The Homewood Star November 2011 by Starnes Media

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Volume 1 | Issue 8 | November 2011

Jesus Man - pg 6

Cheerleaders

Student spotlight

-pg 18

- pg 20

Patriot band continues Macy’s Parade tradition By RICK WATSoN The Homewood High Patriot band marching in the Macy’s Day Parade is as much a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey on the table. The band, color guard and Star Spangled Girls dance team have appeared in the parade eight times since 1978, which is more times than any other school outside of New York. In the 80s, the Patriot band even performed on top of the World Trade Center to earn a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest performance by a band. This year when the Homewood band performs on 34th Street in front of the historic Macy’s Department Store on Thanksgiving Day, an estimated 65 million viewers will be watching. “The kids are very excited about being part of the 85th Macy’s Day Parade,” said current band director Ron Pence. “There’s so much tradition here, and it’s an opportunity to keep the tradition going.” Drum player Peter Simpson and older brother and trumpet player Nicholas will be part of a family legacy of Homewood Macy’s Day performances. Their older brothers, David and John Michael, marched in the parade in 2006,

November Features Editor’s Note

Mayor’s Minute

City Council

Night, Night Birmingham

Lauren Denton

Lions Club

Business Spotlight

Restaurant Showcase

Sports

School House

Calendar of Events

Homewood Happenings

The Homewood High School band marches in the Macy’s Parade in New York City in 2006. Photo courtesy of the Homewood Patriot Band.

and their father, Dr. John Simpson, and his brother and sister, Donald and Mary, marched in the Macy’s Day Parade in 1978, which was Homewood’s first time to march.

“Marching in the parade was a thrilling experience,” said Dr. Simpson. “The gigantic inflatable characters and a chance to perform for the live audience and the TV viewers were incredible.”

By KATIE STEWART

The new women’s center at Brookwood Medical Center will open this month. Illustration courtesy of Evan Terry Associates, PC.

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

See MACY’S PARADE | page 13

Brookwood Women’s Center opening New apartment complex to revitalize Valley Avenue

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Former Star Spangled Girls sponsor Cindy Wade has fond memories of that first parade too, including a 3 a.m. run through.

By MADoLINE MARKHAM Clad with granite, marble and local artwork, the staff at Brookwood Medical Center liken the new women’s facility to a five-star hotel. “I joke about how I want to come and spend a romantic weekend with my wife here before it opens,” said Brookwood OB/ GYN Keehn Hosier. “It’s really like an

upscale hotel.” The new six-floor, 121,000-square-foot women’s-only facility will open later this month. “The biggest thing is that the new center will match the level of overall care

See BROOKWOOD | page 12

A $15.5 million upscale apartment project plans to spark redevelopment at Valley Avenue and connect Vulcan Park with downtown Homewood. The 135-unit apartment complex will replace outdated units in hopes of revamping the area. “The homes currently in existence are older and cannot truly be upgraded,” said Sam Scott, Ward 1, Place 2 council member. “This new complex will put a positive spin on the area because it will create activity, which will breed interest, which is great as a whole for the Homewood area.” The yet-to-be-named development is a joint effort by Landology and The Dobbins Group. It will mainly offer one- and twobedroom apartments, with some three bedrooms. Rents will range from $875 to $1,400 per month. The new development will provide connectivity to Vulcan Park and downtown Homewood that has not been in existence before. The developers are working with Homewood officials to create sidewalks, walkways and greenways from the apartment community to SOHO and

See VALLEY AVENUE | page 6

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| November 2011 | The Homewood Star

Editor’s Note

Davis Haines, Director of Development Shelton Kitchen, artist Steve Dabney and Charlie Moonbean at the Exceptional Foundation art show fundraiser, Pieces of Yesteryear.

Contributing Photographers

Our nation celebrates the traditional Thanksgiving holiday this month. This annual pause to reflect on our blessings always forces me to slow down for a moment and really think about what I am thankful for. Over the years, I have come to realize that the first couple of priorities are pretty easily listed: God, family, health, circumstances. But as I have had the opportunity to put together this newspaper for you over the past eight months, I have also realized that I am thankful for this place we call home – this place called Homewood. To be even more specific, I am thankful for my neighborhood, and for the fact that I can put my child in his stroller and walk to the grocery store, the park, the library or to meet friends for coffee or lunch in Edgewood. I am thankful each time I run an errand or stop to get gas that I know someone and am able to exchange a friendly hello or even a hug. I am thankful my children will go to wonderful schools and receive an excellent education. I am thankful for my friends, for a job that fulfills me, for you, our readers and for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you each month. As a community, Homewood is also blessed with many unique people whose stories we will, in time, share with you. This month, we highlight the back story of John Brown, also known as “The Jesus Man.” For years I have wondered about him when driving down Lakeshore Drive in Wildwood. So when someone suggested that we should find out the story behind this man, we did. To be honest, I was embarrassed at first about what people would think of me being pulled over next

to the sign that read, “Honk if you love Jesus; pull over if you don’t.” But once I began talking with him, my anxieties went away, and I got to know a truly special man with a unique mission. I hope you enjoy his story. This month’s issue also showcases Michelle Hazelwood Hyde, Homewood resident and illustrator of Night Night Birmingham. This is a must-have book for families with children, and for those who don’t, it makes for a perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season. Wesley Eason is our “Shining Star” this month, and after you read his story you will know why he was nominated. If you know of someone in our community who is a “Shining Star,” please email me at ashley@thehomewoodstar.com to nominate that person for an upcoming issue. As I write this column, Thanksgiving is still a month away, yet many stores have Christmas decorations in place and thoughts are clearly trending toward an extended holiday season. It’s a good time to remember as you make all those lists that Homewood is a wonderful place for shopping. The community is shining bright, just like that famous star up on Hallman Hill. So thank you to everyone who makes Homewood so special, and feel free, as always, to email me with any feedback or story ideas. Here’s wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving season.

Anna Cate Little | Rick Watson

Publisher Dan Starnes

Editor Ashley Berkery

Managing Editor Madoline Markham

Creative Director Keith McCoy

Editor at Large Joe Samuel Starnes

Published by Homewood Star LLC

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Rhonda Smith | Angela Morris | Jennifer Ogilvie | Dan Starnes

Intern Katie Stewart

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: Ashley@thehomewoodstar.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 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. Please recycle this paper

Meet our intern Katie Stewart is from Williamsburg, Va., and is a junior at Samford University. She is studying print journalism and international studies. When she isn’t babysitting, interning or studying, you can find her sipping a cappuccino at Urban Standard, reading a good book or listening to live music with her friends.

Editor publishes novel Taking place all in one day with the damming of a southern river at its focus, Fall Line, the second novel by Joe Samuel Starnes, editor-at-large for The Homewood Star, hits bookstore shelves and e-book readers this month. Born in Anniston, Ala., Starnes grew up in Cedartown, Ga., and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1989. His first novel, Calling, was published in 2005, and he has had stories appear in The New York Times and The Washington Post, among other places. He now lives near Philadelphia with his wife and daughter. The novel, published by NewSouth Books of Montgomery, unfolds on Dec. 1, 1955, as floodgates are poised to slam

shut on a concrete dam straddling the fictional Oogasula River, creating a lake that will submerge a forgotten crossroads and thousands of acres of woodlands in rural Georgia. The day’s action is viewed through the eyes of Elmer Blizzard, a troubled ex-deputy; Mrs. McNulty, a lonely widow who refuses to leave her doomed shack by the river; her loyal, aging dog, Percy; and a rapacious politician, Senator Aubrey Terrell, for whom the new lake is named. Fall Line is now available through bookstores including the Alabama Booksmith and online book retailers. For more information, visit www. joesamuelstarnes.com.

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Homewood Dental (17) Humana (5) Homewood Parks and Rec (14) Hunter’s Cleaners (18) MedHelp (15) Michael’s (13) New York Pizza (18) Ngage (13) Piggly Wiggly (8) Quick Care (19) Renaissance Consignment (9) Renasant Bank (8) Shophomewood.com (12) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (15) The Junior League of Birmingham (10) Village Dermatology (20) Wallace Burke (6)

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| November 2011 | The Homewood Star

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Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors, Recently, the council and I have been working on the budget for Fiscal Year 2012. After making my presentation to the council, it was sent to the Finance Committee for discussion and input. I am pleased to announce the budget for this year passed by a vote of 11-0, and I was certainly pleased with the entire process. Having the largest council in the state of Alabama, it is normally no easy task to pass even the smallest of items unanimously. But I have to say I was not surprised by the support I received simply because we have a track record of working together. My job is to present an honest budget and consider comments from the council and from the neighbors. After several lengthy meetings occurred, the ideas and suggestions came together and formed a budget we can all work within, and I expect this to be a great year for Homewood. So many of you have commented on how much you appreciate the Broadway Sidewalk Project. At our first public forum, it became obvious the residents and business owners wanted to see more investments back into our neighborhoods. With all comments considered and weighed, I am pleased to announce the City of Homewood has included in our budget this year nearly $1 million for new sidewalks. What a tremendous impact this will have on our neighborhoods. Not only will it make it safer for the children walking to school, but it will also make it much more enjoyable for many of you who like to walk the neighborhoods in the morning

or evening. We are currently putting together a study of where sidewalks will make the greatest impact. We also have set aside some funds to repair existing sidewalks in areas where the most attention is needed. I know you understand we cannot fix every sidewalk that needs repairing in one year, but the process is starting and I would expect to see big improvements within our neighborhoods. I also wanted to take a moment and say congratulations to Homewood businesses that made the “Best of Birmingham” list. They are Alabama Outdoors, YMCA, Romen McDonald (personal trainer and fitness program), Homewood Soccer Park, Homewood Central Park’s Free Friday Night Flicks, Five Guys Hamburgers, Jim N’ Nick’s, Gianmarcos, Nabeel’s Café and Market, O’Henry’s Coffee, Dreamcakes Bakery, Urban Cookhouse, Homewood Toy and Hobby, David Daniels of Nall Daniels Animal Hospital, Soca Clothing, Shoefly, Dorothy McDaniel’s Florist and the Homewood High School Marching Band and Show Choir. We are all very proud of you and wish you continued success in the coming year. With kindest regards I remain, Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood

Police Tipline, Alert Network The Homewood Police Department’s Citizens Observer allows residents to share information anonymously. To send a confidential tip to the HPD simply text keyword 205HPD and your tip to 847411 (TIP411). You may also call the Homewood Police Tipline at 332-6262. The Alert Network allows the Homewood Police Department to instantly update you about crimes, emergencies and other important information. All alerts are delivered via email and are also available via text message on your cell phone. Citizen Alerts inform all registered users of public safety concerns including crime trends, descriptions of suspects, missing persons, personal safety and how

to safeguard your property. Business Alerts are targeted to specific businesses so you will receive information about crimes pertinent to your business type. Case Alerts allow law enforcement to automatically disseminate information about open cases to all registered Citizen Observer users. Watch Group Alerts allow law enforcement to send targeted alerts to specific neighborhoods with information on crimes that are happening in their immediate area. For more information or to register, visit www.citizensobserver.com and www. homewoodpd.org.

Homewood’s star to be rededicated The Homewood star that hangs on 18th Street downtown each holiday season will be rededicated on Nov. 28. The rededication celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the top of 18th Street.

The event is open to the general public. The mayor will speak and honor the star and the family members of the man who created it.

Shop Homewood, enter to win The Homewood Chamber of Commerce is offering a special incentive for shopping in Homewood stores this holiday season. For every $25 you spend at a participating merchant, you will get one stamp on a Homewood for the Holidays shopping card. Once you have purchased $300 worth of merchandise, fill out your

name and contact information on the back of the card and turn it into participating merchants or the chamber. Each card will be entered in drawing to win a $1000 shopping spree. You can turn in cards through Jan. 5. Unlimited shopping cards are available. Cards are available at participating merchants starting Nov. 7.

Homewood Police Department looking for old photos The Homewood Police Department is looking for old photos of the department. If you know of any, please contact Sergeant

Andrew Didcot, 332-6217 or andrew. didcot@homewood.com.

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

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Meet your City Council members Vance Moody – Ward 2 Place 2 Vance, tell us a little bit about yourself and your involvement on our city council. I am married to Paula Moody and have a daughter Katie (20), a graduate of HHS ; son Cameron (13), in 8th grade at HMS; and son Colton (3), in the preschool program at Hall Kent. I spent many years coaching soccer, baseball and football for my children’s teams. Coaching evolved into terms on the Baseball Board, including its presidency, which in turn led to an appointment to an at-large position on the Park Board. I have also been privileged to serve on the Homewood City Schools Foundation, have been a board member of the West Homewood Neighborhood Association and West Homewood Lions, and have been parking cars at the high school football games since the mid-1990s. Through my wife’s involvement in the Hall Kent PTO, we have been active in school activities, particularly the Fall Festival. In addition, my sister-in-law, Patti Atkinson (Paula’s twin sister), is on the Homewood City School Board, my brotherin-law, Ken Atkinson is a lieutenant in the Homewood Police Department, and Ken’s father and mother, Jim and Gail Atkinson, are the former mayor and Ward 2 City Council representative, respectively. Marrying into such an actively involved and community-minded family, it was only natural to follow my inclination to be involved in efforts to support Homewood, particularly West Homewood. Can you give us some insight on the new Target coming to Homewood and what the timeline looks like for the opening? We were very fortunate to be able to attract that development to our city. There was a tremendous amount of work put into this effort by the mayor and his staff, the city attorney, the council and the Brookwood management team. It should be a great partnership going forward and is a very good example of the public and private sectors working together for their common benefit. The last timeline that I know of was for a late fall 2011 demolition and possible store opening in early 2013. What was your stance on the budget vote that passed for the new ﬁscal year that began on September 30, including money allotted for the new recreation center and merit raises for city employees? Overall, our finances are in good shape. The operating budget is constrained due to decreased sales tax revenue. When you remove the “buckets” (operating, capital, gas tax, debt service, etc.), we are operating on a balanced overall budget. To be able to balance the budget and to have operated for the past three years in surplus

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Modern Limoges Porcelain from

Council member Vance Moody. is a tremendous accomplishment. We have two very large capital items on the midterm horizon: a new recreation center and a new Public Safety (police, courts, jail) facility. Both existing facilities are nearing their expected service life, and we are beginning to plan for their upgrade. The monies allotted for the design of the recreation center are an important part of our long term strategic planning. The merit increases are a given, in my opinion. When a public service employee begins employment, they (and we) are subject to the Jefferson County Personnel Board’s rules and regulations governing their employment. Part of that obligation is to follow the merit program, through which they start at a rate roughly 50 percent of the full pay for their grade, with stepped increases over a 10 year period to full pay. Barring unsatisfactory performance, employees are to be granted the merit increases per the Personnel Board’s rules. In order to not fund merit increases, the city would have to pass a resolution requesting exemption from the Personnel Board’s rules, and to show cause (i.e., we do not have the money) to the Personnel Board for that request. Having $10 million in “rainy day” reserves, $7 million in unrestricted reserves, $5 million in general fund cash balance, $3 million in capital reserves and $8 million in debt service reserves (growing by more than $1 million annually) would make that a rather difficult case. Beyond that, fairly compensating our employees for the job they do to make our city run effectively is absolutely the right thing to do. How do you and your family plan to spend the Thanksgiving holidays this year? We spend every Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores with both sides of our families. It is a very relaxing week of shopping, reading, fishing and enjoying the cooler weather and beautiful sunsets on the beach. It’s a great week of reflection and thanksgiving for all of our blessings.

Homewood businesses participate in Inspiration Home Six Homewood businesses have joined forces with other Birmingham businesses to make a difference in the lives of those affected by diabetes. AllSouth Appliance Group, Brandino Brass, Eighteenth Street Orientals, The Curtain Exchange, The Nest and moving company Deliverance are participating in the Birmingham Home & Garden magazine 2011 Inspiration Home, which is open for tours Nov. 19 through Dec. 4. All profits from ticket sales will

be donated to the American Diabetes Association. Projects like this say a lot about what Homewood has to offer. Our shops are selling products and services of the caliber used to build an inspirational home, and they also have a heart for giving back. For more information about the tour and ticket sales, visit www. birminghamhomeandgarden.com.

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| November 2011 | The Homewood Star

Have You Seen...

Wallace -Burke?

The Jesus Man By MIA BASS & ASHLEY BERKERY

You can’t drive through Homewood regularly and not know John Brown. He is the “Jesus Man” who parks his maroon and grey van on the grass on Lakeshore Parkway in front of Sam’s and Walmart in Wildwood. “The grass is my carpet, the streets are my walls and the wind is my air conditioner,” he said. Brown, 71, said he has never missed a Saturday in the past 10 years of preaching on the street in Homewood. You can’t miss his 100 signs, including one that reads “Honk if you know Jesus, pull over if you don’t,” or him speaking on the microphone over inspirational music. He’s on Lakeshore each weekend from 12 to 9 p.m., regardless of the weather. In the summer heat, he blocks the sun with his sombrero. Brown was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States in 1963. His Haitian wife led him to Alabama, but he said it was God that led him to Lakeshore. “God sent me here,” he said. “It is holy ground.” Brown has been ministering for 45 years, the last ten of which have been at Lakeshore. He is the proud father of nine, grandfather to eight and great-grandfather to four. While many in the community admire the work Brown does, he has faced a fair share of opposition from those who drive by and even some who stop to speak with him. Racial and religious slurs are common for Brown’s Saturdays. “It’s not about just Christianity,” Brown said, “It’s about salvation.” When followers of Islam and other faiths have stopped to talk to Brown, he reminds them of his message. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to my Father except through me,’”

John Brown stands on Lakeshore Parkway each Saturday. Photo by Ashley Berkery.

he tells them. Brown attends different churches on Sundays. “I go anywhere with an open door,” he said. He said his faith kept him strong when his blood sugar dropped last summer. When friends and family encouraged him to go to a doctor, he insisted he would not miss a Saturday preaching. “It’s about holy boldness—it comes from fasting and prayer.”

Churches to gather for community Thanksgiving By KATIE STEWART Trinity United Methodist will host the annual community Thanksgiving church event. The churches of Homewood will celebrate with a worship service on Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. This event is a great way for Homewood residents from all different backgrounds to come together and celebrate what they are thankful for. The churches taking part in the service are All Saint’s Episcopal, Bethel AME,

Dawson Memorial Baptist, Edgewood Presbyterian, Friendship Baptist, Homewood Cumberland Presbyterian, Oakmont United Methodist, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic, Second Presbyterian, Shades Valley Lutheran, Trinity United Methodist and Union Missionary Baptist. The service will take place in the sanctuary and all are invited. For more information, call 879-1737.

VALLEY AVENUE

CONTINUED from page 1

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downtown Homewood. Bill Dobbins, president of The Dobbins Group, believes that the location is ideal for the target markets of young professionals and graduate students. “The idea is that the apartment development will connect this side of downtown with Homewood,” Dobbins said. “It’s the absolute ideal living location because it’s central to both UAB and downtown, as well as to the shopping in Homewood.” The developers’ goal is to provide a rentable option for people who want to live in Homewood because currently those options are slim. “We’re trying to help people take advantage of all the amenities Homewood offers without feeling the need to purchase a home,” Dobbins said. “Eventually down the road if there is a need for condominium conversions, these were built to condominium specifications; however, right now the market isn’t asking for that.” The complex will also offer a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center and a gated entrance as well as many unique “green” features. These include more than an acre of green space, electric car charging

stations, rainwater collection for irrigation, environmentally friendly carpeting and paint, as well as neighborhood storm water management improvements. “For this project we really wanted to focus on the green initiative,” Dobbins said. “We realize as developers that it’s a huge responsibility to be aware of when building a large complex.” This new development will be substantially different from the older, lower-rent apartments currently located in the area. However, David Ball, principal of Landology, believes that it will truly affect the Homewood community in a positive way. “The reality is that Homewood is great,” Ball said. “The goal is that this development allows more people to experience that.” A groundbreaking date will be released once a building timeline is set in the near future, but developers could not currently release a date. The residents in the existing apartments are being given assistance to find other living arrangements of equal or better quality than their current living conditions.

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

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Say hello to Night, Night Birmingham By KATIE STEWART You can now say, “Night, night” to all your favorite Birmingham places in the city’s children’s book, Night, Night Birmingham. On each page landmarks such as Vulcan, Railroad Park and the Alabama Theater come to life thanks to illustrator and Homewood resident Michelle Hazelwood Hyde. Through the whimsical images in her first children’s book, she captured Birmingham through the eyes of a child. “It’s great because most of the children know these sites,” Hyde said. “However, now when driving around they can remember the sites’ names from the book.” The idea for the book came to the Philadelphia native when she was pregnant. A friend gave her Good Night Philadelphia at a baby shower where author Laurel Mills was also present. “We looked through it, and we both were thinking, ‘We can do this,’” Hyde said. “And Birmingham didn’t have anything like it.” Mills and Hyde published the story without any outside help. “We felt like Birmingham was a small enough place that we shouldn’t have to go through a publisher,” Hyde said. “We both have strong work ethics, so we were able to finish it in our own timeline.” Her design background in magazines

Homewood resident Michelle Hazelwood Hyde illustrated Night, Night Birmingham. Photo by Katie Stewart.

played into how she and Mills told the story. “I like when the words and images are one entity,” she said. “I wanted to accomplish that in Night, Night as well.” Through the book Hyde hopes to share her great pride in Birmingham with the city’s next generation. Night, Night Birmingham is available at The Little Professor, Smith’s Variety and Once Upon a Time. The book can also be ordered online at www.mynightnight.com/buy-thebook.html.

Homewood roots in Southern

Band members Ryan Burleson, Patrick Copeland and Ryan Parrish. Photo courtesy of Ethan Luck.

Southern came together in 2010 when longtime friends Ryan Parrish, Ryan Burleson and Homewood native Patrick Copeland sat down with a mission to create passive, instrumental music that represented themselves and their roots. With each person having strong southern roots and currently residing in Nashville,

the name Southern was a perfect fit. Looking to break the tendency to write heavy music, the trio compiled a cache of slower musical ideas. In late 2010, Southern recorded their debut EP, “11 Years,” which was released July 6. The EP is available via http://southernmusic.bandcamp.com for no cost or by naming your price.

Junior League Market returns The Junior League of Birmingham’s Market will be held Nov. 16-19. The event meets holiday shopping needs and helps improve the lives of Birmingham-area women and children. “Shoppers can feel good about the gifts and goodies they purchase at The Market because a portion of all their purchases makes a difference in the life of someone in the Birmingham community,” JLB Market Chair Holly Stiles said. Located at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on Highway 280, The Market includes merchants from all over the state of Alabama and Southeast. Birmingham area merchants participating at The Market this year include: Doo-Dads and Designs, Grandmother’s Joy, Sweet Dreams Designs, Gifts and Gratitudes, Initially 4 U, All Things Gallery, Miche Bag of Birmingham, My Messy Monkeys Children’s Boutique, Sweet Melissa’s Sauces and Seasonings, The Gingerbread Lady, Majestees, Sew Precious, Sophia Designs, J Allens, Nations

Outfitters, Shalla Wista Studio, and the JLB Gift Shop and Cookbooks and many others. “The Market offers free parking and a first-class, three-day shopping experience,” said Stiles. Special events include the Sneak Peek Party on the evening of Wed., Nov. 16, which offers guests the chance to win a one-carat diamond valued at $6,000 from Bromberg’s. Also, the Market and Muffins event on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 17, is an opportunity to dine on delicious brunch fare such as Millie Ray’s orange rolls while listening to the sounds of the Alabama School of Fine Arts Orchestra Ensemble while shopping stroller free. Additionally, book signings with special guest writers will take place during the Author’s Corners events throughout The Market. Market general admission tickets are $12. All Market events are open to the public. For special event tickets, stroller free shopping hours and more information, visit www.jlbonline.com.

Come Celebrate the Season with Us! 2925 18th Street South • Homewood 205-871-0585 • www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

| November 2011 | The Homewood Star

A new beginning back home By RICK WATSoN Homewood native and Shades Valley High School graduate Tom Zobel’s young life was the stuff country songs are made of. Local boy has too much fun in high school, majors in partying in college, starts a family too early, makes a bundle in business, becomes an alcoholic, then watches his life fall apart through the bottom of a glass. It would be a sad song if it had ended there. But it didn’t. This year Zobel became the director of the Brother Bryan Mission in Birmingham after serving in a similar role at the Union Gospel Rescue Mission in Salem, Oregon. Through his work, he’s touched the lives of thousands of people. “I left Nashville after I went bankrupt,” he said. “I’d lost my family, my business, my friends and my home.” Zobel drifted to Florida, New Orleans, then Colorado. He picked up menial jobs because most good jobs required a background check, which he wanted to avoid. History kept repeating itself for Zobel. “My life had been built on the wrong foundation,” he said. “I got to the point where I didn’t want to continue.” He wound up out west in Salem, Oregon, sleeping in boxcars and railway shacks. He cleaned gutters and picked tomatoes to earn enough money for food. Then someone suggested that Zobel go to the local rescue mission where he could find shelter and a warm meal. For the first time in his life, he found a place were he felt he belonged. He started rebuilding the foundation of his life. He studied the gospels at the rescue mission and got involved with a local church. He quit drinking, cleaned his life up and met his future wife, Debbie, at the church he attended.

Homewood resident Tom Zobel stands in front of the Brother Bryan Mission, where he serves as the director. Photo by Rick Watson.

After a while, Zobel received a job offer in Beaverton as manager of a shopping mall. At that point in his recovery he was afraid to leave the safety of the mission and the church in Salem. But his pastor told him he was ready, and, as it turned out, he was. Zobel performed well at the new job but kept going back to the Union Gospel Rescue Mission as a volunteer. One day, while talking to the director of the mission, Zobel realized his heart was set on mission work. The director told Zobel he couldn’t afford to pay what he was earning as a mall manager, but he took the job anyhow. Once back in Salem, he married Debbie, and the two have worked together in the mission field ever since.

Eight years later, Zobel became the director and before long a board member and later a vice-president of an association with some 300 other rescue missions across the country. It was through the organization that Zobel met fellow board member Tony Cooper of Jimmie Hale Mission in Birmingham. Fast forward to 2008: Zobel was getting ready to retire, but wanted to move back to Homewood. He’d mended relationships with his children and wanted to live closer to them. He called Tony Cooper to ask about the possibility of working parttime at Jimmie Hale as a chaplain. Cooper agreed and Zobel moved home. He began doing unpaid consulting work with smaller rescue missions. When

he looked into the Brother Bryan Mission, there was a meeting of the minds, and on July 1, Zobel was hired as director. Zobel and his staff of five are transitioning Brother Bryan’s creation into a full-fledged rescue mission. He plans to expand the facility on 1616 2nd Avenue North to add classroom space, a parking lot and a laundry facility. In six months to a year, he hopes to help build a new foundation of discipline and accountability for men who are adrift. In all these plans, Zobel’s passion for people remains. “Helping to change lives is what I was put here to do.” To find out more information about Brother Bryan Mission’s work, visit www. brotherbryanmission.com.

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The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

A Shining Star: Wesley Eason, Books-A-Million Brookwood

After finishing school at Mountain Brook, Eason was accepted into UAB’s Horizons School program. The core curriculum there focuses on personal, social and career independence as well as self-determination. After a community transition program in the third year, most students are placed in a steady job following completion of this program. This post-graduate independent living program enabled Eason to live on his own in Cahaba Heights and work at the bookstore. What’s next? He’d like to take up golf, enroll in a class on technology and, if it’s ever medically possible, skydive.

A cupcake for every season By KATIE STEWART Dreamcakes Bakery in Edgewood brings a new level of delicious to your holiday treats. Owner Jan Moon offers a seasonal flavor of desserts to-go from fall festivities through Valentine’s Day. “This is absolutely our favorite time of year here at Dreamcakes,” Moon said. “From now until Valentine’s Day, we have themed cupcakes for all occasions. Not only do our delicious flavors reflect the holiday spirit, but also the decorations as well. We go all out this time of year.” Some of their delectable flavors awaiting are Caramel Apple, Pumpkin Patch and Maple Nut. At Christmastime, the busy bakery elves create flavors such as White Christmas, Gingerbread and Christmas Carol. Dreamcakes can turn any of their cupcakes into a regular sized cake too. “We often find the regular cakes are more popular for group settings,” Moon said. “It’s great because you can take a co-worker’s, family member’s or an employee’s favorite Dreamcakes flavor and gift them with a whole cake. What better way to spread holiday cheer?” Fans of Dreamcakes can also try to create their own version of Dreamcakes’ cupcakes this season. Jan Moon collaborated with Southern Living to create the Big Book of Cupcakes. This cookbook offers 150 delicious cupcake recipes organized by season so you can be ready for any upcoming holiday. Try your hand at the delicious fall flavor below from the Big Book of Cupcakes. Dreamcakes is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. You can contact them at 871-9377.

Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

(hands on time-20 minutes; total time-35 minutes; makes 3 dozen) 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 2 1/2 cups sugar 5 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder

Dreamcakes owner Jan Moon with a Pumpkin Patch cupcake. Photo by Katie Stewart.

1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 2/3 cup buttermilk Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Garnish: Pumpkin Picks In a large bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and pumpkin. In another bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and pumpkin spice. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and beat on low speed just until blended. Scoop batter into lined muffin pans and bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until done. Cool. Fill and frost with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. Garnish with Pumpkin Picks.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 (16-ounce) boxes powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, salt and cinnamon, beating until blended. Add more powdered sugar if needed.

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Wesley Eason at Books-A-Million at Colonial Brookwood Village. Photo by Katie Stewart.

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Betty Gunn went into Books-A-Million looking for a book for her grandson and ended up finding Wesley Eason. Eason was so helpful that she wrote to nominate him as a Shining Star article, raving about how he truly made a difference in her shopping experience. Eason was given less than a week to live when he was born with complications from hydrocephalus. The condition occurs when a buildup of excess cerebrospinal fluid causes swelling in the brain. As a newborn, Eason had a shunt placed in his head that is connected to a tube that allows the excess fluid to be distributed without harm in his stomach. Today the shunt in his head causes epilepsy, which is managed for the most part but does not allow him to drive a car. But Eason doesn’t define himself based on hydrocephalus. He’s worked for BooksA-Million for the past 11 years and loves what he does. He moved to the Brookwood location after Wildwood closed recently. “They are like a second family to me,” Eason said of his co-workers. “I love bowling with a group and hanging out with my friends at Books-A-Million.” He got into creative writing as a student at Mountain Brook High School and enjoyed writing about James Bond, although he looks to science fiction for pleasure reading now.

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10 |

November 2011 | The Homewood Star FOR ALL YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING NEEDS

Thanksgiving from a kid’s perspective Will Sutton

Third grade, Edgewood Favorite thing about Thanksgiving: Being with my cousins. Favorite thing to eat: Fruit and turkey.

Sam Sutton

NOVEMBER 16 -19, 2011 Thursday, November 17 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday, November 18 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 19 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

SNEAK PEEK PARTY

Wednesday, November 16 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

MARKET & MUFFINS

Thursday, November 17 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m

. TICKETS $12 General Admission $24 Market & Muffins $36 Sneak Peek Party $24 3-Day Must Have Pass

First grade, Edgewood Favorite thing about Thanksgiving: That I get to eat a lot of food. Favorite thing to eat: Definitely chicken and my worst thing to eat is that jello-y stuff.

Anna Claire Stone

Third grade, Shades Cahaba Favorite part of Thanksgiving: I like visiting my out of town family. My dad’s family is in Tennessee about three hours away but my mom’s is only 30 minutes away. Favorite thing to eat: I like to eat pie! Especially pumpkin pie – that’s my favorite. Thankful: I am thankful for my whole family and my friends and my school. I am especially thankful for my teacher this year. Her name is Mrs. Lorino.

Tucker and Hutch Brant

Fifth and first grade, Hall Kent Family traditions: Our mom’s family gets together at the beach at Ft. Morgan in a couple of houses together. We watch the Iron Bowl and fish and eat and listen to all the old people talk about our grandmother and ancestors. Favorite thing to eat: Aunt Peggy’s chicken and dressing, her fried apple pies and strawberry stuff and fried crab claws at Sea and Suds. Biggest turkey in the family: Uncle David Milam tells jokes and lets us play Pirates of the Caribbean on his computers, and we watch Wallis and Grommet with him and our cousins.

Abby Terrell

Fourth grade, Edgewood Favorite thing about Thanksgiving: I like going to my great-grandmother’s house and playing with my cousins. One more thing I like is being with my family. Favorite thing to eat: Turkey and pumpkin pie!

All events open to the public. Stroller-Free Thursday & Friday until 2:00 p.m. Strollers welcome Thursday & Friday after 2:00 p.m. and all-day Saturday.

For more information or to purchase tickets: www.jlbonline.com

KRISTIAN ALFONSO, CELEBRITY GUEST & VENDOR

Recent Homewood events Wing Festival, Exceptional Foundation Art Show

Kristian Alfonso will join us as our celebrity guest and vendor. This accomplished actress, best known for her starring role as Hope Williams in the hit soap opera Days of Our Lives will showcase her jewelry line- Hope, Faith, Miracles. Originally, the jewelry design was inspired by and centered on the ﬂeur de lis symbol. Kristian has expanded her line of earrings, bracelets, necklaces/pendants, watches and rings to include many elegant and affordable designs.

BB&T . Birmingham Coca-Cola . Birmingham Magazine Changing Spaces Moving . Chris Mason, Certified Wealth Strategist Circa Marketing . Diamonds Direct . EBSCO . Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart Inverness Dermatology . Lehr, Middlebrooks and Vreeland Mauldin & Jenkins . Michael S. Beckenstein, M.D. Park Lane Construction . Thomas E. Jernigan Foundation Total Skin & Beauty All proceeds benefit the mission and community projects of the Junior League of Birmingham

(above) The Kendrick family enjoyed the Exceptional Foundation’s Pieces of Yesteryear on September 22: Mike, Diane, Ann Edwards, Rainer, Mary Charlotte and Laurie Ann.

(left) Jody Brant won third place in the wing eating contest at the Kick’n’ Chickn’ Wing Fest in downtown Homewood.

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Fall decorating ideas

By JULIE TERRELL AND ASHLEY BERKERY Homewood’s shops have everything you need for seasonal decorating, whether indoors or outdoors. We started indoors at Harmony Landing, where we found a table centerpiece that will jazz up any dining room table. Designer velvet pumpkins in rich fall colors ($10-$32) were simply placed in a Vert container and placed on top of a colorful fall runner priced at $38. For a unique, yet classy place setting for your holiday dinner, we suggest using Vietri and Alex Marshall from At Home. To lighten up your family meal, simply place one of their candle lighting bars ($40) in the center of the table.

For outdoor decor, local garden shops carry a variety of colorful arrangements and florals that will create a charming entrance to your home. For an interesting twist on outdoor planters, we found a wood turkey planter at Sweet Peas that was $79.95 ($99 with flowers included). Sweet Pea’s sweet berry wreath is simple yet colorful and seasonal. For $39.95, you can hang it on your door or even display it from a window on your porch. For porch steps, marjean coral mums and pumpkins make for a welcoming fall display. You can find mums in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to red and even deep purple. Berry wreaths can be hung either on doors or windows. A few pumpkins and mums add color to your porch.

Velvet designer pumpkins from Harmony Landing make for a unique centerpiece. Photos by Madoline Markham.

Flowers in a wood turkey planter is a nice twist to a regular pot.

Vietri and Alex Marshall place setting from At Home.

Grand Opening in Crestline Village!

81 Church Street, Mountain Brook • 870-1889

12 |

November 2011 | The Homewood Star

Ordinary Days

windows.......doors.........fascia.........moldings

GOT ROT? High humidity wood rot affects us all. Without being repaired correctly and immediately, problems multiply rapidly. Protect the integrity of your home with early maintenance. Our master craftsman can often rebuild problems areas without replacing an entire window or door and use materials eliminating future rot. Rot or not give us a call and ask for Richard Rowe. We can help you basement to roof.

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References 205-871-8400 • 2726 ½ Cahaba Road Restoration Home Building Interior Design

ShopHomewood.com

Invest in your Community • Shop Locally Invest In Your Community, Shop Locally & Support Homewood Buy Merchandise Buy Gift Certificates Review Local Businesses Create a Gift Registry Get Updates, Like Trunk Shows & Sales & So Much More

ShopHomewood.com is a partnership between the Homewood Chamber of Commerce & Magic City Media. For more information, contact Emily at 205-250-9037 or emily@magiccitypost.com

Taking a break from multi-tasking By LAUREN DENToN

At any given time during a typical day, I’m trying to do several things at once, as most busy people are. Just in the last week, I’ve caught up on The Good Wife while ironing, painted my toenails while watching The Today Show, flipped through the mail while sitting outside with Kate and cut coupons while cooking dinner. A few days ago, I was absorbed in something on the computer in the den and noticed a strange odor coming from somewhere in the house. It kept getting stronger, and I finally realized it was the peas I had put on the stove to cook half an hour ago. Running to the kitchen, I realized all the water had boiled out, and they were a burned mess. Such is my life as a multi-tasker. This got me thinking: When is the last time I’ve done just one thing and savored it? When the idea for this article first came to my mind, my first thought was, “Come on, who with young children or a packed schedule has time to do just one thing?!” But the more I thought about it, I realized that slowing down to really pay attention to the individual task at hand, whether it’s

cooking dinner for my family or watching Kate run around the front yard, may be the only way to keep time from flying by ohso-fast. Or at least if it’s flying by, I’ll be less likely to miss big chunks of it because I’m too busy to notice. When the holidays end and January comes, I think, “Where did it all go, and how did I miss it?” In my eagerness to find the perfect corn casserole recipe to serve at Thanksgiving or to buy the perfect Christmas gifts, I forget to slow down and really savor the festive times with my family and friends and to take time to contemplate why we’re celebrating in the first place. So, my goal at the beginning of this holiday season is to s-l-o-w down. Instead of cooking and clipping, instead of painting and ironing, I’m going to try doing just one thing. When that’s done, I’ll move on to the next thing. My hope is that I’ll put my full energy and attention into whatever I’m doing so that I’m not oblivious to the small things as they happen.

BROOKWOOD

CONTINUED from page 1 the patients have been getting,” Hosier said. “Brookwood has the best women’s facilities I have ever been in, but it was time for a new facility.” As the first women’s hospital in the state to open in 1988, the staff at Brookwood Women’s Center has designed the new center to continue to set the standard for “high tech women’s care in a high touch environment.” For the past four years the hospital sought the input of nurses, physicians, former patients and consultants for the plan, and they broke ground on construction in January 2010. Homewood resident Meredith Colquit is looking forward to delivering her baby girl with Dr. Heidi Straughn in the new hospital in February. “My sister, Shanon Keown, delivered all three of her boys in the old hospital,” she said, “and from everything I hear the new hospital will be just beautiful. I hear the birthing suites are supposed to be exceptional.” A grand opening will be held Sun., Nov. 20, and patients will be moved in for care on Dec. 2. “Some patients are saying they wished they had a later due date so they could have delivered in the new women’s center,” said Amy Beard, administrative director of women’s services, “and I tell them they can have another one.” The new center also will open up additional space for patients in the main Brookwood hospital in the old women’s center facility. New technologies include a wireless fetal monitoring that will enable mothers to walk around during labor. A noise control system in NICU will alarm doctors when the noise level could interfere with neurological development of the babies. For expectant mothers interested in natural childbirth, the center will be the only hospital in the state with a suite dedicated to water birthing with a $25,000, FDA-approved water birthing tub. “It almost looks like a high-end Jacuzzi,” Beard said. Spacious mother and baby suites will be standard, whereas before families had to specially request and pay additional fees for the extra space. Each suite will include a sleeper sofa for the dad or support person as well as a dining-on-call room service, a flat-screen TV, DVD player and refrigerator. All bathrooms will feature a bidet. Located on the fifth and sixth floors, floor-to-ceiling windows in each room will look out over Highway 31 with a view of Vulcan and Samford University.

With a well-baby nursery on each of the two floors of mother-baby rooms, moms and babies will never be separated by a floor. Beard also pointed out facilities that will make the experience more comfortable for families. Waiting rooms will have waterfalls, the whole hospital is wireless, and there will be children’s play rooms. A family lounge area will feature a living area, rock fireplace, dining area and washer and dryer access. The center will also house special rooms for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and other special uses. Single family rooms in the NICU will allow the family and baby to stay together at all times and prevent infections for the baby. The NICU will also feature two overnight careby-parent rooms that will enable parents to prepare for a transition to home while the hospital staff is still readily accessible. Rooms specially designed for multiples will allow a mom to stay with multiple children requiring intensive care in one room. A 12-bed high-risk perinatal unit will accommodate moms before delivery. Moms recovering from caesarian section will have private rooms for after the procedure. Hosier said his patient base has picked up since Brookwood announced the opening of the building. The hospital will hire more staff for a larger patient capacity. “We’ve seen mock ups and walked through the center,” Hosier said, “but like a kid the night before Christmas, we can’t wait for it to open so we can dive under the tree and open our presents.” The nurses and physicians are currently completing clinical drills and getting oriented to the new technology in the facilities leading up to the grand opening. As a part of grand opening festivities, Rosie Pope from the Bravo show “Pregnant in Heels” will be part of a “Finding Your Mommy Style” event at Workplay Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. On Nov. 18, Pope will host a “Bringing Home Baby: Surviving the first few weeks and beyond” class in the new women’s center; the class starts at 10 a.m. and tours will be available at 11 a.m. Anyone interested in these free events should register on www.GenB.com. The Nov. 20 grand opening and ribbon cutting is also open to the public and starts at 1:30 p.m. Tours of the building will start at 2 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

“We Serve”: The Homewood Lions Club By RICK WATSoN The sirens had barely stopped wailing after the devastating tornados stomped through Alabama on April 27 when the Lions Club swung into action. Phones started ringing and emails zipping in from all corners of Homewood, the U.S. and overseas. Members from around the world wanted to know how they could help. Local Lions Club members coordinated relief efforts to Alabamians in a time of great crisis. Thousands of dollars in gift cards and supplies were distributed to people affected by the disaster. Disaster relief is one area where Lions Club members do much more. The Lions Club motto is “We Serve,” and in looking at the initiatives adopted by the local Homewood Metro Lions Club, it appears they have taken the motto to heart. Current projects for the club include things like the Alabama Lions Sight Conservation Association, Camp Seale Harris for diabetic children, leadership training and drug awareness for young people, refurbishing hearing aids for low income Alabamians and leader/guide dogs for the vision impaired. Lions Clubs across the world have invested millions of dollars in the Leader Dog for the Blind school making it the largest project supported. The Southeastern Guide Dog project is the only guide dog school in the U.S. that provides service for soldiers who were blinded in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Homewood Metro Lions Club was chartered in 2009; it was formed from two older clubs that served the less fortunate around Birmingham for many years. The Homewood Lions Club was chartered in 1938, and the old West Hills Lions Club was chartered in 1958. The clubs were comprised of men from Homewood and communities in the western section of Birmingham such as Ensley and Bush Hills.

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nGage Today Lions Club members Wayne Dunlap and Greer Parsons sell pecans in front of Piggly Wiggly for last year’s fundraiser. This year the sale will be on Nov. 11. Photo courtesy of Max Herzel.

Fundraising in those days included everything from selling light bulbs door-todoor to Labor Day barbecues. The current Homewood Metro fundraising initiative is their annual Pecan Sale. The sale, which begins on Nov. 11, generates a substantial amount of the money used to support their causes throughout the year. Club members are also selling jumbo coloring books. Club president Max Herzel said that Lions Club members have a sense of civic responsibility and duty: “They touch lives in many profound ways.” An alumnus recently told Herzel that he would not be where he was had it not been for Camp Seale Harris.” The Lions Club, which is a non-profit organization, is the brain child of Melvin Jones, a business leader in Chicago. In 1917, he challenged his business club to reach out beyond business issues and work for the betterment of their communities and the world. The service organization has grown to 1.35 million members in 206 countries. Homewood has a second club chartered, West Homewood Lions Club.

Membership numbers are down for the Homewood Metro Lions Club due to changing demographics, but Herzel said that the Homewood Metro Lions Club plans to make recruitment a year-round priority to help boost membership. Some people ask why they should join the Lions Club. He said that people who have kids are stretched thin with football, dance and music lessons, so time is at a premium. But Herzel feels that service work is important. “Lions are helping people build a better life,” Herzel said. He feels this sets a good example for young people. Membership is open to both men and women. The Homewood Metro Club meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. at the Paw Paw Patch Restaurant, 411 Green Springs Highway. Membership chairman James McRae can be contacted at 787-5255 or on his cell phone 515-4580. Secretary/treasurer Wayne Dunlap can be reached at 477-3378 or on his cell phone 515-7920.

we nCourage, nSpire & nJoy giving back! What is nGage Today?

nGage Today is a place to visit for unique ideas, nSpiration and nFormation, and most of all, nGage Today is all about staying connected with your Faith, Family, Friends and Future. Please take a few minutes to visit our website to learn more.

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New website supports the buy local initiative By ANNE WooD Local Homewood businesses have joined together on shophomewood.com to promote and sustain Homewood’s shops and restaurants. The new website is a joint venture of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce and Magic City Media. “There aren’t any stores from outside the area on the site, and there never will be,” site founder Emily Lowrey said. “So you can know that if you go to ShopHomewood. com to make a purchase, some of the value of that purchase is staying here.” The site allows shoppers to not only purchase products and gift certificates but also to review a business, find restaurant menus, be kept up-to-date on its events and promotions and receive customer service

though the website’s live chat option. “For every $100 spent on a purchase, $68 stays here if spent with a locally owned business and $43 stays if spent with a local chain. That’s effectively $0 if spent with an online retailer that isn’t based here or using services here in our community,” Lowrey said, “In tough times like these, we all need to stick together and support our local businesses.” To support the efforts to keep revenue local, visit the www.shophomewood. com. For more information on the website, contact Emily Lowrey at 250-9037 or emily@magiccitypost.com.

Michael’s Meat & Two -Sirloin steak -Pork Piccata -Beef Tips & Rice -Greek Chicken -Meatloaf -Grilled Fish Michael’s Chefs also prepare select featured entrees each lunch and dinner. Happy Hour Seven Days a Week- 3:00 pm til 6:30 pm

MACY’s PARADE

1/2 Price appetizers, $2.50 House Wine, $2.25 Domestic Beers, $5.00 Well

CONTINUED from page 1 “The Star Spangled Girls wore costumes that didn’t include capes or coats,” she said. “And it was cold.” She said the girls and the band didn’t let the cold gray New York day dampen their enthusiasm. That first appearance must have made a positive impact because they went back to the parade in 1981 and every five years after that. “(Former band director) Pat Morrow really put the Homewood band on the national stage,” said Dr. Simpson. Wade agreed that Morrow was not only a good director but also an excellent promoter. Pence has continued the tradition Morrow started 33 years ago. Nicholas Simpson gave a lot of credit to the director for getting the band ready to perform in New York this year: “He’s a great guy, and

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we all look up to him.” All 333 members of the band leave on Nov. 21 to travel by bus to New York. While in New York the group is scheduled to see The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and to visit Radio City Music Hall and other attractions around the city. Pence said that 600 people from Homewood are signed up for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner served on a boat while cruising around Manhattan. Dr. Simpson said that the success of the Homewood Band can be traced back to the tremendous commitment to the fine arts by the school board, the parents and the community. The Macy’s Day Parade will be televised on November 24, at 8 a.m. central time on NBC.

1903 29th Ave South, Homewood AL 35209 Phone: 205.871.9525 Web: www.eatatmichaels.com

Weddings Receptions Rehearsal Dinners Corporate Events Birthdays Proms And Any other Event!!! 2850 19th St. South, Homewood AL 35209 Phone: 205.332.6119 Web: www.rosewoodhall.com

| November 2011 |

Homewood Parks & Recreation

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION

Community Centers Hours of Operation and Membership Information Homewood Community Center Monday – Friday: 5:30am – 9:00pm Saturday: 8:00am – 9:00pm (Weight Room closes at 6:00 pm) Sunday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm Important Telephone Numbers Gym Oﬃce: (205) 332-6707 Weight Room: (205) 332-6708 Lee Community Center Monday – Saturday: 9:00am – 9:00pm Sunday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm Important Telephone Numbers Information: (205) 322-6191 Homewood Senior Center Monday – Thursday: 6:30am – 9:00pm Friday: 6:30am – 10:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm Sunday: Center Closed Important Telephone Numbers Front Desk: (205) 332-6500

Homewood Residents (1) All-Purpose (2) All-Purpose Senior Senior Center Only Gym Basketball Only

Family $200 $55 (3) $42 --

Single $150 $30 $25 $45

(1) Proof of Homewood residence required to purchase badge at resident rate. Must present one of the following at registration: Lease agreement Current utility bill Check imprinted with address Driver’s License (if renewed in last three months) (2) All-Purpose membership includes gym, weight room, cardio room, indoor track and pools.

Non-Residents Family $400 $100(3) $84 --

Single $300 $60 $50 $90

(3) All-Purpose Senior Family (Husband & Wife) living in the same house who are age 55 or over. Children, grandchildren, etc; will need to purchase their own membership if living with senior family. All memberships are valid for one year from date of purchase. Adding family members after time of purchase will result in an additional fee of $40 per person. Children under ﬁve (5) are not included on memberships but a $10.00 photo fee is assessed if you want them to have a picture (badge) made.

Homewood Community Center Activities Christmas Camp 2011

Site: Homewood Community Center Ages: 5 – 12 years old Camp Dates: Dec. 21st – 23rd; Dec 26th – 30th Camp Hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm Registration Information When to register: Monday, November 14th thru Friday, December 16th Where to register: Homewood Community Center Main Office (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm) Camp is open to the first 70 registered campers Costs: $100 Homewood Residents / $200 Non-Residents Info: Christmas Camp will consist of field trips, games, sports, arts and crafts and more! For more information contact Rusty Holley at 332-6705 or rusty.holley@homewoodal.org

Young Rembrandts

Draw amazing things with Young Rembrandts! We believe that drawing is a skill that can, and should be learned by all children. Young Rembrandts classes are both fun and educational, and our step-by-step curriculum is developed to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Our weekly classes are for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Class will be held at the Homewood Community Center. Enroll anytime—all new lessons each session and each year. Please contact Chris Roberson at 943-1923 for more information or to register.

Firm Body Bootcamps

Firm Body Bootcamps is an intense fitness program designed to help you lose body fat and tone. Every time you come it’s a different workout so you never get bored. www.firmbodybootcamps.com

Yoga for Kids!

Try it - your child’s ﬁrst class is FREE! Cost: $20 per month (4-5 classes per month). Class oﬀerings: Tuesday afternoons, 3:30 4:15. For more information please email Kelly Creel at trinityk73@hotmail.com or call 529-9360

2011 Fitness Motivator

The Fitness Motivator is a program to encourage cardio and resistance workouts through the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays at the Homewood Community Center. Participation is free but you must hold a current membership to the Homewood Community Center to participate. Participants are required to do a combination of 16 cardiovascular sessions and 16 resistance training sessions with a minimum time limit of 20 minutes per session. Participants are limited to one cardio session and one resistance training session per day. The 2011 Motivator begins Monday, November 21, 2011 and runs through Monday, January 9, 2012. All participants are required to ﬁll out a registration form and a Par – Q form prior to participating. Upon successful completion of the motivator, all participants will receive a prize documenting their accomplishment, compliments of the Homewood Community Center.

Yoga for Adults!

Class oﬀerings: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 8:00 - 9:00 AM. Cost: $20 unlimited class times per month or $5 drop-ins; your ﬁrst class is FREE. For more information please email Kelly Creel at trinityk73@hotmail.com or call 529-9360

Zumba

ZUMBA is the new craze sweeping America! It 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! Homewood Community Center now has two instructors oﬀering classes: Instructor: Camille Scruggs Contact Info: 256-452-2500 or camillescruggs@gmail.com Days & Times: Homewood Community Center Auditorium Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm Thursday 5:30-6:30pm Saturday 9:00-10:00am

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. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and ﬂexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. The program runs through the school year. Girls may wear any color leotard and tights for class, with pink ballet shoes. There will be a short low key recital in May. Classes meet once a week on Mondays at The Homewood Community Center. Please contact Claire to enroll or for additional Information: 879-8780

Jazzercise

Burn up to 600 calories in one fun and powerfully eﬀective, 60-minute total body workout. Choreographed to today’s hottest music, Jazzercise is a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, hip-hop, and kickboxing. All ages, levels and sizes welcome. Go to jazzercise.com for class information or call 1-800-FIT-IS-IT. Call your Homewood class owner, Leisa Crossley at 205-481-0895 for class days and times.

Athletics Men’s Winter Adult Basketball League

An organizational meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Homewood Community Center in room 100. All participants must be 19 years or older. All games will be played at the Homewood Community Center gym and Lee Center gym on Wednesdays or Thursdays beginning in December. The minimum number of teams is 7, maximum number is 10. Fee includes oﬃcials, scorekeepers, trophies and tournaments. Contact Linda Sellers at 332-6706 for more information. Team fees $400

www.Homewoodparks.com

Lee Community Center Activities ZUMBA CLASS

Site: Lee Community Center Days/Times: Tuesday 6:30pm – 7:30pm & Saturday 10:00am – 11:00am Fee: $5.00 per class (or) $40.00 punch card for 10 classes Instructor: Charice McSwain – (205) 5310651

Healthy Living Seminar

Site: Lee Community Center Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Time: 12:00 noon – Free Program Information: Monthly series of health topics for Senior Citizens sponsored by St Vincent’s. RSVP to Lee Center 205-8717304 by Monday, November 7, 2011

Chairﬂow

Site: Lee Community Center Dates / Day: Each Tuesday Time: 11:00am – 12:00 Noon – Free Program Instructor: Jackie Tally Class Information: This class is sponsored by St. Vincent’s Hospital The Good Health School. A chair exercise class designed to stretch and strengthen the body for improvement in physical and mental health. For additional information call 332-6182

Hula Hoop Fitness Class

Site: Lee Community Center Dates / Day: Each Wednesday Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm Fee: $50.00 for 6 weeks (or) $10.00 per class Class Information: Our class includes stretching, dance, and ﬁtness moves while burning up to 600 calories in one hour. For additional information contact: Bhoops@ aurahoops.com

Tennis with Dave Luesse at West Homewood Park

Call for Private & Group Lessons: Dave Luesse at 967-5875

Homewood Park Youth Wrestling

DON’T MISS OUT! REGISTER TODAY! Register at Homewood Community Center Main Oﬃce Monday – Friday 8:30am-5:30pm Practice begins: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Homewood Middle School Ages: 5-13 (K – 6th grades) K-5th Grade Practices: Tuesday & Thursday 6:30-8:30p.m @ HMS wrestling room 6th Grade Practices: Monday, Tuesday & Thursdays at HMS from 3:15pm-5:15pm. Tournaments are various dates and locations. Program Fee: Residents $50; Nonresident $100 This program is designed to teach and enhance each individual’s techniques and abilities through technique drilling, live drilling situations and learning new moves and skills as well as to enhance their physical conditioning. For additional information please contact: Linda Sellers 332-6706 or Rusty Holley 332-6705

The Homewood Star | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

What do you think?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2011

Neighborhood preservation & improvement Homewood Star “roving reporter” Mary Ellen Snell talked to residents about the recent rezoning of residential property for Samford University expansion as well as concerns about neighborhood preservation and improvements. Pam Clark West Homewood, owner of Garden Shop of Homewood On Samford rezoning: I wonder why the Council voted for this? How does the City of Homewood benefit from this? I have many questions. On neighborhood preservation: Yes, I am concerned about losing our community desirability, property values, friends and families. Preserving neighborhoods will encourage support of business. On neighborhood improvements: We need sidewalks on West Oxmoor and light bulbs replaced in street lights on Oxmoor and West Oxmoor. Amanda Jones West Glenwood, employed in Children’s Formation at All Saints Episcopal Church On Samford rezoning: Not sure, your article was the first time I had heard of the issue. I can see both sides. On neighborhood preservation: I am concerned and would like to know about further changes to zoning. There needs to be a balance of business development and neighborhood preservation. I don’t see a huge risk to our neighborhoods. On neighborhood improvements: Sidewalks are not stroller-friendly, and

there are no curb ramps along Oxmoor and downtown. Also, we were rezoned as a flood zone by FEMA, so now have to buy flood insurance, which is an additional expense for residents in our area.

YOUR SKIN

Jennifer Poirier West Glenwood, Nurse at Medtronic

AWAITS

On Samford rezoing: It’s good the university can grow. On neighborhood preservation: I’m not really about zoning changes in favor of institutions within neighborhoods. It would be fine to rezone, I like the mix of business and residential. On neighborhood improvements: I would love a better rec center. Greg Graham Edgewood, real estate appraiser On Samford rezoning: Neighborhood Preservation Districts (NPD) are needed to protect our residential areas. One reason is the high value and desirability of the limited land available in Homewood. On neighborhood preservation: I am not opposed to either business development or neighborhood preservation; we need both. But, we should be concerned about institutional expansion reducing the size of our neighborhoods.

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On neighborhood improvements: The alley from Roseland to Shades Park needs repair; a garbage truck fell in a hole back there.

Samford presents White Christmas By KATIE STEWART

Samford University will present the play adapted from the classic film White Christmas this holiday season at the Leslie Stephen Wright Center. White Christmas is about two former soldiers, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, who become a successful song-anddance team after the war. They eventually become romantically involved with Betty and Judy Haynes, a sister act. When the Haynes sisters travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly, is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General save his lodge. This adaptation of the film will be the largest production that the Department of Theatre and Dance has ever done at Samford, and Mark Castle, director of the show, is excited for the outcome. “The hardest obstacle with the show is the scale,” Castle said. “It’s a large production with lots of different sets and costume changes and some really big orchestrations and harmonies for the ensemble. However, our cast is phenomenal, and I know it’s going to be a show to remember.”

The cast of 32 is all Samford students, with the exception of Dr. Don Sandley, the chair of the theatre department, who will play General Waverly. The songs, such as “White Christmas” and “Sisters,” of White Christmas are familiar to most. However, it is the big finale in the movie that is greatly anticipated for the stage production. There will be at least 60 people on stage, including everyone who is behind-the-scenes and in the Samford Orchestra. All in all, more than 100 folks are needed to pull the finale together “The finale in the movie is fantastically over the top, and we want to portray that same feeling in our show,” Castle said. “It is going to be big and extravagant and sure to put anyone in a holiday mood.” White Christmas performances will be Thursday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All are open to the public. “We are just really excited to perform this for the Samford and Birmingham community,” Castle said. “We can’t wait to bring this treasured film to life on stage.” For more information on White Christmas and to purchase tickets, visit samford.edu/wrightcenter.

Isn’t that a nice change?

16 |

November 2011 | Business Spotlight

Business Spotlight 2925 18th St. S. 871-0585

Harmony Landing

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The staff at Harmony Landing doesn’t take the holiday season lightly. On October 1, Christmas trees were already being trimmed, and the countdown to the holiday season began, with the November 3 Open House kicking things into high gear. Rilla Foley is proud to celebrate her 13th Christmas as owner of the downtown home-décor staple. Boasting fine furniture, oodles of gifts, custom floral arrangements, rugs and high-end upholstery, Harmony Landing can truly turn a house into a lovely home. Perusing the shop, one gets a feeling of comfort and permanence, from the lasting quality of the furniture to the camaraderie of the staff. Several employees have been there for many years, and Foley feels a great deal of responsibility to them. “I have a wonderful staff,” she said. “They are so conscientious and work so hard.” Originally opened in 1999 as a motherdaughter business, Foley’s daughter, Elizabeth, retired after having her third child, leaving Foley as sole owner and acting buyer and bookkeeper, among other duties. “I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly in retail,” said Foley. “I have a background in retail, or I wouldn’t have survived. I love it, and that’s why I can put the hours in that I do. It’s very, very challenging.” The name Harmony Landing comes from Foley’s deep roots in Louisville, Ky., where her family’s home was built on a beautiful acreage against the Ohio River banks. Sold from the family during the

Harmony Landing staff Lisa Venable (ﬂorals), Linda Morell (interiors), Rilla Foley (owner, with dog Abby) and Blakely McGarity (interiors).Photo by Anna Cate Little.

Great Depression, the land now houses a country club with the same name. And that name appropriately blends family, home and tradition into one. Although Homewood residents have seen many businesses come and go along 18th Street South, Harmony Landing has become a mainstay. Foley believes that her location, which is sandwiched between the brother-sister businesses of Seibels and At Home, is an advantage. “I think it’s helpful to have a collection of [home decor] stores together,” she said. “It brings people to the area to have more

than one place to shop. We’re a nice mix. I think we’re really blessed by having several different venues of looks, styles and price points.” Foley’s business has succeeded by evolving with the times, offering unique services and remaining competitively priced while staying true to her “slightly older, more traditional customer.” “I believe that if you take care of your own business, everything else will take care of itself,” she said. Harmony Landing’s unique services include two in-house interior

designers, custom pine furniture made to the customer’s specs and three top-tier upholstery lines, all made in the USA. And when it comes to Foley’s in-house floral designer, “we marvel at her creativity and endless ideas,” she said. If the crowds of shoppers who descended on downtown Homewood during the Holiday Open House are any indication of the store’s success, then Harmony Landing should have yet another busy and blessed holiday season. After all, said Foley, “If we don’t act like Christmas is coming, why would the customer?”

Your Friends, Your Family, Your Community In your mailbox each month. Always online. www.TheHom

ewoodStar.com

To inquire about advertising, contact Dan Starnes, publisher, 370-0732 or dan@thehomewoodstar.com

Homewood Flavor | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Restaurant Showcase

Homewood Gourmet

1919 28th Avenue South, Suite 113 871-1620

www.homewoodgourmet.com Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Homewood Gourmet serves the kind of food a really good home cook with lots of spare time would make—with the added flair of a chef. Its homemade sandwiches, salads, desserts and dinners taste gourmet but not so gourmet that you couldn’t bring their food to a party and pretend you had made it yourself. It’s real food that tastes good. “We try to make as much as we can,” said chef Chris Zapalowski, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife and fellow chef, Laura. The couple bought it from longtime chef and owner Franklin Biggs last year. You can stop by the storefront right off Highway 31 near TCBY for a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich and seasonal soup or, our favorite, a Baby Blue Salad; there’s a good reason Southern Living published the recipe for baby greens with honeybalsamic vinaigrette, blue cheese, spicy pecans oranges and strawberries. Beyond an extraordinary lunch, I can’t decide what I like best about what Homewood Gourmet offers: You can dine in or bring home for your family comforting pesto breaded chicken, meat lasagna with homemade marinara, meatloaf and other dinner specials. Or you can place an order for gumbo, jambalaya or a sandwich tray to watch the game. Or work with the chefs to create a custom plated or buffet dinner. Or order tarts for a baby shower or pimiento cheese truffles rolled in spiced pecans to take to a holiday party. Or, perhaps best of all, pick up all your sides and dessert for

Homewood Gourmet owners Chris and Laura Zapalowski. Photo by Madoline Markham.

your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner the day before. The catering menu is online, but Chris notes that their selection is not limited to what’s on the menu. The Zapalowskis are continuing the dining and catering selections from the legacy of Biggs. The original owner had taught Laura, a Birmingham native, the basics of restaurant work at Homewood Gourmet while she was studying nutrition at Samford. She later went to culinary school and worked for Emeril Lagesse in New Orleans, where she met Chris.

The couple moved back to Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina. While working for Chris Hastings at Hot and Hot Fish Club, they stayed in touch with Biggs and would stop by Homewood Gourmet to eat. At one point Biggs mentioned to them that he might want to sell the restaurant if they knew anyone who was interested. The Zapalowskis eventually asked to buy it, and Biggs said yes immediately. After a month-long transition with Biggs, the couple took over last summer. They were sure to keep customer favorites like the Pesto Chicken Sandwich, Turkey-Cranberry Wrap and Carlene’s

By MADoLINE MARKHAM

Salad, which is a Baby Blue Salad with barbecue salmon, on the menu. Really, they were careful to change anything because Biggs had built such a loyal customer base. Very slowly, they have added New Orleans flavors with a Red Beans and Rice made with Chris’ homemade Andouille sausage special on Mondays and Muffaletta with homemade olive salad special on Wednesdays. Chris’ gumbo has also become popular. You can also now find a bread pudding with whiskey sauce and a tuna melt made with yellow fin tuna poached in olive oil and Swiss cheese. Next on the horizon, they plan to add whole wheat bread to their selection of homemade yeast rolls and buns, foccacia, and white Pullman loaves. They also said they will add to the kid’s menu selection and start offering cooking classes. But most immediately they will start taking orders for Thanksgiving sides and desserts. “We offer a whole Thanksgiving menu—except the turkey,” Laura said. “Last year our own Thanksgiving was all done before the holiday. We just cooked the turkey that day.” They offer a full selection of traditional sides including cranberry sauce as well as oatmeal pecan, pumpkin and chocolate chess pies and cakes. They sell a lot of Baby Blue Salads for holidays too. “Some people just buy the spiced pecans to serve as an appetizer or put in their own salads,” Laura said. The menu for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is available in the store or online; you can call to place your order and then pick up a day or two before the holiday. And after Christmas, King Cake season starts; the cakes will be available starting Jan. 6.

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| November 2011 | Sports

Homewood Sports

Homewood Middle School football players dream big BY JoSHUA DoUTHIT, ANDREW CLEVELAND, ELLIoTT YACU, ANTARIUS MITCHELL The 2011 Homewood Middle School football team got a special treat on August 5. We were taken to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. We left the school at 9 a.m. and were greeted upon our arrival by Executive Director of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Scott Myers. Myers, a Homewood resident, is the third executive director for the Hall of Fame and was appointed in 2009. Myers arranged the tour for the Homewood players and is a firm believer in having big dreams. He spoke to us about how we need to dream big and work hard at whatever we do so we can go for the gold. He explained that becoming an inductee is not an unreachable goal and that all of the current inductees had to start somewhere. Next, we watched a video that told us we could achieve anything if we put our minds to it. After the video, we were able to see all the famous people who had worked their way to the top. The seventh grade team started on the third floor and the eighth grade team started on the second floor. Both teams were able to spend roughly 30 minutes on each floor. Some of the exhibits that we saw were about Charles Barkley, Bear Bryant, Bo Jackson, Jesse Owens and many other famous athletes and coaches. Some players even had relatives in the Hall of Fame. We were truly encouraged after spending time

HMS football team at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

viewing the hard work, determination and achievements of so many great athletes. After we viewed the exhibits, we gathered in the entry hall for a photo and Coach

Fabric of Homewood

Gibbons told us that one day we could be in the Hall of Fame as well. As an added bonus, we were then treated to delicious hamburgers provided

by Hamburger Heaven. It was a trip that we as players will always remember.

HCS Wellness walk

HCS employees participated in a Wellness Walk on Oct. 10.

In celebration of National Walk to School Month, Homewood City Schools’ employees participated in the second annual HCS Walk to Coffee at O’Henrys in downtown Homewood. Employees met at the Homewood Board of Education office at 6:30 a.m. on their professional development day and together walked down to O’Henry’s. This event is a part of the HCS wellness program, The Movement. Its purpose is to create a culture change in an effort to better address the challenges

Cheerleaders help stop diabetes A Father and Sons Operation Mon-Thur: 7-7 Fri: 7-6:30, Sat: 9-4 1915 Oxmoor Rd. • 871.6131 hunterscleaners@gmail.com

Madison Pinke, Aniyah Turner, Breanna Hillyer, Carleigh East and Elise Banish cheered for the Samford’s Step out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event on Oct. 8.

of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress, cardiovascular disease, and other related illnesses. The Movement includes classroom instruction focused on the individual student, prevention and rehabilitation for athletes, adapted programs for students with special needs, as well as employee wellness programs. The Movement has been successful in involving a variety of participants, and has been recognized at the national, state and local levels.

Sports | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

HHS Varsity Football game recaps

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BY TIM BAGGETT The Homewood Patriots were 3-3 at six games into the season. Homewood vs. Mountain Brook Mountain Brook scored a fourth quarter touchdown to defeat the Patriots 21-14 at Waldrop Stadium. Edward Aldag hit Coates Doss from 44 yards out for the winning score. Stephen Baggett hit Nych Young on a 31-yard strike with 9:22 in the opening quarter. Matthew Anderson added the extra point to give Homewood a 7-0 lead. Senior Warner Thompson had an interception on the next Mountain Brook possession; Gavin Golson scored on 9-yard reverse to pull the Spartans even at 7-7 in the first. Warren Handrahan added the extra point. Homewood defense came up big again as Lakeith Walker recovered a Spartan fumble. Mountain Brook defense stood tall. Aldag hit Reagan Alexander from 21 yards out to give the Spartans a 14-7 halftime lead. Homewood answered in the third quarter as Baggett hit D’Vonte Wallace from 9 yards out, and Anderson evened the score at 14 after his extra point kick. Erick Schatz intercepted a Spartan pass in the third quarter. Homewood vs. Huntsville The Patriots defense stood tall with 32 seconds remaining in the game as the Panthers attempted a two-point conversion after Devonte Moore scored on a 34-yard pass from William Nunn to give Homewood a 28-27 victory. After a scoreless first quarter, Huntsville scored on an 8-yard pass from

Nunn to Clifford Siniard. Stephen Baggett and Homewood came right back with a 10yard touchdown run as Matthew Anderson added the extra point. Justin Hardy scored on a 2-yard run, and Baggett hit Erick Schatz from 24 yards out. Anderson hit both extra points in the third quarter as the Patriots took a 21-7 lead. Baggett hit Nych Young on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 8:39 remaining to give Homewood a 28-14 lead. Johnathan Gooden had a blocked field goal attempt in the first quarter. Homewood vs. Vestavia Homewood’s missed opportunities plus the Rebels’ defense rising to the occasion resulted in a 17-14 victory in a hard-fought Region 6 matchup. Georgie Salem scored on an 84-yard run, and Ryan Respino added the extra point to give Vestavia a 7-0 early lead. Zachery Robinson scored on a 1-yard run, and Matthew Anderson added the extra point to knot the score at 7 with 28 seconds remaining in the first quarter. John Hudson intercepted a Rebel pass in the first quarter to help give the Patriots some momentum going into the second quarter. Homewood ended the half with four tries inside the 5 yard line to go in at half time 10-7. After a scoreless third quarter, Joshua Ellington scored on a 6-yard run as Respino added the extra point. Stephen Baggett hit Nych Young on a 47-yard touchdown with 4:52 remaining. Homewood defense came up big late in the game with another interception, but it wasn’t enough as the Patriots came up on the short end.

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November 2011 | School House

G BBLE G BBLE HO H

HCS Foundation honors teachers

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Before the Homewood vs. Huntsville football game, the Homewood City Schools Foundation honored dedicated teachers in the school system who have received outstanding achievements in their field in 2010-2011. The foundation’s purpose is to support and build upon the excellence of Homewood schools by providing funds that help stimulate learning, as well as provide support and continuing education for our teachers. Special thanks to State Representative Paul DeMarco and Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer who came to honor our teachers for their dedication.

Foundation members Nancy Ferren and Dana Langford, HCS Board of Education President Patti Atkinson, State Rep. Paul DeMarco, HMS Band Director Chris Cooper, HHS/HMS Band Director Terrance Cobb, HHS Band Director Ron Pence, Edgewood LEAD teacher Pam Smith, HHS Prinicpal Dr. Kevin Maddox, Edgewood art teacher Celia Castle, HCS Wellness Coordinator Nivada Spurlock, HHS social studies teacher Rhonda Rush, HHS art teacher Carolyn McDonald, Shades Cahaba art teacher Mary Jane Coker, HMS history teacher Donna Johnson, Hall-Kent LEAD teacher Rita Schell, Foundation member Jill Kimbrell, Mayor Scott McBrayer, and HCS Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland. Not pictured: Edgewood ﬁrst grade teacher Mallory Richardson, HallKent kindergarten teacher Kornelia McDaniel, Shades Cahaba fourth grade teacher Rebecca Smith, HMS special education teacher Karen Narro, HHS mathematics teacher Tim Hurry, HHS choral teacher Scott Thorne, HMS choral teacher Paul Litten, Edgewood music teacher Theresa McKibben, Hall-Kent music teacher Ann Bell-Alford and Shades Cahaba music teacher Hailey Pepper.

Rotary Club delivers special gifts The Homewood-Oxmoor Rotary Club delivered donated dictionaries to every third grader in Homewood City Schools. Rotary members personally visited every classroom to distribute the dictionaries on behalf of the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club members guided the children as they looked up different words together. The students are welcome to take dictionaries home or keep them at school.

Third graders from each Homewood Elementary School received their own dictionaries from the Rotary Club.

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Julia Kendrick kayaks on the Nantahala River in North Carolina. Photo courtesy of Thomas A. Kendrick.

BY KATIE STEWART Most high school seniors are thinking about prom, football and the ACT—but Julia Kendrick has other things on her mind, mainly kayaking. A senior at Homewood High, Kendrick has lived in Homewood her entire life and paddled the kayak for almost half that long. “I have been kayaking since I was eight years old,” Kendrick said. “My dad signed me up to go up to the Nantahala Outdoor Center [NOC] Paddling School in North Carolina when I was little, and I’ve loved it ever since.” Every summer Kendrick kayaked each day with some of the best instructors in the nation at camp. Even though summer has ended, Kendrick continues to kayak. “I’ve been up to North Carolina just about every weekend since school started,” Kendrick said. She also travels all around the southeast region and even to other countries. “I’ve paddled mainly in Tennessee

and North Carolina, but I also got to take a trip with NOC to the Dominican Republic,” Kendrick said. “It was my first time in a country that was so incredibly impoverished. I got to see parts of the Dominican Republic that locals don’t even get to see.” Kendrick knows that life after high school will not put an end to her hobby. She hopes to see the world through kayaking and go to a college in a place where she can continue her paddling. Kendrick is a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist, so her choices seem endless to most. “Eventually I’d like to go to Chile to the Patagonia area because it has some of the most beautiful white water in the world,” Kendrick said. “However, college is much nearer in the future. I’m looking at Middlebury College in Vermont. The area is beautiful, they offer programs I’m interested in and the kayaking is pretty awesome as well.”

School House

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Homewood schools help set Guinness World Record Homewood High School and Homewood Middle School helped set the Guinness Jumping Jacks World Record in conjunction with the nationwide attempt promoted by National Geographic Kids and First Lady Michelle Obama. More than 800 HMS students and teachers did one minute of jumping jacks on the football field, and more than 1,000 HHS students and teachers did one minute together. To break the record, more than 20,000 people had to do jumping jacks for one minute. There were also local celebrities jumping with the schools, including Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer. This program is part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move in School campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and

Dance (AAHPERD) supports the goal of the Let’s Move in School initiative - pledges to give teachers, principals, superintendents, school boards, and parents the support they need to help our kids to become more physically educated and active in school. This event is a part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight. She unveiled a nationwide campaign called Let’s Move to help achieve this goal. The goal is to ensure that every school provides a comprehensive school physical activity program with quality physical education as the foundation so that youth will develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime.

| November 2011 |

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Homewood City Schools’ employees getting ready for a wellness event at Homewood High School.

Homewood City Schools has been named among this year’s Birmingham Business Journal’s Healthiest Employer winners. Since studies have shown healthy workers are productive workers, BBJ will honor these companies as Birmingham’s Healthiest Places to Work in the November

issue. The purpose of HCS wellness program, The Movement, is to create a culture change in an effort to better address the challenges of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress, cardiovascular disease and other related illnesses.

Homewood hosts BBVA Compass Bowl Band Championships

antiques, furniture, artwork, gifts, children’s items, custom nursery bedding, area rugs, jewelry, home accessories, lamps, monogramming, upholstery service, custom slip covers, and so much more!!! ale lloon S Red Ba er 12th ! b Novem

Homewood High School’s Marching Band. Photo courtesy of Katie Dixon, Homewood High School student

The BBVA Compass Bowl teamed up with Homewood High School to host the first BBVA Compass Bowl Band Championship at Waldrop Stadium. More than 2,000 students, 12 marching bands and two exhibition bands participated in this event, which is part of the run-up to Birmingham’s BBVA Compass Bowl. Homewood High School was honored to host the event. “We are excited about the partnership with BBVA Compass to make this celebration of bands in our area a success,” said Ron Pence, Homewood High School director of bands. “We were

so thrilled to see so many area bands across the state come to Birmingham to compete. The quality of bands was second to none.” Congratulations to Corner High School and Oak Mountain High School who were named overall winners of their divisions at the conclusion of the BBVA Compass Bowl Band Championships. The sixth edition of the BBVA Compass Bowl will be played Jan. 7, 2012, at 12 p.m. CST at Legion Field. This year’s game will match teams from the Big East Conference against the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and will be televised on ESPN.

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| November 2011 |

Homewood Events

Homewood Star Calendar

11/3– Homewood Chamber of Commerce’s 10th Annual Holiday Open House.

Businesses in the Edgewood and 18th Street downtown areas of Homewood will be celebrating the town’s Holiday Open House by staying open later and offering live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of free parking. 5:308:30 p.m. Edgewood and Downtown Homewood. More information: www. homewoodchamber.com.

11/3 – Mommy and Me. For all ages birth to 30 months. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. For more information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/3 – Samurai Animanga Club. Join us after school for popcorn and screenings of popular anime episodes. Grades 6-12 only. 4 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/4 – Leaps and Bounds. This is exclusively for kids ages 30 months to 4 years, and registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. For more information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/4 – 11/5 – The 2011 Ballroom Dance Marathon. This is a weekend filled with

Music & Arts

11/1 – Samford Baroque Ensemble. Samford University’s School of the Arts has

created a choral music series that formally combines the university’s sacred spaces and Christian mission with several musical ensembles. 7 p.m. Hodges Chapel. Admission: free.

11/2 – 11/6 – Disney On Ice Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey. 10:30 a.m., 2

p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. BJCC Arena. Admission: $15-$78. More information: www.bjcc.org.

11/3 – 11/5 – Christmas Village Festival. Come out and do some early Christmas

shopping from vendors. 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Hall. Admission: Adults: $10; Ages 6-12: $4; 6 and under: free. More information: www.bjcc.org.

11/13 – Alabama Symphony Orchestra SuperPops: Audra McDonald. McDonald

is a four-time Tony award winner, two-time Grammy winner and has twice been nominated for an Emmy award. She currently is one of the stars of the hit television show Private Practice. 7 p.m. Samford University Wright Center Concert Hall. Tickets: $14-$70. More information: 975-ARTS.

learning and entertainment for ballroom dancers from all over the Southeast. Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. The Exceptional Foundation and Our Lady of Sorrows Family Life Center. Admission: $95 for a weekend pass. More information: Carol Downey, 807-4766.

11/11-11/13 – My Fair Lady. Henry Higgins, Eliza Doolittle and the rest of the

11/6 - Holiday Open House at PrimeTime Treasures. Join us for some early holiday

11/18 – The Blind Boys of Alabama with special guests Sara and Sean Watkins.

shopping of unique and handmade art, children’s clothes, toys, furniture, crafts, one of a kind ornaments and wreaths and much more. 12:30-4:30 p.m. For more information: call 870-5555.

11/8 - 11/9 - Children’s Story Time. Bring your little ones for story time. There is no registration required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/9 – Everything “E.” Find out how to download e-books and audio books from the

library’s collection. 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibary.org.

11/11- The Hottest Hounds Premier Party. Benefits the Animal League of

Birmingham. Aloft Hotel. 7 p.m. $10 donation per person. More information: hottesthounds@gmail.com.

11/15 - Homewood Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving luncheon featuring

speaker John Croyle with The Big Oak Ranch. 11:30 a.m. Homewood Library. For more information or to register call 871.5631.

11/15 – Book Club. For kids in the fourth and fifth grades. 6:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library. For more information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/15 - 11/16 - Children’s Story Time. Bring your little one’s for story time. There is no registration required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/16 – The Hunger Games Challenge. Are you up to the challenge? Compete against other teens as you face off, District against District. Only one District will survive to collect the prize. Grades 6-12 only. 4 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/18 – Three on a String. Complimentary tickets will be distributed on a first come basis beginning November 1st. Pick up your tickets in the Adult Department - no phone reservations will be taken. No admission without ticket. 7 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary. org.

11/18 – Leaps and Bounds. This is exclusively for kids ages 30 months to 4 years,

and registration is required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. For more information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/18 – Bringing Home Baby—Surviving the First Few Weeks and Beyond. In this

class MomPrep founder Rosie Pope and a team of Brookwood Medical Center experts will give you the essentials to prepare for bringing your new baby home. 10 a.m. Brookwood Women’s Center. Admission: free but registration is required via www.GenB.com.

11/19 – Get Hooked! Do you crochet? Would you like to learn? Just bring a crochet

hook (size H, I or J) and a skein of light-colored yarn. If you already crochet, or knit, bring your current project and join like-minded fiber artists. T 2 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary. org

11/20 – Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Brookwood Women’s Center. 1:30 p.m. ribbon cutting. 2 p.m.-4 p.m. facility tours.

11/21 – Annual Community Thanksgiving. The churches of Homewood will

iconic characters from My Fair Lady will transform the BJCC Concert Hall to 1912 London in this Broadway classic. 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Admission: $20-$65. More information: www.bjcc.org. Winners of six Grammy awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and with a career spanning over 70 years, The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. 7:30 p.m. Samford University Wright Center Concert Hall. Tickets: $25-$50.

11/19 – Chris Tomlin in concert. 6 p.m. BJCC Arena. Admission: $30. More information: www.bjcc.org.

Special Events 11/2 - Little Black Dress Luncheon and Fashion Show. A fun event to raise money for the nonprofit programs of Assistance League of Birmingham. Admission: $40. For more information: call 879-5555.

11/4 – 11/5 – Central South Native Plant Conference. In addition to discussing

many wonderful native plants and their related topics, this conference will focus on the numerous important roles they play in our ecosystems and how we can help keep those systems intact. 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Admission: Members: $100, Non-members: $125, Field Trip: $20. More information: www.bbgardens.org.

11/10- Casino for a Cause. Benefits the local chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis

Foundation. 6-10 p.m. Ted’s Garage, 2309 5th Avenue South, Birmingham. Ticket packages: $50, $75 or $175. More information: www.casinoforacause. com, 941-9000.

11/17 – Finding your Mommy Style: An Evening with Rosie Pope. Rosie will lead an

exciting, interactive conversation about pregnancy, parenting, “mommyhood” and everything in between. 6:30 p.m. Workplay. Admission: free but registration is required via www.GenB.com.

11/19 – Shop till You Flop Arts and Crafts Show. Space is limited. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The

Wynfrey Hotel. More information: www.shoptiluflop.com, meekisoccasions@ bellsouth.net, 609-0733.

Save the Date 12/1 – 12/3 – White Christmas. 10 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Samford University Wright Center. Admission: Adults: $12, Seniors: $9 and Students/Children: $6. More information: www.samford.edu/wrightcenter.

12/2 – 12/4 – Cirque Dreams Holidaze. The performance will light up the 2011 holiday season when it transforms the stage into a wonderland of fantasy and disbelief. 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Admission $25-$65. For more information: www.bjcc.org.

12/3 – “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” 10 a.m. BJCC. Admission: $8-$12. More information: www.bjcc.org.

Do you know of events in our community? We would love to include them. Please email Ashley@thehomewoodstar.com by the 15th of each month for the publication in the next month’s issue.

celebrate with a joint worship service. 6 p.m. Trinity United Methodist sanctuary. More information: 879-1737.

11/22 – 11/23 - Children’s Story Time. Bring your little ones for story time. There is no

registration required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/29-11/30 - Children’s Story Time. Bring your little ones for story time. There is no

registration required. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/30 – Holiday Make and Take. We’ll have all the materials and instructions for

several fun crafts as well as refreshments. Grades 6-12 only. 4 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

11/30 - Everything “E”. Come by the library and find out how to download e-books and audio books from the library’s collection to your Nook, Kindle, iPad, Smart Phone, or MP3 player! 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. Homewood Public Library. More information: www.homewoodpubliclibary.org.

Fridays – Wine tasting. Piggly Wiggly. 3000 Independence Drive. 5 p.m. Admission: Free. More information: 879-0884.

Homewood Music Listings Pinches Tacos

Friday nights—Live music with WJOX personality “Rock Star,” 7-9 p.m.

McCormick & Schmick’s

Tuesday nights—Jazz music with Lesa Paddick and the LP Trio, 6-9 p.m.

Colonial Brookwood Village Wednesdays- Live music, vendors, food and drink, 5-9 p.m.

Nabeel’s

Friday nights—Live violinist Saturday nights—Live accordion player

Hart & Soul Friday nights- Live music, 7 p.m.

Wild Rock Grill

Wednesday nights-Karaoke by Chance, 9 p.m.

Homewood Happenings | November 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Sports 11/5 – Samford University football v. Chattanooga. Come out and support the Bulldogs. 11:00 a.m. Samford University. Admission: $15 online, $18 gameday, $5 for children (ages 3-12). More information: www.samfordsports.com.

11/7 – Samford University men’s basketball v. Berry. Come out and support the Bulldogs in their first exhibition game of the season. 7 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $10, $5 for children (ages 3-12).

11/7 – Samford University women’s basketball v. Montevallo. Come out and support the lady Bulldogs in their first exhibition game of the season. 5 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $5, $3 for children (ages 3-12).

11/12 – Samford University men’s basketball v. Youngstown State. Come out and support the Bulldogs. 7 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $10, $5 for children (ages 3-12).

11/22 – Samford University men’s basketball v. Georgia State. Come out and support the Bulldogs. Samford University. Admission: $10, $5 for children (ages 3-12).

11/30 – Samford University women’s basketball v. Jacksonville State. Come out

1829 29th Ave. South, Homewood 870-8110

and support the lady Bulldogs. 7 p.m. Admission: $5, $3 for children (ages 3-12).

Homewood Happenings Lakeshore Foundation anniversary The Lakeshore Foundation celebrated a decade in serving the Birmingham community in October. The organization housed on Lakeshore Drive promotes independence for persons with physically disabling conditions and provides opportunities to pursue active, healthy lifestyles. During a special anniversary event

on Oct. 13, Homewood residents heard stories of people with physically disabling conditions who are now living life to the fullest despite their disability. The Lakeshore Foundation is located at 4000 Ridgeway Drive, and can be reached at 313-7400. For more information about the Lakeshore Foundation, visit www. lakeshore.org.

In Shape M.D. Medical Weight Loss now open In Shape M.D. Medical Weight Loss has opened in the Merchant Walk shopping center at Highway 31 and 28th Street. Patients on their two-month medical weight program have an average weight loss of 20 to 45 pounds. A doctor must subscribe the program, and an onsite doctor oversees the progress at weekly appointments. For 30 days a patient takes

a HCG natural protein hormone that feeds off abnormal fat, and then for 21 days of a second phase the weight is stabilized. In Shape M.D. is located at 1919 28th Street South, Suite 123 and can be reached at 870-1216. The business is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. -1 p.m.

Homewood Pharmacy prescription delivery Homewood Pharmacy is now offering a free prescription delivery service. The service is available for all Homewood residents and those within a 5-mile radius of the store. They accept basically all major insurance. To use the service, either tell the pharmacist which pharmacy you currently use and what

medications you need or bring in the bottle of your medication, and they will complete the order from there. Homewood Pharmacy is located at 940 Oxmoor Road, and can be reached at 871-9000. The business is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Boutwell Studios anniversary Boutwell Studios celebrates 50 years this month and will be hosting an inviteonly party on Nov. 4. Technological excellence has always been a standout at Boutwell Studios production. It has been a part of a number of firsts, including being the first commercial studio in the area to offer multi-track audio-

for-video and the first equipped with ISDN digital capabilities. The studio is one of the oldest commercial audio recording facilities in the Southeast. During its 50 years of business, BRS has spanned the audio spectrum from the era of reels, albums and cassettes to hard drives, CDs and now downloads.

Change your clock, change your battery By RUSTY MCCoMBS Daylight-saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 6, and marks the 23rd anniversary of the Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery. The program reminds us to change and test the batteries in our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Its message is simple, and the habit can be lifesaving. Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan reminds residents that one easy step can help save their lives and the lives of those around them. Everyone is encouraged to use the extra hour they gain from daylight saving time to change the batteries in their own smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, test the alarms and remind friends, family, neighbors and fellow community members to do the same. Communities nationwide witness

tragic home fire deaths each year, but everyone can work together to help reduce the number of home fire fatalities. Approximately every three hours a home fire death occurs somewhere in the nation, and 66 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Nonworking smoke alarms rob residents of the early warning necessary to escape a house fire. The most commonly cited cause of nonworking smoke alarms is weak or missing batteries. Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.

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| November 2011 |

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