Austal USA christens latest Mobile-made Navy ship
The latest Austal USA-made Navy vessel was officially christened during a ceremony Saturday at the company’s shipyard in Mobile. The future USNS Newport, an Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), was honored during a ceremony featuring the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the side of the ship by its sponsor, Charlotte Marshall of Newport, R.I. The ship is the Navy’s 12th EPF. – AL.com
Gen Z is changing the look, feel of small-business Alabama
Clay earrings were all the rage starting last year. Pairs that dangle, studs, hoops and zigzags had found their way onto many fashion-forward ears. But the prices were a bit steep for most budget-bound college kids. Reilly Shaw, 22, and Emily McMullen, 22, thought they’d try their hand at making a couple of pairs for themselves. A year later, the Instagram account — A Hard Clay’s Night — they set up for personal enjoyment has almost 400 followers and they’ve sold over 100 pairs of their matte, minimalist creations. – AL.com
A Red Rocks, Hollywood Bowl type venue in Huntsville? That’s the plan
He helped transform St. Augustine Amphitheater from so generic a certain country star once greeted the crowd with “Hello, Jacksonville!”, to a must-do venue for artists and fans. Now, Ryan Murphy will help run a venue that could change the course of Huntsville’s music history. Murphy is president of Huntsville Venue Group, which Huntsville City Council unanimously approved Nov. 7 to contract to design, build and operate an amphitheater here. – AL.com
Bridge Senior Living managing Huntsville senior living community
Bridge Senior Living will be managing a new senior living community currently under construction in Huntsville. Fleming Farms began building earlier this year with BL Harbert International. The project includes 183 open-concept apartment homes and independent living, assisted living and memory care options. – AL.com
Restaurant consultant drills down on industry numbers
Almost half of Americans are not eating out as much as they want to, according to data from the National Restaurant Association. And, when they do go out, it isn’t to the sit-down, casual-dining chains that once represented a cornerstone of the cheery, neighborhood-based American dream. Restaurant industry consultant Malcolm Knapp says this dissatisfaction with dining out is linked to a growing anxiety seeping into the American consciousness. – Business Insider
Robert Luckie III, ad exec behind ‘Bear’ Bryant phone commercial, dies
Robert Luckie III, who served as head of Luckie & Co. and was involved in a famous ad campaign involving Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, died Thursday. He was 72. Family members remembered that despite many memorable campaigns over the years, Luckie said his favorite to be involved in was a television spot featuring Paul “Bear” Bryant for South Central Bell. At the end of the commercial, Bryant looked at the camera to say, “Have you called your mama today? I sure wish I could call mine.” – AL.com
