Hoover's Magazine, October/November 2020 by Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.

WATERCOLORS BY CHRISTI BUNN • ELEGANT GINGER LILY TEACAKES • MOSS MAGIC FESTIVAL PREVIEW

EPILEPSY ISN’T STOPPING THIS STUDENT RUNNER

DEFINING THE TWO AMERICAS

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 HooversMagazine.com Vol. 9 | Issue 5 $4.95

FARMHOUSE flair INSIDE A BLOGGER’S ROSS BRIDGE HOME

Your health can’t wait. Your Safe Care is Our #1 Priority At Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, we go above and beyond to help ensure that our hospital is safe for you. We’re here for emergencies 24/7 with the quality and expertise that makes us a community built on care. If you’re not feeling well, don’t ignore your symptoms or downplay your pain. Taking care of your health now may prevent greater health risks in the future.

Social Distancing

Wear a Mask

Clean Environment

For more information, visit

Separate Covid-19 Areas

www.BrookwoodBaptistMedicalCenter.com

FEATURES

DEFINING THE TWO AMERICAS These Bluff Park musicians aren’t shying away from talking about race on their new podcast—and there’s a healthy dose of humor in it too.

MOSS MAGIC FESTIVAL PREVIEW Moss Rock Festival is fusing with Magic City Art Connection for two days full of arts of all shapes and forms at the Hoover Met. Here’s our guide to what you’ll find there.

6 October/November 2020

PHOTO BY LAUREN WINTER

SPECIAL SECTION

PHOTO BY LAUREN WINTER

arts & culture

13 Angular Art: Christi Bunn’s Watercolors and More 19 Book Nook: Your Financial Emergency Kit 22 Read This Book: The Thrill of It All

schools & sports

23 Regaining Control: HHS Track Athlete Lauren Harding-Smith 28 Five Questions For: Spain Park Wrestler Yasmine Oliveira

food

& drink

29 Delicious Details: Cherri Jones’ Elegant Teacakes

in every issue 6 Contributors 7 From the Editor 8 The Question 9 The Guide 20 Aldridge Gardens 54 Chamber Connection 58 Out & About 62 Marketplace 64 My Hoover

34 Five Questions For: East 59 Owner Amber Tolbert

home

& style

35 Farmhouse Flair: Inside a Blogger’s Ross Bridge Home 43 At Home: Autumn Tablescape

HooversMagazine.com 7

contributors EDITORIAL

Alec Etheredge Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Scott Mims Emily Sparacino

CONTRIBUTORS

James Culver, Photographer James lives in the Birmingham area with his wife, Rachel, and their three children, Callie, James III and John Michael. He is a graduate of Auburn University and spent 17 years in Atlanta working as a graphic designer,

Aliza Baker Lauren Dowdle James Culver Lindsey Drennan Laura Gossett Dawn Harrison Morgan Hunt Lauren Winter

creative director and photographer. He specializes in event, real estate

DESIGN

and international publications. A graduate from the University of

Jamie Dawkins Kate Sullivan Green Connor Martin-Lively

and portrait photography, and he can be found on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @jculvercreative, and via his website, jculver.com.

Lauren Dowdle, Writer An award-winning writer, Lauren lives in Hoover with her husband, daughter and four fur-babies. She writes for a variety of local, national Alabama, Lauren played the tuba in the Million Dollar Band, which is how she met her husband. When she isn’t writing or chasing around a toddler, she loves to bake for friends and family.

MARKETING

Kristy Brown Darniqua Bowen Kari George Caroline Hairston Rachel Henderson Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Viridiana Romero Lisa Shapiro Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATION Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge Daniel Holmes Stacey Meadows Tim Prince

Morgan Hunt, Photographer Morgan recently finished her BS in art from the University of Montevallo. With her business, Morgan Hunt Media, she works as a freelance commercial and wedding photographer in the Birmingham area while getting her MA in photography from Savannah College of Art and Design. She believes that photographs have a very unique storytelling ability, and her work lives in a space between journalism and fine art.

Lauren Winter, Photographer Southern to the core, Lauren Winter grew up in Birmingham and now lives in Bluff Park. She is mama to two little girls, and owner of Fresh Grace Photography, which specializes in lifestyle family photography and weddings. In addition to her girls, Lauren’s favorites include sweet tea, camping, football, bluebirds, thunderstorms and puppy breath.

Hoover’s Magazine is published bimonthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Hoover’s Magazine is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Hoover’s Magazine, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Hoover’s Magazine is mailed to select households throughout Hoover, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit HooversMagazine.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $16.30 for one year by visiting HooversMagazine.com or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 532. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@hooversmagazine.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 536.

8 October/November 2020

from the editor

ON THE COVER

Farmhouse Flair

Brendt Blanks posts about seasonal decor in her Ross Bridge home and more on @shegaveitago.

Is it just me, or is Hoover a bit hard to define geographically? There’s Galleria-area Hoover, Greystone Hoover, Ross Bridge Hoover, Bluff Park Hoover, and somehow it all adds up to more than 85,000 people. And did you know that the only cities in the state larger than us are Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa? By the numbers and by map, it seems like it would be hard to feel connected in this lovely place we call home. But not so, I find. When I talk to most anyone here (or in Birmingham in general), we can find some degree of connection with mutual friends or acquaintances. That’s just the way our big city-small town works. And I’m reminded of that each time we put together a new issue of this magazine, as story ideas flow from all sorts of places that remind me of all the ways we are tied to one another, even in this strange social distancing era we are living in. Speaking of, one of the best ways I know to find story ideas on social media. I asked the What’s Happening in Hoover Facebook group a while back about bloggers from Hoover, and that led me to Brendt Blanks’ @shegaveitago’s Instagram page full of home décor tips and more. A few messages later, I confirmed she lived in Ross Bridge with her family, and we’d setup a photo shoot at her house. Around that time, my summer intern from Samford University, Aliza Baker, came across a baker of stunning teacake designs. Her Instagram images screamed magazine story, but was she a Hoover’s Magazine story? A quick message confirmed Cherri Jones in fact bakes her Ginger Lily Sweets right here in Hoover, and boy did her pretty sweets pose well for the camera! Other stories come at a recommendation of folks around us. Sara Franklin, who is now the executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, told us about how inspired she’d been by Hoover High School track athlete Lauren Harding-Smith after her epilepsy diagnosis, and Dawn Harrison, a photographer we work with, suggested we do a story on a Yasmine Oliveira, a Spain Park wrestler who just so happens to be female. Artist Christi Bunn reached out to us about the Hoover Arts Council, and her artwork ended up making a great story too. As for the last feature in this issue, Corey Nolen and I connected this spring about something unrelated to the podcast he’d start this summer (and discovered we had some mutual friends), but because of that I ended up listening to his 2 Americas podcast with Jesse Suttle and quickly realized they both lived in Bluff Park…hello, story idea. Be sure to read their thoughts behind it starting on page 44. No matter if you live in the Galleria area, Greystone, Ross Bridge, Bluff Park or anywhere in between, I hope the stories in this issue make you feel more connected to this community and that you’ll share any ideas you have for stories for our magazine too! Feel free to email me any time.

Photo by Lauren Winter Design by Jamie Dawkins madoline.markham@hooversmagazine.com HooversMagazine.com 9

“ ” THE QUESTION

In the midst of the hardships of 2020, what has brought you the most joy? Getting to explore our state with our boys. We hiked at different parks, found the Cahaba lilies, went to the sunflower field... it was great to see more of our state.

Slowing down to more of a simple life! Have loved every minute of being with my family and working from home!

Being able to work from home and having no busy work travel schedule allowed us to experience so many unforgettable “firsts” with our son.

I will always be grateful for the extra time with my son. He is in middle school, and the months I have been able to work from home have been a blessing.

Seeing the kids flourish despite (perhaps because of) living a much simpler life.

The parks both local and national. No one has better parks than the USA. From Hoover Aldridge Gardens to Mt. Rushmore!

I thought I’d get sick of my hubby, but turns out we get along pretty well. Not a bad deal.

Getting to explore national parks with the family with less obligations on our calendars.

-Amy McCarthy

-Andrew Sims

-Carly Shannon Woods

-Cheryl Grissom

10 October/November 2020

-Kim Sorrell Rohloff

-Heather Ponder Smith

-David J Bannister

-Emily Bearden Posey

THE GUIDE

HOOVER TREAT NIGHT OCT. 29 Hoover Met Concourse 5-8 p.m. Put on your costumes and join the Hoover community at this free event. Hoover Chamber members will set up tables with individually wrapped treats for kids to pick up trick-or-treat style while keeping safe social distance. Face coverings are required, and hand sanitizer will be available. HooversMagazine.com 11

THE GUIDE AROUND TOWN

OCT. 8

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS IN OCTOBER The Patch at Helena Hollow helenahollow.com OCT. 4 BHM 26.2 Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K & Fun Run Railroad Park OCT. 4 8th Annual CahabaQue Benefitting Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Cahaba Brewing Company

TASTE OF HOOVER

5-8 P.M. Aldridge Gardens

Dishes of all styles and ethnicities can be found around Hoover, and on this night many of them are all in one place. Stroll

ARTS

COVID CANCEL The annual Bluff Park Art Show has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19 but plans to return to its usual first Saturday of October date in 2021. Find more updates on bluffparkartassociation. org or the art association’s Facebook page.

through the gardens and sample selections from restaurants and caterers plus international wines and local beers— all with live music in the background. A limited number of tickets will be sold; purchase them at aldridgegardens.com.

NOV. 17

Women’s Suffrage in Alabama Come out to learn more about the Alabama women involved in the suffrage movement and an exhibit on the topic at Vulcan Park and Museum from Jennifer Watts. This Hoover Historical Society Meeting will meet at the Hoover Library meeting room if in-person meetings are possible, with a Zoom option if necessary.

Share your news! Email submissions to Madoline.Markham@Hooversmagazine.com to be considered for our next issue. 12 October/November 2020

OCT. 10 Running for the Bulls 5K & Fun Run Benefitting Bama Bully Rescue Red Mountain Park OCT. 10 Jimmie Hale Mission Rescue Run 5K & Fun Run Downtown Homewood OCT. 14-25 Shop Save & Share Shops Throughout Hoover and Birmingham ShopSaveandShare.net OCT. 16 Babypalooza Virtual Baby Expo babypalooza.com OCT. 18 Handmade Art Show + Pickin’ in the Park Homewood Central Park OCT. 24 Paws for the Cause 5K Benefitting Shelby Humane Society Veterans Park, Hoover OCT. 24 BOO Run for Down Syndrome 10K, 5K & 1-mile Fun Run Red Mountain Park NOV. 2 Dia de los Muertos Pepper Place

THE GUIDE NOV. 7 Virtual Walk to End Epilepsy walktoendepilepsy.org/ birmingham

NOV. 7

Virtual Walk to End Epilepsy

NOV. 7-8 Moss Magic: Moss Rock Festival + Magic City Art Connection The Hoover Met, Hoover NOV. 11 National Veterans Day Parade Downtown Birmingham NOV. 14 A Southern Christmas Bazaar Pelham Civic Center NOV. 16-22 Market Noel Virtual Marketplace Benefitting the Junior League of Birmingham marketnoel.net NOV. 20 Magical Marketplace Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church

NOV. 8

Out of the Darkness Walk Veterans Park

Join hundreds of thousands of people to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention at this annual walk. All funds raised go toward the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss. Register and find more details at afsp.donordrive. com.

This annual walk will look at little different this year with a Zoom presentation at 9:30 a.m. After that registrants are encouraged to walk in support of the Epilepsy Foundation in their own neighborhood, on their treadmill, or wherever they choose. The event is expected to raise more than $50,000 to help the more than 54,000 people in Alabama living with epilepsy and seizures. To sign up or for more information, visit walktoendepilepsy.org/ Birmingham.

Featured Artist: Kimberly Paige

2020 SPONSORS: USS Real Estate • Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency Joe Piper • City of Hoover • Publix Super Markets Charities • Event Rentals Unlimited • Pursell Farms Resort • Coca Cola United Bare Naked Noodles • Royal Cup MEDIA SPONSORS: AL.com • Babypalooza • Bell Media • Beyond the Rock • Bham Now Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • B-Metro • EXCURSIONSgo.com • Hoover’s Magazine • Over the Mountain Journal Starnes Media • This is Alabama • WBHM 90.3fm

Moss Rock Festival Magic City Art Connection Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Live: November 7-8, 2020 Virtual: November 9-15, 2020 Beer Garden Trail: Oct. 15-Nov. 30, 2020 www.mossrockfestival.com

HooversMagazine.com 13

&CULTURE

ARTS

ANGULAR ART

Christi Bunn captures homes, pets, landmarks and more with watercolors, graphite and oil. BY LAUREN DOWDLE PHOTOS BY MORGAN HUNT HooversMagazine.com 15

It’s all about perspective. Or in Christi Bunn’s case, it’s all about capturing that perspective in the architectural structures around her. Christi, who’s lived in Hoover for the past 16 years, has loved drawing since she was a child. One of her earliest memories related to art was when she drew a picture of a giraffe for her grandfather. “He remarked how good it was,” she recalls. While her hometown of Thomasville, Alabama, didn’t offer art classes in school, she found other creative outlets—like as a high school cheerleader creating the breakthrough banners they used for the football team. So, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise when she wanted to major in art in college. Her father pushed back though, telling her she wouldn’t make money in that field. Following his advice, she decided to

16 October/November 2020

major in advertising at the University of Alabama, with a minor in studio art and graphic design. It was during her time at the university that she had her “lightbulb moment,” as she calls it. One of her art professors, Richard Brough, took her class to the Quad in front of Denny Chimes to look look at the architectural structures around them to teach them about perspective. “We looked at all of the buildings from where we sat and saw the closer we were, the steeper the angles were,” she says. “It was a lightbulb moment for capturing perspective in realism. That gave me a fuel to figure out my niche.” She’d have to hold off on that niche for a while though. After college, she worked as a graphic designer for an energy company and later started her own web-design company,

Hoover Arts Alliance member Christi Bunn paints from her home studio.

HooversMagazine.com 17

Bunn Media. That freelance work allowed her to stay home with her three small children. As they grew up, though, Christi found more time for one of her other loves, art. She decided to jump back into it by creating graphite drawings of her mother’s and mother-inlaw’s houses to give to them as Christmas presents. They were so impressed with her work that they shared them with their friends, and the rest, they say, is history. Soon, Christi was being commissioned from others in the area and eventually from people across the country for drawings of cherished homes, churches and even pets. Today, she has completed more than 250 commissioned pieces using watercolors, graphite and oil. She draws everything by hand or using a straight edge, primarily working from photographs for her inspiration. If she’s working on a piece for someone local, Christi offers to drive by and take photos of their home or other building. She says it’s also important for her to see the landscape around a structure because that shows her how the structure relates to its surroundings. Besides drawing homes, some of her most

18 October/November 2020

SPREADING THE LOVE OF ART Christi Bunn joined the Hoover Arts Alliance three years ago and now helps with the group’s online presence, from the website to social media pages. “It’s a group who has a passion for seeing the arts in Hoover flourish,” Christi says. “We want to see the arts become more prominent in the Hoover area.” Here’s a list of some of their projects: • Giving more than $3,000 in scholarships each year to high school seniors who plan to major in an art discipline in college • Supporting schools with financial grants for equipment and projects • Providing an art teacher and supplies for the Combat Veterans Center for art therapy classes • Managing the art gallery in Hoover City Hall and bring in local artists to display their works for the public at no charge to the artist • Providing awards for juried art shows in Hoover, including the Bluff Park Art Show, Central Alabama Artists Guild Show, League of American Pen Women Show and other local art events • Giving grants to the Hoover Public Library’s fine arts department and Aldridge Gardens For more information on the Hoover Arts Alliance, visit hooverarts.com.

requested pieces come from her “Bama Art” collection, which features images like the President’s Mansion, Denny Chimes and Bryant Denny Stadium on game day—harkening back to her lightbulb moment that day on the Quad. Christi also works with Bluff Park’s Pat Campbell and her wedding invitation and stationery business, Fine Paperwork. So far, she’s drawn a church where the couple was getting married, created a stainedglass watercolor on wedding stationery and created other commissioned designs to make a couple’s big day even more special. Overall, one of her favorite pieces to create was a huge watercolor of Christ Community Church in Columbus, Georgia. The painting brings the

HooversMagazine.com 19

building’s angular design, stainedglass windows and towering cross to life, and surrounding the colorful image of the church were six other locations where the congregation previously met: a car dealership, home, hotel, movie theater, school and daycare building. “It was a challenge but also a privilege,” she says about creating the piece. When she isn’t working on commissioned pieces, Christi says she enjoys painting flowers. “I do so many angular, black-and-white pieces, so what I do for fun are colorful flowers.” She also participates in the local art community through art shows, including one at Aldridge Gardens and on the board (and as president) of the Mountain Brook Art Association. Three years ago, she joined the Hoover Arts Alliance (see sidebar for more information), and she is also involved with Emmanuel Church, where her husband, Andy, is the pastor.

Whether she’s drawing someone’s childhood home or painting a colorful flower in her free time, the goal for all of her projects is the same. “I just try to capture the beauty of the piece.” To see more of Christi’s artwork, visit christibunn. com.

MAKING THE WORLD SAFER ONE EDUCATED FIREARM OWNER AT A TIME Serving Birmingham & Surrounding Areas Since 2009!

Our indoor range has 28 lanes and accommodates •pistols •bows •ries •shotguns

205-822-3600

1561 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35216 20 October/November 2020

BOOK NOOK

Your Financial Emergency Kit Planning for your financial future is best done before a crisis hits. Life, however, does not always guarantee us this luxury. In today’s world, we are even more concerned with creating and maintaining our income and finding new ways to make them last. Looking at our current financial picture, we all too often find ourselves on the wrong end of the ancient proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.” The good news, however, is, “The second best time is now.” The question we then ask is, “How?” Well, the Hoover Library is here to help. We have partnered with three financial experts to help you not only answer the question of “how” but also “when,” “where” and “what.” Dr. Dale Callahan, UAB professor, author and personal leadership Business Librarian coach, will present our first program, “Make Money Online: Business Ideas You Can Start from Home,” on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to match your passion to serve others by starting an online business you can operate part time or full time with no technical skills. He illustrates what is possible when he says, “Not everyone lives day-to-day working in the system, having their income controlled by arbitrary pay scales. What I have found is that there is true freedom still waiting at your fingertips. It is not magic, nor overnight success, but it is simple and repeatable.” This pandemic, like many crises, caught us off guard and created financial insecurity for many of us. How do you navigate these unsettling times in a financially sound way? What can you do now to prepare yourself for the future and for the next unforeseen event? To answer these questions, join us for our second program, “Financial Planning in the Midst of a Crisis.” This virtual conversation will be on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Our presenters will be financial educator and the host of “Our Money Matters” Damian J. Carson, and Certified Financial Planner Scott Cole. Together they will share four things you can do now to turn this crisis into an opportunity for a new start to your financial life. Both events will stream live on the Hoover Library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. You can also find more information at hooverlibrary.org. If you have any questions or want additional resources to assist you in your financial planning, please call us at 205-444-7840.

Bryce Thornton

IS PROUD TO WELCOME TO OUR EXPERT TEAM OF PHYSICIANS

Beau Grantier, M.D. SPORTS MEDICINE

Call 205-605-8180

today to schedule your appointment. Grandview Physicians Plaza 3686 Grandview Parkway Suite 430 Birmingham, Alabama 35243

Less Pain. More Living. www.SouthlakeOrthopaedics.com

HooversMagazine.com 21

Thank A Vet! Hoover’s 2020 Salute To Veterans

Hoover’s Veterans’ Week will begin Sunday, November 8, from 2-4pm, at the Aldridge Gardens’ Pavilion. This annual week-long event recognizes Hoover citizens’ military service for our country, and instills community-wide patriotism, appreciation, and respect for all branches of the U.S. Armed Services. This year, we will recognize and honor the 2020 Hoover Chamber of Commerce Freedom Award recipient, Lt. Col Ginger Branson, U.S. Army (Ret) along with 5 deserving Hoover Veterans for their military service, sacrifice, and dedication, with a flag folding ceremony. These flags were flown over the State Capital in Montgomery and the Veterans will also receive a certificate signed by the Governor. We as a Community, State, and Nation should always remember and honor our nation’s Veterans for their unselfish deeds and bravery, for protecting and securing our great nation and for ensuring our incredible way of life. Join us for activities honoring those who bravely served our country! 3530 Lorna Road • Hoover, Alabama 35216 • 205-682-8019 • www.aldridgegardens.com • info@aldridgegardens.com

Every season I say this is my favorite at Aldridge Gardens, but Fall really is my favorite season anywhere, especially at our beautiful Gardens. October historically brings perfect weather for all of our many outdoor events. If you are joining our early morning Birdwatching Club or our Nordic Walking Group or just meeting your coffee club under the trees by the lake, Aldridge Gardens in October is the place to be. Aldridge Gardens is proud to announce that the Gardens is now part of the Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail section of the Alabama Birding Trail. There have been over 100 species of birds identified in the Gardens and the numbers continue to grow. Our members-only guided bird walks are offered on the third Saturday of each month from March through November and are under the guidance of Dr. Richard Ryel and his wife Patricia. Our Bird Walks are extremely popular and space is limited, so become an Aldridge Gardens member today and sign up for these exciting walks. The annual Taste of Hoover is planned for the evening of October 8, from 5- 8 pm on the 31 acres of Aldridge Gardens. All activities are outside so we hope everyone will join us to experience our wonderful Hoover restaurants and caterers. Visit our website for ticket information www.aldridgegardens.com. Holiday plans are on everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds, planning events, and shopping. Our outdoor Pavilion is the perfect venue for a winter wonderland Christmas party with ample space to spread out, and the Aldridge Home is also a beautiful venue to host your event in as well. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget our annual Gifts of Art, scheduled for December 3 from 10am to 6pm. Check our website regularly for artist and time updates! Memberships, engraved pavers and gift certificates to our Roots Gift Shop all make excellent gifts for the Holiday season and also support beautiful Aldridge Gardens as well. Thank you to everyone for your support throughout the year of Aldridge Gardens, we continue to grow and flourish because of you. Happy Fall.

READ THIS BOOK

The Thrill of It All Recommendations from

Chandra Sparks Splond

Editor, Speaker, Author & Blogger

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Fall festivals and Halloween activities abound, my family and I celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and the weather turns crisp, which makes it the perfect time to snuggle under the covers reading a great book or two. In celebration of the season, here are a few books sure to give you chills. To keep up with more of my book recommendations, read my blog at blackfictionaddiction.com, and to learn more about books I have written check out chandrasparkssplond.com/books/.

When No One Is Watching

by Alyssa Cole Billed as Rear Window meets Get Out, Cole’s first thriller is one of the most anticipated releases for fall. Brooklyn-born and raised Sydney Green is about to find out that gentrification is taking on a sinister new meaning. Suddenly, For Sale signs are popping up overnight, and lifelong neighbors are moving to the suburbs. Is it all a coincidence or some kind of conspiracy? Sydney finds an unlikely assistant, but can they trust each other—and themselves—long enough to see if they too will disappear?

Thunderland

by Brandon Massey Thunderland was Massey’s debut novel. Not only will it have you terrified to go to sleep, but it will also have you craving everything he’s written. Days after a devastating gale rips through his town, nearly taking his life, Jason Brooks wakes up to a whole new world, and then the nightmares start and strange things begin to happen. Cryptic messages are appearing on the bathroom mirror, clothing flies across the room, and there’s always thunder roaring in the distance. It seems someone—or something—is coming for Jason.

The Memory Box

by Eva Lesko Natiello This “unputdownable psychological thriller” is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller for good reason. It will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end with twists and turns you never see coming. When Caroline Thompson Googles herself out of curiosity, she discovers she has a life—and a twin sister—of which she has no memory. Hurled into a state of paranoia that wrecks her family, Caroline is determined to prove the things she’s found out are false before someone discovers they’re actually true.

Along Came a Spider

by James Patterson This classic thriller helped to make Patterson a household name. This is the first book of Patterson’s popular Alex Cross series, which introduces homicide detective Alex Cross who is dealing with every parent’s worst nightmare: Gary Soneji. The serial killer who is at the top of his game has outsmarted the FBI, Secret Service and the police thanks to his determination to commit the crime of the century. He’s about to become Alex Cross’ worse nightmare, and by the end of the book, he’ll probably be yours too.

Anybody’s Daughter

by Pamela Samuels Young Young has several legal series that use her background as an attorney and anti-trafficking advocate to bring the stories to life. In Anybody’s Daughter, which is part of her Dre Thomas series, 13-year-old Brianna Walker has decided to sneak off to meet her first real boyfriend whom she met on Facebook. Imagine her surprise when she realizes he doesn’t exist. Imagine their surprise when her captives realize they’ve targeted the wrong girl. Dre Thomas, Brianna’s uncle, is determined to end this nightmare and bring his niece home before it’s too late. 24 October/November 2020

SCHOOL

&SPORTS

REGAINING CONTROL Hoover student Lauren Harding-Smith hasn’t let epilepsy get in the way of her running—or life in general. BY EMILY SPARACINO PHOTOS BY KEITH MCCOY HooversMagazine.com 25

Hoover High School junior Lauren Harding-Smith was going to breakfast on the last morning of her family’s spring break ski trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2019 with nothing more on her mind than the time she had logged on the slopes that week. Her father, Alistair, was feeling relieved everyone had made it through the trip uninjured. But as they checked in at the restaurant, he noticed Lauren didn’t respond to a question, an incident he initially dismissed as Lauren being absent-minded as a 15-year-old still on vacation. It had been a busy week. They sat at a table and started giving the waitress their orders. That’s when the confusion set in for Lauren. “I kept missing parts of her sentence,” she says. “I couldn’t hear it.” Lauren’s eyelids began to flutter, which her brother noticed and pointed out to

26 October/November 2020

their dad. “It became clearer that she was not fully there and responding,” Alistair says. “When the waitress noticed, I became concerned, but thought it was just oxygen.” Oxygen. That had to be the issue. Oxygen levels are lower than normal at ski resorts like those in Salt Lake City, leading some people to experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Maybe that’s what had happened to Lauren, he thought, until one of the paramedics tending to Lauren mentioned his daughter’s experience with seizures and that he recognized similarities between hers and Lauren’s symptoms. All of a sudden, the gravity of the situation set in. Alistair took the paramedic’s advice and approved for Lauren to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. About 10 minutes before they arrived, Lauren had a grand mal seizure – a type of

“It’s easy to not be logical when you’re nervous. The what-ifs … that was the most difficult part.” - Lauren Harding-Smith

Running has been a constant in Lauren Harding-Smith’s life since she was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2019.

seizure involving loss of consciousness and muscle contractions. Lauren’s memory of her hospital stay is foggy, but her diagnosis cut through the haze: juvenile absence epilepsy. When her family arrived home, they set up an appointment at Children’s of Alabama for further testing. Lauren had an electroencephalogram, or EEG, done to record her brain activity and determine what was triggering her seizures. She wasn’t sensitive to lights, but she did react to hyperventilation and oxygen changes. That explained her seizures in Salt Lake City. “The event of her grand mal seizure was shocking and frightening to say the very least, but having a quick and accurate diagnosis for her condition was a real relief,” says Lauren’s mother Daphne HardingSmith. “Even though there are so many types of

HooversMagazine.com 27

A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT Since her diagnosis last year, Lauren has become involved with the Hooverbased Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, a chapter of the national Epilepsy Foundation of America that develops and implements programs and services for people with epilepsy. She has been able to connect with others her age coping with epilepsy and learn about the Foundation’s efforts to promote research. “Also, one thing the Epilepsy Foundation is really pushing is for the ability of not just nurses to be able to administer the anti-seizure meds,” Alistair says. “It really does not need a nurse, but this limitation means some schools limit activities of kids with epilepsy when that would not be necessary.” For more information, visit EpilepsyAlabama.org.

epilepsy and it’s a very individualized experience, there are successful treatments for controlling the types of seizures Lauren experiences that can help her have as much of a normal life experience as possible.” Lauren’s doctors started her on an anti-seizure medication and asked her to come back in for periodic testing. The long cycle of tests and medication adjustments continued, but the

ultimate goal remained the same: for Lauren to be seizure-free. Throughout the daunting process, running remained a constant in Lauren’s life. She has traversed tracks and cross-country courses since middle school, relishing the longer distance races that require pacing and endurance. Her doctors told her she could continue running as long as she had emergency medication onsite with

For all your backyard playground needs!!

CALL

205-408-4386 for more info!

NOW ALSO SELLING AY COMMERCIAL PLAY EQUIPMENT! CALL 205-408-4386 86 FOR MORE INFO!

3165 CCahaba h b VValley lle RRoadd Birmingham, AL 35124

www.backyardalabama.com 28 October/November 2020

(Still) Serving Children Safely

ChildrensAL.org

It has always been our priority a school nurse, stuck to safe trails without cliffs and didn’t run alone. What she had to adjust to was the mental aspect of her diagnosis; knowing she has epilepsy and that she could have a seizure while running. The chances are low but are there nonetheless. “I was a lot more nervous,” she says. “I was always thinking, ‘Did I take my medicine this morning? What if I get to the point where I start breathing too hard and I have a seizure?’ It’s easy to not be logical when you’re nervous.” But Lauren draws comfort from knowing she’s not alone in being a runner who copes with a health issue at her school. “We have to make sure her teachers, coaches and friends are aware of what to look for—and she knows to listen to her body and be mindful,” Daphne says. Alistair praised Lauren’s teammates and coaches for their support and encouragement, and adds, “Cross country and running have been so important to her through this. It has helped her have a focus and feel like the normal teenager that she is.” The “normal” part is what her parents want for her more than anything—even if her new normal looks different than it used to. Lauren had to be seizure-free for at least six months to be cleared to drive a car and eventually get her driver’s license—an important rite of passage for any teenager. After more than a year of waiting, she finally got that much-anticipated plastic card this summer. “Now that it is controlled and she has had no seizure, I’m just delighted she can drive and live a normal high school life,” her dad says. “Her goal is to place top five in girls varsity at Hoover at a meet. My hope is that we can gradually reduce medicines and that it is something that she will grow out of over time.” Daphne says Lauren embraces her uniqueness and views her condition as an opportunity instead of a setback. “She is very competitive, hard-working and determined,” Daphne adds. “I am certain that my daughter will have the greatest of success in her life, in whatever she chooses to do. I don’t see her as having limitations of any sort. And she doesn’t either. She will always make the best of any situation and will be stronger for it.”

to ensure the safety and well-being of each child in our care — and that remains our commitment as we continue our mission during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how we have redesigned our operations to keep our patients and their families as safe as possible: q All visitors are screened immediately for signs of illness and fever. q We follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting our facilities. q Our staff practices safe hand hygiene. q We are wearing masks for your safety. Thank you for wearing your face covering. q All visitors to campus are required to wear masks. q Waiting rooms have been reconfigured to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

HooversMagazine.com 29

SCHOOLS & SPORTS

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Yasmine Oliveira Spain Park High School Wrestler PHOTO BY DAWN HARRISON

Yasmine Oliveira might be the only female on the Spain Park High School wrestling team this season, but that isn’t holding her back. She took her sophomore year off from the sport, but after reflecting on the experiences from her freshman year, she decided she is ready and determined to learn, practice and become a better athlete this season. Here’s what she told us heading into a new season with the Jaguars. How did you get into wrestling? I started wrestling when I was in the eighth grade. I wanted something to help my jiu jitsu game, and wrestling was the closest thing to it. There was another girl on the team who had been doing it since the sixth grade, but she stopped when we got to high school the next year. It was difficult at first being the only girl.

mentally messed with me. I kind of struggled that year. I tried changing my diet, I tried exercising more, I physically tried to change. A lot of that wasn’t helping. I got discouraged from that.

What have you learned the last few years? My dad is one of my biggest supporters and is always telling me to try to improve What challenges have you faced in from it. I learned I need to be more determined and to persevere and to be wrestling? It was challenging getting used to being mentally strong, and I know what to expect with all the guys. I came into wrestling now. Also, I have a younger sibling, a with a pretty strong mindset and was very freshman, and he will be on the high school confident. My eighth-grade year I did team. pretty well, but things changed in high school. The guys I was beating in eighth What do you enjoy about wrestling? My favorite moment is when you’re on grade, I couldn’t beat in high school. That 30 October/November 2020

the ground and you see that you can get that pin. Before I get a pin, I know when it’s the right time. That’s the best feeling for me. Right when I feel the perfect time to take them down, that’s like a major high point for me. You get an adrenaline rush. What do you hope to accomplish this season? My goal this season is just to learn as many moves as I can in wrestling and hopefully win state. I didn’t put such a high expectation for myself. I just know that getting into this year, I won’t be beating them like I expected to. It will be tough, but I’m setting the bar for myself and hopefully gradually raising that bar for myself. I’m excited for this new year in the wrestling season.

&DRINK

FOOD

DELICIOUS DETAILS Cherri Jones bakes whimsically elegant sweets that have a history as rich as their taste. BY ALIZA BAKER PHOTOS BY LINDSEY DRENNAN HooversMagazine.com 31

At first Cherri Jones didn’t quite know what to do with the perplexed looks that people kept giving her baked goods at a fall festival. It wasn’t until a shopper took a closer look at the intricately detailed teacakes and exclaimed, “Oh, you can eat these!” that Cherri knew she’d need to work on her marketing. “I had to make a sign that said they are teacakes,” Cherri reminisces with a laugh. “I was like, ‘You can eat them! They aren’t soap or candles or decorative pieces.’” It’s an easy mistake for the common eye. A glance at Cherri’s elegant artistic renderings of historical figures, architecture and flora carved with scrupulous detail might make you think their place is among the finest of china rather than for your taste buds. The irony of the confusion is that cultures from all over the world have been eating these teacakes for

32 October/November 2020

hundreds of years. The history of teacakes and springerle (a German anise-flavored cookie with an embossed design on top made with a special rolling pin) is akin to a familial secret, passed along as a symbol of heritage for generations to come. With her encyclopedic knowledge of the molds that give the teacakes their whimsical designs and customary baking techniques, Cherri didn’t want to keep it to herself. Her childhood was filled with “abstract, geometric springerle,” and as an adult she visited European markets with her husband. Now she’s fully qualified to write a book about the ancient significance of teacakes and springerle. Cherri’s a baker, though, not an author. So to better suit her talents, she opened Ginger Lily Southern Teacakes. The ginger in the name symbolizes the traditional gingerbread used to create springerle. Lily is the name

Cherri Jones uses molds to create intricate teacakes from her commercial kitchen off Lorna Road.

of Cherri’s grandmother, a Russian immigrant who lovingly passed along her baking knowledge to her grandchildren. A blend of history and personal flair is the essence of Ginger Lily. “A typical springerle baker will make 30 of the same designs and it will be a set, but I like to create a mood on the plate,” Cherri says. “I look at them outside of the box.” This magic happens in a shared commercial kitchen off of Lorna Road, where Cherri ventures out of the conventional teacake flavors of anis, vanilla or lemon and experiments with ones she’s never seen anyone else attempt, like coconut, matcha, mulberry and an assortment of coffees and teas. Though she cherishes collecting historical molds that date back to as early as the 18th century, Cherri likes creating molds that hold personal significance to her customers.

“When one of my client wants teacakes for their wedding—if their grandmother who maybe passed away had a broach or a necklace that she loved and everyone associated it with her—I try to make molds from that piece of jewelry, and they can incorporate it into the wedding so it’s like she is there with them,” she says. Customers from all over the country are drawn to the nostalgia of a warm kitchen on Christmas Eve, a mother removing freshly baked springerle out of the oven and the pleasant scent of gingerbread swirling around the room. Cherri takes it a step further to recreate those special memories for her customers too. She’ll ask a multitude of questions: “Where was your mother from?” or “Were the ones she made hard, chewy or soft?” This personal touch is not lost on her patrons for whom they unlock memories buried deeply. “One lady HooversMagazine.com 33

CRACKING THE CODE Certain teacake and springerle designs contain symbolism that dates back for centuries. uPomegranates or roses: Weddings uPipes: Wisdom (typically given to an older man or father figure) uMan riding rooster or wreath of flowers: Courtship uFlaming heart: Love uBiblical stories: During medieval times when most people were illiterate, they used teacakes to tell the stories.

34 October/November 2020

You want them cared for by the best. We provide the best who also

truly care.

AT SOMERBY, OUR STAFF IS UNIQUELY PREPARED TO KEEP YOUR LOVED ONES

(whose) grandmother has Alzheimer’s, (said) though she couldn’t remember much, she remembered the cookies that I made,” Cherri recalls. But teacakes and springerle aren’t an exclusive club only for those who find sentimental value in them. Her most popular items are the German folk heart shaped teacakes and, interestingly enough, the skeleton cameo teacakes. As Cherri puts it, the 20-somethings all buy the skeletons, and everyone else goes with the hearts. She treasures customers who think her treats look “cool” just as much as those with a deeper connection to them. For Cherri, there’s a simplicity behind why she opened Ginger Lily Sweets, too. Despite her regular chats with teacake and springerle historians and her wealth of knowledge, her primary motivation behind her business is her love of baking. She cherishes letting her 6-year-old grandson, who she calls her “aficionado,” or her husband, who ironically enough doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, sample her work. Just like the mold designs, it’s the small details that make it worthwhile for her. Despite her thoughts constantly swirling with traditions from the past, Cherri’s looking ahead at the future as well. Her primary goal for Ginger Lily is to eventually have her own retail space so that she can expand her menu to items that aren’t able to be shipped. Other than that she’s just proud of how far her business has come in the two years since it’s been open. Although Cherri’s teacakes and springerle are full of historical nuance, what’s not subtle is their fairytale-like beauty. But for anyone who is hesitant to take a taste like at the fall market, take Cherri’s husband Reginald’s advice: “Just flip them over to the back side!”

HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

• 24/7 care support • Associates with the training and the heart to serve seniors • Special attention to keeping residents connected to family UNCERTAIN TIMES CALL FOR CERTAIN CARE — AND A COMMUNITY THAT’S WARM, ENGAGING AND CONNECTS WITH YOU.

TO LEARN MORE OR TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR, VISIT SOMERBYSPARK.COM INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY CARE 2 00 O n e N i n e te e n B l vd . H o ove r, A L 3524 2

S O M E R B Y S P A R K . C O M • 8 0 0 . 9 7 7. 1 0 1 7

Learn more about Ginger Lily Southern Teacakes at gingerlilysweets.business.site or @gingerlilysweets on Instagram. HooversMagazine.com 35

FOOD & DRINK

FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Amber Tolbert East 59 Owner

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

There’s a new coffee shop in the Village at Lee Branch on Highway 280 with local roots. More than anything, the folks behind it want to connect with the people who walk in their doors. You can find East 59 across from Baumhowers by the AMC theatre in the shopping center and read more about its offerings at east59.net. To learn more about what it has to offer, we chatted with owner Amber Tolbert—who grew up in Hoover and graduated from Spain Park High School—as they were preparing to open in August. The first East 59 took its name from its location in East Lake. Can you tell us the back story on that and how you ended up here in Lee Branch? My husband and I were living in the East Lake neighborhood, and it was a family dream of ours to open a coffee shop. My parents, a few neighbors and us decided to do so there, and we ended up renovating an old building and opened in 2015. We ran it for several years and then launched the Hoover library location. We ended up not renewing our lease in East Lake, and when we moved our family to this side of town, we looked for a location for where we are now. For us it’s important to be fully present wherever we are.

and food. You get to know people and make those connections. What about the coffee itself? We will serve Counter Culture Coffee; the taste quality is incredible. They also have a commitment to direct trade resourcing; it’s a little different from fair trade, but I think it ends up more fairly paying the farmers. We offer all espressobased beverages, and we have smoothies and loose leaf tea options. My husband, Stephen, hates coffee, so we wanted a place where a family can all find something they enjoyed.

What’s on your food menu? We keep it simple with family recipes. The things people talk about most are our Can you tell us more about why a homemade pimento cheese and chicken coffee shop was and is your dream? Food is so central to us connecting with salad, and we’ll serve sandwiches, soups each other. Any time we spend time and salads. Our box lunches and catering together as a family we are in the kitchen were popular before. Our basic box lunch whipping something up and love inviting comes with a sandwich, chips and a people into that space. Friends become cookie, and you can add fruit or potato family when you can invite them into that salad. We also do a breakfast sandwich kind of connection space around coffee tray and sandwich trays, and we offer 36 October/November 2020

holiday and party trays with group sharable appetizers like a charcuterie board, buffalo dip, artichoke dip, baconwrapped dates and shrimp cocktail. What will the interior of the new shop look like? The inside has a lot of natural light and a lot of breathing space. We ended up using the wood from our old East Lake shop that came from an old house in Lincoln, Alabama and reinstalled it here. It feels very warm, and we hope it’s a place of welcome for anyone. That’s what people said about our East Lake shop, that it really felt welcome and at peace when they were there. That really meant a lot to me. We will have a private meeting room that can be reserved online. In our East Lake shop, it was used for everything from business meetings to nonprofits to Bible study groups to friends working on a project together, so we doubled the size of it in this new shop. There will also be outdoor seating on a side patio and front patio.

&STYLE

HOME

FARMHOUSE FLAIR Neutral décor in this blogger’s Ross Bridge home acts as canvas for ever-evolving seasonal accents. BY MADOLINE MARKHAM PHOTOS BY LAUREN WINTER HooversMagazine.com 37

The Blanks home’s living spaces are in many ways like a gallery. With each new season comes a new exhibit, if you will, of décor to mark summer or fall or the holidays, set against a neutral backdrop of modern farmhouse décor. But it doesn’t just appear overnight. It’s Brendt Blanks’ labor of love, and her full-time job as a blogger with more than 132,000 Instagram followers. Each day she fills eight to 10 hours styling and producing photos around her Ross Bridge home, writing tips and tutorials, and communicating with companies that send her their décor items for her to showcase on @shegaveitago.

38 October/November 2020

But before three years ago, her professional life looked completely different. Brendt had been a marriage and family therapist and was working on the cardiac floor at Children’s of Alabama. While she was passionate about her work, it was highly stressful especially after her father was diagnosed with cancer. Around the same time, she started to play with posting home décor photos on Instagram and found a strong community there. “This is really kind of fun,” she thought as companies started to offer to send her products for her to put in her home and share a photo of in her feed. Then one day at Shades Mountain Baptist Church,

Entryway Brendt’s husband Andy built this board and batten wall with a photo ledge, one of many DIY projects with instructions on her blog. Photos of their four children sit atop the ledge now.

Photo by Magen Davis Brendt recalls that a speaker kept saying the words “give it a go.” “Am I supposed to leave my job and go into a world where I’ve heard you can make a living but really don’t know much about?” she wondered. “Could I really work from home and be more available for my family?” Her husband, Andy, had confidence she could though. “If you think this is where God is calling you, we can do this,” he told her. A couple of months later, she turned in her notice at her job and took a leap of faith. And she hasn’t looked back since. Today Brendt’s posts are filled with DIY tutorials on everything from woodworking to using drop cloths to create inexpensive curtains, and her followers keep her busy with questions about this accent wall or that set of pillows. Originally she had thought that she might need to makeover her house

completely to create new content, but she has since learned that people like to get to know her home and see the same space with smaller décor tweaks, like new wreaths and artwork. And with each change in season (that comes far before any change in the weather), she will either sell the outgoing décor items on a neighborhood trading site or give them to a nonprofit she likes to support, saving a few timeless pieces here and there for the future. No matter the season, the Blanks’ home vibe stays the same—relaxed, casual and cozy with layered textures. And along the way, Brendt is encouraging others to give it a go just like she did too. To find Brendt’s DIY tips as well as recipes and posts on décor, faith and family, read her blog at shegaveitago.com. HooversMagazine.com 39

Living Room To change out dĂŠcor seasonally on a budget, Brendt suggests swapping out pillows, greenery and blankets like she does in her living room. The shiplap on their fireplace was another DIY project too. Brendt likes to support smaller shops that create word-filled art like this one from Lindsay Letters (TOP) in addition to posting about products from larger companies. Brendt found this console (ABOVE) at an antique store and has used it in different spots in her home. Andy and Brendt built this blanket ladder (RIGHT) and created a tutorial for how to do so. 40 October/November 2020

Dining Room True to a more classic farmhouse style, the dining room is home to a large collection of Rae Dunn pottery in its hutch. HooversMagazine.com 41

Master Bedroom One of the questions Brendt gets asked most is about her accent wall in this bedroom, which is actually a herringbone wallpaper by Rocky Mountain Decals. Like many elements of the house, she changes out her bedding with each season as new products arrive for her to showcase. Brendt likes to add greenery and signs with phrases (RIGHT) she likes to accent spaces. 42 October/November 2020

The Heart Knows There Is Only One Right Choice

Paid for by John & Melody Greene

• Preventative Care & Wellness • Surgery • Online Store • Boarding • Grooming Join our Healthy Paws Club anuual wellness plans to save you money while providing your pet the best preventative care! 1665 Montgomery Highway, Hoover. AL 35216 205-822-4779 • PATTONCHAPELAC.COM

Kitchen To brighten up this space where their family spends so much time, Brendt and Andy painted the dark wood cabinets white. They also added a farmhouse sink with a curtain over the cabinet space below it for easy access as well as light fixtures that are more in keeping with their style.

HooversMagazine.com 43

Boy’s Room After decorating her three daughters’ rooms, Brendt had fun channeling a more masculine look for her baseball-loving son’s room. Its accent wall was made with a river wood peel and stick material by Timberchic. They had a custom sign made by Two Daughters Heirlooms for above his bed with a Bible verse they wanted him to know, and Brendt spay painted inexpensive natural wood cubbies from Rust-Oleum/JOANN to serve as side tables.

BEHIND THE SCENES Front Door Wreath: Mercy Wreaths

Black/White Framed Photos: Minted Candles: Antique Candle Co.

Living Room Mantel Sign: Oh Sweet Skye Arched Mirror: Kirkland’s

Faux Florals & Other Wreaths: JOANN Kitchen Sink: Sinkology

Master Bedroom Bed, Bedding, & Nightstands: Bed Bath & Beyond

Living Room and Dining Room Lighting: Kichler Lighting

44 October/November 2020

AT HOME

AUTUMN TABLESCAPE Gather your friends and family around a beautiful table to celebrate the arrival of fall! This year try an unexpected autumn palette of blues, greens and browns. Add some items that are new to your holiday decor such as feather accents and bird nests.

Text and Styling by Laura Gossett of Laura Gossett Interior Design Photo by Lindsey Drennan

7 3 8

1. Iron lanterns: Mercantile by Miller, $69. 2. Ceramic Platter: Greystone Marketplace, $75. 3. Pressed Tin Chargers: Sheylaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Designs, $12. 4. Decorative Pumpkins: Greystone Marketplace, $11-$16. 5. Dinner & Salad Plates: Greystone Marketplace, $14 & $12. 6. Bird Nests: Mercantile by Miller, $18. 7. Beaded Pumpkin Napkin Rings: Greystone Marketplace, $12. 8. Acorn Salt and Pepper Shakers: Greystone Marketplace, $9.

HooversMagazine.com 45

46 October/November 2020

Defining the Two Americas These Bluff Park musicians aren’t shying away from talking about race on their new podcast—and there’s a healthy dose of humor in it too. By Madoline Markham | Photos by Lauren Winter “A black guy and a white guy walk into a bar. They play some music. They talk about race. They made a podcast. It’s no joke. But it is often funny.” So reads the tag line of a 2 Americas, a podcast that came to life in Bluff Park a couple of months after COVID-19 settled in this year. The banter between its hosts Jesse Suttle (the black guy) and Corey Nolen (the white guy) first started when they began playing music together about five years ago, sometimes up at Moonlight on the Mountain, a listening room that operated in Bluff Park until recently. From there grew a friendship where conversations about race would come up. “We were seeing things in similar ways but from different perspectives, and that added fuel to the conversation,” Corey recalls. “The way Jesse approaches people makes them feel comfortable. My

heart and mind were changing in those years to be more activist-like, and a lot of the things I was saying were resonating with him.” And from those conversations the podcast was birthed with the first episode going live in early June. By summer’s end eight were available for listening, covering current events, history, culture, religion and family stories, all book ended with banter that’s sure to make you laugh, and a new set of shorter episodes with the same basic formula was in the works. In all of it, Corey and Jesse will tell you they want to bring people from different cultures together to find answers to the difference between the white American experience and the black American experience. To learn more about it all, we sat down with the duo at Wild Roast coffee shop—fittingly the same HooversMagazine.com 47

Podcast hosts Corey Nolen and Jesse Suttle at Wild Roast Cafe in Bluff Park

space where they first played music back when it was Moonlight on the Mountain—to chat about their onair conversations.

felt like I had a responsibility to use whatever platform I have to have a conversation with the person I knew who could say it in ways that were easy for me to hear. The best thing we could do was not get into a heated debate. I would think about it every week or two for that year. Both of our lives were much busier, and then when the pandemic hit, it was time. I had also started freelancing for I Heart, and I had all the tricks (for podcasting).

Producing a podcast requires a lot of time. What makes it worth it for you? Jesse: We are doing this for us and needed to get it out of our collective consciousness. If people dig it, Where did the idea for the podcast come that’s great, and if not, we haven’t lost anything… I from? am not going to go out and do protests and marches. Corey: (Jesse and I) went to Mr. P’s for lunch a For me this is me being an activist in a way that I can little over a year ago. I remember thinking this (issue) do it safely. I want people learn to communicate and is still very present and the conversation is needed. I see people as people no matter who they are or where

48 October/November 2020

they are from. Corey: If five people say this is worth it and it’s made a difference, that might be worth it, and hundreds and thousands have listened at this point. Where did the music at the start of each episode come from? Jesse: The intro music is a band I was in with guy named Shariff Simmons, an actor, poet and musician from New York. I did a record with him about 10 years ago called Modern Democracy, and a lot of these same topics (that are on the podcast) were coming up between he and I. A lot of the lyrics of that album lend themselves to these same conversations. That song is called “Testify.” It’s about how from an African American perspective the America we live in and the America that is touted as being the America for everyone (aren’t the same)—it’s what the podcast is about. What roles do each of you play in the podcast? Corey: My role is to get a sense of where the community is and what it’s saying and making assumptions about. Then Jesse brings the backbone and meat and historical and experiential perspective; that’s where the richness of this would come from. My bringing up these topics makes it inviting (for our listeners). Jesse: It gave me an opportunity to express my ideas in a format that wasn’t so confrontational. There’s a lot of humor in the podcasts too. Was that intentional? Jesse: (These topics are) so heavy, and we don’t want people saying they can’t take it anymore. Having bits of levity give you a breather. Corey: It’s like a Cohen Brothers approach. If you just walk in this room and start talking about (hard things), people can check out. If I wanted to build a bridge with someone I didn’t know, I wouldn’t start talking with politics. It’s the same idea for this. We like to have fun and laugh and talk about music too. Jesse: There are moments of laughter and humor but also moments of pain. HooversMagazine.com 49

very open to this. Where did the name 2 Americas come from and how would you define it? Corey: Martin Luther King Jr. had a speech about 2 Americas, and Obama made a speech about it in a hopeful way. The idea was already there, and it seemed to apply. It needed to be thought-provoking and make a statement that Corey and Jesse things are divided. I have learned if you are black both live in Bluff you have to learn two systems; I didn’t realize Park with their families. that until we started doing this podcast. Black people have to learn two Americas, and white What kind of feedback have you gotten on the people generally only have to learn one America. podcast? Jesse: For me America is essentially two Jesse: I have gotten nothing but positive feedback. countries. It has been racially divided from the People in the neighborhood will stop me walking the inception. White America is the America that’s held dog and say, “I listened to the podcast. Keep doing up to the world. That’s not the America black people them.” People have been real supportive. I had a guy have lived in. Even though I live in this neighborhood, on Park Avenue say, “Man, I wanted to tell you that I still go back to the other America once a week. Here podcast has helped me and helped me see blind spots yards are all kept and the streets are repaved, but I didn’t know I had.” That’s encouraging that people most of the roads on the other side houses are can be introspective from something we have put out dilapidated. That’s part of why I am drawn to sci fi in the world. It helps me work on stuff too talking and Star Trek; they have figured out a way where about it because I still have blind spots too. everyone can live the same life. We all want share in Corey: People who might not have the same the reward of society, and America that has not access to a relationship like (mine with Jesse) are become true yet.

Thank you! VOTE D #1 I N HO OVE R

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Thank you, Hoover, for voting us #1 in customer service! We are A Relationship Company (ARC) and honored to be an essential member of the community we live in and love. Please stop in to see us at Stadium Trace Village and say hello.

arcrealtyco.com

50 October/November 2020

A Relationship Company

Moss Rock Festival Magic City Art Connection Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Live: November 7-8, 2020 Virtual: November 9-15, 2020 Beer Garden Trail: Oct. 15-Nov. 30, 2020 www.mossrockfestival.com

PROGRAM

Featured Artist: Kimberly Paige

ATTEND + VOLUNTEER GATES / ADMISSION

Head to the Hoover Met’s lower lot, which will be overflowing with white tents. The Gate will be prominent and easy to find.

Admission / Tickets $15 Weekend Pass, $10 Adult Day Pass, $5 Student Day Pass, Kids 15 & under free!

Info Center Sponsor: Joe Piper, Hoover’s Magazine Get answers, enter giveaways, plus grab a festival commemorative t-shirt. Located adjacent to the Festival Gate.

Photo Booth

MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL GIVEAWAYS Enter at the Festival Info Center November 7-8, 2020

Getaway to Pursell Farms Resort! Presented by Pursell Farms

artists from the Magic City Art Connection spring contemporary art festival. Whether you are an art connoisseur, art newbie, or just art curious, there is something to find for every aesthetic and pocket book.

MOSS MAGIC FEATURED ARTIST Kimberly Paige, Watercolor

ARTISTS & EXHIBITORS Sponsors: USS Real Estate, Alabama State Council on the Arts & The NEA

November 7 8, 2020

Beer Garden Trail tickets Commemorative Ts!

Taylor Adams, 2D MM Eric Bagwell, Painting Kira Balan, Painting

Michael Bastian, Sculpture Ryan Boase, 3D MM

Dori Boyd, Photography Jerry Brem, Painting

John Brown, Painting Ed Brownlee, Clay

Carol Bryan, Jewelry Will Byers, Clay

Ben Caldwell, Metalwork Jessica Carder, 2D MM

Gerda Carmichael, Glass

Jennifer Chaney, Watercolor

Sponsor: Bham Now Located adjacent to the Info Center. Say cheese!

Xander Booker, 2D MM

Whitney Clanton, Metalwork

Brio Bolso & Bag, Other (+)

Obie Clark, Clay

Triny Cline & Mike Sherrer, Clay

FESTIVAL PARKING

Jenny Cash, Painting

CEMENT6, Fiber (+)

Geoffrey Coleman, Photography

William Colburn, Sculpture

Beth Conklin, 2D Digital

Sam Criswell, Wood (+)

Claire Cormany, Painting

Leah Dodd, Jewelry

Christy Daniel Cross, 2D MM

Earth Creations, Fiber (+)

William Dow, Photography

Steven Fabres-Cordero, Wood (+)

George Elliott, Photography

Landon Fraker, 2D MM

Garland Farwell, 2D MM

Joseph Frye, Sculpture

Green Thumb Pottery, Clay

Teresa Hartley, Clay

Larry Hamilton, Glass

Jeff Hughes, Painting

Alice Hammell, Painting

Michael Johnson, Jewelry

Mikayla Hammock, Drawing

Amanda Klein, Painting

Olivia Hill, Fiber

Jen-Yu Lai, Printmaking (+)

Canne Holladay, Clay

Lemondrop Glass, Glass

Kristi Hyde, Jewelry

Deirdre Lewis Mason, 2D MM

Ty Kelly, Painting

Manami Lingerfelt, Painting

Sooro Kim, Painting

Live Oaks Pottery, Clay

Amanda Klein, Painting

Kristie Macgregor, Jewelry

Richard Kolb, Sclupture

Robert Martindale, Clay

Letitia Lee, Painting

Mattox Knives, Metalwork (+)

Tara Stallworth Lee, 2D MM

Vanessa Miller, Painting

Roxy Lentz, Jewelry

Royal Miree, Sculpture

Kevin Liang, Painting

Kimberly Paige, Watercolor

Ancizar Marin, Clay

Steve Pitts, Drawing

Sarah Mason, 2D MM

Lisa Pruitt, Painting

Shadow May, Clay

RANGEMARK, Printmaking + Fiber (+)

Emily Meisler, Sculpture

W. Calvin Ross, Drawing

Yvonne Miller, 2D MM

TimSpanjer, 2D MM

Erin LeAnn Mitchell, 2D MM

Vaughan Spanjer, Painting

Micah Mullen, Painting

Alan Sweet, Wood (+)

Jeffrey Nelson & Clive Wright, Wood

Gracelynn Tamrak, Sculpture

Mariella Owens, Clay

TandM Woodcraft, Wood

Kimberly Paige, Watercolor

The Reclaimed Life, 3D MM (+)

Celeste Pfau, Printmaking

Sponsor: City of Hoover On site parking available at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

PUBLIC HEALTH PROTOCOLS & POLICIES

Festival protocols are in place to meet current procedures for everyone’s safety attending in 2020. Highlights of items designed for your visit include provisions for: Expanded Festival footprint • Minimal contact Gate processing • One-way walking traffic for social distancing • Masks required by attendees and exhibitors • Social Distancing • Public Hand Sanitizing Stations • Designated Lounges engineered for safe dining • Wider pedestrian walking paths and spaces between exhibitor booths • and more

ART + DESIGN At the forefront of the festival is distinctive artwork from 100+ exhibiting artists. At 2020’s Moss Magic, this is doubly true as Moss Rock Festival nature-inspired artists will be joined by a new roster of

52 October/November 2020

Janna Phillips, Painting

Venue Map & Key

Douglas Piper, Printmaking Deeann Rieves, 2D MM

Chiharu Roach, Painting

Craig Roderick, Photography Bryan Ross, Glass

David Skinner, Painting

▶

Mike Sluder, Metalwork

▶

Natalie Young, Glass

▶

TandM Woodcraft, Wood George Taylor, Painting

▶

TimSpanjer, 2D MM

▶

Keith Thomson, Painting

▶

Emre Tekeli, Jewelry

2020

Katie White, Watercolor

▶

VENUE CHANGE.

Join us @ the Hoover Met!

▶

Sponsor: Bare Naked Noodles, Starnes Media Angie & A Ginger Borth Beach Soapery Buttnaked Candles California Country Organics Chicken & Sweets Southern Yard Bird Dayspring Dairy doTerra Essential Oils First Fruits Ministries Hoover Historical Society Empty Hamper Gatos & Beans Great Bear Wax Company Ivy Brook Apiary Naturally Rad Nothing Bundt Cakes Over the Top Toffee Walden Farms & FARMacy Fetch a Treat Truck for Dogs

▶

THE SL MARKET + SWEETERY

▶

Make your way to the Yellow Row to find interesting choices for every day living including fresh, organic, locally made, sustainable products and consumables in the areas of food, home, body, health, and tech.

▶

SMART LIVING

▶

John Lytle Wilson, Painting

▶

Mary Jane Whitt, Glass

▶

Jaime Weaver, Wood*

▶

Rushton Waltchack, 2D MM

▶

Jim Tucker, Painting

Restrooms Eats @ Cafe by the Woods Beverage Station + Bar

Shuttle Stop *Details TBA* (9:30am - 6:00pm Sat / 5:00pm Sun) Gates No entry Information Center + Photo Booth ▶▶▶ One Way Traffic < Crossways using Village Green Art + Design & Nature Smart Living Market + Sweetery WonderKid Studios Project

Designated Lounges + Dining Engineered for Social Distancing Crescent Curated Music

4 Greenways/Pathways Expo 1

Volunteer Check In Photo Booth Bike Parking Moss Rock Preserve

HooversMagazine.com 53

NATURE Nature programming at MRF is aimed at getting you out in the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking to connect with a local enthusiast organization, interact with a rehabilitated owl, up your rock climbing skills, or take advantage of the great parks or trail systems in the area, these exhibitors will help you do that and more!

EXHIBITORS ORGANIZATIONS & GEAR Sponsor: Pursell Farms, ExcursionsGO.com Alabama Partners for Clean Air Alabama Wildlife Center High Point Climbing and Fitness University of Montevallo E-Club

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Sponsor: Beyond the Rock Staggered outdoor events at The Preserve neighborhood (our home venue) and adjacent 350 acre Moss Rock Preserve are planned for the month of November. Check www. mossrockfestival.com and our blog for the schedule of activity times. Activities include: Hikes to view the geology and plant life of the 350 acre nature preserve Nature Photography Birding Yoga

wonderkids

Where kids find wonder, creativity, inspiration, art skills, and eco-creativity

ART PROJECT FOR KIDS Sponsors: Publix Super Markets Charities, Babypalooza, Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Teaching Artists: Kristen Berry and Savannah Smith

54 October/November 2020

Collaborative Art Project: Small and large scale additive art projects for kids will use nature and recycling as a launching point for creativity.

TASTE+LISTEN

Curated ambient music is staged throughout the weekend as you explore the festival or take respite at one of the designated lounges and dining areas.

BEER GARDEN TRAIL (Oct 15 - Nov 30, 2020) The 9th annual Craft Tasting Trail will be a month and a half long beer trail in 2020, taking visitors out to all of our wonderful local breweries to taste their latest & greatest craft brews on tap. A flight of three (3) Sample pours will be offered per brewery stop on the trail.

TICKETED $30 Advance (by Oct 15) $35 (after Oct 15) Avondale Brewing Company Back Forty Beer Company Birmingham District Brewing Company Cahaba Brewing Company Ferus Artisanal Ales Ghost Train Brewing Company Goat Island Brewing Good People Brewing Company Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Company Siluria Brewing Company Slag Heap Brewing Company Tallulah Brewing Company Trim Tab Brewing Company Twisted Barley Brewing Company

CRESCENT STAGE Sponsor: Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm Ambient music will be playing throughout the festival all weekend, curated by Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm.

CAFE BY THE WOODS Sponsors:Coca Cola United, Event Rentals Unlimited, AL.com, This is Alabama Featuring: Bollywood Curry House Catering by Lanetta Coca Cola United Rae Rae’s Catering Rendezvous Kitchen Company Steel City Pops Tamale Queen Yarbrough Festival Food Service

VOLUNTEERS - You Moss Rock! Sponsor: Royal Cup, Bell Media, B-Metro Moss Rock Festival would like to thank all the dedicated individuals & community organizations who give so generously of their time and support: BBVA Volunteers • Hoover Ambassadors • Moss Rock Festival Board

2020 Sponsors Thank you! SPONSORS USS Real Estate Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency Joe Piper City of Hoover Publix Super Markets Charities Event Rentals Unlimited Pursell Farms Resort Coca Cola United Bare Naked Noodle Royal Cup Coffee

MEDIA Bell Media AL.com Babypalooza Bell Media Beyond the Rock Bham Now Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm B-Metro EXCURSIONSgo.com Hoover’s Magazine Over the Mountain Journal Starnes Media This is Alabama WBHM 90.3fm

We hope to see you November 7-8, 2020 at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium for MOSS MAGIC, a fall fusion fest featuring Moss Rock Festival with special guest Magic City Art Connection.

MOSSMAGIC MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION

HooversMagazine.com 55

Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce C O N N E C T I O N S

THANK YOU We want to take a moment and thank every organization that has joined or has renewed their membership with the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce during this unprecedented time. Douglas Cooling and Heating Grace Klein Community Full House Furniture, LLC Galleria Animal Clinic, LLC JP Morgan Chase Alabama Technology Network Barry Davis Architects, P.C. Birmingham Legion FC Blazer Boosters - UAB Athletic Foundation Homewood Suites Birmingham Insurance Facilities Issis & Sons Carpet LAH Real Estate MortgageBanc/Fairway Independent Mortgage Company Mutual Savings Credit Union Red Mountain Benefits Group Sparkhound Staffmark Super Chix The Church at Ross Bridge VIVA Health, Inc. - UAB Health System Corporate Caterers Glenn & Associates Dream Vacations Creative Directions, Inc. Mary Kay Cosmetics~Jinni Dempsey Mary Kay-Jinni Dempsey Sharp Business Systems Qualified Staffing Homewood Suites-Bham SW-Riverchase-Galleria Hoover Health & Wellness Center, Inc. Alabama Power Company Bryant Bank - Highway 150 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Pat Lynch & Associates Planet Fitness - Inverness The Anvil Pub & Grill, LLC Town Village Vestavia Hills The Clay House Christian Brothers Automotive Banfield, The Pet Hospital Brian’s Flooring + Design Diamond Studios ServPro of Birmingham The Bridge Magazine for Ross Bridge Sugar & Spice Day Care LLC Synovus Bank - formerly First Commercial Bank of Hoover Vettes 4 Vets Fresenius Medical Care Nick the Marketer Frank Rudeseal JFDC C.C.S.P. Hawthorne at Lake Heather Apartment Homes Phlebotomy Services of America LLC State Farm Insurance - Alyssa Holloway Agency Apex Roofing & Restoration

Hyatt Place Hotel - Hoover Oaks on Parkwood Avadian Credit Union - Riverchase Brookwood Baptist Freestanding Emergency Dept Blue Cross and Blue Shield Jason’s Deli - Hoover Ross Bridge Pharmacy Cajun Roux Bar & Grill E. A. Renfroe & Company Infiniti of Birmingham InterLinc Mortgage Terry D. Turner, Jr., J.D., Attorney at Law Diamond Golf Cars JMA Enterprises Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. Cahaba Dermatology & Skin Health Center, LLC MG Squared, Inc. Batteries Plus Bradford Health Services Hoover Met Complex OHD, LLLP Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Anglin Pediatric and Family Dentistry Jennifer Campbell Consulting Leonard Properties LLC Spire Energy Alabama Merchants Association, Inc Neel-Schaffer, Inc. Pareto Health & Wellness Center Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Alabama Republican Executive Committee Remedies Pharmacy AlaTrust Credit Union American Village Precision Tactical Arms Company, LLC Progress Bank and Trust Ryan Winslow Post 911-American Legion CPR Cellphone Repair Barrington Apartment Homes Mobile Attic Troy University APCO Employees Credit Union Century 21 Advantage/Hoover~Olga Cancio Hometown Lenders Turner Promotions CB&S Bank Jefferson County Commission President Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors Comfort Care Home Health and Hospice PT Orthodontics, P.C. - Hoover Expedia CruiseShipCenters Hedden real estate Oncort Professional Services Greystone Chiropractic Lawson State Community College Cooley Insurance, Inc.

Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home DiChiara Dental Office - Patton Chapel Helping Hearts Senior Care LEJ Jr., LLC Vestavia Bowl Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Co. King Acura Southeastern Jewelers T-Mobile Patton Creek Chace Lake Family Dentistry, PC MedCenter Hoover PC Lift Fund Keller Williams Real Estate - Hoover Urgent Care for Children Regions Bank - Riverchase 280 Living - Starnes Media Briar Glen Special Care Center Brownstone Marketing Solutions Classic Home Mortgage, Inc. Hampton Inn Mountain Brook Moss Rock Festival Mott MacDonald Prince of Peace Catholic Church RealtySouth - Susette Clark-Walker Station Church The Benton Apartment Homes Gonzalez-Strength & Associates Regional Planning Commission eCO Credit Union The Horner Apparel Group Adecco Employment Services Champion Cleaners Lovoy & Associates, LLC M-POWER Ministries Riverchase Community Church Vistage Worldwide Green Valley Drug Company Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids - Hoover Alabama Education Association Mary Kay ~ Brenda Williams IberiaBank - Hoover PICKENS PC REPAIR LLC Addiction Prevention Coalition Awards & Engraving Place Cook’s Pest Control Great Smiles Orthodonics Inverness Dermatology N2 Publishing Neighborhood Advertising Alabama State Senator Jabo Waggoner Bromberg & Company, Inc. Hoover Service Club Marc-1 Car Wash Peoples Bank of Alabama - International Park Attic Plus Storage Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. Drayer Physical Therapy Institute Hoover Glass Services Low Latency Communications, LLC

3000 RIVERCHASE GALLERIA 56 October/November 2020

Ortho Alabama Spine and Sports ARC Realty - Cindy Edmunds Tre Luna Bar and Kitchen Power Composites, LLC BMSS, LLC Terra Nova IT, LLC (TERRA NOVA TEAM) Yellowhammer Roofing Children’s of Alabama Russo Corporation American Osment Chris Dorris State Farm Insurance Full Moon Bar-B-Que Pelham Indian Springs Pediatric Dentistry Legacy Community Federal Credit Union - Corporate Ridge Truitt Tingle Paramore & Argent, LLC Wingstop ASPIRE Sports Institute Shades Crest Baptist Church Pho-Pho Asian Cuisine Riverchase Country Club Valleydale Church BMW of Birmingham Cadillac of Birmingham LLC Gifted Hands Personalized Home Care, LLC McWane Science Center Birmingham Orthodontics CoreLife of Alabama Grandview Medical Center Brookwood Baptist Medical Center Pathlight Seniorcare Heritage Preschool of Ross Bridge Mary Kay ~ Brenda Williams Renasant Bank Lake Crest Chevron Strongbox Self Storage ESG Green Valley Roofing & Construction Alabama Professional Services, Inc. MCLEOD SOFTWARE CORP Birmingham Home Leasing Cinnaholic Rolls Mitzi Jane Media OS1 Sports & Injury Clinic Samuelson Orthodontics Restore Vein & Wellness AT&T - Alabama STIX Japanese-Sushi-Chinese Restaurant TemperaturePro Birmingham Excel ENT of Alabama Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club Dichiara Dental Office Piggly Wiggly Drury Inn and Suites Allstate Coley Agency Birmingham Referral Group Fresh Managed IT Strickland Companies Swimming Pool Services, LLC

Alabama Turf Works Magic City Law T. Fox SalonSpa Holy Apostles Episcopal Church Inverness Country Club Rowzac Caribbean Restaurant LLC Orange Theory Fitness Dreamtrips Reignite Chiropractic State Farm Tameka Holmes Agency Allen Watkins, Realtor~Keller Williams Hoover Enterprise Holdings McDonald’s Rodan + Fields Dermatologists Tidal Wave Auto Spa of Hoover Hoover Nutrition ARC Realty - Hoover BancorpSouth - 280 Horizon Church Insurance Office of America Mary Kay ~ Brenda Williams Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church Nail Boutique & Spa at Tattersall Riverchase Landing Apartments Therapy South Hampton Inn & Suites Hoover Spectrum Reach ProHealth Hoover Chiropractic & Rehab Benton Nissan of Hoover Next Level Graphics, LLC Riverchase United Methodist Church Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Inc. Wind Creek Hospitality Diversicare of Riverchase LAH Real Estate~Jessica Daviston Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson Levine & Associates Commercial Real Estate Moxey North Shelby Library Shelby Humane Society The Learning Tree, Inc. The Surgeons Group, P.C./Dr. Winn Mathews Birmingham Christian Family Latitude at Riverchase Aldridge Gardens APCO Employees Credit Union Armstrong Relocation Buffalo Rock Company Off the Beaten Path Antiques & Gifts, LLC WAY-FM 89.9 Hyatt Regency Birmingham - The Wynfrey Hotel Touch & Glow Nail Spa

HOOVER, AL 35244

Ribbon Cuttings

Alabama Power Employees Credit Union President/CEO Derrick Ragland was joined by leadership from Alabama Power Employees Credit Union : Blaine Mink, CFO and Wendall Pate, Chairman and Andy Rush, COO to celebrate the Grand Opening of the brand new branch in the City of Hoover.

Ortho Alabama Sports and Spine A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 118 Mars Hill Road in Hoover commemorating the grand opening of the 17,250-square-foot medical office building for OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports.

SuperChix SuperChix of Hoover Owner and Operator Zeel Zaveri was joined by his business partners, Arnold Soni and Neal Soni, City of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and fellow Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce members as they celebrated the long overdue (due to COVID-19) Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Big Whiskey Zunaid Porbandarwala, Amaan Porbandarwala, Nizar Batada, Sajid Jalai and their General Manager Christopher Duclos was joined by their family including Nasrien Porbunderwalla , the staff, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and fellow members of the Hoover Area Chamber Members as they celebrated the Grand Opening of Big Whiskey’s!

O’Henry’s Coffee Owner Blake Stevens was joined by his family, team, Store Manager Dani Mote, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and fellow Hoover Area Chamber Members as he celebrated the Grand Opening of their newest location at Stadium Trace Parkway in Hoover.

2020 Freedom Awards It was great day for the 2020 Freedom Awards! It was held at Aldridge Gardens and it was sponsored by Medical West Center. Congratulations to Lt. Col Ginger Branson, US Army, retired.

2020 Small Business

2020 Small Business Awards A Very Special Thank you to Spectrum for their Luncheon Sponsorship for the first-ever Small Business Awards Ceremony!!

We had 6 nominations from area businesses and we had two winners and we also had a Special Recognition for Rod Perkins with the Birmingham Office of the Small Business Administration.

October, November and December Events We are closely monitoring the number of positive cases in the state of Alabama as well as the recommendations for events with the CDC. We miss the in-person events but we also want to be as safe as possible. We will be announcing our decisions about in-person events in early October. We want to thank everyone for their flexibility and compassion this year.

205 - 988 - 5672

WWW.HOOVERCHAMBER.ORG HooversMagazine.com 57

New Members

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 Ortho Alabama Spine and Sports 6/29/2020 Wingstop 7/6/2020 Pho-Pho Asian Cuisine 7/8/2020 Gifted Hands Personalized Home Care, LLC 7/10/2020 Pathlight Seniorcare 7/14/2020 CoreLife of Alabama 7/14/2020 Heritage Preschool of Ross Bridge 7/15/2020 Strongbox Self Storage 7/20/2020 Green Valley Roofing & Construction 7/20/2020 Dr. Chase Horton Chiropractic 7/22/2020 OS1 Sports & Injury Clinic 7/23/2020 Birmingham Home Leasing 7/23/2020 Cinnaholic Rolls 7/23/2020 Rowzac Caribbean Restaurant LLC 7/31/2020 Reignite Chiropractic 8/10/2020 State Farm Tameka Holmes Agency 8/11/2020 Allen Watkins, Realtor~Keller Williams Hoover 8/12/2020 Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church 8/12/2020 Tidal Wave Auto Spa of Hoover 8/13/2020 Hoover Nutrition 8/14/2020 Nail Boutique & Spa at Tattersall 8/17/2020 Humana 8/25/2020 Birmingham Christian Family 8/27/2020 Touch & Glow Nail Spa 9/1/2020

Thank you to our 2020 Board of Trustees

The Presidents Circle of the Board of Trustees Antonio D. Sankey, Antonio D. Sankey & Assoc., LLC John Lyda, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Tim Puthoff,Brookwood Baptist Medical Center Bill Inabinet,Synovus Bank Mark Garnett, HealthSpring of Alabama, Inc. Joel Smith, Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall Paul Dangel, Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel Henry King, King Acura Karen Waldrop, Regions Financial Charlie Conklin, Charlie Conklin, Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Daniel Holmes, Hoover’s Magazine, Shelby County Reporter Sam Hess, Jet’s Pizza Sam Hess, Tropical Smoothie David Custred, McLeod Software Past Presidents of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Kathleen Spencer, Spencer Consulting Group* Dan Ellis, TASC* Lori D. Moler, Children’s of Alabama* Chris Schmidt, J.D., Daniel Corporation* Joe Thomas, Chairman, Capstone Financial Group* Terri Q. Williams, AT&T Alabama* Jason Cobb, America’s First Federal Credit Union* Dan Mikos, Mikos-Kampakis Insurance* Jerry Cross, Jefferson County EIDA* Jerome Morgan, Jr., Oncort Professional Services Richard Head, RE/MAX Advantage* Terry Turner, Terry D. Turner, Jr., J.D., Attorney at Law* Bill Powell, Honorary Presidents Circle *Designates a Past President of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce The Board of Trustees Eric Land, ABC 33/40 Television Steve Swinfford, Alabama Credit Union Timothy C. Lee, M.D., MPH, Alabama Heart & Vascular, P.C. Alison Steineker, Alabama Power Company Jabo Waggoner, Alabama Senate, District Sixteen Linda Cencula, Avadian Credit Union Joey Fernandez, Truist Bank Robert P. (Rob) Fowler, Balch & Bingham LLP Heather McInnish, BancorpSouth Deborah Stephens, Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. Ken Crow, Belk Ashfaq Taufique, Birmingham Islamic Society Leanne Messer, Brookdale Place University Park Jamie White, Brown Heating & Cooling Bud Cason, Bud’s Best Cookies

3000 RIVERCHASE GALLERIA 58 October/November 2020

Paul Huckeba, C B & S Bank Garland Stansell, Children’s of Alabama Bobby Haynes, Costco Wholesale Randolph Pickell, Diversicare of Riverchase Fred Johnston, Express Oil/Tire Engineers Cody Burns, FOX 6 WBRC Debbie Hultquist, Fresenius Medical Care Josh Hullett, Galleria Woods Retirement Community Leisha Harris, Grandview Medical Center Len Luther, P.E., Gresham, Smith and Partners Neil Thakor, Holiday Inn ñ Hoover Kerry Bradley, Hoover Tactical Firearms Charlie Faulkner, Jefferson Credit Union Joe McGee, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Dwight Burrell, Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln Bridget Baughan, McDonald’s Keith Pennington, Medical West Todd Beegle, On Tap Sports CafÈ Chuck Herndon, Peoples Bank of Alabama Dr. John R. Phillips, III, PT Orthodontics Hugh Morrow, Broker, RE/MAX Preferred Rick Smith, Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa Mike White, Riverchase Galleria Andy Davis, St. Vincent’s Health System Sam Dillender, Santek Waste Services Kent O’Rear, ServPro of Birmingham Dr. Jack Schaeffer, Schaeffer Eye Centers Sarah Turner, Signature Homes Alain Gallet, Terracon Monique Holiness, The Home Depot-Inverness Elena Horn, The Home Depot-Riverchase Bethany Bell, The Trails at Cahaba River Gus McKenzie,Troy University Phillip Corley, Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Darin Boykin, Walmart SuperCenter, Highway 150 Richard Edwards, WalMart of 280 Sherry Webb, Webb Payroll Service, Inc. Tanja Bell, Birmingham Airport Authority Ira Levine, Levine & Associates Hayley DeShazo, American Family Care Zeke Ethridge, Alabama Vein & Restoration MedSpa David Wanniger, Comfort Care Home Health & Hospice Benjamin Yim, Omniwon Digital Bob Mitchell, Oddessy Early Schools Lyndsy Yim, Retail Specialists Karen Ingram, Somerby St. Vincent 119 Jerry Forester, Ortho Alabama Spine and Sports Derrick Ragland, Alabama Power Employees Credit Union Chip Vance, 0S1 Sports

HOOVER, AL 35244

F i n d U s O n l i ne

Access our member directory

Hoover Chamber Officers and Board of Directors

Chamber Officers Paul Dangel 2020 Board President

Paul Dangel, The HyattRegency Wynfrey Hotel 2020 Board President

Alison Howell Steineker, Alabama Power Company 1st Vice President

David Custred, McLeod Software 2nd Vice President

Kathleen Spencer, Spencer Consulting Secretary

Adam West, Warren Averett CPAs Treasurer

Alison Howell Steineker 1st Vice President

David Custred 2nd Vice President

Kathleen Spencer Secretary

Adam West Treasurer

Greg Knighton Terry D. Turner Jr., Gentle, Turner & Sexton Attorneys Immediate Past President

Greg Knighton, City of Hoover Liaison

April DeLuca, Magic City Law Legal Advisor

Jeff McDowell, McDowell Security Services, LLC

City of Hoover Liaison

April DeLuca Legal Advisor

Terry D. Turner Jr. Immediate Past President

Matthew Allen, JBMC Media Inc.

Sandy Syx, Doozer Construction

Emilio Cerice, Regions Bank

Board of Directors Lynn Ray, Business Telephones, Inc.

Tyler Williams, BlueCross BlueShield

205 - 988 - 5672

James Robinson, Spire

Ben Yim, LA Wax Club

Matthew Allen Jeff McDowell Lynn Ray David Custred Ben Yim Sandy Syx James Robinson Emilio Cerice Tyler Williams Terry Turner

WWW.HOOVERCHAMBER.ORG HooversMagazine.com 59

OUT & ABOUT

FREE FRIDAY FLICKS

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Sonic the Hedgehog played on the big screen for the last Friday Night Flicks of the summer at Veterans Park on Aug. 21. 1. The Collie Family 2. The Mebane Family 3. Kathleen Shader, and Lucia and Avery Bell 4. The Woods Family and Ace

5. The Gordon Family 6. The Robinson Family 7. Tammy Earnest and Morris 8. The Jones Family 9. The Silvestre Family 10. The McCormick Family 11. The Shihadeh Family

60 October/November 2020

-8

ss ck + Fe fes st tiv En al. try co m No

Oc Tas 20 t 1 tin 20 ke ts L 5 gT ge oc $3 t Th al @ - N ra 0 Ad e Co ov il Br va mm nc e e 30 e m we | w ora ww tive rie .m G o la s

Tic

OUT & ABOUT

8 9

10 11

HooversMagazine.com 61

OUT & ABOUT

PERFECT NOTE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

PHOTOS BY JAMES CULVER

Chrisette Michele and Kim Scott performed a socially distanced concert at the Hoover Met on Sept. 4. 1. Ebonie Franks, Kelly McNealey and Cessie Roebuck 2. Tiffany Hendrix, Charla Hammell, Josephine Harris and Sunshine Hammell 3. Tiffany and Terry Lard 4. Amber and Brett Bulls 5. Deangelo and Twyla Irving 6. Michael and Shawanda Jamison 7. Bethany Carter, Letisha Shields, Cornelius Jennings, JJ Woods and Kaleiah Woods 8. The Daniel Family 9. Torvosity and Lashanda Sandifer 10. Jill Benson and David Porter 11. The Brewster Family 12. Latanya Marshall and Thyise Smith 13. Jeremy Fomby and Fernesha McConico 14. Alvita Spence and Sabrina Bullock 15. Tiffany Hendrix, Charla Hammell and Josephine Harris

62 October/November 2020

OUT & ABOUT

HooversMagazine.com 63

MARKETPLACE

Marketplace Hoover’s Magazine • 205.669.3131

Need appliance or air conditioner parts? How about a water filter for your refrigerator? We have it all at A-1 Appliance Parts! Call 1-800-841-0312 www.A-1Appliance. com Mechanic needed. Must have own tools and five years experience. Apply in person: 1105 7th St N, Clanton. Or call for appointment 205-755-4570

HIRING EXPERIENCED FULL CASE ORDER SELECTORS $19.03 per hour plus production $$$ incentives. Grocery order selection using electric pallet jacks & voice activated headsets. Great benefits including Blue Cross health & dental insurance & matching 401k. Preemployment drug test required. Apply Online: WWW. AGSOUTH.COM Automation Personnel Services Hiring IMMEDIATELY For: Automotive Assembly, General Labor, Production, Clerical, Machine Operator, Quality, Carpentry, Welder, Foundry. Positions 64 October/November 2020

In: Calera, Clanton, Pelham, Bessemer, McCalla. Walkin applications accepted. Clanton (205)280-0002. Pelham (205)4449774. Bama Concrete Now Hiring: Diesel Mechanic 4 Years Minimum Experience. CDL Preferred. Competitive Pay. Great Benefits. Apply in person: 2180 Hwy 87 Alabaster, 35007 Boise Cascade Now Hiring for Utility Positions. Starting pay $13.66/ hour. Must be able to pass background screen. Please apply at www.bc.com $2000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area. Must have Class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316.

HooversMagazine.com

Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www.pull4klb.com

inquiries only. Call 334-4090035 or apply on-line at www. Oxfordhealthcare. com

Operator •Shipping •Washer/Greaser •Calera •Alabaster Online: www. stellarstaffingllc.com Call:205-916-2860

Lancaster Place Apartments. Location, community & quality living in Calera, AL. 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments available. Call today for specials!! 205668-6871. Or visit hpilancasterplace. com

Specializing in all your hair care needs SERENITY SALON Barber/ Stylist Chairs Available for Rent 2 Convenient Locations •2005 Valleydale Rd. •Pelham •3000 Meadow Lake Dr. Suite 107 Call Nichole 205-2405428

CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance. I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/ Pelham. Call Stephen (205)6632822

Marble Valley Manor. Affordable 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments for Elderly & Disabled. Many on-site services! 2115 Motes Rd, Sylacauga. 256245-6500 •TDD#s: 800-548-2547(V) •800-548-2546(T/ A). Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm. Equal Opportunity Provider/Employer Oxford Healthcare in Montgomery currently hiring certified CNA’s and/or Home Health aides in the Clanton, Marbury and Maplesville areas. Must be able to pass complete background check, have reliable transportation and have a strong work ethic. Serious

South Haven Health & Rehab NOW HIRING!!! •LPN’s & RN’s -$5,000 Sign-on Bonus for Full-Time shift •CNA’s Apply in person: 3141 Old Columbiana Rd Birmingham,AL -35266 Nursing assistant to care for high functioning quadriplegic home health patient in Jemison. Must have valid drivers license. Part-time. Call Mr. Wilbanks 205-9083333 NEED A JOB??? COME JOIN OUR TEAM OF GREAT PEOPLE!! Starting pay:$12hr-$14hr •General Labor •Heavy Equipment

Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, local-based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectrical.com Print employment application under Contact Us. Mail to: Supreme Electric 231 Commerce Pkwy Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205453-9327. FT 2nd Shift Security Guard needed for beautiful, gated community in No Shelby Co. Paid health insurance, $12hr, 3-11pm weekdays. Must have previous experience, gun permit & pistol. Qualified candidates should call Kim 9914654

MARKETPLACE Become a Dental Assistant in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website capstonedental assisting.com or call (205)561-8118 and get your career started! Popeyes Seeking friendly, motivated, dependable Crew Members. OPEN INTERVIEWS DAILY 2:00pm-5:00pm 3300 Pelham Parkway. Immediate Openings! Start work this week! Apply online: work4popeyes kitchen.com

Burger King JOIN OUR TEAM NOW HIRING All Positions QUALIFICATIONS: ENERGETIC, HIGHLY MOTIVATED, FRIENDLY & A SMILING FACE. APPLY ONLINE: www.bkworker.com (EOE–DRUG FREE WORKPLACE)

GROCERY STORE MERCHANDISER •$684 weekly starting salary •MUST be able to travel at least 3 nights per week •Use Plan-oGrams to reset merchandise in retail GENERAL LAWN grocery stores CARE Specialist in large yards 2+ acres. •Must be physically fit and able to lift Serving Chilton, Coosa & many more up to 60 lbs. •Store locations within areas. Bi-weekly, 300 mile radius weekly or one-time of Birmingham services available. •Mileage •Flower Beds •Pine Straw •Mulch reimbursement Great benefits •Shrub Trimming including Blue Cross CALL NOW FOR health & dental FALL SPECIALS! insurance, paid Call Alex today for vacation & matching details: 1-205-955401k. Apply Online: 3439 ~Military & WWW.AGSOUTH. Senior Discounts~ COM Now hiring Acceptance Loan RN’s and LPN’s Company, Inc. throughout Personal loans! Let Alabama! $250 us pay off your title community referral loans! 224 Cahaba bonus for RN’s Valley Rd, Pelham and LPN’s. Sign-on Bonuses available at 205-663-5821 select locations! For Come out of more information your comfort please contact: zone. Come Paige Gandolfi join our Crossfit Call/text: 724-691Family. Crossfit 7474 pgandolfi@ Inferis. Individual wexfordhealth.com Unlimited Monthly Memeberships

$125. Couples Unlimited Monthly Membership $235. Active Military, Veteran, First Responder, Teacher & Student 15% Discount. Address: 993 Yeager Parkway. Pelham, AL 35124. Contact Us. Jonathan Luna 205-451-3095. Instagram: crossfit_ Inferis. Facebook: CrossFit Inferis

vehicle/equipment provided. Must drive straight-shift, have clean driving record/be 21/ pass background/ drug test. Training provided. Insurance/401K offered. M-F 7:004:30 + 1 Saturday/ month. Pay $13hr. Send resume to facsmith@charter.net

BIRMINGHAM AREA HEAT & FROST Burger King is INSULATORS now hiring. Please LOCAL 78 apply online @ joinbkalabama.com Accepting applications Service Tech, for 4-year Inc. Heating & Air Apprenticeship Conditioning AL Program. Cert# 89282 Now Applications will Hiring Full-Time Certified Technician be accepted Tuesdays only, •Minimum 5 8:30am-2:00pm at years experience 2653 Ruffner Road •Residential, Birmingham, AL Commercial and 35210. 205-956Refrigeration 2866 205-956•Ipad Experience 8101 etx.3 craig@ •On-Call Rotation insulators78.org Apply at: www. servicetechhvac.com Applicants must be 18+, drug free, have dependable Western International Gas & transportation, ID & proof of age, high Cylinders, Inc Signschool diploma/ On-Bonus! Hiring GED. Applicants will SOLO & TEAM be required to take CDL Drivers •2yrs math test & English Exp•Pass D.O.T Physical/Background comprehension test. The Local 78 Joint Check •Hazmat Apprenticeship & Endorsement Apply Online: www. Training Committee is registered drive4western.com with The State of EOE Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Experienced Termite Technician and is an equal opportunity or someone employer. experienced in route-service work and wants to learn new profession. Work-

Servpro of Birmingham. We’re looking for quality people who want to work hard and make a difference. For this excellent career opportunity, email now! bmcrea@servproof birmingham.com Little Caesars Now Hiring Management & Crew Members. Calera, Greystone, & Chelsea Locations. To apply text “pizzacrew” to 85000. Home Instead Senior Care • CAREGiver / CNA Weekend Shifts Needed. Have you previously been a family caregiver? Do you want to make a difference in the life of a senior? Or do you simply have a special way of taking care of others? Expect to make a difference!! Requirements: 21 years of age, current drivers license, reliable transportation, lift, push, pull 25 pounds, clean criminal history & drug screen. Please apply at homeinstead.com/ bham

HooversMagazine.com 65

MY HOOVER CAITLYN MCTIER Miss Hoover 2020

Tis the Season

Christmas Tree Lighting The Christmas season is all about joy and cheer, which was beyond evident at the annual event at City Hall. Squeezing all of the sweet children while taking pictures and checking with Santa to ensure I was not on the naughty list reminded me of what the season is all about – community and love.

Front Porch Photos A Neighborhood Near You During quarantine I took photos of families on their front porches from a distance. I spent a great deal of time exploring the residential communities and meeting different families and hearing their stories. After all the photoshoots, I had a great sense of belonging that I knew more individuals in this great area.

For Glamour

Bella’s Bridal A girl can never go wrong with a glamorous dress, especially from Bella’s Bridals. Bella’s has dressed me for years and always makes me feel so special.

Natural Beauty

Aldridge Gardens I had the opportunity to work with photographer Andrew Swindle to take incredible pictures of me in a Bella’s dress in Aldridge Gardens. I definitely got some odd looks wearing an evening gown on a trail in the middle of winter, but every second was worth it to capture the beauty of Hoover.

Crowning Moment

Hoover Public Library This is where my journey as Miss Hoover began. In November 2019, I was one of the 21 women competing to win the covenant crown. To be able to serve this area has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

66 October/November 2020

Fall is right around the corner

and now is the perfect time to purchase your next adventure. Fishing, hunting, or just enjoying the outdoors, Russell Marine is here for you. Fishing boats from Bass Cat, SeaArk, Key West and Crevalle Boats. Off-road vehicles from BRP Can-Am. We also offer Nautique, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Scarab, Supreme, Sea Ray, Bryant and personal watercraft from Sea-Doo.

Industry leader when it comes to ATVs and Side-by-Sides.

Longest operating bass boat builder in the industry.

View all of our inventory from the comfort of your home at RussellMarine.net or visit any one of our 6 locations. Financing is available. RUSSELL MARINE BOATING & OUTDOORS 256-397-1700 l SMITH LAKE 256-841-6365 l KOWALIGA MARINA 256-397-1210 RIVER NORTH MARINA 256-397-1500 l THE RIDGE MARINA 256-397-1300 l REAL ISLAND MARINA 256-397-1200

Hoover's Magazine, October/November 2020

Articles inside

Aldridge Gardens

My Hoover

Marketplace

The Guide

The Question

Contributors