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2 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 LAGNIAPPE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WEEKLY april 23, 2015 – april 29, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor [email protected] The Stimpson administration is in the process Rob Holbert of streamlining the Urban Development Co-publisher/Managing Editor Department. [email protected] 6 Steve Hall COMMENTARY Marketing/Sales Director Looking into the future with our old friend [email protected] Gabriel Tynes Nostrildumas. Assistant Managing Editor [email protected] 12 Dale Liesch BUSINESS Reporter [email protected] New Dauphin Street restaurant Jason Johnson Dumbwaiter has experienced an Reporter overwhelming reception. [email protected] 16 Eric Mann Reporter CUISINE [email protected] Get clucky at Chicken Kevin Lee

Associate Editor/Arts Editor CONTENTS Salad Chick, where [email protected] you can have it by the Andy MacDonald scoop or on a bun. Cuisine Editor [email protected] Stephen Centanni Music Editor [email protected] J. Mark Bryant Sports Writer [email protected] 18 Daniel Anderson Chief Photographer COVER [email protected] The recent warming Laura Rasmussen of diplomatic relations Art Director www.laurarasmussen.com between the United Brooke Mathis States and Cuba could Advertising Sales Executive mean more business [email protected] for the Mobile and the Beth Williams Advertising Sales Executive Alabama State Port [email protected] Authority. Misty Groh Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] 24 Kelly Woods Advertising Sales Executive ARTS [email protected] Friends of the Saenger Theater are Melissa Schwarz hoping to enroll more patrons. Editorial Assistant [email protected] 26 Mary Burts Distribution Manager [email protected] MUSIC Contributors: Benjamin Burnley Asia Frey • Brian Holbert exorcised his creative Tommy Hicks • Ron Sivak Jeff Poor • Ken Robinson 30 demons and enlisted 30 a new lineup to On the Cover: Maria Mendez By Dan Anderson bring back Breaking Benjamin, who plays in LAGNIAPPE (USPS 20) is published weekly, Mobile this weekend. 52 issues a year, Volume 13, Issue 17, 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, 250 St Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36601 and other locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are located at 1102A Dauphin St. FILM Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: “A Most Violent Year” is a fascinating 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: ashley- [email protected] or depiction of a businessman’s struggle [email protected] LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature Offset, 2610 with morality. Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to 36 be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative Newsweek- lies and Alternative Weeklies Network MEDIA All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced without the expressed Legal Schnauzer gets hammered for permission of the publishers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free $3.5 million. of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per issue. Removal of more than one copy 40 from these points constitutes theft. Viola- tors are subject to prosecution. Help support Lagniappe Weekly by SPORTS becoming a “Friend with Benefits.” Former University of Mobile standout Scan this code for more info: Sarah Bailey recently became the first 41 full-time female official in the NFL. STYLE Bluegrass, crawdads and fence lickin’ 46 at St. Mary’s annual festival.

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 GOi NG p OSTal

Hit ‘em where it hurts Support for marriage equality Mr. Holbert, get items to secure, and when you do have funds you I was pleased that both the Press- It is so noteworthy that large numbers of I just read your column “Time to stop the news- closely analyze the impact of any spend made. Register and Lagniappe wrote approvingly Catholics nationwide now think favorably paper thugs” (Damn the Torpedoes, April 16, 2015) Which leads to the question of, how many of these of same-sex marriage in editorials I read about same-sex marriage in spite of strong and am very supportive of the Lagniappe’s and our newspapers casually thrown on our lawns are actually in February. Such a heartfelt stance would disapproval by their church, a rigid seldom- city’s position. Also, while I am a college graduate, I picked up and read? have been unthinkable even as late as the changing magisterium. have to admit at times I think I learned just as much I am not proposing any type of retribution on the 1970s, but times have changed dramatically The fact that so many Conservatives and watching Andy Griffith as I did in class, and as Andy advertisers, but it would be interesting to raise the since then. reformed Jews support same-sex marriage would say, maybe we are looking at this thing the question in their minds regarding how much impact Nowadays, about 55 percent of Ameri- is also gratifying because so much of Chris- wrong way. their hard earned marketing dollars are actually mak- cans support same-sex marriage, and many tian opposition to homosexuality comes While I am fully supportive of the head-on ap- ing to their bottom-line when using this advertising of those now see the different sexual orien- from that famous passage in Leviticus, proach your paper and the city are taking with the vehicle. It will at least complicate the lives of the tation as a gift of God rather than nature’s which says you shall not lie with mankind Press-Register, what about also hitting them from the people trying to sell ad space. bizarre, incomprehensible blunder. This is as with womankind, since it is an abomina- opposing side? Any chance of dedicating a page in your paper and an eminently civilized shift in public option tion. Interestingly, Leviticus is the third • While free to the public (whether we want it listing advertiser’s names and simply asking, “are that should please all those who love social book of the coronial Jewish scripture which or not), the raw materials to support their “news” is you getting your money’s worth?” Especially if you justice and progressive change. contains Mosaic laws. obviously expensive for the Press-Register. can tie in a low percentage read figure to support the Many people still think that religious op- What more can one say about the un- • The majority of businesses advertising in the pub- question. At the end of the day if you can find a legal position to same-sex marriage is universal qualified support of so many of the churches lication are local companies struggling to make their way to undermine the Press-Register’s economics in but that simply isn’t true. For some years and the forth estate for marriage equality businesses successful and have to use their marketing addition to battling them in court it can only improve the United Church of Christ, Episcopalians except to give a resounding “Amen.” funds in the most effective manner possible. I have your odds of winning. and Unitarians have supported same-sex overseen large marketing budgets in our organization David Brasil marriage and lately the Presbyterian Church Joe Dacovich and marketing funds are one of the most difficult bud- Mobile (USA) has done so as well. Mobile

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the normal routine at the office and it is not un- over 30,000 Mobile County residents urging said violations of DPPA, and is cited in the lawsuit. Possible pot brownies cause stink at common for them to bring baked goods to give residents to vote for a political candidate Stateco According to that passage, damages recovered D.A.’s office to court staff, according to the source. represented.” for these violations could each come with a By Eric Mann At the time, Tucker and Strateco were run- $2,500-per-violation penalty. The penalty, if

ning the mayoral campaign of challenger Sandy applied to each of the 30,000 bits of informa- At least two employees of the Baldwin Hastie hit with civil lawsuit for St- Stimpson, and records suggest a mass email with tion allegedly given to the Stimpson campaign, County District Attorney’s office became sick impson campaign email Hastie’s endorsement of Stimpson was sent to at would represent a total of more than $75 million. last week after eating brownies that were laced By Jason Johnson least some of the addresses Hastie allegedly pro- Title 18 Section 2721 doesn’t mention a with what is believed to be marijuana. As we noted in an online story last week, a vided in August 2013. The complaint suggests fee in writing, but it does expressly forbid any According to a source with knowledge of federal class action lawsuit has been filed against both Hastie and Tucker knew or should have department of motor vehicles, and any officer, the investigation, a temporary court employee Mobile County Licence Commissioner Kim known their actions would violate the DPPA. employee or contractor thereof, from knowingly brought the brownies into the building April 14 Hastie and public relations firm Stateco alleging Arnita Diamond and Labarron Yates, the disclosing or otherwise making personal infor- before a jury trial was scheduled to begin. It was they took part in a scheme to disseminate email same two individuals who filed an informal mation available to any person or entity. not known as of Monday morning whether the addresses from more than 30,000 Mobile resi- complaint making similar allegations against Hastie’s attorneys have previously argued temporary employee knew the brownies were dents for a political purpose. Mobile County in September 2014, filed the that the law does not specifically cover email ad- laced. According to the civil complaint, which lawsuit in federal court April 15. dresses, which did not become ubiquitous until The source said that several people inside the mirrors a separate accusation she is facing in a In November, Hastie was indicted in a crimi- after the law was written. The civil suit marks office ate the brownies, but only two exhibited criminal federal indictment, Hastie ordered an nal case alleging she hid payments for a cam- the third legal proceeding Hastie finds herself symptoms that included an accelerated heart employee to access motor vehicle records and paign to consolidate the offices of License and facing, but the other two are criminal in nature. rate, dizziness and what was described as an gather the email addresses of all Mobile County Revenue Commissions. Less than two months All together, Hastie is facing 18 criminal “overall feeling of not knowing what was going residents who live within the city limits and later, a superseding indictment added the charge charges in two separate cases. One of those on.” place that personal information onto an elec- regarding the emails. She is scheduled to go – stemming from tax evasion charges related The investigation was turned over to the Ala- tronic storage device. to trial in that case in May before U.S. District $58,633 of alleged unreported income — is set bama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau “Hastie ordered that the electronic device be Court Judge Kristi Dubose. to begin next week. of Investigations. No arrests had been made as provided to defendants Chad Tucker of Stateco,” In September 2014, calls to Diamond about The other 17 charges, which include the of Tuesday but the brownies were being ana- the complaint reads. “Tucker then knowingly the complaint were not returned and initial alleged scheme to give email addresses to lyzed for physical evidence linking marijuana to utilized the personal information for a purpose calls after last week’s lawsuit have also gone Stimpson’s campaign, will be tried before Judge the treats. not allowed under the Driver’s Privacy Protec- unanswered. DuBose beginning May 26. Temporary workers come and go as part of tion Act (DPPA) by sending out a mass email to Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2724 addresses

ielding several complaints from business owners across She said in her experience, the city is too hard on busi- about inspections required by the Mobile County Health Depart- the city, Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s office has pledged to nesses, especially those looking to renovated historic spaces. For ment before he opened his restaurant last month. begin the process of making the Urban Development instance, the owner was asked to install an $80,000 sprinkler At one point, Lambert said there were four county health in- Department more friendly to help streamline permitting system to the building only to be told afterward it also needed a spectors in his establishment at one time. He also said inspectors Fand clarify regulations. new fire escape. Inspectors eventually came back and waived the told him he’d need a glass partition, or sneeze guard, separating Stimpson’s Chief of Staff Colby Cooper said the administra- fire escape requirement, she said. the kitchen from a customer walkway, but different inspectors tion would conduct a “comprehensive internal review” of the Many of the delays the owner experienced were caused by gave him different height requirements for the partition. department, with an emphasis on a “newly defined customer issues inspectors had with the exterior. For example, a subcon- He said he was frustrated by the process and wished new service and business development function.” He said as a part of tractor painted an extra line in the parking lot. The owner told restaurant owners were given a checklist of things to do before the process, the department would also be renamed. inspectors on the first night of Carnival season this year they’d they were opened, rather than piecemeal inspections. The review will include a stakeholder outreach and the new simply paint over it, but inspectors waited two weeks to come MCHD Public Information Officer Cassandra Andrews wrote department will launch Oct. 1, he said. Cooper said he also plans back and made multiple subsequent inspections because of the in an email message that the requirements for opening a new to ride along with inspectors to see how they do their jobs and issue, she said. restaurant are all on the MCHD website. examine whether anything can be done differently. “They made four trips over the parking line,” she said. “As a “The Mobile County Health Department recognizes the “The concern is not to be punitive to the employees,” Cooper taxpayer, I think that’s a waste of money.” value of new restaurants and other similar establishments to said. “The employees want to do their jobs well and be efficient.” In addition to the sprinkler system, encased sprinkler pipes our community,” she wrote. “The staff of MCHD’s Inspection Cooper said the changes began when the City Council ad- and a fire hydrant were also required to be added to the building Services Department try to make it as simple as possible for opted amendments to the fire and building codes, but promised before the business was allowed to open. She said she was lucky entrepreneurs to follow the rules set forth by the city, state and revisions will continue throughout the year. The changes should to have a landlord willing to pay for these extras, but other small federal government.” help business owners renovate and repurpose older buildings, business owners don’t have that luxury. Lambert said he was also required to add flood doors to the Cooper said. The administration is currently studying other cit- “As a small business owner, you work out a budget, but no newly renovated space on Dauphin Street before he opened ies, such as Charleston, S.C., St. Petersburg, Fla. and Louisville, one budgets for a fire suppression system,” she said. “You don’t because he did more than $100,000 in improvements. The flood Ky. to see how they addressed similar problems. budget for that when you put together a business plan.” doors cost an additional $4,000, he said. To his knowledge, the Cooper made these announcements on the heels of com- This business owner also had an issue with some of the building across from Bienville Square has never flooded, he plaints from one proprietor in particular, whose opening date requirements of the litter ordinance, specifically when it comes said. According to the city’s flood map however, Dauphin Street was delayed about eight months from the time scheduled to the dumpster. She said $5,000 to $6,000 was spent pouring a is susceptible to flooding all the way to Joachim Street, a block because of the city’s red tape. concrete pad for a dumpster enclosure. She was later told rolling further west. The business owner, who spoke to Lagniappe but requested cans would have been acceptable in its place, but nobody told Meanwhile, Councilman John Williams reported that the anonymity, said the building had five or six inspections before it her that upfront. developers of McGowin Park, a massive new retail complex was allowed to open and at one point, five city inspectors were Wes Lambert, owner of Dumbwaiter Restaurant downtown near Hank Aaron Stadium, had no complaints about the Urban on the property at one time. said he had no real complaints about the city, but was concerned Development Department.

6 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 BAYBRIEFS BB council delays again on handbills ordinance BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

he Mobile City Council on Tuesday Debi Foster, the chairwoman of the Pen- again delayed until next week a vote insula of Mobile, said the sidewalks will be on an ordinance that would regulate constructed in a part of the area they’ve dubbed the distribution of circulars and other the “miracle mile” because of its proximity to Thandbills, one that would be aimed in large part schools, shopping and pharmacies. In addition, at changing the way the Press-Register delivers Foster said there are 11 churches on that one- thousands of unsolicited advertising circulars mile stretch of DIP. across the city. The sidewalks are the first step in a master Councilman Joel Daves asked for the hold- plan for the entire area between Dog River and over on the ordinance vote to allow more time to Mobile Bay, Foster said. work with attorneys for Advance Publications, Councilman C.J. Small thanked Foster and the Press-Register’s parent company, to find a other residents for helping to obtain the grant balance that would prevent litigation. money for the project. The ordinance, as written, would require Another TAP grant approved by council distributors of advertising circulars to place would provide sidewalks along McGregor the handbills on front porches or doorknobs of Avenue, between Old Shell Road and Dauphin occupied residences. Attorneys for the parent Street. The $479,806 grant for areas of districts 5 company of Al.com and The Press-Register and 7 — represented by Council President Gina have threatened litigation over the ordinance, Gregory and Daves, respectively — required a saying it infringes upon the newspaper’s First $95,961 matching grant, which was provided by Amendment rights in attempting to regulate the the Village of Spring Hill, through fundraisers. distribution of its Gulf Coast Life product. Resident Linda St. John said the project Daves said there’s an attempt underway to would help link tens of thousands of residents strike a balance, which could appease both sides. and is among “the most needed sidewalk “We’re trying to come to an agreement that areas in Spring Hill.” To raise the money for would avoid litigation,” Daves said following a the match, she said the community hosted a pre-conference meeting. “If we get involved in sidewalk-a-thon, as well as sent mail outs and litigation, even if we win, it’s expensive and if went door-to-door collecting money. we lose the city will have to pay attorneys fees, Gregory, who represents the Village of which could be as much as six figures.” Spring Hill, said she and Daves have each Daves did not get into specifics about what promised a portion of their sales tax funds to in the ordinance would be tweaked, but did say make sure curbs and gutters are added to the it involved changes to a section of the law refer- aforementioned sidewalks. ring to occupied residences. Councilman Fred Richardson told the ad- Similar issues have been in litigation all over ministration during the pre-conference meeting the country and Daves said the Supreme Court he’d like to see TAP grant awards for sidewalks has yet to opine on it. dispersed into other districts in the city. “There are no clear guidelines on how far a During the council meeting, Stimpson an- city can go to regulate it,” he said. “We want to nounced the city had been awarded a $386,000 be able to exercise control over the items but, if grant from the Department of the Interior for possible, avoid litigation.” improvements along a quarter-mile stretch of Because of the proposed changes to the ordi- Three-Mile Creek in District 2. nance, councilors had a brief discussion about “This award has historical significance,” whether the current law should be tabled and Stimpson said. “Three-Mile Creek used to be a new one introduced next week. Councilman the source of drinking water for the city. Now Fred Richardson, chairman of the council’s Pub- visualize it as a greenway that runs from the lic Services Committee, said if a new ordinance University of South Alabama to Dog River.” is introduced it would have to go before the Councilman Levon Manzie, who represents committee again. The council decided to only District 2, said the grant money would allow hold over the vote, meaning a second committee for the construction of a multi-use trail, which meeting won’t be necessary. would include a fitness circuit, lighting, benches Councilman John Williams said the issue and educational signage. came up during a community meeting he held in The council also approved acceptance of four District 4 recently. He said a group of residents grant awards for the Mobile Police Department. are planning to call the advertisers in local cir- Three of the awards, totaling $235,456 with no culars and complain to them about the issue. local match required, will be used as salary re- “All of (the residents) are leaders in their imbursement for members of a countywide drug own neighborhoods and they want to start a task force, Chief James Barber said. telephone campaign,” Williams said. A larger $2 million grant, with no match requirement, will pay for overtime and would Grants allow the continued testing of “cold” rape kits, The council authorized Mayor Sandy which are more than a year old, Barber said. Stimpson to accept a bevy of grants, including two that would help pay for sidewalks in three In other business different districts. The council called for a public hearing The first of those is a $148,000 Transporta- on Tuesday, May 19 on the rezoning request tion Alternatives Program grant from the South for property at the corner of Old Shell Road Alabama Regional Planning Commission for and Long Street to make way for a hotel. The sidewalks along Dauphin Island Parkway, be- council also announced a meeting of the finance tween Levene Road and Cedar Park Road. The committee at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by a grant has a $37,000 local match. public safety committee meeting at 3 p.m.

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS ‘Financial accountability’ sought on 911 board BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

t least four members of the Mobile County Communica- the original scope of work. could perform many of the basic checks being performed.” tions District — commonly referred to as the 911 board He also claims the first responders who’ll use the system Despite his concern with the current project, Oliver said it’s not — think the governmental body needs to curb its spending weren’t involved in the discussion when the project was initially the only financial habits of the MCCD that worries him. The board habits and become better stewards of taxpayer money. proposed. Independently, Lagniappe was able to confirm through – which has a $14 million budget this year — has recently seen aAt meeting April 9, Commissioner Trey Oliver expressed his two additional sources who work with the emergency communi- a boost in revenue because of increased fees at the state level on perceived issues with overspending and what he considered to be a cations system that input from their respective agencies wasn’t cell phone and landline phone users, and Oliver has been a vocal lack of financial oversight. Afterward, he highlighted those issues sought before the contract was signed. proponent of spending that money wisely. and more in an email sent to the Mobile County Commission at “The end users are our first responders and the customers are In the past year, Oliver has spoken out against what he called the beginning of the week. the citizens. I think it wasn’t the best idea to commit this kind of “excessive” merit raises the MCCD was implementing automati- Though Oliver authored the letter, in the first paragraph he said money in such a hurry without end-user input on the front end cally. He also publicly took issue with a health insurance package board Chairman Steve Bowden, Vice Chairman and Citronelle ” Oliver said. “It was a couple years into the project before they that was tailored for a single retired employee — former Director Police Chief Shane Stringer and Commissioner Cynthia Coleman finally held a meeting with (first responders), but the contract had George Williams. share his “concerns.” already been established and submitted.” “I’ve seen no effort to save money or reduce the cost of these At the center of the commissioners’ concern is a $40 million Oliver said, to his knowledge, the contract also wasn’t bid projects. The district is slinging extra money around because all communications system improvement project the MCCD touted competitively. He also said, as a board member since 2013, it’s that extra revenue is coming through the state,” Oliver said. “I call at a ceremonial groundbreaking in November, which despite the taken him more than a year to get even a basic breakdown of how it OPM or ‘other people’s money.’ People, especially politicians, project’s roots spanning back to 2012, was the first time it was the money is being spent. get addicted to OPM like the drug Opium and they spend it with formally announced to the public. “That was the biggest alarm,” Oliver said. “Two weeks ago I no respect to stewardship, transparency or oversight.” The project, partially funded with a $34.9 million revenue bond got my hands on the pricing summary, and for this $40 million Also in his letter to commissioners, Oliver addressed the authorized by the Mobile County Commission, is supposed to project, the proposal I was given had four line items. Four. I was recent resignation of former board president and Mobile County improve the communication ability of first responders and allow incensed when I saw that.” Engineer Joe Ruffer. Ruffer, who served on four county boards si- other agencies to tap into local equipment during an emergency. Oliver said the board is now working with TUSA Consultants multaneously, stepped down from all of them in March as advised The project was awarded to the Harris Corporation in 2013, to find ways to reduce the cost of the project, but said even having by the Alabama Ethics Commission. but Oliver — who’s been a vocal opponent — said he’s worried the board agree to that was difficult. Since then, his position has not been filled, and Oliver encour- the upgrade will not substantially improve service for the first In his letter to county commissioners, he said at least two other aged the commission to fill his vacancy quickly saying the MCCD responders or the citizens of Mobile County. board members voted against having an outside consultant to “desperately needs someone to bring the city of Mobile’s best He’s also said he’s seen “many red flags” since the project got “manage the project and ensure accountability, quality and pricing interest to the table.” off the ground, several of which dealt with the project’s finances. oversight.” Though the project has been moving along, Oliver Former Mobile Fire-Rescue Department Chief Stephen Dean On the same day it was announced — just minutes before said Harris still hasn’t produced a formal timeline, which he’s has served on the board since 1999, and though he remains on the that groundbreaking ceremony — the board approved more than requested. In the meantime, the MCCD is paying $22,000 a month 911 board, Dean wasn’t reappointed to his position as fire chief $400,000 in change orders that were “inadvertently omitted.” to maintain its current radio system, according to Oliver. when Mayor Sandy Stimpson took office in 2013. Of those, more than $100,000 was included for the cost of “That’s $22,000 per month for a preventive maintenance In his letter, Oliver writes, “to say Commissioner Dean is not painting and lighting five new radio towers. Though a requirement contract by a local company that sometimes will only provide 30 happy with the city would be a understatement.” of both the Federal Communications Commission and Federal hours of service per month,” Oliver wrote in his letter to commis- Attempts to reach MCCD Director Gary Tanner for a comment on Aviation Administration, Oliver said those details were left out of sioners. “Three county employees are currently on payroll who this report were made, but as of press deadline were unsuccessful.

8 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 BAYBRIEFS BB coastal insurance reform continues BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

group of Baldwin County residents is to use it for rate making anyway. We just want to pushing coastal legislators to create a know, ‘do we deserve this?’ That’s the question.” Coastal Insurance Working Group tasked On March 18, HHII members, Mobile and with developing a plan to deliver solu- Baldwin County legislators, representatives ations to comparatively high homeowners insur- from the Baldwin County Commission and city ance rates coastal residents have paid since 2006. representatives met with Gov. Robert Bentley’s The Homeowners Hurricane Insurance staff and the DOI to stress the need for a working Initiative (HHII) was a major proponent of the group to develop a plan for what HHII calls “fair Property Insurance Clarity Act of 2012, which property insurance premiums, deductibles and required insurance companies authorized to do availability” in the state. business in the state to report the number of HHII spokesman Dan Hanson said Tuesday policies they write in each ZIP code, along with the proposed working group would be made up premiums collected and losses incurred. of 19 members, 15 of whom live in Mobile and The bill was retroactive 10 years and included Baldwin counties. Of those, six hold elected information from hurricanes Ivan and Katrina. office in Mobile or Baldwin counties, eight are According to data collected from the Clarity Act current or former business owners and all have and analyzed by HHII’s Earl Janssen, homeown- spent time studying the Clarity Law. The group ers in Baldwin and Mobile counties claimed an also has four spots reserved for members of Gov. average of $585 in damages per year, compared Bentley’s staff and representatives from the DOI. to $703 in annual claims upstate. The group would be asked to deliver solutions The data also shows that since 2006, Bald- to the governor within 120 days of its forma- win County is consistently ranked in the bottom tion and would be charged with finding ways to 10 in damage claims statewide. While Baldwin reduce premiums and provide a mechanism for and Mobile homeowners consistently claimed calculating insurance premiums in the future. less damages each year, they paid on average One thing the group might consider, Hanson about $500 more per policy annually over the said, is creating a multi-state coastal insurance last 10 years. district that would establish its own catastrophic Following the passage of the Clarity Act and wind reinsurance. He also said a parity bill, the release of its findings one year later, the Ala- where all homeowners policies would provide bama Department of Insurance issued a report coverage for all risks with no more than 50 per- challenging the results. cent difference between the highest and lowest The DOI’s “Challenges with Drawing Con- policy, would be considered. clusions from The Clarity Act Data,” released “I think the key ingredient to this group will March 17, 2014, said that data from the Clarity be that these are people who have studied the Act did not consider other expenses like the total issue extensively,” Hanson said. cost of doing business. The report states that HHII hopes, with the blessing of Bentley and insurance companies have to take into account coastal legislators, the group could be formed in claims adjusting expenses, commissions to the next few weeks. agents, internal overhead expense, premium tax Janssen said Thursday the proposed working and reinsurance. group would not be charged with making others The report also says that losses are more in the state pay more for homeowners insurance, volatile and unpredictable on the coast from only that all counties be treated the same way in year to year than upstate losses, so the cost of writing those policies. Janssen, a Foley resident, capital must be greater on the coast in order to was one of the original organizers who created attract companies willing to invest in writing the faith-based HHII. insurance there. “We are a Christian organization,” Janssen According to the report, insurers use hur- said Thursday. “As Christians, we look out for ricane and tornado computer models instead of our fellow man. That’s our prime concern. We historical data to set rates. The models indicate don’t want to cause insurance companies to coastal counties are more susceptible to wind overcharge upstate people. We do not wish the losses than upstate counties, even considering insurance premiums to go up on anyone, we’d tornado losses. The report also states that as a like them all to go down. We can’t control how result of the models, reinsurers charge insurers much the insurance companies charge. All we more in coastal counties than the rest of the state. can do is try to control the policy they use to Further, the DOI emphasized the Clarity Act make their rates.” data included hurricane losses from 2004 and Hanson said three previous state-level com- 2005 that can be expected every 15-25 years, missions had been formed, but none proposed while a tornado outbreak like the one in April specific solutions to the problem. He said the 2011 would only occur once every 250 years. Affordable Homeowners Insurance Commission Thus, comparing data from typical hurricanes (AHIC) had more than 30 people with only one with data from a rare tornado outbreak is mis- self-described consumer advocate in Kurtz. leading, according to the DOI. AHIC, which was tasked in 2011 with study- Last Thursday Michelle Kurtz, a Daphne resi- ing home insurance affordability and availability dent and staff member at Ecumenical Ministries in Alabama’s coastal counties, brought two solu- in Fairhope, said her homeowners insurance tions to the table, one of which was pushing risk premiums had risen from $1,200 to $2,400 to mitigation for homeowners. $3,200 annually during a six-year period after “If there are ways to make your house stron- hurricanes Katrina and Ivan. ger and better prepared for a hurricane, that’s all “We pushed the Clarity Law so that we had well and good,” Hanson said. “But that doesn’t ground to stand on,” Kurtz said. “Now we have solve the injustice situation. Our losses are lower evidence that something is wrong. That’s all it than the rest of the state, or about the rest of the is, evidence. The DOI is building a huge case state, so it is unjust to charge widows $3,000 against the data by saying it is faulty and that more than you charge similar widows in Hunts- you can’t use it for rate making. We didn’t want ville or Gadsden.”

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 9 BB BAYBRIEFS plea deal frees Ziegler from death row BY GABRIEL TYNES/ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

t was scheduled to be a routine status update, another stan- about the ambiguity of his plea. “I am innocent and that is just the dard courtroom proceeding in a years-long appeal of William fact of the matter. One thing I do have is the matter of record. Ev- Ziegler’s 2000 conviction on a capital murder charge, but even erything is still there. So it’s not ‘no questions can be answered.’ as witnesses who were subpoenaed to appear waited in the Everything is still laid out there. I went to the penitentiary, I iwings of Circuit Court Judge Sarah Stewart’s courtroom April 16, believe, for Detective Kohn’s niece. For whatever her involve- prosecutors decided to offer a plea deal. ment was in that homicide. That’s why I believe I ended up on Ziegler, who spent more than 13 years on Alabama’s death row death row.” before being awarded a new trial in 2013, could walk free that Detective Kohn was given an opportunity to respond to the day if he pled guilty to a reduced murder charge, admitting on the statement but declined. Dawn Kohn has been given multiple op- record that he aided and abetted in the death of Allen Baker, who portunities to comment throughout the developments in Ziegler’s was stabbed more than 100 times and nearly decapitated after a appeal, but has also refused. party at Ziegler’s apartment. In March, defense attorneys asked Judge Stewart to dismiss Ziegler’s attorneys, who themselves had spent more than the case after the state testified in January it had lost or destroyed seven years reviewing his conviction and were preparing for his multiple pieces of evidence which would have been favorable retrial later this summer, helped him weigh his options. He could to Ziegler’s defense. Attorney Nick Lagemann said the Attorney accept the conviction and walk free, or he could go to trial and General’s office, who took over the case from the Mobile County risk another five or more years behind bars. At the time, the state District Attorney’s office late last year, took a markedly different was still pursuing the death penalty, so despite being nearly a year approach to defending the conviction. removed from the confines of Holman Prison and introducing a “I do think the Attorney General’s office, in responding to the compelling alternate theory that could have exonerated him alto- (recent evidentiary) discovery order, acted wholly consistently gether, there was a risk a jury in a new trial could have put Ziegler and very professionally in bringing forward or establishing the right back where he started. record that showed that this evidence had been lost or destroyed,” “The only reason I took that deal was to go home,” Ziegler said Lagemann said. an hour after his release, in an exclusive interview with Lagniappe Later he emphasized, “When you heard the state’s allocution that is available in its entirety online. “That’s it.” today, that was a very different theory than the first trial that, you Lagniappe took particular interest in Ziegler’s case after an know, tried to paint Willie as some kind of ringleader. What you investigation we spearheaded in 2009 revealed his initial attorney heard today was essentially an aiding and abetting or accessory Photo/Gabriel Tynes was by far the top earner in Mobile County’s indigent defense pro- theory.” William Ziegler, who was convicted in Mobile county of gram. At the time, attorney Habib Yazdi, who was years removed In a subsequent interview with a TV reporter, District Attorney capital murder and spent 13 years on alabama’s death from the Ziegler case, was paid approximately $174,000 in one Ashley Rich expressed frustration with the plea agreement, saying year to represent defendants who were too poor to hire an attorney her office had not been notified or advised. Assistant District At- row, was released last week after pleading to murder. of their own. torney Deborah Tillman was the original prosecutor in the case. As a part of that investigation, we discovered Yazdi had been According the Equal Justice Initiative, 3,095 people in the difficult in reality to balance your ethical duty — and I recognize the subject of at least two disciplinary actions by the Alabama United States currently are under a death sentence. Since the death it’s inherently difficult — to protect the public from harm and the State Bar, including one in which he produced a loaded semi-au- penalty was reinstated in 1976 the organization claims, 1,369 men, rights of the victims … and the rights of the accused,” Stewart tomatic pistol in a courtroom where he was going through divorce women, children and mentally ill people have been shot, hanged, told the prosecutors. “I’m not surprised, based on your perfor- proceedings with his wife. Later, someone familiar with his work asphyxiated, lethally injected, and electrocuted by states and the mance in my courtroom in the past, but I am proud that y’all chose on the Ziegler case suggested Lagniappe should review his legal federal government. In the same time, at least 153 people have to honor your ethical role as a prosecutor, and promote the cause representation of Ziegler, which was the subject of ongoing ap- been released from death row after evidence of their innocence of justice in the face of what I imagine is a great deal of pressure.” peals. was uncovered. Ziegler’s release was the result of a Rule 32 appeal, the second Since that time, Lagniappe has published numerous stories Just two weeks prior to Ziegler’s release, Alabama exoner- tier of a three-tiered capital penalty appeals process by which new of Ziegler’s case, which was essentially closed last week after ated Anthony Ray Hinton, who sat on death row for 30 years evidence can be entered. It was spearheaded by Lagemann and he pleaded guilty. But his admission of guilt was sudden, and before the state admitted the bullets from the two murders he was other attorneys from New York-based law firm Sidley Austin LLP, contrary to the defense built on appeal, where new evidence sug- accused of committing did not come from a gun the prosecution who “caught wind” of its irregularities from the Equal Justice gested Zielger was only pinned for the crime after being subjected presented into evidence at trial. Intiative, Lagemann said. But he also wished to thank his partner to prosecutorial misconduct, a tainted jury and a wholly ineffec- Ziegler became the seventh previously condemned inmate to Ben Nagin, as well as a local team that included Henry Callaway, tive legal counsel. be released in Alabama. Jeff Deen and Brandy Hambright. In conversations that occurred off-the-record in the waning Afterward, he said, “The death penalty needs to be abolished. With the exception of Deen and Hambright, who joined the years of his incarceration, Ziegler maintained his innocence and For one, it’s run by people and people are fallible. There cannot be appeal within the past 18 months, none of the attorneys who told a reporter he would never accept a plea deal. As a free man, a perfect system. There is too much error rate.” vouched for Ziegler specialize in criminal defense. he explained ultimately, his options were limited. Ziegler also said in the 13 years he spent alongside at least 190 Sidley Austin is reviewing at least 17 other capital cases in “If I had been maybe four or five years in, then I would have inmates on “The Row,” he came to believe at least five others he Alabama, which is the only state in the nation without a state- had no problem continuing to stand on that soapbox and scream, left behind were also innocent. funded program to provide legal assistance to death row prisoners but it’s been over 15 years,” he said. “I was 24 (years old) when I Before she dismissed Ziegler from the courtroom one final to challenge wrongful convictions. went down, now I’m 39. Your resolve runs out. Patience runs thin. time, Judge Stewart urged him to recognize “God’s grace,” in his Attorneys in Ziegler’s appeal worked pro-bono, meaning they And the simple risk of them possibly — I wasn’t worried about release. were not compensated. being convicted (by a jury) of murder. It was the possibility of “I want you to be thankful for your gift of freedom,” she said. Lagemann explained it was the decision of his firm’s manage- them hitting me with kidnapping. Because I did have a prior Class “You need to be very careful what you do. Freedom has great ment and executive committees “to dedicate our firm toward tak- A felony, that would force the court to sentence me to a minimum responsibilities and it is going to be very important that you ing on those cases because once you take them, you bought them. of 20 years. That would have put me behind the fence for an ad- make the right moves, that you show good judgment and that you And to do it right takes an immense amount of hours, time, effort ditional five. That was not an option for me.” choose the right path. The world is very different than it was 15 and our firm has never wavered.” Ziegler was originally convicted based on the testimony of two years ago when you went to jail. And if you find yourself needing Ziegler was grateful, adding “it takes pure dedication and it’s co-defendants and the statements of witnesses the appeals process to reach out … it would be easy for you to be bitter and angry and not just a business interest, but it takes personal interest because suggested changed as the investigation developed. In the court- focus on what you feel is the injustice of this case, but I really you have to get personally involved to be able to fight the way room on the day Ziegler was set free, was former Mobile County want you — and I know it’s harder but it’s important — to focus they have and the way they do.” Det. Dale Kohn, whose niece Dawn attended the party that would on the justice that has been accomplished. Your lawyers have As for what’s next, Ziegler said he was going to spend time prove to be Baker’s last. worked so hard over the last seven years to free you and I don’t with his wife Tammy, who he married while incarcerated, and In awarding Ziegler a new trial in 2013, Judge Stewart ruled want that to be wasted because of some destructive purpose by try to build a relationship with his two sons, who are 21 and 15 the investigation was complicated by the inherent conflict of inter- you. So please embrace God’s grace and freedom and be a produc- years old. est in Det. Kohn’s involvement. tive, happy member of our community.” “I told you I’m still trying to absorb everything,” he said, be- Part of Ziegler’s alternate theory, one Stewart did not dismiss, After dismissing the gallery from the courtroom, Stewart fore he even had a chance to eat a meal that wasn’t prepared in a was that Det. Kohn may have steered the investigation toward offered praise for both sides of the bench, admitting she almost jailhouse kitchen. “So I’m going to have to learn how to be a dad I Ziegler to deflect scrutiny from his own niece. After his release, wished the case had gone to trial, if only to witness the strategy. guess, one day at a time.” Ziegler was much more direct. “You hear that prosecutors can lose focus and protect the state Co-defendants William Randall and Jay Bennett continue to “This is not complete for me,” he said in response to a question rather than the victim … and that is very hard to say. But it is very serve sentences of life in prison and 20 years, respectively.

was vegging out in front of the boob stop the Press-Register from throwing tons of brownie and his eyes rolled back in his head. tube — literally — the other night those ad circulars in people’s yards and littering “This is definitely not yo momma’s Duncan watching “Keeping Up With the Kar- up everything? Will the City Council actually Hines …” he muttered before going back into dashians,” when a mystic fog began pass an ordinance stopping it or not?” his mystic voice. “The wrecking ball will come iobscuring my view of one of the classy Nostril reached into the pocket of his robe in 2016 and lay low the behemoth. MoonPies young ladies having a nude photo shoot and pulled out a cookie or something and shall dance on the river making way for the while eight months pregnant. started nibbling it. daughter of pigeon forge.” At first I hoped the fog was a gas leak “What’s that?” I asked. “I’m completely confused,” I said. because those can be kind of fun if you “Just a brownie from the Baldwin County “They’re going to tear it down and build a can deal with the splitting headaches and District Attorney’s office,” he said. “They’re re- Dollywood there,” Nostril said. “The Mardi occasional explosions, but then I realized ally good. I ate a whole plate before I got here.” Gras balls are all going to have to move into the it was just my old friend and mystic seer “That explains a lot,” I said. Nostrildumas’ cruise terminal.” Nostrildumas paying a visit from a differ- eyelids started to flicker and soon he started “Dollywood? Really?” I asked incredu- ent dimension or time zone. Soon the fog talking in a weird voice. lously. cleared and there he stood in all his mystic “When the spring floods come forth the city “Yeah man … Dollywood,” Nostril said seer glory, which kind of has a crotchety old of azaleas shall fall to the ones from New York slowly. He then started humming “Here You Middle Ages monk vibe. with pointy shoes and $500 ties, and a great Come Again.” “Good evening Robert. I see you have cry shall go out across the land when the dog “Got enough gas in the tank for one more?” found entertainment matching your level of chokes,” he said. I asked. vapidness and talent for celebrating idiocy,” “OK, you got me. I’m confused. What the “Fire away … Man, that Kardashian chick he said all holier than thou. heck does that mean?” I asked. has a bootay!” he said, getting distracted and “Gee, that’s really sweet to say, Nostril. “Basically it means the council is going to staring at the TV. But I wish I could claim to have anywhere keep wimping out because a bunch of high- “OK, this is a tough one. When is the near the talent those Kardashians have,” I priced Press-Register lawyers are threatening to GulfQuest National Maritime Museum going to said. “Did you know that in addition to all sue the city if it tries to stop them from throw- open?” I asked. the amazing things Kim and her sisters have ing these circulars nobody wants. Only after Nostril started patting around his robe. done to help make taking selfies safer for Dog River gets clogged by Gulf Coast Livings “Man, I’m all out of DA brownies. Guess I ate children in the Third Word, their brother and overflows will people start to take action,” them all. But I’m still really hungry,” he said. also designs socks?! Who would have he said. “Stay with me Nostril. What about Gulf- thought someone could become a famous “Isn’t it a lot easier just to say it that way?” Quest?” I asked. sock designer? I wish I’d have known about I asked. “Gonna have to wing it here. I’m guessing him before I bought that big bag of tube “Yeah, but it’s just not as much fun,” Nostril sometime in the next five years maybe? Dude, socks at Dollar General.” said. “Hit me with another.” you gotta take me to Taco Bell right now “I foretold that very occurrence of this “Here’s a good one for you, what’s going to before I chew my arm off. And lets get some celebrated sock maker in May of 1439,” happen with the Mobile Civic Center?” I asked. of those trippy Kardashian socks while we’re Nostril said. “Right before I revealed that Nostril nibbled some more Baldwin D.A. out,” he said. Hitler would be allergic to pistachio and frightened by clowns. The world could have been saved many tragedies had they heeded ThE G ADFLY my warnings there.” “I don’t remember any of that,” I replied. He sighed then started reciting one of the mystical quatrains he uses to tell the future. I still don’t know why he can’t just talk normal like regular people. “They will come, carrying large booties that will blot out the sun like a dying alba- tross. Behind them will follow the one, the designer who shall decorate the feet of kings and others who can afford $39 for socks!” he said with a flourish. “I guess I read that in one of your books,” I said, “but I just thought you’d eaten a bunch of peyote or something. Speaking of getting high, maybe while you’re here you can get baked and offer me some predictions about the local stuff we have going on.” “I don’t ‘get baked’ to see the future, Robert,” he said, doing air quotes with his fingers, which is really annoying. “Whatever … you’re always doing something weird to get into a trance before you make a prediction. Sure looks like you’re getting high,” I said. “I like to call it ‘becoming one with the eternal,’” he said. “I think you’re high right now,” I said, looking at him suspiciously. “Let’s start with

something everyone around here is talking Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen about. Is the city ever going to be able to Marijuana infused brownies at the Baldwin DA’s office brings a whole new meaning to the office pot luck.

12 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 COMMENTARYh IDDEN AGENDA C is this the alabama we want to be? BY ASHLEY TRICE/EDITOR | [email protected] n a move that seems to indicate a shift towards bi-partisan support were in favor of — and he is interested in a pact with the Poarch Medicaid program would seem to be a little bit bigger problem for for a statewide lottery, Republican representative and chair of Creek Indians, which would expand the types of gambling options the poor than being tempted to buy some scratch-offs. Especially the General Fund committee Steve Clouse of Ozark teamed up they could offer, which could bring millions into state coffers. But he since we gave them no choice when we refused to accept a federally with his Democratic counterpart Rep. Craig Ford of Gadsden, to also warned this wouldn’t solve our short-term problems. subsidized expansion of Medicaid in the state. ico-sponsor a bill that would set up a referendum for a lottery to help And those problems are horrendous and even inhumane. Aside from tax hikes and budget cuts and park closings, there are fund Medicaid. A couple of weeks ago, Department of Corrections Commissioner various other ideas being tossed around on both sides of the aisle. As most people are aware, Gov. Robert Bentley has proposed Jefferson Dunn said at a hearing on the state budget that if the depart- One is removing earmarks from some funds so they could be used to $541 million in tax increases, mainly on auto sales and tobacco, to ment cut their budget by just three percent they would likely have address more dire needs first. shore up the General Fund budget next year and make it sustainable to close two corrections facilities and relocate 2,000 inmates, which But ALL of these things need to be put on the table and be care- for years to come. Needless to say, it hasn’t been well received. would take the state’s prison occupancy rate up to over 220 percent fully considered based on their merits and ability to remedy our Tax increases are obviously not something Republican lawmakers from the current 185 percent. This would make an already egregious severe and most pressing problems, not politics. really want to put their names on. A lottery hasn’t been either, but situation even worse. None of these remedies are going to be popular. And let’s face it, with a serious budget crisis looming and our own ultra-conservative The department is already being sued in federal court for provid- legislators, you are always going to get those dreaded scary “phone governor saying cuts just aren’t enough, the lottery could become ing substandard mental and healthcare to inmates across the state. calls from home,” which you all seem to love to throw out as an ex- the lesser of two evils in some lawmakers’ estimations. Something Another federal suit was filed on behalf of the inmates at a state cuse for inaction. You could be considering a bill promising sunshine Rev. Joe Godfrey, the former president of the Alabama Baptist facility in St. Clair County, after six prisoners were killed by other in- and rainbows everyday and someone from your district would call to Convention and the current director of the Alabama Citizens Action mates over the last 2 ½ years. And the U. S. Department of Justice is- complain that they would get sunburned and feared rainbows would Program, an anti-gambling group, warned of in an opinion piece sued a scathing report in 2014 detailing the sexual abuse the women bring an increased illegal leprechaun population. earlier this year. at Tutwiler Prison were enduring from male corrections employees. Often the vocal minority, who is usually self-serving and/or “Pro-gambling and pro-lottery forces are pushing Alabama once This sounds like something from that show “Locked Up Abroad,” insane, sucks the very last little bit of spinal cord out of the backs of again to legalize gambling. What is different this time is that some which details the horrors of the prisons in Third World countries. But some of these lawmakers. And that’s our fault as a citizenry because conservative Republican legislators are ‘cozying up’ to the idea. One this is happening in our own backyard. And it’s shameful! we aren’t paying attention and we aren’t making those same “phone new House Member recently stated in a public forum in his district And if cuts are made to Alabama’s already beleaguered Medicaid calls from home” that the crazy people are. that, given the choice between raising taxes and voting on a lottery, program, access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, will become Nor do we have the influence a powerful lobbying group does. he would vote on a lottery,” Godfrey wrote. even more difficult, and the cuts may force more mental health facili- Some of our lawmakers would vote for a bill to set kittens on fire The Reverend, as many opponents do, finds gambling to be im- ties or community-based mental health programs to shut down. in every town square in the state, if they were told to do so by these moral and also something that preys upon and “taxes” the poor. Look, I am all for saving taxpayer money when it’s being mis- groups. Or at the very least, if they couldn’t vote for the kitty burn- Rep. Clouse said he would support a referendum in March, the used, but some of the stories from these two departments especially ings because they were getting “calls from crazy cat ladies from same day as the Alabama presidential primary, because he is just are far beyond a policy debate. home,” they wouldn’t vote against the kitty burnings, they’d just open to considering all revenue sources. (Bravo Rep. Clouse! I like it A large part of the opposition to the lottery is on “moral” grounds. assign them to some committee to let the bill quietly die there, which when I see politicians with guts, not the ones who just hide and try to But how “moral” is it to let certain segments of our population I think is almost worse. not to rock the boat at all.) be raped, killed or slowly die because they don’t have access to It’s just such sad display of cowardice up there. Can anyone just The last time Alabamians voted on a lottery in 1999 it was adequate healthcare? It’s so bad we face federal intervention in some stand up for what they believe in and say it? Why is that so hard? handily defeated with 54 percent opposing the creation of a lottery of these areas. This is precisely how the state has gotten to the point it is now, designed to fund pre-k programs, college scholarships and comput- Is this really the Alabama we want to be? and it’s really kind of gross. ers for schools. But that was over 15 years ago, and there wasn’t While I don’t believe a lottery would solve all of our problems But maybe — just maybe — the crisis we are in will actually give the “greatest financial crisis in the state since the Great Depression” either, it would be a good start, if it were set up properly. And Ala- some of these cowards the courage (and the political cover) to finally looming, as one lawmaker put it. bamians should get the opportunity to vote on it, at the very least. vote their consciences and do something because it’s the right thing The Governor has said he wouldn’t block a vote on the lottery — Opponents like Godfrey say a lottery unfairly targets the poor, to do to make our state better. a vote in which his own polling told him 74 percent of Alabamians but at least they have a choice in the matter. A woefully underfunded Gasp! What a novel idea!

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 C COMMENTARY The science of liberal arts BY KEN ROBINSON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

et me preface this column by saying I have a liberal arts Zakaria observed that since its inception during the time of communication skills.” Attributes, the survey notes, which are in background. I have a bachelor’s in social science and a the Greeks and later the Romans, there have been skeptics or short supply. double master’s in history and education. I believe this full those who “disagreed over the purpose of a liberal education.” Zakaria echoes this point in his book when he observes, disclosure is warranted because I want to address a hotly As with today, there are those who emphasized the value of the “Technology and liberal education go hand in hand in business ldebated topic: the value of a liberal arts education in our techno- practical over the philosophical or more abstract. In other words, today.” As America shifts from a “knowledge economy” to a logically driven society. education should focus more on teaching the young how to do “creative economy,” the ability to think, adapt, and communicate Not since the days of the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik something, rather than thinking about or pondering on ideas that ideas has become increasingly more important. in October 1957 (the first artificial satellite ever launched into produce no concrete value. “Learning and re-learning, tooling and retooling are at the orbit) has the cry for technical superiority and primacy been so However, Zakaria relates an interesting true story. In the early heart of the modern economy.” A liberal arts background gives loud in our country. Caught in the grips of the Cold War, many 2000s a young man entered Harvard as a psychology major, but one the nimbleness of mind to be able to do this effectively. A Americans saw the country as fearfully and woefully behind the he also had a deep and abiding interest in computers and coding. background that Drew Faust, president of Harvard noted, “will Soviet Union, its ideological and military archenemy, which now, The young man also studied ancient Greek ardently while in help them get ready for their sixth job, not their first.” it seemed, had the capability to quite possibly destroy the United high school. He had wedded his love of the liberal arts with his This is not an either/or situation. STEM (science, technology, States from the reaches of space itself. Of course we know now technical prowess in computers. The result was Facebook. The engineering and math) is very important. But if we emphasize this was a giant exaggeration of Soviet technical capability, but at man was Mark Zuckerberg. these to the extent that we totally devalue the benefits and merits the time the threat to America seemed very, very real. Zuckerberg would later note that Facebook is, “as much psy- of a liberal arts education we do so to our nation’s peril. It is While today no nation’s technical competence or engineer- chology and sociology as it is technology.” exactly the benefits and value of a liberal arts training that has ing prowess appears so advanced that there is a fear America One of the obvious technology giants of our times, the late made America so unique and allowed it to flower into the awe- will be left in the dust, there is still a gnawing worry other Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, declared, “It is in Apple’s DNA some country it is today. The foundation for our nation was laid countries are catching up and our dominance in this area is in that technology alone is not enough. It’s technology married with by those steeped in knowledge of the liberal arts. danger. It’s time, some say, to turn away from the less produc- liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result Today millions from around the world still come to this coun- tive and meaningful subjects of psychology, history, political that makes our hearts sing.” try for their higher education. They come from countries such science and the like, to those of relevance such as computer These two are not alone in their belief of the value of a liberal as China, Singapore, South Korea (countries that often lead the science, engineering and physics. arts education. A recent survey of technology CEOs yielded the world in standardized test scores). However, if education is so Into the fray comes, I think, a very timely work, “In Defense result that, “liberal arts training — with its emphasis on creativity great in their home countries why do so many attend universities of a Liberal Education” by Fareed Zakaria. Zakaria, himself a and critical thinking — is vital to the success of their business.” in the United States? native of India, came to America in the 1970s on a scholarship A 2013 survey of American businesses asked the question: It’s because their home countries have done a great job in he obtained from Yale. He majored in history and has risen “What do American business want from their college hires?” teaching them how to memorize facts and absorb the basics, but to be a respected author, columnist, editor, policy analyst and The overwhelming response was “creative thinkers and better that’s not the essence of a true education. Learning to think, cre- public intellectual. He is also host of the weekly CNN show communicators.” Ninety-five percent of respondents noted they ate, and innovate has always been the hallmark of an American “Global Public Square” (GPS). He epitomizes the power of a seek out “college graduates who can think clearly and solve university experience, one still sought after from those all over liberal arts education. problems and be able to translate their ideas with good oral and the world, and one facilitated by study of the liberal arts.

14 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 COMMENTARYBELTWAY BEAT C Bradley Byrne 2.0: The loyal foot soldier for GOp leaders BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

ast week, House Speaker John Boehner announced that Rep. Dan Newhouse (R- Wash.) and Mobile’s own Rep. Bradley Byrne would be filling two vacancies on lthe powerful House Rules Committee. Those two vacancies opened up in January after House Republican leadership removed Reps. Daniel Webster and Richard Nugent, both of Florida, from the committee. At the time the move appeared to be payback for the pair voting against Boehner for House Speaker. Interestingly these two slots went to two somewhat junior House members in Byrne, a term-and-a-half member and Newhouse, a freshman elected last fall. In his new role on the Rules Committee, By- rne will have a say in how bills are considered once they reach the House floor, including the amount of debate time and what amendments will be considered. That’s very significant considering anything voted on in the House of Representatives must pass muster with this committee. One thing is clear with this development Photo/Bradley Byrne — for better or for worse, Byrne is likely rep. Bradley Byrne joined the house going to be loyal to Boehner and less inclined rules committee last week. to support any so-called Tea Party rebellions against House GOP leadership. Byrne’s spokes- politics southwest Alabama. man Seth Morrow explained to Lagniappe the In the mid-1990s, Byrne, was an elected assignment is part and parcel of the congress- Democrat on a Democratically controlled State man’s goal of accomplishing things on behalf of School Board, which was often times at odds Alabama’s first congressional district. with then-Republican Gov. Fob James, at time “As Congressman Byrne said during his when the Alabama Education Association, the campaign, he wants to be a workhorse and not state’s teachers’ union, was still a powerful a showhorse,” Morrow wrote in an email last force in Montgomery. week. “I think he has established that identity in Byrne would later change his party affilia- his first year in Congress. The Rules Committee tion to Republican and find himself similarly assignment is just another opportunity for him a critic of James’ successor, Democratic Gov. to advocate on issues like Red Snapper, the Lit- Don Siegelman. But never in his role as a mem- toral Combat Ship, and a new I-10 Bridge.” ber of the school board could you say Byrne Morrow did insist the new position won’t was a go-along-to-get-along member. alter his judgment as a “conservative reformer.” Later he would be elected to the state sen- “In no way will the position force the ate at a time when Democrats were also still Congressman to change his core values and running the show. But it probably wasn’t until positions as a conservative reformer. Some- he was appointed as chancellor of the Alabama times Congressman Byrne agrees with the two-year college system and cracked down on House leadership and sometimes he doesn’t,” improprieties within it, particularly at Mobile’s Morrow continued. “Ultimately, the only people own Bishop State Community College, where he is accountable to are the people of Southwest Byrne was both a showhorse and workhorse, Alabama. Most every constituent we have spo- due to the high-profile nature of the actors ken with is excited about this new role and the in this saga. Those included then-State Rep. opportunities it provides for our area.” Yvonne Kennedy, the president of Bishop State More often than not, Boehner has been a and David Thomas, an embattled administrator formidable speaker. When tough votes for Re- at the institution. publicans loomed because of opposition from And then of course, there was Byrne’s run conservatives, Boehner has led the GOP caucus for governor, when he won the 2010 Republi- through those minefields. So aligning with can primary but was beaten in the runoff by the Boehner may not be that bad a move for Byrne current governor, Robert Bentley. politically and more important for his constitu- In this new role, there’s less likelihood for ents in the first congressional district. much political theater from Bradley Byrne. But But Bradley Byrne hasn’t necessarily always at a time when there’s a perceived dissatisfac- shied away from the showhorse role. tion with the status quo in Washington, it’s an He has had quite the evolution in his 20- interesting call to cozy up to the status quo. plus year political career. This latest chapter Should Byrne be able to accomplish hav- playing the role of a conservative Republican, ing more Littoral Combat Ships being built at loyal to House leadership might be something Austal in front of the backdrop of a new I-10 of a gamble if the Tea Party movement makes bridge, then this strategy will prove to be a win- a comeback, but that doesn’t look very likely ner for him. to happen, at least not when it comes to the For now, it’s still wait and see.

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 15 BB BUSINESST h E REAL DEAL dumbwaiter reception exceeds expectations BY RON SIVAK/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

or those of you who haven’t dined at the most franchises,” Lambert said. reaching retirement age. new restaurant Dumbwaiter downtown “You always want to be busy, but we are “They refer to us as ‘Mobile’s Hidden you may have to wait. Just wrapping up very blessed to have this kind of business and Gym,’ so we want to raise awareness of the its first month at the former Samurai J lo- thank all the patrons that have visited our estab- physical facilities that the Via Center offers,” Fcation on Bienville Square, typical reservation lishment and keep returning. Word of mouth is Estes said. times for lunch are booked a day in advance. the best referral you can ask for. So we want to Tickets are $35, which includes food and Want a dinner date? Three days. thank everyone for helping spread our name,” drink, and $150 sponsorships are still available Opening to an unprecedented positive Lambert concluded. and include marketing benefits and four tickets. reception by the local community not seen For more information contact Barbara Estes at since perhaps the Pillars launch of the 1970s, Via holding 6th annual “Corks in the 251-470-5229 or [email protected]. the 3,200-square-foot restaurant has been an Courtyard” unqualified success. According to executive On April 23 at 5:30 p.m., Café 615 at the Commercial real estate moves chef Chris McElhaney, occupancy for a typical Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center will Michael Wilson and Sharon Wright of lunchtime crowd has been 120 patrons with host its 6th annual “Corks in the Courtyard” White-Spunner Realty Inc. leased 1,400-square- initial expectations of 90. Dinner patronage has event. It will feature live music by local talent feet of retail space to Lotus Spa and Nail averaged around 125 while opening projections Brett LaGrave, food, wine tasting and a silent located at 27955 U.S. Highway 98 in Daphne at anticipated closer to 70. auction with a variety of Bear Bryant/Alabama the Magnolia Place Publix Center. “We could easily seat 250 for lunch and sports memorabilia, jewelry, decorative items Marl M. Cummings with Cummings & dinner if we had the seating capacity. For every and artwork. Associates, Inc. recently leased 1,200-square- reservation made there’s one turned away,” According to Barbara Estes, director of busi- feet of space to Approved Cash Advance at McElhaney said. ness development for Via, the event was first the Dauphin Plaza Shopping Center on DIP, Gross sales have exceeded projections by 40 held in March 2009 with the goal of attracting 1,200-square-feet of floor space to CK Salon percent with suppliers and vendors now shut- new donors to the center. It has grown from an at Hillcrest Plaza and the former convenience tling to the eatery twice daily to keep up with initial gathering of 25 to 150 participants last store located at 5880 U.S. Highway 90 in Theo- unexpectedly explosive demand. year. The target market of attendees is working dore to M&M Food Mart. When asked what the underlying reason professionals aged 30-50. Gulfway Plaza on State Highway 59 in might be behind such success in so short a time, Unlike some other nonprofits around town, Robertsdale is now completed and has leased McElhaney remained humble. Via receives less than 10 percent of its funding 1,400-square-feet of fast food space to Little “A group from Birmingham dined here last from local government. Because the majority of Caesars Pizza and 1,800-square-feet of retail week and compared their entrees to James members are on fixed incomes, they keep mem- space to AT&T that will open in June. Cum- Beard-award-winning executive chef Chris bership and program fees low; member dues mings handled both transactions for landlord Hastings from Birmingham. That’s a tremen- average around $10 per month. Because of this, and tenant. dous and unexpected honor,” he said. however, the lion’s share of operating funds are A 1,200-square-foot office property was “My goal when we decided on a location for raised through competitive grants, performance leased jointly by Hallie Brown Builders and our first Dumbwaiter restaurant was to look for contracts, special event income and donations. Herrington Realty located at 5225 Cottage Hill an up-and-coming area that is fairly easy for “Every organization is always looking for Road in Mobile. Both companies will share the people to access. We chose downtown Mobile new donors, new events and new revenue space for business. Herrington Realty and Paul because I felt like we could bring ‘Old Mobile’ streams. The Via Center’s donors tend to be Carter with the Paul Carter Agency managed back here. We did a complete renovation on seniors — 55 and older. Social media was the transaction. the 1890s building to get it back to the original emerging at the time as a marketing tool and John M. Delchamps, associate broker walls and ceilings and have the look we wanted we wanted to use this new platform to launch with the Merrill P. Thomas Co., Inc. leased to accomplish,” owner Wes Lambert said. an event that appealed to a younger crowds,” 540-square-feet of office space in the Daphne “Every piece of furniture in the restaurant Estes said. Square located at 2200 U.S. Highway 98 to (excluding copper chairs) was designed by us In 2009, the event raised $3,000. Last year Any Lab Test Now, opening July 1. and made locally. As we continue to hopefully it raised more than $10,000 due to increasing According to court records, roughly an acre grow we plan on expanding and have been participation and sponsorships. Serving over of property located at 2800 Martin Luther King asked to build in the Spring Hill area, West 20,000 seniors in the community, Via also has Jr. Ave. in Mobile was acquired by non-local Mobile, Brookley, Eastern Shore and Ft. Worth, specialized programs for Baby Boomers, Gen- speculators for $3.85 million. The transaction Texas. We will most likely look to expand over eration X and millennials through their fitness was managed by Surety Land Title. A CVS re- the next year or so. We may eventually fran- center. Boomers are the second fastest growing tailer currently sits on the site and will continue chise, but would do that a little differently than segment of Via’s membership as they are now to operate there in the foreseeable future.

recently read an article on social media that shares the title of countless prose of the past. Yes, it was that old literary chestnut we’ve all read called, “What Women Really Want.” It was a hard-hitting piece of journalism that lead the reader ito believe the author had unlocked the mind of the fairer sex and would gladly let us in on the secret that confident, well-dressed men in good shape who have a witty sense of humor and above- average intelligence are at an advantage in today’s dating pool. Good luck finding that unicorn, ladies. But a recent lunch at a West Mobile location has me thinking the article is off by a long shot. It was a semi-sunny break from the downpours that led Rob Holbert, Agent 549, and yours truly along with our good friend Snake to see what all the fuss was about Chicken Salad Chick. This impromptu lunch meeting was more Rob’s idea, but I’d heard nothing but good things about this chain of restaurants that reaches 26 cities in six states. As we met in the parking lot at the intersection of Cottage Hill and Hillcrest we noticed there were a lot of cars on that end of the shopping center. This was my first visit, but my publisher and I were saying this must be a good sign. Crowded or not we were going to have our business meeting. But luckily the line went quickly. When I tell you this place is all about the chicken salad I mean to say there are 15 different flavors of chicken salad sold by the pound, by the scoop and by the sandwich. Of course the names are irresistible and you want to try all of them, but Photos/Dan Anderson today I will only have room for a few. at chicken Salad chick, you can get it in a bun or by the scoop. I began the ordering with the Chick Trio ($8.45). This is a chance to sample three scoops Rob was also in made this one my personal favorite, and it may have been because of your choice on a bed of lettuce with wheat the sandwich mood it was most like my mom’s that she makes every Easter. Every crackers and one of the best pickle spears you’ll but went a bit larger now and then I prefer a fruitier chicken salad and on this day I have. I thought my maiden voyage should start with the Gourmet was certainly in the mood. with the Classic Carol. This is the base model that Chick combo While wrapping up our pleasant conversation and tying up the began the successful franchise. I notice right off ($8.45), which is loose ends of gossip from our brief lunch I looked around and no- how finely chopped the chicken is. It’s almost as if this is chicken essentially an Original Chick with two side items. He opted for ticed the ratio of females to males. I didn’t do an exact count, but mousse. It’s not a heavy mayonnaise soupy salad. But don’t take the Kickin’ Kay Lynne on sourdough bread making sure they do the estimate was probably 20:1. Then it hit me. Every person that that to mean dry, either. not add any extra mayonnaise to his sandwich. They assured him mentioned Chicken Salad Chick to me has been female. Chicken Next I tried Dixie Chick. How could I resist their “most offen- the bread would be bone-dry, and it was, but the Kickin’ Kay Salad Chick is a Chick magnet! sive salad” that was designed for an onion lover. I certainly claim Lynne was anything but. It’s got the Buffalo sauce, bacon, ranch, Sure, chicken salad isn’t the manliest thing to chase down on a to be one of those. There was a decent kick to it, but not terribly cheddar cheese and jalapenos for an incredible flavor. lunch hour, but I admit this place is pretty good. I will be back for offensive. I may have had a little more kick in the Buffalo Barclay So Agent 549 was not dining with us, but grabbed three con- the cayenne and bacon-heavy Jazzy Julie for sure, but this West scoop. The intention was to create chicken salad that tastes like tainers ($9.95 per pound) to take to an undisclosed location. I of Mobile location holds the key to what women really want. So fel- Buffalo wings. There is a hint of that. Loaded potato soup ($3.15) course had to try these flavors in exchange for my pickle spear. las, before you join a book club, sign a gym membership or max helped break the monotony of three chicken salads and though it The first was Jalapeno Holly. Everyone who speaks of Chicken out the credit cards on new threads, your best bet may be to head was good, it could’ve used a dash of hot sauce (they did not have Salad Chick is quick to mention this one. It is by no means dif- on over to Chicken Salad Chick. any). Despite that we were off to a good start. ficult to eat, and only the most fragile of taste buds would be Open 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Snake wasn’t playing around and ordered the Original Chick searching for the beer after a bite or two. But it has enough jala- combo ($7.89). This is a choice of sandwich or scoop plus a side peno to let you know it’s there. Nutty Nana was pleasurable with item and a cookie of the day. The ever-alliterative Snake had a Chicken Salad Chick cashews and pecans, but nothing I was crazy about. 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd, Unit R Sassy Scotty sandwich and soup of the day. This was an interest- Of all the chicken salad I had that day the best one was the Mobile, AL 36695 ing chicken salad, blending ranch with bacon and cheddar cheese Fruity Fran! Something about seedless grapes and Fuji apples that came as requested on a croissant. 251-660-0501

18 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 19 OySTer rOcKeFeller ($$-$$$) 312 deliSh deSSerTS ($) pdQ ($) yaK The KaThMaNdU KiTcheN ($-$$) Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 Great desserts & hot lunch. Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. Authentic foods from Himalayan region. river ShacK ($-$$) 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 Seafood, burgers & steaks. deW drOp iNN ($) QUeeN G’S caFé ($) 400 Eastern Shore Center. • 459-2862 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. Down home cooking for lunch. The harBOr rOOM ($-$$) 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 Unique seafood. dOWNTOWNerS ($) reGiNa’S KiTcheN ($-$$) ‘CuE $ UnDER $10/PERSon 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 Great sandwiches, soups & salads. Sandwiches, subs and soups. BacKyard caFe & BBQ ($) $$ 10-25/PERSon The BlUeGill ($-$$) 107 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 Home cookin’ like momma made. $$$ oVER 25/PERSon A historic seafood dive w/ live music. e WiNG hOUSe ($) rOly pOly ($) 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830. Wraps & salads. Bar-B-QUiNG WiTh My hONey ($$) The GraNd MariNer ($-$$) 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood SEAFOOD Local seafood & produce. FirehOUSe SUBS ($) 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 BaUdeaN’S ($$) 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 Hot subs, cold salads & catering. rOSie’S Grill ($-$$) BricK piT ($) Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. TiN TOp reSTaUraNT & OySTer Bar ($$) 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. A favorite barbecue spot. Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. Five GUyS BUrGerS & FrieS ($) 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 BONeFiSh Grill ($$) 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 626-2440 dreaMlaNd BBQ ($) Eclectic dining & space. 949-5086 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 rOyal KNiGhT ($) Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. WiNTZell’S OySTer hOUSe ($-$$) FOOSacKly’S ($) Steak night on fridays. 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898. BOUdreaUX’S caJUN Grill ($-$$) 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 Famous chicken fingers. 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 MOe’S OriGiNal Bar B QUe ($) Quality Cajun & New Orleans 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 rOyal STreeT caFe ($) Bar-b-que & music. Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 Homemade lunch & breakfast. Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS Daphne. • 621-1991 Saraland • 442-3335 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 caJUN SeaFOOd ($) 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. SaTOri cOFFeehOUSe ($) 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. SaUcy Q BarBQUe ($) iSTaNBUl Grill ($) Award-winning BarBQue. 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 COmplEtEly 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 craviN caJUN ($) Authentic Turkish Resturant. Serda’S cOFFeehOUSe ($) 1111 Government Blvd. • 433-7427 Po-boys, salads & seafood. COmFOrtAblE 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. SMOKey deMBO SMOKe hOUSe ($) al’S hOTdOGS ($) JaMaicaN viBe ($) 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. ed’S SeaFOOd Shed ($$) Mind-blowing island food. SpOT OF Tea ($) 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 Fried seafood served in hefty portions. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. DrOp DEAD aTlaNTa Bread cOMpaNy ($-$$) JiMMy JOhN’S ($) 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 Sandwiches, salads & more. FeliX’S FiSh caMp ($$) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. SOUTherN decadeNce deSSerTS ($) GOurmEt 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 alaBaMa crUiSeS ($$) Upscale dining with a view. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. caFe 219 ($) JOe caiN caFé ($) 1956 B University Blvd. Fine dining & sailing 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. FiSherMaN’S leGacy ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 300-8304 Orange Beach • 973-1244 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 Bay GOUrMeT ($$) Deli, market and catering. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 STevie’S KiTcheN ($) caFe MalBiS ($) MaMa’S ($) Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. A premier caterer & cooking classes. 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 Contemporary fare & spirits. 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 halF Shell OySTer hOUSe ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 Tp crOcKMierS ($) BriQUeTTeS STeaKhOUSe ($-$$) 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 caMille’S SideWalK caFé ($) Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. JacK’S caTFiSh caMp ($$) MarS hill caFe ($) American Restaurant & Bar Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. Suite 2. Steak & Seafood Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 The BliNd MUle ($) 607-7200 4815 Halls Mill Rd. • 661-4434 caMellia caFé ($-$$$) caFé 615 ($$-$$$) JOhN WOrd’S capTaiN TaBle ($$) Mary’S SOUTherN cOOKiNG ($) Daily specials made from scratch. Contemporary southern fare. 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. American fare with local ingredients. Come wine, dine and dance. 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 Micheli’S caFe ($) The hOUSe ($-$$) 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434. 2701 Battleship Pkwy • 433-3790 caMMie’S Old dUTch ($) 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. caFé rOyal ($$-$$$) lUcy B. GOOde ($$) Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. MiKO’S iTaliaN ice ($) 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 The hUNGry OWl ($) 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats carpe dieM ($) 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. dUMBWaiTer ($$-$$$) 967-5858 Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. Serving local seafood & produce lUlU’S ($$) MOMMa GOldBerG’S deli ($) 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. The villaGe deli ($) 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 Live music & great seafood. chaT-a-Way caFe ($) iSaBella’S ($$$) 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 929-3354 Quiches & sandwiches. 305 DeLaMare Ave, Fairhope • 990-5513 967-5858 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 Three GeOrGeS caNdy ShOp ($) 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 MONTeGO’S ($-$$) Light lunch with Southern flair. KiTcheN ON GeOrGe ($-$$) MUdBUGS aT The lOOp ($) chicKeN Salad chicK ($) Contemporary American food. Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. TrOpical SMOOThie ($) 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 MOSTly MUFFiNS ($) Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. leGacy Bar & Grill ($$$) OriGiNal OySTer hOUSe ($-$$) daUphiN ST. caFe ($) American, Seafood,Stekhouse. A great place for kids & seafood. Muffins, coffee & wraps. Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 NeWK’S eXpreSS caFe ($) UNcle JiMMy’S deliciOUS hOTdOGS ($) MaGhee’S Grill ON The hill ($-$$) OrleaNS pO-BOyS ($-$$) creaM & SUGar ($) Great lunch & dinner. Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy South Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 307-5328 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 Wild WiNG STaTiON ($) MelTiNG pOT ($$$) OrleaNS caFe ($-$$) paNiNi peTe’S ($) d’ Michael’S ($) Original sandwich and bake shop. 1500 Government St. • 287-1526 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. WhiSTle STOp ($) NOJa ($$-$$$) 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Home cookin’ & BBQ. Inventive & very fresh cuisine. 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377

20 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 JerUSaleM caFe ($-$$) Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. raveNiTe ($) hOTel aNd caSiNO ($) Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 callaGhaN’S iriSh SOcial clUB ($) 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 KaN ZaMaN caFe ($) Burgers & beer. rOMa caFe ($-$$) SaTiSFacTiON aT hard rOcK 326 Azalea Rd. • 229-4206 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 Pasta, salad and sandwiches. hOTel aNd caSiNO ($) MediTerraNeaN SaNdWich cOMpaNy ($) herOeS SpOrTS Bar & Grille ($) 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. Great & quick. Sandwiches & cold beer. rOMaNO’S MacarONi Grill ($$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 OSMaN’S reSTaUraNT ($$) 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. Springdale Mall TieN aT ip caSiNO Supreme European cuisine. 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 reSOrT Spa ($-$$) 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006. 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 McSharry’S iriSh pUB ($) TaMara’S Bar & Grill ($) Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. rOyal ScaM ($$) MiNT hOOKah BiSTrO ($) Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. Wings, po-boys, burgers. 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Great Mediterranean food. 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 hiGhliGhTS SpOrTS lOUNGe aT ip 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 MUG ShOTS ($$) 929-0002 caSiNO reSOrT Spa ($) rUTh’S chriS STeaK hOUSe ($$$) ZOrBa The GreeK ($-$$) Bar & Grill. via eMilia ($$) Brews & game on 65 screens. Exceptional service & taste. Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 Homemade pastas & pizzas made 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D • 633-2202 Old 27 Grill ($) daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 hiGh Tide caFé aT ip caSiNO SaGe reSTaUraNT ($$) Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. reSOrT Spa ($) Inside the Mobile Marriott. 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 FAr EAStErn FArE Fairhope • 281-2663 Olé mi AmiGO! 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 UNiON ($$$) BaMBOO BiSTrO ($$) The laNdiNG ($) caBO cOaSTal caNTiNa ($) Br priMe aT BeaU rivaGe ($$-$$$) Premium steaks & burgers. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 From seafood to steaks. 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 Fine dining establishment. 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 BaMBOO FUSiON ($$) 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 daUphiN ST. TaQUeria ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 TaMara’S dOWNTOWN ($$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 lUcKy’S iriSh pUB ($) Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic Jia aT BeaU rivaGe ($-$$) Casual fine dining. BaMBOO STeaKhOUSe ($$) Irish pub fare & more. fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Sushi Bar. 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 el charrO ($) Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. The BUll ($-$$) 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 The STadiUM ($) Finest Mexican in WeMo. 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. BaNGKOK Thai ($-$$) Catch the games with great food. 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 MeMphiS Q aT BeaU rivaGe ($) 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope • 990-0408 FUeGO ($-$$) Memphis-style Q. The TrelliS rOOM ($$$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 WeMOS ($) Outstanding Mexican cuisine. 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Contemporary Southern Cuisine BaNZai JapaNeSe reSTaUraNT Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 cOaST reSTaUraNT aT BeaU Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 lOS arcOS ($) rivaGe ($) Zea’S ($$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 Quaint Mexican restaurant. Sports bar-style joint. Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. GOldeN BOWl ($) 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. mAmA miA! la cOciNa ($) lB’S STeaKhOUSe aT GraNd 309 Bell Air Blvd • 470-8033 BeNTZ’S piZZa pUB ($) Authentic Mexican cuisine. caSiNO ($$-$$$) Kai JapaNeSe reSTaUraNT ($-$$) Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 Fine dining with steak & fine wine. A littlE VinO 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 SaNTa Fe Grill ($) 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 dOMKe MarKeT liQUid ($$) BUcK’S piZZa ($$) Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. cUU lONG SUper phO aT GraNd Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. Delivery. 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 caSiNO ($$) 2410 Dawes Rd. Ste. D. • 375-0599 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 TaQUeria MeXicO ($-$$) Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. FaThOMS lOUNGe MiKaTO JapaNeSe STeaK hOUSe ($$) GaMBiNO BrOTherS ($) Authentic Mexican flavor. 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music Upscale sushi & specialties. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 eMeril’S GUlF cOaST FiSh hOUSe 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 aT iSlaNd vieW caSiNO ($$-$$$) pOUr BaBy rice aSiaN Grill & SUShi Bar ($) GaMBiNO’S iTaliaN Grill ($) nO GAmblinG Kick it up a notch. 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 Italian, Steaks & Seafood. 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 FirehOUSe WiNe Bar & ShOp rOcK N rOll SUShi ($$) 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 CASinO FArE c&G Grille aT iSlaNd vieW 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 GUidO’S ($$) caSiNO ($) red Or WhiTe TaSTe OF Thai ($$) Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. AtmOrE Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 Fire aT WiNd creeK caSiNO & 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 WaSaBi SUShi ($$) la rOSSO ($$) hOTel ($$-$$$) WahOO’S pOOlSide Bar & Grill rOyal STreeT TaverN Japanese cusine. Comfort food. Prime steaks, seafood & wine. aT palace caSiNO reSOrT ($-$$) Live music,martinis & dinner menu. 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 Fresh seafood & more. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 yeN reSTaUraNT ($) MellOW MUShrOOM ($) Grill aT WiNd creeK caSiNO & 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 SOUTherN Napa Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Pies & awesome beer selection. hOTel ($) MiGNON’S aT palace caSiNO Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. reSOrT ($$-$$$) 2304 Main Street. • 375-2800 Jubilee Shopping Center, 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. Daphne • 625-4695 picKleFiSh ($$) 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 Pizza, sandwiches & salads. bilOxi The deN aT TreaSUre Bay FAlAFEl? try 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 viBe aT hard rOcK hOTel caSiNO ($-$$) iS tHE GAmE On? papa’S place ($$) aNd caSiNO ($-$$) Intimate & casual with daily specials. SOmE HummuS aShlaNd MidTOWN pUB ($-$$) A Taste of Italy . BYOB. Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. 7 Spice ($-$$) Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 cQ aT TreaSUre Bay caSiNO ($$-$$$) Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 piNZONe’S iTaliaN dOWNTOWN ($$) rUTh’S chriS STeaK hOUSe aT Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 BUFFalO Wild WiNGS ($) Italian, catering, to-go. hard rOcK hOTel & caSiNO ($$$) aBBa’S MediTerraNeaN caFe ($-$$) Best wings & sporting events. 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 Exceptional servie & taste. BlU aT TreaSUre Bay caSiNO ($) Beef, lamb & seafood. 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 piNZONe’S iTaliaN villaGe ($$) 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 BUTch caSSidy’S ($) 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 hard rOcK caFé aT hard rOcK 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 21 CUISINEWORD OF MOUTh C Taste of the Town coming to Five rivers BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

he 8th annual Taste of the Town will be held at Five Rivers does eventually, then eat your heart out, Kentucky Derby. Italian Fisherman’s final wine dinner a hit Delta Resource Center on Thursday, May 7. The popular The final installment of the Italian Fisherman’s wine dinner The local menu was executed flawlessly by Bay Gourmet. event sponsored by the Daphne/Spanish Fort Kiwanis series was probably one of the best. The series ended with a Sarah and her staff really outdid themselves this year. Butter- Club and Safe Harbor Financial Services will run from 6 Spanish wine dinner that included the importer and the exporter milk fried oysters with horseradish cream sauce is no joke. Who Tp.m. until 8 p.m. and will feature live music and plenty to taste. wraps Conecuh sausage in shrimp? They do. Barbecue shrimp Kathy Kellett of M&J Wines played host to export manager The restaurant count stands at 27 and culinary businesses of and smoked Gouda grits as well as pork tenderloin in a bourbon all makes and models are participating. With ticket prices at a Carmen Ramirez of Vinicola de Tomelloso, and I must say Spain never tasted this good. peach chutney sauce had everyone smiling. The many mini cool $30 in advance and $35 at the door, that amounts to barely desserts included a mixed berry cobbler with Old Dutch vanilla over a dollar per restaurant. The only thing better than a price so For something about which I knew very little, I left impressed ice cream. low is the complimentary beverages paired with the view. enough to take home two bottles. One was a Finca Cerrada Viura, Things are so much better local. Grab your tickets today by calling 251-621-2996 or visit a gold medal white, and the other an out-of-this-world rose’. www.daphnespanishfortkiwanis.org. These were steals in the less-than-$15 market, and I shall hunt them down again. They are guaranteed to work for you, especially the rose’. national Shrimp Festival’s Restaurant Challenge Southern napa presents another 99 bottles of Of course Chef John was bringing his A-game for the final leads to World Food Championships Let’s see if you can keep up with this. More than 400 beer on the lawn dinner. Highlights of the meal included a Spanish seafood soup If you’ve never been to this event then you don’t know what and a chicken breast with parsley sauce and potatoes au gratin. It prequalified competitors will enter one of nine categories at the you’re missing. Southern Napa at 2304 Main St. in the heart of was a bittersweet ending to a series I’ve enjoyed and learned so World Food Championships running Nov. 3-10 in Kissimmee, Olde Towne Daphne is cooling off the IPAs and getting ready for much from. The friends you accumulate at these intimate events Fla. Before that we will have the 44th annual National Shrimp their 99 Bottles of Beer on the Lawn. Even in the pouring rain, are the best part. Festival Oct. 8-11. Affiliated with the National Shrimp Festival last year’s event brought in 600 beer lovers under the giant tent is the eighth annual Shrimp Festival Restaurant Challenge held just outside of the amazing wine store. at Faulkner State Community College Aug. 26-27. This year’s shindig will be held Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. Second annual Local Goodness goes off I told you that story to tell you this one: The road to the until 5 p.m. with proceeds going to Baldwin County Humane So- World Food Championships for Alabamians begins by win- swimmingly ciety. The $30 advance and $35 at-the-door ticket prices include a We’ve had so much rain this isn’t an inappropriate headline. ning the Shrimp Festival Restaurant Challenge which has been commemorative tasting glass for a selection of 99 craft beers and But this year’s Local Goodness farm-to-table event benefitting elevated to Preferred Qualifier status guaranteeing the winner’s live music by Willie Sugarcapps. the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital was nothing shy of spot in the big dance. “Craft beers are a lot like a bottle of wine,” said Jim Cox, amazing. Liz Freeman and the gang put together a nice package Applications for this event are currently open exclusively to owner of Southern Napa and event coordinator. “Each has a very Coastal Alabama Chamber of Commerce (which produces the unique flavor profile and the more you taste the more you hone in that was worth every penny spent on this important fundraiser. For starters there was once again a Fat Man Squeeze cock- National Shrimp Festival) members until May 8. Non-members on what you like.” will not be permitted applications until May 9. For an applica- To be a part of this special event visit www.southernnapa.com tail. Bourbon, spicy ginger beer, simple syrup, fresh lime juice tion visit www.myshrimpfest.com. for tickets or find them on Facebook. If all else fails then call and basil may just put the Mint Julep out of business. Word on Until next time, recycle! them at 251-375-2800. the street is this recipe almost made it to the Preakness. If it

he Port of Mobile shares a rich history of trade with Cuba they have not been an enemy to the U.S.,” she said. “If you visit but it won’t mean anything. that can date back to, at least, the start of the 20th century. Cuba, you will find the people of Cuba are friendly and very open They believe both Raul and Fidel will have to be out of the Today, a recent thawing of relations between the island na- to the U.S.” picture for any deal between the U.S. and Cuba to bear fruit. But tion and the United States, fostered by a behind-the-scenes Mendez said if anything, the embargo only helped “deliver on Mendez said who’s in power in Cuba now is irrelevant to the Teffort of the Obama administration, could mean the return of the a silver platter” a trading partner for enemies of the U.S. discussion of the lifting of the trade embargo. relationship. “I mean you’re talking about Russia,” Mendez said. “Immedi- “You might not like what happened, but they are the ones that Before an embargo was placed upon the country in 1960 and ately Russia went into Cuba when the embargo was placed.” are in power …,” she said. “I mean, we trade with China and we diplomatic relations froze, Cuba was a large supplier of nickel, She added the embargo helped portray Cuba, throughout the trade with Vietnam, why is Cuba so different?” sugar and tobacco to the United States. As a deepwater port on Caribbean, as the protagonist in a David-versus-Goliath saga. U.S Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) came out recently the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile benefitted from the historic relation- As for removing the country from the state sponsor of ter- against removing Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list. In ship and at one time, Havana was one of the city’s largest trading rorism list, Mendez supports that move as well. As a Cuban- a press release following his visit to the Summit of the Americas partners according to Society Mobile-La Habana President F. American, she carries a Cuban passport when she travels back in Panama a couple of weeks ago, where Obama and Raul Castro Grey Reddit, who represents a sister-cities organization interested to the country and the terrorist state designation never made any symbolically shook hands, Byrne said it was premature to remove in rebuilding the relationship. sense to her. Cuba from the list. The embargo exempted food and humanitarian relief, so even “Now, when you look at other administrations, (North) Korea “After meeting with Cuban dissidents who were beaten, some throughout the restrictions Mobile, and Alabama, as the third was taken off the terrorist nation (list), as well as Libya,” she very seriously, by Cuban embassy personnel … and considering largest poultry-producing state in the nation, shipped between said. “From a Cuban-American standpoint, when you’re traveling the information linking Cuba with North Korea and inappropriate 32,000 and 40,000 tons of chicken to Cuba annually, Alabama with a Cuban passport, which the U.S. government is completely arms sales, I have a hard time understanding how the president State Port Authority Vice President of Marketing Judy Adams aware (of), does that (classify) you as a terrorist? That, for me, can make this decision,” he wrote. said recently. One ship leaves the port every four to six weeks was very hard to swallow because I have just as much love — I In an unrelated February interview with Lagniappe, Byrne carrying about 4,000 tons of chicken to Cuba, she said. mean the U.S. is my country. said he thought the U.S. should move toward normalizing rela- Mobile is also home to one of three blast-freeze refrigeration “My daughters were born here,” she added. “I’ve lived here all tions with Cuba, but that he disagreed with the way Obama was facilities that can efficiently serve the Cuban market because my life. So, I certainly didn’t feel I was a terrorist.” handling it. He reiterated those sentiments in the statement earlier of proximity to the island, Adams added. Furthermore, Mobile At the same time, Mendez also recognizes some Cuban- this month. claims the largest general cargo port serving the forest products Americans are against lifting the embargo. In 2001, Mendez was “For all the right reasons, the president wants to normal- industry. Consequently, the city and its port have a unique oppor- instrumental in securing the first shipment of goods from the U.S. ize relations with Cuba,” he wrote. “I agree with him that we tunity to provide lumber and consumer paper products to Cuba, to Cuba since the embargo between the two countries was further should have that as our goal. Unfortunately, the Cuban leadership although the shipments of forest products are less frequent than strengthened in 1962. doesn’t want to change its inappropriate behavior and activities as chicken because of the trade restrictions. In addition, Mobile is Mendez, who was in Jacksonville, Fla. at the time, said she part of the process of normalization.” also the second-largest steel port in the nation, Adams said. was harassed badly. She said her house was egged and her family The port’s existing facilities are among the reasons excite- was threatened. The future of the embargo ment has been building locally over recent attempts to normalize “I started getting quite a bit of harassment from a lot of With recent actions, the U.S. can now ship agricultural equip- diplomatic relations with the communist nation. Cuban-Americans,” Mendez said. “I was harassed tremendously ment and construction materials to Cuba, but that’s a far cry from because of my outspoken stance on opening up trade with Cuba.” what will be allowed if the embargo on trade currently placed on neighbors, amigos Soon after, she was contacted by Les Stewart, former vice Cuba is totally lifted by an act of Congress. In December, President Barack Obama announced his desire president of trade and development at the Alabama State Port During a February visit to Mobile, retired Cuban diplomat and for an easing of restrictions on Cuba and the opening of embas- Authority and its CEO Jimmy Lyons about the job she has now. professor Dr. Carlos Alzugaray said a reversal of policy in regard sies in Washington and Havana. Earlier this month, Obama Mendez calls it “divine intervention.” She’s been in Mobile to the embargo would be tough because there are senior members removed the island just 90 miles off the U.S. coast from the List since 2003. of Congress, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, of State Sponsors of Terrorism, a move applauded by some but On the other hand, two other Cuban immigrants with Mobile opposed to lifting the embargo. He said he believes they are not criticized by others. ties say they don’t trust the regime of Raul Castro, the brother of in the majority, but that there is enough opposition and political Maria Mendez, the Alabama Port Authority’s director of Latin longtime dictator Fidel, who overthrew a U.S.-backed authori- pressure to keep the status quo in place. At the same time, he American Sales and Trade Development, favors the latest move tarian government in 1958. The immigrants, a father and son admitted there is positive momentum for a change in policy from and is an advocate for improved relations with Cuba. who spoke on the condition of anonymity through an interpreter advocates, despite the obvious roadblocks. A Cuban native, Mendez fled the island nation with her representing the Alabama Coalition of Immigrant Justice because “I think political obstacles have always been overestimated family in 1961, at the age of 9. In a book called “Cuba: It Mat- of a fear of backlash from the Cuban government, said Obama and now the ball is moving,” he said. “So, once the ball starts ters,” which she co-wrote with Jay Brickman, Mendez writes is making a “deal with the devil” and any agreement between moving and some important economic interests start to benefit about her experience traveling to Miami. The book, which is a the two countries will only benefit the Castro regime and not the from the connection with Cuba, we might see some people personal endeavor independent of her work at the port, is due people of Cuba. changing sides and saying ‘let’s do it.’” out in early June. “(Obama) is giving him everything in exchange for nothing At the Port, Lyons said he believes the momentum, which be- As for a warming of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and for the people,” one of the immigrants said. “All (Castro) has gan late last year, will continue into the future, albeit slowly. He Cuba, Mendez said, “It’s about time.” done is take advantage of Obama.” referenced “vehement opposition” to the lifting of the embargo, “You’re looking at an island that’s 90 miles off our shore and The immigrants said the regime will play nice just for show, but said public opinion was changing. He said it would come in

24 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 steps, starting with the removal of Cuba Mobile-to-Havana route. from the state sponsor of terrorism list, but But in a throwback to their historical re- progressing with more formal agreements lationship, it would be more likely the port between the two countries. would benefit from some of the items it has “If we begin to take these steps I men- traditionally traded with Cuba, like nickel. tioned earlier, that’s going to blunt some “Cuba has big nickel deposits and we of this vehement opposition,” Lyons said. have demand for nickel right here in the “It’s going to blunt some of the opposi- Mobile area, with the (Calvert) stainless tion and it’s going to help lead us toward steel plant because there’s nickel in their a point where we can — I think if you got process,” Lyons said. “So, there are things a heads-up vote today in either the House that could happen to improve the Cuban of Representatives or the Senate, I think economy and our health as a port.” the vote would be to lift the embargo, but Alzugaray suggested the telecommuni- procedurally you can’t do that.” cations industry would benefit from an end to the embargo as well. Potential benefits Although its impact on the state is hard More Mobile-Cuba connections to gauge, Lyons said lifting the embargo Incidentally, Mobile has the distinction would mean even more U.S. goods would of indirectly introducing the sport of base- travel through Mobile’s port to Cuba. ball to Cuba in the late 1800s. In research “Right now our foreign exchange is tight for a book he’s writing on the history of in Cuba because of the embargo and the Spring Hill College, the Rev. Christopher healthier the island becomes financially, the Viscardi came across the names of three more goods they are able to buy. The more Cuban-born students who were enrolled goods they are able to buy, the more we’re in 1860. able to potentially ship through the port,” He said through research with the help of he said. a Cuban historian, he’s been able to confirm Mobile’s proximity to the ports of that brothers Ernesto and Nemesio Guillo Havana and Mariel make it ideally suited Romanguere and a friend named Henry for trade when and if the embargo is lifted, Porto brought a ball and bat to the island Lyons said, and more frequent departures nation after leaving the college follow- from the port to the island would be good. ing the Civil War. Viscardi said Nemesio “We’d love to have, at least, a weekly founded a baseball club in Cuba in 1868 service down there,” he said. “Right now, and the group began organizing leagues it’s just a spot ship comes in here and takes and championships. He said baseball in the in 4,000 pounds of chicken and goes down country grew out of their efforts. and maybe six weeks or eight weeks later Viscardi said Spring Hill College had a another ship.” large number of Cuban students before the But beyond poultry, Mobile’s port could turn of the 20th century because the school help satisfy Cuba’s need for improvements would recruit on the island and did so until to its railroad infrastructure, Lyons said, about 1900. It was successful, he said, be- which is badly in need of upgrades. cause the college had more Cuban students “They’ve done some upgrades around than students from Alabama in 1866 and the port of Mariel, which was financed by 1867, because of economic conditions fol- the Brazilian government, but it’s a huge lowing the Civil War. port development project — a billion dollar In the early 1990s, Mobile was the project that was done with the assistance of first U.S. city to become a sister city with the Brazilian government,” he said. “You’ve Havana following the revolution. The sister got to have railroads to connect that port cities agreement spawned the La Habana- to other parts of the country. So, you have La Mobile Society, Reddit said. a need there for rails and for crossties and The group is dedicated to promoting the switches and things like that.” artistic and cultural ties between Havana Lyons also mentioned a demand in and Mobile. Reddit said the group works to Cuba for new and used locomotives. There introduce Mobile to the culture of Havana would also be an opportunity, as U.S. tour- and Cuba to the people of Mobile. The ism grows, for hotel chains like Marriott group is about 30 members strong and holds and others. In that case, there may be an monthly meetings. Mendez is a member of opportunity for a cruise ship to service a the society’s board of directors.

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 ARTARTIFICE Saenger Friends face low early numbers BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

on’t light the candles or hang the streamers just yet. Be- $6 million. fore Mobile’s most venerated arts institution celebrates an Various chores were handled piecemeal after the initial big imminent and monumental birthday, they need more hands task. The $100,000 restoration of the chandelier in 2012 was the on deck. last of those major duties. D“The Friends of the Saenger is designed to help make capital On the verge of their own restructuring and citing an average improvements to the Saenger and help market it not for any $331,000 annual loss from running the Jazz Age venue, CLA specific concerts but just generally as a place for Mobile patrons returned the Saenger to the city in spring of 2013. Months later, to go see primarily musical events,” Robert McGinley told Arti- SMG was contracted for management but as they told Artifice last fice. A local attorney, McGinley has chaired the support group’s year, the regular upkeep isn’t their responsibility. board through its vital beginning stages and inertia has been Maintenance is costly as Mobile’s notorious humidity is hard hard to break. on older buildings of wood and plaster. Saturation, warping and “We just got our nonprofit status about a year ago,” McGin- corrosion all create slow demolition when left unchecked. That ley said. “We figure our best opportunity to find Friends of the necessitates a near-constant flow of air conditioning and when the Saenger members is at Saenger events. We don’t have enough structure is the size of the Saenger, the electric bills are monstrous. capacity or manpower right now to attend every event so we’re “The not-for-profit corporation is organized … to sustain the city trying to work with Chris (Penton, Saenger booking manager) to of Mobile’s historic Saenger Theatre and to preserve it as an active figure out perhaps some of the ones that have the potential to have venue for the performing arts and to support the performing arts ac- Photo/Lagniappe the higher volume of potential members.” tivities of the Saenger Theatre,” the Friends organizing paperwork Friends of the Saenger Theatre are hoping to recruit In fewer than 24 months, the Saenger Theatre will turn 90. states. Noble purposes, but slim ranks. That represents more than four generations of Mobilians who’ve “Our numbers are low and we’re building from scratch,” Mc- patrons for much needed maintenance. enjoyed the wide selection of artistic endeavors in our downtown Ginley said, revealing a current membership of just 74 individuals. Grand Dame. “We need to build those but don’t have any obvious paths to that.” The current chair said they are still talking with ACAC to see When it opened on Jan. 19, 1927, the Saenger culminated a Owing to McGinley’s presence on the Mobile Symphony if anything can be worked out and hopes to approach MSO again. year’s construction at a cost of roughly $500,000 — or about $6.7 Orchestra’s (MSO) board and their regular usage of the Saenger as He said no overtures had been made to the list of arts supporters million in 2015 dollars — and it was the port town’s grandest their “home,” he asked if the Friends could implement the MSO held by Mobile Arts Council, an umbrella organization with a showplace. Utilizing mythological motifs in a French Renaissance database of supporters. He also reached out to CLA, now Alabama stated goal of facilitating cultural endeavors. style, it survived decades of depression and war, silent movies and Center for Contemporary Arts (ACAC) to access the contact infor- McGinley added that tax-deductible Friends memberships run vaudeville, dramatic and musical productions and even the first mation they hold. Neither was forthcoming. from $500 to $150 and carry advance notice of shows and access America’s Junior Miss pageant. “It’s understandable,” McGinley said. “You know the sympho- to tickets. The listing of levels and perks is available at mobile- By 1970, the theater had fallen on rough times so the Univer- ny and (ACAC) and other organizations are pretty tight on money saenger.com. sity of South Alabama rescued it from demolition. In 1999, the so if I go to the symphony and say ‘hey give us your donor list; The Saenger deserves all the love and support we can muster. city of Mobile assumed ownership then assigned management to we’re going to ask them for $500,’ there’s going to be hesitation To set our cultural table without her is like Thanksgiving without the Centre for Living Arts (CLA) and they revamped the 1,921- with any organization knowing primarily we’re going to ask them an elder family member: the food might actually be the same, but seat showplace over the next decade at a cost of approximately for money.” nothing seems quite right.

t’s been four years since Lil Greenwood passed away and one long-sought honor has been unrealized. That changes on Monday, April 27 at 6 p.m., when the Mystic Order of Ithe Jazz Obsessed (MOJO) will unveil a stone marker dedicating a tree outside Gulf City Lodge (601 State St.) in memory of Mobile’s First Lady of Jazz and Blues. Greenwood sang with the international superstar Duke Ellington from the 1950s until the bandleader’s death in 1974. The jazz society spent the last four years seeking a location for the memorial to Green- wood, a contemporary of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan whose passing was noted in national jazz circles and in media outlets as notable as the Washington Post. Efforts to place a monument in one of Mobile’s most prominent public spaces initially earned acceptance then Photo/Ace Records were thwarted. The imminent affair is a wel- Lil Greenwood will be honored by MOJO. come relief for the group of arts boosters. The commemoration will feature several mischief keeps residents on edge. When a pair of dignitaries along with the Excelsior Band. At con men abduct Dorset to extract ransom from 6:30 p.m., the festivities move indoors where his mother, it’s the kidnappers who have erred. a band featuring former James Brown drum- The relieved townspeople refuse to help the mer Jabo Starks and Pensacola vocalist Erma sheriff search for Dorset as the criminals realize Granat will perform Greenwood’s favorite the enormity of their mistake and plight at the songs. Also on tap are some remembrances of hands of the terror. Before long, Dorset has Greenwood by those who knew and performed brought lured pals to the hideout and the con with her in addition to an exhibit from the His- men are in need of relief. tory Museum of Mobile. The musical comedy “Ransom of Red Entrance to the inside show is $12, $10 for Chief” is based on the O. Henry short story of students and military with ID and $8 for MOJO the same name. Written in two acts, the South members. A light jambalaya dinner is included Baldwin Community Theatre presentation work in the price and a cash bar will be available. will unfold at 2022 W. 2nd St., in Gulf Shores. The event is being made possible with a Shows are slated for April 24-26 and May grant from the Alabama State Council on the 1-3. Friday and Saturday curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Arts. MOJO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and mem- and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Two extra ber of the Mobile Arts Council. student shows have been added for April 30, at For more information, call 251-459-2298 or 8:30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. go to mojojazz.org. Tickets are $18, $15 for students. This play is produced by special arrange- Dastardly deeds afoot at MTG ment with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. of Lawrence Jameson is a man who knows how Englewood, Colorado. to get what he wants from the ladies, mainly For more info, call 251-968-6721 or go to their money. When the successful con man sbct.biz. runs into fellow swindler Freddy Benson on the French Riviera, the two end up as rivals in a Congrats to Mobile student town too small for both. They make a deal: the artists first to bilk $50,000 out of a young heiress gets Students from area schools won top honors to stay in town while the other has to beat it. in the Alabama State Council on the Arts 2015 “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Musical” was Visual Arts Achievement Program and will based on the 1988 film starring Michael Caine receive awards on April 24 in Montgomery. and Steve Martin. The battle of wits was set to The juried exhibition involves a pair of age music, planned for the stage and raked in 10 clusters, Group 1 for grades 6 to 8 and Group 2 Tony Award nominations in 2005, including for grades 9 to 12. Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. This year, the Best of District 1 – Group 1 Now Mobile Theatre Guild at 14 N. is “A Duck on the Lake,” a computer image Lafayette St. brings this comedy to the local by sixth grader Mary Mac Roach, a student of stage. The mighty mite playhouse has a pair of Karin Marrero at Covenant Christian School; weekends of fun. the Best of District 1 – Group 2 is “Orchestral The show runs April 24-26 and May 1-3. Emersion,” a mixed media piece by eleventh Evening shows are at 8 p.m. and Sunday mati- grader Anna Alford, a student of Felicia Olds at nees at 2 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, students District 1 had three other statewide winners: and active military. Best of Painting – Group 1: “Melodious Mys- For more info, call 251-433-7513 or go to tery” by Raymond Li, an eighth-grade student of mobiletheatreguild.org. Julie Kogon at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Best of Printmaking – Group 1: “Fluff Stuff” South Baldwin company by Ashton Roach, a sixth-grade student of stages O. Henry classic Karin Marrero at Covenant Christian School. In bucolic Summit, Alabama there’s one Best of Printmaking – Group 2: “Zebra predominant drawback to the town and it comes Stripes” by Ashley Forwood, an eleventh-grade in the form of Johnny Dorset, described as a student of Felicia Olds at St. Paul’s Episcopal “two-legged skyrocket of a kid” whose eternal School.

Band: Breaking Benjamin w/special guest Young Guns Date: Tuesday, April 28 with doors at 6:30 p.m. Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soulkitchenmobile.com Tickets: $42.50 advance/$45 day-of available at Soul Kitchen, their website, Mellow Mushroom (MiMo/WeMo) or by calling 1-866-468-7630

very time Breaking Benjamin has taken the stage at it could be and have a mutual understanding and went ahead and BayFest, the modern rock outfit with a furious sound did it the right way. It took a little time, and justice prevailed. I’m has always made a big impression. But for the past five able to continue what I started, and I’m just really grateful for that. years, the band was in limbo with a barrage of legal I’m also grateful that the fans still support us. I’m grateful that I’m Ematters, personal issues and lineup changes. Since its last per- able to create what I’ve created and be there for fans. Seems to formance in the Port City, front man/guitarist Benjamin Burnley me is that the timing of everything worked itself out. I think that was unsure about where the next chapter in the story of Breaking we’re coming back at a time that’s really exciting for us. Benjamin would take him. After overcoming the hardships, Burnley recruited guitarist Centanni: You mentioned the success of the new single. Keith Wallen (Adelitas Way), guitarist Jason Rauch (Red), bassist What’s the story behind that song? Aaron Bruch (OurAfter) and drummer Shaun Foist (Picture Me Burnley: Kurt Cobain was a huge idol of mine. He never really Broken) and entered the studio to record their upcoming release went deep into what his songs were really about, because they “Dark Before Dawn.” The album is scheduled to drop in June, but have multiple layers of meaning. That’s how I write too. I can’t the pre-orders already occupy the No. 1 spot on iTunes. Burnley say that it’s about one specific thing. When I listen to Nirvana and his new crew will be returning to Mobile this week, and he songs, the best songs are the ones that when I listen to them, I get paused from his daily routine to give local fans some insight into my own interpretation of what they’re about. Since I really like the new album. music like that, that’s the music that I have a tendency to write. All of my songs are never, “I’m gonna write about this today,” and Stephen Centanni: Mobile has always had a ton of Breaking I sit down and write about it. It’s always self-contained. The mean- Benjamin fans. You’re coming off the hiatus and overcome all ing can be self-contained in one verse of the song and be really these personal and legal obstacles. How does it feel to be coming open to interpretation. The coolest thing is when a fan comes up back to Mobile with the new music? to me and tells me what they think the song is about. That makes Benjamin Burnley: We’re all super stoked. The band and I it so much cooler than me saying, “Hey, this song’s about this.” I are just ready to rock it. You know, the cool thing about the new don’t want to ruin that by saying what I might think it’s about or lineup is they’re all guys that have not only toured a ton with what I had in mind for it. Breaking Benjamin already, but they’ve toured period. I was out on the road with a band called Red, and now, I have the guitar Centanni: Your latest single is “Angels Fall.” You’ve given us player from that band in my band. He’s had amazing experiences two samples, so far. What else can we expect from “Dark Before Photo/Benjamin Burnley with Red out there. It’s the same thing with Keith from Adelitas Dawn?” Benjamin Burnley has exorcised his creative demons Way. Adelitas Way has had some great times out there. So, every- Burnley: It’s not really a single yet, because we didn’t go body is all familiar with where we’re going now with Breaking to radio with it or anything. You get “Angels Fall” when you and reincarnated his band with a new lineup. Benjamin, and we’re all stoked and grateful for all the support pre-order the album. It’s an incentive for everybody trying to that we’re getting. We’re just really looking forward to getting out hear some more stuff. They can go on iTunes and go ahead and wouldn’t listen to it. It’s accommodating to everyone. That’s the there and being there for the fans and spreading the word about pre-order the album to get “Angels Fall” and “Failure.” As far as music that like to write anyway. I like melodic, heavier rock. what we have going on with the new album. We’re returning the the album is concerned, I did my best to listen to what everybody love that we’re getting from the fans with the support of “Failure” really likes about Breaking Benjamin and stay true to myself at the Centanni: It’s been a while since the last album, and lineup and the pre-orders for “Dark Before Dawn.” Everything has just same time. People say that they like the lighter side of Breaking changes were a big part of it. Do you plan on this lineup remaining been absolutely amazing, and we’re nothing but grateful for it. Benjamin, and people say that they like the heavier side of Break- the same for the next one? ing Benjamin. I did my best to accommodate all of that. There’s Burnley: As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t have brought Centanni: The future of Breaking Benjamin was looking very, some heavier songs on the album, and lighter songs on the album. anybody on board, unless it was people that I really wanted to very grim. What brought Breaking Benjamin back to life? Then, there’s some songs that go right down the middle. “The play with. So, I think if it wasn’t this lineup, then it would be their Burnley: Like you said, there were some legal complications Diary of Jane” is right down the middle. It’s not too heavy, and it’s choice, not mine. I can’t speak for them, but I can tell you that I that were prohibiting me from going forward in a way that would not too light. So, “Failure” is along that line. It’s not too heavy and had the opportunity to be able to play with exactly who I wanted be ideal for me. I probably could have forcefully went forward and not too light. “Angels Fall” is the same sort of thing. There’s riffs to play with, and now, I’m doing that. There’s no reason for me to done it that way. I would’ve rather made everything as amicable as in it, but it’s not too heavy that someone who likes the lighter stuff go anywhere else.

30 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 Strand of Oaks will stand tall on Salt Life Stage BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

ow only three weeks away, the excite- ment for Hangout Fest 2015 (May 15-17) is rising along with the tem- perature. With each passing year, the Nnation’s premiere beachside festival seems to grow both structurally and musically. This time around will mark the debut of the Salt Life Stage, which will be located in the Hangout Courtyard. Strand of Oaks will join a versatile lineup of bands that will provide a proper test drive for this new stage. Strand of Oaks is actually a young, talented songwriter named Tim Showalter, whose musical creations are evidence of his passion for his art. The songwriter is currently touring with cuts from his latest album “Heal.” Even though the record cannot deny its modern alternative rock sound, the title-track and “Same Emotions” have instrumenta- tion that is a throwback to the early days of The Cure. Those two compositions balance and contrast Showalter’s rock anthems such as “Goshen ‘97” and “Shut In.” The Salt Life Stage will provide the audience with an intimate setting to catch this Hangout newcomer up close and personal. Tickets for the festival and the Thursday night pre-party are on sale now at the Hangout Fest website, and VIP and travel packages are still available. However, the Beach Club travel package option is sold-out. While the pre-party is a separate, ticketed event for those with general Photo/www.hangoutmusicfest.com admission passes, it’s included with VIP passes. Tim Showalter of Strand of Oaks is touring in support of his latest album, “Heal.”

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 MUSICRUNDOWN Thirsties reunion benefits musicians’ health care BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected] obile has been home to many GoFundMe can also obtain a copy of the historic beloved watering holes that also local album. served as venues for local bands. Throughout the ‘70s, Thirsties Tav- Port City Men’s Chorus holding Mern provided musical entertainment for the students fundraiser of both Spring Hill College and the University of In 2005, the Port City Men’s Chorus (PCMC) South Alabama. Of the many bands that performed brought together both gay and gay-friendly men there, The Blues Band is touted by many to be one who wished to donate their voices in the name of of the most popular. The band’s lineup boasted community spirit. Since, the group has defined its talented locals Topper Price, Harold Floyd, Carroll mission to pursue “musical excellence in perfor- “Fang” Barrett, Wick Larsen, Mike “Ratt” Connell mance” and “promote social exchange within a and Twiggs Lyndon. group of men with a common purpose.” On Labor Day weekend 1976, The Blues Band Throughout the years, the public has experi- brought recording equipment into Thirsties to enced the PCMC at events such as ArtWalk, Mardi record their performance. 92 ZEW’s Tim Camp Gras and the Mobile Pride Celebration. Now, they served as the engineer during this session. Vickie are asking for the public to help support the group Barrett, who is the wife of The Blues Band’s Car- of musically-minded men with a very special event. roll “Fang” Barrett, saved the reel-to-reel masters On Sunday, April 26 at 6 p.m., the PCMC will and recently had them digitized for a release called perform “Port City Goes Pop” at the Cornerstone “Labor of Love 1976.” Metropolitan Community Church, 1007 Govern- This album is being released with philan- ment St. While entrance to the show is free, the thropic intentions and coincides with the Thirsties chorus invites those planning to attend to arrive Reunion, which will be held on Friday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. for a silent auction. All proceeds will at Alchemy Tavern. After meeting the monetary support the group’s mission. needs of financing both the album and the reunion, the proceeds from “Labor of Love 1976” will be donated to the Musicians Brotherhood, a local Panic returning to The Wharf nonprofit that provides financial assistance to As we were going to press, Widepsread Panic musicians in need of medical procedures but do not announced on their website they would be return- have the money. ing to The Amphitheater at The Wharf on Friday, Physical copies are available, and digital cop- May 22, along with special guests Col. Bruce ies can be purchased through CD Baby at www. Hampton and the Madrid Express and Bloodkin. cdbaby.com/m/cd/thebluesband. Donors to the Tickets will go on sale this Friday, April 24 at 10 Photo/Vickie Barrett Thirsties Reunion page on the charitable website a.m. For more information, visit widespreadpanic. com/tour. “The Blues Band” were regulars at Thirsties on Old Shell Road near University.

32 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 Austin’s Heathens hit OGD BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: Band of Heathens Date: Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m. Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St., www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Tickets: $15 at the door he OGD will soon learn why Band of Heathens is one of Kid Rock’s favorite bands. In fact, he liked the band so much that he brought them into his Michi- gan home studio to lay down tracks for his latest effort, “First Kiss.” Between their work with Kid Rock and extensive touring, this five-piece from Austin Thas been taking advantage of 2015 to tour in support of their latest album “Sunday Morning Record.” Their fourth studio album, this latest effort showcases the songwriting talents of guitarists Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist, who kept it local by recording with Austin’s most prolific studio icons George Reiff and Steve Christensen. “Sunday Morning Record” chronicles the Band of Heathens’ ups and downs, as the band experienced what Quist called “life changes, lineup changes, geographic changes.” Out of 30 songs recorded, they whittled it down to 11 personal tracks on the album. Earthy soul permeates each song on “Sunday Morning Record,” an aspect felt early on and often throughout. The album’s second track “Caroline Williams” is a heartfelt embrace with the attitude of a classic rock ballad. “Miss My Life” follows with a South- ern funk vibe that is reminiscent of Wet Willie. Photo/Band of Heathens: bandofheathens.com

Road to Hangout winding down Something harder from the

Band: Road to the Hangout featuring Milo Greene, Hotel Oscar Date: Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. Big Easy Venue: The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd., www.thehangout.com Tickets: Free Band: The Bantam Foxes, The Breton Sound Date: Friday, April 24 at 9 p.m. 2 ZEW and The Hangout invite the Gulf Coast to journey another mile on the Road to the Hangout. For this week’s installment of an excellent concert series that leads up to its namesake Venue: Alchemy Tavern, 7 S. Joachim St., www.alchemytav- festival next month, headliner Milo Greene will be taking the stage at the beachside institution. ernmobile.com The pop quintet from Los Angeles are versatile in many ways. The most obvious is their instru- Tickets: Call 441-7741 for more info mentals. Live performances feature band members spontaneously trading instruments throughout the set. 9 he Crescent City had a big presence at Alchemy Tavern for SouthSounds 2015, and Milo Greene is currently promoting its sophomore album “Control” with an extensive tour. Synthed-out the crowds flocked to the venue to jam along. Big Easy sounds will once again fill tracks epitomize all the glory of the modern pop revolution. the Joachim venue when The Breton Sound leads off this rock double-shot. Last The Reach the Beach competition will also continue as Hotel Oscar performs for the chance to play month, The Breton Sound released its latest track “Illuminate,” sending it pummel- Hangout Fest 2015. From New Orleans to Destin, this trio has laid claim to the Gulf Coast with flaw- ing through the Internet. The track is the first single from their upcoming album “Don’t Be less, eclectic grooves. Despite having only three members, Hotel Oscar brings a huge sound that has the T Afraid of Rock & Roll, Vol. 1,” which is due out May 19. It pulls from muses such as Weezer tendency to mesmerize newcomers and transform them into dedicated fans. and Kings of Leon and creates quite a contrast from the music traditionally heard in the Cres- cent City. The Bantam Foxes will headline the evening with sounds from their brand new EP “Give Us a Raise.” The four-track album is modern rock at its finest. The Bantam Foxes served up a sonic dish that mixes garage and alternative rock with twins Sam and Collin McCabe’s unique vocals.

Photo/ Milo Greene: facebook.com/MiloGreene Photo/Bantam Foxes: www.presskit.com/bantamfoxes#/

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 a REa MUSIc LISTIn GS apRIL 23 - apRIL 29 Hangout— Oliver’s Twist, 7p// Foxy McSharry’s— Dj Twiggans, 10p Tamara’s Downtown— Jermaine THUR. APRIL 23 Iguanas, 11p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Kyle and English Baumhower’s (OBA)— Destiny Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Radio Karl, 6:30p Tropics— Rodger Fleshman, 4p Brown Inc., 9:30p Old 27 Grill— The Budz, 11:30a Soul Kitchen— Halestorm, 7:30p Bill’s by the Beach— Ben Tuberville, Lulu’s— Adam Holt, 5p Pirates Cove— The Perdido Brothers, Veets— Tim Kinsey, Jeff Fidler, Daryl 7p Main Street Cigar Lounge— Rock 6p Huffman & Veet, 8p BLUEGILL— Delta Reign Bottom, 8p The River Shack— Buzzard Bait, 4p Blues Tavern— Brother Figure McSharry’s— DJ Chi, 10p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — MON. APRIL 27 Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Christina Charlie and Mel, 5p Felix’s— Bobby Butchka Felix’s— Grits N Pieces Christian Duo, 6:30p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Flora Bama— Damon Fowler Band, Flora Bama— Westside Players, 5p// Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Cat and the Chris Bryant, 6p 10p Big Muddy, 5:30p/// Adam Doleac Band, Truth, 8p Top of the Bay— The Blacklist Hangout— Rhythm Intervention, 7p 6p//// Mark Sherrill, Chris Newbury, O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell, Tony Traders— Small Zoo, 8:30p Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus, 8p Mel Knapp, John Joiner, 6p//// Hurricane Edwards and David White, 10p Tropics— The Long Gone, 7p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p Warning, 10p//// Justin Jeansonne Band, Old 27 Grill— Roger Wood, 6:30p Saenger— Mobile Symphony 10p//// Lee Yankie & Hellz Yeah, 10:30p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Orchestra: Music of the Rolling Stones TUE. APRIL 28 Hangout— Adam Holt Band, 7p Tommy Morse, 5p Soul Kitchen— Digital Awakening, 9p Beau Rivage— Mac McAnally Lulu’s— Lee Yankie, 5p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p BLUEGILL— Harrison McInnis McSharry’s— Fobes & Fant, 7:30p Bud Smith Duo, 6p Wind Creek Casino— Billy Butch Cassidy’s— Al & Cathy Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Tamara’s Downtown— Jim Currington, 8p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p Damien Lamb, 6p Andrews Windmill Market— Mitch Johnston, Cockeyed Charlie’s— Justin Pace Sunset Fest @ The Wharf— Brian Tropics— Southern Current, 7p 11a Felix’s— David Chastang Hill Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Flora Bama— Buzz Maintenance, 10p Veets— Cary Laine, 8p The Wharf— Jimmy Buffet & The SUN. APRIL 26 Hangout— Oliver’s Twist, 7p Coral Reefer Band Beau Rivage— Jack Hanna’s Into the Lulu’s— Jon Cowart, 5p FRI. APRIL 24 Windmill Market— Melody Duncan, Wild Saenger— Bill Burr Alchemy— Bantam Foxes 11:30a// The Leavin’ Brothers, 6p Bimini Bob’s— Alexa Burroughs Soul Kitchen— Breaking Benjamin, Baumhower’s (OBA)— Alexa BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// 6:30p Burroughs SAT. APRIL 25 Super Funk Fantasy, 6p Veets— Ryan Balthrop, 8p Bill’s by the Beach— Charlie Wilson Baumhower’s (OBA)— Brian Blues Tavern— 61/49 & Mel Knapp, 6:30p Rogers Callaghan’s— Rebecca Roubion WED. APRIL 29 Bimini Bob’s— Destiny Brown BLUEGILL— Tim Kinsey Duo Felix’s— Brandon Bailey Bimini Bob’s— Destiny Brown BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// Blues Tavern— Johnny No, 9p Flora Bama—Dave & Joe Show, 10a// BLUEGILL— Ross Newell Duo Cary Laine Duo, 6p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Brian Hill Band, 10:30a/// Scott Koehn, Blues Tavern— Al & Cathy, 8p Blues Tavern— Ric McNaughton

GS Felix’s— Sloppy Goode & the Yum Yum 11a//// Beachbillys, 2p//// Cass Hunter & Bucky’s Birdcage (Grand Band, 9p Flora Bama— J. Hawkins & James Friends, 2:30p//// Zachery Diedrich & the Hotel)— Adam Holt Piano Show, 8p Callaghan’s— Band of Heathens, 8p Daniel, 10a// Whyte Caps, 10a/// Lauren Bama Bayou Boys, 3p//// Jezebel’s Chill’n, Callaghan’s— Deluxe Trio Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Kay, 11a//// Brian hill Band, 1p//// Jezebel’s 6p//// Perdido Brothers, 6p//// Southern Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Special Chill’n, 2p//// Foxy Iguanas, 2:30p//// Drawl, 7:30p//// Lee Yankie & Hellz Yeah, Cockeyed Charlie’s— Ryan Balthrop Delivery Band LeaAnne Creswell, John Joiner, Darrel 10p//// Marty McIntosh, 10p Felix’s— Lee Yankie Felix’s— Soulshine Roberts, 6p//// Southern Drawl, 6:30p//// Garage— The Red Field Hangout— Jay Williams Band, 7p LISTI n Flora Bama— Whyte Caps, 10a// J. Hung Jury, 10p//// Adam Doleac Band, Hangout— Mario Mena Band, 7p// The Lulu’s— Jimmy Lumpkin, 5p Hawkins & James Daniel, 11a/// Neil 10:30p//// Hurricane Warning, 10:30p Perry Wall, 11p OK Bicycle Shop— Bayuo Rhythm, Dover, 1p//// Jezebel’s Chill’n, 2p//// Adam Hangout— milo Greene, 7p// Party Lulu’s— Grits N Pieces, 5p 5:30p Doleac Band, 2:30p//// Jack Robertson Animal, 11p McSharry’s— Trad Irish Session, 6:30p Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Nigel, Show, 5:30p//// LeaAnne Crewell, John Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Radio Old 27 Grill— Lisa Zanghi, 11:30a 6p Joiner, Darrel Roberts, 6p//// Hotel Oscar, Inc., 9:30p Pinzones— Ross Newell, 5p Soul Kitchen— Slash ft. Myles

MUSI c 6:30p//// Hung Jury, 10p//// Smokin’ Elvis, IP Casino— Bill Engvall, 8p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Kennedy and The Conspirators, 7p 10:30p//// Southern Drawl, 10:30p Lulu’s— Sugarcane Jane, 5p Jonesy Gambino Duo, 11a RE a

a SEnD yOUR MUSIc LISTInGS TO [email protected]

34 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 a REa c LUB LISTIn GS

[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 Zebra Lounge 352 St. Francis St. | 648-1596 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 [WESTMOBILE] The Handlebar [Pensacola] 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. The Brickyard T.P. Crockmiers All Sports Bar & Grill www.handlebarpensacola.com 473-2997 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 Buck’s Pizza Veet’s 345-9338 The Wharf [Orange Beach] www.buckspizza.com [caSInOS] www.veetsbarandgrill.com Billiards Club 4985 Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 Beau Rivage [Biloxi] 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 Callaghan’s Irish Social Club www.beaurivage.com Cockeyed Charlies [aROUnD anD aBOUT] www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com 878 Beach Blvd.|228-386-7111 [MIDTOWn] 6920 Airport Blvd.|725-1112 The Old Bama Barn [Theodore] 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 or 888-595-2534 Ashland Midtown Pub Crooked Martini 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973-0388 Dauphin St. Blues Company www.ashlandmidtownpub.com www.thecrookedmartini.com Blue Gill Restaurant Hard Rock Hotel & Casino & Draft Picks 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 www.bluegillrestaurant.com [Biloxi] 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 Blues Tavern Flashback Club 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 www.hardrockbiloxi.com Firehouse Wine Bar Shop www.bluestavern.com 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 Bottoms Up 777 Beach Blvd. 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 2818 Gov’t Blvd. |479-7621 Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287-7781 |228-374-ROCK (7625) Gabriel’s Downtown 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 Briar Patch 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 Butch Cassidy’s Cafe Harrah’s Hotel & Casino Lucky Irish Pub & Grill 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. The Garage www.butchcassidys.com [New Orleans] 3692 Airport Blvd.| 414-3000 973-1120 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 60 N. Florida St. |450-0690 www.harrahsneworleans.com Mellow Mushroom Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] Hayley’s Downtown Kimberly’s Midtown Bar 228 Poydras St.|504-533-6000 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 Grand Casino [Biloxi] Joe Cain Café Mellow Mushroom Patches www.edsshed.com www.grandcasinobiloxi.com 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 www.mellowmushroom.com 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 280 Beach Blvd. Liquid 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 Satori Coffee House Felix’s Fish Camp 228-436-2946 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 Royal Knight Restaurant www.satori-coffee.com www.felixsfishcamp.com Loda Bier Garten 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |287-1220 IP Casino Resort & Spa 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 [Biloxi] 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 Silver Horse Pub Runway Billards Midnight Rodeo Mobile Civic Center 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 www.ipbiloxi.com 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 7790 Tanner Rd. |639-2222 www.mobilecivicctr.com Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 850 Bayview Ave. The Hungry Owl Mississippi Coast Coliseum 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208-7261 800-436-3000 110 S. Florida St.|478-7427 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 [Biloxi] Moe’s Original BBQ Stir Mobile www.mscoastcoliseum.com Wind Creek Casino www.moesoriginalbbq.com [EaSTERn SHORE] 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342-9995 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 www.windcreekcasino.com 701 Spring Hill Ave|410-7427 [Daphne] Bay House Pub VFW Post 49 The End Zone Sports Bar 303 Poarch Rd., Atmore O’Daly’s Irish Pub 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. 866-946-3360 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 Club 44 [Daphne] 829-9227 OK Bicycle Shop 28850 US 98, #100 | 445-8069 [THE BEacH] The Oar House [Dauphin Island] [nEW ORLEanS] 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 Gumbo Shack 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 Flora-Bama House of Blues Pat’s Downtown Grill

www.guysgumbo.com www.florabama.com Original Oyster House a 271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 www.houseofblues.com 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 17401 Perdido Key Dr., www.theoysterhouse.com c RE a Riverview Plaza (Fathoms 225 Decatur St . |504-310-4999 McSharry’s [Fairhope] 850-492-0611 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 Lounge) Howlin’ Wolf www.mcsharrys.com The Hangout Pelican Pub & Restaurant 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 www.thehowlinwolf.com/new- 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 www.thehangoutal.com [Dauphin Island] Royal Scam 101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 orleans Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] LUB LISTI n www.royalscammobile.com Live Bait www.moesoriginalbbq.com Pelican Reef Restaurant 907 S. Peters St. 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) www.livebaitrestaurant.com 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. 504-522-WOLF (9653) Royal Street Tavern 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. Old 27 Grill [Fairhope] | 973-2670 Louisiana Superdome 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 974-1612 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 Trader’s www.superdome.com Saenger Theatre Lulu’s at Homeport Marina 4015 Battleship Pkwy www.mobilesaenger.com Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] www.lulubuffett.com 1500 Poydras St. |504-587-366 626-5630 6 S. Joachim St. |208-5600 www.papaspizza.com 200 E. 25th Ave. Tipitina’s The Grand Mariner Saddle Up Saloon 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 251-967-LULU 501 Napoleon Ave.

6036 Rock Point Rd. GS www.saddleupmobile.com Plow [Fairhope] Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] 504-895-TIPS (8477) 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 96 Plantation Pointe| 410-7569 www.pinkponypub.net 443-5700 Serda’s Coffee Company Courtyard 311 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 The River Shack

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 35 FILMTHE REEL WORLD Isaac fascinating as morally conflicted businessman BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC | [email protected]

“ Most Violent Year” is a most impressive film, firmly grounded in the “Godfa- ther” tradition, particularly in star Oscar Isaac, who is truly great in this movie. aAs Abel Morales, an immigrant turned successful business owner, he is riveting to observe as he navigates high stakes deals legal and illegal. Like Al Pacino before him, his silent reserve is truly frightening. The film is set in 1981 in New York City and an atmosphere of chaos, violence and graffiti reigns. Abel Morales started as a driver for the Standard Oil Company, delivering heating oil to homes and businesses, but now he owns it, and is embarking on a risky plan to vastly expand his Photo/ imdb.com business by purchasing a large loading and storage dock with vital access to the East River. He “A Most Violent Year” is the story of one man’s struggle with the criminal element. has 30 days to raise a million and a half dollars in cash, or lose the huge down payment he has These rules are too strict for the mob that tries to lenges before them, but Abel is extremely resis- already made. attack his business, but not strict enough for the tant to arming himself or his drivers. It’s thrilling Meanwhile, armed thugs are tossing his driv- assistant DA (David Oyelowo) trying to indict to see him maneuver and, despite the title, it ers from their trucks and driving off with costly him amidst a catastrophically violent time in really isn’t a terribly violent movie. But the air oil deliveries, and the DA’s office is bringing New York City. of menace hangs everywhere, and even salesmen charges against him, jeopardizing his bank loan. What an awesome part for Jessica Chastain are not safe. And there is rarely a shootout to To address these problems, Abel tries to stay true as Abel’s wife. When the film opens, we see her break the tension. himself. What that means, though, is what makes primping in front of the mirror like a standard Fascinating, intense and unpredictable, “A the movie, and Oscar Isaac, so fascinating. trophy wife, but she is far from that. More like Most Violent Year” was a showcase of the seri- From wheeling and dealing with Hasidic Lady Macbeth with a desk calculator, she runs ous talent of Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, Jews, teamsters, an assistant DA and his own the books. Also on hand is Albert Brooks as the but also fun and exciting to watch. As highly wife (Jessica Chastain), an equally driven Morales’ lawyer, and he plays it pretty straight watchable yet utterly unlikeable as he was in woman eager to call in the help of the mobster — not an Albert Brooks mannerism in sight. “Inside Llewyn Davis,” Isaac totally carries an dad who started the business Morales now owns, Everyone has a different reaction to the chal- entirely different starring role in this film. And Abel subscribes to his own inscrutable morals. nEW In THEaTERS nOW pLayInG

Photo/ imdb.com

MONkEY kINgDOM IT FOLLOWS carmike Wharf 15 all listed multiplex carmike Wynnsong CINDERELLA theaters 16, Regal Mobile all listed multiplex Photos/imdb.com WHILE WE’RE YOUNg PAUL BLART: MALL Stadium 18, cobb pin- theaters. Noah Boaumbach’s comedy COP 2 nacle 14 kINgSMAN: THE THE AgE OF ADALINE stars Ben Stiller and Naomi all listed multiplex gET HARD SECRET SERvICE Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) Watts as Josh and Cornelia, theaters all listed multiplex Regal Mobile Stadium 18 has miraculously remained a a childless New York married UNFRIENDED theaters. RUN ALL NIgHT youthful 29 years of age for couple in their mid-40s. As their all listed multiplex HOME Regal Mobile Stadium 18 nearly eight decades, never other friends all start having theaters. all listed multiplex FOCUS allowing herself to get close to children, the couple gravitates THE LONgEST RIDE theaters. all listed multiplex anyone lest they discover her toward a young hipster couple Regal Mobile Stadium THE DIvERgENT theaters. secret. However, a chance en- named Jamie (Adam Driver) and 18, carmike Jubilee SERIES: INSURgENT THE LAzARUS EFFECT counter with a charismatic phi- Darby (Amanda Seyfried). He’s Square 12 all listed multiplex Regal Mobile Stadium 18 an aspiring documentary film- lanthropist named Ellis Jones WOMAN IN gOLD theaters. FIFTY SHADES OF gREY (Michiel Huisman) reawakens maker, a vocation Josh already DO YOU BELIEvE? all listed multiplex has. Soon the older couple Regal Mobile Stadium Adaline’s long-suppressed pas- 18, carmike Wyn- carmike Jubilee theaters. sion for life and romance. When begins enjoying the energy Square 12, carmike AMERICAN SNIPER they feel hanging out with the nsong 16, carmike a weekend with Ellis’ parents Wharf 15, cobb pin- Wynnsong 16, car- Regal Mobile Stadium 18 threatens to expose the truth, younger generation, but eventu- mike Wharf 15 THE SPONgEBOB ally Josh begins to suspect his nacle 14. Adaline makes a decision that FURIOUS 7 THE SECOND BEST MOvIE: SPONgE OUT changes her life forever. Regal new best friend might not be as ExOTIC MARIgOLD HOTEL OF WATER straightforward and trustworthy all listed multiplex Mobile Stadium 18, Carmike theaters. carmike Wharf 15 all listed multiplex Wynnsong 16. as he thought. Crescent Theater. MCFARLAND, USA theaters

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 | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 c ROSSWORD p UZZLE ACROSS 1. One not acting well 4. Thanksgiving side 8. Litter cries 12. Deli option 13. Nitrogenous waste 14. Assist illegally 15. Line of fashion? 16. For fear that 17. Salad addition, some times 18. Signs to heed 20. Big name in oil 21. Staple of some horror films 23. Patronage 25. “David Copperfield” name 27. Benchwarmer 28. Boxer’s mitt 31. Movie parts 33. Deny 35. Is stricken with 36. Chinese year critter 38. Extreme sorrow 39. Respected member 2. Agreement at sea 26. “Jesus Christ Super 41. Judi Dench title 3. Things of the past star” character 42. Had the chutzpah 4. Caroling time 28. Spacious and grand 45. Davit, e.g. 5. Gladiator setting 29. Quark’s place 47. Attend to a pressing 6. Jobs for janitors 30. Are in the past? detail? 7. Gained a lap? 32. Not just think 48. Barn bin 8. Eastwood in “Raw 34. Pantheon figures 49. Artificial conception hide” 37. Persian Gulf capital 52. Bar request 9. Be against 39. Al ___ 53. Riley’s lifestyle 10. Caged 40. Like the neighbors, 54. Basketball center? 11. Postponement possibly 55. Brave, in a way 19. Statistical measure 42. Parking lot mishap 56. Banded mineral 20. Ridiculed 43. Carpeting calculation 57. Was prone 21. Overpraise 44. Live nomadically 22. Boat in “Jaws” 46. Eurasian goat DOWN 24. Soldering or soldiering 48. Boardroom bigwig need 50. Routing term 1. Buckingham Palace inits. 51. Use a pan

Answers on PAge 45

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 C O E CRUISIN’ FOR ST. JUDE

WHERE: STARTS IN LUCEDALE WHEN: APRIL 25 5th annual Cruisin’ for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a cruise and poker run in memory of Destiny Goss. The cruise will start at George County Senior Citizen Center in Lucedale, Mississippi. Registration beings at 9 a.m. with food, live music, live auction and more following. For more information please call Donnie at 601-508-1114.

Photo/Courtesy of St. Jude

April 23 of Art, 4850 Museum Drive. For many charitable projects of the two-mile run before competitors a teen tea and fashion show Little Black Dress more information visit www. Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern mount their bicycles for a 10- at Daphne Library Community Ronald McDonald House mobilemuseumofart.com Shore. After their pageant mile time trial and conclude with Room at 10 a.m. Enjoy a Charities of Mobile’s premiere walk, contestants mingle with a final two-mile dash on foot to menu of tea, cookies, fruit, annual fundraising event is a fast- Ark of India attendees who purchase voting the finish line. A two-mile fun and mints while viewing the paced New York style runway “Ark of India: An Alabama Artist tickets to show support for their run is also available for those latest teen fashion and trends show and cocktail party at Fort Explores Southern Asia” is an favorite model. Proceeds support who enjoy a more leisurely pace. presented by Belk’s. Carolyn Whiting, 1630 S. Broad St. at exhibit about personal discovery the many projects JAES provides For more information and to Bivins, regional agent with the 6:30 p.m. For more information and exploration. It is an account for children of communities along register, visit infirmaryduathlon. Alabama Cooperative Extension and tickets visit: rmhcmobile.org/ of late 19th and early 20th the Eastern Shore. Tickets may racesonline.com or call 251-435- System will offer a presentation little-black-dress. century India as seen by Alabama be purchased online at www. 4447. on etiquette to highlight social artist Roderick D. MacKenzie, jaeasternshore.org, or by calling customs in today’s society. Crime Victims’ Rights Week using his paintings, drawings, Courtney Osborne, 251-533- Crichton Clean Up Pre-registration is required and

EVENTS | A PRIL 23, 2015 - 29, Victims of all types of crime and sculptures and most importantly, 9043 The Crichton Community Action seating is limited. This is a free photographs and writings. The victim’s advocates are invited to Group will be hosting their event offered to teens in grades 6 gather at Cathedral Square from exhibition is organized by the Mobile Mystery Dinner annual Crichton Community through 12. For more information

OF 6:30-7:30 p.m. A Remembrance History Museum of Mobile at 111 Insanity of Murder! Join the Clean-up from 8 a.m. until or to register call Daphne Public Vigil will also be held. In case S. Royal St. and is on view until Mobile Mystery Dinners for noon. The staging area is at of inclement weather, the event Sept. 1, 2015. Admission is free. their next performance at the Greer’s Shopping Center Library at 251-621-2818 ext. 211. will be at Government Plaza. For Mobile Carnival Museum, at 2980 Springhill Ave. Mobile more information please visit April 24 355 Government St. Advance Gas will furnish hotdogs and Walk for Autism: Mobile www.mobileda.org Food Truck Friday reservations are required, so refreshments for volunteers. For The Walk for Autism is the single Head to Bienville Square for please call 251-865-7398. more information, please contact most powerful fundraising event Bishop State Scholarship Gala lunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets are $59 and include Sarah Turnipseed at 251-454- in April that unifies thousands of participants statewide in support

ALENDAR Bishop State Community College to try a meal from the wheels of dinner and unlimited wine. The 1203. Foundation will host its 2015 at least nine area food trucks. fun begins at 7 p.m. of the mission and projects of C Scholarship Gala, at 7 p.m. at the Sponsored by the city of Mobile’s Old Time Country Festival the Autism Society. Autism is the Baker-Gaines Central Campus Special Events, Food Truck Remington College Prom Night Incorporating attractions fastest growing developmental at 1365 Dr. Martin Luther King, Friday is scheduled once per Makeover associated with Baldwin County’s disability in the U.S., and affects Jr. Ave. in the Yvonne Kennedy month, weather permitting. Remington College Mobile agricultural past and present more than 50,000 people in Auditorium. Tickets are available Campus offers high school and a look back at the timber Alabama alone. The walk will be at the campus bookstore for Last Friday Art Night students free salon services industry. This festival includes held at 9:30 a.m. at the University $100 per person. Donations Dauphin Island Heritage and through its Prom Night Makeover live entertainment, plowing and of South Alabama Pavilion and support the Bishop State Art Gallery hosts Last Friday Art event. Students in the Remington blacksmith demonstrations, pony pre-registration is $30 at www. Community College Foundation Night and features shopping for College Cosmetology Program and train rides, antique cars and walkforautismal.com. and its mission to provide local art, art demonstrations, will provide girls with free updos, tractors, quilters, square dancers scholarships to students in need. food, drink, and music. Dauphin manicures, pedicures, and and numerous other activities. 9 Walk for Autism: Fairhope For more information, please Island Heritage and Art Gallery makeup; or a haircut for guys. a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Baldwin The Autism Society of Alabama contact Jason Thomas at jason@ is located at 1008 Alabama Ave. All services will be performed in County Bicentennial Park, 51233 has 15 cities across the state jthomas.net or 251-928-6502. For more information call 251- the Remington College School State Highway 225, in Stockton. participating in spreading 861-3300. of Cosmetology, located at For more information, please awareness and acceptance for Community Conversations 4368 Downtowner Loop S. To contact the Baldwin County the one in 68 people diagnosed Working for Justice Hoot Scoot schedule an appointment call Department of Archives and with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Fairhope Unitarian The 7th annual Hoot Scoot, a 5k 251-342-4848. History at 251-580-1897. The event in Fairhope will be Fellowship, 1150 Fairhope Ave., run beginning at 6 p.m., allows held at Fairhope Elementary will host four sessions, each racers of all ages take to the April 25 The Haven’s Spring Yard Sale School beginning at 9:30 a.m. presenting a different segment streets. This year’s race offers Cruisin’ for St. Jude The Haven Resale Shop’s Spring and will feature a 2-mile walk. prizes for both prediction and 5th annual Cruisin’ for St. Jude of the film “Mobile in Black and yard sale is from 8 a.m. to 1 Registration is $30 prior to the White” followed by conversations speed: awards will go to the top Children’s Research Hospital is a p.m. next to Fairhoper’s Park in event and $35 on the day of. in facilitated group discussions five male and female runners who cruise and poker run in memory downtown Fairhope. Donations Registration includes a T-shirt. related to the subject. 6:30-9:30 finish closest to their predicted of Destiny Goss. The cruise will will be accepted through April 23 p.m. on Thursdays through May times in the 5K, as well as to the start at George County Senior at 357 Morphy Ave. and are tax- For more information please visit 7. For more information call 251- three fastest male and female Citizen Center in Lucedale, deductible. For more information www.walkforautismal.com. 580-2602 or 251-229-1207. finishers. For information on the Mississippi. Registration beings call 251-929-1911. race, entry fees, etc., visit www. at 9 a.m. with food, live music, Dauphin Island Gumbo Festival Anatomy of a Museum: Making hootscoot5K.com. live auction and more following. Crime Victims’ Rights Week The 6th annual Dauphin Island Mirth For more information please call Community resources and victim Gumbo Festival features Museum exhibitions are often Mr. Jubilee Pageant Donnie at 601-508-1114. service agencies will be available traditional and “freestyle” recipes several years in the making. The Mr. Jubilee Pageant, a at Bel Air Mall 3299 Bel Air Blvd. from more than 15 teams at three Come get a behind-the-scenes womanless beauty pageant at Infirmary Duathlon from noon until 2 p.m. For more scenic island venues. There is view and listen to museum staff the Fairhope Brewing Company Professional and amateur information please visit www. also live music, activities and fun talk about “The Art and Design at 7:30 p.m., offers a night of athletes throughout the area mobileda.org. for the kids. Follow the Dauphin of Mardi Gras,” from conception fun, food and philanthropy as will gather at 8 a.m. at Mobile Island Chamber of Commerce on to “so how did this dragon get 12 male contestants strut their Infirmary for the annual Infirmary Teen Fashion Show and Tea Facebook or call 251-861-5524 here?” at the Mobile Museum stuff in female attire to benefit the Duathlon. The race begins with a The Daphne Public Library hosts for more information. SEnD yOUR EvEnTS TO [email protected]

38 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 Market on the Square lunch must be purchased. by calling the library at Shop for the freshest Toastmasters International 251-970-4010. crops in Cathedral Square is an international April 29 in downtown Mobile from organization. For more CASA Presents Cool 7:30 a.m. until noon. information, call 251-344- Jazz in the Courtyard Spring features locally 2938. A benefit for CASA Mobile grown tomatoes, potatoes, (Court Appointed Special sweet corn, cantaloupes, Hatching the Past: The Advocates for Children). watermelons, plants Great Dinosaur Egg Hunt Tickets include wine, and flowers, as well as Hatching the Past features beer, and sample foods seafood, baked goods, 100 real dinosaur eggs from The Bike Shop, pastas, casseroles, pies, and 100 replica eggs Moe’s Original Bar B Que, handcrafted goods and at the Exploreum. The Wintzell’s, Liquid and The much more. Stay for live multimedia experience Union. Tickets are $40 per music on the green! For for all ages invites visitors person or $75 per couple more information, please to touch real dinosaur (tax deductible). Tickets call 251-208-1550. bones and reconstructed can be purchased at nests, dig for eggs, www.casamobile.org. The Historic Walking Tours experience hands-on party starts at 5:30 p.m. The History Museum of exploration stations and Mobile, in conjunction with view animated video at the OK Bike Shop, 661 the Mobile Bay Convention presentations featuring Dauphin St. & Visitors Bureau, will well-known dinosaur lead free tours through experts. The Exploreum Downtown Toastmasters historic downtown Mobile is open daily. For more Are you interested in as part of a statewide information visit www. gaining more confidence effort April 25. The hour- exploreum.com. in your public speaking long tour will start at ability? The Downtown 10 a.m. at Cathedral April 28 Mobile Toastmasters Club Basilica of the Immaculate South Baldwin Chamber 2815 invites you to join us Conception and end Leadership Series for our weekly educational at the History Museum This week’s speaker will be lunch meeting at T.P. of Mobile. Participants Bill Sisson, president and Crockmeier’s, 261 Dauphin EVENTS | A PRIL 23, 2015 - 29, are encouraged to CEO of the Mobile Area St., from 12-1 p.m. tour the museum (also Chamber of Commerce, Practice your speaking, complimentary admission) who will update us on the listening and leadership OF immediately following the progress of the proposed skills in a relaxed, friendly walking tour. I-10 bridge. Doors and environment. Lunch must buffet open at 11:30 a.m., be purchased. Our dues Fairhope Walking Tour Program begins at noon. are $42 twice yearly. The city of Fairhope Tickets are $15 and no Toastmasters International has been invited to host tickets will be sold at the is an international free guided tours in the door. Tickets are available organization. For more downtown area for visitors at mylocalchamber.net, or information, contact 251- ALENDAR and the local community by calling 251-943-3291. 404-3924. C every Saturday in April. All Leadership Series Tours will be given by events will take place in Brown Bag in Bienville Fairhope Museum of the Foley Civic Center, Come out and listen to History Director, Donnie located at 407 E. Laurel the soothing sounds of Barrett. All are welcome Ave. live jazz as you lunch in and the tours are free of Bienville Square around charge. For information Addiction Counseling the historic Ketchum on tours throughout the Narconon would like to state of Alabama visit remind families that the Fountain. Catt Sirten sets www.alabama.travel/trails/ use of addicting drugs is up live musicians and april-walking-tours. For on the rise, take steps to the city sets up tables additional information on protect your family from for your enjoyment each Fairhope Walking Tours, drug use. If you know Wednesday in spring, call 251-929-1471. anyone who is struggling 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with drug addiction get To make your Brown April 26 them the help they need. Baggin’ easier, stop in Open Studio Call for a free brochure at your favorite Bienville Come enjoy on the signs of addiction Square eateries and ask complimentary mimosas for all drugs. Narconon for the Brown Bag special. as artists work at the also offers free screenings Questions? Call 251-208- Cathedral Square Gallery, and referrals. Call 1550. 612 Dauphin St. There 1-800-431-1754 or visit will also be works by DrugAbuseSolution.com Little Discoveries at the more than 60 area artists Exploreum on display. For more Teen Tech Tutor Program Little Discoveries is a information call 251-694- The Baldwin County weekly programming 0278. Library Cooperative series in the Exploreum’s (BCLC) recently Wharf of Wonder for April 27 implemented a Teen children six and under. Top Cats Toastmasters Tech Tutor program at These lessons will fuse Are you terrified at the idea the Robertsdale Library, science, technology, of public speaking? Top 18301 Pennsylvania St., engineering and math, with Cats Toastmasters invites Robertsdale. This program creativity, art and reading. you to join us and polish is designed to match high Each session will begin your skills every Monday school age students with with a story reading that from noon to 1 p.m. at strong technological skills will serve as the launching the Red Lobster located with adults and seniors pad for the day’s hands- near the southeast corner who are unfamiliar with on activities. Wednesdays of Airport Boulevard and basic laptop computer 10-11 a.m. and Thursdays Azalea Road in Mobile. technology. The program is 2-3 p.m. at 65 Government Practice speaking and available Monday through listening and learn to think Friday from 3:30 p.m. to St., downtown Mobile. on your feet in a relaxed, 4:30 p.m. and is free of For more information call friendly atmosphere. Dues charge. An appointment is Josh Holland at 251-208- are $43 twice a year, and required and can be made 6893 or email jholland@ exploreum.com.

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 MEDIAMEDIA FRENZY Schnauzer nailed for $3.5 million BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

fter spending five months in jail for contempt after Shuler wrote about the judgment on his blog this week. cal 15 focuses its growth on key demos and not housholds. All refusing to remove stories about former Gov. Bob Ri- “As has been widely reported, I was unlawfully incarcer- news audience is critical to a stations footprint, but key demos ley’s son from his website, blogger Roger “The Legal ated from October 23, 2013, to March 26, 2014, because of a such as 18-49, 25-54 and women demographics are coveted by Schnauzer” Shuler was hammered for a $3.5 million defamation lawsuit brought by Republican political figure Rob advertisers, not households,” he wrote. judgmenta this week for defaming a former campaign manager Riley and lobbyist Liberty Duke. From the moment I set foot Totsch explained that over the past two years how close for Attorney General Luther Strange. out of the Shelby County Jail, my wife Carol and I were faced certain demographics in late night news have become. Shuler has made himself famous or infamous depending with possible foreclosure on our home — and the foreclosure “Local 15 is now consistently number one or number two in upon your point of view for his virulent attacks on many of the actually took place on April 29, 2014. Without going into too ratings in the four key adult demos (18-49 and 25-54, women state’s Republican leaders. Some of these attacks have moved many details at this point, that was part of the fallout from me 18-49 and women 25-54) compared to WALA 9 p.m. and into the personal arena, with Shuler alleging affairs and other being cheated out of my job at UAB for reporting accurately WKRG 10 p.m.,” he wrote. moral breaches on his site, “The Legal Schnauzer.” On Monday on this blog about the Don Siegelman case and the actions of In all of those categories each station was within spitting a Jefferson County Circuit Court judge entered a default judg- wife-beating U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller (who now faces distance of the other, according to the numbers Totsch provided. ment against Shuler for $1.5 million in compensatory damages possible impeachment) — and from Carol being cheated out of He also touted WPMI’s performance in the morning. and $2 million in punitive damages for things he wrote about her job at Infinity Insurance,” Shuler wrote. “In addition, Local 15’s morning show has also grown in key Jessica Medeiros Garrison and allegations she and Strange had He says he plans to try to have the judgment overturned. demos, and compared to WALA and KRG we have closed the an affair. She managed Strange’s 2010 campaign for Attorney gap over the past few books. If you take out last February due General and also served as chief counsel and deputy AG in WPMI claims ratings dominance to the Olympics, LOCAL 15 is the only morning newscast to 2011. Typically any time I write about radio or TV ratings someone have grown from last May to this February in the same demos Whether Garrison will see any of that judgment is doubtful feels their story wasn’t told properly. WPMI’s General Manager above. No other Mobile station can make that claim,” he wrote. as Shuler appears unlikely to have that kind of money and even Bobby Totsch wrote in this week saying he felt I’d left out some had his house foreclosed upon in the past year. Her lawyers important info when I wrote about the February sweeps last New reporter called what Shuler had done “cyber bullying,” and the way he week. Lagniappe welcomes a new reporter to our illustrious news- has handled his blog certainly has raised questions as to how In that article I focused on overall household ratings and room. Eric Mann joins us after almost seven years with Gulf defamation cases may be handled in the Internet Age. the 18-49 rating. In both of those categories WPMI lagged, but Coast Newspapers in Baldwin County, where he most recently Before the web, a single person with little or no money Totsch wanted to stress the point his station has made important served as editor of the The Courier. would have had an almost impossible time projecting his or strides in shares, which is the percentage of audience watching Prior to that he served as sports editor for GCN. And before her viewpoint to a large audience. Shuler has been able to gain in any key demographic. coming to Baldwin he was sports editor and editor for the some measure of audience and have his stories become widely “Last February WPMI (Local 15) benefitted from the Northport Gazette in Northport, Ala. disseminated, which has created unique issues. Olympics, and had an overall dominant news performance. Mann will primarily cover Eastern Shore news for La- He was ordered to take down stories about Rob Riley after It would make sense that compared to that rating book there gniappe, although he will also cover stories from throughout the former governor’s son received an injunction, but initially would be some falloff, however, Local 15 continues to make the community. He replaces Alyson Stokes who took a job in refused to do so and was jailed for contempt. significant strides in the news market on the Alabama side. Lo- California in the music industry.

40 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 SPORTSUPON FURTHER REVIEW Former Lady Ram basketball star named NFL’s first female official BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy

hen I first started to report on sporting events in Mis- they want me to be just like them — just be an official — and the highest level in her profes- sissippi many years ago, I had the opportunity to cover that’s what I’ve always set out to do.” sion,” said University of Mobile the exploits of a large roster of tremendous athletes. The only time she said she felt out of place was during her Athletic Director Joe Niland. Few have seen their names in the headlines for quite pregnancies. With her blond hair tucked under a black cap, she “We’re extremely proud of what Wsome time, but one familiar face has made quite a splash in the kept the game clock while wearing a maternity smock version of she has accomplished.” last few weeks. an official’s shirt that was put together by other spouses of the Martha Gore-Algernon, an Sarah Bailey’s presence had an impact at an early age, helping referee crew. assistant coach for the women’s the Pascagoula all-stars capture fast-pitch Dixie Girls Softball Sarah, who lives outside of Jackson in Brandon with her hus- basketball team during Sarah’s world series championships in numerous age brackets. No matter band and three children, will be the second woman to officiate a career, also praised her former what position she played on the field, Sarah was always the one regular-season NFL game. Shannon Eastin did so for three games player. you expected to make the play when the outcome was on the line. in 2012 as a replacement official. “I’m not surprised she’s made As she grew older and taller, her skills easily transitioned to The nine new referees are graduates of the NFL Officiating it this far,” Gore-Algernon said. the basketball court. Coaches took notice, and she eventually Development program, which trains top college football officials “She didn’t set out to do this, ended up playing at was then called Mobile College (now the in all aspects of NFL games. Sarah will serve as a line judge, but she just worked hard at it University of Mobile). She played so well for the Lady Rams, I wearing uniform No. 53. These officials assist the head linesman and they took notice of her. It Photo/NFL once joked with her that the exit off Interstate 65 may be renamed at the other end of the line of scrimmage, looking for offsides, couldn’t happen to a nicer person. “Sarahland” in her honor. encroachments and other fouls before the snap. She was a great player to coach.” Sarah Bailey will be the I lost contact with her over time after she returned to Missis- “It was life-changing for me when I saw that officials took time An article in the Washington first full time female of- sippi to get married and work in pharmaceutical sales, but then and pride to make the game better,” said Sarah, who has worked Post mentioned that there were ficial in NFL history. stories about her latest endeavor of officiating football games NFL mini-camps with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland some rumblings that the hiring began to spread. After attending an officials meeting with her Browns while also having called some NFL preseason games. was just a publicity stunt following several scandals to hit the brother Lea, Sarah was inspired to call high school games. In “That is what drew me in, especially being a former athlete. And NFL. Dean Blandino, vice president of NFL officiating, respond- 2007, she became the first woman to officiate an NCAA contest in I couldn’t have asked for better training than my time as a high ed that Sarah has been in their development program for the last Conference USA. She advanced to a bowl game in 2009. school official in Mississippi.” two years. Then on April 8, the big moment arrived. The NFL announced Sarah has not been forgotten by her alma mater. During her “We feel she’s ready to come into the league,” Blandino said. its roster of game officials for the 2015 season. Among the first- three seasons, the Lady Rams won 61 games — including a pair “Regardless of everything else that’s happening.” year officials was Mrs. Sarah Bailey Thomas. of 13-3 marks in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. The Blandino also said there are approximately 15 women in “I’m a female, and I can’t change that,” Sarah said in a confer- 1992-93 team won the District 30 championship and a berth in the various levels of the NFL’s development program. One is at the ence call with the media. “Just because I love the game of football NAIA national tournament. advanced level from where new officials are selected. and officiating, I do honor the fact that a lot of people consider me Twice a GCAC All-Academic pick, Sarah was also a Daktron- Regardless of who follows, Sarah will always be remembered a trailblazer. But as far as being forced into a trailblazer role … I ics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 1995. For her career, she totaled 779 as the first woman to be a full-time official in the NFL. But for don’t feel that way. points, 411 rebounds, 108 assists and 192 steals (still fifth all-time some of us, she will always be that lanky girl who was always “I’ve just been doing it truly because I love it. When you’re out at the school). looking for her next challenge. I guess some things never change. there officiating, the guys don’t think of me as a female. I mean, “We are honored that one of our former athletes is achieving

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 SPORTSEXTRA Jaguar senior pitcher Farish Beard performs under pressure BY TOMMY HICKS/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

he doesn’t remember the first softball game she ever peted. That’s the fun part of this game. She was selected among the top 50 players in the country played, but Fairhope’s Farish Beard remembers how she “Every time I get on the mound, I know there’s no one that’s heading into this season and is among 10 finalists for the NCAA’s started down the path that has led to her becoming one of going to beat me, and if they beat me, then they’re not going to Senior CLASS Award, presented to the senior player who best the top collegiate pitchers in the country. beat me again. I just love that mindset and going after people, represents a combination of community involvement, character, S“I remember Dr. Dan Matthews, he actually put a softball in just being able to have the opportunity to go out and compete classroom excellence and competition. Fans can vote for their my hand (in Fairhope Rec League play) and said that I was going is a really good feeling. This (approaching conference, national favorite player at www.seniorCLASSaward.com. Beard said be- to be the pitcher,” said Beard, now a senior All-Sun Belt Confer- tournaments) is where the fun starts, that’s for sure.” ing mentioned for such awards is nice but added she believes her ence pitcher for South Alabama. “He told me that I was going to Clark, who has built South Alabama from its first season to its position on such lists is a result of the play of her teammates. start pitching and I never put it down. As funny as this is, I actually current status as a Top 25 program, said Beard’s development has The best thing that could happen this season, she noted, was played first base and shortstop; I would never play those now.” been a pleasure to watch, if not a bit surprising. for the Jags to reach the College World Series, an accomplish- No one would ask Beard to play anything but pitcher these “I would be lying if I said I knew she would have the kind of ment that hasn’t yet been realized by the Jags. days. For good reason. The former Mobile-area Player of the Year national success she has had when we first recruited her,” Clark “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here, because at Fairhope High School has taken her game and her competitive- said. “She had a lot of work to do to become an elite pitcher but it’s local and I wanted to help start up something and create a ness to the college level, and the next step may be as a profession- I can honestly say she has earned every bit of her success. For tradition for something instead of going somewhere where there’s al player. Last season with the Jaguars, she was Top 10 in NCAA young pitchers out there I think she is a great example of where already tradition,” Beard said. “I wanted to be part of the teams rankings in hits allowed per seven innings, earned run average work ethic and grit will get you.” that helped develop how the program will be looked at in the and strikeouts per seven innings. The right-hander with the fast- Yep, there’s that competitive thing again. future. It’s been amazing, especially the atmosphere we have moving rise-ball pitch led the Sun Belt in five categories. “One of Farish’s biggest attributes is her mentality; she has the here. We’re a family. [Reaching the College World Series] would She may take her game to the professional level after this will to compete,” Clark said. “She wants the ball in tough situa- be a dream come true. I don’t even know how to put it in words season. But that’s getting ahead of her story. Right now, Beard is tions. She wants the ball when there is pressure. She understands what it would feel like. But I do think we have a team playing concentrating on her final season at South Alabama, one she be- that the pressure situations are what make this game fun. I think here now, we’re pretty strong, and if we keep playing, competing, lieves could be special for her and her Jags’ teammates. And she’s in addition to that she is willing to put in the work behind the going after people — we have a lot of heart.” eager for her next chance to pitch, her next chance to compete. scenes in order to prepare for those moments.” Helping lead the Jags’ charge will be Farish Beard. “I have always loved the game and I’m a big competitor, The Jags will play at Southern Miss April 22 before playing a “With all of our players, it is great to be able to watch their and with pitching there’s more of that competition — you get to three-game, two-day homestand this weekend against North Da- growth over the four years that they are in our program,” Clark challenge someone every time you throw the ball,” Beard said. kota State. A three-game Sun Belt series at Troy May 2-3 will end said. “I think that is the one thing I am most proud of for Farish. “I think that’s why I’ve stuck with it for so long. I don’t want the regular season, followed by the Sun Belt tournament at Texas Yes, she has won awards and had recognition, but at the end of anybody to beat me. I just want that challenge … I think that State May 6-9. With some more success, the Jags will receive a the day she has done it the right way. To see her grow into the competitiveness is a big part of me. Coach (Becky Clark) has fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Among person she has become is the best part. She is going to be able to preached that since the start of the year; her big word has been the team’s leaders, as she has been almost since arriving on the walk away from her career at South Alabama knowing she moved compete. I think that’s what we’ve done all year, is we’ve com- South Alabama campus, is Beard. our program forward and left it all on the field for her team.”

42 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 THE LOADED QUESTION

WHAT WOULD YOU DES- IGNATE AS THE STATE ’S OFFICIAL CAKE? (CUR- RENT CAKE: LANE CAKE)

ASKED AT FINS ON DAUPHIN ISLAND

“King Cake!”

-Jerry Smith

“Yellow cake with chocolate icing”

-Don Harlan

“Chocolate Ice Cream Cake”

-Jerry

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 STYLEEXTRA Opera closes curtain on artistic director BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

imes are tough for local arts. Tightening belts are squeezing redlining the artistic director’s seat. sensibilities along with budgets. “The opera is in very, very serious financial trouble, so that was The board of Mobile Opera terminated the position of where they were going to start cutting costs,” said John Hafner, artistic director at an April 14 board meeting, the result of a longtime board member. “Most of the people in the room were Ta fiscal crunch and uncertain venue status. Andy Anderson, who pleased with Andy and supportive of him.” has served in the role since August 2008, was told of the situation Hafner said he was so upset by the development that he and prior and dutifully submitted his resignation. another member resigned their positions. The former Spring Hill “He’s been a gentleman, been good to Mobile Opera,” Mobile College professor was one of a small group who traveled west to Opera General Director Scott Wright said. “We’ve been really survey Anderson’s work following the 2007 resignation announce- happy with what he did.” ment of previous artistic director Jerome Shannon. Anderson was previously artistic director of the Civic Opera “There were some tentative plans presented [at the meeting],” Theater of Kansas City, assistant conductor for the Lyric Opera Hafner said. “One suggestion was that the opera continue to exist of Kansas City and music director for the Kansas City, Missouri but as dinner theatre and we would do first ‘Pagliacci,’ then ‘Ca- Civic Orchestra. valleria Rusticana’ in the Shrine Temple and have tables and seats The last year has been tumultuous for the fine arts mainstay, and dinners.” recognized by Opera America as the nation’s 15th oldest opera Hafner also said he was with a group of opera advocates who organization. They were caught unaware when the mayor’s office reached out to city hall. Their goal was compromise. Photo/Andy Anderson told Mardi Gras organizations at the end of 2014 that the Mobile “Several of us had gotten in touch with the mayor to ask that Mobile Opera artistic Director andy anderson submit- Civic Center would be eliminated. Mobile Opera, along with Mo- they keep the theater and just tear down the [Arena and Expo ted his resignation april 14. bile Ballet depend on the Civic Center Theater as their venue. Hall],” Hafner said. “The complication there is that they’re all on “This discussion started back in January when we heard about a single services system, all the power, the water and everything is for the companies. the fate of the Civic Center,” Wright said. “Our individual contri- apparently one system.” This rough financial patch isn’t the first for Mobile Opera. butions dropped significantly when that announcement came out. The executive director elaborated on the difficulties. There is A deficit occurred during the 2003-05 seasons, estimated at We’re trying to be proactive with regard to the closing of the Civic more than schematics involved. $150,000 at one point. Following poor attendance at a Hurricane Center and the rising costs [for the facility].” “The word I have is it is definitely closing in April 2016 even if Ivan-delayed concert featuring mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, Wright also noted a general restructuring of Mobile Opera is it is ultimately kept and refurbished but there’s a lot of renovation then-Mobile Opera Executive Michelle Kitson resigned. needed. He hinted at rising overall expenses for the productions that would have to go on even if it was cut free because there’s “Since I first sang for Mobile Opera back in 1980, I’ve sung and a possible new format. a lot of electrical work that has to be done to make that free- with at least eight different conductors but we got used to consis- “We’re trying to do some things that will be quality opera like standing, the parking and all that,” Wright said. “Plus, I’ve heard tency when Jerry Shannon was here for so long,” Wright said. “I we’ve been doing, but it will be a smaller audience setting with the building might have some compliance issues that need to be hope we’re not headed for a dark age. The city’s decision not to the actors in the room with the patrons,” Wright said. “It’s not the addressed. I’ve heard a million dollars tossed around as a figure fund the arts and to take the venue away on its heels, I think that normal thing Andy has done. We don’t have the same needs as far for all that but it’s not been confirmed.” sends a bad signal about what the city wants and how we view the as our production team.” Both men noted space issues with utilizing the Saenger arts. But the only thing permanent is change and we’re trying to Wright mentioned overlapping duties as a cause for the posi- Theatre for opera and ballet. Inadequate dressing rooms, lack of go with that flow.” tion’s eradication. He declined to disclose the money saved by a backstage area, a larger stage and an orchestra pit are problems

44 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 STYLEPORT CITY PREMONITIONS Leo loved one chicken finger too many BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY Taurus (4/20 - 5/20) —Your new applica- kitchen at your new office. When it reads “228.7” celebration for the famed internet holiday, “4/20” Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18) — The trolling started tion will become all the “rage” in the patience- you will think back to all those second and third or April 20th as its known by people who vote. immediately after the A-Day game, when your challenged community. You’ll make money hand helpings of apple cheese and fried biscuits you Feeling pressured to keep up appearances, you Auburn buddy called just to tell you how medio- over fist and be delighted by the outcome. Rage ate at The Gift Horse Restaurant in Foley and the won’t initially tell your family and will opt cre Alabama’s top quarterback prospect looked will begin to creep back when you’ll be served endless buffet of mac and cheese pizza and cin- instead to leave each morning and mill around during the lightly-attended spring scrimmage. with a lawsuit from some guy claiming he owns namon rolls from CiCi’s. You will realize that the Bel Air mall. Eventually, your sulky and high ap- Caught off guard by his pre-season arrogance, the patent to the technology that allows your P90X DVDs that you downloaded in your 20s pearance lands you a job at Lidz, which is we all you struggled with a comeback while hiding the application to function correctly. Once you settle, were wasted. Next time, you promise yourself, know has a liberal drug policy as the employees fact that you hadn’t even watched the game your- you’ll be left with hundreds of dollars. You’ll you will choose the “snack” option instead of the there specialize in “head changes.” self. “Well … uh … the Gus Bus is short. And continue to be the rage-filled sadsack you always “box” at the chicken finger place. broken down …” is met with confused silence. were. Sagittarius (11/21 - 12/22) — You’ll official- You need to brush up on your trash talk before Virgo (8/24 - 9/22) — After using a home ly give up on Hollywood after hearing the Netflix August, playa. Gemini (5/21 - 6/21) — You’ll offer the blood pressure monitor that you purchased for reboot of the Tanner family’s adventures will be gravy-wine to the man in uniform. The more he $35 at Walmart you will discover that your midi- called “Fuller House.” Realizing that producers Pisces (2/19 - 3/20) — After hearing reports drinks the friendlier he’ll get until you’re able to chlorian count is abnormally high. While most now only have to remake something that’s only of a several Portuguese man o’ war at Orange convince him to give you an extra plastic spoon humans only have 2,500 midi-chlorians per cell, a few years removed from your media-saturated Beach, you’ll make the drastic and uninformed from the kitchen. You’ll sharpen the handle end you will discover that your levels reach 19,757 brain, you’ll call their bluff and start guessing assumption the U.S. is being invaded by of the spoon and begin to chip away at the soft per cell. With your newfound Force sensitivity the reboots, revamps and remakes before they’re Portugal. You’ll immediately call your local part of an outside wall of your cell. You’ll cover you become a founding member of the Mobile- trending. Coming in fall of 2016: Tina Fey, Laura representative and urge him toward war with the the hold over and over, day after day until it’s Baldwin Jedi Alliance, formed in response to the Linney, Amanda Peet co-star in a “Golden Girls” small European country. Not wanting to seem wide enough and deep enough for your escape. resurgence of the Sith Order in Pensacola. Star for a new generation that somehow still features unamerican and without the first bit of informed You’ll use a contraband phone lens to call a get- Wars: Episode XII will be written about your life. Betty White, though only as an ancillary and research, your first-term, tea party congressman away driver. You’ll be out of the clink soon. damn-near-insulting nod to the original franchise. will lambast President Obama for his inaction Libra (9/23 - 10/22) — When the pot brownies in addressing a “very present threat” along our Cancer (6/21 - 7/22) — You won’t exactly be that you meant to take on your weekend beach nation’s coastline in an open letter. Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19) — After a new accepted in the quaint little city. Although you’ll retreat accidentally end up at your office, you employees joins the team at work, you’ll realize attend church every Sunday, the more uptight decide that it is best not to return to work for the Aries (3/21 - 4/19) — After hearing the news how weird you actually are. Attempts to make residents will still question your Christian morals. rest of the week. After a week of contemplation of Tim Tebow’s return to the gridiron, you’ll start conversation fail, making you seem clingy and In addition to the whispers the men in town, most you decide that, instead of returning to your desk to think it isn’t too late for your’s truly. Though friendless. Much to your horror, you’ll also of whom will be familiar with your work, will try job, you will move to Colorado to learn the art of the pads are a little more snug, and your three to discreetly take a look at the pseudo celebrity in glass blowing. You know, for lamps and bowls realize everyone else likes the new guy more point stance definitely needs work — you’ll their midst. Despite all of the Christian backlash and stuff. Eventually, the long arm of the law than you and may or may not have invited him feel extremely confident that you could at least and the whispers, you’ll continue to live there catches up to you and you spend the rest of your out to go bowling — something they never did make the practice squad of some bottom of the because of the low property tax and all of the days making license plates and hanging out with when you first started. Finally, after months of barrel, almost CFL-level team like the Philadel- portable classrooms were really eye catching. your new best friend “Biggun.” worry and self examination you’ll realize your phia Eagles. Not since that 1988 Tony Danza coworkers don’t dislike you, they just aren’t real film have the Eagles stooped so low and risked Leo (7/23 - 8/23) — You will make the Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21) — You’ll be fired and you’re actually in Bienville Square yelling as much credibility for a notable, but comically mistake of stepping on the scale located in the after a drug test reveals your not-so-original at birds. brief mark on the weekly news cycle.

cROSSWORD pUZZLE anSWERS

FROM paGE 37

F U T U R E S H O C k

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 45 STYLEMOBILE MAGNIFIED Bluegrass, crawdads and cage BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

’ve been busier than a Lower Alabama storm let me tell you what! sign hanging on a light pole downtown from weekly, plus there is a non refundable dead drain this last week. Sometimes it’s feast in this One of my spy’s favorite moments was walk- a gentleman looking for a roommate to share lock deposit of $20.00 dollars, total needed biz, and sometimes it’s famine. This week was ing by and seeing an approximately 4-year-old an apartment. We are not sure if he ever found to move in is $90.00 dollars CASH! NO definitely the former as the gossip poured as gentleman licking the bars of the fence surround- one then, but whatever the case, the same man CHECKS, or MONEY ORDERS, NO TEXT! Iheavily as the rain. So need to take your time up ing the proceedings. When my spy laughed and is once again in search of someone to share Majority of text, probably 95% per cent, are here, just go ahead and dive right on in and swim asked what in the world he was doing, another his 840 sq. foot apartment. He has taken to con artist! You will need to get to a phone & around in it. Warning! No lifeguard is on duty. boy about the same age ran up and started lick- Craiglist to find the perfect “single person, or call me, I talk, & Leave a voice mail if I am ing the fence too. Everyone was laughing until two people” that he can call his “mate.” This busy... I don’t associate w/any of the other Bluegrass, crawdads and fence lickin’ Dad noticed and told the boys to knock it off. He was posted earlier this month. The rent will tenants in this complex, as the saying goes, St. Mary’s annual Crawfish & Bluegrass seemed troubled by what might have caused them run you $280 per month. never pick cotton in your own back yard, and Extravaganza battled off the rain to live up to its to do something as goofy as that. “Have a furnished or unfurnished master U wont either if U live here w/me! We have billing this past weekend. The rain has haunted this event the past couple bedroom for a single person, or two people; our privacy! I have been here 4 full years now, Although our Biblical rains of late left the field of years, but the folks at St. Mary’s handled it All nationalities are welcome. Master bed- going on 5 years now. City buses operate in too mushy to host hundreds of head-sucking blue- quite well this year. But maybe someone needs room is 12 ft. wide by 19 ft. long, and has front of this complex 6 days a week. This is grass lovers, the tail-pinching area was moved to to say 100 Hail Marys and ask her to pray for a Serta queen size mattress only, but large a excellent location! Call between 6:00 A.M. the school’s parking lot and the bands were treated sunshine next year. enough to sleep 2 people easily, and has no - 11:00 P.M. Please, you need to be healthy, to playing on stage in the gym. rails, or box springs, but very nice, but has be able to walk up stairs!! Bring picture ID & The music did not disappoint, as Fat Man Van Peebles spotted in LoDa sheets, and blankets on the bed, a night stand a Social Security card with U to my parking Squeeze, Delta Reign, The Deluxe Trio and Rol- Director Mario Van Peebles was spotted at w/a lamp & 2 book shelf’s, Panasonic 32” lot, as soon as U show up, I will see a I.D. NO lin’ in the Hay all crushed it and kept the gym the Hampton Inn last Saturday. He and a crew Color TV w/a converter box, & picks up EXCEPTIONS!! If U are a restaurant worker, packed. It was a first time for Deluxe Trio, but I were out scouting locations for a new film he is 24 channels, air purifier, a Roper Washing live on tips that’s OK, but I must be able doubt it will be their last visit to the Extravaganza. planning on shooting here, “USS Indianapolis,” Machine, all in your bed room, and there is to verify U have a job, or income. No I.D.? Boozie’s spies said they’re not sure who which will be directed by Van Peebles and stars a washer/dryer room, on property as well. Don’t call me! I am poor, but meticulously prepares the crawdads for this festival, but that Nicolas Cage, bringing the Oscar winner back to Bath room has shower, and a long bath tub, clean, neat, punctual, professional, and seek person is Picasso with the crab boil. The crawfish the Azalea City for another shoot. Cage starred in and we share, very clean! I don’t date very the same in any long term mate. I vacuum my were perfectly spicy and one spy said he managed “Tokarev” aka “Rage,” which was filmed here in often, so no one else used my shower in over floors 2 x daily, VERY CLEAN!! No roaches, to down four pans of them himself, which seems 2013, but did not garner an Oscar nod for Cage. a year, our shower, we share and I don’t have no traffic! Will pay cash for any house plant a bit gluttonish. What are you gonna do, some “USS Indianapolis” will begin filming on June any STDs, so please don’t call me if U do, grow equipment, or horticulture magazines. people lose it around free crawfish. 10. The USS Alabama will be where many of the or call and explain why what you have isn’t I am 300 yards west of Hwy. 90 on the south And while the space was a bit more cramped scenes are shot. contagious! Have wash cloths, towels, sheets side of Pleasant Valley Rd. Musical taste than usual, everyone seemed to have a good time. & pillow cases; I will split cost of WiFi instil- include, Alice in Chains, Nickleback, Tool, An impromptu bluegrass jam broke out at one Roomie Wanted lation, and monthly T.V. bill, if U own a tablet Maroon 5, AC-DC, AKON, SNOOP DOOG, point, led by Fat Man Squeeze’s “Mr. Bubble,” About five or six years ago, Boozie found a or computer, & U are willing to let me to use Jazz, Michael Franks, Sinead O” Conner.” who was sawin’ on a fiddle and playin’ it hot. Boy your computer, and U choose the carrier! I’m sure he will be inundated with ap- I don’t do pornography, or X rated videos, plicants. Just hope they can pass the STD mostly horticulture, grow indoors videos & screening! Yikes! Aquaculture, on U -TUBE. Monster Gardens. com Concept 420.com & West Palm Beach What a fine time at PRIDE News.com & PBS.org Frontline.org I live and In spite of the rain or threat of rain, Satur- sleep in the dining room, converted into my day PRIDE, celebrating the rights of our gay room, so this is a 1 bedroom converted into community, was just great, according to my a 2 bedroom, and you have your own room spies. As expected, there were many advocates & privacy. I am a 52 year old white male, there promoting gay marriage, but also many slim, thin & tall, w/graces, manors, exercise other representatives of the gay community regularly, eat healthy minded, don’t use and their allies, including a “good looking, tobacco products, do enjoy BUD ICE, & Bolla leggy Miss Gay Pride, who looked astonishing Bardalini red wine, use extra virgin olive oil in white lace short pants and a ‘demur’ top.” to fry all our meats in, 1 skillet for fish &1 We hear the Nappie Award-winning Miss skillet for chicken, both kept in the refrigera- Venus was also there, surrounded by some tor, so I don’t wash greasy skillets very often. of the “most gorgeous well-built men,” who Use Stevia instead of sugar, from the Stevia performed later that evening. plant, much healthier than sugar, and take approximately 16 different food supplements daily. I seek a mate w/clean life style habits, And speaking of gay pride smart, intelligent; JESUS CHRIST is my best weekend.... friend, & hope that you feel the same way. We received a report from two of our local You cannot smoke tobacco, in my home, so spies who were in the Big Apple to celebrate Smoke out on the upstairs deck, and I am 4:20 gay pride weekend up there. It seems Broad- p.m. coffee break friendly, and I have a close way diva, Patti Lupone, was performing her degree in nutrition, and horticulture, and bota- one-women show “ Lady With a Torch “ at ny; Home security system with 4 cameras out the Below 54 Supper Club. Featuring songs side of this apartment, to monitor my out side from Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin and others of world, and has 2,500 hours of recording time. that ilk, when she made the announcement she The kitchen is 100% per cent nicely furnished, was in a workshop dealing with a new musi- large bar, 19” color t.v. w/lit up counters and cal about the feud between the two cosmetic sink, two microwave ovens, activated charcoal firm figureheads Elizabeth Arden and Helena water filter, blender, toaster, electric can Rubinstein, saying it was “every gay man’s opener, coffee pot, medium size refrigerator, dream!” She did not disclose which charac- electric stove, w/all amenities; No roaches, ter she was reading ... But just remember, and entire home is carpeted w/carpet, spotless you heard it hear first and Boozie has spies clean throughout! Picture I.D from any state everywhere! & a Social Security card are imperative, minor Just remember, whether rain or shine, dra- arrest record is OK, and my land lord does matic or scandalous or just some plain ol’ two a criminal background check; Non violent skillet lovin’ (one for fish, one for chicken), I offenses are acceptable. Rent is $70.00 dollars will be there. Ciao!

46 | LAGNIAPPE | April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015 HELP LAGNIAPPE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD! The Alabama Media Group, Alabama Press As- The APA, Alabama Media Group and Call News loyal readers and those who want to see this news- sociation and Citronelle Call News have banned have been working hard in Montgomery to kill House paper be able to continue to grow and provide more together to try to keep Lagniappe and other free Bill 102, which would have removed this postal permit news to the community to let our elected officials newspapers from being able to sell public notice requirement statewide. Now they are pressuring know you support free enterprise and want them advertising. They are pressuring our state legislators to Mobile County’s legislative delegation to stop a bill to vote to give Mobile’s locally owned newspaper that would just change the law in the city of Mobile. kill a bill that would simply allow Lagniappe to begin the chance to simply compete in the open market. Mobile’s City Council passed a resolution March 31 offering the same kind of advertising sales they do. encouraging the legislature to support Lagniappe’s Please email, write or call your Mobile County repre- The sale of public notice (or legal) advertising is a right to participate in free trade and also to offer local sentatives and senators and let them know you want multi-million dollar business in Mobile County alone, government other options when it comes to plac- to see your local newspaper be able to compete. but Lagniappe, the area’s second largest publication, ing this type of advertising. Other local government may not offer this service to customers because of an agencies and law firms have asked Lagniappe to Our opponents have claimed Lagniappe is trying antiquated state law requiring newspapers to have a fight for the right to run these types of ads because to “skirt” the existing law and should just live under publications class postal permit. Free newspapers are they too would like another choice. the existing rules, but that would require us to begin barred by the U.S. Postal Service from having this type charging our readers for our newspaper. That’s not in of permit, and are therefore unable to compete for this The bill that would change the law in Mobile will our plans. We want to change an unnecessary and come before the legislature soon. We’re asking our business. unfair law, not go around it. Thank you.

WHAT THE CHANgE IN THE LAW WILL DO: decides to stop publishing a print prod- public officials. be up to the consumer to decide. • Take away the antiquated require- uct completely. If that were to happen, • It won’t mean older legacy newspa- • It won’t mean there is no “standard” ment that newspapers in Mobile the only two newspapers eligible to run pers like the Call News or Press-Register ensuring public notices are run prop- must have a publications class postal public notices would be the Call News, will have an onerous cost Lagniappe erly. There is no standard now. The Post permit before they can accept legal with 6,000 papers a week and the Mo- will not. While keeping a postal permit Office doesn’t involve itself in how pub- advertising. bile Beacon with 5,200. Lagniappe cur- does require paperwork, these news- lic notices are run. It also rarely, if ever, • Offer those doing such advertising rently publishes 25,000 papers weekly papers make a profit when they mail audits newspapers to ensure they are another option that may save money and has an audience measured by newspapers. And if keeping a postal living within the necessary parameters or offer a larger readership. As it now Scarborough research of approximate- permit was really a loser for them, they for having a postal permit. The papers ly 80,000, which would mean advertis- could simply get rid of it if it the permit stands, the city and county only have in Mobile have not been audited in ers could not use the largest paper in was no longer required by law. the options of the very expensive Press- at least 20 years, according to postal Register or very small newspapers, like the county. • It won’t mean shoppers like the Thrifty Nickel would suddenly become news- employees. The Press-Register’s own the Call News, that don’t reach very mishandling of public notices over the many people. WHAT THE CHANgE IN THE LAW WON’T DO: papers. Other definitions in the state • It won’t require anyone to spend a law requiring a newspaper of general past two years is evidence enough a • It will create competition that may postal permit provides no standard or bring some scale to the prices being single dime with Lagniappe. We’ll have circulation certainly would not be met. guarantee. charged for these ads. Advertisers to earn the business just as we have At the same time the Press-Register and have complained the Press-Register’s done over the past 13 years. Alabama Media Group are claim- prices are excessively high, but smaller • It won’t allow high schools to start run- ing publications like the Thrifty Nickel WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE BILL FAILS: • The Press-Register and Call News newspapers like the Call News are ning legal ads. Other parts of the state could simply add a few articles and charging half the Press-Register’s rate law require that ads be run in newspa- call themselves newspapers, they have will continue to divvy up a very large while delivering less than 10 percent of pers of general circulation. Also, no high threatened to sue the city of Mobile amount of public advertising dollars their circulation, meaning it’s actually school or college newspaper would for attempting to stop their unsolicited with protection from the government. costing the taxpayers more per reader. have the staff and expertise required advertising circulars claiming they are • Mobile County citizens will continue • It will also protect Mobile County in to properly file the paperwork required newspapers because they contain a to have to pay a premium amount for the event the Alabama Media Group for each public notice ad run. This is a chicken recipe or fashion story. Can’t government-mandated advertising. claim opponents have used to frighten have it both ways. Besides, it would still CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS

April 23, 2015 - April 29, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 47