Turn Back the Clock

Before there was a State of the City event, the City of Mobile published an Annual Report. This document would chronicle the events, accomplishments, and other activities in city government for the past year.

Last year, a former resident was going through his parents' belongings and found this City of Mobile Annual Report from 1955 - 1956. He graciously donated it to the City of Mobile, and we're happy to share it with you.

If you're a history buff, especially Mobile history, you'll want to take a few minutes to go through this report and look at some of the fascinating pictures and accounts. Some highlights of the day included a recent major annexation (sound familiar?), the "new" Providence Hospital on Spring Hill Avenue, and the opening of Municipal Park (complete with a swimming lake lined with sand from Dauphin Island).

Remember to full-screen the document so you can read it. If you want to compare it to this year's "annual report", click here.

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MPD Conducts Underage Drinking Compliance Checks

On May 27, 2009, the Mobile Police Department continued its fight against underage drinking by conducting another Underage Drinking Compliance Check. Fourteen of the businesses listed below were in full compliance with the law and one was not. In the non-compliant case, a warrant will be signed against the employee who failed to properly check identification.

The businesses which were in compliance are as follows:

• Shell Merri Mart #315, 3660 Airport Blvd.
• Rainbow Package Store #2, 3698 Airport Blvd., Ste. A
• Airport Package Store, 3821 D Airport Blvd.
• Value Express #9, 379 Azalea Rd.
• Shell Short Stop, 3948 Airport Blvd.
• Circle K Stores, Inc. #6758, 4659 Airport Blvd.
• Rite Aid #7186, 6400 Airport Blvd.
• Rainbow Spirits, 1222 Hillcrest Rd., Ste. E
• Circle K Stores, Inc. #4472, 6900 Airport Blvd.
• CVS Pharmacy #2567, 7081 Airport Blvd.
• Super K, 7160 Airport Blvd.
• USA Square Package Store, 65 Cody Rd. N.
• Old Shell Package, 6711 B Old Shell Rd.
• Old Shell Convenience Store, 6567 Old Shell Rd.

The business NOT in compliance was:

• Asia Market, 448 Azalea Rd.

Old Shell Road Closure East of Schillinger

Old Shell Road between Schillinger Road and Alverson Road will be closed at 9:00 A.M. on Monday, June 1st for a period of 6 to 8 weeks. This will be done to facilitate the widening of Old Shell Road between Schillinger Road and Hillcrest Road.

Westbound Old Shell Road traffic will be detoured to southbound Alverson Road, then west on Airport Blvd, to Schillinger.

Mobile Loses Pinoeer Firefighter

Retired Mobile Fire-Rescue Firemedic-Driver Herbert “Herbie” Horton, 74, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. Horton was hired in 1968 and served the department and the citizens of Mobile until his retirement in 1995 after 27 years. Horton was a pioneer and volunteered to be among the first ten firefighters and the first African-American trained and certified to be a Paramedic for the department in 1974 when the department first started its Emergency Medical Services program. The department began with one rescue truck, Rescue 23, which was located at the Dan C. Sirmon Fire Station located on Airport Boulevard. The department now operates 9 full time Rescue Ambulances.

Herbie, as his friends called him, was a very friendly and easy going guy and always had a smile. He always saw the good in every body he met. He will be sadly missed. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Market in the Park Starts Today

Where can you find fresh and local fruits, vegetables, honey, seafood, and flowers, free live music, and free admission to one of the South's best art museums? At the Market in the Park in Langan Park which kicks off its summer offerings today from 3 til 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Mobile Museum of Art (4850 Museum Drive).

We provide the music, and the Museum provides family tours and free admission during Market hours. New this year, we have the Palette Cafe, the Museum's delectable restaurant serving dinner in the atrium and on the patio until 6:30 p.m.

Come make a day of it and bring the entire family for food, art, live music by Chris Duncan and much more fun!

The Market in the Park is held every Thursday until July 23.

For more information about how to become a vendor, please call: (251) 208-7540.

MAWSS to Feature Painting Booth at Kids Days in Bienville

Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) will offer kids the opportunity to paint a picture to enter in the “Fun with Water” Watercolor Contest during Kids Days in Bienville, June 4 and 11. MAWSS is asking youngsters to paint a picture of their favorite summer activity involving water such as canoeing, swimming or fishing. Winners will be selected in age categories 6-10, 11-15 and 16-18 with one overall winner. The school or supporting organization of the overall winner will receive a matching prize. All entries will be on display at Bel Air Mall June 16-26. The entry deadline is June 12.

Official rules and entry forms can be obtained from the Customer Service Center at Bel Air Mall, MAWSS Customer Service Center at 207 N. Catherine St. , MAWSS West Mobile location at 4725-B Moffett Rd. in the Park Forest Plaza Shopping Center or downloaded by visiting “What’s New at MAWSS” at www.mawss.com.

Remember, Kids Days in Bienville Square are from June 4th to July 9th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to the painting, kids can take part in other hands-on art activities; visits from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Mobile Police and Fire Departments and so much more.

Then, Kids Days in Langan Park are on Saturdays July 18th and 25th from 10 until 1. For more information, call Neighborhood and Community Services at 251-470-7730.

Help Wanted: Jobs Open at Local Agencies

The City of Mobile and other local government agencies are hiring. Below is the complete listing of all jobs available through the Mobile County Personnel Board. This list includes jobs open at each agency (not just the City of Mobile). For more information, call the Mobile County Personnel Board at (251) 470-7727.

[Remember to full-screen the document.]

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Honor Our Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day

Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day. The day set aside to honor all Veterans who have passed away particularly those fallen in battle. It is a solemn time to remember, but it is also a much-needed reminder to all of us left behind that our uniquely American freedoms are not free.

The South Alabama Veterans’ Council (SAVC) announces the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery on Virginia Street in Mobile. The 40-minute ceremony begins at 9:00 AM Monday May 25, 2009. The keynote speaker will be Rear Admiral Clyde Marsh, USN(ret), the Director of the Alabama State Department of Veterans Affairs and Mobile Mayor Sam Jones will welcome all. Local Veterans and military organizations will be represented and many elected officials will be in attendance.

The public is cordially and enthusiastically invited to attend. The SAVC offers this ceremony as an appropriate memorial to our Veterans but also as a reminder to all that it is only through the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed services that we are able to enjoy and preserve our rights and freedoms. It is incumbent on all of us to carry on this tradition and ensure it is passed on to our youth. These ideals of service and sacrifice are integral to patriotism and vital to the survival of our American way of life. Please bring your family and join us Memorial Day to honor those who made liberty possible.

A Look at the State of Mobile

Below is the publication produced in conjunction with the Annual State of the City Luncheon. It features the accomplishments from the City of Mobile over the past year. This year's theme is Linking Service to Citizens.

Enjoy! (and remember to full-screen the document by clicking the button in the top-right corner)

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You can also view the State of the City Video here, and view or read the State of the City Address here.

Safety Checkpoints this Weekend

Beginning Thursday May 21, 2009 through the Memorial Day weekend, Mobile Police will be conducting Safety Checkpoints in various parts of Mobile. The checkpoints will be conducted during evening hours to ensure citizen safety and that motorists are complying with state and local traffic laws.

Police will be checking seatbelts, child restraints, and other safety features. Officers will also be checking to ensure that drivers are carrying registration, proof of insurance, and drivers’ licenses, as required by law.

BayFest Art Winner Named

BayFest, Mobile’s Music Festival, recently offered area artists an incredible opportunity during the music festival’s 15^th anniversary year – a chance to design the official BayFest poster, which will influence the look of the entire festival for 2009. Approximately 30 submissions were received and reviewed by BayFest officials.

The winning piece, created by Fairhope resident Sam Gambino, was unveiled on Wednesday. Sam, whose great love and appreciation for vintage art is evident his work, has shown his art in galleries both inside and outside the United States. More information and samples of Gambino’s other work can be found at www.samgambino.com.

In addition to serving as the festival’s 2009 poster art, the winning design will be featured on the BayFest website (www.bayfest.com), in the ticket and on-site brochure designs, and as part of the entire ad campaign for this year’s event.

Here's a look at the winner and some others:

Hundreds of Activities in the City of Mobile This Summer

Want to learn how to Salsa Dance? What about how to play the guitar? Or maybe you need to brush up on your computer skills? Did you know classes on all these subjects and many more are available here in Mobile?

Below is the Community Activities Program for Summer 2009. Why not pick out a class (or several) and go for it! Have fun!

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How Mobile 311 and CitiSmart Make Mobile Better

You may have heard about CitiSmart, Mayor Jones' initiative for making Mobile city government more effective, efficient and accountable. But have you seen it in action? In the YouTube video below, you will see CitiSmart, along with another of Mayor Jones' initiatives, Mobile 311, in action.

Remember, for all non-emergency City of Mobile services, call Mobile 3-1-1.

Exploreum Summer Camps Now Available

Sign up soon for fun at the Exploreum Summer Camps. Called the best camp experience in Mobile, Exploreum camps are full of edutainment and great experiences.

Here's the link for more details.

UMS-Wright Student to be Given Safety Art Award

Mobile Fire Chief Stephen Dean, Public Education Officer Kent Landsberg and Karen Ivey with RE/MAX Realty will be at the UMS-Wright School Auditorium, Friday, May 15 at 8:00 a.m. to present the Helmet Safety Sticker Contest Award to UMS-Wright student Rachael Stewart, 9. Stewart submitted the winning artwork and safety slogan “Keep it on or you’ll be gone.”

Students submit artwork for a safety sticker design and the winning artwork is made into an actual sticker for helmet safety. The winner receives dinner at Firehouse Subs, their artwork is displayed at area Firehouse Subs Restaurants, both the student and the school receives plaques, the winning student also receives 100 stickers of their design and two thousand stickers are distributed to area school children.

The Helmet Safety Sticker Contest is sponsored by Karen Ivey with RE/MAX Realty and the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department.

Round Up for the Mobile Animal Shelter

We know that you want to help the Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter because you have heard about all of the precious pets that are sitting at the City of Mobile Animal Shelter just waiting to find forever homes, but you can't seem to find the time to volunteer with us. Well, read on because you can make a difference without having to take any time out of your busy schedule!

Here's how it works:

During the month of May, when you make a purchase at B&B Pet Stop, your cashier will ask if you want to "Round-Up for Charity". It will ALWAYS be less than $1.00 since we're asking if you would round your sale up to the next dollar and donate the difference. For example, if your total is $21.65 your cashier will ask, "Would you like to round up to $22.00 for charity?". The extra 35 cents will then be donated to the charity of the month, which will be FOMAS during the month of May. You can, of course, always donate more... just tell your cashier! It is that simple. Thanks to B&B Pet Stop for introducing this great way for customers to donate to their favorite charity!

Thank you in advance for making plans to shop B&B Pet Stop for all of your pet care needs during the month of May and for helping make a difference in the life of a Shelter pet! (Please forward this e-mail to your friends and family and help us spread the word.)

Pick a Side: MPD vs. MFRD for a Good Cause

Competition at its best! Please join other socially conscious members of Mobile’s Police and Fire Departments to build homes for families in need! The competition will be going on between May 19 - 23 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tasks may include raising walls, framing, roofing, installation of floors, painting, or landscaping. Habitat staff will be on hand to show you how to perform any task, and no tools or experience required! Work a whole day, or a half day.

Registration is easy! Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (251) 476-7171 or
jtidwell@habitatmobile.org to sign up. Choose a date and time, and we will give you directions to the worksite. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 15, 2009.

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month with a Tour of the Church Street Graveyard

Mobile Historic Development Commission invites you to a complimentary tour of the Church Street Graveyard on Tuesday, May 12 from noon to 12:40 p.m. We'll meet just inside the graveyard gate. You can park along Scott Street or against the north wall. Bottled water provided.

John Sledge will be giving the tour. He is the author of several books on Mobile’s historic architecture, has over twenty years of experience, and has a Master's degree as an Architectural Historian. John adds humor and personal anecdotes as he gives his walk through not only the history of the graveyard but the lives of the people who rest there.

MFRD Citizens Academy to Graduate

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Citizens Academy will end its ten weeks of training with graduation ceremonies on Monday, May 11. Seventeen members of the fourth Citizens Academy, who have a new viewpoint of fire-rescue operations, will receive their certificates of achievement. The graduation is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Mobile Gas Corporation Auditorium located at 2828 Dauphin Street.

The class spanned ten weeks and covered all aspects of the fire and emergency medical service. Participants learned CPR, basic first aid, fire extinguisher use and rode along with firefighters and firemedics on actual emergency calls. Participants also rappelled from the four-story training tower and participated in a live burn exercise. They also toured the 911 Communications Center and the Mobile harbor on board the department’s fire boat, the Phoenix.

The purpose of the program is to increase understanding of the fire and emergency medical operations and to promote citizen interaction with the firefighters and firemedics of the department. The program is designed to enhance awareness of the department’s capabilities and limitations; develop realistic expectations of response times from the point of dispatch; and to develop a cooperative relationship between firefighters and the citizens they serve.

Persons interested in applying for the next Citizens Academy are asked to call the Media Relations Office at 208-2857, check the department’s website at www.cityofmobile.org/fire, or come by the Training Academy to obtain an application at 860 Owens Street. The next Academy is planned for sometime in September of this year.

National Day of Prayer

Organizers held a National Day of Prayer event at Mobile Government Plaza on Thursday, May 7, 2009. Speakers included Archbishop Thomas Rodi, Mayor Sam Jones, Rabbi Steven Silberman, Pastor Debbie Jacobs, and Jason Greene.

In addition to speakers and prayer leaders, the "Peculiar People" Drama Team from Garden Sanctuary Church of God and the Cottage Hill Baptist Youth Band performed. Check out the pictures below.

A video of Mayor Jones's remarks can be found here.

New Firefighters Get Their Helmets On

Nineteen firefighters from Mobile and Daphne, of which eighteen are from Mobile Fire-Rescue, will graduate and receive their badges and fire helmets on Thursday, May 7, 2009 after having completed approximately eighteen weeks of training at the department’s training academy. Mayor Sam Jones is scheduled to address the graduating class at the ceremony which begins at 11 a.m.. at the Saenger Theatre located at 6 Joachim Street in downtown Mobile.

In addition to physical requirements and demands, each recruit spent over 640 hours, meeting the academic requirements necessary to become firefighters in the State of Alabama. These hours consisted of classroom studies as well as hands on training in 21 subject areas. While attending the Mobile Fire-Rescue Training Academy, each recruit met the requirements set by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission in obtaining their Firefighter I and II certification, as well as, Introduction to Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations. All recruits also passed and received their State and National Registry license for Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B).

Disney on Ice Skates into Mobile Tonight

Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy. Thrill to high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar's CARS race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid's enchanting undersea kingdom and experience the 'Circle of Life' with The Lion King. Then enter into the magical world of Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and all her fairy friends as they make their world premiere on ice! From wheels to waves, Pride Lands to pixie dust, your family's favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy with dazzling skating, special effects and beloved characters certain to create a lifetime of memories.

Two shows: Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6. Both shows begin at 7pm.

Ticket Prices: $12, $16, & $20
Limited number of Rinkside and VIP seats available.

Tickets are on sale now. They can be purchased at the Mobile Civic Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge by phone, call 1-800-745-3000 or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.

A Chance to Say Thanks to Those Who Keep Us Safe

The annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 14 at Public Safety Memorial Park at the corner of Government St. and Westwood St. in Mobile. The purpose of the event is to recognize and remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty in 2008. Thankfully, no local officers were killed during the year.

The keynote speaker will be Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson, Jr. Mobile Police Department Chief Phillip Garrett, Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, and Special Agent in Charge of the Mobile FBI Office Debra Mack will read the names of the officers who paid the ultimate price. Honor guards from the Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and the Saraland Police Department will be present, and a 21-Gun Salute and Taps will also be performed.

The event is sponsored by the Mobile Police Department and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Office. The public is invited to attend. All inquiries should be directed to Dr. Jerry Brown at 219-1930.

Cops on Top Raise Money for Special Olympics

The Mobile Police Department recently took part in a state-wide initiative to raise funds for the Special Olympics. Police officers sat atop the Wal-Mart at 2500 Dawes Rd. for 24 hours April 24 and 25 and raised more than $3,500 for the worthy cause.

The event, titled “Cops on Top” is an annual fundraiser of the Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. World wide, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for the Special Olympics.

Donations can be made online at www.firstgiving.com/mobilepolicedepartment.

Officers (pictured left to right) Adam Anderson, Bobby Purvis, and George Tolbert spent many hours perched atop Wal-Mart to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Rainy Monday Got You Down? We're Just Four Days from Fridays @ 5!

Downtown Mobile’s after work street party continues with the LoDa Artwalk Friday, May 8, from 5-9. Music will fill the air with local talent on street corners along Dauphin and in downtown parks to start off the weekend. Listen to the music while you make your way to each gallery and shop along the LoDa Artwalk.

Friday @ 5 will feature several different local musicians in May; Roman Street will play in Cathedral Square while El Cantador in Bienville Square from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00p.m. Catt Sirten will feature Radio Avalon music in front of Three Georges from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. then Greg Brown follows up from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Another street corner featuring music is Dauphin St. and Lawrence St. with Lisa Mills from 5:00 p.m.-7:00p.m. and Jon Miller finishing the night from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

Fridays @ 5 will continue with the LoDa Artwalk through June. Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather, great music and local art on every second Friday of the month. Schedules of local musicians June 12 will soon follow. Stay tuned! For more information or questions call 470-7730 or visit or website at www.ncsmobile.org.

MPD Team Places in Adventure Race

Four Mobile Police Officers ventured to Alexander City, Ala. April 18 to participate in the Amphibious Warrior Adventure Race (AWAR) sponsored by the Auburn Marines, members of the Auburn University Navy ROTC. Adventure racing is a test of will, determination and stamina combining several disciplines to include trekking, orienteering, running, mountain biking and paddling kayaks or canoes.

Detective Heath Harville, Detective Christopher Wallace, Lt. Mike Morgan, and Sgt. Kendell Sterrett ran six miles, canoed three miles, navigated three miles and completed challenging obstacles to place third in the Sport Division of the race.

For more information regarding AWAR, visit www.aumarines.com.