Hoover Sun January 2016

Sun Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover

Volume 4 | Issue 4 | January 2016

YEAR IN PREVIEW

2016 :

Katy Grimm holds her son Baylor and his puppy Ruby in the yard of their Hoover home. Baylor is autistic, and Ruby will be trained to keep him from wandering. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

WHAT’S TO COME Hoover could gain 400 new homes in the new year, planning consultant and developers say

A constant companion

Puppy to become service dog for child with autism

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Four-year-old Baylor Grimm is not able to say most words, but he knows the word “Ruby.” It’s the name of the golden retriever puppy that’s almost always by his side.

Baylor is autistic and almost completely nonverbal. His parents, Ben and Katy, said he’s always on the move both inside and outside of their Hoover home.

“He began to wander, I mean pretty much as soon as he began to crawl. His goal has always been to get as far away from people as he can,” Katy Grimm said. “He’ll wander our house sort of like a caged animal, ready to get out.”

Though he was officially diagnosed in 2014, Baylor’s parents knew he was likely to have autism since he was about a year old.

“He just never began talking, was always in his own world,” his mother said.

CONSTRUCTION A7

AND MORE: Hoover elections ...................................................... A8 School rezoning plans ............................................ A8 Junior Olympics races .......................................... A9

See BAYLOR | page A31

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INSIDE

Sponsors ..............................A4 City ........................................A6

Business ..............................A12 School House .....................A16

Community ........................A25 Sports .................................A26

Jags’ Journey A season in review: A hefty investment by Spain Park’s football team quickly yields a strong return.

See page A26

Real Estate..........................B13 Calendar ..............................B14

n e m o W of R E V O O H

facebook.com/thehooversun

Special Section

2016

From retail and food, to health care and fitness, our annual Women of Hoover feature is a chance to get to know many of the faces behind the success of several area businesses.

See page B6

A2 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

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January 2016 • A3

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Hoover Sun

A4 • January 2016

About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. For me, I prefer to make changes in my life as soon as I realize they need to be made. I’m afraid that if I delay those new steps for weeks or months, I’ll forget or laziness will kick in and the change will never happen.

I actually began a new exercise routine in the beginning of November.

Believe me, if you can keep up even minimal exercise through Thanksgiving and Christmas, there’s nothing you can’t do.

However, I still like the things that New Year’s represents: a fresh start, a chance to reflect on experience and learn from it. Some people need the definite starting point of Jan. 1 to begin improving themselves, and I think that’s great, too. The fact that you’re embracing change and working toward it is more important that what day you start.

As we step into the first days of 2016, I would encourage you to think

big as you set your resolutions. Where do you want to be this year? What do you want to see? When December rolls around again, what will fill you with regret if you haven’t done it?

Every year, I try to pick a person who exemplifies what I want to be but am not. Many years it has been Mr. Rogers, who had a kindness, calmness and generosity of spirit that I’m not sure any

other human can achieve. This year it’s my grandfather, who passed away in October but lived his entire life full of adventure, exuberance and joy.

On the days when I am tired, grumpy and just want to do the bare minimum to get through the day, I remind myself of that person and try to end the day as a better human being than when I started.

Pick whatever lights a fire in you – a person to emulate, a goal to achieve – and strive for it in 2016. Help those around you who are striving for goals of their own, as well.

May your memories of 2015 be sweet, and your goals for 2016 be bold.

BEHIND THE LENS

By Frank Couch

Macro Photography sounds easy enough right?

The term refers to making a close up photography resulting in an image that depicts the subject larger than life. Digital cameras often have a Macro setting giving the least experienced photographer a shot

Sun Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Video Editor Page Designers:

Community Reporters: Staff Writer: Sports Reporter: Associate Editor: Copy Editor: Graphic Design: Contributing Writers:

Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Cherie Olivier Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Ana Good Erica Techo Jon Anderson Emily Featherston Kyle Parmley Louisa Jeffries Shweta Gamble Andrew Anderson Kari Kampakis Rick Watson Leah Ingram Eagle Marienne Thomas Ogle Steve Irvine Rachel Burchfiel Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Grace Thornton

at making an interesting picture.

Whether you use a DSLR or compact camera good lighting and a narrow depth of field will be your best friend when shooting macro.

To make a really captivating image you have to slow down and closely examine what you are going to photograph. Be ready to discover some of the intricate details not so easily seen at fi st glance or from a distance.

For this month’s Behind the Lens I decided to look at signs and markers in the cities we cover. Many are carved into stone or made of metal and rest at landmarks we often drive by in our daily commute. This coming year I hope we all make the time to stop and closely examine some of the great places we have in our backyard. Much like Macro Photography you might just be surprised at what you can see when you take a closer look.

Contributing Photographer: Frank Couch Intern: Sam Chandler Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Sales and Warren Caldwell Distribution: Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes

Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Hoover Sun PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@280living.com

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

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

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HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A5

A6 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

City Mayor’s Minute

Mayor Ivey to be honored at James Bond Gala

By Gary Ivey

Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey is the honoree for this year’s James Bond Gala organized by the Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research group.

Photo by Jon Anderson.

A Birmingham area cancer research support group is honoring Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey at the group’s fifth annual James Bond Gala, set for Jan. 30 at The Club.

The event is organized by Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research (ROAR), which started in 2009 as a way to fund personalized cancer research breakthroughs.

This year’s gala is titled “License to Cure” and will include a dinner, live auction and dancing. The band Total Assets will perform, and there will be “Bond girls” and a Crystal Head 007 martini bar and ice sculpture at the event.

Tickets cost $200 each, with proceeds going toward cancer research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Radiation Oncology. Many tickets already have been sold.

As a cancer survivor, Ivey said he makes an effort to reach out to others who are

experiencing cancer.

“Everyone I know has been touched by cancer, including my mother, father and mother-in-law,” Ivey said.

Ivey said he hopes by reaching out and giving back to cancer research, his grandchildren can grow up in a world without the devastating effects of cancer.

Previous honorees for ROAR’s James Bond Galas have included Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner, Realtor and author Barbara Dooley, former Alabama football player Jerry Duncan and Dr. Larry Lemak, the founder of Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics.

For more information about this year’s gala or to see if tickets are still available, visit ROARtheCure.org or email ROARtheCure@gmail.com. - Submitted by Sarah Moseley

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Happy 2016! Our staff has been busy planning fun, educational and family friendly events that are sure to jumpstart your new year and get you involved in our community. Whether you are an artist, sports enthusiast, educator or one of our retired citizens, we have something for you.

We are very excited about the upcoming annual Southern Voices conference held at the Hoover Public Library. The events will kick- off on Tuesday, Feb. 23 with an Artist Reception showcasing the Heart of Dixie Rug Bees. Then on Feb. 24 and 25, you can enjoy the music of Kellylee Evans in concert.

On Friday, Feb. 26 you can spend an evening with author Erik Larson and then enjoy many authors at the conferGary Ivey ence on Saturday, Feb. 27. As you can see, we have an action packed week and you don’t want to miss it. For ticket information or just to read more about all of the authors and entertainers, please visit the library website at southernvoices.info or call the Library Theatre Box office at 444-7888.

As winter thaws and we look ahead to March, be sure to save the date for our annual Arbor Day celebration at Aldridge Gardens. This event will be held on Saturday, March 5. This is always an extra special event for us, especially since Hoover has been recognized year after year as a “Tree City USA” recipient.

None of these events would be possible without the great staff at the City. We are all very fortunate to live in Hoover where we work hard to provide you with the best amenities and services possible. Please call our office if you have any suggestions or ideas for something you would like us to offer. We are always working hard to exceed your expectations!

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HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A7

YEAR IN PREVIEW

Construction

Homes will continue to be built in the McGill Crossings subdivision off Ross Bridge Parkway in 2016. Photo by Frank Couch.

Hoover could gain 400 homes in 2016

By JON ANDERSON Hoover residents can expect to see more neighbors in 2016 as the city continues to see steady residential growth, the city’s planning consultant said.

Estimates by Hoover planning consultant Bob House and developers indicate that Hoover could see about 400 more houses built in the new year, adding close to 1,000 new residents.

That’s a little more than in recent years but less than the peak years when Hoover was seeing 800 to 900 single-family housing starts a year, House said.

Between 2010 and 2014, Hoover gained an estimated 3,329 residents, or about 830 people per year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

House plans to soon release updated projections for housings starts and population, but his projections from January 2015 showed that most of the growth is expected to come from the western side of town.

House predicted then that Hoover would gain about 100 houses in Ross Bridge in 2016, plus 50 in Lake Cyrus, 50 in Trace Crossings, 35 in The Preserve, 30 in Magnolia Grove off Preserve Parkway, 28 in McGill Crossings off Ross Bridge Parkway, 28 in the Kirkman Preserve off Caldwell Mill Road and others scattered in various places.

Some of those likely won’t materialize due to changes in developers’ plans, but a few homes are now expected in places they weren’t before.

For example, the 500-home Lake Wilborn development, which is the eighth sector of Trace Crossings, had been expected to start by now, but the development got delayed. House had predicted 10 houses in Lake Wilborn in 2015 and 30 in 2016, but no homes are being built yet.

U.S. Steel and Signature Homes got changes in their zoning plan approved in 2012 and 2013 but never came forward with preliminary

development plans. Signature Homes President Jonathan Belcher now says they are ready to start that project back up. He expects to have preliminary plans for the first sector coming to the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission in January or February, he said.

But there probably won’t be any new homes completed in Lake Wilborn until 2017, Belcher said.

Signature Homes is the company doing most of the home building in Hoover. Belcher said there are a lot of uncertainties in the market, but he expects his company will build about 250 houses in Hoover in 2016. That’s roughly equivalent to 2015, he said.

Ross Bridge likely will see 160-180 new homes in 2016, including more than 150 from Signature Homes, Belcher said.

Signature Homes also in the spring plans to start on the 47-lot second phase of Magnolia Grove next to The Grove shopping center, Belcher said.

On the eastern side of Hoover, Signature plans in 2016 to finish the last 40 of 163 houses in the Kirkman Preserve subdivision, Belcher said. His company also plans to start developing home sites in the recently annexed 97-lot Brock Point subdivision off Shelby County 41 next to Greystone, and a handful of homes could be occupied by the end of the year, he said.

“I think housing is still in high demand in the city of Hoover,” Belcher said. “You can see the passion for the school system. Typically, that’s the main factor to purchase a home, and Hoover’s got a great school system.”

Home construction actually hasn’t been able to keep up with the demand in Hoover because development has been much more limited in recent years than it was in the early 2000s, Belcher said.

He wishes there was more development, but he also knows a lot of people don’t want to see that, he said.

A8 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

YEAR IN PREVIEW

City elections School rezoning 2 join races for council seats; election Aug. 23

By JON ANDERSON

By JON ANDERSON Hoover residents return to the polls this summer to elect a mayor and City Council, if the incumbents indeed have opposition.

Four years ago, no one qualified to run against Mayor Gary Ivey and three of the seven council members — Jack Natter, Gene Smith and Jack Wright.

So far, no one has announced publicly to run against Ivey, but at least two people have announced campaigns for Hoover City Council seats.

Bluff Park resident Curt Posey announced he is running for Council Place 1, currently held

by Joe Rives, and Ross Bridge resident Casey Middlebrooks said he is running for City Council but did not declare a specific place number.

In Hoover, all seven council seats are elected at-large, which means all registered voters in the city can vote in each council race instead of voting in a particular district. However, candidates do have to declare which seat they want to pursue when they qualify.

Candidates cannot officially qualify until July 5 and they have until July 19 to do so.

Municipal elections are scheduled for Aug. 23, and any needed runoffs will be held Oct. 4. The new term for elected officials officially begins Nov. 7.

Candidates could begin raising money for their campaigns on Aug. 23, 2015 – one year

Parents await release of new plan for Hoover system

The Hoover City Council conducts business in October. Photo by Jon Anderson.

before the election. The last day to register to vote in municipal elections is Aug. 10, 2016.

Ivey, a Riverchase resident and president of Crest Cadillac, has been Hoover’s mayor since Sept. 30, 2011, when he was appointed mayor by the City Council to replace Tony Petelos, who took a job as Jefferson County’s first professional county manager.

Ivey first was elected to the Hoover City Council and chosen as its president in 2004.

He was re-elected to the council without opposition in 2008, which means he hasn’t faced an opponent since he was first elected in 2004.

In the 2012 city election, councilmen John Greene, Trey Lott and Brian Skelton all won re-election over challengers, and John Lyda unseated Councilwoman Mari Morrison.

Lott resigned from the council in January 2015 after moving to Alabaster, and the council appointed Rives, who lives on Patton Chapel Road, to fill his seat in February.

Parents in Hoover schools are eagerly awaiting the release of Superintendent Kathy Murphy’s plan to redraw attendance zones — some looking forward to changes and others wary of what might happen.

The rezoning effort — launched publicly by former Hoover Superintendent Andy Craig in the summer of 2014 — got put on hold when Craig left to take a job with the Alabama Department of Education in January 2015.

Murphy, who came on board in June, got fully briefed on the situation but chose to shelve Craig’s rezoning plan and start fresh in developing a new one. She held five community meetings in October and November to explain the need for rezoning, citing a desire to better balance student numbers among facilities and to ensure fairness in where students are assigned.

Murphy said then that every Hoover school could be impacted by the rezoning plan but she first wanted to hear directly from parents about their concerns. Now, she and other district officials are using community feedback and input from the U.S. Department of Justice to develop the new plan.

“We really appreciate your feedback. Your feedback has given us more direction and more focus,” Murphy said. “We realize that change is difficult, and I wish to minimize the impact of rezoning on our students, our parents and our community.”

She expects to have a new plan ready to present to the public by February. It will be shared at a community meeting so the public has an opportunity to provide additional input, she said.

Each school principal also has selected two to three people from their schools, including parents, to provide input to district administrators in a smaller setting, Murphy said.

The superintendent plans to present a rezoning proposal to the school board for approval no later than early March and then will present the plan to the U.S. District Court, which is supposed to review any changes in student attendance zones before they can take effect, in accordance with a decades-old desegregation court case.

Both the Jefferson County Board of Education and Hoover Board of Education are seeking dismissal of the desegregation case but first must prove that the goals of school desegregation have been accomplished.

Justice Department officials want to make sure minority students are treated fairly in how they are assigned to schools. While school officials say they want classrooms to be integrated, they also don’t want to disproportionately impact minority students in a negative way by forcing them to travel longer distances to school just so that racial numbers balance out, Murphy said.

The public still can email feedback about rezoning to rezoning@hoover.k12.al.us.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A9

YEAR IN PREVIEW

Cross-country championships Runners compete in the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships.

Hoover will host this year’s event, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10 and is expected to draw 2,600 to 3,000 athletes and more than 10,000 total attendees, including coaches, families and fans. Photo courtesy of USA Track & Field.

Junior Olympics races return to Veterans Park

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE For the first time in six years, the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships will return to Veterans Park in Hoover.

The event last took place there in 2010. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, and is expected to draw 2,600 to 3,000 athletes and more than 10,000 total attendees, including coaches, families and fans.

While the event is held on Saturday, many of the participants and their families will arrive Thursday and stay through the weekend, bringing an economic boost to the Hoover and Shelby County area.

“When we hosted it in 2010, we had over 250 participants from all 50 states,” said Mary Birdwell, a representative from USATF of Alabama.

“It was very successful. The booster clubs from Spain Park and Hoover High School and a few other schools helped us with so we could have a lot of volunteers. It was a good meet, and we had good publicity for our area. We received a lot of good comments after it was over.”

The championship event rotates around different areas of the country, from the East to the central part of the country to the West. In 1999, it was held in Mobile, and then it came to Shelby County in 2010.

The event is open to any youth ages 7-18, and the runners are divided into five age groups,

including a new age group for those who are 7 or 8. Races range from a 2K for the youngest runners to a 5K for the oldest group.

Registration costs $8, plus $20 for a USATF membership card. The membership card is good for a year and allows participation in the summer race also. Runners can compete as an individual or with a track club.

USATF of Alabama is partnering again with the city of Hoover, Shelby County and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring the national championships back to Hoover. When the announcement came in 2014 that the event would be back at Veterans Park, Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said the city was proud to be chosen as host.

“We look forward to welcoming the participants, staff and fans to the city for this prestigious event that will feature some of the most talented junior athletes in the nation,” Ivey said.

“Our staff will work hard with the local organizing committee to ensure this is a memorable experience for both the athletes and attendees.”

Birdwell said the finishing times for the championship races usually are outstanding. “If they want to run against some good athletes, this is a good meet,” she said.

Along with the national championship, the regional championship for Alabama runners will also take place at Veterans Park on Nov. 19. To keep up with information and registration, visit http://al.usatf.org/.

Hoover Sun

A10 • January 2016

Hoover mayor lauds lifesaving, economic impacts of Brookwood FED

By ERICA TECHO Brookwood Medical Center’s freestanding emergency department is about more than dollars, Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey said.

Ivey addressed a crowd of more than 100 at the Brookwood FED open house Thursday, Nov. 19. He said while the new emergency center will financially benefit the city, it will also help save lives.

“The economic impact’s not as important as the kids that are going to have golf cart wrecks out here, or motorcycle wrecks or the car wrecks,” Ivey said, “the heart attacks, the strokes that all you folks, as I look around, will save lives and keep them as part of our families. And for that I thank you so much.”

Ivey said the city has enjoyed working with Brookwood in the past and hopes the close relationship will continue. While he did not want to belittle the investment Brookwood made to be a part of the city, he said the most important part of the FED is what cannot be boiled down to numbers.

“We’ll never be able to quantify what you guys are going to be able to do for us or the lives that you’re going to save because you can say, well, you know, you’d have saved them if you got them to the other ER room. But that’s not a fact,” Ivey said.

The $19.5 million, 25,000-squarefoot facility has 12 private rooms, two mental health rooms, a trauma room and rooms to handle X-rays,

The official ribbon cutting was held in November, a few weeks before the facility opened. Photo by Erica Techo.

mammograms, gynecology and other services. While the facility aims to have little to no wait for patients, there is also a triage room where a nurse will check patients and prioritize their treatment if all 12 exam rooms fill up.

If a patient needs transport to a hospital, there will be an ambulance on the premises as well as a helicopter, said Brookwood Emergency Administrative Director Conrad Brown.

“Hopefully this will provide streamlined care, ease of access and will help everybody in the community feel safer because they know

they will have access to medical care significantly faster,” said Jim McLester Brookwood Medical Director of the FED. With Brookwood FED’s opening, the city now has an emergency care center on each side, Ivey said. The other center is Medical West, which opened at the corner of I-459 and AL-150 in May. Garry L. Gause, CEO of the Southern Region of Tenant Healthcare and former CEO of Brookwood Medical Center, said opening one of the first FEDs in the state was a large undertaking.

“This was a new animal, and

even though there’s another one that opened a little earlier than us because they didn’t have any opposition to their CON [Certificate of Need], we’re fortunate that we were able to file the first CON in the state for this,” Gause said.

Brookwood faced a delay in opening an FED when it faced opposition from Trinity Medical. The Supreme Court officially cleared Brookwood in that legal battle in October 2013.

“It’s not easy being an innovator, and sometimes on this project it felt a little bit like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the hill only to have it roll

back down to the bottom of the hill,” Gause said. “…But ultimately we were able to get across the finish line and push that rock over the hill.”

Gause added that he is glad Brookwood can offer this additional service within its network. The network grew earlier this year when Brookwood Medical Center merged with Baptist Health Systems.

“This will add to the locations that we’re able to provide within the network, and it’s an important component for us to improve the lives of the people we serve in all of the surrounding communities,” Gause said.

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HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A11

U.S. Steel strikes out second time with apartment plan

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission for the second time has denied a request by U.S. Steel to subdivide 139 acres off Interstate 459 to make way for 820 apartments.

After the planning commission denied the request in October, saying U.S. Steel’s application was lacking information, the company came back for a second try at the commission’s Dec. 14 meeting and struck out again.

Planning commissioners and city engineers once again said U.S. Steel has not submitted plans that are complete enough to meet the city’s standards.

U.S. Steel notes the land— located on the south side of I-459 between Preserve Parkway and the Patton Creek shopping center — is already mostly zoned for apartments.

Brent Hitson, an attorney representing the company, told the planning commission that U.S. Steel could go ahead and develop the property as a single lot with 894 apartments but is willing to work with the city and reduce the number of allowed apartments to 820.

U.S. Steel also could develop the land with a private road but instead is willing to develop it as a public road that eventually could connect with Chapel Lane, as desired by the city, Hitson said.

Representatives for U.S. Steel met with the city engineer’s office on Dec. 11 and thought they had resolved the vast majority of the problems the city engineer’s office had raised, said Melinda Sellers, another attorney for U.S. Steel.

Hitson identified two issues on which the parties disagree.

First, the city has requested that U.S. Steel provide written documentation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that U.S. Steel has received a permit to make adjustments to a stream bed that runs through the property in the

Left: The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission discusses U.S. Steel’s request to subdivide 139 acres off Interstate 459 to make way for 820 apartments during a work session on Dec. 14. Photo by Jon Anderson.

Above: U.S. Steel is seeking to subdivide 139 acres just south of Interstate 459 between Preserve Parkway and the Patton Creek shopping center, outlined here in black, to make way for 820 apartments. Map provided by city of Hoover.

way that U.S. Steel plans to do it.

The entire property is in a highly sensitive environmental area that includes tributaries that feed into Patton Creek and the Cahaba River, both of which are impaired streams, city officials said. Any permit from the Army Corps of Engineers must include information about how these lots, when fully developed, would impact those waterways, city officials said.

An engineer for U.S. Steel has said the company already has a permit to alter the flow of water there but has changed its plans and was waiting to get the land subdivided before it applied for a new permit with the Corps of

Engineers. U.S. Steel contends the city’s subdivision regulations do not require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers in advance.

Second, city engineers say U.S. Steel has provided only conceptual designs for site development and not plans that have been stamped and signed by a professional engineer licensed to do business in Alabama. The city wants more detailed plans, but U.S. Steel contends that such detailed plans are not required just to subdivide the land into three lots and build an access road.

U.S. Steel is not ready to build the apartments yet and is not asking for a building permit yet, Hitson said.

Assistant City Engineer Chris Reeves said U.S. Steel has addressed some of the city’s concerns but not others.

Planning Commission Chairman Mike Wood offered to continue the case another month to give U.S. Steel more time to work out issues with city staff, but U.S. Steel opted to go ahead and seek a decision at the Dec. 14 meeting.

The planning commission voted 6-0-1 to deny the request. Commissioner Scott Underwood abstained, saying he was too close to the case but declining to give specifics when asked.

After the vote, Hitson said he was not sure what U.S. Steel will do next.

A12 • January 2016

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HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A13

Now Open Greystone Family Medicine is now open at 6930 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 102.

783-5207

1

The Mature Man clothing store is now open at 3309 Lorna Road.

582-9355

2

Coming Soon PHO 280 will be opening soon at 5426 Highway 280 in Greystone Terrace. The full-service restaurant serves unique and flavorful Vietnamese cuisine, and it will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

739-2177

3

Relocations and Renovations Lewis Communications, an advertising and public relations firms with nearly 60 employees, has relocated from 600 Corporate Parkway, Suite 200, to 2030 First Ave. N. in Birmingham.

980-0774, lewiscommunications.com

4

4

News and Accomplishments Kelli Gunnells, a Realtor with RealtySouth’s Alford Avenue office, 1220 Alford Ave., has been named the president of the Greater Alabama MLS for 2016.

281-8545, kelligunnells.com

5

Hirings and Promotions LakeCrest Chiropractic & Wellness, 2341 Highway 150, has hired Crystal Riley, licensed massage therapist, to join their practice.

988-9898, lakecrestchiropractic.com

“When it rains, we drain!”

6

Wyatt General Contractor, LLC, 245 Riverchase Parkway East, Suite A, has hired Nick Miele as vice president of operations.

985-0121, gcwyatt.com

7

Anniversaries mc2 realty, 501 Riverchase Parkway East, Suite 200, is celebrating its first anniversary this month.

208-9911, mc2re.com

8

appears on the map to indicate a former location

244-1114 Heavy Runoff ?

Standing Water ?

Erosion Problems?

Storm Drainage Clogged ?

WaterDrainageSolutions.com

Business news

to share?

Now Open Coming Soon

Relocation Expansion Anniversary

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

Sun

Email dan@hooversun.com

A14 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

A family that knows toes

By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE David and Sandra Ford’s partnership — in both marriage and business — has spanned nearly 30 years.

The two first owned a Decatur radio station and later purchased a shoe repair franchise that featured mall-based shops.

“We had many customers come in with things like leg length discrepancies, injuries or other issues,” David said. “It was that experience that really got me interested and prompted me to research into what I could do in that area, but more in depth.”

That research resulted in David pursuing a career as a pedorthist — one who modifies and manufactures footwear and devices to help with conditions of the foot and lower limbs — receiving his certification from Oklahoma State University in 1997.

He worked for Donna Robertson, a University of Alabama athletic trainer and established Birmingham pedorthist. At the same time, David served as clinical pedorthist for Alabama Sports Medicine (now Andrews), working with Auburn University athletics and as a consultant to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and numerous professional and amateur athletes.

When Robertson sold her practice in 2002, David and Sandra, who had received her certification as a fitter of therapeutic shoes, opened The Foot Care Center in Hoover, now known as Ford’s Foot Performance, at 3021 Lorna Road.

While David and Sandra saw patients, their son, Steven, worked part time in the clinic office while in college. In time, he decided to also pursue a career as a certified pedorthist, attending Kennesaw State University. He returned to go to work with his parents and was joined by his sister, Katy Ford Saunders, who, like her mother, was a certified fitter until she left to be a full-time mom. Today, Rachel Behan, Steven’s cousin, works as the lab manager.

“My parents had the business here and a great

David, Steven and Sandra Ford work together treating conditions of the foot at their family owned and operated Hoover business, Ford’s Foot Performance. David and Sandra opened The Foot Care Center in Hoover, now known as Ford’s Foot Performance, in 2002. Photo by Marienne Thomas Ogle.

reputation with area physicians and patients, so I decided it was what I wanted to do,” Steven said.

“It’s great to be able to keep the business in the family and I’m so glad we have.”

According to the Fords, they see patients ranging in age from 8 years to the 90s with ambulatory problems resulting from injury, congenital deformities or overuse.

The Fords said their typical process includes analyzing the client’s gait, making an ink impression of the feet to indicate pressure points and the height of the arches, and creating either foam or plaster models used to create custom devices.

“We don’t sell shoes but, based on the patient’s needs, are able to recommend the type they need and places that will help them find the appropriate shoe,” David said. “Then they bring the shoes back to us, and we make any adjustments needed in-house, including sanding, so the orthotic fit is perfect.”

According to David, about 50 percent of their patients are athletes, but “across the board” the most common condition the Fords encounter is plantar fasciitis, an injury to the ligament in the sole that runs from the heel into the arch.

“This can be caused by the inability of the foot to deal with hard surfaces or in those who wear ill-fitted or broken-down shoes,” David said.

“This can include runners and walkers but also nurses, people who work retail or on a manufacturing plant floor. Most everyone is susceptible.”

According to the Fords, anyone having foot issues can come in for a consultation, but if the result requires a medical device, customers must get a prescription from a physician.

“If our patients want us to, we can refer them to a doctor,” David said. “We work with orthopedic surgeons, physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, pediatricians and many other medical professionals to solve the problems of foot imbalances, foot trauma and genetic foot disorders, and a lot of referrals are not only to help with foot problems but often to help avoid surgery.”

The Fords all agree the best advice for people who want to avoid foot problems is to purchase good, quality shoes and not to use them too long.

“These days, a great many shoe stores are self serve, and people buy shoes because they look good or are on sale and then wear them constantly for extended periods,” Steven said.

“Most shoes are designed to last only six to eight months when worn daily.”

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A15

One Nineteen Health and Wellness center celebrates expansion Hundreds tour new facility set to open in 2016 Above: The Rev. Joseph Culotta from Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church blesses the building and grounds with holy water. Left: The expansion at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness center includes an outpatient surgery center, urgent care center and new physicians’ offices. Photos by Erica Techo

By ERICA TECHO Shelby County residents will have a new option for urgent care and outpatient surgery in January.

The 40,000-square-foot, $15.6 million expansion at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness center on Alabama 119 is set to open in the new year. The expansion, next to Greystone, includes an outpatient surgery center, urgent care center and additional physician offices.

The expansion has been in the plans since One Nineteen was built more than 10 years ago.

St. Vincent’s broke ground on the expansion in October 2014, and a ribbon cutting and blessing was held Dec. 8. Hundreds of people came to tour the new facility.

“Thank you for being here to celebrate this wonderful blessing of our new outpatient surgery center, urgent care and additional professional office building space. This has definitely been a labor of love,” said Stephanie Holderby, executive director of St. Vincent’s One Nineteen.

The expansion includes three operating rooms, two procedure rooms, additional office space, eight exam rooms and additional parking. There is also a fourth operating room already built, and it will be utilized as the facility grows.

Holderby said one goal of the expansion is to adapt to the consistently changing world of health care. St. Vincent’s officials also want to

enhance patient experience.

Neeysa Biddle, senior vice president of St. Vincent’s Health System’s parent company, Ascension Health, and the Birmingham ministry market executive, echoed those thoughts.

“Our goal is to create a true clinically integrated system of care for all of Birmingham’s area that joins together disparate services, aims to keep people healthy and living well, delivers coordinated, personalized care at the right place and at the right time,” Biddle said. “One

KaseyDavis

Den tistry

Nineteen is a great example of this transformational work, especially with the addition of these new services.”

Dr. John Farley, medical director for St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, said he looks forward to providing a nearby option for patients, rather than sending them downtown for procedures.

“I think that the addition of the surgery and services is going to be absolutely huge in this area,” Farley said. “I think you’re really going to like that when you have to have surgery,

not having to drive downtown at four in the morning.”

Throughout the ceremony, speakers mentioned the four Daughters of Charity who founded St. Vincent’s in 1898. The sisters will be memorialized in the Sisters’ Garden, an outdoor sacred space for services, personal prayer and reflection.

“When we first embarked on One Nineteen, we were stepping outside of the typical health care model,” said Nan Priest, vice president of Ascension Health and chief strategy and business development officer. “But like the Daughters of Charity, and all of the St. Vincent’s leaders that have come before us and whose shoulders we stand on today, we knew that adapting and innovating was the only way to truly serve the needs of our patients.”

Following the speakers, the Rev. Joseph Culotta from Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church blessed the building and grounds with holy water. A blessing was also offered for the medical staff who already have been operating there.

A16 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

School House Meet Hoover school system’s ‘man behind the curtain’

By JON ANDERSON On a typical day, the Hoover school system has 18,000 to 20,000 electronic devices tapping into its computer network, and somebody has to make sure the system doesn’t choke under the load.

That somebody is Brian Fancher, the school district’s computer network administrator.

Fancher, a 30-year-old Hoover resident, is sort of “the man behind the curtain,” maintaining, monitoring and upgrading the school system’s technical network equipment and servers.

School officials say he’s a valuable asset and recently chose him as the district’s 2015 Employee of the Year.

“He’s the busiest, nonstop person I know,” said Bryan Phillips, the chief technology officer for Hoover City Schools and Fancher’s supervisor. “With him, it’s 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

When everybody else is gone, he’s there working. He makes everything easy.”

Fancher is an extremely dedicated employee, Phillips said. When the school district’s phone system went down recently, Fancher was on vacation but took three days out of his time off to get the problem resolved, Phillips said.

Fancher’s workday typically starts about 6:30 or 7 a.m., before most school employees arrive. He gets there early to make sure all systems are working properly, he said.

The school district has about 11,000 Chromebooks, 2,000 iPads and 3,500 other electronic devices that are used by students and faculty, Fancher said.

And people bring more laptops, tablets

Brian Fancher, the 2015 Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year, sits at his desk in the information technology department at the former Berry High School campus on Columbiana Road, where he monitors the school system’s computer networks. Photo by Jon Anderson.

and phones with them to school. High school students on average have 2.5 electronic devices that tap into the school’s networks, he said.

While the typical day accommodates 18,000 to 20,000 devices, peak traffic can rise to 28,000 devices on some days, Fancher said.

That’s a whole lot different than years ago, when students weren’t allowed to even have phones at school, he said.

“It’s a fun challenge,” Fancher said.

“There’s always something going on,

and with us pushing the education technology envelope, there’s always something to keep me on my toes.”

Fancher said he’s always been interested in computers. When he was in middle school, he saved money from a summer job to buy his first computer, he said. Then in high school, he started building computers.

He graduated from Hoover High in 2003 and went on to get a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He worked in information technology for UPS while he was in college and a little bit after he graduated and then spent a couple of years working for Byte Size Computers in Homewood.

Fancher began working with Hoover City Schools in 2008. He started as a computer technician at Deer Valley, South Shades Crest and Trace Crossings elementary schools for three years and then spent a year at Bumpus Middle School and the Hoover High Freshman Center and another year at

the main Hoover High campus.

He was promoted to senior technician to oversee the beginning of the school system’s Engaged Learning Initiative, which involved issuing computers to every student in grades 3-12, and stayed in that job about nine months. He was promoted again to network administrator and has held that role for about 2 ½ years, he said.

He loves his career field, which he said is never boring because technology is always changing, and he likes interacting with teachers and students.

“After being in education, I don’t think I would want to go back to the corporate world,” he said.

In his spare time, Fancher enjoys caving, rappelling, skydiving and “Tough Mudder” competitions. Those hobbies don’t fit the stereotype for computer guys, but most of the guys on the technology team don’t fit that mold, he said.

“I like being outdoors,” Fancher said.

“It’s fun to kind of physically challenge yourself to get through some of those things. You sit behind a computer so long, you kind of want to get outside.”

Plus, in the caves, there is no wireless availability, he said. “You’re completely disconnected.”

Other finalists for the 2015 Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year were: ►► Brandi Marcrum, a physical education aide at Deer Valley Elementary School ►► Margaret Pruitt, a custodian at Gwin Elementary School ►► Lisa Yancey, the district’s student services office manager

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A17

Spain Park science teachers chosen for national conference Spain Park High School science teachers selected to be presenters at the 2016 National Science Teachers Association national conference are, from left, Amber Lewis, Kristie Cannon, Kristin Bundren, Pamela Harman, Jeff Johnson, Emily Dunn and Jean Gillespie.

Photo by Jon Anderson.

By JON ANDERSON Spain Park High School will be well represented at the 2016 National Science Teacher Association’s national conference this spring.

Seven members of the science faculty at Spain Park were selected to be presenters at the conference, set for the week of spring break, March 31-April 3, in Nashville.

Teachers had to apply to be presenters, and Spain Park Principal Larry Giangrosso said he’s excited so many from his school were chosen.

“This is big for us,” Giangrosso said.

Teachers chosen to make presentations were Kristin Bundren, Kristie Cannon, Emily Dunn, Jean Gillespie, Pamela Harman, Jeff Johnson and Amber Lewis.

Topics they’ll be covering include digitally enhanced lessons, how to use digital tools and devices to assess student learning, how to start a forensics program, budget-friendly forensics activities and labs, and hands-on science and engineering labs.

“I feel like we have so much to offer,” said Amber Lewis, one of two heads of the science department at Spain Park. “We do a lot of really innovative things here. It seems a little unfair not to share. We have a lot of

smart, motivated teachers.”

Teachers grow through collaboration, and “this gives us a chance to expand our collaboration outside of the school,” Lewis said.

Spain Park had four or five teachers

chosen to present at the national science teachers’ conference in Boston in 2008, but more teachers were selected to present this year than ever before, Bundren said.

Eleven of the 17 science faculty

members at Spain Park are planning to attend the conference this year, at an expected cost of $10,981, including conference registration, hotel, food and travel costs.

The Hoover City Schools

Foundation contributed $1,000 toward the trip, as did the Hoover-based Legendary Shots trick basketball shot group. Science faculty members continue to look for other sponsorship help.

A18 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

Hoover High students work on APTV show Director of the Rosa Parks Museum, Dr. Felicia Bell, gives a tour to student reporters, from left, Rushton Davis, Micah Briggs, Caleb Townes and Caitlyn McTier. Photo courtesy of APTV.

By ERICA TECHO Two Hoover High School students recently worked on an episode of Project C for Alabama Public Television.

Project C is a series of electronic field trips throughout the 50th anniversary years of the Civil Rights Movement.

The episodes focus on citizenship in a democracy and study historical events.

This episode, which focuses on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, aired on Dec. 1. Seniors Micah Briggs and Caleb Townes worked on the episode along with Rushton Davis, a senior at Auburn High School, and Caitlyn McTier, a junior at Sylacauga High School.

Briggs is a member of the International Baccalaureate program, serves as an ambassador for HHS and is a legacy student and docent at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Briggs has been a member of P.E.A.C.E. Birmingham for four years and serves on the AIDS

Alabama Youth Council. She also participates in demonstrations and rallies for equality, encouraging others to participate as well. This was Briggs’ second year as a student journalist for Project C. Townes is a second year ambassador for HHS, president of National Honor Society and treasurer for Mu Alpha

Theta. He has finished top five in the state for the Health Occupations Students of America and has been part of the Health Science Academy for four years. Townes is also a student minister for third through sixth graders at Faith Chapel Christian Center.

Students visit Governor’s Mansion

Students participate in festival’s Planet Project

Riverchase Day School Kindergarten classes attended the Annual Turkey pardoning at the Governor's Mansion, Tuesday, Nov. 17. The children, along with their teachers, presented Governor Bentley with a handmade quilt that will be given to a homeless shelter. Each kindergarten student drew and colored a picture that was incorporated into the quilt. Photos courtesy of Sarah Patrick.

Deer Valley Elementary Enrichment teachers Sami Funkhauser and Thom Leinheiser helped students participate in this year's Planet Project at the Moss Rock Festival. Third graders collected recycled materials which they then turned into life-sized sea turtles.

The theme this year was endangered animals, and the project challenges students to create their art exclusively out of recycled materials. The project served as an extension to third grade's on-going project based learning study of the life cycle of sea turtles. - Submitted by Christina Collier.

Students participated in the Planet Project at this year’s Moss Rock Festival. Photo courtesy of Christina Collier.

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HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A19

Walt Stricklin sits in a booth at the Moss Rock Festival. Stricklin said the Moss Rock Preserve is one of his favorite places to shoot. Photos courtesy of Walt Stricklin.

Rambling with a camera Hoover photographer Walt Stricklin captures ‘scapes’ in unique ways

W

By RACHEL BURCHFIELD alt Stricklin calls it his “back road rambling.”

The Hoover photographer will take the interstate on the way to his destination and two-lane roads home.

Anytime he sees a church sign, he’ll investigate. The product of the ramblings? Photos of country churches in 3D, laid out on multiple panels.

Several different photos are laid out on panels to create one larger, remarkable image in 3D that jumps out of the frame.

“This is how I see it in my head,” he said.

Stricklin is currently working on a project photographing churches. His roots in the church run deep: his father was a country preacher, and Stricklin grew up opening the doors of the church where his father preached. He attended Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga but didn’t get his degree.

“I had all I could stand of the two-facedness about being Christian,” Stricklin said.

He and his father were good friends until he quit going to church, he said.

“We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot, including religion,” Stricklin said.

Despite that, Stricklin’s photographic eye still admires the architecture and simplicity of country churches. Stricklin’s projects run aplenty, and his work was featured at the Moss Rock Festival in November.

“The festival came to my attention because of what I was doing at Moss Rock,” Stricklin said. Once a week for an entire year – and yes, Stricklin made it all 52 weeks – he would take

photos at Moss Rock.

“I wanted to see the seasons, and see the changes,” he said.

It was his first big, cohesive project with “scapes” – what he calls his particular brand of photography that captures land, cities, and people.

“It gave me a chance to watch a wonderfully quiet place in a city,” Stricklin said. “My favorite time was as close to sunrise as I could get my butt out of bed.”

Stricklin shot photos of boulders at Moss Rock through the four seasons, and one in particular, named Ozzy, was his focus. The photos of Ozzy became the work “Ozzy Through Seasons.”

Stricklin found photography when he enrolled at Tennessee Temple University on the GI Bill. He had a full ride for 16 hours, but was only registered for 12.

“I was looking for a course with four hours, something that I would enjoy,” he said.

He enrolled in a photo course so that he would get to use a camera.

“It changed my life,” Stricklin said.

“I learned the magic of photography – wet trays, the magic of watching film come up in the darkroom.”

Thanks to his four years of service, Stricklin was already 22 or 23, he said, when he started college. His professor connected him with a job at the afternoon paper in Chattanooga for someone to process and print film.

“They knew nothing about journalism, much less photojournalism, but it was a foot in the door,” Stricklin said.

He stayed there for five years before applying at a paper in Jacksonville, Florida. When he called

See STRICKLIN | page A20

A Cahaba lily is the subject of one of Walt Stricklin’s “scapes.”

Stricklin once spent a year shooting weekly photos of Moss Rock Preserve, especially a boulder named Ozzy.

A20 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

David Hockney’s work ― specifically “Pearblossom Highway” ― inspired Stricklin to build photos out of individual images. He shot photos and made them overlap.

STRICKLIN

CONTINUED from page A19 about the job, they said they thought they’d already filled the position, but Stricklin was persistent.

“I said, ‘Don’t fill it until you see my portfolio,’” he said.

He got the job – and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize during his years there, in 1982.

He and writer Phil Kloer delved into participatory journalism and

became hospice volunteers helping the Jaquette family, whose patriarch, Jack, was dying from prostate cancer.

“We took the training, all three weeks,” Stricklin said.

Stricklin’s responsibilities as a hospice volunteer included helping

the Jaquette family in various ways — “If mom needs to shop and needs someone to watch the kids, I watch the kids,” he said – and the family agreed to let him into their fold.

Jaquette was paralyzed from the

waist down and initially skeptical of Kloer and Stricklin.

“Jack looked at me and said, ‘So you’re the vultures that are going to watch me die,’” Stricklin said. His response? “I’m going to watch you die whether I take photos or not.”

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A21

Walt Stricklin’s photo subjects are often found during everyday driving. He layers multiple photos to create a composite image. Photos courtesy of Walt Stricklin.

After that, Stricklin and Jaquette became close.

“I was never asked to not shoot a photo,” he said.

At Jaquette’s funeral, Stricklin was in the back shooting general shots.

A lady told him what he was doing was “so disrespectful,” and Jaquette’s widow, Belle, left the front pew of the church and pulled Stricklin up to sit with the family.

“She said, ‘Shoot whatever you want,’” Stricklin said.

It earned him a spot as a finalist for the Pulitzer – but “the Pulitzer was never my goal,” he said.

His career took him to Providence,

Rhode Island, Atlanta, and back to Chattanooga before he landed in Birmingham in 1998 as the director of photography for the Birmingham News. He stayed there until 2012.

In 2008, Stricklin said he saw the possibility of the demise of the news industry and he wanted a backup plan. Inspired by the work of David Hockney, Stricklin began focusing on still photography. Hockney’s work — specifically “Pearblossom Highway” — inspired Stricklin to build photos out of individual images. He shot photos and made them overlap.

“It’s more than point and push, it’s

more than finding great light,” Stricklin said. “It’s more than a single image — it’s looking wide.”

Stricklin also builds his frames.

“I consider the frames a part of the artwork,” he said. “Frames give feeling, and they amplify the image of the photo.”

Stricklin shoots the gamut, from people to environment to weddings.

He said he doesn’t have a favorite genre to shoot and that he doesn’t choose his subjects.

“They choose me,” he said. “I drive around looking, actively searching, actively thinking ‘how can I make this into a scape?’”

“

It’s more than point and push; it’s more than finding g eat light. It’s more than a single image — it’s looking wide.

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A22 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

Blaine’s breakfast club A Hoover teen’s family and friends come together to remember and honor him through his interests

By GRACE THORNTON Blaine Marcrum was always a little bit out of his time. But people loved him for it.

“He was the kind of kid that everything he was interested in was over our heads,” said Senna House, one of Blaine’s classmates and closest friends. “He loved old ’80s movies, ’80s music and dressed like he was from the ’80s.”

And his favorite film was the coming-of-age classic The Breakfast Club, a movie about a group of teens who were different but, by the end, came to respect each other.

“The day Blaine passed away, he was over at my house and we were talking about how they were releasing the movie again in theaters,” House said.

That day — Feb. 15, 2015, the day the Hoover High School freshman suddenly died at home— was the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.

The day after, when Senna and others went over to the Marcrum house, the family had the movie playing.

It’s something that’s stuck with Senna — and a lot of other people.

“We kind of think that the movie has a lot to do with what’s going on right now in our lives — all the different groups and cliques coming together, just like in the movie,” she said. “That’s been his legacy — he’s brought our class a lot closer.”

He did it when he was alive, she said.

“I can’t find the words to explain Blaine and how amazing he was. He was committed to Christ, and he loved everyone unconditionally.

Blaine Marcrum, far right, with his father Brent, mother Brandi and sister Braegan at Christmas. Blaine passed away unexpectedly in February. Photo courtesy of Brandi Marcrum.

He was kind to everyone and funny,” Senna said.

Blaine’s mom, Brandi Marcrum, agreed.

“Friendship was big, big to him,” she said.

“Whether it was someone he grew up with or someone he just met, if you were around and

wanted to be around him, then he wanted to be around you.”

And Blaine loved making people laugh, Marcrum said. She’d noticed he spent time looking up jokes on the Internet and writing them down,

but she didn’t know why until one of his friends told her later.

“He always had jokes ready so that he could lighten the mood if anyone was arguing,” Marcrum said. “He was always kind, and he didn’t

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A23 Blaine gathered with friends to celebrate when Alabama won the 2013 BCS national championship game. Photo courtesy of Brandi Marcrum.

like to see conflict. He kept you entertained. And he was accepting of everyone.”

Senna said Blaine is impacting people after his death in much the same way. To remember him, friends started Blaine’s Breakfast Club, a group that meets regularly to do the things Blaine loved to do, like watch old movies.

“It was originally designed as a way to keep Blaine’s mom in the loop so she didn’t feel distant from Blaine’s friends,” Senna said. “But doing all the things that he loved … so many people were coming to find refuge in it. And it turned into something so much greater than anyone could’ve imagined.”

It started with a handful of friends and a

Facebook page, doing things like going to see the movie “Woodlawn,” which Blaine had planned to see when it came out.

And the more the breakfast club met, the more people came.

“He wasn’t an athlete, and he wasn’t a standout student by any means,” Marcrum said. “But after he passed, people I have never even met have told me what Blaine meant to them.”

She recalls one message she received through Blaine’s Facebook page from a schoolmate that said, “You were nice to me even when I wasn’t nice to you.”

That was Blaine, she said. And because of that, people often show up to the breakfast club

who she has never met.

“It’s been very humbling,” Marcrum said.

She doesn’t want it to stop there.

“We’re wanting to do things now that are going to have meaning, something that can keep having an impact on people’s lives, like volunteering somewhere and helping out in the community,” Marcrum said. “We want to start putting something to it that’s fun but still honors the things that he likes.”

The group is planning to donate toys to Toys for Tots at Christmas, Blaine’s favorite holiday, she said.

The breakfast club has been an important agent of healing for Marcrum, her husband Brent

and daughter Braegan, who is two years younger than Blaine.

It has been for Senna and the rest of Blaine’s friends, too.

“It’s been part of our healing process,” said Senna, who says Blaine was like her brother. “At first it was like just this huge hole in everybody’s lives. There was no light. We all wondered why would this happen.”

But now, seven months later, there’s more light, more unity and for some, new faith.

“His legacy is huge — he’s affected so many people’s lives. So many people have found Christ,” Senna said. “It’s changed me for the better and changed us for the better.”

A24 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

AN ELF FOR THE

EARTH Bluff Park resident saving planet, a trip to grocery store at a time

By JON ANDERSON Woodie Comer is no celebrity, but it’s not unusual for people to take pictures of him when he’s riding around town.

It’s not the 71-year-old Bluff Park man that’s the focus of their cameras. It’s his vehicle.

The retired pharmacy technician frequently can be seen riding around Bluff Park — and sometimes other parts of Hoover — in an egg-shaped, wasabi green vehicle with three wheels — two in the front and one in the back.

The vehicle, called an Elf, looks a bit like a small car, but it’s legally a three-wheeled bicycle.

It’s powered in multiple ways: good old-fashioned foot pedaling and a battery that can be charged with the roof solar panel or by an electrical outlet. Riders also can use either source or a combination of pedaling and battery power.

The Elf, manufactured by a company in Durham, North Carolina, called Organic Transit, can go about 17 miles before it needs to recharge if only using the battery. Riders who supplement the battery power with pedaling can extend their trip to about 25 miles before the battery needs recharging.

Of course, you can pedal it as far as you can go, but it weighs about 160 pounds, and it helps to have the battery power when going uphill.

Comer first found out about the Elf in June 2014 when he saw a Vestavia Hills man, Marty Robinowich, riding one at the Publix off U.S. 31 in Hoover.

He was intrigued, so the next month he met Robinowich for a test drive and decided to get one himself.

Comer found a couple in Guntersville who had bought two of the vehicles. The couple are in their 80s, and the Elf was too much for the husband, so they wanted to sell one, Comer said.

The base price for an Elf is $5,495, but with extras, a typical new one costs $7,000 to $9,000, Robinowich said. Comer said he was able to get his used one for $4,000.

He’s had it since August 2014 and thoroughly enjoys it, he said.

“It’s fun to drive,” he said. “It’s an interesting little gadget. I think it’s very practical … I try to get it out at least once a week.”

He frequently rides his to the Piggy Wiggly and other stores at Shades Mountain Plaza but doesn’t take it out on the main roads, he said.

People often take pictures of it, and some people have followed him home to ask questions about it, Comer said. But he still can’t get his wife, Peggy, interested in riding it.

He likes the exercise and the fact that he doesn’t have to buy gas for it, he said.

Robinowich, a 64-year-old retired telecom engineer and financial adviser, has always been an avid cyclist and competed in bike races in the 1960s and ’70s. Years ago, he rode his bicycle to work at BellSouth on U.S. 280 until he got run off Dolly Ridge Road in 2005 and decided it was too dangerous.

As an engineer, he had been tinkering with the idea of something like the Elf for more than two decades, but “my design wasn’t very practical,” he said. “It would not have worked.”

Then his wife found the Elf on the Internet and showed it to him. They drove to the Elf factory in North Carolina.

“I tested it and said I had to have one,” he said.

It was delivered to Vestavia Hills in February 2014. He’s had it for nearly two years now and has put more than 5,000 miles on it, he said.

When he retired at the end of 2014, he was riding the Elf to his financial advising job at the Colonnade. It was an 8-mile trip from his home in Derby

Woodie Comer tries to ride his Elf at least once a week. Photos by Jon Anderson.

Woodie Comer, 71, takes his Elf for a spin on his street in the Bluff Park neighborhood in Hoover.

Downs, using the back roads, he said.

He’d pack his tie, work shirt and dress shoes in the Elf’s trunk, change clothes when he got to work and change again before riding home, he said.

The roof protects you from the sun and keeps most rain out as long as the wind is not blowing too much, Robinowich said.

Now that he’s retired, Robinowich uses the Elf to run errands and do most all of his grocery shopping, he said. “It’s got a huge trunk in the back,” he said. He also rides it to an American Red Cross office on Caldwell Mill Road to donate platelets on Saturdays, he said.

Organic Transit advertises that the Elf has a top speed of 30 mph, which means it can’t be driven on interstates. However, Robinowich said he’s gotten his up to 45 mph on Columbiana Road.

“I go really, really fast going downhill because I like it,” he said. “I take the Elf to the absolute limit … I really ride this thing hard.”

The Elf has brake lights, turn signals and headlights, but it doesn’t require a car tag, insurance or license because it’s legally a bicycle, Robinowich said. Hoover police at one point told him he needed a vehicle tag, but when he went to get one, the people at the tag office said he didn’t need one because the Elf doesn’t come with a vehicle identification number, he said.

As an engineer, Robinowich is always tinkering with his Elf. He retrofitted it with front suspension, put a new seat in that’s easier to adjust, put in a more efficient solar panel and a quieter and faster motor, and installed a meter that tells him how much charge is left in the battery.

“Retired engineers have to amuse

themselves,” he said.

People are very curious about the Elf when Comer or Robinowich are out driving it, they said. They’ll take pictures and ask a lot of questions about it because most people have never seen one.

Organic Transit has sold more than 500 Elfs, but Robinowich is only aware of six in Alabama, including the ones owned by him and Comer. There also is one in Guntersville, one in Montgomery, one in Mobile and one in Irondale, he said.

Robinowich said he likes the exercise aspect of having an Elf. He has lost 40 pounds since he started riding it, he said. But he’s also an environmentalist.

“I just think it’s great for the environment,” he said. “It’s called saving the planet.”

For more information about the Elf, go to organictransit.com.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A25

Community HHS junior completes FBI Youth Leadership Program Jonathan “Oakley” Prell, a junior at Hoover High School, completed an FBI National Academy Associate Youth Leadership Program this summer. Prell is the son of Jonathan and Tammy Prell.

The program is sponsored by the professional association of graduates of the FBI National Academy for state and local law enforcement officials, a non-government association. Prell was this year’s Alabama Chapter representative and was selected as the class spokesperson for the 2015 YLP graduation ceremony.

To apply for the program, students must demonstrate leadership and character and submit an essay, pass an oral interview and have above average grades.

This year there were 53 students from domestic chapters, three from international chapters and three from the sister organization. Participants take classes in goal setting, leadership qualities, religion, culture and comparative ideology, ethical decision making, integrity,

Sophomore becomes Eagle Scout

Jonathan “Oakley” Prell at the FBI National Academy Associate Youth Leadership Program this summer. Photo courtesy of Tammy Prell.

accountability, situational leadership, juvenile justice, law and other subjects. They are also able to tour the FBI facilities and Washington D.C. - Submitted by Tammy Prell.

Bennett Clarke recently received his Eagle Scout ranking. Photo courtesy of Michael J. Holt.

Hoover High School sophomore Bennett Clarke recently received the highest achievement awarded by the Boy Scouts of America. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout on Aug. 13, and a Court of Honor was held in recognition of his accomplishments on Oct. 11.

Clarke is a member of Troop 23 in Hoover. He is also part of the 6 percent of Scouts who eventually attain the rank of Eagle Scout, according to Scoutmaster Ted Moyer.

To attain the Eagle Scout ranking, Clarke had to earn 21 merit badges, serve in a position of leadership, and plan, organize and manage others in a service project. Clarke surpassed some of these requirements, earning 42 merit badges, completing National Youth Leadership Training and serving as senior patrol leader, historian and patrol leader.

Clarke’s service project included the installation of a 20-foot flagpole and dusk-to-dawn lighting at the entrance of Discovery United Methodist Church. He also built a new outdoor wooden cross for the church.

Clarke is the son of Hoover residents Harry and Ann Clarke. He is a member of Riverchase United Methodist Church and is in the percussion section, marches in the drumline and plays lacross for Hoover High School. - Submitted by Michael J. Holt

Poinsettia Debutantes prepare for annual ball Poinsettia Debutantes and their fathers are preparing for the 48th annual Poinsettia Debutante Ball.

The debutantes will be presented at the ball on Dec. 29, and the 10 Poinsettia Debutantes began waltz lessons at a party on Nov. 22.

Tammy Towns, owner of Jackie O’Neal Dance Studio in Vestavia Hills, guided the debs and their fathers.

Guests received monogrammed

commemorative plates and a ball gown cookie.

Debutantes from Hoover include Susanna Bagwell, escorted by her father Terry Bagwell; Paige Burleson, escorted by her father Jeffrey Burleson; Katherine Brightbill, escorted by her father Todd Brightbill and Mary Katherine Manakides, escorted by her father Nikolaos Manakides.

The party was hosted by Donna Bagwell, Joanna Burleson, Stacy Hall, Debra Pounds and Mary Margaret Yeilding.

Poinsettia Debutantes and their fathers. Photo courtesy of Debra Pounds.

A26 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

Sports

SPAIN PARK 2015 SEASON REVIEW: Hefty investment yields strong return

By SAM CHANDLER

A

Spain Park junior running back Larry Wooden runs for a first down in the 7A title game against McGillToolen at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Photo by Frank Couch.

fter going 3-4 in Class 7A, Region 3 play and missing the postseason just one year ago, the Spain Park football team constructed a season to remember in 2015.

On their way to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 7A championship game, the Jags strung together a school-record 12-game winning streak, clinched the region title with an undefeated region record and toppled archrival Hoover High — twice.

“If you look at all the stuff that went right for us this year, I mean, I’m sitting there thinking, it could be three or five or 10 years before this happens again for us,” said Spain Park coach Shawn Raney, who just concluded his third season as head coach with a heartbreaking loss to McGillToolen in the state final.

What was the key to such an unprecedented turnaround and improbable run to the state championship game? Everybody bought in.

“I put a deal up on the big screen early this summer, and I said we’re only going to be a good football team if it hurts you to let your teammate or your coach, if it hurts you to let them down,” Raney said. “For the first time since I’ve been here, I thought we got to that point. Our kids didn’t want to let their teammates down, didn’t want to let their coaches down, and whenever you get that, you’ve got something.”

Achieving such a collective sense of investment is, as Raney discovered in his first two seasons at Spain Park, much easier said than done. Due to his conservative style of play, which emphasizes a relentless commitment to the ground game and requires a near-impenetrable defense, Raney’s roster necessitates a certain type of player in order for his team to reach its full potential. Little room exists for blue-chip superstars and self-centered divas. A successful Raney-coached team must consist of driven, selfless individuals who value collective success over personal glory.

Scan the 2015 Spain Park roster, and you’ll find an abundance of that prototype.

“I felt like we have a lot more cohesion between everyone on the team, and I just feel that everyone did their job the way it was supposed to be done,” senior center Grey Best said. “I feel like there was no star athlete who just did his own thing, compared to like last year, when we had a couple of those guys. But this year everyone played as a team, and everyone executed as a team. Everyone went out there as one.”

But, as anybody involved with the Spain Park program can attest, the transformation did not happen overnight.

Beginning last November, one week after the Jags’ season came to a premature end following the regular season finale, the process of evolving into a new team commenced. Signaled by the

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A27

Spain Park’s Thomas Jordan tries to keep a punt out of the end zone in the first half of the 7A title game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, Dec. 2. Photo by Ted Melton.

departure of the 2015 senior class, a new group of leaders, the Class of 2016, began to emerge, ready to take charge and change the program’s culture.

“I feel like the seniors this offseason really, really pushed everyone to the limit — not only their selves, but everyone else around them in a way where everyone knew we had a chance to make the dream work because the team was working,” Best said.

Energized by a unifying offseason, Spain Park entered 2015 led by a group of veterans determined to elude the same disheartening fate experienced one year before. Unlike the previous senior class, this team would not allow its season to end shy of a postseason berth.

“It was definitely one of those things where like, you saw how it went down last year, and you didn’t want that same feeling,” senior defensive back Bryan Sanderson said. “You see them not even make the playoffs, and you just know that’s not how you want to go out.”

Not even an adrenaline-pumping, season-opening loss in triple overtime changed that.

While other teams would have undoubtedly wilted after the deflating loss to Class 6A Austin High School, the Jags viewed the defeat from a positive perspective, using it as an opportunity for an early-season self-evaluation.

“After the Austin game, we especially bought in because we knew we were better than how we played that night,” Sanderson said. “At that point, we knew we weren’t just going to go out and beat teams. We had to go out and play together and do everything we were supposed to do to win a game.”

Immediately, the effect was evident. After rebounding the following week with a dominant 31-0 blanking of Hueytown, the Jags relied on one another as they grinded through the treacherous, seven-game gauntlet better known as region play.

But, as a testament to the team’s resilient composition, when the going got tough, the tough got going.

Spain Park never folded down the daunting stretch, as player after player stepped up when it mattered most. Whether it was splitting the

uprights with a game-winning field goal or coming up with a vital stop on fourth down, the Jags banded together like never before, refusing to let one another down.

“They continued to believe no matter what was going on, you know, on the field whether we’re ahead, behind,” Raney said. “They just continued to play and do what they were coached to do.”

That trend continued throughout the postseason as well, with Spain Park mounting a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks in both the state quarterfinals and semifinals. No matter the opponent, the Jags established themselves as a team that played all 48 minutes.

“We’re not going to finish until the clock strikes three zeroes across the board,” senior fullback DeAndre Thompkins said.

And they didn’t, not even in the state final with their backs against the wall. Trailing by two scores with less than six minutes to play, Spain Park kept fighting and trimmed the deficit to two points before falling just shy in the closing ticks.

Despite the stinging defeat, the Jags’ 2015 team still surpassed expectations, providing a foundation to build upon and a benchmark for which to aim.

“I feel like we really set the bar, like the standard, for what a Spain Park team should be, especially with how blessed we are with the facilities we have, with the program we have, with how big our school is in general and the population of students,” Best said, “and I feel like this year we really changed the name of the ‘SP’ on our helmets.”

Plus, thanks to the team-wide adoption of unselfish attitudes, a culture (and status) change has been sparked at the Park.

Rather than annually assuming the role of Hoover’s little brother and perennially settling for second place, the vibe emitted from Spain Park’s Columbia blue-coated hallways communicates the notion of a program on the rise, the framework for years of future success already constructed.

“I think if we can keep this going here, with the consistency and the buy-in by the kids, I think it will do nothing but get better,” Raney said.

A28 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

Strickland shoots for strong season

By STEVE IRVINE

Senior Andrew Strickland recovered from a sophomore year injury on the court to become an integral part of the Hoover High basketball team. Photo by Barry Stephenson.

The defining moment of Andrew Strickland’s time on the Hoover High basketball team could have come early during his sophomore season. However, through sheer determination and a good dose of guts, Strickland, who is now a senior, made sure that a nasty fall he took during a Big Orange Classic game at Hoover High wasn’t his final high school basketball memory.

It was merely part of a high school basketball journey that has been highlighted, thus far, by a Class 7A state championship that Strickland and his teammates won last February.

“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever coached,” said Hoover High head coach Charles Burkett. “He’s going to battle you tooth and nail the whole way. It fits his character. We can always rely on him to be 100 percent. He plays the game with such intensity. For him to come back and do the same thing, speaks volumes about who he is.”

Don’t expect Strickland to give a first person account of the play that took away most of his first varsity season.

“Honestly, I don’t remember it at all,” Strickland said. “One minute I was playing basketball and the next minute I was waking up in the hospital. I honestly had no idea what happened. I didn’t know what day it was.

It was the day after Christmas and I didn’t even know that.”

Burkett doesn’t remember the opponent — it was Leeds — or that it was a first round game in the Bucs’ annual tournament. But he remembers all the details of the play that occurred in December of 2013. He remembers Strickland, a sophomore starter, leaping to block a shot and getting clipped at the top of his jump. He remembers the fall and vicious landing. He remembers a silent gym and a pool of blood quickly forming under an unconscious Strickland’s head.

Most of all, he remembers the fear.

“It was just the grace of God that he didn’t break his neck,” Burkett said. “Just for him to even get back healthy again were our thoughts. Basketball wasn’t even an option at that point.”

It took eight stitches to close the gash in the back of Strickland’s head, but the biggest medical concern was the serious concussion he suffered. He estimates he missed a couple of weeks of school and didn’t return to the basketball court until just before the playoffs.

Bright lights and loud noise bothered him for a couple of months. Headaches were a consistent companion.

“It was kind of tough because all I could do is sit there,” said Strickland, who pieced together what happened by watching the play on video.

Eventually, he got back on the court and, for the most part, got back to normal. However, admittedly there was a twinge of apprehension.

“On that play, I was blocking a shot, so I’ve kind of been a little more hesitant when I go up to block a shot,” Strickland said. “It did kind of take a toll on that.”

What it didn’t do, though, was change the way he plays the game. Floor burns are part of his plan.

Battling under the boards is one of the best things he does on the basketball floor. Backing down is not an option.

“Andrew is that player who every coach loves to have,” Burkett said. “He’s like that glue guy. He’s rarely going to lead us in scoring but he’s going to rebound the ball. The things he does don’t always show up in the stat sheet but it gives you an opportunity to win.”

Last season, he was an integral part of a Hoover team that was the first boys’ basketball state champion in school history. It was the highlight — at least thus far — of his high school basketball experience.

“I think about what if I stopped playing because of (the injury),” Strickland said. “I was blessed to play the game and be part of the state championship team.

It meant everything. We were actually the first 7A state champions. A lot of work went into it and it paid off.”

He’s busy now trying to finish his senior season in style — perhaps with another state championship ring.

When the season is done, so is his basketball career.

“I take pride in what I do, and basketball is one of those things,” Strickland said. “If I’m playing, I’m going to play hard. I don’t think I want to play at the next level. Right now, I’m just trying to end this year off strong.”

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • A29

The HHS wrestling team celebrates their win at the Catholic High Duals in December. Photo courtesy of Jacob Gaydosh.

Bucs, Jags confide t going into start of wrestling teams’ season

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Hoover and Spain Park’s wrestling teams have begun their winter season, and both teams’ coaches are confident that they’ll be bringing home some trophies.

HHS coach Jacob Gaydosh said the Bucs are led by three seniors: Bret Winters, Jarrett Anthony and Gavin Jackson. Winters is a returning All-American and placed second in the state last year. Patterson Huff and Gage Camp are both juniors who each earned third place last year.

“For the first time in at least the last five years, we have some depth at some weights and our roster has increased to a little over 40 guys,” Gaydosh said.

The team’s first meet, the Catholic High Duals, was on Dec. 4 and 5 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The team went 5-0 and Winters, Anthony, Huff and Camp all went undefeated that weekend.

“We have high hopes for this year and the future. We feel like we have been building toward these few years for a while and hope to

be successful for some time to come,” Gaydosh said.

Meanwhile, Spain Park is developing a young team. All of its state qualifying wrestlers from 2014-2015 graduated and upperclassmen Manny Allan tore his ACL and will be unable to compete, leaving a team of freshmen and sophomores.

“This doesn’t mean that our wrestlers lack experience. None of these wrestlers are first year wrestlers. All of them have had prior experience.

We have a class of young wrestlers who have a very good work ethic and potential,” SPHS coach Ryan Thompson said.

Freshman Jack Rivers was tournament champion at the Huntsville Invitational in December, and freshman Cameron Perry was the champion of the 7th-9th grade tournament. Freshman Jake Harrison placed fourth in the same tournament.

Thompson described this as a rebuilding year for the SPHS team and said he is excited about the number of wrestlers coming from the middle school this year.

Freshmen and sophomores make up this year’s SPHS team. Photo courtesy of Jim Pressler.

Pictured front row, from left: Emerson Milligan, Will Holden, Harrison Whisenant, Ethan LeCali, AJ Kelley, Xander McClure and Drew Franklin. (Back row) Coaches Adam Kelley, Brad Whisenant, Kevin Holden and Jason Milligan. Photo courtesy Adam Kelley.

3rd-grade Raiders take home flag ootball championship The third grade Raiders recently won the Hoover Parks and Recreation flag football championship. The Raiders were 8-0 in the season and also won the league’s tournament, defeating the third grade Packers in the finals. The score in the final game was 27-14.

- Submitted by Adam Kelley

Hoover Sun

A30 • January 2016

SPEAKING UP

Community efforts increase to discuss addition, heroin epidemic

By ERICA TECHO Drug addiction and heroin use are not problems that are going away.

And although the number of heroin overdoses in Hoover has increased over the years, community members are working to ensure the conversation grows as well.

“This is not going away. The heroin epidemic is not going to get better next month; it’s not going to get better next year,” Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said. “So the more we talk about it, the more attention we give it, I think that’s a plus.”

In 2013, the Hoover Coalition Promoting a Safe and Healthy Community stopped receiving federal Drug-Free Communities grant money. And once that money ran out, conversations started to run out as well.

“There were a couple of years where we didn’t do much, and I’ve had a heart for this issue for a long time, as a student minister and as a person who has seen addiction in my family,” said Denis Tanner, minister for students and adults at Shades Crest Baptist Church.

After seeing the efforts of communities in the Birmingham metro area, Tanner decided to resume the conversation in Hoover.

And as he approached community members, Tanner said, people were ready to help.

“When I approached different people, there was no hesitation,” Tanner said. “People want to do something, but it was just pretty much ‘What do we do?’”

Tanner started hosting “Whatever It Takes” meetings at Shades Crest Baptist Church, inviting community members from different circles in Hoover — businesses, schools, parents, police and churches — to have open conversations.

A big step in the fight against addiction is discussion, said Addiction Prevention Coalition Executive Director Sandor Cheka.

By starting these conversations, he said, Tanner has opened the door to potential solutions.

“By having these conversations, it gives us that permission that this is something we can talk about and how do we fix this together, as opposed to whispers in the dark about someone’s

HEROIN ON THE RISE

Speaking Up is the second installment in a three-part series about heroin use and addiction in Hoover. For the third installment, focused on school programs about drug use, see the February edition of the Hoover Sun.

family going through something,” Cheka said, “and that’s what we see all too often.”

Not talking about addiction just bolsters the stigma, and opening the conversation means people can come forward with their struggles rather than feel shame, Cheka said.

“The more we inform people about it, the more open we are about it, the more likely people will make positive decisions instead of destructive ones,” he said.

Cheka said it is also important to realize people come into these discussions with differing personal experiences. Some want to focus on prevention, while others focus on addiction education.

“You have the side of things where there’s somebody who has gone through this and is trying to figure out how does my son, daughter, myself, whoever get back integrated into society without this shame, stigma, guilt associated with it,” Cheka said.

By the third Whatever It Takes meeting, the discussion shifted from listening to guest speakers to applying what they have learned, Tanner said. Now they are setting “work meetings,” where they will construct a plan of action.

During these work meetings, Tanner said they will likely divide into subcommittees to consider multiple approaches. That way, Tanner said, people who want to focus on prevention can consider how to keep drugs out of schools while others can work on education about coping with or responding to addiction.

“If you don’t separate them out, it becomes two sides really fighting for the same end result,” Cheka said.

Approaching the conversation from several angles, Tanner said, prevents the burden of fighting addiction from falling on one group.

Sandor Cheka speaks at a Whatever It Takes meeting at Shades Crest Baptist Church. The meetings were started to kick off conversations about addiction in Hoover. Photo by Erica Techo.

“We can’t just count on the schools to do something and then we not do something in our own homes,” Tanner said. “We can’t count on the churches to do something and then not do something at the schools, so that’s why I would like to see us all come together on the same page.”

The next Whatever It Takes meeting will be Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m. at Shades Crest Baptist Church.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • 31

Above: Baylor and Ruby are already best friends and play together.

Left: Katy and Ben Grimm have lived in Hoover for three years with their children Baylor, Margaret and Elliott. Photos

by Sydney Cromwell.

Watch a video on Baylor Grimm’s story

280living.com/topics/video

hooversun.com/peopleplaces/video-aconstant-companion1216/

“

It’s a privilege to be able to parent him. He has allowed us to see the world through his innocence. He lives in a world that is just happy and just fun. He doesn’t have to see the ugly, he doesn’t have to see the stares that he gets when we go out.

”

KATY GRIMM

BAYLOR

CONTINUED from page A1 Several years of speech therapy have given Baylor a limited vocabulary, but he still can’t understand verbal instructions. He’s also in therapy for fine motor skills and goes to a special education preschool class at Trace Crossings Elementary.

Raising a nonverbal child has changed the way the Grimm family operates. Baylor communicates love by touching someone’s head or rubbing his face against theirs, and Katy said her six-year-old daughter Margaret is thrilled that Baylor has recently begun touching her head. When he began stealing toys from his younger brother Elliott, his parents weren’t upset — they were happy to see him recognizing his brother’s presence.

“Some sibling rivalry is starting to peek out. That’s nice for us,” Katy laughed.

Katy said that parenting can be challenging, as trips to the grocery store require both parents and a loud noise might upset Baylor. This summer, he spent three months extremely anxious, for no reason that his parents could find. Much of the time, though, Baylor is a happy, laughing four-year-old.

“It’s a privilege to be able to parent him. He has allowed us to see the world through his innocence. He lives in a world that is just happy and just fun,” Katy said. “He doesn’t have to see the ugly, he doesn’t have to see the stares that he gets when we go out.”

Ben and Katy agreed that they wouldn’t want to change their son.

“It’s taught us tolerance, it’s taught us acceptance and what true unconditional love is,” Katy said.

However, the thought of their son wandering off and being unable to talk to or understand strangers terrifies Ben and Katy as Baylor grows older. He has a bracelet explaining his diagnosis and his parents’ phone numbers, but Katy said he requires a constant eye or else he will slip away. They realized that a bracelet wouldn’t be enough.

That’s where Ruby comes in. The puppy is still teething now, but she’s got a big job ahead of her. In January, Ruby begins a

yearlong training program to become Baylor’s service animal, to stay with him at all times and gently herd him back to safety when he starts to wander.

“Having a little friend that can be with him all the time is just going to be a huge relief,” Katy said. “You just really have to meet him for two minutes to see his need for her.”

The Grimms are working with a dog trainer in Hueytown. They had originally been discouraged by the cost of training service animals, but they realized that Ruby doesn’t need to perform high-level tasks like sensing seizures or guiding a blind person.

She just needs to stay close to Baylor and keep him out of dangerous situations.

The training costs around $6,000, which is more than the family can afford. However, they started a GoFundMe page and family and community members chipped in. In seven days, they had raised $4,600.

Ruby’s training starts this month, but Katy said she seemed to know her job from the beginning. Since they brought the puppy home, Ruby has loved to be right next to Baylor and tug at his jeans when they play. And the affection is mutual. Katy said Baylor shows no interest in the family’s other dog, but he always wants to hold and play with Ruby.

“From day one he has been all about Ruby,” Katy said.

Once the training is complete, the Grimms hope that Ruby can go with Baylor everywhere and be a watchful eye. This will be especially important as he enters kindergarten at Shades Mountain Elementary.

The Grimms will apply to have an aide specifically for Baylor, as his wandering will be too much for one teacher in a classroom to handle. However, they don’t know yet if that request will be granted.

“Those teachers, they already have so many students to look out for. It takes one teacher only to look after Baylor,” Katy said.

Ben and Katy also hope it will ease one of the constant worries that come with a child with autism.

“I didn’t realize how much it bothered me until he had the bracelet and I felt 100 pounds lighter. So I can only imagine the peace of mind that this is going to serve,” Katy said.

Sun B SECTION

Women of Hoover B6 Real Estate B13 Calendar B14

JANUARY 2016

SOUTHERN VOICES Heavy demand expected for headliner Erik Larson, other authors and guests

By JON ANDERSON

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ickets for the 2016 Southern Voices Festival go on sale Jan. 8, and Hoover Public Library officials are expecting strong demand to see and hear this year’s lineup.

Award-winning author Erik Larson will be the headliner for this year’s festival, set for Feb. 23-27. Larson, the author of five books on the New York Times bestseller list, is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. in the Hoover Library Theatre on Feb. 26.

He will be followed on Feb. 27 by a diverse group of authors that includes Natalie Baszile, Beth Ann Fennelly, Tom Franklin, Craig Johnson, Jamie Mason, Laura Lane McNeal and Mark Pryor.

Larson is well-known in the literary world, having won an Edgar Award in nonfiction crime writing for his book “The Devil in the White City,” which stayed on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists for more than five years.

Leonardo DiCaprio in 2010 bought the rights to make a movie out of the book and in August

of this year formed an alliance to make the film, with Martin Scorsese directing, Billy Ray writing the screenplay and Paramount Studios backing the project.

“The Devil in the White City,” which also was a finalist for the National Book Award, is set at the Chicago World’s Fair in the 1890s. One plot line tells the story of Daniel Burnham, the architect who put the fair together, and a second one delves into H.H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure women to his hotel to kill them.

What makes Larson unusual is his ability to take true stories and write them in a compelling narrative fashion that makes readers feel like they are reading fiction, said Amanda Borden, an assistant director at the library who serves as chairwoman for the Southern Voices Festival.

“He’s really good at building tension,” Borden said.

Another one of Larson’s bestsellers, “Thunderstruck,” chronicles the connection between Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the first effective system of radio communication, with Hawley Harvey Crippen, England’s second most famous murderer.

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Erik Larson | Photo courtesy of Ben Benschneider

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Hoover Sun

Tickets for the Southern Voices festival go on sale Jan. 8

Laura Lane McNeal | Photo courtesy of Carlton Mickle

Mark Pryor | Photo courtesy of Mark Pryor

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CONTINUED from page B1 A third one, “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin,” had movie rights optioned by Universal Studios and Tom Hanks’ Playtone Entertainment.

“When I have told people that Erik Larson is coming, it’s like they start to salivate,” Borden said. “We’re just really fortunate to be getting him … I expect it to be one of our quickest sellouts.”

Speakers coming to the Saturday authors conference are quite diverse, Borden said.

Jamie Mason and Mark Pryor both are known for their psychological fiction thrillers.

Mason, who lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, has written two novels, including “Three Graves Full” and, more recently, “Monday’s Lie.” Pryor, an author who also works as an assistant district attorney in Texas, has written five Hugo Marston mysteries, which follow the U.S. embassy’s chief of security as he solves crimes on the streets of Paris. His most recent thriller, “Hollow Man,” is told from the viewpoint of a psychopath.

Both Mason and Pryor are very unpredictable writers, Borden said. “You really don’t know what’s happening til the end,” she said.

Fennelly and Franklin are married and both teach in the master of fine arts program at the University of Mississippi.

Fennelly has won multiple prizes for three books of poetry: “Tender Hooks,”

Craig Johnson | Photo courtesy of Craig Johnson’s website

Natalie Baszile | Photo courtesy of Jonathan Sprague “Unmentionables” and “Open House.”

Franklin, who has won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Crime Writers’ Association’s Gold Dagger Award, has been compared to William Faulkner. He has written five books, including “Hell at the Breach,” “Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter,” and “The Tilted World,” which he co-authored with Fennelly.

It will be interesting to hear from them individually but also to hear about how they wrote their most recent book together, Borden said.

Baszile and McNeal both are new novelists, and both tackle race relations in their books, Borden said. Both novels are set in Louisiana but are told from different perspectives, she said.

Baszile’s book, “Queen Sugar,” tells the story of a strong-willed African-American widow and mother who inherits a sugar cane farm in Louisiana. The book is scheduled to be adapted for TV by Ava Duvernay for Oprah Wynfrey’s TV network.

McNeal’s book, “Dollbaby,” tells the story of a young white girl coming of age in New Orleans in the 1960s. It was chosen as a 2015 Book Award finalist by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance.

Baszile lives in San Francisco, and McNeal is a New Orleans native. The two likely will be paired together at the authors conference, Borden said.

The seventh author who will speak at the Saturday authors conference, Johnson, writes western mysteries. He is best known for his “Longmire” series of books, which serve as the basis for the A&E TV series of the same name.

Jamie Mason | Photo courtesy of Randall Wood “It’s a show that a lot of people are talking about,” Borden said. “I think it will be really, really cool to have him here.”

Johnson, who lives in Ucross, Wyoming. (population 25), won the Wyoming Historical Association’s Book of the Year award for “Death Without Company.” His book “Dark Horse” was named a Publisher’s Weekly best book of the year in 2008, and “Hell is Empty” was named Mystery of the Year by Library Journal.

Southern Voices, which will be in its 24th year next year, has not had a western writer in a long time, Borden said.

The featured musical artist for the 2016 Southern Voices Festival will be Kellylee Evans, an up-and-coming singer who mixes jazz, soul, pop and hip-hop. She is scheduled to perform Feb. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Over the past decade, Evans has toured the world, opening for stars such as John Legend, Dianne Reeves, Derek Trucks, George Benson and Willie Nelson. She released two independent solo albums of original songs in Canada and earned two June Award nominations, winning best jazz vocal album for “Nina,” her tribute to Nina Simone.

In 2014, she debuted in the United States with “I Remember When,” with which she put her own stamp on songs by hip-hop artists Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Kanye West and others. The album originally was recorded in Belgium and released in France, but the U.S. version has three new tracks.

The Southern Voices Festival always features a visual artist as well. This year, festival organizers chose a group of female rug hookers who call themselves the Heart of Dixie Rug

Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly | Photo courtesy of Andy Anderson

Kellylee Evans | Photo courtesy of Hoover Public Library Bee. The group of 17 women from Birmingham and the surrounding area have been meeting weekly together for 26 years to pursue their craft.

The group’s rugs have been featured in national exhibits, publications and rug hooking books. Southern Voices will include a free reception to honor the women on Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

But tickets must be purchased for other parts of the festival. Tickets for “An Evening with Erik Larson” cost $35, plus a $2.50 processing fee, with a limit of four tickets per person.

Tickets for the Saturday authors conference on Feb. 27 cost $40, plus a $2.50 processing fee per person, with a limit of six tickets per person. Tickets will be specific to the venue selected (the Hoover Library Theatre or the Library Plaza), but each author on Saturday will speak at both venues at different times.

Tickets to hear Larson and the other authors will be sold online and by phone only from 9 to 11 a.m. when they go on sale the first day (Jan. 8), but the Hoover Library Theatre box office will open for walk-up orders as well at 11 a.m., if there are any tickets left, Borden said.

Tickets to see Kellylee Evans in concert on Feb. 24 or 25 cost $25 and are already available for purchase on the Hoover Library Theatre website, by phone at 444-7888 or in person at the box office at 200 Municipal Drive in Hoover.

Tickets for the 2015 Southern Voices headline speaker, Wally Lamb, sold out, and all but about 20 to 30 tickets were sold for the Saturday authors conference in 2015, Borden said.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B3

Renowned jazz singer Dianne Reeves coming to Hoover

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover Library Theatre on Jan. 17 welcomes five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Dianne Reeves to the stage.

Reeves is considered quite a big catch for the 250-seat Library Theatre and already has sold out both of her scheduled performances, said Matina Johnson, fine arts director for the library.

“She is definitely one of the biggest acts we’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “We are so fortunate to be able to have her here in this size space …

She’s used to performing in halls many, many, many times bigger than this.”

Reeves has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and has recorded with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim. She also was a featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, was the first creative chair for jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and was the first singer to ever perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Reeves also has performed at the White House on multiple occasions, including President Obama’s state dinner for the president of China and the Governors’ Ball. In January 2015, she joined Paul Simon, James Taylor and Bobby McFerrin in a tribute to Michael Brecker at the Lincoln Center.

Reeves’ first three Grammy wins — for best jazz vocal performance — were for three consecutive recordings, a first in any Grammy vocal category. Then, she won her fourth Grammy for her vocals on every song on the soundtrack for

Ringwold). “It’s just such a warm feeling in the cold weather,” Johnson said.

Reeves was booked about a year ago and will bring a four-piece band with her, including a pianist, bassist, drummer and guitarist, Johnson said. Her shows are scheduled for 4 and 7:30 p.m.

They are Sunday performances, which are unusual for the Library Theatre, but a lot of people are off work the following day for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Johnson said.

Even though both of Reeves’ shows are sold out, people can call the Library Theatre box office to get on a waiting list in case any tickets are returned. As of mid-December, there were nine people on the waiting list, requesting 20 tickets.

Dianne Reeves is a world-renowned jazz singer with five Grammy wins. Photo courtesy of Jerris Madison.

George Clooney’s movie “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a movie in which she also appeared.

Her fifth Grammy — for best jazz vocal album — came in 2015 for “Beautiful Life,” her first album in five years.

That album melds elements of rhythm and blues, Latin and pop within the framework of 21st century jazz. It includes covers of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,”

Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You” and Ani Difranco’s “32 Flavors,” as well as two new songs — “Cold” and “Satiated.”

The Library Theatre is blessed to have someone so prolific and so current, Johnson said.

“She’s put out over 15 albums. She just churns the albums out,” Johnson said.

The Library Theatre for several years has featured a jazz artist in January (last year was Molly

DIANNE REEVES IN CONCERT Where: Hoover Library Theatre When: Jan. 17, 4 and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25, plus $2.50 processing fee per ticket (sold out, but waiting list available) Box offi e: 444-7888

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Reader Submission

Magic Muffin fulfills bi thday wish for 9-year-old

By RICK DEFILIPPO Many Mountain Brook and surrounding neighborhood residents know the Magic Muffins bakery for its reasonably priced, quality baked goods and great customer service.

What most people likely don’t know is that among owner and baker Glenn Weaver’s ovens, baking pans and multicolored buttercream frosting is a sprinkling of philanthropy.

When Hoover resident Ricky DeFilippo was asked by his dad what he wanted to do for his ninth birthday, Ricky had three birthday wishes.

He started out with the expected “a party with my classmates at Air Walk,” followed by the not-so-expected-but-anticipated “an H2 Hummer stretch limo ride with my classmates” and ending with the unexpected “I want to bake and decorate my own three-tier multi-flavor topsy-turvy birthday cake.”

You may be able to guess what TV series was the motivation behind this last birthday wish.

Dad, having been baking since the age of 4 with his grandmother, was confident they could bake the 12 cakes consisting of five different flavors in three sizes to build the topsy-turvy birthday cake his son desired. However, decorating wasn’t among dad’s skill sets. After some discussion, Ricky’s final wish was abandoned, and a trip to Magic Muffins ensued to purchase Ricky’s birthday cake.

At Magic Muffins, Glenn was shown the picture of the birthday cake, and the order was placed. Dad, living life with the philosophy “there’s no harm in asking” said, “Glenn, I was wondering ...” and explained Ricky’s birthday wish.

Glenn without hesitation agreed to spend more than three hours of his busy Saturday morning providing one-on-one mentoring to Ricky in the art of cake design planning, use of decorating dyes and tools, and cake decorating techniques. Glenn’s philanthropy was the highlight of Ricky’s “last birthday in single digits,” as he referred to it, and will most certainly be a lifelong fond memory.

With all the not-so-pleasant news we are exposed to daily, it’s comforting to have the reassurance that acts of spontaneous human kindness still exist today here within our communities. Thank you, Glenn.

Hoover Sun Glenn Weaver, owner of the Magic Muffins bakery in Mountain Brook, displays the three-tier, multi-flavor, topsy-turvy birthday cake he showed Hoover resident Ricky DeFilippo how to make, fulfilling one of Ricky’s wishes for his ninth birthday.

Photo courtesy of Ricky DeFilippo.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B5

HOOVER CELEBRATES

Christmas

The Hoover Christmas tree lighting ceremony was held in front of the Municipal Center on U.S. 31 Nov. 30.

Photos by Frank Couch

The Riverchase Elementary School choir sings to welcome Santa riding in a fire truck.

Madelyn Woods smiles for her mom, Nina Woods, as she has a picture made in front of the tree.

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R E V HOO 2016 Running a business takes ambition, smarts and a lot of drive. The women who run businesses along the 280 corridor have all three, plus a passion for what they do.

From retail and food, to health care and fitness, our annual Women of 280 feature is a chance to get to know some of the faces behind the success of many of the businesses in our area.

PATTI SCHREINER RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES Patti Schreiner, who has been in the real estate business for 20 years, helps everyone from the first-time homebuyer to those seeking the luxury home of their dreams. Schreiner excels in the real estate business, garnering awards that include the 2015 Residential Sales Associate of the Year, the No. 1 RE/MAX Agent in the State of Alabama for the last three years, Top 100 RE/MAX agents nationwide and Top Hoover Agent 2005-2015.

Her clients inspire her daily.

“I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people over the years through real estate. Most have come through referrals from other clients, which I appreciate so much. I find that wonderful people have wonderful friends and family. It is always a pleasure to work with buyers and sellers who have been referred by current and past clients,” she said.

Schreiner encourages women to go for their dreams. “The sky is the limit,” she said.

Icon indicates additional video feature at HooverSun.com: Businesswomen discuss what drives them to succeed.

RE/MAX SOUTHERN HOMES

► WHERE: 903 Montgomery Highway ► CALL: 205-222-5651

DR. KASEY DAVIS

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KASEY DAVIS DENTISTRY Dr. Kasey Davis, who has been a practicing dentist for over six years, opened her private practice in August 2014.

Davis always knew she wanted to work in the dental field and found the perfect fit with the dentistry profession.

It was all “just a divine series of events you could say,” she said. “I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, and it was my dream to serve people in this capacity. Another dream was to be a business owner, and be able to create an environment where both patients and employees felt real joy just being a part of it. I am so excited that I have been able to fulfill both of these dreams through my line of work.”

Davis graduated summa cum laude from the University of Montevallo in 2004 and received her doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Dentistry in 2008.

Upon graduation, she worked in a large private practice in St. Clair County. Starting her own business gives her a chance to employ others and provide them with a place where they can also thrive in their chosen profession.

“I wanted to create a positive, encouraging, and loving trickle down in my business. I wanted the ability to see how different a business and its workers could be if they were encouraged daily and felt part of a family. I’m excited to say I think I’ve been able to create that at Kasey Davis Dentistry,” she said.

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KASEY DAVIS DENTISTRY ► WHERE: 589 Shades Crest Road ► CALL: 205-822-7277

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B7

CAROL RINEY Women

BELLA’S BRIDAL AND FORMAL Carol Riney is the owner of Bella’s Bridal and Formal, one of the largest independently owned full-service bridal salons in Alabama that features a wide array of bridal, prom and pageant dresses from the most popular designers.

“I love working with the young ladies in Alabama and surrounding states by helping them find the perfect dress for their occasion,” she said.

She is passionate about her work and the people she serves.

“We really care about empowering women by making them feel special and beautiful.

Our clients come in as customers and leave as friends. I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said.

She loves working with brides and helping to make their experience at Bella’s a special memory that lasts forever. Bella’s offer personalized fittings and alteration services to ensure the bride looks perfect on her perfect day.

“I have an expert staff that feels the same way I do, and we love helping women feel beautiful. There is no better feeling than helping a bride select the most special dress she will EVER wear,” she said.

Pageants and proms offer the opportunity to assist young girls seeking the special dress that will transform them. She enjoys helping young girls become poised, self-assured young women.

“I love seeing our client’s in pageants

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as they gain self confidence. I love seeing prom girls and the confidence they gain by looking so beautiful on a special night and I love our brides! Helping women feel good about themselves is the most rewarding job!” she said.

BELLA’S BRIDAL AND FORMAL ► WHERE: 4441 Creekside Ave. ► CALL: 205-403-7977

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BRIDGET VEAZEY, BARBARA FULLENWIDER, JESSICA ROGERS AND MARY LEE BRASWELL

WRAPSODY The distinctive and trendy gift shop, Wrapsody, celebrates the joy of giving. And that’s just what Bridget Veazey, Hoover store manager, Jessica Rogers, assistant manager, Barbara Fullenwider, and Mary Lee Braswell do every day as they share their love of people and their creativity with the customers who come through their doors daily.

Wrapsody’s first location opened in the heart of Hoover in 2004, and they also have a store in Auburn. Owners Sarah Brown and Terry Shea look for items to fill the store that have a special story and they have gifts for every price point.

Wrapsody appreciates their customers and tries to give them something unique to buy. They love to support local and regional artists, which fills the store with unique, handcrafted items. Complimentary gift-wrap is always available and they both love having a store that has a happy, hometown vibe.

“We like being the store where when you walk in, people know you,” Veazey said.

WRAPSODY ► WHERE: 161 Main St., Suite 127, Patton Creek ► CALL: 205-989-7277

DEBORAH SCOTT AND STACY COLE MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS, J’ADORE LA SPA Deborah Scott and Stacy Cole, owners of Merle Norman Cosmetics and J’adore la Spa, have been in business for 12 years and offer a full line of skin care and color cosmetics.

Spa services include facials, waxing and peels. Two and a half years ago, they moved to a larger space that allowed for a boutique featuring jewelry, purses and accessories.

“And best of all, we are able to offer spa services with our facialist. Our spa is such a nice add-on to our cosmetic business. Sometimes customers need just a little extra help with their skin, and we can offer that with the help our esthetician.

She is able to go more in depth. And sometimes just a day of pampering is what we as women need!” Cole said.

They enjoy taking care of customers. “We consider our customers like friends and some of them are more like family.”

MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS, J’ADORE LA SPA ► WHERE: 1717 Montgomery Hwy., Suite 101, in the Toys ‘R Us Shopping Center ► CALL: 205-987-8244

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ANN MARCH MC2 REALTY Ann March of mc2 Realty has been in residential real estate for almost 13 years. After a career in product development, she decided to make a career change, “one that would allow me to be self-reliant. My real estate agent, Virginia Hartsell, had often told me I would make a great agent, so I took her advice and jumped in,” she said.

The real estate business was the perfect fit for March.

“Everything seemed to just fall into place and a sense of calm was pervasive,“ she said. “I wasn’t asking myself, ‘What if?’ rather ‘Why not?’”

March is passionate about serving her clients’ needs.

“We truly care about our clients and work to foster long-lasting bonds and provide continued support before, during and after a transaction closes. I have great agents who are experienced, professional and treat this as a family-owned business.”

MC2 REALTY

► WHERE: 501 Riverchase Pkwy. E. ► CALL: 205-919-7927

JULIE DAVIS, CARISSA FIKES, STEPHANIE GRISSOM AND EMMA DUPLECHAIN DR. PRESTON REYNOLDS

Dr. Preston Reynolds’ office has been serving the community for more than 30 years. His team is proud to be a part of fostering healthy smiles in its patients.

Office manager Julie Davis has enjoyed helping and making patients feel welcome at the practice’s office for more than 17 years. Her two children are graduates of Hoover schools, and she is also a grandmother.

Hygienists Carissa Fikes and Stephanie Grissom, along with Dental Assistant Emma Duplechain work together to make their patients’ time in the dental chair as pain free as possible. The office operates on the philosophy of “providing the highest quality dental care, emphasizing prevention to help our patients enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.” They all agree their priority is “educating patients on the important of regular dental visits and how the health of your teeth and gums affects your overall health.”

DR. PRESTON REYNOLDS

► WHERE: 1235 Blue Ridge Blvd., #117 ► CALL: 205-823-0723

SHELLY SMITH

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PURE BARRE Shelly Smith, owner of Pure Barre in Riverchase, began her career in retail sales and management with her family’s business, Mark’s Outdoor Sports, before venturing into her own business.

“After trying Pure Barre with a friend from the gym, I instantly knew that it was something that would be in my life for a while. A few months later, I was addicted to the positive changes in my body, the mind/body relations, and the community that was built.”

Smith soon realized this was the opportunity and the business venture that she had hoped to find.

“I wanted to take my desires to be my own boss to a new level. Yes, the hardest part was to take that leap into the dark — not knowing what would be waiting for me on the other side. Would I succeed?

Would I be able to offer a franchisestyle business the family-style business model that my father, Mark Whitlock, had instilled in me?

Would I regret that change in my life?” she said.

But the outcome turned out to be worth the risk.

“Looking back now, I ask myself, what else could I have asked for? The answer, not much else!

This business journey has been rewarding in more ways than I can list. Financial [success] of course is always the goal, but the friendships, family, good times, and memories are what make the job the best part of my day,” she said. “We are a community — a Pure Barre family.”

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PURE BARRE ► WHERE: 1870 Chace Drive, #100 ► CALL: 205-982-8366

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B9

PAT WITTIG VITALOGY WELLNESS CENTER AND MEDSPA Pat Wittig, RN, CRNP-BC of Vitalogy Wellness Center and Medspa that offers clients functional, integrative, holistic and regenerative medicine as well as aesthetics, bio-identical hormone therapy for both men and women, metabolic weight management, and yoga with fitness.

Pat is a board certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Women’s Health and Wellness. Her experience reaches across the private, public and academic settings. “I have spent the last seven years working with functional medicine to help client’s understand “the root cause” of their issues and that the pathway to wellness includes learning the connection of mind, body, spirit and how each influence their health.”

Pat’s latest pursuit is working with the Institute for the Psychology of Eating that focuses on a unique holistic nutrition education. She works with the most commonly seen eating concerns – weight, body image, overeating, binge eating, digestion, fatigue, immunity, mood and much more. “ I have worked with weight management for years and have known there was much more to successful and long term weight loss than ‘calories in/ calories out’. This program has given me tools to work in a more comprehensive way to discover and understand issues that are preventing clients from achieving their goals on their weight loss journey.”

Pat encourages everyone to step up

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and take charge of their lives through learning about what makes us healthy, happy people.

“Working at Vitalogy Wellness Center has given me a wonderful opportunity to teach clients how to take better care of themselves and to feel as good as they can everyday.”

VITALOGY WELLNESS CENTER AND MEDSPA ► WHERE: 2704 20th St. S. ► CALL: 205-413-8599

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LORAINE MCDONALD HAIR OPTIONS Loraine McDonald created Hair Options to offer customers a new kind of wig boutique. The result is a unique boutique that welcomes customers with beautiful music, the inviting aroma of flavored coffees, and crystal containers filled with chocolates. The relaxing environment is conducive to relaxing while exploring the beautiful, quality options from 14 different designers, with the “with the very best ranging from the most natural of Jon Renau creations to new cuts and colors offered

by Raquel Welch.”

“We truly want each experience at Hair Options to be a unique positive experience,” she said. “We decided years ago that we wanted be a different type of place for ladies to come and tackle a hair problem. We are not all business here, and we truly care about each person and each unique situation that walks through these doors. We answer questions — big and little — and take time once we find something that works to cut and trim to the face. Come see how life can be with a convincing great cut and color ... the illusion of a great head of hair ... to go!”

HAIR OPTIONS ► WHERE: 2804 John Hawkins Pkwy., Suite 102 ► CALL: 205-982-0851

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DR. TRACEY MERCER TRACEY MERCER OPTOMETRY Dr. Tracey Mercer has been practicing optometry in Shelby County for the last 16 years and at the current location in Hoover since January of 2015. Tracey Mercer Optometry provides eye exams, management of ocular diseases and contact lens fittings, as well as an optical shop.

“If I can help just one person to be able to see better or prevent vision loss, then I feel like I have done what I set out to achieve years ago,” Mercer said.

Mercer is committed to taking time with each patient. “I want to provide a different kind of eye care ... to listen to the patients and take care of the problems at hand or send them in the right direction to get their problems solved,” she said.

“I love getting to know my patients. I love the opportunity to help those who need it.

Making someone see better can truly change their life.”

TRACEY MERCER OPTOMETRY ► WHERE: 2000 Southlake Park ► CALL: 205-968-1160

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Hoover Sun

DR. STEPHANIE WHITEHEAD

WHITEHEAD ORTHODONTICS Women

Dr. Stephanie Whitehead of Whitehead Orthodontics has served the Riverchase, Pelham, Hoover and Helena areas since 1988 with state-of-the-art orthodontic care in a family-oriented environment. As a teenager, she developed a love of orthodontics while working as an assistant for her own orthodontist, Dr. John Jayne.

“I had braces as a child, and I loved my orthodontist. He hired me to work as an assistant during the summers while I was going to college. I highly encourage high school children to shadow or get a job in an area that they may be interested in,” she said.

She pursued her passion and now draws inspiration watching her patients develop confidence with their new smiles. As a result, she’s been able to create relationships with patients that last a lifetime.

“One of my favorite things about being an orthodontist is the opportunity to get to know people and their friends and extended family over the length of treatment,” she said.

She and her team take pride in offering patients the best care possible.

“Our office offers excellent care in a fun environment. We see children as young as seven through adults. We do early treatment on children with habits or developmental problems, full braces on growing children and adults and even complicated surgical cases and TMJ. We love what we do and consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to make people smile on a daily basis, so ‘Come smile with us,’ ” she said.

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WHITEHEAD ORTHODONTICS ► WHERE: 5336 Stadium Trace Parkway, Suite 112 ► CALL: 205-988-9678

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SHERRY CHEN

KELLI GUNNELLS

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REALTYSOUTH

Sherry Chen hears over and over again that her customers taste the freshness of the ingredients in Mr. Chen’s Chinese and Taiwanese dishes.

The restaurant on U.S. 31 has been serving traditional, authentic Chinese food since 2009. As manager and co-owner, she oversees a combination of spicy Chinese Szechuan cooking style and a light and sweet Taiwanese style. Its best-selling dishes include pan-fried or steamed dumplings, boiled fish in hot oil, eggplant with basil pork and stir-fried pork with squid. In all they do, Chen’s team strives to provide the best in customer service.

This combination of traditional cooking styles creates a flavor similar to the food in parts of southern China. Customers appreciate this authenticity, especially those who have tasted authentic Chinese food before, Chen said. The dishes have also helped her co-owner, Wlung, become less homesick for Taiwan.

MR. CHEN’S ► WHERE: 1917 Hoover Court ► CALL: 205-824-8283

Working in real estate offers opportunity to take part in a family’s story, no matter which chapter, and Kelli Gunnells enjoys helping families sell their home and find another to fit their needs. After nearly 20 years as a Realtor, Gunnells has no doubt she discovered her passion.

Gunnells has a background in construction and degree from UAB in public relations and was first drawn to real estate after her daughter’s birth. With years of experience, for 2015 year to date she ranked in the top 1 percent of Realtors in the Birmingham Association of Realtors and ranked in the top 5 of RealtySouth for sales volume.

Although work keeps her busy, Gunnells spends any down time with her husband Ken and daughter Kameron when she is home from Auburn. Her sons, Ryan and Michael, live out of state, and she treasures any time she spends with them and her two grandsons, Easton and Evan.

REALTYSOUTH ► WHERE: 1220 Alford Ave. ► CALL: 205-281-8545

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B11

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JENNIFER LAZENBY

TYNETTE LYNCH

LAZENBY’S DECORATIVE ARTS STUDIO Jennifer Lazenby learned from the master. Her father, Rik Lazenby, is known for his artistic skill creating decorative finishes for walls and ceilings, cabinetry, countertops, plasters, murals, furniture finishes, Italian plasters, ceiling finishes and even domes that look like works of art. “Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned from my dad,” she said.

Jennifer joined Lazenby’s Decorative Arts Studio in 2005 and is now a partner in the business. Lazenby’s Decorative Arts Studio is nationally recognized and has won awards for the past six years in the American Painting Contractors’ National “Top Job Awards.” Jennifer said she was proud of her father being recently named the Vice President of the International Decorative Artisans League. Now this is a “big deal” for a little Alabama company. Jennifer has become skilled in the application of most of the decorative products on the market today. Her father emphasized with pride that “she knows her materials and application techniques and you are not going to outwork her!”

Lazenby loves working with clients, and with her effervescent personality, it’s not long before they become like family. She loves watching a project come into fruition and seeing clients’ happiness with the results.

ALDRIDGE GARDENS Tynette Lynch, chief executive officer of Aldridge Gardens, has served in the hospitality business for 30 years, two of which have been spent in her current position. The public gardens located in Hoover are a popular venue for weddings and other events. Lynch also owns Hospitality Business Solutions, a hotel consulting business.

Lynch brings a wealth of experience to her current position. She served as general manager for the Mountain Brook Inn and Holiday Inn Homewood. She joined the staff of The Wynfrey Hotel as director of sales and marketing in 2005 and in late 2007 was named general manager of The Wynfrey. She was also honored with the “Award of Excellence” from the Alabama Travel Council for leadership and dedication to the state’s tourism industry.

Aldridge Gardens inspires her daily. “The philosophy behind Aldridge Gardens is to have a beautiful public garden that shows nature and art in balance,” Lynch said.

ALDRIDGE GARDENS

LAZENBY’S DECORATIVE ARTS STUDIO ► WHERE: 571 Park Ave. ► CALL: 205-281-5273

LAURA PURVIS

► WHERE: 3530 Lorna Road ► CALL: 205-682-8019

PANTONE 7484

CMYK C: 100 M: 0 Y: 85 K: 50

CMYK C: 47 M: 60 Y: 79 K: 68

PMS 400

CMYK: C: 0 M: 3 Y: 6 K: 16

Women

DECORATING DEN INTERIORS Laura Purvis began sewing custom window treatments in her basement in 1999 after a friend needed draperies for a new home. One thing led to another, and her “hobby” grew into a full custom window treatment workroom.

In 2013, Laura decided it was time to offer her clients more than just curtains and purchased Decorating Den Interiors, the world’s largest interior decorating franchise company.

It was one of the best decisions Purvis ever made. Her passion for fabrics and furnishings and her eye for all things design has turned into her dream job.

“At Decorating Den Interiors, we have a pretty simple design philosophy: We think your home’s interior should express your tastes and support your lifestyle,” Purvis said. “We work with your budget and save you time and money by bringing everything to you. With our complimentary consultation, we can assess your needs and lifestyle and develop a plan that works for you and your family.”

From initial consultation, to product selection, to final installation, “we handle every detail,” she said. “We offer window coverings, upholstery and fine furniture, custom bedding, floor and wall coverings, lighting and accessories. We are a true full service, beginning-to end decorating service. So you can be sure your ‘after’ will be the home of your dreams!”

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HOOVER

DECORATING DEN INTERIORS ► EMAIL: laurap@decoratingden.com ► CALL: 205-447-4589

B12 • January 2016

Hoover Sun

Women of

HOOVER

ION T C E AL S

I SPEC

n e m o W of

DR. NOVA LAW NOVA ESSENCE MEDISPA At Nova Essence Medispa, LLC, Dr. Nova Law blends the two worlds of medicine and spa. Though she has been in her current location, less than year, she has been in private practice approximately 13 years.

“Nova Essence Medispa purposely unites the concept of feeling healthy, energetic and looking fabulous. We are committed to providing advanced aesthetic enhancements and skin care and Anti-Aging Medical treatments through physician developed, performed and supervised services within the relaxing, luxurious and convenient atmosphere of a medi day spa,” she said.

Having her own practice may present challenges, but that is precisely what she loves about it. “I like to ‘think outside the box’ and have the freedom to do so. I may not be able to do that working for someone else. I like the autonomy. Being an entrepreneur allows me to personally give back to the community in so many ways, and that is definitely fulfilling.”

NOVA ESSENCE MEDISPA ► WHERE: 160 Main St., Suite 200, Patton Creek Shopping Center ► CALL: 205-319-4445 ► WEB: www.novaessencemedispa.com

R E V HOO 2017 IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO LOOK AHEAD TO THE WOMEN OF HOOVER FOR 2017.

If you would like to be featured next January, please email Matthew Allen at matthew@starnespublishing.com for more details.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B13

Hoover

339 Stone Brook Circle

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

735746

35226

339 Stone Brook Circle

New

$437,050

735772

35226

3090 Sawyer Drive

New

$341,585

734068

735754

532 Paige Drive

New

$169,000

735725

35226

2273 Sherrlyn Drive S.

New

$200,000

735693

35226

1772 Napier Drive

New

$255,000

735664

35226

1470 Sawyer Run

New

$293,150

735655

35226

1474 Sawyer Run

New

$262,150

735578

35226

4494 Tuckahoe Lane

New

$415,000

735571

35226

4490 Tuckahoe Lane

New

$425,000

735531

35226

2200 Darlington Street

New

$350,000

735499

35226

4487 Tuckahoe Lane

New

$350,000

735488

35226

229 Caliente Drive

New

$210,000

735485

35226

2204 Blue Ridge Boulevard

New

$167,000

735373

35226

4240 Woodbine Lane

New

$409,000

734690

35226

5236 Lake Crest Circle

New

$479,900

735232

35226

1605 Linda Vista Lane

New

$325,000

735228

35226

2425 Lester Lane

New

$224,900

735211

35226

3213 Heathrow Downs

New

$499,900

734920

35226

3866 Ross Park Drive

New

$359,000

734454

35226

2128 Sumpter Street

New

$255,000

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Dec. 14.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

CARE FOR EVERY BEAT. Heart attacks don’t just happen. They begin.

Know the signs and seek treatment immediately.

- Feeling of fullness - Anxiety, fatigue, nausea - Back, arm, jaw pain - Shortness of breath - Chest pressure, squeezing, discomfort

BaptistHealthAlabama.org/HeartAttack

5236 Lake Crest Circle

Hoover Sun

B14 • January 2016

Calendar Hoover Events Jan. 7: Economic Development Committee. Hoover Chamber Office 8:30 a.m. Visitors Welcome. Visit hooverchamber.org/events

StarDome. 1818 Date Drive, Hoover. Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $33-$38. Visit stardome.com.

Jan. 8: Ask A Vet About Your Pet. Hoover Senior Center, 400 Municipal Drive, Hoover. 12:15 p.m. Veterinarians from the Alford Avenue Veterinarian Hospital will talk about the basic care of pets and answer questions. Presented by the Greater Birmingham OLLI. Visit olli.ua.edu.

Jan. 15-16 Gary Owen. Comedy Club at the StarDome. 1818 Data Drive, Hoover Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Jan 16 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.; Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. $27. Visit stardome.com.

Jan. 8-9: Jim Norton. Comedy Club at the

Jan. 19-24: Cowboy Bill Martin. Comedy Club at the StarDome, 1818 Data Drive. Jan. 19-22 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.;

Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. $9.75-16.50. Visit stardome. com.

Jan. 21: Hoover Chamber Luncheon.

11:15 a.m. Hyatt Regency at The Wynfrey Hotel.

RSVP to lisa@hooverchamber.org.. Visit hooverchamber.org/events.

Jan. 28-30: Henry Cho. Comedy Club at the StarDome, 1818 Data Drive, Hoover. Jan. 28-29 at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $16.50-$18.50. Visit stardome.com.

Hoover Public Library Events Kids Mondays: Together with Twos. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Stories and crafts for twos and their caregiver. Register each week. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Tuesdays: Father Goose. 9:30 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Stories, songs and snacks for ones and their caregiver. Register each week. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Tuesdays: Early Birds. 10 a.m. Children’s Programming Room. Stories, songs and finger pl ys for birth to 12 months and their caregiver. Register each week. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Wednesdays: Tiny Tot Tales. 9:30 a.m.

and 10:30 a.m. A short action-packed story time for children under four. Children’s Programming Room.

Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Wednesdays: After Lunch Bunch. 1:30 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. Visit hooverlibrary.org. Storytime for ages 3 and up. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

Thursdays: Storytime Live. 10:30 a.m.

Children’s Programming Room. Stories, songs, games and puppetry for ages 3 and up. Visit hooverlibrary. org.

Thursdays: PJ Storytime. 6:30 p.m. Children’s Programming Room. Wear your pajamas for stories, songs and a bedtime snack. All ages. Visit hooverlibrary.org.

MedCenter HOOVER

5RGENT #ARE s &AMILY -EDICINE

Adults Jan. 3: Global Cuisine @ the Plaza: Cuba. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Presented by Coffee-ol-ogy Café with complimentary samples provided. Free.

Jan. 4: Friends of the Hoover Library. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms State of the City Address with Ma or Gary Ivey of Hoover. Free.

Jan. 4: Helping Hands. 3 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Adult Programming Room. Drop in to make newspaper rolls for a local humane society. Teens and adults.

Jan. 7: First Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms.

HooverSun.com

January 2016 • B15

Hoover Public Library Events Cont.

Skype with Laura Lane McNeal, author of Dollbaby.

Jan. 9: Purl @ the Plaza with free Knitting Lessons! 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Plaza Reading Room. Beginner’s Knitting Lessons. Purl @ the Plaza. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Library Plaza. Bring your craft projects to work on.

Jan. 10: Bailey Ingle. 2:30 p.m. Library Plaza.

Hoover-based singer/songwriter.

Jan. 11: Documentary screening.

2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre.

The discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848 led to explosive growth in California and the transformation of the American West. Free admission and refreshments.

Cooperative database to find rants for nonprofits and individuals. Reservations required. Free.

Jan. 17: How to Find Grants. 2:30 p.m.

Training Center. Learn to use the Foundation Center Cooperative database to find rants for nonprofits and individuals. Reservations required. Free.

Jan. 19: Glue Gun Gang: Vision Boards.

6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Room C. Create a collage of your goals for 2016. Adults only. Reservations required. Free.

Jan. 19: Hoover Historical Society Meeting. 1:30 p.m. J.D. Weeks, a local author, will speak on the Premocar: Made in Birmingham.

Jan. 11: Neuroscience Café: Aphasia After Stroke. 6:30 p.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Presented by the UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center.

Jan. 20: No Jacket Required Nonfi tion Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. This month’s genre: Presidential Biographies.

Jan. 12: Daytime Nonfiction Book Group. 10:30 a.m. Adult Programming Room. The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel.

Jan. 21: Glue Gun Gang: Vision Boards.

10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Room C. Create a collage of your goals for 2016. Adults only. Reservations required. Free.

Jan. 14: Second Thursday Fiction Book Group. 10 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms.

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal.

Jan. 14: The Perfect Resume. 10:30 a.m.

Adult Programming Room. Join business consultant and writer Ruth Beaumont Cook as she teaches participants how to write the perfect resume.

Jan. 14: Elnora Spencer. 6:30 p.m. Library Plaza. Local blues vocalist and bandleader has shared the stage with B. B. King, Bobby Blue Bland and others.

Jan. 15: All Day Color & Chill.

9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Adult Programming Room.

Coloring books aren’t just for kids! Bring your friends, choose a picture page and let the colors flow as you chat and unwind. Adults and teens. Free.

Jan. 16: How to Find Grants. 10:30 a.m.

Training Center. Learn to use the Foundation Center

Jan. 22: After Hours @ the Plaza: Game Nite. 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Library Plaza. Put your game face on and team up with your fellow gamers.

Jan. 23: Write Club. 10:30 a.m. Theatre Level Meeting Rooms. Share your literary works and network with other aspiring writers.

Jan. 25: Monday at the Movies. 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Library Theatre. Free admission and refreshments.

Jan. 25: Let’s Get Organized. 6:30 p.m.

Learn how to develop the right mindset for simplifying your life with proven principles that will reshape your space. Presented by Lisa Phillips, SimpleWorks. Free.

Jan. 28: Nighttime Nonfiction Book Group. 7p.m. Allen Board Room. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson.

Spain Park Athletics Boys Varsity Basketball

Girls Varsity Basketball

Jan. 5: @ Hewitt Trussville. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5: @ Hewitt Trussville. 6 p.m.

Jan. 8: v. Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: v. Mountain Brook. 6 p.m.

Jan. 12: v. Vestavia Hills. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12: v. Vestavia Hills. 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: v. Hewitt Trussville. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: v. Hewitt Trussville. 6 p.m.

Jan. 19: @ Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: @ Mountain Brook. 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: @ Vestavia Hills. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: @ Vestavia Hills. 6 p.m.

Jan. 23: v. Madison Academy. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 23: v. Madison Academy. 6 p.m.

Jan. 26: v. Oak Mountain. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26: v. Oak Mountain. 6 p.m.

Jan. 29: @ Hoover. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29: @ Hoover. 6 p.m.

Hoover High School Athletics Boys Varsity Basketball

Girls Varsity Basketball

Jan. 8: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 7:30 p.m

Jan. 8: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 6 p.m

Jan. 12: vs. Oak Mountain. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12: vs. Oak Mountain. 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Thompson. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Thompson. 6 p.m.

Jan. 19: @ Tuscaloosa County. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19: @ Tuscaloosa County. 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: @ Oak Mountain. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: @ Oak Mountain. 6 p.m.

Jan. 25: vs. Fairfield 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25: vs. Fairfield 6 p.m.

Jan 29: vs. Spain Park. 7:30 p.m.

Jan 29: vs. Spain Park. 6 p.m.