1 00:00:05,030 --> 00:00:09,590 S1: From the Enjoy Hoover Studios, this is the Enjoy Hoover Podcast, 2 00:00:09,590 --> 00:00:13,220 S1: your monthly guide to news and exciting events, all with 3 00:00:13,220 --> 00:00:17,060 S1: big city style with a small town feel. Everyone is 4 00:00:17,060 --> 00:00:21,079 S1: welcome here to our small, enticing piece of Alabama. So 5 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,330 S1: welcome you all to enjoy Hoover. 6 00:00:23,510 --> 00:00:26,870 S2: Welcome to the Enjoy Hoover podcast. My name is Melissa Carter. 7 00:00:26,870 --> 00:00:30,770 S2: Summer is in full swing. From indoor sports to farmers markets, 8 00:00:30,770 --> 00:00:33,620 S2: Hoover offers many ways to have fun in the sun 9 00:00:33,620 --> 00:00:35,570 S2: and beat the heat. So let's take a look at 10 00:00:35,570 --> 00:00:39,260 S2: some of the highlights around town through July 27th. Hoover 11 00:00:39,260 --> 00:00:43,070 S2: Restaurant Week Explore local eateries offering deals and special menus 12 00:00:43,070 --> 00:00:46,339 S2: during the annual Hoover Restaurant Week celebration. This year is 13 00:00:46,340 --> 00:00:49,309 S2: an entire month of food fun. Find the latest information 14 00:00:49,310 --> 00:00:53,420 S2: on participating restaurants at Hoover Restaurant week.com, and follow Hoover 15 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:58,130 S2: Restaurant Week on Instagram and Facebook. July 6th the first 16 00:00:58,130 --> 00:01:01,580 S2: Saturday cruise in at Hoover Tactical Firearms, hosted by the 17 00:01:01,580 --> 00:01:05,420 S2: Dixie Vintage Antique Automobile Club, the cruise is featuring antique 18 00:01:05,420 --> 00:01:08,720 S2: and vintage cars in the Hoover Tactical Firearms parking lot 19 00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:12,319 S2: on highway 31. Talk to the owners, listen to oldies music, 20 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:16,550 S2: and sip complimentary coffee. July 9th Great British Bake Off 21 00:01:16,580 --> 00:01:19,980 S2: Teen edition Edition at Hoover Public Library from 6:30 p.m. 22 00:01:19,980 --> 00:01:24,020 S2: to 7:15 p.m.. Calling all Teen Bakers show off your 23 00:01:24,020 --> 00:01:26,960 S2: baking skills in this fun competition inspired by the hit 24 00:01:26,990 --> 00:01:30,110 S2: TV show. Participants will be provided with all the necessary 25 00:01:30,110 --> 00:01:33,530 S2: ingredients and equipment. The event will conclude with judges tasting 26 00:01:33,530 --> 00:01:36,890 S2: and awarding prizes to the top bakers. Register at Hoover 27 00:01:36,890 --> 00:01:43,670 S2: Library.org Slash Events July 12th through the 18th The Hartford Nationals. 28 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:46,730 S2: The Hartford Nationals is the largest and longest standing national 29 00:01:46,730 --> 00:01:50,570 S2: sports championship event for athletes with a physical, visual, and 30 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:54,980 S2: or intellectual disability. More than 400 athletes with disabilities and 31 00:01:54,980 --> 00:01:59,360 S2: coaches are expected to participate, and the event includes competitions, clinics, 32 00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:02,990 S2: education and social opportunities. Events will take place around Hoover 33 00:02:02,990 --> 00:02:06,230 S2: at the Hoover Met, the Findlay Center, Spain Park High School, 34 00:02:06,230 --> 00:02:10,940 S2: and other locations. Details can be found at Move United sports.org. 35 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:15,820 S2: July 15th sushi class at Brocks Gap Brewery from 6:30 p.m. 36 00:02:15,820 --> 00:02:18,710 S2: to 8:30 p.m.. Learn the art of sushi making in 37 00:02:18,710 --> 00:02:21,680 S2: a relaxed brewery setting. This hands on class will teach 38 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:24,170 S2: you how to prepare and roll sushi, and you'll get 39 00:02:24,169 --> 00:02:27,260 S2: to enjoy your creations with a refreshing drink from the brewery. 40 00:02:27,260 --> 00:02:32,820 S2: All supplies are included. Register at sushi class. Com. July 41 00:02:32,820 --> 00:02:37,370 S2: 21st ice cream eating contest celebrate National Ice Cream Day 42 00:02:37,370 --> 00:02:42,260 S2: with an ice cream eating contest benefiting local nonprofit Hoover helps. 43 00:02:42,260 --> 00:02:45,830 S2: All ages can participate, and winners receive free ice cream 44 00:02:45,830 --> 00:02:48,950 S2: for a year and a trophy. Register at the Whole 45 00:02:48,950 --> 00:02:51,559 S2: Scoop Ice Cream shop, located at The Village at Brock's 46 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:56,480 S2: Gap any time before July 21st and July 27th through 47 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,779 S2: the 28th. Indoor pickleball tournament at the Hoover Met. Get 48 00:02:59,780 --> 00:03:02,690 S2: ready for an exciting weekend of pickleball, one of America's 49 00:03:02,690 --> 00:03:06,470 S2: fastest growing sports. Men's and women's doubles will play Saturday, 50 00:03:06,470 --> 00:03:10,280 S2: July 27th and mixed doubles will play Sunday, July 28th. 51 00:03:10,310 --> 00:03:13,430 S2: The tournament will follow a round robin format, followed by 52 00:03:13,430 --> 00:03:17,840 S2: medal round playoffs and you can register at Hoover met complex. Com. 53 00:03:20,419 --> 00:03:23,390 S2: As though we needed another reason to dine out, Hoover 54 00:03:23,389 --> 00:03:27,500 S2: restaurants are giving us 27 good ones. Through July 27th, 55 00:03:27,500 --> 00:03:29,660 S2: there are a series of events taking place that are 56 00:03:29,660 --> 00:03:33,440 S2: designed to showcase the city's culinary scene, culminating with Hoover 57 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:37,040 S2: Restaurant Week from July 19th through the 27th. David Cohen, 58 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,320 S2: owner of The Whole Scoop and chairman of the Hoover 59 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:43,190 S2: Restaurant Alliance, said Hoover Restaurant Week began during the pandemic 60 00:03:43,190 --> 00:03:46,280 S2: to provide our local restaurants that were struggling. It started 61 00:03:46,280 --> 00:03:49,220 S2: as a curbside addition, but quickly turned into a whole 62 00:03:49,220 --> 00:03:52,640 S2: lot more. This year, around 40 local restaurants are expected 63 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,580 S2: to participate. The most up to date list of participants 64 00:03:55,580 --> 00:03:59,090 S2: can be found online at Hoover Restaurant Week.com. With an 65 00:03:59,090 --> 00:04:03,020 S2: impressive selection of more than 200 restaurants around town, Hoover 66 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:05,270 S2: offers a diverse range of options when it comes to 67 00:04:05,270 --> 00:04:08,250 S2: dining out. It's a great opportunity to try new restaurants, 68 00:04:08,250 --> 00:04:10,350 S2: Cohen said. We think it's a great time to try 69 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,780 S2: foods and new cuisines. We all need to get out 70 00:04:12,780 --> 00:04:14,940 S2: of our comfort zone and try a new barbecue joint, 71 00:04:14,940 --> 00:04:18,120 S2: Mexican restaurant or new date night spot. The month long 72 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,720 S2: culinary celebration has many events for restaurants and visitors alike. 73 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:24,570 S2: The Hoover Fire Station Showdown It's not uncommon for a 74 00:04:24,570 --> 00:04:27,330 S2: firehouse to have a great chef, as preparing nightly meals 75 00:04:27,330 --> 00:04:29,400 S2: as part of the daily life of the station. And 76 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,270 S2: through July 14th, Hoover firefighters will go head to head 77 00:04:32,270 --> 00:04:35,450 S2: to see which local firehouse officially has the best cook. 78 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:39,289 S2: The Bartender Challenge. On July 15th and 16th, the east 79 00:04:39,290 --> 00:04:42,890 S2: and west sides of Hoover will host bartending competitions showcasing 80 00:04:42,890 --> 00:04:46,159 S2: the skills and artistry of local mixologists. The pinnacle of 81 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,310 S2: the event, the Bartender Challenge Championship, will take place on 82 00:04:49,310 --> 00:04:52,609 S2: July 18th at Merk's Tavern and Kitchen, located at the 83 00:04:52,610 --> 00:04:55,970 S2: Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel. The bartender with the most flair 84 00:04:55,970 --> 00:04:59,930 S2: and creativity, will be awarded the 2024 championship title and 85 00:04:59,930 --> 00:05:03,590 S2: may the best bartender win. Mark your calendars for July 86 00:05:03,589 --> 00:05:06,830 S2: 19th as Fox six brings the Hoover Restaurant Week kickoff 87 00:05:06,830 --> 00:05:10,280 S2: to Bluff Park Community Park. Join the live morning broadcast 88 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:14,150 S2: with DJ Pruitt to meet esteemed chefs and passionate restaurant owners, 89 00:05:14,150 --> 00:05:17,779 S2: gain insight into their culinary inspirations, and hear the stories 90 00:05:17,779 --> 00:05:21,200 S2: behind their creations. Now, the peak of Hoover Restaurant Week 91 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:24,260 S2: is the annual week long celebration through the 27th, when 92 00:05:24,260 --> 00:05:29,030 S2: participating restaurants offered curated menus that highlight their culinary expertise 93 00:05:29,029 --> 00:05:32,599 S2: and innovative flavors. Discover which local eateries are taking part 94 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,260 S2: in this year's HW at Hoover Restaurant Week.com, where you 95 00:05:36,260 --> 00:05:38,840 S2: can find a comprehensive guide to the week, including unique 96 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:43,280 S2: menus and exciting specials. This year, National Ice Cream Day 97 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,520 S2: falls on July 21st, right in the middle of Hoover 98 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,850 S2: Restaurant Week. Hoover has several great stops along their own 99 00:05:49,850 --> 00:05:54,710 S2: ice cream trail, including magic milkshakes and more. Kilwins, Bluff 100 00:05:54,710 --> 00:05:57,980 S2: Park Ice Cream Shop, La Sabrosita, and more. The whole 101 00:05:57,980 --> 00:06:00,290 S2: scoop invites you to join its annual ice cream eating 102 00:06:00,290 --> 00:06:04,400 S2: competition with various age categories. This event benefits Hoover helps 103 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:07,670 S2: and brings the community together to compete for a trophy. Gosh, 104 00:06:07,670 --> 00:06:10,670 S2: in a year of ice cream free ice cream. 105 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:14,210 S1: The third issue of the Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader is here, 106 00:06:14,210 --> 00:06:17,270 S1: and people all over Bluff Park are talking about it. 107 00:06:17,270 --> 00:06:19,400 S1: Maybe it was the feature on efforts to preserve the 108 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:23,060 S1: historic Hale Springs property, the chat with Pastor Steve Williamson 109 00:06:23,060 --> 00:06:25,370 S1: of Bluff Park Community Church, a look back at the 110 00:06:25,370 --> 00:06:28,219 S1: history of shades Cliff pool, or the dozens of photos 111 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:30,740 S1: of people from around the community. Want to read the 112 00:06:30,740 --> 00:06:34,039 S1: entire issue? Follow the Bluff Park Neighborhood Reader on Facebook 113 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,380 S1: or Instagram for all the details. 114 00:06:38,900 --> 00:06:42,440 S2: The Lemonade Stand a classic summer ritual upheld by smiling 115 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,200 S2: neighborhood kids, something that has not yet been lost through 116 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,870 S2: the years. Whether it is for extra pocket money or 117 00:06:47,870 --> 00:06:50,990 S2: a good cause, children have been sitting behind plastic tables 118 00:06:50,990 --> 00:06:53,210 S2: with a pitcher of lemonade and a jar of cash 119 00:06:53,210 --> 00:06:57,180 S2: for decades now. On Wednesday, June 5th, Luke Detling, aged ten, 120 00:06:57,180 --> 00:06:59,910 S2: and Ian Mitchell, age nine, set up their own citrus 121 00:06:59,910 --> 00:07:03,480 S2: table outside their neighborhood pool to raise money for Luke's church, 122 00:07:03,480 --> 00:07:07,710 S2: Faith Presbyterian at Faith Presbyterian. Their version of Vacation Bible 123 00:07:07,710 --> 00:07:10,920 S2: School is known as Wonderlab, an art and science camp 124 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,560 S2: where kids can paint, learn, and play well. This year, 125 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,590 S2: Wonderlab is raising money for Sacred Road Ministries, a ten 126 00:07:16,590 --> 00:07:18,990 S2: person team of representatives from the church that will be 127 00:07:18,990 --> 00:07:23,060 S2: venturing to a Native American reservation in Warm Springs, Oregon. 128 00:07:23,060 --> 00:07:25,370 S2: Look at and bake cookies for the occasion and sat 129 00:07:25,370 --> 00:07:27,830 S2: in the heat with Luke's mom, Talley Detling, wearing their 130 00:07:27,830 --> 00:07:30,590 S2: blue Wonder Lab T-shirts after a day at camp. Their 131 00:07:30,590 --> 00:07:34,400 S2: table was also stocked with chips, water, Rice Krispies, Cheez-Its, and, 132 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:37,610 S2: of course, lemonade. This was Ian's first time at Wonderland Camp, 133 00:07:37,610 --> 00:07:39,200 S2: and Luke said it was nice to have a friend 134 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,390 S2: with him this year. The pair met in first grade 135 00:07:41,390 --> 00:07:44,090 S2: and have continued to be friends since. We both like 136 00:07:44,090 --> 00:07:46,890 S2: making art the most, especially drawings that Ian referring to 137 00:07:46,890 --> 00:07:49,950 S2: Wonderlab camp. I like science too, but I know everything 138 00:07:49,950 --> 00:07:53,100 S2: about science already. The funds raised at their lemonade stand 139 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:56,370 S2: will go to the Mission Trip team traveling to Warm Springs, Oregon. 140 00:07:56,370 --> 00:07:59,640 S2: The Warm Springs is home to Confederated Tribes, which, according 141 00:07:59,670 --> 00:08:02,700 S2: to their website, are separate tribes that operate under one 142 00:08:02,700 --> 00:08:05,730 S2: form of tribal government. The website also states that the 143 00:08:05,730 --> 00:08:08,400 S2: government of Warm Springs secures the health and prosperity of 144 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:11,510 S2: the tribes, and creates a community that affords every tribe 145 00:08:11,510 --> 00:08:16,310 S2: member the opportunity to gain good health, self-sufficiency, pride, and self-esteem. 146 00:08:16,340 --> 00:08:19,130 S2: Members of the Faith Presbyterian Mission Team will fund the 147 00:08:19,130 --> 00:08:21,830 S2: purchase of a van to help residents on the reservation 148 00:08:21,830 --> 00:08:25,490 S2: with transportation, participate in construction work, and host a kids 149 00:08:25,490 --> 00:08:28,880 S2: camp for over 200 local children. This camp will provide 150 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,420 S2: a safe place for children to play, sing, raft, learn, swim, 151 00:08:32,450 --> 00:08:35,990 S2: and hear about Jesus. Luke and Ian raised $50 at 152 00:08:35,990 --> 00:08:39,260 S2: their lemonade stand, which contributed to the more than $2,000 153 00:08:39,260 --> 00:08:44,569 S2: donated throughout the Wonderlab camp. If you were looking for 154 00:08:44,570 --> 00:08:47,599 S2: a healthy and delicious way to improve your diet, my 155 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,960 S2: greens microfarm may have just what you need. Emily Lawrence 156 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,050 S2: grows fresh and organic greens in her Hoover home and 157 00:08:54,050 --> 00:08:56,360 S2: sells them to those looking to improve their diets and 158 00:08:56,360 --> 00:09:00,200 S2: lifestyles at farmers markets and on Etsy. I've come across 159 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,420 S2: a few people who have health issues and are looking 160 00:09:02,420 --> 00:09:04,670 S2: to improve their diets, but are unsure where to start, 161 00:09:04,670 --> 00:09:07,130 S2: said Lawrence. I have people come to the market and 162 00:09:07,130 --> 00:09:09,530 S2: are recovering from breast cancer, and I tell them which 163 00:09:09,530 --> 00:09:12,530 S2: microgreens to eat and how to incorporate them into their diet. 164 00:09:12,530 --> 00:09:15,199 S2: It's just to help people feel better, more energetic and 165 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:19,760 S2: just healthier overall. Microgreens are young vegetable seedlings or baby 166 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:23,240 S2: plants that are incredibly nutritious. They are packed with nutrients 167 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:26,660 S2: that hold up to 10 to 100 times higher concentrations 168 00:09:26,660 --> 00:09:30,410 S2: of vigorous nutrients than fully matured plants, and possibly reduce 169 00:09:30,410 --> 00:09:33,829 S2: the risk of developing many diseases. Lawrence herself has noticed 170 00:09:33,830 --> 00:09:35,750 S2: a change in her health since she began growing and 171 00:09:35,750 --> 00:09:39,079 S2: consuming microgreens in 2022, and has said that she has 172 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,720 S2: much more energy, goes on, walks every day, and her 173 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:44,240 S2: skin has thrived. Health is the reason she started the 174 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,030 S2: business in the first place. My boyfriend had a heart 175 00:09:47,030 --> 00:09:49,790 S2: attack in 2022 at age 50, said Laurence. He was 176 00:09:49,790 --> 00:09:52,790 S2: looking for ways to eat healthier and found out about microgreens, 177 00:09:52,790 --> 00:09:55,400 S2: and so we started growing them just for us. We 178 00:09:55,429 --> 00:09:58,070 S2: grew so many that we thought we should begin selling, 179 00:09:58,070 --> 00:10:00,470 S2: and it kind of took off from there. Laurence says 180 00:10:00,470 --> 00:10:03,229 S2: a great way to incorporate microgreens into your diet is 181 00:10:03,230 --> 00:10:05,780 S2: to put them on dishes you enjoy. She says cilantro 182 00:10:05,780 --> 00:10:09,020 S2: microgreens are great on tacos, pizza, or really anything if 183 00:10:09,020 --> 00:10:12,310 S2: you enjoy cilantro. Lawrence's favorite salad to make with her 184 00:10:12,309 --> 00:10:16,240 S2: microgreens is mixed greens with radish, broccoli, bull's blood beet, 185 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:21,280 S2: red cabbage, chickpeas, arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and her 186 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,580 S2: homemade dressing. As her business continues to grow, Lawrence hopes 187 00:10:24,580 --> 00:10:27,189 S2: to eventually move her greens from her daughter's old nursery 188 00:10:27,190 --> 00:10:29,890 S2: room to a warehouse. Though she is looking forward to 189 00:10:29,890 --> 00:10:32,800 S2: expanding her business. Her main goal all along has been 190 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:35,230 S2: to help people If you are interested in buying from 191 00:10:35,230 --> 00:10:37,690 S2: migraines or would like to know more, you can reach 192 00:10:37,690 --> 00:10:46,720 S2: out to migraines 1517 at gmail.com or call (205) 907-1478. Lauren 193 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:49,000 S2: Sisler is an ESPN reporter. You've seen her on the 194 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,300 S2: sidelines during an SEC football game. She also has a 195 00:10:52,300 --> 00:10:55,239 S2: book coming out in October called shatterproof. We're going to 196 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:58,150 S2: talk to her about her career, about her new son, 197 00:10:58,150 --> 00:11:00,220 S2: and about her book coming up next. 198 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:04,240 S1: For over 50 years, Jefferson State Community College has been 199 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:07,450 S1: a beacon of education in the greater Birmingham area. With 200 00:11:07,450 --> 00:11:11,350 S1: a commitment of quality, convenience and personal attention. We've helped 201 00:11:11,350 --> 00:11:17,230 S1: over 15,000 students annually achieve their goals, offering 120 university 202 00:11:17,230 --> 00:11:21,850 S1: transfer programs, 33 career programs, and countless certificates across four 203 00:11:21,860 --> 00:11:25,370 S1: campuses and online where one of the largest community colleges 204 00:11:25,370 --> 00:11:28,820 S1: in the state. At Jefferson State, we believe in accessible, 205 00:11:28,820 --> 00:11:32,959 S1: economical education. Find your place at Jefferson State, explore our 206 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,320 S1: programs and let us help you accomplish your vision. Visit 207 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:41,330 S1: Jefferson state.edu today. Explore our site and discover how Jefferson 208 00:11:41,330 --> 00:11:45,469 S1: State can help you find your place. Your journey starts here. 209 00:11:50,140 --> 00:11:52,600 S2: Well, if you look to the sideline of an SEC 210 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,890 S2: football game, you may see ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler executing 211 00:11:56,890 --> 00:12:00,429 S2: her signature sideline shimmy. And she joins us now on 212 00:12:00,429 --> 00:12:02,650 S2: the Enjoy Hoover podcast. Thank you so much for being 213 00:12:02,650 --> 00:12:03,850 S2: a part of the podcast. 214 00:12:03,850 --> 00:12:06,370 S3: Yes, it's so great to be with you. And yes, 215 00:12:06,370 --> 00:12:09,340 S3: the sideline shimmy it will be back before we know it. 216 00:12:09,340 --> 00:12:11,380 S3: Counting down the days to football season. But I got 217 00:12:11,380 --> 00:12:14,770 S3: to admit, I am sitting here enjoying and soaking up 218 00:12:14,770 --> 00:12:17,349 S3: the days of summer because it is here in a 219 00:12:17,350 --> 00:12:19,630 S3: flash and then football will be here and the chaos 220 00:12:19,630 --> 00:12:20,530 S3: will ensue. 221 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:23,500 S2: First of all, let me say congratulations and happy birthday 222 00:12:23,500 --> 00:12:25,420 S2: to your son because you mentioned off air that it's 223 00:12:25,420 --> 00:12:29,200 S2: your son's birthday. I'm so pleased that he's turning a year. 224 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:30,640 S2: And I know that's got to be a magical time 225 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:31,270 S2: for you. 226 00:12:31,270 --> 00:12:33,580 S3: I know it's so sweet just getting to see all 227 00:12:33,580 --> 00:12:36,170 S3: the little milestones and it's hard to believe. This time 228 00:12:36,170 --> 00:12:39,350 S3: last year I was very pregnant, very ready to have 229 00:12:39,350 --> 00:12:42,320 S3: my first child, and now he's a year old and yes, 230 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,230 S3: excited to celebrate his birthday. He's a July 4th baby, 231 00:12:45,230 --> 00:12:48,050 S3: so we're excited to get to celebrate him and just 232 00:12:48,050 --> 00:12:50,000 S3: soak up the rest of this summer as we get 233 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,069 S3: ready for all the things that are ahead. 234 00:12:52,100 --> 00:12:54,439 S2: I love it, I love it. Well, let's talk about 235 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,460 S2: Hoover and why you decided to raise your family here 236 00:12:58,460 --> 00:13:01,449 S2: in Alabama, and what makes it so special for you. 237 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:05,110 S3: When I came here to Alabama, um, in 2011, I 238 00:13:05,110 --> 00:13:08,050 S3: started at CBS 42. So essentially I was recruited to 239 00:13:08,050 --> 00:13:10,630 S3: the state of Alabama. Honestly, I never thought that it 240 00:13:10,630 --> 00:13:13,120 S3: would be a landing spot in the first place. And 241 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:16,300 S3: then when I landed here in Alabama, I never thought 242 00:13:16,300 --> 00:13:19,000 S3: or realized that it would become a long term and 243 00:13:19,030 --> 00:13:22,630 S3: or permanent home for me and my family. And so 244 00:13:22,630 --> 00:13:26,199 S3: it's been amazing, honestly, coming here in 2011, I've been 245 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,360 S3: here over a decade. You know, we've moved around to 246 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:29,800 S3: a couple of different areas. You know, I was in 247 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:32,860 S3: a couple different apartments. And finally we settled down. And, 248 00:13:32,860 --> 00:13:35,380 S3: you know, honestly, I talked to my husband about it. 249 00:13:35,380 --> 00:13:37,630 S3: We have a, as I mentioned, almost one year old. 250 00:13:37,630 --> 00:13:40,630 S3: And it's wild because we don't have family here. We 251 00:13:40,630 --> 00:13:43,600 S3: are from Virginia, my husband's from Christiansburg, I'm from Roanoke, 252 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,990 S3: and we don't have that built in babysitter system. Right? 253 00:13:46,990 --> 00:13:49,090 S3: We don't have the family that can take care of him. 254 00:13:49,090 --> 00:13:52,270 S3: And there's been conversations that we've had. Would it be 255 00:13:52,270 --> 00:13:55,990 S3: worth thinking about possibly moving closer to to Virginia, back home, 256 00:13:55,990 --> 00:13:58,390 S3: closer to family? And he and I both feel so 257 00:13:58,390 --> 00:14:02,260 S3: strongly that this is home. We love Hoover. We love 258 00:14:02,260 --> 00:14:05,620 S3: being here in Birmingham. We love the family that we 259 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:09,610 S3: have created here. We have such a great network of people, 260 00:14:09,610 --> 00:14:12,069 S3: people that we work with, but also just people we 261 00:14:12,070 --> 00:14:15,670 S3: consider family and Birmingham parents that have really stepped in 262 00:14:15,670 --> 00:14:18,670 S3: and really stepped up to help us care for Mason 263 00:14:18,670 --> 00:14:21,400 S3: and just to thrive here. And, you know, with my 264 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:24,580 S3: husband's business, he's got a roofing company, Higher Roof Solutions, 265 00:14:24,580 --> 00:14:27,100 S3: and it's just so nice to see him thrive in 266 00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:30,340 S3: that and have the opportunity to build his own network 267 00:14:30,340 --> 00:14:32,560 S3: of people. And we just love it here. And we 268 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:34,210 S3: can't imagine living elsewhere. 269 00:14:34,210 --> 00:14:37,960 S2: If somebody like you is new to Hoover and is 270 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:41,290 S2: kind of seeking out and they enjoy Hoover podcast ideas 271 00:14:41,290 --> 00:14:43,359 S2: for what to do around town, do you have any 272 00:14:43,390 --> 00:14:45,609 S2: hints like do you have any favorite places that you 273 00:14:45,610 --> 00:14:46,600 S2: would recommend? 274 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:49,600 S3: Oh man, so many fun things to do. I will 275 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,840 S3: say I'm somebody that you know, is a former athlete, 276 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:55,690 S3: a former gymnast. I love to exercise. And so of 277 00:14:55,690 --> 00:14:59,500 S3: course there's so many great trails and parks that you 278 00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:02,170 S3: can go hiking. And I think one thing that people 279 00:15:02,170 --> 00:15:05,470 S3: didn't realize as a Virginia gal, we have mountains in Virginia. Okay. 280 00:15:05,470 --> 00:15:07,660 S3: And so coming to Alabama, I just assumed it was 281 00:15:07,660 --> 00:15:10,300 S3: going to be flat and, you know, no terrain. And 282 00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:12,280 S3: let me tell you, I got a big surprise. And 283 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,140 S3: I think that's what we love about it here because 284 00:15:14,140 --> 00:15:17,620 S3: aesthetically speaking, there are some similarities. And of course, it's 285 00:15:17,620 --> 00:15:20,710 S3: a lot hotter here. But the trails and the hiking, 286 00:15:20,710 --> 00:15:25,060 S3: the nature, the outdoors, it's beautiful. And again, when it's 287 00:15:25,060 --> 00:15:27,070 S3: 90 degrees, it's a little bit of a different story, 288 00:15:27,070 --> 00:15:30,730 S3: but love to get in the outdoors. I've actually become 289 00:15:30,730 --> 00:15:33,190 S3: very fond of playing golf. There's a lot of great 290 00:15:33,190 --> 00:15:36,940 S3: golf courses around here. I've picked up some tennis, pickleball. 291 00:15:36,940 --> 00:15:39,670 S3: I will say that Veterans Park now has a bunch 292 00:15:39,670 --> 00:15:42,490 S3: of new pickleball courts that are open to the public, 293 00:15:42,490 --> 00:15:45,100 S3: which has been fun watching all the the families go 294 00:15:45,100 --> 00:15:47,229 S3: out there and play pickleball. So if you're into that, 295 00:15:47,230 --> 00:15:49,360 S3: it's really cool. And let me just tell you, the 296 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:53,410 S3: food scene here is phenomenal. I am a foodie at heart, 297 00:15:53,410 --> 00:15:55,810 S3: I love food, I wear it on my sleeve literally 298 00:15:55,810 --> 00:15:59,470 S3: and figuratively. Messy eater over here. Hello. And I just 299 00:15:59,470 --> 00:16:01,990 S3: got to tell you, like, I love the food scene, 300 00:16:01,990 --> 00:16:05,320 S3: the southern food, whether it's the barbecue, the southern cuisine, 301 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:07,870 S3: and just that southern hospitality. And I think there's just 302 00:16:07,870 --> 00:16:10,479 S3: something for everyone here. And I think that's what is 303 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,900 S3: the beauty of this town and the Birmingham metro area. 304 00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:16,420 S3: There's just really something for everybody. So if you're an 305 00:16:16,420 --> 00:16:19,360 S3: outdoors person, you go out and hike. There's there's waterfalls, 306 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:22,180 S3: there's trails, there's a lot of biking and swimming and 307 00:16:22,180 --> 00:16:24,310 S3: things you can do that are open to the public, 308 00:16:24,340 --> 00:16:26,800 S3: a lot of recreational sports. And then, of course, the 309 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,830 S3: food scene is top notch, in my opinion. 310 00:16:29,830 --> 00:16:31,690 S2: And we'll get you a bib for your birthday. 311 00:16:31,900 --> 00:16:33,850 S4: Uh, so before we before. 312 00:16:33,940 --> 00:16:34,300 S2: Before. 313 00:16:34,300 --> 00:16:34,630 S4: We let you. 314 00:16:34,630 --> 00:16:37,510 S2: Go, Lauren, uh, let's talk about your book, Shatter Proof, 315 00:16:37,510 --> 00:16:39,670 S2: which is coming out in October. 316 00:16:39,670 --> 00:16:42,730 S3: Yeah, I'm really excited about this. Let me tell you, 317 00:16:42,730 --> 00:16:45,880 S3: this has been a work in progress, Melissa, as you 318 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:49,180 S3: kind of navigate life. Right? Like your story is always unfolding. 319 00:16:49,180 --> 00:16:51,550 S3: And I've been told for so many years. Lauren, you 320 00:16:51,550 --> 00:16:53,170 S3: need to write a book. You need to write a book. 321 00:16:53,170 --> 00:16:56,800 S3: And obviously, you know, I experienced some very tragic circumstances 322 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:58,570 S3: when I was a freshman in college at Rutgers. Both 323 00:16:58,570 --> 00:17:02,830 S3: of my parents passed away suddenly and unexpectedly to prescription 324 00:17:02,830 --> 00:17:06,220 S3: drug overdoses within just five hours of each other. And 325 00:17:06,220 --> 00:17:09,429 S3: it was it was a shock to the system. Could 326 00:17:09,430 --> 00:17:11,410 S3: not believe it had just spoke to them a few 327 00:17:11,410 --> 00:17:13,750 S3: hours earlier. Got the phone call from my dad. Get 328 00:17:13,750 --> 00:17:15,070 S3: on the next plane. You can. I'll be at the 329 00:17:15,070 --> 00:17:16,960 S3: airport to pick you up. And he never showed up 330 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:19,600 S3: that day. It was hard. And then I think that 331 00:17:19,600 --> 00:17:22,240 S3: the layer of that, that was even harder for me 332 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,580 S3: and dealing with that loss was the grief, but also 333 00:17:24,609 --> 00:17:27,220 S3: the shame and the shame because of how they died 334 00:17:27,220 --> 00:17:30,370 S3: because of prescription drug overdoses. And I just I couldn't 335 00:17:30,369 --> 00:17:33,340 S3: comprehend using the word overdose and addiction in the same 336 00:17:33,340 --> 00:17:36,010 S3: sentence with both my parents, because there's such a stigma 337 00:17:36,010 --> 00:17:38,439 S3: that is involved with that. And so for me, it 338 00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:41,620 S3: really was kind of overcoming that shame, breaking the shackles 339 00:17:41,619 --> 00:17:44,439 S3: of shame, stepping out of my fears, having the courage 340 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:47,350 S3: to share my story openly. And really that is evolved 341 00:17:47,350 --> 00:17:51,520 S3: over time with my presence, obviously on ESPN as a sportscaster, 342 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:53,859 S3: getting to tell other people's stories and seeing the ripple 343 00:17:53,859 --> 00:17:56,710 S3: effect and the impact of that. And so for me, 344 00:17:56,710 --> 00:17:58,720 S3: that's really where the book kind of came to light, 345 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:02,830 S3: and sharing those stories and sharing sort of my descent 346 00:18:02,830 --> 00:18:05,710 S3: and ascent through the grief and the shame, and then 347 00:18:05,710 --> 00:18:07,780 S3: coming out of that on the other side. And so 348 00:18:07,780 --> 00:18:09,790 S3: it's definitely been a labor of love and a book 349 00:18:09,790 --> 00:18:12,310 S3: that I've worked on for about two years, and I'm 350 00:18:12,310 --> 00:18:15,160 S3: just excited to share it with people. And again, it's 351 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:17,200 S3: airs on the side of a memoir and tells a 352 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,720 S3: lot of my personal story and my family story. But 353 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,510 S3: also my goal is to meet people where they're at, 354 00:18:22,510 --> 00:18:25,359 S3: where they're at in their lives, what they're experiencing, the 355 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:29,230 S3: circumstances that maybe has them losing hope and where they're at. 356 00:18:29,230 --> 00:18:30,790 S3: And I just want to bring joy and hope back 357 00:18:30,790 --> 00:18:31,870 S3: to people's lives. 358 00:18:31,900 --> 00:18:32,350 S4: Well, Lauren. 359 00:18:32,350 --> 00:18:36,220 S2: Thank you for being so vulnerable. Her book, shatterproof, available 360 00:18:36,220 --> 00:18:38,920 S2: October 1st, and you can always go to Lauren Sisler. 361 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:41,679 S2: Com because there you can find out more information. You 362 00:18:41,680 --> 00:18:43,900 S2: can sign up for updates and be sure and get 363 00:18:43,900 --> 00:18:46,149 S2: the book this fall. Lauren, thank you so much for 364 00:18:46,150 --> 00:18:47,710 S2: being a part of the podcast and being part of 365 00:18:47,710 --> 00:18:49,090 S2: the Hoover community. Thank you. 366 00:18:49,090 --> 00:18:51,820 S3: So much. I appreciate it, Melissa. Thank you everyone. Thank 367 00:18:51,820 --> 00:18:53,679 S3: you for all the fans and everyone out there. I 368 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:55,929 S3: just appreciate all the love and support. And if you 369 00:18:55,930 --> 00:18:57,760 S3: guys get a chance, just drop me a line, shoot 370 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,100 S3: me a note on social media or on my website 371 00:19:00,100 --> 00:19:01,870 S3: and I'd love to connect with you. chat and learn 372 00:19:01,869 --> 00:19:03,820 S3: more about your story. And hey, if you see me 373 00:19:03,820 --> 00:19:05,050 S3: out in public, say hello! 374 00:19:11,619 --> 00:19:15,280 S1: Thanks for listening to the Enjoy Hoover podcast. For even 375 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,700 S1: more information about Hoover and what's happening, we invite you 376 00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:21,609 S1: to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 377 00:19:21,609 --> 00:19:24,520 S5: This podcast is a production of BG ad Group. All 378 00:19:24,550 --> 00:19:25,780 S5: rights reserved.