March 31, 2011

Today I spent most of my time hunting for receipts for my business so I can take everything to H&R Block tomorrow. I left for a little while to pick up mail at city hall. Tonight we are scheduled to attend a silent auction at 301 Conti for The St. Paul Episcopal Church.

March 30, 2011

This afternoon, Chickasaw had its first School Board meeting, or should I say: preparatory School Board meeting.  Susan Salter gave the board a short course in what they could do and what they couldn't do in conducting business of the city's schools. For instance, (just like the Commercial, Industrial and Board Of Adjustment) all business falls under the "Sunshine Law" now referred to as the OMA "open meeting act". Since the school board will be directly affecting the citizens money, children and jobs, there are going to be strong dissagrements which could end in lawsuit, therefore the board will need general as well as errors and omissions liability coverage. Their first priority will be to appoint a board president, then a school superintendent or interim, temporary position.

March 29, 2011

Tonight I had a committee meeting with the Knights Of Columbus to assign workers for the April 15 Church Fish Fry. Then Deb and I went up to Huddle House to catch a late dinner. Here are a few more of the pictures from Sundays Flower Show,

March 28, 2011

At Kiwanis lunch today we voted on accepting two new members: Gary Smallwood and Susan Walker. Ervin Dailey suggested we donate school supplies to the State Kiwanis. Our program chair for the month, Sylvia Heard, introduced our speaker Robert McFall, representing the new Chickasaw School Board. He is a retired Air Force employee who laid out what would be expected of the new system.

March 27, 2011

After church this morning I went with two friends to Logans Road House for lunch. We hit Sears, where my friend purchased a string weed trimmer.
We were off to the Mobile Flower Show at Providence Hospital. . . all the time thinking I would be bored. But hey!. . .It was actually quite good with lots of ideas for a back yard oasis. I took way more pictures than I can show here, but maybe I'll attach more on a later blog.

March 26, 2011

Being fond aficionados of microbrewery beer, we enjoyed going to Cathedral Square this afternoon for HopsFest. Beers such as Tommyknocker Golden Saison Ale was delicious while Great Divide Hercules IPA, "not so much" (a little too bitter with hops for my taste). You could stay and sample all 47 beers and ales if you wish (and it appeared by the lively conversation that some were), but knowing that I had to make it back to Chickasaw, I decided to keep my driving wits about me and settled for about six samples. Great people-watching at the event.

March 24. 2011

This afternoon I had a chat with the mayor about using the J.C. Davis auditorium for the Joint Saraland-Chickasaw Chamber meeting on August 18. He didn't seem to hve any problems with it if we arrange everything with Kathy Couey. I found time later to check in with my favorite watering hole for coffee.

March 23, 2011

Beautiful day to go the beach. Deb and friend went shopping at Eastern Shore and I went to Dauphin Island. Spring must be over because airconditioning is on at home and also in the car. Tomorrow I must get busy on Citizen Of The Year tickets.

March 22, 2011

After going to vote today, I dropped by to check on the Safe House. It looks great and the inside is coming along well. The drainage area in the back is nothing short of professional. Deborah and I had dinner at Huddle House with Margaret and Charles and it was off to the Council meeting for me. The financial budget of over $50,000. was approved and the council voted to pay for training on a few Planning Commission members.

March 21, 2011

Today is the first day of spring and you can tell. It is about 85 degrees and as nice of a day as you could ask for. We met for Kiwanis lunch and our guest speaker was Gary Smallwood  who spoke on the wide scope of products manufactured by UOP (a Honeywell Corp.) was originally Universal Oil Products. Everything from thermostats to molecular sieves, UOP is a well diversified company.

March 20, 2011

Went to mass this morning then out to Satsuma to get a fellow knights signature. We then drove down to Fairhope to the annual Arts Festival and Train Show held in the Church St. Kindergarden. Lots of exhibitors and plenty of people, we said hello to some friends from our train club. Then back to Mobile after stopping at Tacky Jacks for some gumbo and a "po-boy" sandwich.

March 19. 2011

Tonight we attended the Mobile Symphony presentation of Mendelssohn"s violin concerto starring Chee Yun from our sister city in Japan. She was marvelous, playing a Stradivarius violin and receiving several encores. The second half of the evening was Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony (Pathetique) which was his last. He died nine weeks after completing the piece. Pictured are Chee Yun and conductor Scott Speck honoring the bassoon section.

March 18, 2011

Last night we attended the Municipal Dinner held this month in Chickasaw. The Civic Center was packed, necessitating them setting up an additional table in the back of the room. Adam Bourne did a great job as President introducing his two guest speakers: Dr Roy Nichols, superintendent of Mobile County Schools and a young lady from Mobile Co. Health Department who spoke on the importance of eliminating cigarettes from our culture. The barbeque was good and the evening a success.

March 17, 2011

A pleasant St. Patricks day to ya.  This morning at Chamber Of Commerce we had a great lunch provided by our sponsor, Chickasaw United Methodist Church.  Our speaker was Stephanie Constantine, owner of Human Resources Consulting, LLC. who gave us some rather amusing stories about employers (as well as employees) who violated laws against age and sexual discrimination, drug testing and social networking. The lunch was sponsored by Chickasaw United Methodist Church and the meeting was well attended.

March 16, 2011

The painting of the Ladies Auxiliary room is completed and not a moment too soon. Corresponded today with the mayor and councilman about

ordinances we vote in then seem to let others forget. Oh well. . . it's only politics. Deb and I are enamored with this fine weather. You can actually sit on the patio to eat.

March 15, 2011

Today I did some painting with Charles Czajkowski of the Ladies Auxiliary Room at the church. And later this evening I had newsletters printed for the Chamber Of Commerce afterwards conducting a meeting of the Commercial Board where we voted to allow Cam to open a restaurant at the corner of Viaduct and Highway 43 (where the old Carlson Muffler Shop used to stand).

March 14, 2011

Today we had Kiwanis lunch and voted to give both of the Chickasaw girl's softball teams $300. each for their summer program. We also approved $42.

each to change the location address on the city's three Kiwanis signs coming into town. Ervin Dailey gave a program and showed us a documentary on Ireland, in time for St. Patricks day, coming up shortly. This evening I attended a Planning Committee meeting where the groups responsibilities were discussed.

March 13, 2011

We were invited to attend a lunch honoring Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt, a long time music minister for the Chickasaw First Baptist Church and a professor with the University of Mobile. "Dr. B" has suffered lately with ill health and this was a tribute to his remarkable life. Several councilmen and the mayor and his wife were on-hand to salute this gentleman and Mrs. Bergdolt. Pictured is JoAnne McKnight of the Mobile Press and my best wishes to the Dr.

March 12, 2011

Deb and I went over to clean the floors in the Knights Room today, stopping to donate some money to Dollar General for cleaning supplies and a mop. Before coming back, we stopped for a bite to eat and conversation about the kids and life in general.

March 11, 2011

Tonight was the Knights Of Columbus Fish Fry and I would say we did rather well. We had 150 tickets printed and wound up selling them again after they had been turned in. Most of the Council turned out to help fry, serve in the kitchen or bread the fish. The latter was my job and the picture above was taken when Councilman Bourne showed up to check and see if I had washed my hands before he ordered his dinner.

March 10, 2011

I corresponded with our mayor and Councilman Bourne about the new House Bill written to prohibit any Alabama city under 20,000 in population from having their own school system. This is being done to keep the large systems such as Mobile Co. Schools fully funded. Please write your  Rep. Randy Davis and tell him you are against this legislation. Tonight Deb and I did some shopping and had dinner at Fuego (the Mexican restaurant) on Old Shell Road.

March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday, carnival is over and Lent has begun. We had a Mass at 11:00 AM to receive the ashes on our foreheads. Then we had lunch and listened to an interesting and amusing view on Lent and becoming a Deacon of the church. Day after tomorrow is the Knights Fish Fry at 5:30 PM. See me for tickets or just come to the church for a wonderful catfish dinner on Friday including fish, fries, slaw, hushpuppies, corn, bread and dessert. Take out or Dine In. See ya there.

March 8, 2011

Given the exalted day of Mardi-Gras, the completed preparation of the fatted calf and the parade of the morning. . . we all met at the Shriner's Temple for the dancing and revelry associated with the occasion. There was dancing, eating, imbibing of intoxicating elixirs and great fun. Pictured are Horace and Bonnie Allen doing the shag and a mug shot by Margaret Czajkowski, Deborah Hayward and Sara Jane Whitley.

March 7, 2011

Monday at Kiwanis lunch, we had our monthly business meeting. We have a total of $5,057. in our general and project fund. We are now starting to prepare for our 5K run on May 21st beginning at the Civic Center. We also voted to provide a $300. scholarship to Lori Jardet who is studying at USA to be a chef. A guest, Ms Lori Hammond, retired librarian was with us
today and is considering membership in our club.

March 6, 2011

Had a very productive Knights meeting after mass, then over to Huddle House for breakfast. We headed to town and actually found a parking space on St. Louis to walk to the Joe Cain parade, Since we had about an hour before the event, it was Bud time at the Joe Cain lounge in the Battle House. As the police came down the street on their "hogs" we paid our bill and stepped outside just in time to catch the first volley of beads and peanuts. Paying our respects to Joe's Merry Widows, there was lots of assorted favors to pluck from the air.

March 5, 2011

After meeting a couple of my Knights Of Columbus officers this morning, I attended a Railroad Modelers meeting. This guy has such a great layout and I always enjoy going to his home to view it. Chickasaw was supposed to have a Childrens Mardi-Gras parade, but if it happened, I missed it. This afternoon Home Depot came by to give me a new window estimate, just before it started pouring again. I'm not even going to risk going downtown for tonights parade. . . this is a good evening for homemade spaghetti, strawberry pie and staying home.

March 4, 2011

This was office day for me. Had to correspond with an idb client and prepare my Sunday morning Knights report. This afternoon I took Deborahs Nissan up to Tommy's Pride (screw in the tread=flat tire) As usual, he made quick work of it. It helps to have the right tools.

March 3, 2011

Went by city hall to pick up my commercial board and industrial board mail. Tonight we have Commercial Board meeting to vote on Carmin Cargo Control, a testing company who wishes to move into Chickasaw. They are out of Pasadena, Texas and are considering a move to the old Intertek Building.

March 2, 2011

Margaret and Charles Czajkowski have been painting the Ladies Auxiliary room the last few days and I stopped by to help them. I'm not sure if it was my poor painting or not but I was elected to pick up the lunch. We're about half through with the priming, then on to the base color.

March 1, 2011

Today was the first Garden Club meeting of the year. We went over the agenda for the Spring Plant Sale and the rest of the years programs. Tonight we were invited to a party at Phelps Dunbar Law Associates for some elegant dining and to watch the LaShe Parade from the balcony on the second floor.

 The bar was open and roast beef and crayfish tarts were beyond reproach.