CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: RACE WITH HEAD OVER TEAL PAGE 18 FOR FALL FAMILY FUN EVENTS
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dear Friends,
By the time this magazine is in your hands, Hoover will have just elected its next mayor – along with selecting several city council representatives.
And while our residents’ political views are as diverse as the city itself, I have noticed we do have one thing in common: a shared passion for wanting our city to be the best it can be.
From tasty treats to can’t-miss events and passionate people, it’s easy to agree that Hoover has much to offer. At Enjoy Hoover, we’re committed to showcasing the very best in our favorite metroBirmingham city.
In this issue, you’ll find the details on Ashley Mac’s latest Hoover location (page 8), ways to make a difference in the community (page 18), tips for local women business owners (page 28), and MANY. MANY. WAYS. to have fun this fall.
So, no matter how you marked that ballot, within these pages I’m sure we’ll find something we can all agree on…and that’s how to absolutely enjoy Hoover.
Happy Reading,
Kim Cripps Editor
ABOUT THE COVER
Ashley and Andy McMakin stand in front of the new Brock's Gap location in Knox Square.
Photo courtesy of Ashley Mac’s Kitchen
Enjoy Hoover is your guide to dining, entertainment, and shopping in Hoover, Alabama’s sixth largest city. From major events like the SEC Baseball Tournament, the World Games, and the Regions Tradition, to local live music, to hidden gems in local shopping, to the world-class lineup of restaurants, Hoover has tons to offer to residents, guests, and visitors alike.
Enjoy Hoover is published six times a year, a joint venture between David Cohen of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, Matthew Allen of JBMC Media, and Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. These three longtime Hoover residents blend a passion for their community with years of experience in communication, publishing, marketing, and hospitality.
Copies of this magazine are available at more than 100 locations throughout Hoover. Connect with us through our social media channels: Instagram (@EnjoyHoover) and Facebook (@EnjoyHoover). Visit us online at EnjoyHoover.com.
We hope you Enjoy Hoover!
KIM CRIPPS, editor kimcripps@gmail.com
DAVID COHEN, co-publisher (205) 213-3617/enjoyhoover@gmail.com
MATTHEW ALLEN, co-publisher (205) 883-1877/matthew@jbmcmedia.com
Make every supply run, coffee stop, and campus visit even more rewarding with Kasasa Cash Back! Earn cash rewards on your debit card purchases as you gear up for the school year— plus, enjoy perks that help you save while you spend.
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Popular local art shows you'll fall for.
Over Teal's race for GYN cancer awareness.
Halloween fun for the whole family.
New businesses now open in Hoover.
Local events for all ages that you’ll want to attend.
Ashey Mac’s Opens 5th Location
Their Third Cafe in Hoover
BY CARMEN BROWN
AS HOOVER CONTINUES TO GROW, so does the number of locations of one of the city’s best-known gems: Ashley Mac’s, a oneof-a-kind cafe featuring the unique salads, comfort dishes and desserts made by Birmingham’s own award-winning chef Ashley McMakin. The new Brock’s Gap location held its ribboncutting ceremony on July 11.
“I’ve always loved to cook, and I used to help my mother and grandmother growing up,” she said.
Later McMakin attended the University of Alabama, where she became interested in culinary school and took a few hotel and restaurant management classes.
“My dad, who also went to UA, encouraged me to major in something
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASHLEY MAC’S KITCHEN
From left Jackson (13), Ashley, Mally (12), Andy, Marsalis (18), Ryder (16), Trey (23) and puppy Mae Mae
business-related because it’s very versatile, so I majored in marketing and advertising.”
After graduating in 2002, she married her husband Andy, who had graduated from UA in accounting. She landed a job at a small advertising agency, and soon afterward she and a friend from work started a small catering business.
“At first we just did it for friends and family, but we eventually both left our jobs because we got so busy with the catering,” she said.
When her friend had a baby a year later, McMakin continued with the catering business. Her husband, whom she described as “very entrepreneurial,” was trying to plan his next career step. This was when the concept for Ashley Mac’s was born. Her first catering and to-go storefront opened in Bluff Park in 2007.
Her first cafe with a dining room opened in Cahaba Heights in 2010, followed by Inverness in 2013, Riverchase
in 2015 and Homewood in 2018 and the Pizitz Food Hall downtown in 2020.
“We put so much time and energy into that first location; after that, we just learned how to make it work. Andy’s accounting background paid off a lot.”
McMakin said that as the Birmingham area continued to grow, they saw the need to expand locations, which prompted the opening of the Brock’s Gap location.
“It’s going great; we’ve met lots of new customers,” she said. “We have a lot of who stop to grab something to take to the lake or on the way to the beach.”
The Brock’s Gap opening was extra special for her because Chawanna Conner, a team member who has been with her from the beginning, did the honor of cutting the ribbon.
“Eighteen years ago when I was working out of my kitchen, she lived below us and started helping us out, going with us to the market,” she said. “I was so glad to have her present for the opening.”
All locations have the same menu, so customers can expect the same favorites wherever they go. For new customers, McMakin recommends the Salad Trio, where customers can choose three salads or sides, such as their popular chicken salad or baby bleu salad.
“It’s a good sampler for new customers who want to try a little bit of each,” she said.
If you have a sweet tooth, McMakin suggests her signature dessert, strawberry cake, made with fresh, not frozen,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Longtime employee Chawanna Conner cut the ribbon at the Brock's Gap Grand Opening on July 11.
online in the next few weeks for holidaythemed items.
strawberries. A close second, she said, is their Wedding Cake, vanilla cake with light buttercream frosting. Those with a cookie craving can try one of her Mac cookies, including the the Confetti Mac, an oversized Funfetti cookie, or the Peanut Butter Mac. Customers with a heavier appetite may want to try the AndyMac, named after her husband. Made with a double beef patty with Havarti cheese, poppy’s pickles and their special chop sauce, the burger is only available on Fridays and Saturdays.
And as the holidays approach, McMakin said you can expect to see some favorites from years past return: the Pumpkin Snickerdoodle cookie, as well as the Turkey Cranberry Melt sandwich. Customers can also check the menu
McMakin said her future plans are to make Ashley Mac’s a part of the conversation all across the state.
“We want to expand outside of Birmingham; we want to open in places like Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Huntsville, and Fairhope.”
McMakin said she would not have been able to do it without the love and support of her family and her executive team based in Cahaba Heights.
“Our team is very special to us,” she said. “We credit the Lord with blessing us with so many great people.”
The new Brock’s Gap location of Ashley Mac’s is located at 5840 Elsie Road in Hoover. For more information, call 205-360-0221 or visit ashleymacs.com for up-to-date hours and specials.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY MAC’S KITCHEN
The Chicken Pot Pie Family Meal is great for families of 6 for crazy school nights. The easiest way to order is to schedule at least an hour in advance on the cafe’s app, Ashley Mac's Kitchen.
A Hoover High School student practices her scares before Haunted Hallways. The students are taught to tailor their scares to their audience, and to be especially mindful of not scaring children badlyunless a parent asks them to.
The Most Haunted Hallways in Hoover
BY ABBY TURNER
HAUNTED HALLWAYS, an annual haunted house through the halls of our very own Hoover High School, began about 10 years ago when a group of theatre students at Hoover decided they wanted to do a haunted house as a fundraiser. Nancy Malone, the Hoover theatre director, had no idea what it would one day become.
“From a sponsor standpoint, it is a great fundraiser,” Malone said. “It helps us do the plays that we do and the competitions that we go to throughout the whole year, so it's important for that reason. But, I love it because the kids just go for it, you know, I mean, like they completely invest.”
Every year, the thespian officers plan
the theme, their costumes and the decorations. They hold auditions for the scare actors, and from there, they rehearse in scare camp.
Malone said it can be a difficult thing to rehearse, though, because it’s hard to predict how a live audience may react, especially because it’s different from other kinds of theatre since the audience is involved. The actors are also trained to be mindful of their audience, especially when a group of young kids walks through.
“When there's a young group going through, we send a message through our walkie-talkie system that basically says back off and don't over scare, unless
BELOW: A Hoover High School student poses for a photo during Haunted Hallways. The students pick their own costumes and do their own makeup for the roles.
Malone said they ideally need about 100 students involved because the event spans almost the entire bottom floor of the high school, including the courtyard. Behind the scenes of the occasion, Malone just wants it to be safe.
“My students absolutely do not touch anybody who is coming through,” Malone said. “And also we have, of course, the fire department to make sure that we're in fire code. We don't use things that are easily able to fall or hit anybody or anything like that.”
the parents say otherwise,” Malone said. “Because we are sensitive to age groups coming through, I think that it's a good event for all different families and ages.”
Some past themes of Haunted Hallways have been Butcher, where the participating students are dressed as crazed pigs, and Asylum, where the high school is decorated as a mental institution and the participating students are its inhabitants. Malone said the parents of her students help out a lot with providing supplies and decorating the school to match the respective theme.
A large portion of students involved with Hoover Theatre participate; in fact,
This year, Haunted Hallways will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 25. Tickets are $10 and will be available to the public on myschoolfees.com, or you can pay at the door. Don’t miss out on a night of spooky fun for all ages.
Two Hoover High School students pose with a prop before Haunted Hallways. Parents who are part of the Hoover Theatre department help secure props and decorate before the event.
Popular Annual Art Shows ARE BACK
Get the Scoop on the Bluff Park Art Show and Moss Rock Festival
BY KYLE FOSHEE
TWO ART FESTIVALS will showcase their annual exhibitions in Hoover this fall, both of which have established themselves as events that create a buzz of excitement.
The Bluff Park Art Show and Moss Rock Festival are preparing to demonstrate once again how, even in the middle of college football season— and in the South—an art event can draw significant attention.
Of course, it's our innate desire to marvel at things created, and an artist’s opportunity to display his creation is paramount in his motivation to create more. Regardless of where in the world we are or what time of year it is, none of us would appeal to the authorities that the composer desists in making.
Bluff Park hosts its art show for the 62nd year running this October. The Bluff Park Art Association puts on
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL
Chris Greenman shows off his handmade pottery from the 2024 Moss Rock Festival.
the show each year, and it began as a way to raise money to expand the Bluff Park Elementary Library. It has since grown into a nationally recognized and acclaimed art show, drawing more than 4,000 visitors and artists from across the country.
The Bluff Park Art Show is open to the public at the park by Shades Cliff Pool. Come and go as you please throughout the day, stay as long as you like, or check out your favorite artist’s work. The show aims to ignite all senses. See hand-crafted jewelry, metal works and paintings. Bring the kids for interactive, hands-on art activities. Hear live music from Alabama musicians James Quakenbush and Alice Bargeron. Smell the food trucks lining Savoy
Street and taste the goodness after the temptation has just gone too far. A month later, Moss Rock Festival
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Kids enjoying the WonderKid Studio at the 19th Annual Moss Rock Festival last year.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL
A nice crowd gathers at the 2024 Bluff Park Art Show.
will take over the Hoover Met parking lot for a full weekend. This one-of-akind, outdoor fall weekend welcomes thousands of visitors annually.
This art show is in its 20th season, focusing on eco-creativity alongside its favorite signature events, like the 14th annual beer garden, a craft beer tasting event where breweries and homebrewers alike compete for that perfect ale.
Enjoyment and appreciation of nature and the great outdoors are sticking points for Moss Rock’s festival, where artists' works are particularly inspired by nature, recycling, upcycling and sustainability, or utilizing natural materials like clay, glass, and wood.
Visit the Smart Living Market and WonderKid Studios for health products
HOOVER ART SHOWS
BLUFF PARK ART SHOW
Saturday, October 4
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Free admission 517 Cloudland Drive Hoover, AL 35226
MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 1
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, November 2
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tickets available in October
$12 Advance/ $15 Gate (includes 2-day admission)
Kids 18 & under FREE
5500 Stadium Trace Parkway (Hoover Met) Hoover, AL 35244
and imagination-involving challenges, all while live music fills the air, and local food trucks divert attention.
If that weren't enough, the Take Root tree legacy project will be present, sharing treesustaining knowledge and giving away 10 native and wellestablished, three-foot-tall White Oak saplings. Be sure to look for QR codes on banners around the venue.
Check out both, but if it comes down to a choice, you can't make a bad one. Come and see.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK ART ASSOCIATION
Danielle Tickell stands next to her 2024 Best in Show Award winning art piece.
Head Over Teal:
Running for a Cure
BY TALLY DETTLING PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA CRANDALL BROWN FOUNDATION
FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, residents of the Hoover community and surrounding areas have been coming together every September to run, raise money for gynecological cancer research and support, and to remember loved ones at the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation’s (LCBF) signature fundraising event— the Head Over Teal 5K/10K race. What began as a race with approximately 200 runners in 2010 is expected to have almost 800 participants this year! It will include an entire day of fun for runners and supporters—with live music, complimentary breakfast and lunch options, community booths, as well as numerous fun activities for the kids, including face and pumpkin painting, a crazy hair station and a photo booth. The LCBF’s founder, Jim Crandall,
began the foundation when his daughter Laura passed away from ovarian cancer (OC) at the tender age of 25. “She had just graduated from Auburn and was working there and planning her wedding when she was diagnosed in the fall of 2008. We learned during her journey that a screening test for OC did not exist (and still does not),” says Crandall, “So our initial mission was to fund research to promote the development of a screening test.”
In addition to the Head Over Teal race, the LCBF launches its 13th annual A State of Teal Awareness Campaign throughout the month of September. The campaign aims to “shine a light on gynecologic cancer symptoms, risks and prevention. Awareness efforts will include city, county and
Despite the rain, numerous runners came out to support an awesome cause at the 2024 Head Over Teal 5K/10K.
state proclamations, digital and radio outreach, and community events like Head Over Teal.” According to Irene Goddard, development director for the LCBF, “There is no early detection or screening test for 4 out of 5 GYN cancers and Alabama continually ranks among the highest in cervical cancer deaths. To raise awareness, we need to understand the signs and symptoms of these cancers, know how to prevent them, and make sure our community is being properly screened. “I joined the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation at the end 2019. My mother is a uterine cancer survivor,” says Goddard. “We have a small, but mighty staff and benefit from our many wonderful volunteers who help to make our events like Head Over Teal and A State of Teal happen.”
Another key component of the LCBF is aiding cancer patients and their families during treatments. “We want people to know we are an organization whose focus is on supporting women and their families during very difficult times,” says Crandall, “and we want to help women seek care as soon as any of these symptoms occur.”
“LCBF assists patients as they navigate their diagnosis and survivorship by providing crucial support systems lifting them up and empowering them to adjust to and cope with cancer-related fear, anxiety and depression. This is accomplished through our CanSurvive survivor support group and Woman-to-Woman one-on-one survivor mentoring program,” Goddard adds. “In addition,
every newly diagnosed GYN cancer patient receives a comfort care bag through their clinic. LCBF can also provide direct financial assistance to those who need extra support with transportation costs and basic needs. Cancer can take a devastating financial toll on patients, and we do not want women to have to choose between their care and paying bills.”
RIGHT: Laura’s parents, Cecilia and Jim Crandall, with 2024 race emcee Stephanie Walker. BELOW: Laura's mom, Cecilia Crandall, and her younger sister, Emma Crandall, with the Birmingham Squadron mascot at the Head Over Teal race in 2024.
Family-Friendly Halloween Fun
BY ABBY TURNER
TRUNK-OR-TREATS, popularized in the 1990s, are a safe and creative alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Kids love them because it’s another chance to get free candy in October, and parents tend to love them because they can sit in one place while also keeping an eye on their kids. Whether it’s in a parking lot, a normally quiet library, or your local zoo, trunk-or-treats are a fantastic fall tradition that should never be overlooked. Luckily, Hoover offers many.
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Two employees at the Hoover Public Library pose with a family at Spooktacular 2024. The library offers many events for Halloween, but Spooktacular is the most popular among families with children.
NOW OPEN!
767 Shades Mountain Plaza between Benchmark Physical Therapy and Sampson Dentistry
Strength, cardio, metabolic conditioning, athletic training, and more
Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for weekly class schedules
Head to the Hoover Public Library on October 17 from 6:30-8:30 pm for an evening of trick-or-treating and other family-friendly activities! Costumes are encouraged, but fun is mandatory. In the past, the library has been decorated with themed rooms with corresponding activities in each. There is also a sensoryfriendly celebration that starts at 6 pm. This event is free and requires no registration. You won’t want to miss it!
TRUNK
OR TREAT AT HUNTER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
Hunter Street will once again hold its annual Trunk-or-Treat in October! Come dressed in your non-scary costume for an afternoon of sweets and fun. Last year, there were over 50 decorated car trunks, free hot dogs, games, and photo ops for the family. All are welcome! The date for this year is not yet confirmed, but check Hunter Street’s website, hunterstreet.org/ news, in the following weeks to find out more information about registration!
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
TRUNK OR TREAT AT THE HOOVER YMCA
The Hoover YMCA on Highway 150 annually hosts a family-friendly trunkor-treat event in the parking lot on a set date leading up to Halloween. They have food, candy, activities, and endless opportunities to socialize with new families! While the date for this year is not yet confirmed, please check the Hoover YMCA Facebook, @ Hoover YMCA, near the month of October in order to set up a trunk.
SPOOKFEST AT HOOVER MET COMPLEX
The Hoover Metropolitan Complex will hold Spookfest, a free and family-friendly trick-or-treating event! Last year, the event took place on Halloween from 4:307:30 pm, but the date for this year is not yet confirmed. There will be food trucks, giveaways, music, and of course, candy! This event is free and requires no registration. Check the Hoover Met’s website, hoovermetcomplex.com, closer to Halloween to learn about the details for this year.
Two employees at the Hoover Public Library dress as Paw Patrol characters at Spooktacular 2023. Every year, the employees dress as different characters to surprise the kids.
HOOTS AND HOWLS AT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO
While not in Hoover, we can’t leave off this event at our local zoo! The Birmingham Zoo annually hosts Hoots and Howls, a daytime Halloween festival, on the last three weekends of October. Come in costume and trickor-treat through the largest candy trail to date, participate in the costume contest parade, join the all-day dance party, and visit the animals! Tickets will be available to purchase in advance on the Birmingham Zoo’s website, birminghamzoo.com.
OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AT THE HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Hoover Public Library will host various Halloween-themed events prior to the 31st, which are great for young kids. Spooky Crafts for grades K-6 will be held on October 9, Family Fall Hoedown will be held on October 11, and The Science Lady will teach spooky science experiments to grades 4-6 on October 21. On Halloween day, you can bring your kids to trick-ortreat any time between 9 am-6 pm! No matter the age of your kids, there is something for everyone. Don’t miss out on all the events Hoover has to offer during this month of fun and sweet treats.
Now Open
Check out these new, locally owned shops, restaurants and entertainment destinations that recently opened in Hoover!
BY KIM CRIPPS
KNOX
SQUARE
Ashley Mac’s Kitchen
The café’s fifth storefront – and third in Hoover – brings signature handcrafted Southern food, and their famous strawberry cake, to feed the moments that matter.
Located at 5840 Elsie Road, Hoover, AL 35244
Farm Bowl + Juice Co.
A neighborhood wellness stop where all ingredients are thoughtfully selected and sourced from Alabama Farmer Network, ensuring the freshest in-season offerings in every bowl, juice and smoothie.
Located at 5846 Elsie Road, Hoover, AL 35244
CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
Ashley Mac's Kitchen
COURTESY OF ASHLEY MAC'S KITCHEN
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
Knox Grocery & Deli
Convenience store meets deli with bold flavors and comforting classics served up daily in breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Located at 5886 Elsie Road, Hoover, AL 35244
Tap Ins Golf Lounge & Bar
Experience a familyfriendly entertainment lounge with stateof-the-art TrackMan
virtual golf simulators, boutique-style duckpin bowling, shuffleboard and other games for all ages, plus a full-service 360° bar with craft
cocktails, beer, and wine, and delicious bar food and snacks.
Located at 5844 Elsie Road, Hoover, AL, 35244
TATTERSALL
Kung Fu Tea
Featuring high-quality ingredients, a family-friendly environment, made-toorder bubble tea and more!
Located at 6215 Tattersall Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35242
Knox Grocery & Deli
COURTESY OF HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COURTESY OF HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Tap Ins Golf Louge & Bar
J. Dory Curtis, MD | Erika Issis-Vasha, PA-C | Patrick Rowan, MD | Scott Seibert, MD | Jay Fitts, MD
Women’s Business & Leadership Council
A Village for Local Women in Business
BY KIM CRIPPS
WHEN NAN BALDWIN became the president and CEO of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce after 15 years with the Birmingham Business Alliance, she quickly looked for a way to leave her mark on the city. Now, after more than a year in her role, Nan reflects on what she hopes will be her crown jewel: the Women’s Business and Leadership Council.
ENJOY HOOVER: July marked one year in your role as president and CEO of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce. What has been your greatest accomplishment during the last 12 months?
NAN BALDWIN: I’d have to say launching the Women's Business and Leadership Council has been my greatest accomplishment. It launched this year in March 2025 to provide and empower women entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals with mentoring and networking opportunities for personal and professional growth. When I began this role and looked around, that was the one missing link I saw in the Hoover Chamber. When you take on a new position, you look for what
is going to be your jewel, and this is going to be my jewel.
We started out with 50 women at our kick-off event and had 100 attend our spring luncheon. Each monthly event has around 30-50 attendees, which makes for a meaningful and productive networking opportunity.
EH: Why did you start this initiative?
BALDWIN: Women-owned businesses and women in business are the fastestgrowing sectors of the US economy. It really showed during the pandemic when women had to pivot to help sustain their households or rethink their current professions to be successful in what quickly became a nontraditional working environment.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Nan Baldwin
But there can be complex barriers to entry. This council exists to address those issues so women can really do it right. It’s a safe space to ask questions like: where can I find a mentor, how do I get capital, how do I manage the business that I am in, how do I do all that I can to feel successful in my own right – and find trustworthy answers.
The Women’s Business and Leadership Council is a community of women coming together to help each other out. It’s a village to help each of us rise to the occasion we are trying to rise to.
EH: What are your goals for the Women’s Business and Leadership Council?
BALDWIN: I would like for it to keep gaining momentum and for the women who participate to find their place, both in Hoover’s business scene and in the community at large. Long term, I’m working to have data that shows how the Women’s Business Leadership Council has helped women achieve success; to see how many members accomplished their goals, received promotions and more.
EH: How can women get involved in the Women’s Business and Leadership Council?
BALDWIN: One way to get involved is to be a chamber member! This is the best way to stay updated and find out what is going on. We also invite non-chamber members to these events. It’s a great way to meet other women in different industries and professions. The events calendar on the chamber website, hooverchamber.org, will tell you about our upcoming events. Just look for the Women’s Business and Leadership Council designation!
EH: What is your overall vision for the Chamber?
BALDWIN: My vision is for the Chamber to be a place where businesses can truly grow
and scale by being part of the overall Hoover community. I believe that small, medium and large-sized businesses all have a stake in Hoover’s success. When businesses stop investing in the community, that negatively impacts tax revenue, neighborhoods, the workforce and local schools. A vibrant business community supports overall community success.
ABOUT THE HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce is more than a networking organization. In addition to connecting business leaders with one another, they also strive to educate small business owners on the resources available to help them grow; advocate and be a non-partisan voice for local businesses and business owners; and provide tools that help businesses build strong brands.
SAVE THE DATE
Four upcoming Women’s Business and Leadership Council events. NOTE: The events fluctuate to accommodate women’s various scheduling needs.
September 24: Biz + Biscuits, a morning event, featuring a panel of women small business owners in different stages of business ownership, from start-up to seasoned.
October 22: Lunch meeting focusing on mental health and self-care.
November 13: Biz + Biscuits morning meeting and vision board session.
December 11: Wine Down the Year, an evening networking event.
Go to hooverchamber.org and check out the “events calendar” for details.
Around Hoover
BY KIM CRIPPS AND LURENDA AVERY
JULY 20 marked National Ice Cream Day - and the Annual Ice Cream Eating Competition at The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop, benefiting local nonprofit Hoover Helps.
As part of the competition, Hoover Fire Department and Hoover Police Department went head-to-head, or rather bowl-to-bowl, to see who could eat six scoops of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla the fastest. After a great, friendly competition, the Hoover Police Department won by a close call.
SEPTEMBER
September 6: Raffle Run. Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road. Race starts at 7 a.m. This unique running event allows participants to earn raffle tickets for every lap they complete. The more laps a runner finishes within the allotted time, the more chances they have to win one of several prizes. Details at runsignup.com/Race/AL/Birmingham/RaffleRun.
September 14: Together in Teal - Live Butterfly Release for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Aldridge Gardens at 3530 Lorna Road; Event at 2:30 p.m. The event will feature live music, vendor displays, and educational booths. Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation hosts this annual event to raise awareness of ovarian cancer’s silent signs and symptoms, remember those who have lost their lives and honor those who are battling or have beaten ovarian cancer. cureovariancancer.org
September 20: Head Over Teal 5K & 10K. The Preserve, 616 Preserve Parkway. Race starts at 8 a.m. The 16th annual 5K & 10K is dedicated
to raising awareness for gynecologic cancers and benefiting the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation. Shuttle service available starting at 6:30 a.m. from Prince of Peace Catholic Church. thinkoflaura.org
September 25-27: Vintage Market Days presents Timeless Autumn. Finley Center at 5508 Stadium Trace Parkway; Times are 3-7 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy an upscale, vintageinspired indoor and outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry and home décor from a wide variety of vendors. vintagemarketdays.com
OCTOBER
October 5: Bluff Park Art Show. Bluff Park Community Center at 517 Cloudland Drive; Event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The annual event will feature a wide array of art from more than 100 artists, with proceeds supporting arts in the Birmingham area. Shuttle service available from Shades Crest Baptist Church. bluffparkartassociation.org
October 5: BHM 26.2 Marathon. Finley Center at 5508 Stadium Trace Parkway; Race starts at 7 a.m. Alabama's only fully charitable race series, offering a full marathon, relay, half marathon, 10k, 5k, and kid's fun run to benefit Magic Moments. Details at bhm262.com.
October 24-25: Haunted Hallways at Hoover High. Hoover High School, 1000 Buccaneer Drive; Event from 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Support the Hoover High Theatre Department and enjoy a hauntingly good time at this spooky event created and directed by students. hoovercityschools.net
October 25: Hoover SPOOKTACULAR. Hoover Public Library at 200 Municipal Drive; Event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Enjoy fearsome
delights with some favorite friends: ScoobyDoo, Ghostbusters, and The Addams Family to name a few. Costumes encouraged, fun is mandatory! Details at hooverlibrary.org.
October 26: Local Trunk or Treat Events
Asbury United Methodist and Church at Brook Hills
Bluff Park United Methodist and Hunter Street Baptist also host Trunk or Treats that are open to the public! Check with websites and social media for details.
October 31: Hoover Library Trick-or-Treat. Hoover Public Library at 200 Municipal Drive; Event will be held from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Trick or treat throughout the Hoover Library on Halloween. Details at hooverlibrary.org.
November 1-2: Moss Rock Festival. Hoover Met at 5508 Stadium Trace Parkway. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. The Moss Rock Festival is an eco-creative festival that celebrates art, design, nature, and sustainable living, featuring juried artists, live music, a beer garden, and various interactive experiences. Details at mossrockfestival.com.
