Hoover's Magazine, December 2018/January 2019

BUILDING A REAL ROBOT • HOOVER HELPS ON FIGHTING HUNGER • MELANIE O’KEEFE’S LANDSCAPES

A RANCH REMODEL INSIDE A COUPLE’S REIMAGINED HOME

CLEVERFUL LIVING EATS HOLLEY GRAINGER’S GUILT-FREE RECIPES

the notes behind

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 HooversMagazine.com Vol. 7 | Issue 6 $4.95

BLAKE EWING music

HooversMagazine.com 1

It’s a great place to live.

Whatever your species may be.

The renowned biologist E.O. Wilson has called it “an aquatic treasure house.” The World Wildlife Fund and Nature Conservancy included it as one of just eight “Hotspots of Diversity” in the entire world.

But, to us, it’s an unparalleled place to reconnect with nature by canoeing, kayaking, hiking, birding, botanizing, or merely floating in its waters.

In the clean water we return to the river, and through our efforts with Adopt-A-Stream, It’s the Cahaba—the longest free-flowing river SouthWest Water Company is doing our part to in Alabama, with more fish species per kilometer ensure the Cahaba is there for future generations than any other river in North America, including to enjoy—whatever their species may be. Join 18 species that exist nowhere else. with us by visiting bit.ly/AdoptCahaba.

To learn more, visit CleanerCahaba.info

2 December 2018/January 2019

Twenty-seven wooded, beautiful homesites have been released in The Willows at Willow Point, situated on the northern shoreline of Pitchford Hollow. Choose from a portfolio of thoughtfully-designed house plans from Russell Lands approved architects, designers and builders or bring your dream plans with you. To find out more, call 256.215.7011.

Visit RussellLandsOnLakeMartin.com

I am Brookwood.

The community of care.

Elizabeth Vernon, RN Nurse Elizabeth Vernon provides palliative care with unfailing compassion to her patients. Every person she touches, from the elderly patient to the concerned and frustrated family, receives the same empathy, patience, and dedicated attention. She embodies the care that is the foundation of the Brookwood community.

Read more employee stories at BrookwoodBaptistHealth.com/CommunityofCare

FEATURES

50

LATE BLOOMER Blake Ewing came to music late, but he’s made up for lost time.

58

TAKING THE EDGE OFF In the eyes of the Bishop family, one hungry child is one too many. Their organization, Hoover Helps, is working hard to combat food insecurity.

64

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

What should you buy for your friends and loved ones this season? Look no further than the shops right around you.

6 December 2018/January 2019

PHOTO BY JEFF REASE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

39

31 PHOTO BY CARLI BEST

arts & culture

15 Natural Painter: Melanie O’Keefe’s Scenic Landscapes 21 Creating Beauty: Tom Dameron’s Art in the Gallery 24 Singing Along: Christmas Musicals at the Hoover Library

schools & sports

25 Programming Pros: Spain Park’s BEST Robotics Team

food

& drink

31 Cleverful Living: How Holley Grainger Balances Nutrition and Fun

home

& style

39 Final Fixer Upper: Inside the Shaws’ Ranch Home Remodel 49 Hoover the Beautiful: Beautification Award Winners

in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 8 #HooversMag 8 HooversMagazine.com 9 The Guide 22 Aldridge Gardens Newsletter 70 Hoover Area Chamber Connection 74 Out & About 86 Marketplace 88 Why I Love Hoover

HooversMagazine.com 7

contributors EDITORIAL

Graham Brooks Stephen Dawkins Alec Etheredge Briana Harris Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner

CONTRIBUTORS Liesa Cole Cathlene Cowart Angela Hager Dawn Harrison Jeff Rease Heather Skaggs

DESIGN

Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan

MARKETING

Kristy Brown Kari George Rachel Henderson Daniel Holmes Rhett McCreight Nicholas McKnight Lindsay Milligan Kim McCulla Viridiana Romero Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Katie McDowell Stacey Meadows Tim Prince

Cathlene Cowart, Writer Cathlene is a December graduate in journalism from Auburn University.

While at Auburn, she was a writer, president and editor-in-chief for Her Campus Auburn, an online magazine publication. Her favorite part of writing is meeting new people and telling their stories. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading or baking a dessert for family and friends.

Dawn Harrison, Photographer Dawn Harrison is a freelance photographer out of Birmingham. She grew up and put down roots off of 280, where she lives with her wonderful husband, five kids, one son-in-law, two grandkids, three dogs, two cats, eight cows and two ducks. When she isn’t taking pictures, you can find her burning up 280 getting to various school and sporting events, or hanging out in carpool lines. She feels extremely blessed to be a part of the publication and to continue to meet such inspiring members of our community.

Jeffrey Rease, Photographer Jeffrey Rease is a full time commercial, landscape, portrait and wedding photographer. His work has been featured in B-Metro, Outdoor Alabama and other local publications. Born and raised in Birmingham, he loves the South, but enjoys mixing in some photographic travel opportunities in the Colorado Rockies and wherever his dreams and camera can take him.

His awesome talented wife, Lesa, often assists on his photo shoots. And he has three amazing kids.

Heather Jones Skaggs, Writer Heather is an author, freelance writer and native of Hoover where she lives with her husband, Greg, daughter, Charlotte, and fur-baby Carrie.

National publisher Arcadia Publishing and The History Press found Heather in 2012, and together they have published three books covering Hoover’s history. When she is not researching her latest book, Heather digs for the untold stories in Hoover and brings them to the pages of magazines and newspapers – including this publication.

Hoover’s Magazine is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Hoover’s Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Hoover’s Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Hoover’s Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Hoover, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit HooversMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $16.30 for one year by visiting HooversMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@hooversmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext.

536.

8 December 2018/January 2019

from the editor

W ON THE COVER

Blake Ewing

This established composer taught himself how to play the piano.

Photo by Liesa Cole Design by Kate Sullivan

When my coworkers and I plan a new issue of the magazine, we discuss everything from the timeliness of story ideas to what types of photos and graphic elements could be incorporated in the design. We go over deadlines and next steps and everything in between. But even with the most detailed plans mapped out in spreadsheets and Word documents and email threads, I still marvel at how each issue comes together in its own beautiful way, thanks to our stable of hardworking writers, photographers and graphic designers. Seeing our ideas from brainstorming sessions turn into the features you’re about to look at in print is nothing short of amazing to me. And, above all, our work would not exist without the people who allow us to share their stories, their work, their talents. The following pages are a printed testament to that point.

Cathlene Cowart’s story about Melanie O’Keefe and her paintings came from an idea one of my other contributors suggested to me. As soon as I visited Melanie’s website to see her work and learn a little bit more about her, I knew we needed to share her artwork and back story with readers. Melanie serves as proof that it’s never too late to return to a hobby that enriches your life.

The idea to talk to Cleverful Living blogger Holley Grainger about her nearly flawless execution of healthy and fun children’s lunchboxes came from my manager, who follows Holley on Instagram and wanted to know how this busy mother and entrepreneur puts together such creative lunches for her girls. Keep on reading, and you can find out too!

And Angela Hager’s story about the formation of the Hoover Helps organization is the result of her interest and research into this group’s mission to eliminate pockets of food insecurity. Read on to find out how an organization that started with one family’s work has grown into a widespread campaign with a presence in local schools.

There’s much more to delve into, and as you do, I hope you’ll share any ideas that come to mind about people in your life who have done great things. I can’t wait to hear from you.

emily.sparacino@hooversmagazine.com

HooversMagazine.com 9

HooversMagazine.com Subscribe to our newsletter Get the latest on Hoover events and happenings—plus our favorite pieces of local inspiration— delivered to your inbox biweekly.

Sign up at HooversMagazine.com.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Want to see more photos from this issue’s home feature?

Go to Hooversmagazine.com for a look inside even more rooms in Gina and Steve Shaw’s

facebook.com/hooversmagazine

@hooversmag

@hooversmag

remodeled home. Here’s a sneak peek of one of Gina’s favorite spaces: her craft room.

#HooversMag

Tag us in your Hoover photos on Instagram, and we’ll pick our favorites to regram and publish on this page in each issue.

@culpepperrx Such a fun day with new friends from Leadership Hoover! We dominated the breakout room

10 December 2018/January 2019

@hoovercityschools

@hhsjvbuccanettes

Spain Park High school showing their school spirit for homecoming week and mole day!! #toystory #country #alien #6.02x10^23

We love getting to perform at the last home Freshman and JV Football games! #gobucs

THE GUIDE

BLUFF PARK CHRISTMAS PARADE DEC. 1 10 A.M. Shades Cliff Pool The community’s Christmas spirit will be on full display once again. This year’s parade route will start in the same place as the last two years, but will end at the park. Come one, come all!

HooversMagazine.com 11

THE GUIDE WHAT TO DO IN HOOVER

DEC. 14

Horizons Christmas Luncheon 11 A.M. Hoover Country Club

With only 11 days until Christmas, how about gathering with friends for

a delicious lunch? The Hoover Senior Center New Horizons group will meet and eat together. Visit hooveralabama.gov/451/Seniors for more information about the event.

DEC. 1 Holiday Greenery Sale Aldridge Gardens 9 a.m.

DEC. 3 This Is Bob Hope…

Documentary Screening Hoover Public Library 2 p.m.+6:30 p.m.

DEC. 4 Full STEAM Ahead: Elf Engineering Hoover Public Library 4 p.m.

DEC. 6 Holiday Craft for Adults – Create a Gingerbook House Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m.

DEC. 6

Gifts of Art Holiday Market 10 A.M. Aldridge Gardens It is possible to have a stress-free, enjoyable day of shopping during the busy holiday season. The Gifts of Art Holiday Market will feature the work of a dozen Alabama artists, hand-selected for their unique artwork, offering reasonably priced, one-of-a-kind gifts of art. Original art pieces include glass, ceramic, wood, metalworks, silver, fabric and more.

The indoor show will take place in the Aldridge Gardens gallery. Bring a friend, come on your lunch break or enjoy an evening of shopping. Admission is free.

DEC. 13

Christmas Homecoming 11 A.M. Riverchase Country Club Join friends from the past and meet new ones too as everyone enjoys a special lunch together. All first-time guests may attend for free, so bring a friend … or two or three.

Come enjoy special music and listen to Deborah Byrd (from Phenix City, Alabama, and St. Simons, Georgia) talk about “Where I Found My True Identity.” Wear your festive attire and bring an ornament (less than $3) to give as a gift. The cost is $20. For reservations, call Janet at 988-8171 by Monday, Dec. 10.

12 December 2018/January 2019

DEC. 7 Gingerbread Challenge Hoover Public Library 4 p.m.

DEC. 8 Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Hoover Public Library 10 a.m.

DEC. 9 Young Artist Reception Hoover Public Library 3 p.m.

DEC. 13+14 Wake Up Santa!

Hoover Public Library 6:30 p.m.

DEC. 19 Holiday Sing-Along Storytime Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m.

DEC. 19 Grinch Double Feature Hoover Public Library 2 p.m.

DEC. 20 Holiday Trivia Night Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

THE GUIDE DEC. 26 Family Movie – Incredibles 2 Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m.

DEC. 28 After Hours @ the Plaza: Game Nite Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 3 Sean Gaskell in Concert Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 6 Sunday NovelTea – The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin Hoover Public Library 3 p.m.

JAN. 10+11 Turtle Island Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut Hoover Public Library 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 12 Purl on the Plaza Hoover Public Library 11 a.m.

JAN. 14 Jammin’ on the Plaza Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 17 Trivia Night – Disney Reprise Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 22 Family Night – Dad Jokes Hoover Public Library 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 28 Monday at the Movies – The Greatest Showman Hoover Public Library 2 p.m.+6:30 p.m.

JAN. 30 UAB Photo Department Student Exhibition – Closing Reception Hoover Public Library 5 p.m.

DEC. 6+7

Windham Hill Winter Solstice 7:30 P.M. Hoover Public Library Master musicians who made their names on the Windham Hill label, pianist Liz Story, guitarist Sean Harkness and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Samite have toured nationally for the past 10 years in support of the recording series that sold more than 8 million copies. A student of Juilliard School of Music, Liz Story has been an artist of great stature throughout the years of Windham Hill into the present times. Sean Harkness, a solo artist with six CDs, has also scored music for television, including ESPN and ABC Sports. Samite has released 10 CDs internationally, featuring his signature smooth vocals accompanied by the kalimba, marimba, litungu and various flutes in his mesmerizing style. With warmth and humor, this concert brings the best of acoustic music recognized in indigenous traditions around the world. Tickets are $27.50.

DEC. 15

Meadow Brook Christmas Runs 9 A.M. Valley National Bank (formerly USAmeriBank), Meadow Brook Branch

Run for faith, run for fun, run for food and run for Norton’s flowers at the finish. Enjoy Bama Bill’s DJ music. See the famous Love Birds perform. And get your chip time from Jeff Clark Race Timing. Joining 2018 lead food sponsor Dreamland Bar-B-Que in feeding the crowd are Papa John’s, Chickfil-A, Golden Flake, Bud’s Best Cookies, Magic City Daylight Donuts, Chef Bob, Ashley Mac’s, Buffalo Rock, Smoothie King, Starbuck’s and Jason’s Deli.

There will also be gift bags and a Blue Star Salute Foundation memorial board honoring fallen Alabama military heroes.

HooversMagazine.com 13

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN

CITY

PLAYGROUND WORTH EXPLORING If you think you’ve seen a good playground, think again. The EXPLORE playground and splash pad coming to Hoover will be a 15,000-square-foot dream and the first of its kind in Alabama. People of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy the universal design playground once it’s complete next to the RV lot at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex. A 17-foot clubhouse, active and musical play areas, a variety of swings, textures and bright colors are among the amenities, plus a zip track and a 7,000-square-foot fully-inclusive splash pad. Look out for this new venue to be open in early 2019.

SCHOOLS

CARS 4 CLASSROOMS AT GES How does test driving a car help a school? Greystone Elementary knows first-hand. Benchmark Chrysler hosted a Chrysler Cars 4 Classrooms fundraiser for GES students. During the event, parents and friends of the school had the opportunity to earn a $10 contribution, up to $2,000, for GES students, by taking a brief test drive in the all-new Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid. After raising $1,210 during the fundraiser, an additional $3,000 was also presented.

14 December 2018/January 2019

NOV. 30-DEC. 16 RMTC Holiday Spectacular Red Mountain Theatre Company

DEC. 1-2 The Nutcracker Presented by the Birmingham Ballet Alabama Theatre

DEC. 3 Chris Tomlin: Christmas Songs of Worship Alabama Theatre

DEC. 14-16, 21-23 Alabama Ballet’s The Nutcracker Samford University Wright Center

DEC. 7 Alabama Symphony Home for the Holidays Samford University Wright Center

DEC. 7-22 Holiday Movies Alabama Theatre DEC. 8+9 Blue Light Special Art Show Cahaba ClayWorks and Earthborn Studios Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Dec. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

DEC. 9 Trans-Siberian Orchestra BJCC Legacy Arena

DEC. 13 Mannheim Steamroller BJCC Legacy Arena

DEC. 18 A Very Electric Christmas Alys Stephens Center

DEC. 10-11 Birmingham Boys Choir Christmas Concert Briarwood Presbyterian Church

DEC. 14-23 Scrooge: The Musical Virginia Samford Theatre

THE GUIDE DEC. 14-23 Alabama Ballet Presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 21-23 The King & I BJCC Concert Hall

DEC. 22-31 It’s a Wonderful Life Live!

Virginia Samford Theatre

JAN. 11+12 The Beginning: Carlos Conducts Beethoven’s First Symphony Alabama Symphony Orchestra Alys Stephens Center

JAN. 15 Swan Lake Presented by the State Ballet Theatre of Odessa Lyric Theatre 7:30 p.m.

JAN. 18-20 Evita BJCC Concert Hall

JAN. 18+19 Carmina Burana & The Rite of Spring Alabama Symphony Orchestra Alys Stephens Center

JAN. 24-FEB. 10 Million Dollar Quartet Virginia Samford Theatre

JAN. 24-27 Birmingham Boat Show BJCC

JAN. 26 The Mambo Kings Presented by Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Samford University Wright Center

JAN. 26 Alabama Dance Festival feat. Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre Alys Stephens Center

SCHOOLS

RESPONDING TO A GOOD CAUSE

SPORTS

RUNNING WITH THE JAGS Senior Jacob Warner took advantage of running on his home course in September, winning the boys’ race at the 2018 Spain Park Cross Country Classic with a time of 16:57.85. While Spain Park had just the one top-30 finisher, the Jags did have three more finish inside the top 50 between Josh Nonnengard, Max Smith and Bradley Hughes, which made them the next highest team finisher from the county in fifth place.

In the girls’ race, Spain Park’s Mackenzie Culpepper finished in third with a time of 20:53.42. Spain Park had five more runners finish inside the top 32 of the standings as a part of a team effort that led to an overall finish of third in the team standings.

Holland Lidikay finished in 13th, Mary Virginia McKinley finished in 21st, Lyric Bryant finished in 23rd, Paige Walls finished in 31st and Leanna Todd finished in 32nd.

Hoover police officers and firefighters are heroes every day, fighting crime and responding to emergency calls, but on Sept. 13, they helped the community in a different way. They modeled the latest fashions from Von Maur as part of a fundraiser held by the Riverchase Women’s Club to benefit Wings of Hope. Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis suggested Wings of Hope when contacted about his department participating in the fundraiser. Derzis said he and HPD have sponsored other efforts to benefit Wings of Hope, such as No Shave November, and Fire Chief Clay Bentley said his department wanted to support the cause because of the support they have received from Derzis and Hoover police. Modeling clothing along with Bentley and others were Officer Matthew Bond and K9 Fancy, who was dressed as Wonder Woman.

HooversMagazine.com 15

THE GUIDE SCHOOLS

A+ SUPERINTENDENT

BUSINESS

CALLED TO HOOVER CPR Cell Phone Repair has opened its first Hoover store in the Sam’s Plaza directly across from the Riverchase Galleria on Highway 150. The 1,200-square-foot store includes a large retail floor with cases, chargers, audio products and refurbished devices.

10-Day Price Match 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee 100% Outdoors Homewood 3054 Independence Drive • Homewood, AL 35209 Inverness 108 Inverness Plaza • Birmingham, AL 35242 Trussville 5467 Patrick Way, Suite 101 • Trussville, AL 35235

ALABAMAOUTDOORS.COM 16 December 2018/January 2019

Hoover City Schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy has been named District V Superintendent of the Year, meaning she’s also a finalist for the 2019 Alabama Superintendent of the Year.

School Superintendents of Alabama and Classworks, a SSA Diamond Level Business Member, made the announcement recently. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as District 5 Superintendent of the Year. There are 16 other superintendents in District 5, all deserving of this honor, which they gave to me. It doesn’t get any better than to be honored by the very people you hold in esteem,” Murphy said. “This recognition belongs to all of us in Hoover City Schools because it takes all of us to make the school district successful. Without a successful school district, this honor would not have come my way,” Murphy added.

&CULTURE

ARTS

NATURAL PAINTER

An empty nest gave Melanie O’Keefe the time she needed to turn her hobby into a full-fledged career.

BY CATHLENE COWART PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON HooversMagazine.com 17

A

Art and drawing have always been a part of Hoover native Melanie O’Keefe’s life, but it took her until recently to find her way back to it. She started off teaching fellow students how to draw in elementary school, but she didn’t pursue it in college.

She got a degree in finance since that was what her brother and sister received, but that wasn’t what she excelled in.

“Well, I can’t add two and two together, so you can imagine how that turned out,” Melanie says. “By that time, art was kind of in the background.”

She ended up going back to school for interior design and graduated summa cum laude since it was an artistic field.

From there, she moved to Atlanta to do renderings for a company before getting married and having two children.

In 1998, her family was transferred back to Hoover. It was here that her painting really began, starting with painting murals for Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church’s nursery in

18 December 2018/January 2019

2011 and 2012. After this experience, she decided to move her talents to canvas.

While painting was a hobby at first, she didn’t turn it into a full-time job until recently. When her sons both left home about five years ago, she began to pursue it even more than before. In this short amount of time, her career has skyrocketed, leading to publications, exhibits and awards all over the country. “I have been very blessed to have a lot of doors opened for me,” Melanie says. “I’ve been able to do things that not a lot of artists get to do, like being published.”

Her most recent publication was in Southwest Art Magazine in February for the annual landscape edition, her second time in the magazine. She has also been honored by the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society in their catalog for the “Best of America Exhibit.” Closer to home, she was selected by the Huntsville Museum of Art to be in the 2017

pH Balanced Massage & Fitness massage studio ~ yoga pilates ~ personal training

www.phbalancedfitness.com www.phbalancedmassage.com 3325 Rocky Ridge Plaza , Suite 211 & 213 Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 (205) 533-9421

HooversMagazine.com 19

“I think that nature is probably the most beautiful thing there is on earth.”

-Melanie O’Keefe

20 December 2018/January 2019

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Art Auction Gala.

When the time came to decide what to paint, landscape was the easy choice. With a love of traveling and nature, Melanie has been to what she describes as the most beautiful places on earth, which still give her goosebumps years later. “I think that nature is probably the most beautiful thing there is on earth,” she says.

“Nothing can replicate it, especially man. When I’m painting, I like for whoever’s looking at the painting to feel like they could just walk right in there and sit down.”

If there is one thing Melanie is known for, it’s her ability to paint water scenes. She’s been praised for this talent, especially when it comes to light reflections on water. It’s become her favorite subject, and it’s often an emotional thing for her to paint. Once she finds her inspiration and idea, it can be hard for her to stop painting, leading her to finish paintings in one night. “Once I start, I get so hungry to paint,” she says. “Sometimes I’ve been here painting until 4:30 in the morning because I love what I’m painting.”

Beyond coming up with her own ideas, she also does commissions. She completed one for a friend’s father, who happens to be a retired senator of Panama. The 5-by-7-foot painting is a depiction of their land featuring a creek with rocks and trees. The family is already wanting a second piece from her, this time of a bull, but on a smaller scale.

A typical work day for Melanie can be anywhere from six hours to 15 hours a day, seven days a week. With this schedule, it can usually take her a few days to a week to finish a painting. Her favorite finished painting is one she completed of a friend’s daughter on her honeymoon in Oregon, called “Varina View,” on her portfolio. “I wasn’t going to put her in there, but you can tell by her body language that she is overwhelmed by what she sees, so I put her in there,” Melanie says. “This woman climbs every mountain and trail from here to Timbuktu. She is quite a person, just like her father.”

When Melanie started painting full-time, she wasn’t sure what she was doing or how to sell paintings. Her two mentors, Rik

Shop Oh My Sole for Name Brand Clothing, Jewelry, Accessories, Gifts, Candles, Monogram Items as well as Tween Clothing and Gifts!

Monday-Saturday 10am to 5:30pm 4045 Helena Road, Helena, AL 35080

lumadentristry.com McCalla / Hoover / Centerville / Montevallo HooversMagazine.com 21

Lazenby and Tom Findlay, gave her the help she needed to get where she is today. Lazenby, who shares a studio with her, friended her on Facebook and right away they had a good connection artistically.

Findlay is on the business side of her work, helping her sell paintings and find shows to enter.

Her advice to those looking to get into a career in painting is to find a mentor as soon as possible. She compared it to acting, since it can take years to build up a name and get a following. A mentor will support you and give you honest advice. “You don’t want mom and dad and your best friend supporting you because they’re always going to tell you it’s beautiful,” she says. “You need someone who’s going to say, ‘That is totally wrong, you have to redo it.’”

Melanie has found her place in the art community, and her success so far is only the start. Even without formal training, she’s practiced and strived to perfect her work. She has a room of reject paintings, ones she can’t connect with or figure out how to improve.

However, when she finishes her work, the product isn’t what she loves best.

“There’s no bigger rush to me than when somebody who buys a piece of art connects with it emotionally,” she says. “You know you’ve done what you set out to do because it reminds them of a past memory and they get so excited. That to me is the most wonderful feeling.”

To contact Melanie about commissions, reach her on Facebook or by phone at (205) 602-4850.

Trendy and contemporary styles for tweens, juniors, and ladies!

Happy Holidays from us all at Snap Girls 205-500-0302 240 Country Club Park • Crestline The Mercantile, 5287 hwy 280 22 December 2018/January 2019

ARTS & CULTURE

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Tom Dameron

Featured Artist at Aldridge Gardens PHOTO BY BOB TEDROW

Tom Dameron, 74, of Homewood has gone from the pharmacy counter to the canvas. After practicing for 50 years as a pharmacist, he decided to be a full-time artist and musician. He is a 65-year member and officer at Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Tom and his wife of 52 years, Elaine, have two grown children and five grandchildren. Read on to learn more about his art and what of it will be on display at Aldridge Gardens.

What is your preferred medium?

I believe that God gives us gifts and mine was art. I found my way through experimentation. I was curious so I tried as many mediums as I could until I found what I enjoyed the most. I am a realist. I do my work using acrylic paint on canvas and on wood panels. I also favor watercolor. I like to bond my watercolor paper on wood panels then paint a detailed piece then I apply wax to the watercolor which makes it an encaustic.

The wax gives me a finished patina that I like a lot. I also do etchings, graphite drawings and silk screen. I don’t have time for hobbies because of the art and music.

What inspires you?

I love nature so I do a lot of flower pieces. I also do portraits but I don’t take portrait commissions. I paint who I want

singer and she also dresses as a traditional 1920s flapper. It is a really Do you try to convey messages, fun group of musicians. stories or specific themes in your What can people expect to see in your work?

The only thing I try to convey in my Aldridge Gardens gallery exhibit?

I am very fortunate to be able to show work is beauty. There are no stories or political statements. I just like to make my work at Aldridge Gardens. It is such a people happy. I try to work on something beautiful venue. I will be showing a lot of creative either in the planning stage or flower pieces and some watercolor/ actually hands on daily. Music is my encaustic pieces along with a few limited other love. I don’t think God gave me a edition etchings and prints. I also have a musical gift … I had to work hard to do few pieces of scenery that are acrylic on the music. I am blessed to be able to be canvas and on wood panels. in three groups. I play tuba in two trios, The Old Fashioned Rhythm Method and What advice would you give a young The Anything Goes Trio. We do a lot of artist just starting out?

My advice to young artists is to be New Orleans Tradition music and some tunes from the 1920s. I also play tuba in curious and learn all they can. The main a seven-member group that does nothing thing is to do work as good as possible but music from the roaring ’20’s. This and enjoy every minute. Create beauty group is called The Pre-Raphaelite and be happy.

Brotherhood and Merle. Merle is our to because I find the person interesting.

HooversMagazine.com 23

A Word from Tynette Lynch, Aldridge Gardens CEO

A visit to Aldridge Gardens can relieve stress and refresh your body and spirit. There is always something to see! Take advantage of crisp winter days to explore our paths through the Gardens and around the lake. While many plants are sleeping, you may still see winter flowers, as well as colorful berries, interesting seedpods, fascinating foliage and bark, and lots of wildlife. If you get a bit chilly, come into the house and view works of art inside the gallery, or shop at Roots, our petite gift shop.

Let our professional event coordinator help you plan your social or business affair at Aldridge Gardens! We have a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, and we can provide you with all the information and inspiration you need to host the perfect party, wedding, business meeting, or corporate retreat.

Contact Amanda Baker, Director of Sales and Catering at (205) 682-8019 ext.

103 or abaker@aldridgegardens.com

We are always “looking forward” to the next beautiful season or exciting new event at Aldridge Gardens, but I would like to take a moment to look back on a wonderful year in the Gardens.

Throughout 2018, we hosted many beautiful weddings, birthday parties and other social events in the Gardens. Many children enjoyed our curriculumbased field trips in spring and fall, and we had fun with over 250 school age children who attended our educational summer camps in June.

Fall weather came just in time for Whispers from the Past, our Native American celebration, where families got to experience hands-on crafts and watch authentic Native American dancers perform in the Gardens.

We had a great response to our annual Taste of Hoover on a magnificent fall evening in October. Over 400 people enjoyed tastings from 38 Hoover restaurants, vendors and caterers while they listened to the Birmingham Heritage Band.

We love all our events and parties at Aldridge Gardens and are looking forward to our Holiday Greenery Sale on December 1, and our Gifts of Art holiday shopping event on December 6.

Aldridge Gardens is a jewel located in the heart of the City of Hoover. Think about supporting the Gardens by giving a special “holiday gift” in someone’s name by purchasing a paver on our Walk of Life in our entrance plaza. Or honor a veteran by purchasing a paver for our Pentagon Plaza at the entrance to the Veterans Memorial Arbor. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and rely on memberships, donations and community sponsorships to continue to grow and maintain our beautiful Gardens.

We wish you a Blessed Holiday Season and thank you for your support.

3530 Lorna Road | Hoover, Alabama 35216 • 205-682-8019 • www.aldridgegardens.com • info@aldridgegardens.com

Mad Hatter Fairy Garden Tea Party 2 Monday, January 21, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Registration required: 1 registration includes 1 adult + 1 child $30 members/$40 nonmembers Maximum 12 registrations (24 people) Requested repeat of our smash hit Mad Hatter Fairy Garden Tea Party of July 2018, this one is on Martin Luther King Day so there’s no school that day. We will decorate a small garden container, then have “tea” (finger sandwiches and desserts) while the containers dry. We will play games, then pot up the containers to take home. Hats are welcome! Go to aldridgegardens.com to register.

In the Gallery: Tom Dameron Opening Reception: Tuesday, December 10, 6 - 7 p.m.

Aldridge Gardens Propagators private reception: 5 - 6 p.m.

Tom Dameron is a local artist and sousaphone player with the Legendary Pineapple Skinners jazz band and The Old Fashioned Rhythm Method. Tom works in a variety of mediums: pencil, watercolor, etchings, serigraphy, acrylics and stained glass. The focus of his work is the celebration of people and nature. His works will be on display and available for sale in the gallery during December and January.

While visiting the gallery, also be sure to see our special collection of Frank Fleming bronze sculptures, donated by Hoover resident Ken Jackson.

Pruning For Form and How to Avoid Crepe Murder Wednesday, January 23, 6 - 8:30 p.m. $15 members/$20 nonmembers Be sure to bring your pruners to this popular class with Rip Weaver, Aldridge Gardens Executive Director. Get some hands-on experience in proper pruning technique for crepe myrtles and other plants. Class is held inside the house. Seating and practice shrubs are limited, so register early at aldridgegardens.com.

BOOK NOOK

Hoover Library Christmas Musicals

1802 29TH AVENUE HOMEWOOD, AL 205.802.9252 | @hemlinebirmingham

When I first joined the Hoover Library Children’s Department in 2014, one of the first things I noticed was how talented our storytellers were. Not only could these librarians tell stories, they could act, dance and sing. Most importantly, they were not afraid to make fools of themselves which is a prerequisite for entertaining children.

Since I came to the library world by way of the theatre, I was immediately inspired to revive the staff plays of days past. I found out that Mary Ann Cohen (a.k.a. Miss Mary Ann) had spearheaded countless staff plays and puppet shows over her 31 years of service. She showed me a fantastic script she had written called Wake Up Santa! and I asked her if I could write some music for it. Soon we had a full-scale children’s musical on our hands.

With the help of our talented theatre production technician, Scott Littleton, we put on the show in the Library Theatre and it ended up being a big hit. It was so much more than people expected from librarians.

Our work was on caliber with Hoover Library Children’s professional children’s theatre; plus, Department we did everything ourselves – writing, scoring, directing, acting, choreographing, costuming, etc., while still doing our regular jobs. We realized we were on to something special, so our library director, Amanda Borden, gave us the green light to expand the program. In the following years, we created two more original Christmas musicals and offered more performances, bigger sets and more elaborate costumes.

The best part about doing these musicals is how children and parents still come up to us and talk about what they saw. “Hey! You were the yeti dad!” or “You were the bossy pink present!” or “Remember when Santa danced with the giant cookies?” These kind of responses show the lasting impact that live theatre has on children, as well as the connections they make with their librarians after seeing us on stage.

People also ask us how a bunch of librarians manage to create such high-quality original musicals. The way I see it, we’re just doing our jobs. We’re tasked to bring stories to life and inspire the next generation of lifelong learners. Our staff just happens to have the skill set to present families with fully-realized musicals with characters, stories and songs that they can get absorbed in together. Here’s to imagining more!

Alyssa Jewell

26 December 2018/January 2019

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

PROGRAMMING PROS

The members of Spain Park High School’s robotics team are ready to put their skills to the test at competition.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

HooversMagazine.com 27

Emily Broome, right, talks to another member of Spain Park High School’s BEST robotics team about one part of the team’s presentation for the North Alabama BEST robotics competition in October.

28 December 2018/January 2019

E

Emily Broome can say she’s a CEO. So can Caelan March and Anastasia Zellner. Zachary El-Fallah is right there with them as outreach lead. They take their jobs seriously, and they work diligently to guide their team to success. And they’re all still teenagers, inching their way toward high school graduation with backpacks full of books and futures full of promise.

To clarify, these Spain Park students don’t work for a corporation. Yet. But give Emily, Caelan, Anastasia, Zachary and the 25 other students they work with on the school’s BEST (Boosting Engineering Science & Technology) robotics team more time, and they could find themselves leading powerful companies someday. If their preparations for robotics competitions are any indication, the students lack no intelligence, creativity or finesse while using tools and materials more likely to be found at a construction site than in a classroom. On a Monday afternoon in midOctober, the sounds of power drills driving screws into wood merely signaled the start of another after-school session in which the students worked on their project and presentation for the North Alabama BEST robotics competition at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26. Spain Park was among 16

teams from around the Birmingham and Cullman area to compete.

Teams had six weeks to build a robot from scratch and organize a presentation for the robot as if it were a marketable product for a real company. This year’s overall competition theme is ocean protection and conservation.

The SPHS team dubbed themselves “Spain Park Ocean Conservations.”

“It has elements of a robotics competition, as well as presenting yourself as a company with a marketing angle mixed in there,” Emily says of the BEST competition. “Our product is our robot that helps remove trash from the ocean.

All of the teams around the state and country have that same game theme.”

The game as defined by BEST Robotics consists of a new educational theme or challenge and field each year. The playing field is typically a 24-foot-by-24-foot configuration, and four teams compete in three-minute matches, earning points for completing tasks in the allotted time. Teams must use only materials specified in the BEST packets in their robots.

The freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who make up the Spain Park’s team bring a variety of skills, ideas

Learn more at aroundtownpassbooks.com or contact us now via email at aroundtownpassbooks@gmail.com HooversMagazine.com 29

and interests to the table, resulting in a well-rounded team. Emily, a senior and the team’s overall CEO this year, got involved with the team as a freshman after hearing teachers and students talk about it. “I would show up and kind of plug in wherever they needed a pair of hands or a brain,” she says. “Everyone was really friendly and let me connect well as a freshman.”

For Caelan, a senior, robotics is a subject he was familiar with as a child thanks to his neighbor, SPHS engineering teacher Scottie Wilson. He just didn’t have enough time in his schedule to get involved with the team until this year. “I enjoy building things, and it’s nice to apply the subjects we learn in science and math classes to something real-world in high school,” he says. “You can’t say that about other clubs.” As the team’s engineering CEO, Caelan helps build, design and program the robots.

Anastasia, a senior and the team’s marketing CEO, was drawn to robotics in the sixth grade, when she found out the theme that year was related to creating a space elevator. “I have wanted to work for NASA since I was 5 years old. That was an integral part of me joining BEST that first year,” she says. “I’m also a creative person.

I like art and drama, and there aren’t often opportunities for me to express myself in engineering.”

Fashioning prototypical products “that could help real people” is also a perk of the robotics team. “I think it’s just great being able to pass on to other people what’s been so important to me for so many years,” she says.

Zachary, also a senior, has been involved with BEST Robotics

Spain Park High School’s Robotics Team

WWW. AMERICANVILLAGE.ORG

We, remain... and all unite in oering you, & yours, the compliments of the season; and the return of many, many more, and happy ones.

George Washington to Thomas Law Mount Vernon, Christmas Day, 1797

30 December 2018/January 2019

since the sixth grade, with the exception of his freshman year at Spain Park. Highlights for him include interacting with and watching other teams at competitions. Sophomore Paul Detloff and junior Nace Allen work with the marketing team. “It’s challenging, but it has to do with math and science, and I really like those subjects,” Paul says. “It’s preparing me for my senior year in engineering academy.” And on this particular afternoon, ninthgrader Adam Harkins was excited to be working toward his first BEST competition on the team. “I’m a little nervous, but I think it will be a really good experience for me to learn,” he says.

The competition had two areas: the robotics competition and the BEST competition. Robotics comprised a student-built robot riding along a 2-by-4-foot current that was secured with a rope on one end and a carabiner on the other, elevated 5 feet off the ground and spanning 10 feet. The robot had three minutes to traverse the current and collect ocean garbage. BEST comprised Spirit & Sportsmanship, Robot Performance, Formal Interview, Informal Marketing Exhibit and Interview and Engineering Notebook categories. SPHS took home first place in Engineering Notebook (with EJ Moses and Lauryn Kortman scoring a perfect score), second place in robotics and first place in BEST. Robot drivers were: Ben Hartwiger, Eric Wang, Chase Thomas, Justin Zhang, Mohammed Khan, Zac Shaw and Jack Hudson. SPHS will compete at the South’s BEST Robotics competition in Auburn on Dec. 1-2, along with 60 other teams. It’s another chance for the SPHS team to showcase its skills on a large stage.

Make Someone Happy with a new piece of Jewelry!!

(205) 987-2224

2080 Valleydale Rd #6, Hoover, AL 35244 HooversMagazine.com 31

Please Join the BBVA Compass Bank local team as we host our monthly socials, drinks and Hors d’oeuvres provided.

Join your fellow business owners, expand your network, and grow your business!

Trifusion Rebecca Hughes

Bromberg's Ricky Bromberg

Mountain Brook

Chamber of commerce

&DRINK

FOOD

DIFFERENT + CLEVER

Holley Grainger brings grace and good advice to families in her Cleverful Living blog.

BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY CARLI BEST HooversMagazine.com 33

Holley Grainger and her daughters, Ellie and Frances.

34 December 2018/January 2019

A

A couple of years ago, Holley Grainger and her young daughters, Ellie and Frances, made apple spaghetti in the kitchen. Holley remembers spiral-cutting an apple to make the funky fruit noodles, and laughing when one of the girls mispronounced the word “spaghetti.” The food itself was nothing fancy, and Holley knew there would be a small mess to clean up afterward. But the memory of those few minutes of giggly fun and experimentation with her daughters still stands out in Holley’s mind as a keepsake from their fleeting childhood.

“They had a blast with it,” she says. “I try to make the moments we have in the kitchen teaching moments. It’s carving out those moments to say, ‘OK, we can take an extra five minutes to say they can stir something or crack an egg.”

Turning the ordinary, sometimes messy moments of raising a family into opportunities for learning and enjoyment—and showing other parents how to do the same—is something Holley, 39, has made a priority in her career as well. The wife and mother of two is also a registered dietitian and the curator of the Cleverful Living blog. “I rebranded my website this year and put a name to everything I’d already been doing,” she says.

“That’s where ‘cleverful living’ came up. It’s a way to be able to look at what my audience was wanting: smart ideas, easy recipes, tips for having a healthier lifestyle, but wrapping that all into things that are fun, different and clever.”

Holley, who lives in Hoover, points to her own childhood as the foundation of her interest in food and how it affects people’s overall health. Her Italian Catholic family owned a gourmet food and wine store and believed in celebrating every holiday over a good meal together. Holley cheered and played softball in high school. Combining her knowledge of food and her interest in its role in athletes’ performance seemed like a natural fit for her college studies. “Having Southern Progress (Corporation) in my back yard and following Cooking Light magazine throughout my teens really helped me get interested,” she adds. “My mom was great about bringing us kids into the kitchen as well.”

While at the University of Alabama, Holley wrote pieces for the College of Human and Environmental Sciences about nutrition, debunking common myths and providing tips on following a healthy diet. After graduation, she landed a job at Time Inc. as the food editor for Oxmoor House and Southern Living, and the food and nutrition editor of MyRecipes.com and CookingLight.com. Holley also discovered she enjoyed being in front of a camera for video segments. She has shot hundreds of nationally syndicated videos for Time Inc. including the “Dinner Tonight” and “Real Life Nutrition” series.

Around the time she had her first child, Holley started a consulting business. “It just offered flexibility. I think the beauty of owning my own business is it allows me to be what I need to be when I need to be it,” she says. “I wanted to be able to create and talk to my own audience, but also partner and consult with

This home was SOLD by our agent Buffy Allen 223 -5537

Rebecca Crowther 807-6838 Cal Sirkin 873-0234

This is

4441 Preserve Dr

Give a gift that

WWW.CCSLION.COM

GREYSTONE - (205) 396-1250 | TRACE CROSSINGS - (205) 733-5437 | VALLEYDALE (205) 444-5437

will keep on giving...

AN EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCE

the whole family will enjoy!

COVENANT CLASSICAL PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE ®

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY AND MENTION THE HOOVER MAGAZINE TO RECEIVE

$150 towards a new enrollment HooversMagazine.com 35

brands and spread their nutrition message. I really jumped in with two feet.”

She has appeared on the Today Show, Fox and Friends, The Doctors, Doctor Oz and, most recently, the Martha Stewart Show (Holley’s episode will air in spring 2019). “It was very cool meeting her—someone that’s an icon in the field, especially in the food and lifestyle realm,” Holley says. “She was very kind and down-to-earth, and so smart.”

Holley works with her clients, including the National Dairy Council, American Pecans, ALDI, Uncle Ben’s and Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., to develop recipes or create blog posts that incorporate their products. But food is not the only topic that finds attention on Holley’s Cleverful Living blog. She’s written about parenting solutions, party ideas, crafts, travel tips and even overcoming personal setbacks, such as being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy after she had her second daughter.

“That was a trying time to be able to continue to work and have a baby,” she says. “That was certainly character-building and a good lesson for me that I can’t do it all on my own. I carry those principles into the business now. Being able to create a team and utilize special skills of other people allows me to grow my business and be well-rounded.”

Much of what she shares on the blog is derived from her experiences as a mother. “Just watching and

listening and paying attention to what my children are doing and how they react to my role as mom and entrepreneur continues to inspire me to keep pushing forward and be an example of what a strong woman can be,” she says. “It gives me lots of room for growth and, more importantly, lots of room to explore and find an easier and smarter way to do things.”

Take Holley’s lunchboxes, for example. By infusing her daughters’ lunches with creative touches and allowing them to participate in the selection and arrangement of the foods, she is able to teach them about nutrition without boring them or turning them off to healthy foods. Ideas as simple as drawing a snowman on the plastic wrapping of string cheese or cutting bell peppers into candy cane shapes (see photo on page 36) put fun spins on regular foods.

“The lunchboxes have been fun,” she says. “One of my love languages is being a provider and taking a little extra time in offering a lunch that has balance. They’re not necessarily Pinterest-worthy lunches, but they’re real. And some mornings, I’m throwing it together from bags. Being realistic is very important to me, so other parents can relate, but also have that feeling of knowing they can achieve what I’m putting out there.”

Holley’s lunchboxes started when her older daughter, Ellie, was a toddler. Holley took pictures for friends who asked about what she sent in her lunch. She shared

You dream of a place where the whole family has fun...

12 Month Trial Memberships Available Call 972-9000 or visit oldovertonclub.com for more information!

36 December 2018/January 2019

ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD COOKIES 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Divide dough in half shaping each

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

piece into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap

1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt Using a stand mixture, beat together butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl as needed to ensure ingredients are combined.

Whisk together flour, rosemary, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.

Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture with the mixer on low. Increase speed to medium and mix until flour is incorporated and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Scrape sides of bowl as needed.

and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

When ready to bake, heat oven to 325 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Remove dough from the refrigerator and unwrap. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness.

Cut into rounds or shapes using a lightly floured cookie cutter. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with a pinch of additional sugar and salt, if desired.

Bake cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly brown. Remove from the oven and allow to sit on the baking sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. *Makes 20-24 cookies

HooversMagazine.com 37

Holley’s lunchbox recipes for children involve a variety of healthy foods, plus creative ways to make eating them more fun. For this lunchbox, Holley drew a snowman on the plastic wrap on the string cheese, and she let her daughters help her cut bell peppers into Christmas shapes with small cookie cutters.

the photos on Instagram and her blog, and they took off in popularity. “My ‘125 Healthy Lunchboxes for Kids’ blog post far and away is my No. 1 top-ranked blog post on my site,” she says.

Using a closeable tray with different compartments, Holley portions out fruits, vegetables, proteins and other items from the basic food groups for her girls, adding simple, creative touches when she can. She admits both girls are “very selective eaters,” so experimenting with different ways to prepare or present foods can be another step in the process. “They help me grocery shop and prep their own lunchboxes, and I teach them to choose a variety of foods. They don’t always like it, and the lunchboxes don’t always come back empty, but it’s all about exposure.” Holley is also a proponent of the reusable 38 December 2018/January 2019

lunchbox because “it’s easy and convenient, it cuts back on paper waste, you can slide it in the fridge and some can go in dishwasher.”

Adults, don’t fret: She also blogs about grownup lunchbox ideas that are designed to be healthy, tasty and convenient for busy parents and professionals. Often, her inspiration for new combinations comes from questions and suggestions from the people looking to her for guidance. “It’s really, for me, about building community and listening and helping each other,” she says. “My family and my community are where a lot of inspiration comes from.”

She admits perfection isn’t her standard for her family or anyone else’s, and she stresses that people should cut themselves some slack. “Give yourself some grace. It’s not

SHE ONCE BUILT A FORT SO LARGE, THAT IT UTILIZED EVERY BLANKET, TOWEL, AND CHAIR IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.

Holley works on a post for her Cleverful Living blog.

always going to be perfect, and it’s not always going to be nutritionally sound,” she says. “But keep doing the best you can and give yourself some grace knowing you’re doing your best to provide for your child. Continuing to take small baby steps and continuing to make tweaks, little by little, will help balance and improve their overall diet.”

If imperfection means Holley can make “unicorn noodles” with her daughters and spend more time laughing with them and her husband, Brent, than worrying about the vegetable dye dripping onto the kitchen floor, then she’s OK with that.

“They’re kids; they’re not afraid to make a mess,” she says.

“The mess can be cleaned up. It’s about the memories that they’ll go off with, not if the cake was perfectly baked or the brownies were burned. It’s just about getting in the kitchen.”

CHILDREN A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY

and at Children’s of Alabama, we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential.

That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine.

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 3 3 (205) 638-9100

ChildrensAL.org

HooversMagazine.com 39 Built A Fort - 3.5 x 9.75 - HooverMagVestaviaHillsMag.indd 1

10/30/18 10:48 AM

FOOD & DRINK

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Ken Pierce

Saltgrass Steak House Divisional Vice President

BY DENISE K. JAMES PHOTO BY LANDRY’S

There is nothing better than a night out at a fun restaurant, and residents of Hoover are loving the new Saltgrass Steak House for a dinner. With a menu featuring everything from steaks to seafood and housemade accompaniments, the restaurant offers food with downtown quality on John Hawkins Parkway. And according to Ken Pierce, the good food is just the beginning.

Share a bit of Saltgrass’s history – how did this restaurant come to be part of the Landry Family?

The Saltgrass legend dates back to the 1800s when cattle roamed freely throughout Texas and were driven to the Texas gulf coast to graze on the rich coastal saltgrass. When they headed for market, they followed the legendary Saltgrass Trail. In 1952, this historic trail ride was revived to publicize the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The ride has become an annual celebration, and the first Saltgrass Steak House still stands along this historic trail. Drawing inspiration from this time, the concept for Saltgrass Steak House was born. Saltgrass Steak House is now bringing a piece of Texas to newly opened locations in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

40 December 2018/January 2019

How long has the Hoover location been open?

The Saltgrass in Hoover opened its doors on Oct. 9, three weeks after the first Alabama location opened in Birmingham.

savory bacon jam. In addition, all soups and salad dressings are made in-house every day with fresh ingredients.

Saltgrass is best known for its authentic Certified Angus Beef brand steaks.

Besides the food, what are some other Why did you choose Hoover as a reasons customers love coming to Saltgrass? neighborhood for Saltgrass?

Customers enjoy the overall Following the success of the atmosphere and experience of dining at Birmingham location Saltgrass opened Saltgrass.

Besides the menu, customer the restaurant in Hoover, as it’s a perfect fit for the community that appreciates service is our top priority. Diners feel delicious food and Southern hospitality. welcome as if they’re enjoying a meal among family and friends. Another Describe the Saltgrass menu concept. reason diners love Saltgrass is the The menu features an array of fresh authentic feel of the décor. When you seafood, chicken, burgers, sandwiches, walk in, you are instantly transported to salads and more, with favorites such as a warm Hill Country home with Chicken Fried Steak, BBQ Baby Back everything from longhorns on the walls Ribs and Double-Bone Pork Chop with to framed rattlesnake skins to cowboy paraphernalia.

&STYLE

HOME

FIXING UP A FOREVER HOME

The Shaws revamped a ’60s ranch home with an open-concept floorplan and vintage accents.

BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY JEFF REASE HooversMagazine.com 41

G

Gina and Steve Shaw were charmed by the overall look and location of the 1960s ranch home their realtor showed them two miles from their home in Hoover’s Lake Crest neighborhood in 2017, but they weren’t sold on the floorplan.

“It was really, really cute, but it wasn’t quite open enough,” Gina says. Later that night, their realtor, Sandra Williamson (Gina’s sister-in-law) was told the house had received three offers already, just in the first day it was on the market. Gina and Steve knew they had to act fast if they wanted to stand a chance in the contest for the house and its secluded one-acre lot near Sulphur Springs Road.

“We didn’t even look at it again,” Gina says. “My husband said, ‘You want to do it?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’ I loved it.”

The couple put in their offer and got the house in early 2017. Then, the real work started. They dove head-first into a 10-month remodeling project to remove walls and implement an open-concept floorplan in the main part of the house—the kitchen, den, living and dining rooms—and to add on to the master suite. They also added a large covered porch with an outdoor fireplace on the back of the house. With their two sons grown and gone, Gina and Steve were downsizing from their Lake Crest home and trying to maximize the spaces in which they spend the most time.

42 December 2018/January 2019

“We wanted to make the most of those rooms that we use.

We felt like we were wasting a lot of space,” Gina says. “When we saw the house, we just kind of put our heads together on things we wanted. We drew our own plans up as to where we wanted to knock out walls and what we wanted to add. We agreed on most things, and we both had some good ideas.”

The couple adopted a rustic farmhouse style with light neutrals and vintage elements throughout the house. “I would like to think we did our version of a Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper,” Gina says. “It was a precious house before, and it was move-in ready, but we just wanted it more open. We love it.”

Steve says the home was “very tastefully done” when he and Gina bought it. They simply wanted to update and infuse it with their personal style. “We’ve had people ask who designed it, and I’ll have to say we just sat down and talked about what we wanted and began to draw it out,” he adds.

The Shaws plan to make this their final home. They’re still close to their church family at Hunter Street Baptist, and perhaps best of all, their grandchildren have grown extremely fond of the home. “This has become a little haven for our grandkids,” Steve says. “I’m approaching retirement and it’s good to get on one level and do something a little bit different while utilizing our own taste and ideas.”

Living Room Gina’s rule of thumb as she was choosing furniture, paint colors and interior accents was to buy what she and Steve liked, not just what’s trendy. To give the home a comfortable, rustic ambience, the couple bought old columns and doors from Southern Accents in Cullman. The columns were a natural fit between the living and dining rooms, and the doors hang or rest against walls throughout the main living spaces. They painted most of the walls “greige,” a soothing gray-beige blend. “In my other house, I used a lot of darker colors,” Gina notes. “I still have some here and there. I just wanted to go with more airy, peaceful tones.”

HooversMagazine.com 43

Kitchen Gina had no trouble choosing the color of the island, the focal point of the kitchen from the dining and living rooms. “Blue is my favorite color,” she says. She added some drama to the room with solid black cabinets from Brewer Cabinets, a copper range hood and a tile backsplash that pulls the entire room together with hints of copper, silver and blue. The quartz countertops balance the black cabinets and blue island, and if you look closely, they boast a subtle shine with copper- and silver-colored flecks. “I absolutely love this kitchen. I actually like to cook in it,” she says with a laugh.

44 December 2018/January 2019

2015

2016

2017

She wants to make selling as fun as buying for you Dining Room The Shaws removed a wall that divided what is now the dining room from the kitchen to create a more cohesive space. When they sit down for a meal with family members and friends in their dining room, they can still talk to anyone who might be standing in the kitchen or sitting on the barstools at the island. The view of their front yard through the picture window next to the dinner table is an added bonus.

HooversMagazine.com 45

Hall Bathroom Dominated by black and white elements, this bathroom bears a clean and classic look. Gina saw it as the perfect place for her mother’s black china cabinet, a piece “that’s really special to me.”

Master Bedroom Furniture, linens and décor in grays, creams and soft blues contrast with the dark hardwood floors in the Shaws’ master bedroom.

46 December 2018/January 2019

Master Bathroom The Shaws’ bathroom is an attractive combination of rustic and modern elements. Gina found the distressed cabinets on each side of the bathtub at Homewood Antiques. The subtle contrast in the gray shiplap wall behind the bathtub and the tiled walk-in shower creates visual interest.

HooversMagazine.com 47

Den Gina and Steve installed two old doors from Southern Accents in the den leading into the mudroom. The den’s shiplap walls are covered in a bolder color than the rest of the house, but it’s balanced by the off-white beamed ceiling. “I had to have some color somewhere,” Gina says.

Another feature that sets this rectangular space apart from the living room is the brick floor, a contrast in tone and texture from the wood floors throughout the rest of the house.

48 December 2018/January 2019

Covered Porch One of the highlights from the Shaws’ remodeling project was the covered porch they added to the back of the house. Steve needed a room where he could display his University of Alabama memorabilia, and also wanted a place to hang a big-screen TV and watch sports. “A guy’s got to have a man cave,” he says. Automatic screens can be lowered to convert the open porch to a screened porch. The porch overlooks the quiet backyard, an expanse of green grass bordered by bamboo trees.

Each one of our Heritage Series mattresses are handcrafted and perfectly assembled. They represent decades of experience and a promise to bring the highest quality materials to every sleep need.

With options ranging from traditional construction to mattresses including latex, memory foam, & coil on coil construction, we are sure that you will find rest & comfort.

/EFMattress

We are Birmigham’s oldest, most trusted, mattress company since 1915! www.efmattress.com Now offering Red Land Cotton Sheets HooversMagazine.com 49

Mudroom It’s a small space the Shaws walk through when they’re going to or coming from their carport—another addition they implemented during remodeling—but they didn’t neglect the mudroom as they worked on the house. It bears the same brick floors and wall color as the den.

BEHIND THE SCENES Construction: Mike Hood, H&H Construction Construction Support: Ronald Shaw Realtor: Sandra Williamson

Countertops, Backsplash and Bathroom Flooring: CR Home Alabama (selection assistance from Karen Isaminger)

Cabinets: Brewer Cabinets

Range Hood: Jimmy Wade, Wade Heating and Cooling

Landscaper: Blake Jones, Red Mountain Landscapes and Gardens

50 December 2018/January 2019

HOOVER THE BEAUTIFUL

The city’s attractiveness isn’t confined to private residences. Take a look at the recipients of the 2018 Commercial Beautification Awards.

Large Office Complex: Chase Corporate Center

Fire Station: Hoover Fire Station No. 2

Single Tenant Business: Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens

Schools: Riverchase Elementary School

Professional Office: St. Vincent’s One Nineteen

Restaurants: Superior Grill

NOT PICTURED: uShopping Mall: Hoover Promenade (Colonial) uHotels and Motels: Hampton Inn and Suites, Highway 150 uFinancial Institutions: Iberia Bank, Highway 150

uChurches: Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles uOther: Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen uMayor’s Award: Wayne’s – Parkway Drive, Riverchase uTree Conservation: Fire Station No. 3, Riverchase HooversMagazine.com 51

late bloomer Blake Ewing came to music late, but he’s made up for lost time.

By Amy Jones | Photos by Liesa Cole

52 December 2018/January 2019

HooversMagazine.com 53

For the first 16 years of his life, Blake Ewing had nothing more than a passing interest in music. Then his family suddenly acquired a used piano, and Ewing found himself wanting to learn more.

He didn’t have a piano teacher at that point, but it turned out that he didn’t really need one.

“I basically just started with the ‘P’ volume of the World Book Encyclopedia set we also had, looked up the ‘Piano’ entry, and began to work out what chords and scales were, and went from there,” Ewing says. “That all led to me trying to play various sheet music and to learn to accompany my high school choir, which I had also just joined as a junior, and to generally learning to read music.”

Soon, Ewing’s life path was set. “I realized my true interest was in trying to create my own work.

And that’s kind of where it all started,” he says.

Today, Ewing, 40, is an established composer with a laundry list of well-known clients, including AT&T, Chevrolet, Boy Scouts of America, ESPN, Google, Netflix and many more. He describes his

54 December 2018/January 2019

music as “neo/post-classical and cinematic,” and cites John Williams, Danny Elfman and the band Sigur Rós, among others, as some of his biggest musical influences.

“I think I tend to seek out and write toward the emotional aspects of music. Drama and authenticity can hopefully be found in the majority of my work,” Ewing says. “My main goal is to take the listener on a journey of some sort and maybe make them feel a connection to something outside of themselves or a moment in time.”

Ewing, who also writes music for film and television scoring, said each type of music he composes taps into a different part of his creativity.

“Writing modern classical and ambient (music) is a nice creative outlet, and there’s a freedom to really dig into the art of music,” he says. “Whereas film,

HooversMagazine.com 55

TV and ad scores are a much more collaborative effort between a whole team of people, where the end product is hopefully greater than its individual parts.”

Ewing, who lives in Riverchase with his family, said his wife, Dot, and young son, Aaron, contribute to his creative process in unique ways.

“When I first began on this musical journey as a profession, I used to constantly bounce ideas and compositions off of my wife to get her opinions, which were usually spot on,” he says. “I don’t do that as much anymore, but I still get her opinion from time to time on really important projects, just to make sure I am not too far off to the casual listener.”

And sometimes Aaron is actually part of the music. “Since we had Aaron, I’ve also sampled him making noises as a baby and even him singing certain notes that I can then manipulate and add effects to in various ways to fit whatever I’m working on at the time,” Ewing says. “It’s kind of a fun little experiment to sneak him into some compositions.”

As the owner of Hoover’s Forest Bear Bakery, Dot is an artist in her own right. Blake Ewing said the two have a deeper understanding of each other because of their chosen professions.

“I’m very proud of her and the bakery. She is extremely creative in inventing her recipes, designs and flavor combinations,” Ewing says. “I think it helps us to know that we both have some of the same creative issues, false starts and public feedback on our work so that we can empathize with one another.”

CATCHING UP Even though Ewing got a late start in music, he caught up quickly – and it didn’t take him long to decide that music was his calling.

“After joining the high school choir and excelling in a subject I’d never even known, it really just became a passion. The natural next step in my mind was to continue studying music in a much more structured and formal way in 56 December 2018/January 2019

college,” he said.

Ewing chose to attend UAB. He had the good fortune to arrive just as the music department hit a period of rapid growth.

“I was instantly surrounded by the most talented and like-minded people I’d ever known. To know I wasn’t alone or crazy for being so passionate about a subject, to know and trust there were professors and faculty there that knew so much more than me, and that I could turn my mind toward learning from others instead of solely being self-taught,” he says.

“It was life-changing.”

While at UAB, Ewing joined various ensembles and found himself taking part in experiences he couldn’t have imagined just a few years prior. He was part of a group that toured England and performed in Canterbury Cathedral; he learned what it was like to perform with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Ballet; and he got to meet composers and help premiere their original works.

“It was a wonderful experience,” he says.

Even though he’s been part of the Birmingham area for a long time, Ewing said he hasn’t thought much yet about how he’d like to impact the local music scene, but he hopes that will change.

IS PROUD TO WELCOME INTO OUR EXPERT TEAM OF PHYSICIANS

shoes

accessories

apparel

Christopher A. Heck, MD ORTHOPAEDIC SPINE SURGEON

Michael F. Blum, M.D. | Ekkehard Bonatz, M.D. George Robert Booker, M.D. | William S. Craig, M.D. Donald A. Deinlein, M.D. | Michael T. Ellerbusch, M.D. John S. Kirchner, M.D. | William D. Krauss, D.O. Michael D. Smith, M.D. | William D. Sudduth, M.D. C.J. Talbert, M.D. ON-SITE MRI and PHYSICAL THERAPY

Call 205-985-4111 today to schedule your appointment. www.SouthlakeOrthopaedics.com

b i r m i n g h a m ’s n e w e st w o m e n ’s b o ut iq ue

3920 crosshaven drive cahaba heights 205 518-5010 www.ryan-reeve.com HooversMagazine.com 57

“I’d love to bring an awareness to this type of music that might not exist yet,” he says. “I’d also love to meet and collaborate with more local musicians to prove on a national and international level that this area has a lot of talent.”

GETTING INSPIRED Nature is a constant source of inspiration, Ewing says. “There’s something about the great expanses of natural space and the oceans that seem to fit the mood and mental imagery of a lot of my work,” he said.

He said he hopes to help people connect with the music and with each other. “I want people to listen and feel something. I want to support the storytelling of any project I work on,” he said. “I also want to continue to learn, as I think art in general is a lifetime study and practice.”

Ewing has two EPs coming out soon. “Shelter” is a dramatic work that mixes organic and synth instrumentation, while “88” showcases minimal piano pieces. He’s also set to score a documentary about homelessness in Los Angeles.

To find out more about Ewing and his music, visit Blakeewingmusic.com.

58 December 2018/January 2019

Blake works on music compositions in his studio.

SETHI C O U T U R E

Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry & Collectibles 1811 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209 205-874-1044

TAKING THE EDGE OFF IN THE EYES OF THE BISHOP FAMILY, ONE HUNGRY CHILD IS ONE TOO MANY. THEIR ORGANIZATION, HOOVER HELPS, IS WORKING HARD TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY.

BY ANGELA D. HAGER PHOTOS BY ANGELA D. HAGER AND DAWN HARRISON 60 December 2018/January 2019

A sparse pantry. An empty fridge. A hungry child.

For the majority of Hoover residents, these thoughts have long been associated with children in other cities, areas far removed from the confines of our municipal boundaries. However, as ugly and as shocking as the truth may be, the city of Hoover is not immune to the adversities of food insecurity.

According to Melinda Bonner, Child Nutrition Program director for Hoover City Schools, 25 percent of students enrolled in the Hoover City School system currently rely on the aid of the National School Lunch Program. The NSLP is a federally-assisted program that provides either free or low-cost, nutritious meals to children in need each school day. While these children are receiving proper nutrition during their time at school, in many cases, their meals are drastically limited during their time at home.

In an effort to help narrow these meal gaps, Greg Bishop, his wife, Donna, and their two daughters, Olivia and Chloé, created a non-profit organization called Hoover Helps to help meet the basic needs of children in Hoover. Their first project was a city-wide initiative to create Backpack Programs in all Hoover schools. This program provides children in need with take-home bags of non-perishable, easy-to-eat foods to help alleviate hunger over the weekend. Children at risk for food insecurity are carefully identified by trained teachers, counselors and principals. In order to help protect the children’s privacy, the Hoover Helps organization does not come in direct contact with the food recipients. Discretion is a top priority for Greg and his family, and there are measures in place to safeguard the dignity of each and every child.

The premise behind the Hoover Helps project was sparked during a conversation centered around community giving. While Greg and a group of his friends were brainstorming over ways to give back, the husband of a Hoover schoolteacher voiced the fact that

kids were going to school hungry and that it was a concern that needed to be addressed. With four area elementary schools already having Backpack Programs in place, one being Green Valley Elementary School, the Bishop family resolved to expand on their model and launch a program within all Hoover City Schools.

Since the first few food bags were distributed at Rocky Ridge Elementary School in August of 2015, Hoover Helps has been able to reach its goal: All 15 elementary and middle schools now have Backpack Programs. Greg and Donna credit this incredible feat to the hard work of 15 faith-based partners, both of their daughters’ hard work, hours of networking and grant writing and a tremendous outpouring of municipal and community support. Churches and other faith-based organizations have been more than eager to partner in this effort and are invaluable to the program’s sustainability. Suzette Foster and Esther Merriam are longtime members of Hunter Street Baptist Church and coordinate HSBC’s own weekend backpack ministry called Food4Kids. By partnering with Hoover Helps, the church is able to sponsor three Hoover City Schools this year. “Greg Bishop has worked tirelessly to make Hoover Helps an awesome nonprofit charity,” says Suzette. “We at Hunter Street feel blessed for the opportunity to be a partner in such a worthwhile ministry to deserving students in Hoover City Schools.”

Recently, Hoover Helps acquired the help of Blake Hollingsworth, currently a Hoover High School senior.

Through Hoover High’s Business and Entrepreneurship Academy, Blake served as a summer marketing intern for the organization. Thanks to his ingenuity, awareness is at an all-time high. “It truly was a remarkable experience,” Blake states. “Childhood hunger is a real issue in Hoover that many people don’t realize. I’m very glad Hoover Helps is contributing to this cause. They have truly made a difference in so many Hoover HooversMagazine.com 61

families’ lives.”

Hoover Helps’ most prominent fundraising effort comes each fall in the form of a giving challenge between Hoover’s two highly-competitive high schools: Hoover High and Spain Park. With the Bucs vs. Jags rivalry football game being the most anticipated of the year, this gives Hoover Helps the perfect opportunity to raise funds through friendly competition.

This challenge, now in its fourth season, has proven to be very successful for the organization, as it simultaneously

SPHS cheerleaders hold Hoover Helps signs at the Hoover-Spain Park game to draw attention to the organization’s fundraiser for the fight against hunger.

62 December 2018/January 2019

encompasses three southern loves at once: fall, football and philanthropy.

For the Bishop family, hunger awareness has become more than just a passion; it has evolved into a life mission. Through their efforts, described by Chloe’ as “getting their hands dirty,” our city is not only awakening to this unsettling issue, but action is being taken to ensure that children who experience food insecurity at home have access to food when they need it most.

Over the summer, the Hoover City Schools Child Nutrition

Indoor, Climate Controlled Storage for RVs, Boats, Cars, Large Equipment

No More Winterizing!

455 Hwy 70 | Columbiana, AL

205-304-1953 www.StoreIndoor.net

HooversMagazine.com 63

Program and the Hoover Library served more than 8,000 lunches to children and teens through a Summer Feeding Program. Nutritious meals were transported via a retired, converted school bus (made possible by a Hoover Helps donation) now known as the Meals in Motion food bus. Due to the overwhelming response this program received, plans are in the works to continue to meet this need in the summers to come. “Our community has pulled together in a major way to fix this problem,” says the Bishops. “It’s great to live in a place like Hoover.”

There is no denying that in the eyes of most, Hoover is perceived as a city of affluency. While statistics and pie charts may uphold this perception, there is another statistic that tends to get lost among the percentages, a statistic that represents names, faces and hardships that too many of our city’s children are facing.

If you would like to learn more about Hoover Helps or make a tax-free donation to help combat childhood hunger in our area, visit hooverhelps. org. Greg Bishop can be contacted directly via email at hooverhelps@gmail.com.

64 December 2018/January 2019

HOLIDAY 1

SPECIAL ADVERTISING

GIF T GUIDE 2

1. LUXURY DOG BED Big, plush, and comfortable – signature line of Bagel Beds has it all! Customize yours by selecting the top and bottom fabric. Removable cover for washing. 24” to 50” diameter starting at $109 Whiskers & Wags Pet Boutique, 16618 Hwy 280, Suite 100, Chelsea, AL 35043. (205) 618-9496.

2. DEAR PRUDENCE

3

Suburb much? Dear Prudence offers fun on trend fashion & gifts. Find them in the Patton Creek shopping center! 181 Main Street, Suite 105, Hoover, (205) 407-7523.

4

3. “MY LITTLE RED WAGON” ORNAMENT Christopher Radko’s “My Little Red Wagon” Ornament, which benefits Children’s of Alabama, is made in family-owned European factories that use centuries-old techniques to blow, silver, handlacquer and embellish. Available at Bromberg’s, 2800 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham (205) 871-3276.

4. EMERALD CATS EYE NECKLACE AND EARRINGS Beautiful Emerald Cats Eye Necklace and Earrings

by Kendra Scott’s Fall Collection. Stop by and see out great collection of Kendra Scott Jewelry.

Available at Cahaba Lily South, 5479 US-280, Suite 117, Birmingham, (205) 490-6210

5. ALL PURPOSE WOODEN SERVING BOWL $130. Available at Wallace Burke Jewelry, 1811 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209, (205) 8741044.

66 December 2018/January 2019

5

SPECIAL ADVERTISING 6

6. GAMEDAY SUPER SOFT SWEATSHIRTS Gameday Super Soft Sweatshirts make the perfect Christmas gift. Available for $58 at The Ditsy Daisy, 16383 US-280, Chelsea, AL 35043, (205) 678-6166.

7. SWEET GRACE LAUNDRY DETERGENT Give your garments the VIP treatment with Sweet Grace laundry detergent by Bridgewater Candle Company. We also carry room spray, auto vent, candles and many other products. Available at Celeste Heavenly Boutique, 611 Doug Baker Blvd, Suite 114, Birmingham, (205) 407-4400.

8. MAGIC CITY WOODWORKS BIRD HOUSE KITS Available for $19.95 at Alabama Gas, Light and Grill, 2828 Linden Ave, Homewood, AL 35209.

(205) 870-4060.

9. MOTO LEGGING FROM ALO

7

8

The Moto Legging from Alo is the perfect legging to move with you in the gym & paired with a sweater for your everyday life. Available at Eleven Eleven, 2411 Montevallo Rd, Mountain Brook, (205) 423-5071.

10. HOBO WALLET AND PURSE Wallet, $128, and Purse, $298, available at Gifted, 2643 Pelham PKWY, Pelham, AL 35124, (205) 6243400.

9

10

HooversMagazine.com 67

SPECIAL ADVERTISING 11 11. SOFIA PURSES Sofia purses, genuine leather bags, Sofia is a designer out of Houston. Her cross-body bags have a removable chain and can be turned into a clutch. $135 each. Available at Hemline, 1802 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209, (205) 8029252.

12. PATAGONIA NANO PUFF JACKET The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket sold out last year, so you don’t want to miss out. Perfect for all outdoor activities! $199. Available at Alabama Outdoors, 108 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham, (205) 980-3303.

12

13. SIMPLY BRIE BOWL WITH RECIPE Makes a perfect gift or hostess gift. Many styles and potters to choose from. $36-$42. Available at The Cook Store, 2841 Cahaba Rd , Mountain Brook, (205) 879 5277.

14. STUDDED SHOULDER BAG

A buttery soft studded shoulder bag from Baske California. $425. Available at Ryan Reeve, 300 Crosshaven Dr, Vestavia Hills, (205) 518-5010.

14

13

68 December 2018/January 2019

SPECIAL ADVERTISING 16

15

15. AT HOME Drinking with the Saints, $29.99. Bites on a Board, $24.99. Available at At Home, 2921 18th Street S, Homewood, 35029. (205) 879-3510.

17

16. FROZEN TO GO DOUGH Frozen Dough To Go pack of 15 dough balls, $18. Lodge 5” mini skillets, $11.75. Available at Cookie Fix, 2854 18th St S, Homewood, AL 35209, (205) 582-2623.

17. ARTICLE 22 BIRTHSTONE NECKLACE

19

18

Birthstones are a symbol of our entrance into and journey through life. We are our very own transformation stories. Article 22 is devoted to turning something negative (bombs) into something positive (jewelry). Available at Paige Albright, 2814 Petticoat Lane, Mountain Brook, (205) 877-3232.

18. FROSTED FLEECE ROBE

Relax this holiday season in this silky, sensual frosted fleece robe! One size, five colors, $85... definitely on her list! Available at Marguerite’s Conceits, 2406 Canterbury Rd, Mountain Brook Village, (205) 879-2730 .

19. UNPUBLISHED HUNTER GREEN CORDUROY SKIRT

Cute Unpublished hunter green corduroy skirt for your junior or tween. Sized small-large: $62.00.

Available at Snap Girls, 240 Country Club Park , Mountain Brook, (205) 500-0302.

HooversMagazine.com 69

SPECIAL ADVERTISING 20

20. MUDPIE CHRISTMAS SHIRT $20. Available at Gifted, 2643 Pelham PKWY, Pelham, AL 35124, (205) 624-3400.

21. TIFOSI SUNGLASSES Discover Tifosi Sunglasses with interchangeable lenses for every condition and vented lenses for better air circulation to prevent fogging. Available in many styles for men and women.

PharmSouth, 34 Manning Place, Birmingham, AL 35242, in the town of Mt Laurel, (205) 991-5265.

21

22. AROUND TOWN PASSBOOK

Take full advantage of the growing city that is Birmingham with Around Town Passbook, your entertainment tour guide. Live local, Be Social. $30.

Available at www.aroundtownpassbooks.com.

23. SPANX LEGGINGS Spanx leggings, faux leather leggings, with a control top, available in multiple styles. $98$110. Available at Hemline, 1802 29th Ave S, Homewood, AL 35209, (205) 802-9252.

23

22

70 December 2018/January 2019

24. OASIS HOT TUBS AND SWIM SPAS

Searching for that special Christmas gift, look no further! Relax in your personal spa after a stressful day. You have earned it! Available at Oasis Hot Tubs and Swim Spas, 5511 Hwy 280, Suite #106, Birmingham, (205) 703-1840.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING

25

26

25. JUDITH MARCH TRUCKER HATS

27

$35. Available at Oh My Sole, 4045 Helena Rd, Helena, AL 35080, (205) 406-5602.

26. CONSIGNED DESIGN We have dozens of pieces like this necklace that should be on every girl’s wish list, $16. Connect with us on Facebook and Insta. Available at Consigned Design, 72 Fulton Springs Road, Suite A, Alabaster, AL, 205-664-7540.

27. 2’ BY 3’ YASTIKS 2” by 3” Yastiks on holiday sale for $165.

Available at 18th Street Orientals, 1829 18th Street, Homewood, AL 35209, (205) 870-3838.

28. EltaMD SUNSCREENS

28 29

EltaMD sunscreens help prevent sunburn and decrease the risk of skin cancer. EltaMD is formulated with titanium and zinc oxide for optimum sun protection.

Available at Cahaba Dermatology, 2279 Valleydale Rd, Suite 100, Hoover, (205) 279-SKIN.

29. LONDON BLUE TOPAZ WITH WHITE GOLD Available for $1,295 at Anthony and Co., 2080 Valleydale Rd, Suite 6, Hoover, AL 35244, (205) 987-2224.

HooversMagazine.com 71

Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S

Save the Date

Author of “More than a Bird”, Liz Huntley to speak at the December Membership Luncheon Join Us on Thursday, December 20th when we host author of “More than a Bird” Liz Huntley

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Special Holiday Business After Hours 5: 30- 7:00 pm Jake’s Soul Food 3075 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244 ***This is co-hosted by the Chamber and the Minority Business Council!

Thursday, December 13, 2018 Coffee & Contacts 8:30 am-9:30 am Space Cadets 5291 Valleydale Road Suite 121 Birmingham, AL 35242

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Membership Luncheon 11:15 am-1:00 pm Sponsor: America’s First Federal Credit Union Speaker: Liz Huntley, “More than a Bird” $20 per person and we take Cash, Check or Credit Card RSVP’s are required! Call (205) 9885672 or visit www.hoover chamber.org to make your reservation today!

Liz Huntley’s poverty-stricken and abuse-filled childhood was reversed in one game-changing moment on her first day of first grade. Her strong faith, hunger for knowledge and undying motivation enabled her to triumph over the hardships of her youth. She is now a successful attorney at Lightfoot, Franklin & White and an advocate for early childhood education and sexual abuse prevention in children.

Liz is also a member of Auburn University’s Board of Trustees and vice chair of The University of Alabama School of Law’s Board of Trustees for Farrah Law Society, leader of many professional and community organizations, motivational speaker — including a TedX Birmingham talk — mother of three and author of the inspirational memoir, More Than A Bird

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Minority Business Council 8:30 am -9:30 am Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce 3000 Riverchase Galleria Suite 375 Hoover, AL 35244

3000 RIVERCHASE GALLERIA 72 December 2018/January 2019

Groundbreaking Ceremony The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to be a present at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new All Abilities Playground and Splashpad! This new inclusive space will bring residents and visitors alike to Hoover to play and enjoy the amenities this city has to offer.

HOOVER, AL 35244

Ribbon Cuttings

Save the Date Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Wal-Mart Store Manager Darin Boykin was joined by Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Wal-Mart associates, and community members as they celebrated the recent renovation with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Wal-Mart of 150 is proud to be in the City of Hoover and loves being a community member.

Go by and see the new store today!

Ribbon Cutting at the Newly Renovated Wal-Mart on Hwy. 150!

Owner Nicole Bunkley was joined by family, friends, City of Hoover representatives and fellow Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce representatives to celebrate the Grand Opening of her second salon located at 3000 Meadow Lake Drive Hoover, AL 35242.

Serenity Salon is a full service salon and Nicole is a Master Cosmetologist. Go by and see her today!

Professional Grab & Go 11:30 am -1:00 pm Speaker: Joe Thomas, Capstone Financial Topic: Effective Networking 3000 Riverchase Galleria Suite 375 Hoover, AL 35244 Cost: $15 per person; RSVP are Required; visit www. hooverchamber.org

Thursday, January 10, 2018 8:30 am-9:30 am McCorquadale Transfer 2714 2nd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203

Thursday, January 17, 2019

President Jonathan Culwell was joined by his staff, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, and fellow members of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce as they celebrated the Grand Opening of their newest office in the City of Hoover!

Their Mission is to enhance the total health of our community by providing a comprehensive, compassionate, and tailored approach to BMI optimization and lifestyle modification through the coordinated management of medical, nutrition, exercise, and behavior disciplines. Call them today to get healthy in every respect at 205-381-6037!

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to join T. Fox Salon owner Traci Fox and her multi-talented staff as they celebrated their new Spa and all its features with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! Now you can get a facial; a massage and so much more! From SPA SERVICES to HAIR SERVICES, their team has all your beauty needs covered!

205.403.8369

205 - 988 - 5672

11:00 am 1:00 pm Hyatt Wynfrey Hotel 1000 Riverchase Galleria Hoover, AL 35244 Speaker: Mayor Frank Brocato, State of the City of Hoover Sponsor: $20 per person and we take Cash, Check or Credit Card RSVP’s are required! Call (205) 9885672 or visit www.hoover chamber.org to make your reservation today!

Thursday, January 24, 2019

5: 30 pm -7: 00pm Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Offices 3000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 375 Hoover, AL 35244

WWW.HOOVERCHAMBER.ORG HooversMagazine.com 73

New Members

Ribbon Cuttings

uVillage Tavern uCool Box Self Storage uMagic City Chiropractic & Wellness uRobert Reed GI Cancer Research Foundation uModern Woodmen of America uHome2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Colonnade/Grandview uFairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Birmingham Colonnade/Grandview uEW Motion Therapy uMilitary Saves uOneSouth Financial Group uTruitt Insurance & Bonding, Inc. uSouthlake Pediatrics

RAM Hotel Owners were joined by staff, friends, United Way representatives and fellow Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce members as they celebrated the Grand Opening of their newest property in Birmingham!

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Birmingham Colonnade is a brand new trendy hotel located in the Colonnade Corporate Park. We offer our travelers spacious guest rooms, complimentary breakfast and wireless internet, and an outdoor pool and grilling area. The hotel is equipped with a stylish new décor package and comfortable bedding for a great nights’ sleep. Call them at (205) 969-7630 to book your next stay!

Area Sales Manager Bragg Scoggins was joined by Regional Sales Managers from Hilton and fellow Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Members as they celebrated the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Double Tree by Hilton. You’ll love our upgraded rooms, featuring 50” SMART TVs and spa-inspired guest baths. The Made Market Cafe & Lounge offers healthy and organic dining options and cocktails, as well as 24-hour grab & go meals.

Host your next special event in our fully renovated 10,000 sq ft flexible meeting space. To book your next stay or meeting; Contact Bragg Scoggins – Area Sales Manager Direct Line – 205.972.1124

It was a Great Day for a Ribbon Cutting at Senior Legacy Care!! Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are joined by Renee Parrish and Susie Smith as they celebrated the great work that this company provides. Senior Legacy Care offers non-medical in-home care to families that need a helping hand. To find out how they can help you and your family; call 205-380-7418 or visit their website at www.seniorlegacycare.com.

Owner Dr.Elizabeth Campbell Korcz was joined by her husband Dr. Matthew Korcz and fellow Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce members as they celebrated the Grand Opening of their new practice! Horizon Medical is dedicated to the total Wellness, Health, Beauty and Happiness of our patients. We try our best to work with each patient as an individual, providing the highest quality care, and accommodating each person’s needs. We honor each patient as God’s unique creation. Call them at (205) 733-6676!

uValora at Homewood uSharp Business uSkySnap Imaging uReal Results LLC uBirmingham Direct Primary Care uYogurt Mountain uSerenity Salon uThe Lollar Group uHarris Firm LLC uReliant Media uBrass Bear Antique Mall uProfile by Sanford uThe ARC of Central Alabama uECB Solutions, LLC uDave & Busters uAlabama Kidney Foundation

3000 RIVERCHASE GALLERIA 74 December 2018/January 2019

HOOVER, AL 35244

F i n d U s O n l i ne

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

|

Access our member directory

Thank you to our 2018 Board of Trustees The Presidents Circle of the Board of Trustees 1. Joe Thomas, Chairman, Capstone Financial Group* 2. Terri Q. Williams, AT&T Alabama* 3. Jason Cobb, America’s First Federal Credit Union* 4. Antonio D. Sankey, Antonio D. Sankey & Assoc., LLC 5. John Lyda, Blue Cross and Blue Shield 6. Stephen Preston, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center 7. Lori D. Moler, Children’s of Alabama* 8. Chris Schmidt, J.D., Daniel Corporation* 9. Jennifer Strickland, First Commercial Bank 10. Mark Garnett, HealthSpring of Alabama, Inc. 11. Joel Smith, Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall 12. Paul Dangel, Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel 13. Jerry Cross, Jefferson County EIDA* 14. Henry King, King Acura 15. Dan Mikos, Mikos-Kampakis Insurance* 16. Jerome Morgan, Jr., Oncort Professional Services 17. Richard Head, RE/MAX Advantage* 18. Karen Waldrop, Regions Financial 19. Charlie Conklin, Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 20. Tim Prince, Hoover’s Magazine, Shelby County Reporter 21. Kathleen Spencer, Spencer Consulting Group* 22. Dan Ellis, TASC* 23. Sam Hess, Jet’s Pizza 24. Sam Hess, Tropical Smoothie *Designates a Past President of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce The Board of Trustees Eric Land, ABC 33/40 Television Pete Gagliano, ADT Security Services Steve Swofford, Alabama Credit Union Timothy C. Lee, M.D., MPH, Alabama Heart & Vascular, P.C.

Alison Howell, Alabama Power Company Jabo Waggoner, Alabama Senate, District Sixteen Steve Nix, AlaTrust Credit Union Britten Blackburn, American Cheerleading Centers Randy Johansen, American Family Care Linda Cencula, Avadian Credit Union Nate Wood, BB&T Bank Robert P. (Rob) Fowler, Balch & Bingham LLP Heather McInnish, BancorpSouth Deborah Stephens, Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. Ken Crow, Belk Ashfaq Taufique, Birmingham Islamic Society Leanne Messer, Brookdale Place University Park Jamie White, Brown Heating & Cooling Bud Cason, Bud’s Best Cookies Paul Huckeba, C B & S Bank David Jackson, Chick-Fil-A Mike Warren, Children’s of Alabama Bobby Haynes, Costco Wholesale Randolph Pickell, Diversicare of Riverchase Mike Hawthorne, Edge Realty Group Ricky Brooks, Express Oil/Tire Engineers Cody Burns, FOX 6 WBRC Debbie Hultquist, Fresenius Medical Care Lisa McClung, Galleria Woods Retirement Community Alice Johnson, Grandview Medical Center Hal Humphrey, P.E., Gresham, Smith and Partners Neil Thakor, Holiday Inn – Hoover Bredella Taylor, Homewood Suites - Riverchase Kerry Bradley, Hoover Tactical Firearms Charlie Faulkner, Jefferson Credit Union Tony Cooper, Jimmie Hale Mission Sungho Sim, Kobe Japanese Restaurant

205 - 988 - 5672

Joe McGee, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Dwight Burrell, Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln Leigh Ellen Brummerhoff, Marriott International, Inc. Bridget Baughan, McDonald’s Keith Pennington, Medical West David Brown, Office Depot Todd Beegle, On Tap Sports Café Jose’ Rivera-Crespo, Outback Steakhouse David Yirkovisky, Papa Murphy’s Pizza Chuck Herndon, Peoples Bank of Alabama Charles Kramer, III, Progress Bank Dr. John R. Phillips, III, PT Orthodontics Hugh Morrow, Broker, RE/MAX Preferred Rick Smith, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa Mike White, Riverchase Galleria Andy Davis, St. Vincent’s Health System Kyle Hogan, Sam’s Club Sam Dillender, Santek Waste Services Brad Ledbetter, ServPro of Birmingham Dr. Jack Schaeffer, Schaeffer Eye Centers Sarah Turner, Signature Homes Kelvin Johnson, Spire Alain Gallet, Terracon Monique Holiness, The Home Depot-Inverness Mark Hamilton, The Home Depot-Riverchase Bethany Bell, The Trails at Cahaba River Tara J. Elliott, Troy University Alison Lindsay, WIAT-42 News Phillip Corley, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Darin Boykin, Walmart SuperCenter, Highway 150 Devin Errett, Webb Payroll Service, Inc. Russell Pate, Zaxby’s Birmingham Airport Authority Lynn Mauldin, Ridge Crossings Apartment Homes Daniel Heldreth, Jason’s Deli Ira Levine, Levine & Associates Fred Duman, Dave & Buster’s

Chamber Officers uTerry Turner 2019 Board President

uPaul Dangel 1st Vice President

uAlison Howell Steineker 2nd Vice President

uKathleen Spencer Secretary

uAdam West Treasurer

uJerome Morgan Jr. Immediate Past President

uGreg Knighton City of Hoover Liaison

uApril DeLuca Legal Advisor

Board of Directors uMatthew Allen uPaul Huckeba uIra Levine uTynette Lynch uJeff McDowell uLynn Ray uJoel Smith uMike White uDavid Custred

WWW.HOOVERCHAMBER.ORG HooversMagazine.com 75

OUT & ABOUT

1

HEAD OVER TEAL RUN

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

The annual Head Over Teal 5K/10K and Family Fall Festival drew a large crowd to the Preserve in Hoover on Saturday, Sept. 22.

1. Jayrion, Mary, Catherine, Makayla and Jamiya Greene 2. Kady, Kara and Bronson Kilgore 3. Alex, Joseph, Lucas and Jessica Ream

5

4. Brad Baggett, Denise Persall and John Schindler 5. Sally Kellman and Brooke Gossett 6. Dylan Laird and Dr. Wags 7. Edgar James, Carole Cox, Gerald Cooper, Jalecia George and Mitchell Holcomb 8. Jon Young, Mary Ann Hyde and Lee Masters 9. Jeremy Giadrosich, Courtney Laird, Keith Capps and Nichole Marcum 10. Lillian and Joanna Guy, Emily Smiley, Mary Anne King, Jennifer Smiley and Stephanie Cannon 11. Michelle Kersey, Carson McCain and Krista McCain

76 December 2018/January 2019

7

6

OUT & ABOUT

8

10

9

11

HooversMagazine.com 77

OUT & ABOUT

1

NEW HORIZONS AUGUST DINNER

2

3

4

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Dozens of residents gathered at the Hoover Senior Center for an evening of good food, live music by The Onlys and dancing at the New Horizons August 2018 dinner.

1. Joan Dye and Pat Comstock 2. Kimberly Wedgeworth and Brandon Wedgeworth 3. Marilyn Milstead and Flo Thomson

5

4. Claude Hooks, Venda Hooks, Erma Westley and Henry Westley 5. Sally and Gary Ricketts 6. Mike Shaw and Shelley Shaw 7. Donna Wiltsey, Roselee Dugas, Tillie Powers and Paul Brown 8. Anthony Coppola and Mary Beveridge 9. Dr. David Jenkins and Jeannie Jenkins 10. Mayor Frank Brocato and Ron Christman 11. The Onlys Band and Neda Arthur

78 December 2018/January 2019

7

6

OUT & ABOUT

8

9

Do Your Holiday Shopping with us.

Complimentary Gift Wrapping + Extended Holiday Hours.

Follow us on instagram or Facebook @ TheDitsyDaisy for holiday events.

16383 US-280, Chelsea, AL 35043 (205)678-6166

10

homeless

for the holidays

11

just

$20 gives meals, shelter & more!

(205) 323-5878 PO Box 10472 • Birmingham, AL 35202

JimmieHaleMission.com HooversMagazine.com 79

OUT & ABOUT

12

NEW HORIZONS AUGUST DINNER

13

14

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Dozens of residents gathered at the Hoover Senior Center for an evening of good food, live music by The Onlys and dancing at the New Horizons August 2018 dinner.

12. Carolyn Kilpatrick, Kevin Kilpatrick, Wayne Kilpatrick and Sharon Thompson 13. Abi Willis and Joel Bostrom

15

14. Paul Brown, Dr. Ben Hogan and Stacy Pulliam 15. Charlotte Williams and Gene Powell 16. Dr. Ben Hogan and Stacy Pulliam 17. Ilona Lopez and Norine Flanagan

17

80 December 2018/January 2019

16

OUT & ABOUT

1

2

3

HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon was held on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Hoover Country Club.

4

5

1. Allison Howell and Jeff Brown 2. Andy Tatum, Russell Scruggs and Reshonda Sparks 3. G.V. Meullen, Lindsay Milligan, Kerrie Thompson and Frank Mitchell 4. Karen Bruce and Lisa Rollins 5. Jamie Keebler, Cathy Marshall and Katherine Green 6. David Riley, Jay Langley and John Bailey

6

HooversMagazine.com 81

OUT & ABOUT

1

BLUFF PARK ART SHOW

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY CATHLENE COWART

The 55th Annual Bluff Park Art Show drew more than 150 artists and even more visitors to the grounds near the Bluff Park Community Center for a day of art browsing, hands-on activities and food vendors.

1. Jessica Lingle and Mary Grace Tracy

5

2. Scott McQueen 3. Kenneth Wong and Raphael Apruitt 4. Julia Glass, Pattie Fore, Marilyn McMichael and Peggy Comer 5. Laurel Browning 6. Diane Hathcock, Captain, Charlotte Wilson 7. Paulette Pearson and Tricia Simpson 8. Paige Greer and Claire Anderson 9. Sally Johnson, James Phillips, Susan Johns, Jim Perry, Sara Perry and Dottie West 10. Tim Tingle and Joseph Tingle 11. Allison Dailey

82 December 2018/January 2019

7

6

OUT & ABOUT

8

10

9

11

HooversMagazine.com 83

OUT & ABOUT

1

LORI SALTER SCHOMMER’S RETIREMENT RECEPTION

2

3

PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

After serving the city of Hoover for many years, Lori Salter Schommer was honored at a reception in September marking her retirement from her position as public information officer for the mayor’s office.

4

5

6

4 7

1. Eave and Mary Ross Searcy 2. Tillie Powers, Odessa Usher and Alicia White 3. Jean Ingram, Judy McDaniel and Paulette Pearson 4. Patti Beavers, Donna Pinion and Kevin Light 5. Brittany Toole, Elenie Counts and Suzanne Luter 6. Tracy Vinzant and Dana Stewart 7. Lori Salter-Schommer

84 December 2018/January 2019

OUT & ABOUT

1

2

9/11 PATRIOT DAY REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

A Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony was held Sept. 11 at Hoover Fire Station No. 2 to honor the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

3

1. Teeny Moseman and Mary Hickman 2. Police Chief Nick Derzis and Sammy Harris 3. Sigifred Duran, Tim Lawson, Michael Eddy, Chad Smith, Matt Javinett and Geoff Moore

HooversMagazine.com 85

OUT & ABOUT

1

TASTE OF SHELBY COUNTY

2

3

4

PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS

The 11th Annual Taste of Shelby County presented by America’s First Federal Credit Union was held on Thursday, Sept. 13, at Inverness Country Club with proceeds benefitting the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation.

1. Jonah Rice, Angela Ly, Jenna Wilson and Emily Paz

5

2. Kelly Willett and Greyson Willett 3. Matt Phelps and Sandy Phelps 4. Antoinette Allen and Maggie Harris 5. Beth Sloneker, Riza Boyette, Rick Burch and Patty Funkhauser 6. Karen Cross and Julie Hurst 7. Celita Deem and Dan Deem 8. Donna Peacock, Lindsey Allison and Nan Self 9. Vicki Everett, Bailey Brown and LaJuana Hamer 10. Kimberly Thomas, Christopher Thomas and Antoinette Allen 11. Karen Moore, Susan Mayfield and MJ Mathias

86 December 2018/January 2019

6

7

OUT & ABOUT

8

9

10

11

Celebrate the holidays with Cookie Fix!

Fresh Baked - Frozen Dough to Go - Catering - Gifting

2854 18th St. Homewood 205.582.2623 | CookieFix.com HooversMagazine.com 87

MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Hoover’s Magazine • 205.669.3131

Acceptance Loan Company. Personal Loans!

Let us pay off your title loan!

224 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham. 205-663-5821

LAWN CARE •Large Properties •Lake Properties •Property Cleanups - Great Rates! Free Estimates!

-Shelby and Chilton Counties- 10% DISCOUNT for Military & Senior Citizens.

Call Alex 205-955-3439 Need appliance or air conditioner parts? How about a water filter for your refrigerator? We have it all at A-1 Appliance Parts! Call 1-800-841-0312 www.A1Appliance.com American Auctioneers, LLC 1-866-789-5169 americanauctioneers.com Call us for your auctions needs!!

• Land/Acreage • Estates • Residential/Commercial Real Estate • Business Liquidations • Construction Farm Equipment•Lake/ Recreational Properties Class-A CDL Driver. 500 Sign-on Bonus. 25+yo w/ good MVR. 6+months flatbed experience. $.38-46cpm (based on experience) On actual miles driven +$.20d/h.

Paid tarp/stopover/layover/ detention. 205-642-9186.

Application at: www. angelswaytransportation. com INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES $17.68 hour + production & safety $$$ incentives.

Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets.

Apply online at AGSOUTH. COM or call Charlie Seagle at (205) 808-4833 Preemployment drug test required.

Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator,

Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry. Positions In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walk-in applications accepted.

Clanton (205)280-0002.

Pelham (205)444-9774.

Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience.

CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Bent Creek Apartments.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom. On-site Manager.

On-site Maintenance. 3001 7th Street. North Clanton, AL 35045. TDD#s: 800-5482547(V) 800-548-2546(T/A) bentcreek@morrowapts.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer

HooversMagazine.com

NOW HIRING!!! •Director, Pharmacy Services •Director, Material Management •RNER RFT 7pm-7am •RN-ICU RFT 7pm-7am Email resume to: Blaine.Green@cvhealth. net or go to www.cvhealth. net EEO Employer M/F/D/ VDrug-free-Workplace Full Time and Part Time RN’s Needed for home health in Bibb, Shelby and Chilton counties. Excellent Salary and Benefits. Please send resumes to jobs@rubic. com or call 866-273-3984 DCH Health System Caring. For Life. $5,000 *Sign-on Bonus for full time RNs *For More Info Contact Annie.Miller@dchsystem. com. Apply online at: www. dchsystem.com

Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13/hour. Must be able to pass background screen.

Please apply at www.bc.com

PT/FT Farm Equipment Operator, Lawn Maintenance and Fork Lift Driver Needed.

Drug and Background Check Required. Call 205-6880258 to set up Interview.

Carroll Fulmer Now Hiring Class-A CDL Drivers. Overthe-road positions available.

Dry vans. No hazmat. Must have one year over-the-road.

Experience and a clean MVR. Competitive pay and bonus package. Good home time. Call 800-633-9710 ext. 2

ETS RESTORATIONS •Retaining Walls •Concrete Work •Demolition •Landscaping •Construction •Tree Removal •Tree Trimming •Bobcat Work •Hardscapes •Hauling Residential & Commercial FREE ESTIMATES!!! CALL NOW (205)209-7787

Church Transportation and Logistics, Inc Now Hiring Birmingham, AL based Transportation Company looking for Class-A CDLDrivers •Average 22,500/ miles-wk •Must be at least 23yrs-old•Starting pay at .43/mile increase to .45 in 6-months•18-months driving exp. Call:205925-1977 Ext:2309 or Email: recruiting@ churchtransportation.net

REPLACEMENT WINDOW SALE!!! Any Size Double Hung Window up to 101 UI $238 Basic Installation EcoViewWindows.com Visit Our Showrooms 836 S.Hull St. Montgomery,AL 334-676-3001 40 E.Commerce Dr. Pelham,AL 205-564-8480

City of Clanton is Hiring.

Detailed job descriptions on file at City Hall. EOE. Drug screening/physical required.

88 December 2018/January 2019

$2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area.

Must have Class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr

verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-6683316.

MECHANICS NEEDED Evergreen Transport LLC has two immediate openings for Class B Mechanics at its terminal in Calera, AL. One for night shift and one for day shift. Call Jason at 205668-3316. Job duties include repairing, maintaining and overhauling of heavy duty fleet truck/trailers and other tasks assigned by supervisor.

Now Hiring Heavy Equipment Operators and CDL Drivers Competitive pay and benefits. Preemployment drug test required Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Call: 205-298-6799 or email us at: jtate@forestryenv.com Franklin Iron Works Now Hiring. Grinders & Laborers.

Must apply in person: 146 Tommie Drive, Thorsby.

Mon-Fri. 10am-3pm.

DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking Professional Flatbed Drivers. 53 cpm No surprises: Starting pay (all miles): 51 cpm, 52 cpm at 6 months, 53 cpm at 1 year. 100% Outbounds loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp. Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. Air Ride Trailers. Home weekends.

Low cost BCBS Health & Dental Ins. Matching 401K. Qualifications: 18 months Class A CDL driving experience with 6 months flatbed; Applicants must meet all D.O.T. requirements. Contact recruiting at 1-800-634-7315 or come by HTL office at 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport.

EOE Housing Authority of the Birmingham District Hiring: Homeownership LeasePurchase Facilitator Resident

Services Coordinator-ROSS Human Resources Specialist Compliance Data Analysis Application Data Entry Clerk Assistant Vice President ofHousing Operations Director of Public Safety Custodian View complete description and apply at www.habd.org or 1826 3rdAvenueSouth Birmingham, Al 35233 NOW AVAILABLE LPN’s, RN’s 12 HOUR SHIFTS CNA’s Full-time & part-time Apply in person: Hatley Health Care 300 Medical Center Drive Clanton, AL 35045 Helping Hands Estate Sales Serving clients over 7yrs Professional & Experienced We can help sell the contents of your home!

Contact for information: 256283-5549 tbob56.wixsite. com/helping-hands Wholesale and Logistics Facility, Alabaster Administrative Assistant Great Benefits MondayFriday 7:00-4:00 Excel exp. Required Logistics background a plus Call ( 205) 912-7204 www.hibbett.com Conveyor Mechanic Great Benefits Monday-Friday 7:00AM - 4:00PM Call (205)912-7204 ww.hibbett. com Road and Parking Lot Striping Company NOW HIRING LABORERS. Must be 18+ and have valid driver’s license. MondayFriday. BCBS/Paid Holidays/ Sick days/Vacation/401k.

Apply in person: 1110 Highway 31, Calera. 205663-1511

MARKETPLACE Does your loved one need help at home? Licensed, bonded, insured, affordable homecare offered. Approved Veteran Service Contractor & LTC Insurance accepted.

Live-in-Care Available. Call us today! 205-453-4285 Industrial Coatings Group, Inc. is hiring experienced sandblasters and industrial painters. Must be able to pass a drug test & E-verify check. Professional references required. Must be willing to travel. Please send resume to icgsecretary@ hotmail.com or call (205) 612-2064.

Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com Welders, Welding (MIG-TIG) Sheet Metal/ manufacturing helpers.

Multiple positions. Paid holidays, typical shifts are 6:30am-2:30pm plus Overtime. Must be reliable.

Tardiness and no-shows Will not be tolerated Call RICK: 205-644-9633 Need FREE help with your Medicare? Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) today at (800)AGE-LINE (800)-2435463.

M&M Trucking Company hiring experienced trailer and tractor trailer drivers.

Minimum three years verifiable experience required. Tanker and dump experience a plus. Apply in person w/MVR at M&M Trucking Company. 980 Lee Road. Auburn, AL 36830.

Now Hiring!! •CaregiversADL’s, assist with medications and some lifting 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7pm •Activity Director Part-Time •Cooks-some 12/ hr shifts Call Shay McNeal 205-620-2905 Marble Valley Manor.

Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256-245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm.

Equal Opportunity Provider/ Employer

Are you a motivated professional? Are you looking for a dynamic career? Are you ready to control your own level of success? See why McKinnons’ is an exciting place to work and grow.

Now accepting applications for Sales, Service, and Detail Shop. Apply with the receptionist. 205-755-3430 Shake up your career!!!

Are you looking for something new and FUN? Milo’s is always looking for great managers to come join our growing and dynamic team. Apply online at miloshamburgers.com Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son’s in Clanton. Call Lane at 205-389-4530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-965-8657 Production Jobs. Willing to Train. AAM in Columbiana is HIRING for multiple shifts.

Email resume to dcurtis@ grede.com or apply in person: 130 Industrial Pkwy, Columbiana, AL 35051 NOW HIRING Class-A CDL Driver Must have clean driving record, two years experience Will train drivers on tank Drivers home nightly Contact Keith at: 205-4384959 INDUSTRIAL CLEANING IN VANCE Requirements: •18 Years Old •HS Diploma/GED •Able to work variable shifts/ weekends/holidays •Able to lift up to 50lbs constantly, stand on your feet for 8hrs •Able to pass drug screen/ background check Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Production / Manufacturing Vance, Alabama Starting pay: $12.00 – $14.50 /hr. • Have 2 years+ Production/ Manufacturing experience.

• Have Recently Lived in Alabama at least 2 years.

• Have A High School Diploma or GED. • Are at least 18 years old. Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com

Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/ or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious inquires only. Call 334-409-0035 or apply on-line at www.

Oxfordhealthcare.com Class A CDL Drivers Needed Immediately for Dump Trailer Hauling • $2000 Retention Bonus • Local Hauling • Home Nights APPLY ONLINE: www.perdidotrucking.com Perdido Trucking Service, LLC 251-470-0355 Move in Special! 3/2 Garden Home w/garage.

Dishwasher, Fenced backyard, Great Room w/ vaulted Ceiling. Calera Schools. Rent $1150. FLAT SCREEN TV!! (205)433-9811 Soon the Mark of the Beast Will Be Enforced.

Free Book & Bible Study.

PO Box 171 • Samantha, AL 35482 205-339-4837 The Bright Star Catering Company brightstarcatering. com 205-417-0805 •Book your Holiday Office Party!

Packages starting at $20/ person!! •Let us cook for you, order a Take & Bake Dinner Box for $150!!

Southeastern Food Merchandisers-Pelham Day-Shift: Sunday-Friday 40+ hours/week 9:00AM until finished (varies) Motivated Selectors earning as much as $27 or more per hour after training No cap on hourly rate 100% productivity based pay structure Benefits: • Medical • Vision • Dental • Vacation • 401k with company match Requirements: •Reading and math skills•Lift up to 60lbs, repetitively•Work in ambient temperatures Apply in person at: 8:30AM5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham,AL 35124 ofrye@ southeasternfood.com South Haven Health & Rehab, Hoover NOWHIRING!!! • LPN’s & RN’s - All Shifts - Shift Differential

-$3000 Sign on Bonus!!!! • Dietary Aide Apply in person or email: ken.holmes@ nhsmgt.com Immediate Positions!!!!

Positions needed: Warehouse • Sales Reps • Assistant Manager • Delivery Drivers • Customer Service.

Laid back atmosphere, good pay, plenty of hours available! Company vehicles to qualified individuals!

Call Andrew 9am-7pm • Mon-Sat at (205)490-1003 or (205)243-6337 Stellar Staffing, LLC Customer Service Is Our Passion NOW HIRING!!!

Pelham • Calera • Alabaster • Clanton Starting pay: $10hr-$13hr • General Labor • Heavy Equipment Operator • Machine Operator • Crane Operator Please apply on-line: www.stellarstaffingllc.com Questions Call: 205-9162860 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/ Pelham. Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard.

Go to: supremeelectric-al. com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-453-9327.

NOW HIRING!!! • Cooks • Dishwashers • Hosts • Night Maintenance • Retail Sales • Servers Apply at: 655 Cahaba Valley Road Pelham, AL 35124 Or online: jobs.crackerbarrel.com Search:AL-PELHAM We are a drug-free workplace/EOE 4 BEDROOM LOG CABIN ON 32 ACRES- 328 CR 1055, Montevallo AL. •Bridlewood Farms gated community •3045 sq ft.- 4 bed, 3.5 bath, 3 levels.

•Hardwood flooring & countertops, wrap-around porch, barn door closets.

•2 fenced parcels on Mahan Creek •Detached garage with 3 shed roofs & workshop area, •Barn with 4 stalls, tack room, chicken

coop, outdoor run, aviary netting. •Walking/riding trails, babbling brook, fruit orchard trees & more! $650,000 • MLS#831144 View more details & request a showing: www. teamlehmanhouse.com Susan Lehman, Listing Specialist 205-542-4011 TaylorMade Transportation Hiring CDL Drivers for Flatbed Regional Division!

BCBS Insurance After 30 Days. To apply call: (334)366-2269 or email: s.smith@taylormadeinc.com Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!

WCA • Roll Off Drivers needed for our Alpine, AL location. Class A or B CDL is required along with one (1) year of verifiable equivalent commercial truck driving experience. Must have a valid and safe driving record.

We offer competitive wages & a comprehensive benefits package which includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Paid Holidays and PTO. Please apply through our website at www.wcawaste.com EOE M/F/D/V WARRIOR MET COAL NOW HIRING Located in Brookwood, AL Immediate need for experienced: •Underground Miners •Electricians •Maintenance Foreman •Supervisors Apply online: www.warriormetcoal.com White Oak Transportation is hiring CDL-A drivers in your area. Great Pay! Excellent Benefits! Visit our website www.whiteoaktrans. com for more information EOE-M/F/D/V

HooversMagazine.com 89

WHY I LOVE HOOVER

Lori Salter Schommer

Digital Media Representative for Cars.com

BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

If there has ever been a constant in the city of Hoover, it is Lori Salter Schommer. For more than 32 years, Schommer has served the city starting out in Parks & Recreation as an administrative assistant and events coordinator before moving to the Mayor’s Office as the Public Information Officer in 2002. Lori has worked with former mayors Barbara McCollum, Tony Petelos and Gary Ivey, along with current Mayor Frank Brocato. On Oct. 1, Lori officially retired but says she will miss all the people that she worked with the most.

You have worked for the city of Hoover for more than 32 years. How did you start working for the city?

After graduating from Auburn, I applied for a job in Parks & Recreation and started working there.

What will it be like for you is just being a citizen of Hoover and not working for the city? What things do you look forward to?

I don’t think I’ll be any different…just the same ole Lori.

Hoover?

I love Star Lake. I spent many lunch hours there.

Now that you’re retired, what are some things you want to do more of in Hoover?

Throw away my appointment book, go What is something out of the ordinary What is one thing that people don’t with the flow, and have fun! or very interesting that you have know about you?

I was on the Dance Team at Auburn and encountered during your years with the What is your earliest memory of the city secretly longed to be a Rockette! city? of Hoover?

Working for four mayors was quite Working with senior citizens to establish interesting! Too many stories to even start Any pets? Tell me about them.

YES…can’t imagine life without animals! Hoover New Horizons. to tell.

We have two cock-a-poos, Candi and Belle, that are so much fun and bring sheer joy to What advice do you have for anyone What will you miss about your job? working for the city?

I know I will miss all the different people my life.

As with any job, maintain your integrity I interacted with daily.

What is your favorite place to visit in and follow the Golden Rule.

90 December 2018/January 2019

M O D E R N N E W B O R N + C H I L D + FA M I LY P O R T R A I T U R E INFOAPEPPERMINTPHOTO.COM | 205.807.6431 H E I R LO O M A L B U M S | A R C H I VA L Q UA L I T Y P O R T R A I T S

W W W . A P E P P E R M I N T P H O T O . C O M HooversMagazine.com 91

2279 VALLEYDALE RD #100 BIRMINGHAM 92 December 2018/January 2019