Kickin back to the mellow jazz soul rock blues fusion of a band named Galatic on the Chevrolet stage at Hangout Festival, and it really doesn't get much better. Great music, great weather and great food combine with a swell crowd not too crowded and you wonder why everyone who possibly could be here, is not. We caught a nice set by The Revivalists on the Letting Go stage earlier, and look forward to Imagine Dragons, also on the Chevrolet stage later today. Stevie Wonder is scheduled to bring to close another stellar music festival on the sugar white sands of this deep south hide-a-way, where hospitality is still a word with great meaning in these neck of the woods, and beach. -Preston Brady III

On a balmy breezy Gulf of Mexico,last night in the midst of a spectacular Hangout Music Festival the Alabama Gulf Seafood Association hosted a dinner for the media that featured Celebrity Chef Chris Hastings, and seafood prepared by he and his staff. The chef used his world-class cooking skills to show off giant, delicious shrimp from Bayou la Batre, Alabama and corn on the cob from nearby Loxley, as well as local oysters and flounder. The Gulf Seafood Association is also open for lunch and dinner during Hangout and certainly serves as the prime example that seafood is still king along the Alabama gulf coast.

With five stages going at the same time, navigating on the sugar white beach of Gulf Shores, to catch the next band could be a little work, or not, depending on how you want to chill at this annual three day music party. Last year we hung without a schedule and things worked out fine, though we missed a few bands we probably would have chose to catch. But, we did stumble upon a band we heard about but were not very familat, Cage the Elephant, who put on a knock-out performance. So, depending on how serious you are about seeing all the artists you can and want to see, or weather you like the idea of being spontaneous and casual discovery, you may use the Hangout Music Festival's online scheduler. Either way you are probably going to have a fantastic time at this cool party on the beach. We are going to try a schedule this year and LOL if we end up sticking to it. One thing definitely scheduled: toes in the sand, beer in hand.- Preston Brady III, Mobile Tribune (photo:Cage the Elephant, MobileTribune 2012).

Going to the Hangout Music Festival at Gulf Shores, Alabama next weekend? So your there watching one of your favorite artists and you get a super pic on your smart phone - tweet it to @gulfshores on Twitter and we'll consider it for a retweet and spread the word of your amazing photography talent! As a matter of fact you are probably already stoked about the three day beach music party on the sugar white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, so let us know. We're gearing up for a Twitter-blitz leading up to Hangout, and would love to hear about who you are looking forward to seeing. We were there last year and there is no beach music festival finer than Gulf Shores' Hangout Music Festival. We will bring you interviews and exclusive photos of your favorite artists- hope to see you there.

The story of Matthew W. Mount begins in September of 1985 in Harrison County, Penn., the month he was born. At age 14 months his family moved to Mobile,Alabama where today at age 27 Mount lives on the downtown streets of the city. In this first interview, conducted at a local breakfast restaurant Mount sipped a beer through a straw in a Styrafoam cup. We sat along a wall, away from most people because Mount has an anxiety disorder that makes him uncomfortable in crowds. He just took a Tramadol, for pain. A few weeks ago he slipped on the concrete steps leading down to the bathroom in Beinville Square.



Q. What is the most important thing on your mind right now?



A. My health and my well being and getting off the street.



Q. How long have you lived on the street?



A. On and off about three years.



Q. How often do you you sleep in shelters?



A. Not to often.



Q. For example , two nights a week, three times a week?



A. More like 2 or 3 times a month. I sleep in allys, bushes, where ever I can find. Where ever is safe, where I won't get harassed and thrown in jail or jumped.



Q. Why do you not sleep in shelters?



A. Alcohol. They breathalyze. Can't pass the test.



Q. Do you ever get to sleep in a bed?



A:Pretty much no, unless someone comes and gets me and I get to stay in a hotel or with a family member.



Q:Why don't you live with a family member?



A: I burnt all my bridges.



Q: Meaning...



A I f***** up my relationships, no one knows what to do with me.



Q. Whats one of the biggest problems concerning the homeless downtown?



A: Finding a place to stay. There are a lot of people who are on disability and get checks. When they spend through…

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All Mobile Fire Rescue Department employees were called down to have the annual Tuberculosis skin test done with the option to either receive or refuse a TB skin test.

The annual TB skin test was conducted at a classroom facility the Mobile Fire Department leases at the festival center next to Academy Sports and Outdoors.

The annual TB skin test is not mandatory for Mobile Fire Rescue Department employees and if someone refuses the Tuberculosis skin test they had to sign a refusal form.

The Tuberculosis skin test is a simple procedure and it usually only takes less than five minutes to fill out the form and have the skin test injected into your arm just under the skin.

The Tuberculosis skin test injection under the skin will make a little bubble and should disappear within a short period of time.

After having the Tuberculosis skin test done you need to return in 2-3 days to the clinic or office to check the results of your TB skin test.

The Tuberculosis bacteria commonly will attack the lungs, but has been known to attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

Another name for the TB bacteria is Mycobacterium tuberculosis and if gone untreated Tuberculosis will cause the body to shut down and cause death

Tuberculosis is spread through the air by coughing, sneezing, speaking, singing, and anytime air passes through the throat and out the nose or mouth and whoever is close by can become infected by the Tuberculosis bacteria.

There have never been any reported cases of Tuberculosis having been spread by sharing food or drink, kissing, shaking somebody’s hand or from touching bed linens or toilet seats.

Click on the website links below to learn more about Tuberculosis.…

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It's three months away but the Gulf Shores Hangout Music Festival is already creating major buzz. Tickets went on sale today and Early bird general admission tickets have already sold out. There are still regular general admission tickets available, but if they sell anything like last year those will be sold out soon as well. There are a number of VIP level packages that can include hotel or condo, shuttle, food and access to some of the bands. Last year the Hangout team physically spread out the venue - most of the stages are on the beach, in the sand - and by doing so made it less crowded and therefore much easier to catch multiple shows. The Hangout Music Festival is very young in comparison to the many festivals that dot the country, but in a few short years it has catapulted to the top of popular settings for a music festival. The selection of Tommy Petty and the Heartbreakers along with Kings of Leon, couples classic vintage rock with new style, and this venue offers quality acts for a younger crowd who enjoy electronica and rap. The entire line-up minus a few upcoming surprise announcements can be found on the festivals website www.hangoutmusicfestival.com

The National Rifle Association has announced it does not believe the U.S. Congress will pass stricter gun laws, particularly in regard to assault weapons, even in the aftermath of the Newtown shooting that claimed the lives of elementary school children. In fact, there seems to be strong support for the NRA position, although many hard-line pro-gun advocates have revisited the controversial subject. The real point of contention has remained the same: would the limiting of gun access stop insane individuals from carrying out horrific crimes? It would seem that as long as there is some access to assault weapons, people who badly want them will find a way to get them. Or, could limiting access also limit the number of crimes? Most Americans probably believe in the right to carry a pistol, with permit if required by the state, and definitely to have weapons in the home where they are becoming more vunerable to home invasions. It would seem the real issue here is not controlling the sale of guns but rather a stronger safety net within the public, to not ignore signs of impending danger. Taking care not to destroy the lives of innocent people who make jokes about crime or make a bad mistake and issue a one time threat they really had no intention of carrying out, people should pay attention to statements on and offline in which the individual or group repeatedly make statements of danger. People who make death threats should be taken seriously, and if there is a pattern they should be reported, taking care not to endanger yourself in doing so. Sick individuals who carry out mass shootings almost aways send signals - maybe deep inside they want to be stopped, and a part of their subconscious taunts others, dares them to figure it out. I believe public awareness is the key to slowing these types of crimes, and that bans or not, criminals who are crafty enough to design,map and carry out complex shooting sprees, are smart enough to find the weapons they need. The president,… Continue