I first met Aimee Risser, the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Central Gulf Coast, through my late close friend, Mike Lapeyrouse. Mike ran the American Equity Underwriters insurance division at The Cooper Group, Inc. in Mobile.

The sign at the front door of the new American Legion Building says,“ Come on in, Sit where you please, and be at Ease.” In the military, we know ‘at ease’ means to stand in a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back. On the bay at 700 South Mobile Street, it means to be free from worry and relaxed. Veterans and Civilians alike will feel this vibe when they take a seat in the brand-new restaurant/bar that just opened last month.

Worthwhile causes and organizations abound throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal communities, and I’m always amazed at the impact these humanitarian efforts have in improving people’s lives. 

If you want to have a taste of authentic Mexican food without booking a flight and waiting in TSA lines, then look no further than El Paisita in Loxley, Alabama.

Anyone who's been to Gulf Shores knows there are beautiful beaches there, but sometimes that's just about all they know. A visit to the city's museum can fill in many blanks.

If you haven't been by the big piece of property long known as "the Triangle" in a while, you're in for some surprises. It's now home to Flying Creek Nature Preserve, which is the newest sparkling jewel in Fairhope's shiny crown.

As horrible as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill was, many incredible projects have been implemented in the Scenic 98 Coastal area with funds from the RESTORE Act, which followed a $20 billion settlement between BP Oil Company and the US Government, specifically the five Gulf Coast states that were impacted the most. Coastal Alabama leveraged this resource and utilized the funds for ecosystem restoration and economic recovery. One such project in Gulf Shores, the Gulf Coast Eco Center, opened in April of this year, and it is something to behold.

Kudos to Karen Poth, the Executive Director of Mobile’s National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. She is setting a new course, overseeing the museum's transformation to include two new, extraordinary, groundbreaking educational exhibits. Linda and I recently visited with Karen to see what’s in store.‍