Homewood Star October 2016 by Starnes Media

The Homewood Star

Volume 6 | Issue 7 | October 2016

October Events

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

HOMEWOOD MAN’S STORY OF SURVIVAL EDUCATES GENERATIONS

Preview events happening in Homewood this month from Sunday in the Park to the Witches Ride.

See page A18

Spirited Sisters

Cheerleader, Star Spangled Girl, football player — the Crim sisters support each other in their extracurricular activities.

See page B1 special section

home & garden

With the change in seasons comes home and landscaping improvements. Check out this guide to point you in the right direction.

See page B6

INSIDE Sponsors ......... A4 City ................... A6 Business .........A12 Community .....A18

Sports .............A26 School House .. B4 Opinion ...........B20 Calendar ......... B22

Max Herzel, holding a picture of himself as a young boy in an orphanage during World War II, and his wife, Cecille, at their home on Devon Drive. Max Herzel’s family, who was Jewish, ﬂed from Belgium to France at the onset of the war. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Family W on the run

By SYDNEY CROMWELL ithout knowing it, the Herzel family locked the door to their apartment one day and would never return to it. They thought it was only for a short visit to family in another city, but this was Belgium in the late 1930s, and World War II was looming. Sitting in his home on Devon Drive with his wife, Cecille, Max Herzel remembers the trip with his parents and older brother from his hometown of Antwerp, Belgium, to the capital of Brussels. He remembers ﬁnding out they could no longer return to their home and were left with no valuables, no papers or even most of their clothes.

City set to approve budget for 2017 By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54

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See FAMILY | page A31

A finished greenway, a firearms simulator for the police department and a significant increase in sidewalk construction are on deck for Homewood in the next 12 months — at least according to the budget the city council recently discussed. After weeks of budget hearings, the fiscal year 2017 budget was set to be approved at the end of September, after The Homewood Star’s press date. Fiscal years begin Oct. 1 for the city. The total budget is $61 million, most of which is spent on employees and operating costs in the general fund budget of $43.3 million.

The capital projects budget for this year will be $7.1 million, and debt service will be $6.3 million. In his initial budget presentation to the council, Mayor Scott McBrayer said he is once again expecting to have a surplus at the end of the year, which has been used in previous years to give bonuses to city employees. The bonuses this year are projected to total about $375,000. A portion of the city sales tax and ad valorem property tax revenue will be given to the school system, totaling $16.5 million. “The mayor has done a lot of work on the front end meeting with department heads and

See BUDGET | page A30

The Oxmoor Road “turkey foot” intersection project may be redesigned after project costs more than doubled. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

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The Homewood Star

A4 • October 2016

About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell I sat in Max and Cecille Herzel’s home a few weeks ago, awestruck as I listened to the tale that would become this month’s cover story. It wasn’t just that I was interviewing a Jewish man who had survived the Holocaust, a topic that for me, as for many people, is a blend of fascination, horror and deep, deep sadness. It was how matter-of-fact this man was as he recounted the unimaginable. He had been run out of his home country, sent to work camps, hidden from police, separated from family and lost a parent during World War II. What’s more — he had done it as a child. I listened to his story and tried to imagine myself at 10 years old on a refugee train, or at 15 years old having lived in five orphanages and hidden my

identity for fear of being imprisoned, or worse. I couldn’t handle it as an adult, much less a child. Max Herzel has told his story many times and sees it as an opportunity to educate others, not something to

begrudge. It’s the kind of hopeful optimism that made that story easily my favorite to write this month. But it wasn’t the only good story in this month’s issue. October means the beginning of fall festivals, trick-ortreating and the other sweet enjoyments of autumn. October is always a busy month for Homewood, and we have a full events guide for you to enjoy the season. And if you’ve been eyeing the honey-do list rather than the pumpkin carving kit, our Fall Home and Garden Guide will help you find the right experts and advice to tackle any project.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

The Homewood Patriot Marching Band performs during halftime at the Homewood vs. Parker game on Sept. 2, 2016, at Waldrop Stadium. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

The Homewood Star

Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Director of Digital Media: Sports Editor: Page Designers: Community Editor: Community Reporters: Staff Writers:

Copy Editor: Contributing Writers:

Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Sarah Finnegan Heather VacLav Kyle Parmley Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Erica Techo Jon Anderson Tara Massouleh Lexi Coon Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Louisa Jeffries Sarah Cook Grace Thornton Alyx Chandler Sarah Tuttle

Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen

Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith

James Plunkett Jon Harrison Gail King Eric Clements

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Homewood Star PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com

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

Published by: The Homewood Star LLC 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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Please Support Our Community Partners 30 A Realty (A29) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A15) Alabama Outdoors (A22) Alabama Power (A25) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (B23) ARC Realty (B24) Assurance Financial (B5) Bedzzz Express (B11) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A16) Brandino Brass (B17) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A10) Brookwood Medical Center (A27) California Closets (A11) Campaign to Keep Judge Thetford (B1) Classic Gardens (B17) Committee to Re-Elect Judge Clyde Jones (A12) David J Putman for Congress (A3) Davis & Nix Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (A28) DeSoto Caverns (A6) Dish’n It Out (A17) dk2 Gallery (B4) Donatos (A31) DSLD Land Management (B7) EW Fit (A20) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (B12) Flat Fee Real Estate (B19) Gary Palmer for Congress (A14) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (A13) Homewood Parks and Recreation (A5) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A18) Huffstutler’s (A21) Huntington Learning Center (A27) Hutchinson Automotive (A26) InSight Eye Group (A19) Issis & Sons (A13, B3, B4) Iz Cafe (A26) JJ Eyes (A7) Joe Falconer, RealtySouth (B20) Johnny Montgomery Realtor (A18) Junior League of Birmingham (B21) Kete Cannon, RE/MAX Southern Homes (A21) Korduroy Krocodile (A23) Lane Parke (A9) Misty Joseph, LIST Birmingham (B13) Moss Rock (A10) Mr. Chen’s (A20) Nicole Brannon ARC Realty (B14) One Man and a Toolbox (B18) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (A16) Phoenix Builders (B15) Planet Fitness (B22) Plumb One (B18) Red Pearl Restaurant (A28) Salem’s Diner (A21) Samford University Athletics (A11) Sew Sheri Designs (B6) Shuttlesworth, Lasseter LLC (A24) Sikes Childrens Shoes (A19) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (A8) Southern States Bank (A15) Sweet Peas Garden Shop (B16) Taco Mama (A23) The Maids (A22) The Welch Group (A32) The Whole Dog Market (A23) UAB Health System (A2) Urban Home Market (B9) Village Pet Care (A17) Wilcox Communities (A1) Wolf Camera (B2)

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A5

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Homewood Community Center Dance Trance

Tuesday & Thursday 5:45pm-6:45pm Wednesday & Saturday 9:30am-10:30am All Classes at Homewood Community Center – Fitness Studio 2 Dance Trance is a high-cardio, high-energy dance ﬁtness experience that leaves participants soaking wet! It is a non-stop workout that feels more like a party than an exercise class. www.dancetranceﬁtness.com

Blue Line Combatives

Wednesdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm Blue Line Combatives teaches self-defense and urban survival instruction. Classes and private training are available for all ages. Call or email for additional information: Instructor Jon P. Newland jon.newland442@gmail.com • 205-296-1250

North Star Martial Arts

North Star Martial Arts primary focus is to make a life lasting impact on our students, and their families. Classes range from beginners to adults. For detailed class listings and times please visit the park’s website or www.northstarkarate.com. 205-966-4244 • masterjoe@northstarkarate.com

Belly Dancing with Aziza

Class Fee: $60 cash only Contact Aziza: 205-879-0701 azizaofbirmingham@att.net www.azizaofbirmingham.com Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance with Aziza, over 40 years of experience in performance and instruction. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Monday: Beginners, Tuesday: Intermediates Thursday: Advanced.

Royce Head Personal Training Affordable small group training sessions are available to members in the community center weight room. Each 30 min workout is fast, fun, safe, and effective and each person is started with a program to fit their fitness level. $25 Per Session (or) 12 Sessions for $250 Call Royce for more information: (205) 945-1665

Tango Argentino

Introductory lessons and guided practice. New students are taught basic Tango technique and experienced “milongueros” are encouraged to practice and exchange tips to improve their dancing. Couples and individuals of all ages are welcome. HWCC Fitness Studio 2. 1st & 3rd Wednesday each Month – 7:00pm-8:30pm

360 Personal Trainer Fitness Bootcamp

Bootcamp style ﬁtness classes at Homewood Community Center. Classes Meet: Mon/Wed/ Fri 5:30am-6:30am Michael Brooks – michaelbrooks360@gmail.com

Zumba with Camille

Zumba classes at The Homewood Community Center will resume in 2017!

@homewoodparks

Homewood FIT – Women’s Bootcamp Join this all women’s bootcamp happening right here in Homewood. Monday & Wednesday – 5:45am-6:45am www.homewoodﬁt.com

Young Rembrandts

Young Rembrandts drawing classes, uses step-by-step curriculum to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Classes for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more information and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime.

Cheerleading & Tumbling Classes

Steel City Cheer classes cover all cheerleading & tumbling necessities: motions, jumps, cheers, stretching, conditioning, and tumbling. Grades 4th – 9th & all skill levels welcome. Monday 5:30pm – 6:30pm For more information contact DeeDee: PDEveritt@gmail.com • 901-734-0277

Entourage Line Dance Class Saturdays 11:00am-12:30pm Homewood Community Center – Fitness Studio 1 Cost: $7.00 per class Come join us for your alternative to exercise. A Fantastic way to burn calories and have lots of fun while you do it. Michele Bryant Tolliver - Dance Instructor: (205) 718-6375

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew

Beginning ballet moves taught as a foundation for many types of dance. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and ﬂexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. Fall classes begin mid-September. Mondays 4:00pm-4:45pm For additional information call Claire: (205) 879-8780

HomeFit Fitness Consulting

“With personal training starting at $60 per 45-minute session, HomeFit is one of the area’s fastest growing fitness companies, proudly serving Homewood Community Center with Alabama’s elite mobile personal training team. HomeFit will provide you with the personal attention of an insured, nationally certified Fitness Consultant. Contact HomeFit today to experience why they are the ideal option for your busy schedule. Visit www.homefitconsulting.com to learn more.”

YoLIMBER

Vinyasa yoga classes in an energetic environment using upbeat music. All levels welcome. Friday 9:30am-10:30am Contact Marla: 205-223-8564 mac@yolimber.com

Homewood Senior Center Seated Exercise Class – Mon,Wed & Fri (10:30am) 45-60 min. Gentle joint movement as warm-up; stretching & strength portions are led with an emphasis on proper breathing; includes 10 min of standing exercises designed to practice balance/weight shifting. Line Dancing “Smart Moves” – Tue & Fri (9:30am) Beginner to Intermediate movement sequences are taught for each song, a sequence is repeated multiple times but facing a different direction with each repetition. Styles of music vary. Not only exercises the body but also the mind, as participants must recall the sequence and repeat it. DanceFit with Galina – Tues 2:00pm; Fun and easy movements to music from various genres. Low to moderate intensity exercise focusing on muscle conditioning, balance, range of motion and flexibility. Review and practice of the Tai Chi the last 15mins of class. Yoga – Wed (1:15 Chair / 1:45 Standing / 2:00 Floor) Yoga class is divided into three segments, participants have the option to participate in as little or as much as they desire. 30 minutes of chair yoga; is followed by 15 minutes of standing yoga and the class concludes with 15 minutes of floor yoga. Tai Chi – Thurs 2:00pm: Very slow movement sequences repeated multiple times. Weight shifting and directional changes are executed through slow transition. Gentle on the joints and safer than dance for persons with equilibrium challenges. Not only exercises the body but also the mind, as participants must recall the sequence and repeat it. NEW Tuesday Art Class!!! – Tue (1:00-3:00pm) Class will include beginners as well as people who want to refresh their skills for drawing or painting. For those who do not draw, there will be non-juvenile coloring pages available. Participants will choose their own projects, and instructors will offer suggestions for those who are undecided. Bring your own supplies. The instructors, Johnie & Melvine Sentell, are graduates of Auburn University with degrees in Art. The Sentell’s have extensive teaching experience in various settings and are excited to begin these classes at Homewood Senior Center. Swing Era Jazz Band: “The Usual Suspects” – 1st Thursday, 5:00-7:20pm – you are invited to come listen – or even get up and dance – during their rehearsals. They are a 10 piece band that includes 7 musicians and 3 vocalists.

Athletics Homewood Youth Basketball League Registration Dates: 2nd-7th Grades: October 1st – 14th K-1st Grades: November 1st – 30th Go to www.homewoodparks.com for more information on the 2016-17 Season.

Homewood Youth Wrestling

Registration: October 1st – October 27th Ages: Kindergarten – 6th Grade Go to www.homewoodparks.com for more information

Special Events Homewood Parks Fall Festival

Saturday, October 29, 2016, 10:00am – 2:00pm Homewood Patriot Park Event provides a variety of games, goodies, rides, attractions and candy! For more information visit: www.homewoodparks.com or contact David Primus at 332-6182 (or) david.primus@homewoodal.org

www.Homewoodparks.com

The Homewood Star

A6 • October 2016

City

Council to meet with 2 companies to address odor in West Homewood

By SYDNEY CROMWELL After presentation of the latest chemical testing results from Volatile Analysis, the Homewood City Council is ready to meet with the two companies where the strongest presence of odor-causing chemicals were found. Katherine Bazemore of Volatile Analysis returned to the special issues committee on Sept. 12 to talk about the results, which showed that the fatty-acid chemicals causing strong sour, cheese-like odors had showed up in samples taken from the Buffalo Rock wastewater treatment plant and the nearby Vanguard facility, both in West Homewood. “Buffalo Rock was determined to be the primary location to do mitigation,” Bazemore said, adding that the smell was discernible while on the Buffalo Rock site doing testing. Some quantities of the same chemicals were found at Dean Foods, which was previously believed to be the likely source, but they were not strong enough to be smelled on-site. Bazemore said she felt conﬁdent enough in the results, which were based on seven primary odor-causing compounds, to recommend the city council begin working with Buffalo Rock and Vanguard directly. She said both companies should have the capabilities needed to do any further testing and begin taking steps to bring the chemicals down to an acceptable range. “I feel like we’ve given you very good information to get those guys together,” Bazemore said. Volatile Analysis had shared copies of its

Katherine Bazemore presents the second phase of chemical testing results to the special issues committee and West Homewood residents. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

results with the involved companies as well as council members. Dean Foods contacted council members during the special issues meeting with its response, which was not discussed, but neither Buffalo Rock nor Vanguard had responded. The committee asked city attorney Mike Kendrick to set up a meeting with Buffalo Rock and Vanguard to talk about next steps. Bazemore offered to return at no extra cost to help deﬁne what chemical testing the companies

will need to do next. Committee members also asked her to give an estimate of what Volatile Analysis would charge for a similar study in case they need it. Bazemore estimated three to four weeks of additional testing to determine quantities of chemicals present, and enacting solutions could begin within a few weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the problem. “I think that you should be able to see some progress within that [six- to nine-week]

period,” Bazemore said. At the full council meeting following the special issues meeting, the council approved a new version of the Neighborhood Preservation District zoning ordinance. The ordinance limits houses on 55 feet wide or smaller lots to 29 feet in height from threshold to apex, or a maximum of 32 feet when lot grading is included. For houses on larger lots, the height is now 35 feet or up to 38 feet when including grading. The ordinance also establishes minimum side setbacks of five feet and nine feet for homes on lots 55 feet wide or smaller and setbacks of 10 feet on each side for larger lots. The council also: ► Approved Progressive Columbiana’s rezoning request at 822 Columbiana Road, from Office Building District to Attached Dwelling Unit District. The rezoning allows the construction of four townhomes, in addition to six on an adjacent lot already approved. ► Approved a sign ordinance variance for Your Pie, 1831 28th Ave. S. Suite 160, to build a projecting sign. ► Approved funding a crosswalk signal at the intersection of Oak Grove and Oxmoor Road up to $15,000. ► Made a portion of the alleyway between Woodland Drive and Broadway Street pedestrian-only. ► Approved a project to synchronize traffic signals on Lakeshore Parkway. ► Declared two fleet maintenance vehicles surplus in order to trade them for two 2017 models.

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A7

Residents share their thoughts on the proposed roof height changes at the Aug. 29 City Council meeting. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Residents opine on roof height limits; city buys West Homewood lot By SYDNEY CROMWELL The City Council took commentary from 15 different residents regarding changes to Neighborhood Preservation District height regulations, but it ultimately delayed making a decision on the amended ordinance at its Aug. 29 meeting. This was the second chance for the public to express their opinion on the proposed changes, which would include restricting roof height to 32 feet or less for buildings on lots 55 feet wide or smaller and 35 feet for larger lots in the Neighborhood Preservation District. Other amendments include minimum side setbacks of five feet and nine feet for homes on lots 55 feet wide or smaller and setbacks of 10 feet on each side for larger lots. The amendment also changes the way roof heights are measured, to measure from the front door threshold to the highest parapet. Most of the residents at the meeting spoke in favor of tighter restrictions than those proposed. They argued that taller houses do not fit with the look of NPD neighborhoods that had originally appealed to many of them when they bought their homes and that the limit for homes on 55-foot or smaller lots should be brought down to 29 feet or shorter. Some also said the construction of new, taller homes could hurt the value of their older, smaller houses, and that homeowners wanting larger houses should find other neighborhoods in Homewood that fit that scale. A few spoke in favor of the proposed changes, saying that limiting the height too much has the potential to reduce variety among houses or encourage builders to create flat roofs in order to fit a second story within the height limits. Overall, there was a consensus that more discussion was needed to fully understand the implications of the proposed changes and possible tighter restrictions. Ward 2 Rep. Fred Hawkins said while there could be more discussion on the exact numbers of the amendments, the overall goal of the council was to put a height cap in place quickly to prevent more homes being built that would not fit under new criteria. The council voted to take up the issue in the Sept. 6 planning and development committee meeting, which was open to the public. At the same Aug. 29 meeting, the council voted to issue and sell warrants up to $4.25 million in order to purchase a 15-acre lot at 123 West Oxmoor Road, which is next to West Homewood Park. Council President Bruce Limbaugh said the opportunity to purchase the property came up quickly and the council has not made a final decision how to use the property. With Homewood’s youth leagues

overflowing capacity, Limbaugh said it is possible the land could create space for additional playing fields. The council also: ► Approved a measure to allow the mayor to accept a FEMA SAFER grant Limbaugh of $353,052 to fund three new firefighter positions for the next two years. ► Carried over discussion of turning the 500 block of Rumson Road into a one-way street to slow traffic and make room for sidewalks. The council wants to review results of a traffic study by Skipper Consulting to see potential effects on the surrounding roads. ► Carried over discussion of tax incentives for the developers of Wildwood South shopping center. ► Approved sign variance requests at 103 Citation Court; 800 Green Springs Highway; and 2921 18th St. S. The last request originally listed three signs, but the council asked the owners to remove a proposed sign on the side of the building before approval. ► Approved a three-way stop sign and painted crosswalks at the intersection of Carr Avenue and Broadway Street. ► Approved directional signs to Homewood Middle School at the intersection of Mecca Avenue and Oxmoor Road. ► Approved a street light at 913 Shades Road, for an annual cost of $140.04 to maintain. ► Approved the closure of Montessori Way on Oct. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. for a grand opening event. ► Repealed a resolution that had named J.H. Berry as the city’s exclusive broker of record. ► Declared 1602 Ridge Road and 1624 Mountain Gap Circle public nuisances due to excessive growth. Due to repeat complaints on the properties, the council also wants someone from the building inspections department to visit the properties. ► Dropped public nuisance declarations for the properties at 2516 Mamie L. Foster, 2522 Mamie L. Foster and 110 Acton Ave. as the result of the owners resolving the excessive growth problems. ► Approved a retail beer and table wine license for Mi Pueblo Supermarket, 216 Green Springs Highway. ► Dropped a retail beer and wine license request for Fred’s Store at 234 Green Springs Highway until the fire department receives a response from the business to do its inspection. ► Annexed 1628 Dobbs Lane from Jefferson County into the city.

The Homewood Star

A8 • October 2016

New faces on City Council Four future council members share plans for progress after taking ofﬁce in November By SYDNEY CROMWELL

n November, the 2016-20 City Council will take ofﬁce. Of the 11 spots on the council dais, four will be ﬁlled by newcomers: Andy Gwaltney in Ward 1; Mike Higginbotham and Andrew Wolverton in Ward 2; and Jennifer Andress in Ward 5. All four sat down with The Homewood Star to talk about their goals and preparations for their new roles.

WARD 1, PLACE 1 - ANDY GWALTNEY With roughly a month left before stepping into his council position, Andy Gwaltney is working on getting to know how the council works and the people he’ll be serving alongside. Gwaltney has been attending council meetings, particularly related to roof height ordinances in the Neighborhood Preservation Districts of the city, and talking with fellow ward representative Britt Thames to lay out a plan for the next four years. He is also taking the opportunity to talk to Mayor Scott McBrayer and Council President Bruce Limbaugh to see the direction they want to take with the city as a whole. Paving throughout the city and “smart growth” for new houses are issues that Gwaltney campaigned on and continues to prioritize. He said he’s not opposed to new houses being built, but wants ordinances to keep those houses from physically overwhelming their lots or smaller neighbors.

Sidewalk repair in Rosedale and elsewhere in the ward, as well as improvements in Spring Park, are also on his to-do list.

WARD 2, PLACE 1 – MIKE HIGGINBOTHAM Ward 2 is the only ward that will enter the new four-year term without either incumbent, meaning both new representatives have a learning curve and a chance to change things up. Mike Higginbotham said he and fellow representative Andrew Wolverton already have begun talking about how they want the next months and years to look for Ward 2. Higginbotham has attended city council meetings for several years and posted recaps of agenda items related to the ward on his West Homewood Facebook page. He said he plans to continue keeping up the page, but may use a different outlet to share his positions on city issues as well. “I’m fortunate in the respect that I’ve been doing the West

While Thames already has a regular email to keep ward residents informed, Gwaltney has collected email addresses before and after the election. He wants to either ﬁnd a way to merge their efforts to share information or ﬁnd different topics to talk about in his own communications. “[I want to] pay special attention to those things that arise that are near and dear to the hearts and minds of people in Ward 1, because in the end they’re the reason we’re there because they voted for us to put us in. We need to represent their voice, what they want,” Gwaltney said. Gwaltney said he wants to bring “an open mind and a fresh set of eyes” to the council and the committees he is placed on. “I have an open door. I feel like I’m a very approachable person, that nothing is too small to reach out about. I want to hear from everybody — maybe not all at once,” he said with a laugh. “If someone has a concern, certainly reach out and I will do my best to address the concerns that folks have.” Homewood Facebook page for over six years now, so I was already trying to stay abreast of stuff that’s happening at City Hall and keeping up with meetings … I guess it’s fair to say I haven’t changed a whole lot of what I’m doing. I’ll just continue to do that,” Higginbotham said. He noted that being a resident of the small slice of Homewood in the 35226 zip code gives him a unique perspective compared to Wolverton and the two previous Ward 2 representatives. Higginbotham said there are “big and small” things on his to-do list once he joins the council. One big issue is examining West Oxmoor Road, particularly around the Huntington Glen area, in regard to safety, aesthetics and walkability. Others include the Oxmoor “turkey foot” intersection improvements with ALDOT, continuing construction on the

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A9 WARD 2, PLACE 2 – ANDREW WOLVERTON Although Andrew Wolverton doesn’t have the same council attendance experience as Higginbotham, he said he also wants to put an emphasis on communication with his new constituents. So far, he’s planning to host a meet-and-greet with Higginbotham after they take ofﬁce, and he wants to maintain a website with everything that’s happened recently or is coming up and affects Ward 2. The website, he said, will be complementary to Facebook coverage and groups, with a focus solely on sharing information rather than conversations or commentary. The site will include upcoming agenda items, a calendar with community events and other news for the ward’s residents. “I think that the website will be a much easier way for people to stay connected,” Wolverton said. Between now and inauguration, Wolverton said he is following up with residents about issues he heard while campaigning, such as speeding and the persistent smell

and noise issues in the area around Dean Foods/Mayﬁeld Dairy. “Safety is obviously an issue, and we want to have a walkable neighborhood. We want to promote that kind of activity because it helps to maintain and stabilize business … and creates a sense of community more so than being stuck just getting back-and-forth across the neighborhood by car,” Wolverton said. Though he thinks predecessors Fred Hawkins and Vance Moody have served their ward well, Wolverton said he can bring a “fresh perspective” to the council. The West Homewood area has seen several new businesses open in the past few years, and Wolverton said he wants to build on that progress. “There’s a lot of positives and a lot of growth and a lot of things that we have to look forward to,” Wolverton said. “The biggest thing is really trying to, again, continue to build that sense of community. I think we’ve brought a lot of attention and positive things over here, but sometimes still with that, there’s a sense of disconnectedness with our neighbors.”

WARD 5, PLACE 1 – JENNIFER ANDRESS Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

MIKE HIGGINBOTHAM (CONTINUED) greenway, redeveloping the Wildwood shopping center and ﬁxing the odor and noise issues that have plagued West Homewood since October 2015. One of the smaller issues, which Higginbotham said he has been talking about for years, is improving transparency among all city employees through training courses on Sunshine laws and ethics codes. Requiring new council members to understand these rules would help prevent unintentionally breaking one of those regulations. “I think that the people we have serving are great people who love Homewood and bring to their service the most pure and noble of intentions. What I don’t want to see happen is somebody trip up on something, without any ill intent, [and] not only cause embarrassment, possible prosecution for themselves, but also for the city as a whole,” Higginbotham said. “I think it would be as easy as having a couple sessions a year.”

Five weeks of campaigning introduced Jennifer Andress to a lot of neighbors she never knew, despite living in Homewood for 14 years. As she made phone calls and went door to door, Andress said a lot of the same issues kept coming up. “Without fail, every person I talked to [said] paving, sidewalks, safe passages over [U.S.] 31 [and] Lakeshore, pedestrian bridge … tree canopy and historic preservation,” Andress said. “There’s not one person that strayed from that. It was clear, and it’s all the same things that I think, too.” Andress said these issues are at the top of her list once she starts her term, and she will be “vocal and passionate” on the council. The pedestrian bridge over U.S. 280 has been stalled for some time, in part due to the need to work with ALDOT and Mountain Brook on the project. Andress said she’d like to have the entire bridge redone “bottom to top,” with new lanes, markings, sidewalks and possibly a trafﬁc light. Bike lanes across the city, crosswalks on the major highways and downtown beautiﬁcation are other things she would like to see. Andress has been working on meeting all the city department heads to learn about their needs and challenges, as well

as fellow Ward Representative Peter Wright. She said she’ll be going to council meetings “as if it’s my job” in advance of her inauguration to understand procedures of council meetings and current issues under discussion. She also is developing an email list of her constituents to send weekly updates about council business that affects them, and she wants to have open ward meetings three times a year. “That’s my plan: just to meet, talk, show up, listen,” Andress said.

The Homewood Star

A10 • October 2016 This drawing from 1997 shows a proposed sidewalk on the east side of Roxbury Road connecting with a proposed path on the north side of Mayfair Drive from Roxbury to U.S. 31. Courtesy of Homewood Building, Engineering and Zoning.

Mayor’s Minute By Scott McBrayer

Mayfair sidewalks project moves to funding discussion By SYDNEY CROMWELL Residents are still split over whether Mayfair Drive should have sidewalks, but the project has been passed on to the finance committee to see whether the first two phases can be funded. At a Sept. 6 Public Works Committee meeting, Greg Cobb of the Building, Engineering and Zoning Department brought out plans originally drawn up in 1997 when the same project was first proposed. Cobb had originally planned to bring in two different sidewalk path options to the meeting but was unable to do so because of other duties. Instead, he said, the 1997 plan could work with some modifications to reflect changes in tree width and other neighborhood factors. The plan would place sidewalks on the north side of Mayfair Drive from U.S. 31 to Roxbury Road, continuing up the east side of Roxbury to Huntington Road. The original plan does not include sidewalks on the rest of Mayfair, but the committee proposed sidewalks would move to the south side and continue west to Ridge Road. The north side and Roxbury Road sidewalks would cost in the $100,000-$150,000 range, Ward 2 Rep. Vance Moody said. After discussion with attending Mayfair residents, the committee decided to break the project into three phases: the east side of Mayfair,

Roxbury and the west side of Mayfair. The first two phases were sent to the finance committee to consider funding options. The third phase will be discussed at a later time. Because the sidewalks are still a contentious issue, going to the finance committee is not a guarantee that the project will happen. It will have to be approved by the finance committee and full council before any work can begin. Additionally, in a special-called council meeting Sept. 6, a measure approved the mayor to enter an agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation to work on the paving and restriping of Valley Avenue, which has been let for bid. According to bid details on the ALDOT website, the project totals 2.7 miles including West Valley Avenue from Barber Court to Green Springs Highway and Valley Avenue from Birmingham city limits to the Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard South intersection. The estimated cost of the project is between $1.35 million and $1.65 million but will be given a specific cost once a contractor’s bid is chosen. According to the website, the chosen contractor will have 75 days to complete the project, though a start date was not listed. The finance committee discussed paying for additional lighting in the portions of Valley Avenue within city limits but decided to wait until ALDOT completes its work.

Making Homewood Teal: With the help of some wonderful ladies in Homewood and across the state of Alabama, I have proclaimed September as GYN/Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month for the city of Homewood. I have recently been informed of many statistics concerning this particular type cancer and wanted to take the opportunity to bring awareness to everyone in our city. Cheryl Bourn, a Homewood resident and a cancer survivor, has been wonderful to work with and I appreciate her dedication to this very worthy cause. To help ensure awareness, I have ordered City Hall and our Parks and Recreation Building to be turned a teal color using gels that will be placed over the lighting in front of the buildings. I would also encourage any businesses to do this, as well. By now, everyone is very familiar with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and everything turns pink. But the teal color is relatively new with 2014 being only its fifth year, so I wanted you to be aware of why some buildings were teal. There is a wonderful website, www. AStateOfTeal.org, that provides some information about this topic and is where I have received my information for this article. There are many other websites offering information about GYN/ovarian cancer, and I would encourage you to get as much information as possible. Alabama is one of two states with the highest rates of death from ovarian and cervical cancer. Pap smears can detect cervical cancer early, but there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer. It is

usually found in stage 3c and has a high mortality rate according to the website. Groundbreaking research is taking place in Alabama, but women need to know the signs and symptoms of GYN cancers. Please take a few minutes to visit some websites to educate yourself and others. You ladies are worth it and we need you in Homewood! I really don’t have a good segue from GYN/ovarian Cancer to other city business, but I will try. We continue to work on the budget for 2016/2017 and expect to have one passed by the first week of October. The council has been working hard to review my budget and I appreciate them so much for their input into this process. I have said many times I view them as a safety net for me and I trust they would catch any mistakes I might make when preparing the budget. This next year is going to be especially exciting with all the paving that is about to begin. I believe it is safe to say the condition of our streets is about to be vastly improved. It might be a little inconvenient for a short time, but keep in mind the END RESULT. I am so grateful you give me the opportunity to serve and I’m blessed to be a part of this wonderful city we call Homewood. With kindest regards I remain Sincerely,

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A11

Chamber

Preview of

Legislators talk state budget, constitutional amendments

Luncheon

David Faulkner speaks at the annual legislative update at the Homewood Chamber luncheon. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL State Senator Jabo Waggoner and Representative David Faulkner gave their annual legislative update at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Sept. 20. The discussion centered on the state’s budget for the 2017 ﬁscal year, upcoming constitutional amendments and proposals and questions from the audience. Faulkner noted that his priorities for his district are promoting education and a business-friendly climate. “Jabo and I want to make it easier for businesses that are here to do business,” Faulkner said. The 2017 state budget totals $11.93 billion, including $1.85 billion in the general fund, which covers everything from law enforcement and public health to legislative functions, and $6.32 billion in the Education Trust Fund. Increased revenue from sales, income and use tax has made the education budget larger than it has been ever before, Faulkner said, enabling a 4 percent cost-of-living raise for teachers. On the other hand, revenue for the general fund is relatively ﬂat and Faulkner said Medicaid and prison costs are now taking an estimated 65 percent of the general fund. “How do we keep up when we have no growth money going in?” Faulkner said. The recent $1 billion BP settlement enabled the city to cover its Medicaid costs as well as road improvements in coastal counties and paying off some of the state’s debt. However, Waggoner pointed out that the settlement is a one-time deal, paid out over 18 years, and is not a long term solution to the roughly $700 million operating cost of Medicaid in the state.

“It is very, very expensive,” Waggoner said. The estimated 25,000 inmates in the state, and their aging prison facilities, are another challenge to funding, Waggoner said, adding that the Department of Corrections commissioner has proposed borrowing $800 million in bond issue to build four new prisons in the state. Waggoner and Faulkner also encouraged the chamber audience to vote ‘Yes’ on Amendment 14 in November. The amendment, Waggoner said, is a response to a recent Jefferson County judge’s ruling that more than 600 local bills were passed by the state using an unconstitutional manner of counting votes. The constitutional amendment would prevent those bills, many of which were passed years ago, from being declared unconstitutional. If that happened, Waggoner said, the impact

would be wide-reaching, from Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex funding to Homewood city annexations and state sales tax allocations for Homewood schools. “All I can say is this community and everybody in this state needs to vote ‘Yes’ on this amendment,” Waggoner said. “It’s huge for this county.” The two legislators also took questions from the audience about other issues of concern, one of which was the historic building tax credit under discussion. Waggoner was one of the sponsors for the bill in the last session and he said a third-party study of all of Alabama’s tax credits is currently underway. Once that is complete, he expects the tax credit to be re-introduced, and likely passed, in the next regular session. Waggoner also said the state is continuing

October The Homewood Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its October membership luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Club. The luncheon, sponsored by Alabama Allergy and Asthma Center, will feature guest speaker Congressman Gary Palmer and a short presentation by United Way of Central Alabama. To purchase tickets, please visit homewoodchamber,org. to look at enforcing a sales tax for online retailers, adding that Amazon is on board and could bring around $12 million in new revenue to the state. A proposed lottery, which failed in the most recent session, could bring an estimated $225-300 million in its first year depending on which types of lottery, such as scratch tickets or Powerball, were introduced, Faulkner said. He added that most states see a decline in revenue after the first year, and that this year’s bill failed in part because it was missing important information needed to make a decision. “You see a bounce at the beginning when the state first gets it, then it goes down,” Faulkner said. After an audience member asked about raising the gas tax specifically to add more lanes to I-65 between Birmingham and Montgomery, Waggoner said there has been discussion at the state level to increase the tax not only for roads but for the roughly 500 bridges in Alabama that don’t meet safety codes, and other infrastructure needs. The state legislature will reconvene in February 2017.

The Homewood Star

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TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A13

Now Open

New Ownership

Red Hills Brewing Company is now open at 2823 Central Ave., Suite 107. It is the ﬁrst brewery located in Homewood. 582-2897, redhillsbrew.com

The nine-story ofﬁce tower at Brookwood Village, 569 Brookwood Village, has been purchased by Maryland-based Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc. pacapts.com

Coming Soon The Amandas will open a showroom in October at 2822 18th St. S. The business focuses on custom closets and organizing and is owned by Amanda LeBlanc. 970-1087, theamandas.com

News and Accomplishments In September, Urban Cookhouse, 2846 18th St. S., added six new items to its menu. The new items are available for a limited time in order to receive feedback from customers before making them permanent

Business news

to share? Now Open

Coming Soon

If you are in a brick and mortar business in Homewood and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Anniversary

Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com

Relocation Expansion The Homewood Star

additions. The new items are: hummus duo, hot mixed nuts, buffalo chicken wrap, white BBQ chicken sandwich, house sangria and beer buckets. 879-0883, urbancookhouse.com Christopher Architecture & Interiors, 3040 Independence Drive, was nominated as one of six ﬁnalists for the Water Retreats category in HGTV’s “Faces of Design Awards” for their work on a Smith Lake home. Viewers can visit the HGTV website to vote through October 4, with the winner announced October 6. 413-8531, christopherai.com

Hirings and Promotions IberiaBank Mortgage, 2340 Woodcrest Place, has promoted Bryan Goldman to Alabama area manager. In his new role, Goldman will be leading mortgage ofﬁces throughout the state, including in Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and Prattville. 908-9782, iberiabankmortgage.com

Brookwood Village, at 780 Brookwood Village on Shades Creek Parkway, has hired David Schloss as general manager. 871-0406, shopbrookwoodvillage.com

The Homewood Star

A14 • October 2016

Hatfield, Little Professor relocating after developer purchases property By SYDNEY CROMWELL Two neighboring businesses on 18th Street South are getting ready to move to new locations after selling their properties to Capstone Companies founder Michael Mouron. Hatfield Auto Parts and Service and Little Professor Bookstore, including Crape Myrtle’s Cafe, are longtime Homewood businesses. Mouron, who is also the chairman of Capstone Real Estate Investments, confirmed the purchase of the properties at 2717 and 2727 18th St. S., which includes the vacant lot next to Hatfield Auto that owner Trent Hatfield also maintained. Area business owners said they believe Capstone is planning to redevelop the properties into a single retail development. However, Mouron said he could not share any details because current plans for the properties are still in their early stages. He did say that he hopes to begin construction within six months. Paul Seitz, the owner of Little Professor, said he is currently seeking a new location for the store, and hopes to find a building that can accommodate him and Crape Myrtle. They will be in their current location until February, though Seitz said the bookstore may close earlier to allow time to pack up books and disassemble furniture. Little Professor has been in Homewood for 43 years. Hatfield Auto has already found a new location for its parts store and service garage. Trent Hatfield, whose father Fred Hatfield started the parts shop in Homewood in 1958, said the entire business will move to the former Valley

Several 18th Street South properties, including Little Professor and Hatﬁeld Auto, have been purchased by Capstone Companies. The owners of Aviate and its neighbor building on 28th Avenue South have been approached by the city to purchase the land to build a parking deck. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

Tire Center at 190 Oxmoor Road in December or January. It has been located on 18th Street South for 55 years. Trent Hatﬁeld said the move came at the right time for his father and the rest of his family. The 18th Street South property, which also includes a neighboring gray building currently unoccupied, is valuable as it fronts a busy street with other existing retail.

Renovations on the Oxmoor Road location are underway now and Trent Hatﬁeld said he is looking forward to meeting new clients and giving “West Homewood residents an independent repair facility to be proud of.” Hatfield Auto’s business has shifted more toward the service side over the last few years, and the new location will have nine service bays, like the 18th Street South

property, for tires, brakes, alignment and other services. All the garage and parts store employees will be making the move to the new building. “Everything is staying the same except the location,” Trent Hatﬁeld said. There could be one more change coming to the block. John Tolliver of Quest Publications and David Senseman of The Maids said the city has approached them to purchase their neighboring brick buildings, at the corner of 28th Avenue South and Mamie L Foster. Both said the city has told them it wants to use the properties for a parking deck. Senseman said he has been approached by developers to sell his building, occupied by Aviate and down the street from The Maids ofﬁce, multiple times, including by Capstone in May. He learned about the city’s interest in his property earlier this month. Discussions are still ongoing for both properties. Senseman and Tolliver both said the city wants to begin construction of the parking deck within six months if an agreement can be reached, lining up the parking deck project with Mouron’s project. “I think the whole project is a good idea for the city,” Senseman said. “It’s going to make that strip over there really nice.” Mayor Scott McBrayer said he could not give details about the proposed project at this time. “If a project is able to move forward it could be exciting for the city of Homewood, but it’s a little premature for us to talk details right now,” McBrayer said.

VOTE TUES., NOV 8

Paid for by Gary Palmer for Congress

SENSIBLE CONSERVATIVE AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP WWW.PALMERFORALABAMA.COM Paid for by Gary Palmer for Congress

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A15

Homewood couple sells clothing inspired by African tribe By AMBER RITCHIE The Maasai people live along the Great Rift Valley in the southern area of Kenya where they mostly herd cattle. But this semi-nomadic warrior tribe is also known for its distinctive style of dress, which caught the eye of Homewood resident Mary Holden Jones. In January, Jones took a leap of faith and opened Maasai Chic, a boutique specializing in African jewelry and home items. Sales are mainly online, but Jones and her husband, Jeff, also began selling locally at Shebet’s Boutique at 2209 Third Ave. N. in Birmingham in May. Jones and her husband have traveled to Kenya for the past three years doing mission work. They are doctors and set up medical camps in Kenya with Jesus Harvesters Ministries. During their first trip to Kenya in 2014, they discovered the special beadwork made by the Maasai and Jones said she instantly adored the skill and originality, along with the culture and significance, of each piece. She developed a deep admiration for the Maasai tribe and its tradition of passing down its beading techniques from mother to daughter. Once she returned to the U.S. wearing her Maasai jewelry, she said she was overwhelmed with the amount of people asking where she got them. “I have been buying different clothing, jewelry, shoes and home items from Kenya since we started going,” Jones said. “Every time I wear something or someone comes to our home, the compliments flow. I even began to sell a few of the items to friends. I really love and have a connection to the bright African colors and rich African fabrics, so I began to think, ‘Why not start a business selling here in Birmingham?’” Maasai pieces are significant because each bead color is representative of the tribe’s culture and values, telling a story of the wearer’s heritage. For instance, Jones said orange represents hospitality while blue represents God or the sky. The items Jones has brought home

with her “reminds us of Africa and the people. It allows us to have a little bit of the culture we love with us even when we’re not there.” “The Maasai and African people in general have such a joy and warmth about them. They have such a giving and hospitable spirit that it spills over into what they adorn themselves with and in the patterns of the fabrics that they dress in as well as their smiles,” Jones said. “We hope to introduce this feeling and way of being to our customers in the U.S. by acquiring pieces that convey this feeling in a unique, elegant and chic way.” Like the Maasai, Jones said she is somewhat of a nomad herself. Originally from Louisiana, she moved to Birmingham from Indiana to work as a pediatrician at Christ Health Center in Woodlawn. Now, she runs Maasai Chic exclusively while taking care of her five children, while her husband works as an emergency medical physician at Grandview Medical Center. Jones stressed the importance of buying fair-trade products directly from Africa. They started with only Kenyan artisans, but now carry Ghanaian and Ugandan products as well. “We are hoping to expand to as many countries in Africa as we can because each country has a unique way of approaching fashion,” she said. “We only want to buy from artisans in Africa because we want to make sure that we are getting authentic, handmade goods. We also love that we are providing income for the women and men who make these goods directly so that we can have the biggest possible impact for them, their families and their villages.” Setting up shop in the U.S. is important to Jones because she said it brings culture and awareness to people who might otherwise be unaware of the work of African artisans. “When we sell our products locally, everyone benefits. We can provide a unique product line to customers that would not otherwise have access to it. We also can see our customers enjoy our product firsthand, which is a joy for us,” she said.

The Jones family are Homewood residents and the owners of Maasai Chic. Photos courtesy of Mary Jones.

“With each item that we sell, we include a card that we make with a picture of the maker and information about them,” Jones said. “We feel that this will give the buyer a connection with their purchase and also make them feel good about knowing how they are impacting a speciﬁc person’s life with their purchase.” Jones said she also discourages buying mass-produced goods at cheaper prices elsewhere. “To us, it takes the soul out of the item. You also don’t get the intricacies and nuances that you would in individually sourced and handmade authentic African goods,” she said. “The African people are so innovative and ingenious at making things by hand using centuries-old methods because that is the way it has always been done.” Jones said the sellers she works with also have little impact on the environment and work diligently to eliminate wastefulness in creating their products. “African artisans have limited tools and resources. They make things the way they do out of necessity. There is no such thing as mass producing these goods by the thousands at a time,” she said. “They use every part of the plant, animal, tree and don’t waste anything. Their methods are

also sustainable and easy on the environment because they are not using heavy machinery and harsh chemicals to make these products.” The Joneses said they are excited to introduce new collections to Birmingham. They also hope to soon start donating a portion of their proﬁts to charity organizations in Africa, although several of their artisans already do this through their businesses. “We are working with an artisan in Ghana on our summer clothing and head wrap line for women,” Jones said. “We chose all of the fabrics and designs. They are exclusive to Maasai Chic and are not available anywhere else.” Birmingham’s diversity has helped Maasai Chic since it’s already accepting of many different cultures, offering different cuisines and fashions from local businesses, she said. “The world does not seem like such a large and intimidating place if we can bring other cultures and their food, fashion and traditions home to wear we live,” Jones said. “When we make it a point to expose ourselves and our children to different people groups and cultures, the world gets smaller, and we begin to see that humans have more in common than we think.”

The Homewood Star

A16 • October 2016

Bouncing into business By SARAH COOK Every kid’s dream just opened in Homewood — approximately 30,000 square feet of nothing but foam pits, obstacle courses and wall-to-wall trampolines. Urban Air Trampoline Park — an indoor amusement center that features all things bouncy — recently opened its doors at 800 Green Springs Highway in Homewood. The opening marks the trampoline park’s first location in Alabama. With more than 30 locations open nationwide, however, the chain is gaining momentum. Cory Lehr and Tad Duncan, owners of the Homewood Urban Air Trampoline Park said the park, which will employ 40 to 50 locals, houses a long list of amenities meant to entice kids of all ages. “It’s going to be crazy,” Duncan said of the park’s opening. “They’ve had kids camping out before. It’s kind of like Black Friday.” Before the park’s official opening, Duncan and Lehr were busy assembling trampolines, filling in foam pits, inflating giant air bags and erecting the park’s warrior course — an impressive obstacle course boasting monkey bars, rope ladders and more. Duncan guessed that between the pair, they installed more than 4,000 trampoline springs in one day. In all, he approximated there are more than 10,000 springs in the entire park. Almost every piece of equipment, Duncan said, was unloaded and assembled by hand. “As soon as it hit the dock, we were unloading,” he said. The trampoline duo are no strangers to one another. Duncan jokes that Lehr is like “the son he never had.” “He’s my nephew, but sometimes I just call him son,” Duncan said. When Lehr approached Duncan about the business

Cory Lehr, owner of the Urban Air Trampoline Park Homewood location, said he expects the park to provide a clean, safe outlet for Homewood families. Photo by Sarah Cook.

venture, Duncan said they both started crunching the numbers to ﬁnd out the feasibility of the business. When they saw the results, they sprang into action. “He started looking into trampolines and next thing you know we’re looking at franchising,” Duncan said. “It just kind of all came together.” Both hail from Arkansas, but said they’ll stick around to make sure the park establishes a strong start in Alabama. “As soon as we get done with this one, we

want to start one in Memphis,” Duncan said. “And hopefully, we’d like to do something else in the state of Alabama. We like it here.” The chain opened its ﬁrst park in Texas not too long ago, Lehr said, and since then, Urban Air has been bouncing into markets nationwide. The park caters to all ages, but its key demographic, Lehr said, will be toddlers through teenagers. The warrior course and dodgeball arena, he said, will ideally attract older children and teens, while the playground area will be for

younger ages. Along with trampolines, the park will also boast party rooms for birthdays and other events, Lehr said. “As long as you’re willing to bounce, this is the place for you,” he said. Duncan said the park will be open seven days a week, and he encouraged people to follow the Homewood location on Facebook for speciﬁc times and pricing. For more information on Urban Air Trampoline Park, visit urbanairtrampolinepark.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A17

Sweet

SPOT Scoops opens downtown By SYDNEY CROMWELL

spent months discussing menu ideas to try, and they plan to let the community vote on their favorites. “It’ll never be the same thing anytime you come in,” Patrick Decker said. They will also sell popsicles and chocolate-covered fruits. The menu keeps expanding as they think of different ideas. Patrick Decker said he recently learned about chocolate-covered potato chips and was interested in making those part of the store. “It’s not your typical ice cream store. You don’t put sprinkles on [the ice cream]. It’s a little different level of toppings,” he said. With their own ice cream machine in house, Jennifer Decker said Scoops can make custom ﬂavors for customers who want to

There’s a new place to satisfy your sweet tooth in downtown Homewood. Scoops, which sells homemade ice cream, ﬂavored popcorn, pretzels and gelato, opened at the end of September in the former Four Seasons Gallery space at 2910 18th St. S. The gallery was split into two storefronts to accommodate a Jersey Mike’s location. Jersey Mike’s and Scoops are both owned by Patrick and Jennifer Decker, who have worked with the sandwich chain for 11 years. Every month will feature different ice cream and popcorn ﬂavors, including “stuff you didn’t think was able to be put in ice cream” like maple bacon, Patrick Decker said. The Deckers and their ice cream chefs have

Scoops sells homemade ice cream, ﬂavored popcorn, pretzels and gelato. Photo courtesy of Margaret Lee Photography.

buy larger quantities. “[If] you have some crazy flavor you want to try, we can make it,” she said. The Deckers said they also hope to solicit family recipes and flavor ideas from businesses and residents to feature each month. Patrick Decker said he thinks customers will notice a difference in the quality of ice cream made fresh every day as opposed to storebought brands. Later on, the Deckers plan to launch a popcorn club and ice cream club, where different flavors can be shipped to customers’ homes each month. Though Patrick Decker joked that his favorite part of the business will be having access to ice cream whenever he wants it, he said he’s looking forward to “the excitement that we think it’s going to

bring to the area.” The Deckers added an outdoor patio in front of Scoops for extra seating, but inside the focal point of the décor is a set of large, metal letters spelling out the store name. Scoops opened at the end of September, and 100 percent of sales in its ﬁrst two days of business beneﬁted the Bell Center and the Exceptional Foundation. They also held a VIP night where members of those organizations could eat for free. Between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, Scoops is donating 50 percent of its sales to the Homewood City Schools Foundation. Scoops is open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays noon-9 p.m. Learn more about Scoops at snackatscoops. com.

The Homewood Star

A18 • October 2016

Events Mystery Dinner Theatre returns to library By JESSE CHAMBERS “Design for Murder,” a whodunit written by George Batson, will be the Mystery Dinner Theatre production for fall at the Homewood Public Library. The production, directed by Emily Hoppe, will be Oct. 21 and 22, with a buffet starting at 6:30 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. “Design for Murder,” first performed in 1960, tells the tale of Celia Granger, who is trying to maintain her magnificent mansion and the generations-old traditions connected to it, said Leslie West, the library’s head of Adult Services. Granger is hampered in her efforts by lack of money and the exploits of her playboy son. During her financial struggles, two members of her household staff are killed. Everyone is a suspect, and the more Detective Carlin searches for answers, the more dirt he digs up on Granger, her family and friends. The Mystery Dinner Theatre “has become a signature event” for the library, West said. “We’ve been hosting this event for close to 20 years,” she said. “Not only do our patrons love it, we have folks from all over the county coming to participate. The food, provided by Christian Catering, is outstanding.” The library presents this annual event in partnership with South City Theatre in Pelham, West said. “‘Design for Murder’ was chosen specifically for the library patrons who enjoy traditional murder mysteries,” said Sue Ellen Gerrells, South City’s artistic director. “Although the play follows a traditional format, in this one, the butler doesn’t do it.” The Mystery Dinner Theatre has been so successful that the library has added a Valentine’s Dinner Theatre in February featuring romantic comedies, West said. Tickets are $30 for the buffet and show. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and will be available beginning Sept.19. They can be purchased online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.or at the Adult Services Department. Homewood Public Library is at 1721 Oxmoor Road.

Shop Save & Share fundraiser returns For the 11th year in a row, the Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) will hold its Shop Save & Share fundraiser in late October. This initiative supports the League’s more than 30 community projects while at the same time driving customers to local retailers and restaurants. When you purchase a Shop Save & Share card for $40, you receive a 20 percent discount on merchandise and food at the fundraiser’s more than 500 participating stores and restaurants. Since its inception, Shop Save & Share has put over $475,000 back into the community. Also, through the Junior League of Birmingham a Shop Save & Share donation does the following: ► Provides eight meals through Meals on Wheels in Jefferson County ► Provides one week of snacks, magazines and books to mothers restricted to bed rest in the UAB NICU ► Provides one child who is suffering from “under nutrition” to have food provided to them for the weekends for an entire school year through the Backpack Buddies program ► Provides 1.5 children one book per month for ﬁve years through Better Basics & JLB Imagination Library This year’s Shop Save & Share program will run from Oct. 19 through 30, and the Junior League of Birmingham is thrilled to have Birmingham’s best retailers and restaurants on board for 2016, including several located in Homewood. When it comes to using your card, many customers note that the variety of retailers is what keeps them coming back year after year. The list is constantly growing, and this year, Shop Save & Share is partnering for the ﬁrst time with many stores and attractions such as Homewood Antiques and Breakout Birmingham in Homewood. Sikes Children’s Shoes is returning as a Shop Save & Share participant this year. “We are committed to supporting the community and we are excited to participate in Shop Save & Share again this year,” said Alan McKee, manager, Sikes Children’s Shoes. “It is the perfect time of year to begin shopping for holiday shoes for the children — and moms always enjoy using their Shop Save & Share card to get a discount while also supporting a great cause!” Restaurants are always an important part of the Shop Save &

Alan McKee of Sikes Children’s Shoes and Cindy Weninger of Jack N’ Jill Shop are among the many Homewood merchants participating in the Junior League of Birmingham’s Shop Save & Share fundraiser. Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham.

Share event, and this year is no different. Edgewood Creamery, Jackson’s Bar & Bistro, Hamburger Heaven, What’s 4 Supper and more are participating this year. It is also a great time to get in some shopping for holiday clothes and accessories at shops such as Jack N’ Jill Shop. “This is a way we can give our shoppers a great discount on great clothing for children, while also supporting community projects across the city of Birmingham,” said Cindy Weninger, manager of the Jack N’ Jill Shop. “We believe in the Junior League of Birmingham’s commitment to community service.” Some other Homewood-area retailers that will be participating in the 2016 Shop Save & Share event include a.k.a. Girl Stuff, Shoeﬂy, Soca, Soca Girl and The Scribbler, just to name a few. Visit shopsaveandshare.net for a complete retailer listing, to purchase a card, and for more information. Additional information about the fundraiser can be found on social media on Facebook: Shop Save & Share, Instagram: @jlbshopsaveshare, or on Twitter: @JLBirmingham (#jlbshopsaveshare). – Submitted by Junior League of Birmingham.

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • A19

Handmade Art Fest combining with Pickin’ in the Park Pickin’ in the Park Musicians ► Anthony Sutton ► Bob Tedrow & Friends ► Foggy Hollow Review ► Nitrate City ► Steel City Jug Slammers

Handmade Artists

Musicians can spend the day playing together while enjoying local art. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Two popular Homewood events are coming together this year for a day of fun in Homewood Central Park. The Homewood Arts Council invites the community to a day of art and music as the Handmade Art Fest and Pickin’ in the Park team up on Oct. 16 for Sunday in the Park. The Pickin’ in the Park portion of the event, which gives guests a taste of jazz, folk and

contemporary music, allows professional and amateur musicians to come together for a day of improvisation and fun with their instruments, and all are invited to attend and play. This year, music fans and musicians will have the added experience of getting to see the work of local artists, as Handmade presents several booths of local art for purchase. Last year, about 30 local artists showcased their work, and this year is expected to be just as jam-packed.

Arts Council President Diane Litsey said the goal of the event is to bring different types of artists together for a “fun and engaging” event. The free event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. While admission is free, guests are encouraged to consider purchasing pieces from local artists, and food trucks will be on-site as well. For more information, contact Litsey at diane@thedancefoundation.org or go to facebook.com/HomewoodArtsCouncil.

► Nancy Abney ► Sherri Arias ► Beth Bradley ► Rebekah Crossman ► Leah Dodd ► Nabeel Emaish ► Joye Hehn ► Valerie Holley ► Janene Hyatt ► Liz Lane ► Jill Lindsey ► Alice Lizee ► Jill Marlar ► Ellen Moran ► Paige Nicholson ► Dragana Obradovic ► Mary Segreto ► Holly Stringfellow ► Leslie Martin Smith ► Pam Truitt ► Gyl Turner ► Wendy Watts ► Charlotte Wilson

A20 • October 2016

The Homewood Star

Celebrating Halloween with the Witches Ride By ERICA TECHO

Women decorate their bicycles and toss candy to children in the crowd during the Homewood Witches Ride. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

The streets of Homewood will be full of broomsticks (well, bicycles, actually) once again this October. During the fourth annual Homewood Witches Ride, women dressed as witches will take to the streets on their decorated bicycles while passing out candy to children. The two-mile ride will follow the same route as previous years, and candy will be thrown in the same candy zones as last year. The designated zones are set to help ease cleanup and make the ride safer. One candy zone is on Manhattan Street from Parkridge Drive, down Seminole Drive and onto East Hawthorne Road, and the second zone is on Roseland Drive from East Linwood Drive to Ridge Road. Online registration will open Oct. 1, and the cost to participate is $25. All proceeds from the event go toward the American Cancer Society as a way to celebrate organizer Janie Ford Mayer’s mother, Paula Stringfellow Ford, who died in 2013 following a battle with lung cancer. Witches will arrive at Homewood Central Park for registration Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m., and the ride will start at 5:45 p.m. It is requested that all children are accompanied by an adult during the ride, and that children remain safely on the sidewalk. While the event is called the “Homewood” witches ride, women from all communities are welcome to participate. For more information about the event, or to register, go to homewoodwitchesride.org.

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Haunted Homewood: Library hosting ghost tours before Halloween By ERICA TECHO DVDs ﬂying off shelves, electrical cords dancing in the air, laughter when no one is around — these might sound like horror movie tropes, but in fact, they are phenomena that can be found at Homewood Public Library. The library is inviting the community to a nighttime investigation of its paranormal activity. Authors and paranormal investigators Kim Johnston and Shane Busby of S.C.A.R.E. — Spirit Communications and Research — will be at the library Oct. 28 and 29, along with their specialized equipment. Guests will learn more about the library’s ghosts as well as paranormal investigation. Several library employees have reported experiencing paranormal activity, which they said escalated during renovations at the library in the late ’90s. One day during construction, the foreman approached library director Deborah Fout about his equipment not working properly.

“The very first day, he [the foreman] came into my office and said, ‘What did y’all do, build this on an Indian burial ground?’” Fout said. His comments took her aback, she said, when he said his instruments were “going crazy.” Workers also saw tools roll across a flat floor, beams float above the ground and other odd stories, Fout said. The library has hosted ghost tours before, and adult services librarian Leslie West said on one of those tours, she was possibly being followed by a spirit. She was on her phone, checking Facebook, and one of the guides approached her following the ghost tour. “[They said], ‘We have a picture … there was somebody behind you the whole time,’” West said. The tours are from 7 to 10 p.m. each night,and are for individuals ages 12 and up. The cost is $35 per person. Guests are encouraged to bring voice recorders, cameras and flashlights. For more information, go to homewoodpubliclibrary.com or scareofal.org.

The Homewood Public Library is hosting two ghost tours this October. Photo by Erica Techo.

Chamber hosts annual Golf Classic By GRACE THORNTON

The Golf Classic is set for Oct. 27. File photo.

Looking for a way to network in a more casual setting? The Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s annual Golf Classic is the perfect place to do that, said the chamber’s executive director Meredith Drennen. “It’s been wildly successful the last few years,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to bring out your clients, folks that you would like to have a little bit of extra time with, and talk casually over a game of golf.” The Golf Classic will be Oct. 27 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley, at 100

SunBelt Parkway in Birmingham. Registration will start at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9. The event has become a “chamber staple,” Drennen said, and it serves as the chamber’s largest annual fundraiser. Funds go back into promoting economic development, providing scholarships for local students and promoting the Homewood community. “It brings in a lot of folks in the community who want to be involved even if they aren’t golfers,” Drennen said. “And it’s a good chance to network with everybody.” According to the chamber, space in the Golf Classic ﬁlls up quickly. For more information or to sign up, visit homewoodchamber.org.

The Homewood Star

A22 • October 2016

Community AAF Birmingham celebrates the 2016 Ten Awards winners Photo courtesy of Halley Smith. Front Row Left to Right- Abigail Corcoran, Alisa Foley, Blaire Middleton, Blair Crabtree, Emily Israel, Jennifer Chada, Meg Webb. Back Row Left to Right - Alexa McElroy, Tabby McClain, Ashley Kimball, Julie Herring, Amber Kelley, Holly Daugherty, Deana Hughes. Photo courtesy of Amber Kelley.

Service Guild of Birmingham recognizes award winners and new board members The Birmingham Chapter of the American Advertising Federation announced the winners of the 2016 Ten Awards on June 16 at Cahaba Brewing Company. These awards recognize those in the advertising industry who often do not receive appreciation for the work they do and the talent they hold. The winners of this year’s Ten Awards are: ► Jason Lovoy of Infomedia, Business Leader of the Year Award ► Pam Sanderson of Infomedia, Account Services Award ► Jennifer Carter of Lewis Communications, Media Planning Award ► Ali Smith of Intermark Group, Public Relations Award ► JM Cifonie of Vazda Studios, Production Award ► Madison Elkin of Intermark Group, Klout Award for Social Media ► Julie Levinson Gabis of Summit Media, Sales Person of the Year Award ► Valerie Taylor of Big Communications, Junior of the Year Award ► Bailey Barrow of the University of Alabama

at Birmingham, Student of the Year Award ► Michael McDonald of Lewis Communications, Ann Halpern Service Award The Ten Awards are a special honor because the winners are selected from a pool of nominations from their peers. To ﬁnd out more about the Ten Awards, visit thetenawards.com. “AAF Birmingham created the TEN Awards to salute the crucial — and too often unrecognized — sales and service people of the advertising industry.,” said David McMath, president of AAF Birmingham. “The great creative work being done in Birmingham could not happen without their support.” The mission of AAF Birmingham is to promote excellence in advertising through professional education, networking, community service, ethics, quality and creativity. AAF Birmingham strives to maintain a strong network through industry knowledge and education, creative recognition, and opportunities for idea exchange, for both the businesses and individuals who make up advertising in the Birmingham area. For more information, visit aafbirmingham.com. – Submitted by Halley Smith.

The Service Guild of Birmingham wishes to acknowledge award winners for the 2015 service year and also recognize the installation of new board members and introduce their new service guild members. Awards were presented at the May Luncheon and new board members were introduced and installed. They also presented a check of $201,000 to The Bell Center from our fundraising efforts this past service year and enjoyed a presentation from past Service Guild President, Karen Love. Award winners were: Mona Ponder Betty Bell Service Award, Blair Crabtree - Service Guild Outstanding Member, Blaire Middleton - Service Guild Outstanding new member, and Stacey Morales - Garnet Deramus Award. 2016-2017 Board Members include Deana Hughes as President Advisor, Abigail Corcoran as President. Blair Crabtree is President Elect. Meg Webb is the Member at Large. Amber Kelley is the vice president of communications.

Ashley Kimball is the secretary. Grace Kipp was named treasurer. The vice president of membership is Alexa McElroy. Holly Daugherty is the vice president of fundraising. The vice president of the classroom is Emily Israel. Blaire Middleton is the gala chair, while the Mercedes Marathon chair is Alisa Foley. Tabby McClain is the special events chair. Jennifer Chadha is in charge of meetings and hospitality. Finally, Julie Herring is the nomination chair. New Service Guild Members are Robin Griffis, Emily Ferrell, Amy Neiman, Abby Murray, Karen Roberson, Sarah Paulk, Beth Rose, Courtney Truss, Jennifer Jackson, Dory Serotsky, Alisha Johnson, Katie Pirkle, Amy Holditch, Riley Goree, Amy Bickell, Kelly Gould, Catie Ronson, Briana Morton, Kendall Snider, Jessica Kribbs, Amanda Hawkins, Eva Gonzalez, Jennifer Chewning, Laurie Shanks, Julie Mizerany, Raegan Bellenger, Lyndsey Mooney, Hannah Johnson, Shelli Morrow and Erin Watkins. – Submitted by Amber Kelley.

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October 2016 • A23

Homewood partners with Cardiac Solutions to provide public access defibrillators Homewood is the first city in the state to provide lifesaving public access defibrillator AEDs throughout the community as well as an app to let people know where those AEDs are in an emergency. The city of Homewood is partnering with Cardiac Solutions, a Birmingham-based company, to provide the lifesaving public access defibrillator AEDs throughout the community. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that heart attack survival chances increase substantially when bystanders deliver

CPR and defibrillation before first responders arrive. The public access defibrillators are very user friendly and provide voice commands to walk the user through the steps of responding to a cardiac arrest. Thirty public access defibrillators have been placed around the city at locations including Homewood parks, City Hall and the Homewood Library. The public access defibrillator (PAD) program will also include “Pulse Point,” an app that allows residents and visitors to see where the AEDs are located throughout the city.

Little Free Library caters to adults and children By ALYX CHANDLER Beside one another, a palm-sized “Jane Austen: Her Complete Novels in One Sitting” and “1001 Things Every Teen Should Know Before They Leave Home” sit stacked neatly in Homewood Central Park’s recently renovated Little Free Library. A “Hey Arnold” paperback also is stuffed inside, along with several other children’s books. On the other side of the little library, opened through a separate glass door, a copy of “Introduction to the United States Government,” a Spanish-English dictionary and Mindy Kaling’s “Why Not Me?” wait to be read. Homewood’s little free libraries have a little something for everyone. About six months ago, locally owned Twin Construction put three Little Free Libraries in Central Park, Patriot Park and by the Homewood soccer ﬁelds. Only about a month ago, they replaced them with similar, sturdier containers built custom to their logo. Each are registered with the Little Free Library company, which is a recently popular nonproﬁt company that promotes literacy in communities. “Homewood is such a community where people are out and about so much, it needed some of these,” said Jessica Cassity,

office administration assistant for Twin Construction. The libraries are meant to survive the wear and tear of weather, children and the constant traffic of book lovers. Since the beginning, Cassity has seen the books circulate, much to the delight of her reader-heavy staff. Even though they’re a construction company, she said engaging to make an impact in the community is also important to them. The libraries don’t aim for a specific age group, but Cassity said they always try to keep several books for children and teenagers in them so there’s something for the younger crowd that would likely be at the parks. The Twin Construction staff stocks them with books when needed, checks up on the libraries every week or two and also monitors that the books inside are appropriate. This way, local children, teenagers and park visitors are able to roam the parks with their noses in a book for as long as they want. Cassity said she encourages any community members who want to take part in donating to the libraries to simply visit one and stock it with some books, and of course, take one that interests them. If they are full, she said locals are welcome to drop them off at the Twin Construction offices.

Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer said, “This is one of those things you want to have and pray you never have to use. I commend the City Council for being forward thinking. I believe this is another amenity we’ve been able to offer to make Homewood even safer not only for those who live and work in our city but for our visitors as well.” Jon Seale, CEO of Cardiac Solutions said, “The city of Homewood is making a statement: ‘We care about our people.’ I commend Mayor Scott McBrayer and the Homewood Fire

Department for being proactive in creating this lifesaving program.” For more information, contact Jon Seale at jseale@cardiac-solutions.net or visit cardiac-solutions.net. Cardiac Solutions is a world leader in personal and public access defibrillators. Its mission is to advance the deployment of lifesaving deﬁbrillation therapy for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest in nontraditional areas of care. – Submitted by Wendy Garner.

Gary Fenton retires as senior pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church After serving as the senior the Leadership Birmingham pastor of Dawson Memorial Class of 2002. He is currently Baptist Church for over 25 serving on the Samford Uniyears, Dr. Gary Fenton’s last versity board of trustees, the Sunday with preaching responBirmingham Salvation Army sibilities was Aug. 28, 2016. advisory board and the AddicFenton became the senior tion Prevention Coalition pastor of the Dawson Family advisory board. Fenton is a of Faith in March of 1991 after frequent speaker on the subject moving to Birmingham. During of leadership and featured each Fenton’s tenure in Birmingham, week on CBS afﬁliate WIAT Fenton 42 at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday the Dawson Family of Faith emphasized missions, ministry and serving mornings. as the core of its DNA. Additionally, many Dr. and Mrs. Fenton will continue to live in aspects of the campus have been expanded Birmingham and be involved in ministry and and facilities updated. Within the last 12 community service. A senior pastor search months alone, the 7,800-member Family of team will conduct a national search. Faith utilized over 46 mission teams conDawson Memorial Baptist Church is an sisting of 600-plus people in short-term and intergenerational congregation founded in long-term mission and ministry projects 1925. Ministries to children and families are locally, in other states, and in 10 countries experienced through small group Bible study around the world. The church family has for children and adults, recreation ministries also given over $3 million dollars directly including a recreation center open to the comto missions and mission causes over the past munity, music ministries including a music academy, and Kids Connection, a ministry 12 months. Fenton has been involved in the Bir- providing clothing and school supplies to mingham community and was a member 3,000 needy children. of Leadership Alabama Class XVIII and – Submitted by Abby Collela.

The Homewood Star

A24 • October 2016 Frances Carter and her late husband, John, both in uniform. Photo courtesy of Susan Moore.

Celebrations

Local woman recognized as ‘woman in American history’ Birmingham resident Frances Tunnell Carter, Ph.D., was recently named a “Woman in American History” by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The Lily of the Cahaba Chapter, NSDAR, nominated Dr. Carter based on her role as the founder of the American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA). The purpose of ARRA is to recognize and preserve the history and legacy of working women during World War II as well as to promote patriotic ideals in the workplace. The contributions and courage of the “Rosies” in entering the workforce not only helped to win the war, but also helped to bring signiﬁcant change in the roles of women for decades to follow. Today, the national organization has more than 4,000 members. The DAR Chapter’s nomination described: “As the founder and executive director of the American Rosie the Riveter Foundation, she has established a lasting legacy to recognize the contributions of our nation’s women during World War II. She has gifted our nation with historical treasure in preserving the stories of struggle, hardship and courage of our women.” The Mississippi native moved to Birmingham

at the onset of World War II to help build Liberator and Superfortress bombers. Now retired after a long career as a college professor and service with the Civil Air Patrol, Carter continues to serve as ARRA’s executive director. Carter was presented with a framed certificate and a medal in recognition of her designation by the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter. The chapter is based in Hoover and serves surrounding communities. Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence is eligible to join the DAR. For information, contact Shelby Bailey at robert_bailey1@yahoo.com. The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, historic preservation and education. With more than 180,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit DAR.org. For more about the American Rosie the Riveter Association, visit rosietheriveter.net. – Submitted by Susan Moore.

Dornbusch - Donat Alisha Dornbusch and Bradley Donat, Jr. were married at 6:30 p.m. May 21, 2016 at the Old Natchez Country Club in Franklin, Tenn. A reception followed the ceremony at Old Natchez Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Edward and Kathy Dornbusch of Vicksburg, Miss. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Sue Wolfe, the late Frank Wolfe and the late John and Frances Ann Dornbusch, all of Vicksburg, Miss. The groom is a 2010 graduate of Homewood High School. He is the son of Brad and Greta Donat of Franklin, Tenn. and David and Kelly Scheirer of Homewood, Ala. He is the grandson of Mrs. Frances Van Lake of Largo, Fla., the late Wayne Amber of South Bend, Ind., and Mrs. Romana Wessel of Chalmers, Ind. and the late Keith Kiser of Monon, Ind.

Jamie Jabour ofﬁciated the ceremony. Given in marriage by her father, Edward Dornbusch, the bride’s chosen colors were blush, ivory and classic grey. Catherine Draper served as the matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Meghan Caldwell, Tiffany Miller, Brittney Herndon and Danah Darby. Jake Bellinger served as the best man. Groomsmen were David Blum, Matthew Bierlein, Tanner Benjamin and Chris Twilley. For a wedding trip the couple traveled to San José del Cabo, Mexico. The couple will make their home in Jackson, Miss. The bride is currently pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Mississippi, and the groom is a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. – Submitted by Kelly Scheirer.

Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email sydney@starnespublishing.com to have it included in an upcoming issue.

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October 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ A25

The Homewood Star

A26 • October 2016

Sports

Sanders does it all By KYLE PARMLEY In the age of sport specialization, Venice Sanders breaks the mold. The Homewood High School senior plays sports year-round, but does not run the risk of burning herself out. She plays three different sports at the varsity level. “My parents encouraged me to do all the sports I wanted,” she said. “I’ve done so many things.” For her ﬁnal high school year, Sanders will play volleyball, basketball and softball. In the past, she has dabbled in track, cheer and even band. “I think it’s healthy for the athlete to play multiple sports,” said Carol Chesnutt, Homewood’s volleyball coach. “If you decide to focus on one sport, that’s ﬁne, but you need to focus on some different things.” Sanders will begin the school year as one of the main catalysts on the volleyball team, where she is an outside hitter. Chesnutt returned to coach the team last fall, and Sanders already has seen huge strides. “It’s been a really big improvement,” she said. “[Chesnutt] is very encouraging.” The volleyball team has goals of competing beyond the super regional round of the postseason, where the Patriots fell short in 2015.

Once volleyball concludes, Sanders’ newest and most challenging sport awaits her. After seeing the girls basketball team win the state championship in 2015, she was ﬁnally convinced by head coach JoVanka Ward to try out for the team last year. “I was at the middle school, and I coached Venice in volleyball,” Ward said. “I tried to get her to play basketball for years.” Sanders ﬁnally decided to give it a shot, and Ward was beyond impressed. “You wouldn’t believe she had never played before. She’s an athlete, and she’s so strong,” Ward said. Sanders said learning where to go on the court was her biggest hurdle, and she was anxious at times. “They kept throwing me in, and I was really nervous,” she said. “I didn’t want to get put in, but I got used to it. I played a lot, actually.” The Lady Patriots advanced to the state championship game, but lost, leaving Sanders hungry for another shot. “It makes me want to come back and play the next year,” she said. “Hopefully this last year, we can go all the way.” Ward is now the girls basketball coach at Thompson High School, but sees unlimited potential for Sanders with another year of basketball under her belt.

Homewood senior Venice Sanders plays varsity volleyball, basketball and softball. This fall, she will be one of the main catalysts on the volleyball team, on which she is outside hitter. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

“Her upside is so high,” Ward said. “You tell her to do something and there are no bad habits. She goes out there, and she does exactly what you tell her to. That’s a plus.” As for softball, Homewood has a new coach in Tiffany Statum, which excites Sanders. Softball is undoubtedly her best sport and is most likely the sport she will pursue in college. She is primarily a pitcher, and plays shortstop when not in the circle.

Her college plans are still up in the air, but she has options on the table. There may even be an avenue for her to be a multisport athlete in college, which is uncommon. “If that kid spent a little bit more time with the volleyball, somebody would want to pick her up,” Chesnutt said. “She’s got a mean serve, and she’s got a mean swing.” But for her senior year, Sanders will likely be in one of two places: in class or in practice.

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October 2016 • A27

Blalock Tournament about more than volleyball Homewood hosts the Blalock Tournament each year, a tuneup for the postseason and a chance to honor those diagnosed with cancer. Photo by Kyle Parmley.

By KYLE PARMLEY The Margaret Blalock Tournament serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it serves as a final tournament setting to prepare for the postseason. On the other, it serves as a chance to honor Blalock for her contributions to women’s athletics, specifically high school volleyball. “Traditionally, it’s close to the last one before area,” said Homewood High School head coach Carol Chesnutt. “You’re fine tuning, but you don’t want to peak. You want to peak at the playoffs. It’s a good warmup for it, because you’re getting good competition.” The competitive field is no joke for this year’s Blalock Tournament, hosted at Homewood. Reigning Class 7A champion Mountain Brook and finalist McGill-Toolen are part of the 20-team field, as are Huntsville, Grissom, Vestavia Hills, Spain Park and other quality volleyball teams. The tournament will be Oct. 7-8. The teams will be split into four pools of five teams each. After pool play concludes about noon Oct. 8, the top two teams in each pool will advance to the championships bracket. The third- and fourthplace teams will move into a silver bracket. “It’s a very competitive tournament,” Chesnutt said. “But, yet, it has that other side to it. As competitive as we are, everybody really takes a pause for what really matters. It’s not all about just the competition. People have been coming to this competition for years, haven’t missed one. They know that it’s just a little bit different.” Blalock passed away in 1989 after a battle with cancer at 54. She established the women’s athletic programs at the University of Montevallo and played a pivotal role in the start and the development of high school girls’ sports. While teaching at Montevallo, she enlisted students to help her travel the state and officiate various high school girls’ athletic events. “She was an advocate,” Chesnutt said. “She got leaders across the state to help form the

structure so that [girls’] competition could begin. She worked with state leaders and coaches as well as other leaders and physical education folks at the university.” After her death, the Blalock Tournament was started and began at Montevallo. It transitioned to Homewood after a few years. Longtime Homewood coach Susan Cook was one of Blalock’s students.

That tradition continues today, as Chesnutt, Homewood’s current coach, serves as the tournament director, and was also one of Blalock’s students. Many of the teams at the tournament wear pink to bring awareness to breast cancer. The teams are given a moment each year to recognize and remember those who have lost their lives to cancer. The Blalock scholarship is also

awarded to a high school senior who has “persevered through adversity.” “We do a special ceremony on Saturday where we have a big pink ribbon, almost the size of the court,” Chesnutt said. “We invite our teams and fans and anybody that would like to stand in memory or honor someone who fought cancer to come to the ﬂoor and do a moment of silence.”

The Homewood Star

A28 • October 2016 Homewood will play John Carroll, Ramsay, Shades Valley and Hueytown as they ﬁnish region play. Photo by Todd Lester.

GET TO KNOW ...

Chestin Jones

Patriots finish region schedule in October, searching for 5th straight playoff berth By KYLE PARMLEY The road gets no easier for the Homewood High School football team in October. The Patriots split their first two games in Class 6A, Region 5 play, losing a late lead against Parker and hanging on to defeat Jackson-Olin. After a two-week reprieve from region play, the Patriots picked things back up with a game against crosstown foe John Carroll before diving into the final month of the regular season. Homewood starts the month with a game at Ramsay Oct. 7. In the three previous times the two programs have faced each other, the Patriots won easily. But Ramsay has impressed in its jump to Class 6A and will prove an extremely tough test. The teams were region foes in Class 5A in 2012 and 2013, with Homewood running away with 75-13 and 54-6 wins, in respective years.

The Patriots return home to Waldrop Stadium Oct. 14 to host Shades Valley. The Mounties have a touchdown lead in the all-time series, having won 14 of the 21 meetings between the two squads, who have not played since 2005. Homewood’s region slate concludes against a Hueytown team that can play with anyone. It just depends on which Golden Gophers team shows up Oct. 21 when the Patriots roll into town. Homewood has won the past 11 games the two teams have played, dating back to 1982. The schools have been in the same region each of the last three seasons. Those three games will not make it easy for a Patriot team looking for its ﬁfth consecutive playoff berth. They will round out the regular season by hosting Paul Bryant in a non-region matchup Oct. 27. The only time the two programs have faced each other was a ﬁrst round matchup in the 2005 5A state playoffs, as Homewood ran through untouched on the way to a 15-0 campaign and a state title.

Homewood

Senior

5’9”

201

Q: Favorite social Ben Berguson media platform? A: Twitter because calls Jones it’s a big help to the the “most recruiting process, athletic” player and I get to meet new athletes just like me. on the team. Q: Favorite Olympian? A: Usain Bolt because he’s almost as fast as me. Q: Favorite teacher? A: Ms. Fairley. She’s a great teacher and makes sure we understand everything that we learn in her class. Q: If you were a baseball player, what would your walk-up song be? A: Hungry by Kodak Black. Q: Who’s your No. 1 draft pick in an NFL fantasy league? A: Cam Newton. Q: What show are you binge-watching on Netﬂix? A: Last Chance U. - KYLE PARMLEY

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October 2016 • A29

Homewood High School student Rigdon Hendrix (left) used black and gray metallics in his design for the Rising Design Star challenge at Birmingham Fashion Week 2016. Photo by Erica Techo.

HHS student selected for SCAD scholarship at Birmingham Fashion Week

By ERICA TECHO Homewood High School student Rigdon Hendrix will have the opportunity to attend a oneweek summer seminar with Savannah College of Art and Design for free in 2017. Hendrix, 15, was one of three students selected during Birmingham Fashion Week for SCAD scholarships. Birmingham Fashion Week took place from Aug. 25-27 at Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham. This was Hendrix’s third year participating in Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Design Star challenge, and he said his design

was inspired by the idea of anonymity online and incorporates a hood to symbolize hiding the wearer’s identity. Hendrix was one of nine Homewood residents who participated in Birmingham Fashion week, and one of five who made it to the finals. Finalists’ outfits were shown in one last runway show on Aug. 27, the last night of Birmingham Fashion Week. Other finalists from Homewood included: ► Harlan Alford, 12 ► Chloe Miller, 16 ► Dalia Ali Almansoob, 12 ► Camille Colter, 16

Homewood resident and Indian Springs High School student Chloe Miller (left) stands with the model who took to the runway in her design.

The Homewood Star

A30 • October 2016 BUDGET

CONTINUED from page A1

trying to prioritize the items that are most pressing for the city. We’re in a great ﬁnancial position with increased revenue from last year,” Finance Committee Chairman and Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones said. While the budget can be amended throughout the year, it is a reﬂection of the city council and mayor’s goals for the city as they look at the upcoming year.

BIG PROJECTS

The $7.1 million capital projects fund will be the source of most physical changes within the city, from roadwork and sidewalks to a city master plan. The city council already approved $2.3 million for repaving some of the worst roads throughout the city, which was rolled over into the 2017 year. At a budget hearing in early September, McBrayer said the goal is to pave all the C-grade, or worst condition, streets this fiscal year so work on the A- and B-grade roads, which are in better shape, can begin in 2018. “Once we get it going, they’ll roll it pretty quickly,” said Parks and Recreation Director Berkley Squires. Funding for new sidewalks was bumped up from $100,000 to $437,000 after previously unused funding was discovered. This is an increase over $352,000 in the current fiscal year. The budget also includes $100,000 for sidewalk repairs and handicap accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city works from a priority list to determine which projects are funded first. Greg Cobb of the BEZ Department said high traffic areas, particularly near schools and churches, are typically at the top of the pecking order for both new construction and repairs. The budget for new construction will likely include the ongoing Rumson Road project, once it is decided whether to turn part of that road into a one-way street, and possibly extending Columbiana Road paths to give pedestrian access to the Green Springs Highway Publix, Jones said. Sidewalks on Mayfair Drive have been discussed since spring, but Jones said continuing neighborhood disagreement means the city may decide to pursue sidewalks elsewhere first, in areas where resident support is stronger. “There’s just a lot of people there [on Mayfair] against it. So we need to look at that,” Jones said. Other sidewalks on the high priority list include Saulter Road, Clermont Drive, 17th Place South, Parkridge Drive, 20th Place South and Rosedale Drive. Phases II and III of the city greenway project are funded for design and construction to be finished this year, totaling $1.2 million. The city is also budgeting $905,000 for engineering, rightof-way and construction on the Lakeshore/I-65 diverging diamond interchange. The total cost of the project construction is estimated in the area of $4.5 million, most of which will be paid by ALDOT. Cobb said ALDOT is interested in moving the project along quickly, but it will need state approval to condense the timeline. “We are pushing to move the project up to construction in 2017. That will need higher approval,” Cobb said. Jones said he still expects most of the construction to take place in 2018. Fellow BEZ Department employee Vanessa McGrath also noted the possibility of connecting the greenway to sidewalks planned in the interchange project to give pedestrian access to Wildwood shopping center. A master plan for the city’s future development is also budgeted for this fiscal year, with $56,000 allocated toward creating that plan.

EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

The city police and fire departments both increased their budgets this year, with the police going from $9.5 million to $9.7 million and fire rising from $6.7 million to $7.1 million for general operating expenses. That includes an increase in personnel costs, particularly in the fire department after receiving a $353,000 SAFER grant to fund three new firefighter positions for two years. Fire Chief John Bresnan said in early August, when the grant was first given, that this will enable all three shifts to be fully manned and could improve the department’s ISO rating, which can affect home insurance rates in the city. The police department budget for 2017

The diverging diamond project on Lakeshore Drive is partially funded to do engineering work this year. Photo courtesy of Volkert Engineers.

BY THE NUMBERS: HOMEWOOD BUDGET General fund .................... $43.3 million Capital projects ..............................$7.1M Debt service ..................................$6.3M

Other expenditures .....................$4.3M Total budget .............................. $61M

HIGHLIGHTS: CAPITAL PROJECTS Citywide street paving ................ $2.3M Greenway Phase II and III design and construction.............. $1.2M Land acquisition ...........................$4.3M Lakeshore/Interstate 65 diamond interchange ...........$905,000

Sidewalk repairs .....................$100,000 Sidewalk construction...........$437,000 City master plan ...................... $56,000 Firearms Training Simulator for police department ............$80,000 City trafﬁc study ..................... $20,000

HIGHLIGHTS: OTHER Fire Department ................... $7.1M total ($6.5M on personnel)

on Predictive Policing software) Library .................................. $2.4M total

Police Department ..............$9.7M total ($8.3M on personnel costs, $12,000

Parks and Rec ..................... $4.2M total SOURCE: CITY OF HOMEWOOD

includes increases in training costs and $12,000 for Predictive Policing, software the department began using this year that uses crime statistics to predict likely places for crime to occur. The capital projects fund includes $80,000 for a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). Several council members tried a demo of the simulator at the West Homewood Farmers Market, and Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody commented at a budget hearing that the program was close to real life. Other capital expenses for the police include new patrol riﬂes, ballistic vests and $82,000 for two new unmarked vehicles. The fire department has budgeted $89,000 for building improvements, including for the new shipping container training area at Station 3. Bresnan, however, decided to delay the construction of an annex workout room at Station 3 until next ﬁscal year.

PARKS AND RECREATION

The city’s parks and pools saw high demand this summer from swimmers and youth leagues in several sports. With attendance expected to be similar in 2017, the overall parks and recreation budget increased from $4 million to $4.2 million this year. “Our numbers are up across the board,” Squires said. “We’ve seen increases every year for the last three or four years.” That includes an increase from 110 children to 230 participating in fall baseball over the last year, and basketball has reached 600 total children in the league. Flag football, which started in 2015, has been a surprise hit and grew from 147 players to 226. “When we started the ﬂag football last year, it just exploded,” Squires said.

This prompted a $10,000 increase in the activities budget, which Squires said is the first increase in his time with the department. The money will go toward uniforms and officials to meet the rising demand. “It’s been that same amount for 10 years, so this is our first increase,” Squires said. The department also is working with Harbert International to find a way to accommodate more players through reconfiguring fields, new schedules or building new fields. The biggest capital project in the parks and recreation department in 2017 will be the $62,000 Overton Park renovation, which Squires said will develop a two-car stone parking pad and stone walkway at the Kensington Road side of the park. The department has also requested $40,000 for a new landscape truck, so it will no longer have to use trailers to tow lawnmowers and other equipment, and $9,000 for new trash cans.

CHALLENGES IN THE BUDGET

To create a budget with a surplus means not every project that department heads want can be approved. Two significant projects being delayed this year, aside from the fire department’s workout room annex, are the 18th Street South beautification project and the library’s proposed expansion. According to budget documents, the library wants to add 3,000 square feet on the Ridge Road side of their adult department. This would allow the library to move its computer and technology services to the main floor rather than the lower level, as well as expand the courtyard. The project is estimated to cost more than $1 million, but was cut from this year’s budget. A couple of unexpectedly high price tags also

raised eyebrows during the budget hearings. The first was the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority, which asked Homewood to raise its contribution by 18 percent to total $347,000. This would not increase routes or service times in Homewood, but would go toward purchase of new buses and the new downtown intermodal hub the BJCTA is building. Finance committee members expressed dissatisfaction since this increase would bring no benefit to the city. Jones and Ward 5 Representative Peter Wright reminded committee members of the months of discussions in late 2014 and early 2015 when the BJCTA had approached them with another increase. “All I’ll say is we didn’t get anywhere last year going down this road,” Jones said. The committee met with the transit authority Sept. 20 to discuss how their service would be affected if the city kept funding level at $293,000. The transit authority officials did not bring this information, opting instead to offer a new Homewood-only route serving Samford University if the council approved the funding increase. After lengthy discussion between the finance committee members, they chose to keep funding level at $293,000 for this year. The transit authority has not said how it will change Homewood routes to account for this decision. The second big project is the ALDOT “turkey foot” reconfiguration at the intersection of Oxmoor Boulevard and Oxmoor Road. While only $36,000 is budgeted this year to cover the city’s portion of engineering costs, the total project’s budget has increased from $4.8 million to $11.8 million. This would bring Homewood’s total contribution up from $964,000 to $3.5 million. “The whole scope is way out of hand. It’s not what it was when we first started,” said Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins. The increase was attributed partly to the sidewalk portion of the project and right-ofway acquisition on Scott Street. However, the designs for the project include six lanes at the intersection, which committee members agreed was excessive. They agreed to approach ALDOT and the designers, Gonzalez-Strength, with the original budget of $4.8 million to see what could be completed within that restriction. This will be an ongoing discussion as more of the project will be funded in future fiscal years. The committee also wants to hire a project manager to keep the project in budget and on track. Overall, Jones said 2017 is shaping up to be a year in which multiple city projects will finally be wrapped up. “This is really a year where a lot of the projects have been delayed and they’re all happening at the same time. That is a concern because everything is happening at the same time. So we really have to prioritize that. But where we are right now, we believe we can get that accomplished,” Jones said.

TheHomewoodStar.com FAMILY

CONTINUED from page A1 “We didn’t take any valuables. If we took anything, maybe a toothbrush and a pair of underwear,” Max Herzel said. It’s a story Max Herzel has told many times around Homewood and Birmingham, the story of a small Jewish family trying to survive in a world that was suddenly hostile to them. Max Herzel grew up in Antwerp, and his father and mother, both Polish immigrants, worked as a diamond cutter and a seamstress, respectively. After their fateful trip to Brussels and the German invasion of Belgium in May 1940, the Herzel family was left with nothing and took a seven-day train trip to central France. Max Herzel was only 10 years old. Being immigrants, Max Herzel’s parents couldn’t get jobs, but he recalls going to school and learning to speak French alongside his native Flemish.

REALITIES OF WAR

At first, no one realized the depth of what was happening in neighboring Germany. “Even the adults during the war — early part of the war — did not know about this gassing [and] shooting … there were rumors flying around. The government might have known it, but I don’t think the public knew it,” Max Herzel said. But as refugees filled the country, France began opening internment camps. The Herzel family was shipped to a camp operated by French police in Agde, France, near the Mediterranean coast. Max Herzel’s father, Oscar, was taken to serve in the French army, but Max said the gun and bullets issued to his father didn’t even match. “My father never shot one shot during the invasion of France by Germany,” Max Herzel said. Oscar Herzel walked and hitchhiked from the war front back to his family. “When he got back, I remember that as a kid, his feet were so swollen, his blisters were as big as my wrist,” Max Herzel said. As they saw fellow internment camp prisoners being shipped to new camps, the Herzels

October 2016 • A31 decided to make their escape. Max Herzel said he has no idea who his father paid or how much, but one night when the right guards were on duty, they were able to simply walk out the front gate in a single file line. “It wasn’t difficult at all,” Max Herzel said. From there, the Herzels would move from one city or village to the next, being helped by welfare organizations that were still allowed to operate. Eventually the French police caught Oscar Herzel and his older son, Harry, and sent them to a labor camp. Max Herzel’s mother, Nachama, attempted to take her own life after a failed effort to get help from a local rabbi. “She was completely out of her mind,” Max Herzel recalled. Risking being caught by the same cops who took his father and brother, Max Herzel would sneak out after curfew to visit his mother in the hospital, where she would work as a seamstress throughout the rest of the war. He firmly believes the doctor who cared for her there prevented her from being taken by German soldiers. When they were released from the labor camp, 16-year-old Harry Herzel joined the French resistance, and Oscar Herzel went into hiding. He was eventually caught by German soldiers and died in the Buchenwald concentration camp. Max Herzel bounced between five different orphanages before being sent to a farm in the French Alps. “I have no idea if the farmer knew I was Jewish or not, or cared even,” Max Herzel said. It was hard work, all day. The farm had almost no machinery, and Max Herzel kept a flock of sheep, goats and two mules. He recalled he could only go to school on rainy days when his labor wasn’t needed. The priest of their parish traveled between three churches, which meant the local congregation celebrated most holidays a few weeks late. Max Herzel stayed on the farm until the war ended. He was 15 years old when refugees began streaming into France in 1945. Reunited with his mother and brother, he started to hear the first horrifying tales of what had happened in concentration camps and ghettos in Axisheld countries. Years later, Max Herzel would find out that some of his extended family died in Auschwitz.

Others, he suspects, were killed in the Stanislau massacre in Poland. For the most part, he’ll never know how many of his family survived WWII and, if they died, where they were buried. “I have to assume that that family is wiped off the Earth,” Max Herzel said. But in 1945, the Herzels didn’t know any of that. They were among thousands of people who couldn’t believe the stories they were hearing and didn’t know what to do next. They turned their eyes to the United States, hoping to immigrate. However, they needed a sponsor in the U.S., and the country was only accepting so many immigrants from each country per year.

LIFE IN AMERICA

The Herzels were lucky to befriend a fellow refugee whose son was sponsoring him. Max Herzel’s mother knew she had a brother in New York with the last name Solomon, and she asked her new friend to help find him. “He made it his mission to find the brother — or uncle — for me to [go to] New York. He went through the telephone book … He made a point to call every Solomon he knew. That’s a common name,” Max Herzel said. “He got chewed out; he got cursed; people hung up on him, and you have to visualize: This is right after the war. Everybody is looking for everybody.” Finally, the right person was found, and he agreed to sponsor both of his nephews. In December 1948, 18-year-old Max Herzel and 22-year-old Harry Herzel arrived in New York. Their mother, who was on the Polish quota instead of the French one, would immigrate to the U.S. on her older son’s sponsorship in 1953. Once in the U.S., Max Herzel began learning English and dentistry. He served in the Air Force — though never deployed — became a civilian employee and married Cecille Herzel in 1955. Max and Cecille Herzel moved from Ohio to Birmingham in 1972 to help create a dental technician training program at the downtown VA Medical Center. Their first apartment was in the Mayfair apartment complex on Independence Drive. The Herzels had two children, Carol and Elliott, and Max Herzel retired in

Max Herzel as a young boy growing up in Belgium. Photo courtesy of Max Herzel.

1994 with a collective 42 years of public service under his belt. Since 1999, Max Herzel has been a member of the Birmingham Holocaust Education Committee. He estimates he has shared his story more than 200 times to different groups around the city. What spurs him on, he said, are the people who deny that the Holocaust happened or its extent. As an avid history student, Max Herzel said he has a hard time forgiving the deaths and brutality that happened on such a massive scale. “I’m sorry. I just can’t,” he said. The Holocaust Education Center has several initiatives, including a project to build a memorial downtown and annual funding for teachers to learn about the Holocaust and incorporate it into their curriculum. Max Herzel said he is particularly excited for an exhibit of letters from concentration camps, which will be coming to the center for a free exhibit in 2017. The key to not repeating history, he said, is education. “The only way we feel that humanity will not destroy itself, will be kind to each other, is by education. To love each other, to work with each other, to respect each other — I don’t care if you’re blue-headed or green-headed or white or black or male or female. It doesn’t make a difference. But we need to live together and respect each other,” Max Herzel said.

Donatos delivers to Homewood

In the fall of 2011, Robert Sullivan knew that he had to own Donatos Pizza. Robert grew up in Vestavia and was looking for his next opportunity after 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry. The little pizza joint on U.S. 31 in Vestavia had always been his go-to place for catering, and when he stopped in one day for lunch, the then-owner, whom he knew quite well, approached him and said, “I’ve been thinking about selling the place and think you would be a great person to turn the business over to!” Robert had not worked in the restaurant industry since he delivered pizzas for Dominos in college at Auburn, but he told the guy that he would think about it. Robert didn’t think long. He looked at the ﬁnancials and decided that not only was the local Donatos franchise a great business, but it had huge growth

Robert Sullivan, owner potential. Robert took over the business in 2012, and it’s been a success ever since. One thing Robert decided from

the start was that his Donatos, which is a chain out of Columbus, Ohio, would be a ﬁxture in the community.

Robert also, continuing a tradition started by the previous owner, hosts field trips throughout the school year during which students see how pizzas are made and get to make their own pizza. Customers who are now adults come in to this day with fond memories of their field trip experience at Donatos. This tradition has been going on so long that he recently found “pizza maker” certificates that were awarded to his younger two sons, who are now 24 and 22 years old. For the adults, Robert took the advice of several friends and added both draft and bottled beer, which have been a huge success. He also has stepped up the décor with sports memorabilia from Alabama and Auburn, which both he and his three sons attended. Robert is now pleased to be able to deliver his world-class pizza and provide catering to the Homewood community.

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The Homewood Star

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School House B4 Fall Home & Garden Guide B6 Real Estate B21 Calendar B22

COLUMBUS DAY SALE!

OCTOBER 2016

Spirited SISTERS

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Sisters form special bond despite array of activities

By SARAH TUTTLE

he Crim sisters are nothing short of unique. Hannah, Bella and Katie attend Homewood High School and Middle School and are spread across the entire spectrum of extra-curricular activities. One thing they do have in common is being under the Friday night lights. Eleventh-grader Hannah is a varsity cheerleader, 10th-grader Bella is a Star Spangled Girl and Katie is the kicker for the seventh-grade football team. Katie is the first girl to ever play football for Homewood. With Hannah and Bella being so close in age, they have many similar activities. Bella said that they played the same position in soccer for several years, which bonded them tremendously. Besides their love for soccer and promoting school spirit, they are both involved in the Beta Club and show choir. All three sisters are close and support each other. Both Hannah and Bella were worried about their little sister playing football at first. However, that worry has turned into unwavering pride. “I was not surprised when Katie wanted to play because she talks about football all the time,” Bella said. “She could quote football stats of Alabama players from the time she was little. Hannah and I wanted to watch Disney channel and she wanted to watch ESPN SportsCenter.” Katie agrees with her sisters and said growing up, friends would call her “Katie Crimson” because of her deep love for Alabama football. Katie has always had a passion for sports and started playing football at a young age with the boys in PE and in her neighborhood. However, it took a lot of courage

for her to sign up to play for the middle school team. “The fact that I have played with the boys most of my life was a huge factor in me having the courage to join the team,” Katie said. “I played with the boys during elementary school and I had been knocked down a few times and it wasn’t too bad. I thought it would be fun to play football for the school with my friends.” There were different reactions to Katie joining the football team. Katie said many of her friends were supportive. However, some of the boys gave her a hard time at first. Katie’s hard work and determination over the summer, however, granted her respect. Her parents have been extremely supportive. “My parents have always told me that I can do anything I put my mind to and encouraged me to do the best I can at whatever I try,” Katie said. “When I said I wanted to play football, at first they didn’t want me to. But when they realized how important it was to me, they went to talk to the coaches to see if I could try out.” Michelle Crim, the girls’ mother, said she was hesitant at first to the idea of Katie playing football because she was concerned about the reactions. “Middle school can be a difficult time and I didn’t want other kids in her grade being mean to her,” Michelle said. “But, we have been overwhelmed by the encouragement and support of parents, coaches and especially of her peers.” The Homewood community has supported the Crims through all of their activities like one big family. “I could not be more proud of my girls,” Michelle Crim said. “They are not perfect and just like all kids, they will make their mistakes. But even more than being proud, I am thankful.”

From left to right, Hannah, Bella and Katie Crim all are involved in different activities, but the sisters support each other in everything. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

Paid for by the Campaign to Keep Judge Pat Thetford, P.O. Box 130815, Birmingham, AL 35213

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The Homewood Star

B4 • October 2016

School House

Growing confidence: By EMILY FEATHERSTON Students at Homewood Middle School once again have the opportunity to enhance their green thumbs without having to dig dirt out from under their fingernails. The school’s hydroponic garden project, spearheaded by HMS teachers Georgia Miller and Mary Binkley, was made possible through a 2015 Homewood City Schools Foundation grant, and the two are continuing the garden this school year. “Wellness and gardening is part of our curriculum,” Miller said, and hydroponic plant cultivation fits in naturally. Miller said hydroponic gardening is the cutting edge of the gardening world, and is perfect for small spaces and desert climates. This is particularly helpful for many HMS students with living situations that would ordinarily prohibit cultivating plant life. “We have a huge apartment community,” Miller said. “It’s going to give gardens to a group that wouldn’t normally have access.” Last year, Miller and Binkley started their first hydroponic garden with a manual they found online, scavenging and recycling items from the school to get together the necessary parts for the setup. “We had to get creative,” Miller said. Hydro Ponics, a hydroponic supply store in Pelham, also helped the project along and offered advice on how to set up the racks of plants. The classes used a combination of old dress racks the school had on hand, plastic water bottles they modified to fit their needs and plastic tubing to pump water through the system. The plants hang in plastic bottles while nutrient-rich water flows through the cups and around

the roots, allowing the plants to grow completely free of any soil. Binkley’s enrichment-program students engineered the project, while Miller’s English as a Second Language students assisted. “It was a fun collaboration,” Miller said. This year, Miller said the hydroponic garden project fits in even better, as the science curriculum has been changed for sixth-grade students to be purely STEM focused and hands-on. Students study the Earth and natural resources in the sixth grade, biology in seventh and physics in eighth, so Miller said the project fits with the school’s entire science program. Where last year’s goal was learning how to work through the hydroponic-growing process, Miller said this year will include more experimentation, such as whether plants grow differently if they are started from seeds or as existing plants, and if the different rooms the plants live in makes a difference. In addition to teaching students lessons in growing plants, Miller said the program shows students science is important in many ways, which is especially helpful for students who hail from cultures that don’t emphasize the sciences as much. “For my students, it motivates them,” she said. “Many of them come from countries where science isn’t introduced to the middle school. It’s very different.” She said the hands-on project is also good for helping students with language barriers use their skills and motivating them to interact with their classmates. “It helps bring the different groups of the school together,” she said. “We’re a very diverse school where we try to find projects where all students are participating.”

Middle school continues hydroponic garden program

Homewood Middle School students construct and care for a hydroponic-growing system made possible by the Homewood City Schools Foundation. Photos courtesy of Georgia Miller.

As for the students — the project has been well received. Miller said she thinks it has spurred an interest because it encompasses sciences such as engineering and biology as well as cultural aspects and learning about other countries. “They are so eager,” Miller said. “The students have enjoyed this project more than any. They ask to work on it.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 • B5

OLS welcomes new PTO board members

The new OLS PTO board members for the 2016-2017 school year from left to right: (front row) Kara Barlow, vice president of communications; Kim Douglas, president; Nefertari Brown, vice president of hospitality; (back row) Angela Neely, treasurer; Ginger Hails, vice president of events; Amanda Robbins, secretary. Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Hall-Kent to host 82nd annual fall festival

Photo courtesy of Suzanne Mills.

Carnival rides, jump houses, games, food and a silent auction are just some of the main attractions at Hall-Kent Elementary School’s Fall Festival. HallKent’s PTO will host this year’s festival on Oct. 15 from 3-7 p.m., with the auction ending at 7:30 p.m. This family-friendly event promises to be something the entire community can enjoy. Armbands and tickets for rides and games will be available to buy the day of the festival. All proceeds go directly back to the school for academic enhancements. While most of the beloved traditions of the festival will stay the same, this year’s organizers are excited to add a basketball contest where top shooters will have the chance to win exciting prizes. For more information, check out the Fall Festival Facebook page at facebook.com/hkfallfestival. – Submitted by Suzanne Mills.

Homewood AP students excel in 2016 By LEXI COON Homewood is no stranger to the success that their schools offer, but this past year their advanced placement test results were ones for the books. AP classes are offered in many high schools throughout the country and present to students the opportunity to study certain subjects at the college level. This gives them the potential to earn college credit for their efforts, too. “AP classes tend to be more rigorous and time consuming than a traditional class. Students are aware that they must be accountable inside and outside the classroom,” said AP psychology teacher Christy Morman, who has been teaching AP psychology for 13 years. “It is a college level course and you have to step up to those expectations.” When Homewood City Schools ﬁrst began their AP classes, there were only a handful of students who participated; in the spring of 2016, Homewood’s number of administered tests grew to 801. Exam subjects touched on nearly all academic disciplines, including psychology, chemistry, Spanish, French, calculus, macroeconomics, studio art and English literature and language. Of the 347 participating students, 77 percent of them earned a passing score of three or better, which depending on the college could earn them class credit before ever having set foot on the campus. Success on AP exams begins at the elementary level, said Morman, where students are encouraged to engage in active learning, an approach that continues through middle and high school. No one is discouraged from taking an AP class. “I love the fact that our students at Homewood who take AP courses represent our entire student

Homewood High School. Staff photo.

body,” she said. “It is not a ‘select group’ who take AP courses; it is some of everyone.” In addition to their test scores, Homewood high school students earned these recognitions: ►52 students were named AP Scholars for scoring a three or better on three or more exams ► 22 students were named AP Scholars with Honor for scoring a three or better on four exams and averaging at least a 3.25 on all exams taken ► 38 students were named AP Scholars with Distinction for scoring a three or better on ﬁve exams and averaging at least a 3.5 on all exams taken ► Nine students were named National AP Scholars for averaging at least a 4.0 on all exams taken and earning a 4 or higher on eight or more exams “Homewood takes pride in hiring quality teachers and providing the resources necessary to help students truly reach their unique potentials,” said Morman. “We have no prerequisites for most classes and we have established a trusting environment where students feel safe trying an AP course because they know their teachers are 100 percent invested in their success.”

The Homewood Star

B6 • October 2016

special section

home & garden

October is the time to take on a project or two. Whether you are looking to redesign a room, revamp your garden or prepare your home for winter, we’ve got you covered. Browse through our fall home and garden guide for advice, tips and resources for every aspect of home improvement.

INDEX Sew Sheri Designs .......................................B6 DSLD Land Management ..............................B7 Urban Home Market ....................................B8 Bedzzz Express ......................................... B10 EZ Roof & EZ Restoration ...........................B12 Misty Joseph, LIST Birmingham..................B13

SEW SHERI DESIGNS

Season of change at Sew Sheri Sew Sheri Designs specializes in custom fabrics, interior designs, window fashions and more. In business since 1991, Sheri Corey has a lifelong passion for sewing and design. Her business philosophy is simple: create value by giving my customers the highest quality service and work. However, Corey recently decided to make a change with her business. “After six wonderful years in our Mountain Brook Village storefront, we are transitioning from fabric store and workroom, to workroom only this fall,” she said. Corey and her team will continue to assist both designers and individual clients with their custom design projects and will be available for design consultations, workroom services

and ordering fabrics, trim and hardware in classic styles and the latest trends. Services offered include curtains, window treatments, bed linens, pillows and slipcovers. Personal in-home consultations are available. Their professional experience allows them to see the best treatment for your windows and the right fabric to match the aesthetic you want to achieve. “It has been a privilege helping you with your home décor projects over the years, and we are excited to see what the future holds,” Corey said. “We are looking forward to assisting you with your custom home projects for years to come. For more information, call 205-879-8278 or visit sewsheri.com.

Nicole Brannon, ARC Realty .......................B14 Phoenix Builders Group, LLC ......................B15 Sweet Peas Garden Shop ............................B16 Brandino Brass ...........................................B17 Classic Gardens ..........................................B17 One Man and a Toolbox...............................B18 Plumb One ..................................................B18 Flat Fee Real Estate ...................................B19

TheHomewoodStar.com

special section

home & garden

October 2016 • B7

DSLD LAND MANAGEMENT

Design your dream landscape DSLD Land Management is a full-service design/build landscape contractor ﬁrm. We are a family owned and operated company that strives to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. During our initial consultation, all on-site factors are considered from function to form, with special emphasis given to economy and value added work. DSLD Land Management, Inc. opened its doors in 1983. Today, DSLD has built an excellent reputation in landscape construction as a prominent design/build company that services central Alabama. Over the past 30 years, DSLD has been recognized and featured multiple times in publications such as Southern Living Magazine and Builder’s Architect Magazine. DSLD welcomes projects of any scope and size, and stands ready to serve our clients with a full staff of licensed and degreed designers, a full-time administrative assistant and one of the most experienced ﬁeld service teams in the business.

DAVID H. SHARP

Pursing his lifelong interest in horticulture and business, coupled with a background in drainage and soil erosion, David Sharp was inspired to create the ideal landscape construction company specializing in residential design and installation. This inspiration is now DSLD Land Management, a full service design/build landscape contractor ﬁrm founded in 1983. David studied Geotechnical Engineering at the Ohio State University. While a student at OSU David was offered and accepted a scholarship to Samford University in Birmingham,

emphasis in Landscape Design. While obtaining her degree from Auburn University, Megan was able to develop a strong foundation in landscape design. She has advanced training and specializes in software such as Dynascape and ProLandscape. Megan looks forward to continuing her career with DSLD Land Management and creating spaces that reﬂect the lifestyle, purpose and attitude of our projects as well as injecting it with her personal ﬂair.

RYAN H. LANSFORD

Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Soon after graduating, David became interested in applying his background in Geotechnical Engineering and Business Administration to a new course of study in Ornamental Horticulture. In addition to learning from the environment around him, David has developed a more thorough understanding of various cultural landscape design applications from his travels throughout Europe and Asia visiting gardens and landscapes in over 20 countries. David ﬁrmly believes in the value of family. Not only does he enjoy his family, but also works to improve the lives of families with at-risk children. David sits on several national board of directors where he volunteers on behalf of foster and adopted children across the country.

J. COLE SHARP

Growing up alongside his father, Cole Sharp

learned the family business from the ground up. Cole attended Jefferson State Community College where he studied Computer Information Systems Technology and Mathematics. In addition to his major courses, he took Horticulture courses to enhance his knowledge of the family business. Today Cole is fully engaged in the day-today operations of DSLD; from sales to installation as well as providing technical support.

MEGAN A. MCNAIR

Megan McNair is a Landscape Designer. She is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture with an

Ryan Lansford

Ryan H. Lansford is the project manager for DSLD. He is a 2006 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in Building Services. Ryan brings years of strong work ethic, skills and experience to ensure all projects are completed professionally, successfully and meet or exceed customers’ expectations. Ryan is excited to be part of the DSLD team and appreciates how everyone works towards a common goal. He especially enjoys working with their landscape designers and is happy to work at one of the leaders in the Birmingham Design Build Landscape community. For more information, call 437-1012 or visit dsldlandmgmt.com.

B8 â&#x20AC;˘ October 2016

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The Homewood Star

TheHomewoodStar.com

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October 2016 • B9

home & garden

URBAN HOME MARKET

Urban Home Market: Where style, design, passion collide

he Birmingham retailer is well known for the vibrant, 17,000 square foot emporium of a fresh mix of goods from home furnishings, lighting, architectural pieces, gifts and home design services. At Urban Home Market we not only know our customers, we embody them. Every season, the space is ﬁlled with the latest assortment of unique design products intended to make UHM more than just a furniture store — it is a lifestyle store. Our merchandise is always changing and we sell items right off the ﬂoor if desired. We want to immerse our customers in a complete experience appealing to all of the senses. Our aesthetic is authentic and approachable. While Urban Home Market is often mistaken as an upscale retail chain, we are a family-owned business that was spun out of a home and family grown passion. Therefore, we offer personalized service

“

”

Our customers are our friends, and what we do is never, ever about selling to them.

and products that big corporations and big box retailers cannot. There is no national sales plan provided by a corporate ofﬁce in another state; it is simply Kathy McMahon and her vision. Being local allows us to focus on the “family community” and serve each customer as a friend and neighbor. These friendships tie creativity and design with authenticity because of our knowledge of our customers. “Our customers are our friends, and what we do is never, ever about selling to them,” McMahon said. Urban Home Market’s core philosophy is guided by style, design and the passion

KATHY MCMAHON

to inspire imagination throughout our store. We have a dynamic, energetic team of designers and visual merchandisers that are responsible for every aspect of the store’s look and feel. “Storytelling” is a key focus for our showroom. Each vignette serves as a series of different inspirations created to be inviting and stimulating. Our merchandising does not highlight product so much as set a mood and create a starting point to direct the customer on their own path. Every season, our team of buyers travel across the country to attend major national

furniture and accessory markets to ﬁnd the latest product and design trends. This combined with our interests and the needs of our local customers determines our inventory. Our merchandising mix is very dynamic, layered and dense. We have many humble, recycled and natural materials. Many of the store’s most striking visual effects have been crafted out of mundane materials. This adds a rich layer of artistry and visual wit to the store experience. This fall, we combine classic elegance with a sense of easy going urban sophistication through the use of soft and mixed textures and warmer tones to give an earthier feel. To learn more about the coming trends for 2017 please be sure to connect to our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our social media shows how to take trends and make them unique through our product shots and style tips for customers on the go. For more information, call 205-9804663 or visit urbanhomemarket.com.

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B10 • October 2016

home & garden

The Homewood Star

BEDZZZ EXPRESS

Choosing the right mattress can positively impact your life

ecause you’ll spend approximately one third of your life in your bed, insuring it’s comfortable should be a top priority at purchase. And you may be debating right now as to whether you need a new mattress, going through the struggle of, “Oh, it’s still okay,” and, “I’ll just ﬂip it again.” But if it’s often a topic of discussion in your home, chances are you know you need an upgrade. It’s an investment worth making because better sleep can positively impact you in many ways. With more than 20 years in the industry and loyal to our slogan, “Where Dreams Begin,” Bedzzz Express strives to successfully assist our customers in making the ideal mattress selection from the many brands and types we offer. Each team member is experienced and knowledgeable about identifying sleep habits and guiding families and individuals through selecting the perfect mattress for their lifestyle. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right mattress for you.

WHEN?

All mattresses should be replaced every 7-10 years. Other signs you need to replace your mattress are: ► Visible sagging, indentions or lumps ► Squeaking upon movement ► Waking up with aches and pains

We only offer quality top brands that offer great products. Buying a mattress is not only a necessary purchase but also an investment in your mental and physical health.

WHAT BRAND?

► You and your partner roll in toward the middle throughout the night

WHAT SIZE?

When shopping for a mattress, make sure to measure the area it’s going to go. Also take into consideration the size and number of people who will be needing the bed. Mattresses should be longer than the tallest person using it and wide enough to allow you to fold your arms behind your head without going off the mattress or touching your partner. The Bedzzz Express Mattress Size Guide will help determine which mattress is best for your speciﬁc needs.

WHAT COMFORT TYPE?

Our mattresses come in a variety of comfort types to ﬁt any preference. While some types are known to be better for back pain and sleeping positions, it ultimately comes down to your preference. Make sure to try out many different mattresses for 10-15 minutes before making a purchase.

WHAT LEVEL OF QUALITY?

One of the biggest factors affecting your sleep experience is the quality of your mattress. Higher quality mattresses last longer and will provide better overnight support for your back and neck.

At Bedzzz Express, we only offer quality mattresses from top brands. Our sleep experts are knowledgeable in our inventory and the different products available from different companies. We currently sell products by: ► I Comfort ► Tempur-pedic ► Beautyrest ► Serta ► Sealy ► Stearns & Foster ► King Koil Founded in Birmingham in 1995, Bedzzz Express now has 46 stores in four states and takes great pride in a top-brand inventory of best mattresses at the best prices. All premium mattresses come with a Triple Z Guarantee that includes a 90 day Simple Zzz’s guarantee, giving you the assurance that you will sleep soundly for 90 days or simply return it for a full store credit. Plus, the 90-day Lowest Price Promise means you got the very best price--if you ﬁnd your mattress cheaper within 90 days of purchase we will simply refund 115% of the difference. For more information, visit any Bedzzz Express location or bedzzzexpress.com.

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October 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ B11

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B12 • October 2016

home & garden

The Homewood Star

EZ ROOF

Nominate a deserving family for a free roof You have come to know EZ Roof as your neighborhood roofing company, your friend in the roofing industry, who is going to treat you like family and act with integrity. We pride ourselves on our reputation, and our local roots. As a family-owned business with deep community ties, we know just how important it is to support our friends and neighbors. And we know that by helping those that need a hand, we will only make our community stronger. While we’ve been doing that on a small scale, we want to do something bigger. If there is one thing we’ve learned over the years, it is that everyone needs a roof, but not everyone can afford the unexpected expense it brings. We want to fix that, one roof at a time. We are launching a new tradition at EZ Roof: The EZ Roof Giveaway, in which we will donate a free roof replacement to a deserving family in our community. It is with great passion that we begin this new endeavor, and we could not have done it without your support! We invite you to nominate a family in need (or even yourself) for this unique opportunity. Visit our website, ez-roofer.com, and submit your nomination — including name, a brief explanation of why you think your nomination deserves a new roof, and a photo of the roof if available. You may also mail in nominations to our office at 2677-B Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35244. Please make sure we have any necessary information to contact you or your nomination. The submission deadline is Dec. 1, 2016, and the winner will be selected Dec. 5. EZ Roof staff will select the winner in-house, but reserves the right to use social media such as Facebook as a means of narrowing down final selections or for choosing a winner from in-house selections. For official rules, visit ez-roofer.com. For more information about our services, call 205968-1034 or visit our website ez-roofer.com.

EZ Roof

Giveaway Free Estimates • Financing Available

Visit our showroom at the corner of Caldwell Mill and Valleydale Road 205.968.1034 | www.ez-roofer.com |info@ez-roofer.com

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October 2016 • B13

MISTY JOSEPH - REALTOR

Your best interests are her priority Misty Joseph has long been a staple in the Homewood real estate scene. After selling out the exclusive and popular Hallman Hill Condominiums, she turned to the resale market and has thrived. Being a successful agent in today’s market requires decorating and staging skills, marketing expertise, technical savvy, win-win negotiating abilities and a passion for helping people — all of which line up with both her skill set and passions. “I also enjoy the camaraderie of working with fellow professionals who share my high standards,” she said. Recently, Joseph joined the LIST Birmingham team owned by Melvin Upchurch and Brent Griffis. LIST’s innovative pricing model is simple: A $2,500 flat-fee commission for listing a home, saving homeowners thousands while still offering the same full-service expertise that they need. Joseph said her vision has always been that technology will force the industry to shift to this type of model and wanted to be ahead of the game. “Plus, having worked with Brent and Melvin, I knew them to be consummate professionals. To be in a room with them is to experience their raw energy and enthusiasm for real estate. They are real ‘nerds’ on real estate trends and stats and are respected in the industry by their clients. In short, we are a perfect fit,” Joseph said. LIST Birmingham is only two years old, but the company’s performance is already impressive. For the past 12 months, their average time on the market for sold listings is only 32 days. Since inception, their sales are over $125 million, and their model has saved sellers $1.9 million in commission. LIST Birmingham has sold a home every two business days since they have been in

From left: Melvin Upchurch, Misty Joseph and Brent Grifﬁs of LIST Birmingham.

existence. All of their agents are full time with an average of more than 10 years in the business. LIST’s average agent handles more than 31 transactions per year while the national average is only four. “Our clients give us the highest approval ratings in the industry. I would say things at LIST are pretty phenomenal right now,” Joseph said When asked about her clients’ response to her move to LIST, Joseph said, “I always form relationships with my clients that go beyond a

transaction. They do business with me because of my level of service and the personal interest I take in them. When you match that with an efﬁcient marketing and technology model like LIST plus a ﬂat listing fee of $2,500, you get a really enthusiastic response. Our goal at LIST is to create ‘raving’ fans. “At this point, I would have to say, ‘Mission accomplished!’” she added. While the numbers do speak for themselves, Joseph’s enthusiasm, passion and

professionalism certainly contribute to the secret of her success. She quotes Jim Rohn who once said, “You get more business by showing people how much you care than by how much you know,” adding, “I do not want to be considered a necessary evil to get a house sold; I want to be considered the professional that brought immense value to the process.” For more information, visit LISTBirmingham.com or contact Joseph directly at Misty@ MistyJoseph.com.

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B14 • October 2016

home & garden

The Homewood Star

NICOLE BRANNON - ARC REALTY

Clients are Brannon’s 1st priority Nicole Brannon chose to enter the real estate business at one of its most difficult times. It was 2008, and the country had plummeted into a financial crisis, taking the real estate market with it. Her reasoning was simple. “I saw the decelerated pace of the market as a great opportunity to learn how to market, network and buy and sell homes. If I could sustain these skills when the economy turned around, I knew I would be in good shape,” Brannon said. The risk paid off in dividends for Brannon and her clients. As a realtor with ARC Realty, one of the top companies in Birmingham, Brannon has been able to help people find and afford homes they otherwise would have been unable to purchase. By learning the real estate business at one of its most trying times, when everyone else was wondering if the market would ever come back, she was able bring a fresh perspective and creative outlook while overcoming challenges to meet client needs. Brannon serves the Birmingham area, primarily Homewood, Vestavia and Mountain Brook. She estimates 98 percent of her business comes from referrals. This success can be attributed to her passion for her clients. She is committed to finding each client the right property for their goals and their stage of life, whether it’s a first-time homebuyer, an expanding family, or a couple downsizing into a home for their retirement years. Brannon works with clients to help them know the markets. She uses her expertise to guide and protect clients as they move through the entire process of home buying and selling. She assists them with their decision-making and contract negotiations; all culminating with a smooth closing that they are happy with. She helps sellers to understand the market and the true cost of ownership when selling. “Communication is key,” she said.

Purchasing a home can be overwhelming, but she keeps clients focused on what’s truly important and what they will want their home to be in the long run. Your home is the place to exhale, and she understands this. She advises clients who are purchasing a home to “think about what everyday life looks like, what could happen in your future. When you come home you should be

comfortable and be able to breathe. What do you want that to look like?” she said. Her clients are her ﬁrst priority. “I come to this with a servant’s heart. I am here to service the client and meet their needs. My relationships with my clients are ongoing even after the home is sold or they have made their purchase,” she said. “This is the largest purchase they will ever

make,” she said. “I also listen to my clients and try to understand their vision and goals. Real estate is both a personal and emotional investment. I understand that, and I can help make your investment, one that will result in personal and ﬁnancial dividends for years to come.” For more information, call 205-969-8910 or visit NicoleBrannon.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

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October 2016 • B15

PHOENIX BUILDERS GROUP, LLC

Experience, knowledge our backbone Stephen Boehme, owner of Phoenix Builders Group LLC, has over 20 years of residential homebuilding experience. “It’s all I’ve ever done,” he said. In 2015, after working for other people for so many years, Boehme decided to become his own boss. Boehme, an Alabama licensed home builder, founded Phoenix Builders on June 1, 2015. “After numerous years of working for other people, I ﬁnally decided it was my turn to reap the rewards,” Boehme said. “The time was now to make it happen.” Phoenix Builders is a home renovation and construction company that specializes in additions, renovations and construction of new or existing residential properties. Boehme is most proud of the company’s experience and knowledge. “There’s nothing we haven’t seen — nothing is a surprise,” he said. “We have clear expectations and great communication.” From the beginning of working with customers, Boehme likes to be clear and set the tone from the start of the working relationship. “We make it very precise, black and white,” he said. “We set expectations on the front end. With our experience, it’s very speciﬁc what we are going to do.” Boehme is an advocate of homeowners doing their homework and asking as many questions as needed. “You need to feel comfortable with your builder and know exactly what the builder is going to do,” he said. Boehme often sees homeowners get too many bids. It can be the biggest mistake that he sees homeowners make. “It clouds everybody’s judgement and doesn’t give a fair representation of any of the numbers,” he said. He said while homeowners are encouraged to price the process out, three bids should be

the maximum. “Six to eight bids is not efﬁcient for you or your builder,” Boehme said. He suggests having an initial meeting and proceeding from there. He also said homeowners should take into account the type of builder they want to enter into a working relationship with, and to remember how much togetherness is required in the process.

“Who can you spend the next three to six months side by side with?” Boehme said. “We are in their house — they wake up with us in their house, they sometimes cook dinner with us in their house. You have to be comfortable [with your builder], and they have to be personable and trustworthy.” Both of which the team at Phoenix Builders is. Boehme loves the customer interaction he

has and that his work brings him a different challenge every day. “No two houses are the same, and no two challenges are the same on any house,” he said. “I enjoy creating a livable space for a family and seeing the ﬁnished product.” For more information, call 205-966-0543, email stephen@phoenixgroups.net or visit phoenixgroups.net.

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B16 • October 2016

home & garden

The Homewood Star

SWEET PEAS GARDEN SHOP

Planted and blooming in Homewood Jon Culver became interested in the gardening business in his early 20s while working for Billy Angel at Oak Street Garden Shop in Mountain Brook. “It worked for me,” Jon said. “I was never one to sit still or be chained to a desk. I enjoyed working with the customers while helping them decide what plants worked best for their gardens, homes, and most importantly, their personalities.” After working in the business for a few years, Jon decided to branch out on his own and opened Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood. Jon has been happily fulfilling the gardening needs of the Homewood community since 2002. Sweet Peas Garden Shop is full of personality. The gift shop, located directly behind an old car filled with flowers, offers a wide array of gardening accessories such as bird feeders, pots, wind chimes and more. The decorative displays in the greenhouse showcase a variety of plants, including perennials, houseplants, herbs and vegetables, specialty trees and shrubs. Need help? The shop also offers designing services to its customers. Do not miss the “Holidays at Sweet Peas,” where the grounds are covered with Christmas trees, wreaths and holiday flower arrangements. If you are looking for fall gardening advice, Jon says October is the perfect time to change things up in your garden. “You will want to remove your spring and summer annuals and replace with fall and winter items such as pansies, violas and snapdragons. If you are planting a vegetable garden try lettuces, cabbage, kale and parsley” Jon said. If needed, Jon is more than willing to share his gardening knowledge by speaking at the local garden club meetings.

Dedicated to building community spirit, Sweet Peas Garden Shop has been hosting “Art in Our Gardens” each fall for the past 10 years. Visit Sweet Peas on Oct. 29 during the Halloween weekend. This year’s event will host more than 25 local artists with wares ranging from pottery, painting, jewelry, blown glass along with jellies, breads and jams. Stop by at 3 p.m. to hear the band. This community event is fun for the whole family, so bring your children in their Halloween costumes.

Jon credits the success of Sweet Peas Garden Shop to the Homewood community. “Homewood is a strong community, and the residents are ﬁercely loyal to the local small businesses. I do my best to return the favor by offering good service, high-end products and sound gardening advice,” he said. “Additionally, I try to support Homewood schools and churches when and where I can.” Homewood is a creative and family-oriented community. “There continues to be a growing

interest in gardening in this area and we are proud to contribute. Homewood is a community where families are coming together planting gardens they can enjoy year-round,” Jon said. Sweet Peas Garden Shop is located at 2829 Linden Ave. and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday (seasonally) from 1-5 p.m. For more information or to keep updated on upcoming events, visit Sweet Peas Garden Shop on Facebook.

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BRANDINO BRASS

October 2016 • B17

CLASSIC GARDENS & LANDSCAPE

Brandino Brass recommends gas fireballs for cool nights The mercury in thermometers is slowly dropping. Soon, leaves will be turning golden and red and people will want to make hot chocolate and curl in front of a fireplace. If you are ready to change or update your existing fireplace, Brandino Brass can help you install a functional and stylish gas fireball for your fireplace. Brandino sells traditional fireplace logs and recently teamed up with Rasmussen Gas Logs and Grills, a family-owned company headquartered in California, to offer gas fireballs to warm up those upcoming cold nights. Laurie Fulkerson, a designer with Twin Interiors, said she frequently recommends gas fireballs over log fireplaces. “It has a different look than a traditional log,” she said. “It’s sleeker. They just have a great look about them.” She said that the gas fireballs have a “modern” look that complement any type of house, whether it is traditional, transitional or modern. Gas fireballs come in both dark and light colors. Personally, Fulkerson prefers the darker shade because the lighter options eventually get char marks. “The colors are neutral and easy to work

Where love of gardening runs deep

with,” she said. “I love them.” Brandino Brass is a hardware store offering selections of items such as cabinetry, doors, hardware, light ﬁxtures and specialty items. For more information, stop by their store at 2824 Central Ave. in Homewood, call 9788900 or visit brandinobrass.com.

Every Saturday morning from 8-9 a.m., owner Mike Pender, Chris Keith, and/or Chris Joyner answer horticultural questions from Birmingham residents calling into their live radio show on WERC 105.5. The owner of Classic Gardens draws on vast knowledge and years of experience. “I was born gardening,” Pender said. “Other kids would be playing baseball and football, and I would be planting ﬂowers.” In 1990, he and his wife, Ann, started Classic Gardens & Landscape Inc. in Birmingham. As the garden center grew, they added landscaping and fertilization/weed control of lawns. Ann was pregnant with their fourth child and Mike was working full time when he decided to go back to school. For two years, he took night classes at Jefferson State Community College and received his horticulture degree, an investment that seems to have paid off. “People are always impressed with the

depth of our knowledge,” he said. With fall approaching, Mike recommends that Birmingham residents winterize their lawns with Fertilome Winterizer, a fertilizer produced in Dallas. The danger of purchasing generic fertilizer is that it is often produced further north and is meant for a different type of grass. “Fertilome Winterizer feeds the root system, stores carbs and helps grasses green early in the spring,” he said. Classic Gardens’ many gardening products and services include landscaping, irrigation, hardscaping and fertilization/weed control of lawns and a garden center. “There’s a saying that goes, ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,’” Mike said. “I got into this business because it’s what I love to do.” Classic Gardens is located at 1855 Carson Road. For more information, call 205-854-4005 or visit classicgardens.com.

B18 • October 2016

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ONE MAN & A TOOL BOX

The Homewood Star

PLUMB ONE

Committed to quality home improvement for your home Since 1997, One Man & A Tool Box has been helping people with a variety of home improvement projects and repairs. “The company was started to ﬁll a void in the market to provide professional contracting services for jobs too small for a general contractor to do. In many cases, small handyman type projects are done by unskilled, unlicensed, uninsured people working out of their trucks going from job to job — many times not completing jobs as they go, or not standing behind jobs after they are complete,” said owner Jay Moss. One Man & A Tool Box is insured and bonded to further protect customers. “We offer carpentry, painting, minor plumbing, electrical, pressure washing, roof and gutter repair, appliance installation, drywall repair, door and window repair and more,” Moss said. Fall is the perfect time to take care of home maintenance issues. One Man & A Tool Box’s affordable hourly rates can ﬁt any budget. “We are a 19-year-old company,” Moss said. “We have invested in technology and skill enhancement of our technicians to ensure jobs are done timely and professionally.” Their technicians are skilled and professional. They pride themselves on getting the

Trussville family business serving all of Birmingham

job done well and on time. “We have multiple technicians, so if you think a job is too large for one man and a toolbox, you can have two men and more if the job requires it,” he said. They service not only Birmingham, but also Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Gadsden. For information, please call 205-823-2111 or visit onemanandatoolbox.com.

Plumb One started in the backyard of Robin and Barry Isbell’s Trussville home in 1997. After working in plumbing for about eight years since he graduated high school, Barry Isbell’s boss at the time suggested he open his own business. The next week, Barry Isbell did just that with a van and $1,000. His wife, Robin, kept the books, although “there weren’t many books to keep back then,” she said. Gradually, Barry and Robin grew their business. Now, the family-owned company offers many plumbing services, including residential repair, 24/7 emergency service, new construction for both residential and commercial plumbing and sewer repair, maintenance and installation. Plumb One strives to offer the highest quality craftsmanship and service possible,

always keeping up with the latest techniques and equipment, the Isbells said. “I feel like we have fair prices,” Robin said. “We’re honest, trustworthy; we do what we say we’ll do, and we aim for 100 percent satisfaction, whether it’s a big company or small homeowner.” Its services extend to water heaters, faucets, ﬁxture replacements, disposals, water softeners, pumps, toilet repairs and water leak investigations and repairs. Robin and Barry still live in Trussville and serve the Birmingham community, both through their business services and involvement in their church, youth activities and charities. For more information, call 640-2848, email plumbone260@plumbone.com or go to plumbone.com.

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October 2016 • B19

FLAT FEE REAL ESTATE BIRMINGHAM

Buying? Selling? Cut out the bargaining Maybe you’re looking to put your home on the market this fall. Or maybe you’re looking to buy a new home. If you’ve been through this process before, you know it can be stressful and expensive, especially in today’s real estate market. “We can make it easier and less stressful,” said Amy Landers Pewitt of Flat Fee Real Estate Birmingham. Flat Fee Real Estate is an innovative company designed to sell homes with a reasonable, pre-determined listing fee, but with full real estate services. And it costs less, too. “By listing with Flat Fee Real Estate Birmingham, you will pay a low listing commission, thus saving equity, and also receive the benefit of a Realtor team dedicated to selling your home and assisting you in making wise and informed decisions when you purchase your next home,” Pewitt said. Amy Pewitt and Susan Haynes started the company with the foundation of using their more than 30 combined years of selling real estate and past experience as certified appraisers. This unique combination of Realtor with appraiser background sets them apart from the typical agent. They use their experience to assist their buyers and sellers in making wise decisions while saving money. “We have appraised thousands of homes in practically every neighborhood and market in the greater Birmingham area, and we’ve learned a lot about the market,” Pewitt said. “Hoover, Gardendale, Homewood, Vestavia, Inverness, Mountain Brook, Chelsea — and every area in between, we want to utilize our real estate experience to represent you and help you get the best possible deal when buying and selling.” Selling or buying a home is a major financial

decision, Pewitt said, and like other major life decisions like medical care or ﬁnancial planning, you should perform extensive research on the person you’re selecting to help guide you through the process. “Flat Fee Real Estate Birmingham has the comprehensive knowledge and experience to realize your real estate goals, while saving you as much money as possible,” she said. And they have season-speciﬁc suggestions for sellers looking to see their house sell this autumn.

“If you are selling your home during the fall, there are many decorating tips, staging tips and ways to embrace the fall season,” Pewitt said. As popular holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving roll around, there are things to keep in mind as you keep your house ready for potential buyers to drive or drop by, she said. They are little things that can make a big difference. “Don’t hesitate on getting your home decorated for the upcoming holiday, as it can help a potential home buyer envision themselves in

your home during these holidays,” Pewitt said. But, she added, “just don’t go overboard with your decorating.” It’s important to be selective in your choices this time of year, she said. “It not a good idea to decorate your home with gory Halloween decorations and then have a potential buyer walk in to be greeted by a bloody skull. Be tactful, and try to appeal to the masses.” For more information, call 205-970-6000 or visit ﬂatfeerealestatebirmingham.com.

The Homewood Star

B20 • October 2016

Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

The strength of our girls the biggest beauty of all.) As the mother of two young daughters, the concept of beauty is often on my mind. Not Kate’s and Sela’s physical appearance, But are there words we should be using with our young girls but how everyone and everything around them defines beauty other than “beautiful” and “pretty?” Something other than what — specifically women’s beauty. our culture tells them they need to be in order to be accepted, No matter how many perfectly proportioned Barbie dolls I valued, respected? refuse to buy, no matter how tight-lipped I try to be about my I can tell my girls all day long they’re brave, strong, deterown physical appearance, the idea of what’s beautiful and what’s mined, courageous, smart, thoughtful or kind, but Dove’s not has already slipped in. Campaign for Beauty commercials tell them, “You too can be beautiful”; the Disney princesses show them the beautiful ones Four-year-old Sela will prance into the den wearing one of the many princess/fairy/queen dresses in her dress-up box asking, win the battles and get the boys; even the city of Birmingham “Now am I beautiful?” tells them “You are beautiful.” Denton Six-year-old Kate will see a woman with long flowing hair And those aren’t all bad things — but I wonder if just the fact and say, “She’s soooo beautiful.” of using “beauty” (however you define it) as such a highly esteemed trait can Thankfully, at these tender ages, the idea of size in relation to beauty be damaging to young girls who are looking to anyone and anything to tell hasn’t been an issue. However, I worry I may have unwittingly introduced them they are worthy. There has to be more to being worthy than our beauty. that idea to Kate. At school drop-off one morning, I saw a friend I hadn’t A few years ago, one Super Bowl commercial made me weep. Someone seen in a while. “You look great,” I said. “You look so skinny!” I knew off-camera asked people to do things like throw a ball, run, jump and fight she’d been trying to lose weight and figured it would make her day to hear “like a girl.” Adults — both men and women — acted silly and immathose words. It did — she grinned and said thanks. ture, showing that “like a girl” basically meant being weak and unable to I, on the other hand, still cringe at having uttered such a trite, thoughtless perform. comment, and in front of Kate no less. Why not “refreshed” or “healthy” or Then they asked young girls to do those same things “like a girl.” They “happy”? Why a word that’s so synonymous with female physical beauty? put on their game faces and threw those balls, kicked their legs, punched Yes, Kate is barely 40 pounds, and maybe it didn’t register, but lately it the air, ran as fast as they could. It had absolutely nothing to do with how seems every time I think something will go over her head, it instead goes they looked; instead, it was about doing their best and trying their hardest. right in her ears and comes back later in the form of a pointed, intelligent Maybe that’s what we need to teach our girls: Who cares what you look question. like? Who cares even if you fail? Just get out there and be your smart, brave She’s growing up too much for me to think she just won’t notice certain self. Add your own spin and sweetness to the world. Try your hardest; do comments or concepts. what you can, and that will be more than enough. All this isn’t to say we should never tell our daughters they look pretty I’d love to connect! Email me at LaurenKDenton@gmail.com, find me or lovely or beautiful. I still get a little thrill when my father tells me I look on Twitter @LaurenKDenton, on Facebook, or visit my website Laurennice. (I like to think he’s good at recognizing beauty, since he’s married to KDenton.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

October 2016 â&#x20AC;¢ B21

Homewood Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

761688

35209

119 Rockaway Road

New

$384,900

762569

35209

125 Oxmoor Road

New

$209,900

762307

35209

253 Hall Avenue

New

$212,000

762251

35209

123 Edgewood Boulevard

New

$419,000

762248

35209

1501 Valleyview Circle

New

$294,800

762229

35209

1669 Beckham Drive

New

$149,900

762150

35209

1082 Columbiana Road

New

$249,900

762090

35209

1892 Huntington Road

New

$269,900

761995

35209

1741 Valley Avenue #B

New

$54,000

761731

35209

200 Windsor Drive

New

$635,000

761858

35209

2607 Woodfern Court

New

$399,900

761663

35209

1511 Valley Avenue

New

$197,500

761443

35209

702 Fairfax Drive

New

$599,900

761442

35209

557 Durham Drive

New

$759,900

761380

35209

525 Broadway Street

New

$387,500

761372

35209

907 Irving Road

New

$389,000

761368

35209

302 Redfern Street

New

$349,900

761226

35209

240 Kent Lane

New

$239,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Sept. 19. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

119 Rockaway Road

2607 Woodfern Court

The Homewood Star

B22 • October 2016

Calendar Homewood Events Oct. 4: Davis Lecture Series. 7 p.m. Featuring Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson. Free. Visit samford.edu. Oct. 9: Vulcan AfterTunes: Big Sam’s Funky Nation with Tragic City. Vulcan Park and Museum. 2:30 p.m. Visitvulcan.com.

Oct. 14: Tim Hawkins. 7 p.m. Christian comedian performs a family friendly comedy and music show. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. $25$95. Visit rockshowcomedy.com. Oct. 17: Birmingham Astronomical Society Meeting. 7 p.m. Christenberry Planetarium, Samford

University. Visit bas-astro.com. Oct. 18: Homewood Chamber August Membership Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. The Club. Visit homewoodchamber.com. Oct. 20-23: Sleeping Beauty (Theatre for Youth).

Harrison Theatre, Samford University. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday. $10-$20. Oct. 27: Homewood Chamber Golf Classic. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. RTJ Oxmoor Valley Course. Visit homewoodchamber.com.

Homewood Public Library Events Children Tuesdays: Wee Ones Storytime. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. For ages 24 months and younger.

2 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators wraps up their conference at the library. Author Bruce Coville will be available for book signings.

Wednesdays: Wiggleworm Wednesdays. 10:30 a.m. Music and story time for all ages.

Oct. 13: PJ Masks Party. 6:30 p.m. in Large Auditorium.

Thursdays: Storyday with Nay Nay. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Storytime for ages 3 and under.

Oct. 15: Star Wars Reads Day. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. International event that celebrates reading and Star Wars.

Oct. 1: Parade of Puppies with Charles Ghigna. 10:30 a.m. in the Large Auditorium. Poet and author Charles Ghigna celebrates the release of his new book. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society will have adoptable dogs on site, and a portion of the proceeds from book sales will go to Children’s Hospital. Oct. 3: Family Campout Storytime. 6:30 p.m. in Round Auditorium. Wear pajamas for camping stories and songs. Oct. 5: Reading Buddies. 3:30 p.m. Program for K-3rd grade. Registration required. Oct. 9: Southern Breeze Author Book Signing.

Oct. 15: Our World Our Library (O.W.O.L.) Day. 4-5:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Activities, crafts, discussion, and snacks to reﬂect on the original settlers across the state of Alabama. Oct. 18: Inﬁnity Ring Book club: The Iron Empire. 4th-6th grades.

costume and trick or treat at the library while you watch one of your favorite family-friendly Halloween ﬂicks. Teens Oct. 3: Teen Advisory Board. 6 p.m. For grades 6-12 who want to take a role in the library. Oct. 4: Teen Anime Club. 4 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Oct. 9-15: Teen Read Week: Marissa Meyer Contest. Oct. 11 & 25: Girls Who Code. 4 p.m.-6 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Empowering girls in grades 6-12 who are interested in the computer science ﬁeld.

Oct. 26: iTween: Return of the Zombie. 4 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Zombie themed games and crafts. No registration. Open to 4th-7th graders.

Oct. 24: Zombie Hunt! 6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. No registration required.

Oct. 31: Family Flix: Halloween Movie Marathon. 2:30-8:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Wear your

Oct. 3 & 24: Library Yoga. 10 a.m. in the Large Auditorium. Free. Bring your own mat.

Adults

Oct. 4: Audubon Society Introduction to Birding. 2 p.m. in the Room 101 (Lower Level). One-hour introduction to birding designed to get you in the ﬁeld, observing birds in their natural habitats. Oct. 6: Classic Horror Double Feature: Frankenstein (1931) & Dracula (1931). 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Oct. 6: Let’s Dish Cookbook Club: Tailgate Food. 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom. New book club discussion group that’s all about food! Bring the dish and recipe to the meeting. Oct. 7: A Spirited Whiskey Seminar. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Local writer and bartender-at-large Clair McLafferty could talk about whiskey long past the witching hour. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $10 each and include two adult beverages and light refreshments. Oct. 11: Oxmoor Page Turners Book Club. 6 p.m. Discussing “Second Life” by S.J. Watson. Oct. 13: OLLI Bonus Program: A Rare Titanic Family with Author Julia Williams. 2 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.

TheHomewoodStar.com Oct. 15: AARP Smart Driver Course with Joe Ross. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Boardroom. Registration required. AARP members $15, non-members $20. To register, call 823-7067. Oct. 17: Bossypants Book club. 6:30 p.m. Nabeel’s Cafe. Disussing “Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman” by Lindy West. Oct. 18: Genealogy 101: Piles of Paper and Digital Dilemmas: Organizing Your Genealogy Research. 11:30 a.m. in Room 101 (Lower Level). Learn about different methods of organization and techniques for both paper and digital ﬁles and set yourself up for organizational success. Oct. 20: The History of Birmingham’s Oak Hill Cemetery. 6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Oct. 21-22: Mystery Dinner Theatre: Design for Murder. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Presented by South City Theatre. Buffet starting at 6:30 p.m. and the show follows, starting at 7:30 p.m. $30. Oct. 25: Dixie’s Pet Loss Support Group. 5:30 p.m. in Room 106 (Lower Level). Grief/loss group is sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Reservations are requested. Oct. 26: Better Than Therapy Book club. 2 p.m.

Samford University Football

October 2016 • B23 Discussing “Heading out to Wonderful” by Robert Goolrick. Oct. 26: Lunch & Learn: They’re So Wicked. 11:30 a.m. Discover what plants are harmful or toxic. Oct. 27: Neuroscience Café: Understanding Chronic Pain: Promising Treatments and Novel Mechanisms. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. This program is intended for those individuals burdened by chronic pain, as well as their families, coworkers, employers, and friends. Oct. 28: Admiral of the Ocean Seas: Columbus and His Voyages Across the Atlantic. 1 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Join Niki Sepsas for a look at the remarkable life of Christopher Columbus and the voyages to the New World that ushered in the “Age of Discovery.” Oct 28-29: Homewood Library Ghost Tours with S.C.A.R.E. 7-10 p.m. Join authors and paranormal investigators Kim Johnston and Shane Busby for this rare opportunity to participate in a night time investigation of the haunted Homewood Library. S.C.A.R.E. will bring their team of investigators, as well as their specialized equipment, to conduct a real paranormal investigation with their guests. $35 per person.

Homewood High School Football

Oct. 1: vs. Wofford. 2 p.m.

Oct. 7: @ Ramsay, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15: vs. VMI. 2 p.m.

Oct. 14: vs. Shades Valley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22: vs. Western Carolina. 6 p.m.

Oct. 21: @ Hueytown, 7 p.m. Oct. 28: vs. Paul Bryant, 7 p.m.

Area Events Oct. 1: Broadway Night at the Cabaret. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Some of Broadway’s best perform. Tickets start at $20. Visit redmountaintheatre.org.

information.

Oct. 1: “The Truth” About Breast Cancer Comedy Tour. 7 p.m. Featuring Carla “The Truth” Youngblood. Historic Carver Theater. $15. Visit keepyoulaughing. com.

Oct. 15: Susan G. Komen North Central Alabama Race for the Cure. 8 a.m. 5K/1 mile walk. Visit komencnalabama.org.

Oct. 1: 14th Annual Fiesta Birmingham. 12 p.m.8 p.m. Linn Park. Presenting the best of Hispanic art, music, food and dance. $10. Visit ﬁestabirmingham.com. Oct. 1-2: Alabama Ballet at Home. Alabama Ballet Center for Dance. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $20. Visit alabamaballet.org. Oct. 2: Fry-Down. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Railroad Park. Fundraiser for the Cahaba River Society. $20 donation all you can eat catﬁsh. 12 and under, free. Visit frydown.com. Oct. 3: BAO Bingo. Birmingham AIDS Outreach. 7 p.m. $15 for 5 games. Visit birminghamaidsoutreach. org. Oct. 6: Tiempo Libre. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Free admission. Visit alysstephens.org. Oct. 6: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Meet local artists and performers. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Oct. 7-8: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Performing Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Oct. 7-9: 12th Annual Barber Vintage Festival. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. daily. $25. Visit barbermotorsports.com. Oct. 8-31: Boo at the Zoo. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. Visit birminghamzoo.com for more

Oct. 12: Amy Schumer Live. 8 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $41 and $111 Visit amyschumer.com.

Oct. 15: Barktoberfest. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Helena Amphitheater. Presented by Two by Two Rescue. Kid zone, pet adoptions, live music and more. Visit twobytworescue.com. Oct. 21-22: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Oct. 21-23: Alabama 500 Weekend. Talladega Superspeedway. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Fred’s 250 NASCAR Camping Word Truck Series. Sunday, Sprint up Series. Visit talladegasuperspeedway.com. Oct. 22: Walk With Compassion. 9 a.m. Railroad Park. Walk to end child poverty. Visit walkwithcompassion.com. Oct. 23: David Sedaris. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $48-$68. Visit alysstephenscenter.org. Oct. 25: Alabama Symphony Orchestra concertmaster & Friends Series: The Five Senses a Tango celebration with Raul Jaurena. 7:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. $32. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Oct. 27-29: Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus Live! Forum Theatre, BJCC. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Saturday. $52. Visit marsvenuslive.com. Oct. 29: 75th Annual Magic City Classic. Alabama State v. Alabama A&M. 2:30 p.m. Visit magiccityclassic.com.