Enjoy Hoover - March/April 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Friends,

A few years back, BirminghamMetro was named one of the most generous places in the US for charitable giving by Smart Asset.

As a resident of the metro area –and former professional fundraiser – this ranking came as no surprise! But, as it turns out, it is not a new honor for us. A quick Google search reveals multiple times we’ve ranked among America’s most generous cities. Our spirit of generosity dates back to the Great Depression when Presbyterian Pastor James A. Bryan gathered and distributed food and clothing to help the desperately poor in the community. Today, that spirit of giving is alive and well in Hoover, with ample opportunities to give back.

Hoover City Schools Foundation will host their annual Denim and Dining fundraiser (page 13), Hope for Autumn Foundation is gearing up for another great crawfish boil (page 6), and the library is offering service projects that make it easy for teens and adults to get involved (page 31).

There are many ways to support and celebrate our city this spring (don’t miss Celebrate Hoover Day featured on page 20)—and we look forward to seeing you out and about enjoying Hoover!

Happy Reading,

Kim Cripps, Editor

ABOUT THE COVER

Photo of Obi by Allison Carpenter.

Obi is a member of the Hoover Police Department’s K-9 unit and serves as a school resource officer alongside his handler, Officer Kyle Brohl.

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

Mitzi Eaker, co-publisher (205) 862-0629, mitzijanemedia@gmail.com

Michelle Salem Haynes, marketing consultant (205) 381-1311, michelle@jbmcmedia.com

Mara Read, marketing consultant (843) 327-1008, mara@jbmcmedia.com

Emily VanderMey Listo, operations & project manager, graphic designer emily@emilylisto.com

Allison Carpenter, staff photographer, allisoncarpenterphotography@gmail.com

Tony and Shweta Bratina, graphic designers

Hope for Autumn

Non-profit makes a difference for families facing childhood cancer

BY KIM CRIPPS

In 2008, friends and relatives gathered for a small backyard crawfish boil to raise money for the family of a little girl named Autumn, who was battling childhood leukemia.

Autumn was among the 190 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year in Alabama. Understandably, a childhood cancer diagnosis is challenging for a multitude of reasons. But, in addition to the newfound responsibility of caring for a sick child, families often face financial obstacles as well, losing up to 40 percent of their household income

HOPE FOR AUTUMN CRAWFISH BOIL

Where: Green space on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge

When: 3-9 p.m. April 27

Admission: $50 for 12+, $20 for 5-12, and younger than 5 is free

Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil if one parent needs to stop working in order to ensure their child has around the clock care.

Over the years, community support grew for Autumn and families in similar situations. In 2012, Hope for Autumn Foundation

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Tickets to the boil include all-you-can-eat crawfish, hotdogs, hamburgers, and non-alcoholic beverages. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOPE FOR AUTUMN FOUNDATION.

ITALIAN INSPIRED FOOD WITH A TWIST.

SERVED IN OUR WARM, ENCHANTED EATERY.

TRELUNABARANDKITCHEN.COM

1021 BROCK’S GAP PARKWAY

LUNCH: WED-FRI, 11-2

HAPPY HOUR: MON-FRI, 4-6

DINNER: MON-THURS, 4-9 & FRI/SAT 4-10

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was officially founded as a 501(c)3 public charity to provide financial help to families, fund research and spread awareness.

Today, the foundation is gearing up for its largest annual fundraiser, a family-friendly all-you-can-eat crawfish boil held in a large green space on Grand Avenue in Ross Bridge. Scheduled for April 27 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil is expected to raise around $200,000 from more than 2,000 attendees and 60 sponsors.

Amanda Knerr, the executive director of Hope for Autumn Foundation, says the funds from the crawfish boil will directly support families battling childhood cancer in Alabama. And as this signature event grows, so does the organization’s ability to help.

“We used to be able to help one to three families one time per year, every year,” shared

Knerr. “Now, Hope for Autumn Foundation accepts financial assistance applications yearround from families from the Alabama region.”

Now in its 17th year, guests can expect 4,500 pounds of fresh crawfish boiled on-site. Hamburgers, hot dogs and non-alcoholic beverages are also included in the admission price. Admission is $50 for over 12 years old, $20 for 5-12, and under 5 is free.

The Boil has become a community social affair with neighbors pitching in to purchase a group tent to serve as their “home base” for the day. Tent rentals, which range from $100-$300 include a cooler with ice provided on-site, but all attendees are welcome to bring their own cooler, too. Chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for an additional fee. Event sponsors receive additional perks, including admission into a VIP tent.

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The Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil features food and entertainment for attendees of all ages.

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School-aged children, even those who may not be crawfish fans, enjoy jumping in the bounce houses and getting their faces painted—both available at no additional cost—while connecting with their friends.

As the day unfolds, a large crowd forms around the main stage to sing and dance along to live entertainment. This year’s music line-up includes The Divines, who began as a local band, and Whiskey River Band, a country cover band.

Proceeds from The Boil will also support efforts to raise awareness and promote research because raising

awareness leads to funding, and funding leads to cures.

In terms of research, Hope for Autumn Foundation contributes to Alabama’s Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder’s Developmental Therapeutics program, a cutting-edge research and treatment program located at Children’s Hospital of Alabama. “This program serves the children with incurable cancers, providing treatments that are not widely available,” said Knerr.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to hopeforautumnfoundation.org. Tickets will go on sale closer to the date of the event.

Louisiana native John Hein prepares 4,500 pounds of fresh-boiled crawfish for the more than 2,000 attendees each year.

Denim Dining

Hoover City Schools Foundation Prepares for its Biggest Annual Fundraiser

Denim and Dining is the largest annual fundraiser for Hoover City Schools. This year ’s event is scheduled for April 28 at Aldridge Gardens. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

BY MITZI EAKER

Spring is the season for big formal galas and fundraisers across Hoover and the metro area. One of the residents’ favorite fundraisers is a night under the stars at Aldridge Gardens in their blue jean best-the Hoover City Schools Foundation’s annual and biggest fundraising event, Denim and Dinning.

Not only does this Hoover event support a great cause, but the casual night outdoors is the perfect time to mingle with residents and friends, enjoy great music, participate in live and silent auctions, and partake in great barbecue and beverages. Plus, the Culinary Students at Riverchase Career Connection Center (RC3) prepare the most delicious desserts.

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This year, Denim and Dining will take place on Friday, April 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens. Tickets will go on sale in early April, so be sure to get yours early at www.hoovercsf.org/events. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available with an option to purchase a table for eight.

The Hoover City Schools Foundation has given more than $700,000 in grants since it was founded in 1992. Recently appointed as executive director, Ann Marie Harvey says that the organization is the only one that represents all 17 schools in the school system. “The primary mission of the Hoover City Schools Foundation is to bridge the gap between increasingly limited public school funding and the growing needs of our students and teachers,” she says. “This happens in a variety of ways, most notably through teacher grants.

Our teachers have amazing, innovative ideas, and the money given to the Foundation goes right back into the classroom.”

Examples of projects include the STEAM on the Go cart at Shades Mountain Elementary, which STEAM teacher Marjie Keeney keeps stocked with seasonal activities for the teachers to use in their classrooms throughout the week. Other grants have been given for reading resources, the GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science) annual event, a greenhouse, robotics, The Hovercraft Project, sensory spaces for students and much more. A list of grants can be found at hoovercsf.org.

In addition to grants, the Foundation offers a Student Board for high school students. “Students volunteer their time for our efforts and those in our community,” Harvey says.

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Students at Shades Mountain Elementary enjoy using items from the STEAM on the Go cart, which is made possible by fundraisers like Denim and Dining.

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“They gain interview experience, volunteer hours and a collaborative working environment. “

Dr. Kevin Maddox, the Hoover City School Superintendent, also emphasizes that schools benefit from and appreciate community and business involvement. “Businesses contribute financially to enhance what we already have through directly sponsoring sports and arts programs and contributing to

the Hoover City Schools Foundation,” he says. “Those enhancements are designed to provide extras. Those extra opportunities for our students are what separates us from other districts. We could not make it without them.”

The Hoover City School Foundation ensures the “extras” are provided to Hoover students and teachers.

For more information on Hoover City Schools Foundation or how to get involved as a board member or a Friend of the Foundation, visit www.hoovercsf.org.

Enjoy Hoover co-owner and writer Mitzi Eaker with Takeria Stephens, a member of the Hoover City Schools Foundation board of directors.

Coming Soon

Bluff Park Coffee Collective

BY CARMEN BROWN AND MATTHEW ALLEN

Bert Davis discovered a love for roasting coffee in 2015 while living in Denver. Across the country, just outside of Sylacauga, Alabama, Ramsey Nuss grew up watching her grandmother make fresh bread, gifting it to family and friends. Little did either of them know that a decade later, their paths would come together in the community they have come to love so much.

Nuss opened Good Neighbor Baking in 2020, crafting cakes, “mini sams,” and other pastries. Davis and his wife, Erin, launched Daysol Coffee Lab in 2019, turning a hobby into a coffee roasting business. Later this spring, they’ll bring their talents together to open the Bluff Park Coffee Collective.

In 2020, Nuss and Davis found each other’s Instagram pages and quickly connected. Nuss and her husband, Andrew, struck up a good friendship with Bert and Erin, and since forming their connection, they have supported and celebrated each other’s wins. That support and connection opened the door for Nuss to wholesale some of her pastries to Daysol’s shop in Helena.

As she began to think about finding her own space, Bert and Erin shared a desire to open a shop closer to home.

“The four of us sat down for dinner last summer and made the decision to move forward with Bluff Park Coffee Collective as a way to bring to our community something special,” Bert said.

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Bert and Ramsey first connected in 2019 when Daysol Coffee began following Good Neighbor Baking on Instagram. The entrepreneurs’ support of one another eventually led them to work together and form Bluff Park Coffee Collective.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK COFFEE COLLECTIVE

MADE IN BLUFF PARK

cutting boards | Charcuterie trays

bathtub caddies | bed swings

stovetop covers | tables | planters shelves | bookcases

custom orders accepted

facebook: @deogloriawoodworks

Instagram: @deogloriawoodworks

DEO GLORIA

WOOD WORKS

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“A lot of blood, sweat, tears, money, and time have gone into getting what we have coined ‘The Collective’ open.”

Bert’s coffee adventure began in Denver in 2015. “I started roasting coffee as a hobby,” he said. “Like many home beer brewers turned brewery owners, I became a coffee shop owner.” His and Erin’s operations have grown to include their own roasting facility as well as a retail location that was open in Helena until recently, plus the soon-to-open Bluff Park Coffee Collective.

Daysol offers five espresso based drinks in lattes, cortados, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and espresso. They also have mochas, cold brew, matcha, chai, and teas from Piper & Leaf.

Good Neighbor Baking offers an array of sweets, including their popular “mini sams,” miniature cookie sandwiches that are customer favorites. Nuss also creates elaborate cookie cake designs, the occasional wedding cake, and seasonal items like King Cakes. The commercial space will give her more opportunities to bring new creations to the community.

“We always enjoy finding ways to collaborate with Daysol by using their espresso powder in baked products,” Nuss said. “Bert and Erin also have a garden that we will begin to utilize in some of these pastries and specialty items.”

Davis will run the front of house coffee shop experience, while Nuss supplies a small variety of pastries and seasonal bakes for the shop. She will use the shop’s commercial kitchen space to grow her online preorder offerings.

When asked specifically about this new venture, Bert couldn’t hide his love for what they’re creating. “We are incredibly excited about this venture in Bluff Park. Erin and I, as well as the Nuss family, all live in Bluff Park. This is our home. These are our people,” he said. “When the doors open, and we see our friends and family pour through with smiles and laughter, all that will be worth it.

“We pray that Bluff Park Coffee Collective becomes a staple for this amazing and unique community for many years to come, and that the lives touched through our venture are far too many to count.”

Above: Daysol Coffee Lab’s goal “is to create coffees that provide high-quality taste to your everyday person and coffee snob alike.”

Below: Spring Sams: Originally created for Good Neighbor Baking, miniature cookie sandwiches – known as “mini sams” – will be available for purchase at Bluff Park Coffee Collective.

Bluff Park Coffee Collective is scheduled to open in early spring. Hours are Tuesday - Friday, 6:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. but may be subject to change.

Follow on Instagram @bpcoffeecollective, @daysolcoffeelab and @goodneighborbaking for new specials and updates.

Celebrate Hoover Day

Thousands expected for Hoover’s largest festival

BY KIM CRIPPS

Every April, a larger-than-life apple pie is prepared in Veterans Park in Hoover, Alabama. The pie, which is just over 10 feet wide and fills a 2,000-pound, custom-built pie pan, is cooked onsite in a specialty convection oven by students from Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary Hospitality Institute.

The apple pie tradition began in 2010 with the desire to add a memorable twist to the annual Celebrate Hoover Day, something

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Children had the chance to visit with small farm animals, including goats, ducks, and more, at the event’s petting zoo.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUFF PARK COFFEE COLLECTIVE

Celebrate Hoover Day 2023 featured live entertainment by More Cowbell, who played a wide variety of songs from Florida Georgia Line to Prince and Taylor Swift.

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that would leave a lasting impression – and baking the largest pie in Alabama history was just the ticket. Now, 14 years later, the tradition continues with Mayor Frank V. Brocato. Miss Hoover and Miss Hoover’s Outstanding Teen serving up slices to a crowd of more than 15,000 residents.

This year, Celebrate Hoover Day is planned for Saturday, April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Veterans Park on Valleydale Road. And, of course, the tradition of serving up complimentary apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream will definitely continue.

The event kicks off with a Veterans Memorial Paver Dedication and continues with live entertainment, a kids zone, a petting zoo, carnival rides, a vintage car show, face painting, an expansive exhibitor pavilion, and document shredding provided by Shred-It. Free parking is available at Spain Park High School,

With the exception of on-site food vendors and food trucks, all aspects of the event are free for Hoover residents, which helps encourage participation in the city’s largest festival.

Mayor Frank V. Brocato, Miss Hoover 2023, MaryCoker Green, and Miss Hoover’s Outstanding Teen, Karrington Channell, serve from the 10-foot wide apple pie.

Complimentary carnival rides, face painting, pony rides and inflatables are among some of the day’s favorite events and activities. For information about Celebrate Hoover and other events sponsored by the City of Hoover Parks and Recreation department, go to www.hooveral.org/365/Annual-City-Events.

Hoover Public Safety Night Out

A fun, community affair for crime prevention

BY CARMEN BROWN

When a drug dealer driving a Porsche traveling east on the I-20/59 corridor was arrested, the car was seized and turned into a police car to make a statement: Not in Hoover.

“Sometimes adults and kids are hesitant to approach a police officer and just talk. But, when we bring this out, it draws a lot of attention and is an easy conversation piece,” said Hoover Police Department Public Information Officer Brian Hale. Then there’s the Hoover BearCat.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANCE SHORES

Hoover police officers enjoy the opportunity to get to know local community members in a casual, relaxed environment.

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“It’s like a tank on wheels,” Officer Hale said. “It is a rescue vehicle that is armor-plated so that we can drive into an active shooter situation and rescue people who may be in a line of fire.”

The Hoover PD Porsche 911 as well as the Hoover BearCat are just two of the features of the Hoover Police Department’s annual Public Safety Night Out, which will be held Tuesday, March 19 from 5:30-7:30 in Riverchase Galleria Belk parking lot.

The Public Safety Night Out is a local take on the National Night Out Campaign. National Night Out was introduced in August of 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization that provides information and resources to community watch groups. This event is held in August and October, where Hoover’s Public Safety Night Out is held in March. Since 2010, the Hoover

Police Department has made its Public Safety Night Out a community-wide, family-oriented event.

“The original National Night Out was designed for each individual neighborhood to have its own event to spread awareness of crime prevention and drug prevention,” Hale said.

The idea, Hale said, was for everyone to turn their porch light on and build neighborhood camaraderie to show criminals that neighbors are “sticking together.”

“In Hoover, we go big or go home, so ours is still a crime prevention event, but we also want to treat it as a way to engage the community in a relaxed, friendly, positive setting to provoke conversations with people so they can feel comfortable approaching police,” Hale said. “It morphed from this event, and now it’s become a city-wide thing with police and fire, but also FBI, state

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This Porsche-turned-police car was originally seized from a drug dealer who was arrested while travelling along the I-20/59 corridor.

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troopers and different organizations.”

Hale said Hoover Public Safety Night Out has become known as a family event with bounce houses, rock wall climbing, a car show, food trucks, live music, airbrushed tattoos, face painting and more.

Hale said this year’s event will feature child ID kit stations, where a family can burn a CD with the child’s identifying information, such as the child’s name, address, parent contact information, photographs and digital fingerprints.

“So, if a child ever goes missing, they have

that CD ready to go to hand to the responding officer, and it helps save valuable time in the case of this type of emergency.”

Hale said the community’s response to this event has been overwhelming.

“The parking lot is always full of people. Everyone is always glad that we do this and they have a fun time,” Hale said. “Many times, people only see police or firemen when they are in trouble. We are trying to change the narrative because we want to encourage folks to visit with us and ask questions.”

For more information, go to hooverpd. com/national-night-out.

Alabama Fire Prevention and other organizations promote best practices in safety at Hoover Public Safety Night, formerly known as National Night Out.

Pickleball for All

The Finley Center joins in on the national phenomenon

BY DREW ROBERTS

Even if you don’t know the difference between a dink shot and a hinder, chances are you’ve heard of pickleball: the sport that’s taking the nation by storm.

Created in 1965 by three fathers hoping to keep their kids entertained in the summertime, pickleball is a sport for all ages. If you’re hoping to jump in on the phenomenon, the Finley Center is hosting an indoor pickleball tournament on March 2-3.

For those unacquainted with the game, think of pickleball as a unique

combination of tennis and badminton. It has a slower pace and lower barrier for entry than other paddle sports, giving it an appeal among athletes everywhere. It has grown immensely in popularity, and pickleball at the Finley Center is no exception to this trend.

With pickleball open from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. most days at the Finley Center, staff started to notice just how much the sport had caught on. The best response to this was, of course, a tournament. Lisa Fehr, sponsorship and sales event manager at the Finley Center, said that she and her

Photos courtesy of The Finley Center.

The Finley Cetner’s pickleball courts are open for players most days from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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fellow coordinators “felt like this was the perfect opportunity to do something that the community [was] interested in.”

The tournament is open to all ages and levels of expertise. Fehr emphasized that the competitive nature of the tournament shouldn’t dissuade newer players, saying, “We’re doing a first-class tournament, but we’re gearing it for anybody: the first-time tournament player and the experienced player that travels all around to tournaments.”

Men’s and women’s doubles start on Saturday at 9:00 a.m., and mixed doubles start at the same time on Sunday. The tournament utilizes a double elimination format with each player being guaranteed three games.

Coming complete with bleachers and free tickets for spectators, the tournament is an excellent viewing experience for all. The Finley Center, located just five minutes from I-459, also provides ease of access and plenty of parking for those traveling to the tournament. With the unpredictability of the weather, the tournament’s indoor location is also a plus.

Registration is open until a week before the tournament with a cost of $55 for one event and $60 for two. Players who enter will also receive a player gift and a lunch on Saturday catered by Culver’s, a tournament sponsor. Winners in each category will also receive an award.

Tickets and more information can be found online at hoovermetcomplex.com.

The indoor pickleball tournament features men’s, women’s and mixed doubles in a double-elimination format.

Meet Obi: Hoover High’s K-9 School Resource Office

Obi, a labrador retriever, is a certified police dog serving as a school resource officer at Hoover High School. He joined the Hoover Police Department in August 2018 and has been certified as a police dog for almost six years. We sat down with Obi and his handler, Officer Kyle Brohl, for a behind-thescenes look at life as part of the K-9 unit. Here’s what Obi had to say.

Enjoy Hoover: Obi, how did you get your name?

Obi: I was named after Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. I have a friend whose human partner is a huge Star Wars fan, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is his favorite character. Interestingly enough, my friend is named after R2D2.

EH: Why were you chosen to be a police dog?

Obi: I was chosen to be a police dog because I have high dog drives. My main drives are hunt, air scent, retrieve, prey, trainability, and playing. This makes me a great candidate for a working dog. My favorite drive is playing, of course!

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLISON CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY.

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EH: Tell us more about your role as a school resource officer.

Obi: My human, Officer Kyle, and I are both school resource officers. My role is to support him by detecting drugs. I also like to comfort children when they may need some help or if they are having a bad day. I love going to work every day at school! Everybody is so nice, and I get plenty of belly rubs from all of the teachers and students. They refer to us as “Obi and that guy that is with Obi!”

EH: What does it take to become a police dog?

Obi: To become a police dog, I had to work extra hard on my drives. I had to go through stressful classes throughout puppyhood. My human partner and I had to go through an intense 4-week drug detection course. I, of course, was already trained when my human partner came along, but we had to get to know each other and learn how to work together. I had been through two other courses prior to the two of us teaming up.

EH: What do you like most about being a police dog?

Obi: What I like most about being a police dog is training with my human partner. We get to spend all day together hunting and playing. Then, after training, he usually throws the ball for me to fetch.

EH: What is your favorite treat?

Obi: My favorite treat is anything. I love all kinds of human food and dog treats. I have a buffet every morning in the school courtyard eating food that the kids drop.

EH: Tell us about your family.

Obi: My family consists of my partner, Officer Kyle; my mom, Tayler; my younger human brother, Bryson; and my doggie sister, Skylar. When I retire from the police department in a couple of years, I get to spend the rest of my life with them!

EH: Obi, tell us about some of your favorite things.

Obi: I enjoy waking my human up at 4:00 a.m. every day to be fed my breakfast. I also enjoy coming to school and being treated like royalty. I love playing fetch and being petted when I am tired. I probably have the best job out of all the dogs in my unit!

Around Hoover

Hoover High School’s theatre department performed for audiences during their annual Premier Night, held February 1 and 2. The studentdirected festival featured six one-act shows over the course of two nights.

Photos courtesy of Allison Carpenter.

The arrival of spring brings its fair share of outdoor events and activities. Be part of Arbor Day, check out a car show, celebrate your city and fundraise for great local causes. Of course, there is still plenty to do indoors too, from playing pickleball to listening to an award-winning musician!

MARCH

March 2 – 3: Indoor Pickleball Tournament; 8:00 a.m. at the Finley Center. Open to players of all ages and levels of expertise, the tournament features men’s and women’s doubles beginning Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and mixed doubles at the same time on Sunday. Registration information and tournament details can be found at hoovermetcomplex.com.

March 2: 25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration; 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens. The celebration features a native species tree giveaway, a formal ceremony honoring the winners of the 4th Grade Arbor Day Essay Contest and a ceremonial tree planting. Children will enjoy a tree-themed storytime and take-home craft in partnership with the Hoover Library,

March 11: Helping Hands; 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hoover Public Library. Teens and adults are invited to drop in on this monthly volunteer session to help roll newspapers for the local humane society. Please come to the nonfiction area to participate.

March 16: Spring Festival; 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Riverchase Baptist. The Hoover community is invited to join Riverchase Baptist for the 2024 Spring Festival. Enjoy age-appropriate egg hunts, games, prizes and more. Food trucks will be available as well.

March 19: Hoover Public Safety Night Out; 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Riverchase Galleria. Hoover police, fire and other organizations promoting safety will be at this community-wide event at help in the Belk parking lot at the Riverchase Galleria. Learn about crime prevention, meet local officers, and enjoy bounce houses, face painting and food trucks.

March 21 - 22: Mac McAnally with Eric Darken; 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hoover Public Library Listen to 10-Time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally alongside the percussion of Eric Darken. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at thelibrarytheatre.com or by calling (205) 444-7888.

March 23: Community Easter Egg Hunt; 9:30 a.m. at Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Join

Bluff Park United Methodist Church for an annual Easter egg hunt featuring more than 10,000 eggs. Additional activities include photos with the Easter Bunny, door prizes and prize eggs.

APRIL

April 6: Dixie Vintage Antique Automobile Club 1st Saturday Cruise; 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hoover Tactical Fire Arms Vintage car lovers will enjoy checking out this family-friendly event featuring the restored and preserved rides of Alabama’s oldest car club.

April 8: Helping Hands; 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hoover Public Library. Teens and adults are invited to drop in on this monthly volunteer session to help roll newspapers for the local humane society. Please come to the nonfiction area to participate.

April 20: Family Art; 2:00 to 4:00 at the Hoover Public Library. Children and their grown-ups are invited to work together to create a collaborative art piece. This event will be held in the Youth Program Room.

April 27: Celebrate Hoover Day; 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Veterans Park. This annual city-wide celebration draws more than 10,000 residents of all ages for carnival rides, live entertainment, a petting zoo, Kids Zone, ice cream and the largest apple pie you’ve ever seen! The event is free and open to the public.

April 27: Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil; 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Ross Bridge. Join more than 2,000 attendees for the annual crawfish boil benefitting Alabama families that are battling childhood cancer. Admission includes all-you-caneat crawfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, non-alcoholic beverages, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals and live entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at hopeforautumnfoundation.org.

April 28: Denim and Dining; 6:00 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens. This casual event is the largest annual fundraiser for the Hoover City Schools Foundation. It features local barbeque, music and live and silent auctions. Proceeds support grants for special programs in the city’s 17 schools. Tickets are available at hoovercsf.org/events.