January 31, 2011

Today at Kiwanis we voted to contribute $100. to the family in Eight Mile that had their house consumed by fire a couple of weeks ago. I picked up some paint and caulking for the Knights, then decided to run down to Springhill Golf Course and putt a few balls. Not rainy, but not pretty weather either.

January 30, 2011

The St. Thomas Knights and Ladies were invited to St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Eight Mile for Quarterly Communion. I had never attended this old church before and was greatly impressed. It was constructed in 1867

and is in magnificent shape for it's age. Council #666 provided breakfast after Mass and I had the opportunity to sit accross from Joe Behr, Secretary for the Alabama State Deputy. Pictured is the old rectory and dining hall.

January 29, 2011

At 12:30 PM the six busses pulled out from Mobile Gas and were given a police escort to Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the Senior Bowl. We were escorted to a huge tent where beer, wine, softdrinks and delicious food catered by Alec Naman was served. We had also received a wrist band from Mannings Food For Less to their tent and shared some food with them as well. The game went well with the South pulling off a win. Delightful time was had by all.

January 28, 2011

Saraland woman casually waits for police to arrive after she hit the other car so hard it fractured her entire axle. Wish I could have heard what the two ladies were saying.  I got my Senior Bowl tickets this afternoon and had the opportunity to have a Huddle House meeting with our Mayor.

January 27, 2011

In the process of securing my Senior Bowl tickets from a friend today. Will pick them up tomorrow. Finally finished poly-urethaning the threshold to the Knights room and will glue it down after I get my tickets.

January 26, 2011

Couple hours of office work and some correspondence with JoAnne McKnight before Deb got home from work. We had an early dinner at Huddle House, then a trip to Whistler to find St Bridget's Catholic Church where I have to be this coming Sunday. Now we'll catch some American Idol. (in fact, picture is one of tonight's contestants)

January 25, 2011

While Frank Coate and I were cutting pieces of baseboard, Charles Czajkowski was busy caulking and painting it (jockey shorts showing and all) as we progressed around the Knights Room. The wood floor had previously been laid by Paul LaPiane and Frank who did a remarkably good job. The next thing to happen is the central air HVAC and a service bar with refrigerator to be installed for our coffee and drinks. 

January 24, 2011

I took Deb to Kiwanis lunch where we discussed an upcoming pancake breakfast and our May 5K run. Our president had picked out some potential 1st place trophies and will present them next meeting. After lunch, Deb and went to UPS for some printing work to be done for her woman's club meeting tonight. While employees cut the booklets and punched them for 3-ring binding, we stepped next door to Moka for some coffee.

January 23, 2011

After mass this morning we went to the carwash to remove the bird "dookie" that was on the vehicle from yesterday's Biloxi trip. Since we were a bit hungry, Deb took me to Canes chicken restaurant at Springdale mall. First time I've ever been and it was tasty.

January 22, 2011

This morning we drove over to the Mardi Gras float barn so Deb could pick up her costume. When that was done we headed to Biloxi for some

R&R. Deb parlayed $1. into $12.61 on a penny slot at the Hard Rock casino. We had a great lunch at the hotel and she bought some charms and pins from the gift shop. Stopping by the Isle Hotel on the way out we played some more machines and had a couple of drinks at the bar. I would 

have liked a beer, but being on antibiotics for a cold, I had to settle for a diet Pepsi

January 21, 2011

Last night Deborah and I attended the Municipal Association meeting held at the Saraland Civic Center. We heard from Dr. Vickers about continuing the school taxes coming to a vote in March and our main speaker was Judge Naman, of the Juvenile Court System. He reiterated how important a fathers image is while raising a child and how one small act of kindness and care can make such a difference in the outcome of an adolescent. Catfish Junction catered the event.

January 20, 2011

Today's Chamber Of Commerce meeting was an extremely productive and informative event. We gave the "Business Of The Month" award to Charles Saucier, owner of the new Huddle House and had the installation of new officers and board members.  Senator Vivian Figures joined us for our board meeting and also addressed the chamber body about the future of the
State. Our main speaker, Brent McMahan from the small Business Administration helped to prepare us for starting an entrepreneurial endeavor and assured us that the banks are now pulling out of a once severe housing problem. Our new president, Terri Pringle did a fine job.

January 18, 2011

The Chamber Of Commerce was delighted to receive an original painting by Rick Rush of University Of Alabama's Heisman Trophy winner: Mark Ingram. It is on display at the Library and will be auctioned off to a lucky Crimson Tide memorabilia collector. This will become some lucky persons "centerpiece" for their home or office. Chamber meeting is Thursday and you're invited! We are also proud to announce that the Commercial Board approved the installation of a new restaurant with adjoining car lot located where the old Carlson's Muffler shop sat deteriorating for the past few years.

January 17, 2011

We attended a dinner held by Deborah's Mardi Gras order tonight and had a great time. While the ladies were meeting, David and I played some pool over in the bar area. Deborah had purchased one (1) raffle ticket and when we met back up at the end of their meeting, she had won an $800. computer, docking station and 15" LCD monitor with her single ticket. Not bad for an evening of fun.

January 16, 2011

After mass this morning, my friend Tim Creamer and I had the pleasure of presenting a check from the Knights Of Columbus to the Mobile Association for The Blind. Receiving the check for almost $500. was Jim Bullock, who took the time to invite those men in the church who weren't Knights at this time to consider joining this worthwhile organization.

January 15, 2011

This Saturday afternoon the Library had open house so I joined them for a cup of punch and some conversation. This evening Deborah and I attended the Mobile Symphony at the Saenger Theatre where guest conductor Teresa Cheung led the performances of music by Beethoven, Ravel and Mozart. Mozarts composition for flute and harp was nothing short of spectacular.

January 14, 2011

Mobile Art Walk was this Friday evening and while it was a bit chilly, it wasn't quite as windy as last night. We had some hot apple cider at the Art Council then walked up a few doors to the new Artology shop next to Spot Of Tea. They had some neat pictures and some jewelry which Deb admired. We brought home some hand painted cards and envelopes featuring blue crabs done by Michelle Leech. We also stopped by Jim Hayward's art display on N. Jackson Street where he had 18" square paintings and sculpture for sale. Jim has many pieces on display in Chickasaw including the Civic Theatre and the Library. A stop for some coffee and king-cake at Serda and we were on our way home.

January 13, 2011

I was asked to be one of the three judges for the Science Invention Event at Chickasaw School of Math and Science (formerly Clark Middle School) today. I have done this in the past and these kids are nothing short of remarkable. Some of the ideas are patentable and most of the entrants have a good outlook as engineering graduates. I was presented with a gift by Michelle Adams, the school principal.

January 12, 2011

The St. Thomas Seniors had lunch today at the Admiral Semmes Hotel and afterwards visited the Mobile Museum Of Art.  The windchill downtown felt like twenty below although it probably wasn't even freezing. Living here in Paradise makes everyone a "wimp" in the winter.

January 11, 2011

Tonight was the first council meeting of the year and was presided over by Mayor Pro-Tem Jennifer White. We voted to allow alcoholic beverages to be served at the Best Western Hotel owned by Charles Saucier in their

lounge. Several streets where stormwater damage has destroyed driveways was voted to procure contracts for repair. The school board was assigned their terms of service.

January 10, 2011

At Kiwanis lunch we talked about the success of Saturdays Disc Golf Tournament. The event netted about $1,900. to use toward our charities and was considered well attended with almost a hundred registered to
play. We gave out winners gifts and sold hamburgers and sausage dogs at the Civic Center.

January 9, 2011

After mass this morning we went downtown and saw the last runners of the 5K passing the finish line and had a coffee at Serda. We then decided, due to the bad weather outlook, to stop at the new Winn Dixie store at Government and Catherine and lay in some supplies. The store is an

answer to the Publix Markets appearing in Alabama and has some great "buy one-get one free" bargains.

January 8, 2011

We drove to Prattville today for the Knights Of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary State meeting, being held at the Mariott Conference Center. This was for Grand Knights and District Deputies and quite a bit of business was discussed. We finally left about 4 PM to make the trip back to Mobile.

January 7, 2011

Paid some bills and talked to a few local church pastors about microphones this morning. Preparing to do some carpentry work this afternoon when my bride came home and wanted to go to the Huddle House. For those of you who used to enjoy "All In The Family", the picture given to me by a friend is entitled: "Stifle yourself, Edith!!!"

January 6, 2011

Tonight we waded through traffic to get to Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the Go-Daddy Bowl game between Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee University.   We were given special guest passes to the "Yellow Tail Wine" tent where barbeque, chicken tenders, chili and potato salad were served along with all the wine or beer you wished to partake. While we certainly had good seats(about the 45 yard line), it got darn chilly and Deb decided the steel bench seats were freezing her bottom, so we left around the end of the third quarter.
There were so many cars we would still be there if we had waited till the end of the game.

January 4, 2011

I had promised my friends, Margaret and Charles Czajkowski, to bring them a pizza for lunch if they would start on the final painting of the Knights Of Columbus storage building. They had finished the first coat and were  

ready for some food.  Tonight we have an Industrial Development Board meeting to decide on a new plant wanting to move into the port.

January 3, 2011

Today was our Kiwanis lunch and the first Monday of the month is our business meeting. We talked a great deal about our National Disc Golf tournament which occurs this Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Civic Center. Each entering player gets a free disc and there will be hamburgers and sausage dogs from Carnes Craigs barbeque truck for sale. The club purpose is to raise money for children in need.

January 2, 2011

Had our Knights Of Columbus meeting this morning and we decided to paint the storage shed and the Ladies Auxiliary room next week. Tonight we were invited to the "meet the players" reception for the annual Go-Daddy Bowl at Ladd Stadium where they fed us very well. Will be attending the game this Thursday if it doesn't rain. Sorry about the picture quality, but it was shot with a camera phone by a friend.

January 1, 2011

The great Moon Pie fell last night, but without me and Deborah. Fortunately I had parked in an area we could leave expeditiously, since it rained on and off all night. Deborah had to get up very early, so the magic

hour of midnight was just not to be. But who doesn't like the O'Jays (we all remember "Love Train") My friend called this morning to tell me I was a wimp. . .