Monday, February 10, 2014
Improved plastic-the new iPhone 5 c TV commercial aired
7 Best Hidden iOS features you've probably 7 lost
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Useful Christmas gift
iOS 7.0.4 released, brings FaceTime call Fix and more
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Don't downgrade from iOS iOS back to 6 7 more available!
Friday, February 7, 2014
It says iPhone trade-in program has officially begun!
Different color iPhone 5 leaked images
iPhone 5: v fingerprint Passcode
Thursday, February 6, 2014
iPhone 5 now available!
Apple breaks the Smartphone market in the United States 40% In 10 days!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
After flight is canceled, Auburn fans try to find new ways to get to BCS Championship Game
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Passengers on a canceled United Airlines flight from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to Houston line up to talk to airline representatives Thursday, Jan. 1, 2014. Many passengers on the flight were Auburn football fans trying to get to Pasadena, Calif., for the BCS Championship Game Monday. (Jon Reed/jreed@al.com)BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A canceled flight to Houston Thursday night had some Auburn fans scrambling to find another way to Southern California by Monday to see the Tigers take on Florida State in the BCS Championship Game.
Emily Dole, of Trussville, and a friend still plan on watching the Tigers play for it all in Pasadena. The two Auburn University seniors immediately started looking for another flight after their United Airlines flight to Houston was canceled.
"We're going no matter what," she said. "I don't care if we have to fly all night, we'll get there."
The pair quickly found a flight on US Airways leaving Friday. They'll be flying nonstop to Los Angeles International Airport, and they'll be in first class.
"I'm happy I get to watch the game," said Dole, who said she didn't get a chance to see Auburn win the BCS National Championship a few years ago and had to dig into her savings to afford the trip this time.
United Airlines Flight 4174 was canceled because of weather, passengers said. The flight was scheduled to take off from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport at 6:13 p.m., but passenger Trey Martin said they were told it was canceled about 10 minutes before that.
"It was pretty disappointing when they told us it was canceled," he said.
Martin was planning on going to Las Vegas and then driving to Pasadena for the game Monday. He said he and a friend found another set of flights to Las Vegas on Delta, leaving Birmingham early Friday morning.
An Auburn fan since he was a child, Martin said he'd had the flights booked for weeks. He missed the championship game three years ago while he was in college, and he didn't want to miss this one.
"As soon as they won the SEC Championship," he said, "we knew we were going."
I was just going to work but people with @united should see the faces of the Auburn fans who have just realized they aren't making the BCSCG
-- Ryan Brown (@RyanBrownWJOX) January 3, 2014Mobile braces for record-breaking freeze early Tuesday, tips to prepare for dangerous temperatures
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Weather for Mobile on Jan. 5, 2014. NWS. MOBILE, Ala.-- Not known for the cold, Mobile is bracing for what could be a record low temperature on Monday night and into Tuesday, per the National Weather Service.
"In Mobile, it could get to 13 degrees with a wind chill of seven degrees. That would be a record and shatter the former record by five degrees," NWS meteorologist Joe Maniscalco told Alabama Media Group Sunday.
A hard freeze warning is in effect as well as a gale warning for Alabama waters.
The previous record was set in 1970, said Maniscalco.
What should Mobile do when it feels like seven degrees outside?
Remember the "three p's," advises the NWS.
1. Pets
Take them inside. This extends to livestock as well. "Livestock should be brought into barns or places with shelter and their bedding and hay kept dry," Maniscalco said. Make sure plenty of water and food is available.
Remember, cats like to hide in car hoods and tires, so check for them as well. For more pet tips, click here.
2. Pipes
Insulate your pipes and cover external ones. Leave the sink on to drip throughout the night when temps are at their harshest. "Letting a faucet drip during extreme cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. It's not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow," per the Weather Channel. "Where both hot and cold lines serve a spigot, make sure each one contributes to the drip, since both are subjected to freezing."
If you're not sure what to do to protect your pipes, State Farm's website has detailed advice on how to insulate pipes to prevent costly repairs.
3. Plants
If they're portable, bring them inside as well. "Wood based planets that would normally be fine are in danger in these temperatures," said Maniscalco. Another thing to keep in mind is that if there are any ripe fruit present on a tree, remove it. If fruit is frozen on the tree, it ruins it, per AL.com affiliate NOLA.com. "Consider stripping the ripe fruit anytime temperatures in the mid-20s are predicted or temperatures will stay below freezing for a number of hours," said Dan Gill, Times-Picayune columnist.
Safety
In addition to the "three p's," safety should be paramount.
Space heaters should not be left unattended or in children's rooms and those with gas heat should monitor their carbon monoxide levels.
Carbon monoxide monitors are available where smoke detectors are sold. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion, per the CDC.
If you have an elderly family member or neighbor, check on them and make sure they are prepared.
Shelter
The Salvation Army is ready to open its doors to those without shelter. Serving 100 homeless people regularly, the shelter expects to have double that on Monday.
"Our doors will be opened as an emergency shelter and we will have cots and try to pack in as many people as we can," SA public relations director Katie Emer said.
On Thursday, an additional 60 people used the shelter. "We were able to project the Alabama/Oklahoma game on the wall of the great room and they enjoyed that," she said. "We will hopefully be able to do that for Monday's big game too."
The shelter just received 80 new blankets from Alabama Power but they are accepting monetary donations for additional services including food for those escaping the cold.
A complete list of shelters can be found here.
Schools
Mobile County Public Schools will resume class on Tuesday, as Monday has already been declared a teacher workday. As it currently stands, Baldwin County Schools will be in session. Any further developments will be posted as soon as they are learned.
Travel
As with any freeze, there is a danger for ice on the roadways. If there is even a light drizzle at temperatures below freezing, the water can turn to a thin, almost invisible layer of glass on the roadways. Two officers were injured in Birmingham this past week due to a patch of ice.
If you have to drive and there may be ice, tap brakes lightly to avoid skidding, drive slowly and keep your lights on, per the Weather Channel.
Any road closures will also be posted as soon as they are learned.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Bangor Cave -- Underground Nightclub and Speakeasy
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In Alabama, the big news of 1937 was the opening of what was touted as "the only underground nightclub in America," the Bangor Café Club. In its short year and a half of operation it proved to be one of the most glamorous and controversial places in the South.
The nearby area of Blount Springs, "The Saratoga of the South," was making news long before that, however. In what might have been the first specific historical reference to Blount Springs, Davy Crockett was said to have spent time recuperating from a fever by a set of sulphur springs some miles north of Jones Valley, Alabama, in about 1815.
Jackson House Hotel, destroyed by fire in 1915 (Photo courtesy of Blount County Memorial Museum) Col. J. F. B. Jackson, a construction engineer for the South and North Alabama Railroad, realized the potential of the springs during the completion of a 66-mile stretch of railroad between Birmingham and a point south of Decatur. He purchased several thousand acres of land in the area, including Blount Springs, in 1871. On Sept. 29, 1872, the last spike was driven to complete the line from Decatur to Montgomery and, soon after, Jackson built a small hotel, naming it after himself. Barely a thousand feet from the depot, the hotel served as a stopover for passengers and a home-away-from-home for vacationers.
On July 12, 1878, Blount Springs' new Jackson House was opened to the public, replacing the temporary hotel that had been constructed six years earlier. In 1879, the Blount Springs Natural Sulphur Water Bottling Company began advertising medicinal benefits of the sulphur water, including treatment for skin diseases, sore eyes, gout, pimples, blotches, ulcers, and even paralysis.
As the bustling community continued to grow, a new two-story hotel, the Mountain House, was completed in 1883, on an elevated site behind the Jackson House. The town of Blount Springs was officially incorporated in 1885.
In 1887, Jackson sold his holdings to J. W. and Mack Sloss, brothers who operated the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham. They planned to make Blount Springs an even more popular resort for weary businessmen, with a sanitarium for invalids and a playground for children, while at the same time increasing its reputation as the rendezvous of Southern Society. A new bath house with water connections from the sulphur springs was built and modernized plumbing was installed throughout the hotel.
Dignitaries, socialites and celebrities, such as Lillian Russell and Diamond Jim Brady visited the resort. Plays, vaudeville performances, concerts, balls and galas were all a part of life at the vacation land.
On June 3, 1915, a fire started in the kitchen of the Main Hotel and spread to adjoining buildings, bringing a virtual end to the resort.With the resort gone, the nearby Bangor Cave, just four miles northeast, was practically abandoned.
The cave had been well-known since the late 19th Century. Tours were conducted through the cave by candle and pitch-pine torch light. Band concerts were even held in the main chamber, which measures about 350 feet long by 57 feet wide, and is approximately 20 feet high. A souvenir token was presented to all those brave enough to hazard the trip.
Bangor Cave Bar (Photo courtesy of the Blount County Memorial Museum) With the resort no longer providing visitors to the cave, it was almost forgotten. In the mid-1930s, property owner J. Breck Musgrove persuaded a group of investors to fund the construction of a nightclub, or in Prohibition parlance, a speakeasy, in the cave. A new entrance was blasted open using dynamite, and a bandstand and bar were carved from the stone. The floor of the first chamber was leveled with the addition of concrete and covered with linoleum, and the second chamber was later turned into a lounge for female patrons. A locked and heavily guarded room housed slot machines, craps tables, roulette wheels, and card tables.
One unique difficulty in preparing the speakeasy was the lighting. According to a Birmingham newspaper of the day, "electrical engineers studied the lighting possibilities for weeks, seeking to obtain proper effects. The results are that Bangor Cave, in the fastness of Blount County hills, will sparkle with lights like Broadway. The conduits are underground so as not to disturb the overhead stalactite formations."
After several delays, the Bangor Café Club finally opened Saturday, June 5, 1937. Guests from Birmingham, Decatur, Cullman, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery arrived at the club by train on a spur line that emptied within a few feet of the newly created entrance and motorcars arrived over a gravel-covered U.S. Highway 31.
Raids and legal proceedings over the cave's operation began almost as soon as the nightclub opened, with Gov. Bibb Graves ordering the local sheriff to shut down the club. After this first closing a grand reopening was announced for a July Friday night, allegedly without liquor or gambling. On July 31, just after midnight, the newly-appointed Sheriff Ed Miler and eight Alabama State Troopers headed to the club. An estimated crowd of 2000 were enjoying the roulette wheels, slot machines and liquor.
The battle continued among the state, the county, and the owners until January 1939, when the nightclub shut its doors for good. Early on the morning of May 8, 1939, neighbors noticed thick black smoke coming from the cave. Several raced to the site to find it engulfed in flames. Some thought it was the retribution of a group of petty thieves who didn't find anything to steal. Others thought it was the work of lawmen trying to ensure the club never opened again.
Visitors have continued to venture to the cave over the years, but it has become the target of vandals, with the walls becoming covered in graffiti and the initial chambers littered with trash. The bar and bandstand areas are still evident, but most other signs of the once-thriving nightclub have disappeared. At present, the cave is held privately and is not open to the public.Run, walk, crawl but make it to the Alabama state line, and do it in the rain (photos)
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ORANGE BEACH, Alabama -- The foot race included the disabled, children, the elderly, a pregnant woman, a woman with a broken foot, some guy with a dog. And they did it in a cold wind and driving rain. Why? "Because we can," shouted Eric Madison of Illinois as the race began. By the way, he was wearing pajamas. And slippers. And reindeer antlers. Actually, it was the annual Make it to the Line 4-Mile Fun Run which took participants from Florida to Alabama and back to Florida. The race, which usually draws a few thousand, had a scaled back number of registrants this year (most likely due to the weather) but still included folks from around the country, like Isaac Krueger, of Vancouver, Washington, who came across the finish line (unofficially) at 10 minutes."Yeah, I'm first across the line, but I'm not really part of the race," he joked. "It was fun but cold."The actual winner was Bob Walker of Baker, Fla., who crossed the line at exactly 25 minutes. Not all who attended were in the race. Some held the bar down inside the Flora-Bama Lounge where the race started and ended. Amy Kitchens of Huntsville was sipping a cocktail, waiting for her friend who was in the run."I'm here for support," said Kitchens, who wanted no part of the rain. Yet, Teresa Hess of Pensacola did her best with a broken foot in a boot. But she's no stranger to races. She's been in many in along the Gulf Coast, and something like a broken foot in the driving rain wasn't going to stop her."I'd already registered so I wasn't going to miss this one," said Hess after the race. "It was a good time though."
Sunday, January 12, 2014
At the Casinos: Kansas, Kool & the Gang, Elton John and Billy Joel tributes
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Classic rock band Kansas returns to Biloxi this weekend, playing Friday at the Hard Rock. (Courtesy of Kansas) BILOXI, Miss. -- If you were wondering what comes after "Auld Lang Syne," how about "Point of Know Return"?
Kansas sails into Hard Rock Biloxi on Friday, Jan. 3, followed by Kool & the Gang on Saturday, Jan. 4. Also on Saturday, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville presents a tribute double bill, pairing the Elton John tribute Captain Fantastic with the Billy Joel tribute group the 52nd Street Band.
If you put off getting tickets to Ron White's shows Jan. 10 at Beau Rivage, you might be facing long odds to get them now. According to Ticketmaster, none are currently available.
Ron White, 7 and 10 p.m. Jan. 10, $39.95 and up.Huey Lewis & the News, Jan. 17, $44.95 and up.
Vince Gill, Jan. 31, $54.95 and up.Merle Haggard, Feb. 8, $39.95 and up.Tony Bennett, Feb. 22, $69.95 and up.Rodney Carrington, Feb. 28-March 1, $34.95 and up.Jack Hanna's "Into the Wild," March 14-15, $9.95 and up.Michael Bolton, March 21, $49.95 and up.
Available through Ticketmaster; visit www.beaurivage.com for details. 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; ticket office 228-386-7777 or 1-888-566-7469.
Golden Nugget Biloxi:
Gallagher's Last Smash, Jan. 25, $10 and up.Chrisette Michele, Feb. 28, $25 and up.Oak Ridge Boys, April 4, $25, on sale Jan. 3.All shows 21 and older unless noted otherwise. Available through Ticketmaster. 151 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530. Visit www.goldennugget.com/biloxi or call 800-777-7568 or 228-435-5400.
Hard Rock Biloxi:
Kansas, Jan. 3, $9.99 and up.Kool & the Gang, Jan. 4, $19.99.Daughtry, Jan. 10, $69.99 and up.
Burt Bacharach, Jan. 11, $29.99 and up.Jamey Johnson, Jan. 18, $29.99 and up.Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Jan. 24, $9.99 and up.Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, Jan. 25, $9.99 and up.
Aaron Lewis, Jan. 31, $29.99 and up.The Fab Four (Beatles tribute), Feb. 1, $9.99 and up.Loverboy, Feb. 7, $14.99 and up.Heart, Feb. 8, $59.99 and up.Gavin DeGraw, Feb. 14, $29.99 and up.The Australian Bee Gees Show, Feb. 15, $9.99 and up.Jennifer Nettles, Feb. 21, $59.99 and up."Masters of Illusion," Feb. 22, $9.99 and up.Travis Tritt, Feb. 28, $49.99 and up.Billy Currington, March 14, $39.99 and up.Lonestar, March 22, $9.99 and upKellie Pickler, March 28, $39.99 and up.Sinbad, March 29, $19.99 and up.
Most Hard Rock Live shows 21 and older. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. 777 Beach Blvd. in Biloxi. For information, visit www.hardrockbiloxi.com or call 228-374-7625.
IP Casino, Resort & Spa:
All shows 21 and older unless noted otherwise. Available through Ticketmaster and at the casino box office. 850 Bayview Ave, Biloxi. Visit www.ipbiloxi.com or call 888-WIN-AT-IP.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant Biloxi
Captain Fantastic (Elton John tribute) and the 52nd Street Band (Billy Joel tribute), 7 p.m. Jan. 4, $10.Bonkerz Comedy Club, 8 p.m. Jan. 9, $10.Simply Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute), 7 p.m. Jan. 11, $10.Hypnaughty with Thom Kaz, 8 p.m. Jan. 16, $15 and $20.Departure (Journey tribute), 7 p.m. Jan. 18, $10.Bonkerz Comedy Club, 8 p.m. Jan. 23, $10.Hypnaughty with Thom Kaz, 8 p.m. Jan. 30, $15 and $20.All shows 21 and older unless noted otherwise. Available through www.eventbrite.com and the Margaritaville Retail Store. 160 5th St., Biloxi. Visit www.margaritavillebiloxi.com or call 228-267-7777.
For Ticketmaster events, tickets can be charged by phone at 800-745-3000 or ordered online at www.ticketmaster.com. Full-service Ticketmaster outlets in the Mobile area include the Mobile Civic Center box office; Northside Check Exchange, 2102 St. Stephens Road; Gold Mine, 602 U.S. 98 in Daphne; Publix, 25771 Perdido Beach Blvd. in Orange Beach; and the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Box office in Biloxi.Additionally, some are Walmart stores now offer Ticketmaster sales. Ticket counters usually located in the electronics department. Participating stores are located at 101 South Beltline Highway and 685 Schillinger Road in Mobile; 2381 Pass Road in Biloxi; 9350-A Highway 49 in Gulfport; and 3911 Bienville Blvd. in Ocean Springs.
Volunteers inflating 10,000 beach balls for Panama City Beach New Year's Eve celebration
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Panama City Beach will celebrate the new year by dropping 10,000 inflated beach balls in the streets of Pier Park at 8 p.m. Tuesday. (Courtesy Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau)
This 800-pound, LED-lighted beach ball will be the center of attention on Dec. 31, 2013, at the Panama City Beach New Year's Eve celebration. (Courtesy Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau)PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida -- A team of volunteers is hard at work at the Pier Park shopping center in Panama City Beach, huffing and puffing to inflate 10,000 beach balls for the coastal city's annual New Year's Eve celebration.
The beach balls will be dropped from over the streets of Pier Park at 8 p.m. Tuesday night in what organizers tout as largest family-friendly beach ball drop in the country. Once the volunteers get the beach balls filled with air, the balls will be placed in a net over the streets until a team of local dignitaries sets them loose on the excited crowd. The Barry Fish Band and Alex Angelo will provide live entertainment for the crowd and the evening's first fireworks display will go off in time with the beach ball drop. At 8:30 p.m., the official countdown celebration will begin with live music by Heritage, a popular local reggae-rock band. The Rupert’s Orchestra will follow with the exciting countdown to the New Year, which will include an 800-pound LED lighted beach ball drop and a second fireworks display.Designated drivers, cabs, tow trucks: Plenty of options for a safe New Year's Eve
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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alcohol-related crashes killed 137 people nationwide during the New Year's holiday period in 2011, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Between 2007 and 2012, eight alcohol-related crashes claimed nine lives in Jefferson and Shelby counties during the period between Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, NHTSA records show.
Enhanced patrols have been rolling along Alabama roadways since Christmas.
The extra enforcement continues for the New Year's holiday through midnight Thursday. State troopers, deputies and police across the state will be looking for violations that contribute to the most wrecks.
Those include speeding, following too closely, distracted driving, improper passing and especially, impaired driving.
"If your seasonal celebrations include alcohol, please take a moment to designate a non-drinking driver or to make other arrangements to be sure you and others on the road arrive safely to your destination," Alabama Department of Public Safety Director Col. Hugh B. McCall said.
Driving alternatives
Tow-for-Life
For the 27th year, AAA Alabama is offering an alternative.
Tow-for-Life offers free tows of up to 10 miles to home between 6 p.m. New Year's Eve and 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
To use it, drivers need to call 1-800-AAA-HELP and give the operator their location.
Dispatchers will send one of AAA Alabama's contracted tow trucks. The conditions are that the vehicle must be operable, the owner must be with the vehicle and tow drivers can only take vehicles and people home -- not to another location.
"This is the most dangerous time of year to be on the roads," AAA Alabama spokesman Clay Ingram said. "We want to raise awareness and encourage people to plan ahead when going out on New Year's Eve."
Ingram said it is important to make arrangements before going out such as finding a friend to ride or stay with after the party, before thinking becomes impaired by drinking.
Yellow Cab of Birmingham
Yellow Cab has its Safe Ride Home program.
To prevent drivers from getting into their vehicles intoxicated, the service lets people request free cab rides home from participating establishments.
To call for a cab, dial (205) 222-2222.
The program has been in place in Birmingham since 2009, company vice president Paige Coker said.
On a typical New Year's Eve night, the service can get up to 3,000 calls, and Coker asked that people be patient when calling for a cab.
The cab program is available all year.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
From MoonPies to polar bears, 14 ways to ring in '14 in the Mobile area
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Mobile's signature MoonPie will once again drop amid fireworks on New Year's Eve. (Mike Brantley | mbrantley@al.com) 1. No discussion of New Year's Eve in Mobile can be held without mentioning the elephant in the room, or in this case, the elephant-sized MoonPie. Mobile's official MoonPie Drop festivities start at 5 p.m. Dec. 31, with performances by local acts I SING and the Wolf Gambino Trio on the Bienville Square Stage and the Riverview Plaza Stage, respectively. Kyle & Karl and Worx follow. At 7 p.m., Mayor Sandy Stimpson and City Councilman Fred Richardson will slice a giant MoonPie at Riverview Plaza, with slices served to the public. A New Year's parade rolls at 7:30 p.m. Action opens at 8:45 p.m. on the Austal Stage, where R&B act Latimore will be followed by country singer Gretchen Wilson at 11 p.m. A light show begins at 11:30 p.m., with the MoonPie drop and fireworks at midnight. Wilson's performance is to continue until 12:30 a.m. For hotel deals and other information, visit www.mobilenewyear.com.
2. The Wharf in Orange Beach offers a free annual New Year's Eve street party with the theme "Reeling in the New Year." Activities run from 5 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. in Marlin Circle; free attractions include children's activities, live music from acts including the Adam Holt Band and the Wes Loper Band, and a Marlin Drop with fireworks at midnight. A $75 VIP experience includes access to an exclusive lounge with hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and premium views of the festivities. Tickets available at The Wharf's box office and through Ticketmaster. www.alwharf.com.
3. LuLu's at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores presents a family-friendly option with its 8th annual Noon Year's Eve celebration. The party starts at 10 a.m., featuring live music by Caroline Kole and plenty of kids' games and activities. There'll be a countdown to noon with a beach ball drop and kid-friendly fireworks. The restaurant closes at 4 p.m. www.lulubuffett.com.
4. The Hangout in Gulf Shores takes a decidedly more adult approach with its "MasQue RAVe" New Year's Eve Party, which starts at 9 p.m. Attractions include music by Kristy Lee and DJ Tony Skratchere and a midnight buffet and champagne toast. Free masks will be provided. Advance tickets are $25 general admission for patrons 21 and up, $30 for patrons ages 18-20, $50 VIP. www.thehangout.com.
5. You can bet your bottom dollar that Biloxi's casinos wouldn't let a new year slip without a hoopla. Odds are you won't have to look hard to find a champagne toast, possibly right on the gaming floor of your choice, or a party in your preferred lounge or nightclub. Beau Rivage leads with the Molly Ringwalds performing at 11 p.m. in the Beau Rivage Theatre; tickets are $19.95. Hard Rock Biloxi offers a multi-venue party with the theme "The Spy Who Rocked Me" in Hard Rock Live and The Record Company. Doors open at 7 p.m. There's a $40 cover that includes access to both venues; a $150 option includes beverages. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
6. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park will present a family-friendly celebration at the park's pavilion and pier. Plans call for the event to start about 8 p.m., featuring a bonfire and small campfires for s'mores, music and other activities. Entertainers include Top Hat & Jackie and a DJ. Fireworks will be shot off at the end of the park's pier at 10 p.m. and midnight. In addition to ringing in the new year, the event also kicks off a statewide celebration of the 75th anniversary of Alabama's state park system. 251-968-1172, www.gulfshoresal.gov.
7. The city of Fairhope presents its annual New Year's Eve Family Celebration, with music starting at 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Fairhope Avenue and Church Street. In addition to live music, entertainment will include a street party atmosphere, face painting, a DJ, fireworks and a ball drop at midnight. Many downtown restaurants will be open for business. For additional information call 251- 929-1466.
8. The Fuse Project is a nonprofit organization "dedicated to providing the spark for innovation, funding and implementation of projects benefiting children along Alabama's Gulf Coast." It'll present its second annual New Year's Eve bash from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31 at Space 301, adjacent to Cathedral Square in downtown Mobile. Attractions included catered food, a top-shelf open bar, a DJ and a champagne toast at midnight. According to information provided by organizers, proceeds will support a playground for Wilmer Hall, four scholarships to the Centre for The Living Arts summer camp, supplies for Prichard Preparatory School, and supplies for the Child Advocacy Center. Tickets start at $90; they're available at www.thefuseproject.org/NYE.
9. Needless to say, many Dauphin Street clubs will be celebrating the holiday. Soul Kitchen will present electronic-rock group Zoogma with Beamin & Timmy and Sir Charles, with the shows starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show. The Alabama Music Box celebrates with the Super Nice Bros, LF Knighton, Electric Sheep and the Handsome Scoundrels. Admission is $10 in advance, $12 at the door; the show is 18-and-up.
10. Trop-rock troubadour Brent Burns will entertain at the Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores as part of the Christian Service Center's Early Bird New Year's Eve Bash. As the event's title indicates, you don't have to wait for midnight for this one: It runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The format is "bring your own everything," including beverages and table decorations. Awards will be given for most original, most elegant and most outrageous table decorations. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. Reserved tables will be available when eight tickets are purchased together. Tickets can be purchased via credit card or PayPal by visiting www.brentburns.com. To purchase by cash or check, visit the CSC at 317 Dolphin Ave. in Gulf Shores Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. For more details regarding the Early Bird New Year's Eve Bash, call Joyce Pinnix at 251-269-2155. For more about Brent Burns, visit www.brentburns.com.
11. Just a thought, but the folks at Bellingrath Gardens don't pull the plug on the Magic Christmas in Lights displays on Dec. 25. It's actually open through Jan. 4, with the exception of New Year's Day. More than 1,000 displays using a total of more than 3 million lights add up to a festive, serene environment to ponder the end of one year and the impending arrival of another. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; admission prices are $15 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and younger. www.bellingrath.org.
12. Pensacola's Downtown Improvement Board presents the Pensacola Pelican Drop, a free event with festivities that last from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The titular bird is a 14-foot-tall creation with a 20-foot wingspan perched above the intersection of Palafox and Government Streets, which will be close to traffic. Restaurants and additional vendors will be open for business as patrons enjoy live music on three stages and a kids' area. An 8 p.m. kids' countdown features confetti and a "bubble stomp." At the stroke of midnight, the pelican will descent "amidst fireworks and more confetti." For full information, visit www.pensacolapelicandrop.com.
13. Want to follow up your celebrations with a bracing start to the 2014? You've got at least a couple of options, starting with the annual Polar Bear Dip at Flora-Bama Lounge & Package on Perdido Key. Participants "dress up or just show up" for a splash in the Gulf of Mexico at noon. According to www.florabama.com, the venue "provides the traditional feast with black-eyed peas, cornbread, ham and more for those who take the plunge."
14. A little farther westward on the coast, The Hangout offers its third annual Polar Bear Slip & Slide Dip, in which swimmers have the option of shooting down a 33-foot slip & slide into the Gulf. The event is presented by the local Kiwanis Club in conjunction with The Hangout and the city of Gulf Shores. According to promotional information, all participants will be treated to a free buffet at The Hangout afterwards; attractions include live music by Grayson Capps, prizes for the best costumes and the best teams and a special cash award and trophy for the Snowbird Club with the most participants. There is no admission charge. 251-968-5683, www.gulfshoreskiwanis.org
Splashing through the Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip with Spider-Man, Elvis and more (video, photos)
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Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip: Jan. 1, 2014 GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Hundreds take the plunge into the Gulf and then race back to shore in the Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip on the public beach in front of The Hangout on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. (Dennis Pillion | dpillion@al.com) GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Approximately 400 people jump-started their year with a nice cool swim (or run) in the Gulf of Mexico at the Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip Wednesday. The third annual event, put on by the Gulf Shores Kiwanis Club with cooperation from The Hangout and the city of Gulf Shores, drew a large crowd starting around 11 a.m. Wednesday to the beach -- and the large inflatable water slide -- in front of The Hangout. "The water was about the same temperature as last year, but the air is about 20 degrees colder," said Gulf Shores Kiwanis Club president David Williams, who sounded the official countdown with a bullhorn while standing knee-deep in the surf. "So it's a little bit more of a true polar bear dip. For south Alabama, it's a true polar bear dip."Just before noon, the crowds gathered at the shoreline, many dressed in costume, with many more onlookers holding cameras and cell phones looking to get the best views of the spectacle while staying dry themselves. As the countdown reached zero, the Gulf turned into a frothing, screeching cauldron of swimmers dashing out into the Gulf, with many almost immediately turning and heading back to land after immersing themselves. A few seconds after the countdown ended, there were just as many people leaving the waters as running into them, with some groups venturing back out for a second or third trip into the waves and some lingering in the waters for a few minutes before heading back inside to The Hangout for the free buffet for all participants or testing out the giant water slide farther up the beach. Many of the participants were families, holding hands as they encouraged the skeptical members into the water, some wearing matching t-shirts or other costumes to commemorate the occasion. Williams and the other organizers touted the family-friendly nature of this event, compared to the other famous New Year's Day polar bear dip that takes place each year at the Flora-Bama. "For years the Flora-Bama was the only one around, but people needed some options," Williams said. "You go down there and it's kind of anything can happen. That's not the way it is here."While not as much alcohol was flowing as a typical Flora-Bama event, plenty of costumed people had a good time on the sand. Gulf Shores city councilman Steve Jones took the plunge in a white, Elvis-inspired jumpsuit, his wife Renee beside him in a red evening gown. Chance Johnson ran into the waves in a Spiderman costume that helped keep him warm. Kattie Wilson dressed as a loofah, complete with a fake bar of soap in case anyone didn't recognize her. Sandra Whiting picked up her costume, a Santa Claus Snuggie, at a yard sale before the event. The Polar Bear Dip even had its own Bat-kid in 8-year-old Logan Coe of New Orleans, who sprinted into the surf wearing his own black Batsuit with a cape but no mask. "I thought it was going to be really cold, but once you got in it wasn't that bad," Logan said while drying out after a turn down the big inflatable slide. See the photo gallery and video above for more scenes from the 2014 Gulf Shores Polar Bear Dip and visit AL.com/beaches a little later for photos and video of the Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Shelby County's development comes into conflict with area wildlife
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Oak Mountain State Park in Shelby County is the site of a special deer hunting program to help control the animals' population in the area and reduce problems associated with them. (File photo) SHELBY COUNTY, Alabama -- Deer and vehicles in Shelby County are not good road companions.
"We have a lot of vehicles that are struck by deer," Pelham Police Capt. Larry Palmer said. "It goes in cycles. A lot of it occurs more in winter when they move more" as deer herds search for food and mating partners.
"That creates a lot of deer movement," Palmer said.
Pelham, like other areas where Shelby County's rural landscape meets the urban development, is a prime location for problematic deer encounters. Palmer recalls when a couple of deer ran through a storefront on Highway 31 a while ago.
"Because of how we're located and because of what we have in this city" with Oak Mountain State Park nearby and "all of the rural area that's around us, deer are subject to show up anywhere," Palmer said. "Years and years ago there wasn't a lot in this area. It was all very rural. As the population started to grow and homes started to be constructed, we came into their home."
Law enforcement in Shelby County is familiar with the problems that deer can cause. "Every year from about January through February we have a lot of car-versus-deer accidents due to their breeding cycle," Shelby County Sheriff's Capt. Ken Burchfield said.
"They become very active, roam widely and lose their senses. But that is everywhere in the South," he said.
The deer roam throughout Oak Mountain State Park and elsewhere in Shelby County this time of year. "That's when they start crossing the roads, and that's when they start having accidents with the cars," Palmer said.
Alabama state park officials recognize the need to control deer populations, especially at Oak Mountain State Park, where a program has been in place for several years to allow bowhunters to stalk deer from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31.
The program last year resulted in 60 deer harvested, which included 45 does and 15 bucks, according to information provided by the state parks agency.
The state conducted surveys in 1999, 2000 and 2003 that determined the Oak Mountain deer herd was damaging wildflowers, trees and shrubs. The result was a negative impact on various populations of small mammals and birds at the park.
"An ongoing independent study reveals a higher percentage of seedlings have survived since the hunts were implemented," the park said earlier this year. "As funds allow, future research will be conducted highlighting the improvements to park vegetation and to the health of the whitetail deer population due to the hunts."
A special permit is required for the hunters to participate in the program at Oak Mountain.
Nuking the New Year: 'Limo Ride' celebrates oral storytelling, good times gone bad (video, gallery)
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“The fact that it’s a true story, if not a factual story, is what drew us to it.” - Gideon C. Kennedy, co-director of "Limo Ride."
MOBILE, Alabama – There’s a moment, more than an hour into the new film “Limo Ride,” where several of the characters, some shirtless, perch around a blazing fire in the middle of a dirt road, abandoned on a frigid night.
Thawed from the ridiculousness of a New Year’s Eve gone incredibly bad, a collective laugh builds within the group amid the crackle of the campfire until the entire soundscape is filled with fun and flame.
The scene becomes a full-on “giggle montage,” linking the previously mentioned group with three of their buddies, stranded along the same road on the floor of a deserted RV, spooning each other for warmth.
It’s hilarious, but not just because hairy, heavyset men in a feverish clutch is a timeless riot. Rather, the levity is because most of us have been there before, in one way or another – laughing at a ludicrous turn our lives have taken, with madness creeping far too close for comfort.
That familiarity is what makes “Limo Ride” an absolute delight . . . for those whose sensibilities aren’t shaken by copious F-bombs, inferred drug use and coed, full-frontal nudity.
The movie is the latest collaboration of creative partners Gideon “Carson” Kennedy and Marcus Rosentrater – filmmakers with a longstanding connection to Mobile. And while the finished product is certainly their brainchild, at its core is the story shared by those who lived and breathed the original experience more than a decade ago.
Most of those involved were in attendance at two VIP screenings were held in downtown Mobile on Monday – at the Crescent Theater and the Mobile Public Library’s Bernheim Hall.
The film follows a group of friends – all Lower Dauphin Street bar owners, employees and entertainers – and a lone, quasi-available girlfriend, who decide the responsible thing to do with the New Year approaching is to rent a limousine to ferry them safely to the Flora-Bama in Orange Beach for the eve. And the annual Polar Bear Dip into frigid Gulf waters out back the following morning.
And in the spirit of the best of oral traditions, the voices of those who were actually there narrate the film, often either supporting or contradicting each other just enough to keep the viewing experience as unsure and unexpected as that night must have been.
“The umbrella of all of our work is exploring the realm between fact and fiction,” Kennedy said on Monday. “The fact that it’s a true story, if not a factual story, is what drew us to it.
“That, and they’re such great storytellers.”
In a spectacular example of Good Ideas with Bad Results, the night depicted in “Limo Ride” zigs and zags along the razor edge of lunacy, testing just how flexible friendship can be, not to mention sanity. Even for those south Baldwinites who spend a majority of their lives on “island time,” this pushes the envelope and gives a skewed new meaning to the term “designated driver.”
As one character says in the film, “With this group, it’s always like that. It’s always extreme.”
Bad decisions multiply like Grand Marnier-soaked rabbits, all the way to The Keg, a legendary after-hours spot reminiscent of the old Solomon’s in west Mobile. In other words, it’s a place known for surprisingly decent drunk cuisine being gobbled up by decidedly shady characters.
And, true to the second half of the movie’s title, it takes but mere moments for chaos to land a few heavy blows and throw a majority of the revelers out onto the aforementioned long and lonely road.
It’s there that Kennedy and Rosentrater reveal the true heart of the film, which illustrates the difference between being alone and truly lonely.
“Limo Ride” may be about a group of LoDa cronies who lose control as the ball drops on another Southern New Year, but it’s also about the universal understanding of how, sometimes, a hand in the dark is all the light that’s needed.
“When you take a group of people, and take them out of their element and they all have to kind of become equals . . . their bond of friendship is where it’s at,” Kennedy said. “That, to me, is the emotional core of the movie.”
And that core spilled over into the production as well, according to those at the helm, according to Rosentrater. By filming during New Year’s Eve and Polar Bear Dip activities in and around the Flora-Bama, with several of the “real guys” who were there that night, and “freezing alongside that dirt road,” recreation of one kindred experience birthed another.
“That’s the importance of stories,” Rosentrater said after the screening at the Crescent. “You relive it as you tell it.
“That’s what we’ve been through.”
The result has the visceral appeal of the greatest home movie ever, but created by thoughtful, meticulous professionals. “Limo Ride” is memory illuminated – truly a sum greater than, and because of, its many parts and people.
“There’s something about that bond that’s allowed it to exist for over a decade being told as an oral story, in bars and family rooms,” Rosentrater said. “To be able to take that and put it on film and preserve it, it sort of feels like our contribution to that community.”
"Limo Ride" is currently being considered by film festivals around the world. It is scheduled for an early 2014 release, and more details can be found on the film's website and Facebook page.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Gulf State Park rings in 2014 with bonfire, fireworks on the beach (photos, video)
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GULF SHORES, Alabama -- The Alabama State Park System kicked off its 75th year of existence with a bang, lighting a huge bonfire on the beach at Gulf State Park, along with smaller fires for roasting marshmallows and two fireworks displays from the Gulf State Park Pier. Park superintendent Lisa Laraway said that approximately 1,500 people came to the Gulf State Park Pavilion for the event despite chilly 44-degree temperatures and a few scattered raindrops throughout the evening. "We were a little worried at first because the weather is a little iffy," Laraway said. "For a first-time event, we had no idea what to expect. We thought maybe 1,000 people, so this was a really good turn-out."Those 1,500 people were spread throughout the park grounds. Many stayed under the Pavilion, getting hot chocolate or staying warm by the large fireplace under the roof, listening to live music from Tophat and Jackie, Others circled round the massive bonfire on the beach or roasted marshmallows around one of the smaller fires. The fireworks displays, provided by the city of Gulf Shores, each lasted about 10 minutes, one starting at 10 p.m. and one at midnight. The city paid for at least part of the fireworks with a credit for unused fireworks from this year's Fourth of July fireworks show that had to be halted due to high winds. As the clock struck midnight, an exercise ball wrapped with Christmas lights was dropped manually with a pulley. "This year, because it was the first year, we decided to try and go cheesey (with the ball drop)," Laraway said. "If it gets a little more popular, we can go bigger." Ray Shull of Peoria, Ill. brought his family to Gulf Shores for the first time this week and most of them were congregated in folding chairs around one of the smaller stone fire pits. Shull said he had hoped for slightly warmer weather, but the family didn't let the mid-40s temperatures stop them from fishing, enjoying the beach and even swimming in the Gulf. "It's still a lot warmer than in Peoria," Shull said. "And that fire was so big, people were taking their coats off when it's 44 degrees outside."
Stone Mountain's Snow Mountain 7 tips, info and more
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Dedman Got an itch for some snow fun? Head over to Atlanta for Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain. Our kids love the action. Here are options:Snow Mountain Pass (Select Dates Nov. 25 - Feb. 17)Spend a fun-filled day playing across five football fields of frosty joy. Zoom down the 400-foot hill all together in our family-sized tubes, or go it alone as a single rider. From snowman building to snowball shooting, tubing to togetherness, enjoy all the moments that will make for the perfect snow day.Snow Mountain tickets include a two-hour tubing session plus all day access to the snow play areas.Snow Mountain & 3 Attractions Combo PassPlay in the snow and enjoy three Park attractions at a special value.(Available Select Dates Jan. 2, 2014 - Feb. 17, 2014)Snow Mountain: Two-hour tubing session plus all-day access to the Snow Play area.3 Attractions: Includes access to Summit Skyride, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall, and the 4D Theater (Now Showing: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – The 4-D Experience).Snow Mountain & 3 Attractions Combo PassAdmission is $37 per adult/child. Christie Dedman/al.com 1. Wear clothing you don't mind getting wet in and will still stay warm. I suggest snow pants and all weather gloves. 2. Locker rentals are a lifesaver - for $4 to $7 you can get a nice size locker to hold all of your items. Cameras and bags are not allowed on the slopes. You will get a $1 of your rental fee back, they only accept cash. 3. Snow play area is fun for the kids but it can be hectic. There are observation decks but I suggest standing near you child. No snowball fights but there are snow ball throwing areas. The fort is a fun area for the kids to explore. 4. Food is rather expensive. If you can take a picnic or heavy snacks and water I would, the prices are really high for basically deli style food. 5. I suggest doing a combo snow tubing and 3 other attraction ticket to have more to do once your tubing time ends. 6. There are photographers everywhere taking your photo. You can purchase packages at the end for $20 to $25. 7. Take the tram to the top of Stone Mountain if you can, it's a cool view and a cool ride. Christie Dedman/al.com Wednesday, January 8, 2014
March Road in Theodore to close for six months starting Jan. 13 (map)
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THEODORE, Ala.-- March Road from I-10 service road to Wells Road North will be closed for six months beginning on Monday, Jan. 13.
Mobile County Public Works Department will be replacing the bridge over Jackson Creek on March Road.
Public Works is asking that motorists who take that road plan different routes and exercise caution around construction crews in that area and any other construction area you travel near.
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Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Names of 30 Alabama towns that were weird 130 years ago (Odd Travels extra with photos)
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While researching Alabama’s odd place names for this week’s Odd Travels feature, I wanted to ensure the communities still exist.
Read main story, “13 weirdest place names in Alabama,” here, then submit your own photos and odd place names to kkazek@al.com.
Some strange places have survived while others, such as Buck Snort, which had a population of 20 residents in 1886, seemingly have faded away over time.
Bob Gathany, Alabama Media Group photographer, was helping research some names using his “Gram's Unrivaled Family Atlas of the World,” published in 1886, and came across some intriguing communities that existed in Alabama nearly 130 years ago. I’d love to know how they got their names or if any remnants of the communities remain. Anyone with information can send it to kkazek@al.com.
Here’s Bob’s list:
Names of 30 Alabama towns that were weird 130 years ago
Ball Play – Etowah CountyBig Coon – Jackson CountyBlowhorn – Lamar CountyBuck Snort – Fayette CountyCoal Fire – Pickens CountyDead Level – Clarke CountyEnergy – Chilton CountyGnatville – Cherokee CountyHappy Land – Chambers CountyLooxapalila – Lamar CountyMad Indian – Clay CountyMay Apple – Cullman CountyMetropolis – Henry CountyMoscow – Lamar CountyParadise – Baldwin CountyPeckerwood – Talladega CountyRabbit Town – Calhoun CountyRawhide – Lauderdale CountyRed Apple – Marshall CountyRising Sun – Walker CountySanta – DeKalb CountySlipup – Morgan CountySponge – Winston CountySugar – Lauderdale CountySunflower – Washington CountySwamp – Macon CountyToad Vine – Jefferson CountyTootoo – Madison CountyTraveller’s Rest – Coosa CountyWee Bee – Cleburne CountyJoin al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook.13 weirdest place names in Alabama: Submit your own list (Odd Travels with photos)
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Most everyone has seen internet lists of unusual town names and Alabama has lots of strange ones: Opp, Veto, Bug Tussle and Eclectic come to mind.
I recently made my own list of the state’s odd place names culled from several such lists and then did research to determine if the communities still exist – or if they ever did. In the meantime, photographer Bob Gathany came across some unusual names in an old atlas of towns that existed in 1886.
Read “Names of 30 Alabama towns that were weird 130 years ago,” here.
Read a previous AL.com story on odd place names here.
In most cases, these oddly named places are little more than spots in the road, unincorporated areas with nicknames that stuck. I tried to find photographic evidence in the form of welcome or road signs and names of businesses or churches.
Submit your favorite odd place name. My list is below but I want to know of strange places you’ve heard of in Alabama. Please share photos of any of the places on my list or share photos and history of other places you’ve heard about by emailing me at kkazek@al.com.
Kelly Kazek’s 13 weirdest place names in Alabama
1. Boar Tush.
This small community located in Winston County once had a post office and was known as “Boartusk,” according to the Geographic Names Information System. I couldn’t find a photo or any information on how the name came to be or how it was changed.
2. The Bottle.
This community near Auburn in Lee County got its name from a tourist attraction located there in 1924. John Williams, owner of Nehi Bottling Co. in Opelika, constructed a 64-foot building that looked like a Nehi bottle that became known as the World’s Largest Bottle. The building, used as a service station, eatery and observation point, burned in 1933 but the community is still referred to as The Bottle by some locals and on state maps.
3. Burnt Corn.
Burnt Corn is an unincorporated community in Monroe County, located at a crossroads near the source of Burnt Corn Creek and the intersection of two historic Native American trading paths.
The town and the creek may have been named for an incident in which passersby found a pile of parched corn, a food used by Creek Indians. However, others believe the name derives from either Indians who burned settlers’ crops, or vice versa.
See other explanations of the name on the Burnt Corn website here.
4. Frog Eye.
Frog Eye is located in Tallapoosa on the Tallapoosa River between Wadley and Daviston. According to Michele Fortson Waters, a local historian, stories differ as to how Frog Eye got its name but she recounts this one on her website frogeyecooking.com: “Years ago, in the prohibition days, there was a saloon in the community. This saloon sold legal and illegal liquor. There was a ceramic frog that sat in the saloon window. If the state boys were in the saloon the owner would close one of the frog's eye so the customers would know not to ask for the illegal liquor. If both the frog's eyes were open then it was OK to ask for the illegal liquor. The community became known all around as Frog Eye.”
5. Intercourse.
Intercourse is little more than a crossroads in Sumter County. According to Wikipedia, Intercourse is named for an intersection, which was called an "intercourse" at the time, at the location of the community’s general store.
6. Lick Skillet.
Sometimes written Lickskillet, this community near Hazel Green in Madison County is at the intersection of Butter and Egg Road and Charity Lane. According to a 2010 story on AL.com, the community got its name from a brawl.
Bill Malone of Fayetteville, Tenn., said his uncle, Hut Malone, got into a fight inside the general store at the crossroads. Suddenly, he grabbed a skillet that was in the store and struck his opponent on the head, ending the fight.
The community was from then on known as Lick Skillet because Malone “licked” his opponent “with a skillet.”
7. Needmore.
Needmore is a community in Pike County that grew around Pleasant Hill Primitive Baptist Church, organized in 1842, according to the blog Strange Alabama. It supposedly got its name from a local man who said the town “needed more of everything.”
8. Normal.
Normal is a Madison County community where Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is located. Normal was established when a post office was located there in 1890, when AAMU was then known as the State Normal and Industrial School of Huntsville.
9. Scratch Ankle.
According to a 2003 story in The Gadsden Times, the Monroe County community of Scratch Ankle got its name from a plethora of pests. The story blames the itchy population on either the fleas that feasted on the multitude of cows, and then humans, or on the mosquitoes that invaded the area. In both tales, residents were often seen scratching their ankles.
10. Screamer.
While I was unable to find any information on how this Henry County community got its name, I did learn it has a volunteer fire department. Anyone with history of the area, please send it to me at kkazek@al.com.
11. Slapout.
According to lore, this Elmore County community got its name from the 1920s-era general store, which was typically “slap out” of many staples. When quizzed about his stock, the owner would respond simply, “I’m slap out.”
12. Slick Lizard.
This community near Nauvoo in Walker County supposedly got its name from a nearby mine used in the 1920s. According to the book, “Alabama Off the Beaten Path,” the name comes from miners who had to crawl on their bellies through clay portals about 2 feet high and came out “slick as a lizard.”
13. Smut Eye.
This community in Bullock County got its name from a blacksmith’s shop, according to a 1999 article in The Montgomery Advertiser. The blacksmith served a “homemade ale that the local women called the devil's brew.” The men of the town would stand around the fire to talk and drink moonshine, leaving with their faces smudged with the exception of their eyes. The wives would know what their men had been up to and soon began calling the shop, and later the community, “Smuteye.”
Join al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook.
Migrating Whooping cranes take off from Chilton County on their journey to Florida
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CLANTON, Alabama -- A dedicated group of about 30 birding enthusiasts stood in the cold on the side of a Chilton County highway waiting for a group of juvenile Whooping cranes to fly overhead. After listening to pilots talk on a two-way radio they caught sight of the cranes led by a small white ultra-light aircraft. Just after the sun rose over the horizon they took off on a morning flight, continuing on their journey to St. Marks National Wildlife Reserve in Florida.
Lauren Muncher, a junior biology major at Samford University, learned the migrating Whooping cranes were near her home after reading an article on AL.com Wednesday night. She woke her mother and sister up early Thursday morning to see them fly overhead.
"It's just amazing what they are doing", she said after seeing eight Whooping cranes tucked in formation behind the ultra-light aircraft. "I wanted to stop taking pictures to just enjoy what I was seeing."
Volunteers at nonprofit Operation Migration, as well as pilots of the ultra-light trikes, all dress in white as "parental cranes" as they train the juvenile Whooping cranes to migrate. They accompany the birds along a route from Wisconsin to Florida in hopes they will complete the journey on their own in the future.
The 1,113-mile route takes them through eight states beginning in Wisconsin and has 22 planned stops. Their progress can be followed on the group's website, which updates frequently.
The group landed in Chilton County on Dec. 18, 2013, and has been grounded ever since due to weather conditions at the take-off and landing locations.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Flora-Bama's New Year's Eve shindig brings out thousands (photos)
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PERDIDO KEY, Florida -- Marlo Goodway was ready for the final moments of 2013. And when it struck midnight, the Daphne woman shouted out, "Happy New Year, y'all," and then kissed some guy. She was just one of thousands of people who came out to the Flora-Bama on the Alabama-Florida state line to ring in 2014. Not all in attendance were partying; Katie Spencer was shucking dozens of oysters, just one of the culinary delights on the menu for those that held the $40 ticket to enter."I think we'll have enough oysters," Spencer said. "Or at least I hope so."Bartender Heather Smith was pouring drinks as fast as any bartender on the coast. "Oh man, they're coming fast," Smith said. "I think the bushwacker is the drink of the night."On the dance floor, Jo Donna McKenna of Jackson, Miss., was cutting a rug. "This is the best place to ring in 2014," McKenna said. "This is my fifth year being here and they really did a good job this year."
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Wintry weather socks nationwide air travel -- again
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AP file photoBIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Wintry weather associated with two consecutive shots of Arctic air during the past few days continues to threaten air travel across the U.S.
By midday Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration had at times issued snow- and ice-related ground delays at airports from the Midwest to the Northeast U.S., including Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Detroit, Reagan National Airport, Chicago airports Midway and O'Hare and Kansas City.
Early Thursday afternoon, FlightStats.com reported significant to excessive delays mounting for inbound and outbound flights at Cleveland, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, LaGuardia, JFK, Boston and Atlanta.
More than 2,100 flights had been canceled and more than 4,900 delayed as of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, according to FlightStats.
Travelers should continue to check with their airlines to confirm any changes.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport's flight information posted a few delayed departures to the affected region: Southwest Airlines Flight 4097 to St. Louis and Southwest Airlines Flight 246 to Baltimore.
Arrival delays were posted from Baltimore, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta.
United Airlines Flight 6132, scheduled to arrive in Birmingham a few minutes before 5 p.m., was listed as canceled, flight information shows.
Flight information for Huntsville International Airport showed two cancellations -- United Airlines Flight 4498 from Chicago O'Hare originally scheduled to arrive after 3 p.m. and United 4341, which was to depart Huntsville for Chicago about 2 p.m. Thursday.
10 strange Alabama sites I hope to visit for Odd Travels features in 2014 (photos) (Kelly Kazek)
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I love my job, particularly writing about Alabama’s colorful characters, strange roadside attractions and quirky history in my weekly Odd Travels features.
In 2013, I wrote about dozens of strange and unusual places and people and plan to continue my “odd-yssey” in 2014. Here are some places on my list.
10 strange Alabama sites to visit in 2014
(In no particular order)
1. Weird Elephant Building
A truly weird service station. I’ve mentioned this in a previous story but never seen it. To Go: 820 Main St., Roanoke, AL
2. Jesus on the Hospital Door
A visage of Jesus on a door in Walker Baptist Medical Center. To Go: 3400 Highway 78 East, Jasper, AL. Call the hospital before visiting. 205-387-4000
3. Bamahenge
Fiberglass Stonehenge replica by artist Mark Cline. To Go: 26986 Fish Trap Road, Elberta, AL
4. Lady in the Lake
Another sculpture by Mark Cline, located in Barber Marina. To Go: 26986 Fish Trap Road, Elberta, AL
5. Natural Bridge
A 148-foot sandstone and iron ore arch known as the "Longest Natural Bridge East of the Rockies." To Go: Winston County Road 314, Natural Bridge, AL
6. World’s Smallest City Block
A gravel triangle recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in Dothan. To Go: East Troy St., Dothan, AL
7. The Elberta Dinosaurs
Four huge dinosaur statues placed randomly in the woods. To Go: Letterman Road in Elberta, AL, located near Barber Marina, the site of Lady in the Lake.
8. Museum of Wonder
Artist Butch Anthony's museum of marvels. To Go: 41 Poorhouse Road, Seale, AL. Admission $1. Free drive-through Museum of Mystery at the intersection of Highways 431 and 169. 334-855-9547.
9. Giant Blue Paper Clip
Located in downtown Spanish Fort. To Go: North side of Spanish Fort Boulevard/U.S. Highway 31 at Old Spanish Trail/U.S. Highway 98.
10. Meteorite that Struck Housewife
The meteorite that came through the roof and struck Sylacauga housewife Ann Hodges is located at the Alabama Museum of Natural History at the University of Alabama. To Go: Smith Hall, 427 Sixth Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL
Join al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Call her at 256-701-0576 or find her on Facebook.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Polar Bear Dip at Flora-Bama brings out more than 1,000 people (photos, video)
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PERDIDO KEY, Florida -- About 2,000 people gathered at the beach along the Alabama-Florida state line for the annual Polar Bear Dip at high noon. Now, depending on who you talked to the water was chilly, but Renata Mueller of Wisconsin thought the Gulf of Mexico was like bath water. "This ain't nothing," cried Mueller. "Heck, we go into freezing water for our polar bear dip. This is like a bath."Also on the beach (in pajamas) was Liz Pugh who was right at the edge of the water. "I'm ready," she shouted. Then, just at noon, John McInnis, owner of the Flora-Bama screamed into a bullhorn for all to head into the drink.At that point about 1,500 hundred people headed into the Gulf of Mexico, many running right back to the beach.
Friday, January 3, 2014
LuLu's Noon Year's Eve party kicks off New Year celebrations on the coast (photos)
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GULF SHORES, Alabama -- For the ninth consecutive year, LuLu's at Homeport Marina proved you don't need to wait until midnight to celebrate the start of a new year. Several hundred people turned out for the family-friendly New Year's event at the famous Gulf Shores restaurant, highlighted by a countdown to noon and the release of hundreds of inflated beach balls over the crowd. In spite of 47-degree temperatures, dreary grey skies and chilling winds, the parking lots at LuLu's were overflowing as the countdown to Noon Year's Eve commenced, and cars were parked along 28th Ave and 1st Street in Gulf Shores. LuLu's owner Lucy Buffett (sister to music icon Jimmy Buffett) said she was worried at first that the weather would keep people away, but her fears were eased when she saw the crowds lining up. "People plan on it now, and it's become really popular," Buffett said. "There are a lot of people who don't want to go out on New Year's Eve, so with this they can do it early be done and home and the kids are included."In addition to the ball drop, the festivities included live music from Nashville recording artist Caroline Kole, a sand castle-building contest, and the usual food and fun LuLu's offers. The chilly weather had many people heading for their cars by about 12:20 p.m., but James Hughes of Hoover and his family stuck around afterword, hoping to take advantage of shorter lines for face-painting, balloon animals and the Mountain of Youth ropes course. His son Carter had his face painted like a tiger to show his Auburn fandom, and family friend Sean Corie was adorned with a Crimson Tide-inspired elephant. The event at LuLu's was just the first of many New Year's Eve celebrations planned for today and tomorrow along the coast. Keep checking AL.com/beaches for photos and updates from New Year's festivities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.