​The public is invited to enjoy movies featuring James Bond (Sean Connery.)  This month's feature is "Dr. No" on November 6, 5:30 p.m. at Moorer/Spring Hill Branch Library.  For more information, call 251-470-7770 or email ftigner@mplonline.org.

​Mobile Arts Council's Tacky Sweater Party is Sunday, December 16, 2018, 3-5 p.m. at MAC, 318 Dauphin Street.  Tickets are at mobilearts.z2systems.com

Eat, drink, and be tacky! MAC is hosting its first ever tacky sweater party and art swap. Guests are encouraged to grab their best worst sweater and come to the MAC gallery to enjoy food, drink and celebration.
This event is FREE for MAC members. Guests are welcome for a suggested donation of $10 OR a donation of an art kit to the Light of the Village.

There'll be a special prize for the tackiest sweater. Those who wish to participate in the gift swap should bring a small work of art to exchange with others.

​The Saraland Civic Forum invites businesses and organizations to be a part of Saraland’s 50th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at noon.  In case of rain, the parade will be held December 15, 2018 at noon. The theme for this year’s parade will be “CHRISTMAS MEMORIES.”

The fee for participating will be $30 (non-refundable) per unit. There will be an additional $5 charge per motorcycle. ATV’s will not be allowed.  There will be a $25 charge for returned checks. The first 25 spaces are reserved; all other spaces will be determined as entrance forms with fees are received.

All units should be in place by 11 a.m. at Saraland Middle School.  Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be awarded on Saturday night, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., at the Saraland Civic Center. 

ONLY DANCE TEAMS WHOSE PRIMARY ADDRESS IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF SARALAND WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE.

A Santa Claus float will be provided, and no other Santa’s will be allowed in the parade. Each float is required to have a minimum of 75 lbs. of candy and/or trinkets.NO HARD CANDY, PLEASE. No “eighteen-wheelers” or similar size vehicles will be allowed.

All entries must be postmarked by December 6, 2018 to insure participation in the parade. Send a check or money order payable to Saraland Civic Forum, P.O. Box 462, Saraland, AL, 36571. For more information, contact Carmon Nitteberg, 251-656-8272 or the Saraland Chamber of Commerce at 251-675-4444.

Bayou Rhythm will be at Mobilia Art Center/LODA Art Walk (612 Dauphin Street) on Friday, November 9, 6-8:30 p.m.

Mobilia Art Center invitation:  Mobilia Art "is the best place to be for Art Walk! Come see great art creations, sip wine and hear the Daddy of Art Walk bands, Bayou Rhythm."

South Alabama Veterans Council and Daughters of the American Revolution will present a commemoration of the end of WWI 100 years ago on Sunday, Nov 11, at 11 a.m. — the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month — at War Memorial Park (Houston and Government streets.)

​Chickasaw Veterans Celebration is Friday, November 9, 2 p.m. at Maritime Park.  Parking will be available at City Hall.

​Turkey Dinner and Silent Auction are scheduled at Chickasaw United Methodist Church, 108 Lee Street on Saturday, November 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tickets for the Turkey Dinner are $9 and may be purchased at the door or by calling the church at 251-452-3461.  The sweets table will be full of homemade goodies for purchase.

​Red Shoe Brew 2018,  hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, is Thursday, November 8, 2018, 5-8 p.m. at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, 1626 Springhill Avenue.
The public is invited to join the Red Shoe Society for the 4th annual ‘Red Shoe Brew’ on Thursday, November 8, 2018, 5-8 p.m. at Ronald McDonald House – 1626 Springhill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama. 

The event features brews from Haint Blue Brewing Company, heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine, entertainment, prizes, house tours and more;  this open house event is an evening for local area young professionals 21 years of age and older who are interested in learning more and becoming involved with the Red Shoe Society of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile. 

The Red Shoe Society is a group of area young professionals dedicated to supporting the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile. Members are committed to creating awareness and raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile through a variety of social and volunteer activities and striving to create a fun and welcoming environment where emerging community leaders can network and share their philanthropic interests. If you are between the ages of 21 – 40, you are invited to the Red Shoe Brew to learn more about the Red Shoe Society.

​ St. Francis Episcopal Church, 401 Key Street on Dauphin Island, is holding its Annual Fall Bazaar and "Bring Your Own" White Elephant Sale on Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy the fun, food, fellowship and finds. As usual, the entire porch area will be filled with a large variety of items for sale and a Silent Auction will offer dozens of unique gift ideas for that special someone. 

A delicious array of foods will also be available--baked goods, casseroles, gumbo, homemade pickles, soups and, of course, Wimberly  Hory’s Famous Chicken Salad.  It's a great time to stock up your freezer for the upcoming holidays.

 If you’d like to be part of the White Elephant Sale, just bring a table, chair(s) and items to sell and you will be provided a 12’x12’ space for a $20 fee, which will be donated to local charities.  No reservation is necessary. For more information, contact Cissy Napper, 318-548-4376.

​Saraland Area Chamber of Commerce October Membership Luncheon is Tuesday, November 13, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Saraland Civic Center, 716 Mae Street, Saraland.
Guest speaker will Saraland Mayor Howard Rubenstein who will deliver his State of the City address. RSVP at 251-675.4444 to reserve your seat.  Dinner is $8 for members, $10 for non-members.

​
The public is invited to Mobile ARC Open House on Thursday, November 15, 10:30 a.m. at Fred Delchamps Center, 2401 Gordon Smith Drive.  Visitors can learn more about Mobile ARC, a non-profit that provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

While many know the artistic talents of these individuals from having attended one of the MarcArt shows at Azalea Manor, some may not be aware of other programs in which they participate.

For example, they make sleep mats from recycled grocery bags.  The mats are given to First Christian Church on Stocking Street, which, in turn, gives them to the homeless who receive meals there. Pastor Lee Hixon said that these mats are far better than sleeping on concrete or on the ground.

Mobile ARC participants also volunteer with the Mobile Urban Growers, helping maintain the community gardens.

And one Mobile ARC client, Arthur Audry, grows herbs such as basil and sells them to local businesses and restaurants.

Back to their artistic talents:  The Mobile ARC artists have created paintings for note cards, which are for $10 for a set of 8 cards.  

Open House gives area citizens an opportunity to see what is available, and what is accomplished, by Marc ARC.

Girl's Night Out is a private event, just for the ladies, on Friday, November 16, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. Guests can enjoy food, wine and beer and live entertainment.

Tickets are valid for Girls Night Out only. Market is open until 9 p.m. on Friday, November 16th. Tickets are $35 a person. This is a 21+ event only.

Limited ticket quantities are available for all Special Events. Buy your tickets now before they sell out! All guests MUST have a ticket.

Or you can choose the GOLDEN TICKET $120--The Golden Ticket gets you into ALL Christmas Jubilee special events and a parking pass at the Convention Center for all 4 days!

Tickets available at www.juniorleaguemobile.org or 57 N. Sage Avenue.

A GIRLS NIGHT OUT TICKET ($35) will feed 10 Mobile County children during the weekend through the Feeding the Gulf Coast Backpack program, providing each child with enough food for six meals and two snacks.
 

​ At 1 p.m. November 8th, Ben May Main Library Movie is "Ocean's 8-Adventures from a Lady's Point of View."  In the story, Debbie Ocean recruits seven women to help her steal a $150 million necklace at the Met Gala.  The film runs 120 minutes and is rated PG-13.  For more information, call 251-208-7079.

​
Girls Night Out at The Pillars, 1757 Government Street is Thursday, November 8, 2018, 5-8 p.m. Girls Night Out is a fun night out with girlfriends. Come enjoy drinks, food, music, give-a-ways and shopping. Admission is FREE.

Our Sisters' Closet is holding its 13th Annual Purse with Purpose event on Tuesday, November 13, 5:30 p.m. at Heron Lakes Country Club, 3851 Government Boulevard.

Presenting sponsor is Makeda Nichols State Farm Insurance, for sponsorship opportunities or for more information, contact Terri Kearns, 251-423-2001 or oursisterscloset@comcast.net.

Order tickets at https://oursisterscloset.org/pursewithpurpose.htm 

Terry Arrington, current and past president of Port City Craftsmen, will show and sell the beautiful items that she's crocheted in the Holiday Show November 16-18, 2018.  That includes baby blankets, dresses, bootees and hats; soft, cuddly little animals; women's scarves, vests, hats and gloves and many other pieces.

Terry is no novice at her craft.  She's been crocheting for 45 years.

"I began crocheting after attending a 3-day course where I learned such things as macrame, cross stitch, calligraphy and crochet," she said.

She dabbled in each of the first three, but what caught and held her interest was crochet.  She bought instructions for beginners at first, then moved on to more complicated patterns.  Now, she said, "I feel comfortable in creating some of my own designs."

Terry finds crocheting to be very relaxing and often does it while watching TV.  

Her favorite things to crochet are baby dresses.  "It feels like such an accomplishment to see the final result of a beautiful baby dress," she said.  And if she doesn't have the size or color to please a customer, she is willing to crochet to their directions.  (Pictured are some of the items Terry Arrington will be showing November 16-18.)

About Port City Craftsmen and this 46th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, Terry gave the following information:
In establishing the shows, the Port City Craftsmen seek to provide craftsmen in all media an opportunity to show and sell their work. It is our purpose to inspire beginners, as well as professionals, and we feel that interested craftsmen should be encouraged and that all craftsmen should strive for quality.
Our objective is to promote the production and use of locally-made crafts. We do, however, invite and encourage out-of-town craftsmen to add variety, new methods and inspiration to our own people. Through experience, we have learned to limit the number of participants in any one craft in order to reduce unfair competition.
We are proud of the past shows we have sponsored and look forward to the 46th Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show to be held November 16-18 at the ABBA Shrine Auditorium on Hitt Road amd Schillinger Road intersection. 
The admission price is $3 with free parking. Children 13 and younger are admitted free.  Show times are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. 

But, Terry said, the Port City Craftsmen organization is not just about producing a show.
There is a community-involvement component to the club.  As a group as well as individually, they make regular contributions to non-profit groups most in need of a helping hand.
In addition, the show admission is reduced by $1 with a canned good donation.  Those contributions, which filled four huge barrels last year, are given to Feeding the Gulf Coast.  The Craftsmen also collect gently used coats for donations to Coats for Kids, a local charity that distributes coats to needy families in December.

For more about Port City Craftsmen and the upcoming show, go to portcitycraftsmen.com.

​Future Business Leaders of America, Ben C. Rain High School Chapter, presents the 6th Annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 15, 9 a.m. in the school gymnasium, 3125 Dauphin Island Parkway.  The theme of the program is FREEDOM: Made Possible by their Courage.  All veterans are invited.

Special guests include Barbara Drummond, Alabama Representative, District 103; Karlos Finley, Mobile Municipal Court Judge; Levon Manzie, Mobile City Council member, District 2 and CJ Small, Mobile City Council member, District 3.

​A Community Flag Retirement Ceremony at USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Parkway, is Saturday, November 10, 2018, 2-4 p.m.

Girl Scout Troop 8306 of Bay Minette will hold a community-wide Flag Retirement Ceremony at the park. Citizens, bring your torn, faded and worn American flags to be added to the flag burning. This is an opportunity to see our Girl Scouts in action and properly retire your flag. The location will be behind the USS DRUM. Bring lawn chairs for seating; $4 per car Park Entry Fee is applicable.

The weekend of November 2-4. 2018. the Alabama Pecan Festival will mark its 33rd year of fulfilling its mission to bring family activities and music to the community while providing citizens with support and education on the impact of agriculture in our society.  The 3-day event will be held at the Tillman's Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road, immediately behind W.C. Griggs Elementary School on Three Notch-Kroner Road.  The Fest, with free admission and parking, attracts approximately 15,000 visitors annually.

A schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, November 2, 2018, the Deliverers will perform on the Main Stage, 5-6 p.m.

Saturday, November 3, 2018, Ricky Barnes will be Master of Ceremonies
9 a.m. National Anthem by  Charles “Bo” Grant
10-10:45 a.m., Norman “Joe” Chunn & Friends will perform
11-11:45 a.m., The Country Sounds Band w/ Melvin Farmer
Noon, Crowning of the 2018 Pecan Queen; HOF Awards – Ricky Barnes, MC; Ruth Robinson –Other Announcements/Introductions of dignitaries
12:30-12:45 p.m. Kenlee Tillman w/ Jack Tillman (Jack wants to sing Tip of My Fingers w/ Ricky Barnes)
1-1:45 p.m. Tribute to Mel Tillis by Ricky Barnes
2:00-2:45 p.m. Charles “Bo Grant w/ Don Hinton
3-3:45 p.m. The Rockabillies 

Sunday, November 4, 2018
Sunday Gospel Show
Roy Brock, Master of Ceremonies

10:30 a.m. Charlie Wycoff
11 a.m.  Darryl Eslava and Dale Stringfellow
11:30 a.m. Jody James
Noon  Fruit of the Spirit
12:30 p.m.  Ted McDuffie
1 p.m. Yielded Clay
1:30 p.m. Single Tree Band
2 p.m. Girls of Grace
2:30 p.m. Big Blessing
3 p.m. Harmony Ridge
3:30 p.m.    Roy and Troy Brock
4 p.m. Bobby Moseley
4:30 p.m. Cypress Shores Praise Team
5 p.m. Closing Prayer

Additional information on the Alabama Pecan Festival can be found at www.alabamapecanfestival.com or by calling Executive Director Billy Bolton, 251-401-5555.