The Homewood Star

Page 1

The Homewood Star | October 2011 |

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Volume 1 | Issue 7 | October 2011

HHS Football - pg 16

West Glenwood Halloween - pg 9

Miss Patriot - pg 9

Red Mountain Park to open Homewood entrance By VICKI JOHNSON Homewood will soon boast a sprawling urban park in its vicinity. Red Mountain Park will showcase the area’s rich mining history and iron ore production, which propelled the founding of the city in 1871. The 1200-acre park, which spans some 4.5 miles from Homewood to Bessemer, sits atop the ridgeline where it all began. The eastern portion of the park, located in Homewood with an entrance off Sydney Drive and Lakeshore Drive, will be completed and open this fall. This 500acre section will provide areas for historical education along with miles of hiking, mountain biking and ADA-accessible walking trails that will connect throughout the rest of the park. David Dionne, executive director of Red Mountain Park, hopes that the urban park will help define the character and quality of life of Birmingham like other urban parks have done nationally. He also hopes that it will make the surrounding communities even more attractive. “We’ve designed a beautiful park, a knockout facility that people are just going to be absolutely astonished by and that will tell the story of how Birmingham

October Features Editor’s Note

2

Mayor’s Minute

4

City Council

5

Houses Divided

8

Lauren Denton

10

Trike Mike

13

Business Spotlight

14

Restaurant Showcase

15

Sports

16

School House

19

Calendar of Events

22

Homewood Happenings

23

South aerial view of Red Mountain Park. The park’s eastern segment is scheduled to open this fall. Illustration courtesy of Wallace, Roberts, & Todd.

was formed and the impact we had on the United States and world history,” Dionne said. “The city of Homewood is very fortunate to have all kinds of diversity in the

economy,” Dionne said. “Draw in (nearby attractions like) the zoo, Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Park, The Civil Rights Museum and Sloss Furnaces, and it really creates a multifaceted package that everyone can benefit

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

See RED MOUNTAIN | page 10

Cycling across America

Like us

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

from.” “This area has such a strong historical link to the minerals that really made

Homewood resident Janet Holloway arrived at the Pacific Ocean in August after biking from Virginia. Photo courtesy of Janet Holloway.

By RICK WATSON At a time in life when most women her age are busy scrapbooking and chasing grandchildren, Janet Holloway of Homewood got on a bicycle and set out on a quest to see America—not the asphalt

and concrete America that most people see from the interstate but back-roads America with animals, birds, flowers, and scenery that takes your breath away. “I got a chance to see the America that I

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

remember from my youth,” Holloway said. On May 21, a few days before she turned 60, Holloway dipped the rear wheels of her Trek 520 Touring bicycle in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Yorktown, Va. and headed west. Eightythree days and 4,200 miles later she and eight others touched their front wheels into the Pacific Ocean at Florence, Ore. Planned by Adventure Cycling Organization, the route took her along parts of the same path Daniel Boone traveled when the pioneers crossed the Appalachians and some of the track that Lewis and Clark took during their celebrated expedition. A mobile art teacher for the Birmingham School System, Holloway kept a sketch journal of her trip across America filled with vibrant watercolors of barns, churches, flowers and sunsets. In her journal she describes the day they first saw the Pacific: “When we reached the Pacific Ocean on August 12, we all joined hands and thrust them triumphantly skyward and shouted, ‘We did it!’ We’d used our legs, hearts and minds to achieve an amazing feat… We crossed rivers, deserts, plains, and pastures—weathering heat, rain, lightning, cold, mosquitoes, and gorgeous days.”

See HOLLOWAY| page 21

Fabric of Homewood


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| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

Editor’s Note

Sydney Paulk kicks off football season in her dad’s former UAB football helmet. Photo courtesy of Sarah Paulk.

Staff & Friends Contributing Writers Anna Cate Little | Barbara Jones | Lauren Denton Rick Watson | Blake Rhodes | Amanda E.H. Pritchard Alison Grizzle | Merrick Wilson | Mary Ellen Snell

Contributing Photographers Anna Cate Little | Rick Watson

Publisher Dan Starnes

Editor Ashley Berkery

Managing Editor Madoline Markham

Creative Director Keith McCoy

Published by Homewood Star LLC

Sales and Distribution

Dan Starnes | Angela Morris

Intern Katie Stewart

Copy Editor Heather Reid

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

Growing up in Homewood can be a special time in anyone’s life. My final years of elementary school and during middle school, my family lived “on the horseshoe” part of East Glenwood Drive. Our backyard in our childhood minds was a forest. The “woods,” as we called it, is now a subdivision of homes. The neighborhood kids would come over and we would build forts, play hide and seek, surrender the flag, battle games and anything else our creative young minds could think of. There were great neighbors across the way on West Glenwood as well, and we made a practice of cutting through the backyards of houses on the horseshoe to play with our West Glenwood neighbors, one of whom is still my best friend today. And in that tight-knit neighborhood, there was one very special neighbor. Janet Holloway could always be counted on to help us with our art projects for school. Sometimes she would create art projects for us to do just for fun. Janet is well-known for her art today, but she’s particularly recognized for her mobile art school project in Birmingham. She’s also a runner, and has recently completed a bicycle tour across the U.S. I hope you enjoy Janet’s story on our front page this month and that you will check out some amazing photos of her journey at www.thehomewoodstar.com. Autumn is always an exciting time of year in Homewood. This issue is a guidebook to just some of the excitement. October is Fire Prevention Month, and if you have children in elementary school, they will soon be experiencing the Homewood Fire Department’s Fire Safety House, a traveling unit that teaches them a variety of lessons related to fire safety. Fire

Marshall Rusty McCombs has also provided us some safety tips that can come in handy as we approach Halloween. And speaking of trick-or-treat, if you haven’t been to West Glenwood on Halloween, put it on your list for this month. In the past years, several thousand trickor-treaters have descended on West Glenwood and Roseland Drive to see the yard displays and bring home the treats. There’s always a great vibe on the street around dusk, when the little ones and their parents are hurrying from house to house, and the street is blocked off to traffic to keep things safe. With football season underway, we are covering a couple of local residents who live in a house divided on the weekends. Do you have a favorite way to tailgate? If you have a favorite tailgating story, email me the details and a photo for an upcoming article at ashley@thehomewoodstar.com. Also, as the holidays approach, we are interested in your story of how you and your family celebrate the special Thanksgiving season. Whether traditional or unique, we want to hear from you. Whichever the case, it couldn’t possibly be wackier than the year our family somehow ended up at Shoney’s in Pelham! We hope you enjoy our October issue, and as always, we are here for you. Please email any photos you would like to submit for our Photo of the Month section. We’re also open to your feedback in general. We appreciate you as a reader and hope you enjoy the issue.

Win football tickets We are giving away tickets to home Samford games. To enter, like The Homewood Star on Facebook and post on our wall that you want the tickets. Two tickets for each game below will be available.

Oct. 1, 2 p.m. vs. Gardner Webb Oct. 15, 2 p.m. vs. Elon Oct. 29, 2 p.m. vs. Western Carolina Nov. 5, 11 a.m. vs. Chattanooga

Staff picks for game day viewing Few things are better in life than a cool fall evening tailgating with friends and family and then going into Davis Wade Stadium to cheer on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Go Dogs! - Keith Wherever there is SEC football on (especially orange and blue colors), extra spicy wings and good friends. -Ashley I like to watch football at the stadium sporting my team’s colors or on my couch surrounded by junk food. -Alison

My favorite place to watch the Dawgs play is between the hedges in Athens, Ga. -Anna Cate With Jason being an Alabama fan and me being an Auburn fan, we usually just watch at home, but we do like to gather at our friends’ house to watch some of the games. -Blake My favorite place I ever watched football was from Florence, Italy, ducking into an internet cafe to check the Iron Bowl score in 2006. -Lauren

Please Support Our Sponsors Arden Photography (11) Armor Insurance (9) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (4, 16) Brandino Brass (17) Brookwood Medical Center (3) Buffalo Rock (3) D1 Sports (21) Fagan Sports Medicine (16) First Lenders (19) Four Corners Gallery (5) General Pest Control (13) Handy TV (23) Harmony Landing (5) Homewood Antiques (6) Homewood Cosmetic Dentistry (15) Homewood Parks and Recreation (18) Hunter’s Cleaners (1)

Jack Rabbit Texaco (12) Junior League Birmingham (8) MedHelp (10) Middle Mediation (10) nGage Today (13) Once Upon a Time (6) OTM Sedan (19) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (11) Piggly Wiggly (4) Renaissance Consignment (7) Salem’s Diner (11) Shophomewood.com (14) The Briarcliff Shop (12) The Maids (21) The Wade Team (9) Wallace Burke (21)


The Homewood Star

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

| October 2011 |

The New

WOMEN’S HOSPITAL

at Brookwood

• Labor and delivery suites so comfortable you’ll never want to leave. • Keep it natural or go numb with resources designed to fit your birthing plan. • Recover in style with sweet city views and five-star amenities. • Private NICU rooms promote family bonding on a floor dedicated to our tiniest guests. Find out more at GenB.com

OPENING DECEMBER 2011.

Refresh Homewood Digiorgio’s Out Takes Rest.

2902 18th St. S.

205-871-9995

Dragon Restaurant

114 Wildwood Pkwy

205-945-8711

El Gringo

100 Frankfurt Circle

205-613-1335

Homewood Diner

162 Oxmoor Rd

205-941-9994

La Bamba Grille

1006 Oxmoor Rd

205-637-7331

Los Compadres

308 Oxmoor Rd

205-945-8002

Milano’s

191 W. Valley Ave.

205-942-2732

Mr. P’s Deli

813 Shades Crest Rd

205-823-6136

Mr. Wangs

217 Lakeshore Pkwy

205-945-9000

Okinawa Japanese Rest.

148 Wildwood Parkway

205-917-1111

Paw Paw Patch

410 Green Springs Hwy

205-941-1117

Sabor Latino Restaurant

112 Green Springs Hwy

205-942-9480

San Miguel

201 Green Springs Hwy

205-942-1740

7 Mares Bar & Grille

700 Valley Ave.

205-637-7331

Sharks Fish & Chicken

254 Greensprings Hwy

205-283-7722

Compliments of Buffalo Rock/Pepsi

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Pepsi Refresh Coupon

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Get 1 FREE Fountain Drink including Free Refills with any Food Purchase at the following locations:

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Digiorgio’s Out Takes Rest., Dragon Restaurant, El Gringo, Homewood Diner, La Bamba Grille, Los Compadres, Milano’s, Mr. P’s Deli, Mr. Wangs, Okinawa Japanese Rest., Paw Paw Patch, Sabor Latino Restaurant, San Miguel, 7 Mares Bar & Grille, Sharks Fish & Chicken Coupon valid August 1st - October 31st, 2011

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| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

Mayor’s Minute Dear Neighbors,

Don’t Miss Our Piggly Wiggly Holiday Fine Wine & Food Show! Wednesday, November 9th 6:30-8:30 at Historic Rucker Place

An extraordinary opportunity to sample Top-Scoring Wines & Gourmet Fare all available in select Piggly Wiggly stores through the Holiday Season. Wines poured will be available for presale at aggressive, One-Night-Only discounts! Tickets $25 Advance/ $35 at the door. On sale now in-store at select Piggly Wiggly locations. All ticket costs may be applied to final purchase of Wine orders of a case or more. This Event will sell out, so get your tickets today!!

879.0084 • 3000 Independence Drive

It is almost that time of year again when leaves begin to change and ultimately fall. So I thought I would take just a moment to remind us all of some things that are important. As the time approaches to rake leaves, please remember to place your leaves on the grass in your yard as close to the curb as you can. Please do not place your leaves in the street because it causes the storm drains to become so cluttered that they cannot take on the water when it rains. We also have to stop leaf pickup and work on the storm drains when this occurs, and it wastes a great deal of time and energy. A good rule of thumb regarding the placement is to pile your leaves in the strip of grass between your sidewalk and curb. If you have no sidewalk in front of your home, you will have to estimate the distance. Street and Sanitation is the department responsible for leaf removal, and they are about to become very busy picking up leaves along with picking up garbage and trash. As the end of the fiscal year comes to a close, I want to also take a moment and thank the employees of Homewood for the job they have done this year. I think our Landscaping Department under our Park Board has done an excellent job this summer keeping our city beautiful. They continue to amaze me getting the amount of work done with so few people. The residents of Homewood continue to tell me how nice Homewood looks, and I want to make sure those out here doing the work every day get credit for the job they continue to do. Our Street and Sanitation workers continue

to be among the favorites, and most of you know them by name. Rain or shine, hot or cold, they are out working, and we all know we can count on them. We have so many really good departments, and the department heads understand how important it is for us to continue providing excellent service. From Inspections to Fleet Maintenance to the library, it has been a great year. And with the remembrance of September 11, let us also remember how fortunate we are to have among us some of the finest police officers and firefighters in the state. Each and every day these men and women come in to serve and protect without fear; they are a testament to their profession. Homewood continues to be blessed, and it is because of the people who work here and those of you who live here. It has not been an easy time for our state or for Jefferson County, and it would be very easy to slip into a mindset of doom and gloom. I appreciate Homewood for choosing not to participate in this way of thinking, and I look forward to another great year celebrating all the good things that make Homewood exactly what it is: a great place in which to live, to work and to play. With kindest regards I remain, Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer Mayor

Four Homewood businesses are retailers of the year By KATIE STEWART

en ha n c in g l if e w it h p l a n t s

5:30-8:30 p.m.

Scan the tag for a video about the event.

Get the free mobile app at

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October 13 featuring

Rollin in the Hay “A Haunted Affair” Signature Drink: Caramel Apple Martini

2011 Sponsors New for 2011: V.I.P. Area $25 Members & Non-Members

Includes best views of party, upgraded food, fully stocked cash bar and limited to only 100 per event.

General Admission: $15 Members of The Gardens: FREE* Cash Bar • Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres

*Visit www.bbgardens.org/cocktails for restrictions.

2 0 5 .4 1 4 .3 9 5 0 b b g ard ens.org/ cock ta ils

The Alabama Retail Association, in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business, recognized four outstanding Homewood retailers on Sept. 22. Among the 13 retail businesses being recognized in Alabama, four of them are Homewood-based. Tricia Ford, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, nominated each business. A panel of judges chose Retailers of the Year in different categories by Alabama annual sales volume. Terry Chapman, president of Business Electronics Corp., was recognized for annual sales from $1 million to $5 million. Business Electronics Corp. is a 22-year-old Homewood business that sells document imaging and production equipment. Andy Virciglio was recognized for annual sales from $5 million to $20 million. Virciglio is the owner of the Piggly Wiggly Food Stores of Jefferson County Inc., which operates 14 grocery stores in north Alabama. He is a fourth generation grocer

who has worked in the grocery business since he was 11 years old. Piggly Wiggly Food Stores of Jefferson County Inc. has been in business for 39 years. Benny LaRussa Sr., Charles Mizerany and Billy Wentz, owner, president and vice president of Jack’s Family Restaurants Inc., were recognized for annual sales of more than $20 million. The business, which is based in Homewood but has 112 locations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, celebrates their 50th year of operation. James C. Lee III also was recognized for annual sales of more than $20 million. Lee is the chairman and chief executive officer for Buffalo Rock Co. Inc., which has 14 distribution centers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He is the fourth generation to run the company and is celebrating the business’s 100th year. Buffalo Rock will also be recognized during the luncheon as a Centennial Retailer. The speaker at Alabama’s 30th Annual Retail Day was Richard A. Pizitz, Sr.

Library presents mystery dinner theatre Due to the generosity of the City of Homewood and the Friends of Homewood Public Library, the Adult Services Department has been able to sponsor 13 highly successful Mystery Dinner Theatre productions. The 14th annual event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22. Tickets are now available for $25 each. This price includes a delicious catered meal at 6:30 p.m. followed by a presentation of Dial M for Murder at 7:30 p.m. Once again, South City Theatre will

provide the set, cast and crew. Barbara Just and Christian Catering Company will provide the meal. Both of these groups have been involved with the popular event for several years. Beginning Sept. 26, you may purchase tickets via phone at 332-6625 using Visa or Mastercard. You may also purchase tickets using cash or check in the library’s Adult Services Department. The cutoff date for ticket purchase is Tuesday, October 18. For more information, please call 332-6624.


The Homewood Star

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

| October 2011 |

Meet your City Council members Sam Scott, Ward 1-Place 2 have been priorities of Sam, tell us a little bit about both the Park Board yourself and serving on our and the City for several council. years. The logistics, I am a graduate of both economically and Auburn University, lived schematically, are still in Homewood for seven being vetted; however years, and served on the we hope to have a formal City Council for three years. plan in place within the Before serving on the City next year. Berkley Squires, Council, I served on the Director of Parks and Rec, Commercial Development has done an excellent job Authority for the City of spearheading the project Homewood. I initially and pulling together moved to Homewood as a community resources young professional due to to develop the plan at the community feel and the no cost to the city. The convenient location because preliminary drawings I worked in downtown Council member Sam Scott and plan were configured Birmingham. After living here for a short time, I made many friends voluntarily by a professional architect who resides in Homewood with input from and I grew to love the city we call home. residents. This is a great demonstration What are two of your top priorities for the of the outstanding intellectual citizens we have in our city. The drawings and council for the next year? Maintaining continuous open dialogue plans are accessible to the public at www. and communication with Homewood homewoodparks.com. residents is very important. We held an open forum several months ago at City What makes Homewood so special for Hall where residents were invited to you? The hospitable people, family-oriented share their views and thoughts on capital projects in Homewood. The resounding environment, the diversity, the overall priority among residents was improving neighborhood community, the location, and adding sidewalks. Sidewalks have the quality of life and all that is embedded always been on the top of my mind in the charming character of Homewood. throughout my tenure because Homewood Homewood is also known as “Mayberry” is a very walkable city. In fact, in July 2011, for its small town feel and atmosphere. Homewood received an award from Walk We are very blessed to have such an Scores 2011 as Alabama’s “most walkable outstanding core infrastructure to build city.” We’d like to continue to improve upon. Many cities around the state and upon our existing foundation. My two top country admire us for our school system, business districts, residential community priorities: 1) Maintaining and improving streets and layout. We have exceptional Homewood employees and department and sidewalks. 2) Economic development through heads that care deeply about the success recruitment and support of our of the city. I’m passionate about the city business owners to cultivate and and feel the visionary leaders guiding our community, both past and present, have sustain growth. led us to our current achievements and Can you enlighten us regarding prepared the city for future success. Homewood getting a new Parks & How do you usually spend your weekends Recreation center? during football season? Currently, the new Parks & Recreation Glued to the TV watching college center is in the planning phase. The facility football and occasionally taking trips down we have now, built in 1954, is aging, so to The Plains to watch the Tigers play. planning for future use and civic needs

Chamber Annual Golf Classic The 10th Annual Homewood Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley. Brookwood Medical Center and The American Lung Association, Smoke Free Homewood are co-title sponsors this year. The tournament begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Prizes are given to the first, second and third place teams, as well as for the putting contest winner and closest-to-the-hole winner. Limbaugh Toyota is sponsoring a hole-in-one car. Alabama Allergy and

Asthma are providing box lunches for the players, and there will be a post tournament barbecue sponsored by Jim ‘N Nicks. All proceeds from the tournament go directly back into the community to help fund programs such as the Holiday Open House, Taste of Homewood and the Excellence in Education Scholarship program. The tournament is the Chamber’s largest fundraising activity. For more information, to be a sponsor or to register a team, contact the Chamber at 871-5631.

Join us for Holiday Open House November 3rd Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages Fabulous door prizes Special in store promotions

Homewood Chamber Holiday Open House The merchants of Homewood are getting ready for the 10th Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Businesses in the Edgewood and 18th Street downtown areas of Homewood will be celebrating the town’s Holiday Open House by staying open later with special events. The Homewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event and hopes that community members will shop locally in smaller boutiques closer to home and support their local businesses. More than 3,000 people attended the Open House event last year. Organizers hope that special in-store events, live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and plenty of free parking will top that number this

year. To further ease parking worries, the holiday trolley will be making stops between the two downtown areas offering complimentary rides to shoppers. Shopping cards will also be available from participating businesses. A contest will start the day after the Open House and run through December. For every $25 you spend with a participating business, your shopping card will be stamped. Each card is worth $300 and upon completion; if you turn them in to the Homewood Chamber, you will be eligible for a shopping spree. Maps featuring trolley routes and parking areas will be available in businesses and on the chamber website at www.homewoodchamber.com.

2925 18th Street South • Homewood 205-871-0585 • www.harmonylanding.com Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

77th annual Fall Festival benefits Hall-Kent By AMANDA E.H. PRITCHARD

Come visit our Pumpkin Patch

Leaves are falling, there’s a crisp cool breeze in the air and kids are buzzing around with excitement. That can only mean one thing…it’s Hall-Kent Fall Festival time! Celebrating its 77th year, the annual Hall-Kent Fall Festival will be held at the school on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Festivities include games, walks, rides, raffle drawings and a silent and live auction. A fun run will be held the morning of the festival with runners lacing up their sneakers at 9 a.m. “The Fall Festival is the school’s only fundraiser and historically raises $50,000-$60,000 each year,” Publicity Chair Michelle Galloway said. “The funds raised provide grant money to fulfill academic enhancement requests from our teachers and the money makes an immediate impact at Hall-Kent.” School counselor Jackie Hughes said the success of the Fall Festival is due to a phenomenal faculty and involved parents. “The constants have been our parent and faculty commitments,” she said. Leslee Harris Bridgmon, a one-time student at Hall-Kent, is now a parent of

A Hall-Kent student prepares for the festival’s costume contest. Photo courtesy of Michelle Galloway.

a Hall-Kent kindergartner, Barrett. “For me the Fall Festival is a magical time that is rich in tradition,” she said. “It is a time when community leaders, staff, parents, PTO and kids all work and play together to raise money for our school.” Kick off Halloween weekend by dressing up and coming to Hall-Kent’s 77th Fall Festival, where you can be a part of the school’s biggest fundraiser.

Fall festival fun 2900 18th Street South 870-7776 • Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

By KATIE STEWART Come out with your family and celebrate fall in Homewood. You’ll find games, goodies and giveaways at these festivals.

silent auction, bake sale and Alabama and Auburn basket giveaways. 5-7 p.m. More information: oakmontmethodist.org, 9424622 or oakmtumc@bellsouth.net

Homewood Community Center Thurs., Oct. 27. Homewood Parks and Recreation Fall Festival. The long time fall event will provide a variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatables and a costume contest. 6-9 p.m. More information: 332-6182, 871-7304 or rosie. kelly@homewoodal.org.

Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Fri., Oct. 28. Carnival games, inflatables, hayride, swing rides, carousel and carnival food. 6-9 p.m. Kids can wear a costume but not a requirement. All festivities are free except food.

Oakmont United Methodist Church Sun., Oct. 23. Free hot dog supper, children’s games, bingo, cakewalk, hayride,

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 r 15th ! Octobe

930 Oxmoor Road www.homewoodantiques.com (205)414-9945

Covenant Presbyterian Church Day School Fri., Oct. 28. Inflatables, silent auction, carnival games, snacks and prizes. 11 a.m.1 p.m. More information: 871-8470.

Homewood residents win big at Sidewalk Film Festival

Two Homewood residents won awards at the Sidewalk Film Festival in August—and they both live on the same street! Melanie Jeffcoat’s film, Man in the Glass: The Dale Brown Story, was directed by Patrick Sheehan, also a Homewood resident. The film won Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature, a

Homewood resident Tam Le with his Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film.

Silver Telly, an Award of Excellence at the Los Angeles Film Awards and is an Official Selection at the 2011 New Orleans Film Festival in October. You can watch a trailer for the film at www.dalebrownmovie.com. Tam Le’s film, Annie and Her Anger, won the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the Sidewalk Film Festival.

Alan Hunter, Patrick Sheehan (director), Melanie Jeffcoat (producer), and Dr. Jack Schaeffer, sponsor of the Audience Choice Awards. Photos courtesy of SayBre Photography.


The Homewood Star

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

| October 2011 |

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Safety tips for Halloween By RUSTY MCCOMBS

Teach your child how to safely cross a street.

Drivers should remain hyper-alert and not be distracted by electronic devices or focusing on watching their own child.

Drivers should park in a manner that reduces the need to drive the vehicle in reverse. A vehicle in reverse is particularly dangerous to a walking child.

Halloween masks should allow the child to clearly see hazards.

Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Children should carry a flashlight and have reflective stripes on their costumes. Instruct children to not shine the flashlight into the eyes of a driver.

On Halloween from 5:30 to 8 p.m. trick-or-treat candies will be provided by Homewood Police Department at the Public Safety Building, 1833 29th Avenue South, and by Homewood Fire Department at Fire Station Number 1, 1675 28th Court South.

Drive slowly and be ready if a child darts into your path.

Keeping watch in Homewood By MARY ELLEN SNELL In the weeks surrounding Halloween, it is necessary to stay more alert than usual. Be sure to look out for unfamiliar people, greet trick or treaters outside your home, check your child’s candy for partially opened wrappers or strange smell and, only accept food items from neighbors you know and trust. Other things to keep in mind in order to stay safe this month: • Test home alarms and check locks for weathering on gates and sheds. • Take the time to break down boxes from recently purchased items and place them with your recycling, or put them in a dumpster elsewhere. Placing new boxes on the street advertises “new stuff” to

those who might covet it. • Make the habit of locking your car, and store items in the car trunk rather than leaving them in plain view in your car. • Think about your personal safety. Limit personal items and secure your purse or wallet when you are in public. Be proactive in reporting suspicious behavior, removing temptation and thwarting criminal opportunity. Please put Police Dispatch number, 332-6202, in your cell phone to report suspicious behavior and sign up for Citizen Alerts through the City of Homewood website at www. homewoodal.net.

Homewood gets a Fire Safety House Homewood Fire has recently acquired a children’s educational trailer that is equipped to simulate potential home fire hazards. “This educational unit will allow us to develop hands-on fire safety programs that target kindergarten and elementary-aged children,” Fire Marshal Rusty McCombs said. With the ability to set up in school parking lots, the travel-trailer sized unit has a built in kitchen, bedroom and living room. Groups of children are moved through the stations within the trailer where demonstrations on cooking hazards, fireplace safety, candle dangers and emergency escape are taught. “We are looking forward to getting

Homewood Fire Fighters Matt Hall, Andy Butler and Alex Fritz in front of Homewood’s Fire Safety House.

this Fire Safety House out within our community to achieve our ultimate goal of zero fire related injuries,” Fire Chief John Bresnan said.

Homewood Fire Department promotions

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Use caution when driving around a parked vehicle that could be loading or unloading children.

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• Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Darrell Garrett has been with HFD since 1995 and was promoted to Lieutenant on Oct. 1. He will be in charge of a fire/EMS crew operating out of Fire Station 1.

Brian Bonner has been with HFD since 1995 and was promoted to Battalion Chief in June. He currently serves as supervisor for the “A Shift” platoon of fire fighters.

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According to Homewood Police and Fire officials, a child being struck by a moving vehicle is one of the greatest dangers on Halloween. Parents and drivers should observe the following safety points as children trick or treat:


8

| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

Tales of a house divided

Bayless and Kim Ydel

Brandon and Leslee Bridgmon

We talked with Bayless Ydel about family dynamics in a split household. He is an Auburn fan, and his wife, Kim, is an Alabama fan.

By LESLEE HARRIS BRIDGMON

Can you give us some insight on how Saturdays play out at your house? For the sake of peace in the house, we usually divide and conquer. Kim is nice enough to tolerate sending a check to Auburn (for season tickets), so many Saturdays are spent apart. On the weekends when we are at home watching together, our rule is “do not openly cheer against the other team in front of the other person.” It works well until it is third & two and McElroy throws an interception. It is hard not to smile. Who do your two girls cheer for and do they have gear for both teams? The girls definitely know who went to what school. They know Mommy likes Alabama and Daddy likes Auburn. Our oldest did tell me last year that her favorite player is “Cam Newdon.” She is obviously angling for a better car when she turns 16 (in 12 years). What usually happens on the Iron Bowl weekends? Iron Bowl weekend gets a little complicated. We are never in the same room – ever. The rule above gets complicated because you can’t tell if you are rooting for your team or against the other. Last year, I watched the game in the basement of my sister’s house, and Kim watched upstairs. My family thought we had lost our minds since they are from North Carolina and Vermont. Technically, we each lost our minds for exactly half of the football game in two

Kim and Bayless Ydel in their team gear.

totally different ways. Tell us a funny story that has happened as a result of being a football couple divided. Our first AU/UA game was about six months after we started dating, in November 2001 at Jordan-Hare. Going in we thought that our relationship was bigger than football. We were wrong. After Alabama picked up 40 plus yards on a third & one to put the game out of reach, I gave her “a look” (as she tells it). Kim asks, “Should I go watch the game with the Alabama fans?” I moved out of the way to let her pass. About 10 seconds later, I realized I made a mistake and headed after her. I finally caught up with her on row one in the Alabama section. I took her hand to lead her back to the breezeway to plead my case when we heard someone yell, “Leave him baby, you can do better!” I pouted the rest of the game, and she returned to the Alabama section to celebrate the win.

Ernest Lee Staggs, my grandfather and longtime patron of Homewood, loved Alabama football. When the autumn leaves began to fall and there was a cool crisp in the air, I fondly remember watching or listening to Alabama football with him. I would wear my crimson and white hair bows and sing the fight song at the top of my lungs. As I got older, I enjoyed visiting Tuscaloosa and attending ballgames with friends, hosting game parties and making traditions of my own. I still think about my grandfather when I think about football, especially Alabama football. He would have definitely given me a hard time about dating an Auburn fan, much less marrying one. Marry an Auburn fan is what I did, and our house has been divided ever since. My husband, Brandon, graduated from Auburn University with many fond memories from his college years and would like to see our sons follow in his footsteps. He is as proud of Auburn and their football team as I am of Alabama. Although we each have our opinion about which team is best, Brandon and I have the utmost respect for both The University of Alabama and Auburn University. Our oldest son, Barrett, visited Auburn last fall with his daddy and came home apparently an Auburn fan. He has Auburn shirts, hats, memorabilia and a gorgeous picture with his daddy on the Plains. The picture shows a moment that will always mean the world to the both of them. Brody, our youngest child, is currently undecided as he lives in our house divided.

Brody, Brandon, Leslee and Barrett Bridgmon.

I imagine he will say Roll Tide and War Eagle for a while. He is named after my grandfather, who would be proud if he shared his love for Crimson Tide football and perhaps went on to get a degree from The University of Alabama. No matter what our children decide, nothing can take away the rich traditions, memories and experiences that have enriched both of our lives. Hopefully we can pass on the best of both schools to our children as both teams are exceptional and have outstanding programs. Roll Tide & War Eagle from our house to yours.


www.TheHomewoodStar.com

The Homewood Star

Halloween on West Glenwood

| October 2011 |

9

ARMOR INSURANCE Commercial/Personal Auto & Home Owners Insurance

The Ponder family at their Grease-themed house last year. Photo courtesy of Mona Ponder.

By ASHLEY BERKERY With its dramatic yard decorations and filled treat bags, it’s obvious that trick or treating is taken seriously by the residents of West Glenwood, Roseland and surrounding streets. Most importantly, it is a safe place for neighbors and Homewood residents to gather with their children. The streets are blocked off, and for the past four years, Homewood off-duty police have been stationed on Roseland. The event was started 25 years ago by a neighbor who no longer lives on West Glenwood. For the past 23 years, Mary Ballard, a current resident of West Glenwood, has been organizing festivities that once began with minimal decorations and luminaries lining the street. Year after year, it has taken off and gotten bigger and bigger. What started out as an event hosting 200 has now turned into an event with 2,000 trick or treaters on Halloween night. “Most neighbors decorate and put up lights,” Ballard said, “but there are some who go all out with theme decorations in

their front yards.” Mona and Trent Ponder, who live on West Glenwood, not only have a theme each year but also put up a movie screen on their front lawn showing a movie that relates to the theme. Last year the theme was Grease, with the family dressing up in 50s costumes and projecting the film on the big screen. “The great thing about Halloween on West Glenwood is that the neighbors can come together and provide a safe and secure place for our children and their families to enjoy the festivities in their own neighborhood,” Roseland resident Hunter Payne said. “It’s what Homewood is all about.” The adults have just as much fun as the kids do. West Glenwood resident Lindsey Slappey Moneyham said that she and her husband had a blast dressing up last year as ketchup and mustard—and their dog was the hot dog. The Halloween festivities each year take place Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Billy Wade

107 Columbiana Rd Homewood, Al 747.0770 billy@armorinsofal.com

®

“The Wade Team”

Hardin crowned Miss Patriot Abigail Hardin, 21, a senior at the University of Alabama, was crowned as Miss Patriot at the inaugural scholarship pageant held on Aug. 14. The Miss Patriot Scholarship Pageant is an official preliminary competition to the Miss Alabama Pageant. Miss Patriot will represent the Homewood area in the Miss Alabama Pageant in June 2012. Miss Hardin beat 16 other contestants from across the state who competed in several competitions, including private interview, swimsuit, on-stage question, talent and evening gown. The overall swimsuit award was presented to Elizabeth Anne Beasley, 17, of Eufaula. The overall talent award was presented to Elisabeth Chramer, 20, of Trussville, who also placed as third alternate. Fourth alternate was Sarah Kathryn Sharp, 21, of Vestavia Hills. Hayley Barber, 17, of Pelham placed as second alternate, and Julie Meeks, 21, of Tuscaloosa was first alternate. The pageant was hosted by Wendy Neuendorf McDougal, Miss Alabama 1991. Ryan Omenski Green, Miss Homewood Area 2005, crowned Miss Hardin, who performed “Embraceable You” by George Gershwin on the piano during the talent competition. Miss Hardin also designed and created her talent gown, a 1920s-inspired vintage creation of ivory silk and lace. A published author whose platform is “Building Character – One Project at a Time,” Miss Hardin is completing a double major in Business

Cindy Wade & Danielle Wade 283-2349 966-9600 daniellewade03@gmail.com cwade03@gmail.com Bragg Scroggins, Miss Patriot Abigail Hardin and Keith Brashier. Photo courtesy of Anna Malone. Entrepreneurship and Apparel Design. Pageant Executive Co-Directors Bragg Scroggins and Keith Brashier produced the event, which awarded more than $12,500 in scholarships, services, gifts and products to the special award winners, alternates and titleholder, including a custom designed pearl and blue topaz necklace. Scroggins and Brashier said they are looking forward to introducing the Homewood community to the new Miss Patriot and building support for next year’s pageant. To contact the pageant co-directors or to inquire about Miss Patriot’s availability for appearances, email misspatriotpageant@yahoo.com or call 241-9988.

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10

| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

Halloween: A good excuse for community

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Halloween 2009 was the first year we stayed at our house to give out candy to trick-or-treaters. Prior to that, being childless and free, we spent our Halloweens at a friend’s party, walking through the neighborhood to check out costumes, or, in the case of our very favorite Halloween, at a wickedly awesome Josh Ritter concert at WorkPlay. But in ’09, I was 37 weeks pregnant with Kate and not up for much in the way of festivities. Plus, being an October Saturday night in Alabama, there was a big game on. So, Matt and I decided to pull our TV out into the front yard along with a couple of chairs, our small fire pit and a bucket of candy for trick-or-treaters. We thought we’d catch the kids as they headed down Kenilworth on their way to West Glenwood, otherwise known as “the Halloween street.” What began as just a way to compliment kids on their costumes and unload a few bags of mini Snickers turned out to be the best way to meet our neighbors. One by one, we started seeing families trickle out of their houses and congregate in the empty streets, not unlike when we have unexpected snow days and everyone, big or little, goes outside to play. We must have looked a little mysterious, sitting in our driveway watching TV with a big bucket of candy. But soon, kids were shyly walking up to our chairs to say, “Trick or treat,” and we’d introduce ourselves to the parents.

Many were faces we’d seen on the street here or there but just hadn’t met yet. By the end of the night, we felt a little more settled in the neighborhood and happy we had finally made time to get to know more people on our street. Last year, when Halloween rolled around, we stuck with our plan from the year before. After pulling Kate, who wasn’t quite yet one, around the block in her wagon and putting her to sleep for the night, we pulled our chairs, fire pit and trusty baby monitor out to the driveway and waited for the kids. We saw many families from the year before, but there were new ones too. Most were on their way to the Halloween street, as they always are, and we handed candy to everyone who passed by. This year, if you happen to be on Kenilworth on Halloween night, look for us. We’ll be the ones sitting in our driveway with a bucket of candy, but this time, we’ll have a blonde curly-headed little girl dressed as a monkey sitting with us. I’m sure she’ll be eager to pass out our candy to the kids who come by, but then again, she may try to keep it all to herself! Like previous years, we’ll be enjoying the spontaneous community that happens when everyone goes outside at night for a little merriment and laughter. Lauren can be reached at LaurenKDenton@ gmail.com.

Online Exclusive Fashion Spotlight Warm weather fall clothes Visit www.The HomewoodStar.com to see Blake Rhodes’ column.

Isn’t that a nice change?

RED MOUNTAIN

CONTINUED from page 1 Birmingham this industrial powerhouse in the south for a century,” said Homewood resident Peter Allsopp, manager of commercial development and sales for USS Real Estate in Birmingham. When the land became unused, neighbors began to advocate that the property be preserved. According to Allsopp, in 2003 U.S. Steel realized that the land could make a park that would be an asset to all of Birmingham. In 2006, the land, which was valued at $16.7 million, was purchased from U.S. Steel for $6 million, and The Red Mountain Park Commission began their work. Homewood City Council President Allyn Holladay couldn’t agree more. “I feel that as we strive as a country to be more active, having amenities close to home only serves to encourage that initiative,” she said. The park’s existing ties to groups like Friends of Shades Creek and the Boy Scouts will spread involvement to citizens of Homewood. “Having Red Mountain Park, West Homewood Park, The Vulcan Trail, the Greenway and the Homewood Forest Preserve all in such close proximity, the climate is ripe for the area to become a hub for outdoor activities and enjoyment, which I believe benefits everyone, and drives economic development in the area,” said Holladay. Allsopp thinks the park will serve as a unique place for school field trips. “It kind

of has a different feel on how it’s connected to the past,” he said. “And I think that Homewood residents are very close and certainly the schools will have another good educational venue to go to.” Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer is excited about the plans for Red Mountain Park. “Our City of Homewood is currently designing and planning for more sidewalks that I would love to tie in from Homewood to Red Mountain Park,” he said. “It would be an incredible benefit for Homewood residents to walk from their home to Red Mountain and spend the day. It would also be a great opportunity for those visiting Red Mountain Park to walk into Homewood and see what a great city we have here.” Both Dionne and Allsopp want the project to have a lasting impact that ripples into the nearby communities. “Just the magnitude of what was mined in that mountain and the state of the art that was developed here in Birmingham is really a very interesting story,” Allsopp said. “I think that will appeal as much to local residents as it will to people around the country who are interested in that industrial past.” “We are building the community into the park,” said Dionne. For more information about Red Mountain Park or to donate, call 202-6043 or visit www.redmountainpark.org.


The Homewood Star

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Kelly writes Dangerous Passage

HOMEWOOD

| October 2011 |

11

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HOME OF THE PHILLY CHEESESTEAK

Bill Kelly, author of Dangerous Passage. Photo by Rick Watson.

By RICK WATSON Homewood author William F. Kelly has been busy promoting his latest book, Dangerous Passage. This book of historical fiction is set in France near the Swiss border during the early years of World War II. Protagonist Paul Fortier works with the French Resistance to smuggle Jewish children from France, where they faced the possibility of death camps at the hands of the Nazis, to a safe haven in Switzerland. Dangerous Passage is the first book of what will be a trilogy penned by Kelly. The second book is in the final stages of editing, and Kelly is shopping for a publisher. Seventy-nine-year-old Kelly has lived in Homewood with his wife, Polly, for 25 years. He earned his master’s in education and afterward worked with the Catholic Church and the Department of Defense, as well as doing consulting work in the construction industry. His work gave him an opportunity to travel extensively in Europe, South America and Alaska. Having first-hand knowledge of the stories and landscape in France and Germany was key in selecting that setting for his novels. Kelly got serious about writing 10 years ago after retirement. He wrote three books prior to his first published novel, Buck’s War. “The first three books I wrote helped hone my skills as a writer,” he said. These books made Buck’s War and his latest work,

Dangerous Passage, possible. “Writing is the easy part,” Kelly said. “The hard part is marketing and selling the books.” It’s very difficult for new writers to get published. “There are tons of new writers in the Birmingham area who are struggling to find a publisher.” Kelly wrote an article for Senior Living newspaper on this very topic recently. Kelly said that because he wasn’t an established writer, he couldn’t find a publisher who was interested, so he decided to self publish. This meant he had to promote and sell his books himself. His self-promotion plan involves speaking at retirement homes, senior centers, book clubs, festivals, art clubs and civic clubs. Kelly said he is selling books, but he’s working with local and national media to get more exposure for his work. You can find Dangerous Passage at the Little Professor in Homewood, Cokesbury Books in Vestavia, The Book Seller at St. Vincent’s and Jim Reed Books downtown. Both Dangerous Passage and Buck’s War are available as eBooks from authorhouse.com. You can also purchase books online from Kelly’s website, williamfkelly.com. To request Kelly to speak at your church, civic function or other event, contact him at wkelly8919@charter.net or 942-8919.

Senior Center News Health and Wellness Fair

On Thursday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Homewood Senior Center is hosting a health and wellness fair that will be open to all Homewood residents age 55 and up. Senior Center membership is not a requirement. Vendors include home health services, pet adoption for companionship, chiropractic care, dental care, hospice services, insurance agents, assisted living communities, fitness information and demonstrations, nutrition, flu vaccines, health screenings (blood pressure, balance, hearing screenings) and grooming and beauty products. The purpose of this fair is to educate, promote a healthy and active lifestyle, and to increase awareness of available resources for seniors’ present and future needs. There will be door prizes and free materials. If you are interested in exhibiting or feel you may have something to contribute to this event, please contact Kristen Peek at

332-6501. Lunch will be provided for those who make reservations in advance. Flu shots will be provided by Homewood Pharmacy for $18.50, and walk-ins are welcome while supplies last. Call for Christmas memories Bob Nelson of Senior Living newspaper is compiling a column of Christmas memories for his December column. He is asking seniors at the Senior Center to write about their greatest Christmas memory in twenty words or less to be considered for his column. The first 30 entries with names and comments will be included. Entries must be submitted to Senior Center Director Aimee Thornton by Oct. 25. Both hand written and typed submissions are acceptable. For more information, contact Kristen Peek at Kristen.peek@homewoodal.org.

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12

| October 2011 | The Homewood Star

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Citizens organize for neighborhood preservation A group of citizens is organizing to preserve Homewood’s neighborhoods. The grassroots group held an organizational meeting September 12 at the Homewood Public Library to discuss their goals and next steps. They confirmed that their primary goal would be to get city council members elected in 2012 who will represent the interests of the neighborhoods and will not vote for land to be rezoned from residential to commercial use. Citizens present expressed concern that the quality of Homewood’s neighborhoods has been deteriorating over the past several years and that their home values could decrease if more land around them is developed. They also said they feel that the current city council is not listening to their concerns. Those present at the meeting said they intend to spread the word about their efforts and bring more neighbors to future meetings. The group plans to appoint a leader for each of the five wards in Homewood to organize citizens within each ward. Some present at the meeting

encouraged fellow Homewood residents to be more active in their city government up until the elections next year too. The group discussed making sure that they had representatives attend all Planning Commission meetings on the first Tuesday of the month and Board of Zoning and Adjustments meetings on the first Thursday of the month. Many people at the meeting expressed that they felt that residents have not been properly notified when property around them was up for rezoning. It was suggested that residents email Anthony Smith to receive his regular city council update emails. The Homewood Star plans to start posting updates from Smith’s emails on www.thehomewoodstar.com as well. The group’s next meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Homewood Public Library. The time and room location will be announced later and posted on www. thehomewoodstar.com. The Homewood Star wants to be your voice regarding your city. Please contact ashley@thehomewoodstar.com with any ideas for ways that we can better cover the city government as well as citizens’ concerns.

Water is Life benefit By KATIE STEWART

In developing areas of the world, Neverthirst is meeting people’s need for water each day. On Oct. 13 the organization will hold a Water is Life Benefit at Ted’s Garage at 6 p.m. David Platt, pastor of the Church at Brook Hills and author of Radical, will be the guest speaker. Along with listening to Platt, guests can experience a Water Walk, silent auctions and a photo exhibition of the people that are being helped. For tickets and more information, visit www.

neverthirstwater.org/waterislife.The event is being planned by Homewood resident and Neverthirst Internal Projects Coordinator Natalie Gibbs. Neverthirst is a non-profit that provides clean drinking water to villages in India and Africa. The organization seeks to encourage churches around the world by providing clean water for villages to drink. Since Neverthirst began, more 100,000 people have been able to lead healthy lives thanks to new access to clean water.

Update on the Suther family 1829 29th Ave. South, Homewood

870-8110

Find us on

& on www.shophomewood.com

The inaugural issue of The Homewood Star told the story of Gage and Stella Suther. They are young Homewood children diagnosed with Franconi Anemia, an inherited genetic recessive disorder that affects one in every 350,000 births (fewer than 20,000 worldwide). Treatment for FA is a bone marrow transplant, and as our story went to print in April, parents Chelsea and Matthew Suther were waiting for Gage’s condition to reach a point where the transplant procedure could go forward. Gage began treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in Manhattan, New York in mid-July, and underwent a bone marrow transplant on July 22. “He came through the procedure just fine. His counts started coming up on day seven, which is earlier than we expected,” said Chelsea Suther. The Suthers haven’t had an opportunity to see much of New York City because Gage’s immune system is still vulnerable, so the family spends most of their time in their room at the Ronald McDonald House in Manhattan. “His spirits are great, and we started back with his home-school lessons this last week,” she said. Gage seems to be adapting to life in the big city fairly well. Matthew and their younger child, Stella, who had been in New York during the procedure, returned to Homewood in mid-September, leaving Chelsea and Gage at least until the end of October and

The Suther family. Photo by Shay Allen.

possibly longer. “We have to wait until his T cells (white blood cells known as lymphocytes) reach at least 250, and they are the last to come up,” Chelsea said. Chelsea said that she is so grateful to the people of Homewood, and the surrounding area who read the story in The Homewood Star and donated the money for the children. “It would have been impossible without the people who helped,” she said. While the Suther family is ecstatic over Gage’s progress, their spirits are dampened somewhat by the fact that Stella, who is 5, is now exhibiting early signs of bone marrow failure. To read the Suther’s full story, visit www. thehomewoodstar.com.


| October 2011 |

The Homewood Star

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Trike Mike’s adventures

“Trike Mike” rides around Homewood each day. Photo by Mia Bass.

By MIA BASS Mike Millican, better known as “Trike Mike,” has logged 8,400 miles on the tricycle—and that was just his first trike. He’s lost 90 pounds in the eight years since he started biking between his apartment near Homewood Central Park, the

Homewood Senior Center and Our Lady of the Sorrows, where he works and attends mass daily. “I get up between four and five every morning,” Millican said. “I go anywhere with my trike.”

He jokes that when he dies, he wants the trike on his tombstone. Once he arrives at the Senior Center, Millican loves to work out, play Wii Bowling and make pottery. The Senior Center is also where he met and began ballroom dancing with Jeanie Wade. He’s proud of his three pairs of dancing shoes— one zebra print, one black alligator and one red and black. Thursday nights are his date nights with Wade at Edgewood Creamery for a little indulgence after riding his trike. Millican’s favorite is half peanut butter fudge and half banana pudding. Former Homewood Senior Center Director Barbara Pilato knew that Millican, who cannot drive, needed something after he lost his mother in 2003. Millican had cared for her from the time he was 15 until he was 57. Pilato and Millican’s cousin Bobby Walker began collecting money for a trike. In Christmas of 2003, they threw a party and presented Mike with his trike. When that trike began breaking down, Father Martin Muller and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church invested in another trike for Mike. For the past several years Millican has decorated his trike for the Christmas parade and has won awards for the Senior Center. When Pilato was severely injured in a biking accident in 2006, Millican took care of her trash and grass during her six-month recovery. Her accident inspired Millican to participate in the Ride of Silence, which promotes awareness of bicycle safety and honors those injured or killed in accidents. This summer, the brake in Millican’s trike broke, and he was unable to ride for three weeks. The guys at Cahaba Cycles were able to repair the trike, and Millican is happy to be riding again.

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| October 2011 |

Business Spotlight

Business Spotlight 1915 Oxmoor Road 871-6131

Hunter’s Cleaners

|

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

Monday- Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. When it comes to his 11-year-old business, Hunter’s Cleaners, owner Hunter Payne might rank his accomplishments in this order: working alongside his two sons, operating an environmentally sound facility and meeting customers’ expectations. Ensuring that each garment received is cleaned, preserved and returned in a timely manner seems like a pretty simple concept for a dry-cleaner. But there’s nothing simple about Payne’s business, or even Payne himself. A Mountain Brook native, Payne has made Homewood home since 1993, where he raised two sons, Collier and Winston, who now help run the store. “There are not many father and son businesses out there,” said Payne. “So I consider that an accomplishment, that we can work together. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but our adversity has made us stronger and more successful. We all bring something different to the table, and at the end of the day, we have a great business.” A shared love of music in the Payne family has paved the way for Hunter’s Cleaners to be the exclusive launderer for nearly every entertainer who has performed in Birmingham over the last decade. The idea came when the Paynes tried to find a way backstage at the Crawfish Boil. “We always come up with solutions pretty quickly,” said Payne. “And the solution here was to clean the bands’ clothes; that would give us a lot of access to different musicians and that environment.” Beginning with the Verizon Wireless Music Center, Payne made an offer no

Hunter Payne and sons Winston and Collier run Hunter’s Cleaners. Photo by Dan Starnes.

one could refuse: “I said, ‘I have a central location, all equipment on site, and we’re offering our services to you and your performing artist guests 24/7. I don’t care what time, what day, if they need anything dry-cleaned, laundered, mended, we’ll do it.’ So they took me up on it!” Payne has formed a relationship with almost every production company in town, including the BJCC, Alabama Theatre, Alabama Ballet, Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Children’s Theater. “We’ve cleaned clothes for just about anybody you can think of; you name them, I’ve cleaned their clothes,” said Payne. He especially loves supporting up-and-coming artists. Perhaps one of the greatest perks of being a Hunter’s Cleaners customer is the free CDs you’re likely to be handed when you pick up your clothes. Payne usually arrives at 4:45 a.m. and

completes the cleaning before the day’s heat sets in. “We have the longest business hours of any dry cleaner in town, but I’m always accessible if anyone needs me,” he said. Payne also does a lot of the cleaning himself, taking extra steps to make sure the clothes are handled properly. “I do it because the garments are very important to the customer and most of the clothing is not inexpensive,” he said. Restoration of specialty items such as wedding gowns is also done on-site. In the fall of 2008, with his business firmly established, Payne decided to broaden his service to the community at large by running for city council. “To me, it’s about giving back,” said Payne. “And your goodwill to your community. Being a business owner with some hard times ahead of us, I thought I

could get out there and offer some common sense solutions and some fiscal discipline. And I never leave Homewood anyway!” Not many people can call their drycleaner a friend and community advocate. When two men were at large in the Roseland/Mayfair neighborhoods after robbing the Piggly Wiggly, Payne was quick to check in on a stay-at-home mom that lived nearby. When a devastated mother gave Payne a bracelet with a website bringing awareness to her daughter’s drug overdose, he has never taken it off. And when it came time to write this article, Payne was quick to list other Homewood businesses that he felt deserved the exposure more. These are all characteristic of Hunter Payne… and he’s pretty good at getting stains out, too. Writer Anna Cate Little can be reached at ridleylittle@gmail.com.

Local purchases keep dollars in our community in a time when we need it most. Visit SHOPHOMEWOOD.COM to purchase local gift certificates 24/7 and email them to the recipient immediately, to buy merchandise and review local businesses, and more.

ShopHomewood.com is a partnership between the Homewood Chamber of Commerce & Magic City Media, LLC, a locally-owned business. For more information about shopping locally, contact emily@magiccitypost.com or 205-250-9037


Wild Rock Grill

Homewood Flavor

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Restaurant Showcase

| October 2011 |

|

15

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

230 State Farm Parkway, Wildwood 943-0080 Monday-Saturday, 11 am.-2 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Wild Rock Grill in Wildwood reopened this summer as a different version of its former persona, Locos Grill and Pub. It’s still a restaurant and bar, serving greasy food until late at night and orders of wings and burgers on game days. But it now offers a meat and three lunch menu perfect for a fast Southern sit-down meal any day of the week, including Sundays. “I can have your lunch served in five minutes,” manager Ethel Ellison said. Meats on the lunch menu are Italian Fried Chicken, a pork chop, baked tilapia, chicken breast and Pepper Steak N’ Gravy. The side selection includes mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rice, macaroni ‘n cheese, carrots, turnip greens, okra, steamed veggies, Wild Rock’s signature rosemary roasted potatoes, potato salad, coleslaw and a side salad. You can get one meat and two veggies or four veggies for $7.99 including a drink and bread. Their full menu of hearty appetizers and sandwiches as well as entrees and salads is available all day. Popular dishes include their tortilla-fried tilapia and Philly cheese steak. Ellison ensures their sandwiches, including a buttery turkey melt or patty melt, have more than enough meat. “We put 5 ounces of meat on each sandwich, while most restaurants only serve 4 ounces,” she said. Likewise, their wings, popular on game days for eat-in or take out, are always jumbo-sized. Ellison recalled one man who insisted on ordering 20 wings because he

The Cajun Beef Sandwich was our waitress’ recommendation for lunch at Wild Rock Grill. Photo by Madoline Markham.

said he always ate 20 wings, but he was only able to eat 10 of the Wild Rock wings for his lunch. On game days, Wild Rock hosts gatherings of fans. They always have Alabama and Auburn cable and pay-perview games on TVs throughout their bar and dining rooms; the Birmingham chapter of the University of Tennessee Big Orange Club has also made Wild Rock its home base. No matter the time of day or whether you are coming for a meal or drinks, Ellison said Wild Rock is inviting. “There’s just a

friendly, comfortable, down-home feeling in the restaurant,” she said. Wild Rock hosts live music on Friday nights and karaoke on Wednesday nights starting at 9:30 p.m. Ellison warns there is elbow room only after 11:30 p.m. when a crowd of Samford students usually arrives. The bar at Wild Rock is known for its beer prices. Coors are always $2. They offer happy hour specials Monday-Friday, 4-8 p.m.: $2 domestic bottles and $2 drafts of domestics, Dos Equis and Yuengling. Pitchers after 10 p.m. on weeknights and all day on Saturday and Sunday are

$6.25 for domestic beers. For Pint Night on Thursdays, all draft beer is $3 starting at 4 p.m. Their draft selection includes Guinness, Andy Gator, Laughing Skull Amber Ale, Blue Moon and Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale. The menu is served up until midnight, but Ellison said they can always accommodate someone looking for a meal. “If you come in and you are hungry, we’ll take care of you,” she said. “If you come in just after midnight, someone can go back into the kitchen and make you a cold sandwich.”

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No representation is made that the quality of dental services to be performed is greater than the quality of dental services performed by other dentists.


16

| October 2011 | Homewood Sports

Homewood Sports

HHS Varsity Football game recaps By TIM BAGGETT

with his third extra point gave the Patriots a 24-7 lead. Justin Hardy had 78 yards rushing behind his line of Preston Fittro, Ralph Trinidad, Kern Williams, Zach Sims, Jordan Sims and CT Mizerany. Homewood defense was led by Ward, Rivers and Jay Williams.

After three games in the 2011 season, Homewood Patriot Varsity Football is 2-1 and 1-1 in Region 6 play. Homewood vs. Bessemer City Head Coach Doug Goodwin’s career at Homewood began with a 24-0 victory on the road at Bessemer City High School. The Patriots began the 2011 season with a bang as they converted on the opening drive of the ball game. Stephen Baggett went 25 yards for the touchdown with 4:52 in the first quarter. Matthew Anderson added the extra point for the Pats. Earnest Bell returned a punt 35 yards late in the first half to give Homewood a 14-0 lead after Anderson’s second extra point. Junior Jay Williams kicked a 35 yard field goal at the end of the first half. The defense pitched a shutout against the Tigers. DQ Mitchell along with Aaron Rowell both had fumble recoveries for Homewood. Jesus Gallardo and Chris Finley dominated the defensive front for Homewood. Baggett scored a 5 yard touchdown in the third quarter as Anderson kicked his third extra point. Justin Hardy had 98 yards rushing and Devonta Barnfield-Rapley had 88 yards as the Patriots offense rolled up 389 yards of total offense.

Homewood played Gardendale on August 19. Photo courtesy of Kate Dixon.

Homewood vs. Thompson Homewood was opportunistic against the Warriors in front of a large home crowd to beat the Warriors 24-14. Earnest Bell recovered a fumbled punt at the 24 yard line by Thompson early in the first quarter. The offense drove to the 4 yard line where Justin Hardy ran it in for the score. Matthew Anderson added the extra point to go up 7-0 with 9:12 in the first. The Patriot defense created an interception by Connor Rivers when

Fagan Sports Medicine My Aching Knees! In a healthy knee, synovial fluid provides lubrication and acts as a shock absorber. In an arthritic knee, the joint loses its lubrication and shock absorptive properties once provided by healthy synovial fluid.

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Tywuan Ward deflected a Thompson pass. Stephen Baggett scored on a three yard run with 2:54 in the first. Anderson added the extra point. Warrior Trey Matherson hit Avery Hale on a 51 yard strike with 7:23 to go in the first half to cut the lead to 14-7. Jay Williams kicked a 31 yard field goal with 5:47 in the third quarter for the only scoring. Lakeith Walker blocked a Thompson punt with 10:00 minutes to play to set up Homewood’s offense to a Zachery Robinson 5 yard touchdown run. Anderson

Homewood vs. Spain Park The Patriots traveled to Shelby County to take on Spain Park. The first half was marred with five turnovers, three by Homewood, two by the Jags. After a scoreless first quarter Spain Park scored on the first play of the second quarter with a 43-yard touchdown run by Sean Mardis. Jake Hoffman added the extra point. Trudarius Clark scored from 8 yards out after another Homewood turnover. The Jags added a Hoffman 23 yard field goal to end the half. Homewood defense played a strong third quarter only allowing a 35 yard field goal from Hoffman. Spain Park’s Nick Mullens hit Alonda McDonald on a 71 yard strike with 6:51 remaining. The Patriots had the ball inside the Jags 20 yard line four times in the second converting only with 2:42 remaining when Stephen Baggett hit Nych Young on a 20 yard strike to make the final score 27-6.

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www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Homewood Sports

| October 2011 |

17

Homewood U11 Lady Eagles win the Auburn Thunder Classic

Front row: Audrey Aitken, Audrey Nabors, Bianka Delgadillo, Sarah Powell, Krystin Allen. Back row: Olivia Dowda, Bess Landgren, Marguerite Middlemas, Caroline Bald, Elizabeth Oliver, Terri Crawford, Coaches Jeff Brannon and Melanie Bald.. Not pictured: Head Coach Sean McBride.

Homewood Youth Cheer Camp

DOOR HARDWARE

The sixth grade Homewood Youth Cheerleaders. Photo courtesy of Amanda Pinke.

Homewood Youth Cheerleading Cheer Clinic was held at Homewood Middle School on July 23 and 24. The camp was hosted by the Homewood Varsity Cheer Squad. Homewood Youth Cheerleading

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has 64 cheerleaders in first through sixth grades. The cheerleaders were taught cheers, chants, line dances and a half-time dance routine that they will use throughout the 2011 football season.

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Our 62-year history has led us to become one of the regions ultimate resources for architectural hardware guidance and selection. We supply the finest home design products from around the world. Grace Kyle, Michael Rohdy, Alex Ngei and Nicole Leondike.

Congratulations to the following Homewood High School Cross Country members who placed in the top 3 in their age groups at the UAB physical therapy students’ fifth annual Are U ABle? 5K run

held at Homewood High School. Winners are Stephanie Simpson and Michael Rohdy, first place; Grace Kyle, second place; Nicole Leondike and Alex Ngei, third place.

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18

| October 2011 | Homewood Parks & Recreation

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Homewood Community Center Activities

Belly Dancing with Aziza

Homewood Community Center Auditorium Class fee: $60 cash only For more information contact Aziza at 8790701 or azizaofbirmingham@att.net Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egyptian style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instruction. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcomed in class with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times are 7:00-8:30pm for beginners and 7:00-8:45pm for intermediates and advanced. Beginners start with the basic steps, isolations and shimmies and progress to the intermediate class where you will learn to put the dance together with more advanced steps and combinations plus dancing with the veil; advanced classes include performing with zills, cane, veil with more advanced and longer performances. The classes are for anyone who wants to dance for fun and fitness, as well as those who wish to perform. Aziza has trained dancers to perform for many events in the Southeastern area in addition to dancers who perform regularly at Ali Baba Persian Restaurant in Hoover. www.azizaofbirmingham.com

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew

Your child can be a fairy, a princess or a butterfly while keeping ballet traditions alive and having fun with classical music. The beginning ballet moves taught are the important foundation for many types of dance. The French names for steps will be introduced. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and flexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. The environment provided is a happy and age appropriate one. Claire has been teaching ballet since starting as a teenager in Montgomery. Then, after moving to Birmingham, she started teaching with Birmingham Ballet. She has taught preschoolers in Mother’s Day Out and Day Care as well. The program runs thru 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: (205)879-8780

Head Over Heels Gymnastics!

Gymnastics promotes coordination, flexibility and balance. We teach gymnastics at your child’s individual level in a fun, creative and positive environment, therefore developing self-confidence, a love for fitness and a sense of achievement. Skills are taught on the Swing Bar, Balance Beam, Trampoline, Springboard, Tumbling apparatus, and other fun props! Dates: 1st session: Sept 22 – Nov 10th 2nd session: Jan 12 – March 1st 3rd session: March 8 – May 3rd (no class March 19-23) Day & Times: Thursdays 3:30 – 4:15 pm for Ages 3-5 4:15 - 5:00 pm for Ages 6 & up Fee: $80.00 for Homewood residents, $85 for non-residents

Karate

Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Homewood Community Center from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the Auditorium. Monthly tuition is $55 - $65. Classes are for children and teenagers ages 4 and up. For more information please contact Master Joe at 966-4244

Kindermusik with Kelly Alligood

Kindermusik is the best choice in programs for you and your child. As the world’s recognized leader in early childhood music and movement, Kindermusik offers a musical learning adventure that will impact your child now and for years to come! This is accomplished through our extraordinary classroom experience and unsurpassed At Home materials. There’s simply no better way to foster your child’s love of music and love of learning. Classes are available for ages 0 to 5 years. Classes are held January through May and August through December. Enroll at any time. Call us at 205.552.6129 or email us at Kelly. alligood@charter.net for more information. Visit us online at http://kellyalligood. yourvirtuoso.com.

Howlynn Dog Obedience Training

We Train you to train your dog!

Howlynn Obedience Training (HOT) is a program that offers various levels of obedience training for dogs and their owners. Whether you wish to compete in obedience events or just want a well behaved pet to sit, stay and walk with you, HOT trains you to train your dog using positive reinforcement. www. howlynn.com Class Schedule: We meet Monday evenings at 7:00 P.M. for 6 weeks For further information on classes, please contact Irene Lynn at 205-908-8819 or 205879-5966 or email UAB444@bellsouth.net New Program: In addition to obedience, we now offer a Conformation class at the same time. Conformation is the examination of a dog to determine how closely it meets the breed’s official standard. This class teaches a handler how to manage the dog in a show ring so it can be presented at its best to the judge. Other topics include: handling tricks, ring etiquette, entries, etc. For more information about Conformation, please contact the instructors Dave & Sharon Rogers at lakeshrdal@aol.com or (205) 6311632

Yoga for Adults!

Interested in beginning a yoga practice, but not sure where to start? Curious about the mind and body benefits of yoga and meditation, and wanting to integrate these into your fitness routine? Kelly can show you how! Join us for an Introductory Yoga Practice and experience the benefits of a regular yoga practice for yourself. The classes will feature Hatha yoga in the Vinyasa (flow) style and will emphasize breathing, focus, and freedom of movement with gentle, noncompetitive instruction. 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. To enroll, please email Kelly Creel at trinityk73@hotmail.com or call 205.529.9360.

www.Homewoodparks.com

Royce Head – Personal Training

Affordable Training with a Personal Touch Learn to weight train with Royce for a low monthly fee of $125 – Unlimited Sessions Call now to schedule an appointment: 205945-1665

Yoga for Kids!

Research shows that children can benefit from yoga and meditation just like adults! Yoga can build confidence, concentration skills, listening skills, and mind-body awareness in children. Join Kelly for fun and gentle yoga for children, with a Hatha style yoga practice designed with children in mind. The classes will feature breathing practices, gentle and fun yoga poses (asanas), and will end with a short meditation/ concentration practice. 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. To enroll, please email Kelly Creel at trinityk73@hotmail.com or call 205.529.9360.

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

City Wide Special Event Fall Festival

Thursday, October 27, 2011 – 6-9pm Homewood Community Center Our long time fall event provides a variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatables and a costume contest that begins at 7pm. For more information contact Rosie Kelly at 332-6182 / 871-7304 (or) rosie.kelly@ homewoodal.org

Athletics

Youth Basketball

Homewood Parks and Recreation offers youth basketball for boys and girls ages 5-12. Games are played during the months of December thru February. Program objectives are to teach fundamentals, improve skills, build self-esteem, and develop a sense of sportsmanship and fair play. Registration: October 3rd thru 28th, 2011 Monday thru Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm Homewood Community Center Main Office Program Fee: $60 Homewood Residents $50 per additional children (Homewood Residents Only) $100 Non-residents for each child Age Groups: Coed: 5 – 6 year olds Boys: 8 & Under / 10 & Under / 12 & Under Girls: 8 & Under / 10 & Under / 12 & Under Age groups are determined by the player’s age on or before September 1st of the current school year. Rusty Holley at 332-6705 (or) rusty.holley@ homewoodal.org

More 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

Youth Wrestling

Registration now at: Homewood Community Center Main Office (Monday – Friday / 8:30am-5:30pm) Practice begins early November and Season goes through early February Ages: 6-13 Tournaments held various locations. Program Fees: Homewood Resident Fee: $50 Non-Resident: $100 For more information: contact Rusty Holley at 332-6705 (or) rusty.holley@ homewoodal.org

Homewood Tennis with Jenny Robb

October 3rd – 27th (no clinic the week of 10/10)

This is a 3 week session. QuickStart 6 & Under: Tuesday/Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm Option I: 1 day a week for 3 weeks at $15 per clinic = $45 Option II: 2 days a week for 3 weeks at $12 per clinic = $72 QuickStart 8 & Under: Tuesday/Thursday, 4:30-5:30pm Option I: 1 day a week for 3 weeks at $15 per clinic = $45 Option II: 2 days a week for 3 weeks at $12 per clinic = $72 QuickStart 10 & Under: Tuesday/Thursday, 5:30-6:30pm Option I: 1 day a week for 3 weeks at $15 per clinic = $45 Option II: 2 days a week for 3 weeks at $12 per clinic = $72 Performance 101: Monday/Wednesday, 3:30-5:00pm Option I: 1 day a week for 3 weeks at $20 per clinic = $60 Option II: 2 days a week for 3 weeks at $15 per clinic = $90 Performance Team: Monday/Wednesday, 5:00-6:30pm Option I: 1 day a week for 3 weeks at $20 per clinic = $60 Option II: 2 days a week for 3 weeks at $15 per clinic = $90 Private and shared tennis lessons available! Call Jenny to Schedule For more information, please contact Jenny Robb: jennywrobb@gmail.com or 205-902-1188.

Tennis with Dave Luesse at West Homewood Park

Call for Private & Group Lessons: Tennis Dave Luesse at 967-5875 Late Fall: Starting October 10 Kids’ Lesson with Rally Ball: Boys & Girls 5 to 11 Monday 6 p.m. and / or Wednesday 6 p.m. Plus 3 Saturday Play Days Kids’ Fall Tennis League First Practice August 18 Adult Tennis League Fun Mixed Doubles / Starts September 15


School House

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

Lots of Love

| October 2011 |

19

FOR RESIDENTS OF HOMEWOOD

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Lots of Love group members with co-teachers Lisa Mooresmith and Rebecca Smith outside Shades Cahaba

By ASHLEY BERKERY Shades Cahaba Elementary’s Lots of Love Club started in fall of 2008 to help young girls ages 10-12 brainstorm, discuss and problem solve tough topics such as stress, friendships, bullying, grades, nutrition, fear and the future. “More than anything, we want to give (the girls) tools and strategies to cope and problem solve during tough times,” teacher and program coordinator Lisa Mooresmith said. “The program allows these girls to feel confident that we not only understand their ups and downs but are also here for them any time they need to talk.” The club was originally named Locks of Love. Since 2009 more than 20 staff members, students, siblings, the principal and parents have donated their hair for children with long-term medical hair loss. Monier Emaish of Saxx Hair Design in Homewood chops the locks each year. Not long after starting, the club’s name

change came about because of a beautiful misunderstanding. “We were outside for the first hair cut party with lemonade, hoola-hoops and chalk when a neighbor of a club member was there supporting the girls and drawing with them on the side walk,” Mooresmith said. “Apparently, throughout the year, when he heard announcements about the club, he heard Lots of Love and wrote that on the sidewalk.” The club agreed that the new name was even more appropriate and adopted it. Each year Lots of Love begins with an informal assessment of the girls’ hopes, fears, anxieties and dreams in order to guide the topics and goals. Service learning is often a focus. The girls always guide the curriculum as meetings are designed to interest them and help them to grow into strong young women.

call

that touch every grade in all five schools. “Zoe’s is an institution in Homewood,” Geoff Clever, a member of the Foundation’s board, said. “Their reputation for fresh, fun food has spread all over the country, but it began right here. And they are still a big part of our community. This commitment to support the Foundation is a reflection of that. We could not be more proud of our partnership.” If supporting the Foundation isn’t motivation enough, Zoe’s has another deal for you too. Simply print the coupon on the HCS Foundation website, www. homewoodcityschoolsfoundation.com, and you’ll get a free kids’ meal when you purchase an adult entree.

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Zoe’s Family Nights to support schools foundation On the first Thursday of every month, Zoe’s Kitchen is hosting Family Night Out to support the Homewood City Schools Foundation. On Foundation family nights, Zoe’s will donate 15 percent of gross sales between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to the Foundation. “This partnership with the Foundation is important to us,” said Cara Caillouet, catering manager for Zoe’s. “Homewood is our home, and great schools keep our community strong. We’re excited to be working with the Foundation this year and happy to be a part of their mission.” The Foundation raises money from individuals, families, foundations and corporations to provide enhancements to our schools’ curriculum; enhancements

39

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HMS students video chat with Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland.

What does a Superintendent do? What does it mean when people say a school is a “green” building? These are just a few of the questions Homewood Middle School students got to ask during their virtual field trip to the superintendent’s office. Sixth grade students in Darby McQueen and Amanda Bates’ classes invited Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland to FaceTime (video chat) with them using their class iPad. This was the first FaceTime invitation Dr. Cleveland had ever received, and he was happy to see the students

using their new technology to enhance their learning and connect them to places outside of their classroom. Each student submitted a question, and the classes selected the ones that would help them learn the most about the school system and the Superintendent. Homewood City Schools recently purchased the iPads to pilot with teachers and students in the district. This virtual field trip is just one of the exciting ways that these devices are enhancing student learning in Homewood.

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| October 2011 |

School House

Edgewood teacher receives scholarship Edgewood Elementary School first grade teacher Mallory Richardson was awarded the Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for her proposal entitled “Inspiring Future Leaders from an Early Age.” She plans to use the monetary award to create an interactive “Leadership Center” in her classroom.

S UN DAY S THI S FA L L AT

First grade teacher Mallory Richardson.

Shades Cahaba students love library day

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Eric Davidson, Abby Abruzzese, Annabeth Anderson, Faith Kiptoo and Bashar Muthana.

Shades Cahaba Elementary School kindergarteners enjoyed their trip to the library, where they got to pick out their

favorite book to read. Students huddled together in groups to read aloud to each other and talk about their new book.

Taking it to the Streets Homewood City Schools will host the third annual Taking it to the Streets program on Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This year’s topic will be “The Power of Parents: Talking to kids about drugs.” Taking it to the Streets encourages parents and school personnel to sit and discuss important issues our children are facing today. Parents have the opportunity to talk to one another while gaining helpful resources from knowledgeable

speakers and school employees, such as administrators, principals and counselors. These meetings are conveniently located in three different Homewood homes so parents can grab their neighbors and join in on a casual and comfortable ‘living room’ discussion. For more information about this program or to view past topics, visti www. homewood.k12.al.us/hbe/parentinfo/ prevention.

HHS senior a Birmingham Super Student Emily McDuff was selected by Birmingham Magazine as one of Birmingham’s Super Students. These select high school seniors are among the best and brightest of the metropolitan area’s Class of 2012, and they were featured in the August issue of Birmingham Magazine. This summer, McDuff was also named the Overall Scholastic winner and second runner up in 2012 Distinguished Young Women Program, formerly known as Junior Miss, for Jefferson County.

HHS senior Emily McDuff


School House

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

| October 2011 |

21

Shop, Save and Share The Junior League of Birmingham is pleased to partner with Homewood retailers to offer local residents the opportunity to both give and receive this fall. Through the sale of their Shop, Save and Share card, the organization will be raising money to support its 35 community projects, which improve the lives of women and children in Birmingham. Local Homewood stores participating in the sale include: a.k.a. Girl Stuff, Abbey Luxe Shoe, Alabama Outdoors, Arceneaux Gallery, At Home Furnishings, Bella Bridesmaid, Books-A-Million, Cahaba Cycle, Dodiyo’s, Doree, Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market, Edgewood Fine Jewelry, Eighteenth Street Oriental Rugs, Molly Green, Pinches Tacos, The Pink Tulip, Shaia’s, Shoefly Shoe Boutique, Swaddle, The Swanky Stork, Sweet Peas Garden Shop, Theodora, Three Sheets Linens, The Trak Shak, Valley Cleaners, Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry and Collectibles and White Flowers Gallery as well as many others. Besides local Homewood merchants, the card features retailers, restaurants, and services throughout the local community, including the Highway 280 corridor, Pepper Place, Trussville, Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Hoover, Alabaster, The Summit and The Outlet Shops of Grand River in Leeds. Many online vendors and retailers are also participating in the sale this year. This is the sixth year of the fundraiser,

We Clean.

you shine. ... Just like our reputation.

Brittany Hartwell of Molly Green, Jenny Gaiser of Shoefly, Dora Sarris Cothren of Theodora and Meleesa Jack are participating in Shop, Save and Share. Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham.

which started in 2006 with only 88 stores. Last year the sale raised more than $78,000 for the Junior League of Birmingham’s Community Projects. Interested card buyers can review a list of participating merchants or purchase a Shop, Save & Share Card at www.jlbonline. com or www.shopsaveshare.net.

Pink Heals for breast cancer October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and what better way to do your part in the battle against cancer than to wear pink? The Homewood Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1288 will have shirts available throughout the month of October. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. Members of Homewood Fire & Rescue Service and Mountain Brook Fire Department teamed up to raise cancer awareness with the Pink Heals Tour at Brookwood Mall on Aug. 28. What makes these trucks special is not that they are pink; it is the thousands of signatures that can be found covering them. Each name on the truck is the name of a cancer survivor, or is a written tribute by a family member or friend of a cancer victim. In Alabama alone nearly 10,000 people per year die from cancer and in the United States the death rate exceeds half a million people per year. The rate of newly

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Referred for a reason.

The Pink Heels Tour truck outside of Brookwood Colonial Village

diagnosed cancer patients across the nation for all cancers is over 156 per 100,000. The goal of the Pink Heals Tour is to spread a message of love and hope. To find out more about the Pink Heals Tour 2011 visit www.pinkfiretrucks.org or contact your local fire department.

Have You Seen...

Wallace -Burke?

HOLLOWAY

CONTINUED from page 1 For Holloway, the most touching part of the journey, time and again, were the people in the small communities across America who welcomed the cyclists with open arms, offering them food, shelter, and water along the way. Holloway also found the scenery incredible. She saw stars she never knew existed, blazing sunsets, elk, deer, rabbits, goats, a wolf, foxes and too many different birds to name. The group rescued turtles from certain death on roadways across the country. The hardest part of the trip for her was Kansas. “That part was my least favorite, because the state is long, flat and was very hot as we passed through,” she said. But once the group crossed over into Colorado, the temperature began to change, and the nights were cooler. Three days into her journey she had to push her bike up some of the steeper passes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but by the time she reached the Rockies and increased in altitude, she had gotten strong enough to ride her bike through the mountains without having to walk. Even the 12,000foot Hoover Pass in Colorado gave her no breathing problems. One of her favorite spots on the

journey was Breckenridge, Colo., which she said looked like a Swiss village. Why take an ambitious trip at this point in her life? “You reach a point when you realize there’s more time behind you than there is ahead of you,” Holloway said. “You’d better do the things you want to do; otherwise, you might not get the chance.” In fact, she said, taking three months to travel across America on a bicycle is not something she could have done when she was younger. She and her husband John have two children, Joanna and Johnny, who are now grown. John, who is also a cyclist, understood that couples have individual dreams, and he helped her celebrate hers. “As we age,” she said, “it’s too easy to become comfortable with our surroundings, our routines and our lives in general. I learned what it means to persevere and how big things can be accomplished little by little if you’re patient with yourself and others.” When asked if she would do it again, her eyes sparkle and she replies, “There’s a trip from Canada to Key West that looks like it might be fun.” To see more photos from Holloway’s journey across the country, visit www. thehomewoodstar.com.

WALLACE -BURKE

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Soho Square, Suite 100 | 1830 29th Avenue South Homewood, AL 35209 | www.wallace-burke.com | 205.874.1044


22

| October 2011 |

Homewood Events

Homewood Star Calendar

10/1 - Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest hosted by Magic Moments. 11 a.m-4 p.m.. Downtown

Homewood on 29th Ave. between 18th and 19th Street. Admission: $15 at the door or $10 pre-event purchase. More information: www.bhamwingfest.com or 9399372

10/2- Patsy Blake’s Art at the Four Seasons Gallery. Her artwork focuses on the

light, shadow, angle and shapes of the subject over any other distractions in the paintings. On display through Oct. 31. More information: http:// www.4seasonsantiquesandart.com/.

10/2 - 1st Annual Magic City Mile. Join us for this one-mile run in Homewood to

benefit The Bell Center. 2 p.m. Admission: Entry fee is $10 with all proceeds benefiting The Bell Center. More information: 879-3417 or email Kelly Peoples at kpeoples@thebellcenter.org.

10/3 – Donald Goodman and Thomas Head- The Happy Table of Eugene Walter:

Southern Spirits in Food and Drink. Both will be in Birmingham to sign copies, talk about Eugene, and serve treats selected from more than 300 incredible, unique recipes. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South.

10/3 - Annual Poinsettia Sale benefiting The Bell Center. Orders will be taken

during the month of October. Price: $17 for a beautiful 8-inch pot in red, white or pink blooms. More information: 879.3417 or email Kelly Peoples at kpeoples@ thebellcenter.org.

10/3 - Kids Market and Mom Sale begins. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Wildwood North Shopping

Center in the former Academy Sports building. Admission: Free. More information: email info.kidsmarket@gmail.com or visit www.kidsmarketand mom.com.

10/4 – Chris Fuqua- Alabama Musicians. J4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South.

10/6 – Support Homewood Schools. The first Thursday of every month, Zoë’s

Kitchen will donate to the Homewood City Schools Foundation 15 percent of gross sales. 4-9 p.m.

10/6 – Samurai Animanga Club. After school there will be popcorn and screenings of popular anime episodes of Last Exile. Grades 6-12 only. 4 p.m. The Homewood Public Library.

10/10-10/22 – Upholstery sale at Harmony Landing. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Harmony Landing. More information: 871-0585, www.harmonylanding.com or www.facebook.com/harmonylanding.

10/11 - Neighborhood Preservation Organizational Meeting. Homewood Public Library. Time and room to be announced.

10/11 – Robert Morgan- Lions of the West. Robert Morgan, the bestselling historian and biographer of BOONE, which was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, now turns his storytelling genius to the lives of ten American legends in Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South.

10/12 – Game On! Play Wii and Xbox games with a friend. Snacks will be provided. Grades 6-12 only. 4 p.m. The Homewood Public Library.

10/12 – Charles Frazier – Nightwoods. The extraordinary author of Cold Mountain

and Thirteen Moons returns with a dazzling new novel of suspense and love set in small town North Carolina in the early 1960s. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South.

10/13 – Health and Wellness Fair at the Homewood Senior Center. Vendors include

home health services, pet adoption, chiropractic care and more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Homewood Senior Center. More information: Kristen.peek@homewoodal.org.

Sports

10/1 – Samford v. Gardner-Webb. 2 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children.

10/10 – Homewood v. Vestavia Blue youth football league. 6 p.m. Weygand Field.

Admission: $2 for adults and children 12 and up and $1 for students. Children under 6 are free.

10/11 – Homewood v. Helena youth football league. 6 p.m. Weygand Field.

Admission: $2 for adults and children 12 and up and $1 for students. Children under 6 are free.

10/11 – Homewood v. Helena youth football league. 7:15 p.m. Weygand Field.

Admission: $2 for adults and children 12 and up and $1 for students. Children under 6 are free.

10/14 – Homewood High v. Oak Mountain Homecoming game. 7 p.m. Homewood High School. 10/15 – Samford v. Elon. 2 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children.

10/15 – Samford Volleyball benefits the Side Out Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness. T-shirts will be sold for $5 with proceeds benefiting Dig Pink.

10/21 – Samford Soccer benefits the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric

Cancer Awareness. T-shirts will be sold for $5 with proceeds benefiting the Austin Hatcher Foundation. More information: Hollie Huey, 726-4344, www. samfordsports.com.

10/29 – Samford v. Western Carolina. 2 p.m. Samford University. Admission: $15 for adults, $5 for children.

Weekdays – SURVIVE & TFT Athletics classes. M/W: Speed Training sessions,

5:30 p.m. T/R: Youth Fitness & Sports Mobility Training for ages 5 and Up, 4 p.m. Hard Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) group classes, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. F: Strength and Conditioning sessions, 6 p.m. More information: 877-561-9833.

Special Events 10/1 – Fiesta Hispanic Culture Festival. Regions Park, Hoover. More information: www.fiestahbc.com.

10/5-8 – Take Two: A Ladies Consignment Event. Sizes range 0-16 with

prices starting at $3. Vestavia City Center. More information: www. taketwoconsignment.com or taketwoconsignment@gmail.com.

10/6 - Sterne Agee First Look Party. A black tie affair featuring hors d’oeuvres,

cocktails and the chance to be the first to shop Antiques at The Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Admission: $125.

10/7 – Red Diamond Lecture Series. Charlotte Moss, world-renowned interior designer will speak. 10:30 a.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. More information: www.charlottemoss.com

10/7-10/9 – Antiques at The Gardens. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. More information: Shelly McCarty, 414-3931, smccarty@bbgardens.com

10/13 - 10th Annual Homewood Chamber Golf Classic. This year the Classic will

take place on the Valley course with an after-the-tournament party featuring door prizes, music and food provided by Jim N’ Nicks. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Admission: Individual player $125, Foursome $450. More information: 871-5631.

10/15 – Miss Samford Scholarship Pageant. Students of Samford will compete in

10/13 – Cocktails in The Gardens. Enjoy “A Haunted Affair” with a caramel apple

10/20 – East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch General Meeting. 6:30-8 p.m.

10/29 – Art in Avondale Park. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Avondale Park, intersection of 41st

a pageant. Samford Wright Center. More information: www.samford.edu/ wrightcenter or 726-2853. Homewood Public Library. More information: 527-8908, maryellensnell@gmail. com.

10/21 – Cognition and Multiple Sclerosis Program. People living with MS and their caregivers will learn more about cognition problems and MS. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. A light lunch or dinner will be provided. Rose Hall. Free admission. More information: The National MS Society, Alabama-Mississippi Chapter, 879-881, www.nationalMSsociety.org/ALC.

10/22 – Get Hooked! Do you crochet? Would you like to learn? Bring a crochet

hook (size H, I or K) and a skein of light-colored acrylic yarn and learn with friends. Light refreshments and basic instruction will be provided. Ages 10 and up. 2 p.m. The Homewood Public Library.

10/27 - West Homewood Farmer’s Market-Night Markets. Vendors include 10

farmers, three arts and crafts, on-site food vendors and non-profit booths. 5:308:30 p.m. Shades Valley Community Church.

10/27 – Ghost Busters! The Alabama Ghostbusters is a statewide costuming fan

group of the class 1984 movie. Light refreshments will be served. Grades 4 and up. 6:30 p.m. The Homewood Public Library.

10/27- Homewood Parks and Recreation Fall Festival. The long time fall event

provides a variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatables and a costume contest. 6-9 p.m. Homewood Community Center. More information: 332-6182, 871-7304 or rosie.kelly@homewoodal.org.

10/29 – Hall-Kent Fall Festival. Festivities include games, walks, rides, raffle

drawings and a silent and live auction. 4-9 p.m. Hall-Kent Elementary School.

10/31 – Halloween on West Glenwood. Each year the residents of West Glenwood, Roseland and surrounding streets host a Halloween event including trick-ortreating, movies and games. 5:30-8:30 p.m. West Glenwood Drive.

Mondays – Half off Margarita Mondays. Pinches Tacos. 300 Hallman Hill East, Suite 109. More information: ww.pinchestacos.com or 536-6511.

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

Sundays – Bottomless Mimosa Brunch. Pinches Tacos. Noon-3 p.m. Cost: $12. 300 Hallman Hill East, Suite 109. More information: ww.pinchestacos.com or 5366511.

martini as you listen to live music. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Admission: free for members and $15 for non-members.

Street South and 5th Avenue South. More information: Mary Susan Lewis, lewisw21@aol.com, www.artinavondalepark.org/index.htm. In case of rain, the festival will be held Nov. 1.

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

Businesses in the Edgewood and 18th Street downtown areas will be celebrating the town’s Holiday Open House. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Edgewood and Downtown Homewood. More information: www.homewoodchamber.com.

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.

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

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

| October 2011 |

23

Homewood Happenings

Music & Arts 10/5-10/8 – Cirque du Soleil: Dralion. 7:30 p.m. BJCC ArenMore information:

GianMarco Wine

http://www.bjcc.org/events.php#.

10/6-10/8 – Southern Women’s Show. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Hall. Admission: $9. More information: http://www.bjcc.org/events.php#.

10/7 – Broadway in Birmingham: Hal Holbrook Mark Twain. 8 p.m. BJCC

Concert Hall. Admission: $25-$65. More information: http://www.bjcc.org/ events.php#.

10/9 – Vulcan AfterTunes presents Scars on 45. 3 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum.

Admission: $15 for adults, $7.50 for Vulcan members and free for children 12 and under. More information: www.visitvulcan.com.

10/14-10/15 – Tyler Perry’s The Haves and The Have Nots. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. Admission: $38 and $45. More information: http://www.bjcc.org/ events.php#.

10/21 – The Midtown Men. 7:30 p.m. Samford Wright Center. Admission: $27- $55. More information: www.samford.edu/wrightcenter or 726-2853.

Well-loved Italian restaurant GianMarco’s has opened a wine shop in a renovated store directly behind the restaurant. They offer wine by the glass, wine tasting, wine by the bottle and they

serve GianMarco’s full menu. The wine shop is open MondaySaturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. GianMarco Wine is located at 731 R. Broadway St. For more information, call 871-9622.

Ultimate Nutrition and Natural Pet Ultimate Nutrition and Natural Pet now has a location in Homewood. Located at 1911 Oxmoor Road, the store has expanded their inventory to include natural pet products.

The store also offers weight loss and energy products, endurance items and an exclusive line of vitamins, minerals and herbs. For more information, call 870-1599 or like them on Facebook.

10/21 - Music for Choral Vespers Series. 5:30 p.m. Reid Chapel. Free admission. More information: 726-4197 or saflynt@samford.edu.

10/21-10/22 – Mystery Dinner Theater. Dinner at 6: 30 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. The Homewood Public Library. Admission: $25. More information: 332-6624.

Museum. Admission: $15 for adults, $7.50 for Vulcan members and free for children 12 and under. More information: www.visitvulcan.com.

10/26 – Maestro Goes to the Movies, a Kid Concert by the Birmingham Music Club. Samford Wright Center. More information: www.samford.edu/ wrightcenter or 726-2853.

10/28 – Music for Choral Vespers Series, Homecoming Vespers. S5:30 p.m. Reid

Chapel. Free admission. More information: 726-4197 or saflynt@samford.edu.

10/28 – Alabama Symphony Orchestra SuperPops: Audra McDonald. 7 p.m. Samford Wright Center. Admission: $14- $70. More information: www. samford.edu/wrightcenter or 726-2853.

Admission: $25-$55. http://www.bjcc.org/events.php#.

10/29 – Steve Harvey Comedy Show. 8 p.m. BJCC Arena. Admission: $43. More information: http://www.bjcc.org/events.php#.

Center. More information: www.samford.edu/wrightcenter or 726-2853.

38 pages is a web-based company that recently moved their offices to Homewood. The company started out doing web design and has now incorporated internet marketing, application and software

Ongoing- Photography Classes. Learn the basics of composition, lighting,

editing, as well has how to take better family and vacation photographs. More information: Virginia Jones, virgjones@gmail.com

Open Monday - Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM Closed on Sundays

16

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development and email campaigns into their business. 38 pages is located at 1807 Oxmoor Road, Suite 1. For more information call 383-4427 or email at contact@38pages.com.

Save Money at the Handy TV Warehouse Outlet Located Here in Homewood 224 Oxmoor Circle • (205) 313-2246

LCD TV with Low Reflection Glare 26” HD Protection, HDMI™ and PC Inputs

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Compassionate Care, Eating Disorders Treatment, and Mission Mediation. The center is located at 2920 18th Street South. For more information, call 870-5515.

38 pages

10/31 – Seussical The Musical by Classical Productions. 10 a.m. Samford Wright

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Grace Counseling & Mission Mediation Grace Counseling & Mission Mediation will be opening a new office in Homewood. They are celebrating 15 years as well as launching new practices including

10/28-10/29 – Broadway in Birmingham: STOMP. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall.

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TheraConnection has recently relocated their corporate office to Homewood. The team is trained and experienced in orthopedic rehabilitation equipment and strives to provide the

10/23 – Vulcan AfterTunes presents Diane Burch. 3 p.m. Vulcan Park and

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| October 2011 |

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