Hoover Sun June 2015 by Starnes Media

Sun Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

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Volume 3 | Issue 9 | June 2015

Coast to coast

The creativity of Alabama artisans will be showcased at the annual Art in the Gardens, June 13 and 14.

See page A18

Spring signings

Hoover and Spain Park High School athletes recently signed with colleges and universities. See details inside.

See page B9

INSIDE City ........................A6 Business ..............A10 Food ......................A12 Community .........A16

Git Guide ...............B6 Sports ...................B7 Real Estate .........B12 Calendar ...............B13

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Hoover cyclist prepares for 3,000 mile endurance race By KATIE TURPEN For many people, taking a road trip across the country means four wheels, several weeks and plenty of pit stops. Local resident Brian Toone just needs two wheels and around eight days to make the trek.

Avid cyclist Brian Toone has spent months training for his first Race Across America. Photo by Keith McCoy.

“Adventure, racing, freedom — riding a bike has always been these things for me,” Toone said. On June 16, Toone will participate in Race Across America, recognized as the world’s toughest endurance bicycle race. The race is 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California, to

Annapolis, Maryland. It is open to solo racers as well as teams and has attracted competitors from 35 countries. 2015 is the race’s 34th year, making it one of America’s longest continuously running cycling events.

See CYCLING | page A23

A new era Hoover welcomes Dr. Kathy Murphy as new superintendent By ROY L. WILLIAMS Dr. Kathy Murphy, the new head of Hoover City Schools, found out that she had been offered the job as she was driving back home to Monroeville. She was returning from an interview as a finalist for the Dothan City Schools superintendent’s job.

See SUPERINTENDENT | page A23

Dr. Kathy Murphy starts her term as superintendent of Hoover City Schools on June 1. Photo by Keith McCoy.

A2 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

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June 2015 • A3

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A4 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

About Us Photo of the Month

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Prince of Peace School’s third, fourth and fifth-graders got a birds-eye view of some Alabama wildlife recently when the Alabama Wildlife Center brought some of their resident “ambassadors” to the Hoover campus. Photo courtesy of Jill Spero.

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden Many moons ago, I learned door open for us only to that my “love language” – the have me politely decline). third of five identified in Gary But for whatever reason, Chapman’s book – is unequivhe’s effusive about his ocally and clearly, words of gladness over these very affirmation. simple gestures. While the other four lanIt cracks me up and guages, quality time, acts of charms my heart and makes me sad all at the service, gifts and physical touch have their own special same time for its fleeting meaning in my life, what innocence. really means the most to I like him and I love Walden me is a sincere, thoughtfully him right back. expressed remark. I also know there will come a time One of the sagest pieces of advice I’ve when the seemingly simple lines of like ever received falls along these same lines and love are blurred in a way that leaves – say what you mean. him hurt and confused. If we’re doing I can sniff out the angle behind a our jobs as parents right, that emotion “compliment” faster than you can say will first be directed squarely at his dad “phony.” and me. But eventually, it’ll be this weird But a genuine word of appreciation, and wonderful world that leaves him especially one that reflects observation blindsided and bewildered, just as it’s and forethought, that can fill me up for done to every other adult in the history days on end. of all people. Lately, whenever I do something When that happens, my prayer is that “mom-like” for my son, he’s taken to he learns far earlier than I did to feed that uttering the phrase, “Hey Mom! I like love language with Scripture – the most you, and I love you.” Not that I’ve done affirming words ever written. anything grander than open up a package Although I was raised in the church, of fruit snacks upside down (the way he managing my love language in this likes them) or let him use my keycard to way has never been second nature. open the preschool door (apologies to all As a result, the “highs” I experience the nice moms and dads who’ve held the from worldly words of affirmation are

Sun Publisher : Creative Director : Graphic Designer: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: News Editor: Community Reporter: Editorial Assistant: Contributing Writers:

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Emily VanderMey Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Sydney Cromwell Roy L. Williams Madison Miller Leah Ingram Eagle Marienne Thomas Ogle Advertising Manager : Matthew Allen Sales and Distribution : Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Rhonda Smith Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Published by : Hoover Sun LLC

ephemeral at best. Their common thread is personal validation. I matter. I am relevant. I bring value and worth to what is around me. But I don’t feel it in my bones unless I dust off my NIV bible, the navy one with the leather cover and my name monogrammed in the bottom right hand corner, and I actually read. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 It stands out to me because it is the very essence of verbal affirmation. I matter. I am relevant. I bring value and worth to what is around me. And so do you. Take this time, the month when Vacation Bible Schools abound and time slowly lulls down into a laid back summer pace, to feed your spirit and that of your children, with the words of affirmation that matter most. Be blessed,

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

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June 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ A5

A6 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

City Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey

Summertime is here and we hope everyone is enjoying it. We had a tremendous success with our SEC Baseball Tournament that took place in May. For many years, the top baseball teams from the Western and Eastern Divisions have met at the Hoover Met with tremendous crowds to watch America’s favorite pastime…baseball. We are looking forward to another great tournament in 2016. We were very excited that in mid-May Hoover’s first Medical West freestanding emergency department located on Highway 150 and 1-459 opened its doors. The location and accessibility of the facility can make all the difference to residents and those traveling in and through Hoover. This is a tremendous asset to our community. For the third year in a row, the City of Hoover will be hosting Freedom Fest on the Fourth of July at the Hoover Met Stadium. This family friendly and free event will start at 5 p.m. with a car show followed by live entertainment by Spain Park graduate Jessie Pitts as well as Native Run. The evening closes out with a magnificent fireworks show at 9 p.m. Don’t forget we have plenty of free parking as well and easy access in and out of The Met. For additional details

Council president speaks out against 1-cent sales tax reallocation bill By ROY L. WILLIAMS

Gary Ivey

about the event you can visit our website at hooveralabama.org. or call 444-7500. Hoover has something for all ages. Please don’t hesitate to call our office if we can assist you. Our staff will continue to work hard to exceed your expectations. Sincerely,

Gary Ivey Mayor

During his presentation, Petelos told the school board that refinancing Hoover City Council President Jack the debt would generate $65 million Wright says a bill reallocating money a year, allowing the county to resume from a 1-cent sales tax that was origmany services that were cut after the inally supposed to be used to pay off Jefferson County occupational tax was bonds issued to build new schools is eliminated. unfair to the City of Hoover. Petelos said Hoover city schools Wright, during the May 18 counwould receive $2.4 million annually cil meeting, expressed displeasure at from the reallocaton plan and other the bill, which on May 5 was overschool systems across Jefferson whelmingly approved by members County would receive money based of the Jefferson County delegation on student size. During that meeting, and later the full Alabama House of Hoover School Board Member Craig Representatives. Kelley spoke out against the plan, Jefferson County senate delegation Council President Jack Wright. saying Hoover wouldn’t receive its fair approved the plan on May 19. As of share based on the sales tax revenue press time, the bill had not gone before generated by the city. the full senate. Check hooversun.com for updates. In an interview after the meeting, Wright agreed with Under the plan, the $560 million left to be repaid from Kelley. the $1 billion in bonds used to finance $1 billion in new “If you like your sewer and water bill, you’ll love school construction across Jefferson County would this,” he said. “They (county commissioner) said it (the instead be refinanced over 30 years. The debt was orig- tax) was going to sunset, then sunset it. Same song, inally earmarked to pay off the remaining in 14 years. second verse.” Wright claimed the City of Hoover generates $20 Petelos said Hoover would reap benefits from the million from the 1-cent sales tax in Jefferson County, bill. Jefferson County would be able to resume road but would only get $2.4 million. improvements cut off after the county lost the tax, he “They are taking $20 million from us and only going said. Petelos, who was joined at the meeting by several to give us $2.4 million - I’m not excited about it,” Wright members of the Jefferson County delegation, including said. State Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia, and State Rep. Asked about it after the meeting, Hoover Mayor Gary David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook. Ivey said he is not familiar with Wright’s figures, and He said the Jefferson County bankruptcy and loss of deferred questions to the council president. the occupational tax has hampered the county, and this The issue came up near the end of the meeting, when bill would be a major boost for the entire county. In Hoover resident Dan Fulton, a retired teacher, told the addition to paying down the debt, the reallocation plan council about a May 11 appearance before the Hoover would generate needed revenue for the Birmingham Zoo, Board of Education by Jefferson County Manager Tony mass transit and other services for citizens of Hoover and Petelos, a former Hoover Mayor. other areas, Petelos said.

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A7

Dr. Larry Lemak speaks at Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast

my Dad did was care. Now he deserves the same. my house. Every day of my life, my father showed how much he Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen for my Dad. Somerby provides help with the activities of daily living, and all the comforts and care he needs to live as independently as possible. Now our time together is all quality time — and Dad still has that spark in his eye.” At Somerby, we inspire and nurture successful aging among our residents each and every day in a warm and caring environment with an emphasis on wellness. Call 1-888-214-6487 today for more information or to schedule your personal visit.

Dr. Larry Lemak greets guests at the Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Photos by Keith McCoy.

By ROY L. WILLIAMS Birmingham’s Dr. Larry Lemak has built his name as a world-renowned sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon, operating on thousands of patients from well-known athletes to regular citizens. But Lemak says his public battle with throat cancer has made him an even better doctor as he got to experience up close the best in medical care from the other side: as a patient. “In my journey, I learned how to be a better doctor,” Lemak told a packed audience at the Hyatt Regency The Wynfrey Hotel during his keynote address in May at the 33rd Annual Hoover Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. His speech at the event, sponsored by the Hoover Beautification Board, resonated with the audience, including Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey and emcee ABC 33/40 anchor Brenda Ladun, both cancer survivors. Lemak is founder of Lemak Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, which specializes in sports medicine and knee replacement. He talked of being “stunned” two years ago upon being diagnosed with throat cancer. The most difficult part was telling his loved ones: his wife of nearly 50 years, Georgine, three children and grandchildren. He then informed his employees, and he credits his family, employees and friends with giving him encouragement, especially during difficult days of radiation treatments. “I had patients depending on me,” Lemak said. “People at my practice were wonderful. My son Matthew managed the practice and was a big help.” His cancer battle, Lemak said, gave him a chance to get “my affairs in order” as the disease is difficult to predict. He leaned heavily on

his faith in God. Being a public doctor, Lemak said he faced a quandary in how to deal with media calls as his cancer battle became public. He asked the media if he could craft his struggle in his own way and was “overwhelmed” by community support. “Life is extremely unpredictable,” Lemak said. “No one invites adversity like this in life. When faced with adversity, use it to find opportunities to help others.” Since enduring his throat cancer battle, Lemak has become an advocate for others, reaching out to cancer victims just as those going through it helped him cope. Lemak said he was blessed to be treated by a great team of cancer doctors at UAB. “They were so kind,” he said. “Here I am a doctor and I got to be on the other side. I got the best treatment possible.” Lemak said he underwent six weeks of care, including multiple radiation treatments a week. Throat cancer caused him to have to eat using a straw, mostly broth, and he credits his wife for strengthening his faith on tough days. “I came back with the ability to be a better doctor because of the key people who were with me throughout this, including my wife and my family,” Lemak said. His three friends who were throat cancer survivors “gave me hope,” he said. Lemak said he is not through with his struggle, but thanks to faith in God, great doctors and supportive friends and family, he is much better. He asked attendees at the prayer breakfast to pray for those battling cancer, including some in the room. “There is no substitute for the power of prayer,” Lemak said.

200 One Nineteen Boulevard Hoover, AL 35242 www.SomerbyatStVincents.com

Independent Living | Assisted Living Memory Care | Respite Care

FOR ALL YOU CAR ENTHUSIASTS

Join us on Saturday, June 27th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for our classic car show — here’s your chance to take a cruise down memory lane so call today to reserve your place! Hoover Fire Chief Chuck Wingate and other guests enjoyed the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Photos by Keith McCoy.

A8 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Medical West holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for freestanding ER By ROY L. WILLIAMS Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gave public tours in early May in Hoover for the first Freestanding Emergency Department (FED) in the state of Alabama.

The 24,342 square foot facility is located next to the new Sprouts near the intersection of Alabama 150 and Interstate 459 in Hoover. Hoover city and Medical West officials at the ribbon-cutting said the free-standing emergency department brings much-needed medical services to the growing Hoover area and could help save lives. Medical West is projecting between 12,000 and 15,000 emergency visits per year. “Medical West is excited to open the very first freestanding emergency department in Alabama right here in Hoover,” said Dr. William Ferniany, UAB Health System CEO and board chairman of Medical West. “It’s a home run for Medical West and Hoover... a facility that will make citizens feel safer, help recruit businesses by having sophisticated medical care close by, and without a doubt will save lives.” Keith Pennington, CEO and President of Medical West, said the facility will have 50 employees on staff, and will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “Medical West is excited to take the leadership role in being the first to offer this new service that will expand healthcare access to the growing Hoover community- the largest community in Alabama without acute healthcare services,” Pennington said. “I am so proud of our team of Alabama firms that helped turn this vision into a reality. We are thrilled to bring cutting edge emergency medicine to this area.” The project was a joint effort of the City of Hoover and several Birmingham-based

Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gave public tours in early May in Hoover for the first Freestanding Emergency Department (FED) in the state of Alabama. Photo by Roy Williams.

companies: Harbert Realty Services, developer of the FED; Medical Properties Trust, Inc. the owner and financier; Brasfield and Gorrie, the general contractor; and Sims Architectural Studio, Inc., the architect. The facility cost about $13.5 million and has 10 exam rooms, two trauma rooms, and a 21-bed emergency department. It will provide an array of medical services, including X-ray, general and vascular ultrasound, EKG and laboratory services. Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said the city is proud to be home of Alabama’s first freestanding emergency department, and excited that Brookwood Medical Center will soon break ground on another Freestanding Emergency Department on U.S. 280. “This will truly save lives. We will never be

able to quantify how many, but it’s huge for our city,” Ivey said. “The whole building is beautiful and well planned out,” he added, specifically mentioning a helipad in the back of the facility allowing Medical West to easily transport victims needing urgent care to other Birmingham area hospitals. Medical West officials said the Freestanding Emergency Department will offer the same quality of service provided by its existing emergency room and emergency physicians in Bessemer, including convenient outpatient diagnostic services. “The FED is staffed with board-certified emergency physicians and nurses,” said Monty Gooch, RN, Director of the Medical West FED. “We have state of the art CT scanning, ultrasound and digital X-ray, as well as a full-service lab- all

provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to meet the needs of the community. We are able to stabilize and arrange transport to more definitive care, should the need arise.” Harbert Realty Services, the developer of the project, has successfully developed a number of medical facilities for clients and its own portfolio. “We are very pleased to be working with such great partners as Medical West, Medical Properties Trust, Brasfield & Gorrie and SAS on this project, said Norman Tynes, executive vice president at Harbert Realty Services. “As the first Freestanding Emergency Department for the state of Alabama, this development is a trendsetter for the region, and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A9

Residents advocate ride-share programs to state committee By SYDNEY CROMWELL AND KATIE TURPEN While Will Lochamy was working in San Francisco several years ago, a fellow employee advised him to download the Uber app. He said he was blown away. Founded in 2009, Uber allows users to submit a driver request, which is then sent to Uber drivers in the area. Users can track how far away the Uber driver is through a map within the app. Lochamy said despite many negative perceptions, he’s had nothing but positive experiences using the service. “[If there are] too many negative ratings for them, they’re no longer a driver. Too many for me, they won’t pick me up. I like that. I like accountability,” he said of Uber drivers. Lochamy, a Bluff Park resident, feels so strongly about the service that he traveled to Montgomery to support a state bill that would make it easier for Uber, Lyft and other ride-share programs to operate in the state. State House Bill 509, sponsored by Alabama Rep. Jack Williams, would allow transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber to operate throughout the state under the supervision of the state’s Public Service Commission. Currently, taxis and other paid travel services are regulated by their cities. Hoover council member John Lyda traveled to Montgomery on April 29

The Uber app allows users to submit a driver request and track how far away the driver is through a map within the app. Photo by Keith McCoy.

to share his support for the bill as well. Lyda said cities like Hoover could pass their own ordinances about TNCs, but it would be difficult to coordinate these ordinances so that these companies could operate across city lines. He pointed out that there are 37 distinct municipalities in Jefferson County alone. “I think it’s something that the

Birmingham metro area is starving for,” Lyda said. This was Lyda’s first time speaking in front of a state legislative committee, and he noted there were passionate speakers on both sides of the issue. One of his main points to the committee was that Birmingham has a relative lack of sidewalks and public transit connecting the city and

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Day after day of being miserable, irritable, and looking a lot older than you really are. The frustration of knowing that your friends and family don’t understand what you’re going through. Add this to doctors’ visits, MRI’s and CT scans -which only come back with “normal” results. And that’s not all… trying one medication after another, feeling like you’re on a merry-go-round of drugs. All this is enough to make anyone want to scream! Drs. Latanya Montgomery and Sheri NeSmith, have been helping patients with neck tension, headaches and migraines live pain free for years now. Every week I hear how women suffer from severe

headaches – statements like… •“I feel like my head is in a vice.” •“My eyes hurt and I feel so drowsy.” •“I have to lay down.” •“I’ve had migraines since childhood.” •“Muscle tension in the neck and pain into the shoulders.” “I only wished I had found you sooner”

I hear this so often, I decided to do something about it and run this ad. I’m running a special 20-day offer for those suffering with headaches. Until June 30, $27 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $127 for! Just call before June 30 and here’s what you’ll get… An in-depth consultation about your headaches where I will listen…really listen… to the details of your unique

surrounding areas. “I tried to communicate that the Birmingham metro area will never top the list of America’s most walkable cities,” Lyda said. “We rely heavily on for-hire transportation.” Lyda described himself as a “dedicated Uber user” when he travels outside the state. If House Bill 509 receives a favorable vote, the bill will

be brought before the Alabama House of Representatives, and Lyda said he would like to see the bill passed during the current legislative session. Over the past several years, there have been public discussions about the restrictions preventing ride-sharing programs like Uber from entering the Birmingham market. In July 2014, the Birmingham City Council passed a vote approving a revised transit code, which included provisions for ride sharing program. Councilors cited quality and safety as concerns when it comes to these transportations services. Lochamy says he can’t imagine living anywhere but Bluff Park, but when it comes to traveling outside of the neighborhood to downtown Birmingham, he’s had some difficulties with public transportation. “It’s not like there aren’t good options out there,” Lochamy said. “They just aren’t available to us. In fact, we are the only state in the South that doesn’t have ride-sharing.” He hopes that State House Bill 509 will pass and believes it could help connect the suburbs with the downtown area. “I want to live the suburban life but safely play in the big city,” he said. “If and when it’s passed, it will save lives and at the very least, make our community more convenient and inviting to visitors.”

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situation. A complete neuromuscular and skeletal examination of the head and neck so we can find the problem. A thorough analysis of your exam findings where we’ll map out how you can get rid of your headaches once and for all. A special report complimenting your recommendations that reveals the foods you should never, ever eat when suffering from chronic headaches. Imagine being able to live life like a normal person again, pain free and without headaches -- being able to play with your kids, enjoy time with friends, and not have to worry that your headache will hit you at just the wrong time. Call today. I may be able to help you live a normal, pain-free life again. Call 205-874-9790

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A10 • June 2015

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HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A11

Now Open

965-1902, backyardcreationsal.com

Faith n’ Moore’s Alterations and Redesign, 1717 Montgomery Highway, Suite 105, is now open. 572-8428

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen is now open in the Riverchase Galleria food court, 2000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 162G. 290-5516, villafreshitaliankitchen.com

Let’s Play Children’s Indoor Playcenter will be opening in June at 5025 Highway 280, Suite 102, in the space formerly occupied by Party City. The facility is an indoor soft play facility for children ages 0-12. 590-5866, letsplayparty.com

Coming Soon

The Spot @ Sunoco Hoover gas and convenience store is now open at 1537 Montgomery Highway. Owner Kelli Caulfield has reopened the store after it was closed for several months when a previous owner went out of business. She also owns NOLA Ice, a mobile New Orleans Sno-Ball vendor that operates out of the same location. 874-9037, gosunoco.com

Riviera Nails & Spa will be opening soon in The Crossings of Hoover development, 5180 Medford Drive, Suite 104. No opening date has been announced.

Blu Spero, a women’s clothing boutique, is now open in the Riverchase Galleria, 2000 Riverchase Galleria. The Hoover location is one of the company’s first two locations, the other being in Gainesville, Florida, with several more planned in the Southeast. 518-0889, bluspero.com

Jimmy John’s is now open in The Crossings of Hoover development, 5250 Medford Drive, Suite 102. 985-2000, jimmyjohns.com

Starbucks is now open in The Crossings of Hoover development, 5180 Medford Drive, Suite 108. 504-4196, starbucks.com

Backyard Creations has opened a showroom at 2304 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 102. The company specializes in building pools, spa installation, and much more.

Phenix Salon Suites, 1713 Montgomery Highway, Suite 109, will open soon and is now leasing space to hairstylists. 422-5661, phenixsalonsuites.com

Birmingham Academy of Dance will open in July at 5033 Highway 280, Suite C1, in front of the Inverness Heights Shopping Center. The studio is owned by Autumn Blais and will offer instruction in more than 35 types of classes covering all dance genres. 518-0933, badance280.com

News and Accomplishments Bryant Moore, sales manager and a financial advisor for the Birmingham office of Ashford Advisors, 3100 Lorna Road, Suite 106, recently earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designation from The American College. Earning the designation requires a candidate to complete a minimum of eight courses and 16 hours of supervised exams, while fulfilling stringent experience and ethics requirements. 623-2111, ashfordadvisors.net

Andy’s Market and Nursery, 124 Mars Hill Road, is now carrying Bare Naked Noodles’ sauces and dry pastas. The

pasta company is based in Hoover as well. 402-2639, andysgardencenter.com Aliant Bank has been rebranded as USAmeriBank. The bank has a location in Hoover at 1100 Corporate Parkway. 408-2000, usameribank.com

Lazenby’s Decorative Arts Studio, inside Artists on the Bluff at 571 Park Ave., was the Southern Regional award winner in the Residential category for American Painting Contractor magazine’s annual Top Job Awards. This is the sixth consecutive year they have been recognized in this competition. 281-5273, lazenbydecorativeart.com

Odyssey Early School at Trace Crossings, 401 Emery Drive, presented a check for $13,040 to Camp SmileA-Mile on May 7. The money was collected through donations from families whose children attend the school. 988-8829, odysseyearlyschool.com

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Anniversaries The Cajun Cleaver, a specialty butcher shop at 2341 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 101, celebrated six years in business last month. 444-0696, thecajuncleaver.com

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A12 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

New ways to get your grub on Four restaurants joining Hoover cuisine Sam Hess, left, and his son, Alex Lavigne have opened Jet’s Pizza at 4730 Chace Circle in Hoover. Photos by Roy L. Williams.

By ROY L. WILLIAMS When it comes to Hoover, there is no shortage of places to find a good meal. From the busy 280 Corridor to U.S. 31 and Alabama 150, it seems every month new restaurants are moving into Alabama’s fastest-growing city. In May alone, two eateries – Rock n Roll Sushi and Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza – opened in the Patton Creek

shopping center behind the Riverchase Galleria. Less than a mile away, Jet’s Pizza opened its first metro Birmingham franchise at 4730 Chace Circle. Another restaurant, a meat and three called Relish Cafe, will be opening inside Hoover Tactical and Firearms by mid-summer. And more are on the way. Hoover chamber and city officials credit the combination of a business-friendly government environment

and quality of life as a main factor in the new restaurants opening in Hoover. “The fact that new businesses, specifically restaurants, are continually seeking to locate in Hoover speaks very positively for our local economy,” said Hoover City Councilman John Lyda. “Many restaurants new to the state have chosen Hoover as their first Alabama home which is such a compliment to our community.” Here is a look at the four new

Now Rockin in Hoover

Wide variety of Sushi

Off

$25 or more

Expires 6-31-15. Not valid with other offers.

4441 Creekside Ave, Suite 133 | Patton Creek | 733.6600 Sun-Wed 11 am - 9 pm | Thurs-Sat 11 am - 10 pm

restaurants in Hoover

Jet’s Pizza

Owners: Sam Hess and Alex Lavigne Address: 4730 Chace Circle Website: jetspizza.com Hours of operation: Sun.-Thur. 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m. -11 p.m. As a teenager in Detroit, Alex

Lavigne learned the art of making pizzas while working at Jet’s Pizza, a popular regional pizza chain based in the city. He continued to work for Jet’s while attending college at Central Michigan University and upon graduation, Lavigne managed a Jet’s restaurant in Nashville. Now, at age 26, Lavigne has become a business owner for the first time, operating a Jet’s Pizza at 4730

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A13

Victoria Dinges, owner of Relish 205 catering, will open Relish Cafe inside Hoover Tactical and Firearms on Montgomery Highway by mid-summer.

Chace Circle in Hoover next to Jimmy John’s. Lavigne’s father, Sam Hess, is his business partner with Pizza Family LLC, an entity that both hope will eventually operate several Jet’s Pizza locations across metro Birmingham. “We picked Hoover because it’s a great pizza market, very family-oriented,” Lavigne said. “Plus this is a great location.” In operation only since April 28, Lavigne and Hess said they are getting lots of repeat business through word of mouth despite the absence of advertising. Reaction has been extremely positive,” Hess said. “We’ve had some people come back two or three times a week.” This is the first Jet’s Pizza in metro Birmingham. The chain was founded in Detroit in 1978 and began franchising in the early 1990s, Lavigne said. Currently, there are 350 Jet’s Pizza restaurants across the nation. Hess said his son Alex will run the business, while he stays behind the scenes handling paperwork. “Alex has a degree in entrepreneurship and has a great business mind,” Hess said. “We hope to open more locations here. We are glad to be able to provide jobs to young people.” Hess said Jet’s Pizza is best known for its signature deep pan pizzas. Its best sellers are pepperoni and chicken barbecue deep pan pizzas. Jet’s sells four styles of pizza - deep dish, New York-style, hand-tossed pizzas and thin crust. Besides pizzas, Jet’s Pizza sells sub sandwiches, salads and chicken wings. “Our dough and pizza sauce are made fresh daily using 100 percent fresh ingredients,” Hess said.

Relish Cafe Owners: Victoria Dinges and Michael Dinges Address: 1561 Montgomery Highway Hoover, AL 35216 Phone: 612-9135 Webiste: relish205.com Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sundays 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For years, Victoria Dinges and her husband Michael have built a loyal following through their catering business, Relish 205. Now the Dinges are opening their first restaurant venture, Relish Cafe, inside Hoover Tactical & Firearms at 1561 Montgomery Highway. Victoria had hoped to be open already now, but she said due to delays the cafe won’t begin serving clients until possibly mid summer. “We continue to get lots of inquiries from callers,” Victoria said. “People are obviously excited about what we’re doing.” She has been in the restaurant business for six years as a line cook at Daniel George and as pastry chef at DoDiYo’s. Michael has been a cook at The Club and fine-dining restaurants Bottega and Daniel George.

Besides operating the restaurant inside Hoover Tactical and Firearms, Relish 205 will continue the catering business it is known for. The company specializes in catering for corporate functions, businesses and private chef services for individuals. Victoria Dinges said the location inside Hoover Tactical will enable she and her husband to go after a broader audience as it will specialize in “meat and three” menu items. “Our catering is mostly fine-dining but I wasn’t sure we could pull that off here,” Dinges said. “Here we will be more casual – meat and three, fish, chicken, a little bit of everything. We will be seasonal and change the menu often.” Dinges said she and her husband had been seeking a location for a restaurant and was intrigued by the opportunity to lease space inside Hoover Tactical & Firearms. “The kitchen here is huge and perfect for us,” Dinges said. “I think the cafe will work well together with their business.”

Rock N Roll Sushi Owners: Ryan Hallmark and Lance Hallmark Address: 4441 Creekside Ave., Suite 133 Phone 733-6600 Website: rhrsushi.com Hours of operation: Sun.-Wed. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Thur.-Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. With a name like Rock N Roll Sushi, you know exactly what to expect when you walk into this restaurant located near Baumhauer’s restaurant in Patton Creek. And owners Ryan Hallmark of Birmingham and his brother, Lance Hallmark of Mobile, don’t disappoint. Inside the restaurant, which had a soft opening in early May, pictures of classic rock bands such as Kiss and AC/DC adorn the wall, along with electric guitars. The menus are even more original - old rock album covers. Ryan said he and his brother opened their first Rock N Roll Sushi in Mobile in November 2010, and they soon added another one near Mobile and another in Saraland. The Patton Creek Rock N Roll Sushi is their fifth location. They entered the Birmingham market in September 2011 with a Rock N Roll Sushi located in Trussville’s Pinnacle Square shopping center near the Best Buy store. A sixth location will open in June on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, Hallmark said. Lance came up with the concept after working at a Hard Rock Cafe in Biloxi, Miss. Ryan, who was working as a helicopter lifesavers pilot, joined his brother and said the ride has been great so far. “It has been successful in Trussville and we decided to expand. We studied the demographics of Hoover and knew it would be a good fit,” Hallmark said. “We’ve only been open a

Continued on next page

A14 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Rock N Roll Sushi Manager Dalton Reaves, left, holds a Flying Dagger Roll and Tommy Lee Roll, while co-owner Ryan Hallmark holds a Led Zeppelin Roll.

couple of weeks and already have over 150 likes on Facebook.” Hallmark said he and his brother had fun coming up with their menu names. The appetizers are called Opening Acts. The Classic Rock menu includes the Led Zeppelin, a soft shell crab with MJ toppings, mango salad and eel sauce. The main entrees are called Headliners and feature such offerings as Elviz Rolls – tempura shrimp, cream cheese and whole rolls deep fried and topped with seasoned crawfish – and M’Donna Rolls – spicy-seasoned crawfish roll topped with crab, spicy mayo and hot chili sauce. Other Headliners include the Metallica Roll, Poison Roll, Def Leppard Roll and AC/DC Roll.

As you eat, rock music entertains diners from the speakers. Ryan said even folks skeptical of sushi have become fans. “We have won over a lot of skeptics,” he said. “Rock N Roll Sushi appeals to everyone, young and old. We offer high energy, good food in a casual atmosphere.”

Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza Owner/operators: Justin Allgood, Russell Pate and Courtney Mason Address: 181 Main Street, Suite 241 Phone: 989-0091 Website: brixxpizza.com Hours of Operation: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. - 1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Justin Allgood made the move from

From left Crystal Allgood, holding a Rustica pizza; co-owner Justin Allgood, holding a Chicken Florentine pizza; and manager Jason Dobnikar, holding a Greek veggie pizza.

Athens, Georgia to the Birmingham area to work as a business consultant for two Zaxby’s chicken restaurant operators. Now, Allgood has joined those two Zaxby’s Franchising, Russell Pate and Courtney Mason, to branch out into pizza. The trio, operating as Rolling Dough Hoover, opened Brixx Wood-fired Pizza in the Patton Creek shopping center in mid-April. The restaurant is located on Main Street next to Moe’s Barbecue. It’s the first Alabama location for Brixx, a North Carolina-based pizza chain started in 1998 that has 30 restaurants across the country. Allgood said his transition from Zaxby’s to running a pizza restaurant has been smooth so far. “Its such a great concept – there

is something for everybody, even gluten-free pizzas with whole wheat crusts,” Allgood said. “Our pizzas are cooked on a stone oven at 650 to 750 degrees, and are ready in four minutes. They are all thin crust, 10-inch pizzas.” Allgood said the wood-fired oven gives Brixx pizzas a tasty, unique flavor. “They aren’t your traditional, Italian pizzas,” he said. Besides pizzas, Brixx sells pastas, salads and sandwiches, all made in-house fresh daily. Brixx does dine in and take out only, no deliveries. Allgood said business has been good, especially among patrons of local shops and the Patton Creek movie theater nearby. Brixx has seen a combination of families, individuals and professional

patrons. For children, there is a chalkboard allowing kids to draw while waiting on the pizza. The restaurant also carries 24 craft beers, including many made by local brewers such as Good People Brewery. Monday is $2.50 craft beer day and bottles of wine are half-price on Sundays, Allgood said. Their buy one, get one free pizza and appetizer special – after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursdays and after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays – has been especially popular, Allgood said. “This is the first Brixx in Alabama but business has been so good we have plans to open more,” Allgood said.

hooversun.com

June 2015 • A15

Ready to fly again Model Box 2.0 opens its doors By SYDNEY CROMWELL Jeremy Hartmann spent 11 months building a glider plane entirely from scratch. The finished product had a 26-foot wingspan and two miniature pilots designed to look like him and his son, down to the Alabama logo on Ben’s hat. In a single night, that plane was reduced to charred wood and melted glue when Hartmann’s store, The Model Box, caught fire. “It was a great month before [the fire] last year. I won best in show with a car, I won best in show with a plane, and then we had the fire and everything stopped,” Hartmann said. The Model Box originally opened in 1988 and has been in its current location, 1921 Hoover Court, since 2008. On June 8, 2014, a TV short-circuited and caught fire in the store. Hartmann’s glider was scorched, but lucky to survive. Several models, including a plane that had just been finished that day, were ruined. “It had just had its first flight and I mean, nothing left. It was total ashes,” Hartmann said. The Hartmanns had started the hobby shop a year after their marriage and raised their children there. Between the damage from heat, smoke and fire department hoses, they were faced with starting over from scratch.

Jeremy and Janet Hartmann stand next to a burned glider that survived the June 2014 fire at The Model Box. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Originally, the Hartmanns expected to reopen The Model Box in four to six weeks. The restoration process ended up lasting a year. To make up for lost customers, Jeremy traveled to model shows around the country and

did occasional projects, and Janet ran weekend sidewalk sales to get rid of damaged but usable kits. Finally, the Hartmanns are putting stock on the shelves to reopen the store, renamed The Model Box 2.0, which was set to

re-open at the end of May at the time of press. “That brings us right to the 12-month period. But it’s got to be done right. I’m not going to open if it’s halfway,” Jeremy said.

The store will have the same variety of models from $2 gliders to $1,500 kits. The products will include simple snap-together models and more complex kits, remote-controlled cars and boats, “quadcopters,” kites and rockets. Janet said their store sees customers from 4 years old to 80 years old. “We have people that came as kids there [at the first store] that will bring their kids in here,” Janet said. “It’s just so good to see that they’re trying to get their kids into it as well.” Janet said she’s looking forward to being in the shop again on the weekends and in the evenings. Jeremy flies planes with customers on Sundays and frequently stays after hours to continue working on his models. “I miss getting to come see the customers and being in the shop,” Janet said. Jeremy typically works on one major project like the glider every year. The store will have a counter and barstools near the back for customers to watch him at work. The first project will be restoring the wings from the burned glider and building a new fuselage for them. The rest of the burned glider will be hung in the store as a reminder of the fire. For more information, visit The Model Box 2.0 on Facebook.

A16 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Community Remembering Meredith Maddox Aubie 5K to honor former HHS track coach

Hot Rod Power Tour coming to Hoover Met Go online for more.

By KATIE TURPEN This month’s Aubie 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run hosted by the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club (GBAC) at Veterans Park will honor former Hoover High School track coach Meredith Maddox. Maddox passed away in March after a long battle with health issues. She graduated from Briarwood Christian School and received a Bachelor of Science degree at Samford University. She had worked as a track and field coach for Hoover High School for the past 11 years and started her own handmade jewelry company named Designs by LIFE. Maddox was the daughter of Elon and Pam Maddox. Elon is the current president of the GBAC. The Aubie 5K will be held on Saturday, June 13, at Veterans Park. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the 1-mile fun run at 9 a.m. Overall male and female awards will be given as well as awards based on age categories. The proceeds of this event will go to support the academic scholarship endowments of the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club. The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club is an affiliated organization of the Auburn Alumni Association that represents the Jefferson and Shelby county area. The club is organized to support academic scholarships for area students. Currently, the club has seven endowed scholarships totaling $500,000 at

Jeff Dahlin with Hot Rod Magazine speaks at a special preview event at the Hoover Met for the 2015 Hot Rod Power Tour. Photo by Katie Turpen.

By KATIE TURPEN This month’s Aubie 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run hosted by the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club (GBAC) at Veteran’s Park will honor former Hoover High School track coach Meredith Maddox. Photos courtesy of Greater Birmingham Auburn Club.

Auburn University. The club raises funds by hosting numerous Auburn-related events throughout the year. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the race at thegbac.org/2015-aubie-5k. Questions about the race or opportunities to sponsor can be directed to Race Director Jason L. Bryant at (256) 572-2579 or pastpresident@thegbac.org.

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Jeff Dahlin of Hot Rod Magazine stopped by Hoover in May to announce the upcoming 2015 Hot Rod Power Tour, which will take place at the Hoover Met on Wednesday, June 10. Considered the “world’s largest road trip,” the 21st running of the Hot Rod Power Tour returns with a seven-day, seven-city journey, traveling more than 1,500 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 6-12. The tour welcomes all makes and models of hot rods, street rods, custom trucks, muscle cars and performance machines of every vintage and nameplate.

“The most unique thing about it is the size of it,” said Dahlin, the magazine’s publisher. “We are going to have close to 4,000 cars here.” Dahlin said the event will feature a variety of cool features, such as a dynamometer or “dyno” for short, which is a device for measuring a car’s power. He added that the tour is also open to all types of cars. “We don’t put limits on types of cars, we are all inclusive,” said Dahlin. “We have more variety than other car shows.” Spectators attend the event for free and walk in. Those wishing to bring a car into the tour grounds must register. For more, visit hotrod.com.

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A17

Local Girl Scouts conquer high ropes zip line

Girl Scouts Troop 30117 from the Hoover Valley Service Unit conquered the high ropes zip line at Kanawahala Program Center in Chelsea in April. The girls camped in tents and participated in archery, canoes and outdoor cooking. Pictured are back row: Emily Marron, Ella Reed, Iggy Hill, Avery DeBerry, Jane Bae, Cecilia Daigle. Front row: Mimi Batten, Allie Stafford, Jamese Melton, Ariel Johnson, Erin Simmons and Lydia Burn.

Celebrations Heard-Stocks Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Heard of Hoover announce with pleasure the engagement of their daughter, Jami Lauren Heard, to William Stewart Stocks, son of Scotty and Stacey Stocks, also of Hoover. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Jane Hodges Beard of Cumming, Georgia, and the late Roland and Carolyn Heard of Athens, Georgia. Miss Heard graduated from Spain Park High School and will graduate from Auburn University in May with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently seeking employment as a teacher in Cobb County, Georgia. The prospective groom is the grandson of David and Donna Henry and Sam and Peggy Stocks, all of Hoover, Alabama. Mr. Stocks graduated from Hoover High School and will graduate from Auburn University in May with a degree in Civil Engineering. He will be employed by Brasfield & Gorrie in Kennesaw, Georgia. The wedding will take place on June 13 at First Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama.

Davis-Hinson Mr and Mrs. Thomas J. Davis of Hoover are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Kathleen Theresa Davis to Alex Michael Hinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Hinson of Homewood. The bride is the granddaughter of Theresa Davis and the late Joseph A. Davis of Hoover and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michael Kenny Jr. of Winter Haven, Florida. Miss Davis graduated from Hoover High School and Flagler College with a degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts and Advertising. The groom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ray Hinson of Andalusia and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Luke Stephens Sr. of Mobile. Mr. Hinson graduated from Homewood High School and the University of Alabama with a degree in Music and Business. The wedding will be held on August 8 at Aldridge Gardens.

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

A18 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Explore art in the gardens By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE The creativity of Alabama artisans surrounded by the natural beauty of the outdoors – all of that can be yours at Aldridge Garden’s annual Art in the Gardens, June 13 and 14. More than 3,000 visitors are expected Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to view the work of more than 50 showcased artists for 2015, Jennifer Gowers, Aldridge Gardens art show project manager, said. “Not only is this a beautiful setting for fine art, our artists are all based in Alabama,” she said. According to Gowers, the art will range from watercolor and oil paintings to pottery to woodworking. “One artist, Kennen Spivey of Vestavia, transforms railroad spikes into knives, jewelry and sculpture and will forge onsite,” Gowers said. “He is amazing.” The show is juried and the panel includes art professors and gallery owners, Gowers said. The categories judged are clay, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, paint, photography, print making, sculpture and woodworking. This is Art in the Garden’s 13th year and Debra Riffe’s 10th to participate. A resident of Shelby County and a graphic designer for the City of Birmingham for 16 years, Riffe’s specialty is linocuts, or linoleum block relief prints. After sketching a design, Riffe puts carbon paper between it and linoleum to retrace it on the block for carving, which has to be done in reverse. The remainder is inked and, with her chosen material, rolled through a press. Riffe said her subjects tend to be “anything and everything Southern” and features African-Americans performing routine tasks. “It could be blues guitar players or a group of kids playing tug of war,” Riffe said. “I always sketch what I know and I know the community.” Sherri Van Pelt creates kiln-formed glass and

Maurice Cook, whose folk art creations are in acrylic and oil, will make a return appearance as one of more than 50 artisans at Art in the Gardens, a juried show, June 13 and 14. Photos courtesy of Aldridge Gardens.

is new to Art in the Gardens this year. A 30-year resident of Hoover, Van Pelt recently retired from her position of vice president at Glenwood Center of Autism and Behavioral Health. She devotes most of her day to shaping bowls, platters, vases, art panels and sculptures in her home studio. The process includes handcutting glass and fusing it in her kiln at 1500 degrees F. Anything to be shaped goes back in at about 1200 degrees

F so it can “slump and morph.” Some pieces are fired four and five times and finished using water-cooled tools to prevent cracking, she said. “It’s messy, very messy. You’re going to get wet when you do this,” Van Pelt said. “But everything is on wheels in my studio in the basement where, my husband will tell you, he used to park his car.” Art in the Gardens patrons younger than age 16 are admitted free and those over 16 are

encouraged to make a five dollar donation. Visitors can view the art show but also explore the gardens and take advantage of the availability of vendor food for picnicking on the grounds, Gowers said. “Because our fees are so affordable and we don’t take a percentage of their sales, the artists find it an excellent – and beautiful – venue,” she said. “And those who come to shop will find purchases they won’t find anywhere else.”

HooverSun.com

June 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ A19

Summer

FUN Photo Contest

s in a jpeg format to o h p r u yo l ai m To enter, e rsun.com. to photos@hoove on. allowed per pers e ar s to o h p r u fo Only

n u F r e m m u S r e v o #Ho

ality must be high qu s to o h p g in n in W edit tion and photo cr p ca a e d u cl in d an

Winners will be announced in the September issue.

Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Hoover Sun wherever you are

Deadline is August 9, 2015

A20 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Jump into summer at Aldridge Gardens By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE Your child may be artsy, a junior Sherlock Holmes, have a favorite doll buddy or lean toward the mad scientist type. Regardless, he or she can find a niche at this month’s Aldridge Gardens Summer Camps. Audrey Ann Wilson, gardens education coordinator, said campers are once again “in for some really amazing times.” “Depending on which camp you’re in, you might build houses for gnomes or fairies in the Secret Fairy Garden, conduct experiments with ‘Bursting Baggies,’ play Duck, Duck, Squirt games, or go on scavenger hunts,” she said. The week-long camps, tailored for those entering kindergarten through the fourth grade, run 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday in June and are conducted by Alabama certified teachers, she said. According to Wilson, the camps are carefully formatted to make sure everyone — children, parents and staff — get the most from the experience. “We include same-age children into groups of no more than 20 per camp and activities change each year,” she said. “One of our most important assets is having carefully screened and teacher-recommended teen volunteers from nearby high schools, thus ensuring our campers individual attention.” Miller Rice, 6, a rising first grader at South Shades Crest Elementary, said he’s excited to be signed up for his second summer. “Last year I was in Space Camp and we went to the Fairy Gardens and made moon rocks and a moon with gray and white paint and a poster with

Entering 5K – second grade June 1 – 5 Painting, Pounding, Picking, Pressing June 8 – 12 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens June 15 – 19 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens June 15 – 19 Find Hidden Treasures June 22 – 26 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens SOLD OUT

Entering second – fourth grade June 1 – 5 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens June 1 – 5 Chemistry and Construction Kids June 8 – 12 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens June 8 – 12 Painting, Pounding, Picking, Pressing June 15 – 19 American Girls in Aldridge Gardens June 22 – 26 Chemistry and Construction Kids Teen volunteers assist the Aldridge Gardens Summer campers in creating personal projects such as birdfeeders. Photo courtesy of Aldridge Gardens.

planets and some stars,” Miller said. Miller signed up for Find Hidden Treasures at this year’s camp and an array of activities that could include cooking up snacks in a solar oven to fashioning a natural paintbrush to create his own work of art. Miller’s mom, Meredith Rice, said she couldn’t be more pleased with the gardens camps. “The week-long session is perfect and very affordable for the time and wonderful activities,” she said. Elizabeth Sharpe’s daughters, Cassidy and Reagan, both Prince of Peace Catholic School students, are also second year campers. “It’s so well run and the teachers

and volunteers are great,” Elizabeth Sharpe said. “Most importantly my children love it and when they’re happy, I’m happy.” The Sharpe sisters both took part in American Girls in Aldridge Gardens Camps last year and Cassidy also participated in Nature Sleuths, while Reagan took part in Critter Detectives. This year, Cassidy, 8, has signed up for the Painting, Pounding, Picking, Pressing Camp, in which she’ll use paints, fabrics, foliage and flowers to create unique projects inspired by the gardens. “I’m excited because I just love art,” Cassidy said. Reagan, 6, is returning to “her

June 22 – 26 Find Hidden Treasures

favorite,” American Girls Camp, this June. “Last year they made the dolls hot air balloons and had little easels and drew pictures,” Reagan said. “I know this summer will be fun, too.” Linda Cronican, a first grade teacher at Hoover’s Deer Valley Elementary School, will be in charge of some of that fun as she oversees two of the American Girls Camps for her second summer as a session leader. “The campers will bring their favorite dolls and we’ll build their own personal swimming pools and beach chairs,” she said. “We’ll also create original straw hats and scarves for everyone and top it all off with a Friday

tea party complete with homemade sandwiches and decorated cookies.” Cronican said she is so taken with the Aldridge Camp because it’s “based on what children are interested in these days.”. “Hikes around the lake, the Fairy Gardens, feeding the turtles, ducks and fish in the Lake House,” she said. “It’s a beautiful setting where the children are outdoors, having fun with friends and taking part in fascinating activities. This is wonderful, positive experience for everyone.” For more information on the camps and how to register, go to aldridgegardens.com.

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A21

A call to care for the fatherless 5K to raise awareness about orphans, adoption and foster care By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE On June 6, runners and joggers will have the opportunity to get some exercise while helping a “plus one” — one orphan, one foster child, one family or one church — at the Know More Orphans 5K. The third annual run will be 8 a.m. at Veterans Park, with a 6:30 a.m. registration and a family fun run at 9 a.m., Know More Orphans (KMO) Executive Director Johnny Grimes said. “This event is for the entire family, and we’ll have all kinds of fun things to do including moonwalks, live music, popcorn and snow cones,” Grimes said. “We’ll be giving away some great prizes at the awards ceremony.” KMO is part of Altar84, an organization co-founded by Jodie Frye of Chelsea. “In 2010, our hearts were forever altered as we were introduced to the plight of the orphan and the call to care for the fatherless,” Frye said. “Over the course of the next few months, we grew more and more burdened with the enormity of the need and yet how one of the greatest means of reaching this need had been God’s plan all along — the church.” “When we refer to ‘the church,’ we are talking about the people within,” she continued. “As author [and] pastor Rick Warren says, the church has the largest participation, the widest distribution, the fastest expansion and the highest motivation.”

Know More Orphans 5K Saturday, June 6 8 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m. Fun Run Veterans Park knowmoreorphans.org/5k/

Area residents run in last year’s Know More Orphans 5K at Veterans Park. The run is organized by Altar84. Photo courtesy of Johnny Grimes.

Frye said that over the last four years, Altar84 has brought two KMO conferences to the Birmingham area that included nationally recognized speakers and impacted more than 1,200 families and countless churches. The group has also written “Woven,” a six-week Bible study, and developed AltarCare, an orphan care ministry curriculum for church leadership. Altar84 also launched the Go Green in Haiti initiative. “As our primary focus, we have

built ongoing partnerships with over 10 area churches, helping them launch various aspects of their orphan care ministries, including awareness initiatives, family support and educational opportunities,” she said. According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Administration of Children and Families, in 2011 there were approximately 400,000 children in the foster care system across the U.S. More than 5,000 of these children were in

Alabama. “And in our world today, there are 143 million children who have lost one or both parents,” Frye said. “This is almost one half the population of the United States and every year the number grows, with 12 million more children becoming orphaned.” But, Frye said, everyone has an opportunity to help. “Whether you are called to adopt, foster, become a respite parent, serve a family here or serve orphans in Haiti,

give of your time, talents, or treasures, we encourage you to join us at the KMO 5K,” she said. For more information about the Know More Orphans 5K, visit knowmoreorphans.org/5k/ or contact Johnny Grimes at 419-7377 or jgrimes@altar84.org. For more information about Altar84 and Know More Orphans, visit at knowmoreorphans.org.

A22 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Enjoy a night under the stars See spring in bloom and help keep Aldridge Gardens free by attending the annual Hydrangeas Under the Stars garden party. The event, hosted by Mayor Gary Ivey and his wife Carolyn, will feature dinner, music and live and silent auctions to raise funds for the Gardens’ programs. “These funds help Aldridge Gardens to continue to maintain and grow our beautiful public gardens, fund our educational programs and provide a serene space for visitors to enjoy without charging an entrance fee,” Aldridge CEO Tynette Lynch said. A silent auction and reception will start at 6 p.m. in the Pavilion, and the items will include hotel packages, artwork, gardening items, golf and spa packages and jewelry. The auction will be followed by a dinner under the Gardens’ tent, prepared by students from the Culinary & Hospitality Institute of Jefferson State Community College. Lynch said the Gardens will present a scholarship to the Institute for one of its students. Local artist Raquel Lilly, who played at the PAWS at the Garden event in March, has volunteered to provide music for the event. A live auction will also take place, and items going up on the auction block will include vacation and sports packages. Vacation destinations include the Galapagos Islands, Pensacola

Pop-up markets to bring local vendors to Galleria

Childersburg mother/daughter team Sonya and Hannah Paige will be at the market with items from their shop, Saige’s Boutique.

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Kay and Eddie Aldridge enjoy the 2014 Hydrangeas Under the Stars event. Photo courtesy of Aldridge Gardens.

Hydrangeas Under the Stars June 6, 6-9 p.m. Aldridge Gardens Pavilion Beach and Gulf Shores Plantation. The sports items include a Barons’ game suite experience for up to 18 people and a VIP Sports Package with tickets to the 2016 SEC Tournament, the 2016 Indy Grand Prix of Birmingham

and the 2016 Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf and Country Club. To learn more about Hydrangeas Under the Stars, visit aldridgegardens.com.

The Shelby County Mom’s Guide is organizing a “pop-up market” to help small businesses and local entrepreneurial moms reach a new audience. The Guide will host its new Hello Sunshine Summer Pop-Up Market at the Riverchase Galleria two weekends this summer. The markets, which will take place June 13-14 and July 11-12, will have space for 40 vendors and take place in the breezeways of the Galleria. Nia Miller, special events coordinator for Shelby County Mom’s Guide, said the idea for this market came after they had success with similar ones at Christmas and in the spring, and they plan to do one every season. “We have numerous small business that don’t have store fronts and a few that do,” Miller said. “This event gives them a chance to get out and meet with their customers face to face. It will also help small and local businesses. Most of our vendors are from the Hoover and Shelby County area.” The market will give vendors an

ideal setting to develop their brand and broaden their business. Customers can shop for home decor, handmade items, jewelry, art, clothes and more. Some of the vendors already signed up include Advocare, Bare Bones Cargo, It Works!, Jamberry Nails, LJ’s Boutique, Main Street Chic, Mary Kay, My Sister’s Place, Scentsy, SoChic Boutique, Stylin Pup Pillows, Rodan + Fields, Templeton Photography, Usborne Books and Younique. Shelby County Mom’s Guide will also use this platform to give back to the community. Savings passes will be sold for $7.50 and will include discounts from the vendors. “By purchasing the savings pass, you get a lot of different discounts from our vendors, and half the cost of each pass sold will go to Carly’s Clubhouse,” Miller said. Carly’s Clubhouse is a playground being designed in Pelham for both able-bodied and special needs children. To register or become a vendor, email events@momsguidealabama. com or call 588-8962.

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Kristine is a 1993 graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 2000 and is the Founder and President of the Non Profit Organization AkidZ. She has been published in the “Sports Medicine Update” and was a member of the 1996 Olympic Games Medical Staff. She served as a Clinical Excellence Advisor to the City of Wuxi China in 2000. Kristine has been active in teaching Hand Therapy for Advanced Education Seminars and previously for HealthSouth. She works closely with the UAB Occupational Therapy Program mentoring students learning Occupational Therapy and Hand Therapy. She has collected data for cartilage arthroplasties research as well as participating in the read and respond question development for American Society of Hand Therapy. Her greatest accomplishments are raising her two boys who both attend the Hoover school systems.

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • A23 CYCLING

SUPERINTENDENT

CONTINUED from page A1

“We were driving back from Dothan, and I told my daughter the Hoover school board was meeting about the superintendent position,” Murphy recalled during an interview on May 1. “She pulled the broadcast up on her phone just as they were announcing the position. Obviously I was beyond excited.” A few minutes later, Murphy, then superintendent of Monroe County (Alabama) schools, took a phone call from Donna Frazier and immediately accepted the Hoover Board of Education’s offer to become Hoover’s new superintendent at a base salary of $195,000. Murphy, who starts her new position in Hoover on June 1, was selected over two other finalists who were interviewed: Dr. Charles Ledbetter, superintendent of Dublin (Georgia) City Schools and Dr. Chris Marczak, assistant superintendent of Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Schools. A fourth finalist, Dr. Vic Wilson, superintendent of Hartselle City Schools, withdrew his candidacy just minutes before the April 30 school board meeting. Wilson, with strong area ties as a 16-year Bluff Park resident who previously was principal at Mountain Brook High and Homewood High, had been widely considered the favorite early on after last week’s interview. But when Murphy had her interview with the board on April 27, she immediately established herself as a viable contender, impressing the board in describing herself as “a workaholic” passionate about educating children. Murphy said today she is grateful to the Hoover school board for selecting her out of three other talented finalists. “I can’t wait to get on the bus with so many talented teachers and administrators who have helped build Hoover into

such a great school system,” she said. “I have such a passion for children and look forward to helping educate them.” Murphy made her first official public comments before Hoover city residents at Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park in May. It will be a quick transition for Murphy as the Monroe County school year ended May 28 and she starts in Hoover a few days later. She originally thought her first day would be July 1, but added interim superintendent Dr. Jim Reese will be a valuable resource helping her learn more about the Hoover school system. “I will literally be a sponge soaking in as much knowledge from Dr. Reese as I can,” Murphy said. Murphy said it was tough to inform her Monroe County school board of her decision to leave for Hoover, but they are understanding that “this is an incredible opportunity I couldn’t afford to pass up.” “The board has been so supportive of me in this process,” she said. “I will be meeting today with members of the Monroe County school board, teachers and principals. This is a great system; I’ve enjoyed my time here.” Murphy took a couple of personal days off so she could visit some Hoover city schools, talk to principals and teachers and meet students before the school year ended. “You get a much better feel for what the schools are like by being there while school is still in session versus during the summer months when most of the teachers and students are gone,” Murphy said. “I’m looking forward to great things in Hoover City Schools.” An archived link to the other finalists’ interviews is on the Hoover City Schools website, hoovercityschools.net/.

Dr. Kathy L. Murphy Previous position: Superintendent, Monroe County Board of Education, Monroeville, Alabama. Education: }} Doctorate, Auburn University, Physical Education, Program Administration }} Education Specialist, Auburn University Montgomery, Education Leadership }} Master’s, Auburn University Montgomery, Educational Leadership }} Bachelor’s, Troy University, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance About the new superintendent: Murphy had the most experience (31 years) of the four finalists, beginning her career as a physical education teacher at Auburn Junior High School in 1984. Other than a five-year stint as an assistant professor at West Georgia College from 1988 to 1993, she has spent her entire professional career in Alabama. Murphy became superintendent of Monroe County schools, which has 3,650 students, in 2011. The school system is based in Monroeville, the southwest Alabama town that is home to Harper Lee, the author known for her bestseller, To Kill A Mockingbird. Murphy was appointed to her superintendent’s position after serving as principal of Charles Henderson High School in the Troy city school system in 2010. From 1993 through 2010, Murphy served in several administrative leadership roles for the Butler County Board of Education, from principal of Greenville Middle and Greenville High schools to three years from 2008 to 2010 as administrative assistant to the superintendent of Butler County schools.

Toone is hoping it will take him around eight days to complete, averaging around 21 hours of cycling a day. He will have a several-person crew accompanying him, and it will be his first time to do the race. When it’s over, he plans to spend several weeks with his wife, Kristine, and two children, Analise and Josiah, exploring the area. Growing up, Toone recalls his parents giving him a book with pictures of Race Across America. It sparked an interest. “I remember thinking ‘Someday I’ll do that,’” Toone said. He later began riding mountain bikes at Oak Mountain and entered his first race in 1993 in Sylacauga. From then on, he participated in multiple bike races and road races across the country. His training would eventually lead to triathlon training for Ironman Florida in November 2016. Toone is currently a computer science professor at Samford University, a position he considers his dream job. Today, he enjoys exploring the Southeast through long endurance bike rides. Places he’s traveled include Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. He views cycling as a beautiful way to view the world. “I try to optimize my training time by riding everywhere – from work to family events to wherever we would normally be driving. I spend a lot of time on the bike - currently averaging 35 - plus hours per week,” he said. His training has not come without setbacks. In 2006, he was struck by a car head-on and managed to escape with only a bruised chin. In 2014, he was struck by a car again and woke up in the hospital with little memory of the accident. “Drinking through a straw and breathing only through my nose for the next seven weeks was difficult, especially on five-to six-hour rides,” Toone said. “But it helped prepare me for 24-hour mountain bike nationals in New Mexico, which I raced just eight weeks after the accident and finished seventh.” It is that attitude that will carry him through to Race Across America. Anyone interested in sponsoring Toone can email him at brtoone@samford.edu or follow his adventures at toone2015.com or toonecycling.com.

Sun

SECTION B Gift Guide B6 Sports B7 Real Estate B12 Calendar B13

Hoover City Dad Brigade

New school board president starts new effort to get dad volunteers in city schools By ROY L. WILLIAMS As Derrick Murphy takes over as president of the Hoover Board of Education in June, he has one special initiative near the top of his agenda: getting more dads and father figures more involved in Hoover City Schools. It’s a concern the husband and father of three is passionate about. Murphy and his wife, Shenavia, moved to Hoover in 2005 in large part because of the education their children could get in the city schools. Their oldest child, Galien, is a rising senior involved in the engineering academy at Hoover High School, and plays running back on the Bucs 7A state champion football team. Their daughter, Bailyn, will be a third-grader at Deer Valley Elementary this fall. Their youngest son, Asher Robert, is 2. Murphy, a civil engineer, said he has always made family and God a priority in his life, and encourages other fathers to continue to be more active in their children’s education. In May, Murphy created a new organization called Hoover City Dad Brigade, with a mission of having fathers “be an example for our children while supporting our teachers.” Their signature project will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, when Murphy has set a goal of getting 400 fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and teen boy volunteers to work together doing various volunteer projects at Hoover’s 10 elementary schools.

See MURPHY | page B14

New Hoover School Board President Derrick Murphy and his wife, Shenavia, play with their children, Bailyn, Asher Robert and Galien, near their Ross Bridge home. Photo by Keith McCoy.

B2 â&#x20AC;˘ June 2015

Hoover Sun

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B3

Trace Crossings teacher named Alabama Elementary Teacher of the Year By ROY L. WILLIAMS Trace Crossings Elementary teacher Minnette R. Wiggins has been named Alabama’s 2015-2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year. She will serve as the alternate for Alabama’s Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016. One of four finalists selected out of 16 semifinalists, Wiggins placed second behind Vestavia Hills High School teacher Jennifer Brown, who was selected as Alabama 2015-2016 State Teacher of the Year. Both awards were announced Wednesday, May 13, during a twohour ceremony hosted by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery. Finalists emerged from more than 130 educators across the state who submitted applications for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program. Applicants submitted packets outlining education history, professional biographies, community involvement and philosophies of teaching. Wiggins has been a teacher for 33 years, and joined the Hoover school system in 2001. She spent 12 years teaching at Rocky Ridge Elementary before transferring to Trace Crossings to teach first grade two years ago. Wiggins said she was humbled to win Alternate Teacher of the Year, and was proud to represent Trace

hooversun.com/topics/video

Trace Crossings Elementary teacher Minnette R. Wiggins has been named Alabama’s 2015-2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Photo by Dan Starnes.

Crossings. “For parents to trust me with the privilege of teaching their children is quite an honor,” Wiggins said. “I get to see the world through the eyes of a 7-year-old and it’s quite a happy world to see.”

Carol Barber, principal at Trace Crossings Elementary, said Wiggins has been an inspiration to other teachers at the school with her ability to inspire her students. “Minnette is absolutely amazing,” Bonner said. “She does so much for

her students. She is a great advocate for our school. We think the world of her.” Wiggins said she has taught in many schools over the past three decades, and that Trace Crossings ranks among the best. Her greatest

joy, she said, is being able to mold and shape the minds of future leaders. “My successes are when a child is excited about something he has learned, when she has an ‘ah-ha’ moment, when he achieves a goal, and when academics makes a difference to the individual life of a child,” Wiggins said. “My students inspire me daily to be the best teacher I can be, and they deserve nothing less. I am so very proud to be a small part of the teaching world.” Derrick Murphy, who this week was voted by his peers as president of the Hoover Board of Education effective June 1, said Wiggins has been a great representative for the city school system. “We are very proud to have such a dynamic educator as Mrs. Minnette Wiggins developing our children,” Murphy said. “I believe I can speak for the entire district in saying that she is still our champion.” Wiggins made her decision to pursue teaching as a career after serving as a camp counselor at a church camp. She said being a finalist for state teacher of the year has been the highlight of her career because of the connections she has made, and relishes the opportunity to promote the teaching profession. “Teachers who I worked with 20 years ago have reached out to me,” Wiggins said. “That has been a thrill.”

B4 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Donna Frazier honored for her 10 years on Board By ROY L. WILLIAMS In May, the Hoover Board of Education honored President Donna Frazier for her 10 years on the panel as she prepares to step down in June. Frazier’s husband John, two of her children and several other family members were at the May 11 board meeting as speaker after speaker praised her for her dedication to Hoover City Schools. Board Attorney Donald Sweeney especially highlighted Frazier’s leadership since former superintendent Andy Craig resigned last December, and her commitment to help the board find a replacement before her term ended May 30. The board has approved a contract with Dr. Kathy Murphy, who takes over Hoover City Schools in June. “Kathy, we are so lucky that Donna coordinated the scheduling to make it happen,” Sweeney said. “This was a real strength of Donna during this period.” Sweeney called Frazier a type of leader who is civil, diligent, persistent, yet fair, gentle and kind. “Thank you Donna. You have served your school system so well and we are so indebted for your passion and dedication,” he said. Frazier said she was honored to serve the Hoover school system. She introduced her husband, John, mother, Pat Cook of Montgomery, and other relatives and friends in attendance. “From the bottom of my heart,

In May, the Hoover Board of Education honored President Donna Frazier (right) for her 10 years on the panel as she prepares to step down in June.

this has been the most special journey,” Frazier said. “It’s these people standing here with me who have allowed me to sit at that board table for 10 years. I will always have a deep appreciation for educators. Thanks for

all that you do for our children every day, and for making me feel extremely special not just today but for the last 10 years that I served.” Derrick Murphy, who was elected by his peers to succeed Frazier as president,

called her someone with a deep commitment and determination to help make Hoover schools even better. Hoover schools spokesman Jason Gaston presented Frazier with a memento from the schools honoring her tenure, while

fellow board members presented her with a dozen roses. A student from Hoover High, Jeremy Martin, also drew a portrait of Frazier that was given to her during the meeting.

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B5

Vacation Bible School Roundup

By REBECCA WALDEN Editor’s Note: The below list reflects all area Vacation Bible Schools that were received at press time. If yours was not included, please email us the information at rebecca@hooversun.com.

The simple crafts and sing-a-long songs that once characterized the Vacation Bible Schools of yesteryear are long gone. Today’s camps are major sources of spiritual education and entertainment unto themselves. Below is a roundup of the Vacation Bible Schools taking place in our area.

Bluff Park United Methodist Church

children/vbs-registration/. For questions or more info, contact mhendon@bpumc.org

“Conquering challenges with God’s mighty power!”

Asbury United Methodist Church

Open to rising 4-K through fifth grade students. Cost: $10 per child $25 Family max (includes T-Shirt, photo and take home activities) 733 Valley Street July 13-17, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register at http://bluffparkumc.org/

“Four Days of Living Out God’s Love In Our Lives” BMX Stunt Show begins Monday, June 8 at 12:15 p.m. in the lower parking lot. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy the show.

6690 Cahaba Valley Road June 8-11 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Register at asburyonline.org

Inverness Vineyard Church “Come join us for a fun filled week of discovering God’s power to overcome anything in your life. At Inverness Vineyard Kid’s Ministry, we understand that kids have a huge role in the kingdom of God.

We teach and empower kids to fall in love with God and his word, to tell others about God on a daily basis, and to listen for God’s voice through prayer and spending time with God. Come join us for an awesome week of teaching kids about our awesome, powerful God.” -Suzanne Williams Open to students in Pre-K through completed fifth grade. 733 Valleydale Road 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Register at https://www.groupvbspro. com/vbs/ez/IVCkids/gpgs/Home.aspx

B6 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

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Hollywood Feed 230 Doug Baker Blvd. 995-0223

Deakin and Francis Cufﬂinks From $200

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HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B7

Sports Former Buc Tyler Mims earns district academic honor By DAVID KNOX Former Hoover High baseball standout Tyler Mims is having a solid season on the field. The UAB first baseman is having an even better year in the classroom. Mims, a senior, has been named a Capital One All-Academic District 4 First Team selection. Mims carries a 3.93 GPA in industrial distribution, the highest GPA of any of the District 4 honorees. Sports information directors within the district voted on the list, which is composed of 12 players from around the South. First-team Academic All-District honorees from each of the eight districts advance to the Capital One Academic All-America

Team ballot, where first, second and third team All-America honorees were selected in late May. “I am really proud of Tyler for earning this honor,” said head coach Brian Shoop. “He has been so consistent as a player and even more so in the classroom. He has only made one B in his entire college career, which is amazing. I am so proud of what our guys do in the classroom. A lot of times it is about the wins and losses, but in the end almost all of them will make their living in something other than baseball, so it’s nice to see one of our guys honored for his academic achievements.” The Blazer first baseman has started in 42 games this season and has a .278 batting

average, which is the third-best average on the team. Of his 44 hits this season, 11 have been doubles. He has one home run and 21 RBIs. He has reached base 58 times and has scored 25 runs during the current year. He’s also made just three errors at first base. Off the field, Mims placed on the 2014 Conference USA All-Academic Team and has been honored with the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal in each of his four seasons as a Blazer. Mims is one of 19 Blazers to have at least a 3.0 GPA this semester. Former Hoover High star Tyler Mims is a standout on and off the field for the UAB Blazers. Photo by Karim ShamsiBasha.

Hoover’s Smiths help Alabama stars to wins over Mississippi By DAVID KNOX In Montgomery, the Alabama boys and girls all-stars knocked off their Mississippi rivals in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Basketball Games at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University. The boys team, coached by Hoover High’s Charles Burkett — coming off leading the Bucs to their first state

championship — got some help from his own Dylan Smith. The Texas-Pan American signee scored 12 points in Alabama’s 101-88 win. He added four assists. Smith was a late replacement for Clay-Chalkville’s Hasan Abdullah, who had to miss the game due to a leg injury. Burkett directed the Bucs (27-9) to the Class 7A state championship, winning 50-43 in the finals to beat two-time state

champion Mountain Brook. It was the fourth straight win in this series for Alabama, which holds a 14-11 edge overall. In the girls’ 93-87 win over Mississippi, the Lady Bucs’ Jada Smith scored 15 points in the cause. She has signed to play college ball at Union University. Alabama now leads the girls series 13-12.

Hoover’s Dylan Smith (24) drives against Mountain Brook in the Class 7A state championship game. He scored 12 points to help the Alabama All-Stars beat Mississippi. Photo by Keith McCoy.

B8 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

SMS tennis places in Metro Tournament Both Simmons Middle School tennis teams placed in the Metro Tournament in April. The team was coached by Mr Reed Lochamy and both girls team and boys team won 8 matches and lost two during the 2015 season. The girls team placed second and the boys team placed third in the tournament. Team members included both seventh and eighth graders from Simmons Middle School.

Girls

Emma Burch, Kaitlan Hayes, Sarah Corinne Holditch, Anna Kate Lyda, Katelyn Ragland, Kristin Simanyi, Emily Skowronek and Natalie Smith

Boys Both Simmons Middle School tennis teams placed in the Metro Tournament in April. Photo courtesy of Pam Smith.

Joseph Carter, Christian Hargrove, Brandon Harwell, Josh Oakman, Benjamin Phillips, Marcello Squadrito, Zac Tucker and David Wang. -Submitted by Pam Smith

Berry Middle girls win Metro South golf championship Berry Middle School’s girls golf team won its third straight title by winning the Metro South Girls Golf Championship at Highland Park Golf Course. Eight area middle schools sent their top players to compete in a nine-hole end-of-the-year tournament. Berry, Bumpus, Hewitt-Trussville, Homewood, Liberty Park, Mountain Brook, Pizitz and Simmons competed in the annual event.

The individual champion was Sarah Kate DeCarlo from Pizitz Middle School with a score of 42. Berry was first with a team score of 142, followed by Hewitt-Trussville (154) and Pizitz (155). Berry team members are Caroline McCabe, Lauren Choi and Jaxi Arterburn. Pizitz team members are Sarah Kate DeCarlo, Rachel Kaiser and Emily Kirby.

Berry Middle School’s Girls Golf team won the Metro South championship.

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HooverSun.com

June 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B9

HHS athletes sign

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GUARANTEED! Several Hoover High athletes signed recently to continue their sports careers in college. Front row, from left: Austin Cherry, basketball, Tuskegee; Velencia Johnson, basketball, Wallace State Community College; Caitlin Camper, cross country and track, Hendrix College; Josh Evans, cross country and track, University of Montevallo. Back row, from left: Aaron Hill, baseball, Shelton State Community College; Cory Price, baseball, UAH; Allison Smith, swimming and diving, Savannah College of Art and Design; Ashlyn Raybon, volleyball, Millsaps College. Not pictured is Eva Thomas, track, Samford University. Photo by Keith McCoy.

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Several Spain Park athletes signed to continue their sports endeavors in college. Front row, from left: Keyasha Gordon, basketball, Wallace State Community College; Victoria Baldwin, basketball, Lander University; Jamaiya Lee, basketball, Wallace State. Back row, from left: Tyler Wise, baseball, Birmingham-Southern College; Micah Wheeles, lacrosse, University of Montevallo; Jhavonte Waire, cheeleading, University of North Alabama; Jeff Bannon, track and field (pole vault), Anderson University. Photo by Keith McCoy.

Grizzlies become fourth-grade basketball champions

The Grizzlies finished the regular season in first place and won the tournament becoming the fourth grade Hoover Recreation champions. Front Row: Elijah Herron, Griffin Lyda and Stone Kendrick. Back Row: Jackson Barnes, Carter Faircloth, Jack Kendrick and Evan Smallwood. Head coach is Ward Smallwood and assistant coaches are Brian Faircloth, Blake Kendrick -Submitted by Susan Kendrick

2015 CRUZE

2015 CAMARO

B10 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Shades Mountain decides to drop football By DAVID KNOX After nine years of fighting the good fight, Shades Mountain Christian School, the area’s only Class 1A school, has decided to discontinue its football program. The private school in Hoover, which first fielded a team in 2006, has been coached the past two years by Dickey Wright. The Eagles went 2-7 and 1-9, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society records, those two seasons. The Eagles won their opener over Jacksonville Christian last season, but injuries depleted the small roster, and while they hung with most teams for a half, depth took its toll. The first team in 2006 went 4-6 under current John Carroll Catholic coach Tim Sanders, but that’s as close as the Eagles have gotten to a winning record. Wright said he plans to enjoy retirement, at least for now. The veteran coach was 25-27 in five seasons at Homewood, where he coached recent NFL draftee Ameer Abdullah, before coming to Shades Mountain. The school’s athletic program has had success this past season. The baseball team won its area and made it to the second round of the Class 1A playoffs before falling to Ragland in three games. The boys basketball team posted a solid season, winning 15 games. Individually, Junior Dylan Pausic is the reigning boys champion

Shades Mountain Christian runs through drills during last season. Photo by Keith McCoy.

in 1A/2A cross country. Soccer and basketball player Brock Belcher was recently named a Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete regional winner and is headed to Wofford to play soccer. Golfer Jordan Rockett will play at Blue Mountain College. Football

player Jaylin Kemp is set to play at Birmingham-Southern College. Three-sport star Harrison Boozer is a likely candidate to play baseball at the next level. Shades Mountain opened its doors in 1974 and serves grades K3-12. The

possibility exists that football could be started again when enrollment numbers go up. In 2017 the school is set to move to a new campus, the current Riverchase Middle School property in Pelham. That move may help boost enrollment and in turn increase

numbers that would make football viable. The Eagles expected fewer than 20 players on next year’s team, although the numbers are better at the lower grade levels.

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HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B11

Bucs sweep track and field titles

Hoover High swept the boys and girls state championships in Class 7A at the AHSAA State Track and Field Championships in Gulf Shores.

By DAVID KNOX Hoover High swept the boys and girls state championships in Class 7A at the AHSAA State Track and Field Championships in Gulf Shores. Coach Devon Hind’s teams claimed both Class 7A crowns with the boys edging Auburn

131.33 to 121.50 and the girls scoring 166.75 points with Mountain Brook second with 69.75. The Bucs have now won boys titles in six of the seven seasons and the girls have won four championships in a row. All previous titles were in Class 6A. Among the standouts for Hoover was Brittley

Humphrey, who smashed the overall AHSAA girls’ state record in the 100-meter hurdles with a 13.74-second winning time in the Class 7A finals Saturday. She set the 6A record and overall mark last year with a 14.00 time to win the Class 6A 100-meter hurdles event. Teammate Caitlyn Little also broke

Humphrey’s 2014 record with a 13.97 time to finish second in Saturday’s 7A finals. Little also ran the 100-meter dash finals in 11.97 to win that event and clocked 24.85 to win the Class 7A 200-meter dash.

Spain Park’s Martin wins Class 7A golf championship By DAVID KNOX Spain Park High School senior Patrick Martin sank six birdies and 12 pars May 12 to close the 67th Alabama High School Athletic Association state golf tournament with a 6-under 65 to claim low medalist in the Class 7A boys’ division at Mobile’s Robert Trent

Jones Magnolia Grove golf course. Martin’s two-day 36-hole total of 133 beat co-runner-up Alex Green of Fairhope and Mountain Brook’s Jonathan Eyster by seven strokes. Green had a 68 May 12 to close at 140. Eyster opened with a 68 May 11 but closed at 72 Tuesday for 140 total. Eyster and his Spartans teammates won the 7A state

championship with a 10-over 587 total. Mountain Brook shot 293 Monday and 294 May 12. Fairhope finished second at 606, followed by McGill-Toolen at 614 and Vestavia Hills (622). Patrick Martin

B12 â&#x20AC;˘ June 2015

Hoover Sun

Hoover

533 Paige Drive

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

632475

35226

533 Paige Drive

New

$250,000

632438

35242

2041 Cahaba Crest Drive

New

$264,900

632401

35226

2250 Capri Drive

New

$449,900

632385

35244

1929 Strawberry Lane

New

$249,900

632282

35244

5520 Magnolia Trace Circle

New

$340,000

632266

35244

204 Squire Circle

New

$169,900

632256

35244

4644 Lake Valley Drive, 50A

New

$217,900

632240

35242

6046 Mill Creek Drive

New

$219,000

632234

35244

1150 Riverchase Parkway

New

$324,900

632232

35226

2371 Abbeyglen Circle

New

$255,000

632187

35216

3410 Loch Ridge Trail

New

$169,900

632181

35226

5405 Colony Way

New

$289,900

632143

35216

3620 Haven View Circle, Unit H

New

$119,000

632390

35226

615 Renaissance Drive

New

$584,900

632140

35226

2436 Scepter Lane

New

$199,900

632136

35242

2822 Glenstone Lane

New

$529,900

632135

35244

5 Chase Plantation Parkway, Unit 5

New

$139,900

632126

35226

414 Oneal Drive

New

$249,900

632065

35226

3857 Village Center Drive

New

$434,900

632053

35226

2174 Chalybe Drive

New

$319,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on May 18. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

615 Renaissance Drive

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B13

Calendar Hoover Events June 5: Free Friday Flicks: Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. Film starts at sundown. Veterans Park. Free. Visit hooveral.org.

June 10: Hot Rod Power Tour. Hoover Met. Tour welcomes all makes and models of hot rods, street rods, custom trucks, muscle cars and performance machines. Visit hotrod.com.

Sale. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Lake Crest.

June 6: Know More Orphans 5K. 8 a.m. Veterans Park. Visit knowmoreorphans.org.

June 12: Free Friday Flicks: Strange Magic. Film starts at sundown. Veterans Park. Free. Visit hooveral.org.

June 13-14: Art in the Gardens. 9 a.m.5 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. $5 per person. Visitors younger than 16 get in free. Visit aldridgegardens. com.

June 6: Hydrangeas Under the Stars. 6-9 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. Visit aldridgegardens.com.

June 13: Lake Crest Community Garage

June 13-14: Pop-up Market. Riverchase Galleria. Call 588-8962.

June 19: Free Friday Flicks: Annie (2014). Film starts at sundown. Veterans Park. Free. Visit hooveral.org. June 26: Free Friday Flicks: Paddington. Film starts at sundown. Veterans Park. Free. Visit hooveral.org.

Hoover Chamber of Commerce Events 1694 Montgomery Highway, Suite 108 hooverchamber.org, 988-5672 June 4: Economic Development Forum Meeting. 8:30 a.m. Chamber of Commerce.

June 17: Ambassador’s Meeting. 4:30 p.m. Chamber of Commerce.

June 11: Coffee & Contacts. 7:30-9 a.m. Burke’s Outlet, 5025 U.S. 280, Suite 105.

June 18: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. Hoover Country Club. Make reservations by Monday, June 15.

June 19: Inaugural Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Job Fair. 10 a.m.3 p.m. The Wynfrey Hotel. Call 987-1600. June 23: Minority Business Council Meeting Brown Bag Luncheon. Noon.

Chamber of Commerce. June 25: Business After Hours. 5:30-7 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. Call 682-8019.

Hoover City Council Events 100 Municipal Lane hooveral.org, 444-7500 June 1: City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 4: Board of Zoning Adjustments. 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 11: City Council Work Session. 5 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 18: City Council Work Session. 5 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall. Third Floor.

June 4: Planning and Zoning Work Session. 5 p.m. Council Conference Room, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 8: Planning and Zoning Meeting. 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 15: City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Third Floor.

June 22: Board of Zoning Adjustments Work Session. 5:30 p.m. Council Conference Room, City Hall, Third Floor.

B14 • June 2015

Hoover Sun

Calendar Hoover Library Events 200 Municipal Drive hooverlibrary.org, 444-7800

Adults

Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink. 444-7816

June 1: Growing the Most Popular Homegrown Vegetables. 6:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. 444-7840.

June 11: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Adult Programming Room. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. 444-7820

June 4: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Adult Programming Room. The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. 444-7820

June 11: Debbie Bond. 6:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Debbie Bond has been part of the Alabama blues scene for over 30 years, both as a bandleader and as a player with the likes of Willie King and Eddie Kirkland. 444-7821

June 6: Tabletop Board Game Day. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Library Plaza. Join us for a day of tabletop board games. Have a game, but don’t know how to play it? We’ll be showing episodes of YouTube’s Tabletop. 444-7821 June 7: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: France. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Program presented by Coffee-ol-ogy Café with complimentary samples provided. Free event. 444-7821 June 8: Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. Part 1: Truth, Justice, and the American Way (19381958), Part 2: Great Power, Great Responsibility (1959-1977), Not Rated, 60 minutes each. Free admission and refreshments. 444-7840 June 8: Helping Hands. 3- 8:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Drop in to make newspaper rolls for a local humane society. Teens and adults. 444-7840 June 8: Trivia Night. 7 p.m. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s - The Grove. Round up your friends and compete for great prizes at local Hoover restaurant, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, 5519 Grove Blvd. 444-7820 June 9: Daytime Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Five

June 13: Fifth Annual World Wide Knitin-Public Day. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Library Plaza. Celebrate the wonderful world of knitting. Reserve your space for basic knitting lessons. Knitting Lessons, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 444-7821 June 14: Unknown Lyric. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Classical/fusion guitar and violin duo from Atlanta wowed attendees at the 2015 TEDxBirmingham conference. 444-7821

10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Library Theatre. Free admission and refreshments. Call 444-7820 for details.

June 30: Video Game Tournament. 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Challenge your friends to Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U. Grades 7-9.

June 22: Monday at the Movies. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. PG, 105 minutes. When Alan Parrish discovers a mysterious board game, he doesn’t realize its unimaginable powers until he is magically transported into the untamed jungles of Jumanji. Free admission and refreshments. For details, call 444-7820.

Kids June 2-4: TomFoolery Juggling Extravaganza. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Juggling, unicycle, stilt walking and balancing acts.

June 25: Nighttime Nonfiction Book Group. 7:00 p.m. Allen Board Room. A Voyage Long and Strange by Tony Horwitz. 444-7816

June 9-11: David Engle presents Superhero Training Academy. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Harness the power of superheroes.

June 27: Write Club. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Share your literary works and network with other aspiring writers. 444-7820.

June 11: Lego Superheroes. 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Build your favorite superhero adventure out of bricks. Grades 1-3.

Teens

June 16-18: Dinoman. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Superheroes of Science: From T-Rex to Tesla.

June 16: Glue Gun Gang: Patriotic Wrap Bracelet. 6:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Make a beaded bracelet to celebrate July 4. Adults only. Free. Reservations required. Sign up begins June 1. Call 444-7840.

June 2: Sumo! 6:30 p.m. Join us for our first ever sumo wrestling tournament to kickoff summer reading. Grades 7-12.

June 17: No Jacket Required Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. This month’s genre: Real Life Heroes. 4447840

June 9: Trivia Craze. 6:30 p.m. Compete on teams to see who knows the most facts. Grades 7-12.

June 23-25: Page Turner Adventures presents Steam Truck Circus. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. A story theater filled with juggling, magic, mystery and fun.

June 16: Comic Book Wearables. 6:30 p.m. Make a wallet, headband and bowtie with comic themes. Grades 7-12.

June 25: Book Heroes to the Rescue. 6:25 p.m. Beat boredom with Fly Guy, Lunch Lady, Captain Underpants and more. Grades 1-3.

June 23: Minute to Win It: Eat It Edition. 6:30 p.m. How many donuts can you eat in a minute? Beat your friends in this competitive food competition. Grades 7-12.

June 30-July 2: Madcap Puppets presents Aladdin and Friends. 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. each day, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Amazing puppets bring classic tales to life.

June 18: Glue Gun Gang: Patriotic Wrap Bracelet. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Make a beaded bracelet to celebrate July 4. Adults only. Free. Reservations required. Sign up begins June 1. Call 444-7840. June 20: Fantasy Film Double Feature.

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June 8: Helping Hands. 3 p.m. Drop in to make newspaper rolls for a local humane society.

MURPHY

CONTINUED from page B1 He hopes to energize other fathers in the importance of getting involved in city schools. In most school systems, mothers take the lead in helping educational activities. “The goal of the Hoover City Dad Brigade is to rally Hoover dads together,” Murphy said. “Father figures can be dads, granddads, uncles and brothers. Our system has many different programs where our parents are engaged, and I wanted to offer an additional way for dads to buy in.” The group will meet at the Home Depot at the Riverchase Galleria at 6:45 a.m. that day and have breakfast provided by lead sponsors Home Depot and Chick-fil-a in Riverchase, and then go and work until 1 p.m. at city elementary schools. Murphy has started a Hoover City Dad Brigade Facebook page, and will begin soliciting men and teen boys as volunteers beginning in early July. “We will feed everyone breakfast, have a 10-15 minute introduction period and then at that point every dad will get their assigned school and task he is to do as well,” Murphy said. “Each school will have a project leader and assistant to direct dads once they get to the location.” The 10 elementary schools receiving volunteer service work by the Hoover City Dad Brigade are: Bluff Park, Deer Valley, Green Valley, Greystone, Gwin, Riverchase, Rocky Ridge, South Shades Mountain and Trace Crossings. “The beautiful thing about it is our principals are all on deck for it,” Murphy said. ”I had a conversation with our Hoover Parent Teachers Conference president, [and] they are on board. This will be a really exciting event annually we will put on. We have a great city that waits for opportunities like these to occur.” Murphy was raised in the Ensley community of Birmingham by his grandparents, Ruth Murphy and the late Arthur Robert Murphy. “My grandfather taught me the importance of being a gentleman, telling the truth, being a good steward of money, and in all things keep

June 20: Cartoon Heroes. 10:30 a.m. Solve the problem, save the day. Crafts and games with Doc McStuffins, Paw Patrol and more.

God first and the importance to honor God in all that you do,” Murphy said. “I’ve tried my best to instill that in my kids. When you do those things, you have a great chance at success in life.” Murphy said one reason he got sought to be on the school board was because studies show when parents take an active role, their kids perform better in school. He said when fathers, in particular, are more involved “students perform better in school and socially, behavioral issues are down, and it provides a better opportunity once you become adults to make educated decisions that benefit you long term.” Donna Frazier, who spent 10 years on the Hoover school board before stepping down in May, said she has seen up close how passionate Murphy is about helping children in city schools. “I worked really close with Derrick over the past year as president since he was vice president and have met his wife and children, and seen Derrick’s love for his family,” Frazier said. “Derrick is passionate and dedicated in all that he does for Hoover City Schools. The Hoover City Dad Brigade is a prime example. Derrick is trying diligently to make a positive difference in people’s lives, especially the children in our school system. Murphy said he is blessed to have a strong, supportive wife and three wonderful children. Their oldest, Galien, has a long term career goal to be an athletic director on the collegiate level after he gets his degree. Their daughter, Bailyn, “has taught me to be a lot more patient and sensitive,” he said. And their 2 year old, Asher Robert, is also destined for success, Murphy said. He is optimistic that the Hoover City Dad Brigade will be well received and get more fathers active in city schools. “As a parent, I try to do the best I can to teach my sons great values and understand the importance to make the right decisions,” Murphy said. “I think it is important that parents, especially dads, be engaged and understand that kids sometimes make mistakes and you are to guide them out of those mistakes and lead them down the path to success.”

HooverSun.com

June 2015 • B15

Calendar

Moonlight on the Mountain

Area Events June 3: Train: Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Train is an American pop rock band from San Francisco, formed in 1993. $38.50$95.40. Call 985-0703. June 4-5: Steel City Jazz Festival. 11 a.m. Linn Park. Hear different jazz artists play your favorite jazz tunes. Visit steelcityjazzfestbham.com. June 6: SliceFest 2015. 9 a.m. Slice Pizza and Brew. One-day event to celebrate local fare, brew, music and entertainment. $25 advance or $30 at the gate, children 12 and under admitted for free. Call 715-9300. June 5-6: Magic City Brewfest. June 5, 7-11 p.m., and June 6, 4-8 p.m. Sloss Furnaces. Weekend dedicated to learning about craft beer and sampling the best that Alabama has to offer. Visit magiccitybrewfest.com. June 3-6: Miss Alabama Pageant. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center at Samford University. The pageant will include talent, evening wear and swimwear competitions, and winners will receive college scholarships. Call 726-4069. June 5-7: Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Symphony in the Summer. June 5-6, 8 p.m., and June 7, 6 p.m. Railroad Park. Bring out your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the free concerts by the ASO. Call 975-2787. June 6: Memory Lights Walk. , 6:30-8:30 p.m. Homewood Central Park. Benefiting Community Grief Support Service. LED-lit balloons with specially prepared prayers or sentiments attached will be released at the end of the eveing. Visit

communitygriefsupport.org. June 6-7: Tannehill Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. The outdoor show includes demos, exhibits, children’s activities and door prizes. Call 477-5711. June 7: Vulcan’s 111th Birthday. Noon-4 p.m. Vulcan Park & Museum. Music, games and refreshments. $5, free for kids under age 4. Visit visitvulcan.com. June 7: Viva Health Starlight Gala Featuring Jay Leno with Street Corner Symphony. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. $125. Visit alysstephens.org/gala-2015. June 11: Chefs for the Cure. 5:30-8:30 p.m. The Club of Birmingham, 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. Taste gourmet cuisine and bid on silent auction items to raise funds for breast cancer research. $100 per person, $175 for two people. Visit komenncalabama.org/get-involved/chefs-for-thecure/. June 12: Black Out Cancer. 8 p.m.Midnight. Iron City Bham. The black-tie optional event is hosted by the Junior Executive Board of Birmingham. $45 single, $80 couple. Call 9183220.

June 12-14: Moto America. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Barber Motorsports Park. $10-$55. Visit barbermotorsports.com. June 12-14: 2015 Alabama State Games. 7 p.m. National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. The Alabama Sports Festival Foundation hosts this amateur sporting event. Free for spectators. Visit alagames.net.

585 Shades Crest Road moonlightonthemtn.com June 1: Open Mic Night. $5. June 2: A Full Moon Fundraiser for First Light: Jennings and Keller. $20. June 4: Christy Hays and Caliche. $12. June 5: Lovelight the Messenger and Guests. $7.

June 14: Roman Holiday. 2-4:30 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. Tickets $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.

June 6: A Songwriter’s Round: Donna Brooks, Marc Alan Barnette and Alic Bargeron. $15.

June 20: YMCA Race to the Courthouse. 8 a.m. YMCA of Birmingham, 2400 7th Ave. N. Take a scenic downtown run and enjoy a health fair, music and food. Proceeds benefit the YMCA financial aid program. $30 beginning June 1, $35 race day and $75 community team. Visit ymcabham.org/race.

June 11: International Songwriter’s Collective: Jimmy Robinson, Lily Kiara and Floatstone. $12.

June 20: Happenin Fest 2015. 2-11 p.m. Good People Brewery. The festival includes a long line-up of performing artists, on-site vendors and food trucks all day. Pre-sale tickets $17, $20 day of the show. Visit happeninrecords.com.

June 13: Caribbean Day in Linn Park. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Linn Park. Enjoy music, food, vendors and dancing in the street. Call 383-1726.

June 18-20: National Sacred Harp Singing Convention. June 18-19, 9:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.,; June 20, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. First Christian Church, 4954 Valleydale Road. Visit home.olemiss.edu/~mudws/national.html.

June 12-13: 19th Annual Down Home Psaltery Festival. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tannehill State Park. Workshops and classes with live music. Adults $3, seniors $2, children $1 and children 5 and under free. Visit tannehill.org.

June 24: Flicks Among the Flowers: Ghostbusters. 8-10 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Watch this classic movie surrounded by the flowers of the Botanical Gardens. Free. Call 414-3950.

June 7: Sarah Peacock, Jesse Terry. $12.

June 12: Rod Picott and Antje Duvekot. June 13: Delta Reign. $15. June 14: Three on a String with Andy Meginniss. $25. June 15: Open Mic Night. $5. June 18: Hannah Thomas with opener Betsy Franck. $12. June 19: Smoking Flowers. $12. June 20: Jason Bailey and David Benedict. $12. June 25: Sam Pointer: A Tribute to John Hartford. $15. June 27: Shades Mountain Air. $15. *All shows start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise stated.