The Homewood Star | October 2012 |
www.TheHomewoodStar.com
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Volume 2 | Issue 7 | October 2012
Shop Save & Share Cards- pg 9
HMS’s Coach Sills - pg 19
Kids’ plans for Halloween - pg 13
A Construction new, old home in Homewood managers’ perspectives on remodels and new builds By RICK WATSoN & MADoLINE MARKHAM David O’Brien and his family always reminisced on how much they loved the pocket of neighbors around their first home in Edgewood. So, after spending a few years in a house across town, they made plans to move back, buying the house next door to the one they remember so fondly. When they made plans to remodel however, they discovered the foundation— two bricks side-by-side—would not allow for the additions they needed for their young family. They decided to start from scratch. Although it jumped from 1,300 square feet to 3,300, the O’Briens’ new home has almost the same footprint as the old one. They upgraded the structure a story-and-ahalf, keeping the roofline lower to make the massing of the house feel smaller. O’Brien, an apartment developer by profession, actually reused several components from the old house like the mail slot, doorbell, beams, floor joists and foundation brick. The old house had
See NEW BUILDS | page 21
October Features 5
City news Upcoming events Shades Valley YMCA
7, 9 8
Easter Seals
11
Lauren Denton
12
Homewood Happenings
14
Business Spotlight
15
Restaurant Showcase
17
Samford organ player
18
Sports
22
School House
23
Calendar of Events
26
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Amy and David O’Brien, pictured with their children Josephine and Banks, built a new home in Edgewood that incorporated many elements of the lot’s original house. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Pink and proud
Local woman beats breast cancer By KATEY CouRTNEY Mary Hawkins has known breast cancer for most her life. Her mother battled it when Hawkins was a child, and she received her own diagnosis at age 47. She said after watching the savagery of the disease unfold when she was young, she was truly surprised to face it again as an adult. Hawkins, a 30-year resident of the Edgewood community, said when she was diagnosed in 1994 she wondered if breast cancer was genetic, but there was no genetic test at the time. For four years after her diagnosis, she went to the UAB Comprehensive Breast Cancer Center to have regular mammograms, and when genetic testing became available, both Hawkins and her sister were tested. Both tested positive for the breast cancer gene, and both elected after research to
her when she needed to make decisions about reconstructive surgery. “I was really against having breast implants and researched a fat relocation surgery that could be used to reconstruct breasts,” Hawkins said. “Never stop educating yourself and asking questions. Don’t be afraid to follow your instincts or get tested.” Research led Hawkins to more life-saving information in the following years. According to cancer.gov, traits for both breast and ovarian cancer can be passed down genetically. So when a test was released that could Breast cancer survivor Mary Hawkins prepares for last year’s Susan G. determine a woman’s genetic Komen Race for the Cure with her grandchildren, Virginia and Patrick. predisposition to ovarian cancer, Hawkins had the procedure and Photo courtesy of the Hawkins family. learned she was definitely at risk. have double mastectomies. and everything regarding She had her ovaries removed, but Throughout her journey, breast cancer, and she urges her sister didn’t. Hawkins’ sister Hawkins remained dedicated to others fighting the disease to educating herself on anything do the same. Research helped See PINK | page 27
A Father and Sons Operation Mon-Thur: 7-7 Fri: 7-6:30, Sat: 9-4 1915 Oxmoor Rd. • 871.6131 hunterscleaners@gmail.com
We Love Homewood Hunter Payne and sons Winston and Collier