The Homewood Star May 2017

The Homewood Star

Volume 7 | Issue 2 | May 2017

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

THE PRICE OF GROWTH Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

Investments in future by students, Samford University go hand in hand

By EMI LY F EA T H ERST ON

I

affect the communities around them.

n September, Samford niversity will celebrate its th year as part of the Homewood community. hen Howard ollege s students first wal ed on the brand-new a eshore campus in , the grounds were muddy from new construction and only eight buildings stood on the hillside.

This fall, almost , students will, in one way or another, call Samford niversity home. n the first of a four-part series, The Homewood Star is ta ing a loo at how Samford and other college students

INSIDE Sponsors ......... A4 News ................. A6 Chamber........... A9 Business .........A10 Events .............A16

‘CALCULATED’ GROWTH

uring the past years, Samford has seen an overall percent increase in total enrollment, with the year-over-year rate increasing to percent or more for the past two years. t s been an intentional plan, said Samford ice President for Student ffairs and nrollment Management Phil imrey. or us, we don t want to be the biggest, but at the same time we do now for us to continue to advance, we

See SAMFORD | page A22

Learning to Live

Community .....A19 School House .. B8 Sports ..............B10 Opinion ............B16 Calendar ..........B18

Kimrey

THE PRICE OF GROWTH This is the first in a fourpart series examining the interaction between Samford University, its students and the city of Homewood.

Look in the June issue for an examination of the cost, quality and availability of housing for Samford students, both on campus and off.

Re m e m b e r i n g Ra c h e l ’ s ‘ g r e a t o u tlo o k ’ o n life

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Pre-Sort Standard .S. Postage P Tupelo, MS P ermit # 5 4

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Paralyzed by a gunshot wound, ren r n str gg ed t nd a purpose for his life. Now, his new center helps others with disabilities nd theirs.

See page B1

U nwavering strength and optimism.

T hose who knew Rachel Corscadden said those traits defined her battle with breast cancer, right up until her final days. ven in times where maybe she was down, she would always find a way to comfort you. f she felt li e was nervous about something the doctor said, she would find a way to ma e me feel better, which was always surprising to me. She ust never wanted anyone to be worried or upset, said childhood friend and fellow Homewood resident esley Hendon.

Rachel Corscadden was an Edgewood resident and mother of two boys, raham and iam. She

Eric and Rachel Corscadden with sons Liam and Graham. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Peters.

died March at years old after a breast cancer battle of nearly four years. Her husband, ric, and friends remember her as a bright, loving person who everyone in Homewood seemed to now.

See CORSCADDEN | page A21

A2 • May 2017

The Homewood Star

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May 2017 • A3

The Homewood Star

A4 • May 2017

About Us Editor’s Note By Sydney Cromwell When you’re a kid, May is an exciting month — school’s almost over, and summer’s on the way.

I can easily recall that feeling of lightness as you walk out that last classroom door of the day, with only the imagination of summer plans to worry about. Even as an adult, I get a little reminiscent twinge of summer excitement when May comes around.

While we as adults don’t get threemonth breaks every summer anymore, there’s still plenty about May to be excited for. We Love Homewood Day returns this month, along with the West Homewood Spring Streetfest. Kick off summer reading with your children at the library, or enjoy a series of concerts at Brookwood Live.

Of course, May also means it’s time

I want to thank her husband and friends who were willing to sit with me and talk about Rachel’s life even while the memories were still raw.

And if you’re still thinking about school before summer is in full swing, we have stories about several young athletes who were recognized for their performance this year, as well as a feature on several soon-to-be Homewood High graduates.

Hope you enjoy all this month has to offer, for adults and children alike. to recognize the mothers in your life.

Our cover story on Rachel Corscadden, a young mother who everybody in Homewood seemed to know and love, was an emotional one for me to write.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

The Homewood Patriot Marching Band gets a surprise announcement on April 17, 2017, that it will be traveling to and participating in the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

The Homewood Star

Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Sports Editor: Digital Editor: Page Designer:

Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Sarah Finnegan Kyle Parmley Alyx Chandler Cameron Tipton

Community Editor: Erica Techo Community Reporters: Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Lexi Coon Staff Writers: Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Contributing Writers: Sarah Cook Lauren Denton Grace Thornton

Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Account Manager: Layton Dudley

Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Rhonda Smith

James Plunkett Gail Kidd Eric Clements

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Homewood Star PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: sydney@ starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: The Homewood Star LLC Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. The Homewood Star is designed to inform the Homewood community of area school, family and community events. Information in The Homewood Star is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of The Homewood Star. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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May 2017 • A5

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A6 • May 2017

City

Project manager selection process divides councilors Officials not on task force say they’re inadequately equipped to decide on school, park, safety projects included in $110M bond

By SYDNEY CROMWELL At a full-council work session to discuss potential project managers for the $ 1 1 0 million worth of schools, parks and public safety projects, it became clear that not all council members felt fully in the loop on the discussion. “ We’re sitting here trying to make heads or tails of this discussion we had no part in,” said Ward 2 Rep. Mike Higginbotham, who was not part of the task force that interviewed project management firms but did attend public portions of the meetings. “ I’m frustrated by the process at this point.”

T he April 3 work session came after the task force — consisting of council, school board, parks and police representatives — recommended B.L. Harbert International to manage the projects funded by the city’s $1 10 million bond. Harbert, which managed construction of the Homewood Community Center and produced a study of the schools and parks systems in September, was chosen out of five companies that submitted proposals, three of which were interviewed. A breakdown of Harbert’s proposal, totaling around $4.3 million, can be found on T he Homewood Star’s website.

Most of the discussion in the meeting, however, was not focused on the details of Harbert’s proposal. Instead, Mayor Scott McBrayer started the meeting with his recommendation

“

Half of what’s being said doesn’t make any sense; there’s no context for it.

[I don’t feel] adequately equipped to make an informed decision ...

”

REP. ANDREW WOLVERTON

that more consideration be given to Hoar P rogram Management’s proposal, estimated to cost around $2.5 million. “ I would at least like for y’all to consider HP M. I just think they’re the best to do our schools. Based on their resume, based on their costs, I just really think they’re the way to go,” McBrayer said.

T here were some tense feelings between the task force and HP M after the company’s president, Mike Lanier, sent a letter to the full council March 8. Lanier was present at the April 3 meeting and said he sent the letter after being asked to revise their proposal multiple times: once to include construction management

Mayor Scott McBrayer, center, speaks during a full-council work session on April 3. Photo

by Sydney Cromwell.

for the parks project, which HP M originally believed another company would be doing; once to manage only the schools portion of the project; and once for only the initial demographics and programming management, handing off construction management to another firm.

HPM refused to do this final proposal revision, which Lanier said he had never been asked to do before and would be a bad idea for both the management firm and the city. The letter he sent to the council outlined the proposals HP M had made and their refusal to consider only performing initial work for the schools. It was sent to the whole council as, according to the letter, Lanier wasn’t sure if all of the task force “ was privy to” the revised proposals HP M had offered.

Additionally, the letter alleges that members of the task force shared HP M’s proposal

amount with a competing firm due to what he called the “ strident support they enjoy amongst some members of the task force.”

Homewood City Schools Superintendent Bill Cleveland and Ward 3 Rep. Walter J ones both said they found the letter offensive. While Cleveland said he would still consider working with HP M because of their past experience with similar projects, he felt the letter would erode some trust in their working relationship if chosen. “ It was a little shock to the system, I must say,” Cleveland said. “ I wasn’t trying to alienate or offend anybody — I’ve just never done that in 20 years,” Lanier said.

Confusion arose among members of the council, particularly those who hadn’t been on the task force, as to exact costs of each proposal and what options were on the table.

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A7

Council and school board members listen to project management discussions. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Ward 4 Rep. Alex Wyatt, who did much of the research for the task force, said Harbert’s proposal includes more services than HP M’s, and when broken down to the schools portion of the proposals and comparing their hourly or monthly rates, he found them to be “ two comparable numbers.”

Higginbotham, his ward mate Andrew Wolverton and Ward 4 Rep. Barry Smith said they didn’t feel like the task force had communicated enough about their interviews and decision-making process for the other council members to make a decision on how to move forward. “ Half of what’s being said doesn’t make any sense; there’s no context for it,” Wolverton said. “ [ I don’t feel] adeq uately eq uipped to make an informed decision, and that weighs on me heavily.”

T he task force drew criticism from residents when it was first formed in anuary and ouncil P resident Bruce Limbaugh said it did not have to make meetings public. T he task force then chose to make its meetings public, except for parts of the firm interviews, which imbaugh said were closed to discuss financial information from the firms.

Alabama’s open meetings rules state that all municipal committees must make their meetings open to the public, even if they are only acting in an advisory role. After the March 2 meeting that was partially closed, ity ttorney Mike Kendrick said technically the task force did not have to abide by these rules since it was personally convened by Limbaugh, not sanctioned by the council. However, Kendrick said he had encouraged the task force to follow these rules anyway.

Members of the council who weren’t on the task force received copies of the proposals March 20 t o consider. ones said at the time the tas force was convened, it seemed like the best way to reach a decision that worked best for all the projects funded by the bond, but that may not be the case now. He suggested splitting the projects, with the city picking a project manager for the public safety building and parks projects, while the school board would make their own recommendation for the schools project.

T his proposal was favored by several other council members both on April 3 and in a second work session on the topic held April 1 0 . n pril , Superintendent ill leveland said he had talked with board of education members, who want to start “ from scratch” with their own req uest for proposals for the entire board, as well as the superintendent and chief financial officer, to sit in on the interviews. leveland said the P will be more specific to the school system s needs. draft P has already been sent to the board’s attorney and he anticipated proposals returning by April 27, so the board could make a decision in early May. T he board would have to bring their choice to the city to have funding approved from the bond proceeds. “ I think it makes a lot of sense based on what we talked about last week,” Ward 2 Representative Andrew Wolverton said on April 10.

Strategic planning for Homewood ity Schools is still ongoing to create a master plan, including growth plans, and leveland said those are on track to wrap up by the end of the school year. n pril , leveland said the school board is not sure whether the proposal of a new high school in West Homewood will become a

reality. Of the school system’s $ 5 5 million portion of the bond, about $ 2 0 -2 5 million will need to be spent on expansion and renovation in the elementary and middle schools. Estimates for a brand new high school run between $7580 million, and Homewood ity Schools had considered making up the shortfall through selling the current high school property on Lakeshore Drive. nitial tal s with Samford niversity, leveland said, have showed the university is not interested in buying the property for the asking price the school system needs. Right now, leveland said they need the help of a pro ect manager to figure out their options and how to proceed, which could include use or sale of the vacant V alley Avenue property the school system owns in some way.

T he council voted to approve funding for the board to hire a demographer as soon as they are ready.

T he council also approved the use of Harbert as the parks and public safety projects manager. ard epresentative alter ones said negotiation must still be done, but they will start with the numbers included in Harbert’s proposal, minus the schools portion of the project. According to this proposal, management of pre-construction and construction phases would total around $2.6 m illion.

Additionally, the council approved the signing of contracts with Davis Architects to begin wor on the par s pro ects, including ball field reorganization at West Homewood P ark and a new pool at Patriot Par , and with MH rchitects for work on the design of the new public safety building in West Homewood.

T hese contracts were approved ahead of project management negotiations at the req uest of P arks and Recreation Director Berkley S uires and Police hief Tim oss so that time won’t be lost in completing the plans for these projects.

At its April 10 meeting after the work session, the council also: • Asked city attorney Mike Kendrick to contact the owners of 602 Windsor Drive. T he owners had started work on a new driveway and received a stop order until they applied for the appropriate permits, then also applied for a variance req uest. However, the owners did not show up at tonight’s public meeting and Building, Engineering and Z oning employee reg obb said the owners had completed work on the driveway anyway and it did not meet city ordinances. Kendrick said he would write a letter giving the property owners two weeks to remove the driveway and begin the city’s permitting and variance process instead. pressed their opposition to state Senate Bill 316, which would prevent a municipality from levying delivery license fees on businesses who deliver to that city, regardless of whether they have a physical location there, as long as deliveries are less than $ 7 5 ,0 0 0 per year in that particular city. “ It’s another opportunity to chip away at revenue for the city of Homewood,” Limbaugh said. pproved the closure of roo wood illage Street from noon to 10 p.m. on May 4, 1 1 and 1 8 for the Brookwood Live! concert series. eset a public hearing for pril to consider declaring 2 8 2 7 and 2 8 3 1 1 6 th P lace South public nuisances, due to the owner making progress and reque sting more time. ropped a fence ordinance variance reque st at 17 15 Mayfair Drive due to the home being sold.

The Homewood Star

A8 • May 2017

City considers traffic study options

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Skipper Consulting presented four possible options for Homewood to pursue a citywide traffic study at the pril planning and development committee meeting.

The city has received approval from the Metropolitan Planning rgani ation MP for a , study, of which Homewood would pay percent and T percent. S ipper has provided proposals for such a study in the past, and representative ichard audle said the firm built on those proposals to present four options.

The first is that the city could study about eight intersections for improvement options. audle said S ipper ust finished a similar pro ect in Mountain roo , and they started with areas of concern for the council, got public input on those areas and then narrowed them to a list of greatest concerns. These eight intersections were studied more intensively and a list of solutions provided to the city.

The second option for the , study is a citywide crash study, loo ing at crash hot spots” around Homewood and solutions to reduce accidents. S ipper wor ed on such a study in uburn.

The third option would be field observations of school ones for traffic improvements, which S ipper also wor ed on in uburn, and the fourth is a comprehensive calming strategy to slow traffic and reduce congestion citywide. audle said this idea came from his time in the Hoover traffic department. nce the Homewood council has agreed to an - match with T, they can select a consultant to perform the wor . Though S ipper provided these options to the council, audle said Homewood is not bound to wor with S ipper or with any of the options presented. ard epresentative alter ones as ed audle for proof that the recent restriping of alley venue, reducing the road from four

Council members and business owners look at plans for parking and sidewalks on Central Avenue. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

lanes to three, has had the traffic improvement effect that S ipper predicted when the idea was proposed several years ago. audle said the current striping of the road is temporary, and final striping should ma e the turn lane narrower and leave more room for bi es as well as vehicles pulling out from the Homewood Townhomes lots. alley venue will also eventually have a right turn lane for eastbound traffic at the

intersection with th Street, which council members believe will improve traffic significantly. d li e to now what you said is true, ones said. n the pril finance committee meeting, the committee discussed the addition of sidewal s, crosswal s and about par ing spaces along entral venue. reg obb from the uilding, ngineering and oning epartment

said the cost for the wor would be less than , . The plan, proposed by the owner of aliber, has received pushbac from some entral venue businesses due to concern it would ta e away some of their own par ing lots and entry access, but those present were happy with modifications presented.

The council was set to discuss bidding out the pro ect on pril . isit thehomewoodstar. com for updates.

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A9

Chamber Annual Excellence in Education Luncheon highlights band, student accomplishments

By LEX I COON While Superintendent Bill Cleveland said the school system sometimes struggles to decide which of the many parts Homewood City Schools they want to showcase at the Annual Excellence in Education Luncheon, this year on April 1 8 they chose two topics: the Homewood P atriot Band and the students of the city schools.

Recently, the Homewood P atriot Band announced it will be traveling to N ew Y ork City to march in the 2018 Macy’s T hanksgiving Day P arade. “ If you don’t think this is a big deal, this helps our students in a lot of different ways,” Cleveland said. “ T his is the goal. When I was in college, I had my goals written, and the top goal was ‘ Have a band march in the Macy’s T hanksgiving Day P arade,’” said Homewood High School band director Ron P ence.

The first year Homewood Patriot and was accepted was in 1 9 7 8 , and P ence was hired

by Homewood City Schools in 19 6. Shortly thereafter, he was joined by assistant band director and Homewood Middle School band director — a nd close friend — C hris Cooper.

While the Homewood P atriot Band was initially rejected to play in N ew Y ork City, 2018 parade will mark their ninth year marching in the Macy’s T hanksgiving Day P arade. “ My dream was to go to Macy’s once,” Cooper said. “ And [ the announcement] yesterday … It brings tears to my eyes to think about it.”

T he Homewood marching band is the fourth largest marching band in the state — falling

Nick Petras of Homewood High School performs the National Anthem to open the luncheon.

Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland talks about the students of the Homewood City Schools during the annual Excellence in Education Luncheon on April 18. Photos by Lexi Coon.

only behind Alabama U niversity, Auburn U niversity and J acksonville State, Cleveland said. And what makes it stand out, aside from the students themselves, is the community support. “ [ When I started,] the community embraced me, and embraced the vision that we had, because we not only wanted to have the band keep on the level of excellence [ from before I was hired] , we wanted everybody in the school system to be in band,” P ence said. “ So we [ Chris and I] started a journey with that vision, and it was supported by our administration, it

was supported by the school board, and especially by the community.”

N ow, since his time in Homewood, the Homewood P atriot Band has marched in the Macy’s T hanksgiving Day P arade more than any other band in the country despite not going every year, P ence said. “ One thing that we do, that other bands don’t do, is we are Homewood’s band … T he community is so important to us,” P ence said. “ T hank you for allowing me to dream a dream and to live a dream life as a band director. It is phenomenal.”

Also at the luncheon, Cleveland and Chamber of Commerce president Mandy Schwarting presented five Homewood students with the 2 0 1 6 -2 0 1 7 Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award. A student from each school was honored with the award: J ackson Warren, from Edgewood Elementary School; Kayla Warren, from Hall-Kent Elementary School; G race Howard Weinberg, from Shades Cahaba Elementary School; Anna N guyen, from Homewood Middle School; and Chandler Harris, from Homewood High School.

T he next Homewood Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be on May 1 6 at T he Club from 1 1 : 3 0 a.m. to 1 p.m. T o register, visit homewoodchamber.com.

The Homewood Star

A10 • May 2017 6 18 Street S.

Homewood Happenings

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TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A11

Now Open Rob e r t s on Ban k i n g C om p an y, based in Demopolis, has opened a loan production office at entral ve., Suite . hit ird, who has previously wor ed for egions an and irst ommercial an , has been hired as city president.

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Li z La n e G a l l e r y, located at th ve. S., is now open. The gallery features locally made pottery and ewelry, as well as carefully selected two-dimensional artwor . The owner, i ane, has several years of e perience on the irmingham art scene.

903058, l i z l an e gal l e r y.c om

News and Accomplishments F i r s t Co m m e r c i a l Ba n k , with a location at oodcrest Place, will be rebranded as Synovus an by the end of .

Synovus, irst ommercial s parent company, is rebranding all their ban s under one name.

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New Ownership Be ac on I n s u r an c e G r ou p , ndependence Pla a, Suite , has been bought by irmingham-based Truitt nsurance onding. Truitt nsurance has been in business since they will now have employees in their three offices, including irmingham, othan and Tallahassee. mployees in the Homewood office will be relocating to Truitt s office in the a eview area of irmingham.

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tlanta-based Oc t an e Cof f e e , entral ve., Suite , has been purchased by evelator offee. Plans are to rebrand each ctane location under the evelator name within the ne t years.

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h e Sm oc k i n g B i r d , inden 5 T ve., is now under the ownership of obbie lewellyn.

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Hirings and Promotions rances no has oined LA H Re al Es t at e , moor oad, as a ealtor. She has been selling real estate in the irmingham area for three decades.

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Anniversaries V la l e y Cl e an e r s , moor oad, celebrated its th anniversary in business in pril.

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T h e r ap ySou t h , ndependence rive, Suite , is celebrating its second anniversary in May. 9681283, t h e r ap ys ou t h .c om / h om e w od

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Mr . Wan g’ s Ch i n e s e Bu f f e t , a eshore Par way, celebrated its th anniversary in pril.

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e l l P e d i at r i c De n t i s t r y, th ve. S., Suite , is celebrating its second anniversary on May .

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If you’re a brick-and-mortar business in the Homewood area and want to share your news with the community, let us know. Email matthew@starnespublishing.com.

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The Homewood Star

A12 • May 2017

heri rey ner e heri and D r ite D r a ve e t and Michea Mead s ner a ance Pers na Training t di and recently moved their businesses from Mountain Brook to a suite at 1722 28th Ave. S. in Homewood. Photos by Sydney Cromwell.

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‘ Dyn a m i c d u o ’ m o v e b u s i n e s s e s t o H o m e w o o d

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Sheri Corey and Micheal Meadows’ businesses have shared a wall for five years. So when Corey decided to relocate her business to Homewood, she convinced her neighbor to come with her. “ We are the dynamic duo that enjoy being together, orey said.

Corey is the owner of Sew Sheri and Dorm Sweet Dorm, where she creates custom draperies and dorm-room decor, and has been in business years. Meadows owns the five-year-old alance Personal Training Studio. hen both businesses were on Culver Road in Mountain Brook, they got to know each other because

Corey didn’t mind when Meadows threw weighted balls against their adjoining wall in group wall ball e ercises.

T hat led to several Sew Sheri employees oining fitness classes in Meadows gym, then orey herself started training there. The pair became fast friends and enjoyed their shared bond as business owners. “ We built a big bond over there,” Meadows said.

Corey decided to relocate her business to a suite at th ve. S. Since it was a double suite, she brought Meadows with her to see if he li ed it. He didn t but one of his trainers did.

He saw a vision that didn t see. nce we

built it out, loved it, Meadows said.

Meadows made another visit and, rather than re-signing his Mountain Brook lease, decided to ma e the leap. oth businesses relocated in ecember. “ After thinking about it … I downsized and moved over and got to stay neighbors with one of my clients, Meadows said.

Both Sew Sheri and Balance are in smaller spaces than what they had in Mountain roo .

Corey had to change her shop’s layout, and Meadows had to get rid of some extra equi pment to ma e it a good fit. ut rather than following the traditional business advice to keep growing, Corey said downsizing made them more financially stable and allowed them to

focus on strengthening their businesses instead of e panding. “ We really had to rethink our businesses,” orey said.

Their new location is a little harder to find, but Corey said they have the advantage of more par ing than they had in Mountain roo .

With their new spaces come some changes including that Meadows now has clients throw their wall balls on the opposite wall.

But the dynamic between this duo has stayed the same. “ I love hearing his music through the walls,” orey said. still get to come over and visit. t s a fun shop to visit, Meadows said.

TheHomewoodStar.com

WHAT’S COOKING

May 2017 • A13

Whether at home or out, treat Mom to a Mother’s Day Benedict

By EMI LY F EA T H ERST ON

SoHo Social uses an “easy” Benedict, which uses a food processor or blender rather than intensive labor, to top its soft-shell crab Benedict. Photo by Emily Featherston.

EASY BLENDER HOLLANDAISE SAUCE:

eggs yol s uice of two lemons Pinch of cayenne pepper teaspoon freshly chopped parsley or other herbs tablespoons butter, melted still hot Salt and pepper to taste

STEPS:

1 . In a food processor or blender, combine egg yolks, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and herbs.

2 . With the machine on, slowly pour in butter until mi ture thic ens and emulsifies.

3 . Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately over eggs or other breakfast dishes.

F or SoHo Social executive chef T aylor Hughes, brunch is a meal he thinks is unique ly fun. “ It’s always crazy to work brunch,” Hughes said, “ but it’s a lot of fun.”

SoHo Social opened in downtown Homewood in F ebruary, and in addition to a steady lunch crowd and hopping happy hour scene, it has seen regularly packed-out brunches on the weekends.

Some items on the menu, such as soft-shell crab, are only available on the weekends, making each brunch service special. “ T here’s really no limits or no rules with brunch,” Hughes said, describing SoHo’s takes on classic brunch dishes such as eggs Benedict and elgian waf es. or those loo ing to get even more adventurous, the restaurant offers a bloody mary bar along with several specialty brunch cocktails.

And the breakfast side of the meal in particular has a special connection for Hughes. rea fast food is the first thing can remember coo ing growing up, he said, so making a meal where a favorite food gets a breakfast spin is a natural favorite for him.

F or Mother’s Day brunch, Hughes said SoHo Social will be taking reservations — a practice the establishment never does regularly.

Hughes said they also hope to have fresh owers for each guest who is a mother, as a special expression and celebration. “ Mothers appreciate a thank you every day, and it’s easy to forget that, but just a little something extra we can do for them to let them know how great they are,” he said.

F or those who may want to treat Mom to brunch at home, Hughes had a “ kitchen hack” to make preparing classic dishes simpler: an easy blender hollandaise sauce.

Instead of req uiring a double boiler, constant whisking and a lot of time, Hughes suggested cooks make use of some of their kitchen gadgets.

Hollandaise sauce can top a variety of dishes but is most common on eggs Benedict, which SoHo Social transforms by using fresh soft-shell crab. “ If you just have a blender … [ hollandaise] is easy,” he said.

SoHo Social is open for brunch Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 1 1 a .m. to 2 p.m .

The Homewood Star

A14 • May 2017

mother’s day

For the

MOM WHO HAS EVERYTHING

gift guide

For the

ACTIVE MOM

Specialized Roll Low-Entry $489.95 A perfect bike for around town and more. Great style, cozy seat, upright riding position and low-entry frame make this a popular women’s bike.

OYOBox $135-300 Multiple sizes and chic colors to store and organize eyewear.

Schaeffer Eye Center 979-2020 SchaefferEyeCenter.com

For the

Bob’s Bikes 2852 18th St. S. 879-2258

CLASSIC MOM Carson & Co. 100 Percent Silk Charmeuse Scarves $325+ Designer Susan Carson draws on everything from vintage botanical prints to old book jackets for her silk scarves.

Bromberg’s 2800 Cahaba Road 871-3276

For the

GLAM MOM DITA Axial Sunglasses in Rose Gold $525 The Axial sunglass is a sophisticated woman’s aviator that represents the optimal blending of form and function that is perfect for Mom.

For the

BUSY MOM Cotton Bloom Spa Collection $49 This collection includes a moisturizing milk bath, soothing shower gel and nourishing body lotion. Exclusively at Alabama Goods.

JJ Eyes 2814 18th St. S. 703-8596

Alabama Goods 2933 18th St. S. 803-3900

e

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A15

For the

HOME IMPROVER

For the

FAN OF FLOWERS

Accent Knobs $89.95 - $113.95 So many options for Mom to get her home that special look. Variety of brands available.

Fresh Flower Arrangements $20+ (Cash and carry) Beautiful arrangements available for delivery.

Brandino Brass 2824 Central Ave. 978-8900

Homewood Antiques & Marketplace 930 Oxmoor Road 414-9945

For the

SKIN VIP Skin Wellness Center VIP Gift Card $299 Give Mom the gift of beautiful skin with a gift card that entitles her to over $2,000 in savings and free services.

Skin Wellness Center of Alabama 1920 Huntington Road 871-7332

For the

MOM ON THE GO Yeti Rambler $29.99+ Seafoam Ramblers are perfect for Mom this summer to prevent external heating and slipping.

Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware 3354 Morgan Drive 979-5444

For the For the

GREEN THUMB Ceramic Head Planter $75+ Ceramic head planter with your choice of plants and flowers.

Sweetpeas Garden Shop 2829 Linden Ave. 879-3839

STYLE ICON Bussola Women’s Formentera Wedges $100 Formentera Flatform Sandals combine the height and elegance of a high-heel shoe with the comfort and wearability of a sandal. This design is superbly finished with crossed straps across the instep and studding on the footbed.

Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919

The Homewood Star

A16 • May 2017

Events Boys choir group swells to record numbers for its spring concert

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

The Mindbender 5K, which was at Homewood Central Park last year, will move to Red Mountain Park this year for its May 6 event. Photo courtesy of Joan Baucom/ARCS.

3rd annual Mindbender 5K moves to Red Mountain Park

By EMI LY F EA T H ERST ON T he third annual Mindbender 5 K will move to Red Mountain P ark this year, but it will continue to benefit l heimer s research.

Hosted by the l heimer s esearch and are Society S , the event raises money for local and national research efforts, as well as support for those affected and their family members.

S reports that l heimer s is the only cause of death of the nation s top causes that cannot be prevented, cured or even truly slowed. dditionally, million members of the baby boomer generation are expected to

be diagnosed with the degenerative disease by .

T o help, people are encouraged to “ Spread the word, start a team, get fired up about this cause which is dramatically underfunded,” said S founder oan aucom.

The Mindbender is May and will start at a.m.

Registration is available online in advance for per participant, or in person on the day of for per participant.

This year s event is being sponsored by Ma us onstruction, St. incent s Hospital, roo dale niversity Par and Puttin on the it Service. or more information, go to al arcs.org.

This year s spring concert by the irmingham oys hoir will feature the largest group in the choir s history, with more than boys from schools.

Music director en erg said the th annual spring concert will feature music by rahms, Holst, lausen and Stradtman along with merican spirituals and hymns, fol songs, love songs and vocal a . The concert, which mar s the end of the oys hoir s season, is at awson amily of aith May from to p.m.

The spring concert will feature unior choristers in grades , concert choristers in grades and the members of the T our Choir. erg said the Tour hoir also will be traveling in a summer concert tour that includes the northwestern .S. The oys hoir is auditioning for its season, which begins in ugust.

The spring concert is free and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

F or more information about the concert, auditions or the upcoming season, go to birminghamboyschoir.com or call .

Library kicks off summer program for young readers

By SYDNEY CROMWELL T he Homewood P ublic Library wants to show kids that reading can be fun all year long with its annual summer reading event.

This year s summer reading ic off will be the Race Into Reading fun run on May . pen to children fifth grade and under, as well as families with strollers, the -mile run will benefit the ibrary oundation. The run begins at p.m. in the library bac par ing lot, preceded by a umba warmup at p.m.

fter the run, anyone is welcome to en oy the uild a etter orld party beginning at p.m. ld Town Pi a food truc and Magic City Sweet Ice will be there.

Children can register for summer reading and pick up their reading bag, as well as enjoy face painting, a bouncy house and a group building project with the Magic City Lego sers group. egistration is for individuals and for families up to four people. o to homewoodpubliclibrary.org Summer- un- un to register.

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A17

The 31st annual “We Love Homewood Day” will once again bring a full day of celebration and activities to the city. Photo by Patty Bradley.

We Love Homewood Day promises another fun-filled celebration

By EMI LY F EA T H ERST ON Homewood’s biggest day of the year is shaping up to be nothing short of jam-packed as We Love Homewood Day returns for its 31s t year.

On May 6, Homewood Central P ark and the surrounding area will be transformed into a full-blown festival.

T he day will kick off early at 7 : 3 0 a.m. with the We Love Homewood Day 5 K, formerly known as the annual Spirit Scamper. Runners will begin and end at the park and run through the Edgewood area.

T he largest of the events, the We Love Homewood Day F estival, is in the park proper.

T he festival will begin at 1 0 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m., and will feature live music from a DJ as well as a performance from the Homewood High School P atriot Band at 1 p.m .

F estival activities are scheduled to include carnival-style rides, in atables and other games and activities, as well as a silent auction that will feature gift cards and items from local businesses, tickets for trips and attractions, signed memorabilia and artwork. T he auction is also at 1 0 a.m. T he Society for Creative Anachronism will be on hand to demonstrate armored combat and “ turn back the clock” to medieval times.

F ood, including barbecue, hamburgers and hot dogs, will be available to support the West Homewood Lions Club.

Homewood’s Rotary Club will be hosting a bake sale from 1 0 a.m. to 2 p.m. in P avilion 2 at the park, as well as a sidewalk chalk art festival, which will benefit the ceptional oundation.

At 6 p.m., the annual We Love Homewood ay Parade will ma e its way down moor from the park to the Edgewood business district. P rizes will be awarded for Best of Show, Most Homewood Spirit and Best F loat.

F ollowing the parade, the day will close with a Street Dance in Edgewood. At the dance, the 2 0 1 7 Q uality of Life and Employee of the Y ear awards will be presented.

T he dance will feature music from Bonus Round, and merchants will be open serving food and drinks.

P arks and Recreation Superintendent Rusty Holley said his team is looking forward to the event, even though it will be a long work day. “ It’s the one day of the year that’s designated to celebrate Homewood,” Holley said. “ We have a good time.” nformation about specific events can be found at homewoodparks.com.

The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation will be hosting its annual Motherwalk at Homewood Central Park on May 13. Photo courtesy of Lloyd Beard.

Motherwalk brings teal to Homewood

By LEX I COON In the coming year, 2,0 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 1 3 ,0 0 0 women will die from ovarian cancer in the U .S., said enny Mc nerney, e ecutive director of the N orma Livingston Ovarian Cancer F oundation.

T hat’s why the Motherwalk 5K and 1- mile fun run was started — to celebrate the survivors and those receiving treatment and honor those who have since passed. “ T he event is important to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to raise funds for ovarian cancer research,” McInerney said.

Each year, the walk/ run event sees between 60 and 70 people and raises about $5 0,0 that goes toward ovarian cancer research.

Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to participate in the 5K race, which starts at 8

a.m., or the 1 -mile fun run, which starts at 9 a.m. on May 1 3 at Homewood Central P ark.

P articipants and supporters are encouraged to stay after the race for live music, food and a kid’s zone, which will include face painting, hula hoopers, a climbing wall and a bounce house. uests should e pect a great time celebrating survivors, remembering those who have passed, and raising awareness and funds to defeat this disease,” McInerney said.

F riends and family are encouraged to “ come dressed together” in the color teal in honor of the women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Registration is free for ovarian cancer survivors, $ 3 0 for adults who register by April 30 a nd $20 f or youth.

T o register or learn more about the event, which features a S T certified course, go to motherwalk.com.

The Homewood Star

A18 • May 2017

Scouts serving up breakfast at 40th annual garage sale

Patriot Park and Oak Grove Road will once again host the West Homewood Spring Streetfest on May 13. Photo courtesy of Justin Limbaugh.

Or g a n i z e r s h o p e t o a d d t a s t e o f f a r m e r s m a r k e t t o St r e e t f e s t

By SYDNEY CROMWELL T he Spring Streetfest returns to West Homewood this month with a combination of both familiar and new vendors.

Event organizer J ustin Limbaugh said the Streetfest will be at P atriot P ark on May 13 from 4 to 8 p.m.

T he city of Homewood is helping to fund this year’s event, and Limbaugh said there also has been more volunteer involvement from West Homewood neighbors to put the event together. “ It’s a little bit smoother, so we’re looking forward to a slightly more coordinated and fun event,” Limbaugh said.

T he Streetfest will include local bands, food, vendors and in atables for ids. imbaugh said he s excited to have parents taking volunteer shifts to watch over the children playing on the in atables.

T he free event will include several food trucks, though imbaugh said the final lineup has not yet been decided. T he Lions Club will return as one of last year’s most popular food vendors. “ T hey are a favorite, and they can’t seem to keep enough meat,” Limbaugh said.

Streetfest organizers also are working on a partnership with the West Homewood F armers Market, and Limbaugh said he hopes to bring a few of the market vendors out as a small preview of the summer markets to come.

Last year’s Streetfest brought about 5 5 0 people to P atriot P ark, and Limbaugh said he’d like to see even more this year. “ It’s been pretty dang successful,” he said.

F ind out more about the Spring Streetfest by emailing westhomewood gmail.com or find the West Homewood N eighborhood Association on F acebook.

Boy Scout T roop 9 7 will hold its 4 0 th annual garage sale, pancake breakfast and silent auction on Saturday, May 13, in Homewood. T he troop will have an assortment of secondhand and new items for sale.

T he gym and fellowship hall of T rinity U nited Methodist Church will be filled with household items, outdoor gear, toys, boo s, clothing and electronics available for purchase.

T he Scouts and adult volunteers will be on hand to assist shoppers. Items not sold will be donated. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at noon. In addition to the garage sale, the Scouts also will host their annual pancake breakfast.

T ickets are $6 in advance or $7 the day of the event and include an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. T he Scouts also will provide table service.

A silent auction featuring items from local businesses and artisans will start at 7 a.m. with closing bids at 1 1 a.m. P roceeds go toward programming and materials for T roop 97. All donations are tax deductible.

F or more information about donations to the garage sale, contact J an Ellison at 3 81- 1607 or at troop97@ yahoo.com.

–Subm i t t e dby E di e C ot hr e n.

Brookwood Village to host outdoor concert series

By SYDNEY CROMWELL T he Brookwood Live! outdoor concert series will return to Brookwood V illage this month.

T he stage will be set up May 4, 1 1 and 18 from 5- 9 p.m., with music beginning at 6 p.m. T he main street in Brookwood V illage will be closed during the concert to accommodate the stage, seating and room for dancing.

J ennifer G owers of G oP ro Event Solutions, which organizes the concert series, said this year’s lineup includes the Derek Sellers Band, T he Rock Candy Band and T o the 9s , featuring Matt Carroll.

Creativity is an Atlanta-based cover band for Motown, classic rock, contemporary pop and oldies songs. T he Rock Candy Band is local to Birmingham and covers mainly rock ’n’ roll and pop music, along with some R& B and country. Matt Carroll and the Browncoats is another Birmingham band covering a wide variety of genres.

F ind out more about Brookwood Live! on the Brookwood V illage website, shopbrookwoodvillage.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A19

Community

From left: Adam Morel, John Tighe, George Bartle, Bill Lang and Hayden White show their patriotism as the Knights of Columbus begin collecting donations to provide care kits to local veterans. Photo courtesy of Bill Lang.

OLS m e n ’ s g r o u p r a i s e s fu n d s fo r v e te r a n s c a r e k its T he F ourth Degree men’s group of T he Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood is helping to raise money to purchase care kits for area veterans.

F ocusing on the Knights of Columbus emphasis on patriotic duty to serve G od and country, the men’s group is soliciting donations to aid Birmingham-area veterans. All donations will be presented to the V eterans Administration Hospital for the purpose of purchasing and preparing personal aid kits as a demonstration of gratitude for our hospitalized veterans in Birmingham.

T he kits include hygiene and toiletry items and cost $3.50 e ach. “ While many know the OLS Knights of

Columbus for our annual J uly F ourth BBQ F estival, our group also started raising money three years ago to provide veterans care kits,” said Adam Morel, president of the Knights of Columbus Assembly 128, based at Our Lady of Sorrows. “ T his is a great way to help say thank you to our veterans for their service and provide them much needed toiletries and other care items.

Our group collected more than $60 last year for this great cause and we hope to exceed that this year.”

T he care kit drive ends May 1. P lease make your donations payable to the Knights of Columbus Assembly #128 and send to 2684 Swiss Lane, Birmingham, Alabama, 3526.

–Subm i t t e dby B i l l L ang.

Former Joy League players include, from left, Adelle Zaragoza Gilbert, Bob Smith and Sara Taylor Dillashaw. Photo courtesy of Bill Hutto.

Early J oy League players help launch 6 0 th consecutive season J oy League Baseball in Homewood began its 6 0 th consecutive season recently.

Several former players who helped the league get started participated in the occasion. Bob Smith, son of the league’s late founder J ohn J . Smith, played in the league’s first game in 1 9 5 8 as an 1 1- year-old.

delle arago a ilbert became the first girl to play in J oy League in 1975.

Sara T aylor Dillashaw was the second female player. Her dad coached, and she has a daughter playing this year, making her family a three-generation J oy League family.

–Subm i t t e dby B i l l H ut t o.

The Homewood Star

A20 • May 2017

Troop 97 promotes 4 to Eagle Scout rank F our young men in Homewood’s Boy Scout T roop 97 were recently recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

G eer P rutzman has held the positions of den chief, troop guide, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader, and he has attended F lorida Sea Base, Swamp Base in Louisiana and N orthern T ier N ational High Adventure in Minnesota. His special awards include 5 0 Mile P atch, N T ier G eocacher Award, Duty to G od, N T ier Lake Monitoring, N OA Camping G old, Historic T rails and BSA Cyber Chip. P rutzman’s Eagle P roject was construction of an outdoor classroom at G len Iris Elementary.

Mark Burgess has been a troop q uartermaster, patrol leader and scribe for T roop 9 7 , and he has also attended F lorida Sea Base and N orthern T ier N ational High Adventure. His special awards include Order of the Arrow, N ational Y outh Leadership T raining, N ational Outdoor Award, N OA Camping G old, BSA Cyber Chip, BSA Snorkeling, Sea Base Captain’s Club and Duty to G od. urgess agle pro ect was a fire pit and benches at T rinity U nited Methodist’s Oakmont campus.

Reid Z uber has held the den chief, librarian, troop q uartermaster and patrol leader positions in his troop, and he has attended coral reef sailing at F lorida Sea Base and N orthern T ier Wilderness Canoe Expedition at N ational High Adventure. His special awards include Arrow of Light Award, BSA Lifeguard Award, World Conservation Award, BSA Cyber Chip, N OA Camping G old, BSA Snorkeling, 5 0 Mile P atch, Sea Base Captain’s Club and Duty to G od. Z uber’s Eagle project was a 1/ 3 mile trail at Red Mountain P ark.

P arker Allen has been T roop 9 7 ’s troop guide, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader, and he has participated in coral

Josh Vaughn, Alison Berman, Mark Hughes, Margaret Ann Pyburn, Dr. Gary Edwards and Sue Perryman celebrate a United Ability donation by Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents. Photo courtesy of United Ability.

Insurance agents group donates $20K to United Ability charity New Eagle Scouts: Top: Geer Prutzman and Mark Burgess; Bottom: Parker Allen and Reid Zuber.

reef sailing at F lorida Sea Base and Swamp Base. His special awards include Order of the Arrow, N ational Y outh Leadership T raining, 5 0 Mile P atch, P roject S.C.E.N .E Award, Arrow of Light, Sea Base Captain’s Club, Duty to G od, Snorkeling BSA, Mort P erry T roop G uide, World Conservation Award and N OA Camping G old. Allen’s Eagle P roject was the assembly of 150 hygiene backpacks for Highlands U nited Methodist Church’s homeless ministry.

–Subm i t t e d by Sus anZ ube r .

T he Birmingham Independent Insurance Agents hosted their annual gala at LIN CP oint on J an. 2 7 . More than 1 5 0 people attended the event, which included food, music, a silent auction, casino-style games and door prizes. All proceeds from the event are donated to a charity at the discretion of the current chapter president.

BIIA P resident Margaret Ann P yburn of Cobbs Allen stated that U nited Ability, the chosen charity, offers many valuable programs that benefit ids and adults in the Birmingham community. “ I have personally seen the results of their services since my niece has spina bifida, so have a real heart for the wor

that they do. When asked to select a charity to benefit the ala, nited bility was an easy choice,” P yburn said.

T he adults who participate in the Adult Day P rogram contributed to the festivities by hand-painting oral clay pots for centerpieces on the dinner tables.

Recently, representatives from BIIA met representatives at LIN CP oint and presented the donation check for $20,0.

U nited Ability serves more than 4 ,0 0 0 children and adults with disabilities including intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and spina bifida.

–Subm i t t e dby U ni t e d A bi l i t y .

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A21

CORSCADDEN

CONTINUED from page A1 “ She was super fun, always knew how to make you laugh and lighten up the conversation, especially after being sick. P eople would get nervous about talking about it, the cancer and the diagnosis and the prognosis, and she would always lighten the mood,” Hendon said. “ Even if she was wrapped up in cords and machines, she’d come outside and just have a great outlook. N ever down, to us at least,” said her friend and Edgewood neighbor Ashley Berkery.

Rachel Corscadden was diagnosed and began chemotherapy treatments while pregnant with her younger son.

Liam, who she called her “ miracle baby,” now wants to be a police officer or a firefighter like his father. Eric Corscadden said he still recalls the joy of his second child’s birth, in the midst of chemo treatments and uncertainty.

After the initial diagnosis, Hendon and two other friends joined Rachel Corscadden in shaving their heads. It’s an enduring memory for Hendon, as she recalls their laughter while shaving their hair into mullets or Mohawks, but also Rachel Corscadden’s eventual tears when her bald head made the cancer seem so much more real. “ It was one thing we felt like we could give to her,” Hendon said.

Berkery recalls days spent talking on the porch, while their children played together and people driving down the street would stop to see how Rachel Corscadden was feeling.

She also remembers the Rally for Rachel in October 2 0 1 5 . T hey had planned a simple prayer rally on the corner at the Edgewood shopping center, but “ everything Rachel gets out of control.”

T he rally grew to the point where the street was shut down, and there were bounce houses, music and people selling products to donate the proceeds to the Corscadden family. “ Even people outside of Homewood are like, ‘ T his community’s unreal. We’ve never seen anything like this,’” Eric Corscadden said.

As Rachel Corscadden battled breast cancer, Homewood residents built a web of support

Left: After Rachel rscadden’s initial diagnosis with breast cancer, she and several friends shaved their heads together.

Photo courtesy of Lesley Hendon.

Above: Rachel Corscadden looks at her husband, Eric, during the October 2015 Rally for Rachel.

Photo by Frank Couch.

for the young family. F rom housecleaning and caring for the ids to gift cards, food, financial donations and notes of support left in their mailboxes, Eric Corscadden said his neighbors’ response to his family’s struggle has convinced him that he never wants to leave Homewood.

“ Everyone is legitimately concerned and caring and wanting to help. I mean, an overabundance of help,” Hendon said.

Eric Corscadden and Berkery said the staff at Edgewood Elementary particularly stepped up to make sure G raham and Liam had what they

needed. N ear the end of Rachel Corscadden’s life, Superintendent Bill Cleveland even walked G raham and Berkery’s oldest son home from school, so their parents could concentrate on her needs.

T hrough her neighborhood’s support and her own faith, achel orscadden ept up her fight against breast cancer until the end. “ Her goal in hospice was to get kicked off of hospice. T hat was her attitude. She was going to fight till the end for those children and her husband,” Hendon said.

But she made it clear that, through her faith, she would win no matter the outcome.

As family and friends said goodbye to Rachel Corscadden in early March, Berkery made a promise: “ I’ve got your boys.”

And while the Homewood community as a whole continues to offer its support to the family, Berkery, Hendon and other friends are committed to making sure Rachel Corscadden’s sons grow up knowing about the amazing person their mother was. “ I have a soft spot in my heart to make good on that promise to her,” Berkery said.

The Homewood Star

A22 • May 2017

SAMFORD UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT Total enrollment and full-time freshman enrollment for the academic year beginning with year listed: Full-time freshman enrollment

Total enrollment 6,000

5,471 5,206

5,000 4,485

4,833

4,758

4,658

4,933

4,758

4,715 4,469

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

732

713 708

712

2007 ’08 ’09

’10

826 916

755

684

728

701

0 hi e the st dent ac ty and sta p p ati ns have gr n d ring the past 0 years a rd’s tprint is re ative y nchanged. est ed in hat ere nce the r ing e pty hi s hades a ey a rd is essentia y and cked. Photo courtesy of Samford University.

CONTINUED from page A1

A FINITE FOOTPRINT

hile the student population and by extension, faculty and staff populations — has grown during the past 60 ye ars, Samford’s footprint is relatively unchanged.

N estled in what were once the rolling, empty hills of Shades V alley, Samford is essentially landloc ed. y purchasing the former Southern Progress property on the east side of the campus in late 2014, t he university exercised one of its final options as far as physical e pansion goes.

The purchase and subse uent remodel of two of the three buildings on the property, in conjunction with the completion of the school’s new Cooney Hall in fall 2015, S amford has added roughly , s uare feet of facility space in the past five years.

N ow, with limited geographical options to grow, Executive ice President uc roc said the challenge becomes how to best use the space available. “ It’s all within the framewor of r ck building upon what already e ists, roc said. ddie Mc un in, a Saulter oad resident of 30 ye ars and Samford graduate, can see the university’s fraternity and sorority housing from his front yard. hile Mc un in said he loves the school and has no complaints about living so near it, he has watched the campus expand east, west and south throughout the

’12

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’14

’15

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SOURCE: Samford University

done in con unction or before other phases of the plan. t s a pretty wide-ranging list, roc said. ut roc emphasi ed that the plan as it stands now wor s within Samford s current property and focuses on ma ing improvements to what the school already has, and that there aren’t plans to expand at this time..

Alex Wyatt, the Homewood City Council’s new formal liaison to Samford, said he thin s the plan addresses some of the common concerns residents have. thin that there is and always will be the concern of Samford expanding their footprint,” Wyatt said of residents, especially those immediately adjacent to campus. rom the city s standpoint, we re obviously going to eep a close eye on that, he said, and thin Samford would tell you, e understand why the city is eeping a close eye on that.’”

SAMFORD

need to have additional students.”

Kimrey said the focus on measured growth unofficially began with niversity President Andrew Westmoreland’s administration, when school leaders began to loo at the areas Samford needed to focus on to grow its population. t s been very intentional, deliberate, calculated, imrey said. ot perfect by any means, but it s been also very incremental.

F or eight years in a row, headlines from the university have touted record enrollment, with the last entering class of freshmen totaling more than 90. “ We’re not the small, 1,201,50 s tudent institution that people may thin , imrey said.

Indeed, estimates from the university’s recent master planning process project the university totaling , total students by the year 203.

But that’s just an estimate, Kimrey emphasized. “ T hat’s just a vision or goal,” he said.

’11

n aeria vie ard ege’s tprint seen in 1 . hen ard ege’s 8 0 st dents rst a ked n the rand ne akesh re ca p s in 1 the gr nds ere ddy r ne c nstr cti n and n y eight i dings st d n the hi side. Photo courtesy of Campus Construction 1956, Samford University Library, Special Collection, SCAV 1065. Digital Identifier: p-d000925.

years, and he wonders if eventually the school will turn its eyes north to his and other homes to find more room.

T his fall will see the completion of a new sorority housing residence hall a -bed facility being constructed on what was once rs ine amsay Hall before its roof collapsed in 208 a nd was eventually torn down.

T his will give Samford a total on-campus housing capacity of , , enough for about 72 pe rcent of the undergraduate population.

But already, some students are feeling the s uee e, even since the university has loosened its long-standing policy re uiring students to live on campus until age 21.

DEVELOPING A MASTER PLAN

With the desired growth in students progressing and the ac uisition of the Southern Progress property, roc said university leaders decided it was time to embar upon a comprehensive master planning process.

He said the last time the campus formulated a formal master plan was in 195 a nd, obviously, a lot has changed in the meantime. dministrators sent out a re uest for a proposal, and after evaluating the five or si respondents, settled on Davis Architects, which is locally head uartered, and ober ids y Mathey, a national company. roc said the process too more than a year, re uired different meetings and involved 60 t o 70 pe ople. Additionally, the team held about public forums for students, alumni and the community to hear about the plan and provide feedbac . t s all within the framewor of building upon what already e ists, and loo ing at how, with our land that we have, to accommodate

the things that we potentially see 10, 15, 20 years down the road, roc said.

The plan, approved by Samford s board of trustees on eb. , is comprised of four phases.

Phase will focus on adding additional residence hall space to accommodate for recent and future growth. It will also aim to co-locate and renovate the different offices and spaces of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences, which are currently spread across the campus. Phase also would relocate admissions operations and create an enhanced Student Success Center, where students would be able to see study assistance and use other resources.

Phase focuses on renovation of the niversity Center and existing academic spaces, as well as adding additional par ing. roc said adding par ing could ta e many forms, one of the most li ely being the continuation of the twin of the current north par ing dec that bac s up to Saulter oad and indsor Boulevard.

Phase considers e panding the space for the College of Health Sciences, housed on the former Southern Progress property. The third building, should Time, nc. vacate it, could be renovated, and roc said there is additional land for a fourth building.

Phase could bring renovations to student recreation and activity spaces, including athletics and fitness facilities, as well as the fine arts center. ndependent pro ects included in the fourth phase include improving ADA access across campus as well as signs and way-finding measures. t a community forum about the plan, roc e plained that some of Phase may be

DOING MORE WITH MORE

A side effect of increased enrollment is obviously increased revenue, imrey said. t provides us more financial opportunities to ma e Samford a better place, imrey said. “ So, having more — m ore is not always better but having more allows us to do more, for the most part.”

During the past 13 ye ars, tuition for undergraduates has increased an average of 6 percent, with the most recent years hovering ust below a percent increase year to year.

T hat translates to a change from $13,94 i n annual tuition in 204 t o an annual rate of , for the most recent year, both before additional student fees. eports from the university state that student tuition covers 70 pe rcent of operating expenses, with the remainder and all scholarship funds coming from the university’s endowment.

Kimrey said the increased revenue from additional students allows the university to not only focus on the needs initiated by the master plan, but also allows the school to provide ways for students to give bac to the community. t provides us more financial opportunities to ma e Samford a better place, he said. “ It provides us an opportunity to invest with what our students do with community service and outreach to our communities.”

NO REGRETS

Senior mar eting ma or race owes, who hails from oswell, eorgia, said she originally didn’t plan on coming to Samford, but the community feel, ability to concentrate in her desired field of sports and the direct attention from faculty eventually swayed her away from other schools. owes is pursuing a sports mar eting concentration, something that wasn’t offered at other schools she loo ed at.

The one big selling point was this

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • A23

BY THE NUMBERS: SAMFORD UNIVERSITY TUITION RATES Cost of tuition for full-time undergraduates, per semester (per school year starting with year listed): $15,000

$14,276 $13,262 $12,764 $12,285 $11,711

$12,000 $10,861 $10,100 $9,650 $8,960 $9,000

$6,000

+7.7%

$13,760

+3.75%

+3.8% +3.9%

+3.9%

+4.9%

+7.8%

+7.5%

+4.7%

+12%

2007

The College of Health Sciences resides in the newly renovated Southern Progress building.

The college holds several schools including the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, School of Public Health and School of Health Professions. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

’08

’09

’10

’11

’12

’13

’14

’15

’16

SOURCE: SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

concentration that they have,” she said. “ But it was because [ of] the professors — I ’m not a number, I’m a name — a nd I have a relationship with them. T hey’re there for me in all different situations.”

And Bowes said she sees the potential for that dynamic to change if Samford isn’t careful about its growth. “ I think that’s just something really unique that Samford has to offer, and it would be a shame to lose that,” she said. ellow senior ay aldwell, a finance and management double major, said she has similar concerns and is glad to see the school going through the master planning process to address the growth. “ I think it’s about time,” she said, laughing, but emphasizing she was serious. “ Samford encourages growth, and we have these incoming freshman classes that are just huge, but I think we get a little bit ahead of ourselves.”

Caldwell said she thinks growth is a good thing but hopes the university is paying attention to the conditions on campus — s uch as housing, academic space and ability to maintain Samford’s culture — s o that the things

that brought current students to the university are not lost.

MITIGATING GROWING PAINS

Kimrey said the university recognizes that there can be issues with growth. “ Obviously there are challenges, because anytime you grow, then you’re changing,” he said. “ And there are people in all places, and at Samford, who really like it the way it is. And so to have more students and to have more employees, or to have more buildings, it s different than the way it was five years ago or 10 ye ars ago or 20 ye ars ago.”

Kimrey and Brock said they are especially attuned to the feelings and concerns of their closest neighbors.

Throughout the process, officials have been asking: “ What does [ growth] do to the neighborhoods around, or the communities that we see across the street? ” Kimrey said.

Compared to Samford’s roughly 5 pe rcent annual growth, Homewood itself is growing about 2 pe rcent annually, with the largest population growth seen in adults younger than 30.

Kimrey said he thinks Samford is behind part of that growth. e find that many of our students, once they graduate, they tend to stay here,” he said. T hey may not stay for 10 ye ars, he added, but they stay for three to five years, contributing to the community as citi ens and in a financial aspect.

In the seven-county metropolitan area of Birmingham, the school estimates its local impact at an overall economic boost of $319 million, with $4.3 m illion in local yearly sales tax revenue.

And as the school grows, that number only climbs, and officials see the growth as a good thing for both Samford and the surrounding area. “ Our growth will be a positive economic effect on Homewood and the Birmingham area,” Brock said.

Wyatt said that for the most part, he gets the impression that residents see the mutual benefit of Samford being part of Homewood, and that their relationship with the school as a positive one. “ By and large, I hear very little negative [ comments] ,” said Homewood council member Barry Smith. She said there are always que stions “ especially when they undertake projects,” but the houses that Samford owns in the community have become less of an issue, particularly since the

university agreed to a seven-year moratorium on purchasing new properties in 201 1.

Windsor Boulevard resident Susan Baum, a 30- year resident, said Samford seems to make more of an effort through community meetings and other outlets to inform neighbors of campus changes than it did in the past. Her view of the university wasn’t negative, but watchful. “ We always feel like we need to keep an eye on what they do up there,” Baum said.

T he Homewood Star will look more at resident interaction with the university in part two of this series.

Wyatt said “ F or the most part, I hear good things” — s omething he attributes to Samford’s attentiveness to being located so close to residential neighborhoods. “ Issues are going to come up among neighbors — t here’s no way to avoid that — a nd I think that the residents feel like Samford is responsive and is trying to address issues,” he said.“ “ I think Samford has really tried, probably more than ever before, to include Homewood and the residents of Homewood, not just the folks on campus, in the conversation,” Smith added.

–Sy dne y C r om w e l l andJ e s s e C ham be r s c ont r i but e dt ot hi s r e por t .

The Homewood Star

SECTION

B MAY 2017

Gift Guide B7 School House B8 Sports B10 Opinion B16 Calendar B18

HELPING OTHERS

LIVE AGAIN

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

A

t 1 8 years old, Lorenzo Brown felt like everyone had given up on his life. P aralyzed from the chest down after a gunshot wound, Brown had been placed in a nursing home to handle his daily care needs. “ I really thought that I was going to die there, that there was no option for me to get out,” Brown said.

T he Homewood resident is now a husband and father of two sons, with a third on the way, and he has a plan to help other irmingham residents with disabilities find their own path to an independent, fulfilling life. n late ebruary, he opened the Is-Able Center in West Homewood to provide support, education and employment resources for individuals with disabilities.

It was a long road for Brown to embrace the reality that he would never be able to walk again. “ It turned my world upside down,” Brown said. “ I went into a really deep state of depression. Really, to be honest with you, I lost all hope. I wanted to die.”

A nursing instructor who brought occupational therapy students to the nursing home met Brown and invited him to speak to students and share his story. T his opened doors for Brown, who was connected with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services with the help of a student he spoke to.

About two years after his initial injury, Brown’s faith helped him change his perspective: Learning to live is more important than learning to walk. “ I didn’t think I could live unless I walked. It changed my whole perspective. I started to get out of bed, started to engage and get out in life. And I learned to live again,” Brown said.

Lorenzo Brown is a Homewood resident and founder of the Is-Able Center. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

“ And I gotta be honest with you, it doesn’t even matter if I walk.”

Brown came to Birmingham to live in a transitional program that taught him independent living s ills, and at got his first apartment. “ Life just got better and better and better every year,” Brown said.

N ow, Brown said his life is centered around being three things: a great husband, a great father and a great minister. His day begins with a caregiver helping him get dressed and ready,

while his wife, April Brown, gets their sons, Isaac and Isaiah, to school. Brown works with clients at the Is-Able Center and comes home to eat dinner with his family and help his sons with their homework. In the evening, his caregiver returns to aid him in getting ready to sleep.

It’s a life his teenage self couldn’t have imagined. “ At 1 8 , I was given up on without being given a chance, but G od had another plan,” Brown said.

T he Is-Able Center, at 2 4 4 West V alley Ave., Suite 2 0 6 , is just getting started. T he staff offers free counseling services for individuals with disabilities, as well as caregivers, provided by ministers and counselors who donate their time. our support groups — for caregivers, grief, depression and individuals with disabilities meet during the wee , along with free riday computer classes. T he center has multiple accessible computer labs, with adjustable tables to accommodate wheelchairs and computers that can be operated hands-free.

T he staff at Is-Able also offers education help such as ACT , SAT and G ED prep courses, college applications and funding resources. P eople also can come to the center for help with career planning, skills training, mock interviews, resumé assistance, job hunting and even cleaning up a wheelchair in advance of an interview.

Brown said the center has a child care area that not only has accessible toys and tablets for children with disabilities, but can be used by parents while they take advantage of the center’s resources. His goal is to remove every possible obstacle for people to get the help they need and connect them with other irmingham resources that fit their needs.

T he Is-Able Center is funded by private donations right now.

Once it grows, Brown said he would like to add more services and begin expanding the center’s reach beyond Birmingham.

He also hopes to recreate a transitional program like the one that helped him find a new direction in life. “ When they leave the hospital, instead of just going back to their home and trying to figure out, hat do do then you come to the Is-Able Center. We house you for a 3 0 - to 9 0 -day period for a rehabilitation process — employment, education, whatever — to get you back out to living life fully and completely,” Brown said. “ I really hope that the light can be shed on what we’re doing here,” he added. or more information, go to isable.org.

B2 • May 2017

The Homewood Star

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B3

Homewood’s

The Homewood Star

B4 • May 2017

MOST HOSPITABLE

Resident who has seen changes over 4 decades is a good neighbor to all on Oxmoor Road

By SA RA H

COOK

Change is inevitable with the passage of time. T his is something N elldeane P rice knows well.

She’s lived off Oxmoor Road in the same house since the ’7 0 s and has seen countless homes torn down around her to make room for loftier abodes with bigger driveways and younger families. One thing in her neighborhood, however, has stayed mostly the same, she said. “ T he people in Homewood, these are good people,” said P rice, who will celebrate her 9 0 th birthday in May. “ I feel comfortable here.”

If you knock on P rice’s door on any given day, chances are she’ll welcome you inside, and then offer you a cold Coca-Cola followed by a story or two. She’s a wealth of information when it comes to Homewood history, said her neighbor Angie Bagwell.

Bagwell and her husband met P rice in 201 1 when they moved in next door. Since then, the Bagwells have considered P rice to be another member of the family. She has a permanent spot at their Christmas dinner table, Bagwell said. “ What’s so amazing to us is the memories she has and the stories she could tell that we don’t want to go untold,” Bagwell said. “ She’s a world of knowledge and history. I just feel like she has seen this community evolve.”

‘ME AND THE DOG’

e deane Price has ived in else. Photos by Sarah Cook.

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Price first came to irmingham to get a college education. She grew up in Montgomery, but said it didn’t take long for her to plant new roots in Homewood. Since moving into her house — which has walls lined with photos from her past — she’s lived on her own, with the exception of a furry friend. “ It’s always been me and the dog,” P rice said, looking over at her dachshund named Ahnee.

“

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B5

What’s so amazing to us is the memories she has and the stories she could tell that we don’t want to go untold. She’s a world of knowledge and history. I just feel like she has seen this community evolve.

”

ANGIE BAGWELL, NELLDEANE PRICE’S NEIGHBOR

Because she’s seen decades come and go from the same house, P rice can recall almost all the names of those who have lived near her.

She s the fifth person to live in her house, which was built in 1947, s he said. “ T he original owners of this little house were the F orbes sisters — Ms. Daisy and Katie F orbes,” P rice said.

Long before the Bagwells moved in next door, P rice said she enjoyed her chats with “ Mr. indsey, who was the postmaster for Homewood years ago.

Mr. indsey did more for this neighborhood than any person could have ever done, Price said. He too people to their doctor for appointments he did so much.

To this day, Price said she always thin s of her former neighbor when she has to step down into her basement. He would always show up with a helping hand to help her ad ust the furnace, she said. “ One time I said to him, ‘ Mr. Lindsey, you are always doing for others,’ and he said, ‘ Ms. Price, at night when go to bed, can sleep a lot better if I have done something for somebody that day,’” P rice recalled.

Bagwell would argue that P rice’s character isn’t much different than Mr. Lindsey’s. When she first moved in, agwell said it was hard to find Price resting. Price would leave her house every morning, Bagwell said, and not return until later on in the day. “ At the time we moved in, we didn’t see a whole lot of her,” Bagwell said. “ We learned really uic ly how loyal she was to a dear friend who she had nown for years. Her friend

had turned ill, so she was there by her side for several years. Every day, she would leave her house consistently at the same time and return at the same time.” eeping close relationships, Price said, is what eeps her going these days and she considers almost all of Homewood to be a friend. hen wal into the door at Piggly iggly, all the sac ers they now me, Price said with a smile. They ll say, The price is right

VALUE OF HOSPITALITY

P rice guessed she inherited her friendliness from her parents. They were always loo ing for ways to help out a friend or stranger, Price said.

Specifically, Price said she can remember when her mother invited two ritish pilots over for Christmas dinner. World War II was going on, P rice said, and her older brother was stationed in England. rode with my father to pic them up and when they got in the car, of course they had a British accent,” P rice said, noting that nothing is more charming than a British accent. “ When they got in, they said to my mother, “ Ms. P rice, we certainly do appreciate this, but what made you do it? ’ And she answered, ‘ My son is in England, and maybe your mother did to my son what I am try to do to you all ma ing you feel welcome.

Several decades after that Christmas dinner, P rice is still living out her family’s values of hospitality. nd the Homewood community, she said, is gladly reciprocating.

Than goodness for good neighbors, Price said, loo ing out the window with a smile.

“This is a photo of me and a boy I was going with at the time,” Price said. The photo, she guessed, was taken somewhere in Gulf Shores.

The Homewood Star

B6 • May 2017

TAKING A HIKE Duo traverses the country to find its natural beauty; now their next challenge is Peru’s Machu Picchu

By G RA CE T H ORNT ON When Rick Batson’s friend Billy Beers retired 1 2 years ago, Batson decided a road trip was in order. “ We decided there was a lot of the country we hadn’t seen, so we decided to go see it,” he said. “ Some guys go on golf trips or to see ball games, but we decided to go for a hike.”

T hey haven’t stopped since. T hey’ve hiked the Half Dome in Y osemite, Red Rock State P ark in Arizona, G lacier N ational P ark in Montana and other places from Washington to N ew Hampshire. “ We’ve just kind of grown in our interest in hiking through the different challenges that we presented to ourselves,” Batson said.

And now Batson is preparing to face a new challenge in May — Machu P icchu. Except this time he’ll be going with his son, Will, who gave him the trip as a surprise gift. “ It’ll be great. It’s supposed to be pretty breathtaking,” Batson said, explaining that on the dawn of the fourth day, they will watch the sun rise over the city of Machu P icchu from the mountaintop. “ I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time. My son has, too.” atson said he d first seen pictures nearly years ago and thought ever since then that he’d like to visit one day. “ It sounded like a great thing to do,” he said.

It’ll be a trip of a lifetime, but it’s “ not terribly difficult physically as challenges go, he said. “ It’s not Everest or anything like that — it’s a hike, not a mountain climb,” he said. ut it s miles over four days in a high-altitude part of P eru, and it’s giving him a good

“

We’ve just kind of grown in our interest in hiking through the different challenges that we presented to ourselves.

”

RICK BATSON

excuse to train. “ I don’t know what it’s going to look like — I just know I need to be in good shape,” Batson said. “ So I just started walking.”

The past few wee s, he s done miles a week. definitely am noticing a lot more strength climbing the hills around Homewood,” he said. “ I try to seek out the hills and get a good base for when I go, so I can enjoy it.”

And in April, he, Beers and a few more of their buddies took a trip to hike Mount Sterling in N orth Carolina for a little more high-altitude practice. “ He’s old — we’ve gotta get him in shape,” Beers said with a laugh.

Mount Sterling sits at almost , feet in elevation, which doesn’t qui te hit Machu P icchu s nearly , feet.

But it’s closer to Homewood, Batson joked. “ It’ll be a good trip,” he said in F ebruary.

And while Batson was there in N orth

Rick Batson and Billy Beers, both Homewood residents, on one of their many trips around the country. Photo courtesy of Rick Batson.

Carolina, he was also participating virtually in the Steeple Steeple wal run to benefit the U nited Methodist Children’s Home, which provides safe, loving homes for children in need.

He hasn’t missed being physically present for the event in years, so Batson was glad he

could participate virtually, he said. “ It’s a cause that’s been near and dear to my heart for a long time,” Batson said, who serves as a sponsor. “ My grandfather was a board member there for years, so I was kind of born into it.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B7

For the

GLAM GRAD Krewe Conti Sunglasses in Bone $525 Conti parades its wild French Quarter soul with its weightless construction, featuring a metal filigreed structure and function flex bridge with mirror lenses.

gift guide

JJ Eyes 2814 18th St. S. 703-8596

For the

JEWELRY LOVER Engraved 1-inch Pewter Cuff $25 Commemorate the occasion with this classic cuff.

For the

GRAD BOUND FOR UA OR AUBURN For the

COFFEE DRINKER Mugs Made By The Potter and the Clay from Bessemer $25 each Variety of designs available.

Homewood Antiques & Marketplace 930 Oxmoor Road 414-9945

Bromberg’s 2800 Cahaba Road 871-3276

Collegiate Yeti Rambler $39.99+ Make sure your grad has the right gear as they head to college.

Moran’s Rocky Ridge Hardware 3354 Morgan Drive 979-5444

For the

PERSON ON THE GO Canvas Tote $17.95 Your grad can represent their hometown with this stylish bag wherever life takes them.

Alabama Goods 2933 18th St. S. 803-3900

For the

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST Yeti Hopper Two Series $299.99 or $349.99 The Hopper Series is still 100 percent leakproof and ready to tackle the wild, now with a wider opening and easier access.

Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919

For the

EXPLORER Specialized Pitch 650B $524.95 A perfect bike for a graduate to explore the world with. Rugged, lightweight frame, stable geometry and fast tires.

Bob’s Bikes 2852 18th St. S. 879-2258

For the

GRAD WITH A BRIGHT FUTURE SALT Optics Pratt $479 Classic style defines handcrafted titanium sunglasses fitted with polarized lenses for color-true clarity.

Schaeffer Eye Center 979-2020 SchaefferEyeCenter.com

The Homewood Star

B8 • May 2017

School House

TO boldly GO

270 seniors set to graduate from Homewood High

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

T his year’s class of seniors at Homewood High School is “ particularly bold, but also competitive,” said HHS social studies teacher and senior class sponsor Megan Cole. “ I feel like this class goes above and beyond in so many areas,” Cole said. hile final college decisions and average T scores were not yet available, HHS guidance counselor Elaine Meeks said the students walking across the stage May 2 i nclude some academic standouts. T he 2017 s eniors include 10 N ational Merit Scholarship finalists and eligible honor graduates, who are students with a 4.0 or higher P and three or more P classes.

Two thirds of the senior class has a . or higher P , and many, many of those students are ta ing at least one P class, Mee s said.

Cole said Homewood’s seniors also have shown athletic leadership, bringing home championships in multiple sports and in some cases going on to play at the collegiate level. Seniors have led honor societies and service organizations, such as the ey lub participating in its first ever ise gainst Hunger event this year, as well as student government and school spirit. “ We have so many exceptional seniors who have an impressive dedication to serve outside of the school,” Cole said.

G raduation is at Samford U niversity’s Wright Center. Before they don their caps and gowns, meet a few members of the Homewood Class of 2017.

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201 . Photo courtesy of Homewood City Schools.

ANN GARTMAN

HAZL TORRES

SHELBY HARDY

EVAN MYERS

MILLIE GRACE MALEK

Major/ college: Elementary education and Spanish, Mississippi State U niversity High school extracurriculars: Cheerleading, band, N ational Honor Society, Beta lub, Mu lpha Theta math honor society F avorite high school memory: “ My favorite high school memory was at cheerleading camp in G ulf Shores two years ago. T he parents and coaches assured the many squa ds there that it would not rain.

Once we had left the condo and gotten to the camp location, we were informed the weather was going to get very dangerous. Before our mother chaperones could pick us up to bring us back to our condo or anywhere safer a downpour started.

I remember sprinting back to the condo when it was pouring down rain, battling a strong wind and not being able to see a thing from all of the water.”

Proudest ccomplishment hen was chosen to participate in the labama irls State, I was selected as Speaker of the House, and got to mandate an argument in Montgomery between other G irls State delegates.”

What I will miss about high school: “ I am going to miss coming home to all of my siblings at every afternoon. My little brother’s name is G age, and he is 2 years old. My little sister’s name is Evie, and she is 4 years old. My other little brother’s name is . ., and he is years old. will miss playing Barbies every day, watching “ Ice ge every day and listening to comments about the Percy ac son boo series.

Major/ College: Chemical engineering, uburn niversity High school extracurriculars: Band, math team, P eer Helpers, Key Club F avorite high school memory: “ My favorite high school memory was the band trip to the alifornia ose Parade in ninth grade. I have never been to California, and it was so much fun to be able to experience a new place with familiar people. lso, because I was a freshman, that band trip helped me get to know older band members as well as become closer friends to people.”

P roudest accomplishment: N ational Merit F inalist What you will miss about high school will definitely miss seeing my friends. We have seen one another almost every day for years, and it’s a little strange to think how far apart we’ll be when we are attending different colleges.”

What you’re looking forward to: “ I am looking forward to the opportunity to try new things and make new friends. College gives us the opportunity to grow and figure out what and who we want to be in the not so distant future.”

Major/ college: P harmacy, Hampton U niversity High school extracurriculars: G irls basketball team F avorite high school memory: “ Winning the state bas etball championship! ” P roudest accomplishment: “ Being able to handle the rigorous workload coming from another school system successfully.”

What you will miss about high school: “ I will miss the family environment that is at Homewood s a class, everyone speaks to each other and mostly knows everyone by name.

Homewood feels like home! ” What you’re looking forward to: “ I’m looking forward to graduating from Hampton with my P harm.D. degree, as well as being a successful student athlete.”

Major/ College: Spanish or political science, most likely F urman U niversity High school extracurriculars elay for ife, varsity soccer, Key Club, P atriot P ride, P eer Helpers, president of Spanish club, T rinity U MC youth group F avorite high school memory: “ I got to speak at a big conference with my youth group for church, in front of a bunch of people, and I really enjoyed that.”

P roudest accomplishment: “ Making the soccer team. I didn’t make the varsity team until my senior year. I’ve always played soccer my whole life and a lot of my friends made the varsity team before I did. When I made it this year, I was really happy about that.”

What you’re looking forward to: “ Having time to be able to do things that I really am interested in and exploring my own identity a little bit more.”

Major/ College: Biology ( planning for a future in the medical field , U niversity of Kentucky.

High school extracurriculars: senior class president, Star Spangled G irls, P eer Helpers, Key Club F avorite high school memory: “ I loved having the opportunity to spend my high school experience with people I have known all my life. While I don’t have a favorite specific memory, the ones treasure the most are the ones when I am with my friends! ” P roudest accomplishment: “ I am proudest of the study habits I have learned and the time management skills I have gained while balancing P classes with e tracurriculars.

What will you miss most: “ T he thing I will miss the most is performing on F riday night football games with the Star Spangled G irls and the Homewood P atriot Marching Band. I made a wonderful group of friends through Star Spangled G irls and am going to miss the practices, the performances, and the amazing trips with them! ” What you’re looking forward to: “ I am looking forward to meeting new people and having the opportunity to be independent as I start this new chapter in my life.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B9

ALLYSA RAPADAS

ELIJAH BOUMA-SIMS

LOUIS FORT

DINA ZAHER

Major/ College: Biology, undecided High school extracurriculars: Marching band, Key Club, P atriot P ride Ambassadors, Y outh Leadership F orum of Birmingham, Y outh Serve Y outh P hilanthropy Council, F irehouse Shelter internship F avorite high school memory: “ My favorite high school memory is probably the Rose P arade that I was fortunate enough to partake in as a freshman. T his is where I truly saw the tradition and strong leadership that took place in the band and in Homewood in general.

I can remember marching for hours at P asadena and turning the final corner and seeing the mountains. nd can remember me as a freshman, in awe and, as cheesy as it sounds, truly content because all of our repetitive practices and challenges that came along with the trip became worth it.”

What you will miss most about high school: “ T he comfort that I have developed through these past four years. I will miss the daily routine of starting my day playing my saxophone and just the knowledge of knowing who your peers are, because they have been people that we have spent the most time with.”

What you’re looking forward to: “ I am looking forward to the new opportunities that college and a new environment will have to offer. Homewood and Birmingham are brimming with opportunities, and so the challenge of seeking those opportunities in a new environment with new peers, professors, employers will be what I am most excited about. I believe that this is what I am looking the most forward to because of my internship at the F irehouse Shelter. I have been able to meet individuals from differing stages of life, and I got to partake in events that have always occurred in Birmingham and that concentrated on the homelessness population, but I never knew existed.”

Major/ College: Electrical engineering and history, N orth Carolina State High school extracurriculars: Samford Music Academy piano student, BEST Robotics T eam, Marching Band, Chamber Winds ensemble, J azz Band, T roop 95 Eagle Scout, Beta Club, math team F avorite high school memory: “ F reshman year, when the band marched in the Rose P arade. As a -year-old, ew cross-country to P asadena, California, with 40 of my friends and classmates and had an amazing time. We went to Disneyland, California Adventure and Knott’s Berry F arm. My best memory from that trip, however, is turning the corner at the start of the parade and just seeing a wall of people and cameras. At that moment, it finally sun in how big of a deal the parade was, and I almost went lightheaded.”

What you will miss about high school efinitely the people.

T here are a lot of friends and teachers who I love, people who have stood up for me and helped me when ve needed it. ll find a new safety net in college, but it’s hard to leave so many people behind.”

Major/ College: P hotography, Columbia College High school extracurriculars: T he N etwork show choir F avorite high school memory: “ T he senior mom dance! T hat’s a great memory. I was kind of surprised my mom did it.”

P roudest accomplishment: “ My proudest accomplishment is becoming dance captain for T he N etwork show choir. Sounds small but I have always wanted to be a dance captain for this group since I was in seventh grade and saw them perform. hen first got this leadership role I was so excited, but found out it wasn’t as easy as I thought.

We lost a lot of guys and had a lot of new guys that didn’t know what show choir really was. T hey went from being a group of guys who didn’t know how to step touch, to the cleanest group of guy dancers I have seen in a long time.”

What you will miss about high school: “ Show choir is something that allows me to escape to a place that brings me so much joy. I love to sing, dance, entertain; show choir let me do all those things. I originally took it for granted but soon realized it opened so many doors to work with other people and created so many friendships. It allowed me to come out of my shell and thrive as much as I could possibly thrive in high school. I was able to find my place.

Major/ College: G lobal studies and F rench, U niversity of Chicago High school extracurriculars: Miss Heritage, Debate Club, girls varsity tennis team, Star Spangled G irls dance line, Writing Center tutor, P atriot P ride Ambassador F avorite high school memory: “ Looking back on the past year, winning the Miss Heritage pageant was my favorite memory from high school. I had entered the pageant for fun, almost as a last hoorah for senior year, and I loved every moment of it.”

P roudest accomplishment: “ Making the Star Spangled G irls dance line was one of my proudest moments at Homewood! I had to learn how to do the splits for tryouts, which was uncharted territory for me at the time, because I could barely touch my toes before that.”

What I’m looking forward to: “ I cannot wait to experience a true Chicago winter because I have yet to play in real snow — t he kind that requi res a snow plow! Although I love the warm Alabama weather, Chicago’s climate will be a new and exciting aspect of my life next year.”

The Homewood Star

B10 • May 2017

Sports

POWERS THE PATRIOT

By K YLE P A RMLEY T he only thing standing between J azmine P owers and her next job was literally the wide, painted crosswalk across Lakeshore Drive connecting the sidewalks of Samford U niversity and the ones leading to Homewood High School.

P owers was announced as the next Homewood girls basketball coach March 2, as she attempts to fill part of the void left by departing athletic director and coach Kevin T ubbs, who took a job in Washington. “ I am extremely grateful,” said P owers, who was in her second stint as an assistant coach with the women’s basketball program at Samford, where she also played in college. “ It’s a blessing to be here at Homewood.”

What made P owers decide to walk to the curb and wait on the signal to cross the street?

After all, she was happy in her return to her alma mater. “ I wasn’t necessarily going to go out and look for anything, so to be approached by Homewood, it’s a blessing,” P owers said. “ I’m beyond excited to get this platform, just to inspire, mentor and be a role model for these girls. T hat’s very important to me.”

P owers played for and coached under Samford head coach Mike Morris and brings experience to Homewood from both sides of the court. “ As a player, J azmine was one of the more competitive and consistent players we had on our team. She really rose to the occasion...

She showed up to work every day, ready to go, ready to play, and she was a very tough competitor,” Morris said.

She initially met with the Homewood administration and took a few days to consider her

New Homewood girls basketball coach Jazmine Powers poses in the main gym. Powers played for Samford University and was an assistant coach there for several years before accepting the opening at Homewood. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

future. T he timing was right, and it was a healthy situation that fit what Powers anticipated being the next stop in her career. “ I knew I kind of wanted to get back into high school coaching,” she said.

Much of the allure of the high school game is the ability to be a positive in uence on the girls she will coach. “ With the game of basketball, there’s so many lessons you learn, I’m super excited to be able to work with this group and the groups to come,” P owers said.

T his will be P owers’ second go-round as a head coach at the high school level, as she

coached at the Cornerstone School in Huffman during the 201516 school year after three seasons in her first stint at Samford. “ T he experience at Cornerstone was exciting,” P owers said. “ It was new. I just took a step out on faith. I had never been a teacher, had never been a head coach, but I had peace about it. I knew it was something I would be able to do, because I felt like that’s where G od had directed me.”

Christian Schweers, the athletic director who hired P owers at Cornerstone and currently an assistant basketball coach at Mountain Brook High School, gave the hire a glowing review. “ She has a tremendous work ethic and will

push those talented seniors,” Schweers said. “ She can relate to her players better than almost anyone else. T hat’s her gift. She really cares about her players and it’s a 2 4 / 7 , 3 6 5 [ -day] thing. She has the ‘ it’ factor as a person, and I’m extremely happy for her.”

T he Decatur native will inherit a core group that has been to the Class 6 A state championship game each of the last three seasons, with two titles to show for it. F ormer coaches J oV anka Ward — now at T hompson — and T ubbs have constructed a foundation that P owers plans to keep building on. “ T he winning culture has been established, and we will work hard and have good attitudes,” Powers said. That will definitely be magnified as I start working with them. It’s going to be important. We have a lot of seniors. We have a younger group coming up, too, so them buying into how we go about doing things, it s definitely going to help set the tone.”

Homewood graduates Shelby Hardy and V enice Sanders after this season, with eight rising seniors for Powers first campaign.

Morris said that P owers’ work ethic as a player has carried over into her time as a coach, and believes she is more than fit for her new challenge.

He said, “ As good of a coach as she is, she’s even a better person, and I think her character is what drives her consistency. We were very fortunate to have her as a player and we’ve been very fortunate to have her as a coach. “ I know she is prepared for this job at Homewood. I think it is as good of a high school job as there is in this state, with great people, a great system and a great community. I know she is going to do very, very well for those young ladies and for Homewood High School.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B11

The Homewood Star

B12 • May 2017

A team huddle. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

PLAY BALL!

First baseman Ryan Williams.

By K YLE P A RMLEY

T he Homewood High School baseball team had a successful 2017 s eason, winning Class 6A , Area 10 with a perfect - record and securing home-field advantage in the first round of the state playoffs. ed by coach oug ann, the Patriots outscored area opponents amsay, Shades alley and Par er by a combined score of - . The state playoffs began on pril , and you can eep up with continuing postseason coverage at thehomewoodstar.com.

Catcher Sam Dantone.

n e der

hn Marc M

ins.

Pitcher Luke Hindman

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B13

The Homewood Star

B14 • May 2017

4 Patriots seal college commitments

By SA M CH A NDLER F our Homewood High School seniors signed N ational Letters of Intent to participate in college trac and field or cross-country during a ceremony in the school s practice gymnasium April 12. aroline awrence, nn Mosely hitsett, P aul Selden and P ierce J ackson put pens to paper before a crowd of family, friends and coaches. ll four of these athletes nn Mosely, Caroline, P aul and P ierce — are the kind of people and athletes that we want to represent our program,” said Homewood head track and field coach Tom sslinger. e really couldn t ask for more from them from a leadership standpoint, work ethic, dedication.”

Lawrence, a three-time state high jump champion, inked her commitment to Auburn niversity. t was an easy choice for someone who grew up rooting for the Tigers.

My heart s ust always been at uburn, she said in December.

This spring, awrence has set a new high ump personal-best of feet, inches. The mar is tied for th nationally. hitsett, a three-time state champion in the mid-distance events, signed with Appalachian State niversity in oone, orth arolina. hitsett won the -meter title at ebruary s state indoor trac and field meet. t was her first individual state triumph since her freshman year, when she won the meters both indoors and outdoors. awrence and hitsett have been integral to the historic success e perienced by the Homewood girls trac and field team in recent years.

Their efforts have helped spur the Patriots to four state titles — three outdoor, one indoor since .

The pair also has contributed to multiple state champion relay teams. n ebruary, they each ran a leg on the -meter relay s uad that set an all-time state indoor meet record.

From left to right, Pierce Jackson, Paul Selden, Caroline Lawrence and Ann Mosely Whitsett signed with their respective schools on April 12. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

Selden and J ackson, on the other hand, will compete in both cross-country and trac and field as collegians. Selden signed with the niversity of labama. ac son signed with Samford niversity.

Selden has en oyed a brea out senior year.

He placed third at the Class 6 A state cross-country championships last fall and lowered his

personal best by nearly a minute, to minutes, 5 8 .5 seconds. He also notched a pair of top-four finishes in the , -meter and , -meter runs at ebruary s state indoor meet.

J ackson, like Selden, has contributed to a dominant Homewood boys program over the course of his high school career. The Patriots have won five straight state cross-country championships,

in addition to two state indoor titles , and a state outdoor title . sslinger said he s loo ing forward to watching all four signees take the next step in their careers. e re really e cited for them, sslinger said. e can t wait to watch them compete at the next level.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B15

Hannah Barber was named to the all-state rst tea r the second straight year and was a na ist r the Class 6A p ayer the year. Photo

by Sarah Finnegan.

H a n n a h Ba r b e r 1 s t t e a m a l l - s t a t e f o r 2 n d s t r a i g h t ye a r

By K YLE P A RMLEY Hannah Barber knows what it takes to lead a team to a state championship.

As the point guard for the Homewood High School girls basketball team, she has helped orchestrate the Lady P atriots’ run of three consecutive lass state final appearances. ut last year s loss to e lore in the final left her and the rest of the team yearning for more. “ T his year, we knew what we had to do every day in practice to make sure that we didn’t have to feel the feeling we felt the year before,” Barber said, whose team knocked off Hazel G reen for the 2017 state title. “ We knew what we wanted, and we just worked so hard day in and day out. It feels really good when you know all your hard work has paid off, and you win another championship.”

T hat hard work paid off in another way as well, as Barber made her second straight appearance on the Alabama Sports Writers ssociation all-state first team, and she was

one of three finalists for the lass player of the year.

Her teammate, Ajah Wayne, won the honor, but Barber was no less excited about being recognized. “ With so many great players being selected this year I was just glad I could be a part of such a talented group. It’s exciting when you get selected to a team full of players you’ve either played with or against for a really long time,” Barber said.

T he Alabama commit averaged 12.1 points, 4 .7 assists and 2 .9 steals per game in her junior season, and she will take direction from her third coach in as many seasons at Homewood, as J oV anka Ward and Kevin T ubbs have departed for various opportunities. T he Lady P atriots have welcomed former Samford assistant coach J azmine P owers into the fold. “ I got to know her some through the recruiting process while she was at Samford,” Barber said. “ I feel like she will come in and do a great job with the team.”

Ajah Wayne won the Class p ayer the year award just a year re ved r knee surgery.

“Coming back r the in ry I was really slow coming ack she said. didn’t think that I would in the a ard t had h pe.

Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

Ajah Wayne named player of year, a year removed from knee surgery

By K YLE P A RMLEY Ajah Wayne said her stomach dropped when she was announced as the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 6 A girls basketball player of the year at the end-of-season awards banq uet in Montgomery April 4. “ It was good. It was shocking,” Wayne said. “ I didn’t think to go up there and say anything [ like an acceptance speech] when they called my name.” ayne was a first-team all-state selection, making her eligible to be a player-of-the-year candidate. oining her as one of the three finalists was teammate Hannah Barber, as the duo is part of a core that has been to the Class 6 A state final each of the last three years, with a pair of state championships to show for it. “ We understand each other,” Wayne said of her teammates. “ T hey’re good athletes, and we push each other to be better.”

Wayne’s story is one of hard work and resilience. n the state final, ayne suffered

a nee in ury in the first half, as e lore too down the Lady P atriots.

T here were long days and late nights during her rehabilitation, but Wayne was cleared to play by the time this past season started, and she felt more comfortable as the year wore on. “ Coming back from the injury, I was really slow coming back,” she said. “ I didn’t think that I would [ win the award] , but I had hope.” ayne filled up the stat sheet on a regular basis, averaging 14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 s teals per game. “ T he hard work, it really paid off,” she said. “ It’s a true statement.”

Wayne, Barber and the rest of the Lady P atriots will work with their third coach in as many years, as J azmine P owers takes over for Kevin T ubbs, who coached this season after assisting former coach J oV anka Ward the two years prior. “ She seems like she’s going to help prepare us for next year. I just want to learn,” Wayne said.

The Homewood Star

B16 • May 2017

Opinion Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

To new beginnings W r ite r ’s n o te : I w ro te th is ju s t a fte r m o v in g in to o u r n e w e i nM ra c .h

were still there. e laughed a little and grabbed it all. ust to be sure, we pulled everything open in the itchen to ma e sure it was all empty. That s when reali ed d left my computer bag in the bottom cabinet. little funny, but not really.

T his morning we moved out of our house. It was supposed e turned all the lights off for the last time. t s strange to be our starter home we planned to stay five or so years, how an empty, dar house loo s so much smaller than a bright then move onto something a little bigger and better suited for a one filled with furniture. How could this small place have family. nstead, we brought two babies home to our little house contained all our laughter, oys, tears and smiles for so many and ended up staying there for almost 1 2 years. Many tears were years t reminded me that our family was ust one in a line shed none by my husband, m sure he d want me to point out of families that have called enilworth home over the when we finally made the decision to move into a new house. years. ol s slowed down in front of our house a few times, Than fully, it s still in Homewood, but it s new and unfamiliar, Denton ga ing ust long enough to let me now they had memoand as a person who thrives on routines and familiarity ( not to mention nowing where my stuff is , it s not the easiest transition for me. ries there. They usually stopped and chatted, telling us about cherished moments that had occurred in the house. ne former resident sent us n the days leading up to the actual move, was mostly concerned about photos of the house from decades past when other small children played the ids especially our sensitive oldest, ate. She d already cried many times over moving away from our dear ne t-door neighbors, but on the in the front yard. ne house, many families, lots of memories and still morning of moving day, she wo e up grinning ear to ear. can t believe more to come. ow we move on to another home that we will fill with laughter and it s actually happening today she said. ur youngest, Sela, is usually laid bac and unbothered by much, but she was unusually perceptive. m a coo ie crumbs, fingerprints and noc - noc o es. t s still unfamiliar little e cited and a little sad, she said. told her felt the same way and right now sort of li e we re guests in someone else s house, still searching for our clothes and plates and the sugar bowl. Hopefully by the time you that it was to feel pulled in two directions. read this, we will have located everything and settled in. ife will go on as hen pic ed them up from school and we drove past our old house the movers had already moved up the road to our new house our car usual, ust in a different location. This house will stretch its arms and hold us close, allowing us to continue growing and learning and loving. ven was qui et. It was a strange feeling to bypass our usual driveway and keep still, it may be a little while before we can drive bac down enilworth on driving. fought bac my own tears, but ate let hers fall. Sometimes and feel . ew beginnings are e citing and sad, as Sela wisely said, it s good to be a id. to feel a little bit of both.

That night, with the girls away with their grandparents, Matt and went and it s bac to the old house to pic up a few last things. oor lamp. bo .

C o n ta c t L a u r e n a t L a u r e n @ L a u r e n K D e n to n .c o m , L a u r e n K D e n to n .c o m plant stand. swept one last time, the broom finding still more bits of or on I ns t agr am @ L aur e nK D e nt o nB ok s or F ac e bok . H e r nov e l , “ T he glitter in the girls bedrooms. ust when we thought we were finished, s ar e s ol d. remembered hadn t cleaned out our silverware drawer, and all our utensils H i de aw ay ,” i s av ai l a bl e w he r e v e r bok hous

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B17

Homewood Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

780568

35209

125 Edgewood Drive E.

New

$999,900

777626

35209

816 Rockhurst Drive

New

$199,000

780467

35209

420 Crest Drive

New

$349,900

780374

35209

417 Columbiana Road

New

$210,000

779918

35209

207 Acton Ave.

New

$289,900

779885

35209

1815 Lancaster Road

New

$625,000

779752

35209

3400 Waverly Drive

New

$300,000

779627

35209

1529 Beckham Drive

New

$314,900

779518

35209

1603 Grove Place

New

$465,000

779461

35209

605 Broadway St.

New

$450,000

780479

35209

112 Hollywood Blvd.

New

$735,000

779373

35209

104 Mecca Ave.

New

$349,000

779327

35209

173 Old Montgomery Highway #E New

$99,500

779307

35209

306 Broadway St.

New

$449,900

779009

35209

825 Forrest Drive

New

$560,000

779008

35209

117 Devon Drive

New

$364,900

778989

35209

152 Woodmont Drive

New

$480,000

778958

35209

709 Windsor Drive

New

$399,900

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on April 17.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

125 Edgewood Drive E.

112 Hollywood Blvd.

The Homewood Star

B18 • May 2017

Calendar Homewood Events May 2: Samford vs. UAB baseball. 6 p.m. Joe Lee Griffin Stadium, Samford University. $5 general admission, ages 12 and younger free. Visit samfordsports.com.

p.m. Urban Cookhouse. The farms that supply strawberries to Urban Cookhouse for their strawberry lemonade will congregate at the restaurant to sell their berries.

May 16: Samford vs. Jacksonville State baseball. 5 p.m. Joe Lee Griffin Stadium, Samford University. $5 general admission, ages 12 and younger free. Visit samfordsports.com.

May 2: Wayne Flynt. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. Signing “Mockingbird Song: My Friendship with Harper Lee.” Visit alabamabooksmith.com.

May 9: Jonathan Bass. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. Signing “He Calls Me By Lightning: The Life of Caliph Washington and the Forgotten Saga of Jim Crow, Southern Justice and the Death Penalty.”

Visit alabamabooksmith.com.

May 18-20: Samford vs. UNCG baseball. 5 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday Joe Lee Griffin Stadium, Samford University. $5 general admission, ages 12 and younger free. Visit samfordsports.com.

May 11: Business After Hours at Homewood Antiques & Marketplace. 5 p.m.

Casual networking. Visit homewoodchamber.com.

May 19: Around the World Meal & A Deal. 6 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church gym. Student scholarship fundraiser to assist with retreats and mission trips. Visit elementstudentministry.com/mealdeal/tickets.

May 6: One Act Play Festival. 2:30 p.m.

Swearingen Hall Harrison Theatre. Visit samford. edu/events.

May 6: Bells of Buchanan Spring 2017 Concert. 7:30 p.m. Brock Recital Hall. Hand bell concert. Visit samford.edu/events.

May 6: Strawberry Day. 10 a.m. to 2

May 16: Homewood Chamber Membership Luncheon: Excellence in Education.

11:30 a.m. The Club. Visit homewoodchamber.org.

Homewood Public Library Children Mondays, May 1 and 8: Preschool Playtime. 10 a.m. in Round Auditorium. For ages 3 and younger.

Tuesdays, May 2 and 9: Wee Ones Storytime. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. For ages 24 months and younger.

torium. Interactive storytime with dance, yoga and stories.

May 4: Family Storytime: May the Fourth Be With You. 6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. An evening storytime full of music and fun for all ages. Come dressed in pajamas and listen to some spacey stories.

Thursdays, May 4 and 11: Storyday with Nay Nay. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Storytime for ages 3 and younger.

May 8: Sensory Storytime. 4 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. This monthly, all-ages storytime introduces stories and songs in a variety of engaging ways in a sensory friendly atmosphere.

Fridays: May 5 and 12: Moove & Groove Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Round Audi-

May 10: Wiggleworm Wednesday. 10:30 a.m. Music and storytime for all ages.

May 10: Homeschool Hour Jr. Goes Inside the Human Body.

1:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. Learn how our systems work together. No registration required.

Suggested for ages 10 years and younger.

May 12: Elephant & Piggie’s ThankO-Rama. 3:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

Celebrate 10 years of these best friends with an afternoon of crafts and snacks featuring Gerald and Piggie.

May 18: Cyber Celebration. 5-7 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

May 23: Race Into Reading Fun Run.

TheHomewoodStar.com

May 2017 • B19

Homewood Public Library (continued) 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library parking lot. nemile fun run for babies through fifth-graders and their families strollers welcome The entry fee is $10 for individuals and $20 for families limit four . nsite registration begins at 4 p.m. umba warm-up starts at 5:30 p.m., and the race will begin at 6 p.m. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org/summer-fun-run.

May 23: uild a etter orld arty.

6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library parking lot.

Register for summer reading and pick up your summer reading bag and a special pri e .

Face painting, bouncy house and group L G building with Magic City Lego Users Group.

Magic City Sweet Ice and ld Town Pi a will be at the event with food for purchase. eens May 1: uardians o the ala y Mo ie ho ing. 3:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.

May 1: nimal llies. 4 p.m. in the Library Boardroom. Service club for teens dedicated to raising the community s awareness on animal-welfare issues.

May 2 1 : een nime lu . 4 p.m. in Room 102 Lower Library Level .

May : een oo ie ec orating lass. 4 p.m. in Room 101 Lower Library Level .

Learn different techniques for making fun designs. pen to si th- through 12th-graders. All supplies provided. nline registration required.

May : een oders. 4 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. A teen event that is open to anyone who is interested in learning the basics of computer coding. pen to si th-12th-graders. No registration required, but laptops are encouraged.

May : een d isory oard .

6 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. pen to teens grades 6-12 who want to take an active role at the Homewood Public Library.

May 30: irls ho ode. 4-6 p.m. in the Round Auditorium. mpowering girls grades 6-12 who are interested in the computer science field. No registration required, but participants are encouraged to bring their laptops.

May 1 : i rary i : ueen o at e. 3:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.

May 1 : Homeschool Hour: ur ni erse. 2 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

Learn about stars, the moon and our planets with David Weigel from the Samford Planetarium. Suggested for ages 10 years and older. nline registration is required. dults May 1 and 1 : i rary oga. 10 a.m. in the Large Auditorium. All levels of fitness welcome. No registration required, but please bring your own mat.

May 2 1 23 and 30: Jum tart our Jo earch ith ndrea il son oods. 6 p.m. in Room 102 Lower Level . Andrea Wilson Woods is an ICF-certified Associate Certified Coach speciali ing in career and business coaching.

May 2 1 23 and 30. Master our e t Jo Inter ie ith n drea ilson oods. 7 p.m. in Room 102 Lower Level . ngoing, drop-in, job interview preparation class teaching acting techniques such as improvisation, monologues and scene study to master your ne t job interview.

May 2: etter ogether ames ot um ers Holocaust Film ro

ect. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. The N. . Miles Jewish Day School and the Birmingham Holocaust ducational Center invite you to a screening featuring conversations between the students and Holocaust survivors.

May : et s ish oo oo lu : Fiesta. 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom. Prepare a recipe around each month s theme and bring the dish and recipe to the meeting.

May : I onus rogram: ati e merican ulture. 1 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. plore Native American culture, history, customs, dress, food and practices with loise Josey, the director of Alabama Indian Affairs.

May : It ould Ha en tories o Ho e and ossi ility ith tory teller olores Hydoc . 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Light hors d oeuvres buffet starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for the buffet and show and must be purchased in advance.

May : enealogy 101: our a ollars at or : sing o ernment e sites or enealogy Research.

11:30 a.m. in Room 101 Lower Level . Search for service records and land grants, view web tutorials and much more using free websites from the state and federal government.

May : moor age urner s oo lu : Homegoing y aa yasi. 6:30 p.m. in the Boardroom.

May 10: First te ednesdays: et the Most ut o our i ad and i hone 2 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

May 1 : ossy ants oo lu : Me al retty ne ay y a id edaris. 6:30- p.m. at Nabeel s Caf .

May 1 : he s o Medicare. 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. in Room 116 Lower Level . aren Hai ich will answer all your questions about how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured and how to file a claim.

May 1 : Home ood enior enter oo lu : he irl ho to ed imming y Joshilyn Jac son. 1 p.m. at the Homewood Senior Center.

May 1 : i i e sas resents o ridge : History ingers long the rie anal. 1 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

May 1 : Historic ost ards o la ama. 6:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium. Learn more about this historic phenomena and a discussion of the Historic Alabama Post Cards display we are hosting.

May 23: i raryFli : ueen o at e. 3:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.

May 2 : i roduct Master lass: hotogra hy sing i ads and i hones. 2 p.m. in the Large Auditorium.

May 2 : euroscience a : our rain on Fire.

6:30 p.m. in the Round Auditorium.

May 30: i ie s et oss u ort rou . 5:30 p.m. in Room 106 Lower Level . Grief/loss group is sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Participation in the workshop is free, reservations are requested since space is limited. Contact Randy Hicks, GBHS Volunteer Coordinator, at 205-542-7111.

May 31: he etter han hera y oo lu : I ll a e ou here y ally am . 2 p.m. in the Boardroom.