Conservancy Forms to Advocate for Downtown Parks Aleadership

2 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 LAGNIAPPE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• WEEKLY June 25, 2015 – J uly 1, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor Mobile Gas and ADEM are inching [email protected] forward on a remediation plan for a Rob Holbert contaminated industrial site. Co-publisher/Managing Editor 6 [email protected] COMMENTARY Steve Hall Marketing/Sales Director The buttery goodness of the summer [email protected] blockbuster. Gabriel Tynes Assistant Managing Editor 12 [email protected] Dale Liesch BUSINESS Reporter The annual Distinguished Young [email protected] Woman program has a marked Jason Johnson economic impact on Mobile. Reporter 20 [email protected] Eric Mann Reporter CUISINE [email protected] There are few more

Kevin Lee CONTENTS rewarding ways to Associate Editor/Arts Editor spend hot summer [email protected] days than churning Andy MacDonald Cuisine Editor homemade ice [email protected] cream. This week’s Stephen Centanni cuisine feature Music Editor [email protected] includes a recipe for J. Mark Bryant an eggless variety. Sports Writer 22 [email protected] 22 Stephanie Poe Copy Editor ARTS Daniel Anderson Can the mayor’s office and the Chief Photographer History Museum of Mobile put their [email protected] feud in the past? Laura Rasmussen 28 Art Director www.laurarasmussen.com COVER Brooke Mathis Advertising Sales Executive In the wake of three [email protected] violent incidents Beth Williams involving mental health Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] patients, local medical Misty Groh provider AltaPointe is Advertising Sales Executive defending its decision [email protected] to discharge individuals Kelly Woods who may present a Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] threat to themselves or Melissa Schwarz others. 3232 Editorial Assistant [email protected] MUSIC Mary Burts Distribution Manager Local songwriter Ferrill [email protected] Gibbs comes out of Contributors: the shadows for a new Asia Frey • Brian Holbert Tommy Hicks• Ron Sivak studio album and rare Jeff Poor • Jennifer McDonald live performance. On the Cover: Rorschach By Laura Rasmussen

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June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 GOIn G POSTAl The choice is clear Like living here? Thank coal. Kudos, Mr. Holbert! Your June 18 make Mobile’s complex a raging suc- I am a 62-year resident of Mobile County, a chemi- fuel. I wish that acid and other toxic chemicals were column, “Do we need soccer fields or cess.” cal engineer and small businessman. Like professor not needed to sanitize our food, purify our water, treat sports tourism?” was a very well-written Should make? Would anyone invest Rodning (Letter to the Editor, “Heavy industry threatens our waste or to make the medicines, gloves, tubing and article — straightforward and to the money if they were told, “You should health, welfare,” June 18, 2015) I also have great syringes necessary to cure illness. point. This was the eighth economic im- make a return on your money starting in concern regarding the health and safety of the citizens Until my wishes come true, citizens must make re- pact study pertaining to the soccer com- about five years?” in reference to industrial development. I wish we alistic judgments about chemicals, coal and fuel. These plex, this one stating, “that the soccer Are some people so blind as to see could reduce our dependence on coal, gas, diesel and decisions must involve compromise if our community complex itself will lose about $250,000 this is not good for Mobile County? chemicals. is to thrive, or even survive (coal keeps the lights/air a year for the first five years.” Improve and upgrade what we have I wish that solar panels existed that would power conditioning on in practically every structure in Mobile Whose money will be keeping the now! Get out there and get another my home and charge my car adequately even at night! I County). Without chemicals, coal and fuel, only a complex afloat until it does start making cruise ship in here! And the Maritime wish that wind turbines existed that would power my handful of people would even live here! a profit? The taxpayers, that’s who! Museum finally opens in September! home adequately even when the wind wasn’t blowing! We must have pipelines, storage tanks, coal piles, Don Staley, executive director for Add to the waterfront downtown! I wish that small fusion power plants existed for gas stations and like in the near term. Regulations sports for the Foley Sports Tourism Again, thank you for the great article. each neighborhood! Any of the above would allow us should be made based on facts and reason, not “wish- Complex, puts things in perspective: to dispense with coal burning and hydro-electric power ful” thinking or slogans. “There’s definitely a market for tourna- Janet Scott, generation, as well as the elimination of unsightly trans- ments and other sports that should Mobile County mission lines. The world might be a better place! Russell R. Martin, I wish my cars and company trucks didn’t require Mobile P O l I ce dISPATch Former deputy arrested for in-house theft of ‘controlled substances’ BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Of- rences, and all of the evidence against Holifield However, on June 19, Mason began to deterio- vestigation, a petition on Change.org also started fice (MCSO), a deputy has turned himself in after has been submitted to the Mobile County District rate rapidly and around 11 p.m. went into respira- circulating online Tuesday asking for the DA’s an eight-month investigation into claims he was Attorney’s Office. tory failure and died. office to “charge Josh Coleman for the death of failing to turn over seized controlled substances “When a member of this department violates In a press release, the GSPD said dogs used his fellow officer, Mason.” into evidence. the public trust, it is a tarnish to not only the for law enforcement typically spend a lot of time As of press deadline, the petition had gathered Clifton Wayne Holifield Jr., a former deputy, reputation and traditions of the Mobile County in their handlers’ vehicles, which are typically more than 600 signatures. turned himself in to the sheriff’s office Sunday Sheriff’s Office, but also to the hardworking men equipped with remote heat alarms, water bowls In addition to potential criminal charges, both and was charged with 12 counts of second-degree and women of law enforcement throughout our and other protective measures. However, because the GSPD and the city of Gulf Shores have taken theft of property — a case that was initially state,” Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran said. Mason’s public relations duties did not typically administrative sanctions against Cpl. Coleman, reviewed by a grand jury. “It is my commitment that swift action be taken require long periods of confinement to a vehicle, though the nature of those sanctions have not “In November 2014, we began our investiga- against those who choose to violate their oath of those protective measures were not available in been disclosed. tion and while we attempted to communicate and office.” his handler’s car. investigate our suspicions with Det. Holifield, he “This situation has been devastating for Cpl. MFRD believes Causeway fire set immediately resigned,” a MCSO news release Gulf Shores’ community relations Coleman and his family and we hope that they stated. “While reviewing his cases, we discovered are able to work through their understandable intentionally dog succumbs to heat According to the Mobile Fire-Rescue Depart- he had unlawfully seized or maintained controlled On Monday, the Gulf Shores Police Depart- emotions,” the press release said. “This is a tragic ment, fire investigators believe a blaze at the substances through the course of some of his ment announced its community relations dog, occurrence that has left the entire organization Captain’s Table restaurant on the Causeway June investigations.” Mason, died after being left in an unattended car mourning a terrible loss. It also illustrates how 23 was set intentionally. The MCSO said there was also evidence Ho- by his handler, Cpl. Josh Coleman. easy it is to become distracted, and how quickly The fire was first reported at approximately lifield failed to submit some controlled substances “On June 18, while transitioning between heat can affect those that we love that are particu- 3:30 a.m. MFRD spokesperson Steve Huffman into evidence. However, authorities say there was duties, Mason’s handler forgot Mason was still larly vulnerable to it.” said a glass door was broken upon firefighters’ no indication Holifield was selling or distribut- in the backseat of his patrol car,” a press release Originally, GSPD officials said they had arrival, but couldn’t say whether it was the result ing the controlled substances, which authorities said. “On discovering Mason’s absence, Cpl. conferred with the Baldwin County District At- of an intrusion. haven’t identified. Coleman located him in the vehicle.” torney’s office and that no criminal charges would “It is intentionally set — we know that,” According to the release, the amounts seized Officers say they found Mason in serious be filed. However, an official with the DA’s office Huffman said of the fire, which was called in after and withheld from evidence were relatively small distress, and he was rushed to a local veterinar- confirmed Tuesday the matter “would be turned smoke was sighted billowing from the roof. and did not involve any “active” cases or affect ian’s office where treatment began immediately. over to a grand jury to determine whether Cpl. The Captain’s Table is one of the oldest restau- any “pending” cases against defendants. Correc- The dog was then taken to an advanced facility Coleman will face charges.” rants on the Causeway, fronting the Battleship Inn tive and disciplinary actions were taken within in Pensacola, where initially there were “hopeful Though officials wouldn’t say whether it was and USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. the department to prevent any similar occur- signs” his condition was improving. a factor in moving forward with a grand jury in- CORRECTION: A May 17 story entitled “Artificial turf debate sprouts in Spanish Fort” incorrectly attributed quotes against the city of Spanish Fort’s plan to install $769,000 in artificial turf at Spanish Fort High School to Melisa Dotson, a supporter of the plan. The quotes were actually those of Heather Sorrell, who asked the city to spend funds on education needs instead of the installation of artificial turf. Ultimately, the city voted to reject the plan.

he Alabama Department of Environmental Management gas plant on the site in 1836, Davis wrote. The plant was opera- “Playing on a field with arsenic is not good, but if you’re not (ADEM) and Mobile Gas claim they continue work to tional there for almost 100 years until natural gas was introduced playing on it, or around it, the risks are low.” clean up a contaminated former industrial property in into the area. As a result of those operations, Davis wrote, the Members of a community advisory committee were concerned downtown Mobile. site is contaminated with coal tar, a common byproduct of the with health issues affecting people in the area and the site’s TThe site — a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) bounded manufactured-gas production process. proximity to schools. by Broad Street to the east, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to “There are underground gas holders and tar tanks on the prop- In a letter to other committee members dated April 1, retired the south, Marmotte Street to the west and Earle Street to the erty,” Davis wrote. “Utilizing the original drawings, test pits and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gary Cooper asked when the site north — is believed to be contaminated and in 2010 was enrolled ground-penetrating radar, their locations have been determined. A will be cleaned. in a voluntary cleanup program through ADEM, Mobile Gas major component of the cleanup plan will include the excavation “It is located across from Bishop State Community College, spokeswoman Keeshia Davis wrote in an email. and cleanup of those areas.” [Most Pure] Heart of Mary [Catholic] School and Metropolitan “To assist us in this effort, we have retained the services Environmental studies were conducted on the site in both AME Church,” Cooper wrote, adding his concern about persist- of Corporate Environmental Solutions, a national expert on 1994 and 2004, Davis wrote. While contaminants were identified, ing health risks. “My experience as chairman of the environmen- MGP sites, with local help from Corporate Environmental Risk no pathways to exposure to people were found, she wrote. tal committee for U.S. Steel made me aware that if natural gas Management and McFadden Engineering,” Davis wrote. “In “Since 1994, annual water sampling has been taken at different was produced at the site, no matter how many years ago, that addition, as part of that effort, two community boards have been locations along One Mile Creek, which is adjacent to the property, serious health hazards remain from cyanide and mercury.” created, one dealing with public concerns and one focusing on and there have been no pollutants attributable to the operation of Robert Battles, a Mobile County School Board member and the technical aspects of the voluntary cleanup program. Further- the MGP identified in those water samples,” Davis wrote. committee member for the project, said Mobile Gas is not doing more, several public meetings have been held over the years and Mobile Baykeeper Executive Director Casi Callaway listed enough to mitigate existing hazards. a quarterly newsletter is sent out to members of the community chemicals such as arsenic and chromium as contaminants on the “We’ve been dealing with this for a long time,” Battles said. providing updates on our efforts.” site. Battles said Mobile Gas was looking to make the area into a The risk management phase of the program was recently “It’s pretty toxic,” she said. “They’ve been moving toward park by eventually placing benches on the site. completed and today, Mobile Gas is in the process of submitting cleaning this site up, which is great, but we want to be able to While ADEM’s brownfield redevelopment program is work- a cleanup plan to ADEM, Davis said. start seeing results.” ing on the site, it’s unclear whether it is actually considered a “It is our hope that we will be in position to submit the While Davis confirmed arsenic was found on the site, she brownfield, Battle said. A designation of both ADEM and the cleanup plan within the next six weeks,” Davis wrote. “ADEM wrote that the “background levels” found are consistent with Environmental Protection Agency, brownfields are defined as will have up to 60 days to review and comment on the cleanup naturally occurring levels found in the Mobile area and around “sites where previous industry or other activity has contaminated plan.” the state. the property, making redevelopment more challenging than with Once the cleanup plan is submitted, ADEM will provide a 30- Mobile Gas has had the site fenced off for years, Davis wrote, previously unused real estate.” A brownfield designation may to-45-day public comment period before actual remediation work but acknowledged interest in eventually developing it into “pub- provide for federal remediation money. on the site can begin, ADEM spokeswoman Lynn Battle said. lic access green space.” In 2011, ADEM released a list of brownfields statewide and Davis wrote that cleanup on a site the size of the one in question Callaway said the site can be reclaimed once it has been the site at Broad Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive could take anywhere from four to six months. properly cleaned. wasn’t listed. In fact, Mobile’s only brownfield site was listed as A predecessor to Mobile Gas began operating a manufactured “Arsenic is not good for people, period,” Callaway said. the former Seaman’s Hotel at 350 St. Joseph Street.

6 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | EASTERN SHORE BB Fairhope wipes away rumors regarding fecal contamination BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

he city of Fairhope released the results tion swale” on the western 20 feet of a lot in the from tests on the fecal matter found June Ridgewood Estates subdivision. 6 on a public beach between the Orange Public Works Director Jennifer Fidler said Street pier and the American Legion. The the swale would address stormwater mainte- Tfindings suggest the fecal matter originated from nance issues in the subdivision. an avian source, likely Canada geese, according “The water has caused an issue for years,” to testing at Auburn University’s Department of Fidler said. “The homeowners have put in a Crop, Soil and Environmental Studies. new driveway and the water is coming down Auburn professor Yucheng Feng’s lab tested the cul de sac and it is running through every- DNA extracted from four fecal samples col- one’s yards.” lected by the city’s public works department. The temporary easement will expire in 180 The samples were tested for four DNA markers, days. which included general and human feces as well The City Council unanimously approved as two avian species markers. a resolution authorizing the purchase of The results from all four samples were an articulating rough mower for the Quail negative for human feces, but positive for avian Creek Golf Course from Turf Supply Inc. for feces. The DNA marker GFD, which all four $15,200. The city also awarded a $62,243.20 samples tested positive for, consists of seagull, bid for the first two phases of the Quail Creek duck, chicken and Canada geese. sidewalk project to Asphalt Services Inc. and “There were no markers for human DNA,” awarded a $42,782.50 bid for the third and Water and Sewer Department Head Dan Mc- fourth phases of the project to Arrington Curb Crory reported. “It came back as duck, seagull, and Excavation Inc. chicken and Canada geese, and [Feng] said it “This is something we have been promising was 85 percent positive for Canada geese. So the people at Quail Creek for probably three the answer to the question is that it was Canada years now,” Burrell said. “I’m glad to see that geese poop on the beach.” we finally have the money so we can award A copy of the results emailed from Feng’s these bids and get these sidewalks started.” office to the city of Fairhope was provided to The council expected to reject a bid for a Lagniappe June 22. 2016 Ford F250 XL for the gas department be- The stink began June 6 when Fairhope resi- cause there was only one bidder, but decided to dent Elliott Gordon uploaded a video of feces on change course and approve the bid for $25,189 the beach to his personal Facebook page. From to Georgia-based Wade Ford. the beginning, the city of Fairhope contended Purchasing manager Dan Ames said the city the material originated from the Canada geese normally rejects bids when there is only one population on the city’s public beaches. response, but if the city sought to purchase the The fecal matter prompted the Alabama De- same truck through the National Joint Powers partment of Environmental Management to post Alliance buying group, it would be more expen- a warning sign July 8 indicating the possibility sive. He also said the state of Alabama was in of heightened bacteria levels at the beach, but litigation with Wade Ford over the dealership the warning was removed two days later after representing itself as being Alabama-based in testing showed acceptable levels. other bids, when it is actually based in Georgia. In other news Because of the litigation, Ames said the com- Council President Jack Burrell said his trip pany had been blocked from being awarded bids representing Fairhope at the Paris Air Show had it sought while representing itself as an Alabama been productive. Burrell joined Baldwin County company. He said the issue did not preclude the Commissioners Tucker Dorsey and Chris El- city from awarding the company a general bid. liott, as well as Lee Lawson from the Baldwin “I checked with the state and we can award County Economic Development Alliance, at the this bid even though they are in litigation,” annual show along with a delegation of other Ames said. “We can award it because they state and local officials. won it. They are not representing themselves “We had some very productive meetings and as being from Alabama in this bid, they are a I can’t [mention] any company or individual Georgia-based dealer.” names for proprietary reasons, but there was a Ames said the city requested bids from ap- company located in south Alabama with a need proximately 15 companies and received only for skilled laborers such as the ones [provided Wade’s response. by] our aviation academy. So they are going to The council also approved a request from the come talk to our academy about how they can police department to add officers Blake Bauer get some of those graduates,” Burrell said. “The and Joseph Seay to its Fairhope Volunteer Police second interesting meeting was with a company Reserve. Chief Joe Petties said the city’s stable that produces small aircraft. They are not in of reserve officers had dwindled to just four competition with Airbus, but they are looking available officers. for a facility to build 120 small aircrafts a year “Over the years we have hired some of our and the Fairhope airport may meet their needs.” reserves full time and we had one resign last At the regular City Council meeting June 22, week,” Petties said. “We’ve had a couple more the council also approved a resolution allow- who have not been able to come out, so we got ing Mayor Tim Kant to execute a temporary down to just four reserve officers. We’d like construction easement between the city and to have about 14 because of all the events we property owners Patricia and David Schultze for have and they really come in handy when we the construction and maintenance of a “bioreten- need help.”

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE COUNTY McPSS discusses charter school authorization BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

s Alabama prepares to dip a toe into the world of charter the board that Mobile County already offers a number of school up cost in some way.” schools, the Mobile County Public School System choices for parents. Fenton also said it would take a willful knowledge of gross (MCPSS) and other districts across the state are deciding “Mobile County Public Schools — with the signature acad- mismanagement or negligence for an authorizer to be dragged into what role they want to play in the new model. emies that have their own advisory boards and its schools of inno- a charter school’s legal liability. ACharter schools are operated by an independent nonprofit orga- vations — we’ve done a lot already to create choices for families, “I’m not an expert on state law here, but theoretically, the legal nization and adhere to a contract based on agreed academic goals. which is the intent of charter schools,” she said. “I’m going to liability for that school rests with the governing body, which is However, any new school needs the approval of an “authorizer” continue to emphasize that in our community. There are a lot of an independent 501(c)(3),” Fenton said. “The authorizer only has — a third party that ensures the school can live up to its self- options already in place in MCPSS.” responsibility for the public-oversight function.” declared standards. Recently, Peek said if the board agreed to become an autho- There still isn’t much of an indication as to what organizations An authorizer would additionally be tasked to provide over- rizer, she “fully anticipates” having to devote at least some staff or school systems might attempt to start a charter school in the sight of a charter school and approve or deny the renewal of its members to overseeing charter schools. near future, but there will be a statewide cap of 10 start-up charter charter, which in Alabama is a review process that would take “We’re going to have to have personnel to manage it because schools each year for the next five years. place every five years. If an authorizer declares that a charter ap- there are so many requirements with a charter school,” Peek told Despite the widespread implementation of charter schools, plicant has not met its standards, those applicants can still appeal Lagniappe. “Although there is a board, you still have management Fenton said they aren’t all created equal. In fact, a report pub- to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission. responsibility. You still have to oversee the general operation and lished by Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the NACSA Right now, the Mobile County school board is deciding provide all of the accountability data.” itself show that between 2013 and 2014, 8 percent of charter whether they want to act as a local authorizer. It would ultimately Before the bill became law, opponents across the state said schools had their renewals denied and more than 3 percent had give the system more control of charter schools, but some board charter schools would take money from an already-depleted Edu- their charters revoked or suspended outside the renewal periods. members are already saying they’re “turned off” to the idea cation Trust Fund. Now, with the possibility of having to divert However, Fenton said preventing subpar charter programs is because it could leave the school system liable for the “debts and more public school resources, MCPSS isn’t the only board on the exactly what authorizers do. obligations” of any school they authorize within the district. fence about becoming an authorizer. “There’s certainly been research on charter school outcomes, In Alabama, the charter school law gives each school system However, Amanda Fenton, of the National Association of and quite honestly, it varies a lot from place to place,” she said. the option to become an authorizer, but it only gives them until Charter School Authorizers (NACSA), said a percentage of the “So, if someone starts to notice a charter school is performing per-pupil expenditures allocated in the original legislation should Sept. 1 to make the decision. On June 17, board members briefly poorly, hopefully an authorizer can catch that before they take mulled the pros and cons of becoming an authorizer. cover any of the costs an authorizer would assume. any public resources or the most valuable resource — years of In spite of the looming deadline, the new approach to public According to Alabama’s law, boards overseeing one to three someone’s education.” education has many entities in the state looking for more informa- charter schools would receive 3 percent of those per-pupil funds to For now, whether MCPSS is prepared to play such a pivotal tion on how to proceed — including the Alabama State Depart- mitigate the cost of oversight. As the number of schools increas- role remains to be seen. The system scheduled an Academic Com- ment of Education (ALSDE). es, the percentage of revenue decreases — with systems authoriz- mittee Meeting on the matter for July 8, where Peek is expected to “The rules and regulations for authorizers — and everyone ing four to five schools receiving 2 percent and those overseeing make a recommendation for the board. else — are literally still being developed,” ALSDE spokesperson six to 10 schools receiving 1 percent. Michael Sibley said. “Although time is of the essence, until the “Authorizing should ideally be cost neutral, but a system “We’ve got a lot more to learn about to determine whether it rules and regulations are established, it is going to be impossible shouldn’t end up with a surplus from it either. It’s not meant to be will be to our advantage,” Peek said. “Right now today, I couldn’t to tell what the pros and cons are.” a money-making thing,” Fenton said. “However, you don’t receive tell you the advantage. As I read the bill, I don’t see any advan- Though she didn’t express an opinion on charter schools, last any money until you authorize a school, so there’s a little bit of a tages other than just being able to have more knowledge and depth week MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek reminded members of gap when they’re first reviewing the initial applications — a start- as to the program.”

8 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | BALDWIN COUNTY BB Baldwin schools rebounding with ‘community task force’ BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

t its regular meeting June 16 in Bay June 18. “This is about coming up with a Minette, the Baldwin County Board detailed work plan for the county. This is of Education held over a vote on a about the role the community has to play in proposed community task force until getting us where we all want to be. We all AJune 30 because it had not received enough have responsibilities as citizens to getting the nominations for the group from every feeder school system where we want to be.” pattern in the county. Cecil Christenberry, who represents the Proposed as a response to a call from the Fairhope feeder pattern, said the task force public for greater transparency and citizen should cast a wide net to help the board un- involvement in the wake of a failed sales tax derstand what citizens want. initiative, the school board has asked county “The question is, how can we do this with- commissioners and mayors from each of the out it being too political? We need to make county’s feeder patterns to nominate citizens sure it isn’t slanted,” Christenberry said. to the task force. David Cox, who represents the Baldwin Ideally, the school system would like to County High School feeder pattern on the have 20 to 25 citizens participating, but the school board, said he wants as many people board received only 11 recommendations involved as possible, but predicted after from the mayors, forcing a delay on the vote two or three meetings the involvement will until the June 30 meeting to allow more time probably whittle itself down to those fully for nominations. invested in the group. The board first discussed the task force at Frequent school board critic James Hall its June 4 meeting. Board president Shannon commended outgoing Superintendent Robbie Cauley later sent requests to mayors of each Owen for allowing more public participation, city seeking nominations, while also contact- including taking questions from citizens, during Baldwin County Commissioners asking ing work sessions and meetings. for nominations from unincorporated areas in “I can’t tell you how enthusiastic I am their districts. about how the work sessions and board meet- “We want people who can be objective,” ings have gone lately,” Hall said. “I’ve been said Cauley, whose district represents Span- coming to work sessions and board meetings ish Fort and parts of Loxley and Silverhill. for several years now and the interaction, “We want people who represent all of our with you allowing people to ask questions different ‘stakeholders’ like parents, retirees, in an open forum like this, is outstanding. I those without children in the system and appreciate that. And I appreciate the effort to others, because we all have a stake in the stream the meetings and post them online for education system.” everyone to view.” Once formed, the task force will meet bi- The board unanimously approved its weekly or weekly at Robertsdale High School 2015-16 salary schedule, which will include at 5:30 p.m. in meetings open to the public. an additional 12-month employee at both The group will seek ideas regarding school Daphne Elementary School and Fairhope funding, curriculum, facilities, leadership and Intermediate School. Owen proposed adding communication and will present those ideas those two positions to increase safety and to the board in September. customer service, where there is currently Cauley said it is important for the task only one 12-month employee in the front force to be autonomous from the board and office in the summer. hoped its discussions would be about more “We have schools that have one employee than the failed tax referendum. that is 12 months, a secretary-bookkeeper “This needs to be an opportunity for citi- who is answering the phones, trying to do zens to look at our finances and our growth bookkeeping, doing the registrar’s job and patterns and where we want to be in five greeting people who walk in,” Owen said. years,” she said. “The meetings need to be “They are responsible for everything. It is about the system as a whole.” tough for them, and if they take a vacation While task force members will serve during the summer there is no one there.” voluntarily, board member Angie Swiger The board added the positions to the said it would be important for the public to agenda during its work session after Owen’s have confidence in those selected, and the suggestion. Christenberry said the previ- nominations should not be viewed as politi- ous addition of an extra office employee has cal appointments. been well received at Fairhope Intermediate Baldwin County Education Coalition School. director Terry Burkle said the 11 individu- “After spending some time in [Fairhope als already nominated to the task force were Intermediate], I think we ought to do this im- approached by mayors and commissioners mediately,” Christenberry said. and had agreed to participate. A second list Owen said he would like to add new given to the board named people who had not 12-month employees at every elementary yet agreed to join the task force but had been school, but budgetary constraints only allow recommended by others in the community. the board to consider adding them to schools “It is important that everyone knows this with enrollments of 700-999 students. He group is not about micromanaging, this is said all schools with more than 999 students about building civic capacity,” Burkle said already have two 12-month employees.

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 9 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE COUNTY Six-figure, no-bid contract underscores Sheriff’s discretionary spending BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

n late 2014, around the same time the Mobile County Com- they sent us a contract.” funeral-escort funds and property forfeitures. However, getting mission made an unprecedented request for details regard- The steel storage building, however, is not the first project an exact dollar figure on these accounts can be tricky. ing the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) multiple for which Middleton has been contracted by Cochran’s office. In In August 2014, when County Administrator John Pafenbach discretionary funds, the office was completing construction of 2012, the Baldwin Mining Company — another company owned requested the projected revenues and expenditures for FY 2015, Ia $714,000 storage building on Howell’s Ferry Road. in part by Middleton — was hired by MCSO to do “prep work it took almost two months for Cochran’s office to respond. Sheriff Sam Cochran’s discretionary funds, which are not allo- for the installation of a barricade” and was paid around $8,300. When it did, estimates of discretionary revenue were accom- cated through the Commission or the county’s general fund, paid On each of the related contracts and emails, Middleton was listed panied by a memo explaining why they would only grant part of for the building’s construction. The MCSO confirmed this week as the primary point of contact. the county’s request. that the discretionary nature of the fund allowed the contract to Again, Cochran said he wasn’t involved with selecting the Citing state law and Attorney General opinions, the memo be awarded without bidding out the project. contractors. stated, “The Sheriff only has to provide to the County Commis- A review of the contract confirms the largest portion, nearly “Quite honestly, I didn’t have any involvement with him, sion an estimate of the amount he will be receiving under the $385,000, was awarded to Middleton Construction Company not that I wouldn’t have — he’s a reputable businessman and above referenced funds. The Sheriff does not have to send to the — owned and operated by Cochran associate Rob Middleton. an associate of mine, as are probably 100 other contractor-type County Commission an estimate of his specific expenditures of Middleton is also one of the volunteer pilots reportedly qualified people,” Cochran explained. “He’s reputable. They selected him, these funds. Also, the County Commission may not reduce the to operate the department’s plane, which was quietly purchased and he got the job done.” amount of the Sheriff’s budget by the amount he receives from for $340,000 in 2012 with discretionary funding as well. In comparison, Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack these funds.” According to MCSO spokesperson Lori Myles, the prefabri- said in spite of the fact his discretionary funds are not subject to According to the estimates, the MCSO’s Law Enforcement cated steel storage building is used to house various equipment state bid laws, his department still seeks bids on all capital proj- Fund was estimated to generate around $670,000 this year. The owned by the department, including SWAT vehicles, boats and ects, whether or not they are paid using discretionary funds. pistol-permit fund was estimated to bring in roughly $631,000. electronic signage. It also houses property seized by the MCSO “If we’re replacing carpet or something smaller, we basically According to MCSO correspondence with the county, that may be subject to court proceedings. do an informal bid process,” he said. “We’re going to get three revenues from the gaming enforcement fund have “declined sub- Asked about the contract, Cochran said he had delegated the quotes, but if we’re doing a major construction project — like if stantially since the establishment of casinos in Mississippi.” task of organizing its construction to his staff members. Myles we’re building a steel building — then we do put that out to bid.” The Sheriff’s Office voluntarily disclosed that the gaming said the project was supervised by Maj. Eddie Burrows. As an example, Mack said his office competitively bid a enforcement fund’s expenditures have exceeded its current rev- “We saved up some discretionary funds over a few years and $300,000 vehicle maintenance facility in Robertsdale that was enues, but claimed it maintained a $15,000 balance in 2014. finally made the expenditure,” Cochran said. “My staff, before paid for with discretionary funds. The MCSO also reported an estimate of the revenues gener- they purchase something, they check prices with different people, Though he admitted smaller, individuals purchases like com- ated from inmate work-release jobs was not available because it whether it’s equipment or any number of things. [My staff] knew puters may be sole-source, Mack said his office takes additional changes depending on the number of employable inmates and the either the county had done business with those contractors or [the steps to make sure there are no conflicts of interest in their number of court orders required to sentence a prisoner to perform contractors] had good reputations in the community.” discretionary spending. manual labor. At the beginning of FY 2015, the program listed a The sheriff’s staff awarded contracts to 10 separate vendors “Oh yes, ethics law still applies,” he said. “Even though you fund balance of $82,000. for the storage building, but Middleton Construction’s was by may not be bidding it out, there’s still state ethics laws in effect Funeral-escort funds were projected to bring in $93,000 over far the largest — worth more than the next four most-expensive and things of that nature. That’s why we always bid them out on the last year, but the MCSO said more than half of that goes back contracts combined. However, like Cochran, Middleton said he the big projects.” to the county to reimburse the overtime, fringe benefits and fuel never had any discussions with the sheriff about securing the The MCSO receives discretionary revenue from several consumed in the process. Last year, MCSO used $65,400 from contract. sources but the most lucrative is the Law Enforcement Fund, the funeral-escort fund to purchase new vehicles and equipment. “We were asked for a price initially, I can’t remember by generated from the sale of goods and services to inmates in the As for state and federal property forfeitures, no estimate was whom,” said Middleton, who described Cochran as a friend. “I Mobile County Metro Jail. provided as “both can vary considerably each year.” In 2014, want to say it was the lady who had the building contract. We Other sources of discretionary revenue include pistol-permit Cochran told Lagniappe drug-related property seizures account sent her a price. That was forwarded to the sheriff’s office and fees, work-release profits, gaming (bingo) enforcement funds, for $100,000 to $500,000 annually. conservancy forms to advocate for downtown parks BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

Leadership Mobile group is looking to spruce up some erty values.” through the Mobile Carnival Association. of the city’s signature open spaces through a new Hanes said the group will also be seeking public input on fu- The city has a lease with the county for Mardi Gras Park that initiative known as the Downtown Parks Conservancy. ture plans, adding that he’s been “encouraged” by the response expires in November. The city must begin construction by that Melissa Rankin, a downtown resident and one of nine to the group’s efforts thus far. time or the property will revert to county control. foundingA members of the group, said members have secured Kellie Hope, another founding member, said in addition to Laura Byrne, a spokeswoman for Stimpson said tweaks are pledges totaling around $120,000 for improvements and have the two immediate projects, the group will also organize regular currently being made to the Mardi Gras Park design, following ideas for two projects at Bienville Square to kick things off. cleanups at downtown parks. two public meetings. Once the design has been finalized, plans The group’s slogan is “We Believe in Bienville.” Last Thursday, June 18, the group held its inaugural event, will move to the City Council for approval. Byrne said there’s no “There are a lot of communities that would kill for this type “Business in Bienville.” Hope said future events will include set timetable for when a council vote might occur, but added the of space,” Rankin said. “It doesn’t need to just be a walk- “Tailgate in Bienville,” where football fans can celebrate the administration is confident it will be the November deadline. through, or a pass-through, but more than that.” passing of the pigskin, and “Boiling in Bienville,” which will Parks have been a hot political topic recently as Stimpson Before developing a master plan, the group wants to simply include an afternoon of crawfish and music. proposed some $1.9 million in improvements to parks through- hang planters from the light fixtures at the park and add lights Rankin, president of the DeTonti Square Neighborhood out each of the city’s seven districts. However, he said the to the park’s oak trees, Rankin said. Association, said the group would be focusing on Bienville improvements were dependent upon the City Council rescind- “It would make it more welcoming and safe to sit in the Square, Cathedral Square, British Park, Spanish Plaza, Isom ing a $1.5 million pledge that had been taken out of the capital park,” she said. Park, Malaga Square, Cooper Riverside Park, Ryan Park and budget and set aside to help Mobile County purchase land for While those two projects were chosen for their relative ease, DeTonti Square Park. She said the city’s proposed Mardi Gras a proposed $20 million soccer complex near the intersection of Rankin said the group’s main goal is to develop a master plan Park would not be an immediate focus. interstates 10 and 65. for all parks within the Hank Aaron Loop. In November, Mayor Sandy Stimpson unveiled plans to However, the five councilors who support the county’s soc- She said the group has partnered with Assistant Director of transform a vacant lot on the corner of Royal and Government cer complex appear to have been unconvinced by the mayor’s Parks and Recreation Matthew Capps, as well as Carol Hunter streets into an open-air, French-style market and a Mardi-Gras- ultimatum. Some even accused Stimpson of playing politics with the Downtown Mobile Alliance and Bill Barrick from themed park. with the park improvements. At a recent council meeting, sepa- Bellingrath Gardens. Funding for the park is already in place, Stimpson said rate votes reaffirming support for the soccer complex and on the For founding member William Hanes, improving the parks is in November, with $2 million coming from a public-private mayor’s parks proposal were both held over. a quality-of-life issue. partnership. Half the money is budgeted through the city and More information about the Downtown Parks Conservancy “Most agree we need to improve the quality of life in the the other half is coming from the Hearin-Chandler Foundation is available at downtownparksconservancy.org. city,” he said. “Studies show healthy parks help bring up prop-

10 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 BAYBRIEFS BB citizen challenges city’s nuisance property abatement program BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected]

resident asking for a waiver of demo- I-Team office lition costs on property owned by his The council also held over for one week a father challenged the legality of the resolution to appropriate $215,586 for renova- city’s emergency nuisance abatement tions to the third floor of a city-owned building Aprocedures during Tuesday’s regularly sched- at 200 Government St. that will become the uled meeting of the Mobile City Council. office of the Bloomberg Innovation team. John Randolph told councilors his father, Executive Director Joan Dunlap said the who owns the property at 420 Bay Bridge money would be used on half of the third floor Road, is ill and would not be able to pay the and used by the six-member innovation team $2,649 fee associated with the city-approved tasked with taking on blight. The other half of demolition of a structure on the site. the third floor of the building is used as a 311 Councilman Levon Manzie told Ran- call center. dolph he wasn’t sure the council could Dunlap said all but one of the team grant a waiver on the fee. He added that the members has been hired. Manzie asked for fee would come in the form of a lien and information on those five employees. suggested Randolph work with the city to amortize payments. Paris Air Show “The council doesn’t regularly give a At the meeting, Stimpson gave a glowing waiver,” Manzie said. report on the success of Mobile’s team at the During a public hearing on the issue, Ran- Paris Air Show last week. In addition to final- dolph questioned the legality of such demoli- izing a deal with Hutchinson Aerospace and tions. Industry to introduce at least 100 jobs to the “I’d caution the council to pay more at- area, Stimpson said MAAS would also bring a tention to emergency demolition orders,” paint shop and 80 jobs to Brookley Aeroplex. Randolph said. Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, an aircraft landing In response, Manzie said owners could gear manufacturer, also announced last week it avoid problems by maintaining or demolishing is coming to Mobile. property themselves. Stimpson said there would be more an- “One way to eliminate the process is to nouncements this week. make sure properties don’t get to that stan- “We had an outstanding air show,” Stimp- dard,” Manzie said. son said. “We see these companies making the A total of 45 properties have been abated decision to come here ... and they will grow by the city since Mayor Sandy Stimpson with Airbus.” installed a task force to identify nuisances, ac- In addition to George Talbot, Stimpson’s cording to information provided by the city. spokesman, the mayor was also joined on the Of those, 26 have been demolished, with trip by Councilman C.J. Small, whose district the city demolishing 22 and owners demolish- encompasses the Brookley Aeroplex, and ing four. Of the remaining 19 properties, 16 Council Vice President Fred Richardson. have been secured or repaired by the property Small also touted the trip for the success in owners and three are being addressed through bringing in the three new Airbus suppliers. He different avenues. also said the city needs to continue to work to attract more. “We must stay on top of our game and at Program manager contract the table,” he said. “If we don’t, we’ll see tax The council held over for one week two dollars leave Mobile.” resolutions that would enter the city into a three-year contract agreement with Hawksley Consulting Inc. for up to $600,000 per year for In other business three years. The council approved the rezoning of Hawksley would act as the city’s program property at 600 Fisher St. from light industry to heavy industry to allow for a scrap-metal re- manager for the $63 million in infrastructure cycling facility. Following a public hearing in improvements planned over the next three which no one spoke in favor or against it, Dav- years, Stimpson said at the meeting. es called for an amendment to the proposal to The resolution sponsored by Councilman require the applicant, Lawler and Company, to Joel Daves and Stimpson would allow Hawk- put up an eight-foot privacy fence where the sley to help the city during the initial stages property abuts residential zoning. of contracting with other firms for the work, The council approved moving $9,500 from Executive Director of Planning and Develop- an unused capital fund to another to allow for ment Dianne Irby said. traffic improvements in the Church Street East Manzie asked Irby if the firm would be neighborhood. able to work with the city on giving work to The council also approved a $24,800 contractors that hire a diverse workforce. contract with Gulf Services for asbestos Irby said Hawksley will be very good at abatement and debris removal at City Hall helping the city break up bids into smaller North building at 350 St. Joseph St. Stimpson packages to give work to smaller, more di- told councilors the administration would like verse contractors. to have the work done in order to try to sell Irby said the contract is for up to $600,000 it. In 2011, the former hotel was listed as a per year, but money not spent in one year can brownfield site by the Alabama Department of roll over to the next. Environmental Management.

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 11 CC COMMENTARYD AMN THE TORPEDOES Oh the buttery goodness of the summer blockbuster BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

’m not proud to announce this, but I’m tain thrill to going to see the big-budget movie been very pleasantly surprised by at least one one of the millions who put that big versus the cool indie film that wins 15 critics’ recent snack innovation at the theaters. new CGI dinosaur movie at the top of awards and has you wondering after you watch Back in the “E.T.” days, when you ordered the all-time list of summer “blockbust- it if you’re not that smart, or if it’s just the movie your tub of popcorn it was a gamble as to Iers” this past weekend. that’s kind of dumb. (I’m looking right at you, whether you would get enough “butter,” or if Generally I’m not a fan of running out “Birdman.”) you’d get any at all. It always seemed like the to get in a traffic jam or a giant crowd, There’s really not much intellectual debate to attendant treated the fake butter like it was gold but my dad wanted to see “Jurassic be had after watching The Hulk break a bunch of and barely dribbled any on the popcorn at all. World” for some strange reason, as did stuff and Iron Man reel off one glib remark after Now that greasy, oily movie “butter” is right my kids, so I was caught in an inescap- another while fighting Norse gods. The first rule out there in the open where we can get as much able Father’s Day crossfire. of thumb for the summer blockbuster is to keep as we want. Most theaters even have several Without trying to give away the too it simple for us — lots of explosions, crashes, butter stations. much of the plot, let’s just say this movie sex and close-ups. So when I got my popcorn the other night, was more or less the same as the original That formula must work because when I went I hit that butter station hard. I was there so “Jurassic Park,” only with even more to see the dinosaur porn the other night, the place long the woman waiting behind me sighed and moments that made me wonder if it was was packed. Poor Gautier now has zero movie headed for another station, which made me a written for a test audience of severely theaters, so Schillinger Road is one of the closest little self-conscious. She seemed disgusted. My brain-damaged people. Still, it’s always places to catch a show. I even pre-ordered online daughter shares my appreciation for heart- kind of fun to go to a summer “blockbust- to make sure we weren’t left out. clogging pseudo butter, so after we’d devoured er.” For people who grew up in the ‘70s But it was so crowded in the theater the the top layer of popcorn she went back and and ‘80s especially, it’s a big part of what kids and I actually had to sit on the very first drenched the remainder. makes summer special. no-man’s-land row that’s about three feet from After the movie I had three giant butter stains I think “Jaws” may have been one of the screen. Making matters worse was having to on my shorts where I’d been holding the bag, the original summer movies everyone had wear those goofy 3D glasses. I was well on my which means they really need to tighten up on to see. And it was well worth it. When way to a migraine headache when I managed to that popcorn bag technology if they’re going I went to the theater the other night I get a couple of the people on the row behind us to let us butter our own popcorn. Glad I wasn’t noticed it has been re-released this year. I to stop taking up two chairs apiece, so we moved wearing a tuxedo or a fancy dress. guess too many people were getting in the back where we at least didn’t feel like we would Even if the movie wasn’t that great, I have to water. Re-releasing “Jaws” has to be some be up T-Rex’s nose. admit going to the big blockbuster movie was kind of trick by the global warming crew I know everyone has been to the movies, so butter-good fun. It almost even made me nostal- to keep so many people from swimming complaining about the size and cost of drinks gic for my younger days watching movies with in the ocean and peeing in the water, thus and food is a waste of ink. In fact, I actually have mean Debbie. Almost. raising sea temperatures, which gives rise to more bloviating by Al Gore, whose hot breath destroys the ozone layer. T HEG ADFLY When I was a kid it was “Jaws,” then “Grease” and “Star Wars” leading into “E.T.” “E.T.” was out of hand. People were coming back from the grave to see it. My hometown of Gautier, Mississippi, for some reason at that time had two different multi-screen theaters in the same mall — and both were showing “E.T.” I had a girlfriend at that time who forced me to see “E.T.” every weekend. We even had our first kiss in front of that gummy-looking alien — I think it was during the part when E.T. gets hammered. She quickly got up to go to the bathroom and a few minutes later had her friend come and tell me, “Debbie says you need to learn how to kiss.” The relationship didn’t go well and I always felt E.T. was disappointed to have flown across time and space to watch me strike out so badly. Thankfully he didn’t point his glowing finger at me and laugh. Sometimes I wonder if Debbie ever watches “E.T.” in her trailer with her 12 kids from five different fathers. But I digress. We all know the blockbuster thing is usually marginal at best. There might be one a summer really worth seeing, but plenty are dogs full of bad plots, poor writing and terrible acting — and that’s just the previews. And, of course, too many these days are sequels that reuse the same catchphrases a million times — yip- pee ki-yay! — or remakes of old movies Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen that weren’t so great to begin with. Even with all of that there’s still a cer- One perk of the revolving door policy at state mental health facilities is that patients get to keep their own straightjackets.

You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling made to the county to help build a proposed soccer complex service, not the mayor’s office, as they have done in many Whoa, that lovin’ feeling at I-10 and I-65, a pledge made during the budget process, municipalities. Bring back that lovin’ feeling which the administration felt derailed its promise to put But with the mayor having a press conference announcing Now it’s gone … gone … gone … whoa. money into existing problems, rather than brand new, oh-so- it, you can see how it would look as if it were his launch, not Not exactly sure what is happening behind the glass walls shiny “economic engine” projects. the company’s. He was probably just trying to be supportive at GP, but the relationship between Mayor Sandy Stimpson But this really got the council all wound up, and they said of a new business in town. This was more of an optics issue and the Mobile City Council seems to be a bit chilly, despite the mayor was just playing politics with his proposal and than anything else. the sultry summer heat. pitting the projects against one another, with most councilors Once again, I understand where you are coming from, Maybe it was the squirrel thing that really drove them saying they had the funds to complete the projects he was councilors. But please don’t let your irritation with the mayor nuts. Or perhaps it was the soccer-versus-park-improvements proposing in their districts even with their pledge to the soc- regulate this company right out of our city. I have not seen drama making the Mobile Seven mutter, “Talk about balls!” cer complex. such excitement about a new company coming to town since Or maybe it was the rollout of a new ridesharing option that I think everyone agrees a soccer facility would be a win, the Airbus announcement. And it’s because it’s so desperately got them Uber-ticked. Or maybe it’s a combination of all as long as it is done right and can sustain itself. The Cope- needed — much more so than in big cities with many differ- these things or something else altogether, but there definitely land-Cox Tennis Center is an excellent example of just how ent transportation options. Our choices have been so limited seems to be some irritation with Mayor Stimpson from some much of a huge economic impact a top-notch sports facility for so long. of the councilmembers, even from some of those who have can have on our community — again, if it is done right. I’m This is more than just a “rules” or protocol issue, which always supported him. no soccer expert, but if we are going to spend millions on can be dealt with. This is a public safety issue. Ask any So let’s take a closer look at some of the potential causes this, make sure the facility is actually going to be competitive bartender downtown how many times they’ve had their tipsy of conflict. in landing these big tournaments. Otherwise, what’s the point customers call cabs to take them home on a busy night and of building it? So that means big money. Do we have it? the cab takes so long, the tipsy customer finally just gives up Things did get a bit squirrely. But you can also understand how the community has and drives home. Hopefully, without killing anyone. We need So the councilors got a little miffed when the admin- grown so weary of these types of projects. They look at Uber. istration wanted to offer an ordinance making it illegal to the cruise terminal, Hank Aaron Stadium and GulfQuest as But looking at the big picture, these issues seem to feed squirrels in Bienville Square or any other animal on examples of how the city gets left scratching out checks to indicate we have a communication problem somewhere, so public property, for that matter, like the geese in Langan subsidize these projects if they aren’t successes. Meanwhile, much so, Councilman John Williams has called for the mayor Park. Council Attorney Ricardo Woods, who sponsored the our own parks have fallen into disrepair. And maybe that’s to have a council co-sponsor when he puts an item on the ordinance (also a cause of irritation because he put it on the not a fair comparison, but many citizens have a huge case of agenda. Apparently the mayor has agreed to a sort of trial agenda, rather than the mayor, and supposedly neither talked project fatigue. run on this, but are we really at that point already? It seems a to the council first). So again, you can see all sides to the issue. And you see bit much. Can’t y’all just sit down and get back on the same Councilor John Williams warned this could become a where the irritation comes from — the mayor was not pleased page? “spectacle.” And I get that. Are they really going to start fin- with the council for amending his budget to add this soccer Our city is experiencing such amazing growth right now, ing little girls and their daddies or tourists for feeding these complex commitment and the council was ticked he “played as evidenced by all the phenomenal news coming out of the animals? But on the other webbed foot, there is an over- politics” with the park repairs versus the complex. And in Paris Air Show. All of these little squabbles seem a bit petty. population problem so it probably does need to be addressed this, I don’t think either side has really scored here during Or at least the back and forth on it does. in some way, which is why it was put on the agenda in the regulation. What do they call that in soccer, a nil? (I’m prob- I hate to see this breakdown in communication, and I’m first place. As reasonable human beings, we can all see where ably butchering those soccer references, sorry! I tried!) surprised by it. On his first day as mayor, Stimpson literally everyone was coming from. Yes, it probably should have Uber-stepped your authority? took the door off of his office to symbolize he would always been handled better, but is this really that big of a deal? I’m Finally, the mayor helped roll out the ridesharing ser- be available to the council and the citizenry. The council- sure we can figure this one out. vice Uber, to much fanfare and excitement, becoming the members who served under the Jones administration always So let’s just say, no harm, no foul (or shall I say fowl?) company’s first passenger in the city and saying he was “uber complained they couldn’t see the mayor to discuss his proj- and move on. excited” about it. Uber is no stranger to controversy. It has ects, which is what prompted the door removal. So it would fought cab companies and municipal regulations throughout seem the channel is wide open. Soccer v. Parks this state and across the nation. Last I checked that door was still down. But if no one is The next thing that got the council all balled up was when Though the council seems supportive of the service as a walking IN or OUT of it, well then, there you go. It’s on all Stimpson laid out a $1.9 million plan to make improvements whole — as long as the playing field is leveled and fair to of you. to existing parks in every councilor’s district, promising such the cab companies — they were once again perturbed this So come on, guys, it’s time for y’all to get together and improvements as tennis court resurfacing, new restrooms was rolled out before an amendment was put on the agenda bring back that lovin’ feeling. Whoa, that lovin’ feeling. and bleachers, among other things. But his plan came with a to make it totally legit under the city code. They will vote on Bring back that lovin’ feeling before it’s gone … gone … catch — that the council rescind a $1.5 million pledge they the amendment in the coming weeks, hopefully without issue. gone … whoa. The city was quick to point out Uber launched this We’ve got too much stuff to do.

efore the coroner in Charleston, South Carolina, had saying it should be left up to the state of South Carolina. meaning to have for several decades should start with admit- even completed the autopsies on the nine victims of “What I do think is important to remember is that the ting we get distracted by sideshows like this one. a mass shooting at the historically black Emanuel people of South Carolina have dealt with this issue before,” As a society, we have a self-policing mechanism. You AME church, opportunists were already speculating Rubio said. “They have found a bipartisan consensus over don’t often see people flying Nazi flags or wearing pen- Bon what could have encouraged the senseless racist attack. a decade ago on moving that flag to a new location. And I tagram T-shirts. Rightly or wrongly, we have managed Almost immediately, the focus turned to South Carolina’s have confidence in their ability to deal with that issue again. to make the Confederate flag taboo. Sure, there are a few embrace of the Confederate flag, which flies on state capitol So I think it’s important to let the people of South Carolina holdouts, but eventually it will be something you only see in grounds. In less than 24 hours, with no doubt in the minds of move forward on it.” a museum and not flying on the lawn of a state capitol. many, it became a foregone conclusion that the flag itself is I can think of a hundred other things our commander in This shouldn’t have been the time for that debate. what prompted Dylann Roof to commit that heinous act. chief should be worrying about besides the contrived contro- The flag’s opponents had the momentum on their side and Although it’s hard to understand why the Confeder- versy over the Confederate flag and what the South Carolina have seized upon a tragedy to advance their cause. South ate flag is still fodder for debate, the velocity at which the legislature may choose to do. Were we hoping the next presi- Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) and U.S. Senators Tim Scott focus went from mourning victims to the symbolism of the dent would issue a decree declaring the flag illegal? and Lindsey Graham (both Republicans of South Carolina) Confederate flag reeks of blatant exploitation by the news It all goes back to this obsession with symbolism. Can we are all on board now, and Graham is a candidate for the 2016 media. honestly say whether or not last week’s shooting would have Republican presidential nomination. But the issue of the Confederate flag is complex, particu- happened without the Confederate flag on display on public But it’s an obsession with symbolism that drives the larly in South Carolina. While there are probably those who grounds in Columbia, South Carolina? narrative, one further exacerbated by our politically correct support it based on personal racist views, there’s another To suggest that it was a major part of what happened culture. It’s low-hanging fruit for the political class. element, where people don’t want outsiders to come in and devalues those who were murdered in the shooting. It wasn’t Let’s say the irrelevant demagoguery of the Confederate dictate right versus wrong. the ghosts of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis command- flag is successful and the flag is removed from government It’s going to take more than smug cable news anchors ing it. Those nine people were killed because of the racist property, because we wouldn’t want anyone to mistake some and pundits from their perches in New York City castigating ideology of an insane lunatic, not because an inanimate benign historical gesture for an endorsement of racism. What South Carolinians to roll back that mentality. object is on display in public places. next? Do we have to offer a politically correct version of our Nonetheless, the issue has found its way into our presi- The casual observer may not recognize this given the history in textbooks? Will that flag that belongs in a museum dential politics. Over the weekend, some of the Republican amount of attention dedicated to the flag over the past week. come with a disclaimer? What exactly is the end goal here? candidates for president were asked their views on the Con- It’s a further disservice to those honestly affected by rac- Sixteen percent of Americans live in poverty. ISIS is on federate flag. The responses were a mixed bag. ism in America. the march in the Middle East. The national debt is $18 tril- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) called for the flag’s We’re being led to believe that if we somehow eliminate lion and rising, with Medicare and Social Security expected removal, pointing out that he ordered the flag removed from all symbols of the Confederacy from the public sphere, rac- to be insolvent in two decades. the capitol in Tallahassee during his administration. But Sen. ism itself would be eliminated. That is intellectually dishon- But that Confederate flag thing — we’re going to make Marco Rubio (R-Florida) took a more nuanced approach, est. Part of the “honest conversation about race” we’ve been sure we get that under control.

arbage isn’t supposed to wiggle and pulsate with life. insane with joy.” Founded three years ago, Save-a-Stray is dedicated to enrich- On June 3, when a local man approached a dumpster As lovely as that sounds, most of us will only ever find that ing the lives of shelter animals in the Mobile County area. They behind a building on Halls Mill Road in Mobile, he knew degree of pure and unquestioning love and enthusiasm from our have found their biggest success with their transport program, something was funny about the squeaky plastic trash bag dogs. Once you’ve known that kind of special bond, it leaves a where they pull dogs from local shelters and transport them to Gmoving beside the dumpster. permanent impression on your heart. the Helping Hounds Rescue shelter in Dewitt, New York, where A quick investigation revealed the trash bag contained three As of June 8 it’s been two years since Doobie, my best friend they’re placed with adoptive families. dehydrated and malnourished puppies; one solid black, one of more than 14 years, passed away after a slow and painful Once a month, Save-a-Stray sends between 40 and 60 dogs brown and the other white with black spots. Someone had bagged decline. I think about him all the time and still catch myself from Alabama on an exciting 24-hour road trip to Upstate New them up and thrown them away like garbage, presumably as non- walking around the house singing to him, changing the lyrics of York, in search of love and new adventure. The Syracuse area chalantly as you or I might discard a Popsicle wrapper or empty whatever song is obnoxiously stuck in my head to include some typically lacks the number and variety of unclaimed dogs we milk carton. variation of his name (i.e., “players gonna play, play, play, play, see in Alabama, for various reasons (for example, harsh winters The concerned gentleman contacted friends who volunteer play and Doobie’s gonna doob, doob, doob, doob, doo”). make it more difficult for strays to survive), and all of the ani- with a local rescue group, and soon the discarded pups were in When I first met Doobs, he was a clumsy and unwanted mals eventually find homes. good hands, receiving the care and attention they deserve. Sadly 6-week-old mixed-breed puppy, covered in fleas and huddled in- The average stay at the shelter is nine days but some lucky the little black puppy, the smallest and most dehydrated of the side a cardboard box beside his siblings, loaded up for a one-way pups are claimed even before they arrive. Apparently many of group, died the day after they were found, unable to overcome trip to the local shelter. I suppose that’s a heck of a lot better than our friends to the north are quite charmed by the idea of adopting the trauma his tiny body sustained after being trapped in a plastic being abandoned in a trash bag, but it’s still so much less than a “Southern” dog. It makes me smile to imagine a local pup go- bag in the summer heat without any water. they all deserved. ing to a loving family who gives him a cute name like Moonpie If that makes you feel like crying and/or punching something That little castoff pup ended up being such a big part of my or Sweet Tea. or someone, you are not alone. life and heart that even two years after his death my feet still un- Prior to their transport the animals are placed in foster homes Dogs have long endeared themselves to humans as our closest consciously tap the floor beside my bed gently in the mornings, with local volunteers who provide temporary shelter (two weeks) and most loyal ally, and it’s hard for most of us to even imag- searching for his warm body in the place he always slept and try- and positive human interaction before they are sent to meet their ine callously abandoning such loving and vulnerable creatures, ing to avoid stepping on him. Of course he’s not there anymore, new families. particularly in such a brutal and heartless fashion. If you’ve ever but sometimes the heart and the body refuse to believe what the Save-a-Stray relies on support from the community and are had the good fortune of experiencing the enormous and uncon- mind knows is true. always in need of monetary donations as well as volunteer foster ditional love of a dog, then you know just how precious these Sadly we’ll never know what might have become of the homes. If you’re interested in making a donation or submitting beautiful animals are and how much better those abandoned pup- forsaken little puppy that died after being thrown in the trash. It an application to foster or adopt, please visit their website at pies deserved from the species that bred them to be trusting and might have one day saved a life or become the best friend some saveastray.org. dependent companions. broken and lonely human has ever known. They are also planning a local fundraiser event called Tails In his touching (and recently viral) video tribute to his dearly The good news in this story is that several weeks after they of Service, which will be held Sept. 24 at the Pillars. The event departed dog, Denali, filmmaker Ben Moon says there’s a lot were found, the two surviving pups are thriving in the care of will feature blown-up portraits of very special service animals, people can learn from dogs and he adds (quoting AARP writer Save-a-Stray, a local nonprofit rescue group led by Stephanie reminding us once again how lucky we are to have such wonder- David Dudley), “When someone you love walks through the Williamson. Soon they will be ready to be permanently placed in door, even if that happens five times a day, you should go totally new homes with loving families. ful canine friends.

very June, the 57-year-old, locally ties in the Mobile area.” Chang said. testinal tract without sedation or invasive endo- founded Distinguished Young Women Commercial real estate moves scopic procedures. The technology uses a tiny (DYW) event — originally known as Marl M. Cummings with Cummings & As- camera contained in a disposable capsule that America’s Junior Miss — hosts 50 of the sociates, Inc. recently sold Gulfway Plaza, lo- naturally passes through the digestive system. enation’s best and brightest young women, along cated on State Highway 59 in Robertsdale, to a While colonoscopy is still the gold standard with their families and friends, event chairmen local investor for $865,000. The center is fully for colon cancer screening, according to Dr. Di and judges, a production crew and numerous leased to AT&T and Little Caesars, according Palma, the new technology can be used for pa- guests here in the Azalea City. to Cummings. tients who have had an incomplete colonoscopy What is not so well-known, and may be Some 4,500 square feet of office space was or for those who cannot tolerate a colonoscopy less appreciated, is the full scope of the event’s leased by Mobile Pediatrics in West Mobile on for screening. economic impact on this area. Piccadilly Square Drive. Jill Meeks and Angie “Undergoing a complete colon evaluation For perspective, let’s look at the numbers. McArthur with Stirling Properties managed the is extremely important for the detection of During their time here, 4,800 supporters transaction. The clinic plans to move from its polyps, small clumps of cells that form in the book approximately 600 local hotel room current location near the University of South lining of the colon that can become cancerous nights for the four-night event. It’s estimated Alabama campus in September. over time. The accuracy of PillCam COLON is that $100,000 will be spent on food and bever- Bay Area Surface Solutions, a counter comparable to other colonoscopy alternatives ages alone. top refinishing and clawfoot tub restoration for detecting polyps,” Di Palma said. Ticket sales for the program generate ap- company, has leased a 1,500-square-foot Similar to the preparation for colonoscopy, proximately $45,000 in sales; 99 local vendors showroom and warehouse space at 2150 Old doctors may recommend a clear liquid diet the are participating in 2015 and are estimated to Government St. and is now open for business. day before the exam and laxatives the night rake in $148,000 from activities; a local pro- Amber Dedeaux of Vallas Realty brokered the before and morning of the exam. The technol- duction company was secured to produce the transaction. ogy works first by connecting sensors to a belt 57th and 58th National Finals event, pumping Sharon Wright with White-Spunner Re- attached to the patient’s chest and abdomen. more dollars back into the economy. alty leased a 4,000-square-foot building at The patient wears the belt while it captures Additionally, Mobile County is mentioned 5348-B U.S. Highway 90 in Tillman’s Corner images transmitted from the camera and stores across the country in media accessed by more to Bright’s Automotive Center. them in a small computer. than 100,000 individuals and given verbal The computer stores the pill’s journey recognition in 417 state and local broadcast New body imaging technology through the body, snapping two pictures per programs. During the most recent webcast, the In 2002, a local technology was released to second. Images are later downloaded and DYW website received approximately 120,000 allow physicians to see inside a patient’s small viewed on the physician’s desktop computer. hits with approximately 20,000 consistent intestine by having them swallow a pill-sized After the exam, a colonoscopy may be views. Extensive social media coverage through camera. At the time, it had limitations — pri- recommended to remove and treat any findings the program is roughly estimated to be worth in marily, it couldn’t reach further into the diges- such as polyps, if present. Currently, PillCam excess of $100 million. tive system to examine the large intestine. COLON is not covered by insurance and the A 2002 study by local economist Dr. Now, doctors with the University of South procedure costs $1,750. For more information Semoon Chang, of the Gulf Coast Center Alabama Physicians Group can visualize the call USA College of Medicine at 251-660-5555. for Impact Studies, estimated that DYW’s entire gastrointestinal tract using a new technol- economic impact was in excess of $2 million. ogy called PillCam COLON. USA is one of Sections of Joachim St. temporarily While it’s difficult to update estimate without only 17 centers across the country offering the closing downtown details into DYW’s current operation, Chang technology. According to an announcement by Carol did suggest the 2002 estimate is easily relevant “Thirteen years ago we introduced video- Hunter from the Downtown Mobile Alli- in today’s dollars, and could be more. capsule endoscopy for small bowel. Amid the ance, on Thursday June 25 starting at 7 a.m., “There is no doubt that the economic impact enthusiasm, patients also wanted a video capsule Joachim Street will be closed between Gov- of the Distinguished Young Women event easily to study the colon,” Dr. Jack Di Palma, director ernment and Church streets. The closure is exceeds the $2 million that I estimated earlier. of the University of South Alabama Digestive related to the renovation project at the Admiral More importantly, however, there is an impor- Health Center and professor of internal medicine Semmes Hotel. Police officers are expected to tant impact that cannot be quantified. The DYW at the USA College of Medicine, said. “Today be onsite to assist in directing vehicular and event plays a very important role in promoting we can offer that technology to patients.” pedestrian traffic. Mobile to the rest of the country as a progres- According to a press release, through Pill- The work is anticipated to last through the day, sive place with rich culture. A clear evidence Cam COLON, developed by Given Imaging, but may also require closure on Friday June 26. of this impact is the decision of a number of physicians are able to visualize the colon to For additional information contact Mobile 311 distinguished young women to attend universi- monitor and diagnose disorders of the gastroin- by dialing 311 or call 251-208-5311.

he Fourth of July always reminds me of being a barefoot kid in Laurel, Mississippi, sweating in the heat and humid- ity with the symphony of smells that filled the air. Smoking barbecue grills, fresh-cut watermelon, gunpowder from Tgross after gross of bottle rockets — all of these scents take me back a bit. I get nostalgic for the simple pleasures, but the one thing I miss the most from those days had no scent at all, save the warm metallic odor of the electric motor. Of course I’m speaking of homemade ice cream. It’s by far my favorite treat of the summer. I place a high value on ice cream as it is, but I’m insanely crazy for homemade. As a kid I was partial to the double-Dutch chocolate my mother adores, as well as anything with fresh peaches. As I grew older I found a greater appreciation for vanilla. Truth be known, I wouldn’t turn down anything that came from that churning cylinder and the noisy bath in which it turns. I remember a hand-cranked manual machine at my grandmoth- er’s. It worked, but it was quite the chore for an underdeveloped preteen in the sweltering climate of Indian Springs. I was good for a minute or two before I passed it on to someone else. So you can imagine I felt like we were in high cotton with the electric motorized version in the big city of Laurel, the wooden one that looked like a mini keg split in half with an eagle decorating its side. America. If you’ve never made your own ice cream, the ceremony itself is worth experiencing. Bagged ice is poured around the turning cylinder and rock salt is used to help it melt. The rock salt lowers the melting point so you get a nice bath of water as cold as ice enveloping the outsides of the freezing vessel. It was a treat to grab a tiny pebble of the salt and let it melt under my tongue. I’m surprised we weren’t on prepubescent blood pressure medicine back then. When purchasing an ice cream maker, you’ll find it is a brave new world. Some of the change is for the better, but I need that technology that predates my existence. You’ll find quick makers that can have single servings in a jiffy or two-quart models with built-in compressors that need no ice or refrigeration. But the type of ice cream maker I’m speaking of keeps it low tech with low- tech prices. Your average 4-quart machine is usually found in the Photo/ amazon.com $40 price range, and I have seen 2-quart models for under $20. I’ve spent more than that in a week at Old Dutch, so you really Many kitchen mixers have inexpensive attachments available to make ice cream at home. aren’t breaking the bank for hardware. the sweetened condensed milk down to a single can. Let the Stir the sugar into the cream and milk in a saucepan over low The next step is deciding on a recipe. To egg or not to egg is chocolate do the work. heat. You’re only looking to dissolve it. Once it gets hot, the mix- the question. You will find arguments on both sides of this coin. Egg versions of ice cream require a bit of careful cooking, as ture should be removed from the heat. Add the vanilla extract and I have had vanilla made with eggs (you must cook it first) and you must temper the eggs so you don’t get some kind of custard. chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. That’s it. without, both with good results. Generally we MacDonalds avoid This usually involves yolks only and can stretch your ice cream In both of these recipes, the final step is pouring the mixture the egg recipes for simplicity, but are not afraid to branch out. making to about eight hours, prep to finish. It’s not difficult and Anything that calls for raw eggs should be avoided. into the ice cream maker and flipping the switch. In about 25 there is a lot of down time, but I would prefer to shorten the Here is the simplest version of an eggless recipe. It’s the minutes you’ll be experiencing one of the culinary world’s great- event by skipping the tempering. Here’s a vanilla recipe that still Dutch chocolate version I mentioned earlier. You’ll memorize it est treasures that would have been an immense luxury just a few requires a bit of cooking, but much less waiting around. in no time. generations ago. Don’t be afraid to add to these base mixtures. 2 cups of heavy cream 2 quarts Borden’s Double Dutch chocolate milk Consider them the mother sauces of the frozen world. 4 ½ cups of whole milk 2 cans sweetened condensed milk Fruit, nuts, candy and syrups can be your personal calling card. 1 ½ cups of white granulated sugar That’s it. Often my mom finds this recipe too sweet and cuts So have fun with these and find a billion other ideas online. ¼ cup of vanilla extract

22 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 23 rIver ShAck ($-$$) dew drOP Inn ($) Queen G’S cAFé ($) Seafood, burgers & steaks. Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. Down home cooking for lunch. ‘Cue 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 BAckyArd cAFe & BBQ ($) The hArBOr rOOM ($-$$) dOwnTOwnerS ($) reGInA’S kITchen ($-$$) Home cookin’ like momma made. Unique seafood. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. Sandwiches, subs and soups. 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 107 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 BAr-B-QuInG wITh My hOney ($$) The BlueGIll ($-$$) e wInG hOuSe ($) rOly POly ($) BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood $ unDER $10/PERSon A historic seafood dive w/ live music. 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830. Wraps & salads. 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 $$ 10-25/PERSon 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 BrIck PIT ($) $$$ ovER 25/PERSon The GrAnd MArIner ($-$$) FIrehOuSe SuBS ($) 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 A favorite barbecue spot. Local seafood & produce. Hot subs, cold salads & catering. rOSIe’S GrIll ($-$$) 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. dreAMlAnd BBQ ($) TIn TOP reSTAurAnT & OySTer BAr ($$) FIve GuyS BurGerS & FrIeS ($) 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. from the depths Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 626-2440 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898. BAudeAn’S ($$) MOe’S OrIGInAl BAr B Que ($) Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 rOyAl knIGhT ($) 949-5086 FOOSAckly’S ($) Steak night on fridays. Bar-b-que & music. 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 BOneFISh GrIll ($$) wInTzell’S OySTer hOuSe ($-$$) Famous chicken fingers. 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 Eclectic dining & space. 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 rOyAl STreeT cAFe ($) 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 Homemade lunch & breakfast. 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 SAucy Q BArBQue ($) BOudreAuX’S cAJun GrIll ($-$$) Award-winning BarBQue. Quality Cajun & New Orleans Saraland • 442-3335 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. SATOrI cOFFeehOuSe ($) 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. 1111 Government Blvd. • 433-7427 Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 SMOkey deMBO SMOke hOuSe ($) Daphne. • 621-1991 ISTAnBul GrIll ($) 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 cAJun SeAFOOd ($) Completely Authentic Turkish Resturant. SerdA’S cOFFeehOuSe ($) 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. JAMAIcAn vIBe ($) 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 Comfortable 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 Al’S hOTdOGS ($) Mind-blowing island food. SPOT OF TeA ($) drop dead crAvIn cAJun ($) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. Po-boys, salads & seafood. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 JIMMy JOhn’S ($) Gourmet 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. ATlAnTA BreAd cOMPAny ($-$$) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. SOuThern decAdence deSSerTS ($) AlABAMA cruISeS ($$) ed’S SeAFOOd Shed ($$) Sandwiches, salads & more. Fine dining & sailing Fried seafood served in hefty portions. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 JOe cAIn cAFé ($) Orange Beach • 973-1244 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 1956 B University Blvd. BAy GOurMeT ($$) cAFe 219 ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 300-8304 FelIX’S FISh cAMP ($$) Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. A premier caterer & cooking classes. Upscale dining with a view. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 STevIe’S kITchen ($) 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 MAMA’S ($) Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 BISTrO eScOFFIe ($$) cAFe MAlBIS ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. FISherMAn’S leGAcy ($) Contemporary fare & spirits. Fine dining French fare. Deli, market and catering. 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 TP crOckMIerS ($) 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 MArS hIll cAFe ($) American Restaurant & Bar 1714 Dauphin St. • 450-2030 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 cAMIlle’S SIdewAlk cAFé ($) BrIQueTTeS STeAkhOuSe ($-$$) hAlF Shell OySTer hOuSe ($) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. The BlInd Mule ($) Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 MAry’S SOuThern cOOkInG ($) Daily specials made from scratch. 720A Schillinger Rd. S. S2. 607-7200 JAck’S cATFISh cAMP ($$) cAMellIA cAFé ($-$$$) cAFé 615 ($$-$$$) Steak & Seafood 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. Contemporary southern fare. MIchelI’S cAFe ($) The hOuSe ($-$$) American fare with local ingredients. 4815 Halls Mill Rd. • 661-4434 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434. JOhn wOrd’S cAPTAIn TABle ($$) 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 cAFé rOyAl ($$-$$$) cAMMIe’S Old duTch ($) MIkO’S ITAlIAn Ice ($) 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 Come wine, dine and dance. Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. The hunGry Owl ($) Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. 2701 Battleship Pkwy • 433-3790 Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 lucy B. GOOde ($$) cArPe dIeM ($) duMBwAITer ($$-$$$) Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. MOMMA GOldBerG’S delI ($) 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. The vIllAGe delI ($) Serving local seafood & produce 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 929-3354 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 967-5858 chAT-A-wAy cAFe ($) ISABellA’S ($$$) lulu’S ($$) 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 Three GeOrGeS cAndy ShOP ($) Quiches & sandwiches. MOnTeGO’S ($-$$) Light lunch with Southern flair. 305 DeLaMare Ave, Fairhope • 990-5513 Live music & great seafood. kITchen On GeOrGe ($-$$) 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores chIcken SAlAd chIck ($) Contemporary American food. 967-5858 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 TrOPIcAl SMOOThIe ($) Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. MOSTly MuFFInS ($) Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 MudBuGS AT The lOOP ($) leGAcy BAr & GrIll ($$$) 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 Muffins, coffee & wraps. Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. American, Seafood,Stekhouse. dAuPhIn ST. cAFe ($) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 OrIGInAl OySTer hOuSe ($-$$) newk’S eXPreSS cAFe ($) uncle JIMMy’S delIcIOuS hOTdOGS ($) 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 Oven-baked sandwiches & more. 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy South MAGhee’S GrIll On The hIll ($-$$) A great place for kids & seafood. Great lunch & dinner. creAM & SuGAr ($) 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 307-5328 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. PAnInI PeTe’S ($) wIld wInG STATIOn ($) 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 OrleAnS PO-BOyS ($-$$) 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 MelTInG POT ($$$) Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. Original sandwich and bake shop. 1500 Government St. • 287-1526 d’ MIchAel’S ($) 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 whISTle STOP ($) 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. nOJA ($$-$$$) OrleAnS cAFe ($-$$) 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 Home cookin’ & BBQ. 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 Inventive & very fresh cuisine. Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. PdQ ($) delISh deSSerTS ($) Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. yAk The kAThMAndu kITchen ($-$$) 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 Great desserts & hot lunch. Authentic foods from Himalayan region. OSMAn’S reSTAurAnT ($$) OySTer rOckeFeller ($$-$$$) 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 312 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 Supreme European cuisine. Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 400 Eastern Shore Center. • 459-286 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006

24 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 kAn zAMAn cAFe ($) 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. rAvenITe ($) hArd rOck cAFé AT hArd rOck 326 Azalea Rd. • 229-4206 cAllAGhAn’S IrISh SOcIAl cluB ($) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more hOTel And cASInO ($) MedITerrAneAn SAndwIch cOMPAny ($) Burgers & beer. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. Great & quick. 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 rOMA cAFe ($-$$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 herOeS SPOrTS BAr & GrIlle ($) Pasta, salad and sandwiches. SATISFAcTIOn AT hArd rOck 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 Sandwiches & cold beer. 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 hOTel And cASInO ($) 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. rOMAnO’S MAcArOnI GrIll ($$) Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. rOyAl ScAM ($$) MInT hOOkAh BISTrO ($) Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 Springdale Mall 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Great Mediterranean food. MAncIS ($) 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 TIen AT IP cASInO 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 1715 Main St. • 375-0543 TAMArA’S BAr & GrIll ($) reSOrT SPA ($-$$) ruTh’S chrIS STeAk hOuSe ($$$) zOrBA The Greek ($-$$) McShArry’S IrISh PuB ($) Wings, po-boys, burgers. Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. Exceptional service & taste. Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D • 633-2202 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 929-0002 hIGhlIGhTS SPOrTS lOunGe AT IP SAGe reSTAurAnT ($$) MuG ShOTS ($$) vIA eMIlIA ($$) cASInO reSOrT SPA ($) Inside the Mobile Marriott. Bar & Grill. Homemade pastas & pizzas made Brews & game on 65 screens. 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 far eastern fare 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 unIOn ($$$) BAMBOO BISTrO ($$) Old 27 GrIll ($) hIGh TIde cAFé AT IP cASInO Premium steaks & burgers. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. reSOrT SPA ($) 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 BAMBOO FuSIOn ($$) 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. olé mi amiGo! Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. TAMArA’S dOwnTOwn ($$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 Fairhope • 281-2663 cABO cOASTAl cAnTInA ($) 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 Casual fine dining. BAMBOO STeAkhOuSe ($$) The lAndInG ($) 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 Br PrIMe AT BeAu rIvAGe ($$-$$$) 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Sushi Bar. From seafood to steaks. dAuPhIn ST. TAQuerIA ($) Fine dining establishment. The Bull ($-$$) 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. BAnGkOk ThAI ($-$$) lucky’S IrISh PuB ($) fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 JIA AT BeAu rIvAGe ($-$$) 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. Irish pub fare & more. el chArrO ($) Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, The TrellIS rOOM ($$$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 Finest Mexican in WeMo. Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. Contemporary Southern Cuisine BAnzAI JAPAneSe reSTAurAnT The STAdIuM ($) 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. Catch the games with great food. FueGO ($-$$) MeMPhIS Q AT BeAu rIvAGe ($) zeA’S ($$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope • 990-0408 Outstanding Mexican cuisine. Memphis-style Q. Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. BenJAS ($) weMOS ($) 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Thai & Sushi Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. lOS ArcOS ($) cOAST reSTAurAnT AT BeAu 5369 D Hwy 90 W • 661-5100 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 Quaint Mexican restaurant. rIvAGe ($) GOlden BOwl ($) 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 Sports bar-style joint. a little Vino Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. lA cOcInA ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 dOMke MArkeT 309 Bell Air Blvd • 470-8033 mama mia! Authentic Mexican cuisine. lB’S STeAkhOuSe AT GrAnd Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. kAI JAPAneSe reSTAurAnT ($-$$) BenTz’S PIzzA PuB ($) 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 cASInO ($$-$$$) 2410 Dawes Rd. Ste. D. • 375-0599 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. MArIA BOnTAI AGAve BAr & GrIll ($-$$) Fine dining with steak & fine wine. FAThOMS lOunGe lIQuId ($$) 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 3977 Government Blvd. • 342-5553 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. Buck’S PIzzA ($$) SAnTA Fe GrIll ($) cuu lOnG SuPer PhO AT GrAnd 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 Delivery. Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. cASInO ($$) POur BABy MIkATO JAPAneSe STeAk hOuSe ($$) 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. Wine bar, craft beers & bistro Upscale sushi & specialties. GAMBInO BrOTherS ($) TAQuerIA MeXIcO ($-$$) 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 Homemade pastas & sandwiches. Authentic Mexican flavor. eMerIl’S GulF cOAST FISh hOuSe FIrehOuSe wIne BAr & ShOP rIce ASIAn GrIll & SuShI BAr ($) 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 AT ISlAnd vIew cASInO ($$-$$$) 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 GAMBInO’S ITAlIAn GrIll ($) Kick it up a notch. red Or whITe rOck n rOll SuShI ($$) Italian, Steaks & Seafood. no GamblinG 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 c&G GrIlle AT ISlAnd vIew 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 TASTe OF ThAI ($$) GuIdO’S ($$) Casino fare cASInO ($) rOyAl STreeT TAvern 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. Live music,martinis & dinner menu. wASABI SuShI ($$) 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 atmore 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 Japanese cusine. lA rOSSO ($$) FIre AT wInd creek cASInO & wAhOO’S POOlSIde BAr & GrIll SOuThern nAPA 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 Comfort food. hOTel ($$-$$$) AT PAlAce cASInO reSOrT ($-$$) Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. yen reSTAurAnT ($) 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 Prime steaks, seafood & wine. Fresh seafood & more. 2304 Main Street. • 375-2800 Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. MellOw MuShrOOM ($) 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 Pies & awesome beer selection. GrIll AT wInd creek cASInO & MIGnOn’S AT PAlAce cASInO Jubilee Shopping Center, 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 hOTel ($) reSOrT ($$-$$$) falafel? try Daphne • 625-4695 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. PIckleFISh ($$) 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 some hummus Pizza, sandwiches & salads. The den AT TreASure BAy 7 SPIce ($-$$) is the Game on? 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 biloxi cASInO ($-$$) Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. AShlAnd MIdTOwn PuB ($-$$) PAPA’S PlAce ($$) vIBe AT hArd rOck hOTel Intimate & casual with daily specials. 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. A Taste of Italy . BYOB. And cASInO ($-$$) ABBA’S MedITerrAneAn cAFe ($-$$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars. cQ AT TreASure BAy cASInO ($$-$$$) Beef, lamb & seafood. BuFFAlO wIld wInGS ($) PInzOne’S ITAlIAn dOwnTOwn ($$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 Best wings & sporting events. Italian, catering, to-go. ruTh’S chrIS STeAk hOuSe AT JeruSAleM cAFe ($-$$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 hArd rOck hOTel & cASInO ($$$) Blu AT TreASure BAy cASInO ($) Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. BuTch cASSIdy’S ($) PInzOne’S ITAlIAn vIllAGe ($$) Exceptional servie & taste. SendLounge yOur with cu ISIcocktailsne lISTIn &GS tapas reQueSTS menu. 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 TO1980 lISTI BeachnGS@lAG Blvd.nIAPP • e800-747-2839MOBIle.cOM

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 C CUISINEWORD OF MOUTH Oyster farming on the half-shell BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

f it has anything to do with more oysters coming to our area, Last Bottle a great way to find new wines on the cheap involves a picnic with potato chips, hamburgers and hot dogs, then I’m in full support. For those of you thinking of getting Wine enthusiasts who have yet to hear about the web-deliv- then Hardee’s has your number. If you plan on eating all of into the oyster-farming business, this is your chance to listen ery system Last Bottle are in for a treat. Visit www.lastbottlew- those things anyway, why not just pull up to the drive-thru and in on some valuable information. On Wednesday, June 24, ines.com to see what all the fuss is about. In a nutshell, offers order it all on one sandwich? IBass Pro Shops in Spanish Fort is playing host to Adam James on overstock wines are presented daily, with specials in the The latest creation from what may be the least health-con- and Lissa James Monberg of Hama Hama Oyster Company as 50-to-60-percent-off range. scious fast-food chain is an artery-clogger known as the Most they share their family’s success story. These fifth-generation These wines aren’t bottom of the barrel. Each descrip- American Thickburger. A half-pound beef patty is supplemented oyster farmers from Lilliwaup, Washington, know more than a tion gives the member insight as to the notes of the wine and with a hot dog, kettle-cooked potato chips and the usual trim- little about oyster production and should be of great benefit to many of these are 92 points and above. Each delivery is safely mings on a fresh-baked bun, living up to its name. That is, if those in the local seafood business. wrapped in Styrofoam, but extreme temperatures may affect your idea of American is edible excess with little or no regard to The event runs from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. You must reg- delivery times. They are doing their best to preserve your order. longevity and a slimmer waistline. ister in advance by calling Beth Walton at 251-438-5690 or 251- Ground shipping to our area may take up to six days, give This grandiose, gut-wrenching glutton-pleaser crosses the 654-5989. You can also email Beth at [email protected]. or take, but often there are specials such as free shipping on 1,000-calorie mark, which is probably more than the model in This event is supported by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea orders of six bottles or more. Check it out, but I recommend this the commercial eats in a day. While I do enjoy potato chips on Grant Consortium, Auburn University Marine Extension one with a warning: It’s totally addictive and you must control sandwiches and am as fine an example of a carnivore as you Program, Alabama Market Maker and the Alabama Seafood yourself when ordering. will find, I must admit this one scares me a bit. Commission. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Bass Pro Gulf Coast Coney loving-up the Causeway I want a normal-size hamburger. I want a menu to tell me Shops is located at 20000 Bass Pro Drive, Spanish Fort. Just in time for Independence Day, Gulf Coast Coney opened how much I should eat, within reason. I’m just dumb enough For more information on the Hama Hama Oyster Company on the east end of the Causeway right past Five Rivers. Only a to believe a combo meal is what a normal person should eat for as well as purchasing opportunities, visit www.hamahamaoys- couple of weeks old, it already has plenty of fans who make it a dinner. When I read the fine print I realize no one should make ters.com. regular stop. this part of their daily routine. With something as big as this Where Wendy’s was, another Wendy’s will be With quality products like Boar’s Head Meats for sand- I wouldn’t even think it’s a good idea on the first “cheat” day What? Fans of Biggie fries, Frosties and square hamburger wiches (yes, a Cuban is on the menu), this place is more than after a marathon. patties may have panicked when the wrecking ball shattered the just hot dogs. Ice cream may be as big a part of the menu as the Thousand-calorie burgers are not my idea of America. You Wendy’s at Bel Air and Airport boulevards. But have no fear, Coney. People are going nuts for the banana splits and I hear the should be able to drink and eat what you want, but promoting lovers of the Dave Thomas franchise. They decided to fill the Sunday peach milkshakes are unbelievable. something at this level seems wrong. What if you ordered a spot with … another Wendy’s! This might be exactly what was needed at 5395 Battleship draft beer and the bartender pours you a 120-ounce single serv- Yes, the pigtailed namesake will be smiling upon us soon Parkway. But don’t believe everything I say. You should see for ing of Bud Light? It may sound like heaven at first, but it isn’t a enough as a totally new facility is erected. Until then the closest yourself. Remember, Gulf Coast Coney is closed on Mondays. good idea no matter who you are. place to quench your authentic Frosty thirst will be at Dauphin Check out the Facebook page for daily specials and mouthwa- I want giant burgers to go away, but they won’t because Street and Interstate 65. It is my hope that in this new facility tering pictures. someone keeps ordering them. Who keeps ordering them? they bring back the Super Bar, although I may be the reason The Most American Thickburger a bit scary America. they took it down in the first place. If your idea of celebrating your nation’s independence Recycle.

t’s been a bipolar year for the History Museum of Mobile. laundry list of property. with no further elaboration. Never up for long, but never staying down, either. “We returned a warehouse facility, a box truck, a pickup truck, Why was museum Assistant Director Sheila Flanagan not Mayor Sandy Stimpson eliminated the museum’s entrance a 12-foot trailer, a riding lawnmower, a tiller, a push mower, a bumped up into Alsobrook’s slot upon his leave? Why did the fee in fall 2014. Attendance is higher than it’s been in five blower, an edger, a desktop computer, a digital camera and the curator get the nod? Iyears, up 60 percent at this point. city employees relinquished access to a Wells Fargo account that “Sheila runs the visitor center and Sheila has not been The flip side is Director David Alsobrook being placed on had $512,000 in it,” Cooper said, reading from a list. involved in the day-to-day operation of the history museum leave May 22 and Senior Curator Jacob Laurence handling many The 53-year-old ordinances governing the museum gave the in several years, and Jacob Laurence has been,” Cooper said. of his duties until July 6. Its tie-in, the loggerhead between the board a degree of independent financial leeway. The mayor’s “Jacob assumed the duties of the director so that the history museum board and mayor’s office, is no secret and has spawned office insisted they were making administrative decisions without museum could continue with the continuity we expected. He’s copious rumors. being qualified to do so. not acting director.” To cut the fog with more specifics, Artifice sat down with Before long, the museum board retained its own counsel. As Was the eliminated admission fee a move to spite the board or Stimpson Chief of Staff Colby Cooper. After redlining the Cul- so often happens when everyone “lawyers up,” relations were force its hand as rumored? tural and Civic Development Department in late 2013, Cooper guarded and nearly fractious. Board members fell away like “It’s a model that great museums across this country have became overseer of the History Museum of Mobile, the Mobile autumn leaves. used, like the Dallas Museum of Art and the Smithsonians, that Museum of Art and the Mobile Film Office. What does the board want? It would seem it seeks to manage when you have these incredible public stories to tell, they should Cooper began with a known tale, of Alsobrook’s 2014 pur- the facility using city funds, to set admission prices and to man- be accessible to all people, especially in a city with as much chase of staff perks — massages and meals — with board money. age property, but the mayor’s office doesn’t agree since the board abject poverty as we have,” Cooper said. He characterized it as the “tipping point” of a brewing conflict owns no lease for the property. Aside from the tiresome delineation — not of “function and between board and staff over financial roles, and produced Negotiations continue through the City Council and on June finance” but of “my side against yours” — Artifice finds it disap- emails, credit card receipts and other meticulous records. 17 the board delivered an ad hoc committee recommendation. pointing ostensible adults can’t grasp a bigger picture. They are The administration first notified Alsobrook of its concerns, A board member told Lagniappe reporter Dale Liesch the recent all stewards of public trust, not feudal lords, so their better selves then the City Council. Disagreements unveiled a morass. proposal is similar to the autonomy afforded the board of city- should rule. “You have city staff or merit-system employees under the Mo- owned Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Is all of this progress? Also, the board roster contains accomplished individuals from bile County Personnel Board, so they are a department of the city “Because the matter has not decided which direction he wants a variety of professions, most doing their best to support their of Mobile,” Cooper said. “You have a board that also had some to go, we can just say that ideas toward a resolution are being community. But among the retirees, lawyers, financial advis- employees that were also reporting to employees of the city of readily discussed,” Cooper said. ers, doctors, public relations executives, entrepreneurs and arts Mobile and a board who had independent spending authority out- So beyond the statement of “needing a change in dynamic,” patrons, what you don’t see are historians. side the city of Mobile, where you had city of Mobile employees why specifically the administrative leave for Alsobrook? After That falls on the City Council, as nominations are their choice. spending the money of an independent board with independent all, Cooper admitted the director initially attempted to help them Is it oversight or coincidence our area’s noted history professionals spending authority.” in bridging the divide with the board. aren’t in the mix? Or is quid pro quo patronage afoot? Cooper said overlap is impermissible, as the mayor is the only “This is a very sensitive personnel matter. David is protected Mobile adores its history. Have we yet to learn it’s best as a authority to direct city employees. They sought to delineate func- by the Mobile County Personnel Board and he holds employee tool for the future, not just an escape from the present? tion and finance, getting rid of board credit cards, gift cards and a rights. He’s also retained individual legal counsel,” Cooper said,

Photo/ facebook.com/commediadelarte The commedia del Arte of Mobile is rehearsing “Sherlock holmes and the Gypsy curse” for a June 27 performance.

irst some ‘splainin’: Commedia new Daphne retail space unveiled dell’arte is a time-honored theatrical Last year, a transplant from Albuquerque, form that arose in Italy in the Renais- New Mexico, named Amanda Carter fashioned sance, 16th century to be more exact. her family legacy into her own dream. Inspired FInitially characterized by the employ of masks by relatives engaged in woodworking, stained during production — possibly connected to its glass and painting, she opened Bay Art Ex- emergence during Venice’s carnival celebra- change as a retail space for similar products. tions — the form was responsible for certain According to her website, Carter founded innovations in theater. the exchange “out of a love of art and crafts One was creativity. While most stage plays and a love for the community in which I now were written by academics, then performed live.” She seeks to “make a living surrounding diligently by amateurs, commedia dell’arte myself with expressions of beauty and a desire featured loads of improvisation from a given to offer artists and crafters the means to support scenario. The commedia players were normally themselves doing what they love.” Toward that professional thespians who perfected their end, Bay Art Exchange offers a physical retail portrayal of a specific mask or role. Some space along with art parties and classes. scholars attribute this to the emergence of ac- A grand-opening event is planned for tors’ unions. Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. at 1203 The other important novelty was com- U.S. Highway 98, Suite 2G in Daphne. On the media’s initiation of women onto the stage. schedule is a silent auction, a raffle of artwork It would take centuries before cross-dressing and food. Ten percent of purchases for that day men were no longer the norm before the foot- and through July will benefit Ozanam Chari- lights, but it was first seen primarily in those table Pharmacy. Italian works, with actresses like Isabella An- For more information, call 251-279-0145 or dreini and Virginia Ramponi-Andreini gaining email [email protected]. regional fame. Mobile boasts its own version of this classic Downtown mainstay features juried genre specializing in period theatricals. Ap- show propriately enough, its roster comprises mostly For two decades now, Cathedral Square women, with only one male among the current Gallery has been a cornerstone of downtown cast. Also apropos, the troupe is mobile, stag- art galleries. While others have opened to ing works on both sides of the bay. fanfare and high hopes, only to gradually wane, The latest work, “Sherlock Holmes and the this mainstay has endured a change in location Gypsy Curse,” is the troupe’s own comedic and thrived all the while. adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Partially it’s because Cathedral Square Gal- Speckled Band.” It features the famous master lery found strength in numbers. With a roster of of deduction and his companion, Dr. John Wat- nearly 55 artists, this cooperative has managed son, tracking down a young woman supposedly to spread the burden in a manageable fashion. kidnapped by gypsies. Another reason is shows like the one now in The show takes place Saturday, June 27, place. The current, juried exhibition, “Colors of at 7:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the the Coast,” features many of the visual memo- Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road in Mobile. ries locals cherish, most of them tied in with Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. the water and this time of year. Proceeds are to benefit the Animal Rescue The gallery is open Tuesday through Satur- Foundation of Mobile. day from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday hours are For more information, call Shari Priestwood 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 251-510-0654 or email commediatroupe@ For more information, call 251-694-0278, gmail.com. go to cathedralquaregallery.blogspot.com or check out the gallery’s Facebook page.

30 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 COVERSTORY Are violent patients being released in ‘revolving door’ system? BY DALE LIESCH & GABRIEL TYNES renda Harrison said she feared for her life June 14 when hold a patient involuntarily unless they demonstrate a risk of harm to mitted to Bryce Hospital but discharged May 14 despite his mother’s she pulled the trigger on a .25-caliber pistol and killed her themselves or others as a result of a mental illness. objections. Less than a week later, after making other threats and husband, 41-year-old Donald Paul Harrison. “There is a difference between someone with mental illness com- being generally disruptive, Derrick Goldsmith was arrested for “I knew it was my last day on this Earth,” she said in a mitting a crime and someone committing a crime because of their domestic violence after he grabbed a steak knife and lunged at his Bphone interview last week. “I just knew I was going to die.” illness,” Engeriser said. “A crystal ball is something we don’t have half-brother. Donald’s death threats were nothing new for Brenda. In the … Doctors have to look at the legal requirements.” “He could have killed him if he wanted to,” Arnetric testified couple’s 18 years together, she had heard them before. But over the Among the myriad state laws governing mental health treatment, June 5. past four months, she said, his actions became increasingly unpre- involuntary commitments must be “based upon clear and convinc- According to records, a doctor at AltaPointe diagnosed Derrick dictable and menacing. ing evidence that: (i) the respondent is mentally ill; (ii) as a result of with bipolar-type schizoaffective disorder, polysubstance dependence, Donald recently purchased an unregistered .38 revolver and the mental illness the respondent poses a real and present threat of medication non-compliance and antisocial personality disorder. But began digging a 12-foot-deep hole in the couple’s back yard, where substantial harm to self and/or others; (iii) the respondent will, if not his mother accuses the same physicians, and the state mental health he told Brenda he was going to bury her body. treated, continue to suffer mental distress and will continue to expe- system at large, of turning their backs to Derrick and discharging him, “I guess that was supposed to be my grave,” she said. rience deterioration of the ability to function independently; and (iv) instead of offering any long-term commitment plan. But Brenda wasn’t the only person who felt threatened. In the the respondent is unable to make a rational and informed decision as “You cannot stabilize him in two or three weeks,” she pleaded in weeks before she shot him, Donald used the revolver to “terror- to whether or not treatment for mental illness would be desirable.” court. “I don’t want my son to be the next person killed by police or ize” the neighborhood on multiple occasions, according to Maxine In a roundtable interview with Lagniappe, AltaPointe CEO Tuerk someone else.” Parker, a neighbor. Schlesinger said while AltaPointe physicians take “everything into Presiding over the hearing, Davis commented that “these are “He’d get out in the yard and fire it,” Parker recalled. “That gun account,” including court orders, state law and rigorous medical circumstances most concerning to me.” would go all hours of the day and night. The neighbors were afraid evaluations ultimately leave physicians better suited to judge the “I’m concerned about his safety and level of care, and public for our kids and grandkids to go out there.” mental integrity of a patient and make the final determination about safety,” he continued. “I don’t know what needs to be done, but I In addition to firing the gun negligently, Parker said, Donald Har- ongoing commitment. would suggest the mental health care professionals present a coordi- rison would, at times, stand in the middle of street shirtless scream- But both Brenda Harrison and Watts complained that, as petition- nated effort.” ing at neighbors. Parker said he also was violent — once beating ers, they were not notified when AltaPointe discharged Donald Har- In his subsequent order, Davis noted Goldsmith was not the “usu- one of Brenda Harrison’s miniature horses nearly to death. She rison. Brenda said she was in the shower and getting ready for work al mental health commitment case … The ‘usual,’ ‘cookie-cutter’ said Donald would also routinely scare people, popping up “out of when Donald appeared on her doorstep on Clearview Drive. treatment approach is not appropriate in regards to the Respondent,” nowhere dressed all in black.” “I opened the door and about passed out,” she said. “I was upset Davis wrote. “The undisputed testimony of the Petitioner strongly “He was so mental,” Parker offered. “He was obsessed with kill- because they didn’t tell me.” suggests that the State approached the Respondent’s treatment in ing people.” Watts said he was so surprised by Donald’s discharge his first April and May 2015 in a callous manner and totally disregarded the Complaints were numerous enough that on May 13, Mobile thought was to call and see if he had escaped. Petitioner’s request and directions. Thankfully, neither the Respon- County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Lorne Watts filed an emergency petition “His wife wasn’t notified, I wasn’t notified, no one was notified,” dent, the Petitioner, the Respondent’s half-brother, nor the persons in Mobile County Probate Court for an involuntary mental health Watts said. “My biggest concern was nobody was notified.” who interacted with the Respondent in the general public were hurt.” evaluation. According to records, Watts’ petition was filed on the Brenda said her husband did not stay at the house after his dis- In a related story, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is investi- same day Donald Harrison was charged with domestic violence in charge June 10 and by Sunday, June 14 — the day she shot him — gating a case involving a metro jail inmate who was injured follow- the third degree for hitting his wife with a gun. she had convinced him to move out and leave her and her grandson ing an altercation with jailhouse staff on Friday, June 12. Watts, who grew up in the same Theodore neighborhood and behind. Brandon Jefferies had been in jail since May 4, when he was ar- was tipped off to Harrison’s behavior by neighbors, said the timing She said she made him a sandwich and when he finished eating, rested on an outstanding warrant for misdemeanor assault, following of the domestic violence charge was coincidental. He said he’d she asked him to leave. Without a ride, Donald threatened to kill one a complaint from his AltaPointe group home on Three Notch Road, been gathering information for weeks to support Donald Harrison’s of Brenda’s miniature horses if she did not drive him to a residence sheriff’s office spokeswoman Lori Myles wrote in an email message. involuntary commitment to AltaPointe Health System’s EastPointe in the 4700 block of McFarland Street. According to Myles, the outstanding warrant also comes from an hospital in Daphne. Relenting, Brenda drove Donald, but said he threatened to kill her incident at the same group home. According to Brenda, Donald had been treated before for mental along the way. When they arrived, Brenda pulled out the handgun Myles wrote that an AltaPointe therapist called complaining Jeffer- illness, but wouldn’t stick to a drug regimen because he said it made she had acquired for protection and shot Donald, who was later ies was being disruptive and threatening people with a pocket knife. him feel drowsy and he slept too much. pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to a statement from On June 12, Jefferies allegedly became disruptive at metro jail, Watts said his own evidence suggested Donald was stable when the Mobile Police Department. which led security team members to restrain him. Once restrained, he was on prescription medication, but he neglected it in favor of “I know he’s at peace,” Brenda said. “I pray God takes him to Jefferies was taken to a section of the jail where he could be moni- street drugs like marijuana and methamphetamine. Watts further heaven. I don’t think God would send a crazy person to Hell.” tored, Myles wrote, which is where he started complaining about suggested his experience as an officer made him believe Donald Brenda Harrison and her neighbor Maxine Parker both said they numbness in his legs. Harrison’s behavior resulted from more than just drug use. wanted Donald to get treatment, but suggested the system failed. He was taken to a local hospital and subsequently bailed out of “It had to be something other than just drugs,” Watts said, allud- “They let him on the street and he couldn’t handle it,” Parker said. jail, following six weeks of detention on the misdemeanor charge. ing to an underlying mental health issue. “He wished for death and so, in my mind, he got what he wanted.” The AltaPointe group home on Three Notch Road is voluntary in Watts’ petition was signed by a temporary judge of probate Brenda Harrison has not been charged with a crime in the shoot- nature and, generally speaking, staff members monitor the patients, following a May 20 probable-cause hearing. Afterward, Donald Har- ing, but evidence in the case will be presented to a grand jury, MPD but can’t force them to take medication while there, Engeriser said. rison was sent for a week of evaluation at EastPointe. Court records Public Information Officer Terrence Perkins said. Defending their level of care last week, Schlesinger noted that with indicate an AltaPointe representative recommended the petition be 23,000 mental health patients statewide, 450 of whom are involuntary, dismissed, but in a June 12 letter to James Reddoch, the outgoing ‘Revolving door’ and only 24 local physicians and 30 local beds for involuntary evalua- commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, Mobile Arnetric Goldsmith fears her son might be next. At a probable- tions, AltaPointe is stretching the limits of its resources. County Probate Judge Don Davis acknowledged that he appointed cause commitment hearing in Mobile County Probate Court June According to audited financial statements, in 2014, AltaPointe Dr. William Christopher Wilkerson to perform a second evaluation 5, 40-year-old Derrick Goldsmith disrupted his mother’s testimony reported $72.9 million in revenue, 45 percent of which were fees of Donald Harrison, at the “urging” of Watts and Brenda Harrison. when she spoke about one of his delusions — owning $36 million in charged to Medicaid and Medicare, and 43 percent of which were In the same letter, Davis noted AltaPointe had diagnosed Donald Exxon stock. state and local grants and contracts. with a substance-induced psychotic disorder combined with a history “Billion!” he shouted in the courtroom. “It’s $36 billion!” Last year, the city of Mobile cut $400,000 from its requested of bipolar disorder. Arnetric Goldsmith believes Derrick was born with a chemical financial commitment to AltaPointe as a part of new budget restric- Records indicate that during a hearing June 4, Wilkerson recom- imbalance. She recognized developmental problems when he was an tions that affected dozens of nonprofit organizations. In April, Alta- mended Donald Harrison for involuntary commitment, citing signs infant. He wouldn’t nurse or take a bottle after nine months of age Pointe was hit by the “unexpected termination” of an approximate of bipolar disorder mixed with psychotic features and non-compli- and once chewed a hole through his playpen. When he was 2, his $2 million annual allocation from Medicaid, effectively eliminating ance with treatment. mother put him in timeout in a room with a glass door but he broke its ability to provide inpatient, psychiatric hospital crisis services to On Wilkerson’s recommendation, Davis ordered Harrison to be through it. individuals covered by Medicaid. committed to EastPointe for “up to” 90 days and for notice to be His appearance in court June 5 was Derrick’s 42nd commitment The “Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Demonstration” (MEPD), given to the court 10 days prior to his discharge. The order provided hearing since 2001, the court noted, which Arnetric said later was in- as it was known, closed nearly three months earlier than AltaPointe for Harrison’s commitment until Sept. 2. dicative of a “revolving-door system.” Throughout his treatment, he had expected. Since 2012, the organization had relied upon a waiver In a letter the court received 11 days later, AltaPointe gave notice occasionally found stability in long-term inpatient programs with a of a federal law to provide what was a previously prohibited treatment. that Harrison had been discharged on Wednesday, June 10. drug regimen, but in recent years, Arnetric said, Derrick has become Meanwhile, Schlesinger said mental health care providers across Without going into specifics of the Harrison case because of increasingly volatile and difficult to supervise. the state collectively held their breath as the Legislature threatened “ethical considerations,” AltaPointe Assistant Medical Director Dr. In 2013, he was arrested for assaulting a staff member at East- to eliminate as much $35 million from their budget in 2016, to bal- J. Luke Engeriser explained last week that doctors, legally, cannot Pointe Hospital. In April of this year, Derrick was involuntarily com- ance an estimated $200 million shortfall in the state’s General Fund.

32 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Lawmakers will meet in a special session over the summer to pass a budget, but the Ala- bama Department of Mental Health has warned of a total hit approaching $100 million with the possible related loss of federal matching funds. Schlesinger notes AltaPointe only began to treat involuntary commitments to fill a need in the community after the closing of Charter Behavioral Health System in 2001 and Searcy Hospital more recently. Financial support for the service, meanwhile, has been elusive. “The city and county asked us to go into this, but together they fund less than five beds, then the city cut us even more,” he lamented. “If you have a $70 million organization and you have 32 days of cash in the bank, and lenders say you’re supposed to have 150, you’re not doing too well Photo/MCSA ... this is the hardest business in the world to be 41-year-old donald harrison was shot in, that’s why everybody is getting out.” and killed by his wife June 14, four At the same time, Schlesinger said, AltaPointe days after being discharged from an has attempted to become more “proactive,” pointing to, among other things, the organization’s involuntary mental health evaluation. CarePointe program, an “unfunded” team of 18 employees in a call center who triage as many as 6,500 calls per month, assessing a caller’s needs system only provides a convenient option for to help determine the type of care required. parents who aren’t able to schedule and main- Ingrid Hartman, assistant director of Care- tain appointments otherwise. Pointe, said the program has has almost doubled MCPSS plays another important role in since last year, when it received about 3,500 mental health locally — helping identify young calls per month. people who might be in need of mental health “We’ve doubled and the funding has not,” services. Elmore said teachers and administra- Hartman said. “As more mental health issues tors keep an eye out for students with “any ide- have become destigmatized, more people are ations of harming themselves or others,” which reaching out.” can sometimes lead to a recommendation for The funding cuts also threaten other orga- mental health services — usually to AltaPointe. nizations that depend on grants and contracted However, Elmore said other community services from AltaPointe, including the Mobile services can be utilized to help students in need Association for Retarded Citizens, the Drug as well. Education Council and the Mobile County Pub- “It’s a lot of recommendations. If the parents lic School System (MCPSS), which offers some need our assistance, we try to connect them to students in-school therapy through an arrange- whatever services are out there,” Elmore said. ment with AltaPointe. “When we identify an issues we’re concerned Rebecca Elmore, MCPSS supervisor of guid- about, we try to connect them to the best com- ance services and student records, said several munity agency to address their needs based on schools in the system now have regular visits what health services they have access to.” from AltaPointe therapists, who see and treat Schlesinger emphasized the nationwide students just as they would outside of the school. conversation about mental health care in light of “The students that see the in-school thera- violent, high-profile incidents involving suspects pists are actually consumers, which helps with diagnosed with mental illnesses at places like missed appointments and consistency of care. Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School A lot of times, parents can’t take off work to in Connecticut and a movie theater in Aurora, get them to Altapointe,” Elmore said. “Every Colorado. But Dr. Engeriser noted research school doesn’t have it yet, but that’s our goal. As indicates mentally ill patients are far more likely we have more consumers, we can open it up to to be the victims of crime or violence than they some more schools.” are to be the perpetrators. Elmore couldn’t give an exact number of In spite of the admonition from the Mobile schools offering the service, but she did say County Probate Court, the rapidly changing it was being utilized by a wide spectrum of treatment landscape and the constant threats to students throughout the district. She also said it funding, Schlesinger remains both optimistic doesn’t cost the school system anything. and cautious of AltaPointe’s ongoing role. Each student that sees an in-school therapist “You’ll find this very surprising, but we’re pays for those services the same way they would looked at as one of the models of the country,” outside of school on their own time. The school he said. “Are we happy about that? No.”

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 33 34 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 C) Midnight Rodeo d) Pour Baby B) Kitchen on George BAr wHere you Are Most NIGHTLIFE e) Shenanigans F) Sidecar Lounge C) Legacy Bar and Grill likely to get luCky Best All Around BAr Best dive BAr d) Pour Baby e) Red or White A) B-Bob’s B) Boo Radley’s A) Ashland Midtown Pub A) Blues Tavern B) Hayley’s F) Southern Napa C) O’Daly’s d) Candy Store B) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile C) Candy Store d) Garage e) Garage F) Veet’s C) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club e) Top of the Bay F) Veet’s Best FAnCy drink BAr d) Garage e) Hayley’s F) Brickyard A) Kitchen on George BAr wHere you Are Most Best e-sHo BAr B) Legacy Bar and Grill likely to piCk up A CougAr Best BArtender A) California Dreaming C) Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse A) Cockeyed Charlie’s B) Hayley’s A) Alex Daniels – Plow B) Fairhope Brewing Company d) Sidecar Lounge e) Haberdasher C) Legacy Bar and Grill B) Christopher Spencer - Noble South C) McSharry’s Irish Pub d) Plow F) Noble South d) Candy Store e) Garage C) Jacob Merritt - The Garage e) Pour Nelson’s F) Top of the Bay F) Veet’s d) Randy Jennings Sidecar Lounge Best AFter-Hours BAr e) Stoney Boatman - The Garage Best weMo BAr A) Alchemy Tavern B) Boo Radley’s BAr wHere you Are Most F) Zach Sutherland - Country Club A) Cockeyed Charlie’s C) Gabriel’s d) Hayley’s likely to piCk up A sugAr of Mobile B) Heroes USA C) Midnight Rodeo e) Top of the Bay F) Veet’s dAddy d) Montego’s A) B-Bob’s B) Cafe 615 C) Brickyard Best BArtenderess e) Pour Baby F) Stir Best HAppy Hour BAr d) Candy Store e) Garage F) Veet’s A) Avril McRae @ Firehouse Wine Bar A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile B) Cheryl Shifflet @ Callaghans Best MiMo BAr B) Buffalo Wild Wings Best Free CrAwFisH BAr C) Lindsey Bembry @ Garage A) Ashland Midtown Pub C) Kitchen on George d) Pour A) Boo Radley’s B) Hayley’s d) Michelle Tallant @ Royal Scam B) Butch Cassidy’s Baby e) Garage F) Wintzell’s C) Silver Horse d) The Bar e) Miranda Thomas @ Baumhow- C) Mellow Mushroom e) Brickyard F) Garage er’s Wings Mobile d) Red or White e) Silver Horse Best e-sHo HAppy Hour F) Rachael Norris @ Hayley’s F) Legacy Bar and Grill A) California Dreaming Best plACe to sHAke your B) McSharry’s Irish Pub Booty Hottest BArtender Best lodA BAr C) Moe’s BBQ d) Plow A) B-Bob’s B) Boo Radley’s A) Christopher Spencer - Noble South A) Alchemy Tavern B) Firehouse e) Pour Nelson’s F) Top of the Bay C) Midnight Rodeo B) John Miller – Garage Wine Bar C) LoDa Biergarten d) Saddle Up Saloon C) Josh Giraldo - O’ Daly’s d) O’Daly’s e) OK Bike Shop Best sports BAr e) Studio 5’4 F) Veet’s d) Rickey Slayton - Gabriel’s F) Garage A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile e) Ricky Havens, Pour Baby B) Buffalo Wild Wings Best gAy BAr F) Zack Sutherland - Country Club of Mobile Best soMo BAr C) Butch Cassidy’s d) Heroes A) B-Bob’s A) Barnicle Bill’s B) Fins Bar e) Island Wing Company B) Flip Side Hottest BArtenderess C) Pelican Pub F) Touchdown Tavern C) Gabriel’s A) Amanda Motes - Ollie’s d) Pelican Reef e) River Shack d) Midtown Pub B) Avril McRae @ Firehouse Wine Bar F) Zebra Lounge Best College BAr C) Haley Williams @ Veet’s A) Boo Radley’s B) Heroes USA FAvorite CrAFt Beer d) Kerri Bryant @ Baumhower’s Best BeACH BAr C) O’Daly’s d) Pat’s e) Picklefish A) Abita Andygator Wings Mobile A) Flora-Bama B) Lulu’s C) Pink Pony F) The Bar B) Abita Strawberry e) Lindsey Bembry @ Garage d) Pirate’s Cove e) The Gulf C) Back 40 Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale F) Margie White at JUDY’S F) Hangout Best wAterFront BAr d) Fairhope Brewing Company Lil A) Bluegill B) Flora-Bama Yacht Club Poison Brown Ale Best new BAr Best wine BAr C) Pirate’s Cove d) Sunset Pointe e) Fat Tire Amber Ale A) Alchemy Upstairs Bar B) Fins Bar A) Firehouse Wine Bar e) The Gulf F) River Shack F) Sweetwater 420

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 35 FAvorite iMport Beer Best Bloody MAry Best MAkeup Artist B) Hannah Summersell A) Beck’s B) Guinness Draught A) Ashland Midtown Pub A) Alexa Kiss B) Courtney McDonald C) Joanna Jennings C) Heineken d) Killian’s B) Brick & Spoon Orange Beach C) Gabriella Cernolev d) Rebecca Havard e) Newcastle F) Stella Artois C) Cafe 615 d) Kitchen on George d) Julie Calloway e) Stephanie Starkie e) Tina Collins e) Moe’s BBQ F) T.P. Crockmiers F) Valorie Floore’ F) Zach Babineaux FAvorite Beer to drink on tHe BeACH tHe perFeCt MArtini Best HooHA wAxer Best HooHA doCtor A) Abita Strawberry B) Blue Moon A) Kitchen on George A) Cecelia Heyer @ Cecelia’s Wax Pot A) Dr. Glen Gallaspy, III C) Bud Light d) Corona B) Legacy Bar & Grill C) Royal Scam B) Crystal Quattrone @ Primp Day Spa B) Dr. Lauren Lambretch e) Michelob Ultra F) Miller Lite d) Royal Street Tavern Battlehouse C) Jessica @ Wax’d Day Spa C) Dr. Margaret McGrath e) Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse d) Leah Jeffreys e) Stephanie Starkie d) Dr. Max Rogers e) Dr. Susan Vance BAr witH Best tAp Beer seleCtion F) Sidecar Lounge F) Vivian’s Nails F) Dr. William Urquhart A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile B) Island Wing Company Best BusHwACker Best plACe to get A MAni Best BooB doC C) LoDa Biergarten A) Flora-Bama B) Moe’s BBQ A) Brenda’s Nails B) Mally’s A) Dr. Charles Dyas d) Mellow Mushroom e) Montego’s C) Pirate’s Cove d) River Shack C) Royal Nails & Spa d) Spoil Me Nails B) Dr. Christopher Park F) Top of the Bay e) Tacky Jack’s e) Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio C) Dr. James Koehler F) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar F) Vivian’s Nails d) Dr. Kitti Outlaw e) Dr. Randy Proffitt FAvorite CAsino F) Dr. Stephen Sheppard A) Beau Rivage B) Golden Nugget Best gentleMAn’s CluB Best plACe to get A pedi C) Hard Rock Biloxi d) IP Casino A) Cookies and Crème A) Mally’s B) Royal Nails and Spa Best FACeliFt doC e) Palace F) Windcreek Atmore B) Diamonds C) Lionz Den C) Spoil Me Nails A) Dr. Christopher Park d) Candy Store d) Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio B) Dr. Henry Barber Best BAr BAtHrooM e) Venetian Nail Spa F) Vivian’s Nails C) Dr. Kimberly Donnellan A) Fairhope Brewing Company SHOPPING/SERVICES d) Dr. Michael B. Lyons B) Moe’s BBQ C) O’Daly’s Best HAirstylist Best estHetiCiAn e) Dr. Randy Proffitt F) Dr. Stephen Martin d) Pour Baby e) The Bar A) Julia Liller A) Amberjoy Medspa at the Park F) OK Bike Shop B) Julie Calloway C) Julie Rhames B) Courtney Jones, Massage Envy Spa Best derMAtologist d) Mitch Carter e) Phrankey Lowery C) Crystal Quattrone, Primp Day Spa A) Dr. Scott VanLooke B) Dr. Amy Morris BAr BAtHrooM FroM Hell F) Sarah Morris Poiroux d) Gabriella Cernolev, Dr. Vick/Premier C) Dr. Kathryn Dempsey A) Hayley’s B) Silver Horse Medical d) Dr. Roberta A. Swain C) Soul Kitchen d) Garage Best sAlon e) Leah Jeffreys, The Porehouse e) Dr. Ryan Ramagosa A) Genesis Salon B) Salon West 5400 F) Stephanie Starkie, Tami’s Mask and Mirror F) Dr. Thomas Bender Best JukeBox C) Studio PH A) Alchemy Tavern B) Fins Bar d) Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio Best dAy spA Best weigHt loss doC C) Hayley’s d) Silver Horse e) Sanctuary Salon F) TMACS A) Battle House Spa A) Alabama 1 e) Garage F) Waffle House B) Medspa at the Park B) Dr. Jardine @ Medi Weightloss Clinic Best BArBer C) Momentum Massage C) Dr. Lawrence Carpenter Best MArgAritA A) Billy Helton d) Nou Veau Salon and Day Spa @ Mobile Weightloss Center A) Fuego B) Island Wing Company B) Charlene @ Mayo’s e) Tami’s Mask & Mirror Studio d) Dr. Ruth Shields @ Healthy C) La Cocina C) Dallas Jones F) Martin Center Weight For Me d) Mellow Mushroom d) Johnny Sullivan e) Mayo’s Bar- e) Dr. William Urquhart @ Medi e) Texas Roadhouse ber Shop Best MAssAge tHerApist Weightloss Clinic F) OK Bike Shop F) Royal Street Barbers A) Denise Walker F) Rejuvenate Alabama

36 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Best “doC in tHe Box” CliniC Best Florist C) Donald Briskman F) Walley’s Auto Sales A) Compass Urgent Care A) Barrett Greer, LLC B) Beckham’s d) Gary Fillingim e) Jerry Pilgrim Best CpA B) Eastern Shore Urgent Care C) Belle Bouquet d) Cleveland F) Larry Hallett A) R. Andrew Cook C) Greater Mobile Urgent Care e) Elizabeth’s Garden B) Bob Clements d) Hillcrest Urgent Care F) Zimlich Bros Best lAwyer to keep you out C) John Bedsole d) John Jeffries e) Immediate Care of the South oF prison (CriMinAl) e) John Shields F) Karen Simmons F) Urgent Care by the Bay Best wedding pHotogrApHer A) Bucky Thomas B) Dennis Knizley A) Chad Riley Photography C) Jeff Deen d) Lee Hale, Jr. Best lAndsCAper Best dentist B) Jeff Tesney Photography e) Sid Harrell F) Tom Walsh A) Bradley Davis @ AllTurf A) Dr. Richard Noblet C) John Rapier Colonial Photography B) Bay Landscaping C) Live Oak B) Dr. Russ Brandau C) Dr. Shaun Small d) K Rae Photography Best lAwyer to sue tHe pAnts d) Southern Style d) Grelot Dental e) Photography by Miranda oFF soMeone (triAl) e) Sprinklers & More F) Turfmaster e) Northcutt Dental F) Parker Dental F) SLR Photography A) Cunningham Bounds B) Daniel Rhames Best ContrACtor/HoMeBuilder Best gyM Best yogA studio C) David J. Maloney A) Bo Wilder Contracting A) Bodies By Cindy Health & Fitness A) Alabama Healing Arts d) Desi Tobias e) Greene & Phillips B) Cochran Investments, Inc. Center B) Planet Fitness B) Soul Shine Yoga C) Sterling Hot F) Vince Kilborn C) David Thorne d) Heritage Homes C) Pro Health d) Signature Training Yoga Works e) Pro 1 Painters, LLC F) Truland Homes Studios e) Sportplex F) Via d) Synergy e) Fit Nest F) Via Best reAl estAte FirM A) Bay View Realty Best interior designer Best personAl trAiner Best yogA instruCtor B) Bellator Real Estate & Development A) Alice Cutright B) Angela Grady A) Chris LaSonde A) Annette Porter-Ham C) Berkshire Hathaway C) Carolyn Pritchett d) Jeanelle Clark B) Emily Powell C) Josh Foster B) Brooke Nesbit C) Irene Callaway HomeServices Cooper & Co e) Mary Jo Matranga d) Josh Mosner d) Missy Calvery d) LLB&B e) Roberts Brothers F) Samantha Dougherty e) Roshiki Carlos Letherwood e) Shoshana Treichel F) Sam Winter & Co. F) Shoshana Treichel F) Teddy Ward Best HArdwAre store Best reAltor A) Andrew’s Ace Best veterinAriAn Best MeCHAniC/Auto sHop A) Angela Locklier B) Bill Hinton B) Blankenship’s Universal Hard- A) Courtney Grijalva A) Griffith Service Station C) Erica Davies d) Missy Hayes ware C) Carwie’s Ace B) Duke Animal Clinic B) Lucus Goodrum C) Mark McGugin e) Peggy M. Rice d) Fairhope Hardware C) Jennifer Eiland d) Milton’s Honda Shop F) Sam Winter e) Springhill Ace F) Wigman’s Hardware d) John Courtney e) Red’s Automotive e) Mary Katherine Cross F) Shane’s Automotive Best new CAr deAler Best pest Control F) Theresa Williams A) Joe Bullard B) Mullinax A) AFCO B) Bugmaster Best CArwAsH/detAil C) Palmer Toyota d) Sandy Sansing C) Cook’s d) Kelly’s Best pet grooMer A) Alabama Auto Clean e) Springhill Toyota e) Knockout Pest A) Aborable Do’s B) Bebos F) UJ Chevrolet F) Redd Pest Control B)Groomingdale’s C) Rich’s Car Wash d) Scott Miller C) Jeremy Henderson e) Ultra Car Wash F) Zippy’s Best used CAr deAler Best pet store d) Katrina Neece A) Colony Motors Daphne A) B & B B) Pet Smart e) LoLa Bells Best lAwyer iF your spouse is B) Ethan Hunt C) Keith Kingan C) Pet Supermarket F) Melanie Sleeman A Ho (divorCe) d) MCD Motors d) Pet Supplies Plus e) Petco A) Alison Herlihy B) Claude Boone e) SKCO F) Waggy Tail

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 Best Antique store d) Gold Art e) Goldstein’s Best giFt sHop A) Antiques at the Loop F) Karat Patch A) Carter and Co. KIDS B) Charles Phillips C) Cotton City B) MA Simons Best kids’ ClotHing store- new d) Brothers Gallery Best dry CleAners C) Marcie n Me d) Meggie B’s A) GiGi and Jay’s e) To Arms Antiques F) Yellow House A) Gulf City Cleaners B) Jaguar e) Ivy Cottage F) Urban Emporium B) Little Monkey Toes Cleaners C) Kelly Cleaners C) Sweet Cheeks d) Holiday Best Men’s ClotHing store d) Master Cleaner e) Paragon Best HoMe FurnisHings store e) Tiny Town F) Tippy Toes Dance A) D&K B) Dillard’s F) Waite’s A) Atchison Imports B) Bronstein’s Wear & Studio Gear C) East Bay Clothier d) G Harvell C) Designer Collection e) McCoy’s F) Metzger’s Best HoMe CleAning serviCe d) Fowler Lighting Best kids’ ConsignMent store A) Clean Reflections e) J & J Furniture A) Carousel Kids B) Kids Wearhouse Best lingerie/nAugHty sHop B) Maids a la Mode C) Merry Maids F) Sarah B. Atchison’s C) Kidz Klozet d) Peek A Boutique A) Gift Spot B) Lovin’ Mood d) Rosa’s Housekeeping e) Sweet Cheeks Boutique C) Lucy’s Love Shop e) The Maids F) Two Gals & A Mop Best Furniture ConsignMent F) Wee Exchange d) NT Lingerie and Video sHop e) Victoria’s Secret Best stAtionery store A) All Around the House Best kids’ rooM FurnisHings A) Gwin’s B) It’s Inviting B) Divine Consignment A) Babies R Us B) Funky Monkey Market Best woMen’s Boutique C) Judy’s Hallmark C) High Cotton C) Just Baby Designs A) Been There B) Dragonfly d) Paper Jubilee d) Kaglen’s e) Something Special d) Polka Tot Designs e) Rooms2Go C) Hemline d) Metzger’s e) Soiree Signatures Invitation F) The Shop Around the Corner F) Siegel’s Baby’s Room e) Polish F) U & I Studio and Calligraphy Best vApe sHop Best suMMer CAMp Best ClotHing ConsignMent A) Cloud 9 B) Deep South Vape A) Broadway Bound at BBS! store Best outdoors store C) Vapor Hut d) Vapor Bros B) Broadway South Dance A) Abigail’s Closet B) Hertha’s A) Academy e) Vapor Dreamz C) Camp Beckwith d) Dayspring C) Pepe’s d) Plato’s e) Rave Reviews B) Alabama Outdoors C) Bass Pro F) Want2Vape Day Camp e) House of Bounce F) Seasons Consignment, Crafts, & Gifts d) Gander Mountain F) Silver Lining Farm e) McCoy’s F) Spoke N Trail Best BAnk or Credit union Best depArtMent store A) Bank of the Ozarks Best dAyCAre A) Belk’s B) Dillard’s C) JC Penney Best loCAl pHArMACy/ B) BBVA Compass A) Beck’s d) Kohl’s e) Sears F) Stein Mart MediCAl supply C) First Community Bank B) CDC Moffett Road Baptist Church A) Christopher Pharmacy d) New Horizons Credit Union C) Dauphin Way Baptist Best ACCessories/AFFordABle B) McConaghy Drug Store e) Regions Bank F) Wells Fargo d) Dauphin Way United Methodist Jewelry C) Midtown Pharmacy e) Springhill Baptist CDC A) Carter and Co. d) Newman’s Best tHriFt store F) Westminster Presbyterian Church B) Charming Charlie’s e) Semmes Pharmacy A) America’s Thrift C) Christina Lynn’s F) Springhill Pharmacy B) Goodwill @ Azalea Best presCHool d) Francesca’s e) Knot Just Beads C) Goodwill @ Schillinger A) ABC Kindergarten F) Versona Best sHoe store & Cottage Hill B) Ashland Place Preschool A) Dillard’s B) DSW d) Open Doors Methodist Thift Shop C) Springhill Baptist Best Fine Jewelry C) Gallery Shoe Boutique e) Penelope’s Closet d) St. Mary’s Preschool A) Claude Moore B) Elliot’s Jewelry d) McCoy’s F) Wilmer Hall Thrift Store e) St. Paul’s Early Education Center C) Friedman’s Fine Jewelry e) Shoe Station F) Shoefly F) Westminster Presbyterian Church

38 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Best MotHer’s dAy out B) Broadway South Dance Studio C) St. Luke’s Episcopal School e) Lonnie Johnson F) Rapahel Semmes A) Ashland Place C) Debbie’s School of Dance d) St. Mary’s e) St. Paul’s Episcopal School B) Christ United Methodist Church d) Gale’s Studio of Dance F) UMS-Wright Preparatory Best MoBiliAn rigHt now C) Springhill Presbyterian e) Robinson’s School of Dance A) Chief Slac IV B) Craig Roberts d) Springhill Baptist F) Sheffield School of the Dance Coolest eleMentAry sCHool C) Joe Ringhoffer d) Leo M. Bullock III e) St. Luke’s Episcopal teACHer e) Mayor Sandy Stimpson F) Westminster Presbyterian Best pediAtriC dentist A) Alizabeth Irwin, Rockwell Elementary F) The Prancing Elites A) Gaines Thomas B) Lauren Moore B) Becky Anderson Parker Most kid Friendly restAurAnt C) Marion McMurphy, Jr. C) Ellen England Marston , St. Mary’s Most eligiBle BACHelor A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile d) Maureen Baldy d) Michelle Lynd, Indian Springs Elemen- A) Andy Newton B) Chris Wilson B) Bluegill C) Chick-fil-A e) Stephen Greenleaf tary School C) Christopher Spencer d) Island Wing Company F) Trey Fellers e) Mindy Kirksey, North Mobile County d) Colton Bradford e) Moe’s Southwest Grill F) Hungry Owl School e) Mark Bodiford Best ortHodontist F) Sarah Gross, St. Paul’s Episcopal F) Nguyen Hoang Best BirtHdAy pArty plACe A) Brian Oliver B) Hicks and McMurphy School A) Charming Teacup C) Hillcrest Orthodontics Most eligiBle BACHelorette B) House of Bounce d) James B. Donaghey Coolest Middle sCHool A) Ashley Douglas B) Courtney Parker C) Knot Just Beads d) Pump it Up e) Keith Harvey teACHer C) Jennifer Ritter d) Lisa Hokanson e) Smilz n Stylz F) Spa Tea Da! F) Todd Bennett A) Brooks Walton, Phillips Prep e) Paige Morse F) Rachel Howat B) Christina Ricks, Bayside Academy Best pArk/plAyground Best pediAtriCiAn C) Kelly Poole, Lott Middle School Coolest neigHBorHood-MoBile A) Fairhope Community Park A) Dr. Alfred Shearer d) Kevin Balius, Semmes Middle A) Delwood B) Downtown B) Lavretta Park B) Dr. Elizabeth Weinacker School C) Lamplighter Woods d) Midtown C) Medal of Honor Park C) Dr. Karen Calametti e) Mary Fountain, Semmes Middle School e) Oakleigh Garden District d) Municipal Park d) Dr. Matthew Cepeta F) Nicole White, F) Old Dauphin Way e) Public Safety Memorial Park e) Dr. Nancy Wood F) Dr. Robin McNair Clark Shaw Magnet F) Tricentennial Park Coolest neigHBorHood – esHo Best kid pHotogrApHer Coolest HigH sCHool teACHer A) Brookhaven Most kid Friendly neigHBorHood A) Capturing Life Photography A) Allison Miller, Mary G Montgomery B) Fairhope Fruit N Nut C) Lake Forest A) Chateauguay B) Llanfair B) Chad Riley Photography B) Joseph Moody, d) Magnolia Springs e) Stillwater C) Midtown d) Oakleigh Garden District C) Janie Long Photography Mary G Montgomery F) Timbercreek e) Ravine Woods F) Ridgefield d) LA Fotographee e) Laura Cantrell C) Phil Proctor, McGill- Toolen F) Lyn Taylor Photography d) Stephanie Tashbin, Coolest up-And-CoMing Best kid-Friendly loCAl AttrACtion Baker High School Hood – MoBile A) 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center Best puBliC sCHool e) Tyler Lynd, Murphy High School A) Brookwood B) Dauphin Island Pkwy B) Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo A) Baker High School F) William Hurd Finnegan, Davidson C) De Tonti d) Downtown C) Bellingrath Gardens and Home B) Clark-Shaw Magnet High School e) Historic Houston Street F) Midtown d) Eastern Shore Center Splash Pad C) Davidson High School e) Gulf Coast Exploreum d) Mary B. Austin e) Murphy High School Coolest up-And-CoMing F) USS Alabama Battleship F) Phillips Prep CITY LIFE Hood – esHo Memorial Park Best MoBiliAn ever A) Aaronville B) Brookhaven Best privAte sCHool A) E.O. Wilson B) Hank Aaron C) Burkhardt Estates d) Celeste Best dAnCe studio A) McGill-Toolen Catholic High School C) Jimmy Buffett e) Daphmont A) Brandy Brown Studio B) St. Pius d) Joe Cain F) Firethorn

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 Best AnnuAl event BAnd you would like to see e) Bluegill F) Wintzell’s d) Premier Medical Group A) Mardi Gras B) Bayfest At BAyFest 2015 e) Providence Hospital F) Regions Bank C) Magic Christmas in Lights A) Alabama Shakes B) Linkin Park Best College or university d) Hangout Festival C) Maroon 5 A) Spring Hill College MUSIC e) Greater Gulf State Fair F) Greek Fest d) Red Hot Chili Peppers B) The University of South Alabama Best loCAl BAnd e) Vomit Spots C) University of Mobile A) Grits and Pieces Best AnnuAl FundrAising event B) Infant Richard and The Delta Stones A) American Cancer Chili Cook Off Best golF Course Best Junior College/trAde/ C) The Mulligan Brothers B) Festival of Flowers A) Robert Trent Jones Magnolia Grove teCHniCAl sCHool d) The Ric McNaughton Band C) Junior League of Mobile’s Christmas Jubilee B) Timber Creek C) Azalea City A) Faulkner State Community College e) The Volks d) Downtown Cajun Cook Off d) Heron Lakes Country Club B) Remington College F) Underhill Family Orchestra e) The Fuse Project’s Dragon Boat Race e) Lakewood F) Mobile Country Club C) Bishop State Community College F) Woofstock d) Blue Cliff Best new loCAl BAnd Best BloCk/street pArty e) Columbia Southern University A) 31 South Band B) Eleanor Best plACe to Hold A A) Blacklawn B) Dexter Ave. F) Virgina College C) Infant Richard and The Delta Stones reCeption/speCiAl event C) Lafayette Street Party d) Pompeii Day e) The Stereo Dogs A) 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center d) North Monterey St. Coolest ApArtMent CoMplex F) The Volks B) Azalea Manor C) Gallery 450 e) South Lafayette St. F) South Monterey – MoBile d) Richards DAR House A) Charleston Apartments Best BAnd nAMe e) Ezell House F) The Pillars of Mobile Coolest CHurCH or House oF B) Cypress Cove Apartments A) Grits and Pieces worsHip C) D’Iberville Apartments B) Infant Richard and The Delta Stones Best MArdi grAs pArAding A) All Saints d) Plantations @ Hillcrest C) The Stereo Dogs soCiety B) Christ United Methodist Church e) South Monterey Place d) The Handsome Scoundrels A) Conde Cavaliers C) City Hope Church F) Stone Ridge @ Somerby e) The Volks B) Crewe of Columbus C) Infant Mystics (formerly Bay Community) F) Turbo Crab d) Mobile Mystics e) Mystic Stripers d) Dauphin Way United Methodist Coolest ApArtMent CoMplex F) Order of LaShe’s e) Harvest Church – esHo Best pArty/wedding/MArdi F) Praise Family Church A) Ashley Gates grAs BAnd Best MArdi grAs MArCHing B) Spanish Fort Town Center Apartments A) 31 South Band soCiety Best plACe to tAke out-oF- C) The Vinings @ Spanish Fort B) Crowned Jewelz Band A) Dauphin Street Drunks towners (AttrACtion) C) Grits and Pieces B) Joe Cain’s Mistresses A) USS Alabama Battleship Park Best Movie tHeAter d) Infant Richard and The Delta Stones C) Joe Cain’s Merry Widows B) Strange Journeys Walking Tour A) Carmike 16 B) Carmike Wynnsong e) Super Funk Fantasy d) Mystic Soul Mates C) Richards DAR House C) Cobb @ Gulf Shores F) The Tip Tops e) Skeleton Krewe d) Carnival Museum d) Premiere Cinema 14 Eastern Shore F) Wild Mauvillians e) Bellingrath Gardens and Home e) Rave @ Jubilee Square Best CluB to see live MusiC F) 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center F) Crescent Theater A) Bluegill Best MArdi grAs BAll B) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club A) Crew of Columbus Best plACe to tAke out-oF- Best loCAl CoMpAny to C) Plow B) Fifty Funny Fellows towners (restAurAnt) work For d) Soul Kitchen C) Maiden Butterflies A) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club A) CPSI e) Brickyard d) Mystic Stripers e) Mystics of Time B) Felix’s Fish Camp B) Cypress Employment Services F) Top of the Bay F) Order Of Osiris C) Kitchen on George d) NoJa C) Midtown Mortgage

40 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Best outdoor BAr to see live d) Patrick Ramsey e) Julie Rhames Best plAy or perForMAnCe oF MusiC e) Paul McDonald F) Ric McNaughton F) Lucy Gafford tHe yeAr A) Bluegill B) Flora-Bama A) Aida B) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels C) Hangout d) Happy Harbor Best AreA singer/voiCe Best loCAl sCulptor C) Into the Woods e) O’Daly’s F) The Bar A) Holli Mosley B) Jessica Head A) Aaron Hunt B) Bruce Larsen d) The Addams Family Musical C) Jonesy Jones yo Jonesy C) Casey Downing Jr. e) The Music Man Best venue to see live MusiC d) Kristy Lee e) Neill Robertson d) Harlan Toole Schwall F) Twelfth Night (non-BAr) F) Simone French e) Rene Culler F) Shawn Berdux A) Bayfest Best loCAl ACtor B) Frog Pond @ Blue Moon Farm Best AreA druMMer Best loCAl grApHiC design A) Brandon M. Caten C) Mobile Civic Center A) Daniel Clements Artist B) Christopher Spencer d) Saenger Theatre B) Dillon Winstanley A) Amanda Pritchard C) Isabella McCormick e) The Wharf C) Josh McNaughton B) Ashley Rice Lieb d) James Boykin d) Rick Perry e) Travis Patch C) Courtney R Smith d) Johnny Gwin e) Kelly Danielle Houk Best solo MusiCiAn F) Zach Lynd e) Katie Vogtner F) Ron Goleman A) Eric Erdman B) Kristy Lee F) Viv-Vah-Chey Designs C) Lisa Mills d) Phil Proctor Best AreA BAssist Best Arts event e) Ryan Balthrop F) Tim Kinsey A) Carl Gates B) Christian Heiden Best Mixed MediA Artist A) ART Works - The Throwdown C) Jamie Newsome A) Amber Ivey Lane B) Arts Alive! C) Fairhope Arts and Crafts Best JAzz MusiCiAn d) John Palensky e) Julian Truxillo B) Holly Carrigan C) Jenn Meador d) LODA Artwalk A) Blake Nolte B) Chip Herrington F) Rodik Newsome d) Julie Rhames e) Mobile Museum of Art Night Market C) Chris Spies d) Gerry Gambino e) Mateo F) Whitney Vittor F) Mobile Symphony Orchestra Season e) Jack Pritchett F) Justin Fobes Best drAg queen perForMer A) Jawakatema Davenport Best Art gAllery EATS AND DRINKS Best Hip Hop Artist B) Miss Cie C) Miss Venus Shante DaVis A) Amber Ivey Gallery B) Ashland Gallery Best loCAlly owned restAurAnt A) Beamin B) Korbin Burke C) Cathedral Square Gallery A) Butch Cassidy’s B) Noble South C) Mr. Bigg d) Phunk Blue Moon Best dJ (Mixin’, MAsHin’up kind) d) Gallery 450 e) Lyon’s Share C) NoJa d) Osman’s e) The Bull e) SB da G F) Sonny Bama A) DJ Blayze B) DJ Clary F) Robertson Gallery F) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar C) DJ M-Bezzle Best MusiC/reCord store d) DVDJ Lynch (Brannon Lynch) Best MuseuM Best new restAurAnt - Fine dining A) Andy’s Music B) Bay Sound e) KC Karaoke and DJ Services A) Carnival Museum B) DISL’s Estuarium A) Bistro Escoffier C) Dr. Music d) FYE e) Mobile Records F) Wermzer C) Historic Oakleigh House Museum B) Half Shell Oyster House d) Mobile History Museum C) Pour Baby d) Dumbwaiter Best loCAl reCording studio Best AreA MusiC FestivAl e) Mobile Museum of Art e) The Melting Pot A) Admiral Bean Studio B) Blue Magic A) Aerofest B) BayFest C) Funkfest F) Richards DAR House Museum C) Day 6 Entertainment Group d) Gulf Coast Ethnic & Jazz Festival Best new restAurAnt – CAsuAl d) Fade Out Entertainment e) Jada e) Hangout Festival F) South Sounds Best tHeAtre group A) Bob’s Downtown F) Studio H2O A) Chickasaw Civic Theater B) Hurricanes Bar and Grill ARTS B) Eastern Shore Repertory Theater C) Island Wing Company Best guitAr plAyer Best loCAl pAinter C) Joe Jefferson d) Micheli’s Café A) Brad Lane “The Volks” A) Aaron Hunt B) Amber Ivey Lane d) Mobile Theater Guild e) Playhouse e) Ralph and Kacoo’s F) Sunset Pointe B) Harrison Myles C) Mark Willis C) Devlin Wilson d) Jenn Meador in the Park F) Theater USA

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 41 Best CHAin restAurAnt Best CHeAp dAte plACe Best dessert Best iCe A) Bonefish Grill B) Carrabba’s A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile A) Cream and Sugar A) Foosackly’s B) Zaxby’s C) Chick-fil-A d) Foosackly’s B) Bob’s Downtown C) Dew Drop Inn B) Delish’s Desserts C) Felix’s C) Momma Goldberg’s e) Mellow Mushroom F) Moe’s BBQ d) Moe’s BBQ e) OK Bike Shop d) Kitchen on George d) Heroes e) Pollman’s F) Blind Mule e) Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse F) Bob’s Downtown Best eAstern sHore restAurAnt F) Melting Pot A) Dragonfly B) Jesse’s Most underrAted restAurAnt Best wine/gourMet sHop C) Master Joe’s d) Sunflower Café A) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar Best restAurAnt wine list A) Andre’s B) Domke Market e) Tin Top F) Wash House B) Bob’s Downtown C) Blind Mule A) Fisher’s @ Orange Beach Marina C) Food Pak d) Red or White d) Delish’s Desserts e) Briquette’s B) Half Shell Oyster House e) Rouse’s F) Southern Napa Best BeACH restAurAnt C) Legacy Bar and Grill A) Cobalt B) Cosmos Most innovAtive Menu d) Pour Baby Best Beer seleCtion – retAil C) Fishers @ Orange Beach Marina A) Dragonfly Foodbar B) Dumbwaiter e) Red or White A) Rouse’s B) Cottage Hill Package d) LuLu’s C) Kitchen on George F) Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse C) Bebo’s Springhill Market e) Tacky Jacks F) The Gulf d) Noble South e) NoJa d) Greer’s Market F) Pour Baby Best wings e) Publix F) Fresh Market Best CHeF A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile A) Bill Briand @ Fisher’s Orange Beach Best outdoor dining B) Buffalo Wild Wings C) Butch Cassidy’s Best AnnuAl Food event or B) Chakli Diggs @ NoJa A) Bluegill B) OK Bike Shop d) Island Wing Company Cook-oFF C) Chef Gillian Clark @ Kitchen on C) Boudreaux’s d) Sunset Pointe e) Moe’s BBQ F) WeMo’s A) ACS Chili Cook Off George e) Thyme by the Bay F) The Gulf B) Fairhope Steak Cook Off d) Chris Rainosek @ Noble South Best CHiCken Fingers C) Food Truck Friday e) Josh Lear @ Pour Baby Best sweet teA A) Foosackly’s B) Moe’s BBQ d) Greek Fest e) Gulf Shores Shrimp Fest F) Sam McLeod @ Cobalt A) Chick-fil-A B) Foosackly’s C) PDQ d) Raising Cane’s F) Downtown Cajun Cook Off C) Heroes d) McAlisters e) WeMo’s F) Zaxby’s Best server e) Moe’s BBQ F) Spot of Tea Best Food truCk A) Miranda Machen Best iCe CreAM/yogurt/gelAto A) Bacon My Day B) Christopher Spencer Best BisCuits A) Cammie’s Old Dutch B) Geaux Boy C) Mark Radoslovic A) Biscuit King B) Bob’s Downtown B) Chill C) Cold Snap C) Grits and Grub d) Hungry Owl d) Nikki Scozzafava C) Cracker Barrel d) Frios Gourmet Pops e) Smoking Gringos F) Von’s e) Emily Muncaster d) Dick Russell’s BBQ e) Hardees e) Marble Slab Creamery F) Serda’s F) Zack Sutherland F) Popeye’s Best guMBo Best lunCH spot A) Felix’s B) Geaux Boy Best AtMospHere Best HoMe Cookin’/soul A) Cafe 219 B) Dauphin Street Café C) Half Shell Oyster House A) Fisher’s @ Orange Beach Marina Food C) Montego’s d) Panini Pete’s d) R & R Seafood B) Half Shell Oyster House A) Big Time Diner B) Judy’s Place e) Regina’s F) Stevie’s Kitchen e) Stevie’s Kitchen F) Wintzell’s C) Kitchen on George C) Mama’s d) Mary’s d) Pour Baby e) Rock n Roll Sushi e) Time To Eat F) Via Best eAstern sHore lunCH spot Best po Boy F) The Bull A) Dragonfly A) Boiling Pot B) Half Shell Oyster Best serviCe B) Panini Pete’s House C) Market by the Bay Best First dAte plACe A) Felix’s C) Sweet Olive d) R&R Seafood A) Felix’s B) Mirko C) Pour Baby B) Kitchen on George d) Sunflower Café e) Roshell’s d) Red or White e) Melting Pot C) Mirko d) NoJa e) Ruth’s Chris e) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar F) Wintzell’s F) Noble South F) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar F) Windmill Market

42 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Best susHi Best BrunCH Best groCery CHAin e) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar A) Bamboo Fusion B) Chef Sake A) Ashland Midtown Pub A) Publix B) Rouse’s C) Winn Dixie F) Wintzell’s C) Fuji San B) Benjamin’s at the Loop C) Cafe 615 d) Walmart e) Greer’s Market d) Ichiban Japanese Steak House d) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club F) Fresh Market Best tAke And BAke e) Liquid F) Master Joe’s e) Kitchen on George A) Bay Gourmet B) Chive Talkin F) Sunflower Cafe Best gourMet groCery C) Jamie Rousso’s Foods Best BAkery A) Domke Market B) Greer’s Market d) Micheli’s Café e) Papa Murphy’s Pizza A) Bake My Day B) ellenJay Best etHniC restAurAnt C) Publix d) Rouse’s e) Fresh Market F) Rae’s Kitchen and Catering C) Flour Girls d) Katy’s e) Pollman’s A) 7 Spice B) Bangkok Thai F) Windmill Market F) Publix C) Jerusulem Café Best CupCAke d) Mediterranean Sandwich Co. Best plACe to get loCAl A) Bake My Day B) ellenJAY Best wedding CAkes e) Ollie’s F) Yak produCe/Foods- MoBile C) Flour Girls d) Pollman’s A) Cakes by Judi B) Couture Cakes A) Greer’s Market e) Simply Sweet Cupcake Boutique C) Flour Girls d) Katy’s Best MexiCAn restAurAnt B) Market on the Square F) Twist e) Pastry Shop A) Azteca’s B) Fuego C) Old Shell Market d) Rouse’s F) Pollman’s C) La Cocina d) Los Rancheros e) Saraland Produce Best seAFood MArket e) San Miguel’s F) Taqueria Mexico F) Ted and Nancy’s Fruit Stand A) DIP Seafood B) Mudbugs at the Loop Best CAterer C) Rouse’s d) Skinner Seafood A) Bay Gourmet B) Chef Rob Best itAliAn restAurAnt Best plACe to get loCAl e) Southern Fish and Oyster C) Sean @ Creative Catering A) Mirko B) Via Emilia produCe/Foods – BAldwin F) Market by the Bay d) Georgia Roussos C) Gambino’s d) Roma Café A) Allegri’s B) Bee Natural Farm e) Naman’s Catering e) Pinzone’s F) Guido’s C) Burris Farm Market Best drunk Food F) Tyner’s Catering d) Chasing Fresh e) Hazel’s Market A) Waffle HouseB) Geaux Boy Best pizzA F) Windmill Market C) Mediterranean Sandwich Company Best Burger A) Ashland Midtown Pub d) Krystal e) Callaghan’s Irish Social A) Butch Cassidy’s B) Buck’s Pizza C) Mellow Mushroom Best BArBeCue restAurAnt Club F) LoDa Biergarten B) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club d) Papa Murphy’s e) Picklefish A) Dick Russell’s BBQ B) Dreamland C) Five Guys d) Heroes F) Red or White C) Meat Boss d) Moe’s BBQ Best HAngover Food e) Mug Shots F) Roshell’s e) Saucy Q F) Brick Pit A) Baumhower’s Wings Mobile Best CoFFeeHouse B) Callaghan’s Irish Social Club Best steAk A) Carpe Diem B) Cream and Sugar Best BArBeCue sAuCe C) Five Guys d) Foosackly’s A) Briquette’s B) Longhorn C) Mokas d) Satori e) Serda’s A) Cotton State BBQ B) Dreamland e) Blind Mule F) Waffle House C) Osman’s F) Starbucks C) Meat Boss d) Moe’s BBQ d) Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse e) Saucy Q F) Brick Pit MEDIA e) Texas Roadhouse Best eAstern sHore CoFFeeHouse FAvorite rAdio stAtion FM F) Union A) Barnes and Noble B) Coffee Loft Best riBs A) 92.1 ZEW B) WABD 97.5 C) Fabled Brew d) Latte Da A) Dreamland B) Moe’s BBQ C) WKSJ 94.9 Best seAFood e) Mr. Gene’s Beans F) Starbucks C) Meat Boss d) Sonny’s d) K-Love 98.3 e) 106.5 FM Talk e) Dick Russell’s BBQ F) Zea A) Ed’s Seafood B) Felix’s F) 107.3 Hit Music Now C) Half Shell Oyster House Best loCAl groCery store d) Original Oyster House A) Greer’s Market Best rAw oysters FAvorite rAdio stAtion AM e) Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar B) Cain’s Piggly Wiggly C) Chasing Fresh A) Bluegill B) Felix’s A) WNTM 710 B) Archangel 1410 F) Wintzell’s d) Food For Less e) Food Pak F) 7 Spice C) Fisher’s Dockside C) WABF AM1220 d) Half Shell Oyster House d) WERM 1480

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 Best loCAl dJ Best loCAl evening tv newsCAst d) Steve Centanni HArdest working eleCted A) Gene Murrell @ WZEW A) WALA Fox 10 B) WKRG 5 e) Mark Bryant F) Tommy Hicks oFFiCiAl - MoBile County B) Matt McCoy @ WRGV C) WPMI Local 15 A) Ashley Rich, DA C) Nikki D Marks @ WDLT D) Pablo @ WZEW FAvorite Al.CoM Content B) Connie Hudson, Commissioner e) Sean Sullivan @ FMTALK Best loCAl Morning tv CreAtor C) Don Davis, Probate Judge F) Shelby Mitchell @ WKSJ newsCAst A) Cassie Fambro B) Dave Holloway d) Jerry Carl, Commissioner A) WALA Fox 10 B) WKRG 5 C) J.D. Crowe d) John Archibald e) Merceria Ludgood, Commissioner Best dJ teAM C) WPMI Local 15 e) Michelle Matthews F) Mike Herndon F) Sam Cochran, Sheriff A) Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell B) John & Johnna C) John Boy & Best AnCHor FAvorite glossy MAgAzine HArdest working eleCted Billy d) Matt McCoy & Gossip Greg A) Bob Grip B) Darwin Singleton A) Access B) Alabama Magazine oFFiCiAl- eAstern sHore e) Sean Sullivan & Wayne Gardner C) Devon Walsh C) Ant Farm Mobile A) Charlie Houser, Mayor of Magnolia Springs F) Tim & Leeann TLC in the Morning d) Greg Peterson d) Mobile Bay Monthly B) Dane Haygood, Mayor of Daphne e) Mel Showers e) Mobile Bay Parents C) Kevin Boone, Fairhope City Council Best Morning sHow/dJ F) Rosanne Haven F) Mobile Mask d) Mike McMillon, Spanish Fort Mayor A) Dan & Shelby B) John & Johnna e) Robin LeJeune, Daphne City Council C) Lex & Terry d) Sean & Wayne Best Meterologist FAvorite lo CAl weBsite or Blog F) Tim Kant, Mayor of Fairhope e) Tim & LeeAnn TLC in the Morning A) Alan Seals B) Derek Beasly A) A Rich Interior Life by Danielle Juzan F) Uncle Henry C) Jason Smith d) John Nodar B) Arrested in Mobile HArdest working eleCted e) Kelly Foster F) Michael White C) Drick’s Rambling Café oFFiCiAl - BAldwin County dJ wHose voiCe leAds you to d) Mod Mobilian A) Chris Elliott, Commissioner Believe you MAy wAnt to see Best tv investigAtive reporter e) The Southern Rambler B) Frank Burt, Commissioner HiM nAked A) Andrea Ramey F) Toulouse and Tonic by Suzanne Fleet C) Hallie Dixon, DA A) Colton Bradford B) Gene Murrell B) Darwin Singleton C) Kati Weis d) Hoss Mack, Sheriff C) Gossip Greg d) Matt McCoy d) Modupe Idowu Best loCAl tv Ad e) Skip Gruber, Commissioner e) Sean Sullivan F) Uncle Henry e) Peter Albrecht F) Renee Dials A) Bishop State F) Tucker Dorsey, Commissioner B) David J. Maloney C) Eiland and Ritchie dJ wHose voiCe leAds you to Best sports CoverAge d) Greene & Phillips HArdest working sCHool Believe you MAy wAnt to see A) Paxton Boyd @ WPMI Local 15 e) Greer’s Market F) I Am Joe Bullard BoArd MeMBer – MoBile Her nAked B) Michael Brannon WALA Fox 10 A) Donnie Stringfellow A) Johnna Farmer B) Lee Ann Waters C) Randy Patrick @ WKRG 5 POLITICOS B) Dr. Reginald Crenshaw C) Lindsey Marie d) Mystic Marge HArdest working oFFiCiAl - e) Shelby Mitchell sexiest loCAl tv newsMAn City oF MoBile (eleCted or HArdest working sCHool A) Darwin Singleton B) Jason Smith Appointed) BoArd MeMBer- BAldwin Best tAlk rAdio Host/sHow C) Mel Showers d) Michael Brannon A) Sandy Stimpson, Mayor A) Cecil Christenberry A) Bill Finch B) Clark Howard e) Paxton Boyd F) Peter Albrecht B) James Barber, MPD chief B) David Cox C) Shannon Cauley C) Elvis Duran d) Rush Limbaugh C) 311 Department e) Uncle Henry F) Wayne & Sean sexiest loCAl tv newswoMAn d) Colby Cooper HArdest working loCAl A) Avery Cotton B) Chasity Byrd e) Diane Irby stAte legislAtor Best sports rAdio Host/sHow C) Devon Walsh d) Kelly Jones F) George Talbot A) Rep. Chris Pringle A) Lee Shirvanian B) Mark Heim e) Kym Thurman F) Lenise Ligon B) Rep. Napoleon Bracy C) Pat Greenwood HArdest working MoBile City C) Rep. Victor Gaston d) Paul Finebaum FAvorite lAgniAppe writer CounCilperson d) Sen. Bill Hightower e) Randy Kennedy A) Gabe Tynes A) Bess Rich B) Gina Gregory e) Sen. Rusty Glover F) Scooter Eastburn B) Andy MacDonald C) Kevin Lee C) Levon Manzie F) Sen. Vivian Davis-Figures

For official rules, check out page 63 or the online ballot at www.lagniappemobile.com.

ocal singer-songwriter Ferrill Gibbs is familiar with the spontaneity of creativity. For years, he committed a catalog of original songs to memory before almost giving up on music and forgetting them altogether. LBut in 2011, he felt compelled enough to bring some of them to life and record his debut album, “Phase Separation.” Last year, he returned with new material on his second collection, “Significant Trees.” This summer, he’s preparing to release a third EP, “Insurmountable Things.” Gibbs’ musical influences began with his two older sisters. He cites his older sister as a poetic muse who influenced his lyrical composition. Her vocal excellence was a major factor in Gibbs’ desire to pursue a music career. “She was singing Whitney Houston songs back when Whitney Houston was big and could bring a stadium to its feet,” Gibbs said. “I remember when I was 7 or 8 thinking, ‘Oh yeah, I wanna do that.’” Gibbs’ sisters ignited a creative spark that began to burn brighter. As a teenager, Gibbs began mentally composing songs while working as a bag boy at Food World. As he quietly loaded groceries and collected buggies, his mind would be weaving together lyrics and melodies. But Gibbs faced a major obstacle to bringing these songs to life: He didn’t know how to play an instrument. Resolving to teach himself guitar, he began performing the songs he’d previously only imagined. With no luck joining or forming a band, he Photo/ Courtesy of Ferrill-Gibbs decided to record his songs alone. If you want to catch a glimpse of songwriter Ferrill Gibbs, be prepared to attend one of “When you go in [the studio], you’re your own band, and you get to his seldom live performances. Alternately, pick up his new EP “Insurmountable Things.” dictate how it goes and dictate when [the engineer] pushes the button,” Gibbs said. “Recording was the only lins). While Gibbs never performed Beginning with the upbeat and driving rhythm of “Onward,” realistic way for me to lay something the tracks live, “Phase Separation” the listener is quickly reminded of Gibbs’ talents as a composer, down. I was auditioning for bands and was well-received online. with impeccable instrumentation and lyrical prowess. “Onward” trying to go that route, and I never Three years later, Gibbs began is followed by the heartfelt vibes of the ballads “Fire and Ice” and made it. Most auditions I would go to work on “Significant Trees,” return- “A Night of Serious Drinking.” The album’s title track is steeped were a ‘No.’” ing to the studio with Lewis. Once in poetry while the final track, “We the Listening,” brings holiday Living in Athens, Georgia around again, Handley and Patton decided visions in the middle of summer with an alt. rock take on the the time he began to compose songs, he met producer Tom to lend their creative efforts, and Lewis invited Dan Nettles to Christmas blues. Lewis, whose reputation as a producer/engineer grew through his arrange songs and provide guitar. Keyboardist JoJo Glidewell (of For “Insurmountable Things,” Gibbs brought Glidewell, work at Studio 1093. Lewis had a habit of making friends with Montreal) also joined the lineup. Gibbs began to see them as the Handley and Nettles, a lineup that provides natural accompani- local musicians as well as bands that passed through the storied perfect support, both in talent and attitude. ment. But while he’s been busy in the studio, Gibbs has only college town. “It took a couple of albums to realize they were putting love twice performed live. When Gibbs decided to record “Phase Separation,” Lewis into it and enjoying it,” Gibbs explained. “You don’t want to take As far as catching a live performance, Gibbs said he’s working recruited accomplished session artists such as Robby Handley all these songs that mean something to you and then get into the to schedule an upcoming episode of Catt Sirten’s “Live from (bass) and Marlon Patton (drums), who were both known for studio with a bunch of guys who are just thinking about a payday. Radio Avalon” on 92ZEW. Otherwise, he said he’s quite satisfied their work with Larkin Poe and Lera Lynn. Lewis also connected I could tell after a while that they believed in it and enjoyed it.” with the recordings alone. Gibbs with keyboardist/guitarist Jay Gonzalez (Drive-By Truck- “Insurmountable Things,” his new, five-track EP, shows Gibbs “I record for my life,” Gibbs said. “I don’t know if I’m going ers) and guitarist Davis Causey (Randall Bramblett/Shawn Mul- still loves and enjoys songwriting. back. I don’t know if I’ll have another song.”

46 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Help Tike spike cancer BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

Band: 3rd Annual Ben Walls Memorial Jam Date: Sunday, June 28 at noon Venue: The Garage, 9 S. Washington Ave., 251-433-2223 Tickets: $10 at the door

o one could ever say Mobile isn’t a philanthropic city. Each year, dozens of benefits are held across the county for a number of charitable purposes. Some are so successful they recur annually, and the Ben Walls Memorial Jam is one such event. NThe benefit is named for downtown regular Ben Walls, who lost a battle with cancer several years ago. Since then, his widow Noretta Walls has organized an annual “jam” to celebrate her late husband’s life and generate funds for a local individual continuing to battle the disease. This year’s beneficiary is 35-year-old Michael “Tike” Fitzgerald. An Eastern Shore native who relocated to Vermont, Fitzgerald returned home after the funding and treatment for his Stave IV lung cancer proved prohibitive. All money collected at this year’s jam will go toward Fitzgerald’s ongoing treatment. The organizers of the Ben Walls Memorial Jam have confirmed an impressive lineup of local entertainment June 28. Local notables Eric Erdman, Harrison McInnis, Ryan Balthrop, Chico McCollum and Mark Saunders will perform, along with SNAK, Last Call Rodeo and Cool Rays. Since this is a “jam,” the crowd can expect some mingling of the musical talent throughout the day. Photo/ Ben Walls Memorial Jam

Mr. Sipp and Manci’s Hell on wheels

Band: Mr. Sipp the Mississippi Blues Child Band: Jo Hell Band Date: Sunday, June 28 at 6 p.m. Date: Friday, June 26 at 9 p.m. Venue: Manci’s Antique Club, 1715 Main St., Daphne, www. Venue: The Blues Tavern, 2818 Government Blvd., www. mancisantiqueclub.com bluestavern.com Tickets: $10 at the door Tickets: Free he International Blues Challenge (IBC) is a massive annual event bringing the world’s oth national and regional acts are drawn to “Mobile’s Blues Room” to try to win best blues bands to Memphis. Bands showcase their talent before several panels of judges over local aficionados, and Jo Hell is traveling from Austin, Texas, hoping to do just in hopes of becoming the overall winner. Given the large number of groups involved, that. winning the IBC outright is considered an impressive feat. In 2014, the honor went to Hell spends a majority of his time touring the immense Lone Star state but has no TMississippi native Mr. Sipp the Mississippi Blues Child and his band. Since, the group has shared Bproblem filling his tour schedule with as many as 300 performances annually. In recent years, its electrifying stage show with a broader audience. he has begun to venture down the Gulf Coast with performances at venues including the Hard The Mississippi Blues Child’s flawless guitar skills are displayed on “It’s My Guitar,” an Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi. 11-track album steeped in traditional blues translated for the modern age. While tracks like “Can I Hell’s rock-infused blues can best be sampled through his 2014 release, “Rockin’ Land.” Ride” tend to bounce the listener around, the driving style of the album’s title track is perhaps one Acknowledging a style mixing Texas Flood and Chicago blues, he fills each track with rock of his best. Sipp’s live performance is truly an experience local blues fans should not miss. sensibilities that create an infectious, high-energy vibe.

Photo/ YouTube Photo/ mrsippthemississippiblueschild.com

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 47 AREA MUSIC LISTINGS JUNE 25 - JULY 1 11p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p and Karl, Phil Proctor and Stan Foster, 7p THUR. JUNE 25 Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Perkins Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ Chill Listening Room— Honeyboy and Baumhower’s (OBA)— Destiny Road Felix’s— Cary Laine Duo Boots, 7p Brown Hard Rock (Live)— Great Escape- A Garage— Mother Mojo, 9p Manci’s— Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Beau Rivage— Yaye, 7p Tribute to Journey, 8p Hangout— Oliver’s Twist, 7p// Party Blues Child” BLUEGILL— Kyle and Karl, 6p Legacy— Jimmy Lumpkin, 6p// Bust, Animal, 11p McSharry’s— Trad Irish Music, 6:30p Blues Tavern— Ben Prestige, 8:30p 8:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Perkins Old 27 Grill— Lisa Zanghi, 11:30a Callaghan’s— Modern Eldorados Listening Room— Wes Lee, 8p Raod Pinzones— Ross Newell, 5p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Main Street Cigar Lounge— Eric IP Casino— Mr. Warmth: Don Rickles, Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Felix’s— Soulshine Erdman, 8p 8p Melissa Joiner Duo, 11a Hangout— Ryan Balthrop, 7p// Perry Manci’s— Leavin’ Brothers Legacy— Gregg Fells Tropics— Al & Cathy Wall, 11p McSharry’s— DJ Carter, 10p Listening Room—Julie Anne Sellers, Veets— Haley Palooza: Ryan Blathrop, Hard Rock (Center Bar)— The Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Neil Dover 8p 2p// Eric Erdman, 3p/// The Old Jewels, 8p Flying Steinway Brothers Duo, 6:30p Main Street Cigar Lounge— Shea The House— Ross Newell, 5:30p Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— The Budz, White, 8p Legacy— Tim Kinsey 8p Manci’s— Josh Ewing and Matt Neese MON. JUNE 29 McSharry’s— Rock Bottom, 7:30p O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell Birthday Bash McSharry’s— DJ Carter, 10p Beau Rivage— Yaye, 7p Old 27 Grill— Hollis, 6:30p and Dueling Pianos (Gene Murrell, Tony Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Glass Joe Felix’s— Brandon Baliey Pinzones—Lee Yankie Edwards and David White), 10p Pirates Cove— Foxy Iguanas, 6p Flora Bama— Cathy Pace, 6p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Old 27 Grill— Christina Christian Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Hangout— Rhythm Intervention, 7p// Jimmie Lee Hanniford, 6p Tacky Jacks (Ft. Morgan) — Les Soul Food Junkies, 6p Jay Williams, 11p Saenger— Indigo Girls Linton, 7p Tropics— Rebecca Barry Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus Sun Set Fest at the Wharf— Vibe Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Nigel, Soul Kitchen— System Overload, 9p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 6p Irie 6p Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Veets— Grant Dunaway, 8p Tacky Jacks (Orange Beach) — Windmill Market— Craig Brayer, 11a Wind Creek Casino— Big and Rich, Marty McIntosh Duo, 6p TUE. JUNE 30 9p American Legion Post 88— Mark Tropics— Whyte Caps and Greg Saenger— Delbert McClinton SUN. JUNE 28 Beau Rivage— Yaye, 3p//7p Beau Rivage— Yaye, 7p Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p BLUEGILL— Brett LaGrave, 6p FRI. JUNE 26 Windmill Market— This Side of 49, Bimini Bob’s— Destiny Brown Baumhower’s (OBA)— Double Dee Butch Cassidy’s— David Jernigan Trio 6p BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// U.S. Beau Rivage— Scotty McCreery Band, 6p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p Bill’s by the Beach— Lisa Zanghi & Callaghan’s— Oh Jeremiah Felix’s— Sergio Rangel Scott Koehn, 6:30p SAT. JUNE 27 Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 11a Hangout— Jay Williams, 7p// DJ Lion Bimini Bob’s— Strictly Isbell American Legion Post 88— Bill Felix’s— Bobby Butchka L, 11p Blind Mule— Dirty Lungs, Red Right and Arron Garage— Ben Walls Benefit (Harrison Veets—Tim Kinsey and Wes Loper, 8p Hands, and 20,000 Leagues Under The Baumhower’s (OBA)— Christina McInnins, Eric Erdman, Ryan Balthrop, Sea,10p Christian Chico McCullum, Mark Saunders, Last BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// WED. JULY 1 Beau Rivage— Yaye, 3p//7p Call Rodeo, Cool Rays, SNAK), 12p Beau Rivage— Yaye, 7p Cary Lane Duo, 6p Bill’s by the Beach— Barstool The Grand Mariner— Tommy Blues Tavern— Jo Hell, 9p Bimini Bob’s— Al and Cathy Surfers, 7p Morse, 2p BLUEGILL— Eric Erdman Callaghan’s— John and Jacob Bimini Bob’s— Sid Moore Hangout— Kyle and Karl, 7p// The Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 7p Captain’s Table— Jerry Squires, 6p BLUEGILL— Brittany Grimes, 11a// Perry Wall, 11p Compleat Angler (The Wharf)— Cockeyed Charlie’s— 3HG Delta Reign, 6p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— GRS Felix’s— Grits N Pieces Adam Holt Piano Show, 8p Blues Tavern— Chico & Chris, 9p Experience Felix’s— Brandon and John Garage— Harrison McInnis, 9p Callaghan’s— Jefferson Street Legacy— Rebecca Barry and John Hangout— Peek, 7p// Foxy Iguanas, Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores) — Nigel, Marching Band Cochran, 11a// Ross Newell, 5p// Kyle 6p

AREA MUSIC LISTINGS SEND YOUR MUSIC LISTINGS TO [email protected]

48 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 AREA CLUb LISTINGS [DOWNTOWN] Skyview Lounge 28850 US Hwy 98| 626-7662 www.pinkponypub.net 6120 Marina Dr. S. Atop the Lafayette Plaza Plow [Fairhope] 137 East Gulf Pl. | 978-6371 443-7318 Alchemy Tavern 301 Gov’t St.| 694-0100 96 Plantation Pointe| 410-7569 Pirate’s Cove [Elberta] Tin Top alchemy.joltpro.com Soul Kitchen Courtyard 311 www.piratescoveriffraff.com 7 S. Joachin St. | 441-7741 6232 Bon Secour Hwy. County www.soulkitchenmobile.com 311 Fairhope Ave. | 928-2032 6600 County Rd. 95| 987-1224 The Blind Mule Rd. 10 | 251-949-5086 219 Dauphin St. |433-5958 [Fairhope] Tacky Jacks 57 N. Claiborne St. | 694-6853 Ravenite Pizzeria Touch Down Tavern Spot of Tea’s Jaggers 102 N. Section St. | 929-2525 www.tackyjacks.com Boo Radley’s 5460 Inn Rd | 662-7543 310 Dauphin St. | 375-6772 Rosie’s Grill and Record Bar [Orange Beach] www.booradleysmobile.com VFW Post 7320 [Saraland] Studio 5’4 [Daphne] 27206 Safe Harbor Dr, |981-4144 276 Dauphin St. | 432-1996 244 Old Telegraph Rd. |679-1188 216 Dauphin St. | 725-0406 www.rosiesgrill.com [Gulf Shores] The Bar T.P. Crockmiers 249 E. 24th Ave.| 948-8881 Whiskey Blues [Theodore] 352 St. Francis St. | 648-1596 1203 U.S. 98|626-2440 250 Dauphin St. | 476-1890 [Fairhope] [Gulf Shores] 5791 Swedetown Rd.|633-1769 The Brickyard Windmill Market The Listening Room 1577 Alabama 180|968-8341 Zebra Lounge 266 Dauphin St. | 473-4739 www.windmillmarket.org 78 St. Francis St.| 367-4599 85 N. Bancroft St. | 517-5444 The Handlebar [Pensacola] Buck’s Pizza 2343 Dauphin Island Pkwy. http://thelisteningroommobile.com www.handlebarpensacola.com www.buckspizza.com 473-2997 Veet’s 319 N. Tarragona St.| 434-9060 350 Dauphin St. | 431-9444 [WESTMObILE] www.veetsbarandgrill.com The Wharf [Orange Beach] Callaghan’s Irish Social Club All Sports Bar & Grill [CASINOS] 66 S. Royal St.| 694-3090 3408 Pleasant Valley Rd. 4985 Wharf Pkwy.| 224-1000 www.callaghansirishsocialclub.com Beau Rivage [Biloxi] 345-9338 916 Charleston St. | 433-9374 www.beaurivage.com [MIDTOWN] Billiards Club [AROUND AND AbOUT] Dauphin St. Blues Company 878 Beach Blvd.|228-386-7111 Ashland Midtown Pub 4130 Gov’t Blvd.|447-2132 The Old Bama Barn [Theodore] & Draft Picks www.ashlandmidtownpub.com 11470-B Bellingrath Rd.|973-0388 or 888-595-2534 564 Dauphin St. | 725-6429 Cockeyed Charlies 2453 Old Shell Rd.| 479-3278 6920 Airport Blvd.|725-1112 Blue Gill Restaurant Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Firehouse Wine Bar Shop Blues Tavern www.bluegillrestaurant.com [Biloxi] 216 St. Francis St. | 421-2022 Crooked Martini www.bluestavern.com www.thecrookedmartini.com 3775 Battleship Pkwy. |625-1998 www.hardrockbiloxi.com Gabriel’s Downtown Bottoms Up 55 S. Joachim St. | 432-4900 2818 Gov’t Blvd. |479-7621 7639 Cottage Hill Rd. #C |633-5555 777 Beach Blvd. 2605 Halls Mill Rd. | 287-7781 The Garage Butch Cassidy’s Cafe Flashback Club |228-374-ROCK (7625) 10071 Airport Blvd.| 634-2239 Briar Patch 9 S. Washington Ave. | 433-2223 www.butchcassidys.com Harrah’s Hotel & Casino 9371 Dauphin Island Pkwy. Hayley’s Downtown 60 N. Florida St. |450-0690 Jag’s Sports Bar & Grill 973-1120 [New Orleans] 278 Dauphin St. | 433-4970 Kimberly’s Midtown Bar 5602 Old Shell Rd.| 725-1102 Celtic Irish Pub [Pascagoula] www.harrahsneworleans.com Joe Cain Café 2660 Old Shell Rd. |478-1477 Lucky Irish Pub & Grill 4901 Chicot St. | 228-938-6800 228 Poydras St.|504-533-6000 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 Mellow Mushroom 3692 Airport Blvd.| 414-3000 Ed’s Seafood Shed Grand Casino [Biloxi] Liquid www.mellowmushroom.com Mellow Mushroom www.edsshed.com www.grandcasinobiloxi.com 661 Dauphin St. | 432-0109 2032 Airport Blvd. |471-4700 www.mellowmushroom.com 5660 Old Shell Rd. | 380-1500 3382 Battleship Pkwy. | 625-1947 280 Beach Blvd. Loda Bier Garten Rear Pocket Felix’s Fish Camp 251 Dauphin St. | 287-6871 2525 Emogene St. |476-0053 Patches 228-436-2946 5100 Girby Rd.| 661-8028 www.felixsfishcamp.com Mobile Civic Center Royal Knight Restaurant IP Casino Resort & Spa Satori Coffee House 1530 Battleship Pkwy. |626-6710 www.mobilecivicctr.com 3004 Gov’t Blvd. |287-1220 [Biloxi] www.satori-coffee.com Midnight Rodeo 401 Civic Center Dr. | 208-7261 Silver Horse Pub www.ipbiloxi.com 5460 Old Shell Rd. | 344-4575 7790 Tanner Rd. |639-2222 Moe’s Original BBQ 151 S. Florida St. |478-7030 850 Bayview Ave. Runway Billards Mississippi Coast Coliseum www.moesoriginalbbq.com Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 8000 Airport Blvd. | 634-8006 [Biloxi] 800-436-3000 701 Spring Hill Ave|410-7427 110 S. Florida St.|478-7427 The Hungry Owl www.mscoastcoliseum.com Wind Creek Casino O’Daly’s Irish Pub 7899 Cottage Hill | 633-4479 2350 Beach Blvd. |228-594-3700 www.windcreekcasino.com 564 Dauphin St.|725-6429 [EASTERN SHORE] Stir Mobile The End Zone Sports Bar 303 Poarch Rd., Atmore OK Bicycle Shop Bay House Pub [Daphne] [Mt. Vernon] 19170 Hwy 43. 5821 Old Shell Rd., Ste. D | 342-9995 866-946-3360 661 Dauphin St. |432-2453 28850 Bayline Dr. | 626-0158 VFW Post 49 829-9227 Pat’s Downtown Grill Club 44 [Daphne] 2528 Govt Blvd. | 471-9438 The Oar House [Dauphin Island] 271 Dauphin St. | 438-9585 [NEW ORLEANS] AREA CLU b 28850 US 98, #100 | 445-8069 1504 Bienville Blvd.| 861-4800 Riverview Plaza (Fathoms House of Blues Gumbo Shack [THE bEACH] Original Oyster House Lounge) www.houseofblues.com www.guysgumbo.com Flora-Bama www.theoysterhouse.com 64 S. Water St.| 438-4000 225 Decatur St . |504-310-4999 212 Fairhope Ave. | 928-4100 www.florabama.com 3733 Battleship Pkwy. |626-2188 Royal Scam Manci’s Antique Club [Daphne] 17401 Perdido Key Dr., Pelican Pub & Restaurant Howlin’ Wolf www.royalscammobile.com www.mancisantiqueclub.com 850-492-0611 [Dauphin Island] www.thehowlinwolf.com/new- 72 S. Royal St.|432-SCAM (7226) 1715 Main St. | 375-0543 The Hangout 1102 DeSoto Ave.| 861-7180 orleans Royal Street Tavern McSharry’s [Fairhope] www.thehangoutal.com Pelican Reef Restaurant 907 S. Peters St. 26 N. Royal St. | 338-2000 101 Gulf Ct. | 948-3030 LISTINGS www.mcsharrys.com 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. 504-522-WOLF (9653) Saenger Theatre Live Bait | 973-2670 101N Brancroft St. |990-5100 Louisiana Superdome www.mobilesaenger.com www.livebaitrestaurant.com Moe’s Original BBQ [Daphne] Trader’s 6 S. Joachim St. |208-5600 24281 Perdido Beach Blvd. www.superdome.com www.moesoriginalbbq.com 4015 Battleship Pkwy Saddle Up Saloon 974-1612 1500 Poydras St. |504-587-366 6423 Bayfront Pk Dr.|625-7427 626-5630 www.saddleupmobile.com Lulu’s at Homeport Marina Tipitina’s Old 27 Grill [Fairhope] The Grand Mariner 9 N Jackson St. 285-4596 www.lulubuffett.com 501 Napoleon Ave. 19992 Hwy 181 | 281-2663 6036 Rock Point Rd. Serda’s Coffee Company 200 E. 25th Ave. 504-895-TIPS (8477) www.serdas.com Papa’s Pizza [Daphne] 251-967-LULU 443-5700 3 S. Royal St. | 415-3000 www.papaspizza.com Pink Pony Pub [Gulf Shores] The River Shack June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 49 MUSICRUNDOWN The Revivalists plan record release event at O’Daly’s BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

eighborly New Orleans band house into a major complex spanning both The Revivalists have made the sides of Gulf Beach Highway. With the Azalea City one of its regular recent opening of the Ole River Bar on the stops. The band’s jazzy style north side of the road, opposite the beach, Nof rock quickly earned it throngs of local the crown jewel of the Redneck Riviera is fans who tend to pack the house whenever giving patrons a chance to “do it on the line” they perform here. So it came as no surprise in a different way. when the band announced the location to re- Customers now will be able to dine on lease its newest studio effort, “Men Amongst local seafood while enjoying musical enter- Mountains.” The Revivalists will join local tainment on the stage situated between The fans at O’Daly’s Irish Pub on Friday, July 31 Flora-Bama Yacht Club and the Ole River to celebrate the release, which actually hit Bar. With warm weather marking the height the streets July 17. of the summer, fans of the Flora-Bama In a recent press release, “Men Amongst should have plenty of time to experience the Mountains” was described as an album fo- Ole River Bar. cused on growth. The Revivalists traveled to Bogalusa, Louisiana, to record at Studio in No strings attached the Country, a process that took two weeks. Lagniappe’s Friends with Benefits should “In an effort to induce a more performance- not forget the upcoming Grateful Dead scarf based sensibility,” the band chose to lay giveaway, created by Grateful Girls. Each down tracks for the album on tape. scarf is officially licensed and features art- New Orleans’ Esplanade and Living work of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia. Room studios then polished them up. The With the Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” press release went on to describe the album 50th anniversary shows taking place July as the “next step in The Revivalists’ ever- 3-5 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, this would evolving depth and maturity.” be the perfect time to sport these beauti- Tickets are on sale now at O’Daly’s and ful accessories. However, the giveaway through Huka Entertainment’s website. is exclusively for readers registered with Lagniappe’s Friends with Benefits program. Rollin’ on the river To become a Lagniappe Friend, sign up at Photo/ therevivalists.com The Flora-Bama in Gulf Shores has lagniappemobile.com and prepare to reap a O’Daly’s will host The Revivalists for the release of their new album “Men evolved from a musically-inspired road- little something extra. Amongst Mountains.”

50 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACross

1. Tongue or tail action 4. Polynesian bark cloth 8. Like space 12. A real fly-by-night 13. Collier’s access 14. At least once 15. Bridal-notice word 16. “Miami Vice” character 17. Ruffle some feathers 18. Unlawful firing? 20. Perplex 21. Tarzan’s transport 23. African peninsula 25. Uplift spiritually 27. Dogcatcher’s quarry 28. Is in the past? 31. Reacted to a scare 33. Tuna relative 35. Buckle 36. Ad ___ 38. Pole position? 39. Proverbial preventive 41. Cantina coin 4. Clippers’ skippers, e.g. 30. Artsy Manhattan area 42. Gets the ball rolling? 5. “Farewell, amigo” 32. Dance maneuver 45. ___ d’art 6. Summertime outing 34. Casual dissent 47. Dark, in a way 7. ___ Z 37. Women’s wear daily? 48. Bit of deception 8. “Aida” composer 39. Place for a spare? 49. Back on board 9. Ardent 40. Buddy of Hollywood 52. Chaucer specialty 10. Bear’s order, on Wall 42. Phi-Kappa connector 53. Takes off the shelf Street 43. Face form 54. Country-club figure 11. Arborist’s focus 44. Heir lines? 55. Foul-weather friend 19. Some whistle blowers 46. Clown around 56. It may be pitched 20. Baseball legend 48. Same old, same old 57. Barfly Henry 50. To’s partner 21. Lab examiners? 51. Day care candidate down 22. Birth of an invention 24. Gist 1. Took the spoils 26. Pound sounds 2. Cow or wow 28. Eavesdroppers’ aids 3. Gathering gradually 29. Courtroom figs. Answers on PAge 60

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 51 C O E MOBILE BOTANICAL GARDENS YARD SALE

WHERE: MOBILE BOTANICAL GARDENS, 5151 MUSEUM DRIVE WHEN: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JUNE 26 & 27, 7 A.M. until 2 P.M.

Mobile Botanical Gardens will host its first-annual yard sale Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 5151 Museum Drive. If you have extra stuff you’d like to get rid of, now is your chance! A list of appropriate items can be found at mobilebotanicalgardens.org. Newspapers (without ad inserts), plastic grocery bags and medium to small boxes are also needed. Items can be dropped off anytime at the MBG office. Volunteers are needed to help sort and price items before the sale, to be checkers, help customers on the floor, load items and serve as holding-area attendants. If you’re interested in being a volunteer or have questions concerning items to donate, contact Mobile Botanical Gardens at 251-342-0555. Photo/mobilebotanicalgardens.org

June 25 scholarships and on Friday, for the DYW plants, baked goods and more. The ghost stories of the historic home. Before 50/50/50 to Fight Childhood Obesity competition categories. Tickets for the Fairhope Public Library will hold story the tour everyone will gather at Azalea The Iron Cowboy is doing 50 Ironmans DYW Preliminaries and National Finals on times and children’s activities at 4 p.m. Manor, 751 Dauphin St., for an open bar in 50 days in 50 states to fight childhood Saturday, June 27 are $82.50 for all three each Thursday at the market. For general from 6:30-7 p.m. before boarding a bus obesity. He’ll be in Fairhope and will finish nights. Daily tickets are also available. For information or for information about for the tour. Tickets are $50 per person.

| JUNE 25, 2015 - JULY 1, 2015 EVENTS | JUNE 25, 2015 - JULY up his Alabama ironman with a media more information call Valerie at 251-438- becoming a vendor, call 251-929-1466. Reservations are required. For more event/social at the Windmill Market. The 3621. information and to make reservations, call Iron Cowboy invites folks to join him on Market on the Hill 251-479-9970. OF each segment, with participants doing as Uncorked! An outdoor market of locally grown much or as little of each segment as they Join the Eastern Shore Art Center (ESAC) produce, seafood and soaps is being Free HIV Testing like. The events start at 6 a.m. at Fairhope at 401 Oak St. in Fairhope for a night held at Lavretta Park (Old Shell Road and Free, rapid HIV testing will be available Municipal Pier. Course Maps and more of pizza, painting and fun. The painting Parkway Street West) every Thursday at the Walgreens at the Loop, 2050 info can be found at ironcowboy.com/ session begins at 5:30 p.m. Come early through July 30. The Market on the Government St., in Mobile Thursday and calendar/alabama and on the Alabama to enjoy a free chair massage by Bayside Hill runs from 3 to 6 p.m. For more Friday, June 25-26, from 3 p.m. until 7 Iron Cowboy Facebook page. Chiropractic Rehab & Laser Therapy. The information, please call 251-208-1550. p.m., and Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m.

ALENDAR session is $40 and includes the canvas. until 2 p.m., in support of National HIV

C Air Race Classic Hanger Party For more information on ESAC events, Thursdays at the Museum Testing Day. For more information please H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport (8600 please visit us online www.esartcenter. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. call 251-690-8818. County Road 32), 99s Emerald Angels of com, call 251-928-2228, ext. 107, or like the Mobile Museum of Art offers free the Gulf Coast Chapter, and Continental us on Facebook. admission to all visitors. Join MMofA each Ark of India Motors Group, an AVIC International week to experience the museum in new “Ark of India: An Alabama Artist Explores Holding Corporation company, welcome Art Talk by Ronan Peterson and exciting ways throughout the year. No Southern Asia” is an exhibit about the all-women Air Race Classic to Join us at the Mobile Museum of Art for an reservations are necessary. MMofA is at personal discovery and exploration. Fairhope June 24-27 for the terminus of talk with ceramicist Ronan Peterson about 4850 Museum Drive. It’s an account of late 19th and early its annual transcontinental race. There are the trials and tribulations of making it as 20th century India as seen by Alabama 54 teams with 118 female pilots registered a professional artist. Peterson now tours June 26 artist Roderick D. MacKenzie, using his to compete for this year’s championship. and teaches pottery workshops around Mobile Botanical Gardens Yard Sale paintings, drawings, sculptures and, most The community is encouraged to come the United States and his earthenware is Mobile Botanical Gardens will host its importantly, photographs and writings. to the airport on Thursday, June 25, to featured in galleries around the nation. The first annual yard sale Friday and Saturday, The exhibition is organized by the History watch and welcome the racers as they talk will begin at 7 p.m. at MMofA, 4850 June 26-27, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Museum of Mobile, 111 S. Royal St. On arrive. You can also follow the race teams Museum Drive. 5151 Museum Drive. If you have extra view until Sept. 1. Admission is free. at airraceclassic.org. Continental Motors stuff you’d like to get rid of, now is your Services is hosting the traditional hangar Campo Santo Summer Concert Series chance! A list of appropriate items can Hatching the Past: The Great Dinosaur party at the close of the race from 6 Come enjoy live music in Cathedral be found at mobilebotanicalgardens.org. Egg Hunt p.m. to 9 p.m. at the airport. Please join Square from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays Newspapers (without ad inserts), plastic “Hatching the Past” features 100 real the racers for a celebratory dinner and through July 16. Local and regional bands grocery bags and medium to small boxes dinosaur eggs and 100 replica eggs at The dancing, including barbecue and side will perform. This installment features are also needed. Items can be dropped Exploreum. The multimedia experience provided by Georgia Roussos, wine/ songwriter Emerge. The concert series off anytime at the MBG Office. Volunteers for all ages invites visitors to touch beer and live entertainment provided by is sponsored by the Downtown Mobile are needed to help sort and price items real dinosaur bones and reconstructed the band Mid-Life Crisis LA. For more Alliance, the city of Mobile Office of before the sale, to be checkers, help nests, dig for eggs, experience hands-on information or tickets call 251-753-0237. Special Events and Blue Moon Brewing. customers on the floor, load items and exploration stations and view animated serve as holding-area attendants. If you’re video presentations featuring well-known Free HIV Testing Kids’ Day in Bienville interested in being a volunteer or have dinosaur experts. The Exploreum, 65 Free, rapid HIV testing will be available Bring the kids to Bienville Square from 10 questions concerning items to donate, Government St., is open daily. For more at the Walgreens at the Loop, 2050 a.m. until 1 p.m. today for summertime contact Mobile Botanical Gardens at 251- information visit www.exploreum.com. Government St., in Mobile Thursday and fun and enjoy live entertainment, arts and 342-0555. Friday, June 25-26, from 3 p.m. until 7 crafts, and visits with representatives of June 27 p.m., and Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the Mobile Last Friday Art Night Slide the City until 2 p.m., in support of National HIV Police and Fire-Rescue departments and Dauphin Island Heritage and Art Gallery is Slide the City is a family-friendly slip- Testing Day. For more information please much more! If you have questions, please where it’s happening on the island on the and-slide water party event. There will call 251-690-8818. call 251-208-1550. last Friday of each month. “Last Friday Art be live music, food, drinks, water and, of Night” features shopping for local art, art course, the longest slip-and-slide ever to 58th DYW National Finals Summer Outdoor Market demonstrations, food, drink and music. hit asphalt. Make sure to bring your water Join us for the Distinguished Young The city of Fairhope will host a Summer Dauphin Island Heritage and Art Gallery is buckets, floaties and water guns (non- Women (DYW) Preliminary Competitions Outdoor Farmer’s Market from 3 to 6 located at 1008 Alabama Ave. For more realistic, of course) to squirt, spray, splash on Thursday (7 p.m.) and Friday (7 p.m.) p.m. on Thursday evenings through information call 251-861-3300. and get everyone attending soaked. at the Mobile Civic Center Theater, 401 July 9. The market will be set up behind Slide the City Mobile will be held at the Civic Center Drive, as the Class of 2015 the Fairhope Public Library on Bancroft Historic Ghost Tour Spanish Fort Town Center, Town Center competes in fitness, talent and self- Street downtown and will feature local Mobile Mystery Mystics present a historic Drive, near Bass Pro Shops in Spanish expression. On Thursday, awards will be farmers, bakers, fresh Baldwin County ghost tour of Mobile and the Richards Fort. For tickets and more information visit presented for community-supported cash produce, fresh-cut flowers, local honey, DAR House, complete with a tour and slidethecity.com/events/mobile/.

52 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 Swift-Coles Historic Home Picnic Day or for more information visit www. a year, and lunch must be purchased. will also sign copies of the new Southern Bring your blanket or lawn chairs, sit snowflakeentertainment.com. Toastmasters International is a worldwide Living Gardening book after his talk. This under beautiful live oak trees and enjoy a organization. For further information, event is part of Bellingrath’s Wonderful picnic lunch while listening to Dixieland Market on the Square contact 251-344-2938. Wednesdays series in June and July. Jazz and Ragtime music. You can play Shop for the freshest crops every Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission is lawn games and stroll around to see Saturday through July 25 at Cathedral June 30 $12.50 for adults, $7 for children ages antique Ford Model T and Model A cars Square in downtown Mobile. This time Addiction Counseling 5-12; and free to Bellingrath members and people in vintage clothing. Admission of year is our favorite because you can Narconon would like to remind families and to ages 4 and younger. Visit www. at the gate is $10 for adults and $5 for buy locally grown tomatoes, potatoes, that the use of addicting drugs is on the Bellingrath.org to see the full schedule children ages 6-12, free to children under sweet corn, cantaloupes, watermelons, rise. Take steps to protect your family and register for your favorites. Bellingrath 6. Admission includes lunch. For more plants and flowers as well as seafood, from drug use. If you know anyone Gardens is located at 12401 Bellingrath information call 251-949-5550 or visit baked goods, pastas, casseroles, pies, who is struggling with drug addiction, Gardens Road, Mobile. www.SwiftColesHistoricHome.com. The handcrafted goods and much more. Stay get them the help they need. Call for a home is located at 17424 Swift-Coles for live music on the green. Please note free brochure on the signs of addiction Downtown Toastmasters Lane in Bon Secour. there will be no market on Independence for all drugs. Narconon also offers free Are you interested in gaining more Day, July 4. For more information, call screenings and referrals. Call 1-800-431- confidence in your public speaking 58th DYW National Finals 251-208-1550. 1754 or visit DrugAbuseSolution.com. ability? The Downtown Mobile On Saturday at 7 p.m., help us celebrate Toastmasters Club 2815 invites you to 58 years of inspiring young women June 28 Teen Tech Tutor Program join us for our weekly educational lunch during the Distinguished Young Women Sunday Matinee at 5 Rivers The Baldwin County Library Cooperative meeting at T.P. Crockmiers, 261 Dauphin National Finals at the Civic Center Every Sunday throughout the day, take recently implemented a Teen Tech Tutor St., from noon until 1 p.m. Practice your Theater, 401 Civic Center Drive. Check a step inside 5 Rivers Tensaw Theater program at the Robertsdale Library. This speaking, listening and leadership skills out the 10 finalists as they compete and catch a free film. This week’s movie program is designed to match high- in a relaxed, friendly environment. Lunch in fitness, talent and self-expression is “Nature: Saving Otter 501.” For more school-age students who have strong must be purchased. Our dues are $42 and enjoy performances from Brooke information call 251-625-0814. technological skills with adults and twice yearly. Toastmasters International Rucker, Distinguished Young Woman seniors who are unfamiliar with basic is a worldwide organization. For more of America for 2014. At the end of Open Studio laptop computer technology. The free information, call 251-404-3924. the night, one young woman will be Come enjoy complimentary mimosas program is available Monday through named Distinguished Young Woman of as artists work at the Cathedral Square Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 18301 1, 2015 EVENTS | JUNE 25, 2015 - JULY America for 2015. Tickets for the DYW Gallery, 612 Dauphin St. Works by Pennsylvania St., Robertsdale. An preliminaries (the preceding two nights) more than 60 area artists also will be on appointment is required; call the library at and national finals are $82.50 for all three display. For more information call 251- 251-970-4010. OF nights. Individual night tickets are also 694-0278. available. To purchase tickets, please July 1 contact Valerie at the DYW National June 29 Kayak Fishing Clinic Office, 251-438-3621. “The Moonlit Garden” lecture and book This brief introduction to kayak fishing will signing be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wind Free HIV Testing Join Scott Ogden, author, horticulturist and Water Learning Center, 26233 Canal

Free, rapid HIV testing will be available and garden designer, as he demonstrates Road, Orange Beach. This technique- ALENDAR

at the Walgreens at the Loop, 2050 how to create a garden under the stars. focused clinic will cover maneuvering in C Government St., in Mobile from 10 a.m. His moonlit gardens feature mixed a fishing kayak, using and detaching an until 2 p.m. in support of National HIV plantings of scented flowers for light- anchor trolley, casting techniques specific Testing Day. For more information please reflecting foliage, exotic fragrances of to being on a kayak and the importance call 251-690-8818. tropical plants and shimmering water of staying visible. Fees are $70 for a gardens. The lecture will begin at10:30 three-hour class and all equipment is Olaf Summer Tea Party a.m. at Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 included (kayak, paddle, rod/reel, tackle, Photo/facebook.com/exploreum Experience an unforgettable, entertaining Bellingrath Gardens Road. For more PFD), no fishing license necessary. and fun mother/daughter event at information, visit www.bellingrath.org or Students must be at least 13 years old. In Little Discoveries at the Exploreum our Summer Tea Party! Join us for a call 251-973-2217. case of inclement weather, the instructor Little Discoveries is a weekly series in the spectacular performance by Olaf, sing will contact you to reschedule or issue Exploreum’s Wharf of Wonder for children to your heart’s content to some of the Top Cats Toastmasters a refund. For more information visit 6 and under. Lessons will fuse science, most cherished princess songs, acquire Are you terrified at the idea of public windandwaterlearning.com. technology, engineering and math with the knowledge you need on how to be a speaking? We were. We got over it. Top creativity, art and reading. Each session princess, receive an exciting makeover Cats Toastmasters invites you to join Bellingrath’s Wonderful Wednesdays will begin with a story reading that will for your daughter from your two favorite us. We meet every Monday from noon We are pleased to welcome Steve serve as the launching pad for the day’s Snow Sisters, and let’s not forget … to 1 p.m. at the Red Lobster near the Bender, garden editor for Southern hands-on activities. Wednesdays 10 to yummy food! So come interact with the southeast corner of Airport Boulevard and Living Magazine, to Bellingrath for an 11 a.m. and Thursdays 2 to 3 p.m. at delightful, huggable Olaf and converse Azalea Road in Mobile. You can practice entertaining and enlightening talk about Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 with the two royal Snow Sisters at your speaking and listening skills and gardening in the south. Steve will present Government St. For more information, call Spot of Tea, 310 Dauphin St. The party learn to think on your feet in a relaxed, “The Disturbingly Dissed Dozen — 12 Josh Holland at 251-208-6893 or email starts at 11 a.m. To purchase tickets friendly atmosphere. Dues are $43 twice great plants that nobody is growing” and [email protected]. SEND YOUR EVENTS TO [email protected]

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 53 FILMt H e reel world Unusual friendship propels ‘Kelly and Cal’ BY ASIA FREY/FILM CRITIC | [email protected]

o much rings true in the film “Kelly visiting to help with the baby, I felt relieved. and Cal” that it almost hurts to watch. She unfortunately takes the opportunity to just But the leads, Juliette Lewis and Jonny hang out with the cute boy next door every day, Weston, bring so much spark to their baby free, and it’s not that it doesn’t seem like Sroles that even when some moments hit too fun, it’s just that the poor guy is so vulnerable. close to home, it’s a wonderful film. Lewis is It definitely might be more fun to drink beer absolutely perfect as Kelly, a new mom adrift with the cute young neighbor than to be on the in the suburbs; she used to be cool and now she receiving end of a harrowing makeover from doesn’t know what she is. Cybill Shepherd, who plays Kelly’s mother-in- Sneaking a cigarette in her backyard one day, law, but grown women really just shouldn’t. Not Kelly gets an unwanted sexual comment from more than once, anyway. her teenage neighbor. When she sees he’s in While Cal’s outlook does temporarily im- a wheelchair, she feels terrible for telling him prove as a result of their time together, Kelly is off. As she forces herself to stroll her newborn selfishly stringing the poor guy along to make son around her new neighborhood, she takes herself feel good. She just finds it so satisfying an opportunity to apologize to the young man. to impress him, and can somehow justify her Soon, they recognize a kindred rebellious streak Photo/ imdb.com actions based on the facts of his misfortune and in each other. A can’t-miss for Juliette Lewis fans. the idea that she is cheering him up. It’s rare and The other, more salient thing they both have fascinating to see a character behave in such a in common is a very great neediness. Cal has believable and outrageously inappropriate, and complex and ultimately wrong way without be- only recently been in the accident that left him it is the cinematic personality of the actual Ju- ing a full-on bad guy. wheelchair-bound, and is reeling from the more liette Lewis that sells the thing. You can imagine “Kelly and Cal” is a sensitive and well- common teenage insult of his girlfriend dump- the actress herself telling some kid about what written drama and, in addition to Lewis’s ing him. Kelly feels unattractive to her distant a cool, edgy movie star she was in the ‘90s, in- note-perfect performance, Weston makes Cal husband and is immature enough to enjoy feel- stead of the fictional musician she is in this film, so charismatic, defiant and wise that you can ing attractive to Cal, and to encourage it. When and it seems extremely true to life. Reminding sometimes believe he can handle himself, that she sees how cool she is to him, the attention the kid of what she used to be like reminds he is more mature than he possibly could be. becomes irresistible. She easily impresses the herself of what she used to be like, and she gets Kelly fools herself into thinking that the fallout younger guy, and she brings over tapes of her hooked on the feeling. from their friendship won’t be out of control, old rock band, and breaks out the ‘90s stalwart The weird bummer that is often the reality and willfully ignores the possibility for disaster “Manic Panic” to dye her hair bright blue. of having a newborn is captured so perfectly with such a young and traumatized person. This Her actions perfectly walk the line between it’s uncanny. When Kelly’s pushy in-laws start film is compelling from start to finish.

NEW IN THEATERS NOW PLAYING

Photo/ imdb.com | “Dope”

DOPE INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 HOT PURSUIT Carmike Wynnsong All listed multiplex Eastern Shore Pre- Photo/ imdb.com | “Ted 2” 16, Regal Mobile theaters. miere Cinema, Stadium 18, Cobb ALOHA Carmike Wharf 15 LOVE AND MERCY (Josh Wiggins) has problems of Pinnacle 14, Carmike All listed multiplex AVENGERS: AGE OF An intriguing biopic about Brian his own and doesn’t want the Jubilee Square 12 theaters. ULTRON Wilson of The Beach Boys and animal. However, Max may be INSIDE/OUT SAN ANDREAS All listed multiplex the strange detour his life took his only chance to learn what All listed multiplex All listed multiplex theaters. under the control of a therapist. really happened to his brother. theaters. theaters. PAUL bLART: MALL Starring Jon Cusack, Elizabeth Eastern Shore Premiere Cinema JURASSIC WORLD POLTERGEIST COP 2 Banks and Paul Giamatti. Regal 12, Cobb Pinnacle 14. Crescent Theater; all All listed multiplex All listed multiplex Mobile Stadium 18. listed multiplex theaters. theaters. TED 2 theaters. TOMORROWLAND FURIOUS 7 ENTOURAGE All listed multiplex All listed multiplex MAX It’s so hard to pick the least All listed multiplex theaters. theaters. After U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott necessary sequel ever made. theaters. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD GET HARD is killed in Afghanistan, Max, This latest contender brings FAR FROM THE MAD- All listed multiplex Regal Mobile Stadium 18 his highly trained service dog, back together Mark Wahlberg DING CROWD theaters. HOME is too traumatized to remain and his foul-mouthed best Carmike Wharf 15 PITCH PERFECT 2 Regal Mobile Stadium 18 in service. Back in the United friend, a stuffed bear named SPY All listed multiplex WOMAN IN GOLD States, Kyle’s family adopts the Ted who comes to life and does All listed multiplex theaters. Regal Mobile Stadium 18 dog, but teenage brother Justin dirty deeds. 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.

54 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 THE LOADED question IF YOU HAD TO BE EATEN BY AN ANIMAL, WHAT ANIMAL WOULD YOU CHOOSE? ASKED @ VEETS

“Shark”

-Ron

“Whale”

-Todd

“Anaconda”- Theresha (left)

“Shark” - Laura (middle)

“A man!” - Sherea (right)

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 55 MEDIAM ediA Frenzy Man, you overwhelmed us! BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

ell, the first day of voting on the Nappie Awards in our ment needs and construction of a shelter for the transmitter and new runoff format had one dramatic outcome for us — Cuts coming after NOLA.com/al.com merger installation of the broadcasting antenna,” Aucoin said. “I have no Just hours after it was announced Advance Publications was it broke our Internet. idea whether we will get the funds this fall. However, I believe the merging the management of NOLA.com and al.com and placing Those of you who were champing at the bit to start administration is interested in getting the funding for the station, them both under the leadership of former Mobile Press-Register voting for Nappie finalists last week probably noticed things got but funds may not be available this fall. We have three years to get W Publisher Ricky Mathews, news organizations in The Big Easy the station on air or we lose the license.” off to a bit of a rough start. First our original link was messed up, began reporting that a new round of cuts is on the way. The university acquired the license for a low-power FM sta- which delayed things going live until about 10 a.m. last Thursday. Gambit Weekly said the formation of the Southeast Regional tion last year in an effort to take its Internet-only station to the Then, when it went really live, the voting simply overwhelmed our Media Group (SRMG) was quickly followed at the Times- airwaves. The station will have a maximum power of 28 watts website host around 3 p.m. and caused our site to crash for almost Picayune by a meeting to tell reporters the newsroom would and run on the frequency of 97.1 FM. It will have the call letters 24 hours. be whittled down again. Thus far no such cutbacks have been WGJR-LP, but go by the name “The Prowl.” Voters were still able to continue voting by going straight to the announced at the Press-Register, Birmingham News or Hunts- Aucoin has said it’s expected the station would serve a five- site hosting the ballots, but lagniappemobile.com was down and ville Times — which along with The Mississippi Press make up mile area around the university, although repeaters could be added our hosts wouldn’t turn us back on because of worries it would SRMG’s print outlets. around town to improve coverage. The Prowl will be a mixture of happen again. Long story short, we ended up having to migrate the When the merger was announced last week, many former music, talk shows and sports broadcasts. It will become part of the site to a different host with more server space. P-R employees expressed concerns it wouldn’t be long before Jaguar Sports Network. Frankly, we never would have thought the voting would be so more cutbacks come to the Alabama newspapers. SRMG has not intense. During the three-week nomination phase of the awards officially taken over yet. The cuts in New Orleans are expected this year, we had about 100,000 total votes — print and online — through the latter part of this year and early next. School system wins PR awards which seemed like a tremendous amount compared to previous The company has not announced a headquarters, but some have For the second consecutive year the public relations staff at years. As I write this, just about six days after voting on this round speculated Mobile could serve in that capacity, as Mathews has a the Mobile County Public School System has received a Golden began, there have been more than 385,000 online votes already. long history on the coast, has worked here before and The Times- Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Saying the competition is fierce for a Nappie Award this year is an Picayune is scheduled to begin printing in Mobile sometime later Association. understatement. this year. The system also received an Award of Excellence for a special We’ve been surprised to see the number of people who have publication entitled “It Starts With Us.” In addition there were two taken to social media to urge their friends, customers and sup- Awards of Merit for in-house videos, one about the Golden Spoon USA radio prowling forward? cooking competition and another about a JROTC training camp. porters to vote. They were even talking about the Nappies on the Efforts to bring a terrestrial college radio station to life at the The show “Homeroom with Nancy Pierce” also received an honor- syndicated “Lex and Terry” radio show Tuesday morning. University of South Alabama are moving forward, according to able mention. We need to apologize for the bumps in getting this up and run- Department of Communications Chairman Jim Aucoin. “We are very proud of the work we have been able to do in the ning last week, but hope most of our readers and advertisers are Aucoin says there is now a formal proposal for funds to get the Department of Communication to promote the positive things that enjoying it. After all, the Nappie Awards are about having some station on the air and it has been taken to the university’s budget are happening in our schools every day,” Rena Philips, MCPSS su- fun competition. So keep on voting until July 13 — just don’t committee by Vice President for Student Affairs Mike Mitchell. pervisor of communication and marketing, wrote in a press release. break the Internet again. “We need about $54,000 to get the station on the air. That plus a The Golden Achievement award was for hosting two tours of promise of $20,000 from the athletic department covers equip- schools, called “Get on the Bus.”

Photos/Courtesy of University of South Alabama Athletics University of South Alabama outfielder Cole Billingsley (left) and pitcher Kevin Hill were both recognized for their efforts on the field this season.

he University of South Alabama (USA) captured its 15th College Athletic Association Division II Pitcher of the Year. The nings pitched, making 13 starts and 15 relief appearances. Sun Belt Conference (SBC) baseball title this season, right-hander went 12-0 at Hinds Community College in Missis- Lady Ram teammate Taylor Clinkenbeard earned a spot on along with 37 victories. This success has earned much sippi, with a 2.37 ERA and 63 strikeouts against 12 walks in 79 the NAIA Softball All-World Series Team. In three tournament recognition for many of its players. innings. games, the junior outfielder was 7-of-10 at the plate, with two TRight-handed pitcher Kevin Hill garnered most of the awards. runs scored and two stolen bases. For the season, Clinkenbeard hit The most recent honor was being named an American Baseball Local players selected in MLB draft .401 and led the SSAC tournament champions in average, runs, Coaches Association/Rawlings (ABCA) third-team All-American. Several players from local colleges had their names called in hits, triples, walks, steals and on-base percentage. He is the 27th Jaguar to be named an All-American in baseball. the recently concluded 2015 Major League Baseball Draft. Clinkenbeard was also named the SSAC Newcomer of the The SBC Pitcher of the Year had previously been named to The Boston Red Sox selected USA right-hander Ben Taylor Year. She was on the first-team unit with Scott and Jordan Cole- the ABCA South Central all-region first-team list, a Louisville in the seventh round. A first-team All-SBC selection as a relief man. Sydney O’Connor was second-team all-conference, while Slugger Division I second-team All-American and a National Col- pitcher, Taylor finished 6-3 this year with a 1.48 ERA. The senior Coleman and Anna Blake Barnette were on the Gold Glove unit. legiate Baseball Writers Association third-team All-American. had seven saves in 25 relief appearances. He struck out 68 batters The junior led the conference in wins (10), earned run average and issued 13 walks in 42 innings pitched. Heading to Cooperstown (1.73), strikeouts (107) and opposing batting average (2.08). He The San Diego Padres picked Corey Hale from the University The Alabama Aces 12-and-under team will participate in the finished the year with a perfect 10-0 record. of Mobile in the 28th round. The left-hander was named a first- Cooperstown Dreams Park and American Youth Baseball Hall of “Kevin had a phenomenal year,” USA head coach Mark Calvi team NAIA All-American this season, as well as the Southern Fame Invitational Tournament. The action begins Friday in the said. “He is the ultimate competitor and a great teammate who States Athletic Conference’s Pitcher of the Year. He went 14-1, New York birthplace of America’s pastime. gave us a chance to win every time he took the mound.” with a 1.27 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 92 innings. Mel Spivey and Kevin Nabors coach the team. On the roster The ABCA/Rawlings group also honored outfielder Cole Tucker Ward was the second Ram drafted, as the Arizona are Trey Greer, Jeremiah Martin and J.P. Stroecker of Mobile; Billingsley. He has been named winner of the Division I Gold Diamondbacks took him in the 40th round. The right-hander from Jackson Bassett, Maddux Bruns and Zach Cochran of Satsuma; Glove Award. Saraland appeared in 30 games over the last two years, picking up Ivan Shultz and Brandon Smith of Spanish Fort; Spencer Arce- Billingsley did not commit an error in 163 total changes in 13 wins and 134 strikeouts in 169 innings. He had a 3.55 ERA. neaux of Grand Bay; Keyshawn Woodyard of Eight Mile; and center field, while recording three assists in 55 games. He is the Myles Straw, a USA signee, went in the 12th round to the Vinnie Bosio of Pascagoula. To learn more about the event, visit first USA outfielder to earn the award, after second baseman Zach Houston Astros. He batted .413 last season for St. Johns River www.cooperstowndreamspark.com. Grichor received the honor in 2010. State College in Palatka, Florida. The sophomore was named to the ABCA/Rawlings all-region YMCA creates adult basketball league second-team. He led the SBC with 30 stolen bases, finished tied Softball honors handed out An adult basketball league is planned for Hearin-Chandler for second in hits (80) and triples (4), and was among the leaders Junior pitcher Caroline Sagrera of Spring Hill College has Family YMCA at 951 Downtowner Blvd. in Mobile. Registration in runs scored (46), batting average (.345) and walks (34). been named to the Capital One Academic All-American first-team is taking place through July 6. “Both Kevin and Cole had fantastic seasons for us,” Calvi in softball for the second time. She finished last season with a The fee is $350 per team, with a maximum roster of 10 play- said. “It is great to see them recognized for that. They each 26-6 record, 1.39 ERA and 350 strikeouts in 212 innings. Sagrera ers. Individual players without a team can apply for $45. Games played a major part in our success this season in helping us ac- holds the school records for strikeouts (1,267), wins (103), com- will be played on Friday nights at the Moorer YMCA at 101 N. complish one of our goals, which was to win a Sun Belt Confer- plete games (118) and shutouts (45). Water St. and at Hearin-Chandler. The five-week season starts ence championship.” Makayla Scott of the University of Mobile was named to the July 10. While not yet part of the team, USA baseball signee Randy NAIA honorable mention All-American team. She went 12-4 with Teams must provide their own jerseys or matching apparel. For Bell has been named the Spalding Baseball/National Junior four saves and a 1.51 ERA. The junior had a team-high 120 in- more information, contact Marcus Nobles at [email protected].

58 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 SPORTSF e A ture baybears manager optimistic about season’s second half BY TOMMY HICKS/ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Mobile BayBears general manager Chris Morgan gauges the team’s first-half season performance, he does so in two ways — the part over which he has control (stadium and game operations) and the part Whe doesn’t (on-field play). That’s how all minor league baseball GMs have to approach the game. With the first half of the Class AA Southern League season coming to an end Sunday, it seemed a good time to check in with Morgan to see how he rates the the team’s first few months of play — from both perspectives. On paper, the BayBears finished the first half in second place in the Southern League’s South Division with a 34-35 record, finishing behind the new Biloxi Shuckers (43-25), formerly the Huntsville Stars. The move of the Huntsville team to Biloxi has added to the intensity of the rivalry. Mobile was the first team to play the Shuckers in their new stadium on June 6, which is located across the street from the Beau Rivage. Attendance at home games has not been a highlight of the season thus far. The BayBears are last in the league, averaging Photo/Lagniappe 1,665 per game, which is a few folks down from the average of BayBears general manager Chris Morgan looks forward to filling The Hank during the season’s second half. 1,687 last season, a figure that ranked ninth in the 10-team league (ahead of Huntsville). Summer is the time when attendance usually reaches a peak for minor league parks and the BayBears’ into the season, has greatly improved. He added that the task their last five. Hopefully that momentum carries over.” numbers are expected to increase in the coming weeks. now is to “do a better job internally” to get more people to at- The BayBears have had good success in recent seasons on the Following a three-day All-Star Game break — the game was tend games. field and Morgan said the Diamondbacks’ organization places an played Tuesday night in Montgomery and featured four BayBears “One thing that we can’t control is the dang weather. We emphasis on the success of their minor league teams throughout on the South Division roster: pitchers Aaron Blair and Adam had an unusually rainy April; our opening game was postponed their system. Miller, infielder Brandon Drury and outfielder Socrates Brito — because of rain and eight of the 32 home games we had — you’re “The Diamondbacks, across minor league baseball, have done the BayBears will open a five-game homestand at Hank Aaron supposed to have 35 — were either postponed or suspended due a really good job,” Morgan said. “Five or their six teams were in Stadium June 24 against the Tennessee Smokies. Games start to weather. That’s a challenge. We can’t control it, so we can’t the playoffs last year and we had four guys who made the all-star at 7:05 each night with the exception of Sunday’s game, which worry too much about it. It’s just the way it is.” team this year. The director of player development, Mike Bell, he starts at 5:05 p.m. The upcoming homestands, especially the one beginning July wants the teams to win. He doesn’t just want to develop players. The homestand will be followed by three games in Jackson, 4, are important for the BayBears. As usual, each homestand will He wants to see the teams in the Diamondbacks’ minor league Tennessee, with the BayBears returning to The Hank on Satur- feature fireworks shows — the usual show following Friday’s organization win games and he’s willing to make moves in order day, July 4, to start a five-game, holiday homestand against the game and one that Morgan promises will be twice as big as “the to do that.” Pensacola Wahoos. usually big” fireworks shows following Friday games for Inde- Morgan said there will be a lot of moves within the organiza- Despite the low attendance numbers — which may have been pendence Day. Thirsty Thursdays continue to be popular at The tion over the next few days that will shape the look of the rosters affected by rainy weather early in the season — Morgan said he Hank, Morgan said, as are Sunday FunDay games, which also throughout Arizona’s minor league system, including Mobile. is pleased with operations the first half of the season. feature Bark in the Park. “Our team is going to look different in the second half than it “There were a lot of things we wanted to get accomplished “If you’ve seen a fireworks show after a Friday night Bay- did in the first because we’re going to have a lot of new players,” and we accomplished some of those,” he said. “The game-day Bears’ game, and they’re huge, just double that. That’s what Morgan said. “Their Class A team, Visalia, won the California operations and experience was significantly better and I think you’re going to see on July Fourth,” Morgan said. League hands down in the first half. It wasn’t even a close race the fans would tell you the same. We’ve ramped up the level of On the field, the BayBears’ roster will undergo some signifi- … We’re going to get quite a few of those players. It shows the service that we provide to the fans and I think it showed ... across cant changes in the second half, Morgan said. That’s often the willingness of the organization not only to develop players, but the board. ... The overall experience, it’s better. Now the second case following the first half of a season as the parent organiza- for their teams to win games.” piece of that is we’ve got to do a better job in getting more peo- tions — in Mobile’s case, the Arizona Diamondbacks — shuffle The BayBears placed fourth in the Southern League in team ple to the stadium to see it. I’ve said all along, if we can get more their minor league rosters in the second half, promoting players pitching (based on earned run average) in the first half (3.69) and people there to see what we’re doing, the likelihood that we’ll get while also moving some players to lower-classification teams. sixth in team batting (.252). Mobile must win the South Division them coming back and getting more people to come with them is “The team, they had their ups and downs, and we’ll see a lot second-half crown to qualify for the playoffs at the end of the real good. That’s our goal in the second half.” of changes in the second half ... that should make them better,” regular season, or if Biloxi also wins the second-half crown, have Morgan said media coverage of the team, a priority heading Morgan said. “They finished the first half strong, winning four of the second-best record in the division.

June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 59 STYLEport C ity preM onitions Aquarius acquires an alternate theory BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY

Cancer (6/22 - 7/22) — After hearing that Jake Lloyd, of Star Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21) — Your efforts to start a local chapter Pisces (2/19 - 3/20) — After watching your favorite golfer’s Wars Episode One fame, was arrested following a police pursuit, of the “I Still Love Seinfeld” club are successful when you connect dismal outing at last week’s U.S. Open, you’ll be inspired to suck at you’ll be appalled at the sheer amount of “pod racing” jokes. Even with a fellow traveler and meet for lunch. You’ll put on your vin- golf yourself this week. Even though it has been roughly four years more horrifying will be Jar Jar Binks’ role in the fiasco, which will tage “Puddy’s Auto Repair” T-shirt and head to the Chinese buffet, since you last swung a club, you’ll give it a try. You’ll lose all your go largely unreported. Despite his compliance, reports will show where you and your new friend spend hours doing “the voice” and balls before eventually collapsing from heatstroke. Unfortunately that Binks, a Gungan, was struck repeatedly by a Tuscan officer. reciting lines from your favorite episodes. You’ll share laughs when you’ll have made it to only the third hole. It might help to go to the In a prepared statement, Binks’ lawyer said, “How rude!” before you order a big salad from the waitress, who is clearly judging your nearest wholesale warehouse and invest in the large box of balls. gurgling loudly. life choices. Aries (3/21 - 4/19) — After being outed, the former head of a Leo (7/23 - 8/23) — As you often do, you’ll find yourself won- Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/22) — In an act part civil disobedience large international sports organization will emigrate to the United dering what that random tingling sensation in your toes might be. and part political commentary, you register ToiletPAC with the States for an exciting “change of pace.” A country he once loathed One thing is clear — this is not a coincidence, as it’s been happen- Federal Elections Commission. Promising to endorse any candidate ing for at least a decade. As is often scribed amongst the stars, one doesn’t seem so bad once the pressure of an FBI inquiry has passed. or two toes may indicate a desire to attend several house parties. who refuses to accept support from shady political action commit- Like most retirees, the western European native will expose his However, three or more tingling toes could and almost certainly tees, rather than fund a portion of their campaign you simply flush white skin to the white sands and sun of Florida, home to a remark- does indicate a desire to get on a boat and party, and to do so im- all money donated to ToiletPAC directly down the commode. Your able number of current and former dictators. mediately. first donation is attributed to a urinal cake producer. Taurus (4/20 - 5/20) — Next summer you’ll learn that your Virgo (8/24 - 9/22) — When your neighbors ask you to remove Capricorn (12/23 - 1/19) — Hoping to “land” a lucrative no-bid poodle-mix Mitzi will have the honor of taking the ceremonial the Green Day flag from your apartment balcony, you will have contract paid for by the Sheriff’s discretionary funds, you begin first poop at the dog park at Public Safety Memorial Park. While a crisis of confidence. You don’t want your neighbors to think R&D on your latest invention: COPSHOES®, which are shoes you’ll be excited at the opportunity awaiting your four-legged best you like an awful arena rock band, but you want to celebrate the for cops. Yes, they are $900 per pair, but they have a pocket — for friend, the excitement goes to Mitzi’s head. She’ll immediately stop heritage of the band’s early albums “Dookie” and “Kerplunk.” As a things — and laces that tie from the left to the right, rather than the eating your “low-brow” generic dog food and start yearning for the compromise, you only fly the flag in the daytime, while neighbors other way around. Your efforts will be rewarded. You will retire holistic stuff at specialty stores. She’ll begin to demand no less than are at work and you sit at home in your underwear eating Cheetos young with a vast pile of taxpayer money. a 500-thread-count dog bed and will only drink filtered water. and watching YouTube videos. Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18) — Unconvinced by DNA tests indicating Gemini (5/21 - 6/21) — In keeping with your benevolent and Libra (9/23 - 10/22) — When your car’s air conditioner dies in the feces in Fairhope originated from an avian source, you throw universally beloved family traditions, you’ll proudly put a brand June, you decide to keep an extra pair of trousers and polo shirts yourself into complicated research involving genetics and evolu- new Confederate flag on display in front of your double-wide and a stick of deodorant in your car in case you get too sweaty. Your tion. Your break comes years later from an ancient Roman mytho- trailer. As an added bonus, the pole will give you an extra area co-workers appreciate your dedication to looking good and smell- logical text, and you conclude the feces were actually deposited by to “hang” your Ku Klux Klan robe out to dry. With all the time ing fresh on those 90-degree summer days. You tell yourself to save a small flock of harpies. Obviously, the half-human, half-bird crea- you save, you might even be able to squirrel away a few hours to half your next paycheck to repair the A/C, but the savings disappear once you hear about the new Foosackly’s location in town. tures from hell swept into the picturesque, white-washed commu- ponder why everyone assumes you’re racist without really getting nity late that night to rob it of its most recent batch of undesirables. to know you.

F u t u r e s h o C k

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS

FROM PAGE 51

60 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 61 STYLEM o B ile MAgniF ied Thousands hit the water for Gumbo Key BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

his summer is just flying by. I can’t litter (i.e., beer cans) properly. believe we are almost to the 4th The next morning, you couldn’t even of July! And you know what that tell anyone had been out there, much less means — fireworks! And in the gos- thousands of people. Perhaps it was all just Tsip world, that means more than the sizzling a figment of the imagination after all? things that are shot up in the sky. So go ahead and relax, take off your shoes, stretch Thank god it’s bird poo out on a blanket and enjoy Boozie’s very When have you ever uttered those own print pyrotechnics. words? But word on the beach in Fairhope is that a cr*p-load of poop found on it a Gumbo Key draws thou- couple of weeks ago, is “avian” in nature, sands according to tests conducted by the city. Last Saturday, thousands of people Originally, it was thought it might be hu- headed down to tiny Robinson Island, man, perhaps “dumped” by a passing ship, situated near Perdido Pass, for Gumbo so to speak, leaving everyone to utter a Key. In its second year, Gumbo Key is the collective, “ewwwwww.” Sunbathers can brainchild of Krispy Kreme and Homeport now rest easy. Marina owner Mac McAleer, who also acts as the mayor of the island for the day. A Signs, signs, everywhere large barge floats in and music is played there’s signs for all those floating around in everything A spy recently alerted the Boozester to from noodles to yachts. This year, music the signs popping up in front of Kimberly’s was provided by Wes Loper and the Adam Bar on Old Shell Road in Midtown. One Holt Band. read, “Soup of the Day: BEER” and another My spies said the weather was perfect, read “Free advice: $5.” My spy said it just people were in good spirits and everyone put a little smile on her face, so I thought was having a good time. I’m told there was I would pass along so you could notice on absolutely no shortage of beautiful girls in your next trek down OSR. bikinis and there were even several four- legged friends seen floating around on rafts. Well kids, that’s all I have this issue. Just Photo via Gumbo Key Facebook page Organizers were very adamant that the remember, whether rain or shine, dramatic Thousands turned out for the 2nd annual Gumbo Key, near Robinson Island last weekend. citizens of Gumbo Key “leave no trace,” or scandalous or just same plain ol’ Gumbo and to make sure they were disposing of all Key lovin’, I will be there. Ciao!

62 | LAGNIAPPE | June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 June 25, 2015 - July 1, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 63