It was a hot, tense day at the Panama Canal. Reporters and other interested and curious people watched as the huge (45,000-ton) battleship, the USS Alabama, squeezed its way through the locks. The suspense grew as onlookers saw the tiny clearance the massive ship had: only 11 inches on each side.

Several people have mentioned how much they love going to Blakeley Park, and how it’s thriving under the leadership of Mike Bunn. While I’ve visited Blakeley Park on several occasions, I’ve never taken full advantage of all it has to offer. We have noticed the many Delta and Mobile Bay tours they offer each week, and try to include many in Tidbits and Best Bets in the newsletter.

Meet Courtney Dombroski, a self-described environmentalist who found a business she would love to own, and made it happen.. Born in Mobile, she spent three to four weekends a month during the summer with her parents in Gulf Shores at the beach, boating, and riding jet skis.

One of the hallmarks of living in the Scenic 98 Coastal area is the abundance of great live performance venues. Nothing beats the real thing. Whether it's a beach bar, an outdoor amphitheater, a play on the Bluff, or a small community theater, there is plenty of great entertainment to enjoy throughout our communities.

On the first Friday of every month, the downtown businesses in Fairhope host First Friday Art Walk, when stores, galleries, and restaurants offer special refreshments, music, and other entertainment.

One difference between cats and dogs you may not know is that cats wait until warmer weather to have kittens, whereas dogs tend to be year-round breeders. So if a cute, little furry kitten is in your future, now is a great time to stop by The Haven in Fairhope.

Unintended consequences can pay huge dividends. Such is the case with Airbus’ only final assembly manufacturing facility in the United States. Both the A320 passenger jet and now the newly added A220 are all assembled, painted, and delivered in Mobile, Alabama. This story concerns joy, disappointment, and a massive win for the city and the entire Scenic 98 Coastal community.

My family, particularly my mother, was a great believer in helping people in need, all people in need, and volunteering everyone else to help them too. For our family and Mom’s close friends, there were endless projects requiring food preparation, events organization, and time spent with strangers.