This year, the first day of spring is March 20. And with it comes the excitement of school break, glimpses of warmer days to come, and a cherished perfect opportunity to be outside for extended periods of time amid really nice Central Alabama weather.
Spring is also known as a season of rebirth, renewal and growth. In this edition of Enjoy Hoover, we’re holding tight to these themes by exploring how our city is blossoming – from businesses and schools to special community-wide events full of fresh air.
Come along with us as we meet creative entrepreneurs (page 24), explore some of the most beautiful homes in the city (page 8), enjoy special events, and even help expand non-profit programs by supporting local causes (page 18).
We hope this season provides you with a chance to find renewal through your favorite community activities and to grow your love of Hoover by trying something new. And with so much to enjoy, that shouldn’t be any trouble at all!
Happy Reading,
Kim Cripps Editor
ABOUT THE COVER
George Gilliam, 36, owns Uncle G’s Pizza. Located off Highway 31, the restaurant began as a food truck in 2021 and expanded to a storefront in March 2024.
Cover photo by Allison Carpenter
Enjoy Hoover is your guide to dining, entertainment, and shopping in Hoover, Alabama’s sixth largest city. From major events like the SEC Baseball Tournament, the World Games, and the Regions Tradition, to local live music, to hidden gems in local shopping, to the world-class lineup of restaurants, Hoover has tons to offer to residents, guests, and visitors alike.
Enjoy Hoover is published six times a year, a joint venture between David Cohen of the Hoover Restaurant Alliance, Matthew Allen of JBMC Media, and Mitzi Eaker of Mitzi Jane Media. These three longtime Hoover residents blend a passion for their community with years of experience in communication, publishing, marketing, and hospitality.
Copies of this magazine are available at more than 100 locations throughout Hoover. Connect with us through our social media channels: Instagram (@EnjoyHoover) and Facebook (@EnjoyHoover). Visit us online at EnjoyHoover.com.
We hope you Enjoy Hoover!
KIM CRIPPS, editor kimcripps@gmail.com
DAVID COHEN, co-publisher (205) 213-3617/enjoyhoover@gmail.com
MATTHEW ALLEN, co-publisher (205) 617-9609/matthew@jbmcmedia.com
J. Dory Curtis, MD | Erika Issis-Vasha, PA-C | Patrick Rowan, MD | Scott Seibert, MD | Jay Fitts, MD
The Parade of Homes
Hoover is Home to the 2025 Ideal Home and Neighborhood of Dreams
BY CARMEN BROWN
HOOVER RESIDENTS will soon have the chance to tour the newest and most innovative homes in the area as The Greater Birmingham Association of Homebuilders gears up for its annual Parade of Homes. Parade of Homes Chairman Jason Hale said the event features the very best of the best in homebuilding with everything from design, interior decorating, technology and smart home capabilities.
“This year, my committee and I are looking to build upon the storied
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• Indoor pool, located inside 24e Fitness in Pelham
• Birmingham’s only bilingual swim school and professional certified swim sinstructor and coach
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FROM PAGE 8
history of the Parade of Homes by adding new features to the single largest building industry event,” Hale said. “This lineup of residences is the best of the best—it’s a testament to the fact that we’ve got some of the most talented, hardest-working builders in the country right here in Birmingham.”
Hale said the Parade will feature more than 70 homes with a variety of price points.
“These aren’t all just multi-milliondollar homes,” Hale said. “We have a large selection of homes that range from lake houses on waterfront properties to more intimate communities. We have something for everyone.”
Hoover will be the location of both the 2025 Ideal Home and the Parade of Homes’ newest feature, The Neighborhood of Dreams.
The 2025 Ideal Home, developed by custom home builder Mancha Construction Partners, is in the Blackridge lakeside community subdivision off Highway 150. Mancha describes the home as “incorporating the latest in residential technology, elegant design sensibilities and sweeping lake views.”
The 2025 Neighborhood of Dreams is Primrose at Everlee, also located off Highway 150. The Neighborhood of Dreams was developed by Signature Homes, one of the South’s leading new home developers who also built Alabama’s first Smart Neighborhood
at Reynold’s Landing in Ross Bridge in 2018.
“Signature Homes has brought us this new category of resortstyle living with an emphasis on community, combined with modern design and technology,” Hale said. “You feel like you’re on vacation, but you still have the convenience of being close to restaurants, shops and entertainment.”
Hale said the Parade of Homes gives people “V.I.P. Access” to the work of the top builders in the country.
“You don’t have to be looking for a new home,” Hale said. “We have a lot of people who come out that are just looking for new home design ideas and want to explore the kinds of smart amenities that our new homes have to offer.”
An exciting addition to the website in recent years has been an online customizable “map” where people
can see photos of each residence in the Parade of Homes and plan their own tour route.
“We will have more information on the website closer to the time of the Parade, and we will also have the magazine available with details about the homes for sale, each of our builders and floor plans,” Hale said.
Homes in this year’s parade will be open to the public April 25–27 and May 2–4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Friday and Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information, visit birminghamparadeofhomes.com or @BhamParadeofHomes on Facebook.
Golf’s Biggest
BY KYLE FOSHEE
PAR-TEE
Save the Date for Regions Tradition
“BLUE SKIES, fresh cut grass, birds chirpin’!”
Chubbs Peterson excitedly pointed out before Happy Gilmore made his professional golf debut.
That same giddiness strikes my broad spectrum of closest – and furthest – buddies when the Regions Tradition rolls around every year. It could very well be the only thing that produces such a forceful captivating agent. These friends of mine would be at the tee box every day if they could. Meanwhile, I learned all I know about the sport from Mario Golf on Nintendo 64, and if my left shoulder is facing north, my swing takes the ball due east. I’m a hazard, and I’ve found it’s best for me to spectate, which makes the Regions Tradition perfect for guys like me.
History of the Championship
The Greystone Golf & Country Club began hosting what was once the Bruno Memorial Classic in 1992 as a way to place top-of-theline golfers in front of starry-eyed fans and raise serious money for local charities. To date, $22 million has been infused into these Birmingham foundations, with Children’s of Alabama being the primary beneficiary. Now, with secured support through 2032, the Regions Tradition has become a major championship in the PGA Tour Champions, and has primed itself to heap more blessings on the heads of appreciative recipients.
This Year’s Headliners Steve Stricker, Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer,
PHOTOS COURTESY OF EVENTIVE SPORTS
Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh are among the professionals competing for the tournament’s $2.6 million purse. Meanwhile, the Drummond Company Celebrity pro-am will feature big names from around the state. Charles Barkley, Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer, Hugh Freeze, Kirby Smart, Greg McElroy, Bo Jackson, Senator Tommy Tuberville, and Country Music Star Riley Green will headline the pre-tournament fun. I’ve never seen Riley play golf, but I can attest through firsthand experience that he was a superior athlete in college. In an intramural basketball game, he boasted repeated fast-break dunks against my team, who might have scored 6 points on the night. If it isn’t frowned upon to pull for a winner, I’ll pull for him.
Volunteer, Attend, or do Both! If you desire to be a part of the annual Regions Tradition, or if you just want to get in close to the action, help is needed and appreciated, and the perks package is legit! Volunteers can get a polo, cap or visor, lapel pin, entry credentials for the full week, five guest tickets, a parking pass, 20% off at the merch tent, food and drinks provided while on shift, and one round of golf at Greystone for a volunteer play day post-tournament.
Tickets start at just $30 for Good-Any-Day grounds passes. Kids 15 and under receive free admission with a ticketed adult. All active and retired military will receive free access (plus 1) with a valid military I.D., courtesy of Alabama Power.
More volunteer information and tickets can be found at regionstradition.com.
REGIONS TRADITION EVENT SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14:
Drummond Company
Celebrity Pro-am
Gates Open | 7:00 a.m.
Drummond Company Celebrity Pro-Am
6:50 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. & Noon – 2:10 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
Gates Open | 9:00 a.m.
First Round Championship Play
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Coverage on the Golf Channel
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Coca-Cola Ladies Long Drive Contest
5:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Coca-Cola Spectator Village
FRIDAY, MAY 16
Gates Open | 9:00 a.m.
Second Round Championship Play
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Coverage on the Golf Channel 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Gates Open | 8:00 a.m.
Third Round Championship Play
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live Coverage on the Golf Channel 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live Concert 4:00 p.m. (immediately following play)
SUNDAY, MAY 18
Gates Open | 8:00 a.m.
Final Round Championship Play | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live Coverage on the Golf Channel | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony | 4:00 p.m. (immediately following play) | 18th Green
This year’s Derby and Dining will offer guests silent and live auctions, a catered meal, and the opportunity to meet Hoover City Schools Foundation supporters.
Derby & Dining
HCS Foundation's Largest Fundraiser Gets a New Look
BY CARMEN BROWN
NOW IN ITS NINTH YEAR, the Hoover City Schools Foundation’s largest fundraiser, commonly known as Denim & Dining, is kicking things up with a new name and a new look: Derby & Dining, replete with a Kentucky Derby theme.
“We’re turning everything on its ear. We’re refreshing,” said Ann Marie Harvey, executive director of the Hoover City Schools Foundation. “We were trying to come up with some new ideas, and we thought of the Kentucky Derby that’s coming up. It’s kind of funny because I’m originally from Kentucky.”
As timing would have it, this year’s event will be held on May 2, the day before the traditional horse racing event that will take place on May 3.
“Derby attire is encouraged, so that includes hats or fascinators, but that is
purely up to the individual,” Harvey said.
Established in 1992, the Hoover City Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide grants, scholarships and innovative programs for teachers and students in the 17 schools of the Hoover City Schools system. Derby & Dining officially kicks off the Foundation’s annual Commit to 36 campaign.
“If we can raise $36 for each student per year, it would add up to more than $500,000,” Harvey said. “Everything from our fundraisers goes to teacher grants and larger district-wide projects.”
Harvey said these fundraisers have helped educators obtain innovative grants they otherwise would not have been able to afford.
“One of our librarians wanted to provide a STEAM to-go kit where a child can check out STEAM materials that help with critical thinking and literary skills,” Harvey said. “Another teacher was able to get sensory light tables that help enhance children’s creativity, motor skills and problem-solving skills.”
PHOTO BY ALLISON CARPENTER
Harvey said the fundraisers have also helped students with disabilities. Anna Moncrief, a teacher at South Shades Crest Elementary, used her grant to provide two picture books, A Day with No Words and Do You Want to Play?, for each classroom unit at the school.
“Students would walk by and see children texting with iPads and wonder what they were doing,” Harvey said. “The book A Day with No Words teaches them that some children learn and communicate in nontraditional ways.”
In addition to Derby & Dining and the Commit to 36 campaign, the Foundation recently launched its “$100 for Hoover” initiative, where individuals or small business owners can donate $100 to the Foundation each year.
“I know many entrepreneurs get bombarded by local organizations asking for support,” Harvey said. “We wanted to create a gateway for smaller donations to be made without the pressure of a larger commitment. Once our supporters see the benefits of their contribution, we hope they will continue to give and grow that donation over time.”
Harvey said Derby & Dining attendees will enjoy delicious barbecue provided by Jim ‘N Nicks, whom they have partnered with for several years, and music by Jenna and Ben Kuykendall. Attendees can also participate in a silent auction using the mobile app OneCause.
“We have a jazz band from one of the high schools that always comes to play, and we have culinary students from RC3, Riverchase Career Connection Center, who come out and serve and show off their culinary skills. They’ve always been a great help,” Harvey said.
Previous locations for the event have included the Hoover Met and Aldridge Gardens, but Harvey said that the turn-out for the event has been so successful the last
few years that a bigger space was needed, so this year’s fundraiser has moved to Oris & Oak Farm (previously Hare Farm) at 613 Sanders Road in Bluff Park.
“We always have a pretty good turn-out, but we’re hoping even more will come this year,” Harvey said. “The event is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but we strongly encourage Hoover residents to come.”
Derby & Dining will be held Friday, May 2, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person, VIP tickets are $125 per person, and tables for eight people are available for $1,000.
For more information or to order tickets, go to www.hoovercsf.org/events.
Broadcast news veteran Rick Karle and Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis lead the live auction at the 2024 Denim and Dining event.
DERBY & DINING
When: Friday, May 2 • 6 – 10 p.m.
Where: Oris & Oak Farm in Bluff Park
Cost: Tickets are $75 per person; VIP Tickets are $125 per person, and Tables for eight are $1,000.
PHOTO BY ALLISON CARPENTER
Hope for Families
Facing Childhood Cancer
BY ABBY TURNER
FOR THE 17TH YEAR IN A ROW, you have the opportunity to eat infinite crawfish and simultaneously support families battling childhood cancer.
The annual Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil will be held from 3–9 p.m. on April 26 in Ross Bridge. The goal of the boil is simple: “Eat crawfish, give hope.”
Annually, the Hope for Autumn Foundation organizes The Boil to fund local childhood cancer research and donate to families in Alabama who are facing childhood cancer of any kind. The foundation’s mission has always been to offer support and assistance to those who need it and to advance research methods in childhood cancer therapies.
The executive director of the foundation, Amanda Knerr, has been advocating for childhood cancer ever since her daughter Emily was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of six. Emily is now 21 and attends The University of Alabama.
To Knerr, the foundation and the crawfish boil are about giving back.
“We help anybody we can because I just couldn’t turn my back on it after all that happened,” Knerr said. “I couldn’t turn my back on the cause after seeing the struggle. It meant so much to me to see how generous people were.”
The boil began in the backyard of a home in Ross Bridge in 2006. The homeowner, Travis Diggs, organized this first crawfish boil to raise money
for a child named Autumn, his friend’s daughter who was battling cancer.
When it was a success, he decided to make it a tradition. Then, the annual Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil was born in the heart of Ross Bridge.
John Hein, a Louisiana native, boils 4,500 pounds of crawfish for the event. In Knerr’s words, he makes sure every pound tastes amazing.
The event attracts around 2,000 people and raises about $200,000 per year. According to Knerr, the money they have raised has gone from helping a couple of families a year to now helping between 16 and 100 families per year.
“Just last month, we paid for a family to get new tires on their car so that they could get their child to treatment,” Knerr said. “We paid for a headstone for an eightmonth-old. Sometimes, we help with funerals. We paid for some moving expenses for somebody whose child had cancer, and then they had a house fire, so we helped them move. Normal life things still happen even if your child has cancer, so we try to help them.”
The junior board, which consists of students enrolled in 7th–12th grade, provides volunteer support for the event. You can find them working the front booths, scooping crawfish, and even selling bundt cakes in their own booth. They also assist in the set-up and clean-up.
The event is fun for all ages—live music, face painting, bouncy houses, balloon artists for the kids, and, of course, all-you-can-eat crawfish for everyone.
Tickets usually go on sale at the beginning of April. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering for the event, please visit hopeforautumnfoundation.org/ volunteer-the-boil.
ABOVE: Louisiana native John Hein boils 4,500 pounds of crawfish for the event. LEFT: The Boil offers something for all ages, including face painting, live music, bouncy houses, balloon artists, and, of course, all-you-caneat crawfish.
HOPE FOR AUTUMN FOUNDATION
Celebrate Hoover Day
A Free Community Event
BY KIM CRIPPS
KELLY PEOPLES, event manager for the City of Hoover, was initially drawn to the city for its safety and education.
“I moved to Hoover in 2000,” she said. “Safety is important to me, and it is such a safe city. It also has a wonderful school system that all three of my children are lucky enough to be a part of.”
Kelly, who has also served as a Hoover Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for many years, believes the city has much to offer and enjoys the opportunity to highlight it regularly through special events like Celebrate Hoover Day.
“I love seeing thousands of Hoover residents come out and have such a great time,” she shared.
Each year, more than 15,000 Hoover residents, families, and friends attend Celebrate Hoover Day, a free event allowing neighbors to connect with one
Celebrate Hoover Day offers many free family activities, including carnival rides.
PHOTOS BY ALLISON CARPENTER
another while enjoying fun activities and learning about local businesses.
This year will be no exception. On Saturday, April 26, guests can head to Veterans Park on Valleydale Road from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, airbrush tattoos and food trucks. Hoover Police and Hoover Fire Departments will also be there with their equipment on display. And, of course, there will be ice cream and a 10-foot apple pie.
CELEBRATE HOOVER DAY
When: Saturday, April 26 11am – 3 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park on Valleydale Road
Cost: Free admission, rides and apple pie. Food and additional items will be available for purchase.
The pie, which has become as popular as the event itself, fills a 2,000-pound custom-built pan, is mixed by students from Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary Hospitality Institute, and is baked onsite in a specialty convection oven.
“Because [the convection oven] is so large, it takes up two lanes of traffic and must be police-escorted in the very early morning hours from storage at the Public Safety Center to Veterans Park,” Kelly said.
She added the tradition of the giant apple pie began in 2010 to add a memorable twist to Celebrate Hoover Day. The pie was the largest in Alabama’s history, a title it still holds today.
For up-to-date information on Celebrate Hoover Day and to learn more about events throughout the year, visit hooveralabama.gov and follow the City of Hoover on Facebook and Instagram.
RIGHT: Young animal lovers will enjoy the event’s pony rides and petting zoo.
BELOW: Hoover residents, family and friends are served ice cream and a piece of Alabama’s largest apple pie.
I love seeing thousands of Hoover residents come out and have such a great time.”
— KELLY PEOPLES, Event Manager for the City of Hoover
Warm(er) weather is here, and your favorite flavor of ice
Each year, The Finley Awards — named after longtime W.A. Berry High football coach Bob Finley — celebrate character education by honoring one senior from each high school and one Hoover City Schools employee as examples of outstanding character.
With Coach Finley, it did not matter whether people were stars or standouts. All students – whether athletes or non-athletes - were important to him. He taught hundreds of young people about integrity, generosity, compassion and perseverance, not only in what he said, but in how he lived. Many of those young people are now well beyond high school - and they are still reaping the incredible benefits of Bob Finley’s character.
bobfinleyhistory
Solving Problems
Meet three local entrepreneurs who turned challenges into opportunities.
BY ABBY TURNER
AS THE CITY OF HOOVER GROWS, so does our perseverance and dedication. Meet three entrepreneurs who are working for the future of our city.
George Gilliam, Uncle G’s Pizza
George Gilliam, 36, learned how to make pizza in the midst of the pandemic with no culinary background purely out of boredom. His teacher? YouTube tutorials. Before 2020, he worked in the live music and entertainment industry. Because of COVID-19, he had to put it all on hold.
The pizzas he made that year received such positive feedback from his family and friends that he decided to begin selling them out of his house. The next thing he knew, he was raising money for a food truck.
“We were able to become creative and productive in ways we didn’t know possible,” Gilliam said. “I think it’s a cool thing that we’re seeing a lot of businesses sort of birthed out of a dark and scary time for a lot of us.”
By 2021, he had one food truck. By 2022, he had two. By March 2024, he had a storefront.
“I just felt like there was, and still is, room in Birmingham for another down to Earth, real-life pizzeria,” Gilliam said.
Uncle G’s specializes in Detroit-style pizza, which is thicker than traditional pizza but light and fluffy on the inside. Recently, they started selling New Yorkstyle pizza, which is thin and crispy. To Gilliam, these are essential comfort foods.
Don’t forget to check out their daily lunch specials and deals. There is something for everyone at Uncle G’s Pizza.
Emile
Hughes, RideBHM
Emile Hughes, 36, founded RideBHM in hopes of making Birmingham a place where everyone wants to be.
RideBHM is a mountain biking park for riders of all ages. When launching
George Gilliam
PHOTO BY ALLISON CARPENTER
this business in 2022, Hughes made history. RideBHM is the first and only dedicated downhill mountain biking park in Alabama. It is also Alabama’s first benefit LLC.
“When I started working on the concept a year prior, it was really in the thick of COVID,” Hughes said. “And, you know, there were a lot of things you couldn’t do. But what you could do was mountain biking.”
The park has 20 different trails to choose from and 76 different jumps. You can choose to purchase a day pass or a membership, which will grant you access to the park during operational hours.
Hughes wants RideBHM to be like an engine, drawing visitors to the city and branding Birmingham as a place where people can have a great experience.
“We’re not here to make a profit,” Hughes said. “We’re here to make an impact.”
RideBHM is not just for experienced riders - it’s for anyone who wants to have fun. Grab your friends and head to the park, but don’t forget to wear your helmet!
Emmanuel Umoh, KrillPay
Emmanuel Umoh, 48, founded KrillPay because he was tired of encountering the same problems when attempting to send money to his family members in Africa.
mother. It was through the kindness of his neighbor that he was able to afford secondary school in Nigeria, and through a stranger he met during a bartending job, he ended up in America.
“If you have a goal, if you have a dream, you have a desire, if there is something that keeps you awake at night that you’re passionate about if I can do it, anybody else can do it,” Umoh said.
KrillPay is a mobile payment app designed to help migrants in America, from Africa or otherwise, send money to people and family members residing outside the U.S. Umoh designed Krillpay after he became frustrated at the need to use different services for domestic and international transfers..
KrillPay went live on Dec. 3, 2024, and will have its full public launch in March 2025. Although Umoh was ultimately successful in creating his business, it wasn’t always easy.
Umoh has been in Birmingham since 2006, when he began school at UAB. Before, he resided in Nigeria with his
“You have this thing that is pushing you; you have a desire to create something that can benefit a whole lot of people,” Umoh said.
Umoh has plans to expand his business to Canada before the year is over.
PHOTO BY KARI MARSH
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMANUEL UMOH
Emmanuel Umoh
RideBHM is for anyone who wants to have fun.
Student Spotlight: Michael Allen, Spain Park
BY KIM CRIPPS
MICHAEL ALLEN encourages students to get involved in their school in any way they can. He means it—and he lives it. According to principal Dr. Amanda Esslinger, the Spain Park senior is one of the high school’s busiest and highest-achieving students.
During our interview, Michael told me the story of his Armenian great-grandfather, who came to the United States from Turkey. Alone. In 1921. To escape genocide. He was 14 and, on his own, later paid for his mother and siblings to come to the US, too.
As we talk, it’s clear GreatGrandfather Harry’s boldness, sense of adventure, and desire to help others rubbed off on Michael some four generations later.
A self-described shy and timid middle schooler, Michael now serves as SGA president, head drum major for the Spain Park marching band, and piano player for the school’s show choir. He is a member of the top mock trial team and law academy, was named a National Merit Semi-Finalist, and became the first-ever national qualifier in congressional debate from Spain Park. This past summer, Michael spent time in Vienna,
junior
Austria, studying piano with students from Europe and China as part of a competitive music program.
Michael was a rising
when he was selected as a Spain Park drum major.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL ALLEN
He still finds time for his academics, earning a 4.5 GPA with a heavy load of advanced placement classes and a perfect 36 on the ACT. Plus, we joke, he has excellent hair.
But Michael says what he enjoys most about his high school career is doing work that benefits his fellow students.
“If I’m being honest, it was the ‘G’— government—that first attracted me to SGA as a sophomore class representative. But over time, my focus shifted to the ‘S,’ student,” shared Michael. “I really like serving my peers. I take pride in serving students.”
Under his leadership, the student government association plans two school-wide dances each year and hosts donation drives for causes that impact the greater community,
Michael Allen with Spain Park’s principal, Dr. Amanda Esslinger.
including a pickleball tournament to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Dr. Esslinger adds that “Michael advocates for the students in a way that is polite, respectful and diplomatic.”
Spain Park mentors like Dr. Esslinger have given Michael the confidence to grow as a class leader with big goals. And if you meet him, you’ll have no doubt that he’ll achieve them.
He hopes to attend Yale in the fall and study physics.
“I want to get an undergraduate degree in physics and join the ROTC. Yale has a program that allows you to be in the ROTC while attending law school,” said Michael. “After law school, I plan to serve in the Air Force under JAG, move into congressional law or patent law, and eventually work as an FBI agent.”
When it comes to leaving Hoover, where he was born and raised, he feels nervous and excited. Or nervited, a fitting term he adopted from a Penn State alum. “I’m ready to begin the rest of my life,” he said, vowing to take his Southern hospitality with him wherever he goes.
“Another thing about Michael,” Dr. Esslinger said, “even with how busy and smart he is, it’s always fun to work with him. There are not a lot of people as amazing as Michael Allen.”
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL ALLEN
Around Hoover
PHOTO BY ALELI SANCHEZ
BY KIM CRIPPS
On February 1, more than 600 girls in grades K-6 gathered at Spain Park High School for the Girls Engaged in Math and Science Expo. Seventy-nine teams from across Hoover City Schools presented studentled science projects exploring a wide range of topics, from how to provide clean water to those who need it to determining why certain nail polishes are more durable than others and everything in between!
The girls heard an inspiring message from Gitanjali Rao, a 19-year-old MIT student who has been named America’s Top Young Scientist. They also enjoyed a science and math-themed concert with Roger Day and participated in breakout sessions designed to further their STEM knowledge.
Funding for GEMS is made possible by the Hoover City Schools Foundation. If you are interested in having your daughter join the Hoover City School’s GEMS program in 2026, please contact your school administrators.
MARCH
March 1: Arbor Day Celebration. 8–11 a.m. Aldridge Gardens. Hosted each year at Aldridge Gardens, Hoover’s community-wide Arbor Day Celebration features a native species tree giveaway for residents. The event is open to the public and generously sponsored by community partners like Alabama Power, ACE Tree Service and others. Learn more at hooveral.org/163/ Hoover-Arbor-Day.
March 1: Darci Lynne & Friends. 3 p.m. Stardome Comedy Club, 1818 Data Drive. Experience an unforgettable night of laughter and ventriloquism with Darci Lynne & Friends as the talented “America’s Got Talent” winner brings her hilarious characters to life on stage. Don’t miss this family-friendly comedy show filled with music, charm and jawdropping talent! Learn more at stardome.com.
March 8: 5.56 Run/Ruck benefitting Alabama SWAT Foundation. 4 p.m. Brock’s Gap Brewing Company, 500 Mineral Trace. Get ready for the ultimate nighttime challenge! The 5.56K Race offers participants the choice to run solo, with a 35lb. ruck or as a team. The event will feature live music, raffles and great company. This popular race is limited to 300 runners, so be sure to secure your spot! Register online at runsignup.com/ Race/AL/Hoover/SWAT5KRuck
March 28-29: Bill Bellamy. Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Stardome Comedy Club, 1818 Data Drive. Get ready for a night of nonstop laughter with comedian and actor Bill Bellamy as he brings his sharp wit and hilarious storytelling to the stage. Don’t miss this stand-up comedy event packed with energy, humor and Bellamy’s signature charm! Learn more at stardome.com.
APRIL
April 10: The Dill Pickers. 7 p.m. The Library Theatre, 200 Municipal Drive. Enjoy an evening of lively music and entertainment with The Dill Pickers, a vocal string band known for their unique mix of instruments and theatrical flair. From bluegrass to unexpected surprises like pianos, clarinets and accordions, this group delivers a performance full of fun and energy. This special event is a fundraiser benefiting the Friends of the Hoover Library. Learn more at thelibrarytheatre.com.
April 25–27: Parade of Homes presented by Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders. Times and locations vary. If you are thinking about a new home or if you just love to see new ideas and design trends, then the Birmingham Parade of Homes is where you can explore the newest homes for sale, discover your next floor plan and home design, or just find inspiration in the latest home decor and technology. Learn more at birminghambuilder.com.
April 26: Celebrate Hoover Day. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road. Celebrate Hoover Day is a familyfriendly festival filled with fun, entertainment and community spirit. This annual event features a giant apple pie, complimentary food samples and a variety of activities for all ages. Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ activities and a car show showcasing classic and unique vehicles. Celebrate Hoover Day is free to the public and a perfect way to connect
with the community and enjoy a day of festivities with family and friends. Learn more at hooveral.org/366/ Celebrate-Hoover-Day
April 26: Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil. 3–9 p.m., Ross Bridge. The Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil is an annual fundraising event held in Ross Bridge. The event features a delicious crawfish boil, live music, games and activities for all ages. Proceeds from the event go to Hope for Autumn, a local organization focused on providing support and resources to families battling childhood cancer. It’s a day of community, fun and giving back to those in need. Learn more at hopeforautumnfoundation.org/ the-boil.
May 2: Derby & Dining. 6–9 p.m. Oris and Oak Farm, 613 Sanders Rd. Derby & Dining, formerly Denim & Dining, is the Hoover City Schools Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser. This casual event features live music, live and silent auctions and dinner. Derby attire is encouraged for this fun event supporting a great cause. Learn more at hoovercsf.org/events.
