Hsun vol 1 iss 12 september 2013 all

Sun

September 2013 • 1

HooverSun.com

Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

Ascending ambitions

Volume 1 | Issue 12 | September 2013

Power shift Sellers regaining leverage in Hoover residential real estate market

Hoover High School graduate Evan Harden is on the other side of the world training for the Navy’s fighter pilot program. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy.

By JEFF THOMPSON

Community page 15

Summer fun

The freedom of summer may have been lost to fall routines, but take one grand look back with our Summer Fun Photo Contest. See the winners inside.

Community page 20

INSIDE 280 News ..... 6 Business ....... 8 Food .............. 11 Community .. 12

School House ... 23 Sports ............... 26 Celebrations .... 29 Calendar ........... 30

facebook.com/280Living

Southampton, Signature Homes’ new development in the Ross Bridge area, is one of three new Hoover locations where the company is constructing. It’s joined by Northampton in the same vicinity and The View at Lake Cyrus. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

Bob and Selia Rainey weren’t sure if July would be a good time to sell their home in Bluff Park.

The couple, now in their 80s, wanted to find the perfect place to retire. Selia said their home had wonderful curb appeal, gracious neighbors and was convenient to everything in Birmingham, but like many others thinking of dipping their toes in the market, the unknown was a major concern.

“We were very skeptical about putting it on market,” Selia said. “Things changed so much after the crash, we worried it could sit there for six months or even a year.”

But it didn’t.

Instead, within 48 hours of listing the property, Selia said their real estate agent returned with a contract from a buyer worth more than the asking price. And they aren’t alone.

Experts say power in the market is finally shifting away from homebuyers, where it’s been entrenched for approximately five years. Recent data shows Hoover made strong gains in both number of home sales and average sale price this year.

Ginny Willis, president of the Birmingham Association of Realtors (BAR) and an associate broker

Will students need a ticket to ride?

After sizable public outcry, the Hoover Board of Education is considering options to employ when it stops bus service in 2014. Attorney Donald Sweeney said he is now in dialogue with state officials to further investigate the legality of parents paying a fee that would enable their children to ride buses to and from the city’s schools.

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

School House page 24 Right: Pat Leath, whose granddaughter attends Spain Park High School, holds up a sign at the August Hoover City School Board of Education meeting.

Leath was one of an overflow crowd, about 35 of whom addressed the board, asking to reverse its decision to halt bus transportation. Photo by Marienne Thomas Ogle.

See REAL ESTATE | page 29

2 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

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September 2013 • 3

HooverSun.com

“They Laughed and Said, ‘Dude, You’re Fat.’ “But Then I Looked in The Mirror…”

“Iron Tribe got me off the couch -- and into shape!” –Jason The mirror was right. My friends were, too. I was fat. What a humiliating difference a few years Jason Before Iron Tribe

can make …

You see, 15 years ago, I was in great shape.

Even played sports in college. But after an injury, I stopped exercising. I got lazy and my body went downhill. Then, I married a marathon runner. She was in great shape and I had to catch up -- fast.

That’s when I found Iron Tribe Fitness.

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After graduating from 101, I was nervous to start the regular classes. But my coaches were there for me. They helped me learn the moves and get better. Then, one day … BOOM. I had a great

Jason is down 60lbs and loving life!

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Now, I’m competing with my wife, the marathon runner. In fact, after seeing my slimmer stomach, she joined Iron Tribe, too. Now she’s even more competitive. She wins her age group all the time when she runs.

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4 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

About Us Photo of the Month Huntingdon Park neighborhood’s Kirstine James and Nora Musaed gather at a recent block party.

Residents have gotten to know each other better and built strong social ties throughout the neighborhood through the use of Nextdoor.com.

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden The back-to-school crazy is over, lazy Labor Day Weekends are in sight, and Saturday mornings (in my house at least) mean two things – big breakfasts and Big & Rich.

Ask any self-respecting Walden and they will tell you the truth – homemade waffles and College Gameday are proof that God loves us.

My inner overachiever takes a hiatus this month, admittedly no small feat for this Type A gal.

On any given Saturday, I can feel perfectly productive if the black eyed pea dip is in the oven and the kids still buy it that Sprout and Disney Junior are temporarily out of service.

Seeing the teams live? That’s a young person’s game. In my mid30s with kids too young and too impatient to endure four quarters of anything live, I contend that yoga pants and cat naps (unless Alabama’s playing) are where it’s at.

Six days a week for most of the year, I’m a hard-working, Junior Leaguing, kid activity-driving, wholesome meal-cooking machine.

But my September Saturdays? These are sacred, reserved to relax amongst family and friends. I slow down enough to savor what is ordinary and wonderful, which most recently

Publisher : Executive Editor : Creative Director : Editor : Managing Editor : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :

Walden included playing “patient” to my 4-year-old masquerading as Doc McStuffins.

After carefully examining me with her pink and purple otoscope, Ella placed her hands on my shoulders and spoke gravely: “Mommy, you have cows in your ears.” I forget her medical rationale, but I do remember that it involved sharing our mutual fave, Publix Chocolate Moose Tracks. And who am I to disregard doctor’s orders?

Lately with my 2 year old, it’s been more of the superhero variety.

On his shoulders, an old T-shirt becomes a hero’s cape. Our fireplace hearth? A tall building from which he can leap in a single, diapered bound:

Dan Starnes Jeff Thompson Keith McCoy Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes

Contributing Writers: Clayton Hurdle Interns : Will Hightower Chandler Jones Intisar Seraaj-Sabree Published by : Hoover Sun LLC

“I am Superman!” Indeed, little man.

Indeed.

For our part, my husband Rett and I have become quite the thespians, playing various versions of our assigned roles: “Mommy, Daddy – you be the bad guy/patient/dinosaur/ fill-in-the-blank” with panache. To our credit, the 5 and under set is an indiscriminating crowd.

Although sometimes they leave me a little worse for the wear, these irreverent play sessions completely refuel my sense of awesome. When I am unencumbered from making the next list, planning the next meal, running the next errand and am engaged in the now, I realize how cool these heaven-sent creatures actually are.

September is here, and it’s time to play.

So bring on the pigskin. And the black eyed pea dip. And the absence of any real plans.

Game On.

Contact Information: Hoover Sun #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@hooversun.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Rebecca@hooversun.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

For advertising contact: dan@hooversun.com Legals: The Hoover Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or use of

editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Hoover Sun is designed to inform the Hoover community of area school, family and community events. Information in the Hoover Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

All articles/photos submitted become the property of the Hoover Sun. We reserve the right to edit articles/ photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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Please support our Community Partners Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (12) Alabama Power (10) Alabama Shakespeare Festival (13) Bargains on the Bluff (24) Bedzzz Express (32) Beef ‘O’ Brady’s (22) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (24) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (11) Cahaba Dermatology and Skin Care Center (14) California Closets (16) Carl’s Comfort Shoes (22) Children’s of Alabama (7) Fi-Plan Parnters (28) Geico Insurance (17) Greystone Antiques & Marketplace (29) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (13, 20) Hoover Public Library (12) Hoover Tactical Firearms (23) Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel (18) Iron Tribe (3) Issis & Sons (6) Jefferson Credit Union (26) Jesse’s Steak and Seafood (14) LAH Real Estate (30) La Dolce Vita (8) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (16) Princeton Baptist Vein Center (15) RealtySouth - Becky Hicks (25) RealtySouth - James Harwell (19) RealtySouth Marketing (9) Red Mountain Theatre Company (19) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (2, 5) Samford After Sundown (29) Sarver Orthodontics (15) Silver Lining Consignment Boutique (16) South Trace Pediatrics (11) Stellar Massage (20) Sumo Japanese Steakhouse (18) Susette Clark-Walker / RealtySouth (23) The Maids (1) The Wade Team (27) Trinity Medical Center (21) UAB Medicine (31) Vision Gymnastics (27)

September 2013 • 5

HooverSun.com

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6 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

City Mayor’s Minute

By Gary Ivey

Fall is a very busy time of year in the City of Hoover. We have many exciting events planned for this seasson, and they are all very family friendly.

WOOFstock is being held on Oct. 12 at Veterans Park on Valleydale and is a perfect place for all the animal lovers to bring out their four-legged friends for some fun. Another annual event in Hoover is the Pig Iron BBQ held at the Hoover Met on Oct. 18. The next weekend the Hoover Hayride and Family Night will be held on Oct. 25 from 5-8 p.m.

P.M. at Veterans Park on Valleydale. All details about these events and a detailed listing of other events are located on our website, hooveralabama. gov, or you can call City Hall at 444-7500.

I hope you will take some time to visit the newly renovated Hoover Met. If you need a place to host a holiday party, wedding reception, reunion or an anniversary party, we have the place for you.

Our banquet rooms are reasonably priced, and

Gov. Bentley to speak at Chamber Luncheon

By JEFF THOMPSON

Gary Ivey

catering is available. We also have many exciting events on the horizon for The Met. For more information about rentals call the Hoover Met at 7396400.

We want to exceed your expectations in every way with all we do. Please contact our office if we can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Gary Ivey Mayor

This month, the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the highest in the state.

On Sept. 12 at the Hyatt Regency-The Wynfrey Hotel, Gov. Robert Bentley is attending the monthly Chamber luncheon as the organization’s featured speaker. As Bentley is fast approaching the 2014 campaign season, Hoover Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Powell said he expects the governor to discuss both what he’s accomplished during his term and what he hopes for the future of Alabama.

“Since [Bentley has] pretty much already announced that he will seek re-election,” Powell said in an email, “I’m sure he will tout his record, plus how much the Alabama economy has improved and what is expected to come in the next four years.”

The official website of the governor’s office, governor.alabama.gov, reminds the Alabama public of Bentley’s campaign promise that he would not accept a salary until the state reached an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The site states Bentley helped create more than 10,000 new jobs in his first year in office, and more than 17,200 new and future jobs were announced before the close of 2011.

Last year, according to the site, approximately 21,000 new jobs

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.

Photo courtesy of the State of Alabama via Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.

were announced, and the state’s unemployment rate had fallen from 9.3 percent in January 2011 to 6.9 percent in January 2013.

“Although, given the reduction in unemployment Alabama has seen over the past two years, [Bentley] is getting closer to receiving a paycheck,” the site reads.

Another accomplishment listed is Bentley’s response to the tornadoes that struck on April 27, 2011 – his 100th day in office. “[Bentley] established the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund to fund unmet

needs of individuals,” the site reads.

“His administration is now engaged in a massive long-term recovery and the greatest reconstruction effort in the state since the Civil War.” Born and raised in Shelby County, Bentley graduated from The University of Alabama School of Medicine and was a commissioned captain in the United States Air Force. Before being elected as governor in 2010, Bentley served two terms as the District 63 (Tuscaloosa) representative in the Alabama State House.

Powell said this will be is a special luncheon, hosted and sponsored by the Wynfrey and General Manager Andy Peters, who is also first vice president of the Chamber of Commerce. Powell said he was asked by Peters to invite Bentley as the speaker.

Powell said space is limited. To attend, make reservations no later than Monday, Sept. 9, by calling the chamber office at 988-5672 or emailing admin@ hooverchamber.org. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., with the meeting starting at noon.

The luncheon is $20 in advance or $22 without early reservations. Non-Chamber members must pay in advance by Sept. 9.

The Hyatt Regency BirminghamThe Wynfrey Hotel is located at 1000 Riverchase Galleria in Hoover. For more on the hotel, call 987-1600 or visit hyattregencywynfrey.com.

September 2013 • 7

HooverSun.com

Q&A with Councilman Jack Wright We will soon wrap up FY13.

What insights can you share about the state of the City at this time?

The state of the City is good.

We are financially strong. We feel like we’ve had a strong recovery from the dips we experienced in 2008 and 2009. In particular, our commercial base is doing exceedingly well.

We want to do everything possible to keep the Hoover climate very receptive and friendly commercial growth.

to

How is the City doing in making its promise to boost utilization of the Hoover Met? Utilization is always a problem at any stadium. What do you do when your baseball team is out of town, and what do you do when your season is over? We’re focused on driving as much utilization as we can.

The Freedom Fest we held this past summer was a tremendous success with the crowd at capacity. This is an event we plan to continue.

We’ve also hosted the 7-on-7 football event, which was a success. Attendance for that event filled up a lot of hotels in the area. And of course this fall, the Bucs are playing their home games there.

We’re also finding success booking corporate events at the venue. Protective Life is among those who have already booked the space.

One area for potential growth is to pick up groups that want display space. We’d love to attract trade shows, especially now that the Pelham Civic Center will have limited display area given the extension of their ice-related activities. I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t an expansion for meeting and event space at the Met in the future. There have been drawings done and talk of making it more into a mini-convention center. There is a lot of roof space out there, and it wouldn’t take much for there to be quite a bit more.

There are a lot of people who want specialty presentation shows, but they want to invite more like a crowd of 500 people out to the Met for lunch and demonstrate their products.

What are you most looking forward to within the City of Hoover this autumn?

There are so many wonderful developments and events happening right now in our city.

From a roadwork standpoint, I know other residents will share my joy to see the extension open at Chapel Lane.

That should happen in early September, which will be of great benefit in reducing traffic on 31 and gaining easier access to the

Patton Creek/Galleria corner of Highway 150.

I’m also looking forward to welcoming Governor Bentley as the keynote speaker at this month’s Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and I hope many of our residents will make plans to attend.

Speaking of economic development, the Lorna Road corridor is seeing improvement.

While it’s a work in progress, there is some nice revitalization already taking place. The addition of Bargain Hunt is exciting. It’s a good fit for this old space that could not be used by a grocery store. And of course the recent opening of the Walmart Neighborhood Market as a lead tenant in that area is outstanding. It should lead to further commercialization.

Look at the YMCA on Shades Crest. It is just booming – it’s one of the most successful in the country. What a beautiful utilization of an old grocery store. I say that because that has been one of the problems we’ve had during the last five-year period: “What do you do with a closed grocery store?” Hoover Tactical is another excellent example of where a grocery store (Bruno’s) formerly stood.

And I would be remiss not to mention our Veterans Week festivities, coming up later this fall. That committee has a lot of people who are actively involved, and the preparation that goes into these events is just exceptional. It’s front of mind for me right now as I prepare to welcome home my son, who is returning from his service as an Army Captain stationed in Korea.

What might readers by surprised to learn about you?

My roots in Hoover run deep.

When I was a sophomore in college, Tommy Hoover and I were fraternity brothers at Samford.

In 1967, I became eligible to sell insurance and worked in that capacity for Mr. Hoover.

At that time, the area’s population was less than 400. We voted to form the City, and the biggest problem at that time was what we would call it. Half wanted to call it Green Valley and half wanted to call it Hoover. We hired the City’s first full-time fireman, Mr. Wally Peek, who kept a fire station behind Green Valley and Employer’s Insurance. We also hired the City’s first policeman, Mr. Oscar Davis.

I am also a huge football fan, but instead of claiming Auburn or Alabama, I’m a fan of Army football. My son, a former team captain (’02) for the Hoover Bucs, went on to play nose tackle and defensive end for the Army. He is one of five. My wife and I are blessed with each of them, and the 15 grandchildren they have given us.

HPD urges public to be wary of scams

By BRIAN FOREMAN Officer, Hoover Police Department Criminals are always looking for new and different ways to scam victims. We want you to be aware of some of the different types of scams that have been reported to us over the last year so you can protect yourself. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Card Member Services Scam – The victim receives a text message on their cell phone from Card Member Services stating that a credit/debit card has been deactivated. The victim is prompted to call a phone number to reactivate the card.

When the victim calls the number, he or she hears an automated message asking them to enter their credit/debit card number and security code. After the victim does this, an automated message tells the victim that his or her card has been reactivated.

Criminals can now use the account to make purchases and/or withdrawals.

Publishers Clearing House Scam – The victim receives a phone call from someone who states they are with Publishers Clearing House and the victim has won a large cash prize and/or car.

The victim is advised to obtain Green Dot Money Pak cards to pay for taxes, fees and delivery charges. The criminal will get the victim to obtain more and more Green Dot Money Pak cards until the victim realizes he or she has been scammed.

Hotel Room Scam – The criminal calls a hotel and asks to be transferred to a specific room. When the guest answers the phone, the criminal pretends to be an employee at the front desk and tells them that there has been a glitch with the hotel computer. After explaining that the guest’s personal and payment information was lost, the criminal obtains the victim’s name, address, phone number and credit card information.

Alabama Power Scam – This scam primarily targets business owners. The criminal calls up and identifies himself as an employee of Alabama Power and advises the business owner that his/ her power bill is delinquent. The criminal tells the business owner to purchase a Green Dot Money Pak card to make payment and keep the power on. After obtaining the cards, the victim calls back and gives the criminal activation codes of the cards. The criminal then tells the business owner that his or her account is now current.

Facebook Hacking – Criminals hack an individual’s Facebook account, change the password so the victim cannot log in, and send out a notice to “Friends” saying the individual they know needs help to get out of a financial bind. i.e., “We took a quick vacation to Mexico and someone stole all our cash, credit cards, and travelers checks! Please wire us some money so we can get home! We will repay any money sent to us!” They then include information on how to wire money overseas.

8 • September 2013

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September 2013 • 9

HooverSun.com

Coming Soon Destination XL will open a location in the Riverchase Promenade in the near future. The store specializes in men’s big and tall clothing and shoes. It advertises its inventory to include items from value-priced private labels to high-end designer names. destinationxl.com.

1

Bojangles Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits is looking to open two new locations in Hoover, one on U.S. 31 and one on Highway 150. The chain’s menu includes fried chicken pieces, boneless chicken on sandwiches and biscuits, salads and more. bojangles.com.

2

Expansions Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall, 1624 Montgomery Highway, recently purchased the Chevron gas station next door to its current location. Hendrick’s management plans to demolish the gas station and build a new showroom.

(888) 693-9020. hooverautomall.com.

3

Relocations Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio recently moved from Riverchase Galleria across U.S. 31 into the Riverchase Promenade. Its new address is 1717 Montgomery Highway, Suite 101. Business hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m.

987-8244. merlenormanstudio.com.

4

Make it easy on yourBusiness news to share? self.

Now Open Just use Coming Soon Silver Living Consignment Boutique/ Devon Designer Fashions has moved several doors down from its previous location at 2341 John Hawkins Parkway. The new, larger space houses a consignment store and new designer fashion boutique under the same roof. Business hours are Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday to Friday 10. a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

987-4403. mysilverliningsboutique.com, devonboutique.com.

5

New Faces, New Places Kathy Northam has joined Alfa Insurance at 2304 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 104.

988-8898. Alfains.com.

6

Rick Smith will be the new general manager for Renaissance Ross Bridge, located at 4000 Grand Ave. 916-7677. marriott.com.

7

Relocation Expansion Anniversary If you are in a brick and mortar buiness in Hoover and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Sun

Email dan@hooversun.com RealtySouth.com Mouse ads-VillageLivingHALF.indd 2

7/18/13 9:57 AM

10 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Business Spotlight

Read past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.com

Mia Storia

Winslow Armstead 205.515.1859 winslow@miastoria.com Auston Bennett 205.482.5045 auston@miastoria.com

By CLAYTON HURDLE In May 1997, Winslow Armstead and Auston Bennett were completing their senior year at Hoover High School. Little did they know that 15 years later they would be working together on Mia Storia, a self-started project that seeks to tell the stories of everyday people through videography.

After both attaining degrees from The University of Alabama, Armstead and Bennett settled into business jobs back home in Birmingham. The two kept in touch, mainly as business contacts. In 2011, a chance conversation led to a 72-hour brainstorm session that created the basics of what is now Mia Storia.

“We were training for a run and talking about ways we could change the world,” Armstead said. “It was the same kind of eye-in-the-sky conversation lots of people have. One day Auston said, ‘Let’s take 72 hours and come back with some ideas. Let’s see if we actually can change the world.’

“We had lists of ideas. We may have talked about one or two before, but after this one came out, we didn’t talk about the rest of them.”

Mia Storia documents the stories (Armstead and Bennett refer to them as “storias”) that are given to the interview subjects for them and their families to cherish forever.

“We wanted people to recognize and benefit from the product and feel like they had an heirloom instead of just a film,” Armstead said.

About a year after the idea’s conception, Armstead and Bennett were beginning work on the project’s first product. The video, an interview of one of Bennett’s family members, was a

Winslow Armstead films a life story for one of Mia Storia’s projects. Photos courtesy of Mia Storia.

success and also a learning experience.

“The first film that we did was on my grandfather as a trial run,” Bennett said. “We outsourced the whole deal, which was the original business plan. It did not go the way we wanted it to. That’s when we realized that we had to have our own equipment and editors.”

Now, nearly two years after the idea’s

conception, Armstead and Bennett have turned Mia Storia into a unique and thriving company.

For two business-based people, promoting Mia Storia came naturally. The challenge was in producing the films, a department in which the two had limited experience.

“It was the filming and editing that we had zero experience with,” Bennett said. “I’m generally

miastoria.com the one that works with the customers from start to finish. Winslow is passionate about the video and editing side of things. He had messed around with photography, so he had that passion from the beginning. He literally had no idea that he would be standing behind the camera.”

Thus far, storias produced include those of war veterans, realtors and missionaries among others.

One of the more notable people Mia Storia has interviewed and filmed was Bernadine Layton, one of the survivors of the 16th Street Church Bombing in 1963.

“We got the chance to sit down with her and interview her,” Bennett said. “She was the last person to talk to the girls that died. That just blows my mind to hear her talk about all that she’s been through and how it shapes her today. That’s a big piece of history, and we got to do it.”

The stories themselves aren’t the only unique part of Mia Storia. It also boasts unique packaging, both in the company’s brand and the physical DVD package.

“We tried to design the most attractive DVD case ever,” Armstead said. “We found a carpenter to carve the cases out by hand. They’re hand painted and have pouches made of wool. That was the first thing we figured out.”

As Mia Storia continues to grow, both Armstead and Bennett are looking forward to seeing where the company takes them.

“We’re all about getting better all the time and finding new ways to get connected to the person,” Armstead said. “We’ve got lofty, lofty plans.

We’re not worried about anything but making the next storia and changing the next family’s life.”

For more visit miastoria.com.

September 2013 • 11 d

HooverSun.com

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Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com

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3641 Lorna Road 503-2159 Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

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His kitchen creates custard treats; jambalaya; mofongo, a mound of mashed plantains accented with an array of seafood, meats or vegetables; and pastelon, a Puerto Rican-inspired lasagna dish with plantains and picadillo.

Miami Express Cafe doesn’t store any food overnight, so Delgado donates the leftovers. He said overall he has given away more food than he has sold, much like his grandmother.

“I don’t believe in throwing away food,” he said. “I give it away to people that need food. I don’t want anybody to go hungry. That’s my heart.”

Delgado works as the single cook to all of the restaurant’s orders and models most of his menu around a recipe book his grandmother gave him.

But Delgado is always willing to try new things.

“If they want something different that they are just craving I try to make it,” he said.

You can even find American-style Chicken Salad and Beef Brisket on the menu — all things he would be proud to show his grandmother.

“My grandmother can’t wait to come over here,” Delgado said. “But I’m afraid of that because she’s going to come and take over this kitchen.”

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Luis Delgado was 5 years old when he began selling Caribbean food. He made limber, a homemade Puerto Rican ice cream, using ingredients like coconut, mango, tamarind and passion fruit and then sold it for 25 cents a cup on the street.

By the time he was 8, he was cooking full meals, and by 11 he was using a wok.

Delgado credits his culinary skills and most of who he generally is today to his grandmother, Margarita Valasquez. Delgado said during his childhood Valasquez was always there, usually cooking.

By sunrise each day, Delgado’s grandmother could be found making coffee and toast for the local mechanics in their apartment complex, he said. He remembers watching as his grandfather would speak about God while the aromas of his grandmother’s cooking filled the house.

“When I was young, I was always nosy,” Delgado said. “I was always following her around asking, ‘How do I do this? What’s that?’”

Twenty years later, Delgado was living in Birmingham and couldn’t find any Caribbean food in the city –

or in the state. So he opened Miami Express Café to represent the flavor of his culture.

His Hoover location, located inside Riverchase Car Wash on Lorna Road, opened in March.

“I see myself as an ambassador for our community when it comes to the food and the culture,” Delgado said.

“My food is just a testament of us and something different here in Alabama.

People are liking it.”

The restaurant received a 93 percent rating and more than 90 reviews on Urbanspoon.com.

For Delgado, each morning begins with a trip to the grocery store, where he brainstorms on the potential special of the day. He buys meats and veggies daily, and everything is made from scratch.

“It’s all about quality,” Delgado said.

“I like to serve everything fresh.”

His cooking boasts a Creole twist on Caribbean dishes.

“It represents not just where I was born, but also where my friends were born,” Delgado said. “My Jamaican friends, my Haitian friends, people from St. Thomas and St. Croix, Bermuda, they’re all here. All the islands have a different flavor. Miami Café is going to show people that Caribbean culture.”

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Luis Delgado said his Caribbean food is all about quality, with everything served fresh. Photo by Chandler Jones.

12 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Community Chamber selects Freedom Award recipient Lt. Col. Dan Mikos, U.S. Air Force, was recognized at the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce July luncheon as the 2013 Freedom Award winner. Mikos was selected for his 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.

Mikos followed in his father’s footsteps and served as president of the Hoover Chamber in 1985; his father, Ed Mikos, had been president in 1980. The Hoover Chamber was founded in 1978, and both were instrumental in the founding of the Hoover Chamber.

Dan Mikos, left, accepts the 2013 Freedom Award from Mayor Gary Ivey, center, and Paul Pocopanni, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), right.

Cross Creek Church moves to Deer Valley Cross Creek Church is relocating its Sunday morning meeting space to Deer Valley Elementary School, located at 4990 Ross Bridge Parkway.

The church’s first Sunday in the new location will be Sept 8; its worship service will begin at 10 a.m. As a part of its moving process, the church will celebrate its past four years at South Shades Crest Elementary and growth

from about 45 to 170 people, including 60 kids age 10 and under.

“We are so thankful for our time at South Shades Crest and the graciousness of the Hoover Schools to let us rent the space,” Pastor Chris Peters said. “We hope our new location will allow us to be an even greater blessing to the community around us.”

For more visit crosscreekchurch.net.

Cross Creek Church families enjoy a meal and fellowship together.

breathe

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less

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COUGHING

September 2013 • 13

HooverSun.com

Venturing across the West In July, 30 Scouts and adults from Bluff Park Troop 21 journeyed to New Mexico’s Philmont Scout Ranch for 11 days of backcountry hiking and camping in the Southern Rockies.

Three different crews of 10 trekked more than 75 miles over

the 10-day period. The Scouts and adults participated in programs ranging from spar pole climbing and rail splitting to black powder rifle shooting, pistol shooting, branding, horseback riding and other activities.

Boy Scout Troop 21 traveled to New Mexico this summer.

Serving at Ronald McDonald House

A day for the ladies

Frances Bellows, Briana Kinsey, Dr. Velda Kinsey and Charlotte Word.

Ryan Nelson, Andrea Nelson, Andy Peters, Kathleen Spencer and Jay Lutenbacher.

The Hoover Rotary Club provided and served a meal for the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham in July.

The Hoover Rotary sponsors many charitable causes in the community throughout the year, including the Ronald McDonald

House, a facility in Birmingham that provides housing to families of children who are receiving care at nearby hospitals.

Bluff Park United Methodist Church hosted a Ladies’ Day this summer with the theme “Reflecting the Beauty of the Lord.” Frances Bellows served as mistress of ceremonies.

A beautiful tribute of the Memory Candle to the ladies who had died since last May was presented by Betsy Britain.

Special music was presented by Ethan McGriff, soloist, and accompanied by Mahala McKinney on the piano.

Miss Hoover Briana Kinsey entertained the group by singing “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.”

Winners of the tablescapes competition were: first place, Joan Crocker, “God’s Birds and Blooms;” second place, Andrea Powers and Linda Bailey, “Day at the Beach;” and third place, Margie Dulin, “Memories.”

Betty Hottenstein, director of senior ministries, coordinated the event.

14 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Equine education

Organization provides therapy for individuals with special needs

How to volunteer: Contact Gordon Sullivan at gsullivan@ specialequest.org and visit specialequest.org for volunteer forms. New volunteer training sessions are Sept. 6 from 5-7 p.m. and Sept. 8 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Far right: Sara Powell rides her favorite horse, Ali.

At Special Equestrians, Inc., wheelchairbound boys and girls can run.

“To see Sara’s confidence level, coordination skills and interaction with others increase over time was phenomenal,” said Greg Powell, Sara’s dad and Special Equestrian board member. “To see a child do something that they didn’t think they were capable of doing and to see the smile on their face, that’s worth it all.”

Whether someone has physical, mental, developmental and/or emotional disabilities, Special Equestrians provides therapeutic, equine-assisted activities that work to increase the independence, confidence and quality of life

Special Equestrians, Inc. is located at 1215 Woodward Drive and open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more, call 987-WHOA (9462) or visit specialequest.org.

How to contribute: Blue Rain Express Carwash, located at 100 Big Mountain Circle off of U.S. 31, donates to Special Equestrians when you purchase a $5 car wash. Enter 9044 into the automated cashier box for the donation to process.

Right: Hoover father and daughter Greg and Sara Powell support Special Equestrians, Inc., an organization based in Indian Springs Village that provides therapy through horseback riding.

By INTISAR SERAAJ-SABREE

How you can help

Upcoming charity event: 2013 Celebrity Golf Tournament, Thursday, Oct. 3 at Timberline Golf Club in Calera

of each rider.

Sara was diagnosed with a rare biotinidase enzyme deficiency at 6 months old. Lack of this enzyme can result in behavioral disorders, lack of coordination, learning disabilities and seizures.

But she has not let this stop her. Greg said Sara does not consider herself disabled. The 18 year old, a recent graduate of Hoover High School, currently attends Jefferson State Community College, where she studies child care development.

With assistance from nationally certified therapeutic riding instructors and occupational therapists, Sara learns proper horse grooming, horse interaction, placement of horse tack and

horseback riding.

All activities on the horses are tailored to meet each rider’s needs. Each horse requires careful selection in order to accommodate a wide range of disabilities and to maintain accreditation standards.

Sara has attended lessons at Special Equestrians since she was 7 years old. For the last four years, she has independently ridden, controlling the horse alone.

“As instructors they know how much they can push or inspire [participants] to go to that next level,” Powell said. “We all need challenges in our life.”

Special Equestrians simply gives individuals the power to feel in control.

Greg witnesses the positive emotional, physical and social effects the organization can have each time his daughter attends.

Every Sunday at 4 p.m., Sara travels to the 8 acres of land the organization uses on Indian Springs School’s campus. During a one-hour lesson, Sara and her horse ride trails and jump arena obstacles.

Sara said all of the horses are friendly and gentle, but over the years, she has grown fond of a quarter horse named Red and an Arabian horse named Ali. Greg recalled that Sara has always loved animals, especially horses.

“I love being in the saddle and being in control,” Sara said. “It’s fun practicing all my skills.”

September 2013 • 15

HooverSun.com

Half a world away A local pilot’s aspirations are taking flight

By REBECCA WALDEN The Coral Sea, just off the coast of Australia, is a long way from the familiarity of Bluff Park. But for Airman Evan Harden, currently stationed there aboard the USS George Washington, it couldn’t feel any more like home.

A 2009 graduate of Hoover High School, the soft-spoken and humble Harden is steadfastly working his way toward selection as one of the U.S. Navy’s fighter pilot elite.

After stints at UAB and Jefferson State Community College, Harden realized his passion was outside his current path. Fast forward three semesters of school, and Harden finally answered the call that had been nagging him for years.

“Family legacy was definitely a part of it,” he said, adding that both his grandfathers, George Hardin and Jess Pierson, served in the Navy.

And his father, Bluff Park Village shopping center owner Ken Harden, would have done the same, were it not for an unexpected cancer diagnosis that resulted in an arm amputation.

In February of this year, Harden joined the V1 USS George Washington Flight Deck Crew, where he managed the process of aircraft

Airman Evan Harden, a 2009 graduate of Hoover High School, works aboard the USS George Washington (above). Harden is training for the Navy’s fighter pilot program. Photos courtesy of U.S. Navy.

maneuvering, directing flights and aircraft transport.

“The main goal is to launch and recover aircraft safely,” he said, describing a soup-to-nuts role encompassing everything from parking to traffic control to deck-todeck elevator transport.

“The aircraft elevators are huge – about the size [required] to hold two jets simultaneously – and they move aircraft from flight deck to hangar deck level,” said Harden, noting that the majority of his five-month stint in V1 was to run these elevators, a meticulous, multi-step process.

According to Harden, the majority of aircraft movements take place at night. At times, he moved as many as 18 aircraft in the course of one 12-hour shift. He said it takes approximately 90 minutes per aircraft for a team of eight to properly prepare and transport each unit.

“We have a lot of aircraft on board, [and] they are not always where they need to be,” he said. “A lot of times, we’re having to piecemeal the process of getting the aircraft there.”

What Harden describes with modesty, Lt. Cmdr. James Stockman expresses with precision: “[Airman

Harden] played a key role in the flawless execution of more than 7,010 aircraft launch and recovery sorties, 16,016 aircraft moves, and 3,046 aircraft elevator runs to maximize flight deck operational efficiency with zero safety mishaps.”

Of the experience thus far, Harden candidly admits it’s a structure he wanted and needed.

“I didn’t really like [the idea of] going to college and not doing very much until I actually get my career lined up,” he said. “Why not do something where I can work and go to school at the same time?”

While the USS George Washington is on patrol, Harden takes instructorled courses via Central Texas College. Back in port on the coast of Japan, his options are much broader. As Harden has learned the system and formed his long-range

plans, he’s considering a major in either aviation or aeronautical engineering, all the while with his eyes on that pilot distinction.

In January 2014, Harden will return stateside, transferring to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. While he is not yet eligible to apply for the program, by the time he’s established at his new command at Tinker, he will be.

“You can only apply once every year, and it could be a very long process,” he said, emphasizing the stiff competition and selectiveness of the program. “But it never hurts to be ahead of the game. I’m doing my best to put everything together that I can.”

Regardless of what happens, Harden is very clear about one gift the Navy has already given him.

“It’s forced me to grow up and actually be an adult. I feel like I’ve gained a lot of life experience, and I’ve gotten a lot of good recommendations from people that I worked with in V1.”

16 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Grammy-nominated duo to open Library Theatre season Demand for Dailey & Vincent results in booking of third concert, scheduled for Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are still available for Daily & Vincent’s Sept. 11 show at the Hoover Public Library. Photos courtesy of Dailey & Vincent.

By INTISAR SERAAJ-SABREE Hoover has spoken. It wants to see Dailey & Vincent’s combination of veteran vocals, stimulating string instruments and pure soul. And then it wants to see them again.

Darrin Vincent, half of the Dailey & Vincent duo, said Thursday and Friday shows at the Hoover Public Library sold out within minutes, and a Wednesday, Sept.

11 show was added at the last moment. As of press time, tickets were still available for the third show, which begins at 8 p.m.

This is the first performance in 22 seasons of The Library Theatre that has

added an additional show, according to Matina Johnson, library theatre coordinator.

Johnson said that this Dailey & Vincent’s show was the second show this season to sell out.

The library has been trying to book the group for quite some time now, especially with many patrons requesting the duo.

“Bluegrass is always popular,” Johnson said.

“They were chosen as our season opener.”

Vincent and Jamie Dailey started making music together in late 2007. With a special knack for harmony, Dailey & Vincent’s mix of bluegrass, traditional country and gospel have earned them two Grammy nominations, 13 awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association and 23 awards from The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America.

Vincent said the band has never duplicated a show. When they arrive in Hoover, they will choose secular and gospel songs from their various albums, possibly including “Home” by Phillip Phillips, which they recently added to their performance list to appeal to younger fans.

“We’ve drawn a lot of bands to our shows from Alabama; It strikes a chord with them,” said Vincent, who won five Grammys while playing with Ricky Skaggs in the Kentucky Thunder band.

Fans are also able to shout out song requests or post them to the duo’s Facebook page, and the band will honor those requests.

Dailey & Vincent’s most recent album for Rounder Records, Brothers of the Highway, was released in May. It quickly rose to number two on the U.S. Bluegrass music charts and number 40 on the U.S. Country music charts.

The two musicians’ success in the music industry since an early age.

Since the age of two Vincent performed onstage with his family band, The Sally Mountain Show.

Dailey, the former lead vocalist and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, also derived from a musical family. His father, J.B. Dailey, was a founding member of The Four J’s, a regional gospel quartet. By age 3, Dailey was singing, and by 9, he was learning to play bass and guitar.

After their short visit in Hoover, fans can keep up with Dailey & Vincent through its hourlong monthly radio show, The Dailey & Vincent Radio Show, broadcast on wsonline.com.

Currently the show is spotlighting specific time periods in the Vincent and Dailey’s career, and will feature stories, songs and a few surprises on Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29 and Dec. 27.

Tickets for the Hoover Public Library are $25 and available for purchase at thelibrarytheatre. com, by calling 444-7888 or at the box office.

Discounts are available for military personnel, students and seniors.

For more, visit daileyandvincent.bombplates. com.

September 2013 • 17

HooverSun.com

Taste of Hoover to return

The best of Hoover’s dining scene will soon converge at Aldridge Gardens for the second annual A Taste of Hoover event.

Presented by Aldridge Gardens and the Hoover Sun, the event will take place Oct. 10 from 5-8 p.m. All proceeds will go toward Aldridge Gardens.

Local restaurants will set up food stations throughout the gardens, and there will be live music.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door, and Aldridge Gardens members receive a discount on the ticket price. To purchase tickets or find more information, visit aldridgegardens.com.

Aldridge Gardens is located at 3530 Lorna Road.

Area residents enjoy last year’s Taste of Hoover.

Thursday, October 10, 5-8pm

Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road $30 in advance, $35 at the door [discounts available to members of Aldridge Gardens] Tickets: online at www.aldridgegardens.com or by phone - 682.8019 Restaurants and chefs from around Hoover will have samples of their food available at the event; live music on the grounds.

facebook.com/tasteofhoover More info: email Matthew Allen at matthew@280living.com

18 • September 2013

A tour of Ross Bridge

Hoover Sun

Annual 8K race to benefit Alabama Teen Challenge

By REBECCA WALDEN On its route through all six major Ross Bridge neighborhoods, the Ross Bridge 8K promises to be what locals have come to accept about September weather in Alabama – unpredictable.

“One year, after we had worked tirelessly all day to set up, a huge wind, or what felt like a small tornado, came through, pulled up all our tents, twisted them in the air and then landed them like a disassembled erector set all over the green,” race director Suzanne Smith said. “There was also the time when a 20 percent chance of ‘isolated’ showers were in the forecast, and we had a deluge. Even still, we had a great event.”

The Sept. 7 event benefits Alabama Teen Challenge, which provides youth, adults and families with a Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems.

According to Smith, this year’s event is on target to be the biggest yet.

“We have already had more preregistrants than any other year at this time,” she said. “We always have this event the first Saturday in September, which usually falls on Labor Day weekend, but this year it does not. And there are no big [college football] games. As a matter of fact, Alabama isn’t even playing that weekend.”

Sponsors and vendors are making their final preparations to welcome crowds.

The Ross Bridge 8K is scheduled for the weekend after Labor Day this year.

“This event will be an amazing time for you and your family, and you don’t even have to be a runner to enjoy it,” she said. “I couldn’t think of any place in the area where I would rather have this

event than Ross Bridge. It is the most beautiful and friendly place in the metro area.”

In conjunction with the 8K, the event will host a Health Expo, sponsored by St. Vincent’s

Health System.

Festivities begin with race registration at 7 a.m., the race at 8 a.m., and family-friendly activities, including inflatables for the kids, refreshments and the Health Expo, to

follow immediately afterward.

To register for the race, visit alabamateenchallenge.org.

To register for the St. Vincent’s wellness testing, visit active.com and enter the keyword Ross Bridge.

September 2013 • 19

HooverSun.com

The heat to compete Area chili aficionados gather for 2013 Alabama State Open Chili Championship

2013 Alabama State Open Chili Championship Sponsored by the Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) Sunday, Sept. 22 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Free Aldridge Gardens

Bill Heslop is the event chair for the State of Alabama chapter of the Chili Appreciation Society International.

Photos by Rebecca Walden, above, and Brian Davis, right.

By REBECCA WALDEN Just in time for football season, when thoughts begin to turn to cold-weather recipes that warm the soul, Hoover residents can sample the best of the state’s best – chili, that is. The 2013 Alabama State Open Chili Championship is happening Sunday, Sept. 22, at Aldridge Gardens.

“This is the state of Alabama championship

for CASI, which stands for Chili Appreciation Society International,” said event chair Bill Heslop. “We stand for chili, charity and fun, and as an organization, we accomplish that through more than 125 cook-offs each year. The events are in places you’d likely expect, and a lot of places you probably wouldn’t – like China, Mexico, even the Virgin Islands.”

This is the second consecutive year the

Gardens have hosted the Alabama CASI State Open Championship. It is also the beneficiary of all proceeds raised from the event, primarily via competitor entrant fees. The event itself, which in the past has drawn participants from all over Alabama as well as Georgia and Tennessee, is open to the public, and admission is free.

Anyone interested in participating may sign up by paying a $25 entry fee and agreeing to

follow the CASI rules as they relate to the cook-off. Those who wish to try their hand at competitive chili cooking can register up to 10 a.m. the day of the event by contacting Heslop or Aldridge Gardens.

“Another fun aspect of our competition is the chance to qualify for an invitation to compete in the Terlingua International Chili Championship, held in Terlingua, Texas, on Nov. 12, 2013,” Heslop said. “Last year, Hoover’s own Brent Dupuy won the Alabama CASI State Open, which guaranteed him a spot in Terlingua. We actually send the top three finishing Alabama residents to the event.”

Heslop added that Dupuy’s win was all the more significant since this was only his second time to cook chili competitively.

“The openness of this invite is what helps set it apart,” said Heslop. “I encourage anyone who wants to give it a try to do so. Regardless of the competition outcome, you will have a great time.”

In addition to the CASI challenge, the event includes a home-style chili cook-off. Homestyle chili will be available for public tasting from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. No rules or entry fees apply to this particular contest. Entrants can make chili the way they like it and then allow the public to taste-test and vote for their favorite.

An award will be presented to the winner.

20 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Summer Fun Photo Contest WINNERS

Zac Pate, Morgan Pate and Caiden Sinclair think it is way more fun to ski together at Lake Martin.

Photo by Jenny Pate.

Find many more great photos by visiting HooverSun.com

Zellmer family whitewater adventure down the Nantahala River.

Photo by Mary Zellmer.

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September 2013 • 21

HooverSun.com

Contest Runners Up

Sun worshiper on Lake Weiss.

Photo by Shannon Hammond.

“First swim of the Summer!”

Emily (4) and Jack (3). Photo by Joey Hunter.

Flipping out! Photo by Claire Clark.

This group of Bumpus Middle School rising seventh graders got together to tie-dye shirts to raise money for missions.

Friends for 25 years reunite at Lake Martin.

Photo taken by Jay Hammond of Bluff Park.

Strolling in Orange Beach before one heads to Alabama, the other to Auburn. Photo by Teresa K. Turner.

22 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Happy birthday, Bear 100th anniversary of Coach Bryant’s birthday spawns nostalgic exhibit from the heart of Green Valley

By REBECCA WALDEN At Paul W. Bryant Museum, annual attendance typically exceeds 50,000, with many of those repeat guests.

For Museum Curator Taylor Watson and Administrative Specialist Olivia Arnold, that means one thing – keep the exhibits compelling.

During a planning session this past spring, the duo conceived the idea to build an exhibit around a never-before-seen collection the museum already had in its archives. The contents? About 20 handwritten notes and cards penned by the eight-year-old hands of from second grades at Green Valley Elementary, circa January 1983.

“On Sept. 11, 2013, we will honor what would have been the 100th birthday of Coach Bryant,” said Watson. “These letters play beautifully into the idea of a birthday centennial exhibit to honor the beloved coach.”

That said, he conceded that other responsibilities, including assistance to visiting network crews, most recently Showtime, have forced him to put the letter exhibit project on hold. It’s an idea he will bring to fruition, he adds, but not without support from those Green Valley second graders (now 30-somethings),

Museum curators are looking for the authors of notes written by Green Valley Elementary second graders in 1983.

wherever they have ended up.

“When your name is Nick Saban, nothing ever slows down around here,” he said. “But these letters are so poignant, so childlike and thoughtful. I am hopeful that we can connect with those who wrote them and move the idea for this exhibit forward.”

According to Arnold, the

two discovered the letters while researching for the forthcoming book, Inside the Vault: The Paul W. Bryant Collection, which will be released on the date of the centennial.

“We really want to talk to these people, to gain their perspective on it, to see if they remember writing them and most of all, to know that their letters weren’t just thrown

away,” Arnold said. “They were kept and ended up in our museum archives, and now they will help tell the story of Coach Bryant and what he meant, not just to The University of Alabama but to people across the entire state.”

If readers recognize any of this artwork and would like to assist Watson’s team with the exhibit,

they are encouraged to call him at the museum at 348-4668 or email taylor1962@gmail.com. Arnold also encourages readers with memories of Coach Bryant to share their thoughts by visiting Bryant100. com. Responses may be used in a compilation project being managed by the museum.

September 2013 • 23

HooverSun.com

School House Riverchase Day School’s Teaching Garden Sprouting healthy eating habits in young minds

Above: Sarah Patrick explores the Riverchase Day School Teaching Garden with students. Left: Riverchase Day School students chop tomatoes they picked from the school’s garden.

By REBECCA WALDEN For Riverchase Day School nutritionist and dietician Sarah Patrick, picky eater syndrome was always a non-starter.

“The idea for a teaching garden had always been there,” Patrick said.

This fall, the school’s garden project celebrates its five-year anniversary. It reflects Patrick’s

shared dream with Riverchase United Methodist Day School Director Laurie Shotnik.

“The kids at our school bring their lunch, and we’d noticed a need to introduce fruits and vegetables at a really young age,” she said.

“Yes, both Laurie and I have a real passion for a healthy lifestyle, but at the same time, and more importantly, kids need to learn that

fruit snacks don’t grow on trees!”

So last year, Patrick developed a curriculum where the children (4K and up) receive one 30-minute nutrition lesson once each month. Lessons include a story, a discussion of healthy foods, and the highlight – a trip to the Teaching Garden where children harvest fruits and vegetables that are in season – and then return to

the classroom to make healthy snacks from the bounty.

Harvesting from 10 large containers put to maximum use, students are learning to savor sweet peas in the fall (many will pick them during playground recess), as well as carrots, squash and various lettuces and cabbages. In the spring, they watch the blueberry bushes thrive.

And in summer, the children enjoy

okra, tomatoes and strawberries.

“Seeing their faces light up in the garden as they learn where their food comes from is so exciting to me,” Patrick said. “Planting the seeds with them in the fall and then harvesting in February is an awesome experience. These kids are living out ‘farm to table,’ and it’s got nothing to do with a fourstar restaurant.”

24 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Options explored for Hoover bus options, but cuts remain

By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE The Hoover City Schools Board of Education might have voted to halt general student bus transportation beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, but the future of that service remains up in the air.

Board members decided 4-1 in July to end bus service for all but special needs students and special events to help stem the ongoing drain on the system’s finances.

While the board has not changed its stand, its lawyer is currently investigating the feasibility of alternatives that could mean busing for the general student population — in some form or fashion — might remain available.

Attorney Donald Sweeney said he is now in dialogue with state officials to further investigate the legality of parents paying a fee that would enable their children to ride buses to and from the city’s schools.

Other options being studied include “securing additional revenue” to help bolster the Hoover School system’s declining revenues and the possibility of a private transportation system by a third party provider, Sweeney said.

Board members and school Superintendent Andy Craig have heard mainly public opposition to the cost cutting move over the weeks since the July 15 vote via emails, phone calls and comments at a packed public forum at Spain Park High School Theatre and the recent August board meeting.

Parents, grandparents, Hoover residents and school bus drivers have addressed the board, listing a variety of concerns should busing cease, including a decline in child safety, increased traffic, absenteeism and a decrease in property values. Some offered

Parents raise concerns at a forum held to discuss Hoover City Schools’ cutting bus service.

suggestions for gaining funding for the schools by other means, including seeking an increase in property taxes, charging an education fee for those who live in multi-family housing and disallowing children of Hoover teachers and school employees to attend Hoover schools.

Many asked the board to rescind its decision and to request City of Hoover officials to return funding cut from the schools several years ago.

According to Hoover City School Board of Education member Stephen Presley, addressing the busing issue must be “a joint effort.”

“This is not something one entity brought about and it’s not something one entity will solve,” Presley said. “This will take the city, the state and the school system being diligent.”

The Hoover City Schools bus program serves an average of about 46 percent or 6,300

of the system enrollment of about 13,700 students. Cutting general bus transportation would save the system about $2.5 million a year, system representatives said.

According to school officials, the system has seen an ongoing decline in revenues, including city, state and federal funds, coupled with an increase in student enrollment.

Since 2008, system revenues on a perstudent basis have decreased from $13,715 to $11,356 for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2012, said school officials.

The decline represents a cumulative operating revenue loss for the same four-year period of $96.8 million; with revenues for fiscal year 2012 down $31.6 million compared to the fiscal year 2008 level.

Hoover City School officials said the steady losses and the impact they have had and will

continue to have on the school system cannot be understated and must be addressed with significant changes that will allow the system to commit more financial resources to instruction.

Steve McClinton of the Lake Cyrus community has three children in three different Hoover schools.

McClinton said he and his wife — both employed — do not want to see the bus service cut, but should it be, they “will have to make it work.”

“That said, we would certainly be willing to pay for busing,” McClinton said.

McClinton went on to say that he believes the Hoover City School board “is sincere” in its efforts to find alternative plans for general student transportation.

“I’m glad they’re looking at other options, and while there’s a lot to be played out, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some sort of solution found in the next several months,” McClinton said. “Our school officials are very efficient and you have to be impressed by the product they produce. After all, in the end, a school system is not known for its buses; it’s known for its quality of education and academic status.”

The next regular Hoover City School Board of Education meeting will be Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Farr Administration Building, 2810 Metropolitan Way.

September 2013 • 25

HooverSun.com

Bella Doll wins Good Deeds award

Dr. Dominique Backus and Bella Doll

Bella Doll won first place in The Good Deeds Project held by Dr. Dominique Backus.

Bella is a fifth-grade student at Prince of Peace Catholic School. She was awarded a MacBook Air Laptop as a reward for her community service work raising money to purchase books for the Vredenburgh Community Center Library. Bella organized, promoted and staffed a school bake sale, which raised $931.

The award runner-up was Reagan Handley of Gardendale. She was awarded an iPad mini for her volunteer work with The Junior League’s Little Leaguers Program, The Exceptional Foundation, The McWane Center and The Miracle League of Gardendale. The Good Deeds Project was created

by Dr. Backus to promote community service, youth leadership and goodwill to others. Patients were asked to submit a video diary or written essay on their project, beneficiary, community impact and overall experience.

For more, contact Ivy Holmes at 879-0557 or ivy@backusbraces.com.

Reaching for The Right Stuff Eva Guenster, 10, recently attended Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, where she was the recipient of the camp’s highest and most coveted The Right Stuff Award.

This award, named for the 1979 Tom Wolfe book The Right Stuff, is awarded to the one trainee who exhibits outstanding skills in the areas of leadership, teamwork and technology.

Space Camp is an educational program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on activities. The six-night camp encourages teamwork, decision-making and leadership.

Eva, a former South Shades Crest Elementary School student, now attends Brock’s Gap Intermediate School.

Eva Guenster

Kids create at camp Forty children participated in Music and Arts Camp at Riverchase United Methodist Church this summer.

Classes included art, voice, guitar, music technology, choir, drama and piano.

Children also participated in music theory and bible study. The weeklong camp culminated with a musical performance titled Kids’ Kreations.

Riverchase United Methodist welcomed 40 kids for Music and Arts Camp this summer.

26 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Sports Shades Mountain football looks to ‘Wright’ the ship

By WILL HIGHTOWER Private schools in Birmingham have seen traditional success with their football programs.

John Carroll Catholic and Briarwood Christian Schools have both won state championships.

While Shades Mountain Christian School probably will never be as large as those schools, new head coach Dickey Wright says the Eagles can be just as successful at the 1A level.

“Shades Mountain could be a 1A goldmine,” said the 60-year-old Wright. “There’s a need for that private 1A school around here. Our school mission is appealing to a lot of people that want their kids to go to a private Christian school.

The problem is they’re a real young program that hasn’t had a lot of success. That is and will be a challenge.”

Wright was hired after he retired from the Homewood School System. He coached there from 2006-2010, compiling a record of 25-27 as head coach with one playoff appearance. Now, Wright will be working part-time as the Shades Mountain head coach. He will not be teaching classes; just coaching and trying to build a foundation for the fledgling program.

“I was looking for something part-time to kind of fill that void because I can’t play golf 24 hours a day,” Wright said. “I’m not looking at a certain number of wins. I’m just trying to see if we can go in there and establish consistency and work ethic. If we can do that, I think we can win their fair share of ball games.”

Wright will be working with three part-time assistants, two of which are volunteers. And the team is short on numbers, meaning most

Quarterback Mikey Rogers (3), right guard Rowell Henderson (64), Jaylin Kemp (56) and Philip Badewa (55).

players will play both on offense and defense.

Quite a change from the large coaching staff he had at Homewood.

“We’re excited about what we see,” Wright said. “Part of what that school can bring to the table is an opportunity for a kid in a small, Christian environment not only to get a good education but also participate in team athletics.

If our program can turn the corner and start being successful, I think more kids will come out and play.”

One of Wright’s goals as head coach is to

establish consistency across all the athletic programs at Shades Mountain, starting with implementing weight training. Wright came in and stressed the emphasis on strength training, and suddenly all the athletes in the school, from football players to cheerleaders, were on strength training programs.

“We had to tell the kids what a Shades Mountain football player looks like and get them in the right frame of mind where they’ll understand the importance of a consistent work ethic,” Wright said. “Will that equate to wins?

Who knows. But we have to start there.”

Although the senior class has been through multiple coaching changes and several years of winning very few games, Wright said some of them are stepping up as leaders of the team.

Senior Phillip Badewa will anchor the offensive and defensive line for the Eagles, alongside fellow senior Daniel Lindsay and junior Jaylon Kemp.

Senior quarterback Mikey Rogers had a good spring, according to Wright, and will direct the offense this fall. Junior Billy Parker, who is one of the most versatile players on the team, will spend time at running back, tight end and linebacker.

Fellow linebacker Harrison Boozer is one of the standout sophomores.

“Our biggest strength will be our size,” Wright said. “We have pretty good size across the board.

We have some linemen bigger than some kids that we had at Homewood which I was pretty shocked by. We need to make sure we use that to our advantage on offense and defense.”

As high school football season rolls around this fall, all the attention in Birmingham will be on schools like Hoover and Vestavia Hills that annually compete for the 6A crown. But for Shades Mountain Christian School and new head coach Dickey Wright, the focus is on setting a foundation that will last for years to come.

“I’ve told our guys that we have to go out there and earn it,” Wright said. “No one’s going to wrap our wins in a package and hand them to us. It’s like building a house, we have to start on the foundation and work our way up. Hopefully we can get the house built and equip it with some nice things inside.”

September 2013 • 27

HooverSun.com

Opening the season with the voices of

The Opening Drive

By TOM WARD Special to 280 Living

Al Del Greco and Jay Barker join forces each morning with host Tony Kurre on the air for The Opening Drive show on WJOX 94.5 FM. For the Hoover Sun, the two personalities give their opinions on the upcoming seasons for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers.

Jay Barker

Do you think the preseason predictions for Alabama and Auburn have been fairly accurate this year?

Jay Barker: I think the predictions on Alabama are fair, given their accomplishments of the last few years.

Alabama is the logical team to place at number one. They are just so loaded at so many different positions. It really just comes down to injuries. Now it’s so hard to just win one national championship, much less back-to-back. But to win three in a row...the odds are just so much against them, but I still think the number-one ranking is deserved and correct.

They are the best team, talent wise and with coaching, in the country right now.

Al Del Greco: Where Auburn is concerned, there are still a lot of questions.

How does quarterback Nick Marshall fit in? How does the offensive line come around? How does the defense, with coordinator Ellis Johnson, fit with what Gus Malzahn is doing offensively with the up-tempo offense? And the other thing is, we’ve had all of these great recruiting classes, but how good are these kids? They have been developed well, and they aren’t as good as they could be yet. So how quickly can the coaching staff get them to where they can compete at a level where the expectations are? So really, we don’t know what Auburn is yet, and probably halfway

through the season, we’ll have a good idea of what this team is all about.

Complete the sentence: My team will have a great season if...

Barker: For Alabama to have a great season, it’s all about injuries, keeping the depth that they have, and then A.J. McCarron is the key. If Alabama is going to win another national championship, then they need A.J. to stay healthy, and to be out there leading that team.

Del Greco: For Auburn to have a great season, they need Nick Marshall to come through at the quarterback position. That’s where we’ve struggled for three out of the last four years. The year we won it all, we had the best player in college football at that position. Nick Marshall doesn’t have to be the best player; he’s just got to know the offense, to run it without making a lot of mistakes, and to let the other parts of the team, the defense and special teams, play them into winning football games.

Most notably, they need better play at the quarterback position than they have had the last few years.

Do you see any surprises on the horizon for the 2013 season?

Del Greco: I really think the new rule change on targeting, and being able to eject a player immediately and call a 15-

Take us with you.

Award-winning community journalism on your mobile phone.

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yard penalty, then you’ll go back to a review and say, well, we may have made a mistake and he really didn’t target a guy so we’ll let him back in the game and initiate the penalty anyway. That’s going to happen somewhere, and it’s going to occur in a game where somebody gets thrown out and could really affect that game and the national championship picture. Talk about an outcry...it’s coming.

Barker: One of the great surprises last year was when Johnny Manziel came onto the scene, and this year I’m looking forward to seeing who that type of surprise player is. Whether it’s a quarterback or a running back, or just someone who has come out of nowhere and is a fun player to watch. I love those types of stories, and I’m looking forward to seeing the surprise stories of 2013.

Which new player do you see having the biggest impact on the team?

Del Greco: Other than at quarterback, the guy who has intrigued me the most is Carl Lawson. Looking at his recruitment, looking at the work ethic that he puts in, the quotes from him and his dad about what it means to play college football, and talking to some of the coaches who have seen him on campus for a month and a half, I can’t help but be impressed. You’re talking about a kid who

Al Del Greco

has a great motor on him. The question is how long it will take him to adapt to SEC football, because there is a bit of a learning curve, but he’s the one who intrigues me the most because of what we’ve seen leading up to this time. He has one goal in mind, and that’s helping the football team.

Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Ole Miss are all very winnable. And I think Auburn could surprise one of the other four teams they play: Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M and LSU. Again, that is predicated on Nick Marshall or someone running this offense the way Gus Malzahn wants it run.

Barker: For me, there are two guys at Alabama, one on offense and one on defense. Derrick Henry on offense is a big running back who had some injuries during spring practice but has come back strong. The coaches have said that he performed really well in scrimmages, and they are excited about his size, his athletic ability, and his enormous potential.

Reuben Foster, on the defensive side of the ball, has the coaches excited this year. He is a big dude, once an Auburn commitment who flipped to Alabama.

I think he will make a tremendous impact immediately, especially with Trey DePriest being out. The coaches hope DePriest will be back for the Texas A&M game, but I think Reuben Foster will make a huge impact this year as a freshman.

Barker: For Alabama, the two biggest games are Texas A&M on the road, and then a neutral site for the SEC championship game. After the A&M game, Alabama gets LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss at home. Auburn is always tough to play down there, no matter what the records are. Those are the games we should worry about, and Tennessee will be much improved with new coach Butch Jones. I think maybe the toughest game of them all could be Georgia in the championship game, because Georgia has a really, really good football team this year. It’s true that they have to replace a lot of defensive players, but those new guys are talented. They also have the redemption factor they’re striving for, for an entire year, and I really think that matchup will happen again.

Georgia got so close last year, to beating Alabama and taking away those dreams.

Can Alabama beat them twice in a row?

Alabama has a schedule that could allow the three-peat, but it’s just so hard to repeat, much less win three in a row.

What are your own predictions?

Del Greco: I’ve said all along that I think Auburn wins 7 or 8 games this year. The four nonconference games are all winnable. I think the games with

28 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Newest homes to hit the market Hoover homes listed between July 15 and Aug. 15 5062 Melrose Way 2124 Larkwood Drive 2117 Whiting Rd. 612 Sanders Rd. 3228 Monte Doro Drive 2128 Sumpter St. 5357 Cottage Circle 1140 Shades Crest. Rd. 956 Mountain Oaks Drive 2219 Summer Ridge Drive 2316 Brookline Drive 2324 Queensview Rd. 1645 Kestwick Drive 1301 Shades Run Circle 2230 McGwier Drive 3452 Lynngate Circle 254 Camo Drive 2224 Mountain Creek Trail 306 Oak Leaf Circle 2453 Regent Lane 717 Ridge Way Circle 336 Albemarle Drive 3056 Whispering Pines Circle 2513 Savoy St. 2431 Gawain Drive 2128 Haden St. 4992 Paradise Lake Circle 597 Russet Bend Drive 2321 Farley Terrace 3137 Boxwood Drive 2344 Farley Place 739 Jasmine Way 1124 Empire Lane 2208 Mountain Lake Terrace 600 Russet Lake Drive 536 Park Terrace 5592 Park Side Circle 3409 Huntcliff Circle 1553 Deer Valley Drive 2173 Bailey Brook Drive 1175 Al Seier Rd. 3337 Chartwell Rd.

$85,000 $119,900 $134,900 $151,900 $157,500 $159,900 $164,900 $167,500 $169,900 $172,500 $173,000 $175,000 $179,500 $179,500 $182,900 $184,900 $189,000 $190,000 $194,000 $194,800 $194,900 $195,000 $199,900 $199,900 $199,900 $204,900 $205,900 $209,000 $209,900 $210,000 $215,000 $219,500 $221,000 $225,000 $229,900 $229,900 $234,900 $238,000 $239,000 $239,900 $244,500 $244,900

4241 Woodbine Lane 809 Boulder Ridge Circle 5949 Lake Cyrus Drive 1208 Colony Place 644 Bluff Park Rd. 2388 Arbor Glenn 5963 Waterside Drive 5201 Creekside Loop 1974 Russet Hill Lane 2257 Avanti Lane 2216 Blue Ridge Blvd.

6541 Quail Run Drive 1217 River Rd. 1859 Russet Woods Lane 1745 Chace Drive 1949 Lakemont Drive 4817 Wood Springs Lane 405 Laredo Drive 1688 Oak Park Lane 2017 Lakemoor Drive 5962 Waterside Drive 6536 S. Quail Run Drive 2255 Abbeyglen Circle 720 Whippoorwill Drive 5436 Parkside Circle 1499 Waterside Circle 5349 Creekside Loop 1217 Willow Leaf Circle 2496 Montauk Rd., #54 5873 Waterstone Point 2220 Bark Circle 1594 Chace Terrace 2359 Chalybe Trail 5147 Park Side Circle, #167 2155 Woodledge Drive 64 Shades Crest Rd. 3840 S. Shades Crest Rd. 5143 Park Side Circle, #168 4033 Buell Lane, #76 4032 Further Lane, #64 2360 Arbor Glenn 1650 N. Creekside Drive, #307

$245,150 $247,900 $249,900 $249,900 $250,000 $254,900 $259,900 $259,900 $259,900 $264,900 $264,900 $264,900 $267,500 $268,000 $269,900 $269,900 $272,000 $274,900 $275,000 $275,000 $278,000 $279,000 $279,900 $279,900 $279,981 $281,000 $284,900 $284,900 $290,000 $290,000 $292,000 $295,000 $298,000 $299,600 $299,900 $299,900 $299,900 $314,510 $315,000 $315,000 $319,900 $321,900

Data from RealtySouth agent James Harwell through MLS and the Birmingham Association of Realtors

2504 Montauk Rd., #56 2484 Montauk Rd., #51 5533 Northridge Circle, #15 336 W. Stone Brook Place 353 Oak Trace Drive 5212 Brookside Pass, #16 2488 Montauk Rd., #52 5218 Brookside Pass, #17 5496 Magnolia Trace 1459 Brocks Trace 2607 Linger Lane 2408 Arbor Glenn 2453 Northampton Drive, #21 5211 Brookside Pass, #10 344 Laredo Drive 2500 Montauk Rd., #55 5532 Northridge Circle, #27 5696 Chestnut Trace 1020 Woodlands Cove 5224 Brookside Pass, #18 717 Pine Trace Circle 5821 Lake Cyrus Blvd.

4054 Buell Lane, #71 3408 Polo Downs 5613 Lake Cyrus Way 5183 Trace Crossings Drive 753 Lake Crest Drive 4033 Further Lane, #67 5781 Lake Cyrus Blvd.

1338 Chapel St. 5179 Sapphire Ridge 1065 Oak Tree Rd. 674 Heritage Park Lane 5008 Trace Crossings Lane 1709 Valpar Drive 3702 James Hill Terrace 4477 Preserve Drive 5579 Lake Trace Drive 5251 Overland Trace 1487 Haddon Drive 3953 Haddon Circle, #H82 4315 Village Green Circle

$325,000 $325,000 $329,900 $334,900 $339,900 $340,000 $340,000 $340,000 $345,000 $349,000 $349,000 $350,000 $351,000 $365,000 $367,900 $370,000 $374,900 $374,900 $378,500 $379,000 $379,900 $379,900 $380,000 $399,000 $399,000 $399,900 $399,900 $400,000 $419,900 $429,900 $429,900 $429,900 $439,900 $459,900 $483,000 $485,000 $529,900 $549,000 $569,900 $587,500 $639,900 $829,900

Balance restoring?

Experts say the residential real estate market could be closer to pulling out of its five-year slump by the end of the year. Here’s how:

According to bankrate.com, interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have climbed almost a full point since May. % 3.70 4.50 4.30 4.10 3.90 3.70 3.50 5/22

6/2

6/13

6/24

7/5

7/16

7/27

8/7

Rising rates put pressure on buyers to take action, but available homes have decreased.

July Inventory 14,000 13,000 12,000 11,000 10,000 9,000 8,000 7,000 July

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

With increased demand, homes in the area appreciate in value.

$200,000 $195,000 $190,000 $185,000 $180,000 $175,000 $170,000 $165,000 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

September 2013 • 29

HooverSun.com

REAL ESTATE CONTINUED from page 1 with RE/MAX First Choice, said home sales in Hoover were up 15 percent for January through July when compared to 2012, from 968 to 1,112, and the average sale price jumped 3 percent, from $273,188 to $281,329.

“If this keeps up,” she said, “before the end of the year we’re going to have a strong sellers market in the area.”

Locally, the some agents are most thankful for a change in is “inventory” – the number of homes on the market. An August report from the Birmingham Association of Realtors that compiled data from Jefferson, St. Claire, Blount and Shelby counties lists inventory has steadily declined, down 3 percent from last year, from 8,262 to 7,979.

“The big thing that’s going to bring us back is that the inventory has gone down,” said James Harwell, an agent with RealtySouth in Hoover and BAR vice president. “When everyone was sucking wind, we had more than 15,000 houses on the market. And you can’t negotiate the price of a house when there are hundreds of others out there just like it.”

Harwell is the agent who both sold the Raineys’ home and is helping them search for a new one. He said the substantial gains are partially driven by the national economy, which in turn is driving buyers to the table. Hoover is now seeing a “sense of urgency.”

“Houses aren’t returning to the market, and a lot are finally leaving,” he said. “Time is suddenly of the essence.”

Several other factors are contributing to the shift, Harwell said. Besides a decline in inventory, a rising interest rate was a major catalyst. His colleagues agree.

“We’ve been flat off the bottom for three years as people wondered where the market would go,” said Clark Edwards, an over-themountain real estate agent with RE/MAX who works extensively in Hoover. “But now, this increase is tied to both confidence and a limited supply on a national level. So many people for so long have read negative reports and have been concerned about the unknown as much as anything. But once the interest rate moved up, it

had a snowballing effect on our recovery.”

According to Bankrate, Inc. (bankrate.com), an online financial monitoring organization, interest rates have increased about a full point since May. Coming into the summer, banks were offering 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at approximately 3.7 percent. In August, they reached 4.6 percent.

Experts in Hoover said when the rates started moving, so did buyers.

“Even though we’ve had an uptick in rates, they’re still at record lows,” IBERIABANK Mortgage Branch Manager Brian Goldman said. “We’ve started seeing bidding wars because people can’t get offers in fast enough on houses to get bids accepted. The whole story is you can’t lowball somebody anymore.

You have to be realistic.”

Goldman, who is mostly optimistic about the direction of the market, is taking his own advice. He said not to overlook the market’s volatility. Though it may be a good time to sell, a “sellers’ market” isn’t a guarantee in Hoover.

The BAR’s August report indicated that 17 percent of all home sales in the four-county area were foreclosures, and that it was the lowest percentage in more than four years.

However, Goldman said banks are holding onto “shadow inventory” – foreclosures that had already taken place but remained unlisted.

“There are still a lot of houses out there that are for sale,” he said.

In addition, homes haven’t appreciated back to the point they reached in 2006. Prices are rising, but they aren’t skyrocketing.

“We’re seeing values somewhere about 2005,” Edwards said. “So, values haven’t reached their peak, but they have climbed 10 percent over a 12-month period.”

Regardless, while a seller may have things to mull over in the fall, buyers will lose leverage if experiences like the Raineys become more common.

“If you like it, you have to act,” Edwards said. “You’re not able to sit on the sidelines for five months like you used to.”

We have over 70 Vendors with new merchandise arriving daily.

5475 Highway 280 Birmingham, AL • 205-995-4773 Open: Monday - Saturday 10 - 6 and Sundays 1 - 5.

Celebrations Jernigan-Green Leesa Marie Jernigan and Adam Lee Green married April 27 at Gabrella Manor in Birmingham. The groom’s cousin, Reverend Dave Green, performed the outdoor wedding.

The soloist for the ceremony was Reverend David DeVane. A reception followed the ceremony at the Manor.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Jernigan of Hoover. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. & Mrs. Jim Giles of Panama City and the late Mr. & Mrs. Richard Jernigan. The groom is the son of Ms. Carol Green of DeSoto, Texas, and Mr. & Mrs. John Green of Sunnydale, Texas. He is the grandson of Mrs. Bobbie Markum of DeSoto, Texas, the late Mr. Bill Markum, and Mrs. & Mrs. Robert Green.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a Liancarlo dropped torso, sweetheart full gown with tulle, organza bands and pleated ruffles in ivory. Her veil made of ivory tulle was also worn by her mother in 1974.

Miss Kendra Reynolds served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Katie Alderman, Julianne Beasley, Bethany Culbreth, Alexis Jernigan (with Mayson Jernigan), Renee’ Jernigan, Krissie Kirby, Marissa Moore, Erin Ratliff and Meagan Studyvin.

The best man was Scott Kappler.

Groomsmen were Symon Biegel, Travis Gates, Michael Hatcher, Dan Jernigan, Jay Jernigan, Rick Kiefer and Richard Martens.

They wore boutonnieres of light pink ranunculus and seeded eucalyptus. Carlie Ferrell served as a grooms maid.

Ella Kate Kappler served as the flower girl, and Wyatt Jernigan served as ring bearer.

Scripture was read by Kelsey Reynolds.

Program attendants were Damaris Hamilton and Jennifer Martens.

A wedding dress on displaye was worn by both Leesa’s late grandmother, Mrs. Doris Giles, in 1950 and by her mother in 1974. The bow tie worn by Reverend Dave Green and the bow ties displayed by the groom’s dessert were those of Adam’s late grandfather, Mr. Robert Green. Cake toppers that were displayed are from Leesa’s mother and father and from her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Giles.

Leesa and Adam departed the reception in a vintage 1952 Bentley.

Mr. and Mrs. Green spent their honeymoon in Jamaica and now live in Birmingham.

Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email rebecca@hooversun.com to have it included in an upcoming issue!

30 • September 2013

Hoover Sun

Community Calendar Comedy Club Stardome stardome.com 444-0008

Sept. 1, 2-8, 10-15: The Midnight Swinger Sept. 17-18: Andy Woodhull Sept. 19-22: April Macie Sept. 24-26: Ryan Dalton Sept. 27-20: Sommore

Moonlight on the Mountain moonlightonthemtn.com Sept. 1: Will Yarborough Band, opener Bird Targett, 7 p.m.

Hoover Events Sept. 6: Hoover High School Football vs.

Hueytown. 7 p.m. The Hoover Met.

Country Invitational. 8 a.m.-noon.

Veterans Park.

Sept. 7: Ross Bridge 8K and Health Expo. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. race.

2101 Grand Ave. Family activities and health expo will follow race. Benefits Alabama Teen Challenge. $25. Visit alabamateenchallenge.org.

Sept. 14: Head Over Teal 5K, 1-Mile Fun Run and Family Fun Day. 8 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m.

Fun Run. The Preserve, 601 Preserve Way, Hoover. Food, live music and children’s activities begin at 9 a.m. Race benefits the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation. LifeSouth Bloodmobile will be there on race day. $35 adults, $15 children 12 and under. Visit thinkoflaura.org.

Sept. 7: R(un) for One. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. 5K, 8:45 a.m. Fun Run. Veterans Park. Supports (Un)adopted. $30 in advance, $35 race day for 5K. $10 in advance, $15 race day for Fun Run. Visit unadopted.org/run or call 940-4623.

Sept. 11: 9/11 Ceremony. Hoover Fire Station No. 2. Call 739-7039.

Sept. 9: Open Mic Night

Sept. 12-14: Bargains on the Bluff.

Thursday 2-7 p.m. Preview Sale, Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Mom and me consignment event. Twenty-five percent off select items on Saturday. Visit bargainsonthebluff.com.

Sept. 12: Linda McRae, Jon Byrd and Amelia White

Sept. 13: Spain Park High School vs.

Chelsea. 7 p.m. Spain Park High School.

Sept. 13: Debbie Bonds & The Tru’Dats, Opener Russell Gulley

Sept. 14: Spain Park High School Cross-

Sept. 5: We Banjos Three and Banna De Dha, $15 Sept. 6: Larry Mitchell, Davis Raines and Jon Byrd

Sept. 17: Hoover Historical Society Monthly Meeting. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Artists on the Bluff, 569 Park Ave. Dr. Pamela S. King, associate professor of history at UAB, will talk about the Civil Rights era and its impact on Birmingham neighborhoods.

Sept. 20: Hoover High School Football vs. Northridge/Homecoming. 7 p.m. The Hoover Met. Sept. 21: Paws for a Cause 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. 8:30 a.m. 5K, 9:45 a.m.

Fun Run. Veterans Park. Benefits Shelby Humane Society. Grab your pooch and entire family and come out for a fun day of running, booths and snacks. $30 for 5K, $25 for Fun Run. Visit

Sept. 22: David Wilcox Sept. 23: Open Mic Night Sept. 27: The Weeping Willows and Valley Song All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise noted. Open Mic Night is $5.

Sept. 21: Aldridge Gardens Bird Walk.

8-10 a.m. Aldridge Gardens. Two-hour guided walk with Dr. Richard and Patricia Ryel. Bring binoculars and cameras. Visit aldridgegardens.com.

Sept. 22: Alabama State Open Chili Championship. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Public tasting 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. $25 to enter competition, free to attend.

Visit chili.org/cookoffs.html.

Sept. 24: Curb Appeal: Lessons from a Landscape Architect. 6:30-9 p.m.

Aldridge Gardens. Landscape architect Rip Weaver will teach participants to look at your yard objectively. Visit aldridgegardens.com.

Sept. 27: Hoover High School Football vs.

Vestavia Hills. 7 p.m. The Hoover Met. Sept. 28: Hoover/Shelby Art Association Fall Art Show. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. City of Chelsea City Hall. Free. Call 979-5699.

Sept. 28: Sparks In The Park Marching Festival. Spain Park High School. Visit spainparkband.org.

Sept. 28: Run Over Rett 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. 8 a.m. 5K and 8K, 9 a.m. Fun Run. The Preserve Town Hall. 5K and 8K run and walk will benefit the SUKI Foundation’s work to fight Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder. $25 5K, $35 8K, free Fun Run. Visit sukifoundation.org/ events.html.

Oct. 5: Bluff Park Art Show. Bluff Park Elementary School. The annual show held by the Bluff Park Art Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Free. Visit bluffparkartassociation.org.

Oct. 5: Orphan Run. 7 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. run. Veterans Park. Christ City Church event will raise funds for adoptions and organizations providing orphan care. Visit christcitychurch.org/orphanrun.asp.

Oct. 6: Hearts for Hasberry 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. 8 a.m. Veterans Park. Event to support Hoover resident Greg Hasberry and his family as he searches for a kidney donor. $35 5K, $30 Fun Run. Oct. 6: Whispers from the Past. 11:30-7:30 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. Demonstrations of Native American life, music, food and more. Free. Visit aldridgegardens.com.

Area Events

Sept. 19: Justin Johnson, opener Microwave Dave Sept. 20: Sparky and Rhonda Rucker

theanimalleagueofbirmingham.com.

Sept. 7: Crestline Rocks. Crestline Village. Live music festival. $35 in advance or $40 at gate. Free for ages 12 and under. Visit crestlinerocks.com or preschoolpartners.org or call 951-5151.

Sept. 26-Oct. 5: Oak Mountain State Fair. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre parking lot. Rides, games, competitions, stunt shows, live music, food vendors and more. Visit oakmountainstatefair.com.

Sept. 26-28: Greek Food Festival. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th Street South, Birmingham. Visit birminghamgreekfestival.com.

Sept. 28: Alabama Symphony Orchestra at Homewood Central Park. 6 p.m. Homewood musical ensemble, 7:30 p.m. symphony. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Sept. 29: Vulcan AfterTunes. 3 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. Live music and kids’ activities. $15 adults, $7.50 Vulcan members, free for ages 12 and under. Visit

visitvulcan.com.

Oct. 3-6: Antiques at The Gardens. Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens. $10 nonmembers, free for members. Visit bbgardens.org/antiques or call 414-3950.

Oct. 6: Hot Strings Music & Arts Festival. Noon-6 p.m.

Colonial Brookwood Village. Artists, kids’ activities and live music. Benefits The Foundry. $15. Visit HotStrings.org.

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Hoover Chamber of Commerce Sept. 5: Economic Development Committee. 8:30 a.m. Chamber Office. Visitors welcome.

Sept. 9: Chamber Board Meeting. 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 11: Ambassador Meeting. 4:30 p.m. Chamber Office. Visitors welcome.

Sept. 12: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. networking, Noon luncheon. Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Make reservations by Monday, Sept. 9. $20, $22 without reservations.

Sept. 19: Coffee & Contacts. 7:30-9 a.m.

Chateau Vestavia Retirement Community, 2401

Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, 35216. Contact Monica Roberson at 822-4773 or mroberson@ trinitylifestylesmanagement.com or visit chateauvestavia.com.

Sept. 24: Minority Business Council Meeting Brown Bag Luncheon Meeting. Noon. Chamber Office.

Visitors welcome.

Sept. 26: Business After Hours. 5:30-7 p.m. The Stewart Organization, 4000 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham, 35243. Contact Andrew Burke at 9693000 or andrew.burke@stewartorg.com or visit thestewart.org.

Artists on the Bluff Drawing and Painting, taught by Rollina Oglesby.

Drawing Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon or 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Charcoal, Pastel, Oil and Acrylic with Model or Photo Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon or Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Plein Aire Painting Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. $120 + supplies (former students $95). Email donrollina@ bellsouth.net or call 733-8939 to register.

Painting and Mixed Media, taught by Rik Lazenby. $120 per month. Adult classes Tuesdays 9 a.m.-noon or 5:30-8:30 p.m. or Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Young adult classes (ages 13-high school) Wednesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Call 281-5273 to register or visit lazenbystudio.com.

Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint workshops, taught by Rik Lazenby. $125. Basic class, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Advanced class, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 281-5273 to register.

Acrylic Painting, taught by Jayne Morgan. $40 per class including supplies. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for high school; Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for high school; or Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. for adults. Also

teaching summer painting camps for children. Visit jaynemorgan.com or call 902-5226.

Calligraphy, taught by Deb Warnat. Beginning Copperplate class Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept.

15, noon-4 p.m. Visit debwarnat.com or call 2430576.

Kiln Formed Glass: Fusing & Slumping, taught by Deborah Ballog. Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m.noon. Prices vary. Email deborah@studio-three.net or call 999-3194.

Photography/ Blue Moon Studios. Visit BlueMoonStudios.net, call 995-3791 or check Facebook for class schedule.

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

Beginning Zentangle, taught by Darla Williamson.

Beginning classes Sept. 9 or 17, 1 p.m.; Sept. 12, 17 or 23, 6 p.m.; Sept. 14 or 25, 9 a.m. $35 per class includes supplies. Fall workshop Sept. 14, 1-5 p.m., $60. Six-week series begins Sept. 19, $150. Visit tangledstones.com or call 305-2082.

Hoover Library Events Children

Mondays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

For 2 year olds and caregivers.

Tuesdays: Mother Goose. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. For 1 year olds and caregivers.

Tuesdays: Early Birds. 10 a.m. For babies 0-12 months and caregivers.

Wednesdays: Tiny Tot Tales. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Wednesdays: After Lunch Bunch. 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays: Storytime Live. 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays: PJ Storytime. 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 9: Learn to Use Your Nook. Nook Simple Touch 6:30 p.m. Nook HD/HD+ Class 7:30 p.m.

Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7820.

Sept. 10: Daytime Nonfiction Book Club. 10:30 a.m.

Adult Programming Room. Discussing The Ghost Map

by Steven Johnson. Call 444-7816.

Sept. 12: Second Thursday Fiction Book Club.

10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Discussing Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.

Sept. 12 & 13: The Library Theatre: Dailey & Vincent. 8 p.m. $25. Call 444-7888.

Sept. 9: Computer Research 101. 2 p.m. Perfect for homeschoolers, grades 4-8. Registration begins Aug. 19.

Sept. 14: Purl @ the Plaza. 3-5 p.m. Bring your yarn and knit, crochet or embroider.

Sept. 13: Lost in the Library Labyrinth. 4 p.m. For grades 1-3.

Sept. 15: Instrumentalists @ the Plaza: Mollie Garrigan. 2:30 p.m. All ages. Call 444-7840.

Sept. 17: Balloon Bonanza. 6:30 p.m. Stories accompanied by balloon art. For all ages.

Sept. 17: Helping Hands. 2:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Make newspaper rolls to be donated to a local humane society. All ages. Call 444-7840.

Sept. 21: Skippyjon Jones Fiesta. 10:30 a.m. Stories, crafts, and food for all ages.

Sept. 24: Manga Club. 6:30 p.m. Make anime fused bead art. Supplies and snacks provided. For grades 7-12.

Sept. 27: Minecraft. 4 p.m. Minecraft-themed games and food for grades 4-8. Registration begins Sept. 6.

Sept. 30 & Oct. 28: This just in! 6:30 p.m. A book club for grades 4-6. Read a book published in the last six months, make a commercial to spread the word. Registration required.

Adults

Tuesdays: Adult English Classes. 6:30-8 p.m.

Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Basic and Intermediate English. Free. No registration required.

Call 444-7820.

Sept. 5: First Thursday Fiction Book Club. 10 a.m.

Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.

Sept. 7: DIY @ the Plaza: Gardening Containers and Flower Boxes. 10:30 a.m.

Sept. 8: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza – Greek Food and Coffee. 2:30 p.m.

Sept. 9: Friends of the Hoover Public Library Meeting. 10 a.m. Heather Jones Skaggs, author of book on Bluff Park, will speak. Free and open to the public. Call 444-7840.

Sept. 18: No Jacket Required Nonfiction Book Club.

10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Discuss your nonfiction biography book of choice. Call 444-7840.

Sept. 19: Author Time @ Hoover Library: Joanna Fluke. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Skype with the author at 10:30 a.m. Call 444-7820.

Sept. 19: Federal Grants. 7 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7840.

Sept. 23: Access to Justice. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Information about the Access to Justice Commission.

Sept. 23: Monday @ the Movies: Somewhere in Time. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. The Library Theatre.

Sept. 24: Frugalistics. 2:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Coupon swap.

Sept. 26: Playing @ the Plaza: Debbie Bond. 6:30 p.m. Singer, guitarist and songwriter will perform.

Sept. 26: Nonfiction Book Club. 7 p.m. Allen Board Room. Discussing The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr by H. W. Brands.

Sept. 27: After Hours @ the Plaza: Game Nite. 7 p.m. Free beer tasting. ID required.

Sept. 28: Write Club: Plotting for Pantsers. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7820.

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