Calendar of events

Well, May-cember is here. Every year, it seems May gets busier, and it just feels like it’s as busy (or busier) than December! That’s a good thing, though. Hoover is a community with TONS going on for just about anyone.

May
May 1: First Saturday Cruise In at Hoover Tactical Fire Arms from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Hosted by the Dixie Vintage Antique Automobile Club, the cruise in features antique and vintage cars in the Hoover Tactical Fire Arms parking lot on Highway 31. Talk with owners, listen to oldies music and sip complimentary coffee.

May 4: Donor Dash for Life 5K at Veterans Park at 8:00 a.m.
Presented by Donate Life Alabama, this 5th annual run benefits organ, eye and tissue donation awareness programs throughout the state. Register at donatelifealabama.org.

May 6-8: Scholastic Book Fair at Hoover Public Library from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
A book lover's dream come true! Families are invited to shop the fair daily to find their new favorite summer read and more.

May 7: Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency at 7:30 a.m.
Featuring guest speaker and Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze, the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast brings elected officials, religious leaders, business leaders and the community at large together for a faith-based event. Tickets and tables are available at thelibrarytheatre.com.

May 7: Mother's Day Market at Brock's Gap Brewery from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Find the perfect gift for mom made by local vendors and artists. Enjoy drinks from the brewery and grab dinner from some of Hoover's favorite food trucks.

May 8-12: Regions Tradition at Greystone Country Club
Experience PGA Championship history at the Regions Tradition. Now in its 35th year, this premier golf event features legends of golf as they compete in one of the Champions Tour’s majors. Find details on admission, times and more at regionstradition.com.

May 17: Flower Market Farmer's Market at Ross Bridge from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Ross Bridge's first farmer's market of the summer season takes on a floral theme. Shop local vendors, including farm fresh produce, food, and handmade goods. Then, grab dinner from one of several food trucks and listen to live music on the green space.

May 21-26: SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met
The road to Omaha begins in Hoover! The top 12 teams in the SEC will play for the title of SEC Champion at the Hoover Met. For game times and admission, go to secsports.com.

May 24: Summer Reading Kickoff at Hoover Public Library from 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.
The summer reading program offers incentives and prizes for avid young readers. Come to the official kickoff for games, snacks, crafts and mini-concerts with Roger Day every 30 minutes!

Restaurant feature

Have you recently been craving a perfectly-crafted sandwich with layers of yummy goodness? If so, you must familiarize yourself with The Electric. 

The Electric is a neighborhood watering hole and restaurant created by husband and wife team Ben and Laura Smith. The Smiths are service industry veterans and knew they wanted to provide the Bluff Park area with a great place to relax, have a great meal, and enjoy a cold beverage. 

Roughly seven years ago, Ben and Laura moved to Bluff Park. They love their community, and The Electric was born out of a desire to provide the neighbors with something unique and special. 

If you’ve never tried The Electric, schedule a visit for your next evening out. During the spring and summer seasons, you can catch live music by various musicians and grab one of their signature cocktails. You can keep up with current specials and the latest music schedule on Instagram at theelectricbp. 

Trivia lovers can find their own home at The Electric. Each Tuesday, trivia is hosted by brothers Will and Reed Lochamy (pronounced Lock-a-me), on a rotating basis. 

Does the sound of turkey, bacon, provolone,"205" mustard, lettuce, and tomato on locally-made sourdough excite you? Then “the Henkel” is calling your name.

Maybe chicken, cheddar, white BBQ sauce, tomato, and balsamic greens on Hinkel's sourdough is more your speed? Be sure to order the Camilla (a favorite of Enjoy Hoover publisher Matthew Allen).

Italian lovers will be thrilled with the T.G. - ham, pepperoni, family slaw, and garlic mayo on a brioche bun. 

Weekly specials are always on the menu at The Electric. Check with the restaurant and follow their social channels for more information. Online ordering is available for pickup and delivery is an option through DoorDash. If you need superb sandwiches for a crowd, consider The Electric for all your catering needs. 

AD SPOT: Bluff Park Community Reader

The second issue of the Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader is here, and people all over Bluff Park are talking about it! Maybe it was the interview with Bluff Park artist and Zentangle master Darla Williamson; the chat with Rev. Marge Doyle of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church; Kevin Russell’s top 5 gardening tips; or the dozens of photos of people from around the community. Want to read the entire issue? Follow the Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader on Facebook or Instagram for all the details!

SUMMER CAMPS

Summer camp is not like it was in the good ol’ days. It’s much, much better! From music lessons and dancing to basketball and arts and crafts, “camp” is much more than, well, camping. Check out some of Hoover’s most popular summer camps for children and see what makes each one special!

Aldridge Gardens

Aldridge Gardens camps are available for boys and girls entering kindergarten through 3rd grade. Camps take place from June 3–June 28 in four categories: Art in the Gardens, Technology and Design, All Things Creative, and the American Girl Doll camp. Camps are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Snacks and water will be provided. Pre-registration is required.

“All camps are led by Alabama Certified Teachers in the beautiful outdoor classroom of Aldridge Gardens,” said Megan Jones, education and volunteer coordinator for the City of Hoover.

For more information, call (205) 739-6558 or go to www.aldridgegardens.com.

Hoover YMCA

At the Hoover YMCA, campers get to choose from a variety of games, crafts, or activities.

For an extra fee, campers can also take swimming lessons during the camp day. Unlike many other camps, the YMCA camp day runs from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with before and after care included in the cost for working families who need convenience and flexibility.

“Our camp offers special clubs and workshops for older campers, allowing them to explore their passions, try something new and gain independence in choosing how to spend portions of their camp day,” said Kayla Buckner, marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Greater Birmingham. “Younger campers enjoy the same group counselor and group each week, giving them confidence and allowing them to build friendships.”

Buckner said The YMCA takes pride in being a quality, affordable and accessible summer camp for families of all circumstances.

“Financial assistance is available, and all levels of need are considered,”

For more information, call 205-829-1399 or go to www.ymcabham.org/summer-day-camp.

Hoover’s BEST
“We are all about providing the best experiences for our summer campers,” said owner Cameron White. “Our goal is to help them become the best versions of themselves both mentally and physically.” In addition to traditional activities like outdoor sports (including flag football and soccer,) educational lessons, and arts and crafts, Hoover’s Best offers martial arts, 3D modeling, science and dance and tumbling classes.

For more information, call (205) 988-4200 or go to www.hooversummercamp.com.

Mason Music
At Mason Music, campers play real instruments while learning fundamental music concepts. Camps include Singing Safari for preschoolers, Guitar Camp for Beginners (ages 10–15), and Vocal Performance Camp, where your child can learn about voice, diction, how to prepare for auditions and record themselves singing! The Rock Band Camps are for children ages 10–18 who already play an instrument; they’re paced with other kids to form a “band” and learn to play their favorite songs!

For more information, call (205) 582-2238 or go to masonmusic.com.

J Smith Hoops

J Smith International provides superior instruction dedicated to improving and developing the basketball – and social skills – of players of all ages.

Founded by a family with a passion for basketball (all five Smith siblings received full basketball scholarships!), J Smith Hoops has been home to thousands of young campers from all over the world!

The camp offers a 4-day program with options for all ages and experience levels. J Smith Hoops Basketball Camp, which offers full and half-day camps,  is June 24–27, and the Smokin’ Joe’s Basketball Camp is July 29–August 1. All camps are at the Finley Center at the Hoover Met Complex.

“We have a unique way of engaging campers in learning the fundamentals, how to play the game, and how to compete. No matter the skill level, we find ways to make sure campers are challenged in all camp activities,” said director Jason Smith. “Our goal is to light that fire inside to make the player want to go home and practice more. With JSH camps, campers will have so much fun that they forget they are learning.”

For more information, go to www.jsmithhoops.com.

AD SPOT – JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (use same ad as the previous podcast)

ADVICE FROM SENIORS

May marks high school graduation for seniors at Hoover High School and Spain Park High School. We visited with members of the Class of 2024 and asked them to share their favorite high school memories and advice for rising freshmen.

Jeries L., Hoover High School (I think this is pronounced like Jarius)

The four years of high school are the most vital years of anyone's life. The person that someone is 5, 10, 20, or even 50 years down the road is all dependent on the choices that one makes in high school. High school is the time when many of us gain the most independence: we learn to drive, we have to stand up for ourselves both personally and academically, and we are held responsible for our own actions. We lay the foundation of our personality, work ethic, motivations, and most importantly, character during these years. It is a time of having fun and enjoying life, but also a period of becoming the person that we want to be.

Sutton L., Hoover High School

Throughout my four years at Hoover High School, the amount of love and support received from my teachers and the administration has been overwhelming. I have had too many teachers to count who have made a significant impact on my life. There is one teacher in particular that comes to mind when I think about this. My sophomore year, my mom was going through some health issues. There was not a single day that went by that year that this teacher did not ask me how my mom was doing. It is little things like this from teachers at Hoover that add up. They have made my four years here some that I will never forget!

Tatum A., Spain Park High School

Being able to form relationships and journey through life with my friends, teachers, and coaches at Spain Park will be what I miss most about high school. Time will come and go, but the people I’ve crossed paths with are eternal, and they have made the past four years so special. Praise Jesus for this, and all He’s done!

Madelyn R., Hoover High School

My biggest advice for an incoming freshman would be to get involved! Hoover has provided me with so many opportunities to meet new people through involvement within the school and I could not be more grateful! I have been able to connect with so many peers through various organizations that I never would have met otherwise and these relationships are something that I will always cherish about my time in high school! 

Auryn T., Spain Park High School

My favorite Spain Park memory is when our 2021-22 Spain Park Girls Soccer team

won State. My advice for incoming freshman is to do all of their assignments on time

because those little points add up.

McKenzie B., Hoover High School

Starting as a timid freshman, the vastness of Hoover High School initially overwhelmed me. Yet, It is within this expansive campus that I have developed an appreciation for the network it offers. Hoover High has allowed me to connect with a diverse array of individuals. And as I am surrounded by thousands of peers who aspire to be physicians, attorneys, engineers, business owners, and much more, I am continually inspired. As I prepare to pursue higher education and step into the professional world, I'm deeply grateful for the expansive network that Hoover High has provided, ensuring that wherever I go, I'll have a support system cheering me on.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.