Museum of Flight-Tuskegee Airmen

A week or so ago my nephew and I visited the Southern Museum of Flight. I have always been fascinated by the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. These daring young men were the first African American military pilots during World War II from 1941-1946.
Click on the photos to enlarge

The Tuskegee 99th Fighter Squadron began in June of 1941.Basic training took place at Moton Field. Each unit had an entire service arm along with a ground crew. After training the squadron was moved to the Tuskegee Army Air Field . There they were taught conversion training onto operational types. Captain Benjamin O. Davis was given command of the airmen. Captain Davis was an African American graduate of West Point.

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GA'BRIELLA'S

Some time back I attended a wine tasting sponsored by the Palm Wine Society. The tasting was held at Ga'Briella's. I'd never been there and was very impressed with it's cozy atmosphere. We tasted five wines. It was a rainy evening but there was still a good crowd. We were served a cheese concoction with a type of fruit preserve spread over it. The accompanying dippers were toasted pita bread triangles as well as other non traditional tasties. I was told that they have a Sunday Brunch every Sunday. I went back a couple weeks later for the brunch. That's when I took these pictures. The weather was sunny and mild. The outdoor tables were inviting as well as the open door. I chose to dine inside where I listened to smooth jazz and breathed in my surroundingsI allowed myself to imagine that I was in Paris, France or part of the Harlem Renaissance.

The food was magnificent and such a wide array to choose from. Seasoned to perfection. There were some I'd never heard of. Two that I remember were collard green souffle and pear cobbler. Yummm!

I hope this little bistro gets more business because it's to good to let go. Parking is easy on Sunday's because they're the only business open on Sunday in that area. Prices are competitive with other upscale Sunday Brunches. If I'm not mistaken they're open for dinner during the week. They're located at :

317 17th Street North.

205.983.7249

Their business card also says that they cater.

205.699.3801

205.702.4252

205.587.9407

Before you ask, I'm not affiliated with them in anyway other than being a very satisfied customer who wants others to have this same experience.

FREE LUNCH

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? An e-mail buddy sent me a link to a site for a coupon for KFC’s new grilled chicken. I’m skeptical of such things. I’m sure you’ve seen the bogus coupon for a free meal at Applebee’s .What about the letter that tells you to forward an e-mail to seven friends and Bill Gates will give you money.( I’ll be harping about this more in the future when I talk about Urban Legends.)

Curious, I clicked the link and lo and behold it was at Oprah’s site. If you can’t believe Oprah who can you believe ? I read the info. (By the time you read this, the coupon will no longer be available for download.) The coupon is good until May 19th excluding Mother’s Day.

I had errands to run so I took my KFC coupon with me. Upon arriving at the Center Point KFC cars were everywhere so I didn’t bother to stop. I’d try back later, maybe. I had to go to Crestwood so I stopped at the Crestwood KFC. There was no crowd there. But, the grillers were still cooking. The clerk offered me the regular KFC if I didn’t want to wait which I readily agreed to. Hey after all, it’s free. The coupon gives the impression that you can choose your two sides but you can’t. The sides are mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Once again I’m not complaining because it’s…FREE. I decided to eat my meal at home.

I remembered on yesterday seeing a message on the Arby’s marquee that free fruit tea would be available only for today. Why not have a beverage with my meal? There were four flavors to choose from; passion fruit, mango peach, diet blackberry and the other I don’t recall. I chose mango peach. My beverage was contained in a cute plastic cup with a design reminiscent of the late 1950’s on the sides and of course the Arby’s logo. The clerk even put a slice of lemon on top. The tea was not good at all. It was watery and not sweet and everybody knows if you live in the south your tea must be sweet. I didn’t taste a hint of mango or peach at all. If all of the teas are this way they won’t get many calls for it. Then again , what should I expect? It was FREE.