It's News to Mobile...

 It's News to Mobile...

by Preston Brady III

December 14, 2023

One of my spies, who goes by the code name Clemmie, planted a bug in my ear about one of the oldest living things in America. No, it's not me, yet, but rather the Duffie Oak on Carolina Avenue, off Dauphin Street, not far from Moe's Original BB and not far from Callaghan's Irish Social Club for those of you who either eat, drink, or both...at over 300 years old you can't be a true Mobilian without taking in this monumental example of longevity...thanks to onlyinyourstate,com for their recent article about the Duf....

The University of Mobile sends a shout out in the note of  A for Awesome to one of their alumni Grant Bias, AKA Bias, who will advance to the finals on NBC's The Voice - good luck Bias...

Even though they nudged in on a little of our precious real estate, we still love Semmes, our cousin west of us who announce a Drive-Thru Nativity scene on Saturday, December 16th at the Semmes Honor Park from 5:30-7:30 PM...

The Mobile City Council are hosting the "Let's Eat Together" Community Giveaway at the Dearborn YMCA from 1-4PM Saturday, December 16th, hosted by Teen Mentor Phelon Carter...

A lot of folks are in a tizzy - a word by the way used a lot in and around Mobile and which may have been invented here - about the Alabama Department of Transportation's decision to not allow all the traditional slew of RV's under the Interstate 10 freeway downtown during Mardi Gras...ALDOT, as they are not affectionately known, says they need the space for construction parking related to a highway project (yeah, right, and our precious, famous leprechaun will be dressed in a Santa suit this year and standing on Government and Broad.)  Greer Supermarket on Government and Broad has been gracious enough to allow parking behind its store but not being an expert in all these logistics I am not sure that's going to appease everyone. It's an annual tradition for people to camp out in their RVs for the entire two weeks or portion thereof, and we hope all this gets ironed out (another circa Mobile phrase) because we love seeing our RV families living downtown during the biggest event of the year...in fairness to ALDOT, we know you guys work hard and we are tryin to understand this decision...feel free to have one of your spies fill me in with more specific details...

I have just discovered a culinary master on FB using a very Mobile moniker - Mushroom Tan Man, who recently threw a shout out to The Noble South and Plane & Level...way to go MTM...I stopped by the Noble South the other day and had a beer and an appetizer of their deviled eggs which featured bacon bits and roe. Yes, I said roe. Shut up Goober, it's supposed to be good for you...I also stopped by the A&M Peanut Shop on Dauphin and got one pound of roasted peanuts. I have been visiting this store since I was in diapers and I don't know how any westerners (those who live in West Mobile) can make the journey downtown without stopping by...

The workers were busy as bees in Bienville Square, which is undergoing a renaissance that includes a make-over of the iconic fountain.  I worry that our pet squirrels are dazed and confused, and if any of my spies have an update on them drop me a line....

Speaking of local luminaries, yes, we love our weather men and women in Mobile and the one and only Alan Sealls, Chief Meteorologist at NBC 15 in Mobile is signing all three of his weather books at Lupercalia Art Society on Dauphin Street this Saturday, December 16th from 1-5 PM....I believe he will be there rain or shine...

Who doesn't love a parade? The folks in District 3 do and they are having a Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 16th at 2:00 PM beginning at BC Rain High School ending at Palmer Pillians Middle School...

For all the Pecos and the Rooftops fans, Soul Kitchen just announced they will be there on Dauphin Street February 24th. Tickets go on sale tomorrow....

If you aren't already following Mobile Traffic on FB, it's a great idea because they can save you some commuting time since they post real time traffic delays, which, by the way you should not be looking at on your phone while the car is moving...I was not paid for this plug and while I don't accept bribes I may receive commissions for things you click and perhaps purchase...

If you were planning to go to Callaghan's Irish Social Club tonight - don't, they are having a private party starting at 4:30 PM, and apparently I was not invited....who is this guy?...

If you are looking for something really enlightening to do one evening before the end of the year, world famous Bellingrath Gardens & Home is showing off another stellar Christmas lights show that literally makes world news because it's one of the best in the world....and the University of Mobile is presenting a free Community Christmas Concert on Friday, December 22 featuring the Voices of Mobile singing ensemble...it begins at 7:00 PM in the university's College Woods Center...

If you have a dog house or two to spare, please call Saraland Pets 251-679-5570 or visit them on FB - they have a few dogs who could use a little house...and if you are finally giving in to the kids' constant whining for a dog or cat since it's Christmas, think of the local shelters first - there are "fur babies" as we call them here, waiting on you to visit or check them out online...

I've been seeing Oyster City Mobile, a local brewery in the news a lot...they are at 600 Government Street and I will definitely have to pay a visit as long as my Uber driver agrees to be on standby for me when I'm ready to leave since I am impatient and intolerable of disobedience, or a designated driver agrees to deal with my shenanigans...speaking of driving we don't need to remind people this time of year there might be a temptation to drink and drive, and that's not a good temptation at all...nowadays there are so many alternatives... be safe folks...

Keep Mobile Beautiful is hosting an Africatown Clean-Up on January 6, 2024 from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM, meet at The Den, MCTS, 800 Whitney Street  36610.. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Africa Town, including the Africa Town Heritage Museum, which is fascinating, and free to Mobile County residents...

One of my secret agents on Dauphin Island, Ju Ju Lindsey, posted the breakfast menu of Dority's at 1010  Bienville Blvd, and it looks delicioso so stop on by when on the Island...I expect a free side of grits for this viral plug...

Well folks, there's lots more news and I will pick up where I left off tomorrow. I have already taken up several minutes of your precious time. Enjoy this nice weather and have fun shopping and be safe out there....