The Homewood Star vol 3 iss 8 November 2013 by Starnes Media

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2013

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The Homewood Star Volume 3 | Issue 8 | November 2013

Patriots in pictures

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Wall-to-wall Wi-Fi

Public networks coming to Homewood parks starting this month By SYDNEY CROMWELL By next spring, Homewood residents will be able to take their children to play at local parks without losing their Internet connection. The Homewood City Council recently approved a plan to create five WiFi networks during the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This is the first step in a broader plan

for a free, citywide Wi-Fi system. The first five networks will be built at the new community center and several area parks, including Central Park and Overton Park. Wi-Fi at the Senior Center and part of Patriot Park was scheduled to go live around the first of November. These sites

See Wi-Fi | page 28

This year’s homecoming at HHS lives on in memory. See our photos inside.

School House page 26

Exceptional example

Roots of the Exceptional Foundation started with Tricia Kirk 15 years ago. Find her story in this issue.

Community page 18

INSIDE Sponsors ................. 2 City ........................... 4 Business .................. 8 Food ......................... 9 Community ............. 10 School House ......... 20 Sports ...................... 23 Calendar ................. 28 Opinion .................... 31

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

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(Left) Emmanuel Benetollo, right, points to a feature on a tablet while relaxing in Homewood Central Park, one of five sites in the city that could have free WiFi by this spring. (Above) Julie Turner, right, shows a cell phone app to Jennifer Gault after their morning run in Homewood Central Park, where free Wi-Fi is expected to be available by April. Photos by Katie Turpen.

Getting vets back on track By KATIE TURPEN Shaun Castle’s life has been anything but predictable. He served as a U.S. Army Police Officer for five years, dedicating his life to service. One day during training, he badly injured his vertebrae. The injury led to multiple spinal surgeries, none of which were successful. Castle ultimately realized he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Looking for a fresh start, he moved from New York to Birmingham. In early 2012, Castle suffered a horrible allergic reaction to his pain medication, causing him to stop taking any kind of medication at all. He recalls feeling overwhelmed with pain and uncertainty. “For a year and a half, I didn’t know what to do,” Castle said. Hope came for Castle while he was undergoing occupational therapy at the Birmingham VA Medical Center. A nurse mentioned a local facility that would alter his life forever.

“I had never heard of the Lakeshore Foundation,” Castle said. “I started working out two or three hours a day. Now, my life has changed 180 degrees.” Castle now lifts weights and does cardio training six days a week. However, his real passion has become wheelchair basketball. He hopes to make the 2016 Paralympics and said the staff is determined to make this dream come true for him. “The Lakeshore staff has gone unbelievably out of their way for me,” Castle said. “It’s been a great transformation to come out of military surgery and know I could go back to work.” The Foundation’s Lima Foxtrot has served more than 1,800 severely injured servicemen and women with its year-round sport, fitness and recreation programming. Lakeshore’s facility off Lakeshore Drive offers tennis, cycling, scuba, two heated pools, indoor rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and more not just for veterans but also to

See VETERANS | page 27

Shaun Castle, who hopes to make the 2016 U.S. Paralympic team, practices basketball at the Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood. Photo courtesy of Lakeshore Foundation.

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The Homewood Star

About Us Photo of the Month

Please Support our Community Partners

Homewood High School cheerleaders ride on tricycles before a special pep rally where the school received a state Safe Schools Initative Award from Attorney General Luther Strange. Photo by Lauren Moriarty.

Editor’s Note By Madoline Markham

Remember when For two decades, I never gave a second thought to the name Lakeshore. I just assumed it came from a combination of pleasant sounding nature words like I see on signs on so many suburban streets. But I was wrong. The busy thoroughfare indeed lined the shore of a lake for many years, as I have learned from residents who lived here before Edgewood Lake was drained in 1946. Be sure to read historian Leah Rawls Atkins’ account of her childhood on the lake starting on page 12. Even if you’re not as big of a history nerd as I am, I think you’ll find it fascinating that much of the land we now walk, drive or play soccer on was once

a 117-acre body of water, one that was even the site of the initiation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black into the Ku Klux Klan. I hope that this is just the first of a series of stories about the history of Homewood we run in the paper. If you or someone you know have memories of the old street car line, the Oxmoor Furnace, the way neighborhoods like Edgewood or Hollywood used to be, or other things of a different era of Homewood, please do email me at editor@ thehomewoodstar.com so we can help cover the history of our Homewood in future issues.

Back to this issue, the rest of the pages are filled with both reminders of things we’ve long loved about Homewood, such as the annual Lion’s Club Pecan Sale on Nov. 9 and the Community Thanksgiving Service on Nov. 24 at Dawson Family of Faith, and also the latest of what’s new in our community, such as Wi-Fi coming to our parks (cover story) and this year’s six National Merit Semifnalists and Commended Students at Homewood High School (super congrats to them!). Give it all a read, and as always, let me know what you think and what you’d like to see in the paper in the future. With gratitude for each of you and the community we share,

The Homewood Star neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Publisher : Creative Director : Managing Editor : Executive Editor : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :

Copy Editor: Contributing Writers :

Interns: Published by :

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Jeff Thompson Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Louisa Jeffries Katie Turpen Intisar Seraaj-Sabree Leah Rawls Atkins Sydney Cromwell Lauren Moriarty Homewood Star LLC

Contact Information: The Homewood Star #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Editor@TheHomewoodStar.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

For advertising contact: Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use

of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed to inform the Homewood community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Homewood Star is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Homewood Star. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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AccelAbility Physical Therapy (21) Activ Care Living, Mount Royal Towers (31) Alabama Newspaper Advertising Service (31) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (25) Alabama Outdoors (16) Alabama Power (3) Alan Sheffield (21) Alfredo’s Pizza Cafe (19) Aloft Birmingham SOHO Square (17) Always There, Inc. (6) Bedzzz Express (32) Birmingham School of Music (26) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (12) Brandino Brass (13) Briarcliff Shop (17) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (11) Brother Bryan Mission (21) BYO Wireless (25) Cafe Iz (18) California Closets (20 Chickadee (30) Children’s of Alabama (7) Christmas Village (5) Christopher Glenn (12) Colonial Brookwood Village (9) D1 Sports (26) Edgewood Service Center (19) Fair Haven Retirement Community (27) Fi-Plan Parnters (29) Four Corners Custom Framing (15) Frontera (28) Harmony Landing (23) Homewood Antiques and Marketplace (18) Homewood Arts Council (10) Homewood Chamber of Commerce (27) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (8) Homewood Parks and Rec (24) Jacqueline DeMarco (26) Julie Ivy White (11) Junior League of Birmingham (16) Mark Westfall (22) Mary House Kessler, Ph.D (19) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (17) Red Mountain Theatre Company (23) Salem’s Diner (30) Savage’s Bakery (14) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (15) Steak ‘n Shake of Central Alabama (28) The Cook Store (23) The Maids (1) The Wade Team (13) United Way (22) Urban Style Salon (20) Vision Gymnastics (14) Wallace-Burke (5)

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The Homewood Star

City

Meet new Homewood Arts Council members Cooking

safety tips

Emily Evans, hospitality chair, grew up in Montgomery and graduated from McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford with a Doctor of Pharmacy. She worked in east Tennessee at Cumberland Medical Center before moving back to Homewood in spring 2013. She is currently working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s of Alabama. Caroline Hubbard, chair, is the associate director of development for Mitchell’s Place, a comprehensive center serving children, adolescents and families affected by autism spectrum disorders. Hubbard studied woodworking and furniture design, ceramics, metal crafts and jewelry design, and majored in glassblowing and glass design in the School of American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. She has worked for Bear Creek Glass, Little Lamb Design, Eclectic Pottery and Homewood Chamber of Commerce, and started the first art program at Green Gate School in Montgomery. Jeremie Kirkwood, treasurer, is the patron services manager for Broadway In Birmingham. He also worked for the Birmingham Broadway Series, The Alabama Symphony, The Alabama Theatre and the Alabama Dance Council.

In the city of Homewood, cooking fires are the number one cause of structure fires. Learning to cook safely can prevent injury to you or others and prevent damage to your home. With Thanksgiving cooking season approaching fast, Fire Chief John Bresnan from the Homewood Fire & Rescue Service has passed along some cooking safety tips:

ff Never use a charcoal, gas or

Homewood Arts Council members Jennifer Warren, Bob Tedrow, Caroline Hubbard, Jeremie Kirkwood, Jenifer Champ Wallis. Not pictured: Diane Litsey and Emily Evans. Photo courtesy of Mary Helen Harris Photography.

Diane Litsey, vice chair, is the executive director of Children’s Dance Foundation. Her previous positions include work with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Taste of Los Angeles, the Michigan Festival and the Downriver Council for the Arts in Metro Detroit. She is a recipient of an Alabama State Council on the Arts Management Fellowship and a graduate of Leadership Birmingham. Bob Tedrow is the owner of Homewood Musical Instrument

Company. A native of Colorado, he is a juried member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, a luthier specializing in the repair and restoration of stringed instruments, the designer and builder of Tedrow Concertinas and an enthusiastic player of the guitar, banjo and ukulele. Jenifer Champ Wallis is serving her first elected term on Homewood City Council, representing Ward 4. She is the liaison for the Homewood Arts Council and serves on the City

Council’s Finance and Public Safety committees. She is also the owner of Wallis Law Firm and serves on the Board of Directors of Shelby Humane Society. Jennifer Warren, secretary, is the business director for the Music Opportunity Program, a string education nonprofit organization. She has played the violin since age 8 and continues to participate in performances around Alabama. She currently plays with the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra and serves on its Board of Directors.

wood-burning grill or a turkey fryer inside your home or garage. ff Turn on the hood exhaust fan when using your stove or oven in order to prevent carbon monoxide build-up. ff Make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are tested, and change their batteries regularly. ff Stay by the stove when a burner is on. A stove fire can erupt quickly, so it is important that you are near it to put out the flames. ff Heat oil gradually. Never pour oil into a hot pan because it can burst into flames within seconds. It is safer to pour oil into the pan before you turn the burner on. ff If grease or oil in the pan ignites, smother the fire with a fire extinguisher, a lid or baking soda, and turn off the stove. Never use water, which causes grease fires to spread. ff Maintain a dry chemical (ABC) fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in your kitchen. -Submitted by Homewood Fire Department

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2013

Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors, From time to time, we all get a phone call we will never forget. For me, the call was from my mom on Wednesday, Aug. 28. She called me late that afternoon at work, and I knew immediately by her voice that something was wrong. She was calling to tell me my dad had been killed in an accident. He had been working on his lawn tractor, and it fell on him. When Mama came home from work, she found him, and at age 66, he was gone. She called 911 and then called me. I don’t remember a lot about the call, but I remember hearing the sirens over the phone as they were arriving. My dad was a true hero of mine. He taught me so many things about life and served as a great example to me and my sister. He and my mom started dating when she was 14. They called it “church dating” because all they got to do was sit beside each other in church. Daddy was 19 and Mama 17 when they married, and they were still in love after 47 years. Several years ago for Father’s Day I wrote him a letter thanking him for all the things he had done for me and for our family. He did all the things a good dad would do, teaching me to play sports, to work hard, to be honest and to always be kind to others. But I also told him in my letter the thing I appreciated most about him was the way he loved and treated my mom. I can still see Mama and Daddy standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes together after my sister and I had gone to bed. I used to sneak out of bed and watch them laugh and talk at the end of the day. There is no way I can write in this small article all the great memories I have of my

dad, but during this time of Thanksgiving, I am so grateful to have had a dad who was so loving and kind. I realize I’m not the only one who has had to go through an experience like this. Many of you reading this article have lost a parent or a child or someone very close to you. And you know all too well the heartache and void that is left. When I was a little boy, my dad went to work very early in the morning before daylight. Each night I would remind him to wake me up before he left so I could watch him leave. Just as he was almost out of sight, he would touch his brakes three times — our code for “I love you.” The Sunday before he died he and Mama came by to visit on their way home from spending the weekend with my sister. We had a great visit, and I can still see him smiling and touching his brakes three times as he drove off for the last time. This has been tough, and I’m so grateful to all of you who have been helping us during this time. The cards and letters are so meaningful to me, and I appreciate so many of you who came to Columbus, Miss., for the visitation and then to Louisville, Miss., for the funeral. Having friends around us was such a comfort, and we will never be able to thank you enough for the sweet way in which you remembered our family and my dad. Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood

Prevent crime during the holidays As you enjoy the holiday season, beware of your surroundings and follow these tips from Homewood Police Department:

ff Avoid leaving electronics and other items in

your vehicle. ff Make sure your residence doors and windows are secured. ff Properly dispose of electronic boxes and giftwrapping. ff Place all used gift-wrapping in dark colored trash bags.

ff Don’t advertise or alert criminals of recent gifts or purchases.

ff Use caution when interacting with solicitors. ff Check on the elderly residents who may live alone.

ff Request an extra patrol of your residence

if you are going out of town. Call HPD Community Services at 332-6233. ff Report suspicious activity to the Homewood Police Department. Call the Patrol Sergeant’s Office at 332-6215. -Submitted by Homewood Police Department

HPD to begin proactive patrol for shopping season Homewood Police Department will begin its special “Proactive Patrol” beginning the day after Thanksgiving, said Sgt. Andrew Didcoct of HPD. “Having extra patrol officers in the shopping areas helps deter and prevent crime,” Didcoct said. Additional officers will patrol the

areas of downtown Homewood, Colonial Brookwood Village, Greensprings Highway and Wildwood shopping centers during peak holiday hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Officers will be in marked patrol cars providing extra coverage in these areas. This special proactive patrol will end Christmas day.

OVER 700 BOOTHS! November 7-10, 2013 Public Shopping Convention Complex

(205) 836-7173 Call for Ticket Info or visit www.christmasvillagefestival.com

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The Homewood Star 8 18 Street S.

Homewood Happenings

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Now Open Drake Denton, Licensed Professional Counselor, has opened a private practice in The Crescent House at 2909 Crescent Ave. Denton, a Samford University graduate, provides professional counseling services to adults, teens, couples and families and offers day, evening and weekend appointments. 422-0683. drakedenton.com.

Coming Soon Chris Dupont, owner of Café Dupont and Mix bakery and café in downtown Birmingham, will open a new restaurant, Dupont Public House, in the former Lovoy’s space in SoHo Square. No opening date has been set.

November 2013 Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market was recognized as a Retailer of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association, in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business. McDaniel received the Silver Award for the category of annual sales $1 million to $5 million. She was nominated by Victor M. Brown, vice president of minority and small business development for the Birmingham Business Alliance, and Tricia Ford, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce. 871-0092. dorothymcdaniel.com.

Relocations Stock & Trade Design Co., previously E Homewood Interiors, has moved from 2725 18th Street South to 3048 Independence Drive. The new space features an expanded product line adding to its selection of upholstery, furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories, antiques and custom pieces from local artisans. 783-1359. ehomewood.com.

Skin Wellness Center of Alabama is now located at 1920 Huntington Road in Homewood. 871-7332. skinwellnessal.com.

Mezrano Law Firm is relocating from Mountain Brook to 1745 Oxmoor Road in Homewood in November. Owner Steven Mezrano specializes in personal injury defense. 206-6300. thealabamainjurylawyer.com.

Merger AccelAbility Physical Therapy and Over the Mountain Rehab have merged under the name AccelAbility. Patients from both clinics will be seen at AccelAbility’s clinic at 3415 Independence Drive, Suite 219, starting on Nov. 4. 802-8537. alabamarehabilitation.com.

News and Accomplishments Brookwood Medical Center recently launched a new service that offers real-time, online access to appointments with Brookwood Care Network physicians, including primary care, OB/ GYN and ENT specialists. Patients can visit BirminghamDocAppts.com to see each doctor’s schedule, along with qualifications, patient reviews and photos to help choose the physician who best fits their needs. 877-1000. bwmc.com.

Two Maids & A Mop, a local residential house cleaning company, is has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason to provide free house cleaning services to any woman who is undergoing cancer treatment. Two Maids & A Mop originally partnered with the Cleaning for a Reason foundation in 2005 and has since donated more than $200,000 in free services to more than 500 women with cancer. Visit cleaningforareason. org to submit an online application for the free service. The company’s local office is located at 33 Barber Court, Suite 109. 940-2292. twomaidsbirmingham.com.

Mayfair Pediatrics has hired a new pediatrician, Dr. Christina Fettig. Dr. Fettig is now seeing new patients at their office, 3401 Independence Drive. 870-1273. mayfair.childrensal.org.

Urban Cookhouse received the 2013 Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) Award for Retailer of the Year. Last year the business received Emerging Retailer of the Year award, also from the BBA. urbancookhouse.com.

VCA Becker Animal Hospital, 1901 27th Ave. South, has hired a new groomer, Dominique Reedy. Reedy has graduated from grooming school and completed a one-year internship. 871-2371. vcahospitals.com/becker.

Holiday Open Houses Harmony Landing, 2925 18th Street South, is holding its open house Nov. 7-9 starting at 4 p.m. each day. Store hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 871-0585. harmonylanding.com.

Briarcliff Shop, 1829 29th Ave. South, has scheduled its open house for Nov. 7. 870-8110. shophomewood.com.

Argent Antiques, 2949 18th Street South, is holding an open house

Nov. 7. 871-4221. argentantiques.com.

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The Homewood Star

Business Spotlight 18 Street S.

Mantooth Interiors

Read past Business Spotlights at TheHomewoodStar.com

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2813 18th Street South 879-5474 mantoothinteriors.com Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Forty years into its journey, Mantooth Furniture has changed its name and freshened its look. But one part of the furniture and interior design store has, and always will, remain — its loyal customers. Owners Larry and Lynette Mantooth are constantly updating the store’s inventory to keep abreast of trends, and they have a number of repeat customers who drop by every month just to see the new things in stock. In fact, after four decades, this allegiance is often hereditary. “Right now we’re on second and third generations,” Lynette said. “Some of the people that Larry sold to in the ’70s, their children are buying from us, and now we’re beginning to see their children.” This staunch loyalty is mainly due to the Mantooths’ efforts to go beyond customer service to build friendships. Mantooth employees will frequently spend hours working with clients to create the perfect space, but it’s the conversations over lunch and nights spent watching Alabama football games that truly endear them to customers. “Our mantra is ‘You’re not a client, you become a friend.’ We want to laugh with you, we want to cry with you, we want to be there in the good times and the bad,” Lynette said. In January the store’s name changed from The Brass Bed to Mantooth Interiors to reflect its updated and expanding business. “After our 40th, it was time to do something new,” Lynette said. Mantooth Interiors has been in its current location for 26 years, and the foot traffic and

Lynette Mantooth runs Mantooth Interiors with her husband, Larry. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

community feel of downtown has been ideal for the store’s growth. Business has expanded so much that the Mantooths acquired a neighboring store, The Curtain Exchange, in 2012 and added an additional 2,000 square feet to the showroom in June. “If you haven’t been in lately, you’ve got to come see it because it is breathtaking,” Lynette said. The store’s interior is filled with furniture to suit every decorating style and need, from beds

and dining tables down to linens and a popular line of candles. For customers who want some professional direction, the company employs trained interior designers who can start from scratch to create room designs that are uniquely tailored to clients’ tastes. “You can start with us from paint colors to carpets and follow it all the way through to completion,” Lynette said. “A lot of times, we have clients come in that just say, ‘Here’s a key. Do the condo; do the

house. Call us when it’s done.’” The Mantooths are enjoying their 40th anniversary with an undimmed passion for furniture and design, and they look forward to many more years working with new and old friends in Homewood. “Every single day I get up and I love to come to work,” Lynette said. “I feel like I’m the luckiest girl in town because I get to meet new people and see such great homes.”

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The “lost art” of cafeteria-style dining is alive and well at the Paw Paw Patch. The restaurant, opened by Joyce Melton and her family in 1985, serves home-style meals that are both quick and delicious. “[Customers] come here because it’s fast and because it’s almost as good as Mama makes,” said John Bertolini, the restaurant manager. “I get comments that the food is just outstanding and they can walk in the door and be sitting down eating in two minutes, which is a big plus for the business area.” The Green Springs Highway restaurant has been in Melton’s family since 1965, when it was an ice cream shop called Dairy Snack. The shop sold hamburgers for 15 cents and Coca-Cola for a nickel. The family decided they wanted to be a full-service restaurant, and in 1985 the Paw Paw Patch was born. “It was a family desire of my father’s just to have a country cooking, cafeteria-style restaurant,” said Melton, who is now the owner. The restaurant was named after Melton’s father, whom his grandchildren called “Paw Paw.” The pawpaw tree on the front sign has special significance for Melton as well. “[My father] used to sing us the song, ‘Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch,’” Melton said. After 25 years in business, the Paw Paw Patch’s convenient and tasty food has earned the loyalty of many Homewood customers and employees. Bertolini described the restaurant

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Raleigh Ave

A meal at the Paw Paw Patch (clockwise from left): Cornbread, Jalapeño Cornbread, Fried Okra, Banana Pudding, Sweet Tea, Green Lima Beans, Country-Fried Steak and Gravy, Home-style Macaroni and Cheese. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

as a “big family” where they know the regular diners by name and the staff rarely changes. One employee, in fact, has been with the restaurant since its Dairy Snack days. “We have a lot of people who eat here every day and have eaten here every day for 25 years. Some of them come twice a day,” Melton said. The Paw Paw Patch menu always includes several classic favorites like Fried Chicken or Steak and Gravy, which come with two vegetable sides and a choice of a dinner roll, cornbread or jalapeño cornbread. They also

410 Green Springs Highway 941-1117 thepawpawpatch.net Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

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offer a different special every day, with options like Monday’s Chicken and Dumplings or Friday’s Fried Catfish. Dessert choices include Cookies and Cream Pie, Banana Pudding and daily cobbler selections. “My menu has basically been the same for 25 years, but we do change it daily — a little variation — to give that person who comes over and over a variety,” Melton said. Popular menu items include the CountryFried Steak and Gravy and the Fried Catfish, which Melton’s father used to eat every Friday.

Paw Paw Patch offers cafeteria-style dining. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Bertolini’s personal favorite is Wednesday’s special, Meatloaf. “It’s made from scratch,” said Bertolini. “We use all fresh ingredients in our homemade meatloaf, and to me that’s a big plus.” Bertolini and Melton are considering adding new vegetable and entrée choices, such as Carrots and Veal Parmesan, in the future. However, Melton’s classic menu built on family recipes will largely remain the same. “If it’s not broke, you don’t try to fix it,” Bertolini said.

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The Homewood Star

Community

A new kind of Market Junior League welcomes Homewood’s Father Goose to annual shopping event Shoppers can kick off the holiday shopping season the weekend before Thanksgiving with a new take on a long-standing tradition. The Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) has christened a new name and logo for its annual holiday market — Market Noel. The event will welcome more than 100 local and national merchants to set up shop in the conveniently located Cahaba Grand Conference Center as familiar strains of Christmas music play. “The rebrand has attracted a lot of new vendors,” said Mary Evans, Market Noel chair. “Our hope is to keep old favorites while bringing in fresh, new merchandise from around the country.” All proceeds from Market Noel will support the 34 community projects of JLB. Returning to the Cahaba Grand Conference Center for the fifth consecutive year, the festivities begin Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. with a Sneak Peek party. General admission shopping runs Nov. 21-23 from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Highlights include Market Morning, featuring country music singer Sara Evans, and a book signing by Homewood’s own Father Goose, Charles Ghigna, and his wife, Debra. Ghigna recently co-wrote a children’s book with his wife, titled Christmas is Coming! Both authors will be on hand to sign copies of their latest book. On Friday, John Croyle of the Big Oak Ranch will be signing copies of his book, The TwoMinute Drill to Manhood: A Proven Game Plan for Raising Sons. On Saturday families can enjoy free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit marketnoel.net to purchase tickets and

Homewood’s Father Goose, Charles Ghigna, and his wife, Debra, will sign copies of their new book, Christmas is Coming!, at Market Noel.

to review a complete list of participating merchants and event details. Tickets are also available at the door, and all special event tickets include admission for shopping. You can also find Market Noel at facebook.com/MarketNoel, JLBirmingham on Pinterest or #jlbmarketnoel on Twitter. -Submitted by the Junior League of Birmingham

Market Noel Cahaba Grand Conference Center Nov. 21-22, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 general admission marketnoel.net

Annual 5K to support Children’s of Alabama By MADOLINE MARKHAM An upcoming race will help provide care for children across the nation seeking medical attention through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The Phi Mu chapter at Samford University will host its 19th annual Children’s Miracle Run 5K Saturday, Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m. at Homewood Central Park. “It would be a joy to see a lot of our community here in Homewood, as well as the greater Birmingham area, come together for a Saturday run to support Children’s,” Philanthropy Chair Sarah Snyder said. “All of our funds raised go straight to the hospital, and I know many people have been impacted by the care and compassion of all those working and volunteering at Children’s.” The race usually raises around $5,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and all funds go directly to Children’s of Alabama. Last year alone the chapter raised about $50,000 from various fundraisers. “Last year we had around 300 runners, and this year we are hoping for even more for another record-breaking year,” Snyder said. Registration is $15 in advance or $18 dayof for students, or $20 in advance or $23 dayof for community members. Registration includes a T-shirt and door-prize entry. Student race check-in is Friday night at the Phi Mu house, and day-of community checkin is Saturday at the park at 8 a.m. To register, visit helpmakemiracles. org/event/phimu5k2013/. For more information, contact Sarah Snyder at childrensmiraclerun2013@gmail.com.

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November 2013

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Combating Alzheimer’s By SYDNEY CROMWELL Elizabeth Boyd has always been an advocate for a healthy mind, body and family. She earned a business degree in the 1940s before many women even considered entering the workforce. She stayed physically fit, had a happy marriage for 62 years and made sure her two daughters attended both college and church. Now, 90-year-old Boyd still has remarkable physical health, facing only high blood pressure and a slight twinge of arthritis. She reads her Bible every day, gets her hair fixed once a week and calls her daughters regularly to check up on them. Boyd also can’t remember if she showered or took her medication this morning. She has forgotten how to operate an oven or a television, and she is convinced her granddaughter is stealing her clothes. Boyd was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, and her symptoms are now so severe that her family has put her in an assisted living home. “When your mother can forget your name and who you are, it’s hard,” said Connie Beatty, Boyd’s younger daughter. “I go home and cry because it tears me up.” Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating and fatal form of dementia that, according to the Center for Disease Control, affects about 5 million adults in the U.S. It destroys its victim’s brain function and causes memory loss, personality changes and inability to function independently. Currently, there is no cure.

Dr. Andrew Lampkins researches treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

Andrew Lampkins, a professor in the Samford University chemistry department, has been researching treatments for Alzheimer’s disease for five years. With the help of undergraduate students, Lampkins is designing chemicals that could potentially slow or even stop the

spread of the disease. “Alzheimer’s disease, in my mind, is one of the most crippling conditions in the United States,” Lampkins said. “There is a major medical and economic burden that this disease state imparts on us.” Lampkins has focused his efforts

on creating a drug to fight amyloid plaques, an enzyme that he described as “gunk” that builds up and obstructs the brain’s work. “In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, the balance is disrupted,” he said. “It causes all those problems. What we’re hoping to do is slow

down that process, restore it back to its normal level.” Lampkins has created about a dozen potential drugs so far, which are being tested by Erika CrettonScott, a professor at Samford’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Although none of the chemicals have responded successfully to testing yet, both professors know this is part of the process of research. “Research by its very definition is frustrating,” Lampkins said. “We’ll get to a dead end or we’ll get to a reaction that just doesn’t work, so we have to go back.” “It’s tedious to get to the answers that we want,” agreed Cretton-Scott. “With any chemical compound, when you bridge chemistry and biology together, some things usually don’t work.” Lampkins is confident his lab will soon discover the right formula, creating a chemical that can be developed into a cure or prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. For patients like Boyd, however, any such breakthrough will come too late. Her illness has advanced to Stage II, and her memories and comprehension are already too destroyed for any medication to bring them back. “The hardest thing is being forgotten – going in and they don’t know you anymore,” Beatty said. “Every day you’re saying goodbye to the mental faculties of that person who loved you and took care of you.” November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month. To learn more visit alz.org.

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12 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013

The Homewood Star

Remembering

Edgewood

Lake

By LEAH RAWLS ATKINS

dgewood Lake today lives only in the memories of old people and in history books. But when my parents and I moved to our new house on Columbiana Road in February 1942, it was a beautiful man-made body of water. Fed by Shades Creek and by the little creeks and drainage ditches that flowed rainwater into Shades Creek from as far away as Homewood and Mountain Brook, the lake was nestled at the foot of Shades Mountain. The road to Columbiana crossed over the dam and then climbed up the mountain. The Birmingham Motor and

The Edgewood Lake dam is shown on the right side of this archival photo with Shades Mountain behind it. The old Columbiana Road, originally built in the 19th century, crossed Shades Creek about 100 yards west of the lake dam, but after the lake was completed, a new road was built in its place. Photo courtesy of Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives.

Country Club acquired the property in 1914 and soon afterward began clearing the lake bed and building a dam across Shades Creek. The lake covered 117.4 acres and attracted fishermen who could reach the lake by the streetcar line that ended at

the lakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern shore. Patrons who rode the streetcar learned to be careful not to step on the cane poles, corks and hooks that were resting on the floor. The original design called for a motor speedway around the lake,

which was patterned after the one in Indianapolis. Although the north and south runs were graded and eventually became Lakeshore and South Lakeshore Drives, the raceway was never completed. The Motor Club did finish the clubhouse

on a rise overlooking the northern shore of the lake, and it became the Edgewood Country Club. They also built a dance pavilion over the lake in front of the clubhouse. The Valley View Swimming Pool was next to the dance pavilion.

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TheHomewoodStar.com

Growing up on the lake Herb Grifﬁn, 83, president of the Homewood Historical Society, shared some of his memories from growing up near Edgewood Lake. Just like people now go to visit Vulcan when they come to town, they would go see Edgewood Lake then. You would see families on outings for the day and sweethearts dating. In the summer of 1944, my friend and I got a fishing permit from Rudolph [land company]. We would ride the streetcar to the end of the line on Lakeshore Drive and fish at the lake every day. We caught bream, crappie and catfish. One time, Gordon Beam, who started the Shades Valley YMCA, had a mule get loose, and ended up riding it home across the lake from what is now South Lakeshore Drive to Lakeshore Drive. It was a beautiful lake, and those of us who were around then really miss it.

Share your Homewood memories Edgewood Lake covered 117.4 acres along what is now Lakeshore Drive. The intersection of Broadway and what would become Green Springs Highway as well as portions of the old Columbiana Road can be seen in this photo of the lake looking down from Shades Mountain across Shades Valley. Red Mountain is in the background. At the lake’s shore the new road to Columbiana intersects North Lakeshore Drive and turns west to cross the lake’s dam. Photo courtesy of Birmingham, Ala., Public Library Archives.

Shades Creek, normally a slowmoving bubbling creek, flooded into a raging stream with steady rains and sent high waters over Shades Creek Parkway, Lakeshore Drive and Columbiana Road. At least twice, in 1923 and 1935, the dam broke under such pressure. When this happened, the lake would empty down Oxmoor Valley, leaving the bed muddy, then dry, and plants and trees would soon grow beside the winding channel of Shades Creek. In 1923, the Birmingham Motor and Country Club was dissolved. The clubhouse remained and was operated by R.R. Rochelle as Edgewood Park. Birmingham civic and fraternal groups and families held barbecues, dances and picnics there. But the most infamous event that

occurred on the dry lakebed happened on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1923, when the Robert E. Lee Klan, No. 1, the oldest and largest Klan in Jefferson County sponsored a mass initiation ceremony on the lake bed. Many area Klansmen came to Edgewood to participate. Klan leaders from Atlanta and all over the state and the South attended. The Birmingham News reported that 25,000 people made their way to Edgewood that night to watch the initiation ceremony, and half that many more were stuck in traffic jams. They never reached the lake bed to see the thousands of white robed Klansmen, the new initiates, the burning crosses, torches, and red, white and blue fireworks. Cars were parked in a tangled mess on the sides of streets and roads for miles.

Do you remember growing up in Homewood in a different era? Or do you know a piece of Homewood history? Email editor@ thehomewoodstar.com. We would love to share your stories and/or photos with the community.

In later years, many male Edgewood residents (women would not have dared to be seen there) shared memories of watching the spectacle that night. The most famous initiate was a talented and ambitious Birmingham lawyer from Clay County who was destined for greatness as an Alabama U.S. Senator and U.S. Supreme Court Justice — Hugo LaFayette Black. Edgewood Lake, which was a shallow lake, froze over several times in the cold winters of the 1930s, and one time I remember in 1945. Residents who had ice skates had great fun while we Southern children enjoyed watching. In the years after the Great Depression, Edgewood Lake became a burden to nearby property owners

who didn’t like the fishermen and riffraff that came to the lake. Neither the county nor any city government would spend money to keep the lake and dam in good repair. Depressionera government agencies could not help because they could not spend money on privately owned properties. In 1940, the Investor’s Syndicate of Minneapolis, which then held title to the land, deeded the land to Jefferson County in a right-of-way agreement. From then on nothing was done. Cars traveling too fast down the new Green Springs Highway sometimes went over the bank into the lake. In the early 1940s, Mr. Weaver, who operated a filling station and grocery store on Green Springs Highway at Broadway, went off the road into the lake and

drowned late one night during a rainstorm. Jefferson County drained the lake in spring 1946, supposedly for improvements and dam repairs. Trees grew in the lakebed, but boys, men and hobos continued to fish in the deep holes of the creek. It was a wilderness inhabited by snakes and animals. The City of Homewood, nearby residents and the County Commissioners squabbled over what to do and who would pay for it. And the lake was gone forever. Leah Rawls Atkins, Ph.D., is a historian who grew up in the 1940s on Columbiana Road a block from the Edgewood Lake dam. She taught history for almost three decades at Auburn and Samford Universities.

14 • November 2013

The Homewood Star

Humane Society celebrates 130 years of community service By INTISAR SERAAJ-SABREE The grooming staff at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) did not know what damages to expect when they started shaving Fifi’s fur. The Shih Tzu mix had patches of matted fur intertwined with her skin due because she had been chained outside for too long, according to the GHBS blog. Her owner surrendered her to the organization in January 2013, and a foster guardian took her in and by February decided to adopt her. Programs such as the GBHS foster guardian program and the volunteer program have played an integral part in success stories during the organization’s lifespan. For more than a century, the GBHS and its community of volunteers have shown an overwhelming passion for animals. The organization is now housed just off West Oxmoor Road. Ramona Graffeo, GBHS volunteer coordinator, said some helpers admit that they are too in love with animals and should not be in an environment surrounded by adoptable pets. She also said typically volunteers adopt pets daily. Although the nonprofit organization receives no government funding, it has flourished for 130 years with the help of a database of about 500 active volunteers. GBHS’s reliance on community support reflects the vision its creator had when he founded the humane society in 1883. Dr. John Herbert Phillips, who also founded Phillips High School and the Birmingham Public Library, believed a well-rounded person

Ramona Graffeo, Hailey Rogers and Karen Peterlin play with two kitten siblings.

must be taught humane values and compassion. Under his leadership, various humane-education programs began to teach these qualities in hopes of creating more responsible pet owners and humans compassionate toward animals. This year the GBHS also introduced a 33foot RV named TARA (transport, assist, rescue, adopt) that it takes to animal-oriented events to

Timeline 1883: Dr. John Herbert Phillips founds the 12th child and animal humane society in the U.S. and the first in the Southeast. 1910: The Birmingham Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals incorporates. 1919: Phillips forces the passage of the first humane laws in Alabama, requiring each county to provide an animal enforcement officer and minimum standards of care. 1930s: The humane society begins to refer child cruelty investigations to Juvenile Court officers and concentrates on responding to reports about animal welfare. 1977: The GBHS hires Executive Director Dr. Patricia Chase, the first full-time veterinarian and the first full-time education and PR director, and the county authorizes funds to hire the first animal cruelty officer more than 50 years after the 1919 law’s passage. 1987: United Way funding is cut by 90 percent because the GBHS refuses to share smaller facilities with Rabies Control. 1999: The first Animal Cruelty Officer is added to the Birmingham Police Department after the Birmingham police chief attends a First Strike Against Violence seminar. 2000: The GBHS hires its first full-time animal cruelty investigator and a veterinarian to spay and neuter all adoptees. 2005: The GBHS and Gulfport’s Humane Society of Southern Mississippi agree to assist each other in saving and rescuing sheltered animals in times of disaster. 2007: The GBHS begins working with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to build a barn to house rescued horses and livestock. 2013: The GBHS surpasses its adoption number from 2013 with 989 adoptions since June 1, receives a dog play area funded by community donations, and offers new dog training classes.

showcase adoptable pets. These events provide additional venues for the organization to raise awareness and provide pet care tips. “Ultimately we want to keep pets in people’s homes instead of having to find them new ones,” said Hailey Rogers, GBHS events and communications coordinator. “It’s giving back to those who’ve given to us; we wouldn’t be

here if it wasn’t for the community.” The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is located at 300 Snow Drive. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon-4:30 p.m. For information on pet adoption, volunteering, donating or pet care tips, call 942-1211 or visit gbhs.org.

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TheHomewoodStar.com

HHS senior named Distinguished Young Woman This summer Sarah Grace McDuff, a senior at Homewood High School, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County 2014. This year 21 girls participated in the Distinguished Young Women program competing in the categories of talent, selfexpression, fitness, scholastics and interview. Elizabeth Hale, also a Homewood High School student, was named a top eight finalist in the competition. Sarah Grace was a preliminary winner in the categories of fitness, self-expression and talent and was the Overall Scholastics winner. For her talent, she performed a ballet en pointe to “Fairy Doll Variation.” She is the daughter of Jodi and Laurence McDuff. Members of the class of 2015 who are interested in participating in next year’s Distinguished Young Women program can visit distinguishedyw.org and click on “participate” or email Jefferson@distinguishedyw.org. The program will be held in July 2014.

First alternate Cailyn Levant, Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County 2014 Sarah Grace McDuff and second alternate Amber Gibson.

Community to gather for annual service of thanksgiving The churches of Homewood will come together to celebrate an annual community Thanksgiving worship service at Dawson Family of Faith on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. The program will include a message by Father Martin Muller, priest at Our Lady of Sorrows, and music that expresses the spirit of Thanksgiving presented by the combined orchestras and adult choirs of Dawson and Trinity United Methodist. The service was started more than 20 years ago by a group of Homewood pastors. “The service gives the churches in our area across the spectrum of denominations — from Roman Catholic to Southern Baptist to many others in between — and across the spectrum of race and class to show that we are united in our greater mission in serving God,” said Rev. Drew Holland, Trinity United Methodist’s minister of

welcoming ministries and young adults. “This is especially important during the Thanksgiving season when the whole community gives thanks in various ways. We hold this service to be united in our thanks to God despite any doctrinal or denominational bickering. We hope this service then shines a light and points others to the love of God.” Other churches taking part in the service are All Saints’ Episcopal, Bethel AME, Edgewood Presbyterian, Friendship Baptist, Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian, Oakmont United Methodist, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic, Second Presbyterian, Shades Valley Lutheran and Union Missionary Baptist. Dawson, the host church, is located at 1114 Oxmoor Road. For more call 871-7324 or visit dawsonchurch.org.

Trinity to host special presentation of Handel’s Messiah

Letter to the Editor Hi, my name is Reid Zuber. I am a Boy Scout in Troop 97 in Homewood. I am working on my Communication Merit Badge, which is required for Eagle. I am supposed to write to the editor of a local newspaper and discuss any topic I choose. I decided to write to you about all the things I love about Homewood. I am very excited about the new pool that they are building. I am excited about the new rec center, too. I love the shops and restaurants that this city has to offer and that they are so close to my home. Our church is close and so is the park. I love to take my dog there to play. My favorite restaurants in Homewood are in downtown Edgewood. Homewood is the perfect place for a couple trying to raise a family. I am so glad my parents chose Homewood to live. So those are my favorite things about Homewood.

The combined choirs rehearse selections from Handel’s Messiah. Photo courtesy of Heather VacLav.

Reid Zuber, 14 Troop 97 Eighth grade, HMS

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Trinity United Methodist Church’s adult choir and orchestra are teaming up with First UMC in Prattville to prepare for two presentations of the Christmas section of Handel’s “Messiah.” Both will be held the first Sunday in the Advent season, Dec. 1. The first performance will be at First UMC in Prattville at 2:30 p.m., and the second will be at Trinity UMC at 6:30 p.m. R. Scott Robertson, Trinity’s music director,

and Norrell Robertson, First UMC music director, will conduct. This presentation will be the principal music program of the Christmas season for each church, and everyone is invited. A nursery will be provided, and at Trinity, free valet parking will be available. Trinity United Methodist is located at 1400 Oxmoor Road. For more visit trinitybirmingham.com.

16 • November 2013

The Homewood Star

Scouts earn bronze award for reading program

NOVEMBER 21 - 23, 2013

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Thursday, November 21 Friday, November 22 Saturday, November 23 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sneak Peek Party

Wednesday, November 20 7 - 10 p.m.

Market Morning with Sara Evans Thursday, November 21 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Snaps with Santa

Saturday, November 23 9 - 11 a.m.

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$12 General Admission $24 Market Morning $10 Group Ticket

$36 Sneak Peek Party $12 Snaps with Santa $24 Three Day Must-Have Pass

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Zoe Nichols, Lydia Estes and Maya Leonard recently earned their Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Girl Scout Troop 350 members Lydia Estes and Zoe Nichols, sixth graders at Homewood Middle School, along with Altamont School student Maya Leonard, recently earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award for their project Read All About It. The girls threw a party for second-grade children in the STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) program. At the party, the girls gave out book bags they had decorated, as well as

new books to read. Birmingham’s STAIR program tutors second graders who need extra help in reading. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior (fourth and fifth grades) can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow through with a project that makes a positive difference in her community.

Arts and crafts sale coming to OLS Shoppers looking for unique gifts can find them at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church on Sunday, Nov. 3. Parishioners will display their creations during the Tenth Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The church’s Family Life Center assembly hall will be filled with handmade items including pottery, aprons, jewelry and rosaries. There will also be paintings, drawings, photography, crocheted items and food items.

The free exhibit and sale is being organized by Fran Ross Robertson, who said the talents of her fellow parishioners inspired the event. Exhibitors will donate a portion of their proceeds to the parish. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road across the street from the Homewood Public Library. The Family Life Center is off of Central Avenue and across from the OLS parking garage.

November 2013 • 17

TheHomewoodStar.com

Assistance League Open House to kick off holiday shopping season

Assistance League members Mary Ann Wade and Jan Service are organizing the group’s open house.

The annual Holiday Open House at the Shops of Assistance League is set for Sunday, Nov. 3. PrimeTime Treasures and Encore Upscale Thrift Shop will be open from 1-3 p.m. that afternoon. Shoppers can purchase unique seasonal items as well as hundreds of other crafts, jewelry and art sold by the league’s craftsmen.

Encore will showcase the latest fashions and décor, and newly opened boutique Encore Collection will feature designer clothing. Light refreshments will be available during the shopping event. The shops are located at 1755 Oxmoor Road. For more, visit assistanceleaguebhm.org.

Senior Center hosts wellness fair Homewood Senior Center hosted a Autumn Wellness Fair featuring more than 35 booths of resources for medical, therapeutic, nonmedical, and recreational services and activities. More than 80 members of the Senior Center, members of Lee Center and guests

were in attendance. Among the recreational resources represented were the Birmingham Quilters, Guild and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Jackie Tally, local fitness instructor, engaged participants in various exercises.

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Prints

18 • November 2013

The Homewood Star

Setting an exceptional example By LAUREN MORIARTY It all started with a vacuum cleaner. One day as she talked about her vacuum with friends, stay-athome mom Tricia Kirk was struck by a feeling of emptiness. Looking to fill this space in her life, she started assisting a young boy with autism as a volunteer at her children’s school in Mountain Brook. Fifteen years later, Kirk is the highly respected executive director of Homewood’s Exceptional Foundation, a center for adults with special needs, and could not imagine life being any different. “My mission is for everyone to have an understanding that my people are real and have the same wants and needs as everyone else and deserve to live a meaningful life,” Kirk said of her goals for the foundation. “I want caregivers to know they have a place for their loved ones to go that is safe and maintains the highest quality of life.” Kirk draws on her Bachelor of Science in special education from The University of Alabama for her work at the foundation. Her personal experience adds to how she connects with parents who face the realization that their child was

born with special needs. “Everyone wants a typical child,” she said. “I understand, I have a child who battled cancer. I know what it’s like in that moment to have the air knocked out of you.” Kirk credits Homewood for the success of the organization, which is located on Oxmoor Road. She notes the joyful attitude police, firefighters and paramedics have when responding to stressful situations there. Members of the community are generous with both time and money, she said. She recalls an instance when the Exceptional Foundation Scout trailer disappeared from the parking lot. Community members replaced all the scouting equipment so the troop could continue as before, with Rep. Paul DeMarco donating the troop’s Alabama and American flags. Kirk’s commitment to community service was inspired by her grandmother Ruth Harris of Homewood, a generous philanthropist who volunteered in the community. Much like her grandmother, Kirk’s connection to the community doesn’t stop at the foundation. She and her husband have acted as foster parents and hosted international students from the UAB tennis team

Fini Giattina, former homecoming queen of Homewood High School; Tricia Kirk; and Stephanie Romeo of Homewood at the Exceptional Foundation. Photo by Lauren Moriarty.

for Thanksgiving. Fifteen years after her wake-up call, Kirk works hard to educate the community and raise awareness for those with disabilities. Residents like Stephanie Romeo inspire her.

Red Balloon Sale

Saturday November 16th! antiques, furniture, artwork, gifts, children’s items, custom nursery bedding, area rugs, jewelry, home accessories, lamps, monogramming, upholstery service, custom slip covers, and so much more!!!

930 Oxmoor Road www.homewoodantiques.com (205)414-9945

“I like [the Exceptional Foundation] better than going to school because I don’t have to worry what anyone thinks about me,” Romeo said to a group of Birmingham-Southern students she

and Kirk spoke to recently. Today, Kirk realizes her former sense of emptiness was never about the vacuum. It was about realizing and fulfilling a sense of higher purpose.

November 2013 • 19

TheHomewoodStar.com

Homewood Metro Lions Club

Camilla Pecan Sale

Saturday Nov. 9 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Piggly Wiggly U.S. 31 By KATIE TURPEN In Lebanon, a young man begins to dance at the sounds he hears when fitted with a hearing aid. In Kenya, children hear their classmates’ laughter for the first time. These are moments made possible by Homewood Metro Lions Club and other lions clubs across the state. “[We do] anything to help people who are handicapped,” said Max Herzel, president of the Homewood Metro Lions Club. On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Homewood Metro Lions Club will host a Camilla Pecan Sale at the Piggly Wiggly on U.S. 31 to benefit the Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association, Alabama Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Program, Camp Seale Harris and other community projects. An $8

Lions club member Wayne Dunlap and President Max Herzel at the 2012 Homewood Metro Lions Club Pecan Sale at the U.S. 31 Piggly Wiggly in Homewood.

donation is requested for each 12-ounce bag of pecans, and there will be a collection bin for unwanted hearing aids and eyeglasses. All collected eyeglasses will be sent to a recycling location in Moody, where they will be washed, catalogued and taken on missions to Latin America, India and other places around the world. It’s this gift of sight that motivates Herzel and the Lions.

“Some of these people have never seen their grandchildren,” Herzel said. “It’s amazing the number of students that need glasses who don’t know it. It’s a blessing for them.” All collected hearing aids will be catalogued and shipped to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, a global organization that recycles hearing aids and distributes them in Lebanon, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Uganda,

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Kenya and Malawi. “Due to financial needs, these people can’t afford hearing aids,” Herzel said. The Lions clubs collect eyeglasses and hearing aids year-round and also supports the Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association, a non-profit project of the Lions Club of Alabama in Birmingham that funds medically necessary eye care for low-income

adults and children and provides vision screenings in schools and communities across the state. The Lions Club of Alabama raises about 60 percent of the organization’s revenue. The Homewood club also supports Camp Seale Harris, an overnight diabetes education/ recreation program for children ages 6-17. Herzel said he is thankful for the support of the Piggly Wiggly during their semi-annual sale and that last year there were few leftover bags of pecans. While club membership is lower than it has been in the past, he has high hopes for the future of the club’s outreach. “We are looking to grow,” Herzel said. “The economy has changed, but we are trying to rejuvenate.” For more information on the club, visit lionsclub.org.

20 • November 2013

The Homewood Star

School House HHS wins state Safe School Initiative award

Edgewood students attend state music festival

Attorney General Luther Strange presents Homewood High’s Student Principal Zack Barnes the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative award on behalf of the school. Photo by Lauren Moriarty. Theresa McKibben and fifth-grade students take a field trip to Samford.

Homewood High School has been named one of the winners of Attorney General Luther Strange’s Safe School Initiative Awards of Excellence. A panel of judges reviewed nominations and selected a winner from each of eight state school board districts. “Ensuring safe schools for our students has never been more important,” Strange said in a news release. “Special emphasis is being placed on the use of technology to ensure that our schools are safe. Every school who submitted a nomination will receive feedback from our panel of judges on how to enhance their school safety plan.”

Zack Barnes, principal of Homewood High School, said the school is pleased and honored to accept the award. “Through the collaborative efforts of district administration, local law enforcement and school-based counseling and administration, a vision and a definitive plan of action for school safety are currently in place at Homewood High School,” he said. “The efforts of Mrs. Leigh CohenLong, Mrs. Carissa Anthony, Dr. Joel Henneke, Mr. Eddie Cunningham and Dr. Kevin Maddox are greatly appreciated in this endeavor.” -Submitted by Homewood City Schools

Edgewood Elementary music teacher Theresa McKibben and several fifth-grade students attended the Alabama Music Educators Association Music Festival at

Samford University’s Wright Center in October. Elementary schools from across the state were also in attendance.

Leadership has no age requirements How do you develop our young people to be the leaders of tomorrow? The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club from Homewood Middle School is studying the theme, “Leadership has no age requirements.”

Their study included a trip to the Exceptional Foundation in October. Activities included a hands-on project with opportunities to work with others followed by a “business lunch” with local leaders.

November 2013 • 21

TheHomewoodStar.com

Student attends school in Virginia

New tracks at elementary schools

Hall-Kent Elementary second graders Alexander Peraltra Tinoco, Cameron Seymour, Lauren Brown, Sherylynn Rivera, Asiah Hunter, Erianna Brow and Tya Ickes run on their school’s new track.

Bailey Preston walks to volleyball practice at The Madeira School.

Bailey Preston was accepted to The Madeira School in Great Falls, Va., and began her freshman year this fall. Her parents report that she is playing on the JV Volleyball Team and has a roommate from Thailand. She attended Homewood Middle School before this school year. Bailey is the daughter of Steve Preston and Paula Preston, both of Homewood.

Over the summer, the Homewood Board of Education installed running tracks Homewood’s three elementary schools. Not only do the students enjoy the track during physical education class, but the community is also enjoying it as well. “At Shades Cahaba grades K-5 have used the track as one of their goal-setting tools,” said Genie Christian, PE teacher at Shades Cahaba. “It has been so rewarding to watch the students create their goals then exceed them. It has boosted their self-esteem, made them feel stronger, created a sense of accomplishment and contributed to their overall happiness — it doesn’t get much better than that.” Christian said goals range from one lap to moving the entire run to passing a student who was faster than them before. “What I love seeing is that the track is being used not only by our students but also by our community,” said Jennifer Andress, president of the Birmingham Track Club

and a Homewood parent. “One summer evening my sons and I were running on the track, and we saw our neighbors walking and another family enjoying it as well. As we were leaving a man joined us with his dogs to go for a walk. Another friend, who had not exercised in a long while, went up on a Sunday afternoon with her son to begin walking again because of the new track. It is a true asset for our community!” John Dorough, PE teacher at Edgewood Elementary, said on most Mondays his students log a mile for the Mercedes Kids’ Marathon. “It is not always easy to get them fired up about running a mile,” he said. “Now that we have the new track, we have students that have not wanted to participate wanting to get out there and be more active. And the students that have always enjoyed running are very excited about the new track. Several have said it makes them feel like they are on a ‘real’ track team.” -Submitted by Homewood City Schools

22 • November 2013

The Homewood Star

Filling buckets with encouragement

A great fall Donna Firnberg’s kindergarten class at Hall-Kent Elementary recently tried a “Humpty Dumpty” experiment. Not only did they learn to recite and read the poem, but they also participated in a science experiment and writing lesson. The students watched Humpty Dumpty (a real egg) fall into different materials and recorded their observations. Did he crack? If he didn’t, why not? If he did, why?

Hall-Kent teacher Donna Firnberg and Isabella Miranda.

HHS students named National Merit Semifinalists

Sixth grade teacher Michelle Bradley encourages her students, including Clay Guerrer, left, and Angie Nelms, right, to fill each other’s “bucket” with “Student Shout Outs.”

Teachers at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic (OLS) School recently learned a way to encourage each other and their students. A teacher’s retreat was inspired by the book How Full Is Your Bucket: Positive Strategies for Work and Life, along with the spiritual guidance from OLS Church Pastor Monsignor Martin Muller. As a part of a special gift, each teacher received a bucket with an angel figurine containing a name of a faculty or staff member. This was to show how they are to encourage the theme of giving and caring for each other throughout the school year. They were asked to continually pray for and encourage their coworker or “angel” by filling their bucket with

prayers, encouraging words and notes, as well as taking care of that person’s well-being. It also described ways teachers can implement these same ideas in their classrooms to inspire their students to do the same for their fellow classmates. Throughout the year, each classroom is participating in the endeavor to reinforce the love and teachings of Jesus by encouraging and helping one another. “It is so refreshing to learn how the teachers are carrying on what they learned from their retreat to their classrooms,” said Mary Jane Dorn, OLS principal. “As a result, each teacher is now showing their students how they can ‘fill each other’s buckets’ with Christian values.” -Submitted by OLS

National Merit Semifinalists David Selden, Sarah Grace McDuff, Josh Gardner and Roman Paoletti with Commended Students Miller Williams and Yevgeni Gavrikov. Not pictured: Adam Pratt.

Five Homewood High School seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists: Josh Gardner, Sarah Grace McDuff, Roman Paoletti, Adam Pratt and David Selden. Miller Williams and Yevgeni Gavrikov were named National Merit Commended Students. Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 59th annual

National Merit Scholarship Program. These seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million that will be offered next spring. Commended Students also demonstrated exceptional performance on the qualifying test used for program entry but will not continue in the competition.

Who’s Afraid Of The

Big Bad Wolf An Exploration of Anxiety

An interactive lecture with Psychiatrist Mark Westfall M.D. Tuesday November 19th 6-8 pm Homewood Public Library Register at housecalls.eventbrite.com

TheHomewoodStar.com

November 2013 • 23

Sports

Homewood teens top finishers in half marathon

Runners begin the Talladega Half Marathon on the Speedway track.

Homewood’s Pierce Jackson and Jacob Fitts, both 13, finished first and second in the Talladega Half Marathon this fall. Pierce finished at 20:12 with a pace of 6:31 and Fitts finished at 20:32 with a 6:38 pace.

The half marathon started and finished in the Talladega Superspeedway track, routing runners to the apron of the track, above the track, through the grandstands and outside on the grounds. All proceeds benefitted prostate cancer programs.

Soccer teams finish top in Bash tourney

Freedom 03, coached by Jason Jowers, were tournament champions for the U11 Boys “Nike 2” Division.

Several Homewood Soccer teams were champions and finalists in the Birmingham Bash tournament. Freedom 03 coached by Jason Jowers, Freedom 05 Girls coached by Mindy McBride and Freedom 96 coached by

Mason Cook were tournament champions in their divisions. Tournament finalists were Eagles 03 coached by Jason Jowers, Eagles 05 coached by John Durkin and Freedom 03 Girls coached by Paul Harbin.

We invite you to Holiday Open House Nov. 7-9

(starts at 4 pm) 2925 18th Street South, Homewood • 205-871-0585 www.harmonylanding.com • Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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The Homewood Star

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION

Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL (Former Jeﬀerson County Satellite Courthouse)

Zumba ZUMBA is Latin inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes! You can burn 500 to 1000 calories in one fun hour! Instructor: Camille Scruggs Contact Info: 256-452-2500 or camillescruggs@ gmail.com Location: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Days & Times: Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm Thursday 5:30-6:30pm Saturday 9:00-10:00am

Karate Classes are held at the Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility at various times based on age and level of experience. Monthly tuition is $55 $65. Classes are for children and teenagers ages 4 and up. For more information please contact Master Joe at 966-4244

Young Rembrandts Draw amazing things with Young Rembrandts! We believe that drawing is a skill that can, and should be learned by all children. Young Rembrandts classes are both fun and educational, and our step-by-step curriculum is developed to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Our classes are for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Classes have relocated to Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. Please contact Chris Roberson at (205) 9431923 for more information and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime.

Belly Dancing with Aziza Class Location: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Class Fee: $60 cash only For more information contact Aziza at 879-0701 or azizaofbirmingham@att.net Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egyptian style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instruction. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcome; with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times times are 7:00-8:30pm. Beginners start with the basic steps, isolations and shimmies and progress to the intermediate class where you will learn to put the dance together with more advanced steps and combinations plus dancing with the veil; advanced classes include performing with zills, cane, veil with more advanced and longer performances. The classes are for anyone who wants to dance for fun and ﬁtness, as well as those who wish to perform. Aziza has trained dancers to perform for many events in the Southeastern area in addition to dancers who perform regularly at Ali Baba Persian Restaurant in Hoover. www.azizaofbirmingham.com

@homewoodparks

City Wide Special Event

Kindermusik As the world’s recognized leader in early childhood music and movement, Kindermusik oﬀers a musical learning adventure that will impact your child now and for years to come! This is accomplished through our extraordinary classroom experience and unsurpassed At Home materials. There’s simply no better way to foster your child’s love of music and love of learning. Classes are available for ages 0 to 5 years. Classes are located to the Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. You can enroll for classes at anytime! For more information call or email Kelly at: 205-552-6129 (or) Kelly.alligood@charter.net www.kellyalligood.com

Homewood Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Homewood Chess Team Homewood Chess Team wants you! Beginners are welcome and the ﬁrst two weeks are always free promo weeks so come check us out! This year take the plunge and join Dr. Brooks and your current Alabama State Chess Champion Chess Team as we laugh and train in daily mardi-gras bead chess tourneys and compete for prizes in our daily musicdriven chess puzzlers and watch zany chess movies and inter-face and inter-train with 20 sister chess teams including every Vestavia and Mountain Brook elementary school, The Randolph School, The Altamont School, Tuscaloosa Academy, The Highlands School, ﬁve Catholic schools, and many others. There has never been a party-based approach to chess like this, and Dr. Brooks’ unique, kid-oriented philosophy has made us 50-0 in our history, and counting! Our high-energy chess classes are developmentally and cleverly targeted directly at the kindergarten through 7th-grade set! Come join the fun as kids learn to love learning, learn that they are unspeakably smart, and learn how to absolutely cream their parents in chess! The Knight School is not just this year’s and last year’s and the year before’s Alabama State Chess Champions for both K-3 and 4-6; we are also the most compelling, kid-centered chess party in America. Learn more and sign up for our school chess team at www.theknightschool.com or call and chat with Dr. Brooks at (205) 746-4952.

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew Your child can be a fairy, a princess or a butterﬂy while keeping ballet traditions alive and having fun with classical music. The beginning ballet moves taught are the important foundation for many types of dance. The French names for steps will be introduced. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and ﬂexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. The environment provided is a happy and age appropriate one. Claire has been teaching ballet since starting as a teenager in Montgomery. Then, after moving to Birmingham, she started teaching with Birmingham Ballet. She has taught preschoolers in Mother’s Day Out and Day Care as well. Girls may wear any color leotard and tights for class, with pink ballet shoes. Classes meet once a week on Monday. Times & Location: Monday 3:45pm-4:30pm / Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Please contact Claire to enroll or for additional Information: (205) 879-8780

Parade begins 6:30 pm at Homewood Library; Tree Lighting Program begins at conclusion of Parade at City Hall Plaza. For the most up to date information on this event please visit: www.homewoodparks.com

Homewood Senior Center Senior Center Event Rentals

Don’t forget to check with the Homewood Senior Center before your next event. We now take extended hours rentals on Friday & Saturday nights until 10:00pm. Sunday afternoon is also available to rent from 1:00pm – 6:00pm. Please call 332-6500 for additional information. Auditorium Rental Rates Homewood Resident: $250.00 for 5 hours Non-Homewood Resident: $500.00 for 5 hours *Rental time includes setup and cleanup time **All rentals outside of normal operating hours are subject to availability, must be booked two weeks prior to event and must be for rental of the auditorium.

Zumba / RIPPED Fitness with Ashley Harris Where: Homewood Senior Center Auditorium When: Tuesday’s 5:50pm – 6:50pm Open to the public; all ages welcome! For info/registration, contact Ashley Harris at 212-4697 or zumbajam@yahoo.com

Gentle Adult Yoga with Jean Campbell

A stressful lifestyle is one of the biggest health challenges of modern society. Although we may not be able to control the circumstances of our environment, we can manage our reactions to them. Exercises, guided breathing practices and maintaining a positive perspective are tools that can help us keep calm and even when life gives us a lot to deal with. Yoga can help develop those tools. Join Jean Marie Campbell for an hour of gentle hatha yoga designed for both beginner and intermediate level students. Classes will begin with a quiet time for centering. After settling in, students will be guided through yoga poses, or asanas, that help keep the spine healthy. Flexibility and strengthening work will be a part of the practice and classes will ﬁnish up with time for guided relaxation and focused breathing. Wednesday’s 6pm-8pm at Homewood Senior Center A block of 6 classes can be purchased for $60. Drop-in fee is $13.

News & Updates New HWCC Construction Updates

Visit www.homewoodparks.com/pardon-our-progress for updates on the construction project including monthly narrative and new images updated multiple times per month.

Homewood Parks on Twitter

For news, updates and athletic facility closures follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/homewoodparks/

www.Homewoodparks.com

TheHomewoodStar.com

Friday night lights Homewood High School football games as captured by photographer Scott Butler

November 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ 25

26 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013

The Homewood Star

Annual HHS Homecoming Parade hits the streets of downtown Homewood

Photos by Scott Butler.

November 2013 • 27

TheHomewoodStar.com

Chamber Chamber to host Holiday Open House Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Edgewood/18th Street Downtown Edgewood and 18th Street merchants will offer a variety of specials including in store events, door prizes, treats, beverages and more. Families are invited to enjoy the festive decorations while completing their

holiday shopping gift lists. A complimentary trolley will shuttle guests from downtown Homewood to Edgewood. For a map of trolley stops, pick up a copy at area businesses or the Homewood Chamber of Commerce office, located inside the Homewood Public Library at 1721 Oxmoor Road.

Downtown Homewood merchants participating in the Holiday Open House include Liz Lane, Four Seasons Art Gallery; Margaret Scott, Savage’s Bakery; David Hezlep, Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry; Paige Drummond, Eighteenth Street Orientals; and Melanie Mendonca, NeedCo. Photo by Katie Turpen

Other upcoming chamber events Thanksgiving Luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 19, 11:30 a.m. The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive The Rev. Tony Cooper of the Jimmie Hale Mission will speak.

Homewood Star Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m. Top of 18th Street, Downtown Homewood

Choirs from area schools will perform, and hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served.

Visit homewoodchamber.com or call 871-5631 for more information.

Legislators hope to make car tag renewal more accessible, reform Water Works By MADOLINE MARKHAM Homewood residents could be renewing car tags online or at kiosks and seeing regulation on water rates after the next state legislative session, Rep. Paul DeMarco said last month. DeMarco and Sen. Jabo Waggoner addressed the Homewood Chamber of Commerce on news from the legislature at a luncheon on Oct. 15 at Samford University. The state legislature passed a law two years ago that allowed municipalities in Jefferson County to issue car tags, said DeMarco. He said he is hopeful cities like Homewood will be able to add online and kiosk vehicle registration following the next session.

“We should have on-demand ordering of car tags,” he said. DeMarco also discussed how he and Waggoner sponsored a bill during the last session that would regulate Birmingham Water Works Board rates and add more regional representatives to the board. “Rates have gone up 200 percent over the last 13 years,” DeMarco said. “It is one of the last bastions of problems in Birmingham.” DeMarco said that they hope to pass this legislation in the upcoming session as well. To contact DeMarco, email paul@pljpc. com. To contact Waggoner, email jabo. waggoner@alsenate.gov.

VETERANS from page 1

improve the lives of people with disabilities around the world. Additionally, the injured military program offers several weekend camps throughout the year for veterans and their families. “Participants can come not just to have a good time but to exercise,” said Beth Curry, chief program officer. “There’s also a philosophical piece. We are hoping to plant new seeds.” Specific programs include Operation Night Vision for those who have suffered serious eye injuries, Operation Down Home for veterans and their families, Operation Alpha for those who have suffered severe brain injuries and Operation Rise & Conquer, which offers challenging outdoor activities. “It’s about transformation, feeling confident doing new things and feeling comfortable

doing old things in a new way,” Curry said. “The camaraderie is a lovely thing to watch.” Veteran WD Foster suffered a spinal cord stroke after a small rock hit him in the back during a physical therapy test in 2007. Foster first heard about Lakeshore while being treated at UAB and decided to try it out. “I’ve been doing great.” Foster said. “I’m really enjoying the physical activity. I’m most proud because they taught me how to swim.” Foster enjoys working out at Lakeshore Foundation because he feels comfortable in his surroundings. “It’s great because you’re not the only person in a wheelchair,” Foster said. “Nobody is staring at you.” For more information on the Lima Foxtrot programs, visit lakeshore.org/lima-foxtrot.

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Calendar

WI-FI

from page 1 were chosen as test facilities because they are already city property and are capable of housing the network equipment. Originally, the city council had only planned to add Wi-Fi in the area around Rosewood Hall because the building had poor Internet connectivity. However, councilmen Britt Thames and Walter Jones felt that Homewood should follow the lead of Mountain Brook and many other cities around the country, which have already implemented citywide Wi-Fi. “It seemed like a logical step for us,” Thames said. “We felt like it was a good amenity for us to offer.” Thames said that the IT director, James Yates, researched the costs of building such a broad network and found the costs to be “surprisingly inexpensive.” The equipment and start-up costs for the first five networks will cost around $16,000, and yearly costs to provide firewalls and content stations will be $1,680 per station. These expenditures were approved as part of the budget for 2013-2014, and the city only needs to purchase the equipment and sign certain agreements before it can begin implementation. Once the project is completed, Thames said the different systems will form a single network so residents can sign in once and move anywhere around the city without losing their connection. He hopes the convenience of the new networks will draw more people to public places, as families can enjoy playgrounds and recreational facilities without being cut off from conducting business when needed. “[It will] give people more reason to come out to the park,” Thames said. “It’s an amenity a city like Homewood can and should offer.” The first Wi-Fi networks at the Homewood Community Center and Central Park are expected to be available to public use by April, with the other three systems to follow later in 2014. The City Council will monitor the systems’ success in order to determine the locations of future additions to the citywide network and potential timelines for installation.

Homewood Events Oct. 13-Nov. 24: Joy Gallery Group Exhibit. Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 513 Columbiana Road. Featuring the art of Cary Baker, Adelaide Booth and Gayle Leitman. Call 942-3051. Nov. 1: “18 for aTeam” Charity Golf Classic. Robert Trent Jones - Oxmoor Valley Course. All proceeds will benefit the patient family programs of aTeam Ministries. Visit ateamministries.org. Nov. 1: HHS Varsity Football at Benjamin Russell. 7 p.m. Nov. 2: Vulcan Run 10K. Starts in Linn Park. $35. Visit birminghamtrackclub.com. Nov. 2: Fall Family Fest. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Rosewood Hall, SoHo. Exhibition will feature products, healthcare, education, after-school activities and more. Visit birminghamparent. com. Nov. 2: SPREE Yard Sale, Arts & Crafts & Vendors. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oakmont United Methodist Church. Visit oakmontmethodist.org or call 942-4622. Nov. 2-4: Ninth Annual Ballroom Dance Marathon. The Exceptional Foundation. Weekend tickets $85, or $15 per dance night and $65 for the dance workshop day. Competition is free for spectators. Email curtnwendy@hotmail.com . Nov. 3 & 17: Alzheimer’s Awareness Support Program. 2 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic

Church Family Life Center, Third Floor, 1728 Oxmoor Road. Features dementia care information for patients and caregivers. Nov. 3: Tenth Annual Arts & Crafts Show and Sale. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Family Life Center, 1728 Oxmoor Road. Visit ourladyofsorrows.com. Nov. 3: Holiday Open House. 1-3 p.m. Shops of Assistance League, 1755 Oxmoor Road. Shop PrimeTime Treasures and Encore Upscale Thrift Shop for seasonal items and crafts. Visit assistanceleaguebhm.org. Nov. 5: Christy Jordan Book Signing. 7 p.m. Books-A-Million, Colonial Brookwood Village. Jordan, blogger at southernplate.com, will speak and sign copies of her new book, Come Home to Supper. Nov. 5: ‘Ring of Fire - The Music of Johnny Cash.’ 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 7: 12th Annual Holiday Open House. 5-10 p.m. Edgewood and 18th Street. Visit homewoodchamber.com. Nov. 7: Homewood Rotary Club Luncheon. Noon. Homewood Public Library. Jeannie Colquett, director of the Bell Center, will speak. Nov. 7: HHS Show Choir Fall Show. 7 p.m. HHS Auditorium. Nov. 8: ASO Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Series: The Music of Ella Fitzgerald with Patti Austin. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University.

Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 9: Camilla Pecan Sale. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Piggly Wiggly on Highway 31. $8 donation is requested for each 12-ounce bag of pecans. Hosted by the Homewood Metro Lions Club. Portion of proceeds will go to Alabama Lions Sight Association. Call 902-5686. Nov. 9: Phi Mu Children’s Miracle Run. 8 a.m. Homewood Park. Proceeds go to Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Visit helpmakemiracles. org/event/phimu5k2013. Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day. Homewood City Schools closed. Nov. 12: How to Change Anyone – or Any Situation. 7 p.m. Mr. Wang’s Restaurant, 217 Lakeshore Parkway. Sign up at Vestavia. toastmastersclub.org. Nov. 12: Tap Dancer Savion Glover STePz. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 14: Homewood Rotary Club Luncheon. Noon. Homewood Public Library. Jonathan Nelson, general manager for the Barons, will speak. Nov. 18: Bela Fleck with Brooklyn Rider. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 19: Homewood Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. The Club. The Rev. Tony Cooper of the Jimmie Hale Mission will speak. Visit homewoodchamber.org.

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Calendar Homewood Public Library Events Nov. 19: HHS Basketball vs. Huffman. 6 p.m. Girls, 7:30 p.m. Boys. Homewood High School. Nov. 21: Homewood Rotary Club Luncheon. Noon. Homewood Public Library. Kate Nielson, director of the Greater Birmingham Community Foundation, will speak. Nov. 22: Civil War Voices. 7:30 p.m. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford. edu/wrightcenter. Nov. 22: HHS Boys Basketball vs. HewittTrussville. 4:30 Freshman, 6 p.m JV, 7:30 p.m. Varsity. Homewood High School. Nov. 23: HHS Miss Heritage. Homewood High School Auditorium. Nov. 24: Community Thanksgiving Service. 6 p.m. Dawson Family of Faith, 1114 Oxmoor Road. Call 871-7324 or visit dawsonchurch.org. Nov. 27: Lighting the Homewood Star. 5:30 p.m. 18th Street, downtown Homewood. Visit homewoodchamber.com. Dec. 1: Handel’s Messiah. 6:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road. Visit trinitybirmingham.com. Dec. 3: Homewood Star Lighting. 5:30 p.m. Top of 18th Street, downtown Homewood. Choirs from area schools will perform. Visit homewoodchamber.com. Dec. 10: Homewood Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. 6:30 p.m. Visit homewoodparks.com.

For more, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org or call 332-6600.

Adults

Nov. 7: Families & Finance with Dr. Stephanie Yates. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Learn how to keep more hard-earned cash in your pocket by avoiding money mistakes, spending less, and reducing debt. Plus, get answers to your most pressing family finance questions. Nov. 7: Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken Words Series. 6:30 p.m. Round Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. The Seasoned Performers will showcase Dandelion Wine, which takes us into the summer of 1928 for the wondrous and magical events in the life of a 12-year-old Midwestern boy named Douglas Spaulding. Nov. 12: Oxmoor Page Turner’s Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Explore William Landay’s courtroom thriller Defending Jacob. Nov. 13: Emphasis on Health: Fibromyalgia with Dr. Mark Dailey. Noon. Large Auditorium. Dr. Mark Dailey explores this chronic condition and the most effective treatments and lifestyle changes those suffering with fibromyalgia might make to improve their symptoms and quality of life. Nov. 14: Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken Words Series. 6:30 p.m. Round Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. Poet Adam Vines will discuss the creative process as well as the place of

poetry in the new millennium. He is assistant professor of English at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and editor of the Birmingham Poetry Review.

cheese and other refreshments will be served. You can become a member by making a $10 individual or $15 family annual donation, which is tax deductible.

Nov. 18: Healthy Eating From Around the World with Chef “E” – Jamaican Cuisine. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. Reservations required. Contact Leslie West at 332-6620 or lwest@ bham.lib.al.us for more or to register.

Children

Nov. 19: The A, B, C’s of Medicare. Noon & 6 p.m. Room 116, Lower Level. Karen Haiflich will answer all your questions about how Medicare benefits are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to file a claim. Nov. 20: The Better Than Therapy Book Club. 2 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Discussing Curtis Sittenfelds’s Sisterland.

Tuesdays: Story Time. 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome. Wednesdays: Story Time. 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome. Thursdays: Mommy & Me. 10:30 a.m. This is a story time for younger patrons and their guest. This month it will not be held Nov. 28 due to Thanksgiving.

Nov. 21: Live @ Homewood Public Library: Spoken Words Series. 6:30 p.m. Round Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. Critically acclaimed storyteller Elizabeth Vander Kamps will perform two solo performance pieces that she has written.

Nov. 4 & 18: Monday Movie. 3:30 p.m. Fulllength children’s movie and hot popcorn.

Dec. 6: Friends of the Homewood Public Library Members Only Book Sale. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Friends Bookstore, Lower Level. All books will be 50 percent off the already low prices of the Friends Bookstore. Additionally, the Friends will be selling special holiday and collectible titles for the holiday season. There will also be a silent auction, and wine,

Nov. 16: Cereal & Cartoons. 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy some good, old-fashioned cartoons and cereal (without the milk). Dry cereal only available till 10:45 a.m.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Nov. 9 & 14: Say Hola to Spanish. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Thursday. Language learning story time.

Nov. 21: Zumba Now - Turkey Later Family Night. 6:15 p.m. You will be ready to stuff yourself next week after this movement event.

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The Homewood Star

Calendar Area Events prayers, lessons and anthems.

Nov. 1: James Farmer Book Signing. 11 a.m. Gus Mayer, 214 Summit Blvd. Farmer will sign his bestselling books A Time to Plant, Sip & Savor, Porch Living, Wreaths for All Seasons and A Time to Cook. Call 910-6393.

Nov. 15-16: A Southern Christmas Bazaar. Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pelham Civic Center. More than 50 merchants will be present. Event benefits projects of the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club. Visit rotarysouthernchristmas.com or call 414-3672.

Nov. 1-2: TumTum Tree Foundation Wine Auction Weekend. Friday 6-8 p.m., Saturday 6-9 p.m. Birmingham Country Club. Wine tasting, silent auction and private wine maker dinners. Benefits local charities. Call 563-0832.

Nov. 19-20: Briarwood Christmas at the Caroline House. 9:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. Briarwood Presbyterian Church. A holiday decorator’s show house. Briarwood Ballet will perform, and Anita Barker Barnes will speak. $10. Call 776-5311.

Nov. 2: Drug Prevention Walk. 8 a.m. Jefferson State Community College- Shelby/Hoover Campus. Walk to prevent drug abuse against teens. Admission free with donation of a canned food item, school supply item or personal hygiene item. Call 874-8498. Nov. 2-3: Moss Rock Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Preserve, 616 Preserve Parkway. Explore nature, eco ideas, art + design at Alabama’s premier eco-creative festival now in its eighth year. Call 595-6306. Nov. 3: Sursum Corda: Dark Night of the Soul. 7:30 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road. Birmingham’s premier choral ensemble presents a reflective program of choral works, including JS Bach’s “Komm, Jesu, Komm,” “How Long, O Lord” by Jacob Avshalomov and “Dark Night of the Soul” by Ola Gjeilo. Call 226-4957. Nov. 3: Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles. 7 p.m. BJCC Concert Hal. Call 1-800-745-3000. Nov. 2-3: St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Park and Pastor Streets, Brookside. Call 285-9648. Nov. 6-10: Disney on Ice: Princesses & Heroes. BJCC.

Nov. 20-23: Market Noel. Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Sponsored by the Junior League of Birmingham. Visit jlbonline.com. Moss Rock Festival, Nov. 2-3 Call 800-745-3000.

Presented by Birmngham Canoe Club. Call 907-3374.

Nov. 6-10: Christmas Village Festival. BJCC. Arts, crafts and gifts festival with more than 700 booths. $10 adults, $4 children 6-12. Visit christmasvillagefestival.com.

Nov. 7-17: Jesus Christ Superstar. Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th Street South. $30-35. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Nov. 7: Judith March Taste of Teal. 6 p.m. Vestavia Country Club. Sit-down dinner, wine tasting, silent auction and live auction benefits the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation. $50. Visit thinkoflaura.com. Nov. 7: UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Presents: Anoushka Shankar. 7 p.m. Alys Stephen Center, 1200 Tenth Avenue South. Call 975-2787. Nov. 7: Reel Paddling Film Festival. 6-9 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Rapid Media’s 8th annual Reel Paddling Film Festival showcases the world’s best paddling films.

Nov. 8: David Sedaris. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall, 1200 Tenth Ave. South. The humorist will celebrate the release of his ninth book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls. $41.50-$61.50. Visitalysstephens.org or call 975-2787. Nov. 9: Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crestwood Festival, 7001 Crestwood Blvd.

Nov. 22: Fall FestivAle. 7 p.m. Old Car Heaven, 115 South 35th Street. Presented by Free the Hops and featuring seasonal and unique beers from Alabama breweries. $27 in advance, $37 at the door. Call 531-5085. Nov. 24: Service of Choral Evensong. 4 p.m. Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue. IPC Camerata will provide the service music of this Christ the King Evensong. Nov. 24: Handel’s Messiah. 3 p.m. Riverchase United Methodist Church. Alabama Civic Chorale will present their 66th annual performance with professional soloists and members of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Free. Visit alabamacivicchorale.com.

Nov. 9-10: Alabama Designer Craftsmen’s Annual Fine Crafts Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit alabamadesignercraftsmen.com. Nov. 10: Choral Evensong. 3 p.m. Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Avenue North. A service of

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 21-23: Bridge Tournament. Morning, afternoon, and evening at Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive, 35244. Visit bridgewebs. com/Birmingham.

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Nov. 28: Sam Lapidus Montclair Run. 8:30 a.m. 10K, 10 a.m. Fun Run. Levite Jewish Community Center. Visit bhamjcc.org.

ALABAMA

877-8797

Wayne Salem, Owner

2913 18th Street S.

Monday–Saturday 6:30am to 3pm www.salemsdiner.com

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November 2013 • 31

TheHomewoodStar.com

Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

Peace like a river Kate and I have been saying a prayer on the way to school in the mornings: “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” She asked me one day what peace means. Trying to whittle it down to its most basic, I told her it meant having a calm heart. There’s a phenomenon in some parts of the oceans where air currents and waves have no effect on the deepest waters. No matter what is happening on the surface of the ocean — a light chop or hurricane-force winds and waves — way down at the bottom, everything is still and calm. That’s what I imagine God’s peace looks like. It means trusting that God will walk with us down roads that otherwise would fill us with fear — and He will smooth our internal waters as we walk. Years ago, I listened to a sermon by Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, and his wife about marriage. Mrs. Keller made a comment that has stayed with me ever since. She said God doesn’t play along with our imaginations and our fantasies. When we imagine or worry about what our future will look like, God doesn’t inject His grace and peace into that mental picture — the grace and peace that He will in fact give us if our lives work out in that particular way. She said not to worry about what life will be like if “the thing” happens or doesn’t happen. Regardless, God will be there, walking through it with us, pouring out His grace to enable us to get through it,

whatever it is. When I was single, I worried about whether or not I’d get married. Once we got married and started thinking about kids, I worried that we’d never get pregnant. These days, small worries revolve around whether I’ll get a break in the afternoon while the kids nap, whether Kate will stop playing long enough to use the potty, whether Sela will grow out of her fascination with electrical sockets. But we all have bigger, much more important worries too — loved ones in pain, family members living far away, ever-present financial concerns, our children’s health and futures. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we don’t spend time worrying or at least thinking about these concerns, no one will, and bad things will ensue. But the truth is, all these worries, big or small, fall under the umbrella of God’s grace and care. Isaiah 48:18 says, “If only you had paid attention to my commands [like do not worry], your peace would have been like a river.” I long for God’s peace to fill me so completely that daily winds and waves don’t ruffle those deep, internal waters. I pray it even more for myself now that my girls are getting old enough to pick up on unspoken things — things like attitudes and moods, especially ones that are decidedly un-peaceful. As their main model of how to live, I want them to see me clinging to Jesus’ promise that, in Him, we can have peace. There may be troubles, but He has already overcome the world. Lauren can be reached at LaurenKDenton@ gmail.com

32 â&#x20AC;˘ November 2013

The Homewood Star