Hoover's Magazine, December 2017/January 2018

WASABI JUAN’S SUSHI BURRITOS • HOLIDAY FASHION GUIDE • THE MIGHTY MOTOR SCOUTS

SOUTHERN CHARM

AT HOME IN GREYSTONE

PEN TO PAPER

JERELYN SNEED’S FIRST BOOK

DECEMBER 2017/ JANUARY 2018 HooversMagazine.com Vol. 6 Issue 10 $4.95

MORIAH APPAREL JILLIAN EVERETT’S BOHEMIAN-CHIC BOUTIQUE

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FEATURES

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FULL THROTTLE Hoover’s motor scouts are masters of their bikes, and they have the competition hardware to prove it.

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FACT TO FICTION Watching her children adjust to new settings each time her family moved inspired Jerelyn Sneed to pen her first children’s book.

ENCOURAGED AND EMPOWERED Moriah Apparel CEO Jillian Everett wants to do more than sell clothes. She wants women to know their worth.

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PHOTO BY DAWN HARRISON

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35 ARTS & CULTURE

15 Bluff Park Rocks: Local Group Joins the Hunt 22 Five Questions For: Aldridge Gardens Gallery Artist Debra Riffe 23 Gifts of Art Event: Meet the Artists 26 Artist Spotlight: Heather Hepp, Glassblowing Artist 27 5 Book Picks: Amy Jones’s Holiday Selections 28 Book Nook: Hoover Library’s Strategic Plan

SCHOOL & SPORTS

29 Bluff Park Sugar: Students’ sweet business 34 5 Questions For: Nancy McGowan, NatGeo Educator

FOOD

PHOTO BY DAWN HARRISON

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 8 HooversMagazine.com 8 #HooversMag 9 The Guide 20 Aldridge Gardens Newsletter 77 Out & About 86 Marketplace

& DRINK

35 Wasabi Juan’s: A Mexican-sushi fusion restaurant

HOME

& STYLE

41 Spacious and Southern: Pam and Steve Yates’s Greystone home 50 In Style: Outfits for the Holidays

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CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL

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

CONTRIBUTORS Lauren Dowdle Dawn Harrison Amy Jones Heather Skaggs

DESIGN

Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan

MARKETING

Kristy Brown Kari George Matthew Gibson Rachel Henderson Daniel Holmes Katie Krouse Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Ashley Petrus Viridiana Romero Kenosha Shaw Kerrie Thompson

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

Lauren Dowdle, Writer The former editor of Hoover’s Magazine and Shelby Living, Lauren now lives in Nashville, Tenn., with her husband and four spoiled pets — but you’ll still spot her around Hoover visiting friends and family. She writes for a variety of local and national magazines, along with a few international publications. But when she isn’t staring down a deadline, you’ll find her obsessing over her dogs and cats (or really any animal), decorating a cake or adding more freckles by the pool.

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, 5 kids, 1 son-in-law, 2 grandkids, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 8 cows and 2 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.

Heather Jones Skaggs, Writer Heather is an author, freelance writer and native of Hoover where she lives with her husband, Greg, 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.

Amy Jones, Writer Amy Jones is no stranger to Hoover’s Magazine. She was the first editor of the magazine when it launched nearly six years ago, and now serves as a freelance writer. She is a busy mom of two kids now, but she still finds time to escape into a good book every day.

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.

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FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE COVER

Moriah Apparel

“I just really want women to be empowered,” says 24-year-old Jillian Everett, owner and founder of Moriah Apparel, a women’s clothing boutique that opened in Hoover this summer.

Photo by Dawn Harrison Design by Jamie Dawkins

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

This quote attributed to major-league baseball legend Babe Ruth ran through my mind as I was looking over this issue’s stories and thinking about the courage, hard work, persistence and hope they represent. These stories are about women and men and even children setting goals and doing the work necessary to reach them, and not letting fear of failure keep them from trying in the first place. I’m inspired every time I read through these stories again, and I hope you will be, too. What better time is there than the transition from one year to the next to dream about what could be?

For Jerelyn Sneed, a little encouragement from her husband acted as a catalyst for her self-published children’s book, “Just Be Me.” When I met Jerelyn for an interview, she was everything I pictured in a children’s book author – friendly, compassionate, intelligent, positive and the list goes on. Behind her gentle demeanor, though, was strength and determination and grit that most authors would agree must be present when you’re neck-deep in proofs and edits in a months-long project. At 47 years old, Jerelyn has carried her first book project to completion and can add “children’s book author” to her long list of titles. This wife, mother, businesswoman and student achieved something she previously thought might be a long shot, all because she set aside her doubts and tried.

I was also inspired when I met with Jillian Everett, owner and CEO of Moriah Apparel on South Shades Crest Road. Jillian is the young, ebullient definition of a “girl boss,” and she gets to be her own boss. She is 24 years old and already runs her own clothing boutique. She found a way to blend her penchant for fashion with her desire to help girls and women feel encouraged, appreciated and beautiful. Every day, she drives to her shop, turns on the lights and opens herself up to the joys and challenges of another day as a small business owner. Every day, she tries. That’s the point.

And on to an even younger demographic: teenagers. A group of Hoover students has turned a candy-making experiment into a fullblown business venture called Bluff Park Sugar. These young entrepreneurs are not just making candy; they’re learning firsthand how to successfully run a business. Imagine how much better prepared they will be for life after high school.

It’s extremely rewarding for us at Hoover’s Magazine to share these types of stories with you. If you know of someone who deserves to be highlighted, please contact me. May 2018 be a year in which we all chase after our dreams.

emily.sparacino@hooversmagazine.com

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

@fried_green_tomatos @emchmuffin Picture perfect moment captured by @ laurenstarnes_ • Yassss, we are coming up on celebrating four years of marriage and decided it was long overdue for a photo shoot!

Not to mention we are looking better than ever

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We had so much fun at the Taste of Hoover event last night! A HUGE thanks to Hoover Florist for the beautiful centerpiece and to everyone who came and supported all of the great restaurants in our city! #friedgreentomatoes #theylookgood #tasty

@purebarreriverchase AGAIN, we want to say THANK YOU! Thanks PBR family for voting @ purbarreriverchase as THE BEST FITNESS CENTER of Hoover for 2 YEARS in a row!!

We are honored with this award and humbled by the amazing clients, family and friends for voting us as your top workout spot! #purebarreriverchase . #bestofhoover #2017isours #hoover #purebarre #purebarrelife #fitness #FIRSTweekFREE #BHM #fitbhm #fitfam

THE GUIDE

MRYGLD JAN. 25 7 P.M. HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY MRYGLD (pronounced “marigold”) is a rock band from Birmingham, formed in 2017 by Brandon Snipes (vocals, guitar) and Shane Jewell (lead guitar). With infectious melodies, arena-ready guitar riffs and driving rhythms, their sound is further distinguished by having two lead singers. The dueling vocals of Snipes and Alyssa Jewell (vocals, keys), weave seamlessly in and out of the tracks, sharing the spotlight.

MRYGLD recently finished recording its self-titled debut EP and have been writing songs for a follow-up, full-length record. Admission to this performance is free.

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THE GUIDE WHAT TO DO IN HOOVER DEC. 2 Holiday Greenery Sale Aldridge Gardens 9 a.m.

DEC. 7 Gifts of Art Show Aldridge Gardens 10 a.m.

DEC. 7 Birthday Bash Hoover Senior Center 12:30 p.m.

DEC. 11 Artist/Propagator Reception Aldridge Gardens 5 p.m.

DEC. 13 Is it Christmas Yeti? Children’s Christmas Play Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m.

DEC. 16

23rd Meadow Brook Runs 9 A.M.

MEADOW BROOK The 23rd Annual Meadow Brook Runs will be held Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. (5K) and 10 a.m.

(1-mile Fun Run). Walkers and pets on a leash are welcome. The location and lead race sponsor is USAmeriBank, Meadow Brook Branch, 1100 Corporate Parkway, Birmingham. For more information, visit Meadow Brook Runs on Facebook.

DEC. 6+7

A Christmas Carol 7:30 P.M.

HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY THEATRE Think you’ve seen Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol?” Well, think again! When Charles Dickens first set quill to parchment to conceive this tale, he could never have known what an enduring work he was about to create. The phrase “Merry Christmas” itself was popularized 12 HooversMagazine.com

following the appearance of the story and the name Scrooge and exclamation “Bah! Humbug!” entered the English lexicon as a result. Ebenezer Scrooge, that most unrepentant and miserly of fellows, is made to see the light as he survives a merciless battery of revelations by the ghosts of his own life: Jacob Marley and the Christmas Spirits of Past, Present and Future in this brilliant rendition. Tickets are $27.50.

DEC. 14 Hoover Service Club: HHS Musical Performance Hoover Country Club 11 a.m.

DEC. 14-17 GASC Gun Shows Finley Center DEC. 15 Horizons Christmas Luncheon Hoover Country Club 11 a.m.

DEC. 15 Is it Christmas Yeti? Children’s Christmas Play Hoover Public Library 6:30 p.m.

DEC. 19 Lunch & Learn Hoover Senior Center 12 p.m.

JAN. 4 First Thursday Fiction Book Club Hoover Public Library 10 a.m.

THE GUIDE JAN. 7 Sunday NovelTea Hoover Public Library 3 p.m.

JAN. 9 Adult Spanish Conversation Club Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 9+10 The Library Theatre 2017-2018 Performance Set-Up Hoover Public Library 9 a.m.

JAN. 11+12 Regina Carter Hoover Public Library 7:30 p.m.

DECEMBER+JANUARY

Community Shopping Sprees THE GILDED GARMENT

The Gilded Garment, a local clothing retailer, will continue its Holiday Community Shopping Sprees throughout December and January. The Gilded Garment will choose one woman per month to embrace and love. Applications can be emailed to gildedgarment@gmail. com and will be chosen by a panel of five local women from different surrounding communities. The deadline for all applicants is the 20th of the month prior.

Each woman chosen will receive denim,

tops (both casual and dressy), work attire and footwear. Each shopping spree will total $500. Applications are posted on the Facebook page and Thegildedgarment.com.

JAN. 13 Crochet Class Hoover Public Library 11 a.m.

JAN. 16 French Conversation Club Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 18 Hoover Library Trivia Night Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 26 After Hours @ the Plaza: Game Nite Hoover Public Library 7 p.m.

JAN. 27 Write Club Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m.

JAN. 29 Monday at the Movies: La La Land Hoover Public Library 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

JAN. 31 Southern Voices 2018 Set-Up Hoover Public Library 9 a.m.

DEC. 2

Holiday High Tea 11 A.M.-1 P.M. HOOVER Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute ACF Culinary Apprentices will hold a Holiday High Tea and Silent Auction at the

Shelby-Hoover Campus, 4600 Valleydale Road. The cost is $40 per ticket. Proceeds benefit educational endeavors of the JSCC CHI ACF Apprentices. The event will also feature Christmas Carols with the Jefferson State Singers. For more information, call (205) 983-5214.

Share your news! Email submissions to Emily.Sparacino@Hooversmagazine.com to be considered for our next issue.

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THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN DEC. 1 Holiday Spectacular 2017 Red Mountain Theatre Company 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 3 Chris Tomlin Christmas: Christmas Songs of Worship The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 6 A Christmas Carol Hoover Library Theatre 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 7 Gifts of Art Show Aldridge Gardens 10 a.m.

EVENTS

FAMILY FUN This year’s Hoover Hayride and Family Night drew thousands of people to Veterans Park on Oct. 26 for Halloween fun and food from local vendors. Children and adults alike came in costume, ready to collect candy, take a hayride around the park and participate in games.

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP HOOVER’S INAUGURAL CLASS The Leadership Hoover Board of Directors have named 34 people to the inaugural Leadership Hoover 20172018 Class.

The purpose of Leadership Hoover is to develop a class of qualified, highly motivated individuals who are interested in expanding their leadership skills, deepening their sense of civic responsibility and becoming more involved in helping their community as a whole while learning first-hand about the issues and needs in the city of Hoover.

Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato had envisioned a leadership development experience for the city.

“I’m so excited to see these business 14 HooversMagazine.com

DEC. 8 White Christmas The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 9 Christmas Vacation The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 10 Birmingham Boys Choir 40th Annual Christmas Concert Canterbury United Methodist Church 2:30 p.m.

DEC. 10 Elf The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

and community leaders come together to learn more and to provide ideas to make our wonderful city even greater,” he says.

The class will meet one day each month for programs including: Opening Retreat, Public Safety Day, Quality of Life/Community Organization Day, Education Day, Economic Development Day, Healthcare Day, Government Day, Business Development Day and Graduation/Projects Presentation Day.

DEC. 10 Holiday Soul Alys Stephens Center 7 p.m.

DEC. 11 Birmingham Boys Choir 40th Annual Christmas Concert Canterbury United Methodist Church 7 p.m.

THE GUIDE DEC. 11 It’s a Wonderful Life The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 12 Home Alone The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 13 Children’s Christmas Play Hoover Library 10:30 a.m.

DEC. 13 Christmas Vacation The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 14 HHS Musical Performance Hoover Country Club 11 a.m.

DEC. 14 Elf The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 15 A Christmas Story The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 15 Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat Alys Stephens Center DEC. 16 Cartoon Matinee Triple Feature The Alabama Theatre 2 p.m.

DEC. 16-18 Birmingham Ballet Presents The Nutcracker BJCC DEC. 21 Christmas Vacation The Alabama Theatre 7 p.m.

DEC. 22 The Muppet Christmas Carol The Alabama Theatre 2 p.m.

JSCC

HELPING IN HOUSTON Jefferson State Community College students traveled to Houston in early October to help hurricane victims. Eleven students and two advisors with the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter stayed

for several days to work on removing mud and debris from houses so people can rebuild. They worked through the All Hands Volunteers organization and were housed by three different host families.

CHURCHES

PARISH DONATES $50K IN HURRICANE RELIEF TO CHURCHES In just nine days, parishioners at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and students at its school donated a combined total of $50,000 toward hurricane relief to Prince of Peace Catholic Community Church in Houston and St. Peter Catholic Church on Big Pine Key, Florida. As a stewardship parish, POP parishioners understand the need to use their God-given blessings to help others.

POP Church pastor Fr. John Fallon and associate pastors Fr. Gerald Holloway and Fr. Jose Luis Guevara-Gomez felt a unique connection to Prince of Peace Catholic Community Church in Houston because of

its “sister name,” similar size and parishioner diversity and sent them $40,000. “POP Houston” was spared hurricane damage and has become a center of distribution and service for the surrounding distressed communities, putting POP Hoover’s donated funds to great use.

Later, when Irma roared through Florida and hit a small, humble Catholic church on Big Pine Key (29 miles north of Key West), Prince of Peace felt a call to help them and donated $10,000. St. Peter Catholic Church was the most devastated church in the entire Diocese of Miami.

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THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN DEC. 31 Celebrate! The New Year’s Eve Concert Alys Stephens Center JAN. 5-7 Kinky Boots BJCC

SCHOOLS

COVENANT CLASSICAL’S PLANNED GREYSTONE FACILITY Work is underway at the site of a new Covenant Classical Schools location in the Greystone area. The Christian school and daycare facility will be located near the intersection of U.S. 280 and Alabama 119 and will be the fifth CCS location in the Birmingham area. The 22,000-square-foot facility will house 18 classrooms for children ages six weeks through kindergarten. Greystone will be the first CCS location to have an infant play courtyard, and the covered outdoor play area will allow children time outside their classrooms even during inclement weather. The facility is planned to open in summer or fall of 2018.

CHURCHES

POP CHURCH PICNIC CELEBRATES PARISH DIVERSITY Prince of Peace Catholic Church celebrated the diversity of its parish at its annual parish appreciation picnic on Sept.

11. A mosaic of cultures, traditions, games and food from 12 foreign countries and 16 domestic states were on display along “Hometown Way” in tents set up by parishioners on the POP School campus.

In addition to the food and drink hospitality offered along Hometown Way, the church served a barbecue lunch from Jim ‘N Nicks and hot dogs. Children had fun jumping inside the six huge inflatables, riding on the “trackless train” and snacking on cotton candy and popcorn.

Adults danced to live music in the school courtyard by local band Livewire, and 16 HooversMagazine.com

JAN. 5-6 Bach & Mozart for the New Year Alabama Symphony Orchestra Alys Stephens Center JAN. 11 Jerry Seinfeld BJCC JAN. 14 Sleeping Beauty Presented by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia Lyric Theatre 2 p.m.

JAN. 18-20 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Alabama Theatre 8 p.m.

JAN. 18-21 Birmingham Boat Show BJCC JAN. 20 Alabama Dance Festival Featuring Ballet Memphis Alys Stephens Center 8 p.m.

JAN. 25 Hard Travelin’ with Woody Samford University Wright Center 7 p.m.

associate pastor Fr. Jose Luis strolled the grounds playing the accordion with his guitar band. Parishioners volunteered in every imaginable service capacity and created a hospitable atmosphere. See more picnic photos on Facebook, @princeofpeacehoover.

JAN. 25-FEB. 11 Chicago Virginia Samford Theatre Thursdays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m.

Sundays 2 p.m.

JAN. 26-27 Carlos Conducts Ravel’s Bolero Alabama Symphony Orchestra Alys Stephens Center

&CULTURE

ARTS

BLUFF PARK ROCKS Paint a rock, hide a rock, find a rock – that’s what this local group is all about.

BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON AND LAUREN WINTER HooversMagazine.com 17

Harper Winter hunts for painted rocks in Bluff Park.

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“Most people would not be excited about just a plain ol’ rock, but when you see a painted rock it is like ahhhhhh!” The words of 9-year-old Isaac Brown capture the excitement kids and adults are experiencing with a new trend and a spin on the game hide-and-seek. “I think you want to pick it up and hide it, even if you are an adult. It makes you smile,” Isaac says.

Yes, hide-and-seek rock style, and it is a skyrocketing trend across the country. Painting rocks and hiding these mineral masterpieces for the next person to find has spread state to state and even made NBC’s Today Show. Groups often start on Facebook, such as Bluff Park Rocks, a local group formed for rock hunting.

“A friend tagged the Bluff Park

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PAINTING AND POSTING When someone finds a painted rock, they post a picture in the Bluff Park Rocks Facebook group, and then they re-hide it or take it home as a treasure. The group is using the hashtag #BluffParkRocks. You can use acrylic, spray paint, Sharpie or paint pens to decorate rocks. Spray all of them with a sealant on top so they can withstand the elements.

Rocks group, and I checked it out because we love everything Bluff Park,” Isaac’s mom Brandie Brown says. “Painting rocks and hiding them like Easter eggs is a great way to get kids outside, and they have enjoyed going out and finding them.”

Like Brandie, Lauren Winter discovered Bluff Park Rocks from a

post by the founder of the group. “I had never heard of this sort of thing but immediately knew it was something my girls and I would love to participate in together,” Lauren says.

Lauren Wade, founder and organizer of Bluff Park Rocks, picked up the idea from a friend sharing

Local families are involved with rocks they had found in the Homewood Bluff Park Rocks, a group organized Rocks Facebook group. “I thought our

by Lauren Wade to bring the rock neighborhood would have a lot of fun painting and hunting trend to the community. with this,” Lauren says. “We want people to have fun! It’s a great way for the neighborhood to come together.

Families can spend time painting, hiding and hunting. It’s fun to go on walks in the neighborhood or keep eyes open when shopping at local businesses to find one,” she continues.

Paint a rock, hide a rock, find a rock.

Repeat. It is a simple concept that is getting people outdoors. Individuals or families can paint rocks and hide them anywhere in Bluff Park. When someone finds one, they post a picture in the Bluff Park Rocks Facebook group, and then they re-hide it or take it home as a treasure. The group is using the hashtag #BluffParkRocks.

The Browns have found around 12 painted rocks and hidden more than 20. “One Saturday we spent the station, Tip Top Grille and on the morning painting and hiding in areas sidewalks,” Brandie says. “My favorite near Bluff Park Hardware, the fire part is finding them wherever they

are,” Isaac adds. “My dad was born in Tennessee, so I did one with a T for my dad.” Isaac’s brother Luke and

Dr. Wilson received her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. She completed her Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. After her fellowship, Dr. Wilson completed her Masters of Health Sciences in Clinical Research at Duke University.

Dr. Wilson is Board Certified in Pediatrics and Adult and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, and is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Asthma and Immunology. Dr. Wilson is a third generation allergist/immunologist who is dedicated to providing every patient with the best care possible. She strives to have a positive and lasting impact on their quality of lives by discussing their symptoms, testing and treatment options, as well as treatment goals. She believes it is important to listen to and to educate her patients about their condition and seeks to use the least medication possible to control symptoms.

Dr. Wilson joins Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center in their commitment to providing patients with the individualized and expert care they need to obtain a better quality of life. With seven board certified allergists, and six locations, Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center is the leading caregiver in the state for asthma, sinus issues, seasonal allergies, food allergies, drug and insect allergies, eczema, hives and chronic infections.

Dr. Wilson is now accepting appointments in Homewood, Hoover, and Alabaster.

For more information or to make an appointment call 205-871-9661 or visit alabamaallergy.com.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Grace Brown paints a rock to hide in Bluff Park. Brookes Winter points to a painted rock she found. Sam Wade works on a rock.

“

Painting rocks and hiding them like Easter eggs is a great way to get kids outside, and they have enjoyed going out and finding them.

- Brandie Brown

sister Grace got in on the action too.

Luke painted an eyeball and a dinosaur to hide, and Grace found two pink ones that she liked.

The Winters have hidden 15 rocks so far and have lost count of how many they have found. Brookes and sister Harper think hiding the rocks is really cool because there are lots of neat places in Bluff Park to hide them.

“I like finding them because it’s really a surprise when you look down and see a Bluff Park Rock,” Brookes says.

Harper likes getting together with friends to paint. “My mom shows us 20 HooversMagazine.com

”

Harper and Brookes Winter compare painted rocks they’ve found.

on Facebook when someone has found one of the rocks I painted and hid. It is fun to see that.”

Brookes and Harper’s mom, Lauren Winter, says this is simply another fun way to enjoy the people and the natural beauty in Bluff Park along with an educational opportunity. “We as moms are always looking for a fun, wholesome art project that we can do alongside our kids, and this appeals to a range of ages,” Lauren says.

Both the Winters and the Browns continue to paint, hide and find rocks in Bluff Park and hope the trend continues. “This gets people outside, healthy and walking around. It is giving and inspirational with messages on the rocks like ‘be the change’ or ones with blessings and Bible verses on them,” Brandie says.

HOW TO JOIN BLUFF PARK ROCKS • Request to join Bluff Park Rocks at Facebook.com/ groups/116841252266173/.

• Many rock painting groups were inspired by the Kindness Rocks Project, which was started by Megan Murphy, a life coach in Massachusetts. More rock groups are also listed in the Facebook group USA Painted Rocks (#USARocks).

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The staff and Board of Aldridge Gardens extend our warmest wishes to all our visitors and supporters for a wonderful holiday season. We invite you to break away from hectic demands and responsibilities, and come visit us for some soothing refreshment of body and soul.

Enjoy a walk through the Gardens, stroll around the lake, or have a picnic on a mild winter day. You may enjoy lingering fall colors, as well as bright holly berries and blooms of camellias and flowering apricots.

Do some stress-free shopping at Roots, our petite garden and gift shop, or find a unique piece of artwork for yourself or someone special in our art gallery. Also, remember that memberships to Aldridge

Gardens make great gifts, and don’t miss our Gifts of Art holiday market on December 7!

We also encourage you to think of us as you plan your end-of-year giving. There are many ways you can give to the gardens and become an important part of our outreach to the community. Making cash or non-cash donations, purchasing a paver or bench in honor of someone special, and remembering Aldridge Gardens in your estate planning are only a few ways. Visit aldridgegardens.com and look under the membership drop box for more information. Aldridge Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all of your donations are tax-deductible.

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

Do you prune your crape myrtles to look like this?

Or this?

Crape Murder/Pruning For Form Workshop Tuesday, January 23, 6-8p.m. $15 Members/ $20 Nonmembers Instructor: Rip Weaver, Aldridge Gardens Executive Director

Unfortunately, many homeowners and even some landscapers still “murder” crape myrtles, a practice that deforms the plant and can ultimately lead to its death. Come to this informative workshop to learn the correct way to prune crape myrtles and other plants to promote their well-being and to enhance their beauty.

Register at aldridgegardens.com

Gifts of Art

Thursday, December 7, 10a.m. – 7p.m.

Free admission Join us for a unique shopping experience at Gifts of Art, an amazing holiday market inside the beauty and comfort of the Aldridge Gallery. Reasonably priced, one-of-a kind works crafted by 12 handselected Alabama artists will be available.

You will find functional, wearable, decorative, and Alabama-themed items that are created from wood, silver, fabric, glass, ceramics, earth, and iron. Bring a friend, come on your lunch break, or enjoy the evening with us.

Become a Volunteer!

Are you looking for something fulfilling to do with your time in 2018?

Become part our great group of volunteers here at Aldridge Gardens. We have a very small paid staff, and we depend on our volunteers to help us. We can use your time and talent in numerous areas. You can help around the grounds, answer phone calls, participate in education programs for children, lead garden tours, assist at special events, and much more! If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, visit our website at aldridgegardens.com, email Phyllis Giles at volunteer@aldridgegardens.com, or call 205-682-8019.

Is a special social or business affair in your future? Let our professional event coordinators at Aldridge Gardens help plan your perfect day. We have a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, and we will provide you with all the information and inspiration you need to host the perfect party, wedding, conference or meeting. For information, contact Amanda Baker, Director of Sales and Catering (205) 682-8019 ext.

103 or abaker@aldridgegardens.com

In the Gallery: Artist Debra Riffe

Meet the Artist Reception: Monday, December 11, 6-7 p.m.

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

The works of award-winning artist Debra Riffe will be featured in the gallery and available for purchase through December and January. Many of her handmade linoleum block relief prints have rural, African-American inspired themes.

While in the Gallery, also be sure to see our special Frank Fleming bronze sculpture display, donated by Hoover resident Ken Jackson.

ARTS & CULTURE

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Debra Riffe

Aldridge Gardens Featured Artist for December/January PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Tupelo, Mississippi native Debra Riffe earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Howard University, College of Fine Arts, Washington, D.C. She’s been a professional graphic designer and illustrator for more than 30 years. She calls her art training “old school,” using pencils, technical pens and paper to hone her skills. “Using the computer as a design tool remains a constant challenge,” she says. Debra’s artwork will be featured in the gallery at Aldridge Gardens in December and January. A reception honoring her work is scheduled for Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m.

What is your preferred medium? How did you first get into it?

My preferred medium is relief printmaking, specifically linoleum block and woodcuts. During my last semester as an undergrad, I was informed that I needed an additional three credit hours to graduate.

I enrolled in a printmaking class that included silk screening, intaglio, lithography and linoleum block. I couldn’t have imagined that I’d revisit relief printmaking 30 years later and build a successful fine art and poster design business. In 2006, I wanted to participate in juried art festivals. I’m a self-taught needlepoint artist, and I’d had moderate success, locally and regionally stitching, designing and selling needlepoint canvases of my original art. However, multiples are needed when exhibiting in art festivals and I knew that it would be impossible (insane!) to create multiples and build sufficient inventory in needlepoint. So I reached back and transposed many of my original illustrations into linoleum block prints.

and discovered a common set of life experiences that parallel patterns found in many cultural activities of the American South. You’ll find a range of themes in my work: social injustice, civil rights, illiteracy and food inequality. Additionally, music is a topic that continually shapes my visual narrative. I don’t create fanciful butterflies, cute puppies or dancing bears. My compositions, mostly figurative, are always images of African Americans, always Southern, always rural. I believe that every artist should make art inside of their experiences.

Do you try to convey messages, stories or specific themes in your pieces?

Messages in my art are conveyed through the titles that are always written in lower case. The titles are broadly based on rural, southern dialect derived from black vernacular speech patterns that I find lyrical and layered.

What’s one piece that stands out in your mind as particularly meaningful?

It would have to be the image that won What inspires you? the Bluff Park Permanent Collection I lived abroad for five years in Barranquilla, Colombia, South America Purchase Award in 2012: “the band of 24 HooversMagazine.com

Gideon roam the sky,” a linoleum block relief printed with black oil-based ink. My grandmother would rise at 4:30 a.m. to prepare coffee and breakfast for my grandfather before he left for work. They would sit at the kitchen table and talk, quietly, until he finished his last cup of coffee. Once he left for work, I’d hear my grandmother humming a song, probably a hymn, as she washed the dishes. I couldn’t make out the words clearly but the refrain, I thought, sounded like “the band of Gideon roam the sky.”

What can people expect to see in your Aldridge Gardens gallery exhibit?

Those who are familiar with my artwork can expect to see a large number of linoleum block images that I refer to as my signature pieces. These images are printed in black oil based ink on bright white printmaking paper, “tug o’ war,” “pickin’ fo’ fried green tamatas,” “i learnt’ to sing a glad new song,” to name a few, are easily recognizable by my carving style, and they’re favorites of my patrons. I am represented by Canary Gallery, LLC located in the heart of the loft district of Birmingham and can be reached at debra.riffe@gmail.com

Giving

THE ART OF

For the second year, Aldridge Gardens is featuring a selection of handcrafted works by local artists at Gifts of Art.

A

Story and Photos Contributed by Aldridge Gardens Sculpture and Arts Committee

Aldridge Gardens in Hoover hosts the 2nd annual Gifts of Art on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Enjoy one-of-kind works of art crafted by 12 hand-selected Alabama artists, working in ceramics, glass, wood, iron, jewelry and fabric. You’ll find functional, wearable, decorative and Alabama-inspired items, right in time for the season of giving. Rain or shine, this indoor show takes place in the beauty and comfort of the Aldridge Gardens gallery.

Bring a friend, come on your lunch break or

enjoy the evening with us. Free admission.

Aldridge Gardens is located at 3530 Lorna Road in Hoover. 2017 artists include Dan Browning (wood); Barbara Dollar (silver jewelry); Heather Hepp (glass); Julie Jackson (Inspirals jewelry); Patricia Koski (recycled glass); Tracy Leventry (ceramics); Karen Libecap (miniature paintings); Robin Metz (multimedia); Cindy Phillips (ceramics); Joanna Sanders (Earthwear); Nancy Walton (fabric); and Ajene Williams (Sloss Furnace iron).

MEET THE ARTISTS worker for over 20 years, Dan is recognized as a master craftsman in the area of box making and design. He is especially known for his skill and creativity in blending various exotic woods in his pieces. Dan is the past president of the Alabama Woodworkers Guild and an active member of the West Alabama Woodworkers Association.

Barbara Dollar, Dora

Dan Browning, Hoover

An award-winning artist and active wood

Surrounded by the trees and land that she loves (in her little valley just west of Graysville, Alabama), Barbara Dollar has been rooting her family and her faith,

creating jewelry and learning about the family members that came before her and HooversMagazine.com 25

helped pave her path. After finding living cousins thought to have perished in the Holocaust, the Tree of Life became the center of Barb’s creations; a way to express and share how we are all connected, as well as the importance of our roots and the direction of our branches. Most of her pieces are hand drawn and hand sawn, using vintage sterling silver spoons, watch cases, copper and karat gold with the intent of producing heirloom treasures.

Inspirals. “What started as a personal creative outlet gave way to numerous requests from friends, family and acquaintances to create similar but still unique pieces to complement their tastes,” she says.

Heather Hepp, Tuscaloosa

Heather Hepp owns and operates a glassblowing studio, Little Sandy Glass, just south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She began glass work in 2000 in Boise, Idaho, where she apprenticed, worked and taught blowing glass. Her studio is at her home in the pecan groves of central Alabama. “I work in glass because molten glass is so amazing,” she says. “The demanding nature of the physical work, I find challenging and deeply rewarding. The thought a vessel made of liquid seems like folly. Currently, my work strives to develop a craftsmanship and simple aesthetic. I use mostly transparent Patricia Koski, Bessemer jewel or muted neutral tones with simple Patricia Koski has lived in Birmingham patterns. Inspiration for me comes from all her life. When the recycling centers nature, other glassblowers, other media like stopped accepting glass, she began her pottery, sugar sculpture ... and hobby of turning recycled bottles and experimentation.” broken glass into beautiful art pieces. As her hobby quickly grew, her company Broken Julie Jackson, Helena not Shattered was born. Since that time, her After receiving a B.S. in clothing, textiles art has appeared in Birmingham Art Crawl, and interior design at the University of Art Walk, Mt Laurel’s Holiday Market and Alabama, Julie began designing textiles for Alys Stephens’s LocAl and some local stores. a leading manufacturer. She has traveled Her hope is to keep glass out of the landfills the world promoting her award-winning by transforming them into useable glass art. designs featured on furniture, wall, floor and window covering collections such as Cindy Phillips, Cullman Smith + Noble. Her work is also featured on Cindy has been creating art at least part designer purse and accessory collections. In time for the past 15 years, earned a Bachelor 1998, Julie began designing, handcrafting of Fine Arts in painting and ceramics in and refining her unique and distinctive 2009, and currently works as a full-time jewelry creations, later to be known as 26 HooversMagazine.com

artist in her studio space at home in Cullman, Alabama, and in Studio 2033 at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment in Huntsville, Alabama. The ceramics she creates are mostly functional, but occasionally sculptural, and are an out pouring of her attraction to the tactile nature of clay. She enjoys a variety of other media as well, working in oils, charcoal, conte’ crayon, linoleum block printing, acrylic with mixed media and encaustic with mixed media. “As a student of art, philosophy and science, I’ve learned one way to seek God is by engaging with natural beauty,” she says. “Daily observation of nature reveals to me that God loves variety – variety in size, shape, form, color and texture, all of which inform and inspire my artwork.”

Joanna Sanders, Hoover

She has always been astonished by the natural, unaltered beauty of the earth, which is why she has dedicated her life to it, along with her two beautiful children and her husband. She has worked with plants for most of her professional life, but the creativity and inspiration she had could not be fully conveyed in this way. It was not until she began researching different

minerals and gemstones that she found a way she could properly convey nature’s beauty through jewelry. That’s why she founded Earthwear in April of 2011, as a way of lifting the veil and presenting earth as more than just a planet, but as a muse. “Earthwear’s core principle is to pay homage to Mother Earth and my art is simply my way of doing so,” she says.

Nancy Walton, Birmingham

Nancy’s mother made almost all of her family’s clothes, and at about age 6, she began to learn how to sew. She made most of her children’s clothes and her clothes from formal wear to casual clothes.

“As our children grew up, I began to play around with fabrics, paper, yarns, etc.,” she says. “Now and for many years I am creating items both practical and whimsical.

For many years I have been selling my pieces at Artists Incorporated.”

Ajene Williams, Birmingham

At the age of 23, Williams has mastered the craft of carving into wax what he sees beyond the surface of his subjects. He began his art training while attending Woodlawn High School, where he was encouraged by Jena Momenee. Momenee enrolled him in the Summer Youth Program at Sloss Furnaces, where he was quickly recognized as a gifted artist. Williams was invited to work at Sloss Furnaces in 2011 as a paid intern, and is currently Artist in Residence there, where he studies the art of casting metal under the tutelage of Senior Artists in Residence Marshall Christie and John Stewart Jackson. He was honored with the Emerging Artist Award at this year’s Magic City Arts Connection.

®

Also featured at Aldridge Gardens’ Gifts of Art are Tracy Leventry, Karen Libecap and Robin Metz.

HooversMagazine.com 27

ARTS & CULTURE

GET TO KNOW

Heather Hepp Glass Artist in 2017 Gifts of Art PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Heather Hepp was 32 years old when she took a glassblowing class and, in her words, “became an instant devotee.”

She had moved with her young family to Boise, Idaho, and had been informally studying various trades to find one that suited her. In 2000, she found glassblowing and earned an apprenticeship at Zion Mountain Art Glass with Zion Warne by learning to weld and helping to build hot shop equipment. After several years, she had enough skills to get a job at Boise Art Glass working for Filip Vogelpohl and teaching classes. Heather, 49, lives in Tuscaloosa.

Mistakes, though initially Has art always been a part of your life? new.

No, not as a participant on a regular disappointing, are an opportunity to learn. basis until I was an adult.

teaching glassblowing through Community Education Program.

the

Are there other glass artists in Alabama What does this specific medium require What inspires you? Does inspiration or across the country that you from you? In turn, what do you get out always come before you start on a communicate with?

Yes, I do. Glassworkers around the piece, or do you develop new ideas as of it? world are more in contact than ever before you work?

There’s a long list of equipment and Inspiration can come from many places: because of the internet. I’ve made new tools necessary, fuel and electricity and also a high level of muscle memory and nature, art, friends, often from a “happy friends and kept in touch with old ones something I’ll call heat memory. But more accident” that sparks a new line of thought. that way. The internet has made a huge impact on the glass world, many great hot than anything else glassblowing requires focus, dedication and calm, quick thinking Describe your studio and what shops have live feeds regularly featuring under intense conditions. In return, I get conditions you prefer for glassblowing. some of the best glass workers in the I’m fortunate to have my studio at my world. And YouTube is loaded with videos to watch my skills develop, which allows home.

It’s a small shop where I work demonstrating how to make all sorts of me to attempt more difficult challenges and expand my work. Reaching a new skill alone. Working alone can be challenging, things. goal, besides being very satisfying, always but the rewards are extremely satisfying. I opens doors which were previously almost always have music playing – the Is there any feedback you’ve received over the years about your work that type varies. inaccessible. That’s a big thrill for me. stands out to you?

I listen to all feedback about my work, What types of pieces do you make? Where do you show and sell your honestly.

But recently a woman with a work?

Are there guidelines you follow as you heavy Italian accent said my work I currently sell my work at the Farmers’ work on different types of pieces?

I make a wide variety of things – from Market at the River Market and the reminded her of being in Murano and I functional to purely decorative. When I Kentuck Gallery in Tuscaloosa and Charlie did swoon a bit. Or if someone recognizes begin a piece, I have a very clear plan in Thigpen Gallery in Birmingham, various the artist who inspired me to make a fairs in Alabama and on certain piece, that is also pretty special. mind from start to finish. Occasionally, art things don’t go as planned. In that case, I littlesandyglass.com.

Follow Heather’s glassblowing have to decide whether to try to turn it adventures at littlesandyglass.com, What recognition or awards have you into something else useful or call it an Facebook.com/LittleSandyGlass/ and experiment and try something completely received for your work?

I was given an award in Boise for Instagram.com/heather.hepp/.

28 HooversMagazine.com

READ THIS BOOK

5 Book Picks For the Holidays Recommendations from

Amy Jones

Although Amy Jones rarely gets a quiet moment during her days as a stay-at-home mom of two kids, she makes sure to find time daily to escape into a book. Life just doesn’t feel right without a stack of library books waiting to be read, and her friends know they can always count on her for a literary recommendation.

Olive, the Other Reindeer

by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh While listening to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a misheard lyric sends Olive the dog on a wacky journey to the North Pole and beyond, as she joins Santa’s team of reindeer and helps them make it through Christmas. This book is a modern holiday classic for the children’s set that parents will also enjoy.

My True Love Gave To Me: Twelve Holiday Stories

edited by Stephanie Perkins

Some of young adult fiction’s brightest stars contributed to this charming short story collection, including Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Jenny Han and David Levithan. There’s something here for anyone, whether you enjoy celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s. Readers just might find a new favorite author while turning the pages.

Landline

by Rainbow Rowell While Rowell is probably best-known for her YA chops, some of her works are geared toward adults. Landline is one such book. Set at Christmas, it’s a novel about a troubled marriage — but it’s complete with a time travel twist that is almost certainly unlike any other a reader might have experienced. Fun and fresh, this is an engaging way to spend those brisk winter nights.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

by C.S. Lewis

An enduring literary classic and the best-known of Lewis’ well-loved Chronicles of Narnia series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe beautifully brings to mind the religious underpinnings of the Christmas season. A perfect novel for parents and children to read together.

The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter, the Christmas Miracle Dog

by Dave Barry

Barry, one of America’s foremost funny humans, doesn’t disappoint with this tale of the Barnes family and their misadventures involving the church Christmas pageant. Heartwarmingly humorous, this short tome will gift you a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

HooversMagazine.com 29

BOOK NOOK

‘Close to Everything’ can still mean

a world away.

Strategic Plan Happy Holidays from the Hoover Public Library! Jan. 1 will mark the completion of my first year as your library director. It has been an absolute joy to serve in this capacity. Who knew librarianship could be so much fun?

My first goal was to complete a strategic plan for the library.

With input from our community, city leaders and library staff, that plan is now a reality. We identified five major goals for our organization that we believe will help make your library experience even better.

First is community engagement.

Our patrons count on us to entertain, enlighten, inform and ignite the community by offering a wide variety of relevant resources and original programs. In 2018, we’ll continue our mission of redefining the role of the public library. Some new things to expect: documentary streaming, special needs story times and classic Library Director movie nights.

Second is convenience. We heard you loud and clear! Our patrons need their library to be easy to use. In 2018, we’ll offer text message reminders and a new app that will make using the library’s resources even easier to use. We’ll begin opening an hour earlier on Sundays and we’ll install a book drop on the 280 corridor. Our goal is to eventually have satellite locations. Our patrons consider the Hoover Public Library its community center, so our third goal is to serve as a gathering space. Our patrons meet, study, converse, gather, collaborate, work and unwind at the library. They expect the library to be clean, inviting and comfortable. We’re working to offer more electrical outlet access right away. In the future, we want to offer individual study spaces and a hands-on makerspace.

Fourth, we learned that our patrons aren’t aware of all the great things happening at the library, so we hope to develop a marketing plan this year that will reach our patronage. The first step in our process is to develop a brand. Last but not least, our patrons expect exceptional customer service from our employees, regardless of their rank in the organization. They want assistance from well-trained, well-informed staff members who are empowered to make decisions. From now on, each employee hired at the library will go through a thorough customer service training process. Staying relevant means keeping up with trends and listening to the needs of our patrons. Please stop by the library and let us know how we’re doing.

Amanda Borden

best best OF THE

2017

HOOVER

Thank you for voting us Best Senior Living Facility in Hoover 2017!

Call (205) 986-9261 today to schedule your personal visit.

A Life Care* Community 3850 Galleria Woods Birmingham, Alabama 35244 brookdalelifecare.com 107873 CB

*Life Care plan/guarantee is subject to the terms of the Residency Contract. ©2017 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. All rights reserved.

BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING and BRINGING NEW LIFE TO SENIOR LIVING are the registered trademarks of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

Bringing New Life to Senior Living® 30 HooversMagazine.com

Amanda Borden is the director of the Hoover Public Library.

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

KIDS IN A CANDY SHOP The students that started Bluff Park Sugar are learning how to operate a business, one piece of candy at a time.

BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON

HooversMagazine.com 31

N

Who knew a sweet tooth would lead to a small business experience for some young Hoover students who were, as they say, “looking for something to do?” Reid Bearden and Ben Stocks started searching with – what else – YouTube.

“We had the idea to make something on our day off,” Ben says. “It took about a week to figure out what we were going to do until it clicked while we were watching a candymaking video.” The duo thought they would just make a single batch of candy with friends and share it with their family, but the sweet stuff snowballed into a business with the additions of friends Mattie Buford, Katelyn Ragland, Joey Bearden and Mary Ingalls Dwyer.

32 HooversMagazine.com

Reid Bearden, Katelyn Ragland, Benjamin Stocks and Mattie Buford work on a batch of candy for their business, Bluff Park Sugar.

The candy-makers formed Bluff Park Sugar, and they are in high demand. In the kitchen, Ben, Reid and Joey start the candy-making process with three steps.

•COOKING: “First, we mix together the sugar, corn syrup and water in a pot. Then bring it to a boil and let it cook until it reaches the hard crack stage, or roughly 310 degrees Fahrenheit. After it has reached that stage, we put in the flavoring and food coloring while it is still very hot in order to boil out the water in them, because water makes candy sticky,” Ben says. Flavors include cherry, root beer, caramel apple, coconut and pineapple.

•PULLING: “We fold the freshly cooked candy onto

“

We want to have fun making candy and selling it as well as learning business skills and other skills to help with college and when I have a job in the real world.

- Ben Stocks

�

HooversMagazine.com 33

Bearden, Stocks (also pictured below) and Buford work on the candy using a technique called pulling.

Bluff Park Sugar candies are sold in small bags the students fill and label themselves.

itself to make it cool enough to pull. As we are pulling, we are trapping millions of tiny little air bubbles making it lighter to the naked eye. This creates the lighter or darker colored candies,” Reid says.

•CUTTING: “Once the candy is pulled into long strips, we take a blade and make many cuts into the strip, with about an inch (of) space between each cut. We wait for the candy to harden until we can easily break the candy along the cut lines,” Joey says.

“I love watching the candy being pulled and stretched,” Katelyn, the head of sales for the young entrepreneurs, says. Reid, Mattie and Ben agree, and find that step in the process to be relaxing and also a good way to work out frustration.

On the business end of Bluff Park Sugar, Katelyn and Mattie say the group is gaining some perspectives on how an actual business works and developing skills and goals for the business.

“I want to learn how to run and manage a business on a small scale,” Reid says. “We also want to venture into different ways and techniques in making candy for the future.”

34 HooversMagazine.com

“We want to have fun making candy and selling it as well as learning business skills and other skills to help with college and when I have a job in the real world,” Ben says.

Bluff Park Sugar is venturing into some new aspects of their candy-making for the holiday season. “Everyone’s sweet tooth comes out for the holidays,” Katelyn says.

“We are looking at ribbon candy and candy canes,” Reid says. Mattie and Ben say they are excited to try peppermint-flavored hard candy and giving candy canes a try.

Treats from Bluff Park Sugar have been sold at booths at Sweetspire Gardens and Park and Crest Market. “It has been really positive so far,” Mattie says. “We’ve been really successful at the markets and had a few large party orders.”

The kids are also doing personal orders as well, and the response from the candy customers is A+. “Everyone loves the candy, and they are very impressed that we have created this business at such a young age,” Katelyn says.

“Overall, I think that people who try our candy instantly fall in love with it,” Reid says.

Ingredients have also brought another positive aspect to the candy for Sugar’s customers. “I also hear it is nice having the peace of mind that so few ingredients are used in our candy, all of which you can pronounce, and we’ve found that people enjoy that,” Ben says.

Find the kids of Bluff Park Sugar on Instagram @bluffparksugar and on Facebook.

WHO IS BLUFF PARK SUGAR? • Mattie Buford, publicist • Mary Ingalls Dwyer, head of finance, co-founder • Katelyn Ragland, head of sales • Ben Stocks, co-founder, cook • Joey Bearden, cook • Reid Bearden, co-founder, cook

HooversMagazine.com 35

SCHOOLS & SPORTS

5

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Nancy McGowan

National Geographic Certified Educator PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Nancy McGowan, a math coach at Shades Mountain Elementary School in Hoover, completed a three-part process to become a National Geographic Certified Educator this year.

What does it mean to be a National Geographic Certified Educator, and how did you attain this certification?

Being a National Geographic Certified Educator is another avenue to expand the understanding of what geography is. When the word geography is mentioned, a mental picture of a map appears. Even though maps are central to this field, geography encompasses so much more. For example, part of my certification process included being able to secure the Pacific Giant (26 feet by 36 feet) Traveling Map for a week.

We were one of 12 schools in the state of Alabama to have this honor. During the week I organized a constant flow of classes to “walk through” the Pacific Ocean and have interactive lessons.

Younger students built block models to provide a visual representation of the depths of approximately 20 trenches, walked along fractures that led to the Ring of Fire and used poly-spot arrows to show the direction of ocean currents above and below the equator. Older students used resources to identify and locate plant and animal species of the Pacific, looked for patterns in population density of specific species and discussed human impact on sea life.

36 HooversMagazine.com

Why did you decide to work toward this particular distinction?

I decided to work toward National Geographic Educator certification to challenge myself. In my classroom, we have three catchy “codes” to live by. The cure for boredom is curiosity, there is no cure for curiosity (attributed to Dorothy Parker); No FOMO (No Fear of Missing Out); and DFTBA (Don’t Forget to Be Awesome). Basically, any distinction I pursue is to make myself a better professional that will in turn provide a richer experience for my students.

classroom teacher, gifted specialist and currently a math coach at Shades Mountain Elementary.

I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education from UAB. I also earned Gifted Certification at UAB while studying under Brian Reed, who was a student of Joe Renzulli, the developer of The Schoolwide Enrichment Model. I have an Educational Specialist in Educational Technology degree from Lesley University. I am also a National Board certified teacher and a Level 1 Google Educator.

How has being a NatGeo Certified Educator impacted your work?

The finale for each person seeking certification is a multimedia Capstone Project documenting the process of our project, student research and portions of class discussions based upon our work.

With our study of the Pacific Ocean earlier in the year, I applied to connect with a National Geographic Emerging Explorer.

We were so fortunate to be paired with What past experiences in education Grace C. Young. She is an amazing young woman whose specialty is the use of ROV prepared you for this?

In 31 years as an educator, I have served technology to study the geography of the in a variety of capacities – elementary ocean floor.

Can you describe a memorable moment from the NatGeo Certification process?

One of the best parts happened when students began to identify gyres (circular ocean currents) on the map and made the connection to the location of the Pacific Trash Vortex. This led to a discussion of the origin of the trash and the effect on creatures that live in this area.

&DRINK

FOOD

FRESH FUSION

Wasabi Juan’s brings its sushi burritos to Hoover.

BY LAUREN DOWDLE PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON HooversMagazine.com 37

S

Some pairs just seem to go together. Peanut butter and jelly, football and a hot dog, fall and pumpkin-spiced anything. But what about a Mexican-sushi mashup?

Wasabi Juan’s has proven those two things are the perfect match at its Avondale location, and now they’ve brought their unique dishes to Hoover.

How the restaurant got its start is just as special as its menu, says Jessica Hardisson, Wasabi Juan’s kitchen manager and daughter of owners Luis and Barby Toro.

She says getting into the restaurant business was “100 percent God’s blessing,” considering they had no past experience before opening Wasabi Juan’s. “My family used to have an automotive locksmith franchise. When that part of our life was closed, God just gave us this new adventure, and we decided to run with it.”

The story behind how they came to serve a variety of

38 HooversMagazine.com

sushi burritos and tacos starts with her father, who loves sushi. “It is his favorite food,” Hardisson says of her father. “He could eat it every day.”

While he loved the taste of sushi, actually eating the dish with chopsticks wasn’t really his thing — and he felt eating them with a fork looked silly, Hardisson adds. “He always picked it up with his fingers, but he didn’t like that they would get full of soy sauce,” she explains. “So, he needed an easier way to eat sushi. Sushi burritos is that: an easier way to eat sushi.”

They ran with this idea, opening Wasabi Juan’s in Avondale. The restaurant used sushi ingredients rolled up as burritos — using soy wraps and nori — and also as tacos. Continuing the food fusion theme, they also have frushi desserts, edamame, kimchi and other tasty dishes.

“The best way to describe the sushi burritos is they are

Wasabi Juan’s 4:20 Nachos.

sushi rolls that are burrito sized,” she says. “So, they are big sushi rolls and are served with chips and our homemade salsa.

We also offer Mexican Cokes, which are made with real cane sugar instead of corn syrup.”

Wasabi Juan’s popularity and customer base has continued to grow, so now seemed like the right time to think about expanding, which led them to Hoover.

The family opened their Hoover location May 10 in the River Oaks Village shopping center on Lorna Road. Hardisson says Hoover was an attractive spot to open their second location because it has a lot of activity and is a great area.

WHY MIX SUSHI AND MEXICAN FOOD? Sushi is Luis Toro’s favorite food, according to his daughter and kitchen manager, Jessica Hardisson. But Toro wanted to find an easier way to eat it. His solution was sushi burritos – sushi rolls that are the size of a burrito.

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CLOCKWISE FROM OPPOSITE PAGE: Wasabi Juan’s L.H.M., Toro and Destin burritos, served with chips and salsa. From left, employees Gabriel Hardisson and Tammy Falcon stand with Wasabi Juan’s owners Barby and Luis Toro outside the Hoover restaurant. The menu features extensive raw and cooked burrito and taco options, along with appetizers and sides. The 4:20 Nachos consist of Doritos, spicy tuna, avocado, spicy mayo, unagi sauce and sesame seeds.

“You have the mall and so many great restaurants and places to shop,” she says. “We felt like Hoover is a place that people go and hang out, and we like that atmosphere.”

And so far, so good. They have received a warm welcome from the community, Hardisson says. “We enjoy getting new customers every day,” she says. “We also love that our regular customers from Avondale have followed us to Hoover. It feels like one big family.”

They offer the same menu items at the Hoover location as they do their original spot, but there are a few different specials available in Hoover. Their menu includes everything from snacks like cucumber salad to nachos and burritos.

Wasabi Juan’s has raw and cooked dishes, and their most popular raw burrito is their L.H.M. (Lord Have Mercy) roll. It includes spicy tuna, shrimp, cream cheese, spicy mayo, unagi sauce and avocados. For their cooked rolls, it’s the Toro, which has steak, shrimp, cream cheese, avocado and unagi sauce.

“

The best way to describe the sushi burritos is they are sushi rolls that are burrito sized.

- Jessica Hardisson

”

Overall, their most popular dish is their 4:20 Nachos, which is named for the Bible verse, Romans 4:20. That starter comes with Doritos, spicy tuna, avocado, unagi sauce and spicy mayo. “It sounds so strange but works so well together,” Hardisson says.

There’s really something for every taste at Wasabi Juan’s, and those popular dishes are a good place to start. “I always recommend getting one of those three — if not all — for your first time,” she says.

HooversMagazine.com 41

Beyond its must-try dishes, Wasabi Juan’s offers a unique dining experience with a homey atmosphere, Hardisson says. The family strives to put their customers first to ensure the food isn’t the only thing that keeps them coming back time and time again.

“We don’t have any restaurant experience, but we do go out and eat a lot. So, one thing we know is how we like to be treated,” she says. “We want everyone that comes through our doors to feel welcomed. We feel like our customer service comes first, and the food is a bonus.”

For those a little unsure of trying sushi or raw dishes, there are plenty of cooked menu items they can try.

“It’s also a good introduction to sushi because we offer a lot of cooked things like steak and chicken,” she says. “We made sushi fun and easy and took away the ‘fancy’ aspect of it.”

Now with the two locations, Wasabi Juan’s isn’t finished growing yet — at least that’s the plan.

They hope to open more locations in the future, Hardisson says.

Wasabi Juan’s is located at 3732 Lorna Road in Hoover. For more information, visit Wasabijuan. com.

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&STYLE

HOME

OLD SOUTHERN CHARM Pam and Steve Yates welcome visitors to their Greystone home with equal parts hospitality and space.

BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY DAWN HARRISON HooversMagazine.com 43

HOME & STYLE

W

When Pam and Steve Yates moved back to the Birmingham area about three years ago, they knew they needed a house large enough to accommodate their grown children and their families when they visited.

They found the space they needed – and the Southern charm they hadn’t expected – in their current home in Greystone.

“We have space for everyone when they come,” Pam Yates says. “That’s what appealed to us; we can have everybody at the same time.”

With its stately white columns in front, the couple’s home resembles an old Southern plantation-style house.

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It was built in 1992 and underwent interior renovations before the Yateses moved in three years ago. The original part of the house consisted of three bedrooms upstairs and a guest house over the garage. In 2007, the previous owners added a bedroom and bathroom downstairs – the master suite wing now – an office, and an enclosed back porch.

Pam and Steve grew up in Birmingham, went to the University of Alabama and married soon after they graduated. They moved every five years for Steve’s job until he “semi-retired,” and they were “homesick for the South” after living in places like New York, Colorado and

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Wisconsin. Their return to Birmingham was a homecoming decades in the making.

“We’re glad we’re here,” Steve says. “We have very nice neighbors.”

In addition to their Greystone house, they own an 1820s farmhouse and working farm in Tennessee, where they raise trees as a part-time business. “We stay on the move as much as we can handle,” Steve says of the couple’s frequent trips to and from the farm.

Life isn’t always quiet at home. Pam and Steve host about 40 people at their home every Thanksgiving, a tradition made all the more enjoyable by the space their home affords everyone.

“We’ve enjoyed sharing it,” Pam says. “We’re happy to be here and settled.”

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931.598.5651 | www.sasweb.org | admission@sasweb.org HooversMagazine.com 45

Back Porch Open any of the three sets of French doors on the lower level of the Yateses’ home, and you’ll have immediate access to the back porch, an enclosed area that takes outdoor entertaining to the next level. The area contains a grill, a dining table and chairs, and a cozy sitting area, all protected from the elements, but with a prime view of the beautiful back garden area. The back porch is connected to the guest house and garage by a screened-in walkway.

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Dining Room The couple’s dining room is the perfect place for a sit-down dinner with family and friends. The crystal chandelier hanging above the table contrasts beautifully with the rich woods of the furniture.

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Foyer The Southern charm from the front porch carries over into the foyer, where a large crystal chandelier hangs in all its sparkling splendor. A large staircase leads to the second floor, and archways mark a hallway on the main level leading to the back portion of the home. To the right and left off the foyer, guests can enter the formal living room and the dining room, respectively.

Living Room The formal living room serves as a receiving area for guests as they enter the home. The fireplace is the room’s focal point. Red, cream and brown tones in the furniture give the room warmth, even when a fire isn’t burning.

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Kitchen The open-air kitchen is an inviting space for Pam, Steve and anyone who happens to be staying with them. The large island serves as a cooktop and, with four bar stools, another place for youngsters and adults alike to eat.

Windows over the farmhouse sink and French doors on the back of the house, next to the breakfast table, let in plenty of natural light.

Den Like the formal living room, the den is a warm space anchored by the large stone fireplace on one wall.

This room is where the family congregates to watch TV, read and relax together. And as with the home’s other furnishings, the den features pieces Pam and Steve have collected over the years. “Most everything is what we’ve picked up along the way,” Pam says.

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Guest Bedrooms The couple has three spare bedrooms upstairs they open to their three children and five grandchildren when they come to visit.

One of the rooms was the original master bedroom and features a brick fireplace.

Guest Bathroom This guest bathroom has all the qualities of an upscale bathroom – a freestanding Jacuzzi tub, a separate shower and classy tile details.

“

We have space for everyone when they come. That’s what appealed to us.

”

- Pam Yates 50 HooversMagazine.com

Master Bedroom The master bedroom is blanketed in light neutral tones that blend together to create a peaceful space that’s both clean and comfortable.

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IN STYLE

RED, WHITE AND BLACK

Mix these colors for a festive holiday gathering 1

2

By Madison Freeman Photos by Dawn Harrison

LOOK 1

4

1. WHITE TOP WITH BLACK TRIM This clean and stylish top can be dressed up with a cute black skirt or worn with any pair of jeans. This top can be dressed up and dressed down. Perfect for the holidays.

Forever 21 / $20

5

3

2. BLACK BEADED NECKLACE This stylish necklace is very versatile and can be worn in several different ways.

Chic Clothing Boutique / $16

3. BLACK HIGH-WASTED RIPPED JEANS These high-wasted jeans need to be in your closet. You can pair them with a baggy sweater or a nice top.

Forever 21 / $25

4. RED HOBO BAG This gorgeous purse is the perfect item to make your outfit come together and pop.

You can’t go wrong with Hobo by your side.

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5. BLACK TALL BOOTIES The sharp suede black booties will bring a fun flare to any fall/winter outfit.

Forever 21 / $30

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1. VANNI DRESS BERRY This silky backless red dress is perfect for the holidays. You can pair with a pea coat or a shawl for a night out on the town.

Molly Green / $54

LOOK 2

2. DOLCI VETA LACE UP DRESS SHOE

1

These suede dress shoes scream fun.

They are the perfect pair of shoes for a nice holiday get-together.

Belk / $55

3. METALLIC CLUTCH This metallic clutch is great for any night out. It can be used as a clutch or a crossover bag.

Francesca’s / $38

Madison Freeman is a lifestyle blogger and believes that fashion is something that helps people connect with each other. Check out insidemyopendoor.com to get more fashion tips from Madison.

3

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ACCESSORIZE 1

1. GOLD BANGLES

2. SPARKLE STUDS

The thin gold bangle is a sweet and dainty bracelet that adds a subtle touch of color.

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The earrings paired with this dress are the perfect touch of sparkle.

Pink Tulip / $18

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Full Throttle Hoover’s motor scouts are masters of their bikes, and they have the competition hardware to prove it.

L

By Heather Jones Skaggs Photos by Dawn Harrison and Courtesy of Colin Nelson

Looking over photographs of himself as a child sitting on his father’s bike, Officer Brian Nelson can’t remember a time where motorcycles were not a part of his life. “I have always had an interest in riding and got my own bike at about age 18,” Nelson says. “I thought I really knew how to ride until I joined the Hoover Motors Unit in 1998, and I found out there was so much more to riding. Very few people can do the type of riding we do, and I found my niche.”

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Nelson, now sergeant over the Hoover Police Motors Unit and the primary instructor for the department, leads a team of eight motor scouts that are at the top of their class as an elite force for public safety.

“We train our scouts to ride with an 80-hour training class. They learn to ride the way we want them to ride. The way we as police operate a motorcycle is different than the way a civilian would

ride,” Nelson says. In addition to riding safety and operation that a civilian observes, an officer trains with his or her bike as a tool they use day-to-day on the job which requires continuous training and skill building. To say the Hoover Police Motors Unit is specialized could be an understatement. The standards and expectations for the unit are high not only for their performance, upkeep and maintenance of their motorcycles, but also for the officers themselves. “The thing about motorcycles is that they draw attention. Not only do we want the bikes in top shape on the road, we want that officer squared away from head to toe. It is a commitment.”

In July, Nelson, Motor Scouts Officer James Lawrence and Officer Jerry Edwards traveled to Hendersonville, Tennessee, to compete and train in the annual Police Motorcycle Rodeo. The weeklong competition is a chance for officers to not only

compete but to train with other officers from around the country.

Competitions are in themselves a training environment, Nelson says. It is an opportunity to hone the officer’s skills. “It is a week-long focused training with a purpose,” he says. “No matter what their skill level, they are learning new skills, getting smoother, quicker. It makes the officer a better rider.

They come back with improved skills, and that translates to a safer, more experienced rider on the streets.”

In a job where precision is everything, Nelson points out that this is no pleasure ride – the bike is a tool to do the job. The skills learned and mastered help keep the officer and the public safe.

Hoover has competed in many competitions for many years, but the Hendersonville Rodeo is favored by those who compete. The competition only allows

Ongoing training and skill-building opportunities are vital to keeping the officers in the Hoover Police Motors Unit ready for any situation they might encounter on duty. This summer, Sgt. Brian Nelson and officers James Lawrence and Jerry Edwards traveled to Hendersonville, Tennessee, to compete and train in the annual Police Motorcycle Rodeo.

HooversMagazine.com 55

“

The thing about motorcycles is that they draw attention. Not only do we want the bikes in top shape on the road, we want that officer squared away from head to toe. It is a commitment.

- Brian Nelson

”

for 50 competitors including the three from Hoover this year. Hoover’s finest competed in individual and team events like the Dynamic Duo Ride, where two officers follow each other through a course with patterns, changing the lead through the patterns. The course is timed, and penalties occur when an officer hits a cone, touches a foot down or drops a bike. There is also a Challenge Run where officers don’t get to see the pattern until it is time to compete. The track can consist of many elements and is timed. It can even feature a teeter-totter.

Hoover Police Motors brought home the gold in a big way by winning all three of their respective individual divisions. They took first place in Team Slow Ride and were first place Overall Team winners.

Nelson and Edwards also took first place in the Dynamic Duo Ride and were the only duo to complete a clean ride with no penalties.

Nelson won first place in the Elite Division and took first place overall at the rodeo and was named “Mr. Rodeo.”

56 HooversMagazine.com

“My favorites are the timed runs,” he says. “It is fun to get out there and challenge yourself. I get in a zone going from pattern to pattern. It is the repetition of the skills that allow this to become second nature, where the officer does not think about riding the bike; he just does it naturally and focuses on the job. Events like this are very important to building the skills.”

Edwards, who was a motor scout prior to joining the Hoover PD last April, placed first in the Expert Division. “Hoover really sees the benefit of going to events like this. Any time you get around the best riders from across the country for a week straight, you bring home ideas and skills to use on the job,” Edwards says.

Even Matt, the department’s mechanic, was on hand and provided assistance. “Lots were impressed with the way Hoover rides and the way we organize.”

Lawrence, who took first place in Novice Division, says the officers get so much out of the events. “I really enjoyed the competition because of the smaller numbers. It works better to get out there and get

experience. That is what we are ultimately there to do is to become better riders.”

All three agree that time spent training at competitions like Hendersonville translates to a better officer on the job. “You learn control with your bike, especially with the cone course because it is very unforgiving. If you get out of line even the slightest, you hit one. You also learn what your bike can and can’t do,” Lawrence says.

“In a training scenario it is a cone; in the real world it’s the front bumper of a car or a pedestrian,” Edwards adds. “It also increases confidence in what you can do, what your bike can do.”

For the officers, traveling to Hendersonville and being around different agencies, talking, visiting and learning, is what it is all about. “Winning is fun. The hardware you get to bring home is nice, and it is an honor to represent Hoover. Our focus is the training and the skills that you hone and bring back to the streets you ride every day,” Nelson says.

HooversMagazine.com 57

Fact to Fiction

Jerelyn Sneed, third from left, was inspired by her family’s frequent moves to write her first children’s book, “Just Be Me.” Also pictured are Jerelyn’s sons, Jordan and Grant, and her husband, Nicarde.

Watching her children adjust to new settings each time her family moved inspired Jerelyn Sneed to pen her first children’s book.

N

By Emily Sparacino Photos by Dawn Harrison

Nicarde Sneed knew the manuscript his wife Jerelyn had tucked away in a folder for 12 years was good enough to be published in book form someday.

She wasn’t so sure. “I never did anything with it. I didn’t know if it was something that would be wellreceived,” she says.

But Nicarde saw the potential resting in that manila folder and gently pressed Jerelyn to consider self-publishing it. “I think what pushed me was my husband said one day, ‘You should really put this in a book. You need to invest in yourself,’” Jerelyn

58 HooversMagazine.com

says. “He nudged me and encouraged me to put it out there.”

Her first book, a children’s book titled “Just Be Me,” published in May 2017, following a nearly seven-month editing process and — in simple terms — four decades of experiences in Jerelyn’s life.

Reading and writing have been integral parts of Jerelyn’s life since childhood. “Growing up, reading is what nurtured me in a way. I’ve always been an avid reader, and I’ve always had a journal. I don’t know a time I wasn’t writing something as an

“

I think what pushed me was my husband said one day, ‘You should really put this in a book. You need to invest in yourself.’

- Jerelyn Sneed

”

HooversMagazine.com 59

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Jerelyn meets Lance Deloach at her book signing several months ago at Little Professor in Homewood.

adult.”

Jerelyn, 47, grew up in Sacramento, California, and married Nicarde, her high school sweetheart, nearly 23 years ago. After the two graduated from Tuskegee University, Nicarde served in the U.S. Army, and Jerelyn stayed at home to raise the couple’s children: Lauren, Jordan, Nicarde II and Grant James. “I poured everything into them while they were growing up,” Jerelyn says of the children. “I was able to experience all they experienced.”

The geographical location of “home” changed multiple times for the family because of Nicarde’s job. They have lived in Georgia, Indiana and Florida. The Sunshine State is where Jerelyn’s writing started to reflect the effects moving had on the children, who were old enough to know what the process entails.

With each move, the Sneeds felt like they were pressing a restart button with school routines and relationships.

“They started noticing that, ‘Hey, this is getting a little hard in a new place. I have to make friends,’” she says.

Eventually, they moved from Jacksonville, Florida, to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Hoover, where they’ve lived for the past six years. After settling in Hoover, Jerelyn started working as a

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BOOK BASICS Title: “Just Be Me” Genre: Children’s Literature Length: 38 pages Details: Paperback, fully illustrated in color Description: James has to move around a lot because of his father’s job. He is nervous and bashful, but he has a smile that helps him meet new challenges and make new friends.

banker and decided to go back to school to further her education — and for the enjoyment of learning. “I love to read, and I love to study,” Jerelyn says. She is studying African American history at Troy State University, and will finish in 2018.

“Just Be Me” follows a boy named James — a nod to Jerelyn’s youngest son, Grant James — as he copes with changing schools when his family moves for his father’s job. “Just Be Me” is available at Little Professor Book Center in Homewood and online at other big-name retailers. Jerelyn held her first book signing in Sacramento, near her family and childhood friends. (She was the ninth of nine children, so many Californians were supportive of her book.)

“Just Be Me” was illustrated by Chris DeLoach. Jerelyn found out about him at a book signing for one of her college friends and approached him about her book project. The two met every Saturday morning for seven months and reviewed every detail, page by page, until they 62 HooversMagazine.com

were both satisfied with the finished product. “He was awesome in the process,” Jerelyn says.

Along with Jerelyn’s family, DeLoach was one of the people that comprised her support system throughout the self-publishing process. “It’s not just a one-stop shop.

There are a lot of details in the process,” she says. “It’s a commitment to go through something like this.”

Her kids were excited to see what they view as their story in print, too. “I think they’re happy that someone heard them. That’s the feeling I get from them. They’re so excited.”

What does the future hold for this budding children’s author? Possibly a series for James, the main character in her first book.

“He’ll be a teenager. We’ll touch on some teenage scenarios,” she says. “Also, I’m working on a story of a little girl that went through some challenges on the playground and growing up as well. I’m very excited about where life is leading me right now.”

Empowered ENCOURAGED AND

HooversMagazine.com 63

Moriah Apparel CEO Jillian Everett wants to do more than sell clothes. She wants women to know their worth.

J

By Emily Sparacino Photos by Dawn Harrison and Laine White of Sonderlaine Photography

Jillian Everett grew up traversing Hoover’s South Shades Crest Road, a main thoroughfare in her hometown.

She didn’t know it would be the place where her entrepreneurial dreams would take root.

Everett, 24, opened her first women’s clothing boutique, Moriah Apparel, in early August in a storefront located between Sanpeggio’s Pizza and Precision Tactical Arms Company off South first business.

Shades Crest Road. She and her parents, Karen “We went in the suite, and in my heart, God was and Scott Everett, happened on the vacant like, ‘This is it,’” Jillian says.

1,200-square-foot space one day and thought it They worked for months to transform the empty could be the answer to their prayers for Jillian’s space into the boutique Jillian had envisioned. Her

64 HooversMagazine.com

“

I wanted to help people see their beauty and self-worth.

My goal in ministry has been women’s ministry. I just really want women to be empowered.

- Jillian Everett

”

father handled the construction and interior renovations, incorporating reclaimed wood from the family’s first home in Hoover. Her mother has assisted her with the shop’s bookkeeping and other business-related matters.

“My mom helps me out with all the behind-the-scenes things, with the books and staying focused,” she says, adding her mother and a friend go to market with Jillian in Atlanta to help her choose new merchandise for the shop. “I have a hard time because I like everything.”

Jillian also has a network of girlfriends who provide honest feedback on the clothing and accessories at Moriah Apparel.

Jillian’s goal for the overall style of her inventory is “on the bohemian side with a homey, Southern flair,” which pairs well with the shop’s rustic-chic interior, a study in reclaimed wood and antique furniture. “Everything in the store is an antique,” she says. “I love antiques.”

A delicate white wall-hanging Jillian’s friend’s mother made for her daughter’s wedding now hangs on a wall in the shop, and often serves as a backdrop for planned and spur-of-themoment fashion photo shoots.

Most of the jewelry at Moriah Apparel is handmade by a

HooversMagazine.com 65

BUSINESS BASICS ADDRESS: 3435 South Shades Crest Road, Suite 113, Hoover, AL 35244 WEBSITE: MoriahApparel.com FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM: @meetingmoriah EMAIL: info@moriahapparel.com PHONE: (205) 538-7703 HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Hoover High School junior named Jessica Bradley for her brand, Inspired By Jewelry. “I’ve been really blessed with a lot of creative friends,” Jillian says. “It takes a team.”

For Jillian, Moriah Apparel represents an intersection of fashion, faith and entrepreneurship, a place where she can grow in different facets of her life, but also walk alongside other women on their personal journeys. “I knew I wanted to own a business, and I always went back to fashion. I think for me, clothing is exposing the human heart on the outside, expressing your heart on the outside.”

Jillian has two younger siblings: a brother named Salem, 20, and a sister, Tara, 22. Jillian was homeschooled until her junior year in high school, when she begged her parents to let her attend public school and have experiences like prom and football games with her peers. She

66 HooversMagazine.com

graduated from Hoover High School the next year, grateful for the opportunity to meet new people and learn in a different environment.

After graduation, Jillian’s career prospects began to take shape. Her father has been a pastor since she was 4 years old, and over the years, Jillian has played the keyboard and sung with him at churches in other cities, including Nashville. A producer who was in the audience during one of their performances heard Jillian sing and approached her about recording an album.

“I got a record deal in Nashville and toured the South for two years,” she says. The Christian pop, three-song EP, titled “Revived,” is available on iTunes. When the tour ended, Jillian re-evaluated her goals. Singing has always been her primary outlet, and she still writes music and leads worship at her father’s Hoover-based church, Elevate. But she decided to open herself up to new career adventures. She had managed boutiques for three years, and beyond her knowledge of how to run a boutique, she loves helping other women overcome personal insecurities by finding outfits that reflect and highlight their God-given character traits.

“Growing up, I was extra insecure with my self-image,” she says, adding that leading worship has helped her gain confidence. “I wanted to help people see their beauty and selfworth. My goal in ministry has been women’s ministry. I just really want women to be empowered.”

Jillian says the path to opening Moriah Apparel was a fiveyear process, during which she saved enough money to be able to fund the entire business by herself.

The name “Moriah” means “land of vision” and is a mountain range in Israel. Jillian says helping women form or strengthen a vision for their life is her mission at Moriah Apparel. “I love helping people find themselves through that.”

As Jillian watched the Moriah sign one of her good friends painted being mounted to the wall behind the checkout counter at the shop, she was overcome with emotion. “I definitely had a moment like, ‘Wow, this is real.’”

And owning a shop allows her to have personal conversations and prayer with customers.

“It’s nice to have that freedom,” Jillian says. “This has been so liberating for me, feeling like I have the freedom to do what I want to do.”

Jillian’s life verse is Deuteronomy 30:19, a daily reminder to her to “choose life in everything I do,” to find light and positivity, even in the darkest of circumstances.

“I’m in a constant state of smile,” she says. “I truly love living. I just always try to find the bright side.”

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N C T ON

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Hooverchamber.org

1694 Montgomery Highway, Suite 108, Hoover, AL 35216 | (205) 988-5672 | (205) 988-8383 FAX www.hooverchamber.org | email: bill@hooverchamber.org

America’s First Federal Credit Union to Sponsor December 21 Luncheon Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato To Give State of the City Address

America’s First Federal Credit Union will sponsor the December 21 Chamber Luncheon, and has invited Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato to give the State of the City Address. Mayor Brocato was elected in August 2016 without a run-off, and has a long history of service to the people of Hoover. He served as a Hoover Firefighter for forty years, starting in 1974 as a basic firefighter. Through the years, he became a paramedic, and worked his way up through the ranks to become Battalion Chief. He received his Paramedic License from UAB in 1974, his A.A.S. in Fire Science in 1979 from Jefferson State, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology in 1982 from Birmingham Southern College.

His experience as a public servant, developing incident action plans, commanding major building fires, medical emergencies, large-scale weather emergencies, public gatherings, and community celebrations, such as visits by the United States President to the City of Hoover, have prepared him for the leadership position of Mayor. Brocato values

a community that is smoothly managed.

During his service to the City, he had the opportunity to work across government and private sectors. His experience preparing the budget for the fire department, leading an award-winning EMS team, and working with city leaders on planning and zoning, Human Resources, E-911 and information technology earned him a sound foundation for the job of mayor. He also worked closely with city and healthcare officials on successful initiatives to bring freestanding Emergency Rooms to Hoover.

In 2003, the Commission on Fire Accreditation presented the Chief Fire Officer Designation to him. In 2008, he was one of seventeen in the country to be awarded the Chief Medical Officer Designation. It was in 2008, that he was also named Commander of the State of Alabama Incident Management Team. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct instructor with the Alabama Fire College teaching leadership and supervision to young men and women who aspire to move up in their respective organizations.

Networking begins at 11:15 a.m., with the meeting starting sharply at noon. The Luncheon is still $20, payable at the door, or $25 for non-members, or for those without reservations. Those who make reservations and simply do not show will be invoiced for the luncheon, as the chamber makes guarantees to the Hoover Country Club based on the number of reservations.

Cancellations are accepted until the morning of the luncheon with almost any reason accepted. Hoover Country Club is located at 3140 Club Drive, Hoover 35216.

HooversMagazine.com 71 Hoover Area Chamber Connection Newsletter

2018 at Hoover Library

Coffee & Contacts Schedule

There are a lot of fun, interesting and helpful things to do at the Hoover Library in 2018!

The library offers bimonthly programs such as “The A, B, C & Ds of Medicare” and “How to Find Grants.” The first Medicare program for Bryce Thornton, 2018 will be held on Hoover Public Library Tuesday, January 9 at Business Department 1:00 p.m., while the first grant program of the new year will be held on Monday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m.

If your 2018 resolution is financial peace, you can start the year right by attending “Economic Independence for 2018,” on Tuesday, January 16 at 10:15 a.m. This program will explore what you need to do to become debt free and start saving money.

Or if one of your new year’s resolutions is to read more, consider joining one of the library’s book groups. The Nighttime Nonfiction Group meets every fourth Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Our January book is The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough. The First Thursday Fiction Book Group will be discussing Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi on Thursday, January 4 at 10:00 a.m., while Sunday NovelTea will meet on Sunday, January 7 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.

The Hoover Library also hosts annual events like the AARP Tax Services that helped over 400 patrons with their tax returns in 2017, our nationally known writer’s conference, Southern Voices, that will be headlined by best-selling author Steve Berry in February, our SCIFI/Fantasy Fest in July and our Financial Planning Expo in October.

Believe it or not, this is just a small percentage of what is offered at the Hoover Public Library. You can find a detailed listing by visiting our website at www.hooverlibrary.org.

Normally Held the 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Bryce Thornton is the Business Librarian at Hoover Library. You can reach him at 444-7816 or brycet@bham.lib.al.us

December 14, 2017 — Vestavia Reserve Luxury Apartments January 11, 2018 — Business Resource Group at Stewart of Alabama February 8, 2018 — Faulkner University March 8, 2018 — Breakout Birmingham April 12, 2018 — Penn Mutual Alabama Agency

August 9, 2018 — Aveda Institute September 13, 2018 — Skyline Village Retirement-(Top of Mountain) October 11, 2018 — Brook Highland Place November 8, 2018 — OFC Workscapes, Inc.

May 10, 2018 — Clear Solutions June 14, 2018 — Heatherwood Hills Country Club

December 13, 2018 — Space Cadets

Luncheon Sponsorships Normally held the 3rd Thursday of each month, 11:15 a.m. Networking, Noon Luncheon — NOW Meeting at Hoover Country Club December 21, 2017 — America’s First Federal Credit Union

February 15, 2018 — Hendrick Automotive & TurnerBatson Architects

January 18, 2018 — First Commercial Bank

Business After Hours Schedule Held the 4th Thursday of each month, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

November & December — None Held

March 22, 2018 — Cajun Cleaver

January 25, 2018 — Morningside of Vestavia (formerly Chateau Vestavia)

April 26, 2018 — Outback Steakhouse - Hoover

February 22, 2018 — HooverRandle Home & Gardens

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July 12, 2018 — Soiree Event Gallery

May 24, 2018 — Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen June 28, 2018 — Available

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the home office of APH Radio in Alabaster. Shown cutting the ribbon is owner Gene Rowley, as his wife, Mandy, holds the bow. They were joined by several staff members, volunteers and chamber ambassadors. APH Radio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides services to other non-profit organizations, primarily in Shelby County. They can be reached at (205) 901-9925 or through the website at www.aphradio.org.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the new Whole Foods located in Riverchase Village (now re-named Whole Foods Village), at 3780 Riverchase Village, Hoover 35244.

Shown cutting the ribbon is Associate Team Leader April Moate, with Store Team Leader Jason Stonicher, as Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato holds the bow. Community Liaison Alex Kolar is to the left of April.

They are joined by dozens of Hoover Chamber Ambassadors, friends, and staff members. Whole Foods can be reached at (205) 912-8400 or Alexandria.kolar@wholefoods.com. A Coffee & Contacts/Open House will be held at this Whole Foods on Thursday, November 30.

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held September 25, 2017 at the new Soiree Event Gallery, located at 2132 Lorna Ridge Lane in Hoover, just off Lorna Road. This is a newly remodeled event facility, suitable for weddings, receptions, or any kind of party. Shown cutting the ribbon is owner Parvez Mulji, as Jodi Newton, Ariana Jackson, and Morgan Cochran help with the scissors. Holding the bow is his daughter Zoya Mulji, as his son Zunair Mulji is between them, and wife Salima Mulji is behind his daughter. Also attending were Hoover City Council members Mike Shaw and John Lyda. Soiree Event Gallery can be reached at (205) 783-5228 or info@eventsatsoiree.com

The inaugural Leadership Hoover Program started in September 2017, and will go until May, 2018. The group of over 30 leadership professionals is shown here as they begin the Ropes Course at Red Mountain Park in Jefferson County. Some of the participants shown here are Tim Aho, Matthew Allen, Toni Bast, Dan Blackman, Kem Bryant, Tom Chelewski, Susette Clark Walker, Jessica Coates, Jammie Cowden, and Paul Dangel.

The Leadership Hoover Group, at the Ropes Course, had to develop methods of passing several different obstacles involving ropes, climbing, and balancing. More of the participants shown include April Danielson, Khristi Doss Driver, Jose Etress, Fire Captain Nathan Hinds, Shannon Isbell, Sara Johnson, and Charles Lewis.

As part of the Leadership Hoover inaugural class, participants had to either climb the 50-foot tower on the outside wall, or climb the inside steps and take the Zip Line about one quarter mile at speeds of 50 mph or more. Other participants in the class include Class Chairman Joe Thomas, Melinda Lopez, Tynette Lynch, Van Moody, Chamber President Jerome Morgan, Jr., City Councilman Derrick Murphy, Lynn Ray, Michael Ray, Nathan Reed, Michael Staley, Ashfaq Taufique, Janet Turner, Brandon Ward, and Jennifer Whisenant.

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New Members — September-October 2017 Acopia Home Loans Jack Richey, Branch Manager - 307-9221 Alabama Self-Insured Worker’s Comp Fund Loren Traylor - 868-6900 Ameriprise Financial Services Jeff Waters - 909-3154 Bella’s Bridal & Formal, LLC Carol Riney, Owner 403-7977

Prepaid Technologies Cameron Sanford - 588-8889

Cream & Cones Ice Cream Lounge Kash Rojani, Owner 848-8383

GrangerThagard & Associates, Inc. Bill Thagard, Principal 326-0833

Davenport’s Alteration & Repair Landon Davenport, Owner 240-6243

Greystone Living Steve Johnson - 902-7177

RealtySouth-OTM Acton Road Benjamin Bailey, Realtor 915-6120

IronStone Pizza Jim Hunter Walsh 601-248-2751

Sears Law Firm James D. Sears, Attorney 588-0755

Junior League of Birmingham Alice Jackson, Volunteer 879-9861

Space Cadets Kim McBrayer - 368-2425

Eugene’s Hot Chicken Zebbie Carney, Owner 322-7555 First Choice HomeCare Services LaTrisha Howard - 313-4785

Birmingham Dance Theatre Joni Scofield - 822-3012

First Data William Gaines - 617-8041

Little Donkey Restaurant Nick Halfacre, General Manager - 206-4375

Brown Heating & Cooling Jamie White - 871-8111 Board of Trustees Upgrade

Flooring Gurus Ava Mendes, Owner 564-8200

Merrill Lynch Mason Onstott, Financial Advisor - 326-9630

Consider It Joy Baking Elizabeth Wood, Co-Owner 538-7967

Global Fire Sprinklers Bill Fowler, Sales Manager 334-314-1584

Premiere Confidential Investigations, Inc. Jimmie L. Brown - 978-2327

Supreme Lending Barry Logan, Broker 719-1705 The Learning Tree Sheila Sears, Executive Director- 533-6044 Whole Foods Jason Stonicher - 730-2680 WKG Educational Consulting, LLC Wynell Gilbert, CEO 601-7619

New Scholarship Program Announced The Hoover Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program has been revised, and scholarship applications are now available at the chamber website at www. hooverchamber.org or at the chamber office.

With over $200,000 awarded by the Hoover Chamber in scholarships over the past several years, we hope to have additional scholarship funds available in an ever-increasing amount for the next several years.

Students may apply through the

chamber website or pick up an application at the chamber office. The Chamber set up a 501(c) (3) Foundation for scholarships in 2016, and taxdeductible contributions can be made at any time. Scholarships can be awarded in the name of an individual, a family, or a business for a contribution of $2,500 or more.

Plans are to award scholarships at levels of up to $4,000 in the future. This will be a larger amount than we have ever awarded in the past, but a lower

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number of scholarships is expected to be awarded for the next year or two. There is a deadline of Friday, March 9, 2018 for the applications to be completed and turned in to the Chamber office.

Recipients of the Hoover Chamber Scholarships will be notified by April 27, 2018 and should attend the May 15, 2018 chamber luncheon as our guests.

For more information, contact Bill Powell at the Hoover Chamber office at (205) 988-5672 or by email at bill@ hooverchamber.org.

Thank You, 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, MikosKampakis Insurance* 16. Richard Head, RE/MAX Advantage* 17. Karen Waldrop, Regions Financial 18. Charlie Conklin, Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 19. Tim Prince, Hoover’s Magazine, Shelby County Reporter 20. Kathleen Spencer, Spencer Consulting Group* 21. Dan Ellis, TASC* *Designates a Past President of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce

The Board of Trustees 1. Eric Land, ABC 33/40 Television 2. Pete Gagliano, ADT Security Services 3. Steve Swofford, Alabama Credit Union 4. Timothy C. Lee, M.D., MPH, Alabama Heart & Vascular, P.C. 5. Alison Howell, Alabama Power Company 6. Jabo Waggoner, Alabama Senate, District Sixteen 7. Steve Nix, AlaTrust Credit Union 8. Jimese Harkley, America’s First Federal Credit Union 9. Britten Blackburn, American Cheerleading Centers 10. Randy Johansen, American Family Care 11. Linda Cencula, Avadian Credit Union 12. Nate Wood, BB&T Bank 13. Robert P. (Rob) Fowler, Balch & Bingham LLP 14. Deborah Stephens, Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. 15. Ken Crow, Belk 16. Ashfaq Taufique, Birmingham Islamic Society 17. Patty Barron, P.E., Birmingham Water Works 18. Leanne Messer, Brookdale Place University Park 19. Jamie White, Brown Heating & Cooling 20. Bud Cason, Bud’s Best Cookies 21. Paul Huckeba, C B & S Bank 22. David Jackson, ChickFil-A 23. Ashley Daniels, Chick Salad Chick 24. Mike Warren, Children’s of Alabama 25. Richard Brown, Constangy, Brooks Smith &

Prophete, LLP 26. Bobby Haynes, Costco Wholesale 27. Randolph Pickell, Diversicare of Riverchase 28. Mike Hawthorne, Edge Realty Group 29. Ricky Brooks, Express Oil/ Tire Engineers 30. Cody Burns, FOX 6 WBRC 31. Debbie Hultquist, Fresenius Medical Care 32. Lisa McClung, Galleria Woods Retirement Community 33. Alice Johnson, Grandview Medical Center 34. Hal Humphrey, P.E., Gresham, Smith and Partners 35. Neil Thakor, Holiday Inn — Hoover 36. Bredella Taylor, Homewood Suites Riverchase 37. Kerry Bradley, Hoover Tactical Firearms 38. Charlie Faulkner, Jefferson Credit Union 39. Tony Cooper, Jimmie Hale Mission 40. Sungho Sim, Kobe Japanese Restaurant 41. Joe McGee, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union 42. Dwight Burrell, LongLewis Ford Lincoln 43. Leigh Ellen Brummerhoff, Marriott International, Inc. 44. Bridget Baughan, McDonald’s 45. Keith Pennington, Medical West 46. David Brown, Office Depot 47. Todd Beegle, On Tap Sports Café 48. Jose’ Rivera-Crespo, Outback Steakhouse 49. David Yirkovisky, Papa Murphy’s Pizza 50. Chuck Herndon, Peoples

Bank of Alabama 51. Charles Kramer, III, Progress Bank 52. Dr. John R. Phillips, III, PT Orthodontics 53. Hugh Morrow, Broker, RE/MAX Preferred 54. Rick Smith, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa 55. Mike White, Riverchase Galleria 56. Coreata’ Houser, Rolecall 57. Andy Davis, St. Vincent’s Health System 58. Kyle Hogan, Sam’s Club 59. Sam Dillender, Santek Waste Services 60. Brad Ledbetter, ServPro of Birmingham 61. Dr. Jack Schaeffer, Schaeffer Eye Centers 62. Sarah Turner, Signature Homes 63. Kelvin Johnson, Spire 64. Alain Gallet, Terracon 65. Monique Holiness, The Home Depot-Inverness 66. Mark Hamilton, The Home Depot-Riverchase 67. Bethany Bell, The Trails at Cahaba River 68. Tara J. Elliott, Troy University 69. Alison Lindsay, WIAT-42 News 70. Phillip Corley, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC 71. Darin Boykin, Walmart SuperCenter, Highway 150 72. Jason Sutherland, Walmart SuperCenter, Highway 280 73. Greg Livingston, Walmart Market, Lorna Road 74. Devin Errett, Webb Payroll Service, Inc. 75. Russell Pate, Zaxby’s

Jamie White Brown Heating & Cooling www.brownheating andcooling.com

Dr. Jack Schaeffer Schaeffer Eye Centers www. schaeffereyecenter. com

Hugh Morrow, Broker RE/MAX Preferred www.birmingham preferred.com

Membership in the Board of Trustees is offered by invitation to members paying a minimum of $1,000 in dues per year. If you are interested in networking with the area’s top business and community leaders, please contact the Chamber at 988-5672.

HooversMagazine.com 75 Hoover Area Chamber Connection Newsletter

Upcoming Events

December 2017-January 2018 NOVEMBER November 30: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Open House and Coffee & Contacts at Whole Foods , 3780 Riverchase Village/Whole Foods Market Plaza, Hoover 35244.

Contact Alex Colar at Alexandria. colar@wholdfoods.com or (205) 912-8400. Or call the chamber office at 988-5672.

DECEMBER December 5: 8:30 a.m. Minority Business Council Meeting at Chamber Office. Visitors welcome!

December 7: 8:30 a.m. Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office. Visitors welcome!

December 7: 5:30-7:00 p.m. SPECIAL Business After Hours, hosted by the Minority Business Council at Perfect Note, 1845 Montgomery Highway, Suite 201, Hoover 35244.

Contact Karen or Tremayne Thompson 205-986-7280 or tkproductionsandevents@gmail. com or Chamber Office 205-9885672 for information.

December 11: 11:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 200 One Nineteen Boulevard, Hoover (Greystone) 35242. Contact Lee Ellen Haskins at (601) 248-1053 or lhaskins@ somerbyliving.com for information.

December 14: 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Coffee & Contacts at Vestavia Reserve December 20: 4:30 p.m. Monthly Ambassadors Meeting at Chamber Office. Visitors Welcome!

December 21: Hoover Chamber Luncheon at Hoover Country Club. 11:15 a.m.

Networking, Noon Luncheon.

Please make reservations

by Monday, December 18.

Those who make reservations requesting a meal be prepared for them, and do not attend will be invoiced, unless canceled prior to the event. $20.00 or $25.00 for non-members or for those without reservations. Lisa@ hooverchamber.org December 22-25: Chamber Office closed for Christmas Holidays.

No Business after Hours in December - Merry Christmas!

JANUARY January 2: NO Minority Business Council Meeting at Chamber Office.

January 4: 8:30 a.m. Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office. Visitors welcome!

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January 11: 7:30-9:00 a.m.

Coffee & Contacts at Stewart of Alabama, hosted by Business Resource Group, 4000 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham 35243. Contact Jim Brance at jim.branche@stewartal.com or (205) 969-3000.

January 17: 4:30 p.m. Monthly Ambassadors Meeting at Chamber Office. Visitors Welcome!

January 18: Hoover Chamber Luncheon at Hoover Country Club. 11:15 a.m. Networking, Noon Luncheon. Please make reservations by Monday, January 15. Those who make reservations requesting a meal be prepared for them, and do not attend will be invoiced, unless canceled prior to the event. $20.00 or $25.00 for non-members or for those without reservations. Lisa@ hooverchamber.org January 25: 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Business after Hours at Morningside of Vestavia Hills (formerly Chateau Vestavia), 2401 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Contact Jeremy Simmons at jsimmons@5ssl.com or (205) 822=4773.

FEBRUARY February 1: 8:30 a.m. Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office. Visitors welcome!

First Commercial Bank to Sponsor January 18 Luncheon Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato To Install 2018 Officers

First Commercial Bank will sponsor the January 18 Chamber Luncheon, and has scheduled Hoover Frank Brocato to install the new officers and board of directors for the Hoover Chamber.

Elected at the December Luncheon to serve as president for the Chamber in 2018 was Jerome Morgan, Jr. Jerome has been active in the Hoover Chamber for several years, has served on the Board of Directors for the past six years, as second vice president in 2016.

Jerome Morgan has served as chamber president in 2017, and because of changes in the structure of the board, will repeat as chamber president in 2018.

Chris Schmidt, our 2016 Chamber President, will remain on the board as Immediate Past President. Terry Turner of Gentle, Turner & Sexton Law Firm will move up to serve as First Vice President. Joe Thomas will continue as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Kathleen Spencer of Spencer Consulting Group will continue as secretary to the board of directors, and Adam West, CPA of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors, as treasurer. April DeLuca of Magic City Law Firm has been appointed to serve as Legal Advisor

Jerome Morgan, Jr., 2017-18 Chamber President

to the Board, since Turner has now been elected as second vice president.

Continuing to serve on the board for the 2016-2018 term are Paul Dangel of the Hyatt Regency-Wynfrey Hotel; Ira Levine of Levine & Associates; and Tynette Lynch of Aldridge Gardens.

Continuing to serve on the Board of Directors for 2017-2019 are Paul Huckeba of CB&S Bank; Jeff McDowell of McDowell Securities; and Lynn Ray of Business Telephones, Inc. At this writing, the new board members for 2018-2020 have not yet been nominated or elected, but are to be

nominated at the November 2017 luncheon, and elected at the December 21 luncheon.

The Chamber will also recognize outstanding volunteers for the 2017 year including the Member of the Year, Ambassadors of the Year and Fourth Quarter, and Board Member of the Year at this luncheon. Mayor Brocato will be installing the officers and board members as well.

To attend this January 18 Chamber Luncheon, please make your reservations no later than Tuesday, January 16, by calling 988-5672, or emailing Lisa Dunbar at admin@ hooverchamber.org.

The Luncheon is still $20.00 for those with reservations, or $25.00 for nonmembers or those who come without reservations, if space is available.

Payment can be made by cash, check, or major credit cards. Cancellations are accepted until the morning of the luncheon. Those who make reservations and simple do not show will be invoiced for the luncheon, as the chamber makes guarantees to the Hoover Country Club based on the number of reservations.

Hoover Country Club is located at 3140 Club Drive, Hoover 35216.

Mission Statement Amended January 1998. The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce promotes economic growth of business through a strong support system which provides business and community partnerships.

Use this logo to place in your advertising for higher name recognition. This logo can be emailed to members for use in advertising, on business cards, and on letterhead or signs.

HooversMagazine.com 77 Hoover Area Chamber Connection Newsletter

Hoover Chamber Officers and Board of Directors

Jerome Morgan, Jr., Oncort Professional Services 2017 President

Jason Cobb, America’s First Federal Credit Union

Chris Schmidt, J.D., Daniel Corporation, 2016 President

Paul Dangel Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel

Joel Smith, Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall, 1st Vice President

Paul Huckeba C B & S Bank

Terry Turner Gentle, Turner & Sexton 2nd Vice President

Ira Levine, CCIM, Levine & Associates

Kathleen Spencer, Spencer Consulting Group, Secretary

Tynette Lynch Aldridge Gardens

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Davenport’s Alteration & Repair, located at 3734 Lorna Road in the River Oaks Village Shopping Center in Hoover. Shown cutting the ribbon is Owner Landon Davenport, with Seamstress Tyjuana Pierce, as Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato holds the bow. They are joined by several friends and Hoover Chamber ambassadors.

Davenport’s Alteration & Repair can be reached at (205) 240-6243 or Contact@ DavenportsAlteration.com. www.DavenportsAlteration.com

Lori Schommer, City of Hoover, City Liaison

Jeff McDowell McDowell Security Services, LLC

Stephen Preston, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center

April DeLuca Magic City Law Legal Advisor

Lynn Ray Business Telephones, Inc.

Adam West, CPA Warren, Averett CPAs and Advisors Treasurer

Terry Shea, Wrapsody

A special Halloween Coffee & Contacts was held October 31, 2017 at the location of T. Fox Salon, 2080 Valleydale Road in Hoover, 35244 (next to Rag Time Café).

The owner and staff dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland, and many attendees dressed as other characters for the Halloween morning event.

Characters included Marie Antoinette, Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts (Traci Fox), crazy drummer, and other characters.

At the October Monthly Luncheon of the chamber, Lynn Ray of Business Telephones, Inc., was recognized as the Ambassador of the Third Quarter. Lynn, who has won the Ambassador of the Year Award for 2015 and 2016, earned more points for her volunteer activities with the chamber during the July-August-September period, with extra points as volunteer coordinator for the 22nd Annual Chamber Golf Tournament. We have some 40 chamber ambassadors who attend and participate at our many events throughout the year.

Hoover Area Chamber Connection Newsletter 78 HooversMagazine.com

OUT & ABOUT

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GREYSTONE LADIES CLUB LUNCHEON PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

The Greystone Ladies Club held its monthly luncheon Sept. 13 at the Founders Clubhouse.

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Kathryn Watts, Wilma Thompson and Jeannie Johnson

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Judy Arnold and Nita Yarbrough

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Sherry Best and Sylvia Stagner

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Johnnetta Jarrett, Michelle Matlock, Danella Johnson and Janice Folmar

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Beth Cash, Myrtis Horton and Denise Tassone

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Suzy Sanders and Wendy Howell

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Carole Marks and Leisa Smith

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Sierra Earl and Barbara Brickner

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JoDean Smith, Krystal Phillips and Allison Oswald

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OUT & ABOUT

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BLUFF PARK ART SHOW 2017

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PHOTOS BY HEATHER JONES SKAGGS

Artists, artisans and art enthusiasts came together at the Bluff Park Art Show on Oct. 7.

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Chris Poole and Melody Traylor

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Diane Broome, Carole Armaistead, Teresa Richerson, Jan Harris and Jan Slack

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Donna Jones and Jackie Dye

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Mayor Frank Brocato and Councilman John Lyda

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Shelley, (Councilman) Mike and Canon Shaw

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David Self, art show winner

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Tommy Sanderson, Cary Moore and Sara Perry

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Vanessa Miller, art show winner

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Matthew Mayes

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10. Presley Moore, Ashlyn Woolsteen and Robbie Woolsteen 11. Sam and Harrison Swiney 12. Councilman Mike Shaw and Greg Skaggs

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OUT & ABOUT

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8TH ANNUAL HEAD OVER TEAL 5K

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PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

Runners, walkers and pets alike flocked to The Preserve on Sept. 23 for the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation’s 8th Annual Head Over Teal 5K, 10K and Fall Festival.

1. Paul DeMarco and Jack DeMarco 2. Bill Turbitt, Ashley Winfree, Alex Faust and Nicole Smith

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3. Melinda McNamee and Marguerite McNamee 4. Baden and Megan Stickley 5. Katie House, Emma Eiswirth and Sophia Ruckman 6. Nate Perry and Abby Tressillian 7. Jeanne Erickson, Mary Elizabeth Sammis and Mikey Sammis 8. Anne Diggs, Nicole Britnell, and Krisi Weeks 9. Kendra Harrington 10. Stephanie Cannon and Stephanie Lachina 11. Jim Crandall, Patti Wilson, Libby Bailey, Eddie Moody and Gina Hawkins 12. Brad Clay, Bonnie Clay, Becket Clay and Brendan Clay 13. Sara Amthor and Polly Brothers 14. Jennifer Bradley and Hayley Douglas 15. Ted and Marilyn Pate 16. Lauren Sinnott and Michael Sinnott 82 HooversMagazine.com

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OUT & ABOUT

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MONTE D’ORO ICE CREAM SOCIAL

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PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The annual Monte D’Oro Ice Cream Social and one of Hoover’s 50th anniversary celebrations took place Saturday, Aug. 12 in the Monte D’Oro neighborhood.

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Hoover firemen Clay Bigham, Capt. Barry Key and Bret Huffstutler, Hoover police officer Tyler Watson and Y.J. Ng

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Melanie Copeland

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Officer Watson, Niki Burns, Connie Hampton, Lesley Perrien, Shelley Shaw, Councilman Mike Shaw, Fran Brocato, Mayor Frank Brocato, Paul Baker, Katherine Baker, Capt. Barry Key, Paige Meyer, Clay Bigham and Bret Huffstutler

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Sharbel Maalouf

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Paige Meyer and Anna Lu Hemphill with Ebru Middlebrooks, Councilman Casey Middlebrooks and their sons Grady and Aiden

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Sallie Buchanan, Councilman Derrick Murphy, Adam Cross and Beth

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OUT & ABOUT

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HOOVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OCTOBER LUNCHEON PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOOVER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dozens of people attended and networked at the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce’s October luncheon at the Hoover Country Club on Oct. 19.

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Nikki Jordan and Trisston Wright Burrows

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Lynn Ray and Jerome Morgan, Jr.

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Bill Powell

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Sylinda Daniel and Mark Ingram

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HOOVER BELLES BACK TO SCHOOL SOCIAL

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PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The Hoover Belles transitioned from summer to a new school year at their Back to School Ice Cream Social, where they enjoyed refreshments, fellowship and discussions regarding branding and social media use.

1. Lora Watkins, Allison Pendleton, Emma Rose Hill and Rebecca Friday

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2. Olivia Bishop, Kathryn King, Senna House, Kate Winchester, Anna Douglass and Ava Indovina 3. Georgie Fickling, Madison Todd and Emma Storm 4. Front row, Katelyn Ragland, Audrey Colabrese, Margaret Anne Boggan; back row, Abby Jones, Madeline Martin and Millie McMeekin 5. Mia Gage, Grace Heglas, Amelia Abernathy, Maddie Lee and Ashley Thomas 6. Front row, Rachel Leno, Margaret Splawn; back row, Caroline Kendrick, Ashlynne Wallis, Madison Blair and Callie Ahearn 7. Front row, Connelley Erwin, Gracie Alspach; back row, Allie Couch, Hannah Luther and Ansley Powell

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OUT & ABOUT

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ALABAMA HYDRANGEA SOCIETY MEETING PHOTOS BY EMILY SPARACINO

Dr. John Floyd spoke to the Alabama Hydrangea Society on Aug. 23 at Aldridge Gardens. The topic of Floyd’s talk was “Birmingham Gardening Today.”

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1. Phyllis Lode and Elizabeth Godwin 2. Les and Cindy Wrobel 3. Sara Starling, Allane Hybart and Laurel Wilson 4. Kathy Webb and Phyllis Sutherland 5. Myra Anderson and Sandra Thompson 6. Robert and Josephine Cahill 7. Carl and LaVerne Martin

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OUT & ABOUT

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TASTE OF SHELBY COUNTY

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PHOTOS BY STEPHEN DAWKINS

The Shelby County Schools Education Foundation hosted the annual Taste of Shelby County event on Thursday, Sept. 14, at Jefferson State Community College.

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Candyce McDowell, Jeff McDowell, Chris George and Lisa George

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Tyler Mills and Sydney Hannon

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Josh O’Connor, Rachel O’Connor and Lindsey Rogers

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Peg Hill, Dana Martin and Brooke Payne

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Laney Yarchak, Jared Yarchak and Benji Sawyer

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Steve Sayers, Kristi Sayers, Haley Sayers, Amy Kelly and Donnie Kelly

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Christy Kearley, Stephen Kearley and Jan Smith

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Marketplace Hoover’s Magazine • 205.669.3131

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Accepting Resumes for Full-time/ Part-time Tellers at large credit union. Cash Handling experience required. Great work environment, Competitive Salary, Great Benefits.

E-mail resumes to Jobs1@apcocu.org Computer Sales & Repair — $60 SPECIAL — VIRUS & MALWARE REMOVAL! Offering In-home & Inoffice Computer Repair & Servicing for Chilton, Bibb & Shelby Counties CALL TODAY! 706-273-9987

INDUSTRIAL ATHLETES $17.68 hour + production & safety $$$ incentives. Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets. PART-TIME TRUCK DRIVER- CLASS A Average $0.53 per mile deliver palletized loads to grocery stores within 300 mile radius. Work available 7 days/week. Can lead to full-time employment. Clean MVR and 2 years minimum tractor-trailer experience required. Paid vacation & holidays.

Blue Cross health & dental insurance.

Matching 401k plan. Apply online at AGSOUTH.COM or call Charlie Seagle at (205) 808-4833 Pre-employment drug test required.

Lake Mitchell! 1209 Co Rd 261 Spacious home with privacy & beautiful views. GR w/exposed beams & rock fp. Wood floors, large rooms make this home perfect for entertaining or relaxing. FR w/ fp. Multiple decks, exterior stone fireplace, dock & 2 covered boat slips. $270,000. MLS#786807 Atkinson Real Estate LLC 256-245-6782 NITES 205-369-7769 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.

B&J_Metal_Fabricators Starting November 1st! Metal roofing and Portable metal buildings Custom sizes available Customize your own!!

Montevallo (205)665-4687 (205)296-9988 Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred.

Competitive Pay. Great Benefits.

Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Birmingham Hide & Tallow Immediate position for CLASS-B ROUTE DRIVERS FOR LOCAL ROUTE. WELL-ESTABLISHED 100+ YEAR COMPANY NOW HIRING ROUTE DRIVERS. HOME NIGHTS/ WEEKENDS. LOOKING FOR HARD WORKING DRIVERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM. CLEAN MVR/BG CHECK REQUIRED. COMPETITIVE PAY & BENEFITS: BCBC, 401K, PAID HOLIDAYS/VACATION, COMPANY FURNISHED UNIFORMS. CALL 205-425-1711 OR EMAIL: adria.lupien@bhtonline.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 Borden Dairy of Alabama, LLC NOW HIRING for Class B CDL Delivery Drivers at our Irondale, AL Branch. Six Months verifiable experience driving a Commercial Vehicle. Experience in customer service preferred. Go to www.bordendairy.com to apply.

(Careers, select location) Borden Dairy of Alabama, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

BRIARWOOD APARTMENTS Now Leasing! Beautiful 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments. Mon & Wed 8:30am-4pm.

535-A Hicks St. Montevallo • 205-665-2257 • TDD #’s: (V)1-800-548-2547 • (T/A)1-800-548-2546.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ORDER PULLERS. Distributor in Alabaster has an immediate need for order pullers. Heavy duty lifting is required. We offer a MondayFriday work week, competitive pay and benefits. Call our job line at 205-397-1781.

MARKETPLACE

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Piano Tuning, New & Used Sales, Moving, Storage, and Repair. Trained

by School for the Blind. 47 Years’ Experience. BUDDY GRAY 822-0482 or 800-593-2462 Carroll Fulmer Now Hiring Class-A CDL Drivers. Over-the-road positions available. Dry vans. No hazmat. Must have one year overthe-road. Experience and a clean MVR. Competitive pay and bonus package. Good home time.

Call 800-633-9710 ext. 2 CDL Drivers Needed! HOME DAILY! • $850-$1250/week • Paid Vacation after 1yr • Medical/Dental/ Vision Avail. • New Equipment 2yrs Exp, Clean MVR, Drug Test Chris 205-446-5400 chrisgilliland01@gmail.com Regina (205)275-2293 rparker7770@gmail.com Danny (205)471-3177 dcgcfi@gmail.com Chandler Health & Rehab in Alabaster Alabama Now accepting applications for CNA’s, RN’s, LPN’s, and RN House Supervisor Call Linda White 205-663-3859 Chase Learning Center & Day Care is Pelham is Now Hiring • PT Nursery • PT After-school. $8/hr. 5 days/week. Great for college students! 205-620-1616 Accounts Payable HR/Payroll Specialist Responsible for reviewing, validating, and processing all invoices for payment including the resolution of all invoice/statements and discrepancies. This position will calculate, process, and report the payroll bi-weekly. This position will also support agency administrative operations by performing standard accounting and administrative functions under the supervision of the Office and General Managers.

Degree in Accounting is preferred.

Applications may be obtained and submitted in our main office.

•Police Officer •Main Street Director — Visit www.cityofmontevallo.com for detailed job description and on-line application or apply in person at City Hall, 541 Main St, Montevallo, AL 35115 EEO Coosa Valley Medical Center NOW HIRING! •RN Med/Surg, 7am-7pm •RN Labor & Delivery,

11pm-7am 7-on/7-off •LPN CVMC Nursing Home, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am •RN ICU, 7am-7pm Email resume to: Blaine.Green @cvhealth.net or to apply, go to www.cvhealth.net 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 Homewood Area Package Store.

Day Shift (10am-6pm) Clerk/Stocker.

Must be 21, have retail experience, be able to multi-task, able to work any shift. Good pay.

Call (205)585-8900 D & G Plumbing Service 2003 4th Ave South Irondale, AL 35210 • Plumbing • Drain Cleaning • Gas Lines 10% Senior Citizen Discount 10% off any service call Call Us Now!! • 205-603-7768 • 205-503-6000 • 205-531-8519 Plumbing Service & Repair Technician . Requirements: •Journeyman’s plumbing card •Experience in Residential/ Commercial service/repair/drain cleaning/sewer work •Clean-cut/self-motivated •Good communication skills •Clean MVR/ background/drug test.

Email resume: john@jeffcoat.us EnviroCare- Homewood. Lawn, Termite & Pest Techs. Dependable, motivated hardworkers needed.

Experience not necessary. Clean MVR, drug screen & background check required.

Call 205-940-6361 for Cindy.

Required Qualifications and Experience: •Class A Mechanic Certification, valid Class A CDL, good driving record •A minimum of five years shop experience, to include supervisory responsibilities •Computer skills, including knowledge of Excel •Mechanical repair knowledge and familiarity with warranty and vendors procedures If interested, please call: Chuck Talbot at 251-578-5000 or Rick Mangrum at 205-668-3316 $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 205-668-3316.

LABORERS NEEDED INDUSTRIAL CONTRACTOR Faulkner Industrial Sterrett, AL • Pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check required.

• Random Drug/Alcohol screening also administered • Must have State DL or State issued ID. • Must be able to pass basic written safety exams after training • Must be physically fit. Work includes use of personal protective equipment. This includes ½ face and full-face respirator, must be clean shaven. • Must be willing to travel, in and out of town work.

Hotels paid by company and daily cash perdiem issued • OSHA 10 & MSHA a plus. • Mechanic and Trouble Shooting Skills a plus. • Pay depends on experience and personal skill sets. Pay starts at 12.00 for basic labor that meets all criteria above.

Higher pay is available for higher skill sets or when skills are proven. • Must provide work history and references.

Please call for application: 205-672-8556

Welder Training.

Short Term Licensing .

Call for Details .

866-432-0430 ESDschool.com

ONLINE AUCTIONS www.GTAOnlineAuctions.com 205-326-0833 Granger, Thagard & Assoc.

Jack F. Granger #873

SHOP MANAGER CALERA, AL Evergreen Transport has an immediate opening in Calera, AL for an experienced shop manager.

This fast paced position effectively manages and directs the daily operation of the maintenance department at our Calera terminal.

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

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MARKETPLACE 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 1-800-6347315 or come by HTL office at 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE LPN’s, RN’s, CNA’s Full-time & part-time • 2nd & 3rd Shift Apply in person: Hatley Health Care 300 Medical Ctr Dr Clanton, AL 35045 Looking for a wonderful place to live? NEW Meadow View Village Apartments. Columbiana, AL. Now Pre-leasing 2&3 Bedrooms.

Great Amenities Provided.

Call 256-560-0821.

99 Eagle Lane. info@hollyhand.com.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

DRIVERS NEEDED J & M Tank Lines, Inc. Sign On Bonus. Full time. Local & Regional. Consistent Home Time.

18 mo Tractor Trailer Experience. jmtankjobs.com or call Carlos Coleman@205-769-3536 CDL TRUCK DRIVER For Tree Service. Also hiring for other full-time and part-time jobs.

Drug Test Required. 205-836-2038 or 205-229-7144 Kelly Educational Staffing® We’re hiring! •Substitute teachers •Aides •Cafeteria •Clerical •Custodial positions Shelby County School District & Alabaster City Schools.

Please call 205-870-7154 -Equal Opportunity EmployerOwner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com Now Hiring- CDL Drivers Class A or B. Full & Part-time. Tri-axle dump truck experience helpful. Must pass background check/drug screen. Lake Mitchell Construction 205-755-7264 WE HAVE JOBS! · Machine Operator- Moody · Packers- Moody/ Hoover · Paint LineMoody · Pickers/Packers- Alabaster.

Lyons HR www.lyonshr.com/careersearch (205)943-4820 Service Technician. Top Pay, Benefits & Commission! Mainline Heating & Air. 400 Hillwood Park S, Alabaster, AL. Or email resume to: ashley@mainlineheating.com (205)664-4751 QUICK LUBE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATE OPENINGS- Fulltime or Part-time opportunity to work at theoldest & largest Ford/ LincolnDealership in Alabama!

Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln is seeking qualified oil/tire technicians to

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join our busy Quick Lane! Join our team of technicians and earn top dollar for production! We offer the best training in the area, state of art facility, fast paced shop, team building, support from the top, great pay and benefits. Job duties: oil change, brakes, tires, rotation, alignment and coolants.

Job experience is helpful, but some automotive work would be acceptable. We can train! Call 205-989-3710 to schedule an appointment- no walk ins please. WE ARE HIRING NOW! EOE 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: 800-5482547(V) •800-548-2546(T/A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer MedHelp Clinics Is hiring experienced front desk receptionists and certified Medical Assistants for both full and part time positions. We have 4 locations in the Birmingham area and we’re always looking to hire qualified personnel for each of our busy practices. We’re open 7 days a week Monday thru Friday 8am-8pm Saturdays 8am-6pm and Sunday 1pm-6pm Qualified applicants should apply at: www.medhelpclinics.com 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 Hiring CDL-A Drivers! Sign-on Bonus, Great Benefits, Local Domicile Work. Apply online at: MerchantsFoodService.com/Careers 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 280 Location Opening Now Hiring 3 shift Managers.

Pay Rate $9-$11. 20-25 Employees.

Pay Rate $7.75-$8.50.

Must have own transportation and flexible schedule. Apply at recruiting. talentreef.com/momma-goldbergsdeli (205)503-6190 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 NOW HIRING Diesel Truck Mechanics with 3-5 years experience in medium to heavy duty diesel trucks, 40/hr work week guaranteed,

competitive bonus structure plus benefits Call Jeff to Apply at: 205-564-8660 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 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 Odyssey Early Schools.

Birmingham’s Best Daycare/ Preschool is Seeking Experienced Teachers. 4 Year Degree Preferred.

Full-Time. BEST Pay. FULL Benefits (Insurance, Leave, Holidays). Call Annie Fine 205-991-0039.

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 online at www.Oxfordhealthcare.com Cook/Server Needed Breakfast Shift (approx. 3am-1pm) Must be able to work some weekends and holidays. Apply at: Peach Park Express 2320 7th Street South 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 Private preschool in Helena, Alabama has full time and part time positions available, Experience a plus, dependable, individuals needed. Send resume to: kwilson@primroseriverwoods.com Move in Special! 3/2 Garden Home Calera Schools W/D hook-ups, Dishwasher Fenced backyard. Rent $1195 1/2 off 1st Month’s Rent!

(205)433-9811

PLUMBERS & PLUMBER HELPERS Call or Text 205-432-9049 ROSS NEELY TRUCK LINES •NOW HIRING• TRUCK DRIVERS-OTR If you are a professional CDL A Driver, have two years experience, a good safety recrod, and want to GET HOME ON THE WEEKENDS apply online at www.rossneely.com or apply by email at jeff@rossneely.com The Salvation Army, Alabaster, is hiring (Seasonal) Angel Tree Coordinator • Kettle Coordinator • Required Skills: Driver, databases, computer, physical abilities.

Email resumes to: Rufus.McDowell@uss.salvationarmy. org 205-663-7105 JOIN OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM Schuster Enterprises, Inc, a Franchisee of Burger King, is looking for Management professionals who have a desire to join a team where people are the most important asset, where growth is based on ability and where opportunity is abundant. Benefits: •Competitive wages •Health & Life insurance •Paid vacations •401(k) Apply online at: www.bkworker.com DRUG FREE WORKPLACE EOE ServiceMaster is Hiring Part-time Fire Cleaning Techs WILL TRAIN! Must pass background check/drug test, have reliable transportation & good driving record. Serious Inquiries. Call (205)424-4211 Order Selectors Food Dist.

Center in Pelham Day-Shift: MonFri. 40+ hours/week 10AM until finished (varies). Salary: $16-20/ hr after training. Benefits: Medical, vision, dental, vacation & 401k.

Requirements: • Reading & math skills • Lift 40 lbs. repetitively • Work in -10 Temperature Apply in person: 8:30AM-5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 resume@southeasternfood.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 CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/Pelham.

Call Stephen (205)663-2822 MULTI-CRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Responsible for maintenance of all equipment and machine set-up responsibilities. $24.00 plus benefit package.

Monday-Thursday schedule. Apply at: 2595 Highway 87, Alabaster, Alabama 35007 or email résumé: hr@sccarolinas.com

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.

TARGET AUCTION Advanced Real Estate Marketing 800-476-3939 www.targetauction.com 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 Learn a Skill & Begin your Career!

Earn $50,000 & More First Year.

Hiring Hard Working Insulation & Afterpaint Installers! •Immediate Openings •We Train you to Succeed.

Requirements: •Valid DL •Drug Test •MVR •Background Check. www.truteam.com/careers or 205.428.9381 The Painting Company of Birmingham Immediate openings for professional residential and commercial painters. Must be able to speak English. Call 205-995-5559 TRANSPORT LOCAL DRIVER $2,000 SIGN-ON STC has openings for transport drivers. Must have CDL, HazMat and Tanker. Excellent pay, benefits and coworkers. Best job you will ever have- Home nearly every night! Please call Gary at (270)3311165 or (270)450-4122 or (800)941-2209 or stcdispatch@upgas.com for details.

Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedentalassisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started!

Wiley Sanders Truck Lines Inc $1,000 SIGN-ON-BONUS DRIVER PAY RAISE EFFECTIVE JUNE 2017!

Longevity-Bonus. Quarterly SafeDriving AWARD. Competitive Pay Package. PAID Orientation. NEW Fleet of Trucks. Call 1-855-777-9785 & ask for Dale or Brandy. Nights/ weekends, call Jeffrey: 334-3725049 Ron: 1-850-454-4276 Richard: 334-492-0803 Wiregrass Construction Company is seeking experienced asphalt CDL TRUCK DRIVERS. Must be dependable. Excellent benefits.

Interested applicants may apply: 951 Dow Street. Pelham, AL 35124.

(205)620-4132 or 151 Piper Lane.

Alabaster, AL 35007 (205)605-0753.

8AM to 5PM, M-F. WCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

2017