The Homewood Star | September 2012 |
www.TheHomewoodStar.com
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Volume 2 | Issue 6 | September 2012
Summer Fun Photo Contest winners- pg 16
Homewood Music-
Swim team- pg 21
pg 11
A bright end to a rough road Rosedale native Shelley Stewart’s journey to CEO By RICK WATSON A few years ago when o2ideas needed more office space, a real estate agent found a building across the road from Samford University and invited CEO Shelley Stewart to visit the property. When Stewart reached the second floor of the office space, he stepped to the window. As he peered through the blinds, he began to weep. The realtor thought he’d done something wrong, but Stewart called him over to the window and pointed to Edgewood Lake. “This is where it all began,” he said. “Not many people know my story, but this soil is special to me.” Stewart was born in a 12-by-15-foot room in the cellar of 25 Edgehill Road in 1934. His mother, Mattie, was a housekeeper for the Morgan family, who owned the house, and lived in the servant’s quarters until the family moved to a house on 18th Place in the Rosedale community. At age six, Stewart and his older brother, Huell “Bubba,” who was not yet eight years old, watched their father murder their mother with an ax.
See STEWART | page 22
o2ideas CEO Shelley Stewart sits in front of the house at 25 Edgehill Road where he was born. Photo by Rick Watson.
City election results
September Features Mayor’s Minute
5
City news
5
Upcoming events
7
Glenn Feldman
10
Lauren Denton
12
Homewood Happenings
14
Business Spotlight
15
Gary Asher
18
Sports
21
Rebecca Riley
23
Restaurant Showcase
24
Calendar of Events
26
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Check TheHomewoodStar.com following the August 28 Homewood city elections for results and further council coverage.
The Bell Center family By CRAIG KLEIMEYER
The Bell Center is located in the heart of Homewood, and many Homewood residents are at the heart of the Bell Center. There, teenagers, Service Guild members and other volunteers dedicate two hours of their weeks to one-on-one time with children at-risk for physical and mental delays from ages birth to three. Miles Braden, who lives in Homewood, first started the “Bright Beginnings” class at The Bell Center when he was six weeks old. The Bell Center employees have given Miles the one-on-one attention he needs, and the family atmosphere has been impressive, his mom Leah said. The Bradens are one of about 100 families each year who receive early intervention services for their children at The Bell Center. “The Bell Center is a good family of friends and support,” said the Homewood
See BELL CENTER | page 25
Pedestrian bridge to Mountain Brook under discussion By ASHLEY BERKERY
Homewood resident Patricia Weaver works with Emma twice a week in the “All about Me” class at The Bell Center. Photo by Craig Kleimeyer.
WE CLEAN.
you shine
A pedestrian bridge is under discussion among the cities of Homewood, Mountain Brook and Birmingham. The bridge would cross Hollywood Boulevard over U.S. 280 from Homewood into Mountain Brook. The Homewood City Council approved the project to move forward at the August 13 meeting. “The opportunity to build this pedestrian bridge will provide a safe route for runners and walkers who daily cross over Highway 280 coming and going from Homewood and Mountain Brook,” said State Representative Paul DeMarco. DeMarco has recently worked with officials in all three cities to coordinate collaboration with the state to get the
See BRIDGE | page 23 Call now to receive your free, no-obligation estimate
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