Our very own Mobile Carnival Museum ranks among the more obscure museums in the country.
This museum honors Mobile as the originator of our iconic festival, Mardi Gras. It houses historical items like the majestic crowns, scepters, and robes of monarchs.
There, you can learn all about the art of costume design and float construction. You’ll also see photographs of parades from the olden days.
This establishment first opened its doors in 2005. It features a theater, den, and gift shop in addition to its 14 gallery rooms.
You can also visit the museum and skip the line!
Other museums that made the list are the International UFO Museum in New Mexico, the International Banana Museum in California, and the National Mustard Museum in Wisconsin.
You can check it out the list here.
Mobile Press-Register Shifts to Digital-Only After Final Printing
The last issue of the Mobile Press-Register came off the presses late Saturday night.
Generations of Mobilians have grown up with the paper since it first debuted in 1813. The Press-Register actually predates all other newspapers in Alabama.
The Alabama Media Group revealed its intention to go digital only last year.
Current and former workers alike gathered in large numbers to witness the final press turn.
It was the final time many folks would ever do their jobs.
Making the template plates and monitoring the papers as they moved along the conveyor belts was a time-consuming operation.
As the whirring machines came to a halt, people took their last pictures and recordings of the event.
It’s really the end of an era.
This whole situation feels unreal. They are closing the printing facilities in Birmingham and Huntsville as well.
Newspapers are officially a thing of the past in Alabama.
Emergency Responders Participate in Extrication Training
On Saturday, a group of firefighters from various departments worked on their rescue procedures.
The Seven Hills Fire Rescue held an extrication drill for its members and other emergency personnel.
These skills are crucial for saving motorists involved in catastrophic crashes.
Participants in Saturday’s hands-on training were able to take their time learning the quickest and safest methods when seconds really count.
This is not a typical practice for them. It’s a great chance for everyone to put their heads together across divisions and learn from one another’s expertise.
The program is designed to help them improve their abilities so that they can better serve our neighborhoods.
Firefighters from Theodore-Dawes, Grand Bay, Citronelle, and Tanner Williams also took part in the training.
US Naval Medical Ship ‘Cody’ Christened
Last Saturday, people flocked to Austal to witness the christening of the future US Navy ship, Cody.
The construction of the ship here in Port City took nearly three years!
At the moment of the ship’s official transfer to the Navy, a celebratory champagne bottle was shattered on the bow.
As per tradition.
Cody is an EPF-14 class aircraft carrier.
Cody got its start in March 2019, when Austal USA was given the green light to manufacture the first ship to carry the name of Cody, Wyoming.
Austal USA was packed to the gills with dignitaries from all over the nation for the ceremony.
Medical care in the Military will come a long way thanks to this ship.
It incorporates the most beneficial aspects of EPF’s transport mission with the cutting-edge medical capacity to provide essential care for our active-duty marines and sailors.
This will show the world the United States’ commitment to humanitarian aid.
Cody is one of two EPF Flight II vessels currently under construction in Mobile.
Pick Up This Book For Your Highschooler
Local 19-year-old, Avik Banik, is using what he learned in high school to offer advice to struggling students.
The book is called “Navigating High School: A Student’s Guide to Achieving Straight-As, Creating an Exciting Social Life, and Making the Varsity Team.”
He began developing it as a Davidson High School student during the pandemic. It covers a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of ACT and SAT prep to advice on dealing with acne.
It also touches on bullying and juggling extracurricular activities with schoolwork.
Instead of focusing solely on his school environment, he expanded his horizons.
He collaborated with students, coaches, instructors, and athletes from virtually every Mobile, Alabama, high school.
Over the course of his collaboration with over 110 people, he gained insights that can help any student succeed in school.
Banik is currently a student studying Electrical Engineering at the University of South Alabama.
You can order his book here.
Carnival ‘Spirit’ Seats Filling Up Fast
There hasn’t been much action at the Mobile Cruise Terminal since we said adieu to Carnival Ecstasy.
However, a new notice has appeared at the port announcing that the Carnival Spirit will be arriving this October.
This spring and summer, Spirit will be stationed in Alaska. She’ll take a yearly trip through the Panama Canal to Mobile, where she’ll run for six months.
According to some travel agencies, more folks are booking their cruises far in advance.
Several trips have reached their capacity and are no longer accepting new bookings.
A big part of it is just excitement; we’re getting a brand new ship!
Another draw is the 8-day cruises to exotic locations like the Bahamas and other new ports of call.
The ship will also feature upgraded facilities.
It has an awesome open layout and several pools, one of which has a retractable roof in case of inclement weather.
Travelers are really ecstatic about these upgrades. Better act now and reserve your cabin if you’re interested in going on the Spirit’s first sailing.
