The Homewood Star Volume 5 | Issue 1 | April 2015
Award winner
neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood
Beacon or blight?
Learn who you voted as this year’s Community Member of the Year and how she is making a difference in the lives around her.
See page A14
Home Guide
Digital billboard goes up and is coming down on Lakeshore By OLIVER MORRISON
Find tips for your home this spring from area business owners in our guide to all things home and garden.
See page B1
INSIDE Sponsors ...................A2 City .............................A4 Business ....................A6 Community ...............A8 School House ...........A18 Sports .......................B8 Calendar ................. B13 Opinion .................... B15
The furor that swept Homewood over an electronic billboard in March seemed to catch everyone off guard. Hundreds of residents protested the 672-square-foot digital billboard that was erected at the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and Green Springs Highway. They picketed, signed petitions and boycotted
businesses that advertised with New Point Digital, the billboard company. But then, almost as quickly as the billboard went up, the company agreed to find a new location. The company and city have identified a new spot in Homewood farther away from homes. They are waiting to make sure the new location satisfies all legal requirements before making its new location public.
But the skirmish did not come as a surprise to a few residents, and if the Jefferson County Commission doesn’t take action, similar land fights could break out again. Local activists raise their voices When New Point Digital selected the BP gas
See BILLBOARD | page A22
Graphos family rallies behind fight against MS By MADOLINE MARKHAM Walk MS shirts and photos adorn the walls at Sam’s Super Samwiches, and for good reason. Owner Sam Graphos and his wife, Sue, have organized Walk MS fundraising teams for the past 20 years, since their daughter Suzanne’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis at age 20. In 2011 they found out their son, Ted, then 41, was also diagnosed with the disease. Altogether, the Sam’s Super Samwiches team has raised more than $400,000 for MS research. In 2014, their 52-member team brought in more than $26,516 for Walk MS: Birmingham; of that amount, Sue and Sam personally raised $18,991. “I wish I didn’t have to do it,” Sue said. “I wish I had never heard of MS. But that’s what we do.” Four times, the Graphoses have attended the Tour of
facebook.com/thehomewoodstar
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830
Homewood residents protest the billboard that was installed at BP at the corner of Green Springs Highway and Lakeshore Drive. Photos by Dan Starnes.
Sam and Sue Graphos, who own Sam’s Super Samwiches, form Walk MS teams each year. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
See WALK MS | page A21