The Homewood Star TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 1
Volume 4 | Issue 3 | June 2014
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
The real deal
On the cusp of change
“The Taco Truck” on West Valley Avenue is known for its authentic Mexican tacos. Find out more about its menu in this issue.
Food page 11
Triple crown
One man sees a vibrant community in Rosedale By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Both boys and girls HHS track and field teams took home state championships this season. Read more about it inside.
Sports page 25
INSIDE Sponsors ................. 4 City ........................... 5 Business .................. 7 Food .......................... 11 Community ............. 14 School House ......... 22 Sports ...................... 25 Calendar ................. 30 Opinion .................... 31
In Rosedale, fatigue can be felt on the inside and out. Terry Slaughter recalls moving a woman out of a house that hadn’t had running water in a year, and another he found heating her house with her stove. Until 10 years ago, he had driven past the outskirts of Rosedale’s approximately 200 residences without thinking anything of it. Now, through his work with his nonprofit organization, Simon Cyrene, he knows how many
homes on the streets north of Central Avenue and Rosedale Drive have absentee or elderly owners who he said have trouble properly caring for their property. He also knows that many families have owned the homes for generations and feel a strong sense of place in what has been a predominantly black community neighborhood since it was formed in the 1890s. Going forward, Slaughter envisions a lively, affordable community growing over its tired yet deep roots. He’s been planting seeds for it over the past nine years.
The investment A young woman knocked on the door at 1630 27th Avenue South, the home base for Slaughter’s programs in Rosedale. “Mr. Terry, you probably don’t remember me,” she said, reminding him of her name. But Slaughter remembered her. Namiesha Chapman had been one of the original teenagers to participate in his youth development program, Nehemiah’s Quest, in Rosedale. “I came to tell you that I didn’t know why
See ROSEDALE | page 28
For the love of people Remembering Buddy Wade By MADOLINE MARKHAM
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Terry Slaughter spends time with children who live in Rosedale in the community garden he runs. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Buddy Wade never met a stranger. Every morning his son, Billy, would walk into Demetri’s BBQ, where they ate breakfast each weekday, to find his dad talking with someone Billy had never met. “Dad was really engaged with people,” Billy said. “He liked to
talk about his family, but he really wanted to know about them. People tell me that they only met my dad three or four times but that they will never forget the way they connected with him.” Buddy passed away at age 71 on May 8, just five days after We Love Homewood Day.
See BUDDY | page 29
Buddy Wade, second from right, attended the Homewood Grown event in April with Demetri’s owner Sam Nakos, wife Cindy Wade, daughter-in-law Danielle Wade and many other Homewood friends. Photo by Scott Butler.
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The Homewood Star
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June 2014 • 3
The Homewood Star
4 • June 2014
About Us Photo of the Month
Please Support our Community Partners
The Homewood High School boys soccer team was recognized for winning the 5A state championship this year during the May Homewood Board of Education meeting. Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.
Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to editor@thehomewoodstar.com
Editor’s Note By Madoline Markham As my schedule of springtime craziness cleared at long last, I found myself seeking out my happy place — escaping into someone’s story through the pages I held as I reclined on my front porch swing. The drama of a fictional tale, particularly one laced with romance, pulls me into another world that keeps me up late at night. As much as I love a volume of light summer reading though, once I plow through its pages, the adventure is over, and I am delivered back to reality. But when I go to work, this is not so. I get to sit and listen to people who live on
Clarification:
the streets around me bear their passions and raw emotions. When their stories are complete, the men and women behind them are still there, living their next chapters, and being Homewood, it’s likely I’ll run into them soon. Cindy Wade told me about how she didn’t trust anyone to lead her through her life until she met her husband, Buddy, and how being with him changed her to be the best she could be. Hearing of their 45 years together through good times and hard times beats any emotional fluff I’ll ever find in a
book, and it’s my humble hope that the words on the cover story will convey at least a small piece of the legacy Buddy left in Homewood. Terry Slaughter’s love for the community is just as strong as Buddy’s was, I learned as I talked to him in Rosedale and looked at the photos and architectural plans he showed me. His vision for redeeming an area hurt in the wake of past decades where its boundaries were cut back time and time again is contagious. I hope you learn something from his story, also on our cover, like I have. On a lighter note, happy pool season to you! Go enjoy those pristine waters of the new Community Center.
Pamela Blackmore-Jenkins is running for Alabama House of Representatives District 46. She did not appear in the candidate profiles in our May issue. To read all candidate profiles for District 46, see page 19.
1. What is your background? I recently graduated from law school. I have been blessed with six children. My family and I have resided in Hoover for 13 years. We are members of Hunter Street Baptist Church, where I enjoy singing in the choir. I have participated in resolving issues throughout Hoover and I am a dedicated, hard-working Republican. Please
see my website, electblackmorejenkins.org. 2. What is the biggest issue facing the state? Under-utilization of resources. Ex.1 People Resource. We are in the bottom tier academically in our grade school and high schools. However, we have two of the best colleges in America. We have to
give all children the proper skill sets to be successful at an Auburn and Alabama. Ex. 2 Land Resource. We are not utilizing the resources of the poorest area in the nation, which is the Black Belt. The Black Belt must be economically revived. Tax incentives, agriculture and manufacturing would develop the economic base in the Black Belt area.
The Homewood Star
Publisher: Creative Director: Managing Editor: Staff Writers:
Editorial Assistant: Graphic Designers: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:
Copy Editor: Contributing Writers: Interns: Published by:
Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Katie Turpen Jessa Pease Madison Miller Emily VanderMey Wayne Marshall Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Nathan Pearman Louisa Jeffries Jeff Thompson Lauren Denton Sydney Cromwell Rachael Headley Homewood Star LLC
Contact Information: The Homewood Star #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Editor@TheHomewoodStar.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253
For advertising contact: Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed to inform the Homewood community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Homewood Star is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Homewood Star. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.
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Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (6) Alabama Outdoors (18) Alabama Power (30) ALDOT (15) ARC Realty (12) Bedzzz Express (2) Birmingham Museum of Art (32) Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates (14) Brighter Image Dentistry (25) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (13) Children’s of Alabama (9) Classic Gardens (12) Construx (13) Cryotherapy Birmingham (24) Early Arts Preschool (22) Edgewood Fine Jewelry (24) Edgewood Wealth Advisors (9) Escape (29) Fred Smith Group (11) Harmony Landing (8) Home Care Associates (11) Homewood Arts Council (8) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (21) Homewood Parks and Rec (26) Homewood Soccer Club (29) Homewood Toy & Hobby (16) Indian Springs School (6) Issis & Sons (14) Iz Cafe (10) Johnny Montgomery Realtor (16) Julie Ivy White (23) Kidz Closet Consignment (22) Mary House Kessler, PhD (24) My Ultimate Mattress (23) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (31) Planet Fitness (21) RealtySouth Marketing (5) Red Mountain Theatre Company (28) Salem’s Diner (23) Savage’s Bakery (28) Simply Ponds (5) Steve French for House (1) Studio Fitness (19) Sweet Peas Garden Shop (31) T-Mobile (7) The Altamont Schoo (3) The Maids (22) UAB Medicine (17) Vision Gymnastics (19) Vitalogy Wellness Center (3, 27)
TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 5
City Mayor’s Minute Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I had the pleasure recently of attending the ribbon-cutting for the new Homewood Community Center. By the time you read this article, the facility will be in full swing, and hopefully, you and your family are already enjoying it. It has taken several years of planning, organizing and meeting about various options for the center, but it’s certainly been worth it. I want to thank all those who supported this capital project since day one. Without the help of our Park Board director, the Park Board members and most importantly, you the residents, this could not have been done. I’m proud to announce this project was completed on time and within the budget, making this the latest addition to Homewood of which we can all be proud. My prayers for this facility are that it will be a safe and fun place and that it will be a place in which many memories will be made for you and your family in the years to come. Each year for the We Love Homewood Day parade, I get the opportunity to select a Homewood resident for the Quality of Life award. This year I selected Mr. Herbert “Hack” Hackworth. He and his wife are longtime residents of Homewood, and for years Mr. Hackworth has donated his time and energy giving back to our community every day. Everyone associated with the Homewood High School Band knows Mr. Hackworth, and you all know what he does
behind the scenes to help make the band successful. I enjoy presenting the award to someone who does not seek the accolades and spotlight but loves to contribute in their own way. We all owe Hack a debt of gratitude for all the things he does for our city. And in closing, I regret to announce the death of Mr. Buddy Wade. Buddy was known and loved by so many of you, and he will be greatly missed. Buddy was always seen around Homewood helping others. He helped so many people in Homewood, and we will always be grateful for the things he did. He didn’t care to dress in suits, and he didn’t try to impress people. He just quietly went about serving others and letting his actions speak for his character and morals. He was a good man — a good husband, dad, granddad and brother. Continue to pray for the Wade family as they try to move forward. I’m so grateful we live in a place where we all know each other, care for each other, and celebrate and grieve with each other. There really is no other place like Homewood. Sincerely,
Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood
Exceptional Foundation lease to be finalized
This lot on Oxmoor Road and one next to it will be rezoned for The Exceptional Foundation’s expansion.
Terms on a lease between the City and The Exceptional Foundation are scheduled to be finalized at the Council’s June 9 meeting. In April, the Council voted 9-1 to rezone 1610 and 1612 Oxmoor Road, located behind the Foundation and across the street from West Glenwood Drive. The rezoning marked the Council’s approval of The Exceptional Foundation’s plan to improve the delivery of its services by building a youth center and additional parking on the site. The Foundation was planning to purchase the property by the end of May and eventually transfer ownership to the city, which owns the property on which the current Foundation building is located. At a previous Council meeting, architects for the Foundation said the center is designed to be a one story-building. The Foundation plans to demolish the existing homes to build it. One-way access is proposed from Oxmoor Road and designed to exit on Bridge Street.
The Homewood Star
6 • June 2014
Community Center now open
City settles America’s Best Value Inn lawsuit The City of Homewood has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed against it by America’s Best Value Inn & Suites owners. The suit came in response to the City Council’s decision to not renew the hotel’s business license for 2014. The suit, filed March 21 in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, claimed the City “acted arbitrarily and capriciously by denying the renewal” of the business license. A temporary restraining order issued by Judge Helen Shores Lee had allowed the hotel to stay in business until its original June 9
trial date. According to a report compiled by the Homewood Police Department and City Clerk Linda Cook, the hotel has been the location for 148 arrests and 241 reported offenses since June 2011. Among those, the report lists 35 arrests of wanted fugitives, 20 arrests related to prostitution, 33 drug arrest or arrests related to drug use, two suicides and one homicide. The City Council conducted multiple executive sessions to discuss the suit.
Rezoning for West Homewood approved By JEFF THOMPSON
Homewood residents explore the new pool at the Homewood Community Center during an open house in May. Photo by Madoline Markham.
The new Homewood Community Center opened its doors on May 15. The center was completed on schedule after 13 months of construction by B.L. Harbert. The $16 million, 51,000-square-foot facility features two full-court gymnasiums, a cardio room with more than 4,000 square feet, additional parking, free Wi-Fi, a multipurpose room, a 25-yard competition pool and
a recreational pool. “As a council or park board member said, it’s kind of like our country club, especially in the summer,” said Berkley Squires, director of parks and recreation and public services. “We think it’s going to be a great thing for the community for years to come.”
The Homewood City Council voted rezoning 24 parcels of land into the West Homewood District at its May 12 meeting. This vote brings properties along Oxmoor Road, Oak Grove Road and Scott Street into the new district in accordance with a form-based code approved in 2013. According to the code, the document’s intention is “to ensure that development projects, public and private, in the West Homewood District
exhibit the highest standards of urban design, and create a form that is compact, walkable and mixed-use in character.” “This gives uniform zoning to area,” Homewood Senior Planner Vanessa McGrath said. “There are items in it that give restrictions, but it allows property owners to pick what they want their building to look like and follow the code to make it look like that.” For more, visit westhomewoodplan.com.
TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 7
Business Spotlight
Read past Business Spotlight at TheHomewoodStar.com
Rosedale Dr
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Sweet Peas Garden Shop
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2829 Linden Ave. 879-3839 sweetpeasgardenshop.com Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m.* *Only in April, May, October, November and December
By RACHAEL HEADLEY Jon Culver was working a restaurant job when he noticed the new garden shop that had opened next door. It was more than curiosity that made Culver decide to start working there and learn more about garden work from Billy Angell, owner of Oak Street Garden Shop. Outside, feeling the sun on his face and working with his hands, Culver felt like he belonged. After graduating from college, Culver worked at several garden centers but never quite felt that he could be himself — until he opened Sweet Peas in 2002. Although Sweet Peas specializes in plants, Culver also carries a variety of pottery, garden accessories, fertilizer options and gardening tools, aiming to be the customer’s total resource garden center. “There is such a nice mixture of young families and established families [in Homewood],” Culver said. “You can tell they really put a lot of care into their homes, so I figured it would be a great place to open a business like this.” Today, Culver still works to reflect his eclectic gardening style in his business, from his unique choices in displaying his plants, to the garden accessories he sells, to the colorfully painted car parked in front of his shop. As customers enter the gift shop or grounds, Culver greets many of them by name and asks about their needs for the season. His greatest goals in owning Sweet Peas are to be involved
Sweet Peas Garden Shop owner Jon Culver leans against the flower-adorned convertible that is a defining feature of his storefront. Photo by Rachael Headley.
directly with his customers, create a non-intimidating environment and set up displays that provide shoppers with ideas for their own gardens. “I don’t want people to feel intimidated that they don’t know what a certain plant is or afraid that they will ask a stupid question,” Culver said. “I want to be able to relate to people on a level
that they can understand.” Culver’s favorite community activity that Sweet Peas puts on is its annual autumn art show. This event allows local artists to set up an area at Sweet Peas to showcase and sell their art at no cost to the artists. Featuring live music and a food truck, the inspiration of the atmosphere
is that of a “mini farmers market,” engaging the community and business neighbors, Culver said. “I am in awe and humbled by the support of everyone in Homewood,” Culver said. “I think that they go out of their way to shop here. There is a strong sense of supporting community business here.”
The Homewood Star
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18 Street S.
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Entire Store On Sale up to 60% OFF Saying Farewell June 30
2925 18th Street South, Homewood • 205-871-0585 www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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Now Open Stems & Styles is now open at 1818 C 28th Street South. Homewood mom Suzanne Martenson creates floral designs for the business, and 2006 Homewood High School graduate Jamie Ankenbrandt works with calligraphy, invitation design and event coordination. 994-5189. stems-styles.com.
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Planet Fitness, 140 Wildwood Parkway, is now open. Its space was previously occupied by Books-aMillion. 719-1722. planetfitness.com.
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Cryotherapy Birmingham is now open at 1816 28th Avenue South, Suite E. It offers athletic, wellness and beauty therapy. 414-0404. cryotherapybirmingham.com.
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Coming Soon PT’s Sports Grill is reopening in SoHo Square in July. The restaurant was originally located on Hollywood Boulevard next to Mexico Lindo.
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Covenant Classical Schools & Daycare plans to build new campus at 151 Covenant Way near Old Columbiana Road. The 15,000-square-foot building will house 12 classrooms for children ranging from infants through kindergarten. Construction is expected to be complete by November. 396-1250. covenantclassical.com.
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Relocations and Renovations Brookdale Place at University Park, a senior living community located at 400 University Park Drive, is constructing a new free-standing healthcare center on its campus and expects it to open this fall. The center will add skilled nursing and rehabilitation services to the existing community that currently provides independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, bringing the total available occupancy of Brookdale Place to more than 418 seniors. 1-877-878-3521. brookdale.com.
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June 2014 • 9 Barelare in 2009 and has grown to 26 agents and sales volume in 2013 that exceeded $40,000,000. Billy, Cindy and Danielle Wade of The Wade Team will be relocating to the LAH office on Oxmoor Road. 870-8580. lahrealestate.com. Fox Valley Apartments, 513 Valley Avenue, has been sold to a firm based in Michigan. 942-8569.
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News andAccomplishments Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry, 2045 Brookwood Medical Center Drive, Suite 21, said goodbye to Dr. Amy Maher on April 16 as she and her family moved to Florida. 870-0892. drrohner.com.
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Lovette Construction, 133 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 221, placed second in the “Kitchen Remodel $40,000$80,000” category in the 2014 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards. They also swept first, second and third place for the “Bath Remodel $20,000-$50,000” category. The yearly awards are given to contractors from across Alabama by the Home Builders Association of Alabama. 401-2488. lovetteconstruction.com.
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BMR Homes, Inc., 438 Carr Avenue, Suite 19, placed third in the “Additions $100,000-$250,000” category in the 2014 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards. 769-9967. bmrhomes.net.
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Hirings and Promotions
Business news
LAH Real Estate, 1760 Oxmoor Road, has hired Jennifer Namie and Peter Jameson as commercial sales associates. 879-8580. lahrealestate.com.
to share?
Residential cleaning service The Maids, 2715 18th Place South, is celebrating its 27th anniversary on June 1. 623-4753. maids.com.
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Closings
Harmony Landing, 2925 18th Street South, is closing on June 30 after 15 years in business. Owner Rilla Foley will be retiring to spend more time with family. 871-0585. harmonylanding.com.
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Expansion
New Ownership
SouthStar Properties, LLC has merged into Lawrence-ArendallHumphries Real Estate, Inc. (LAH). SouthStar was founded by Kim Mangham-
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Anniversaries
Coming Soon
The Moore Agency is opening a satellite office at 301 Beacon Pkwy. 983-6441.
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If you are in a brick and mortar business in Homewood and want to share your event with the community, let us know.
Business news
to share?
The Homewood Star Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com
Coming Soon
Expansion If you are in a brick and mortar business in Homewood and want to share your event with the community, let us know.
The Homewood Star Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com
10 • June 2014
Summer Fun Photo Contest Capture the fun of summer with your camera and send us your favorite shots of wherever you and your family are.
The Homewood Star
Deadline is August 3, 2014 Prizes will be awarded to contest winners Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of Homewood Star wherever you are To enter, e mail your photos in a jpeg format to photos@thehomewoodstar.com Please send high quality images and include a caption and photo credit. Only four photos are allowed per person.
visit thehomewoodstar.com for more information
dailyventure.com
TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 11
Restaurant Showcase 65
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Taqueria Guzman Taco Truck
Read past Restaurant Showcases at TheHomewoodStar.com
Raleigh Ave
By SYDNEY CROMWELL Taqueria Guzman might not have tables, chairs or walls, but customers know that Guzman’s is the place to go for authentic Mexican food. The food truck, located in a Texaco parking lot on West Valley Avenue, is owned by brothers Daniel and Jaime Guzman and has been serving tacos, quesadillas and other staples of Mexican cuisine for nearly a decade. “It’s just very good tacos. They’re excellent,” said Mitch McKell, who visits Taqueria Guzman a couple times a week for chicken, barbecue and beef tacos. The truck — frequently called the “Taco Truck” by patrons — offers low-priced, quality food such as $2 tacos and $6 burritos, quesadillas and tortas. Fillings range from the typical beef, pork or chicken to the more adventurous chorizo, cow cheek or tongue. Every meal is made with fresh ingredients like onions, cheese, cilantro and a mildly spicy salsa. Customers can also purchase Mexican chips and sodas in glass bottles — including Coke made with real sugar. “I think they have the best tacos in Birmingham,” said Kyle Acker, who visits the Taco Truck about once a week. “I’m from California, so I’m always hunting for good Mexican food. And
(above) Taqueria Guzman provides authentic Mexican cuisine from a food truck on West Valley Avenue. Photo by Sydney Cromwell. (left) The chicken taco from Taqueria Guzman is topped with cheese, cilantro, onions and salsa. Photo by Sydney Cromwell. (right) The Taco Truck offers tacos filled with a variety of different kinds of meat. Photo by Madoline Markham.
it’s hard to find here. Most of the food you find is Tex-Mex, so when I can get an authentic-style taco... it’s the best.” Since the Taco Truck isn’t a traditional restaurant, customers eat
from foam plates while sitting on the ground or standing in the parking lot. Although they have to keep an eye out for moving cars, people flock to the Taco Truck because it’s convenient
for a quick lunch break and its relaxed atmosphere encourages conversation among patrons. Eating in a gas station parking lot might seem daunting for some Homewood
diners, but the delicious smell of spices and grilling meat will soon overcome any hesitations. The unique character and authentic cuisine of Taqueria Guzman make it well worth a visit.
The Homewood Star
12 • June 2014
Building a Southern By MADOLINE MARKHAM Kyle D’Agostino wants his Sausage Empire to be an Alabama empire. For the past two and a half years, he has been hand crafting sausage and bacon, using pork from Fudge Family Farms in Madison whenever possible. D’Agostino, a West Homewood resident, is an architect at Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio by day, but his nights and weekends are focused on creating sausage for D’Agostino’s Sausage Empire. “We want to know the techniques [of Italians], but the idea is it comes from this location, right here in Birmingham,” D’Agostino said. “We want the unique characteristics of the South. That makes it ours. That’s the fingerprint of our products.” When he moved to Alabama from Rhode Island 20 years ago, D’Agostino fell in love with smoked meats and barbecue, and accordingly, smoked meat has become the Empire’s forte. The fennel sausage is a crowd pleaser, and the andouille is D’Agostino’s personal favorite. People from Wisconsin have called the Empire’s bratwurst the best they have had, and Louisiana natives have said the andouille and boudin could go up against anything they have at home. But for D’Agostino, the ultimate compliment is that chefs Frank Stitt, Chris DuPont, Brian Somershield (Trattoria Centrale/El Barrio/Paramount) and Mauricio Papapietro (Brick & Tin) have expressed interest in using his meats in their restaurants. “The flavors [of our sausages] are layered,” D’Agostino said. “For instance, our andouille is not just a brick wall of heat. You get something in the front of the tongue and the back. It’s not too hot.” Before creating chorizo, he tried it at about five or six Mexican markets around town. The recipe, whose end product is now served at El Barrio, then took about six months to develop. Most take at least a couple of months, he said.
Kyle D’Agostino crafts his own sausage and more from locally farmed meat. Photos courtesy of Graham Yelton/Graham Yelton Creative.
D’Agostino’s passion for crafting food is firmly rooted not just in the South but in Rhode Island, where he grew up. His family, Italian on one side and Hungarian on the other, grilled out at the beach and in backyards. He remembers getting locked in the cooler when he and his grandfather would go to his great-uncle’s butcher shop. And his passion for sausage? Part of it came from what he said is the “best sausage ever” at Italian Village, the restaurant in his hometown where he worked as a teenager. As a teen and preteen, he saw and ate unprocessed foods his family purchased through a co-op where he, his mom and his younger brother, who is now a chef, would help cut cheese and create family-sized portions of bulk foods. That’s were he said his desire to work with food started.
TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 13
sausage empire
He remembers asking his mom why it cost more for food that was unprocessed, to which she explained basic principles of supply and demand. It’s these ideas that motivate D’Agostino’s long-term goals for Sausage Empire. He wants real food, which in his case means sausage made with quality meat ingredients, to be available to as many people as possible. A trip to Italy two years ago solidified his motivation to act on his long-held desire to be in the food business. He had traveled to the country before, but this time he toured farms and charcuteries. He fell in love with it, he said. When he returned to Birmingham, his wife, Kathy, said he needed to stop talking about it and do it. Today he credits her motivation and fellow commitment to the business and art of sausage making for what the venture has become. Their son Casey, 21, also works with the business, and Otto, 12, sometimes helps grind meat. Sausage Empire made its debut in late
summer 2011 at the Homewood Farmer’s Market in SoHo, and it quickly developed loyal customers there and at the West Homewood Farmer’s Market, which is located just streets away from D’Agostino’s home of a decade. “We tell people we make it ourselves and that there are no preservatives or gluten or dairy,” he said. “Some people get excited about it being an Alabama product, but mostly people like that it tastes good.” D’Agostino said he receives phone calls, emails and texts asking about the sausage if ever he misses a week at the market. This summer he will attend as many markets as possible in addition to his plans to open a brick-andmortar retail space in downtown Birmingham. But don’t worry — he said there could be a Homewood retail location in the more distant future, too. For more information on Sausage Empire, visit sausageempire.com or call 616-2901.
The Homewood Star
14 • June 2014
Community Produce stand sets up shop next to Trinity
Sheila and Jason Davidson run a produce stand next to Trinity United Methodist Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Photo by Madoline Markham.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Every Tuesday and Thursday this season you’ll find a mini farmers market on Oxmoor Road. Jason and Sheila Davidson set up a produce stand, J&S Produce, with fruit, vegetables and flowers straight from Chilton County in the parking lot next to Trinity United Methodist Church. By peak season, they will have peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, fresh shelled peas and beans in addition to farmfresh eggs and their own peach blossom honey. Every item they sell during the height of the summer comes from their
family and friends’ farms in Chilton County. Jason’s father has sold produce at Bluff Park United Methodist Church for around 20 years, and last year, customer Ann Neptune, who is the business administrator at Trinity, invited him to come to Homewood. Jason said they have had a steady flow of customers each day since coming to their spot on Oxmoor last summer. “Our business is just about as good as Dad’s after only one year here,” Jason said. “This is a dream spot for someone like me.” J&S Produce is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. For more, find them on Facebook.
Wright Center announces upcoming season Samford University’s Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center has announced the programming for its 2014-15 Signature Series of events. This season’s slate features touring artists from the dance, performance art, classical and popular music genres. Highlights include performances by Michael W. Smith, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Allen Touissant, MacArthur “Genius Grant” winners Kyle Abraham and Regina Carter, and Swiss masque troupe Mummenschanz.
Jan. 17: Abraham-in-Motion, co-presented as part of the Alabama Dance Festival, 8 p.m.
Sept. 19: One Singular Sensation! A Celebration of Marvin Hamlisch, 7:30 p.m.
March 23: Regina Carter (cabaret on the Wright Center Stage), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10: “The Heart Behind the Music” Songwriter’s Showcase featuring Deana Carter, Billy Dean, Teddy Gentry and Lenny LeBlanc, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3: Arabesque, co-presented with Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation, 8 p.m. Nov. 10: “New Orleans Legends,” featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Allen Toussaint, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5: “Christmas with Michael W. Smith,” co-presented with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra as part of the Red Diamond Super POPS! Series, 8 p.m.
Feb. 6: Sybarite5, Brock Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26: Mnozil Brass, co-presented as part of the Davis Architects Guest Artist Series and the Birmingham Chamber Music Society Season, 7:30 p.m. March 3: Eisenhower Dance – “Motown in Motion,” 8 p.m. March 6: Mummenschanz, 7:30 p.m.
April 19: HT Chen & Dancers, co-presented with Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation, 4 p.m. April 23: Annie Moses Band, 7:30 p.m. Season tickets for the 2014-15 series went on sale May 1 and range in price from $120-$200 for 12 shows. They can be purchased at the Samford Arts box office on the campus of Samford University. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and the phone number is 726-2853. For order forms and more information, visit samford. edu/wrightcenter.
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June 2014 • 15
Board supports library
Miss Alabama Pageant coming to Samford Miss Alabama 2013 will be held June 4-7 in the Wright Center at Samford University. The event will star Chandler Champion, Miss Alabama 2013 and the 51 contestants. The preliminary competitions will be held Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and the final competition will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $2549. For ticket information visit missalabama.com, email bamatickets4sale@aol.com or call 871-6276.
Festival and barbecue at Oakmont UMC
Library board members Melvin Upchurch, Paul Doran, Karen Roberson, Deborah Fout, Mike Higginbotham and Mack Chapman. Photo courtesy of Karen Roberson.
The Homewood Public Library Board of Trustees meets on the third Thursday of the month in the library’s Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Members are: Mack Chapman, personnel. He has lived in Homewood for 12 years and took the place of his wife, Ann, when her term expired in 2013. Paul Doran, vice chair of the board, finance. Doran joined the board in 2010 because he wanted to see the Homewood Library Foundation created and to help make the library the cultural center of the city. Deborah Fout, library director. She has worked for the library for 29 years this coming November and served as director since 2009.
Mike Higginbotham, president. He said joining the board was a “no-brainer.” “Good libraries serve as the heart and soul of their communities, and this one is among the best I’ve seen,” he said. Karen Roberson, PR. She said her children adore the library and spend hours there each week. “I enjoy serving in our community in a capacity that has such a wonderful influence on our children,” she said. Melvin Upchurch, buildings, grounds and equipment. He joined the board in February because reading books has made a difference in his life and because Homewood has been so good to his family, he said. He is the broker/ owner of the local realty firm Red Hills Realty.
The sixth annual SPREE, or “Shop. Praise. Relax. Eat. Enjoy,” will be held in Oakmont United Methodist on June 21. The event will be held in conjunction with the Oakmont United Methodist Men’s Club BBQ from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Meal tickets are $7. A variety of businesses will set up with yard sale items, arts and crafts, collectibles and more. There will also be booths with yard sale items, vendors, arts and crafts, and a bake sale. The
proceeds from this fundraiser will go to benefit the United Methodist Women’s Organization, which contributes to the Alabama Child Caring Foundation, The McCoy Adult Day Care Center and supplies for other local missions. The event will take place in the church gym at 914 Oak Grove Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on the event or becoming a vendor, email oakmtumc@bellsouth.net or call 942-4622.
Garage sale to raise funds for mission trip Shades Valley Lutheran will hold its Youth Garage Sale Friday and Saturday, June 6-7. The annual event funds the church’s youth mission trip each summer and runs 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
daily. The church is located at 720 Shades Creek Parkway. For more call 871-3512 or visit shadesvalleylutheran.org.
16 • June 2014
Cars and Coffee
The Homewood Star
Weekly meet-up at Brookwood attracting hundreds of enthusiasts Birmingham Cars and Coffee Saturdays • 8:30-10:30 a.m. Brookwood Village Parking Deck facebook.com/BhmCarsCoffee By JEFF THOMPSON On a sunny Saturday, a flag bearing the word “Fiat” blew in the wind above Colonial Brookwood Village. From Lakeshore Drive, it was the only visible evidence of the huge assembly going on behind it. Every Saturday morning, automobile enthusiasts from around the area converge on the parking deck between Colonial Brookwood Village and Target for Cars and Coffee. They park in the sun and pop their hoods, and one-by-one they file through the O’Henry’s Coffee line. Then, they just hang out. They tell each other stories of harrowing track days and epic searches for specific parts while visitors meander around the deck, each snapping photos of the Dodge Viper and the Ferrari 458. Everyone has an opinion on every set of wheels, and there’s a kind answer for every question a novice throws out. It’s not a car show. There are no prizes. It’s simply people who have cars who meet up with people who like them. It’s fun, family-friendly and free. Cars and Coffee was brought to Birmingham in 2012 by a pair of Volkswagon owners — McCalla resident Andrew Bowers and Mountain Brook resident Dave McKee. The two met in an online forum while McKee was living in California. McKee said he was moving back to Birmingham soon, and they decided
Birmingham Cars and Coffee founders Chris Hallmark, Dave McKee and Andrew Bowers stand on top of the parking deck at Colonial Brookwood Village during a meet in February. Photos by Jeff Thompson.
to park their Golf GTIs in the same parking lot when he did. They picked the one in front of O’Henry’s. They quickly made a habit of meeting up, and pulling from other enthusiast gatherings they’d attended from Georgia to California, they organized the official Birmingham Cars and Coffee through a Facebook page. Bowers and McKee recruited their friend Chris Hallmark and held
“It’s more a community of people than cars, cars don’t meet. People do.” - Chris Hallmark
their first official meeting. Eleven cars showed up, and it was a victory. So, they started growing the brand. “We became vigilant about
getting the word out,” Bowers said. “I remember stopping the car while I was on the way to dinner with my wife so I could stick a [Cars and Coffee] business card under the wiper
of a Nissan GTR.” Attendance at the meet grew steadily over the next two years, but this year it exploded. Behind that Fiat flag, more than 125 cars lined the deck. While growth is great for the group, any crowd of vehicles has the potential to create an image problem. Recent TV shows and films about cars and the people who drive
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them has drifted into hyperbole. To combat it, Bowers, McKee and Hallmark set strict rules for the meet — no revving, speeding, burnouts, loud music, policing passersby or littering. “For everyone that rolls up, we ask them to have respect for the property,” McKee said. “And I mean actual respect because we want this to continue.” Colonial Properties noticed the lengths taken by Cars and Coffee organizers to take care of the space and supports the event. “Andrew [Bowers] came to me when he first started and asked about using the deck,” said Robert Thurmond, Colonial Properties head of security. “I did have concerns at first, but now I have none. These guys police themselves.” Thurmond — owner of a 1968 Chevy Camaro that he’s had since 1971 — said Brookwood businesses were also happy with the way the event has evolved. That encouragement has been helpful for Bowers, McKee and Hallmark, who said they would love to see all five levels of the deck filled every week. But for now, they’re happy with what Cars and Coffee is offering the greater-Birmingham area — a place for enthusiasts to be who they are and talk about what they love on a regular basis. “It’s more a community of people than cars,” Hallmark said. “Cars don’t meet. People do.” For more, visit facebook.com/ BhmCarsCoffee.
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The Homewood Star
18 • June 2014
Local roller derby team partners with autism-friendly skating organization By SYDNEY CROMWELL On Saturday nights, the women of the Tragic City Rollers are aggressive skaters with nicknames such as “Agent Skully,” “Mary Rue Thless” and “Punkin Disorderly.” The rest of the week, they are businesswomen, students, wives and mothers in Homewood and across Birmingham. “All our women have full-time lives,” said Rachel “Road Rach” Fallin, the public relations officer for the Tragic City Rollers. “This is a way for us to play hard after we work hard all day long.” The Tragic City Rollers started in 2005 as part of a nationwide resurgence in the popularity of roller derby. The team is part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association and competes against other teams across the region. Fallin said roller derby has become popular because it gives women a way to be active and competitive while still making friends. Roller derby also does not require much prior experience. “You can start knowing nothing and learn a lot in a couple months. It’s a lot of satisfaction,” Fallin said. Amber Carthen, whose derby name is Robyn “Tank” Spotz, did not know how to skate when she first attended a recruitment night for the Tragic City Rollers. The Homewood resident was 21 years old and had just left active duty in Washington, and she was looking for something new to do. She began as a referee
for the Tragic City Rollers and has now been a member for four years. “When I joined roller derby, it was the same type of camaraderie as on active duty,” Spotz said, describing the team as a “band of sisters.” The Tragic City Rollers are also heavily involved in charity work. Each year, the team members pick a local foundation to support. This year’s charity is the A.skate Foundation, an organization that teaches autistic children to roller skate or skateboard, helping them improve motor and social skills. The foundation does not charge parents for participation and has grants to provide gear for children when needed. A.skate was started in Birmingham, but it now holds clinics in 14 states, Ireland and France. “Out of all the foundations we have given money to, I think [A.skate] was a lot more important to us because it’s skating,” Spotz said. At each home bout, the Tragic City Rollers have a photo booth for audience members to take pictures with the team, and 100 percent of the booth’s proceeds go to A.skate. The team also has a collection box set up for people to donate water bottles and nonperishable snacks for the skating clinics. In February, the Tragic City Rollers traveled to Montgomery for the Iron Roll Autism Benefit, an annual fundraiser for A.skate that draws in teams
Roller derby is an aggressive sport, but the Tragic City Rollers enjoy the fun and competitive atmosphere.
across the Southeast. A.skate has plans to eventually build a skateboard park in Homewood, and Fallin said the team is ready whenever their help is needed. The Tragic City Rollers are enthusiastic about
Rachel “Road Rach” Fallin skates in a Tragic City Rollers bout. Photos courtesy of James Nicolas/F Two 8 Photography.
A.skate not only because the foundation teaches children to skate, but also because many team members have autistic relatives. “It kind of hits everyone,” said Spotz, who has an autistic cousin.
The Tragic City Rollers’ next home bout is on June 7 at 7 p.m. at the Zamora Shrine Temple. To learn more about A.skate Foundation, visit askate.org.
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June 3 Republican Primary Candidate Guide
District 46 Representative
David Faulkner the Chamber of Commerce.
Justin Barkley didn’t go to college, but I earned scholarships to Harvard and Alabama Law School. I am a practicing attorney representing employers and small businesses.
1. What is your background? My wife, Melissa, and I both grew up in Hoover, where we met in high school. We now live in Homewood, raising our four children, who attend elementary school at Shades Cahaba and preschool at Canterbury United Methodist. We’ve been married 11 years and attend Riverchase United Methodist. My parents
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year? Recently, corrupt politicians of both parties have made headlines. Public service should be a noble calling, not a career path. I have never run for office before. I will support term limits and a lifetime ban on lobbying by former legislators. I will be guided by my values and principles, rooted in my faith, and always do what’s
best for our community, not for special interests. 3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? We chose to live and raise our family in Homewood. I am the only candidate who lives in Homewood. Currently, Paul DeMarco is the only Homewood resident in the legislature. It is vitally important that we maintain a Homewood resident in the legislature to continue Rep. DeMarco’s legacy of strong, energetic leadership for Homewood.
1. What is your background? I am an attorney, and I have represented and defended individuals, small businesses and corporations in various civil matters for the past 20 years. I have been married to my wife, Nancy, for 16 years, and we have been blessed with three children. I am actively involved in my church and community, teaching Sunday school, coaching kids, and being active and a leader in
1. What is your background? I recently graduated from law school. I have been blessed with six children. My family and I have resided in Hoover for 13 years. We are members of Hunter Street Baptist
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state? Under-utilization of resources. Example 1: People Resource. We are in the bottom tier academically in our grade school and high
schools. However, we have two of the best colleges in America. We have to give all children the proper skill sets to be successful at an Auburn and Alabama. Example 2: Land Resource. We are not utilizing the resources of the poorest area in the nation, which is the Black Belt. The Black Belt must be economically revived. Tax incentives, agriculture and manufacturing would develop the economic base in the Black Belt area.
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state? While I believe Gov. [Robert] Bentley has done a good job in turning Alabama’s economy in the right direction, we must get it running on all cylinders again. Because Jefferson County is the economic center of Alabama, when the state’s economy performs well, we do well, and when the state’s economy performs poorly, it affects us directly. I believe that targeted tax incentives, an emphasis on education and workforce development, and creating an overall pro-business atmosphere are the cure to the economic ills we face.
3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? We have great schools within this district, and we must ensure their continued success. Everyone who lives in Birmingham is affected at some point by massive traffic congestion, so we must address the transportation problems that exist throughout House District 46 and Jefferson County. We must demand that the people who are elected or appointed to represent us in government are ethical and are serving for the right reasons. We can start with Water Works Board reform legislation being passed
Steve French business pursuits and to serving the people of Alabama. I have been an active Republican all of my adult life and served part of Shelby and Jefferson County as state senator from 1998-2010.
Pamela Blackmore-Jenkins Church, where I enjoy singing in the choir. I have participated in resolving issues throughout Hoover and I am a dedicated, hard-working Republican. Please see my website, electblackmorejenkins.org.
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1. What is your background? My wife, Betsy, and I have been married for 25 years and have raised all four of our daughters, Alex, 23, Sally, 20, Lizzie, 17, and Virginia, 12, in District 46, where they all attended public school. We are also very active members of Canterbury United Methodist Church. In addition to my family and church, I have dedicated myself to my
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year? I think the greatest issue facing our state will be ongoing and stronger intrusion by the federal government into our lives, our businesses and our state. I have always believed that our problems can be solved here at home, and I will stand strong in my opposition to “one size fits all” solutions, like Obamacare, that Washington tries
to force on us. 3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? The biggest issue facing Homewood is maintaining its first-class education system, as well as saving money for future improvements. With my professional financial experience helping municipalities find and save needed money, I can proactively and effectively help leaders do so, therefore, preserving the first-class education system that is so valuable in preserving and improving H o m e w o o d ’s charming character.
20 • June 2014
June 3 Republican Primary Candidate Guide
U.S. House of Representatives Alabama District 6 Scott Beason businesses over the years.
1. What is your background? I have been blessed to have served two terms in the Alabama House, and I am currently serving my second term in the Alabama Senate. I have a degree from The University of Alabama with a major in geology and a minor in English. I worked for a large corporation out of college and have owned multiple small
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year and how would you address it? The biggest issue facing Alabama and the rest of the nation is how to get the economy on track and create jobs and opportunities for Americans. Elected officials on the federal level have done tremendous damage to the economy through over-regulation, faulty tax policy, overspending/burgeoning debt and Obamacare. The uncertainty caused by each of these factors must be alleviated. We must reduce regulation so that businesses can focus on operations. We
should eliminate the federal tax code and put in the Fair Tax. Last, but certainly not least, Obamacare has to be repealed and replaced. 3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year and how would you address it? The biggest issue facing Homewood is the same as the one facing the State of Alabama and the rest of the nation. That is how to improve the economy and create jobs and opportunities for Americans. That is the surface answer, but the underlying problem is that the country is steering away from its founding principles.
Will Brooke
1. What is your background? I grew up here and attended the University of Alabama where I received degrees in business and law. I have spent my entire career in Birmingham and am a businessman. I have worked at Harbert Management Corporation for nearly 25 years and am chairman of our real
estate services group and managing partner of our venture capital funds. I like solving problems and have created hundreds of jobs in the Sixth District. My wife, Maggie, and I have been married for 34 years and have three adult children. We love our state and have been active in our church and other charitable and civic activities, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way and McWane Center. 2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year? Why aren’t there any construction cranes on Birmingham’s skyline? Economic
development is essential to creating jobs and building a strong future for our city and state. That’s where I would focus. 3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? This community is part of a special area, and has much in common with the other communities around us. We should work together to reduce costs, improve services and connectivity, and solve shared problems. I would work with our mayors and councils to find solutions and resources and move the ball forward.
Paul DeMarco
1. What is your background? My wife, Jacqueline, and I live in Homewood. I am a two-term state representative of House District 46, which includes portions of Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills. I was born and raised in Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Jacqueline and I work here. We will raise our family here.
2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year? Washington is broken. Washington’s problems threaten the future of each person in Alabama and the Sixth District. Out-of-control deficit spending, the damage done to families and employers by Obamacare and federal regulations that threaten small and big business alike must all be addressed. As your state representative, I have always worked to support our schools. I have worked with city leaders to improve infrastructure needs. That will continue when I go to Washington.
3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? This is where I live. My wife and I will raise our family here. The people of Homewood, like every other community, want to continue to prosper. As your congressman, I will fight to protect small businesses from overreaching regulations that threaten jobs. I will support a balanced budget amendment. I will work to repeal Obamacare. We must focus on a limited government that helps rather than hinders the people.
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Chad Mathis
1. What is your background? I’m a doctor and small business owner here in Birmingham. I’m typically asked on the campaign trail, “Why would a surgeon want to run for Congress?”, and I tell them it’s because I’m worried we are losing the American
dream. I was the first in my family to graduate college and worked in the same factory as my father to pay for that education. Hard work and sacrifice enabled me to earn my version of the American dream, but that dream is no longer attainable for many Alabamians. 2/3. What is the biggest issue facing our state/ Homewood in the upcoming year? For the first time in a long time, the biggest issue facing our nation is the biggest issue we face here in both Alabama
and in Homewood. The ill effects of Obamacare are no longer reserved to an evening newscast or the headlines of a newspaper, but in fact are something affecting our families, friends and neighbors on a daily basis. That’s why I have developed a 12-point plan to repeal and replace Obamacare with patient-centered, market-driven reforms. I hope you will join me in this fight to give healthcare back to the patient, opportunity back to small business, and help keep that American dream alive for hardworking Alabamians.
Gary Palmer
1. What is your background? I’ve worked for small business, two major engineering companies and, for the last 24 years, led the Alabama Policy Institute, a public policy think tank ranked as Alabama’s most influential conservative group. 2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year?
There are two huge issues: the impact of Obamacare on businesses and continued high unemployment. Congress must repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered, market-based plan that puts people in charge of their health care decisions, establishes a national insurance pool for people who can’t get insurance or can’t afford it, and that eliminates the economic uncertainties faced by businesses. With 1 of 6 men age 25-54 unemployed, Congress should utilize our vast God-given energy resources to create jobs and stimulate the economy. In one shale formation out West alone there are 3 trillion barrels of
recoverable oil — three times what the entire world has used in 100 years — and the federal government owns almost 80 percent of it. The abundance of natural gas has resulted in cheaper energy that is driving a manufacturing boom that is benefiting Alabama. 3. What is the biggest issue facing Homewood in the upcoming year? In the context of federal issues, the impact of Obamacare on Homewood-based medical practices and businesses and the stagnant economy. Repeal and replace Obamacare and open up federal energy resources.
Robert Shattuck
1. What is your background? I am a retired lawyer. 2. What is the biggest issue facing the state in the upcoming year and how would you address it? My biggest issue, which
affects Alabama and all the states, is that Congress is kaput and unable to do its job for the American people, and government has failed us. I link that failure to the influence of money in politics. Congress will not, on its own, fix this, and only the people can force the necessary changes to be made. My idea is for Alabama, on June 3, to become a spearhead for an uprising of voters around the country. This will make the 2014 elections a linchpin whereby the incumbent Congress is forced by
the voters to agree on a grand reform plan prior to election day in November. If the voters think that Congress, and their representatives and senators, have done a credible job in the grand reform plan that Congress proposes, that can be a significant reason for voters to vote for their incumbents. If Congress is not able to agree on a grand reform plan before election day, or if the voters think the plan proposed does not do enough for change, that would be a reason to vote against incumbents.
Tom Vigneulle
1. What is your background? I come from a background of service. My father was Dr. Richard (Dick) Vigneulle. He was the executive vice president of City Federal Savings & Loan and president of Service Corporation. He
later answered the call to the ministry, becoming the founding pastor of Shades Mountain Independent Church in Hoover. I also learned from him the value of hard work and commitment. Two years after marrying my wife Ginger, we started our own business in Pelham, Royal Bedding Manufacturing, Inc., in August of 1987. Since that time, I have mastered the bedding industry and learned the challenges of owning a small business. For 26 years, I have had to balance a budget and make hard
decisions on spending priorities. I also know what it’s like to face federal regulations on a daily basis. As a small business owner, it hasn’t always been easy, but the values my father instilled me has allowed us to persevere and live out the American dream. And it’s that dream that I feel is under attack and is the reason I am running. My wife and I also own a family cattle farm in Wilsonville and are members of the Cattlemen’s Association of Alabama.
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June 2014 • 21
The Homewood Star
22 • June 2014
School House Williams named top scholar-athlete Homewood High School senior Miller Williams was recognized as one of Alabama’s top scholar-athletes during the 29th annual Bryant-Jordan Scholarship Banquet and Awards Ceremony. The banquet honored 48 Scholar-Athlete regional winners, and Miller was named the overall 2014 5A Class Scholar-Athlete winner. Miller is the eighth Homewood High School student to be named a Class Scholar-Athlete award winner. Of the eight, HHS has had four students named Larry D. Striplin, Jr. Scholar-Athlete winners, the highest honor of the Bryant-Jordan Program. Last year, HHS graduate Maggie Williams was the 5A Class winner. She is now attending college in North Carolina.
As a regional winner, Miller was awarded a $2,500 scholarship, and he received a $3,000 scholarship as the 5A Class winner. In high school, Miller played basketball and football. He will attend Vanderbilt University and plans to study economics and political science. The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program was created in 1986 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association. One objective of the program is to recognize and honor Alabama students who have by ability and effort achieved a level of excellence in the areas of academics and athletics that is commensurate with their potential. Approximately 400 seniors are nominated through the Bryant-Jordan program each year.
HHS Principal Dr. Zach Barnes, Miller Williams and HCS Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland.
Homewood ranked as a Best High School by U.S. News & World Report Homewood High School was ranked the fourth-best high school in Alabama in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the best high schools in the country. Among the 2014 U.S. News Best High Schools in Alabama, three were awarded gold medals and 12 received silver medals. Homewood High School received a silver award. To produce the 2014 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools
rankings, U.S. News teamed up with the Washington, D.C.-based American Institutes for Research (AIR), one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world. The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 19,400 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. The national rankings are conducted through a three-step process. The first two steps ensured that the
schools serve all of their students well, using performance on state proficiency tests as the benchmarks. For those schools that made it past the first two steps, a third step assessed the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work. To read more about the Best High Schools in Alabama list, visit usnews. com/education/best-high-schools/ alabama.
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Referred for a reason.
Geography student places on state level Hall-Kent Elementary fifth-grader Robert Merchant placed in the top 10 in the statewide Geography Bee after placing first in Homewood’s bee.
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June 2014 • 23
Edgewood places in McWane science competition Edgewood Elementary School fifth-graders in Christen Sloderbeck’s enrichment class won third place in the McWane Science Center’s recent Celebrate Science competition. They competed against 19 other teams and received $750. Celebrate Science is a yearlong contest in which students work together to design a prototype for a new exhibit at the McWane Center. Participants begin brainstorming ideas in September and then complete the various steps of the engineering process, submitting their final
prototype in April. Edgewood’s prototype, “Do You See What I See?” features a giant model of an eye that visitors could walk in \ to learn about the structure of the human eye. The prototype also includes four “fact centers” inside the eye, explaining common types of vision problems such as nearsightedness and color blindness. Edgewood students celebrate their third-place finish in the McWane Center’s Celebrate Science competition.
Holocaust survivor visits HHS
Dr. Inge Auerbacher talks to Homewood High School students.
Holocaust survivor and author Dr. Inge Auerbacher recently spoke to Homewood High School students during an assembly. Auerbacher, who was born in 1934, and her family were imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp from 1942 to 1945. Her family was among the 1 percent wh survived the camps. Auerbacher and her family later moved to New York City, where she spent 38 years as a chemist and received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Long Island University. She has also published four books. HHS junior Steven Craig was deeply moved by Auerbacher’s visit. “She truly inspires me and shows us all that anything can be possible,” he said.
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24 • June 2014
Fifth-grader raising money for clean water for South Sudan
HHS musicians top in state
By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Spencer Marcum holds one of the cards he created. Photo courtesy of Karen Marcum.
Spencer Marcum didn’t just learn about the challenges that face people in South Sudan — he acted to help them. The fifth-grader decided to raise money to help bring clean water to that country after learning about it in Christen Sloderbeck’s gifted education class at Edgewood Elementary. In Spencer’s words, Water for South Sudan, the nonprofit group he is raising money for, “is a great organization that drills wells for people in South Sudan so they don’t have to drink the terrible water that kills lots of people.” Spencer created his own artwork for notecards, then edited them digitally and printed them to sell. The 17 designs include Auburn, The University of Alabama, state of Alabama and his personal favorite, Homewood Patriots. A package of eight cards costs $12 plus shipping, with all proceeds going to Water for South Sudan. Spencer’s original goal was to raise $500 and inspire other people to help make a difference. As of May 9, he had raised more than $2,100 and received orders from Homewood businesses including Little Donkey. To learn more or purchase cards, visit Spencer’s “Helping Water For South Sudan” Facebook page or waterforsouthsudan.org.
Homewood High School band student Sam Cross, left, was selected second chair string bass in the state of Alabama, and Joey Crittenden, right, was selected as first chair tenor saxophone.
Page in the house
Learning Dubin-style Hall-Kent Elementary School second-graders in Jerome Isley’s class recently created art in the style of illustrator Jill Dubin. Dubin’s technique is to draw a sketch and then cut different colors of paper to complete the illustrated page. Isley said the students were very engaged in creating scenes using “Dubin-style.” The students enjoyed researching Dubin’s life and were enthusiastic enough to email her about replicating her style of artwork. Dubin wrote back and even assisted with a writing project. The artist also sent the class a care package.
Alex Barron and Karmen Page show off their Dubin-style art.
Homewood High School junior Grant Limbaugh served as a page in the Alabama House of Representatives for Rep. Paul DeMarco in April. Photo courtesy of Patty Limbaugh.
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TheHomewoodStar.com
June 2014 • 25
Sports HHS outdoor track teams win first state titles For the first time in program history, the Homewood High School boys and girls teams won the AHSAA 5A outdoor track and field state titles on May 3. The boys have previously won three indoor track and field titles, but this was the first time to win outdoor. This win gave the boys team the rare Triple Crown, awarded when a team wins cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track state titles in a single school year. The girls defeated St. Paul’s — the team that held the last eight 5A state titles — by one point. The girls were two points behind St. Paul’s going into the final event, the 4x400-meter relay. Relay team members Mary Margaret Jackson, Hunter Midgett, Joy Korley and Alex Studdard beat St. Paul’s by two places in the final event, giving Homewood the one-point win. “That race was the perfect way to end this season and get us the championship because it took everyone on the relay team doing their very best,” head coach Tom Esslinger said. “That is the way the whole team beat a tremendous team like St. Paul’s. It took everyone staying focused and doing their jobs.” Kiara Williams was the top scorer for the girls and won both the long jump and 100-meter hurdles. She also placed second in both the triple jump and the 200-meter. Ann Mosely Whitsett won the 800-meter and placed second in the 400-meter, third in the 300-meter hurdles and fourth in the 1600-meter. Sarah Blake led the throwers by placing second
Wyatt to cheer for BSC
Riordan Wyatt
Seniors on the track team celebrate their state championship titles.
in both javelin and discus. The girls 4x100-meter relay team (Maiyah Lee, Jasmine Griffin, Alex Studdard and Elysa Griffin) also earned All-State honors by placing second. Andy Smith led the boys team by winning both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter. Smith also placed fourth in the 800-meter and anchored the winning 4x800-meter relay team of Logan Sadler, Tristan Lindsey and Hunter Poole. Logan Sadler also won an individual
title in the 800-meter. Dominique Linson placed second in the high jump, Tristan Lindsey second in the 800-meter, Mike Rohdy third in the 1600-meter, and Alex Ngei third in the 3200-meter. All of them earned All-State honors by placing in the top three. “By finally winning the outdoor title in the boys, we feel like we finally got that missing piece of the puzzle,” Esslinger said. “The kids have worked so hard for their
success, and I would also like to thank our amazing coaching staff at both the high school and middle school. None of this could be accomplished without their hard work and knowledge.” High school coaches are Tom Esslinger, Lars Porter, Josh Donaldson, Rebecca Phillips, Michael Niezgoda, John Schultz, Brittany Hines Steele and Kenneth Hollis. -Submitted by Tom Esslinger
Homewood High School senior Riordan Wyatt will be on the sidelines cheering for the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers as a freshman next year. Wyatt cheered for the Homewood Patriots for four years and served as the co-head her senior year. She was also a member of the Student Government Association, Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Club, as well as the senior class activities director. Her future plans are to study communications in order to pursue a career in journalism.
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26 • June 2014
HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Homewood Community Center Zumba ZUMBA is Latin inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes! You can burn 500 to 1000 calories in one fun hour! Instructor: Camille Scruggs Contact Info: 256-452-2500 or camillescruggs@gmail.com Days & Times: Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30-6:30pm Saturday: 9:00-10:00am
Young Rembrandts Draw amazing things with Young Rembrandts! Young Rembrandts classes are both fun and educational, and our step-by-step curriculum is developed to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Our classes are for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Please contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more information and to register or visit www. youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime
Kindermusik As the world’s recognized leader in early childhood music and movement, Kindermusik offers a musical learning adventure that will impact your child now and for years to come! This is accomplished through our extraordinary classroom experience and unsurpassed At Home materials. There’s simply no better way to foster your child’s love of music and love of learning. Classes are available for ages 0 to 5 years. For more information call or email Kelly at: 205-5526129 (or) Kelly.alligood@charter.net www.kellyalligood.com
Homewood Chess Team Homewood Chess Team wants you! Beginners are welcome and the first two weeks are always free promo weeks so come check us out! This year take the plunge and join Dr. Brooks and your current Alabama State Chess Champion Chess Team as we laugh and train in daily mardi-gras bead chess tourneys and compete for prizes in our daily music-driven chess puzzlers and watch zany chess movies and inter-face and inter-train with 20 sister chess teams including every Vestavia and Mountain Brook elementary school, The Randolph School, The Altamont School, Tuscaloosa Academy, The Highlands School, five Catholic schools, and many others. There has never been a party-based approach to chess like this, and Dr. Brooks’ unique, kid-oriented philosophy has made us 50-0 in our history, and counting! Our high-energy chess
classes are developmentally and cleverly targeted directly at the kindergarten through 7th-grade set! Learn more and sign up for our school chess team at www.theknightschool.com or call and chat with Dr. Brooks at (205) 746-4952.
360 Personal Trainer Fitness “Holistic sustainable approach to Fitness” Bootcamp style fitness classes coming to Homewood Community Center. For more information of class opportunities, fees and descriptions please visit: http://www. homewoodparks.com/fitness/homewood-community-center-fitness/360-personal-trainer-fitness/ Michael Brooks – michaelbrooks360@gmail.com
Royce Head Personal Training Everyone benefits from weight training!!! Affordable small group training sessions are available to members in the new community center weight room with Royce Head, a certified personal trainer with 15 years experience. Each 30 min workout is fast, fun, safe, and effective and each person is started with a program to fit their fitness level. Each workout is a different circuit training routine which keeps heart rate in the fat burning zone while stretching and strengthening all the muscles in the body with extra emphasis on the CORE for a strong back and flat belly. Royce will be available: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 8:00am–9:00am and 5:30pm-6:30pm. The cost is only $15 per session or $125 per month for unlimited workouts. Space is limited so call Royce now!! 945-1665
Karate Classes are held at various times based on age and level of experience. Monthly tuition is $55 - $65. Classes are for children and teenagers ages 4 and up. For more information please contact Master Joe at 966-4244
Belly Dancing with Aziza Class Fee: $60 cash only For more information contact Aziza at 879-0701 or azizaofbirmingham@att.net Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egyptian style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instruction. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcome; with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times times are 7:00-8:30pm. www.azizaofbirmingham.com
Summer Pool Information Swim Lessons
Pool Party Information
Class Information: Swim Lessons are offered through the Homewood Recreation Swim Program. The instruction is provided by the Certified Lifeguard staff. The main objectives of the classes are to teach kids to be “water safe.” Swim Lesson Fees: Homewood Residents: $30 per child per two-week session Non Homewood resident: $60 per child for two-week session For additional information about dates of sessions and descriptions of skill levels please visit: www. homewoodparks.com
Semi-Private Party Party description: use of the party room while the pool is open for normal operating hours. $100 for Total Access Members and Pool Members (includes 15 wristbands for non-member admittance) $200 for Homewood Resident (includes 20 wristbands for non-member admittance) *Additional guests wristbands can be purchased at time of rental for $5.00 each – not to exceed 30 non-member wristbands total. *Parties during operating hours are limited to 30 non-member guests *All people entering the facility are required to be a member or have an admittance wristband
2014 Pool Memberships Pool Only Homewood Resident Membership: $150 – 1st Household member / $25 – per additional household member *Membership is valid from date of purchase thru Labor Day . *This membership prorates the 1st of each month, beginning July 1st. *Pool Only Resident membership includes: New HW Central Pool & West HW Pool Pool Only Non-Resident Membership $150 – 1st Household member / $25 – per additional household member * Membership is valid from date of purchase thru Labor Day * This membership prorates the 1st of each month, beginning July 1st *Pool Only Non-Resident membership includes: West Homewood Pool Only
@homewoodparks
Private Pool Party (After Operating Hours) Party Description: Use of the complete pool area after the pool has closed for the day. $400 for Homewood Residents, $800 for Non-Homewood Residents * Supervisor’s approval needed for Party’s larger than 125 people * Must be booked 10 days in advance. To make a reservation you must come to the Homewood Parks Business Office at 1632 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209. Business Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:30pm. You can reach the business office with additional questions at 332-6700. Reservations are not available online or via telephone. All pool parties are held at Homewood Central Pool.
Homewood Senior Center
Creative Expression Mondays, 9:30am – Knit & Crochet Class, taught by Sr Ctr member Polly Kelly. Choose your own project and Polly will coach you through it. Free to members. Mondays, 1:00pm – Sunshiners Senior Chorus, with professional direction and live, professional accompaniment. The chorus occasionally performs at a facility or venue off-site or for peers at the Senior Center. For fun and visual variety, props and minimal costuming are sometimes used. Free to members. Mondays, 2:15pm – Clay Class, taught by JoAnn Brown, recently retired from Homewood School System. Participants may choose the project introduced by the instructor or ‘do their own thing.’ Clay, glazes, and kiln firing are provided. Free to members.
Fitness Classes Tai Chi – Taught by Galina Waites. Chairs and adapted movements are provided for participants with balance/ stamina challenges. Thursdays, 2:00pm. Free to members. Zumba Gold (designed for seniors) w/Tai Chi ‘cool down’ – Tuesdays, 2:15. 45 minutes of Zumba followed by 15 minutes of Tai Chi to ‘cool down’. The last 15 minutes can also serve as an introduction/review for those interested in the Thursday full-hour Tai Chi class. Free to Senior Center Members. $5 for non-members.
Athletics Homewood Youth Cheerleading HYC are a dynamic group of girls who are excited to cheer for the Homewood Youth Football League. HYC is a community cheerleading program for girls in grades 1st through 6th who live in Homewood and/or attend Homewood Schools. The girls are organized into 5 squads by grade level – 1st & 2nd grades cheer together, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades have individual squads. Please visit our website for more information: www.homewoodyouthcheer.com
Homewood Patriot Youth Football League HPYFL is responsible for organizing youth football in Homewood and oversees its operation. Please visit their website for more information. Please visit our website for more information: www.homewoodyouthfootball.org
Homewood Soccer Club Homewood Soccer Club is dedicated to creating a balanced youth soccer program for residents of Homewood and is also open to others with payment of a non-resident fee. There are four levels of play in the Homewood Soccer Club program: Patriots: For age groups U-4 through U-8. Players play once a week with a practice followed by a game. U-8 players have a one time a week practice and play a game on Saturday each week. For all Patriot ages it is an intramural program without any travel. Red Teams: Recreational teams for ages U-9 and up. Generally Homewood Soccer fields red teams up to U-14. Teams practice twice a week and play one game a week. Recreational teams are focused on maintaining a balance of player development, playing with friends, having fun, and a lower level of serious commitment. Teams play 4 home games and 4 games at other clubs in the Birmingham area. White Teams: Recreational Plus for ages U-9 -U-11. Blue Teams: For ages U-11 through U-18. Blue Teams are select teams, put together through competitive try outs. The teams play in the competitive AYSA State League. Games are played state wide, although most are in the Birmingham area. Teams will play two tournaments and an annual State Cup Championship. The required level of commitment is high and there are additional costs above those of Red Teams. Detailed information about levels of play, including deadlines, fees and Club philosophy is available on our web site at www. HomewoodSoccer.com
www.Homewoodparks.com
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June 2014 • 27
Track athletes to run for area colleges Owen Ferguson, Birmingham-Southern
Mike Rhody, Samford
Surrounded by family, teammates, coaches and classmates, Homewood Patriots guard Owen Ferguson signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Birmingham-Southern College on April 30. Owen became the first Patriot to sign a basketball scholarship from the 2014 sub-regional champions that went all the way to Jacksonville for the state regionals. Owen is the son of Matt and Ashley Ferguson and the grandson of Colleen Ferguson. Owen Ferguson celebrates his BSC signing with his brother Rhys, mother Ashley, father Matt and grandmother Colleen Ferguson.
Mary Margaret Jackson, Birmingham-Southern Family, teammates, coaches and classmates packed the Homewood High School Patriot Room to witness Patriots track and field star Mary Margaret Jackson’s signing of her letter of intent to run track at Birmingham-Southern College. The event took place on May 6 at HHS. Mary Margaret has been a part of one state championship and three state runner-up track and field teams at Homewood. Mary Margaret is the daughter of Doug and Melissa Jackson, who were by her side during the signing along with coaches Tom Esslinger and Lars Porter. Mary Margaret Jackson signs with Birmingham-Southern as her parents look on.
Mike Rohdy signs with Samford surrounded by his family: parents Mike and Katherine and siblings Andrew, Elizabeth and Allison.
Homewood High School senior Mike Rohdy signed a letter of intent to run track for Samford University on April 30. “Mike is one of the hardest workers and best leaders to ever come through our program, and he has led the program to four state championships during his high school career,” Track Coach Tom Esslinger said. Mike was joined at the signing by his parents, Michael and Katherine Rohdy, sisters Allison and Elizabeth, brother Andrew, grandparents Mike and Brenda Rohdy, and a packed HHS Patriot room of teammates and friends.
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28 • June 2014 ROSEDALE
Continued from page 1 you made us haul old trees out of lots or why you had us show up on time, but now I see it,” she said. “We’ve had a part in getting our community back on track.” As a young teenager, she didn’t understand why work days started at 9 a.m., and if someone showed up at 9:01, they couldn’t work. She didn’t know why they had to wear their “uniform” (a T-shirt). Today she’s in college studying to be an engineer. Slaughter thinks that her first engineering ideas might have come through her exposure to design and architecture in her days around the house in which she now stood. The simple red brick house sits four blocks behind the 18th Street post office. On its walls hang photos of dilapidated houses, sketches for new, modern architectural plans, and lists of community development initiatives in the area. Next to the house is a garden that is now teeming with fresh organic produce grown by the youth in surrounding homes. The stone walls around it were built by youth like Chapman. Through Nehemiah’s Quest, teenagers are hired to build and plant gardens on vacant lots in their neighborhood. Just as in the Bible Nehemiah was tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem after it was ransacked by Babylonians, the program seeks to inspire the people of the community to restore their area. In addition to gardening, the participants harvest honey, blueberries and blackberries and make jams to sell as well as create sculptures to place on vacant lots. “It’s about teaching kids about hard work and great design,” Slaughter said. “Architectural beauty is connected with urban renewal and heart
A teenager from Rosedale participates in an area youth program that pays young people to work in gardens and clear vacant lots in their community. Photo courtesy of Terry Slaughter.
renewal.” That’s why, for example, to the trained eye, a shed next to the house is more than just a shed. The camera obscura architecture allows light that comes through a small hole in the front of the building to reflect an image of the garden onto an interior wall. Next steps Slaughter believes that the next key steps for Rosedale’s revitalization lie in architecture and new residents, and architects he knows have drawn up plans for it. “I think Rosedale will be a vibrant, diverse community,” he
said. “The dream is that a diverse group of people — affluent and not, educated and not — will have one thing in common and want to live a peaceful, beautiful life together.” To him, it has the potential to be a true New Urbanist community where residents can walk to any kind of amenity in downtown Homewood. The area is zoned for Homewood City Schools. But he doesn’t envision new “cool” people moving in to the point where longtime residents leave. Family roots are too deep for that, he said. “I think people who want to move into Rosedale will want to because
they think that is what their calling is,” he said. “They are wanting to make a change in people’s hearts and to be part of the change. They will be interested in urban renewal and heart renewal.” Among the drawings his architectural clients have created is a 600-square-foot modern structure that could cost around $70,000. Another was modeled after a library in New York and would come with a price tag around $225,000. “All it would take is for one or two houses [of inspiration] to pop up that people will see,” he said. “I want to build houses that architects would
drive by just to look at the house.” Slaughter is now working with Tim Coker of developer CPM to bring to life his dream for little, modern houses to be tucked into the Rosedale landscape. He hopes to complete the first house before the end of 2014. “We are now on the tipping point,” he said. “People are starting to see an investment in the area.” Slaughter plans to begin construction a new office building for his branding company, Slaughter Group, and Simon Cyrene, the nonprofit arm over the Rosedale efforts, behind Iron Tribe at the border of Rosedale. Next to the modern studio structure will be a new duplex in place of an old one with a similar style of design. These will house future interns who will work with and in the community in exchange for a free place to live. Recently, Coker has been petitioning the City of Homewood to rezone the duplex site from neighborhood preservation district to mixed use, which raised opposition from neighbors. Lifelong Rosedale resident George Terry said they are concerned that more of Rosedale’s residential spaces will be developed commercially in the future. “It’s a small portion, but we know it will eventually start getting bigger,” he said. “Once you start with commercial development, it will grow more and more, and people will have nowhere to go.” City Council member Michael Hallman said residents have told him that the City promised the last time they rezoned neighboring property for commercial use that they would not do so in the future, and that families who have lived in the area for multiple generations feel like this is a violation of that promise. “All they really want is to be left alone,” Hallman said. “They don’t
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Terry Slaughter works with children after school in Rosedale. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
want the historic nature of Rosedale torn down, because they take a lot of pride in what they do have.” The council will vote on the rezoning at its June 9 meeting. The future In many ways, Slaughter said he has failed. Almost a decade in, he has yet to be able to build affordable housing for the community. Sometimes when he and his wife drive down 27th Avenue South, she reminds him that, from the outside, it doesn’t look any different than it did years ago. Still, he said this is where he feels like he has been placed. On the days when he can barely discern a thumbprint of change, he envisions longtime Rosedale resident David Thomas, who cuts the grass at the red brick house, and Miss Rosa from across the street, sitting next to a CEO from a client of Slaughter Group for lunch. And he thinks of Chapman’s words. “I’m 62 now and might be 92 before anything happens, but I believe in my heart that it’s about to happen,” he said. “I can see past what’s not there, because I know what’s going to be there.” To learn more, visit simoncyrene.org.
Each year after the festival, Buddy would buy all the remaining barbecue and take it to the Homewood Police Department and Homewood Fire Department for dinner. He could also be found at Homewood festivals giving ride tickets to children or passing out dessert from the Rotary bake sale. He sought out the park employees, helped them take out the trash and then gave them a ticket for a barbecue plate. At the annual Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July festival, he would always wash the dishes because he knew no one else wanted that job. At school auctions, he would bid on items he didn’t necessarily want to create activity on the bid, and after he won an item, he would give it to the person he had outbid. He’d never let that person pay him back for the item, though. He was making a donation to the school, he said. “Dad didn’t want recognition for any of what he did,” Billy said. “He did it because he loved people so much.” In a celebration of Buddy’s life on May 14, the Homewood High School Band and Star Spangled Girls performed, and Mayor Scott McBrayer issued a proclamation declaring May 8 as Buddy Wade Day because, he said, the city “has lost a great friend in Buddy Wade.” Although Buddy’s wife, Cindy, retired in 1998 from leading the Star Spangled Girls at Homewood High School, Buddy continued to act as the “father” for the group, assisting students off the field who got sick or overheated. For the band trip to the Rose Bowl this yea,r he and Cindy gave up their spots on the trip to pay for more students to attend — one of many stories telling of Buddy’s generosity to the community. Born in Alden (near Leeds) in 1942, Buddy grew up moving schools often as his parents followed construction jobs around Birmingham. He worked his way through college, studying civil engineering at Southeastern University and microbiology at Louisiana State University, where he met Cindy. “I couldn’t trust anyone to lead me through life until I met Buddy,” Cindy said, noting how he made sure they studied together before they went out on a date. “He totally changed my ambition to be the best I could be. We were married for 45 years, and it still felt like a date when we went out.” After earning a degree in pharmacy from Samford University in 1970, Buddy would work less than two years as pharmacist before moving into sales and property management. Cindy said Buddy’s State Farm agency of 42 years was marked by his honesty and sincerity. His office manager of 34 years, Lori Zucco, had become like a family member to the Wades. But that was only one of his entrepreneurial endeavors, which included a mini storage business and various commercial real estate
Buddy Wade ate breakfast at Demetri’s every weekday morning, including the day he passed away.
properties. “His hobby was working,” Billy said, noting how his dad’s idea of a fun time was working on his properties. Buddy’s daughter, Katie Wade Faught, recalled how her dad was always doing something he could have hired someone else to do, and always teaching her to be a businesswoman. Under his guidance, at age 19 she took over running Applause Dancewear, which he and Cindy opened in 1981. Also at 19, both Katie and her brother bought their first properties. “There is nothing more uplifting to me than when my dad would come into the store every day and tell me he was proud of what I had done,” Katie said. Outside of his devotion to the people of Homewood, Buddy was passionate about his collection of hundreds of antique clocks and traveling westward. He completed several marathons and hiked in and out of the Grand Canyon in the years that followed a five-way bypass heart surgery in 1993. When Billy was 16, father and son took off for Alaska by car with no itinerary, stopped at places like the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore on the way. Billy remembers how they chased a grizzly bear up a hill in their car once they arrived. “If you dreamed it, we’d go do it,” he said. Today, Cindy recognizes that her “business manager” is gone, but she knows what he shared with others, especially his devotion to his children and grandchildren, Wade and Hogan Bexley and Abbey Wade, will live on.
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Calendar Homewood Events Saturdays: Urban Cookhouse Homewood Farmer’s Market. 8 a.m.–noon. 2850 19th Street South. Saturdays: West Homewood Farmer’s Market. 8 a.m.-noon. 160 Oxmoor Road. Tuesdays: Tuesday Night Trails. 5:30 p.m. Red Mountain Park. Trail run sponsored by Alabama Outdoors. Visit alabamaoutdoors.com/category/trailrunning/. June 1: Vulcan’s 110th Birthday Bash. Noon-4 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive. An outdoor celebration with activities for the whole family. $5 for ages 5+, free for Vulcan
members and ages 4 and under. Call 933-1409. June 4-7: Miss Alabama Pageant. The preliminary competitions will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Samford University Wright Center. $25-$49. Visit missalabama.com, email bamatickets4sale@ aol.com or call 871-6276. June 6-7: Shades Valley Lutheran Youth Garage Sale. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Shades Valley Lutheran Church. Funds the youth mission trip each summer. Call 871-3512. June 7: Aqua Zumba sessions at Lakeshore Foundation begin. Saturdays.
8:30-9:15 a.m. Wallace Pool. Contact zumbaneki@ gmail.com or 249-6561. June 7: National Trails Day. 9-11 a.m. Red Mountain Park. Guided hike along one of Red Mountain’s trails. Visit alabamaoutdoors.com/ category/trail-running/. June 9: Community Garden Work Day. 9 a.m. Homewood Community Garden, old Homewood Middle School site. Visit homewoodcommunitygarden. blogspot.com. June 9-13: Vacation Bible School. 5:30-8 p.m. Raleigh Avenue Baptist Church. Children ages 3 to sixth grade. Call 942-8060 or visit rabc.org.
June 17: Homewood Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The Club State Rooms. Jim Searcy of Economic Development Systems of Alabama will speak. Visit homewoodchamber.com. June 21: SPREE Festival and barbecue at Oakmont UMC. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 914 Oak Grove Road. Meal tickets $7. Contact oakmtumc@ bellsouth.net or 942-4622. April 28: Pickin’ in the Park. 4-8 p.m. Homewood Central Park. Acoustic community music festival sponsored by Homewood Arts Council. Visit facebook.com/homewoodartscouncil.
Homewood Public Library Adults June 5: Essential Oils, Aromatherapy and Your Health with Cheryl Burnette. 6:30 p.m. Whether the use is medicinal, aromatic, cleaning or even as a bug repellent, you’ll find many healthy ways to utilize essential oils. June 10: Oxmoor Page Turner’s Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Lucretia M. Comers Boardroom. Discussing The Husband’s Secret by Lianne Moriarty. June 17: The A, B, C’s of Medicare. Noon & 6 p.m. 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. June 19: Electronics Recycling & Document Shredding. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Homewood Public Library Parking Lot. June 19: Southern Women and the
Archetype of the Southern Belle with Jungian Analyst Lucie Magnus. 6:30 p.m. Join us as Jungian Analyst Lucie Magnus examines the archetypal nature of the Belle. June 23: Easy Summer Cooking with Chef E: Desserts. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. For reservations, contact Leslie West at lwest@bham.lib. al.us or 332-6620. June 25: The Better Than Therapy Book Club. 2 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Discussing The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom. June 28: AARP Smart Driver Course with Anne Walker. 9:30 a.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Registration required. $15 AARP members. $20 nonmembers. To register, please call Anne Walker at 637-6100. June 28: Self-defense for Women with Detective Juan Rodriquez, Homewood
Police Department. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Reservations required. Contact Leslie West at lwest@bham.lib.al.us or 332-6620.
Teens June 4: Summer Reading Kick-Off – Teen Movie and Pizza Party. 3 p.m. Large Auditorium. Summer Reading kicks off with a pizza & movie event based on a popular teen novel by Cassandra Clare. Participation is free, but reservations are requested for a headcount on pizza. For reservations, contact Leslie West lwest@bham. lib.al.us or 332-6620. June 11: Yarbrough Educational Snake and Reptile Show. 3 p.m. Large Auditorium. Join us for this live, hands-on reptile show. June 18: Wii Bowling Tournament and Board Games. 3 p.m. Large Auditorium. Join us for an afternoon of board games, a Wii bowling tournament, and snacks galore.
June 25: The Dr. Magical Balloons Fantastic Phantasmagorical Fun Time Balloon Show. 4 p.m. Large Auditorium. Dewyane Reynolds presents an interactive storytelling show featuring a mad scientist.
Children June 2: Bike Contest Begins. 10 a.m. First week to check out books and earn an entry for the Cahaba Cycle Bike Contest. Rules on how to participate in the Bike Contest available at the Children’s Desk. June 2, 16: Summer Monday Movies. 3 p.m. Enjoy real movie snacks and a festive flick for all ages. Information about movies and snacks available at the desk or call 332-6619. June 3: First annual Balloon Race Car Challenge. 10:30 a.m. Join us outside for some fast fun. We will provide the first 100 Summer Readers with a balloon race car to pit against the clock.
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Calendar Homewood Public Library (continued) June 4, 11, 18, 25: Summer Story Times. 10:30 a.m.
learners of all ages.
June 7, 21: Cartoons and Cereal. 10 a.m. -noon. Saturday cartoons and cereal for all ages.
June 17: Comedy Circus. 10:30 a.m. Skin & Bones’ Comedy Circus will be bringing dogs, a pig and a lot of laughs to the library.
June 10: Mobile Dairy Classroom. 10:30 a.m. Live demonstration of a dairy cow at work, followed by ice cream.
June 19: A Summer Night Event. 6:15 p.m. Steve Burgess will bring Maynard, his own special magic and music for your entertainment
June 12: A Summer Night Event. 6:15 p.m. Wear your favorite pajamas, bring your blankie or pillow, and join us for stories, songs, fingernail painting, milk and cookies.
June 24: Birmingham Zoo to You. 10:30 a.m.
June 14, 28: Say ¡Hola! to Spanish. 10:30 a.m. Spanish-language-based story times for
June 26: Summer Reading Family Night. 6:15 p.m.
Greater Birmingham Area Events June 7: Birmingham’s Big Ice Cream Festival. Noon-3 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st Street S. This Animal League of Birmingham fundraiser will feature ice cream sculpting and eating contests and build-your-own sundaes. $15 general admission, free for children under 4. Visit theanimalleagueofbirmingham.com. June 7: Know More Orphans 5K. 8-10 a.m. Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Hoover. The run benefits Altar84, which serves orphans and vulnerable children. Registration $30. Visit altar84.org. June 13-15: Rick & Bubba Outdoor Expo. Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. BJCC. Outdoor retailers, exhibitors and organizers from across the country will be featured.. $10 for ages 13 and older. Visit rickandbubbaoutdoorexpo.com.
June 14: Caribbean Festival. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Linn Park, 710 20th Street N. Enjoy music, food, vendors and dancing in the street. Free. Call 3831726. June 18: Birmingham Fern Society’s Show and Sale. 1-6 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road. Buy a variety of ferns and receive expert advice on fern care. Free. Call 988-0299. June 22: ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.’ 2-5 p.m. The Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Avenue N. Watch this classic film and enjoy a sing-along and Mighty Wurlitzer performance before the movie. $8. Call 252-2262. June 27: Relax by the Tracks. 5-7 p.m. Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S. Enjoy music in the park, buy food from George’s Boxcar Cafe, then catch a Barons game before you leave. Free. Call 521-9933.
Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton
Men who change diapers I read an Internet headthe family we’ve created. That said, line recently that said I doubt either of them went to many “World-Changing Men birthday parties or story times when Don’t Change Diapers.” The we were growing up. It just wasn’t column, from Forbes.com, done back then — dads had their referred to TIME magazine’s roles and moms had theirs. Many list of the 100 most influential people will argue that things are people in the world. In the bio worse now than decades ago, and in for each person on the list, it many ways, they’re probably right. pointed out that many of the But the fact that so many fathers today are finding those “creative women were mothers, but it Denton didn’t mention whether any ways to blend work and family” of the men on the list were fathers, although makes me think some things do get better many of them were. The writer of the article with time. said this omission is a discouragement to My husband Matt might not rememmen who would like to change the world ber saying this, but early on in our dating (or at least some small part of it) and change relationship, he told me that he’d love to diapers at the same time. be a stay-at-home dad. He might not say The article also pointed out that surveys that same thing now (especially considercontinually show younger men trying hard ing how many diapers are involved!), but to find “creative ways of blending work and the point was clear — not only was having family.” From what I’ve seen in our few children important to him, but he wanted to short years as parents, I’m inclined to think be a hands-on dad. And he is. He exercises that’s true. I remember the first birthday in the early mornings so he can be home party I took Kate to once she started going to at 5:00 to have time to play with the kids preschool. I’d expected it to be mostly moms before bed. He can tell you the names of and kids, but it turned out there were at least most of the My Little Pony characters and as many dads there as moms, if not more. reads Skippyjon Jones in a variety of funny Since that point, we try to go to parties as a voices. He knows when to give Motrin and family. We’re all there for the child’s birth- when to turn on the humidifier. He might not day, but it’s also encouraging to see so many change the messiest of diapers, but we have parents together sharing stories and giving a deal — I do those diapers, and he kills the and receiving encouragement. (And maybe roaches that occasionally dare to enter our house. Trust me, it works out well for both there’s some football talk going on, too.) I also see dads taking kids to school, dads of us. He might or might not be changing in the grocery store with a cart full of kids, the world at large, but I know he makes my dads at library story times. Some of them are world — and that of our two daughters — a there to give Mom time to rest or do some- much brighter place. thing on her own, but some are there just Lauren can be reached at LaurenKbecause they want to be. Both Matt and I Denton@gmail.com. You can also find were blessed with wonderful fathers — we her tweeting writerly things on Twitter @ are confident in our dads’ love for us and for LaurenKDenton.
FOR ALL AGES
32 • June 2014
The Homewood Star