April 30, 2011

You may have noticed that I did not blog yesterday. I was on my way to Birmingham fot the Annual Knights of Columbus State Convention at the Sheraton Hotel. I was fortunate enough to have dinner at the same table as ArchBishop Thomas Rodi and Former ArchBishop of the Mobile diocese, Oscar  Lipscomb. Today was all the meetings as well as voting for next years State Officers. Then Saturday afternoon I skipped the dinner and dance (since Deborah couldn't go) and returned to Mobile where Deb was waiting to go to our last scheduled symphony of the season: Stravinsky's "The Firebird".

April 28, 2011

Tonight the Chickasaw Commercial Development Board meets to vote on the acceptance of Saucy Q BarbeQue to be licensed in the city. Unless my collegues have a differing opinion, I am sure they will be accepted. We have spent several years trying to intice them to locate here. Meeting will be at 7 PM in City Hall. They plan to locate between Little Caesars and the ABC liquor store on N. Craft Highway.

April 27, 2011

Even though the wind was blowing gusts at 25 to 30 knots and the bay was splashing water completely over the east bound lane, the church group met to eat lunch at the Oyster House and the take the pontoon boat out for a one hour excursion around the bay. We are entering into a new phase with the church where the Knights and Ladies Aux will be tackling a lot of new landscaping projects.

April 26, 2011

If you haven't been over to the vacant lot the city owns on 43 at Viaduct, you should drive by and take a look. The beginnings of a new park are slowly starting and will soon be an area you can eat lunch, relax or just watch the traffic on N. Craft. It wll feature the historical marker given to us by Governor Riley last October as well as the old Worthington pump once used to pump hurricane water from the port basin. Just heard that there was a major gas leak on 12th Ave. 3 blocks west of Iroquois this afternoon. The area was roped off by police.

April 25, 2011

Our speaker today at Kiwanis was Gerald Burch. Gerald followed college by enlisting in the Military Police and then on to Deputy Sherriff of the Los Angeles California police. In 1985 his missionary church work took him to Japan and then he served as an English language translator in a church in Bangkok, Thailand. He plans to return to Japan to help with the cleanup and he showed us a film of the actual tsunami that hit a small town north of the epicenter where 9500 people lost their lives.

April 24, 2011

Happy Easter everyone!  Yesterday I dropped by Callahans Irish Pub for a pint o' ale and much to my surprise when I opened the door was Adam and Jenny Bourne. They were part of a party celebrating the retirement of one of Jenny's teacher friends at Davidson High School. I joined the celebration for a quick one, then headed out to finish my errands. Today, after Mass we were invited to participate in a family dinner at our neighbors, Bob and Nell Barnes along with their son and wife and their sons and daughter and their kids (shown) It was a pleasant afternoon watching the family play and the great grand parents trying to limit the amount of sugar intake of the little ones.

April 22, 2011

We attended the Municipal Dinner last night at Dauphin Island. A gentleman from the Estuarial Foundation spoke to us about the rebirth of oyster beds in South Alabama. Six of us from Chickasaw attended the meal of shrimp,fried talapia and beef brisket. President Adam Bourne conducted the meeting well and several members of council, such as Tom Williams (shown) related events and amusing stories to the crowd of about 75 persons. 

April 21, 2011

At the Chamber Of Commerce today we were sponsored by Southern Ionics, headed up by Gil Craig. He had catered the lunch through The Brick Pit which provided some very tasty barbecue ribs and pulled pork. Gil gave us a brief synopsis on some of the everyday products that they manufacture which eventually find their way to the consumer. Our special speaker was Anitra Henderson affiliated with the "Just Breathe Initiative" division of the Mobile Health Dept. Her information was timely and so imperative that one of the Chamber Board members made a motion that 

the Chamber (and eventually the City Council) adopt a smoke-free status for Chickasaw.

April 20, 2011

And another day blessed with a fine Easter message and a great meal. Chickasaw First Baptist Church fed us some fine chicken and dumplings along with a dessert of peach cobbler and ice cream. Spence Walker from CenterPoint Assembly Of God spoke on spiritual love and reminded us that love can be interrpreted in many ways. This was augmented by the joke about the son who gave his mother a parrot that had memorized the entire Holy Bible only to find that later she thanked him for the delicious chicken.

April 19, 2011

The First Baptist Church had lunch and an Easter message for us all. The speaking pastor was Steve Warren, a friend of mine from Chickasaw United Methodist Church, just one of the many pastors appearing during Holy
Week. After lunch I drove down to Mobile Museum Of Art to meet with John Vacaro about the acoustic problems in the lobby. He  has asked me to work up a proposal for absorbers and diffusors to improve speech articulation in that great domed area.

April 18, 2011

At Kiwanis lunch today we had two lovely ladies on site to help "kick-off" our Kiwanis 5K Run which will be occuring Saturday May 21, 2011 at 8 AM. Registration begins from 6:30 till 7:30 AM. Some great prizes and trophies have been chosen for this years event and beans and rice, pizza and beer will be available after the run for the competitors. Pictured from left to right are President Ervin Dailey, Deb Domke presenting a check from New Horizons Credit Union to the Kiwanis Lt. Governor George Givens and Peggy Olive, Race Director.

April 17, 2011

What a Sunday!  After church this morning, I went to the store for necessary ingredients for a salad for 50 persons.  At 5 PM I delivered the salad and myself to the Parish cafeteria to Attend a Seder Supper (that's a meal the Jewish faith celebrate in preparation for Passover) then we had a full lamb and beef meal. Leaving the Catholic Church I headed for the Cantata at First Baptist Church where my neighbor sings in the Choir. They did splendidly, then next door th their fellowship hall for another dinner. Busy, but very enjoyable day.

April 16, 2011

Everyone had a great time working together as brother Knights at last evenings St. Thomas Fish Fry. We were scared that few people would come because of the threatening severe weather, but we had a respectfully decent crowd and made a little money to boot. The fish was 

cooked perfectly, not partially burnt like last time (when I cooked) and the desserts were yummy. While the cleanup went until late, the Ladies Auxiliary helped us wrap things up and we love them for their kind assistance. 

April 15, 2011

Last night we went to Chickasaw Night at Hank Aaron Stadium. Mickey Day threw out the first pitch, then we settled in for some free hamburgers and hot dogs. The game was good but somewhat uneventful since the Baybears scored the one and only run of the game. The top picture is "Whiplash" the Monkey right before he rounded up a herd of trained goats. The next photo is Deborah and her trained monkey.

April 14, 2011

Senior Easter lunch was today with harp and piano music by Mr./Mrs. McKrackin and a timely Easter message by Dr. Dale Younce. Younce's father used to own Younce Hardware on Highway 43 where L&L lawnmower repair sits now.The meal was organized by Kathey Couey and catered by Sonny's Barbeque. Before the door prizes were awarded, the appearance of the Easter Bunny occured, who circulated throughout the room hugging and patting guests heads.

April 13, 2011

The Seniors meeting was today and we decided to eat lunch at the Barnyard Buffet. A boat trip has been planned for later this month from the 5-rivers Delta. Deborah brought along the tickets to the friday Fish Fry, day after tomorrow. Looking forward to a good crowd. I will be battering the fish and helping out with frying and tables. Come by, have a great dinner and say hello.

April 12, 2011

Had lunch with the Saraland Chamber today where the speaker was Regina Malisham (Stakeholder Liaison) for the Internal Revenue Service. Basically she reiterated that the small business and self employed are responsible for learning and integrating the new tax laws into their monthly preparedness. She was noting the new health care rules and paperwork that would be of interest to most employers and that she was available to discuss any question which might arise by emailing regina.p.malisham@irs.gov Caterer for the lunch was Tyners, who are often used by the Chickasaw Chamber.

April 11, 2011

We had an absolutely packed house at Kiwanis this morning. In addition to having as a speaker, Charles Saucier, the owner of Americas Best Motel and the recently opened "Huddle House", we had three members from the oldest Kiwanis chapter in Alabama. (Mobile Chapter) Charles gave us a history of his career as a CPA, and when he sold piece of property in Mississippi, he was forced to purchase another withis 90 days to avoid a hefty capital gains tax.

He chose the motel chain, up for sale in Chickasaw and has had a great experience with our city ever since.

April 10, 2011

Charl Schwartzel from South Africa won the Augusta Masters today at 14 under par.While most people don't get to see the beautiful country club other than on television, I had the pleasure of having a franchise in Augusta and while I never had the opportunity to wait twenty-five years on a list to get tickets to the tournament, I did tour the grounds in off-season. Spectacular!

April 9, 2011

This evening we had dinner at 215 downtown on Conti St. then took our seats at the Mobile Symphony where we saw the best concert so far this season. The featured music was Schuberts Unfinished Symphony, then after the interrmission, Beethovens Ninth known as "Ode To Joy" This selection introduced a one hundred person choir including Baritone Matthew Burns, Tenor Richard Clement, Mezzo Soprano Jan Wilson and Soprano Teresa Santiago. They received several encores and large bouquets of flowers.

April 8, 2011

Deborah and I went to St Dominick's Church tonight with the Czajkowskis to attend one of their fish frys. We got there rather early, so we had no problem getting a table. St. Dominicks is usually packed at one of these events. The morning and afternoon included ordering infrared links and audio mixers for a couple of my clients.

April 7, 2011

We all gathered over at the Civic Center tonight and Judy Smith called Kathy Couey at the Methodist Church around 6:30 PM to tell her she was needed immediately because of a water leak in the center. When Kathy arrived and was still looking rather confused, the crowd broke into Happy Birthday To You.

Not only was she surprised, but was teary-eyed when she was presented with a monetary "love offering" to help finance her July trip to Costa Rico. Cake, punch and candy were served by Nell Autry and the staff. Folks in Chickasaw think a lot of Ms. Kathy.

April 6, 2011

Last night, we did vote in Patrick Swanson owner of S&P Automotive to open his business at 550 Thompson Blvd. If you don't already have a shop for your vehicle, consider giving him a try. He is a born and bred Chickasaw boy. We picked up lunch/dinner at The Huddle House and tonight

I will "chair" the St.Thomas Parish Counsel to decide what events we will undertake and what needs done around the church.

April 5, 2011

The Chickasaw Garden Club met this afternoon and we discussed what we could do to make the center medium look better up at Brooks Park. The suggestion was two big patches of day-lilies that would propagate itself each year. They would need to be mulched twice a year to keep down the spread of Johnson Grass, but little or no additional attention. Tonight the Commercial Board meets to vote on acceptance of a new automotive business on Thompson Blvd.

April 4, 2011

This morning we met for Kiwanis lunch and held our business meeting. We have $4,483. in our active general and project fund. Discussion was held about voting for new officers and there seemed to be some disagreement whether a member can be president more than one term. It will get "hashed out"  in May. Tonight I was voted in as a member of the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee, brought up for nomination by Adam Bourne. I will need to pay my dues and join one of the subcommittees by the next meeting.

April 3, 2011

Last evening, Deb and I decided to check in on the Mobile Country Music Association. It has been about 4 or 5 months since we had the time to listen to some fine pickin'. As always, they didn't disappoint, providing everything from Merle Haggard to Hank Williams. We also want to congratulate our next door neighbors: Bob and Nell Barnes at 403 Myrtlewood Ave. for winning Yard Of The Month in Chickasaw.

April 2, 2011

Some low-life piece of trash broke the hasp on the Knights Of Columbus contribution box for our churches Seminarians (young men studying to be priests) in the vestibule of the church and took the $40. or $50. therein.

On a more upbeat note, Deb and I enjoyed lunch at the picnic tables in Brooks Park Saturday afternoon with a cool breeze coming off the water. We were devastated to hear about the traffic fatality on Telegraph Rd. in Chickasaw yesterday.

April 1, 2011

Having a lunch appoinment which was cancelled, I decided to run up to Barnyard Buffett and share company with Stephanie from the City and the Seniors For Lunch Bunch. Had the opportunity to pass on information about calling our representative about HR Bills 140 and 183.