Calendar of Events: March 4 – 10, 2020

Chili Cook-off
Saturday, March 7, 11a.m. – 3 p.m. at Mardi Gras Park. Join us for food and live entertainment where teams compete to find out who can cook-up the best chili with chances to win great prizes. The American Cancer Society is able to fund innovative cancer research, promote education and risk reduction and provide comprehensive patient support to those who need it most through this fundraiser. For more information contact Marlene Pathle at 251-344-9858 or mobilechilicookoff@gmailcom.

GENERAL INTEREST

BizConversations
Wednesday, March 4, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Container Yard. Guest speaker Patrick Dungan. Admission: $10 in advance | $15 at the door. For more information visit www.gulfcoastbizcon.com

Fairhope lecture series
Thursday, March 5, 6-7 p.m. Fairhope Public Library. Join us for “The Story of Clay in Fairhope” with guest speaker Zach Sierke. For more information visit fairhopelibrary.org.

AARP’s March Dora Franklin-Finley
Join AARP Alabama for this amazing historical tour! Seating is limited. Registered and attending participants may receive a free lunch at the Via Café for the day of the tour. Van leaves from the back portico of Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center 1717 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL at 9:30 AM returning at 12:30 PM REGISTRATION REQUIRED Call 1-877-926-8300 or register online at: Thursday, March 5th http://bit.ly/35aatour Wednesday, March 11th http://bit.ly/harriettour2 Thursday, March 19th http://bit.ly/319aatour

Fairhope Art Walk
Friday, March 6, 6-8 p.m. Celebration of local artists, makers, crafters, and music. Stroll through Downtown Fairhope and shop vendors and local boutiques. Restaurants and businesses are open late for the event.

Live Bluegrass Music and Storytelling
Friday, March 6, 6-8 p.m. at Historic Blakeley State Park. The park will host local bluegrass band “String Farm” as they play top bluegrass hits, old time gospel, and a variety of unplugged Americana music. Between sets, popular historian and storyteller Donnie Barrett, longtime director at the Fairhope Museum of History, will share some of his favorite legends and tall tales around the bonfire. For more information visit www.blakeleypark.com.

WWII Living History Event
Saturday, March 7,  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fort Gaines | Dauphin Island. Experience a day in the life of a WWII soldier. The soldiers will be doing drills throughout the day, and there will be authentic camping and blacksmithing in the original blacksmith shop. For more information visit www.dauphinisland.org

Operation Clean Sweep
Saturday, March 7, 7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. located at 7195 Half Mile Road at the Irvington Landfill. Free public dumping for all Mobile County residents ONLY (no businesses allowed). Must show proof of residency. No dump trailers. For more information find us on Facebook. 

Tax Tuesday
Tuesday March 10, 10a.m.-5p.m. 1880 C Airport Blvd. Free tax preparation and advice for all individuals earning $40,000 or less. Hosted by Loop Tax Services. For more information call 251-725-6927.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Grand Opening
“The Little Zoo That Could” will be opening to the public on Tuesday, March 11 at their new location (20499 Oak Road East, Gulf Shores). Call 251-256-7008 for more information.

Train show
Saturday/Sunday March 14 & 15 at Via Health Center (1717 Dauphin St). Kids under 10 free; adults $10, family $10. For more information call 678-920-1602. 

“Azalea Trail Murder Tale”
Saturday, March 14, 6:30 p.m. Bellingrath Hall (1260 Dauphin St).  The planning committee is having a “bit” of a problem getting along and wouldn’t you know it, some poor person ends up dead. Advance reservations are required at www.mobilemysterydinners.com or call 251-865-7398.

Mobile Bay Green Drinks
Hosted by Alabama Coastal Foundation’s local chapter of an international organization.  Informal meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5-7pm at District Hall (Fairhope) and the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Alchemy Tavern (Mobile) to discuss, promote and network about local and global environmental issues. For more information please email mobilebaygreendrinks@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/MobileBayGreenDrinks.

AA meeting
Alcoholic Anonymous meeting daily at 6pm at Common Ground (8162 Well Road, Daphne). Free and open to newcomers.

Compassionate Friends of Mobile
Every second Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m. in Room 207 of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, corner of Dauphin and Catherine streets (Mobile). CFM is a support group for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. Call 251-721-2209 or visit compassionatefriendsmobile.org.

Lupus Support Group Meeting
Every third Saturday of the month, 2-4 p.m., Providence Hospital in Moorer Conference Room #1. Sponsored by Hats & Heels Inc. Visit hatsandhealsinc.org.

Heart & Soul Book Club Meeting
Every fourth Saturday, 4-5:30 p.m., Mobile West Regional Library. Contact Cassandra at heartandsoulbookclub@gmail.com.

FUNDRAISERS 

Tee Off Fore a Cure
Friday, March 6 – Saturday, March 7.  Children’s of Alabama will celebrate this 15th annual event with the pre-tournament “Curing Cancer Crystal Ball” kicking off at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Lakewood Golf Club (1 Grand Blvd.). On Saturday morning, golfers will gather for the tournament and seventh annual Golf Ball Drop at The Lakewood Club’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. For more details or to register for the golf tournament contact Kerrie Benson, Children’s development associate, at 251-610-4969, or visit give.childrensal.org/teeoff.

Autism2Ability’s
Wednesday, March 11, 5-9 p.m. Daphne Civic Center. The event features live music by Roman  Street, an opportunity to meet known authors: Winston Groom, John Sledge and Watt Key,and to view art exhibits. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or from Page and Palette(check or cash only)  Ticket prices are: single ticket $65, Groups of 5 $60 each and for Groups of 10 $55 each.

Many more miles
For the 17th consecutive year, Baldwin Bone & Joint, P.C. will once again host this important community project. Those interested in participating are encouraged to clean up those gently used athletic shoes and tie them together in pairs before dropping them off at any of the following locations:  Baldwin Bone and Joint (1505 Daphne Avenue, Daphne), Dr. Glenn Glass’ Office (1303 Main Street, Daphne), The University of South Alabama Student Recreation Center, PE Coaches with Participating Schools in Mobile & Baldwin Counties, Final Drop-off Opportunity:  2020 Azalea Trail Run Expo (Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, Mobile Civic Center). For more information, call 251.621.5387 or visit baldwinboneandjoint.com.

ARTS

USA Symphony Band Winter Concert
Thursday, March 5, 7:30 pm, Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. Join the USA Music department for this evening concert that is open to the public. . Admission: $8 General Admission | $5 USA Students with valid I.D. For more information visit https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/music/mas.html

“Katia Garza: My Life in Dance”
Saturday, March 7 at 3pm & Sunday, March 8 at 3pm, Bernheim Hall at Ben May Main Library. Free screening and meet Mobile Ballet Artistic Director, Katia Garza, and view the limited-release inspirational film about her life as a ballerina. Get tickets at www.mobileballet.org or call 251-342-2241.

“Vivace”
Saturday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, 2:30 p.m. Mobile Saenger Theatre. The Mobile Symphony salutes young talent and classical masterworks with Vivace with young, vibrant and exceptionally talented, cello prodigy Sujari Britt. For tickets and more information visit https://www.mobilesaenger.com/calendar/

“Black Coffee”
Now through Sunday, March 8. The secret formula for a scientific breakthrough has been stolen from Sir Claud’s country house and now Sir Claud has been poisoned. Was it the great scientist’s son? His lovely young wife? The mysterious foreign doctor? The butler? It takes the wits of Hercule Poirot to find the guilty party. For more information and tickets visit cctshows.com or call 251-457-8887.

“Seussical Jr.” on the Great Lawn
Friday, March 6, 6 p.m. Bellingrath Gardens and Home. In “Seussical Jr.,” favorite Dr. Seuss characters are lovingly brought to life, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, the lazy bird Mayzie, and JoJo, a little boy with a big imagination. Tickets will be available at the door, or may be purchased ahead of time from thepactmobile.com.

MUSEUMS

Ancient Rome: The Empire that shaped the world
Now through April 5 at History Museum of Mobile. The most incredible and useful machines and technology from ancient Roman designs have been brought to life for the first time in two thousand years! The exhibition covers the Roman Empire’s most impressive and innovative machines and constructions, including the catapult, early clocks and the secrets behind the incredible Colosseum. For more information visit historymuseumofmobile.com. 

Dinosaurs at Exploreum
Now through May 10. Dinosaurs Around the World takes you back in time on a dinosaur adventure and a tour of an Earth very different from today – a time before the continents as we know them existed, when lush landscapes covered Africa and greenery was the norm in Antarctica! With advanced animatronics, a multi-layered narrative, fossils, authentic casts, cutting-edge research and immersive design elements you’ll experience the Age of Reptiles as it comes to life! For more information visit www.exploreum.com/exhibits/special

Thursdays at MMoA
Every Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the Mobile Museum of Art offers free admission to all Mobile County residents. No reservations necessary. 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile. Call 251-208-5200.

SPORTS EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

Funky Monkey run
Saturday, March 14, 8 a.m. at the University of South Alabama Moulton Bell Tower.  For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/FunkyMonkey5K/

Lenten volunteering opportunity
St Paul’s Gift Shop, 28788 N Main St, Daphne 36526 is looking for volunteers during Lent. Hours are flexible. Call 251-626-242

Memory Cafe
Second Wednesday of the month, starting January 2020, a social gathering where people living with dementia and their care partners can participate in expressive arts and enjoy social interaction in a safe and supportive environment. Meeting at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center at 301 Conti Street, Mobile, aL 36602. Call Dementia Friendly Mobile @251-209-1555.

Ballroom dance
First and 3rd Mondays at Hot Wheels Skating Rink (616 Whispering Pines Rd. Daphne). Moonlight Chasse Ballroom Dance Society. Casual/dressy casual, byob and snacks. Doors open at 6:45, live music 7-9 p.m.

Bingo at Via
Bingo every Tuesday and Thursday, 1-3 p.m.  Join us for lunch at Via Cafe $7 each. Bingo $4 per packet. Via Health, Fitness, Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. (Mobile), 251-470-5222. Open to public.

WORKSHOPS

Marriages End. Families Don’t
Monday, March 9, 6 p.m. Lifelines Counseling Services. An educational program that focuses on how effective parenting can lessen the negative impact of divorce and parental separation on children. Children need both parents in their lives working together to increase their child’s ability to adjust to the changes associated with divorce. To sign up visit http://www.lifelinesmobile.org/family-marital-and-divorce-counseling/

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Baldwin County Commission: First and third Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., 322 Courthouse Square, Bay Minette. Work sessions are second and fourth Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. rotating between Bay Minette, the Foley Satellite Courthouse, the Fairhope Satellite Courthouse and the Baldwin County Central Annex Building in Robertsdale, baldwincountyal.gov.

Baldwin County Planning Commission: First Thursday at 6 p.m., 22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale, baldwincountyal.gov.

Bayou La Batre City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 5:30 p.m., 13785 S. Wintzell Ave., cityofbayoulabatre.com.

Chickasaw City Council: Second and fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m., 224 N. Craft Highway, 251-452-6450.

Citronelle City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 6:30 p.m., 19135 Main St., 251-866-7973.

Creola City Council: Second and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m., 190 Dead Lake Road, #A, 251-675-8142.

Daphne City Council: First and third Monday at 6:30 p.m., 1705 Main St. Work sessions second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., daphneal.com.

Dauphin Island Town Council: First and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m., 1011 Bienville Blvd., townofdauphinisland.org.

Elberta Town Council: Third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the town hall. Workshop meeting on the second Tuesday, townofelberta.com.

Fairhope City Council: Second and fourth Monday at 6 p.m., 161 N. Section St. Work sessions held before each council meeting at 4:30 p.m., cofairhope.com.

Fairhope Planning Commission: First Monday at 5 p.m., 161 N. Section St. Visit cofairhope.com.

Foley City Council: First and third Monday at 5:30 p.m., 407 E. Laurel Ave. Work sessions begin at 4 p.m.; cityoffoley.org.

Gulf Shores City Council: Second and fourth Mondays at 4 p.m., 1905 W. First St., gulfshoresal.gov.

Mobile City Council: Tuesdays at Government Plaza, 205 Government St. Pre-council meeting at 9 a.m.; council meeting at 10:30 a.m., cityofmobile.org.