The Homewood Star
Volume 6 | Issue 2 | May 2016
Healing With Horses
Homewood, Mountain Brook residents lead Addiction Recovery Center’s adventure-based equine counseling.
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Spread the LOVE Daylong festival to celebrate all that is Homewood
See page A20 By RACHEL BURCHFIELD
Force on the Court
Students come first no matter which hat teacher and tennis coach Linda Delahay wears.
See page B14
INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 News.................. A6 Chamber........... A9 Business ..........A10 Community .....A14 Events ..............A14
Opinion ...........A29 Sports ................ B1 School House .. B8 Real Estate...... B17 Calendar ..........B18
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andy Nelson has lived in Homewood for 41 years — and she loves it. “I love Homewood for the convenience and the people,” she said. “It’s so wonderful after all these years to walk to restaurants, walk to the grocery store, walk to Edgewood to have a cup of coffee or Mexican food. I love that. The sidewalks have made a huge difference.” That love makes her the perfect chairperson for the bake sale and sidewalk chalk art show at We Love Homewood Day on Saturday, May 7. “The bake sale is the oldest of the events we have, and it has picked up a lot of momentum,” Nelson said. “We have a good time with it.” Rusty Holley, superintendent of Homewood Parks and Recreation, is one of the chief organizers for this year’s event. Homewood Parks and Rec, along with the help of Homewood’s Rotary Club, the police department and fire department, and the West Homewood Lions Club — among others — make this annual event a reality. “[We offer] fun festivities with our hometown
See LOVE | page A31
Along with running track, Tucker Wilson plays the saxophone in the band at Homewood. Wilson was recently awarded one of the most distinguished regional awards a high school student-athlete can receive. Photo courtesy of Scott Butler.
Runners, artists, families, friends, students and residents take part in the 2015 We Love Homewood Day. This year’s event is scheduled for May 7. Staff photos.
WE LOVE HOMEWOOD DAY: SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ► 7:30 a.m. We Love Homewood Day 5K, Homewood Central Park ► 8 a.m. Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival, Homewood Central Park ► 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spring in the Park Festival, vendor expo, silent auction and live entertainment, Homewood Central Park ► 1 p.m. Homewood High School band pep rally, Homewood Central Park ► 6 p.m. We Love Homewood Day Parade, begins at Homewood Library, travels west down Oxmoor Road and ends at Edgewood Business District ► 7-9:30 p.m. We Love Homewood Street Dance, Edgewood Business District
Wilson takes top award Senior beats out 51 others for AHSAA’s distinguished scholar-athlete of year honor By KYLE PARMLEY Tucker Wilson was recently awarded one of the most distinguished awards a high school student-athlete can receive; the Larry D. Striplin Jr. Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, as part of the Bryant-Jordan awards banquet held by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. “I was very surprised,” he said. “Apparently, I was like the only one that
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didn’t know. All of my administrators and coaches and teachers all knew. It was a big surprise for me and an honor.” Wilson beat out 51 other regional scholar-athletes to win the honor, originally nominated through the school. He has been a part of eight state championships on the cross-country and track and field teams during his time at Homewood High School.
See TUCKER | page A30
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The Homewood Star
A2 • May 2016
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May 2016 • A3
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A4 • May 2016
About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell Nearly every weekend, I have my camera in hand while I’m out covering an event — a festival or market one weekend, a 5K run the next. I’m technically working — and it feels especially like work when those 5Ks begin at 8 on a Saturday morning — but most of the time I’m having too much fun to mind. These events give me the chance to get out and experience my community, and see the things that, if I had another job, I might have stayed home instead. I get to see some familiar faces from past stories I’ve written and meetings I’ve covered, as well as new people who may be regular readers or may have never heard of The Homewood Star. People talk a lot about how
people around me. There are a lot of events happening this month, including We Love Homewood Day, the Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, Brookwood Live and the Motherwalk. There’s also a good chance you’ll see me or one of our other great reporters there if you attend. Even if we grumbled a little when our alarm clocks first went off, we’re actually glad to be there, to be part of this community and share it with you and your neighbors. disconnected modern societies are, but I’ve never felt more like I’m part of this community than when I’m in the middle of a farmers market crowd and realize I recognize some of the
BEHIND THE LENS By Frank Couch
An insect rests on a yellow fl wer along the Shades Creek Greenway, better known as the Lakeshore Trail in Homewood, on an overcast April morning. The 2.5-mile trail is a popular spot to take a quick run or a leisurely stroll and has a creekside landscape that offers some great photo opportunities.
Technical Data: NIKON D810, Lens (mm): 70, ISO: 400, Aperture: 8, Shutter: 1/100 Got a question or have an idea for next month’s Behind the Lens? Email me fcouch@starnespublishing.com.
The Homewood Star
Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Video Editor: Page Designers: Community Reporters: Staff Writers: Sports Editor: Copy Editor:
Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Frank Couch Cherie Olivier Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Ana Good Erica Techo Jon Anderson Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Kyle Parmley Louisa Jeffries
Contributing Writers: Kari Kampakis Rick Watson Leah Ingram Eagle Marienne Thomas Ogle Steve Irvine Rachel Burchfield Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Grace Thornton Lauren Denton
Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion
Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Jon Harrison
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 (B9) Addiction Recovery Program at UAB (A20) Adventure Travel (A23) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B14) Alabama Outdoors (B13) Alabama Power (B13) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (B18) ARC Realty (B6) Batts’ Chimney Services (A11) Bedzzz Express (A32) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A29) Blank Canvas Academy of Fine Arts (B16) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (B4, A26) California Closets (A9) Central Alabama Cadillac Dealers (A13) Children’s of Alabama (B2) Classic Gardens (B14) Commute Smart (B5) Construx (B8) Covenant Classical Schools and Daycare (B8) Davis & Nix Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (A5) Dawson Music Academy (B3) Dish’n It Out (A24) Escape Day Spa (A3) EW Fit (A15) Ex Voto Vintage (A25) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (B15) FBC Mortgage/Nicole Brannon ARC Realty (A30) First Lenders Mortgage Corp. (A12) Home Instead Senior Care (A7) Homewood Antiques and Marketplace (B7) Homewood Carpet & Flooring (A15) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (B19) Homewood Parks and Recreation (A27) Huffstutler’s (A29) Hutchinson Automotive (B18) InSight Eye Group (A18) Issis & Sons (A28) Iz Cafe (A12) JJ Eyes (B1) Joe Falconer, RealtySouth (B5) Johnny Montgomery Realtor (A16) Kasey Davis Dentistry (B2) Kete Cannon, RE MAX Southern Homes (A19) LAH Real Estate (A14) Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. (A31) Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware (A10) Mr. Chen’s (A2) Neurogenx (A9) Over the Mountain Glass (B16) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (A16) Phoenix Builders (B7) Planet Fitness (A8) RealtySouth Marketing (B11) Red Pearl Restaurant (A22) Regions Tradition (A5) Salem’s Diner (A29) Savage’s Bakery (A25) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (A6) Sugar Sands Realty (B18) Sweet Peas Garden Shop (A22) Taco Mama (B4) The Maids (A1) The Whole Dog Market (B16) Tom Williams BMW (B10) UAB Comprehensive Stroke Center (B20) University of Alabama Men’s Basketball (A3) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A17, B3) Vulcan Park and Museum (A31) Water Drainage Solutions (A11) Willow Homes (A21) Wilson Building Company (A18)
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May 2016 • A5
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A6 • May 2016
City
Finance committee considers safety measures at Overton Park By SYDNEY CROMWELL A rock wall feature in Overton Park’s newly installed playground equipment was at the center of a safety discussion in Homewood’s April 19 finance committee meeting. Resident Benjamin Hinton contacted Ward 4 Representatives Barry Smith and Alex Wyatt because of his concern that the rock wall, part of equipment installed at Overton earlier in 2016, is dangerous to younger park visitors. Hinton said the height of the wall and the gap at the top, which is right next to the entrance of the playground slide, could cause an accident. Smith said she and Wyatt have visited Overton and agree with Hinton, who has a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. The playground equipment company included a sign that the playground equipment is for children ages 5 to 12, but Hinton and the representatives said they saw mostly younger children when they visited the park. The most likely option would be to make the rock wall a stand alone feature and put something more suitable for younger kids in its place on the main playground structure. However, Smith said this would likely cost over $8,000, and Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones pointed out that the
city had just spent $48,000 to install the equipment. The finance committee chose to carry over their discussion and meet with the Parks and Recreation Department in order to make a decision. The committee also: ►Approved up to $10,000 to construct a protective railing on Saulter Road near Broadway, as it has been the site of several actions. This action must be approved by the full council. ►Asked the council to consider declaring a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, three 2007 Ford Crown Victorias and an incomplete engine as surplus. ►Asked the council to consider transferring up to $1,000 into the police department’s polygraph operations budget. ►Carried over discussion of a traffic study on Reese Street to potentially make it a one-way from Central Avenue to Linden Avenue. This could potentially add more parking and make it safer for pedestrian and vehicle traffic. ►Carried over discussion of directional signs for downtown Homewood, as the committee is waiting for a new proposal. ►Carried over discussion of the city’s midyear review to the first May finance committee meeting.
This new playground equipment was installed at Overton Park earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Rusty Holley.
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May 2016 • A7
Mayor’s Minute By Scott McBrayer Dear friends and neighbors, It has been another exciting month in Homewood. We have had several new businesses come into Homewood and I continue to be amazed by the amount of businesses and residents coming to our wonderful city. Maybe amazed is not a good word … perhaps grateful is much better. We continue to be blessed. New businesses are coming, homes are being renovated and children are everywhere! It’s a great time for our city and it’s because good people and businesses attract the same. That’s a testament to all of you who live, work and play here. I trust the actions of my office and the city council continue to make a positive impact as we try to represent the things most important and meaningful to you. We continue developing projects that add value to our residents and to our businesses. Some are tedious and much patience is required, to say the least. For me, projects always seem to be easier and flow more smoothly when I can begin with the end in mind. I don’t get frustrated nearly as much with the details of building a new recreation center if I can first picture the kids, their parents and grandparents having fun at the new center! Then I get excited about the details because there is a purpose and an outcome. The same can be said for sidewalks. The construction phase is much easier on me if I can first picture our families walking, riding bikes
and pulling their children in a little wagon. That’s when I drive down the street, smile and know the many hours and late night meetings were worth it. From time to time while going through my city mail usually consisting of bills, notices of public meetings and occasional lawsuits, I have the pleasure of finding a letter or note. Today was no different. The note today was from Mr. Isley’s second-grade class at Hall-Kent Elementary and I quote: “Dear Mayor McBrayer, Is working as Mayor hard or easy? Can you make a bigger sidewalk so bikers can go by and not run into people? Can we have more swings at Patriot Park? We don’t have any place to play basketball, so can you please send some workers to build a blacktop so we can play basketball?” I have always appreciated getting those notes and I have saved each and every one of them over the years. They are simple reminders of why I begin with the end in mind. Homewood continues to be blessed and I am grateful you allow me to live here as a neighbor and serve as your Mayor. With kindest regards I remain Sincerely,
Finance director appointed to assume city clerk role By SYDNEY CROMWELL With the upcoming retirement of 27-year city clerk Linda Cook, Mayor Scott McBrayer and the city council chose her replacement at the April 11 council meeting. Finance Director Melody Salter will incorporate the role of city clerk into her existing duties, combining the two city departments. McBrayer said Cook’s retirement allowed him the opportunity to look at the job duties of the city clerk, and he found that the clerk’s office and finance department “can naturally be one.” “She has done an excellent job and will continue,” McBrayer Melody Salter said. “I can’t think of anything she has failed at that I have asked her to do.” Cook’s official last day will be June 1, but she will be on vacation after April 29. Salter will be acting city clerk during that month and officially assume the role June 1. All the council members present at the April 11 meeting expressed their thanks to Cook for her service and the ways she has helped them carry out their duties over the years. See more about Cook’s service with the city of Homewood on page A19. The council also: ► Approved amending the city’s street excavation ordinance. The ordinance creates a position for a city employee to monitor utility work throughout the city. The position would be paid through a $500 fee to perform work in city roads, which would double if the utility company begins work before filing for a permit. ► Approved the hiring of an environmental consultant, at a cost of up to $27,000, to find the source of persistent odor problems near the Mayfield/Barber Dairy plant and Buffalo Rock plant.
► Approved the rezoning of #1 West Lakeshore Drive, recently annexed into the city, from Jefferson County Commercial District to Homewood Neighborhood Shopping District. ► Reset public hearings to May 23 for zoning applications for the properties at 1250 Columbiana Road and 35 West Lakeshore Drive. These properties were recently annexed into the city and must be given a Homewood zoning. They have been rescheduled because the advertisement for the April 11 hearing listed the wrong parcel IDs. ► Approved a petition for the property at 1601 Shades Glen Circle to annex into the city. ► Approved road closure on Brookwood Village Street from 1 to 10 p.m. on May 12 and 19 for Brookwood Live concerts. ► Approved a retail beer and wine license for Homewood Fuel, 317A West Valley Avenue, and a lounge retail liquor license for Homewood Package, 317B West Valley Avenue. ► Approved a restaurant liquor license for Shiki Thai and Sushi, 300 Hallman Hill Suite 109. ► Approved the use of insurance consulting services to reduce the city’s premiums. ► Approved the mayor to sign an agreement with the county to provide election services and equipment. ► Carried over discussion of road closures for a spring street party near Patriot Park, as organizer Justin Limbaugh is still working out the details to get an event permit from the police department. ► Approved the nomination of 13 people to serve on the Commercial Development Authority, Homewood Downtown Redevelopment Authority and Industrial Development Board. ► Denied a bingo application for Helpmate Ministries based on a report from Police Chief Tim Ross, who said that he found the applicant had not included information about their prior convictions. ► Dropped a sign ordinance variance request at #1 Lakeshore Drive, as the owner continues to make changes to the sign design.
The Homewood Star
A8 • May 2016
West Homewood noise issue tabled during March 21 session Buffalo Rock’s conference center. The council in April approved the hiring of an environmental consultant, at a cost of up to $27,000, to find the source of persistent odor problems near the Mayfield/ Barber Dairy plant and Buffalo Rock plant. Photo by Emily Featherston.
By ANA GOOD Any action regarding noise and odor concerns in the area of Buffalo Rock and Mayfield Dairy stalled March 21, as the Homewood special issues committee chose to carry discussion over to an April meeting. A resident of the area who was present during the meeting said Mayfield Dairy recently conducted testing in his backyard for roughly 10 hours, though it is not known whether the results of those tests will be shared with city leaders. Representatives from neither company were present at the meeting. The special issues committee also discussed drafting an ordinance further prohibiting shortterm rentals in single-family dwellings, such as those facilitated by companies like Airbnb. The proposed ordinance would prohibit any short-term rentals at Historic Preservation Districts and single-family dwellings for any less than 90 days. City attorney Mike Kendrick said he will draft the ordinance before the next committee meeting for discussion. During the finance committee meeting, council member Vance Moody extended the conversation regarding the odor and noise concerns in West Homewood. Moody said he and council member Fred Hawkins have been in contact with third-party environmental consultant Volatile Analysis out of Huntsville to look into the issue. Hawkins and Moody said they are awaiting a proposal from the consultants on what the study would entail and what it would cost. Any decision regarding the study’s funding was therefore carried over. The finance committee also: ► Moved to send before the council the audit results for fiscal year 2014-15 from Carr Riggs and Ingram, CPA firm. ► Carried over discussion concerning paving/corrections per the street excavation ordinance. ►Moved to send before the council an approval authorizing Mayor Scott McBrayer to sign an agreement to join the Birmingham
Emergency Communication District/Jefferson County 800 MHz/SmartX Radio System. In related decisions, the committee also moved to send an approval authorizing McBrayer to sign a lease agreement to finance public safety communications equipment for the police and fire departments, as well as approve the amendment of the FY 15-16 E911 budget to help pay for the communication upgrade. ► Moved to send before the council another request to amend FY 15-16 budgets to help pay for new uniforms for newly hired police officers. ► Moved to send before the council the financing for the installation of a street light on Manhattan Street for a total of $140.04 per year to be paid out of the 7-cent gas tax. ► Carried over a request for consideration
of insurance consulting services. During the Homewood City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved all items sent over by the various committees. The council also: ► Carried over a public hearing for consideration of a variance to the Sign Ordinance at #1 Lakeshore Drive. ► Carried over a request for consideration of an ABC 050 Retail Beer and 070 Retail Wine for AAMR, Inc., d/b/a Homewood Fuel, located at 317A West Valley Ave. ► Carried over a request for consideration of an ABC 011 Lounge Retail Liquor – Class II – Package Store for AAMR, Inc., d/b/a Homewood Package, located at 317A West Valley Ave. ► Set a public hearing for April 11 at 6 p.m. for consideration of the zoning application from
city of Homewood on behalf of the current property owner, Circle K Store, Inc., to rezone the property located at 1250 Columbiana Road from a commercial to neighborhood shopping district. ► Set a public hearing for April 11 at 6 p.m. for consideration of the zoning application from the city of Homewood on behalf of One West Associates, Inc. to rezone the property located at #1 West Lakeshore Drive from a commercial to neighborhood shopping district. ► Set a public hearing for April 11 at 6 p.m. for consideration of the zoning application from the city of Homewood on behalf of Southeast Medical Homewood, LLC to rezone the property located at 35 West Lakeshore Drive from preferred commercial to an office building district.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A9
Chamber
Preview of
Chamber recognizes exceptional students Chamber Achievement Award winners, front row, from left: Mary Britt Garlington, Grace Reynolds and Maddie Massie. Back row, from left: Chamber President Mike Brandt, Achievement Award winners BriEvan Burke and Edward Ripptoe Livinston, Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
By SYDNEY CROMWELL One student from each school received an Achievement Award during the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Excellence in Education luncheon April 19. This is the 31st year of the luncheon, which recognizes students who are exceptional in academics, character and community service. The Homewood High School winner also receives a college scholarship. The 2016 winners: ► Mary Britt Garlington: Edgewood Elementary; ► Grace Reynolds: Hall-Kent Elementary; ► Maddie Massie: Shades Cahaba Elementary; ► BriEvan Burke: Homewood Middle School; ► Edward Ripptoe Livingston: Homewood High School. The chamber luncheon also featured a saxophone performance of the national anthem by Tucker Wilson, an HHS senior who was recently awarded the overall Bryant-Jordan 2016 Scholar-Athlete. A panel of student athletes and coaches at Homewood High, led by Athletic Director Kevin Tubbs and moderated by Superintendent Bill Cleveland, also spoke about the importance that athletics play in student development. Tubbs said that about 500 students at HHS, roughly 48 percent of the student body, are involved in athletics, as well as an additional 250 at Homewood Middle. These students have brought home 31 state championships and 28 runners-up, including 13 championships in the past five years. The Homewood athletics department has also been the home of 10 regional and five overall Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athletes, and the department has been
recognized by AHSAA and USA Today. Three students were on the panel: freshman wrestler and football player Carlos Figueroa, basketball player Tori Webb, and Tucker Wilson, who runs cross-country and track in addition to playing in the marching band. They were joined by coaches Freddy Lawrence, JoVanka Ward and Lars Porter. The students spoke about the discipline needed to play a sport and still excel in their classes. Wilson, who is also a National Merit Finalist and made a perfect score on the ACT, said he fits his class work into every spare moment he has. “Even as a freshman, when he came in, you could tell he had a focus about him,” Porter said of Wilson. Webb in particular spoke about the impact that Coach Ward had on her life since they met in her sixth-grade year. Ward made Webb the girls basketball team manager since she was
too young to play, and encouraged her to bring up her grades and get involved on the court. Webb has been named to the all-Over the Mountain and all-area teams, and has helped to bring home a state championship. “If it wasn’t for [Ward], I don’t know who I would be,” Webb said. “I just thank her for every day.” Cleveland said that student athletes face particular challenges in studying, as after-school tutoring programs frequently conflict with their practices. Because of that, HHS offers its Star tutoring program at alternative times so any student can get the help they need. Cleveland said he doesn’t want athletes to feel like they have to choose between their sports and their grades. “Academics have to be first, but at the same time we don’t want to take away what might be the motivating factor in their lives,” Cleveland said.
May
Luncheon The May 17 Chamber of Commerce luncheon will feature Lindsey Gray West of Zyp Birmingham as speaker. West was part of the team that launched Birmingham’s bike-share program through the Regional Planning Commission and REV Birmingham. She has also been part of the study process for a similar program proposed for the city of Homewood. The luncheon will be at The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., and the program begins at noon. To attend, register online at homewoodchamber. chambermaster.com or call 871-5631.
The Homewood Star
A10 • May 2016
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Now Open Tri One Cryotherapy is now open at 1651 Independence Court, Suite 12. They offer a total health and relaxation therapy experience, including cryotherapy, NormaTec therapy and massage therapy. 703-8878, trionecryo.com
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Relocations and Renovations Vista Engineering has moved out of Innovation Depot in downtown Birmingham and has relocated to 130 Citation Court. 307-6550, vistaeng.com
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News and Accomplishments Iron Tribe, with a location at 2740 Central Ave., has been named Elite Business of the Year by Infusionsoft, a company that offers email marketing and sales platforms to small businesses. 874-6300, irontribefitness.com
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At Home Furnishings, 2921 18th St. S., has partnered with local artist Carrie Pittman and is now carrying many of her original pieces of art. It is the first time in
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May 2016 • A11 the store’s 23 years that it has partnered with a local artist. 879-3510, athome-furnishings.com
Hirings and Promotions Trio Safety CPR & Safety Training, 85 Bagby Drive, Suite 303, has promoted Malynda McLaughlin to CEO and Brady McLaughlin to COO. 440-1000, triosafety.com
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Vitalogy Wellness Center, 2704 20th St. S., has hired Dolores Cook to their team. She is a registered nurse with more than 40 years experience, working the last 6 years administering IV nutrition and chelation. She is now accepting new patients. 413-8599, vitalogywellness.com
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Anniversaries Mr. Wang’s Chinese Buffet, 217 Lakeshore Parkway, celebrated its 18th anniversary April 4. 945-9000, mrwangsbuffet.com
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TherapySouth, 3401 Independence Drive, Suite 211, is celebrating its first anniversary this month. 968-1283, therapysouth.com
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The Homewood Star
A12 • May 2016
Sweet treats (now on wheels)
By SYDNEY CROMWELL Wendy Treadwell has, as she describes it, the “gift of hospitality” — she loves to invite people into her home, feed them and enjoy their company. With the help of her husband, Ben, Wendy Treadwell is putting that gift on wheels. The Treadwells started the Bendy’s Cookies and Cream food truck business this spring. This month will mark their first major event, but the idea started years ago, when Wendy saw a makeyour-own ice cream sandwich business in California. As she worked in the Southern Progress test kitchen and at Heavenly Donuts, the idea of a similar business stuck in her mind. “As I got, I guess, stronger in my cooking skills, I thought, ‘Well, maybe we could try this,’” Wendy Treadwell said. “She had come up with that idea for the name – Cookies and Cream — long before I even met her,” Ben Treadwell said. After they got married in 2014, the Mayfair area residents seriously began to pursue the idea. They bought a food truck in South Carolina in January 2015. Ben Treadwell, who works as an accountant at a nonprofit in Anniston, spent months renovating the truck and installing the equipment in the evenings and weekends. Meanwhile, Wendy Treadwell has been testing her recipes. She said they are starting with a list of homemade ice cream flavors, including standards such as vanilla and chocolate and originals such as cinnamon brown sugar, cookie butter, strawberry buttermilk, peanut butter and banana pudding. They also will sell cookies — with flavors including snickerdoodle, chocolate chip, sugar, triple chocolate, oatmeal and pretzel toffee — along with specialty items such as brownies, cobbler and a pound cake based on her aunt’s recipe. Each of these can be bought individually, but
Bendy’s Cookies and Cream will let customers make their own ice cream sandwiches from a variety of flavors.
Wendy Treadwell said customers can make a sandwich with their choice of ice cream and cookies or add a scoop of ice cream on top of their specialty desserts. Wendy Treadwell has tested her recipes on friends and family, but she said she’s looking forward to the response from customers who have never met her. “I’ll probably cry when the first person I don’t know actually buys something … because everybody that’s tried it is people we know, and they’re not going to be like, ‘This stinks,’” Wendy Treadwell said with a laugh. The Bendy’s truck will be at the West Homewood Farmer’s Market on Tuesdays beginning in June, and the Treadwells said they are also hoping to participate at the Pepper Place Market in the Lakeview District. Other events on their calendar include the Food Truck Round Up at the Summit May 7 and Alabama Outdoors’ Party on the Porch. “We’re just gradually looking for events to do,” Wendy Treadwell said. With Ben Treadwell still working in Anniston, the Treadwells said they won’t be parking the Bendy’s truck in different spots to serve desserts during
Homewood residents Ben and Wendy Treadwell are starting their own food truck business, Bendy’s Cookies and Cream. Photos courtesy of Wendy Treadwell.
the weekdays, because Wendy Treadwell can’t run it alone. However, Ben Treadwell said they would like to bring the truck to parks on weekends, cater at parties or weddings or even find a dinner truck to park with on evenings during the week. Ben and Wendy Treadwell said they are hoping that the Bendy’s truck can eventually become a full-time job for them both or lead to a brick-and-mortar store. Since Wendy
Treadwell has lived most of her life in Homewood, she said she’d like to open their cookies and ice cream shop in her hometown. “I’ve always just wanted to own my own business in general, so I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing something built and complete and working,” Ben Treadwell said. To find out where Bendy’s Cookies and Cream will be setting up shop, visit them on Facebook.
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TheHomewoodStar.com
WHAT’S COOKING
May 2016 • A13
Try polishing off your greens via glass instead of plate By CHERIE OLIVIER For May’s edition of What’s Cooking, The Homewood Star asked Edgewood’s Sprout & Pour for a spring greens recipe. Owner Amanda Blake Turner recommended a Green Smoothie, which includes a Granny Smith apple, kale, spinach, coconut water, honey and ginger. “It’s as filling as a meal and has huge amounts of nutritional benefits — energy, skin, gut health, stress relief,” Turner said.
RECIPE:
► ½ cup coconut water ► ½ Granny Smith apple ► 1 tablespoon honey ► 1 tablespoon peanut butter ► Handful of kale ► Handful of spinach ► 2 small pieces of ginger (peeled)
STEPS:
1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy. Watch Turner make her easy green smoothie:
Amanda Blake Turner recommended a green smoothie as a great spring green recipe. Photo by Cherie Olivier.
280living.com/topics/video
thehomewoodstar.com/videos
A14 • May 2016
The Homewood Star
Community
Events Walk for ovarian cancer awareness to paint town teal By EMILY FEATHERSTON
Homewood firefighters with one of their engines outside the Firehouse Subs on March 31. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
Fire department receives equipment through Firehouse Subs By SYDNEY CROMWELL Firehouse Subs has not opened its new location at 808 Green Springs Highway yet, but the nearly-finished building was the site for firefighters from Homewood and four other departments to receive brand-new, life-saving equipment. Firehouse Subs’ Public Safety Foundation raised $117,455 to provide extrication equipment, such as the Jaws of Life, and other tools to Homewood, Trussville, Tarrant, Center Point and Irondale fire departments. Foundation Senior Development Manager Meghan Vargas said that the money is a small part of the $18 million the Foundation has raised for fire departments since it began in 2005. About $1 million of that has gone to Alabama firefighters. On March 31, firefighters from all five fire departments, as well as Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer and Chief of Staff J.J. Bischoff, gathered at the new Firehouse Subs to celebrate their new equipment. “You guys are the real heroes, we’re just
glad to give you the tools you need,” said Firehouse area representative David Conklin. About 60 percent of the money for the grants came from donations by Firehouse Subs customers, which many times is just spare change. Restaurants raise money through recycling leftovers, donation canisters, $2 donation pickle buckets and offering customers to “Round Up” their bill to the next dollar with proceeds benefiting the Foundation. “It is our customers that make this possible,” Conklin said. “To take people’s pennies and turn it into what you see today is amazing.” Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan said he learned about the Public Safety Foundation grants while working with Firehouse Subs for the new building’s inspection. He said the new equipment is a much-needed update, as the extrication tools are battery-powered and therefore lighter and quieter than the older gas-powered ones. Bresnan said the new tools enable Homewood’s firefighters to respond more quickly to emergencies. “We greatly appreciate what Firehouse is doing for us,” Bresnan said.
Homewood Central Park and the downtown area will be awash with the color teal on May 14 as the 2016 Motherwalk returns for its second year in Homewood and 13th year overall. The 5K and 1-mile fun run will benefit the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, which aims to both raise funds for ovarian cancer research and awareness about the risks and symptoms of the disease. The Motherwalk 5K will start at 8 a.m., with a moment of silence and dove release beforehand in memory of those lost to ovarian cancer. The 1-mile fun run will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the recognition of ovarian cancer survivors and the distribution of race awards. Adult registration for the 5K is $35 either online in advance or on race day. The 1-mile fun run is also $35 for those 13 years old and older, and $20 for youth 12 and under. Registration is free for all ovarian cancer survivors. Advance registration and packet pickup will take place on Wednesday, May 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the Trak Shak in Homewood. Participants can register as an individual or as a team, and all are encouraged to dress up and “get their teal on” for the event. Team photos will be taken on race day from 6:30-8 a.m. Awards will be given to the largest team and the team that raises the most funds, as
Graham, Britton and Todd Miner participate in Motherwalk to honor those lost to ovarian cancer and to raise funds for research. File photo.
well as the top male and female overall in the 5K and the top three finishers in each age bracket. All youth 12 and under in the fun run will also receive a medal. For more information about the event and to register, visit motherwalk.com or nlovca. org.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A15
Sims Gardens grows into event space, community resource By ERICA TECHO Five years ago, Sims Gardens was suffering from a lack of consistent care. Native plants were overtaken by invasive plants, many things were overgrown and the city of Homewood was not able to take care of it. “It was in pretty bad shape. It had not had any consistent care for quite a while,” said Roald Hazelhoff, director of the Southern Environmental Center. “The city of Homewood had acquired the property with the understanding that it be utilized as a community park, but they weren’t really in the business of creating a park in the middle of Edgewood.” The Southern Environmental Center stepped in to help revitalize Sims Gardens as part of its EcoScape Program, which works to transform vacant properties into community resources. Revitalization started with giving the gardens shape, Hazelhoff said, including distinguishing a parking area, designating certain garden areas and removing weeds. In phase one, the three lower lots were covered with native grasses, plants and heirloom roses. The upper garden has a brick patio, moss rock seating wall, bamboo fence and tool shed. They made deliberate decisions on materials during phase one, including using a permeable material for the parking lot. Rainwater will soak into the parking lot and slowly seep into the bio-swale, which removes silt and pollution from surface runoff water. “In Edgewood, there are some issues of flooding and things like that, and we did not want to contribute to that,” Hazelhoff said, noting the bio-swale also provides a means of irrigation for the gardens.
Upcoming Sims Gardens Events ► Sims Gardens Preview Party May 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: A cocktail event to kick off “We Love Homewood Day.” Donations to the Gardens will be accepted. ► Sims Gardens Annual Fundraiser June 9, 6-8 p.m.: A summer-casual social. Tickets cost $50 and will be sold in advance. Hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer will be served. To stay up to date on future Sims Gardens events, visit Sims Gardens on Facebook. Phase two of improvements is now underway. This phase is to transform the gardens into a formal event space for small weddings, receptions or parties, which will serve as a means of fundraising as well. “In the end, we’re going to need revenue to keep these gardens going,” Hazelhoff said. “There were some initial funds that allowed for plantings and for phase one to be completed. …Phase two is really to start looking at formalizing.” In addition to formal events where the space can be rented and reserved, Hazelhoff said they plan to host neighborhood events as well. They have discussed holding cooking and mixology classes that will focus on utilizing garden herbs, for example. “Of course herbs, for the over 21 crowd, are also very important ingredients for cocktails,”
Watch clips from Sims Gardens:
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Hazelhoff said. “And that is probably what we would do in June for a fundraiser.” Smaller events throughout May and June, such as acoustic musical sessions or small dinners, will be used to raise funds for pathway lighting, permanent event lighting, a pavilion and ultimately a new parking lot, Hazelhoff said. Even though a few paid events will take place, Hazelhoff said the garden will continue to be an area that residents and community members can utilize for free. It will continue to be somewhere people can walk through, and there will be free workshops for adults and children on topics ranging from gardening, beneficial plants for birds and companion plants to ward off bugs. As work on the garden continues, Hazelhoff said he hopes community members will get involved in work groups to weed and improve the garden and will come out to support some of their events. “The main thing is people should see this as a community asset that provides lots of great services to the community, but also recognize that in order to provide these services, we hope people will join the Friends of Sims organization or come to some of these [paid] events so that we can continue to provide these services,” Hazelhoff said. To stay up to date on future Sims Gardens events, visit Sims Gardens on Facebook.
Above: Gaby Spangenberg puts new gravel on a walkway. She is one of the caretakers of the garden and lives in the house on the premises. Below: The garden is home to a variety of plants, including native species and blooms that support pollinators like bees and butterflies. Photos by Ron Burkett.
The Homewood Star
A16 • May 2016
Birmingham Boys Choir to present spring concert
The April Yard of the Month for Highland Lakes is 662 Highland Lakes Cove. Photo courtesy of Cathy Schaefer.
April Yard of the Month features azaleas, Japanese maple The Birmingham Boys Choir performs. Photo courtesy of Margaret Stinnett.
Spring has sprung once again in Highland Lakes. The April Yard of the Month is 662 Highland Lakes Cove. Home owners Bill and Fran Stainback created a yard with colors from several Southern plants, including azaleas in encore, angel white, pink ruffled, sweetheart dazzle and red brilliant. The front of the house also has Japanese maple, loropetalums and dwarf knockout roses ready to bloom. – Submitted by Cathy Schaefer.
By JESSE CHAMBERS The Birmingham Boys Choir will present its 38th annual Spring Concert at Samford University’s Wright Center on Sunday, May 15, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The program is called “A World of Song” and will feature music from the United States and other countries. Admission is free and open to the public. The 145-member choir is led by Music Director Ken Berg and Associate Music Director Susan Berg. Ken Berg, a Samford University graduate, became the first
full-time music director of the BBC in 2011 after serving the group part-time since 1978. He is a published composer, and his choirs have toured in Europe, Japan and North America. The BBC seeks to teach good vocal habits, music theory, sight-singing and other skills while also stressing discipline, integrity, professionalism and teamwork, according to the group’s website. Samford University is at 800 Lakeshore Drive. For more information, call 767-9219 or go to birminghamboyschoir. com.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A17
Brookwood Live! sets May events
Steve and Jonathan Parris help Boy Scout Troop 97 host its annual pancake breakfast, complete with tableside service by the Scouts. Photo courtesy of Eddie Cothran.
Brookwood Live! returns May 12 and May 19.Photo courtesy of Brookwood Village.
By JESSE CHAMBERS The Brookwood Live! outdoor concert series will return to Brookwood Village in Homewood May 12 and May 19 with live music, dining options and, of course, shopping. Birmingham jazz, R&B and soul band Just a Few Cats will play May 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. The Derek Sellers Band will play May 19 from 5 to 9 p.m. The events are free and open to the public. The Brookwood Live! stage is set up on Village Lane near the main entrance of the indoor portion of the mall, allowing nearby restaurants — including Cocina Superior, Brio Tuscan Grille and Hickory Tavern — to serve concertgoers. Sellers is a Birmingham vocalist and musician who studied jazz and classical
guitar at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Just a Few Cats are a veteran local act that has been together since 2000. In 2003, their lead singer, Ruben Studdard, went to Hollywood and became the second American Idol on Fox-TV. The Cats later toured with Studdard for two years and now have their own debut album, “CATastrophunk.” Between sets, attendees are encouraged to do some “power shopping” in the mall and check out recent work on the Brookwood Village remodeling project, said Glenn C. Miller, portfolio marketing director for Cypress Equities, the mall’s managing agent. For more information, go to shopbrookwoodvillage.com. May 12 is the starting date for the 2016 Brookwood Live! series.
Boy Scouts to host annual pancake breakfast, garage sale By EMILY FEATHERSTON Boy Scout Troop 97 will have an assortment of items for sale as well as breakfast at their annual pancake breakfast and garage sale. On Saturday, May 7, the gym and fellowship hall of Trinity United Methodist Church will be filled with household items, outdoor gear, toys, books, clothing and electronics available for purchase. The Scouts and adult volunteers will be on hand to assist shoppers. Items not sold will be donated. In addition to the garage sale, the Scouts
also will host their annual pancake breakfast. Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 the day of the event and include an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. The Scouts also will provide table service. A silent auction featuring items from local businesses and artisans will start at 7 a.m. with closing bids at 11 a.m. Proceeds go toward programming and materials for Troop 97. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact Bert Allen at 540-5343 or at bertjudy@hotmail.com.
The Homewood Star
A18 • May 2016
Longtime Edgewood principal to retire Edgewood Principal Patricia Simpson with students, from left: Ava Roberson, Jonathan Warren, Mitzi Lopez and Lollie Wilson. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
By SYDNEY CROMWELL When Patricia Simpson left Shades Cahaba Elementary to become the principal of Edgewood Elementary, the words of fifth-grade teacher Naomi Goss stuck with her: “Say yes.” “I have reflected on that advice many, many times when others have come to me with ideas or advice for what should happen here,” Simpson said. “I followed that advice … The logistics can be figured out, but say ‘Yes’ to the great ideas.” That was nine years ago. At the end of June, Simpson will retire and bring an “absolutely glorious” 36-year career with Homewood City Schools to a close. As she sat in her office in the last weeks of school, Simpson said she isn’t sure what she is going to do next. “My mind right now is on making sure that the last month of school, we are on target with our instruction, we are not deviating from our school schedule. I’m really not preparing for retirement. My focus is on our kids,” Simpson said. Simpson started as a kindergarten teacher at Shades Cahaba, then became a technology and instructional specialist before being named assistant principal in 2002. She moved to Edgewood in 2007. She said she has always enjoyed learning, and that the love of learning and love of teaching often go hand in hand. “I cannot express my gratitude enough for Tricia Simpson’s years of service and dedication to this district and more importantly to the children of Homewood,” Superintendent Bill Cleveland said in a release. “Dr. Simpson’s love for education is reflected in the faces of her students and wonderful staff at Edgewood Elementary. Her commitment and outstanding service to Homewood will be greatly missed.” In her time as principal, Simpson said she has been proud to work with the staff to create a culture that puts the children first, with safety a close second, and that students understand how
to reach the standard of “Edgewood excellence.” The parents, she said, have also known how to be supportive and involved without getting in the way of her doing her job. The atmosphere of Homewood City Schools, Simpson said, is one she has loved enough to stay for over three decades, both as a teacher and as a principal, and to educate her own two sons. “We’re all on the same page. That’s what I love about Edgewood,” Simpson said. “We understand that every child is different, every child deserves respect and love and support. Parents understand that I need them and they are here for us.” While putting children first is Simpson’s goal, she said there’s no such thing as a typical
day as Edgewood’s principal. The needs of her different classrooms quickly replace whatever to-do list Simpson starts her day with. She gives a morning address to her “Edgewood family” over the intercom, but after that her day can take any direction. “So my list is really comprised of what my boys and girls need and what teachers and staff need and who walks through the front door and how can I be of service,” Simpson said. “It’s a busy day. Very busy from the beginning of the day until night.” Simpson’s retirement was announced in April. She said the timing is right, as everything at the school is “flowing beautifully,” and she feels confident that the next principal can “pick up
the ball and bounce high.” “I just think this is a great time to do it because things here are great. I know that I will turn this school over to a deserving administrator who can pick up the ball and start interjecting wonderful ideas,” Simpson said. When she leaves Edgewood for the final time on June 30, Simpson said she will have years of good memories, from Grandpals Day to annual musicals to watching her students grow up, to take with her. “I will simply sit on my deck and reflect upon the wonderful experiences and the relationships that have been forged through Homewood City Schools. I am grateful for everything that has happened here,” Simpson said.
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TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A19
Cook to retire from city clerk role By SYDNEY CROMWELL
Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
Mayors and council members come and go, but one thing has remained the same at City Hall for 27 years: Linda Cook sitting in the city clerk’s office. Cook, who has worked for the city of Homewood for over 45 years in total, retired in late April. She left a job that, she says, never really felt like work. “I always like having a good time, because that’s how I’ve always felt about this job,” Cook said. Nearly three decades of helping people understand city codes, apply for zoning variances and get their trash picked up has made Cook one of the most knowledgeable people about Homewood in the city. Rather than consulting their ward maps, Cook said most of the employees in the clerk’s office come to her to ask questions about the city wards. No matter the address, Cook almost always knows the information by memory. “There’s not many places I don’t know about,” said Cook, who also lived in Homewood for 30 years. Knowing her community inside and out is just the way Cook likes it. She said that getting out in the community and knowing people is essential to being a good clerk. Now, her husband jokes that he can’t ask her to go to Piggly Wiggly to get groceries, as she’ll always be stopped to talk by someone she knows. “I felt like it was necessary for me, and that was to make efforts to be a part of the community, to know the city,” Cook said. Cook has worked with five mayors and dozens of council members. She said that she enjoys getting to sit in on planning meetings to provide advice on local and state codes, as well as her personal opinion. When she started working for the city in 1970, Cook said the city’s departments were almost all housed in one building and operated on a budget of about $1.7 million. “We had no idea what IT [information technology] was, and we didn’t care,” Cook said. Now the city government works from many buildings including Rosewood Hall, which is just one of many city projects that Cook has watched progress from an idea to completion. “I love being a part of that process. I love being a part of something that’s good and will be rewarding for the city,” Cook said. “I like feeling like I’m making a difference. You’ve got to have purpose.” Election season gets stressful for the clerk’s office, but Cook said she feels like it’s one of the most important things she does. “This is when I really feel like I’m doing some good,” she said. However, most of Cook’s fondest memories didn’t happen in
her office. Cook said she loved being part of the We Love Homewood Day and Christmas parades, as well as the annual basketball game between the council and the Exceptional Foundation. At one point, Cook wanted to be a teacher, and some of her favorite experiences came in Homewood City Schools. She participated in Grandpals’ Day at Edgewood Elementary every year and has a scrapbook of the children who were her “pals” over the years. When election season rolled around for the city, she would also go to the schools to hold mock elections, teaching children about national elections and their local wards. Cook said she always held back a roll of “I Voted” stickers from the election season to give to the students. “Put me in a school and I’m just happy as I can be doing something with the children,” Cook said. Cook said she didn’t originally plan to retire now, especially
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before election season. However, her family’s needs took priority over the city. Cook will be caring for her mother and babysitting her grandchildren now that she’s retired. She is also preparing herself for the possibility of being a kidney donor for her youngest sister, who has chronic kidney disease. “I’ve got to get healthy, I’ve got to get home and rest so if that decision is made and when it is made, I am going to be able to do that,” Cook said. Cook said she’s going to miss every part of her job as the city clerk, as well as the city that she has served for decades. “Homewood residents aren’t like any other city. They really love their city,” Cook said. “It’s just not a place you live. It’s a place you get out and you become involved and you know your neighbor.” “Believe me, this community has meant the world to me.”
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The Homewood Star
A20 • May 2016
Healing humans with horses By SYDNEY CROMWELL There may be a species and language barrier between humans and horses, but Connie Guthrie and Carol Hollis White say the relationship their addiction patients build with the animals can shed light on their relationships with people. “In the relationship with the horse, [there are] feelings that would come up in real life that maybe I wasn’t even aware of, and in a therapeutic setting it was safe enough for those feelings to come up. And the horses provide a comfort and a safety,” Guthrie said. Guthrie, a Mountain Brook resident, and White, a Homewood resident, lead the adventure-based counseling program that is part of UAB’s Addiction Recovery Center. The four-week program includes one day at a climbing wall, one day at a ropes course, a day of acting out scenarios about participants’ family life and a day at Vintage Creek Farm in Sterrett. Guthrie helped to start the program about four years ago, when she saw the benefits of equine therapy in her own life and wanted to apply it to addiction treatment. “I wanted to share it here in Birmingham to people who needed it, especially trauma advisers,” Guthrie said. White joined the program about a year ago, though she’s been a therapist for about 25 years. Her interest began with her daughter, who attended a Special Equestrians therapy program for a physical disability until she graduated high school. Aside from the physical benefits, White said her daughter felt a deep connection with the horse she rode for years.
Carol Hollis White and Connie Guthrie with one of the horses they use in the adventure-based counseling program at UAB’s Addiction Recovery Center. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
“She began to say things like, ‘I can think about something, and he understands it,’” White said. After her own research and owning a horse, White said she experienced that connection for herself. “They can tell if a human being is being authentic, or if a human being is safe or wants to go or stop or turn in a circle,” she said. Part of the healing of the program, Guthrie said, is simply that it’s fun to be outdoors and interact with the horses. However, there are lessons along the way that the participants can apply to the rest of their lives.
One of the first tasks for the addiction recovery participants is to choose a horse and put a halter on it. For some, this means facing a fear of horses, uncertainty about what to do or unwillingness to ask for help. If two participants choose the same horse, they also have to work out whether they’ll share or whether one person is willing to give up the horse or wants to stand his or her ground to keep it. Guthrie and White’s job is to watch, listen and show their participants how the situation in the barn mirrors their decisions in real life. “If that’s the only thing they get
from the day, that’s huge for somebody who’s never been empowered to ask for what they want, or for someone who’s never shared,” Guthrie said. Once the group begins handling their horses, the lessons continue. White said horses are sensitive to humans’ emotions and personality, and it shows in the way they respond. While relationships between humans can be more complex and difficult to understand, she said a horse’s reactions are simple and direct enough for the recovery patients to see things in a new light. White recalled one participant who was being too passive and having a
hard time figuring out how to lead her horse because she was afraid she would hurt it. Because she didn’t set boundaries, White said the horse ended up stepping on her foot. “She basically let the horse run over her, and it stepped on her foot, which was awful for her, for her foot, but the light bulb went on. She was like, ‘Oh, my God, I get it now. If I do not take care of myself, I get hurt. And I can take care of myself without hurting somebody else,’” White said. Guthrie and White said every time they bring a group to the barn, the participants seem calmer and happier on the way back. “And they can verbalize what they learned,” White said. Guthrie is certified through the American Society of Experiential Therapists and has undergone additional training, specifically for equine therapy. White is working on her certification, as well. They bring groups to Vintage Creek about once every four weeks, but agreed they would like to do so more frequently. At the barn and throughout the adventure-based counseling program, Guthrie said it is “joyful” to get to help her patients understand their behaviors and how their choices led to addiction, despite being successful students or professionals in many cases. “They have a disease, and this kind of work helps them make sense of the choices they’ve made and why they make them,” Guthrie said. “I get to come out here and enjoy myself and watch people make huge shifts, and that’s the most gratifying thing in the world, to feel like I was with someone when they learned something that’s going to change their life,” she added.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A21
Herbert “Hack” Hackworth stands next to the Homewood High School band equipment truck, which he has been driving for over 20 years. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
Repaying ‘debt of gratitude’ Herbert ‘Hack” Hackworth embodiment of commitment to Patriots band By SYDNEY CROMWELL Every Homewood band student from the past 25 years likely knows Herbert “Hack” Hackworth, the man who drives the band equipment truck and sometimes helps to repair their instruments. Hackworth has been volunteering with the band since 1991. Hackworth, a lifelong Edgewood resident and retired federal police officer, started volunteering because his daughter, Mandy, was in the color guard at Homewood High. “She let me help the band as long as I stayed away from her,” Hackworth said with a laugh. Mandy died in a car accident during her junior year, in 1993. Hackworth said he decided to keep volunteering as a way to thank the band and the school, both for what they added to Mandy’s life and their support after her death. “The school was a major part of her life. She just really loved Homewood High School, and I guess you call it a debt of gratitude,” Hackworth said. After a few years, volunteering with the band was just as much about his own enjoyment as it was in Mandy’s honor. “They are good, so good. Somebody asked me if I got paid to work. I said, ‘Yeah! Every time they play, I get paid,’” Hackworth said. Hackworth’s mother, Bernice, taught in Homewood schools, so being part of school activities is “in the blood.” Recalling his own attempts to play the trumpet in high school band, Hackworth said he has been impressed with the talent and sheer number of students in the band, as well as the variety of instruments they play. “This is my part of being in music,” Hackworth said. To Hackworth, driving the equipment trucks is a lot of fun. He accompanies the band to performances during football season, competitions and even major parades. He has carried a truckload of instruments to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., the Rose Bowl in California and multiple Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. One year he got to walk with the band in the
“
They are good, so good. Somebody asked me if I got paid to work. I said, ‘Yeah! Every time they play, I get paid.
”
HACK HACKMAN
Macy’s parade, which he said was a “hoot.” This year, he’ll be one of the three equipment drivers accompanying the Homewood band to the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade. “I’m going to enjoy that,” Hackworth said. Because he enjoys driving, Hackworth drove field trip and athlete buses for the school system for several years. He recalled placing his duffel bag, which said POLICE on the side, in the bus aisle for all the kids to see, in an attempt to prevent any unruliness. “Whether it worked or not, I don’t know. They were good kids,” Hackworth said, adding he rarely had to discipline students. “I thoroughly enjoyed it.” Hackworth stopped driving buses in 2013 but has stuck with the band. In addition to driving, he helps to make props for halftime shows and has learned to do some small instrument repair, especially for drums and tuba. He said he likes to save the band department money when possible, but just as valuable is knowing “what I can do and what I shouldn’t do.” “With the band as big as it is now, they really need the help,” Hackworth said. “There’s always something needed to be done.” The only bad part of his volunteering job, he said, is saying goodbye to the graduating seniors each year. “That’s a plus and a minus. You get to where you learn and you know the kids,” Hackworth said, and then jokingly added, “I love them all. Even the bad ones.”
The Homewood Star
A22 • May 2016
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Former Homewood, Hoover band director still making music after retirement By JON ANDERSON It has been 15 years since Pat Morrow stepped off the podium as a high school band director, but the rippling effect of his presence can still be felt in Homewood and Hoover to this day. Morrow spent 20 years as band director at Homewood High School and six years leading the Hoover High band before becoming the public relations coordinator for the Hoover school system in 2001. He retired six years later but left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of students, those who know him say. Even though he left the high school band world, Morrow has maintained his connections to music. He started an orchestra program at Meadow Brook Baptist Church about 13 years ago and then moved to direct the orchestra at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood about eight years ago. In late December, with new triplets bringing his total number of grandchildren to five, Morrow decided to retire again — this time from Dawson Memorial. “I am officially retired from, I guess, everything at this point,” said Morrow, who just turned 69. “I’m just a normal person.”
NOTES ‘ROUND THE WORLD
Morrow, who lives in Greystone with his wife, Margaret, got his start as a band director at General Forrest Junior High School in Gadsden in 1969. The next year, he became band
current band members were students of Morrow. “It’s certainly a family tradition for a lot of folks in the Homewood area,” Pence said. “His legacy still lives on here at Homewood.”
PRIDE, PERFECTION, PROFESSIONALISM
Pat Morrow directs the Homewood High School Patriot Band in Washington, D.C., at the inauguration of President George Bush in 1989. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrow.
director at Emma Sansom High School, but he really gained notoriety after coming to Homewood in 1975. When he arrived at Homewood, there were 35 students at his first band practice. By the time he left 20 years later, the band had grown to 170 members. Morrow became the first high school band director from Alabama to take a band to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. He even took the Homewood band
to perform in the New Year’s Day Parade in London and two St. Patrick’s Day parades in Ireland. They won both the Dublin and Limerick, Ireland competition parades, and the trophies still sit in the Homewood band room. “He had a vision when he got here of putting the Homewood band and the Homewood community on the national and international stage,” said Ron Pence, who followed Morrow at Homewood and is in his 20th year there. Morrow succeeded, and “the tradition is still going strong now,” Pence
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said. The Homewood band made its eighth appearance in the Macy’s parade in 2011, and it was Morrow who arranged two songs for the band’s TV appearance. The Homewood band also went to the Tournament of Roses Parade again in 2014 and now, approaching 400 members (about 40 percent of the high school’s student body), is scheduled to go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia in November. “Everybody still knows Pat,” Pence said. Many of the parents of
Martha Ann Cole Wilson was Homewood’s first female drum major in 1989 and 1990. Wilson, who now lives in Tupelo, Mississippi, with children of her own, still vividly remembers three stars that Morrow put up in the Homewood band room, emblazoned with the words “pride,” “perfection,” and “professionalism.” “He wanted those three things in his program,” Wilson said. “He didn’t settle for less. He strived for perfection.” She recalls one time when the band disappointed him and he took one of the stars down until the band redeemed itself. “There was a level of expectations that were high. Everybody wanted to please him,” Wilson said. “You didn’t want to disappoint him. You wanted to make him proud.” Those stars still hang over the podium in the band room. Morrow had a very commanding personality, but he loved his students, Wilson said. “He was warm and friendly, but you knew he meant business,” she said. “The students respected him … You knew he knew what was best for us.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A23 He tracked down an executive with Procter & Gamble, the advertising sponsor for the game, and shared the band’s lyrics. The executive agreed there was a problem, and the band got nixed, Morrow said. He quickly found a replacement band to put on the free concert.
FOND MEMORIES
Pat Morrow, a former band director for Homewood and Hoover High schools who retired as the spokesman for Hoover City Schools in 2007 and then as the orchestra director for Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in December, rehearses with the orchestra at Meadow Brook Baptist Church. Photo by Frank Couch.
You knew he had your back.” Jack Farr, a former Homewood High School principal who later became Hoover’s superintendent, recruited Morrow to become Hoover High School’s band director in 1996. Morrow took the Hoover band to the Orange Bowl Parade that fall and later on trips to Holland, Germany and Belgium. The last band trip he organized was to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — two months after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Harry McAfee, who followed Morrow at Hoover High and now serves as executive secretary of the Alabama Bandmasters Association, described Morrow as a great musician and teacher. “He’s always earned a lot of respect from his students and still has a lot of respect and admiration from those that
were in his band programs all those years,” McAfee said. “He’s a great guy … He was very helpful to me, very supportive in making the transition for me into the Hoover system.”
THE ‘PR’ MAN
But Morrow was not only a good musician; he was a fantastic promoter, McAfee said. He planned excellent trips for the students and had a knack for public relations, which is what made him good in his role as a spokesperson for the Hoover school system, McAfee said. “He’s really good at dealing with people and problem-solving and talking to the media — presenting things in a positive way,” McAfee said. Morrow said one of his biggest challenges as a public relations person was in 2002 when a student at Hoover High stabbed a classmate to death at school.
The school was immediately crawling with media, and Morrow — still fairly new to his public relations role — said Hoover police were a great help in managing the ordeal. Three years later, Morrow helped Hoover High avoid a messy situation when the nation’s No. 1-ranked high school football player — Tim Tebow — rolled into town with Nease High School from Florida for a matchup with the Hoover Bucs. The game was being aired by ESPN, and the network had lined up an out-of-state band for a free concert to add to the fanfare. Someone from Hoover researched the band’s lyrics, which Morrow described as highly offensive, and parents began to protest. Morrow said he tried to get ESPN to cancel the band, but ESPN already had signed a contract. So to prevent a public relations disaster, Morrow followed the money.
Morrow said the best part about being a band director for him was a combination of arranging the music his bands would perform and the opportunity to get know a lot of students and hopefully make some impact in their lives. He was greatly surprised when he first came to the Birmingham area how many students came from one-parent families, he said. “For a lot of them, band was like a second family and helped them get through some tough times,” he said. The worst part of the job was having to deal with parents whose children did not make auxiliary groups such as the danceline, majorettes or color guard. “It usually got kind of testy at times,” he said. Morrow said he’ll never forget the many trips he was able to take with his bands. He fondly recalls on the Homewood band’s first trip to the Macy’s parade how the press made a big deal about a band coming from Alabama. “Some of them showed up, I think, to find out if our kids were going to be wearing shoes,” he said. He put the fear of God in the Homewood students before they went on the trip, telling them to stay on his schedule and in his sight, he said. They took him literally. When they were watching a movie in Radio City Music Hall, he left the theater to go to the concession stand, and all 130 of them busted out the doors because they thought he was leaving, he said with a laugh.
Wilson said the band trips were great then, but “now I think everybody realizes that he provided us with educational opportunities that really were once in a lifetime.”
STILL MAKING MUSIC
In 2009, Morrow was inducted into the Alabama Music Educators Association’s Hall of Fame. Then in 2013, he was invited back to a Homewood marching band alumni reunion and got to lead almost 200 alumni in a performance before a football game. “It’s fun getting to see all of them,” he said. “Every one of them thought the band they were in their senior year was the best band ever.” He hears from band alumni on Facebook every week, he said. Though Morrow has retired from directing the church orchestra, he’s still involved with music. He had sold his old trombone when he started directing at Dawson years ago but this past summer, he bought another one. “I missed that old thing,” he said. “I hadn’t played in almost nine years.” He has started playing in the orchestra at Meadow Brook Baptist and is rehearsing with a civic band called Celebration Winds that is led by McAfee and includes a lot of current and former band directors and music teachers. Their rehearsals are in the band room at Hoover High. “That’s kind of strange, being back in my old band room,” he said. He also has played with some alumni bands from Auburn University, where he served as drum major in 1968. He twice has served as the alumni band drum major in pre-game performances and played with the band this past fall before the Furman football game. “It was fun to get to play “War Eagle” a couple more times,” he said. “I’m not up to the level I was at when I left Auburn University, but I’m trying to get back to it.”
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A24 • May 2016
The Homewood Star
mother’s day gift guide For the
For the
SHOE LOVER
JEWELRY LOVER Pearl necklace $100 24-inch 6.5 x 7 mm freshwater cultured pearl lariat with a pear-shaped pearl drop is perfect for Mother’s Day. Bromberg’s 131 Summit Boulevard 969-1776
Birkenstock Mayari Sandal $89.95 This graceful cross strap sandal with toe loop is the perfect addition to her summer wardrobe. The Mayari sandal is made for all day comfort and style. Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919
For the For the
STYLISH MOM Tom Ford Edita sunglasses $400 Treat Mom to a timeless, gorgeous pair of designer shades that she can enjoy for seasons to come. JJ Eyes 2814 18th Street South 703-8596
MOM WHO CAN’T DECIDE Issis & Sons gift card Any amount available Purchase this gift card, and let Mom pick out what she wants. Issis & Sons Redeemable at all locations: Pelham, Greystone or Hoover 620-6926
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A25
For the
PERSON ON THE GO Yeti Rambler 18-oz. bottle $39.99 Its stainless steel construction stands up to the toughest of conditions. The leakproof cap protects from spills. Easy loading, drinking and cleaning in the perfectly sized gift for Mom.
For the
MOM WHO LIKES TO BE PAMPERED Farm House Fresh gift set $36 Featuring a scrumptious body scrub and cream.
Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware 3354 Morgan Drive 979-5444
Homewood Antiques and Marketplace 930 Oxmoor Road 414-9945
For the
GARDENER Flowering plant arrangements $15.96 to $75 Choose from a variety or mix and match beautiful arrangements for mom. Sweet Peas Garden Shop 2829 Linden Avenue 879-3839
For the
MOM WITH A SWEET TOOTH Mother’s Day cake $33.95 A beautiful cake for your sweetheart Mom. 8-inch cake. Savage’s Bakery & Deli 2916 18th Street South 871-4901
Moms, Dads & Grads
Visit our showroom in Mountain Brook Village. Shop online with in-store pickup . Complimentary gift wrap. 205.538.7301
A Mother deserves the best!
Celebrate with one of Savage's specialty desserts and make this Mother's Day one to remember! 2916 18th St. South in Homewood • 871-4901 Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8am-5:30pm • Sat. 9am-5pm
The Homewood Star
A26 • May 2016
The Homewood Middle School jazz band performs at Jazz in the Park. The festival is returning for its seventh year and kicked off the season at Homewood Central Park. Photos by Ron Burkett.
JAZZ
in the park
Clockwise, from left: Maurice and Siobhan Embry with children Shaliyah, Maury and Shavion Embry. David Jones performs with his jazz band. Homewood residents Carrie, Ford and Chris Hawkins with their fourlegged friends Chip, Molly and Teddy. A member of David Jones’ jazz band performs at Jazz in the Park.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A27
HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Homewood Community Center Zumba with Camille
ZUMBA is Latin inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes! Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30pm-6:30pm Camille 256-452-2500 camillescruggs@gmail.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. Summer Sessions: June 13-17 & July 11-15 Contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more information and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime.
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.
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
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
@homewoodparks
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
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
Acting Out Academy
Acting Out Academy is a kid’s performing arts classes at the Homewood Community Center Thursday 4:00pm-5:00pm (Encore: After School Program) Thursday 5:00pm-6:00pm (Advanced on-camera). www.actingoutacademy.com 205-440-2699 meg@actingoutacademy.com
Blue Line Combatives
Wednesday’s 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
Cheerleading & Tumbling Classes
Steel City Cheer classes cover all cheerleading & tumbling necessities: motions, jumps, cheers, stretching, conditioning, and tumbling. All ages & skill levels welcome. Monday 5:30pm-6:30pm Contact DeeDee: PDEveritt@gmail.com • 901-734-0277
Mommy and Me Stroller Bootcamp
Tuesday & Thursday @ 9:00am Location: Homewood Central Park A class for moms of all fitness levels! This 45 minute class focuses on interval training with the use of bands, body weight, and your child’s stroller! www.mommyandmetime.com
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.”
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 2:15; 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. Therapeutic Massage – members only. Licensed Massage Therapist Jim Johnson is available by appointment. $45 for 1 hr table massage, $20 for 20 min chair massage. Contact Jim directly to schedule an appointment: 915-1769 or massage.jim@gmail.com
Adaptive Yoga & Gentle Yoga – Wed (1:15 - Adaptive & 1:45pm - Gentle) Half hour of gentle guided stretching and breathing, using a chair. Appropriate for persons who wish to avoid exercise on the floor. Participants have the option to continue for the 2nd half hour with gentle guided stretching and breathing on floor mats. 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. Kathy Hagood Personal Training Members only. Kathy focuses on orthopedic issues and restorative training to improve fitness for mature adults, including those with equilibrium, flexibility, strength or other chronic health challenges. Sessions are $35/hour, Contact Kathy at 422-4025 (or) krhagood@yahoo.com
Misc. Information
We Love Homewood Day 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016 Come celebrate Homewood! For more information about all We Love Homewood Day activities please visit: www.homewoodparks.com
Summer 2016 Pool Information
For all your summer pool information: membership, hours of operation, swim team, party rentals, swim lessons, etc. Please visit: www.homewoodparks.com
Homewood Health & Safety Day Saturday, June 11, 2016 10:00am – 1:00pm Join us for a FREE and fun filled day. Homewood Fire, Homewood Police and Regional Paramedical Services (RPS) will have vehicles present that are used to keep our city safe. Homewood Fire Department’s smokehouse will be on hand for kids and adults to learn how to react during a fire emergency. Want to be healthier? General health screens by Herzing College and Samford University students. Fresh
fruit and vegetables available from J&S Produce. Personal health information provided by: Homefit Consulting, Homewood Coalition, National Center for Sports Safety, Hoops for fitness, and S.A.F.E Inc. Greensprings Animal Clinic will be present to answer any pet questions you may have and provide safety information for our furry friends. For more information contact Alissa Brock @ 332-6715 or visit: www.homewoodparks.com
Athletics
Homewood Youth Cheerleading
HYC are a dynamic group of girls who are excited to cheer for the Homewood Youth Football League. HYC is a community cheerleading program for girls in grades 1st through 6th who live in Homewood and/or attend Homewood Schools. For more information visit: www.homewoodyouthcheer.com
Homewood Patriot Youth Football League
HPYFL is responsible for organizing youth tackle football in Homewood and oversees its operation. Registration is open at this time. Please visit our website for more information: www.homewoodyouthfootball.org
www.Homewoodparks.com
The Homewood Star
A28 • May 2016
Recipients of the 2016 Teacher Impact Award were honored at the event. From left: Laura Kapp, Emily Strickland, Carnetta Kennedy, Lisa Gaines and Mark Hellmers. Homewood High School graduate and recently announced Long Island Nets head coach Ronald Nored speaks about how Homewood has influenced his life and the importance of education. Photos by Emily Featherston.
Homewood Grown celebrates city schools By EMILY FEATHERSTON The Homewood City Schools Foundation celebrated local schools on April 18 at their third annual Homewood Grown community dinner. Supporters, educators and community members gathered at SoHo Square for an evening of food and recognition of the accomplishments of Homewood City Schools during the last year.
Catered by Cafe Dupont and presented by Trust Building Services, Homewood Grown celebrated the installation of a new classroom grant cycle, 29 grants awarded over the last year and the five recipients of the 2016 Teacher Impact Award. Award recipients: ► Laura Kapp: Edgewood Elementary School ► Emily Strickland: Hall-Kent Elementary School
► Carnetta Kennedy: Shades Cahaba Elementary School ► Lisa Gaines: Homewood Middle School ► Mark Hellmers: Homewood High School The educators were honored for their commitment to students and impact in the classroom, and were awarded a $500 grant to go toward classroom materials or professional development
as well as a $100 gift certificate to Gianmarco’s Restaurant. Homewood High School graduate Ronald Nored, who was recently named head coach of the Long Island Nets, spoke about his ties to Homewood and how the city and school system have influenced his life. For more information about the grants and awards, visit homewoodcityschoolsfoundation. com.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A29
Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton
Like mother, like daughter On a recent school day, I we went the long way to get asked my 6-year-old, Kate, to through the carpool line. By get her socks and shoes on for the time we got to Oxmoor, I school. It was 7:40, and we had was still taking deep breaths to a couple of minutes before we tamp down the frustration of needed to get in the car. Those being almost late because of a couple of minutes passed, and last-minute need to read or color instead of finding her with socks or whatever she’d been doing and shoes on standing at the instead of getting ready. front door, I poked my head Then, waiting in line to turn onto Westover, I had an in her room and found her sitDenton ting on the floor surrounded by epiphany. stacks of papers, books and crayons — with She gets it from me. I remembered earlier that same mornbare feet. “Kate!” I said. “The first bell just rang, ing, I’d gone into the kitchen with the and you haven’t done anything I asked you intention of making lunches, and instead, I started unloading the dishwasher. An to do!” She looked around, then up at me as if important task, but not at 7:15 when she had no idea how she got on the floor, breakfast and lunch need to be made. I messing around with her books and papers. could go into countless other times when “Oh, sorry. I got distracted.” I’ve started one task only to see someChaos ensued, and we finally got into thing else that needs my attention, and the car to go to school. It was raining, so there I go, starting a second project before
the first one is finished. “Kate, I owe you an apology,” I said. “Why?” “Because I got onto you for getting distracted, when you know what? I did the very same thing this morning.” I told her about the lunches and the dishwasher and how she’s a lot like me in that we both sometimes take a little too long to do things, because we try to do everything at once. She laughed. “Maybe that’s something we should both work on,” she said. The older Kate gets, the more I recognize myself in her. It’s often sweet to see your own characteristics or personality quirks in your children, but it’s harder, more uncomfortable, to see the flaws. Kate and I are both slow movers. We both have trouble making decisions, often agonizing over too many choices and not being able to decide which one is best. We don’t “deal well with change.” This means Kate can have a total come-apart if something
HOMEWOOD
outside our control changes our plans. I prefer to think my meltdowns are a little more internal. My hope is that as Matt and I fumble our way through this parenting thing, we can find that thin line between discipline and gentleness — between steering her to make wise decisions and still allowing her to be herself. I want to preserve her tender heart, but show her her strength. I want to help her focus when necessary, but not stifle that creative spirit that tells her to pull out her crayons and paper and make something beautiful now! Finding the balance is a big part of parenting for me — and I’m learning, maybe it’s a big part of being an adult, too. I’d love to connect! Email me at LaurenKDenton@gmail.com, find me on Twitter @ LaurenKDenton, or visit my blog at laurenkdentonbooks.wordpress.com.
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The Homewood Star
A30 • May 2016
He’s a good person and he’s been a great leader for us. He does his best at every workout. He’s reliable, dependable, and dedicated overall.
TUCKER
”
TOM ESSLINGER
CONTINUED from page A1
“Tucker kind of embodies what that award is supposed to be about really,” Homewood track and field coach Tom Esslinger said. Wilson does it all. He runs track, he plays the saxophone in the band, and on top of that, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance test — on his first try, no less. He entered that first ACT test with no expectations. He had a limited amount of standardized testing preparation, and wanted to get started with a baseline score on the test, as many high school students take the test multiple times. “I was pretty confident that I was going to score well, but I was really looking at it more as a jumping off point rather than a finishing point,” he said. Wilson’s success in the classroom is only part of the pie, and it is a strong foundation that he can build from to excel in other aspects of life. “That’s the first part of it, how strong he is academically,” Esslinger said. “He’s a good person and he’s been a great leader for us. He does his best at every workout. He’s reliable, dependable, and dedicated overall.” The temptation to hold his intelligence over anyone is not even a second thought, as he fits in so well with a diverse group of people. “I definitely see myself in a lot of different crowds, a lot of groups that wouldn’t really mix traditionally,” he said.
Wilson’s story was told through him winning the award, but that story is not finished yet. He will pursue engineering in college and somehow, some way, find a way to work it all into his schedule. Photo courtesy of Josh Donaldson.
Courtesy photo.
Esslinger said of him, “He gets along with everyone really well. Despite the fact that he’s smarter than everyone around him, you’d never know it, because he doesn’t come across that way. He’s never once been disrespectful to me. He’s a humble guy, he’s welcoming of everyone, he cares about everyone.” The rise to having a successful running career at Homewood did not start with a bang. Wilson
had no interest in running track in the seventh grade, but since he gave up swimming, his mom made him pick up another sport. He figured track was the closest thing to swimming, but he hated running, So the first day of practice was interesting, to say the least. “Instead of going out on a run, I hid in our gym bleachers,” Wilson said. “I sat in there for the whole practice and came back out (at the end).”
But he pulled it off. He went into the locker room and worked up a sweat before going home. Even though he had successfully avoided practice, he didn’t feel good about what had happened. “Frankly, I was a little disappointed in myself. I had given up on something before it even started,” he recalled. He would end up giving the sport a shot and, “the rest is history.” “That moment sort of turned my life around… That moment showed me how rewarding it could be if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone a little bit. That’s when I started picking up band and involving myself more in some of those things I’d already been doing,” he said. Wilson’s story was told through him winning the award, but that story is not finished yet. He will pursue engineering in college and somehow, some way, find a way to work it all into his schedule. “I don’t know how he finds time to do everything, but he’s an impressive person,” Esslinger said.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • A31 The Society for Creative Anachronism will give a sword fighting demonstration at Homewood Central Park during We Love Homewood Day. Staff photo.
LOVE
CONTINUED from page A1 feel,” Holley said. The day kicks off with the We Love Homewood Day 5K at 7:30 a.m. at Homewood Central Park. The 5K route is mostly flat throughout Edgewood and eventually loops back to the park. The Spring in the Park Festival begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m., also at Homewood Central Park. Inflatables, rides and activities for all ages will be all over the park. The festival will include a vendor expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where crafters, businesses and civic groups will set up displays. A DJ will provide music, and at 1 p.m. a pep rally and concert performance by the Homewood High School band will be at the amphitheater in Homewood Central Park. Throughout the day, patrons can take part in a silent auction, and the Society for Creative Anachronism will perform medieval demonstrations. Food and drink sales by the West Homewood Lions Club will benefit the club’s scholarship funds and other charities. The Rotary Club plans the annual bake sale and the sidewalk chalk art contest, led this year by Nelson, the club secretary. The bake sale will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature well-known businesses such as Nabeel’s, Western Supermarket, Edgar’s, Dreamcakes, Savage’s and Buffalo Rock, she said. “They donate things like cakes, cupcakes, breads, pies — that type of thing,” Nelson said. Members of the Rotary Club also bring goodies to the table. “They break out their favorite recipes and bake cookies, brownies, banana bread and things of that nature,” she said. “It’s an interesting little event, and people get very creative.” Nelson recalled that last year a woman showed up with cake on a stick. “I’d never seen it before. It was cubes of cake on a popsicle stick,” she said. “It was as cute as could be, and that’s great for a dollar or whatever we charged. You get a bite of cake, get a sugar high and go on your merry way.” Proceeds from the bake sale fund Rotary Club scholarships, Nelson said.
“The whole purpose is to sell as much as we can to raise money for our scholarships,” she said. Another highlight of We Love Homewood Day is the sidewalk chalk art contest. “This event is something that you can come as a spectator and watch and look, but if you want to participate, if you are artistically inclined, let us know,” Nelson said. “You can sign up and pair with one of our sponsors to have a sidewalk square. We provide chalk and supplies for you to create a work of art for us.” Non-artists can contribute, too, Nelson said. “You can buy a square for $100, and we will find an artist for you, or you can find your own artist,” she said. About 50 participate, Nelson said, and each artist has a square of about seven feet to work with. “They’re not doing a little thumbnail; it is a big piece,” Nelson said. Artists can start drawing at 8 a.m. and judging is at 3 p.m. The money for each square goes to the Rotary Club’s scholarship fund. “It’s important to note that all purchases are
tax deductible,” Nelson said. “We provide scholarships to Homewood High School seniors. It stays in the city, and not just anybody who wants the scholarship gets it. We have a pretty rigid criteria, and students have to be needy.” Scholarships are now not just for college-bound students, but also for students going to vocational school, Nelson said. The sidewalk chalk art contest has four categories: Best of Show, Most Creative, Chairman’s Choice and Youth. Last year’s grand prize Best of Show winner, Karen Libecap of the ALSPCA, won $500. “She did a drawing of a cute little puppy,” Nelson said. “It was big and doe-eyed and made you say, ‘Awww shucks.’” Winning the Most Creative prize nets an artist $300, Chairman’s Choice awards a $300 prize and the winner of the Youth division wins $100. Lineup for the We Love Homewood Day Parade begins at 5 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library, and the parade kicks off at 6 p.m. Prizes for Best of Show, Most Homewood Spirit and Best Float will be awarded. The parade will have a grand marshal, who is
normally also the winner of the Quality of Life Award, an award given to a deserving Homewood resident as a token of appreciation for his or her work and service to the community of Homewood. This person is chosen by the mayor. Last year’s winners were the Wade family, chosen after Buddy Wade’s sudden death about a year and a half ago, Holley said. “They are a family with deep ties to the community and [have offered] service to the community,” he said. The day’s events conclude with a street dance in Edgewood. Chevy 6 will perform, and businesses in Edgewood will be open serving food and beverages until the event’s close at 9:30 p.m. Though anyone can attend We Love Homewood Day — not just Homewood residents — it is a chance to celebrate a community so many hold dear. “I love Homewood for so many reasons,” Holley said. “Probably most I love the small town feel that we have, but all the things the city is able to offer our residents.” For more information, visit homewoodparks. com/special-events/we-love-homewood-day/.
The Homewood Star
SECTION
B
Graduation Gift Guide B6 School House B4 Real Estate B17 Calendar B18
MAY 2016
Sports Stephen Baggett has been an important part of this season’s UAB pitching staff. Photo courtesy of UAB Athletics.
COMEBACK
KID Baggett recovers from injury to solid senior season
By KYLE PARMLEY Stephen Baggett hung a changeup over the middle of the plate, and as a result, suffered heavily. In UAB’s final intersquad scrimmage of the
2015 fall period, Baggett was hit in the face by a line drive screaming off the bat. “Initially, I didn’t really think anything of it,” the senior pitcher for the Blazers said. “I didn’t think my jaw was broken or anything. I just kind of got up and thought maybe I messed
up some teeth.” He spent the next night in the hospital, with a jaw that was certainly broken. He had surgery the following morning, where doctors inserted a plate to keep his jaw stable, and arch bars on his teeth.
He said, “After it was over, it was not fun. I was eating out of a syringe. Soups and mashed potatoes were my go-to. But it was not fun.”
See BAGGETT | page B16
B2 • May 2016
The Homewood Star
When YOU’RE in the driver’s seat, choose Children’s South Surgery. When a patient goes in for a surgical procedure at Children’s South, that child receives world-class care from board-certified pediatric professionals: l surgeons l anesthesiologists l nurse anesthetists l recovery room nurses and l support staff. Everyone on our staff makes the choice to work with children and their families 24/7, 365 days a year.
Children’s South Outpatient Center 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road Birmingham, Alabama 35243 205.638.3217
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B3
The Homewood Star
B4 • May 2016
School House
HHS class of 2016 By ERICA TECHO On May 23, Homewood High School seniors will turn their tassels and graduate as the class of 2016. College and Career Counselor Elaine Haskins said she has enjoyed watching this year’s senior class develop and grow throughout its high school career. Haskins served as the school’s ninth-grade counselor before taking the college and career position, and she has been able to look back on conversations she had with students as they were just starting high school. “It’s really been fun to get to see the students that I knew when they were ninth-graders and thinking back to conversations I had with students when they were in ninth grade and going into 10th grade,” Haskins said. “I can just see how their taking on another challenge really paid off. It’s neat to see those seeds planted.” The class of 2016 has been a steady and academically impressive group, she said. While students are not competitive against each other, Haskins said, they consistently look for ways to improve themselves. She said her advice to the graduating seniors would be to continue to work hard and do what they love. “I would say this class in particular has really been selective in what they’ve chosen to do with their time in school and out of school, and I
would say just to keep enjoying the challenge of what you’re taking on and to keep doing things for yourself that you enjoy doing,” she said. The Homewood Star sat down with a few members of the class of 2016 to discuss their high school experience and their plans for the future. Name: Emily Kachelhofer Activities: Senior class president, show choir College plans: Pre-med at Birmingham Southern College or Wofford University E v e n though Emily Kachelhofer is graduating Homewood High School this month, she said her ties to the school will not end. Her younger sisters will be freshmen next year, and she looks forward to hearing about their experience. “I think with a last name like Kachelhofer,
they’ll be well-known,” she said. “All the teachers know me, and say ‘Oh you’re Emily’s sister,’ so it’s kind of nice there’s a legacy that I’m leaving behind.” As senior class president, Kachelhofer will make a speech at her class’s graduation ceremony in May. Although she will not be able to mention specific people or teachers, she said she plans to offer thanks to anyone who has influenced the students at Homewood. “I just want to say a thank you to all of the people who have helped us make it this far,” she said. “Like our principal, he was new my freshman year, so this is his class, his first class graduating, and I think it’d be nice to thank him and all of our teachers for putting up with us.” Her teachers’ passion for what they teach has helped Kachelhofer prepare for college in the classroom, and she said her fellow students have helped prepare her for outside the classroom. HHS also offers a close-knit community, Kachelhofer said, and that is something she looked for in colleges. She is debating between attending Birmingham Southern College or Wofford University in the fall. After growing up with most of her classmates from elementary school through graduation, Kachelhofer said May brings a bittersweet change. “We all think about each other as little kids because I’ve grown up with the same Edgewood
family,” she said. “And I think it’s nice that people aren’t necessarily bitter about the past, they’re kind of nostalgic about it. We’re all excited to see the future, but we all still love Homewood so much that we’ll all come back for the class reunions.” Name: Timothy Wooley Activities: Drumline, leader of tenor section, captain of tennis team, co-president of birthday club, Trinity UMC youth group, Patriot Pride Ambassadors College Plans: Studying environmental science at Berry College Looking back on his four years at Homewood High School, senior Timothy Wooley said his main regret is not being more involved. While he was involved in several groups and activities
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TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B5
Homewood has helped me become a very well-rounded person in general because at Homewood, a lot of people will talk about how you can do different things. You’re not just a football player … you can be a member of different sports teams, and we have all different clubs.
”
TIMOTHY WOOLEY
— from being a section leader on drumline and captain of the tennis team to serving as co-president of the birthday club — Wooley said he let a few things get in the way of pursuing his interests. “Don’t be afraid to do things because later on I realized there were things I could have been doing all four years that I didn’t, but the things I did do all four years, I’m so glad,” he said. Homewood High School provides plenty of options to its students, Wooley said, and he
would encourage students to take advantage of those opportunities. “Homewood has helped me become a very well-rounded person in general because at Homewood, a lot of people will talk about how you can do different things,” Wooley said. “You’re not just a football player … you can be a member of different sports teams, and we have all different clubs.” Classes at Homewood also helped guide Wooley to his college plans. He took several
Advanced Placement classes, and said his AP environmental science class helped him decide on a college major. He also credits his teacher Melanie McBrayer for helping him develop a passion for the subject. “She’s a very friendly person. She looks a lot like a typical environmental science person, but I think that’s really helped me get a feel for the subject and [learn] about it from someone who truly loves the subject,” Wooley said. Although Homewood emphasizes the importance of academics, Wooley said the opportunity to pursue a variety of interests led him to select a liberal arts college, Berry College in Rome, Georgia. While he plans to major in environmental science in college, he also hopes to continue studying music and art. “Being able to get a little taste of everything at Homewood has helped me realize what I want to do in the future because hopefully by the end of my college experience, I won’t regret missing out on something or won’t think, ‘I wish I had tried that,’” he said. Name: Marquis Hollingsworth Activities: Captain of drumline, co-president of birthday club, The Worship Center church, Patriot Pride Ambassadors College Plans: Considering Auburn, Alabama and Jefferson State University W h e n M a r q u i s Hollingsworth graduates from Homewood High School, there will be plenty of things he will miss: visiting the band room each morning, joking with his friends and football games are a few of those. “Even the most irritating parts of high school,
I’m going to miss everything,” Hollingsworth said. He will take plenty of lessons from HHS with him, however. Hollingsworth said the activities he was involved in, including being captain of drumline and a member of the Patriot Pride Ambassadors, have prepared him for some of the real-world interactions he will face after high school. “It’s helped us think on our feet and be adaptable to any situation,” he said. As an ambassador, Hollingsworth said he learned to conduct himself in interviews and how to represent something bigger than himself. While he does not have an exact career path planned out, he said he wants to apply those skills in the future. “I want to represent something,” he said. “I like talking to people. I like going places. I like helping people in general.” Hollingsworth applied to Auburn, Alabama and Jefferson State universities and said he plans to audition for their music schools and marching bands before making a decision. In college, he hopes to minor in music and continue studying percussion and marching. His passion for drumming developed during his time at Homewood High School, Hollingsworth said, and he is glad the school encourages students to pursue what they enjoy. “Homewood is also good at, when you find something you like, they push you to be really efficient in the area,” he said. One he started drumming, he was connected with activities and people who would help him improve, Hollingsworth said, including the drumline sponsor Darren Holbrooks. “He’s helped me develop so much and not just as a drummer, but as a person in general,” he said. “He gives great life lessons, and he’s a great person.” Hollingsworth said some of the difficult times he faced during high school made him appreciate what he has, and he encourages fellow students to enjoy life and get back up when it knocks them down. Graduation will be bittersweet, he said, but he is ready for what comes next. “It’s been a fun ride, but I’m ready to get off it and get on the next one,” he said.
The Homewood Star
B6 • May 2016
GRADUATION gift guide
For the
PERSON ON THE GO Yeti Rambler bottle series 18 oz. - $39.95, 36 oz. - $59.99, 64 oz. - $89.99 Give your graduate the ultimate drink companion. Keep their drink as cold as science allows and always on the go with rugged stainless steel protection. Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919
For the
COOL GRAD
For the
SOPHISTICATED GRAD Crystal engraved box $28.95 with monogram This engraved crystal box is perfect for any graduate. Bromberg’s 131 Summit Boulevard 969-1776
Krewe St. Louis sunglasses $215 Give your grad a pair of timeless, gorgeous designer shades to enjoy for seasons to come. JJ Eyes 2814 18th Street South 703-8596
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B7
For the
OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST Yeti Rambler bottle $59.99 This 36-oz. bottle is the perfect gift for any graduating student with enough power to keep drinks hot or cold until the last drop. Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware 3354 Morgan Drive 979-5444
For the
DECORATOR Iconic Birmingham art pieces $35 each Canvas on vintage wood blocks. Homewood Antiques & Marketplace 930 Oxmoor Road 414-9945
For the
PERSON WITH A SWEET TOOTH Graduation cap cookies $2.50 each or $30 a dozen Delicious cookies for your Patriot. Celebrate their graduation with something sweet. Savage’s Bakery & Deli 2916 18th Street South 871-4901
The Homewood Star
B8 • May 2016
Basketball teams serve on safety patrol Elementary students were visited by members of the high school basketball teams prior to their area tournaments. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
Ferderber named to all-state band Homewood High School senior Emi Ferderber was selected as a member of the 2016 Alabama All-State Band and the 2016 District IV Honor Band. Anne Popple, Lizzy Haywood and James Kirk were also selected to the 2016 District IV Honor Band. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
On a bitterly cold February morning, members of the Homewood High School boys and girls basketball teams spent a little while giving back to their school community. Members of both teams assisted the safety patrol teams at Edgewood, Hall-Kent and Shades Cahaba elementary schools. The purpose was to simply greet students and their parents while increasing awareness
of the area tournaments being hosted at the time. The players invited the students to come and support the Patriots, and they talked to them about the importance of working hard. Some of the players were even able to visit the classrooms and read to the younger students. – Submitted by Homewood City Schools.
Fun with fractions Leah Chancellor's fourth-grade class at Hall-Kent Elementary School recently collaborated to change fractions to decimals. The students enjoyed working together to put their fractions in order from least to greatest. From left to right: Makiyah Bell, Lauren Sides, Kimberly Morris, Annabeth Anderson, Kayla Warren, Emmy Stewart and Brianna Flores. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
Students Katelyn Holloman, Hatim Nasser and Alicia Mendoza stand by a bike blender outside of HMS. Photo courtesy of Merrick Wilson.
HMS students use bike blender to make salsa Homewood Middle School students recently combined exercise and salsa with blenders on bicycles. The students researched and modified salsa recipes during their Family and Consumer Sciences class, and they were able to use the Rock the Bike blender bikes to make their creations. A bike blender from Rock the Bike is powered by pedaling the bike and can help blend refreshments while teaching students about healthy eating and exercise. The blenders were purchased through academic enhancement grants from the HMS PTO and Alabama Department of Public Health grants. – Submitted by Merrick Wilson.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B9
Rip Livingston, Tucker Wilson, Wyatt Harrison and Molly Richardson are candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Winners will be announced later this spring. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
4 HHS students in running for Presidential Scholars Four Homewood High School seniors were named as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Congratulations to Wyatt Harrison, Rip Livingston, Molly Richardson and Tucker Wilson. The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the president, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. The program has since been extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts as well as ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year more than 4,000 candidates are identified for the component of the program that focuses on academic achievement and based on having scored exceptionally well on the SAT or
the ACT. Identified students have the opportunity to become U.S. Presidential Scholars based on various paths of accomplishment upon submission of a candidacy application. Candidates are evaluated via essays, self-assessments, secondary school reports and transcripts, and the review committee assesses academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities and the quality and content of their essay. Later this spring, up to 161 students will be named as U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The Scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. Best of luck to our four candidates! – Submitted by Homewood City Schools.
REDUCED
Members of Team Homewood pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
Team Homewood continues to raise leaders Team Homewood is a leadership program for young women athletes at Homewood High School in grades nine through 11. The program focuses on the development of leadership and interpersonal skills, career planning and community service. Specific lessons and experiences are provided to cultivate talents, abilities and character that benefit fellow teammates, schoolmates and community. The cohort activities include an orientation dinner, a one-day retreat at a nearby camp, 7 a.m. classes twice per month for four months, a service project, a job shadowing day and a graduation luncheon at The Club surrounding by parents, coaches and school administrators. Team Homewood was the vision of coach Carol Chesnutt, who submitted the idea for an innovation grant to the Homewood City Schools Foundation. The grant was approved for the first year. In subsequent years, corporate and individual sponsors have funded this program that has helped to develop many young women for at least 10 years. Members of the cohort are
selected by their team’s coach/adviser. The members of this year’s class and their team activity: ► Katy Grace Bateman: Cross-country ► Ellie Burkhalter: Volleyball ► Hannah Crocker: Softball ► Kalia Cunningham: Basketball ► Kathleen Daniel: Golf ► Ann Gartman: Cheerleading ► Taylor Gurram: Volleyball ► Jessica Harbin: Soccer ► Mary Elizabeth Harrison: Swimming ► Caroline Lawrence: Track and field ► Kate Lumis: Swimming ► Millie Grace Malek: Star Spangle Dance ► Mary Grace Pitts: Star Spangle Dance ► Venice Sanders: Softball ► Maggie Sexton: Cross-country ► Grace Smith: Golf ► Margaret Truitt: Soccer ► Ajah Wayne: Basketball ► Ann Mosley Whitsett: Track and field ► Lucy Williams: Cheerleading – Submitted by Homewood City Schools.
The Homewood Star
B10 • May 2016
The Homewood City Schools Foundation awarded more than $30,000 in grants to teachers for items ranging from books for an elementary summer reading program to graphing calculators for advanced high school math classes. Photos by Frank Couch
Homewood teachers surprised with foundation grants By ERICA TECHO Several teachers at Edgewood Elementary and Homewood High School were surprised with grants from the Homewood City Schools Foundation on Wednesday, March 23. This spring’s foundation grants total $36,000 and will be divided between all five Homewood schools. Foundation President Trent Ponder and board member Justin Russell visited Edgewood Elementary School Wednesday morning to surprise teachers with their checks. Grants at Edgewood included funding for science, math and reading at multiple grade levels. Emily Blackstock, who teaches fourth grade and helped write a grant to foster science literacy among fourth-graders, said teachers hope to plan over the summer and have a new unit of study ready for students for the next school year. “It’s great to know that we will be able to integrate science and reading and do a multidisciplinary approach with them," Blackstock said. "We don’t want their learning to be segmented, but we want them to learn things and be able to
Watch teachers’ surprise as they learn about the grants:
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integrate it all together.” First-grade teacher Susan Hanson wrote a “No More Pencil and Paper for Me” grant proposal focused on bringing hands-on activities into lessons. The grant funding will provide VersaTiles during math and language arts assignments. “We wanted to be able to engage them more, to give them an opportunity to show us what they know and be more involved,” Hanson said. “With technology and everything else that is so quick and constant, we needing something that would appeal to their interests and would be something they would be engaged in.” Foundation grants will also sponsor FUSION, a program that integrates science and literacy for students in kindergarten through third grade, and
a summer reading program. This will be the second year a foundation grant helps sponsor a summer reading program, which helps struggling readers maintain and improve reading skills during the off season. Funding will provide for books and journals for students so they can take notes on their reading, and the school will host an Edgewood night at the Homewood Public Library in addition to a mid-summer event for exchanging books. At Homewood High School, foundation grants were awarded to the world language department, math department and library. Spanish teacher Martha Parker said the grant for Chromebooks and microphones to benefit world language students was a collaboration between several teachers. “We have been finding with the new textbooks that we have, students need to access the Internet, use computers all the time,” she said. “This is going to open up more opportunities for them to practice expressive skills and daily communication in the classes. It’s really a complete blessing.” Funding for the “Boundless Opportunities”
grant will go toward expanding the collection of OverDrive Young Adult ebooks for students. Another foundation grant will pay for new graphing calculators for pre-calculus and other math classrooms. Teacher Melinda Rouleau said the graphing calculators allow students to visualize the graphing concepts they are learning and can help students check their work. The calculators are also a needed update in technology, she said. “We’ve been needing these for a long time,” teacher Kim Gossett said. Grant funding at Hall-Kent Elementary will go toward Junior Patriot News, a broadcast news program; two Osmo Genius Kits to teach technology for hands-on learning in science, reading, writing and math; a summer reading program and the construction of two Little Free Libraries; and a robotics program to teach coding skills and digital literacy. A summer reading project and a broadcast program at Shades Cahaba Elementary will also be supported through grant funding, and a summer learning loss prevention program will be funded at Homewood Middle School.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B11
Children participate in a Fitness Friday event at Homewood Library. Photo courtesy of the Homewood Public Library.
Public library begins summer programs The Homewood Public Library is Racing into Reading this summer with the Summer Reading Kick-Off and Foundation Fun Run event May 26 at 6 p.m. The Race into Reading Fun Run (ages birth through fifth grade and families) requires online registration. Entry fee is $10 for an individual and $20 for a family (limit of four), which includes entry into a raffle for family prizes. Runners will start in the library parking lot with a Zumba dance warmup workout, then take off for a 1-mile fun run through the neighborhoods of Homewood, returning to the library to play in the bouncy house, purchase dinner from a local food truck and sign up for summer reading. For the first time, Homewood’s summer reading program will be online this year at homewood.beanstack.org. Readers will still pick up the printed reading log at the desk, but now they can track their books online and get book suggestions, too. Other library programming this summer includes three storytime opportunities for the younger patrons, with Ms. Mary on Monday mornings for Move & Groove Storytime at 10:30 a.m., Ms. Mandy on Wednesdays with Storytime All Stars, and Ms. Laura every other Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for B Ready Boot Camp. Tuesday morning programs, at 10:30 a.m., offer a variety of fun from the Birmingham Zoo, The Buddy Bowl, Water Play Day, Aesop’s Fantastic Fables puppet show, Ronald McDonald, Tom Foolery, LEGO Olympics and Miss Kit’s
Bubble School. Thursday nights will include Family Game Night, Iron Giant Percussion, Ninja Night, Super Science Show, Birmingham Zoo, Ballet Night, Science of Sports and LewE’s Reading Olympics. Fitness Friday programs at 10:30 a.m. include Molly Makes You Mighty, Zumbatomic and Hoop for Fitness. There will also be plenty of activities for teens at the Homewood Public Library during June and July. Rising middle and high schoolers can participate in 35 events including Henna Tattoo Art and a Hula Hoop Dance Party. The Teen Summer Program will kick off on Monday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. with Food Wars, where teens must battle it out to see who can make the tastiest creations. Teens will have the opportunity to win weekly prize bags, and one will win a $200 gift card. Starting June 6, for every three teen materials (books, graphic novels, audiobooks and/ or Nooks) checked out from the Homewood Public Library, teens will receive one entry for the summer prize drawings. The last day to enter is July 26. Full summer program calendars are available at homewoodpubliclibrary.org. For more information about the Children’s Summer Reading Program, contact Laura Tucker at 332-6616 or ltucker@bham.lib.al.us. For questions about the Teen Summer Program, please contact Judith Wright at 332-6622 or at jrwright@bham.lib.al.us. – Submitted by the Homewood Public Library.
, s d n a h e k e sha w e r o f e B . s d n a h d l we ho
At RealtySouth, real estate doesn’t simply equate to hard negotiation and paperwork. For us, it’s more than a transaction. It’s the relationship that matters most. For more than 60 years, we’ve been running in the same crowds. If I look familiar, it’s not necessarily because I sold your parent’s
Talent show doubles as fundraiser Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School students joined together to entertain friends and family and to support the Catholic Center of Concern, a faith-based organization that helps those less fortunate in the Birmingham area. Students sang, danced, recited poetry and told jokes during more than 30 acts in the show. Admission to the show was either two canned goods or a $2 donation, and the show raised more than $250 and dozens of canned goods for the Catholic Center of Concern. The OLS talent show is a yearly event, and several volunteers from the school helped put the show together. – Submitted by Mary Stephens Pugh.
home. We live on the same block near the coolest lemonade stand. We fish and ski the same lake. Our children have been teammates for years. Your community is our community. We are proud to be your neighbor. It’s Who We Are.
OLS student Brooke Brown sings “Colors of the Wind” during the school’s talent show. Photo courtesy of Mary Stephens Pugh.
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The Homewood Star
B12 • May 2016
ANNA FRIERSON
creating her own legacy By KYLE PARMLEY
A
nna Frierson hardly had to give her college choice a second thought. “I just knew I wanted to go to Auburn,” she said. The Homewood High School senior will follow in her sister’s footsteps as a Tiger. Katy, eight years Anna’s senior, starred on Auburn’s soccer team from 2008-2011 after also playing at Homewood. During that time, Anna acquired all she needed to know about her future school. “It’s been like a second family almost, because I’ve been around them so much, and I grew to love it. It felt like my second home,” Anna said of Auburn. Anna saw nothing from Katy’s experience to dissuade her from choosing the same university, as she walked much of that journey alongside her older sister. “My experience at Auburn was unbelievable,” Katy said. “I had the best time there, and Anna was very much a part of that experience. She came to almost all of my home games and was there when we won the SEC Championship [in 2011].” She is following in her sister’s footsteps, sure, but make no mistake, the younger Frierson has certainly earned a spot on Auburn’s team on her own merit. Last season, Anna earned first team AllState honors and participated in the Alabama North-South All-Star Game. She also plays for a successful Birmingham United Elite Clubs National League team that features many top players in the area. Which begs the question: What kind of player is Anna? “She’s a great possession player and fits our style because she always keeps the ball. That’s something that’s really important with the way we play,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said in a National Signing Day video released by the university. Hoppa also coached Katy Freels — who has been married for three years — at Auburn, and is “excited” to have Anna joining the program in the fall. The sisters are compared quite often on and off the field, as their playing styles mirror each other in numerous ways and their mannerisms are similar, but they both chalk it up to chance. “People will say we’re like twins because we have so many habits that are the same thing, or that we run the same or write the same or whatever,” said Anna. Katy adds, “She’s a great player, and although we have striking similarities in our style of play and off-the-ball movements, we are both very much our own players.” Anna even played basketball and ran cross-country to create her own identity, but willingly admits she looked up to her sister. In doing so, she found her own love of the game. “As I wanted to become like her, I fell in love with soccer,” the younger sister said. From that point on, Anna was no longer playing only because her sister played and the same was required of her. She was playing for her own dreams and goals. Like any siblings, the Frierson duo got into its fair share of fights and arguments. Because of the years that separate the two, Katy has spent more time supporting Anna in whatever way needed, instead of acting as a coach or personal trainer. “I think because we’re both competitive, we haven’t really trained together too much. Emotions always escalate and arguments break out,” Katy said. Anna backed that up, saying, “She was just a good support for me and she was my best friend growing up even though we were ages apart.”
Anna believes she turned the corner as a player in the transition from her sophomore to junior year of high school, as her talent began to flourish, and she began to put in the extra work to be the best player possible. “It clicked that I had gotten better and I learned what I needed to be better at and I practiced that. I would wake up early or stay after school,” she said. The elder Frierson has played for Sky Blues Football Club of the National Women’s Soccer League, a franchise located in New Jersey, since 2013, but has elected to step away from the team for at least a year to spend more time with her family. As for Anna, she still has unfinished business at Homewood before moving on to the Loveliest Village on the Plains. She has played on the Homewood varsity team since her freshman year and has made it to the playoffs each year. But she wants more this time. “I think we’re really good this year and I think we have a really good shot of going all the way. We could definitely win state if we do what we need to do,” she said.
Top: Anna signed with Auburn University in February and looks forward to following in her sister’s footsteps. Photo by Scott Butler. Bottom: Katy Freels has played professionally with the Sky Blues since 2013, but she is stepping away from the game this season. Photo courtesy of Robyn McNeil, Sky Blues FC.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B13
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The Homewood Star
B14 • May 2016
FORCE on the court Students come 1st no matter which hat Linda Delahay wears By SAM CHANDLER In the classrooms of Homewood High School, world history teacher Linda Delahay prioritizes the needs of her students. On the tennis court, it’s no different. The first-year coach of Homewood’s girls tennis team, Delahay has brought a much needed dose of dedication and enthusiasm to a program on its fourth coach in four years — all while juggling her multiple responsibilities as teacher, Scholars Bowl sponsor and temporary boys tennis coach. “Working with my kids and understanding my kids and doing what’s right for them is more important than anything,” Delahay said. “I always try to be there for my students in the classroom. I try to be understanding; I try to make it as interesting and exciting as possible, so tennis is the same thing.” Although Delahay started teaching at Homewood in 2009, the idea of coaching tennis didn’t enter the picture until Assistant Principal Amanda Esslinger approached her prior to the 2016 season. Esslinger had heard Delahay used to play tennis and, once Delahay — who played in a recreational women’s league — confirmed the fact, Esslinger offered her the open position. A self-proclaimed nerd who identifies with her academic-oriented Scholars Bowl students,
Linda Delahay, a world history teacher and Scholars Bowl sponsor at Homewood High School, has embraced her new role as varsity girls — and temporary boys — tennis coach. Photo by Sam Chandler.
Delahay initially expressed hesitation, highlighting her lack of coaching experience. It wasn’t an issue. Wanting to help out Esslinger, Delahay accepted the role. “I said yes and have not regretted it at all, even though I am not particularly athletic,” Delahay said. “I love the kids, and I love what we’re doing here.” Her athletes do too. In only one season under Delahay, the players said team cohesion and schoolwide recognition have reached record peaks.
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“She’s been great,” senior Kendall Wulbrun said. “She’s been the first one that’s really taken it head on and tried to move the program forward.” Wulbrun would know. A four-year member of the girls tennis team, she has played under a different coach each year of her high school career. Between creating social media accounts, lobbying for team travel buses, advocating for new uniforms and relaying match results via school announcements, Delahay has installed a bevy of measures to ensure her athletes are
acknowledged for their achievements. “It’s very important. I mean these kids play very hard. They’ve practiced hard. They have their own private coaches sometimes, so they work all through the summer … they need recognition,” Delahay said. “It’s not just the football player and the basketball team; it needs to be our tennis players as well.” Even though she only agreed to guide the Patriot girls, Delahay has taken the Homewood boys team under her wing as well. Sara Tumlin, who replaced current boys varsity basketball
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B15
Seniors Timothy Wooley and Kendall Wulbrun. Photos courtesy of Scott Butler.
coach Tim Shepler after the 2015 season, went on maternity leave this spring. Delahay has assumed the role in stride. Fostering a sense of teamwork, she has unified the Patriot boys and girls. “She’s always been really enthusiastic, and she’s done a good job of getting the tennis team to feel like more of a Homewood team than it used to be,” senior Timothy Wooley, a four-year boys team member, said. “Even though she’s really not too much into playing tennis herself, she’s done a great job of coaching it.” While assistant coach Kayla Garcia, a certified tennis instructor, primarily oversees the development of on-court mechanics, Delahay embraces her unique role. On the border of managerial and motherly, Delahay provides the program with steadfast
encouragement. She even asked Garcia if she could give her players celebratory postmatch hugs. “I’m the emotional support, the hugger, the cheerleader, the conflict resolution person,” Delahay said. “I’m all that, and it’s just what I do in the classroom, just on the tennis courts.” Moving forward, Delahay said the Patriot girls won’t need to worry about the prospect of yet another coaching change. Aiming to establish a culture of stability, Delahay confirmed she will return as head coach in 2017. “They have told me they enjoyed this year a lot, and they’re so enthusiastic and ready to play and ready to do well and just seem to enjoy the game,” Delahay said in reference to her team. “I feel like I owe the kids this. I owe them some continuity.”
4 Patriot players named to All-State basketball team By KYLE PARMLEY Homewood High School’s basketball programs had another banner year, with the girls team reaching the State Final and the boys team bringing home its first ever state championship. With that success comes postseason honors. Sophomores Hannah Barber and Ajah Wayne each were named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State team. Barber was named to the Class 6A first team with Wayne making it as a second team member. “Both of them, they carry a lot of the load for us throughout the year,” head coach JoVanka Ward said. “Last year, in the championship game, they were co-MVPs, but they didn’t make any of the other (postseason) teams.” Most postseason lists include a majority of juniors and seniors, but the presence of the two sophomores speaks to how good the young Lady Patriots team is and was, and will return everyone next season with no departing seniors. After winning the state title in 2015, they fell short in the State Final, losing 80-65 to LeFlore, something that will eat at the team all offseason and provide more than enough motivation heading into the 2016-17 season. “They’re glad and definitely proud about it, but it’s bittersweet, because they didn’t accomplish what they set out to,” Ward said. Barber, the point guard, drained 63 three-point baskets in the season, and posted 12.5 points and 5.1 assists per contest. Wayne was on the receiving end of many of those assists, and scored 17 points per game with 7.5 boards. She scored a career-high 31 points versus Shades Valley. On the boys side, Luke Touliatos was named to the second team, and Austin Patterson found his name on the third team. Touliatos was the leading scorer for Homewood, averaging around 15 points per game. The junior has also shown a penchant for elevating his game in big moments, such as Homewood’s run through the Steel City Invitational and scoring 31 points in the State Semifinal win against Huffman. “It’s been good to see him really develop here over two years as a player,” boys coach Tim Shepler said. “He’s brought some unique talents and he’s really kind of been a key to our team this
Senior point guard Austin Patterson finished his career with a state title and All-State honors. Photo by Frank Couch.
year, because of his ability to score in a lot of different ways.” Patterson was one of nine seniors on the experienced Patriots’ squad, and after a conversation with his coach, really came on strong toward the end of the season. He lifted Homewood to the Central Regional title by sinking the tying and go-ahead free throws against Bessemer City in the final seconds. “He’s been solid his whole career, but the neat thing is, in the last month (of the season), we challenged his leadership and him leading the team for our tournament run,” said Shepler. Patterson averaged 12.5 points and 3.5 assists per game in his final campaign, but his coach lauded his transition over his career to become an all-around point guard from his early days as a scoring shooting guard. “It’s exciting to see both of those guys get honored,” Shepler continued. “Those guys were really jacked up about us just winning the championship.”
The Homewood Star
B16 • May 2016
“
I knew I had to come in and compete and just trust myself. It’s amazing what confiden e can do for you.
BAGGETT
CONTINUED from page B1 Not wanting to do anything for three to four weeks and waking up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain made the healing process difficult, but Baggett came out on the other side no worse for the wear. “We were all thrilled to get him back this spring to see him going again and just so he was healthy again,” UAB head coach Brian Shoop said. The Homewood High School product took a long road to UAB, playing two years at Shelton State Community College and having a prolonged recruiting process. Shoop thought Baggett would go elsewhere, but finally secured his commitment. “Growing up in Homewood, you would’ve thought I knew a lot about UAB, but I honestly didn’t know much about it. I honestly don’t know what took me so long but I’m glad I did. It was definitely the best decision I could’ve made, for sure,” Baggett said. The pitching staff was a strength for the 2015 UAB team, and Baggett only logged nine innings, as he struggled with command of his pitches.
”
STEPHEN BAGGETT
“Last year was a huge disappointment,” he said. “I knew I had to come in and compete and just trust myself. It’s amazing what confidence can do for you.” In his senior season, Baggett has been an important cog to the staff, pitching a number of mid-week games against high-quality opponents such as Alabama and Ole Miss. “We knew we needed him this year because we lost 334 innings, and he has spot-started for us,” Shoop said. His junior season ended with an injury due to a poorly located pitch. Now that he has corrected those control issues, his senior season should end on a high note. Baggett’s goal is to provide solid innings in those games to keep the pitching staff at full strength for the weekend series. And he’s done just that. “This year, he’s thrown three [different] pitches for strikes, and he’s been very competitive for us on the mound,” Shoop said. But, like any other PO (pitcher only), Baggett misses being able to hit. “Once I became a PO, I was excited about it. Then you start getting that feel to start to hit again.” He admits, though, that he would have needed a great deal of work to be a good hitter at the college level.
Photo courtesy of UAB Athletics.
TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B17
Homewood Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
746307
35209
227 Oglesby Avenue
New
$289,900
747094
35209
1207 Irving Road
New
$425,000
746966
35209
226 Acton Avenue
New
$379,000
746960
35209
207 Windsor Drive
New
$519,780
746908
35209
433 Hillwood Drive
New
$299,000
746899
35209
3127 Lancaster Court #C
New
$124,500
746883
35209
416 Berry Avenue
New
$549,000
746830
35209
221 Kent Lane
New
$189,900
746828
35209
305 Malaga Avenue
New
$529,000
746807
35209
1013 Queensbury Road
New
$199,900
746365
35209
513 Oxford Circle
New
$368,900
746546
35209
112 Oglesby Avenue
New
$319,900
746509
35209
1511 Ridge Road
New
$1,150,000
746508
35209
1029 Drexel Drive
New
$225,000
746487
35209
135 Glenwood Drive W
New
$299,900
746434
35209
3134 Parkridge Drive #100
New
$230,000
746364
35209
1837 Windsor Boulevard
New
$229,900
746343
35209
1831 28th Avenue #470
New
$229,900
227 Oglesby Avenue
513 Oxford Circle
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on April 18. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
r e m m T u S E T s PHOTO CON WHERE
? S U E K A T U O Y WILL
DEADLINE IS AUGUST 5 Winners will be announced in our September issue. Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of The Homewood Star wherever you are To enter: Email high resolution photos in .JPG format, captions including location and photo credits to kwilliams@starnespublishing. com. Four photos allowed per person.
The Homewood Star
B18 • May 2016
Calendar Homewood Events Mondays-Thursdays: Mind and Body at Midday. 12 p.m. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church. Tai Chi on M/W and Yoga on Tu/Th. $3 each or 15 classes for $30. Call 879-1758.
American Musical Journey. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. 7:30 p.m. $32. Visit alabamasymphony.org.
May 1: Lend Me a Tenor. Virginia Samford Theatre. 2:30pm. $25-$30. Visit virginiasamfordtheater.org.
May 15: Birmingham Boys Choir 38th Annual Spring Concert. 4 p.m. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Visit birminghamboyschoir.com.
May 3: Debra H. Goldstein book signing. Little Professor Book Center. 5 p.m. Signing “Should’ve Played Poker.” Visit littleprofessorhomewood.net
May 17: Homewood Chamber of Commerce March Membership Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. The Club. Visit homewoodchmber.com.
May 7: We Love Homewood Day. 7:30 a.m. Downtown Homewood. 5K, music, parade, food, music and more. Visit homewoodparks.com.
May 18: Rheta Johnson book signing. 12 p.m. Little Professor Book Center. 5 p.m. Signing “The Dogs Buried Over the Bridge.” Visit littleprofessorhomewood.net
May 10: ASO Concertmaster & Friends Series: Generations, A Romanian
May 19: Salvation Army Women's
Auxiliary Purses Etc. Auction & Luncheon. 9:30 a.m. The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive. Luncheon and keynote address by Karen Abercrombie, actress from the movie “War Room.” $50 per person or $400 for table of eight guests. Visit BirminghamSalvationArmy.org. May 20: ASO Classical Masters Series. 7:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. $35. Visit alabamasymphony.org. May 21: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Red Diamond SuperPops! Series. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Featuring sci-fi film scores. $14-$85. Visit alabamasymphony.org.
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May 29: 2nd Annual Kite Flying Day. Community Gardens on Grace Street. 3-5 p.m. with a drum circle with John Scalici starting at 4 p.m.
Homewood Public Library Children Mondays: Preschool Playtime. 10 a.m. in Round Auditorium. For ages 3 and under. Mondays: Tutor Time. 4–5:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Need some extra help? Middle and elementary school students are welcome to drop in for some free tutor assistance from local high school students. No registration required.
Tuesdays: Wee Ones. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For ages 24 months and under. Wednesdays: Wiggleworm Wednesdays. 10:30 a.m. in the Round Auditorium. All ages storytime with music and fun. Thursdays: Preschool Playtime. 10-11 a.m. in Round Auditorium. For ages three and under. Daycare groups must call 332-6619 in advance to schedule time.
Thursdays: Storyday with Nay Nay: 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. in the Round Auditorium. Storytime for ages 3 and under. May 3: Captain America Movie Marathon. 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Captain America: Civil War with a movie marathon of the first two Captain America films. May 7: Our World Owl Library (O.W.O.L) 10:30 a.m. in the Round Auditorium. Celebration of
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TheHomewoodStar.com
May 2016 • B19
Calendar Public Library (continued) International Women’s Day with stories and a craft. May 12: iTween: Zentangle. 4 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Introductory workshop about Zentangle, an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful drawings. Online registration required. Open to fourth through seventh-graders. May 17: Infinity Ring Book Club: Curse of the Ancients. 6 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Pizza and drinks served in the new book club that will read through the Infinity Ring series. Online registration is required and begins Monday, May 2 at www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org. fourth through sixth-grade. May 19: Homeschool Hour: James Spann and the Weather. 1:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Join James Spann for a fun and informative talk about local weather. Suggested for fourth-grade and above. Online registration required. May 21: Ms. Mandy’s Musical Meetup. 10:30 a.m. in the Round Auditorium. Join us once a month for a marvelous mish-mash of musical magic! Look, listen and learn as musicians from amateur to expert share their musical talents. May 26: Race into Reading: Summer Reading Kick-Off and Foundation Fun Run. 6 p.m. in the Library Parking Lot. One-mile fun run benefiting the Homewood Library Foundation. Eat from local food trucks and sign up for Summer Reading. $10 for an individual, $20 for a family (limit of four). Teens May 10 & 24: Girls Who Code. 4-6 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. This national club is geared towards empowering girls grades sixth through twelfth who are interested in the computer science field. No registration required, but participants are encouraged to bring their laptops.
May 10: Oxmoor Page Turner’s Book Club: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom. May 11: First Step Wednesdays: Get the Most Out of Your iPad and iPhone. 2 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Workshop geared towards casual users. Join us as Apple® certified trainers for Alabama Tech-Ease answer your questions on how best to use your Apple® device. May 16: Bossypants Book Club. 6:30-8 p.m. at Nabeel’s Café. Discussing The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. May 17: The ABC’s of Medicare. 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Room 116 (lower level). Karen Haiflich will answer all your questions about how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to file a claim. May 17: Golden Girls Trivia. 6:30 p.m. in the large auditorium. Online registration required for teams. May 25: Next Step Wednesdays: iPads & iPhones Intermediate Class. 2 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. This workshop is geared toward the intermediate user. Join us as Apple® Certified trainers for Alabama Tech-Ease, a member of the Apple® Consultants Network, answer your questions on how best to use your Apple® device. Events May 10: Savvy Women, Smart Investing Workshop and Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. in the Large Auditorium. Hosted by Rachel Reynolds, financial advisor with Edward Jones. Designed to help you balance your financial goals with today’s needs and take charge of your financial future. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the workshop will be 12-1 p.m. Free, but reservations required. Email: rachel. reynolds2@edwardjones.com.
May 16: Teen Advisory Board (TAB). 6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Open to teens grades sixth through twelfth who want to take an active role at the Homewood Public Library. An application must be submitted for consideration. Application materials can be downloaded from the library’s website or picked up at the Adult Services Desk.
May 12: UAB Presents Discoveries in the Making. 6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Educational outreach program that seeks to share with members of the community the newest knowledge and the exciting progress in their fields. Two graduate students will be presenting reports on their fields of study and answering questions about the latest research in their fields.
May 21: Teen CPR and First Aid Training. 1-4 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. American Heart Association certified CPR and basic first aid training class. Online registration required. $10.
May 15: SuperJazz Concert. 3-5 p.m. Brock Recital Hall. Featuring Jazz vocalist Bart Grooms. $7 adults, $3 Samford students and employees: free. Visit samdord.edu/events.
May 23: Spine Crackers: Teen Book Club. 4:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. New teen book club will be discussing some of our favorite teen books that have been turned into movies.
May 17: Read to Rover with GBHS. 3:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is bringing some of their animal friends to the library so that you can practice your reading and storytelling skills. The animals will be available for adoption.
May 24: Teen Anime Club. 6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Discuss and watch anime while sampling various Japanese candies. Adults May 5: Ghost Tour Reveal with S.C.A.R.E. 6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Spirit Communication and Research Group will be with us to unveil their findings from their three paranormal investigations in the Homewood Public Library this spring. They will share interesting stories, video, audio and photo evidence of the paranormal that were captured during the library investigations. May 6: History and Mystery of Absinthe. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Ted Breaux reveals the truth behind this 200-year-old elixir. Tasting will be provided. Online registration required. Ages 21 and up.
May 22: Friends of the Homewood Public Library Bag Sale. 2 -4:30 p.m. in the Friends Bookstore (Lower Level). Fill a bag with books, movies, and other items for only $5 in this semi-annual sale! May 24: Dixie’s Pet Loss Support Group. 5:30 p.m. in Room 106 (Lower Level). This grief/ loss group is sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Participation in the workshop is free, however reservations are requested since space is limited. Call (205) 5427111. May 31: LibraryFlix: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. 3:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.