The Homewood Star vol 3 iss 11 February 2014 by Starnes Media

The Homewood Star TheHomewoodStar.com

February 2014

Volume 3 | Issue 11 | February 2014

Oklahoma bound

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neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Partnering for the course

Homewood High School senior Dwayne Orso is headed to Sooner country to play football. Learn more about his journey in this issue.

Sports page 23

Anchorage 2.0

Homewood continues tradition of supporting the Bell Center through Mercedes Marathon By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Find out how the Homewood DIner filled the niche for meat-and-three fare after longtime staple Anchorage closed.

Food page 11

INSIDE Sponsors ................. 2 City ........................... 4 Business .................. 8 Food ......................... 11 Community ............. 12 School House ......... 18 Sports ...................... 23 Calendar ................. 25 Opinion .................... 27

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Last year, 126 Homewood City Schools faculty and staff members ran the Mercedes Marathon. It was the largest participation in the school system’s history. Superintendent Bill Cleveland even ran both the half-marathon and a leg of the relay team event. This year, more than staff will be involved. Elementary, middle and high school runners have teamed up for the relay event to raise money for the Bell Center for Early Intervention programs. For this event, five participants complete a full 26.2-mile marathon together by splitting the distance: two 5Ks, two 10Ks and a 12K.

Patriot Partners runners gather at the Bell Center with Townes Beatty, one of the children for whom a relay team is running. Front row: Pierce Jackson, Alex Ngei with Townes Beatty, John Andress. Back row: Allison Putnam, Dr. Bill Cleveland, Mary Margaret Jackson. Photo by Madoline Markham.

“The nature of running is that it is a community that always finds a cause,” Homewood High School cross-country coach Lars Porter said. “We have kept our eyes open to how running fits with what our heart is, and the Bell Center was an obvious fit for us.” Each team is running for an individual child at the center, which provides special education, speech and physical therapy and other services to children up to age 3 who are at risk for developmental delay — all without receiving any outside funding. Porter was looking for an opportunity for his high school runners to get involved in the community when he connected with the Bell Center.

Taste of Homewood

returns this month Take a taste of your favorite restaurants around town at the annual Chamber of Commerce event set for this month. Community page 13

In talking with Homewood Middle School coach Eric Swope, they brainstormed a way to blend their teams so both middle and high schoolers could join in the experience together. The idea caught fire from there. “We were not trying to get together groups of five high schools boys that would win it,” Porter said. “We were trying to diversify.” High schools found middle schoolers they knew, and they built their own teams. The usual age minimum for the race is 12, but the organizers made an exception for fifthgraders since the program is raising money for

See BELL CENTER | page 24

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The Homewood Star

About Us Photo of the Month

Please Support our Community Partners AccelAbility Physical Therapy (26) Mount Royal Towers (10) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (11) Alabama Gaslight & Grill (14) Alabama Outdoors (11) ARC Realty (15) Bedzzz Express (32) Birmingham Museum of Art (12)

Chris Cooper, Bennett Valentine, Sarah Hale, Elizabeth Hale, Robert Maples and Band Director Ron Pence pose at the 125th Tournament of Roses Band Directors Breakfast. The event was part of the Homewood High School Patriot Band performance in the Rose Bowl Parade. Photo courtesy of Ron Pence.

Editor’s Note By Madoline Markham

On the run Homewood has been voted the most walkable community in the state, but it’s arguably the most running focused community, too. Our elementary schools hold annual fun runs, and this year each welcomed the addition of new tracks. The high school holds the Spirit Scamper run in May. In every issue of the Star, we are covering 5Ks, community programs such as Girls on the Run and, especially lately, ways runners around us are giving back to the community. Really, though, you don’t even need to open our paper to see how many people are donning running shoes and picking up their strides. Just look out your window, walk down your street or drive past the Shades Creek Greenway. All these points of community pride were running (no pun intended) through

my mind as I talked with Jennifer Andress and Lars Porter for this month’s cover story about Patriot Partners. When we got together for the cover photo, Superintendent Bill Cleveland pulled up and started chatting with the students, coaches and parents about the Red Nose Run that morning. The next day, I found myself talking yet again about running when Homewood native Tracey Abbott and I discussed a cross-cultural running program for high school girls she is piloting this spring; more details about that will be in our March issue. Back at work, I was getting ward updates from City Council members about the pedestrian bridge at Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 280,

which will soon make it easy to connect running routes around Homewood with Mountain Brook. Also, this year we are anticipating the start of construction on a new phase of the Shades Creek Greenway, and treadmill runners should be back adjacent to Homewood Central Park when the new Community Center opens by May. It might still be a little chilly and dark before I leave work this month, but I, a casual, fair-weather runner, plan to be back to be putting my new running shoes to better use once spring hits — especially after hitting up Taste of Homewood and the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-off in the next few weeks. See you on the greenway,

The Homewood Star Publisher : Creative Director : Managing Editor : Executive Editor : Staff Writer : Advertising Manager : Sales and Distribution :

Copy Editor: Contributing Writer: Interns:

Published by :

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Jeff Thompson Katie Turpen Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Louisa Jeffries Brian Wallace Sydney Cromwell Lauren Moriarty Emily VanderMey 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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Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (23)

Bromberg & Company, Inc. (4,23) Children’s of Alabama (17) Edgewood Service Center (6) Edgewood Wealth Advisors (13) Eighteenth Street Orientals (18) Escape (27) Fi-Plan Partners (19) Harmony Landing (21) Homewood Chamber of Commerce (3) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (25) Homewood Parks and Rec (24) Homewood Soccer Club (6) In-Rel Properties (5) Iz Cafe (4) Jacqueline DeMarco (20) Joe Falconer (20) Julie Ivy White (22) Lakeshore Foundation (14) Levy’s Fine Jewelry (1) Issis & Sons (16) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (22) Project Share (28) RealtySouth (9) Salem’s Diner (20) Savage’s Bakery (18) The Maids (13) The Wade Team (7) Thimbles (15) Vestavia Hills Baptist Church (21) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (7) Vision Gymnastics (26) Vitalogy Wellness Center (8)

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February 2014

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The Homewood Star

City Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors, The City of Homewood continues to be blessed. In January, I had the opportunity to present my Annual State of the City Address at The Club. I thought you might find some of the things I discussed interesting, so I wanted to recap some statistics from the past year and write about some upcoming projects. I’m pleased to announce that since becoming mayor, our city has finished with a surplus for the fifth year in a row. This year, we are projecting a surplus of $286,000 once our audit is completed. Our city has total surpluses over the past five years of $5,349,369, averaging more than $1 million per year. Our Rainy Day Fund has increased to more than $10.7 million, our Public Investment Account contains just over $7 million, and our Debt Service Account contains is just under $11.4 million, bringing total cash on hand to nearly $52 million. Our fire department received 3,470 calls this past year. Of those calls, 109 were structure fires, and 2,213 required our Emergency Medical Services. I thought it was interesting that our busiest times of the day are 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Our busiest month was September, followed by July, and January and February were our slowest months. Our firemen responded to Somerby 265 times last year, making it the most frequent response location in the city. Our police department received 33,904 calls this past year. That is an incredible number, but they answered the calls. Our police department stopped 10,912 cars last year for various reasons, resulting in 6,889 tickets. That number represents a 23 percent increase in stops and an 8 percent increase in tickets. I expect that number to continue to increase until we gain the reputation of not tolerating speeding in

our neighborhoods. Our police and detectives have done a great job this year, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the protection and service they provide. I don’t have room in this article to specifically mention all the statistics from every department, but I want to say how proud I am of every department we have and all the employees who work so hard. It’s easy to be a city and really easy to be an average city, but it takes a great deal of effort, dedication and determination to be a city above average — and that’s exactly what we are because of a lot of employees, residents, businesses and visitors all working together. The City of Homewood’s future is bright. We expect this year to bring more positive change. The new Sears Outlet located in Wildwood will be opening soon, University Park Healthcare (a 66-bed skilled nursing facility) is currently under construction, DSW Shoes opens in 2014, our new Homewood Recreation Center is under construction and currently on time, and the project site work has already begun on the new Brock School of Business at Samford University. I appreciate so much the opportunity you give me to serve as your mayor and thank each of you for all you’ve done this past year to help make Homewood successful. Now, let’s get out and have another great year! Sincerely, Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood

Citizens Police Academy to start new session The next session of the Homewood Citizens Police Academy will begin on April 1 and run for seven consecutive Tuesdays nights. Food will be provided each night by a Homewood restaurant. Through presentations and demonstrations by the officers, participants will learn the techniques and resources officers use to train for duty, from traffic stops to drug enforcement. Topics covered include: departmental overview, budget, officer

selection, tour of headquarters, patrol, communications, corrections, jail, traffic stops, arrests, investigations, narcotics, tactical team demonstration and a range day where participants will be able to shoot various police department weapons. For an application and class schedule, contact Sergeant Eric Hampton at 332-6864 or eric.hampton@homewoodal.org.

Space heater safety Electric space heaters are responsible for many injuries, deaths and fires every year because of careless use. “The dangers of space heaters can be greatly minimized by understanding and following some basic safety concepts,” said Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan. HFD recommends these tips for space heaters: ÌÌ Keep space heaters at least three feet away from household combustibles. ÌÌ Keep children and animals away from space heaters. ÌÌ Never leave a space heater unattended.

ÌÌ Do not use extension cords on space heaters. ÌÌ Never operate a space heater while you are sleeping. ÌÌ Do not use space heaters to dry other items. ÌÌ Never place any other items on top of the space heater. ÌÌ Make sure your space heater has an automatic tip-over switch that turns the heater off if it is knocked over. ÌÌ Look for a UL mark on your space heater. This means it meets stringent safety standards. -Submitted by Homewood Fire Department

TheHomewoodStar.com

February 2014

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Chamber Security guard helps save library patron’s life City awards given at annual Chamber luncheon Homewood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m. The Club

Firefighter of the Year Adam Ashworth and Fire Chief John Bresnan. Photos by Madoline Markham.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM When Ronnie Ward didn’t come to the door, Don Evans knew something was wrong. Evans, a security guard at Homewood Public Library, had taken to checking on the 71-yearold patron after Ward fell at the library and was taken to the hospital. Evans would bring groceries to Ward’s condo off Lakeshore Drive and help care for him. Evans, who also books meeting rooms for the library, knows many of the regular patrons by name and had enjoyed greeting Ward when he came in for books and movies. In October when four days passed without

Homewood Public Library Security Guard Don Evans, left, pictured with Mayor Scott McBrayer, was named City Employee of the Year for his act of service.

Ward opening his door, Evans called the Homewood Police. An officer broke down the door with Evans in tow to find Ward conscious but unresponsive in his bathtub. He had been there for several days. Evans helped keep Ward calm while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. It was a very emotional experience, Evans said. Evans was recognized for his act of service with the City of Homewood Employee of the Year Award at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon in January. Library Director Deborah Fout nominated him for the award and presented it at the event. Ward is now living in a nursing home, and

Speaker: David Carrington, President of Jefferson County Commission Police Chief Jim Roberson and Police Officer of the Year Ted Springfield.

Evans plans to visit him soon. Also at the luncheon, the following were awarded: Police Officer of the Year: Ted Springfield Police Chief Jim Roberson said that it is difficult to determine how one police officer is better than the rest because they all do a good job, but that he was proud to recognize Ted Springfield. A 12-year veteran of the department, Springfield leads the department in both arrests and citations. He is also on the honor guard and tactical team, and Roberson said he takes on additional responsibility whenever he is asked. Mayor Scott McBrayer added that whenever

Tickets available at homewoodchamber.com

he sees Springfield, the officer is smiling. Firefighter of the Year: Adam Ashworth Fire Chief John Bresnan said he could tell many stories about how well Adam Ashworth performs his job. During his seven years with the department, Ashworth has dedicated himself to learning much about newly evolving aspects of fire service. The Homewood native works in specialties including rope release and structural collapse rescue, and he helped develop a class on the Bobcat tractor, which is used to move trees that fall in the city.

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The Homewood Star

City Ward Updates Legend

Homewood City Limits

Council Wards

WARD NO.1 WARD NO.2 WARD NO.3 WARD NO.4 WARD NO.5

NOTHING SAYS LOVE LIKE A CLEAN HOME.

Everyone can appreciate a thorough clean from The Maids.

Call now to receive a free, no-obligation estimate

871-9338 www.MAIDS.com AV

Referred for a reason.

TheHomewoodStar.com

Ward 1 We hope everyone’s 2014 is off to a great start. The holidays were a special time for Ward 1. The Lighting of the Star and the Christmas Parade were bigger than ever before. I also want to thank Wayne Harris for erecting the Christmas tree in downtown Edgewood. There is a lot happening in Ward 1. The

Ward 2 The biggest news in our ward is that a scout is constructing a WWII memorial at Patriot Park/ Senior Center for his Eagle Scout project. We have completed the current Ward 2 sidewalk project and are looking forward to seeing

Ward 3

With the New Year upon us, we are especially thankful to our residents in Ward 3 and we wish them a prosperous 2014. Ward 3 was very blessed last year, as we welcomed new businesses into our area, as well as the addition of more sidewalks, and outstanding community involvement! We feel

Ward 4 2014 has started off to be a great year for Ward 4. As this is written in mid-January, sidewalk construction has just begun on Roseland. This important sidewalk on one of Homewood’s

Ward 5 We’re pretty quiet in Ward 5 right now. We did have a main water line that burst in January and caused minor, temporary flooding through the Hollywood neighborhood and down onto Lakeshore Parkway. It resembled Old Faithful

February 2014

Ward Representatives Mecca Avenue sidewalk project will be moving forward. By narrowing the road to make room for the new sidewalk, we hope to curb traffic issues, as well as provide a safe path to Homewood Middle School. The redevelopment of the school property on Valley Avenue has begun with the School

Ward Representatives lots of walkers as the weather warms up. We appointed Marjorie Davis-Trimm to the Ward 2 Park Board position in January.

Ward Representatives like 2014 will be an even better year. We are currently working with the city to bring Covenant Classical School to the area. This is a highly recognized and award winning organization that offers preschool and daycare for local children and their families. This institution will be

Ward Representatives most traveled neighborhood streets will provide safe passage to the library, parks and schools for many Ward 4 residents. Look out for a new Community Art Gallery

Ward Representatives from Yellowstone National Park for a while there. The water line has since been fully repaired. It is believed the freezing weather caused the notoriously old water main to burst. Also, plans are still moving forward for a

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Michael Hallman m.shane.hallman@gmail.com, 545-3226

Britt Thames bthames1@gmail.com, 948-6789

Board Headquarters construction and the new sidewalk on Valley. The Rec Center is on schedule and will be open by Memorial Day. You might have noticed city Wi-Fi coming online around town. Here in Ward 1, Central Park is up and running, as well as SOHO. Finally, we have many events coming up

this spring: The Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-off, Easter Egg Hunt in Central Park and We Love Homewood Day. Please continue to contact me with any questions or requests. I am here to help with any issue, big or small.

Fred Hawkins fred.hawkins@edtinc.net, 365-2866

Vance Moody vance.moody@homewoodal.net, 945-8357

Each quarter, The Homewood Star will bring you updates from City Council representatives from each Ward of the City of Homewood. Have a question you want answered by a representative in an upcoming issue? Email it to editor@thehomewoodstar.com. Patrick McClusky mccluskycc@yahoo.com, 746-4695

Walter Jones walter.jones@homewoodal.net, 910-8501

located in the vacant area next to the Publix shopping center off Old Columbiana Road and Carr Avenue. We look forward to working with them to establish their new location, and to bring yet another accredited school to our area. We will be working hard to have more

communication with our neighbors in 2014, noting that we are planning a Ward meeting sometime in early February. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to working with you in 2014!

Heather Reid heatherreid2@aol.com, 368-4346

Jenifer Champ-Wallis jcw@wallis-law.com, 515-7647

from the Arts Council. More details about this exciting addition to Homewood, to be housed in City Hall, will be coming in the spring. Also, the library continues to support Homewood’s

rich arts culture and sees numerous new titles added to its shelves every month. We hope you’re as excited about 2014 as we are.

Richard Laws rrlaws@armstrong.com, 410-2765

Peter Wright, pwright@sirote.com, 930-5304

pedestrian bridge at Hollywood Boulevard and U.S. 280. There have been some unexpected delays with respect to the mapping out of connecting sidewalks, particularly along the Homewood side where the Union Hill cemetery

sits. Engineers are looking at ways to possibly narrow that roadway to permit a sidewalk over existing pavement so as to try to prevent any encroachment over the cemetery property.

The Homewood Star

18 Street S.

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Homewood Happenings

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Coming Soon On Feb. 6, Vitalogy Wellness Center, 2704 20th Street South, is holding a Ribbon Cutting at 12:30 p.m. and Open House Party from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Light hors d’oevures and cocktails will be served from 5-8 p.m. Meet Dr. Farah Sultan and her team of specialized providers, learn about their wellness services, and tour the new wellness center. Special discounts will be available for services booked during the festivities. Vitalogywellness.com.

Relocations and Renovations Alabama Pediatric Dentistry, currently located at 1900 28th Avenue South, Suite 109, is renovating the attorney’s office building at 3500 Independence Drive and will be moving there in March. Dr. Michelle Bajjalieh is the owner and primary dentist. It is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and is accepting new patients. 802-7277. alabamapediatricdentistry.com.

February 2014 Iron Tribe Fitness Homewood celebrated its fourth anniversary last month. It recently moved into a 3,900-square-foot location on Central Avenue across from its original location. Each gym caps membership at 300 members. 874-6300. irontribefitness.com.

News and Accomplishments Salon U, 2824 Linden Ave., is now offering laser hair removal. For more information, call or stop by the salon. 870-8708. salonustyle.com.

Anniversaries Community Furniture Bank, 219 Distribution Drive, is celebrating its 10th year of service in 2014. The nonprofit organization specializes in the pickup, storage and delivery of donated furniture, appliances and other household goods. 942-2727. communityfurniturebank.org.

Business news Business news Business news

to share? to share? to share? Now Open

Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon

Relocation Expansion Expansion Expansion Anniversary

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

The Homewood Star The Homewood Star The Homewood Star Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com

Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com

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The Homewood Star

Business Spotlight

Rosedale Dr

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18 Street S.

Ed’s Pet World

Read past Business Spotlight at TheHomewoodStar.com

2730 18th St. S. 879-1331 edspetworldal.com Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

By BRIAN WALLACE Pets are a priority at Ed’s Pet World on 18th Street South. That might seem obvious, but in a world of perfectly groomed pet stores, the people behind it emphasize the cute, creepy and crawly of this world over the aesthetic. Lining the floor of Ed’s Pet World are a variety of critters, including a 40-year-old tortoise and a lovable dog named Reese. Warning: Don’t expect them to move out of your way. Fleeing from the feet of customers has become like a game of chicken that they don’t care about losing. In every crack and crevice of the store, you will find the rest of the crew that comprise this unusual collection of living things. Founded more than 30 years ago by Ed Cosby, it was meant to be mom and pop pet store filled with unusual characters. Mission accomplished — decades later that tradition has been carried on very well by Ed’s son, Seth, and his staff. “Seth’s love and knowledge of pets is what really sets him apart,” said salesman Sebastian Jackson. “I think he was hatched here out of an egg, ’cause he has been here forever.” Jackson himself has spent 12 years cultivating a pet knowledge base and

Ed’s Pet World has been home to a variety of reptiles and other pets for the past 30 years. Photos by Brian Wallace.

a giant love of all that creeps, crawls and walks. “I can now offer a lot of advice and information for pet lovers to care for almost any creature,” Jackson said. “It allows me to interact and get to know everyone and I like that and showing them what we have.” Whether moving about the store

or behind glass, you can find rabbits, turtles, snakes, scorpions, birds, fish, water dragons, bearded dragons and even an alligator. If you are nice enough, they might let you hold the 10-foot python. “Kids love that thing when we show up with it,” Jackson said. “All of our pets enjoy getting out and

about.” The store brings its animals to homes for interactive birthday parties for children for a time of both learning and play. If you have an old aquarium or pond that needs to be replaced or repaired, they can also take care of that while they are there. A passion for animals is obvious

in this old building, but the business’ longevity is owed largely to a customer base that has supported it for three decades. “People just know who we are,” Jackson said. “But I truly feel they are all our friends when they come in here, and I would never sell a bad pet to a friend.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

February 2014

Restaurant Showcase 149

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Homewood Diner

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162 Oxmoor Road 991-9994 Monday- Friday 6-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m.-noon Sunday, 6-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Raleigh Ave

By BRIAN WALLACE Homewood Diner has picked up where Anchorage left off. Opened in 2009, the Homewood Diner owes its variety of food and great customer service to a couple of veterans from Anchorage, a downtown Homewood meat-and-three staple from 1941 to 2008. “I have been doing this for over 35 years,” waitress Linda Baker said. “When Anchorage closed, I didn’t know what I was going to do. But when I saw the opportunity to be a part of a traditional restaurant again, I jumped at it.” The former home of a 1960s fullservice Shell gas station specializes in nostalgia with the old radios and customer service that accompany its menu. “You have to provide good food first to keep ’em coming back,” owner Keith Lather said. “My goal is to hijack your tongue and give you great food. That is most important.” Joining Baker from the crew of Anchorage is an old-school cook fondly known as Ms. Adela. Lather said he prayed for help to get the restaurant going, and it was answered with decades of culinary experience.

Keith Lather owns Homewood Diner, which specializes in meat-and-three fare. Photos by Brian Wallace.

“Ms. Adela works hard every day to offer five to seven meats and 10 to 12 veggies,” Lather said. “Simmering for hours, her home cooking presents traditional Southern dishes, breakfast foods, burgers, hoagies, salads and plenty of other made-to-order cuisines.” Ms. Adela, Baker and the entire staff offer generous portions of breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, breakfast only on Saturdays, and breakfast and lunch on Sundays.

Lunch is served as a cafeteria line with the intent of getting you in and out quickly. Any meal can be ordered at any time of day. “We are blessed with commercial and residential clients all around our building,” Lather said. “So I can cater to the older crowd and young families with a good old sit-down Southern breakfast and dinner while appealing to the workers in this area with our cafeteria style lunch.” Menu items include traditional

beef tips, hamburger steak, fried catfish and fried chicken. And don’t forget all of the sides like mashed potatoes, turnip greens, fried okra and butter beans. These offerings do not even scrape the surface of the different foods and desserts that arrive at the tables every day. Food is a passion at the Homewood Diner, with the intent of getting you full and happy. And with an attitude that boasts macaroni and cheese as a vegetable, they serve it up with a

variety of comfort food. Homewood Diner offers catering and take-out, but the dine-in experience provides a down home feel. “I love talking with everyone,” Lather said. “I have a 99-year-old that comes in every day along with many other folks that I have gotten to be very good friends with.” Lather said he is thankful for the support that the community has shown. He hopes to offer his recipes to fill stomachs for many years to come.

Blake E. Youngblood

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The Homewood Star

Community Homewood royalty at annual Jazz Cat Ball

Distinguished Young Women accepting applicants The Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County is accepting applications from high school girls graduating in 2015 and residing in Jefferson County. The deadline for receiving applications is March 10. The program, formerly Jefferson County’s Junior Miss, will take place on July 18 and 19 at Samford University. Last year more than $13,000 in cash-tuition scholarships was awarded, and more than $489,000 in college-granted scholarships. Any participant in the program may qualify for a full tuition and a full tuition, room and board scholarship with a qualifying GPA and test score. There is no entry fee. Participants compete in the categories of Fitness, Self Expression, Interview, Scholastics and Talent. The Jefferson County representative will advance to the Distinguished Young Women

King Scott Register, Event Chair Missy Ellis with dog Nina Rose, and Queen Karen Wood.

The king and queen of this year’s Jazz Cat Ball Mardi Gras party call Homewoood home. Scott Register has been crowned king, and Karen Wood is the queen. The event, hosted by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary, will deliver a Mardi Gras atmosphere through a Cajun cook-off, dancing, a gaming casino, a silent and live auction, and more on Feb. 22. With the help of sponsors and event

patrons, in two short years this event has grown to approximately 1,200 attendees. All funds raised support the more than 8,500 pets surrendered yearly to the society and its efforts to increase awareness about cruelty prevention, animal disaster relief, foster and more. The party will be held at Old Car Heaven and runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $100 or two for $150. For tickets or more information, visit gbhs.org.

Program of Alabama in Montgomery, where she will compete for more than $40,000 in cashtuition scholarships and more than $1,000,000 in college scholarships. The current Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County is Sarah Grace McDuff, a senior at Homewood High School. Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 55 years of operation, the program has provided experiences for more than 700,000 young women and has awarded more than $93 million in cash scholarships to young women across the nation. Interested girls may visit DistinguishedYW. org and click on the “Participate” icon to receive an application, or they may contact Chairman Eddie Macksoud at jefferson@distinguishedYW. org or 907-0210.

Lions Club to hold information session The Homewood Metro Lions Club is seeking civic-minded persons to join them in seeking to serve the community. The club will host an information session Monday, Feb. 24 for those interested in learning more about the club and its work. “Our club gives members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, serve with friends and become leaders in the community,” said Max Herzel, club president. “This club means a lot to our Lions, but it also means so much more to the people we serve.” The session will be held at Paw Paw Patch

Family Restaurant, 410 Green Springs Highway, from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature refreshments and guest speaker District Governor Jim Crews. For more than a half century, the Lions Club chapter has made donations to the Alabama Lions Sight Foundation, Camp Seal Harris, the Southeastern Guide Dog and Leader Dog for the Blind and other charitable organizations. Internationally, it is the largest service organization in the world. For more information, contact James McRae at 787-5255 or Wayne Dunlap at 477-3378 or 5157920.

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TheHomewoodStar.com

Take a taste In anticipation of this year’s annual Taste of Homewood, The Homewood Star has highlighted some of our favorite tastes from the event in

years past. About 30 vendors are anticipated to participate in the Feb. 20 event, held each year by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

Taste of Homewood Thursday, Feb. 20 5:30-8:30 p.m. Rosewood Hall, SoHo $30 in advance, $35 at the door homewoodchamber.com

Beef Tenderloin Sandwiches Ruth’s Chris grills up slices of beef medium rare and jackets them in a warm yeast roll.

Alabama Beverage Alabama Gas Light & Grill Brio Tuscan Grill Budweiser Campus Dinning Inc. Chick-fil-A DoDiYo’s O’Henry’s Coffees Happy Catering Company Homewood Gourmet Jackson’s Bar & Grill Jo Jo’s on Broadway Johnny’s Little Donkey Michael’s Nabeel’s Pastry Art Pepsi/Buffalo Rock Piggly Wiggly Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Savage’s The Club Urban Cookhouse Which Wich

Pork Sliders and Orange Rolls Urban Cookhouse sandwiches its chipotle-braised pork with house-made pickles and aioli on a warm yeast roll. And of course they like to show off locally made Milly’s Orange Rolls too.

Baby Bites Pastry Art knows how to make their mini icing-covered cakes taste like grandmother’s pure recipe of butter and sugar.

Taste of Homewood Participants*

Mini Cupcakes and Brownies Dreamcakes delivers some favorite confections from the flavors at their Edgewood shop.

*This list was compiled as of Jan. 15. Check thehomewoodstar.com for updates.

14 • February 2014

Hutto achieves engineering honor at Auburn

Sam Hutto

Sam Hutto of Homewood was recently inducted into the Auburn University chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering profession’s highest academic honor society. Hutto is a senior majoring in electrical engineering. Tau Beta Pi was founded in 1885 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., as the engineering equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa, the highest academic honor that liberal arts and other students can attain. The Tau Beta Pi chapter at Auburn was established in 1921 and counts among its distinguished Auburn alumni Tim Cook, current CEO of Apple. Hutto graduated from Homewood High School in 2009 and is the son of Kathy and Porter Hutto of Homewood.

The Homewood Star

Patriot Band marches in Rose Parade

Patriot Band staff Darren Holbrooks, John Bradley, Alex Hinson, Chris Cooper, Ron Pence, Lauren Nowak, Terrance Cobb, Jim Knight and Megan Malone. Not pictured: Jennifer Ayers and Jim Duren.

The Homewood High School Band marched in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif. Photos courtesy of Ron Pence.

February 2014 • 15

TheHomewoodStar.com

Lakeshore to host Spirit of Sochi family festival As the eyes of the world turn to Sochi, Russia, for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lakeshore Foundation is bringing the Spirit of Sochi to Birmingham. As a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site and Paralympic Sport Club, Lakeshore is hosting the first U.S. community-wide celebration and viewing of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony broadcast. Lakeshore Foundation is internationally recognized for its significant contributions to the Paralympic movement including the most recent distinction of receiving the prestigious Rings of Gold award from the United States Olympic Committee in 2013. Inside Lakeshore’s 129,000-square-foot facility off U.S. 31, Spirit of Sochi will feature a traveling interactive tour featuring 12 winter

Spirit of Sochi Saturday, March 8 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lakeshore Foundation 4000 Ridgeway Drive lakeshore.org sports, an Alabama Olympians and Paralympians autograph booth, cultural treats from Sochi, an exhibition of wheelchair rugby, food truck games and more. The Paralympic Opening Ceremony will also be broadcast on a large screen.

Lou Wooster to come to life at Homewood Library Local actress Beth McCord will bring Birmingham’s late 1800s heyday to life as the backdrop for one of the city’s earliest businesswomen with her portrayal of Lou Wooster: All Business. The performance begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1 in the auditorium at Homewood Public Library. McCord will share the stories of Wooster’s infamy as a madam as well as her fame as a legendary heroine of Birmingham’s deadly 1873 cholera epidemic. McCord’s career spans 30 years as a drama teacher and the founder of the drama program at Pizitz Middle School in the Vestavia Hills

system. She performs with the Seasoned Performers, Oak Hill Players and various local theater productions. She most recently appeared as Miss Rose and Velma in Welcome to Mitford with the Park Players. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. Seating is limited. For reservations or information, email lilyofthecahaba@gmail.com. The performance is a fundraiser for the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Proceeds will benefit the chapter’s activities in support of historic preservation, education and patriotism.

Arts Council presents film festival

thimbles

A free film festival on Tuesday nights this month will feature familyfriendly romantic comedies. There will also be free popcorn and sodas, and it’s all brought to you by the Homewood Arts Council. Each film begins at 6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium at the Homewood Public Library. The schedule for the Love@The Homewood Public Library Film Festival is: ÌÌ Feb. 4: Classic Tale. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert team up for laughs as mismatched lovers in this 1934 screwball comedy classic. It was the first movie to be honored with all five major Oscars. ÌÌ Feb. 18: Animated Family Film. Discover what really happened after the princess kissed the frog in an inspired twist on the world’s most famous kiss. Enter Princess Tiana’s world of talking frogs, singing alligators and lovesick fireflies as she embarks on an incredible journey through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. ÌÌ Feb. 25: Romantic Comedy. A lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate follows in pursuit.

WE’VE MOVED!

16 • February 2014

The Homewood Star

Nourishment for the world Church packages thousands of meals for children in other countries

Homewood High School cheerleaders Sara Maldea, Leah Chandler and Kate Hall hold up completed meal packets.

Joe Shepherd scoops rice.

Hundreds of volunteers in hairnets filled the gym at The Exceptional Foundation as pop music played in the background on a Saturday in January. That day more than 108,000 meals for hungry children were packed, right in Homewood. Dawson Family of Faith organized the event to impact people far outside Homewood. More than 450 adults gathered for Feed One Hungry Child, an event tied to nonprofit Christian organization Feed My Starving Children. The group has sent more than 600 million meals to countries where the need is greatest since 1987. The process starts with raw ingredients — soy, rice, vegetables

Hannah and Will Cartee worked with their dad and younger brother to create meal packets.

and a vitamin and mineral vegetarian chicken-flavored mix — to meet the nutritional needs of a 4to 8-year-old malnourished child. Each meal has 20 different vitamins and minerals that are specifically tailored to meet a child’s nutritional needs for one day. Part of the funding for Dawson’s project came from funds given by the children at Dawson on a commitment day last fall. All other funds came from Dawson mission giving. The event is part of a larger effort, Go Beyond!, which encourages people in the church to serve beyond its walls. For more, visit dawsonchurch.org.

Deb Shotkus scoops raw ingredients to put in meal packets. Photos by Madoline Markham.

February 2014 • 17

TheHomewoodStar.com

Choose your own Valentine’s date adventure Do you want to dress up and go out?

Yes please

No thanks

Have you already made reservations at GianMarco’s?

Want to cook? Sure

On it

Kind of Is there another option?

Whoops

Enjoy fancy fare and wine, too

Consult your best chef of a neighbor for menu advice

Stop by Piggly Wiggly for crab cakes and a bottle of wine

Are you feeling Greek?

Bring on the feta and grape leaves

How’s pizza (or pasta)?

Sì, Italia Not this time

Call Nabeel’s or DoDiYo’s

What’s more convenient to your drive home?

Pick a destination country

18th Street DeVinci’s

Japan

Italy

Mexico

Jinsei

Brio

Cocina Superior or Little Donkey

Edgewood New York Pizza

U.S.A. Michael’s

How about another choice?

Homewood Gourmet

Does she have a sweet tooth? Does she ever!

Not so much Order flowers from Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market, 871-0092, or stop by Piggly Wiggly or Publix for some

What’s most convenient to your drive home? Edgewood

Central Avenue

Downtown Homewood

Dream Cakes Icing on the Cookie

What’s her preferred confection? Baby bites Pastry Art

Petits fours Savage’s

18 • February 2014

The Homewood Star

School House Edgewood student wins reading and writing contest Edgewood Elementary Ten students were selected School fifth-grader Tre` as finalists, and they had to submit a book report about Roberson recently won the HOAR Program ManageGennifer Choldenko’s book Al Capone Does my Shirts: A Tale ment/GoDaddy Bowl Reading and Writing Contest. from Alcatraz. He was presented with Over the past 12 years, the HOAR Program Management/ the award and a $5,000 prize during the 13th annual proGoDaddyBowl Reading and Writing Program has donated gram ceremony at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. more than $234,500 in scholarThe contest was open to ship money. Tre` Roberson all fifth-graders in the state More than 2,000 fourth of Alabama, the Gulf Coast regions of Flor- -grade students attended this year’s awards ida and Mississippi, and focused on improv- ceremony. ing students’ reading and writing skills. Tre’ is the son of Jay and Niva Roberson.

Fitness for a good cause

Collecting toys for tots

SGA representatives Cooper Douthit, Jaden Alexander, Camille DiCarlo and Grace Clark.

The Homewood Middle School Student Government Association held a schoolwide Toys for Tots drive to help other children have a good and merry Christmas this year. Organization sponsors

are Justin Hefner and Jana Flinkow. “Our students really wanted to provide a Christmas for kids who otherwise would not receive gifts,” Hefner said.

Singing for the city More than 100 members of Edgewood Elementary School’s fourth- and fifth-grade choir sang holiday songs at Homewood City Hall before the holiday break began. The choir students, under the direction of Theresa McKibben, performed outside on the plaza for parents, residents and community members. This is the third year since Edgewood began their choir. These students arrive to school early each Thursday at 7:25 a.m. for choir practice.

Homewood Middle School’s Men Striving for Success (MEN) organization raised money to buy toys for the CBS42 Toy Drive by asking their peers, families and community members to donate for every push-up the group did.

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February 2014 • 19

TheHomewoodStar.com

Schell receives presidential teaching award Rita Schell has been named the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Schell, the Hall-Kent Elementary School LEAD teacher, was named the science winner for Alabama. She is among 102 math and science teachers from across the nation to be honored with the award this year. Schell was selected from five finalists from Alabama by a panel of scientists, mathematicians,and educators. “Rita Schell’s dedication to educating and

empowering students to reach their unique potential has earned her one of the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science,” Dr. Bill Cleveland said. “Ms. Schell is a highly respected teacher, and her enthusiasm for science and teaching is reflected by her students’ eagerness to learn.” PAEMST are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

Spellers extraordinaire

Rita Schell

Fourth-grader Harlan Alford, right, won Hall-Kent Elementary School’s Spelling Bee, and fifth-grade Antonio Kelley, left, was runner-up. The top finishers are pictured with Principal Abbie Freeman.

Hour of Code at Shades Cahaba Shades Cahaba Elementary students learned about computer code through the Hour of Code during the annual Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek). The self-guided activity offers a variety of hour-long tutorials for all students to try out the basics of computer science. The project was created to help spark students’ interest in the subject. Originally conceived by the Computing in the Core coalition, Code.org is producing CSEdWeek for the first time this year, held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. Shades Cahaba students write code.

Miller Chapman won Edgewood Elementary School’s Spelling Bee recently. Miller is in Kristin McCain’s third-grade class.

20 • February 2014

The Homewood Star

French singer performs at HHS

OLS students present Living Nativity Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School presented a special Advent-Christmas celebration including a live Advent wreath and a live nativity on the last day of school before the Christmas holidays. The entire student body participated and dressed in biblical attire or carried a biblical symbol. Eighth-grade students also portrayed Mary and Joseph in a live

nativity in a handmade manger with other members of the scene. In addition, members of the school choir played seasonal songs using hand bells. In a special performance, sixth-grader Caroline Franco danced to the song “Hallelujah.” Kindergarteners Joseph Mathews and Elizabeth Lowman dressed as angels.

Three generations of chess at Hall-Kent

Hoops for Heart program recognized

Eric Vincent in concert at Homewood High School.

Internationally known French singer/guitarist/songwriter Eric Vincent performed for French students from several area schools recently at Homewood High School. Vincent shared songs, exchanged conversation and entertained the French students. He then greeted the students in the HHS auditorium and encouraged them to continue to learn a foreign language. The concert was organized by HHS French teacher Melissa Dameron-Vines. HHS French students attended as well as teachers and students from Pelham, Vestavia, John Carroll and the Altamont School.

Hall-Kent Elementary School student James McKittrick, his father Brett McKittrick and his grandfather Jim McKittrick enjoy playing chess and coaching at Hall-Kent’s Chess Club. This club meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

Homewood Middle School was recognized as the No. 1 school in the state of Alabama for the Hoops for Heart 2012-2013 Challenge. HMS students raised a total of $14,366.79.

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Monday–Saturday 6:30am to 3pm www.salemsdiner.com

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February 2014 • 21

TheHomewoodStar.com

Driven by thankfulness

Shackleford publishes second book Homewood High School senior Ian Shackleford has recently published his second novel, Garnox Rises. The book, now available for online purchase, is the first of a planned trilogy. The second in the series will be titled Shadows of Garnox, followed by the final book, Terrors of Garnox. Shackleford’s first novel, Apocalypse Neanderthal, was published two years ago and has been received well, particularly in Europe. His writing passion started with authoring several short stories before attempting to publish his first fulllength book. In addition to writing, Shackleford enjoys drawing and illustrating. He plans to study anthropology at the collegiate level while continuing to write. To learn more about his work, visit shacklefordfreelance.com.

Ian Shackleford shows the covers of his two published books.

HCS receives Wellness Award Homewood High School has been selected as this year’s School Wellness Award recipient, sponsored by the Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (ASAHPERD). This award is given to deserving schools/districts that demonstrate innovative and meaningful programs and initiatives that support health and wellness for their school/district members. Along with a certificate, winners will receive $500 to be used to further school wellness programs. This award was presented at the ASAHPERD Fall Conference Awards Luncheon in November.

Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School participated in a weeklong Thanksgiving food drive for the Catholic Center of Concern, in addition to a special shoe box donation project for children across the world. Front row: Morgan Scott, Ty Sephaphathi, Jake Fridley, Catherine Agena, Tess Gardner. Back row: Matthew Gadilhe, Jackson Foster, Ryan Kelner, Reggie Smith, Ryan Stewart.

A fun way to run Students, teachers, parents, and other community members participated in the annual Fun Run at Hall-Kent Elementary School. Overall student winners were: first place Corion Holloman, second place David Elliott and third place Cross Derriso. Homewood City Schools Wellness Coordinator Nivada Spurlock.

Corion Holloman, David Elliott and Cross Derriso

22 • February 2014

The Homewood Star

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209 (Former Jeﬀerson County Satellite Courthouse)

Homewood Chess Team

Zumba

ZUMBA is Latin inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes! You can burn 500 to 1000 calories in one fun hour! Instructor: Camille Scruggs Contact Info: 256-452-2500 or camillescruggs@gmail.com Location: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Days & Times: Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30-6:30pm Saturday: 9:00-10:00am

Karate

Classes are held at the Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility at various times based on age and level of experience. Monthly tuition is $55 - $65. Classes are for children and teenagers ages 4 and up. For more information please contact Master Joe at 966-4244

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) 9431923 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: 205-552-6129 (or) Kelly.alligood@charter.net www.kellyalligood.com

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew Your child can be a fairy, a princess or a butterﬂy while keeping ballet traditions alive and having fun with classical music. The beginning ballet moves taught are the important foundation for many types of dance. The French names for steps will be introduced. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and ﬂexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. The environment provided is a happy and age appropriate one. Girls may wear any color leotard and tights for class, with pink ballet shoes. Classes meet once a week on Monday. Times & Location: Monday 3:45pm-4:30pm / Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Please contact Claire to enroll or for additional Information: (205) 879-8780

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 highenergy chess classes are developmentally and cleverly targeted directly at the kindergarten through 7thgrade 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.

Royce Head Personal Training

Royce Head, former owner of Homewood Personal Fitness, oﬀering small group weight training sessions and one-on-one training sessions at the Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. $15 Per Session (or) $125 Per Month for Unlimited Sessions Call Royce for an appointment or more information (205) 945-1665

Belly Dancing with Aziza

Class Location: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Class Fee: $60 cash only For more information contact Aziza at 879-0701 or azizaofbirmingham@att.net Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egyptian style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instruction. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcome; with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times times are 7:008:30pm. www.azizaofbirmingham.com

News & Updates New HWCC Construction Updates

Visit www.homewoodparks.com/pardon-ourprogress for updates on the construction project including monthly narrative and new images updated multiple times per month.

We Love Homewood Day 2014 Saturday, May 3, 2014 Save the date & come celebrate Homewood!

Summer Camp 2014

Details were not ﬁnalized at the submission deadline for Homewood Star. Information will be available on www.homewoodparks.com by early February 2014.

Memberships

Memberships for New Homewood Community Center go on sale beginning February 1st. For all membership rate information visit www.homewoodparks.com

www.Homewoodparks.com

Athletics

Homewood Girl’s Softball

Homewood Parks and Recreation oﬀers Girls Softball. Games are played during the months of March thru May with All-star play in the month of June. Registration: Ends: Friday, February 21, 2014 For additional information and Online Registration visit: www.homewoodparks.com Program Fee: $60 Homewood Residents $80 Non Residents Age Groups: 8 & under / 10 & under / 12 & under Jakob Stephens – 332-6709 (or) jakob.stephens@homewoodal.org

Homewood Patriot Youth Baseball League

HPYBL is a youth recreational baseball league for the citizens of Homewood, as well as, surrounding communities. Please visit our website for more information about the upcoming Spring Season: www.homewoodyouthbaseball.com

Homewood Senior Center Gentle Adult Yoga with Jean Campbell

A stressful lifestyle is one of the biggest health challenges of modern society. Although we may not be able to control the circumstances of our environment, we can manage our reactions to them. Exercises, guided breathing practices and maintaining a positive perspective are tools that can help us keep calm and even when life gives us a lot to deal with. Yoga can help develop those tools. Join Jean Marie Campbell for an hour of gentle hatha yoga designed for both beginner and intermediate level students.. Wednesday’s 6pm-7pm at Homewood Senior Center A block of 6 classes can be purchased for $60. Drop-in fee is $13.

Detriot Urban Ballroom Dance Class

When: Wednesdays at 1:00pm Costs: Free Instructor: Lou Lucas Information: Mr. Lucas represents a dance social organization called the Magic City Ballers.

Friends & Sweethearts Social

Friday, February 14, 12:45pm - Members may bring up to 2 friends with no guest fee. Make reservations at Senior Center front desk to come enjoy entertainment, fun and refreshments. Wearing red or pink gets your name added to a prize drawing!

Homewood Seniors’ Personal Stories Collection!

Be on the lookout for the release of this soon-to-be published anthology, featuring over 80 personal recollections by more than 35 Homewood seniors. Copies will be available for purchase, and the Homewood Public Library will receive several copies for check-out. For additional information about the book release contact Aimee Thornton at 332-6502 (or) aimee.thornton@homewoodal.org

Crochet & Knitting with Polly

Mondays, 9:30am–Noon - Come learn from a patient and encouraging teacher. Choose your own project, and Polly will coach you through a successful creation.

Ballroom Dances

The Senior Center hosts a dance with a live band each month. Non-dancers are welcome too! Odd numbered months feature an early afternoon dance, usually with ice cream (free to members, $5 for non-members/ guests). Even numbered months feature an evening dance with light snacks ($5 for members, $10 for non-members/guests). Usually on Fridays, but we are considering other days of the week. Call the Senior Center for more details 332-6500.

Yoga for Arthritis & Zumba Gold

These programs are being considered by the Senior Center as prospective new classes. If these programs interest you, please contact Center Director Aimee Thornton 332-6502. Making your interest known will ensure that you are contacted if the class is ultimately scheduled.

February 2014 • 23

TheHomewoodStar.com

Q&A: Dwayne Orso

Sports

From New Orleans to the Patriots to Sooner Country

By BRIAN WALLACE Homewood High School defensive end Dwayne Orso Jr. will sign to play football for the University of Oklahoma on Feb. 5, National Signing Day. The Homewood Star talked to him about switching his original commitment from Western Kentucky and his path to this year.

Tell us a bit about your football career and how you got to where you are now. In New Orleans, I played defensive end, and when I came to Homewood, I was playing defense. In park league, I was bigger than everybody else, so I played running back also. Then when I got to middle school I had dreams of being a quarterback, but that was short-lived. I just continued to play defensive end up until the point I’m at now.

Q A

Do you like the defensive side better than the offensive side? I think on defensive I get a chance to be more free and just run around and hit people, rather than having to block someone.

Q A

Tell us about the recruiting process. I went up to Western Kentucky and I liked it, and that’s when I committed to them. It was a good place, and I felt like that’s somewhere I’d get to play. And then as the season went by, I started playing better and had more production, and that’s when bigger schools started coming along. I gave [local schools] a look, but then when Oklahoma came, I mean, Boomer Sooner.

What was it like going out to see the school?

Dwayne Orso will play football for the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

The campus is really nice. I met most of the players. Just talking to them, they were really cool. Bob Stoops is a great guy. When you talk with some other coaches, they want to tell you their stats and how great their school is. But talking to coach Stoops, it’s just like you’re talking to your grandpa. He’s a real good family man.

Take us through the night that Oklahoma was playing Alabama. You had just committed to this school, and they beat Alabama. What was your reaction that night? Excitement. Joy. And really a big relief because, you know, living in

Birmingham, there’s a lot of “Roll Tide, yeah!” I already know if we’d lost, there would’ve been some headaches. When they won, it was unbelievable. I didn’t get my voice back until two days after the game. I was at my aunt’s house watching the game, and everybody was telling me, “Shut up, be quiet!” I didn’t sit down during the whole game. Even when things weren’t going as well, I still was up yelling and hollering.

You lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Tell us about how you came here. I’m originally from the Lower Ninth Ward. All I remember is my mom telling

me, “Grab your favorite item.” I grabbed my Scooby Doo teddy bear, and I took it with me and I went to sleep. The next thing you know I was waking up. It was dark outside and raining, and we were in front of [a hotel]. Everything else is just history. So at that point, your family obviously had to move. Why Birmingham, why Homewood? I asked my mom that a lot when I first moved here, and she said that one of my aunts put it into her GPS and it took her to Homewood, Ala.

Q A

24 • February 2014

BELL CENTER from pg 1

the Bell Center. As it turns out, the parent of a fifth-grade runner is also the chair of the BellRunners, a program started 19 years ago for marathon runners to raise money for the Bell Center. That mom, Jennifer Andress, has also run the relay the past seven years for the center. Her son, John, is running with Cleveland on the “Super Patriot Partners” team (named so because the superintendent is on it). Cleveland will also run. Each team is charged with raising $2,620, or $100 for each mile they run, and Andress is helping them to do so. “I know people are intimidated by raising money, but every dime raised goes back into the center for the kids,” Andress said. Leading up to the event, the middle school and high school teams and adults are mostly training on their own but are getting together several times to train with the whole group. They are also meeting to learn more about the Bell Center and share the mission of the center with the community. “It’s more than an insignificant impact,” Porter said. “It’s something that’s really going to make a difference. We are hoping to do it well and maybe encourage other school systems to put together teams in the future.” The community is invited to a Yard Sale benefitting Patriot Partners relay teams on Feb. 8 at The Bell Center, 1700 29th Court South. All funds raised will be split evenly among the teams.

The Homewood Star

Mercedes Marathon roots run Homewood-deep By MADOLINE MARKHAM Two months after his birth, Matt Sotherland went in for open-heart surgery. His parents, Paul and Cinna, uncertain of the outcome, stood at the end of the hallway in front of a large window that overlooked the streets downtown at UAB. Runners in the Vulcan Marathon raced by. As he stood there, a promise formed in Paul’s mind. If Matt pulled through surgery, Paul told him he would run a marathon for him. At that point in 1992, Paul had only ever run three to four miles at most. Since then, he has run 19 marathons. Matt’s heart defect often accompanies a Down syndrome diagnosis, which is a condition Matt also has. He is nonverbal, but he uses sign language and a special board to communicate. “[Matt has] always been an inspiration to me,” Paul said. “We take for granted everything you and I can do that is very simple like eating, walking and talking. Every day for [Matt] is a challenge, and that inspired for me to push on every day for him.” Often Paul would pick up Matt at the 26-mile marker of his race, and they would finish the last 0.2 miles together. But Matt inspired much more than his dad’s marathons. When Paul started training for his first race, he met Valerie

Paul Sotherland, left, celebrates a recent birthday with his son, Matt. Nearly two decades ago father and son inspired the start of what would become the Mercedes Marathon. Photo courtesy of the Sotherland family.

McLean, owner of the Trak Shak. The two began to talk about how they could help the Bell Center for Early Intervention, where Matt was receiving therapy, and McLean took off with an idea for a race. The “Freeze Your Half Off” benefited the center for five years and continued to grow. Then, in

2002, McLean transformed the race into the Mercedes Marathon, which still primarily benefits the Bell Center’s programs for preschoolage children. The event has helped to raise more than $4 million for local charities over the past 12 years. Today the marathon and the BellRunners program raise about

a fifth of the center’s approximate $1 million operating budget, all of which is privately funded. Families pay tuition, but it does not cover the full cost. A number of families receive financial assistance, as the center has a policy to never turn down any student who requests its services from a cross-disciplinary team of therapists. Jeannie Colquett, executive director of the center, is quick to express how appreciative the center is of everyone who is involved in the race weekend, and especially to those who started the race. “It’s hard to put the words to [what it’s like] having runners from all over the country and world come,” Paul said. “It makes you feel pretty proud. It’s amazing what a little 21-year-old boy who has never spoken a word can do.” This year, Matt, a student at Homewood High School, hopes to complete the children’s fun run race on Feb. 15. Like they do every year, his dad will help set up the race course and will be at the Bell Center’s mile marker, and his sister, Katie, a sophomore at the University of Alabama, will man a water station and help with the post-race party. “Each time we see them run,” Paul said, “I think of how Matt got it all started at that day at the hospital and how grateful I am for all the help the Bell Center gave us.” To learn more, visit mercedesmarathon.com or thebellcenter.org.

TheHomewoodStar.com

February 2014 • 25

Calendar Homewood Events

Feb. 5: National Signing Day. Homewood High School. Feb. 6: Homewood Rotary Luncheon. Noon. Homewood Public Library. Barnett Wright, author of “1963” and former Birmingham News reporter, will speak. Visit homewoodrotaryal.org. Feb. 7: Hall-Kent Elementary Talent Show. 5 p.m. Homewood High School Auditorium. Feb. 8: Patriot Partners Yard Sale. The Bell Center, 29th Court South. All funds raised will be split evenly among the Patriot Partners relay teams’ fundraising goals for the Bell Center. Feb. 11: Edgewood Night Out. 3 p.m.-close of business. Eat at any participating business in Edgewood, and 10 percent of all sales will be donated to Edgewood Elementary. Feb. 13: Homewood Rotary Luncheon. Noon. Homewood Public Library. Jerry Desmond, executive director of Birmingham History Center, will speak. Visit homewoodrotaryal.org. Feb. 13: Project Homewood Meet and Greet. 6-8 p.m. Hart and Soul Café, 1014 Oxmoor Drive. Learn more about this new organization’s vision to support Homewood’s Extended Day Program. Visit projecthomewood.org. Feb. 13: New Year, New You. 6-9 p.m. The Hill Apartments, 1840 Oxmoor Road. Sponsored by

HHS Athletics

Project Homewood founder Zach Isbell, left, is holding a Meet and Greet event on Feb. 13.

Easter Seals of Birmingham and presented by Joelle Salon. Call Allison Nichols at 314-2187. Feb. 13-15: Step Sing. Wright Center, Samford University. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Feb. 16: SuperJazz Concert. 3 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. Birmingham’s top jazz musicians will perform. $5 adults, $3 students. Tickets available only at the door. Call 335-2961. Feb. 18: Homewood Chamber Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. The Club. Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington will speak. Visit homewoodchamber.org.

Samford University’s annual Step Sing show returns Feb. 13-15. Photo courtesy of Samford University.

Feb. 20: 12th Annual Taste of Homewood. 5:308:30 p.m. Rosewood Hall, SoHo. $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Visit homewoodchamber.com. Feb. 20-23: Alabama Ballet Presents Romeo and Juliet. Wright Center, Samford University. $2055. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter. Feb. 22: Shades Cahaba Winter Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Shades Cahaba Elementary School. Inflatables, games, rock wall, silent auction and more. Call 871-1113. Feb. 22: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PurpleStride. There will be a 5K timed run and 1-mile awareness walk. Homewood Central Park. Call

Feb. 3: Boys Basketball vs. Northridge. JV 4:30 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3: Girls Basketball vs. Northridge/Senior Night. 6 p.m. Feb. 11: Boys Soccer vs. Pelham. Ninth 5 p.m., JV 6:30 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 13: Boys Soccer vs. Trussville. JV 6 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 18: Girls Soccer vs. Mountain Brook. JV 5 p.m., Varsity 7 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 20: Girls Soccer vs. Hoover and Center Point. JV 5:30 p.m., Varsity 7 p.m. Waldrop Stadium.

New Merchandise Arriving Daily

2925 18th Street South, Homewood 205-871-0585 www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

1-877-272-6226 or visit purplestride.kintera.org. Feb. 24: Homewood Metro Lions Club Information Session. 6-8 p.m. Paw Paw Patch Family Restaurant, 410 Green Springs Highway. Refreshments and guest speaker District Governor Jim Crews. Call Max Herzel at 871-5125. Feb. 28: Edgewood Elementary Talent Show. 5 p.m. Homewood High School Auditorium. March 8: Spirit of Sochi Family Festival. 11 a.m.3 p.m. Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Drive. Paralympic Opening Ceremony broadcast, autograph booth, interactive winter sport tour, cultural treats from Sochi and other festivities. Visit lakeshore.org.

Feb. 24: Boys Soccer vs. Talladega. Varsity 7:30 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 24: Girls Soccer vs. Mountain Brook. Varsity 5:30 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 25: Boys Soccer vs. Altamont. Varsity 7 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 26: Girls Soccer vs. Trussville. JV 5 p.m. Waldrop Stadium. Feb. 26: Girls Soccer vs. Benjamin Russell. Varsity 5 p.m. Waldrop Stadium.

26 • February 2014

The Homewood Star

Calendar Homewood Public Library Adults Feb. 1: AARP Smart Driver Course with Anne Walker. 9:30 a.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. The AARP Smart Driver Course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is the nation’s first and largest refresher course designed specifically for older drivers. Those who complete the course may be eligible for an automobile discount for up to three years. Registration required. $15 AARP members, $20 nonmembers. Call Anne Walker at 637-6100. Feb. 4: Love@The Homewood Public Library Film Festival. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert team up for laughs as mismatched lovers in this 1934 screwball comedy classic. Feb. 6: Feng Shui for Life Improvement with Katie Rogers: Romantic & Healthy Bedrooms. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. A good feng shui bedroom is one that promotes a harmonious flow of nourishing and sensual energy. Join us as certified feng shui consultant Katie Rogers teaches you how to perfect the energy in the most intimate room in your house, and why it’s so important. Feb. 7: Seeing Into 2014: Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration. Noon. Large Auditorium. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of diabetes. Macular degeneration is a chronic eye disease that causes vision loss in the center of your field of vision. Join us as Dr. Sara Mullins discusses each of these eye ailments and their current treatments.

educate his girlfriend, and in the process, she learns just how corrupt her boyfriend is. $25 for buffet and show. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit the Adult Services Desk at the library or call 332-6625.

Feb. 26: The Better Than Therapy Book Club. 2 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Discussing Someone Else’s Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson.

Feb. 11: Oxmoor Page Turner’s Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Explore The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin.

Children

Feb. 18: The A, B, C’s of Medicare. Noon & 6 p.m. Room 116, Lower Level. Karen Haiflich will answer all your questions about how Medicare benefits are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to file a claim.

Tuesdays Story Time. 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome. Wednesdays Story Time. 10:30 a.m. All ages are welcome.

Feb. 18: Love@The Homewood Public Library Film Festival. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. Discover what really happened after the princess kissed the frog in an inspired twist on the world’s most famous kiss.

Thursdays Mommy & Me. 10:30 a.m. This is a story time for younger patrons and their guest. This month it will be held Feb. 6, 20 and 27.

Feb. 20: Book Signing with Local Author John Wright Jr. 6 p.m. Round Auditorium. The Birmingham native, veteran actor and writer presents a “double feature” discussion of both his book of original short stories and My Dearest Grandchildren, a reflection about Civil Rights events in Birmingham between 1961 and 1963. Both books will be available for purchase and signing.

Feb. 1: Cereal & Cartoons. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Dry cereal only served until 10:45 a.m. Feb. 3 & 17: Monday Movie. 3:30 p.m. Full-length children’s movie and hot popcorn. Feb. 20: Family Night Event. 6:15 p.m. Fun for the whole family.

Feb. 8: Murder in the Magic City. 9 a.m. Large and Round Auditoriums. A mystery conference presented by Sister’s In Crime for fans of all sub-genres of mystery novels. Lunch, coffee and doughnuts, sodas and a goody bag are included in the registration fee. Visit murderinthemagiccity2014.com/what-authors-will-bethere/.

Feb. 25: Business Credit & Alternative Strategies for Business Financing: Separating Your Personal Credit from your Business Credit with Dominick Wallace. Noon. Large Auditorium. Dominick Wallace, managing director of Wallace Capital Funding, LLC, will discuss proactive ways to build your credit profile and be prepared for future business opportunities. Bring a brown bag lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Limited seating; reservations recommended. Contact Leslie West at lwest@bham.lib.al.us or 332-6620.

Feb. 14-15: Valentine’s Dinner Theatre: Born Yesterday. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Born Yesterday is the story of a corrupt tycoon who brings his showgirl mistress with him to Washington when he tries to buy a congressman. He hires a journalist to

Feb. 25: Love@The Homewood Public Library Film Festival. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. Presented by the Homewood Arts Council. A lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted.

Feb. 22: Say Hola to Spanish. 10:30 a.m. Language learning story time.

Teens Feb. 19: Teen Movie & Pizza Party. 3:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. In the last installment of The Twilight Saga, a marriage, honeymoon and the birth of a child bring unforeseen and shocking developments for Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) and those they love, including new complications with werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Come enjoy pizza, the movie and special Twilight trivia. The winner takes home a $25 gift card!

February 2014 • 27

TheHomewoodStar.com

Calendar Area Events Feb. 1: Rhythm & Muse. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Vestavia Country Club. Cocktails, dining, dancing and a live auction. $75. Contact Beth Adams at dsadams301@aol.com or Martha Black at bobnmartha@bellsouth.net for tickets.

giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe-weather preparedness supplies free of state sales or use tax. 12:01 a.m. Feb. 21- 12 midnight Feb. 23. Visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/ WPSalesTaxHol.cfm.

Feb. 8: Johnny Mathis in Concert. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. The American icon will join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for a Valentine’sthemed trip through the decades of his hits. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Feb. 22: Jazz Cat Ball. 7 p.m.-midnight. Old Car Heaven. Mardi Gras-style event hosted by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary. Visit gbhs.org.

Feb. 14-16: Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend. Full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and Superhero 5K. Online registration fees. Visit mercedesmarathon.com. Feb. 15: aTeam Ministries 2014 Heart 2 HeART Event. 6-9 p.m. Ted’s Garage. The event gathers children with pediatric cancer and pairs them with a professional artist to aid them in expressing themselves through art. $100 per person. Call 401-8232 or visit ateamministries.org. Feb. 15: Wild About Chocolate. 6 p.m. The Harbert Center, downtown Birmingham. Benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Center. Visit awrc.org/Wild About Chocolate or call 663-7930, ext. 8. Feb. 20: Celebrate 20in14. 6 p.m. The Club. A celebration of 20 years and 20 honorees of Better Basics, a nonprofit organization providing literacy intervention and enrichment in schools. Ennis Whatley, a former University of Alabama and NBA basketball player who grew up in Birmingham, will speak. $75 per person, $1,000 per table. Visit betterbasics.org. Feb. 21: A Night Under the Big Top. 8 p.m. The Club. Circus-themed gala benefits Glenwood Autism & Behavioral Health Center. $60 per person, $110 per pair in advance. Call 795-3251. Feb. 21-23: Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday. Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday

Feb. 22-23: Birmingham Camellia Show. 1-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Feb. 22-May 18: Delacroix and a Matter of Finish. Birmingham Museum of Art. The first Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863) exhibition in the United States in more than a decade features the work of the leader of the French Romantic Movement. Call 254-2565 or visit artsbma.org. Feb. 23: Ride To Change The Future. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Six-hour indoor cycling event dedicated to raising funds to support much-needed ovarian cancer research. $45 registration fee. Visit ovariancycle.kintera.org/ birmingham. Feb. 23: Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music. Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Guest clinician is Dr. Terre Smith. All are invited to attend this free concert, titled “Sing Alleluia.” Visit otmfestivals.org. Feb. 28-March 2: Cottontail’s Village Arts, Crafts and Gift Show. BJCC. $6 adults, $2 children age 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. Visit bjcc.org. March 3-7: Finish the Fight Love-Love Magic City Tennis Challenge. Various locations. Benefits the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. Register at reedgifoundation. com/our-events.

Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

A small love story My funny daughter Kate’s of Birmingham. We stayed there for new favorite expression is, “Try the rest of the evening. We talked again!” She uses it whenever about our jobs and the jobs we really something we’ve told her isn’t to wished we had. We talked about her liking. It may be an answer dreams we’d accomplished and to “What’s for dinner?”, a story those we hoped to accomplish. We she’s asked us to tell or something talked about our family and friends as simple as looking for the right and all the little things that make up a show on TV. life. I realized that night that not only She’s also always asking us did our two lives mesh well, but that to tell her stories. Her daddy can together, they’d make a pretty great Denton make up great tales on the spot, one. but because Mama can run dry in that departOur future was cemented sitting on that ment, one day I told her a true story. I told her front porch surrounded by Harry Potter and the story of when Matt and I fell in love. Tom Cruise in his Risky Business skivvies. It happened at a Halloween party in 2004. My edging in toe-by-toe ended pretty quickly We’d just met a few weeks before, and being after that date. The next month, I brought him the structured, thoughtful person that I am, I home to Mobile with me to meet my family, was hesitant to jump in with a cannonball. I and the month after that, I told my childhood preferred to edge in, toe by toe. best friend that I was going to marry him. Less We’d been on a coffee date then a real than a year after that Halloween party, I did. dinner date, and now a big Halloween party As I recounted this story to Kate over breakwas looming. We decided to go together, but I fast at our kitchen table, her eyes started to was nervous. My logical brain kept telling me, glaze over, as they do when I’m talking about “You can’t decide something this fast. You’ve something that doesn’t interest her. Not even only known him for a few weeks.” But the the fireman costume got her going. At the end, other side of my brain told me, “Oh, get over she scrunched up her little face and asked, it. ‘You know when you know,’ right?” “But where was I?” To take some of the pressure off, I had a I told her she was still in heaven with Jesus. couple of girlfriends over at my apartment “But where was Sela?” Her younger sister was to get ready for the party. We got dressed in there, too. She thought for a moment, then our costumes, and Matt came to pick me up, began gathering her toys and climbing down dressed as a fireman, complete with actual fire from the chair. hat and suspendered pants. (This is the part I “That’s not a good story, Mama,” she said. thought Kate would love.) “Try again!” At the party, after greeting friends and Lauren can be reached at LaurenKDenton@ taking some pictures, Matt and I made our way gmail.com. You can also find her tweeting to the front porch that overlooked the lights writerly things on Twitter @LaurenKDenton.

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The Homewood Star