TheHomewoodStar.com
March 2013
The Homewood Star Volume 2 | Issue 12 | March 2013
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
The wait is over
Signing Day
Target grand opening set for March 10
Justin Hardy, above, was one of five Homewood High School athletes to sign to play at the collegiate level on National Signing Day, Feb. 6. Learn about all these students inside. Photo by Jeff Thompson.
Sports page 23
Adieu,
Lifeguard Mama
Target’s new store on Lakeshore Drive, slated to open March 10, will include both a Pizza Hut Express and Starbucks. Photo by Nathan Kelly.
New Target to offer extended grocery section and innovative parking design By NATHAN KELLY Homewood’s first Target will give shoppers a fresh taste of how a 21st century retail store should look. Customers will find that the 140,000-square-foot store will carry almost the same number of items as a Super Target. The store’s “PFresh” model includes a grocery area with a dry to fresh produce section that will feature
the top-selling items found in a Super Target. The number of aisles in the grocery section is larger than in a general Target, with extended shelves of up to 12 feet to fit more groceries. Grocery sections in PFresh Targets differ from those in Super Targets primarily because they do not include a deli or bakery, Homewood Store Team Leader Erin Seago said. The produce section is constructed in a U-shape with pre-weighed meats
on the left, dairy to the right and a variety of fruits and vegetables in the center of the U. The eating area for Pizza Hut Express or Starbucks will overlook the two-story glass atrium in the front of the store. To get from the parking level to the retail space, shoppers will be able to ride one of the two elevators or the escalator up to the store. On the way back to the car, shopping carts can ride
in the cart escalator, which locks carts in to secure groceries and purchased items, Seago said. One of the new displays in PFresh Target will be its baby department. Instead of cribs and changing tables displayed on top of shelves and out of reach, they will be in the center of the department at ground level to give shoppers a complete look
See TARGET | page 12
200
$40 million
$600,000
square feet of space includes new restaurants
jobs projected to be added
in projected first-year revenue
in estimated annual tax revenue returned to the City
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656
140,000
See the results on pages 10-11!
BEST OF
HOMEWOOD The Homewood Star 2013
WE CALL IT THE BATH-WILL-SHINE-LIKE-NEW-ROOM
Athletic Coordinator Linda Sellers will bid Homewood Parks and Recreation goodbye when she retires this month, but not without to a party to celebrate. Read about her legacy in this issue.
Community page 8
INSIDE
Sponsors ................. 4 City ........................... 6 Community ............. 8 Living 50+............... 13 Celebrations .......... 17 School House ........ 18 Sports ..................... 22 Calendar ................ 26 Opinion .................. 26
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Kors • Michael Stars • Moth • Nanette Lepore • Nicolle Miller • Paige • Prada • Rock & Republic • Saks • Snow • St. John • Sweet Pea • Tano • Theory • Three Dots • Tory Burch • True Religion • Ugg • Velvet • White House Black
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eed NDresses? Visit our newly expanded formal area with 4,000 square feet exclusively dedicated to formals. With over 2,000 new and consigned gowns, Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace is your #1 source for all things formal.
We are the proud sponsor of 103.7 the Q’s Gown Town event Saturday, March 9. We are accepting gown donations through March 8.
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Johnson • Burberry • Carlisle • Chip & Pepper • Christian Louboutin • Citizens of Humanity • Coach • Cole Haan • Cynthia Steefe • Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Pliner • Ectetera • Ed Hardy
7 for Mankind • Anne Klein • Anthropologie • Antik Denim • BCBG • Betsey Donald Pliner • Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People • J Crew
• Ferragamo • Free People J Crew • Joe’s Jeans • Juicy • Kate Spade • Laundry • Lily Pulitzer • Louis Vuitton • Marc Jacobs • Matt & Nat • Michael
March 2013 • 3
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Ask the Expert
Tips On Getting Ready for Spring Call 991-8366 today!
Est. in 1985
It’s hard to believe Spring is just around the corner. March 20th is the official kickoff of Spring. All the kids will be starting Spring sports, the flowers and trees will be blooming. With these blooms also comes the POLLEN. To me that’s the only bad thing about Spring. If you have allergies I’m sure it is for you also. Here are a few suggestions to keep pollen to a minimum. Try to avoid going outdoors in early morning hours between 5 AM and 10 AM when plants emit pollen. When dusting your home, be aware that dusting can actually make things worse by
kicking up allergens such as pollen in the air. To minimize dust in the air use a damp cloth or a treated cloth to attract dust rather than scattering it. At Clean Technique, we always use microfiber clothes in all of our homes that we clean. Vacuuming can also send dust particles in the air, especially in areas that accumulate more dust such as carpeting and furniture. I recommend using a vacuum with a Hepa filter. If time permits, vacuum twice a week. Put good door mats on outside and inside of entry way doors. This will help more than you realize. Also, remove
shoes before entering. We bring in many allergens on our shoes. If rugs can be cleaned wash them weekly. Don’t forget about your pet family. Make sure to wipe their feet and body with a wet wipe. Clean Technique has been taking care of homes for over 25 years. Call us today for a FREE in home estimate. Don’t forget to ask about our specials on Spring Cleaning.
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Check out our services on our website: www.CleanTechnique.net
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1752 Oxmoor Rd.• www.homewooddental.com • 868-4577 No representation is made that the quality of dental services to be performed is greater than the quality of dental services performed by other dentists.
4 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
About Us Photo of the Month
Please Support our Sponsors Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (6) Alabama Fertility Specialists (17) Alabama Power (27) Always There, Inc. (14) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (6) Birmingham Speech & Hearing (13) Brandino Brass (8)
Homewood High School Varsity Boys Track & Field Teams won the 5A State Championship Meet. Photo courtesy of Amanda Esslinger.
Editor’s Note By Ashley Berkery Dear Homewood, At 37 years old, I still carry a verse in my heart that my parents taught me when I was just a little girl. It is in Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’” I have leaned on this verse many times over the years. It gave me peace throughout middle school in the challenge of being a teenage girl. It calmed my fears when I tried out for Star Spangled Girls at the high school my freshman year (I wrote it on all my school notebooks). It helped me through dating (oh gosh, did it ever). It got me through college and difficult exams. It stayed with me during my 20s and early 30s when I was praying for the right man to be my husband (and that hope thankfully came to pass in 2009). It was with me during the newborn stages of my boys when I thought I just might not make it one more day without good sleep. And it is with me now. It is with me in a decision that has been bittersweet – and that is stepping down as editor of The Homewood Star. For the past 23 months, I have poured my heart and soul into this job. It has been an amazing journey for me and has led me to meet so many of you I didn’t know before. It has opened my eyes to many touching stories you have
shared with us over these past two years, and it has given me joy! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting down to write my first editor’s letter and introducing you to our new community paper. If I had superwoman powers to give 100 percent to my family and to you, I would not be writing this letter, but God has shown me recently that my family is most important. And, I have also realized how precious (and fleeting) time is with my little ones. So, as I enjoy time with them over the next weeks, months and years, I will also still be here doing all the things I love to do in Homewood. If you know me well, you know it takes a lot for me to go outside of our beloved community. I can’t go to the Summit, for example. It’s too far, and well, to be honest Homewood has everything we need right here at our fingertips. Hello, Target! As I was walking Hart the other day, I passed by Linda Sellers’ house, and tears came to my eyes as we stood in her driveway and I told her of my decision. We hugged and laughed because March is a milestone month for her as well. After 23 years of serving as athletic coordinator of Homewood Parks and Recreation, she is retiring. Linda has also poured her heart and soul into a job that has touched many of your lives. I can’t even begin to think of how many lifeguards she has
Briarcliff Shop (6) Brookdale Place (13) Brookwood Medical Center (26)
coached over the years (me being one of them), and how many families she has inspired throughout her time at park and pool events. It will certainly not be the same pool without her there. You can read about Linda in a special tribute on page 8. It’s people like Linda and people like you, our readers and advertisers, that have made my time here at The Homewood Star special. And, of course, our wonderful and talented staff – I could not have done it without you all. As one of my dear friends and contributing writers Anna Cate Little wrote last summer in her farewell article, this is not good-bye, this is only a thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be praying for your journeys moving forward and know that you will have a great journey each month when reading The Homewood Star because I know I sure will!
Children’s of Alabama (19) Clover Crawl (18) D1 Sports (22) Escape (23) Gauntlet Fitness (28) Harmony Landing (8) Homewood Antiques and Marketplace (18) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (3) Homewood Parks and Rec (20) Issis & Sons (12) Jacqueline DeMarco (9) Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadway (10) Joe Falconer (10) Lamb’s Ears Ltd. (12)
P.S. Even though the central pool will be closed this summer for renovations, I will still be the crazy pool mom who goes daily (most days twice daily– once before naps and then again after naps) to either West Homewood pool or to the newly renovated Shades Valley YMCA pool. I will be the one convincing the lifeguards it was a plane and not thunder!
Mary House Kessler, Ph.D (24) One Stop Promotions, LLC (23) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (25) Piggly Wiggly (15) Plastic Surgery Specialists (17) Powell Pediatric Dentistry (21)
The Homewood Star
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Publisher : Creative Director : Editor : Managing Editor : Executive Editor : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :
Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Ashley Berkery Madoline Markham Jeff Thompson Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Contributing Writers : Lauren Denton Merrick Wilson Rick Watson Allie Saxon Interns : Clayton Hurdle Megan Smith Nathan Kelly Published by : 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
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For advertising contact: dan@TheHomewoodStar.com
Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (25)
Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use
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of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed to inform the Hoover 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.
Please recycle this paper
Sunny’s Package Store (17) The Maids (1) The Wade Team (9 Trinity United Methodist Children’s Ministry (24)
March 2013 • 5
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Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors, I promised you in earlier editions that I would let you know about the financial state of the city as soon as the auditing firm had completed its work. I am pleased to announce it has closed the books for fiscal year 2012, resulting in a surplus of $2 million. I’m sometimes asked how we continue doing this, and I think the answer is somewhat two-fold. Retail dollars have to continue to improve each year, and my estimates on revenue will always be very conservative. By keeping a conservative outlook on revenues, it forces me to be conservative on expenses. While the revenues continue to climb during the year, I look to department heads and employees to help me develop new ideas and ways to get the job done at a reduced rate. The end result is a surplus. A good example of how we can improve service while decreasing costs is our fire department. In the past, the City of Homewood has operated one rescue unit to run emergency medical calls. In addition to the rescue unit running a call, an additional fire truck was sent for needed support. The city has had one rescue unit located at Station 2 on Carr Avenue that runs calls for the entire city. In other words, if you live in Rosedale and had a medical emergency, you had to wait for the rescue unit to come from Edgewood. If you live in West Homewood and needed medical assistance, it would also come from Edgewood. With the change, we will now have
paramedics and life saving equipment on every engine at each station, resulting in a quicker response time. Rosedale will now be served medically by Station 1 on Central Avenue, and our neighbors in West Homewood will be served by Station 3 near Waldrop Stadium. By sending one vehicle, it will cut our operating costs by not having to continue to purchase rescue units and maintain them. I could list each department and give specific examples of how the men and women of Homewood work hard each day to contribute to increased services and reduced costs. Many times, they have great ideas because they are actually the ones performing the work. My goal is to get better and better at listening and communicating with them to attain the desired outcome. In the book Teamworks, Mary Follett said, “The best leader does not ask people to serve him, but the common end. The best leader has not followers, but men and women working with him.” I truly appreciate the opportunity to serve this city along with some of the greatest people in the world — Homewood employees. With kindest regards I remain Sincerely,
Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood
City Rough terrain rescue Homewood Fire has enhanced its disaster scene preparedness with the acquisition of two smallscale rough terrain vehicles known as “utility vehicles” or “UTVs.” Fire fighters will deploy the UTVs to transport personnel and rescue equipment into areas that are unreachable by fire trucks. In addition, one of the UTVs has been modified to transport victims out of disaster areas to awaiting ambulances. After the April 2011 tornado outbreak, Homewood Fire provided disaster relief in Pleasant Grove and Hackleburg. One of Homewood Fire Department’s utility vehicles. Fire Chief John Bresnan and Mayor Scott McBrayer jointly recognized the need unimproved areas in Wildwood, fire department for UTVs in order for firefighters to more efficiently personnel have developed the skills necessary for operate in the debris fields of a tornado’s aftermath. A driving the UTVs in broken terrain. The complement of the UTVs to Homewood combination of funding from the City of Homewood, Homeland Security and the Jefferson County Fire’s fleet places another level of capability in Emergency Management Agency made the purchases the emergency response system. With the UTVs fire fighters feel that victim inaccessibility due of the UTVs possible. Under the direction of instructors Lt. Darrell to windstorms and heavy snows will be greatly Garrett and Fire-Medic Clint Daniels, firefighters reduced. – Submitted by Homewood Fire Department have undergone UTV operational training. Utilizing
Ways to prevent auto theft There were 63 auto thefts in Homewood in 2012. A lot of these thefts could have been prevented. Here are some ways to make it harder for criminals to commit auto theft:
ff Always lock the car doors. ff Keep your windows up. ff Do not leave personal items in the car in plain view.
ff Do not leave the keys in the ignition. ff Do not leave your car running and unattended. ff Do not leave a spare key where a thief can find it.
ff Park in a public place with plenty of light. Don’t be a victim. Let’s work together to make a Homewood a safe place to live and work. – Submitted by Homewood Police Department
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• March 2013
The Homewood Star
Fitness + friendship
Easter Week Church Events Covenant Presbyterian March 31- Sunrise Service at the Vulcan, 6:30 a.m. Easter Service, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Homewood Fit targets a formula for healthy living
Dawson Memorial Baptist Church March 23- Easter Egg Hunt March 28- Easter Service, 6:30 p.m. Edgewood Presbyterian Church March 24- Palm/Passion Sunday, 9:30 a.m. March 28- Holy Thursday Service, 6 p.m. March 29- Good Friday Service, noon. The Way of the Cross, 2 p.m. in Homewood Park; concludes at Edgewood at 3 p.m. March 31- Celebration of the Resurrection, 9:30 a.m.
Homewood Fit members gather for a Thanksgiving FIT Feast, where they focused on fit food and community, along with fitness. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Jones.
Homewood Church of Christ March 31- Easter Service, 10 a.m. Oakmont United Methodist Church March 28- Maundy Thursday Service, 6:30 p.m. March 29- Church open for prayer for
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church March 30- Saturday Easter Vigil, 7 p.m. Shades Valley Lutheran Church March 31- Easter Services, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Easter Breakfast, 9:15 a.m.; Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church March 24- Palm Sunday Services, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Evening Taize, 6 p.m. March 29- Service of Darkness, 7 p.m. March 25, 26 and 27- Holy Week noon services featuring guest speaker and lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall ($5 per person). Nursery is provided. March 28- Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion, 7 p.m. March 29- Service of Darkness, 7 p.m. March 31- Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. at Homewood Park (Wesley Hall in case of rain), breakfast to follow; Traditional Worship, 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m., Contact Worship, 11:15 a.m. in Wesley Hall.
No joining fee at YMCA for former Rec Center members Birmingham YMCAs are welcoming all former Homewood Rec members during the month of March with no joining fee, offering a savings of $50125. The citywide YMCA membership includes use of all 11 YMCA branch facilities in the Birmingham Metro Area: Alabaster, Downtown, Greystone, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Northeast, Shades
Valley, Pelham, Trussville, Vestavia and Western Area. The newly renovated Shades Valley branch is located at 3551 Montgomery Highway and can be reached at 870-9622. For specific information about each branch as well as group exercise schedules, visit ymcabham.org. For questions, contact Dawn Pilleteri 8031804 or dpilleteri@ymcabham.org.
Prints
Frames
Accessories
Frames
Furniture
Mirrors
Books
Gifst
Lamps Spring items are here at
Lamp
1829 29th Ave. South • Homewood • 870-8110 www.shophomewood.com
Shades
Chandeliers
The idea for Homewood Fit started with a friendship. “[Allison Stephens and I] would sit at the pool and talk about ways for me to change my diet, and the concept came out of that,” co-owner Suzanne Jones said. “The idea is to show women that healthy living can be simple and easy, and it’s more fun when you do it with your friends. It’s a lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.” Jones and Stephens lead workouts at Homewood Park Monday through Friday at 5:45 a.m. Jones, a former real estate agent, handles the marketing and business side of things. She is also certified to lead group exercise training through AFAA. Stephens has a degree in nutrition and dietetics from Samford University and is a certified personal trainer through ACE. Together, the two have created a program that is continuously growing. When the workout sessions began in February 2011, they had three women in attendance. As of Nov. 2012, their core group has grown to 27 women with a community focus that, while involving high intensity cross fit interval training, avoids feeling like a boot camp. “We try to keep it varied so people stay interested.” Jones said. “We talk about eating real
First Baptist Church of Birmingham March 24- Easter Musical,10:15 a.m. March 24- Easter Egg Hunt, 11:30 a.m.
food as opposed to processed food. A lot of boot camps are revolving doors, and we have a huge core group that comes back each month.” Another aspect of Homewood Fit is Fit Chef Mohana Shull, who moved to the U.S. from Chile when she married a few years ago. Shull prepares meals once a week for Homewood Fit women to pick up and take home to prepare. “Cooking has always been a hobby for her, and she has a passion for food. In Chile, the culture revolves around food,” Jones said. “If you’re interested in getting the meals, you can contact Homewood Fit through Facebook.” For women wanting to live a healthier lifestyle, Jones encourages them to get their friends involved. “For me personally, it’s all about accountability,” Jones said. “I do not walk out my door and exercise unless I’m with a friend, and I think that is key for so many women especially those who have children.” Stephens also encourages women not to get caught up in the details. “Don’t get overwhelmed. Say ‘today I’m going to do something for 20 minutes even if it’s only going for a walk,’” Stephens said. “People feel like they have to go for an hour at a time or more and that’s just not how it is. Start small. And stay away from processed food.”
Tables
By KAITLIN BITZ
Good Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 30- Children’s Easter Party and Egg hunt for birth- fifth grade, , 10:30 a.m. March 31- Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. Worship, 11 a.m.
Furniture
Accessories
Prints
March 2013 • 7
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Community Center demolition begins
Demolition on the former Homewood Community Center began the morning of Feb. 4. Programs and services previously held at Homewood Community Center are temporarily located at the site of the former Jefferson County
Satellite Courthouse, 809 Green Springs Highway. The temporary location will be used until a new community center is completed next to Central Park. It is tentatively scheduled to open in 2014. For more, visit homewoodparks.com.
Rusty Holley and Jakob Stephens of Homewood Parks and Recreation; Park Board President Chris Mason; Park Board Member Don Little; Ward 4 City Council Representative Heather Reid with son, Kaleb; Charlie Bischoff; Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones; Parks and Recreation Director Berkley Squires; Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody; Ward 5 Representative Rich Laws; Ward 1 Representative Britt Thames; Linda Sellers of Homewood Parks and Recreation; and City of Homewood Chief of Staff JJ Bischoff . Photo courtesy of Heather Reid.
New development code in the works for West Homewood
Philip Amthor presents a draft of plans for a proposed development code for West Homewood. Orange buildings represent what redevelopment might look like over the coming decades. Photo by Madoline Markham.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM A new form-based development code for West Homewood could ensure consistent character of buildings in the area, much like those seen in Edgewood or downtown Homewood. Philip Amthor of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham presented a draft of this new code to the Homewood City Council at a work session on Feb. 4. The code would apply to all future renovations or new construction along Oxmoor Road and Oak Grove Road. “This rocks,” said Jamie Ponseti, a city planner present at the meeting. “Once it starts rolling, I think [the redevelopment] will be like dominoes.” Council members voiced they believe development spurred by this plan will draw visitors from nearby I-65 and will raise home values. They also expressed that they saw no reason for opposition to the code. “I am glad to see one step in the right
direction,” said Dee Tipps, West Homewood resident and owner of a.k.a. Girl Stuff, at the meeting. After receiving input from West Homewood residents at a meeting in October, the Regional Planning Commission began working on a master plan in accordance with residents’ desire to improve the character of the area. A catalyst project is best to get things started, Amthor said. Such a project can give people an idea of how things can be developed and can spur further development. Following the Feb. 4 work session, the Planning Commission will produce a video like the one it did for Vestavia Hills’ development plans for the Highway 31 Corridor. The video will bring awareness about the code to area residents. A neighborhood meeting for the West Homewood plan will be held Thursday, March 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Homewood Senior Center, 816 Oak Grove Road. The Planning Commission hopes to receive citizen input on the proposed zoning code in West Homewood during this meeting.
8 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
Community
Aqua Mama
Let the chips fly
Assistance League to host annual fundraiser
By ASHLEY BERKERY In the past 23 years, Linda Sellers has been the “lifeguard mama” to at least 130 guards. “It is a great feeling to see old lifeguards come back to the pool each summer with their own children,” Sellers said. “Most of them call me ‘Mama Lin,’ and I just love it.” Sellers will retire from her position as athletic coordinator of Homewood Parks and Recreation this month, but not without a party to celebrate, scheduled for March 9. Twin sisters Alissa and Emily Thurmond said Sellers took them under her wing and made them feel welcome at the pool each summer from an early age. “When I was old enough to work for Homewood, Linda helped me obtain my lifeguard certificate, and I have been here ever since,” Alissa said. “She has been the best boss anyone could ask for, and I hope she knows what an inspiration she has been in my life.” During her tenure, Sellers created the Junior Lifeguard Program, where children ages 11-14 shadow a lifeguard during the summer, and the Swim with Your Dogs Day at the end of the season. Sellers leaves many fond memories, including when Jeff Myers took her to the bottom of the pool in her street clothes — including her shoes and city beeper — after drill one night. “When I came to the top of the pool, there were no lifeguards to be seen,” she said. Another time Sellers went to the parking lot to leave for lunch only to find her car gone from its place and a kid car in the spot with a note that said “My New Ride.” Sellers will certainly be missed around the pool each summer, but she said that in her new phase of life known
Molly Bee Bloetscher, Mary Ann Wade and Barb Kelley welcoming guests to last year’s Casino Night. Photo courtesy of Barb Kelley.
Homewood Parks and Recreation Athletic Coordinator Linda Sellers will retire this month after 23 years working for Homewood.
Retirement Celebration Honoring Linda Sellers Saturday, March 9, 7-9 p.m. Homewood Senior Center 816 Oak Grove Road as “retirement” that she hopes she will have a steady stream of drop-in visitors. “I have grown to know so many special people over the years, and I hope to still see them around our special community,” Sellers said. “My plans for the future are still not set, but I know one thing is for sure — I am going to clean out my closets!”
Assistance League of Birmingham is hosting Casino Night to benefit its three philanthropic programs. The annual event will take place Saturday, March 9 at Vestavia Country Club and will include a buffet dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, and buy-now boutique. Attendees will receive chips to enjoy a fun night of black jack, craps, Texas Holdem and slot machines. The league’s all-volunteer membership administers the three nonprofits. PrimeTime Treasures opened in Homewood (located at 1755 Oxmoor Road) in 1977. It features
unique, handmade items by Alabama seniors and has returned over $3.9 million to these talented artisans. Operation School Bell provides new clothing to area school children at 28 local schools. Since 1985, the program has provided clothes to over 25,000 youngsters. Operation Literacy provides reading tutors to students who are reading below grade level and offers additional help to new English learners. For more information about Casino Night and to purchase tickets, call 8705555 or visit assistanceleaguebhm.org.
Lil’ Lambs consignment sale returns to Trinity Trinity United Methodist Church will hold its spring Lil’ Lambs consignment sale on Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 in the church’s gym. Lil’ Lambs is a sale of gently used infant and children’s clothing, accessories, toys
and nursery items. Hours on Friday are 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday’s hours – when most items are half-price – are 9 a.m.-noon. Trinity is located at 1400 Oxmoor Road. For more, call 879-1737 or visit trinitybirmingham.com.
Special Order Upholstery Sale
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2925 18th Street South • Homewood 205-871-0585 • www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
2824 Central Avenue - Suite 100 Birmingham, Alabama 35209
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TheHomewoodStar.com
Service Guild to host annual gala The Service Guild of Birmingham will host the 25th Annual Guild Gala on Saturday, March 9 at The Club. Guests will enjoy this black tie event starting with a cocktail reception, formal seated dinner and live auction hosted by Jack Granger of Granger Thaggard Auctioners and concluding with music provided by The Undergrounders. Winning bidders of the live auction could go home with a trip to Scotland, including golf at the historic St. Andrews course, a week to Costa Rica, jewelry from Bromberg’s, a threebedroom waterfront house in Ireland, a beach
vacation to WaterColor, Fla., or even a private cooking class/dinner and wine pairing for 10 at Gianmarco’s. Proceeds from the evening will benefit The Bell Center for Early Intervention Program, a facility dedicated to maximizing the potential of children from birth to three years of age who are at risk for developmental delay. For more than 29 years, The Bell Center has provided critical early intervention services including physical, occupational and speech therapies; special education services; and
AU, UA to compete at basketball championship The top college wheelchair basketball teams will battle on the hardwood at the 2013 Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball National Championship, to be held at Lakeshore Foundation March 7-9. The University of Alabama is the official tournament host, partnering with Lakeshore. Eight men’s teams and four women’s teams from across the country will compete, including the University of Alabama men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Auburn men’s team. Joining Alabama and Auburn in the men’s division are Illinois, Missouri, Texas-Arlington, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Edinboro and SW Minnesota State. On the women’s side, Alabama will compete against Whitewater, Illinois and Edinboro. Competition begins Thursday afternoon, March 7 at 3 p.m. Games will also run Friday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The University of Alabama wheelchair basketball team is hosting the Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball National Championship with Homewood’s Lakeshore Foundation. Photo courtesy of the Lakeshore Foundation.
nutritional counseling to these children. But more importantly, The Bell Center helps the families of these children as they begin the lifelong journey of providing for their children with special needs. Each year, The Bell Center provides services to more than 100 children from throughout the central Alabama area. The Service Guild provides volunteer services to Bell Center programs and financial support through fundraising efforts. For more information, contact chairman Stacey Morales at guildgala@theserviceguild. org or visit theserviceguild.org.
Annual Dawson Perseverance 5K to raise support for area children The 23rd annual Perseverance 5K will be held Saturday, March 9 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. There will be a 5K Run, a 5K Walk and a 1-Mile Fun Run. The race benefits Kids Connection, a Dawson Family of Faith ministry that provides needed physical resources to children ages birth to 16 whose parents or guardians do not have the ability to meet those needs. The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m., and the 1-Mile Fun Run will begin at 8:45 a.m. Following the races, a closing ceremony will award prizes and giveaways. Entry forms are available at the Dawson Family Recreation Center. The cost is $20 if pre-registered before March 2 or $25 on or after March 2. For more, call 879-1758 or visit dawsonchurch.org.
March 2013 • 9
Garrison Keillor coming to Samford Beloved radio host and acclaimed humorist Garrison Keillor will visit Samford University’s Wright Center March 25 at 7 p.m. for Garrison Keillor: A Brand-New Retrospective. The Keillor program is described as “A man at 70 relives the good times — and the music that brings it all back: hymns, jingles, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, pop tunes, limericks, rock ‘n roll, Beethoven, love sonnets, rags, blues, rousers, with Richard Dworsky, Rob Fisher, and Christine DiGiallonardo.” Sean Wright, Samford’s director of venue and event management, noted that the program is a change from the originally announced Evening with Garrison Keillor. While it will not be a broadcast of “A Prairie Home Companion,” it will include some of the regular performers from his radio program. “Mr. Keillor has been delighting fans of public radio for over four decades, and this brand-new retrospective has something for everyone, from fans of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ to readers of his many books,” Wright said. “We are looking forward to a very memorable evening, one worthy of the Tom and Marla Corts Distinguished Author Series.” Tickets range from $25-$55 and are on sale now at the Samford Arts Box Office in Swearingen Hall, by phone at 726-2853 or online at samford.edu/ wrightcenter. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and 1 hour prior to performances.
“The Wade Team” Looking for your pot of gold?
Your Realty Specialists
HOMEWOOD
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Cindy Wade & Danielle Wade
ALABAMA
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877-8797
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Wayne Salem, Owner
2913 18th Street S.
Monday–Saturday 6:30am to 3pm www.salemsdiner.com
HOME OF THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK
1703 OXMOOR ROAD across from Homewood Park 870-5000
10 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
BEST OF
HOMEWOOD The Homewood Star 2013 Food and Drink Most Friendly Service
Sam’s Super Samwiches Sam Graphos now serves the kids of the kids who grew up eating his hot dogs and his freshmade hamburger patties, all topped with his signature sauce. 2812 18th St. South, 871-0046 Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Most Kid Friendly Restaurant Best Pizza
New York Pizza With a game room for kids, this Edgewood eatery has been the perfect pizza place for families and patrons of all kinds for more than 25 years. 1010 Oxmoor Road, 871-4000 Most Kid Friendly Restaurant Runner Up: Sam’s Deli Best Pizza Runner Up: DeVinci’s
Best Asian Food
Jinsei Sushi and hand made cocktails pair up for a quaint SoHo Square spot that feels more like New York City. 1830 29th Ave. South, Suite 125, 802-1440 Runner Up: Chop Suey Inn
Best Date Night, Best Italian Food & Best Restaurant Dessert
GianMarco’s The white tablecloth restaurant, hidden among Edgewood homes on Broadway, is known for its lively, energetic atmosphere as well as its upscale authentic yet innovative cuisine. 711 Broadway St., 871-9622 Best Date Night Runner Up: DoDiYos Best Italian Food Runner Up: DeVinci’s Best Restaurant Dessert Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Happy Hour
Jackson’s Happy hour specials last all evening on Tuesdays, and during happy hour Monday through Friday, you can order half-priced well and call drinks. 1831 28th Ave. South, 870-9669 Runner Up: Oak Hill
Best Brunch
Brio With dishes like White Chocolate Raspberry French Toast and Sausage Florentine or Crab and Shrimp Crepes, no wonder you voted it the best. 591 Brookwood Village, 879-9177 Runner Up: Crape Myrtle’s Café
Best Ladies Lunch Spot
O’Carr’s Since 1975, the O’Carr family has been serving up unbeatable chicken salad served with a fun assortment of crackers and a greater variety of fruit than you’ll find anywhere else. 2909 18th St. South, 879-2196 Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Coffee
O’Henry’s Coffees O’Henry’s coffee beans are delivered fresh to the store every week, so you can choose from up to 45 coffees by the pound at this favorite Homewood hangout spot. 2831 18th Street South, 870-1198; 569 Brookwood Village, Suite 101, 870-1148. Runner Up: Red Mountain Expresso
Best Casual Dining
Saw’s BBQ Saw’s signature barbecue goodness has spread to locations outside Edgewood now, but we will always be home to the original place to find Saw’s Sauce, red and white, on pork and chicken. 1008 Oxmoor Road, 879-1937 Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Mediterranean Food
Nabeel’s John Krontiras’ restaurant is a melting pot of his Greek heritage, his wife, Ottavia’s, Italian heritage and a nod to original owner Nabeel Shunnarah’s Lebanese upbringing. 1706 Oxmoor Road, 879-9292 Runner Up: DoDiYos
Best Bakery
Savage’s Smiley face iced sugar cookies and pastries like bear claws are Homewood institutions — not to mention how they can decorate a birthday cake like anything or everything you can dream up. 2916 18th Street South, 871-4901 Runner Up: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe
Best Mexican Food
Cocina Superior With homemade tortillas and dishes like a Tequila Lime Salad, Cocina’s modern Tex-Mex is several steps up from your average salsa and cheese dip fare. 587 Brookwood Village, 259-1980 Runner Up: Little Donkey
Best New Restaurant
Little Donkey The people behind Jim N Nick’s have brought downtown Homewood mouthwatering slowcooked meats in authentic Mexican dishes — all made fresh and from-scratch. 2821 Central Ave., 703-7000 Runner Up: Johnny’s
Community Best Neighborhood
Edgewood With sidewalks, shops and a school within walking distance, the votes say Edgewood is Birmingham’s Mayberry. Runner Up: Hollywood
Best Community Event
We Love Homewood Day This festive annual event reminds us all just why we all do love Homewood – its people, its places and its small-town charm. Runner Up: Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off
Best Outdoor Space, Best Place for Family Outing, Best After School Activity, & Best Place to Have a Children’s Birthday Party
Homewood Central Park With space for playing, workouts, picnicking, and, of course, climbing the caterpillar, it’s no surprise the park is a Homewood won a whopping four categories. 1632 Oxmoor Road, homewoodparks.com Best Outdoor Space Runner Up: Lakeshore Greenway Best Place for a Family Outing Runner Up: Downtown Homewood Best After School Activity Runner Up: Trinity UMC Element Café Best Place to Have a Children’s Birthday Party Runner Up: Do It Yourself Crafts
Best Church Choir
Trinity United Methodist
Hear the choir’s voices in harmony each Sunday morning at 8:45 and 11 a.m. as a part of Trinity’s traditional service of prayers, creeds, hymns and preaching. 1400 Oxmoor Road, 879-1737 Runner Up: Dawson’s Memorial Baptist
Best Hometown Hero/Celebrity
Paul DeMarco The Alabama State Representative is always showing up in photos sent to The Homewood Star, so it’s no surprise to see Homewood show him love with its votes. Runner Up: Bob Newton
Best Charity Event
Exceptional Foundations Chili Cook-Off Dozens of chili recipes, plus décor and costuming to coordinate a booth, face off to support the Foundation’s work with mentally and physically challenged individuals. exceptionalfoundation.org/annual-chili-cookoff/ Runner Up: Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July Festival
Best Local Band/ Musician
Homewood High Band The Patriots, directed by Ron Pence, have marched their way to the Macy’s Parade nine times since 1978 and will travel to the Rose Bowl Parade in 2014. Runner Up: The Dill Pickers
Best Local Personality
Sam Graphos Forty-six-year Homewood resident Graphos, 71, has been greeting friends, new and old, at Sam’s Super Samwiches for 44 years. Runner Up: Coach Steve Sills
Health and Wellness Best Workout Facility
Iron Tribe Fitness Personally revolutionize the way you think about fitness and achieve lasting health with evidence-based results. 2809 Central Ave., 874-6300 Runner Up: Shades Valley YMCA
We deliver to Homewood Businesses Joe Resha, owner
the
Big Joe ground fresh from Chuck and Brisket
Mon. - Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 8am - ‘till (Breakfast all day Saturday) 903 Broadway St. Homewood
877-8058
We have Wi-Fi
Joe Falconer, Jr
1220 Alford Avenue 281-1831
Residential Commercial Investment Property
Life Member Club of Excellence 39 Year Resident of Homewood Multi-Million Dollar Producer
March 2013 • 11
TheHomewoodStar.com Best Local Band/Musician: Homewood High Band
Best Outdoor Space Best Place for Family Outing Best After School Activity Best Place to Have a Children’s Birthday Party Homewood Central Park
Best Charity Event: Exceptional Foundations Chili Cook-Off
Best Hometown Hero/Celebrity Paul DeMarco
Best Mechanic Shop
Jim and Jim’s Motor Company This shop is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown for when your vehicle is under repair. 1722 27th Court South, 870-8926 Runner Up: Malcolm Auto
Best Pediatrician
Best Dentist
Dr. Jack Clark With 17 years experience, Dr. Clark is sure to brighten your smile. 1856 Lancaster Road, 871-2591 Runner Up: Dr. Deanne Vail
Best Salon
Dr. Keith Stansell A favorite of moms and dads, Dr. Stansell’s medical training ensures your child will be safe and healthy. 2815 Independence Dive, 879-7888 Runner Up: Dr. Elizabeth Peters
Salon U The premier Aveda Lifestyle Salon is staffed talented top-level artists. The salon also offers a massage therapist, an aesthetician, a manicurist and a make-up artist. 2824 Linden Ave., 870-8708 Runner Up: Sanctuary
Best Customer Service
Best Store for Your Hobby
Best Store for Men
Best Jewelry Store
Publix You will receive a friendly greeting whether you’re picking up a prescription refill or a ready-made dinner. 411 Green Springs Highway, 944-1101 Runner Up: Alabama Goods
Shaia’s This menswear retailer will show you the rules of fashion while staying in your own personal style 2818 18th St. South, 871-1312 Runner Up: Jos A Bank
Best Place to Buy Home Décor
Harmony Landing Turn your house into a home with products and help from the design team. 2925 18th St. South, 871-0585 Runner Up: Homewood Antiques
Best New Business
Steel City Pops The store’s all-natural, healthy and delicious gourmet treats became an overnight sensation last year. 2821 Central Ave., 969-8770 Runner Up: Red Mountain Expresso
Hobby Lobby This store has supplies for crafters including jewelry, needlework, paper crafting, frames, cards, fabrics and floral arrangements. 255 Lakeshore Parkway, 942-9328 Runner Up: Trak Shack
Edgewood Fine Jewelry Edgewood not only sells custom jewelry designs, but also does repair work and engraving and even buys and trades gold and silver. 2854 18th St. South, 423-8616 Runner Up: Wallace-Burke
Best Store to Buy a Gift
Alabama Goods The 18th St. Store sells locally made gifts from barbecue sauces to candles and jewelry. 2933 18th St. South, 803-3900 Runner Up: At Home
Best Children’s Store
Homewood Toy and Hobby Find your inner-child or just bring your child to surf through for a sea of toys. 2830 18th St. South, 879-3986 Runner Up: Jack and Jill
Best Local Personality: Sam Graphos
12 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
Taking a Taste of Homewood Homewood came out to Rosewood Hall on Feb. 21 for a sampling from 30 area restaurants and food service providers at the 14th annual Taste of Homewood, held by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce. The space was filled with Mardi Gras-themed decorations and food of all kinds. Right, area residents met up with friends to share in the best eats in Homewood. Photos by Keith McCoy.
Left, staff from Little Donkey offered guests Queso Fundido and Tamales. Center, The Club served ahi tuna hors d’oeuvres, and orange rolls too. Right, Pastry Art owners Carol and Dennis Gregg with their signature Baby Bites.
TARGET from pg 1
at Target-sold baby furniture. New cosmetics fixtures called Transcend Beauty — the first of their kind for Targets in Birmingham — will feature LED lights built into the shelves. Each display graphic for cosmetics is compacted to show customers more options to choose for makeup. The grand opening of PFresh Target has been in the works since $10 million was approved for the project by the Homewood City Council in September 2010. Mayor Scott McBrayer said the store will be a great addition to the Homewood community and economy. “Homewood is still open for business,” McBrayer said. “Target gives our community a great alternative to shop closer to home as well as bringing consumers from the Mountain Brook and Vestavia populations to Homewood.” The traffic PFresh Target will produce has been strategically dealt with by Alabama’s best traffic engineers, according to Homewood City Council Member Fred Hawkins. Seago said the bridges leading into Colonial Brookwood Village have been extended, and a new traffic light leading out of PFresh Target is up and operational. “The financial impact Target will have for surrounding stores and Homewood in general is going to be great,” Hawkins said. “We’ll see an immediate impact for our schools from tax revenue and jobs Target will create.” Seago said PFresh Target has already created 200 jobs by hiring on team members to operate the store. Melody Salter, principal accountant for the City of Homewood, said projected sales are $40 million in the first year and $45 million for each year after. Adhering to those figures, approximately $200,000 in tax revenue will be added to the city’s general fund, and $400,000 will go to Homewood City Schools. Target has also become involved in the Homewood community through the Exceptional Foundation, donating 3,000 bottles of water for Exceptional Foundation’s ninth-annual chili cook-off. The cook-off will be held Saturday, March 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Colonial Brookwood Village. The grand opening for PFresh Target is March 10, but ribbon cutting festivities kick off March 5 from 5-9 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony will include Homewood High School’s Patriot Band playing pep rally songs and a concert by Samford University’s Jazz Band, according to Seago. Target’s store hours will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The pharmacy will be open Monday through Saturday. PFresh Target is located in the Colonial Brookwood Village at 517 Brookwood Village.
March 2013 • 13
TheHomewoodStar.com
March 2012 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
The Homewood Star Don’t miss these upcoming events March 5: Therapeutic Drumming Group exhibit. Homewood Senior Center drumming group will present at Alabaster Senior Center. 9 a.m. March 18: Wii Bowling League Kick Off Event. St. Martin’s in the Pines Assisted Living. 1:30-3:30 p.m. After first event, every first and third Fridays of the month locations will rotate. For more information call 332-6500. March 22: Daytime Social & Dance. Margaret and Wayne Duo will provide live music. Non-members $5. Homewood Senior Center RSVP to 332-6500.
Memories of our city A Sunday interrupted
Star Gazers
By JEAN FRANKS
By GERARD DE FRANK
A sad day for all who live in Birmingham was Sept. 15, 1963. The impact of that day affected many people, especially those of us who were close by. Our Sunday school class, the 12-year-old girls, was in session in the Episcopal Church of the Advent on 20th Street in downtown. I was one of the teachers in the class. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise that shook our building. The youngsters were frightened. They wanted to run outside and find out what happened, but we teachers tried to calm them down. We were frightened too, but we knew we had to keep the kids inside. We heard sirens and ambulances approaching and soon we heard the sad news that a church had been bombed. It was the 16th Street Baptist Church. We had to try to continue the Sunday school lesson, but
The boys’ overalls were well worn and scruffy at the knees. The girls had faded dresses from many tub washings, but they somehow found colored ribbon for their hair. All children looked for wellknown landmarks — familiar stores and big brick office buildings — but there was a place of wonder, The Bright Star right in the downtown area. Yes, it had a star all lit up above the heads where Mama’s haircut with comb and scissors gave room for stargazing. Every child had heard about the dinners sold there. A printed menu was posted on the window, and the group of children helped one another read the list: some kind of fish and some dish of chicken and some figs feet, or so they read or misread. And there were pies. Oh boy, lemon and coconut and apple and peanut butter cream! Next they peered in the windows. Who was inside so late at
we paused for a prayer for those involved and for our own safety. We did not know whether we might be bombed next. Soon our main service was over, and we were still alive and thanking God our lives were spared. Being so close to this terrible event when it happened affected deeply. We were so terribly saddened by the death of those four little girls. Who would have ever thought that something like that could happen? None of us who lived
See SUNDAY | page 15
“dinnertime?” Well, sure, some grown folks could afford a dollar or two. They lingered in view, as if to show off. The jelly biscuit at the school had long been digested, and the children imagined eating at The Bright Star. They put a wet finger on the window, leaving a trace of their yearning. Why not dream-see that puffy cloud and rainbow you can almost touch. Dreams do come true, and right now, for the children, dreams are bigger than reality. The Bright Star had moved to a new location downtown. And why not? Stars move and live on to give brightness
See STAR GAZERS | page 15
March 6, 2013
14 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
Live comfortably on a budget
Living on a fixed income requires making changes to avoid running out of money.
brand-new auto at the dealership, you may be able to get a preowned vehicle for a lower payment schedule. Or you may have enough in savings to pay for the used car outright, saving you the expense of a monthly payment. Many Baby Boomers have entered retirement age and are joining the ranks of other seniors on fixed incomes. This means they’ll also have to implement strategies to live comfortably on less money. In the United States, the average income of seniors in 2008 was around $29,000, well below the national poverty average, according to the Congressional Research Service tabulations of data from the March 2008 Current Population Survey. Upon retirement, many retirees are faced with quite a reduction in income and the stark reality of making ends meet with this new level of income. Those who are successful are often those who are adapting and are able to budget cleverly.
Set priorities
What are the necessities that you absolutely cannot skimp on? These may include a mortgage or rent, utility bills and any other loan payments that have already been established.
Downsize
Many people find it is wise to sell their home and move into a smaller condo or apartment. Not only will the expenses be less, there’s a good chance the complex will offer maintenance — further saving you on unexpected expenses. Consider downsizing your car as well. Rather than making high monthly payments for a
Consider shopping at consignment stores
Shopping consignment stores no longer carries the stigma it once did. Many times the merchandise in consignment stores is brand new or has only been used once. The prices are typically marked well below retail value, and you may find some well-known brands.
Shop store sales
Couponing often means capitalizing on buying in bulk and clipping mass amounts of coupons — not practical for senior households. Simply shop for the items you buy frequently at the store that is selling it at the lowest price. It may increase the number of stops on your shopping trip, but you can get a really good deal in the process.
Get crafty
Sometimes things that are sold at stores for a high price can be replicated at home easily with just a few materials. From tufted headboards to curtains to decorative pillows, chances are with a little ingenuity you can make these items yourself. Or, enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist you in a project that is slightly beyond your level of expertise. Living on a fixed income can require reassessing priorities and making a few changes to the household budget.
Precautionary measures older travelers must consider While traveling is a great way to make the most of one’s golden years, traveling as an older adult isn’t the same as when you were a carefree teenager or 20-something backpacking through Europe. Before setting out to see the world, older travelers should consider a host of factors.
Documentation
Be sure all documentation, including passports for each traveler, is up-to-date and valid beyond the length of the trip. The United States Department of State also notes travelers must determine if the country they plan to visit requires a visa to enter. In addition, make sure your driver’s licenses and auto insurance policies are current and will remain so through the trip. This is important for travelers who plan on renting a car during their vacation. Don’t forget to bring your driver’s license and proof of auto insurance (as well as contact information for your insurance company should an accident occur) on your trip.
Climate & Geography
Older men and women tend to have more health issues and might even be on prescriptions that can make it challenging to travel to certain areas. Before committing to a trip, consult your physician about the possible effects a certain climate might have on you. Some people might be sensitive to altitude and therefore unable to travel to high-altitude locations without putting themselves at serious risk. When considering climate and geography, don’t overlook a region’s history or likelihood of natural disasters. If a given destination has a history of hurricanes, earthquakes or tsunamis, then consider that before making plans. It’s still possible to enjoy such destinations, but you’ll want to travel when such storms or natural disasters are not in season.
Luggage & Wardrobe
Don’t pack so heavily that your luggage becomes a nuisance to take from place to place. If you’re
Traveling as an older adult might require more caution and planning than it does for young jetsetters, but such measures won’t diminish the joy of your travels. traveling to especially tourist-friendly regions, keep in mind such locales often have all a traveler needs should he or she have forgotten something or experiences an emergency. When packing your clothes for a trip, keep your wardrobe as conservative as possible. Anything too flashy could draw the attention of con artists or thieves, as tourists often make for easy marks. But don’t forget to pack some formal attire as well, as clothing that is too casual might make it hard for you to gain access to certain tourist destinations or restaurants.
Contact Information
Make sure loved ones back home have your itinerary and know where you will be staying should an emergency occur. If traveling abroad where you won’t have cell phone service, choose resorts or hotels with Internet access and ensure friends or family members you will check in periodically via e-mail. While staying in touch might not be reminiscent of the carefree travels of your youth, doing so will help your loved ones rest easy and will prove invaluable should something unexpected occur.
March 2013 • 15
TheHomewoodStar.com
The Mickey Mouse Club Duck By RUTH SHEPHERD HELMS In 1938, my family moved to Birmingham from Acmar, a mining community in St. Clair County. The first house we lived in was across the street from Legion Field in the western section. Later, we moved over the mountain to Mayfair and then to Jones Street, which is now Lancaster Road. At the end of my sixth grade year, we moved to Broadway in Edgewood on the streetcar line. Almost every Saturday, a trip to the Mickey Mouse Club was a must. The program included a local talent show, a drawing for door prizes before the serial and the weekly movie. My
mother gave me a quarter each Saturday. I had 10 cents for a movie and 14 cents for the streetcar; the fare was 70 cents each way. If I was lucky, I got an extra dime for a hunk of chocolate at Woolworth’s candy counter. One Easter, the Mickey Mouse Club held an Easter egg hunt at Legion Field. All the kids in our family went to the hunt. We found a golden and silver egg, which won us a live duckling and a live orange baby chick. The duckling and chick grew to be fun pets. The duck, which we named Oscar, would nestle in the leaves on the street corner a few doors from our house. He would wait there until school was out and walk us home.
One Saturday, I put Oscar into a brown paper grocery bag, then got on the streetcar and took him to the theatre for the Mickey Mouse Club. They were thrilled to see the duckling that was won at the Easter egg hunt all grown up. He was allowed to accompany the entertainers on stage as they performed. During the movie, Oscar was escorted to a closet under the stairs for a nap. Nowadays, one might think of a duck and a chicken as unusual pets, but we enjoyed them and cared for them just like any other pet. We were saddened when we lost them, but still remember then fun we had with the chicken and the Mickey Mouse Club duck.
Memories of Morris Avenue By HERBERT GRIFFIN Dad was a shipping clerk for Wimberly and Thomas Hardware Co. The store faced First Avenue North near 20th Street and backed up to Morris Ave., where merchandise was shipped and received. Dad’s desk was at the back of the store so he could sign for the merchandise. Dad made friends with owners and employees of the small businesses along Morris Ave., so Morris Ave. was the center of his business and social life. The produce district was there before the farmers’ market was built. They washed their produce in water that ran through the gutters.
Dad insisted that Mother wash our produce well because he knew the gutter water was unsanitary. Dad introduced me to Morris Ave. in the late 1930s when he bought me a nickel bag of peanuts from Alfa Cassimus, a pretty Greek lady who ran The Peanut Depot with her brother Alex and their dad, who opened the business in 1907. Dad later told me he could not afford to buy lunch during The Depression, so he would buy a nickel bag of peanuts from his friend Alfa Cassimus and sit on the curb and eat them. Mrs. Darring, a pleasant lady, ran a produce business on the other side of Wimberly and Thomas. Dad would take me to see her, too. She knew that Dad was having a hard time, so
Ms. Senior Shelby County seeking contestants Ms. Senior Shelby County Pageant is now accepting participants for its April 6 event, scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. at the ServPro Facilities on Highway 280 in Harpersville. The pageant is open to all women over age 60 and seeks to develop, foster and promote programs and activities that dispel the myths of aging by enhancing the lives of senior women.
Past talent acts have included singing, dancing, playing an instrument, a monologue, a comedy skit, reading a poem and displaying paintings. The winner will go on to compete in the Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Aug. 3. For more information, contact Edwina Chappell at 365-6080.
she gave us a big box of produce every Christmas. Buddy Rich, the famous drummer, was appearing at the Morris House, a club on Morris Ave. in 1977. Our then 15-yearold son, George, was an aspiring drummer in the Homewood band. He desperately wanted to see Buddy Rich, but he was too young to be admitted to a night club. The manager of the Morris House made special arrangements for George to attend. Now, as for The Peanut Depot, 40 years after my first bag, four generations of Griffins are enjoying their peanuts.
Star Gazers from pg 13
through that day would ever be the same. I had nightmares for months and months after that. The noise of the blast was so loud and frightening that I still cringe when I hear loud thunder. I remember the smell after the bomb exploded — a horrible burning, dusty smell. The week after the bombing, my children were afraid to go back to our church. They kept asking me, “Is it safe? Is it safe?” I reassured them that God was in control and would take care of us. I try to be a better person and live each day with peace as if it was my last. Jean Franks, 85, was 35 when the 16th Street bombing occurred. She’s been a Homewood resident since 1945.
Sunday from pg 13
and dreams. And each person who grew up in the Birmingham/Bessemer area has a tendency to claim The Bright Star as “ours.” De Frank, 60, former owner of Lags Eatery and Steam Table, wrote this for his uncle, Paul De Frank who remembered not being able to afford eating at The Bright Star as a child. On a return visit, in his 80s, De Frank and his family finally went to eat at the restaurant.
Life Stories Book Project The Homewood Senior Center has been collecting memories of noteworthy experiences and conversations of the seniors in the community. Bobby Hunt, a member at the center, has held several writing workshops at the center in the past year, and another member, Carolyn Robertson, has helped to transcribe spoken recollections. The recollections vary in length from one paragraph to several pages. Some members submitted photos with their stories. Once the book is published, at least one free copy will be given to each senior whose story is included. Additional copies will be available for purchase, and the Homewood Library will receive a copy. So far, there are about 70 stories for the book and submissions are still being accepted.
A Home Environment Away From Home
The right balance of Boutique wine & Bargains are Budding this Spring at your local Piggly Wiggly Wine Shop
egency d p d h Independent Living with VIP dA sted ed VIP Services andAssisted p Living A Apartments available.
We W Love L v O Ourr V a Veterans Come by or call for a Free 30 minute counseling to qualify for VA Aide and Attendance in Assisted Livings.
Retirement Village
Crestline - 870-5640 • River Run Drive - 776-8755 Homewood - 879-0884 www.pigglywigglybirmingham.com
285 West Oxmoor Road Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 942-3355 www.regencybirmingham.com
16 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
This is what HOME feels like. Enjoy the Rustic Luxe surroundings as you browse easily from Clothing to Home Furnishings.
Welcome Home to Renaissance. Style Reborn for you AND your HOME. Interested in consigning Home Furnishings?
Email pictures to tammy@renaissanceconsignment.com for consideration.
Style Reborn for Home and Fashion 6801 Cahaba Valley Road (Hwy 119) 1/4 South of Hwy 280
205-980-4471 RenaissanceConsignment.com
March 2013 • 17
TheHomewoodStar.com Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email editor@thehomewoodstar.com to have it included in an upcoming issue!
Kruse-Cook Wedding
Hill-Recknor Wedding
Celebrations McKinney-Burkett Wedding
Photo courtesy of Greenlaw Photography.
Bradley Cook and Ingrid Kruse married on New Year’s Day 2013 at 12:10 a.m. in downtown Edgewood at Edgewood Creamery. Pastor Rusty Bagley, pastor of Word Alive church, married the couple in a ceremony just after midnight. Children of the bride and groom Nils Felding, Shelby Cook, Ronnie Cook, Emmitt Cook and Abby Cook helped decorate the venue with a winter wonderland theme. A pre-ceremony reception, hosted by Jay Connor, took place at 9:30 p.m. with music provided by DJ Joe Schibanetz. Family and friends celebrated and danced up until the ceremony, enjoying food catered from Edgewood restaurants La Bamba, Sam’s Deli and Grill and Saw’s BBQ. Cakes were provided by Mountain Brook Creamery and Dreamcakes. Following a special honeymoon trip to Charleston, the couple resides in Edgewood.
Photo courtesy of JeVois Photography.
After an eight-month engagement, Lauren Hill and Billy Recknor married on a beautiful November day at Trinity United Methodist Church. A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace” as Lauren walked down the isle with her grandfather. After the ceremony, Lauren and Billy drove off in “Catherine,” a 1951 RollsRoyce Silver Wraith, to a reception at Ted’s Garage. There they danced the night away with all of their friends and family. Lauren and Billy met after a UAB football game in 2007, and Billy proposed at sunset on a trip to Gulf Shores. Following a honeymoon in Jamaica, the couple resides in Homewood.
Photo courtesy of Jerrod Brown of Jerrod Brown Studios.
Allie Marie McKinney and Wesley Croft Burkett Jr. married July 14 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Dr. Andrew Wolfe and Reverand David Thompson officiated the ceremony. A reception followed at The Club of Birmingham. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Eugene McKinney of Homewood.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Croft Burkett Sr. of Mountain Brook. The bride is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Masters of Tax Accounting. She works for Ernest and Young. The groom is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in chemical engineering. He is a first year medical student at The University of Alabama in Birmingham. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She chose a formal gown designed by Ramona Keveza. The off-theshoulder lace gown featured a fitted bodice and small lace train. The bride wore a veil of cathedral length with her monogrammed embroidered at the bottom. Kelsey Brown served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were April McKinney, Grace Stegall, Michelle Shroyer, Molly Silverstein, Ellen Dendy, Catherine Drummond, Laura Kapp, Kaila Rios, Sarah Suggs and Abbey Thompson. The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were James Burkett, John Burkett, Todd Boozer, Pritchard Allen, Jeff Bissell, Kenny Budd, Douglas Centeno, Alexander Folk, Chris Geer, Allen King and Daniel McKinney. Serving as ushers were Robert Bray, Austin Clinkscales, Will Long, Robert Patterson and Kristian Reeves. After a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple lives in Birmingham.
18 • March 2013
School House Schools to exhibit their best in Showcase 2013
The Homewood Star
Maggie Moore crowned Miss Heritage
Caroline Harris, Sarah Hale, Maggie Moore, Joy Korley and Symone Shaw.
Homewood High School sophomore Maggie Moore was crowned the 2013 Miss Heritage. Melissa Dameron-Vines produced and directed the pageant, while Angela Mark Williams, Brooke Gann, Dr. Bill Cleveland, Debby Weathers and Ashley Condon from corporate partner Signature Homes.
Planning is underway for Showcase 2013, presented by the Homewood City Schools Foundation. This annual event brings the Homewood community, parents, teachers and students together for one night to celebrate what makes the school system so special. The evening begins with a performance by the Homewood City Schools’ Percussion Spectacular, made up of 150 students from all five schools. Following this musical presentation, parents can become students as students become teachers during a host of hands-on demonstrations in art, math and
science led by Homewood faculty. “Showcase 2013 gives parents and students a chance to see and experience the programs and activities taking place at the other Homewood schools,” said Ashley Condon, board president of Homewood City Schools Foundation. “This exposure brings a real sense of excitement and appreciation for all that our school system has to offer. It’s truly a celebration.” Showcase 2013 will take place on Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at Homewood Middle School and is open to the public.
Gant was the master of ceremonies. Class Princesses crowned were senior Symone Shaw, junior Caroline Harris, sophomore Joy Korley and freshman Sarah Hale.
Maggie Williams performs with the U. S. Army All-American Band Homewood High School senior Maggie Williams performed with other elite high school band members on the U.S. Army AllAmerican Marching Band. Maggie spent a week in San Antonio rehearsing for their appearance at the U.S. Army All American Bowl on Jan. 5, 2013. Maggie is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jim Williams of Homewood.
HHS senior Maggie Williams
Red Balloon Sale
Saturday March 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!!!
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March 2013 • 19
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Riley recognized for perfect ACT score, service
Homewood City Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Betty Winches, Rebecca Riley and Homewood Board of Education President Dr. Jim Williams after the City Council meeting.
Homewood City Council recognized Homewood High School senior Rebecca Riley for her service as the International Key Club President and for earning a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.
HHS students discuss bullying
Jacob Bouma-Sims, Paul Jones, Matthew Lett and William Faust. Photo courtesy Pamela Houston.
Homewood High School teacher Megan Laney had her first-period class participate in a group project that helps students to identify the issues around bullying. Each student had specific tasks to complete that exposed the issues in all areas. Through definitions, examples, video clips, printed articles,
testimonials and interviews, the students worked to produce a project that brought helpful information to their classmates and the entire HHS student body. Students participating in the bullying project are Jacob Bouma-Sims, William Faust, Paul Jones and Matthew Lett.
Scholars Bowl wins state championship
Jordan Blow, Johnathan Brown, Sammy Jane-akson, Aaron Ragsdale and Eden Harris. The Homewood High School Scholars Bowl team won the History Bowl State Championship on Jan. 19. Team members Jonathan Brown, Sammy Jane-akson (team captain), Jordan Blow, Eden Harris and Aaron Ragsdale were
undefeated in six rounds of competition. Janeakson finished in the top three in the individual tournament. This championship qualifies the team to compete at the national level in Washington, DC this April.
20 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION
Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility Programs and services from Homewood Community Center are now located at our temporary facility which is the site of the former Jefferson County Satellite Courthouse, 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209. Services at this facility include cardio & weight rooms, programs room for fitness and instructional classes, and administrative offices.
Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility Hours Monday – Thursday: 5:30am – 8:30pm Friday: 5:30am – 7:00pm Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm Sunday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm Business Office Hours Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:45pm
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: Monday 5:30-6:30pm 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
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
@homewoodparks
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
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 Offered & Schedule: Thursdays 9:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years) 10:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years) 11:30am - Village (0 to 18 months) Classes have relocated 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 Please visit http://kellyalligood.yourvirtuoso.com for more information or to enroll
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 weekly classes are for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Classes have relocated to Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. All new lessons monthly and each year! Please contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more information and to register or visit www. youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime. Wednesdays, 3:30pm – 4:30pm Enroll anytime! $40 monthly
Athletics
Second Season Wrestling
Season begins in March… Details have not been finalized at the time of submission for publication. Please visit www.homewoodparks.com or contact Jakob Stephens for additional information. Jakob Stephens at 332-6709 (or) jakob.stephens@homewoodal.org
Adult Softball – Coed and Men’s Leagues
An organizational meeting for the 2013 Adult Softball League will be held in early April at the Temporary Fitness & Program Facility (809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL – Former Jefferson County Satellite Courthouse). Please visit www.homewoodparks.com or contact Jakob Stephens for meeting date & time. All participants must be 19 years or older. If you are interested in participating in one of these leagues at Homewood Park you must attend this meeting and have your registration money at this time. Games will be played at West Homewood Park fields. The minimum number of teams is 7, the maximum is 9. Fee includes officials, trophies and tournament play. Play begins in June. For information contact Jakob Stephens: 332-6709 (or) jakob.stephens@homewoodal.org
Homewood Senior Center Daytime Dance Social
Margaret and Wayne Duo will provide the music. Date & Time: Friday, March 22, Daytime Dance at 1:30 – 3:30 Free to Senior Center members; $5 for non-members/guests; age 55 & up. Please call and place your reservation: 332-6500
Senior Nutrition Program for Citizens age 60+
In-house congregate lunch, Mon-Fri; Meals-on-Wheels* lunch, Mon-Fri. *must meet certain government-specified criteria for meal delivery Homewood Senior Center is a host site for the program. Lunch is served at Noon. Must be registered to participate Eligible participants are asked to make a voluntary donation of $1.50 per meal. For registration form & information, call Eloise Smith at 3326503 or stop by the Senior Center before 3:00pm. Administered through the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizen Services
City Wide Special Events City Wide Easter Egg Hunt
Site: Homewood Patriot Park Date: Saturday, March 23, 2013 Time: 11:00am SHARP Ages: 1 – 10 years Information: The hunt begins promptly at 11am at the newly renovated Homewood Patriot Park. Children will be divided into age appropriate groups. There will prize eggs given to each age group. Each participant should bring an Easter Basket or bucket. For additional information please visit: www.homewoodparks.com
We Love Homewood Day 2013 Saturday, May 4, 2013
Save the date & come celebrate Homewood! For additional information please visit: www.homewoodparks.com
www.Homewoodparks.com
March 2013 • 21
TheHomewoodStar.com
Homewood High School Show Choir takes top honors in Mississippi The Homewood High School Show Choir took Grand Champion honors at the South Jones Invitational in Mississippi on Jan. 26. The Legacy Show Choir won First Runner Up in the Women’s Division. The Network won FIrst Runner Up in the preliminary competition, then went on to win Grand Champion, Best Vocals, Best Choreography and Best Show Design in the Finals. Show Choir teacher/director Scott Thorne was extremely pleased with their success. “I’m real happy at how well we did, and look forward to getting better and better each week,” Thorne said.
Celebrating MLK
Shades Cahaba during the MLK service day.
HHS The Network Show Choir. Photo courtesy of Heather Reid.
OLS announces bee winners
More than 100 Shades Cahaba Elementary School students, parents and teachers celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day through community service. Music from local artist Jason Bailey filled the Cahaba Room as the cafeteria transformed into a workshop of care and love for those in need. The smiles made it obvious the group had fun as they made bracelets for Pathways, placemats for the Ronald McDonald House and Hope Place, meal bags for
various Birmingham shelters, cards for the military, and blankets for First Light shelter. Another group grabbed rakes and gloves and headed down the street to the local cemetery to clean up. At the end of the service activities, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Dr. King and ate cupcakes to celebrate. This was Shades Cahaba’s sixth year to coordinate their event with Hands On Birmingham’s MLK Day of Service.
Geography masters at Hall-Kent Spelling bee winners Nathaniel Gale and Jay Leonard.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School recently held its annual school spelling bee. In the spelling bee, fifth grader Jay Leonard, who placed second in last year’s school contest, won the honors and will represent OLS in the Homewood district spelling bee. Seventh grader Nathaniel Gale was this year’s runner up.
Geography Bee winner Amelia Pugh (left) with second place winner Matthew Walker (center).
Fifth grader Amelia Pugh won the National Geographic Bee school– level competition. Sixth grader Matthew Walker came in second, followed by his fellow classmate Annie Tighe, who placed third. The school competition included fourth- through eighth-grade students who won their class-level contest, and were presented with written
and oral questions about various geographic topics throughout the world. Pugh placed first in the school challenge. Pugh and other school winners took a written geography test in January. Up to 100 of the top scorers on the test in each state will then be eligible to compete in the state competition held in March.
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Fourth grader Robert Merchant won the Hall-Kent Elementary School Geography Bee. Pictured are Landon Krall, Patrick Harris, winner Robert Merchant, Kyle Hsu and Eesha Banerjee.
22 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
Sports Homewood catcher signs with Wallace State Hanceville
Wallace State Hanceville coach Adam Scott, Luke Porter, mother Angie Porter, father Eddie Porter and Homewood baseball coach Doug Gann.
Homewood High School catcher Luke Porter signed a scholarship to play baseball at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville on Jan. 22. The signing was attended by Luke’s teammates, friends, parents, grandmother and coaches. There are currently four former Wallace
State baseball players playing at the professional level. Wallace State coach Adam Scott said they plan to continue playing Porter in the catcher position. Porter said he is happy the signing is behind him so he can lead the Homewood Patriots to the 5A State Championship in May.
Vella named outstanding wrestler Jake Vella, eighth grade wrestler at Homewood Middle School, went 5-0 at the Metro Team Championships at Spain Park. He received a medal for being named an Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament.
Jake Vella. Photo courtesy Jamey Vella.
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Patriots win the Metro Independent Tournament The Homewood Patriots boys varsity basketball team, led by senior guard Kelvin Bradford, won the Metro Independent Tournament held at Homewood High School Dec. 27-31, 2012. Area teams participating included Mountain Brook, Pelham and Vestavia. The Patriots beat Mountain Brook in the championship game after going undefeated in the tournament. Bradford was awarded the Most Valuable Player award, while other standout players included Michael Lummis, Parker Smith, and Malik Cook. The Patriots are coached by Tim Shepler. The team’s overall record at deadline was 26-7.
Senior Kelvin Bradford
Laith Dahhan to play in College Showcase By ALLIE SAXON Homewood High School student Laith Dahhan is always outside playing soccer, whether it is freezing or 100 degrees. Now his passion for the sport has been recognized by the Olympic Development Program. The ODP selected Laith to play in Winston-Salem, N.C. for the College Showcase as the Alabama representative. Fifteen-year-old Laith is excited to have the opportunity, especially after having played against nationally ranked opponents. “This is a great opportunity for him because college scouts attend,” said Laith’s mother, Shawn.“All of the Alabama and regional coaches will be there to see what he can do.” Coach Sean McBride of Homewood High School has been a huge influence in Laith’s soccer career ever since he was four years old, she said.
Laith Dahhan will represent the State of Alabama at the College Showcase in North Carolina for the Olympic Development Program.
Although Laith has an extreme passion for soccer, his mother does not let him forget about academics and being well-rounded. “His dedication is incredible. Even if he is not kicking the ball around, he is doing fitness.” According to Shawn, one of his teachers said that Laith was an old soul trapped in a child’s body because he is extremely intellectual and down to earth. Wanting to give back to the community, Laith became one of the youngest referees in Homewood at age 14 years old, is a sports trainer, and plans to volunteer as a coach at Homewood Central Park. Laith will also attend another College Showcase in Decatur on March 9.
March 2013 • 23
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HHS football players sign to play college ball my friends and family for putting up with me through this whole process. And also my teammates for such a great season,” Sims told the crowd of more than 100 students, teachers, administrators and family. “We reached the playoffs; it was just an awesome season and I’ll never forget it.” Running back Justin Hardy, joined by his parents Reginald and Cassandra Hardy at the ceremony, signed his letter of intent to attend Jacksonville State. Jay Michael Williams, Patriot punter, signed his letter to attend BirminghamSouthern. Williams was joined by his grandparents Michael and Marie Williams.
Jay Michael Williams, Zach Sims and Justin Hardy signed on National Signing Day, Feb. 6.
Homewood’s Lauren Collins to play soccer for the Crimson Tide
Lauren Collins, center, with parents Diana and Scott Collins. Photo by Pamela Houston.
A packed Patriot Room witnessed Homewood High School soccer standout Lauren Collins signing a scholarship to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide on Feb. 6. Lauren is the daughter of Diana and Scott Collins of Homewood, and coached at HHS by Nathan Carlson. In addition to her parents and
coach, the signing was attended by her brother Nathan, club coach Andrew Brower and many of her teammates, faculty and friends. She will bring enthusiasm, leadership and a strong work ethic to the Tide next year. Lauren and her teammates at HHS are geared up and ready for a great senior season for the Patriots.
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Brian Browning celebrates his scholarship signing with his parents and HHS coaches Keith Brown and Doug Gann. Photo courtesy of Pamela Houston.
Homewood High School pitcher Brian Browning signed to play baseball at Northwest Florida State College on Feb. 6, National Signing Day. Brian is coached by Doug Gann and Keith Brown at HHS. The signing was attended by a packed Patriot Room including Brian’s
parents, family members, teammates, youth and travel team coaches, HHS faculty, and friends. Brian said he is excited to become a NWF Raider but even more excited his upcoming senior season and a run at the 5A State Championship in May.
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Homewood pitcher signs with Northwest Florida State College
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Three senior members of the Homewood High School Patriot Football Team signed letters of intent to attend universities on Feb. 6, National Signing Day. Notably, Patriot center Zach Sims, who broke his leg in the second week of spring drills in 2012 and returned from the injury, signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Joining him at the ceremony in the Patriot Room at Homewood High were his father and mother, Scott and Andi, and siblings – also Homewood students – Caroline (10th grade), William (seventh grade) and Harrison (second grade). “I want to thank my coaches and thank
24 • March 2013
The Homewood Star
Comeback kid
Patriot center Zach Sims rallies back from injury to join Blazers John Elway may have earned the nickname “Comeback Kid” in the NFL, but Homewood’s own Zach Sims has made his case for the name as well – specifically when it comes to turning tragedy into triumph on the football field. In the second week of the Patriot’s 2012 spring drills, Zach, the team’s starting center, suffered fractures to his left tibia and fibula on the practice field. He was operated on the following day, and a metal rod was inserted in his tibia during surgery. He spent days at St. Vincent’s Hospital and months in rehabilitation at Champion Sports Medicine. “It was a heart-breaking and devastating injury for me and those around me who know how much I live and love football,” Zach said. “My teammates, coaches and friends visited me in my hospital room, and all anyone could do was shake their head.” Yet, the day after surgery, Zach started back to work in physical therapy and began the long road to recovery. Change of plans “The family’s summer calendar had to be totally overhauled,” said Zach’s dad, Scott Sims. “We had made numerous plans for him to participate in football camps and combines all summer, and we had made arrangements to make campus visits for those colleges who were interested in him playing football. In one moment, everything changed.” Instead of working out with his team and
Zach Sims with his family on National Signing Day. His siblings are: Caroline, a sophomore HHS Junior Varsity cheerleader; William, who also plays center for the seventh grade HMS football team; and Harrison, a third grader at Shades Cahaba Elementary who plays all sports right now. Zach has played football since fifth grade and never worn a jersey number other than 70. Photo by Jeff Thompson.
State, Walter Rutledge and Devonta Barnfield. While Zach was recovering from his broken leg, Jordan suffered a high ankle sprain and sat out of the beginning of the season, too. With a combined mass of more than 600 pounds, anyone carrying the ball for Homewood could breathe a little easier once the Sims’ boys had recovered and were back on the line together again.
traveling to recruiting events, Zach spent his summer vacation maneuvering his massive 6-foot-2-inch, 286-pound frame around on a broken limb and strengthening his leg back to a better-than-ever condition in time for August two-a-days. He knew his team was counting on him. “As Center, Zach is the ‘quarterback’ of our offensive line and gives everyone their blocking assignments,” Homewood’s Offensive Line Coach Ben Berguson said. In addition to the line needing a leader, the Patriot’s had just been assigned a new 5A classification. As a rising senior, the whole team needed Zach and his fellow veteran starters to help lead them into new territories.
“It really doesn’t matter what class or region you’re in, you’re going to face challenging opponents, and we had and have a host of unknowns ahead of us,” quarterback Luke Porter said. “I count on Zach to play right in front of me every game, every play.” The Sims ‘twins’ Just as certain as he can count on Luke to be behind him, Zach often combines his forces with his “twin,” Jordan Sims, who works beside him at right guard on the Patriot line. Together, the Sims’ have cleared the way for Luke as well as the arsenal of running backs Homewood had carrying the ball in 2012, including Justin Hardy – who in February signed with Jacksonville
Playing with Patriot pride “I had no doubt when Zach broke his leg (in the spring) that he would be back in the fall,” Patriot Head Coach Doug Goodwin said. “And, that’s just what he did.” With Zach’s help, the Patriots finished the season at 9-2, losing to Greenville in the first round of the State 5A playoffs. Before the season ended though, the Alabama High School Athletic Association named him center for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game played in December due to his outstanding performance on the field. And on Feb. 6, Zach completed his recovery when he signed a letter of intent to attend UAB in the fall of 2013. “I think my injury has taught me many lessons, but the greatest are to never take anything for granted and to never give up,” he said. -Submitted by Homewood City Schools
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Indoor Track wins state The Homewood High School Varsity Boys Indoor Track and Field Team won the 5A State Championship on Feb. 2. The Varsity Girls team placed second in the state. Mike Rohdy led the boys by winning the 3,200-meter and placing second in the 1,600-meter. The following boys earned All-State honors by placing top-three in their individual events: Teverius Lindsey, second in triple jump; Justin Hardy, second in the 60m, Alex Ngei, second in the 3,200-meter; Orlando Swann, third in the 60-meter; and Hap Williams, third in Long Jump. Members of the 4x200-meter relay (D’Vonte Wallace, Swann, Lindsey and TreyVeon Drake) and the 4x800-meter
relay (Logan Sadler, Robby Tapscott, Mike Rohdy and Andy Smith) teams earned All-State honors by placing second. The varsity girls were led by Lauren Collins, who won the 800-meter and placed second in the 400-meter. Kiara Williams (third in long jump) and Ann Mosley Whitsett (second in the 800m, third in the 400-meter) earned individual All-State honors. The 4x800-meter relay team (Collins, Mary Margaret Jackson, Camille Smith and Whitsett) won state, and the 4x400meter (Collins, Jackson, Williams and Whitsett) and 4x200-meter relay (Elyssa Griffin, Alex Studdard, Maiyah Lee and Kiara Williams) teams both earned AllState honors by placing second.
Homewood High School Varsity Boys and Girls Indoor Track & Field Teams at the 5A State Championship Meet. Photo courtesy of Amanda Esslinger.
Freshman basketball finishes season undefeated The Homewood High School Ninth Grade Boys Basketball Team finished its season undefeated with a record of 23-0. “This group of boys played with great character and a great desire to succeed,” said Coach Josh Britnell. “Throughout the year, their work ethic on the court was the main reason for our success. I was thrilled to be able to be a part of the 23-0 record that included wins in the Metro tournament and the Hewitt-Trussville end of the year tournament.” – Submitted by Cynthia Gould
Team Roster
TJ Taylor - 00 Alec Marsch - 1 Griffin Rivers - 2 Sumner Martin - 10 Ronald Claiborne -11 Griffin Gentry -12 Will Mizerany - 13 Jake Burdeshaw - 14 Ryan Hepp - 20 Austin Patterson - 22 Derrick Underwood - 23 Peyton Brown - 33 Chris Miller - 34 Terry James - 44 HHS freshman players signal their 23-0 record for this season.
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26 • March 2013
Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton
Fighting off a princess invasion I spent a recent morning with Statistically speaking, my girls Kate in the children’s section of probably will get married. And I a local bookstore. The outing hope they do find their “prince reinforced what I already charming” one day, but there are suspected: Disney has a not-soother things I want more. I want secret ploy to turn young girls them to not remember a day into love-struck teenagers before when they didn’t know Jesus. they’re old enough to know that I want them to grow up to be boys are different from girls. kind, brave and passionate about Kate stood in front of the their beliefs and their dreams. I princess section wide-eyed want them to work hard at their Denton and slack-jawed, pulling every hobbies and skills. I want them book and doll from the shelves. to believe in themselves and to know that “Mommy, look at this,” she’d say their mom and dad believe in them too. And reverently. I want to preserve their innocence as long Kate insisted I read one particular book as I can. to her. As I flipped the pages, I realized that That means many things, not least each story was a continuation of a well- of which is to steer Kate away from known Disney story like Little Mermaid, the princess wall as much as I can. Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. The kicker When we got home from the bookstore, I was that these stories were about the took her on a walk up to the creek on our preparations for each princesses wedding — street. As she filled her pockets with rocks how beautiful the bridesmaid dresses were, and sticks and jumped in mud puddles how gorgeous the bride was, how handsome on the side of the road, I breathed a little the prince, how perfect the kiss was. easier. She may be enamored with pretty I turned the book over and saw girls in shiny dresses, but she’s also a that it was for ages two and up. rough-and-tumble kid who doesn’t mind This is what our culture teaches our girls, getting dirty. even those as young and tender as two I’m sure we have years of princess years old. I saw how Kate’s eyes lit up at infatuation to come (we have two young the array of pink, purple and satin adorning daughters, after all), but as long as we can the shelves. ensure that Kate and Sela know they are Lucky for me, she thinks anyone in a dress much more than a pretty face, I can handle is a princess (including me in a nightgown), picking up tiny glass slippers and glittery and she likes the princess wands that make tiaras at the end of every day. noise. But seeing how Disney has infiltrated I’ll also make sure they have plenty of every corner of childhood, it won’t be long time to pick up sticks, find mud puddles and before she understands that the whole point enjoy being a kid. of these princesses is to be beautiful and Lauren can be reached at find a handsome prince. LaurenKDenton@gmail.com.
The Homewood Star
Calendar Homewood Events March 3-April 20: Judy Bobula. Opening reception March 3. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. The Joy Gallery, 513 Columbiana Road Call 942-3051. March 5: Target Ribbon Cutting. 5 p.m. Homewood High School Band will perform. March 5: Brown Bag Lunch. Presentation by representatives from Wallace Jordan concerning the Claims from the BP Oil Spill. A partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and Homewood Library. Noon. Homewood Public Library auditorium. March 5: Homewood Music Jam Session. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hart and Soul, Edgewood. Call 879-4868. March 6: Gulf South Conference Basketball Tournament Welcome Party. Free hot dogs and snacks. Meet players, dance teams, cheerleaders. Open to the public. SoHo Square. 5:30-7 p.m. March 7-9: Collegiate Wheelchair Basketball National Championship. The Lakeshore Foundation. Competition begins Thursday afternoon, March 7 at 3 p.m. Games will also run Friday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit lakeshore.org. March 7-10: Gulf South Conference Basketball Tournaments. Pete Hanna Center, Samford University. $8 adults; $5 students/ seniors/active military; free for children under 5. Visit gscsports.org. March 8: Gulf South Conference Basketball Tournament Fan Appreciation Night. Free wings for those with a ticket from the tournament. aloft Hotel. 8-11 p.m. March 8-9: Lil’ Lambs Consignment Sale.
Trinity United Methodist Church Gym. Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Most items are half-priced on Saturday. Call 8791737 or visit trinitybirmingham.com March 9: Flip Out For Pancakes. Hosted by Kiwanis Club of Homewood/Mountain Brook to support local youth organizations. 7 a.m.-noon. Homewood High School Cafeteria. Pancake breakfast, children’s activities and silent auction. Tickets $5 each. Email marybrowning@charter.net. March 9: Perseverance 5K and Fun Run. 8 a.m. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. $25 on or after March 2. Call 879-1758 or visit dawsonchurch.org. March 9: Casino Night. Benefits the Assistance League of Birmingham’s nonprofit organizations. Vestavia Country Club. Call 870-5555 or visit assistanceleaguebhm.org. March 12: Homewood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. The Club. 11:30 a.m.1 p.m. Visit homewoodchamber.com. March 12: Homewood City Schools Showcase. Homewood Middle School. 6 p.m. March 14: West Homewood Zoning Code Meeting. Meet to discuss plans to change zoning codes that will apply to all future renovations and construction along Oxmoor Road. Homewood Senior Center 5-7:30 p.m. March 15, 17: Opera Birmingham Presents The Magic Flute Samford University Wright Center. Friday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Call 726-2853 or visit samford.edu/ wrightcenter. March 16: Davis Piano Quartet “Music for Two Pianos, Eight Hands.” Benefits Homewood Rotary Club’s Education Foundation. Alabama School of Fine Arts’ Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. 8 p.m. concert
TheHomewoodStar.com
Calendar March 9: Third Annual 5K for Kids and NOBESITY Expo. Registration fee for 5K $20 ($25 day of race), Fun Run $10 ($15 day of race). Legion Field, 8-11:30 a.m.
and storytelling. 10:30 a.m.
file a claim. Noon-1 p.m and 6 p.m.
March 7: Mini Pre-code Film Festival Presenting “The Divorcee.” 6:30-8 p.m.
March 15: Boys Soccer vs. Spain Park. JV at 6 p.m. Varsity at 7 p.m.
Save the Date
March 26: Softball vs. Calera. 5 p.m.
April 1, 2 & 4: 1984. Homewood High School’s spring production of George Orwell novel. HHS Bailey Theatre 7 p.m. Tickets: $1 students, $5 public.
March 7, 14, 28: Mommy and Me. Story time program for infants to 2 1/2 years and parents. 10:30 a.m.
March 20: Afternoon Movie & Build a Snack. The Children’s Department will provided ingredients to build snacks to eat while watching a film. All ages welcome. Peanut allergies will be taken into consideration. Round Auditorium 3:30 p.m. Call 332-6619 for more information.
at Alabama School of Fine Arts’ Dorothy Jemison Day. $35 general admission, $75 patron admission. Purchase tickets at localwineevents. com or at the door. Call 871-6314.
March 8: Boys Soccer vs. Ft. Payne. JV at 5:30 p.m. Varsity at 7 p.m.
March 18-22: Homewood City Schools Spring Break. March 21: Birmingham Revealed: Bobby Horton: Music, Migration, and Industrial Birmingham. $10 in advance online or $15 at the door. Admission includes refreshment and program. Vulcan Park and Museum. 6 p.m. Visit visitvulcan.com. March 23: Easter Egg Hunt. Toddlers-age 10. Homewood Patriot Park. 11 a.m. Visit homewoodparks. com. March 25: Garrison Keillor: A Brand New Retrospective. 7 p.m. Samford University Wright Center. Tickets $25-55 on sale at Samford Arts Box Office. Call 726-2853 or visit samford.edu/wrightcenter.
Homewood High School Home Sporting Events March 2: JV Baseball vs. McAdory. 11 a.m. March 2: Varsity Baseball vs. Moody. 3:30 p.m. March 4: Soccer vs. Talladega. Girls at 5:30 p.m. Boys at 7 p.m. March 5: Softball vs. Shades Mountain. 4:30 p.m. March 5: Softball vs. Thompson. 4:30 p.m.
March 2013 • 27
March 13: Baseball vs. Hueytown. 4 p.m.
March 26: Girls Soccer vs. Trussville. 5 p.m. March 28: Baseball vs. John Carroll. 6:30 p.m. March 28: Girls Soccer vs. Briarwood. 5 p.m.
Special Events March 7: First Rey of Hope Dinner and Auction. Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School fundraiser.The Club. 5:30 p.m. Cash bar, live and silent auction. Individual tickets $200, tables start at $2,500. For more information call 263-0137 or email meagan@ hfcristorey.org. March 9: 5K Dirty Girl Mud Run. 8 a.m. at the Talladega Superspeedway. $85 registration, cancer survivors run free. For more information visit godirtygirl.com March 9: Service Guild of Birmingham’s 25th Annual Guild Gala. The Club. Benefits The Bell Center for Early Intervention Program. Contact Stacey Morales guildgala@theserviceguild.org or visit theserviceguild.org.
Homewood Public Library March 1, 8, 15 & 29: Leaps and Bounds. Ages 2 1/2-4. Movement class designed to burn energy while building motor skills. Call 332-6619 to register. March 4, 18: Monday Movie. All ages welcome. Popcorn and juice will be provided to children. 3:30 p.m March 4, 11, 18, 25: Dream Interpretation Classes with Jungian Analyst Lucie Magnus. Discuss the history of dream analysis, common dreams and how to develop the necessary tools to interpret your dreams. Free. Reservations required. 6-7 p.m. Call Leslie West at 332-6620 or email lwest@bham.lib.al.us. March 5: Introduction to Microsoft Office 2007. 2-4 p.m. Call 332-6632 to register. March 5, 6, 13, 19, 20, 26-27: Story time for all ages. Includes singing
March 9, 23: Cereal & Cartoons. Watch cartoons and eat cereal (no milk). 10 a.m.-noon. March 12: The Oxmoor Page Turners. Explore Joshilyn Jackson’s “A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.” 6:308 p.m. March 14: Mini Pre-code Film Festival Presenting“A Free Soul.” 6:30-8 p.m. March 16: Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection. Join lawyer Jay Greene as he explains the best ways to protect your assets and your loved ones. 10 a.m.-noon. To register, call Jay Greene at 746-2465 or visit ALassetprotection.com. March 16: Say Hola to Spanish. Language-learning story time. All ages welcome, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 10:30 a.m. March 19: After Schooler’s Fun Club. Build a Bird Feeder. Round Auditorium 3:30 p.m. Open to grades 1-5. Call 332-6619 to register. March 19: The A, B, C’s of Medicare. Karen Haiflich will answer all your questions about the how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to
March 21: A Special Duplo Story Time and Lego Build. Story time welcome to all ages. Round Auditorium 10:30 a.m. Magic City Lego group will provide bricks to create structures. Ages 6-12. Round Auditorium 3:30 p.m. March 26: Sports Page Turners: March Madness. Create your own bracket for a chance to win $25. Fill out bracket by March 14 and return to Children’s Department by March 18. Open grades 2-5. Call 332-6619 to register. Round Auditorium 6 p.m. March 27: The Better Than Therapy Book Club. Explore Emma Straub’s Laura Lamont’s Life in Pictures. 2-3:30 p.m. March 28: Say Hola to Spanish. Language-learning story time. All ages welcome, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. March 28: Author Frye Gaillard. Author Frye Gaillard, The Books That Mattered: A Reader’s Memoir, a series of carefully crafted, often deeply personal essays. Gaillard blends memoir, history and critical analysis to explore the works of many influential authors. 6:30-8 p.m.
March 2013
The Homewood Star I’ve Never Been More Confident In My Life! Just can’t thank you enough for starting Gauntlet Fitness! I’m in the best shape of my life and continue to transform my body with each workout. The mental health benefits are invaluable too. I’ve never been more confident in my life. It’s the best therapy I’ve found! I actually crave the rush from each workout and love the energy we all create pumping iron and pounding it out with our hands, elbows, knees and legs! It’s so addictive and I LOVE IT!!! - Katherine McGhee
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