On a recent Friday evening during the Fairhope Art Walk, Linda and I met a friend downtown to hear The Modern Eldorados. The band was playing on the sidewalk across the street from Pearl Seafood + Raw Bar, a small but popular restaurant that opened three and a half years ago in the space that used to be R Bistro. After a little while, we decided to settle in at the bar and ordered one of their specialty cocktails and a dozen oysters.
Mah Jongg is taking South Alabama by storm! But here’s the thing—it’s not exactly a new craze. This tile game, which can be traced back to China in the early 19th century, has a rich history. In fact, Confucius is credited with inventing it. His aim? To teach students discipline, strategy, and calculation.
When so many of us were focused on the arrival of the famous ocean liner, the SS United States, a couple of weeks back, I started thinking about another big ship on our horizon. I decided to take a drive over and revisit the USS Alabama.
On Tuesday evening, March 25, Scenic 98 Coastal is excited to bring its South Meets South Wine Pairing Experience to Orange Beach, benefitting The Nature Conservancy of Alabama. For The Love Of Nature is the theme of this event co-hosted by Frank & Co Jewelers and Saunders Yachtworks and will take place at the 8-Reale Speakeasy at The Wharf.
It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to getting on the water. Spring is the season for those clamoring to see what’s new in the boating world, to shop for a boat, or perhaps trade up or down. A while back, Linda and I were looking for a center console to putter around in. My hardcore fishing days are behind me, but nothing beats cruising around exploring the waters in the Scenic 98 Coastal area.
If you’ve ever read James Lee Burke and enjoyed the escapades of Dave Robicheaux, and his cast of entertaining characters, you might want to meet Ace Gonzalez. Ace is the main character of a recent book release, The Lost Republic by Woody Speed, or W.J. Speed, his pen name.
When the vastly accomplished Chef Rich Lee decided to open a restaurant of his own, he had the perfect partner in mind. His wife, Pam, had been in mortgage banking for 35 years but always had a strong culinary interest.
I don't know what I expected when I scheduled an interview with Chip Herrington to talk about his band. Still, I really didn't expect him to arrive at the Bluegill on his motorcycle, dressed in a coat and tie, just coming from the Courthouse where he had an arraignment. An attorney and a musician, with an easy demeanor, I knew this was going to be fun!
I went on a Safari in Gulf Shores to discover a new restaurant. On the way to a beach getaway, some girlfriends and I stopped at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to find a much-talked-about restaurant, Savanna. As a zoo visiting mother and grandmother, I can say I have never enjoyed a restaurant at a zoo, until now.
Being a musician is hard work. Whether playing in front of an audience of thousands or sitting on the dock of the bay with a couple of friends, musicians always seem to experience pure joy when making music. It doesn't seem like work at all.
“I’ve had an amazing life, and every day is still wonderful,” says Stephen Savage.
Stephen Savage is a fixture in the Scenic 98 Coastal community As an event photographer, you will run into Stephen at almost every Eastern Shore function. If not there, you’ll see him on Facebook or Instagram. His photos capture the good times and create memories.
Growing up in Mobile, I spent much of my youth attending and watching my two older brothers play sports. My dad was especially involved with Murphy High School’s track team, raising money for their booster club. It was called the Cinder Club because running tracks in those days were made of cinder that required long spikes on shoes to gain traction.
If you ever get a chance to visit with Gus Silivos, Owner/Executive Chef at Agapi Bistro + Garden in Pensacola, you are in for a treat. A few Fridays ago, Linda, her son Jack, and I had dinner at Agapi while it was pouring rain outside. We sat at the bar enjoying a wonderful meal and interacted with the delightful staff.
There is a pottery studio and showroom in Navarre, Florida, called Holley Hill Pottery. The owner/artists are Marty, Brenda, and Jason Stokes, co-founders of the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society and the WoodStoke Pottery and Kiln Festival which is coming up on Saturday, February 10th.
This time of year, especially for those who want to escape to warmer weather, head South. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to traverse the waterways by boat through South Florida and arrive at a tropical Bahama destination. I’ve heard of many who’ve done it, with trepidation at crossing the Gulf Stream. It can be a harrowing experience. Here is one such tale and we hope it conjures up a Parrothead version worthy of Jimmy Buffett.
Some people are lucky to have been born with creative genes. How creativity manifests itself can take many tracks, often depending on a person’s environment. In the case of ultra-talented Fairhope resident Elisabeth Hays, it was the free reign she was given as a child to do whatever she wanted to do in her art room, the finished attic of their home.