Mobile Press

• A prairie view
In Willa Cather's novel, Alexandra Bergson devotes her life to her family's farm.

• CAF 615: Cajun-inspired brunch won't break the bank
By my count, and you really do need to check my math on this, there are approximately 21 official dining opportunities in any given week.

• Crime Reports
City of Mobile

• His group beautifies Satsuma
Paul Murray, 66, has been president of the Satsuma Community Development Organization for the past 16 years. It's a job that he takes very seriously.

• Mobile firefighter Williams loves job
Ann Williams was the first ? and still the only ? black female firefighter with the Mobile Fire Rescue Department. She's been with the department 14 years and works out of Station 11 on Broad Street.

• Ornament workshop at library
In the 19th century, the Victorians created imaginative decorations for the Christmas tree. Such ornaments will be recreated Nov. 22 at the Ben May Main Library. The workshop, for children ages 6 and older, will begin at 2 p.m.

• People & Places
Stop smoking

• 'Purse' fundraiser is Thursday
"Purse with Purpose," a fundraiser to benefit Our Sisters' Closet, is Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Sisters of Mercy Building on the campus of St. Mary Parish, 1450 Old Shell Road.

• Research help is available Saturday
Members of the Tristan de Luna Chapter DAR will assist patrons with finding their ancestors Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Local History and Genealogy Department of the Mobile Public Library, 753 Government St. Call 251-208-7093 for details.

• Reunions
Business

• Reunions
Schools

• Santa, reindeer coming to Rose Bud
One event that residents of Mobile County have enjoyed on the Sunday before Thanksgiving for the past 15 years is Open House at Rose Bud Florist, 470 N. Craft Hwy. in Chickasaw. This year, that's Nov. 22.

• Sound Off
These comments were chosen from our regular Sound Off line because of their interest to readers in the Mobile Press coverage area: downtown Mobile, the Loop, Midtown, west Mobile and Semmes.

• Student News
Semmes Middle School

• St. Vincent heading to regional Robotics
At the Jubilee BEST Robotics competition

• Teen seminar brings message of empowerment
Recently, 40 young women got up early on a Saturday to plan their futures.

• Tower moving toward permits
A 153-foot communications tower built without proper zoning approval near the corner of Moffett and Shelton Beach roads is now on course to be properly permitted, officials said.

• Two very different cases of swine flu

• Artists gear up for craft show
The Port City Craftsmen Winter Holiday Arts and Craft Show has many new and different crafts this year ? as well as some items patrons have learned to look for because of their exceptional beauty and quality.

• Benefit night on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is hosting its eighth annual benefit night, featuring dinner and refreshments, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the parish center, 1621 Boykin Blvd.

• Book clubbers share great reads, friendship
"Good friends sharing good books" is the founding principle of the Carpe Diem Book Club, which meets at the Spring Hill coffee shop one Thursday evening each month.

• Crime Reports
City of Mobile

• Dickerson honored with Mize award
Walter S. Dickerson received the O. Lee Mize award on Oct. 10 for his contribution to training, operational readiness and mission accomplishments of the Mobile-based third brigade of the Alabama State Defense Force.

• From hobby to dream job
"I wake up every day and ask, 'Are they really paying me to do this?' "

• Genealogical Society monthly meeting is Saturday
The Mobile Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Vitale Room of the Holy Family Catholic Church, 1400 Joyce Road in Mobile.

• Library's Iron Bowl Bash coming up
The Satsuma Public Library Foundation Iron Bowl Bash is Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Steele Creek Lodge, 368 Juniper Ave.

• McGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Advances in science education
Students at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School are now enjoying their new, spacious science labs, and a courtyard for socializing and lunch.

• MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chastang, Denton, Washington clinch championships
The Chastang Falcons came from behind in dramatic fashion to defeat the Calloway-Smith Wildcats 14-12 to win the Area 2 Mobile County middle school football championship at Baker High School.

• Newly-formed nonprofit works to promote adoption
Amanda and Craig Williams always wanted a family. But after several miscarriages, the couple decided to pursue adoption rather than infertility treatments.

• People & Places
Military appreciation

• Sound Off
These comments were chosen from our regular Sound Off line because of their interest to readers in the Mobile Press coverage area: downtown Mobile, the Loop, Midtown, west Mobile and Semmes.

• Tennis tourney will benefit AJM
The Copeland-Cox Tennis Center is partnering with Wintzell's to host the first-ever tennis tournament to benefit America's Junior Miss.

• USA sets stage for 'Clean House'
In his director's notes for the upcoming production of Sarah Ruhl's "The Clean House," Leon Van Dyke says the play ? "like many of the best comedies since the 'new comedy' of Aristophanes ? contains a 'bright idea.'

• Who's What
Murphy High School

• Wood artist to showcase creations
Bradley Swiger can take a 100-pound hunk of maple ? half a log ? and turn it into as smooth and stylish a cowboy hat as any Stetson that ever graced the head of a Silver Screen hero.

• YMCA hosts Children's Triathlon, fun run
While many adults are gearing up for the annual Bank Trust First Light Marathon in January, there is another group preparing for major competition of their own.