As we move into 2025, there are many things in motion in Hoover.
For starters, the city election is set for Aug. 26. Also, after eight years of planning, construction is expected to start on the new Exit 9 interchange on Interstate 459. Hoover Met renovations are underway, and the development of Stadium
By TIM STEPHENS
Forty-one years ago, Bruce Ayers opened the doors to something the Birmingham area had never seen before: a comedy nightclub. Inspired by a visit to a club in Atlanta, he saw potential in bringing stand-up to his adopted hometown.
“I went in there and I remember seeing all these couples sitting in there and a girl walked by with a tray of frozen drinks and a light went off in my head,” he recalled.
That idea led to The Comedy Club, which opened in 1983 atop a Chinese restaurant in Homewood. It grew from humble beginnings, surviving tragedy, a devastating fire that burned the club to the ground in 1993, relocation to Hoover to create a world-class made-for-comedy venue, a name change to The StarDome, the global pandemic and rapid changes in the comedy industry. Along the way, it became one of the South’s great launching points for comedic talent — and a labor of love for his entire family. But first, Ayers had to teach locals the concept of paying to watch live stand-up comedy.
The StarDome Comedy Club family, including, from left, Dina Dow, Che Che Ayers, Bruce Ayers and Gina Zimmerman. The two daughters help their parents maintain the club with their marketing and accounting skills.
Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson
The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on the big picture and analyze how things are going.
What have you been able to accomplish over the past year? What were you not able to accomplish, and what would you like to accomplish in the coming year? What are some steps you can take to accomplish those things?
Then you have to get down to business and actually do it. I hope you can find some time to do the thinking
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and planning that leads to action. In this edition of the Hoover Sun, we’ve also taken a step back and looked at some of the bigger stories expected to develop in Hoover this year. I could have written about a lot more. There’s a lot happening, but these are some of the bigger things to watch. Maybe it’ll get you thinking about what you want to accomplish, too. Happy reading and planning! Dan
Alabama Coin Shop (1)
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Andrews Sports Medicine (5)
Aqua Systems of Birmingham (15)
Art of Drawers (8)
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Birmingham Orthodontics (25)
Birmingham Water Works Board (9)
Brightmark Health (11)
Bromberg’s (20)
Budget Blinds (27)
Cahaba Dermatology and Skin Care Center (7)
Closets by Design (1)
Dermatology Care of Alabama (21)
ENT Associates of Alabama (20)
Galleria Woods Retirement Community (5)
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Hunter Street Baptist Church (6)
Issis & Sons (13)
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Jefferson County Commission (21)
Lakeshore Foundation (15)
Leaffilter North (23)
Medical West Hospital (2)
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Signature Homes (17)
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Southlake Orthopaedics (12)
Sovereign CPA (6)
Space Cadets (8)
The Finley Awards (9)
The Neighborhood Plumber (12)
TherapySouth (23)
Truewood by Merrill Gardens (19)
UAB St. Vincents (28)
Vicki’s Amish Furniture (4)
Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (22)
Watts Realty (4)
Window World of Central Alabama (27)
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U.S. 280 expansion set to begin
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
U.S. 280 congestion may be getting a little worse in the next couple of years — and then, officials hope, a whole lot better.
The state is set to begin construction on the widening of 280 as soon as February, the Alabama Department of Transportation said. The project is expected to last two years.
The project is designed to add to the capacity for cars traveling along the western end of the highway, which runs through Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.
According to data from ALDOT, the busiest point of 280, near Overton Road, has an average of nearly 105,000 vehicles traveling that point daily. By comparison, only the interstates are more traveled in the metro area. I-20/59 by the Tallapoosa Street exit has more than 150,000 vehicles driving on it daily.
The project will have several components to it, starting at the Rosedale Drive intersection in Homewood and ending where 280 crosses the Cahaba River:
► Resurfacing of both directions of 280 from Rosedale Drive to Lakeshore Drive
► Widening of 280 in both directions from Lakeshore Drive to I-459
► Resurfacing of 280 from I-459 to the Cahaba River
► Replacement of the Pump House Road bridge
Josh Phillips, a spokesman for ALDOT, said the resurfacing will maintain the road and add to its safety and the expansion was needed for the amount of traffic on 280.
“We’re trying to lower travel times for people on the roadways,” he said. “280 has grown so much that adding capacity just becomes necessary to try to keep traffic moving as much as we
can through there so that people spend less time on the road and more time doing the things they want.”
The project total cost has not been released because the Department of Transportation is still taking bids, Phillips said.
Until those bids are in and have been accepted by the department, he said, there will be no decision on which part of the project will begin first because ALDOT will not know the availability of the crews.
Phillips also said the project’s start date would be dependent on the weather, since the laying of asphalt needs to have consistent warmer temperatures to be applied.
“You’re probably looking at February-ish before you see something being done out there, as far as any clearing or taking up anything,” he said. “And then March before you see asphalt.”
Due to these variables, Phillips said while the project could start in February, it could be anywhere in the window of the first quarter of 2025.
There will need to be preparation on the sides of the road for the widening portion of the work, which may involve clearing plots of land and moving dirt.
The department will work at night, Phillips said, in an attempt to mitigate traffic disruption along the corridor.
“There will be some times where we have traffic impacts — we’ll have to shift lanes over a little bit or whatever,” he said. “But that’s why a lot of the work’s being done at night, to hopefully minimize those traffic impacts.”
Phillips said the widening would take the majority of the project’s timeline, and the resurfacing generally takes much less time.
The project’s start comes a year later than what was originally announced in December 2023, when it was expected to start in late spring 2024.
While Phillips didn’t know why the project was delayed, he said road construction projects have a window in which to begin so that the temperatures reach a point where asphalt can be applied. A number of factors could have caused missing the window for the 280 expansion project, he said, including utility relocation or design changes.
“If you miss this window, it doesn’t just bump it two months, three months,” he said. “It ends up bumping it an entire year.”
For the municipalities closest to the project, there is hope the project will not only create better traffic flow on 280, but also alleviate some of the cut-through traffic that people use to avoid 280.
“Hopefully, some of that will help divert more traffic down 459 and 280, as opposed to cutting through the center of Mountain Brook,” said Sam Gaston, the city manager of Mountain Brook.
The city currently has cut-through traffic around Overton Road and Cherokee Road. The
Diana S. Knight, CPA, CVA
Jeff W. Maze, CPA, MA
Jason Lybrand, CPA, MBA
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Traffic on U.S. 280 comes to a stop below the Pump House bridge. In 2025, an extra lane will be added on either side of the road from Lakeshore to I-459. There are also proposals to add another lane onto the bridge. Photos by Savannah Schmidt.
on-ramps for both locations will now be incorporated into the new lanes. Residents had been concerned that the new design would create more back-ups at the intersection, which is controlled by traffic lights. Gaston said he was told the timing at those lights would be changed to accommodate any traffic backup on Overton Road.
Another point of contention during the planning was the expansion of the Pump House Road bridge, which runs over 280. Pump House Road is another road that drivers use to cut across Mountain Brook to get access to 280.
“I understand when you’re trying to build a large project that there’s going to be pressure points in those areas,” Mountain Brook Councilwoman Graham Smith said. “However, we’re not looking to have the bridge expanded to bring more traffic to those local back roads. I would consider that a local back road versus an artery to drive traffic to Liberty Park. We’re hoping that they will utilize 280 and take 459 and see that as the best option.”
Vestavia Hills officials say they also hope the expansion will ease the number of cars cutting
through residential neighborhoods and incentivize drivers to use the main thoroughfares.
“The traffic volumes on the U.S. [280] highway corridor have surpassed the original projections for the roadway for quite some time,” said Cinnamon McCulley, assistant city manager of Vestavia Hills.
However, in the short term, McCulley said she expects more traffic in those residential areas while construction is underway.
“I suspect cut-through traffic will temporarily increase in the Mountain Brook and Cahaba Heights areas as drivers attempt to avoid delays that generally occur with road projects,” she said.
But both Gaston and McCulley said changing those traffic patterns wouldn’t be such an easy thing given the psychology of the drivers who believe cutting through residential neighborhoods is quicker than traveling 280 and I-459.
“We understand it may take some time for drivers to adjust their commuting routes,” McCulley said, “but feel sure drivers will utilize Highway 280 if it proves to be as efficient as anticipated.”
Mayor’s Minute
By Frank V. Brocato
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope everyone had a festive, restful and safe holiday season!
Hopefully you are refreshed and ready to head into 2025 with renewed energy!
As we start this new year, I want to take a moment to share with you a large vision I have for our city as we press through the next 12 months. Every day, it becomes more and more evident the critical role technology plays in our society. One area where it is most notable is in the health care field. The rate at which procedures, like hip operations, take place is astounding.
It used to be that you would spend several days in a hospital recuperating after such a procedure. These days, those types of operations can take place at an ambulatory surgical center (ASC), and the patient can go home the same day. Research shows that in many of those cases, the patient has a faster, more comfortable recovery because they are in familiar surroundings sooner.
It is because of these types of advances that the city chose to create an ambulatory surgical center in the new Riverwalk Village that is coming to Riverchase. But it is so much more
than just that. I believe Hoover is and will continue to be a breeding ground for various types of cutting-edge, hightech businesses and industries. We already have several of these businesses within our city. But my vision is to recruit more of them. We rely heavily on retail sales, but as our economy changes due to online sales, we want to continue to diversify our economy through the creation of more STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)-based businesses. Bringing more people to work in our city helps bring dollars that support our local mom-and-pop businesses that are the city’s economic backbone.
I’d love for you to hear more of what I believe we can accomplish this year while we also look back at all of the great things that took place in 2024. You can do so by attending the annual State of the City address, which is sponsored by our Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham — Wynfrey Hotel. If you would like more information, please go to hooverchamber.org for details.
I hope you have a wonderful and prosperous 2025! Happy New Year!
Traffic on U.S. 280 speeds by during rush hour. To address the congestion issues, the city approved the addition of an extra lane on either side of the road from Lakeshore to I-459.
CITY
Tattersall Park plan moves to Hoover City Council
By JON ANDERSON
The developers of Tattersall Park got their plans for developing 33 acres through the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission in December, but now they face another hurdle with the Hoover City Council.
The zoning board on Dec. 9 voted 6-2 to amend the zoning plan for Tattersall Park to allow for up to 355 apartments and condominiums, despite significant opposition from nearby residents.
And now the Hoover City Council is expected to take up the matter for a first reading on Monday, Jan. 6, and a vote on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Councilwoman Khristi Driver, who sits on the zoning board, was one of the two votes against the rezoning, and Councilman Steve McClinton said he doesn’t see the rezoning request getting approved by the council.
There’s too much opposition in the community, and the U.S. 280 corridor already is overloaded with apartments, McClinton said.
Ebsco Industries and partner CR Endeavors say their plan for the undeveloped 33 acres in Tattersall Park includes 170 apartments for people ages 55 and older, 107 additional apartments and 30 condominiums.
The development plans also call for a 125room hotel and up to 45,000 square feet of other commercial space. However, if the hotel has not been developed within three years or before 75% of the 55+ apartments have been completed, the developer has the option to convert the hotel space into 48 more apartments. Also, if the condos aren’t selling well enough within that same timeframe, the developer has the option to convert the condominium spaces into apartments as well.
More than a dozen residents spoke against Ebsco’s plan, and Greystone resident Ashley Lovell said there were 2,297 people who signed a petition against the proposed development. Additionally, 85% of residents who responded to a survey opposed residential development in Tattersall Park, Lovell said.
Dale Gorham, another Greystone resident, said locals over many years have consistently opposed residential development on the land now known as Tattersall Park. There was a reason that land was zoned for commercial use more than 30 years ago, and it’s still valid today, Gorham said.
“I feel confident this area was left as a buffer for the Greystone community,” he said.
Lovell said another dense housing development will hamper air quality, increase crime, decrease community ties, add to congestion, create parking problems and increase people’s stress levels.
Driver said her main reason for opposing the plan is that she doesn’t think developers have allotted enough parking space for people who would be living there and staying in the hotel.
She said she’s concerned that proposed parking areas would not be close enough to
the residential units, and that’s a safety concern for those residents. She also didn’t like that some of the parking spaces for residents would be in a floodplain.
The Tattersall development team issued a written statement saying their ultimate goal is to do what’s right and make the best use of the land. They’ve worked with affected communities to provide a best-case scenario, they said. “There is some give and take that occurs,” the statement said. “Everyone should be able to see how their voices were heard and affected this for the good. … We look forward to completing the development at Tattersall.”
NEW YEAR • NEW YOU NEW LOCATION
Left: Greystone resident Ashley Lovell speaks to the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission about the Tattersall Park development next to Greystone on Dec. 9. Photo by Jon Anderson. Right: The proposed new development plan for 33 undeveloped acres in Tattersall Park includes 170 apartments for people ages 55 and older, 107 additional apartments, 30 condominiums, a 125-room hotel and up to 45,000 square feet of other commercial space. Map courtesy of city of Hoover.
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The Finley Awards: honoring integrity, character, compassion
The Finley Awards • Web: hoovercityschools.net/finleyawards
As head coach at the old W.A. Berry High School in Hoover, the late Bob Finley taught his students as much about integrity and character as he did about football.
The cherished awards given each year since 1996 in Finley’s name promote the values he stood for.
The Finley Awards honor exemplars of outstanding character in the Hoover City Schools system, including one employee and one senior from each high school.
“Coach Finley was a humble, quiet coach and person,” says Aimee George, Finley Committee chairwoman. “He was a man of great faith, was active in his church and helped lots of people. He went above and beyond as a coach and teacher.”
“He was a man of character,” says Jennifer Hogan, principal at Hoover High School, “Coach Finley set positive examples for integrity, grit, humility, and hard work.”
January is the beginning of the Finley Awards season.
Three Hoover teachers will be honored for their work in the classroom at the “Teachers in the Trenches” awards ceremony, to be held Jan. 30 at 7:30 a.m at the Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens.
The committee will also acknowledge winners in February and host two events in March, including a recognition event for character winners in Grades K through 12 at the Finley Center on March 20 at 6 p.m.
Finley, who died in 1994, left a tremendous legacy because of all the people he influenced
“We have so many people in the community who were coached by him at Berry or taught by him at church, so there’s a ripple effect,” George says. “They learned how to handle things in a hum-
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ble, kind way because of Coach Finley.”
Hogan is one of the people who was deeply affected by Finley. A veteran educator, she played basketball for him at Berry in the 1980s.
“Coach Finley was like a father figure to me,”
Hogan says. “He pushed our teams hard and expected a lot from us. We didn't want to disappoint him. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to play for him.”
Hogan learned many lessons from Finley. For example, “preparation is key,” she says, referring to Finley’s rigorous study of their opponents, careful game planning and emphasis on fundamentals.
“As a teacher or school leader, I have made it a priority to be prepared for the benefit of my students and staff,” Hogan says.
Hogan and her teammates learned humility from Finley.
“Coach Finley never bragged on our team or was boastful about our success, and he showed grace whether we won or lost,” Hogan recalls.
Hogan also learned from Finley that you can be “fiercely competitive” and still be polite, she said. “He picked up trash in the bleachers after games. He was respectful to others.”
Finley’s example is always there in Hogan’s work as an educator.
“There have been countless days that I have asked myself, ‘What would Coach Finley think of this? What would Coach Finley do?’” Hogan says. Finley taught hundreds of young people — both athletes and non-athletes — about integrity, generosity and compassion, not only in what he said, but in how he lived.
For more about the Finley Awards, go online to hoovercityschools.net/finleyawards.
Contact Birmingham Water Works today at 205-244-4224, email us at publicrelations@bwwb.org or fill out the form now by scanning the QR Code and we will reach out to you to schedule your school’s visit!
In the Classroom
ACCOLADES
Spain Park, Hoover earn AP honors
By STAFF
Spain Park High School and Hoover High School have been named to the 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll by the College Board, recognizing their efforts to expand access to AP courses and support student success.
SPHS earned the Silver distinction, while HHS received Bronze honors for the 2023-24 school year.
At SPHS, 430 students took 1,095 AP exams last year, with 85% achieving a score of 3 or higher (out of a possible 5). HHS students completed 1,200 exams, with 75% earning similar scores. Both schools also increased the availability of AP courses, offering students opportunities to engage in college-level learning.
SPHS Principal Amanda Esslinger attributed the recognition to the efforts of students and teachers, while HHS Principal Jennifer Hogan highlighted the importance of rigorous coursework in preparing students for post-secondary success.
The AP Honor Roll acknowledges schools that not only provide access to AP courses but also maintain strong performance metrics. Both schools emphasized the role of their faculty and
staff in meeting these benchmarks.
College Board’s AP Program enables students to pursue college-level studies — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both — while still in high school. Through AP courses, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments and see many sides of an issue. Taking AP courses demonstrates to college admissions officers that students have sought the most challenging curriculum available to them.
BACK WHEN
Principal of Berry Middle School Melissa Hadder
By STAFF
Q: What’s the story behind this photo?
A: The attached photo is my sorority composite photo from college, circa 1991. I was an ADPi (Alpha Delta Pi) at Troy State University back then, majoring in K-12 music education.
Q: What was going on in your life then?
A: In 1991, I was super excited to be preparing for a career teaching K-12 music and band. I was active in my sorority, the Troy State Band Program, and enjoying living in Alabama.
Q: If you could go back in time to that day, what would you tell your younger self?
A: I would tell my younger self that sharing content with students would be fun and a joy, but that my actual passion would become impacting students as people. I would tell my younger self not to worry so much about small details and striving for perfection in life. I would tell myself to slow down, not live in such a rush all of the time, enjoy each moment and stay fully engaged.
Q: What might people be surprised to learn about your younger self?
A: I was very introverted when I was younger. I was often reserved and slow to share my opinion or assert myself in large group settings. I could never have imagined that I would one day lead a school in a community as amazing as Hoover.
Students at Spain Park High School study in an Advanced Placement class. Photo courtesy of Hoover City Schools.
Melissa Hadder, principal of Berry Middle School in Hoover, poses in her college sorority photo at Troy State University. Photo courtesy of Melissa Hadder.
SCHOOLHOUSE
Spain Park student puts green beliefs into action
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
Rahul Karthik knew there was a vacuum at Spain Park High School. Coming out of the pandemic, his high school no longer had its environmental club, the Walden Society.
Karthik, then a sophomore and now a senior, wanted a club for students who were interested in environmental issues, after he volunteered with YouthServe and saw pollution along the Cahaba River.
Karthik knew someone at the school who had created their own club and used that as inspiration to get started.
“So I knew it was possible that if students had the initiative, that they could go to the administration and request to start a club, and for that, you needed a minimum of 10 students to show interest,” he said. “So that’s when I kind of went around, asked my friends and asked others ... if people are interested.”
With the administration’s approval, The Green Earth Society was born.
“I had two major goals,” Karthik said. “The first one was I wanted to get youth involved in community service and show that even at their age, they can get engaged in the community.
[…] And secondly, through the club, I wanted to get one step closer into making Alabama a cleaner and greener state through the activities and events that we conduct.”
The club is part environmental issues and part environmental sciences, focusing on cleaning up the local environment, removing invasive plant species and conducting water testing.
Karthik has seen resounding success with the club in its two years of existence. Partnering with the Cahaba River Society and
AKB
Dr. Wu cares
Cahaba Riverkeepers, the Green Earth Society has cleaned up one ton of trash from around five cities in the metro area and removed 500 pounds of invasive plant species from Hoover.
“The reason we want to incorporate invasive species is because they don’t have predators, so they naturally take the resources away from the natural species that grow in Alabama, and that causes them to die out, and it results in a lack of biodiversity, and which also, at the end of the day, hinders the ecosystem of the Cahaba River,” Karthik said.
The club has also become popular at school. Karthik said the group has 100 members, 40 of whom are continuously active in all of the meetings and clean-ups.
“I’m definitely happy that I was able to have this opportunity at school where I can start my own club and get other youth involved,” Karthik said. “Being able to do what I enjoy and actually convert some of my ideas into real action is, I think, a great thing.”
Rahul Karthik, second from left, with members of Green Earth Society after a Cahaba River clean-up day. Photo courtesy of Rahul Karthik.
Business Buzz
NOW OPEN
Board in Birmingham, a new charcuterie-based restaurant, opened recently along the U.S. 280 corridor. Located between Hugh Daniel Boulevard and Greystone Highlands Circle, the restaurant specializes in charcuterie boards and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., after which the space is available for private events, from baby showers to corporate gatherings. 205-261-9853, boardbham.com
Kyuramen in Inverness opened last month. The national ramen chain is located at 950 Inverness Corners. It is the first location in Alabama. The restaurant describes itself as creating “the most unique and rich ramen dishes” using a variety of Japanese styles. Their honeycomb seating arrangements offer private dining experiences. If you want to be a part of the action, you can also sit at
the bar and watch the chefs strut their stuff. The location also features a boba tea bar that accepts take-out or delivery orders. Kyuramen is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 205-968-1999, kyuramen.com
Upperline Health, a podiatry-focused health care group, has opened a new location along the U.S. 280 corridor in Greystone Park, offering a boutique-style experience for patients. The practice is led by Dr. Tameka Lee, a board-certified podiatrist with more than 26 years of experience. The new clinic aims to provide comprehensive foot and ankle care tailored to the needs of the local community. Upperline Health’s new location is at 5511 U.S. 280, Suite 118. 205-813-8117, upperlinehealth.com
RELOCATIONS
Space Cadets, an organizing service and retail store, has relocated to The Mercantile on U.S. 280 in Brook Highland. Founded by organizer Kim McBrayer in 2001, Space Cadets does residential renovations, space planning and organizing solutions. More Birmingham-area locations are planned in 2025. 205-326-7025, spacecadetsorg.com
NEWS AND AWARDS
Life Care Services, the management company for the Galleria Woods senior living community at 3850 Galleria Woods Drive, was recognized in the J.D. Power 2024 Senior Living Satisfaction Study as the No. 1 independent senior living community in resident satisfaction for the sixth year in a row. The consecutive awards make Life Care Services the most awarded independent living company in the history of the J.D. Power U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study. 205-277-6915, galleriawoodsseniorliving.com
Capstone Building Corp. a general contractor based at 1200 Corporate Drive, Suite 350, in Meadow Brook Corporate Park, has completed The Gabriel, a 288-unit resort-style apartment community in the HuntsvilleMadison area. This 10-building project on 18.5 acres was developed by 1542 Balch and includes 96 one-bedroom, 168 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom floor plans equipped with stainless steel appliances, glass shower enclosures, quartz countertops, modern fixtures and electronic door locks. The community also claims to have the Huntsville-Madison area’s largest pool and only indoor dog park. It also has an outdoor dog park, clubhouse, fitness and yoga center, outdoor grilling stations with TVs, a disc golf practice course, cornhole playing area, playground, dog spa, food truck station, electric vehicle charging stations and seven detached garage buildings. 205-803-5226, capstonebuilding.com
SPOTLIGHT GET TO KNOW
Leon Williams is a sales manager at Diamond Golf Cars in Inverness Plaza. Photo by Jon Anderson.
Leon Williams, Diamond Golf Cars
By JON ANDERSON
Leon Williams is a sales manager for Diamond Golf Cars at Inverness Plaza.
Q: How long have you been in the business?
A: I’ve been here for five years, but I’ve worked sales … for 23 years.
Q: What other places have you worked in the past?
A: I was a manager for AT&T retail prior to this, and I worked for Hilton several years in Montgomery.
Q: How did you get into this business?
A: I was just looking for a change of pace from technology sales. … I came in as a parts manager role and learned the business from the inside out, as opposed to coming in as a salesperson. … About three years in, the
lead salesman here moved out of state, so that gave me the opportunity to move over here [into sales].
Q: Outside of work, do you have hobbies?
A: I like to travel, and I love to go to live events, whether it’s hockey, concerts, football. Those are the big three. ... I also collect guitars. I love guitars and musical instruments.
Q: Who are your favorite hockey and football teams?
A: Birmingham Bulls, Philadelphia Flyers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Carolina Panthers.
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: All of it. This year, I’ve seen Stone Temple Pilots, Soul Asylum, Limp Bizkit, Riff Raff and Corey Feldman at Oak Mountain. I went to Megadeth and Lamb of God in Nashville a couple months ago.
Some of the team members from Abacus Technologies are, from left: Jonathan Perz, senior security analyst; Chip Neal, vice president of sales; Jeremy Shank, data solutions architect; Kathryn Westbrook, billing and operations specialist; Julia Schwarz, marketing coordinator; Lee Kennedy, vice president of operations; and Brian Jackson, CEO. Photo courtesy of Abacus Technologies.
Abacus Technologies celebrates 25 years of IT excellence
By STAFF
For 25 years, Abacus Technologies, LLC, located at 1121 Riverchase Office Road, has provided IT solutions to businesses across the Birmingham metro area and beyond.
The firm specializes in business intelligence, managed services, and cybersecurity, offering tailored services aimed at helping businesses operate more efficiently and adapt to changing technological demands.
Abacus Technologies addresses a wide range of IT needs, including network and telecom infrastructure, software management, information security, backup solutions and disaster recovery planning. The company focuses on creating systems that allow businesses to prioritize their core functions without worrying about technical disruptions.
“We do this by assessing and recommending a plan that will enable you to focus on what
you do best — work on and not in your business,” said Chip Neal, the vice president of sales for Abacus Technologies.
Over its quarter century of operation, Abacus Technologies has worked with businesses to create IT strategies that adapt to an increasingly complex and fast-paced technological landscape. The firm’s emphasis on proactive security and scalable solutions has made it a trusted resource for clients of all sizes. With cyber threats on the rise and IT requirements growing more intricate, Abacus Technologies continues to support its clients by staying ahead of industry challenges. The company remains focused on forging strong partnerships, addressing specific client needs and enabling businesses to gain a competitive edge.
For more details about Abacus Technologies and its services, call 844-443-5900 or visit their website at abacustechnologies.com.
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All-South Metro Volleyball
Durban
named Defensive Player of the Year
By KYLE PARMLEY
The 2024 high school volleyball season featured plenty of phenomenal individual and team seasons. With the quality of volleyball in the Birmingham area, simply being selected to the annual Starnes Media All-South Metro Team, in conjunction with Under the Lights, is an honor.
Chelsea senior Lauren Buchanan takes the overall Player of the Year award after capping off an illustrious career. After five years of trying, she helped her Hornets team get to the state tournament and to a final four finish for the first time in program history.
Mountain Brook’s Mae Mae Beatty is the Offensive Player of the Year after leading the way for the Spartans. Beatty has been a force on the outside for the last few years for Mountain Brook and really took on a leadership role for the team this year.
Hoover’s Sydney Durban is the Defensive Player of the Year after putting together one of the most productive campaigns imaginable for a libero. Durban’s defensive prowess was one of the reasons the Bucs advanced to the state final four for a second straight year.
► Player of the Year: Lauren Buchanan, Chelsea
► Offensive Player of the Year: Mae Mae Beatty, Mountain Brook
► Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Durban, Hoover
► Coach of the Year: Jamie Gill, Chelsea 1ST TEAM
► Outside hitter: Lauren Buchanan, Chelsea. Likely the best player in program history, Buchanan posted 764 kills and 346 assists for the season for the Texas Tech signee.
► Outside hitter: Mae Mae Beatty, Mountain Brook. The Montevallo signee posted 462 kills and 281 digs for the Spartans.
► Outside hitter: Millie Burgess, Vestavia Hills, surpassed 1,000 career kills as a junior, going for 566 kills and 313 digs on the year.
► Setter: Cara Belcher, Chelsea, finished with the most career assists in program history, posting 1,357 assists in her senior year before heading to UVA-Wise.
► Setter: Mia Wilson, Briarwood. The lone senior on Chris Camper’s first team, posting 807 assists and 190 digs.
► Setter: Cailyn Kyes, Spain Park, set a school record with 895 assists to go along with 334 digs.
► Libero: Sydney Durban, Hoover, posted
an eye-popping 870 digs in her senior season before heading to UAH.
► Libero: Ella Kate Wright, Mountain Brook, battled injury and still had 384 digs in a great season.
► Middle: Kennedy Vincent, Hewitt-Trussville. The senior had 227 kills and 113 blocks.
► Middle: Aubrie Lay, Oak Mountain, posted 189 kills in her final season before heading to Mississippi Christian University.
► Middle: Alexa Benda, Spain Park, capped her career with 279 kills and 112 blocks.
► Right side: Lila Willett, Chelsea. The Pearl River Community College commit had 222 kills for the year.
► Right side: Marion Haskell, John Carroll, posted 306 kills to lead the way for the Cavs.
► All-around: Jordan Madsen, Vestavia Hills. The two-sport athlete and versatile volleyball player had 325 kills and 123 digs.
► All-around: Olivia Guenster, Hoover, moved to the outside after beginning the season on defense and had 259 kills with 569 digs.
2ND TEAM
► Outside hitter: Bea Wiggins, Spain Park. The junior had a standout season, with 348 kills and 293 digs.
► Outside hitter: Alexis Rudolph, Chelsea. The sophomore had 377 kills.
► Outside hitter: Madelyn Bromley, Hewitt-Trussville. The Wallace State signee
had 294 kills and 235 digs in a productive senior season.
► Outside hitter: Ellie Watts, Homewood, had a productive year with 206 kills and 208 digs for the Patriots.
► Setter: Grace Stewart, Mountain Brook. The senior racked up 847 assists and 214 digs in her first year as a starter.
► Setter: Madi Lopez, Hoover, had 596 assists and 280 digs as one of two setters.
► Setter: Addison Jenkins, Hoover, finished with 489 assists and 180 as one of two setters.
► Libero: Sophia Bagley, Chelsea. The junior stepped in and registered 375 digs.
► Libero: Camdyn Kyes, Spain Park. The eighth grader had 485 digs and 108 assists.
► Setter: Kayleigh Nguyen, Hewitt-Trussville; Kam Coleman, Homewood; Isabella Marino, John Carroll.
► Libero: Christiana Callens, Hewitt-Trussville; Anaya Patel, Oak Mountain; Lillie Hill, Vestavia Hills; Amelia Browne, Hoover.
► Middle: Ally Ross, Oak Mountain; Ava
►
Scott Windham, Vestavia Hills; Marley Cowan, Vestavia Hills; Clara Crawford, Briarwood.
Right side: Kayla Terrell, Hoover; Eden Rainbolt, Hoover; Mae Noerager, Homewood.
Left: Hoover's Sydney Durban (10) passes during a Class 7A North Super Regional match against Austin in October at the Finley Center in Hoover. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
Above: Hoover’s Olivia Guenster (1) passes during the Class 7A North Super Regional in October at the Finley Center in Hoover.
Photo by Grace Burgess.
Below: Spain Park’s Camdyn Kyes (3) bumps ball during a match against Chelsea at Spain Park High School in September. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Left: Spain Park's Alexa Benda (14) plays the ball during a Class 6A, Area 8 tournament match against Chelsea in October at Pelham High School. Photo by Kyle Parmley. Center: Spain Park’s Cailyn Kyes (12) sets ball during a match against Chelsea at Spain Park High School in September.
Photo by Savannah Schmidt. Right: Hoover’s Layla Smith (5) plays the ball during a Class 7A North Super Regional match against Austin in October at the Finley Center in Hoover. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Lakeshore Foundation is a life-time affair for one
The Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham is a world leader in fitness, athletic performance and health promotion for people with disabilities, as well as veterans and seniors (with or without a disability).
A nonprofit founded in 1984, the foundation serves about 4,000 people annually and is a leader in paralympic and adaptive sports training, disability advocacy and inclusive fitness.
Lakeshore Foundation creates a supportive environment where people can thrive physically, mentally and socially.
The facility has served athletes from around the world who come to Birmingham to train or compete.
Lakeshore is a U.S. U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site and is home for two Paralympic sports — USA Wheelchair Rugby and Boccia United States.
The Lakeshore Foundation is also a long-time family affair for the Kambers of Homewood.
Daniel Kamber is a Membership Professional and a Masters Swim Coach at the facility.
In addition, his “whole family is active at the Lakeshore Foundation,” Daniel said. “My father Michael and my mom Sherry are both highly involved, and my dad serves on the board.”
Daniel’s been a Lakeshore Foundation member since 1991, when Sherry heard about the facility’s Super Sports Saturday program for disabled kids.
“I involved Daniel, and he found his love of swimming,” Sherry said.
Daniel started working at the foundation in 2001.
“Everything I do here is gratifying,” he says, calling the foundation “a great organization.”
Last year, the Lakeshore Foundation leveraged its decades of experience in adaptive sports and opened the new Sports Science & Performance Center (SSPC).
The SSPC provides disabled athletes with an unrivaled training experience at a great facility along with data-driven workouts, personalized meal plans and help with mental performance
Over-the-Mountain family
“As an athlete with a disability, the presence of the SSPC at Lakeshore Foundation is incredibly powerful,” Daniel says.
Daniel is a paralympic swimmer and was a member of the U.S. Paralympic National Team in 2004 in Greece and in 2011 at the Para PanAm Games in Mexico.
SSPC serves elite athletes and aspiring athletes, with or without disabilities, along with a diverse roster of seniors and other clients who are seeking a supportive facility where they can maximize their fitness, strength
Lakeshore Foundation
• Where: 4000 Ridgeway Drive
• Call: 205-313-7400
• Web: lakeshore.org/sspc
and balance.
This includes Sherry.
Six months ago, she also began training with Brandon Kane at the SSPC to build more muscle and improve her flexibility and balance.
Sherry does weightlifting, the medicine ball, TRX and lots of balance moves.
“I saw and felt results and felt stronger,” Sherry said. “My program is based on scientific data.”
“My mother tells me all the time she is loving it and getting stronger every day,” Daniel said. “I notice also.”
“SSPC is the perfect fit for someone who really wants to see results and not just go through the motions,” Sherry said.
“I enjoy having my mother active in the SSPC,”
Daniel said.
Sherry also enjoys daily walks at the field house at the foundation.
“It’s especially nice to walk with all the friends that I have made on the track,” she says.
“Lakeshore Foundation being centrally located here in Homewood, so it’s very easy to access,” Sherry says. “There is no reason not to consider what the facility has to offer.”
For more about the Lakeshore Foundation, including volunteer opportunities, call 205-313-7400 or go to lakeshore.org
For more information about the SSPC, go online to lakeshore.org/sspc.
Sherry Kamber trains with her son Daniel Kamber at the Lakeshore Foundation. Daniel Kamber works with visitors of the facility, and his mother uses the facility for her workouts.
SPORTS
All-South Metro Football
Bradley wins POY, English named COY
By KYLE PARMLEY
The 2024 high school football season was one to remember. In the Under the Lights coverage area, eight of the 11 teams qualified for the playoffs, with Hoover making the deepest run, getting to the Class 7A semifinals.
The annual Starnes Media All-South Metro Football Team, in conjunction with Under the Lights, has been selected to honor the top performers from the season.
Spain Park junior quarterback Brock Bradley had an outstanding season to earn Player of the Year honors. Bradley led the Jags to 12 straight wins and an appearance in the Class 6A quarterfinals. He finished the year with 2,667 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, adding six rushing touchdowns as well.
Mountain Brook junior running back Stuart Andrews was named the Offensive Player of the Year after emerging as the Spartans’ workhorse. Andrews carried the ball 25 times per game and excelled in an important role in the Mountain Brook offense.
Hewitt-Trussville junior linebacker
Parker Floyd is the Defensive Player of the Year after helping lead the Huskies to the best defense in Class 7A.
The Huskies allowed just 9.5 points per game all season. Floyd totaled 105 tackles on the year and scored five offensive touchdowns as well.
Here is the team in its entirety:
► Player of the Year: Brock Bradley, Spain Park
► Offensive Player of the Year: Stuart Andrews, Mountain Brook
► Defensive Player of the Year: Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville
► Coach of the Year: Chip English, Hoover
1ST TEAM OFFENSE
► QB: Brock Bradley, Spain Park; named Player of the Year after an outstanding season.
► QB: Will O’Dell, Oak Mountain; a breakout season for the dual-threat, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and rushing for more than 1,000 yards.
► RB: Stuart Andrews, Mountain Brook; named Offensive Player of the Year after running for 1,805 yards.
► RB: Chase Stracener, Chelsea; ran for 1,601 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
► WR: Corey Barber, Spain Park; the leading receiver in the area, going for 1,429 yards and 17 touchdowns on 74 catches.
► WR: Kylen Newell, Homewood; went over 1,000 receiving yards, scoring eight touchdowns.
► WR: Zach Fitzgerald, Oak Mountain; broke out in his senior season, catching 51 passes for 904 yards.
► TE: Bruce Littleton, Vestavia Hills; eclipsed 1,000 total yards as a do-it-all back for the Rebels.
► OL: Daniel Ellis, Mountain Brook; allowed no sacks and was selected for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Classic.
► OL: Walker Williams, Homewood; allowed only one sack and led a potent Homewood offense up front.
► OL: Mason Holloway, Hewitt-Trussville; a two-year starter and the top lineman for the Huskies.
► OL: JD Livingston, Vestavia Hills; graded out at 91% on the year for a productive Rebels offense.
► OL: Trot English, Hoover; Alabama-Mississippi All-Star for the Bucs.
► ATH: Luke Reynolds, Briarwood; did everything for the Lions, scoring 16 touchdowns despite missing three games.
► ATH: Mac Beason, Hoover; threw for 2,315 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 35 yards per punt.
► K: Whit Armistead, Homewood; made 9-of-11 field goals with a long of 42 yards.
► P: Owen Simpson, Vestavia Hills; averaged 45.5 yards per punt, along with converting all of his extra points.
► ST: Jackson Kalnoske, Chelsea; the senior had no bad snaps in three years as a starter.
1ST TEAM DEFENSE
► DL: Garrett Witherington, Briarwood; had 13 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback pressures as the focal point of the Lions’ defense.
► DL: Romello Cooper, Chelsea; racked up 56 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
► DL: Colton McIntyre, ClayChalkville; one of the Cougars’ top players as a sophomore, finishing with eight sacks.
► DL: PaLanding Drammeh, Hoover; racked up 50 tackles with five sacks.
► LB: Grayson Bruno, Vestavia Hills; the leading tackler for the Rebels with 89 tackles.
► LB: Cameron Torbor, Hoover; racked up 89 tackles and eight sacks in a dominant season.
► LB: NaKarius Allen, ClayChalkville; went for 76 tackles and notched eight sacks.
► DB: Spence Hanna, Vestavia Hills; top producer for the Rebels, finishing with 88 tackles.
► DB: Harris Crumpton, Mountain Brook; notched 90 tackles and broke up four passes.
► DB: Xavier Starks, ClayChalkville; the junior posted 70 tackles.
► DB: Will Phillips, Hewitt-Trussville; the top defensive back for the Huskies, registering 52 tackles along with returning punts.
► ATH: Parker Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville; won Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 105 tackles.
► ATH: Michael Igbinoghene, Hewitt-Trussville; the Tulane signee scored four offensive touchdowns, deflected three passes and made plays on special teams.
2ND TEAM OFFENSE
► QB: Will Myers, Homewood; despite missing two games, threw for
1,187 yards and totaled 19 touchdowns.
► QB: Aaron Frye, ClayChalkville; threw for 2,160 yards with 20 total touchdowns in his first year as starter.
► RB: Dakarai Shanks, Spain Park; ran for 1,292 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns.
► RB: Aaron Osley, ClayChalkville; one of four backs in the area to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards.
► WR: Aubrey Walker, John Carroll; played both ways for the Cavs, racking up 658 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
► WR: Dylan Cope, Hewitt-Trussville; led the Huskies with 503 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
► WR: CJ Durbin, Chelsea; a top target for the resurgent Hornets, catching 53 passes for 576 yards.
► TE: Jabari Staples, ClayChalkville; made the most of his 24 grabs, scoring eight touchdowns.
► OL: Bradley Haizlip, Oak Mountain; the junior led the Eagles’ offensive line in pancakes.
► OL: Rocco Gray, Mountain Brook; two-year starter and graded out at 94%.
► OL: Toby Richard, Hoover; the 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman helped lead the Bucs to the semifinals.
► OL: Landon Page, Vestavia Hills; the senior had 85 knockdowns on the season.
► OL: Anthony Mokry, John Carroll; the Cavs’ center was the team’s top lineman.
► ATH: Jonah Winston, Hoover: played several roles for the Bucs offense, scoring five rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns and playing some quarterback.
► ATH: Charlie Taaffe, Vestavia Hills; accounted for nearly 2,500 total yards in first year as starting quarterback.
► K: Josh Renfro, Oak Mountain; capped off his season with a 43-yard game-winning field goal against Chelsea.
► P: Drew Ollis, Hewitt-Trussville; averaged 39.8 yards per punt along with playing defensive line.
► ST: Hardy Butler, Homewood; the junior long snapper has been rated one of the top in his class.
2ND TEAM DEFENSE
► DL: Ethan Walton, Oak Mountain; totaled 58 tackles, including 16 for loss.
► DL: Boyd Cooper, Mountain Brook; finished with 47 tackles, three forced fumbles and 11 quarterback pressures.
► DL: Justyn Hartley, Hoover; had seven sacks to lead the Bucs defense.
► DL: Patrick Smith,
Above: Spain Park QB Brock Bradley (5) attempts a pass during a game between Chelsea and Spain Park on Oct. 10, at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover. Photo by Todd Lester.
Left: Hoover head coach Chip English during a game between Hoover High School and Fairhope High School on Nov. 7 at the Hoover Met. Photo by Barry Stephenson.
Left: Spain Park wide receiver Corey Barber (17) waits to make a touchdown catch during a game between Spain Park and Chilton County on Oct. 24, at Chilton County High School. Photo by Richard Force. Right: Hoover inside linebacker Cameron Torbor (5) pressures Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa quarterback Bryson Kimbrough (12 ) during a game between Hoover and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Sept. 6 at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa.
Photo by Barry Stephenson.
Clay-Chalkville; had six sacks for the Cougars.
► LB: Hampton King, Mountain Brook; had 66 tackles, including 10 for loss.
► LB: Briston Hardy, Chelsea; posted 128 total tackles on the year, with five pass breakups among several impressive stats.
► LB: Trust Darnell, Homewood; finished with 96 tackles, including 12 for loss.
► LB: EJ Kerley, Spain Park; posted 140 tackles, tops in the area.
► DB: CJ Tidmore, Homewood; posted 78 tackles from the secondary.
► DB: Deon Callins, Clay-Chalkville; had 60 tackles.
► DB: Sam Canale, Briarwood; emerged as a top player for the Lions, posting 58 tackles and three interceptions.
► DB: Joe Cross, Spain Park; intercepted five passes.
► ATH: Jamar Moultrie, Hoover; played defensive back and returned kicks for the Bucs.
► ATH: Rylan Hamm, Briarwood; the Lions’ leading tackler with 78 tackles on the year.
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE
► RB: Marty Myricks, Oak Mountain; Evan Ausmer, Homewood; Deuce Alston, Hewitt-Trussville; James Kelly, Hewitt-Trussville; Joshua Woods, Clay-Chalkville; CJ Cowley, Spain Park.
► WR: Chris Warren, Hoover.
► TE: Jackson Martin, Hewitt-Trussville; Brayden Robertson, Briarwood.
► OL: Caleb Boylan, Vestavia Hills; Luke Kelly, Oak Mountain; Trot English, Hoover; Storm Fain, Hoover; Christian Bennett, ClayChalkville; JT Jones, Clay-Chalkville; Adam Brooks, Chelsea; Will Pohlmann, Chelsea;
Barnabas Karanja, Briarwood; Hudson Reed, Spain Park; Jackson Bell, Spain Park; Carter Fountain, Briarwood.
► K: Garrett Heinemann, Briarwood; Joseph Del Toro, Clay-Chalkville.
► ATH: Kaleb Carson, Homewood; CJ Davis, Hewitt-Trussville.
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE
► DL: Joey Lewis, Oak Mountain; Will Ray, Homewood; Tyson Bacon, Hoover; D’ante Seals, Hewitt-Trussville; Baasel Alabsi, Hewitt-Trussville; Randell Cole, Clay-Chalkville; Nic Gagliano, John Carroll.
► LB: Jacob Watson, Vestavia Hills; William Yoder, Oak Mountain; Colton Moore, Oak Mountain; Miller Lee, Mountain Brook; Joey Luckianow, Homewood; Isaiah Brown, Clay-Chalkville; Porter Schott, Chelsea; Ethan
► DB: Jayden Aparicio-Bailey, Oak Mountain; Kolby King, Oak Mountain; DK Bolden, Hoover; Maleik Smiley, Homewood; John Griffin, Homewood; Caden Ali, Hewitt-Trussville; Sam Parrish, Chelsea.
Starnes Media's publications cover several communities throughout the Birmingham metro area. Schools included for consideration on this team were Briarwood, Chelsea, ClayChalkville, Hewitt-Trussville, Homewood, Hoover, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia Hills. The team was selected by Starnes Media’s sports department, in collaboration with the coaches.
Left: Hoover offensive lineman Trot English (62) heads to midfield for the coin toss prior to an August game against Spain Park High School at the Hoover Met. Right: Hoover’s Mac Beason (15) directs the play during a game between Hoover High School and Prattville High School on Sept. 20 at the Hoover Met. Photos by Barry Stephenson.
COMMUNITY
Tickets go on sale Jan. 15 for 2025 Southern Voices Festival
By JON ANDERSON
The headliner for the 2025 Southern Voices Festival at the Hoover Public Library in February is Julia Quinn, a New York Times bestselling novelist who authored the popular Bridgerton book series that later was made into a Netflix series.
JULIA QUINN
Quinn, whose real name is Julie Pottinger, is scheduled to speak on Friday, Feb. 21. She has written almost 40 books, all romance and mostly novels. She has had 19 consecutive New York Times bestsellers. In March 2021, all eight of her Bridgerton novels were on the NYT list at the same time, a record (at that time) for an adult fiction author.
In the United States alone, there are more than 20 million copies of her books in print.
Quinn, a graduate of Harvard, briefly attended the Yale School of Medicine before deciding to pursue a full-time writing career, according to her website. She sold her first book, “Splendid,” at the age of 24 and has been working with the same editor and publishing house her entire career.
Her books have been translated into 42 languages, the most recent of which is Ukrainian.
Quinn has more than 533,000 followers on Instagram and 405,000 followers on Facebook. In 2016, she taught the inaugural romance workshop at the Yale Summer Writers Conference.
In 2020, Netflix premiered its “Bridgerton” series based on her novels, and there have been three seasons of the show thus far, with a fourth season coming. All eight of the Bridgerton novels focus on different siblings in the noble Bridgerton family as they search for love, adventure and happiness in early 1800s England.
“We’re really excited,” Southern Voices chairwoman Carrie Steinmehl said of having Quinn as this year’s keynote speaker. “There is a huge following for that.”
This past summer, the library held a “Bridgerton ball” that drew more than 200 people, who dressed in early 1800s high-class British attire to celebrate the novels and Netflix series.
“I think we’ll get a good crowd [for Quinn’s keynote speech,]” Steinmehl said. “And I hope that people dress up if they so choose. It will be interesting to see how many are fans of just the show and how many are fans of the books and the show.”
The Southern Voices authors conference on Saturday, Feb. 22, will feature fiction writers Kimberly Brock, A.J. Finn, Chris Pavone, Steven Rowley, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Stacy Willingham and nonfiction author Tommy Tomlinson.
The musical act for Southern Voices is the McCrary Sisters, who will entertain audiences in the Hoover Library Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 19-20, with gospel music that melds traditional gospel with contemporary influences of classic soul, Americana, blues, rock and R&B.
One change for Southern Voices this year is that the reception for the featured visual artist, Tony Bingham, will be held the previous week on Thursday, Feb. 13. Bingham, who does largescale photography and sculptures, is scheduled to give a free lecture at 5:45 p.m., followed by a reception until 7:30 p.m. His work will be on display at the Hoover Public Library from Feb. 6 to March 31.
Tickets for “An Evening with Julia Quinn” cost $40, while tickets for the authors conference cost $45. They go on sale Jan. 15 and are expected to sell out quickly. The Hoover Library Theatre holds 250 people. If more than 50 people put their names on a waiting list, the library will sell additional tickets for the Saturday authors conference, with seating in the Library Plaza and each author speaking in both locations at different times, Steinmehl said.
Tickets for The McCrary Sisters are $38 and went on sale with the rest of the Library Theatre season in late August. The Thursday, Feb. 20, performance already is sold out, but tickets for Wednesday, Feb. 19, were still available as of Nov. 26.
Here is more information about each of the authors speaking at the Saturday conference and this year’s featured artist, based on information supplied by the Hoover Public Library.
STEVEN ROWLEY
Steven Rowley, a humorist, is the New York Times bestselling author of “Lily and the Octopus,” a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016; “The Editor,” named by National Public Radio as one of the Best Books of 2019; “The Guncle,” winner of the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor; “The Celebrants,” a “Today” show Read with Jenna Book Club pick; and “The Guncle Abroad.” His fiction has been published in 20 languages. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College and currently resides in Palm Springs. “People who are fans
of his enjoy his books because they’re fun and lighthearted,” Steinmehl said.
KIMBERLY BROCK
Kimberly Brock, a historical fiction writer, is the bestselling author of “The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare,” which was shortlisted for the prestigious Townsend Prize for Fiction, and “The River Witch.” Her latest novel is “The Fabled Earth,” which was released by Harper Muse on Oct. 1. Brock, a previous recipient of the Georgia Author of the Year Award, is the founder of the Tinderbox Writers Workshop and has served as a guest lecturer for many regional and national writing workshops, including at the Pat Conroy Literary Center. A native of north Georgia, she now lives near Atlanta. She runs in the same literary circles as previous Southern Voices authors Patti
Southern Voices
► WHAT: A celebration of writing, music and art
► WHERE: Hoover Public Library
► WHEN: Feb. 18-24
► WEB: southernvoices.info
► CALL: 205-444-7888
► TICKETS: Go on sale Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. online and by phone. Headline speaker Julia Quinn $40; Saturday authors conference $45; musical guest The McCrary Sisters, Feb. 19-20, 7 p.m., $38. Artist Tony Bingham, work on display Feb. 6-March 31; lecture and reception, Feb. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free
Callahan Henry and Kristin Harmel, Steinmehl said.
MAURICE CARLOS RUFFIN
Maurice Carlos Ruffin, another historical fiction author, likely will be paired with Brock at Southern Voices. He comes highly recommended by former Southern Voices author Steve Yarbrough. His most recent book is “The American Daughters,” which Publishers Weekly called "a vibrant picture of antebellum New Orleans." He is also the author of the story collection “The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You,” which was a New York Times Editors' Choice, a finalist for the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and longlisted for the Story Prize. His first book, “We Cast a Shadow,” was a finalist for the PEN/ Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the PEN America Open Book Prize. It also was a New York Times Editors' Choice and was longlisted for the 2021 DUBLIN Literary Award, the Center for Fiction Prize and the Aspen Words Literary Prize. Ruffin is the winner of several literary prizes, including the Iowa Review Award in fiction and the William Faulkner–William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Award for Novel-in-Progress. His work has appeared in The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Oxford American, Garden & Gun, Kenyon Review and Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America. A New Orleans native, Ruffin is a creative writing professor at Louisiana State University.
AJ FINN
A.J. Finn, best known for his 2018 blockbuster debut “The Woman in the Window,” has made a significant mark in the psychological thriller genre. His Hitchcockian storytelling earned him international acclaim, with the book published in more than 40 languages and adapted into a Netflix film starring Amy Adams. The Hoover Public Library tried to get Finn for Southern Voices in 2017 after now-retired Hoover librarian Patricia Guarino saw him at a book festival, but he was so popular that he was booked up, Steinmehl said. A former editor and literary scholar, Finn draws on his academic background in English literature to craft stories rich in suspense and emotional depth. He is known for being an “unreliable narrator,” Steinmehl said. That means he sometimes intentionally misleads readers by lying or misrepresenting the truth. His second novel, “End of Story,” was published in 2024.
STACY WILLINGHAM
Stacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of “A Flicker in the Dark,” “All the Dangerous Things” and “Only If You’re Lucky.” Her fourth thriller, “Forget Me Not,” is scheduled to be published in August 2025. Her debut, “A Flicker in the Dark,” was a 2022 finalist for the Book of the Month’s Book of the Year Award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut Award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller Award and ITW’s Best First Novel Award and the winner of Strand Magazine’s Best Debut
Photos courtesy of Hoover Public Library.
Julia Quinn
Steven Rowley
Kimberly Brock
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
AJ Finn
Stacy Willingham
Award. All of her novels have been selected as Amazon Editors’ Picks and Book of the Month selections, and her books have been translated into more than 30 languages. Before turning to fiction, she was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and master’s degree in writing from the Savannah College of Art & Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina.
CHRIS PAVONE
Chris Pavone, an international thriller writer, is the author of “The Paris Diversion,” “The Travelers,” “The Accident” and “The Expats.” His novels have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, and he has won both the Edgar and Anthony awards and had books optioned for television and film and translated into two dozen languages. Pavone grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Cornell University and worked as a book editor for nearly two decades. He lives in New York City and on the North Fork of Long Island with his family.
Tommy Tomlinson, the only nonfiction writer coming to Southern Voices this year, has authored two books: “The Elephant in the Room,” a 2019 memoir about being overweight in America, and “Dogland,” a 2024 book about the Westminster Dog Show and the bond between dogs and people. He spent three years following a champion show dog and his handler to competitions as research for the book. Tomlinson hosts a podcast called “SouthBound” through the NPR station in Charlotte. He also has a newsletter called “The Writing Shed.” Tomlinson has written for publications that include Esquire, ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Forbes and Garden & Gun. He was a longtime reporter and columnist for the Charlotte Observer, where he was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in commentary.
THE McCRARY SISTERS
The McCrary Sisters are daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, a founding member of the legendary gospel quartet The Fairfield Four. They sing gospel music that melds traditional
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gospel with contemporary influences of classic soul, Americana, blues, rock and R&B. Since forming their own group in 2011 and releasing their recording of “Amazing Grace” in 2021, The McCrary Sisters, dubbed “Nashville music royalty” by NPR, continue to share their family legacy, which has included performances with artists such as Bob Dylan, Elvis, Isaac Hayes and Stevie Wonder, the Black Keys, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and many more.
TONY BINGHAM
Tony Bingham is a multi-disciplinary artist who lives and works in Birmingham. Through his found and original audio work, large-scale photography and sculpture, Bingham references various sites that offer opportunities to consider and memorialize African-American life. Bingham received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Antioch College, a master’s degree in film and community media from Goddard College and a master’s degree in fine arts from Georgia State University. In 2024, he was awarded the Southern Prize and Alabama Fellowship for Visual Arts from South Arts. Bingham taught humanities and
TOMMY TOMLINSON
studio art at Miles College in Fairfield from 2006 to 2024.
Chris Pavone
Tommy Tomlinson
The McCrary Sisters
Tony Bingham
New Shelby County Commissioner Josh Sisk begins term
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
Josh Sisk had never seriously considered running for public office, but the State Farm billing supervisor and Hoover resident knew he loved his adopted home enough to want to serve it.
“I had never thought about it before until it was brought up to me, and the more conversations I had, the more I got interested in it,” Sisk said. “The more I learned, the more I saw and the more people I met, the more my excitement grew to serve in the role because the more I found out about my own county, the more I loved my county and learning what a wonderful place it is to live.”
Sisk, 46, recently took the oath of office to become the newest Shelby County commissioner, serving District 6, which begins along U.S. 280 and spreads west along Valleydale Road past I-65.
Originally from Cliffside, North Carolina, Sisk spent his formative years in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and met his wife, Megan. Now married for 20 years, the couple has two children attending Spain Park High School.
Sisk, a Republican, defeated his Democratic opponent, Anondo Banerjee, for the seat in November. But, Sisk says he was not motivated by a particular political issue, but rather by civic pride in Shelby County.
That same motivation drove him to immerse himself in the county’s workings even before his election, attending commission meetings and community events to better understand the responsibilities of the role.
“My primary focus now is to continue learning,” Sisk said. “There’s so much to discover
about my district and the county as a whole.”
Sisk emphasized listening and teamwork as central to his leadership philosophy. He credits fellow commissioners and county officials, including outgoing District 6 Commissioner Jeff Brumlow, who was drawn out of the district in the latest redistricting, for making his transition a smooth one.
“They’ve been incredibly supportive, answering my questions and introducing me to key people,” Sisk said. “It’s clear that everyone is working together with a single agenda: doing
what’s best for Shelby County.”
One of Sisk’s priorities is addressing mental health and substance abuse challenges within the county’s incarcerated population. Working closely with the Sheriff’s Department, the county is developing programs to divert individuals who struggle with these issues away from traditional incarceration and into treatment facilities.
“These efforts aim to break the cycle and ensure people receive the help they need,” Sisk said. “Shelby County is leading the way in
Balancing his new role with his career, family and community commitments, Sisk relies on strong support from his wife, Megan, whom he called “incredibly supportive.”
As he starts his term, Sisk’s enthusiasm for Shelby County is as strong as when he first decided to run for office.
“This isn’t about changing something that’s broken,” he said. “It’s about continuing to move forward and contributing to the success of a community I deeply love.”
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Josh Sisk steps up to the role of Shelby County Commissioner following his election in November 2024. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Jefferson County to host drop-off events for electronics, TVs, household hazardous waste
Electronic waste, or E-waste, is a rapidly growing environmental and public health concern, according to the World Health Organization, and the U.S. is the leading producer of E-waste, discarding about three million tons per year.
But many people are unaware of the hazards posed by the improper disposal of broken televisions and computer monitors in conventional landfills or along roadsides, such as the release of lead and other toxic chemicals.
That’s where Jefferson County officials come in. The country regularly organizes free public events where residents can drop off these items safely.
In fact, Jefferson County has a total of five free electronics and TV drop-off and paper shredding events scheduled for 2025.
Two of those events will also allow residents to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) from their garages, basements, kitchens and bathrooms.
The first electronics drop-off and paper shredding event is set for Jan. 25 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Birmingham Zoo at 2630 Cahaba Road.
“This event is perfect for people who got new electronic devices or TVs over the holidays and need to dispose of old ones,” said county spokesperson Helen Hays.
Two other events for electronics dropoff and paper shredding will be held on May 10 at the Jefferson County Center Point Satellite Courthouse and June 14 at the Jefferson County Valley Reclama-
tion Facility in Bessemer.
The county will host two events this year at which residents can dispose of HWW, as well as electronics, TVs and paper for shredding.
The first event, on April 12 from 8-11:30 a.m., will take place at a total of three sites in Gardendale, Irondale, Bessemer. The second event will be held on October 18 from 8-11:30 a.m. at Camp Ketona in Birmingham and at Camp Bessemer.
HWW consists of automotive products, such as oil, gas, tires and batteries;
household products, including aerosols, chemicals, cleaners; outdoor products, including insecticides, pool chemicals and yard chemicals; and paint products, such as paints, resins, sealants, stains and solvents.
The county also accepts a wide range of miscellaneous items, including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, large appliances and household cooking oil and grease.
“HHW should never be emptied into sinks or drains, flushed down toilets, poured onto the ground, discarded in
storm drains or placed in regular trash for pickup,”said Hana Berres, who serves as the Education Training Manager for the county’s stormwater program.
The free drop-off events “are gaining interest, and we see annual increases in attendance,” she said.
Since Fiscal Year 2020, the county has hosted 17 events where about 4,000 households dropped off nearly 212,000 pounds of electronics.
“By organizing these free disposal events around Jefferson County, especially in areas where these items are frequently abandoned along roadways, we’ve decreased the amount of waste the county needs to manage,” Berres said.
For more information — including the items the county accepts — call 205-325-8741 or go to jccal.org.
You may also download the MyJeffCo App or scan the QR code.
Faces of Hoover
Pimiento lifts moods and shares his culture through song
By SAVANNAH SCHMIDT
Over 20 years ago, Holguer Pimiento moved from Colombia to the U.S. with his family. However, his culture remains close to his heart as he sings and strums his guitar.
He started playing at 6 years old, when he fell in love with Brazilian and Mexican music. Later, Pimiento joined a conga and shaker player to form the Broken Corazones, or “Broken Hearts,” after a listener said Pimiento’s music “broke his heart.”
“I want to change the faces of people,” Pimiento said. “People work too hard. They come into restaurants to get happy.”
Currently, Pimiento plays Spanish, Latin and Italian music at Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante in Hoover from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
“I want to show people how people live in Latin America,” Pimiento said.
While the winter chills often bring in somber feelings, Pimiento keeps spirits lively at the Brock’s Gap restaurant by playing Christmas songs from his culture. Even when he sings in Spanish, people recognize the tunes and sing along.
Pimiento works as an architect designing houses for people in Colombia, but he also makes time to host lessons for students. He remembers his dad saying, “If you play music for enjoyment, you are not stressed to pay the bills.”
In his classes, he teaches techniques for students to preserve their voice even into their old age.
“Music keeps you happy because you enjoy life,” Pimiento said.
To invite Pimiento to perform at a business or event, contact him at holguerpimiento@hotmail.com.
Connect with the Hoover Sun online: visit our website, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
Holguer Pimiento plays a Brazillian song in front of Santos Coffee in Hoover on Nov. 5. Pimiento was born in Colombia and enjoys playing Latin music to share his culture with others.
Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
CONTINUED from page 1
“When I first opened it, nobody knew these comics,” said Ayers, who arrived in Birmingham by way of Missouri after growing up in New Jersey. “Nobody knew any of them that we could get.”
Ayers didn’t have a comedy background, but he was a skilled promoter. He had honed his craft in nightclubs during the late 1970s’ “Saturday Night Fever” and “Urban Cowboy” crazes. To fill the club, he used humor right from the start, posting a sign that read: “Joan Rivers — Not Appearing.”
Inside, the space was intimate, with makeshift seating and a tiny stage. The early comics came from New York and Los Angeles, but their material didn’t resonate.
“They were talking about nothing that relates to our people,” Ayers said. “It wasn’t clicking.” And then came Sinbad.
THE FIRST STAR
In November of that first year, Ayers brought in a tall, charming comedian named Sinbad. Before his set, Ayers asked him to give a birthday shoutout to a local friend, Andy Virciglio, whose family owned the Piggly Wiggly grocery store.
“Sinbad goes up there, and somehow he does 30 minutes on Piggly Wiggly,” Ayers recalled. “He’s up there asking, ‘Is there a Mr. Piggly? A Mr. Wiggly?’ It was all off the top of his head, and the crowd went crazy.”
Sinbad didn’t just make the audience laugh; he connected with them. He riffed on Rich’s department store, cosmetics counters and other local references.
“From that moment on, people were asking, ‘Who is that guy?’” Ayers said. “He became our first star.”
The club’s reputation grew, with audiences coming for the experience as much as the acts. “Back in those days, we had to sell you on the club itself,” he said. “It was all about, ‘Come here and have a good time.’”
FAMILY AT THE CENTER
As The StarDome grew, so did Ayers’ vision
for the club — and for the people who would help him run it.
In the late 1980s, Bruce met CheChe, a BellSouth manager who initially came to the club as a guest. Years later, as he was undergoing a divorce, fate brought them together again.
CheChe called the club to book a reservation. Bruce answered.
“When she said her name was CheChe Giglio, I thought, ‘That’s the cutest name I’ve ever heard,’” Bruce said.
They struck up a conversation. When she arrived that night, Bruce tried to get her number, but she wasn’t ready.
“I could tell he was a good guy, a gentleman,” CheChe recalled. Eventually, no became yes.
“Our first date was just — it just worked out,” she said. “From that day, I knew he was the one.”
Three months later, CheChe started working at the club. By 1991, the two were married, and
CheChe became Bruce’s partner in business as well as in life.
“She started helping me at the club,” Bruce said. “And then she got more and more involved.”
Their daughters, Gina Zimmerman and Dena Giglio, also joined the business. “Dad handed me the books and said, ‘You’re in charge of the money now,’” Gina recalled. “So, that’s what I started doing, and then [the nickname] ‘G Money’ came about.”
Dena stepped in wherever she was needed.
“Pretty much anything Dad doesn’t want to do, I get to do,” she said with a laugh.
Even Gina’s husband, Rodney, oversees the club’s food and beverage operations. “We call ourselves ‘The Five,’” Bruce said.
They paused to remember another member of the family. Daughter Sheena Ayers was the club’s sales manager but passed away at age 20 in 2005 from complications related to cystic fibrosis.
“Her spirit is here in this place with us,” Bruce said.
LOVE AND LAUGHTER
Over the years, The StarDome has become one of Birmingham’s favorite date spots. “It’s the perfect date place,” Bruce said. “You sit there, you’re laughing and you don’t have to say anything. You just connect.”
He leaned into that appeal with clever marketing, famously ending commercials and his weekly TV and radio appearances with the line: “The number to call when you have a date is 444-0008.”
Even decades later, people still recite the tagline to him.
“We were at Smith Lake a month ago,” Bruce recalled. “A lady comes up to me and says, ‘Are you Bruce Ayers? I recognize your voice. My husband and I went on our first date at the
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Far left: A photo of StarDome owner Bruce Ayers and comedians Carrot Top and Pauly Shore at the comedy club in Hoover.
Left: Newspaper clippings of Steve Harvey, a comedian who made his first headlining performance at the Comedy Club owned by Bruce Ayers, now displayed at the StarDome.
Photos by Savannah Schmidt.
StarDome because of that number.’”
The club even hosted a mass wedding in the 1990s, marrying 100 couples on stage. “People still come up to us and say, ‘We got married at your club,’” CheChe said.
STARS ON THE RISE
The StarDome has been a proving ground for countless comedic talents.
“Jeff Foxworthy’s first paid gig was here at my club,” Bruce recalled. “Ricky Smiley, Roy Wood Jr. — we started them, or we supported them in the early parts of their career. It’s just awesome.”
Steve Harvey also found his footing at the StarDome. “He was timid in the beginning,” Bruce said. “But once he got going, he became a force.”
“When you see them get better and better, it’s
like watching a child grow,” Dena said.
LOOKING AHEAD
At 75 and 77, Bruce and CheChe remain deeply involved in The StarDome.
“These are my best friends,” Bruce said of his family. “We’re together all the time. We go on vacations together, we live just minutes apart — we’re blessed.”
The StarDome continues to evolve, embracing digital platforms and discovering talent through YouTube and TikTok.
“Comedy is changing, and we’re changing with it,” Bruce said.
Reflecting on four decades of laughter, Bruce Ayers feels both pride and gratitude. “We’re still here after 41 years, and that’s something I don’t take lightly,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Above: The original sign from Bruce Ayers’s Comedy Club, which burned down in 1993. Left: Remnants of dollar bills and building materials left over after the fire at the Comedy Club in March 1993. Following the fire, owner Bruce Ayers moved to open the StarDome in Hoover. Photos by Savannah Schmidt.
CONTINUED from page 1
CITY ELECTION
The municipal election is set for Aug. 26, and Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said he plans to run for a third term. No one as of mid-December had announced their intention to run against him, but there has been plenty of speculation. Hoover police Chief Nick Derzis’ name has surfaced as one, but Derzis said he doesn’t plan to run.
Brocato said he loves representing Hoover. “I think we’ve got some incredible projects that we’re working on, and I’d love to be a part of that to see them kind of come to fruition,” he said.
Those projects include the expansion of the National Computer Forensics Institute, renovations at the Hoover Met, the new I-459 interchange, other road improvements, a performing arts center, Riverwalk Village and redevelopment at the Inverness Office Park.
Brocato and Council President John Lyda have come under fire heavily in the past year, with some council members and residents saying city officials lack transparency and accountability.
“A lack of transparency leads to a lack of trust,” Councilman Steve McClinton said.
Brocato said comments about a lack of transparency and accountability are unfounded and come from people who are just trying to gain a political advantage in the election.
“That’s not the feeling throughout the city,” he said.
There are problems in the city’s Finance Department, and they have been disclosed and are being addressed, Brocato said. But city finances are strong, and the city got a positive 2023 audit, he said.
I-459 INTERCHANGE
The Alabama Department of Transportation is expected to take bids for construction of a new I-459 interchange about a mile west of John Hawkins Parkway in the first or second quarter of 2025, Brocato said. He expects construction to begin within a couple of months after that, he said.
Construction on the estimated $120 million project should take about two years once started, City Administrator Ken Grimes said.
“This has been an eight-year project,” Brocato said. “We’re almost there. … That should be a real game-changer for our city on the western side of town.”
Equally exciting is a road Signature Homes is going to build from Morgan Road to the new I-459 interchange, Brocato said. The first part will start around Blackridge and likely connect to Brock’s Gap Parkway close to South Shades Crest Road, Signature Homes CEO Jonathan Belcher said.
The exact connection point still has to be determined, he said. Jefferson County, which controls that section of South Shades Crest Road, is studying the best way for the interstate access road to connect with South Shades Crest, and the connection for the road to Blackridge is part of that, Belcher said.
The timing for getting started on the road to Blackridge depends on that study, he said. Eventually, the road to Blackridge will extend to Morgan Road. Signature Homes has commissioned a study to better define the
Left: Mayor Frank Brocato wishes the city of Hoover a Happy New Year from
Below: The proposed second phase of Stadium Trace Village includes a 132,000-squarefoot retail center, a 200room hotel, a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center, a professional office building with 280 parking spaces on 15.5 acres, two 1-acre parcels for medical offices, a 12-acre unspecified lot and about 6 acres of common area. Rendering courtesy of Broad Metro.
southern connection, and that study should wrap up in January, Belcher said.
HOOVER MET RENOVATIONS
A third phase of renovations at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium is underway, and most of them should be completed in time for the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament, Hoover officials said.
The SEC in August signed an agreement to keep the tournament in Hoover through at least 2028. In return, the city agreed to more stadium improvements. About $12 million in projects were completed in time for the 2024 tournament, and now there are about $11 million worth of improvements left, Brocato said.
About 75% of that will be finished by the 2025 tournament in May, including:
► Construction of a 4,250-square-foot club
suite down the third base side on the concourse level, with glass doors that open up to a new chairback section
► Replacement of chairback seating on the lower stadium bowl
► Conversion of six sections of aluminum bleachers on the second level to chairback seating
► Installation of new backs on remaining aluminum bleachers
► Creation of a new entrance from the lower parking lot by left field
► Renovation of the concourse area
After the 2025 tournament, a two-tier outfield hospitality patio may be built on the first base side between the scoreboard and bullpen. A redesign of the parking lot in front of the Finley Center also is planned.
STADIUM TRACE VILLAGE
Broad Metro is building a small amphitheater for concerts, other performances, seasonal events and private bookings and is partnering
with Hoover restaurateur George McCluney, who is designing a Brass Tap bar and grill in the Village Green, according to a statement by Broad Metro.
The Village Green should open this summer with a concert and event schedule available by March, the company said.
Plans for an 82-acre second phase of Stadium Trace Village stalled this past spring after disagreements among city officials about a tax incentive package and clashes between developer Will Kadish, Brocato and Lyda. Kadish also agreed to more meetings with nearby residents.
“The City has recently expressed a desire to revisit our incentive package request, which is causing unavoidable delays,” Broad Metro said in a written statement in December. “This is particularly disappointing given our 24 months of effort and an investment exceeding $2 million to date.”
However, “we remain committed to collaborating with the city despite these delays and are actively adapting our plans to align with community feedback and city priorities,” the statement said.
Broad Metro adjusted plans to minimize dependence on sales tax incentives, the statement said.
A Golf Suites entertainment center previously was included, but the agreement for a Golf Suites was terminated due to the lack of necessary incentives, the company said. The proposed layout now includes a 132,000-square-foot retail center, a 200-room hotel, a professional office building with 280 parking spaces on 15.5 acres, two 1-acre parcels for medical offices, a 12-acre unspecified lot and about 6 acres of common area.
The city still has an opportunity to put a performing arts center there, and the Forest Park Group has state approval to build an ambulatory surgery center. A diagnostic clinic and physician’s office building also are planned.
RIVERWALK VILLAGE
The Hoover Health Care Authority has received multiple proposals from health care companies interested in operating the outpatient surgery center that will be the hub of Riverwalk Village in the Riverchase Office Park, but it’s unknown when a decision will be made as to who will be chosen, said authority Chairman Alan Paquette. Changes in the Birmingham-Hoover health care market in the past year have slowed that process, Paquette said.
However, CR Endeavors, which owns the 91-acre Riverwalk campus formerly held by Regions Bank, should be moving forward with other parts of the development in 2025, Chief Strategy Officer Christy Roddy said. That includes 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of retail space and a hotel, Roddy said.
CR Endeavors in December sold 24 acres to Signature Homes, which expects to submit preliminary plans for the first phase of the residential part of Riverwalk in January, including some multi-family units and a few townhomes, Belcher said. Preliminary plans for the second phase should be ready by March, he said.
Signature Homes will build 200 to 210 total residential units in Riverwalk, with 66 to 70 being multi-family, Belcher said. Site work should begin in March, but homes likely won’t go up until 2026, he said.
CR Endeavors plans to build up to 375 apartments for people ages 55 and older in 2026 or 2027, Roddy said.
Left: This sketch shows the planned design for the new Interstate 459 Exit 9, just southwest of the South Shades Crest Road overpass. The view is looking south on I-459, with traffic exiting right going toward Ross Bridge Parkway and traffic on the left heading toward Brock’s Gap Parkway Rendering from Alabama Department of Transportation. Construction workers build a new hospitality suite on the third base side of Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on Dec. 16. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Hoover City Hall. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
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