Hoover Sun for February 2013

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February 2013

Hoover

Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

Volume 1 | Issue 5 | February 2013

Safe, happy and secure

Hoover community welcomes police officers to all schools in system

By JEFF THOMPSON AND ALLIE SAXON

Hoover Police Officer Chris Harper with Greystone Elementary students. Photo by Allie Saxon.

For the remainder of the school year, a police officer will be stationed at every school in the Hoover system.

The Hoover City Council passed a resolution that increased the 2013 fiscal year budget by an amount not to exceed $100,000 on Jan. 8.

The funding allows the Hoover Police Department to hire four temporary, full-time officers through September 2013. This will permit the department to place one officer in every school through the entirety of the school day.

“The big thing is, this will create a comfort level for teachers, parents and students,” Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said.

“We want to be proactive instead of reactive in these situations; it’s something we feel they deserve.”

The decision comes in

response to the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. that left 20 children and seven adults dead, including the shooter.

“I think it is great and needed,” parent Kevin Tidwell said. “It makes a lot of sense.

If we have trained forces with guns guarding the president, banks, etc., then why would we not for our children, especially how things are going right now?”

Tidwell noted that everyone he has talked to about officers being in schools has given positive feedback.

Police officer Chris Harper, now assigned to Greystone Elementary, said parents, teachers and administrators have been highly engaging and welcoming and seem happy to see him around.

“I think it sends a message

By REBECCA WALDEN

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

On Saturday, March 9, hundreds will converge upon St. Vincent’s One Nineteen for the ninth annual Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. The event includes a 5K, a one-mile family fun walk/run, free health screenings, free food and free beverages. Area businesses will also set up a market to display their wares and have agreed to donate 10 percent of their sales to the Run. Funds generated from the Conquer Cancer Run benefit the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, part

nets are full

Hoover High alum Laura Kelly gave up everything for the opportunity to help African communities.

Read her story inside.

Community page 8

Name recognition

See SAFETY | page 13

Big news for the Bluff Park Art Show – Alabama has named the event a can’t-miss in 2013.

Ladun maintains mission to Conquer

Until his

Celebrations page 3

Cancer

of the American Cancer Society’s Birmingham chapter. For Ladun, Hope Lodge is a natural beneficiary, given its “in the trenches” role of providing access to quality health care.

“Hope Lodge is a free place to stay for people who need treatment in Birmingham and cannot afford the gas back and forth,” Ladun said. “The service provided by Hope Lodge is so important; without it, a lot of people would just give up.”

Restoring hope is one of Ladun’s top priorities for the Run. Over the years, she’s enlisted the help of local physicians – even star athletes – to accomplish just that.

“We’ll again welcome former Alabama running back Siran Stacy, who lost his family in a car crash, all except his one little girl,” Ladun said. “He feels led to encourage cancer patients. He comes each year and gives us these words of encouragement that, with God’s help, we can get through everything.”

Ladun pointed out that restoring hope means much more than providing uplifting words.

See LADUN | page 19

Incentive to be prepared Joining the state initiative, Hoover will drop its sales tax on weather-preparedness items later this month.

News page 4

INSIDE Sponsors ........... 2 Celebrations ..... 3 City ..................... 4 Community ....... 5 Food .................. 10

Brenda Ladun . Photo courtesy of Arden Photography.

School House .... 12 Sports ................. 14 Faith ..................... 15 Business ............. 16 Calendar ............. 18

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Happenings Hoover

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From Ross Bridge to Riverchase and from Spain Park to Shades Crest, the Hoover Sun covers it all in our weekly newsletter, Hoover Happenings. Sign up today and see what’s in store for this week!

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February 2013

Hoover Sun

About Us Photo of the Month

Please Support our Sponsors Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (15) ALDOT (17) Brookwood Medical Center (19) Caron Russo / RealtySouth (11) Children’s of Alabama (9) Creekside Tavern (6)

The State Championship Hoover High School Football Team was recognized at the Hoover Chamber of Commerce Meeting in January. Go Bucs!

Fresh Art Café (7) Geico Insurance (3) Granger Thagard Associates (10)

Editor’s Note By Rebecca Walden When February visits wear funky hats and beads my house, everything and shake their tail feathers becomes a glue stick and to Cajun music, this tradition glittery wonderland, with has come to mean more to a lil’ bit o’ Mardi Gras their dad and me than any mixed in. other “official” holiday of Early in the month, my love might represent. daughter takes over our “N’awlins on the Ninth” otherwise orderly dining is a big deal in our family room and transforms it because it helps us refocus into Valentine art studio on the story of us. Eleven central, complete with years ago on a Fat Tuesday, Walden paper doilies and pink this boy and this girl pipe cleaners. (Three cheers here for my shared their first date, complete with Dyson, which sucks up errant googly boxed jambalaya, King Cake and cheap eyes with drone-like efficiency.) red wine served in bachelor-grade Then, admittedly with varying levels glassware. With each passing day since, of enthusiasm, all four of us begin our we’ve been helping each other learn to custom card creation. It’s messy and love generously, laugh abundantly and disorganized, and before all is said and live joyfully. done, someone’s going to end up with I am thankful and proud to live in “washable” marker on their face. But, a city like Hoover, where on most any it’s fun too – even for a time-strapped given day, there are near-countless mama like me. Not that the crafting cultural, community and faith-based standards are all that high, but (brag events to help us do just that. alert), you oughta see what I can create If my homemade Valentine out of paper scraps, double-sided tape description inspires you (probably never and Hershey Kisses! to let your toddler take over the dining On Feb. 9, we swap our cupid prep room), join other library patrons Feb. for some Bayou bliss. While the kids 1-11 to make handcrafted valentines for see it as nothing more than a chance to the patients of Children’s Hospital.

Homewood Chamber of Commerce (13)

On Feb. 15, support the Hoover Service Club’s high school scholarship program by attending the Club’s annual fundraiser, the Hearts and Harmony Gala.

Registration is also underway for the Brenda Ladun 9th Annual Conquer Cancer Run at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

Bargain hunters in search of baby to tween clothing, books, toys and gear can get their fixes at one of the first spring consignment sales of the season, Bargains on the Bluff, happening Feb. 21-23 at Bluff Park United Methodist.

And for the green thumbs aching to get back into their gardening gloves and usher forth spring, look no further than Aldridge Gardens, offering a spring landscape seminar on Feb. 23.

This month, you can have your Russell Stover and eat it too, but remember also to look beyond the clichéd heart-shaped merchandise and really, truly fall in love – with your city.

Cheers,

Homewood Music (4) Hoover Public Library (6) Hoover Softball Association (5) Hoover Tactical Firearms (11) Lulie’s on Cahaba (10) Outdoor Living Areas (16) Planet Fitness (12) RealtySouth Marketing (15) Red Mountain Theatre Company (4) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (20) Riverchase United Methodist (8) Silver Lining Consignment (7) South Trace Pediatrics (7) Sumo Japanese Steakhouse (14) Susette Clark-Walker / RealtySouth (4)

Contact Information: Hoover Sun #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@hooversun.com Publisher : Creative Director : Editor : Managing Editor : Contributing Editor : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Rebecca Walden Madoline Markham Jeff Thompson Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Contributing Writers : Carol Westbrook Jeff Greer Interns : Allie Saxon Megan Smith Nathan Kelly Published by : Hoover Sun LLC

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

Wanda Turner / Re/MAX (8) Wrapsody (13) Zounds (8)

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) 3131780 or by email.

Please recycle this paper

Meet our intern Allie Saxon, a Nashville native, is a senior English major at Birmingham-Southern College. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority and enjoys volunteering with the sorority’s local philanthropies. Allie enjoys writing, fashion, working with children, the arts and sports. She loves reading poetry written by Adrienne Rich.

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

Seller-Coiner

February 2013

Celebrations Parrish-McSorley

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Bluff Park Art Show on state’s Top 10 list for 2013

By JEFF THOMPSON

Edward and Dana Selleck of Hoover announce the engagement of their daughter, Sarah Selleck, to Thomas Coiner.

The bride is a 2007 graduate of Hoover High School and a December 2012 graduate of the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. She is the granddaughter of Robin and Margaret Ellison of Vestavia Hills and Edward and Terry Selleck of Dunedin, Fla. The groom is the son of Chris and Carol Coiner of Nixa, Mo., and the grandson of Erma and Lloyd Coiner of Carthage, Mo., and Alice and Don McPherson of Joplin, Mo. He is 2011 graduate of the University of Alabama, with a major in telecommunications and film, and is currently employed as a multimedia communications specialist at Birmingham-Southern College.

The couple will wed in October at St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Birmingham.

Photo courtesy of Jevois Photography.

Dana Lynn Parrish and Alexander James McSorley married on Oct. 6 at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church.

Lacy Lee Kamber was the Matron of Honor.

Bridesmaids were Beth McSorley, Miranda Smoot, Lacy Hartley, Brooke Turner Stone, Lauren Kemp Ebrahimi, Katie Kemp and Anne Wallace. Joey McSorley was the Best Man. Groomsmen were Jason Parrish, John Joseph, Andy Boohaker, Joseph Tatonetti, Brandon Watkins, Butch Owens, Scott Swiderski and Rusty White.

The bride was given away by her father the Rev. Tom Parrish. The Rev. Jimmy Aycock and the Rev. Tom Parrish officiated. The reception followed at Rosewood Hall in Homewood. The couple resides in Hoover.

The Bluff Park Art Show received an extraordinary anniversary gift from the State of Alabama in anticipation of its 50th year. The event has been named one of the top 10 in the state for 2013, as announced by Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell at the Hoover Municipal Complex on Jan. 4.

Sentell said the Alabama Tourism Department’s calendar of events features more than 1,900 listings for 2013, and with one call from State Rep. Paul DeMarco as the Top 10 list was being formed, the Hoover show was singled out.

“I’ve been there a number of times,” Sentell said.

“The art is world class. The artists y’all pick, I know people can’t just show up with art in the trunk of their car and say, ‘I’m going to be in your show.’”

Held annually on the first Saturday in October, the show draws more than 140 artists and an average of more than 30,000 visitors. As pointed out by Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey, the event was founded in 1963 – four years before the City of Hoover was incorporated.

“The event shows the diversity we have all throughout the city, in what we offer from arts to athletics to whatever makes Hoover a wonderful place to live, raise families, own businesses and be a part of the community,” Ivey said.

The Bluff Park Art Association, led by President Beth Albright Johns, also unveiled a new logo for the 50th anniversary of the event in conjunction with Sentell’s announcement.

“The dedication our volunteers have makes the difference, and through arts we can show people the beauty that is in our community,” she said.

For more on the Bluff Park Art Show, visit bluffparkartshow.com.

Other Top 10 events include Mardi Gras in Mobile, state-wide Alabama Restaurant Week, the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Barber Vintage Festival in Birmingham and Magic City Classic Weekend in Birmingham.

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February 2013

Hoover Sun

City City to participate in sales tax holiday for weather preparedness items

By JEFF THOMPSON Joining other communities across the state, Hoover will participate in a sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items from Feb. 22-24.

At its meeting Jan. 8, the Hoover City Council passed a resolution to exempt city sales tax during that weekend on common supplies costing less than $60

that have been identified by the State as needed for homes and businesses in case of natural disaster or emergency.

According to the Alabama Retail Association (ARA), this is Alabama’s second severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday since the State Legislature passed it into law last year.

Items exempt include batteries, radios, plastic sheeting, Duct tape, first-aid

kits, coolers, fire extinguishers and more.

The ARA also reports that generators under $1,000 are exempt from the state’s four-percent sales tax during the holiday.

To see the full list of tax-exempt items, visit revenue.alabama.gov/ salestax/WPHolidayQuickRefSheet13. pdf.

Hummingbirds and gardening at Aldridge Hummingbirds Galore!

On Sat., Feb. 16, from 10-11:30 a.m., Aldridge Gardens will present “Hummingbirds Galore!” Through a PowerPoint presentation, nationally renowned instructors Martha and Bob Sargent will teach you all you need to know to make your yard a haven for hummers as they migrate back to our area in March.

You’ll see a huge array of different hummingbird species; find out about their habits, the best feeders and plants; and learn how discourage pesky ants, wasps and bees. Participants will also take a look at all the North American nesting species and learn which have occasionally spent the winter

in Alabama. A question and answer session will follow.

Course fees are $12 for members and $15 for non-members. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is suggested.

Gardening 101 for Busy People On Sat., Feb. 23, from 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Aldridge Gardens’ Horticulture Instructor David Henderson will present “Gardening 101 for Busy People: Spring Landscape Seminar.”

This seminar has been planned just before major spring planting season and is designed for anyone who has a yard.

In this day-long seminar, you’ll shorten the years of experience needed

to attain “green-thumb” status. Each of the instructors will present an insightful and practical approach to help you plan garden changes: quality soils, selecting the best plants that grow well in our area, and really “seeing” your landscape.

Seminar fee is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Boxed lunches may be reserved by Wed., Feb. 21, for an additional $8 each. You may also bring a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided. Pre-registration requested.

Aldridge Gardens is located at 3530 Lorna Road. For more information or to make reservations, call 682-8019 or visit aldridgegardens.com.

Mayor’s Minute By Gary Ivey In the wake of all the tragedy we have experienced locally and across the country, I want to extend a special thank you to all of our first responders and educators for all they do to keep our city safe. We forget what they deal with on a daily basis and many times take it for granted. If you see one of them, please stop and thank them for their dedication and service to our city.

We are very excited that the Bluff Park Art Show has been selected as one of the Top 10 places to visit in Alabama in 2013 by the Alabama State Tourism Department.

Lee Sentell, Director of the Tourism Department, along with Rep. Paul DeMarco, held a press conference in Hoover last month to announce that Hoover had been chosen. We are very excited that the Bluff Park Art Show will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The show has actually been around longer than the city has, since Hoover was incorporated in 1967 and the show started in 1963!

Hoover will be hosting the 2013 Southern Voices Conference, which will be held at the Hoover Public Library Feb. 19-23. As always, it will be a big success for our city.

The Library’s new website recently went live, and you can download the library mobile

Gary Ivey

app to your iPhone putting the library at your fingertips. Also, remember that if you have a NOOK or a Kindle, you can download ebooks for free.

I am excited to tell you that one of our goals in the city is to launch our new, updated City of Hoover website by the end of February. Take time to visit hooveral.org to look at all the new and improved features it offers with just a click on your keyboard.

It’s an honor to serve as your mayor, and I look forward to an exciting year. The city leaders and employees are here for you and will continue to try and exceed your expectations and make Hoover a better place for you to live, raise your family and call home.

Sincerely, Gary Ivey Mayor

HOMEWOOD MUSIC 82 YEARS BEHIND THE TIMES

Musical Instruments in great variety BUY-SELL-TRADE-REPAIR

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February 2013

5

Community Churches prepare for consignment sales

Elvis to appear at Shades Crest Baptist Valentine’s Banquet Shades Crest Baptist Church’s Valentine’s Banquet will return this year with an Elvis tribute presentation by Terry Padgett. Padgett has performed at Shades Crest before and is known for both his talent and humor.

The cost of this event ($5 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under) will cover the

cost of the meal. Childcare will be provided for children ages 4 and under.

The event takes place on Valentine’s Day from 6-8 p.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Shades Crest Baptist is located at 452 Park Ave. in Bluff Park. Call the church office for reservations, 822-1360.

Cleve Eaton highlights Plaza offerings in February

Last year’s Bargains on the Bluff Committee at the annual sale.

On Feb. 21-23, Bluff Park United Methodist will once again host its Bargains on the Bluff event, a consignment sale featuring children’s and ladies’ clothing.

With the tagline “Bringing Down the Cost of Growing Up,” Bluff Park UMC holds true to its promise, delivering nearly three days of deals on boutique-quality items.

For more information about consigning, volunteering or shopping, contact Bargains on the Bluff Coordinator Molly McKnight at

bargainsonthebluff@gmail.com.

On March 8-9, Riverchase Day School, a ministry of Riverchase United Methodist Church, will host its Spring T-N-T (Tried-nTrue) Children’s Consignment Sale.

The sale features like-new children’s clothing, toys, furniture, nursery décor, baby equipment, puzzles, games and more.

For information about becoming a seller or volunteering, contact Laurie Shotnik at 9898070 or visit riverchase-tnt.com.

Cleve Eaton will perform at Hoover Public Library on Feb. 7.

On Thurs., Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m., the Hoover Public Library invites fellow music lovers to the Plaza for the Playing on the Plaza program series. This month, the series features Cleve Eaton & the Alabama All Stars.

Eaton, a bassist and band leader, has performed with countless jazz greats

including Count Basie, Ramsey Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.

Eaton will be bringing a four-piece band with him to perform an evening of classic jazz and standards.

This event is free and open to the public.

Call 444-7821 for more.

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February 2013

Hoover Sun

Caroline’s Cart Redesigned shopping cart creates new possibilities for Hoover family

By REBECCA WALDEN If Hoover is one of America’s “great places to live,” Belle Foods just made it better. The grocer recently began offering Caroline’s Cart, a shopping cart designed by Alabaster mother Drew Ann Long. Long imagined, prototyped and brought to market the cart, which accommodates special needs children who have outgrown or cannot use traditional shopping cart models.

Positive shopper response has been immediate, including Hoover mother of three Cindy Crook.

For Crook, whose oldest, 9-year-old Katie, has an undiagnosed neurological condition, Caroline’s Cart makes a task that is mundane to most – grocery shopping with the kids in tow – simply possible.

“Katie is the most incredible blessing ever and

The Crook family of Hoover, including daughter Katie, who has special needs, are excited to welcome Caroline’s Cart to nearby Belle Foods. Photo right

by Rebecca Walden. Additional photos courtesy of Caroline’s Cart. has brought so much joy to our lives,” Crook said.

“She crawls, sits up, smiles, laughs and so much more. But she has a lot of challenges. She cannot walk or talk. So going to the grocery store presents a bit of a challenge. Can you imagine pushing a wheelchair and pulling a grocery cart, all while trying to control two other small kids?”

That frustration is exactly what led Long, whose own daughter, Caroline, for whom the cart is named, to invent the product and follow through the tedious process of bringing it to market.

“When Caroline outgrew what retailers provided, typical shopping carts and fun carts, I began my journey,” Long said. “I realized that a special needs shopping cart did not exist.”

Area mothers like Crook have praised Long for taking her parental frustration and turning it

into a solution.

“As a special needs family we work hard to make our lives as ‘normal’ as possible and when something like this comes along, it helps us achieve that family goal,” Crook said. “Caroline’s Cart allows me to push Katie and the groceries together. She’s comfortable in it, which makes her happy, and that allows me to concentrate on shopping for my family. It’s a time-saver, but more importantly, it gives Katie the experience of shopping with us.”

Belle Foods is the first retailer in the state of Alabama to carry Caroline’s Cart. For families like the Crooks, it’s a decision that makes a huge impact on her family, and an example she’d like to see other Hoover businesses follow.

“Going out of your way to make sure all customers have what they need makes such a difference in our lives,” Crook said. “Belle Foods taking the initiative to be the first business in the area to carry these carts shows they care. In our world that means more than I could ever say.”

And while Belle Foods has established itself as the local pacesetter, Long is facing increasing demand from near and far.

“We are receiving emails from families from all over the world,” Long said. “Caroline’s Cart fills an unmet need in the retail industry, and the need is global.”

For more information on Caroline’s Cart, visit carolinescart.com.

HooverSun.com

February 2013 7

Anna-Laura Luttrell a finalist in Fashion Week competition

By ALLIE SAXON Hoover resident Anna-Laura Luttrell will show off her glassworkinspired design this month as a finalist in Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Design Star competition.

The top 40 designs, including Anna-Laura’s, will be displayed at the Birmingham Museum of Art until Feb. 10.

To represent the wavelike motion in artist Dale Chihuly glasswork, AnnaLaura made of the dress using colorful acrylic sheets, streaked with acrylic gel paint and supported by layers of colored tissue paper called acetate — all extremely colorful and bright like Chihuly’s.

“I went through three different skirts because the acetate was hard to work with,” Anna-Laura said. “I had to use straighteners and irons to melt the material.”

Under the top layer of the design, she made a bandeau from athletic pre wrap, and on top she crafted a necklace of acrylic sheets cut into circles with a chain.

For the competition, more than 80 middle school and high school students from across the state submitted garment designs using nontraditional items assembled with glue, tape and staples in the place of stitches in the competition.

“The designs we have received this year have blown us away with their fashion sense and creativity,” said Jeanna Lee Fleming, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week. “These students, ranging from 11-18 years old, are already well on the way to becoming the next hot designers in

New York City, and this competition can be the catalyst that propels their dreams forward.”

From the 40 finalists, 30 will be selected and receive an opportunity to showcase their design on the runway at Birmingham Fashion Week Feb. 23-March 2 while competing for $1,000 in scholarships.

Showcasing designers and top models, the event, held at Pepper Place in downtown Birmingham, has expanded from four days to seven days of runway shows and parties.

The same high fashion found on the runways of New York will grace the city of Birmingham, from the makeup, hairstyles and outfits to the most recent trends. The schedule includes designer runway shows, fashions from Gus Mayer and Saks, and model and design competitions highlighting the latest fashions of the season.

Designers Annie Griffin, Southern Proper, By Smith, Prophetik, Heidi Elnora, Leona Collection and What Goes Around Comes Around, as well as international designers will contribute clothing. Not only will there be local and national celebrities in attendance, but will also be judging the designs and model competitions.

The Birmingham Fashion show benefits many organizations, including Alabama Forever, which aids communities in need, and Camp Smile-A-Mile, which provides a year-round program for children with cancer in Alabama.

General admission and VIP seating are available, with an After Party following each show. Tickets range from $15-$85. For more information, visit bhamfashionweek.com.

Hoover teen designer Anna-Laura Luttrell

Statewide philanthropic educational organization recruiting new members

By CAROL WESTBROOK Hoover is the home to two of the five current state officers for the P.E.O. Sisterhood – Carol Westbrook and Shirley Paramore. Three past state presidents and many members also live in Hoover. The organization is currently looking for more area residents to get involved.

P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic and Educational Organization, a group interested in bringing to women increased opportunities for

higher education. Approximately 6,000 local chapters exist in the United States and Canada with nearly 240,000 active members. Alabama has 37 chapters with 1,370 members. Seven of those chapters are in the Birmingham area.

Each year, grants and loans are given to many young women in all 50 states.

Total assistance given is $221.5 million in financial assistance to nearly 88,000 recipients.

For more, call 823-9093.

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February 2013

Until his nets are full

Hoover Sun

One woman’s metamorphosis from the material to the meaningful

By REBECCA WALDEN In 2009, Laura Kelly was happily employed at the Wynfrey Hotel and looking forward to a twoweek adventure in Kenya with her brother. She was clueless that a trip she’d chalked up to nothing more than sibling bonding would forever change her.

“My brother and I backpacked for two weeks, then spent a week in Kibera – the second largest slum in the world,” she said, recalling how the experiences and images of that trip stayed with her long after she’d returned. “When I came back to America and to my three bedroom, two bath house, my luxury car and this great corporate job, I couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling I had knowing there was such a great need out there, and I was totally living for myself here.”

That notion propelled Kelly to connect with Church of the Highlands, through which she volunteered for mission trips in Ghana and then Niger, respectively in 2010 and 2011.

“I felt called to serve there long term,” said Kelly. “In the short term, you accomplish a lot, but relationships are only taken to a certain level. I felt like we were just putting Band-Aids on a problem.”

Despite her best efforts to ignore the feeling urging her to go, Kelly ultimately answered the call.

“Chief among my reasons not to go was finances,” Kelly said. “I felt very bound here because of the amount of debt I was in, quite honestly. But

Laura Kelly

then, I started thinking, ‘I’m about to be 30. I’m single. Life is not supposed to be work and self, self, self. Maybe I’m single and this age for a reason.’”

And so, Kelly made the bold decision to sell almost every material item in her possession.

“If I owned something worth more than $10, I put it on Craig’s List or eBay,” she said. And so, $10 at a time, she worked herself out of debt.

Through previous mission work connections, Kelly reunited with Suzanne Owens and Allen Nunnelly of Sozo Children, and in March 2012, she boarded a Uganda-bound plane to begin long-term mission work in

earnest.

She lives in the first house that Sozo opened, where she interacts as a positive role model for the 24 children, ages four to 16, who live there.

“My primary role is to love on and take care of the kids we have in the house,” she said. “I do everything from wiping runny noses to teaching a women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights in the slum of Kabalagala.”

And it is this that marks the highlight of Kelly’s almost one year of in-field mission work.

“For that first class, we had about 12 ladies show up – they had one

Ugandan Bible between them. By the end of summer, we had almost 60 women and men coming each week.”

Through her website, Until His Nets are Full (untilhisnetsarefull. com), Kelly recently raised enough money to gift each of the women in her study with their own Bible in their native language.

“Culturally speaking, it is a fendfor-yourself mindset there,” she said. “To see the ladies form this community, to share their struggles or their successes – just to have a women’s group like that and to watch that trust build was just incredible.”

This past fall, Kelly returned

stateside for fundraising and spoke to several groups in the community, including her high school alma mater (she is a 2000 graduate of Hoover High School) and the Hoover Rotary about her work in Uganda.

“It was so cool to tell them that just recently I’d sat right where they were sitting, and that they are not too young to become leaders and make a difference. You can’t tuck tail and quit just because the problem looms large. Even if it’s just one child we are able to rescue, that is a huge thing. These are lives we are forever changing.”

HooverSun.com

February 2013

New tennis tournament to benefit oncology research The first Love-Love Magic City Finish the Fight Tennis Challenge is scheduled for March 4-8. Ladies’ doubles teams will compete at venues around Birmingham including Hoover Country Club. The week-long event will conclude with the Love-Love Tennis Ball on March 8 at the Birmingham Country Club, with dinner and dancing to honor and celebrate the champions.

Boo Mason, tennis pro at Hoover Country Club, was one of the first to support this new event, and he brings extensive tournament planning experience to the table. Under Mason’s leadership, Hoover annually hosts five USTA-sanctioned junior tennis tournaments, as well as an adult tournament.

Many tennis fans also attended the famously successful Wayne Bryan doubles clinic that Hoover hosted in connection with the recent Davis Cup matches in Birmingham.

The event will benefit Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation, which supports scientific research to make treatment easier for patients with all types of GI cancers. The foundation funds research in Birmingham, led by Martin J. Heslin, M.D., professor of surgery and director of the Integrated Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Program at UAB.

Boo Mason, tennis pro at Hoover Country Club. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick.

Registration will close Feb. 25. The tournament is open to players of all levels, and teams can register on the tournament website at love-lovemagiccitychallenge.com.

Matches will also take place at Brook Highland Racquet Club, Pine Tree Country Club, Vestavia Country Club, Greystone YMCA, Highland Racquet Club, Altadena Valley Country Club and Trussville Racquet Club.

Miss Hoover 2013 to host luncheon and fashion show fundraiser Can you imagine being a 6 year old diagnosed with Juvenile or Type 1 diabetes and having to give yourself insulin every day to live? This is the plight of children who attend Camps Sugar Falls and Seale Harris.

Both camps are sponsored by the Southeastern Diabetes Education Services, a non-profit organization that teaches children and families how to “Live Well With Diabetes.”

To help support these organizations, reigning Miss Hoover Briana Kinsey will host a fundraiser on Feb. 2 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Wynfrey Hotel that will feature fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue. Other participants include the top 15 young ladies from Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2012 and the Hoover Belles, who will serve as fashion show models.

Attendees may also bid on a wide variety of silent auction items, including two Southwest Airline tickets, a Nick Saban-autographed football, spa packages, Red Mountain Theatre tickets, Paula Deen-autographed cookbook and a host of other goodies.

Tickets are $35 each. For more information, email Briana, BrianaPageant@aol.com.

Miss Hoover Briana Kinsey

Girl Scouts earn gold and silver awards

Rebecca Guy

Two area Girl Scouts have earned highest scouting honors, the Silver and Gold Awards.

Rebecca Guy, a graduate of Hoover High School, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold Award for her project Fun Run to Fight Obesity.

Her project focused on getting people to be more active with each other. Rebecca organized for her church to run one mile around the church’s playground. As they ran, they read signs with helpful tips about how to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle.

Rebecca thought it was important to get

Charlotte McCrary

people to interact while being active, since the prevalence of social media does not encourage face-to-face interaction.

Charlotte McCrary, a freshman at Spain Park High School and member of Girl Scout Troop 116, recently earned her Girl Scout Silver Award. Charlotte made stepping stones for a local organization that provides underserved children with academic and recreational activities. She included motivational words on the stones to encourage children. She hopes to return next year to help the children make their own stones.

9

10 February 2013

Hoover Sun

Food

Mocha Panna Cotta:

An easy, elegant holiday dessert

By SCOTT JONES Let’s get this straight up front: If you can boil water, you can make panna cotta. Don’t let the fancy Italian name throw you.

Panna cotta is a light, eggless custard that’s thickened with gelatin (think a lighter version of crème brûlée).

Frankly, it’s one of those recipes everyone — dads included — should have in their

little kitchen toolbox. It’s so easy and so versatile, and it can be made way ahead. Better still, it looks (and tastes) elegant too.

Make this delicious dessert up to two days ahead. If you don’t have ramekins, no sweat — use your favorite glasses, whether wine, margarita, champagne or otherwise. Just remember to bring cream mixture to room temperature before adding to glasses.

RECIPE Mocha Panna Cotta Prep: 20 min., Chill: 6 hr.

Makes 10 servings 2 Tbsp. melted butter 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup milk 5 1/4 cups heavy cream 1/4 to 1/3 cup strong brewed coffee 1 cup sugar 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp. finely chopped semisweet chocolate Pinch of Kosher salt Garnish: chopped strawberries, fresh mint leaves, chocolate shavings

Brush 10 (1/2 cup) ramekins with melted butter and transfer to a large roasting pan. In a small bowl, whisk the gelatin into the milk and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, coffee and sugar just to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the cinnamon and cocoa. Whisk in the gelatin mixture until completely melted, then add chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Strain the mixture into a large bowl; let cool to room temperature.

Pour mixture into ramekins and refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.

To serve them out of the ramekins: dip bottom of each ramekin in hot water for 30 seconds. Run a knife around each panna cotta and invert it onto a dessert plate. Lift off the ramekin. Garnish, if desired.

Recipe contributor Scott Jones is a nationally recognized food and wine expert.

Photo courtesy of Jason Wallis.

Longtime Hoover resident Scott Jones is a nationally recognized food and wine expert, and the former Executive Editor of Southern Living. Through his company JONES IS HUNGRY (jonesishungry.com), Scott focuses on food, wine, and travel writing; recipe development and testing; and magazine consulting. He also brings his fun, comfortable style to wine education and cooking classes tailored for both the novice and aficionado.

Whether for friends, family, your best clients or corporate functions, everyone leaves feeling empowered and entertained. For more information, call 516-3487 or email him at scott@jonesishungry.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram at Jones Is Hungry.

HooverSun.com

February 2013

Read past Restaurant Showcases at HooverSun.com

Restaurant Showcase Costa’s Mediterranean Café 3443 Lorna Road 978-1603 costasmcafe.com Monday - Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, Noon-10 p.m.

Costa’s Mediterranean Café

By REBECCA WALDEN In the early years of its operation, Costa’s entered the Lorna Road dining scene as a family-oriented barbecue joint, with descriptions of menu specials – like the one-pound potato topped with barbecue chicken – splashed on signage hanging from the ceiling tiles. The storied barbecue destination was the American Dream realized for owners Maria Kanellis and her late husband, Gus “Costa” Kanellis – and what a dream it was.

In 1985, The Birmingham News crowned Costa’s Famous Bar-B-Que its number one top pick of all local barbecue eateries.

After years of successfully operating their family of Costa’s Famous Bar-B-Que locations, the Kanellis decided to pursue their culinary dream of introducing the dishes of their Mediterranean heritage to the gastronomic tastes of the Deep South. Maria led a complete overhaul of the restaurant’s menu and its concept by infusing Mediterranean, Greek and Italian influences, and in the mid-1990s, Costa’s Mediterranean Café opened its doors.

And for nearly two decades, Maria Kanellis’ cooking has had patrons coming back for more.

“My customers appreciate the fact that I serve homemade quality food, with fresh ingredients they can taste,” she said. “You just don’t

11

One of Costa’s popular dishes is the Shrimp Mediterranean. Photo by Rebecca Walden.

find that anymore. Here, you’ll enjoy our homemade dressing – nothing that comes out of gallon jug. You just don’t find that anymore. But it’s my belief that if I cannot give you something fresh and good and plentiful, then I don’t need to be in business.”

Over the years, little has changed about Costa’s, which is part of its charm. It is pleasant without being pretentious. The dining room’s interior, accented by stained glass lamp shades and windows, is comfortable and welcoming, with spacious booths and tables throughout. A thoughtfully designed bar anchors the restaurant’s center, making it easily accessible while also preserving the privacy of the dining room.

The extensive menu, which includes recipes that appeal to children’s palates as well as the tastes of more sophisticated diners, features classic comfort foods – Lasagna, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan – as well as traditional Greek favorites, including Moussaka, Chicken, Pork and Beef Souvlaki, and Spanakopita.

The pasta dishes, sautéed in browned butter and fresh Romano cheese, are particularly flavorful.

Costa’s tzaziki sauce and house dressing are homemade, and are well worth the calorie splurge. In response to diner demand, the restaurant now sells its house dressing– a delicious blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and Greek seasoning (16 ounce bottles are $3.95).

“Our recipes have been perfected by a combination of the knowledge I had as a Greek girl coming here at 16 years old, with memories of the way Greek women like my mother and grandmothers cooked, along with my husband’s knowledge,” Kannellis said. “Gus came from a family of restaurateurs, and he was willing to experiment until he got it just right.”

Therein lies the magic of how this local treasure has become such an institution among its clientele.

Homemade goodness, passionately prepared and generously sized so that a dinner out can easily turn into next-day leftovers that you’ll actually want to eat.

“I don’t want you to leave the restaurant hungry,” Kannellis said. And rest assured, you won’t.

Most dishes on the menu are moderately priced, particularly given the extremely generous portion sizes.

In addition to its dining room experience, Costa’s manages a thriving take-out business through its popular Family Specials togo menu. With meal options from $16.95 and up, restaurant patrons can take the goodness of Costa’s Mediterranean Café home with convenience. All specials include salad and garlic bread. Pork and chicken kabob dinners, as well as Eggplant and Veal Parmigiana dinners, also include rice pilaf or pasta.

The restaurant welcomes private parties and special events. For parties of 10 or more, the honoree eats free.

12 February 2013

Hoover Sun

School House Educators nominated to Hall of Fame

Shades Mountain Elementary announces Spelling Bee winners

Donna Burke, Terri Adema and Principal Tamala Maddox

Rocky Ridge Elementary art teacher Judy Davidson, Bumpus Middle School seventh grade life science teacher Terri Adema, Hoover High School AP English teacher Chad Cooley and Hoover High secondary teacher Jeff Johnson have each been named Hoover City Schools’ nominees for the Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame.

The JSU Teacher Hall of Fame program, which

began in 1969, seeks to recognize quality teaching across Alabama. It recognizes teachers from various K-12 levels. Nominees must “maintain exemplary standards of behavior and ethics, exhibit leadership, be enthusiastic about teaching, demonstrate competency in subject matter, work well with colleagues and administrators and constantly seek to encourage, inspire and motivate students toward great accomplishment.”

Spelling Bee classroom finalists from Shades Mountain Elementary. Front row: Kinneret Fox, Nazia Iqbal, Sam Harrison, Martha Grace Maddox, Yasmeen Mohammad, Joy Mantooth, Alexis England. Back row: Lindsay Tadlock, Reagan LeCroy, Lane Gilchrist, Ethan Carraway, Colby Koss, Omar Mohammad, Nicolette Patrick, Andrew Ritchey. Lindsay Tadlock later won the bee, and Sam Harrison was the school alternate.

Simmons’ Thespian Troupe wows crowd at 2013 Alabama Thespian Festival Last month, the cast and staff involved in Simmons Middle School’s recent musical, Once on This Island, performed at the 2013 Alabama Thespian Festival, sponsored by the Alabama Educational Theatre Association and hosted by Samford University.

“This is quite an honor as they are one of the few Junior (middle school) Thespian Troupes ever to be asked to perform, and the only Junior Thespian Troupe ever allowed to perform a musical in its entirety on the ‘main stage,’” Simmons’ Principal Brian Cain said.

The event was a primer for the cast and crew’s upcoming performance opportunity next month at the National Junior Thespian Festival in Augusta, Ga. Once on This Island, by the Thespian Troupe of Simmons Middle School, is one of only three shows selected nationwide to perform at the National Junior Thespian Festival.

“We are so proud of our students, their hard work and the opportunity they have to shine on a national platform,” Cain said.

“This is the first time a middle school from Hoover has received such an honor.”

Simmons students perform Once on This Island.

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February 2013

13

A new kind of book

Last stop: happy memories This summer, Nick Cveteic, a model train enthusiast, was placed in a custodial position at Deer Valley Elementary. As it got closer to Christmas, he approached administration and requested to share his longtime hobby with students.

In addition to telling students about each train and how it worked, Cveteic told students about his memories of he and his dad enjoying his sets when he was a child.

Students were so excited about the presentation I would not be surprised if several asked for train sets for Christmas. If they did, I hope every father and mother took a lesson from Cveteic’s dad and make it a sweet childhood memory – the kind of memory that is so full of joy it spills out to others.

-Submitted by Faith Flowers

HHS’s Fitchpatrick honored as one of ‘50 Directors Who Make a Difference’ Ryan Fitchpatrick, band director at Hoover High School, has been named one of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference in School Band and Orchestra magazine’s most recent issue.

Fitchpatrick is in his 14th year teaching in Alabama. Although he has only been teaching at Hoover High School for three years, his presence at the school has made an impact on his students.

“The most exciting part of leading a group of students that have so much talent and potential is that each day I feel as though I have the opportunity to make a difference and encourage them to grow,” Fitchpatrick said.

His bands have been named a Band’s of America Super Regional Class Champion, performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association Conference and have made consistent superior ratings at the district and state level. It was also a recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence.

“I am blessed to be in a profession where I don’t

simply ‘go to work’ each day. I am privileged to do what I love and, in the process, impact students such that they grow musically and as people” he said.

Fitchpatrick is known throughout Alabama for “emphasizing a strong foundation in fundamentals of playing as it pertains to each student’s particular instrument,” he told School Band and Orchestra.

Currently, Fitchpatrick serves on the Alabama Bandmasters Association Executive Board as District IV Chairman.

His professional affiliations include the Music Educators National Conference, Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Delta Pi. He is also a regular performer with Super Jazz Orchestra.

Hoover High School’s band director, Ryan Fitchpatrick named one of 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.

12th Annual

Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Taste the best food & beverages Homewood has to offer!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

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Students in Nikki Barnett’s third grade class at Green Valley Elementary listen to online books on their Nooks.

SAFETY

CONTINUED from page 1 to the community and schools that the kids are our priority,” Harper said. “Parents want to make sure the schools are safe for their kids.”

Tony Ballard, former teacher and Hoover resident, advocates prioritizing school safety, although officers in schools would not be the first measure “I do not believe in armed teachers and administrators because I was a teacher and it was not in our job description, but I do think it is a positive thing they are trying to keep the schools safe,” he said.

14 February 2013

Hoover Sun

Sports Morton wins High School State Diving Championship

By REBECCA WALDEN With seven state diving champions to the city’s credit since 1996, Hoover Buc David Morton had a proud history to defend when he approached the platform during the statewide diving championships in late 2012.

Morton, whose initial interest in diving began as a youth who spent his summers diving into the Shades Cliff pool, eventually went on to David Morton qualify for U.S. Diving Nationals while in the 14- to 15-year-old age group. In 2011, however, a back injury required him to take nearly a two-year break from the sport.

“In August he was able to start diving again, but our pool was closed for two months,” said Hoover Dive Club Coach Charlie Dunham, who has coached Morton since 2009. “So, even though he had to take almost two years off from the sport and lost two months of a four-month season, he still battled back to win the state championship.”

Morton’s win also gave Hoover High its first state championship of the 2012-13 school year.

“At one point, being healthy seemed hopeless,” said Morton.

“I believe God pulled me through. And my coach’s game plan for practices leading up to the meet made [the championship] seem like a laid back practice rather than something stressful.”

Morton said he plans to attend U.S. diving regional meets for the chance to qualify for national championship titles.

“The ultimate goal is to dive at a Division I college,” he said.

Hoover High Basketball wins Alaska tournament The undefeated Hoover Bucs boy’s basketball won the Alaska Airlines Tournament held Jan. 10-12 in Anchorage.

West High School hosted Hoover, a team from Louisiana, one from Florida and several from its home state.

Hoover defeated Alaska’s Thunder Mountain 70-45 in the title game on Jan. 12. The Bucs defeated Service 88-85 in the semi-finals on Jan. 10. The Anchorage Daily News reported that the “Alabamans” (Hoover Sun correction: Alabamians with an i) “netted 13 of 26 shots from threepoint range to outgun Service, which was five of 15 from three-point range.”

The Bucs celebrate after their tournament win in Anchorage.

Spain Park defeats Rockets in wrestling

By NATHAN KELLY The Spain Park Jaguars defeated Gardendale High School 46-27 in a wrestling match on Jan. 10.

Spain Park’s Perry Young, competing in the 170-pound weight class, had the fastest win after pinning Gardendale’s Jaret Childress in 1:02. The Jaguars finished with seven wins by pin and Leon Strong defeated Brandon Roberts 12-4 in a major decision. The victory made Spain Park 2-2 on the season.

HooverSun.com

February 2013

Faith

From the pulpit

Love is an action word

By JEFF GREER Pastor, Riverchase Baptist Church

The popular observance of Valentine’s Day dates back as far as the 14th Century, when Geoffrey Chaucer (author of the Canterbury Tales) attached romantic love to the legend of Saint Valentinus of Rome. There is no doubt that Saint Valentinus lived in Rome around the time of 270 AD. His reputation involving love was gained because he reportedly performed weddings for Roman soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for assisting Christians during a time of Roman persecution.

By the 1400s the general public began to show their love by sending handmade cards, flowers or candy to loved ones. We have carried on that tradition to this day, and by some estimation, some one billion Valentines are sent to loved ones around the “holiday.”

Some people have described Valentine’s Day as a “Hallmark Holiday” since the card maker stands to reap the biggest financial gains from observance.

But in a world where we toss around the word “love” so easily, I was hoping to get back to a better understanding of what it means to love someone. The Bible has so many rich and meaningful passages that speak about love – the first of which comes to mind is the “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13. I have used the verses from this chapter so many times in weddings because the true essence of love is reflected so eloquently in them. Other popular passages that speak about love are found in the story of Ruth and Naomi and in the words of

Jesus in Matthew chapter 22 when he speaks about the greatest commandment.

But I would like to focus on the exchange between Jesus and Peter in John 21. Three times Jesus asks Peter this question: “Do you love me?” Three times Peter says that he does. And three times Jesus says this: “Feed my sheep.”

What does this exchange have to teach us about love in the 21st Century?

The fundamental truth of this conversation teaches us that love requires action! We are too often taught that love is only a feeling, an emotion. Love is a sentiment that we express toward someone else. We confuse love with affection, sympathy or feelings of romance. But what my experience and the Bible have taught me is that love is an action word. Love is what we do.

Over and over again in scripture we see this communicated: love your neighbor, no greater love exists than when someone lays down their life and feed my sheep. If we say we love God, we are required to obey and serve him. We put love into action. If we say we love others, we are required to serve them and put their needs before our own. We act on that love!

It is not enough to say the words, “I love you.” Those words mean only as much as the actions that back them up. This month, let your love speak loudly in and through your actions. Don’t talk about love as much as you live love. Show your love by for God by serving him. Show your love for others by doing the same. Make this month more than just a “Hallmark Holiday.”

Area churches unite to build community development center Donations still needed to provide technology support

A ribbon cutting for the new Community Development Center in the town of Vredenburgh was held in December.

Three area churches (Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover; Sixth Avenue Baptist Church and Living Stones Temple in Birmingham) recently joined together in an ecumenical outreach project to build a Community Development Center in the impoverished town of Vredenburgh, a former lumber mill town.

After several months of soliciting donations and hundreds of hours of volunteer time, the building is finally complete.

Vickie Bell, Director of Outreach for Living Stones Temple; Father John Fallon, pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Parish; and Reverend John Cantelow III, pastor of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church were on hand for the ceremony.

Sister Kathy Navarra, from the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who is the Director of Edmundite

Outreach and lives and works in Vredenburgh, provided opening remarks. She has worked with local leaders to determine the primary use of this new building.

The building was constructed with steelreinforced walls and will serve as a community storm shelter. The new center will be used for job training, health care seminars and screening, and various community educational programs, including a computer lab with Internet access for all residents.

Donations are needed to purchase computers and other educational materials and to cover future operating expenses. Tax-deductible gifts can be sent to Build A Better Community, a 501(c) (3) organization, P.O. Box 266, Vredenburgh, Ala. 36481.

15

16 February 2013

Hoover Sun

Hoover Happenings The Preserve

The Preserve begins Phase 9 The Preserve in Hoover has added 61 new homes and a park in its Phase 9, according to Vickie Reid of RealtySouth.

During the building phase of Phase 9, The Preserve rerouted one of its roads to preserve a 75-year-old oak that would have been cut down during construction.

The Preserve has been featured in the Parade of Homes, an award-winning event hosting thousands of visitors who search for the latest in innovative building and decorating trends.

Music festivals and art shows, wide porches with rocking chairs and picnics in the park are all featured at neighborhood, located on Preserve Parkway. Homes in The Preserve are based on classic American architecture.

For more, contact Vickie Reid at 401-1722 or vreid@realtysouth.com.

Riverchase

Doozer Software relocates Doozer Software has moved to a new location at 4 Riverchase Ridge in Birmingham. Doozer President Sandy Syx said the move was mostly due to growth in their business and to expand to a better office building.

“It was all about good timing,” Syx said. “We have just developed our new product, Mittix, along with our business expanding, it just made sense.”

Mittix is an internet-based software that makes sharing documents, managing tasks and organizing teams in businesses easier. Doozer made Mittix available in September of last year and completed its relocation on Jan. 2.

Doozer Software develops custom software for businesses and has been located in Birmingham for 15 years. The move to a 10,000 square foot location was for growth and economic decisions according to Doozer President Sandy Syx. For more, call 413-8302 or visit doozer.com.

Dhol Indian Cuisine opens in the Plaza The Plaza at Riverchase Shopping Center on Montgomery Highway in Hoover has a place to enjoy Caribbean and Indian cooking. Dhol Indian Cuisine opened in the shopping center in October of last year.

From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays, customers can enjoy a lunch buffet for $7.49, and from 5-9:30 p.m. a dinner buffet for $10.95. The restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol yet but plans to have its liquor license in the upcoming months.

Dhol Indian Cuisine offers Caribbean Night on Fridays, Reggae Night on Wednesdays and Coconut Night on Saturdays. For more, call 2235666 or visit jatinder500@yahoo.com.

Lorna Road

Willows in Hoover has new owner The Willows Apartment Community in Hoover has been acquired by Florida investment firm Newport Property Ventures. The deal was $5.2 million according to public records.

The deal for the 169-unit complex was completed in December of last year from Willows Partners LLC in Birmingham. Hendricks & Partners negotiated the deal for sellers including local businessmen Mark Elwood and William O. Byars according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.

U.S. 31

Chance Landing Shopping Center sold Real estate firm Shannon Waltchack LLC has acquired Chance Landing Shopping Center located in Hoover. The shopping center is 13,000 square feet at 4730 Chace Circle. The $4.4 million deal was sold at $337 per square foot to investors Hollywood Arms LLC and Chace Landing

inc.

Hoover Chamber of Commerce

Partners LLC, according to according Shannon Waltchack Principal Derek Waltchack.

The deal for the shopping center completed in December of last year. The shopping center was considered for its location on U.S. 31 south of the Galleria. It includes restaurants like Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Genghis Grill and Jimmy John’s.

February

events

Feb. 7 – Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office. 8:30 a.m.

New golf course superintendent for Hoover Country Club

Feb. 12 – How to start a Business in Hoover. Hoover Public Library. No Charge to Attend. 9 a.m.

Mike Posey has taken over duties as golf Course superintendent for the Hoover Country Club.

Posey joins Hoover after four years of experience as the superintendent of Pine Tree Country Club.

Posey also worked as the first assistant at Old Overton Country Club for more than three years.

Posey is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. degree in agronomy and served as the 2012 President for the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association. He is a native Alabamian originally from Tuscumbia, and he resides in Hoover. Posey assumed his responsibilities on Feb. 1.

Feb. 14 – Coffee & Contacts at Hoover Country Club, 3140 Club Drive. 7:30-9 a.m. For more, call 822-0647, or visit hoovercountryclub.com.

Feb. 21 – Hoover Chamber Luncheon at Hoover Country Club. Networking at 11:30 a.m., Luncheon at noon. Make reservation by Monday, Feb. 18.

Feb. 28 – Business After hours at Outback Steakhouse, 1944 Hoover Court. 5:30-7 p.m. Call Jim Quick 979-7585.

Greystone

South Shades Crest Road

The Whole Scoop celebrating second anniversary The Whole Scoop will celebrate its second anniversary on Feb. 16, from Noon-10 p.m. There will be 4-D mobile gaming, basketball-shooting contests, face painting, family picture taking, free dog sundaes and more. There will also be specials on milk shake samplers, taster cones, ice cream cake samples and mini sundaes.

The Whole Scoop is located across the street from the YMCA at 3421 South Shades Crest Road.

It is a neighborhood ice cream shop owned by Sue and David Cohen and serves ice cream “the way it should be done.” After opening in 2011, The Whole Scoop has added hundreds of pictures of families enjoying its hand dipped ice cream from 32 different tubes. For more, call 444-8000.

Birmingham Orthodontics relocates Birmingham Orthodontics has opened a new office on Cahaba Valley Road in Cadence Place shopping center near Renaissance Consignment and Edgar’s Bakery. Leeann Ross from Birmingham Orthodontics’ human resources department said the new location helps with their customers’ commute.

“We wanted to cover all areas of Birmingham,” Ross said. “We wanted to make the drive easier for some of our customers so a new location in Greystone was needed.”

Birmingham Orthodontics, 6801 Cahaba Valley Road, offers dental care from experienced orthodontists. It charges no down payment for braces and offers in-house, interest free financing. For more, call 983-8383, or visit bhamorthodontics.com.

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HooverSun.com

February 2013

Business Spotlight

Read all the past Business Spotlights at HooverSun.com

Painted by U

Painted by U 1713 Montgomery Hwy. South, Suite 139 988-8933 paintedbyu.com Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.* Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.** Sunday, 2-7 p.m.* *Pickups until 6 p.m. ** Pickups until 8 p.m.

By REBECCA WALDEN Providing a hands-on creative experience for would-be artists of all ages, Painted by U offers reasonably priced activities that are a little out of the ordinary.

Painted by U provides its customers access to a painting studio where they can create one-of-a-kind pottery, fused glass and canvas paintings.

The business opened its doors in February 2002, first in a small studio just off of Acton Road before relocating to the Vestavia City Center.

In 2008, owner Amarilys Barnett moved the business to Riverchase Plaza, which allowed her to expand square footage and reach a broader residential area.

The almost 2,000-square-foot studio includes just over 300 pretreated earthenware pottery items to choose from, seating for 70 including a private party space for up to 18 guests, and four kilns. Painted By U has proven to be a popular destination for all types of events, from bachelorette activities to birthday parties.

Barnett had five years of furniture sales under her belt before making the leap into small business ownership, so consumer marketing comes naturally. Just walking into her shop can’t help but evoke thoughts of the well-known Hallmark ad campaign, “Life is a special occasion.”

The studio infuses creativity into all who cross its threshold from the

17

See KAMPAKIS | page 17

Painted By U offers projects for all ages. Photos by Rebecca Walden and courtesy of Painted by U.

holidays to the every day and from commemorating life’s milestone moments to finding something fun to do “just because.” A special note to new and expectant moms – Barnett offers a free baby footprint tile to area families who wish to commemorate the first year of

baby’s life.

“In the summer, we offer art camp almost every day,” Barnett. said “It’s so great to run into some of my campers throughout town and have them come up to me and tell me how much fun they had at camp. One camper recently told me

that I was his favorite art teacher ever. It’s humbling to be able to touch so many young lives!”

Even the most doubting wouldbe artists find something irresistibly fun about Painted by U. “I think it’s fun for adults because there is no skill required,”

she said. “I tell people that a solid color, stripes or polka dots can be achieved by anybody, and it always fires beautifully. Adults are always welcome to bring food and drinks when they visit with us, too. That’s extra popular when we have ladies nights!”

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING PROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038(531)

Intersection Improvements on SR-38 (US-280) at SR-119 and Additional Lanes on SR-119 from Corporate Drive to Brook Highland Parkway Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Church at Brook Hills – Student Center 3145 Brook Highland Parkway Birmingham, Alabama 35242 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Display maps prepared for this project will be available for inspection.

Information packets, which include a comment form, will be provided to you at the sign-in table. Representatives from ALDOT and the Design Consultants will be present to assist in explaining the display maps, discussing the scope of the project and responding to your questions and concerns about the project. Your written comments regarding this project may be submitted during this meeting, or by Friday, March 15, 2013 to the address listed below:

Meeting Location End Project

Mr. Brian C. Davis, Division Engineer Alabama Department of Transportation – Third Division P.O. Box 2745 Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2745 Attn: Mrs. Sandra F. P. Bonner For additional information or for individuals requiring special assistance contact the ALDOT - Division Office, (205) 581-5725. Request for special assistance should be received at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting.

Begin Project

Updated information on the proposed US-280 Intersection Improvements will be available at this meeting: PROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038( ) US Highway 280 Intersection Improvements/Access Management From Hollywood Boulevard to Doug Baker Boulevard

18 February 2013

Hoover Sun

Community Calendar Comedy Club Stardome stardome.com 444-0008

Feb. 1-2: Ronnie Jordan Feb. 5-6: Jason Russell Feb. 7-10: Christina Pazsitsky Feb. 12-13: Steve Brown Feb. 14-17: Lynne Koplitz Feb. 21-24: Shaun Jones Feb. 26-28: Alex Ortiz

Moonlight on the Mountain moonlightonthemtn.com 578-2444 Feb. 1: Herb Trotman Band Feb. 2: The Hearts Feb. 4: Open Mic Night Feb. 7: Daniel Boling and Sara Petite Feb. 8: Radney Foster Feb. 9: Matthew Kahler with Opener Amy Andrews Feb. 14: Delnora Reed Feb. 15: Sam Pointer Feb. 16: Tommy Talton Trio Feb. 18: Open Mic Night Feb. 21: Smoking Flowers Feb. 22: Debbie Bond Feb. 23: Gary Furr, Janet Hall and Pat Terry Feb. 24: Hannah Aldridge and Rupert Wates Feb. 28: John Flynn All shows are at 7:30 p.m. and have a $12 admission. Open Mic Night is $5.

HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS Feb. 1: Library Skills 101. Learn your way around the Hoover Public Library.

Includes a scavenger hunt and a session on navigating the online catalog. Perfect for homeschool families. 10:30 a.m.

Children’s Programming Room. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Feb. 1-11: Valentine’s for Children’s Hospital Patients. Kids make valentines at home and bring them to the library for a prize. Call 444-7840.

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day. A groundhogthemed party for kids, including crafts and snacks, celebrating whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow.

10:30 a.m. Call 444-7840.

Feb. 3: Coffee Tastings at the Plaza.

Taste the world. Coffee-ol-ogy Cafe presents fun and interactive programs on food and coffees from around the globe. Complimentary samples provided.

2:30 p.m. Call 444-7840.

Feb. 4: Friends of the Library Meeting.

The Tuskegee Airmen, presented by Brian Burke, educational outreach coordinator, Southern Museum of Flight. 9:45 a.m.

Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 4447840.

Feb. 5: European Travel Tips for Greece and Turkey. Come hear travel experts Bill and Judy Lewis for the second presentation in our exciting program series on how to have a true European travel experience as you enjoy desserts from the featured country. 1:30 p.m.

Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 4447840.

Feb. 5: Who Loves Captain Underpants?

Grades 2-5. Action and humor activities based around this popular book series by Dav Pilkey. 6:30 p.m. Call 444-7840.

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: ESL Class. Free ESL class for non-native English speakers.

6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms.

Call 444-7840.

Feb. 7: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. Hoover Public Library’s First Thursday book discussion group. Toni Morrison’s “A Mercy” will be discussed.

Snacks and drinks will be provided. 10 a.m.-noon. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms.

Call 444-7840.

Feb. 7: Career Training Opportunities Through CEFA. Learn how to get training in construction, welding, masonry, HVAC and other high demand trades. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 7: Cleve Eaton & the Alabama AllStars at the Plaza. Jazz supergroup led by Eaton, a former member of the Count Basie Orchestra and a longtime player with Ramsey Lewis. 6:30 p.m. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 9: Purl at the Plaza. Join old friends and make new ones at this crafty meeting of all fiber enthusiasts! Bring your yarn and knit, crochet or embroider.

3 p.m. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 10: Charlie Hunter at the Plaza.

Join us for an afternoon of old-time country fiddling. 2:30 p.m. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 11: Book Buzz: One-Word Wonders.

A brand new book club for grades 2-3!

Choose a book with a one-word title you want to read. Bring the book to share it with other readers, then get busy with a fun activity. 6:30 p.m. Visit hooverlibrary. org.

Feb. 12: How to Start a Business in Hoover. Presented by Joe Primm, Business Counselor from the Alabama SBDC Network, and the City of Hoover’s Revenue Department. Reservations required. 9:15 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 12: Art from the Heart. Crafts for the family that all center around hearts.

6:30 p.m. Call 444-7840.

Feb. 14: Coffee & Contacts at Hoover Country Club. 7:30-9 a.m. Sponsored by Business Resource Group. Call 822-0647 or visit hoovercountryclub.com/.

Feb. 14: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. Paula McLain’s “The Paris Wife” will be discussed. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 10 a.m.-noon. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 16: You Can Do It at the Plaza. Quick and easy plumbing fixes presented by Jones-Warren Construction and Home Depot. They will teach you how to fix basic plumbing problems on your own.

10:30 a.m. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 16: Write Club. Mingle and share with your fellow amateur writers. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7820.

Feb. 18: How Can You Get Control of Your Income? While everyone else is updating their resume, you can take back control of your ability to earn a living. Join Dr. Dale Callahan to learn how to take back control of your career and your income.

Reservations required. 7 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 19: Artist Reception: Alexi Torres.

Meet and greet with Alexi Torres.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Friends Gallery. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Feb. 19-23: Southern Voices Festival.

A Celebration of Writing, Music and Art. Library Theatre. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Feb. 20-21: Leo Kottke: In Concert. A jaw-dropping combination of technique, innovation and sheer musicality that has led to a devoted, worldwide cult following. Tickets $25. 8 p.m. Library Theatre. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Feb. 23: Author Conference. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Library Theatre. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Feb. 25: Monday at the Movies. Free admission and refreshments. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. Call 4447820 for movie title.

Feb. 26: European Travel Tips for France.

Come hear travel experts Bill and Judy Lewis for the final presentation in our exciting program series on how to have a true European travel experience as you enjoy desserts from the featured country. 1:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Call 444-7840.

The trolley’s gone, but we still do turnarounds at Five Points South.

Highlands United Methodist Church www.fivepointschurch.org

HooverSun.com

February 2013

COMMUNITY EVENTS Feb. 7: Economic Development Committee at Chamber Office.

Visitors Welcome. 8:30 a.m. Call 444-7816.

Feb. 10: Boy Scout Sunday. 8:45 a.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Call 822-0910.

Feb. 10: You Only Dodge Once.

Dodgeball tournament for for High School students only. 2-4 p.m.

Hoover Recreation Center. Call 444-7777.

Feb. 12: “Sunshiners” Senior Adult Valentine Luncheon. We will deliver Valentine bags to the home-bound and play games with Valentine candy for the winners.

This will be a salad luncheon, so bring your favorite salads or desserts. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Bluff Park Baptist Church. Call 822-3240.

Feb. 13: Ash Wednesday.

6:30 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Call 822-0910.

Feb. 15: Hearts in Harmony.

Hoover Service Club. 6:30 p.m.

Embassy Suites. Call 978-0956.

Feb. 15: Sock Hop. 2-4 p.m. Hoover Senior Center. Call Tracy Vinzant at 739-6700.

Feb. 16: Hummingbirds Galore.

10-11:30 a.m. Aldridge Gardens. Call 682-8019 or visit aldridgegardens. com.

Feb. 19: Lunch and Learn. 12 p.m.

Hoover Senior Center. Call Tracy

Vinzant at 739-6700.

Live Entertainment

Feb. 21-23: Consignment Sale.

Thursday and Friday hours are 9 a.m.-6p.m. Saturdays hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit bluffparkumc.org or call 822-0910.

Iron Horse Cafe

Feb. 21: Hoover Chamber Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Please make reservations by Monday, Feb. 18.

Those who make reservations and do not attend will be invoiced unless cancelled prior to the event. $18 or $20 without reservations.

February

Feb. 23: Gardening 101 for Busy People: Spring Landscape Seminar. 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m.

Aldridge Gardens. Call 682-8019 or visit aldridgegardens.com.

Feb. 24: Organ Recital. 5 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Visit bluffparkumc.org or call 822-0910.

Feb. 26: Women on Mission.

To inform and inspire the contemporary Baptist woman to influence her world for Christ. 10-11 a.m. Bluff Park Baptist Church. Call 822-3240.

Feb. 26: Horizons Luncheon: Spain Park Chamber Choir. 11 a.m.

Hoover Senior Center. Call Dana Stewart at 739-6700.

Feb 28: Business After hours at Outback Steakhouse. 5:30-7 p.m. Outback Steakhouse. Call Jim Quick 979-7585 or email obs1256@ outback.com.

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ironhorsecafe.net 978-5599

Feb. 1 - Naked Eskimos Feb. 2 - Reckless Feb. 3 - Johnny D Feb. 5 - Johnny D Feb. 6 - Acoustic Night Feb. 7 - Mike and Imran Feb. 8 - Deputy 5 Feb. 9 - Mardi Gras Party w/ Velcro Pygmies Feb. 10 - Johnny D Feb. 12 - Johnny D Feb. 13 - Acoustic Night Feb. 14 - Danny and Randy Feb. 15 - TBA Feb. 16 - Az Izz Feb. 17 - Johnny D Feb. 19 - Johnny D Feb. 20 - Acoustic Night Feb. 21 - Mike and Imran Feb. 22 - Downstroke Feb. 23 - Fly By Radio Feb. 24 - Johnny D Feb. 26 - Johnny D Feb. 27 - Acoustic Night Feb. 28 - Danny and Randy

LADUN

CONTINUED from page 1 “We also offer free skin cancer checks, and I wanted to do this in honor of my dear friend Vickie Imbusch,” Ladun said, describing a longtime friend who discovered a melanoma on her back only after it was too late.

“If I could wipe away the tears and the sickness, I would,” she said. “We are all in this together.”

A few years ago, Ladun realized that her message had become much more than a rallying cry when a man stopped her while she was completing a routine run in Veterans’ Park.

“This man I’d never seen before came up to me and said, ‘I just want to thank you – you saved my life,’” she said. “He told me that the year prior, he’d attended the Conquer Cancer Run and had a free skin cancer check. He was out of town on business when St. Vincent’s called to tell him he had a melanoma and needed surgery right away. He did so,

and they told him it had saved his life. To know we’ve saved just one life like that? It makes it all worthwhile.”

Ladun encourages everyone, regardless of fitness level, to come out and support the event.

“It’s designed to be a fun, family atmosphere, a time away from daily stresses where we can come together, pat each other on the back and realize that we can get through any type of life crisis,” she said. “There is just no better way to give yourself a lift than to help somebody else.”

And, in the words of Ladun, “Even if you don’t want to run, walk or crawl there, you can come and be a cheerleader!”

On the cusp of spring, this year’s Conquer Cancer Run is well timed for those wishing to enter the season with a refreshed, renewed and encouraged spirit.

For more information or to sign up, visit conquercancerrun.org.

February 2013

Hoover Sun

It’s that time again.... our

biggest sale of the year!

50% OFF 60% OFF 70% OFF 80% OFF Monday - Wednesday Feb. 4 - Feb. 6 10am - 6pm Thursday Feb. 7 10am - 8pm

Friday Feb. 8 10am - 6pm

Saturday Feb. 9 10am - 6pm

*Discount taken off original consigned price

Mint Green

Yellow

Pink

Dark Blue

Tan

Teal

Purple

Orange

Grey

Limited Time Markdowns on Prom, Pageant, Mother of the Bride, and Bridal Gowns, Plus Special Sale Prices on Couture Items!

Bring in this slip for VIP early 9 am admission on

Friday Feb 8 & Saturday Feb 9

6801 Cahaba Valley Road (Hwy 119) 1/4 South of Hwy 280

205-980-4471 RenaissanceConsignment.com

Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People J Crew • Joe’s Jeans • Juicy • Kate Spade • Laundry • Lily Pulitzer • Louis Vuitton • Marc Jacobs •

Matt & Nat • Michael Kors • Michael Stars • Moth • Nanette Lepore • Nicolle Miller • Paige • Prada • Rock & Republic • Saks • Snow • St. John • Sweet Pea • Tano • Theory • Three Dots • Tory Burch • True Religion

Style Reborn for Home and Fashion

Johnson • Burberry • Carlisle • Chip & Pepper • Christian Louboutin • Citizens of Humanity • Coach • Cole Haan • Cynthia Steefe • Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Pliner •

7 for Mankind • Anne Klein • Anthropologie • Antik Denim • BCBG • Betsey Donald Pliner • Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People • J Crew