Hoover Sun vol 2 iss 6 March 2014

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SunNeighborly news & entertainment for Hoover Volume 2 | Issue 6 | March 2014

City ...................5Business ..........8Food ..................10Community ......12

School House ..18Sports ...............22Calendar ...........29

INSIDE

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City page 6

City page 7

Outdoor destination

Celebrate spring

Don’t miss this year’s Arbor Day festivities held at Aldridge Gardens. Read more inside this issue.

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Bouncing backHoover leaders seize opportunities to bring Lorna Road back to life

By GREG HEYMAN

Lorna Road is sporting a fresher look lately with an infl ux of new businesses that are making the area more attractive, increasing Hoover’s rev-enues and are expected to help the city recruit additional retailers.

The revitalization is occurring in an area that had been crippled by a faltering economy, busi-ness closures due to bankruptcies and an aging apartment complex that was an eyesore near Lorna and Patton Chapel roads.

Visitors to this section of Lorna Road are likely to fi nd it almost unrecognizable from what they remember just a few years ago. In The Vil-lage on Lorna, the space previously occupied by a Food World that closed in 2008 is now home to Bargain Hunt, which allows shoppers to buy liquidated merchandise.

The need for another grocery store was real-ized last August when a Walmart Neighborhood Market opened where the La Chateau apartment

Hoover plans to welcome the state’s fi rst Field & Stream store. Details inside.

By BLAKE GUTHRIE

Being one of Bob’s boys was all it took for strangers to become immediately connected.

It was how Anne Calhoun introduced former Boy Scouts at the funeral of her husband, Bob Calhoun. Shortly after the service, Troop 93 began printing T-shirts with the words “Bob’s Boys” emblazoned on the sleeve.

“It was a badge of honor that we wanted to carry on,” said Eric Underwood, current assis-tant scoutmaster for Troop 93.

Bob Calhoun founded Troop 93 at Oakmont Presbyterian Church in 1965. Calhoun was a lifelong member of the scouting community,

serving as Troop 93’s scoutmaster through retirement and committee chairman until his death at age 78.

Today, the troop is still going strong. With the fifth anniversary of Calhoun’s death approaching, the scouts are fundraising to build a new scout center in his honor.

David Clanton, current troop committee chairman, is the fundraising chairman for the new scout center. Clanton, a Birmingham-based dentist, was an early member of Troop 93 and one of the fi rst to reach the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in the troop. As part of his

Bob’s boys Scout Troop 93 honors the memory of founder Bob Calhoun

Bob Calhoun in 1971 with two of the fi rst Eagle Scouts in Troop 93. From left, Dennis Wildsmith, Bob Calhoun and Dave Marks. Photo courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 93.

Members of Troop 93 pose on a recent camping trip to Lake Martin. Photo by Eric Underwood.

See BOB’S BOYS | page 26

See LORNA ROAD | page 28

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March 2014 Hoover Sun2 •

• 3March 2014HooverSun.com


About Us

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden

Photo of the Month Please Support Our Community PartnersAlabama Allergy & Asthma Center (24)

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Our Sunday school class recently com-pleted a study of The Five Love Languages of Children, written by Gary D. Chapman and Ross Campbell. In our final week, we discussed acts of service.

Particularly on the cusp of the Lenten season, I found it a fitting lesson.

More so than at any other point in the Christian liturgical calendar, this period — these 40 days — beckon us to self-audit, to rid ourselves of the excess that so per-vasively takes hold and prevents us from giving acts of service much thought.

As I listened to my peers in Sunday school that day, discussing the merits of acts of service in the context of young parenthood, I sat there quietly thinking to myself, “Stuff is not stature.”

Some of the other mothers were sharing their experi-ences serving meals and engaging in fellowship with those using our church as a temporary source of shelter. In one poignant example, a little boy ran up to a friend of mine, who had been there to serve dinner, and asked her if she was sleeping at the church, too.

There went that little voice in my head again. “Stuff is not stature.”

Here was a child who did not even have a stable place to lay down his head each night. How easy it would be to judge his caregivers, to self-righteously question why they ended up in such messy circumstances in the first place. How easy it would be to swoop in, “volunteer” for a few hours, pat myself on the back for “acts of service” well done and then go back to my comfortable house with nary a second thought of it all.

My friend who served in this ministry did so for the right reasons. She has a humble heart, and whether she knows it or not, she is a living, breathing example in my life of what Christian love ought to look like.

But I am seldom one to rush toward these types of do-gooder assignments. And it’s not for lack of opportunity.

The trouble for me is that I can never seem to get past the sticking point that is the hypocrisy of human nature.

You know what I mean. All too often, it seems we are willing to

help others when it suits us, or in extreme circumstances, when they are really down on their luck. But turn the tables a little bit, and when all seems on par, we have a tendency to feel indignant or even jealous, treating our brothers and sisters in Christ as fierce competitors.

But for the grace of God our families are not the ones seeking shelter at a church. If we were, how might that impact us? How much of our identity, our stature, is tied to our stuff?

If the answer makes you a little uneasy, as it did for me, you’re onto something.

It’s not that fear of losing what makes our lives safe and secure should motivate us to serve. Rather, it’s embracing the kind of unfathomable love represented by the events of Lent.

Stature, the kind that matters to me anyway, is made up of the intangibles: the kinds of character attributes most of us admire but that few of us exhibit to a degree of perfection.

If service helps us to coax those traits out of our per-sonalities a bit more, and with any degree of regularity, all the better.

Even if the kids are small and it’s a bit inconvenient to take them along. Even if it’s a school night and we might not make our usual bedtimes. Even if it means I won’t be able to squeeze in a workout that day. Even if it cuts into the money I had earmarked for yet another “want” in my life. Even if it makes me uncomfortable.

When opportunity arises (and it always does), I will start stepping up instead of stepping away.

I will seek the only stature worth having — a servant’s heart.

Blessings,

Junior Victoria Baldwin (middle) recently was named the Spain Park High School Player of the Week. The Lady Jags are 4-0 in their region. Congrats, Victoria. Photo courtesy of Drew and Gloria Baldwin.

CorrectionOn the cover of the Hoover Sun’s February issue, the photo of Hoover High School student Marlon Humphrey with the story “Destination unknown” was attributed to Kevin Brooks / Hoover City Schools. This photo should have been attributed to Barry Stephenson, owner of Time Capsule Images / timecapsuleimages.com.


I am extremely proud to be your Mayor and to live in a great city that I am happy to call home. We have had a very tough winter but hopefully warmer weather and springtime will soon arrive. We have many exciting events on the horizon for you.

I want to take this opportunity to commend our first responders and entire staff that worked tirelessly during the ice storm. We are so for-tunate to live in a city with top city services.

This is the one-year anniversary of the art gallery in the lobby of the Hoover Municipal Complex. Gallery Director Pat Bendall has worked diligently to bring some of the best artists in town to our gallery, and 2014 promises to be another year of top talent. Be sure to drop by and see for yourself.

Many people like to do spring cleaning, so it’s a great time to clean out your garage and get rid of old paint, chemicals or anything else you don’t want hanging around your garage or house. Our annual House-hold Hazardous Waste Day will be held at the Hoover Met in April. You will have to show your driver’s license to prove you are a Hoover resident prior to dropping off items. We will be collecting paint, pre-scription medications, fireworks and electronics; we also will be properly disposing of flags. Please visit our website for a complete list of items.

One of our biggest events of the

CityMayor’s Minute

By Gary Ivey

Gary Ivey

The Birmingham Barons Baseball Club will sponsor the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 20 and has invited David Sher as the speaker. Sher is Co-CEO, with his brother, of AmSher Receiv-ables Management, a nation-ally licensed collection agency headquartered in Birming-ham. He is also co-founder of Buzz12 Advertising.

He loves Birmingham, but is disappointed because he feels metro-Birmingham has never achieved its potential. He has watched as children, grandchil-dren and businesses have left the Birmingham-Hoover met-ropolitan area for opportunities elsewhere.

Sher is a small business owner who has been active for years in the big picture of the metropolitan area. He has chaired the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Com-merce (now the Birmingham Business Alliance or BBA after merging with the Metro-politan Development Board)Operation New Birmingham (now REV Birmingham); and the City Action Partner-ship. He served on the Bir-mingham Business Alliance Strategic Planning Commit-tee that developed Blueprint Birmingham.

Sher is the author of the

ComebackTown.com blog and will speak about better govern-ment for metro Birmingham.

To attend the luncheon, please make your reserva-tions no later than Monday, March 17, by calling 988-5672 or emailing Lisa Dunbar at [email protected]. Networking begins at 11:15 a.m., with the meeting starting sharply at noon. The Luncheon is $20, payable at the door. Cancellations are accepted until the morning of the luncheon, but those who make reservations and do not attend will be invoiced.

The Hoover Country Club is located at 3140 Club Drive.

The Birmingham Barons to sponsor Chamber luncheon, David Sher to speak

David Sher is the author of the ComebackTown.com blog. He will speak at the March Chamber luncheon about better government for metro Birmingham.

year, “Celebrate Hoover Day” will be held on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., so be sure and save the date. This family fun day is free and held at Vet-erans Park on Valleydale Road with plenty of parking. More details about the event will be in the April issue of the May-or’s Minute or you can visit our new and improved website at hooveralabama.gov or call 444-7500.

We want to exceed your expectations in every way with the quality of services we offer. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Gary IveyMayor

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By JEFF THOMPSON

As Hoover continues to grow, residences are being built farther away from the city’s nine fire sta-tions with increasing frequency. To better protect the residents of Ross Bridge, the City of Hoover is moving to add a 10th fire station, located inside the community.

Construction of the facility is planned for a site off Greenside Way at the Village Center in Ross Bridge. The plan also includes completing Greenside Way and constructing a parking area in the Village Center.

“Mileage creates two things,” Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said.

“Distance from a fire station causes insurance ratings to go down, which can be a financial burden on citi-zens. But more importantly, it cre-ates a response time issue we can’t allow.”

During its regular meeting on Feb. 3, the Hoover City Council autho-rized Mayor Gary Ivey to execute a development agreement with Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC on the develop-ment of the station, execute an agreement with Dungan Nequette Architects, Inc. regarding design plans and execute an agreement with Alabama Engineering Company, Inc. regarding design development and site development plans.

According to the fiscal year 2014

budget, the City anticipates spend-ing $2.3 million on the project. City Executive Director Allen Pate said he anticipates construction to begin by May 2014 and finish by June 2015.

Currently, a temporary structure is housing a truck at the site.

In other business, the Council:• Authorized Ivey to execute a

preliminary engineering agreement with Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Inc. for the Chapel Road sidewalks project along Chapel Road from Park Avenue to Stone Brook Park-way. The project has been approved by ALDOT and is reimbursable.

Council moves ahead with Ross Bridge fire station plans

The new Ross Bridge fire station, marked in red, is planned to be built just off the Village Square. Addi-tional improvements to the site, including road work and the construction of a new parking area, are marked in yellow.Rendering by Daniel Ross Bridge, LLC, courtesy of City of Hoover. Image by Jeff Thompson.

Field and Stream coming to Patton Creek

By GREG HEYMAN

Hoover is moving ahead with plans to welcome the state’s first Field & Stream store. The store is slated to be built in the Patton Creek shopping center.

Allen Pate, Executive Direc-tor for the City of Hoover, said the 50,000-square-foot store will be lo-cated near Rooms To Go and is ex-pected to open in the spring of 2015. The Hoover City Council approved a resolution during its regular meeting Feb. 17 authorizing Mayor Gary Ivey to execute a development agreement with Patton Creek Investments, LLC that calls for sales tax rebates not to exceed $4.5 million through 2024.

“It’s going to be a destination store for the City of Hoover,” Council President Jack Wright said before the meeting. “People are going to come there, bring their families and the City of Hoover has really positioned itself well with no immediate invest-

ment from the city.”The rebate agreement reflects 50

percent of new sales tax revenue by Field & Stream and Dick’s Sporting Goods, which owns Field & Stream stores, above that generated only by the sporting goods store this year.

Dick’s Sporting Goods also oper-ates a store in the Patton Creek shop-ping center. Pate said the stores will not duplicate merchandise and sales for Dick’s are expected to increase 20 percent because both retailers attract similar customers. Field & Stream stores specialize in merchandise for outdoors activities that include hunt-ing, archery, fishing, and camping. The stores also sell canoes, kayaks and related accessories, along with firearms, ammunition and accesso-ries.

Merchandise available at the store is similar to that sold at Bass Pro Shops in Leeds. “I would say Field & Stream would be a direct rivalry to Bass Pro Shops,” Wright said.

Field and Stream, owned by Dick’s Sporting Goods, specializes in outdoor equipment. Image courtesy of City of Hoover.


By REBECCA WALDEN

Spring fever, thanks to the unex-pected January ice storm, is at an all-time high in the City of Hoover. For her part, Mary Ross Searcy of the Hoover Beautification Board couldn’t be happier.

“We want everyone in Hoover to know they need to go the extra mile this year in their spring landscaping,” she said. “What better way to do that than by participating in our annual Arbor Day festivities?”

Event co-chairs Jennifer Gregory and Judy Thompson have lined up a morning’s worth of events, which take place on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Aldridge Gardens. At that time, City Forester Colin Conner will be on hand to oversee the city’s annual tree giveaway.

Always an event highlight, the first hour of the morning allows for Hoover residents and business owners to peruse a robust selection of tree species, and then choose one to take and plant at their home or business, compliments of the city of Hoover.

“At past celebrations, we’ve pro-vided mostly native tree species that covered a broad range of sizes in hopes of delivering a semi-custom fit for Hoover homes and/or businesses,” Conner said. “Our 2014 list will likely include at least some of the follow-ing species: tree sparkleberry, crab apple, redbud, flowering dogwood, blueberry, hawthorn, fringe tree,

Hoover celebrates spring with Arbor Day festivities

common persimmon, sassafras, red cedar, black gum, bald cypress, mis-cellaneous oaks, and maybe a yellow poplar or two.”

At 10:30, the event will move indoors for the Arbor Day essay

winners ceremony. The event will rec-ognize the most outstanding student essays (submitted by fourth-grade students from Hoover City Schools) that explore the theme of how and why trees are important to the local

community. “We aspire each year to celebrate at

each school but haven’t quite met that mark,” Conner said. “We typically celebrate at 10 to 12 schools and are proud to do so.”

Following the Arbor Day essay winner ceremony, event organizers have planned a special dedication in memory of Mike Zarichnak, a Hoover Beautification Board member who passed away Sept. 27, 2013. Zarichnak had a long history of service both with the Arbor Committee and the Grants/Horticulture Committee of the Hoover Beautification Board. Event co-chair Jennifer Gregory said the city’s Arbor Day activities exist in large part due to his vision and passion.

“Mike was very instrumental in the Arbor Day ceremony and school tree planting for the past 15 years,” Greg-ory said. “He was big on beautification but also very passionate about educa-tion. When he planted the trees, Mike was always very diligent in explain-ing how he did what he did and why. We, the City of Hoover, have greatly benefited from Mike’s involvement through a more beautiful and knowl-edgeable city and schools.”

(above) Mike Zarichnak, dressed the part, was known to use all manner of creativity in helping chil-dren foster a love of plants and trees. (left) Mike Zarichnak with Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey during Hoover’s 2013 Arbor Day celebration. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Gregory.

Arbor Day Activities: March 8 at Aldridge Gardens 9:30 a.m.: Tree giveaway (for Hoover residents and businesses)

10:30 a.m.: Arbor Day ceremony featuring fourth-grade essay contest winners

11:00 a.m.: Mike Zarichnak dedication

11:15 a.m.: Ceremonial tree planting


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Now OpenAfter a previous announcement of closing, owners of Monkey Toes,

2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 3B, have kept the business open Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m. The women’s and children’s boutique is being restocked and hopes to open one additional night a week this spring.807-5727. facebook.com/mymonkeytoes.

The Pink Tulip, 200 Main Street, Suites 212/216, is open as of March

1. The store carries ladies’ apparel and accessories for all ages. Other locations are in Mountain Brook and Homewood.870-7258. thepinktu.com.

Indian Springs Pediatric Dentistry, 6496 Quail Run Drive, is

now open. Dr. Rosalyn Crawford-McKendall has opened her practice just off Highway 119 across from Indian Springs School and is accepting new patients.739-7773. indianspringskidsdentistry.com.

Coming SoonA new International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is scheduled to

open March 18 in the former O’Charley’s location at 2730 John Hawkins Parkway. The 300-seat restaurant will be one of the largest IHOP restaurants in the country and can host special events in a private conference room.682-2822. ihop.com.

Northern Tool & Equipment will open its fi rst retail location in

Alabama in Hoover, between Southland Drive and I-65. The store will encompass 18,000 square feet.northerntool.com

BancorpSouth has announced that it will build a new branch near the

intersection of Southland Drive and U.S. 31. This new branch will replace its existing branch at 1980 Braddock Drive.822-2566. bancorpsouth.com.

Relocations and Renovations

Bella’s Bridal & Formal has expanded its location in Patton

Creek at 4441 Creekside Avenue, Suite 125. The store now features a new pageant room complete with a runway, national pageant gowns, little girl’s pageant gowns, and competition swimwear. Bella’s has also added additional dressing rooms and more space for more than 1,000 prom gowns. 403-7977. bellasalabama.com.

New OwnershipTre Luna Catering, 710 Valley Street, has purchased Tooter’s

Catering, a Birmingham-based catering company with 30 years of experience. Tre Luna is owned and operated by Brian and Erin Mooney.910-7780.

News and Accomplishments

The Urban Barn, 601 Doug Baker Blvd., has been chosen to carry a

new fashion line from Missy Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame. The new line was announced in January.451-8888. facebook.com/theurbanbarnbham.

Matt Wilson of The Southlake Financial Group, 2000 Southlake

Park, Suite 200, has been named president of the Birmingham chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors for 2014.380-2600. thesouthlakefi nancialgroup.com.

Hirings and Promotions

Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel has hired Bronjalin

W. Sparks as an individual business traveler sales manager.987-1600. wynfrey.com.

ARC Realty, 5291 Valleydale Road, has hired Leslie Terrell and Blake

Shultz as Realtors.657-4570. arcrealtyco.com.

Doster Construction Company, 2100 International Park Drive, has

hired Brad Mitchell as a project manager and Bill Anderson as a senior superintendent.443-3800. dosterconstruction.com.

AnniversariesVision Gymnastics, 3314 Old Columbiana Road, celebrated its

second anniversary in February.979-7969. visiongymnastics.com.

ClosingsHelzberg Diamonds, 2000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 253, has

closed.

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Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.comRestaurant Showcase

Tortugas403-9800

2801 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 169RTuesday-Thursday, 4-8:30 p.m.Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

tortugaspizza.com

Matt Vizcaino and his father, Carlos Vizcaino, make work a family affair at Tortugas Homemade Pizza on John Hawkins Parkway. Photo by Katie Turpen.

Carlos Vizcaino, who owns Tortugas Homemade Pizza with his wife and son, tosses fresh dough with infused herbs inside his restaurant kitchen. Photo by Katie Turpen.

By KATIE TURPEN

In the 1980s, Carlos Vizcaino was cooking and selling pizza in the birthplace of the deep dish: Chicago. In the late 1990s, he moved to his wife Carol’s hometown, Birming-ham, with their son Matt.

Newly planted in the South, he decided to take a risk and bring a taste of Chicago to the city of Hoover. In August 1999, the family opened Tortugas Homemade Pizza on John Hawkins Parkway, back before the Walmart down the street was nothing but woods, said Matt.

“It was a big gamble bringing in a new product like we did,” Carlos said. “But we’ve really put our heart into it.”

Fifteen years later, that gamble turned out to be a smart decision as Tortugas has become a thriving neighborhood joint, run by Carlos, Carol and Matt, who was asked to join the family business while he was in college.

“I said, ‘Hey, you want a career like your parents?’” Carlos said with a laugh.

The Vizcainos have not looked back. The business is now open only for lunch Tuesday through Friday because of the heavy number of

orders the Vizcainos were receiving. Lines out the door and long waits are typical on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The secret? It becomes evident while watching the Vizcaino family inside their kitchen as they roll out fresh, homemade dough infused with herbs.

“We chop all the tomatoes for our sauce by hand. Everything here is homemade and fresh,” Carlos said.

Customers will find that the pizza is a treat worth the wait. Tor-tugas offers both thin crust, which takes about 30 minutes, and the

authentic Chicago Stuffed Pizza, which usually takes around 45 minutes. Twenty-two toppings are available, and Combination Spe-cials include the Traditional Pizza, which contains Italian sausage, green bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and fresh garlic, and the Pizza Mexicana with homemade Mexican salsa, chili beef, black olives and blended mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.

“I still eat pizza for lunch all the time,” Matt said. “When it’s this good, you don’t get sick of it.”

The restaurant atmosphere is as

unique as the entrées being served. The dining space is made up of two long, narrow rooms of tables and wooden booths. Chicago sports team memorabilia line the walls in addi-tion to items representing Hoover and UAB teams.

“I want to participate in the com-munity that I am working in,” Carlos said. “My customers have kids, and I want to be able to sponsor them.”

In addition to the sports memora-bilia, picture collages cover the walls, portraying everything from babies to couples on their wedding day, reveal-ing how customers quickly become family. Matt said that the customers themselves bring in most of these items and pictures.

“The most rewarding part has been building friendships. I know so many people by name,” Carlos said.

Carlos admits that it can be tough being a small, independent business in today’s market, but he remains hard at work because he loves what he does and being surrounded by family. All of the employees have been with Tortugas for several years, some even from the very beginning.

“It’s a crazy, tough business, but it’s satisfying,” Carlos said. “We are just one big family here.”


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By KATIE TURPEN

Bluff Park resident Rodney Thursby warmly recalled driving by an aban-doned wooden house covered in wiste-ria on Shades Crest Road more than 30 years ago. In his mind, the timeworn structure was a diamond in the rough.

“This building was built in 1932 during the Depression and is made entirely out of scrap metal. No two pieces are the same,” Rodney said. “People thought they should just tear it down.”

As it turned out, the building would soon serve a larger purpose. Rodney and his wife, Lee, had moved to Bir-mingham from Florida in 1966 and had been accumulating a sizeable antique collection. They were run-ning out of room in their house for the myriad collectibles plucked from flea markets and rummage sales. After Rodney left his job with U.S. Steel, an opportunity presented itself.

In 1982, the couple opened On a Shoestring Antiques in the weathered, red house that is now more than 80 years old. Nestled in scenic Shades Crest Road, a long, red caboose now serves as its landmark. The couple also added a barn to the back of the building.

During the winter months,

Read past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.comBusiness Spotlight

On a Shoestring Antiques

822-8741601 Shades Crest Road

Tuesday-Saturday, 9-4:30 p.m.Sunday, 12-3 p.m.

Facebook.com/OnaShoestringAntiques

Rodney and Lee Thursby have owned On a Shoestring Antiques on Shades Crest Road since 1982. Photo by Katie Turpen.

The red caboose has become a landmark in the Bluff Park community, welcoming both locals and visitors to On a Shoestring Antiques. Photo by Katie Turpen.

customers will find a crackling fire-place just inside the door. Along with the fire, a pleasant greeting from Rodney or Lee makes one feel like they are sitting in a familiar place with old friends.

What the building lacks in

insulation, it makes up for in con-tents. Walking from room to room, treasure hunters are lost in an exotic maze of costume jewelry, pottery, furniture, figurines, books, china and much more.

“We like all the oddities,” Lee

said. “We also have a whole room of Depression glass.”

With more than 30 years in the business of rare and fascinating finds, the two have seen many treasures through the decades. When asked the most interesting item they’ve ever come across, the two deliver separate answers. Lee said she was intrigued when she stumbled across a muff made from real leopard. Rodney said while he has seen a lot of stuffed animal heads over the years, a bobcat head with broken teeth was a particularly neat find.

The couple stays busy at work and with family. They live about three blocks from the store and rotate work shifts during the day. They have four children, and their grandson often comes in to help out around the store.

“Without their help, we’d really be in a hardship,” Rodney said. “We are very grateful.”

The store’s location is a worthy end-point in itself, with a window looking out to a picturesque view of the city. The shop is also a short stroll from Mr. P’s Deli and the Tip Top Grill. Rodney said he is happy to be in a commu-nity that feeds off one another, and he always looks forward to seeing who will walk through the door.

He hopes that visitors can find something new and different here, just like what he envisioned many years ago driving past the flower-covered mystery building.

“This is a destination place,” Rodney said. “The people are what make it for me.”


Community

Newly minted Eagle Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 396 are James Canady, Charles Farr, Dhruv Singh and Michael Hughes. Photo courtesy of Alka Singh.

Hoover resident Cindy Richards, BSN, RN, CNN, has been elected national president-elect of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Associa-tion, one of the country’s largest professional nursing organizations, for 2014-15.

Richards will assume her position during the ANNA 45th national symposium, April 13-16,

in Anaheim, Calif. Her responsibilities as pres-ident-elect will include serving on the National Board of Directors and as liaison to assigned committees. Richards is a pediatric renal trans-plant coordinator at Children’s of Alabama, and she is a registered nurse.

Hoover High School junior Kara Gabrielle Brinkman recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Brinkman created butterfly gardens at Riverchase Elementary and Hoover High Schools over an 18-month period in an effort to provide hands-on learning opportunities.

In addition to planning and caring for the gardens, the Hoover varsity cheerleader cre-ated informational booklets that describe ways to plant for native butterflies. The booklets also outline activities for the students to participate in within the gardens.

The fifth-grade Hoover White OTM basketball team won the Jingle Bell Jam tourna-ment on Dec. 22, 2013. Team members include: Front: D.J. Fairley, Brody Moss, Zack Tucker; Middle: Chip Culpepper, Marcus Williams, Josh Lundy, Colby Carter; Back: coach Dwayne Fairley and head coach Brent Carter. Photo courtesy of Jill Carter.

Cindy Richards Named President-Elect of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association

Hoover junior earns Girl Scout Gold Award

Kara Gabrielle Brinkman’s recent butterfly garden project earned the Hoover High junior the distinction of the Girl Scout Gold award. Photo courtesy of Natalie Brinkman.

Eagle Scouts honored

Four members of Boy Scout Troop 396 earned the rank of Eagle Scout in January and were honored in the ceremony held at Hunter Street Baptist Church. These are the final four scouts in the history of the troop to receive this honor.

The new Eagle Scouts are: James Canady, son of Mo and Kim Canady; Charles Farr, son of Arnold and Kathy Farr; Michael Hughes, son of Mark and Martha Hughes; and Dhruv Singh, son

of Bijay and Alka Singh.All four of the scouts are Hoover High School

students.They have held a variety of leadership posi-

tions during their time with the troop including assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. Other accomplishments include National Youth Leadership Training and Order of the Arrow.

Over The Mountain basketball team wins tournament


By KATIE TURPEN

One evening in 2009, Hoover resident Sandra Brooks made a promise to friends she would stop by their roller derby practice.

Several years later, that promise has become a full-fledged commitment.

“Like many girls I couldn’t skate, but it was challenging so I kept coming back,” Brooks said.

Birmingham’s roller derby league, the Tragic City Rollers, is one of 400 all-women derby leagues worldwide. Roller derby is a contact sport played around a skating track. Founded in December 2005, the Tragic City Rollers pride themselves on character building, community service and social activism.

For Brooks, the experience has been a rewarding challenge.

“It’s definitely been a positive experi-ence,” Brooks said. “It’s challenged me physically as well as mentally. And through all of that I have met some amazing people and had some amazing experiences.”

The team consists of 28 members, each with a derby nickname. Brook’s derby name is “Vanilla Rice.” Members are mothers, teachers, policewomen, career technocrats, librarians, baristas, nurses, engineers, stu-dents and everything in between. The team

helps promote local charities such as Rape Response, Race for the Cure and Birming-ham Children’s Hospital. Local businesses are invited to sponsor the team.

Brooks said her favorite part is the new-found friendships.

“My favorite part of being on the team is really just the game itself and being able to play it with these ladies,” Brooks said. “My most memorable and favorite experi-ences are being on the track with my team-mates and everyone working together for a common goal.”

The group practices at Funtime Skate Center in Fultondale. Starting this month, and continuing through August, the Tragic City Rollers will travel across the Southeast to compete in games and tournaments.

Outside of roller derby, Brooks works as a web programmer. She has lived in Ala-bama all her life but moved to Birmingham six years ago. Roller derby now holds an important spot in her life.

“Even just to sit back and watch it, that’s what keeps me excited about my team and keeps me excited about skating,” Brooks said. “When I’m 60, I know I’ll look back on it all with fond memories.”

The team is continually looking for more skaters, referees and volunteers. For more information, visit tragiccityrollers.com.

A tale of a Tragic City Roller

Hoover resident Sandra Brooks, also known as “Vanilla Rice,” discovered Birmingham’s roller derby team, the Tragic City Rollers, in 2009 after friends convinced her to attend a practice. Photo by James Nicolas.

Hoover resident discovers passion

for roller derby


Saturday, March 229 a.m-5 p.m.

Aldridge Gardens

PAWS in the Garden

Dogs are welcome at the annual PAWS in the Garden at Aldridge Gardens on Satur-day, March 22. Photo courtesy of Mariesa Stokes.

On Saturday, March 22, Hoover residents are invited to treat their furry friends to a special event at Aldridge Gardens. At PAWS in the Gardens, guests can enjoy food, dog-friendly demonstrations and vendors and receive general pet advice.

The price is $10 per dog and all proceeds will go to Shelby County Humane Society and Aldridge Gardens. For those looking to bring a new animal into their home, pets will be available for on-site adoptions.

Vendors and groomer demonstrations include a pet-food both, an “Ask-A Vet” booth, hunting dog demonstrations, pet photographers and a local sketch artist who will be creating artwork of pets. Addition-ally, family fun activities will be offered. CahaBones will be selling locally made homemade dog treats.

For more information, visit aldridgegar-dens.com.

City Councilman John Lyda was recently selected to participate in a special delegation sponsored by the American Council of Young Politi-cal Leaders (ACYPL).

ACYPL is an organization spon-sored by the U.S. Department of State in conjunction with private supporters. The nonpartisan non-profit organization works to intro-duce rising political and policy professionals to international affairs and to each other.

To fulfill this mission, each year ACYPL organizes delegations of eight to 10 political leaders from across the United States that rep-resent a diverse cross section of American government and sends those delegations to foreign coun-tries to meet and collaborate with the local, state, and national offi-cials in those countries.

In March, Lyda will travel to Brazil. His trip represents the culmination of a selection pro-cess that first began in November 2013, when he was nominated for ACYPL by Senator Cam Ward and former Senator Steve French.

“This is an incredible opportu-nity for me to take local best prac-tices and policies to share with those in Brazil and to learn from their government, and will also offer the opportunity for our area to host future delegations from coun-tries around the world,” Lyda said.

Lyda selected for American Council of Young Political Leaders

Hoover City Councilman John Lyda, pictured with his wife, Beth, will travel to Brazil later this month as a delegation representative with the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Photo courtesy of John Lyda.


By KATIE TURPEN

The seventh annual Walk to End Lupus Now is set for Saturday, March 29, at Veterans Park at 10 a.m. The walk is sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America, the largest nonprofit organization in the United States that is dedicated to finding the causes and cure for lupus as well as providing support and services to those affected.

According to the foundation, lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks the body, causing severe fatigue, rashes, light sensitivity, anemia, joint pain, fever, joint swelling, kidney complications and sometimes death. All money from the race will help support research for finding a cure for the disease.

“This is a family fun event that invites those in the community to come out to participate in an event that celebrates life, a mission and the hope for a cure,” said Katelyn Slaugh-ter, development coordinator for the foundation’s mid-South chapter.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and entertainment will be provided throughout the morning. Various prizes will be given to participants. Parking will be available at Spain Park High School as well as at Vet-erans Park.

“The route itself is both a one mile and 3K round around Veterans Park,” Slaughter said. “We will have water and small snacks available for registered guests after the walk. We

Walking for a cure

2013 Walk for Lupus Now volunteers gather at Veterans Park for the event. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Slaughter.

2013 Walk for Lupus Now “Team Tolbert” led by Yamika Foy support loved ones affected by lupus during the annual event at Veterans Park. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Slaughter.

2013 Walk for Lupus Now volunteer Shelia shows excitement for the annual event. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Slaughter.

encourage guests to arrive early to avoid the registration line, and to also register online prior to the event.”

According to the foundation, 27,000 people in Alabama have been diag-nosed with lupus. It takes an average

of four to seven years to diagnose the disease because it can often be con-fused with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and other common muscle diseases and complications. Addition-ally, while lupus is commonly found

in women ages 19-55, it can also affect children and men.

Slaughter is hoping for a large turn-out this year.

“Last year we had over 800 partici-pants,” Slaughter said. “We are hoping

to continue growing in numbers each year.”

For more information or to regis-ter for the walk, visit lupusmidsouth.org/events.


By KATIE TURPEN

On April 5, the 11th annual Walk for Autism and 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle will take place at Veterans Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. Presented by the Autism Society of Alabama, the race originally was held at the Riverchase Galleria, was then moved to Regions Park and is now in its third year at Veterans Park.

“Money raised for Walk for Autism allows us to continue making strides in Alabama,” said Lauren Reid, fundraising and events

manager for the Autism Society of Alabama. “All funds raised are kept in the state and used throughout the many communities to educate or advocate for families.”

Reid said participants can expect a fun-filled family time throughout the morning. There will be a resource fair, snacks provided by Zoe’s Kitchen, Earthfare and Nola-Ice, as well as activities for children such as face painting and arts and crafts.

Prior to the walk will be the 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle, an addition added in the last three years.

“We know that 5Ks have become a big attraction in our area and since Birmingham has a large running community, we hope to reach out to those groups by providing an opportunity to run with us to support autism awareness,” Reid said.

Reid said that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States.

The Autism Society of Alabama provides resources for those with autism and their families. In partnership with the Easter Seals they offer weekend family camps at Camp

ASCCA with zip lining, canoeing, horseback riding and other recreational activities. The organization also offers regional seminars and conferences on autism.

“With 1 in 88 now affected by this disor-der, most everyone knows a family or has a friend or loved one with ASD,” Reid said. “We believe it takes both advocacy and fundraising to succeed in awareness, social change and increased opportunities for ASD families.”

For more information, visit walkforautis-mal.com.

Finding hope in the fight against autism

The Hoover Belles lead the Walk for Autism at Veterans Park. Mascot Jerry walks behind them. Photos courtesy of Lauren Reid.


Q What led you to Alabama School Connection?

A The children in our public schools deserve to have a full team of

grown-ups championing their efforts. We can’t be champions if we don’t know what is going on. [That means more than the] surface level, [more than] the good public relations stuff, but on a deep level of what is working and what isn’t. Knowing allows us to better engage. Information empowers people. And that’s what the Alabama School Connection is all about: empowering people with information.

Q What has been the single most surprising part of this

journey for you?

A How vast the abyss is between the decisions being made and what

the public actually knows, and also, how hungry the public is for that knowledge.

Q Have you in fact shuttered your

photography business? Why, after a 15-year run?

A Yes, I closed my photography business, but I will always

take pictures and create photo-graphs. It was a great way to earn a living as a single mother with three children, allowing me to control my schedule. But when my two oldest (they’re twins) headed to college, I knew it was time to get on with the second half of my life. I spent the next two years earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from UAB, which provided structure to the advocacy I had been engaged in for the prior decade. And I’m put-ting it to use through the Alabama School Connection.

Q How do you think Hoover can leverage its most

effective educational prac-tices to the benefit of all other public school districts statewide?

A After spending a decade focusing on Hoover schools,

and after I branched out statewide, I found that the challenges we face, proper allocation of resources, effec-tive educational practices, finding and retaining high-quality teachers and administrators, are challenges everywhere. Different faces, different names. Same big problems. Hoover, because of our diverse population, has an opportunity to be the model for how public education works for everybody, whether children are in poverty or have lots of family resources available.

Research shows that if you prop-erly allocate physical and financial resources (particularly when you have a lot of resources like Hoover does)

for academics, children achieve at high levels regardless of their socio-economic status. Our school officials are daring and typically lead the way where technology and programming are concerned. Getting it right, here in Hoover, with the diversity of children living in our city, can make a tremen-dous difference statewide as other districts look to Hoover for leadership and results.

Q What do you think are Hoover’s biggest

challenges with regard to the bus situation, as it currently stands?

A Buses are an essential part of education here in Hoover.

Figuring out why running buses in Hoover costs so much more than the funding the state provides is the key to getting the costs under control. Charging fees isn’t the answer. Fami-lies already pay a whole lot of money

out of their pockets during registration and for other reasons throughout the school year. We must get a handle on how our Board of Education allocates money the public entrusts to them and make certain all children are getting the excellent education such money can afford.

Q Any closing comments?

A We are at a critical juncture in public education in Hoover, and

across Alabama. School works well for some, but not all children. We have to understand our public schools better so that we can partner with our boards of education to improve outcomes for all children. School officials need the public to understand what is happening. The public needs accurate, timely and mean-ingful information about our schools. We owe it to our children, our future, to get this partnership working properly.

Get to know Trisha Powell Crain

of Alabama School ConnectionBy REBECCA WALDEN

Trisha Powell Crain publishes the Alabama School Connection (alabamaschoolconnection.org), a nonpartisan online news source focused exclusively on K-12 education in Alabama. Crain has spent more than a decade engag-ing in advocacy in public education on many

levels. Her work has appeared in local, state, and national publications, online and in print. She has served on numerous panels speaking about the need for and rewards of family and community engagement.

Crain has three children and lives in Hoover. You can contact her through the ASC site at [email protected].


School House

Madeline Powell of Spain Park High School recently was named Alabama’s Distinguished Young Woman. Powell represented Shelby County and participated with 47 others girls from around the state. The program was at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgom-ery, Ala. Individuals compete in interview, talent, scholastics, self-expression and fitness categories. Along with being named the Distin-guished Young Woman of Alabama, Powell also received top five preliminary awards in fitness and self-expression and top five awards in scho-lastics and interview.

Powell has been awarded $18,100 in cash scholarships from state and local winnings and about $500,000 worth of in-kind full tuition college scholarships from 10 colleges includ-ing Alabama, Auburn, Birmingham-Southern, Troy, Huntington and more. She will repre-sent the state of Alabama in the Distinguished Young Woman of America program in Mobile June 26-28.

It only happens every few years, but it produces some of the most interest-ing projects: Prince of Peace Catholic School’s Einstein Expo.

The school’s earth, physical, and life science fair is open to students in grades three through eight and showcases their imagination, ingenuity, and experimen-tal skills. Winning projects included titles such as: “Can Worms Smell,” “The Germ Buster,” “The Hairspray

Face Shield,” “Sugar versus Stevia,” and “Self-Inflating Balloons” and many others.

The young scientists made an oral pre-sentation of their projects to a panel of judges during the school day. Later that day, in the evening, the students returned to school with their parents to discover if their project had been awarded a ribbon. The students pictured were winners in the various categories and grade levels.

Prince of Peace celebrates Einstein Expo

Einstein Expo winners from left, front to back: (front row) Meghan Mooney, Jeries Lutfi, Katherine Smith, Courtney Evans, Gregory Shunnarah, Cecilia Brewer. (middle row) Samantha Teta, Miriam Abikhaled, Carley Rickman, A.J. Kingsmore, Stanley Stoutamire, Hope Lacy, Abbie Bateh, Jacob Talyor, Margaret Ann Payne, Emma Muscato. (back row)Mia Gerson, KaiLian Davis, Christian Wolf, Kome Ubogu, Matthias Rathbun, Lacy Wallace, Caroline Anthony, Evvy Lusco. Missing: Jaason Wedin. Photo courtesy of Jill Taylor Spero.

Spain Park student earns Alabama’s Distinguished Young Woman title

Madeline Powell

Betsy Crowley was recently named Teacher of the Year for South Shades Crest Elementary School. Crowley teaches fourth grade and has been with Hoover City Schools for eight years. She is also a graduate of Brigham Young University and UAB.

Crowley named South Shades Creek Elementary Teacher of the Year


Simmons Middle School’s Syn-ergy group performed at the Ala-bama American Choral Directors Association Show Choir and Jazz Choir Festival at Vestavia Hills High School on Jan. 18.

Synergy has been Simmons Middle School’s premier show choir for more than 20 years. This group, under the direction of Dan Cater and choreographed by Delle Kincaid, competes throughout the Southeast and performs at retire-ment and nursing communities in Hoover. Synergy’s primary goal is

to enhance people’s lives through music.

Keeping with that goal, this year’s Synergy show deals with questions that middle schoolers ask them-selves every day. “Am I popular? Am I smart? How do I get them to like me? Are boys better than girls?”

Synergy takes the audience on a musical journey exploring these questions, reminding us all that the best way to navigate through life is to be yourself, because there “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That.”

Simmons Show Choir shines in recent competition

Simmons Synergy recently delivered a rousing performance at the Alabama ACDA Show Choir and Jazz Choir Festival. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Bueche.

It’s not every day that young musicians get a chance to rub shoulders with the biggest names in the industry, but that’s exactly what the Hoover High jazz bands recently got a chance to do. First Edition and Jam mingled with some of jazz music’s greatest artists and performed before enthu-siastic audiences of musicians, performers and students from around the world at the fifth annual Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Conference in Dallas in January.

The bands, which have not had opportu-nities to perform at the same venue in years, were among more than 3,000 students, teachers, artists, performing arts presenters, music industry partners and jazz enthusiasts at the four day conference, jam-packed with ongoing clinics and concerts that also fea-tured more than 100 exhibitors. The numer-ous artist-led clinics covered a variety of

topics, including performance enhancement, improvisation techniques, jazz composition, the latest in technology and inspiration from jazz greats.

The award-winning First Edition Jazz Band, which also won accolades at the Midwest clinic in 2012, was selected as an official performer at the 2014 JEN con-ference. The 22-member band was joined by internationally renowned guest artists Tom Walsh and John Fedchock. Various big band styles were performed, includ-ing Alabama favorite “Tuxedo Junction.” A rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” led by Will Roberson on trumpet and lead vocals, Chris Preuc on trombone, Cory Cheung on sousaphone and Nick Greengard on clarinet concluded the evening concert.

Hoover Jam was selected to perform at

Hoover High jazz band performs at conference in Dallas

Hoover High’s First Edition and Jam bands recently experienced the thrill of performing along industry greats at the 5th annual Jazz Educators Network. Photo courtesy of Debbie Greengard.

the JENerations Jazz Festival, held in conjunction with the conference, along with more than 800 elementary, middle, junior high, high school, college and community

musical groups of all ages. Their performance was fol-lowed by a clinic session with industry professionals who offered praise, critiques and suggestions to the band.


Several R. F. Bumpus Middle School students were recently nominated by their science teacher, Stan Doran, for the National Youth Leadership Forum. This forum is based on the Explore S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) premise. Based on the decision of the students to attend this program, they will have the opportunity to enhance their education in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago or Philadelphia.

Bumpus students nominated for National Youth Leadership Forum

Hoover High School was represented at the 2014 Alabama Music Educa-tors Association Conference held at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in Montgomery in January. Eleven students were selected from among hundreds of statewide applicants who performed in the Gold and Silver All-State Jazz Bands.

Richard Chen, Cory Cheung, Kristina Darroch and Nick

Greengard represented HHS in the Gold Jazz Band.

Taylor Battles, Preston Beatty, Josh Constantine, Conner Jackson, Chris Preuc, Will Roberson and Lee Roberts were selected to the Silver Jazz Band. Tyler Greengard and Daniel Phillips were chosen as alternates.

Hoover High has historically placed a significant number of musicians in the AMEA All-State Jazz Bands.

Eleven HHS Students selected for All-State Jazz Bands

HHS All-State Jazz Band participants, from left: Nick Greengard, Richard Chen, Cory Cheung, First Edition Jazz Band Director Sallie White, Taylor Battles, Chris Preuc, Will Roberson, Lee Roberts, Kristina Darroch, Pres-ton Beatty, Conner Jackson, Josh Constantine and Director of Bands Ryan Fitchpatrick. Photo courtesy of Debbie Greengard.

The students nominated and accepted into the program are, from left: Front row: Dayne Miller, Eston Miller, Cy Yates and Emma Jenkins. Back row: Stan Doran, Ben Pate and Kartik Patel. Photo courtesy of Stan Doran.

Nationally, while the actual number of students earning a composite score of 36 varies from year to year, on average, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn the top score. Among test takers in the high school graduating class of 2013, only 1,162 of 1.8 million students earned a composite score of 36.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s com-posite score is the average of the four test scores. Some students also take ACT’s optional writing test, but the score for that test is

reported separately and is not included within the ACT composite score.

This year Spain Park has had three students who scored a perfect 36 on the test. Matt and Stefanie Schoeneman are the two seniors at SPHS who tal-lied their scores earlier in the year; they also happen to be twins. Incidentally, Devon Schoeneman (Matt and Stefanie’s older sister) accomplished this same feat just last year. Josh Tag-gart is a junior who scored his 36 this past December after already amassing scores in the 30s as early as eighth grade.

Spain Park students secure perfect scores on the ACT


By REBECCA WALDEN

If the late writer and theorist Joseph Camp-bell’s legacy can be summarized in any singu-lar piece of prevailing wisdom, it’s his edict to “follow your bliss.” For Bluff Park resident Tom Bailey, that path to bliss has been 30 years in the making.

With the October 2013 publication of his latest cookbook, The Complete Guide to Northern Gulf Seafood, Bailey said he’s officially devoting this next chapter of his life to his own source of bliss: writing.

Bailey, 66, a longtime employee of The Bir-mingham News, is no stranger to the publishing world. He’s served as managing editor and in leadership with the paper’s custom publishing division, while also nurturing a side custom pub-lishing business, Seacoast Publishing, since the early 1980s.

“It all started shortly after I became managing editor of the News,” Bailey said. “One of the things I missed in that role was writing. If you are managing, you are not writing. So I started a hobby of writing books on topics that interested me the most.”

True to the publishing house name, Bailey, along with his wife, Janis, focused exclusively on beach-oriented books. The process accom-panying his first book, Vacation Guide to the Alabama-Florida Gulf, turned out to be a learn-ing experience.

“We published 10,000 books — way more than we needed, but we didn’t know any better,” Bailey said. “And it was financed on borrowed money, in the early ’80s when interest rates exceeded 21 percent.”

Realizing no one would be knocking at their front door for copies of the book, Bailey became his own traveling salesman.

The first stop led him to the former Brook-wood Convenience Center, where he knocked, well before opening hours, on the glass door of Alabama Outdoors until an annoyed store atten-dant finally came over to speak with him. By his own admission, Bailey’s sales pitch was less than stellar.

“With this ‘What do you want?’ look on his face, this fellow sat there staring at me as I tried to tell him about the book,” Bailey said. “And when he asked me how much I wanted for them, I didn’t know what to say, and I told him as much.”

Instead of dismissing the eager, if not naïve, Bailey, the store clerk laughed, invited him inside the store, and gave the young Bailey a crash course in book retailing 101.

“He asked if it was the first time I’d done this, though I’m sure he knew the answer,” said Bailey, who took his newfound book sales knowledge and put it to profitable use, eventually selling that 10,000 copy inventory to every fish market, tackle store and retail shop he could find.

As it turned out, Bailey’s timing was perfect. He pitched a dive shop to carry copies of his first title only to find that the shop’s owners wanted a book of their own. An avid scuba diver since the age of 15, Bailey jumped at the assignment.

He also found that fish markets wanted their own cookbooks, so he agreed to that. The pattern, fueled by a serendipitous mix of determination and luck, found Bailey eventually publishing upwards of 70 titles under the Seacoast Publish-ing imprint.

Fast forward to 2014. Bailey’s hobbies still include all things pertaining to the coast, but he has good reason to want to keep things close to home.

“My grandkids are the people I want to do a lot more with over the years,” Bailey said. “I want to quit knocking on doors.” In a gesture allowing him to focus more on family and his own writing, instead of everyone else’s, Bailey said he plans to close Seacoast Publishing in the short term.

That decision became the foun-dation of the book pitch that would eventually become The Complete Guide to Northern Gulf Seafood.

Covering the best of northern Gulf seafood (from Tampa, Fla., through the Texas coast), Bailey’s book shines the spotlight on fish caught in the region; fish that is less commercial in nature and that is most likely to be at his readers’ neighborhood seafood market.

“My mission was not only to showcase the fish of our region, but to capture the essence of the taste of the Coast,” he said, noting a few of the book’s highlights, including chargrilled amberjack, stuffed scamp and wine sauce, and smoked mullet, what he describes as “an every-man kind of dish.”

“The book represents the collective pallet of the people who work and live in these areas,” Bailey said. “Some recipes even came from old boat captains, and the recipes are so simple, which also keeps with the book’s theme. We

wanted to keep these recipes simple enough that anyone could go to a grocery store and find what they need. They can prepare these dishes in a beach condo, where they might have limited cookware. There is no need to fill up a cabinet of special spices and ingredients.”

In retirement, Bailey said he also intends to devote more time to elementary school focused writing workshops, a longtime passion. In recent years, he’s been a well-known face to writing and literary coaches throughout the Hoover area, making stops at most every Hoover area elementary school to help third- and fourth-grade students foster their creative thinking.

To learn more about Bailey and his work, email the author at [email protected].

Writing his own rulesIn retirement, local publisher sidelines 9-to-5 priorities for personal passion

Tom Bailey, author of The Complete Guide to Northern Gulf Seafood. Photo courtesy of Olivia Ficken.


Sports

By JEFF THOMPSON

Shaking hands with Austin Wiley is like reaching into the mouth of an alligator.

Wiley, starting center for the Spain Park Jaguars, stands 6-foot-9 and weighs in at 190 pounds. During the 2013-2014 regular basketball season, he averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks per game — remark-able numbers for a player his age facing older competition.

At 15 years old the freshman might be a newcomer to the varsity team, but he’s fluent in the game.

Austin started playing basketball at the Hoover Recreation Center at 6 years old. Led to the court by a pedigree, he said the sport is and has been not only his love but also his life.

“I was always the tallest kid,” he said. “It took me a while to get used to it. I’d say about sixth or seventh grade was when I started being known or recognized. I didn’t want to be the center of attention, but I got used to it.”

The recognition kept coming through middle school, and in his first year at Spain Park he not only became a staple of the game plan but also a target for college recruiters. He’s already received scholarship offers from The University of Alabama, Auburn Univer-sity, UAB and Mississippi State University, he said.

His parents, Riverchase residents Vickie Orr Wiley and Aubrey Wiley, are both former play-ers for the Auburn Tigers. But Vickie Orr is also known as one of the best basketball play-ers to ever come from the state of Alabama.

Playing center like her son, she led Auburn to two straight NCAA championship games. And

before she graduated in 1993, she played on the 1992 U.S. Olympic team that won the bronze medal. In 2013, she was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

“The difference is, I wasn’t recruited this early,” Vickie said. “My recruiting, even though it was by every school in the country, didn’t start until the end of my 10th-grade year. For Austin it started in eighth grade from the exposure he gets from playing AAU.”

AAU, or Amateur Athletic Union, is a non-profit national sports organization that offers players additional court time and often more promotional opportunities. Following his eighth-grade year, Austin received an invita-tion through his AAU exposure to attend NBA player Chris Paul’s basketball camp in North Carolina.

The event was important for Austin to attend, Vickie said, but it also led to a daily barrage from recruiters.

“I just want to make sure his head’s in the right place,” Vickie said. “Especially at AAU,

there are so many people standing around waiting to get a word in about what they can do with him — how their camp can make him better. It’s not easy keeping those sharks away from him.”

Vickie, who currently serves as an admin-istrator at the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham, said she and Aubrey make point to keep everything open with Austin, and she sees him embracing the pressure with a sense of personal pride. Austin said having his family by his side couldn’t be more important to him at this point in his life.

“The good thing about having parents who played in college is they went through the recruiting process,” he said. “They give me good advice like, ‘You’re just a freshman, don’t worry about it or stress about it. Stay humble and focus on school and basketball.’”

Thankfully for the Wileys, Vickie said Austin doesn’t give them much to worry about. He’s enjoying history and English in school, and likes to spend time with friends and listen to music when he isn’t on the court. He’s even looking at a future in nutrition.

“If my career in basketball does come to a sudden end, I still want to work with athletes,” Austin said. “I want to be around the game.”

Facing three more years of recruiting, the pressure doesn’t appear to be mounting. Aus-tin’s relaxed, cordial demeanor comes across as that of a respectful teenager working hard to reach his goal of playing in the NBA.

“For me, I feel nothing but pride,” Vickie said. “I know how hard he’s worked. And because he asks — after every game or prac-tice he finishes he asks for critiques — I know he’s serious.”

Staying humbleScholarship offers already mounting for SPHS freshman basketball star

Spain Park center Austin Wiley drives the lane during a game against the Pelham Panthers in January. The 15-year-old freshman has already re-ceived multiple scholarship offers. Photo courtesy of Ted Melton/actionsportspix.smugmug.com.

Spain Park freshman Austin Wiley. Photo by Jeff Thompson.


By JEFF THOMPSON

Hoover High swept the Alabama Indoor Track Championships in February, taking home top honors for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

According to the Alabama High School Ath-letic Association (AHSAA), the Lady Bucs won the 6A state title for the first time since 2006. The event concluded Feb. 4 at Birmingham’s CrossPlex.

Hoover scored 130 points, and runner-up

Pelham scored 72. The Lady Bucs’ 4x400 relay team set a new state record with a winning time of 3:56.58.

“With these records, we’re talking about 40 to 50 years of history,” Coach Devon Hind said in describing relay team member Shaina Cadet. “And she was on a relay team that bet-tered any team in the state in the last 40 to 50 years.”

Brittley Humphrey and Sarah Sanford finished first and second place in the 60-meter hurdles.

Humphrey held the previous state record in the event, and first broke it during preliminary com-petition on Feb. 3 with an 8.71. The next day, she ran the event 8.54 to set another record.

Hind said Humphrey’s time in the 60-meter hurdles now ranks her as No. 1 in the nation in the event.

“It just makes me want to get better for next year,” Humphrey said.

Sanford finished the same event with a 9.0 time, which the AHSAA reported bettered the

state record times in all other Class competitions.“All my competitive coaches are wondering

when the heck she’s going to graduate,” Hind said of Sanford. “She’s been a thorn in their sides for four years.”

In the boys’ championship, Hoover won with 90 points without Marlon Humphrey, who AHSAA reported was injured in preliminary competition on Feb. 3 and did not compete in the finals. Auburn was second with 71 points and Opelika third with 64.

Bucs take home two more titles in Indoor State Track

The boys’ 4 x 200 relay team finished second in the state and set a new school record. From left, Micah Bagley, Darnell Lucas, Jacob Tofani and Charles Mosley. Photo courtesy of Diana Knight.

Asia Hart was the anchor runner for the Lady Bucs’ 4 x 200 and the 4 x 400 first place relay teams that each set new state records. Photo courtesy of Diana Knight.


Signing Day 2014Local high school athletes accept collegiate

scholarships on National Signing DaySeventeen Hoover High School student athletes accepted scholarships during the school’s National Signing Day Ceremony on Feb. 5.Hoover High Dylan Ackerson – Sacred

Heart (Football)Chloe Ballard – Birmingham-Southern (Volleyball)

Shaina Cadet – Montevallo (Track)

Stephen Dobbs – Wallace State (Baseball)

Gabby Gilmer – Emory University (Soccer)

Jaterrius Gulley – Brigham Young University (Football)

Marlon Humphrey – The University of Alabama (Football)

Anna-Claire Johnson – UAH (Volleyball)

Errin Perry – UAH (Track) Billy Reed – Wallace State (Baseball)

Sarah Sanford – Samford (Track)

Hagan Scott – UNA (Football) Carly Sewell –Montevallo (Softball)

Kalee Sparks – Shelton State Community College (Softball)

Emily Turner – Birmingham-Southern (Softball)

J.T. Watkins – Central Alabama Community College (Golf)

Chloe White – Coastal Carolina (Track)


Spain Park Eighteen Spain Park High student athletes accepted scholarships during the school’s National Signing Day Ceremony on Feb. 5.

Brittany Anderson – Central Alabama Community College (Softball)

Matt Berler – Meridian Community College (Baseball)

Dalton Brown – Newberry College (Football)

Phillip Brown – Tuskegee University (Football)

Christen Craig – Tusculum College (LAX)

Will Freeman – University of Alabama (Swimming)

Alison Halperin – Anderson University (Track)

Vasili Kartos – Southern Mississippi (Golf)

Denise Newton – Gadsden State Community College (Basketball)

Marisa Osga – Central Alabama Community College (Softball)

Josh Rich – Meridian Community College (Baseball)

Ireland Shea – University of Alabama (Track)

Haleigh Sisson – UAB (Softball) Connor Smith – Middle Tennessee State University (Golf)

Devin Pughsley – Kennesaw State (Football)

Jervontius Stallings – University of Kentucky (Football)

Tristan Widra – Samford University (Baseball)

Maddie Wohlfarth – College of Charleston (Swimming)


Current Troop 93 scoutmaster Terry Beckham poses with some of the younger troop members on a recent campout. Photo by Eric Underwood.

Eagle service project back in 1971 he, along with other troop members Dennis Wildsmith and David Marks, renovated an old house on Oakmont property to serve as the first scout center for the troop.

By the mid-1990s that house, which had seen a lot of use over the years, had to be cleared from the property. Troop 93 has been meeting in a basement classroom underneath the sanctuary ever since. The new building will serve as a meeting and storage space for the troop, and it will be built on church-donated land behind Oakmont.

“We’re trying to raise $150,000,” Clanton said. “When we get to $50,000, we’ll get started on clearing the land and building the center.”

The design for the new scout center came courtesy of a team of Auburn University archi-tecture students. Calhoun was a graduate of The University of Alabama and an avid Crim-son Tide fan; any boys in his troop who hap-pened to be Auburn fans were always subject to some good-natured ribbing.

Clanton, an Auburn graduate, chuckled when asked what Calhoun might think about a bunch of Auburn students designing the build-ing that will be named after him.

“Yeah, he liked to tease. But, you know, some of his best friends were Auburn fans,” Clanton said.

Ralph Upchurch, another Eagle Scout in Troop 93 who eventually became the troop’s scoutmaster, originally proposed the idea to build a new scout center.

“I presented the idea at a troop commit-tee meeting one night and it just took off,” Upchurch said.

Like so many young men who passed through the ranks of Troop 93 under Calhoun’s watch over the decades, Upchurch was greatly affected by the man. When it came time for his son to join the Boy Scouts, he didn’t pressure him to join Troop 93 but hoped he would.

“All his buddies were going to another troop, so I couldn’t blame him if he wanted to go there, too,” Upchurch said. “But Bob

BOB’S BOYSfrom page 1

invited him on one of the Camporees. When he got back from that weekend that was it. He wasn’t going anywhere else.”

Upchurch’s son went on to earn the rank of Eagle in the same troop his father had.

Though Calhoun was in retirement during this time, he was still active in the troop, attending weekly meetings, monthly campouts and assisting with community service projects.

“I’m so glad my son had time with Bob,” Upchurch said.

This father-son legacy with Troop 93 isn’t unique to Upchurch. Underwood became an Eagle Scout under Calhoun’s tutelage in 1980 and saw his son reach Eagle in the same troop in 2009.

“Mr. Calhoun gave my son a troop T-shirt

when he was 2 years old,” Underwood remem-bered. “He recruited them early.”

Sons of two other Calhoun-era Eagle alums — Jim Ritchie and Doug Adair — also became Eagle Scouts in the troop. “I think it’s neat,” Underwood said. “All of our sons knew Mr. Calhoun, and had the same respect for him that we did.”


Hoover resident and Altamont School senior John Everett Denton recently received his Eagle Scout designation at a Court of Honor con-ducted at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Dr. Donald Williamson, Ala-bama’s Public Health Officer, pre-sented Denton with a Certificate of Commendation signed by Governor Robert Bentley to recognize him earn-ing the rank of Eagle Scout.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting pro-gram. Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demon-strating ideals of service and leader-ship, including organizing and leading an extensive service project. Denton’s Eagle Scout project was a four-day

percussion workshop for students of various ages at the YWCA of Central Alabama. Paint buckets, drumsticks, an instructional video, an educational syllabus and instructors were provided for the project.

Denton, age 18, is a member of Dawson Memorial Troop 83. While attending Altamont, Denton has been a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, debate team, Musi-cian’s Society, lacrosse team, jazz band and music ensemble. Denton has been accepted to The University of Alabama Honors College and New College pro-gram. He is currently a University of Alabama Fellows finalist and a National Merit semifinalist.

-Submitted by Angie Denton

Denton earns Eagle Scout rank

Hoover resident John Denton recently earned the highest honor that can be earned by a Boy Scout – the rank of Eagle. To earn his Eagle, Denton led a four-day percussion workshop for children of various ages at the YWCA. Photo courtesy of Angie Denton.

The proposed design of the Robert F. Calhoun Scout Center. Image courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 93.

Calhoun stayed in touch with as many of his former scouts as he could long after they left the troop, always eager to cheer on their life accomplishments and provide moral and emotional support during stressful times. He often had to implore them to address him properly as an adult, instead of calling him “Mr. Calhoun” or “Mr. C” like they had before.

“You’re a man now,” he would say. “Call me Bob.”After Calhoun died, family and friends knew that

Oakmont’s sanctuary couldn’t hold the number of people who would come to mourn the loss and cel-ebrate the life of the beloved man who had such a positive impact on the lives of so many young men in the community. Green Valley Baptist Church, Oak-mont’s next-door neighbor, swung open the doors to its larger sanctuary for the memorial service held on March 28, 2009.

Mourners came from the local community and around the country to pay their respects. The service also served as a reunion of sorts, as men who had last seen each other as young teenage boys reconnected in remembrance as fully grown adults. Many of the assorted relatives, friends, newer troop members and former coworkers from Calhoun’s long career with State Farm Insurance did not know each other.

Portions of Bob Calhoun’s ashes were spread at different locales around the country, each a place close to his heart. A team of scouts spread some at the Tooth of Time, a prominent mountain peak at Philm-ont Scout Ranch in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico.

A group of Troop 93 alumni — Bob’s Boys — had a portion on hand when they visited Billy’s Island during a reunion trip to the Okefenokee Swamp. At the memorial service it was rumored that some remains would be spread on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

In autumn 2009, Calhoun’s only child, his daugh-ter, Suzanne, who grew up accompanying the boys of Troop 93 on many outings, rode on horseback high up into the Smoky Mountains along the Tennessee/North Carolina border to Spence Field, a grassy knoll cut through by the Appalachian Trail. It was one of her father’s favorite spots and the place where most of his ashes were cast.

The Robert F. Calhoun Scout Center will serve as a home for Boy Scout Troop 93, Venture Crew 193 and Cub Scout Pack 93. Those interested in contributing to the building fund can send donations to Oakmont Presbyterian Church at 1817 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover, AL 35226. Make checks payable to Oakmont Presbyterian Church c/o the Robert F. Calhoun Scout Center. For more information, contact David Clanton at [email protected] or call the church directly at 823-5910.


complex, which many considered a blemish, once existed.

Along with additional revenues flowing into city coffers and employment opportuni-ties for Hoover residents, Mayor Gary Ivey said the new businesses are improving the area’s appearance.

“We replaced the apartments and sold that property to Walmart, which then generated an incredibly good-looking commercial spot,” Ivey said. “In my opinion, that helped recruit Bargain Hunt across the street, and together, they’ve both helped to clean up that area.”

The city’s finance director, Robert Yeager, said that Walmart is serving as a catalyst in reviving a stretch of Lorna Road that extends to Highway 31, and he praised efforts by Ivey and the Hoover City Council to make that happen.

“There’s no question that it was great lead-ership by the mayor and council to take that terrible piece of property and turn it into a productive piece of property,” Yeager said. “I thought it was extremely visionary, and good things started happening after we got rid of the bad piece of property.”

Yeager said the city succeeded in creating a new source of revenue by purchasing the foreclosed apartment complex and clearing the property before putting it up for sale.

The Hoover City Council sold the property to Walmart for $2.8 million in 2012. The city completed the sale after first purchasing the apartment complex for $2.4 million in Decem-ber 2010, followed by spending $406,200 for asbestos removal and demolition of the structure.

“The Walmart folks are the ones that came to the table with a contract, and we sold it to them,” Yeager said.

A ripple effectThe enhanced appearance isn’t confined to

one section of Lorna Road.A deteriorating Omelet Shoppe, which

closed years ago near the intersection of Lorna

LORNA ROADfrom page 1

Road and Highway 31, has been replaced with a sparkling new Steak ‘n Shake restaurant. Just feet away, a Walgreens offers Hoover residents another shopping option in place of a conve-nience store previously located there.

Kathleen Spencer, chair of the Hoover Cham-ber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee, said both economic considerations and the area’s appearance necessitated the need for new development along Lorna Road.

“That’s an area that the mayor and the council have been dedicating a lot of time to because it needed improvement,” Spencer said. “I think part of the declining process has been related to the economy with some businesses failing.”

Yeager said Hoover reports revenue for the entire city and not certain areas. The impact of action by the city, he said, can be seen in other terms that transcend the businesses’ revenue potential.

“We took a very underperforming piece of property in the apartment parcel and turned it into a Walmart,” Yeager said. Soon after, Bargain Hunt was occupying the Food World space.

“You get positive things happening and it trickles down,” he said. “But as far as being able to quantify it, we’ve not tried to do that.”

The Riverchase Galleria is also boasting a new look thanks to efforts by city leaders. A tax incentive package totaling $25 million was approved by the council in 2011 for upgrades to improve the mall’s appearance.

A rising tideThe changes are also benefiting other venues

in the area. Tynette Lynch, chief executive officer

of Aldridge Gardens, said the new businesses are not only improving the neighborhood’s appear-ance, but also bringing more residents.

“I’m excited with everything that’s going on,” Lynch said. “It was an area that needed to be cleaned up, and Walmart brought a new life to make the area look much better.

“It helps us to appear to be in a safe location and have a nice neighborhood surround us,” she added. “It’s a more enjoyable area when every-thing surrounding it looks very positive and you see growth.”

Businesses already operating in the area have also seen a benefit from the improvements. “It’s bringing more people into the area,” said Patricia Taylor, assistant manager of Fred’s Pharmacy located in The Village on Lorna with Bargain Hunt.

Spencer anticipates the improvements will attract additional retailers and restaurants to the area.

“Once a couple of stores start going in, you’re going to find more going in,” she said. “Those are busy areas, and I think that you’re going to find that area in the middle start building up.”

“If I’m a retailer wanting to come into this area, and I look at that specific area and I see a lot of places that are old or gone out of business, I’m probably not going to be too attracted to that area,” Spencer said.

By contrast, she said the influx of retailers like Walmart and Walgreens, along with restaurants like Steak ‘n Shake, is something that’s likely to catch the attention of other businesses.

“I’m thinking, ‘Something’s going on here,’” Spencer said. “Success does breed success.”

Action: Tax incentive package totaling $25 million approved by the Hoover City Council in 2011 for upgrades to improve the Riverchase Galleria.

Impact: The opening of new stores at the mall, including Von Maur and Old Navy, along with infrastructure improvements that are making the Galleria more attractive and bringing back customers.

Action: Purchase of La Chateau apartment complex near Lorna and Patton Chapel roads for $2.4 million in December 2010, along with $406,200 for asbestos removal and demolition of the apartment complex.

Impact: Opening of Walmart Neighborhood Market on the former apartment site, which city leaders believe is serving as a catalyst for reviving all of Lorna Road.

City Efforts to Improve Lorna Road

thimbles

WE’VE

MOVED!


Moonlight on the Mountainmoonlightonthemtn.comMarch 1: Dan Farmer and Janet Hall.

March 2: John Dee Graham with Mike June.

March 3: Open Mic Night.

March 7: The Jason Bailey Band.

March 8: Marian Bradfield with Kelli Johnson.

March 9: Mandolin Orange with Brett Harris.

March 13: Laure McGee.

March 15: Debbie Bond and The Tru’Dats.

March 16: Early St. Pat’s with Henri’s Notions. $15.

March 20: Moonlight’s Equinoxical Birthday and Extrava-Gonzo.

March 21: Jack Williams. $15.

March 22: Runaway Home.

March 28: Jenny and Tyler with Levi Weaver and special guest Vanita Joines. $10 advance, $15 door.

All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise noted. Open Mic Night is $5.

Hoover events

Community Calendar

March 6: Economic Development Committee meeting. 8:30 a.m. Chamber office. Visitors welcome.

March 6: Open house. 5-8 p.m. with 5:30 ribbon cutting. MedCenter Hoover, 1575 Montgomery Highway, Hoover. Contact Meredith Allgood at [email protected].

March 13: Coffee & Contacts at South Hall Self-Storage. 7-9 a.m. 2400 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover 35244. Contact Ronnie Blakney at 981-8705 or [email protected]. southhall.com

March 19: Ambassador Meeting 4:30 p.m. Chamber office. Visitors welcome.

Now open: Junior Kids Tennis Clinics for advanced and beginner tennis players (open to nonmembers) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6:30. Must reserve your spot. For more, call the tennis shop at 988-8165, the clubhouse 988-4140, or email Johan Gedlitschka at [email protected].

March 1: Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. 8 a.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. conquercancerrun.org.

March 2: Guest speaker. 8:45 and 11 a.m. worship services. Rev. Julie Holly, associate minister of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Bluff Park United Methodist, 733 Valley Street. 822-0910, bpumc.org.

March 5: Ash Wednesday Service. 6:30 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Sanctuary, 733 Valley Street. 822-0910.

March 8: Arbor Day festivities, sponsored by the Hoover Beautification Board. Tree giveaway at 9:30 a.m., essay winners ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the house. Aldridge Gardens. Admission is free.

March 8: Bluff Park Boy Scout Troop 21 second annual yard sale. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist parking lot. Sale proceeds will help fund the Troop’s High Adventure trips and their General Fund. 824-2920.

March 8: Second annual Tips Team Challenge. 9 a.m. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross

Bridge. $220 per team. 949-3089, [email protected].

March 9: Blood drive. 7:30 a.m-12:30 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist gym, 733 Valley Street. 822-0910.

March 9: World Friendship Day. 2-4 p.m. Vestavia Hills Civic Center. Hosted by the Friendship Force of Birmingham. friendshipforce.org.

March 13: Annual preparation of Easter baskets 11 a.m. for children served by The United Way Food Bank at Green Valley Baptist Church. Lunch, Hoover Country Club. Cost $18. [email protected].

March 14: St. Patty’s Day Shindig. 1 p.m. Hoover Senior Center. Contact Tracy Vinzant at 739-6767, or email [email protected].

March 14-15: Bumpus Invitational Softball Tournament.

March 15: Indoor Rummage Sale.

March 15: Get Loco 5K. Hoover Met.

March 15: Second annual Prom Jam. Fashion shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Riverchase Galleria center court. Guests can check out the latest prom fashions and register to win fabulous prizes. Free admission. Contact Tracy Vinzant at 739-6767 or [email protected].

March 16: Luncheon program sponsored by United Methodist Women of Bluff Park

United Methodist. 733 Valley Street. Guest speaker is Erin Bodden, executive director of Safehouse. Topic is domestic violence in our area. $6 admission includes program and lunch. Call 824-9902 or email [email protected].

March 18: Hoover Historical Society monthly meeting. 2:30 p.m. Bluff Auditorium at Bluff Park School, 569 Park Ave. Keynote speaker, Ruth Cook, talking about “The Legacy and Magic of Marble.”

March 22: PAWS in the Gardens. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Proceeds benefit Shelby County Humane Society and Aldridge Gardens. $10/dog. Bring your best friends out for a stroll in the gardens. Enjoy food, dog-friendly demonstrations and vendors, and get doggone good advice. aldridgegardens.com, 682-8019.

March 24-27: Hoover High School baseball tournament. Hoover Met.

March 25: New Horizons Lunch Program. 11 am. Hoover Senior Center. Fellow member Gary Rickett will speak about his photographic adventures. $10 fee includes a catered meal. Contact Tracy Vinzant at 739-6767 or [email protected]

March 29: Walk to End Lupus Now. 8 a.m.-noon. Veterans Park. walktoendlupusnow.kintera.org.

March 30: Hoover Church of Christ’s monthly food pantry. 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 822-5610, hooverchurchofchrist.org.

Chamber eventsMarch 20: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. Hoover Country Club. Networking, noon luncheon. Make reservations by March 17. Those who make reservations and do not attend will be invoiced, unless canceled prior to the event. $20 or $22 without reservations. Contact Lisa Dunbar 988-5672 or lisa@

hooverchamber.org.

March 25: Minority Business Committee meeting. Noon. Chamber office. Bring your own lunch if you like. Visitors welcome. Contact Reginald Jeter. [email protected].


Hoover Library events Fore more, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7800.

Children’s programsMondays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.Wednesdays: After Lunch Bunch. 1:30 p.m.Thursdays: Storytime Live. 10:30 a.m.Thursdays: PJ Storytime. 6:30 p.m.

March 8: Eloise’s Rawther Fancy Tea Party. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Before there was Fancy Nancy there was Eloise. Join Eloise, her pet turtle Skipperdee, her pet dog Weenie and her Nanny for a fun-fi lled morning.

March 17: This Just In! 6:30 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. A new-books book club for grades 4-6. Which of the latest are really the greatest? Read a book published in the last six months. Make a commercial to spread the word. Space is limited to 25, so register soon.

March 24: Laugh It Up with Garfi eld & Friends. 2 p.m. Play hilarious games, make ridiculous crafts and eat wildly funny treats. Registration begins March 3. Grades 1-3.

March 25: Mustache Bash. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Everything is funnier with a dash of ‘stache. Join us as we play mustache games, make mustache crafts and wet your whiskers with our ‘stache of snacks.

March 26: It’s Adventure Time. 2 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. Explore the post-apocalyptic world of this hit cartoon. Join the comedic duo of Finn and Jake for crafts, games and snacks. It will be mathematical. Registration begins March 5. Grades 4-6.

March 28: Meme All The Things. 2 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. What’s your favorite funny, silly or sarcastic meme? Bring it to the library and use it to create a tote bag. Registration begins March 7.

Adult programsMarch 2: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: Creole. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Coffee-ol-ogy Café explores Creole culture and native foods. Free Samples. For more, call 444-7821.

March 3: Friends of the Hoover Public Library. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Susan Swagler, food editor for The Birmingham News. Refreshments at 9:45 am. Free and open to the public. For more, call 444-7840.

March 4: Workforce Investment Act. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Room C. Learn about funding for education and career training. Reservations required. For more, call 444-7816.

March 6: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Conference Room. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. For more, call 444-7820.

March 8: Purl @ the Plaza. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Library Plaza. Knot just for knitters! Bring your projects and drop in to visit with your fellow handcrafters! For more, call 444-7821.

March 9: Russell Hopper. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Join us for an afternoon of Celtic fi ddle music. Russell Hopper has performed for over 25 years and holds an MA in Traditional Irish Music Performance from the University of Limerick in Ireland. For more, call 444-7821.

March 10: Read Your Own Adventure Book Club. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Plaza Reading Room.

Share your favorite Mystery book and learn about other great reads. For more, call 444-7820.

March 11: Daytime Nonfi ction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Conference Room. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick. For more, call 444-7816.

March 11: Spanish Conversation. 7 p.m.–8 p.m. Library Plaza. Come practice your Spanish language skills! Beginners to fl uent speakers are welcome to this free event. For more, call 444-7820.

March 13: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Conference Room. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. For more, call 444-7820.

March 15: Driving Miss Daisy. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. The Library Theatre. Tickets $25. For more, call 444-7888.

March 17: Neuroscience Café: An Odyssey into the Mysterious World of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. 6:30 p.m. Presented by Neurology

Professor Peter King, M.D., Chief of Neurology at the Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center. For more, call 444-7840.

March 18: Write Club Flash Fiction Night. 7 p.m. The Library Theatre. Come enjoy the local writing talent of Write Club members. For more, call 444-7820.

March 19: No Jacket Required Nonfi ction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Conference Room. Join us to share a recently read nonfi ction title in this month’s genre: Intriguing Women. For more, call 444-7840.

March 20: Author Time @ Hoover Library: Meg Waite Clayton. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Conference Rooms. Meg Waite Clayton, author of The Wednesday Daughters, will join us via Skype for an hour-long discussion of her writing. Reservations required. Visit http://hooverlibrary.org/authortime to reserve your space or call 444-7820.

March 20: Glue Gun Gang: Happy Hoops. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Room C. Create a happy hoop for spring using fabric, buttons and embroidery. Adults only. Reservations required. For more, call 444-7840.

March 20: The Clay States. Library Plaza. 6:30 p.m. Multi-instrumental duo and vocal group utilizes guitar, ukulele, cello and banjo to create rustic southern soundscapes. They were the subject of a recent documentary on Alabama Public Television. For more, call 444-7821.

March 21: After Hours on the Plaza: Game Nite. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Library Plaza. Put your game face on and team up with your fellow gamers! Some video and board games provided or bring your own to share. For more, call 444-7821.

March 24: Monday @ the Movies. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. A lonely, young woman saves the life of a handsome stranger she has fallen in love with from afar. Stars Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Free admission and refreshments. (PG, 103 minutes) For more, call 444-7820.

March 27. Nonfi ction Book Group. 7 p.m. Allen Board Room Elizabeth’s London by Liza Picard. For more, call 444-7816.

Artists on the Bluff 571 Park Avenue

Drawing and Painting– Rollina Oglesbay. Small class size and all skill levels welcome. Drawing Class or Charcoal, Pastel, Oil and Acrylic with Model or Photo. Contact Rollina at [email protected] or call 733-8939 for registration and supply list. $120 (4 sessions) + supplies.

Mixed Media Classes. Rik Lazenby. Small class size and all skill levels are welcome. Contact Rik at [email protected] or 281-5273 to register.

Kiln Formed Glass, Fusing & Slumping. Deborah Ballog. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.Wednesdays or Saturdays.– class prices vary – includes all glass, use of tools and kiln fi rings. Contact Deborah at [email protected] or 205-999-3194.

Calligraphy. Deb Warnat. Beginning Copperplate Class. Visit debwarnat.com or call 243-0576 for class schedule.

Acrylic Painting. Jayne Morgan. Painting classes for children and adults. Visit JayneMorgan.com or call 902-5226.

Photography. Blue Moon Studios. Contact BlueMoonStudios.net or 995-3791 or check Facebook for class schedule.

Woodworking. David Traylor. Woodworking taught by David Traylor. Offering workshops in furniture making. All skill levels welcome. Visit woodshopstudio.com or call 531-4751.

Zentangle. Darla Williamson. Fun and relaxing class using patterns to create pen and ink drawings. Beginning Classes. Six Week Series Class. Tangles from Nature Intermediate Class. Check website for class times and details. Visit tangledstones.com or call 305-2082.

Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint. Learn to update your furniture or cabinetry with Rik Lazenby. All supplies will be provided for the class. Students should bring a small piece of furniture to fi nish. Class space is limited. Please contact Rik at [email protected] or 281-5273 to enroll.

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Feb. 22-May 18: Delacroix and a Mat-ter of Finish. Birmingham Museum of Art. The first Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863) exhibition in the U.S. in more than a decade features the work of the leader of the French Romantic Movement, who was often heralded as the “father of impres-sionism.” Call 254-2565 or visit artsbma.org.

March 1: Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 5K walk/run 8:00 a.m., 1-mile walk/run 9:00 a.m., awards ceremony and survivor celebration 9:45 a.m. Visit conquercancerrun.org.

March 2: Birmingham Boys Choir. 4 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. A collaborative concert with Traces of Blue, an a cappella jazz group that appeared on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.” Visit birminghamboyschoir.com.

March 2: Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra. 3 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Visit alysstephens.org.

March 3-7: “Finish the Fight” Love-Love Magic City Challenge Tennis Tournament. A city-wide doubles-only tournament for ladies, levels 2.5-5.3, at facilities throughout Birmingham. Entrance fee is $50 per player. Proceeds support Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation’s funding of GI cancer research. Visit reedgifoundation.com/our-events or love-lovemagiccitychallenge.com.

March 7-9: Birmingham Ballet: Hansel and Gretel. March 7 at 7:30 p.m., March 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., March 9 at 2 p.m. BJCC. Tickets available through BJCC central ticket office. Visit birminghamballet.com or bjcc.org.

March 8: Spirit of Sochi. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Drive. As

a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site and Paralympic Sport Club, Lakeshore is hosting the first U.S. community-wide celebration and viewing of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony broadcast. Traveling interactive tour featuring 12 winter sports, an Alabama Olympians and Paralympians autograph booth, cultural treats from Sochi, an exhibition of wheelchair rugby, food truck games and more. The Paralympic Opening Ceremony will also be broadcast on a large screen. Visit lakeshore.org.

March 8: Professional Bull Riders. 7:30 p.m. BJCC Arena. Featuring up-and-coming bull riders and riders not competing on the elite Built Ford Tough Series, participants compete in PBR-sanctioned events while earning money to qualify them for the BFTS and the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals. Call 1-800-745-3000 or visit bjcc.org.

March 8: ASO Wells Fargo Classical EDGE: Mohammad Fairouz. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Mohammed Fairouz will premiere his newest violin concerto along with violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Tickets $15-$35. Call 975-2787 or visit alysstephens.org.

March 8: Chili Cook-Off. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Colonial Brookwood Village. This is the 10th annual Chili Cook-Off benefiting the Exceptional Foundation. $10 in advance, $15 at gate, 12 and under free. Visit exceptionalfoundation.org.

March 13: Gabriel Iglesias: Unity Through Laughter. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Tickets available through Ticketmaster. Visit alabamatheatre.com.

March 14-15: Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival. March 14 at 6 p.m., March 15 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. BJCC. Mickey Mouse and friends perform live. Tickets available through Ticketmaster and BJCC

central ticket office. Visit bjcc.org.

March 15: Rumpshaker 5K Run/Walk. 8 a.m. Sloss Furnaces. Raising awareness about colorectal cancer. Register at rumpshaker5k.com.

March 15: Elton John & His Band. 8 p.m. BJCC. Tickets available through Ticketmaster and BJCC central ticket office. Visit bjcc.org.

March 16: UAB Department of Music presents: “Around the World in 80 Minutes: A Musical Extravaganza.” 4 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Funds raised will support UAB Department of Music student scholarships and ensembles. Tickets are $48, $36 and $24. Student tickets are $10. Call 975-2787 or visit alysstephens.org.

March 16: Harlem Globetrotters “Fans Rule” Tour. 4 p.m. Pete Hanna Center, Samford University. Admission $22-$85. $20 additional for pre-show event beginning at 2:30 p.m. Call 1-800-641-HOOP.

March 19: The NotWedding Birmingham. 7-9 p.m. BridgeStreet Gallery and Loft. A bridal show in the form of a big, fake wedding allows brides to truly experience the vendors in action. General admission $30, VIP admission $40. Visit thenotwedding.com.

March 20: Brian Regan. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Brian Regan presents his comedy show. Tickets are $39.75, available at livenation.com.

March 21: Ron White. 7:30-10:00 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Ron White presents his comedy show. For mature audiences only. Visit ticketmaster.com.

March 22: SEC Women’s Gymnastics Championship. All-day event beginning at 8

a.m. BJCC. Visit gymnasticschamps.com.

March 22: Taj Mahal. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Taj Mahal, blues and world musician, will perform at ASC for the second time in his over 40-year career. Admission for section A is $62.50, section B is $53.50 and section C is $43.50. Visit alysstephens.org.

March 27-29: Joyce Meyer Ministries. March 27 at 7 p.m., March 28 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., March 29 at 10 a.m. BJCC. Joyce Meyer Ministries is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing God’s love and the word of the Bible through media productions and live conferences. Admission is free and no registration required.

March 28: Diamonds and Denim Gala. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Discovery Alabama Center at Watermark Place, 4500 Alabama Adventure Parkway, Bessemer. Fundraiser to benefit the Birmingham area Tuskegee Alumni Scholarship Fund. $50 Gala ticket, $75 VIP Gala ticket, $500 table sponsorship includes 8 VIP Gala tickets. Call 425-4529.

March 28: Birmingham Barons vs. Chicago White Sox (Exhibition Game). 6 p.m. Tickets $14-$28. Call 988-3200.

March 29: Red Diamond SuperPops! Series. Rhapsody in Blue: The Best of Gershwin with Christopher Confessore. 8 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Maestro Chris Confessore leads the ASO in music by Gershwin. Admission $24-$62. Call 975-2787.

March 29: Walk to End Lupus Now. 8-11 a.m. Veterans Park. Walk-up registration opens at 8 a.m. Walk begins at 10 a.m. Admission is free. Call 1-877-865-8787.

Greater Birmingham area events


Through March 9thThrough March 9th

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Hoover Sun vol 2 iss 6 March 2014

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