The Homewood Star August 2015

The Homewood Star Volume 5 | Issue 5 | August 2015

Patriot preview

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

Filling the gap

What can you expect from the upcoming Homewood High School football season? Read our preview inside to find out.

Sports page B1

Block party

Homewood superintendent wants city to step up with funding if state won’t

By OLIVER MORRISON There’s a big party planned at Homewood Public Library this month.

Find all the details in this issue.

Community page A18

In the past, the Homewood City Schools Foundation has been able to put its fundraising money toward iPads and teacher enrichment. But now the nonprofit pays for basic technology, according to Superintendent Bill Cleveland.

INSIDE

Students Justin Gamble and Aiden Heine build LEGO robots and write code to program them to move and complete tasks. Homewood City Schools did not receive funding for technology from the state last year, and funding from the Homewood City Schools Foundation had to help in that area. Photo by Keith McCoy.

The reason is that, although Homewood receives more money in the state per student than any other district, twice as much money comes from local tax revenue than from state funds.

“At one time the local money was used as icing on the cake,” Cleveland said. “And right now we’re using it to bake the cake.”

Even though the recession of 2008 is over, education funding has remained more than $1,000 lower per student in Alabama, which is the biggest decline in education funding in the country, according to the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Homewood

See SCHOOLS | page A16

To Grove or not to Grove

Sponsors ...................A2 City .............................A3 Business ....................A10 Community ...............A12 School House ...........B7 Sports .........................B9 Calendar ................. B13 Opinion .................... B15

New ideas coming forward for Patriot Park development

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

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This vacant lot owned by the city is being considered for a new development. The city has put out a request for proposals through Aug. 31 to solicit ideas. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

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The city-owned lot next to Patriot Park has sat vacant for years.

West Homewood residents Sonya DiCarlo and Paula Harris were among the earliest to recognize its potential and have been working with the city of Homewood since late 2014 on a Cajun cafe, retail and event space concept called The Grove.

Their presentations to the city, however, stirred interest from other possible developers. After hearing multiple ideas from residents, the City Council decided to halt their negotiations with DiCarlo and Harris and send out a request for proposals (RFP) to

See PATRIOT PARK | page A19

Save time during back-to-school.

Homewood

2902 18th Street South 205.874.3529

Mon-Fri 8am-8pm • Sat 9am-6pm • Sun 12am-5pm

The Homewood Star

A2 • August 2015

About Us Photo of the Month

Please Support our Community Partners

The youth group from Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church held a Stand Against MS at the Tanner Center for MS on Independence Drive on July 16. The stands are held nationally to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis and raise funds for its treatments and services. Locally the lemonade and cookies are provided by Birmingham’s own Buffalo Rock and Bud’s Best Cookies. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Editor’s Note By Madoline Markham Around July 4 every summer in high school, I remember a wall of dread hitting me. It was time to get ready to sweat at band camp, knock out summer reading (which usually was paired with napping after band practice) and start thinking about a getting up early for school again.

Around July 4 this year, I instead was filled with excitement about August as I put together this issue. Granted, my days won’t look all that different than they do now come Aug. 12 since I’m no longer

in school and don’t have kids. But even for those of you whose will, there are great events to look forward to outside of school hours.

The annual Back to School Bash at Homewood Central Park is taking place after school goes back this year. The library is holding its second annual Block Party fundraiser, The Bell Center’s Tailgate Challenge is coming back to Homewood and The Trak Shak’s Retro Run is celebrating its 20th anniversary. I’m particularly

looking forward to the West Homewood Farmers Market’s new series of evening concerts kicking off with The Vespers and picking out which menu I want to try for Birmingham Restaurant Week.

And that’s not even an exhaustive list of all the events in this issue.

Before school starts, of course there’s tax free shopping weekend, and for something fun you can try out Red Mountain Park’s new segway tours or just make sure you get lots of daytime pool time in.

Stay cool out there Homewood!

The Homewood Star Publisher: Creative Director: Managing Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Community Reporter: Copy Editor: Graphic Designer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:

Contributing Writer: Interns: Published by:

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Sydney Cromwell David Knox Katie Turpen Madison Miller Erica Techo Roy L. Williams Louisa Jeffries Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Lauren Denton Jordan Hays Chris Griesedieck Olivia Burton The Homewood Star LLC

Contact Information: The Homewood Star #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com

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

For advertising contact: Dan@TheHomewoodStar.com

Legals: The Homewood Star is published monthly. Reproduction or use of ed-

itorial 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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30 A Realty (A11) Adventure Travel (A4) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B6) Alabama Outdoors (A18) Alabama Partners for Clean Air (B9) Alabama Power (B13) Alys Stephens Center, Art Play (A12) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (A15) ARC Realty (A19) Backstreet Treasures (A5) Bedzzz Express (A20) Bin There Dump That (A13) Birmingham Ballet (A16) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (B5) Boy Scouts of America (B3) California Closets (A6) Commute Smart (A6) Construx (B10) Covenant Classical Schools & Daycare (A8) Do Di Yo’s (A14) ENT for Kids Alabama (A10) ERA King Real Estate Homewood (B8) EW Fit (A19) FBC Mortgage/Nicole Brannon ARC Realty (B12) Gina G Falletta, State Farm (B15) Great Clips (A1, B4) Homewood Arts Council (A14) Homewood Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (A5) Homewood Parks and Rec (B11) Homewood Toy & Hobby (A13) InSight Eye Group (A9) Issis & Sons (A3) JJ Eyes (B7) Joe Falconer (A4) Johnny Montgomery Realtor (A15) Kelli Gunnells Realtor (B5) Kete Cannon, RE MAX Southern Homes (A10) L.V. Berry Inc. (A16) Lovell Pediatric Dentistry (A12) Mary House Kessler, Ph.D (A7) Morningside at Riverchase (B14) Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (B6) Planet Fitness (B2) RealtySouth Marketing (A7) Salem’s Diner (B4) Sewing Machine Mart (A9) Sikes Childrens Shoes (B3) Simply Ponds (B15) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (A17) Target Auction Company (A9) The Maids (B9) The Whole Dog Market (B4) Treeline Expeditions, LLC (B16) UAB Center for Exercise Medicine (B10) Vitalogy Wellness Center (B1) Weigh To Wellness (B12) Wolf Camera (B15)

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A3

City Mayor’s Minute Dear friends and neighbors,

Over the past month we have had some very severe storms here in Homewood. I am so grateful no one has been hurt, including our employees who are out working in very inclement weather at all times of the day and night. I wanted to take a moment and thank the Street and Sanitation Department for all the extra work that has been placed upon them. You may have noticed them working on the weekends, removing trees and limbs from our streets and right of ways across the city. They are always on call and always quick to assist our neighbors anytime help is needed. I appreciate each of you for being patient as they work, never complaining they “missed a pile.” Instead, many of you have sent emails or called to say how friendly and helpful they have been while working out in this heat.

I also hope you have noticed downtown Homewood and the Edgewood areas lately. I asked that we hire an individual to pressure wash all the sidewalks in front of our businesses to help clean up the area.

With so many restaurants and with so much foot traffic, the need had come for a facelift.

Again, some individuals within our Street and Sanitation Department volunteered to come in on weekends and at night after all the stores were closed to assist. They even reworked

the benches downtown, saving us a great deal of money that it would have cost to replace them. They took a the existing benches, cleaned them up, hand-cut new boards to replace older ones and stained them. They look wonderful, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to them for their work.

It’s hard to express how grateful I am to serve as your mayor. Everywhere I go residents of other cities just can’t believe the growth Homewood is experiencing and how beautiful it is. New homes are being built, older homes are being renovated, new sidewalks continue to be installed, new businesses are coming here, and the Park Board is doing an excellent job with our new recreation center and pool.

We have truly been blessed, and I trust we never take it for granted. Winston Churchill said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”

Homewood has a wonderful history and an even brighter future because of our neighbors and businesses working hard to make Homewood…home.

Sincerely,

Scott McBrayer Mayor City of Homewood

Council updates

By SYDNEY CROMWELL City council business at recent meetings included: }} Approving a request for proposals for the city-owned vacant lot next to Patriot Park.

The RFP will be sent out July 15, and all proposals must be received by August 31.

The council plans to have a bid awarded by their first meeting in October. }} Approving a sign height variance request for the new Verizon store at 579 Brookwood Village. The council denied a sign number variance that asked for a fourth sign on the building facing O’Henry’s Coffee. The store will have three signs, within the city’s ordinance limits. }} Approving an easement on the property at 108 Woodmont Drive so the city can construct a wall to properly channel Griffin Creek and prevent flooding and erosion.

The project is approved for up to $15,000 in costs. }} Approving a number of road closures for Brookwood Village: Aug. 15 from 1-10 p.m. for the Just Show Up Show, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 from 1-11 p.m. for the Brookwood Live series and Nov. 14 from 1-10 p.m. for the Arrival of Singing Santa. }} Approving a restaurant retail liquor license for La Sabrosita, 191 West Valley Ave., Suite 100 and for DoDiYo’s, 1831 28th Ave. S. Suite 110. }} Approving an ordinance amendment changing parking prohibitions at the Roseland Drive-East Edgewood intersection. The no-parking zone has been changed from 50 feet away from the intersection to 40 feet. }} A recommendation to the mayor to fund an 18th Street revitalization project. The city has applied for an ALDOT grant to cover 80 percent of the total cost for the project, which would add landscaping, sidewalks, restriping, crosswalks and possible extra

parking to 18th Street. }} Declaring the property at 1602 Ridge Road a public nuisance due to excessive growth. }} Dropping requests to declare properties at 416 Raleigh Ave., 112 Knoll Crest Drive and 260 Oxmoor Road public nuisances.

The properties have been cleaned up and made compliant with city codes. }} Purchasing a new street sweeper for $128,000. Mayor Scott McBrayer made the request because the city’s current sweeper has broken down after 10 years and needs to be replaced before the new fiscal year.

Funds for the purchase will be taken from the capital projects fund’s carryover balance, which is funding for projects that have been delayed for this fiscal year. }} Approving the reduction of parking at 1659 28th Ave. S. The property owner, Abby Santiago, requested to reduce from four spaces to three, the minimum required by the property’s mixed use zoning. She plans to shift the parking slightly toward the alleyway and create more green space, as well as make some aesthetic improvements to the building. }} Denying a driveway ordinance variance for 3104 Roxbury Road. }} Denying driveway and fence ordinance variance requests for the property at 605 Oakmoor Drive. The council denied the requests because they did not see a hardship necessitating the variance. }} Approving a fence variance for 1424 Melrose Place, and a resolution allowing the property owner to use city right-of-way. }} Authorizing the mayor to enter a contract with IBERIABANK for new Visa department purchasing cards. }} Approving a pavement management system with Volkert Engineering. }} Approving the fire department to accept a grant from the Department of Homeland Security and the Jefferson County EMA for $8,044.

A4 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Council members considering regulations on aggressive dog breeds

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Owners of pit bulls and other aggressive dog breeds could find themselves subject to new restrictions in the future.

At its July 20 meeting, the public safety committee heard from animal control officer Robbie Bagby Hurst and Lt. Tim Ross about the possibility of new ordinances for aggressive dogs.

While other Over the Mountain communities do not have any ordinances about specific dog breeds, Ross said they are a growing nationwide trend. Some cities ban aggressive breeds outright or require owners to register their dogs with the city. Other municipalities have housing restrictions.

Currently, Homewood ordinances state that owners of violent animals can be subject to a fine of up to $500 and up to 190 days in jail.

There have been several incidents in the past six months of loose dogs attacking people and

pets in the city, Hurst said. Ross noted that police have had to use deadly force on attacking animals at least eight times in the past four years.

One of those occurred July 3 in the Parkside Circle area. A woman was attacked by loose pit bulls, and the responding officer shot one of the animals. The second is still in city custody and displaying aggression, Hurst said.

She said an attack happened on July 6 and another in mid-July, though deadly force was not required in either instance. Hurst has seen dogs running loose in the evenings and weekends while she is off-duty.

Hurst said she supports an ordinance similar to the city of Gadsden, prohibiting tethering of aggressive breeds and regulating fencing types.

She thinks these changes, with the possible addition of permit requirements for owners of these breeds, would reduce the number of calls she gets.

Other changes she mentioned included muzzle requirements and fines for violation of the new

HPD Lt. Tim Ross and animal control officer Robbie Bagby present their research and recommendations on aggressive dog ordinances to the public safety committee. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

ordinance.

Ward 3 Representative Patrick McClusky said the committee members will consider and continue to discuss the issue, and there will be opportunities for public input before an

ordinance is approved.

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Ward 5 Representative Peter Wright called the zone the “kernel of an excellent idea.” Committee members agreed it would take marketing and partnerships with the Birmingham Business Alliance and Homewood Chamber of Commerce to draw attention to the zone from potential businesses.

“There’s a lot of really good benefits for companies,” Ward 4 Representative Barry Smith said. “We’ve just got to get it in front of the right people.”

Second, the public safety committee moved forward on a study of traffic, pedestrian and bike issues across the city. Committee members agreed

that a comprehensive study would be the only way to find effective solutions for calming traffic and relieving congestion.

“We’re not taking care of it like we feel like we should,” Ward 3 Representative Patrick McClusky said.

The committee has decided to formally request adding a $100,000 placeholder in funds through the Traffic Improvement Program (TIP).

The council approved a request for proposals at its July 13 meeting. The RFP will be sent out to consulting firms and traffic engineers, who will present their bids to the council at a later date.

Medical enterprise, traffic study discussed

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Two future projects for improving the city came before the city council last month.

The first was the possibility of establishing a “medical enterprise zone” on Oxmoor Road.

A Barber Companies representative, Bill Hickman, was at the July 6 planning & development meeting to share his thoughts on the proposal, which would designate a certain area of the city as a location for healthcare-related businesses to establish offices.

Hickman said he originally mentioned the idea

to Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody because he noted a high number of medical supply companies and laboratories already leasing Barber office space in the Oxmoor area.

Establishing a medical enterprise zone has the potential to draw more healthcare businesses to Homewood, and Hickman pointed out that these businesses tend to stay in their offices for many years.

“This is a very rising demographic in terms of jobs being created in Alabama,” Hickman said.

“If we can get them to come, they’ll generally be with you for a while.”

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A5

Lakeshore diverging diamond interchange moves forward

Council members look at a map of the proposed diverging diamond interchange at Lakeshore Drive and I-65. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL The diverging diamond interchange project at Lakeshore Drive and I-65 is progressing toward construction in 2017.

The finance committee heard from Volkert Engineers representatives at its July 20 meeting, as they considered authorization for the mayor to enter agreements with ALDOT and gain right-of-way access for the project.

Volkert representatives said they have done the interchange modification study and sent it to the Federal Highway Administration, but ALDOT can choose to authorize funding sooner.

The plans include new off and on ramps onto I-65 and a “diverging diamond,” which crosses traffic to the opposite side of the road at the bridge over the interstate, creating an opportunity for drivers to veer left onto the interstate without stopping. It also allows vehicles

approaching Lakeshore from I-65 off ramps to merge into traffic instead of waiting for a light.

The representatives also showed plans for a new entrance into the Walmart parking lot from the eastbound lane of Lakeshore. The new entrance would allow drivers to turn right into the parking lot or exit back into the eastbound lane from Walmart, but it would not permit left turns.

The new lanes would ease traffic congestion and possibly, committee members said, bring more business to the area.

With a projected nine-month planning cycle, Volkert representatives are anticipating an early 2017 start date. They requested an ongoing dialogue with city members as the project continues.

The matter was scheduled be voted on by the full council on July 27. For updates, visit thehomewoodstar.com.

Council replaces ServisFirst tax abatement

By SYDNEY CROMWELL At the July 13 meeting, the city council voted to replace an April 27 tax abatement resolution for ServisFirst Bank, which is planning to move its headquarters to a property in Rosedale.

City attorney Mike Kendrick explained that the 20-year abatement plan stipulated that the city would receive $30,000 per year from ServisFirst for the duration of the abatement.

When ServisFirst went to Jefferson County for approval of the county’s portion of the tax abatement, the county asked to receive a portion of that $30,000 or a matching amount, Kendrick said. Due to this, ServisFirst and the city of Homewood agreed to terminate their previous agreement.

The new agreement, which the council approved at the July 13 meeting, will allow the city to receive the same amount of money, but the timing will be different. The city will begin receiving money in the 11th year of the tax abatement, but ServisFirst will increase its payments so the city’s revenue is the same by year 20.

Kendrick explained that due to a recent change in county ordinances, Jefferson County can allow tax abatements for up to 20 years, instead of 10. However, after the 10-year mark, the county works out the abatements with the property owner on a year-by-year basis. By starting the city abatements in the 11th year, Kendrick said this removes the county’s ability to argue that they’re entitled to the same revenue as Homewood.

A6 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Creative Montessori plans move forward

By SYDNEY CROMWELL At its July 7 meeting, the Planning Commission decided to approve an amendment to Creative Montessori School’s development plan despite concerns over parking.

The school wants to tear down its current preschool building and build a new 13,500-square-foot building. Representatives from Creative Montessori showed these plans, along with renderings of renovations to the library, a larger dining room and a new two-lane drop-off area at the school’s front entrance.

Currently the school is at maximum enrollment, but the representatives said this new construction would create around 10 additional spots for students. As part of the construction, Creative Montessori

is requesting a parking variance to build 16 additional parking spaces, some of which will be in the city right-of-way. The school will be going before the Board of Zoning Appeals on Thursday for this and other construction variances.

Commission members expressed concern over adequate parking while construction is ongoing and for major school functions where large numbers of parents would be on the campus. The representatives noted that they are looking at the possibility of buying a property across the street from the school for additional parking, but did not give further details.

The commission voted 6-2 to approve the school’s construction plan contingent on the BZA’s variance approval and the creation of a parking plan for the construction time period.

Creative Montessori School representatives present plans for construction of a new preschool building, dining area and drop-off lane. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Bid accepted for West Homewood Revitalization project

By SYDNEY CROMWELL The city accepted a bid of $363,054 from Bulls Construction Group for Oak Grove Road paving, sidewalks and landscaping project on July 13.

Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins said the finance committee received three bids for the project, which involves redesigning the section of Oak Grove Road between Oxmoor Road and Hall Avenue.

www.commutesmart.org

Bulls Construction won with a total under the amount the city originally budgeted. Of that bid, $45,591 will go toward paving Oak Grove Road, and the remaining $317,463 will cover the installation of landscaping, sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks and acorn-shaped streetlights.

The project was approved by the city council in April and was supposed to be completed over the summer, but has been delayed.

Related to this project, the finance committee also decided to drop an agenda item to provide

incentives to Oak and Raleigh, a deli and meat market planned to open on the corner of Oak Grove Road and Raleigh Avenue. The committee could not find a way to provide tax abatement incentives. Instead, committee members are looking at ways to use the unspent money from the revitalization project to provide and maintain extra parking behind Oak and Raleigh’s future building.

According to the Oak and Raleigh Facebook page, owners Morgan, Molly and Tyler Duncan

are hoping to open in August.

Also related to West Homewood redevelopment, on July 13 the council a request to set a public hearing for Aug. 10 to consider ordinance amendments related to the West Homewood District and the repeal of the ordinance establishing the Community Development Review Committee. Kendrick suggested that the ordinances are too complex and need to be reviewed before being publicly posted. The issue has been sent to the planning and development committee.

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A7

Sides receives Citizen Commendation Award

Resident Tiffaney Sides received the 2015 Citizen Commendation Award from the police department. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Police Chief Jim Roberson recognized the service of Homewood resident Tiffaney Sides at the June 22 city council meeting by awarding her the 2015 Citizen Commendation Award.

The Citizen Commendation Award is given to “a citizen or business in recognition of commendable service through assistance and support” to the police department. Roberson and Mayor Scott McBrayer presented Sides with a plaque at the beginning of the meeting.

Sides received the award due to her actions on Feb. 18. After observing four suspicious men coming out from a house under renovation in her neighborhood, Sides called 911 and reported the activity and a description of the

men. She remained on the phone as the call was answered and updated the police on the suspects’ locations.

“You have a gut feeling that something’s not right,” Sides said of her decision to call 911.

Her actions resulted in the arrest of the four men, who had broken into the home and had stacked televisions, wine, silverware and power tools by the side door to steal later.

“Every neighborhood should have alert and caring neighbors like Tiffaney,” Roberson said in a prepared statement during the meeting.

“I felt that I was just doing what anyone else would do. It’s my job as a neighbor and citizen of Homewood,” Sides said. “I would hope that everyone would call.”

Council approves partial fence variance for ‘Broadway triangle’ houses

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Despite bringing letters from 10 neighbors supporting his plans to build a fence on the “Broadway triangle” property, developer Chris Tucker was only partially successful in receiving fence variances.

On June 22 Tucker brought the request before the city council to build a three-foothigh picket fence on three sides of the property, where he plans to build five houses. The fences, he said, were necessary because of the property’s unusual situation in the middle of three streets – Broadway Street, Carr Avenue and Short Saulter Road. He said the speed of cars on those roads was a concern for nearby residents, as well as the nearby restaurants, bus stop and public parking.

“It just functionally needs a fence,” Tucker

said. “I’m just trying to build something that is good for everybody.”

In the past the city council has been opposed to front yard fences, which is what they consider the proposed fence on Broadway. The plan to extend fencing partially into the city right-of-way was also a topic of concern.

“We need to be consistent in what we do,” Ward 3 Representative Walter Jones said.

In the course of discussion, Tucker noted to the council that the sidewalk extended beyond city property into his own property at one point. The council plans to set up a meeting with Tucker to discuss easement options for this section of sidewalk.

Ultimately, the council decided to approve variances to build fences along the sidewalks of Carr and Short Saulter. The front yard fence on Broadway was denied.

The Homewood Star

A8 • August 2015

Meet Ward 4 Representative Alex Wyatt

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Ward 4’s new representative is Alex Wyatt. He was chosen out of a field of 11 candidates in June and sworn in on July 13 prior to the council meeting.

Before he took office, Wyatt sat down with The Homewood Star to talk about why he applied for the position and what he’s excited about.

Q A

Tell us about your life here in Homewood.

I moved here about 14 years ago with my wife [Megan] and my then four or five-year-old daughter [Riordan].

When we decided to move back [from Mobile], we looked around, and this was where I wanted to live.

We’ve been here ever since and now have our son [Ander] as well. My daughter’s gone through and graduated, my son will be in seventh grade this fall and we’ve just loved it. We’ve loved everything about it, and it’s been great to us.

Q A

What made you decide to apply for the open Ward 4 position?

After 14 years of taking from Homewood, I thought it was probably time to start giving something back. It’s something I’ve been interested in and wanted to see if I could help give something back to Homewood and help it take its next step in the evolution of the city.

Q A

What will you bring to the council?

What I hope to bring, at least, is that by trade, I’m an attorney and do litigation and mediation. Clients or parties that I’m not representing come to me with challenges and say, “How can we solve these? What are the answers to these? How can we make things better?”

That’s what I’m hoping to do with Homewood as well. Whatever challenges come up, that I’m able to offer my insight and bring people together and find a resolution to it.

Alex Wyatt is the new Ward 4 Place 2 Representative on the Homewood City Council. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

Q A

Are there any particular issues you’d like to bring before the council?

There are always going to be unexpected issues that come up that citizens are and should bring up. I think Homewood also has some large, overarching issues that I think the council recognizes, and I hope to help them deal with.

The average age of the Homewood population is dropping significantly, which is a wonderful thing. This is a great issue to have, but what it means is we have a whole lot more schoolage children… Everything sort of gets multiplied, and so Homewood will need to deal with that.

We need to continue to work on making Homewood the best city that it can be, and making it that way for everyone.

Q

How will this council role complement your positions with the Homewood City Schools Foundation, the Homewood

Athletic Foundation and the Safe and Healthy Homewood Coalition?

What has always been good about Homewood is that we have all these organizations with all these people involved, and we should take advantage of that.

The hope and desire is that we get the best people in the best positions, and then we work together to achieve whatever we need to.

A

Q A

What do you think of your fellow Ward 4 representative, Barry Smith?

I’ve actually known Barry for a while. We have sons the same age, and so I think a lot of Barry.

Barry and I have been on organizations together and obviously have watched our sons grow up together, even though they went to different elementary schools.

I think the world of her. She’s such a hard worker and she’s good at getting people involved and organizing.

I just couldn’t say anything nicer

about her.

Q A

What would you like your new constituents to know?

First and foremost, I think I’d like them to know that I’m available.

Whenever they need me – whether it’s something that just affects their property or something that affects the city as a whole – I’m available to them and I’m there to listen and to serve them.

Secondly, I’d just like them to know that I’m passionate about Homewood.

I love Homewood and have lived here for what feels like a long time, at least.

I feel I know Homewood. I love my neighbors, I love the other citizens of Homewood.

I’m passionate about taking that and building on it and making Homewood even better.

To contact Alex Wyatt, email awyatt@pljpc.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A9

New Oakmont minister looks to bring diversity, intimacy to church

By MADOLINE MARKHAM After four years on a college campus, Jack Hinnen is glad to be in a place of greater diversity.

“Being at a church again, I’m excited about having other stages of life being a part of my life,” Hinnen said.

Hinnen started as the pastor of Oakmont United Methodist Church in June after four years as the chaplain at Birmingham-Southern College. He replaced Lawton Higgs Jr., who was the pastor at Oakmont for six years and is now serving at Montevallo First United Methodist Church.

Hinnen also said he wants to bring part of what he learned on the BSC campus with him.

“One of the great things about being at Birmingham-Southern was I learned the intimacy of being with people all the time,” Hinnen said. “I want the church to be less about Sunday and Wednesday and more about being in community all the time. I think we can see more of each other, and to me that’s exciting.”

Overall, though, he wants to get to know the church before he determines its future direction. He said he has spent much of his first days on the job listening to stories from its members.

Oakmont was started 60 years ago

by Dr. Bob Gonia as a plant out of Birmingham-Southern, and some of its founding members are still a part

Jack Hinnen has served as the pastor of Oakmont United Methodist Church in West Homewood since June.

Photo by Madoline Markham.

of the church. Almost everyone in the church has lived in West Homewood at some point in their lives, and Hinnen estimates that currently about 75 percent of the church body lives in the neighborhood surrounding the church. It’s fitting that its slogan is

“the church in your backyard.”

“Oakmont’s identity is definitely West Homewood,” Hinnen said.

“Oakmont reflects the community as it has been, and I think we can do a better job at reaching younger people.

I am excited about what can happen

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here.”

The church averages about 60 people on Sunday mornings, but 120 were there on his first Sunday at the church. Around 200 people are on the roll. Hinnen is the only full-time staff person, but the church has part-time

staff for youth, accounting and secretarial work.

Although Hinnen previously served a large congregation at Riverchase United Methodist, he’s no stranger to smaller churches. While he was attending Candler School of Theology at Emory University, he would come back to Alabama on the weekends to preach at small churches in Ashland, Hackneyville and Shady Grove.

Before that, he grew up walking to church in his hometown of Dadeville, near Lake Martin.

“Everyone in the church [there] was connected in amazing ways,” he said.

“I feel the same stirrings here.”

Hinnen said he is particularly excited to be in West Homewood, where he sees a lot of diversity that he wants the church to reflect.

His wife, Cheryl, also a Methodist minister, has mostly lived in Homewood since she attended Samford University. Two years ago the couple bought a home — from Oakmont members and across the street from Oakmont members — near GianMarco’s and zoned for Hall-Kent Elementary. Now he’s just a 10-minute bike ride down Raleigh Avenue from work.

Hinnen and his wife enjoy going to the pool with their 10-month-old daughter Macy, hiking at Red Mountain Park with their Lab, spending time at parks and running 5Ks “I can’t tell you how much I love Homewood,” Hinnen said.

A10 • August 2015

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TheHomewoodStar.com

Now Open Green Olive Media, an Atlantabased branding, communications, design and public relations firm, has opened a satellite office at 2100 Southbridge Parkway, Suite 650. This office will serve clients in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

414-7523, greenolivemedia.com

1

Coming Soon Your Pie pizzeria will open its first Alabama location in SoHo at 1831 28th Ave. S., Suite 160, in the space formerly occupied by Salsarita’s. The restaurant is expected to open in September or October. yourpie.com

2

Relocations and Renovations Galactic, a firm offering HR, payroll, insurance and benefits services, has signed a lease to move their office from Birmingham to the Lakeshore Park Plaza, 2204 Lakeshore Drive.

322-2220, galactic-inc.com

3

Ashford Advisors has relocated from Hoover to 1 Independence Plaza, Suite 720. The financial advisory firm is locally owned and operated by Bryant Moore, ChFC. 623-2111, ashfordadvisors.net

4

New Ownership CVS/pharmacy has reached an agreement to buy Target’s pharmacies nationwide, including the Target pharmacy at 531 Brookwood Village.

Pharmacies within Target will be rebranded as CVS/pharmacy and will be owned and operated by CVS. No timeline has been announced, but the transaction is expected to be final by the end of 2015.

994-7532, target.com/pharmacy

5

News and Accomplishments O’Henry’s Coffee is now selling a grilling spice made with a ground espresso blend along with other spices. It is featured in the coffee shop’s summer menu and can be purchased in 4-ounce containers.

6

August 2015 • A11 O’Henry’s has two Homewood locations: 2831 18th St. S. and 569 Brookwood Village, Suite 101.

870-1198 (18th Street), 870-1148 (Brookwood), ohenryscoffees.com Demetri’s BBQ has been named to the new Alabama Barbecue Hall of Fame. All establishments on the list have been open at least 50 years. Demetri’s opened in 1961.

871-1581, demetrisbbq.com

7

Urban Cookhouse, 2846 18th St. S., has added strawberry lemonade milkshakes to its menu. Restaurant owners purchase 1,000 gallons of strawberries annually from Harvest Farm in Cullman to make the lemonade and shakes.

879-0883, urbancookhouse.com

8

Douglas Beckham, DMD, was honored as the Most Excellent Fellow during the Alabama Dental Association’s Annual Awards Breakfast in Orange Beach this summer. Honorees are nominated and elected by their peers. Beckham’s cosmetic and general dentistry office is located at 2045 Medical Center Drive, Suite 4.

871-6600, dbdmd.com

9

Hirings and Promotions LAH Real Estate, 1760 Oxmoor Road, has hired Jessica Daviston, Michael Thomason and Kristi Thornton as residential Realtors.

879-8580, lahrealestate.com

10

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center, 504 Brookwood Blvd., has hired Dr. Amy CaJacob to join their staff. Dr. CaJacob completed her fellowship in allergy, asthma and immunology at UAB. 871-9661, alabamaallergy.com

11

Anniversaries Andrew J. Bone Real Estate Group, 1747 Reese St., is celebrating its first anniversary.

531-5577, andrewjbonerealestategroup. com

12

JJ Eyes, 2814 18th St. S., is celebrating its first anniversary in August.

703-8596, jjeyesoptical.com

13

Business news Business news Business news

to share? to share? share? to Now Open Coming Soon Coming Soon

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

The Homewood Star

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

Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com

Email dan@thehomewoodstar.com

A12 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Community Tuesday night market adds concerts to lineup

The Vespers will perform a concert following the West Homewood Farmers Market on Aug. 18.

The West Homewood Farmers Market is adding a monthly concert series to its events, which will be on the third Thursday of the month starting in August.

The first of the Tuesday Night Lights Fall Concert Series will welcome Nashville band The Vespers.

Made of up two pairs of siblings, The Vespers formed in 2009 writing and performing bluegrass-influenced folk music.

The concert will begin at the end of the market on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m., but you can come early to find local produce and crafts for sale as well as a dining selection from food trucks.

“We’re hoping concert goers will consider checking out the market and have dinner before the concert,” Market Manager Kenyon Ross said.

The first 150 tickets are $10 until Aug. 4, and then tickets will be sold for $15 online and at the door.

Other Tuesday Night Lights Fall Concert Series and market dates for the fall are Sept. 15 and Oct. 20, with the market running from 5-8 p.m. and the concert at 8 p.m.

West Homewood Market meets in the parking lot of Shades Valley Community Church at 160 Oxmoor Road.

For tickets or more information, visit westhomewood.com.

Rock ‘n’ Run to benefit counseling services Homewood Central Park will step back into the disco era on Saturday, Aug. 22. The fourth annual Rock ‘n’ Run will feature music from the ’70s and encourages participants to dress the part. The family-friendly event welcomes strollers and pets and will have live music from the band Steel City as well as a DJ. The run began as a way to help fund IMPACT Family Counseling’s mentoring program for children ages 4-18 who are impacted by incarceration and or who have disabilities after the program lost its previous funding due to government budget cuts.

Today the run continues to help fund IMPACT’s many programs. The organization was founded in 1991 to help prevent the generational cycle of crime

by working with young men, according to Marketing Director Jazmine McDaniel. IMPACT’s staff runs a fatherhood program for men in prisons and halfway houses, and they also work with teens, provide free anger management classes, hold relationship enrichment workshops for couples, give free Pack ‘n Plays to moms who might not have a safe place for their baby to sleep, offer parenting classes to teen moms and provide behavioral aids in schools.

The 5K run begins at 8 a.m. Packet pickup starts at 7 a.m., or you can come Friday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Trak Shak or 6-9 p.m. at aLoft Hotel.

To register for the race, visit active.com. For more information about IMPACT, visit impactal.org.

Homewood dining spots participate in Birmingham Restaurant Week This year Zagat ranked Birmingham “America’s No. 1 Next Hot Food City,” and Birmingham Restaurant Week plans to celebrate its culinary culture Aug. 14-23.

Restaurants in the Homewood area that have already committed to participate are: Apple Dumpling Bar, Homewood Gourmet, JoJo’s on Broadway, Little Donkey and Nabeel’s. In total, 50 establishments participated last year.

During the 10 days, restaurants will offer special two and/or three-course prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus for $5, $10, $20 or $30 per person. Several menus will also include beer and/or wine flight components, brunch offerings and other drink specials.

Restaurant Week is organized by REV

Birmingham, which works to revitalize places and energize business to create vibrancy in the city of Birmingham. Last year the event brought in a 20 percent average increase in restaurant sales compared to other 10-day periods.

“Our hope is that this 10-day event will draw attention to the top-notch locally owned dining opportunities right here in Birmingham,” said James Little, BRW creator/director and district manager of REV. “Additionally, Birmingham Restaurant Week’s economic impact helps positively impact our community, business owners and residents.”

For more information, visit bhamrestaurantweek. com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A13

aTeam rally to raise awareness for childhood cancer

By CHRIS GRIESEDIECK After Aug.15, aTeam Ministries hopes more people know about what gold ribbons stand for.

“One of the things we hear from patient families is that more people need to know about pediatric cancer,” said aTeam founder and president Andy Thrower. “Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but not near the number know about September being for Childhood Cancer Awareness.”

For the past three years, aTeam partnered with high schools throughout Jefferson, Blount, Shelby, St. Clair and other counties to paint the high school football fields with a GO GOLD! Ribbon, the symbol for childhood cancer awareness. This year they are adding a new event to their campaign. The event is being sponsored

by Murray Building Company, Inc. aTeam’s first annual #BOLD4gold Rally will be held at Homewood Central Park on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 4:30-8 p.m.

The rally will feature food, including Jim N’ Nick’s,

Doodles, cotton candy, popcorn and Heavenly Donuts.

The event will also include inflatables, a Cajun band and T-shirts available for $20 each. At one point in the evening, aTeam will recognize pediatric cancer fighters and survivors as well as families who have had a child pass away.

Thrower explained that the mission at aTeam Ministries is to support families emotionally, spiritually and financially. Their focus is on the needs patient families experience throughout the entire journey of cancer treatment, including mortgage payments and utilities bills.

“This rally is one of those emotional ways we can encourage families by helping make others aware of the many life changes children and families deal with when their child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer,” Thrower said. aTeam Ministries is located at 2811 Crescent Ave., Suite 211. Call 401-8232 or visit ateamministries.org for more information. aTeam Ministries paints gold ribbons to increase awareness of pediatric cancer during September.

Photo courtesy of aTeam Ministries.

Davis Housman earns Eagle rank

Davis Housman

Homewood resident Brian Davis Housman has earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Davis completed the requirements for Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 97 at Trinity United Methodist Church under the leadership of Scoutmaster Steve Lloyd.

For his Eagle project, Davis built a set of backless benches and bluebird houses for the Lakeshore Foundation.

The benches are easily accessible from both sides for hospital patients. Since

Davis hung the bluebird houses, there has been an increase in bluebirds on the wooded campus, adding to its natural beauty.

Davis began his scouting journey as a Tiger Cub with Pack 397 in 2006 and received the Arrow of Light as a Webelo 2. On his way to becoming an Eagle Scout, Davis served as den chief for Pack 397 as well as quartermaster, historian and patrol leader for Troop 97. Twice he led his patrol to victory

during Troop 97’s Mafeking, a re­enactment of the founding of Boy Scouts, and he attended scout summer camp every year. Davis has participated in two high adventure trips, Sea Base and Northern Tier, has earned 37 merit badges, and has camped a total of 67 nights with Troop 97.

A freshman at Homewood High School, Davis was undefeated at the number one position of the tennis team during the regular season. He

is an active member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, where he attends a weekly Bible study and serves as an acolyte. His future plans include working to earn several palms and supporting his two younger brothers in their scouting efforts.

Davis is the son of Kevin and Leslie Housman and the grandson of Beverly and the late James K. Baker and Carmen and the late Charles L. Housman.

A14 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Back to School Bash returns to Homewood Central Park

National Night Out pairs with West Homewood Farmer’s Market

Police show off their equipment at last year’s National Night Out. Photo by Madoline Markham.

By ERICA TECHO

The Back to School Bash will feature a variety of rides and inflatables at Homewood Central Park. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Summer fun doesn’t end with the start of school. This year’s Back to School Bash will be held a week and a half later, Sunday, Aug. 23 from 3-7 p.m. at Homewood Central Park.

The event will feature rides, inflatables, food, a live DJ and entertainment throughout the evening.

In years past, the event has featured a cyclone swing, a 24-foot slide, bounce houses and a spinning ride called the Mindwinder. There has also been a specific area for children under five years old,

with ball pit with a small slide.

There is no admission cost to enjoy the music and vendors. A $10 wristband gives unlimited access to every ride.

The proceeds from the bash will benefit Homewood High School Band and the Homewood Soccer Club.

“It’s neat to see the community come out, having a good time and enjoying the park,” said Parks & Recreation Superintendent Rusty Holley.

For more information, visit homewoodparks.com.

At this year’s National Night Out, residents can meet members of the Homewood Police and Fire departments and shop for local produce.

On Aug. 4 from 5-8 p.m., National Night Out will be held at Shades Valley Community Church off of Oxmoor Road. The weekly West Homewood Farmer’s Market will take place at the same time, adding a few more elements to the event.

The farmer’s market typically runs through the end of July, but it is continuing for an extra week for National Night Out. There will be jewelry, produce and live music as a part of the market.

Homewood Police Department will have demonstrations from the tactical team, information from detectives and safety gear to give away. Homewood Fire Department fire trucks and equipment will also be on display

Fresh Start 5K date set The West Homewood Farmers Market Fresh Start 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is coming back for the third year. The run is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. the Fun Run at 9 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded for the top finishers.

Organizers also hope that the run helps form community just as the market does. The event also raises money for the market.

The entry fee is $10 without a T-shirt or $25 with a T-shirt. To register, visit westhomewood. com or active.com.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ HomewoodArtsCouncil or email: HACPNP@gmail.com

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A15

Aviators and short shorts welcome at Retro 5K

By JORDAN HAYS You’re not likely to see modern sweat-wicking running fabrics at the Trak Shak’s upcoming 5K. Think more along the lines of tube socks, polyester and track suits. The best wardrobe guideline might be, “What would Richard Simmons wear?”

The Trak Shak started the Retro Run 5K 20 years ago as a means of reviving and rebranding the Twilight 5, a 5-mile night race through downtown Birmingham. This year’s Retro Run race is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8 Participants have remained fairly consistent with their definition of retro — afros, tie dye, Aviator sunglasses, short-shorts — for the run’s lifetime, according to Jeff Martinez, an employee at The Trak Shak who has worked the Retro Run since its beginning. But in the past few years, Martinez said he has begun seeing a few pop culture icons in the run too.

“Forrest Gump has been in the run in the last few years,” Martinez said. “I mean, that movie came out in the 90s, and he was quintessential retro with the whole running outfit he had and the Nike Cortez he was wearing.”

Another pair of participants re-enacted Weekend at Bernie’s, and carried a dummy of Bernie they had made through the entire race.

For the event’s 20th anniversary, the Trak Shak will have more giveaways, such as shoes, and other special festivities that are still in the works.

Additionally, Cahaba Cycles has partnered with Trak Shak to hold a Retro Ride before the Retro Run 5K. Faris Malki, general manager of Cahaba Cycles, said they first scheduled a Retro Ride five years ago but that it was rained out.

“We are honored to be a part of [the Retro

Retro Run 5K and Retro Run Saturday, Aug. 8 7 p.m. Run 6:45 p.m. Bicycle ride The Trak Shack runsignup.com

Participants are encouraged to wear retro clothing for The Trak Shack’s annual night run. Photo courtesy of Choko Aiken of Just4Running.com.

Run],” Malki said. “It’s also just as much fun to dress up on a bike, too. We see it as an opportunity to join in the fun and give our customers a chance to do a really fun family event that is short in length.”

Similar to the run, bikers are encouraged to dress up or decorate their bicycles. Cahaba Cycles will also give out gift cards to riders with the best costume or decorated bicycle, according

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Once the run is over, Trak Shak will hold a contest for best retro costume. In order to be eligible to win the $100 for best costume, contestants must run the 5K and be picked by the employees of the Trak Shak to participate. After a dance-off, the crowd will pick the winner.

Jim N’ Nicks will be catering after the race. The event will also have Birmingham

Budweiser products, Powerade, Coca-Cola products and music.

The Retro Run begins at 7 p.m. on 18th Street. The Cahaba Cycles Retro Ride begins at 6:45 p.m. at the same location. There is a $40 race fee and a $2.50 sign up fee.

To sign up, visit runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Homewood/2014TrakShakRetroRun5K.

A16 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

SCHOOLS

CONTINUED from page A1 currently receives about $500 per student less than it did in 2008, according to Cleveland, which works out to be $2 million in total.

This shortfall is on top of the approximately $600,000 the district is shortchanged because of its rising enrollment. State education money is given to districts based largely on how many students attended the district the year before. So when the number of students increases — which it has by about 150 students a year the past two years — the district doesn’t get enough funds to pay for those students until the following year.

If the state of Alabama won’t increase school funding, Cleveland wants the state to allow Homewood to make up the difference itself.

“I’m not about to be presumptuous enough to say that if they just let us raise the taxes, we’ll raise it,” Cleveland said. “That would be ridiculous. I think you have to demonstrate to the public what the district’s needs are. But right now we don’t even have that option.”

The reason Homewood can’t raise any additional revenue is due to a law Alabama passed in the 1970s known as the Lid Bill. The bill limited the amount of property taxes a resident in Alabama would have to pay to $75 per year for every $1,000 of property he or she owned. The bill put a “lid” on what taxpayers have to pay.

But when the bill passed, Mountain Brook and Vestavia were already collecting more than $75, so lawmakers exempted them. So Mountain Brook and Vestavia can raise local property taxes all they want to help pay for the state’s funding shortfall, but since Homewood’s taxes were lower at the

Aiyana Reardon, Madison Howard and Ola Ajigeda work to develop engineering and programming skills at Shades Cahaba Elementary. Photo by Keith McCoy.

time, they were not exempted.

“My issue with the Lid Bill is simply this,” Cleveland said. “If the citizens of Homewood wanted to make up the shortfall of the state, we don’t have the ability to because of the Lid Bill. However, our fine friends in Mountain Brook or Vestavia, who are often held up to the same standards, if they want to, they can.”

Mountain Brook and Vestavia already raise more money than Homewood through their nonprofit foundations. In 2012, the Homewood City Schools Foundation raised more than

$100,000. But the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation raised 2.5 times as much, and Mountain Brook’s foundation raised over half a million dollars.

Homewood’s foundation has increased its revenue in recent years by running $100 per plate celebration dinners, according to Amy McRae, the foundation president. But they’ve had to use that money to pay for basic supplies, such as computers, rather than spending it on enrichment grants and teacher development.

Cleveland recognizes that Homewood is in a privileged position

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compared to some nearby districts, but he said it’s also held to a higher standard.

“In certain parts of Jefferson County this might seem almost laughable because some places don’t have almost anything,” Cleveland said.

“But the reality is that the standards that we’re held to for greatness are really high. If we have 150 Chromebooks but 300 students and we have to rotate those Chromebooks around, one can look at that in another part of Jefferson County and say, ‘What a great problem to have.’ Whereas here,

we would like to say that every student should have one.”

There is one glimmer of hope despite all the belt-tightening, Cleveland said: The quality of the education has remained the same. “It’s a tribute to the folks living in Homewood, the city leaders, faculty and staff members,” Cleveland said, “that while [state funding has remained low], it hasn’t affected the academic results. We’re still one of the top systems in this state.”

To learn more, visit homewoodcityschoolsfoundation.com.

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • A17

Tailgate Challenge returns to home turf

By MARIENNE THOMAS OGLE The gauntlet will be thrown down on Aug. 29 for the Bell Center Tailgate Challenge.

For this, the sixth annual fundraiser, the field of competition will be at The Bell Center itself, 29th Court South at Central Avenue.

“This is the first time we’ve held the challenge at home, and it’ll be great to have people see where we are,” said Kelly Peoples, fund development director. “We’ll have live music, a kids zone sponsored by Covenant Classical Schools, different cheerleader and dance teams, plus a lot of shade.”

The Bell Center offers early intervention for children from birth to 3 years of age with special needs or who may be at risk for development delay. Services include physical and occupational therapy, speech and language pathology and early childhood especial education.

Peoples said this year’s goal is to have 50 teams of challengers, each with their own themed tent, who will attempt to outdo each other to claim the awards for best tasting food, best team spirit and best all around.

“We ask the teams to offer samples of their food to the crowd, and our judges are WJOX radio personalities,” she said. “But then the crowd votes on the people’s choice winner.”

Chelsea native and Alabama fan Paul Mann, along with a neighbor who pulls for Auburn and an LSU fan

The Bell Center Tailgate Challenge 1700 29th Court South Saturday, Aug. 29 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $15 adults, $5 ages 4-10, free 3 and under thebellcenter.org

Paul Mann and his team are going for their third people’s choice award this year at the Bell Center Tailgate Challenge. The LSU/Mardi Gras theme team are, left to right, Steven Langham, Lance Hutcheson, Paul Mann, Kaden Weldon, Scott Weldon, Kim Weldon and Brandon Weldon. Photo courtesy of the Bell Center.

friend, has won the people’s choice trophy two years in a row.

“The first year we did the a ‘house divided’ theme and in 2014, a LSU/ Mardi Gras celebration — with a Cajun boil, lots of bead throwing,

Moon Pies, the whole shebang,” Mann said. “That was such a success, we’re going to do it again this year.”

While Mann has a real affinity for the Tailgate Challenge, it can’t compare with his love of the Bell Center,

where his son A.J. was enrolled from 2010 to 2014. Diagnosed with Down syndrome, A.J. began at the Bell Center at six months, Mann said.

“It was great for him because he started learning skills such as speech

and social, even singing, at such a young age, and he’s so much better prepared now to go to school,” Mann said. “It also helps the parents because it’s a community with other families in similar situations.”

Peoples said she expects about 1,000 people to attend this year’s Tailgate Challenge, in addition to the 500 team members competing. Team tents are $150 and include 10 admission tickets. Gate entrance tickets are free to those ages three and under, $5 for ages four to 10 and $15 for all others.

Mann said he and his teammates will be at The Bell Center bright and early Aug. 29, ready to make a run at their third people’s choice title.

“The Bell Center does so much for the community, helps so many children and this is a big fundraiser for them, so it’s a win-win-win for those who take part, those who attend and the kids,” he said. “Plus, with lots of fun, lots of food and a few beers, it’s a great warm-up for football season.”

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A18 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Celebrate and support the library at its second annual block party

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Last year the Homewood Public Library Foundation Board didn’t know what to expect with its first Block Party fundraiser. But before long, more than 250 people came out to eat, celebrate and connect with new friends and old ones.

Come Aug. 15, they are hoping the event continues to grow just as its board has.

This year five restaurants — Nabeel’s, Jojo’s on Broadway, Demitri’s, Little Donkey and Homewood Gourmet — are teaming up to create a cohesive menu for adults. Because the food is donated, all $20 paid for each adult ticket goes directly to the library.

Entry for kids is $5, which includes activities and Dave’s Pizza.

“The businesses are so generous to donate the food,” said Fran Jones, chair of Library Foundation Board.

Good People Brewing Company will also be coming as well as Rush Wines, which will provide wine tasting. Jones said people can also just come for free to enjoy the festival without food.

This year the foundation is adding a live band in addition to an acoustic set as well as a dunking booth that they hope will attract teenagers in addition to adults and kids.

“We are trying to get the whole crowd the library represents to come,” Jones said. “The whole community uses the library.”

Paul Doran first had the idea to

Library Block Party Benefiting the Homewood Public Library Foundation Saturday, Aug. 15 5-8 p.m.

Homewood Public Library Parking Lot $20 adults, $5 kids Buy tickets at HomewoodPublicLibrary.org

The Library Block Party will feature face painting and other festivities for children. Photo by Dan Starnes.

start the foundation in 2011 to provide additional funding for the library.

Homewood Public Library receives funds from the city for existing programs, but not for long-term growth projects. That’s where the foundation’s fundraising comes in.

After the Block Party, the foundation hopes to start on its first project, adding new outdoor lighting in the

parking lot. Jones said that between this event, last year’s Block Party and a third fundraiser held in April at Good People Brewing Company, they should have the funds they need for the lighting and can start looking at new signage as well.

Ultimately, the foundation hopes to grow and take on larger projects. Long term they would like to add a new

computer lab on the main floor; now it is located in the basement. One day they would also like to build an auditorium to host concerts and other events.

“I’m looking forward to [the Block Party] growing,” Jones said. “All of Homewood benefits from the library in one way or another.”

Library Foundation Board members are Fran Jones, George Elliott, John

Krontiras, Lois Woodward, Julee Potter, Ann Chapman, Laura Blackstock, Melissa Schultz-Jones, Jennifer Schmidt, Julie Mizerany, Joe Sanders, Roy Morton amd Hunter Payne.

Tickets are available on the library’s website. For more information contact Heather Cover at hcover@bham.lib. al.us or 332-6621.

TheHomewoodStar.com PATRIOT PARK

CONTINUED from page A1 get formal development proposals.

“The feeling was that it’d be best for the city to put out an RFP and capture everybody that’s interested,” Ward 2 Representative Vance Moody said. “We may get something that we never even thought of.”

The RFP was approved by the City Council July 13 and went into effect July 15. City attorney Mike Kendrick said interested parties will have until Aug. 31 to submit proposals for the lot.

“This is a good way to gauge how serious the interest is,” Moody said. “We’d like a nice development that will fit with and serve the community. Beyond that I don’t have anything preconceived.”

Fellow Ward 2 Representative Fred Hawkins said he has heard from four individuals so far with ideas for the property. Their ideas included restaurants, a brewery, an event space, a sports bar, or mixed-use developments that would include first-story retail and second-story condos overlooking the park. Hawkins said he favors a restaurant-retail development.

Ward 1 Representative Britt Thames has heard from multiple groups offering mixed residential and commercial buildings. One proposal included office space, and another had a courtyard design that could become a small event area. Thames said he thinks any mixed-use property would be an “easy sell” for the area.

David Shaw, who co-owns Magic City Sweet Ice with his wife Wani, said he was a fan of Cajun food and had been excited about DiCarlo and Harris’s proposal, which they named The Grove. However, he also supported the idea of a retail area for local business or rentable office space for West Homewood residents who own small businesses.

“Anything family-friendly going up there would be a positive, to say the least,” he said.

Jordan Acton, who works at Magic City Sweet Ice and is a lifelong Homewood resident, said that a restaurant or loft development would be a good fit for the property.

Moody emphasized that the decision to open

August 2015 • A19 the RFP was driven solely by the sudden interest from other developers, and it was not related to the quality of DiCarlo and Harris’s proposal or the negotiation process. The pair originally offered $50,000 for the city lot. Before the city council voted for the RFP, DiCarlo and Harris had raised their bid to $135,000, the city’s original purchase price, with the request of incentives to offset the excavation and construction costs.

They have not decided if they will submit The Grove for the RFP. If not, DiCarlo said she isn’t sure if they’ll try to move the development to another location, as Patriot Park and Homewood are “near and dear” to them.

“I think it’s a shame that we weren’t able to come to an agreement,” DiCarlo said. “Honestly, I think we’re going to have to see what kind of support we would have from out council persons and the community at large to determine if we’re going to go forward … I’d like to see some writing on the wall, I guess.”

DiCarlo and Harris have been friends for 10 years. Their children started school at Hall-Kent Elementary and graduated from Homewood High School together. Since they began developing the idea for The Grove, both have solicited community ideas about what development would best fit the community.

“It was like a mission for us,” DiCarlo said.

“We felt like we could contribute to build something exciting.”

The number of positive reactions they have received, from residents and City Council members, since proposing The Grove could sway DiCarlo and Harris to take part in the RFP process. If they participate and win the bid, the duo already has an architect, contractor and builder ready to begin construction.

“I think our ideas and what we wanted to do was something that was supported by the community,” DiCarlo said. “We have what it takes and we have what we need to move forward, we just need to gauge and see what happens.”

Proposals submitted to the city by Aug. 31 will be considered on Sept. 14. A decision will be finalized by Sept. 28, and the council plans to award a bid at its first October meeting. For more information on the RFP process, call the Homewood Department of Building Inspections at 332-6800.

SECTION The Homewood Star

B

Back to School B3 Sports B9 Real Estate B12 Calendar B13

AUGUST 2015

Patriots season preview 2015 Season Preview

Griffis gives Patriots a rare commodity

By DAVID KNOX Every high school football coach has those butterflies in his stomach on Friday night as he arrives at the stadium. Has he prepared enough? Will his kids remember what they’ve talked about all week?

Homewood coach Ben Berguson will have fewer butterflies and a little less churning in the gut when he walks out on

the field, because Berguson has one luxury most coaches don’t have: a three-year starter at quarterback in Carson Griffis.

“On any given Friday night, in the end, you’re only as good as your quarterback play,” Berguson said. “That’s the case at any level of football, NFL to little league.

I’m very excited about the season knowing

See FOOTBALL | page B10

No. 14 Carson Griffis rushes for a big gain in a game last season.

B2 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

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TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • B3

Back to School Alabama tax-free weekend to be held Aug. 7-9

At Jack n’ Jill, a children’s clothing store in Homewood, parents will be able to buy back-toschool clothing for their children at a discounted price during the tax-free weekend on Aug. 7-9.

By OLIVIA BURTON Alabama’s annual Back-to-School tax-free weekend will take place from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 to midnight on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The city of Homewood will be participating in the tax exemption, as well as Mountain Brook, Hoover, Vestavia and Shelby County.

In addition to the sales tax exemption, many stores will feature special sales over the weekend. At Sikes and Jack n’ Jill in Homewood,

items that are not exempt under the law such as hair bows and ribbons will receive a 10 percent discount so that all items in the store will be discounted by 10 percent.

Sikes employee Stephanie Dustin said that the tax-free weekend is always a busy time for the children’s shoe store that has been open in Homewood since 1954.

“By that time we usually have all of our fall tennis shoes and athletic shoes, so we have a really big selection,” she said. “Parents are trying

Sikes is a popular destination during the tax free weekend as parents prepare to send their children back to school. Photos by Olivia Burton.

to get in and get the first pick of back-to-school shoes for their kids.”

General-use apparel such as dresses, jackets, pants, shirts, shoes and underwear will be exempt from Alabama’s sales tax over the weekend. All clothing items must be under $100.

Clothing accessories such as cosmetics, jewelry, wallets and watches, protective equipment such as tool belts and hard hats, and sport or recreational equipment such as goggles and shoulder pads will not be exempt from sales tax.

The exemption also applies to computers and other electronics under $750, school supplies under $50, educational books under $30 and required textbooks between $30 and $50.

Furniture, video games, magazines and newspapers will For more information and a complete list of exemptions, visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/ salestaxhol.cfm.

B4 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Eighth-grade science teacher Molly Knudsen makes sure each student participates in the planting.

Suzanne Clisby removes a rack from the beehive. Photos by Jordan Hays.

Molly Knudsen gives instructions to the students on how to properly plant seeds in the plant bed.

Seed to Plate teaches children nutrition and gardening

By JORDAN HAYS Homewood Middle School held its second annual four-day Seed to Plate program in June. The program taught students the During the week the students learned about urban farming,

composting and how to take soil samples. On Wednesday, they toured the Sims Garden on Highland Road and sampled honey from the garden’s honey bees, which they used to make ice cream later that day.

Molly Knudsen, Homewood Middle School eighth-grade science

teacher, founded the Environmental Club to get kids into the garden.

Briana Morton, Homewood Middle School family consumer science teacher, taught the students the nutritional value of the food they eat and grow in the garden.

The students make their way to the Sims Garden on Highland Road for a tour of the trail.

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Last Chance to submit for

August 2015 • B5

Summer

FUN

Photo Contest

Winner recieves $50 gift card to Alabama Outdoors #HWDSummerFun To enter, email your photos in a jpeg format to photos@thehomewoodstar.com.

Only four photos are allowed per person.

Winners will be announced in the September issue.

Category 1: Any summer fun photo Category 2: A summer fun photo displaying a copy of The Homewood Star wherever you are

Deadline is August 9, 2015

B6 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Red Mountain Park offers new Segway tours

By MADOLINE MARKHAM It’s like a human joystick, Liz Aldrich tells me. You learn forward, it moves forward. You lean back, it moves back.

You don’t simply jump on a Segway and go, I learned at Red Mountain Park as they let me try out their new Schaeffer Seg Tours that opened July 2. You first have to figure out how to put pressure on the front of your feet to move forward, and how to get off the back without moving the vehicle on top of yourself.

But no worries, after a training session with Aldrich, I was ready to hit the trail without hesitation. Each Seg comes equipped with large all terrain tires, and tours have no more than four people so a guide like Aldrich makes sure you get either the leisurely — or adventurous — pace you are looking for.

“Why Seg instead of hike?” I asked Aldrich. On a Seg, you can get places faster, take on a bit of thrill and get an overview of the park to give you a better idea of what else you want to explore, she told me.

We topped out about 9 mph, but Aldrich said some people cruise around 3-4 mph. She gets a feel what kind of tour people are looking for, fast or slow, lots of history or little history, covering lots of terrain or little terrain, and goes from there.

Our first stop was the Redding

goats brought in to clear the property, from your guide along the way.

If you are considering the tour, here are a few details to know: Each tour lasts about 90 minutes. You must be 12 years old and weigh 100-250 pounds to participate.

Schaeffer Seg Tours are available Monday-Friday at noon or 3 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 9 a.m., noon or 3 p.m. The cost is $40 per person for a tour of two, $35 per person for a tour of three and $25 per person for a tour of four. To book a tour, visit redmountainreservations.org.

Red Mountain Park also recently opened the Hugh Kaul Adventure Tower and Kaul Mega Zip. You can rappel, rock climb or climb leaves on the side of the 80-foot beanstalk, or walk up the stairs inside to launch onto a Mega Zip that can take you up to 30 mph.

Liz Aldrich shares about the history of the Redding Hoist House on Schaeffer Seg Tours at Red Mountain Park. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Hoist House, the only full mining structure that remains on the park’s property. Rick Woodward (as in Rickwood Field) was CEO of Woodward Iron Company, which built the Spanish Revival style structure that pulled cars out of the 300-foot vertical mine

FOR ALL AGES

from 1917-1927. After the hoist house tour, Aldrich picks the next stop based on participants’ interest.

You can a preview a meadow area in the park that has not yet opened to the public. In the future it will serve as a picnic area that also features an

amphitheater and possibly a Frisbee golf course with its own entrance off Venice Road.

You can also make your way up to the shade around Mine No. 13 and learn a little more history of the area, including that of recent visits from

thehomewoodstar.com/topics/video

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • B7

School House New assistant principals named for Edgewood, Shades Cahaba

Wendy Story

Laura Tate

Homewood will have two new assistant principals for the new school year. Laura Tate has been named assistant principal of Edgewood Elementary School, and Wendy Story as assistant principal of Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

Tate has been in education for 13 years and served as a special education teacher at HallKent Elementary School for the past two years.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University in 1998 and went on to earn her master’s degree, educational administration certificate and educational specialist degree in education administration from UAB.

Before coming to Homewood, Tate taught and served as an administrator in the Shelby County School System.

Story comes to Homewood from Vestavia Hills City Schools, where she has served as an instructional technology specialist for six years.

She is a Homewood High School graduate, and she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UAB. In 2013, she received her master’s degree in instructional leadership from Samford University.

She began her career as an elementary teacher and has worked in education for 14 years.

OLS chooses service award recipients

Jake McGwin, OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn and Annie Tighe.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School students Jake McGwin and Annie Tighe were the recipients of the 2015 Outstanding Christian Service Award.

This annual award is given to a boy and girl

of the graduating eighth-grade class who has shown a Christ-like example in their everyday life. It is based on the students’ constant service to others, as well as their outstanding Christian attitude and behavior.

HMS teacher experiences Space Camp Homewood Middle School teacher Haley Gossett was selected to attend the U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Space Academy for Educators program this summer in Huntsville. Through support from the Alabama Legislature, one educator from each of Alabama’s 136 public school districts received a full scholarship to the program.

Gossett, who teaches sixth-grade math and science, received materials, full tuition, lodging and meals for the weeklong camp. Space Academy for Educators provides the environment to develop professionally, network and build collaborative relationships from across the state.

STEM educators experienced simulated space missions, conducted astronaut training activities and received

Math and science teacher Haley Gossett attended Space Camp in Hunstville.

curriculum materials. The program promoted cross-curricular learning in a classroom setting targeting STEM content in fifth to eighth grades.

B8 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Shotkus receives Education Service Award

Hands-on learning at OLS

SCE teacher Allison Woods, SCE parent Betsy Crimi, award recipient Deborah Shotkus, EAC President Nancy Biggio and SCE teacher Megan Werner

Homewood’s Education Advisory Committee awarded Deborah Shotkus the Education Service Award during the June Board of Education meeting.

The Educational Service Award is awarded on an annual basis to an individual or organization that has committed extraordinary time and/or resources to the schools and students of the Homewood school system.

Shotkus is a retired teacher who volunteers at Shades Cahaba Elementary School several days each week, spending time with each firstgrade student throughout the year. She tracks student progress and invests in each child. The teachers, students and

parents adore her.

“Over the period of three years, she has worked with every single firstgrade student at one time or another,” said Allison Woods, SCE first-grade teacher. “She is flexible with the requests the first-grade teachers make and always gives 110 percent. She even encourages us as the first-grade teachers. The students she tutors love her and beg to have a turn to work with her. It is clear to anyone she talks to that she genuinely loves and cares for every student.”

Former SCE first-grade teacher and current parent Betsy Crimi also praised Shotkus.

“She knows these kids,” Crimi said.

“She worries about their progress and their well-being. She checks in with each of us as their teachers to ensure that she is supporting and enhancing what we are teaching. Our first graders love Mrs. Shotkus. They beg to have their turns with her. They long to share all of their work and their daily news with her. Mrs. Shotkus is a selfless, reliable resource to some of our youngest, precious students. And she has worked for three years now to help us help our first graders reach their unique potential.”

Dr. Doug Moellering of UAB is shows students how science can be hands-on.

Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School found that math and science really be fun at the fifth annual Math and Science Enrichment Day celebration. The event featured a number of experts in their field who creatively engaged the students in an entertaining and exciting way.

The children experienced games, experiments and a variety of crafts constructed to enlighten them in subjects such as engineering, chemistry, astronomy, biology, physics and fire science.

The day’s events began with a special concert by the OLS school choir. Following the concert, the students attended various presentations in breakout sessions.

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • B9

Sports 10U team wins state softball championship The Homewood 10U All Stars softball team had to win four games in order to make the state championship against top seeded Hoover. Its journey to league championship began with a double elimination tournament. The All-Stars defeated Springville 1-0 and then crushed Moody 14-1 to place them in the No. 2 seed for the next day’s bracket play.

The All-Stars were triumphant over Moody 12-0 to advance to the semi-final of the winners bracket. Next, the team knocked out No. 1 seed Hoover Black Widows in a 6-2 victory to guarantee their spot in the final game. Homewood scored three runs early and held Hoover to two runs to complete six innings of a hard fought game between both teams.

“The girls did an amazing job and worked really hard this past season to reach their goal of winning state,” said Alissa Brock, senior recreation leader for Homewood Parks and Recreation.

The girls’ overall combined record for both OTM and all-stars is 45-6. Their overall record is 19-4.

Team members are Zoe Couch, Camille Etheridge, Kayla Mardis, Ella Walker, Katherine Howell, Susanna Sheehan, Eva White, Isabella Antonio, Hunter Dunn, Emily Dunn and Livy Dunn.

Fall softball registration will be held Aug. 10-Sept. 4. For more information, visit homewoodparks.com.

Homewood 10U Softball All Stars celebrate their state championship win.

Joy League baseball crowns champions The Joy League recently completed its 58th consecutive season of daytime baseball this summer. Commissioners Perry Akins and Ted Hagler awarded championship trophies to the teams that won the league’s three divisions.

The 2015 champions are: A- The Yanks, coached by Jamal Johnson and Kameron Johnson; AA- The Cards, coached by Nathan Carden, Richie Prilenski, Caroline Prilenski and several other helpful parents and family members; and AAA- The Yanks, coached by

Tim Meehan, Mark Woods, Melvin Prim and Stephen McGhee.

To end the season, each division champ played a game against an AllStar team composed of 12 players from its division. In addition, there was a T-Ball rookie All-Star game played by a team composed of The Bucs and Cards against The Sox and Yanks. The players, coaches and their families enjoyed a traditional watermelon picnic following those games.

Each year, Joy League games are

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played on Saturday mornings on the two fields at Edgewood Elementary School.

A total of 174 boys and girls played in league games this year.

Established in 1958 by John J. Smith Sr., the Joy League provides its third generation of players ages 4 to 12a fun place to learn how to play baseball. They do not have evaluations or tryouts, as every player plays in every game.

For additional information, contact Perry Akins, 823-4929 or Bill Hutto, 871-1416.

AAA Yanks

B10 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Team Capsule Last year was the Patriots’ first season in the newly configured 6A, and Berguson’s boys satisfied a couple of goals — a region championship and a playoff run. But this year, he’d like to break through to a 10-win season.

“We have high expectations for this year. We’ve won three region championships and three nine-win seasons in a row,” said Berguson.

Having quarterback Carson Griffis back as starter for the third straight year certainly fuels those expectations.

“Griffis has led us to an 18-6 record the last two years. We’ve won 21 straight region games and I really like the group we have coming back.”

On offense, third-year starting quarterback Carson Griffis has some excellent skill players surrounding him.

Running back Derrick Underwood returns, and so does wide receiver Alec Marsch. Multi-talented Griffin Rivers will play some on offense besides being the glue in the defensive secondary.

One concern is the offensive line, which will have to protect Griffis and create holes for Underwood. “We lost three starters,” Berguson said.

“Cameron Moody is back at center, but we do have some question marks up front.”

Four starters return on defense.

“We’ll be led by the two Griffins — Griffin Gentry and Griffin Rivers.”

Gentry had over 100 tackles last season, which led the team.

“And Rivers is one of the best athletes at our school. He has 4.5 40 speed.”

On special teams, Rivers returns as the kick-return threat. Griffis will handle the punting again. Junior Cameron Wood, recruited from the soccer team, looks promising as the new kicker.

Jake Burdeshaw lunges upfield after intercepting a pass.

FOOTBALL

CONTINUED from page B1 we’ve got him at the helm.”

Griffis led the Patriots to a 9-3 record last season, carrying the team to a Class 6A, Region 5 championship and a playoff spot. The Pats made it to the second round before falling to Gardendale on a cold, miserable, rainy night.

The Patriots were more like the Minutemen last season — as in winning games in the final minute. Griffis’ leadership played a big role in that.

“We got four or five comeback wins in the last two minutes. Very seldom

do you have a three-year starter at quarterback. He just makes great decisions,” Berguson said.

“The most special thing about Carson is he’s very dangerous outside the pocket. With his 4.5 speed he can beat you with his feet. Carson’s most memorable highlight from last season was rushing for 280 yards in a comeback win versus Pelham.

“He has led our team brilliantly to an 18-6 record the last two years. A lot of people don’t know this, but we’ve won 21 straight region games.”

Griffis went 122-of-201 passing (61 percent) for 1,407 yards and 10 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He

added 480 yards rushing and three scores.

For his career, he’s thrown for 2,794 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes and added 969 yards rushing.

“Carson’s throwing the ball much better than he has in the past,” Berguson said. “It’s been obvious this spring and summer. A year or two ago you might say he can only beat you with his wheels, but he’s really throwing the ball well right now.

“He will give a lot of defensive coordinators problems being a dualthreat QB.”

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TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • B11

HOMEWOOD PARKS & RECREATION Homewood Community Center

Zumba with Camille

35209 Dance

ZUMBA is Latin inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes!

Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30pm-6:30pm Saturday: 9:00am-10:00am Camille 256-452-2500 camillescruggs@gmail.com

Young Rembrandts

Young Rembrandts drawing classes, uses stepby-step curriculum to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Classes for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age.

Contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more information and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anytime.

Line dance for a healthier you!

Tuesday 7:00pm-9:00pm Sunday 3:00pm-5:00pm $7/Drop-in - $5/Seniors 65+ First class is free Rosa Fisher 205-910-8896 rosafisher@yahoo.com

Royce Head Personal Training

Affordable small group training sessions are available to members in the community center weight room. Each 30 min workout is fast, fun, safe, and effective and each person is started with a program to fit their fitness level. $25 Per Session (or) 12 Sessions for $250 Call Royce for more information: (205) 945-1665

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew

Kindermusik

As the world’s recognized leader in early childhood music and movement, Kindermusik offers a musical learning adventure that will impact your child now and for years to come!

There’s simply no better way to foster your child’s love of music and love of learning.

Classes are available for ages 0 to 5 years.

Contact Kelly Alligood: 205-552-6129 Kelly.alligood@charter.net www.kellyalligood.com

North Star Martial Arts

North Star Martial Arts primary focus is to make a life lasting impact on our students, and their families. Classes range from beginners to adults. For detailed class listings and times please visit the park’s website or www.northstarkarate.com. • 205-966-4244 masterjoe@northstarkarate.com www.northstarkarate.com

Beginning ballet moves taught as a foundation for many types of dance. Students will work on coordination, balance, rhythm and flexibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles.

Mondays 4:00pm-4:45pm For additional Information call Claire: (205) 879-8780

Tango Argentino Fundamentals and Practice

Introductory lessons and guided practice. New students are taught basic Tango technique and experienced “milongueros” are encouraged to practice and exchange tips to improve their dancing. Couples and individuals of all ages are welcome. HWCC Fitness Studio 2.

1st & 3rd Wednesday each Month 7:00pm-8:30pm

Acting Out Academy

Acting Out Academy is a kid’s performing arts classes at the Homewood Community Center Thursday 3:30pm-4:30pm (Encore: After School Program) Thursday 4:30pm-5:30pm (Advanced on-camera). www.actingoutacademy.com • 205-440-2699 meg@actingoutacademy.com

Belly Dancing with Aziza

Class Fee: $60 cash only Contact Aziza: 205-879-0701 azizaofbirmingham@att.net www.azizaofbirmingham.com Learn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance with Aziza, over 40 years of experience in performance and instruction. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Monday: Beginners, Tuesday: Intermediates Thursday: Advanced.

360 Personal Trainer Fitness Bootcamp

Bootcamp style fitness classes at Homewood Community Center.

Classes Meet: Mon/Wed/ Fri 5:30am-6:30am Michael Brooks michaelbrooks360@gmail.com

Blue Line Combatives

Wednesdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm Blue Line Combatives teaches self-defense and urban survival instruction. Classes and private training are available for all ages.

Call or email for additional information: Instructor Jon P. Newland jon.newland442@gmail.com • 205-296-1250

Cheerleading & Tumbling Classes

Join this all women’s bootcamp happening right here in Homewood.

Monday & Wednesday – 5:45am-6:45am www.homewoodfit.com

Steel City Cheer classes cover all cheerleading & tumbling necessities: motions, jumps, cheers, stretching, conditioning, and tumbling.

All ages & skill levels welcome.

Monday 5:30pm-6:30pm Tuesday 5:30pm-6:30pm DeeDee: PDEveritt@gmail.com 901-734-0277

YoLIMBER

Mommy and Me Stroller Bootcamp

Homewood FIT – Women’s Bootcamp

Vinyasa yoga classes in an energetic environment using upbeat music.

All levels welcome.

Friday 9:30am-10:30am Saturday 9:00am-10:00am Contact Marla: 205-223-8564 mac@yolimber.com

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July Classes: Tuesday & Thursday @ 8:15am Location: Homewood Central Park A class for moms of all fitness levels!

This 45 minute class focuses on interval training with the use of bands, body weight, and your child’s stroller! www.mommyandmetime.com

Homewood Senior Center

Adaptive Yoga & Gentle Yoga Wed (1:15 - Adaptive & 1:45pm Gentle) Half hour of gentle guided stretching and breathing, using a chair. Appropriate for persons who wish to avoid exercise on the floor.

Participants have the option to continue for the 2nd half hour with gentle guided stretching and breathing on floor mats.

Seated Line Dancing “Smart Moves”

Tai Chi

Thursday (2:00pm) Very slow movement sequences repeated multiple times. Weight shifting and directional changes are executed through slow transition. Gentle on the joints and safer than dance for persons with equilibrium challenges. Not only exercises the body but also the mind, as participants must recall the sequence and repeat it.

Personal Training at HWD Sr. Center

Tue & Fri (9:30am) Beginner to Intermediate movement sequences are taught for each song, a sequence is repeated multiple times but facing a different direction with each repetition. Styles of music vary. Not only exercises the body but also the mind, as participants must recall the sequence and repeat it.

Members only. Kathy focuses on orthopedic issues and restorative training to improve fitness for mature adults, including those with equilibrium, flexibility, strength or other chronic health challenges. Sessions are $35/hour, Contact Kathy at 422-4025 (or) krhagood@yahoo.com

Zumba Gold & Tai Chi Review

Exercise Class

Tue (2:15 & 3:00pm) Zumba Gold is designed at a slightly slower pace with easier directional transitions.

Fun, lively music is used and several movements are repeated throughout a song to allow participants ample practice of each move. Review and practice of the Thursday Tai Chi class is completed the last 15mins of class.

Mon (11:15am) Wed & Fri (10:30am) 45-60 min.

Gentle joint movement as warm-up; stretching & strength portions are led with an emphasis on proper breathing; includes 10 min of standing exercises designed to practice balance/weight shifting.

Athletics Fall Girls’ Softball

Registration Dates: August 11th – September 4th Register online at www.homewoodparks.com (or) Homewood Community Center Business Office (MondayFriday 8:30am – 5:30pm) Fee: $30 Homewood Residents / $40 Non-Homewood Residents Age Divisions: 6 & Under / 8 & Under / 10 & Under / 12 & Under *Fall Ball playing age uses the age group you will play in the spring of 2015.* Alissa Brock at 332-6715 (or) Alissa.thurmond@homewoodal.org

Homewood Patriot Youth Baseball

The Homewood Patriot Youth Baseball League is a youth recreational baseball league for the citizens of Homewood, as well as, surrounding communities.

The HPYBL board works with the Homewood Parks and Recreation Board in scheduling games/practices.

Please visit our website for more information about the upcoming fall season. www.homewoodyouthbaseball.com

Homewood Soccer Club

Patriot League Sign-ups continue thru Mid-August Homewood Soccer Club is dedicated to creating a balanced youth soccer program.

Levels of Play: Patriot for ages U-4 through U-8; Red Teams for recreational players U-9 and up; White Teams for recreation plus ages U-9 thru U-11; and Blue Team competitive teams for ages U-11 thru U-18.

Additional information about all levels of play, including deadlines, fees and Club philosophy is available at www.HomewoodSoccer.com , or call The Soccer Office at 205-874-9182.

Homewood Flag Football

Registration Ends: Friday, August 14th Register online at www.homewoodparks.com (or) Homewood Community Center Business Office (Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm) Age Divisions: 1st Grade – 5th Grade (as of 2015-16 school year) Fees: $60 Homewood Resident $80 Non-resident Jakob Stephens at 332-6709 (or) Jakob. stephens@homewoodal.org

Special Events & Programs 2015 Back to School Bash

Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 Homewood Central Park 4:00pm-8:00pm The Bash will kick off a new school

year with an array of rides, inflatables, food and entertainment. Unlimited rides wristband $10. Proceeds from the event go to benefit Homewood High School Band.

www.Homewoodparks.com

B12 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Homewood Real Estate Listings

1306 Roseland Drive

MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

722700

35209

1407 Ardsley Place

New

$553,900

722885

35209

801 Sylvia Drive

New

$229,900

722869

35209

1819 Windsor Blvd.

New

$292,000

722768

35209

306 Edgewood Blvd.

New

$574,500

722570

35209

317 Devon Drive

New

$495,000

722430

35209

2414 Huntington Glen Drive

New

$489,000

722208

35209

951 Forest Drive

New

$247,780

722191

35209

915 Saulter Road

New

$339,900

722082

35209

140 Woodmont Drive

New

$527,780

721965

35209

1700 Valley Ave., Unit C

New

$59,900

722648

35209

13 Hollywood Blvd.

New

$689,000

721911

35209

231 Lucerne Blvd.

New

$744,900

721681

35209

1892 Huntington Road, Unit B

New

$249,900

721497

35209

924 Irving Road

New

$234,900

721224

35209

601 Devon Drive

New

$326,500

721180

35209

300 Hallman Hill E, Unit 205

New

$249,900

720837

35209

1748 Woodbine Drive

New

$224,900

720821

35209

308 Yorkshire Drive

New

$579,000

208 Edgeview Ave.

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on July 20.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

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August 2015 • B13

Calendar Community Events Aug. 2-30: Pam Truitt and Sarah Mathews Art Exhibit. The Joy Gallery. 513 Columbiana Road. Visit thejoygallery.org.

Aug. 4: National Night Out and West Homewood Farmer’s Market. 5-8 p.m.

Shades Valley Community Church, 160 Oxmoor Road.

Visit westhomewood.com.

Aug. 8: Retro Run. 7 p.m. The Trak Shak. $30 adult race, $10 kids race. Call 870-5644 or visit runsignup.com.

Aug. 8: Fresh Start 5K and Fun Run. 8 a.m. 5K, 9 a.m. Fun Run. Shades Valley Community Church, 160 Oxmoor Road. The West Homewood Farmers Market holds the run to create community

and support the market. Visit westhomewood.com.

Aug. 11: Edgewood Night Out. 3 p.m.Close of business. Downtown Edgewood. Proceeds will benefits Edgewood Elementary School.

Aug. 12: Homewood City Schools First Day of School. Visit homewoodcs. schoolinsites.com.

Aug. 15: #BOLD4gold Rally. 4:30-8 p.m.

Homewood Central Park. Food, inflatables, live music and more benefiting aTeam ministries and raising awareness about childhood cancer. Visit ateamministries.org.

Aug. 15: Library Block Party. 5-8 p.m.

Homewood Public Library. Event will raise funds for the Homewood Public Library Foundation. Adults $20, kids $5. Visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Aug. 22: Rock ‘n’ Run. 8 a.m. Homewood Central Park. The ‘70s-themed run will benefit IMPACT Family Counseling. Visit impactal.org.

April 18: West Homewood Farmers Market. 5-8 p.m. Shades Valley Community Church, 160 Oxmoor Road. Produce, craft vendors, food trucks and more. Visit westhomewood.com.

Aug. 23: Back to School Bash. 3-7 p.m.

Homewood Central Park. Rides, inflatables, live DJ and more. Visit homewoodparks.com.

April 18: Tuesday Night Lights: The Vespers. 8 p.m. Shades Valley Community Church, 160 Oxmoor Road. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Visit westhomewood.com.

Aug. 21: HHS Varsity Football vs.

Decatur. 7 p.m. Homewood High School. Visit homewoodathletics.com.

Aug. 28: HHS Varsity Football vs.

Vestavia. 7 p.m. Homewood High School. Visit homewoodathletics.com.

Aug. 29: Bell Center Tailgate Challenge.

1700 29th Court South. Tailgate benefitting the Bell Center. Visit thebellcenter.org.

Library Events Kids Aug. 15: Rockin’ in My School Shoes.

10:30 a.m. Round Auditorium. Get ready for school Pete the Cat style.

Aug. 17, 31: Monday Movies. 3:30 p.m.

Round Auditorium. Popcorn, drinks and a blockbuster family movie.

Aug. 18, 25: Wee Ones. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Round Auditorium. Ms. Mary will hold a fun and energetic storytime for ages 24 months and under.

Aug. 18: I Survived Book Club. 6 p.m.

Round Auditorium. Will discuss Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005. Registration required and begins Aug. 3.

Aug. 19, 26: Wiggleworm Wednesdays.

10:30 a.m. Round Auditorium. Ms. Mandy will tell stories filled with music and fun.

Aug. 20, 27: Play Day. 10-11:30 a.m. Round Auditorium. The library will provide stations and a fun morning of play. Ages 3 and under.

Aug. 20: PJ Storytime. 6 p.m. Round Auditorium. Cozy up in pajamas for nighttime tales and a bedtime snack.

Aug. 24: Monday Makerspace: Illustrated Birmingham. Local artist Melissa Shultz-Jones will teach basics about the art of illustration.

Teens Aug. 6: Teen Anime Club. 3:30 p.m. Room 101, Lower Level. Join the Teen Anime Club and dive

into the world of Japanese culture.

Aug. 11, 25: Coding for Girls. 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Club geared toward empowering girls who are interested in the computer science field.

Aug. 24: Book to Blockbuster. 3:30 p.m.

Large Auditorium. Will watch Divergent.

Aug. 25: Really Retro Movie. 3:30 p.m.

Large Auditorium. Will watch Gremlins.

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B14 • August 2015

The Homewood Star

Calendar Library Events (continued)

Adults Aug. 1: CPR and First Aid Training. 1 p.m. Round Auditorium. Registration required. $10.

Pay online at the time of registration.

Aug. 4, 18: Job Search Tips with Jack Norris. 12:30 p.m. Room 101. Local career counselor Jack Norris presents a program covering a variety of topics including resume building, interviewing skills, networking and keeping a positive attitude.

Aug. 4: Technology Tuesdays: Get the Most Out of Your iPad and iPhone. 2 p.m. Round Auditorium. Workshop geared toward casual users.

Aug. 4: Canning Informational Workshop with Angela Treadway. 6 p.m. Large Auditorium. Treadway will teach tested recipes and answer questions to common canning problems.

Aug. 6: Pre-Code Film Festival. 6:30 p.m.

Large Auditorium. Will watch Night Nurse, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Blondell and Clark Gable.

Aug. 8: Self-Defense for Women. 9:30 a.m. Large Auditorium. Detective Juan Rodriquez will teach how to size up a situation and know what to do in an attack. Free. Registration required.

Aug. 8: AARP Smart Driver Course with Anne Walker. 9:30 a.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Course will provide researchbased information to help update driving knowledge

and skills. Registration required. AARP members $15, non-members $20. Call 637-6100.

Aug. 11: Oxmoor Page Turners Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Boardroom. Will discuss The Mocking Bird Next Door by Marja Mills.

Aug. 12: Next Step Wednesdays: iPad & iPhone Intermediate Class. 2 p.m. Large Auditorium. Workshop geared toward intermediate users.

Aug. 13: Pre-Code Film Festival. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Will watch Babyface, starring Barbara Stanwyck.

Aug. 18: The A, B, Cs of Medicare. Noon and 6 p.m. Room 116, Lower level. Ask questions about Medicare benefits.

Aug. 20: Pre-Code Film Festival. 6:30 p.m. Large Auditorium. Will watch Red-Headed Woman, starring Jean Harlow.

Aug. 21: Amelia Earhart and the Pursuit of a Dream with Niki Sepsas.

Noon. Round Auditorium. Niki Sepsas will explore the life of Amelia Earhart.

Aug. 25: Dixie’s Pet Loss Support Group. 5:30 p.m. Room 106, Lower Level. Grief/ loss group sponsored by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Reservations requested. Email mawilson@gbhs.org or call 942-1211.

Aug. 26: Better Than Therapy Book Club. 2 p.m. Lucretia M. Somers Boardroom. Will discuss Frog Music by Emma Donoghue.

Area Events July 31-Aug. 2: Secret Stages.

Friday 6-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. A walking music festival in downtown Birmingham. $25 weekend passes. Visit secretstages.net.

Aug. 1-8: Shrek the Musical. 7:309:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre. The VST STARS present Shrek the Musical. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Aug. 2: Andy Grammer and American Authors with AJR. 7:30 p.m. Iron City, 513 22nd St. South. $22-$25.

Visit ironcitybham.com.

Aug. 6: Birmingham Art Crawl.

5-9 p.m. Downtown Birmingham, 113 22nd St. North. Free. A walking art gallery with artists, performers, food and fun. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

Aug. 8: Good Old War. 9 p.m.

Saturn Birmingham, 200 41st St. South. $15 in advance, $17 day of show. Visit saturnbirmingham.com.

Aug. 9: Auntie Mame. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Part of Alabama Theatre’s Summer Film Series. Visit alabamatheatre. com.

Aug. 9: Christina Perri. 7 p.m. Iron City, 513 22nd St. South. Visit ironcitybham.com.

Aug. 10: My Morning Jacket. 8 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention

Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.

North. $43. Visit mymorningjacket.com.

Aug. 13: Pre-Code Film Festival.

6:30-8 p.m. Homewood Public Library. Precode film made in 1933 starring Barbara Stanwyck. Visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Aug. 14: Grease. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Part of Alabama Theatre’s Summer Film Series. Visit alabamatheatre. com.

Aug. 14: Art on the Rocks. 7-11 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art. $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Visit artsbma.org.

Aug. 15: Boiling N’ Bragging. 6-9 p.m. Otey’s Tavern, 224 Country Club Park.

Football season kick-off party benefitting the Critical Care Transport program at Children’s of Alabama. Call 332-7571.

Aug. 16: The Sound of Music. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Part of Alabama Theatre’s Summer Film Series. Visit alabamatheatre.com.

Aug. 19: Iron Cinema Presents Garden State. 7 p.m. Iron City, 513 22nd St. South. Free. Visit ironcitybham.com.

Aug. 22: Baby Steps Memorial 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. 8 a.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Run allows grieving families and their friends to come

TheHomewoodStar.com

August 2015 • B15

Calendar

Boiling N’ Bragging will kick of tailgating season at Otey’s Tavern on Aug. 15. Photo courtesy of Children’s of Alabama.

together to remember lost loved ones. Visit ameliacenter.org.

Aug. 22: Kishi Bashi. 9 p.m. Saturn Birmingham, 200 41st St. South. $13 in advance, $15 day of show. Visit saturnbirmingham.com.

Aug. 23: Southern Bridal Show. Noon-5 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. Meet face-to-face with wedding professionals and find everything you need to create the wedding of your dreams. $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com.

Aug. 28-30: Sidewalk Film Festival. Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. Over 200 movies, parties, workshops, music, food and more. Visit sidewalkfest.com.

The two-way mirror This summer, my now supposed to do! Can’t three-year-old daughter you see that everyone Sela has been taking a else is doing something class at Children’s Dance else?” She’d go back and Foundation. The kids, all forth between participatwearing some variation of ing with the group and leotard and ballet slippers, going off and doing her own thing in front of the follow the instructor as she leads them through sweet mirror. little songs and dances.

The second class was a little better — It’s quite a sight, seeing Denton a group of two and three and by that, I mean year olds prancing all over the room. it was better for me. She had just You see, the parents get to watch the as much fun as she did in the first whole class without being a distrac- class when she ignored most of the tion because of this nifty two-way instructions, unable to contain her mirror in the viewing room. We can excitement about a room with mirsee the kids, but they can’t see us. I rors for walls and music to dance to. was excited to about secretly watch- I mean it was a little easier for me to ing through that mirror and seeing watch because this time, she listened Sela dance and laugh and play. better and followed along with the What I didn’t bank on was how rest of the class more.

I realized something about myself she’d take the opportunity to dance, laugh and play to her own tune, sitting in that little viewing room sometimes oblivious to what the watching the kids jump and dance. teacher told the kids to do. They’d My first inclination with Sela is often be sitting in a corner listening to a to correct, admonish and apologize book, and Sela would be on the other to others about her behavior when side of the room, twirling in front of it’s less than stellar. (And if anyone the mirror with a big grin on her face. knows our Sela, you know she’s a Or if everyone was supposed to be whirlwind of both sweetness and tiptoeing softly, she’d be marching frenzied activity!) What I should do with her hands on her hips, trying not instead is allow her the freedom to to burst into a full trot. dance uninhibited without worryMy first instinct upon seeing her ing about what other parents think, ignore the instructions was to want to even what the teacher thinks. I realcorrect her. “Listen! Do what you’re ized the two-way mirror is good for

me — it keeps me from my natural tendencies to want to micromanage my kids’ behavior. Even the dance teacher wasn’t doing that. She gently guided them back to the group when one would stray, but she didn’t force their participation. Regularly teaching groups of two and three year olds has probably taught her that it’s futile to try to keep every single one in line the entire time. Like herding cats. Or octopuses.

Allowing this young preschooler be free, uninhibited and wild; letting her roam, explore and be adventurous; letting her do (most) everything a three year old is supposed to do often goes against my organized, neat, rule-following nature. I think in letting her be who she is without feeling the need to tone her down (unless it’s something dangerous or breaking real house rules) will actually be good for me too. After all, God allows me to be the organized, neat rule-follower that I am without feeling the need to change me into something else, right? Or maybe He’s using Sela to do just that. To loosen me up, to show me how to be more relaxed, freer, less self-conscious — even if I won’t be dancing in front of a two-way mirror any time soon.

To connect with Lauren, email her at LaurenKDenton@gmail. com or find her on Twitter @ LaurenKDenton.

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(continued)

Ordinary Days By Lauren Denton

吀圀伀

Area Events

Opinion

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