome. appointment is required; call the library at serve as the launching pad for the day’s Young Women Class of 2015 as they Fitzpen Place, 11247 State Highway 31, 251-970-4010. hands-on activities. Wednesdays 10 to arrive at the Mobile Regional Airport (8400 Spanish Fort. For more information, email 11 a.m. and Thursdays 2 to 3 p.m. at Airport Blvd.) at 5:30 p.m. for two weeks Cassie Fishbein at [email protected]. June 17 Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 of activities in preparation for the 58th Wonderful Wednesdays: Summer Government St. For more information, call National Finals competition. For more Top Cats Toastmasters Garden Walk Josh Holland at 251-208-6893 or email information visit distinguishedyw.org. Are you terrified at the idea of public Join Bellingrath Horticulture Managers for [email protected]. SEND yOUR EVENTS TO [email protected]

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 MEDIAMEDIA FRENZY Environmentalist documents circulars’ presence in waterways BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

espite the battle between the city and the pollution of Mobile area waterways.” Alabama Media Group/Press-Register dying Stimpson has pointed to the unsolicited circulars down, litter from the unsolicited advertising as a major source of litter across the city, and the circulars continues to create problems in area City Council was working to pass an ordinance that Dwaterways. would essentially ban the circulars from being thrown Recent photos taken by a citizen activist shows places where they were not requested, but AMG/ that the bright blue Gulf Coast Life plastic bags used Press-Register attorneys have repeatedly threatened to deliver the circulars are making their way into riv- legal action against the city if any attempt is made to ers and streams. Rob Nykvist, who has been a regular interfere with delivery. The P-R’s internal documents crusader for cleaning up area waterways, sent several show more than 200,000 of the circulars are delivered photos last week indicative of how these circulars are throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties each week. clogging streams. In the May 29 photos from Nykvist, Gulf Coast Nykvist sent Mayor Sandy Stimpson, his staff and Life delivery wrappers can be seen polluting various members of the City Council photos last week that parts of Eslava Creek. make a good point for just how many of these products are making their way into waterways. He wrote AMG still in presidential search “In case there is any doubt where Press-Register’s Two months after former president Matt Sharp irresponsibly delivered ‘Gulf Coast Life’ product left Alabama Media Group (AMG) to run the digital ends up, here are a few photos taken two days ago department for Mlive in Michigan, Tom Bates is still (May-29-2015) in Eslava Creek. Irresponsibly deliv- running the show at AMG. ered meaning the Press-Register product is regularly Bates took over April 6 after Sharp left to work tossed on the ground, in streets and in stormwater with fellow Advance Publication property, Mlive. He ditches. There the product is prone to becoming serves as chief digital officer. stormwater trash, leading to direct pollution of Mo- Bates was serving as a senior vice president of bile area waterways in violation of state and federal Advance Local when he was brought in to fill Sharp’s pollution laws. spot. The company said a nationwide search would The Good News is, the relatively new Press- take place to permanently fill the position. Register ad pack (aka circular aka handbill) called Bates founded home services site Kudzu.com, “Gulf Coast Life” is being delivered in a brightly ran USA Today’s international edition and oversaw Photo/ Courtesy Rob Nykvist colored blue plastic sleeve making it easy to see if it the operation of the Cox Corp.’s 60 local websites. is above water. The Bad News is, despite all the time He also was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Georgia Rob Nykvist, who has crusaded for keeping area waterways clear of litter, officials and attorneys have spent on the issue of the Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center has documented several instances of Press-Register ad circular bags Press-Register products, Gulf Coast Life is still being and a digital advisor to Raycom Media. delivered in a reckless manner resulting in continuing No word on how long AMG’s search will last. making their way into creeks and rivers.

40 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 THE LOADED QUESTION WHAT IS A MOVIE yOu CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER AND IT NEVER GETS OLD? ASKED AT LODA BEIR GARTEN

“Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”

-Henry

“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”

-Andy

“Jaws”

-Tyrone

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 SPORTSUPON FURTHER REVIEW local personal trainer sets sights on national mountain biking championships

BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy

ayley Burdine has always been around athletics. When the Mobile native wasn’t supporting her Jaguars as a cheerleader at the University of South Alabama, she was playing just about every sport around. KOnce she’d finished school, she began her career as a personal fitness trainer. Soon, her private and professional interests crossed paths. “I hated just running on a treadmill,” Burdine, who graduated from McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, said of her workout routines. “I went to a bicycle shop, and got an entry-level mountain bike to ride to work.” For fun, she later began to ride trails with friends. They told her she was fast, and suggested she enter a race. In April 2014, Burdine traveled to Brookhaven, Mississippi, for her first mountain bike race. She finished third. “I am really competitive and I wanted to win, but I was proud to take third,” Burdine said. “I’ve played a lot of sports, but that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” The mountain biking bug bit Burdine. She soon purchased a racing bicycle and hasn’t looked back. “The first race I was in covered nine miles,” she said. “I had only trained a week for it. I had no idea of what I was getting into.” Photo/ Courtesy of Kayley Burdine Since then, Burdine has competed in almost two dozen races. Since that first outing, she has won every Category 3 race she’s Kayley burdine moved up to a Category 1, expert-level racer in one year of mountain bike racing experience. entered. Category 3 is for beginners, while Category 2 is for sports racers and Category 1 is for experts. also maintains a blog at www.kayleyburdine.com. hopes to make a decision after the trip to California. “Within my first year, I have climbed into Category 1,” Bur- “It is pricey going to California,” Burdine said. “I have to fly “My long-term goal is to turn pro,” she said. “I will evaluate dine said. “Most racers don’t move up quite so fast, especially if myself and the bike. This is a very expensive hobby. If anyone how I did, and then see if I will go to the bigger competitions. they have been doing it for only one year.” wants to help, it would be greatly appreciated.” “The pro level is something you have to work your way up to. Burdine, who works for 1 on 1 Personal Training on Cottage For her preparations, Burdine recently competed in two races. It is another level of elite riders. All they do is ride and recover. Hill Road, is sponsored by Eastern Shore Cycles in Daphne. She She traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a race at Raccoon I’m still working a job as a personal trainer.” said they help get the bicycle tuned for the races, and work to get Mountain, and then to Birmingham’s Oak Mountain State Park But with Burdine’s competitive nature, the dream of turning her name spread throughout the racing world. for the Bump ’n’ Grind event. She won at both sites. pro may soon be a reality. Speaking of her bicycle, Burdine has certainly moved up “The Bump ’n’ Grind is the biggest mountain bike event in from her first ride that she spent $500 on in order to ride to work. Alabama,” Burdine said. She finished in first place in the Cat- GoDaddy Bowl hosts youth clinic Her latest model is by the brand Specialized and is called a egory 1 cross-country race and was first overall in the short-track Local boys and girls aged 5 to 13 are invited to attend the Stumpjumper. The carbon fiber frame is only 21 pounds. race, in which she out-sprinted a professional rider at the end for third annual GoDaddy Bowl Youth Football Clinic this Satur- “It cost me $5,000,” Burdine said. “Some of the professional the victory. day. The free half-day event of skills and drills will be at Mobile riders have bikes that cost $10,000.” Burdine has also remained busy helping other local women Christian School. get involved with mountain biking. Eastern Shore Cycle has just That might actually be in Burdine’s future. She will soon Participants will work with University of South Alabama head finished hosting an all-girls “ride and learn” event at the Univer- participate in the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Champi- coach Joey Jones, his staff and student-athletes. The clinic will be sity of South Alabama trails. onships in Mammoth Mountain, California. Her recent victories from 8 a.m. to noon at the school on Cottage Hill Road. Equip- “We went over basic skills for ladies who are just starting to have earned her enough points to qualify. ment will be provided, and participants should wear comfortable ride a mountain bike and don’t know exactly what to do,” she “My short-term goal is to go the nationals in July,” Burdine clothing with tennis shoes or cleats. Lunch will be provided. said. “Then afterward, we went on a group ride to apply the said. According to the USA Cycling website, she is in the Cat- Registration closes Thursday at 5 p.m. Participants can sign skills we just learned. We are hoping to have another one of these egory 2 cross-country division for competitors aged 25 to 29. up at www.GoDaddyBowl.com; click the link “Youth Clinic sometime in the fall to get a lot of ladies motivated and interested Burdine has taken to the Internet to help cover the trip. More Registration.” For more information, call the GoDaddy Bowl staff in riding more.” details can be found at www.gofundme.com/uusfv6x. Burdine at 251-635-0011. Joining the professional ranks is an option for Burdine. She

42 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 SPORTSFEATURE GoDaddy bowl announces earlier game day BY TOMMY HICKS/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Photo/ GoDaddy Bowl Mayor Sandy Stimpson tosses the coin at the 2014 GoDaddy bowl featuring Arkansas State and ball State. This year’s game will be played December 23, rather than its traditional date in January.

oDaddy Bowl officials recently announced a change in The GoDaddy Bowl has been played during prime time on we’ll get more local people attending the game. We’ve always the date of the annual game at Mobile’s Ladd Peebles Sta- a Sunday in early January the past four seasons and has held a had [fans who had to] work the next day, but we should be fine. dium. The announcement came as no surprise. A change January date for the past nine seasons. The bowl had a date in “We’re planning some more events around the game to help was expected once the new College Football Playoff was recent years that usually had the game being played the night give a fresh look to it and what’s going on. The community has Gput into place last season, a move that adjusted the playing dates before the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national champion- been very supportive of us and we’ve had good travel from the of some of college football’s biggest bowl games. ship game and/or on the same night as the NFL’s two divisional teams that have played here. The MAC has sent very respectable In truth, it’s a return to the GoDaddy Bowl’s roots. When the championship games. crowds to Mobile. They understand it and it’s a topic at the meet- game was first played, beginning in 1999, it was a mid-to-late A Wednesday game date is certainly nothing new for the ings we have [with league officials] how good a time they have December game. It will be again this season, moving from Sun- GoDaddy Bowl, which has been played on that day of the week here and how well they are treated. And even though [Sun Belt day, Jan. 5, last season to Wednesday, Dec. 23, this season. It will seven times in its history, six of those in the month of December, representative] Arkansas State has been here four years in a row, mark the first time in the bowl’s history two games are played including the first four times the game was played and six of the they have seemed to increase their attendance each year.” in the same calendar year. When the game was switched from a first seven times it was played. Silverstein said the new date, while running close to Christ- December game to a January game, there was no game played in This year’s game, which matches teams from the Sun Belt mas, will allow those who travel to the game to return home the 2006 calendar year. Conference — of which South Alabama is a member — and the Christmas Eve and enjoy Christmas at home. “We knew this was coming,” GoDaddy Bowl President Jerry Mid-American Conference (MAC), will kick off at 7 p.m. CST Last season’s game found Toledo collecting a 63-44 win over Silverstein said. “With the College Football Playoff and the and will be the only prime-time bowl game played that day. The Arkansas State. Toledo’s Kareem Hunt earned Most Valuable separation that the Power Five [conferences] wanted between the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego will also be played on Dec. 23, Player honors by rushing for a bowl record 275 yards and scoring last bowl game and the [national championship] game, where the with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. CST. The GoDaddy Bowl will be five rushing touchdowns, also a bowl record. calendar falls, it was going to move us into December eventually. televised live by ESPN. This season’s game will be the 17th in the bowl’s history. Now that the NFL is starting a little bit later this year, it made “I really don’t expect a big swing in attendance,” Silverstein For further information about the GoDaddy Bowl, visit the the calendar move up a little faster and our [recent] slot was not said of the date change. “I think we might get more people. It’s a game’s website at www.godaddybowl.com. available. That moved us into December.” Wednesday night, a workday, but school will be out. Hopefully,

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 STYLEPORT CITY PREMONITIONS Capricorn should be cynical about GulfQuest opening BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY

Gemini (5/21 - 6/21) — Your week will be baseball and soccer and eaten chips and salsa and and locks you out of your favorite troll profile. joke? OK. You’ll learn that you are the winner of a stuff. Instead, you dread falling asleep at night You’ll be asked to identify photos of your friends Pisces (2/19 - 3/20) — Believing yourself too lifetime supply of Baby Ruth candy bars, but the for fear of hearing a dishevelled Norwegian cox- in order to sign back in, but won’t be able to be- sophisticated for Southern social and political shipment will be lost when the delivery truck swain yelling “Hips to the gunnel!” repeatedly. cause you’ve filled your friends list with random culture, you consider a move to California to be falls off the Bayway into Mobile Bay. You will be Virgo (8/24 - 9/22) — You’ll get so excited people to give your page legitimacy. Ironically, among like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, the source of great happiness for people in your about the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup that that will be your undoing. like-minded people smell like hippies in Cali- town when a Facebook video called “Free Candy you’ll forget the event’s parent organization is Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/22) — Exhilarated fornia and like to use their sleeves as napkins in on the Beach!” goes viral. You will head down to entangled in a massive international corruption by American Pharoah’s Triple Crown victory at order to save the environment. Everyone knows Fairhope to get one of the prized Baby Ruth bars, scandal and appreciate the beautiful game for Belmont, you try to score a hat trick of your own. you love the environment — but still you refuse but it will taste funny. Next week will be spent what it is. However, as signs that say, “FIFA: Say Falling short of winning in competitions against to recycle because it’s just “hard.” If you go, your Googling information on how to combat diseases no to racism” dot your screen, you’ll remember people who take those things seriously, you settle refusal to fall in line with California treehug- that come from eating stale, funny-tasting, sus- the Legion-of-Doom style policies that led to the on a more practical goal. Your friends, family and gers will result in you being deported to Utah. pect candy bars. scandal and start to question how you can support coworkers will not be as excited as you when you Then, you’ll be in for an entirely different set of Cancer (6/22 - 7/22) — When your wife asks a process that is unfair to athletes, host countries announce that you’ve made three successive trips problems. you to take your cranky baby for a late night and humanity in general. Then Sydney LeRoux to the toilet without spoiling the seat. Aries (3/21 - 4/19) — You’ll get drunk on drive, you will scour the Mobile/Baldwin radio will do something awesome and you’ll forget Capricorn (12/23 - 1/19) — You lose the office Costco bourbon after your shift to buying in bulk stations for a song that pleases the teething one- again. betting pool by predicting GulfQuest will open leads to consuming in bulk. Let the blackout, year-old. You will search and search until you Libra (9/23 - 10/22) — Looking back at Face- before the start of another school year, July 1 to memory loss and splitting headache be a lesson stop on the “alternative rock” station. You’ll be book, you’ll realize you missed #nationalbest- be exact. A highly anticipated press conference to you; just because you can buy a gross of Jim shocked to discover that your sweet little child friendsday and will try to retroactively tag your to announce the opening date of the long-awaited Beam doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. In the future, likes the latest Slipknot song. When the baby best friend. However, you’re horrified to discover maritime museum reveals the big day as Oct. you should stick to buying only healthy items finally falls asleep, you’ll go home and apologize they’ve moved on once you notice they’ve 15 — in the year 5460. Officials explain it will from the wholesale club. Also, avoid pennies if to your wife for failing as a father. Go ahead and already been tagged by an acquaintance from correspond to the 165 million-year anniversary at all possible. They could lead to your downfall. sign your daughter up for a subscription to Alter- high school — one you would never assume to of the Cretaceous Period, when the Gulf was cre- You’ve been thoroughly warned. native Press and a Hot Topic frequent buyer card be #bestfriendmaterial. With rage and betrayal in ated. Its first major exhibit will be artifacts from Taurus (4/20 - 5/20) — After repeated power because your fate is sealed. your heart, you’ll drive to your #bestfriendshouse the Tritanic — the world’s largest trimaran that outages continually foil your attempts to set the Leo (7/23 - 8/23) — After a weekend spent and strike them repeatedly with a #bestfriend- sank in the winter of 4861, with nine million poor digital clock on your microwave, you’ll give up paddling a long canoe with your coworkers, bluntobject. You’ll be arrested for assault and souls on board. on the idea of clocks in general. You’ll ignore you’ll spend the next week complaining of sore- sent to prison, where you’ll meet your #bestfrien- Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18) — You are pleasantly the digital displays in your house and you’ll tell ness and sunburn and headaches. You’ll smile dramone. surprised by an informative presentation a co- coworkers and friends you’ve evolved beyond and tell your work friends that you had a lot of Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21) — As a local “politi- worker makes to a bright, young group of under- the need for a timekeeper. This, of course, is not fun, but deep down inside you rue the day you cal hack” you spend a lot of your time pilfering grads. You sat in to ensure he didn’t libel anyone true and will become painfully obvious to you the signed up for the event. You secretly wish you’d through and adding to the comments on social or disparage the company, and you are relieved first day you show up to your job five hours late. stayed home with the one smart coworker who media and al.com stories. However, tragedy will that his only miscue was an ill-timed rape joke. You’re allowed to stay on the condition you adopt didn’t participate. You guys could have watched strike when Facebook realizes you’re an imposter Wait, did he seriously just make an ill-timed rape a pet rooster.

CROSSWORD PUZZlE ANSWERS

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F u t u r e s h o C k

44 | LAGNIAPPE | June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 STYLEEXTRA Kate bolick memoir is really two books in one BY ASIA FREY

omeone asked me once if I was a spinster; I was 25 at the colony and tries (and fails) to launch this very book project. I time and already married, but I had told this awkward sensed that she struggled to eventually flesh out her own ideas teenager that I was closing up his high school library for about spinsterhood into a book-length project, because it’s really an hour so I could go home and feed my cat. This combi- two books. Snation of library career and feline companion was all he needed One book is an engaging story about a smart lady growing up to hear (although in the end he got an earful anyway). and finding various jobs and apartments. The other book is about “Spinster” is a memoir by journalist Kate Bolick, and with five smart ladies from history, and their various unusual personal this book she seeks to appropriate that term from an insult to a lives. I liked both of these books, but they don’t always meld way of life. Describing her personal journey from a woman who together well. At one point, Kate Bolick marvels that one of her hasn’t “yet” married to a woman who has decided not to get mar- “awakeners” had moved to New York City to be a writer, and that ried, or a “girl bachelor,” Bolick also conjures the lives of five she herself had done the exact same thing. This is hardly a chill- women from history. She calls them her “awakeners” and they bump-inducing moment of coincidence — it’s New York City, are Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edith Wharton, Neith Boyce, Maeve everybody moves there to be a writer. Brennan and Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Nevertheless, there are plenty of thoughtful moments in this Bolick takes us through her formative twenties, including the memoir, even if the project does suffer from something of an death of her mother, which makes her consider the ever-present identity crisis. Rather than make sweeping statements about the conundrum of motherhood versus career. She gets the notion current state of single women, Bolick focuses on her own story that she can achieve what her mother couldn’t if she remains and, for perspective, looks to the past rather than the present or unmarried and, gradually, as she ends several promising romantic future. I was particularly interested to learn about Maeve Bren- relationships, seeks “spinsterhood” as an active choice, not a nan, a writer for the New Yorker who sounds like a fabulous result of bad luck. eccentric and unfortunately ended her life as a bag lady. She makes a good case for her own version of the single “Spinster” might not be earth shattering, but it does inspire life: glamourous, successful and quintessentially urban. Her further reading and thinking. I believe I enjoyed the “spinster kit” description of glorious solitude was pretty seductive. I think that I downloaded on www.katebolick.com as much as I did the entire readers who feel a personal connection to Bolick’s experience book. You need Edna St. Vincent Millay paper dolls, and the would enjoy this book the most. Despite the tacked-on historical Recommended Reading from the five “awakeners” is wonderful. context, however, “Spinster” fails to make a significant addition I hope no one feels that a woman’s desire to remain single should to the broader cultural conversation. But, hey, that’s fine with me; ignite a debate, but I do think that “Spinster” is worth a meaning- I kind of hate the broader cultural conversation. It’s so acrimoni- ful read and a thoughtful conversation. ous. Any controversy surrounding “Spinster,” to my eyes, begins Photo/Courtesy Crown Publishing and ends with the title itself. Spinster This is a personal story about one person’s life; attempts to Making a Life of One’s Own Kate Bolick’s new book seeks to redefine the defini- place Bolick’s life in a broader social context are where the book Kate Bolick tion of a spinster in the modern age. is its weakest. At one point in her story, Bolick stays in a writer’s Crown: 308 pp., $26

June 11, 2015 - June 17, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 45 STYLEMOBILE MAGNIFIED lagniappe paddles the media competition BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

boatload of fun had by thousands out on the Causeway for once, the day before, and don’t look like the members of But all the blood, sweat, tears, sore bums, disappointing defeats and locals this past weekend proved they aren’t scared CrossFit Saraland — just sayin’. Word on the street is some of the and stinky life jackets were well worth it, as this incredible group of the dark on the Eastern Shore. Just another crazy, more serious teams were practicing every day in their conference raised more than $150,000 for local children’s charities, including fun-filled weekend on the Gulf Coast. So go ahead and rooms — which is probably a good idea because as we learned Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mobile County Public School System, grabA your paddles and row your way right on through this edi- this is really more about all of your paddlers being in sync with Prichard Preparatory School and Soccer4Life. And all of the funds tion of the BBN. one another rather than strength, which is harder than it sounds. stay right here in our community to help our kids. And $150,000 Needless to say, the Lagniappe team was off a little. OK, in just your second year is beyond impressive — Kudos guys! We Paddles up maybe a lot in that second race, but it was still fun. can’t wait until next year, where we hope to come in 27th! The Fuse Project’s 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival took Another fun part of the day was getting a glimpse of all of the place at Five Rivers Delta Center on Saturday, June 6, and it was team drummers dressed up in crazy costumes. There were lots of Lights out, no problem absolutely packed — so much so they ran out of parking not just feathers and crazy wigs and face and body paint, including the As American Pharoah galloped into the history books as the at Five Rivers but also on the Causeway, where they were trol- Boozester’s personal favorite, which seemed to be a Jack and the first Triple Crown winner in nearly 40 years, many on the Eastern leying in folks from various locations. Organizers were quick to Beanstalk- or Jolly Green Giant-inspired get-up with full-on green Shore missed it, as thousands were without power for nearly seven respond and opened up an additional parking lot at the Bass Pro body paint. hours. While many were bummed they missed the Belmont, others Shop in Spanish Fort to bring out the thousands who attended to All of the kiddos had a great time in the Kids Zone, jumping in found entertainment options they could enjoy off the grid. watch 40 local teams compete. bouncy houses, riding horses and holding and/or chasing the ani- Great Peacock, an incredible band based out of Nashville, was The race itself entails 22 team members (20 paddlers, one mals in the petting zoo. But one of my spies did report witnessing scheduled to play at Manci’s in Daphne Saturday night. They had drummer to keep the beat and a steerer) rowing a 46-foot-long ca- one of the potbelly pigs escaping from the petting zoo enclosure just played at Manci’s sister bar, Callaghan’s in the OGD, the noe. Lagniappe had a team, which we lovingly called “Let Them and heading for the Delta woods, with its handler chasing after it. night before and garnered rave reviews. The power company kept Eat Wake.” Sadly not many people did eat our wake, but we still No word on whether the little piggy was recovered or if it went assuring Manci’s owners the lights would be back on soon, but it came in 28th out of 40, which was good enough to beat al.com (a to the market or had roast beef (from Geaux Boy food truck?). But became obvious it just wasn’t going to be “soon” enough. team goal) and other media participants to take the media division, hopefully it eventually cried wee-wee-wee on its way back home. So, the band lit some candles and unplugged their guitars and which is probably just a sad testament to the shape our local me- (OK, sorry, I couldn’t resist that one.) played what was described as a “magical” first acoustic set. My dia members are in. Guess you could say we “paddled” our media Uncle Henry, of AM 710 fame, was on hand in full regalia, spies said folks were turning on their cell phone flashlights to pro- competition. Sorry, the dragon boat guru who trained us Friday braving the 90-plus-degree heat to offer his curmudgeonly take on vide even more light and many videos of the intimate performance was really fond of cornball jokes and it may have rubbed off. the event. He may be old and crotchety, but he can take the heat. made the rounds on social media. Eventually, the power came Matt McCoy of iHeart Radio certainly did everything he could But anyway, AOC Sports took home the coveted painted back on, and the Peacocks plugged back in and shut down the to spur his team on in the day’s second race, giving a pre-game paddle for first place, with CrossFit of Saraland taking second place with a set that was “electric” in more ways than one. pep talk that would have made Bear Bryant shed a tear. and Hargrove EFC, taking third. Hargrove even had their very All of Lagniappe’s rowers still reported extreme soreness even own fancy life jackets with “Hargrove” stitched on each of them, Well, kids, that’s all I got. Just remember, whether rain or shine, on Monday (we do just sit around in front of computers all day, so which made many other rowers jealous, because let’s just say dramatic or scandalous, or some plain ol’ media-division winning, that was to be expected). And of course, we didn’t practice except some of the life jackets provided did not exactly smell like daisies. dragon boat team lovin’, I will be there. Ciao!

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