Residents Left to Speculate Cause of Weekend Fires

2 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••• LAGNIAPPE WEEKLY September 3, 2015 – September 9, 2015 | www.lagniappemobile.com

Ashley Trice BAY BRIEFS Co-publisher/Editor The Prichard Water Board is scrambling [email protected] to manage its system after its unpaid Rob Holbert contractor bolted. Co-publisher/Managing Editor 6 [email protected] COMMENTARY Steve Hall Marketing/Sales Director It’s a bad time to be a cop and the [email protected] dark underbelly of social media. Gabriel Tynes Assistant Managing Editor 14 [email protected] Dale Liesch BUSINESS Reporter Local real estate agents got some [email protected] national exposure on the series Jason Johnson finale of HGTV’s “Beach Flip.” Reporter 20 [email protected] Eric Mann Reporter CUISINE [email protected] The Meat Boss on

Kevin Lee CONTENTS Cottage Hill Road Associate Editor/Arts Editor offers brisket, Boston [email protected] butt, ribs and more Andy MacDonald Cuisine Editor with homemade [email protected] sauces you have to try. Stephen Centanni Music Editor [email protected] J. Mark Bryant Sports Writer 22 [email protected] 22 Stephanie Poe Copy Editor COVER Daniel Anderson Local public school Chief Photographer systems have greatly [email protected] expanded and tailored Laura Rasmussen Art Director programs offered www.laurarasmussen.com to students over the Brooke Mathis past decade as they Advertising Sales Executive respond to workforce [email protected] opportunities and Beth Williams Advertising Sales Executive compete for dwindling [email protected] public resources. 28 Misty Groh Advertising Sales Executive [email protected] ARTS Kelly Woods Watt Key’s new book “Among the Advertising Sales Executive Swamp People” is the perfect guy [email protected] gift for local outdoorsmen. Melissa Schwarz 30 Editorial Assistant [email protected] MUSIC Mary Burts Distribution Manager Kenny Brown [email protected] apprenticed with Contributors: blues legends such Asia Frey • Brian Holbert Holden Barnett • Ron Sivak as Johnny Woods Jeff Poor • Jennifer McDonald and R.L. Burnside On the Cover: School choice by Dan Anderson and carries on the Hill Country blues legacy. LAGNIAPPE (USPS 20) is published weekly, 52 issues a year, Volume 13, Issue 36, every Thursday by Something, Extra Publishing, Inc. Entered at the Mobile Post Office, 250 St. Joseph St, Mobile, AL, 36601. Periodicals postage paid at Mobile Post Office, 34 250 St Joseph St., Mobile, AL 36601 34 and other locations. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to P.O. Box 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Editorial, advertising and production offices are FILM located at 1102A Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36604. Mailing address is P.O. Box “The Riot Club” is a film full of promise 3003 Mobile, AL 36652. Phone: 251.450.4466 Fax 251.450.4498. Email: ashley- that comes up empty with a weak [email protected] or [email protected] cast and incomprehensible, boring LAGNIAPPE is printed at Signature Offset, 2610 Lakeview Road, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 42 story. All letters sent to Lagniappe are considered to be intended for publication. Member: Association of Alternative Newsweek- MEDIA lies and Alternative Weeklies Network All rights reserved. Something Extra Publishing, The Legal Schnauzer is causing a stink Inc. Nothing may be reprinted, photocopied or in any way reproduced without the expressed again. permission of the publishers. Individuals may take one copy of the paper free of charge from area businesses, racks or boxes. After that, papers are $3 per 46 issue. Removal of more than one copy from these points constitutes theft. Violators are subject to prosecution. SPORTS Help support Lagniappe Weekly by The University of South Alabama becoming a “Friend with Benefits.” kicks off its 2015 football season by Scan this code for more info: 48 hosting Gardner-Webb at Ladd- Peebles Stadium. STYLE Boozie has all of your Beerfest gossip and the latest on all of the local stars 54 in town.

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015| LAGNIAPPE | 3 GOING p OSt AL pOLIce dISp A tch

“Flashed by stupidity” Two shot in downtown entertainment district early Sunday In response to the letter to the editor in last week’s issue, “Flashed by the Federal Govern- BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected] ment,” my suggestion is that you should have first knocked. This common gesture of courtesy Though authorities have been tight-lipped with court for attempted enticement of a minor last year would have allowed the man in the restroom to respond and let you know the room was oc- details, the Mobile Police Department reported two and is currently serving a 19-year sentence for cupied. “BAM,” your entire problem solved. people — a man and woman — were shot during that charges. Fifteen of the 20 years in the child Secondly, why would you allow a young child (boy or girl) to run to the bathroom alone? an altercation in the heart of downtown Mobile’s pornography case will be served concurrently with That, in and of itself, is poor parenting. When your child is old enough to go to the restroom entertainment district in the early morning hours of the enticement sentence. alone, please teach them to knock on the door before entering, not because of unisex bath- Sunday, Aug. 30. When his current sentence expires, Ford will rooms, but because it is the courteous thing to do. At approximately 2:30 a.m., off-duty officers serve the additional five years for the child pornog- As far as unisex bathrooms are concerned, who cares? How many times has the women’s working downtown heard several gunshots and raphy offense, meaning he won’t be eligible for line been too long and the men’s so short that some women’s “expediency” trumped the com- responded to the intersection of Dauphin and release until at least 2035. forting sign that read “Women?” Rest assured there will always be a commode in the unisex Joachim streets. There, a male and female had both Robbery, vehicle break-in reported on room, no one is asking women to use a urinal. The whole LGBT movement is real, and it is been shot in the leg. The victims were transported Broad Street recognized. Which room would you suggest that Caitlin Jenner use? to a local hospital for medical treatment. Police say a man pulled a knife on multiple Kristen Keller A report from Lt. Billie L. Rowland said people Sunday afternoon at a Chevron service sta- the shooting occurred two minutes after police tion on Broad Street in Mobile. Separate but equal, for the children’s sake received an initial call about a fight in the area. According to authorities, around 2 p.m. 54-year- Though the well-attended Dauphin Street Beer Lagniappe’s Aug. 27 edition featured two articles I believe to be related. The first, a letter old Oscar Thomas Jr. unlawfully entered a vehicle Festival had occurred earlier in the evening, of- belonging to a customer at the store. When the to the editor entitled “Flashed by the federal government,” describes how the writer went to ficials say the event ended several hours before the victim and his passenger returned to the car, they the Social Security Administration to apply for retirement benefits and had to go to the rest- altercation. saw Thomas attempting to remove property from room. Instead of usual men and women signs, she found two unisex bathrooms. Authorities say video of the incident taken the vehicle. She entered cautiously and immediately “a man turned around shaking his penis — and from nearby businesses is being reviewed, but as After confronting him, police say Thomas smiled.” I totally agree with her concern, “What about little girls who unsuspectingly run to of Tuesday afternoon, no suspect had been identi- pulled a knife and threatened the victims. those bathrooms, fling open a door and are quietly pulled in?” fied. Thomas was arrested by the MPD Sunday I had just finished reading a Bay Brief in the same issue entitled “Intended sex acts debated Ford gets 20 years for sending, receiv- evening and charged with first-degree robbery and in Jockisch appeal,” which noted three federal appeals judges who seem to have trouble with ing child porn in Semmes unlawful breaking and entering. a jury’s decision. If I had been a juror and heard this individual say to a 15-year-old girl, “I U.S. Attorney Kenyen R. Brown announced last Woman arrested for abandoning child want to make love to you” and “I want to make you feel good,” my vote would be to put week the sentencing of Thomas Franklin Ford, 37, on porch him away for the 10 years as he is obviously very sick and a threat to humanity. The article to the statutory maximum of 20 years in prison for Monday at noon, officers responded to a home mentions a similar case involving a former assistant district attorney in Mobile County who receiving child pornography. on Dexter Avenue to find a young child had been “continues to practice law.” Following his release from prison, Ford will be left unattended at the residence. I kept wondering while reading the article just how many young children had received supervised for the rest of his life and be required to According to authorities, a disorderly conduct similar telephone calls which could have involved “second-degree statutory rape, sodomy and register as a sex offender. complaint brought Mobile police to the area after sexual misconduct.” At least the FBI are trying to protect young people. Ford pleaded guilty to receiving child pornogra- an individual reported Shakieria Stanley, 22, had I totally support the letter writer, Kate Basttiste, as she hereby calls Mayor Stimpson and phy via the Internet, admitting he sent and received left an unattended child on her front porch. Police Gov. Bentley to completely eradicate unisex bathrooms in public buildings where there is images of child pornography online while he was reported no injuries to the child, but as a result, more than one bathroom facility available for use. staying in Semmes in April 2013. Stanley was taken into custody and charged with Myrt Jones He had previously been convicted in federal abandonment of a child.

t has been a rocky couple of days for the Prichard Water Works and Sewer Board (PWWSB), which was in tedious negotiations with a contractor over continued man- Iagement operations. The talks broke down with a 3-2 vote of the board Monday, Aug. 31, to cancel Severn Trent Services’ (STS) $400,000-per-month contract. STS gave control of the system to the board, effective 5 p.m. the same day. Negotiations began in May when STS gave notice of default and the board replied with a notice it wanted to terminate the contract. That began a 45-day discussion period, which was extended twice. The issue came to a head Aug. 27 when STS President and CEO Stephanie Bouvier sent a letter via the City Council to residents and customers in Prichard. “On May 1, we formally issued a notice of default to PWWSB due to their ongoing failure to produce a plan for the payment of current arrangements,” she wrote. “With no progress forthcoming, we were left with no alternative but to terminate the contract and pledged to work with the PWWSB to transition the system’s operations in such a way to minimize any adverse impact to customers.” Illustration/Laura Rasmussen After the Council received the letter, the mAWSS considered a takeover of the water board called a special meeting Friday and prichard Water System last year, voted 2-1 to ask STS to reconsider. When one but ultimately balked because of an of the STS stipulations included a guarantee the contractor would be paid on time, the board expensive management contract. voted to void the contract, board member Rus- pany a total of $1.4 million in overdue monthly sell Heidelburg said. Monday’s vote included payments. Heidelburg suggested a lawsuit was the full board. imminent. Ross couldn’t rule it out, but thought Bill Malarky, STS senior vice president the entities could work out the differences with- for strategy and market development, said the out litigation. For his part, Malarky said STS company has been preparing since June for the would study all of its options. transition of STS’ Prichard employees to the Both Heidelburg and Malarky confirmed water board. He said while some have agreed the sides were in negotiations over a change to stay on, others will be leaving. Among those of scope for the contract, but it ultimately fell staying with STS is a project manager and the through because of the board’s cash flow. The head of customer service. change in scope would’ve put STS in charge of “We hope the transition goes well,” Malarky the system’s wastewater treatment plant and left said. “We’re confident we’ve done everything the board to oversee operations throughout the we can.” rest of the system. Heidelburg said the board will have several But Heidelburg warned staffing and regula- problems with the transition. First, it only owns tory issues would prevent the change. Ross said two trucks. He said board members have consid- he felt the board would be able to avoid that ered financing five more, but STS, on the other issue, but didn’t elaborate. Ross added the board hand, does the work with 18 trucks. would begin conducting business as usual. “We tried to borrow money for five trucks, Last year, the Mobile Area Water and Sewer but got turned down because we owe Severn System voted to not take over Prichard’s water Trent money,” he said. “They have an emer- board, after a referendum by voters earlier gency fund to buy five trucks, but it won’t be in the year approved the move. A big part of anywhere close to enough to run the system.” the reason MAWSS declined the takeover Another issue, Heidelburg said, is the 34 for- was because of the $30 million remaining mer STS employees will have to be hired under on its five-year contract with STS. However, the Mobile County Personnel Board. He said even with the contract no longer in the way, that process could take up to two months. How- MAWSS spokeswoman Barbara Shaw said the ever, board attorney Jay Ross refuted the time board hasn’t changed its mind. frame, saying it would take closer to two weeks “Our Board declined to take control of the for the board to incorporate the employees. Prichard Water System last September,” Shaw “It will take the Personnel Board some wrote in an email message last week. “There time to get everyone settled,” he said. “This is has been no change in that position. We are slightly new territory.” happy to assist Prichard in any way we can if While STS was paid for the month of August, asked. We are always open to discussing ways Malarky said, the board still owes the com- to work together.”

6 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | STATE BUDGET BB budget proposal puts industry on hook for shortfall BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected]

n light of proposed cuts to education, pub- ties,” she said. “If ADEM loses their funding, lic safety and health care as a solution to we’ll all have to wait for EPA to do enforcement, Alabama’s $200 million budget shortfall, the to grant permits and to take any step forward. complete elimination of the state’s funding to That has the potential to grind business and Ithe Alabama Department of Environmental Man- environmental protection to halt.” agement (ADEM) has been largely overlooked. Jimmy Lyons, CEO of the Alabama State Port But without state funding, the only recourse Authority, expressed a similar sentiment, saying for the historically underfunded agency could “industry wants a well-funded ADEM just as bad be to pass those expenses on to the industries it as environmentalists.” regulates through an increase of at least 20 per- “The taxpayers are ultimately going to lose cent on environmental permit fees, which have because we’ll have less enforcement to make already increased twice in the past four years. sure permit holders are doing what they’re ADEM’s funding comes from federal grants, supposed to, and it’s going to hurt us from an permit fees and appropriations from Alabama’s economic development standpoint,” Lyons said. general fund. In fiscal year 2008, ADEM re- “We’ve won some projects over other states ceived more than $6 million from the state, but because we could get a company permitted faster that number has gradually declined to the $1.5 here.” million it was allocated last year. In both budgets In the current budget, the state is asking proposed so far for FY 2016, that funding will be ADEM for just under $9.3 million, but with wiped away entirely. only $1.5 million coming from state, it also calls In a presentation to ADEM’s board in for $7.7 million to come from funds ADEM set Montgomery, Director Lance R. LeFleur said up legislatively to fund specific environmental the anticipated cuts would leave the agency with operations — some of which generate revenue “two bad options.” through direct fees on industry, local government “The first option is to relinquish the water and citizens. permitting program to the Environmental Protec- Though there hasn’t been any specificity tion Agency due to inadequate funding, [which] to exactly which fund would be on the hook, would have a devastating impact on the state’s ADEM only has three sources to pull from: a ability to attract new industry and even to retain scrap tire fund created in 2003 using a $1 charge existing industry,” LeFleur said. “The second added to all tires sales, a solid waste fund assess- bad option is to once again raise permit fees on ing a per-ton fee for garbage sent to landfills, and regulated industries in Alabama.” a fee paid by businesses utilizing underground LeFleur said an EPA takeover is not just a storage tanks for fuel and other environmentally conservative campfire horror story. The federal hazardous materials. agency enforces the Clean Water Act, Clean Air “This would take funds from revenue Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, but delegates sources that were created from new cloth based those tasks to ADEM and other state environ- on a commitment that they would be designated mental agencies across the country. exclusively for one purpose, which was the According to LeFleur, one of the stipulations cleanup of specific, existing pollution,” LeFleur of the arrangement is that the state agency be said. “These revenues are not general tax properly funded. According to executive reports revenues, they are fees charged for a specific to ADEM’s board, a complaint in 2010 filed by service.” multiple environmental groups cited 26 issues Of the three funds, LeFleur said the scrap tire LeFleur said boiled down to enforcement and and solid waste management funds only keep funding. around $8 million on average, but the under- LeFleur said money has been a “challenge” ground storage tank fund can generate up to $35 in recent years, and shouldn’t be surpris- million annually. For that reason, ADEM had ing considering ADEM is ranked 49th when planned to pull the $7.7 million the state was compared to the general fund appropriations requesting from the more lucrative fund, because of other states. If the EPA was to take over, it would cause the “least harm to critical cleanup LeFleur said it would have a chilling effect on programs in the state.” business in a state that routinely touts itself as However, during the special session last business friendly. month, one provision in the House and Senate “It’s not that EPA has tighter standards. versions of the budget perplexed LeFleur — one They don’t. The difference between hav- that forbids any of the transfers to come from ing EPA operating the program and having that storage tank fund. ADEM operate the program is business would When asked about it, LeFleur said it acts be dealing with people in Atlanta rather than almost as an insurance policy for businesses that Alabama,” LeFleur told Lagniappe. “The speed use underground storage. He said business own- of permitting is a critical factor for industries. ers only pay a $5,000 fee when a tank is dam- If they’ve got $100 million to invest, they’re aged or leaking, which LeFleur referred to as a more inclined to invest it in six months rather deductible. The rest of the cleanup and repair than six years, and EPA is notoriously slow at cost is assumed by ADEM. getting anything out the door.” “Throughout the nation, states provide finan- The issue of funding ADEM is one on which cial support from general tax revenues to their both regulated industries and environmentalists environmental programs,” LeFleur said. “If the have been able to find common ground. Casi projected final budget becomes reality, Alabama Callaway, executive director of the environmen- would, for the first time, not only be provid- tal group Mobile Baykeeper, called ADEM the ing zero financial support to environmental “boots on the ground” when it comes to ensuring programs, it would be converting the financial the quality of Alabama’s water and air. support environmental programs receive from “We don’t think they’re perfect, but we need self-generated sources to a funding source for that local connection to protect our communi- the General Fund.”

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 7 BB BAYBRIEFS | DAPHNE mayor’s emails shed light on dISc project BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected] head of a scheduled Sept. 8 vote on the annexation and second grant agreement with AEMA, allowing an allocation of drainage, $539,335 for roadways, $81,080 for water, $192,450 zoning of a 30-acre property located at the southwest $426,768.26 from the city’s unused early BP funds for the initial for sewer and $207,041.95 for engineering, planning, inspection, corner of State Highway 181 and Champions Way — 30-acre land purchase for phase one of the DISC project. planning fees and environmental permitting. site of the proposed Daphne Innovation and Science The document says the IDB will be responsible for Haygood said the project’s initial phase could be “sub-phased” AComplex (DISC), the city of Daphne provided Lagniappe with $325,231.74 in matching funds for the land purchase, which into three parts if the IDB cannot secure the necessary infrastruc- 146 pages of emails that give some background information on is expected to cost $752,000. The city already possesses the ture funding. the project. $426,768.26 in BP money, but had to seek permission from The report says the site will be accessed by way of a boulevard The collected emails, requested by Lagniappe in mid-August, AEMA to use it for the purchase. entrance from State Highway 181 and a pair of entrances from show correspondence from June through August from Daphne Approved minutes from the IDB’s Feb. 23, 2015, meeting Champions Way. Preble-Rish’s environmental report for the com- Mayor Dane Haygood to Daphne City Council members and show the board’s intention to commit its portion of the funds. A plete 76-acre tract shows some hydric soils within the site’s drain- Industrial Development Board (IDB) members and provide infor- motion by member Dan Romanchuk, seconded by Denis Kearney, age areas, but does not indicate wetlands are present within the mation about the project’s funding, planning and infrastructure. was approved at the meeting. Other board actions at the Feb. 23 site, which is not located near a floodplain. At the time a wetland Haygood, a real estate salesman and property manager, has meeting included approving a $7,500 expenditure on an economic survey had not been performed at the site. been a vocal proponent of DISC, extolling its virtues at a handful impact study for DISC by Dr. Semoon Chang and $6,500 for the He said he has no intention of the city competing against the of meetings with property owners associations and in comments development of marketing materials and a website for the park. private sector, noting the city would install the infrastructure but at recent City Council meetings. His efforts have been criticized Both documents were signed by Haygood on May 1, 2015, and will ask its “vertical partners” in the private sector to construct by some City Council members and from some members of the by Fassbender on May 5, 2015. The June 2 email includes a bank office buildings at the site. public who believe the project has been shrouded in secrecy. statement showing a balance of $420,618.88 in the IDB’s account. The emails also include an exchange between Haygood and city An email June 2 from IDB chairman Toni Fassbender to Hay- The emails include an invoice from Daphne-based public planning coordinator Adrienne Jones in which Jones details the good includes information about two grant agreements between relations firm JJPR LLC for $4,500 for research, design and the DISC project’s Planned Unit Development (PUD) restrictions, in- the IDB and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency development of a logo for DISC and corporate branding and cluding rules for buildings at the site to not exceed 110 feet or seven (AEMA). marketing materials. stories and office space not to exceed 20,000 square feet per acre. The first agreement allows for the transfer of $15,000 in grants Included in the emails is a June 3 letter from BBVA Compass Also included is a handful of supportive letters from South from BP funds from the AEMA to the IDB to pay for an economic bank to Fassbender committing the lender to giving the IDB a Alabama Regional Planning Commission executive director impact study by Troy University to address the city of Daphne’s $850,000 non-revolving line of credit to provide matching funds Christopher Miller and Turner Supply Company vice president of losses related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Haygood said for potential grants, for the purpose of developing the infrastruc- operations Steve Goodrich, and a supportive letter signed by the the state reimbursed the city for the cost of the study, which he ture for the DISC project. According to Haygood, the line of credit city’s school feeder pattern principals. provided to Lagniappe Monday. was necessary to provide proof to the grant writing service that the A letter dated July 16, 2015, from Lake Forest POA President The Troy study showed the city lost an estimated $4,192,852 IDB could match the funds. Steve Sasser asks the mayor to reconsider the project’s proposed following the oil spill, including significant losses of $1,581,007 “My preference is to not have to use the line of credit at all, but PUD zoning, saying it is not consistent with nearby residential and in lodging and $1,514,500 in food and drink services revenue. It it is there if we need it,” Haygood said. agricultural zonings. further concluded the city’s 6 percent unemployment rate would A report prepared by Preble-Rish shows infrastructure costs “I think the opposition since then has waned a little bit,” Hay- be closer to 5 percent had the oil spill not occurred. for the project to be an estimated $1,693,166.95. The infrastruc- good said. “Obviously we aren’t going to please everyone, but I Apparently the study provided the justification for Daphne’s ture costs are broken down as follows: $673,260 for grading and do think we have been able to move the needle in our favor.”

ith state lawmakers still considering Alabama’s Educa- According to the law, a failing school is defined as one having possible cuts on the state level — as education is often on the cut- tion Trust Fund (ETF) as a solution to a General Fund scored in the bottom 6 percent on state reading and math tests ting block when Alabama’s bills start piling up. shortfall, the Mobile County School Board is taking three or more times during the last six years. That formula pro- Board member Don Stringfellow, who led the first budget hear- what members call a “conservative” approach to the duced a list of 72 failing schools in Alabama, six of which were in ing, said “the budget was going to be tight, as it always is.” Wsystem’s 2016 budget despite $713 million in planned expendi- Mobile County. “Any change or reduction from the state would have a detri- tures. As of last August, 155 MCPSS students had transferred to mental impact,” he said. Board members got a peek at the budget Aug. 31 during one of other schools within the district and nine had left the system to Some lawmakers have already noticed the $225 million bal- the multiple budget hearings the system has planned over the next attend private schools — second in the number of total transfers ance sitting currently in the Education Trust Fund, but Peek said month. There Dinish Simpson, the system’s chief financial officer, behind Montgomery County Schools. Updated 2015 numbers following Monday’s meeting that the system would be keeping offered a comparative analysis to the previous year’s budget. were not available for this report. its eye on the state legislature as they return for a second special According to Simpson, the system is expecting to end the The loss of state revenue this year was reflected in a reduction session in September. current fiscal year with $26 million in its general fund before any of salary costs, which was down $5.8 million from 2015. Still, “Some people like to say it’s a surplus, but it’s not actually sur- new revenue is received — a figure down more than 10 percent with a price tag of $250 million, the cost of salaries for the sys- plus because we’ve never been totally funded to the level we were from last year. tem’s teachers and support staff is by far the largest expense. even in 2008,” Peek said. “We’ve gotten a moderate increase in General fund revenues, which come from local, state and Despite fewer teacher units, Peek said there were no layoffs some of the funds they give us, but we still don’t get full funding federal taxes, are trending down this year, with the exception of because of reduction in salary costs. Instead, as teachers retired for textbooks, transportation, library services or any funding for a 1 percent increase in ad valorem revenue derived from local or went through attrition naturally, the school system simply left professional development.” property taxes. their position vacant. As he has in previous years, Jessie McDaniel, who represents At the state level, the school system is planning for a $665,200 Based on the projections for the year’s budget, the system is Mobile County’s teachers in the Alabama Education Association reduction in funding through the state’s education foundation planning to end this coming year with $63 million sitting in all (AEA), addressed some possible changes to the current salary and a $1.8 million reduction in funding due to a reduction in the of its combined fund sources, which includes the general fund, schedule, but kept his comments brief because the meeting was number of Mobile County students. special revenue funds, debt service accounts, capital project al- the first time the new budget has been presented publicly. Superintendent Martha Peek said since 2014 Mobile County locations and expendable trust funds. “Obviously, the main expense in your school’s system is Public Schools has more than 700 fewer students for a “variety of However, in the general fund an ending balance is only ex- always your delivery of instruction and the support services that reasons.” pected at $16 million, less than half of what the school system is support the teacher in the classroom. That’s the most important “Some of that is attributed to the impact of the Alabama Ac- required to maintain by the state — the equivalent of one month’s thing that we do,” McDaniel said. “We’re going to continue to ad- countability Act, but some of it is simply people moving out of the operating expense, which for Mobile County is about $36 million. vocate for making Mobile the most attractive place to work in the area for other employment and taking their children with them,” “We keep working toward that number, but not we’re not there state. We want to continue to attract the best and brightest teachers Peek said. “We’re also looking at Mobile County population that yet,” Peek said. “With revenues just beginning to pick up, we’ll be to the classrooms.” is aging a little bit, which we’re investigating.” at about the same level we were last year, but not at a one-month’s McDaniel suggesting doing that by revisiting the salary sched- The Alabama Accountability Act, which cleared its final legal operating level. It’s a big system. It takes a lot of money to keep ule and possibly considering additional personal days for school hurdle in March, allows students in “failing schools” to use public our programs in place.” system employees, if the budget allows. McDaniel said the AEA education funds to transfer to private schools or other non-failing But with a second special session to address the state’s $200 would review the current budget and provide more feedback dur- public schools. million budget shortfall, the school system is bracing itself for ing upcoming budget hearings.

10 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 BAYBRIEFS | THE FEDS BB New epA water rule in effect despite lawsuit BY ERIC MANN/REPORTER | [email protected]

aldwin County farmer Mark Kaiser said spend doing what we are doing. We are trying to a new federal Environmental Protection do the best we can right now.” Agency (EPA) rule redefining the scope Kaiser said his family lives, works and plays of waters protected by the Clean Water on the sprawling property where the main crops bAct could harm farmers in agriculture-heavy are soybeans, peanuts and wheat. Alabama and other states nationwide. “We live here, we grew up here,” he said. “I The “Waters of the U.S.” rule was imple- don’t think there will be a better steward of the mented Aug. 28 and has been a source of environment than the farmer who is actually on controversy, with at least 29 states filing suit the land every day.” to block it. That day, a federal judge in North Outside of burdensome federal regulations, Dakota issued an injunction to stop the rule’s Kaiser said Baldwin County farmers have local implementation in 13 states. concerns to deal with every day, like moving But Alabama is still bound to the rule as it is large farm equipment up and down the county’s part of a separate, eight-state lawsuit still pend- congested roads, finding dependable and ing, according to Seth Morrow, communications capable workers, and dealing with the loss of director for U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne. Byrne’s farmable land to growing development. two-day “Ag Matters” tour stopped at Kaiser’s The decline of family farms means fewer farm near Elsanor. children grow up learning how to properly Critics of the rule — which defines which streams, rivers, lakes and marshes can be regulated by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps We are already try- of Engineers — say it will place an unneces- sary burden on farmers, allowing bureaucrats to ing to do everything penalize and harass landowners who work near ponds without federal authority. we possibly can to safeguard President Barack Obama favors the rule, say- the environment now, and if ing it will provide clarity for business owners and industry about which waters are protected they put more regulations on by the Clean Water Act. The rule protects tributaries showing physical us I don’t know how exactly signs of running water even if they don’t flow year round. Locally, the fear is the rule could it will help. be used against a farmer who blocks a stream - baldwin county farmer to create a pond for livestock. It also allows the EPA to regulate any body of water within 1,500 mark Kaiser feet of another body of water already covered by the rule. Meanwhile, a copy of the rule found on the EPA website includes exceptions for “normal use farm equipment, leading to fewer capable farming, ranching, and silviculture activities.” workers, Kaiser said. Many of Kaiser Farm’s Mobile Baykeeper Executive Director Casi workers are retired or former farm owners who Callaway said some in the environmental- had to downsize before finding labor to make ist community think the rule does not go far ends meet. enough, but she believes it is easier to follow “There are just less farms because farming than the previous regulation. is difficult and over the years farms have had “This rule allows us to be confident that we to grow to stay in business,” he said. “Many have clean water to swim in, to fish in and to of them, if they didn’t grow they went out of play in,” Callaway said, noting the rule should business.” not affect coastal Alabama as much as other Alabama Agriculture Commissioner John areas because of its proximity to well-defined McMillan, as well as representatives from the bodies of water. “This rule enhances what we Alabama Farmers Federation, joined Byrne on already have in place.” his tour of farms in the Congressman’s district. Morrow said Byrne’s office has received Byrne said the rule could be devastating in phone calls and letters from a handful of county District 1, home to more than 100,000 agricul- commissioners concerned they will have to ap- ture jobs. ply for EPA permits to perform standard drain- “This rule will affect people all over the age and sewer work, or face hefty federal fines. country, not just our farmers,” Byrne said. “But “The Congressman believes this rule is too the impact it could have on agriculture is huge.” confusing, too complicated and burdensome for According to McMillan, the EPA is allowing residents in his district,” Morrow said this week. biologists to write rules intended for farmers Kaiser’s family has farmed in Baldwin and foresters to follow, saying small-business County since the early 1900s, when his great- owners and farmers already face too many grandfather worked a farm in Elberta. His federal regulations. grandfather passed the tradition to his father, “One big issue with the ‘Waters of the U.S.’ and he hopes to be able to pass the family busi- rule is that it is ‘one size fits all’, treating our ness to his children one day. waters the same as waters on the other side of To Kaiser, the new rule implies farmers are the country,” McMillan said. “Our waters are unable or unwilling to take care of the environ- different than the waters in Colorado or Maine.” ment on their own farms, something he said is Callaway said the new rule is more well not true. defined than previous regulations, noting that “We are already trying to do everything permit holders used to “spend a ton of money we possibly can to safeguard the environment and time” trying to figure out how the rules ap- now, and if they put more regulations on us I plied to them. don’t know how exactly it will help,” Kaiser “What we had before was much harder to said. “There is a finite amount of money we can understand,” she said.

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 11 BB BAYBRIEFS | MOBILE City, trash truck drivers work around aging fleet BY DALE LIESCH/REPORTER | [email protected] ortez Hunter gave up being a long-haul semi driver to work The problem with the trucks is age, Beech said. The fleet “So, when this administration arrived, we found not only locally and spend more time with his family, but due to includes 12 trucks that are double their useful life at 10 years old. inadequate lease rates [but also] no capital in the motor pool to a shortage of garbage trucks in Mobile, those long hours Those automated trucks, which require one driver/crewman, uses regularly purchase vehicles,” Wesch said. “That really allowed the associated with life on the road have returned. a hydraulic claw to pick up the 95-gallon trash cans from the curb. fleets in all those departments to get a whole lot older.” cIn about two and a half years in his previous job, Hunter visited In 2004 and 2005, those trucks were purchased through efforts of Starting with this year’s budget proposal, Wesch said, lease all 48 contiguous states, but long stretches away from his family the Mike Dow administration, Beech said. rates will be going back into the motor pool. wore on him, the 28-year-old husband and father of six said. According to archives, Dow proposed a switch to the auto- Some councilors have argued the administration could use part Having already obtained the needed commercial driver’s license, mated trucks over traditional, three-man-crew manual trucks to of the $3.2 million set-aside for police cars in the budget proposal he jumped at a chance to work in garbage collection for the city’s save money on personnel costs as the city moved from collecting for garbage trucks, especially since the city purchased another Public Works department almost three years ago. gross receipts tax in favor of sales tax. At the time, a city purchas- group of cruisers just last year. But today, the backlog of work caused by malfunctioning ing agent said the trucks cost $111,713 each. Just 10 years later Wesch said police cars were a priority a year and a half ago trucks is taking its toll on Hunter and other drivers. With only nine the trucks, which are made to order and assembled in separate because some of the vehicles in their fleet were old enough to of 27 trucks available on any given day, many of the department’s American factories, cost nearly three times as much. qualify for antique plates. 18 daily routes get missed. The department also has older trucks, called rear-loaders, that “They were over 25 years old and still being run on the A missed route means working on scheduled off days, Hunter are still in use downtown and on one-way streets. Those trucks streets,” Wesch said. said. In addition to about 11 to 12 hours on Monday, Tuesday, still require manual loading and additional crew, but tend to break Among the possible solutions would be imposing a fee for Thursday and Friday, drivers routinely come in to work shifts on down less frequently, Beech said. garbage collection. Beech said the department brought in $1.4 Wednesday and Saturday to catch up on collections missed earlier On Monday, Hunter was scheduled to pick up about 1,100 cans million in one year through a $4-per-month fee attached to Mobile in the week. A catch-up day means overtime for drivers, but it also on his route beginning off Howells Ferry Road in West Mobile. Area Water and Sewer System bills 12 years ago. The charge was means canceled plans and missed family time. That route length is common for drivers in Mobile, Beech said, dropped after about a year because of what Wesch called an ac- “It throws everyone off,” he said of working on scheduled off while the national average is about 650 cans per route. counting “disaster.” days. “It throws my wife off balance. We have to plan something As Hunter pulled up to his first can of the day and positioned One problem with the fee collection was attaching it to water late Saturday, or early Sunday.” the automated claw to pick it up, a broken line began to spew bills collected by an independent agency like MAWSS. Wesch Hunter said while the schedule leaves his wife’s hands full, hydraulic fluid onto the asphalt. Hunter explained the issue was said customers would simply mark out the garbage portion of the he’s happy it still allows him to watch his sons play football, as probably a “quick fix,” but it would still set him back. He waited bill and pay for the water, because many recognized MAWSS had their games take place on Saturday nights. His church attendance, for Public Works Supervisor Eddie Armstead to pull up in another no authority to enforce it. on the other hand, is a little less than reverent some weeks. vehicle and examine the damage, while a cleanup team arrived “You have to have the city set up the billing and collection “I go if I’m not too tired,” he said. “It’s such a quick turn- shortly thereafter. vehicle, or have the county do it on the annual property tax bill, or around. These trucks will wear you out.” Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration and Mobile City something of that nature,” Wesch said. “It has not been discussed, During a ride-along with a newspaper reporter earlier this Council members say they’re willing to work together to find but we’re about the only city of any size that doesn’t collect a week, Hunter said he has a truck break down “once or twice every money for new trucks, although funding for the equipment is not garbage fee.” two weeks or so.” For the fleet as a whole, it’s much more com- specifically addressed in his 2015-2016 budget proposal, which In cities where a fee is assessed, those that have paid may mon, he said. was delivered to the City Council last week. receive an annual sticker to affix to the side of their garbage cans. “There’s a truck that goes down every day,” he said. “There Executive Director of Finance Paul Wesch blamed the shortage If the sticker is not present, their garbage will not be collected. were four or five that went down Friday alone.” partially on money being taken out of the city’s motor pool and Another solution is privatizing collection. While the idea has In all, 18 trucks were unavailable Monday morning. Acting transferred into the General Fund from 2001 to 2010. On three been considered by members of the administration, there are no Crew Chief Michael Beech said only nine trucks were available separate occasions during that time, Wesch said, the city trans- current plans to act upon it. In a recent finance committee meet- to pick up 18 routes. Problems for the existing fleet range from ferred a total of $8 million out of the fund used for repair and ing, Councilman Fred Richardson accused the administration of hydraulic leaks to engine repairs and one truck even has fire dam- replacement of vehicles. “manufacturing a crisis” in order to move to privatization, but age, Beech said. The motor pool generates revenue by leasing the city’s vehicle Wesch called that “categorically false.” “In a perfect world, we’d have a truck for each route and four fleet to the respective departments through payments called lease “We are not going to get out of this current issue with priva- or five extra trucks,” he said, adding that in a pinch, 16 functional rates. These lease rates would be taken out of each department’s tization,” Wesch said. “That’s just not where the administration trucks could get the job done on time every week. budget every year. is going.” Residents left to speculate cause of weekend fires BY GABRIEL TYNES/ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected] wo fires that erupted on Dauphin Island over the weekend ture, appliances and garbage bags. his girlfriend, who was overdosing on crystal meth, to Providence are being investigated by state and federal authorities amid Collier did confirm the Dauphin Island Sealy house was in a Hospital. Gibson said that charge did not result in the revocation what sources are calling curious circumstances. One man state of disrepair and several years ago had been the site where of Sealy’s bond for the marijuana offense, and had since been died during the incident, according to witnesses, when he an occupant was injured after a 20-foot-tall balcony collapsed. bound over to a grand jury. tapparently stopped breathing after repeated entries to one of the One neighbor, whose house was damaged by heat and didn’t want The neighbor cited previously said there had also been a random burning buildings. to be identified, said the house remained in a constant state of cast of characters visiting the house, coming and going at all hours, According to town officials, the Dauphin Island Volunteer decline, and in recent weeks may have been issued citations from and working on a “relic, worthless, 1970s bass boat” in the carport. Fire Department received a call to Dauphin Island BBQ at 906 the town’s building inspector. “They’d fire up the engine at 3 a.m. and it would sound like 10 Bienville Blvd. at approximately midnight Aug. 29. As crews “After the deck collapsed, they just picked up the pieces and chainsaws,” he said. responded, a second call was received for a fire at a residence at piled them next to the house,” the neighbor said. “I filed a com- Campbell said Collier spoke with at least two people who 2235 Sandpiper St. plaint then, but more recently, the grass had grown 4 feet tall, win- were at the residence when the fire started, and they suggested it Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier said the simultaneous fires dows were broken and whoever was staying there had piled about was the result of working on the boat. Noting that the informa- led the department to call for mutual aid from nearby departments 14 bags of garbage on the stairs rather than put it on the curb or in tion he was providing was “complete hearsay,” Campbell said and “a big outpouring of help” contained the second fire — on a trash can. Every other house on that street was nice.” the individuals tried to combat the accidental fire initially with an a small peninsula where houses are in close proximity — to just Neither Collier nor Dauphin Island Building Inspector Corey extinguisher, but they found it didn’t work. four houses which were declared a total loss. Moore would corroborate the complaints or citations, but one of Campbell, who emphasized he had no knowledge of the ongo- The day after, the local department turned the investigation the most intriguing aspects of the case — and the one that has ing investigation, agreed the simultaneous fires and connection over to the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office and the federal nearly the entire island talking — is that the barbecue restaurant to the building inspector were a “heck of a coincidence.” But Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. While that caught fire just prior to the house was owned in part by Corey speaking in general terms, he said several residences damaged or neighbors suggested the fires started under suspicious circum- Moore, the building inspector. destroyed by Hurricane Katrina had become nuisance properties stances, neither Collier nor other town officials would corroborate Sealy himself is no stranger to the law. In July, he accepted a on the island, abandoned by their owners. He said if inspections many of the details and as of Tuesday afternoon, the victim’s plea deal with Mobile County prosecutors for felony possession of do generate a valid violation of ordinances, “Corey or someone he name had not been publicly released. marijuana, garnering a 13-month suspended sentence. According sent out” would issue a citation with an attached fine. Unresolved However, two witnesses joined at least one person with some in- to Assistant District Attorney Grant Gibson, Sealy was originally cases where properties become a threat to the safety or welfare of side knowledge of the investigation, Dauphin Island town attorney charged with trafficking marijuana, which would have resulted in the general public may ultimately lead to their demolition. Robert Campbell, who confirmed it was 43-year-old John Robert a substantially longer sentence, but the charge was reduced after Meanwhile, Collier said he was satisfied with the emergency Sealy, the son of Kay Sealy, the homeowner listed on tax records. investigators determined they could not legally charge Sealy with response, and noted the situation could have been much worse. A second address listed for John Robert Sealy and registered the entire amount of marijuana that was allegedly trafficked with a “I’m just hopeful the investigation will determine what the to Kay Sealy on tax records — in a residential neighborhood off co-defendant in the case. cause of these fires were and people can rebuild their lives or Pleasant Valley Road — was littered with debris Monday when According to court records, Sealy was charged separately in livelihood,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate loss of property and visited by a reporter. The front door was blocked by lawn furni- February for possession of a controlled substance after he brought unfortunate to lose the individual as well.” 12 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 13 CC COMMENTARYD AMN THE TORPEDOES It’s a rough time to be a cop BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

ead on a swivel. could have such different views of the crime. he “deserve” to die? Maybe not, but did the That’s how a veteran cop I know told “I get paid to do my job, but I don’t get officer he was attacking deserve to die or be me he lives his life these days. If he’s paid to go out and get injured,” MC said. “I brutalized? No way. in his car at a stoplight, he’s looking want to do my 10 or 12 hours and go home to Of course in any profession there are haround to see if “someone’s pointing a gun at my family.” going to be people who do their jobs poorly, me.” If he’s standing in his uniform, he wants He says men he has arrested recently have and police are no exception. Yes, police who to know who’s around. If he’s out of uniform told him police officers should know how to abuse their authority should be punished, but eating dinner and other patrons get out of hand, fight and not use their guns, an assumption the pendulum has swung so far it’s hard to cursing and being too loud, he’s afraid to say that’s not uncommon now. imagine what would make someone want to anything lest it escalate. “How many times can you get punched in put on a badge these days. That’s the way it is for police officers in the face before you go unconscious?” he asked. If it wouldn’t be so detrimental to the this country these days — some say they feel “If you’re choking me, how long before I die? rest of us who are trying to live peaceful, like targets. That’s what people don’t understand.” productive lives, I would love to see all the Just a couple of weeks ago in Birmingham MC and other police I’ve spoken with feel criminals, police haters and race baiters who a detective pulled over an erratic driver and it politicians and the media have set a scene in think cops just sit around all day waiting for a ended with the driver beating the officer uncon- which cops are going out and trying to find chance to kill a black man get a chance to live scious with his own pistol. The officer, who has unarmed black men to beat or kill. What in a community without police. Let them deal tried to remain anonymous, said he didn’t shoot people forget is the vast majority of the time with their own Michael Browns as they vic- the life-long criminal who attacked him because officers are responding to calls about criminal timize the weak. Let them have every killer, he was afraid how he would be portrayed in the behavior. thief, robber and rapist wander their neighbor- media. His attacker was black and the officer is “Nine times out of 10 it’s not a chance en- hoods without a care in the world. white, and if he shot the man it would have been counter. Nine times out of 10 someone called Maybe everyone could gather in the center another case of a cop shooting an “unarmed us,” he explained. of the street and yell “F*** the police!” and black man.” Cue Al Sharpton. Those of us who respect what the police have a big laugh before the lawlessness begins. Just the other day in Texas a man walked up do find it hard to understand this culture in Those of us who don’t want to live in the behind a deputy standing at a gas pump and shot which criminals who want to fight with, or Wild West should push back against what’s him 15 times, just for the hell of it. Two officers even kill, police are turned into victims. In going on. Support the cops. Be courteous if in New York were assassinated in their car late the vast majority of these situations, once you get pulled over or they ask you a ques- last year. The stories grow as the number of the dust has cleared and the politicians have tion. I’d even suggest buying that cop at the people willing to shoot a police officer seems to stopped blathering, you can generally find next table a cup of coffee, but no sudden be rising every week. a career criminal engaging in behavior that moves if you walk over to say hello. But it’s not just getting shot, it’s having to was dangerous to himself and others. Did Their heads are on a swivel. fight. A Mobile officer was punched in the face just last week answering a domestic dispute. The cop I spoke with said that kind of thing would have been very unusual not so many years ago. T HEG ADFLY Why is it all happening? It’s a mix of a number of things — media, technology, politics and racial pandering. President Obama’s penchant for popping off when a black citizen is shot by a white cop certainly is a big part of the problem. Having the president assign racist motives to any white cop who shoots a black suspect has given criminals safe harbor. That, combined with the prevalence of cell phones, an anti-police media and some cops who do make bad decisions, has created a situation in which police are seen by many as the bad guys. “I was transporting a guy we arrested the other day and he said ‘y’all just like to kill black people,’” Mobile Cop said. MC explained how he feels the president’s comments and the media have helped create a situation unlike any he’s seen in more than two decades on the force. “It’s acceptable,” he said of people hurting or even killing cops. “The right people just aren’t condemning it.” In the case of the Birmingham officer, people actually stood around and videoed him being pistol-whipped into unconsciousness, then posted the videos online with messages making fun of the situation. Hard to imagine what kind of lowlife does that. Cartoon/Laura Rasmussen Mobile Cop said he watched a discussion on CNN about the Birmingham beating in which one commentator declared the situation a policy failure because the officer failed to shoot the on- coming assailant, while another applauded the officer for using restraint and taking a beating. As the city looks to replace an aging fleet of trash trucks, He was amazed two seemingly cogent people it shouldn’t seek advice from the state legislature.

ast Wednesday morning, as I was running around the grotesque and like we have all reached a new level of desensi- had some of the conversations we have on Facebook in person? house getting kids off to school and ready for work, a tization. Our world would turn into a “Jerry Springer” set. breaking news update popped up on my phone. Shots had All of these tragedies, from Charleston to Roanoke to And then there is the absolute fount of misinformation. I been fired during a television news crew’s live shot in shaming college girls for sorority videos, get our attention and can’t tell you how many times I see news stories online where LVirginia. More details were to come as the story developed. sympathy or outrage until the next something awful or public people (some anonymously, some proudly) are offering their As we all know now, those details were horrific, as we shaming goes “viral.” It kind of makes my skin crawl to see opinion or own sets of facts, which are often totally wrong or learned reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward such terrible things “trending.” even libelous. Sometimes people are doing this on purpose for were killed on live television by a disturbed former colleague, As a social media user, I am as guilty as everyone else. I love their own motives, sometimes they are truly just idiots. But armed with a gun in one hand and his smartphone in the other scrolling through my feeds as much as anyone. It’s the number either way, I have heard people casually reiterate this message recording this awful tragedy, which he later posted to social one way I access news stories from all of the local and national board or social media misinformation as if it were an actual part media. The videos were removed by the sites, but not before media sites I respect, and for that alone it is an invaluable re- of the story or a matter of fact. People forget lives can be dam- they were captured by users who reposted them. source, especially considering my chosen profession. aged by this. It’s maddening. Some media outlets refused to show them, saying that was I love seeing pics of my friends’ kids and keeping up with One of the photos from Trump’s rally in Mobile a couple of what the killer wanted (the correct move). Others argued its those who live far away. I love learning about what bands are weeks ago featuring a young mother holding a baby garnered a newsworthiness and broadcast it, or used stills of his gun from playing where or other special events, and even hokey things lot of national attention, as the photographer captured her in a his video pointed at them just seconds before their deaths. like home decorating tips and Halloween cupcake recipes. And moment where she had an extremely excited look on her face. Obviously, this was a very disturbed individual, who his for- there are obviously other very good things that have come out By the next week, there were new unflattering, Photoshopped mer colleagues said had a convoluted image of the world. He had of social media campaigns, especially for charities, like the versions of the pic and a story mocking her and everyone else in decided Parker was a “racist,” as documented in court records ALS Ice Bucket challenge and drives to save fledgling local the photo on the Washington Post’s website. because she used a common phrase in the news biz, saying she businesses. In an interview with the young woman after the pic went was going to be “out in the field,” which of course just means But there is something I just despise about it at the same time. viral, she said she wasn’t even sure who she was going to sup- outside of your station, covering a story. But the gunman took This new “look at me, look at me, listen to me, listen to me” port for president, she was just there to see the spectacle and that to mean she was saying something about “cotton fields” and world we live in has a darkness to it, an ever-present hostile and laughing at how unreal the moment was. Yet, she was maligned him being black. Clearly, only a distortion a disturbed individual vitriolic environment lurking under the surface. Train wreck by the Internet as a crazy Trump fanatic and had to endure hate- would make. There were several other similar examples and after train wreck we don’t even have to leave our desk or couch ful comment after hateful comment. Do people really deserve stories of erratic behavior, and I’m sure in hindsight it seems like to rubberneck. We are voyeurs in the lives of people we don’t this sort of treatment? these senseless murders could have been prevented. even know during their darkest hours. I don’t know the answer. It’s just the new world we live in, My heart goes out to their families, friends and colleagues. And in addition to that, people are just online a-holes and act I suppose, and we have to learn to navigate it the best we can. I certainly don’t blame this tragedy on social media. This in a way they never would if a keyboard wasn’t involved. But I do fear we are becoming so numb to online hate in our was largely because a mentally unstable ticking time bomb got Just on our own Lagniappe social media pages, I watch virtual worlds, it’s going to continue to creep into our real ones, access to a gun and exploded. But the fact it was also important what should be lively-but-healthy debates devolve into vicious and we are headed for a day where the atrocities like the one to him to document and “share” it, and then for other people to personal attacks. For some reason typing hate is a lot easier than last week won’t even faze us anymore. And that is a scary world repost the video on their own pages, makes it feel even more saying it to a person’s face. Could you imagine if we actually to consider.

16 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 COMMENTARYBELTWAY BEAT C election frenzy not unprecedented BY JEFF POOR/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

ix Republican presidential hopefuls gationist wing of the Democratic Party. But at the visited Alabama over a 10-day period same time, the national wing of the Democratic last month — including real estate mogul Party was still very strong in Alabama.” Donald Trump’s traveling jamboree — Although it wasn’t competitive nationally, the Splacing the Yellowhammer State in an unusual 1964 presidential election was a turning point political spotlight. for Alabama politics. Goldwater only carried six Although it certainly seems out of the ordi- states in the landslide victory for Johnson but that nary, this is hardly a first for Alabama. In fact, signaled the beginning of the end of the Demo- Dr. Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus in Auburn cratic Party’s dominance in Alabama politics. University’s Department of History, argues this “The other election that was just absolutely election cycle pales in comparison to a number transformative was the 1964 Goldwater and of presidential elections in which Alabama found Wallace contest. I would date the eclipse of the itself playing a prominent role. Democratic Party as beginning in 1964, when “I really don’t think it’s unprecedented,” Flynt Goldwater came to the state. Although he had said in an interview with Lagniappe on this elec- been a member of the NAACP in Arizona, he tion cycle and the GOP candidates campaigning was certainly viewed as way far right and very in Alabama. “I think it’s certainly unusual.” attractive to a lot of suburban whites. Probably According to Flynt, the 1860 presiden- the only thing that kept the state from flipping tial cycle was perhaps the most important, as completely into the Republican column in the Alabama played an integral role in the South’s 1960s was George Wallace — Wallace running as ultimate secession. a sort of independent Democrat kept the state in “I would certainly rate that one as more line into the 1970s,” Flynt said. important — both nationally and in terms of the “But I argue the real tipping point for Alabama state and in terms of turnout,” Flynt said. “And politics was 1964, when Goldwater came here and also in the 1860s all the major candidates came to offered a conservative Republican option that was Alabama and, in fact, Stephen A. Douglas was in very attractive from that point and now is sort of Mobile the day of the election. Lincoln obviously the dominant political ideology of the state.” didn’t come, but the three Whig and Democratic It wouldn’t be until 2010 that the state was candidates all came here and spent a lot of time in dominated by Republican politicians statewide this state. So, absent Abraham Lincoln, for obvi- from top to bottom. But now that Alabama is ous reasons — knew he couldn’t carry the state clearly in the GOP column, Flynt argued the GOP and wasn’t interested in coming here — I think the will take Alabama for granted in the general elec- 1860 campaign would certainly match this one.” tion and the Democrats will concede the state. In that crowded field, Douglas would finish Once Alabama’s March 1, 2016, primary has second in the popular vote, but fourth in the passed, that will be the end of Alabama’s time in electoral vote behind Lincoln. Just months later, the spotlight. the first shots of the Civil War were fired at “Furthermore, I can guarantee you the Repub- Fort Sumter near Charleston, South Carolina. licans care not one hoot in hell about Alabama The 1932 election between incumbent Herbert after the primaries. You will not see a Repub- Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, although lican presidential candidate come to Alabama not close statewide, was another in which Alabama between the August nominating convention and played a prominent role. Based on the vote tally the 2016 general election in November,” Flynt in that election, the only weakness Roosevelt had said. “They’re going to be in Ohio. They’re going electorally in the South was in the Tennessee River to be in Virginia. They’re going to be in Florida. Valley in Tennessee and Alabama. That region They’re going to be all around us but they’re not was hit hard by the Great Depression. The average going to be coming here and the reason they’re income was a paltry $639 annually. not coming here is there is no reason to.” Roosevelt, however, would address that with a As for the Democratic side, there is an outside massive New Deal public works project with the chance that Democratic candidates could spend creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority. time here. “Franklin Roosevelt — he actually visited “If Joe Biden is a candidate, it may well be Alabama. He announced the creation of the Ten- Joe Biden would come here,” Flynt said. “It may nessee Valley Authority in Alabama. He spent a well be that Hillary Clinton would show up. But I lot of time up in North Alabama and although it doubt that because I think it is pretty obvious that was certainly not a competitive election, Roos- the black vote is going to Hillary Clinton. So I evelt’s presence here was electrifying at a time would be surprised if she spent any time here.” when this state was so terrified — attitudes not Outside of perhaps Nick Saban openly cam- unlike they are now. Everybody expressing huge paigning for a Democratic candidate, the pros- anxiety about the future. The rate of unemploy- pects of Alabama ever becoming a swing state ment was 25 percent. are dim. In a contest with two major candidates, “We’re upset about the future of the country historically Alabama has never been up grabs. and Alabama’s unemployment rate is 6 percent. If Ronald Reagan had been the Republican Imagine what it was in 1932 when it was 25 nominee in 1976, it might have created the percent,” Flynt said. unique circumstances for a competitive general Flynt also ranked the infamous 1948 election election, according to Flynt. with the Dixiecrat insurgency and the 1964 “Probably the closest thing to that would be Lyndon Johnson-Barry Goldwater contest high Jimmy Carter in 1976, because the Republican on his list of all-time important presidential Party was well established by 1976, although Ger- elections for Alabama. ald Ford was certainly not as attractive a candidate The 1948 presidential election was important as Reagan would have been. In 1976, if it had for Alabama because it was the birthplace of been Carter versus Reagan, that would have been the Dixiecrats, also known more formally as the a really interesting race. But as it was, you got a States’ Rights Democratic Party. peanut farmer from Georgia. I certainly wouldn’t “What made that election so significant was call him a Wallace man, but he never said anything the Dixiecrat Party was formed in Birmingham at harmful about Wallace or hurtful about Wallace.” what is now called Boutwell Auditorium,” he said. The 2016 presidential election is more than “It was heavily segregationist, racist, Confederate 400 days away. The life span of Alabama’s role flags, Strom Thurmond — national figures from in the 2016 presidential action will be for less all the Southern states at least, leaders of the segre- than half that time.

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 17 C COMMENTARYTAO OF JEN What the Ashley madison hack does — and doesn’t — reveal BY JENNIFER MCDONALD/COLUMNIST | [email protected]

n the weeks since the Ashley Madison “hack” first made about my experience with adultery here in Mobile. Many people who place a high priority on emotional intimacy headlines, I must have heard a hundred jokes about how busy So who cheats? As far as I can tell it could be just about any- become increasingly lonely and eventually turn elsewhere after my divorce practice is about to get in the wake of the scandal one, including homemakers, doctors, therapists, school teachers, feeling their partners were emotionally distant and spending too involving the controversial dating site for married people. In mail carriers, politicians and church deacons. There is no defini- much time withdrawing into things like work, hobbies, sports, realityI I don’t necessarily expect the now infamous data leak to tive “type.” friends or even the kids. Right or wrong, a large percentage of have any dramatic impact on local divorce rates, but it is interest- Most studies suggest men commit adultery significantly more human beings have a low tolerance for loneliness and lack of ing to watch the world discuss a thriving underground practice often than women but I’m not sure I buy that data either. From my emotional intimacy, and unfortunately many make poor decisions many of my colleagues and I have been dealing with for years. experience it does seem somewhat more common for men to “get as a result. Despite Alabama’s relatively high divorce rate, I’m somewhat caught” and women to privately admit to infidelities their spouse On the same note, many people who place a high priority on skeptical of the recent data suggesting our state has the highest never discovered. sexual intimacy become increasingly lonely and frustrated and percentage of cheaters nationwide according to the user identities Some studies have suggested that in more than 70 percent of eventually turn elsewhere after feeling their partners were unwill- exposed in the Ashley Madison breach. News of the rankings in- long marriages, at least one partner is unfaithful at some point ing or unable to meet their sexual needs. spired numerous headlines naming Alabama the “adultery capital along the way, and that estimate honestly doesn’t surprise me. No In any case, I’m not here to say what’s right or wrong, only of the U.S.,” but as plenty of other folks have suggested, I suspect matter who you are, it’s pretty likely someone you know and love to report what currently “is,” from my perspective. Obviously the data was skewed by curious looky-loos choosing Alabama has struggled with this issue at some point in time. people “should” be wise and mature enough to deal with their as their home state simply because it was the first option on the Perhaps the bigger question: Why do people cheat? That’s a personal problems responsibly without foolishly chasing rainbows drop-down menu. pretty complicated issue, in my opinion, one that really exceeds and hurting the people they are supposed to love the most. And At any rate, I can definitely confirm Ashley Madison use is a the depth and breadth of this column and my lack of psychiatric obviously people “should” confront relationship problems directly real “thing” here in Mobile. For quite a few years now it hasn’t expertise, but I can at least break it into a few very basic catego- instead of dishonoring the commitment by turning elsewhere. been particularly uncommon for a client to come to my office, ries based on my general observations. As simple and straightforward as it all seems to some (and place a tablet or smart phone on my desk and say, “Well, it all 1. Some people are selfish and dishonest a**holes who will lie trust me, I get that), the unfortunate reality is that most couples started when I discovered my spouse’s dating profile …” repeatedly and do whatever they want for as long as they can get struggle with at least one of these issues at some point, and Ashley Madison comes up regularly, as well as several other away with it. these problems are incredibly common. They also tend to lead to “dating” sites that are commonly used to meet potential partners 2. Some cheaters are generally decent, well-meaning people enormous pain for one or both parties and in some cases the split- for illicit encounters. Given that other free sites seem even more who enter marriage with the intention of being faithful, only to find ting of a family. Don’t get me wrong; just because it’s common popular than Ashley Madison, my guess would be the millions of themselves eventually led astray by their own personal weaknesses, doesn’t mean it’s okay or not a big deal. people whose data was compromised in the recent leak represent often in the form of a perceived need for external validation to However, people are flawed and complicated and beautiful only the tip of the iceberg. There are apparently a LOT of people combat their own feelings of inadequacy, incompleteness, etc. and terrible. I wish life were easier for everyone and I try not to cheating or at least curious about cheating on their spouse, and 3. In other cases infidelity is closely related to unhappiness in judge. I do wish people were able to be more honest with one the Internet has become one of the most common ways to find the relationship. Please note that I don’t mean to place any blame another about their needs and expectations. If anything good is to potential partners. on the betrayed party. Cheating is always a choice. However, the come out of this recent scandal, I hope it leads to more honest and Of course my clients’ tales of heartache and betrayal belong more we understand the perspective of people who stray in mar- nuanced discussions about the expectation of monogamy and the to them and only them, but I can relay some general observations riage, the more we can try to heal the wounds of betrayal. complications that surround it.

he Gulf Shores based, eight-week beach a substantial way. I anticipate that the long-term Health System,” Susan Davis, senior vice-pres- house renovation reality TV show “Beach impacts of this multiplier effect will even out- ident of Ascension Health/Gulf Coast Ministry, Flip” on the HGTV network recently weigh the potential positive effects on real estate said. Ascension Health is the health care delivery concluded amid a fair amount of fanfare, prices,” Sweat added. subsidiary of Ascension. taccording to critics from the New York Post and “I’m excited about this opportunity to Scripps Networks Interactive. Commercial real estate moves contribute to the growth of Providence Health A Chicago couple, Martha Montross and Fairways Indoor Golf Club has leased 3,200 System, which has served our community for Alex Borre, ultimately won the $50,000 grand square feet of retail space at Spanish Fort Town over 160 years,” Kennedy said. prize for adding the most value to their “project” Center near Bass Pro Shop, with plans in place Kennedy received masters’ degrees in health Alabama beach home under the watchful eye to open in November. Raymond Faircloth with administration and business administration of HGTV stars David Bromstad (“My Lottery Milling Commercial Realty worked for the from University of Alabama at Birmingham. He Dream Home”), Nicole Curtis (“Rehab Addict”) tenant. Michael Wilson and Sharon Wright with also holds a bachelor’s in health administration and Josh Temple (“House Crashers”). The celeb- White-Spunner Realty worked for the landlord. from Auburn University. He participates on the rities delivered the news to the winners based on Amedisys Home Health of Mobile recently boards of numerous community organizations the results of calculated averages put together by relocated and expanded its offices at Mobile Of- and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the experts from across the surrounding area. fice Park. Amedisys is now located in Suite 204, University of Alabama. Local real estate agents received a healthy Building 2, and occupies more than 5,200 square Kennedy replaces Clark P. Christianson, amount of face time during the program’s finale. feet of medical space. Jill Meeks of Stirling who is retiring after almost 15 years as the 29th In essence, these homegrown professionals chose Properties handled the relocation and expansion. president of the Providence health ministry. The the winner based on their collective expertise OneMain Financial has leased 2,400 square Providence Physician Network has grown to from decades of working in and inhabiting the feet of office space on an outparcel of land in 14 practice locations offering primary and spe- Baldwin and Mobile county real estate markets. the Springdale Mall complex, adjacent to the cialty care in southwest Alabama and southeast Among the professionals seen front and Shoppes of Bel Air. Amber Dedeaux of Vallas Mississippi. center for their Cecil B. DeMille close-ups Realty worked for the landlord. Located at 171 were: Joe Emer, Roberts Brothers (Studio 10/ E. Interstate 65 Service Road S., the national Keith Palmer’s Toyota CAC fundraiser WALA); Gloria Sims Crump, Gulf Shores Re/ small-loan lending company expects to open the generates $25,500 Max; Ballard Sweat, Re/Max Paradise; Clarissa new branch later this year. Keith Palmer’s Toyota Superstore in West Mo- Rambo, Realty Executives; Drew Watson, Wat- John Delchamps with the Merrill P. Thomas bile recently announced it has donated more than son Appraisal; Geoff and Susan Gaberino, Gulf Co. Inc. recently sold a 5,400-square-foot office $25,500 this year to the Child Advocacy Center Shores Vacation Rentals; Jared Giddens, Roberts building at 1060 Springhill Ave. to an undis- (CAC) of Mobile. The lump sum represents total Brothers Mobile; Tony Mach, Roberts Broth- closed company for $375,000. In a separate funds raised during a 19-day fundraising effort in ers Mobile; LaDonya Merrell, Roberts Brothers transaction, the 18,000-square-foot former July initiated by the auto dealership. During the Fairhope and Betsy Duggar, Alabama Appraisal Sawyer Furniture property at 207 Saraland Blvd. drive, sales teams at Palmer’s Toyota Superstore Company, Fairhope. was leased to a non-local furniture retailer. Del- and Palmer’s Airport Hyundai agreed to donate “The fact that ‘Beach Flip’ chose our area champs was the sole broker on both transactions. $100 to the CAC for every vehicle sold. is supporting evidence that we can expect During the past 21 years Palmer’s has raised continued interest from all over the U.S. I am Kennedy tapped as new president of upwards of $287,400 for the CAC through seeing an increase in the number of vacationers Providence Health System this major annual charity event. At a luncheon and buyers from states where I normally do not, Todd S. Kennedy has been named president ceremony, it was also announced Palmer has such as Nebraska, Arizona, New York and even of Providence Health System, part of the Ascen- received the Toyota President’s Award from North and South Dakota. I interpret this to mean sion Gulf Coast Ministry market. Ascension is Toyota Motor Sales. According to a news re- they are being introduced to our area through TV the largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. lease, only a handful of Toyota dealership own- programs like ‘Beach Flip,’” Ballard Sweat with and the world’s largest Catholic health system. ers across the country receive this prestigious Re/Max Paradise said. Kennedy has served Providence since Febru- award annually. “There is a multiplier effect associated with ary 2012 as executive vice president and chief The CAC is a community response organiza- TV programs like ‘Beach Flip.’ Meaning, it is operating officer. He came to Providence from St. tion that coordinates services for victims of child not just Gulf-front real estate that will continue Vincent’s Health System in Birmingham, where sexual and severe physical abuse. Twenty-eight to see increased demand. But moreover, it’s he served for six years as president and COO of professionals from eight agencies work together the money vacationers and buyers spend on St. Vincent’s East, a 328-bed acute care hospital. to provide recovery services for abused children gas, food, clothing, souvenirs, entertainment, “Todd is an exceptional, experienced health and their non-offending family members. In recreational activities, etc. Simply put, the show care leader with a deep commitment to the mis- 2014, more than 2,900 children were treated will drive outside dollars into our community in sion and values of Ascension and Providence through CAC programs.

must ashamedly admit that in my six years or so of happily writing for this paper, I never once took Ashley out for a boss meal. Once she and Rob crashed a lunch Carlos Danger and I put together over crawfish, but that’s just because they wanted Ito meet him. I’ve neglected the dietary needs of the woman who signs my paycheck, and I feel awful for it. When committing an error of this magnitude, it is important to rectify the situation with something delicious. Luckily Ashley has a husband who keeps us abreast of the West Mobile food scene from Interstate 65 to Semmes, and I trust his judgment. It was time for me to take the boss and her lesser half to Cottage Hill’s Meat Boss. What better name for a restaurant for an employee/superior lunch date. Meat Boss is just a bit past University headed west, on your left in the same group of buildings as trustworthy mechanic Mark McGugin. Just look for the giant smoker in the parking lot and you will know you’re home. Ashley and I have known each other since before I started my employment at Lagniappe and would have been totally comfortable dining as a duo, but it just wouldn’t be right without inviting Frank to join us. Franklin Delano Trice is quite the character and a Photo/ facebook.com/TheMeatBoss foodie to boot. He enjoys cheap wine though he only drinks on weekends these days. He grills a mean oys- meat boss offers ribs and chicken as well as boston butt and brisket, along ter when New Year’s Eve rolls around. He out-dances with sauce including sweet, sweet and spicy, vinegar, spicy vinegar and white. Mean Gene the Dancing Machine. But Frank’s best sides including Asian I’m sure. The mac and cheese he ordered was a perfect mix of quality is that he speaks three languages. One of those cole slaw, potato salad, pasta shells and cheesy explosion. We had a short conversation is barbecue. mac and cheese, Boss about how our kids would complain that it isn’t orange enough We met in the parking lot of Meat Boss one Thurs- beans, banana pudding or that the cheese isn’t powdered. The Trice family made excel- day morning. Noon was approaching and hunger and sausage. lent choices. pangs were setting in. Frank pulled up right as Ash It turned out a Of course I had to be different. Like Frank I opted for the and I got out of the car, parking as far away from the combo with a drink brisket over the pork simply because I don’t get a chance to have smoker as we could (just in case). With Frank’s help was $8.75 per person. brisket very often. That is where our similarities ended. My entrée we easily navigated the slightly confusing protocol We paid the bill and was served in a wrap with sweet and spicy sauce and loaded with for ordering. Though under renovation, Meat Boss stepped outside, making toppings. Pickles, mayo, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapeno currently has an odd setup. our way to the entrance jelly were too much for me to resist. I left off the slaw and horse- One door leads to the dining room, but for now of the dining room next radish sauce just because I wasn’t feeling it. you may not order there. A second door leads to a door. Brightly lit and I will say I created (with the help of the fine folks at Meat small space where a line more than three deep would under construction, Boss) what may be my new favorite sandwich oddity. I don’t get be pushing it. Here you find a five-step process to change is coming to wraps often, but this one was perfect. It was a redneck burrito of ordering your lunch. Meat Boss. We were sorts and I enjoyed every bite, reverting to my selfish ways of not Step 1 is ordering your “Main Thing.” This can vary daily but happy to pardon the progress as soon as we were handed our sharing any with my sickly boss or her happy-footed husband. usually includes smoked pork butt, brisket, chicken or grilled sacks of food. The Boss Beans were so good I’ll be sure to order them next cheese. On this day we were not offered chicken. Poor Ashley was stopped up but could not be miserable in the time. As a bonus we all split the pint of banana pudding Ash or- Step 2 is called “Around It.” This is the bread, or lack thereof. company she was keeping. She cheerfully unwrapped her smoked dered. It was as good as any I’ve had, including family reunions. Options are sweet bun, regular bun, wrap or naked. You’re also pork butt sandwich on a sweet bun with sweet and spicy sauce. Meat Boss is a “don’t miss” in my opinion. Currently the hours given the option of toasted or not toasted. She kept it simple with slaw, pickles and jalapeno jelly, hoping are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, but the renova- Step 3 of the menu is “Boss Sauce.” Sweet, sweet and spicy, the spiciness would clear her head. A formidable sandwich for tions will expand to extra days, a new kitchen and, possibly, vinegar, spicy vinegar and white are sauces that can be ordered on sure, this would be hard to beat. Her potato salad was made from breakfast by Oct. 1, according to one employee. I’ll be waiting. the sandwich or on the side. red skin potatoes and might have had a touch of ranch added to Step 4 is “Toppings.” This is the most important step. Slaw, the mix. Meat Boss pickles, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, horseradish sauce Franklin Delano let his sweet buns envelope smoked brisket 5401 Cottage Hill Road and jalapeno jelly are definitely nothing to sneeze at, unless you with nothing but spicy vinegar on the sandwich. He’s a purist have a cold, which Ashley did. of sorts. I told you he speaks the language. He’s had this before, Mobile, Alabama 36609 Step 5 is called “BeSIDES it.” These are, as you guessed, the 251-591-4842

22 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 23 6120 Marina Dr., Dog River • 443-7318. 23 Upham St. • 473-6115 pdQ ($) Home cookin’ & BBQ. the hArbOr rOOm ($-$$) deW drOp INN ($) Chicken fingers, salad & sandwiches. 110 S. Florida St. • 478-7427 Unique seafood. Classic burgers, hotdogs & setting. 1165 University Blvd. • 202-0959 yAK the KAthmANdu KItcheN ($-$$) 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 1808 Old Shell Rd. • 473-7872. pItA pIt ($) Authentic foods from Himalayan region. the bLueGILL ($-$$) dOWNtOWNerS ($) 211 Dauphin St. • 690-7482 3210 Dauphin St. • 287-0115 A historic seafood dive w/ live music. Great sandwiches, soups & salads. QueeN G’S cAfé ($) 400 Eastern Shore Center. • 459-286 3775 Hwy. 98 • 625-1998 107 Dauphin St. • 433 8868 Down home cooking for lunch. $ unDER $10/PERSon the GrANd mArINer ($-$$) e WING hOuSe ($) 2518 Old Shell Rd. • 471-3361 $$ 10-25/PERSon Local seafood & produce. 195 S University Suite H • 662-1830. reGINA’S KItcheN ($-$$) ‘Cue $$$ ovER 25/PERSon 6036 Rock Point Rd. • 443-5700 2212 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 479-2021 Sandwiches, subs and soups. bAcKyArd cAfe & bbQ ($) tIN tOp reStAurANt & OySter bAr ($$) fIrehOuSe SubS ($) 2056 Government St. • 476-2777 Home cookin’ like momma made. from the depths Seafood, Steaks, & extensive wine list. Hot subs, cold salads & catering. rOLy pOLy ($) 2804 Springhill Ave. • 473-4739 bAudeAN’S ($$) 6232 Bon Secour Hwy Cnty Rd. 10. 6300 Grelot Rd. • 631-3730 Wraps & salads. bAr-b-QuING WIth my hONey ($$) Fried, grilled, steamed & always fresh. 949-5086 fIve GuyS burGerS & frIeS ($) 809 Hillcrest Rd. • 607-6378 BBQ, burgers, wings & seafood 3300 River Rd. • 973-9070 WINtzeLL’S OySter hOuSe ($-$$) 4401 Old Shell Rd. • 447-2393 3220 Dauphin St. • 479-2480 19170 Hwy 43 Mt. Vernon. • 839-9927 bONefISh GrILL ($$) 605 Dauphin St. • 432-4605 4663 Airport Blvd. • 300-8425 rOSIe’S GrILL ($-$$) brIcK pIt ($) Eclectic dining & space. 6700 Airport Blvd. • 341-1111 fOOSAcKLy’S ($) Sandwiches, southwest fare, 7 days. A favorite barbecue spot. 6955 Airport Blvd. • 633-7196 1208 Shelton Beach Rd., Famous chicken fingers. 1203 Hwy 98 Ste. 3D, Daphne 5456 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0001 bOudreAuX’S cAJuN GrILL ($-$$) Saraland • 442-3335 310 S. University Blvd. • 343-0047 626-2440 dreAmLANd bbQ ($) Quality Cajun & New Orleans 2250 Airport Blvd. • 479-2922 rOyAL KNIGht ($) Ribs, sandwiches & great sides. Cuisine. 29249 US Highway 98 7641 Airport Blvd. • 607-7667 Steak night on fridays. 3314 Old Shell Rd. • 479-9898. Daphne. • 621-1991 Completely 2558 Schillinger Rd. • 219-7761. 3004 Gov’t Blvd • 287-1220 mOe’S OrIGINAL bAr b Que ($) cAJuN SeAfOOd ($) 3249 Dauphin St. • 479-2000 rOyAL Street cAfe ($) Bar-b-que & music. Seafood market & deli fresh seafood. Comfortable GuLf cOASt cONey & Ice creAm pArLOr ($) Homemade lunch & breakfast. Bayfront Park Dr., Daphne • 625-RIBS 408 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 478-9897 ALL SpOrtS bAr & GrILL ($) Sandwiches, Coneys & Ice cream 104 N. Royal St. • 434-0011 701 Springhill Ave. • 410-7427 crAvIN cAJuN ($) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. 5395 Battleship Pkwy. • 660-4899 SAtOrI cOffeehOuSe ($) 4672 Airport Blvd. • 300-8516 Po-boys, salads & seafood. 3408 Plesant Valley Rd • 345-9338 IStANbuL GrILL ($) Coffee, smoothies, lunch & beers. SAucy Q bArbQue ($) 1870 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 287-1168 AL’S hOtdOGS ($) Authentic Turkish Resturant. 5460 Old Shell Rd. • 344-4575 Award-winning BarBQue. ed’S SeAfOOd Shed ($$) Classic hotdogs, gyros & milkshakes. 3702 Airport Blvd. • 461-6901 SerdA’S cOffeehOuSe ($) 1111 Government Blvd. • 433-7427 Fried seafood served in hefty portions. 4701 Airport Blvd. • 342-3243 JAmAIcAN vIbe ($) Coffee, lunches, live music & gelato. SmOKey dembO SmOKe hOuSe ($) 3382 Hwy. 98 • 625-1947 AtLANtA breAd cOmpANy ($-$$) Mind-blowing island food. 3 Royal St. S. • 415-3000 3758 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 473-1401 feLIX’S fISh cAmp ($$) Sandwiches, salads & more. 3700 Gov’t Blvd. Ste A • 602-1973 SpOt Of teA ($) Upscale dining with a view. 3680 Dauphin St. • 380-0444 JImmy JOhN’S ($) Mobile’s favorite spot for breakfast & lunch. 1420 Hwy. 98 • 626-6710 cAfe 219 ($) Sandwiches, catering & delivery too. 306 Dauphin St. • 433-9009. drop dead fIShermAN’S LeGAcy ($) Salads, sandwiches & potato salad. 6920 Airport Blvd. • 414-5444 SOutherN decAdeNce deSSertS ($) Deli, market and catering. 219 Conti St. • 438-5234 JOe cAIN cAfé ($) Soups, Salads, Desserts & Sandwiches. Gourmet 4380 Halls Mill Rd. • 665-2266 cAfe mALbIS ($) Pizzas, sandwiches, cocktails. 1956 B University Blvd. ALAbAmA cruISeS ($$) hALf SheLL OySter hOuSe ($) Contemporary fare & spirits. 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 300-8304 Fine dining & sailing 3654 Airport Blvd. • 338-9350 28396 Hwy. 181, Daphne • 661-6620 mAmA’S ($) StevIe’S KItcheN ($) Orange Beach • 973-1244 JAcK’S cAtfISh cAmp ($$) cAmILLe’S SIdeWALK cAfé ($) Slap your mama good home cooking. Sandwiches, soups, salads & more. bAy GOurmet ($$) Steak & Seafood Gourmet wraps, pizzas, & more. 220 Dauphin St. • 432-6262 41 West I-65 Service Rd. N Suite 150. A premier caterer & cooking classes. 4815 Halls Mill Rd. • 661-4434 5817 Old Shell Rd. • 343-0200 mArS hILL cAfe ($) tp crOcKmIerS ($) 1880-A Airport Blvd. • 450-9051 JOhN WOrd’S cAptAIN tAbLe ($$) cAmeLLIA cAfé ($-$$$) Great sandwiches, coffee & more. American Restaurant & Bar bIStrO eScOffIe ($$) Come wine, dine and dance. Contemporary southern fare. 1087 Downtowner Blvd. • 643-1611 250 Dauphin St. • 476-1890 Fine dining French fare. 2701 Battleship Pkwy • 433-3790 61 Section St., Fairhope • 928-4321 mAry’S SOutherN cOOKING ($) the bLINd muLe ($) 1714 Dauphin St. • 450-2030 Lucy b. GOOde ($$) cAmmIe’S OLd dutch ($) 3011 Springhill Ave. • 476-2232 Daily specials made from scratch. brIQuetteS SteAKhOuSe ($-$$) Gulf Coast cuisine, reinvented. Mobile’s classic ice cream spot. mIcheLI’S cAfe ($) 57 N. Claiborne St. • 694-6853. Grilled steaks, chicken & seafood. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores 2511 Old Shell Rd. • 471-1710 6358 Cottage Hill Rd. • 725-6917 the hOuSe ($-$$) 720A Schillinger Rd. S. S2. 607-7200 967-5858 cArpe dIem ($) mIKO’S ItALIAN Ice ($) Seafood, sandwiches, salads & soups. cAfé 615 ($$-$$$) LuLu’S ($$) Deli foods, pastries & specialty drinks. Hotdogs Sandwiches & Cool Treats 4513 Old shell Rd. • 408-9622 American fare with local ingredients. Live music & great seafood. 4072 Old Shell Rd. • 304-0448 3371 Dauphin Island Pkwy • 300–4015 the huNGry OWL ($) 615 Dauphin St. • 432-8434. 200 E. 25th Ave., Gulf Shores chAt-A-WAy cAfe ($) mOmmA GOLdberG’S deLI ($) Burgers, flatbread pizza & seafood. cAfé rOyAL ($$-$$$) 967-5858 Quiches & sandwiches. Sandwiches & Momma’s Love. 7899 Cottage Hill Rd. • 633-4479 Prime steak & seafood in elegant setting. mudbuGS At the LOOp ($) 4366 Old Shell Rd. • 343-9889 3696 Airport Blvd. • 344-9500 the vILLAGe deLI ($) 101 N. Royal St. • 405-5251 Cajun Kitchen & seafood market. chIcKeN SALAd chIcK ($) 5602 Old Shell Rd. • 287-6556 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 929-3354 dumbWAIter ($$-$$$) 2005 Government St. • 478-9897 Chicken Salad, Salad & Soup. mONteGO’S ($-$$) three GeOrGeS cANdy ShOp ($) Serving local seafood & produce OrIGINAL OySter hOuSe ($-$$) 2370 S. Hillcrest Rd. Unit R • 660-0501 Fresh Caribbean-style food & craft beer. Light lunch with Southern flair. 167 Dauphin St. • 458-9573 A great place for kids & seafood. dAuphIN St. cAfe ($) 6601 Airport Blvd. • 634-3445 226 Dauphin St. • 433-6725 ISAbeLLA’S ($$$) 3733 Hwy. 98 • 626-2188 Hot Lunch, daily menu (Inside Via) mOStLy muffINS ($) trOpIcAL SmOOthIe ($) 305 DeLaMare Ave, Fairhope • 990-5513 OrLeANS pO-bOyS ($-$$) 1717 Dauphin St. • 470-5231 Muffins, coffee & wraps. Great smoothies, wraps & sandwiches. KItcheN ON GeOrGe ($-$$) Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. creAm & SuGAr ($) 105 Dauphin St. • 433-9855 Du Rhu Dr. • 378-5648 Contemporary American food. 960 Schillinger Rd S. • 633-3900 Breakfast, lunch & Ice cream too. NeWK’S eXpreSS cAfe ($) 570 Schillinger Road • 634-3454 351A George & Savannah St. • 436-8890 OrLeANS cAfe ($-$$) 351 George St. #B • 405-0003 Oven-baked sandwiches & more. uNcLe JImmy’S deLIcIOuS hOtdOGS ($) LeGAcy bAr & GrILL ($$$) Po-boys, gumbo, seafood & wings. d’ mIchAeL’S ($) 252 Azalea Rd. • 341-3533 2550 Dauphin Island Pkwy South American, Seafood,Stekhouse. 3721 Airport Blvd. • 380-1503 Philly cheese steaks, gyros & more. pANINI pete’S ($) 307-5328 9 Du Rhu Dr. S. • 341-3370 OySter rOcKefeLLer ($$-$$$) 312 7101-A Theodore Dawes Rd. • 653-2979 Original sandwich and bake shop. WILd WING StAtION ($) mAGhee’S GrILL ON the hILL ($-$$) Schillingers Rd. • 607-9527 deLISh deSSertS ($) 42 1/2 Section St., Fairhope • 929-0122 1500 Government St. • 287-1526 Great lunch & dinner. rIver ShAcK ($-$$) Great desserts & hot lunch. 102 Dauphin St. • 405-0031 WhIStLe StOp ($) 3607 Old Shell Rd. • 445-8700 Seafood, burgers & steaks.

24 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 meLtING pOt ($$$) 5773 Airport Blvd. • 304-1155 buffALO WILd WINGS ($) pApA’S pLAce ($$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-625 840 Montlimar Dr. • 341-7395 KAN zAmAN cAfe ($) Best wings & sporting events. A Taste of Italy . BYOB. ruth’S chrIS SteAK hOuSe At NOJA ($$-$$$) 326 Azalea Rd. • 229-4206 6341 Airport Blvd. • 378-5955 28691 U.S. Highway 98 • 626-1999 hArd rOcK hOteL & cASINO ($$$) Inventive & very fresh cuisine. medIterrANeAN SANdWIch cOmpANy ($) butch cASSIdy’S ($) pINzONe’S ItALIAN dOWNtOWN ($$) Exceptional servie & taste. 6 N. Jackson St. • 433-0377 Great & quick. Famous burgers, sandwiches & wings. Italian, catering, to-go. 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 OSmAN’S reStAurANt ($$) 274 Dauphin St. • 545-3161 hArd rOcK cAfé At hArd rOcK 60 N. Florida St. • 450-0690. 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 hOteL ANd cASINO ($) Supreme European cuisine. 2502 Schillinger Rd. Ste. 2 • 725-0126 cALLAGhAN’S IrISh SOcIAL cLub ($) pINzONe’S ItALIAN vILLAGe ($$) American fare & rockin’ memorabilia. 6890 US-90 (Daphne) • 621-2271 Burgers & beer. 2579 Halls Mill Rd. • 479-0006 312 Fairhope Ave, Fairhope • 990-5535 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 rOyAL ScAm ($$) mINt hOOKAh bIStrO ($) 916 Charleston St. • 433-9374 rAveNIte ($) SAtISfActION At hArd rOcK Gumbo, Angus beef & bar. Great Mediterranean food. herOeS SpOrtS bAr & GrILLe ($) Pizza, Pasta, Salad & more hOteL ANd cASINO ($) 72. S. Royal St. • 432-SCAM (7226) 5951 Old Shell Rd. • 450-9191 Sandwiches & cold beer. 102 N. Section St. • 929-2525 Southern favorites & fresh-smoked meats. ruth’S chrIS SteAK hOuSe ($$$) zOrbA the GreeK ($-$$) 273 Dauphin St. • 433-4376. rOmA cAfe ($-$$) 777 Beach Blvd. • 877-877-6256 Exceptional service & taste. Shawarmah & baba ghanouj. Hillcrest & Old Shell Rd. • 341-9464 Pasta, salad and sandwiches. tIeN At Ip cASINO 271 Glenwood St. • 476-0516 1222 Hillcrest Rd, Ste. D • 633-2202 mANcIS ($) 7143 Airport Blvd. • 341-7217 reSOrt SpA ($-$$) SAGe reStAurANt ($$) 1715 Main St. • 375-0543 rOmANO’S mAcArONI GrILL ($$) Pan-Asian cuisine made in front of you. Inside the Mobile Marriott. mcShArry’S IrISh pub ($) Springdale Mall 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 3101 Airport Blvd. • 476-6400 far eastern fare Brillant Reubens & Fish-N-Chips. 3250 Airport Blvd. • 450-4556 hIGhLIGhtS SpOrtS LOuNGe At Ip uNION ($$$) bAmbOO bIStrO ($$) 101 N. Brancroft St. Fairhope • 990-5100 tAmArA’S bAr & GrILL ($) cASINO reSOrt SpA ($) Premium steaks & burgers. 3662 Airport Blvd. • 378-5466 muG ShOtS ($$) Wings, po-boys, burgers. Brews & game on 65 screens. bAmbOO fuSION ($$) Bar & Grill. 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 659 Dauphin St. • 432-0300 210 Eastern Shore Center, Hwy. 98 hIGh tIde cAfé At Ip cASINO tAmArA’S dOWNtOWN ($$) 2400 Airport Blvd. • 307-5535 6255 Airport Blvd. • 447-2514 929-0002 Casual fine dining. bAmbOO SteAKhOuSe ($$) OLd 27 GrILL ($) vIA emILIA ($$) reSOrt SpA ($) Casual & relaxing, extensive menu. 104 N. Section St., Fairhope • 929-2219 Sushi Bar. Burgers, dogs & 27 beers & wines. Homemade pastas & pizzas made 650 Cody Rd. S • 300-8383 850 Bayview Ave. • 888-946-2847 the buLL ($-$$) 19992 Hwy. 181 Old County Rd. daily. 5901 Old Shell Rd. • 342-3677 br prIme At beAu rIvAGe ($$-$$$) N. Mexico/Santa Fe & Gulf Coast cuisine. bANGKOK thAI ($-$$) Fairhope • 281-2663 Delicious, traditional Thai cuisine. Fine dining establishment. 609 Dauphin St. • 378-5091 the LANdING ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 the treLLIS rOOm ($$$) 3821 Airport Blvd. • 344-9995 From seafood to steaks. olé mi amiGo! JIA At beAu rIvAGe ($-$$) Contemporary Southern Cuisine bANzAI JApANeSe reStAurANt 11799 Dauphin Island Pkwy. • 973-2696 cAbO cOAStAL cANtINA ($) Exotic Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Battle House Hotel, Royal St. • 338-5493 ($$) Traditional sushi & lunch. LucKy’S IrISh pub ($) 225 Dauphin St. • 441-7685 Korean & Vietnamese cuisine. zeA’S ($$) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-9077 Irish pub fare & more. dAuphIN St. tAQuerIA ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 Gourmet rotisserie. Prime rib & seafood. beNJAS ($) 3692 Airport Blvd • 414-3000 Enchiladas, tacos, & authentic memphIS Q At beAu rIvAGe ($) 4671 Airport Blvd. • 344-7414 Thai & Sushi the StAdIum ($) fare. 661 Dauphin St. • 432-2453 Memphis-style Q. 5369 D Hwy 90 W • 661-5100 Catch the games with great food. eL chArrO ($) 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 cuISINe Of INdIA ($$) 19270 Hwy. 98 Fairhope • 990-0408 Finest Mexican in WeMo. cOASt reStAurANt At beAu a little Vino Lunch Buffet WemOS ($) 7751 Airport Blvd. • 607-0882 rIvAGe ($) dOmKe mArKet 3674 airport Blvd. • 341-6171 Wings, tenders, hotdogs & sandwiches. fueGO ($-$$) Sports bar-style joint. Wine, Beer, Gourmet foods, & more. GOLdeN bOWL ($) 312 Schillinger Rd. • 633-5877 Outstanding Mexican cuisine. 875 Beach Blvd. • 888-952-2582 720 Schillinger Rd. S. Unit 8 • 287-1851 Hibachi Grill & Asian Cuisine. 2066 Old Shell Rd. • 378-8621 Lb’S SteAKhOuSe At GrANd fAthOmS LOuNGe 309 Bell Air Blvd • 470-8033 LOS ArcOS ($) cASINO ($$-$$$) Fine dining with steak & fine wine. A tapas reaturant, cocktails & live music hIbAchI 1 ($-$$) Quaint Mexican restaurant. mama mia! 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 64 S. Water St. • 438-4000 2370 Hillcrest Rd. Unit B • 380-6062 beNtz’S pIzzA pub ($) 5556 Old Shell Rd. • 345-7484 KAI JApANeSe reStAurANt ($-$$) cuu LONG Super phO At GrANd pOur bAby Homemade pizza and Italian dishes. LA cOcINA ($) cASINO ($$) Wine bar, craft beers & bistro 5045 Cottage Hill Rd. • 607-6454 28567 County Rd. 13 • 625-6992 Authentic Mexican cuisine. LIQuId ($$) Asian noodle soups, bubble teas & more. 6808 Airport Blvd. • 343-3555 bucK’S pIzzA ($$) 4633 Airport Blvd. • 342-5553 280 Beach Blvd. • 800-946-2946 fIrehOuSe WINe bAr & ShOp Amazing sushi & assortment of rolls. Delivery. mArIA bONItA AGAve bAr & GrILL ($-$$) emerIL’S GuLf cOASt fISh hOuSe 216 St Francis St. • 421-2022 661 Dauphin St. • 432-0109 350 Dauphin St. • 431-9444 3977 Government Blvd. • 342-5553 At ISLANd vIeW cASINO ($$-$$$) red Or WhIte mIKAtO JApANeSe SteAK hOuSe ($$) GAmbINO brOtherS ($) SANtA fe GrILL ($) Kick it up a notch. 323A De La Mare Ave, Fairhope • 990-0003 Upscale sushi & specialties. Homemade pastas & sandwiches. Locally-owned, fresh cuisine. 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 1104 Dauphin St.. • 478-9494 364 Azalea Rd. • 343-6622 873 Hillcrest Ave. • 344-8115 3160 Bel Air Mall • 450-2440 c&G GrILLe At ISLANd vIeW cASINO ($) rOyAL Street tAverN rIce ASIAN GrILL & SuShI bAr ($) GAmbINO’S ItALIAN GrILL ($) tAQuerIA meXIcO ($-$$) Large breakfast, lunch or dinner menu. Live music,martinis & dinner menu. 3964 Gov’t Blvd. • 378-8083 Italian, Steaks & Seafood. Authentic Mexican flavor. 3300 W. Beach Blvd. • 877-774-8439 26 N. Royal St. • 338-2000 rOcK N rOLL SuShI ($$) 18 Laurel Ave. Fairhope • 990-0995 3733 Airport Blvd. • 414-4496 WAhOO’S pOOLSIde bAr & GrILL SOutherN NApA 3299 Bel Air Mall. • 287-0445 GuIdO’S ($$) At pALAce cASINO reSOrt ($-$$) Fresh seafood & more. Bistro plates, craft beers and pantry. tASte Of thAI ($$) Fresh cuisine nightly on menu. no GamblinG 9091 US-90 Irvington • 957-1414 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 2304 Main Street. • 375-2800 1709 Main St., Daphne • 626-6082 mIGNON’S At pALAce cASINO WASAbI SuShI ($$) LA rOSSO ($$) Casino fare Japanese cusine. atmore reSOrt ($$-$$$) Comfort food. Extraordinary wine, steaks & seafood. 3654 Airport Blvd. S. C • 725-6078 fIre At WINd creeK cASINO & falafel? try 1716 Main St. Ste. C, Daphne • 281-2982 158 Howard Ave. • 800-725-2239 yeN reStAurANt ($) meLLOW muShrOOm ($) hOteL ($$-$$$) Prime steaks, seafood & wine. the deN At treASure bAy some hummus Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Pies & awesome beer selection. 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 cASINO ($-$$) 7 SpIce ($-$$) 763 Holcombe Ave. • 478-5814 2032 Airport Blvd. • 471-4700 Intimate & casual with daily specials. Healthy, delicious Mediterranean food. GrILL At WINd creeK cASINO & Jubilee Shopping Center, 5660 Old Shell Rd. • 380-1500 hOteL ($) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 3762 Airport Blvd. • 725-1177 Daphne • 625-4695 NAvcO pIzzA ($$) cQ At treASure bAy cASINO ($$-$$$) AbbA’S medIterrANeAN cAfe ($-$$) Contemporary & old-fashioned favorites. Pizza,subs & pasta. 303 Poarch Rd. • 866-946-3360 Elegant atmosphere & tantalizing entrees. Beef, lamb & seafood. 1368 1/2 Navco Rd..• 479-0066 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 4356 Old Shell Rd. • 340-6464 is the Game on? biloxi bLu At treASure bAy cASINO ($) AShLANd mIdtOWN pub ($-$$) pIcKLefISh ($$) vIbe At hArd rOcK hOteL JeruSALem cAfe ($-$$) Pizza, sandwiches & salads. Lounge with cocktails & tapas menu. Mobile’s oldest Middle Eastern cuisine. Pizzas, pastas, & calzones. ANd cASINO ($-$$) 1980 Beach Blvd. • 800-747-2839 245-A Old Shell Rd. 479-3278 5955 Old Shell Rd.• 344-9899 Fine surf, turf, atmosphere & cigars.

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 25 CUISINEWORD OF MOUTH C Annual Chef Challenge this week benefits food bank BY ANDY MACDONALD/CUISINE EDITOR | [email protected]

t’s a challenge worth all of our efforts, the challenge to end opening of Whole Foods, but they say competition is good, right? Steakhouse. A social media post conservatively predicted it would hunger. For the 17th year in a row, Bay Area Food Bank’s Chef This past weekend was the grand reopening of Fresh Market on be open by the first of the year, but a spokesperson told me via Challenge strives to reach that goal again as local chefs come Airport Boulevard, solidifying its reputation as one of the Mobile telephone they hope to be in the new digs by early November. together to crank out amazing dishes at the Alabama Cruise grocery stores you still want to pay attention to. Until then you may grab some meat of your choice at the origi- ITerminal Thursday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m. The remodeled store has increased its produce section, added nal location, 720 Schillinger Road. Check for specials on Face- Guests of the three-hour event will be treated to samplings a hot pizza bar, a soup and salad bar, and many grab-n-go items book as they constantly have something going on. An example from Bake My Day, Baumhower’s, Boudreaux’s Cajun Grill, from the deli. The new layout and amenities are sure to make your would be the “Two for Tuesday” where a pair of diners may share Cakes by Judi, Cammie’s Old Dutch, Felix’s Fish Camp, Greer’s shopping experience more convenient. Fresh Market still has an an appetizer or dessert with a choice of two entrees from a chef’s Catering, Kitchen on George, Naman’s Catering, Stevie’s Kitchen, amazing beer selection and the wine ain’t too shabby either. Be special menu for $29.99. The Salvation Army, Tyner’s Catering, Von’s Bistro, Wintzell’s, sure to grab some coffee from the Fairhope Roasting Company Wolf Bay Lodge, Zea’s and Liquid Lounge/OK Bicycle Shop. the next time you stop by. oyster Fest brings local and regional talent Live music will be provided by Roman Street. There will also be Last issue we told you about the Hangout’s Oyster Fest coming a silent auction and complimentary beer, wine and spirits. Tickets up Nov. 6 and 7. Sure, it’s loaded with celebrity chefs from Food are $60 and may be purchased at www.bayareafoodbank.org. Whistle Stop runs out of steam It really sneaked under my radar until a reader emailed me Network and James Beard Award winning restaurants. But every asking if the Whistle Stop on Florida Street has closed. First now and again it’s the lesser-known chefs that bring the good stuff Whole Foods teases opening date to the table. This year’s Oyster Fest is ripe with that kind of talent. Folks are ravenous for the next step in high-end grocery stores there was a sign on the door that read “Temporarily Closed,” Saturday, Nov. 7, we’ll be treated to samplings from so many to open its doors in the Pinebrook Shopping Center at the corner then another that simply read “Closed.” Social media posts have great chefs I’ve read about and some I’ve even tried. It’s time we of McGregor Street and Airport Boulevard. Whole Foods, which confirmed that after 17 years of service and one of the last places rose from humble beginnings in 1980 Austin, Texas, has reached in Mobile to get a good “normal” breakfast since the Tiny Diny get excited about seeing 2014 James Beard Best Chef Midwest powerhouse status in the supermarket world, known for its atten- bit the dust, the Whistle Stop has shut its doors for good. finalist Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Café in St. Louis, Mis- tion to natural and organic foods. Often overlooked as part of Mobile’s cuisine scene, this café souri. Matt Bolus comes from 404 Kitchen in Nashville, Ten- With an opening date approaching, Whole Foods has an- would at times be one of the better places to eat in this town. It nessee, which was a 2014 James Beard New Restaurant South nounced the need to fill positions for experienced cooks as part of will be missed, as another Midtown train leaves the station. semifinalist. Four-time James Beard Best Chef South semifinalist its food production team. This is a sign they’re getting closer to Greg Baker represents The Refinery in Tampa, Florida. Another opening the doors. Briquettes to open second location four-time James Beard Best Chef South semifinalist, Derek A recent Facebook post revealed a shot of a computer screen If you happen to be a fan of amazing steaks and char-grilled Emerson of Walker’s Drive-In in Jackson, Mississippi, will be one bearing a document that read “Whole Foods Markets announces oysters cooked over pecan and red oak briquettes, then hopefully to watch. Author of “Crabs and Oysters,” James Beard America’s opening date for Mobile” with a caption over the post saying, you have visited Briquettes on Schillinger Road. The sides are Classic winner Bill Smith hails from Crook’s Corner in Chapel “Guess what we’ve been working on today?” Enough with the amazing and the steaks begin at the affordable top sirloin and do Hill, North Carolina. Chris Kelly and Chris Sherrill of the Flora- teasing, already. Surely the announcement will be released within not stop until the almighty porterhouse. I’m partial to the rib-eye. Bama will be after the prize as Kelly was the 2014 Oyster Fest the week. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear the details. Those of us who aren’t fans of driving that far into West Winner. Other Alabama-based chefs include Brody Olive, Eddie Mobile can rejoice that Briquettes is opening a second location Spence, Matthew Pugh and Tres Jackson. Fresh Market holds grand reopening after renovations a little closer to town: 901 Montlimar Drive is the future home Keep an eye out for these dangerous competitors. Perhaps Fresh Market is feeling the crunch of an impending of Briquettes II. You may recognize it as the former Outback Until then, recycle!

26 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 27 COVERSTORY School choice extending options to students, parents BY JASON JOHNSON/REPORTER | [email protected] n the modern world of public education, school districts across industry credentials that can qualify a student to start a competitive through ESCC, while industrial maintenance and welding students the country are abandoning the one-size-fits-all approach to career right out of high school. are dual enrolled through Faulkner State. teaching today’s children and developing instead multiple path- In one case, Peek said 12 Citronelle High School students were “When students finish at the Aviation Academy, these students ways for families and students to chose an education befitting able to obtain paid summer internships with Outokumpu, the Finn- will be prepared to learn more advanced concepts like hydraulics Itheir schedule, needs and interests. ish stainless steel company that purchased the ThyssenKrupp facil- and pneumatics,” Bryant said. “They would be able to prepare Locally, Mobile and Baldwin counties have greatly expanded ity in 2012. Some of those were able to retain the summer intern- themselves for a career with an industrial corporation, which are and differentiated the programs offered to students over the past ship beyond its sunset, and three graduating seniors were offered high-paying, in-demand careers.” decade, and with charter schools a new reality in Alabama, it’s full-time jobs as a result of the program. Virtual schools likely that diversification will continue as traditional schools could “The advantage of the Signature Academies is that they build Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a law requiring each be forced to further compete for dwindling public resources. that relationship,” Peek said. “The students get to learn what they’re local school board to “offer students an online pathway for earning “We want to make sure we’re offering a very viable option for doing, but it’s to the advantage of the business too because they get a high school diploma” — a mandate that left some systems scurry- parents and students to choose Mobile County and to remain in the to train the students early.” ing to comply, but not Mobile and Baldwin counties. Mobile County Public School System, and I think the vast majority Similarly, Baldwin County Public Schools is offering “career and Established in 2013, the Baldwin County Virtual School is will,” MCPSS Superintendent Martha Peek explained. “That’s why technical” academies at each of the district’s high schools. Each housed on the Faulkner State campus in Fairhope as well and offers in the coming months I will be singing, ‘We have school choices, program provides students the opportunity to earn a nationally rec- all Baldwin County students in grades 9-12 the option to take their come and see. Our doors are open.’” ognized credential, but unlike the structured academies in MCPSS, high school classes online. Mobile County has offered options for students in the past, such the programs in Baldwin County are offered as electives to students According to the system, the program best serves students whose as the district’s 25-year-old magnet program focusing on college in grades 9-12. parents travel for work or those who travel for competitions, but it’s prep, math, science and technology and the performing arts in six According to figures provided by Career and Technical Educa- also favored by students attempting to graduate early because of the separate magnet schools. tion Director Julia Bryant, any student can enter the academy pro- flexibility it provides. Recently, the system has continued to expand on those options gram after taking a Career Interest Inventory test in the 8th grade. Last year, Mobile County established its own virtual program, by creating 12 specialized academies at each of the district’s high “Based on that interest, they should prepare a four-year plan the Envision Academy, which is the first fully virtual high school schools and pioneering new programs, some of which are the first to include career tech courses that may benefit the student to take in the state, according to MCPSS officials. Unlike the Baldwin of their kind in the state. while in high school, with the hope it will help the student achieve County Virtual School, which requires all tests be taken on campus Signature Academies and career technical education their career goal,” Bryant said. in Fairhope, Envision is nearly entirely online with only quarterly Based on on their interests and career aspirations, MCPSS stu- More than 2,300 students at Foley High School and more than testing done in person. dents can enroll in academies dedicated to a specific educational path 1,300 at Gulf Shores High School studied subjects like business Envision’s principal Lynne Brown said in its first year the virtual or occupational interest in each of the system’s 12 high schools. marketing, co-op coordination, JROTC, engineering, health science, school served 306 students in grades 6-12. Brown said there is no With specializations in industries including health care, aero- family and consumer science, culinary arts, agriscience and fire minimum grade requirement to enter the program, but each student space and aviation, education, manufacturing, coastal studies, science last year. does undergo an individual assessment in order to be accepted to international studies, engineering and pre-law, students are offered Students at the Gulf Shores High School Health Science Academy and remain in the program. diverse options. In addition, students are actually allowed to transfer can earn certifications in CPR, EKG, EMT, first aid, blood pathogens Also unique to Mobile County, Evison is not limited to the out of their respective school zones to attend the academy that best and other aspects of health care. Other academies include Fairhope school district’s geographical area and can serve students in sur- suits their interests. High School’s Fashion Academy and its Microsoft IT Academy. rounding areas as well, if they choose to enroll. In 2014 alone, 354 students changed high schools in order to “All of our high schools have at least one academy focusing “Our students don’t have to be a straight-A student or even a enroll in one of the district’s Signature Academies. In the prior year, on business, family and consumer sciences, agriculture, science, straight-B student,” Brown said. “The most important characteristic there were only 100 transfers, which Peek said shows the programs technology, engineering and mathematics courses or hospitality is that you’re a motivated student and you’re mature enough to fol- are growing. management and tourism,” Bryant said. “Last year we had 13,000 low the guidelines for being an online learner.” “Students are starting to realize that it’s a true choice,” she said. students participating in our career tech academies countywide.” Brown said a big part of being an online learner is independence “We didn’t want this term ‘college and career ready’ to just be a The system also offers career and technical academies at the and self motivation, but students do go through the program with a buzzword, and our Signature Academies are a way to really focus in South Baldwin Center for Technology in Robertsdale and the learning partner — an adult, typically the child’s parent or guardian. on the academic needs of every student.” North Baldwin Center for Technology in Bay Minette. During the Similar to ACCESS classes, Envision students work online with The focus on career paths as well as higher education is part of 2014-2015 school year, more than 2,000 students at the centers teachers not employed with MCPSS, but Brown said local mentor statewide trend that has been emphasized by the Alabama State studied welding, fire science, automotive technology, building and teachers are also at the students’ disposal for face-to-face assistance. Department of Education in recent years. Though MCPSS does have construction, agriscience, cosmetology, health science and co-op Students are required to log a minimum of 25 hours a week into the academies offering college credits, advanced placement courses and coordination. program, but the schedule allows students to set their own pace and international studies, the majority focus on a specific career path. In Fairhope, the school system partnered with the Fairhope define their own schedule. According to Peek, Mobile County has even worked to partner Airport Authority, Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) Envision’s school year runs from August through July, but stu- with local industries and institutions of higher education to create and Faulkner State Community College to offer the $2.7 million dents adjust that according to their schedule. relationships benefiting both students and local employers. The Aviation Academy at the Fairhope Airport, where students can “Some students have decided they want to follow the regular industry partners include Austal USA, Airbus, Bishop State Com- “dual enroll” and take courses for college credit while they are still school schedule so they can be out of school when the other children munity College, Outokumpu and the University of South Alabama. in high school. are, but for some that doesn’t matter,” Brown said. “It really does “Each one of the Signature Academies has a business, industry The Aviation Academy, which began hosting students in January, give a lot of flexibility. Some students have even been able to work or higher education council that’s specific to that school’s program,” is located on the grounds at the H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport on over the holidays. Our mentor teachers observe the regular schedule Peek said. “We really want their input on how to best prepare our Baldwin County Road 32. In its first semester, the academy hosted for MCPSS, but this past year, our online teachers were available.” students to go successfully into the next stage of life.” 37 students studying welding, industrial mechanics and aviation Brown admitted Envision might not be the best option for every Peek said professional partnerships offer anything from class vis- mechanics. student, adding more than 40 students have exited the program in its its and field trip opportunities to job shadowing, internships and real Students who study aviation at the academy are dual enrolled first year. She also said students who think the program is easy are

28 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 “often disappointed.” same perks on-campus students do, like the Writ- For other students with a range of previous ing Center, the university library and even student academic performance, Brown said the program identification cards and the discounts that come has been successful, and that’s why she expects it with them. Unfortunately, they are not offered stu- to continue growing. dent tickets to the Crimson Tide’s football games. “As we saw the school develop more and more, we Altogether, the program offers more than 30 started to see the real benefit. It gave kids owner- courses for students to select, and also easily helps ship,” Brown said. “We are looking for students them know what classes to take in order to pursue who have a passion for learning and who really certain majors at Alabama or at other universi- want to excel and want the option to accelerate ties. The cap is set at 30 credit hours because, their learning. But that flexibility can also benefit according to Montgomery, students will lose the student who does well when they’re given the their eligibility for freshman scholarships if they opportunity to take their time and really absorb the exceed 32 college hours and become classified as information.” a sophomore. Murphy University Center In its first year, the program has already been In addition to the dual enrollment and advanced moved under the umbrella of Murphy’s Interna- placement options MCPSS has historically offered, tional Studies Signature Academy, which com- the school system recently launched a partnership prises International Baccalaureate and Center for with the University of Alabama’s Early College International Studies programs that been offered program that’s the first of its kind in Alabama and for more than a decade. only the second in the nation. That program teaches high-level advanced At Murphy High School (MHS), students are placement (AP) skills in addition to courses that now able to take freshman level college courses focus on international cultural and religious stud- as an official student of the University of Ala- ies. Like advance placement courses, those classes bama — a free program designed not only to can be turned into college credits accepted at some match the rigor that comes with college courses universities. but also the autonomy. With tuition covered “Murphy was so diverse that this was the through a state appropriation, students in the pro- perfect Signature Academy for us to have,” said gram only pay for their college textbooks. Daniel Booth, Signature Academy coordinator at Like the system’s Signature Academies, MHS. “Everything we have in the country is rep- students can transfer from any high school in any resented in our city, and that diversity is reflected school zone to enroll in the program, which is here as well.” administered at the Murphy University Center on Booth said combining the college credits the MHS campus in midtown Mobile. possible through Murphy’s International Stud- Gene Montgomery, dean of the Early College ies Academy, other AP courses and UA’s early Program, said students enrolled can earn up to 30 college program has put some students on track to hours of college credit in the three-year program, enter college as a junior while retaining access to which is offered in grades 10-12. The program freshman-level scholarships. launched last spring, with 46 students enrolling in “We want them to earn as much college credit $40,000 worth of college courses. as they can here at Murphy,” Montgomery said. Though Montgomery and other teachers will “They can still get those freshman college scholar- lend a hand occasionally, the program is designed ships for four years, which can move into graduate to wean students off the high school environment school or cover part of a double major.” and help them tackle the responsibility that comes Booth said the number of students allowed with college enrollment. into the program each year will vary depending “In high school, they’re accustomed to having a on the available funding, but she said funding for go-to person, but we can’t do anything at [the Uni- approximately 50 new students has already gotten versity of] Alabama,” Montgomery said. “That’s the green light. something that’s a little bit different, because To enroll in the early college program, students we’re trying to do as much as possible, even right must be a current high school sophomore or junior, down to the scheduling. They have to schedule have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and classes themselves and manage the drop/add dates, meet a benchmark score on the ACT Aspire as- just like college.” sessment set by the school system. Based on UA’s Montgomery said Murphy teachers and even guidelines, students must maintain at least a 2.5 the students’ parents are not allowed to know GPA to remain in the program. their grades because they’re protected under the “This program is great for a number of reasons. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act like Not only the cost savings, but if you look nation- all other coeds. ally, kids that can handle the first 15 hours of col- Unlike dual enrollment classes, students are lege tend to graduate on time,” Montgomery said. taught by faculty at the University of Alabama who “The problems are always during the first year, and communicate online and through streaming lectures that’s what makes the retention rates so low. We on campus. A lecture hall-style classroom and a need to do a better job addressing that on our end, student center have also been added to the Murphy because a lot of colleges are just in the money- University Center to mimic the college setting. making business.” Students in the UA program get access to all the Eric Mann contributed to this report

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 29 ARTARTIFICE ‘Among the Swamp People’ the perfect guy gift BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

or Mobile author Watt Key, his latest book, “Among the Swamp People,” was a rule breaker. That started with its devia- tion from the young adult genre, which Fhas earned him a wealth of awards and even spawned a movie from “Alabama Moon,” his heralded 2006 debut. “It’s essays but not your traditional literati type essays,” Key said. “They all tie together and it’s taken from a journal I kept up in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta over about 15 years at a swamp camp I built.” Key said his usual publisher, Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, was reluctant when the new collection he described as a “redneck Garrison Keillor” landed on their desk. He understood their reticence with the change in demographic targets, both in age and specific regional appeal. “They’ve been very supportive of it. They encouraged me to go forward with University of Alabama Press,” Key said. “They said, ‘the more your name’s out there, the better.’ They were happy about it.” Another transgression was its revelation of what happens when men retreat to the wilds with Photo/ The University of Alabama Press their friends. It confirmed common suspicions. The story of Watt Key’s discovery of the “One person said, ‘It belongs on the back of the toilet in every hunting and fishing camp in Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is available the country,’” Key said. “Everything’s in there, in hardcover or e-book from the Univer- from the desire to have a retreat out in the middle sity of Alabama Press. of nowhere to the mischief that goes on with the guns, booze and outlaws, but in a very unique set- many good stories.” ting, a place you can only get to by boat.” Those tales are the essence of the book. It has the same straightforward style Key Even in conversation, Key’s amusement at the employed in previous novels “Alabama Moon,” “swamp people” bubbled up. “Fourmile” and “Dirt Road Home.” It’s a de- “There is a guy that’s always out in the livery perfected through a life spent in practice, swamp killing things and selling them and he submission and rejection. had this strange-looking bill like from a platypus Key touched on all this in the book. He that’s cut off from something on the front of his briefly relayed a youth spent on the back roads boat,” Key said. of Point Clear in Baldwin County, his gradu- The writer asked about the “prehistoric”- ation from Mobile’s St. Paul’s Preparatory looking trophy. The outdoorsman said it was the School then from Birmingham-Southern Col- snout of a “spoonbill catfish,” officially known lege. He would later earn a graduate degree at as a paddlefish. Spring Hill College. “He said, ‘Yeah the government says they’re Once back on the Gulf Coast, Key filled his endangered but I catch the ever-living hell out material needs as a computer programmer. His of these things,’” Key chortled. “Things like that deeper desires were exercised by writing and just say more about the people up there than I retreating to the quarter-million-plus acres of ever could.” wilderness just north of Mobile Bay. Key also wondered whether the natural reti- His admiration for the delta is obvious. cence of delta denizens would be too much of a “It is the only place I know where gloom and barrier. If their suspicions went too far, it could beauty can coexist at such extremes. And it prove dangerous, as the evidence of burned out never occurred to me that a land seemingly so camps show. bleak could hide such beauty and adventure,” “I was more nervous about writing about he writes. people I know. There’s not that many people It even proved a crucible for his romantic life. up there and so after awhile you get to know One essay revolved around a party in the upper everybody,” Key said. “So the rougher ones I delta and his invitation to a young woman he was downright scared of, I had one told me he met as her escort to a debutante party. Before the was going to kill me.” outing is done, they are piled with others in an old Key eventually made friends and changed heap of an auto and careening through the woods. names in print, even took the stories around to Her delight led to marriage. their appropriate parties and sought approval. Not that she sees eye to eye with Key’s No one minded. ongoing pursuits in Chuckfee Bay. In the way The author feels this book will not only ap- he questioned whether he could ever be at peace peal to area sensibilities but might solve a dilem- with “city life” in Mobile, she does likewise with ma or two. And inadvertently build appreciation. the delta. “It’s hard for women to buy things for men — “Most people think like my wife: it’s just mud Christmas presents, birthdays — and this book is and scraggly trees. There’s nothing to do, it’s just an easy gift. It’s not too expensive,” Key said. “If a swamp,’” Key said. “But the things people say they don’t know about the delta they’re going to and the things that you meet. It’s just so differ- learn about a place that’s right here, 260,000 acres ent. I can’t really describe it to you but there’s so of magnificent, unusual landscape.”

30 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 31 ARTART GALLERY

History Museum extends summer hits BY KEVIN LEE/ARTS EDITOR | [email protected]

he now-reorganized History Museum call 251-928-2228, ext. 107. You can also of Mobile is open and running, despite enroll in person Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 the discord remaining after a staff a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the registrar’s office. shake-up. Its open doors aren’t the only ESAC is always seeking volunteers. Aides Tcarryover from the summer. are currently needed for the front desk, First The run of local photographer Vincent Friday Art Walk, two outdoor art festivals, Lawson’s photography exhibit “Our Neigh- clean-up/gardening/overall beautification of bors” has been extended until the end of the grounds/studios, and with “Poppies for September. The display is a visual chronicle Veterans” and other fundraisers. of Mobile’s homeless population and the If interested, drop by ESAC Sept. 9 at 10 unfortunate people who dwell on the fringes a.m. for coffee and discussion. of our consciousness. “The images of Mr. Lawson’s exhibit were Adult classes start at MMoA so moving that we felt it necessary to extend Speaking of adult workshops and classes, its availability. We wanted to allow as many our very own Mobile Museum of Art (MMoA) members of the public as possible to experi- has a new slate of instruction and exploration ence this powerful vision of an often over- available for the fall, including a variety of looked segment of our community,” History disciplines taught by some of the area’s most Museum of Mobile Interim Director Sheila noted artists. Flanagan said in a news release. Things begin Sept. 12 when Ardith Lawson will host a talk Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to Goodwin starts the two-day acrylic workshop noon, in the museum atrium. That same day Impact! Classes run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the museum will host representatives from Objectives are to blend both the joy of the area homeless service providers including 15 beginning painter with the fundamentals and Place, Housing First, McKemie Place and the skills of the more advanced so students learn Salvation Army. strategies for creating powerfully resonant For more information on the exhibit or the paintings. Some, but not all, supplies are Aug. 29 event, contact Holly Jansen, curator provided. A list is provided upon registration. of collections, at holly.jansen@cityofmobile. Class rate starts at $275. org or 251-208-7420. Susie Bowman will teach a Tuesday wheel Also, Mobile architectural historian and throwing class in two sessions. The first is author John Sledge will be the guest of honor Sept. 15-Oct. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; the second is at the Sept. 9 Learning Lunch from noon to 1 Nov. 3-Dec. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., with no class p.m. in the museum auditorium. His new book during Thanksgiving week. Classes are for is “The Mobile River,” and he will discuss this both beginning and intermediate students. The waterway’s importance for area populations limit is 10 students per class so every student stretching back to prehistoric eras. Copies of receives individual attention. his book will be available for purchase. Bowman will also teach two off-site ses- The monthly Learning Lunch allows guests sions of wheel throwing classes on Fridays. to bring their lunch and enjoy a free presenta- Those run Sept. 18-Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. tion on topics involving Mobile’s 300-year and Nov. 6-Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with no history and culture. class during Thanksgiving week. Prices for For more information, call the museum at both of Bowman’s classes begin at $135. 251-208-7508 to speak with Jennifer Fondren, Ron Thomson teaches Foundations and Ex- curator of education, or contact her directly at pressions, a painting class focused on seeing [email protected]. and capturing light on canvas. The Wednesday class runs in two sessions, the first Sept. 16- ESAC calls for participants Oct. 21, 3:45-6:15 p.m., and the second Oct. If you’re on the Jubilee side of Mobile 28, Nov. 11 and 18 and Dec. 2-16, 3:45-6:15 Bay, there are opportunities aplenty at the p.m. Prices begin at $120. Eastern Shore Art Center (ESAC). Volunteers B’Beth Weldon will teach Gesture Drawing and participants can pencil a few dates into and Painting Nov. 4, 5 and 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. their calendars. The first day will focus on drawing with paint- The Alabama Art Education Association ing on the remaining two days. (AAEA) 2015 Conference will be held in Rates are based on how many days of Fairhope in October and hosted by ESAC. Weldon’s class you take. One day starts at $80 Early bird registration ends Sept. 4 with AAEA/ and the full course starts at $200. NAEA members paying $150 and non-mem- Rachel Wright will teach a pair of glass bers paying $135 with annual membership. classes. The first is Glass Fusing Alchemy run- Register online at www.aaeonline.org ning Saturdays, Sept 19 and 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or pick up a form at ESAC (401 Oak St., Price starts at $120. Wright’s second is Last Fairhope). You can also email Nancy Raia at Minute Fused Glass Gifts on Saturdays, Nov. [email protected] for more info. 14 and 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices begin at $120. Registration for ESAC fall classes ends All skill levels are welcome for both classes. Sept. 9 and classes begin Sept. 15. Classes are Supply lists and more detailed descriptions eight weeks unless otherwise noted. for all classes can be found at mobilemuseu- To enroll, go to www.esartcenter.com or mofart.com/learn/adults/adult-wokshops/.

Band: Kenny Brown Date: Saturday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. Venue: The Listening Room, 78 St. Francis St., www.thelisteningroommobile.com Tickets: $10 artist donation at the door ome people are just in the right place at the right time. When Kenny Brown moved to North Mississippi, he was surrounded by blues history and practicing musicians. The soundtrack of his childhood included the work of SOtha Turner and Fred McDowell, who were playing right across the street from his home. Before he hit his teens, he was learning Hill Country style under the guidance of his neighbor, Mississippi Joe Callicot. By the time he was 20, he was learning cuts from and performing alongside R.L. Burnside. Over the years, Brown has definitely done his part in preserv- ing the Hill Country blues sound, and will be bringing this style to the Azalea City for an intimate performance at The Listening Room. During a conversation with Lagniappe, Brown was more than happy to regale readers with tales from his life in Missis- sippi’s Hill Country. Stephen Centanni: You started apprenticing under Mississippi Photo/ youtube.com Joe Callicot at a very young age. What made you want to learn the Kenny Brown believes his youth in proximity to blues legends such as Johnny Woods and R.L. Burnside was Hill Country style at that age? “meant to be.” He apprenticed with some of the best, and carries on the Hill Country blues legacy. Kenny Brown: Well, I was really just wanting to learn how to play the guitar then. I had taken a few lessons. They were trying with him. those guys were playing across the street from my house. I didn’t to teach me to read music, and that wasn’t working too well. I was Centanni: Hill Country is almost an underground style of get to go over there and meet any of them at that age. We didn’t learning “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Yankee Doodle” and blues. There’s not that many people out there doing it. have air conditioning, so in the summertime when they had the stuff like that, but I wasn’t reading music too good. I was about Brown: Yeah, but there’s more and more people now, though. picnics, they would start on Friday and didn’t end till Monday to quit, and Joe Callicot moved in next door to me. I was pretty Centanni: Why do you think it’s been underground to this point? morning a lot of times. That drum and fife music would be going young, probably about 9 or 10 when he moved in. I heard that he Brown: (laughing) Well, nobody had heard about it or heard it on all weekend. I guess that was subliminal education. played guitar, and I saw him playing on the porch some. I finally that much. Even Fred McDowell wasn’t that popular. In the ‘60s Centanni: Your latest release is “Goin’ Back to Mississippi.” got up the nerve to introduce myself, and he started teaching me. he made some of the blues festivals and stuff, and he had a couple Brown: Well, that’s not really the latest one. It was just reissued I was just hungry to learn. It was stuff that he played, which was of records out. Blues in general has not been that popular. It’s on Fat Possum (Records). I cut that in ‘96 or at the end of ‘95 with kind of country blues. more popular now than it’s ever been. With the Hill Country style, Dale Hawkins, who did “Suzie Q” and was a rock ‘n’ roller. We Centanni: One thing I’ve learned is that the Hill Country style for years, it didn’t have a name. Nobody called it that until just put it out on my own, and I sold 2,000 or 3,000 CDs. is not easy. a few years ago. There weren’t that many people recording that Centanni: Do you get a different reaction to that album now Brown: It’s usually real simple, but the simplicity is what style of stuff, and there wasn’t that many people playing it. They than you did back then? makes it complicated. One thing about Burnside’s style is there’s would have had to have been raised with it, because it was kind Brown: I don’t know. Some people bring it around occasional- just as much in the right hand as there is in the left. of obscure. Most people, when you mentioned blues, for years ly for me to autograph, or they’ll buy them at the shows. I haven’t Centanni: You were very close with R.L. What do you remem- they were like, “Aw yeah, like B.B. King?” They knew about B.B. heard any different reaction. A lot of people have told me over the ber most about him? King or Eric Clapton or something, but some people didn’t know a years they needed to get another one because they wore it out or it Brown: He was a real friendly guy and liked to have fun and lot about the serious blues. “got stolen out of my CD player.” It got get reviews before. I’ve joke and tell jokes and have a good time. The first time I met Centanni: In addition to Callicot and Burnside, you’ve worked heard it was getting some good ones lately. It’s one of my favorites him, I was about 18. I had never seen him before. I saw him with legends like Asie Payton and Junior Kimbrough, to name but of the ones I’ve done. I don’t listen to my stuff a lot, but about playing somewhere, and I introduced myself to him and said I a few. once a year, I get in my truck and drive country roads and listen to ... liked what he was doing. I told him I sure would like to learn, Brown: Man, I feel blessed. If Joe Callicot hadn’t moved in that record. and it was after Joe had died. Back then, I was trying to learn next door to me, I don’t know what would’ve happened with my Centanni: When is the next album? anywhere I could. Back then, you didn’t have the Internet or life. Meeting Johnny Woods and R.L. and hanging with those Brown: I’m hoping to get a country record out, and people the World Wide Web. You had to go find people to show you guys just changed my life. I guess it was meant to be. People have tell me my voice would sound good for that. I was born in ‘53, so something or learn it on your own off the radio. Immediately, he destiny. I guess some people believe in that, which I do. It was some of the first stuff I heard was Johnny Cash and Ricky Nelson told me where he lived and told me to come down to his house. I meant to be, I’m sure. Even before I met Joe, the place we moved and that kind of stuff. I’ve been around country and blues and rock started going down there two or three nights a week and hanging to when I was 6 years old, Othar Turner and Fred McDowell and ‘n’ roll my whole life. I guess it shows in how I play.

Band: Uncle Lucius Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St., www.callaghansirishsocial.com Tickets: $8 at the door

ate brought the Texans of Uncle Lucius to Austin, the Lone Star State’s music capital. Each member carries his own musical influences and together the band created its nostalgic brand of roots rock. Uncle Lucius showcased its sounds across Austin’s cutthroat music scene and quickly Fmade fans through memorable sets at venues such as Antone’s, Threadgill’s and Saxon Pub. As time passed, Uncle Lucius built its audience with the help of a booking agent and a busy tour schedule. Naturally the next move was to hunt for a record deal, and the band found one, but the deal brought no satisfaction and it parted ways with its label. Now the band is touring in support of its new album, “The Light,” released on Boo Clap/Thirty Tigers records. Uncle Lucius has such an alluring sound that it should be easy to win over the Callaghan’s crowd. The album’s title track is a bouncing groove with a ragged-out piano sharing measures with lyrical poetry and acoustic goodness. A lazy slide courts the listener on “Age of Reason” as smooth vocals flow. Uncle Lucius is the perfect way to celebrate Hump Day. Photo/ facebook.com/unclelucius | Uncle Lucius On all fours Industry zombified

Band: Flow Tribe By Stephen Centanni Date: Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Band: Renee is a Zombie, Leland Clay, Sock Hop Stallions, Venue: Manci’s Antique Club, 1715 Main St. (Daphne), Greenwood Elementary School www.mancisantiqueclub.com Date: Sunday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 at the door Venue: The Industry Bar, 2551 Government Blvd., 251-470-0840 hen the corner at Charleston and Marine is full of people, it’s always a good sign. The Tickets: $6 (21+), $10 (18+) at the door last time Flow Tribe rolled through the area, this funk powerhouse filled the streets of the OGD with funky grooves and jam-hungry locals. Now the band is giving Olde Towne erched at the edge of Government Boulevard, The Industry Bar is one of the Azalea Daphne a dose of Crescent City funk. City’s most unique and eclectic watering holes. Now it’s also pulling in crowds WThe denizens of the E-Sho should prepare to be on their feet and dancing for the entirety of the per- with its lineup of equally eclectic musical acts. Anyone looking for an alternative to formance. Flow Tribe maintains an energy difficult for many bands to replicate, and their crowds take in Mobile’s more well-known music venues should visit The Industry Bar, especially this energy every second the band is on stage. Pfor this show. Flow Tribe has been touring in support of their recent album, “Walk Like an Animal.” With Better Renee is a Zombie will be the headliner, delivering modern folk that employs a variety Than Ezra’s Tom Drummond behind the console, the group was fortunate enough to capture the emo- of instruments and live looping. The audience will get lost in her ethereal vocals. They’ll be tional vibe they create at live performances. supported by three local acts. With quirky subject matter and memorable live delivery, Leland Clay has earned a reputation for being one of the area’s most off-beat singer-songwriters. Sock Hop Stallions is a three-piece that pulls its sound from the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. Those in attendance will also experience one of Mobile’s newest musical acts, Greenwood Elementary School.

Photo/ facebook.com/FlowTribe | Flow Tribe Photo/ (www.zombiesandlizards.com | Renee is a Zombie

36 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 37 AREA MUSIC LISTINg S SEPTEMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 9

LeaAnne Creswell, John Joiner, Darrel Elvis, 6p//// Glen Templeton, 9:30p//// Manci’s— Flow Tribe, 7:30p THUR. SEPT 3 Roberts, 2p/// Jack Robertson Show, Hung Jury, 10p//// King Bee, 10:30p Old 27 Grill— Sound Carpenters BLUEGILL— Blind Dog Mike 5:30p//// Big Muddy, 6p//// Dave & Joe Hangout— Freaker & Harmonica Pinzones— Ross Newell, 5p Blues Tavern— George Eberlein Trio, Show, 6p//// Nick & the Ovorols, 10p//// Lewinski, 5p// US Band, 7p/// Party Sun Set Fest at the Wharf— 8:30p Eric Erdman & Friends, 10:15p//// Hung Animal, 11p Alabama, 8p Callaghan’s— Justin Townes Earle Jury, 10:30p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Spank Veets— Sucker Punch, 8p Fairhope Brewery— Young Valley Hangout— Oliver’s Twist,7p// Foxy The Monkey Felix’s— Jeri Iguanas, 11p Legacy— Jeri Trio Flora Bama— Gove Scrivenor & Mac Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Spank Listening Room— Kenny Brown, 8p MON. SEPT 7 Buffalo Wild Wings— Whisper Walter, 2p// Steve Wikerson, 5:30p/// The Monkey Live Bait— Velcro Pygmies, 8p Creek, 5p Mark Sherrill, John Joiner, Mel Knapp, IP Casino— Hank Williams, Jr., 8p Lulu’s— Shiny Objects, 5p Felix’s— Jon Miller Chris Newbury, 6p//// Joey Hart & All Legacy— Zach Chavers Main Street Cigar Lounge— Eric Flora Bama— Big Muddy, 12p// Johnny — Lauren Kay, 8p Erdman, 8p That’s’ Left, 10p//// Shawna P, Curtis Listening Room Barbato Trio, 2p/// Hung Jury, 4:30p//// — Velcro Pygmies, 8p Pinzones— Rebecca Barry Duo Lance, Woody Pierce, 10:15p//// Al and Live Bait Glen Templeton, 6p//// Lee Yankie & Hellz — Shiny Objects, 5p Pirates Cove—Kelly Poole and the Cathy, 10:15p Lulu’s Yeah, 9p//// Smokin’ Elvis, 10:15p Main Street Cigar Lounge— Matt Swingsets, 6p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— The Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Cam & Sheri Neese, 8p Top of the Bay— Whyte Capps Flying Steinway Brothers and Mike Duo Manci’s— Zack Chavers Soul Kitchen— Big Brown Album, 10p Legacy— Lee Yankie Lucky’s Irish Pub— Marcus, 8p Moe’s BBQ (Mobile)— Doubleshot, Veets— The Family Jewels, 9p Live Bait— Dance Party, 8p Lulu’s— Brent Burns, 5p Lulu’s— Adam Holt Duo, 5p 6:30p Pinzones— Tim Kinsey Moe’s BBQ (Daphne)— Harrison McInnis Trio, 8p SUN. SEPT 6 Soul Kitchen— GWAR, 8p BLUEGILL— Dale Drinkard, 11a// Tip TUE. SEPT 8 O’Daly’s— Gene Murrell, Tony BLUEGILL— Cary Laine & Les Hall Veets— Bobby Butchka & Jana Tops, 6p Edwards and David White, 10p Felix’s— Bobby Butchka Fredriksen, 8p Callaghan’s— Infant Richard and the — Them Again Flora Bama— T. Bone Montgomery, Old 27 Grill Delta Stones Pinzones— Rebecca Barry Duo 2p// Perdido Brothers, 6p/// Glen Felix’s— Brandon Bailey Trattoria— Neil Dover, 9p Templeton, 10:15p FRI. SEPT 4 Flora Bama— Glenn Templeton, 12p// — The Family Jewels, 9p Lulu’s— Albert Simpson, 5p Alchemy— Bantam Foxes// Red Right Veets Beachbillys, 12:30p/// Johnny Barbato Trio, — Eric Erdman, Veets— Paul Alford & Keith Burns, 8p Hands, 9p Windmill Market 2p//// Steel Drums, 4:30p//// Jezebel’s 11:30a// Kyle & Karl, 6p All Sports Bar & Grill— DJ Markie Chill’n, 5:30p//// Foxy Iguanas, 6p//// Mark, 10p Perdido Brothers, 6p//// Jericho Woods, WED. SEPT 9 Bill’s by the Beach— Chase Brown, SAT. SEPT 5 10p//// Al & Cathy, 10:15p//// King Bee, Blind Mule— Comedy Open Mic, 6:30p Alchemy— Club Invasion, 9p 10:30p 9:30p Blind Mule— Songwriter’s Showcase All Sports Bar & Grill— DJ Markie The Grand Mariner— Brett BLUEGILL— Les Hall feat. Josh Ewing, Danny Spiro, JW Teller, Mark, 10p LaGrave, 2p Blues Tavern— Band Audition Night and Paul Thomas, 10p Blind Mule— Commedian Dave Stone, Hangout— US Band, 7p Bucky’s Birdcage (Grand BLUEGILL— David Chastang and the 10p Hard Rock (Center Bar)— Cam Hotel)— Adam Holt Piano Show, 8p and Mike Duo Callaghan’s— Uncle Lucius Long Road Home, 6p BLUEGILL— Jeff & Jena Blues Tavern— Smokin’ Toasters, 9p IP Casino— Free Asian Show, 9p Cockeyed Charlie’s— Sarah Percy, Blues Tavern— Ric McNaughton Cockeyed Charlie’s— DJ Chill, 10p Legacy— Motown Brunch w/Rebecca 10p Band, 9p Felix’s— Soulshine Barry, 11a// Oh Jeremiah, 6p///Lisa Mills Felix’s— Grant Dunaway Cockeyed Charlie’s— Fat Lincoln, Flora Bama— Jezebel’s Chill’n, 1p// and Lee Yankie and the Hellz Yeah, 7p Flora Bama— Neil Dover, 2p// Smokin 10p Ryan Conner, 1p/// J. Hawkins Trio, Live Bait— Velcro Pygmies, 8p Elvis, 6p/// Justin Jeansonne, 10:15p Felix’s— Blind Dog Mike 1:30p//// Jack Robertson Show, 5:30p//// Lulu’s— Greg Brown, 1p// Jimmy Lulu’s— Albert Simpson, 5p Flora Bama— Justin Jeansonne, 2p// Lee Yankie & Hellz Yeah, 6p//// Smokin Lumpkin, 5p Veets— Grits N Pieces, 8p

AREA MUSIC LISTIN g S SEND yOUR MUSIC LISTINgS TO [email protected]

38 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 AREA CLUB LISTINg S

[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] S AREA CLUB LISTIN g 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 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 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 39 MUSICRUNDOWN Legacy has libations for live music BY STEPHEN CENTANNI/MUSIC EDITOR | [email protected]

egacy Bar and Grill has established a reputation for delicious food and live Lmusic. National acts such as Honey Island Swamp Band and Webb Wilder have performed, but this local eatery also has a ton of love for local musicians. In fact, Legacy Bar & Grill has created a specialty-drink menu that features libations inspired by local musicians. The Sugarcane Jane is a strawberry lemonade and vodka explosion. The Cary Laine is a blueberry martini just With a background featuring work with SubjecT- Something new from the streets mAtTerS and Mob Towne Revival, Josh Schock as sweet as its namesake’s voice. Two local hip-hop artists have been busy creating The Holli Mosely is a dirty mar- new material, and the Azalea City will soon get a taste has remained a constant on Mobile’s hip-hop scene. tini highlighted by blue cheese of the new sounds. Beamin is best known as one-half Schock has been working with local engineer/musician stuffed olives. In addition, of the duo Beamin and Timmy. Beamin ventured out Brian Graves on new material and giving fans samples patrons can sample drinks names on his own with a solo album, “Crown Goggles,” through rough cuts on social media. Schock is known after Lisa Mills, Eric Erdman, which can be downloaded free from his website, on- for his unique lyrical rhythms and his trademark Ryan Balthrop, Ross Newell, lybeamin.com. Now, he is getting ready to release his baritone voice. On a track called “Follow Through,” Julie Anne Sellers and Lee Yan- follow-up album, “Not Your Average Hillbilly.” Judg- Schock slides his lyrics across a sample of smooth kee. As far as big shows in the ing from Beamin’s previous work, “Not Your Aver- jazz. “Double Up” contrasts with an upbeat cadence future, Legacy Bar and Grill will age Hillbilly” should be glutted with rapid-fire verbal Schock easily conquers. Find him on Facebook under be bringing Telluride to its stage delivery set on a foundation of infectious beats. “After Schock.” Sunday, Sept. 20. This show is Photos/ (left) facebook/LegacyBarGrill, (above) www.onlybeamin.com a ticketed event, and tickets are close to selling out. Purchase (Left) Try a “Ryan Balthrop” or one of many other mixed drinks inspired by local musicians the tickets at Legacy. next time you catch dinner or a show at Legacy Bar & grill. (Above) MC Beamin.

“ he Riot Club,” with its promising setting of modern-day Oxford University and its promising premise — think “Fight Club” meets “Brideshead Revisited” — ends Tup delivering dismally on that promise, much like the students who star in it. The film itself turns out almost as badly as its characters do in this tale of a super-elite, ancient club at Oxford devoted to debauchery and privilege which, naturally, runs amok. The cast was amusing enough, notably Max Irons, son of Jeremy Irons, and eventually I was Photo/ Film4 | “The Riot Club” able to tell the difference among the Riot Club’s “The Riot Club” is a film full of promise that comes up empty with a weak cast 10 members, although in the end it didn’t matter and incomprehensible, boring story. very much. Irons plays an Oxford freshman who is casually abandoning some of his more ing buildup, with amusingly delivered dialogue The conclusion of this movie, which was not posh tendencies as he navigates his first year at from the interesting looking cast, we arrive at heavy on suspense in the first place, is one of Oxford, mostly by dating a pretty and intelligent the point of the Riot Club, their wild, debauched the most baffling and unsatisfying ones I have girl who is less aristocratic than he is. dinner, which has to take place at a fairly remote ever watched. I literally checked the DVD menu The other new student who ends up joining pub because they have been banned from so because I thought we had skipped a scene. Later the Riot Club is played by Sam Claflin, a chap many places. I felt even more baffled when I discovered that who I remember as turning in one of the most At this point, despite copious alcohol, drugs, the director of this silly trifle also directed one of forgettable performances in that Kristin Stewart shouting, singing and the appearance of an my favorite films from recent years, the delicate, Snow White movie, which is really saying escort, the dinner party scene seems to take as intelligent “An Education.” something. He makes more of a mark in this one long as an actual dinner party, an interminable That film was restrained, intelligent and one, with lots of checking your watch. As the as a student cowering in the shadow of his older perfectly paced; this film was over the top, Riot-ers get drunker and speak more freely brother, who was once the president of the Riot inexplicably paced and totally blunt with its about their inherent class superiority and hatred Club. He starts off meek but is swiftly embold- obvious theme. “The Riot Club” actually did of those beneath them, the film manages an ened when he takes up with the other club mem- pull sporadically entertaining performances from bers, and nothing more about his psychology or incredible confluence of horrifying acts that some of its cast, and so I must blame the mate- background ever comes in to play again. are also incredibly boring. Long after you have rial itself. It added nothing to a bloated field of By the film’s conclusion, however, Sam Claf- started saying “check, please,” the events reach a stories about rich people being terribly nasty and lin is the ringleader of the violent attack at the violent conclusion and in the sober light of day, center of the story. After a reasonably entertain- a scapegoat is sought for the crimes. expecting to get away with it. NEW IN THEATERS NOW PLAyINg

Photo/ EuropaCorp | “The Transporter Reloaded”

THE TRANSPORTER REFUELED A muscled mercenary continues to drive really fast Photo/ Polygram Filmed Entertainment | “We Are Your Friends” through the south of France, delivering secret WE ARE yOUR FRIENDS All listed multiplex theaters. PIXELS packages and butt-kickings as needed. Except All listed multiplex theaters. STRAIgHT OUTTA COMPTON Eastern Shore Premier for some reason, “the transporter” isn’t played NO ESCAPE All listed multiplex theaters. Cinema by Jason Statham anymore, it seems to be some All listed multiplex theaters. RICKI AND THE FLASH ANT-MAN other guy! He’d better be good at kicking. All listed AMERICAN ULTRA Carmike Jubilee Square All listed multiplex theaters. multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex theaters. FANTASTIC FOUR MINIONS HITMAN: AgENT 47 All listed multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex theaters. WAR ROOMS All listed multiplex theaters. THE gIFT INSIDE OUT A seemingly perfect couple turn to prayer when SINISTER 2 All listed multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex theaters. their marriage begins to crumble. All listed multi- All listed multiplex theaters. VACATION JURASSIC WORLD plex theaters. THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. All listed multiplex theaters. All listed multiplex 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.

42 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS

1. Anthropology subject 4. Swaps gossip 8. Masterstroke 12. Piece of history 13. Better copy? 14. Facilitate 15. Burrito adjective 16. Fewer than few 17. Chose, as lots 18. Sci-fi transport 20. Sob story material 22. Coveted critique 23. Foam-filled 27. African address? 29. In a rage or all the rage 30. Campus creeper 31. Steam up 32. Chef’s invitation 33. Musical club 34. Each, in scores 35. Hang on a line, per haps 36. Like justice, it’s said DOWN 26. Gone platinum? 37. Completely stump 27. Bikini parts 39. Refinery refuse 1. Litter cries 28. Lose freshness 40. Company’s yearly 2. Field of study 29. Hoedown seating meeting 3. As one might expect 32. Religious hermit 41. Onetime “Baywatch” 4. Convention city? 33. Rock genre babe 5. Go gaga over 35. Like a bunch 44. Ride the breeze 6. Coal container 36. Cutting edges 47. Coffee choice 7. Vessel for goulash 38. Captains’ subordi 49. Gallic refusal 8. Said, ‘OK, you win’ nates 50. Gathering dust 9. Boathouse item 39. Drain one’s savings 51. Language subtlety 10. Functionality 42. Pointer’s word 52. Camp sack 11. Chapel fixture 43. Amount to be raised? 53. Entre ___ 19. Assistance for the 44. Break the tape, 54. Circle’s lack elderly maybe 55. Ellington monogram 21. Bit in a feedbag 45. Bother, to the Bard 24. Beehive state? 46. It might give you chills 25. Flush (with) 48. Bunco artist’s scheme Answers on PAge 48

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 43 C O E CHEF CHALLENGE WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPT. 3, 6 P.M. WHERE: ALABAMA CRUISE TERMINAL, 201 S. WATER ST., MOBILE

Chef Challenge is the annual fundraiser event for Bay Area Food Bank to kick off Hunger Action Month. The goal is to raise awareness about hunger- ending efforts along the Central Gulf Coast. Enjoy tastings of dishes from local chefs and restaurants as they compete to win your vote in their respective categories. Live entertainment, a vast silent auction and complimentary beer, wine and spirits will also be available. All proceeds from Chef Challenge are used to help those in need within our 24-county service area along the Central Gulf Coast. Tickets can be purchased online at bayareafoodbank.org. EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 - 9, OF

Photos/ bayareafoodbank.org/chef-challenge/

tastings of dishes from local chefs and First Friday Art Walk artist Roderick D. MacKenzie, using his restaurants as they compete to win your The Eastern Shore Art Center returns paintings, drawings, sculptures and, most vote in their respective categories. Live with new art and music. Come check importantly, photographs and writings. ALENDAR entertainment, a vast silent auction and out the new exhibits and live pottery The exhibition is organized by the History C complimentary beer, wine and spirits will demonstrations while enjoying Museum of Mobile, 111 S. Royal St. On also be available. All proceeds from Chef refreshments and live entertainment by view until Sept. 6. Admission is free. Challenge are used to help those in need The Sound Carpenters. The Art Walk Journey to Mars … Beyond Earth within our 24-county service area along begins at 6 p.m. at 401 Oak St., Fairhope. In the not-too-distant future, astronauts the Central Gulf Coast. Tickets can be For more information contact Adrienne at destined to be the first people to walk purchased online at bayareafoodbank.org. 251-928-2228, ext. 103. on Mars will leave Earth aboard an Orion spacecraft and begin their journey, Thursdays at MMoA Author Round Up carrying the spirit of humanity with Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Join Page & Palette for its Author Round them to the red planet. To highlight this the Mobile Museum of Art offers free Up featuring authors William and Carolyn mission in a fun and engaging way, the admission to all visitors. Join MMoA each Courduff and Julia Gregg at 6 p.m. Page & Gulf Coast Exploreum has collaborated week to experience the museum in new Palette is at 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope. with NASA on the exhibits “Journey to and exciting ways throughout the year. No Mars” and “Beyond Earth.” The exhibits reservations are necessary. MMoA is at Movies in the Park will run through Sept. 7 at the Exploreum, Photo/ www.mobilemuseumofart.com 4850 Museum Drive. Join Movie GO for its Movies in the Park 65 Government St., Mobile. For more September 3 series through November. These FREE, information, call 251-208-6893. Night Market September 4 family friendly movie nights are hitting Mobile Museum of Art (MMofA) hosts a MBGFC Labor Day Invitational parks all around Mobile. This week’s film September 5 The 48th Annual 2015 Mobile Big quarterly Night Market of artist and artisan will be at the Public Safety Park, 2301 5K on the Bay Game Fishing Club (MBGFC) Labor wares. Bring a keen eye for detail and Airport Blvd. Bring your lawn chair and Help raise money for Women’s Business Day Invitational takes place Sept. 4-7 become known for the unique gifts you a few canned goods to support Bay Center with the “Grow Mobile” 5K at give. Be the envy of your friends with rare, at Orange Beach Marina (27075 Marina Road, Orange Beach). Registration will Area Food Bank. It’s a great night for the Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship artful home décor. Support your local be Friday, Sept. 4, from 4-8 p.m.; cost whole family and helps an excellent local Parkway. Register in person at McCoy artists and join the party and shopping fun is $300 per angler with a minimum of nonprofit! Film begins at dusk. If you have Outdoor, Run-N-Tri or Fleet Feet in Mobile with great food, drink and live music. The four anglers for boats over 32 feet, three questions, please contact gomoviego@ or Running Wild in Fairhope until noon market starts at 5 p.m. at MMoA, 4850 anglers for boats 32 feet and under. hotmail.com. on Thursday, Sept. 3, or online (http:// Museum Drive. Registration is $200 for members. Buffet wba5konthebay.eventbrite.com) until 4 dinner 6-8 p.m.; mandatory captains Ark of India a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Packet pick-up and Chef Challenge meeting at 8 p.m. The tournament “Ark of India: An Alabama Artist Explores race day registration will take place at the Chef Challenge is the annual fundraiser officially begins and boats may leave after Southern Asia” is an exhibit about Battleship from 6:15-7:15 a.m. There will event for Bay Area Food Bank to kick mandatory sign-out from the captain’s personal discovery and exploration. be a post-race party with music, food and off Hunger Action Month. The goal is to meeting by captain or owner. For more It’s an account of late 19th and early beverages. For more information, visit raise awareness about hunger-ending information, visit www.mbgfc.org/ 20th century India as seen by Alabama http://wba5konthebay.eventbrite.com. efforts along the Central Gulf Coast. Enjoy laborday.htm.

44 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 Photo/ Facebook.com/ tackyjacksgulfshores Photo/ www.facebook.com/alwharf Photo/ www.mbgfc.org Photo/ www.barnesandnoble.com

Bloody Mary 5K North Mobile County Food Park and educators to use this contest to inspire recently implemented a Teen Tech Tutor Join Harley Sports for its 3rd annual Farmer’s Market creativity and the love of reading. Entries program at the Robertsdale Library. Bloody Mary 5K at Tacky Jacks in Join us in downtown Prichard for a may be submitted either as a class This program is designed to match high Gulf Shores at 240 E. 24th Ave. Post- market full of food trucks, local produce, assignment or by individual students. school age students who have strong race party will include food, beer and, meats, artists, crafts and music. The The contest began Aug. 31 and ends technological skills with adults and you guessed it, Bloody Marys. Race market takes place the first and third Sept. 26. For more information visit www. seniors who are unfamiliar with basic starts at 7:30 am. Packet pick-up to be Saturdays of every month from 9 daphnelibrary.org. laptop computer technology. The free announced, but will likely include Friday a.m. until noon at 204 S. Wilson Ave., program is available Monday through and Saturday options. Awards will be in the old Sawyer Furniture parking Ballroom Dance Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 18301 made at around 9 a.m. at Tacky Jacks. lot. For more information, visit www. The Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Pennsylvania St., Robertsdale. An For more information and to register, nomocofoodie.org. For help with Dance Society hosts dance classes appointment is required; call the library at visit harleysport.com or email info@ additional questions, contact Jonathan with professional instructors at 7 p.m., 251-970-4010. harleysport.com. Adams at 352-217-780 or JonDAdams@ followed by dancing from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

gmail.com. Admission is $10. This event is BYOB September 9 EVENTS | SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 - 9, Art Market and no need to bring a partner. Beginners Registered Nurses of Mobile The Waterway Village Art Market is September 6 are welcome. Fitzpen Place, 11247 State The retired Registered Nurses of Mobile OF presented by the Gulf Coast Arts Open studio Highway 31, Spanish Fort. For more will meet at 12:30 p.m. at Mars Hill Cafe, Alliance, in partnership with the City of Come enjoy complimentary mimosas information, email Cassie Fishbein at 1087 Downtowner Blvd. All retired RNs Gulf Shores. The Art Market is held in as artists work at the Cathedral Square [email protected]. are welcome; dues are $5 per year. Guest Waterway Village across from the Gulf Gallery, 612 Dauphin St., Mobile. Works speaker will be Judge Wanda Rahman of Coast Arts Alliance Art Gallery, 225 E. by more than 60 area artists also will be September 8 the Mobile Police Department. For further 24th Ave., Gulf Shores. The event is from on display. For more information, call Emma Langdon Roche Exhibit information, call 251-661-0921. 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Local and regional 251-694-0278. Through Dec. 31 the Historic Oakleigh Learning Lunch ALENDAR artists will be displaying for sale their Museum hosts an exhibit of Emma The History Museum of Mobile (111 S. C original works of art, which will include MBGFC Labor Day Invitational Langdon Roche. In 1914, Roche, a Royal St.) Learning Lunch event will paintings in oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor The 48th Annual 2015 Mobile Big Game Mobile artist, wrote “Historic Sketches feature noted local historian John Sledge. and mixed media. This family friendly Fishing Club (MBGFC) Labor Day of the South,” a narrative and collection Sledge will discuss his latest book, “The event will also include live musical Invitational continues at Orange Beach of sketches of the survivors of the last Mobile River,” and the impact of this entertainment, children’s hands-on art Marina (27075 Marina Road, Orange documented slave ship to enter the waterway on the development of Mobile. activities and concessions. For more Beach). For more information, visit www. United States. Her book introduced the The program begins at noon in the information call 251-948-2627 or visit mbgfc.org/laborday.htm. world to the residents of Africatown. auditorium. For more information, call the The exhibit, a first for Historic Oakleigh gulfcoastartsalliance.com. museum at 251-208-7508 to speak with September 7 and created by HMPS Public Historian Jennifer Fondren, curator of education, Something Special Saturday Painting in pastel Melanie Thornton and Tance Beech, or contact her directly at fondrenj@ The Mobile Public Library, Moore/Spring Tommy Vogel will be teaching classes museum studies intern, will explore the cityofmobile.org. Hill Branch, is calling all children ages 3 in pastel each Monday, Tuesday and life and work of the mother of Mobile’s Brown Bag in Bienville Square and up to make their own piñatas. The fun Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 art community. For more information call Fall is back and so is live jazz! Brown Bag begins at 10:30 a.m., advance registration p.m. at the Gulf Coast Arts Alliance 251-432-1281. your lunch and sit under the swirl of the is encouraged. For more information and Art Gallery, 225 E. 24th Ave. Gulf oak trees in Bienville Square, 11:30 a.m. to register, please call 251-470-7770. The Shores. Tommy provides all materials Life Matters to 1:30 p.m. Live music provided by the Spring Hill branch is at 4 McGregor Ave. S. and students complete a painting Life Matters forums are an effort to raise City of Mobile Special Events Dept. each class. Individual classes are $35, education, awareness and prevention of Labor Day Street Party children and students $25 and groups suicide and depression. Each session will Ladies’ Wine and Drive Golf Clinic The Wharf (4830 Main St., Orange Beach) of 3 or more, $25 each. For more be held at the James P. Nix Senior Center, Learn to golf, improve your game or just is the place to be for family fun and events information call 251-948-2627 or visit 1 Bayou Drive, Fairhope. Doors will open have fun with your girlfriends! Come out this Labor Day weekend. The Wharf gulfcoastartsalliance.com. at 6 p.m. and a one-hour presentation will to Foley for a golf lesson, glass of wine hosts the official Labor Day Street Party, begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Discussion and friendship. If you’ve always wanted to featuring free kids’ activities beginning at 5 Back to School Bookmark Contest and resources will be available learn, this is a great opportunity in a fun, p.m., live music from Waylon Thibodeaux The Daphne Public Library announces afterwards. For more information, call 25- low-pressure atmosphere. One-hour golf at Marlin Circle from 6-8 p.m. and a its “Back-to-School” Bookmark Contest. 929-1477. Dr. Claudia McDade will give lesson with glass of wine (before and after special patriotic-themed SPECTRA Sound The contest is sponsored by the Friends a presentation on misconceptions, signs lesson) costs $20 per lesson. All lessons and Light show at 8:30 p.m. both Saturday of the Daphne Public Library and open and risk factors. taught by a PGA pro every Wednesday and Sunday. The usual SPECTRA to students in grades K-12. The library at 5:30 p.m. at Glenlakes Golf Club, 9530 weekend schedule will also run, with invites local teachers, school librarians, Teen Tech Tutor program Clubhouse Drive, Foley. Contact David for shows at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. educational specialists and home-school The Baldwin County Library Cooperative more information, 251-955-1220.

SEND yOUR EVENTS TO [email protected]

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 45 MEDIAMEDIA FRENZY Legal Schnauzer now yapping about Bentley ‘affair’ BY ROB HOLBERT/MANAGING EDITOR | [email protected]

wo years after being slammed with a $3.5 million libel divorce documents. And as has been standard for Shuler, all of his ing to the table. Though the FCC has typically not intervened in verdict, the Alabama blog Legal Schnauzer is again ped- information comes from unnamed sources. such business clashes, Wheeler said the scope of this blackout was dling salacious accusations of extramarital affairs without So I still don’t understand why people in the media react when too large to ignore. providing a single verifiable source. the Legal Schnauzer yaps. The guy has lost millions in libel cases, “We will not stand idly by while millions of consumers in T Roger Shuler, whose fame — or infamy, depending upon he violates every rule of journalistic ethics and still other media 79 markets across the country are being denied access to local one’s view — has exploded in recent years, began posting a story outlets run to repeat his claims by doing a story on a “story.” programming,” he said. “The commission will always act within last week claiming Gov. Robert Bentley, 72, has been involved Maybe something did happen. Maybe it didn’t. If anyone the scope of its authority if it emerges that improper conduct is in an affair with his chief political adviser, who is roughly 30 ever gets to look at that divorce filing and it’s not filled with Mrs. preventing a commercial resolution of the dispute.” years younger. His story comes on the heels of the announcement Bentley claiming her hubby is a filthy cheater, there are going to The two sides reached a deal in principle last Wednesday, but Bentley’s wife of 50 years, Diane, has filed for divorce from the be a lot of media outlets with egg on their faces. Dish has asked Wheeler to remain abreast of the process. Dish governor, citing a “complete incompatibility of temperament.” had filed an FCC complaint against Sinclair previously, claim- As he has done in previous situations, Shuler alleges the Dish-Sinclair battle leads to ‘dark’ day for viewers ing the company was violating FCC rules governing negotiating “affair” was accompanied by illegal use of public funds, property Dish Network users in the Mobile market briefly lost their retransmission deals in good faith. After last week’s meetings, and personnel and warns readers investigations could be coming. ABC programming last week and narrowly avoided losing NBC Dish asked the FCC to stay any action on their complaint while If all that isn’t enough, Shuler actually plastered a picture of the as well this week due to a dispute between the satellite provider the companies work on the deal. woman, her husband and three young children on the front of his and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Bobby Totsch, general manager for WPMI/WJTC and market blog under the headline “Robert Bentley’s 2014 campaign paid On Aug. 25, Dish pulled 129 local TV stations from its nation- director for Pensacola, last week said the issue was simply one in more than $400,000 to company owned by governor’s mistress.” wide roster, including WEAR/WFGX in Pensacola. WEAR is the which the two companies were trying to work out a new retrans- How nice for the kids. ABC affiliate for the Mobile/Pensacola television market. WPMI mission agreement and that Dish had chosen to take the matter The affair story has swept the state, luring in mainstream me- and WJTC were slated to be pulled Monday if an agreement was public. He said at the time WEAR was blacked out that Sinclair dia outlets that want to know who the governor has been boink- not reached. But after some involvement from Federal Communi- remained willing to “negotiate a fair deal with Dish.” ing. Television, radio, bloggers and newspaper outlets all jumped cations Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler, the two sides were “In the end, this is simply a commercial business transac- on the bandwagon as soon as the Schnauzer barked, all claiming, able to come to the table and the stations were restored last week tion in which the parties unfortunately were not able to agree on of course, they were going to get to the bottom of things. Never after roughly 24 hours off the network. Viewers could still have terms,” he said of the blackout. mind first determining whether there is even one scrap of evi- received the local stations’ broadcasts through use of an antenna. The blackout affected roughly 5 million of Dish’s nearly 14 dence worth mentioning to readers/viewers. You see, in the news The heart of the dispute was over retransmission fees being million subscribers. business, we don’t always run stories telling you what story we’re charged by local stations to allow Dish to broadcast those sta- The increased number of such retransmission battles between looking into, but some do when the Schnauzer barks. tions’ signals to Dish customers. The removal of 129 stations multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), such as All we know for certain right now is Diane Bentley has filed from Dish’s menu amounted to the largest station blackout in the satellite and cable companies, has led the FCC to begin reviewing for divorce, there are rumors of an affair between the 72-year-old history of contractual disputes between broadcasting groups and its retransmission rules, which are nearly 25 years old. Accord- Bible-thumping governor and a much younger woman who is his cable/satellite providers. ing to industry experts, over the past decade station owners have political adviser, and that she has flown with Bentley — as part Wheeler convened an emergency meeting between Dish and begun demanding significantly higher fees from MVPDs, leading of a group — to several meetings. That’s it. The judge sealed the Sinclair and by late Wednesday was praising both sides for com- to inability to reach agreement and, ultimately, station blackouts.

46 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 THE LOADED QUESTION

IF YOU COULD ONLY HEAR ONE SONG THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE?

ASKED @ BEER FEST

“Vicarious by Tool”

-Chase

“Brown Eyed Woman by Grateful Dead”

-Chad

“Dave Matthews #41”

-Robert

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 47 SPORTSUPON FURTHER REVIEW Jaguars host gardner-Webb in season opener BY J, MARK BRYANT/SPORTS WRITER | [email protected] | Twitter @goulaguy fter becoming the youngest program in college football history to reach a bowl game, the University of South Alabama (USA) is looking for even bigger achievements in 2015. The campaign kicks off Saturday when the Jag- Auars host Gardner-Webb. The contest at Ladd-Peebles Stadium is set to start at 5 p.m. The action will be broadcast through the Internet on ESPN3. “This is a competitive group, and I like that about them,” head coach Joey Jones, who is starting his sixth year, said of his team. “There are a lot of good things that come from that. “They are ready to play somebody else. We’ve been going against each other for three weeks with the offense going against the defense in different situations, so they’ve been banging on each other a lot. It has been a very competitive environment, which I like, and hopefully we can bring that to the games,” Jones said. The Jaguars finished 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) last season, which was good for a fourth-place tie. A 6-6 overall record earned them an invitation to the Camellia Bowl in Montgom- ery, where they lost a tough 33-28 decision to Bowling Green. Of the 40 returning players to receive varsity letters, seven are starters. On the offense side of the ball are senior offensive line- Photo/ University of South Alabama Athletics man Chris May (6-5, 290), junior offensive lineman Joseph Scelfo (6-1, 295) and senior wide receiver Danny Woodson II (6-1, 215). Senior offensive lineman Chris May is one of two returning Jaguar starters on the Rotary Lombardi Award May and Scelfo were recently placed on the Rotary Lombardi watch list and the All-SBC first-team preseason squad. Award watch list. Both have been selected to the All-SBC first- eight. WMXC Lite Mix 99.9 FM in Mobile is again the flagship the final and deciding race. MYC, which also received a Junior team preseason squad. station. The new stations are WBMH 106.1 FM in Grove Hill/ Lipton banner to display, will host the regatta next summer. The leading running backs are Terrance Timmons (13 games, Jackson, WFMH 95.5 FM in Northwest Alabama, WOAM 104.9 75 carries for 403 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Xavier Johnson (12 in Dothan, WVRV 101.5 FM in Montgomery and WVRV 97.5 games, 81 carries for 438 yards, 1 touchdown). World Series runner-up FM in Troy. The Alabama Rawdogs baseball team recently finished in sec- Hunter Vaughn played in six games at quarterback, complet- Back in the broadcast booth are J.D. Byars handling play-by- ond place at the Babe Ruth World Series tournament in Klamath ing 38 of 59 passes for 342 yards, 1 touchdown and 6 intercep- play and Pat Greenwood with analysis. Tommy Hicks — a former Falls, Oregon. The team was composed of players ages 16 to 18. tions. However, University of Alabama at Birmingham transfer Lagniappe contributor — will be the new sideline reporter. J.T. The squad has won nine national titles under the tutelage of Cody Clements has won the starting job. In 11 games for the Crabtree is back as the halftime host and engineer. manager Tony Hendrix and coaches Chris Taylor and Brett Hen- Blazers, Clements completed 183 or 275 attempts for 2,227 The pregame show for home contests is expanding to two drix. The Rawdogs were denied a “three-peat” as they fell 3-0 in yards and 14 touchdowns. hours. The first segment will be the “Coors Light Tailgate Party” the title game to Columbia Basin, Washington. The leading running backs are Terrance Timmons (13 games, in the Fan Fest area outside Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mobile players on the team are pitcher Tony Kucera, catcher 75 carries for 403 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Xavier Johnson Michael Farnell, second baseman Dayton Cook, third baseman (12 games, 81 carries for 438 yards, 1 touchdown). In addition MYC brings home silver trophy Gunner Hendrix and utility player Randall Coxwell, who won to Woodson (13 games, 30 catches, 382 yards, 4 touchdowns), For the first time in 60 years, the sailing team from the Mobile the batting championship with a .529 average. Jordan Taylor was another key target is 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior tight end Braedon Yacht Club (MYC) captured the Junior Lipton Cup. The event for named to the all-defensive team. Bowman (11 games, 18 catches, 234 yards). 19-foot Flying Scots took place the first weekend in August and Two starters return on defense: 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior was hosted by the Gulfport Yacht Club. safety Roman Buchanan (13 games, 45 tackles, 29 assists, 3.5 SHC to host instructional baseball league Light winds reduced the series to five races. Mobile won three The Spring Hill College (SHC) Badgers will host a high TFL) and 5-foot-8, 195-pound senior cornerback Antonio Carter and took second place in another. Pass Christian was second and school baseball league this fall for players in grades 10 through (12 games, 37 tackles, 17 assists, 1 TFL). The Jaguars have veter- Fairhope third. Fourteen clubs were represented. 12. Registration will be open through September 11 and may be ans on special teams in junior punter Brandon McKee (6-1, 190) The only other time MYC won the cup was in 1954. Ellis completed online at www.shcbadgers.com under the tabs “Inside and junior kicker Aleem Sunanon (5-7, 170). Ollinger Jr., a member of that team, was present to help the cur- Athletics” and “Youth Camps and Clinics.” Gardner-Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, North rent sailors hoist the trophy. The league will consist of four teams, with a maximum of 12 Carolina. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 4-8 last season, and were Sharing duties as skipper were Matthew Godbold, Lennard players per team. The cost is $120 per player. winless in the Big South Conference. They return 53 lettermen, Luiten and Crew Stanley. Crew members were Reed Carpenter, Games will be played on Sundays beginning Sept. 20 at Stan including 23 players who started at least one game. Collin Cooper, Georgia Huffstetter, Gus Thames and Maitland Galle Field on the SHC campus. Games are scheduled for the ● USA football will have expanded radio coverage this season. Thull. Sailors were required to be under age 19. next six weekends through Nov. 1. For more information, call Five more stations have joined the network, bringing the total to Luiten won the “Uncle Roy” trophy as the winning skipper in 251-380-3069.

48 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 49 year-round calendar for lawn care UPCOMINg MASTER BY BRENDA BOLTON/MOBILE COUNTY MASTER GARDENER | [email protected] gARDENER EVENTS Q: Is there a place where I can find out how • Continue irrigation as needed until grass is to best care for my lawn all year long? dormant for winter. SEPTEMBER FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • Winterize weak turf with 5-5-25* at four lbs. • Map Mole Cricket activity for future treatments. per 1,000 square feet or equivalent. A: In our last column, there was a fungus • Fertilize with 24-6-12* at four pounds per 1,000 • Treat for fire ants if needed among us. I hope you caught our “fighting square feet or according to soil test results. When: Sept. 21, 12-1 p.m. the fungi” tips for lawns. Your question today • Treat for fire ants as needed. has saved readers from the sequel. (Return of OCTOBER Where: Jon Archer Center, the fungi? Revenge of the fungi? Rise of the • Apply pre-emergence herbicide if needed. MAY • Overseeding with rye grass is not recom- 1070 Schillinger Road N., fungi?) Instead, at your request, here is a year’s • Watch for spittle bugs and chinch bugs and treat mended. lawn care schedule for Mobile’s St. Augustine, if needed. Mobile • Do not use pre-emergence herbicide if over- Zoysia and Bermuda lawns by James Miles, • Apply ammonium nitrate if more growth is seeding. regional extension agent. desired, at three lbs. per 1,000 square feet. What: Lunch and Learn, Before we begin, let’s practice our Master Fairhope Tea Plantation, pre- Gardener mantra. Click your heels three times NOVEMBER JUNE • Get a soil test. sented by Donnie Barrett and repeat: Get a soil test and use the results … • Apply pre-emergence herbicide if needed. identify, target, apply only if needed … follow • Apply post-emergence herbicide if needed. label directions. We may not get to Oz this way, • Fertilize with 24-6-12* at four pounds lbs. per DECEMBER but we can have a healthier garden, not to men- 1,000 square feet or according to soil test results. • Lime according to soil test. tion a healthier earth. • Continue to watch for spittle bugs and chinch When: Oct. 1, 9:30-11 a.m. bugs and treat if needed. *For centipede lawns, fertilize only in May FEBRUARY or not at all. Centipede doesn’t have a hefty ap- petite and can easily be overfed. Where: Jon Archer • Apply pre-emergent herbicide as needed. JULY • Treat for mole crickets in the areas mapped in Center, 1070 Schillinger Road So there you have it, a full year of yard work APRIL April if needed. N., Mobile just waiting for you. And for a full weekend of • Aerate compacted soils. • Apply ammonium nitrate if more growth is reading on how to have a gorgeous lawn, go to • Begin regular mowing (once every five days if desired, at three pounds per 1,000 square feet. the extension website: www.aces.edu/pubs/docs What: Succulents and clippings are left on the lawn, once every seven • Continue to watch for spittle bugs and chinch and type your question into the search box. Sedums: Container days if clippings are removed). bugs and treat if needed. • Generally, do not remove more than 1/3 of Design and Uses in the Gar- grass blades per mowing; mow St. Augustine Email us your questions at CoastalAla- den, presented by Melanie grass at 3 to 4 inches and all other grasses as low AUGUST [email protected] or call toll-free • Fertilize with 24-6-12* at four pounds per 1,000 1-877-252-4769, the Master Gardener Helpline Lobel, Master Gardener as you can go. square feet or according to soil test results. • Begin weekly irrigation, as needed. answered by Mobile and Baldwin County Mas- • Continue to treat for mole crickets in the areas ter Gardener volunteers. • Wet soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. mapped in April if needed. • Irrigate between the hours of 2 a.m. and 10 a.m.

50 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 51 STYLEPORT CITY PREMONITIONS Capricorn considers a virtual holiday BY DR. ZODIAC/ASTROLOGY GUY Virgo (8/24-9/22) — Inspired by a local business person’s si- picture of the event to EPA on Twitter. Its all fun and games until change in the election process will allow voters to text in their bal- lent protest, you begin to hang banners all around town calling out the black helicopters appear and you find yourself at a work lots during a debate/dance-off on live TV. all those who have deceived you. Sentiments such as “PARENTS: camp in Elberta. Taurus (4/20-5/20) — You’ll honor your favorite baseball LIARS,” “SPOUSES: LIARS,” “COLLEGE: LIARS” and even Capricorn (12/23-1/19) — As Labor Day approaches, you’ll team by wearing pajamas to work. While you explain your “MISTER ROGERS: LIAR” sure feel good to get off your chest, wonder why the government hasn’t designated a day for avid undying love for the team to co-workers, HR will be reluctant to but a flurry of cease-and-desist orders and municipal fines soon Street Fighter 2 players. You spent 4,500 hours trying to beat M. understand. Fearing stress has finally “pushed you over the edge,” take their toll. You’ll be pleased to find the sign company did not Bison in middle school. Your buddy Carl tried to “Hadouken” so your company will force you to take two personal days. You won’t deceive you with its claims of “weather-resistant vinyl” when hard he lost his left thumb. Isn’t it time Obama recognized the mind the time off, as the team you love plays a lot of day games, you repurpose the signs as a makeshift roof in your new squatter sacrifices SF2 players made in the 1990s? Your online petition and you’ll also be pleased to get your own office, in a different encampment. will get 2,000 signatures, far below the threshold needed for a office, when you return. Libra (9/23-10/22) — Appalled by another violent crime in White House response, but gamers everywhere will adore you for Gemini (5/21-6/21) — After watching a garbage truck break the heart of downtown, you organize a roving band of horseback your principled stand. down in front of your house two days in a row next week, you’ll vigilantes. Wearing masks and capes and boasting a combined Aquarius (1/20-2/18) — You’ll get into a nasty altercation decide that your garbage is, in fact, blessed. You’ll build a shrine two and a half hours of martial arts training, you and your team of with a lady trying to sell a vacuum cleaner on a local Facebook to the pile of rotten bananas and moldy pizza crusts and begin to rogue crime fighters put felons on notice. Upon steeds bestowed page. What’s starts as a mutually beneficial arrangement turns charge people admission to touch the deity. The illusion will end such gallant names as “Arabian Frights,” “Appaloosa Justice” ugly when you try to nail down a location for the swap. You’ll re- once the smell gets so bad the neighbors start to complain. It will and “Tennessee Stalker,” the amount of fear you instill is matched sent the woman after she sends you a message saying, “Of course be the easiest $12.50 you’ve ever made. only by the amount of manure in the streets. Soon, the sound of a you want to meet at Arby’s.” You’ll respond saying, “Keep your Cancer (6/22-7/22) — You’ll be dismayed to hear the most re- slow trot on pavement is all it takes to deter the next potentially Hoover. Maybe you could use it on your face.” She’ll subsequent- cent meth lab discovered by police is your childhood home where deadly incident and eventually, peace is restored citywide. ly be checked into the hospital for third-degree friction burns. your parents still live. Your father will say he started making the Scorpio (10/23-11/21) — With the first Alabama football game Pisces (2/19-3/20) — You’ll slowly realize the friend you stuff to supplement his income and he’ll admit it may have gotten approaching Saturday, you’ll be shocked to see your name listed trusted to walk you through your first fantasy football draft may out of hand. You’ll get really upset when your family dog starts second on the team’s quarterback depth chart, right between Coo- have been sabotaging you. Though you think it’s curious he scratching more than usual. You won’t be able to forgive pops per Bateman and Jake Coker. You haven’t thrown a football in al- encouraged you to draft most of the Chicago Bears’ roster, you for what he did to Sparky, although you’ll be amused at the dog’s most 10 years, and it’s obvious Saban is just throwing crap on the won’t really put the pieces together until mid-October. However, fitting name. wall until it sticks in this “competition.” You’ll decide to suit up in a turnaround year for the storybooks, the Bears are going to Leo (7/23-8/23) — Irritated by a competitor’s snarky tweet, on game day, knowing you can’t be half as bad as previous Bama run the table and your friend will learn the lesson that treachery your impulse will be to respond tenfold, publicly shaming them quarterbacks Marc Guillon, Brandon Avalos and Brian Burgdorf. doesn’t pay. for their inexperience, ineptitude and naivete. Instead you take the Sagittarius (11/22-12/22) — You’ll receive a letter from the Aries (3/21-4/19) — While you’re somewhat shocked that high road, logging into your troll account and making fun of their Environmental Protection Agency chiding you for throwing dirt Kanye West would announce a 2020 presidential run, you’re even physical appearance and odd mannerisms. Frustrated that your over the koi pond installed by your home’s previous owners. more surprised it took as long as it did. Among the hordes of blith- effort has failed to generate a response, you decide to perform a You’ll decide to fight government bureaucracy from the comfort ering idiots that share a God complex in popular culture, Kanye “Chicago sunroof” upon their personal vehicle. The lack of fiber of your back porch. In defiance you’ll throw the pond’s re- seems the only suitable candidate to jump into the primetime in your diet delays the operation, so you concede to giving them maining goldfish on your backyard grill and tweet a cell phone circus our national political system has become. An upcoming dirty looks from across the room.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS F u t u r e s h o C k FROM PAgE 41

52 | LAGNIAPPE | September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 STYLEEXTRA guinness World Record candidate walking through area BY HOLDEN BARNETT/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

n 2009, Allie Stevens, 61, began to walk from Oceanside, Cali- which was chronicled in Joseph Mitchell’s famous work “Joe fornia, to Miami, Florida, to set the Guinness World Record for Gould’s Secret.” the longest distance traveled by foot. So far, he has walked close Another goal of Stevens’ is to visit as many churches as he can to 4,100 miles to Mobile with his 400-pound rickshaw and will and share songs he has written. Istay here for several weeks before moving on to Prichard. “I’ve spoken and sang at over 270 churches. I write music, I Stevens, a California native, has not always lived his life on the write songs and I give them away … It’s not about money.” road. Before he decided to set out on his first journey in 2007, he Although Stevens has written many songs, he does not copyright founded and ran his own successful limousine company. them. Like a Buddhist monk creating a sand mandala with the “Nothing was fantastic about my life except the fact that I intent destroying it, he creates art so that others may share it. always knew I had a dream,” Stevens said. “I always wanted to do “That’s where a lot of people fail. They count their blessings a world record, but I always thought the record would be eating the but they don’t give out their blessings. They hoard. And God gives most cabbage or something.” them to you freely. You’re supposed to share them.” In 2007, Stevens’s wife died of pancreatic cancer. Soon after- Although raised Catholic, Stevens now follows a nondenomina- wards, in 2011, he lost his daughter to cervical cancer. tional faith. “My wife’s death started me on this journey. And the fact that “Every single religion on this Earth has limits, things you can President Obama ran for president. I figured if he can run for and cannot do. And God has no limits. I’m proof. So why would president, I can walk across the country,” he said, laughing. “I was I believe in a religion and limit myself? I’m able to visit all kinds joking … He won and I’m walking.” of churches … My walk is not a political walk. It’s not a religious While fishing one day in Oceanside, Stevens decided to give walk. It’s a spiritual walk.” Photo/ Holden Barnett people free rickshaw rides along the length of a 1,942-foot pier, While on the road, Stevens cannot be picky about his diet, espe- U.S. Marine Corp veteran Allie Stevens began walking partly to get in shape and partly to get his mind off the loss of cially when he is far from civilization. his wife. “I eat whatever I can. I’ve become a culinary master when it across America with a rickshaw and a pet after he “I named the first rickshaw the Shangri-La rickshaw, because comes to exotic foods. I love to cook, period, which means you lost his wife and daughter to cancer. He’s currently in Shangri-La means ‘imaginary heaven on Earth’ and since I give have to know how to season plants, animals, critters … certain bugs Mobile County, en route to Miami. you free rides and I sing to you while you’re getting a ride, it takes are actually edible.” you to heaven right there on the pier,” Stevens said. His favorite kind of insect to eat is grasshoppers. ing to be there or a part of you is going to be there.” During one of these outings, he remembered his lifelong dream “They’re hard to catch. Especially when you’re in the desert and When asked what the most difficult part of his journey has been, to break a world record and wondered if he could reconcile the two you’re seeing triple.” the answer was not what one would expect. ambitions. Although many people would never touch a grasshopper, let “The hardest part of this journey is leaving the towns. I go to all “I called the Guinness book and they said they can’t do a world alone eat it, Stevens sometimes is not afforded the luxury. He has these little towns and these big cities and I fall in love with them record rickshaw walk up and down the pier but they can do one had to eat many other insects as well. because I get to see things most people don’t see.” from one destination to another. So then I decided to walk to the “I have eaten a lot of worms. Some of the big walking bugs. The best part about the journey, Stevens said, is the love that he Shangri-La Hotel in Las Vegas.” Half of them I didn’t know what they were, they just looked good.” sees in everyone he meets. Stevens was able to walk 147 miles before he was hit in the back Although Stevens isn’t very choosy about where he stays, he “Even if they don’t want me to see it. People come to me with with a bottle and paralyzed for three days. is sometimes offered living space by people who are inspired by so much negativity, but I see the God in them. By the time they “I was walking with the rickshaw and some idiots up near his journey. hear my story and talk a little while, they’ve changed. It’s beautiful. Twentynine Palms, California, thought I was a target and threw “I’ve stayed in governors’ homes, senators’ homes. I’ve stayed “I’m a California man. Hustle, bustle, money. I started walking a big bottle out the car — it busted my spine and knocked me to in people’s driveways, garages.” across the South and I don’t think I can ever live in California again my knees.” Other times, he sleeps in an army cot, a practice he said he — It’s the freedom, the luxury that you guys have — I will never On his second journey in 2008, Stevens was able to walk 642 perfected while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. live anywhere but the South. I’m buying a home in Louisiana.” miles before he was struck by a police car in Tombstone, Arizona. A modern supplicant, Stevens lives solely on the kindness and He feels Mobile, in particular, is graced with a beauty and sim- A year later, he began his third and current journey. generosity of others. plicity found nowhere else in the country. Along the way, Stevens has experienced his fair share of dif- “I’m very serious about this walk. I left everything that I had “Everything about Mobile is beautiful, but there are people here ficulties. Traveling the state of Texas took him three years alone. in California to do this, because I wanted to show what faith can that don’t realize how beautiful they have it. If I wasn’t a Saints fan, “It’s a huge state, for one. A lot of bad weather. I got attacked get you.” I would probably move to Mobile.” by some wild pigs, which put me in the hospital for a while. I got Although Stevens never asks for donations, gifts are appreciated Although Stevens has experienced a lot of hardship in his life, attacked by some snakes. I got attacked by a brown recluse spider. when he receives them. he’s still grateful for everything that has happened to him. I got flipped over by a couple of windstorms and tornados. I got “Wal-Mart is one of my sponsors. You can go to Wal-Mart, give “Sometimes God blesses you with a catastrophe. He blesses you caught in a sandstorm … My daughter passed away in 2011 so I them whatever you want to donate, and then call me at 619-592- with a death. God gives us the ability to choose, and you learn from had to go back for her. She actually died in my arms.” 5161 and give me the reference number … I’d rather get a gift card every single blessing.” One of his goals for the journey is to collect personal and family or cash, that way I can get things I need.” After he reaches Miami and completes his journey, he’s going to histories from the people he meets along the way. Although the journey has been arduous, Stevens has not had to write an autobiography and create a documentary about his experi- “I promised God that I would stop at every single town, I don’t accomplish it alone. He has a dog named Roxy that has accompa- ences. Not for the money, he clarifies, but because he wants to share care how big or small, to find the history of it.” nied him along the way. them with the world and, in doing so, glorify God. The oral histories Stevens is collecting in many ways paral- “She’s a protector. She’s faithful, patient. You touch something “It’s not about me. It’s about Him. I’m just a vessel God’s using lels New York eccentric Joe Gould’s “Oral History of Our Time,” on the rickshaw, you’re going to leave something there. You’re go- to do this.”

September 3, 2015 - September 9, 2015 | LAGNIAPPE | 53 STYLEMOBILE MAGNIFIED As summer winds down, crammin’ in the crazy BY BOOZIE BEER NUES/SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

t’s been another busy week for Boozie. If y’all keep it up, I’m spotted at Cafe 615 and Starbucks. Pretty cool! sories. Pretzel necklaces were the most popular choice, with beer going to have to hire more spies and, trust me, they aren’t mug hats coming in second. Boozie did see one guy wearing a cheap. I have to pay them in drinks and that adds up quick with Beer Fest shenanigans cheese block hat. I guess that was so his friends wouldn’t lose him those lushes. So grab your Beer Fest mug, fill it with water and Where do I begin to tell you about the 18th annual Dauphin in the crowds. Smart thinking! Ihydrate before taking a dip into this week’s intoxicating gossip. Street Beer Fest, which took place downtown this past Satur- As the night went on, things got a little more exciting. At day night? I’ll start with ticket sales. If you were hoping to get B-Bobs, the ladies were promoting their 9 p.m. drag show, which Ice cream boss tickets once you arrived downtown, you missed out. Boozie’s spy one spy said was quite entertaining. With all the buzz around Donald Trump and Haley Joel Os- reported most of the bars had sold out of tickets by Friday and all And one gentleman must have had a few too many, as he de- ment being in town, Boozie missed that TLC television series tickets were sold out by 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Great for Beer Fest, cided to take a little “nap” on the street near the Saenger Theatre. “Cake Boss” star and owner of Carlo’s Bakery Buddy Valastro bad for procrastinators. Strangely, he was sporting jorts, a hard hat and cowboy boots and was in town. Buddy and his wife, Lisa, and their four kids were Next up, the crowds. Beer Fest really packed the streets of his face was directly on the concrete. We’re not really sure what seen at Biscuit King in Fairhope, The Original Oyster House and downtown. Lots of people plus hot weather equals lots of beer he was working on before Beer Fest, but he clearly put in some Nappie winner Cammie’s Old Dutch. drinking, which leads to long lines, but no one seemed to mind. overtime lifting his mug to his mouth. Boozie heard Cammie wanted to give Buddy a taste of Mobile, Huge crowds were spotted outside many local establishments as Outside the Crescent Theater one lady tripped and hit the so she made a special batch of salted caramel Moon Pie ice cream patrons sampled a variety of tasty craft brews. Pat’s had what is ground, but got up and refilled her beer like a true champ. Boozie that she only makes at Mardi Gras. Why can’t Boozie get that being called by many as “the best beer there,” Crabbie’s Ginger applauds such effort. Then later at O’Daly’s one guy decided to kind of love? Beer. Boozie hears some locations ran out of beer earlier than try his luck at cartwheels. After an evening of drinking beer, it Boozie is excited that Old Dutch, one of her favorite ice cream expected, but it didn’t seem that affected the collective level of went about as well as you’d expect, face planted into the ground. joints, will be making an appearance on “Cake Boss” in February. inebriation. Boozie just loves when everyone is brought together over I’ll be watching with a spoon and a bowl of salted caramel Moon Last but not least, Beer Fest shenanigans. Boozie isn’t sure if drinking. It’s good for the gossip biz! Pie ice cream in hand. Can’t wait, and way to go, Cammie and the some people were left over from the Donald Trump circus or if Old Dutch crew! people were just getting a little too deep in the suds and acting out. Pay attention to the road One man was quite the entertainment outside Noble South, We all know people do some pretty gross and and/or distract- We’re ready for our close-up riding his bike backwards, sitting on the handlebars facing the ing things in their cars like picking their nose and/or cutting their Lagniappe is hitting the big screen! Freddie Highmore, who seat and pedaling around. I think he falls into the circus category. fingernails and/or texting, but Boozie witnessed a first. While played Charlie in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” will He wasn’t the only source of street entertainment, though. At driving down Government Boulevard, I saw a man shaving his be reading a Lagniappe in the latest film being shot in Mobile, Cathedral Square, there was a guy playing slower versions of head. Yep, shaving his head. Granted he was using an electric ra- “Holding Patterns.” The paper is currently looking for an agent Elton John songs on his keyboard. One of the hot dog vendors zor but still, that’s just gross. Where does the hair go? I hope none and hoping for an Oscar. must have been really moved by Sir Elton and climbed atop an ice fell into the cup he was drinking from at the red light. Ewwwww! Speaking of “Holding Patterns,” word on the street is Chris- chest and began shaking it for the crowd. (Insert your own wiener topher Meloni (of “Law and Order: SVU” fame) and Marg Hel- joke here.) Well, kids, that’s all I’ve got this week. Just remember, genberger also star in the film. It was rumored that ehy shot some Most people were dressed for the weather in cool clothing, but whether rain or shine, dramatic or scandalous, or just some plain scenes at a house in De Tonti Square, and Meloni reportedly was some were a little more prepared for Beer Fest with their acces- ol’ Crabbie Ginger Beer lovin’, I will be there. Ciao!

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