Hoover Sun july 2014 by Starnes Media

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Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

Honoring heroes

Volume 2 | Issue 10 | July 2014

July 2014 •

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Preserving a piece of the past

Historic neighborhood to celebrate 50th anniversary By REBECCA WALDEN

The Hoover Senior Center will pay tribute to American heroes at Red, White, Blue and You, a patriotic salute on July 2.

See page 15

Standout students

The Hoover Arts Alliance recognized their 2014 scholarship winners at awards assemblies held at Hoover and Spain Park High Schools.

See page 19

INSIDE City .....................5 Business ............8 Food ...................10 Community .......14

School House ....22 Sports .................26 Calendar ............30

Well-loved neighborhoods don’t happen by accident. Just ask Eileen Lewis, co-chair of the Monte D’Oro 50th anniversary committee and a homeowner in the community for the past 22 years. “Hoover is getting older,” said Lewis, who grew up in Avondale and has followed that area’s evolution with interest. “If we want our community to prosper in the future, that goes hand in hand with maintaining our neighborhoods and making sure these areas don’t fall into decline.” Lewis’s co-chair, Susanne Wright, agrees. “We are working closely with the city of Hoover and the Hoover Historical Society not only to mark the occasion of our 50th anniversary, but also to encourage other neighborhoods in Hoover to preserve themselves.” Wright, who grew up in the Roebuck area, is walking her talk. She purchased her first home in Monte D’Oro in 1973, and returned after a job transfer brought her back to Birmingham from Huntsville. Over the course of the past four decades, Wright has lived in three different properties within Monte D’Oro, and she’s renovated every one. The 158-home community will officially achieve golden anniversary status on July 24 this year. Celebrations will be held July 27, with festivities planned for 2-4 p.m. in the pavilion area of Aldridge Gardens. Fifties band The Kool Kats will perform for guests and cake and ice cream will be served. The event is open to all Monte D’Oro

The Norris family stands in front of a Monte D’Oro neighborhood sign welcoming a new addition to the family. The neighborhood will celebrate its 50th anniversary in July. Photo courtesy of the Monte D’ Oro Neighborhood Association.

residents — both current and former — as well as invitees from the Monte D’Oro Neighborhood Association. This past spring, the neighborhood was

honored by the Hoover Historical Society, which selected the development as the site of its 2014

See MONTE D’ORO | page 28

Freedom Fest returns to the Met Hoover residents are invited to the celebration of the summer. On Friday, July 4, the city will host the second annual Freedom Fest at the Hoover Met, a free event for the community to gather and celebrate Independence Day. The festival includes a car show, kids zone, live entertainment and a fireworks show. Live entertainment will begin at 6 p.m., and the lineup features The Onlys, the Rhett Walker Band and Ryan Kinder. The ZOOperstars will provide entertainment between musical acts. The Onlys are a local seven-piece band that started in 1980 while band members were in high school. Rhett Walker of the Rhett Walker Band is a rising young Christian musician who was raised in the South. Ryan Kinder is a Hoover native, currently on a nationwide tour promoting his debut single, “Kiss Me When I’m Down.” “This event is a time for our community to come together to celebrate Independence Day in a safe

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Guests can enjoy live entertainment at the second annual Freedom Fest. Photo courtesy of city of Hoover.

See MET | page 28

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• July 2014

Hoover Sun

About Us Photo of the Month

Please Support our Community Partners Prince of Peace preschoolers recently got to meet a live cow at school. They saw a milking demonstration and learned about the importance of dairy foods in a healthy diet. Photo courtesy of Jill Taylor Spero.

Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to

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Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden In prior columns, I’ve wanted to dress up. written about wanting to It wasn’t until they drop the lip from service; came downstairs, my not just to say, but to do. three-year-old in full fireAnd last month, I fighter gear and my fivefinally did. year-old in her Wonder Woman costume (comIn June, 70 members of Atlanta’s Shallowplete with gold headband ford Presbyterian Church and superhero belt), that Choral Ensemble brought I realized I’d been outsmarted by kid logic. But their summer tour to our with less than 15 minutes church. In turn, our church Walden until the first number, we was asked to provide host had no time to debate appropriate clothfamilies. The request fell on a weeknight. A ing choice. weeknight when I knew Rett had a work The show itself was worth waiting conflict. And, we only have three func- for; we were surrounded by hand bell tioning bedrooms occupying the four ensembles, skits and character sketches, and songs that made you want to jump people who already live here. I said yes anyway. on your feet and shout out loud — very As the date grew closer, though, I un-Methodist like. started second-guessing that decision. Afterward, as we waited in the hallway What if they were allergic to or terri- to meet the students with whom we’d been matched, several of the ensemble’s fied of dogs? What if they were troublesome? senior high girls were good-natured What if our kids freaked out with enough to make a fuss over my costumed strangers in the house? companions. But the night before, as Rett and I “Oh my gosh! Wonder Woman! I’ve worked side by side to prepare for our waited, like, my whole life to meet you. guests, I felt less anxious and more Can I please give you a hug?” excited. Moments later, we arrived home with I took extra care to fluff and angle our guests — quiet Anna, a rising sophothe pillows as I made the bed. I care- more, and outgoing Ally, a rising senior. fully folded our thickest matching towel They settled in right away, and before sets and arranged them on the bathroom I knew it, there were four pajama-clad counter alongside a vase of freshly cut kids piled in our den, watching The Little hydrangea blooms. And I stocked the Mermaid and occasionally trotting into fridge and pantry with all manner of the kitchen for snacks. foodstuffs. That night, our master bedroom funcBy the time the concert evening tioned more like a sleeping porch, comarrived, my kids were so excited they plete with air mattress, a five-year-old,

her requisite stuffed animal quota, and two snoring dogs. When my alarm went off the next morning, I flew through the morning prep routine and rushed downstairs, excited to set the table and prepare the morning spread — homemade waffles, thick-sliced bacon, fresh fruit and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. We made easy conversation over our shared meal. Even Anna, who’d rather kept to herself thus far, opened up, laughing and sharing stories. As we finished loading up the car, Ally turned to me in the driveway. “We have a gift for you,” she said. “Jesus humbled himself by washing the feet of others, and by hosting us, you, in a way, have washed our feet.” At this time, I internally panicked, praying this sweet girl was not about to try and wash my un-pedicured feet in the middle of our suburban driveway. As she presented me with the gift (a monogrammed towel, thankfully), I gave both girls a hug and reflected on Ally’s comments. I’d not done anything extraordinary, and I felt embarrassed by her words. In no way does a 12-hour stay in my home constitute the work of Christ. But if I kept them comfortable and sent them well-rested and nourished onto their next destination, where their music could bless others as it blessed me, maybe I did a little good after all.

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July 2014 •

City Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey

We hope you are enjoying your summer. If you get a chance, please take some time to visit the Hoover Municipal Center Art Gallery established by the Hoover Arts Alliance. Through the end of August, the Gallery will showcase the artwork of our teachers from Spain Park and Hoover High Schools. After you take one look, you will see why our students are so inspired and receive scholarships in the field of art. Hoover is a combination of many old and new neighborhoods. Monte D’Oro neighborhood will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary on July 27. The residents that live in Monte D’Oro have worked tirelessly to protect and keep their neighborhood vibrant and beautified. They also are lucky to have the Georgetown Park right at their backdoor. Speaking of vibrant neighborhoods, many of our business owners keep their properties very beautiful and manicured. The Hoover Beautification Board has worked very hard to put together a program that spotlights extraordinary landscaping at Hoover businesses. Judges from outside the community select the winners and the recipients are recognized at a luncheon in August. Be sure and save the date for our National Night Out held on Aug. 5 at the Grove Shopping Center. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit with our police and fire community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are fighting back. This is always a very successful event and refreshments will be provided. We have so many activities and events going on in our city this summer. Please be sure to visit

Gary Ivey

our website for a complete list of events at hooveralabama.gov or call 444-7500. Please remember your elected officials and the city staff are here to serve you so please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We will continue to work to exceed your expectations. Sincerely, Gary Ivey Mayor

Hoover attains highest credit rating By WILLIAM C. SINGLETON III The city of Hoover is now one of three Alabama cities with a Triple A credit rating. Council President Jack Wright announced at a June council meeting that Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has elevated Hoover’s general obligation warrants from a Double A rating to a Triple A rating. The rating service grades general obligation warrants for individual cities. A higher credit rating translates into more attractive bonds and warrants and better interest rates in the financial market. Mountain Brook and Huntsville are the other cities with Triple A ratings, Wright said. “This doesn’t mean we have more money than we know what to do with,” Wright said. “What it means is we have enough money to pay our bills, and we do it properly and (within our budget).” Standard & Poor’s assessed Hoover based on its 2013 fiscal year. Standard & Poor’s noted the city’s strong local economy, strong budgetary flexibility and strong reserve funds. “The stable outlook reflects our belief that Hoover will maintain very strong budgetary flexibility and improve on liquidity in the two-year outlook horizon,” Standard & Poor’s report states. “We believe that management will make the budgetary adjustments it deems necessary to maintain structural balance.” However, the assessment notes that much of the city’s revenues are based on “economically sensitive, cyclical sales tax revenues” and if budgetary performance worsens and drains reserves “we could lower the rating.” Also at the meeting, the council voted to accept a bid from Jones & Jones Inc. for $257,742 for additions to Fire Station No. 1 in the Green Valley area. Jones & Jones was the lowest bidder among six other companies. Hoover Fire Chief John C.Wingate said the department is remodeling and replacing the

bay area of the fire station, which was built in the mid-1960s. “We’re tearing down the original two bays because the garage doors aren’t big enough for the trucks we have now, and they’re not deep enough for the trucks anymore,” he said. Wingate said if all goes smoothly, he expects the project to take about 120 days to complete. In other actions, the council: - Reappointed LeAnna Huddleston and Guy Locker to three-year terms each to the seven-member Board of Zoning Adjustments. Their terms were set to expire June 7. - Approved allowing the mayor to negotiate an agreement with the U.S. Secret Service to occupy 32,000 square feet of office space at the Hoover Public Safety building. The federal agency has operated the National Computer Forensic Institute from the building for six years. The agreement will allow the Secret Service to use the building rent free for one year with a 10-year cap. Law enforcement officials from across the country come to Hoover to receive training from the institute. - Established Aug. 1-3, 2014, as a “Back to School” Sales Tax Holiday in the city of Hoover. From 12:01 a.m. Aug. 1 to midnight Aug. 3, certain school supplies and clothing will be exempt from state and city sales taxes. Those items include clothes $100 or less, a single purchase of a computer, software and computer supplies $750 or less and non-commercial purchase of school supplies, art supplies and school instructional materials up to $50 per item. - Delayed a decision to impose a $5 fee to renew cag tags at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. In May, the council agreed to operate a car tag renewal service for Hoover residents. Wright said Mayor Gary Ivey is talking to legislators to see if Hoover can offer even more services and issue new car licenses as well as licenses for boats and motorcycles.

• July 2014

Hoover Sun

Hoover City Schools has a new plan to decrease deficit By JESSA PEASE Superintendent Andy Craig announced a $6.8 million budget increase for the current fiscal year at the Hoover City Schools Board of Education meeting in June. Eight months into the current fiscal year, this decision reduces the current funding deficit from $12 million to $5 million as the result of improved revenue and decreased expenses. “A multitude of things has positively impacted that throughout the year,” Craig said. “We have reduced the scope in some capital projects. We also have had about four straight years where our property tax receipts have declined or stayed flat.” Previous to the past four years, Craig said Hoover property tax receipts were substantially and consistently growing, but four years ago it began to decline. This decline allowed Hoover City Schools to increase the budget. The Board of Education was also able to budget an addition $1.7 million from some of the residual bonds from the county. “All in all we have scrapped along the way, too,” Craig said. “We have held positions open at various points, so we have just tried to get it back to a manageable piece. We are on a good pace.” In 2013, the Board of Education revealed the 2014-2015 budget projecting $150 million in revenue and $167 million in expenditures. In the months that followed, Hoover City Schools’ deficit has produced a large amount of controversy among local residents. The Board of Education was forced to create solutions to either remove or raise $1 million a month to make up the difference. After an attempt to eliminate the bus system from Hoover City Schools was rescinded, Craig announced a school bus fee,

which would charge a monthly fee per child for using the bus system. The monthly fee’s base rate would be $40.75 for one student rider, $28.53 per rider for two student riders and $21.40 per rider for three or more students. Buses are scheduled to continue running in the 2014-2015 school year without fees, but there is now a goal to begin the fee system in the 2015-2016 school year. Although the Hoover City Schools Board of Education approved the structure of fees in April, approval from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. District Court is also required. “We are on a positive course there,” Craig said. “We are on a course where we are going to maintain the bus service. We are seeking a cost-sharing plan that will certainly help us along down the road. The improvement in the budget hopefully can carry over. We are on a good pace.” Craig said the board has discussed being on a three- to five-year budget in terms of balancing and managing it, and they are on track to do that properly. Cuts in workers Funding issues also led the Hoover Board of Education to pass a resolution allowing it to dismiss workers due to a lack of funds. The board unanimously voted to reduce nine positions — administrative, supportive and teaching positions — from the workforce. “What happened tonight was essentially the education version of a layoff,” Craig said. “As we look to organize ourselves and organize our folks to be successful long-term, we are going to restructure and reorganize from time to time.” Craig said the decision to lay off nine employees was the result of the funding deficit, but Hoover City Schools’ student

population has grown from about 5,000 to about 14,000 over a number of years. He said with that growth, they are going to have to structure things differently. Instructional aides and library aides have already been let go due to budget cuts. “All in all, looking forward we are on a good pace with the budget,” Craig said. “We still have a deficit, but we are moving in the right direction with it.” Superintendent evaluation In addition to discussing changes in the budget, Craig was evaluated with a new superintendent evaluation method that was introduced at the meeting. The process was comprised of 11 different sections, which were all completed by the Board of Education. Other administrators, principals and community members participated in evaluating the superintendent in the sections that pertained to them. Rating ranged from one to five, one being unsatisfactory and five being exemplary. Superintendent Craig was rated mostly fours in all areas, which means overall he is exceeding the expectations of his position. He received the highest ratings in technology and facilities management, and his lowest ratings overall and by the board were in community relations. The board presented him a score of 2.6 in this category. “It’s certainly an informative process, certainly one that can provide growth opportunities,” Craig said. “We are lifelong learners in Hoover, and I include myself in that.” Board President Donna Frazier commended Craig on a strong evaluation and said the evaluation was accurate in her opinion. She also said she appreciates everything he has done for Hoover City Schools.

Chamber releases nominations for 2014 Small Business of the Year Nominations are in for the Greater Shelby County Chamber’s 2014 Small Business of the Year. Nominated businesses will be evaluated based on staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, response to adversity and evidence of involvement or aiding of community-oriented projects. Winners were announced at the chamber’s annual Small Business Celebration June 25 at the awards luncheon. The 2014 nominees in the Hoover area are: `` Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center- 2100 Data Park Drive `` Attic Plus Storage- 2072 Valleydale Road `` Bandura CPA, LLC- 2700 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 `` Bedzzz Express- 1676-B Montgomery Highway `` Medplex Pediatric Dentistry- 3000 Southlake Park, Suite 200 `` Starnes Publishing- 3 Office Park Circle `` The UPS Store #2389- 5184 Caldwell Mill Road, Suite 204 There were four categories for nominations based on the number of employees in the business. Category I was open to businesses with one to 10 employees, Category II was 11-20 employees and Category III was 21 or more employees. The first three categories were only open to businesses open for at least one year. Category IV was only open for businesses open for less than one year with 25 or less employees. Chamber President and CEO Kirk Mancer said the Chamber is happy to recognize the successful companies that play a vital role in building the Shelby County communities. For more information visit, shelbychamber.org or call the Chamber at 663-4542. – Submitted by the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

Chamber Freedom Award to be presented at July 17 luncheon Regions Bank will sponsor the July 17 luncheon, and will sponsor the prestigious Freedom Award, started in 2003, with the intention of recognizing some of Hoover’s most outstanding public servants who have dedicated themselves to the ideals of freedom. Winners of this outstanding award since its inception include Art Headley, Bob Mosca, Bill Natter, John O’Malley, A. C. Roper, General Robert Lott (Ret.), Albert Awtrey, Hollis Hayes, Hoover Police Lt. Trey Bass, Rear Admiral John T. (Jack) Natter (Ret.), a current Hoover City Council member, and last year’s winner, Dan Mikos. The 2014 winner will be announced at the July luncheon. Applicants for this award must be a role model in the Hoover community, have shown support for local, state, and federal government, promoted the ideals of freedom through this support, given long-term service to these ideals not just

a one-time effort, supported the U.S. military through either support to or service in the military, must be a Hoover resident, an employee of the City of Hoover or employee of a Hoover Chamber of Commerce member. The presentation of the award will be by Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey. The winner will be pre-determined by the City of Hoover Veterans Committee. To attend this Chamber Luncheon, please make your reservations no later than Monday, July 14, by calling 988-5672, or emailing Lisa Dunbar at admin@hooverchamber.org. Networking begins at 11:15 a.m., with the meeting starting sharply at noon. The Luncheon is $20.00, or $22.00 for anyone without prior reservations, payable at the door. Hoover Country Club is located at 3140 Club Drive.

Lt. Col. Dan Mikos, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)- left, with Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey, and Paul Pocopanni was recognized at the 2013 Freedom Award winner for his outstanding contributions to the United States for his years of service in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve, as well as his outstanding career in volunteerism in the community. The award was presented by Brigadier General Paul Pocopanni, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), shown above, on the right. Photo courtesy of Hoover Chamber of Commerce.

Tax-free weekend set for Aug. 1-3

Tag renewal station coming to Hoover Met

By MADISON MILLER

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Alabama’s Back-to-School tax-free weekend will be held at retail stores throughout the state on Aug. 1-3. It will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 1 and end on Aug. 3 at midnight. Hoover and surrounding municipalities such as Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook and Shelby County will participate in the exemption this year. The weekend gives back-to-school shoppers the opportunity to buy supplies and equipment without sales tax added. Items that will be tax-free include but are not limited to clothing items under $100, school supplies under $50, computers and other electronics under $750, educational books under $30, and required

textbooks more than $30 and less than $50. Several retailers will feature additional sales on top of the tax exclusion. For these businesses, the weekend represents an opportunity for signiﬁcant sales. “With back-to-school coming up, we’re busy anyway. This weekend brings more people in to shop,” Kicks Shoes owner John High said. Only items with an educational value are part of the exclusion. Therefore, video games or electronics sold for recreational purposes will not be included. Some other items that are not tax-free include some clothing items such as belt-buckles sold separately, costume masks, patches/emblems and more. For more information and detailed lists of included items, visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/SalesTaxHol.cfm.

The Hoover City Council is considering operating a Jefferson County annex for car tag renewal at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Any resident in Jefferson County would be able to use the annex rather than renewing their tags at the Jefferson County Courthouse, the county courthouse in Bessemer or the annex in Center Point. This would be a temporary annex until the county can build a permanent satellite site. The target start date is August 1. Because of the county’s involvement, Hoover is scrapping its original plans for a renewal annex only for Hoover residents at

the Met. This annex was supposed to begin operation in June, but was delayed several times. The City Council and the Jefferson County Commission are still discussing the details of the proposed annex.

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Now Open Cedars Grill, 1870 Chase Lake Drive, is now open. The restaurant offers a blend of Greek, Mediterranean and Lebanese foods. 988-5026.

Palm Beach Tan, 2539 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 133, is now open. The salon is located the Publix shopping center at the intersection of Highway 150 and Preserve Parkway. 909-0174. palmbeachtan.com/hoover-johnhawkins-parkway.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has opened a pre-check application center at 2500 Southlake Park in Hoover. After completing the pre-enrollment process on tsa.gov, travelers may make appointments at the application center to complete their application. The pre-check system gives fliers access to expedited security measures at airports. 1-866-289-9673. tsa.gov/tsa-precheck.

Flippin’ Furnishings, 3659 Lorna Road, is now open. It specializes in furniture and décor consignments. 249-1247.

Coming Soon L.A. Bikini will open a second store in Hoover this summer at 441 Creekside Ave., Suite 129, in the Patton Creek Shopping Center. Its first store is off U.S. 280 in Cahaba Village Mountain Brook. 637-1128. mylabikini.com.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters will open its first Birmingham location in Lee Branch at 270 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 500. cruiseshipcenters.com.

Relocations and Renovations

July 2014 • earned following rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, completed financial coursework and passage of the CFP exam. 408-3000. marcalifeplanning.com. Hoover Toyota, 2686 John Hawkins Parkway, has announced new hours for its service department. The hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m. 978-2600. hoovertoyota.com.

The Model Box, 1921 Hoover Court, suffered a fire in early June and lost most of the store’s inventory in the process. The family business, started in 1988, specializes in radio-controlled hobby machines including cars, boats and airplanes. Plans are being made to reopen in a nearby space soon. 978-8787. facebook.com/themodelboxinc.

Embassy Suites, 2960 John Hawkins Parkway, has added a floor of premium suites. These rooms include insuite Wi-Fi, Keurig coffee machines with assorted coffee flavors, and 24-hour access to an exclusive refreshment center for guests in those suites. 985-9994. embassysuites.com.

Hirings and Promotions InSite Engineering, 5800 Feldspar Way, has hired Jackie Harris to join its staff. He will help current customers improve the efficiency of the business’ utility operations and standardize its construction materials and methods. 733-9696. insiteengineering.org.

Hunter Street Baptist Church, 2600 John Hawkins Parkway, has hired Collin McNiel as the recreation ministry assistant. His main duty within the recreation ministry will be coordinating the Upward sports leagues throughout the year. 985-5300. roc.hunterstreet.org.

Total Care 280, 2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 2B, has purchased the former Don’s Carpet One building located at 2827 Greystone Commercial Blvd. The medical practice, owned by Dr. Amy Bentley-Illescas, will renovate the building and relocate there by mid-summer. 547-2323.

Anniversaries

Surgical Care Affiliates, 3000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 500, is moving to the Brookwood Center tower on Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. 545-2572. scasurgery.com.

Sola Salon, 3780 Riverchase Village, Suite 500, is celebrating its first anniversary. (615) 521-9507. solasalonstudios.com.

News and Accomplishments Tyler McGuire, an associate advisor with Marca Life Planning, 22 Inverness Center Parkway, Suite 140, has earned the designation as a Certified Financial Planner. The CFP designation is

Rittenhouse Senior Living, 570 Southland Drive, celebrated its sixth anniversary in May. Rittenhouse is a specialized provider for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memoryrelated impairments. 823-2393. rittenhousesl.com/comm-hoover.

Closings Don’s Carpet One, 2827 Greystone Commercial Blvd., has closed. It has consolidated its operations with their other two locations in Vestavia Hills and Trussville. 1-800-846-9186. donscarpetone.com.

10 • July 2014

Hoover Sun Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com

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By MADOLINE MARKHAM Provare: to try. It’s what you see advanced culinary students doing as they slide a pizza into a brick oven or top a Napoleon with fresh blackberries in the open bistro kitchen at Jeff State’s Shelby Campus. When you enter the dining room, which culinary Program Director Joseph Mitchell describes as a European/ Tuscan environment, you don’t realize you are on a school campus. “Some days you will have 20 red hat ladies at a table, and art students at the bar,” Restaurant Chef Jason Bierley said. Bistro Provare’s fresh, from-scratch menu makes for a relaxing, white tablecloth dining experience. For lunch, we started with an order of thick slices of green tomatoes that were lightly fried and served with a vegetable relish, remoulade and arugula—all for only $4. You also get a basket of assorted fresh baked breads as a starter. For our entrees, we tried pizza with Chilton County peaches, mascarpone, smoked bacon, fresh mint and pickled red onion, along with their daily special of chicken served atop a salad of arugula, watermelon and goat cheese. And because you can’t have too many Chilton County peaches, we finished with a daily dessert special

Jason Bierley oversees students serving Salmon Florentine en Croute at a Bistro Provare fixed menu dinner. Photo courtesy of Henry Liu Mitchell.

of caramelized peaches and mascarpone ice cream, but that choice meant turning down the other options: a Napoleon with lemon curd and fresh blackberries, a flourless chocolate cake, the ice cream

of the day, and vanilla crème brulee. An advanced pastry class prepares the desserts and is always changing the menu. “Customers are usually surprised at the value and quality,” Bierley

said. “Most are shocked that this is here and find out about it through word of mouth.” Prices are extremely reasonable. Salads and appetizers are $3-4, personal-sized pizzas $5, sandwiches

983-5214 4600 Valleydale Road Summer hours Monday- Thursday 6-8 p.m. Fall and Spring hours Thursday, 11:30-1 p.m. and burgers $6-7 and lunch entrees $8-9. For the summer, the restaurant is open in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and they hope to open again for evenings in future summer semesters. On the dinner menu, appetizers are $5-6, and entrees like Gulf seafood or sirloin, which both come with a salad, cap out at $16. About 50 percent of students have worked in restaurants before entering Bistro Provare, but the others learn how and why to do things right on the job. In typical restaurant jobs, you learn how but not always why. Having students as chefs brings a positive energy of a learning environment to the restaurant that you won’t find elsewhere. The dining room is limited to 40 seats, so the staff recommend calling to make reservations in advance. “Since then, we have worked out kinks and have seen more skilled students come through that can do more things,” Bierley said. “We are fine tuning what our clientele likes to eat, too.” Bisto Provare is located in the Health Sciences Building at the corner of Jaguar Drive and Valleydale Road. To enter the restaurant, there is a separate door to the left of the main entrance, but someone inside the school can point you in the right direction if you have trouble finding it.

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After serving 10 years in the military, Sean Dickson returned to his native Birmingham and settled in Riverchase. Post-service, Dickson found he missed the fitness regimen of military life. Having been put in charge of fitness program development for his team very early in his military career, Dickson considered the possibility of applying his expertise in a civilian setting. It wasn’t long before he found himself the owner of a 5,000 square foot fitness facility. After three years of developing his own programs and style, Dickson rebranded the facility as a CrossFit affiliate in 2012. The gym is an open air environment, and includes running routes up to 1 kilometer without being near traffic. Changing rooms with showers accommodate those who wish to exercise before or after work. “What I love about this style is how we are always mixing it up,” said Dickson. “We cover all the realms of fitness. This is not what you would be limited to in a traditional gym.” His enthusiasm was visceral, and helped Dickson recruit his longtime friend Sandy Colvin to help him market the new facility. During that process, Colvin, who was not into

Read past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.com

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(left) Sean Dickson is the owner of Crossfit Riverchase. (above) Hoover area business owners are regulars at the gym. Photos courtesy of Sandy Colvin.

physical fitness training, attended one of his classes with the intention of it being no more than a one-time display of moral support. “It was like nothing I had ever experienced before,” said Colvin. “His energy was high, fun and exciting and his workouts were different everyday

Business Spotlight

Crossfit Riverchase

July 2014 •

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HooverSun.com

with me having to do no more than show up and do the work.” Colvin said the physical results she saw in herself made her a believer. She now manages the CrossFit Riverchase daily. For Colvin, the camaraderie they’ve found amongst their regulars is the

gym’s winning ingredient. “CrossFit is about accomplishing goals and reaching places you didn’t know you had in you,” she said. “The excited but focused environment in which we train everyday along with the people in your session cheering for you causes you to push harder, get

994-0721 2048 Valleydale Terrace crossfitriverchase.com

stronger and do things you sometimes didn’t even realize you wanted to do.” True to her statement, Colvin said each member is considered an athlete. “We call each one of our members an athlete – they work hard and they deserve the title,” she said. And while they do offer an exercise regimen that is rigorous – the CrossFit Riverchase has helped its athletes train for everything from 5ks to 50 milers, from endurance races to Olympic Lifting meets – Colvin said that safety comes above all else. “We focus on well-roundedness along with mobility in functional fitness,” she said, citing Dickson’s medical background during his tenure with the U.S. Army. “We are serious about keeping CrossFit Riverchase athletes safe.” The environment has found a loyal following amongst local residents, who have forged a friendship well beyond sharing a common desire to get in shape. “We’ve had clients make the most unexpected connections,” said Colvin. “Along the way, we’ve had a client move a piece of property she needed to sell through another client of ours in real estate. We’ve also seen another individual find gainful employment after a period in between jobs. We know each other’s birthdays, we shop together, we have dinners together.”

• July 2014

Hoover Sun

Donate in a snap Hoover resident develops fundraising mobile application

By KATIE TURPEN Rising Hoover High School seniors Allie Booth and Morgan Diggs slide into their chairs to taste cupcakes at a local bakery. And after being handed their receipt, they are able to do more than just throw or stash it away. The girls can snap a picture and immediately ensure a donation is sent to a local organization or cause of their choice, such as the Birmingham Humane Society or the Hoover Bucs baseball team. Snappfund, a new fundraising mobile application, makes this action possible. The application allows residents to donate to their favorite school, recreational sports or other needs-based community organization through everyday spending on groceries, gas, clothes, repairs, etc. The application is the brainchild of Hoover resident Brian Booth, who has a background in health care and information technology. He recently noticed

a shift in the traditional fundraising model, recognizing that methods such as selling coupon books and gift-wrap were no longer effectively reaching their intended market. “We have seen a social divide over the past several years between traditional fundraising programs, parents and their kid’s social and economic interest,” said Brian. “Traditional fundraisers are still very much one-to-one, administratively complex and rarely relevant to a parent’s need or interest at that given point in time.” Brian said he spoke with local businesses that revealed they were inundated with causes to support and had trouble deciphering the best way to give back to their community. After four years of market research, Brian and his team came up with the idea of a mobile application that connects people, businesses and organizations. “As an alternative to traditional fundraising programs, we now provide parents and children with a free

Rising Hoover High School seniors Allie Booth and Morgan Diggs snap pictures of their receipts using the Snappfund mobile application at Edgar’s Bakery in Patton Creek. Photo by Katie Turpen.

mobile app that will allow them to more easily locate, shop and dine with Hoover area merchants that are willing to fund their various causes with point of sale contributions,” said Brian. Residents can download the Snappfund application from the Apple Store. When residents are at a participating business, they simply snap a picture of their receipt and select a cause to support. That information is sent back to Snappfund and the business will then donate a certain percentage of that resident’s purchase to the cause they selected. “Our end-to-end solution removes

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the administrative burden from organizations, users and businesses and turns fundraising into an everyday event,” said Brian. Brian hopes the application will catch on with the younger generation that is hyper-connected through social media and smart phones. “I like it because it’s easier than having to go do a car wash or other fundraiser like that,” said Brian’s daughter Allie. “I think it’s very useful.” Currently, the application includes only participating merchants and organizations in the Birmingham area, but Brian said they are looking to

expand to other cities. Current causes include Hand in Paw, King’s Home, Child Abuse Prevention Services and more. Hoover causes include local elementary schools, sports and PTOS. Participating businesses are in the dining, retail, grocery, auto, and fitness categories. “Everyone wins in this situation,” Brian said. The Hoover City School Foundation has partnered with Snappfund to help make it easier for local merchants to connect with school-related clubs and organizations. For more, visit snappfund.com.

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

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14 • July 2014

Hoover Sun

Community Recent graduates honored at Belles luncheon Caroline Steele, Audrey Powell, Maddy Powell, Bailey Pereira and Frances Clarke were among the senior Hoover Bells honored at a recent luncheon. Photo courtesy of Cathy Connor.

Sarah Hill, Peyton White, Caroline Conrad, and Hannah Schultz were among the senior Hoover Bells honored at a recent luncheon. Photo courtesy of Cathy Connor.

A recent luncheon honored senior Hoover Belles, their mothers and guests at the Hyatt Regency - The Wynfrey Hotel. Each senior belle received a certificate and an engraved glass keepsake jewelry box in recognition of her community service hours. As each belle received her gifts, she shared her favorite Hoover Belle memory and plans after graduation.

The Hoover Belle with the most community service hours was awarded to Katie Hatch, who was presented with an engraved silver tray. Hoover Belles heading to The University of Alabama are Jamie Burleson, Caroline Conrad, Elizabeth Pate, Bailey Pereira, Maddy Powell, Caroline Steele and Peyton White.

Those headed to Auburn University are Meredith Barker, Maggie Beans, Lauren Burks, Bailey Gray, Sarah Hill, Shannon Hurst, Catherine Milling, Sarah Patrick, Anna Shepherd, Emily Taylor and Reed Williams. Other Belles will attend the following schools: Emily Abernathy, Taylor Korson and McKenzie Lawry, Mississippi State University; Laura Blake and Olivia Odom,

Samford University; Frances Clarke, University of South Alabama; Haley Haggard, Lipscomb University; Katie Hatch, Emory University; Jenna Huerkamp, Mississippi College; Madison Minyard, Jefferson State; Audrey Powell, Texas Christian University; Morgan Rogers, Birmingham-Southern College; and Hannah Shultz, Mercer University.

Local DAR chapter to hold membership workshop A workshop for women interested in joining the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will be held from Saturday, July 26 from 2-5 p.m. The workshop will be held in Meeting Rooms A and B (lower level) at Hoover Public Library, 200 Municipal Drive. The free workshop offers an opportunity to

learn more about membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as well as receive assistance in identifying patriot ancestors and the application process. Any woman is eligible for membership who is 18 years of age and can prove lineal, blood descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. DAR members contributed a combined 3

million hours of community service around the world in 2013 alone. Many women also recognize that joining DAR is a way for them to honor and preserve their family history when their DAR application is approved, all of the genealogical family history that is included with it is conserved by the DAR for all future generations. The Lily of the Cahaba Chapter meets the

second Saturday of the month, September through May. The Chapter is based in Hoover and serves surrounding communities. For more information about the workshop or membership, contact Shelby Bailey at robert_bailey1@yahoo. com -Submitted by Susan Moore

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

National Night Out coming soon

Hoover Fire Inspector Ricky Linn has help demonstrating the proper way to use a ﬁre extinguisher. Photo courtesy of Hoover Police Department.

Tuesday, Aug. 5 6-8 p.m. SuperTarget at the Grove Shopping Center Free event National Night Out is a national event hosted annually by the Hoover police and ﬁre department the ﬁrst Tuesday of August. The event brings the community together with local law enforcement and public safety agencies

to promote a safer environment. SuperTarget serves as a national sponsor. The event will feature Hoover police and fire department displays, local business exhibits, complimentary food and beverages, a car show, inflatables and giveaways. The National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a non-profit organization faithful to the advancement and elevation of numerous crime prevention programs, created NNO in 1984.

Senior Center to host patriotic salute

Guests gather at last year’s patriotic event at the Hoover Senior Center.

The Hoover Senior Center will pay tribute to America’s ﬁnest through a patriotic presentation of ﬂag-waving favorites. Red, White, Blue and You - A Patriotic Salute to America’s Heroes is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 at 1 p.m. New this year, the center’s Dulcet Tones musicians will perform in the sunroom upon guests’ arrival. Red, white and blue attire is

encouraged to add to the spirit of the event. Light refreshments will be available immediately following the event. This event will be free of charge, compliments of sponsorship from Hoover New Horizons and Danberry. For more information, call 739-6700. -Submitted by Dana H. Stewart

Local resident honored during annual Girl Scout meeting The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) recognized several volunteers from the Birmingham area at an awards brunch before its Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 26. These volunteers were commended for their dedication to the Girl Scout mission. Throughout GSNCA’s 36-county area, 119 awards were given to volunteers, including

Linda DeLong of Hoover. DeLong received the Thanks Badge II. The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge I recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that beneﬁts the total council of the Girl Scout Movement. -Submitted by Robyn Tucker

Riverchase Presbyterian offering summer program Riverchase Presbyterian Church’s summer enrichment and service learning program is now accepting rising ﬁrst through eighth graders. Students will design and carry out a community service project in the Hoover area. They will apply high level critical thinking and problem-solving strategies while they reinforce important skills in core subject areas. The twelve-week program will be offered in either a morning group session or an afternoon group session and will run through August 18. Educator Sonia Crist said that the program is aimed to help students with learning challenges.

“We want to give children tools they can use throughout the school year,” Crist said. “We want to focus on higher thinking as well as physical activities.” Riverchase Presbyterian Church is located at 600 Riverchase Parkway West in Hoover, one mile south of the Riverchase Galleria. Cost is $100 a week, payable at registration. Sessions are 9-11:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Please contact Crist at 612-3013 or email her at scrist62@gmail.com for a registration packet and more information.

16 • July 2014

Hoover Sun

Residents present performance of Annie

Hoover residents Olivia Rogers, Hannah Alligood and Kaitlyn Graham will play orphans in the Virginia Samford Theatre’s summer production of Annie. Photo courtesy of Talia Pepke.

Hoover children are hitting the stage at the Virginia Samford Theatre in the presentation of the Broadway musical Annie starting July 10. Annie’s sidekicks and fellow orphans share a hard knock life in depression-struck, 1930s New York City. Playing some of those orphans are Hoover residents Olivia Rodgers as Molly (in one cast), Kaitlyn Graham as Molly (in the other cast) and Hannah Alligood as Kate. With the help of her friends, Annie is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of the orphanage and overcome the antagonist of the show, Ms. Hannigan. The cast of orphans will perform classic songs such as, “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed without a

Smile” and “Maybe.” With the current revival playing on Broadway and Hollywood’s upcoming rendition starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, this show continues to be repeated on both the stage and the big screen. Opening night is July 10 at 7:30 p.m. with shows running Thursday through Sunday until July 27. Thursday through Saturday the show starts at 7:30 p.m., and matinee shows will be Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for seats in the center section are $35, and seats stage left or right are $30. Students can purchase $15 tickets with an ID. To purchase tickets, call 251-1206, visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. The theatre is located at 1116 26th St. S in Birmingham.

Area students compete in Distinguished Young Women

2014 Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County competition participants. Photo courtesy of Miranda Wesley.

Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall will host The Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County July 18-19. Thirty-two high school senior girls, representing 14 high schools from across Jefferson County will compete for cash-tuition and college granted scholarships and the opportunity to represent Jefferson County in the Distinguished Young Women Program of Alabama in Montgomery in January. Participants living in the Hoover area are: Caroline Bearden, Jordan English, Sydney James, Mary Beth McClung, Sarah Pratt and Catherine Saab of Hoover High School; Marisa Pickard of Spain Park High School; and Anna Lea Strickland of Briarwood Christian School. Sarah Grace McDuff, the current Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County, will perform. Mistress of Ceremonies is 1993 Jefferson County’s and Alabama’s Junior Miss, Ashley Halfman.

With a theme of “A Winter Wonderland,” participants will compete in the on stage categories of talent, fitness and self-expression. On the final night of competition, finalists will be selected, along with overall category winners, in addition to the naming of the Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County 2015, First-Alternate and Second-Alternate. All tickets are for reserved seating and are $15 each for July 18 at 7 p.m. and July 19 at 1 p.m. Preliminary tickets are $25 each for the finals scheduled for July 19 at 7 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased through any participant or at the Samford University Wright Center box office each evening one hour prior to each performance, or by calling 907-0210. For more information about the program, please contact chairman Eddie Macksoud at 907-0210 or jefferson@distinguishedyw.org. For more information, visit distinguishedyw.org. -Submitted by Miranda Wesley

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

Take a trip back to the 1800s

By REBECCA WALDEN For nearly 20 years, the Hoover Historical Society’s Folklore Center has helped guests step back in time — way, way back — to the late 1800s, and learn about the sharp contrast between the conveniences of modern day living and the old ways. The facility, located directly behind Bluff Park Elementary School, operates with support from the city of Hoover, the Hoover Historical Society and a plethora of volunteers with a devotion to this period in history. The Folklore Center includes Stinson Ole Place, smoke house, corn crib and outhouse. During tours of the property, it is customary for guests to meet with individuals that are roleplaying as craftspeople from the era. Dressed from head to toe in period costume, these people bring the period to life as they demonstrate everything from making soap to spinning yarn to churning butter. Members of Hoover’s own Quilter’s Guild are also on hand to give guests the experience of threading a needle and sewing scrap pieces of fabric. Volunteers educate guests about how perishable food was stored long before the dawn of the refrigerator and how clothing was washed, then in a black wash pot. Inez McCollum, immediate past-president and a longtime member of the Hoover Historical Society, is one such volunteer. “I am typically in the kitchen for our tours, and there, I describe to guests the way my grandmother’s generation prepared and kept food,” she said. McCollum’s costume is a long, flowing apron-style dress, indicative of the period’s fashion. After selecting the fabric and pattern, she asked the wife of a former coworker to sew it together. Many of the tour guests are elementary age schoolchildren, who have no concept of what it was like to live without electricity or virtually any of the modern-day conveniences people enjoy today.

Local children take a trip back in time at the Folklore Center. Photos by Debbie Burtnett.

“I do recall this one occasion when I was describing how soap makers at the time were known to use pig parts in their soap-making when a young child raised her hand and asked me, just horrified, if doing so hurt the pig. Of course, that led to a whole other conversation,” McCollum said. The idea to create the Folklore Center came from the late Jack Crouch, a former member of the Historical Society and an individual with a great passion for the living nostalgia these facilities provide. Shortly after Crouch helped create one on the corporate campus of Kimberly Clarke,

he set to work to do the same in his native city of Hoover. Crouch died shortly after the Folklore Center was assembled in Bluff Park. In his memory, the Historical Society created the Jack Crouch Award, which is presented annually to an outstanding member of the organization. Even after McCollum passed the leadership torch to 2014-15 Historical Society President Pam Thompson, she remains an active face at the Folklore Center. “I love seeing the smiling faces of these children,” she said, citing her husband’s career as a

bi-vocational minister and their collective work with many area churches, including First Baptist Church of Hoover. The Folklore Center offers tours to the public nine months out of the year, aligned with the Hoover City Schools calendar. Programming, while geared to children in the first through fourth grades, is adaptable and has accommodated other groups, including various civic and faith-based organizations. For more information about the center or to schedule an event, contact Doug Harkness, Folklore Tours, at gdhark@ bellsouth.net.

• July 2014

Hoover Sun

Five questions with John Mantooth By REBECCA WALDEN John Mantooh, a Hoover resident and Social Studies and English teacher at Calera Middle School, was recently nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for his work in “The Year of the Storm.” The Hoover Sun recently caught up with Mantooth to learn more about his craft, his future projects and his advice for fellow aspiring creative folk.

You already maintain a “busier than most” schedule with the demands of the classroom and family. How did you make time for this project? I’ve always been the type of person to juggle multiple tasks. Before writing, I was a basketball coach, and before that, I was in a rock band. When I was writing the first draft of “The Year of the Storm,” I was completing one masters (Creative Writing from UAB) and beginning another (Library Science from UA), driving a school bus, teaching full time, and being a dad and husband. As for discipline, I don’t need a lot of it because I genuinely enjoy the process.

Q A

Describe your writing process. I typically begin with a first line or if I’m lucky a first scene. Usually, I have no idea where it’s meant to go beyond that, but I start writing anyway, and try to find my way. This is the hardest part for me--finding my way. I don’t outline or plan very much. I rewrite quite a bit. Sometimes I start over from the very beginning and change everything.

Q A

Who are your literary heroes? Growing up, I read everybody from Agatha Christie to Roald Dahl to Louis L’amour. The turning point came when I started pulling books from my father’s shelf. He had a lot of books by authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, etc. I fell in love

Hoover resident John Mantooth was recently nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for his book, “The Year of the Storm.” Photo courtesy of Jana White.

with these writers, but didn’t really start to refine my own tastes until my twenties when I discovered writers like Joyce Carol Oates, Pinckney Benedict, and Ray Bradbury. These days, my tastes run dark and literary. Favorites include Tom Franklin, William Gay, Holly Goddard Jones, Nathan Ballingrud, Megan Abbott, and Larry Brown.

Q A

Did you ever feel like giving up on the project? How did you regain your writing momentum? The temptation to give up on a project is something I think most writers face. For me it happens when the project starts

becoming difficult, maybe when I’m facing a huge rewrite, or I’ve totally lost my way. Usually, there’s something else that I want to write instead. I’ve learned from experience to just hang in there and tough it out. Because the new project that looks so great will have its own frustrations, and once you let yourself abandon a project it can become an endless cycle of always starting something new and never finishing. Nowadays, when I feel like giving up, I usually take a few days off. It’s always easier to look at it with fresh eyes.

Advice to other aspiring writers?

Stick it out. The only way to guarantee you won’t succeed is to quit. Also, set goals, and start small. Many writers (me included) start out trying to jump straight into writing novels. I think this is a recipe for failure. It was for me. Luckily, I stepped back and decided to try my hand at some short stories and after about five years , I was ready to try a novel again. One more thing I find helpful to remember is even the best writers are still figuring it out. Nobody has all the answers, and even if he or she did, those answers would not apply to all writers. If your story works, it works. Nothing else really matters.

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

Students receive scholarships from local organizations Hoover Historical Society

Hoover Arts Alliance The Hoover Arts Alliance’s 2014 scholarship winners were recently recognized at awards assemblies at Hoover and Spain Park High Schools. Alexandra Tippins of Hoover High School and Maggie McPheeters of Spain Park High School won Signature Homes $1,000 scholarships. Tippins will be attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta and will study fashion design and textiles. McPheeters will be attending East Tennessee State University and will study animation and mass communication. Steven Finley Jr. of Hoover High School was the winner of the Barbara Lyons Memorial Scholarship and will be attending the University of Montevallo to study visual and performing arts and retail merchandising. The $1,000 Barbara Lyons Scholarship was established to honor the co-founder of the Hoover Arts Alliance, who passed away in February. The Hoover Arts Alliance has provided more than $18,000 in scholarships and grants to local high school students in the past seven years. Through the generosity of members and corporate sponsors, the alliance has been able to provide encouragement and support to gifted high school students. -Submitted by Linda Chastain

Steven Finley and Alexandra Tippins of Hoover High School recently received scholarships from the Hoover Arts Alliance. Photo courtesy of Linda Chastain.

Maggie McPheeters of Spain Park High School received a scholarship award from Linda Chastain of the Hoover Arts Alliance. Photo courtesy of Linda Chastain.

Two deserving Hoover students were recently awarded Vadie Honea Scholarships by the Hoover Historical Society. Lizbeth A. Juarez Espinosa, a Hoover High School graduate, was awarded the scholarship to be used toward her studies at the University of Montevallo. Lizbeth’s award-winning essay about a person or event in American history that impacted her life was about the struggles of Vivian Malone Jones as she attempted to earn her college education. Lizbeth is the daughter of Cesar Juarez and Maria Espinosa. Jackson S. Cotney, a Spain Park High School graduate, was awarded the scholarship to be used toward his studies at the U.S. Naval Academy. Jackson’s essay about a person or event in American history that impacted his life was about the Battle of Normandy and how it was the decisive battle of World War II. Jackson is the son of Scott and Jennifer Cotney. The Hoover Historical Society was established to promote knowledge about the past, current and future development of the city, to preserve and make available such material for future reference, to encourage fellowship and public outreach and to cooperate with other city entities and historical groups. The society maintains an office and library of Hoover history. For more, visit hooverhistoricalsociety. org. -Submitted by Inez McCollum

20 • July 2014

Hoover Sun

Have a laugh at the Comedy Club Stardome When the great names in stand-up comedy come to Birmingham, there’s one place they all go. Bruce Ayers started the Comedy Club in 1983 in a

rented hotel banquet room. Today, the Comedy Club Stardome is one of the best-known comedy clubs in the Southeast. Below is a list of the club’s July

Rodney Carrington

Steve Brown

July 10-14, July 17-20 Tickets: $44.50 Rodney Carrington is a multitalented comedian, actor and writer who has recorded eight comedy albums selling over two million copies. Two of these albums have been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Carrington starred in his own television sitcom, “Rodney,” which ran for two seasons on ABC. He also co-wrote and co-starred with Toby Keith in the feature film “Beer for My Horses.” According to Pollstar, Rodney was the fourth highest grossing touring comedian in 2009. He regularly performs to sold-out crowds across the United States and Canada. Carrington is proud of his special project, Rodney Carrington Foundation, a nonprofit that was formed in 2010 to benefit those in need. The foundation is actively evaluating opportunities to support several local and national charities through ongoing events. $2 from each ticket sold for Carrington’s performances will go toward the foundation.

Drew Thomas July 15-16 Tickets: $9.75 Drew Thomas’ comedic stylings are a hilarious portrayal of comedic storytelling. He draws his audience in with his accounts of relationship follies and keen retorts on everyday life and current affairs. His warm and inviting personality puts others at ease and immediately draws the audience in on a comedic roller coaster ride.

performers. The club is located at 1818 Data Drive in Hoover. For more information, call 444-0008 or visit stardome.com

July 1-2, 5-6 Tickets: Tuesday-Wednesday, $9.75, Saturday-Sunday, $16.50 Steve Brown is one of today’s rising comedy stars. His trademark high-pitched voice and high-energy physical antics set him apart from the rest. He has been showcased on top rated shows such as Russell Simmon’s “Def comedy Jam” and the “Tom Joyner Morning Show.” Brown was born in Detroit, MI, but was raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala. where he derived much of his comedic material. When not on stage, Brown enjoys spending time with his ﬁve children. He also coaches little league teams, has his own scholarship fund for college students, and substitute teaches in Tuscaloosa.

Carrington will donate $2 from each ticket bought for his performance to the Rodney Carrington Foundation. Photo by Dean Dixon.

Thomas was born in Jamaica, raised in New York and is currently living in Atlanta. He has been honing his craft at some of Atlanta’s top comedy spots such as The Punchline, Twisted Taco, Star Bar and Funny Farm. He has also been featured and headlined at numerous comedy clubs, colleges and universities. Drew Thomas is know for his warm and inviting personality on stage that captivates audiences. Photo courtesy of Drew Thomas.

Comedian Steve Brown was raised in Tuscaloosa, Ala. and has been recently headlining at major comedy clubs and hosting university events across the country. Photo courtesy of Steve Brown.

HooverSun.com

July 2014 •

Enjoy summer at the library The Hoover Public Library offers more than just reading materials. The facility offers cultural programs and experiences for all ages. This month, the library will feature summer reading programs, a chef demonstration, musical performances and more. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org. For a complete list of Hoover Public Library events, see the Hoover Sun calendar at the end of this issue.

Summer reading programs June-July The annual summer library program is designed to motivate children to read all summer long. Children read whatever they choose and can track their pages to earn tickets to spend on neat prizes. Children who read during the summer retain their skills from the previous school year and are ahead of the game when they start back school in the fall. Any age child can join. Babies through sixth grade sign up in the children’s department for “Fizz! Boom! Read!” and teens in grades 7-12 sign up in the teen department for “Spark A Reaction: Read!” This year’s themes are science based.

Travel to Paris: Virginia Jones presents hints and tips for traveling to the City of Light. Thursday, July 10, 2 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Free event. Frank Sinatra sang about his love for the City of Light in the spring, fall, winter, summer and every moment of the year. Travel photographer and photo blogger Virginia Jones also loves Paris. In her own words, “le coup de foudre”, it was love at ﬁrst sight. She is a frequent visitor to the city and a lover of all things French.

(left) Justin Cross is a Birmingham singer-songwriter who will perform at the library at the end of the July. Photo courtesy of Justin Cross. (middle) Musician Roger Day will perform in July as part of the library’s summer reading celebration. Photo courtesy of Hoover Public Library. (right) Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz Band features a banjo, trumpet, clarinet and bass. Photo courtesy of Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz Band.

Over her numerous visits, her photographs have captured the unique, the small details, the people and much more. Come see her beautiful photographs, get tips on how to pack, where to go, what to eat and more adventures in the City of Light.

Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz Band Thursday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Free event. Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz Band performs music from the early days of jazz like Louis Armstrong through mid-century bands like the Dukes of Dixieland. The band features Doug McCullough on banjo, John Taylor on trumpet, Larry Wade on clarinet and Ron Alexander

on upright bass. As the band is fond of saying, “We play all of the hits from your great-grandmother’s iPod.”

will talk about the health beneﬁts of eating seasonally, using what is at its peak of freshness. Samples will be provided to all attendees.

Eating Fresh from the Garden with Chef “E” Monday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Reservations required.

Justin Cross Sunday, July 27, 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Free event.

Summer is a great time to eat locally, enjoying fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables from your own garden or the farmers market. Chef Erika Threatt, known as “Chef ‘E’, the Caring Chef” will be at the library to demonstrate recipes using fresh herbs and veggies that are both delicious and healthy. As she prepares her food, Chef ‘E’

A gifted singer-songwriter, Justin Cross has found great success with his song “Drink the Water,” which has over one million views on YouTube. He also recently launched a successful Indiegogo campaign to crowd fund the release of his forthcoming second full-length album, “Hope Where It Lies.” His songs speak of hopeful realism, spiritual struggles and a desire to affect the world in a positive light.

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Hoover Sun

School House BPES partners with Children’s of Alabama for National Bike to School Day

Longtime R.F. Bumpus Middle School educator and show choir director Sal Rodas speaks to his students. Photo courtesy of Jason Gaston.

Bluff Park Elementary School students participated in National Bike to School Day in May. Photo courtesy of Hoover City Schools.

Bluff Park Elementary School recently held a bicycle parade in partnership with Children’s of Alabama, Safe Kids Alabama and Safe Routes to School Central Alabama as part of National Bike to School Day. The celebration began at 7:15 a.m. with a morning arrival parade of students riding their bikes from Shades Crest Baptist Church down Park Terrace to Bluff Park Elementary. An afternoon dismissal parade rolled out of the school at 2:45 p.m. as students returned to Shades Crest Baptist. Bluff Park Elementary was selected as the site of the event because a large number of its students ride their bikes to school each day. The purpose of Bike to School Day is to educate children and their families about how to ride a bike safely,

encourage them to always wear a bike helmet and to promote good health by exercising. In the week prior to the event, safety experts from Children’s conducted puppet show and other demonstrations to teach safe biking habits to Bluff Park students and distributed bike helmets to those who didn’t have one. Last year, 28 children were treated at Children’s of Alabama for trauma injuries sustained in bike wrecks. Earlier in the school year, Bluff Park Elementary hosted several Walk to School Day events in partnership with Safe Routes to School of Central Alabama. The students created a walking school bus which was supervised by adult volunteer and followed three neighborhood routes. Several hundred

students and parents participated. Safe Routes to School of Central Alabama is a joint initiative of United Way of Central Alabama and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. It strives to accomplish several objectives including increased safety, physical activity, traffic mitigation and improved air quality. Safe Routes to School partners with schools to educate and encourage students to walk, and works with cities to improve infrastructure to be more conducive for walking and biking. More information about Bike to School Day is available at walkbiketoschool.org. -Submitted by Hoover City Schools

Longtime Bumpus educator surprised at Spring Show Longtime R.F. Bumpus Middle School educator and show choir director Sal Rodas had quite a surprise at his end-of-the year spring show. Not only was it the culminating performance for the school’s Cadence show choir, but former Cadence member Stephen Thomas covertly arranged for current and former choir members to perform a surprise number for Rodas, who started the show choir in 2001. The performance took more than two months of preparation. “I had no idea about the surprise and was overcome with emotion as I watched the group sing and dance,” Rodas said. “It is so exciting to me that they would take their time and effort to put together a special moment for me. I love all the students that have been a member of Cadence

and feel privileged to have the opportunity share in their lives.” Hundreds of parents, students, faculty and staff were in attendance for the show. Aside from the unexpected performance, more than 80 Cadence members performed numbers from its annual competition show and its student-choreographed spring show. Solo performances included Hoover High School student Houston Kendrick’s “Mine,” a single off of his soonto-be-released album. Additionally, the Brock’s Gap Sixth-Grade Show Choir performed its 201314 show. The concert also highlighted members of the group through a photo presentation and individual eighth-grade student recognition. -Submitted by Jason Gaston

HooverSun.com

July 2014 • 23

Earthsavers Science Club sponsors recycling contest

The Earthsavers/Science Club at Brock’s Gap Intermediate School recently sponsored a recycling contest in honor of Earth Day. The idea was the brainchild of fifth-grader William Hobbs, who brought the idea to the club. The purpose was to show the students how much we use that can be recycled. Students continued to recycle bottles, cans and paper after the contest.

For one week, the school collected water bottles, aluminum cans and newspapers. Other recycled items were also accepted but not part of the contest. The club members counted all the items, and winners were announced on April 22, Earth Day. The winning teams with the most items collected received popsicles. Every team was a winner because they participated, but the teams with the most items collected were:

Sixth Grade Voyagers with 240 bottles, 94 aluminum cans and 18½ inches of newspaper. Fifth Grade Adventurers and Fifth Grade Explorers with 290 bottles, 130 aluminum cans and 58 inches of newspaper (together). In just one week, the school collected 1,125 plastic bottles, 625 aluminum cans and 118¾ inches of newspaper. -Submitted by Jana Maynard

Back row: Jana Budoff Maynard (sponsor), Lucy Donaldson, Ria Shah, Madelyn Shockey, Rishi Earla, Narcy Amireddy, Landon Carr, Sahar Damani. Front row: Kailey O’Connell, Ilissa McGowen, Loni Manyama, Erica Scruggs, Kyleigh Martin, Selena Lucas, Krishin Yerabolu, William Hobbs. Photo courtesy of Jana Maynard.

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Plaque dedicated to Hoover native Julie Kitchings Shaw A plaque was dedicated at Hoover High School in April honoring the memory of 1989 W.A. Berry High School alumna and Hoover native Julie Kitchings Shaw. Shaw passed away from cancer in 2012. Dozens were on hand for the ceremony including Shaw’s family, friends, classmates and teachers from her years at W.A. Berry High School. The plaque will hang in Hoover High School’s front lobby and is titled “Cherish Every Day,” a motto by which friends say Shaw lived. W.A. Berry High School coach Wayne Wood coordinated with the Shaw family to execute the event. Julie Kitchings Shaw was a mother of two. She was involved in numerous athletic teams and extracurricular events at W.A. Berry High School. She went on to graduate from The University of Alabama in 1993. Professionally, she worked for CBS Radio in Birmingham and later in Atlanta. -Submitted by Jason Gaston

Christian Free is a senior at Hoover High School. Photo courtesy of Briana Dudley.

Dozens were on hand for a ceremony honoring Julie Kitchings Shaw including family, friends, classmates and teachers from her years at W.A. Berry High School.

John Denton named a University Fellow

John Denton was recently named a member of the University Fellows Experience 2014 class. The program is housed in The University of Alabama Honors College. The 35 members are representative of 15 states and 33 high schools around the country. Photo courtesy of Margaret Whiteside.

Hoover student earns scholarships from local alumni network

HCS employee recognized by state peers with “Sue Adams Award”

Christian Free, a senior at Hoover High School’s International Baccalaureate Program, recently received the Steven Ehrensperger Memorial Scholarship and the Homer Lloyd Memorial Scholarship through the Georgia Tech Birmingham network alumni organization. Free is the son of Mr. & Mrs. R. Philip Free, Jr., of Hoover. Free ranks in the top 2 percent of his class at Hoover with a GPA of 4.25, and he scored a composite 33 on the ACT. Free is a member of the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society. He won the 2013 PC Fellowship Award and participated in the Rose-Hulman Operation Catapult 2013, a

Hoover City Schools’ Coordinator of Attendance Wayne Smith was honored with the “Sue Adams Award” at the annual Alabama Association of Prevention and Support Services Conference (AAPASS) in Mobile in April. The award is named after Dr. Sue Adams, a beloved advocate and longtime director of prevention and support services for the Alabama Department of Education. The award is voted on by the members of AAPASS and honors the recipient’s passion, knowledge and contributions to the ﬁeld of prevention and support services. Smith, who has been with Hoover City Schools since its inception, has served in various classroom and administrative capacities over the years including teacher, assistant principal and principal.

three-week summer program for high-achieving juniors interested in pursuing engineering. Free plays classical, contemporary and jazz piano and classical, ﬂamenco and ﬁnger-style guitar. He is a member of Hoover’s First Edition Jazz Band. As an Alabama Ambassador of Music in 2011, Free traveled to and performed in seven European countries. Free is a member of his school’s Physics Club and French Club as well as the Community Music Performance Club. He is an active member of the Sports Car Club of America, where he volunteers regularly with its Alabama Teen Driving Clinic and participates in autocross. He plans to continue his involvement in motorsports while at George Tech.

HooverSun.com

July 2014 • 25

Big dreams launch new space for Little Imaginations Preschool

Bargains on the Bluff proceeds funded most of the new outdoor classroom at Bluff Park United Methodist. The project reflects several years of savings from proceeds of the church’s twice-annual consignment sale.

By REBECCA WALDEN Long before she ever called Bluff Park United Methodist her professional home, Tracy Estes longed to teach in an early education setting where the outdoors were used for more than just recess. Fast forward several years, and Estes, now director at Bluff Park United Methodist’s Little Imaginations Preschool, got her wish. The space was completed in May after the church spent several years saving the proceeds from its biannual Bargains on the Bluff consignment sale. “The outdoor classroom will allow us to add a hands-on element to our nature lessons,” said Estes, who has nurtured the idea in its various iterations since she first arrived at the church in 2008. “In addition to daily lessons about

weather, our teachers offer lessons about insects, animals and plants that will come to life in new ways when we can take the children outside to experience it for themselves.” Before the outdoor classroom opened, the area was treated as courtyard space and was used seasonally for events like Easter egg hunts in spring and a pumpkin patch in the fall. The area was under consideration to become a columbarium until the sloping grade ruled out that possibility. Estes said that’s when the outdoor classroom idea gained traction. Over the next several years, Estes remained a patient advocate for the project as she worked to gain congregational support, identify funding sources and learn about the legal and safety requirements involved with a project of this scale. Early in that process, Estes found that one

In May, children lined up for the ribbon cutting and formal dedication of their new outdoor classroom. Photos courtesy of Tracy Estes.

of the parents of children enrolled in her program had the willpower and the chops to make Estes’ vision a reality — Jennafer Collins, a landscape architect with Greenspace LLC. “When we first started talking seriously about this project, Jennafer was a parent in our program,” said Estes, adding that Collins’ commitment to the project has spanned its multi-year development. “She developed several sets of plans over the years, presented the plans to the preschool board and the church trustees, coordinated the bidding process, oversaw construction — frequently checking in with the contractor — and so much more. There is no way this project would have ever come to fruition without her.” For Estes, it was well worth the wait. “The children will see the life cycle of plants by growing and cultivating them in the planter

boxes, and will see plants and trees produce fruit and feed our animal friends,” she said. “Being able to read nature books in the ‘amphitheater’ area and paint on the clear paint easels will provide yet another hands-on element to their lessons that we could not offer previously.” The space, centrally located on the church grounds, is large and visible from all points of the church. Installation details were selected with this in mind, and Estes is hopeful that the classroom will take on a multipurpose life of its own. “We have been thankful for all of the positive feedback we have received since construction began,” she said. “We truly appreciate the support the church has offered, and we hope that the changes we have made will allow the whole church family to enjoy the space.”

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Sports Spain Park welcomes Bowen as volleyball coach By CLAYTON HURDLE

New head coach Kellye Bowen meets members of the Spain Park volleyball team. Photo by Clayton Hurdle.

In 2007, she concluded her high school career with an Alabama state record of 2,697 career kills. In 2012, she took Saint James School to the AHSAA Class 4A Elite Eight, and in 2013 her Trojans reached the state semifinals. Now, Kellye Bowen will become the head volleyball coach at Spain Park High School. Bowen, who played college volleyball at Mississippi State after an illustrious career at Curry High School, will take over a Jaguars squad that hasn’t been to a state tournament in school history. “Obviously, the ultimate goal is [to win] a state championship,” Bowen said. “The next couple of seasons we’re going to work on being competitive and competing every game.” Bowen, then Kellye Jordan, led Curry to the 5A Final Four as a senior outside hitter, earning all-state honors in softball and basketball as well as volleyball. In 2012 she married Ricky Bowen, a former

Simmons students named All-Metro players Four Simmons Middle School students were named All-Metro Players of the Year for the 2014 tennis season. They are seventh grader Zac Tucker and eighth graders Jake Berg, Caroline Sall and Ashley Vourlotis. Each year, all 12 Metro South tennis teams select members of their own teams to be recognized as All-Metro players. The designation reflects a player’s performance on the court as well

as his or her exemplary behavior as a teammate in general. This year’s Simmons girls’ tennis team included seventh graders Katelyn Ragland and Kristin Simanyi, and eighth graders Grace Hale, Sabirah Haque, Julia Keffer, Caroline Sall, Ashley Vourlotis and Helen Zhou. The boys’ tennis team included seventh graders Carsen Brown, Caleb Croushorn, Christian Hargrove and Zac Tucker, and eighth

graders Jake Berg, Matthew Green, Bryson Lorimer, and Joseph Phillips. Reed Lochamy is the head coach for the team. -Submitted by Michelle Berg Jake Berg, Caroline Sall, Ashley Vourlotis and Zac Tucker were Simmons Middle School’s AllMetro Tennis Players of the Year. Photo courtesy of Michelle Berg.

Mississippi State and minor league pitcher. The next fall, her Saint James team fell in four sets against Jacksonville, who would go on win the state title. The Trojans took the Golden Eagles past 25 points in two different sets, including a 26-28 loss in the final set. Bowen is taking over a Spain Park team previously coached by Paula Dill, another Curry product. Bowen said she is ready to make the leap to a 7A volleyball team. “I’m incredibly excited,” she said. “It’s the highest level of competition. I thrive on that kind of competition.” Athletic Director Patrick Kellogg introduced Bowen to members of the Spain Park volleyball team and their parents on June 12. He said she will teach physical education in addition to her coaching duties. “I said I was going to find you the best,” Kellogg told the players and parents. “Everyone I talked to gave me one name. I’m excited to welcome Kellye Bowen as the new head coach for Spain Park volleyball.”

HooverSun.com

July 2014 • 27

Hoover Parks and Recreation’s summer all-sports camp will be continuing through the month of July. Photo by Dan Starnes.

Hoover Parks and Recreation’s summer all-sports camp will be continuing through the month of July, and three sports leagues will have open registration this month. Weeks 5-8 of the all-sports camp will begin July 7 at the old Berry gymnasium. The camp is open to children entering grades 3- 8. Each week runs from Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The cost is $15 per day for Hoover residents ($60 a week), or $30 per day for non-residents ($120 per week). Registration for the youth recreational flag football league will continue until July 28. Registration is open to students in grades 1-9,

and the fee for residents is $115 per player ($125 for non-residents). Anyone interested in volunteering to coach a team is encouraged to call 444-7754. The Hoover youth volleyball league will open registration on July 7 for girls in grades 4-8. The registration fee is $80 per player. Hoover’s Start Smart sports development program will begin registration on July 28. Start Smart is a motor skill development program for kids ages 3-7. The program fee is $50 for Hoover residents and $75 for non-residents. For more information or to register, visit hooveral.org/Index. aspx?NID=389.

Bumpus track teams wins championships

The R. F Bumpus Middle School boys and girls track teams, coached by Chad James, recently won the 2014 Outdoor Metro Championships. Photo courtesy of Steve McClinton.

HHS camps to take place this month All boys ages 13-18 are invited to participate in soccer camp at Hoover High School July 7-11. The camp will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. each day at the HHS soccer field. Coach Kris Keplinger will lead drills and scrimmages focused on skill development and use of the non-dominant foot. The camp will also work with students on concepts of attacking and defending. Cost is $125 per player, and $60 for each additional child in a family. Campers are required to provide their

own cleats, shin guards and socks. HHS will also host the Josh Niblett Football Camp for children entering grades K5-8 at the HHS athletic fields July 14-16. The camp will teach children the basics of the skill positions and refine the skills of experienced players. HHS head coach Josh Niblett will lead the camp. The three-day camp is divided into a junior camp (K5-6) and middle school camp (7-8). The younger camp, which will emphasize the value of teamwork in addition to learning

the fundamentals of various positions, will be split into two age groups. The junior camp will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m. daily. The middle school camp will run from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Hunter Street Baptist Church’s Kid Quest Ministries are sponsoring this year’s event. The camp fee is $130. Every camper will receive a camp t-shirt. Water will be provided; campers may choose to bring a snack. Visit hooverhighathletics.com for a camp application.

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Monte D’ Oro Neighborhood fast facts `` Developer William H. “Bill” Humphries built the subdivision with the idea that the homes should be distinctive with no two alike. `` Cordray “Corky” Parker, a well-know artist that studied in Italy and Austria, designed and decorated the homes in the neighborhood. `` Monte D’ Oro is Italian for “mountain of gold.” Street names in the neighborhood include Monte Verde, “green mountain” and Monte D’ Este, “mountain of the east.” `` The neighborhood was officially established July 24, 1964. `` Today, the subdivision includes 158 homes.

MONTE D’ORO

CONTINUED from page 1 annual Membership Tea. The Society has hosted its annual tea for the past 30 years. Prior locations of distinction have included the Randle Home, the Overseer’s House and the Hale-Joseph Home, where the daughter of George Wallace once lived. More recently, the tea has taken place in the home of local real estate agent and musician James Harwell. “This is the first time we’ve come this far down the mountain for one of our membership drives,” said Hoover Historical Society President Inez McCollum, adding that she was delighted to help highlight one of the city’s most dedicated neighborhood communities. Prior to the tea, held on April 27, McCollum, along with other civic leaders from the area, formally dedicated the historical marker, which stands at the corner of Monte D’Oro Drive and Wisteria Drive. The marker is a symbol of the neighborhood’s past and its enduring present, with young families continuing to settle in the area and begin traditions of their own. In 1964, Auburn University architecture graduates and friends Bill Humphries and Cordray Parker partnered together to design and build the Monte D’Oro neighborhood. Drive through the area today, and the influence of Parker, then a budding sculptor, can still be seen. “They wanted a neighborhood where no two houses would be alike,” Lewis said. “They envisioned a place with tree-lined streets, and where all the utilities ran behind the homes.”

Indeed, the homes display different facades, from roof styles to intricate carvings and details over the windows. In Lewis’ case, these take the shape of half-moons over her windows. With prices in the low to mid $200s and the average floor plan including upward of 2,500 square feet, as well as the community’s central access to interstates, shopping and restaurants, Monte D’Oro remains a desirable area for many young families in the Hoover area. Wright thinks the close-knit culture of the neighborhood is what helps them stay — and in her case, kept her coming back. “All of my friends are there,” she said, adding that many of those friendships are fostered by neighborhood association activities. These include everything from regularly scheduled social events to yard signs and welcome packages for families new to the neighborhood and those welcoming new babies. For Wright, the neighborhood’s historical roots and the city leaders it has helped cultivate are an added bonus. “Mayor Ivey speaks to our neighborhood association once a year, which I think is tremendous,” she said. “And many of our neighbors are active on various boards for the city of Hoover. We are an active, engaged community, and I think as long as that continues, we will continue to thrive.” If readers have any ties to the Monte D’Oro neighborhood and wish to learn more about the 50th anniversary festivities, they are encouraged to contact event co-chairs Eileen Lewis, eilewis@chartner.net, or Susanne Wright, shbray@yahoo.com.

Children can enjoy activities such as inflatable slides at the annual Freedom Fest. Photo courtesy of city of Hoover.

Freedom Fest Friday, July 4 Hoover Met Gates open at 5 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule

MET

6 p.m. The Onlys 7 p.m. Rhett Walker Band 8 p.m. Ryan Kinder 9 p.m. Fireworks show

CONTINUED from page 1 environment,” said Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey. “Residents of all ages will be able to enjoy some great entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show at no charge at the Met. The Met is a perfect location for a Fourth of July event with a large parking lot, comfortable seating and convenient restrooms and concession stands.”

Gates open and the event begins at 5 p.m. with a car show and children’s activities including inflatables, face painting, balloon twisters and more. Car owners who would like to participate in the car show are asked to arrive by 4:30 p.m. for placement. There is no charge to enter the car show. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.

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HooverSun.com

Community Calendar Hoover Events

City/Chamber Events

July 2: 4th of July Concert. 12:30 p.m. Hoover Senior Center.

July 7: City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Council Chambers.

July 4: Freedom Fest. 5-9:30 p.m. Hoover Met. The event will feature a car show, kids zone, live entertainment and fireworks show. July 11: Free Friday Flicks. Veterans Park. The Croods. July 14-July 17: SEC Football Media Days. Hyatt Regency.

July 10: Coffee & Contacts. 7:30-9 a.m. Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, 424 Emery Drive. Call 988-8000 or parishad. holyapostles@gmail.com or holyapostles.org for information. July 10: Ribbon Cutting. 11 a.m. Tower Loan, 3150 Lorna Road, Suite 100. Call Joel Ray at 601- 613-1032 or email blue@towerloan.com for information. July 14: Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers. July 16: Ambassador Meeting 4:30 p.m. Chamber office. Visitors welcome.

July 18: Free Friday Flicks. Veterans Park. Despicable Me 2.

July 17: 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.

July 22: Horizons Dinner. Hoover Senior Center.

July 21: City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Council Chambers.

July 24: Aldridge Gardens Summer Concert Series: Lou Rawls Review. 8-10 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. $15. Visit aldridgegardens.com.

July 22: FIVE Chamber Speed Networking Event at Hyatt Regency-The Wynfrey Hotel. Hoover, Greater Shelby, Vestavia Hills, Homewood & Mountain Brook Chambers of Commerce. 8:30 to10:30 a.m. Advance registration required with Hoover or Greater Shelby Chambers of Commerce. Contact 9885672 or lisa@hooverchamber.org.

July 17-19: Select 7 on 7 Tournament. Hoover High School.

July 25: Free Friday Flicks. Veterans Park. The Lego Movie. July 27: Food Pantry. 3-4:30 p.m. Hoover Church of Christ. Call 822-5610 or visit hooverchurchofchrist.org.

July 22: Minority Business Committee meeting. Noon. Chamber office. Bring your own lunch if you like. Visitors welcome. Contact Reginald Jeter at rlj@hsy.com. July 24: Business after-hours. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Outback Steakhouse, 1944 Hoover Court. Call 979-7585 or contact obs1256@outback.com or outback.com for information.

Summer Fun Photo Contest Capture the fun of summer with your camera and send us your favorite shots of wherever you and your family are.

Hoover Library Events Adults Adult Summer Reading “Literary Elements.” Read or listen to books to register for great prizes donated by the Friends of the Library! Pick up a reading log in the Fiction or Nonfiction Departments. Continues through July 31. Stump the Librarian. Test the knowledge of the librarians in the Nonfiction Department by asking a question from a popular trivia game for a chance to win a Galleria gift certificate donated by the Friends of the Library. July 1- July 31.

presents hints and tips for traveling to the City of Light. 444-7840. July 12: Purl @ the Plaza. Lace Crochet Class 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Purl @ the Plaza 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Library Plaza. New free class! Learn to Crochet a Lace Bookmark. Call 444-7821 for class reservations. July 14: Read Your Own Adventure Book Group. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Plaza Reading Room. Share your favorite adventure fiction book. 444-7820.

July 3: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler. Call 444-7820.

July 15: Glue Gun Gang: Pretty Parasol Wreath. 6:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Make a colorful wreath using mini beach umbrellas to celebrate summer. Adults only. Reservations required. 444-7840.

July 6: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: America. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Coffeeol-ogy Café explores American culture and native foods. 444-7821.

July 16: No Jacket Required Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. This month’s genre: From Book to Box Office. 444-7840.

July 7: Helping Hands. 3:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Join us in making newspaper rolls for a local humane society. Teens and adults. 444-7840.

July 17: Author Time @ Hoover Library: Sarah MacLean. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Skype with the author of No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. Reservations required – hooverlibrary.org/ authortime or call 444-7820.

July 8: Daytime Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Who Stole the American Dream? by Hedrick Smith. 444-7816. July 10: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. 444-7820. July 10: Travel to Paris. 2:00 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Virginia Jones

July 17: Glue Gun Gang: Pretty Parasol Wreath. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Make a colorful wreath using mini beach umbrellas to celebrate summer. Adults only. Reservations required. 444-7840. July 17: Sweet Licks Jazz Band. 6:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Dixieland jazz band featuring clarinet, cornet, banjo and bass. For

Deadline is August 3, 2014 Prizes will be awarded to contest winners Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Hoover Sun wherever you are To enter, e mail your photos in a jpeg format to photos@hooversun.com Please send high quality images and include a caption and photo credit. Only four photos are allowed per person.

visit hooversun.com for more information

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Community Calendar Hoover Library (continued)

more information, call 444-7821. July 19: Frugalistics: Monthly Coupon Swap. 11 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Bring coupons you don’t need and swap for ones you do. 444-7840. July 21: Helping Hands. 3:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Join us in making newspaper rolls for a local humane society. Teens and adults. 444-7840. July 21: Eating Fresh from the Garden with Chef “E”. 6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. A demonstration using fresh herbs and veggies to make delicious meals. For reservations, call 444-7840. July 24: Nighttime Nonfiction Book Group. 7 p.m. Allen Board Room. The Man in the Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal. 444-7816. July 25: 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! 4447821. July 26: Write Club. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Meet fellow writers, flesh out characters and tie up dangling plot threads! 4447820. July 27: Justin Cross. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Singer-songwriter whose song “Drink the Water” has over one million views on YouTube. 444-7821. July 28: Monday @ the Movies: Casablanca. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. A nightclub owner helps his former lover and her Resistance-hero husband escape from the Nazis. Stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. (NR, 102 minutes) Free admission and refreshments. 444-7820

Children/teens July 1-3: Madcap Puppets. 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. Madcap is proud to introduce the life and

stories of one of America’s greatest literary figures and humorists with giant puppets and audience participation. July 3: Robots vs. Aliens. 6:30 p.m. Choose a side or choose both as fun invades the library. Grades 4-6. July 7: Story Laboratory: Robots. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. July 7: Caffeine and Canvas. 6:30 p.m. Paint a masterpiece to take home and revamp your room. Supplies provided. Grades 7-12 July 8-10: Animal Tales. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reptiles Scales & Tails features live animals, audience participation and “hands-on” interaction. July 10: Mad Science Laboratory: 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Join our Mad Scientist to explore your scientific mind! July 12: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

10:30 a.m. Heroes in a half shell are here for an awesome adventure. All ages. July 14: Story Laboratory: Sound. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. July 14: Dr. Who Party. 6:30 p.m. Trave through time and space and party Dr. Who style at our summer finale. July 15-17: Bubblemania. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. An extremely unique program, combining high-energy entertainment with visual comedy, quick wit and bubble creations from the intricate to the unbelievable. July 17: Spy Kids Traning. 6:30 p.m. Learn the skills to become a super spy. Registration begins June 26. Grades 4-6. July 22-24: Roger Day. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m His energetic show encourages kids to sing loud, jump high, and dream big!

Artists on the Bluff 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 rollinaoglesbay@gmail.com or 733-8939 for registration and supply list. $120 (4 sessions) + supplies. Mixed Media Classes – Rik Lazenby. Classes are available monthly on Tuesday mornings. 9 a.m. to noon or Tues. evening 5:30 p.m. to 8:30

p.m. $120 for 4 session + student provides supplies. Contact Rik at riklazenby@charter.net or 281-5273 to register. Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint. Learn to update your furniture or cabinetry with Rik Lazenby. Basic Class /Advanced. All supplies will be provided for the class. Students should bring a small piece of furniture to finish. Class space is limited. Please contact Rik at riklazenby@charter.net or 281-5273 to enroll.

Kiln Formed Glass – Fusing & Slumping – Deborah Ballog. All glass, kiln firings and instruction are included in class fees. Contact Deborah at deborah@studio-three.net or 999-3194. Calligraphy – Deb Warnat. Beginning Copperplate Class. Online 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 5314751.

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Community Calendar Area Events July 2: Commemoration of the Passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. 10 a.m. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St. N. Free. Call 328-9696, ext. 229. July 3: UAB Concert Choir Bon Voyage Concert. 7-8:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. S. Free. Call 934-7376. July 4: Peavine Falls Run. 7 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park. $15. Register on Race-it.com. July 4: UAB Independence Day Concert. 7-8:45 p.m. UAB Bartow Arena, 617 13th St. S. Free. Call 934-7376. July 4: Thunder on the Mountain. 9-9:20 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr. Vulcan Park will be closed for safety reasons, but the fireworks will be visible from many places throughout the city. Free. Call 933-1409. July 5: Red, White and Brew 5K Run/Walk. 10 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Trim Tab Brewing Company, 2721 5th Ave. S. Enjoy a complimentary beer and live music after the race. $30 preregistration, $35 race-day registration. July 10: Gaither Vocal Band. 7-10 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Center, 800 Lakeshore Drive. Artist Circle $36.50,

Reserved $29.50, Senior (60+) $26.50, Child (2-12) $26.50, Groups of 15+ $25.50 plus two free tickets. Call 726-2853.

prejudice. 129 min. NR. There will be a sing-along and Mighty Wurlitzer performance before the film. $8. Call 252-2262.

July 10-27: Annie. Thursday and Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St. S. $30-35. Call 251-1206.

July 18-20: 31st Annual World Deer Expo. Friday 3-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Adults $11, Children $6, Kids 3 and under are free. Call 678-4141.

July 11: Bards and Brews Poetry Slam. 6:30-9 p.m. North Birmingham Regional Library, 2501 31st Ave. N. Free. Call 226-3670. July 11: Rick and Bubba “We Ain’t Never Been No Where” 20th Anniversary Tour 2014. 7 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Center, 800 Lakeshore Drive. Balcony $33, Orchestra $43. Call 726-2853. July 12-13: Alabama Gun Collectors Association Summer Show. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Free for members, small door fee for the public. Call (334) 2721193. July 13: Summer Film Series: To Kill a Mockingbird. 2-5 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against

July 18: Summer Film Series: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. 7-10 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N. With the aid of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using his son’s lifegenerating device, the Genesis Device, as the ultimate weapon. 113 min. PG. There will be a sing-along and Mighty Wurlitzer performance before the film. $8. Call 252-2262. July 19: Run or Dye 5K. 9 a.m. Barber Motorsports Park, 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway. Early registration (May 1-July 8) $47, Registration (July 9-19) $57. Teams of four or more save $5 per ticket. July 19: Ray LaMontagne. 7:30 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Tickets from $37.80. Call 1-800-745-3000.

July 23: Mockingbird Tribute. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. N. Learn about Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird, get a free copy of Marja Mills’ book The Mockingbird Next Door, and enter for a chance to win a 50th anniversary edition of To Kill A Mockingbird with bookplate signed by Harper Lee. $35. Call 870-4242. July 23-24: Luke Bryan That’s My Kind of Night Tour. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, 1000 Amphitheatre Dr. Tickets from $40. Call 1-800-745-3000. July 26: American Idol Live. 8 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. See the top 10 finalists from season 13 of American Idol. Tickets from $45.25. Call 1-800745-3000. July 27: Steely Dan “Jamalot Ever After” Tour. 8 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. Tickets from $72.65. Call 1-800-745-3000. July 31: Fourth Annual Taste of Birmingham. 6-9 p.m. The Club of Birmingham, 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. Enjoy live music, fireworks and the chance to taste and vote on dishes from Birmingham’s best restaurants. $75. Call 767-9219.

Moonlight on the Mountain moonlightonthmtn.com July 10: Silo. July 11: Jess Klein and Mike June. July 12: The Beatlads. $10. July 13: Three on a String. $20. July 14: Open Mic Grand Playoff. July 18: Angela McKinney and her mighty small band. July 19: Walter Parks, with opener Caitlin Marie Bell. July 20: Bob Marston and Friends. July 24: Bill and Eli Perras. July 25: Tacktt, Carver, and Mosher. July 26: Mary Bragg and Carl Anderson. July 31: Katie and Corey and The Daughters-September Reed and Christina Linard. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise noted. Open Mic Night is $5.

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