Sun Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover
Holidays in Hoover
2830 18th St. South Homewood homewoodtoy-hobby.com
Volume 3 | Issue 3 | December 2014
A crazy kind of love
Check out our list of 12 fun holiday activities to do in Hoover this month inside this issue.
See page A14
Finishing strong
Hoover’s Garage Giveaway giving hope to families in need By KATIE TURPEN The Hoover High volleyball team, coached by Chris Camper, finished as state runner-up in the 7A State Championships.
See page B1
Tiffany Lucas’ life does not look like that of a typical 19-yearold girl. Diagnosed with six diseases and living with only one kidney,
frequent hospital visits and bouts of sickness are day-to-day normalcy. Furthermore, Tiffany’s mother, Michelle, has been out of work for 19 years and her husband Donnie is disabled, making it difficult for the family to make
Tiffany and Michelle Lucas relax in their home along with Cassidy Nelson, who was able to help the Lucas family through Hoover’s Garage Giveaway. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
ends meet. Several years ago, one of Michelle’s friends told her about a garage sale-style donation event. She describes what followed as a gift from heaven. “We were able to receive a
wheelchair that was customized just for Tiffany,” said Michelle. “They also gave an Afghan prayer shawl that she lays over her lap. It meant so much to me
See GARAGE | page A5
INSIDE City ........................A3 Food .......................A7 Business ...............A8 Holiday ............... A14
School House ......B2 Community ..........B5 Sports ...................B9 Calendar .............B18
At a crossroads
I-459 and Highway 150 intersection experiencing rapid development By SYDNEY CROMWELL
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830
facebook.com/thehooversun
UAB Medical West’s freestanding emergency department will be the first of its kind in Hoover. Rendering courtesy of UAB Medical West.
Make her Holidays Merry & Bright! Extended Holiday Hours
By mid-2015, residents will no longer need to drive outside Hoover for emergency care. UAB Medical West’s freestanding emergency department (FED) is slated to open in May. Right next door will be Hoover’s latest shopping center, The Crossings of Hoover, which is also scheduled to open by spring 2015. As these developments move forward, residents share mixed feelings on what they will mean for the
See DEVELOPMENT | page A21
3301 Lorna Road • Hoover
978-5880 www.ShaysJewelers.com
A2 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
About Us Photo of the Month
Please Support our Community Partners
The Hoover Recreational Volleyball team “Sugar N’ Spikes” took home the best season record and placed second in the final volleyball tournament. Team members are Olivia Johnigan, Helen Anne Hankins, Sydney Kennedy, Genyya Parrish, Lauren Ware, Lindsey Crider, Angelica Vercher, and Chelsea McCarter. The team is coached by Alica Vercher. Photo courtesy of Alicia Vercher.
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Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden Recently, while waiting whatnots. for a preschool holiday proIn my own family, gram to begin, my mom sat I love seeing how our patiently beside me as I fired Advent calendar nativoff work emails left and right. ity takes shape each day After reading one particubased on the kids’ crelar email that left me feeling ativity. The only “fixed” rather cross, I leaned over element is baby Jesus, to her and vented, “People who stays in the Dec. don’t seem to value the words 24 pocket until bedtime ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ much on Christmas Eve. (If anymore.” you visit my house and Walden “I know,” she replied. see harp-playing angels “Good manners seem to have gone out hoisted atop the desert palm trees, no of style.” judging, please). At that exact moment it occurred to Watching the throwback animated me that I’d hardly looked up from my classics like Merry Christmas, Charlie laptop since she’d first sat down (pot, Brown, Frosty the Snowman and Mickey meet kettle). Mouse’s Christmas Carol, and seeing After all, what is politeness in word if my own children take them in is another not in deed? Perpetual productivity, and kind of fun entirely. I remember these the constant state of distraction it breeds, shows as first introduced to my brother is its own form of rudeness. and me, on a 1987 home-recorded VHS. Presence matters. Utterly entranced, we watched it to the Being in the moment is bliss. point of memorizing even the advertisEven if, like me, you fail spectacu- ing jingles, which we’d then recite at larly at this the other 11 months out of random all month long: ‘A double pleathe year, take heart. December is replete sure’s waitin’ for you, Doublemint gum!’ with moments to disengage from the and ‘York Peppermint Patty! Get the sendaily frenzy and just be. Best of all, we sation!’ (The kids think we’re crazy, but can do it simply, without inviting stress all these years later, Uncle Matt and I can or creating the need for store-bought still do a killer rendition of ‘Ho, ho, ho!
Who’s that kid with the Oreo cookie?’) By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, when my holiday prep exhaustion is at its peak, I like to steal away in the wee hours of the night for perhaps my most favorite moment of embracing the heart of it all. Slipping downstairs, I plug in the Christmas tree and curl up on the sofa to admire its silent splendor. No amount of photo snapping, stylizing, sharing or social media liking could ever top the joy I feel in those moments, smiling like a fool in flannel pajamas, the only creature stirring in my house. Sure, we do the umpteen other organized holiday activities, too. And sometimes they go well. Other times, they fail miserably. But it’s these humblest of moments that take place at home – absent the pressures of “We made special plans! We went to a lot of trouble to do this! This is supposed to be fun!” – that truly sustain me. This month, I wish for you the season’s simplest joys. Blessings,
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Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Emily VanderMey Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Jessa Pease Sydney Cromwell Madison Miller Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Nathan Pearman Morgan Robinson Louisa Jeffries Karim Shamsi-Basha Hoover Sun LLC
Alabama Outdoors (A5) Alabama Power (A8) America’s Thrift Store (B1) ARC Realty (A4) Batts’ Chimney Services (A6) Bedzzz Express (B20) Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club (A20) Bluff Park Window Works (A20) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A6) BumperNets (B18) Cahaba Cycles (B7) Cahaba Dermatology and Skin Care Center (A10) Cajun Cleaver (A10) Children’s of Alabama (A7) Danberry at Inverness (A14) Ecoview (A13) El Gringo Mexican Restaurant (B16) Encore Rehabilitation (B11) ENT for Kids Alabama (A11) Expedia CruisShipCenters (A3) Galleria Woods Retirement Community (A13) Garage Experts (B17) Geico Insurance (A23) Granite Transformations (B15) Greystone Antiques & Marketplace (B19) Healthy Smiles of Birmingham (A9) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A15, B15) Hollywood Pools (A15) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A1) Hoover Florist (A16) Hoover Public Library (A16) Hoover Title Mart (B14) Jesse’s Steak and Seafood (A17) Jimmie Hale Mission (A17) Kasey Davis Dentistry (B14) Kitchen Magic (B18) LAH Real Estate - Hoover Office (B17) Mainstreet Monograms and More (B13) MedCenter Hoover (A18) Morningside at Riverchase (B12) Mountain Brook Art Association (B13) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (B2) On Time Service (A21) Over the Mountain Glass (B10) Preston L. Reynolds DMD (B10) Princeton Baptist Vein Center (A18) Raymond James (B9) RealtySouth - James Harwell (B(9) RealtySouth Marketing (B5) Remax Southern Homes - Becky Hicks (B8) Shades Crest Baptist Church (A19, B8) St. Peter’s Anglican Church (B19) Susette Clark-Walker / RealtySouth (B3) The clothes tree (B6) The Lice Place (A19) The Maids (B3) The Retirement Center (A21) The Whole Scoop (B6) Therapy South Riverchase (A12) UAB School of Public Health (B2) Vision Gymnastics (A11) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A23) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A20) Weigh To Wellness (B4) Winonah International School of Cosmetology (A24) Wrapsody (B2)
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December 2014 • A3
City Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey
We want to wish you a safe maintained a balanced budget for the last decade. and wonderful holiday season. There are many new projThis is such a festive and fun time of year in Hoover. Howects on the horizon for the ever, please be extra careful coming year. We recently due to the increase in traffic in broke ground on a free-standour city during the holidays. ing emergency room that will The police department will open its doors in 2015. This have their command bus set will be the first free-standing up again and will monitor trafemergency room in our state. fic closely for easier access at As you can see, Hoover all the intersections and major continues to thrive. It is an roadways. Traffic congestion honor for me to close this Gary Ivey around Hoover has been greatly year as your mayor and be reduced due to the opening of able to share in our success. the Chapel Lane extension last year. However, none of this would have been possiIf you still need to make plans to host a hol- ble without the City Council or our dedicated iday party, please keep the newly renovated and hardworking employees. We will all conHoover Met or the beautiful Aldridge Gardens tinue to work hard to exceed your expectations. in mind. Both venues offer great amenities and catering and are easily accessible. For more Happy holidays! information about either of these locations, please visit our website at hooveralabama.gov or call 444-7500. 2014 has been a very busy and exciting year in the City of Hoover. We are pleased to say that Gary Ivey our city remains fiscally sound and we have Mayor
Andy Craig steps down as superintendent
SPRING BREAK SPECIAL VOW TO WOW SALE NOV 17 - DEC 31, 2014
By JESSA PEASE After seven years of serving as Hoover City Schools’ chief executive officer, Superintendent Andy Craig has resigned and will be moving to a high-level administrative post at the Alabama Department of Education. His departure became public knowledge Nov. 11 when Board of Education president Donna Frazier released an email statement about Craig’s service to the schools. She said his announcement came as a surprise. “His leadership during those seven years has been exemplary,” Frazier said. “At no time has our school system had better facilities, better programs or better people servicing the students of Hoover. For all Mr. Craig has accomplished, we are sincerely grateful.” Craig served as the system’s assistant superintendent for finance up until Connie Williams, the previous superintendent, left in 2006. Craig became interim superintendent then and was officially named superintendent of Hoover City Schools in April 2007. During his time as superintendent, Craig was involved in day-to-day decisions about educational programs, planning the budget, and maintaining staff and facilities. In the past two years, Craig led the system through controversial issues. In July of 2013, the school system announced its plan to halt the school bus service starting in August 2014. The attempt to eliminate the bus system from Hoover City Schools’ was later rescinded, but Craig said in a June 2014 interview that there was a goal to begin the fee system in the 2015-2016 school year. “We are on a positive course there,” Craig said in the interview. “We are on a course where we are going to maintain the bus service. We are
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seeking a cost-sharing plan that will certainly help us along down the road. The improvement in the budget hopefully can carry over. We are on a good pace.” The rezoning of elementary schools was another issue that created a negative response from parents, especially the initial draft that included Bluff Park Elementary School. A second draft, meant to affect fewer families and neighborhoods, was presented to the public at the September Board of Education meeting. The proposal was then sent to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval, but no further updates have been released. An interim superintendent has not yet been determined, and Frazier said there will be no plans for finding Craig’s replacement until school board receives his resignation letter. Jason Gaston, district coordinator for public relations for Hoover City Schools, said the board will guide the search for a new candidate as a group.
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Moss Rock Festival winners The Hoover Sun would like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at this year’s Moss Rock Festival, which was held in November at the Preserve. Below are the winners of gift certificates provided by several of our local sponsors. Janet Hodges, $100 to Bellinis, Evelyn Coutta, $25 to Laz Paz, Marjee Frier, $25 to Wrapsody, Natalie Johnson, a dozen Baby Bites from Pastry Art, and Katie Hannigan, $25 to The Whole Scoop.
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Prices are per person, cruise only, based on double occupancy, and interior stateroom. O er applies to all sailings, excluding Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and all China departures. Buy One, Get One 50% applies to all stateroom categories and excludes third and higher occupancy guests. Cruise must be booked Nov 17-Dec 31, 2014 (the “O er Period”). O er provides for an onboard credit (OBC) of up to $300 per stateroom based on category purchased as well as 50% o cruise fare of second taxes, fees and port expenses, are additional and apply to all guests. OBC amount is one per stateroom and based on stateroom category purchased. Refer to RoyalCaribbean.com for full terms & conditions. © 2014 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 14041345 • 11/5/2014
A4 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Faulkner sworn in to serve as house representative
Board of education continues roadwork, engages technology Patton Chapel Rd Chapel Rd Chapel Ln Preserve Pkwy
The Hoover Board of Education approved the rights of way and easements that are a part of Phase III of the Patton Chapel Road Project.
By JESSA PEASE Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock speaks to David Faulkner before swearing him into office. Photo by Madoline Markham.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM David Faulkner was sworn into office at Homewood City Hall on Nov. 5 to serve as the District 46 State House representative for the upcoming term. The district covers Hoover, Homewood and Mountain Brook. “I intend to keep seeking God’s wisdom as I serve you in Montgomery,” he said following his oath of office. “I don’t intend to change who I am. If anyone ever has trouble getting into contact with me, I want to know about it.” Outgoing District 46 representative Paul DeMarco, longtime friend of Faulkner’s and Homewood resident, spoke as well. “He will do an excellent job as representative, and I am proud he will be my state representative,” DeMarco said. DeMarco and Faulkner graduated from high school together and have supported one another in previous campaigns. Faulkner said he remembers the conversation he had with DeMarco about whether to run for the District 46 seat, and the night a few years later where
DeMarco told him that if anything ever happened to himself, he wanted Faulkner to take his place. Earlier this year, DeMarco ran against Gary Palmer in the Republican primary to fill the Sixth District U.S. House seat that was previously held by Spencer Bachus. Faulkner won the Republican primary for state District 46 this summer and was unopposed on the Nov. 4 ballot. During the Nov. 5 event, Faulkner thanked everyone who had supporting him in his campaign, including Connor Herfuth, Lee Rollins and Hannon Davidson; his family; and his law firm, Christian and Small. Those present for the ceremony at Homewood City Hall included Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer; Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden; Homewood City Council members Peter Wright, Fred Hawkins and Heather Reid; Hoover City Council member John Lyda; and Mountain Brook City Council member Alice Womack. Also present were judges Bill Thompson, Teresa Pulliam and Bill Cole, as well as Alabama Supreme Court Justice Glenn Murdock, who conducted the oath of office.
Construction will continue on Patton Chapel Road near Gwin Elementary and Simmons Middle School. The Hoover Board of Education approved the rights of way and easements that are a part of Phase III of the Patton Chapel Road Project at its Nov. 3 meeting. Phase III will redirect Patton Chapel Road from U.S. 31 and Chapel Road by Simmons Middle School and Chapel Lane toward the Patton Creek Shopping Center and Preserve Parkway. The four roads would converge near where Preserve Parkway currently meets Patton Chapel Road. Bryan Phillips, Hoover City Schools’ chief technology officer, presented a report on Hoover’s Engaged Learning Initiative. This initiative, an expansion of the smaller 2011-2012 project at Gwin and Green Valley elementary schools,
provided Nook tablets to select students in elementary and middle school classrooms and iPads to seniors attending Hoover and Spain Park high schools. Phillips talked about the training, packaging and delivering of Chromebooks to schools such as Rocky Ridge and Greystone elementary schools and explained how useful this technology has been for those students. Software such as Synergyse, Hapara, Google Drive and Google Classroom has allowed students, faculty and parents to better communicate. Those programs also provide students with the tools to learn more efficiently. The board also: }} Awarded Brock’s Gap Intermediate School with National Green Ribbon School status }} Awarded area National Merit Semifinalists/Achievement Scholars }} Approved a payroll of $7,047,184.04 }} Approved cash disbursements of $5,746,345.32
HooverSun.com GARAGE
CONTINUED from page A1 that someone would help my family in this way.” The unique charitable event was born five years ago when Cassidy Nelson read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. She was inspired by his message of extravagant giving and felt a pull to replicate it in her community through a free garage sale-style event. She and her husband, Ben, started the event in their Alabaster home, and six people attended. The next year more than 1,000 people showed up. Cassidy immediately knew there was a far greater need that anticipated. “We realized that we couldn’t have it at our house anymore,” said Cassidy. “We are really thankful for the Hoover Met and Discovery United Methodist Church across the street for letting us use their trailer.” The annual event is scheduled this year for Dec. 6 at the Hoover Met. It allows those who have a financial need to browse and take home various donations of clothing and furniture. A team of young adults prepares all year, including several big donation days. The number of volunteers quickly multiplies to 100 on the day of the event to accommodate a crowd around 5,000. The Garage Giveaway accepts donations of everything except food, underwear, swimsuits, opened bath products and weapons. Items that are always needed include all sizes of clothes and shoes, furniture, appliances, home goods, toys, books, videos and kitchenware. The items are sorted and given away for free to attendees. “It really makes us realize how much excess we have in our life,” said Cassidy’s mother, Peggy Harrison, who is also involved with the sale. “It’s great to watch families help other families.” Harrison said the event has been the catalyst for a chain reaction of giving, and she
December 2014 • A5
The Garage Giveaway Dec. 6 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Hoover Met thegaragegiveaway.com Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Discovery UMC in Hoover. If possible, please call 987-4000 to make sure someone can open the trailer.
hopes it will inspire people to have similar garage sales in their own neighborhoods. The Discovery United Methodist preschool adopted the Garage Giveaway as a class project, and it has helped the children see the importance of helping others in need. “They have been saving toys to donate,” said Harrison. “It’s great for them to have this mindset at such a young age.” Michelle said the event helped some of her friends to have a Christmas. She now volunteers at the giveaway each year. Last year, in the 15-degree weather, Michelle was there to assist with the four-hour setup. “I want to do what I can when I can,” she said. Michelle tears up as she tells the story of seeing Cassidy and her husband driving up to her home one year. “We saw a truck coming up over the hill and realized they were coming with a new stove for us,” said Michelle. “I couldn’t believe it. God has blessed us.” For more, visit thegaragegiveway.com.
Whole Foods announces new store coming to Hoover In its fourth-quarter earnings report in November, Whole Foods Market announced that it recently signed leases for 12 new store locations across the country, one of which will be in Hoover. David Ashford of Southpace Properties, representing the owner of Riverchase Village, confirmed that the Whole Foods will be located in Riverchase Village in the former Belle Foods space. Riverchase Village is located at the corner of U.S. 31 and Lorna Road. The area is being targeted for other
retail redevelopment including Newk’s Eatery, which is set to open in December. Other Whole Foods stores are planned across the country in Denver; Seattle; Tempe, Ariz.; Santa Clara, Calif.; Destin, Fla.; Towson, Md.; Woodbury, Minn.; Lancaster and Newtown Square, Penn.; and El Paso and Las Colinas, Texas. The company currently operates 401 stores and has a total of 114 stores in development. For more, visit wholefoodsmarket.com.
Ross Bridge residents petition for more school funding By SYDNEY CROMWELL Is $2 million enough for Hoover City Schools? The Ross Bridge School Association doesn’t think so. The association of about 200 people was originally formed due to concerns over elementary school rezoning. In November, the group wrote a petition to Mayor Gary Ivey and the City Council requesting that the city increase its school funding to at least $8 million for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Titled “Stop Starving Hoover City Schools,” the petition is posted on change.org and has over 280 signatures so far. The petition states that the city has cut school funding to $2 million in order to manage its budget deficits, but enrollment numbers continue to grow. City funding for schools has stayed at that level since 2009. “The current level of funding from Hoover
City to the Hoover City Schools is at barely 2 percent of the Hoover City Schools budget. We feel this level is totally inadequate and we believe that it shows a lack of support for the education of our children,” the petition says. In September, the school board approved a $167 million budget, funded in part by property tax revenue and a 2007 bond issue from Jefferson County. The budget includes a $6.9 million deficit. The proposed City of Hoover budget for 2014-2015 totals more than $140 million. Mayor Gary Ivey said that no more money will be allocated to the school system this year. He praised the “great working relationship” the council has with the school board and said they are communicating frequently over the school board’s budget issues. “We’re going to continue working with them through this problem,” Ivey said.
A6 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Hoover FD practices Ebola response drill By SYDNEY CROMWELL
with the help of the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. “It was training we felt like we had to do,” Lowe said. “We don’t expect to use it, and we hope we don’t have to.”
On Nov. 4, the Hoover Fire Department practiced its newly developed response to Ebola. The drill began with a fake phone call to 911. When the “patient” described Ebola-like symptoms, HFD medical director Dr. Sarah Nafziger and EMS director David Hambright were conferenced into the call. After receiving information from dispatch, firefighters at Station 3 responded with hazmat suits and other equipment to take care of the patient and safely transport him to a local hospital without exposing themselves to the disease. HFD Executive Director Rusty Lowe explained more about the drill and Hoover’s preparations for the possibility of Ebola.
Q A
Is our area at risk for Ebola? Lowe said there is only a “remote chance” that Ebola could make its way into Hoover or surrounding areas. Airports are creating better screening measures and the disease is not airborne, so it can only spread through contact with an infected person’s body fluids. “There’s been a lot of hysteria about Ebola,” Lowe said. “It’s a very minimal threat here in Hoover.”
Q A
How do you feel about the fire department’s ability to respond to Ebola? “We’re more comfortable with our protocol now because we’ve tested it and our men have been through the drill,” Lowe said. He said the drill exposed some areas where they need to improve, but overall it went well and the fire department feels ready to handle Ebola or a similar infectious disease.
Q A The Hoover Fire Department practices a response to an Ebola call. Photo courtesy of the Hoover Fire Department.
Q A
So why is the fire department running an Ebola preparedness drill? It’s just a precaution. Lowe said the HFD tracks global health concerns and creates response plans
even if the risk to Hoover residents is slim. He noted the department also has protocols for previous health scares such as avian and swine flus and seasonal problems like heat stroke. “Since there is a minimal threat out
there, we have to be prepared for any situation out there that might arise,” Lowe said. “We just have to be prepared for all hazards.” The drill was a chance to test out the protocols that the HFD had created
What should people be worried about? Ebola may have flu-like symptoms, but the real influenza is more likely to hospitalize Hoover residents. It’s currently flu season, and a viral disease called enterovirus D-68 is also causing serious illnesses in children in several other states. Lowe said he’s far more concerned with these infections than Ebola. So get your flu shot, wash your hands regularly and don’t worry too much about Ebola.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A7
Restaurant Showcase d Va lle yR ab a Ca h
Chicken Salad Chick
Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com
280 38
Doug Baker Blvd
119
995-2525 210 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 200 Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. chickensaladchick.com
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Stacy and Kevin Brown emptied out their cupboard on a mission. Their object was to think of any food they had seen restaurants pair with chicken and test it out in chicken salad. Some were horrendously bad, Kevin Brown said, but 12 became menu items for their first Chicken Salad Chick restaurant when it opened in Auburn in 2008. All 12 came with whimsical names after friends or family members. “Our intent was to appeal to all chicken salad lovers,” Kevin said. “Everyone likes it a little different and has a little different palate. Some like it with fruit, some like it classic, some like it with onions.” Now those 12, plus three more, are available at the new location for the restaurant in the Village at Lee Branch, which opened in September. The remaining three chicken salad varieties on the menu came from outside the Browns’ kitchen. Kickin’ Kay Lynne, a combination of Buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and jalapenos, was born of an employee’s request. Stacy’s best friend in kindergarten in Rome, Georgia, was a little bit offended there was no salad named
Chicken Salad Chick founder Stacy Brown talks with customers. Photo courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick.
for her on the original menu, so she came to the restaurant with a packet of ranch dressing, cheese and bacon. Today you’ll find chicken salad with those three ingredients if you order the Sassy Scotty, one of the top sellers for the restaurant. “Our idea from top to bottom is to have fun with this,” Kevin said. The two top sellers at Chicken Salad Chick are the Classic Carol, your basic formula of chicken, mayo, celery and
Chicken Salad Chick offers its chicken salad varieties by the scoop or on a sandwich with sides. Photo by Madoline Markham.
seasonings, and Fancy Nancy, which is dressed up with Fuji apples, pecans and seedless grapes. Kevin said it can challenge a guy’s manhood to order “Fruity Fran” or “Nutty Nana” aloud, but other flavors are more popular with men. Buffalo Barclay is a little spicy, almost like Buffalo chicken dip, and is popular around football season. Chicken Salad Chick customers are typically around 80 percent female
when they first open, but contrary to what you might think, Kevin said women start to bring their spouses and coworkers, who eventually bring other men when they find the food is good. He said they see a 65/35 female/male mix in restaurants that have been open longer. At the restaurant, you can order chicken salad by the pound, or on a sandwich or as a scoop with a side and cookie. If by chance a customer
doesn’t want chicken salad, the menu also includes deli turkey, roast beef, ham and pimento cheese. They also offer a soup the day, featuring top seller Classic Loaded Potato, Chicken & Artichoke Florentine (Kevin’s favorite), Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese and Chicken & Wild Rice. Chicken Salad Chick now has more than 25 franchised locations and is looking to add an additional 40 across the Southeast next year, but they have long had their eye on the Birmingham market. “We feel like Birmingham is a gateway market for us, with it being the largest market in state where we are founded,” Kevin said. “We feel like it will open up new markets in areas where we don’t have locations.” In addition to Lee Branch, SoHo in Homewood and downtown Birmingham locations are in the works. The Lee Branch location also serves as a training facility for managers and owners for other markets. “We are excited to be next to Publix and eateries we feel like share our same customer that appreciates a fresh alternative to burgers and fast food,” Kevin said. “Folks in Birmingham have been almost to the point of begging us to come.”
A8 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
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December 2014 • A9
Now Open
InShape MD Wellness Clinic, 650 Inverness Corners, is holding a Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will feature raffles, giveaways, food, drinks and expert advice. 582-9216. inverness.inshapemd.com.
9
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits is now open at 945 Southland Drive. 978-0565. bojangles.com.
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Mainstreet Monograms and More, 160 Main Street, Suite 116, is now open. They offer custom monogramming, unique gifts and much more. 444-8989.
2
Coming Soon Jet’s Pizza, a Michigan-based pizza chain, will open its first Birmingham-area location at 4730 Chace Circle, Suite 116, in the former Izzo’s Illegal Burrito space. jetspizza.com.
3
Relocations and Renovations Occupational Health Dynamics, an occupational health care equipment provider currently headquartered in Pelham, has bought a building at 2687 John Hawkins Parkway and will move its operations there. 980-0180. ohdusa.com.
4
McConnell White & Terry Insurance Co. has purchased the former M&F Bank branch at 2072 Valleydale Road, at the intersection with Riverchase Parkway East. The building has been purchased as an investment. 870-0400.
5
New Ownership Crown Mercedes and Crown Infiniti, 1800 Montgomery Highway, have been bought by Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and business partner Joe Agresti of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 855-975-5774. crownautomobile.com.
6
YB’s Daylight Donuts, 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 141, was purchased by Kerry and Lou Youngblood. The Youngbloods were residents of Louisiana but moved back home to buy the local eatery and live closer to family. 981-3337. daylightdonuts.com.
7
Hirings and Promotions RealtySouth’s Over the Mountain office, 1220 Alford Avenue, has hired Kathleen McLaughlin and Shelby Nelson as Realtors. 822-2364. realtysouth.com.
10
RealtySouth’s Inverness office, 109 Inverness Plaza, has hired Jasmine Caldwell as a Realtor. 991-6565. realtysouth.com.
11
BumperNets, 2000 Riverchase Galleria, has hired Joe Xie as head table tennis coach and athletic director. He is a recent graduate of Mississippi College and regarded as one of the best table tennis players in the U.S. He is now accepting private and group table tennis lessons. 366-7664. bumpernets.com.
12
Anniversaries Southlake Orthopaedics, 4517 Southlake Parkway, is celebrating its 18th anniversary this month. 985-4111. southlakeorthopaedics.com.
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BumperNets, 2000 Riverchase Galleria, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. It was the first table tennis and billiards store in the U.S., and it operates three different storefronts on the lower level of the Riverchase Galleria. It is also the largest pinball store in the Southern U.S. and is the authorized retailer for Brunswick billiard tables in Birmingham. 366-7664. bumpernets.com.
14
Closings Robert Holder, owner of Insky’s Art at Patton Creek, 181 Main St., Suite 225, has announced his retirement. The store offers Alabama’s largest selection of Thomas Kinkade art as well as a selection of original and limited edition art. The gallery will remain open until all pieces are sold and will also be offering prizes at the end of the sale. 733-4893. thomaskinkadebirmingham. com.
15
Business news
News and Accomplishments
to share?
Jeff Fulton, managing partner of LongHorn Steakhouse, 4775 Highway 280, has been presented with the company’s highest honor, the Best of the West award. He is just one of four among more than 460 managing partners nationwide to receive this award this year. 980-8361. longhornsteakhouse.com.
8
16
J Scott Salon, 234 John Hawkins Parkway, has closed.
17
Medifast, 3075 John Hawkins Parkway, has closed.
Coming Soon
Business news Expansion
to share? If you are in a brick and mortar business in Hoover and want to share your event with the community, let us know.
Coming Soon
Sun
Expansion Email dan@hooversun.com
A10 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Owls Hollow Farm uses hydroponics as its growth method. “This means we can grow most of this stuff all winter long,” said co-owner Mike Clark. “We can grow summer vegetables in the winter, and they are very flavorful.” Photos by Katie Turpen.
By REBECCA WALDEN Since the founding of Pepper Place Market in 2000, Owls Hollow Farm owner Rod Palmer has harvested the best of the naturally grown fruits and vegetables from his Turkeytown, Alabama, farm, for the Saturday morning shoppers.
Palmer quickly established a base of regular customers, many of whom still support Owls Hollow Market for its natural farming practices. “Fifteen years ago, I was really proud to grow organically,” he said. “But in many respects, it’s become a meaningless word. The way so much of what is labeled ‘organic’ from other countries
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Read past Restaurant Spotlight at HooverSun.com
Sh an no n
Business Spotlight Owls Hollow Farm Market
478-1674 813 Shades Crest Road Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. owlshollowfarm.com
Owls Hollow Farm owner Rod Palmer stands inside Owls Hollow Market, which recently opened in Bluff Park.
is done without any standardization or certification. Produce may carry that label simply because the farmer says it’s organic.” By contrast, Palmer said organic certification in the United States requires compliance with rigorous government-mandated standards. The combination of stateside agricultural
bureaucracy and his concerns about the loosely monitored international practices regarding organic certification left Palmer to abandon the practice completely. “We are not certified organic because I don’t want the government up my rump any more than it is already,” he said, noting that Owls Hollow
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A11
Know before you go: }} Love food-inspired art? Check out the oil painting of hydroponic lettuce that hangs just over the fresh fruit section. Painted by Amanda Ann, Rod’s daughter. }} Like feeding birds? Take note of the bamboo bird feeders, handmade by Clark. Sourced from the bamboo cane patch located on the outside perimeter of the Turkeytown farm, these $20 feeders include a stand and come with a halfpound of birdseed. }} Craving artisan bread? Supplied from Birmingham Breadworks, fresh loaves are delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Farm does observe some practices approved by OMRI, the Organic Materials Review Institute, an independent nonprofit. For Palmer, the bottom line is common sense. “There are a lot of OMRI-approved things that I do not use and that I wouldn’t want to use,” Palmer said. “If something isn’t safe, it doesn’t matter to me if it is ‘approved.’” Instead, Palmer uses the basics and makes whatever else he needs naturally. Chicken litter and fish emulsion are to be expected, but maybe not Dawn dishwasher liquid, homemade garlic tea and basil tea. “We also use natural sprays like pyrethrum,
made from the juice of marigolds,” said Palmer’s business partner, Hoover resident Mike Clark. Prompted by his wife’s sudden onset of severe food allergies, Clark researched the existence of organic farms in the area. That search led him to Pepper Place, where he consistently bought Owls Hollow produce from Palmer week after week. By 2010, Clark, a quality engineer in the auto industry, left his lifelong career to pursue a healthier lifestyle and partnered with Palmer to help distribute the produce on a broader scale. In the process, Clark has lost 97 pounds. “I grew up on a self-sustained farm in Chambers County, so this was really a return to what I
knew,” said Clark. “I ate right growing up. Traveling all the time, you eat garbage. But now I am eating right again.” Clark’s personal experience has made him a natural spokesman for the farm and has been integral in Owls Hollow Farm produce being used in the kitchens of some of Birmingham’s standout restaurants, including Highlands Bar and Grill, Ocean, Bettola, Little Donkey and Eli’s Jerusalem Grill on Highway 280. In September 2014, Clark and Palmer opened the farm’s first brick-and-mortar storefront. Located at 813 Shades Crest Road, Owls Hollow Farm Market offers shoppers a wide selection of
farm fresh produce, along with organic dry goods from Forever Sunrise Organics in Piedmont, Alabama, and handmade soaps from Helena resident Kimberly Ford. Owls Hollow Farm is also highly visible in the corporate community, where they offer CSA (community supported agriculture) programs at organizations including Protective Life, HealthSouth, EBSCO and many others. In addition, Owls Hollow Farm has partnered with Trussville resident Jennifer Conns of Food Integrated Training Inc., through which they offer Lunch and Learn demos about healthful food prep, all in five minutes or less.
A12 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Get to Know
Bill Powell Executive Director, Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce
By REBECCA WALDEN
Q A
What led you to take on the head leadership role with the Hoover Chamber? I had been working as a registered representative with New York Life Insurance Company when another agent showed me an ad for this position with the Hoover Chamber. My prior position as director of growth and development for Civitan International World Headquarters, based in Birmingham, was ideally suited to qualify me for the Hoover Chamber position. In that job, I had been responsible for conducting seminars to teach others how to recruit members to nonprofit civic organizations, and the transition to the chamber of commerce was a natural fit. What do you see as the major success points the chamber has achieved under your leadership? I think the biggest points are the programs we have initiated in recognizing our public servants: first our Firefighters and Police Officers of the Year; later adding the Jailers
Q A
and 911 Operators of the Year; the School Employees of the Year; and most recently the Annual Freedom Award, given each July to coincide with the Fourth of July, but awarded at our monthly luncheon in July. We also have given out almost $250,000 from our Lila Parks Scholarships over the last 20 years. What are some new efforts/ initiatives the chamber is considering for 2015? Our inaugural Forks & Corks Gala, held Oct. 11, at the Aveda Institute was a huge success, with a majority of these funds going toward additional scholarships. With sponsorships funded by presenting sponsors Hendrick Auto Mall, American Family Care, Wrapsody and Schaeffer Eye Center, these scholarships will be “named” scholarships and are more flexible in terms of who can earn the scholarships.
Q A
Q
Those who attend the chamber events can attest to your wit and engaging master of ceremonies-style delivery. How did you develop such a commanding
presence behind the podium? I took a Dale Carnegie Course at age 33. I was so frightened in front of a group of 25 or so. I was scared to death I would mess up just giving my own name. A few years later, with Civitan International, I was giving speeches to 1,500 people at conventions. The best thing I learned was to be able to laugh at myself. I figured I might as well, because everyone else is going to laugh at me anyway. I’ve always had a sense of humor, and I figured if I can tie in some wit with the serious stuff, then people will listen to what I have to say. In terms of luncheon speakers, who’s on your bucket list to address the chamber? It took me several months to get SEC Commissioner Mike Slive scheduled for April 2012, then I had to miss it to take my wife to the Mayo Clinic for surgery. It’s also taken a while to get SEC Director of Football Referees Steve Shaw for next March — don’t miss him, he’s great! I would love to get University of Alabama Athletic Director Bill Battle but haven’t had much success. I did get
A
Q A
Auburn’s A.D., Jay Jacobs, after their national championship in 2010, and had Alabama’s A.D., Mal Moore, in 2007 right after he hired Nick Saban as head football coach. I would also like to get Eli Gold at some point, but haven’t had any success there. Anything I did not ask, or that you otherwise want to share? I’m in my 20th year now at the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, and we’ve come a long way. I work with an incredible group of volunteers on our board of directors,
Q A
Hands on Care, Close to Home.
and I have been very fortunate to have outstanding professionals serve as chamber presidents — including Jason Cobb, now with America’s First Federal Credit Union, serving two years as chamber president. We have outstanding volunteers serving committee chairmanships.This chamber would not be anything like it is today without our volunteers that make it all happen. All I do is schedule the events on the calendar — these volunteers make it “click,” make it all worthwhile, and make my job so enjoyable. I love them all!
! k or w d
^
TherapySouth is an outpatient physical therapy practice specializing in personalized, hands on care. Our new clinic on the GodSpeed campus in Riverchase offers: • Orthopaedic physical therapy • Functional dry needling and manual therapy • Biomechanics and functional movement correction • Injury prevention • Sports medicine (injuries, rehab and performance enhancement)
205.989.4110 www.godspeed.org
RIVERCHASE CLINIC 100 Little Valley Court | Just off Valleydale Road 205.874.9523 | www.therapysouth.com
Baseball lessons with Wes Helms of the Florida Marlins
Crossfit coaching by Blake Prime of Lululemon
Come visit our new clinic on the GodSpeed campus and get a Functional Movement Screening before you begin your training.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A13
Local ballerinas take leads in The Nutcracker By MADOLINE MARKHAM The first time she went to “The Nutcracker,” Erin Lutomski told her mom she wanted to be in it and she wanted to be Clara. Almost 10 years of ballet lessons later, her dreams are coming true. The Simmons Middle School sixth-grader will play Clara in the Birmingham Ballet’s production at the BJCC Dec. 12-14. Erin’s predecessor in the role, Katherine Free, a sophomore at Hoover High School, said it was a little depressing coming off the high of playing Clara in 2012 and 2013. “It was what I thought it would be — it was fairy tale-like,” she said. But one of her favorite parts of that role was dancing with the Dew Drop Fairy in “Waltz of the Flowers.” This year she’ll get to take on the Dew Drop’s role, one that comes with a tutu she thinks is especially pretty. “Dew Drop is not a sculpted
character,” she said. “You get to play with the emotions of the audience. It’s not a quiet role.” Katherine has been in The Nutcracker since she was an infant. Because her mom, Cindy, is the director of the ballet company, Katherine was a party baby in the production before taking on ballet at age 2. She returned to the stage in the production at age 5. “I used to think of the older dancers as amazing, but now I don’t think I am perfect,” Katherine said. “It’s fun to know that there are people looking up to me.” This is Erin’s first year in a lead role, and she said she likes being able to have big parts in all of the dances. The music in the battle scene is her favorite, but her favorite dance is the one where Drosselmeyer brings the Nutcracker to life. To prepare for the role, Erin is rehearsing four evenings a week and seven hours every Saturday. She
often waltzes down the hallway into her bedroom as well. At the end of a long rehearsal day, she said her feet are tired, but it’s still fun. Birmingham Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at the BJCC. The Mutt-cracker, a version of The Nutcracker that incorporates dog performances, will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the BJCC and benefits the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. For tickets or more information, visit birminghamballet.com.
Katherine Free
Erin Lutomski
A14 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
The 12 days of Christmas Enjoy the holidays in Hoover with these fun activities By KATIE TURPEN
The South Pointe subdivision of Hoover has been hosting Santa for 20 years this Christmas. Photo courtesy of Lori Kes.
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Kick off the season at the tree lighting ceremony Join the Hoover community in kicking off the holiday season on Monday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m. in the main parking lot of City Hall for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. A Hoover City School choir performs and a student will light the Christmas tree during the ceremony. Santa will make a grand entrance on a fire truck and take pictures with all the children. There will also be a Christmas Singa-Long, snow play area, and light refreshments served. For more, visit hooveral.org.
11
Shop for gifts while supporting wildlife Shop the Holiday Craft and Bake Sale at Veterans Park on Dec. 13 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m..
Enjoy holiday-themed crafts and ornaments, handmade jewelry, gifts with a natural theme, jams, jellies, preserves, baked goods, frozen casseroles, smoked ham and turkey breasts and more. Visit with Santa from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., enjoy free refreshments and meet glovetrained education birds. All proceeds benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center. For more, visit awrc.org.
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Visit Santa at the Riverchase Galleria Christmas is not complete without a visit from Santa Claus. Through Christmas Eve, visit Riverchase Galleria to get your picture taken with Santa Claus. For extra fun, bring your furry friend on Monday nights through Dec. 15 starting at 6 p.m. for pet photos with Santa. Receive a special Rudolph Activity Pack with
Join the Hoover community in kicking off the holiday season on Monday, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. in the main parking lot of City Hall for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of City of Hoover.
the purchase of any Santa photo package on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10. You can purchase your picture package in advance online. For more, visit riverchasegalleria.com
9
Catch a showing of Elf Watch Elf at the Hoover Public Library on Dec. 22 in the Library Theatre. This hilarious Christmas film tells the tale of a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts on Christmas Eve and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf. Years later Buddy learns he is not really an elf and goes on a journey to New York City to find his true identity. For more, visit, hooverlibrary.org
8
Attend a Christmas Lighting Memorial at Star Lake On Sunday, Nov 30, Starlake Garden Club will host a Christmas Lighting and Memorial for Wayne Thompson, Star Lake’s beloved “Duck Man” who passed away earlier this year. The event will begin at 3 p.m. at the Star Lake pier and will feature Christmas carol singing, led by members of the choir of First Baptist Church of Hoover, followed by dedication of a new park bench in memory of Thompson and his wife, Alyleene, a noted Hoover author. Donations to the Garden Club for Star Lake improvements and beautification projects will be accepted. Donors will receive a copy of Alyleen’s book.
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See Santa arrive in South Pointe The South Pointe subdivision of Hoover has been hosting Santa for 20 years this Christmas.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A15
Find bundled greenery for all of your holiday trimmings at Aldridge Gardens’ Holiday Greenery Sale as well as a limited selection of Christmas trees from the Mountain Scouts Christmas Tree Sales Association. Photo by Stasi Bara.
He arrives in a fire truck and joins the children for hot cocoa one Saturday in December. Please join the neighborhood to celebrate 20 years of the South Pointe Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the South Pointe clubhouse.
6
See Santa arrive in your neighborhood by fire truck on Christmas Eve The Hoover Fire Department will be escorting Santa and his helpers around the city on Christmas Eve. This has been a long-standing tradition of the Fire Department for at least 15 years. He will be escorted around the city between 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. trying to reach as many areas as possible. If there is inclement weather, Santa will be at each fire station from 5 to 7 p.m. Also, please remember that all of our fire engines with Santa are on duty. They may have to deviate from Santa duties to respond to
The Garage Giveaway, which will take place on Dec. 6 at the Hoover Met, allows those who have a financial need to browse and take home the donations. Volunteers are always needed. Photo courtesy of Cassidy Harrison.
emergencies. For more, visit hooverfiredeparrment.org.
5
Make fun gifts at a holiday gift workshop Make fun gifts for friends and family at the Hoover Public Library’s holiday gift workshop in the children’s programming room. The event is recommended for first-through third-graders. For more, visit, hooverlibrary.org
4
Shop for holiday greenery On Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aldridge Gardens will be having a Holiday Greenery Sale. Find bundled greenery for all of your holiday trimmings. There will also be a limited selection of Christmas trees from Mountain Scouts Christmas Tree Sales Association available.
The sale will be held behind Aldridge House, on the patio of Roots, the garden and gift shop. Stop in Roots for more holiday shopping, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more, visit aldridgegardens.com.
3
Catch a show at Moonlight on the Mountain Head to Hoover’s unique music venue to watch entertaining holidays shows such as a A Celtic Christmas with Jil Chambliss, Don Penzien and Ed Miller on Dec. 18 or Sam Pointer’s Acoustic Christmas on Dec. 6. Also stop in for open mic nights happening throughout the month. For more, visit moonlighonthemtn.com.
2
Witness the Christmas Spectacular at the Library
Head to the Library Theatre at the Hoover Public Library for a Christmas Spectacular featuring a special presentation from “That Puppet Guy,” followed by a visit from Saint Nick on Dec. 16. Refreshments served. For more, visit hooverlibrary.org.
1
Volunteer at the Garage Giveaway The annual garage-sale style event, which will take place on Dec. 6 at the Hoover Met, allows those who have a financial need to browse and take home the donations. The event is always in need of volunteers looking to donate their time, money or possessions to the event. For more, visit garagegiveaway.com.
A16 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
‘Tis the season to By JESSA PEASE
Layers of color
Simple and sweet
Christmas is right around the corner, which also means it’s almost time for family gatherings, holiday parties and dozens of opportunities to show off fall and winter styles. Inspiration looks this season are right at your fingertips with the Hoover Sun’s ’s fashion guide.
Sweaters can make all the difference at bonfires and holiday parties. Give this American Eagle sweater ($16) a try over a button up flannel ($8). Add Old Navy jeans ($8) and a pair of Guess boots ($16) to keep your feet warm. Buy the look at Plato’s Closet.
Gold is a great color for the holidays. Try this Free People golden dress ($18) topped with a plum purple Studio Y cardigan ($5). Add some old fashioned Clark heels ($14) and a trendy necklace ($5). Get the outfit at Plato’s Closet.
Palazzo pizzazz Popping colors and patterns are trending, so why not try on these Batik print palazzo pants ($42)? Add a sheer maroon top ($36) and handmade beaded jewelry for a party-ready outfit. Find it at The Urban Barn.
An elegant wrap Cocktail parties and formal get togethers have met their match with this graceful Eliza & Ethan plum wrap dress ($199). One size fits all in this dress, which comes in 20 colors. Find your favorite at Molly Green.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A17
update your wardrobe Fun and flirty
Get these looks
Cozy and comfortable
Faux fur is a great look for the winter season. Plus, it’s warm! Try on this fur vest ($62) over a denim floral shirt ($42) to show off your waist line. Pair it with this long tulle skirt ($62.50) and some silver OTBT shoes ($125). This look is from Molly Green.
Molly Green 2000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 123 The Galleria
For any occasion, give this cream tunic ($52) and slip ($45) a try over a pair of gray leggings ($29). To add a festive touch, finish the outfit with a colorful scarf ($22), boot cuffs ($24) and cute booties with lace detail ($66). Get the look at The Pink Tulip.
The Pink Tulip 180 Main St., Suite 212 Patton Creek Plato’s Closet 1713 Montgomery Highway, Suite 109 The Urban Barn 601 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 105 The Village at Lee Branch
A play on red and green A play on Christmas colors makes this outfit fun. Pair this flowing white top ($39) with a black vest ($55) and some velvet green leggings ($69). Add a red scarf ($22) and some thigh high boots ($79) to complete this trendy look. Find the outfit at The Pink Tulip.
Chic crochet Everyone should have a dress to pair with boots in their wardrobe. Give this rust colored, crochet trimmed dress ($52) and taupe riding boots ($62) a try. Add flair with handmade beaded bracelets ($34). Find the look at The Urban Barn.
A18 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Special advertising section
Holiday Gift Guide For the
For the
NAUGHTY OR THE NICE
ELEGANT
Ice Cream Cone Christmas Tree Ornaments and Stocking Stuffers $6
Constellation Necklaces $42 This gold-plated, two-sided design necklace was featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things list.
A sugar cone filled with candy canes and a $5 gift certificate for ice cream from The Whole Scoop will make a fun ornament or stocking stuffer.
Wrapsody 161 Main St. #127 989-7277
The Whole Scoop 3421 S Shades Crest Road, #121 Hoover, AL 35244 444-8000
For the
FINE DINER Wine and Steak Basket $119.99 This gift basket features a gift certificate for two hand-cut aged steaks, one white bottle and one red bottle of Conundrum wine and a package of brownie truffles for dessert. Cajun Cleaver 2341 John Hawkins Parkway Hoover, AL 35244
For the
BUSY HOMEOWNER The Maids Gift Certificate Any amount Give friends or family the gift of a clean home, worry-free. The Maids 871-9338
For the
FASHIONISTA Boot cuffs $18 Knit boot cuffs with locally made crochet trim. The Urban Barn 601 Doug Baker Blvd, Suite 105 451-8888
HooverSun.com
Special advertising section
December 2014 • A19
For the
THRILL SEEKER 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4 $42,500 MSRP A tough, authentic legend born to rule the trails and the open road, the 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is made to make every day behind the wheel an adventure. Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 1624 Montgomery Highway 545-8074
For the
STYLISH Pink, yellow and white gold $1500 each with mention of this ad Take your pick of white, pink or yellow gold 14-carot, 1/3-carot weight bracelet. M&M Jewelers: Diamonds in Birmingham 440 Inverness Corners 991-0593
For the
HOME DECORATOR For the
NATURE LOVER ENO Hammocks Starting at $54.99 Breathable, durable nylon lets the cool breeze through while comfortably supporting you at the park, on the trail or in your backyard.
Beautiful Christmas Centerpiece Available from $45 and up
For that
The centerpiece includes red amaryllis, green hydrangeas and bells of Ireland. Arrangements are available in both silk and fresh.
Lafco Holiday Candle $60
Hoover Florist 1905 Hoover Court Birmingham, AL 35226 823-5273
Alabama Outdoors 108 Inverness Plaza 980-3303
Shades Crest Baptist Church 452 Park Ave, Hoover 822-1360 shadescrest.org
Come join us!
Christmas Season Series 10:30 am Sundays
THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
Saturday, December 13 or Sunday, December 14 3pm
Come enjoy Family Funland after this special musical presentation.
Live
Nativity
Sunday December 21 6, 7, or 8pm
Come join us for this 13 minute presentation of the Live Nativity and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies afterward. December 24, 5pm
Candlelight and Communion Service
SPECIAL SOMEONE Lafco’s candles, available in cranberry currant and fresh pine forest scents, were featured on Oprah’s favorite things list. Wrapsody 161 Main St. #127 989-7277
A20 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Local students shine in Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Holiday Spectacular
“
By REBECCA WALDEN If the words, “Take a Walk through Bethlehem” don’t mean anything to you, make this the season you join in one of the city’s most beloved traditions, Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Holiday Spectacular. Since 2003, the Holiday Spectacular has thrilled audiences with its seamless blend of professional acting talent alongside the Company’ s 75-member youth ensemble, comprised of area children between the ages of 9 and 18. Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Executive Director Keith Cromwell said this year’s cast includes Tam DeBolt, Amy Johnson, Belinda George Peoples, Natalie Valentine, Cameron White and Saxon Murrell, who will present a fresh script written by Abe Reybold. “This show is written, literally created every year,” said Cromwell. “Abe always has a wonderful way of stocking the show chock full of Birminghamian-isms, so we laugh at and endear ourselves to this beloved hometown through a Holiday Spectacular written specifically for Birmingham audiences.” He added that while much of the material is fresh and new, the show is also filled with traditional music. “This show is created for our [local] audiences, written especially for Birmingham –it pokes fun at and revels in all that is Birmingham,” he said. “Folks will also find recognizable
If you want to experience the best in live theatre on stage, be put promptly into the holiday spirit, and most importantly laugh at a show specifically created for Birmingham and featuring the best of Birmingham, don’t miss the Holiday Spectacular.
”
-Keith Cromwell, Executive Director, Red Mountain Theatre Company Shown here are members of the Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Youth Ensemble, including eight Hoover area students. Photo courtesy of Drew Francis.
material, and back by popular demand is our magnificent finale – Take a Walk through Bethlehem. Who doesn’t want to see the joy in the face of a child during the holidays, hear amazing voices, see incredible dancing, and laugh? This show truly has it all.” Red Mountain Theatre Company is one of the top ten nonprofit cultural organizations in the state of Alabama and the state’s leading Musical Theatre producer. In keeping with its core mission, Red Mountain Theatre Company focuses on transforming lives through
the arts by delivering quality professional theatre productions while also providing unparalleled arts education. In this year’s Holiday Spectacular, they’ve invited eight Hoover area students to share the stage and shine in various roles of the production. Ross Cooley, Preview, Green Valley Elementary; Jordan Graham, RMPE, Spain Park High School; Katie House, Spotlight, Brock’s Gap Elementary; Anna Morgan, Spotlight, Spain Park High School; Jazzmin Pride, Spotlight, Berry Middle School; Carmen
Retzer, Spotlight, Berry Middle School; Gracie Vaughan, RMPE, Hoover High School; and Victoria Yeager, Spotlight, Berry Middle School. “I like that it showcases our amazing youth alongside seasoned professional performers,” said Cromwell. “It makes my heart smile every year.” For the participating students, Cromwell added that experience working alongside seasoned performers and training for the show’s performance builds lifelong interpersonal skills.
“Theatre is special in that it is a communal experience – in a society that is continually moving to less and less actual personal interface it puts an audience in a joined experience that requires us to put our phones down and enjoy actual engagement and inspire conversation,” he said. The show runs Dec. 4- 21, and tickets are available at redmountaintheatre.org or by calling 324-2424. Prices start at $30.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A21
DEVELOPMENT
spokesperson for site owner GBT Realty, said the site will include a McDonald’s, Jimmy John’s, Starbucks, nail salon and a 25,000-squarefoot Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store. There is additional space that has not yet been leased, as well as neighboring land parcels that could be used by drive-through restaurants. Resident John Wagner regularly drives Highway 150 and doesn’t see the need for a new shopping center. He pointed out vacant lots on the opposite side of the highway, as well as empty storefronts near the Target on Grove Boulevard as places that could have supported fast food restaurants. “It seems to me that an already established mall with a major retail anchor would be a prime spot,” Wagner said. Other residents are looking forward to Sprouts because it will be the first location the grocery chain has opened in Alabama. Based in Arizona, Sprouts is a combination of a farmers market, supermarket and natural foods store. Both Cato and Sawyer said they plan to shop at the grocery store once it opens. “To have Hoover host it [Sprouts] is just exciting,” Bannister said. The McDonald’s, which is tentatively scheduled to open by the beginning of December, also marks the first fast food restaurant in the area. Residents will no longer have to drive as far out of their way for a quick meal during their lunch break or after picking up their kids from school. “There was nowhere between the interstate and Bessemer, other than a gas station, to stop for breakfast, a cup of coffee or a sandwich,” Cato said. “Having a Starbucks, Jimmy John’s and McDonald’s is going to be great for the area.”
CONTINUED from page A1 Hoover community. Healthcare close to home City of Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate said the UAB Medical West FED will be the first full medical facility within city limits. “The freestanding emergency room was certainly something Hoover and its residents needed,” Pate said. “We will have other alternatives for medical emergencies.” The 24,342-square-foot facility will include exam and trauma rooms, isolation and decontamination units, a full-service lab, a helipad and facilities for diagnostic tests such as CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and EKGs. Pate noted that having a nearby FED could become the difference between life and death for victims of car accidents on heavily traveled roads such as I-459 and U.S. 31. “I absolutely think that a hospital was long overdue,” Maple Trace resident Catherine Cato agreed. “The difference of the 15-minute drive is going to potentially save so many lives.” Other residents are less sure of the project’s benefits. Meghan Sawyer, who lives on Crowne Chase Parkway, said she would prefer to go to one of the main area hospitals, even if they require a longer drive. She also worried that frequent transportation of patients from the FED to a bigger hospital would drive up healthcare costs. Other concerns from residents included a possible increase in rushhour traffic and limitations of the facility in treating more severe health problems. Nathan Clark, the director of business development at Medical West,
Construction of UAB Medical West’s freestanding emergency department is scheduled to be complete by April 2015. Photo courtesy of UAB Medical West.
anticipates between 12,000 and 15,000 visits to the FED in its first year of opening. The FED will be a Level III trauma center, which means it will not have onsite specialists but will have capabilities for surgery and intensive care. Having a major medical facility in the area could bring other private practices and specialists to John Hawkins Parkway. Sulphur Springs Road resident David Bannister said he is looking forward to the new FED’s opening because of the potential for economic improvement. “Hoover has always been great at retail, but that’s really good growth when you get professional services coming around,” Bannister said.
or
As the first FED in the state, Medical West is treading new ground in creating this medical center. Jeff Sims, the architect of record for the project, said the state Department of Public Health did not have regulations for designing an FED when his firm, Sims Architectural Studio, first started its planning. The design of the freestanding emergency department was heavily based on the recommendations of the Facility Guidelines Institute. When the state passed its own regulations in August 2013, the building Sims had created needed only a few modifications and the addition of a helipad to comply with the rules. Currently, the building is scheduled
for completion in April. Norman Tynes, the executive vice president of developer Harbert Realty Services, said the foundation slab has been poured and steel frames erected. Work on the exterior walls has already begun and interior construction will soon follow. “We’re moving fast and furious,” Tynes said. Once it is finished, the Medical West FED will bring around 50 jobs to the area and cost $13.5 million. New dining and shopping options Construction work on The Crossings is scheduled to be finished in January, with its shops opening by spring 2015. Jennifer Weyland, a
A22 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Top photo moments of 2014
Hoover resident and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Damon Holditch walks through the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo. Holditch helps veterans transition into the civilian workplace. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
The 2013 Hoover Buccaneers secured their second consecutive 6A AHSAA title with a win over Auburn High last December and were presented the championship trophy in January. Photo courtesy of Ted Melton/actionsportspix. smugmug.com.
One of our Summer Fun Photo Contest winners was Hudson getting ready to swim. Photo by Valerie Vining.
A month after September 11, Sarah Nafziger returned to New York City to provide medical services at ground zero. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Hoover resident Toni Shaw holds a sign with the phrase “World War II” written in German. Shaw was born in 1937 in Dresden, Germany. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Children enjoy Celebrate Hoover Day. Photo by Keith McCoy.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • A23
Sun B SECTION
School House B2 Community B5 Sports B9 Calendar B18
HHS earns state runner-up in volleyball
BY DAVID KNOX When Chris Camper accepted the position as Hoover High volleyball coach, he had a five-year plan to get the Lady Buccaneers to the state final. Mission accomplished -- in three years. Hoover had its best season in school history, going all the way to the state championship final before dropping a 3-1 decision to Mountain Brook. Not that Camper or his team are satisfied by any means. It was a special season to be sure. But it stings to come so close. And it stings that the Lady Bucs swept Mountain Brook in the regular season but couldn’t manage a third victory. “It is special,” Camper said. “I hate to say it like this, it’s kind of like you’ve lost a member of the family, the loss, that’s kind of how it feels. “It never goes away but I think every day it gets a little better, you cope with it a little better. I think the girls are getting a little more perspective on how much of an accomplishment it was as we get farther away from the loss we can appreciate more the run.” Mountain Brook won 25-16, 25-20, 18-25, 25-10. Hoover’s Kathryn Cather and Ali Lowe were named to the all-tournament team. Cather had
Hoover’s Addison Hoven goes high to make shot against Mountain Brook in the state championship game. Photo by Keith McCoy.
13 assists, 11 digs and eight kills and Lowe had 13 kills in the final. “This is the third year of a five-year plan I had to get us to the finals, and to do it in the third year was something we knew was possible but I think was a little ahead of schedule,” Camper said. “So we’re very proud of it, there’s no doubt about that.
“We’ve got a (runner-up) red trophy and it’s not the one we wanted. It’s still pretty special season.” Camper believes he’s building a foundation for the future, even though he loses some key seniors, including the highly recruited Cather. “I know that talent-wise and fundamentally we’ll be better,” Camper
said. “The areas we focus on are the reasons why we made it. We’re very young in those two areas with a freshman setter and a sophomore libero and we’ve got them for the next three years and we’re going to get better. “Our goal here at Hoover is we feel that year in and year out we should be in the Elite Eight and be able to
compete for a championship on a consistent basis. Whether we win championships or not is really not the question. The question is can you compete for them and get to the Elite Eight every year or every other year. My 10-year vision for the program, we should be in Elite Eight seven or eight years and the Final Four for half of those, and the final for half of those. “Next year we should have the talent to get back.” Camper came to Hoover after a very successful career at Mountain Brook. It was bittersweet to face his former program and girls he’d watched come up through the programs. But he emphasized that he was proud for them, and took no credit for their championship. “It made it difficult for me. I spent a lot of years there basically building a grassroots program that could produce fundamentally sound players. So it made it tough, but it also made me very proud of that community and the commitment that community made to volleyball. “We’re trying to do something very similar here with fourth-, fifthand sixth-grade volleyball teams. I’m hoping this community will make the same commitment.”
B2 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
School House Stanford University honors Hoover High School teacher Stanford University has recognized Hoover High School’s Jane Bruce as part of the California university’s “Teacher Tribute Initiative.” Bruce received notification from Stanford University following a nomination from Stanford freshman and 2014 HHS graduate Xianming Li. Bruce, an information technology instructor, was recognized for her dedication as an educator and a mentor and her contributions to education that help her students, her community and Stanford University. HHS Principal Don Hulin presented Bruce with the Stanford recognition in October. “Xianming’s success is extremely rewarding to me; sometimes you don’t really realize the impact you have on students, and students don’t realize the impact an encouraging word has on their teacher,” Bruce said. Li, who was the Salutatorian for Hoover High School’s class of 2014, indicated in his nomination of Bruce that he was continually inspired by Bruce’s clear communication, eagerness to teach and her inspiring
(It’s) Hairspray
Girls on the Corny Collins show compete for the title of Miss Teen Hairspray in Hairspray Jr. Photo courtesy of Delle Kincaid.
Jane Bruce is an information technology instructor at Hoover High School.
character. For Bruce, taking part in crafting students’ intellectual, academic, social and personal development is all part of the job. “Our administrators and my colleagues in the commerce and information technology
department are so supportive and helpful. I feel I have grown so much professionally from being at Hoover High School,” Bruce said. “It is truly an educational utopia. Mr. Hulin has encouraged us to build relationships with students, and that is what we are doing.”
Simmons Middle School hosted about 600 students from Gwin and Green Valley elementary schools to view Hairspray Jr. on Oct. 24. As a part of its Theatre Outreach Program (TOP), this performance was the most recent installment of Simmons’ productions that target young audiences. In previous years, Simmons’ TOP has traveled to schools such as Gwin, Bluff Park, Green Valley, Trace Crossings and South Shades Crest to bring examples of theater to kindergarten through second-grade students. About 143 students auditioned for Hairspray Jr. Forty-eight were cast as actors, and 30 sang behind the scenes, serving as the pit chorus. About 2,000 audience members saw the show.
TOP, established by the theater director, Delle Kincaid, was founded on the belief that performing arts are an essential component to a rich and excellent education. It is the mission of TOP to provide young area schoolchildren with high-quality live theatrical experiences. The TOP program is the first of its kind in any Over the Mountain secondary school and one of the only outreach programs in the state sponsored by a public school. Outside of the TOP program, performing arts at Simmons gained state and national acclaim when they took the main stage at the 2013 State Thespian Festival and National Thespian Festival with their production of Once On This Island Jr. ~Submitted by Delle Kincaid
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B3
Sharing the spirit Simmons Middle School faculty and students make plans for the holidays
“All three of my children and their families will come to Birmingham for Christmas this year, so we will be a cheerful bunch as we gather this Christmas season.” Cindy Peterson, eighth grade math teacher
“I will go around with my family and friends to look at Christmas lights, then we will come back home to drink hot cocoa.” Garrett Lepkowski, eighth grade
“I will blast Christmas tunes on my phone on the bus to get people in the Christmas spirit and to spread cheer.” Kennedy Jackson, eighth grade
“My family and I go to candle light services, donate canned foods and supplies to others, and we will spend time with family and friends here in Birmingham and in Wisconsin.” Brian Cain, principal
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“I will do my best to be kind and spread happiness to others and be thankful for all that I have.” Krystal Pettit, eighth grade science teacher
B4 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
A father to generations Remembering Tom Lyle, founder of Bluff Park’s Pioneer Playschool By KATIE TURPEN For Tom Lyle, life was an adventure meant to be savored. There was the summer he decided to dye mashed potatoes red and blue for the Fourth of July. He wrapped an inner tube around his head and had children make potatoes balls to throw at him. There were the times he took the kids on rides through the neighborhood in his remodeled fire truck and later a limousine that transported them to Star Lake and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Memories are countless for all the families whose lives were touched by how Tom, the founder of Pioneer Preschool in Bluff Park, lived with the excitement of a child. “If you love your job, you never go to work a day in your life, and that’s how he saw it,” his wife, Pat Lyle, said. “He got up early every today excited to go to Pioneer. He worked sun up to sun down for 41 years.”
“He was such a good father to me,” his daughter Stephanie Rye said. “He worked hard and took care of us. He was always entertained because he was like a big kid himself.” On. Nov. 6, Tom passed away at age 74. He was a lifelong resident of Birmingham and a member of Bluff Park United Methodist Church. He raised his family in Hoover, where he was known for running a truly one-of-a-kind daycare. Tom and Pat founded Pioneer Playschool in 1972 on three and a half acres of shaded property in the Bluff Park community. Tom had a passion for designing cars and had made plans to move to Detroit. However, the family’s life route changed and decided to open a pioneer-themed daycare that could offer creative opportunities to all children including their son, Troy, who had special needs. The daycare officially opened its doors in March 1972. “We wanted it to be like going
to grandma’s and grandpa’s,” Pat said. “Tom worked tirelessly seven days a week to get it built. He built fire houses, ball fields, swings, slides, just all things that kids love.” In the years that followed the family-run daycare saw generations of children who enjoyed Tom’s inventive games and outdoor play. Pat remembers having to fix supper later and later because Tom could not tear himself away from work. “He was so driven to make it the best daycare it could possibly be,” she said. In 1996, Tom developed a rare blood disease and beat the odds, receiving stem cells from his brother. He also received bone marrow transplants. It was a success, and he came back to work. In 2012, tragedy struck when Pat and Tom lost their son, Troy, in a choking accident. “Tom was devastated and it really took a toll on his health,” said Pat. In 2013, Tom was diagnosed
Pat Lyle stands with her husband Tom Lyle. The couple founded Pioneer Playschool in 1972 in Bluff Park. Photo courtesy of Pat Lyle.
with pulmonary fibrosis. He fought a hard battle until he passed away. Today, Stephanie and Pat said it’s not unusual for people who are passing through the area to stop by and say they remember going to the school as children. People often refer to their days spent at the playschool as some of the best of their lives. “Tom touched the lives of thousands
of kids over his 41 years at Pioneer,” Pat said. “I’m sure how I speak for everyone when I say, we will miss you and love you Mr. Tom.” David and Stephanie Rye, along with Pat, are the current directors of Pioneer Play School. For more information about the school, visit pioneerplayschool.com
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B5
Community Wrapsody hosts Hope Floats Balloon Release Celebration
It takes far more than a mathematical equation to determine your home’s worth.
IT TAKES A LOCAL EXPERT.
In October, Hoover gift store Wrapsody held a balloon release celebration to honor and remember breast cancer survivors and fighters. Photo courtesy of Sarah Brown.
In October, Hoover gift store Wrapsody held a balloon release celebration to honor and remember breast cancer survivors and fighters. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wrapsody honored and remembered those with breast cancer through its annual Hope Floats campaign. During the month of October, the gift store raised money through the sales of balloons and ribbons, koozies, caps and t-shirts. The ribbons were individually personalized by each customer sharing sentiments, honoring
survivors, offering messages of hope or simply remembering loved ones and hung in the HOPE window. A balloon was released for each honoree in celebration of life and hope. All proceeds from the campaign will be donated to the Angel Squad of the UAB Cancer Center in Birmingham, a group of dedicated volunteers whose mission is to provide comfort, support and compassionate care to breast cancer patients and their caregivers.
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Hoover Valley Girl Scouts bike the Chief Ladiga Trail
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Fourth-grade Girl Scout juniors from the Hoover Valley service unit recently biked on the Chief Ladiga Trail. The girls earned a camping badge, which included proficiency in assembling and dismantling their own tent, meal preparation and hiking on the Pinhoti Trail. Pictured from left to right are Maddie Davis, Allie Stafford, Cecilia Daigle, Erin Simmons, Lydia Burn, Mimi Batten, Jane Bae, Avery DeBerry, Igrainne Hill, Jamese Melton. Photo courtesy of Hannah Wallace.
B6 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
First lady Dianne Bentley visits Riverchase Verizon store First lady Dianne Bentley recently helped victims of domestic violence by donating 4,623 cell phones to HopeLine from Verizon. She celebrated this milestone at a recent event at a Verizon Wireless store in Riverchase. “While serving as First Lady and visiting Alabama’s 18 domestic violence shelters, I have seen the impact cell phone donations can make for victims and their children,” Bentley said. “ I am excited to reach another milestone in our efforts, and will continue giving victims the resources they need to seek help through Verizon’s HopeLine.” HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ national cell phone recycling and re-use program. HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless devices
and accessories, which can then be refurbished, recycled and/or sold. Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence via cash grants to domestic violence counseling and support agencies. Also, refurbished phones are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients. First lady Dianne Bentley continued her efforts to help victims of domestic violence by donating 4,623 cell phones to HopeLine from Verizon. She celebrated this milestone at a recent event at a Verizon Wireless store in Riverchase. Photo courtesy of Sara Franklin.
Kayla Perry to celebrate efforts of childhood cancer research campaign
Hoover hosts a hayride
On Sunday, Dec. 7, head to Answer to Cancer, a celebration of Kayla Perry’s #100ways100days campaign, which has raised more than $100,000 for childhood cancer research. The event will take place 4-8 p.m. inside Region’s Field. Music headlines for the night include St. Paul and the Broken Bones; Girls, Guns, and Glory, and singer/songwriter Amy Black. Ticket prices are $35 (single, under 21); $50 (single adult); $150 (family of four). There will be a live auction, silent auction, big trip giveaways, photo booth, along with fun activities for the whole family. Proceeds
Hoover held its annual Hayride and Family Night at Veterans Park Oct. 24. As many as 10,000 people attended the event in past years. The night featured a hayride, games, food, music and more. Trick or treating was provided for children at booths set up by local businesses. “This is a great time to bring your family out to the park to spend an evening taking hayrides around the park and bringing kids to get treats from local businesses,” Events Coordinator Erin Colbaugh said. For more information, visit hooveral.org.
benefit Children’s of Alabama’s Center of Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Perry, 19 years old, was diagnosed in 2013 with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma. Perry and her family have created the foundation Open Hands Overflowing Heart with the goal to generate and donate as much funding for pediatric cancer research as they possibly can. “Though I was diagnosed one month after my 18th birthday, neuroblastoma is still considered a childhood cancer,” Perry said. “I want to be able to help children with cancer the way that I have been helped.” For more information, visit openhandsoverflowinghearts.org.
Kayla Perry (right) and her mother Christen at an Auburn University tailgate. Photo courtesy of Kayla Perry.
Photo: Rhonda Gilliam
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B7
Residents perform in local Nutcracker production
Students perform in last year’s production of The Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Deborah Grebel.
By MADISON MILLER Several area residents will perform in an upcoming production of The Nutcracker this month. This will be the tenth year of the Stevan Grebel Center for Dance performance, which Grebel has directed since the beginning. Grebel’s interpretation is taken after Marius Petipa’s choreography and follows the musical score of Tchaikovsky. This year’s performance will include an onstage reunion of all of Stevan Grebel’s alumni and students of the Alabama Youth Ballet. Alumni will be offered complimentary tickets and will be invited onstage to bow this year.
“Our favorite part of the performance is seeing how it has become a tradition in the City of Pelham and the surrounding Shelby County area,” Executive Director Deborah Grebel said. “It is a wonderful event for parents, grandparents and families to share with children.” Residents of the 280 area in the production include Gabriella Winn, Kristian Winn and Sarah Rose. Performances will be held Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. at Pelham High School. Tickets are $10-$15 for adults and $5-$10 for children. For more information, visit grebeldance. com.
B8 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
A novel idea Local author publishes her fifth book By SYDNEY CROMWELL Chandra Sparks Splond is surrounded by young adults every day in her job at Samford University, and she still likes them enough to write about them when she gets home. “I like being able to show those positive stories. I don’t have perfect kids in my book. They make mistakes, they do things that maybe stop them in their tracks sometimes, but they get back up,” Splond, the university’s director of content marketing, said. The writing bug hit Splond when she was 10 years old, and she decided to write novels when she was 14. She still remembers sitting in a high school math class and thinking if she wanted to be an author, she’d need a fancier signature. “I think then it kind of gelled in my mind, ‘OK, I want to write books.’ It just kind of grew from there,” Splond said. She completed her first book at age 33 by waking up early to write before her infant daughter, Jessica, was awake. That first book was never published, but with it Splond completed a lifelong dream and set an example for her daughter. “I always wanted to be the type of parent who, rather than telling my daughter she could do whatever she wanted to do, I wanted to be able to show her,” Splond said. In 2007, Splond got a book deal for Spin It Like That, a novel about a 16-year-old girl
Chandra Sparks Splond is the author of five young adult fiction books. Her latest book, He’s Got Game, was published in August. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
pursuing a career as a DJ. Her later books include a two-part series about teens dealing with abstinence issues and The Greatest Gift of All, which she wrote because Jessica, now 10 years old, had begged to read one of her mother’s stories.
The main characters in Splond’s books are African-American because she feels they are underrepresented in popular young adult fiction. Her latest book, He’s Got Game, was published in August and is about a teenage boy trying to be
the first in his family to graduate college. Splond said that for a long time she wouldn’t consider writing from a male perspective because of the old adage, “Write what you know.” “I started asking myself, ‘Well, why would you not want to do that?’” Splond said. “I didn’t know about being a DJ either but I researched it. So that’s what made me decide to do that.” Through research, studying people and “a lot of prayer,” Splond developed a voice for her male main character. In some ways, it was easier than she expected. “They’re different from girls but then they’re not different from girls. They still want love, they want acceptance, they want the same things all human beings want,” Splond said. “So that’s the common thread.” Spin It Like That will always hold a special place in Splond’s heart, but all five of her books are dear to her. Splond said she gets just as excited now when she sees her book in print as she did the first time. “It hasn’t changed. It’s still like, ‘Wow, I actually did this,’” Splond said. Splond’s books are available on Amazon.com, some under the name Chandra Sparks Taylor. She has a sixth book in the works, which will be about a teenage girl trying to make it in the world of fashion and modeling. Splond said she feels lucky that she has been able to pursue her passion and be successful. “Knowing that I’ve had this dream since I was a little girl and being able to see it actually come to fruition is still very overwhelming and very humbling for me,” Splond said. “A lot of people have dreams and for whatever reason they don’t come to pass. I’m just living proof that your dreams can come true no matter how old or young you are.”
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B9
Sports SMS volleyball wins tournament The Simmons Middle School eighthgrade volleyball team recently won the metro tournament for the second year in a row. “It was no cake walk. I’m so proud of these young ladies!” said coach and teacher JoAnn Hollis, who is retiring after 40 years of teaching and 30 years of coaching. Coach Hollis is retiring from teaching and coaching on a high note. The 2014
team set the record for the only team to win consecutive championships and maintain a perfect record. In addition, the eighth-grade volleyball team made a small wager with the Assistant Principal Kevin Erwin prior to the tournament, that if they won, he would have to dye his beard a color of their choosing. On the day after the tournament, he sported a purple beard and wore it proudly. -Submitted by Rebecca Bueche
Back row: coach George Wallace, coach JoAnn Hollis, Mackenzie Martin, Raven Venable, Mattie Test, Hannah Sanders, Olivia Rand, Savanna Atkins, Coach Shelby Wallace, and Coach Claudia McMeekin. Front row: Evalyn Nagamau, Audrey Colabrese, Reece Vaughan, Maggie Ethridge, Ashlee Frier, and Brook Hoven. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Bueche.
Steel City Invitational at Samford this month By DAVID KNOX The second Steel City Invitational boys basketball tournament will be held Dec. 19-22 at Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center. Host school Mountain Brook, a two-time state champion, and Hoover headline the 16-team field, which includes schools from the Birmingham area and teams from across the state. Three of last year’s state championship teams are in the field — Mountain Brook, Parker and Midfield. Several others were Final 48 participants. The tournament is a three-day, four-round affair with winners and losers brackets. Games
begin Friday, and the semifinals will be on Saturday. Sunday will be an off day, and the championship will be Monday. The Birmingham Tip Off Club is the sponsor of the event, which is managed by Knight Eady Sports Group. “The Birmingham Tip Off Club is proud to host what is quickly becoming the premier high school basketball event in the state and one of the top tournaments in the Southeast,” said Hunter Strickler, president of the club. “The feedback we received last year from players, fans and coaches was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re looking forward to an even stronger and more
exciting field this year.” The field includes Birmingham-area schools Mountain Brook, Hoover, Clay-Chalkville, Bessemer City, Parker, Wenonah, Ramsay, Midfield and Fairfield. State schools include Cullman, Tuscaloosa County, Bibb County, Faith Academy, Theodore, Grissom and J.O. Johnson. The semifinals and championships will be televised by Sinclair Broadcasting, which owns both WABM My68 and ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. My68 will broadcast the games in Birmingham. “We are excited about partnering with the Steel City Invitational and broadcasting the
semifinals and championship game of the tournament,” said J.C. Lowe, general manager of WABM. “This is a great opportunity for fans to watch a talented field of teams battling for a championship.” Brackets had not been set at deadline for this article. Updated information can be found at steelcityhoops.com. The tournament also has its own Facebook page at facebook.com/ SteelCityInvitational. Tickets can be purchased online through Preptix. Adult ticket books are $25. Student/youth (ages 6-18) ticket books are $15. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.
B10 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Spain Park swim team prepares for sections, state By JESSA PEASE They might be a young team, but Spain Park’s swimmers are still heading for the state meet. Leading the way are senior Jessica Bilek and juniors Caitlin Bullard and Jack Zalewski. All three swimmers practice year-round with USA Swim Teams — Bilek and Zalewski at Lifetime Fitness in Vestavia and Bullard with Birmingham Swim League. Bilek has been on the Spain Park swim team since she was in seventh grade, and she has been swimming for coach Daniel Rozick for three years. More than anything, Rozick said, Bilek is a distance swimmer. The mile is her race, but the 500-yard freestyle is the longest race in the high school program. Although Bilek has already made state cuts in both the 500- and the 200yard freestyle, she will have to perform those times again at the sectional meet in order to qualify for state. Her 500 free time is at 5:24.58 against the state qualifying time of 5:43.99, and her 200 free sits at a 2:05.69 versus the qualifying time of 2:09.29. Rozick believes she will do well in the state meet. “She is a real competitive person,” he said. “When you put her in a competitive situation, she’ll get out there and get after it, so I think she’ll do well. She’s a killer, which I say that with all the love in the world. She’s great to have around. She sets a good
2014 Spain Park Swim Team Roster Jessica Bilek Caitlin Bullard Bailey Barnes Deas Zachary El-Fallah Georgie Fickling Rachel Lebo Ward Lockhart Jon Pickett Caroline Marie Rice Jack Zalewski Justin Zhang
Jessica Bilek practices sets of breaststroke while preparing for the sectional meet. Photo by Jessa Pease.
example for the other swimmers.” In addition to swimming, Bilek also runs track, which Rozick says gives her an advantage. “Her legs are a lot stronger than any of these other guys,” he said. “I think she has a lot more endurance and the capability to really reproduce that oxygen in her legs, recycle it and use it for recovery that a lot of them don’t have.” Like Bilek, Bullard has already
made the state cuts in the 500- and the 200-yard freestyle. As the strongest female swimmer on the team, she holds the record for the 500 at 5:18.07. Her coach, Mike Davidson with the Birmingham Swim League, said she will not have any problem qualifying for state. “She’ll be well equipped for the 500 in the Alabama state high school meet,” Davidson said. “I’d be very surprised if she didn’t make top
eight and the top five for that meet in December.” The top male swimmer on the team, and the only male on the team in high school, is Jack Zalewiski. “He’s built very much like a sprinter,” Rozick said. “His muscles are a little bit bigger, so he’s a little heavier in the water. He doesn’t roll for the distances quite the same way as the skinnier, kind of ganglier, kids do.” Zalewiski hasn’t yet hit the state
cuts for his races, the 50- and the 100yard freestyle, but Rozick thinks he’ll pull it off at the sectionals meet. His 50-yard freestyle sits at 25.45 versus the 24.79 qualifying time, and his 100yard is 57.86 against the 54.19 state time. “He’s got a lot of power,” Rozick said. “He spends a lot of time in the weight room, and that helps him. He really works through the water quite well on the 50 and the 100.”
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B11
Lady Bucs cruise to Big Orange title By DAVID KNOX
The Hoover Lady Bucs work in drills during a preseason practice. Photo by Jessa Pease.
Last season, the Hoover Lady Buccaneers had the humbling experience of watching two other teams play for the championship of their tournament. They were determined not to let that happen at this year’s Big Orange Classic. “Our girls were very prideful in the fact that we were hosting and protecting our floor,” said coach Tiffany Frederick. “Not to mention we watched Oneonta and Opelika play in the championship last year. The fact that we did not win last year or even make it to the championship was a big motivator for the girls to win our tournament and make a statement at the beginning of the year.” The Lady Bucs won the Big Orange Classic, beating Sparkman 62-46. Jailyn Maddox led the way with 24 points and Jada Smith knocked in 14. Kendra Langham was also in double figures with 10 points. Aaliyah Bell had eight assists, Smith had four assists and Maddox chipped in three assists as the Lady Bucs shared the ball well. Kendrea Dawkins was the leading scorer for the Senators with 17 points. In the semifinals, Hoover beat Robert E. Lee of Montgomery 63-27. The Lady Bucs jumped out to a 19-4 lead after a quarter and led 31-10 the half. After a letdown in the third quarter, Hoover put the game
away with a 15-1 fourth quarter. Langham led the way in this one with 19 points and five rebounds while Maddox added eight points and two assists. Tykeria Williams was the only Lee player in double figures with 10 points. In the opener of the tournament, Hoover stormed out to a 24-8 first-quarter lead and led 42-21 at the half, but the Lady Bucs got a little sloppy and allowed the Lady Bucks of Buckhorn to close the gap in the second half before Hoover emerged with a 65-51 win. Smith was high scorer with 16 points and added three assists. Maddox had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Velencia Johnson chipped in 11 points. Morgan Tipton led Buckhorn with 16 points. “(We) played well on the defensive end,” Frederick said. “Our up-tempo transition really wore teams down like we intended. We did not rebound the ball as well as we hoped the first game. Those last two games, we did a much better job capitalizing on assignments and rebounding the basketball. “Our guards shot the ball well the entire weekend. We have plenty of work to do but overall I was pleased to one, win our tournament and start our season in the right direction, and two, see our girls compete and give 100 percent effort.”
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B12 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Prep bowling coming down the alley Spain Park bowler already holds scholarship offer By DAVID KNOX High school bowling has come to Alabama. This season the Alabama High School Athletic Association declared that boys and girls bowling be designated an “emerging sport” — that is, one to be tried as a non-championship sport for a period of time to see if enough interest exists to make it a full-fledged state championship sport. Both Spain Park and Hoover have bowling teams this year. Denise Ainsworth, who oversees the sport as director of programs for the AHSAA, said bowling was declared an emerging sport after a survey of schools indicated enough interest. “Over the past few years, it’s been the fastest growing sport nationally at the high school level,” Ainsworth said. “We are always looking for ways to include more kids in athletics. Bowling is a way to reach a different group of kids who might not be interested in football, basketball or baseball.” A major boost to the effort has been the cooperation from the bowling centers, which have agreed to provide lane space free of charge for two years, at least, plus free house bowling balls and shoes. “The bowling centers have been just wonderful to work with,” Ainsworth said. If at least 10 percent of AHSAA member schools have teams next year, it can become a championship sport once it is approved by the association’s Central Board of Control. “We have 40 schools declared to participate right now, and we have right about 400 schools (in the AHSAA),” Ainsworth said. “So we’re right there. We think next year it should be a championship sport. “We’re excited.” So too is Spain Park High bowler Ryan
Ryan Kendall follows through during practice before a match with Indian Springs. Photo by Keith McCoy.
Kendall. He has a scholarship offer from Wichita State. Many people don’t realize bowling is a collegiate sport. The NCAA sponsors women’s bowling as a championship sport, and the NAIA
sponsors both men’s and women’s bowling as an emerging sport. Wichita State bowls as an NAIA school, though they are NCAA in other sports. Spain Park bowling coach C.J. Hawkins said Kendall,
a senior, is one of the top bowlers in the state, if not the best. Kendall, who averages 221, has bowled seven 300 games. He bowls in a Saturday morning league at Brunswick Riverview Lanes.
“I went out to a bowling camp at Wichita State over the summer, and they said they were interested in me and then they offered me a scholarship,” Kendall said. “Right now, it’s partially academic, but we’re
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B13
Hoover High coach Kelsey Nichols said her team is excited about being the first Hoover High bowling team. Photo by David Knox.
waiting to see if they make it athletic as well.” He’s been bowling since he was 9 or 10, and he said his interest piqued when he visited an uncle in Chicago who took him bowling. He fell in love with the game, and it was suggested he join a league in Birmingham. There are no NAIA men’s teams in Alabama, but there are several in Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. Kendall has drawn some interest from some of those schools, but he’s really intent on going to Wichita State right now. Most of the NCAA’s emerging sports are for women, prompted by the need to meet Title IX laws to provide scholarships to women. In Alabama, UAB, Alabama A&M and Alabama State all have NCAA Division I bowling teams. According to latest figures provided by the
NCAA, there are 33 NCAA Division I women’s programs, 18 more at Division II and 10 at non-athletic-scholarship Division III. That was not the primary focus for instituting bowling at the prep level, but if students can find yet another means to help pay for a college education, “that’s always a bonus,” Ainsworth said. Gail Dent, a spokeswoman for the NCAA, said that its research group shows that in Division I in 2013-14, there were a total of 127 total equivalencies (scholarships) for bowling with 226 student-athletes receiving aid (at more than $3.2 million). In Division II, there were a total of 34 equivalencies with 131 student-athletes receiving aid (at more than $719,000). The Spain Park teams, the girls coached by Hawkins and the boys by Stephen Hobbs, are
made up of an eclectic bunch of youngsters, Hawkins said. “We tried to get a wide range of kids from eighth grade through 12th grade,” Hawkins said. “We held trials for a week and kept the ones who were serious.” There was so much interest that Spain Park actually had to cut about a dozen after the trials. Hoover High’s team is a boys team but it has several girls on the squad. There were not enough girls to try out to have a separate girls team, coach Kelsey Nichols said. “We have seven who are beginners and three who are league bowlers,” Nichols said. “I’m excited about coaching bowling. It’s a sport that doesn’t require a lot of athletic ability in that there’s not a size requirement, or speed or a
strength requirement. It’s made for everybody.” She said her team is excited to be a part of the first Hoover High bowling team and are already thinking about winning a state championship next year when it becomes a championship sport. “We think there’s going to be a good fan base to come out and cheer for our bowlers. We’re hearing about them painting up and everything.” Hoover’s team has a couple of middle-schoolers. They are actually some of the more experienced bowlers. Kenny Ealy is a 12-year-old seventh-grader. “My brother started bowling, and I would come with him and I really got to like it. I think it’s really good, and I’ve met new people,” he said. He bowls in a Saturday morning league at Vestavia Bowl. His best game is a 236. Fellow middle-schooler Joseph Carter is also 12 and in the seventh grade. He bowls in leagues on Friday and Saturday. “It’s pretty fun to be on the bowling team. I just like bowling anyway.” Junior Michael Byron is on the other end of the spectrum. He said he’s bowled maybe five times before joining the bowling team. “I joined because I thought it’d be fun to be on the first Hoover bowling team. I knew some of my friends were going to, so I said, ‘Why not?’” “I believe in athletics and in what it teaches,” Ainsworth said. “I think bowling will reach kids on the fringes, and I think also the interest is going to be really high because we’re already hearing about youngsters who are excellent bowlers in leagues already. There’s also the chance to involve kids with some disabilities. Members of the Hoover team are Michael Byron, Brooke Carroll, Joseph Carter, Matthew Castillo, Kenneth Ealy, Islander Martinez, Mallory McClung, Matthew Russell, Meredith Vines, Noah Waters. Members of the Spain Park team are boys Ryan Kendall, Ben Lapinski, Patrick Richey, Sam Lorino, James Waller, John Gatham, Bain Hamilton, Jason Deutsch, Andrew Harris, Alex Culwell, Ryan Caraway, Jalen Johnson and Devin Dowdell; and girls Mary Kathryn Bonamy, Mallory McCarty, Meg Moser, Destini England, Juliana Cross, Caroline Parker, MacKenzie Walker, Lindsay Parker and MaryKatherine Tedder.
B14 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Jaguars close season with wins but miss out on playoffs Spain Park Football Results Austin
Hoover
5-3
14 - 42
Hueytown
Vestavia
28 - 21
14 - 13
Thompson
Oak Mountain
52 - 28
27 - 34
Tuscaloosa Co.
Mountain Brook
7 - 26
19 - 0
Hewitt-Trussville
Bessemer City
63 - 64 (4OT)
30 - 7
By DAVID KNOX A promising season that saw Spain Park ranked as high as No. 3 in the state turned sour, and the Jaguars were left needing help from other teams to get into the Class 7A playoffs. The Jaguars managed to tie for the fourth and final playoff spot in Class 7A, Region 3 by beating Mountain Brook 19-0 on Oct. 24 in the final region game of this season. But a 64-63 four-overtime loss to Hewitt-Trussville in the fifth game proved to be the tiebreaker that broke the Jags’ hearts. In fact, after starting out 3-0, the
Jags hit a three-game losing skid before winning three of the last four to finish 6-4. It was certainly respectable, but not what Spain Park hoped for after winning its region last year ad such a good start to this season. Against Mountain Brook, quarterback Mason Duke passed for 208 yards and touchdowns to Owen Carr, and Bridge Suber and Wade Streeter rushed for 91 yards on 23 carries. “We played a complete game, and that’s probably the first time we’ve done that this season,” Jaguars coach Shawn Raney said. “Our defense was outstanding all night.”
The Jaguars closed with a 30-7 win at Class 6A Bessemer City in the final regular-season game. The Jaguars defense played well for the second week in a row after shutting out Mountain Brook, intercepting two passes and stopping the Tigers on downs three times. A.J. Smiley had a sack and an interception. Streeter rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Duke threw touchdown passes to Larry Wooden and Trent Harper. “I feel like we are just starting to play our best football,” Raney said. “I told them it’s important to send these seniors out with a win and they did.”
Owen Carr (8) breaks into the open after catching a pass from Mason Duke in Spain Park’s win over Mountain Brook. Photo by Ted Melton.
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B15
Shades Mountain Christian finishes season 1-9 Shades Mountain Football Results Jacksonville Christian
Wadley
42 - 34
7 - 47
Meek
Ragland
14 - 21
13 - 40
Winterboro
Appalachian
0 - 26
14 - 21
Donoho
Talladega County Central
0 - 42
6 - 29
Victory Christian
Spring Garden
10 - 14
6 - 25
The Eagles ended their season with home losses to Talladega County Central (39-6) and Spring Garden (25-6), finishing with a 1-9 record in Class 1A, Region 5. Against Talladega County Central, Austin Patterson scored on a 4-yard run with just over
a minute to play to crack the scoreboard. He had 39 yard rushing on 10 carries. Billy Parker had 43 yards on 12 carries. Their opponents rushed for 357 yards on 24 carries. The win locked up a playoff sport. Against Spring Garden, Parker managed the Eagles’
touchdown on a 1-yard run with 45 seconds remaining to spoil the shutout. Parker also made nine tackles and intercepted a pass. Patterson rushed for 52 yards on 12 carries. Spring Garden also advanced to the 1A playoffs.
Shades Mountain Christian’s Billy Parker prepares to throw a pass in practice. Photo By Keith McCoy.
B16 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Hoover Football Recap Buckhorn 38 - 13 The Hoover Bucs began their march toward a threepeat as state champions by dominating Buckhorn 38-13 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. On their opening drive, the Buckhorn offense made things interesting, briefly, with a touchdown to draw first blood and an early 7-0 lead. Enter Bradrick Shaw. Hoover’s senior tailback thrashed the Buckhorn defense for a 95-yard touchdown drive highlighted by two vicious stiff-arms on Buckhorn defenders. By the end of the first half, Shaw had scampered for 151 yards and had led Hoover to a 31-7 lead. Shaw’s first-half explosion paced the Bucs offense, which totaled a whopping 330 yards by intermission. Some of the most important yards came at the end of the first half. After a Marcus Webb touchdown run put the Bucs up 24-7, Hoover held Buckhorn and forced a punt. Starting at the Bucs’ 40-yardline with 1:30 left in the half, Hoover quarterback Jack Hutcheson completed two passes, including a 46-yard bomb to Justin Johnson, to set up yet another Webb rushing score. After their early touchdown, Buckhorn was
stifled by the powerful Hoover defense. In the fourth quarter, as a Buckhorn drive had crossed midfield, an pass toward the sideline was intercepted by All-American defensive end Darrell Williams and returned for a touchdown and the final Hoover score. According to Hoover coach Josh Niblett, the Bucs’ success was a function of hard work and preparation. “Buckhorn is a good football team and had been playing well,” Niblett explained. “They beat the top team in their region two weeks ago, which told us they are playing well at the right time of the year.” The Hoover defensive success, according to Niblett, was especially meaningful. “Offensively, they use a lot personnel groupings and formations to keep you off balance. They can be a power team or spread you out to get out to their playmakers on the perimeter.” Coming in to the game, the Hoover mission was clear. “We had to worry about us and execute in all three phases,” Niblett said. “We needed to build off the passion and energy we played with last week. This is what we play for, this time of the year. Our program knows and understands that.” Tom Ward Hoover’s Leonard Wood (84) breaks away from a Tuscaloosa County defender. Photo by Ted Melton at ActionSportsPix.SmugMud.com.
Tuscaloosa County 42 - 7 If Hoover fans were concerned about a letdown in the playoff rematch against Tuscaloosa County, their fears were quickly put to rest. The only thing down in Hoover was the temperature, as the Hoover Bucs outscored the thermometer with a 42-7 whipping of the Tuscaloosa County Wildcats. The Bucs jumped all over the Wildcats, leading 21-0 by the end of the first quarter. For Hoover Bucs coach Josh Niblett, the goal was to maintain the intensity of the last several weeks. “You’re either going forward or you’re
going backward; you’re never standing still in football, or in life.” Bradrick Shaw, the All-American running back, commenced the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown to give Hoover a 7-0 lead. After a sack by another Hoover All-American, Christian Bell, Tuscaloosa County punted the ball back to the Bucs. Shortly afterward, the Bucs’ other outstanding back, Marcus Webb, scampered for a 40-yard score to give Hoover a 14-0 lead. By the end of the first quarter, Hoover added
a 53-yard Leonard Wood touchdown and three more sacks en route to a 21-0 lead. Things would only get worse for the Wildcats, who had arrived in Hoover on the heels of a monumental upset win over heavily favored Bob Jones last week. The Bucs scored two more times, including the second touchdown by Webb, to reach a 35-0 advantage at intermission. Hoover’s famously loyal fans, uninhibited by miserable weather, kept the home field advantage alive during the second half of the blowout. The
Bucs took their foot off the accelerator in the third and fourth quarters, scoring on a 9-yard Jaylen Richardson touchdown and allowing one score by the Wildcats. The Bucs were set to host Gadsden City, which beat Oak Mountain, in the semifinal round of the Class 7A playoffs on Nov. 21. The winner of that game would advance to the Class 7A final, to be played in Auburn as part of the Super 7, on Wednesday Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Tom Ward
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B17
Hoover
Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
614139
35226
555 Founders Park Circle
New
$574,900
614473
35226
876 Alford Ave.
New
$189,900
614780
35226
2333 Farley Terrace
New
$219,900
614758
35226
1808 Cornwall Road
New
$259,900
614773
35244
5351 Park Side Circle Unit# 236
New
$275,000
614604
35226
509 Twin Creek Road
New
$359,900
614704
35244
5226 Park Side Circle Unit# 95
New
$360,000
614849
35226
4429 Tuckahoe Lane Unit# 123
New
$385,000
613641
35244
1903 Waterford Place Unit# 1903
New
$105,100
614422
35226
333 Bedford Ave.
New
$168,000
614496
35226
649 Valley St.
New
$175,900
614107
35226
668 Flag Circle Unit# 432
New
$229,900
614150
35244
5365 Park Side Circle Unit# 234
New
$285,000
614450
35244
1605 Creekside Drive
New
$289,000
614398
35244
5737 Willow Lake Drive
New
$309,900
614506
35226
4660 Sulphur Springs Road
New
$329,900
614353
35226
3845 Ross Park Drive
New
$369,000
614815
35216
2908 Wisteria Drive
New
$179,900
Real estate listings sent to Hoover Sun by Vinnie Alonzo of RE/MAX Advantage South between Nov. 11 and Nov. 18. Agents and agency vary by property.
555 Founders Park Circle
649 Valley St.
B18 • December 2014
Hoover Sun
Community Calendar Hoover Events Dec. 1: Hoover Christmas Tree Lighting. 5 p.m. Hoover City Hall. Santa will make a grand entrance on a fire truck and take pictures with children. Call 444-7732. Dec. 3: Holiday Greenery Workshop. 10 a.m.-noon. Aldridge Gardens. Learn how to liven up mantels, mailboxes, lamp posts and entry halls. Visit aldridgegardens.com. Dec. 6: Holiday Greenery Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. Visit aldridgegardens.com. Dec. 6: Garage Giveaway. Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Those with financial need may browse and take home donations. Visit garagegiveaway.com. Dec. 7: Bring Your Own Buddy Scramble. 10 a.m. All Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail sites except Lakewood Golf Club. $85 per player and $340 per foursome. Visit rtjgolf.com/byob/. Dec. 7: Santa Claus and The Magic Elves. 1-5 p.m. Wrapsody in Patton Creek. Get your picture made with Santa and his elves. Call 989-7277. Dec. 7: Holiday Remembrance Service. 7 p.m. Riverchase United Methodist Church. Come together in remembrance of lost loved ones. Call 837-7111. Dec. 11: Artists on the Bluff Open House. Noon-9 p.m. Artists on the Bluff. The Bluff’s annual holiday open house and art sale. Visit artistsonthebluff.com. Dec. 11: Meet the Artist Reception with Toby Klein. 6-8 p.m. Meet mixed-media artist Toby Klein and get a first glance at her new exhibit. Visit aldridgegardens.com. Dec. 13: Holiday Craft and Bake Sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Veterans Park. All proceeds benefit the Alabama Wildlife Center. Visit awrc.org. Dec. 24: Santa Firetruck Tour. 4-9 p.m. City of Hoover. Visit hooveral.org.
Hoover Public Library 200 Municipal Lane 444-7800, hooverlibrary.org
Adults Dec. 2-30: Stump the Librarian. All Day. Nonfiction Department. Test the knowledge of the Nonfiction staff by asking a question from a popular trivia game. You could have a chance to win a gift card donated by the Friends of the Library. Call 444-7840. Dec. 4: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. Call 444-7820. Dec. 4: Alabama’s Best Restaurants Cookbook. 6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Hoover Author, Jon McClure, takes you behind the scenes of Alabama’s most loved restaurants. Book signing to follow. Free event. Call 444-7840. Dec. 7: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: Italy. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Coffee-ol-ogy Café presents free programs on food and coffee from around the world. Complimentary samples provided. Call 444-7821. Dec. 8: Coupon Swap. 10 a.m. Nonfiction Department. Bring coupons you don’t need and swap for ones you do. Call 444-7840.
Dec. 8: Helping Hands. 3 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Make newspaper rolls for a local humane society. Teens and adults. Call 444-7840. Dec. 9: Spanish Conversation Club. 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Library Plaza. All Spanish fluency levels welcome to practice and learn. Call 444-7820. Dec. 11: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. Call 444-7820.
Dec. 18: Old Fashioned Rhythm Band. 6:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Holiday favorites played Dixieland jazz style by Chuck King (trumpet), Jason Bailey (banjo) and Tom Dameron (tuba). Call 444-7821. Dec. 22: Monday at the Movies. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. A human baby accidently ends up at the North Pole and grows up among the elf community. Stars Will Ferrell. Free admission and refreshments! (PG, 97 minutes) Call 444-7820.
Children
Dec. 11-12: The Celtic Tenors. 8 p.m. The Library Theatre. Call 444-7888.
Dec. 6: Frozen Fun. 10:30 a.m. Hang out with Elsa, Olaf and the gang for crafts, games and more. Free.
Dec. 13: Purl @ the Plaza. 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Library Plaza. Finish old projects before the new year. Come and knit, crochet or embroider. Call 444-7821.
Dec. 9: Holiday Gift Workshop. 4:30 p.m. Make fun gifts for your friends and family. Registration required.
Dec. 17: Coffee, Cocoa and Conversations. 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Enjoy light refreshments at our book group open house!. Meet the book group leaders, see next year’s selections and maybe discover a group you’d like to attend. Call 4447840.
Dec. 15: This Just In. 6:30 p.m. A new-books book club for grades 4-6. Dec. 16: Christmas Spectacular: Trouble in Toyland. 6:30 p.m. Join us for a special presentation from That Puppet Guy, followed by a visit from Saint Nick. Refreshments served. All ages.
*Get details at estimate. May not combine with other to prior purchases. Expires 1/09/15. Promo code: NP-235
HooverSun.com
December 2014 • B19
Community Calendar Hoover Chamber of Commerce
Hoover City Council 100 Municipal Lane 444-7500, hooveral.org
1692 Montgomery Highway, Suite 108 988-5672, hooverchamber.org Dec. 4: Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office. 8:30 a.m. Chamber office. Dec. 11: Coffee & Contacts. 7:30-9 a.m. Homewood Suites-Riverchase. Call 637-2900.
Dec. 17: Ambassador Meeting. 4:30 p.m. Chamber Office. Dec. 18: Hoover Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. Make reservations by Dec. 15. $20 or $22 without reservations.
Dec. 1: City Council Meeting. 4 p.m. City Hall, third floor.
Commission Meeting. 5:30 p.m. City Hall, third floor.
Dec. 4: Planning and Zoning Commission. 5 p.m. City Hall, third floor.
Dec. 11: City Council Work Session. 5 p.m. City Hall, third floor.
Dec. 4: Board of Zoning Adjustments. 7:30 p.m. City Hall, third floor. Dec. 8: Planning and Zoning
Dec. 15: City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. City Hall, third floor. Dec. 22: Board of Zoning Adjustments Work Session. 5:30 p.m. City Hall, third floor.
Moonlight on the Mountain moonlightonthemtn.com Dec. 6: Sam Pointer’s Acoustic Christmas. $15 Dec. 7: Michael Reno Harrell and Minton Sparks. $15 Dec. 8: Open Mic Night. $5 Dec. 11: Rae Fitzgerald, Jay Brown and Wilder Adkins.
Area Events Dec. 4-21: Red Mountain Theatre Company Holiday Spectacular. Wednesdays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with a spectacular display of all your favorite music of the season. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Dec. 5: So You Think You Can Dance Tour. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. Tickets start at $45. Visit ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000. Dec. 5-6: Tannehill Christmas Candlelight Tour. 5 p.m. A holiday presentation of historical events based during the Civil War Era. Call 477-5711. Dec. 5-31: Zoolight Safari. 5 p.m. Birmingham
Zoo. $8 for non-members, free for members. Visit birminghamzoo.com.
Dec. 9-17: A Colonial Christmas. 10:30 a.m. and noon. American Village. $25. Visit americanvillage.org.
Dec. 6-7: Christmas at Arlington. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m. Visitors are invited to step back in time as local decorators adorn rooms of the museum in period holiday décor. Call 780-5656.
Dec. 11: Holiday Hyjinx. Thursday-Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre. Lee Ann Brown, Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, Jan D. Hunter and Kristin Staskowski are back and ready to celebrate the holidays with a fun-filled show of comedy sketches and songs. $22. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.
Dec. 6,13,14: Babes in Toyland. Saturdays 2 p.m., Sunday 2:30 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Child $11, adults $13. Call 458-8181. Dec. 7: Jam4Sam. 5-9 p.m. Workplay, 500 23rd St. S. Enjoy live music and raise money to combat childhood cancer. $20 presale and $25 at the door. Dinner included. Visitbhamjcc.org.
Dec. 7: Answer to Cancer. 4-8 p.m. Regions Field. Kayla Perry to celebrate #100ways100days campaign. For more information, visit openhandsoverflowinghearts.org.
Dec. 12: The Howlin’ Brothers. Dec. 18: A Celtic Christmas: Jil Chambliss, Don Penzien and Ed Miller. $15. Dec. 22: Open Mic Night. $5. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve in Bermuda with The Beatlads. $20. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise stated.
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