The Homewood Star TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2013
Volume 3 | Issue 2 | May 2013
Expanding your world brew
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Reconsidering Roseland Council weighing price vs. resident preference for sidewalk project Left, Roseland Drive resident and Homewood business owner Mark Quenelle stands with the Japanese Maple he planted in his front yard. Adding sidewalks to the street could benefit the area’s many pedestrians, but could also reduce the size of resident’s yards. Photo by Megan Smith.
Brett Huey, one of five owners of Seeds Coffee Co. in West Homewood, seeks to not only serve quality coffee to its customers but also to connect them with the people and places that produce it.
Food page 13
Fresh options
By MEGAN SMITH Mark Quenelle planted a Japanese Maple in his front yard when he first moved to Homewood 15 years ago, wanting to add to the diminishing canopy of Roseland Drive.
“Trees provide shade and cooling,” said the Quenelle Landscape Design and Construction owner. “A lot of trees have been taken down on Roseland by people coming through and flipping houses.” The Japanese Maple, along with
other remaining trees alongside the north side of the road, are in the path of potential sidewalk construction. When Homewood City Council members Heather Reid and Jennifer Wallis informed Quenelle that placing the sidewalks in the yards
was approved, he acted fast. But his trees aren’t the most important thing he stands to lose if the city decides to place a sidewalk through his front yard.
See Roseland | page 29
New look for West Homewood Farmers market season returns to Homewood this month. Find where you can stock up on fresh fruits and flowers beginning May 11.
Community page 8
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City Council to consider form-based development code for area By JEFF THOMPSON West Homewood is suffering from an identity crisis. From the outside, the quiet community may appear to be an industrial complement to refined and recently renovated areas of the city, but residents see something more – potential. And they aren’t the only ones. A survey by the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPC) found residents “overwhelmingly favored” future development that would create opportunities for neighborhood-scaled shops, restaurants and businesses. Residents also, according to RPC, indicated they wanted to see more wide sidewalks, street trees, benches, outdoor dining and well-lit streets designed to slow traffic. Some members of the Homewood City Council agree, and they may have the opportunity to begin the process. A new form-based development code for West Homewood designed by RPC could be ready for a Council vote this month. Philip Amthor, senior planner
See CODE | page 28
Above, this rendering of the intersection of Oak Grove Road and Oxmoor Road was presented as a possible direction for new development in West Homewood under the proposed form-based code. The rendering was presented by The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham. Image courtesy of RPC. Left, RPC planners discuss the results of their study and their renderings with residents at the Homewood Senior Center. Photo by Jeff Thompson.
2 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
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The Lakeshore Lakers won the National Wheelchair Basketball Association’s Junior National Invitational Tournament in April. The team practices at Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood. Photo courtesy of the Lakeshore Foundation.
Publisher’s Note By Dan Starnes Every day is ‘We Love Homewood’ Day The biggest theme we find in talking to people about The Homewood Star is, not surprisingly, how often we hear, “We love Homewood” We hear it over and over and over again. Each issue we print reminds us of just why that is the case. Here’s a love-letter list inspired by the pages that lie ahead: We love our sidewalks. Where else can you walk to school, a friend’s house, the park and too many stores to name? A new one on Roseland might appear controversial at first glance (see cover story), but everyone agrees the more sidewalks the better. We love our storefronts. Forget strip malls (although they have their place, too). The quaint small-town feel as you walk along 18th Street or through Edgewood can’t be beat. We’re sure it’s part of the reason why, as Dr. Robert Robicheax shared at last month’s Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Homewood
generates a high percentage of its retail sales, 55 percent to be exact, from people who don’t even live in our fair city. We love Homewood events. Of course We Love Homewood Day kicks off the month on May 4 (as it rightly should), but in May alone you can also attend a scout pancake breakfast/garage sale/silent auction, run or walk multiple 5Ks in support of numerous causes, hear live music, see a pool-side fashion show, learn how to understand teenagers, pick up fresh produce from two different farmers markets, bring your kids to a huge picnic and carnival at the library and more. Keep reading to find details on all these events. We love that Homewood is never content with status quo. Just look how Edgewood residents are organizing to advocate for the construction of a
new park (page 9), a new development code in the works for West Homewood (cover story), and the construction on the new community center. Thanks to residents, the Homewood of tomorrow will always be a step ahead of the Homewood of yesterday. We love that Homewood is always full of good news. Our job is easy when everywhere we look are Girl Scout troops, student groups and individuals of all kinds giving of themselves for the good of others. Keep reading for story after story that fits this theme. We could run a new installment of this list each month and never come up short of things to say, but we’ll stop here for now. Stayed tuned next month, and always online, for more news that screams, “We love Homewood!” (And if you have not already, visit thehomewoodstar.com to sign up to receive our weekly email newsletter with the latest news and events going on around you.)
The Homewood Star
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Publisher : Creative Director : Managing Editor : Executive Editor : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :
Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Jeff Thompson Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Contributing Writers : Lauren Denton Merrick Wilson Mallie Crumpton Rick Watson Allie Saxon Kaitlin Bitz 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
For advertising contact: dan@TheHomewoodStar.com Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use
of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed to inform the Homewood community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Homewood Star is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Homewood Star. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.
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AccelAbility Physical Therapy (3) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (3) Alabama Power (6) Aloft Birmingham SOHO Square (4) Altadena Valley Country Club (28) Always There, Inc. (8) Bellewether (24) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (4) Brandino Brass (9) Briarcliff Shop (22) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (10, 12) Brookdale Place (10) Brookwood Medical Center (11) California Closets (12) Christopher Glenn (26 ) Colonial Brookwood Village (29) D1 Sports (25) Escape (31) Four Corners Custom Framing (13) Harmony Landing (13) Homewood Antiques and Marketplace (14) Homewood Chamber of Commerce (28) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (15) Homewood Parks and Rec (20) Issis & Sons (17) Jacqueline DeMarco (14) Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadway (26) Joe Falconer (19) Julie Ivy White (17) LAH Real Estate (24) Mary House Kessler, Ph.D (23) Mosquito Squad of Birmingham (23) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (18) Plastic Surgery Specialists (19) Powell Pediatric Dentistry (16) RealtySouth Marketing (7) Red Mountain Theatre Company (16) Regency Retirement Village (18) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (21) Salem’s Diner (14) Sew Sheri Designs (22) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (25) Sunny’s Package Store (23) The Center For Executive Leadership (32) The Maids (1) The Wade Team (9) Vulcan Park and Museum (27) Wallace-Burke (5)
Meet our intern Clayton Hurdle Clayton is a junior journalism and mass communication major at Samford. A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., he has enjoyed getting to know the Birmingham area better through his internship. He enjoys all things sports and his unrealistic dream job is to serve as a football or basketball coach.
May 2013 • 3
TheHomewoodStar.com
City Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors, By the time the next addition of The Homewood Star appears, school will be out and summer will be here. As a reminder, many of our children will be out and about and possibly thinking of things other than safety. Please allow this to serve as a reminder to slow down and watch out for our children. I have met with the police chief and specifically asked him to increase citations for speeding especially within our neighborhoods. Our Motor Scout Unit continues to do a great job patrolling around our schools in the morning and evenings, but will be more visible within the neighborhoods when school is out. Our K-9 Unit also continues to do a great job. Recently, they pulled a car over and found three hidden compartments and drugs. The two occupants were promptly taken to jail, and their car was impounded. Although the K-9 Unit is relatively new for Homewood, its members continue to do very well with their training. They have now qualified to attend the Nationals, and I appreciate all of your overwhelming support for this program. With the coming improvements to our parks including the new recreation center, please be sure to check homewoodparks. com for periodic updates. The Park Board consists of volunteer residents who have worked hard to help our city. Under the direction of Park Board Director Berkley Squires, those serving on our Park Board include Chris Mason, Chris Meeks, Becky Morton, Paula Smalley, Tom Blake, Tim Baggett, Tom Walker, Dr. Don Little and Dr. Keith Stansell. Please take a moment to
thank these neighbors when you see them. I also wanted to remind you to visit our city’s website, homewoodal.net. There you will find a great deal of information about our city including my State of the City address, budget information, videos of city council meetings, upcoming events, committee and council agendas, links to all department websites and a host of other helpful information. I appreciate James Yates and Steve Bottchen in our IT Department for all they do to keep our websites and every city computer we have up and running. The newest sidewalk is nearing completion and is located on Carr Avenue. This sidewalk will link our great businesses on Green Springs to Broadway. I continue to receive letters and phone calls about how much you are enjoying the new improvements. Jim Wyatt and his team in Inspections are doing a great job keeping those projects moving forward in a timely manner. Homewood continues to do very well, and I trust you enjoy living and working here. I am grateful you allow me to serve and look forward to many more great things to come. Sincerely,
Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood
Now open in Homewood!
Fire safety in hotels Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan, along with the National Fire Protection Association, recommends the following fire safety tips for travelers staying in hotels. Before a fire ff When making reservations or checking in, ask about the fire safety features of the facility, and choose a facility that is protected by both smoke detectors and is fully equipped with fire sprinklers. ff Become familiar with the fire escape plan for your room. ff Locate the two nearest sets of stairs, and count the number of doors between your room and the stairwells. In a fire, the hall might be dark, and it might be difficult to see the exit stairway. Counting the number of doors may help you find the stairs. ff Look for exit signs wherever you are in the facility. ff Check to make sure the exits are not locked or blocked. Notify the hotel manager if exits are not accessible. ff Keep your room key by your night stand so that you can easily reach it in an emergency. ff Travel with a flashlight and fresh batteries in case the power goes out. ff Report any unusual behavior or fire hazards to hotel management. During a fire ff If the fire alarm sounds, leave the building
immediately. Take your room key with you; then, if the exits are blocked by fire or smoke, you can return to your room. ff Test doors before you open them. If there is fire on the other side, it will feel warm. If the door is warm, stay in your room or possibly use a window as an exit and begin procedures for “If you are trapped” section. If the door is cool, open it cautiously and check to make sure your escape path is clear of fire and smoke. ff Always use the stairs, not an elevator, during a fire. ff If you must escape through smoke, crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees to your exit. If you are trapped ff If you can’t escape and there is no fire in your room, stay put. ff Call the fire department (911) and let them know your exact location, including your room number. ff Shut off fans and air conditioners because they draw smoke into the room. ff Stuff towels or sheets in the cracks around all doors and vents between you and the fire. ff If you can, open the window at the top and bottom, but be prepared to shut it if smoke comes into the room. Do not break the window so that you are able to shut it if needed. ff Stay at the window and signal firefighters by waving a light-colored cloth or a flashlight. -Submitted by Homewood Fire Department
Crime prevention tips With warm weather approaching, it is a good time to review some crime prevention tips. ff Lock your vehicle doors. ff Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Lock valuables in the trunk where they are out of site. ff Lock your home when you leave. ff Close curtains and blinds in your home. ff Use your home alarm if you have one. ff Put away your lawn equipment.
The most important crime prevention tip to prevent crime is call 911 when you see a suspicious person or vehicle in your neighborhood. Get a tag number if possible, and note a description of the car and its direction of travel. Do not hesitate to call 911. A few minutes of delay can make a difference. -Submitted by Homewood Police Department
4 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Community Troop 97 to hold Pancake Breakfast, Silent Auction and Garage Sale
Members of Troop 97 cook pancakes and run the garage sale as a part of their annual event.
Boy Scout Troop 97 is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast, Silent Auction and Garage Sale on Saturday, May 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church from 7 a.m.-noon in the Fellowship Hall and church gym. The garage sale will feature clothing, household items, crafts, toys, books, electronics, and sporting and camping equipment. Major items such as furniture and appliances will also be available at affordable prices. Scouts from the troop and adult volunteers will help by taking purchased items to shopper’s car. Items not sold at the end of the sale will be distributed to local charities. The now-famous Pancake Breakfast includes pancakes, sausages, coffee, juice and table-side service by Scouts. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat breakfast are $5 per person and can be purchased in advanced or paid at the door. The Silent Auction will take bids on items from throughout the morning, ending at noon. The troop is asking local businesses to donate an
item or service to the silent auction. They are also in search of people who want to donate sewn or homemade items, paintings, and owners of lake houses in Alabama or condominiums at the beach who would be willing to offer for a one-week stay or weekend getaway. “Our annual fundraiser allows us to underwrite many of our scout programs such as monthly campouts and annual high-adventure trips,” Troop 97’s Scoutmaster Steve Lloyd said. “The money also goes towards critical supplies such as scout manuals and materials. This event not only raises much-needed funds, but it also brings our adult volunteers and scouts together.” Last year the troop raised more than $20,000, and its goal is to exceed last year’s total. The troop is in need of auction items and garage sale donations. Please contact Bert Allen at 540-5343 or bertjudy@hotmail.com for more information or to arrange a donation pickup. All donations are tax deductible.
Scouts collect items for First Light
Back row: Mary Blakely Wood, Fleming Mabry, Gretchen Kellen, Deborah Everson, Madden Terry. Front row: Laura Kemper, Cate Grill, Ella Grace Ivey and Kate Schiller. Not pictured: Abby Terrell, Lily Kate Necaise, Anna Kate Adkins and Isabel Blish. Photo courtesy of Kirstie Ivey.
Homewood Girl Scout Troop 99 from Edgewood Elementary made gift bags containing lip balm, Kleenex and hand sanitizer for guests of First Light Shelter.
They also baked cookies and brownies. The girls delivered the gifts to the shelter in March, and Assistant Director Deborah Everson gave them a tour of the facility.
Spirit Scamper to feature drum line Homewood City Schools will host the third annual Spirit Scamper 5K and One Mile Fun Run at Homewood High School on May 4 at 7:30 a.m. The Spirit Scamper course will feature entertainment as well as a flat terrain. Participants will get to enjoy live music, the Spirit Sprinkler, and even Homewood High School’s very own drum line. This event is presented by “The Movement” of Homewood City Schools,
and proceeds will go to support the HHS award-winning Patriot Marching Band as they “March to the Roses” in the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Cali. The Spirit Scamper will kick-off We Love Homewood Day, which will be held at Homewood Patriot Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s daytime activities will include rides, attractions and performances, as well as a business and craft expo.
May 2013 • 5
TheHomewoodStar.com
UAB professor: retail in Homewood remains strong UAB Marketing Professor Dr. Robert Robicheaux addressed the Homewood Chamber of Commerce about the state of the retail sales in the city at its April luncheon at The Club. Fifty-five percent, or $300 million, of retail and food sales in Homewood in 2010 came from non-Homewood residents, Robicheaux’s data showed. In turn, Homewood also gains $7.48 million on sales tax receipts from nonresidents and $7.15 million from residents. “That’s great,” he said. “That’s like a theme park. Homewood has a retail tradition that began in the 60s and 70s when businesses established themselves here. You should celebrate your retail success.” Robicheaux also said the amount of retail sales among non-residents is not as common in other areas of Birmingham. Vestavia Hills, he said, is the opposite. According to his data, residents spent $10,427 per person and $24,539 per household on retail. Retailers brought in an average of $485,602. Robicheaux is chair of the Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics department and a Marshall Scholar at UAB.
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Wallace -Burke?
Dr. Robert Robicheaux addresses the Homewood Chamber of Commerce at The Club. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Miss Alabama to headline fashion show Miss Alabama 2012 Anna Laura Bryan will headline a poolside fashion show May 21 to benefit P.A.W.S. for Autism, a charity designed to bring service dogs to children faced with autism. Joelle Salon will hold the Sunset in Miami Show at The Hill apartment complex, 1820 Oxmoor Road, in SoHo. Twenty Miss Alabama contestants will wear Miami apparel as they model designs by Gus Mayer and The Clothes Tree, exclusively styled by Southern Femme with hair by Joelle Salon experts and makeup by Gus Mayer’s
cosmetic professionals. Wine will be provided by United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama and beer provided by Piggly Wiggly. Flower arrangements by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market will adorn the site, event photography will be captured by Element of Photography and “swag bags” filled with surprises will be given to the first 100 guests to arrive. Tickets may be purchased in advance through Joelle Salon for $28 or at the door for $30. For more contact Joelle Salon at 639-1455 or Info@JoelleSalon.com.
Lecture, discussion on understanding teens Homewood Public Library will host “Dude What’s Up?,” part one of the “House Calls” interactive lecture series by psychiatrist Mark Westfall, M.D. There will also be a Live Teen Panel to enliven the discussion. The lecture will be held Thursday, May 9, from 6-8 p.m. in the Homewood Public Library. The talk is centered around practical advice on understanding teenagers through the lens of science. Throughout the presentation there
will be opportunity for dialogue, and light refreshments will be served. Dr. Westfall has been practicing child, adolescent and adult psychiatry for more than 20 years. The “House Calls” interactive lecture series is designed to educate the public about mental health topics that affect everyday life. The event is supported by those in attendance. For more, call 332-6600 or visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org.
Live music returns to Brookwood Colonial Brookwood Village will host a series of Brookwood Live concerts this month. Each concert is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. Tuscaloosa’s Chevy 6 will kick off on May 3 with oldies music. On May 9, Honey Island Swamp Band will bring to the stage what The Baltimore Sun calls “vintage country meets Gulf Coast boogie-woogie blues.”
Birmingham-based Groove Daddy will take the stage on May 16 with an energetic mix of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, jazz, blues, Motown, ballads, blues, funk, and contemporary gospel and Christian material. The Bicho Brothers are scheduled for May 12 and Fountain City Players for May 30. For more visit shopbrookwoodvillage.com.
Mother-daughter run coming to Lakeshore Mommy and Me Fitness is teaming up with the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Women’s Health to plan a women’s run and walk, Women on the Move to Improve Women’s Health, on May 18 starting at 8 a.m. The family event includes both a 5K and 1 Mile Mother/Daughter Walk/ Children’s Fun Run held on the Lakeshore Greenway. Post-race activities will include a bouncy house, kids obstacle course, parents’ fitness challenge, Zumba dance party, face painting and refreshments, all held in the greenway parking lot across from Samford.
The 1 Mile Walk/Run entry fee is $5, and children under age 5 are free. 5K entry fee is $20. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the local Girls on the Run program, as well as programs and events offered by the Office of Women’s Health. Organizers are hoping to get many local families involved in this event. The first 200 participants will get a free T-shirts and $500 in cash prizes will be given to top runners. For more visit adph.org/owh or facebook. com/WomensHealth5k, or to register visit active.com. For more on Mommy and Me, visit mommyandmetime.com.
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• May 2013
The Homewood Star
Bringing big city style to local dance classes
Homewood girls serve as Birmingham Belles
By KAITLIN BITZ You could say Nancy Jones lives a busy life. She’s danced for 28 years, studied in New York and Los Angeles, and teaches for six different studios in the Birmingham area. When she isn’t teaching, she also takes classes at Alabama Ballet, dabbles in modeling and party planning, offers private lessons, and works with Homewood High School’s Star Spangled Girls. “I live a very weird life. It’s a fun exciting life and it keeps me busy,” Jones said. “You can be an artist and survive in Birmingham.” On top of that, Jones brought the style of class she experienced in Los Angeles to the Homewood area, offering local residents a world-class experience without the price tag. “I wanted to give my kids an opportunity to experience what dance is like in New York and Los Angeles,” Jones said. “These classes have given me the ability to give the kids the opportunity to receive the highest quality dance. This style is all about coming as you are and stretching yourself in ways that you didn’t know existed.” Jones not only wants to make dance accessible for everyone, but also to bring kids with different styles together to create diversity. “Everybody brings a different style and different strength. They all get together and they love it,” Jones said. “I have kids from everywhere. I just want them to come dance.”
Homewood High School juniors presented as Birmingham Belles last month. Nancy Jones, left, teaches her open classes at Corky Bell School of Dance in Homewood. Photo by Virginia Jones.
Jones has a lot to bring to the table. She has an extensive background in ballet as well as a dance degree from BirminghamSouthern College. Her unique combination of ballet and “funkier stuff,” which she learned in LA at the Edge Performance Art Center underneath famous choreographers such as Liz Imperio, Malaya, Tyce Diorio, Eddie Garcia and Mandy Moore, has enabled her to become successful as a dancer and a teacher. She also has a passion for Homewood. Jones graduated from Homewood High School, where she was a Star Spangled
Girl for three years. “I really love Homewood. There’s something about growing up in Homewood and having danced here my whole life that’s really special,” Jones said. “Especially with the open classes, it’s my opportunity to bring the stuff that I’ve learned from outside of here back to Homewood.” Jones’ open classes take place on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:45 p.m. at Corky Bell School of Dance in Homewood. For information, check out the NanCDance Facebook page. For those interested in other classes or private lesson, email Jones at nanckj@yahoo.com.
Fourteen Homewood High School Juniors were invited by the Birmingham Belles to be presented at Arlington’s annual Garden Party in April. The Birmingham Belles is a 45-year-old organization that serves as the hospitality group for Birmingham. Belles are mainly responsible for volunteer service as hostesses at Arlington Historic House but also attend civic and cultural events. Homewood Belles are: • Miss Adair Elizabeth Blomeleydaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Blomely • Miss Nancy Elizabeth Hale- daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Max H. Hale • Miss Katherine Grace Hall-daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Steven Douglas Hall • Miss Mary Hannah Hall- daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Steven Douglas Hall • Miss Caroline Copeland Harrisdaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Bennett Harris III
• Miss Emily Catherine Harrisondaughter of Mr. & Mrs. James G. Harrison • Miss Elizabeth Grace Hornadydaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles David Hornady • Miss Anna Frances Laws- daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Laws Jr. • Miss Lyndsey Marie Morgandaughter of Mr. Paul Lee Morgan & Mrs. Lisa Clum Morgan • Miss Mary Genevieve Pittmandaughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Warren Pittman • Miss Courtenay Harrison Pyburndaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Scott Harrison Pyburn • Miss Erin Elise Roberts- daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Mike Roberts • Miss Hallie Virginia Tarpley- daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Lee Tarpley • Miss Morgan Riordan Wyattdaughter of Mr. & Mrs. James Alexander Wyatt III
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Girls on the Run to host Community 5K
The spring 2012 Homewood Park Girls on the Run team prepares for last year’s race.
Girls on the Run (GOTR) Birmingham Metro will host its second annual 5K run on Saturday, May 11, beginning at Marconi Park in downtown Birmingham. The Girls on the Run after-school school character development program serves girls in third through fifth grade by creatively integrating running with a curriculum that inspires girls to remain confident and make healthy life choices. The program serves Homewood as well as 12 other areas in Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby Counties. The two-season program takes place in the fall and spring, and each season ends with a 5K run to celebrate the girls’ personal growth
and accomplishments. The race is set to begin at 8 a.m. following a 7:30 a.m. group warm-up. The event celebrates girls’ capabilities to accomplish any goal they desire. All levels and ages of walkers and runners are welcome and invited to join in the festivities. Runners or walkers can complete the 5K in honor of a strong woman or girl in their life and receive a certificate to present to them for Mother’s Day. To register for the race, visit girlsontherunbham.org.
Red Mountain Park to open Beanstalk Forest
on a street near you. For us, it’s more than a saying during football season. It’s how we function year-round at RealtySouth. Every home matters. Every customer deserves exceptional service, the utmost of professionalism and a well-defined sales strategy.
Visit one of our locations or www.realtysouth.com where you’ll find hundreds of RealtySouth Sales Associates ready to... The leaf walk and forest ladder are part of the new Beanstalk Forest at Red Mountain Park.
Zip-lining isn’t the only adventure awaiting guests in the treetops at Red Mountain Park now. The Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest, which opens May 1, includes 20 different obstacles and elements in the topography of the park. “It’s a playground in the trees,” said Katie Sullivan, public relations coordinator for the park. “You go up and you stay up, and as many as 20 people can go at the same time, making it great for groups, families and events.” Some elements will be easy, while others will be more challenging. Visitors can choose their own route through the trees, and at the end, there’s a zip-line to get down. Guests will be able to move freely from
element to element, swapping their own harness. Safety isn’t an issue, Sullivan said. Each harness has two guide clips that are a part of a new mechanism, the lobster claw. The claw is designed for only one clip to be open at a time. “You’re never not secure,” Sullivan said. “There’s no forgetting to clip in or clip out because the lobster claw won’t let you move. One is always clipped in.” Guides will still be present for emergency situations but will mainly help guests get through obstacles and add encouragement, Sullivan said. For more or to make reservations, visit redmountainpark.org or call 202-6043.
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8 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Market season returns West Homewood Farmers Market
Homewood Farmers Market
160 Oxmoor Road Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon June 1-July 27*
2850 19th Street South Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon May 11-Aug. 10, except May 26 Urban Cookhouse practices its “buy local, eat urban” motto not just in its restaurant but also in its farmers market held in SoHo on Saturdays. “We want to show support for local farmers,” Victoria Underwood, market manager, said. “Urban Cookhouse even buys from them for the restaurant.” The market usually has 16-20 vendors who sell produce, coffee, noodles, meats, flowers and more.
Sponsored by Shades Valley Community Church, the goal of the West Homewood Farmers Market is to improve the neighborhood. “We want to wholeheartedly do something for the community,” said market manager Kenyon Ross. “The community benefits from the market.” The market will only have as many as 14 booths, but the goal is to keep it small. “It’s more intimate,” Ross said. “We want people to come and connect.” With a smaller market, Ross said, customers get to know their farmers and how they grow their produce. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks, and arts and crafts. *Following summer market season, West Homewood will hold a night market on Aug. 14, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17 from 5-8 p.m.
Both of Homewood’s farmers markets sell a variety of produce, floral items and other locally crafted wares.
Rotary International president visits Botanical Gardens During his recent trip to Birmingham, Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka visited the Japanese garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Tanaka was greeted at the Gardens by members of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley (RCSV), and by members of the family of Glenn Estess Sr., who also served as Rotary International
President and was a longtime member of RCSV. Tanaka visited the Glenn Estess Sr. Memorial Lantern in the Japanese garden, as well as the Friendship Bell, which was donated to the RCSV and the Botanical Gardens by the Rotary Club of Osaka Central, Japan. Tanaka and Estess had been friends for many years. RI President Tanaka (center) at the Glenn Estess Sr. memorial with members of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley.
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Edgewood residents push for new park Residents are advocating for construction of a new park between Carr Avenue and Broadway Street, pictured above. Monarch Cleaners owner Mark DiChiara, far right, said his grandmother owns the plot of land the park would be built on if approved by the Homewood City Council. Photos by Nathan Kelly. “The land has been up for sale for a few years now, so we’re hoping it will finally happen,” DiChiara said. “There are a lot of people who run and walk their dogs around here, so I think the park would be a great addition to this side of town.”
By CLAYTON HURDLE Edgewood could soon be home to a new park and community gardens. The proposed Broadway Park would be the main focus of a project that would modify the area between Carr Avenue and Broadway Street in the Edgewood community. Park supporters Katherine Bailey and Elizabeth Beeler tout that one of the primary benefits of the park and gardens would be an added aesthetic quality to the area, which in turn would increase the surrounding property values.
Current residents of Broadway, Carr and Saulter Roads could benefit from the project not only through increased property values but also because of the park’s proximity to their homes. “A lot of people walk in Edgewood,” Bailey said. “Sure, you can walk to Homewood Park, but it takes a good 30 minutes to get there. I think having another spot where we can walk to as a group can encourage people to stay right here in Homewood and Edgewood.” Supporters said businesses along Carr and Broadway, such as community
favorite Gianmarco’s Restaurant, could receive a revenue boost along with the property value bump. While Homewood City Council recognizes the benefits of constructing a park in the location, the Council must first overcome logistical hurdles before the project can move forward. Likely obstacles the park faces include an Alabama Power easements on the site and part of the location being in the area’s floodplain. “Since it is still a concept park, the council is investigating options,” council member Heather Reid said.
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“Most of the discussion [has been] regarding the easement and the value considering said easement.” Plans for the park have been drafted by a group of Edgewood residents and include a picnic area with a gazebo for families to enjoy outdoor lunches. The community gardens are an addition that was inspired by a growing trend of community gardens across the nation. Beeler hopes eventually the gardens could provide locally-grown produce for Gianmarco’s and other area restaurants. “Gianmarco’s currently works with
Jones Valley [Urban Farm],” Beeler said. “If we can get our community gardens rolling, we can share fresh vegetables with the restaurants.” The plans also call for reconstruction on Saulter and Carr Roads. The park proposal looks to straighten out Carr’s route and disconnect Saulter, turning it instead into a cul-de-sac. The re-routing of the streets would also allow more room for the park and gardens. “Residents feel that a lot of people use Saulter as a cut-through street, and people speed through going either direction,” Beeler said.
“The Wade Team” “We Love Homewood and it Shows” If you say yes to :
walking to shops, eating lunch outside, strolling the neighborhood, Friday night flicks in the park, supporting HHS teams and the Band, you live in Homewood. If you don’t, you should. Let us find your home.
Uncompromising Quality and Service 205.978.8900 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday by Appointment 2824 Central Avenue - Suite 100 Birmingham, Alabama 35209
www.brandinobrass.com
Danielle Wade
966-9600
daniellewade03@gmail.com
Cindy Wade
283-2349
cwade03@gmail.com
1703 OXMOOR ROAD across from Homewood Park 870-5000
10 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Homewood Happenings McMinn Clinic offers new field of practice Homewood’s McMinn Clinic now offers craniosacral therapy. Dr. Margot Walbert DOM, AP, CST has been practicing Chinese medicines since 2006. She joined the McMinn clinic in 2010 and recently received certification at Upledger Institute International in West Palm Beach, Fla., for craniosacral therapy. Walbert said the treatment releases tension in the body and treats emotional issues such as depression and trauma by making sure the central spinal fluid is flowing freely. The therapy can also boost energy levels. McMinn Clinic is located at 3125 Independence Drive, Suite 108. Visit mcminnclinic.com for more.
Big #1 Motorsports moves locations Big #1 Motorsports, Alabama’s largest power sports dealer, relocated to 505 Cobb Street, previously Sharp Carpet and Lumber Liquidators, in April. The new location provides a 12,400 square foot showroom, better parking and better visibility. Big #1 has also added Ducati Motorcycles to its inventory. The grand opening will be May 3-12. From May 3-5 the company will host the wall of death stunt show, and from May 11-12 there will be motor cross freestyle shows. Visit bignumber1.com for more.
New hearing aid center Dr. Brian McCool and Dr. Tarika Bhuta, Ear, Nose and Throat specialists, are expanding their practice to include a hearing aid center. The two otolaryngologists said many hearing aid users do not have a good experience with their devices. “This could be because they are inappropriately fitted or misdiagnosed,” Bhuta said.
The new clinic will include an audiologist as well as Dr. McCool and Dr. Bhuta, making it a practice as well as a hearing aid store to guarantee a correct diagnosis and good fit with devices and patients. Dr. Bhuta said they hope to open the clinic this summer. Clarity Hearing Aid Clinic is located at 3055 Independence Drive. Call 414-1368.
Dr. Backus’ Good Deeds Project Orthodontist Dr. Dominique Backus is challenging her patients to get involved with a summer community service project. Projects can benefit area non-profit organizations, individuals in need, and/or community awareness efforts. Projects should include but are not limited to raising money, providing a continued service, meeting a need and/or organizing an event to support a cause. Entries will be accepted May 15-July 25 in either both written and video diaries. Interested patients can submit entries on backusbraces.com under the Backus Banner (Contests) or email to contest@backusbraces.com. One winner will be selected from a panel of judges from Homewood. The winner will be revealed at Dr. Backus’ Patient Appreciation Party on Thursday, August 1. Orthodontics for Children and Adults is located at 3507 Old Montgomery Highway and can be reached at 879-0557. For more visit backusbraces.com.
Mantooth Interior’s 40th Anniversary Mantooth Interior’s is celebrating its 40th year of business. Originally called the Brass Bed, the furniture store was opened in 1973. In 1997, the family opened The Curtain Exchange, a custom upholstery and window treatment store. The store is located at 2813 18th Street South and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
ChamberChat Why do you buy local? One of the great things about Homewood is that you can literally get whatever you need and want here without ever leaving the city limits. We have large retail, small retail, specialty shops, great restaurants and everything in between. I Why did you get Trey Schaefer try to buy local as often involved in the Chamber? I got involved with the Chamber as I can, even when it comes to gas. soon after I graduated from college. The more we can buy in Homewood, I owned my own business and knew the more our city will benefit that networking was the best way to economically. grow my business and customer base. I volunteered at luncheons and ribbon Tell us about the upcoming Excellence cuttings as an ambassador and was in Education Awards Luncheon. This month the Chamber asked to be on the Board several years later. I’ve been involved in some form membership meeting is the annual Excellence in Education Awards or fashion ever since. Luncheon. One student from each of Homewood’s five schools will be Tell us about the newest recognized for academic achievement members of the Chamber. New members for the month of as well as the ideals of character, March include Advanced Eye Care, leadership and service. I am happy to say that the Homewood Business Planning, Inc, Kinsight, LLC, Moxii and Najjar Denaburg, PC. Chamber of Commerce sponsors a college scholarship to an outstanding Homewood High School senior. What is you favorite During the luncheon, Homewood Homewood business? Having lived here my whole life, Elementary Schools’ Percussion I have many favorite businesses in Ensembles will be showcased. Homewood. Two that jump out at me Together they will demonstrate are two that I frequent often: Iron Tribe the collaborative work that they Fitness and Urban Cookhouse. I love performed for the 2013 Alabama Urban Cookhouse because of the fresh Music Educators Conference. This year, the meeting is sponsored menu and laid-back atmosphere. The staff is extremely friendly, and it’s just by WVTM – Alabama’s 13. Mike a great place to have dinner with the Royer is our guest speaker, and Dr. Bill family. Iron Tribe is like my second Cleveland our emcee. The luncheon will be held at The family. I love the community and friendships I’ve made as well as how Club on Tuesday, May 21 from great I feel after a good hard WOD 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. For more or to register visit (Workout of the Day). homewoodchamber.com. The Homewood Star talked with Homewood Chamber of Commerce PresidentElect Trey Schaefer to find out what’s new with Homewood businesses. Schaefer is an account executive with Ebsco Creative Concepts.
May 2013 • 11
TheHomewoodStar.com
Business Spotlight
Read past Business Spotlight at TheHomewoodStar.com
2831 Linden Avenue 879-7662 thesmockingbird.com Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Smocking Bird By KAITLIN BITZ The walls of The Smocking Bird are covered in bolts of fabric in every color. Threads, buttons and ribbon can be found in every corner of the house-turned-store. Embroidery machines hum away. Just looking around will make anyone craft-savvy wiggle with anticipation. Smocking is a centuries-old form of needlework that uses embroidery stitches over gathered fabric to decorate and allow for elasticity. It is mostly used on children’s garments, especially for special holiday outfits or christening dresses. And in Homewood, The Smocking Bird is a place for both beginners and veterans of the style to expand their craft. The store offers a wide range of smocking materials as well as custom orders. It also provides a variety of quilting fabrics and sewing supplies. “People think we are just a smocking shop, but we are so much more,” co-owner Martha Shaw said. “We have one of the best selections in town!” Shaw’s partner, Carol Provost, purchased an existing business that would become The Smocking Bird more than 25 years ago. Since then, the store has moved to three different houses on Linden Avenue attempting to make more room for their growing inventory. They’ve also kept up with the
The Smocking Bird offers a wide variety of fabrics, lace, ribbon, buttons and other sewing supplies in addition to smocked children’s clothing. Photos by Kaitlin Bitz.
trends in technology that have greatly benefitted the industry. Shaw and Provost offer ongoing sewing classes in their upstairs classrooms with modern machines to teach. The classes cover topics such as machine training, smocking and basic sewing. The store also offers a popular sewing camp for children in the summer.
But Shaw said she feels the most important thing The Smocking Bird offers is a personal relationship and knowledgeable staff that provides one-on-one customer service. “We know most of our customers by first name. They sort of become like our family,” Shaw said. “The store is so central to Homewood,
Co-owner Martha Shaw and some of the dresses offered by The Smocking Bird.
Vestavia and Mountain Brook. We’ve got so many young moms that smock and sew, and we feel that we are a great location for them.” Although smocking is a more traditional activity, Shaw said she thinks it’s a great creative outlet for young moms. “It’s just a great hobby. It’s the art
of it,” Shaw said. “I think everybody has a deep need to be creative. It’s a way for young moms to make something for their children to wear that will last and something they can be proud of.” For more information or to sign up for classes, visit thesmockingbird. com.
12 • May 2013
Restaurant Showcase 2701 18th Street South 868-4728 Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Homewood Star Read past Restaurant Showcases at TheHomewoodStar.com
Chicago Mike’s Hot Dogs
By MEGAN SMITH Last spring, 12-year Chicago Mike’s customer Michelle Collum found out that her favorite lunch spot was closing. She called mother, Jenni Pennington, and hatched a plan. By May, Pennington and her husband, Kyle, had signed the ownership papers for the 16-year-old restaurant. The mother-daughter team re-opened the stand weekdays for lunch starting in June. “It’s like working outside,” Pennington said, “which is great especially when the weather is great.” The former snow cone stand has two screen rooms built onto each side that former owner Mike Zaden added. Customers walk up to the sliding window to place their orders. Pennington and Collum added picnic tables and umbrellas outside for customers to enjoy on nice days. They also installed a credit cardprocessing machine. Previously, some loyal customers were forced to find the nearest ATM in order to pay cash for their Mike’s food. But beyond that, not much changed with the ownership. “When we bought the restaurant, we bought all the recipes,” Pennington said. “We’re producing food the same way it’s been for 16 years — except the things we’ve added, of course.” The menu includes hotdogs,
Michelle Collum and mom Jenni Pennington have run Chicago Mike’s since Pennington bought it from original owner Mike Zaden last spring. Photos by Megan Smith.
hamburgers, club and chicken salad sandwiches and, occasionally, desserts from a nearby bakery. The stand is too small for a soda fountain, but it does offer canned sodas for $1 and tea or coffee for $1.25. Hotdogs and hamburgers come plain, or for additional $.25 per topping, customers can create their own version. Collum said they don’t shirk on the add-ons. With their updated menu, they also created a logo that is a caricature of the former owner.
“A customer once said that if you’re not wearing it when you leave, you didn’t eat at Mike’s,” Collum said. The mother-daughter team said the only downside to the stand’s location on the corner of Rosedale Drive and 18th Street South is trying to be heard over the traffic. But for them the occasional highway noise is bearable because of the diversity of customers the stand brings in with its easily accessibility from Homewood, downtown Birmingham, UAB and
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U.S. 280. Their goal is to try to treat everyone who comes to their window like family. “An important factor of buying the place was learning all the regulars by name,” Pennington said. “We’ve learned that that’s really important to the customers here.” Both women previously worked in the medical field and have so far enjoyed their newly structured work days, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. “I wouldn’t work with anyone else in this little box,” Collum said. “I
have more fun working with my mom than with a boss.” Chicago Mikes suffered roof damage during a storm in January and Collum and Pennington took the opportunity to enhance the building’s exterior. The restaurant now sports a red tin roof that Collum said greatly improves the visibility of the location. They also added an adjustable front awning to provide more height for taller clients and add shade during summer months.
May 2013 • 13
TheHomewoodStar.com
New Coffee House serving quality roasts alongside a global vision
Brett Huey, left, one of five owners of Seeds Coffee Co., pours hot water over freshly roasted beans while his brother, Jeff Huey, also an owner, talks with customers.
By JEFF THOMPSON Jeff Huey found what he was looking for on the other side of the world, but he didn’t find it surprising. Earlier this year, he traveled to the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, which is known globally as a source of quality coffee. Before he ever left home though, Huey was aware the country’s fiscal climate offered little compassion for its notable crop – or the people who farm it. As he walked through the market, he watched as men dropped their handpicked coffee beans or “berries” into the street. The crop had yet to ripen, Huey noticed. Worse, it was being run over, getting muddy and depreciating quickly. “Those berries shouldn’t have been picked,” Huey said. “But if that farmer doesn’t sell that coffee, his family and maybe even his neighbors’ families wouldn’t be able to pay for basic needs. Literally, they wouldn’t survive.”
Seeds Coffee 174 Oxmoor Rd 259-6405 seedscoffee.com
From left are volunteer roaster Jim Farris with Seeds owners Taylor McCall, Brett Huey and Jeff Huey. Behind them is Seeds’ coffee roaster, located next door at Honors Real Estate, LLC.
Huey, 32, is one of the five owners of Seeds Coffee Co., which held its grand opening in West Homewood in April. The nonprofit coffee shop and music venue on West Oxmoor Road is elegantly designed and proud of its product, which, depending on the customer’s order, is hand-poured over the grounds as he or she waits. But, in part, it’s all a front for a much larger mission. “Our vision is to know those farmers, to partner with them as we celebrate our accomplishments as local baristas,” said Taylor McCall, 31, another of Seeds’ owners. McCall said Seeds Coffee is the second step in the owner’s long-term plan. The first began almost a year ago when Jeff’s younger brother, Brett, also an owner, began roasting coffee beans in a Whirly Pop Popcorn Popper in his kitchen. Brett had success finding flavor through considerable trial and error, and eventually
people began asking to buy his beans. Within a few months, the store was moving forward, partly thanks to Honors Real Estate in Homewood. Seeds and Honors identified a space they could share, including a place to roast coffee – within a closet in the Honors office. Joined by other owners Rod Lee, 30, and Stephen Stepkoski, 35, Jeff, Brett and McCall all agreed that Seeds’ storefront would focus on offering rich, flavorful coffees and regular music to their community. In the meantime though, they were already focusing on the final part of their vision. Jeff Huey, Brett Huey and McCall are all from South Alabama. Jeff came to the Birmingham area in 2006 to plan a church in Chelsea. McCall met Jeff at that church in 2007, and Brett arrived to join his brother in 2010. In 2012 and 2013, well on their way to becoming professional coffee roasters, all three left the U.S. to explore their options building
connections through coffee – options they hoped would lead to founding churches. Jeff went to Indonesia, Brett to Guatemala and McCall to India. They returned with similar accounts of farmers living in poor conditions, selling their crops to exporters for pennies. Many of these farmers have never tasted coffee, they said, and don’t know of the global demand for their product. “On average, a farmer’s coffee changes hands six times before it gets to port,” Jeff said. “Direct trade eliminates that and allows us to say, ‘I can be an advocate for you.’” Using their experiences and their storefront, the owners of Seeds are continuing to search for ways to pay farmers a fair wage, as well as connect Homewood with the rest of the world. They haven’t figured it all out yet, but they know they started on a stove top and it led them to a store. Now, they’re confident the community will help push them on to what’s next.
Mother’s Day and Graduation Gifts
2925 18th Street South • Homewood 205-871-0585 • www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
14 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Rick Journey reinvents his storytelling By NATHAN KELLY Storytelling has been Rick Journey’s career, obligation and life since graduating from The University of Alabama in 1990. After leaving his 13-year position as morning news anchor on Fox 6 in June 2012, Journey has gone from news man to entrepreneur. His communications firm, Rick Journey 360, is a solo-operated business focusing primarily on public and media relations that he began in August of 2012. Journey works by himself, giving him the availability for personal relationships with clients. His connections in Alabama media make him familiar and accountable to generate the optimal strategy for any organization’s direction. It was an easy choice to start his firm in Homewood because of his family, history and expertise of Alabama. He’s covered news in the state since his college years. In 1989, he was an anchor for the local news cut-ins of Tuscaloosa’s public radio station during NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Ten years later, he became what most people know him for – a member of WBRC’s “Good Day Alabama” team. He also served as a news and
sports director for a commercial radio station; an award-winning reporter for Tuscaloosa’s CBS affiliate; a host of Alabama Public Television’s statewide nightly news and public affairs program “For the Record;” and WBRC bureau chief, first in Tuscaloosa, then covering the Alabama House and Senate in Montgomery. Journey said his new line of work requires the same skill set as a reporter, which made the transition from anchor to owning a communications firm an easy one. “I offer a fresh perspective for my clients,” Journey said. “Working at Fox 6 for about 20 years gave me the knowledge I needed to help tell the story of my clients the best and most efficient way possible in an ever-changing world of communications.” Journey’s record speaks for itself. He has received multiple awards for his broadcast journalism and community involvement, including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award in Birmingham. He also teaches in the Department of Communication Studies at the UAB and is a frequent speaker throughout the state on the topics of journalism, politics and public relations. He has served on several boards for
Former Fox 6 Rick Journey now runs a public and media relations company.
organizations including the March of Dimes, Alabama Writers’ Forum and the governing body of Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival. The leave from his anchor position might have seemed sudden, but Journey, 46, never planned on staying in television news into his 50s Journey said his family knew he would be making a change long before it was announced. The idea to start his business came seven years ago. He prolonged the move because of a shaky economy and a working environment he was comfortable in and enjoyed. The decision was permanently made when he embraced the idea of reinventing his skill and
taking it to a new profession in the communications world. “I consider myself a risk-adverse kind of person, which made the decision to try this even harder,” Journey said. “I trusted my knowledge and took the jump because I wanted to meet the challenge of change in my life. This is just the next step.” The change was an odd one at first, he said. After taking a month off to build a tree house for his son, Truman, Journey found it strange to be on the other side of the camera after sitting in front of it for so many years. “I’ve embraced this new life, which has kept me from truly missing my spot on the news,”
Journey said. “The principle of my job is to still inform and tell stories, but it definitely beats waking up at 2:30 a.m. each day for work.” Journey said rather than telling stories for the public, he’s telling stories on behalf of his clients. Whether it takes advising what approach a non-profit organization to head or assisting in political campaigns with his vast list of connections, Journey is there to help. He plans to continue to grow his firm in the future to possibly a team of qualified “storytellers” like him. He hopes to continue building relationships and alliances to make Rick Journey 360 a respected firm.
Red Balloon Sale
Saturday May 18th! 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!!!
HOMEWOOD
•
ALABAMA
877-8797
Wayne Salem, Owner
2913 18th Street S.
930 Oxmoor Road www.homewoodantiques.com (205)414-9945
Monday–Saturday 6:30am to 3pm www.salemsdiner.com
HOME OF THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK
May 2013 • 15
TheHomewoodStar.com
Home away from home Adventures in the double life of the LeDuc family
Jonathan, Jen, Selah, Ansley, Jedediah and Adelyne LeDuc enjoy family time in both Homewood and Northern California. Photos courtesy of the LeDuc family.
By ALLIE SAXON Moving across the country after every summer might seem like stressful idea, but for the LeDuc family it is paradise. Over the past 10 years, native Californians Jonathan and Jen LeDuc have made Homewood their home base community while spending summers back in California at JH Ranch, a guest ranch for parents and their teens, husbands and wives, and engaged or seriously dating couples. Jonathan serves as program director and men’s staff dean at the Ranch, whose office is based in Birmingham, while Jen stays home with Selah (9), Ansley (7), and twins Jedediah and Adelyne (3). JH Ranch’s motto stuck in Jen’s mind since she and her husband started working at the
Ranch in college: “I heard and I forgot. I saw and I remembered. I did and I understood.” “The life changes we saw there is what keeps drawing us back,” she said. “We hear the testimonies of people that were changed, and it makes you keep going.” The Ranch has specific programs for parent to teen, husband to wife, and newly engaged couples and more to focus on life purpose, problem solving, goal setting, relationships, family, spiritual priorities and personal standards. Programs include outdoor activities like high adventure camp with river rafting, climbing Mount Shasta, mountain biking to the coast and high ropes courses. The LeDuc kids’ favorite part of living on the Ranch is seeing new faces when guests arrive at the beginning of every week. They also love the
The LeDuc girls playing at a high alpine lake near the JH Ranch.
horses, Jen said. “I love that I get to raise my kids around 120 college students (on staff) that influence my family and have the same beliefs that I do,” she said. “I get to pull away from everything from the world and go to the mountains.” The LeDuc family feels that close relationships they have at the Ranch are similar to the relationships they have built in Homewood. Because the Ranch’s headquarters is in Birmingham, many of the JH Ranch family have migrated to the Southeast. Jen said they are always excited to come home to Homewood because the values and mindsets of its residents are similar to that of the people of JH Ranch. “I couldn’t imagine raising my kids anywhere else. From the soccer fields to the dance classes,
The Art of Dentistry
our life is all in a couple of miles,” Jen said. Nothing is too consistent for the LeDuc’s. They are excited for the change of scenery, but always ready to come back to Homewood. “My family is graced that we can do transitional living,” Jen said. “We love the people of Homewood, and that’s why we stay here. Our neighborhood is truly what a neighborhood should be like in our minds. We count it as such a gift to live here.” The biggest thing that keeps ringing true to Jen is the sense of community her family feels walking the streets of Homewood or living amidst a new set of 200 guests each week at the Ranch. “The people are what make a place so special and our sense of belonging and being involved with something bigger than ourselves,” she said.
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16 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Handmade with a purpose Former Homewood teacher creates awareness with jewelry By MALLIE CRUMPTON Homewood teacher Rachel Paden was forced to give up teaching as the pain and fatigue of autoimmune disease Sjоgren’s Syndrome worsened. “Leaving the classroom left a big hole in my heart,” Paden said. “It has taken me two years to find a way to fill that hole.” But fill the hole is what Paden did with materials such as clay and turquoise she fashions into jewelry. Through SJО COMPASSION on e-commerce website Etsy, Paden sells her creations and donates half the proceeds to the Sjоgren’s Syndrome Foundation for research and awareness. “I never really know what the final product will look like until it is finished,” Paden said. “Every time I create a new piece, it is like a surprise party for me.” For Paden, it is not about making a profit. In fact, the extra money that is left after the donations to the Sjоgren’s Syndrome Foundation will be donated to an organization that helps children living in poverty. “I have been so blessed in this life, and in return I want to be a blessing to
others,” Paden said. According to Paden’s doctors, there is no known cure for Sjоgren’s Syndrome. In addition to providing unique handmade jewelry, Paden said she wants to educate people about Sjоgren’s. “Extreme fatigue is my most bothersome symptom,” Paden said. “I rarely leave my house alone because I don’t know if I’ll have the energy to get back without assistance.” With each purchase, Paden encloses a brochure from the Sjоgren’s Syndrome Foundation along with the jewelry before shipping. This gives the buyer an opportunity to learn more about the syndrome and hopefully pass the information on to others.
“Many pieces of art I design, I do so with Sjоgren’s in mind,” Paden said. “I have used clay with sprinkles of sand added before baking to represent the dryness from Sjоgren’s, or add a teardrop bead or other teardrop designs to represent moisture.” Sjоgren’s patients are constantly having to replenish the moisture in their eyes and mouth, and are extremely sensitive to light. “My eye drops and a hat are two things I absolutely cannot afford to be without,” She admitted. Although she has become a victim of this syndrome that has taken away her ability to lead a normal life, Paden does not let it get her down. With a remarkable joy about
Rachel Paden creates jewelry with a natural look for her Etsy store. Photos by Mallie Crumpton.
life and giving to others, she finds ways to turn her negative symptoms into positives by collecting the beads she drops due to a shaky hand and creates works of art she calls her “Up-Off-The-Floor” pieces. Paden’s daughter, Jessica Kime, also has a shop on Etsy called A
Simple Kind Of Fancy, where she too makes jewelry. “Jessica has helped me so much through everything. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter or a better person to dedicate my jewelry to,” Paden said. For more information on Sjоgren’s Syndrome, visit sjogrens.org.
May 2013 • 17
TheHomewoodStar.com
To New York and back
Sculptor Burgess brings bronze casting to Homewood By RICK WATSON Drew Burgess found his passion in seventh grade. From the first day of sculpting class at Simmons Middle School, he knew he’d be a sculptor. In those formative years he worked with traditional mediums such as ceramic and clay. “I can draw and paint, but I love three-dimensional work,” he said. And that’s why he gravitated to sculpting. He graduated from Auburn with a degree in graphic arts and in 2006 packed his bags and moved to New York City. But before he could unpack his bags, he landed a job with Scholastic Publications, which produces children’s books. His living quarters were so small in the city that he had to take a fresh look at the materials with which he worked. He started working with plasticine, an oil-base clay that doesn’t dry. “That’s when I learned to make rubber molds,” he remembered. The next step in his sculpting education was working with wax and casting in iron. Acquiring those skills was essential in getting to casting in bronze, which is now his focus. “Moving to New York is the best decision I ever made. Plus, it’s were I met my wife, Zoe.” They married in 2010. The couple later moved closer to her parents in Boston, where Burgess was hired on with a foundry that specialized in artwork. It was there
Sculptor Drew Burgess has moved his studio to his Homewood home. Photos courtesy of Will Howcroft.
he learned to cast. When the couple was expecting their first child, they decided to move back to Homewood for its focus on families. His dad had a fixer-upper house in the area that he’d plan to renovate and sell, but when he learned that Drew and Zoe were thinking about moving back to Alabama, he offered the house to them. They jumped at the opportunity. They’ve been back in town a few months and Burgess is working with his dad to renovate. Once completed, he’ll have space for a sculpting workshop in his garage. “I don’t watch TV or other things. I play with my son, Luke, and I sculpt. That’s what I love to do in my spare time.” Most of Burgess’ work is in private collections, so until he gets settled in and produces some more pieces, the best place to see his work is drew-burgess.com. Since moving to Birmingham, Burgess has worked for The Birmingham News doing design, pre-press and computer work, which he also enjoys very much because it requires both creativity and technical expertise. He’s currently accepting commissions for portraits and is in the preliminary stages for bronze sculptures of children. Mold making is a slow process, so if someone wants a sculpture for next Christmas, it’s better to get started sooner than later, he said. Burgess is re-establishing contacts in the local art community and is excited about his family’s future in Homewood.
18 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Homewood High top seniors ready for next step Lauren Collins Activities: Volleyball, Soccer and Indoor Track
What will walking across that stage mean to you? It means that I am about to begin a new chapter in my life that is going to be much different than what I am used to. It’s my turn now to become independent and be able to take care and be responsible for myself.
Mrs. Gossett has been my most inspirational teacher because she and her family have set a great example for how I want to raise my family when I get older. She is smart, very sweet and a great role model.
– so that I can be a physician’s assistant – and athletically with soccer.
What are your college plans and career aspirations? I am going to go to Alabama to play soccer. I want to succeed both academically
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why? I would visit the 60s because life was so simple and everyone seemed to be happy.
Who was your most inspirational teacher? All of my teachers have inspired me in some way, but I would say one of the most influential teachers I have had at Homewood High School is Ms. Hamm. Ms. Hamm was my AP Language and Composition teacher my junior year, and she really just opened my eyes to a whole new world.
What’s the study secret to your success? I am a visual learner, so note cards really helped me in every subject, even in math with some of the formulas we had to memorize.
What one object can you not live without? My cell phone, of course.
What song defines/represents your high school career? “A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles because of late night homework sessions
Alabama. I plan to get a law degree and become an Air Force JAG Officer.
Who was your most inspirational teacher?
Anthony Broach Activities: Drum Line, Peer Helpers, Unity Club
Eden Harris
Activities: Air Force JROTC, Scholars’ Bowl, Key Club, Beta Club and National Honor Society
What did you recently learn from someone younger than you? I’ve learned from one of my younger brothers that a balance between leisure and hard work is necessary. What are your college and career plans? I am attending The University of
What one object can you not live without? My CamelBak water bottle.
What are your college and career plans? I plan to attend Howard University in Washington D.C. in the fall and to major in international business. I’m not sure what exactly what I want my career to be yet.
If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month, but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be? Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Fahrenheit 451. If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? 1963. I would attend Dr. Martin Luther
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit? Why? I would like to visit the 90s era. I really like 90s music, and I would want to see both Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. perform together in a concert.
King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. If the U.S. revoked your citizenship, where would you start your new life? Spain, because I’m in my fourth year of Spanish and I love Spanish culture. What’s the study secret to your success? Implement what you’re studying throughout your regular day. For example, use vocabulary words, speak foreign languages around the house, or discuss English and history subjects at dinner.
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May 2013 • 19
TheHomewoodStar.com
Local author sees success with book on validity of the Bible By MADOLINE MARKHAM Growing up in the Bible Belt, Richard Simmons was always told the Bible was the word of God, but he was never told a reason why. As an adult, he began to research the reasons why he should put his faith in what many believe is an archaic book with no authority. “If I was going to teach my children from the Bible,” he said, “I felt I needed to tell them why they should put their faith in it.” The Homewood author’s years of personal research have culminated in a new book: Reliable Truth. Simmons said his book presents a powerful argument on two pivotal questions: How do you know the Bible has not been altered over time? And how do you know it’s a divine book? Seven weeks after the book’s release, there was a need for a second printing. The book is available at Amazon.com, at 256 Books-AMillion stores, and locally at Savage’s Bakery and O’Henry’s Coffee, as well as other retailers. Simmons noted that several people have told him this is the best of his four books, but the responses that
Author Richard Simmons
stood out the most were two agnostics who said they found it a compelling read. Starting the fall of 2011, Simmons gave eight presentations on the Bible’s validity to about 150 men at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church. Following the positive responses he received from these presentations, he decided to share his findings with a wider audience in a book.
“I wanted to write a very scholarly book where a high school student or average man or woman would find it to be a compelling read,” Simmons said. “What I had found in my research was that most books written on validity of the Bible were very scholarly, but there was nothing out there for average people.” Simmons said his favorite chapter of the eight in the book is on science and the Bible. “I think most people are not aware of what’s going on in the world of science and how it relates to theology,” Simmons said. “It’s easy to read even if you don’t know much about science.” Simmons is founder and executive director at the Center for Executive Leadership, a Homewood-based nonprofit ministry that focuses on evangelism and discipleship of men. He works with businessmen with the development of their faith through formal Bible studies, teaching and counseling while also overseeing a group of professional and personal counselors. He is a frequent public speaker and has published three other books. For more, visit reliabletruthbook. com.
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20 • May 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
Belly Dancing with Aziza
Class Location: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Class Fee: $60 cash only For more information contact Aziza at 879-0701 or azizaofbirmingham@att.net Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egyptian style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instruction. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcome; with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times times are 7:00-8:30pm. Beginners start with the basic steps, isolations and shimmies and progress to the intermediate class where you will learn to put the dance together with more advanced steps and combinations plus dancing with the veil; advanced classes include performing with zills, cane, veil with more advanced and longer performances. The classes are for anyone who wants to dance for fun and fitness, as well as those who wish to perform. Aziza has trained dancers to perform for many events in the Southeastern area in addition to dancers who perform regularly at Ali Baba Persian Restaurant in Hoover. www.azizaofbirmingham.com
@homewoodparks
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) 9431923 for more information and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime. Wednesdays, 3:30pm – 4:30pm Enroll anytime! $40 monthly
Athletics Homewood Youth Cheerleading
HYC are a dynamic group of girls who are excited to cheer for the Homewood Youth Football League. HYC is a community cheerleading program for girls in grades 1st through 6th who live in Homewood and/ or attend Homewood Schools. The girls are organized into 5 squads by grade level – 1st & 2nd grades cheer together, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades have individual squads. Registration Ends May 19th Please visit our website for more information: www.homewoodyouthcheer.com
Homewood Patriot Youth Football League
HPYFL is responsible for organizing youth football in Homewood and oversees its operation. Please visit their website for more information. Please visit our website for more information: www.homewoodyouthfootball.org
Homewood Senior Center Clay Class with Jo Ann
Mondays at 2:15pm Recently retired Edgewood Elementary teacher Joann Brown will facilitate this class for adults age 55-and-up. Joann holds 3 different Alabama teacher certifications, one of which is art. Projects created in the class will be suitable for display and gift-giving. Participants will handbuild objects of clay and glaze them for firing in the kiln. Free to Senior Center members. Space is limited, so those interested should call Center Director Aimee Thornton to register or get on the waiting list: 332-6502.
May Events @ Homewood Senior Center
Wednesday, May 8th at 1:00pm: History Talk, Slide Show, Artifacts with Jim Phillips: Antebellum Shelby County. Attendees may also bring their own artifacts from the historic era for show-&-tell and possible appraisal. Friday, May 10th at Noon: Potluck Luncheon (for members, sign up & indicate what type dish you plan to bring) 12:30pm after lunch. Seasoned Readers present Grandmothers’ Stories –lovely reminiscences of laps we’ve known and loved. ($5 for non-members & open to the public {adults}, but need to reserve a seat by May 9th by calling 332-6502). Friday, May 24th at 1:15pm: Ice Cream Social & Dance live music by Jean Rogowski. Free to members; $5 non-members Monday, May 27th at 11:00am: Primetime Organization Program followed by lunch. Sign up in advance and pay at the door: $6.
Zumba/R.I.P.P.E.D. Fitness Class
Info: Combination fitness class open for adults of all ages When: Tuesdays, 5:50-6:50pm Cost: $5.00 per class (pay instructor) Instructor: Ashley Harris More info: call 212-4697 (or) http::// ashleyh.zumba.com
Special Events
Park Players (Alabama Community Theater) Presents: The Merry Wives of Windsor
By: William Shakespeare Directed By: Paul McCracken Venue: Homewood Central Park Dates & Times: May 23rd – 26th & May 30th – 31st – All Shows begin 7:30pm Admission: Adults $10 – Under 16 Free with a paid adult admission For more information please call or visit: 205-590-0155 – www. bhamparkplayers.com
www.Homewoodparks.com
Summer Pool Information
Homewood Swim Team
Registration Ends:Friday, May 24th Registration Packet is available at www. Homewoodparks.com Register at: Homewood Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Business Office 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209 (Monday thru Friday 8:00am – 5:45pm) Homewood Parks and Recreation offers competitive swimming age groups 5-18 years of age. It is not a learn to swim program. Our swimmers compete against other swimmers with the same age and times during meets. We will only field the competitive swim team this season. Children who are ready to compete, ages 5 – 18, will be divided into groups – older (more experienced) and younger (less experienced) . Homewood Swim Team competes through the Jefferson County Swim League (JCSC) against other teams from our area. For additional information call Brook Gibbons at 401-9656
Pool Hours & Information West Homewood Pool at West Homewood Park
Pool Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10am – 7pm Sun. 1pm – 6pm Deck Phone: (205) 942-4572 West Homewood Pool opens for summer season! Friday, May 24, 2013
2013 Swim Lessons
Class Information (All Classes will be held at West Homewood Park Pool)
Swim Lesson registration is open until all classes are full. Swim Lessons are offered through the Homewood Recreation Swim Program. The instruction is provided by the Certified Lifeguard staff. The main objectives of the classes are to teach kids to be “water safe.” Each class session is two weeks long, meeting every day (Monday – Friday) of the two week period. The classes are limited to only 24 children per group per session. Please do not ask for adjustments to the controlled number of participants. Registration must be completed at the Temporary Fitness & Program Facility Business Office (Monday-Friday 8am5:30pm) and continues until all sessions are full. We offer beginner and intermediate classes.
Swim Lesson Fees Homewood Parks and Recreation (FullFamily Member): $25 per child per twoweek session Non-member Homewood residents: $40 per child for two-week session Non Homewood resident: $50 per child for two-week session For additional information about dates of sessions and descriptions of skill levels please visit: www.homewoodparks.com For more information please contact Jakob Stephens at 332-6709
2013 Pool Memberships
Purchase and Renew Pool Only Memberships at The Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility Business Office 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL (Former Jefferson County Satellite Courthouse)
Homewood Residents: $75 Single • $125 Family Non-Residents: $150 Single • $250 Family Membership Notes: West Homewood Pool will be the only pool open for 2013 Summer Pool Season All pool memberships will expire at conclusion of 2013 pool season (Labor Day) Pool membership prices will begin prorating June 15th
May 2013 • 21
TheHomewoodStar.com
School House Celebrating school arts, paper cranes for peace Edgewood Elementary School celebrated Fine Arts Night in March. The evening included musical selections by the school choir and percussion ensemble and works of art by the students, and books of peace were added to the library through “Add A Book.” Melissa Turnage, writer and coordinator of Birmingham Art Peace, spoke about the organization’s goal to create 10,000 origami cranes to symbolize peace. She talked about the history of her project and its connection to the 50th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. In conjunction with her talk, everyone was invited to make paper cranes during Fine Arts Night.
Edgewood students and parents viewed student art work and made paper cranes for peace at Fine Arts Night.
HMS teacher receives excellence award Homewood Middle School technology education teacher Lovie Crawford was honored by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association as one of 36 teachers from across the U.S. to receive its prestigious Teacher Excellence Award. The award is one of the highest
honors given to technology education classroom teachers and is presented in recognition of each recipient’s outstanding contribution to the profession and to his or her students. The awards will be distributed as part of ITEEA’s second general conference session.
New flags for HMS
Homewood Middle School received flags for its entrance courtesy of Rep. Paul DeMarco. Front row: students Hunter Callaway, Trey Sims, Camp Wilhelm. Back row: HMS teacher Justin Hefner, PTO member Tracy Thornton, Rep. Paul DeMarco, HMS PTO President Sonya DiCarlo, HMS teacher Whitney Stewart, HMS Principal Dr. Martin Nalls.
2013-2014 HCS calendar approved Homewood City Schools has approved the following calendar for next school year:
Holiday/School Closed
Aug. 19: First Day for Students
Jan. 6: Schools Reopen
Sept. 2: Labor Day/Schools Closed Oct. 18: Parent Teacher Conference Day Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day/ Schools Closed Lovie Crawford
Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving
Dec. 20: 2 p.m. Dismissal Day for Winter Holidays Jan. 20: MLK Holiday/Schools Closed March 24-28: Spring Break May 22: 2 p.m. Dismissal for Summer Break
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22 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Meet state Teacher of the Year finalist Jerome Isley In April, Hall-Kent teacher Jerome Isley was named as a finalist for Alabama’s 20132014 Teacher of the Year. The winner being revealed at a ceremony hosted by the Alabama State Department of Education on May 8. The Homewood Star asked Mr. Isley about his teaching career and learned about his passion for inclusion education and encouraging students toward not just goodness but greatness. Tell us about yourself. I have taught second grade at Hall-Kent for 12 years, all in same room. I live on Raleigh Avenue exactly 158 feet from Hall-Kent Elementary; I should know, I’ve walked to work for 12 straight years, rain or shine. I am married, and my wife, Whitney, and I have two beautiful boys, Nolan (3) and Ryan (1). What would receiving the title of Alabama Teacher of the Year mean to you? It would mean more than I could put into words. Words that I can use to describe such an award are: blessed, humbled, honored and grateful. I am blessed because God gave me talents to bring Him all the glory. I am humbled because I teach with “Teachers of the Years” at Hall-Kent everyday. I am honored because it is a tremendous award to represent the great state of Alabama. I am grateful because the teachers I spend most of my life with thought highly enough of me to start this wonderful process. How would you use it to benefit not only your school and district, but also other schools across the state? I feel very strongly about inclusion in the regular education classroom. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t even call it “regular education” classroom; I would say
Jerome Isley
I feel very strongly about inclusion in the classroom! My platform is to, as potential Alabama Teacher of the Year, bring about an awareness of possible misconceptions about students with different abilities, not disabilities. What would be your first action as Teacher of the Year? My first action would be to meet with state leaders in education in the field of special education. I would find out the most current data on inclusion in the classroom and what is working and what isn’t. Every student deserves to be in the classroom as much as possible regardless of his or her disability, yet, rather their ability to become more successful today than he or she was yesterday. What mentor or hero deserves partial credit for your nomination and why? I have/had two heroes in my life who have influenced and deserve credit
Grizzle in running for state Teacher of the Year
for this nomination. I had a sister who was not included in the classroom because she was labeled “special ed.” She was isolated with others like her instead with students unlike her. She wasn’t given a chance to view society as it truly is, nor did students have an opportunity to learn from her. She passed away my senior year of high school, and so my journey began to be an elementary teacher. My other hero is my wife. She is my hero and my dear friend who year after year has encouraged me and always told me I was a great teacher. It is that kind of support that has made me the teacher that I am today. She never told me I was a good teacher, she always told me I was great. If you stop by my second grade classroom, you would hear that same language spoken to my kids; they don’t aspire to be good, they aspire to be great! What one thing do you hope every student learns from you? There are two things that I want students to learn from me. One is “Becoming is better than being.” The process of literacy doesn’t stop when you receive your degree, it continues for a lifetime. The other is to be/do great in life, not just good. What do you first remember when you think about your own time in grade school? The only teacher that I can remember was my fifth grade teacher, who told me if I pulled my grade up to an “A,” she would buy my lunch. For some reason that made an impression on me. She cared enough about my learning to step outside the box and make learning meaningful and give it a purpose. I teach today because of the teachers I had who didn’t step outside the box and deliver meaningful curriculum with purposes for learning.
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Homewood resident Dr. Alison Grizzle is on a mission to share a love of education with her students, hoping they will want to become lifelong learners. And for that, she has been named to the Final Four finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year. “I have had the pleasure of collaborating with teachers from all over the state, so I am quite aware of how many great teachers are in the state of Alabama,” she said. “It would be great to be an ambassador for education and represent all of the wonderful teachers who work hard on a daily basis to impact student learning.” Specifically, Grizzle is interested in being a voice for students and teachers. “Many people making the decisions are removed from the classroom, and I believe that it is important that teachers and students have a strong advocate,” she said. Grizzle, a 1993 Homewood High School graduate, has taught high school math in Birmingham schools for 14 years. She currently teaches at Jackson-Olin High.
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May 2013 • 23
TheHomewoodStar.com
Campaigning for mayor of kindergarten Having learned about different parts of the community, Hall-Kent Elementary School kindergarten students are now forming their own, starting with Mayor of Kindergarten. Students elected two candidates from each class to run as mayor. These students had a week to campaign by going to other kindergarten classes and talk about their platforms. Candidates also made flyers, gave speeches to students in their grade, and some even had campaign managers to help them. Cecily Daugherty and Kendall Watts were named this year’s co-mayors for kindergarten.
Next, the classes will elect policemen, bankers and more for their community. Students will begin earning “money” and will get a chance to spend it at their market day where they will sell the goods their businesses made. Homewood City Councilman Vance Moody spoke to the students about leadership during their city formation process. Hall-Kent Mayor candidates were Parker Nichols, Lexy Mhando, Cecily Daughtery, Payne Sheehan, Landon Baldwin, Kendall Watts, Riley King, Nicolas Maccari, Amber Irby and Jayden Vaughn.
Hall-Kent Mayor candidates.
National Honor Society inductees recognized
New National Honor society inductees at HHS.
Homewood High School honored its newest members of the National Honor Society in March. Students honored were Nick Anderson, Chandler Bledsoe, Adair Blomeley, Johnathan Brown, Madison Collins, Alexis Crenshaw, Owen Ferguson, Josh Gardner, Yevgeniy Gavrikov, Thomas Gordon, Elizabeth Hale, Kate Hall, Caroline
Harris, Emily Harrison, Phil Hontzas, Keyonna House, Mary Margaret Jackson, Sadie Johnson, Merrill Johnston, Franny Kyle, Brett Leondike, Trina Mampuya, Sarah Grace McDuff, JP McLeod, Roman Paoletti, Judith Paz, Genny Pittman, Katie Potts, Adam Pratt, David Selden, Chris Simpson, Meredith Smith, Aaron Stansell, Hallie Tarpley, William Walker,
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Adam Westfall, Miller Williams and Riordan Wyatt. The honors were presented by current NHS officers Zach Blomeley, Ann Casey Hughes, Maggie Williams, Grant Smith and Brent Hughes, as well as HHS Assistant Principal Latta Johnston. The event was produced by HHS National Honor Society sponsors Kelly Reaves and Melinda Rouleau.
Math teams finish top in state Homewood High School’s Comprehensive team and Algebra II teams both won state championships this season. The Geometry team finished runner-up at the state tournament by a single point 755-754. Comprehensive team top scorers were: first Tyler Williams, first; Grant Smith, second; Chris Simpson, third; David Selden and Chris Myers, seventh; Aaron Stansell, 13th; Rebecca Riley, 14th; Sarah Grace McDuff, 19th; Josh Gardner, 20th; Chris Campbell and Aubrey Wallace, 21st; and Yevgeniy Gavrikov and Joey Crittenden, 24th. Algebra II top finishers were: Houston Wingo, second; Hunter Kimbrell, third; Chase Kelly, fifth; Joy Korley, sixth; Taylor Lummis, seventh; Connor Biggio, 11th; Katie Gardner, 12th; Will Hunt, 13th; Jake Schiller, 14th; Dixon Simmons, 16th; Morgan Abney, 17th; Caroline Karson, 18th; and Wilson Smith, 19th. Geometry top finishers were: Duncan McDuff, second; Molly K. Richardson, third; Laughlin Ashe, fifth; Jeffrey Ji, eighth; Will Beaumont, ninth; Jacob Patton, 11th; Nick Dutton, 12th; William Jackson, 14th; Kennedy Joe, 15th; Jonathan Cross and Hunter Poole, 17th ; and Mary Chalmers, 20th.
24 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Schell, Smith named national award finalists
Rita Schell
Homewood City Schools teachers have been named as two of five finalists for this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Rita Schell, LEAD teacher at Hall-Kent Elementary School, and Pam Smith, LEAD teacher at Edgewood Elementary School. This is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science. The awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. “Mathematics and science are vital parts
of curriculum in today’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-oriented world,” Alabama Schools Superintendent Tommy Bice said. “The five elementary school teachers honored by the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching bring great prestige to the teaching profession.” Alabama’s Presidential finalists were recognized in March by the Alabama Board of Education, and they were honored at an awards luncheon sponsored by the National Science Foundation at the Capital City Club in Montgomery.
Students portray Passover, passion and death during Holy Week
Students from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School portray the final hours of the passion and death of Jesus Christ in a special presentation for a school assembly.
Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School portrayed the final hours of Jesus Christ’s life during Holy Week in March. In a special presentation to remember this historic religious event, fifth and eighth grade
students illustrated the Last Supper and the passion and death of Christ. Thirteen OLS fifth grade boys acted out the Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with His 12 apostles the night before his
suffering and death. Following the re-enactment of the Last Supper, the eighth graders presented a performance of the 14 Stations of the Cross, a Catholic tradition that depicted Jesus’ journey to Calvary.
Pam Smith
Name that yam
Front row: First grade teacher Beth Gladney, first grade winner Owen Barkley. Back row: Parent Winner The Klines, fourth grade winners Abby and Jane Wilson, third grade winner Sunny Taylor, second grade winner Dobbs Durkin. Not pictured: Kindergarten winner Drew Giardina, fifth grade winner Sara Bateman.
Shades Cahaba Elementary students, teachers and parents celebrated Youth Art Month (Y.A.M.) by decorating, painting and naming yams in the style of artists, musicians, actors, literary characters and even trophies. Names and titles included Yosemite
Yam, Yamgry Birds and Alabama’s Dyn-Yamasty. The YAMS were on display in the lobby of the school and were voted on by teachers, students, parents and guests. A winner as named for each grade level as well as one for votes from teachers and votes from parents.
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May 2013 • 25
TheHomewoodStar.com
Sports
Cavalettes reach national finals
HHS cheerleader to serve as UCA instructor
Members of the middle school, JV and varsity John Carroll Cavalettes with their 2013 competition trophies.
By CLAYTON HURDLE The John Carroll Catholic Middle School and High School Cavalettes won state championships in 2013. The middle school, junior varsity and varsity dance teams competed against numerous teams from Alabama, and the varsity Cavalettes went on to reach the finals in the 2013 National Dance Team Championship in Orlando. Their first local competition was held in January at Hoover High School. The varsity Cavalettes placed first for both their hip hop and jazz dances. The junior varsity team came in first place in hip hop, and the middle school dance team finished first in
both hip hop and jazz. The Cavalettes’ success continued at the UDA Alabama state competition, where the varsity dancers received first place for both their jazz and hip hop dances. They also received Most Entertaining Routine of the Day for their hip hop routine. The junior varsity team placed first for its hip hop routine at the state competition. The middle school dance team came in second place for its hip hop routine and first place for its jazz dance. It was also awarded best choreography for its jazz routine. The varsity Cavalettes went on to represent Alabama in the 2013 UDA National Dance Team Championship. The
Cavalettes competed against approximately 70 teams from across the nation in the national championship. For the second straight year, the Cavalettes advanced into the final rounds of competition for both their jazz and hip hop routines. They finished 12th place in jazz and sixth place in hip hop. They were the only team from the state of Alabama to advance to the final rounds of competition for both of their routines. Varsity coach Lori Tombrello was pleased with the Cavalettes’ performance at the UDA Nationals. “They represented John Carroll Catholic with class and school pride,” she said.
Elizabeth Drummond. Photo by Pamela Houston.
Homewood High School senior Elizabeth Drummond has been selected to be an instructor for the Universal Cheerleading Association. The UCA looks for candidates, both young men and women, who possess character, leadership, enthusiasm and talent. Drummond was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants from across the country. She and other instructors will lead UCA summer camps and stunt clinics throughout the year. She is the daughter of Sam and Paige Drummond of Homewood.
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26 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
Senior selected for UNA Lionettes
Schoettlin signs with Lawson State In April, Homewood High School baseball player Mason Schoettlin signed a scholarship to attend Lawson State Community College in the fall. Mason is coached by Doug Gann and Keith Brown at HHS. The signing was attended by Mason’s parents Carl and Karen Schoettlin, brothers Kirby and Will Schoettlin, grandfather John Schoettlin and his wife Carolyn, LSCC coach David Cook, HHS faculty, teammates and friends. Mason said he is excited to play for the Cougars next year.
Homewood High School senior Abby Ruggiero has been selected as a member of the University of North Alabama Lionettes for the 2013-2014 school year. She was a member of the HHS Star Spangled Girls this year and will be enrolling as a freshman at UNA this fall. Ruggiero is the daughter of Jennifer Horton-Reardon and Ryan Reardon. Abby Ruggiero
Mason Schoettlin celebrates his LSCC scholarship signing with mother Karen Schoettlin , LSCC coach David Cook, Mason Schoettlin, father Carl Schoettlin and HHS coach Doug Gann.
HMS golf wins invitational
Bulls win 7U league championship The Bulls beat the Lakers 25-16 to win this year’s Homewood Youth Basketball League 7U Championship. The championship team finished the season with a 8-1 record. Front row: Carter Dabbs, Carter Vail, Parker Sansing. Back row: Coach Rusty Sansing, George Jennings, Kiran McCool, Kaden Reynolds, Henry Haines, Tripp Gann. Photo courtesy of Mary Frances Haines.
Homewood Middle School Golf Team
The Homewood Middle School Golf Team won the HewittTrussville Invitational in March. This win was the program’s
biggest in more than 10 years. Coach Chris Cooper said he believes this group of students has a wonderful year ahead.
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May 2013 • 27
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Seniors leave legacy at HHS, take lessons to college
Homewood Patriot senior baseball players, from left, Luke Alfano, Luke Porter, Mason Schoettlin, Conner Rivers, Brian Browning and Wesley Walker.
By CLAYTON HURDLE The Homewood baseball team had standout 2013 season. Behind their senior leaders, the Patriots finished the season with a 23-4 record. For six of Homewood’s seniors, their final campaign as Patriots has been a tune-up for their college careers. Brian Browning, Luke Porter, Conner Rivers, Mason Schoettlin and Wesley Walker have all signed scholarships to play baseball at the collegiate level; Will Alfano will continue his career as a walk-on player at either Chipola College or Chattahoochee Valley Community
College. “This is one of the hardest working groups of seniors I’ve ever had,” head coach Dough Gann said. “They love the game, talk the game and think the game. Their work’s paid off for them.” The five signed Patriots will take their talents to BirminghamSouthern (Walker), Calhoun Community College (Rivers), Lawson State (Schoettlin), Northwest Florida State College (Browning) and Wallace State (Porter). The Patriots were 21-1 before dropping two straight late in the season. Homewood’s run included
four wins at a tournament in Orlando. over spring break. They also posted a 5-1 mark in Class 5A, Area 9 play. “The Orlando tournament was great,” Schoettlin said. “It was one of my best memories with Homewood.” Homewood seniors said they feel very prepared for their next baseball endeavors. A large part of their confidence comes from the structured practice Gann instills for the Patriots. “When we come out here, practice is well-organized,” Porter said. “There’s a purpose for what we’re working on, and we do good
stuff out here.” Many of the senior players have been playing baseball together since age five, Alfano said. He and Gann credit Homewood’s success in part to the team’s closeness. Although Homewood’s six college-bound seniors are looking forward to continuing their careers, the final step for the Patriots is to secure a state title. Their quest to capture the school’s first-ever state title began April 19 with a 2-1 series win against Sylacauga. “We have to come out here and work every day,” Porter said. “That’s been our goal from day one.”
Youth football and cheer registration open this month Registration for Homewood Youth Cheerleading and Football is open for the month of May. Homewood Youth Cheerleading registration is open for grades one to six through May 19; you can register online at homewoodyouthcheer. com. A mandatory Uniform Fitting Day will be held Sunday, May 19 from 1-6 p.m. The organization is open to girls who live in Homewood and/or attend Homewood schools. Squads cheer at youth football games for their grade level during the fall and participate in the Homewood Christmas Parade and We Love Homewood Day Parade. A summer clinic for all participants will be hosted by Homewood High School cheerleaders Aug. 10-11. For more information on Homewood Youth Cheerleading, contact Elizabeth Studinka at homewoodyouthcheer@gmail.com. Registration for Homewood Youth Football opens May 1, and those who register before May 31 receive an early bird discount. Registration closes July 15. Equipment Day and practice begin in late July. Register online at homewoodyouthfootball.org.
28 • May 2013
The Homewood Star
WEST HOMEWOOD from pg 1
with RPC, said the code has been developed into an ordinance for the city to adopt. “After this, we will take recommendations from the Homewood Planning Commission and vote to adopt the zoning changes they recommend,” Homewood City Council member Fred Hawkins said. “Now, we start negotiating with developers, current owners and newly interested parties, some of which have already come to us.” Hawkins said several community residents have already approached him and indicated they will consider opening businesses and restaurants in the neighborhood once the code takes effect. Homewood has already laid groundwork to both show its commitment to the development of the area and ensure its success. Hawkins said the City purchased a former service station site at the corner of Oxmoor and Oak Grove Roads and intends to use the property as an incentive to recruit a business to the area. The new business would be constructed under the form-based code and provide a catalyst for development. “I think this plan is great,” Hawkins said, “but it’s not a silver bullet. West Homewood is not going to develop overnight. You’ve got to lay groundwork to make something happen.” Hawkins is responsible for the project gaining traction in Homewood City government. Two years ago he teamed with a neighbor, and the two came up with the idea for a broad development plan. His partner was Kyle D’Agastino, an architect with GA Studio in Birmingham, the firm responsible for designing Homewood Middle School and the new Children’s of Alabama building in Downtown. Hawkins said after he and D’Agastino heard Mayor Scott McBrayer’s plan for capital improvements in West Homewood, which included a new park, greenway and road, they started brainstorming. “I thought we that probably had an opportunity to connect a few more dots,” D’Agastino said. “These projects have synergy
‘West Homewood is not going to develop overnight. You’ve got to lay groundwork to make something happen.’
– Fred Hawkins
Homewood City Council
when thought of together, so I recommended the Regional Planning Commission to the Mayor, Council and Fred to figure out how to connect them to make something bigger.” RPC received approximately $100,000 to develop the plan, $80,000 in federal grant money and $20,000 in matching funds from the City of Homewood. And since its first public meeting in October 2012, Amthor said he’s heard from property owners, business owners and developers who are all excited about the code. “If I had money, I would buy as many properties in West Homewood as I could,” Amthor said. “I’m serious.”
Yellow buildings marked in this illustration represent parcels and structures that would be targeted for rebuilding according to a proposed form-based code for West Homewood. Image courtesy Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham.
May 2013 • 29
TheHomewoodStar.com
Roseland from pg 1
“I think the value of the homes all along this side of the road will go down,” Quenelle said. With this thought in mind, Quenelle wrote a letter and took it to his neighbors. Their attendance at the Council’s next work session led to further involvement with city engineers and the Council to consider more options being. The initial consideration, placing sidewalks in the city right-of-way, would cost less than $25,000 but could reduce yards by up to 20 percent. There is also an option to build the sidewalk into the 36-foot wide road on the north side or the south side. However, this could cost an additional $50,000 in order to keep drainage on the street flowing properly. Adding the sidewalk to the street would decrease travel space by approximately six feet, so the road would still be six feet wider than the average 24 feet. This option, while more expensive, could also help to slow traffic, but it could take away the option for street side parking. “Originally, the council chose the least expensive option,” Quenelle said, “but now it’s not just about money. All it took was four people showing up to get them to think more about this. They have shown real concern for us losing our front yards.” There are a few residents who don’t think it’s necessary to have sidewalks, but Quenelle pointed out that walkers, school kids and parents with strollers would definitely use the sidewalk. He also said he thinks the addition of a
sidewalk to the neighborhood could potentially boost home values if it is constructed in the right place. “I think we’re lucky to have a group [the Council] put forth a lot of work toward such a minor decision — and in many places this would be considered a minor decision,” Quenelle said. “They seem genuinely concerned with every aspect of this.” The controversial segment of Roseland is approximately 700 feet and would connect Ridge Road sidewalks to the existing sidewalks on Roseland that stop at East Glenwood Drive. “Cost is definitely a factor in the decision,” said Council member Fred Hawkins, “but in this case it is more about what the people want, or what they don’t want. We definitely don’t want to put a sidewalk where it’s not wanted.” Council member Heather Reid believes the section would serve as major linking point for Homewood’s sidewalk system. “It’s important. It connects the school to the library. Lots of students walk down this road,” she said. “And there are a lot of bikers and joggers.” The council has agreed to discuss projects in other wards before coming back to the Roseland Drive project so more information about various options can be presented. Council member Jennifer Wallis said the project is too important to go unattended indefinitely. However, the council is currently re-prioritizing other potential locations for sidewalks. Homewood City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. For upcoming agendas, visit homewoodal.net.
A wider look at city sidewalk projects Last year, Homewood City Council allotted $1 million to fund sidewalk renovation and construction for the city. Council member Heather Reid said the main goal of the project is to join all of Homewood. Each ward has either already received or is slated to receive new sidewalks renovations if needed. “The great thing about the Council is that we aren’t territorial,” Reid said. “We look at Homewood as a whole, not just our ward.” From the $1 million allotted for sidewalk projects, more than $300,000 remains. Reid and Council member Jennifer Wallis have suggested adding sidewalks to Saulter Road. Although the remaining money can’t cover additional projects and a sidewalk for the 2-mile road that joins Broadway Street with U.S. 31, council members are hoping to add sidewalks to more popular segments of Saulter Road. “It’s a huge safety concern,” Wallis said. “If you just see the number of baby strollers being pushed along the road, you see how dangerous it is.” In addition, the project on Columbiana Road from Carr Avenue to Oxmoor road has been appreciated at an estimated cost of $180,000. The design would include adding a center island to the street, re-painting the lines and adding drainage to eliminate open ditches along the street. “This area ties in residential with retail,” Hawkins said. “A lot of people walk that road and there’s no sidewalk at all.” Reid said the Council does not want to stop at $1 million, but rather find a way to continue funding projects that make the city safer for pedestrians, whether students, joggers or parents with strollers.
Library summer reading kicks off Children can “Dig Into Reading” at in this year’s Homewood Public Library Summer Reading Program. Registration for newborns through fifth graders begins May 15 online at homewoodpubliclibary.org. The first 100 readers who register will receive a special ‘recyclable’ book tote. If you register before May 29, your name will be added to a drawing for two passes to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. The fun kicks off at a picnic complete with bounce houses, food, games and more May 30 at 6 p.m. Register online before the event to receive tickets for a hot dog, chips and drink that evening. As in the past, Cahaba Cycle will offer a bike give-away for the progam. Publix, Chik-fil-A, Piggly Wiggly, Jack’s, Barber’s, Bud’s Best Cookies and Western have all contributed goodies to add to the fun of Monday movies, story times and other programs. “Digging” themed events start in June and include: Jones Valley Urban Farm (July 18 at 6:15 p.m.), Canning with Kids: the Auburn Extension service (June 21 at 10:30 a.m.), BSC’s Environmental Center (July 9 at 10:30 a.m.), and Diggin’ Dinosaurs with the McWane Center (June 28 at 10:30 a.m.). Programs for all ages will resume in June. Story time is Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., movement class Leaps and Bounds for 30-48 months June 7 and July 12 at 10:30 a.m., and Say Hola to Spanish! June 22 and July 20 at 10:30 a.m. For more or to register for any library program, call 332-6619.
Murray Building honored with safety awards Murray Building Company has been recognized with a Safest in the Industry Gold Award and a Platinum STEP (Safety Training and Evaluation Process) Award by the Alabama Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC), which recognizes companies that have outstanding corporate safety and health plans and exhibit superior safety initiatives. As part of its focus on safety, Murray Building Company maintains an internal safety committee comprised of company personnel. Murray is a commercial construction firm that split off from Twin Commercial LLC in 2008. Its offices are located in Homewood. For more visit murraybuilding.com.
30 • May 2013
Homewood Events May 2-June 1: Solo Exhibit: Catie Radney. Opening reception May 2, 5-8 p.m. Monty Stabler Galleries. Visit montystablergalleries.com.
The Homewood Star
Calendar $10. May 19, 2:30 p.m. Children’s Dance Foundation Studio Theatre. Tickets $10. Visit childrensdancefoundation.org. May 18: Jazzmine Garfield in Concert. Free. Seeds Coffee Co., 174 Oxmoor Road. 7 p.m. Visit seedscoffee.com.
May 4: Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival. In conjunction with We Love Homewood Day. Chalk artists of all ages compete. Drawing begins at 8 a.m. Call Sandy Nelson at 8716314 or email snelson@masoncorp.com.
May 18: Women on the Move to Improve Women’s Health 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Lakeshore Greenway. 8 a.m. Visit adph.org/owh or facebook.com/ WomensHealth5k.
May 4: Sweet Home Alabama Symphony. Christopher Confessore, conductor, with guests The Rewinders with Jeff Reed. 8 p.m. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center. 8 p.m. Call 975-2787.
May 18: 7th Annual Spring Scramble 5K Walk/Run and Fun Run. Downtown Homewood. 8 a.m. Money raised will go toward the Center for Weight Management at Children’s of Alabama. Visit springscamble.org.
May 4: Second Annual Food Truck Round Up. Benefits Preschool Partners. Colonial Brookwood Village. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit preschool-partners.org/tickets-foodtruck. php.
May 20: Gateway’s Annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner. Annual dinner honors foster parents of Jefferson County. This year’s theme is luau and will feature food, door prizes, games and awards. 6 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church. Visit gway.org.
May 10: Lobster Sale. Assistance League of Birmingham. Each lobster costs $25. Ordering deadline is May 3. Drive-through pick-up opportunity on May 10, 3-6 p.m. Call 960-1040. May 11: Boy Scout Troop 97 Pancake Breakfast, Silent Auction and Garage Sale. Trinity United Methodist Church. 7 a.m.-noon. $5/person all-you-caneat breakfast. Call Bert Allen at 540-5343. May 17-19: Sanspointe Dance Company 10th Anniversary. Restaging past dances and present new works. May 17-18, 7:30 p.m. Opportunity class with company artists, May 18, 2:30 p.m.
May 21: Sunset in Miami Fashion Show. The Hill, 1820 Oxmoor Road. 7-9 p.m. $28 advance; $30 door. Call Joelle Salon at 639-1455 or email Info@JoelleSalon.com. May 23: Edward Hartline in Concert. Free. Seeds Coffee Co., 174 Oxmoor Road. Visit seedscoffee.com. May 25: NPC Vulcan Classic Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Physique Championships. Homewood High School. Prejudging 10 a.m. for $20. Finals, 6 p.m. General Admission $25, $35 VIP. Visit npcalabama.info.
Saturdays: Homewood Farmers Market. 2850 19th Street South, SoHo. 8 a.m.-noon. Begins May 11.
Homewood Public Library May 2: Author Rosalie Turned. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Birmingham’s Children’s March, Turner will discuss Walk With Me, her historical novel about the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the spring of 1963. May 5: Adult Book Club Movie. 3 p.m. Large Auditorium. Watching a movie of Oscar winner Ang Lee. May 9: Dude What’s Up? 6 p.m. Part one of a “House Calls” interactive lecture series by psychiatrist Mark Westfall, M.D. May 13: Severe Weather Safety Tips with James Spann of ABC 33/40. 11 a.m. Large Auditorium. Spann will outline safety guidelines for all forms of severe weather to improve chances of safety. May 14: The Oxmoor Page Turners Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Boardroom. The club will discuss adventure, survival and humanity in Martel’s Life of Pi. May 15: Registration for Children’s Summer Reading Opens. For newborns through fifth graders. The first 100 readers who register will receive a special “recyclable” book tote. Visit homewoodpubliclibary.org. May 20: Small Business Seminar Brown Bag Lunch: Bryce Thornton
on ReferencUSA. Noon. Large Auditorium. Thornton will give a tutorial on ReferenceUSA, a plaform that helps users create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis and raise funds. Bring lunch, drinks and dessert provided. May 21: The A,B,Cs of Medicare with Karen Haiflich. Discussion on changes to Medicare Benefits and how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured and how to file a claim. Noon and 6 p.m. Room 116. May 29: The Better Than Therapy Book Club. 2 p.m. Boardroom. The club will discuss Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, the story of Pi and his journey on a 26-foot lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. May 30: Summer Reading Kickoff Picnic. Bounce houses, food, games and more. 6 p.m. Register at homewoodpubliclibary.org before the event to receive tickets for a hot dog, chips and drink that evening. For more, call 332-6600, or visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org.
Community Events May 2: Tim McGraw: Two Lanes of Freedom Tour. Featuring Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Visit Facebook.com/ omaconcerts. May 3-5: Aaron’s Dream Weekend. A triple-header featuring the ARCA Racing Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Summer Fun Photo Contest
Capture the fun of summer with your camera, and send us your favorite shots of the backyard, lake, beach, mountain, neighborhood, and wherever you and your family are. Our staff will choose the images that most colorfully capture a summer experience. Prizes will be awarded to contest winners. Category One: Any summer fun photo Category Two: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of The Homewood Star wherever you are To enter, email your photos in a jpeg format to photos@thehomewoodstar.com. Please send high quality images and include a caption and photo credit. Only four entry photos are allowed per person.
Deadline for entries is August 1, 2013. We will publish the winners in the September issue as well as post them on our Facebook page and TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2013 • 31
TheHomewoodStar.com
Calendar Aaron’s 499. Visit aaronssports.com. May 3-5: Birmingham Music Club presents “The Merry Widow.” Virginia Samford Theatre. Call 726-2853. May 4: Birmingham Ballet Presents Artist’s Palette. BJCC. Tickets $25, $35, $45. Visit birminghamballet.com/artistspalette. htm. May 5: Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. Conductor Roderick Cox. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 5, 12, 19: Wedding Singer Sunday Buffet. Buffet: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Show: 2 p.m. at RMTC Cabaret Theatre. Call 324-2424. Reservations must be 72 hours in advance. May 10: Coffee Concert, Mozart & Haydn. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 and Haydn Symphony No. 100. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 11: 2013 Spring Walking Tour Series: Five Points. Vulcan Park and Museum. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Visit visitvulcan.com/ eventInfo/2012SpringWalkingTours.html May 11: Girls on the Run 5K. Begins at Marconi Park. 8 a.m. Visit girlsontherunbham. org. May 18-19: Great Southern Gun & Knife Show. BJCC, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Visit greatsoutherngunshow.com. May 17-18: Alabama Bonsai Society Annual Exhibition. May 17, 11 a.m.5 p.m. and May 18, 1-4 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Display will feature bonsai trees, viewing stones and Japanese influenced
art. Trees and pots available for purchase. Visit alabamabonsaisociety.org/blog/. May 21: A Fiddler’s Tale. Samford University and Patty McDonald present Concertmaster & Friends. 7:30 p.m. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 21-26: SEC Baseball Tournament. Hoover Met. Visit secdigitalnetwork.com. May 22: Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Spring Luncheon and “Purses, Etc.” Silent auction including purses, gift cards and artwork begins at 10 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. Entertainment by Leah Faith. Funds raised help children served by the Salvation Army in the Greater Birmingham area. Vestavia Hills Country Club. Reservations by May 15, $35. Call Gail Wood at 591-1414. May 31: Regions Masterworks. 8 p.m. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 31: Season Performers 45-minute Make ‘em Laugh. $15 tickets include wine and cheese reception. 2 p.m. Birmingham Festival Theatre. Call 9785095. June 1: 4th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival. Debardeleben Park, 1-9 p.m. Tickets $8 before, $12 at gate, 12-under free. Portion of proceeds will benefit The Bessemer Education Enhancement Foundation and Hands On Birmingham. June 5-9: Regions Tradition. Shoal Creek. Visit regionstradition.com. – Submit your events to editor@thehomewoodstar.com
Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton
Parenthood I recently read a book about a mom and her daughter called Where’d You Go Bernadette, by Maria Semple. (It’s a quick, hilarious read if you’re looking for something to take to the beach!) In it, the mom says to her daughter, “I love you, Bee. I’m trying. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.” To me, that sums up a lot of what it means to be a parent. The love is there, and we’re always trying really, really hard. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. One day I’m convinced my three year old needs therapy (or maybe I do), and then the next day I’m wondering how I got so lucky to have such a great kid. Some days are catastrophes, others are gems. In honor of Mothers Day in a couple of weeks and Fathers Day next month, I’ve compiled some of my favorite quotes about parenthood. Some are sweet, but most are funny because if I’ve learned anything in the last three years, it’s that a healthy sense of humor goes a long way toward smoothing the rough patches. ff Raising a kid is part joy and part guerilla warfare. –Ed Asner ff There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one. –Jill Churchill ff The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires. –Dorothy Parker ff The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable. –Lane Olinghouse
ff Before I got married, I had six
theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. –John Wilmot ff Mothers are all slightly insane. –J.D. Salinger ff If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? –Milton Berle ff When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out. –Erma Bombec ff If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others. –Haim Ginott ff The guys who fear becoming fathers don’t understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man. The end product of child raising is not the child but the parents. –Frank Pittman ff Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. –Robert Fulghum ff When you teach your son, you teach your son’s son. –The Talmud ff Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. –Elizabeth Stone ff In spite of the 6,000 manuals on child raising in the bookstores, child raising is still a dark continent, and no one really knows anything. You just need a lot of love and luck — and of course, courage. –Bill Cosby Lauren can be reached at laurenkdenton@gmail.com.
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RELIABLE TRUTH Richard E. Simmons III
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