Hoover sun vol 2 iss 7 april 2014 by Starnes Media

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Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

Creative connections

April 2014 • A1

Volume 2 | Issue 7 | April 2014

Winning the battle Young athlete and cancer survivor hopes to change lives with his powerful story By KATIE TURPEN

The Hoover Art Alliance funds art events throughout the year and helps local artists display their work. Read more inside.

Everyone on the floor knew when Cooper Tullo was coming. Cutting through the discord of the hospital halls, no one could mistake the thump and shuffle he’d emit while kicking his soccer ball. He’d follow it around as he checked on his new nurse friends and even into other rooms on his floor, where he’d offer a smile to every child with whom he shared these miserable circumstances. It gave them hope. Other children would first see the ball. Then, they saw a boy who was, in every appearance, happy. Finally, right behind him would be his IV rack, steadily pumping Cooper with the maximum amount of chemotherapy his 12-year-old body could handle. “They called him the rock star of his floor,” Cooper’s mother, Kim Tullo, said. On July 26, 2013, Cooper was diagnosed with Stage 3 Burkitt’s lymphoma, an extremely rare, aggressive cancer that can double in as little as 14 hours. He fought it and won, and now he’s taking his message of hope beyond the walls of Children’s of Alabama.

Special section page B10

Spring Home Guide Now is the time to introduce your home and garden to this year’s vibrant styles and new looks.

Special section page A13

2014 Special section page B7

INSIDE City ..................... A4 Business ............ A8 Food ................... A10 Community ....... A11

Home ................ A13 School House.....B12 Sports ............... B15 Calendar ........... B16

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Kim Tullo stands with her sons Cooper and Landry. Cooper, an avid athlete and sports fan, looks forward to attending the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met in May. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

That one word It was July 2013 and Cooper, a student at Brock’s Gap Elementary School, was finishing football camp and looking forward to starting sixth grade with his friends. It was the last time things were normal for the Tullo family. Cooper visited the doctor to receive his

See BOY OF YEAR | page A18

Celebrate spring with local festivities Spring has officially arrived, and the city of Hoover is offering multiple ways to celebrate. From fun activities at Celebrate Hoover Day to the exploration of Native American culture at Whispers From the Past to walking or running for a great cause, there are plenty of reasons to step outside and enjoy the season. Check out our Events Guide inside.

Special section page B1

Children make gourd art at Whispers From the Past at Aldridge Gardens. Photo courtesy of Mariesa Stokes.

A2 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

About Us Support our Community Partners

Photo of the Month

The seventh grade Lady Bucs had an undefeated regular season and recently won the Seventh Grade Metro Championship Basketball Tournament. Photo courtesy of Laura McLeod.

Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to

katie@starnespublishing.com

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden Historically speaking, I fall into the catmoment while on a weekend trip to Atlanta egory of weather cynic. While everyone where the manner in which he handled an unexpected situation made me fall in love else goes Chicken Little around me, I typiwith him a little more. A particular aspect cally greet the threat of “severe weather” with an eye roll and a mind firmly set on of the evening outing had not gone accordfollowing through with that day’s original ing to plan, and I heard him calmly say, plans. “Think Rett. There is a solution to every On January 28, that attitude found me problem.” With a cool head and a can-do stuck on 22nd Street, inching up a treachmindset, he indeed resolved the matter, and erously slick hill with an empty gas tank we were on our way in no time. and a full bladder. I had no provisions in I return to those seven little words rather often. There is a solution to every problem. the car, no blankets or sturdy shoes. After Walden navigating down a side street and into an Don’t like how your child’s school out of the way parking space of my own handled communication during a weather invention at Five Points, I got myself to shelter and event? Speak with them about it, and offer alternate soluvowed never to be so embarrassingly unprepared again. tions they can consider next time. In those hours, my cell phone became my lifeline. Worried about how your boss will react if you have It allowed me to make sleeping arrangements for my to be away from work again because the schools are children (thank you Joe and Megan Drumm!), who oth- closed? Find a new job. I’ve done it, and there are no erwise would have spent the night at school. Through adequate words to describe what it has done for my Facebook, all 48 of my coworkers were able to account health and that of my family. for each other’s whereabouts and safety. And then, in the Finding the comments of stay-at-home moms off-putdays that followed, it became a depressing reminder of ting because they are home with the kids unexpectedly? how quickly we can tear each other apart. Help a sister out. Invite her kids over for a play date and I read commentary about our school administrators give your fellow mama on the front lines a much needed that made my heart sink. I saw moms calling out other break. Perhaps she’ll do the same for you, but even if she moms for their remarks about being stuck at home again doesn’t, you’ve sent good karma out into the universe. with the kids because schools were closed. To be fair, There is a solution to every problem. there were scores of supportive comments about the Be the solution, City’s response to the emergency, and about neighbors helping neighbors. But in defense of those who must make impossible decisions, and those who live with the results of those decisions, I implore you to give each other a break. When Rett and I were dating, there was a particular

Publisher : Executive Editor : Creative Director : Editor : Managing Editor : Staff Writer: Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution : 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

Dan Starnes Jeff Thompson Keith McCoy Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham Katie Turpen Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Nathan Pearman Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Interns: Emily VanderMey Sydney Cromwell Rachael Headley Published by : Hoover Sun LLC

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A8) Alabama Outdoors (B18) Alabama Power (A19) ARC Realty (B4) Backus Orthodontics (A18) Baptist Health Centers (B14) Bedzzz Express (A3) Cahaba Dermatology and Skin Care Center (B2) Campaign to Elect David Faulkner (A1) Case Remodeling (A14) Children’s of Alabama (A9, B9) City of Hoover (B19) Classic Gardens (A14) Clear Advantage Pantry (A16) Construx (A15) D.R. Horton, Inc. - Birmingham (B5) Danberry at Inverness (B12) Dawson Family of Faith (B16) Decorating Dens Interiors (A13) Fi-Plan Partners (A4) Geico Insurance (B13) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A8) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (B3) Hoover Public Library (A12) Hunter Street Baptist Church (A7) Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel (A12) Issis & Sons (A17) Jack Williams Campaign (A1) John Samaniego for Sheriff (A7) Junior League of Birmingham (B17) MedCenter Hoover (B20) Mountain Brook Art Association (A6) Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese (B6) Olio Oils and Balsamics (B15) One Man and a Toolbox (A5) Outdoor Living Areas (B1) Over the Mountain Glass (A17) Princeton Baptist Vein Center (A6) RealtySouth - James Harwell (B3) RealtySouth (A5) Red Mountain Theatre Company (A18) Remax Southern Homes - Becky Hicks (A6) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (A20) Rick Needham (B17) Secondhand Rose (B14) Sumo Japanese Steakhouse (B8) Susette Clark-Walker / RealtySouth (B15) T. Waynes BBQ Smokehouse (B6) The Maids (A12) The Preserve (B7) The Retirement Center (B18) The Whole Scoop (B18) UAB Health System (A10) UAB Medical West (B11) Vision Gymnastics (A19) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (B16) Water Drainage Solutions (B6) Wrapsody (B5) YMCA Camp Hargis Retreat (B1) YMCA of Greater Birmingham (A11) (B10)

For advertising contact: dan@hooversun.com Legals: The Hoover Sun is published monthly. Reproduction or use of

editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Hoover Sun is designed to inform the Hoover community of area school, family and community events. Information in the Hoover Sun is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of the Hoover Sun. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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HooverSun.com

April 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ A3

A4 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

City Hoover police captain to run for sheriff

Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey

Everywhere you look, trees and flowers are blooming. Springtime is here and we know you are enjoying it, especially after the extremely cold winter we had. We’re sure you have all heard by now that Hoover will be the home to the new Field & Stream store. We are very excited and we know they will add another shopping venue for the outdoor enthusiasts in our area. We are very pleased that the new temporary Fire Station in Ross Bridge opened on March 10. Construction will be underway for the new permanent station this summer and should be completed and open by late spring or early summer of 2015. We have many family fun events being held in Hoover in April and May. Please be sure and save the following dates: Household Hazardous Waste Day: April 26 from 8 a.m.–noon at the Hoover Met. You must show your driver’s license to prove that you are a Hoover resident prior to dropping off items. A complete list of items we will be collecting that day is listed at hooveralabama.gov. Celebrate Hoover Day: May 3 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. This is one of our premier events of the year. This family friendly and free event is held at Veterans Park on Valleydale. This is a great day to bring your entire family to the park.

Gary Ivey

32 nd Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast: May 7 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency (former Wynfrey Hotel). Tickets go on sale April 1 so please visit our website for details. We are here to serve you so please don’t hesitate to contact our office. We want to exceed your expecations in every way with all we do. Sincerely,

Gary Ivey Mayor

Hoover Police Department Capt. Kip Cole announced his candidacy for Shelby County sheriff in January. Cole has been a Shelby County resident for more than 21 years and has served in law enforcement more than 31 years. “The citizens of Shelby County expect and deserve to be safe in our great community,” Cole said in a release. “It is the responsibility of law enforcement, and it would be my duty as the sheriff, to ensure the best public safety practices are implemented to achieve this goal. I will be a hands-on sheriff that is tough on crime.” Cole’s law enforcement career began in 1982 as a patrol officer for the Tuscumbia Police Department. In 1986, he joined the Hoover Police Department and served in a variety of roles. Cole was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police in 2005 as the chief’s executive officer, with duties including managing the chief’s projects and overseeing the department’s Professional

Hoover Police Department Capt. Kip Cole announced that he plans to run for Shelby County sheriff in 2014.

Standards Unit. He also served as commander of the Field Operations Bureau from 2008 to 2010. Cole is currently assigned to the Special Operations and Emergency Preparedness Bureau, coordinating police operations for

city-sponsored special events such as the SEC Baseball Tournament and the Regions Tradition Golf Tournament. Additionally, the bureau oversees departmental compliance with federal regulations on issues of homeland security. Cole also manages the recruiting, background investigation and hiring of police personnel. Cole is a founding member of the Hoover Police Department’s Special Response Team (SRT), which was formed in 1992. He currently serves as the SRT commander, which includes SWAT, hostage negotiations and underwater dive operations. Cole earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Faulkner University in Montgomery. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 232. For information on Cole’s campaign, visit kipcoleforshelbycountysheriff.com.

Library launches digital streaming service By JEFF THOMPSON Hoover residents can connect to a digital library of thousands of songs, movies and TV shows through their library cards. In March, the Hoover Public Library launched a new service called Hoopla that provides cardholders with access to a storehouse

of digital media through download and streaming services. “There are no holds, no waiting and it doesn’t cost anything,” said Assistant Director Patricia Guarino. “[The library is] really moving more into the digital world now.” Checkout for library patrons will be limited to 10 items a month, as Hoopla charges the library for each transaction.

A link to download the application will be available at hooverlibrary.org. To access the system on a mobile device, patrons should visit hoopladigital.com or download the free digital app to their Android or IOS devices. Guarino said signing up is simple, requiring little more than confirmation of the card number. For more, visit hooverlibrary.org or call 444-7821.

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A5

Patton Chapel Road, Preserve Parkway to line up as thoroughfare

LIFE IS SHORT. MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.

Chapel Road 5%

Patton Chapel Road 11% 52%

Chapel Lane 18%

Preserve Parkway In the next phase of construction on Patton Chapel Road, it will be connected as a thoroughfare with Preserve Parkway. Chapel Road and Chapel Lane would also be connected during the project to produce a four-way intersection. Map courtesy of City of Hoover / Image by Jeff Thompson.

By JEFF THOMPSON More construction is coming to Patton Chapel Road, this time near Gwin Elementary and Simmons Middle Schools. During its regular meeting in March, the Hoover City Council authorized Mayor Gary Ivey to sell small tracts of city-owned property to Jefferson County for $1. The tracts, located at 1581 and 1591 Patton Chapel and at 3400 Hurricane Road, would be used for easements and rights-of-way regarding the Patton Chapel Phase III Project. Phase III will redirect Patton Chapel Road from U.S. 31, Chapel Road by Simmons Middle School, Chapel Lane toward Patton Creek Shopping Center and Preserve Parkway into a four-way intersection. The four roads would converge near where Preserve Parkway currently meets Patton Chapel Road. Those two roads would connect as a thoroughfare, as would Chapel Road and Chapel Lane. “This involves the straightening of Patton Chapel and removal of the double-white lines we’ve heard so many complaints about,” Council President Jack Wright said during the meeting. Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate said he anticipated approximately nine months

would be required to collect rights-of-way, and construction would require 12 to 18 months. In other business, the Council: • Authorized Mayor Ivey to execute an agreement for construction, engineering and inspection for a sidewalk extension on Hackberry Lane. The project, projected to travel along the north side of the road from Queensview Road to Running Brook Road, is reimbursable through the Alabama Department of Transportation. • Scheduled five public hearings for its April 7 regular meeting. These include: - To hear comments from residents regarding the City’s development agreement with Patton Creek Investments, LLC. - To hear comments on the reaffirmation, ratification and approval of the City’s redevelopment agreement with Riverchase Anchor Acquisition, LLC. - To consider a request for beer and wine sales at Vecchia Pizzeria in the Preserve. The restaurant is slated to be launched soon by Bernard Tamburello, former owner of La Dolce Vita and Bellini’s Ristorante. -To consider rezoning Estes Warehouse Tires, 3420 Old Columbiana Road, to Community Business District and allowing the sale of tires.

18% RealtySouth sells more homes than the 52% next 5 competitors 11% combined. When you make good 9% decisions, you reap solid results. 5% 5%

Source: TRENDGR APHIX, Inc. This representation is based in whole or in par t on data provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors® or its Multiple Listings Service for the given. Neither the Association nor its MLS is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not reflec t all real estate ac tivity in the market. (*Sales volume figures are rounded in thousands.)

LIST WITH THE BEST.

RealtySouth Market Share-VillageLivingHALF.indd 1

3/12/14 1:32 PM

A6 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

State discredits reports of poor environment in Hoover City Schools

Petelos to deliver ‘State of the County’ at Chamber luncheon

By JEFF THOMPSON Following its review, the State Department of Education reported this week that claims of poor workplace environment in Hoover Schools are unfounded. According to a statement by Hoover City Schools Board of Education President Paulette Pearson, she contacted the State Department at the request of the Hoover Board. Pearson’s statement indicates she sought for the Department to conduct an independent investigation of complaints about the work environment at the Central Office. Pearson wrote these complaints were being spread anonymously and largely through social media. “Prior to contacting the State Department of Education, we could not find any credible basis for the complaints,” Pearson’s statement reads. “Yet the complaints continued to circulate in a manner seemingly designed to erode public confidence in the operation of the Central Office.” In the State Department’s review findings, released March 11, State Superintendent’s Office Chief of Staff Dr. Craig Pouncey wrote that the examination focused on work environment and communication skills. Pouncey wrote that reports of pervasive complaints throughout the system are unfounded, as were accusations of employees wanting to walk off their jobs in mass. “Quite to the contrary, Hoover schools have been able to attract a number of talented applicants for each position vacated,” Pouncey wrote. Regarding communication in the system, Pouncey investigation findings showed that Hoover is facing challenges regarding student population growth and decreasing state funding. The report does not make a clear suggestion for a remedy in communication. Pouncey assured the Hoover BOE in the findings that he believes the administrative staff has and will continue to protect the school’s institutional programs and that he is confident decisions put before the board will be well-researched. He also commended the Hoover BOE and Chief School Financial Officer Cathy Antee for their commitment to go through a 10-year strategic planning process. “Very few systems even have a need to have that depth of understanding,” Pouncey wrote.

Alabama Telco Credit Union will sponsor the April 17 Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and has invited Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos as the speaker. Petelos has a long history of service to the people of Alabama and especially Jefferson County. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1986 and was twice reelected, serving until 1997. In that year, he was appointed Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources by Governor Fob James and re-appointed to that position by Governor Don Siegelman. He has served on many boards and committees Tony Petelos is a former Hoover over the years. He was elected Mayor of mayor and the first professional Hoover in 2004 and re-elected, county manager of Jefferson County. having no opposition, in 2008. On October 1, 2011 he was The University of Alabama. appointed as the first professional To attend the luncheon, please county manager of Jefferson County. make your reservations no later Petelos is actively involved in the than Monday, April 14 by calling community, bringing his leadership 988-5672 or emailing Lisa Dunbar abilities to groups focused on the at admin@hooverchamber.org. Netimprovement of Jefferson County. working begins at 11:15 a.m., with He is married to Teresa Petelos, the meeting starting sharply at noon. formerly the Presiding Judge of the The Luncheon is $20 in advance or Circuit Court of Jefferson County, $22 for walk-ins, payable at the Bessemer Division. They have two door. Cancellations are accepted daughters, Angela, a graduate of The until the morning of the luncheon, University of Alabama at Birming- but those who make reservations ham and Stephanie, a graduate of and do not attend will be invoiced.

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A7

Business Spotlight

Read past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.com

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The Pink Tulip

180 Main Street, Suite 212 560-0355 Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 12-5 p.m. thepinktu.com

By REBECCA WALDEN Though not the retail store’s first foray into the City of Hoover, The Pink Tulip of today reflects an evolution of the business that was more than 30 years in the making. “We started this business in 1986 as a home furnishings and gift store,” said co-owner Letty Algren, who operates the store with her husband, Duff, and their daughter Hadley. Though it was short-lived, the original location of The Pink Tulip, so named after Algren’s favorite flower, was on Southside. In the early days, customers made their priorities clear to the eager young owners. “While we had brought in a little bit of clothing, sort of as accents to our accessories and home décor, it was the clothing that sold so fast,” said Algren. “So that changed the balance of our inventory, and very quickly, we evolved into a clothing and accessories store with a little in the way of home furnishings.” When the opportunity to move into Homewood arose, the Algrens wasted no time, even opening up a children’s boutique — Bugs and Butterflies — next door. After a five-year hiatus, the couple set to work with plans to establish the Cahaba Village location,

Pink Tulip Wardrobe Consultant Katie Beth Rice (left) is just one of many friendly faces shoppers will find upon their visit to the store’s newest location in Patton Creek. Photo by Rebecca Walden.

which opened in March 2011, and followed that store’s success with the Patton Creek location this past month. “When I took the store back over, I had this renewed excitement about working in retail,” Algren said, noting that shopping as the mother of

a teenager daughter had given her an entirely new perspective on the business. “Now I could look at it from the angle of approaching customers of all ages.” In addition to wanting to appeal to a wide swath of shoppers, Algren said

the five-year break gave her a new point of view about how to attract and retain those customers as well. “People are watching their money much closer than they did in the 1990s, and I really wanted to concentrate on having affordable, unique and

fun everyday wear that would fit teens, moms and even grandmoms.” Algren attends seven to eight markets per year, and she goes well outside the Deep South — often to Los Angeles, Dallas and New York — to find fashions her customers will adore. For her fashion eye, Algren credits her mother. “My mom was my best friend, and she was so creative,” Algren said. “I didn’t have the money to go buy clothes as a young girl, so I would flip through magazines, design outfits, cut out patterns on newspaper, and then she would sew my outfits together. It’s how our house was furnished, how my closet was furnished. I was always able to look at things and ask myself, ‘What could that be used for?’” Observant shoppers will notice that Algren’s knack for repurposing is alive and well in the Patton Creek store, where fixtures include reclaimed pieces from Arlington High School in Bessemer. “We go to thrift stores all over the place, and through a gentleman we know from thrifting, we were invited to join him on a salvaging trip out to the school,” Algren said. “It’s incredible to think that for hundreds of years, kids have rubbed their hands on these handrails, and now they are at The Pink Tulip in Hoover.”

A8 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

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Now Open Burkes Outlet, 5025 U.S. 280, Suite 105, is now open in Inverness Heights Market. The store sells name brand apparel and accessories for all ages at up to 70 percent off department store prices. burkesoutlet.com.

Fidelity Bank has opened a mortgage banking office located at Two Chase Corporate Center Drive, Suite 150. 397-1650. lionbank.com.

Catering by Bellini’s, the catering arm of Bellini’s 1 y1 Ristorante, 6801 Cahaba Valley Hw Road, Suite 106, is now in business. Branden Saccomani is its catering director. 530-0177. cateringbybellinis.com.

MedCenter Hoover, 1575 Montgomery Highway, is now open. The urgent care and family medicine practice is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 1-7 p.m. 822-1150. tuscaloosamedcenter.com.

HooverSun.com The Grounds Guys of Hoover, 107B Owens Parkway, is now open. The company offers complete lawn care and lawn maintenance services. groundsguys.com.

Southern Spoiled Boutique, 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 119, is now open. The store carries women’s clothing, children’s clothing, local art and small furniture, and offers custom monogramming as well. 423-5006. southernspoiled.com.

Coming Soon Field & Stream, a national retailer of outdoor sporting goods, has announced that it plans to open its first location in Alabama on Chapel Lane, adjacent to the current Rooms To Go store. The store is slated to open in 2015. (724) 742-4425. fieldandstreamshop.com.

The Garden Ridge home décor chain is planning to open a store in The Grove shopping center on Preserve Parkway. gardenridge.com.

Royal Furniture, a Memphis-based retailer, will open its first Alabama location at 1615 Montgomery Highway, site of the former Books-a-Million. The Hoover location will open at the same time as another location in Trussville. (901) 527-6407. royalfurniture.com.

Vecchia, a new restaurant owned by Benard Tamburello, 610 Preserve Parkway, Suite 100, will be opening in midApril. vecchiabirmingham.com.

Rocket Cycle Studio, a boutique cycle and fitness studio, will be opening soon at 5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 121. 936-9558. rocketcyclestudio.com.

Construction is underway for Big Bad Breakfast, which will open in the space formerly occupied by Pita Hut at 5361 U.S. 280, Suite 114. This will be the second location of the Oxford, Miss.-based restaurant owned by award-winning chef John Currence. (662) 236-2666. bigbadbreakfast.com.

McDonald’s has gained approval from the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission to build a new restaurant on Highway 150 across from The Grove shopping center. Proposals call for it to be built on an outparcel in the planned development of the Crossings of Hoover shopping center. mcdonalds.com.

April 2014 • A9 Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, 4000 Grand Avenue, has again been named a AAA Four Diamond Award winner, the highest distinction of honor a hotel can receive from AAA. In addition, the resort’s spa was named one of the top 50 hotel spas in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler. 1-888-236-2427. rossbridgeresort.com.

Jeff Roberts, private wealth advisor for Ameriprise Financial, 33 Inverness Center Parkway, Suite 300, has been named to Barron’s magazine’s top advisor rankings in the United States for 2014. 313-9150. ameripriseadvisors.com/ david.j.roberts.

Steven Boggan of BioHorizons, 2300

20 Riverchase Center, has been named

to the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class for 2014. Organized by the UAB Alumni Association, the class recognizes the top 25 businesses owned or operated by UAB alumni. 967-7880. biohorizons.com. Cary Bynum, president/CEO of advertising and public relations firm blr | further, 1600 Resource Drive, has been named to the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class for 2014. 324-8005. blrfurther.com.

22 William Fitzpatrick, III, MD, of An-

esthesia Services of Birmingham, 2151 Old Rocky Ridge Road, Suite 106, has been named to the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class for 2014. 989-1080. anesbhm.com. Bruce Irwin, MD, founder and CEO

23 of American Family Care, 2147

Riverchase Office Road, has been named to the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class for 2014. 403-8902. americanfamilycare.com. Jennifer Morrissey-Patton, DMD,

24 of Hoover Family Dentistry, 425

Emery Drive, Suite B, has been named to the UAB Excellence in Business Top 25 Class for 2014. 989-8480. hooverfamilydentistry.com.

Hirings and Promotions ARC Realty, 5291 Valleydale

25 Road, has hired Steve Stamp as an

associate broker. 657-4570. arcrealtyco.com.

Aliant Bank, 1100 Corporate Park-

26 way, has hired Sierra Earle as branch

Relocations and Renovations

manager of its Meadowbrook office. 408-2000. aliantbank.com.

The Retirement Center, 3000 Riverchase Galleria, Suite 955, recently remodeled and expanded its office. With the expansion, the company hired a communications associate and added classroom space to offer educational events including The Retirement Forum, which has events scheduled in March, April, May, June, July, September and October. 201-1401. retirementcenter.us.

27 Inverness Plaza, has hired Barry Arm-

RealtySouth’s Inverness office, 109

strong and PK Elliston as new Realtors. 991-6565. realtysouth.com.

RE/MAX Over the Mountain, 2870

28 Old Rocky Ridge Road, has hired

Scott Boone as a Realtor. 970-1080. otmrealestate.com.

ABC 33/40, 800 Concourse Parkway,

29 Suite 200, has hired Garry Kelly as

Tight Cuts, a barber shop in Patton Creek at 180 Main Street, Suite 228, has relocated from the Walmart shopping center on John Hawkins Parkway 718-0851.

vice president and news director. 403-3340. abc3340.com.

News and Accomplishments

Andy’s Farm Market, 124 Mars Hill Road, has reopened for spring and summer months. Its hours are Monday Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 402-2639. andysgardencenter.com.

Hoover-based American Family Care, whose headquarters are at 2147 Riverchase Office Road, is expanding with new practices slated to open soon in Chattanooga, Tenn,; Woodstock, Ga.; and Columbus, Ga. 403-8902. americanfamilycare.com.

Anniversaries Legion Printing, 3133 Lorna Square, Suite 107, celebrated its first year in business in March. 979-1000. legion-bhm.com.

Closings Books-a-Million, 1615 Montgomery Highway, has closed. A statement from the company indicates that it is pursuing other locations in Hoover to open a new store. booksamillion.com.

Miami Café, 3461 Lorna Road, has closed. 503-2159.

A10 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

Restaurant Showcase

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Southern Legacy BBQ & Brew

R Read past rRestaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com na

2943 John Hawkins Parkway 988-0744 Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. legacybbq.com

By RACHAEL HEADLEY Southern Legacy BBQ & Brew takes southern tradition seriously. Formerly Up the Creek, Southern Legacy BBQ opened in August of 2011, bringing a new type of barbecue to Hoover and the Birmingham area. After meeting the owners of Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ, Southern Legacy was inspired by their passion and driven to create something traditional but different from anything the area has ever seen. The menu features southern favorites like fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, ribs and smoked meats. Southern Legacy’s meats are smoked on a plank of white oak, allowing the meat to cook to well-done, but still allowing the inside to remain a little pink, giving the customer the best of both worlds. Not in the mood for barbecue? No problem. Southern Legacy has other options like fried catfish and You Geaux Gumbo, a southern Louisiana recipe loaded with chicken and sausage. On Saturday nights Southern Legacy also features prime rib. “We don’t just specialize in a barbecue menu,” Catering Manager Leanne Cain said. Another special touch to the menu

The Z-Man, a sandwich served with the choice of chicken or brisket, is one of Southern Legacy’s most popular dishes. Photo by Rachael Headley.

is the origin of the side recipes. “A lot of our side recipes are from our owner’s wife,” Cain said. “We are just really good, hometown barbecue.”

Burgers, sandwiches and pastas also contribute to the variety of the menu. On the lighter side, there are even four different types of salads incorporating

the signature smoked meats. The most popular dish on the menu is a tie between the ribs and the Z-Man, Cain said. With the choice of

brisket or chicken, the Z-Man includes provolone cheese and two large onion rings all packed into a Kaiser bun. Southern Legacy combines a family-friendly atmosphere with all the fun and excitement of a sports bar. With televisions broadcasting sports games at every corner, it is a great place to get together with friends, order wings, and choose from more than 20 different beers. T reach out to the community, during football season they also host tailgate and block parties. Southern Legacy also offers all of their choices to-go, as well as uncut meats such as a whole chicken, slab of ribs and full pork butts. If there is a party for the big game or another special event, they also cater. Depending on what the guests want, Southern Legacy can adjust the menu to fit the taste and style of the event. Southern Legacy only has one location for now, but there may be others in the future, Cain said, adding that Hoover has been an ideal community to begin the journey. “We have a blast around here,” Cain said. “The support within this community is absolutely wonderful. We have so many regulars that come in here, and we participate in all the school events that we can.”

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A11

Community Three Hoover seniors receive Eagle Scout honor

Valleydale Church to host event on human trafficking in Birmingham

Christopher Spivey, Tait Carlisle and Griffin Eagan, joined by Paul DeMarco, recently obtained the honor of Eagle Scout. DeMarco honored the young men with resolutions recognizing their achievement. Photo courtesy of Susan Eagan.

Valleydale Church Women’s Ministry is inviting its fellow women’s ministries in the Metro Birmingham area to get involved in drawing awareness to the hidden atrocities of human trafficking in Birmingham. The event, called (Re)Abolish Night, will be held on April 13 at 6 p.m. to promote the ministry of The Wellhouse. The Wellhouse is a nonprofit rescue and recovery organization for women who are victims of human trafficking and prostitution. It provides a saf, residential environment to sexually exploited women and offers them spiritual, emotional and physical support services. “We want to bring awareness to the problem of human sex trafficking and we want to promote the wonderful ministry of The Wellhouse,” Amy Harris, the organizer of the (Re)Abolish Night event, said. “We also we want to give practical ways that churches can partner with and provide support to this organization. I have a 15-year-old daughter the same age as many of these young victims and I realize that this could so easily be anyone’s child. ” (Re)Abolish Night will feature a presentation of a 20-minute video called “The Wellhouse –

I-20: The Sex Trafficking Superhighway.” A panel discussion will follow, featuring Tajuan McCarthy, founder and executive director of The Wellhouse. At 15 years old, McCarthy said she was sexually exploited by her “boyfriend turned pimp.” She was trafficked to Birmingham so many times that it eventually became her home. After escaping this dangerous life, she became a passionate advocate for victims of trafficking. Other panel members include Alexa Jones, development director for The Wellhouse, and “Rachel,” another trafficking survivor. Harris said raising awareness of the problem of sexual trafficking is the main goal of the event. Additionally, proceeds raised from ticket sales and a specially designed (Re)Abolish T-shirt will benefit The Wellhouse. “This is a very heavy topic and we don’t want people to go away from this event feeling downhearted,” Harris continued. “We want to offer hope that we can help bring justice to this situation and we want to celebrate the lives that have already been redeemed. Awareness is the first step.” Tickets for the event are $10 and are on sale now through the Valleydale Church website, valleydale.org.

Bargains return at this year’s Junior League of Birmingham Carousel Birmingham’s largest garage sale is scheduled for April 26 and 27. The Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel will be held in the former JCPenney location at Century Plaza Mall, 7580 Crestwood Boulevard. There will be more than 100,000 items for sale, including adult

clothing, appliances, art, books, music, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, heirloom items, holiday decorations, home décor, infant furniture and accessories and toys. Proceeds support community projects with the Junior League’s partner agencies. “I have two young boys, and new

toys are a helpful tool to keeping them occupied,” said Nicole Bryant of The Preserve. “When I left Bargain Carousel last year, my car was packed to the brim with DVDs, clothes, kitchen utensils and an air hockey table.” The weekend kicks off with a Bargain Bash on Thursday, April 24. For $40 a ticket, VIP admission gets you

in the door at 6 p.m. for early bird shopping privileges (double the listed prices), and general admission (7 p.m.-10 p.m.) is $30 a ticket. This year tickets will be pre-sold on Friday, April 25 from 3-7 p.m., when shoppers may purchase up to four tickets at $10 each to the Saturday sale.

Bargain Carousel will run Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ($10 tickets for 8-10 a.m. or $5 tickets from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. with free admission and halfprice merchandise. For more, call 879-9861, visit bargaincarousel.net, or like the event on Facebook.

A12 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

Odom honored for years of service to Hoover Girl Scouts

2014 Mildred Bell Johnson Award winner Teresa Odom (far right) with son Charlie, husband Eddie, and daughters Emily and Anna Marie. Photo courtesy of Teresa Odom.

By REBECCA WALDEN Through her worldly travels, Teresa Odom has given decades of service to the Girl Scouts. She began in Puerto Rico, where she lived from early elementary school through seventh grade, and continued with the program when her family moved to Chicago. “Girl Scouts was a very big deal in Puerto Rico,” Odom said. “Everyone I knew was involved.” Odom, a mother of three and resident of Hoover, has since reconnected with the group that impacted her so positively in childhood. Here, she has served in a variety of roles, including leader of Troop 71, a member of the Girl Scouts Board of Directors and a Service Area Manager, a post she held for five years. For her service, Odom was honored in February by the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama with the Mildred Bell Johnson Award.

Johnson, the award’s namesake, is credited with founding the first Girl Scout troop for African-American girls in Birmingham. She also served as a District Advisor for the Magic City. “I am just dumbfounded that I won the award, which is given to someone who distinguishes themselves with their community work and has a long-standing connection with the Girl Scouts,” Odom said. “To me, there are people who do so much more. And there is so much more I want to do.” Keeping good on that promise, Odom is working to elevate the value of what Girl Scouts can offer young women through her work in the Hispanic community. “While Girl Scouts exists to serve all girls, sometimes it’s harder to do that for girls who may not speak the language or if they come from a different culture,” said Odom. “I am working hard to make sure they are focusing on serving Hispanic girls and Hispanic families.”

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Referred for a reason.

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April 2014 • A13

Spring Home Guide

How to recreate a kitchen or bathroom By SYDNEY CROMWELL Case Remodeling has been a part of Vestavia Hills for nearly 10 years. Designer Randi Kierce described the firm as a “design and build” company, which means Case handles design, contracting and construction. “We build from start to finish,” Kierce said. The designers at Case Remodeling frequently redesign or construct basements, attics and additions for business and residential clients, but their specialty is in kitchen and bathroom design. If your kitchen or bathroom could use a facelift, use these tips from Kierce to make sure your project is a success.

1. Make it blend. Your new kitchen or

bathroom should match the style of the rest of your house. A modern kitchen in a colonial-style home, for example, will look mismatched and jarring.

2. Mind your budget. Remodeling costs

can add up quickly, so Kierce recommends creating a budget before you begin and sticking to it faithfully. Keeping a budget in mind will make it easier to avoid bigger, more ambitious redesign projects that you cannot afford.

3. Lighting is key. Proper lighting is

essential to making your new kitchen or bathroom look good. Make sure to create a balance between overall lighting fixtures and task lighting, such as recessed or track lights.

4. Function before fashion. Make

sure your new space is designed to be useful before you buy “all the pretty things” like plumbing fixtures and appliances, Kierce said. If you have a beautiful kitchen but cannot cook in it, then the redesign was a

waste of time and money.

5. Keep it classic. New design trends

may look great, but they change rapidly. Kierce suggests choosing classic kitchen or

bathroom looks, which will look good for years. For more information about Case Remodeling, visit casebham.com.

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Spring Home Guide

Hoover Sun

How to make your garden grow

By RACHAEL HEADLEY

Martin Bachtel has spent the past 12 years in the business of making homes beautiful through landscaping. He has been a horticulturist at Hanna’s Garden Shop for the past five years, working in the purchasing of plants, consulting and sales. Located at 5845 U.S. 280 East, Hanna’s Garden Shop was founded in 1986 by Beaty Hanna and is now owned by his nephew, Steve Hanna. The garden center has grown from a small nursery to a full resource retail nursery complete with plants for every season, products to make them grow and a knowledgeable staff to make it happen. Bachtel consults with customers on what to plant based on their yard structure, sunlight, drainage needs and size. He and the staff at Hanna’s are trained to assist customers in creating and maintaining the yards of their dreams. Going into spring, Bachtel has several tips for making sure you not only choose the right plants but also the right way to grow them. 1. Use resources. If you’re a beginner, utilize book, Internet and people resources. Bachtel recommends two authors, Michael Dirr, a botanist at the University of Georgia, and Vince Dooley, a former University of Georgia football coach with a passion for gardening. Also, the staff at Hanna’s is willing to help you choose the right plants for your lifestyle. 2. Don’t just dig a hole and pop it in. Like people, plants need time to adjust to new surroundings. This is the biggest mistake beginners can make. Take all necessary precautions to provide your new plant with good soil, ideal drainage and optimal sunlight for its needs.

3. Get to know your soil. Along the U.S. 280 corridor, there are significant amounts of clay in the soil. Breaking up the clay and mixing it with other soil will create a natural environment with the nutrients of the added soil. 4. Fertilize at the right time. Bachtel recommends fertilizing but cautions, “Wait a little bit.” After planting, the new plant

might need a little time to adapt to its new surroundings and root for a few weeks. After it begins to adjust, fertilize it. Most plants for the spring will need to be fertilized at the beginning of the summer. 5. Prune if needed. Although not applicable to all plants, pruning stimulates growth in many selections of plants. This will help the plant sprout a brand-new coat of leaves.

Although spring winds down the end of tree season and the time to plant fruit trees, it is a great time for annuals such as petunias, angelonia and finca, and certain perennials, Bachtel said. Tropical plants such as hibiscus and plumbago also work well at this time. Less colorful options for the spring include small shrubs like junipers and pittosporum. For more, visit hannasgardenshop.com.

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Spring Home Guide

April 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ A15

Four ways to bring spring into your home By RACHAEL HEADLEY Keeping a home in harmony with the seasons can be tough, but Laura Purvis of Decorating Den Interiors knows how to utilize even the smallest accent to do just that. The former owner of a custom window treatment business, Purvis has experience in many areas of home improvement but discovered that her true passion was for interior decorating and design. Pursuing this led her to open her own franchise of Decorating Den Interiors in October 2013 as owner and decorator. This new endeavor allowed her to continue providing quality, custom window treatments to her customers while expanding her business into decorating. In order to brighten your home for spring, Purvis recommends updating or adding to several areas of the home.

1. Window treatments: If your drapes are heavy and dark for the winter season, change them out for a lighter fabric. This will really open up the room. If you are looking for pattern, florals can be perfect for this season, as well.

2. Colors: If you are not looking to change out larger pieces like your sofa, add some lightercolored pillows to them. Accenting existing pieces with season-appropriate color is a small change that can totally transform the look of a room.

3. Accent pieces: Even small pieces can add a darker, heavier look to a room. Switch out

those heavy, wooden candlesticks for glass table accents.

4. Floors: Heavy plush rugs may need to sit this season out. Try a lighter color in a sisal or flat-weave rug to make the floors reflect this season.

The Decorating Den Interiors franchise has been in business since 1969 and provides interior decorating services internationally in the United States and Canada. With access to more than 100 vendors and a free first consultation, Purvis is dedicated to making each home decorating experience easy and stress-free. By bringing all home dĂŠcor necessities directly to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, Purvis allows her customers to see every pending change in their own environment: everything from the lighting to the structure of the room can change the look of a piece or a fabric. Above all else, Purvis values the time and the vision of the customer. The personalized customer service that Decorating Den Interiors provides is what Purvis says sets her and her business apart from other interior decorating companies. Through doing business in the greater Birmingham area communities, Purvis has enjoyed getting to know a variety of people who have become more than customers, but also friends. The diversity in style she works with provides her with new challenges and fresh perspectives every day. For more information about Decorating Den Interiors, visit decoratingden.com or contact Purvis at 447-4589.

Laura Purvis purchased a Decorating Den Interiors franchise in October 2013 after years of owning her own custom window treatment business. Photo by Rachael Headley.

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Operation renovation

Hoover Sun

How to bring your home up to date

By RACHAEL HEADLEY Gary Hughes has grown up in the business of furniture. His family opened Greenbrier Furniture in 1965, and Hughes eventually became the secondgeneration owner. Last year, Hughes made the decision to team up with local business owner Steve Issis and expand the business to include carpet, hardwood, tile and rugs. Together, Hughes and Issis created the total resource home store for customers interested in updating their flooring, furniture or accessories. With an observant eye and many years of experience, Hughes has seen trends come, go and even come back again. Taking notice of what customers are currently requesting and buying, Hughes has several guidelines for keeping homes up to date for 2014. 1. Add accent color. There has been a move away from patterns and color in the last five years to a very neutral palate that is very soothing. But now, as things tend to ebb and flow, Hughes is experiencing a demand for more color. Using that neutral palate as a base and choosing colors that pop, add some interest and a reflection of your own personality. Hughes said he is seeing a lot more punches of color, including chartreuse, plum, French blue, pink, orange, lime, teal and aqua. 2. Watch women’s fashion. You’ll see home textiles lag about a year or two behind women’s fashion. They’ll take a nod from women’s apparel and let that flow into home textiles. 3. Refresh classics. Hughes said it is still a traditional market. Take a classic

European-style piece of furniture that is hundreds of years old but has a fresh finish on it or is painted. This way it is not a trendy style, it is not a trendy silhouette, but the finish is interesting and not too formal. 4. Reflect your lifestyle with flooring. Hughes is seeing more relaxed finished looks in the flooring. It appears for right now, people are not wanting to go back to a formal presentation in their homes.

5. Incorporate

classics into an updated setting. Classics are the clas-

sics. Customers are seeing a merge of classic furniture with a not-so-formal presentation. People will be drawn to the classic designs just as they have been for centuries.

Hughes said Issis’ attention to customer service has been a consistent draw for customers. “We throw the mold away every day to serve the customer,” Hughes said. “Steve’s favorite

line is, ‘I am not the boss. The customer is the boss.’ He says that at least three times a day.” Issis at Greenbrier is located at 1493 Montgomery Highway in Vestavia Hills. Issis also has another furniture location in Pelham at 250 Cahaba Valley Road, and two flooring galleries, one at 2858 Pelham Parkway and the other at 2815 Greystone Boulevard. For more, visit issisandsons.com.

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April 2014 • A17

Spring Home Guide

Make your yard a standout this season Experts at Classic Gardens share their tips

Classic Gardens teaches customers how to use the right combination of potting soil and fertilizer to grow plants like these that bear tomatoes. Photo courtesy of Classic Gardens.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Classic Gardens has established itself as a destination for not only the supplies but also the know-how to create a picture-perfect yard. Mike and Ann Pender started the business 24 years ago when their four children were ages 6 and younger. Today, three of the four children work for the family business, which offers retail, landscaping, irrigation, night lighting and lawn care services. Classic Gardens attracts gardeners to its Center Point greenhouses for its wide variety of plants, including 20 kinds of hydrangeas, 60 azaleas and multiple varieties of maples and dogwoods. “People will pass three to four places on way to Classic Gardens,” Mike Pender said. The garden business is also a destination for its expertise in everything from azaleas to zinnias, and they provide many at-home services

in the Over the Mountain area. One key to their advice is recommending a mix of good potting soil and fertilizers for plants — but only the least amount possible, and used properly. With that planting prescription, for the past 20 years, the business has been the No. 1 Fertilome dealer in the nation. The Penders hold a tomato seminar that teaches people to grow 12-foot-tall plants in a container, and they’ve got testimonials to prove their method works. The next two seminars will be held April 12 and 26 at 11 a.m. Still, the biggest segment of their array of services is lawn care. Pender emphasizes that they prioritize providing the best quality of services with environmentally friendly practices. For instance, they can help customers determine that a bug problem that looks like scorpions is actually small ladybugs, and that the most efficient way to treat certain types of bugs requires waiting for warmer weather.

Classic Gardens provides treatment to a front lawn. Photo courtesy of Classic Gardens.

When it comes to lawn maintenance, Pender recommends the following tips: 1. Use a pre-emergent herbicide. This treatment kills weeds before they germinate. Pender recommends treatment six times a year, a service that Classic Gardens offers by delivery. 2. Change your mowing patterns. If you mow in the same direction every week, you will create a “nap” in the grass that causes it to lay over. To avoid this, mow east to west one week, north to south the next and diagonal the third. 3. Mow low, slow and frequently. Mowing too fast causes grass to be torn instead of cut evenly, which can cause the grass to turn brown. Cutting grass low discourages most weeds and enables the

grass to stay as healthy as possible. Pender recommends mowing every week and said that every five days is best, depending on the weather. 4. Water infrequently. Pender recommends watering two to three times a week in the summer and less frequently when temperatures are lower. Watering less frequently encourages roots to grow deeper and hence be more drought-resistant. 5. Get your kids involved. Plant things like blackberries or blueberries, and generally encourage the next generation to enjoy working in the lawn. Classic Gardens is located at 1855 Carson Road, 35215. For more, call 854-4005 or visit classicgardens.com.

A18 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

BOY OF YEAR

CONTINUED from page 1 regular shots, and the pediatrician noticed a hardened spot on Cooper’s abdomen. He walked Kim Tullo out to the hall and told her to go to Children’s. Go now, he said. Right now. By the following morning, Cooper’s parents were in the hospital receiving word that a team of oncologists was on the way, and treatment needed to begin immediately. The 12-year-old tried to wrap his head around the word. Cancer. “You never want to hear that word,” Cooper said. “When I heard her say that I had it, I really didn’t know what to think.” Cooper’s parents flipped internal switches as all other priorities shifted to the background. “You immediately go into battle mode. You don’t have the luxury to just hang out,” said Cooper’s father, Mike. “We just thought, ‘We have to take care of him, to do what we can to help him get through this. Everything else is secondary.’” “It seems so far away, and in a matter of a day, it hits you,” Kim said. “You realize your child has cancer. It’s happening to your family right now. Your oncology team is on the way, and this is life-threatening.” Cooper underwent emergency surgery. Due to complications, he couldn’t eat for an entire week. After that, because Burkitt’s spreads so quickly, he battled seven days of near-constant chemotherapy, filling his body with as much as it could stand. A spark plug As Cooper developed mouth sores and lost his hair, all he could think about was getting back on the field again. “Not being able to go play with my friends and just kind of sitting there in the bed was the hardest part,” Cooper said. Cooper’s family describes him as their “little spark plug.”

From left, Mike, Kim, Cooper and Landry Tullo (not pictured is Landry and Cooper’s brother, Carson). The Tullo family lives in Hoover and is actively raising awareness for pediatric cancer research after Cooper was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in July. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

“He’s such a fun, happy athletic kid,” Kim said. “He was just going through life, swimming in the summer, going to football camp. He was the last person you would think to ever have cancer.” Cooper, the youngest of three boys, appears most himself when running around and playing with his

older brothers. He is an avid Florida Gators sports fan and looks forward to seeing his team play at the upcoming SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met in May. Cooper also hopes to make the Hoover High School football team one day. He watched his oldest brother Landry play on the team

as a linebacker, but Cooper prefers the other side of the ball. He calls himself a running back, but he plays most every skill position. He can’t wait to be a Buc. “I liked how it was never individual when they won every game,” Cooper said of the HHS varsity team. “Just watching them and sitting with

my friends and being a normal kid again. It was really fun. I’m going to work hard and dedicate myself to make the team.” The bright side During Cooper’s roughest weeks, Mike and Kim Tullo leaned on their faith and did everything they could

HooverSun.com to help their son battle what seemed like insurmountable odds. “You just pray that everyone — the doctors, the nurses — do the best of their ability and understand it’s out of your control,” Mike said. “It really galvanized my faith in God.” Cooper’s battle would prove triumphant when, on Oct. 14, he underwent his fifth and final round of chemotherapy. He is now in remission, and for him, that means “no more needles.” Burkitt’s lymphoma grows rapidly, and post-treatment scans remain nerve-wracking for the family. Kim and Mike said the support from co-workers, neighbors and friends in their Hoover community has been overwhelming. “We are blessed to live in Hoover and have a great support system, but a lot of people don’t have what we have,” Kim said. “There are kids on the eighth floor of Children’s Hospital battling this every day. There are people all over the Southeast that are driving here every week that are losing their houses,

April 2014 • A19 their jobs.” “Tomorrow it could be your child, your sister, your next-door neighbor that has cancer. Everything you do makes a difference.” So, Cooper might be back to playing sports and attending school with his friends, but not everything is back to normal. The Tullo family is now actively letting cancer change their lives, this time for the better. Cooper was recently named the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Birmingham Chapter’s 2014 Boy of the Year and will inspire the Man & Woman of the Year candidates during their fundraising campaigns. Cooper said he is humbled by the honor, and his advice for anyone going through a struggle is to always look on the bright side. He hopes that as Boy of the Year, his story will make a lasting impact. “I didn’t know I was that important to that many people. I didn’t know that many people were praying for me,” Cooper said. “I want to help as many people as possible.”

Support Cooper’s cause The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition among individuals in the community. Candidates run in honor of the Boy & Girl of the Year and have 10 weeks to accumulate the most “votes” with every dollar raised counting as one vote. The male and female candidates who raise the most votes are named the Birmingham Man & Woman of the Year at the Grand Finale on May 15. All funds raised help the society find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. To donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit our Publisher Dan Starnes’ fundraising page at stopbloodcancer.com. For more information about the Man & Woman of the Year campaign, visit mwoy.org/al/localchapter/bhm/.

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Sun HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A21 School House B12 Sports B15 Calendar B16

SECTION

SpringEvents Hoover residents are in for another active April, as every weekend this month offers multiple reasons to get outside and join your neighbors in the fun. If you aim to run to raise money for a cause, explore a new culture, or chow down on some crawfish, this is your month.

LifeSaver Walk for Life Valleydale Church April 5 • 8 a.m.-noon • B2

Whispers From The Past Aldridge Gardens April 6 •11:30 a.m. • B3

Relay for Life Spain Park High School April 12 • 3 p.m.-3 a.m. • B4

Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil

Main Green at Ross Bridge April 26 • 3-9 p.m. •B4

Walk for Autism Veterans Park April 5 • 7:30 a.m. • B2

Walk with Me Veterans Park April 12 • 8 a.m. • B3

Sporting Clay Shoot Selwood Farms April 22• 9 a.m. • B6

Bass Fishing Tournament Lake Mitchell May 2• 5:30 a.m. • B6

Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K Hoover Met April 5 • 8:30 a.m. • B6

Color Me Rad 5K Hoover Met April 12 • 10 a.m. • B6

Walk Me Home Veterans Park April 26 • 8 a.m. • B5

Celebrate Hoover Day Veterans Park May 3 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.• B5

Make family time cool again! inc.  Patios & Walls  Outdoor Kitchens  Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire pits  Arbors and Pergolas

402-2110

View hundreds of additional photos of our past work on our website:

www.OutdoorLivingAreas.net

Alabama G C L #43737

B2 A22 • April 2014

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Walk for Autism April 5 • 7:30 a.m. Veterans Park walkforautismal.com On April 5, the 11th annual Walk for Autism and 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle will take place at Veterans Park beginning at 7:30 a.m. Presented by the Autism Society of Alabama, money raised for Walk for Autism is kept in the state and used throughout many communities to educate and advocate for families. Participants can expect a fun-filled family time throughout the morning. There will be a resource fair, snacks provided by Zoe’s Kitchen, Earthfare and Nola-Ice, as well as activities for children such as face painting and arts and crafts. Prior to the walk will be the 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle. For more, visit walkforautismal.com.

LifeSaver Walk for Life April 5 • 8 a.m.-noon Valleydale Church savalifeshelby.org The 2014 LifeSaver Walk and Family Fun Day will take place on April 5 from 8 a.m.noon. The event, benefiting Sav-A-Life Shelby, will be held at Valleydale Church. Activities include inflatables, carnival games, face painting, balloons, prize raffles, crafts, food by Tip Top Grill and an Italian ice truck. Family Fun Day wristbands are $10 per person with a $20 maximum per family. Sav-A-Life Shelby’s Pregnancy Resource Center offers accurate information and compassionate care to more than 3,000 women and men every year. For more on the event, visit ministrysync.com/event/website/home/?e=6944. For more on Sav-A-Life Shelby, visit savalifeshelby.org.

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April 2014 • A23 B3

Whispers From The Past April 6 • 11:30 a.m- 7:30 p.m. Aldridge Gardens $5 donation for visitors 18 and up, $3 passport for children’s crafts aldridgegardens.com This month, take a trip back in time to rediscover the culture and contributions of Native Alabamians at Whispers From The Past at Aldridge Gardens. Native American life will take shape through cooking demonstrations, hunting weapons and activities such as leaf pounding, beading, corn grinding and gourd painting. The Artifacts of Alabama Native Americans, a representative exhibit from the Moundville Archaeological Collection will be on display with a collection of stone tools, pottery, ornaments and arrowheads excavated from sites across the state. Vendors will sell fry bread, Indian tacos, roasted corn, coins, antler carving, knives and beaded and carved shell jewelry. Off-site parking and continuous shuttles will be available all day.

Walk with Me April 12 • 8 a.m. Veterans Park eastersealsbham.org The 8th annual Walk with Me event, brought to the community by Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area, will take place April 12 at Veterans Park. The event features a 1-mile Family Fun Walk and 5K. Registration will take place from 6:30-7:45 a.m., and the 5K will begin at 8 a.m. Easter Seals’ mission with Walk with Me is to spread hope and raise funds to help individuals and families living with disabilities. At 9 a.m. the Family Fun Walk will begin. In addition to the 5K and the walk, there will be face painting, moonwalks, cotton candy and popcorn. For more, contact Allison Nichols at anichols@eastersealsbham.org, call 314-2187 or visit eastersealsbham.org.

B4 A24 • April 2014

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Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil April 26 • 3-9 p.m. Main Green at Ross Bridge The 2014 Hope for Autumn Foundation Crawfish Boil will be held on April 26 from 3-9 p.m. at the Main Green at Ross Bridge. Proceeds from the event benefit the families of local pediatric cancer patients, as well as the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder’s Developmental Therapeutics Program. Crawfish will be prepared by Louisiana native John Hein and hamburgers and hot dogs will also be served. Children’s activities will include bounce houses, face painting and balloon artists. Live music will be provided by Rollin in the Hay and The Clammers. Amanda Knerr, senior vice president of the Hope

Relay for Life April 12 • 3 p.m.- 3 a.m. Spain Park High School This year, a Relay for Life fundraiser will be held at Spain Park High School. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life movement symbolizes hope and a shared goal to end a disease that threatens lives. Participating in a Relay for Life event is a way to take action and help finish the fight if cancer has touched you or a loved one.

for Autumn Foundation, said the foundation raises money for specific families battling childhood cancer. “Our story is unique in that our foundation began as a backyard crawfish boil thrown by a group of friends that live in Ross Bridge to raise money for a child battling cancer, and has evolved to a public charity run by the same group of folks,” said Knerr. “I personally have been involved with the group since 2010, when they benefited my 7-year-old daughter, Emily, who was battling ovarian cancer.” Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. For more or to purchase tickets, visit hopeforautumnfoundation.org.

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A25 B5

Walk Me Home April 26 • 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Veterans Park This year’s “Walk Me Home…to the place I belong” 5K will be held at Veterans Park on April 26 from 8 a.m.-noon. This event was developed in order to bring awareness to foster care, promote fostering and raise funds for programs and services benefitting Greater Bimingham foster children and youth. Registration is $10 for adults and free for children ages 18 and under. All participants will receive a free t-shirt. Registration must be completed by April 12 to receive a t-shirt on the day of the race. Additional pledges may be turned in on the day of the event. For more information, contact Race Director Mike Strayer at walkmehome. birmingham@gmail.com.

Celebrate Hoover Day May 3 • 10 a.m- 2 p.m. Veterans Park Parking available at Spain Park High School Celebrate Hoover Day is returning to Veterans Park next month. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. This year’s event features a return of the giant apple pie and Blue Bell ice cream that was a hit with last year’s attendees. Also scheduled for the event are a Veterans Memorial Paver Dedication, Chamber of Commerce exhibitor pavilion, Kids Zone with inflatables and games, petting zoo, carnival rides, car show and live entertainment. In addition, document shredding will be provided by Cintas, and electronic recycling will be provided by Technical Knock-Out. For more information or to register for a space in the exhibitor pavilion, visit hooveral.org.

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Hoover Sun

Color Me Rad 5K The Color Me Rad 5K is a unique race that begins with a blaze of color canons. Each section of the race covers runners in a different splash of color. Participants are encouraged to wear white clothing they are not afraid to get colored. This run is held worldwide and loosely based off the Hindu Festival of Colors. For more, visit colormerad.com/race/birmingham.

April 12 • 10:00 a.m. Hoover Met

Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K According to the Alabama Gluten Free & Celiac Community Group website, Celiac disease is an auto-immune disease which affects as many as 1 in every 133 people. People with this disease cannot tolerate gluten. Through their ‘Making Tracks for Celiacs’ event, this group aims to help the community find the resources that they need to live comfortably with the challenges of the gluten free lifestyle while still being able to enjoy life. For more, visit alabamaceliac.com.

April 5 • 8:30 a.m. Hoover Met

Sporting Clay Shoot On Tuesday, April 22 the Hoover City Schools Foundation will host a Sporting Clay Shoot at 9 a.m. at Selwood Farms. Cost is $300 per person or $1,200 per team. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the Shoot starting at 9 a.m. Teams will consist of four people. There will be 12 Stations and 100 targets. Bring your gun as well as eye and hearing protection. Snacks, drinks and lunch will be provided. There will also be door prize drawings and prizes for the top three teams. Proceeds support continuing Foundation initiatives. For more visit, hooverfoundation.org.

April 22 • 9 a.m. Selwood Farms

Bass Fishing Tournament The Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation will host the 14 th annual Bass Fishing Tournament at Higgins Ferry Launch at Lake Mitchell on Friday, May 2. The tournament begins with a 5:30 a.m. launch (or safe day light) and ends with a weigh in at 3 p.m. Entry fee is $80 per boat and includes a $10 lunch. Participants must register by 12 p.m. on Thursday, May 1 and there will be no on-site registration the day of the event. All proceeds benefit the Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation and the Therapeutic Recreation Programs, which serve individuals with disabilities. For more, visit hooveral. org or call 447-7765.

May 2• 5:30 a.m. launch Lake Mitchell

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A27 B7

2014 Food and Drink Most Friendly Service

The Whole Scoop A strong supporter of local schools, Hoover resident David Cohen’s ice cream haven has become a local favorite. 3421 South Shades Crest Road, Suite 121, 444-8000 Runner up: Chick-fil-A

Best Coffee

Starbucks With locations on Highway 31, at the Galleria, on John Hopkins Parkway and more, America’s favorite coffee spot is also Hoover’s favorite. 3032 John Hawkins Parkway, 985-0622 1584 Montgomery Highway, 822-3848 Runner up: Earth Fare

Best Date Night

Best Mexican Food

Best New Restaurant

Best Italian Food

Firebirds Enjoy flavorful appetizers and entrees that are easy to share. 191 Main Street, 733-2002 Runner up: J. Alexander’s

Steak N Shake Enjoy burgers, fries and shakes in a fun atmosphere. 1817 Montgomery Highway, 982-3575 Runner up: Jesse’s Steak & Seafood

Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot

Zoe’s Kitchen Fast and fresh, guests can enjoy healthy, Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. 180 Main Street, 989-4020 Runner up: Panera Bread

David Cohen owns The Whole Scoop, winner of Most Friendly Service.

La Paz Enjoy a wide variety of inventive Mexican entrees. 3340 Riverchase Galleria, 444-2035 Runner up: Iguana Grill

Bellini’s Relax and enjoy a glass of wine and classic Tuscan Italian dishes. 6801 Cahaba Valley Road #106, 981-5380 Runner up: Costa’s

Best Burger

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Guests can enjoy burgers while watching their favorite sporting events. 5519 Grove Boulevard, 987-9464 Runner up: Baha Burger

Best Asian Food

Sumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar An original tenant in Patton Creek, Sumo is known for its hibachi, sushi bar and cocktails. 151 Main Street, 444-1515 Runner up: Styx

Most Kid Friendly Restaurant

Chick-fil-A Children can enjoy their meal as well as the playpen at this local fast food favorite. 3020 John Hawkins Parkway, 987-7568 1609 Montgomery Highway South, 979-9990 Runner up: The Whole Scoop

B8 A28 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

4000 Grand Avenue, 916-7677 Runner up: Aveda

Best Casual Dining

The Boot at The Preserve The casual, locally owned establishment boasts local brews and an eclectic menu popular with young families. 616 Preserve Parkway, 978-8988 Runner up: Taziki’s

Best Family Practitioner

Dr. Jody Gilstrap, Baptist Health Center Hoover Dr. Gilstrap is Board certified in Family Medicine and enjoys spending time with his family and coaching youth sports. 5295 Preserve Parkway, 682-6077 Runner up: Dr. Carrie Huner

Best Pizza

Tortugas Tortugas Homemade Pizza is a family run restaurant that is well worth the wait. 2801 John Hawkins Parkway, 403-9800 Runner up: California Pizza Kitchen

Best Place for a Sweet Treat Edgar’s Bakery Edgar’s Bakery specializes in themed cakes, gourmet lunch and breakfast, scratch made pastries and more. Runner up: The Whole Scoop

Best Mediterranean Food

Taziki’s From Greek Salads to gyros to a host of other fresh options, Taziki’s brings a taste of Greece to Chace Lake. Friday Special, anyone? 4745 Chase Circle, 682-6999 Runner up: Zoe’s

Best Breakfast/Brunch

The Egg and I This popular breakfast destination welcomes civic groups including Hoover Kiwanis Club and Friends of Hoover for meetings. 4741 Chace Circle, 982-8477 Runner up: Chick-fil-A

Moss Rock Preserve is the winner of Best Place for Family Outing and Best Outdoor Space.

Health and Wellness

425 Emery Drive, 987-0040 Runner up: Birmingham Orthodontics

Best Work Out Facility

Dr. John Cortopassi, Greenvale Pediatrics Dr. Cortopassi is Board certified in Pediatrics and has been a valued member of the Greenvale Pediatrics team since 1980. Runner up: Dr. Jeff Malone

Hoover YMCA The YMCA offers a state of the art community center and variety of programs for the whole family. 2250 John Hawkins Parkway, 396-1700 Runner up: Fitness 4U 24/7

Best Dentist

Dr. Jennifer Morrissey, Hoover Family Dentistry Dr. Morrissey makes sure her patients leave with clean teeth and a bright smile. 425 Emery Drive, 989-8480 Runner up: Dr. Anna Maria DiChiara

Best Orthodontist

Backus Orthodontics The Backus Orthodontics team is a group of caring, experienced individuals happy to provide the best service possible.

Best Pediatrician

Best Pharmacy

Green Valley Drugs Step back in time and have an old fashioned burger and shake inside this local favorite. 1915 Hoover Court, 822-1151 Runner up: CVS

Best Spa

Renaissance Ross Bridge The luxurious spa offers scrubs, wraps, massages, facials, scalp treatments and much more.

Community Best Community Event

SEC Baseball Tournament The tournament returns for a 17th straight year to the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium May 20-25. 100 Ben Chapman Drive, 988-3200 Runner up: Moss Rock Festival

Best Charity Event

Relay for Life The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is the world’s biggest fight to end cancer. Runner up: Bama Bash Men’s Baseball Tournament

Best Place for Family Outing

Moss Rock Preserve 250 acres of hiking trails, bouldering rocks and more welcome nature lovers, bird watchers and anyone who enjoys stepping into the woods. Preserve Parkway Runner up: Hoover Bucs Football Game

HooverSun.com

Best Church Choir

Hunter Street Baptist Church This choir is the primary worship-leading choir at Hunter Street Baptist and is full of talented voices. 2600 John Hawkins Parkway, 985-7295 Runner up: Riverchase United Methodist

Best Outdoor Space

Best Neighborhood

The Preserve There are trails to follow, rocks to climb, waterfalls to enjoy and neighbors waving from porches in this scenic community. 616 Preserve Parkway, 822-9348 Runner up: Bluff Park

Businesses and Services

B9 April 2014 • A29 multiple tees for golfers at all levels. 4000 Grand Avenue, 916-7677 Runner up: Riverchase Country Club

Best Store for Your Hobby Hoover Tactical Firearms One of the nation’s premier indoor shooting ranges and retail firearms stores, the state-of-the-art facility offers new and used firearms. 1561 Montgomery Highway, 822-3600 Runner up: Dick’s

Best Store for Men

Belk This department store offers a variety of clothing and accessories for every occasion. 2100 Riverchase Galleria, 987-4200 Runner up: Jos A Bank

Best Salon Salon 150 Stylists offer cuts, dyes and other services at this popular salon. 2798 John Hawkins Parkway Suite 122, 733-0383 Runner up: Stone Salon

Best New Business

Best Women’s Clothing Store

Lou Lou’s This store offers clothing, gifts, monogramming, game day apparel and tailgating merchandise. 726 29th Street South, 322-7005 Runner up: Von Maur

Turquoise This contemporary boutique offers seasonable fashions and the accessories to accompany them, all at affordable prices. 593 Shades Crest Road, 823-9007 Runner up: Kohls

Best Place to Buy Home Décor

Best Place to Buy a Gift

Best Children’s Store

Best Customer Service

Home Goods Every time you go in, the store’s selection of furniture and accessories is sure to grab your eye. 1660 Montgomery Highway, 823-5221 Runner up: Hobby Lobby

Sew Precious This locally owned kids’ boutique is where moms turn for great clothes for both boys and girls. 180 Main Street # 124, 444-0005 Runner up: Toys R Us

Best Veterinarian

Galleria Animal Clinic Dr. Borden and his staff welcome furry friends of all kinds for the very best of care. 2953 John Hawkins Parkway, 987-7297 Runner up: Hope Animal Clinic

Best Golf Course

Renaissance Ross Bridge Ross Bridge’s long course offers

Wrapsody This “must shop” destination for women sells unique and thoughtful gifts, including a wide selection of Greek gifts. 161 Main Street #127, 989-7277 Runner up: World Market

Bluff Park Hardware This store offers a variety of products and dedicated, experienced staff who are always ready to help with your latest project. 597 Shades Crest Road, 823-1953 Runner up: Von Maur

Best Mechanic Shop

Estes Tire Warehouse Family-owned and operated since 1975, Estes stocks tires for brands like Michelin, BFGoodrich and Goodyear. It also sells wheels and offers auto repair. 3420 Old Columbiana Road, 979-7841 Runner up: John’s

The staff of Hoover Tactical Firearms, winner of Best Store for Your Hobby.

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Hoover Sun

Hoover Arts Alliance: Connecting community with art (Far left) Addison Woodlard (center) from Deer Valley Elementary celebrates her win at the Ross Bridge Art Event with her mother (left) and Hoover Arts Alliance member Pat Bendall. (Left) From left, City Hall Gallery Director Pat Bendall, Councilman John Lyda, HAA member Carolyn Kolar, HAA co-founder Linda Chastain and Councilman Gene Smith attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bluff Park Art Association. Photos courtesy of LInda Chastain.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL From the Bluff Park Art Association to the Hoover High School jazz band, Hoover is filled with talented amateur and professional artists. The Hoover Arts Alliance, founded by Linda Chastain and Barbara Lyons in 2007, teams up with these artists to provide financial assistance and opportunities to display and promote their work. Chastain and Lyons, both cancer survivors, founded the Alliance to give back to their city and get rid of the competition between Hoover artists. “There were so many art groups in Hoover, but nobody was communicating,” said Chastain, who now works as the foundation’s treasurer. The Alliance now has over 200 members, both artists and supporters of the arts, who work to fund arts events throughout the year and inspire artists to show off their talents. Members of the Alliance include representatives from the Hoover Shelby Arts Association, the National League of

American Pen Women, Aldridge Gardens and the Bluff Park Art Association. “Our philosophy has been to encourage the arts and artists at all levels, from elementary school on, and to promote the arts in Hoover,” Chastain said. Community involvement is a crucial part of the Alliance’s mission. Members can be seen manning a booth at the Bluff Park Art Show and providing art supplies for children’s activities. At the Ross Bridge Art & Music on the Green festival, the Alliance hosts an art competition for children from area elementary schools, with cash prizes and certificates for the winners. The Alliance also provides small cash prizes for a few other art competitions, and funded a recent trip to Chicago for the Hoover High School Jazz Band. Additionally, its members were instrumental in creating a new art gallery at the Hoover Municipal Center in 2013. “If there’s a need and we see it, we try and meet it,” Chastain said. “It is more than just, ‘OK,

here’s a check.’ We work with them on stuff.” Chastain, however, is proudest of the scholarships that the Alliance provides. Each year, one graduating senior from Hoover High School and one from Spain Park High School receive a $1,000 scholarship to pursue an arts education in college. Signature Homes funds the scholarships, which are based on talent rather than need. This year, a third scholarship has been added in honor of Lyons, Chastain’s co-founder, who died on Feb. 16 after a short illness. The Alliance collected donations in her memory, and Chastain said more than $1,000 was donated by the end of February. This new scholarship will be available to graduating seniors from either high school. “People care about the arts. You’d be surprised at the people who very quietly go about this city and you never know who they are, but when something comes up, you see the check,” Chastain said. The major challenge for the Alliance, however, is the absence of space for performances and art shows. Hoover currently lacks a convention center or other significant indoor space for displaying its artists’ talent. The Hoover Shelby Art Association and members of high school bands have approached Chastain about the need for performance space, and events like the yearly Southern Voices festival have outgrown

their locations. “It is very difficult for anybody in Hoover – not just artists – to find a meeting space for a small group. They’re just not there,” Chastain said. “A city the size of Hoover with the education of Hoover people needs to have some place.” Chastain envisions a space not only for local artists to show their work, but also for the Alabama Symphony and the Alabama Theatre Company to bring performances for residents who cannot go to downtown Birmingham. She also believes a performance center would be ideal for hosting small conventions or high school graduation ceremonies. Even without a convention center, the Alliance will continue finding other ways to bring attention to Hoover artists. In May, the Alliance will formally recognize its 2014 scholarship recipients, and on June 21 and 22 it will be a sponsor for Art in the Gardens, an annual event at Aldridge Gardens. Chastain said the Alliance is also planning a fall art show for local art teachers and a spring show for high school students’ work. “We just want to stay involved in the arts in Hoover, and keep promoting the arts and the artists and encourage the young artists. That’s the biggest thing,” Chastain said. “Anything we can do to promote the arts and give people space to hang their work and make them feel that what they’re doing is worthwhile.”

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A31 B11

Danielle DuBose What’s next for Miss University of Alabama? that was one of the first experiences I had with service. All of that led me to continue wanting to serve in college as well. Since I’ve been at UA, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of some incredible groups, including my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, for which I have served as Vice President of Philanthropy and on the Executive Board. In that capacity, I planned a golf tournament called Tee Off for Tuscaloosa that raised $14,000 for the local community. I also led our efforts to promote domestic violence awareness.

By REBECCA WALDEN On Feb. 15, Spain Park High School alumna Danielle DuBose was crowned Miss University of Alabama. The Hoover Sun caught up with DuBose shortly after her win to reflect on how this impacts her plans postgraduation and her advice to other young ladies in Hoover who aspire to become role models.

Q A

How did you first become involved with the pageant? My primary motivation was that it represented the culmination of so many priorities that are important to me. It allowed me to be awarded for academics, fitness and other areas where I had worked really hard. The fact that I could obtain scholarship money and recognition for these efforts is what drew me to the Distinguished Young Women competition in the first place back in high school. The Miss University of Alabama pageant is my first preliminary of any kind (the pageant is a preliminary for Miss Alabama and Miss America), so it was definitely new to me. But I did it because I had been so involved on the university campus. I was really passionate about improving the campus and contributing in any way that I could.

Q A

What do you see as your legacy and impact on campus? The goals in the Miss America organization are to support women

What advice would you give to other young Hoover girls who aspire to follow in your footsteps? I would tell them to have a sense of purpose in everything you do. The most important thing when you are participating in an event like this is not what or how you do it, but why you do it. I participated so I can make an impact on campus, and so that I could be a role model for women. I want to put forth a good, positive image and that is what I encourage young girls to do. Find that purpose and what you think you can contribute to society and really work for that.

A Newly crowned Miss University of Alabama Danielle DuBose waves during this year’s festivities, shortly after her win was announced. Photo courtesy of Ken Johnson.

in their personal and professional endeavors, and to promote their voices in culture. That’s what I want to impact on campus. I want to be a voice for women’s issues on campus and to help them achieve their full potential. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a chat about UA Body Appreciation Week that was focused on body image, the way body image is perceived in culture and how we can change that as women and provide a better environment for body image. I also am working with the Women’s Research Center on several projects. In February, we promoted Women’s

History Month and in April, we will focus on Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As for my legacy, I want it to be that I was a positive spokesperson for women on this campus.

into my professional life as well. I just want to encourage women to seek that high ambition in their careers not to compromise any of the professional goals that they have.

Q A

How do you plan to build on that platform post-graduation? My graduation plans are to pursue a master’s degree in accounting and then go to work in a public accounting firm. I definitely have very high career goals for myself and a lot of personal ambition, so I think the campus work will carry over

How do you think your high school career prepared you for success? It is because of the opportunities and wonderful educators I had through Hoover Schools. They truly invested in me and, as a result, I was fully prepared to transition to college. In terms of community impact, I was a Hoover Belle in high school, and

DuBose is the daughter of Susan and Dennis DuBose of Greystone. Her brother Drew is a junior at Spain Park High School. Look for Miss University of Alabama at the Wynfrey Hotel on May 20 as part of the Crimson Caravan.

B12 A32 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

School House

Celebrating character

2014 Finley Award winners announced

By JASON GASTON Last month, the Finley Committee for Character Education recognized an employee and two graduating seniors from Hoover City Schools who exemplify good character with the 2014 Finley Awards. This years recipients were Spain Park High School Coach Michael Zelwak, Spain Park senior Will Freeman and Hoover High School senior Chandler Fullman. Hoover City Schools winner Michael Zelwak Michael Zelwak may be a New Jersey native, but he’s been in Hoover long enough to know the legacy of legendary W.A. Berry High School Coach Bob Finley. “Mr. Finley was a great man from what I know. Being a part of the Hoover City Schools you hear about him and the history he left and the legacy,” Zelwak said. Today, Zelwak continued that legacy, being named the Hoover City Schools 2014 Finley Award winner. The announcement came in a surprise ceremony that included his wife Anne, daughter Leighton, extended family, friends, colleagues and others. “Just to be considered [for the Finley Award] is an honor,” Zelwak said. “To win it is actually probably one of the highlights of my teaching career.” Zelwak, who teaches 11th grade English, also serves as Spain Park

Michael Zelwak

High School’s Cross Country coach as well as the coach of the indoor and outdoor track teams. He’s been at the school 10 years. He came to Alabama to attend UAB, with aspirations of a career in the medical field. It was there he met his future wife Anne – and changed course from medicine to education. “Michael is very outgoing, which makes life with him exciting. He loves what he does,” Anne Zelwak said. “That’s probably the thing that impresses me the most about him.” Anne joined members of the Finley Committee for Character Education, principal Dr. Ken Jarnagin, Superintendent Andy Craig and others Monday morning for a surprise ceremony in the school’s library. “I think he was completely surprised,” Anne said. “It was hard to keep it from him [this morning].” Zelwak’s surprise was evident as he

Will Freeman

Chandler Fullman

accepted the award — the single-biggest accolade bestowed by the school system each year. For him, having family on hand made the experience all the better “I always try to etch out some spare time for my family, which is a balancing act but it’s something that’s been very rewarding to give me some down time away from school and away from coaching.”

like V.I.P. treatment. I knew something big was going to happen.” Freeman, a nationally-ranked swimmer, is no stranger to the spotlight. However, he was taken aback at the sight just outside the elevator doors. There stood his family, friends, coaches and the Superintendent of Hoover City Schools. That group, along with members of the Finley Committee for Character Education, were all there to announce Freeman as the 2014 Spain Park High School Finley Award winner. “I honestly never thought I would be here — be the winner. I used to see other kids get this award and I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is a bar I can never get to,’” Freeman said. “Now that I’m here, it’s like people are looking up to me. That’s interesting.” The 18-year-old swimming standout has a full academic and athletic scholarship to the University of

Spain Park High winner Will Freeman Spain Park High senior Will Freeman knew something was up when principal Dr. Ken Jarnagin came to escort him out of first period. They walked down the hall to the school’s elevator, presumably headed to a meeting downstairs. “I was actually just impressed that I was in the elevator,” Freeman said. “I’ve never been in it before — kinda

Alabama. He’s received numerous academic and athletic accolades over the course of his high school career, most recently being named a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman. As one of 12 in the U.S., Freeman was recognized at the Heisman ceremony in New York City this past December. Freeman’s athletic stats are impressive. He is a six-year Varsity Letter Winner; school, league and state record-holder and NISCA High School All-American in the 200meter freestyle (1:37.31); school, league and state record-holder and NISCA High School All-American in the 500-meter freestyle (4:27.36); eight-time high school state champion — four each in 200-meter freestyle and 500-meter freestyle. Six-time NISCA High School All-American — three each in 200-meter freestyle and 500-meter freestyle; holds 28 individual team records for the Birmingham Swim League; and Southeastern Swimming 15-16 Boys Record in the 200-meter freestyle (1:38.22). Beyond the national spotlight, he’s most proud of his accomplishments at his soon-to-be alma mater. During his junior year, he joined the Spain Park High School Honor Council. “[Our council] actually drafted a code of academic integrity this past summer, and we have been trying to implement it throughout the school,” Freeman said. Continues on pg B13

HooverSun.com Hoover High winner Chandler Fullman Hoover High School (HHS) Athletic Director Myra Miles and Coach Andy Urban concocted quite a story to get Chandler Fullman out of PE and into the library — where Fullman would find out he was being named the school’s Finley Award winner for 2014. “I was actually walking to PE and they asked if I could stop in the athletic office,” Fullman said. “I stayed in there for about six or seven minutes, and they just talked about what we are going to do without the ‘Superfan’ next year. I was like ‘Oh, y’all will be fine.” “Superfan” is a moniker by which many at HHS know this senior student. He’s a selfproclaimed fan of anything and everything “BUCS.” “I love Hoover,” Fullman said. “I especially love athletics, and when you combine Hoover and athletics – you just love it.” Fullman has overcome many obstacles to get to this moment in his senior year. In his freshman year (September 2010), he suffered an aneurysm while on campus and was rushed to the hospital. He and his family would later discover Chandler has what’s known as Arteriovenous Malformation, or AVM, a condition best characterized as an abnormal connection

April 2014 • A33 B13 between the arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system and only detectable through brain scans. The irony of that day for the Hoover Superfan was that it was the same day he was set to try out for a spot on the school’s golf team. That dream never fully materialized, as Chandler spent the following 56 days in Children’s Hospital of Alabama — 17 of those days in a comatose state. “I kinda realized I was just going to have to be a fan and support my fans,” Fullman said. “I mean, if that’s what God wants me to do, I am going to do it.” Fullman has since been on a long road to recovery filled with some obstacles – but many more prayers and milestones. He’s very active on campus in service organizations, honor societies and student government organizations. As for winning the prestigious Finley Award, it’s just icing on the cake. “His name [Coach Bob Finley/W.A. Berry High School] I’ve only heard mentioned with good stuff,” Fullman said. “For me to win this, words can’t really describe it.” Fullman, Freeman and Zelwak were all celebrated in March at the Finley Awards Banquet, held at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on U.S. 280.

Riverchase Elementary participates in Kids Mercedes Marathon

Ninety-one children from Riverchase Elementary recently participated in this year’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Kids Mercedes Marathon. Photo courtesy of Phillip and Kelly Miles.

Riverchase Elementary School students completed their first year at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Kids Mercedes Marathon on in February. Ninety-one children from Riverchase participated in this year’s program, which is an innovative five-month endurancebuilding running/walking program designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. To achieve the goal of 26.2 miles (a full

marathon), kids trained for the last mile of their marathon by running a total of 25.2 miles in 1/4-mile, 1/2-mile, 3/4-mile or 1-mile increments between October 2013 and January 2014 to qualify for race day participation. Students ran in PE class and with a parent. The children completed the final mile on the actual marathon course and received a Finisher’s Medal.

Prince of Peace offers special religious education program In 2006, Religious Education Director Megan Everett saw a gap in Prince of Peace Catholic Church’s religious education curriculum. According to Church Canon Law, religious learning must be available to all. But what about the kids who cannot learn in a regular classroom? Everett established the first Sunday Catechesis program in the Birmingham Diocese to educate these non-traditional learners and the program is thriving today. Prince of Peace Church’s formation special education program has between 10 and 12 students this year and two volunteer teachers. One of this year’s teachers, Missy Whitfield, is not only a special education teacher on Sunday, but also during the week at Shelby Elementary School where she was named the 2013 Teacher of the Year.

The special education formation students are also welcome at the church’s summer Vacation Bible School held in June. Registration opens in March. “My future plans for formation special education at Prince of Peace are to keep expanding the program to meet the needs of all learners through innovative approaches to education and technology,” Everett said. Prince of Peace Catholic Church strives to accommodate all learners and live its stewardship hospitality message of “All Are Welcome.” The formation pillar, directed by Everett and School Principal Connie Angstadt, welcome your inquiries at megan.everett@ popcatholic.org or the school at info@popcatholic.org

B14 A34 • April 2014

Hoover Sun

Hoover High’s 50th Beauty Walk chooses Miss Senior Class 2014

Miss Congeniality Caroline Dunn, first runner-up Emily Abernathy, second runner-up Abbey Walker, Miss Senior Class 2014 Hannah Shultz, HHS Principal Don Hulin, third runner-up Dani Dean and fourth runner-up Melissa Bryant. Photo courtesy of Jean Ingram.

The Hoover High School Beauty Walk was held Saturday, Feb. 15 at the historic Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. The theme was “A Fairy Tale Ending.” Eighty senior girls participated in the 50th annual event, which was started at W.A. Berry High School. Hannah Shultz was named Miss Senior Class 2014, and the other top 10 contestants were Anna Beth Mann, Abby Polinsky, Abbey Walker, Jessica Wang, Emily Abernathy, Melissa Bryant, Caroline Conrad,

Dani Dean and Rayna Beimal. Masters of Ceremony were James Spann of ABC 33/40 and Anna Laura Bryan, Miss Alabama 2012. Entertainment was HHS’s Ten Bucs Worth, Kara Young and Clay Jones, and The Elliott Davis Band. The contestants chose Caroline Dunn as Miss Congeniality. Twenty senior men were escorts; they were nominated by the HHS faculty and selected by the senior class officers.

HooverSun.com

April 2014 • A35 B15

Sports Bumpus Softball gearing up for spring season Pictured from top, left to right: Coach Malisa Rushing, Madeline Harris, Bayley Yarbrough, Mykayla Mitchell, Jacquelyn Smith, Jailyn Jackson, Brynn Parker, Kathryn Cater, Katie Threeton, Coach Jennifer Bindert Bottom, left to right: Kyndness Frazier, Whitley hall, Maci Harris, Jordyn Johnson, Mackenzie June, Paige Williamson, Nikki Busby. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Bindert.

Hoover High, Spain Park High to compete in AHSAA class 7A in 2014 By JEFF THOMPSON A new classification for Alabama high school sports will see Hoover and Spain Park sharing rivals in 2014. According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, Class 7A was created this month following a biannual review of enrollment. The new alignment, which will take effect in fall 2014 and last a minimum of two years, meant 32 of the state’s largest schools were regrouped into four Class 7A Regions. Spain Park High and Hoover High are now Class 7A, Region 3, alongside Hewitt-Trussville, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills.

“The seven-classification system will allow more student-athletes to participate in championship events, and more will experience first-hand what it means to play in some of the best venues in our state,” AHSAA Central Board of Control President Lamar Brooks said in a release on ahsaa.com. “With the addition of an extra championship game, revenues should increase, which will mean much-needed additional money for all schools through the AHSAA revenue sharing program.” The release states AHSAA has functioned with a six-class system since 1984. The seven-class system allows the organization to group schools more closely by enrollment. This is projected to prevent disparity, as was the case in 2013 when

Spain Park’s nearly 1,500-member student body was in the same class and region as Chelsea High, which has approximately 800 students. The classification change will apply to all sports, which the AHSAA reports will reduce the need for nine-team regions in football and five-team areas in sports like basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball. The remaining six classes were divided to include 60 schools in 6A, 61 in 5A, 60 in 4A, 60 in 3A, 58 in 2A and 58 in Class 1A. A total of 23 schools currently do not participate in football championship play and will be placed in the re-classification system based on their reported enrollment numbers.

Two members of Hoover Blue Thunder make high marks with USA Swimming Jakob Icimsoy was recently recognized on USA Swimming’s Top 10 list for the 2012-13 Short Course Season. Icomsoy ranked eighth in the nation for 12-year-old boys in the 1,000-yard freestyle event. He joined the competitive swim team Hoover Blue Thunder in 2010. Under the direction of assistant coach Michael Bottchen, Icomsoy began to make great progress with his swimming and discovered his love of distance events. As a result, Icomsoy was also Hoover Blue

Thunder’s Male Swimmer of the Year for 2012-13. Molly Steele was chosen by USA Swimming to attend a National Zone Select Camp in late May. In 2009, she joined Hoover Blue Thunder. After a couple years of perfecting her strokes and working on technique, she began training under the direction of head coach Rick Moulton. Steele would like to pursue swimming at the college level and hopes to one day achieve her long-term goal, making the USA Olympic Team.

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Community Calendar Hoover Events April 4-5: Wrapsody Sidewalk Sale. Ribbon is cut at 10 a.m. on Friday and runs through Saturday at 6 p.m. 161 Main Street, Suite 127. Visit wrapsodyonline. com/127/calendar for more info. April. 5: 3rd Annual Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K Walk/Fun Run. Hoover Met. Also includes Gluten Free Vendor Fair. For more, contact race organizer Shea Maple at shea@alabamaceliac.com. April 5: Walk for Autism. 7:30 a.m. Veterans Park. There will be a resource fair and children’s activities such as face painting and arts and crafts. Snacks provided by Zoe’s Kitchen, Earthfare and Nola-Ice. The 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle precedes the walk. Visit walkforautismal.com. Apr. 5: 13th Annual High Country 5K, sponsored by Shades Crest Baptist Church. 8 a.m. start with a free kids’ fun run starting at 9 am. Also part of the event is the 3rd annual Elementary School Team Challenge. $30 on Race Day. For more, visit active.com and find full details on the 13th Annual High Country 5K page. Apr. 6. Whispers from the Past - A Native American Experience. 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Aldridge Gardens. $5 donation for visitors 18 and older. $3 passport for take-home crafts. Rediscover the culture and contributions of Native

Alabamians. Visit aldridgegardens.com or call 682-8019. April 10: Hoover Service Club Membership Coffee. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Aldrige Gardens. Call Lynda Wasden at 981-1242. April 12: Color Me Rad 5K. 10 a.m. Hoover Met. Wear white clothing and get doused with different colors. Visit colormerad.com/race/ birmingham. April 12: Relay for Life – Spain Park. 3 p.m.-3 a.m. Spain Park High School. American Cancer Society event organized by students at the school to raise funds for cancer awareness, research and services benefitting cancer patients and families. Visit relayforlife.org/ spainparkal. April 12: Walk With Me. 8 a.m. Veterans Park. Event features a 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Walk, as well as face painting, moonwalks, cotton candy and popcorn. Proceeds go to Easter Seals, which raises funds for individuals and families living with disabilities. Contact Allison Nichols at anichols@eastersealsbham.org, call 314-2187 or visit eastersealsbham. org. April 14-15: AARP Smart Driver Course. 9 a.m.-noon. Danberry at Inverness, 235 Inverness Center Drive. Class teaches defensive driving techniques, proven safety strategies, new traffic laws and rules

of the road. Completion could qualify attendees for a discount on car insurance. $15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members. Call 4439500 or visit aarp.org/drive. Apr. 15: Lunch and Learn. Hoover Senior Center. Noon. For more, contact Tracy Vinzant, vinzantt@ci.hoover.al.us or call 739-6700. April 18-19: Easter Baby Chicks. Bring your kids and let them hold and love on the baby chicks. 161 Main Street, Suite 127. Visit wrapsodyonline.com/127/calendar for more info. April 22: Hoover City Schools Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot. 9 a.m. Selwood Farms. $300 per person or $1,200 per team. Snacks, drinks and lunch provided. Includes door prize drawings and prizes for the top three teams. Proceeds support Innovate Teacher Grants and Impact Student Scholarships. Visit hooverfoundation. org. Apr. 22: Horizons Luncheon. Hoover Senior Center. 11 a.m. For more, contact Dana Stewart, stewartd@ci.hoover.al.us or call 739-6700. Apr. 25. Senior Sock Hop. Hoover Senior Center. 1 p.m. For more, contact Tracy Vinzant, vinzantt@ci.hoover.al.us or call 739-6700.

April 26: Walk Me Home. 8 a.m.-noon. Veterans Park. Registration is $30, and proceeds benefit local foster parents. Contact Mike Strayer, the race director for 2014, at sslj@bellsouth.net. April 26: Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil. 3-9 p.m. The Main Green at Ross Bridge. There will be live music and children’s activities. Proceeds from the event benefit the families of local pediatric cancer patients. Tickets are $25 online, $30 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Visit hopeforautumnfoundation. org or email info@hopeforautumnfoundation.org. April 27: Food Pantry. 3-4:30 p.m. Hoover Church of Christ. For more information, call 822-5610 or visit hooverchurchofchrist.org.

Moonlight on the Mountain moonlightonthmtn.com April 3: Smooth Hound Smith and Eric Erdman. April 4: Robby Hecht, The Sea The Sea. April 5: Pierce Pettis. $15. April 10: Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen. April 11: Chuck Brodsky. $15. April 12: Honeyboo and Boots, Steve Norris. April 13: Helen Highwater. 7 p.m. April 16: Chris Trapper with opener Nick Young.

May 2: Bass Fishing Tournament. 5:30 a.m. Higgins Ferry Launch at Lake Mitchell. Weigh in at 3 p.m. Entry fee is $80 per boat and includes $10 lunch. Register by noon on May 1. Proceeds benefit Hoover Parks and Recreation Foundation. Visit hooveral.org or call 447-7765.

April 17: Hannah Thomas, Roxie Watson.

May 3: Celebrate Hoover Day. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Veteran’s Park. This event is free and will include carnival rides, kid’s activities and live entertainment. Parking will be available at Spain Park High School with complimentary shuttles to the park. Visit hooveral.org.

April 27: J and Rosanna Juliano. 6 p.m.

April 21: Open Mic Night. April 24: Alyse Black and Christen Cole. April 25: Spooner Oldham and Kate Campbell. $20.

All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and cost $12 unless otherwise noted. Open Mic Night is $5.

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Community Calendar Chamber Events April 3: Economic Development Committee meeting. 8:30 a.m. Chamber office. Visitors welcome. April 10: Coffee & Contacts at South Hall Self-Storage. 7-9 a.m. 2400 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover 35244. Contact Ronnie Blakney at 981-8705 or ronnie.blakney@ alacare.com. southhall.com. April 11: Ribbon Cutting at Birmingham Allergy & Asthma Specialists. 11:30 a.m. 254 Inverness Center Drive. Call Jan Gibson at 943-1197 or jan@birminghamallergy.com for information. April 17: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. Hoover Country Club. Networking followed by noon luncheon $20 or $22 without reservations. Contact Lisa Dunbar 9885672 or lisa@hooverchamber.org. April 22: Minority Business Committee meeting. Noon. Chamber office. Bring your own lunch if you like. Visitors welcome. Contact Reginald Jeter. rlj@hsy.com. April 22: Hoover City Schools Foundation Clay Target Shoot. Selwood Farms. For more information, contact Mary Lynn Hanily at mhanily@ hoover.k12.al.us or call 439-1038. April 24: Business after-hours. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Chateau Vestavia Retirement Center. Call 822-4777 or email sswinney@trinitybelieves.com.

Hoover Library Events Children’s programs Mondays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Mother Goose Storytime. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For 1-year-olds and their caregivers. Wednesdays: Tiny Tot Tales. 9:30 a.m. and 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. April 11: Marshmellow Madness. 4 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. Join us while we go crazy with marshmallows. Grades 1-3. April 12: Max and Ruby’s Bunny Hop. 10:30 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Ruby has planned a wonderful party for everyone, and Max will be there to make sure nothing goes according to plan. Free event. April 22: Party with Mario and Friends. 6:30 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. Come play Mario Party and Mario Kart on the Wii, make Mario-related crafts and eat fun snacks. Grades 4 -8. April 28: This Just In! 6:30 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. A newbooks book club for grades 4-6. Which of the latest are really the greatest? Read a book published in the last six

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

months. Make a commercial to spread the word. Space is limited to 25, so register soon.

Come practice your Spanish language skills! Beginners to fluent speakers are welcome to this free event. For more, call 444-7820.

Adult programs

April 10: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Conference Room. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. For more, call 444-7820. For more, call 444-7820.

Tuesdays: Adult English Classes. 6:30 p.m. Meeting Rooms, A, B and C. Join us on Tuesday evenings to learn basic or intermediate level English. Classes are free and no registration is required. For more information, call 444-7820. April 3: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. Theatre Level Conference Room. 10 a.m. For more, call 444-7820. April 3: English Conversation Practice. 6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Conference Room April 6: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: Sweden. Library Plaza. 2:30 p.m. Coffee-ol-ogy Café presents a fun and free interactive program on the foods and coffees of Sweden. Free Samples. For more, call 444-7821. April 7: Friends of the Hoover Public Library. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Refreshments at 9:45 am. Free and open to the public. For more, call 444-7840. April 8: Daytime Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Conference Room. Join us to discuss this month’s Nonfiction selection, The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs. Call 444-7816 for more information. April 8: Spanish Conversation. Library Plaza. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

April 11: After Hours on the Plaza: Eric Essix Trio. 8 p.m. Library Plaza. Based in Birmingham, Eric Essix began as a fusion and contemporary jazz bandleader in the early 90s. He appeared on the scene with two recorded albums of light pop, fusion and modern material. He later showed a shift to a more mature, bluesier style with a distinct Southern feel. For more, call 444-7821. April 12: Purl @ the Plaza. 3 p.m. Library Plaza. Join old friends and make new ones at this crafty meeting of all fiber enthusiasts. Bring your yarn and knit, crochet or embroider. April 14: Read Your Own Adventure Book Club. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Plaza Reading Room. Share your favorite contemporary fiction book and learn about other great reads. For more, call 444-7820. April 16: No Jacked Required Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Conference Room. Join others to discuss your nonfiction book of choice in this month’s genre: Humor. April 24: Nightime Nonfiction Group. 7 p.m. Board Room. Join us for a discussion of the book The Disap-

pearing Spoon by Sam Kean. April 24: Rob Alley Quintet with Jil Chambless. 6:30 p.m. Plaza and Reading Room. Rob Alley Quintent with Jil Chambless performs An Alabama Songbook, featuring selections from Byron Arnold’s “Folk Songs of Alabama.” April 26: Write Club: How to Look Like an Artist: Seeing the Poetry in the World Around Us. 10:30 a.m. Library Plaza. Tony Crunk, nationally recognized poet and published children’s book writer, will speak on the influence of poetry on the creation of art. His latest collection of poems, Biblia Pauperum, was published in 2013. April 26: PowerPoint: Crash Course. Training Center. 2 p.m. This class gives patrons a crash course in the fundamentals of Microsoft PowerPoint, a multimedia presentation application. April 27: Mason Atkins. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Join us for an afternoon of jazz and blues with guitarist Mason Atkins. April 28: Monday at the Movies. 2 and 6:30 p.m. Library Theatre. In 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym (“Ernest”) for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues with instances of mistaken identity after they both fall in love with women they met while using the name Ernest. April 29: Celebrate Turkey. 6:30 p.m. Plaza and Reading Room. Join us for Turkish food and entertainment. Fun for the whole family.

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Community Calendar Artists on the Bluff: Drawing and Painting – Rollina Oglesbay. Small class size and all skill levels welcome. Drawing Class or Charcoal, Pastel, Oil and Acrylic with Model or Photo. Contact Rollina at rollinaoglesbay@ gmail.com or 733-8939 for registration and supply list. $120 (4 sessions) + supplies. Mixed Media Classes – Rik Lazenby. Classes are available monthly on Tuesday mornings. 9 a.m. to noon or Tues. evening 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

$120 for 4 session + student provides supplies. Contact Rik at riklazenby@ charter.net or 281-5273 to register. Maison Blanche Vintage Furniture Paint – Learn to update your furniture or cabinetry with Rik Lazenby. Basic Class /Advanced. All supplies will be provided for the class. Students should bring a small piece of furniture to finish. Class space is limited. Please contact Rik at riklazenby@charter.net or 281-5273 to enroll.

571 Park Avenue

Kiln Formed Glass – Fusing & Slumping – Deborah Ballog. All glass, kiln firings and instruction are included in class fees. Contact Deborah at deborah@ studio-three.net or 999-3194.

Photography – Blue Moon Studios. Contact BlueMoonStudios.net or 205995-3791 or check Facebook for class schedule.

Calligraphy – Deb Warnat. Beginning Copperplate Class. Online Class. Visit debwarnat.com or call 243-0576 for class schedule.

Woodworking – David Traylor. Woodworking taught by David Traylor. Offering workshops in furniture making. All skill levels welcome. Visit woodshopstudio. com or call 531-4751.

Acrylic Painting – Jayne Morgan. Painting classes for children and adults. Visit JayneMorgan.com or call 902-5226.

Trumeau Mirror Workshop – David Traylor and Rik Lazenby. David Traylor and Rik Lazenby will offer a five-day

workshop where students will build and finish a Trumeau Mirror with distressing. Cost is $895 with all supplies furnished. Contact Rik Lazenby at 281-5273 or riklazenby@charter.net to register. Zentangle – Darla Williamson. Fun and relaxing class using patterns to create pen and ink drawings. Check website for class times and to register. Tangledstones.com or 305-2082.

Greater Birmingham Area Events Feb. 22-May 18: Delacroix and the Matter of Finish. Birmingham Museum of Art. Call 254-2565 or visit artsbma.org. April 1: An Evening With C.S Lewis. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Set in the year 1963, Lewis, the now-famous British author, hosts a group of American writers at his home just outside of Oxford. $20-30. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. April 5: Spring Art Festival. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crestline Elementary Field. The annual Mountain Brook Art Association event features the work of around 70 artists plus music, food and more. Rain date is April 6 from noon-5 p.m. Visit mountainbrookartassociation.com. April 5: Kidney Foundation Birmingham Walk-a-Thon. 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:30 a.m. walk. Homewood High School’s Waldrop Stadium. Visit alkidney.org.

April 11-13: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale. Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Century Plaza, 7580 Crestwood Blvd. More than 100,000 plants will be available for purchase, including this year’s gold-themed signature plants. Visit bbgardens.org/springplantsale. April 11-13: Alabama Ballet Presents Ovation. Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Alabama School of Fine Arts campus. Featuring Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, a precursor to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!, and the Kingdom of the Shades scene from La Bayadére. $25-45. Call 975-2787 or visit alabamaballet.org for tickets. April 12: Reading, Writing & Rhythms. 12-8 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company. Event features local musicians and benefits Better Basics’ advancement of literacy through enrichment and intervention programs. $15. Visit betterbasics.org.

April 12: Mt Laurel Spring Festival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mt Laurel. This year, events will include a farmer’s market, craft fair, inflatables, hay rides, music, face painting and concessions. Visit mtlaurel. com or call 408-8696. April 12: Cajun Cook-off for Girls Inc. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Linn Park. Benefits Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama’s work with youth in the area. Tickets include food samples from participating teams, entertainment from the Swamp Poppas, kids activities and nonalcoholic drinks. $20 adults, $5 children age 10 and younger. Visit bhamcajuncookoff.com. April 13: Sozo Children Adventure Run. 3:30 p.m. Hargis Retreat, Chelsea. 100 percent of the event proceeds will be used to save or rescue orphans in Uganda, Africa. Registration is $45. Visit sozochildren.org/racenow. April 17: David Dorfman Dance. 8 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. The New York

dance company will perform Prophets of Funk, an evening that celebrates Sly and the Family Stone’s music and the struggles and celebrations of everyday people. $15-25. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. April 19: Brookwood Celebrates. 11 a.m.2 p.m. Colonial Brookwood Village. Part of Birmingham Reads, an event that supports Better Basics’ literacy programs for at-risk students. Bring new or gently used books to donate. There will be music and entertainment. Visit birminghamreads.com. April 21-26: Birmingham Fashion Week. Pepper Place, 2829 2nd Avenue South. Visit bhamfashionweek.com. April 25-26: Tannehill Rodeo. 6 p.m. gates, 7:30 p.m. rodeo. Trails at Tannehill, 11975 Eastern Valley Road, McCalla 35111. $10 adults, $8 children, free for ages 5 and younger. Visit tannehillrodeo.com. April 26: Food Truck Round Up. 11 a.m.-3

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Area Events p.m. Macy’s parking lot, Colonial Brookwood Village. Food trucks and kids’ activities. Benefits PreSchool Partners. $20 in advance, $25 on-site. Visit preschool-partners.org or email allene.neighbors@gmail.com.

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Celebrations

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

Wilbanks-Muccio

Huffman-Preston

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wilbanks, of Dunwoody, Ga. are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Brooke Lauren Wilbanks to Mr. Jonathan David Muccio, son of Ms. Joan Leary and Mr. Donald Muccio, of Birmingham. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Velda and Roger Winkler of Bonita Springs, Fla., Mr. Bill Wilbanks and the late Mrs. Shirley Wilbanks of Atlanta, Miss Wilbanks graduated from Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Ga., and is employed in Bonita Springs, Fla. as a teacher at Bonita Springs Charter School. The prospective groom is the grandson of Rosemarie Muccio and the late Mr. Tony Muccio of Niles, Ohio and the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Leary of San Francisco. Mr. Muccio graduated from the Golf Academy of America, and is employed with Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. The wedding will be held on June 28 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples, Fla.

Jama S. Shamblin of Charleston, W.Va., and Jeffrey A. Huffman of Clendenin, W.Va., are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Dr. Kristy Michelle Huffman to Kenneth Michael Preston. Kristy is the granddaughter of Ms. Joanne Huffman and of the late Mr. and Mrs. James and Nancy Stump from Charleston, W.Va. Kristy is a 2002 magna cum laude graduate of Marshall University with a B.A. in speech pathology. She went on to medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in May 2008. She completed her residency training at University Hospitals Case Western Medical Center in Cleveland. Kristy is a practicing anesthesiologist with Cumberland Anesthesia at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital in Somerset, Ky. Kenneth is the son of Hoover residents Dr. and Mrs. Roy T. Preston. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Anthony of Birmingham. Kenneth holds multiple degrees including a B.S. from the University of Alabama, a B.S.N. from Union University as well as an M.B.A. and M.S. in nurse anesthesia from Samford University. He also completed graduate studies in corporate finance at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. After completing his master’s degree in nurse anesthesia in 2008, he has worked as a CRNA for Cumberland Anesthesia in Somerset, Ky. He and Kristy met at the hospital where they both work. The couple will be married May 10 at the Four Seasons Resort in Maui. They will continue with a honeymoon trip to Bora Bora. A reception will be held in their honor in Lexington, Ky.

April 26: The Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala. 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Sloss Furnaces. Forty gumbo cook teams will cook and serve gumbo. Live music by Rollin’ in the Hay, children’s activities and vendors selling theme-related Alabama products. $12 in advance, $15 at the gate, free for children 12 and younger. Visit gumbogala.com. April 26: Birmingham Dragon Boat Festival. Oak Mountain State Park.. Benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. Visit birminghamdragonboat.com or call (813) 426-3544. April 26-May 11: Decorator’s ShowHouse. Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday evenings 6-9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m. 4021 St. Charles Drive. Tickets are $20 at the door and benefit the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $13. Call 540-7171 or visit showhouse-al.com. April 26-27: Bargain Carousel. Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Former JCPenney, Century Plaza Mall, 7580 Crestwood Boulevard. Garage sale benefits community projects with the Junior League of Birmingham’s partner agencies. Call 8799861 or visit bargaincarousel.net. April 29: Spring Fling. 5:30-7 p.m. Dixie Fish Company. Joint event with Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia, Greater Shelby County and Hoover Area chambers of commerce. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.

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