1 00:00:05,110 --> 00:00:09,610 S1: From the Enjoy Hoover Studios. This is the Enjoy Hoover Podcast, 2 00:00:09,610 --> 00:00:13,210 S1: your monthly guide to news and exciting events, all with 3 00:00:13,210 --> 00:00:17,079 S1: big city style. With a small town feel. Everyone is 4 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:21,070 S1: welcome here to our small, enticing piece of Alabama. So 5 00:00:21,070 --> 00:00:23,320 S1: welcome you all to enjoy Hoover! 6 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,529 S2: Hello and welcome to the Enjoy Hoover Podcast. My name 7 00:00:26,530 --> 00:00:29,200 S2: is Melissa Carter and we're so glad you're here. I'm 8 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,240 S2: going to start with all the things going on this 9 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:34,750 S2: month because April is packed with incredible events in Hoover. 10 00:00:36,010 --> 00:00:39,700 S2: Let's start with the Dixie Vintage Antique Automobile Club first 11 00:00:39,700 --> 00:00:42,459 S2: Saturday cruise on April 6th. It goes from 7 a.m. 12 00:00:42,460 --> 00:00:46,780 S2: until noon at Hoover Tactical Firearms. Now, vintage car lovers 13 00:00:46,780 --> 00:00:50,199 S2: will enjoy checking out this family friendly event featuring the 14 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:54,220 S2: restored and preserved rise of Alabama's oldest car club. On 15 00:00:54,220 --> 00:00:57,100 S2: April 8th, it's helping hands from 3 to 8 p.m. 16 00:00:57,100 --> 00:01:00,130 S2: at Hoover Public Library. Teens and adults are invited to 17 00:01:00,130 --> 00:01:03,220 S2: drop in on this monthly volunteer session to help roll 18 00:01:03,220 --> 00:01:06,640 S2: newspapers for the local humane society. Please come to the 19 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:11,110 S2: nonfiction area to participate on April 20th. It's family art 20 00:01:11,110 --> 00:01:14,500 S2: from 2 to 4 at the Hoover Public Library. Children 21 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:16,990 S2: and their grownups are invited to work together to create 22 00:01:16,990 --> 00:01:19,870 S2: a collaborative art piece. This event will be held in 23 00:01:19,870 --> 00:01:26,900 S2: the youth program room. On April 27th. Celebrate Hoover Day 24 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:30,410 S2: from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Veterans Park. This 25 00:01:30,410 --> 00:01:34,670 S2: annual citywide celebration draws more than 10,000 residents from all 26 00:01:34,670 --> 00:01:39,050 S2: ages for carnival rides, live entertainment and a petting zoo. Plus, 27 00:01:39,050 --> 00:01:41,539 S2: you got a Kid Zone ice cream and the largest 28 00:01:41,540 --> 00:01:45,500 S2: apple pie you have ever seen. And this event is 29 00:01:45,500 --> 00:01:50,150 S2: free and open to the public. On April 27th, it's 30 00:01:50,150 --> 00:01:53,480 S2: hope for autumn crawfish boil from 3 to 9 p.m. 31 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,290 S2: in Ross Bridge. Join more than 2000 attendees for this 32 00:01:57,290 --> 00:02:01,910 S2: annual event, benefiting Alabama families that are battling childhood cancer. 33 00:02:01,940 --> 00:02:05,960 S2: Admission includes all you can eat crawfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, 34 00:02:05,960 --> 00:02:12,260 S2: non-alcoholic beverages, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, and live entertainment. 35 00:02:12,290 --> 00:02:17,570 S2: Tickets can be purchased at Hope for Autumn foundation.org, and 36 00:02:17,570 --> 00:02:20,750 S2: on April 19th, it's denim and dining at 6 p.m. 37 00:02:20,750 --> 00:02:24,110 S2: at Aldridge Gardens. This casual event is the largest annual 38 00:02:24,110 --> 00:02:27,950 S2: fundraiser for the Hoover City Schools Foundation. It features local 39 00:02:27,950 --> 00:02:32,450 S2: barbecue music and live and silent auctions. Proceeds support grants 40 00:02:32,450 --> 00:02:35,930 S2: for special programs in the city's 17 schools, and tickets 41 00:02:35,930 --> 00:02:40,940 S2: are available at Hoover csf.org/events. 42 00:02:41,389 --> 00:02:43,940 S3: If you live and play in Bluff Park, you know 43 00:02:43,940 --> 00:02:47,480 S3: it's a special community. GMC media is proud to announce 44 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,320 S3: its newest magazine, The Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader. This bimonthly 45 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,220 S3: magazine is full of community news, information, photos, stories, and more. 46 00:02:55,220 --> 00:02:58,489 S3: Mailed every other month to homes and businesses in Bluff Park. 47 00:02:58,490 --> 00:03:00,890 S3: Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with 48 00:03:00,889 --> 00:03:02,780 S3: all that's going on. On the bluff. 49 00:03:03,620 --> 00:03:06,679 S2: In 2008, friends and relatives gathered for a small backyard 50 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:09,290 S2: crawfish boil to raise money for the family of a 51 00:03:09,290 --> 00:03:13,459 S2: little girl named Autumn, who is battling childhood leukemia. Autumn 52 00:03:13,460 --> 00:03:16,550 S2: was among the 190 children who were diagnosed with cancer 53 00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:20,330 S2: each year in Alabama. Understandably, a childhood cancer diagnosis is 54 00:03:20,330 --> 00:03:23,660 S2: challenging for a multitude of reasons, but in addition to 55 00:03:23,660 --> 00:03:27,019 S2: the newfound responsibility for caring for a sick child, families 56 00:03:27,020 --> 00:03:30,950 S2: often face financial obstacles as well, losing up to 40% 57 00:03:30,950 --> 00:03:33,410 S2: of their household income. If one parent needs to stop 58 00:03:33,410 --> 00:03:36,320 S2: working in order to ensure their child has around the 59 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,560 S2: clock care. Over the years, community support grew for autumn 60 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:43,280 S2: and the families in similar situations. In 2012. Hope for 61 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:47,480 S2: Autumn Foundation was officially founded as a 501 C3 public 62 00:03:47,480 --> 00:03:51,140 S2: charity to provide financial help to families, fund research and 63 00:03:51,140 --> 00:03:54,440 S2: spread awareness. Today, the foundation is gearing up for its 64 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,650 S2: largest annual fundraiser, a family friendly, all you can eat 65 00:03:57,650 --> 00:04:01,070 S2: crawfish boil held in a large green space on Grand 66 00:04:01,070 --> 00:04:04,930 S2: Avenue in Ross Bridge, scheduled for April 27th from 3 67 00:04:04,930 --> 00:04:08,330 S2: to 9 p.m.. The hope for autumn crawfish boil is 68 00:04:08,330 --> 00:04:13,280 S2: expected to raise around $200,000 for more than 2000 attendees 69 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:17,150 S2: and 60 sponsors. Amanda Neur, the executive director for Hope 70 00:04:17,150 --> 00:04:20,390 S2: for Autumn Foundation, says the funds from the crawfish boil 71 00:04:20,390 --> 00:04:24,710 S2: will directly support families battling childhood cancer in Alabama. And 72 00:04:24,710 --> 00:04:28,159 S2: as this signature event grows, so does the organization's ability 73 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:30,420 S2: to help. We used to be able to help 1 74 00:04:30,420 --> 00:04:33,530 S2: to 3 families one time per year every year, says Nour. 75 00:04:33,529 --> 00:04:37,760 S2: But now Hope for Autumn Foundation accepts financial assistance applications 76 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,360 S2: year round from families from the Alabama region, now in 77 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:46,070 S2: its 17th year. Guests can expect £4,500 of fresh crawfish 78 00:04:46,070 --> 00:04:50,510 S2: boil on site. Hamburgers, hot dogs and non-alcoholic beverages are 79 00:04:50,510 --> 00:04:53,990 S2: also included in the admission price. Admission is $50 for 80 00:04:53,990 --> 00:04:56,330 S2: those over 12 years old. If you're 5 to 12 81 00:04:56,330 --> 00:04:59,570 S2: is $20, and if you're under five, it's absolutely free. 82 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,810 S2: The boil has become a community social affair, with neighbors 83 00:05:02,810 --> 00:05:05,479 S2: pitching in to purchase a group tent to serve as 84 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,180 S2: their home base for the day. Tent rentals, which range 85 00:05:08,180 --> 00:05:12,020 S2: from 100 to $300, include a cooler with ice provided 86 00:05:12,020 --> 00:05:14,600 S2: on site, but all attendees are welcome to bring their 87 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:17,599 S2: own cooler, too. Chairs are available on a first come, 88 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:20,779 S2: first serve basis for an additional fee, and event sponsors 89 00:05:20,779 --> 00:05:25,310 S2: receive additional perks, including admission into a VIP tent. School 90 00:05:25,310 --> 00:05:28,279 S2: age children, even those who may not be crawfish fans, 91 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,670 S2: enjoy jumping in the bounce house and getting their faces painted, 92 00:05:31,670 --> 00:05:35,540 S2: both available at no additional cost while connecting with friends. 93 00:05:35,570 --> 00:05:37,909 S2: As the day unfolds, a large crowd forms around the 94 00:05:37,910 --> 00:05:41,150 S2: main stage to sing and dance along to live entertainment. 95 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:44,240 S2: This year's music lineup includes The Divines, who began as 96 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:47,779 S2: a local band, and whiskey River band, a country cover band. 97 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,779 S2: Proceeds from the boil will also support efforts to raise 98 00:05:50,779 --> 00:05:54,980 S2: awareness and promote research. Because raising awareness leads to funding 99 00:05:54,980 --> 00:05:58,220 S2: and funding leads to cures. In terms of research, Hope 100 00:05:58,220 --> 00:06:01,820 S2: for Autumn Foundation contributes to Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer 101 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:06,020 S2: and Blood Disorders Developmental Therapeutics Program, a cutting edge research 102 00:06:06,020 --> 00:06:09,740 S2: and treatment program located at Children's Hospital of Alabama. This 103 00:06:09,740 --> 00:06:13,400 S2: program serves the children with incurable cancers, providing treatments that 104 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:16,789 S2: are not widely available, says Nerv. For more information and 105 00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:20,000 S2: to purchase tickets, go to Hope for Autumn Foundation. Org. 106 00:06:20,029 --> 00:06:22,339 S2: Tickets will go on sale closer to the date of. 107 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:23,219 S2: The event. 108 00:06:23,580 --> 00:06:27,240 S1: For over 50 years, Jefferson State Community College has been 109 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,480 S1: a beacon of education in the Greater Birmingham area with 110 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:34,409 S1: a commitment of quality, convenience and personal attention. We've helped 111 00:06:34,410 --> 00:06:40,260 S1: over 15,000 students annually achieve their goals, offering 120 university 112 00:06:40,260 --> 00:06:44,880 S1: transfer programs, 33 career programs, and countless certificates across four 113 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,420 S1: campuses and online. We're one of the largest community colleges 114 00:06:48,420 --> 00:06:51,870 S1: in the state. At Jefferson State, we believe in accessible, 115 00:06:51,870 --> 00:06:55,979 S1: economical education. Find your place at Jefferson State, explore our 116 00:06:55,980 --> 00:06:59,310 S1: programs and let us help you accomplish your vision. Visit 117 00:06:59,310 --> 00:07:04,320 S1: Jefferson state.edu today. Explore our site and discover how Jefferson 118 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:08,430 S1: State can help you find your place. Your journey starts here. 119 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,930 S2: Obi, a Labrador Retriever, is a certified police dog serving 120 00:07:14,930 --> 00:07:17,960 S2: as a school resource officer at Hoover High School. He 121 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,990 S2: joined the Hoover Police Department in August of 2018, and 122 00:07:20,990 --> 00:07:24,440 S2: has been certified as a police dog for almost six years. 123 00:07:24,470 --> 00:07:26,900 S2: Now we sat down with Obie and his handler, Officer 124 00:07:26,900 --> 00:07:29,660 S2: Kyle Broll, for a behind the scenes look at a 125 00:07:29,660 --> 00:07:32,780 S2: life as part of the K9 unit. And here is 126 00:07:32,780 --> 00:07:35,239 S2: what Obie had to say. Obie, how did you get 127 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:35,870 S2: your name? 128 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:39,680 S4: I was named after Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. 129 00:07:39,710 --> 00:07:41,990 S4: I have a friend whose human partner is a huge 130 00:07:41,990 --> 00:07:45,410 S4: Star Wars fan, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is my favorite character. 131 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:48,470 S4: Interestingly enough, my friend's name is R2-d2. 132 00:07:48,500 --> 00:07:50,840 S2: Why were you chosen to be a police dog? 133 00:07:50,870 --> 00:07:53,090 S4: I was chosen to be a police dog because I 134 00:07:53,090 --> 00:07:57,110 S4: have high dog drives, a main driver hunt, retrieve prey, 135 00:07:57,110 --> 00:07:59,870 S4: train ability, and plane. This makes me a great candidate 136 00:07:59,870 --> 00:08:03,170 S4: for a working dog. My favorite job is playing, of course. 137 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:06,530 S2: Tell us more about your role as a school resource officer. 138 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:10,340 S4: My human officer, Kyle and I are both school resource officers. 139 00:08:10,370 --> 00:08:13,070 S4: My role is to support him by detecting drugs. I 140 00:08:13,070 --> 00:08:15,290 S4: also like to comfort children when they may need some 141 00:08:15,290 --> 00:08:17,540 S4: help or if they're having a bad day. I love 142 00:08:17,540 --> 00:08:20,390 S4: going to work every day at school. Everybody is so nice, 143 00:08:20,390 --> 00:08:22,250 S4: and I get plenty of belly rubs from each of 144 00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:25,100 S4: the teachers and students. They refer to us as Obi 145 00:08:25,100 --> 00:08:26,840 S4: and that guy that is with Obi. 146 00:08:27,050 --> 00:08:30,080 S2: What does it take to become a police dog? 147 00:08:30,230 --> 00:08:32,240 S4: To become a police dog? I had to work extra 148 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,640 S4: hard on my drives. I had to go through stressful 149 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,610 S4: classes throughout puppy hunt, my human partner and I had 150 00:08:37,610 --> 00:08:40,880 S4: to go through an intense four week drug detention course. I, 151 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:43,880 S4: of course, was already trained when my human partner came along, 152 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:45,410 S4: but we had to get to know each other and 153 00:08:45,410 --> 00:08:47,510 S4: learn how to work together. I had been through two 154 00:08:47,510 --> 00:08:50,059 S4: other courses prior to the two of us teaming up. 155 00:08:50,090 --> 00:08:52,790 S2: What do you like most about being a police dog? 156 00:08:52,790 --> 00:08:54,920 S4: What I like most about being a police dog is 157 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:57,290 S4: training with my human partner. We get to spend all 158 00:08:57,290 --> 00:09:00,260 S4: day together hunting and playing, and after training he usually 159 00:09:00,260 --> 00:09:01,819 S4: throws the ball for me to fetch. 160 00:09:01,850 --> 00:09:04,040 S2: What is your favorite treat? 161 00:09:04,070 --> 00:09:06,440 S4: My favorite treat is anything. I love all kinds of 162 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,990 S4: human food and dog treats. I have a buffet every 163 00:09:08,990 --> 00:09:12,140 S4: morning in the school courtyard eating food that the kids drop. 164 00:09:12,170 --> 00:09:13,550 S2: Tell us about your family. 165 00:09:13,580 --> 00:09:17,180 S4: My family consists of my partner, Officer Kyle, my mom Taylor, 166 00:09:17,179 --> 00:09:20,690 S4: my younger human brother Bryson, and my doggie sister, Skyler. 167 00:09:20,690 --> 00:09:23,059 S4: When I retire from the police department in a couple 168 00:09:23,059 --> 00:09:24,470 S4: of years, I get I get to spend the rest 169 00:09:24,470 --> 00:09:25,610 S4: of my life with them. 170 00:09:25,610 --> 00:09:28,579 S2: OBE. Tell us about some of your favorite things. 171 00:09:28,610 --> 00:09:31,280 S4: I enjoy waking my human up at 4 a.m. every 172 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:34,010 S4: day to be fed my breakfast. I also enjoy coming 173 00:09:34,010 --> 00:09:36,830 S4: to school and being treated like royalty. I love playing 174 00:09:36,830 --> 00:09:39,229 S4: fetch and being petted when I am tired. I probably 175 00:09:39,230 --> 00:09:41,690 S4: have the best job at all the dogs in my unit. 176 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:45,440 S2: We appreciate Oby taking the time to talk to enjoy Hoover. 177 00:09:47,580 --> 00:09:50,939 S2: We are so excited to have David Cohen with us 178 00:09:50,940 --> 00:09:54,059 S2: here on the podcast now. David, of course, is involved 179 00:09:54,059 --> 00:09:57,270 S2: with Enjoy Hoover Magazine. But also my favorite part is 180 00:09:57,270 --> 00:10:00,599 S2: the owner of the whole scoop ice cream shot. David, 181 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,130 S2: how are you? I am just. 182 00:10:02,130 --> 00:10:04,410 S5: Wonderful. Life is good. It's springtime. 183 00:10:04,410 --> 00:10:07,410 S2: We are going to talk about spring leading into summer 184 00:10:07,410 --> 00:10:09,990 S2: and some of the summer fun in Hoover. But first, 185 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:13,110 S2: I want to talk quickly about how you got involved 186 00:10:13,110 --> 00:10:14,850 S2: and enjoy Hoover Magazine. Well, you. 187 00:10:14,850 --> 00:10:16,559 S5: Know, Matthew and I have known each other for a 188 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,559 S5: long time. We did the Taste of Hoover kick off 189 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:22,110 S5: and he was in the magazine business. I was looking 190 00:10:22,110 --> 00:10:25,110 S5: for a venue and a vehicle to get everything going 191 00:10:25,110 --> 00:10:26,910 S5: in the city, and we thought it would be a 192 00:10:26,910 --> 00:10:29,699 S5: great time to showcase all of our local restaurants. So 193 00:10:29,700 --> 00:10:33,360 S5: that's when I met Matthew. Initially, him selling me advertising 194 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:36,209 S5: and enjoy Hoover is just a passion. I think if 195 00:10:36,210 --> 00:10:39,569 S5: you deem yourself a hospitality professional, which I do, and 196 00:10:39,570 --> 00:10:42,240 S5: in a local person who wants our city to grow 197 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:44,370 S5: and to benefit and to become all it can be, 198 00:10:44,370 --> 00:10:47,189 S5: you want more and more had to be more than 199 00:10:47,190 --> 00:10:49,230 S5: just my wonderful ice cream shop. It had to be 200 00:10:49,230 --> 00:10:52,140 S5: more and more for me was how do I help 201 00:10:52,140 --> 00:10:55,140 S5: showcase our restaurants? How do I help showcase all the 202 00:10:55,140 --> 00:10:58,830 S5: small businesses here who need and deserve the love? Many 203 00:10:58,830 --> 00:11:01,740 S5: of them are mom and pops, husbands and wives and 204 00:11:01,740 --> 00:11:04,140 S5: they're growing their business. They put it all out there 205 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:07,710 S5: and that's how Enjoy Hoover started. It's a passion. It's 206 00:11:07,710 --> 00:11:10,260 S5: not just about selling ad space, it's about telling the 207 00:11:10,260 --> 00:11:13,500 S5: story of who we are here and Hoover. And people 208 00:11:13,500 --> 00:11:15,209 S5: want to come here because I'd love to think they 209 00:11:15,210 --> 00:11:16,980 S5: come here for the ice cream shop. Oh, well. 210 00:11:16,980 --> 00:11:18,060 S2: You don't know that, David. 211 00:11:18,390 --> 00:11:21,900 S5: Well, I tell myself that people move here because of 212 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:24,570 S5: the education. I mean, we have great schools. They move 213 00:11:24,570 --> 00:11:26,850 S5: here for the public service. We have great fire and 214 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:31,260 S5: police departments. And there's a true southern hospitality here in Hoover. 215 00:11:31,260 --> 00:11:35,730 S5: I like to call southern hospitality Hoover style. That's very welcoming. 216 00:11:36,210 --> 00:11:38,550 S5: You know, when we moved here 17 years ago and 217 00:11:38,550 --> 00:11:40,620 S5: we pulled into the cul de sac, the neighbors came 218 00:11:40,620 --> 00:11:43,410 S5: out and welcomed us. It's just been like that when 219 00:11:43,410 --> 00:11:45,959 S5: we opened up our business, we had people who came 220 00:11:45,960 --> 00:11:49,560 S5: in and said, we want you to succeed. And I 221 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:52,020 S5: don't know about you, but I never heard anyone say 222 00:11:52,020 --> 00:11:55,380 S5: that team before. I've been in business a long time. Enjoy. 223 00:11:55,380 --> 00:11:57,480 S5: Hoover is telling a story of who we are to 224 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,730 S5: the guests who live here and the people who visit here. 225 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:01,950 S2: Well, that's what makes Hoover such a special community. And 226 00:12:01,950 --> 00:12:04,530 S2: like you said, you've been there for 17 years now, 227 00:12:04,530 --> 00:12:07,200 S2: and you opened the whole scoop ice cream shop. I'm 228 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:11,100 S2: curious of the background you had in the culinary industry, 229 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:13,829 S2: and what led you to actually deciding to open up 230 00:12:13,830 --> 00:12:14,730 S2: this shop? 231 00:12:14,850 --> 00:12:16,890 S5: You know, I've always been a hospital and a professional 232 00:12:16,890 --> 00:12:19,710 S5: working in big restaurants and hotels and and a hotel 233 00:12:19,710 --> 00:12:22,590 S5: job is what got me adhere to Birmingham. I realized 234 00:12:22,590 --> 00:12:26,100 S5: after a while that I have an entrepreneurial streak, and 235 00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:29,850 S5: an entrepreneurial streak is about having a certain amount of expertise. 236 00:12:29,850 --> 00:12:32,970 S5: Mine is culinary, mine is hospitality, but it's also being 237 00:12:32,970 --> 00:12:35,939 S5: willing to take a risk. It's really funny. I enjoyed 238 00:12:35,940 --> 00:12:39,209 S5: working in corporate America, but at a certain point, the 239 00:12:39,210 --> 00:12:43,620 S5: entrepreneurial streak that I had just didn't jive with, with 240 00:12:43,620 --> 00:12:45,540 S5: who I wanted to be and and how I wanted 241 00:12:45,540 --> 00:12:48,000 S5: to work in corporate America. So it was time to 242 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:49,890 S5: venture out on my own, and we tried to come 243 00:12:49,890 --> 00:12:52,199 S5: up with something that I would enjoy, something I would love, 244 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,500 S5: and what's my passion? And my daughter Katie, who's now 23, 245 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:57,900 S5: she takes full credit for it and I don't I 246 00:12:57,900 --> 00:12:59,969 S5: don't argue with her about that. She says, you love 247 00:12:59,970 --> 00:13:01,740 S5: ice cream. Do ice cream. You know, no one is 248 00:13:01,740 --> 00:13:04,739 S5: ever unhappy at ice cream. It's been it's been a 249 00:13:04,740 --> 00:13:08,429 S5: roller coaster ever since. But it's just been just wonderful. 250 00:13:08,670 --> 00:13:12,900 S2: Now, David, I assume that owning an ice cream shop 251 00:13:12,900 --> 00:13:15,120 S2: and being in there like you, like you said in 252 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:17,160 S2: your daughter said that everybody's happy when they go into 253 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,860 S2: an ice cream shop. That's got to be more than 254 00:13:19,860 --> 00:13:22,230 S2: just being a business owner. I mean, the conversations you 255 00:13:22,230 --> 00:13:24,480 S2: must have with the people that come in there and 256 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:27,900 S2: the kids you see grow up in that time coming 257 00:13:27,900 --> 00:13:30,209 S2: into the shop and then later on coming in as 258 00:13:30,210 --> 00:13:34,770 S2: an older kid. I mean, talk about just the holistic 259 00:13:34,770 --> 00:13:37,319 S2: experience it is to own an ice cream shop. 260 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:38,700 S5: Well, it's funny, I've never heard it put it as 261 00:13:38,700 --> 00:13:42,630 S5: a holistic experience, but I'll buy that. Uh, you know, 262 00:13:42,630 --> 00:13:45,270 S5: for me, when I interviewed the young people who work 263 00:13:45,270 --> 00:13:48,330 S5: here and we've had over 40 young people start their 264 00:13:48,330 --> 00:13:52,980 S5: careers in the workforce here, 16 year old knuckleheads who 265 00:13:53,070 --> 00:13:54,720 S5: have never had a job and don't know what it's 266 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:57,150 S5: all about. And when I interview them, I say, okay, 267 00:13:57,150 --> 00:13:59,699 S5: it's a trick question. What do we sell here? We 268 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:01,500 S5: sell a whole lot more in ice cream. We sell 269 00:14:01,500 --> 00:14:04,650 S5: a hospitality experience. And, you know, there's a story that 270 00:14:04,650 --> 00:14:07,110 S5: I love to tell. Years and years ago, I had 271 00:14:07,110 --> 00:14:09,630 S5: these young man come in and bring me a Lego 272 00:14:09,630 --> 00:14:12,820 S5: diorama of the whole school. And he was about 9 273 00:14:12,820 --> 00:14:14,880 S5: or 10 years old. And don't you know, when he 274 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,699 S5: turned 16, I hired him as as an employee here 275 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:19,710 S5: at the Whole scoop. And he worked for us for 276 00:14:19,710 --> 00:14:22,380 S5: two years, and he got a job summers working at 277 00:14:22,380 --> 00:14:24,690 S5: Ross Bridge Resort, and he went to Troy as a 278 00:14:24,690 --> 00:14:28,590 S5: hospitality professional, and he just got promoted to assistant manager 279 00:14:28,590 --> 00:14:31,590 S5: at the Marriott down in mobile. 280 00:14:31,710 --> 00:14:33,510 S2: Oh that's great. 281 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,300 S5: Out of those 40, we've had a couple into the military. 282 00:14:36,300 --> 00:14:39,480 S5: We've had four of them become parents. We have them 283 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:43,650 S5: venturing into the workforce and they've learned their skills and 284 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:45,600 S5: how to be a grown up here at the whole school. 285 00:14:45,690 --> 00:14:48,520 S5: The whole school. In this town has gotten to be 286 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:50,830 S5: the place you celebrate the first day of T-ball. It's 287 00:14:50,830 --> 00:14:54,910 S5: got to be the place that you celebrate your state championship. Unfortunately, 288 00:14:54,910 --> 00:14:57,940 S5: we've had people come in here after the funerals. We 289 00:14:57,940 --> 00:14:59,800 S5: get to be the center of the community, and it's 290 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,140 S5: more than I could have ever hoped for. In my heart. 291 00:15:02,410 --> 00:15:06,580 S2: You get to see this younger generation grow and learn, 292 00:15:06,580 --> 00:15:09,520 S2: but you're always wanting to grow and learn. So let's 293 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:12,070 S2: talk a little bit about that Iron Chef competition. 294 00:15:12,070 --> 00:15:15,820 S5: We have Restaurant Week, which was started during the Covid year, 295 00:15:15,820 --> 00:15:18,130 S5: and it has grown and grown. And it is a 296 00:15:18,130 --> 00:15:22,480 S5: way to showcase our restaurants, showcase our community. And we 297 00:15:22,480 --> 00:15:24,460 S5: were looking for a way to kick start it. And 298 00:15:24,460 --> 00:15:27,880 S5: Iron Chef is just a fun competition. So we recruited 299 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:32,200 S5: four great chefs from Troy and Families and Bellinis and 300 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,340 S5: the Hyatt Regency Hotel Winfrey, and we paired them up 301 00:15:36,340 --> 00:15:40,390 S5: with students as their sous chefs and their sous chefs 302 00:15:40,390 --> 00:15:43,900 S5: were from Jefferson State Community College and Wrc3, which is 303 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:47,860 S5: our local career connection school. So we gave these chefs 304 00:15:47,860 --> 00:15:51,340 S5: the awesome task of not just preparing food, but mentoring 305 00:15:51,340 --> 00:15:54,640 S5: these young kids. And it was the perfect blend of 306 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:58,210 S5: being a teacher and being a true culinary. We did 307 00:15:58,210 --> 00:16:00,820 S5: it in, Jeff states in their kitchen, which is a big, 308 00:16:00,820 --> 00:16:03,790 S5: beautiful kitchen. We put about 30 people in the kitchen 309 00:16:03,790 --> 00:16:06,940 S5: watching them. Judges. You know, you had Frank Ricardo last 310 00:16:06,940 --> 00:16:09,280 S5: month and he was one of our judges and Claire 311 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:12,730 S5: from work and Joseph Mitchell from Jeff State. They were 312 00:16:12,730 --> 00:16:16,210 S5: our judges. And it was just a win. And Matthew Allen, 313 00:16:16,210 --> 00:16:19,570 S5: our publisher for Joy Hoover, did the trophy for us 314 00:16:19,570 --> 00:16:22,240 S5: with this big old cleaver sticking out of it. It 315 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:23,830 S5: was just remarkable. 316 00:16:24,010 --> 00:16:27,100 S2: Before we go, let's talk about Restaurant Week. Let's talk 317 00:16:27,100 --> 00:16:29,290 S2: about the summer and what people can expect. 318 00:16:29,290 --> 00:16:31,750 S5: We kick it off in July, we take in Restaurant 319 00:16:31,750 --> 00:16:33,790 S5: Week and we've turned it into a whole month. We're 320 00:16:33,790 --> 00:16:36,820 S5: going to start by showcasing our firehouses. We're going to 321 00:16:36,820 --> 00:16:40,150 S5: do a cooking competition between all our fire departments. Bluebell 322 00:16:40,150 --> 00:16:42,489 S5: ice cream is giving me desserts. And then we go 323 00:16:42,490 --> 00:16:44,920 S5: into a bartender challenge where we sort of do the 324 00:16:44,920 --> 00:16:49,540 S5: Iron Chef. But imagine bartenders who are preparing their signature cocktails. 325 00:16:49,540 --> 00:16:51,370 S5: And then we go into Restaurant Week and we have 326 00:16:51,370 --> 00:16:54,760 S5: 50 to 20 restaurants cooking for us and people tasting. And, 327 00:16:55,180 --> 00:16:58,270 S5: you know, anytime you can mix and marry our city 328 00:16:58,270 --> 00:17:01,030 S5: to the people that live and work here and toil here, 329 00:17:01,030 --> 00:17:02,290 S5: it's a great thing. 330 00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:05,440 S2: Let me ask you one last question, David. And look, I, Bluebell, 331 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:08,109 S2: no disrespect, but when you taste that Bluebell is or 332 00:17:08,109 --> 00:17:09,610 S2: part of you that says, you know what? This is good. 333 00:17:09,609 --> 00:17:11,649 S2: But it's no whole school ice cream shop. 334 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:12,490 S5: Uh. 335 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:15,970 S2: David Corn, who is part of enjoy Hoover magazine. You 336 00:17:15,970 --> 00:17:19,720 S2: can find out all about Restaurant Week and enjoy Hoover. 337 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,510 S2: And he, of course owns the whole scoop ice cream shop. 338 00:17:22,510 --> 00:17:24,669 S2: So go in and have a scoop. David, thank you 339 00:17:24,670 --> 00:17:26,169 S2: so much for taking the time to be part of 340 00:17:26,170 --> 00:17:26,590 S2: the podcast. 341 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:28,120 S5: I appreciate you having us. 342 00:17:29,890 --> 00:17:33,640 S2: Spring is the season for big formal galas and fundraisers 343 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:36,760 S2: across Hoover and the metro area. One of the residents 344 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:40,030 S2: favorite fundraisers is a Night Under the Stars at Aldrich 345 00:17:40,030 --> 00:17:43,270 S2: Gardens in their blue Jean best. The Hoover City Schools 346 00:17:43,270 --> 00:17:48,070 S2: Foundation's annual and biggest fundraising event, denim and dining. Not 347 00:17:48,070 --> 00:17:50,920 S2: only does this Hoover event support a great cause, but 348 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,800 S2: the casual night outdoors is the perfect time to mingle 349 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:57,460 S2: with residents and friends, enjoy great music, participate in live 350 00:17:57,460 --> 00:18:01,960 S2: and silent auctions, and partake in great barbecue and beverages. Plus, 351 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:05,530 S2: the culinary students at Riverchase Career Connection Center prepare the 352 00:18:05,530 --> 00:18:08,890 S2: most delicious desserts this year. Denim and dining will take 353 00:18:08,890 --> 00:18:11,920 S2: place on Friday, April 19th from 6 to 10 p.m. 354 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:15,669 S2: at Aldridge Gardens. Tickets will go on sale in early April, 355 00:18:15,670 --> 00:18:19,090 S2: so be sure to get yours early at Hoover. CSF 356 00:18:19,090 --> 00:18:23,770 S2: mortgage events, individual and corporate sponsorships are available, with an 357 00:18:23,770 --> 00:18:27,040 S2: option to purchase a table for eight. The Hoover City 358 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,880 S2: Schools Foundation has given more than $700,000 in grants since 359 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:35,140 S2: it was founded in 1992. Recently appointed as executive director, 360 00:18:35,140 --> 00:18:38,590 S2: Anne Marie Harvey says that the organization is the only 361 00:18:38,590 --> 00:18:41,859 S2: one that represents all 17 schools in the school system. 362 00:18:42,070 --> 00:18:45,280 S2: The primary mission of the Hoover City Schools Foundation is 363 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,909 S2: to bridge the gap between increasingly limited public schools funding 364 00:18:48,910 --> 00:18:52,060 S2: and the growing needs of our students and teachers, she says. 365 00:18:52,090 --> 00:18:55,240 S2: This happens in a variety of ways, most notably through 366 00:18:55,240 --> 00:18:59,230 S2: teacher grants. Our teachers have amazing innovative ideas, and the 367 00:18:59,230 --> 00:19:02,619 S2: money given to the foundation goes right back into the classroom. 368 00:19:03,100 --> 00:19:06,159 S2: Examples of projects include the steam on the go kart 369 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:10,000 S2: at Shades Mountain Elementary, which steam teacher Margie Keeney keeps 370 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:12,939 S2: stocked with seasonal activities for the teachers to use in 371 00:19:12,940 --> 00:19:15,880 S2: their classrooms throughout the week. Other grants have been given 372 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:19,510 S2: for reading resources the Gems annual event gems, of course 373 00:19:19,510 --> 00:19:23,590 S2: for Girls and Engineering, Math and Science, a greenhouse, robotics, 374 00:19:23,590 --> 00:19:27,700 S2: the Hovercraft Project, Sensory spaces for students, and much more. 375 00:19:27,730 --> 00:19:31,600 S2: A list of grants can be found at Hoover CSF. Org. 376 00:19:31,630 --> 00:19:35,020 S2: In addition to grants, the foundation offers a student board 377 00:19:35,020 --> 00:19:38,109 S2: for high school students. Students volunteer their time for our 378 00:19:38,109 --> 00:19:40,930 S2: efforts and those in our community, Harvey says. They gain 379 00:19:40,930 --> 00:19:45,640 S2: interview experience, volunteer hours and a collaborative working environment. Doctor 380 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:49,030 S2: Kevin Maddox, the Hoover City School superintendent, also emphasizes that 381 00:19:49,030 --> 00:19:53,650 S2: schools appreciate and benefit from community and business involvement. Businesses 382 00:19:53,650 --> 00:19:57,369 S2: contribute financially to enhance what we already have through directly 383 00:19:57,369 --> 00:20:00,940 S2: sponsoring sports and arts programs and contributing to the Hoover 384 00:20:00,940 --> 00:20:04,300 S2: City Schools Foundation, he says. Those enhancements are designed to 385 00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:07,690 S2: provide extras. Those extra opportunities for our students are what 386 00:20:07,690 --> 00:20:11,170 S2: separates us from other districts. We cannot make it without them. 387 00:20:11,770 --> 00:20:15,160 S2: The Hoover City School Foundation ensures the extras are provided 388 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,879 S2: to Hoover students and teachers. For more information on Hoover 389 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,280 S2: City Schools Foundation or how to get involved as a 390 00:20:21,280 --> 00:20:24,370 S2: board member or a friend of the foundation, just visit 391 00:20:24,369 --> 00:20:26,710 S2: Hoover CSF. Org. 392 00:20:31,660 --> 00:20:35,170 S1: Thanks for listening to the Enjoy Hoover podcast. For even 393 00:20:35,170 --> 00:20:38,620 S1: more information about Hoover and what's happening, we invite you 394 00:20:38,619 --> 00:20:42,609 S1: to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. This podcast is 395 00:20:42,609 --> 00:20:44,169 S1: a production of BGR Group. 396 00:20:44,170 --> 00:20:45,639 S6: All rights reserved.