Hoover Sun April 2026

By APRIL COFFEY

By EMILY REED

Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson

remember as teenager one of the first jobs I had was helping fill in for custodian at nearby elementary school due to some health issues the custodian had.

My work was done at night cleaning the cafeteria and bathrooms, vacuuming, washing windows, cleaning the water fountains, etc. also cut the grass and maintained the grounds at that school during the summer. It was great experience and gave me taste of all the work that goes into making school clean and safe place for children, teachers and staff.

didn’t have interaction with the kids. As you’ll see in our cover story on two longtime custodians for Hoover City Schools, custodians play an important role in helping children and teachers directly, too.

Best wishes to River -

chase Elementary’s Priscilla Bolar on her retirement after impacting so many lives, and thank you to Simmons Middle School’s Jerome Burkes and the many other custodians who play crucial role in our schools.

gained great deal of appreciation for custodians.

But because my work was after hours,

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City Council takes aims at stormwater problems

By JON ANDERSON

Stormwater flooding has been a hot topic in Hoover for years, especially following an October 0 1 extremely heavy downpour that created “raging rivers” through people’s yards and infiltrated homes.

The Hoover City Council in March declared stormwater drainage projects in five areas of the Bluff Park, Shades Mountain and Green Valley communities to have a “public purpose,” clearing the way for the city to take action for remedies.

Residents in those areas for years have been complaining about repeated stormwater flooding problems. The city hired engineering consultants to study the issues, and proposed fixes were suggested. Some improvements have been made in recent years, but no corrective action was taken on many of the complaints.

Former Mayor Frank Brocato and the previous city attorney repeatedly cited state law that prohibits the city from doing work on private property unless the work is determined by the city council to have a “public purpose.”

The previous City Council did declare some projects across the city that spilled over onto private property as having a public purpose, such as when stormwater activity on private property impacts or damages public roads or structures. But many other potential projects were either determined to be the responsibility of private property owners or left undetermined.

Stormwater ooding in the Green alle comm nit tore up Pa lette rive after torrential downpo rs in October 2021. The road was ed b t the stormwater s stem was not. Photo by Jon Anderson.

Now, with a new mayor and new City Council, the city is going to do the right thing and fix these problems, he said.

The areas where projects were identified as having a public purpose on March were Chester Street, Glenwood Road, ester ane, aredo rive and parts of the Green Valley community in the vicinity of Napier rive, Paulette rive and Charlotte rive.

New City Engineer Scott Promer said problems in these areas included collapsed stormwater pipes, uncontrolled stormwater flow over land, inlet overtopping, sinkhole formation, roadway ponding and system surcharging.

Matthew Smith, a resident on Paulette rive in the Green Valley community, told the City

New Hoover Mayor Nick erzis said during his campaign he believed many residents were left hanging out to dry and that the city had neglected its responsibility to take care of problems. At the March City Council meeting, erzis noted some residents had “raging rivers” flowing through their yards. “What a mess it was.”

Council in October 0 1 that while that particular incident was notable, it was not isolated. His community flooded nine times that year, he said. City officials neglected their responsibility to oversee stormwater management, he said.

Residents from multiple communities across the city echoed those concerns, and the topic became an issue in the city election last year.

Smith returned to the City Council on March and thanked this new council and the mayor for taking action.

“This is the standard of excellence that we’ve been hoping for, wanting and praying for, and needing,” Smith said. “There’s a difference between being a politician and a leader. Right now, I see nothing but leadership up here. It’s a drastic change. We thank you all for it immensely. I look forward to seeing the

progress move forward with this issue being addressed once and for all.”

Smith asked that residents be kept informed of timelines for the work that will be done.

Promer said city officials will do that, including any traffic disruptions.

Promer said some projects already have had engineering and design studies done and should be ready to have construction started in April or May. Others still need design work, he said.

Some projects closer to construction are the aredo rive project and the Green Valley project around Napier rive, he said.

All the jobs must be put out for bid, but Promer said he believes there is enough money in the miscellaneous drainage budget for 0 6 — 3 million — to handle them.

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Summit Family Law can help you achieve these things – you have options, our family law rm knows them.

Nick’s Notes

By Nick Derzis

Spring has finally arrived in Hoover, and like many of you, I am enjoying the return of longer days and warmer weather after the clocks “sprang forward” a few weeks ago. This time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy to our community. It is a wonderful season to get outside, enjoy our parks and neighborhoods, and spend time with friends and family at the many events and activities happening across our city.

One of my favorite traditions each spring is Celebrate Hoover ay, which will take place this year on Saturday, April 5, at Veterans Park. This annual citywide celebration gives us all a chance to pause and appreciate what makes Hoover such a special place to live. There will be plenty of fun for the entire family, including live music, games and rides for the kids, and opportunities to meet and interact with our outstanding Hoover police and fire professionals who serve our community every day. I hope you will make plans to come out and join your neighbors for a great day of community celebration.

Hoover will also once again welcome visitors from across the country as we host one of the premier events on the PGA Tour Champions schedule: The Regions Tradition, taking place April through May 3 at Greystone Golf Country Club. This world‑class tournament brings some of the greatest senior golfers in the world to our community, along with a pro‑am

that will feature celebrities, sports figures and business leaders. Events like this put Hoover on the national stage and showcase the hospitality and quality of life that define our city.

Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize the life and legacy of George Barber, who recently passed away. I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Barber personally and witnessing firsthand his remarkable vision and generosity. Beyond his success in building Barber airies into an industry leader, Mr. Barber followed his passion for motorsports to create the internationally renowned Barber Motorsports Park and Museum, which continue to draw visitors from around the world.

Just last month, the park hosted the annual Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, a major event that brings thousands of visitors to Hoover who stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores. I was pleased to restore the city’s partnership in supporting this event after that cooperation had been discontinued nine years ago. Mr. Barber’s legacy will continue to benefit our region for generations to come.

As always, thank you for being part of the Hoover community.

Business Happenings

Rami Kafeena, a 2023 graduate of Spain Park High School, has opened the first physical location of his automotive detailing business called Baba Details in nit of the icroflex facility at ouglas ay, behind Vulcan Tire and Automotive. Kafeena has had the business for several years but in the past has operated it strictly as a mobile service. e now also has a , s uare foot space where customers can come to him. Baba etails does a variety of car detailing services, including interior and exterior cleaning, paint corrections, ceramic coating, mold removal and touchup painting. A full detail ob interior and exterior costs about $250 on average, he said. babadetails.com, 205-901-2490

Access Luxury, an automotive restyling company, has opened a location in nit of the icroflex facility at ouglas ay, behind ulcan ire and Automotive. he business provides window tinting, vehicle wrapping, detailing, paint corrections and ceramic coating services. accessluxurydetailing.com, 205-778-7558

A dual-brand hotel that includes a 102-room Hilton Garden Inn and room Homewood Suites has opened in the Stadium Trace Village development at Emery rive . he two hotels have a combined lobby and an outdoor entertainment patio with grills, cornhole boards, ping-pong tables and foosball tables. There also is event meeting space and an on-site restaurant and bar. omewood Suites has extended stay amenities that include a fully e uipped kitchen and dishwasher. hilton.com, 205-502-4000

Einstein Bros. Bagels has opened a new restaurant along the .S. corridor in a , s uare foot space at Cahaba Park Circle within the Station development. The restaurant bakes more than 20 flavors of bagels daily and features a lineup of signature egg sandwiches. einsteinbros.com, 205-547-3947

Flipsies Furniture held a ribbon cutting for a new store at ontgomery ighway in the Riverchase Promenade shopping center on March 4. s s r t r . om, 205-238-50

Alsies of Birmingham is a new Ross Bridge based tech-enabled ice cream truck designed to bring people together through fun, nostalgic treats. The business is now open to be booked for neighborhood visits, birthday parties and community events. alsies.com/Birmingham, 205-210-8844

Stretch Zone, a national wellness franchise focused on practitioner assisted stretching and mobility, in ebruary opened its third Birmingham area location at oug Baker Blvd., Suite B, along .S. near reystone. ounded in lorida in , Stretch one has more than locations in states. he new studio is in The Village at Lee Branch and marks the 11th overall in Alabama. stretchzone.com, 205-509-2349

Baskin-Robbins, the national ice cream brand known for its rotating lineup of flavors, has opened a new location at nverness Corners at the intersection of .S. and alleydale Road. ounded in , Baskin Robbins offers ice cream, sundaes, drinks and custom cakes through locally owned and operated shops across the country. he new store is located between ellow ushroom and yuramen baar in the nverness Corners shopping center, which is also home to Kohl’s and Sephora. baskinrobbins.com, 205-407-4448

See BUSINESS HAPPENINGS | page A10

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

CONTINUED from page A8

Oak and Ale, a new neighborhood pub, has opened in the Lake Crest shopping center at 2341 John Hawkins Parkway. The pub features artisanal charcuterie boards, skewers and handheld food made to pair with drinks. Behind the bar, there are local craft beers, classic cocktails and curated wines. The pub plans to have live music and trivia nights. 205-223-8704

COMING SOON

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Recharge Birmingham health and wellness studio that in February opened at 3150 Bowling Drive has rebranded as the BodyRX Wellness Studio and held a grand opening on March 7. The studio combines non-invasive therapies with data-driven wellness tools to help people rest, recover and rejuvenate. The studio in particular helps with skin issues, body shaping, weight management and muscle recovery from inflammation and soreness. Services include facials, light therapy, sauna wraps, skin tightening, hair growth, massages, soak baths, hydrogen inhalation, pain blocking, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cold plunges, lymphatic drainage, vibroacoustic therapy, interferential therapy and contrast therapy. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. bodyrxwellness.com, 205-577-7303

First Financial Bank is renovating and moving into the former BBVA Compass building at 1560 Montgomery Highway. ffbalabama.com

Einstein Bros. Bagels plans to open a new location in Hoover at 1543 Montgomery Highway. It will take up one of three spots in a building that formerly was a pawn shop. einsteinbros.com

Anders was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that was a ecting his immune health and significantly impacting his overall development. His doctors determined his best treatment option was a bone marrow transplant, and luckily Anders found his match and received his transplant. Now Anders is reaching new developmental milestones and is starting to get back to being a normal kid. Learn more at ChildrensAL.org

We are here in your neighborhood at Greenvale Pediatrics Hoover. Call 205-987-4444 to schedule an appointment.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, headquartered at 450 Riverchase Parkway E., has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2026. This award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Forbes and Statista selected America’s Best Employers for 2026 through an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 217,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the United States. More than 3.5 million employer evaluations were considered. he final score is based on two types of evaluations: personal (those given by employees themselves) and public (those given by friends and family members of employees or members of the public who work in the same industry), with a much higher weighting for personal evaluations. bcbsal.org, 1-800-292-8868

AmFirst, which has credit union locations in Hoover at 3312 Old Columbiana Road and #2 Inverness Center Parkway, recently announced grant recipients for its 2026 Community First campaign. In 2025, AmFirst employees and members raised $160,000, which will be split equally among the Covenant Rescue Group which fights human trafficking , orge Breast Cancer Survivor Center, Jones Valley Teaching Farm and Libby’s Friends (which assists families with special needs children). amfirst.org, 205-823-3985, 205-995-0001

The Hoover Women’s Business and Leadership Council, a part of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated its one-year anniversary in March. hooverchamber.org, 205-988-5672

PERSONNEL MOVES

Dana Nolan, the head of investor relations for Regions Financial Corp., in March announced she has decided to retire in April following a 37-year career with the company. Following Nolan’s retirement,

The team at ENT Associates includes 14 board-certified physicians, 6 licensed PAs, and 18 clinical audiologists across 11 locations, including a new satellite office in Clanton, all dedicated to your care. We prioritize your health, treating every patient with personal attention and compassion. We offer same-day, early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments.

Regions Bank veteran Tom Speir will serve as head of investor relations. Nolan has led investor relations for Regions since 2016. She previously served as associate director of investor relations beginning in 2010 following leadership roles in the company’s treasury division. Her investor relations experience spans a period marked by significant change in the banking industry. Speir brings more than two decades of financial experience to the position. He currently leads the company’s strategy and corporate development group, responsibilities he will retain in his new role. After joining Regions in 2009, he served in various leadership roles in corporate treasury, including assistant treasurer and head of balance sheet management. He was appointed to lead the strategy and corporate development team in 2022. Prior to joining Regions, he served in Wachovia Bank’s treasury organization as securitized products portfolio manager. Speir holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a finance concentration from orth Carolina State University. As head of investor relations, Speir will oversee all institutional, retail and fixed income investor relations activities, including investor strategy and outreach, competitive and strategic analysis and credit rating agency relationship management. Additionally, as part of Anil Chadha’s transition to Regions’ chief financial officer, Karin Allen has been promoted as chief accounting officer and James Eastman has been named controller. Allen and Eastman, along with Speir, will report to Chadha.

Megan Scarano, a weekend anchor for the ABC

33/40 television station, based at Concourse Parkway in Riverchase, had her last day on the air with the station on arch . Scarano was with ABC for three years. Before that, she spent two years and five months with C in ew Bern, orth Carolina, according to her inked n page. She said in a acebook post she plans to continue in journalism but did not disclose particular plans. abc3340.com, 205-403-3340

Danny Rowe has joined the RealtySouth Over the Mountain office at Acton Road, Suite , as a Realtor.

dannyrowe.realtysouth.com, 205-276-1749

ANNIVERSARIES

The Riverchase Country Club this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Over the decades, the club has hosted notable people that included President Gerald ord, ichael ordan and Bob ope. he club has a , yard oe ee designed hole golf course with bermuda fairways; 12 Rubico clay tennis courts; two hard-surface tennis courts; six pickleball courts; a pool a full service fitness center with cardio weights and fitness instruction a full service ban uet hall and multiple dining venues and social areas for members and guests to gather. riverchasecc.com, 205-988-4140

The Riverchase Galleria recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the opening of the mall. Speakers included current Galleria Senior General Manager

ommy Richardson, oover ayor ick er is, Alan Pa uette of im ilson Associates and im Spahn, who served as marketing director of the Galleria for years until . he mall currently has more than tenants, and er is and the city of oover are working with mall owners to come up with a plan for redevelopment and revitalization. riverchasegalleria.com, 205-985-3019

The Front Porch restaurant at rand Ave., Suite 109, in Ross Bridge celebrated its 10th anniversary on arch . he restaurant was started by two longtime Ross Bridge residents eremy ackney and ohn iffin. frontporchrossbridge.com, 205-436-2072

T. Fox SalonSpa Aveda, a salon owned and operated by raci ox, celebrated its th anniversary with an open house on arch . tfoxsalon.com, 205-403-8369

CLOSINGS

The White House Interiors store at alleria Circle is closing, but the company s location at .S. in Brook ighland Pla a will remain open. he expected closing date was late March or sometime in April, a store employee said. twhinteriors.com, 205-518-0798

GET TO KNOW

Co-owner of Hoover Steaks & Wines Danielle Deavours

By JORDYN DAVIS

Q: What made you transition from being an assistant professor at Samford to restau rant owner/operator?

A: was an assistant professor of broadcast journalism for six years prior to deciding to open Hoover Steaks Wines with my husband, Patrick, and our business partners. While love academia and teaching, wanted to support my husband’s vision of serving the community through local business. Our background in education, communication, marketing and PR has helped us to build business that is centered on friendly, exceptional customer service with knowledgeable expertise for every level of food and wine lover. Our passion for culinary experiences is surpassed only by our love of sharing it with others, so we felt locally owned restaurant, butcher and wine shop was fulfilling a need for the area [where] we live. Patrick and both left our traditional careers to start this venture, along with our other three business partners who also own their own financial firm, and we are so thankful we took that leap in order to give back to the Hoover community, which has given so much to us.

Q: How long has the idea of opening wine and fine meats store been a goal of yours?

A: My husband and have thought about opening small business for few years, but it was really about two years ago that we, along with our other three business partners, dreamed up the concept for hybrid restaurant, wine bar, butcher shop and wine store. We knew it would be the perfect fit for Hoover since we’ve been longtime Hoover residents. Three of the five owners, including my husband and I, are Hoover

High graduates, and Patrick and actually met at Hoover High School. Our daughter is in Hoover City Schools now at Brock’s Gap, and all of our owners live in Hoover. We love this community, and we felt giving back to Hoover was one of the best goals we could have. We could have never dreamed of the store being so successful and embraced by the community like it has been.

Q: What is the most exciting part of your job?

A: Being able to serve our customers is one of the best parts of my job. We love our community, and we believe in exceptional, local and neighborly customer service. It’s been such pleasure to get to know so many of our fellow Hoover and Birmingham residents through this opportunity, and seeing our regular and new customers is the highlight of my day. It really is special to help

take care of people and help them celebrate life through food and wine, and we love getting to share our passion for it with our neighbors. also think being able to educate our customers about wine and specialty meat is extremely exciting. The meat and wine buying experience can be intimidating for many that don’t have background in these areas.

Q: What do customers say is their favorite part about Hoover Steaks Wines?

A: Our customers appreciate our high quality of food paired with our expertise, wide selection of meats and wines, great prices and exceptional

customer service. We really have something for everyone, whether you need quick, ready-made meal to go from our pre-made meals; an exceptional lunch, dinner or brunch at the restaurant; great cut of meat; wine from around the world; retail gifts; catering for your business or personal event; or just fun evening out with loved ones.

Hoover Steaks Wines is at 5868 Elsie Road, directly across from the Hoover Met in the new Knox Square shopping center. Find out more at hooversteaksandwines.com or on Instagram and Facebook @hooversteaksandwines.

Get back on your feet with Dr. Adam Lukasiewicz at Southlake Orthopaedics

Southlake Orthopaedics Sports Medicine and Spine Center offers patients of all ages personalized, compassionate care using advanced technology. They diagnose your problem and help you achieve pain-free mobility, whether you’re suffering from a fracture, dislocation or sprain, osteoporosis, or a degenerative condition like arthritis.

The expert physicians at Southlake Orthopaedics include Dr. Adam Lukasiewicz, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle and joined Southlake in 2025.

“People don’t appreciate their feet and their ability to walk around until they have a problem,” says Dr. Lukasiewicz, who treats many different conditions.

“There’s lots of things we can do to restore function and get people back on their feet walking, running and doing things they love to do,” he says. “It’s gratifying.”

At Southlake Orthopaedics, he treats all sorts of patients, “from elite athletes to people whose goal is to just walk around the neighborhood and spend time with their grandkids,” he says.

Dr. Lukasiewicz treats many sports injuries, particularly ligament injuries and fractures.

Bunions are also a common problem. “They can be debilitating if you can’t find any shoes to wear,” he says. “If they’re hurting and interfering with function, there are multiple surgical options.”

Bunion treatments have advanced recently. “There are new, minimally invasive ways to fix them with less scarring, less swelling and a faster return to activities,” he says.

Surgeons have also made considerable strides in treating arthritis.

“Ankle replacement is now a good option for some patients to return to a quality of life,” Dr. Lukasiewicz says.

Patients at Southlake Orthopaedics benefit from the practice’s team approach. “We have three orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle, more than any other practice in the region,” Dr. Lukasiewicz says. “It’s helpful to have a team of experts working together – offering opinions and finding what’s right for patients.”

In fact, Southlake “has lots of very skilled surgeons who cover every facet of orthopedics,” as well

• HOOVER: 4517 Southlake Parkway

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• WEB: southlakeorthopaedics.com

• CALL: 205-985-4111

as “a whole dedicated team behind them.” This includes physician assistants, technicians and certified orthotists, who handle casting and bracing.

A Toronto native, Dr. Lukasiewicz attended Yale University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, finished medical school and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency.

Dr. Lukasiewicz is “delighted and grateful to be part of Southlake, a fantastic orthopedic practice.”

He’s also happy living in Birmingham with his wife, Amy, a Magic City native and UAB history professor, and their daughter.

“Birmingham’s been fantastic,” Dr. Lukasiewicz says. “A great community. It felt like home right away.”

Home

Will Gregory, Owner/Operator

Spring is a perfect time for cleaning, and a perfect time for Southern Exterior Cleaning Solutions to soft wash or pressure wash your house, roof or business.

“We provide exterior cleaning that adds value, improves curb appeal, makes outdoor spaces welcoming for guests and customers, and instills pride for the home or business owner,” says owner and operator Will Gregory.

Soft washing removes dirt, mold and mildew from your house. It also removes moss and algae from your roof, preventing damage and helping it last longer.

Pressure washing removes stains, dirt and grime from concrete surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and patios, enhancing durability and safety.

SOUTHERN EXTERIOR CLEANING SOLUTIONS

205-878-4395 southernecs.com

Southern Exterior, which uses only top-quality, professional equipment, also offers commercial pressure washing for storefronts, parking lots and industrial areas.

“Southern Exterior is a local, family-owned company, not a franchise,” Will says. “I do all the work myself, so customers never have to wonder who’s coming to their home or business.”

“We offer free, in-person estimates,” Will says. “No job is too small, and every customer is valuable. My ultimate goal is to have happy customers who tell their friends and call me again.”

Will offers discounts for bundled services and works odd hours, weekends and holidays if needed.

For details, call 205-878-4395 or go to southernecs.com.

Why even the most capable people feel outmatched by their homes

If you can manage a career, a family calendar and a grocery list that requires three stops, you might reasonably expect your home to feel under control.

And yet.

For many highly capable homeowners, the greatest daily resistance does not come from work or relationships. It comes from closets that argue back. Kitchens that unravel by Wednesday. Drawers that seem to multiply their contents overnight.

This isn’t because people are lazy or disorganized. It’s because modern life has quietly outpaced the spaces meant to support it.

Psychologists have known for years that our surroundings affect how we feel. A UCLA study found that people who described their homes as cluttered had higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Researchers at Princeton discovered that visual clutter competes for our attention, making it harder to focus. Translation: when your home feels chaotic, your brain feels it too.

Still, most people assume the problem is personal.

“If I just had a free weekend.”

“If I were more disciplined.” f finally tackled that closet.

But here is the uncomfortable truth: even if you do get that free weekend, it probably won’t stick.

Today’s homes were not designed for today’s lives. Closets were built for

smaller wardrobes. Kitchens were not designed to double as offices. Storage never anticipated athletic gear, seasonal décor, tech accessories and the emotional weight of things we are not ready to part with.

Then there is decision fatigue, an unsung villain of daily life. Every disorganized space demands choices. What to wear. Where something lives. Whether to keep, toss or “decide later.” Those tiny decisions add up, draining energy before the day has truly begun.

The National Association of Professional Organizers estimates that people can spend up to an hour a day looking for

misplaced items. hat is not inefficiency. That is unnecessary friction.

And let’s not ignore the emotional side of clutter. Objects are rarely just objects. They carry memory, guilt, aspiration and identity. Organizing them is not a neutral task. It can feel personal, exhausting and surprisingly heavy.

his is why uick fixes and storage bins rarely solve the problem. Organization is not about willpower. It is about systems. Systems reduce decisions. Systems create flow. Systems uietly support you without asking for constant attention.

When a home is thoughtfully organized, life feels easier in ways that are hard to

SPACE CADETS

The Hub: 5890 Elise Road Suite C, Hoover Brook Highland Plaza: 5287 U.S. Highway 280, Suite 249, Birmingham (Inside the Mercantile) 205-326-7025 spacecadetsorg.com

quantify but easy to notice. Mornings run smoother. Evenings feel calmer. You stop negotiating with your surroundings. The background noise quiets.

An organized home does not mean a perfect one. It means a home that works with you instead of against you. One that adapts as life changes rather than demanding constant catch-up.

Feeling overwhelmed by your home is not a personal failing. It is a very human response to living fully in spaces that were never designed to keep up.

The good news is that relief does not come from trying harder.

It comes from smarter systems and a home that finally understands the assignment.

Kim McBrayer-Phinney is the founder and owner of Space Cadets, Birmingham’s premier full-service closet design and professional organizing firm. Learn more at www.spacecadetsorg.com

Make curb appeal easy with WOW Windowboxes

Jim and Jill Kent own and operate WOW Windowboxes Birmingham, the first franchise in Alabama and only the fourth nationally.

And they’re passionate about transforming homes and businesses with beautiful, custom-built window boxes and seasonal plantings that create year-round curb appeal. Their customers enjoy spectacular, locally grown flowers without the hassle of daily maintenance.

“We make it simple to create exteriors that truly stand out,”

Jim says.

Jill and Jim Kent, Owners/Operators

WOW Windowboxes offers boxes and planters tailored to each property, professional installation with optional maintenance-free irrigation systems and plantings refreshed four times per year.

“We not only build, install, irrigate and plant seasonally, we also maintain our clients’ boxes and planters,” Jill says. “We even provide this service to a client’s existing boxes and planters. It’s an all-in-one premium service we call ‘Green Glove Service.’

“We bring a WOW factor — stunning arrangements that change seasonally, ensuring that a building or space is always visually stimulating and attracts attention,” Jill says.

The Kents offer commercial services that provide all sorts of businesses

WOW WINDOWBOXES

BIRMINGHAM

1201 Powder Plant Road, Suite 16, Bessemer 205-701-9693 wowwindowboxes.com/ birmingham

with increased “visibility,” Jill says. “Beautiful boxes and planters with amazing arrangements help storefronts stand out and create inviting first impressions.”

Jim and Jill also offer customers the WOW Bloom Guarantee. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call 205-701-9693 or go to wowwindowboxes.com/birmingham.

Enjoy active senior living at Galleria Woods

Galleria Woods senior-living community offers many residential options, enjoyable amenities and comprehensive services. Anne Smyth, the community’s Director of Sales and Marketing, discusses the many benefits that make Galleria Woods so special.

Q: What services does Galleria Woods offer?

A: We’re a full-service, life-plan community offering independent or assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Galleria Woods is unique locally, and residents receive benefits not offered at other senior-living communities, including care for life, significant discounts in our assisted living and skilled nursing, and tax benefits. e provide a continuum of care no matter what lies ahead for residents.

Q: What can Galleria Woods residents expect?

A: Besides the community’s stunning location — 20 wooded acres in prestigious Riverchase — residents enjoy peace of mind knowing their futures are set. They also enjoy excellent dining, exercise classes, lectures, weekend trips and sampling new restaurants and activities in Birmingham. For 2026, we’re excited to

GALLERIA WOODS 205-578-4155 galleriawoodsseniorliving.com

continue our interior renovation with new furnishings and the expansion of our Bistro Cafe.

Q: What’s your staff’s benchmark for success?

A: The Galleria Woods staff is totally committed to the well-being and safety of our residents. We’re proud to be the only Alabama senior community included in Newsweek’s list of “America’s Best CCRCs” for 2026. We’ve also been included among “Hoover’s Best” and received the 2025 Sensight Resident Satisfaction Five Star award. Creating an exceptional hospitality experience and ensuring resident satisfaction are the heart of what we do.

Bring beauty back to your doorway with Door Restore

An attractive entry door can make a great first impression and boost your home’s curb appeal, but sunlight, rain, and frost can damage and leave signs of wear on wood and iron doors.

Fortunately, Door Restore in Birmingham restores and maintains doors. “We only work on doors. They’re our specialty,” said owner Van Etheridge.

A former art major who loves working with his hands, Van formerly painted murals and did wall finishes while also restoring iron and wooden doors.

“When the economy crashed in 2008, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals while restoring iron doors on the weekends,” Van said. “When the pharmaceutical company was sold and laid off its sales team, officially started Door Restore.”

The company is a family affair. Last year, Van began working with his son riffin, who earned his business degree from The University of Alabama. This year, he hired riffin s twin brother, Skyler, who also earned his business degree at UA.

“It’s fun watching them take what they learned and apply it to the real world, especially in all the facets of

DOOR RESTORE

1920 Indian Lake Dr, Birmingham

205-492-5866 doorrestore.org

owning your own business,” Van said.

Door Restore offers customers a money-saving maintenance program that keeps doors looking their best.

“Wood doors weather quickly and need a new top coat every year or two, depending on exposure, sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “We provide maintenance once a year, including a topcoat to save customers money in the future. Iron doors have a special oil-rubbed bronze or other metal hues in them. We’re able to restore your door to the original finish.

For details, call 205-492-5866 or visit doorrestore.org.

Hoover Glass offers

A locally-owned family business, Hoover Glass Services provides top-quality glass for residential and commercial clients, as well as excellent customer service and a genuine human connection.

“When you call, you speak to a real person,” says company president Laurie Buchanan. “We communicate clearly, show up when we say we will, and stand behind our work.”

Residential services at Hoover Glass include glass shower enclosures, mirrors, and insulated window and door glass.

“Some vendors have stepped away from residential work, but it’s the heart of what we do,” Laurie says. “We believe homeowners deserve reliable, high-quality service from a team they can actually reach.”

Custom-glass shower enclosures, which can transform bathroom remodels, are one of their most requested services, Laurie says.

“Our team takes precise measurements and uses high-quality hardware to ensure each installation is clean, secure and built to last,” she says.

For commercial clients, Hoover Glass specializes in storefront systems, aluminum entries, all-glass doors and

walls, and door repairs.

Hoover Glass Services also offers specialty glass, including cabinet doors and glass panels.

Buchanan is proud of her staff. “Our sales and estimating team brings practical knowledge and honest guidance, our in-shop technicians handle precision glass cutting and our field installers bring years of experience,” she says. “No matter the project’s size, we bring the same precision, professionalism and attention to detail.”

Closets by Design transforms homes with custom storage solutions

Since 1982, Closets by Design has built a great reputation for customer satisfaction. From no-obligation, in-home consultations to custom designs and quality construction, their products offer value and function.

Closets by esign simplifies life by designing and installing closets, garage cabinets, home offices, laundries, pantries, wardrobe mirror doors and more all floor based and adjustable.

They offer three closet systems, each maximizing space and creating organization for clothes and beyond.

Customers also enjoy a customized look with a wide selection of finishes, accessories and hardware.

“We build each closet with the customer in mind,” General Manager Tyree Melton said. “We help customers transform their garage into a workshop, garden center, or arts and crafts room with plenty of storage.”

Melton’s favorite product is the home office system. n this digital age, your home workspace is becoming one more refuge in your home sanctuary.”

For small spaces, Closets by Design offers the foldaway designbedTM system — customizable, multi-functional and

CLOSETS BY DESIGN 205-777-4000 closetsbydesign.com

ideal for saving space.

Pantries are another popular solution, with easy-to-reach shelves, long and short storage, and options to complement laundry rooms.

Garage systems cut clutter dramatically, with counters and storage space for hobbies.

Mudrooms can also be customized with shelves, drawers, hooks and baskets to help families stay organized.

love giving our customers great service and creating their dream closet,” Melton said.

CUSTODIANS

CONTINUED from page A1

“Mama Cilla!” one calls.

“I love you!” says another, wrapping her in hug before heading to class.

Bolar pauses and greets each child by name, smoothing collar, offering encouragement. In those brief moments, it becomes clear: her job title may be custodian, but her role is something much bigger.

“I started working at this school in 2004, so I’ve been here 22 years,” Bolar said, smiling with tears in her eyes, as she looks ahead to her retirement on July 1. “I came here because wanted better job, but also because love kids and love people.”

For more than two decades, Bolar has been steady presence arriving at 6:30 each morning, working until mid-afternoon, spending 21 of those years in the kindergarten and first grade areas before moving to the fifth grade area. She has watched children grow from tiny 5-year-olds into high school graduates who return to visit.

“I’ve seen the kids grow, and it’s amazing to see them come back after middle and high school,” she said.

Her duties extend far beyond sweeping and sanitizing. She escorts children to the nurse, supports teachers in classrooms, comforts tearful students and notices the quiet ones. These qualities led Bolar to be named Riverchase Elementary’s employee of the year in 2023.

“Some kids come in sad, some with their heads down, and try to lift their spirits,” Bolar said. “I encourage them, comfort them. Sometimes I help them with little things like their hair or clothing.”

Bolar, who has eight grandchildren of her own, is affectionately called “Mama Cilla” by both students and staff nickname that reflects the way she mothers and nurtures everyone around her.

Riverchase teacher Brennan Bernard says Bolar’s presence made lasting difference in her own career.

“Ms. Bolar helped me so much through my first year of teaching,” Bernard said. “Ever since then, she is the first person that go to when need to talk or need word of encouragement, and the first person I go to when need something uplifting to come my way.”

That steady encouragement reflects the heart of Bolar’s work.

“The kids. Always the kids,” she said when asked her favorite part of the job. “Making them happy, seeing them smile and knowing make difference in their lives. You have to love children to work in school successfully.”

Her compassion is rooted in memory from her own childhood.

“I used to walk with my head down because didn’t like myself,” Bolar said. “One teacher stopped me and said, ‘Hold your head up, smile. You have beautiful smile.’ That changed me.”

Now, when she sees student walking the same way, she remembers.

“I remind them they are beautiful. help them feel confident.”

About 10 years ago, Bolar faced severe health scare while at school stroke that required months of rehabilitation. Fortunately, members of her Riverchase Elementary school family, custodian Michael Banks and Principal Alice Turney among others, were there to assist her in this crisis and help her through her long recovery.

“I had to learn everything over again, from basic skills to daily routines,” she said. “It was tough. But the support from the teachers, administrators and students kept me motivated to come back.” short four months later, Bolar returned to the hallways of Riverchase Elementary.

“I know now that God led me here for reason,” she said. “Some kids and teachers needed me, and I’m grateful could return.”

Across town at Simmons Middle School, Jerome Burkes carries that same steady presence though his story stretches back much further.

Burkes, 6, has worked at Simmons for 0 years. Officially, he oversees the first floor

and helps lead team of eight custodians.

nofficially, he is a mentor, counselor and constant in building he affectionately calls “an old lady.”

“For an old school, we hold up pretty good,” Burkes said with smile. “It’s great feeling when you come into Simmons and people say, ‘How come our school doesn’t look like this?’”

He averages between 10,000 and 12,000 steps day, moving from hallways to the gym to the front office, noticing what others overlook and stepping in when needed. Still, he somehow finds the energy to run, a hobby that recently led him to complete his 51st Vulcan Run.

“I have logged in way over 250,000 miles running on this old body,” Burkes said with chuckle.

Simmons student Gregory Shaw summed it up simply: “Mr. Burkes is always looking out for everyone and helping, inside and outside the classroom.”

Like Bolar, Burkes believes the heart of the job isn’t just maintenance it’s mentorship.

“I try to show them as much love as can,” he said. “A lot of these kids come from broken homes. They need someone to love them.”

His mentorship extends to the adults at Simmons Middle School. Administrative assistant Tonya Jones said Burkes uplifts everyone around him and makes real difference every day.

When Burkes hears students speaking harshly to one another, he doesn’t ignore it.

“If that was your sister or your mother, you don’t call her that,” he tells them. He encourages the young ladies to advocate for themselves. “You are queen,” he tells them. “You want to be treated like queen.”

Burkes’ own life has been shaped by resilience and the desire to see Birmingham embrace cultural unity. He grew up in Birmingham during the civil rights movement and participated as teenager in the Children’s March, even receiving the Foot Soldiers Award from the NAACP in 013. He recalls hearing Martin Luther King Jr. speak and witnessing firsthand the tension and transformation of that era.

“I witnessed all of that,” Burkes said quietly. “And you try to plant seeds wherever you go.”

Because of those experiences, Burkes strives to create understanding of cultural differences and celebrate diversity.

“I want to bring kids together, parents together,” he said, and “nurture them the best way can.”

He instills those values in his own family, as well. He and his wife of nearly 40 years blended their households, becoming the “black version of the Brady Bunch, without the maid or the dog” said Burkes with his wide smile. They raised their children together and now celebrate grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While Bolar prepares to retire this

summer, Burkes has no such plans. But Mekalue Thompson, custodian supervisor for the Hoover Board of Education, said both deserve recognition for their long history of solid service.

“The entire custodial staff works extremely hard to provide clean and safe learning environment for our students,” Thompson said.

In schools across the district, custodians are often the first to arrive and the last to leave. They keep hallways safe and classrooms ready but they also steady nerves, dry tears and lift chins.

“It’s not just cleaning,” Bolar said. “You have to love people and understand them. You’re often the first line of support for the kids.”

“When you interact with the principals, the custodians, the kids it becomes your family,” Burkes added. “We have so much love here and we take care of each other.”

As Bolar prepares to say goodbye to Riverchase Elementary, she hopes her legacy will endure.

“I’ve danced, sung, played sports and shared joy with the kids,” she said as she showed video of her jump roping with group of students. “I hope they remember that someone cared for them deeply.”

In the hallways she’s tended for 22 years, that legacy already echoes in hugs between classes, in encouragement behind classroom doors and in children and teachers who know they are seen.

COLINA

CONTINUED from page A1

David Ball, principal of Dobbins Group, said that as of March, the complex had opened 318 of the 475 apartment homes planned, including amenities, with the remaining apartments set to be delivered this summer.

Ball said some residents started officially moving into the complex in November.

Colina Hillside offers two- and three-bedroom floor plans, elevators, air‑conditioned and centralized corridors, two resort‑style heated saltwater pools with private pool cabanas, an outdoor grilling entertainment area, a 4‑hour fitness center, a pet spa and separate pet parks for both small and large dogs, ride-sharing waiting lounge, expansive outdoor greenspace, half-mile path, pickleball court, electric car charging stations, and an internal mail station and parcel package system.

The buildings are laid out in horseshoe configuration to allow for maximum interaction with amenity areas and to optimize land area utilization, given the site’s sloping topography, according to the obbins Group. The courtyard is the size of a football field.

Ball said the apartments provide convenient access to major nearby retail, dining and medical destinations, while also being the first new upscale multi‑family community in a high‑ growth corridor in decades.

“While development of this magnitude is challenging, our team has worked proactively to anticipate and address challenges as they arise,” Ball said. “Thanks to the leadership and coordination of our general contractor, Capstone Building Corp., the construction process has remained efficient and well‑managed. The project is progressing smoothly and on track with our anticipated timeline.”

The Dobbins Group said Colina Hillside helps to fill a void for rental housing along the I-459 corridor.

Mac Martin, city planner with the city of Hoover, said the apartment complex is located in unincorporated Jefferson County with the exception of the road to the complex from Alabama 150 to roughly the roundabout, which is considered Hoover city limits.

In November, Arlington Properties announced it would be providing property management services for Colina Hillside.

The company seeks to “provide exceptional living experiences and operational excellence throughout the Southeast,” according to information provided by the Arlington Group.

The apartment’s architecture, amenities and elevated setting was created to provide residents with “beautiful place to call home.”

During the construction phase of the project, a traffic light was installed, and Martin said it is functioning and in accordance with permit from the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Capstone Building Corp. served as the general contractor for the project.

“Colina Hillside will deliver premier residential community in this high‑growth corridor,” said Josh Barnett, the vice president of project management for Capstone Building

Corp. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as general contractor on development of this scale and significance. Our team has remained focused on quality craftsmanship, coordination and efficiency throughout each construction phase, and we’re proud of the progress to date. As we move toward anticipated completion this summer, we look forward to continuing to support Dobbins Group in bringing this exceptional community fully to life.”

Mary Bradley, regional vice president of Arlington Properties, said in press release that the desire for residents living at Colina Hillside is to experience vibrant and carefree living.

“We want them to feel as if they were

at a high‑end resort,” Bradley said. “Our on-site team is dedicated to delivering the warm, personalized service that defines every Arlington‑managed community.”

Bradley said every detail of the complex is crafted from resident’s perspective from “spectacular balcony views” to interior details reflective of a custom home.

Students living in the apartments are zoned for McCalla Elementary, McAdory Middle School and McAdory High School.

FIRE SAFETY

Because the complex is in unincorporated Jefferson County, the developer is paying fire dues to get fire protection and emergency medical services from the city of Hoover at a cost

of 08, 8 annually.

“We provide this service for some of the areas that surround the city because we want people to receive fire care in a timely manner,” Hoover Fire Chief Clay Bentley said. “An example of this would be the Chase Lake Villa complex, which has never been in the city of Hoover — but we provide fire services to them.”

Bentley said the Shannon community is an additional example of an area outside city limits for which Hoover provides fire service.

Bentley said he knows providing fire services to areas outside of Hoover will generate more calls for the department, but he wants people to be protected if an emergency were to arise.

“We know this will mean more calls for us, but we want people to feel secure that if there is ever an emergency, we will respond in a timely manner,” Bentley said. “Some of these areas that are outside of the city limits could mean the difference between life and death if you were to wait for responders that are not considered close.”

Bentley said the department has had a good relationship with the developers of Colina Hillside, and the complex has been built to code.

Colina Hillside is located at 1121 Colina St. More information about the complex can be found at colina-hillside.com.

PARADE OF HOMES 2026

1. The Square

2. Cantor 4F

3. Cadence 1A

4. Archer 1C

5. Sparrow 2 S age Pa r

6. The Lofts

7. Hartley 3B

8. Sydney 1C

Sun

Hoover police school resource officers offer summer camp for incoming 6th graders

By JON ANDERSON

Going into middle school is big change for many students, and the Hoover Police Department is partnering with Hoover City Schools and the Hoover Fire Department to make the transition go more smoothly.

For the third year in row, school resource officers are sponsoring a one‑week summer camp opportunity to give some incoming sixth graders making that jump to middle school leg up.

The summer camp is called Camp Legacy and this year will be offered June 22-26 at Bumpus Middle School for incoming sixth graders on the west side of Hoover who will be going to either Bumpus or Simmons middle schools and July 13-17 at Berry Middle School for incoming sixth graders headed to Berry.

The free camp will run from a.m. to p.m. Monday through Friday, with dropoff starting at 7:30 a.m. and pickup by 2:30 p.m.

While at camp, students will get chance to become familiar with their new school, learn leadership and personal growth tips and social skills, said Ashlyn King, school resource officer at Rocky Ridge Elementary who is serving as camp director.

Students also will learn about digital citizenship, such as the dos and don’ts of cell phone usage.

“The world has changed from what we were to where we are now,” said Sgt. Brock Hardy,

the new supervisor for all school resource officers in Hoover. “Now, we’ve got third graders and second graders who have cell phone. If we’re giving them phone, they need to know what all that phone can do and the dangers that are with it.”

Students at Camp Legacy also will participate in team building exercises and get introduced to various facets of the Hoover Police Department, such as crime scene investigations, police drones and hostage negotiations,

King said. Students likely will get chance to process their own fingerprints and simulate a hostage situation, she said.

The Hoover Fire Department also will come in and teach the students about CPR and first aid, and there could be some other special guest speakers, King said.

The classes are mix of traditional classwork such as PowerPoint presentation and hands-on activities for learning, Hardy said. The students also get short breaks to play

games like volleyball or basketball, he said.

Camp Legacy is good opportunity for the incoming sixth graders to get to meet some new people from other elementary schools who will be joining them at their middle school, King said.

It’s also another chance to bridge the gap between students and police officers because these summer interactions with officers will be little different than they are during the regular school year, Hardy said.

“We’re not just badge and robot,” Hardy said. “We’re more than that. We’re human. We want to help. We want to be there for them no matter what it is. It really breaks down that barrier that sometimes is put up.”

There was only one Camp Legacy two summers ago, but last year, the camps were divided between the east and west sides of town, and it went well, King said. The first year, there were roughly 25 to 30 students, and last year there were about 60, she said.

The number that will be accepted this summer had not yet been determined, King said. Applications can be turned in to any school resource officer or emailed to Ashlyn. king@hooveralabama.gov. The deadline to submit applications is May 4.

“Going to middle school is hard,” King said. “Going to new place is hard. Change is hard, and we want to help provide them the tools that will help them be successful going forward. That’s our goal to try to build good leaders for the future.”

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office provides autism awareness decals free of charge to the public. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to serving every family in our community with understanding, compassion, and proactive care.

first responders

Hoover, Spain Park law academies shape tomorrow's advocates

By APRIL COFFEY

On any given afternoon in Hoover, teenagers can be found debating constitutional amendments, fielding rapid‑fire questions from judges or drafting legislation destined for mock statehouse floor.

At Spain Park and Hoover high schools, law academy students aren’t just learning about the justice system. They’re stepping into it.

Through a blend of classroom instruction, competitions and real‑world experiences, the academies immerse students in the processes that shape American law and government. Along the way, students develop skills in research, writing, public speaking and critical thinking that extend well beyond the courtroom.

At Spain Park High School, aw Academy sponsor Craig Thompson said his involvement with the program began in 00 when Hoover City Schools expanded the existing Hoover High School aw Academy to Spain Park.

“I wanted to be involved because I saw it as a chance to get more kids involved in activities,” Thompson said.

A graduate of Hoover City Schools himself, Thompson said the opportunity to build another academic program that connects students with extracurricular opportunities was meaningful.

“I am Hoover ‘kid’ and started attending Shades Mountain Elementary around 1981,” he said. “I really think Hoover is one of the best school systems in the country.”

Today, the Spain Park program operates as a four‑year elective sequence that Thompson describes as a “school within a school,” designed to emphasize reading, writing, public speaking and critical thinking.

“It’s a four‑year elective that starts with philosophy, then constitutional issues and then more practical legal questions,” Thompson

resonates with students.

said.

Students read Supreme Court cases, study philosophers and debate constitutional amendments in class. But much of the learning takes place through competitions such as mock trial, moot court and mock legislature.

“We read Supreme Court cases in class, we study philosophers, we argue about constitutional amendments, but students learn the most while competing,” Thompson said. “These activities require reading comprehension, legal

writing and public speaking.”

For Thompson, one of the most important benefits of the academy is the way it encourages students to examine issues from multiple perspectives.

“The most positive aspect I have seen is that it requires students to look at multiple sides of difficult issues,” Thompson said. “Oftentimes in cases, there are no easy answers, but in trying to find solutions, students grow the most.”

That emphasis on thoughtful debate

Senior Shivika Kumar was drawn to the academy because of its hands‑on approach.

“I was intrigued with doing events like mock trials,” Kumar said. “I wanted to do work similar to what actual lawyers do and in the same places.”

Since then, Kumar has had opportunities and experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. Kumar has argued moot court at Duke University and traveled to the Alabama

State House and federal courthouse in Montgomery, gaining firsthand exposure to the legal system.

But the program’s impact goes deeper than competition.

“No other class gave me as much of an opportunity to become more aware of events around you and how to form opinions about them while respecting others,” Kumar said.

At the same time, Kumar learned many important skills, such as developing an “attorney voice” and improved listening skills.

“Sometimes it’s more important to listen first,” Kumar said.

BUILDING ADVOCATES AT HOOVER HIGH

Across town at Hoover High School, the aw Academy follows a similar philosophy.

The Hoover program is a four‑year academic elective that offers courses in introduction to law, philosophy and ethics, constitutional law and practical law. Students also participate in competitive and experiential opportunities such as mock trial, moot court and Alabama Youth Legislative Conference.

aw Academy irector Amy Raymer said the program was never intended to steer students exclusively toward legal careers.

“Our goal has always been to encourage critical thinking,” Raymer said. “We use the law, legal concepts, competitions, etc. to achieve that goal.”

Much of the program builds upon concepts students first encounter in social studies classes, allowing them to explore the material in greater depth while applying it to real‑world situations.

“It is incredibly important that all of our students have an understanding of American government, the court system and their basic rights,” Raymer said.

Over the years, Hoover’s aw Academy has developed strong relationships with members the local legal community. Former students who are now attorneys, parents working in legal fields and other professionals often provide mentorship, feedback and financial support.

Those partnerships have opened the door to unique learning opportunities. Students have met the governor, toured the Hugo . Black Federal Courthouse in downtown Birmingham and visited the Jefferson County Jail. pper‑ level classes have also attended oral arguments before the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.

Many students also participate in the Alabama Youth egislative Conference in Montgomery, where they present legislation they have written and guide it through the full lawmaking process.

The academies’ competitive teams also regularly travel to regional and national tournaments.

In February, two Hoover students — freshman uke Hertz and sophomore Parker Jones — attended a National Association of Moot Court competition hosted by the uke niversitymoot court team.

As first‑time competitors, they faced students from prestigious schools across the country and performed exceptionally well. The pair advanced to the tournament’s octofinals, and Hertz earned second place for oratory in the preliminary rounds and finished eighth overall among competitors.

Moot court competitions simulate appellate

court arguments, where students present legal reasoning before judges who frequently interrupt with challenging questions.

For Hertz, joining the academy initially seemed like a simple choice.

“Well, I guess I have to do an academy, and I like to argue,” he said.

At first, he expected to move on after a year. Instead, the program quickly became one of the most important parts of his high school experience.

“I have been blown away by my experience in the academy, and I can’t imagine high school without it,” Hertz said.

For teachers leading the programs, moments like that are among the most rewarding parts of the job.

“Regardless of a student’s areas of strength and weakness, having a front‑row seat to their development and growth from their freshman year to their senior year is the most rewarding aspect of this job,” Raymer said.

She said students learn to think on their feet, connect real‑world examples to classroom discussions and develop confidence in public speaking and analysis.

At Spain Park, Thompson said success is measured not just in trophies, but in how students respond to challenges.

“I always watch our teams closest when we lose, not win,” he said. “It’s in those moments, when our students applaud for the teams that beat them, that I am the most proud.”

Both educators emphasize that while some students may eventually pursue careers in law, the academies’ broader mission is to prepare students for thoughtful participation in civic life.

Raymer’s advice to incoming freshmen at Hoover High School reflects that philosophy.

“Find your people,” she said. “Hoover High School can be overwhelming. It helps to have a group of other students with common interests and goals that provide you with an anchor.”

Inside classrooms that double as courtrooms and legislative chambers, Spain Park and Hoover aw Academy students are discovering that studying the law is ultimately about understanding complex ideas, communicating clearly and respecting different viewpoints.

In the process, they are not only learning about the justice system. They are learning how to think critically, speak confidently and engage the world with integrity.

Bumpus teacher Salvant selected for Fulbright Teacher Exchange

By APRIL COFFEY

Bumpus Middle School teacher Jennifer Salvant is preparing to take her classroom global after earning one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for educators Fulbright Teacher Exchange award that will send her to India this summer.

Salvan, sixth grade English teacher,t was selected as Fulbright Teacher Exchange recipient for the 2025-26 academic year, joining about 400 educators nationwide chosen annually for the program administered by the U.S. Department of State and overseen by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to learn,” Salvant said. “I don’t know that would ever find myself in India if not for this assignment.”

For Salvant, who has taught with Hoover City Schools since 2009, the honor represents both professional milestone and personal calling.

Pelham native who has lived in Chicago, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Charlottesville and Greenwich, she traces her global curiosity back to her student days.

In high school, Salvant took trip through Rome, Florence, Paris and London with one of her teachers. “She taught me to keep my mind wide open,” Salvant recalled. Her encounters with ancient ruins, iconic artwork and live theater ‘planted the seeds of global perspective.’”

Years later, while attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Salvant walked into Surin, Thai restaurant, looking for job and found second family. In her Fulbright application essay, she reflected on the owner’s influence and his parting wisdom: “Just be happy; don’t try to seek happiness or avoid unhappiness.”

“I poured my heart into my submission essay,” Salvant said. Responding to prompt about connecting across cultures, she wrote about “art, food, and life’s joys and sadnesses. Art unifies us food brings us together at one table.”

Salvant will travel to India in July with cohort of 19 educators. Their journey which she calls the “Delhi sandwich” will begin and end in Delhi, with smaller groups placed across the country. She is especially eager to observe language acquisition in classrooms where

multiple languages are spoken and English often serves as shared bridge.

“Being recognized as Fulbrighter is big responsibility, which do not take lightly,” she said. “I will continue to strive to treat others with respect and understanding while celebrating our similarities and differences.”

She believes her experience at Bumpus where “the students’ heritage reflects a global classroom” has prepared her well.

When she returns, Salvant looks forward to sharing more than photographs and souvenirs. “I can’t wait to look into child’s eyes and say, ‘I’ve been there! know where your family is from!’” she said.

She wants students to know they can take “big adventures” of their own. “There’s big world for you to explore,” Salvant tells them.

Quoting Helen Keller, Salvant added, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

GET TO KNOW

Teacher, dance instructor Alexandra Casanova

By APRIL COFFEY

Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.

A: was born and raised in Vestavia Hills. I’m now fourth grade teacher [at Deer Valley Elementary School in Hoover] who also runs dance instruction business after school. I’ve always loved working with kids and helping them believe in themselves. Whether it’s in the classroom or the studio, care deeply about creating spaces where students feel seen, challenged and supported.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside school in your free time?

A: run Casanova Dance Instruction, where work with dancers ranging from elementary school to collegiate level. offer private lessons and prep clinics, especially for girls preparing for middle school, high school and college dance teams. absolutely love it. Dance has shaped so much who am, and being able to walk alongside these girls in their journey is such gift. also love spending time in the Word (Bible) and being with my family, my friends and my dog, Scooby. enjoy stayingactive andgoingto True40for Pilates,as well.

Q: How long have you been teaching at Deer Valley?

A: I’m currently in my second year there, and it has been such blessing. Fourth grade is such pivotal age. They’re still little, but they’re becoming independent thinkers, and I love watching their personalities, confidence andleadershipskills develop.

Q: Where did you attend college? Why did you decide to into education?

A: began my collegiate journeydancingat Auburn as Tiger Paw before transferring to the University Kentucky to continue dancing at the collegiate level. My experiences in college, especially navigating confidence, identity and growth, deeply shaped me. decided to go into education because realized how powerful

influence is during formative years.

Q: What is something that your students would be surprised to learn about you?

A: am quite sure that anything would surprise them with me. They might surprised to that wasn’t always confident. I’ve had seasons of self‑doubt, and that’s actually big part why I’m so passionate about helping them build confidence early.

Q: Did you have particular teacher that made impact you?

A: One who especially stands is Jemmie Clements, my former sixth grade science teacher. now have the incredible privilege of teaching alongside her at Deer Valley. She was my partner teacher last year, and it was such meaningful, full-circle moment to be reunited with someone who was not only my teacher but also mycheer coach.

Q: What is the most important lesson that you hope students learn from you?

A: they learn that who they are matters more than what they achieve. Yes, excellence is important. Yes, hard work matters. But their identity is found in performance, grades comparison. want them to know they are capable, resilient and uniquely created for purpose beyond academics. also they learn how to work hard even when things feel uncomfortable. Growth requires discomfort, and that lesson applies far beyondfourthgrade.

Q: What is next for you?

A: Right now, I’m fully focused growing both in the classroom and in my dance instruction business. It has been incredibly exciting to remain in the same grade level and content area for second year at Deer Valley. There is something so rewarding about being able to dig deeper, refine my craft and truly understand the content much deeper level. I’m also excited to continue building Casanova Dance Instruction and supporting dancers as they prepare for big milestones in their lives.

All-South Metro Basketball

Khloe Ford named Player of Year

By KYLE PARMLEY

Every high school basketball season has its own twists and turns (except for Hoover’s girls, who just keep winning). New players step andteams make magical runs. The 2025-26 season had both those, and the annual Under the Lights All-South Metro Basketball Team aims to highlight the top performers from anentertainingyear.

Hoover’s boys had their three-year state championship streak snapped, head coach Scott Ware took brand-new starting lineup back to the state final and is the Coach of the Year on the boys side. Briarwood’s Lorie Kerley is the Coach of the Year for the girls after leading the ady ions to the final four for the first time since 001.

Kaleb Carson continued his stellar senior year for Homewood. After winning Offensive Player the Year honors in football, is the boys Player of the Year after leading his Patriots to great campaign. In the girls Player the Year battle, Hoover’s Khloe Ford reasserted herself as the most dominant players in the state this year, while Chelsea’s Caroline Brown had fantastic year as well to lead retooled Chelsea team back to the final four.

Coaches of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover; Lorie Kerley,Briarwood Players of the Year: Kaleb Carson, Homewood Khloe Ford, Hoover Caroline Brown, Chelsea

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

Khloe Ford, Hoover: The Missouri

signee averaged 18 points and nine rebounds for the state champs.

Caroline Brown, Chelsea: Led the area in scoring with 18.4 points per game, leading her team tothe final four.

Maddie Walter, Mountain Brook: first-team selection for the second straight year, going for a double‑double with 1 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Emma Kerley, Briarwood: Led her team to the final four with 15 points and .5 rebounds per game.

Aaliyah Blanchard, Hoover: Made the first team again, finishing her career with 16 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

Ryleigh Martin, Hewitt-Trussville: The AB commit scored 15 points per game.

Kimora Brewster, Clay-Chalkville: Averaged 15 points per game for one of the top Class 6A squads.

Kristen Winston, Hoover: The freshman is the next star player for the Lady Bucs, going for 13 points and nearly six assists per game.

Avery Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the area with 81 3‑point makes this season.

Olivia Pryor, Chelsea: One of the top guards in the area, going for four assists and four steals eachgame.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

Caroline Kester, Oak Mountain: Capped off her career with 1 .5 points per game.

Emily Williams, John Carroll: Went for

SPORTS

points andnine rebounds eachnight.

Lauryn Holley, Hewitt-Trussville: Surpassed 1,000 points in her career with 15 points per game.

Ann Tatum Baker, Briarwood: Capped off tremendous career with 12 points per game as the LadyLions point guard.

Mackenzie Hale, Clay-Chalkville: Nearly had double-double each night, with points andnine boards.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

Chenelle Hunter, Spain Park; Sophia Lee, John Carroll; Juliann Bass, Chelsea; Devyn Hudson, Homewood; Lily Burch, John Carroll; Gabby Garcia, Chelsea; Lemmie Floyd, Chelsea; Kate Bakken, Mountain Brook; Zy Walker, Oak Mountain; Ella Grace Stricklin, Vestavia Hills; Lynlee Franks, Spain Park; Lane Crowe, Homewood; Marley Cowan, Vestavia Hills; TeaganHuey,SpainPark.

BOYS 1ST TEAM

Drew Mears, Briarwood: Led the area in scoring for the third straight year with 22 points per game.

Kaleb Carson, Homewood: Carried the Patriots to the regional final with 18 points and five rebounds per game.

Demar Hinton, Clay-Chalkville: One the top scorers in the area, finishing with

points per game.

Jackson Sheffield, Hoover: The Vanderbilt signee was force, averaging points andeight rebounds.

Emory Bear, Vestavia Hills: Despite missing time with an injury, finished with points andsevenrebounds.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

Johnny Towry, Vestavia Hills: Went for points and six rebounds to help the Rebels winthe area championship.

Patton Knight, Oak Mountain: Set Oak Mountain record with 81 3-point makes for the year.

Evan Moller, Chelsea: Led the Hornets with points and seven rebounds each game.

Trey Davis, Mountain Brook: The sharpshooter averaged12points per game.

Michael Glass, Hoover: The regional tournament MVP averaged 12 points per game.

BOYS 3RD

TEAM

Dalton Black, Hewitt-Trussville: The Huskies’ leading scorer went for 13 points eachcontest.

Tommy Morrison, Spain Park: Helped the Jags to strong season with 11.6 points and sixrebounds per game.

Charlie Caldwell, Briarwood: Averaged points per game for the Lions.

Blake Weise, John Carroll: Averaged 16 points andshot 45% from 3-point range.

Josh Wilkerson, Spain Park: Went for points eachnight.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

Kasen Lemons, Oak Mountain; Sam Fox, Spain Park; Rashad Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Sean Johnson, Chelsea; Gray Carrington, Oak Mountain; Braden Little, Mountain Brook; Jace Harden, Homewood; Messiah Millin, Hoover; Clay Mills, Oak Mountain; Harrison Stewart, Spain Park; Daniel Vinson, Homewood; Ryan Phelps, Hewitt-Trussville; Drew Vail, Homewood; Cooper Gann,SpainPark.

Jags finish 3rd at state wrestling

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Spain Park High School wrestling team had strong showing in the Class 6A state tournament, finishing third in the team competition on Feb. 14 in Huntsville.

Athens took home the title, with McAdory finishing second and Pell City and Mountain Brook finishing in the top five behind the Jags. Athens scored 173 points, McAdory posted 106 and Spain Park scored 94.6 points.

Competing for Spain Park: Seth Isaminger competed in the 106pound division.

JP Isaminger wrestled at 113 pounds and placed sixth.

London Ford won at 126 pounds.

Bradley Williams was victorious at 157 pounds.

Carlos Flores competed at 165 pounds.

Israel Anders was fourth at 175 pounds.

John Maaloouf finished fourth in 1 0 pounds.

Ford won four straight matches to win his division, beating Buckhorn’s Caleb Barry in the final. Williams finished off a 60‑0 season with three more wins, beating Pell City’s Talan McNutt in the final.

Hoover competed in the Class 7A state tournament as well, accumulating 35.5 points.

Wrestling for the Bucs: Brendon Chermer won match at 113 pounds.

Wyatt Gernenz placed fifth at 120 pounds.

Manuel Flores-Bueno won match at 126 pounds.

Mycah Martin competed at 144 pounds.

Adrien Lowe finished sixth at 150 pounds.

Sidney Frierson placed sixth at 157 pounds.

Jackson Averett won match at 165 pounds.

Jayden Mooneyham won match at 175 pounds.

Christian Barry competed at 190 pounds.

Matthew Humphrey won once at 215 pounds.

HOUSEHOLD DROP-OFF

April 25 8-11:30 AM

Household Hazardous Waste/ Electronics/TVs/Paper Shredding

Site 1: City of Bessemer Laydown Yard 1205 15th Ave N, Bessemer, 35020

Site 2: First Baptist Church of GardendaleSouth Location 940 Main St, Gardendale 35071

Site 3: Classic Car Motoring 3900 Grants Mill Rd, Irondale 35210

Electronics & TVs: Cable Boxes, Cameras, Cell phones, Computers, Cords, E-Cigarettes, Ink Toner, Cartridges, Laptops, Modems, Monitors, Printers, Remotes, Security Equipment, Small Appliances (co ee makers, hair dryers, irons, microwaves, toasters, vacuums)

Tablets, Televisions, Smart Watches, Vapes

Automotive: Batteries, Cleaners, Degreasers, Filters, Fluids, Fuel Additives, Gas, Oil, Rust Removers, and Tires without Rims – (8 tire limit)

Household: Aerosols, Batteries (every type), Ballasts, Chemicals, Cleaners, Fire Extinguishers, First Aid, Gas Cylinders, Light Bulbs/Tubes, Smoke Alarms

Mercury: Mercury and Mercury-Containing Items (thermometers, thermostats) Paint: Adhesives, Epoxy Fillers, Paints, Removers, Resins, Sealants, Stains, Solvents, Thinners, Turpentines, Varnishes, Wallpaper Cements

Large Appliances: Freezers, Machinery, Refrigerators, Water Heaters

*Rinsed Recyclables: Aluminum Cans, Glass Bottles, PET #1 and HDPE #2 Plastics

Items that are NEVER ACCEPTED

Asbestos, Explosives, Medical Waste, PCBs, Radioactive/Unidentified Materials

SPORTS

Not normal

Lady Bucs continue unprecedented dominance

By KYLE PARMLEY

What is there to say that hasn’t already been said?

Human nature gets bored with the status quo. People begin to dislike people and teams that win too much. They start rooting for the upset.

The Hoover High School girls basketball team enters every season and every game with target on its back. The Lady Bucs get everyone’s best shot. Upsetting them would be the equivalent of most teams winning championship.

The people that want to see the Lady Bucs go down will have to wait at least another year.

Hoover continued its run of unbelievable dominance March 7, winning sixth straight Class 7A state championship with 61-43 win over Bob Jones in the AHSAA State Finals at Legacy Arena.

It never gets old for Hoover head coach Krystle Johnson, who is always teeming with emotion at the postgame press conference.

“God is good,” she said. “This is not normal [to win six in row]. These girls work really hard. When you see how hard they work, you can’t help but to be happy for them.”

Throughout the game, the arena had sense of inevitability hanging in the air. Onlookers knew what was coming. But what has made Hoover so good and so strong is the fact that Johnson never lets that feeling seep into the locker room.

This is more than special player or talented class of players. It’s run of greatness that extends far beyond both of those. Hoover brought back one of its own when it hired Johnson in 2016. She led the Lady Bucs to state title her first year leading the program that she played for and helped win its maiden championship in 2001.

Since then and aside from Spain Park winning 7A in 2018 and 2020, no one has slowed down

the Lady Bucs’ run. There is no apparent end in sight as long as Johnson is running the program the way she does, instilling discipline and confidence in her players simultaneously.

“They know they have people that doubt them,” Johnson said. “There are people that don’t like us because we win. The phone is about to start ringing, but please know Hoover rebuilds. It’s the same girls in the gym working hard and it’s going to happen again.”

Khloe Ford was unstoppable on the night, going for 29 points and 10 rebounds. Her coach calls her the most “dominant” player in the state. Ford was injured last season, so this year’s state championship was even more special to her.

“It was pretty emotional because really didn’t want to come out of the game,” she said. “I knew it was going to end, but didn’t really want it to end. Last year didn’t get to play here, but now that I’m playing here, it feels so good.”

Kristen Winston, freshman guard with SEC offers already, finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Senior

Aaliyah Blanchard posted nine points in her final contest.

Ford, Blanchard, Chasity Johnson, Kayla Maxwell and Akeera Sparks will conclude their time at Hoover knowing nothing other than basking in the glow of state championship.

“I love this team so much,” Blanchard said.

“We have so many memories built within the team and with past teammates and to have people watching us who built the legacy that was here before us. It’s been blessing to play under the Hoover name.”

Ford and Blanchard are two of the team’s five seniors this year. Their loss will be felt significantly, but freshman Kristen Winston seems more than ready to take the torch and be the next superstar to wear the Hoover uniform.

Like Johnson said, Hoover rebuilds.

“For sure,” Johnson said, when asked if Winston was ready to have the torch passed to her.

“She’s not alone, either. People need to know that.”

It doesn’t sound like the story is finished just yet.

BOYS TEAM’S RUN ENDS IN STATE FINAL

The story of the 2025-26 season didn’t end the way the Hoover boys basketball team hoped, but head coach Scott Ware is no less proud of

this year’s team than the last three, which won Class 7A state titles.

Hoover fell to Tuscaloosa County 65‑54, finishing as the 7A state runner-up in the AHSAA State Finals.

The loss ended the Bucs’ streak of three straight state championships.

“One game doesn’t define who you are,” Ware said following the game. “It doesn’t define this team and who these guys are. Nobody gave these guys shot. Nobody.”

Full coverage of the boys’ playoff run can be found at hooversun.com/sports.

New 5K to support families dealing with stillbirth

By KEYSHA DREXEL

By now, Hannah Hardy should have shared year milestones with her daughter — the first laugh, the first step, the first birthday.

But instead of planning Anna Charlotte’s first birthday party, the 30‑year‑old Shelby County mother is planning an inaugural community event aimed at supporting other families dealing with the heartbreak stillbirth.

The first Anna’s Arms Butterfly 5K will be from to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 1 , at Veterans Park, on Valleydale Road near Spain Park High School.

“I wanted to do something to celebrate what would have been her first birthday and at the same time, reach out and put my arms around other mothers and other families who have been devastated by stillbirth,” said Hardy, who teaches first grade at Rocky Ridge Elementary.

This time last year, Hardy and her husband, Samuel, who is a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, were preparing their daughter, Emma, who was 1 months old at the time, to be big sister, excited to make their family of three family four.

“Emma was so excited to meet Anna, to have baby sister,” Hardy said. “We had savings account opened for her and her first isney trip planned. We had her name on her bedroom door. We had Anna’s going‑home outfits picked out and ready.”

But the family never got to bring Anna home.

What had been a “completely normal and boring pregnancy” took a tragic turn shortly after Hardy’s 3 ‑week doctor’s appointment.

“We were all dressed up in our Sunday

best getting Easter pictures made, and I noticed that I hadn’t felt Anna move, and it scared me, so we went to the emergency room,” Hardysaid.

Tests revealed that Anna’s heart had stopped.

“We were just in shock, just devastated. We couldn’t believe it was happening,” Hardysaid.

Labor was induced, and Hardy delivered her stillborndaughter.

“It looked like she was just perfect. The cord was around her neck; the cord was not knotted. It just looked like she was sleeping,” Hardysaid.

The family held Anna for a long time after the delivery, singing to her, talking to her and telling her how much she would always loved, Hardysaid.

While she was thankful to be able to hold Anna for a few hours after the delivery, Hardy said she will never get over empty her arms felt once she had to bury her baby.

“That’s why I started Anna’s Arms, why I’m doing the 5K and butterfly release,” Hardy said, “I want other people going through this to feel supported, to feel hope.”

The event will also raise money for bereavement boxes Hardy puts together for grieving parents of stillborn babies.

Hardy said she hopes to make Anna’s Arms Butterfly 5K an annual event that helps to fund research on what causes stillbirth, which she said affects one in 1 5 pregnancies in the nited States.

The 40 registration fee for Anna’s Arms Butterfly 5K includes a race entry, a race T-shirt, swag bag, light refreshments and a butterfly for the release ceremony.

To register for more information, visit annasarms.org.

After losing her stillborn daughter Anna, Rocky Ridge Elementary School teacher Hannah Hardy is honoring what would have been her rst birthda by organizing the inaugural Anna’s Arms tter to support and bring hope to other families affected by stillbirth.Here, Hardy is shown in a maternity photo with her husband, Samuel, and daughter, Emma. Photo courtesy of Hannah Hardy.

Louisiana native stirs the pot for Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil

By BRYAN BRASHER

As a ouisiana native and lifelong crawfish connoisseur, John Hein won’t even venture a guess about how many crawfish he’s boiled through the years.

“Goodness,” he says, laughing at the enormity of the question. “I couldn’t even give you a ballpark number.”

What Hein does know is it would be measured in tons — and he’ll be boiling more tons for this year’s 18th annual Hope for Autumn Crawfish Bowl. The event, which is set for 3‑ p.m. on April 5 at Ross Bridge on the Green, will benefit the Hope for Autumn Foundation, which provides support to families facing childhood cancer.

“I was born in afayette, ouisiana, and my mother was born in Breaux Bridge, ouisiana., the self‑imposed crawfish capital of the world,” said Hein, a Hurricane Katrina survivor who relocated to Hoover more than two decades ago. “Crawfish were about all we ate.”

The Hope for Autumn Foundation was partially the brainchild of Amanda Knerr and was named for a young cancer victim named Autumn. It started as a backyard crawfish boil in 006. But when Knerr moved to Birmingham in the early 010s, her own daughter, Emily, was fighting a battle against ovarian cancer.

That’s when the true foundation was born.

“Autumn is a time of things dying off,” Knerr said. “But it’s also a time when things are turning gold, and when Emily was in the hospital, she wrote a book about things turning gold. I knew then I wanted to do something.”

Enter Hein, the crawfish master.

As one of several money‑raising events held by the Hope for Autumn Foundation each year, the crawfish boil has helped thousands of

families with not only medical expenses but the kind of logistical expenses that insurance doesn’t touch.

From helping two to three families a year, the boil and other charitable events have expanded to helping two to three families per week.

“We started out boiling about 400 to 500 pounds of crawfish a year, and even then, my hands were sore when I was done because I just didn’t have the equipment I needed,” said Hein, who drives for PS. “I have a nephew that really jumped in and started to help the organization 10 years ago. He knew a bunch

of people and they helped construct more pots. We started adding on.”

This year’s goal: 5,000 pounds.

“We’ll go on a Thursday, rent a truck, use foam boards to insulate the crawfish and ice them down as we go,” Hein said. “We found a mom‑and‑pop dealer in ouisiana, and they are more than happy to help us. They’ll be as fresh as you can get in this part of the world.”

Tickets are 50 for adults and 0 for children ages 5 to 1 . That includes all the crawfish you can eat, plus hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings. Pepsi products will be available, along with a full afternoon of kids’

activities, including bounce houses, balloon animals, hula hoops and face painting. There will also be live music by Pioneer Chicken Stand and The ivines.

Hein might be the chef behind the glorious Cajun tastes and smells, but he’s quick to point out it’s not his show.

“I have family members and friends help out and even local high schoolers who get their service points by helping us,” Hein said. “As for me, I’m just trying to bring some of the festive attitude of ouisiana here for a good cause.

“We’re doing God’s work — helping people who can’t help themselves.”

To purchase tickets for the Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil, visit hopeforautumnfoundation.org. The site also contains information on the foundation’s mission and other benefits and ways to donate throughout the year.

EVENTS

Save the Date

HIGH COUNTRY 5K

Where: Bluff Park community; race starts and ends at Shades Crest Baptist Church, 452 Park Ave.

When: Saturday, April 11, 8 a.m. (elementary school race will have delayed start)

Details: Shades Crest Baptist Church organizes this 3.1-mile race through the streets of Bluff Park. This is the 23nd annual race and will include a medal ceremony and free pancake breakfast immediately after the race. Cost: $35 through April 10; $40 on race day; $10 for students grades K-5

More info: runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Hoover/HighCountry5Kand1MileFunRun or email matt.bearden@regions. com.

CELEBRATE HOOVER DAY

Where: Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road

When: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Details: This celebration will include live music, carnival rides, food trucks, inflatables, a Euro Bungee, karate demonstrations, soccer activities, a braid bar by Aveda, singing by Miss Hoover Ali Mims, a twirling performance by Miss Hoover’s Teen Grier Feldman, a food drive organized by Leadership Hoover, and a vendor area for artists and other goods. Cost: Admission and activities will be free; food will be available for purchase. More info: hooveralabama.gov/366/ Celebrate-Hoover-Day

HOOVER HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY

Where: Hoover Public Safety Center, 2020 Valleydale Road

When: Saturday, April 11; 8 a.m.-noon

Details: Residents of Hoover and Indian Springs Village can drop off household hazardous waste including old paint, tires, pesticides, fertilizers, electronics, ammunition, firearms, medication, cooking oil, auto fluids, batteries and light bulbs. There will not be paper shredding at this event. Proof of residency required, such as driver’s license or other photo ID with address.

Cost: Free

More info: hooveralabama.gov/309/ Household-Hazardous-Waste-Day

THE PEKING ACROBATS

Where: Hoover Library Theatre

When: April 15-16, 7 p.m.

Details: This show, which is part of the Library Theatre’s 2025-26 season, is rooted in time-honored and ancient history and accompanied by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments. Each generation of acrobats adds its own improvements and embellishments to the show, which includes balancing, trick cycling, precision tumbling, juggling and somersaulting while integrating 21st century technology.

Cost: $40

More info: thelibrarytheatre.com

Jefferson County Homeowners

PATTON CREEK FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Where: Patton Creek Shopping Center, 4391 Creekside Ave. When: April 11-12; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Details: Fifty artists and craftspeople will showcase and sell their work. The show will include multiple mediums such as paintings, pottery, jewelry, metalwork, photography, woodwork, fiber art, glass art and mixed media. The show is put on by the Central Alabama Artist Guild. Food trucks will be on site.

Cost: Free More info: caag.site

DIABETES WALK FOR CAMP SEALE HARRIS

Where: Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road

When: Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m. to noon

Details: This walk, which includes 1-mile and 3.1-mile options, is a fundraiser by the Southeastern Diabetes Education Services for Camp Seale Harris, which provides day camps and summer camps designed specifically for children with Type I diabetes. Walkers are encouraged to get people to sponsor them to raise money for the nonprofit.

Cost: Free; donations encouraged. More info: campsealeharris.org/programs/diabetes-walks

KIWANIS CLUB OF HOOVER-METRO CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

Where: Riverchase Country Club, 2000 Club Road

When: Monday, April 13, lunch at 11 a.m.; shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Details: Proceeds will benefit SafeHouse of Shelby County, Maranathan Academy, Vineyard Family Services and Restoration Academy. Each player will receive a gift bag, and complimentary drinks will be available.

Cost: $225 (includes lunch, green fees and cart fees); mulligans and sandies available for $5 each More info: Contact tournament chairman Dale Boehm at 205-529-5668 or daleboehm54@gmail.com

STARDOME COMEDY CLUB

April 1: Grits and Eggs Podcast: The First Cousins Tour, 7:30 p.m.

April 3-4: Dave Attell, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday

April 4: Jack Grady, 4 p.m.

April 9: Crash Dummies, 7:30 p.m.

April 10-11: Becky Robinson, 7 p.m. Friday; 6 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday

April 12: Scuffed Realtor Live, 7 p.m.

April 15: Kevin James Thornton, 7:30 p.m.

April 17-19: Desi Banks, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday

April 17-19: Chris O’Connor, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday

April 21: Mary Ryan Brown, 8 p.m.

April 23-25: Sam Salem, 8 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday

Miss Hoover Grier Feldman

By JON ANDERSON

Grier Feldman has been twirling baton since she was years old and competing since she was and at age she gets to take that talent to the Miss America’s Teen competitioninOrlandoinSeptember.

Feldman, senior at Oak Mountain High School who lives in the Sterrett community and who has been serving as Miss Hoover’s Teen since July, captured the Miss Alabama’s Teen crownandtitle March8.

It was her fifth time competing in the Miss Alabama’s Teen competition and turned out to be her year. It also marked the second time in three years Miss Hoover has won the contest.

“I’m just so excited and so grateful for this opportunity,” Feldman said. She has worked very hard to get to this point and is thankful for all the Miss America organization has taught her over the years. She is naturally an introvert and years ago was very shy, but the Miss America organization has helped her overcome that, she said. “I m so confident now.”

Feldman was among 38 contestants vying for the crown at the Thompson High School Performing Arts Center in Alabaster.

Before capturing the state title, she scored preliminary wins in both the evening gown and talent categories. She also won the community service award for her efforts to bringjoyand to childrenbattlingcancer.

Feldman was inspired by a family friend’s battle with leukemia when she was just 4 years old, and she officially launched her State of ove Foundation 501 c 3 nonprofit at age Through donations, partnerships with local organizations and community outreach, Feldman provides support to pediatric cancer patients while raising awareness about childhoodcancer.

“Grier is one of the hardest‑working girls I know,” said Julie Bentley, director of the Miss Hoover Foundation. “She’s very deserving. It’s just nice when good things happen to good people.”

Feldman is very passionate about battling childhood cancer, Bentley said. She has not only worked to raise money

but also has worked with amar Advertising this September to put billboards all across the nited States and Canada highlighting childhood cancer. She also is working with U.S. Sen. Katie Britt on legislation to increase federal funding to battle childhood cancer and planning her next sit-up challenge, in which she gets 30 celebrities to do 5 sit‑ups each as part of a cancer awareness campaign.

By winning Miss Alabama s Teen, Feldman qualifies for a four‑year full‑tuition scholarship to Auburn, and she was offered full‑tuition scholarships to numerous other universities. She also receives a ,500 scholarship for winning Miss Alabama’s Teen, as well as a 500 scholarship for winning the community service award, 350 for winning her talent preliminary and 50 for winning her evening gownpreliminary.

She plans to pursue double major in college in elementary education and business management at Auburn and to try out for the Tiger Eyes majorette line in April. She already is the Teen USA baton twirling team and will trying out for it again in July of this year to be part of the SA team that will compete in August 0 at the International Baton TwirlingFederationworldcompetition.

At Miss Alabama’s Teen, she performed for 0 seconds to a medley from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and plans to do the same routine at Miss America’s Teen,she said.

Feldman previously served as Miss Jefferson County’s Teen 0 5, Miss Shelby County’s Teen 0 4, Miss Appalachian Valley’s Outstanding Teen 0 3 and Miss ee County Fair’s Outstanding Teen 0 .

This could be turned into a box or at end of story: Here is the complete top five for Miss Alabama’s Teen 0 6: Miss Alabama’s Teen Grier Feldman Miss Hoover’s Teen

First runner‑up: Cambree Crumpton, Miss Iron City

Second runner‑up: Maddie Rasco, Miss Jefferson County

Third runner‑up: Ella Birdsong, Miss Irondale a sophomore at Spain Park High School

Fourth runner‑up: Kate Hendon, Miss Oak Mountain

LIFE

For Hoover area beekeeper, the hive is holy ground

By KELLI S.HEWETT

On a good spring day, you can find Paul Garris standing over his hives in North Shelby County, suited up, veil down, quietly humming old church hymns while thousands of bees rise and fall in a soft, steady chorus.

“When I’m working those bees, I usually have some spiritual song in my head, and sometimes I’m humming that,” Garris said. “I like the old hymns … ‘How Great Thou Art,’ ‘Amazing Grace.’”

The bees don’t seem to mind. If anything, they’ve become partners in his prayer life.

“These are something that God created that are so unique and beautiful,” he said. “It helps you really connect with nature. And in my personal view, if you’re connecting with nature, you’re connecting with God because God created it, and He is in it.”

Garris, who lives in the North Shelby County Hoover area, didn’t start out chasing that kind of connection. About 10 years ago, his oldest son, Jacob, talked him into trying beekeeping as a father‑son project.

“The more I got into it, the more interesting and challenging it became,” he said. “Every time you think you got them figured out, they teach you something new.”

The bees have reshaped more than Garris’ schedule.

“You learn to be patient and go with the flow with them, which is helpful to dealing with people, too,” he said. “I’m a doer person. I want to get things done. They taught me, hey, you’ve got to be patient. You got to go with the flow,

and don’t just try to impose your will on them. I tried that early on. They made me pay for it.”

For the man behind Redemption Realty — his real estate business that specializes in properties that “need to be redeemed” — the bees have become another quiet lesson in what it means to heal, to be patient and to make something good again — one small act at a time.

The payoff shows up in small, sweet moments far from the bee yard — usually when a jar of his honey changes hands.

“It’s a great way to make friends, influence people, right?” Garris said with a laugh. “I get more from it personally — being able to bless a person that way.”

Kelley Frederick of the Shelby County Beekeepers Association said her organization is one of the fastest growing in the state — a range of men and women from all backgrounds, as well as young adults, teens and kids. She said they all share an appreciation for the creatures. And that results in relationships far beyond “insects.”

“The bees themselves are like our family,” said Kelley, who judges major honey shows and teaches the SCBA’s seven‑week beginner beekeeper class. “They’re like our pets, so to speak. We spend hours when we work our bees … there’s some solitude in that. And you know, it’s almost spiritual.”

The Shelby County Beekeepers Association meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Heardmont Park’s Senior Community Center, 5458 Cahaba Valley Road. More information is available at shelbycobeekeepers. wixsite.com/shelby‑county‑beekee.