Hoover Sun vol 2 iss 2 November 2013 by Starnes Media

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Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

The big stage

November 2013 • 1

Volume 2 | Issue 2 | November 2013

For the love of flight ‘We went down to Lake Martin and did aerobatics over the water. After that, I was hooked forever.’

Members of the Spain Park High School chorus will perform this month at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Learn more about their trip and their program inside this issue.

Community page 21

– Dan Mikos

Coaching the spirit

Air Force fighter pilot Dan Mikos in front of an F-4 Phantom. Photo courtesy of Dan Mikos.

Hoover High Head Football Coach Josh Niblett encourages his players to grow spiritually as well as physically by hosting a Wednesday night Bible study at his home.

Sports page 26

INSIDE Sponsors ........... 4 City ..................... 5 Business ............ 9 Food .................... 12

Community ....... 13 School House .. 20 Sports ............... 24 Calendar ........... 29

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By REBECCA WALDEN

Of the approximately 327,000 active duty U.S. Air Force personnel, only 14,000 are pilots. Those interested in becoming an Air Force pilot must be at least 5-foot-4, but no taller than 6-foot-5. Other disqualifications include being colorblind, receiving laser eye surgery and a history of hay fever, asthma or allergies. – From airforce.com

From the moment he gazed out the window of the TWA Super G Constellation, a four-prop aircraft of Howard Hughes’ design, Dan Mikos knew he wanted to fly. “I was 11 years old at the time, and I was the first person in my elementary and junior high school class ever to fly,” said Mikos, recalling his first-ever commercial trip, which carried him in 1958 from West Virginia to France, to visit grandparents. By his freshman year, the family had relocated to Hoover, where Mikos went on to become part

of Berry High School’s first graduating class. By then, his interest in flying had become more than a passing fancy, and he made plans to pursue a degree in aviation management. If there was any doubt about whether or not to follow his passion, an experience during ROTC summer camp sealed the deal. “One of the National Guard guys took me on a ride in a T-33, and I will never forget it,” he said. “We went down to Auburn and buzzed all the girls sunbathing on top of the dorms, then we went down to Lake Martin and did aerobatics

See FLIGHT | page 27

Chapel Lane extension to open this month By JEFF THOMPSON Six months ago, engineers working on the Chapel Lane extension project noticed something that needed attention. An I-459 bridge that crosses over Hoover’s newest road is lined with 4-inch, circular holes that cut through the concrete. These openings, designed to drain water off the interstate, deposit straight down onto Chapel Lane. “We got to thinking about someone going down [Chapel

Lane] at 40 miles per hour and having that drop on their windshield,” City of Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate said. So, the project that began in August 2011 required just one more month as the City worked with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) on a plan to correct the issue. According to Tim Westhoven, assistant executive director for the City, a gutter system to drain the water away from

See CHAPEL | page 28

One of the final steps in preparing the Chapel Lane extension is adding gutters under I-459 that will prevent water from draining onto the new road. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

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About Us Photo of the Month The seventh grade Simmons volleyball team won first place in the Thompson Tournament. They went undefeated, beating Pizitz in the championship game. Bottom row: Reece Vaughan, Evalynn Ngamau, Olivia Rand, Gracie Alspach, Ashlee Frier, Brooke Hoven and Maggie Ethridge. Top row: Audrey Colabrese, Mackenzie Martin, Savanna Akins, Hannah Sanders, Anne Stewart, Mattie Test and Mikhaila Hampton. Photo courtesy of Tiffany McKeown.

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden Gastronomes, start your palates. Just in case the leftover Halloween candy isn’t signal enough, the season of wretched excess consumption is officially here. Grab your cookbooks and your antacids. Here we go. First things first. However you plan to serve up your bird — roasted, brined, fried, whatever — please, oh please, remove the giblets. Preferably, this is done before your brother has doused it in goodness-knows-howmany-gallons of wickedly hot oil in your very dry, very pine straw-laden (read: kindling) backyard. OK, now that you know the highlight – er, lowlight – of my 2012 Thanksgiving menu, let’s get on to the real reason for this month. It’s about gratitude and reflection. And walking your talk. We all lead busy lives, and for most of us, it’s taxing enough to maintain our households and our work lives without taking on the needs of others. But, as the very true adage tells us, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” It’s all fine and well to post on Facebook each day of November one particular thing for which you are thankful. It’s quite another to express that gratitude by paying it forward. Generally speaking, this is well beyond my comfort zone. I have all kinds of excuses for why I don’t make the time. Chief among them? I’m too busy. I’ll write a check instead. I’ll do it later. And so on. They are all versions of the same sorry reason, and I know it. Being aware of my blessings isn’t enough. And if I’m being really honest, no amount of selfless acts will be “enough.” It’s this very awareness, shared by people of faith, that makes the month

Walden following this one so very pivotal. Even so, God’s grace does not mean it’s OK for me to coast along, casually expressing thankfulness whenever the mood strikes. Instead, I want to be the blessing. Recently, and very unexpectedly, I had a chance to do just that. I am in year-I-can’t-even-remember of my 10-year commitment to the Junior League of Birmingham. As my children have come along and life has gotten busier, I will admit that my overall enthusiasm for the group has waned. It’s another meeting. Another commitment. Yet another time I have to lean on my husband to watch the kids. At least that’s how I felt until I met Alfreida Spencer. Alfreida is 10 years old. On the weekends, she often walks to the West End Branch of the Birmingham Public Library. I met her there, when she attended a workshop I led about The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, part of the Junior League’s Page to Stage program with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre. At the end of the workshop, she asked me where the BJCC is located and said she’d never been there. I wrote down the street address and phone number and asked her if she

had a way to get there that day. She shook her head. I wrote down my number and told her if she could not find a way to get there, to call me and we would find transportation for her. She then asked for a reminder about the performance date. When I said, “Oct. 6,” she replied, “Oh good! Oct. 20 is my birthday.” Our conversation continued: “Oh wow! How old will you be?” “11.” “What are you going to do for your birthday?” “Nothing.” “Nothing? Why not?” “My mom can’t afford it.” At that point, Alfreida went over to another part of the library, and I went to speak to librarian Diane Blaylock, at which point Operation: Big Deal Birthday Party sprang into action. I was actually a little nervous about it, but the event itself, complete with balloons, cake, goofy games and birthday presents, turned out better than I could have imagined. I am thankful, indeed. Thankful for community role models and personal heroes of mine, like Carol Cauthen, Brenda Ladun Bell and others, who routinely show me week after week what it means to “be the blessing” to others. I am thankful I met Alfreida, and I will continue to keep my eyes and heart open to other Alfreidas with whom my path may intersect. Have your turkey and eat it, too. Count your blessings, even. Without it, there is no gratitude. But don’t stop there. Join me in pushing yourself just a little bit out of what is comfortable and familiar. Be the blessing, and be blessed.

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

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: rebecca@hooversun.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

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Dan Starnes Jeff Thompson Keith McCoy Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Louisa Jeffries Intisar Seraaj-Sabree Katie Turpen Tom Ward Kathleen Buccleugh Sydney Cromwell Lauren Moriarty Hoover Sun LLC

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November 2013 • 5

HooverSun.com

City Grocery chain could open in proposed development

Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey

It’s hard to believe the holidays are here! We are very excited about the abundance of activities in Hoover in November and December. Von Maur will open its doors on Nov. 2, and this new shopping venue will be a definite asset to the Galleria and the City of Hoover. On the afternoon of Nov. 3, the city will kick off its weeklong Veterans celebration with a reception at the Hoover Library Plaza. Be sure and visit our website at hooveralabama. gov for a complete list of Veterans Day activities the week of Nov. 3-11. Also, please take a moment to thank the men and women who have served or are presently serving our country. Please join us at 10 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the ribbon-cutting for the longawaited Chapel Lane extension. This new road will give residents another avenue in which to travel to John Hawkins Parkway and I-459. We are very excited that this opening will kick off the holiday shopping season. With Christmas just around the corner, if you are planning to have a holiday party, please remember the Hoover Met or the gorgeous Aldridge Gardens. Both of these gems are located in our city, and the Hoover Met has a tremendous amount of parking available with easy access to I-459. Either location has caterers available, so all you have to do is book your party today and they’ll take care of the rest.

By JEFF THOMPSON

Gary Ivey

As you can see, we have a lot going on, and 2014 promises to be another fun and action-packed year for the City of Hoover. Please take time to get involved in your community; we have a lot to offer. You can always call our office or visit our website for more information. We are happy to serve the people of Hoover, and I am honored to be your mayor. We want to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season! Sincerely,

Gary Ivey Mayor

Sprouts Farmers Market, a grocery store chain based in the Southwest, could open its first Alabama store in Hoover as early as next year. The Hoover City Council will hold a public hearing on Nov. 18 to consider zoning a lot across John Hawkins Parkway from The Grove shopping center for a new development called The Crossings of Hoover. Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate said Sprouts had been identified as the potential tenant for a 25,000-square-foot space in the development. Sprouts Farmers Market, according to the store’s website, offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods alongside traditional supermarket fare. The chain has more than 150 stores in eight states in the Southwest — the

closest in Texas — and employs more than 11,000. The zoning request was made by GBT Realty Corporation, which previously informed the council of its intention to include a freestanding ER operated by UAB Medical West in The Crossings. Below are additional actions taken by the council since the previous publication of Hoover Sun. Actions

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Authorized maintenance agreements for several ALDOT road projects around Riverchase Galleria that are intended to ease traffic flow.

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Authorized a preliminary engineering agreement for Ross Bridge Parkway sidewalks from Deer Trail to Deer Valley Elementary School.

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Extended its incentive agreement with Riverchase Anchor Acquisitions, LLC that provides tax rebates.

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Agreed to move forward in partnership with ALDOT on a sidewalk project for Hackberry Lane. The new sidewalk would be installed from Queensview Road to Running Brook Road at a cost of approximately $800,000. Hoover would be responsible for 20 percent of that cost. Appointments

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Appointed Nic Waddell as assistant municipal prosecutor

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Reappointed Ben Lord and Rickey Phillips to the Parks and Recreation Board

›› Reappointed Ron Harris to the Planning & Zoning Commission

Arts Alliance to feature Bluff Park Permanent Collection this month at City Hall The Hoover Arts Alliance’s next show in the Hoover City Hall Art Gallery will hang now through December. It features selected works from the Bluff Park Art Association’s Permanent Collection of Alabama Artists. To see these timeless works, drop by City Hall on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Proposed ER could open in 2015 By JEFF THOMPSON and KATIE TURPEN For many residents of South Shades Crest Road and the surrounding areas, the closest emergency room is about 10 miles away. But following a Hoover City Council decision, those families could be feeling safer by the summer of 2015. During its regular meeting on Oct. 7, the Hoover City Council approved an agreement that could help bring a freestanding emergency medical facility to the city. The proposed site is directly across John Hawkins Parkway from the entrance to The Grove shopping center. According to Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate, when complete, this development would include both the medical center and a large retailer, identified tentatively as a grocery store. The retail tenant would be closest to Alabama Highway 150, and the planned site for the emergency facility, proposed by UAB Medical West, is at the back of the property, farther south toward I-459. UAB Medical West CEO Keith Pennington outlined details about the facility to the Council during its regular work session on Oct. 3. Pate said UAB Medical West is planning an 18,000-square-foot facility, and said Pennington defined the proposed medical facility as a level-3 trauma center, the same designation as other area ERs. As a level-3 center, it would have resources for emergency resuscitation and surgery but would be supported by a transfer agreement with a level-1

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Alacare Sprouts Farmers Market (tentative)

Proposed ER site On Oct. 7, the Hoover City Council approved the purchase of the area of the map marked in orange, pending the developer’s completion of a new road in the space and turn lane from State Highway 150. At the back of the development, UAB Medical West plans to construct an emergency facility. Plan courtesy of the City of Hoover.

trauma center. The facility would also have the means to receive and send patients by helicopter. Council Member John Lyda said the center is proposed to have 10 emergency treatment rooms and two trauma rooms and could see 12,000 to

15,000 patients each year. UAB Medical West, located in Bessemer, filed for a Certificate of Need (CON) with the state in December 2011 and was approved in September 2012. A CON for Princeton Baptist Medical Center to build a free-standing

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ER in the same area was approved by the review board at the same time. Development of the site includes planning by the City of Hoover. Pate said that with new developments, the City can be responsible for providing infrastructure. However, Hoover

elected for the developer to build both a new road into the site and a turn lane from John Hawkins Parkway. The City agreed during the meeting to purchase that property upon completion. The Council passed a resolution executing a contract with Hoover Investment Partners LLC that sets aside $875,000 to purchase the new road and corresponding rights-ofway. “When we looked at how much it was all going to cost to do it ourselves, the total came out to more than $1 million,” Pate said. “So, not only are we saving money, we won’t be required to devote our resources to the construction.” Pate said the City would honor the contract only if certain conditions are met. The contract states that the developer would provide sewer construction as well as a survey and environmental assessments for construction on the parcel. It would also provide proof of a commitment for the emergency facility and “secure a letter of intent for the development on at least one outparcel or other retailer above 20,000 square feet or have at least one outparcel constructed or under construction.” The contract adds that the developer is required to submit a Notice of Completion to the City within two years from the effective date of the contract for the City to purchase the property. Pate said the medical facility was given a tentative timeline of June 2015 for completion. A request for more information from UAB Medical West CEO Pennington was not returned by deadline.

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HooverSun.com

Veterans Week Celebration Nov. 3-11 • Hoover Public Library

Boy Scouts perform the flag folding ceremony at the 2012 Veterans Week Celebration. Photo courtesy of Hoover Public Library.

By KATIE TURPEN The Hoover Public Library, in conjunction with the City of Hoover, will hold a weeklong celebration for those serving our country from Nov. 3-11. The celebration kicks off Nov. 3 with a reception featuring live music from 3:30-3 p.m. On Nov. 4, refreshments will be served at 9:45 a.m. followed by a special program at 10 a.m. That afternoon, a featured movie will be shown in the Library Theatre at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Nov. 5, a seminar for veterans and

their families will be held at 10 a.m. To make reservations, please call 444-7816. All day Nov. 6 at the nonfiction desk, the American Red Cross will collect holiday cards as part of the Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The organization will send the cards to military installations, veterans hospitals and other locations. At 12:30 p.m., Catherine Heinzerling will lead a lecture on the Library Plaza titled “The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II.” Every afternoon at 4:45 p.m., local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will lead a flag lowering and folding ceremony.

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Happy Thanksgiving

What are you thankful for? Hoover Sun reached out to students at Deer Valley Elementary to find out what they are grateful for this holiday season.

Christopher Gallimore is thankful for his best friends, Jake, Nathan and Vince.

Cameron Yousef is thankful for his family.

Jasmine Clark is thankful for her friends.

Nicolas Madriz is thankful for Pumpkin pie because it is delicious.

Sami Raja is thankful for his school.

Jordan Curtis is thankful for his brothers.

Ryan Petties-Smith is thankful for her fish, Goldie.

David Clark is thankful God created the world.

Uzma Khan is thankful for her sister.

Lily Fu is thankful for her brother.

Jarett Fairley is thankful he can help his friends with their work.

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HooverSun.com

Business Spotlight

Read past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.com

FACTORY TOURS Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 987-4840 to schedule. business move, because calls for more orders started coming in. Thanks to the success of the packaged cookies, Cason outgrew the Avondale bakery and bought Tennessee-based Bishop Baking Company in 1983. He later sold both companies. During his fiveyear noncompete period, Cason took the nutrition class that inspired his idea for bite-sized cookies. In 1991, Bud’s Best opened for business in the former location of Baxter Medical in Hoover. When the Riverchase Architectural Committee raised concerns about potential odors coming from the cookie plant, Cason assured them it would be nothing more than a sweet aroma. As the CEO of Bud’s Best, Cason said he is grateful for Hoover’s support. “There is a high quality of people here in Hoover, from the attitude of the administration to the fire and police departments,” he said. Cason’s factory employs around 150 people, including his son, Al, who works as president and COO. He chooses to operate his business based on the golden rule.

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“I want to treat my employees as I would want them to treat me,” he said. For Cason, this means creating a welcoming work environment where management furnishes complete uniforms, covers total insurance costs and has incentive programs such as Employee of the Month. Cason also promises employees $1,000 if they successfully stop smoking. “We really care about our people,” he said. Those interested in following the sweet aroma wafting from Bud’s Best are welcome to take a tour. Cason’s daughter, Jane, leads groups through the factory complete with cookie samples. Cason said groups of all ages enjoy riding the cookie train and seeing the cookies being mixed, baked, packaged, cased, stacked on pallets and loaded into tractor-trailers. Cason also donates cookies to local nursing homes and charity events such as Lemonade and Cookies for Multiple Sclerosis and supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. In addition to his line of bite-sized cookies, Cason started the Uncle Al’s line of larger cookies. Bud’s Best bitesized oatmeal, chocolate chip, macaroon and cream-filled sandwich cookies are customer favorites, Cason said, though he favors the chocolate chip cookies himself.

By LAUREN MORIARTY

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2070 Parkway Office Circle 987-4840 budsbestcookies.com

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Bud’s Best Cookies Bigger doesn’t always mean better. That’s what Bud Cason of Bud’s Best Cookies learned in nutrition class. The second bite satisfies an urge for something sweet, his teacher taught him. After that you are just eating for the sake of eating. And with that piece of knowledge, Cason had an idea. “I thought, ‘That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to make a bite-sized cookie,’” Cason said. Cason was no stranger to the cookie business when the bite-sized inspiration came. He began working at his aunt and uncle’s Avondale cookie shop, Greg’s Cookies, at the age of 12 during the summer. Watching the process of the cookies being mixed, baked and sold for 1 cent apiece in the corner grocery store would inspire his own career. Cason bought Greg’s Cookies in 1968, and in 1970 he had complete ownership. A year after Cason became owner, the economy changed. “Nixon sold wheat to Russia, and commodity prices went crazy,” he said. Forced to up the prices of his product, he soon found customers did not want to pay 2 cents for the cookies that previously cost 1 cent. He began packaging the cookies together and selling them in Kmart at three for $1. It turned out to be a good

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Bud’s Best CEO Bud Cason with his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Photo by Lauren Moriarty.

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Jefferson Credit Union now has a Hoover location at 5261 Ross Bridge Parkway. Anyone who lives or works in Jefferson and surrounding counties is eligible to join Jefferson Credit Union. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. 325-5683. JeffersonCreditUnion.org.

Basset Furniture is now open in the former Thomasville Furniture location at 2970 John Hawkins Parkway. It offers a HGTV HOME Design Studio. 988-2180. bassetfurniture.com.

November 2013 • 11

HooverSun.com

Coming Soon

The Comedy Club-Stardome celebrated its 30th anniversary and 20th year at its Hoover location in October. The entertainment venue celebrated with a contest where participants recalled their favorite comedy moment over the past 30 years. 444-0008. stardome.com.

Von Maur Department Stores will open its 29th store at the Riverchase Galleria on Nov. 2. The three-level, 185,000-square-foot store will be the company’s first location in Alabama and will become one of Von Maur’s largest stores in the country. vonmaur.com.

Johnny Brusco’s Pizza is opening at 2341 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 117, in early November. johnnybruscos.com.

Stone Salon in The Preserve is opening a day spa in the space adjacent to the salon at 616 Preserve Parkway, Suite 108. No opening date has been set. 824-7773. thestonesalon.com.

Hirings and Promotions Kathleen Spencer has been hired as the director of sales for the Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel, 1000 Riverchase Galleria, and Andy Peters is retiring as general manager of the hotel. 705-1234. wynfrey.regency.hyatt.com.

Greenvale Pediatrics has hired a new pediatrician, Dr. Dan Carter. Dr. Carter is now seeing new patients at their office, 5295 Preserve Parkway, Suite 100. 987-4444. greenvale.childrensal.org.

Relocations Fine and Funky Junk, currently located inside Hoover Antique Mall, is opening in its own space in the Hoover Court shopping center at 1923 Hoover Court. The business is owned by Donna Hay. 902-4668.

DR Horton is moving from the 280 corridor at 3570 Grandview Parkway, Suite 100, to a building of their own in Riverchase at 2188 Parkway Lake Drive. The business hopes to move in by the end of the year. drhorton.com.

M&M Jewelers, currently located 8 at 4851 Cahaba River Road, Suite 105, is moving to 440 Inverness Corners next to the new Winn-Dixie and will be open by Nov. 11. 970-0570. Premier Gymnastics is now open at their new location, 3447 Lorna Road. The facility is owned by Sheryl Thienpont. 823-4966. premiergym.net.

Alfa Insurance has a new agent in Hoover. Kathy Northam joined the office at 2304 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite 104. 988-8898. alfains.com.

Lauren Bannister has been named the catering sales manager at Renaissance Ross Bridge, 4000 Grand Avenue. 916-7677. marriott.com.

280 Medical Care, 2800 Greystone Commercial Boulevard, Suite 2B, has made two new hires. Eddah Muya joins the staff as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, and Bill King joins the staff as patient concierge. 547-2323.

The UPS Store, located at 1678 Montgomery Highway South, Suite 104, across from Crest Cadillac, is now owned by Matthew and Stephanie Bass. The store offers packing and shipping services, as well as printing services. 823-8899. theupsstorelocal.com.

to share? to share?

Trustway has moved to a new location at 1837 Montgomery Highway, Suite 107, in the Plaza at Riverchase shopping center. The business offers money coaching, retirement planning, insurance solutions and tax planning. 451-1945. adefiniteplan.com.

News Andrea Bowens, DPT, and Tim Sirmon, DPT, physical therapists at Encore Sports Medicine, recently passed exams to become board-certified clinical specialists in orthopaedics. Encore is located at 2801 John Hawkins Parkway. 682-7650. encorerehab.com.

Heart KNOWLEDGE that can change your world. Convenience that can change your life.

New Ownership

Business news Business news

Mahesh Changlani, MD • Alan S. Gertler, MD • Jody Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner

Closings 19

Top China Buffet, 3780 Riverchase Village, has closed.

Bags & Then Some, 1845 Montgomery Highway, Suite 225,

Coming Soon Coming Soon closed.

Business news Expansion Expansion

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The UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at The Kirklin Clinic at Acton Road is a full-service heart clinic, providing you with primary cardiology expertise conveniently located just off I-459. • Easy access to UAB cardiologists • Appointments within a week • No physician referral required

Are you at risk for heart disease? Introducing Heart-To-Heart Check Ups. This comprehensive risk assessment can uncover heart disease even before you have symptoms. In most cases, you only pay your co-pay.

If you are in a brick and mortar business in Hoover sharebusiness your If you are in a and brickwant and to mortar event with the community, in Hoover and want to share your let us event with theknow. community, let us know.

S Sun

Coming unSoon Email dan@hooversun.com Email dan@hooversun.com

Call 800-822-8816 to schedule an appointment. Learn more at uabmedicine.org/heartacton

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Restaurant Showcase 31

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3075 John Hawkins Parkway Suites D and E 989-1633 Tuesday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m. facebook.com/sazonrestaurant

Sazón

Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com

By KATIE TURPEN A red neon sign glows from a storefront in a narrow shopping center along John Hawkins Parkway. Drivers rushing down the busy street might not realize it, but tucked inside the building is a rare taste of Puerto Rico. “I wanted to be under the radar for a little while,” said Daniel Rubio, owner of Sazón. “But people are starting to discover us.” In August, Rubio, originally from San Juan, opened Sazón, a restaurant specializing in Puerto Rican and Spanish cuisine. His mission was to fill the gap for Caribbean flavor in the Hoover community. “I’ve been in Birmingham 25 years, and I haven’t found a Caribbean restaurant like this,” Rubio said. “I wanted to do something with my own food.” The menu offers a variety of creative fresh dishes from Rubio’s home. Appetizers, or tapas, include the Empanada Sampler and the Tostones, which are double-fried, sliced green plantains. Mofongo is a house specialty dish of mashed green plantains cooked in chicken broth and garlic and served with chicken, pork, beef or shrimp. The menu also boasts enticing cocktails such as the Cuba Libre and the Blue Margarita. Saving room for dessert is a must with tantalizing

(Above) Sazón’s Empanada Sampler: three flour turnovers stuffed with chorizo, crab, and ground beef and cheese. (Right) Daniel Rubio brought Puerto Rico to Hoover when he opened Sazón in August. Photos by Katie Turpen.

options like the tres leches cake, a sponge cake soaked in three milks and topped with homemade whipped cream, or a decadent chocolate ganache cake. “It’s a family effort,” Rubio said. “I’m stealing recipes from my mother.”

The restaurant is only open during dinner hours and accepts reservations. Rubio welcomes families and hopes that the presentation of each dish will encourage guests to share with one another. “I just love the idea of people

sharing food,” Rubio said. “It’s so important to get that interaction.” While the business can be exhausting, Rubio said he enjoys being surrounded by his family and watching people leave the restaurant with smiles on their faces. He is

pleased with the warm reception of the community, including the City Council, and could not imagine being anywhere else. “It’s been so easy and welcoming being in Hoover,” Rubio said. “It’s like the world has opened to us.”

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Community Changing the world in 153 minutes

Area residents participate in last year’s event, then titled Walk 147.

On Nov. 3, the second annual Walk 153 will take place at Hoover Metropolitain Stadium. During the event, hundreds of participants will walk for 153 minutes in support of teams striving to raise awareness and financial support for adoptive families as well as an international educational mission project. Funds raised will support impoverished children and vulnerable orphans in China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Taiwan, and the United States. Among those participating will be 15 adoptive families from all over the Southeast in partnership with Lifeline Children’s Services. These families will be walking with their hearts focused on the children for whom they are waiting, as well as the hope to alleviate the financial weight of adopting through the Walk 153 event. Walk 153 will benefit all of these families as well as children of Mundri,

South Sudan, as funds raised will be used to purchase materials to construct a school in that area. Entertainment will include live music from Mandi Mapes Kottas, free inflatables and a complimentary kids’ section. Among the food items for purchase will be Dreamcakes, Steel City Pops and Kona Ice along with hot dogs, drinks and chips. Walk 153 was created to provide the necessities for some orphaned children among the 153 million worldwide, to bring awareness to the orphan crisis and to raise financial support to assist families in the adoption process. All funds raised go to support orphan care and adoption assistance. Originally named Walk 147, the organization is now Walk 153 because the number of orphans continues to rise. Registration is open at noon, and the walk begins at 1:53 p.m.

Craig Oberschlake (far left) and Jim Coker (far right) of Hoover Public Safety; Dr. Jim Johnston (second from left) and Julie Cole Farmer (holding check) of Children’s of Alabama; and Scott Wheeler (second from right) of Kohl’s on Highway 150. Photo courtesy of Adam Kelley.

Local Kohl’s contributes to donation for Children’s of Alabama At a bicycle rodeo held at Rocky Ridge Elementary School recently, Kohl’s Department Stores announced that it will donate $98,744 to Children’s of Alabama.

Donations were collected from Kohl’s stores located in Hoover and Trussville through the Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program. Kohl’s has gifted approximately $553,412 to Children’s since 2009.

Resident appointed to specialty council Dr. Kim Benner was recently appointed to the inaugural Specialty Council on Pediatric Pharmacy of the Board of Pharmacy Specialties.

This is a recognition of Kim’s national prominence in her specialty in pharmacy practice. There were an overwhelming number of qualified individuals

for these nine positions, and the appointment decisions were difficult. This Council represents the best in the profession.

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Hoover Sun

Get to know: Cindy Adams Chief Academic Officer of Reading and Humanities for Hoover Schools Tell us about yourself. I serve as the chief academic officer of reading and humanities for Hoover City Schools. I work with 1,000 teachers, 17 schools and nearly 14,000 students in Hoover. I have worked in education for 35 years, and during that time, I’ve worked with every age level from preschool through college. I also serve as an adjunct professor for The University of Alabama at Birmingham. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and was named Teacher of the Year twice in my career while working in Texas and Virginia. I earned my doctorate in education leadership and reading in 2011. I am an alumnus of Penn State, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. My family includes husband Lloyd, three grown sons, a golden retriever named Cash, and my first grandchild, due in early November. I have been learning about and working with the new Alabama College and Career Ready Standards since 2010. What led you to transition from Vestavia to Hoover? After 13 wonderful years in Vestavia schools, I looked forward to a new

communication connections between schools and homes. I hope parents can find a convenient way to stay in touch with their students’ teachers and school.

Dr. Cindy Adams and Dr. Kimberly White, Principal, Gwin Elementary. Photo courtesy of Cindy Adams.

challenge of working in a district that embraced a 1:1 technology initiative, providing mobile learning devices for students in Grades three through 12. I think it is important to view technology tools “in the service of instruction” and not simply gadgets. Hoover City Schools seek to make learning more engaging and instruction more effective and efficient with high quality technology tools. Where do you see the Hoover district’s greatest opportunity for improvement from a curriculum and instruction standpoint? Recent parent surveys across the

district reflect a solid belief that Hoover teachers offer outstanding instruction each day. Hoover’s greatest opportunity for improvement resides in the collaboration of those wonderful teachers. Providing opportunities for teachers of the same grade level or of the same content area from across the district to meet, exchange ideas and explore new learning activities will help propel the district in the coming years. Finding time for the teachers to meet and resources for them to use in those trainings will be the challenge. From preK to high school, how can

parents most effectively work with their children’s educators/school administration to maximum benefit for these young learners? Hoover parents are active participants at their schools, and the schools benefit tremendously from the time and interest parents provide to the schools. Getting involved in their students’ school activities helps parents to be more comfortable calling or emailing teachers and principals with questions and concerns. Teacher websites, Edmodo, class and school newsletters, and school Twitter feeds all try to strengthen the

What is the one thing you wish parents understood about Alabama College and Career Readiness Standards, also known as the Common Core? The new Alabama College and Career Ready Standards hold great promise for Alabama’s students. The new standards will challenge students and teachers as we implement them these first few years, but ultimately, I hope they help more students complete high school with the skills they need to enter and complete college. Only about 31 percent of Alabama citizens hold college degrees. We need to better prepare more students with the academic stamina to sustain them through the college journey — with employable skills upon graduation. Any closing thoughts or comments? Since arriving in July, I have met with all the schools’ principals and am meeting each week with small groups of teachers to find out their concerns, challenges and success stories. It has been a privilege, and I have been warmly welcomed in each school. I am fortunate to work closely with Dr. Ron Dodson, assistant superintendent, and with Tammy Dunn, the chief academic officer of math and science. In a school district the size of Hoover, it takes a strong team to serve the district’s schools and offer vision, stability and help.

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Volunteers help expand health care in community Free clinic open Sundays in Hoover By INTISAR SERAAJ-SABREE The Red Crescent Clinic of Alabama (RCCA) is in the business of saving lives. “We’ve had several people who’ve come here that if they hadn’t come to the clinic in six months, they would have’been dead or in the hospital with serious problems,” said Cindy Ghabayen, one of the two volunteer nurses at the Hoover clinic. It does not have limitless supplies, but RCCA does much for anyone in need of medical attention, especially for those who lack medical insurance. RCCA is one of the few free medical clinics in Hoover and religious-based clinics in Birmingham. Since its opening in March, it has welcomed patients from all over the state, including Calera, Troy, Oneonta, Anniston and Gadsden, as well as from foreign countries. When people have sick family members visiting from other countries, many take them to RCCA. Located in the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center on Hackberry Lane, RCCA is run completely by volunteers. Ghabayen said the clinic does not advertise much, and many of the patients do not have connections to the mosque. She attributes word-of-mouth publicity to the geographically diverse clientele. “People needed to be taken care

of,” said Tanveer Patel, 43-year-old founding member and vice president of RCCA. “They have Cooper Green and other things, but they are not enough. We thought that this was one good way to service the community.” The staff includes medical and premed students, certified physicians and nurses, and people who just want to help. In November 2011, Patel, who is also the CEO of health-care consulting firm Concert Care, decided to utilize the professional talents of the Birmingham Muslim community. And the work these primarily Muslim volunteers do for the community is coming around full circle. Mohammad Abbasi, a 21-yearold RCCA volunteer and rising senior at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, said the overall reaction has been immensely positive. “Lots of people who come for the health care have never been to the [mosque] before or ever interacted with Muslims, and they are seeing that, as a community, we are willing to engage with American society and Alabama society,” Abassi said. The clinic is a collaborative effort by the Birmingham Islamic Society and the Alabama chapter of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America.

Completely booked most Sundays, RCCA sees patients with anything from allergies and hypertension to diabetes and prescription refills. But their biggest challenge remains their inability to provide everything for patients, according to Dr. Rabiya Zaman, one of the four volunteer doctors at RCCA. As RCCA awaits more resources and volunteers, it strives to better serve patients with what it has. Recently, the clinic became paperless, gained a pediatric physician, started giving free medicine samples to patients and providing free basic blood work. LabCorp provides the clinic with blood work at discounted rates. Cooper Green Mercy Hospital also works with RCCA as a referral resource. However, patients must be from Jefferson County to get a referral to the hospital. Sometimes it takes months before a patient gets a consultation with a specialist there, according to Zaman. Despite struggles, Zaman said the most rewarding part of volunteering at RCCA is seeing how her help and diagnoses can change people’s lives. “I can provide them with consultations free of cost and recommend what medicines I think that they need or [recommend] where they need to go,” Zaman said. “I cannot make them get insurance, but that is something I can help [with].”

RCCA volunteers wait for patients to arrive. Back row: Dr. Rabiya Zaman and Cindy Ghabayen. Front row: Mohammad Abbasi and Myra Rana.

Ghabayen said she enjoys building relationships with people she might have otherwise never known. For her, volunteering makes her more appreciative of her health and that she can afford to buy health insurance. The clinic hopes to expand its hours on Saturdays and eventually have a full-time clinic in three to five years, according to Patel. Having its own location by next year is also one of Patel’s goals.

And Patel has even bigger aspirations for all of Birmingham’s clinics. “I think it would be very good if the free clinics could come together and collaborate with each other, and share our resources because we’re all doing it for free.” Red Crescent Clinic of Alabama, located at 2524 Hackberry Lane, is open Sundays from 2-6 p.m. For more, call 879-4247, ext. 4, or visit redcrescentalabama.org.

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Hoover Sun

A new kind of Market Junior League rebrands annual shopping event

Market Noel Cahaba Grand Conference Center Nov. 21-22, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 general admission marketnoel.net

Shoppers can kick off the holiday shopping season the weekend before Thanksgiving with a new take on a long-standing tradition. The Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) has christened a new name and logo for its annual holiday market — Market Noel. The event will welcome more than 100 local and national merchants — including ones based in Hoover — to set up shop in the conveniently located Cahaba Grand Conference Center as familiar strains of Christmas music play. “The rebrand has attracted a lot of new

Hoover-based Sophia Designs will be among the merchants featured at this year’s Market Noel. Owner Noha Nadler’s handbag designs are inspired by a trip she took to Egypt in 2010.

vendors,” said Mary Evans, Market Noel chair. “Our hope is to keep old favorites while bringing in fresh, new merchandise from around the country.” All proceeds from Market Noel will support the 34 community projects of JLB. Returning to the Cahaba Grand Conference Center for the fifth consecutive year, the festivities begin Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. with a merry Sneak Peek party. General admission shopping runs Nov. 21-23 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and

9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Highlights of the week include Market Morning, featuring country music singer Sara Evans, and a book signing by Homewood’s Father Goose, Charles Ghigna, and his wife, Debra. Ghigna has recently co-written a children’s book with his wife, titled Christmas is Coming! Both authors will be on hand to sign copies. On Friday, John Croyle of the Big Oak Ranch will be signing copies of his book, The TwoMinute Drill to Manhood: A Proven Game Plan

for Raising Sons. On Saturday, families can enjoy free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit marketnoel.net to purchase tickets and to review a complete listing of participating merchants and event details. Tickets are also available at the door, and all special event tickets include admission for shopping. You can also find Market Noel at facebook. com/MarketNoel, JLBirmingham on Pinterest or #jlbmarketnoel on Twitter. -Submitted by the Junior League of Birmingham

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Aldridge Gardens has new CEO Birmingham hospitality veteran Tynette Lynch has joined Aldridge Gardens as its new chief executive officer. Lynch founded Hospitality Business Solutions in 2003. The Birmingham native took leave from her company in 2005 to become the Wynfrey Hotel’s director of sales and marketing. She was promoted to general manager in 2007. The Wynfrey won the AAA Four Diamond Award each year of her tenure. Hospitality Business Solutions, located in Birmingham, offers a wide range of consulting services to hospitality-related businesses, including customer service training, hotel pre-openings,

franchise compliance, sales and marketing, event planning, and team coaching. Her firm has served hotel brands such as Comfort Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and Sheraton Four Points, as well as several private-brand casino hotels. Before founding Hospitality Business Solutions, Lynch was general manager for the Mountain Brook Inn and the Holiday Inn Homewood. She has served in leadership positions on several hospitality councils. For more information about the Gardens, call 682-8019, email info@AldridgeGardens.com or visit AldridgeGardens.com.

Aldridge Gardens has welcomed Tynette Lynch as its new CEO. Photo courtesy of Chuck Whiting.

Apply now for DAR scholarships The Hoover-based Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) is looking for applications for its scholarships. The organization awards more than $150,000 through more than 25 scholarships to young individuals for their outstanding academic achievements. DAR Scholarships are offered for a wide range of disciplines including history, medical, nursing, music, law, education and more. Though some of these scholarships are for advanced study, many are available to graduating high school seniors. The various DAR scholarships each have different requirements and procedures that

must be followed to apply for the scholarship. Completed applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 15, 2014. All application forms for these scholarships are available at dar.org or from the local Lily of the Cahaba Chapter, which can be contacted at lilyofthecahaba@gmail.com. The Alabama Society DAR (ASDAR) also awards two $1500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Alabama who will attend college in Alabama. Application deadline for these ASDAR scholarships is Jan. 15, 2014. Application forms for the ASDAR scholarships can be obtained by emailing lilyofthecahaba@ gmail.com.

Church sponsors clothing, coat drive The Hoover Church of Christ will hold its annual Clothing & Coat Drive at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24. This event is also in conjunction with the church’s Monthly Food Pantry. For more, call 822-5610 or visit hooverchurchofchrist.org.

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Hoover Sun

Monte D’Oro holds annual ice cream social

(Left) Monte D’Oro Homeowner’s Association President Anna Lu Hemphill presents the 50th anniversary plaque to Hoover Fire Station No. 1. (Above) Firemen lead a children’s parade behind the Hoover Station No. 1 fire engine to the annual ice cream social. Photos courtesy of Alice Hope.

Garden club hosts plant swap The Heatherwood Garden Club met in October at the home of Gail Greene. Members who attended the meeting brought a cutting or plant from their gardens to share with the other members. There were various varieties of Iris, lilies, ground covers and ivies. The members shared information regarding how to grow each plant and the care necessary though the year. Members also discussed the annual flower show hosted by the Botanical Gardens, and several members will participate with flower arrangements for the show. The club will also participate in several local activities during the year. After eating lunch prepared by hostesses Gail Greene and Janice Rhodes, everyone took their beautiful plants and flowers home to test their green thumbs.

Local DAR chapter promotes Constitution Week Members of the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, were presented with a proclamation from the City Of Hoover designating Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. Pictured are Susan Moore, Tracy Pflaum and Bunny Rittenour.

Members gather around the plants they brought to the Heatherwood Garden Club plant swap. Photo courtesy of Ann Davis.

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Bumpus fundraising event to benefit PTO budget Bucs Bazaar Where: R.F. Bumpus Middle athletic fields and parking lots When: Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Events: Kickball tournament, garage sale, vendor/ craft booths, Krispy Kreme doughnut sale, conference basketball tournament (inside school’s gymnasiums)

By KATHLEEN BUCCLEUGH With a 2013-2014 fundraising goal of $11,000, R.F. Bumpus Middle School’s Parent Teacher Organization is putting a lot of work into this year’s sole school-wide fundraising event. The first-ever Bucs Bazaar, named for the school’s mascot, will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Bumpus Middle campus at 6055 Fleming Parkway. Tina Lindsey, vice president of fundraising for the Bumpus PTO, said she and Steffanie McGarity, second VP of fundraising for PTO, met with the school’s administration in the spring to discuss the best approach to this year’s fundraiser. Last year, Lindsey said, the PTO’s donation drive did not gain the traction the association wanted from its main fundraising event. So this year the PTO and the administration decided to host a day of activities to invite parent, student and neighborhood involvement. “[The administration is] with seventh- and eighth-graders all year long, and they’re with

Tina Lindsey, vice president of fundraising for Bumpus Middle’s PTO, has been working on Bucs Bazaar plans since the spring. She shows examples of vendors’ products that could be on sale during the Nov. 2 event. Photos by Kathleen Buccleugh.

the parents more than we are, in the sense of they hear what works and doesn’t work more than we do. So we wanted to know what they wanted — something that would be successful,” Lindsey said. “This was a derivative of the meeting of the minds to do this event.” Lindsey said she hopes a major source of income from the bazaar will be the sale of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Students have two weeks to pre-sell boxes of a dozen doughnuts at $5 each (more than $1 savings over buying the doughnuts in the store), $2.75 of which is direct profit for the PTO’s budget. Students will pick up the doughnut boxes during the Nov. 2 event for distribution. McGarity’s seventh-grade son, Nicholas, plans to sell a lot of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, “especially to myself,” he said.

To raise the stakes and provide incentives, the three students who sell the highest number of boxes will win an iPad mini, iPod or Beats by Dre earbuds. The prizes were donated, respectively, by Dr. Jeffrey Backus of Backus Orthodontics, Time Machine and AAATIX. The bazaar will also feature two sporting tournaments. Conference basketball teams will compete in the school’s gymnasiums, and proceeds benefit the school’s athletics program, Lindsey said. For a $10 entry fee per person, Bumpus students may play single-elimination kickball on teams of up to 10. The winning student team will then play a faculty team headed by Principal Tamala Maddox, Lindsey said. Nicholas McGarity said he’s most looking forward to the kickball tournament but said

he wasn’t sure if a student team could beat a faculty team because “I’ve never seen them play kickball.” A community garage sale will be held in the parking areas of the school. Also, local vendors selling crafts, housewares and makeup — just to name a few — have rented booths to sell their goods. Lindsey said one female Bumpus student who owns a bow-making business has reserved her booth. Steffanie McGarity’s husband, Todd, said he usually helps out with PTO events. “I’m sure I’ll be donating my time for (setup),” he said. “[The bazaar has] a big spectrum of stuff. It’s going to be neat.” Vendors, parents and community members looking for more information or to get involved may contact Steffanie McGarity at supton1@aol.com or Tina Lindsey at tina@ lindseyfamily.org. “We want it to be a community event, not just ‘Hey, send us your money.’” Lindsey said. “We want everyone to be invested in the school,because that makes them ultimately invested in the children’s education.”

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Hoover Sun

School House New place to play

Assistant Principal Katie King cuts the ribbon for the new playground at Prince of Peace Catholic School in September.

Kindergarten and first-grade classes at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover could hardly contain their excitement as they entered their new playground for the first time this fall. Shortly after lunch, they waited patiently inside the school’s primary school wing for their teachers to open the door to a little bit of recess heaven. They were warmly greeted by Fr. John Fallon and Assistant Principal Katie King as they stepped onto the cushioned playground surface. After gathering into a semicircle, Fallon spoke to them about the new playground and blessed it. As soon as King cut the ceremonial ribbon, students shrieked with delight and bolted to

the swings, slides and free play areas. Turning the previously hilly and boulderstrewn area behind the church and school into a safe, fun space took about two months. The land was graded and terraced into two distinct play areas. Two retaining walls were built, and security fencing and a rubberized playground surface were installed. The $100,000 project was a joint effort of the Prince of Peace Catholic School, Church and PTO. The school has three other playgrounds – a large outdoor one which serves the second through eighth grades, an interior atrium area for the preschool, and a separate outdoor one for the Adventure Ark playschool.

Front row: Harrison Wilson, Claire Dillard, Caroline Lewis, Chinonye Mbanugo and Sophia Cantelow, Cody Johnson. Back row: Emily Hofmann, Terry Hinton, Sara Frances Blanks, Kreshetta Smiley and Ann Marie Simmons. Photo courtesy of Betty Wilson.

Singing sensations Several Deer Valley students recently participated in the Alabama Music Educators Association Choral Festival. The festival is was held at Samford University in October.

Hoover High student named UA ambassador Terry Turner III has been named a high school ambassador for The University of Alabama to help with their Early College program. Turner began the UA Early College program this past summer at the suggestion of his Hoover High School college counselor, Cindy Bond. As a UA Early College ambassador, Turner has been charged with sharing the benefits of being a UA Early College student, encouraging other eligible students to apply and assisting at the college fairs. Turner is active at HHS, where he is in the Marching Band, Competition Marching Band, Jazz Band and Symphonic Winds Concert Band.

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From Spain Park to the Perelman Stage Students head to Carnegie Hall By REBECCA WALDEN When Charles Henry first walked the halls of Spain Park High, the school choir hardly had a pulse. The newly minted choir director knew he had his work cut out for him, especially when he realized his freshman membership numbered all of six singers. For Henry, though, passion meant a lot more than having an impressive head count. “Really my job is to teach these students how to be better young men and women,” he said. “It’s through music that I am able to do that. These kids are learning about responsibility, time management, working with other people and having to do something extra. Choir is considered an extracurricular. My feeling about it is, if you are choosing to do more than you have to do already, do the best you can.” And they are. The choir has come a long way since 2009, Henry’s first year on the job, when he and his students were working to rebuild the choir for the sheer love of it. Today, when members spontaneously burst into song in the hallways, they are rewarded with appreciative applause from their peers. Now more than 100 members strong, the group has hit its stride and gained regional acclaim through impressive appearances at area competitions. That visibility, combined with the achievements of the three classes of Spain Park alumni who have graduated under Henry, led to what is considered to be the ultimate invitation for the musically inclined — a chance to perform at Carnegie Hall. On Sunday evening, Nov. 17, Spain Park choir members will take center stage in the Stern Auditorium of the famed music hall to participate in the New England Symphonic Ensemble. By way of invitation from John Ratledge, director of choral activities at The University of Alabama, who also is co-conducting the

Spain Park High School choir members Alex Slocum, Elizabeth McGehee, Katie Chunn, Eleanor Watson, Madeline Ussery, Juliet Jackson, Marie Baroody and Dani Justice. Photo courtesy of Charles Henry.

performance, Spain Park choir members will join other regional invitees from Alabama, Georgia and Texas in a mass choir ensemble of Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, presented by MidAmerica Productions. “An invitation like this validates what we’ve been doing, and how we’ve been working to present ourselves as an ensemble,” said Henry. Spain Park Principal Ken Jarnagin is not surprised. “Several Spain Park choral alumni are currently studying music at Alabama, where they are also in Dr. Ratledge’s choir,” said Jarnagin. “He’s expressed his appreciation of our Spain Park singers on several occasions, having heard them sing at concerts and choral music festivals. Based on that, he recommended our choir for this prestigious honor, where selection is based upon the quality of literature, quality of student, and the high level of our musical presentations.” To keep delivering on that reputation,

Jarnagin, a former band director and avid supporter of the arts, commended participating students, both for the honor and for the extra preparation it demands. “The students traveling to New York will be preparing the music outside of the regular school day,” he said. “While this trip is extracurricular, there are also additional requirements of a singer above and beyond what is already expected from those in the music program at Spain Park.” That preparation is considerable. The work, Lux Aeterna (“eternal light” in Latin) is a five-movement piece, composed for a choir and orchestra, that runs 30 minutes in length. “Every piece has something to do with light or light shining down, where Christ is the light of the world,” Henry said. “It’s pretty deep. We’ve gotten into what the text is saying but also what the music is saying.” Much of that work happened this past summer after Henry got his hands on 60 donated copies of the work, courtesy of a colleague at The

University of North Alabama, and began to host sectional rehearsals. “I was impressed that these kids were willing to come up to the school in the summer, not for a grade but because this is something they know we need to do to make this performance the best it can be,” Henry said. On their own time, students also have been using cyberbass.com to learn notes and rhythm. “When they are with me, we can focus on text, pronunciation and interpretation,” he said. “It’s a more informal setting than a classroom. We can really explore what is happening and get to know each other and the music better rather than the pressure of, ‘This is just for a grade.’” For Emily Saab, a choir member since 2009, summer rehearsals were a reward, reflective of four years of resolve and hard work, to build the choir and even have a chance at such accolades. “Even though the choir was struggling to regroup in the earlier of my years at Spain Park, I never thought of doing anything else,” she said. “What I’ve found in my experience with choir is that it has a sense of community for support but also gives people the chance to be individuals. So whether the choir was struggling or excelling didn’t really matter to me because it was home. “Still, to be where we are now, having been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, is a great validation of all the work we put into being a great choir,” she said. Selections from the choir’s November performance will be presented at Spain Park’s Winter Concert. Henry and Jarnagin are also working on a schedule of 2014 events to help showcase the group to the greater community. “I think people will be really surprised to hear what we can do,” said Saab. “Spain Park has a reason to be proud of their choir again.” The Hoover Sun will include information about upcoming choir performances as they are scheduled.

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Hoover Sun

Prince of Peace second graders Fin Unnoppet (left) and Abby Guillory (right) with guest speaker Joyce Darby at the school’s raised beds and greenhouse. Photo courtesy of Jill Taylor Spero.

Greenhouse inspires new school program Second and fourth graders at Prince of Peace School are digging in the dirt, examining worms and eating radishes in the classroom – all with the approval of their teacher. These junior scientists are part of a new, interactive science curriculum utilizing the school’s greenhouse and raised beds. The hands-on program was developed and is taught by school parent Mary Guillory, who has an interest in teaching kids just how food gets from farm to table. “I was surprised to realize that many kids today have no understanding as to where their food comes from,” she said. The program adds a new dimension to the students’ science and nutrition curriculum. “The greenhouse is an extension of our unique elementary science lab program,” said Principal Connie Angstadt. “We are so fortunate to have committed, involved parents like Mary who can enhance our curriculum offerings in such creative ways when many schools are

cutting programs.” Guillory recently brought local farmer Joyce Darby to Prince of Peace to speak to her classes about farming. Darby farms 17 acres in Montevallo, practically by herself, and strives to create a self-sustaining, organic environment. Not only are the students studying plant growth, but also the factors that affect it. They conduct experiments with irrigation, fertilization and pest management, debate the pros and cons of worms, and dissect plants. “Seeing an image of a flower and its parts in a book cannot compare to actually seeing and touching it,” said Guillory. Now these elementary farmers are growing radishes, pumpkins, squash, strawberries, basil and various flowers in the raised beds. A mango and a papaya tree have also been planted; both should bear fruit before the students graduate eighth grade. The radish crop was successful, and the students were intrigued when they saw the red vegetable peeking out of the soil.

Celebrating grandparents at Shades Shades Mountain Christian School recognized Grandparents Day in September by celebrating students’ grandparents with a singing program followed by a reception. Students in kindergarten through third grade visited with their grandparents over doughnuts and drinks. This is the second year SMCS has celebrated Grandparents Day, welcoming special grandparents from the Birmingham area and states as far away as Arizona. (Right) great-grandmother Martha Morgan and grandmother Carol James visit with Caden Cofield, K5, during Grandparents Day at SMCS. (Below) Leonard and Chelle Barber visit with granddaughter Makaela Hall, K3, on Grandparents Day at SMCS. Photos courtesy of Joanne Williamson.

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¿Se habla español? Taking a holistic approach, Prince of Peace Catholic School has introduced a new Spanish curriculum to its students. Students learn Spanish vocabulary, sentence structure and grammatical accuracy by listening and repeating a story that is interesting, student-driven and interactive via the TPR Storytelling method. They learn to understand and converse in a second language in a manner similar to how young children learn their first language from their families. PoP’s new Spanish teacher, Susie Tucker, introduced TPRS to the school. The innovative program focuses on speaking the language, and as a result, grammar follows. “They just don’t realize that they are learning grammar,” said Tucker, “because they are so engaged in the interactive learning process.”

Students are soaking in Spanish culture as they learn to master the language. Photo courtesy of Jill Taylor Spero.

Percussionist to perform in Macy’s parade

Hoover High School Marching Band percussionist Jacob Fondren has been selected as a member of the 2013 Macy’s Great American Marching Band Drumline. Photo courtesy of Jason Gaston.

Hoover High School Marching Band percussionist Jacob Fondren has been selected as a member of the 2013 Macy’s Great American Marching Band Drumline. Fondren now has the honor of joining students from every state in America as a member of this elite marching band. The opportunity is open to students from more than 14,000 high schools across the United States. Since 2006, when the band was formed, more than 1,700 students have had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the MGAMB. Fondren, a junior, said the process for consideration was quite thorough. He was given a list of material to play. Upon learning the material, he had to submit a video of his performance and include clips of his

performances from prior band seasons. “I was very shocked to learn I was selected. It’s overwhelming to think of the experience I will have being a part of such a great organization and finally being on a national stage,” he said. In late October, Fondren received the official music for the parade and began practice. He’ll also have daily rehearsals once he arrives in New York City a few days prior to Thanksgiving. The Hoover Marching Band marched in 2001 at the 75th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Fondren is the only student from HHS to have been selected to perform with the Macy’s Great American Parade Band. He is the son of Jeff and Shelia Fondren. His dad is an assistant band director at Hoover High School.

24 • November 2013

Hoover Sun

Sports Jaguars, Bucs await state playoffs By JEFF THOMPSON With the state playoffs looming, both the Hoover High Buccaneers and the Spain Park Jaguars are in prime positions to make a run at this year’s Super Six. With two games left on the season, both teams are 8-0 and 6-0 in their region, Spain Park in Region 4 and Hoover in Region 5. Spain Park’s final game of the season is on Nov. 1 at Oxford High School in Anniston, and Hoover travels to Opelika High on Halloween.

October recaps: Spain Park In 2013, quarterback Mickey Forrest led the Jaguars to their best start to a season in school history. Heading into their match-up against Pelham on Oct. 25, the team was 8-0 and ranked No. 16 in the state. In October, they defeated Thompson, Oak Mountain and Stanhope Elmore and sat atop Region 4. Hoover The Bucs are continuing their era of dominance. Heading into their nationally televised game with Tuscaloosa County on Oct. 24, Hoover had amassed 312 points in eight games while allowing only 53 to be scored against them. Ranked No. 1 in the state and boasting a record of 8-0, the Bucs were looking to continue their 23-game win streak into this year’s playoffs.

Above, All-American defensive back Marlon Humphrey returns a kickoff for a touchdown. Photo courtesy of Kevin Brooks / Hoover City Schools. Left, Spain Park Quarterback Mickey Forrest sets up to pass. Photo courtesy Ted Melton / actionsportspix.smugmug.com.

November 2013 • 25

HooverSun.com

Tide or Tigers?

City of Hoover employees talk about this year’s Iron Bowl

By JEFF THOMPSON

2013 Iron Bowl prediction: Alabama Where will you be for the game?: Either tailgating in Auburn or watching on the TV in North Carolina with family.

The University of Alabama and Auburn University are inching closer to the 2013 Iron Bowl, and this year’s game is shaping up to be another of the rivalry’s many memorable contests. Hoover Sun went to the City of Hoover to find out on which side of the fence some are sitting, and what they think about this year’s matchup.

What will you do when your team wins? Our celebrations always involve lots of cheering and lots of food!

BRITTANY TOOLE Age: 28

MELINDA LOPEZ

Title: Events Assistant

Age: 43

Tide or Tigers: Tide

Position: Director of Information Management and Reporting

2013 Iron Bowl prediction: Alabama 34-14

Tide or Tigers: Tigers

Number of Iron Bowls attended: 1

Number of Iron Bowls attended: I have not attended many – because it always falls around Thanksgiving and I am usually in Kentucky with family. Favorite memory: Three games stand out. First is the first Iron Bowl played in Auburn in 1989. I was a freshman at Auburn, and I sold my tickets to go home and do something with a friend of mine. What was I thinking? Next was in 2007. My father passed away later that night from an unexpected illness the day after Thanksgiving. It put the game into perspective, and for that it is a favorite memory – but I do still love Auburn football! Finally, when Auburn was down at the half in 2010, I never doubted we’d get a win to continue on for the National Championship! Other great memories

Favorite memory: Beating Auburn 36-0 in the 2008 Iron Bowl. Roll Tide!

RODNEY LONG Auburn fans Rod Long and Melinda Lopez and Alabama fans Kim Marlin and Brittany Toole.

are all of the Iron Bowl food gatherings we have held at the City where employees wear their colors and bring a dish. 2013 Iron Bowl prediction: Auburn Tigers. We will get better each week, and I am always confident in an Auburn win. And I hope Alabama is undefeated when it happens. Where will you be for the game?: Probably 158 Happy Ridge Spur, Pleasureville, Ky., which means I will

sell my four tickets.

Number of Iron Bowls attended: 8

What will you do when your team wins? Realize my prediction was right, and eat some pumpkin pie. There is a reason why pumpkins are orange!

Favorite memory: My favorite Iron Bowl memory was watching Van Tiffin make "The Kick" at Legion Field. The fans went crazy! My favorite all time memory was attending the National Championship game in New Orleans. After spending several days amid overly confident LSU fans, the Tide didn't even allow them to score. It was awesome. Roll Tide!

KIM MARLIN Age: 49 Position: Horticulturist Tide or Tigers: Tide

Age: 61 Title: City Engineer Tide or Tigers: Tigers 2013 Iron Bowl prediction: Alabama is ranked No. 1 in the country for a good reason. They are the best team at this point. Auburn continues to improve and should be able to compete on Nov. 30. Auburn 34-31. Number of Iron Bowls attended: Approximately 25 Favorite memory: The first Iron Bowl played on home turf in 1989.

26 • November 2013

Hoover Sun

Spirit of the sport Niblett’s Wednesday night Bible study a tradition for Hoover Bucs By TOM WARD For most people, hosting 50 hungry teenagers could be a traumatic event. For the Niblett family, it’s called Wednesday. For Hoover Bucs Head Football Coach Josh Niblett and his bride, Karon, Wednesday nights have been a staple of their ministry together. “We began the Wednesday night Bible studies with dinner at Josh’s first head coaching job in Oneonta,” she explained. “Since then, we’ve never stopped. For our children, the Wednesday night fun has always been a part of their lives.” “I’ve been coming here on Wednesdays all through high school,” said senior tight end Colin Silva. “This is part of the reason our team is such a family. We work hard together, but we spend time together like a family.” One look around the Niblett home reveals that the team is indeed part of their family. In their dining room, an enlarged, framed picture of the 2014 senior football players hangs proudly on the wall. In other parts of the house, including the coach’s office, his love for his players is made immediately clear by souvenirs and photographs. For many, the term “Bible study” may sound unappealing — especially after a long day of school and football practice. Anybody who knows Niblett, however, will tell you no one has ever called him boring. “If you’ve ever fallen head over heels for a girl, raise your hand.” Everyone laughed as Niblett posed

Hoover High School Head Football Coach Josh Niblett encourages his players to grow spiritually as well as physically by hosting a Wednesday night Bible study at his home. Photos courtesy of Kevin Brooks / Hoover City Schools.

the question during the spiritual lesson time, and every hand went up. “Raise your hands if you have ever told a girl that you loved her.” Again, all hands were raised amidst a room full of chuckles. Some players called the names of girls whom their teammates might have loved in earlier years. There was no boredom. There was no yawning or looking at watches. Niblett went on to describe the joy of a relationship with Jesus Christ. He said spiritual peace and strength can extend to excellence in other areas of life, such as family, relationships, school work and athletics.

“Coach always challenges us in all areas of our life,” explained Jaterrius Gulley, a senior defensive tackle. “This is my first year to come to the Bible study, and I wish I had started earlier. I’ve gotten to know coach and his family well, and they have helped me grow as a person and as a Christian.” For the Nibletts, the benefits are endless. “We’ve had seven young men dedicate their lives to Christ this season,” Karon Niblett said. “The Lord has used this event to change so many lives. At the beginning of every season, Josh has a meeting

with the parents and explains that he cares most about their character, their education, their work ethic and their desire for excellence. If they have those, the football will take care of itself.” For the coach and his bride, Wednesday nights are just one component part of their joint ministry. In fact, their relationship began because of ministry. Niblett told the story to the riveted group of players. “I was an assistant coach at JSU (Jacksonville State University), and we had this incredible speaker talk to us,” Niblett said. “He was a minister from a few miles away. I just knew

that I needed to hear him preach again. I went to the church and heard another incredible and challenging message.” Niblett flashed an impish grin as he lowered his voice. “But there was more,” he said. “I saw a red-headed girl in the choir, and I had to ask her out on a date. I called the choir director and asked him her name. He told me that there were two red-haired girls in the choir.” The room had fallen quiet, but burst into laughter at the next line. “Let’s just say that the other one wasn’t exactly as beautiful as my bride. I begged him please not to give the name of the wrong redhead. Thankfully, she grew up with sisters and no brothers, so she neither knew or cared anything about football.” For Karon Niblett, that quickly changed. “Yes, I care a lot about football now,” she said. “I know every player, and our family cares about each of them. Our kids play sports, including football for the boys, so we’re all into it at every level. As the coach himself loves to say, it’s not about him. “It’s about our God. It’s about being a good steward of the young men who have been placed in my care for a brief season. It’s about teaching them that there is life beyond what they can see right now, and that the decisions they make now can benefit them from now on.” For the Hoover Bucs, that’s what makes the team a family. For the Niblett family, it’s just a typical Wednesday.

November 2013 • 27

HooverSun.com FLIGHT

CONTINUED from page 1 over the water. After that, I was hooked forever.” Mikos sailed through Auburn, and in 1969, started pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Selma. After finishing at the top of his class, Mikos began his fighter pilot career in earnest, where his F-4 expertise led the newlywed and his young wife, Kathy, all the way to Spangdahlem, Germany, where Mikos was placed over a top-secret weapon program. The couple made the most of their time there, settling into a cozy bungalow just outside Spangdahlem, in the town of Eisenschmitt, population 250. Unlike their friends from Auburn leading more conventional lives back home, the Mikos spent weekends skiing in Austria, playing bumper cars at the Bittliche Pigfest, and driving insanely low-priced BMWs at insanely high speeds on the Autobahn. “We were basically on a three-and-a halfyear honeymoon,” he said. The young Mikos was also coming into his own as a pilot, balancing both the swagger and endurance expected of the field’s top flight talent. “I had no credentials to accomplish what I’d been asked to do,” said Mikos, recalling his first cross-Atlantic flight as flight lead, where he was tasked to lead five other pilots, all navigating battle-damaged planes from Vietnam to Zaragoza, Spain. “We had all sorts of problems going into the Atlantic – it was 12 hours of sheer pain,” he said. The trip ended successfully, even if he was a little worse for the wear. “Shortly after we landed, we went out to dinner. I fell asleep before the food came, and they could not wake me up.” After the couple’s first son, Greg, was born, they returned to the States and settled at Fort Pope, La., where for a brief stint Mikos flew the O-2 Duck. Shortly after, he joined the Air National Guard in Birmingham as a recruiter for the Air Force Academy. “At that time, it was to make some extra

Dan Mikos in his ROTC days at the Lambda Chi house at Auburn University.

money,” he said. “But I kept it up until 2007 because I enjoyed meeting all these great young people we have in this country.” Despite the demands of family, business and civic duties (he is a past president of both the Hoover Sertoma Club and the Hoover Chamber of Commerce, among other leadership roles at the state and regional levels), Mikos has always stayed close to his first love — flying. Today, he’s active with Civic Air Patrol and often takes on special assignments for Air Force Bases around the region. One of his latest projects involved field testing of drones.

“It’s been a great job for me, especially in those early days, when things were not so politically correct,” he said, adding that, politics aside, passion for country is the ultimate driver for all who serve. “We have a deep love for our country and feel an obligation to give something back for what a great country we have,” he said. “But it’s not just those in combat who make the sacrifice. My wife sacrificed as much as I did. I was always off somewhere — Italy, Spain, Turkey, Israel — and here was my wife, back in Germany with our infant son and no one to help her. Military families make the sacrifice together.”

28 • November 2013

Hoover Sun

Riverchase Von Maur one of company’s largest stores By KATIE TURPEN

During a press conference in October, Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey announced that the Chapel Lane extension will officially open on Nov. 22. He is joined by State Rep. Paul DeMarco and Hoover City Council Members John Lyda and Gene Smith. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

CHAPEL

CONTINUED from page 1 Chapel Lane will arrive in two weeks and is projected to require two weeks to install. And with a press conference Oct. 15, Hoover set itself an approximately fiveweek window to have it all ready to go. The City plans to open the Chapel Lane extension on Friday, Nov. 22. “We’re pleased to announce we’re going to open the road on Nov. 22, the Friday before Black Friday, to get the shopping season kicked off,” Mayor Gary Ivey said during a press conference held where the extension connects to the Patton Creek shopping center. Ivey said the extension would ease traffic coming off Patton Chapel Road onto U.S. 31. In addition, the road would serve residents in Bluff Park and surrounding areas by providing an easy route to I-459 and Alabama Highway 150. “This is going to be a huge congestion relief not only for the holidays but also for our everyday traffic,” he said.

In addition, Ivey said opening the extension is significant, as the City’s project to widen U.S. 31 has been delayed. That project is slated to add a full lane traveling each direction between the I-459 overpass and Data Drive south of Chace Lake. ALDOT informed the City over the summer that it wouldn’t be able to complete construction before the holiday shopping season, so the Council agreed to postpone the work until spring 2014. “Getting [the Chapel Lane extension] done is going to give us about as much relief as that was going to,” Ivey said. Although the current administration began the project in 2011, the idea originated during the term of former Mayor Tony Petelos. Hoover City Council Member John Lyda said Petelos thought it was the most important road project for the city in 2005, and for this administration the extension maintained that ranking. “For the last eight years, this has been the

No. 1 road project,” Lyda said. “It means so much to Bluff Park and Green Valley residents because it gives those residents a way to avoid Highway 31 congestion and still be at the state’s main shopping district in minutes.” Construction for the two-year project was approximately $5 million, with ALDOT covering 80 percent of the cost and Hoover picking up the remaining 20 percent. Ivey said the City also received assistance from Jefferson County in obtaining land. The extension required serious utility relocation involving sanitary sewers in the area, Westhoven said. He added it would be completed along the timeline proposed in 2011. Paving will continue on both the north and south sides of the extension’s bridge as the grand opening approaches. The City will hold the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Nov. 22 in front of Rooms To Go in Patton Creek.

The Galleria attracts more than 15 millions visitors each year, and the mall is responsible for 22 percent of the city’s sales tax revenue. In 2012, the city received $43,261,790 in sales tax revenue from merchandise retail alone. That number is expected to increase this year when Von Maur opens its first store in Alabama at the former Macy’s location. The 185,000-square-foot store is set to become one of the largest Von Maur stores in the country. The grand opening will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m-9 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 3 from noon6 p.m. Store Manager Caitlin Harris describes the event as one not to miss. “That Saturday we will have live music, children’s entertainment, gifts with purchase throughout the store and a $2,000 shopping spree,” Harris said. “We will also have several personal appearances.” Former NFL player John “Hog” Hannah will host a book signing, and Zoe from Nic & Zoe clothing will be on hand for consulting. Peyton Roi List, who plays Emma Ross on the Disney Channel series “Jesse,” will be signing autographs from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The family-owned company was founded in Iowa in the late 1800s and now operates 27 stores in 11 states across the country. The Von Maur location at the Galleria has undergone a complete makeover with an exterior brick façade, arching entry ways and original artwork. Visitors can expect daily entertainment from a grand piano player at the center of the store. An interactive tree and a carriage will be in the children’s area and an antique pub, motorcycle and television screens will be displayed in the men’s area. “What’s really nice and different about our store is that we have no interior walls, so you can see from one end of the store to the other. It’s very neat and clean with a residential feel,” Harris said. “Our numberone priority is service. We want our customers to be entertained.”

OVER 700 BOOTHS! November 7-10, 2013 Public Shopping Convention Complex

(205) 836-7173 Call for Ticket Info or visit www.christmasvillagefestival.com

November 2013 • 29

HooverSun.com

Community Calendar Comedy Club Stardome

Hoover Events Nov. 2: Walking to Remember. Riverchase Galleria. Sponsored by the Central Alabama Alzheimer’s Association. Visit alzca.org.

will be 20-25 vendors with homemade/ handmade items, along with a bake sale and free hot cider. Free. Call 982-3596 or visit doleysclinic.com.

Nov. 13: Employee Milestone Recognition Luncheon. Aldridge Gardens. 11:30 a.m. Email Erin Colbaugh at colbaughe@ci.hoover.al.us.

Nov. 2: Von Maur Department Store Grand Opening. Riverchase Galleria. 10 a.m.

Nov. 3: All Saints Sunday. Bluff Park UMC. 8:45 and 11 a.m. Visit bluffparkumc.org or call 822-0910.

Nov. 2: Southern Conference Cross-Country Championships. Veterans Park.

Nov. 3-11: Veterans Week Celebration. Various locations. Contact Lori Salter-Schommer at 444-7588.

Nov. 14: Hoover Service Club Monthly Meeting. 11 a.m. Fashion Sense and Show, featuring Service Club Members.

Nov. 2-3: Moss Rock Festival. The Preserve Town Hall. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit mossrockfestival.com.

Nov. 6: U.S.O. Dance. Hoover Senior Center. 1 p.m. Contact Tracy Vinzant at 739-6767 or vinzantt@ci.hoover.al.us.

Nov. 2: Bucs Bazaar. Robert F. Bumpus Middle School. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. PTO fundraiser featuring community garage sale, vendor/craft booths, student kickball tournament, concessions and more. Email Steffanie McGarity at supton1@aol.com or tina@lindseyfamily.org. Nov. 2: Holiday Craft Sale. The Doleys Clinic, 2270 Valleydale Road, Suite 100. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. There

Nov. 8: Hoover High School Football Playoff Game. 7 p.m. Hoover Met. Nov. 8: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Riverchase Galleria. Daylong entertainment beginning at noon with ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. Kids can get autographs from all their favorite Disney and Marvel characters and meet Santa Claus himself. Call 985-3020.

Nov. 14: Open House. Riverchase Country Club Clubhouse. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Learn about the club, hear member testimonials, take a tour and win door prizes. Dinner will be available afterward, and attendance is by reservation only. Call Alison White at 313-3724 or email Alison@riverchasecc.com. Nov. 17: Special Speaker: District Superintendent Bob Alford. Bluff Park UMC. 8:45 and 11 a.m. Nov. 19: Hoover Historical Society Monthly Meeting. Bluff Park United Methodist Fellowship Hall. 1:30 p.m. Bill Hawkins of Gardendale will present “The Turkeytown Trail of Tears”

about the Cherokee Indians preparing to move on the ‘Trail’ to Oklahoma. Visit hooverhistoricalsociety.org.

Nov. 22: Iron Bowl Bash. Hoover Senior Center. 12:30 p.m. Email Tracy Vinzant at vinzantt@ci.hoover.al.us.

Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9: James Gregory. Nov. 3: Tim Statum. Nov. 5-7: Doug T Hypnosis Show. Nov. 12-14: JJ. Nov. 15-17: Capone. Nov. 19-21: Shaun Jones. Nov. 22-24: Charlie Murphy. Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Lil Duvall.

Nov. 22: 19th Annual Invitational Swim for Therapeutics. Hoover Rec Center. 8:30 a.m. Email Dee Nancea at nanced@ci.hoover.al.us

Moonlight on the Mountain

Nov. 21-23: Bridge Tournament. Morning, afternoon, and evening at Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive, 35244. Visit bridgewebs.com/Birmingham.

Nov. 24: Annual Community Service. Shades Crest Baptist. 6 p.m. Nov. 24: Handel’s Messiah. Riverchase United Methodist Church. 3 p.m. Alabama Civic Chorale will present 66th annual performance with professional soloists and members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Free. Visit alabamacivicchorale.com.

Chamber of Commerce Nov. 7: Economic Development Committee Meeting. Chamber Office. 8:30 a.m. Visitors welcome.

Coffee & Contacts. Holiday Inn, 2901 John Hawkins Parkway. 9 a.m. Call 682-2901.

Nov. 9: Hoover High CrossCountry and Track / State Meet in Moulton, Ala.

Nov. 14: Hoover High CrossCountry Annual Banquet. Green Valley Baptist. Email Diana Knight at dknight@sovereigncpa.com.

Nov. 14: Second Thursday

Nov. 18: Chamber Board

Meeting. Chamber Office.

reservations by Monday, Nov. 18.

Nov. 20: Ambassador Meeting. Chamber Office. 4:30 p.m. Visitors welcome.

Nov. 27: Minority Business Council Meeting. Canceled due to Thanksgiving holidays.

Nov. 21: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. Hoover Country Club. 11:15 a.m. networking. Noon lunch and keynote speaker. Please make

Nov. 28-29: Chamber Office closed for Thanksgiving. No Business After Hours.

NOVEMBER 21 - 23, 2013

CAHABA GRAND CONFERENCE CENTER U.S. HWY. 280 FREE PARKING

Thursday, November 21 Friday, November 22 Saturday, November 23 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

. Special Events . 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sneak Peek Party

Wednesday, November 20 7 - 10 p.m.

Market Morning with Sara Evans Thursday, November 21 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Snaps with Santa

Saturday, November 23 9 - 11 a.m.

Tickets

$12 General Admission $24 Market Morning $10 Group Ticket

$36 Sneak Peek Party $12 Snaps with Santa $24 Three Day Must-Have Pass

Changing Spaces Moving EBSCO Media Good People Brewing Company Millie Ray’s Rolls Leon Loard Rare Transportation

stardome.com 444-0008

moonlightonthemtn.com Nov. 1: Blue Mother Tupelo. Nov. 3: Cello Fury. Nov. 4: Open Mic Night. Nov. 8: Sally Barris and Jeff Black. $15. Nov. 14: Derik Hultquist. Nov. 15: Amy Black, Jesse Terry. Nov. 17: Christa Wells and Nicole Witt. Nov. 18: Open Mic Night. Nov. 22: Dana Cooper. Laura Vines opens. Nov. 24: Jim Hurst. The Littlest Birds opens. $15. Nov. 29: Sweetwater Road. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise noted. Open Mic Night is $5.

30 • November 2013

Hoover Sun

Hoover Library Events Children’s Programs

Adults

Refreshments provided. Call 444-7820.

Mondays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. For 2-year-olds and caregivers.

For more, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7800.

Nov. 9: Purl @ The Plaza. 3-5 p.m. Join old friends and make new ones at this crafty meeting of all fiber enthusiasts. Bring your yarn and knit, crochet or embroider. For more, call 444-7821.

Tuesdays: Mother Goose Storytime. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. For 1-year-olds and caregivers. Tuesdays: Early Birds. 10 a.m. For babies 0-12 months and caregivers. Wednesdays: Tiny Tot Tales. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: After Lunch Bunch. 1:30 p.m. Thursdays: Storytime Live. 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: PJ Storytime. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5: Rangers Apprentice. 6:30 p.m. Get trained in archery and camouflage as you learn to defend the kingdom. Fourth through eighth grades. Nov. 11: Library Closed. Veteran’s Day. Nov. 15: Mr. P’s Art Workshop: Marble Art. 4 p.m. First first through third grades. Nov. 16: If You Give a Pig a Party. 10:30 a.m. Join Pig, Moose and Mouse for a party that appeals to your sweet tooth and funny bone. All ages. Nov. 19: Celebrate Thanksgiving! 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving crafts and snacks. For all ages. Nov. 25: This Just In! 6:30 p.m. Book club for fourth through sixth grades. Nov. 27: Story Feast. 10:30 a.m. Tales for all ages. Nov. 28: Library Closed.

Nov. 3: Veterans Reception. 2 p.m. Library Plaza. Kick off Thank a Vet with this reception. Nov. 4: Friends of the Hoover Public Library Monthly Meeting. Refreshments will be served at 9:45 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Admission is free. Jeanne Averhart, recorder player, will present her music in honor of veterans. Nov. 4: Monday at the Movies. 2 p.m., 6 p.m. The Library Theatre. Vetearns Week Showing. Free. Refreshments provided. Nov. 4: Learn to Use Your Nook. Nook Simple Touch 6:30 p.m., Nook HD/HD+ 7:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Nov. 5: Veterans Benefits Program. 10 a.m. Adult Programming Room. A seminar about VA benefits for veterans and their families presented by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and Birmingham’s VA Medical Center. Reservations required. Nov. 6: Helping Hands: Holiday Mail for Heroes. Nonfiction Department. Stop by the Nonfiction desk and add a personal message to a holiday card which will be donated to this annual Red Cross project. Nov. 6: Learn @ The Plaza: The Girls of the Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win WWII. 12:30 p.m. Lecture by Catherine Heinzerling. Nov. 7: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Defending Jacob by William Landay will be discussed.

Nov. 10: Global Cuisine @ The Plaza: Morrocan. 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Coffee-ol-ogy Café explores native foods and culture. Complimentary samples provided. Call 444-7821. Nov. 12: Daytime Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton will be discussed. Call 444-7816. Nov. 14: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Mission to Paris by Alan Furst will be discussed. Refreshments will be provided. Nov. 14: Playing @ The Plaza: Sue Scrofa. 6:30 p.m. Featured on Prairie Home Companion’s Talented Twenties Competition and Birmingham’s NPR station, Scrofa won The Deli Los Angeles’ “Best Emerging Artist of 2011” reader’s poll. Call 444-7821. Nov. 16: Write Club: Subliminal Muse-Writing with Music. 10:30 a.m. Library Plaza. Admission is free. Laura Hayden, author of 12 novels ranging from mystery, romantic suspense to fantasy/paranormal, will present a program on how music can influence writing. Her latest title is an urban fantasy novel, Angel, which she co-authored with Nicole “Coco” Marrow. Call 444-7820. Nov. 16: The Library Theatre: Sweet Honey in the Rock. 4 p.m., 8 p.m. Sold out.

Nov. 17: Instrumentalists @ The Plaza: Jason Bailey, Mandolin. 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Jason Bailey plays in a variety of styles including bluegrass, Celtic and swing jazz. Call 444-7821. Nov. 18: Straight Talk about Long-term Care Planning. 7 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Alabama’s NBC 13 Certified Financial Planner Scott Cole will help you find answers about long-term care. Reservations required. Call 444-7816. Nov. 19: Helping Hands. 7 p.m.. Adult Programming Room. Stop by to make newspaper rolls that will be donated to a local humane society. Teens and adults welcome. Call 444-7840. Nov. 20: No Jacket Required Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. Join us to discuss your recently read nonfiction book of choice in this month’s genre: early American history. Call 444-7840. Nov. 21: Glue Gun Gang: Candy Topiary. 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Make a whimsical candy topiary to display on your holiday table. Adults only. Reservations required. Call 444-7840. Nov. 21: The Hunger Games Movie Showing. 6 p.m. The Library Theatre. Free admission and refreshments. Nov. 22: After Hours @ The Plaza: The Legendary Pineapple Skinners. 8 p.m. Join us for hot New Orleans jazz from one of Birmingham’s best local bands. $12.50. Visit thelibrarytheatre.com or call 444-7888. Nov. 26: Frugalistics: Coupon Swap. 2:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room. Bring coupons you don’t need and swap for ones you do. Call 444-7840.

Area Events Nov. 1: James Farmer Book Signing. 11 a.m. Gus Mayer, 214 Summit Blvd. Farmer will sign his best-selling books A Time to Plant, Sip & Savor, Porch Living, Wreaths for All Seasons and A Time to Cook. Call 910-6393. Nov. 2: Drug Prevention Walk. 8 a.m. Jefferson State Community College Shelby/Hoover Campus. Walk to prevent drug abuse against teens. Admission free with donation of a canned food item, school supply item or personal hygiene item. Call 874-8498. Nov. 2-3: St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Park and Pastor Streets, Brookside. Call 285-9648. Nov. 5: Christy Jordan Book Signing. 7 p.m. Books-A-Million, Colonial Brookwood Village. Jordan, blogger at southernplate.com, will speak and sign copies of her new book, Come Home to Supper. Nov. 8: David Sedaris. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall, 1200 10th Ave. South. The humorist will celebrate the release of his ninth book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. $41.50-$61.50. Visit www. alysstephens.org or call 975-2787. Nov. 9: Phi Mu Children’s Miracle Run. 8 a.m. Homewood Park. Proceeds go to Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Visit helpmakemiracles.org/event/ phimu5k2013. Nov. 9: Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crestwood Festival, 7001 Crestwood Blvd.

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HooverSun.com Nov. 10: Choral Evensong. 3 p.m. Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North. A service of prayers, lessons and anthems. Nov. 15-16: A Southern Christmas Bazaar. Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.5 p.m. Pelham Civic Center. More than 50 merchants will be present. Event benefits projects of the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club. Visit rotarysouthernchristmas.com or call 414-3672. Nov. 18: Bela Fleck with Brooklyn Rider. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 19-20: Briarwood Christmas at the Caroline House. 9:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Briarwood Presbyterian Church. A holiday

decorator’s show house. Briarwood Ballet will perform, and Anita Barker Barnes will speak. $10. Call 776-5311. Nov. 22: Civil War Voices. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford. edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 22: Fall FestivAle. 7 p.m. Old Car Heaven, 115 South 35th Street. Presented by Free the Hops and featuring seasonal and unique bears from Alabama breweries. $27 in advance, $37 at the door. Call 531-5085. Nov. 24: Service of Choral Evensong. 4 p.m. Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue. IPC Camerata will provide the service music of this Christ the King Evensong.

Artists on the Bluff: Drawing and Painting, taught by Rollina Oglesby. Drawing Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon or 5:30-8:30 p.m. Charcoal, Pastel, Oil and Acrylic with Model or Photo Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon or Thursdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Plein Aire Painting Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. $120 plus supplies (former students $95). Email donrollina@bellsouth. net or call 733-8939 to register. Painting and Mixed Media, taught by Rik Lazenby. $120 per month. Adult classes Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon or 5:30-8:30 p.m. or Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. Young adult classes (ages 13-high school) Wednesdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Call 281-5273 to register or visit lazenbystudio.com. Acrylic Painting, taught by Jayne Morgan. $40 per class including supplies. Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for high school; Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for high school; or Thursdays’ 6:30-8:30 p.m. for adults. Visit jaynemorgan.com or call 902-5226. Kiln Formed Glass: Fusing & Slumping, taught by Deborah Ballog. Nov. 2: Holiday Ornaments, 9-11 a.m. or noon-2 p.m. Nov. 6, 13, 20: Bars and Blocks, 9 a.m.-noon.

571 Park Avenue

Nov. 9: Jewelry, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 16: Holiday Ornaments, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 9, 16, 13: All About Frit, 9 a.m.-noon. Prices vary. Email deborah@studiothree.net or call 999-3194. Photography/Blue Moon Studios. Visit BlueMoonStudios.net, call 995-3791 or check Facebook for class schedule. Woodworking, taught by David Traylor. Offering workshops in furniture making. All skill levels welcome. Also teaching Summer Woodworking Camps for children. Visit woodshopstudio.com or call 531-4751. Jewelry/Mixed Metal Bracelet Class, taught by Cecily Chaney. Nov. 24, 1-4 p.m. $80. All material and supplies included. Call 223-4514. Beginning Zentangle, taught by Darla Williamson. Beginning Classes Nov. 20, 1 p.m.; Nov. 19, 6 p.m.; Nov. 8 Tipsy Tangles, 6 p.m. $35 per class includes supplies. Beyond the Basics Intermediate Class Nov. 5, 1-4 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Christmas Card Workshop Nov. 6 1- 4 pm. or 6-9 p.m. or Nov. 23 1-4 p.m. $40 includes supplies. Visit tangledstones.com or call 305-2082.

32 • November 2013

Hoover Sun

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