Hoover Sun November 2023

November 2023 | Volume 12 | Issue 1

Sun HOOVER’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE HOOVERSUN.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM

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SERVING HOOVER, THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, MOUNTAIN BROOK, TRUSSVILLE AND VESTAVIA HILLS

RIVERWALK 91-acre development plan in Riverchase heads to City Council

By JON ANDERSON

P

lans for the Riverchase Office Park were first developed in the 1970s, and regulations for its development were first approved by the Hoover City Council in 1981.

Now, more than 40 years later, a health care real estate company called Healthcare Resources is partnering with Signature Homes and proposing some major changes to a large section of the park.

The two companies want to take 91 acres, which are owned by Regions Bank and contain two office buildings between Riverchase Parkway East and Interstate 65, and convert the property into a mixed-use center that includes office, retail, health care, residential and recreational uses. The development is being called Riverwalk.

The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 9 gave its approval for the development, and now the plan is scheduled to go to the Hoover City Council for a public hearing and vote on Nov. 20.

Currently, the two buildings owned by Regions Bank comprise about 450,000 square feet of office space. Healthcare Resources wants to buy the entire acreage and buildings, and Regions Bank plans to consolidate its operations from those two buildings into the northernmost building, leasing the space.

See RIVERCHASE | page 28 Healthcare Resources and Signature Homes are asking the city of Hoover to revise plans for 91 acres in Riverchase for a new mixed-use community called Riverwalk between Riverchase Parkway East and Interstate 65. This is the conceptual plan, which includes two existing office buildings with 450,000 square feet of space, an additional 134,000 square feet of commercial space, 102 single-family homes, 495 multi-family homes and 135 hotel rooms. Conceptual plan by Goodwyn Mills Cawood.

Miss Hoover 2024 has passion for cystic fibrosis awareness

By JON ANDERSON Some young women who participate in beauty pageants and scholarship competitions pick a charitable cause to support because it’s a requirement to be in the competition.

But Abbie Stockard, who was crowned Miss Hoover 2024 in July and will represent the city in the Miss Alabama competition next summer,

Abbie Stockard at her parents’ home in Vestavia Hills.

Stockard was crowned Miss Hoover in July and is a junior at Auburn University, studying nursing. Photo

by Erin Nelson.

has been passionate about her chosen community service initiative for years.

Stockard, a 21-year-old nursing student at Auburn University, has been working to bring awareness to cystic fibrosis and raising money to fight the disease for more than a decade.

See MISS HOOVER | page 30

INSIDE

Sponsors............................. 4 City....................................... 6

Business............................. 10 Schoolhouse...................... 13

Events................................. 16 Sports................................ 20

Real Estate....................... 26 facebook.com/hooversunnews

Meet the PTO

Moss Rock Festival

Meet the 2023-24 presidents of Hoover school parent-teacher groups.

See our preview for the 18th annual Moss Rock Festival.

See page 14

See page 16

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Hoover Sun

Meet Jefferson County’s New Health Officer

David Hicks, DO, MPH, FAAFP Dr. David Hicks is a boardcertified family medicine physician and served as Deputy Health Officer at the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH), where he managed clinical operations. Additionally, he served as Incident Commander for JCDH’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Before this role, he was the Medical Director of Adult Health & Family Planning.

Before working at the health department, Dr. Hicks oversaw five clinic locations as Chief Medical Officer at Birmingham Health Care. He also has provided medical care in various settings, including urgent care clinics, correctional facilities, and an academic health system. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Chairman of Alabama’s STD Medical Advisory Council, and a member of Alabama’s Rural Medical Service Awards Advisory Board. Dr. Hicks stated, “I thank God for putting me in a position to continue the legacy Dr. Wilson and the other remarkable Jefferson County Health Officers set forth. Our staff remain committed to our vision of a healthier Jefferson County for all by strengthening partnerships, engaging with communities, and promoting health equity.” Dr. Hicks is a Leadership Birmingham graduate and a member of the Freshwater Land Trust Red Rock Committee, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, and UAB School of Public Health’s Community Engagement Council, respectively. In 2021, he received the NAACP Metro Birmingham Branch’s Community Trailblazer Award.

Dr. Hicks earned a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and was a National Institutes of Health Fogarty MIRT Program research trainee at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He later earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Christiana Care Health System and served as Chief Resident. “In my free time, I enjoy fishing, doing genealogy research, reading, and cheering on my favorite sports teams,” added Dr. Hicks.

HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 3

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Hoover Sun

About Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson It’s easy to get distracted by things that bother us and focus on things that are irritating.

It may be the politicians or celebrities who rub us the wrong way or how inflation is making life more challenging. It could be that person you find annoying but you have to tolerate.

It may be the never-ending list of things that need to get done, that longterm project you’re putting off, that weird noise from your vehicle, your children who don’t want to cooperate or that pile of laundry that multiplies miraculously.

But as Thanksgiving approaches, I want to encourage all of us to remember the blessings God has given us. Be

the press. May we use those freedoms responsibly.

Be thankful if you have food on the table, water, clothes, electricity, television, education opportunities and a job. Be thankful if you have neighbors and family with whom to share life.

Don’t focus on your problems. Count your blessings and have a happy Thanksgiving!

thankful we live in a country where people can voice different opinions, where we have freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of

PHOTO OF THE MONTH Kira Bishop, 9, and her older brother Zayne, 11, blow bubbles as they have taken at a 360-degree photo booth at the 12th annual Taste of Hoover event on Oct. 5.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

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dan@starnesmedia.com Please submit all articles, information and photos to:

Publisher: Dan Starnes Community Editors: Jon Anderson Leah Ingram Eagle Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designer: Ted Perry

Please Support Our Community Partners Alabama Craft Guild (6) Allsteel Fence (24) Andrews Sports Medicine (3) Bedzzz Express (32) Birmingham Orthodontics (1) Birmingham Zoo (15) Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL (11) Bromberg’s (21) Budget Blinds (19) Cardinal Roofing (1) Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (18) Danberry at Inverness (28) ENT Associates of Alabama (10) Etc. (5) Family Medical Supply (12) Farrelly’s Southern Bar & Kitchen (8) French Drains Pro (24) Gardner Astroturf (6) Gardner Landscaping (7) Image Hive (29) Issis & Sons (23) Jefferson County Department of Health (2) Julie Ivy White (21) Junior League of Birmingham (17) Medical West Hospital (9) Medicare Advisors of Alabama (23)

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Moss Rock Festival (30) Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (28) One Man & A Toolbox (13) OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports (7) Outdoor Living Areas (31) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (20) Pappas’ Grill (15) Proveer at Grande View (17) Shunnarah Flooring (10) Signature Homes (12) Sikes Children’s Shoes (25) Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (30) Southlake Orthopaedics (13) Sovereign CPA (26) The Crossings at Riverchase (25) TherapySouth Corporate (31) Truewood by Merrill Gardens (15) United Way of Central Alabama (26) Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (27) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (20) Window World of Central Alabama (29)

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November 2023 • 5

6 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

City

Hoover to reduce sales tax on groceries in October 2024

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover City Council in October voted 6-0 to lower the city’s sales tax on groceries from 3.5% to 3%, effective a year from now.

The tax reduction, which goes into effect Oct. 1, 2024, is designed to give people some relief from inflation, said Hoover Councilman Casey Middlebrooks, who introduced the measure.

It follows a similar move by the state Legislature, which in June voted to reduce the state portion of sales taxes on groceries from 4% to 3% — a change that took effect Sept. 1.

The state will drop its sales tax rate further to 2% on Sept. 1, 2024, as long as revenues for the state Education Trust Fund grow by 3.5% this fiscal year.

The Legislature authorized municipalities to reduce their sales taxes on groceries in 25% increments in any year when their local revenue exceeds 2% over the previous year. However, any change must be approved at least 60 days before the beginning of a new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

The Hoover City Council missed that opportunity, so its sales tax reduction won’t take effect for another year.

The reduction in Hoover sales taxes on groceries would amount to an average savings of $17.65 per Hoover resident per year.

“It doesn’t sound like much, but when you combined them all [state

Customers check out at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Lorna Road. Photo by Jon Anderson.

and municipal reductions], every little bit adds up,” Middlebrooks said. “For some families, every dollar is counted.”

The city of Hoover could have reduced its sales tax rate by .875% this year, which would have cost the city about $2.6 million in revenue, according to a study by a retired economics professor from Auburn University at Montgomery.

However, the Hoover City Council chose instead to cut its rate by .5%, which is expected to cost the city

about $1.6 million the first year it takes effect.

Curt Posey, the Hoover council president pro tempore and chairman of the council’s Finance Committee, said it’s possible Hoover could make further cuts, but city officials want to see what kind of an impact this first cut has on the city’s finances.

“This is a first step,” Posey said. “I think we’ll get there.”

The study by consultant Keivan Deravi predicts that spending on groceries in Hoover should reach $334

million in 2025, or $3,531 per resident, assuming a 4% inflation rate.

Under the current city sales tax rate of 3.5%, that would generate about $11.7 million in tax revenue for the city in 2025, but a 3% tax rate would generate about $10 million.

It's likely that people would spend some of their tax savings buying more groceries or other retail items, so the negative impact on tax revenues could be less than $1.7 million.

The last change in the Hoover sales tax rate occurred in October 2018,

after the City Council raised the rate from 3% to 3.5%. That put the overall sales and use tax rate at 8.5% in the Shelby County part of Hoover and 9.5% in the Jefferson County part of Hoover.

Following the Sept. 1 change at the state level, the current overall sales and use tax rate on groceries is 7.5% in the Shelby County part of Hoover and 8.5% in the Jefferson County part of Hoover.

However, sales taxes on items other than groceries have not been impacted. Total sales taxes on other items in Hoover remain at 8.5% in the Shelby County part of Hoover and 9.5% in the Jefferson County part of Hoover.

The state legislation that passed this year and the new Hoover ordinance that passed in October follow the same definition for groceries as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP. SNAP foods include fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads, cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages and the seeds and plants that produce food.

The amount of revenue Hoover receives from sales and use taxes (of all kinds) has increased from $60.5 million in fiscal 2012 to $106 million in fiscal 2022, records show. City officials fully expect to exceed that dollar amount in fiscal 2023, which ended Sept. 30.

Posey noted that it’s unusual to see governments lower tax rates.

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Annual Fine Craft Show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens November 11, 10 am - 5 pm November 12, 11 am - 4 pm This project has been made possible in part by a grand from the Alabama State Council on the Arts

HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 7

Mayor’s Minute

By Frank V. Brocato When life hands you and attentive employlemons, it’s nice when ees during our makeup you can turn the situaevent. tion into lemonade. It’s I want to say a speeven nicer when you cial thank you to Abe have someone to share Bernstein and the entire that lemonade with!

United Ability family Last month, the city for being such a great was able to turn a diffriend to Hoover and ficult situation into a for helping us out. We great one — thanks to owe you a debt of gratthe wonderful people itude for your kindness at United Ability. and generosity. And to In September, the our residents who reccity had to cancel its ommended Gone for Frank V. Brocato Good for service, we annual Shred Day event due to a miscommunication snafu say thank you! with the shredding company we had I also wanted to take this time to send contracted with. Within hours of learn- a very special greeting to our Hoover ing this, the amazing folks at United Public Library as it celebrates 40 years Ability stepped in and offered to partner in existence! Wow! I can still remember with us on a makeup day — and they when it first opened. I often brag about offered their services for free! the wonderful quality of life we have For 75 years, United Ability (for- here in Hoover, and our library is a huge merly known as United Cerebral Palsy contributing factor. The service and of Birmingham) has provided services selection are unparalleled, as has often to children and adults with all types of been noted on a national scale. disabilities, with the mission of empowTo Director Amanda Borden and her ering them “to live full and meaningful team, congratulations on reaching this lives.” Part of their services include a milestone! Happy 40th birthday, Hoover shredding program called Gone for Public Library!

Good, which provides jobs for United Ability participants. Gone for Good provided amazing service with kind

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8 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Sketches of the Brock’s Gap Boutique BnB, proposed in the Trace Crossings community, show the facade and outdoor pool area.

Renderings courtesy of Black Design Architecture.

Council to consider ‘boutique B&B’ for Trace Crossings

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover City Council has scheduled a public hearing for Nov. 20 to consider plans for a 23-room “boutique bed-and-breakfast” facility in the Trace Crossings community.

Jordan Hosey of HBH Holdings wants to build the five-story bed and breakfast, now called Brock’s Gap Boutique BnB, on 2.4 acres at the corner of Stadium Trace Parkway and Mineral Trace, across the street from Brock’s Gap Brewery and the Abingdon 55+ residential community.

Her plan is to put a restaurant with an outdoor patio area and salon on the first floor; 22 shortterm rental units with one to three bedrooms on floors two through four; and an enclosed event area, cigar bar, outdoor bar, outdoor pool and one additional rental unit on the top floor.

“This is not just a hotel,” Hosey said. She’s trying to bring something new and modern to the city and breathe life into Hoover, she said.

It’s ideal for families and groups coming to sporting events at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex and for Hoover residents who want a cool and convenient place for loved ones to stay

when they come to visit, Hosey said.

The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8-0 on Oct. 9 to recommend approval.

David Bannister, a resident of the nearby Abingdon by the River community, said this is the kind of entrepreneurial venture the city’s economic development team has been seeking.

“We don’t have this type of amenity in our area,” Bannister said. “The need for this is paramount. I think this is a complete home-run project.”

But many residents of the nearby Chestnut Ridge community spoke against it.

Nancy Carr said the boutique hotel sounds lovely and is a well-thought-out idea, but the height of the building is a problem.

Hosey and her development team plan to screen the facility from the Abingdon community just across Stadium Trace Parkway by leaving a 100-foot tree buffer in place along the parkway and maintaining an elevation that should not be visible from Abingdon. The building itself would be at least 300 feet away from the median of Stadium Trace Parkway and at least 533 feet away from the homes in

Abingdon, said Andrew Cummings of the Gonzalez-Strength and Associates engineering and design firm.

However, people who live in Chestnut Ridge, on the mountain ridge next to Abingdon, will be at the same level of the hotel and be exposed to the lights and noise, several residents said.

“It’s going to be right at us,” Bill Grubbs said. “You’re going to have a bunch of mad older people.”

Residents said they were particularly concerned about noise from the rooftop outdoor bar and pool. Resident Bill McCanna said the whole top floor should be enclosed.

“I have never seen a bar that doesn’t have loud music,” McCanna told the zoning board.

“It’s going to be a party animal place for big events in people’s lives, and they’re there to party. This is going to be a problem for people who live on that ridge, and you people are the only people who can stop it.”

Hosey said she doesn’t plan to have bands and amplified music outside, other than typical wired-in speakers. She plans to keep the atmosphere low-key, maybe with some acoustic music, she said.

“I am not trying to be Club La Vela at 2 o’clock in the morning,” she said.

Paul DiGiorgio, an architect with Black Design Architecture, noted that Hosey doesn’t want to hurt the marketability of the facility and that people will be trying to sleep 8 feet below the rooftop bar.

The conditions recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission are to keep the amplified music inside and have all amplified music shut off at 10 p.m. The rooftop bar and pool also would have to close at 11 p.m.

DiGiorgio also noted that the rooftop bar and pool are on the side of the building away from the nearest residents.

Planning Commissioner Jennifer Peace said that this land already is zoned for “planned industrial” use and that someone could put a gasoline station or some type of industrial use on the property without having to get a zoning change.

The zoning board put restrictions so that the ground floor storefronts could operate only between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the rooftop bar and pool could only be open from 5 to 11 p.m., except for people staying in a room there.

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HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 9

Welcoming Dr. Patrick Rowan Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

UAB Medical West is proud to welcome Dr. Patrick Rowan to our team of medical professionals.

Dr. Rowan is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from Birmingham-Southern College and his medical degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. Dr. Rowan completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The University of Missouri and his sports medicine fellowship with Andrews Research and Education Foundation in Gulf Breeze, Florida. We are thrilled to welcome him to the UAB Medical West family.

Dr. Rowan will be seeing patients in both our Bessemer and Hoover locations. Call UAB Medical West Orthopedics today to schedule an appointment at (205) 481-8570.

J. Dory Curtis, MD Orthopedics

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Now scheduling patients at UAB Medical West Orthopedics. Call (205) 481-8570 today to schedule an appointment or scan the QR Code for more information.

N E W H O S P I TA L O P E N I N G A U G U S T 2 0 2 4

10 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Business

Business Happenings NOW OPEN

Most of the Riverchase Shell gasoline station at 100 Riverchase Parkway E. was torn down, and now the station is being rebuilt.

205-987-7701, shell.com

Rest and Digest Wellness has recently opened a 3,000-square-foot event center at 4524 Southlake Parkway, Suite 27, that can hold up to 85 people comfortably. Ideal for workshops, reunions, parties, speakers and more.

205-739-1160, restanddigestwellness.net

Steel City Insurance is relocating from 801 Shades Crest Road and building a 5,400-square-foot building in the 700 block of the Shades Mountain Plaza shopping center. Steel City Insurance plans to occupy 3,000 square feet of the space and lease out the remaining space to one or two other businesses. The new building will have 40 parking spaces.

205-518-6134, steelcity-insurance.com

Jawanda’s Sweet Potato Pies reopened Oct. 6 at 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 111, after being closed since July while the owner recovered from surgery.

205-874-9880, jawandasweetpotatopie.com Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center on Oct. 2 opened a new 4,098-square-foot clinic at 2321 John Hawkins Parkway. Doctors seeing patients there are Dr. Matthew Beidleman, a non-surgical sports medicine physician, and Dr. Daniel Kim, an orthopedic spine surgeon. Beidleman treats patients of all ages and activity levels, including sports-related injuries and non-sports-related musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis. Kim treats patients with cervical, thoracic and lumbar issues.

205-939-3699, andrewssportsmedicine.com

COMING SOON Broad Metro, the developer of Stadium Trace Village, said in October that it is ready to proceed with construction of the Village Green entertainment area, slated to include an amphitheater, multi-purpose pavilion, multi-use bar, outdoor recreation area and lawn. The Village Green will have amphitheater seating around a 10,000-square-foot public area with a synthetic lawn turf, but the total amount of open space for people will be about 21,000 square feet and should accommodate 600 to 800 people, Kadish said. The covered stage area will be 40 feet by 32 feet, including 800 square

feet of stage support space with a large prep room for entertainers. A 900-square-foot bar with a 500-squarefoot covered seating area will be to the west, and a 1,400-square-foot play area for children will be tucked between the bar and stage. Broad Metro said it plans to have a soft opening for the Village Green in the summer of 2024.

516-456-6599, broadmetro.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

Avadian Credit Union, headquartered at 1 Riverchase Parkway S. and with branches in Hoover at 4720 Chace Circle and 420 Old U.S. 280, won the 2022 Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Award for credit unions in Alabama from the Credit Union National Association. The award is given to credit unions for practical application of credit union philosophy within their actual operations. Avadian was recognized for opening a new branch in the midtown area of Birmingham; creating a more member-friendly overdraft policy that only assesses an overdraft fee if transactions result in a negative balance of more than $10; and launching a home improvement loan, so members can tackle home improvement projects more quickly than with a typical home equity line of credit.

205-985-2828, avadiancu.com

Concepción Salon is in the process of moving from the Vestavia City Center to 1580 Montgomery Highway in the Hoover Village Shopping Center, close to Wild Birds Unlimited.

334-318-1428, salonconcepcion.com The Jim ’N Nick’s Community Bar-B-Q location at 2831 Greystone Commercial Boulevard has reopened after being closed for an extensive remodeling that includes an improved to-go station at the front of the restaurant, a renovated bar/waiting area and additional curbside parking spots. The restaurant has been there since 1999.

205-991-1306, jimnnicks.com

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH

M.J. Harris Construction Services, based at 1 Riverchase Ridge, Suite 300, recently wrapped up construction of the ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Avondale in Arizona. The 40,000-square-foot project includes 30 new patient beds.

205-380-6800, mjharris.com

Beautiful Fall Sale!

At ENT Associates of Alabama, P.C. Experience Matters If you suffer from allergies or other ear, nose, throat or hearing problems, we don’t want you to treat your healthcare lightly or ignore symptoms that could lead to more serious issues.

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For your convenience, we have same day appointments available, as well as early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Please call 1-888-ENT-5020 (1-888-368-5020) for more information, visit us on our website at www.entalabama.com, and scan the QR code below to follow us on social media.

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HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 11

The Alabama Retail Association recently named Wrapsody, a gift boutique that began in Hoover in 2004, as the state’s Gold Retailer of the Year for retailers with annual sales between $5 million and $20 million. Owners Christie and Reel Howell in 2017 bought the Hoover and Auburn stores from the original owners — Terry Shea and Sarah Brown — and in 2018 relocated the Hoover location from the Patton Creek shopping center to 1028 Marble Terrace, Suite 116, in Stadium Trace Village. The move gave the Hoover store a 15% to 20% sales boost. The Howells in May 2020 opened a third store in Trussville and on Oct. 4 held the grand opening for a fourth store in Homewood. The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities. This year’s 11 winners in various categories were selected from 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees.

205-989-7277, wrapsodyonline.com

Fox

Ramey

Two Hoover business people were selected to be part of the 2024 class of Leadership Shelby County: Heidi Ramey, senior communication specialist for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama at 450 Riverchase Parkway E., and Traci Fox, the owner of T. Fox SalonSpa at 2080 Valleydale Road, Suite 7. bcbsal.com; tfoxsalon.com Apex Roofing & Restoration, 4601 Southlake Parkway, recently secured the 17th position on Roofing Contractor Magazine’s “Top 100 Roofing Contractors List” in the United States. This is the fourth consecutive year Apex Roofing & Restoration has been included within the top 20 of the list. Apex Roofing & Restoration ranked eighth among roofing contractors with greater than 50% of sales with residential clients.

205-685-0040, apexroofs.com

ERA King Real Estate, 3075 John Hawkins Parkway, Suite B, has established the King Team Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to enhancing and enriching the communities it serves through numerous fundraising events and initiatives. The foundation’s inaugural event was the Megan Montgomery 5K, which was scheduled for Oct. 28 at Homewood Central Park, in honor of the daughter of ERA King Real Estate agent Johnny Montgomery, who was killed during a domestic violence incident in Hoover in 2019.

205-979-2335, eraking.com The Hoover City Council on Oct. 2 terminated a tax abatement agreement for Lake Homes Realty that had been approved by the council in February 2022, in connection with a relocation and expansion of the company to Meadow Brook Corporate Park. The agreement that was approved by the council in 2022 waived an estimated $80,000 worth of construction-related sales taxes that were to be spent on the expansion, plus about $23,000 in non-educational personal property taxes. However, the legislation that allowed the tax abatement was designed to be used for purchases, and Lake Homes Realty decided it would be less expensive to lease space and equipment, so the expansion costs were no longer eligible for tax abatements, said Greg Knighton, the city of Hoover’s economic development manager. Lake Homes Realty still is moving forward with bringing 300 or more new jobs to the city, Knighton said.

205-985-2991, lakehomes.com Scenthound is adding a fourth location in the Birmingham market. Following locations in Lee Branch, Mountain Brook and Hoover, the next location will be opening in Trussville in late December or early January. Embedded in the name, Scenthound focuses on the five core areas of maintenance that all dogs need: skin, coat, ears, nails and teeth. Monthly memberships, starting at $35, include a bath, ear cleaning, nail clip, and teeth brushing. Haircuts and other services can be added on as needed. The Hoover store is located at 5190 Medford Drive, Suite 118. scenthound.com

PERSONNEL MOVES Tamara Canty transferred her real estate license and is the new owner and broker for the recently opened Transform Real Estate office in Hoover’s Chase

Corporate Center, located at 1 Chase Corporate Drive, Suite 400.

205-774-8824, transformrealestate.org Regions Bank, which has an operation center at 2090 Parkway Office Circle and numerous branches in Hoover, has appointed Anna Brackin as chief compliance officer overseeing the company’s compliance risk management program and Gary Walton as the business unit chief risk officer for Regions’ consumer banking and wealth management divisions. Brackin joined Regions in 2020 as head of corporate banking strategy and administration and will lead an experienced team of risk management professionals in building on Regions’ foundation of compliance programs, consistently ensuring a prudent regulatory risk framework and helping protect Regions and its customers from financial loss or harm. Walton will work closely with business leaders and their teams to consistently ensure risk management is at the heart of everyday strategies and decision-making. He comes to Regions from Union Bank, where he served as chief credit officer and executive risk officer.

800-734-4667, regions.com Josh Hood has joined the OS1 Sports Injury Clinic in The Village at Brock’s Gap at 1031 Brock’s Gap Parkway, Suite 185, as a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

He received his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Alabama and master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama. For the past 12 years, Hood has worked in emergency departments at various hospitals in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, including DCH, St. Vincent’s and UAB Medical West’s freestanding emergency department.

205-352-2911, bettersooner.com

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Do you have news to share with the community about a business in Hoover or the greater Birmingham area?

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Hoover Sun

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Dr. Edgar Luna is bringing his nearly three decades of dentistry experience to his hometown of Vestavia Hills, to serve the community where he grew up.

After closing his dental practice in Hoover, Luna will now be seeing patients at Vestavia Dental, a Life Dental Group practice, alongside Dr. Monica Parham, who has been there for around six months.

Dr. Luna and staff. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Dental.

Luna officially started at Vestavia Dental at the beginHe specifically appreciates the Christian ning of August, and so far he is happy with the transition from Hoover, where atmosphere that he and Dr. Parham both prioritize at their practice. he practiced for 26 years.

“One of the similarities, I’d say, is [at] the “It just seemed like all the doors opened up here, and I needed to jump on this in kind of a Hoover office I was really big on Christianity leap of faith,” Luna said. “Any transition has and played worship music and Dr. Parham is also the same way, so that’s been a nice transisome issues, but it’s been awesome so far.”

He said there were various reasons for making tion to be able to continue to do that and have the move. He was exploring other opportunities that warmth in the office,” Luna said.

Though he specializes in cosmetic dentistry, when he came across this one.

“I just kind of laughed because I was actually Luna wants his patients to know that he has the a pediatric patient here in this office 50 years experience and motivation to provide any type of dentistry they may need. He wants to proago,” he said.

Returning to the practice that he attended as a vide services at a higher level in an environment child has been somewhat of a trip down memory that’s both fun and relaxing.

“I’ve done everything there is to do in denlane for Luna.

“The first time I walked through the doors I tistry, but what I’m really here for is looking was like, ‘Wow!’ and instantly had memories for that person that’s coming in a little down or of myself as a child and my mom bringing me hurting, and see if we can get them to open up and talk and have them leaving more uplifted here,” he said.

Overall, Dr. Luna said he feels happy to be when they walk out the door,” Luna said. “I back in the community where he grew up and want every patient to walk out the door feeling better than when they walked in.” serving them in the best way that he can.

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November 2023 • 13

Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Jon Anderson at janderson@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Hoover school district ranks 5th best in Alabama

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover school district recently was ranked as the fifth best school district in Alabama for 2024 by niche.com, a prominent school and community ranking and review website.

Homewood was the No. 1 school district in the state, followed by Madison, Auburn, Vestavia Hills and Hoover, with Saraland, Mountain Brook, Alabaster, Trussville and Hartselle rounding out the top 10.

The 2024 Best School Districts ranking is based on an analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews from students and parents. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality and public school district ratings. Scores from the SAT and ACT college entrance tests were removed from this year’s rankings because of “a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process,” niche.com said.

Hoover’s overall grade from niche.com was an A+. The district also was graded in various categories and received an A+ in clubs and activities, college preparation and sports; an A in academics, teachers, administration, food, resources and facilities; and an A- in diversity.

Fifty percent of the overall grade was based on academics, and the data used by niche.com showed Hoover as having a 66% proficiency rate in reading, 45% proficiency rate in math and a 95% graduation rate.

Other key statistics showed the district having 13,606 students, with 24.4% receiving free or reduced-price meals due to family incomes.

However, enrollment had dropped to 13,172 as of early September, with 32.8% of students

Top School Districts in Alabama 1. Homewood 2. Madison 3. Auburn 4. Vestavia Hills 5. Hoover 6. Saraland 7. Mountain Brook 8. Alabaster 9. Trussville 10. Hartselle SOURCE: NICHE.COM

qualifying for free or reduced-priced meals.

The niche.com data also showed Hoover as having a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, an average teacher salary of $60,536 and 21.8% of teachers being in their first or second year of teaching. The average expense per student was $13,366, with 61% of that going to instruction, 34% to support services and 5% to other expenses.

Hoover also was ranked as the No. 1 school district in the state for athletes, the eighth best place to teach in Alabama, No. 25 among districts with the best teachers and No. 33 on the list of the most diverse school

districts in Alabama.

Spain Park and Hoover high schools both were ranked among the top 15 best public high schools in the state, with Spain Park coming in at No. 10 and Hoover at No. 13.

All three of Hoover’s middle schools ranked among the top 10 public middle schools in Alabama, with Bumpus coming in No. 3, Berry in No. 9 and Simmons No. 10.

Two Hoover elementary schools made the Top 10 list for public elementary schools in Alabama. Brock’s Gap Intermediate was No. 3 and Deer Valley was No. 6. Hoover’s Rocky Ridge Elementary made a significant jump

from No. 33 to No. 13 on the elementary list (out of 721 public schools).

Nationally, Hoover ranked No. 156 among 10,932 school districts compared and was No. 28 on the best school districts for athletes and No. 718 on the best places to teach list.

“We are excited that Hoover City Schools has been recognized by Niche as one of the top five districts in Alabama,” new Superintendent Kevin Maddox said in a news release. “This accomplishment is a tribute to the dedication and effort put forth by our students, teachers and administrators throughout the district.

Moving forward, Hoover City Schools will maintain high expectations and foster a climate of academic excellence.”

The complete list of 2024 rankings, methodologies, and data sources can be found at niche.com.

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14 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Helping behind the scenes Meet the PTO presidents for the 2023-24 school year =Here are presidents of the parent organizations in each Hoover public school and what they said about their goals and plans for the 2023-24 school year:

Fran Morris, Bluff Park Elementary PTA President

Janelle Hutto, Deer Valley Elementary PTO President

Ashley Boyle, Green Valley Elementary PTO President

Susan Hays, Greystone Elementary PTA President

Katie Kingery, Gwin Elementary PTO President

Courtney Carlisle, Riverchase Elementary PTO President

Betty Jaskolka, Rocky Ridge Elementary PTO President

Jeanell Irish, Shades Mountain Elementary PTO President

students at Green Valley. This month we reached a huge multi-year goal of raising money for our outdoor classroom. We look forward to breaking ground on this project in the coming months. We are working to increase parent involvement at GV through PTO newsletters, monthly parent volunteer days and a bigger presence on social media. We will be talking with teachers and administration to decide what our next GVES PTO project will be. We appreciate our parents, sponsors and community for supporting us! It’s great to be a Green Valley Gator!

honored to serve on the PTO board.

fair. We are very pleased to be able to financially provide each child with that again. We are also going to focus more on our teachers this year and make sure they are getting the love and appreciation they deserve with special treats each month. These treats can range from stocking their teachers’ lounge with snacks and goodies to offering them a duty-free lunch. We also plan to spoil them rotten again during Teacher Appreciation Week in May!

The board is excited to help organize the “Masked Singer” contest to celebrate surpassing the fundraising goal, showing our commitment to creating an exciting and vibrant school environment. We believe in the power of bringing families and the community together. As part of Trace Crossings Elementary, the PTO board encourages everyone to explore the school’s calendar of events, which is brimming with opportunities for families and the community to connect. Whether it’s Family Bingo Night, the Glow Dance, Breakfast with Santa or the Small/Tall Ball, you’re invited to join us and discover why TCES is indeed “the Place” for enriching experiences and strong community bonds.

BLUFF PARK ELEMENTARY

► PTA President: Fran Morris ► Contact: bluffparkpta@ gmail.com ► Goals: Bluff Park Elementary is off to a strong start this school year. We kicked off the year with our annual "yearlong sponsorship" fundraiser. It was a huge success, with over 50 local businesses and families supporting our school. One of our favorite school traditions is our outdoor social in October. This is always a favorite fall event at our school and in our community. This year we combined this event with a silent auction for our fall fundraiser. We had great response throughout our community and with Bluff Park families. We look forward to sharing our success with this fundraiser. We had a fun Class List Day, outdoor classroom cleanup and Walk to School Day as well this fall. We are looking forward to a great December. The PTA helps decorate the school to look festive, and Santa comes to visit with all the students.

We are already working on our spring events, including our beloved Panther Prowl/Color Run. This is another big school event held each spring that brings our students and our community together. Our PTA mission is to support BPES through school-wide initiatives, classroom projects, events and more. Through these efforts, we provide support to our teachers, students and staff, as well as fund enhancements to our school. It is our privilege to serve BPES as parents through PTA!

DEER VALLEY ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Janelle Hutto ► Contact: Janelle.hutto@ gmail.com ► Goals: Deer Valley is off to a strong start this school year! We were all so excited to welcome a Pre-K class this year. Through the generosity of our DVES families, we were able to purchase a Lü Interactive Playground that all kids are able to use in P.E. Our annual coin drive, Change for Cheetahs, was held Oct. 16-20.

With the money raised this year, we will complete other school wish list items and continue to support our amazing teachers, staff and administration. We are looking forward to an amazing year and are so thankful for the support of our community!

GREEN VALLEY ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Ashley Boyle ► Contact: ptogves@gmail.com ► Goals: Green Valley has had a wonderful start to our school year! In August, we hosted a schoolwide 60th birthday party for GVES. We invited the community and previous staff to join us in celebrating. In September, we had a very successful coin drive fundraiser and color fun run. We will use the money raised to support our hard-working teachers, staff and

GREYSTONE ELEMENTARY

► PTA President: Susan Hays ► Contact: greystonepta@ gmail.com ► Goals: In August, we had our Back to School Bingo night to kick off the school year. It is a fun-filled night with food trucks, a DJ and lots of bingo. We had our annual fundraiser, Leave a Legacy, in October. We have monthly luncheons planned for our faculty and staff. In the spring, we have Young Authors and Enrichment week. We are so thankful for the support of parents and for our wonderful faculty and staff. We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

GWIN ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Katie Kingery ► Contact: katiefkingery@ gmail.com ► Goals: Gwin has such wonderful support from our families and community. We are so grateful for our volunteers who help us make things happen. From our fall fun run to our spring carnival, we love seeing families come out to support our students, teachers and school. This year, one of our fundraising initiatives is to create a sensory path in the school. We are excited to make this happen! Our Beautification Committee has worked hard to enhance the appearance of our school grounds and has several additional projects planned throughout the year. The PTO funds a teacher grant program, where we award money directly to the applicants for classroom and curriculum needs. We also love showing our teachers, staff and administrators how much they mean to us through our teacher appreciation events. Being part of the Gwin family has truly been a blessing, and I am

RIVERCHASE ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Courtney Carlisle ► Contact: courtcarlisle3@gmail. com ► Goals: The RES PTO kicked off the school year with Boosterthon and hosted a Dance Fit fundraiser. Through the generous support of RES families, friends and our amazing community, we were able to raise enough funds to meet our goal. The much-anticipated movie night on Oct. 20 ws another major fundraiser that supports the various needs of our school. Monthly spirit nights, a Holiday Shop and an online auction are all planned for the year.

ROCKY RIDGE ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Betty Jaskolka ► Contact: rrespto@gmail.com ► Goals: We started off the school year with a bang! We had a Serve Day right before school began. So many people from the community graciously came together to clean up and upgrade our outdoor courtyard. This was a much-needed component to promote outdoor learning in a clean, inviting environment. We plan to give our fall and spring fundraisers a boost with a lot of energy, to raise enough money to provide a big shade structure on our gray Rocket Top area and a stage/theater in the courtyard area. Both will enhance our accredited STEAM program as well as allow students to boost their overall happiness, reduce stress and express creativity in an outdoor learning space. We are so thankful for the support of our amazing teachers and staff and our giving community!

SHADES MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Jeanell Irish ► Contact: smes.pto.president@ gmail.com ► Goals: Shades Mountain Elementary School is a small but mighty school. We see that every year with our annual Fun Run fundraiser. One of our big goals for this year is to host more fundraisers. SMES is slated to receive a brand new playground in 2024, and the PTO would love to be able to contribute a super-fun piece of playground equipment to that build. One thing that has become a tradition for us is to provide each child in the school with $10 to use for the December book

SOUTH SHADES CREST ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Holly Turner ► Contact: sscpto@gmail.com ► Goals: This year we are continuing to encourage parent and community involvement while growing and building onto projects and ideas from last year. To start the year off, we finished our lobby refresh and have created a more welcoming and visually attractive space. PTO has also helped to fund an updated lounge for our instructional support staff, with new seating, appliances and personal spaces for all. This project brought tears to many, and now we are working to do the same for our deserving custodians. We have had a great start to our fundraising and hospitality events this year, raising almost half of what we have budgeted for the entire year, as well as treating all of our staff to multiple events beginning with a welcome back rainbow snack room, bathroom restock, catered popcorn bar, duty-free and catered lunch and more. We attribute all these wonderful things to increased support from our families, staff and community.

We have and will continue to strive to bring everyone closer and a part of this incredible elementary school experience. Possibilities are endless when we work together.

TRACE CROSSINGS ELEMENTARY

► PTO President: Ashley Waid ► Contact: ashleygwaid@ gmail.com ► Goals: The TCES PTO’s focus is fostering strong connections between families and the school by promoting community engagement and fun-filled activities. We recently completed the school’s most successful Boosterthon event, raising essential funds for various school needs, including the enhancement of the school courtyard.

BROCK’S GAP INTERMEDIATE

► PTO President: Ashley Bryson ► Contact: bgipto@gmail.com ► Goals: Brock’s Gap PTO wants to continue to support our amazing faculty, staff and administration throughout the year. One of our main projects this fall is upgrading our audio/visual system in the cafeteria, which is used for school-wide events and meetings.

In addition, we will use funds raised this year to refresh our school lobby to provide a warm and welcoming environment for our students and families. We are also continuing our grant program, which allows teachers to purchase materials that can be used to enhance their instruction. Our team will treat our faculty and staff to lunches and snacks during the year to show how much they are appreciated.

We are so thankful for the wonderful support from our BGIS families and community and are looking forward to another great year!

BERRY MIDDLE

► PTO President: Misty Phillips ► Contact: mistybluephillips@ icloud.com ► Goals: We had a new fundraiser this year, called The Berry Strong Fundraiser, that began the first of October. We have quite the wish list we’re trying to accomplish this year!

We hope to transform an outdoor courtyard to create a functional outdoor classroom, provide several teachers grants and love on all Berry staff with delicious meals and treats. Our biggest goal this year is to assist with a new sound system for our practice

HooverSun.com

Holly Turner, South Shades Crest Elementary PTO President

November 2023 • 15

Ashley Waid, Trace Crossings Elementary PTO President

Misty Phillips, Berry Middle PTO President

Ashley Bryson, Brock’s Gap Intermediate PTO President

► Goals: Over the summer, our PTSO volunteers assisted school counselors with registration and freshmen parent question-and-answer sessions.

My hope is our Hoover High PTSO will continue to be a resource to parents and students as they navigate all Hoover High has to offer. I am pleased to report our membership drive has been successful to date, and we are in a position to fund teacher grants, host hospitality events and support the Gene Godwin Scholarship. We are very excited Jennifer Hogan has returned to Hoover High School and is now our school principal. We hope to partner with Principal Hogan and our community to update our teacher break rooms and provide a relaxing space for our teachers to recharge. If you would like to be a community partner or part of our Hoover High School PTSO volunteers, please contact us!

SPAIN PARK HIGH

Katie Friedman, Bumpus Middle PTO President

Mara Read, Simmons Middle PTO President

Erika Monson, Hoover High PTSO President

Christen Causey, Spain Park High PTSO President

gym, which hosts all indoor sporting events, theater productions, choral and band performances, assemblies, award ceremonies and the list goes on. Our main objective this year is to leave Berry better than we found it. Our board is committed to raising record funds to help make Berry Middle School a roaring success!

every year to fully fund our budget.

I’m so grateful for our amazing PTO board members and parents and for the full support of the administration and staff, which all came together to make this huge event wildly successful! Thank you all, so much! Additionally, we will continue to sell spirit wear, partner with local businesses to host spirit nights and accept donations throughout the school year. We will also work with administration to use excess funds raised to address other needs in our school.

► Contact: mara.pto.simmons@ gmail.com ► Goals: The 2023-24 school year at Simmons has gotten off to such a great start, beginning with our Back to School Bash for middle school families during registration week and our "welcome back" breakfast for teachers, not to mention teacher lounge refreshes throughout the building. We've had a record sponsorship contribution (we love our community sponsors!), and our BUCK$ for Simmons fundraiser is expected to exceed the prior few years. The PTO is super-excited to already have awarded many teacher grants for classroom

improvements (telescope, novels, sensory items, education magazine subscriptions, color printers and so much more!), contributed to new equipment for our school musical, donated to our choir department and provided funds for new hurdles for the track team and volleyball sets/footballs for the P.E. department. We have plans for teacher luncheons every month and several celebrations for the students.

It's going to be a great school year!

BUMPUS MIDDLE

► PTO President: Katie Friedman ► Contact: bumpuspto@ hcs-students.net ► Goals: We just recently completed our largest fundraiser of the year, the Color Run, which we use

SIMMONS MIDDLE

► PTO President: Mara Read

HOOVER HIGH

► PTSO President: Erika Monson ► Contact: ptsohooverhs@ gmail.com

► PTSO President: Christen Causey ► Contact: spainparkptso@ gmail.com ► Goals: Spain Park is unique in that we do not have any school fundraisers. We raise all of our money through dues and donations given by our parents and faculty members. My goals include making sure the faculty members and staff feel supported and valued during the year through our quarterly teacher appreciation events and a luncheon at the end of each semester, and also to fund as many grants as possible. Last year we gave out $6,000 in grants, and this year we increased our grant budget to $6,700.

The teachers at Spain Park have great and innovative ideas, and we want to help them pursue their goals. I also hope to build a sense of community between the faculty and staff, students and parents throughout this school year.

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Hoover Sun

Events

Left: Norman Morgan works on a jewelry piece during the 2022 Moss Rock Festival at the Hoover Met Complex. Above: Decorative metal pumpkins. Photos by Erin Nelson.

Moss Rock Festival takes flight again in 2023

By JON ANDERSON The Moss Rock Festival last year celebrated butterflies, but this year the eco-creative festival is highlighting another creature in the air — birds.

The 18th annual Moss Rock Festival, which celebrates art, nature, creative designs and ways that people can live wisely to sustain the natural environment, is taking a cue from the state’s tourism department, which designated 2023 as the “year of Alabama birding.”

Organizers of the festival, set for Nov. 4-5 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, chose Tallahassee artist Debo Groover, who showcases birds in many of her mixed media pieces, as this year’s featured artist.

Groover and her art have been at the Moss Rock Festival before, but she won’t actually be able to make it to the festival in person this year, said Alex Kunzman, co-director of the festival. However, she is sending a collection of her artwork to be prominently displayed, and her work will be for sale.

Kunzman said organizers chose Groover because they just love her creations. “They’re just very colorful and whimsical,” he said.

“They’re just a lot of fun.”

The poster for this year’s festival, created

by Groover, features three birds on top of one another, with the bottom bird standing on a birdhouse. They are surrounded by colorful plant sprigs.

Groover was raised in Savannah, Georgia, and got a master of fine arts degree in ceramics from the University of Georgia.

She spent half of her career as a potter but then began experimenting with polymer clay, using colorful and patterned sheets of clay like fabric collage. The clay itself is paper-thin and tactile. The subjects of her paintings are created with clay, and the background is textured acrylic paint.

The Moss Rock Festival plans to have Groover’s work paired with photographs of birds shot by members of the Alabama Audubon Society, Kunzman said.

Also, the Alabama Wildlife Center, which has been absent from the show the past year or two, will be back this year with some of the birds that it is rehabilitating, he said. The Alabama Plein Air Artists group also is supposed to have some of its members there doing live paintings, mainly of birds, Kunzman said.

In all, there will be about 110 artists on display at this year’s festival, featuring a variety of mediums such as clay, digital art, drawings, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metalwork, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculptures, watercolors, woodworking and mixed media.

The artists who are chosen have work that either depicts nature, is influenced or inspired by nature, uses natural materials or uses

2023 Moss Rock Festival • WHERE: Hoover Metropolitan Stadium • WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• COST: $11 in advance; $15 at gate (two-day admission); kids 16 and younger free • BEER GARDEN TICKETS: $35 in advance; $45 at gate (beer garden is 12:30-3 p.m.)

• PARKING: Free at Finley Center with shuttles • WEB: mossrockfestival.com This painting by Debo Groover is featured on the promotional poster for the 2023 Moss Rock Festival. Groover creates the subjects of her paintings with colorful and patterned sheets of clay using a technique similar to fabric collage.

recycled or repurposed objects in the art, Kunzman said.

SMART LIVING AND NATURE

The festival also each year has a “smart living market” that features items for everyday living that include fresh, organic, locally made, sustainable products and consumables in the areas of food, home décor, body and health products and technology.

The Walden Farmacy, part of an organic farm in Bessemer, will have a booth that includes herbal medicine and other natural remedies. The company specializes in organic and wild-harvested tinctures, elixirs, bitters, salves, herbal blends and teas. The farm’s market garden features baby kale, arugula, radishes and microgreens this fall, and by request, the farm has started selling some of its homebrewed and often wild-harvested kombucha, with flavors such as root beer, ginger yuzu and ginger lime.

Sachai Tea, a Birmingham company that was founded in 2015, will have tea grown by small tea farmers in India. Sachai also produces authentic chai concentrates with all-natural ingredients that include whole spices and organic assam tea from India.

Nature exhibitors at the festival will include the Freshwater Land Trust, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Cahaba Riverkeeper, Alabama Mushroom Society, High Point Climbing & Fitness and Hoover Beautification Board.

Collin Williams, an art professor from the University of Montevallo who leads a Take Root project to distribute trees, will be giving away five oak trees plus pollinator seeds for plants

that sustain birds and butterfly populations in Alabama, Kunzman said. People will have an opportunity to learn about different kinds of trees, he said.

Festival organizers also have animals near and dear to their hearts, so other organizations scheduled to be there include the Shelby Humane Society, Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue and Gentle Wolf dog training company. There will be animals available to adopt.

The Wonderkid Studio will be a place where children can take part in interactive art workshops, with some of the projects inspired by birds.

And the festival will have Planet Projects on display, which are art projects undertaken by children at various schools. This year’s theme is “Chirp Chirp — Birds of Alabama,” so the students will learn about birds that are native to the state and then make bird-related sculptures, Kunzman said. The children are encouraged to use natural and recycled materials to create abstract, large sculptures, he said.

FOOD AND DRINKS

What would a festival be without food? The Café by the Woods will include Rae Rae’s Catering, which offers Polish sausages, jumbo hot dogs, chili and slaw dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Philly beef and chicken cheese steak sandwiches, nachos, pulled pork and chicken, chips, lemonade and fruit punch.

There also will be numerous food trucks, including Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Not Ya Average Leaf (a vegetarian food truck), Porky’s Pride Smokehouse, The Recipe, Sons Donuts + Pops and Coca-Cola. A Red Diamond food truck will be giving away coffee and tea, Kunzman said.

For those who like alcoholic beverages, the festival for the 12th year will have a beer garden featuring at least 50 craft brews. Scheduled participants include Alabama breweries such as Brock’s Gap Brewery, Ghost Train Brewing,

CRESCENT STAGE PERFORMANCES SATURDAY

► Alabama Mushroom Society: 10:15-10:30 a.m. ► Alabama Wildlife Center Showcase with Plein Air Painters: 10:35-11:05 a.m. ► IAmGreatness Poetic Expression: 11:10-11:30 a.m. ► Khloe Isabella: 11:35 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. ► Dala Dance Co.: 12:1512:40 p.m. ► IAmGreatness Poetic Expression: 12:45-1 p.m. ► Alabama Wildlife Center Showcase with Plein Air Partners: 1-1:15 p.m. ► Iron Giant: 1:30-2:10 p.m. ► Wyrd Arts Group: 2:152:40 p.m. ► Alabama School of Fine Arts Jazz Ensemble: 2:45-3:40 p.m. ► Orange Bunny: 3:50-4:30 p.m. ► Cheyloe & Kyle: 4:35-5:15 p.m.

SUNDAY

► Alabama Mushroom Society: 10:30-11 a.m. ► Alabama Wildlife Center Showcase with Plein Air Painters: 11-11:30 a.m. ► IAmGreatness Poetic Expression: 11:35 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. ► The Mad Hatter Dance Co.: 12:10-12:30 p.m. ► Alabama Wildlife Center Showcase with Plein Air Painters: 12:35-1 p.m. ► Rebecca Egeland: 1:10-2 p.m. ► Bob Marston: 2-3 p.m. ► Americana’s Grandson: 3-4 p.m.

Cahaba Brewing, Trim Tab, Avondale Brewery, Siluria Brewing Co., United-Johnson Brother of Alabama, Goat Island Brewery, Yellowhammer Brewing and Straight to Ale, as well as some brewers from out of state, Kunzman said.

Other participants will include a Free the Hops group with beer floats and the Carboy Junkies home brewers, he said.

Moss Rock’s “sweetery” also will return with vendors such as Over the Top Toffee and Nana Bakes.

The two-day festival will include performances of music, dance and poetry and other demonstrations on the Crescent Stage.

HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 17

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18 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Montevallo woodturner wins top award at 2023 Bluff Park Art Show

By JON ANDERSON A woodturner from Montevallo captured the Best in Show award at the 2023 Bluff Park Art Show on Oct. 7 — his second time to win the show’s top award.

Essie Ebrahimi, who immigrated to the United States from Iran in the early 1970s, also won the Best in Show award at the Bluff Park Art Show in 2017, and he won the People’s Choice award at the show in 2018. He has been a woodturner since 1997.

About 120 artists from eight states were part of this year’s show, which this year returned to its regular home in the Bluff Park Community Park. Last year, the show moved to Hoover Metropolitan Stadium due to construction of a new pavilion in the park.

“We are so glad to see it back this year,” Bluff Park resident Fred Ulbricht said.

He and his wife usually attend every year but didn’t go last year. “Every year we come, we love it,” Ulbricht said. “It gets better and better every year.”

There’s something special about the show physically being in the Bluff Park community, he said.

“The environment here is just so perfect — the feeling of families, community. You can see people that you haven’t seen in a year and socialize. It’s like a big family reunion — a community family reunion.”

This year, Ulbricht and his wife left with a painting of a heron by artist Joe Sheffield from Daphne.

As usual, there was a wide variety of artwork at the Bluff Park Art Show, including ceramics, drawings, fiber, leather, glass, jewelry, metal, paintings, photography, printmaking, sculptures, woodworking and mixed media.

Essie Ebrahimi won Best in Show at the 2023 Bluff Park Art Show on Oct. 7. Photo courtesy of Heather Jones Skaggs.

People who came were able to roam around the park to peruse the goods, and many tried food and beverages from food trucks that included Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Gumbo to Geaux, GR’s Smokehouse, Southern Coffee & Waffles, SnoBiz and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee.

The day was sunny and rain-free, and temperatures were in the 60s throughout the show, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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This year’s judge was Debra Riffe, a printmaker originally from Tupelo, Mississippi, who grew up in Washington, D.C., where she earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Howard University College of Fine Arts.

She has been a professional graphic designer and illustrator for more than 30 years, and her block prints have been included in many collections, including the Birmingham Museum

of Art, the Freedom Rides Museum at the Historic Greyhound Bus Station in Montgomery, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Dillard University in New Orleans, Athens State University in Athens, Alabama, and Indian Springs School.

Riffe won Best in Show at the Bluff Park Art Show in 2012 and 2019.

Here is a complete list of awards given at this year’s show, with the winners and their art specialty: ► $2,500 Best in Show (Bluff Park Art Association Permanent Collection Award): Essie Ebrahimi of Montevallo, woodturning ► $1,000 August A. and Cary Moore Memorial Award: David Byland of Hoover, leather ► $1,000 Hugh Dye Memorial Award for best new artist (sponsored by Jackie Dye): September Reed of Birmingham, mixed media ► $1,000 Award for Excellence in Woodworking (sponsored by Jeff Honea Attorney at Law): Matthew Allen of Hoover, woodworking ► $750 Award honoring show judge Debra Riffe (sponsored by Dottie West, in memory of Al Dickinson): Scott McQueen of Northport, mixed media ► $500 Bluff Park Art Association Board of Directors Award (sponsored by Camp Bow Wow): Robin Rodgers of Smyrna, Georgia, ceramics ► $500 Henley Hager Award (sponsored

by Paulette and Bill Pearson): Larry Allen of Leeds, ceramics ► $500 Hoover Arts Alliance Award, honoring Sara Perry and Winnie Cooper: Steven Reid of Headland, woodworking ► $500 People’s Choice Award (sponsored

by The Collins Group): Brittany Carol Moore of Birmingham, photography

HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 19

2023 Taste of Hoover gets red carpet treatment

By JON ANDERSON Aldridge Gardens added a touch of glamour for the 2023 Taste of Hoover event in October, rolling out a red carpet for the entry path and setting up a 360-degree spinning photo and video booth.

Forty restaurants and food and beverage providers gave guests a taste of some of their fare at the sold-out event on Oct. 5.

“It was all great,” said Scott Litsinger, who lives in unincorporated Shelby County off U.S. 280 and was attending the Taste of Hoover for the first time.

He came with Sharon Ziemak of Vestavia Hills, who said she found out about the event because she was a member of Aldridge Gardens last year and was on the venue’s email list. They thought it would be fun, signed up and were not disappointed.

“The Bushwhackers were really good,” Ziemak said.

Jeff and Beverly Cobb, also of unincorporated Shelby County, said they were first-time attendees as well. He enjoyed the ice cream from The Whole Scoop and pound cake from Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes, and she liked the chicken from Merk’s Tavern and bourbon from Dread River Distillery.

“Everything was delicious,” Beverly Cobb said. “We’ll be back. We’ll come back next year for sure.”

P.J. and Courtney Canada of Helena said they like to attend these kinds of events and thought Aldridge was a great location to have it.

There was a wide variety of food and drinks, from numerous catering companies to Mexican food, pizza, noodles, sushi, barbecue, roasted chicken, sweets, soft drinks, lemonade, coffee and alcoholic beverages.

Little Donkey and Hero Doughnuts, members of the Pihakis Restaurant Group, decided to participate as vendors for the first time this year.

Guests attend the 12th annual Taste of Hoover event at Aldridge Gardens on Oct. 5. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Maggie Wiginton, director of events for the restaurant group, said Little Donkey has been in the Greystone area about five years but is kind of tucked away from most of Hoover. When sister company Hero Doughnuts opened in Stadium Trace Village in June, they decided to get more involved in the city and hooked up with the events team at the city of Hoover.

Little Donkey served its grilled brisket fajita tacos at the Taste of Hoover event, while Hero Doughnuts gave people a taste of its

hamburgers in a slider format and “sidekick” doughnut holes. Because of Hero’s name, a lot of people don’t realize the restaurant serves items like hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and fries, so they like to use events like this to educate people about their other offerings, Wiginton said.

R&S Food Service/Yellow Bicycle Catering won best booth display, while Baba Java Coffee captured second place and Classic Catering came in third.

Music at this year’s Taste of Hoover was provided by Brendan Young.

Kelly Peoples, the city of Hoover events manager, said the city sold about 320 tickets for the event this year and gave out about 120 VIP tickets, which put the event at ideal capacity. Paid tickets were $45 for Aldridge Gardens members and $50 for non-members.

Organizers still were balancing revenues and expenses, but Peoples estimated the event raised around $15,000 for Aldridge Gardens.

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20 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Sports FROM THE ARCHIVES: DEC. 6, 2017

Bucs capture 2nd straight state title Let’s take a trip down memory lane this month. In 2017, Hoover High School won its fifth state championship over a six-year span.

This is the original story from the Hoover Sun. This month, Hoover will look to make another memorable postseason run.

George Pickens (1) runs into the end zone. Staff photos.

By SAM CHANDLER After his team’s 11-point loss to IMG Academy on Nov. 3, Josh Niblett encountered a number of questions regarding the makeup of his Hoover High School football team.

It didn’t matter that the Buccaneers had held their own against the country’s second-ranked squad. Skeptics simply saw another check in the loss column, which had accumulated more than two tallies for the first time since 1999.

But Niblett remained resolute that his team, then 7-3, possessed the pieces to make its fifth title run in six years. The Bucs validated his confidence on this night.

After sailing smoothly through the first three rounds of the playoffs, Hoover dropped anchor at Bryant-Denny Stadium and stormed to its second consecutive Class 7A title with a 48-20 victory over McGill-Toolen.

“Praise to be God. We give him all the honor, glory and praise,” said Niblett, whose Bucs also beat McGill-Toolen in the 2016 state final. “I

Jalen Parker (13) receives the

snap.

can’t say enough about this group. We just finished up beating three undefeated teams to win a state championship.”

Hoover knocked off Hewitt-Trussville in the quarterfinals and Thompson in the semifinals.

Like McGill-Toolen, neither team had lost a game all season — until meeting the Bucs. Niblett called it an “unprecedented” run, and his team capped it with a similarly unprecedented showing.

The Bucs’ eye-opening point total reset their own 7A title game scoring record from 2014, when they hung 35 on Prattville.

The outcome was decided by halftime.

Quarterback Jalen Parker, a senior, threw for

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HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 21

Hoover players celebrate their win over McGill-Toolen during

three touchdowns and more than 200 yards as Hoover held a 34-6 lead entering the intermission. Parker connected with George Pickens on touchdowns of 7 and 54 yards during a 27-point second quarter. He also zipped a 70-yard scoring toss to Shedrick Jackson, who found himself wide open on a designed play-action rollout.

Parker finished the game 11-of-15 for 265 yards and four touchdowns. Pickens and Jackson, playing in front of their future coach at Auburn University, Gus Malzahn, hauled in two touchdowns apiece. Jackson paced the receiving corps with six receptions for 160 yards.

“Our game plan throughout the whole week was to get the ball in those guys' hands,” said Parker, the state final MVP. Larry McCammon initiated Hoover’s scoring

the AHSAA Class 7A championship game.

with a 16-yard rushing touchdown. The off-tackle scamper capped a methodical, eight-play possession that saw the junior pick up 45 of Hoover’s 71 yards.

“We pounded them and kept moving the ball,” McCammon said. “It was as simple as that.”

McCammon’s persistence eventually gave way to the explosiveness of Parker, Pickens and Jackson, who helped turn a 7-3 first-quarter advantage into a one-half runaway.

The defense also played a critical role. McGillToolen twice advanced inside Hoover’s 15-yard line, and twice it settled for field goals from placekicker Chase Mahler. The kicks were not enough to overcome Hoover’s high-powered attack, especially when coupled with self-inflicted wounds.

Bucs linebacker Isaiah Hubbard recovered a

Hoover head coach Josh Niblett.

fumble at the Yellow Jackets’ 42-yard line on the first play from scrimmage following Jackson’s 70-yard score. Hoover running back Vonte’ Brackett cashed in four plays later on a 4-yard rush to extend his team’s lead to 28-6.

“I think you’ve got to play really, really good red zone defense in big-time games,” Niblett said. “Once we got down inside the 20, we really helped ourselves on first down because we got negative plays.”

The Bucs defense continued its tight performance after the break. The only touchdowns it surrendered came after Hoover had opened a 42-point edge, as the offense carried its momentum into the second half.

Parker fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jackson in the third quarter, and running back Jacquez Allen danced through the defense for a

9-yard score in the fourth. The Bucs inserted their reserves for a significant chunk of the final frame.

That decision signaled the dominance of Niblett’s squad, which had initially run into the frigid December air through a daring pregame banner.

It told the opposing team to name a more iconic duo than Hoover and a blue state championship map. Across the bottom read the words, “I’ll wait.”

After a triumphant trophy presentation under the stadium light, the Bucs were still waiting — but with a 13th program title tucked snugly in their arms.

“What they have accomplished this year, this will be something really, really special to go down in the history books of Hoover High School,” Niblett said. “I can promise you that.”

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22 • November 2023

Hoover Sun Reggie Jackson (2): Made his return to the lineup with 2 TDs vs.

Tuscaloosa County.

JJ Moultrie (2): Returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD vs. Mountain Brook.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

BY KYLE PARMLEY The high school football regular season is winding down, with the state playoffs set to begin the second Friday of November. As of press time, Hoover and Spain Park were still competing for potential postseason berths. Here are some highlights from the middle portion of the season.

Photos by GARY COSBY JR., RICHARD FORCE and BARRY STEPHENSON Jonah Winston (4): Accumulated 107 receiving yards and a TD vs. Oak Mountain.

Derick Shanks (6): Led Jags with 78 rushing yards vs.

Tuscaloosa County.

Kamal Amerson (26): Scored twice vs. Oak Mountain, rushing for 73 yards.

Jordan Woolen (6): Caught 5 passes for 85 yards and a TD vs. Mountain Brook.

Noah Schuback (10): Completed 8-of-9 passes for 177 yards and 2 TDs vs. Oak Mountain.

HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 23

Medicare Annual Enrollment is HERE! The 2023 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15–December 7, so now is the time to compare plans. But, how do I know which option is best for me?

We know it can be really confusing to look through ALL the Medicare plan options and know which one to choose. All the commercials and 800 numbers offer to give you advice, but they’re just trying to sell you a product.

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We are independent insurance brokers, which means we are not tied to any one insurance company. Our goal is to get to know YOU and learn about your specific healthcare needs. We are Medicare experts, and we would love to help you cut through the clutter and find the plan that works best for you!

Call 205.704.9020 or visit www.medicareadvice.org You can also attend a Prepare for Medicare class on Thursdays at 6:00pm in our office: 2116 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Medicare Advisors of Alabama is an insurance agency based in Birmingham, AL and not a part of the federal government.

We do not offer every plan available in our area and currently represent 55 out of 56 Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and 21 out of 27 drug plans (Part D) along with many medigap plans. Contact Medicare.gov at 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options.

24 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

Varsity Sports Calendar BASKETBALL HOOVER Nov. 9: Boys vs. Central-Tuscaloosa. 7 p.m.

Nov. 11: Girls vs. Bob Jones.

Mortimer Jordan High School.

5 p.m.

Nov. 13: Boys vs. McAdory. 7 p.m.

Nov. 16: @ Huffman. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20-21: Girls at Bartlett Thanksgiving Classic. Memphis, Tennessee.

Nov. 21-25: Boys at Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions. Washington, Illinois.

Nov. 24-25: Girls at Hoops4Hunger. Atlanta, Georgia.

Nov. 28: Boys vs. Oxford. 7 p.m.

Nov. 30: Girls vs. Plainview.

TBA. SPAIN PARK

Nov. 20: Girls vs. Tuscaloosa County. 10 a.m. Northridge High School.

Nov. 28: @ Clay-Chalkville. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7: Girls @ Gardendale. 5 p.m.

Nov. 2: vs. Pelham. 3:30 p.m.

Vestavia Bowl.

Nov. 14: vs. Vestavia Hills. 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 29: vs. Thompson. 4 p.m.

Oak Mountain Lanes.

Nov. 16: vs. Oak Mountain. 4 p.m. Oak Mountain Lanes.

CROSSCOUNTRY

Nov. 30: vs. Thompson. 3:30 p.m.

Vestavia Bowl.

SPAIN PARK

Nov. 8: vs. Vestavia Hills. 4 p.m.

Oak Mountain Lanes.

HOOVER

Nov. 11: Girls @ Huntsville. 1 p.m.

Nov. 15: vs. Spain Park. 3:30 p.m. Vestavia Bowl.

Nov. 2: vs. Helena. 4 p.m. Oak Mountain Lanes.

BOWLING

Nov. 9: Boys vs. Stanhope Elmore.

6:30 p.m.

Nov. 17: vs. Helena. 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 18, 20-21: Boys at Spartan Turkey Jam. Mountain Brook High School.

Nov. 9: vs. Pelham. 4 p.m. Oak Mountain Lanes.

Nov. 7: vs. Calera. 4 p.m. Oak Mountain Lanes.

Nov. 15: vs. Hoover. 3:30 p.m.

Vestavia Bowl.

Nov. 9: vs. Vestavia Hills. 3:30 p.m. Vestavia Bowl.

Nov. 28: vs. Calera. 4 p.m. Oak Mountain Lanes.

Nov. 2: Section meet. Veterans Park.

Nov. 11: State meet. Oakville Indian Mounds Park.

FOOTBALL HOOVER Nov. 10: Playoffs begin. TBD. SPAIN PARK Nov. 2: vs. Pelham. 7 p.m.

Nov. 10: Playoffs begin. TBD.

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HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 25

Sports Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley

Such a good time of year It’s amazing the lasting memories. power that music has As we enter to bring back vivid November, there are memories, isn’t it? just so many good One day recently, things going on.

I was driving into High school football work and a song is entering the playcame on that took offs. The college me back to my childfootball season is hood days of attendgetting better by the ing a few Auburn week. Basketball at University football all levels is about to games each year. begin. The holidays Those were great are right around the corner. times and undoubtedly played a huge The list goes on role in where I’m and on.

Parmley at today, in terms I can’t wait of my interests and to see how it all passions. unfolds. Will one of our local high Hearing just a small portion of a song school football teams reach the state takes me back to sitting in the stands at championship, like Mountain Brook Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2004, watching last fall? Which teams will make the Auburn University Marching Band the College Football Playoffs? For take the field pregame. Getting to be a Alabama and Auburn football fans who part of the energy in that stadium and rec- may be saddened by the reality if their ognize the pageantry involved is some- team doesn’t make the playoffs, well, thing that, to this day, gives me chills. basketball season is a point of pride now.

It also brings back highlights (and It’s going to be a fun ride. I don’t know some lowlights) of quite a few games how we always manage to keep up with over the years. That 2004 undefeated everything going on, but just rememteam. The 2006 win over Florida. The ber, some of the music you listen to this 2013 Iron Bowl (yes, that one). A short season may be what you stumble upon snippet of a song took me on a long trip 10 years from now. down memory lane.

And it will bring you back to these I wish I could get back to Jordan-Hare moments. Hopefully they will be posia little more often than I do. The on-field tive memories. product has been a little lackluster over the last few years, but that is far from the Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at only thing that turned those day trips into Starnes Media.

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26 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

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HooverSun.com

November 2023 • 27

Recently sold homes in Hoover

► ADDRESS: 2064 Greenside Way ► BED/BATH: 5/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,143 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Ross Bridge ► SALE PRICE: $605,000

► ADDRESS: 844 Alford Ave. ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,852 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Bluff Park ► SALE PRICE: $415,000

► ADDRESS: 2073 Russet Woods Trail ► BED/BATH: 4/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,118 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Russet Woods ► SALE PRICE: $320,000

► ADDRESS: 5319 Cottage Lane ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,308 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Deer Valley ► SALE PRICE: $297,000

► ADDRESS: 2136 Chapel Hill Road ► BED/BATH: 3/1 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,075 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chapel Hills ► SALE PRICE: $224,000

► ADDRESS: 1930 Waterford Place ► BED/BATH: 2/2.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,400 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Waterford Place Condominiums ► SALE PRICE: $205,500 SOURCE: ALABAMA MLS

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28 • November 2023

Hoover Sun

RIVERCHASE

CONTINUED from page 1 Healthcare Resources plans to use the other building as part of a new Riverwalk complex that would include up to 134,000 square feet of new commercial buildings, 375 age-restricted multi-family residential units (for ages 55 and older), 120 unrestricted multi-family residential units, 102 single-family residential units and up to 135 hotel rooms.

A key part of the plan is a Riverwalk Health and Wellness Center, which would be designed to offer a wide range of health services for all stages of life, from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Robert Simon, a founder and manager for Healthcare Resources, said the Hoover Health Care Authority will be seeking permission from the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency for development and operation of a “non-traditional” or “boutique” hospital, with outpatient surgery and other forms of ambulatory care.

No primary hospital or health care partner has been secured yet, Simon said.

The Riverchase development plan amendment that was recommended for approval by the zoning board said, “Riverwalk’s combination of wellness, residential and clinical care will provide access to high-quality health care focused on integrating prevention and wellness as a part of overall patient care. The Property’s proximity to existing research, biotechnology and life sciences reinforces the location for such a health-focused and residential development.”

The idea is to follow a “new urbanism” development plan,

The area shown in green is the 91-acre portion of Riverchase Office Park proposed for redevelopment as Riverwalk, a mixed-use center that potentially would encompass two existing office buildings with 450,000 square feet, an additional 134,000 square feet of new commercial buildings (including a nontraditonal “boutique” hospital), 375 age-restricted multi-family residential units (for ages 55 and older), 120 unrestricted multi-family residential units, 102 single-family residential units and up to 135 hotel rooms. The property, currently owned by Regions Bank, is between Riverchase Parkway East and Interstate 65. Map courtesy of city of Hoover.

creating walkable neighborhoods containing a wide range of housing sizes, prices and styles and within close proximity to commercial and civic spaces.

The property would have a “town center” that would include greenways, parks, sidewalks and open spaces for residents, tenants, employees, guests and the general public. Commercial buildings could include both office and retail uses.

“We’re trying to bring this site into the 21st century,” said Doug Jeffords, chief construction officer for Corporate Realty, the parent company of Healthcare Resources.

The existing development plan for this 91-acre parcel allows for almost 1.1 million square feet of commercial office space, and so far there are only two buildings on the property totaling 454,000 square feet, Jeffords said. That leaves room

for another 638,000 square feet of office space with the current plan, so this new plan is consistent with the Riverchase founders’ intentions for the site, he said.

Darrell Skipper, a traffic engineer working for the developer, said he projects the new development plan would generate 250 fewer peak hour morning trips than the original development plan but about 400 more peak hour afternoon trips.

“We know we’re going to be adding traffic to Riverchase Parkway.

We know we’re going to be adding traffic to Valleydale Road,” Skipper said.

The developer agreed to add some additional turn lanes on Riverchase Parkway East, lengthen some others and change the timing on the traffic signals on both Riverchase Parkway East and the portion of Valleydale Road between Riverchase Parkway East and Southlake Parkway, Skipper said.

The development plan also calls for leaving 31.6 of the 91 acres as “open space,” including lakes, flooding areas, greenways, parks and natural or landscaped areas.

Sidewalks would be required along frontage roads, Riverchase Parkway East and Office Park Circle. The minimum square footage per residential unit would be 500 square feet, and there would be no minimum residential lot size and no maximum building height for any of the buildings.

The development plan also calls for a 10-foot-wide greenbelt along Riverchase Parkway East and Office Park Circle. There are three entrances on Riverchase Parkway to enter the property.

If the City Council approves the Riverwalk plan, Healthcare Resources and Signature Homes intend to begin development of the property promptly following completion of all necessary engineering and related professional work, which is expected to be completed by January, according to the amendment.

However, it is anticipated that development of the property will take several years, and development will be based on market demand, so there is no firm development schedule outlined in the agreement.

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MISS HOOVER

CONTINUED from page 1 Her best friend since third grade, Maddie Hagler, has cystic fibrosis, and Stockard said she long ago promised Hagler she would do everything she could to help fight for her and others suffering from the disease.

Stockard has been participating in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides Walk for more than 10 years, raising money for the cause.

The past two years, she has spoken at one of the walks and gone to elementary schools in the Birmingham area to share with young students about cystic fibrosis.

Stockard worked with state Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, about a year and a half ago to get a resolution passed through the state Legislature, declaring May 26 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day. And she partnered with Dr. George Solomon, a pulmonologist at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital, to do a social media campaign to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis.

Stockard did short video clips with questions about the disease, such as what causes it, what life is like with it and treatment options, and then Solomon responded with the answers. She aired the videos on various social media channels for seven weeks.

She also last year held spirit nights at five restaurants that agreed to give 20% of their sales during a certain time to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising close to $10,000. In the coming months, she hopes to do the same thing at restaurants in Hoover, she said.

Margaret Smith, executive director of the Alabama chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said she is thrilled that Stockard has chosen cystic fibrosis as her community service initiative.

“She has been a supporter of the foundation ever since she was a little girl,” Smith said.

“She’s a really sweet girl. She does a tremendous job in our community and helps raise awareness about this. … We’re always happy to have her and appreciate all of her help and support.”

Stockard’s commitment isn’t lost on her

Maddie Hagler, left, and Abbie Stockard are both students at Auburn University and best friends. Stockard was crowned Miss Hoover in July. Photo courtesy of Abbie Stockard.

longtime friend, Hagler, either.

“She’s always been there for me,” Hagler said.

“It just shows how much she cares for me and how much she pours herself into finding a cure for something I’ve been battling my whole life.”

Hagler, who attended Vestavia Hills High School with Stockard and now attends Auburn

with her, said dealing with cystic fibrosis has been a challenge.

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder that causes the buildup of thick, slimy mucus in the lungs, leading to the blockage of pancreatic ducts, intestines and bronchi, and often resulting in respiratory infections. People who have it

often have trouble digesting foods and maintaining a healthy weight. There is no known cure, and the average lifespan for someone with cystic fibrosis is about 50 years old.

Hagler said she has learned how to deal with it better as she has gotten older and more mature, but she has to be careful about being around a lot of people and has to take about 30 pills a day and do treatments once or twice a day. An exercise science major, she also tries to stay fit.

She’s grateful for Stockard’s concern and passion.

“She is honestly one of the most hard-working, passionate people I know,” Hagler said.

“She is probably the busiest person I know, but she can make time for anybody. She just really cares about service. It’s been one of the biggest blessings.”

Stockard said she’s excited to be Miss Hoover and especially excited that she won $5,000 to go toward her education.

She plans to complete her undergraduate degree in nursing in the summer of 2025 and wants to get a doctorate in nurse anesthesia and work at Children’s of Alabama hospital, she said.

She grew up in a medical family. Stockard’s mother is a pharmacist, her father is a medical sales representative, her grandfather was a surgeon and she has an aunt and uncle who are physicians and another aunt who is a psychiatrist. She just wants to serve people and make a difference, she said.

Stockard stays busy at Auburn University, where she is on the Tiger Paws dance team, in the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and works with the Auburn student recruitment team, giving tours to prospective students. She grew up an Alabama fan, but she followed in her mom’s footsteps, went to Auburn and fell in love with the campus, she said. “Now I’m an Auburn girl through and through.”

Stockard said she didn’t grow up competing in pageants but was convinced by a friend to give it a try during her freshman year. She became Miss Cahaba Valley 2022 and Miss Trussville 2023 and placed in the top five at Miss Alabama in both of the past two competitions. She’s hoping the third time will be the charm as Miss Hoover.

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