The Homewood Star May 2011

www.TheHomewoodStar.com

• Editor’s note• Mayor’s Minute • City Council• Brookwood Art Festival• Restaurant Spotlight• Entrepreneur Spotlight• Homewood Sports• Parks and Recreation• Super Moms• Lauren Denton• School House• Calendar of Events

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State teacher of the year fi nalist pg 17

The Homewood Starneighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

See MARKET | page 10

Produce from last year’s Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market

By WILL HIGHTOWER

Basketball is a sport for dreamers. Dreams of hitting buzzer-beaters. Dreams of soaring through the air like Michael Jordan. And dreams of playing for championships. Every kid in America dreams these things, and Ronald Nored was no different while growing up in Homewood.

“You dream of playing in the Final Four,” Nored said. “Everyone does.”

But there was a crucial difference between Nored’s dreams and everyone else’s. His became reality.

Merely three years ago, Nored was playing point guard for Homewood. Now, after playing for a Butler team that is responsible for the most improbable back-to-back seasons in basketball history, he is known as the best defender in all of college basketball.

Three years can be quite a journey. As a senior at Homewood, Nored was named fi rst team All-State point guard after leading the Patriots to the 6A state fi nals. Varsity coach Tim Shepler described his impact on the team: “Because he was a leader and fearless as well as a hard worker his peers followed his lead and it raised the work ethic and belief throughout the program.”

Dreams come true for Homewood’s Nored

The accolades kept piling up as Homewood fi nished the season at 31-5, and Nored was hoping the scholarship offers

would come along with them.Unfortunately, the big teams never

came. His enrollment at Butler probably

didn’t make a blip on any basketball expert’s radar.

“I chose Butler because they have good academics and I wanted to be at a place where athletics and academics were both really high,” Nored said. “Also, I was born in Indianapolis, and my mom’s whole family lives there. So she has a place to stay when she comes up to visit, and I get to see all of them a lot.”

No one could foresee how the coming years would play out. Two short years after his decision to attend Butler, he was starting in the national championship game against the mother of all powerhouses: Duke. His dreams had come true, even at a lowly mid-major school.

“The Final Four…it’s surreal,” said Nored. “They tell you to dream big, but the Final Four is even bigger than your dreams. You play in a huge NFL stadium, and there is a ton of media surrounding you. People give you a lot of attention, especially around the hotel.”

The “experts” who looked over Nored’s high school career still didn’t believe that Butler could put up a fi ght in the championship game. Everyone predicted

See NORED | page 15

See HOMEWOOD | page 7

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

What do you love about We Love Homewood Day? Maybe it’s the succulent barbecue the Lion’s Club sells each year? Or watching the parade process down Oxmoor Road? If you’re a kid, it might be the infl atables at the Homewood Central Park or the tug-of-war competition between the three elementary schools? Or maybe it’s everything the day celebrates about the Homewood community?

“The event builds a sense of community and togetherness,” Rusty Holley of Homewood Parks and Recreation says. “It’s We Love Homewood Day, not I Love Homewood Day.”

The day starts at 10 a.m. on May 7 with kids activities, an arts and crafts expo, a bake sale, a silent auction and more in Homewood Central Park and the Homewood Community Center. Throughout the day, you can catch a variety of live acts on the main stage at Central Park as well as armored combat and other medieval demonstrations by the Society for

Celebrate at annual We Love Homewood Day

Tim Shepler (Head Coach, HHS), Ronald Nored, Rick Baguley (Asst. Coach, HHS)

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

A bigger and better farmers market is coming to downtown Homewood, and what better way to kick it off than with a “Spring Green Shopping Fling!”? (Say that three times fast.)

Urban Cookhouse will once again partner with the Homewood Chamber of Commerce to host a 15-week farmers market. The event begins on May 21, promptly at 7:30 am. This year’s market will expand from just farmed produce to specialty food vendors and creative artisans. All chamber-member merchants will open their stores early and offer deals you won’t fi nd any other day of the year.

“Market in May really worked well last year and helped introduce the farmers market to the community,” said Tricia Ford, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

This year the market is moving around the corner to the parking area behind SOHO. Vendors will pay a mere $25 for a tent, table and chairs provided by the Chamber of Commerce. The new locale will allow for more space as the event expands from just a few farmers to accommodate up to 20 vendors. “The new location is on city

Farmers market kicks off with Market in May

property and won’t interfere with business or parking,” Ford said. “Access will be a lot easier.”

As for the one-day shopping event, patrons can’t miss the large green bows on the doors of participating merchants in downtown Homewood and Edgewood. “Our members will have sidewalk sales starting at 7:30 with huge discounts,” Ford said. “It will be a crazy, mad shopping day for everyone involved.” Live music and other entertainment will be provided as well.

Super Moms

neighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

State teacher of the year fi nalist

Volume 1 | Issue 2 | May 2011

About Our Staff

Editor’s note

Rick WatsonRick lives on a small farm with his wife, Jilda, in Empire, Ala. His columns appear in 280 Living, The Daily Mountain Eagle in Jasper, Alabama, and the Tri-City News in Mobile. His work has appeared in The Birmingham News, The Birmingham Post Herald, The Birmingham Arts Journal, Senior Living, and in several papers in North Carolina. He is the author of Remembering Big, which is a compilation of his columns and photographs. Rick received his Masters Degree from Birmingham-Southern College and has recently retired from AT&T after thirty three years. Rick and Jilda are also singer/songwriters, and Rick spends his spare time fl y fi shing.

| May 2011 | The Homewood Star

Anna Cate LittleAnna Cate Little is originally from Macon, Georgia and received a degree in journalism and English from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Matt, have lived in Homewood for fi ve years and welcomed a daughter, Caroline, in August of 2009. Anna Cate spent the fi rst several years of her career working as a magazine editor covering all things sports, lifestyle, travel, food and even construction. She started a cookie business (Icing on the Cookie in Homewood), and continues to freelance. While her greatest passion is motherhood, she still loves to write and read and hasn’t given up on one day publishing a book. For now, she enjoys entertaining with friends, traveling to her family cabin in Highlands, N.C., and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs with her husband. She can be reached at [email protected].

Madoline MarkhamMadoline Markham frequents Homewood shops and restaurants and likes to pretend she lives there instead of farther out Highway 280. After growing up in Birmingham, she received a bachelor’s degree in history from Rhodes College in Memphis and then a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Thanks to working for Southern Living and Cooking with Paula Deen, her fi rst love is food writing, but she also enjoys telling non-food-related stories about and for the community. She chronicles her cooking adventures at maplemacaroni.blogspot.com and can be reached at [email protected].

Staff & Friends

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

Contributing Writers Anna Cate Little | Todd Keith | Lauren DentonRick Watson | Blake Rhodes | Will Hightower

Alison Grizzle | Merrick Wilson | Mary Ellen Snell

Contributing PhotographersShay Allen | Je Vois Photography

Anna Cate Little | Rick Watson | Cindy Wade

Contact Information:The Homewood Star

#4 Offi ce Park Circle, Suite 206Birmingham, AL 35223

[email protected]

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: [email protected]

P.O. Box 530341Birmingham, AL 35253

PublisherDan Starnes

Editor Ashley Berkery

Contributing EditorMadoline Markham

Creative Director Keith McCoy

Published byHomewood Star LLC

Sales and DistributionDan Starnes

Angela Morris

Copy EditorHeather Reid

Editor’s Note

Please recycle this paper

Twins Ted and Pete Gerontakis at the Homewood Central Park City Wide Easter Egg Hunt. Photo by Ashley Berkery.

Work began on the second edition of The Homewood Star the minute April’s fi rst edition went to press. So, I am deliberately taking just a moment here to publicly say “thank you” to those who helped make our fi rst issue a success. The support, the positive feedback and your comments posted to our Facebook page were all appreciated.

A special debt is owed to Tricia Ford at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce for inviting our team to bring The Homewood Star to our friends in this outstanding community we call home.

In case you haven’t noticed, spring is defi nitely here, and with it comes a May calendar fi lled with special events and activities. We Love Homewood Day has become a tradition in our city—one that I personally hold dear and one that many of you have told me is special to you. I hold special memories of dancing in the We Love Homewood Day parade in high school. Now, I look forward to the event as a mother and anticipate the parades in the years to come and what they may mean for my own child as he grows up here.

Market in May begins on May 22 in downtown Homewood. This year, look

for the power team of Urban Cookhouse owners John and Andrea Snyder working with the Homewood Chamber of Commerce to produce an even bigger event than last year’s market.

Also in this edition, we will look back on the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. There was a special Homewood element in the tournament this year, as former Homewood High School guard Ronald Nored and the Butler Bulldogs made their way to the fi nals for the second year in a row.

In just a few weeks, we will all take time out from our busy schedules to honor our mothers on Mother’s Day. Even though this is only my second year as a mom, the past year has been a joy that I never could have imagined. Thank you to all of the moms who work hard for your families and do what you do every day to sacrifi ce for them. (Here’s a special “Happy Mother’s Day” to my Mom, Kathy Copeland. I love you Mom!)

I hope you enjoy our continuing effort to bring you news, information and items of interest in our hometown. Please email me with any comments and suggestions—this paper is your voice and we value your ideas and opinions.

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By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Jim Roberson begins his new role as Chief of Homewood Police on May 1. The Homewood City Council voted unanimously to hire him on March 28. Roberson began his career as a patrol officer in Homewood for two years and subsequently served 37 years at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Former Homewood chief Phil Dodd announced his retirement in February after serving for three years, and Deputy Chief Bob Copus has been the interim chief since March 1.

Roberson has commanded every department of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office during his career. “I can’t imagine many scenarios that I would face [in Homewood] that I haven’t experienced,” he said. He supervised more than 350 men and women at a time in Jefferson County; the Homewood department has 77 officers.

Most recently, Roberson served as deputy chief of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and oversaw several special projects. He worked with the mayors and city councils of Centerpoint, Pinson, Clay and Graysville and feels confident that experience has prepared him to work with Mayor McBrayer and the Homewood City Council. “The mayor is a dedicated person,” Roberson said. “I don’t know who’s more excited about the future—him or me.”

Roberson looks forwarded to improving what is already a good department with good people in a good city. “I want to be the leader that continues to point them in the right direction and get better and better,” he said.

Roberson also emphasizes his high expectations for the police. “I don’t know what you expect of me,” he told the Homewood officers when he met them at the end of March, “but your expectations will not be higher than what I hold for

New police chief Roberson starts May 1

myself. “Becoming a police chief has long been

a goal of Roberson’s. “God had a hand in this,” he said, “because he opened a door I couldn’t open in the past. I’m thankful it’s for a department like Homewood.”

Although he and his wife of 37 years, Connie, live in Pinson, Roberson said he has always loved Homewood. “I started my career there,” he said. “Even though I have been gone for many years, I’ve always identified with Homewood.”

His son, Blake Roberson, played football at Samford University and now lives in Homewood with his wife, Karen. Roberson said he has many friends in the Homewood business community and has also been reconnecting with old friends in the area since being hired.

Roberson holds a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and a master’s in public administration, both from Jacksonville State University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Suther Family UpdateBy RICK WATSON

Mayor’s MinuteIn last month’s issue,

we covered topics including sidewalks, surplus budgets, and capital improvement projects including plans to expand the Greenway, West Oxmoor Road improvements, new Park and Recreation facilities, and possible plans involving new facilities for the Police Department. As you can see, there are many good things happening in Homewood. At my last State of the City Address, I talked about some facts regarding Homewood’s Police and Fire Departments. Most were very fascinated and quite surprised at some of the statistics involved, so I would like share them with you. Last year, the Homewood Police Department answered the call 32,103 times. And as a result every single category including homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, vehicle theft and assaults are down…a trend I intend on continuing. The Fire Department responded 3,360 times last year assisting residents and business owners. 64 percent of the time responses were for medical emergencies and 158 times to actual fires. Their response time was 5 minutes, 52 seconds—an incredible feat considering the most popular time for fire assistance is between the hours of 2 and 4:59 a.m.

Currently the City is looking to expand recycling services provided to you. Negotiations are currently being discussed regarding the possibility of larger bins; a broader scope of recycling opportunities including all the parks, city hall and schools; and a rewards program for residents. Again, nothing has been

passed or signed yet, but the current contract we have will be up for renewal in October. Recycling is important to us in Homewood and from a purely economic standpoint, the more we recycle, the less money it takes to spend on landfill fees. So please recycle every opportunity you have. A special thanks to the Homewood Environmental Commission for their efforts, and I would encourage you to stop by and see them during

We Love Homewood day on May 7.The city has been working on our

website, www.homewoodal.net, updating information and working on ways to get more information to the public. Information such as who to call for certain issues, minutes of meetings, video of council meetings, and phone numbers of all the departments within the City of Homewood are listed. The site also lists contact information for the Mayor’s Office and City Council Members.

In closing, let me just say how much I appreciate your support. Many of you have called and sent letters regarding the positive things happening in Homewood, and for that I am grateful. I am very proud to be associated with Homewood, with you as neighbors and with those elected to the City Council.

Sincerely,

Scott MayerMayor

Jim Roberson. Photo courtesy Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Los Angeles might be “The City of Angels,” but according to one local family, Homewood has a lot of angels too.

The story of Gage and Stella Suther, young Homewood children diagnosed with Franconi anemia (FA), ran on the cover of the April issue of The Homewood Star. After the article ran, people from Homewood responded with compassion and caring.

FA is an inherited genetic recessive disorder that affects one in every 350,000 births (fewer than 20,000 worldwide). It leads to bone marrow failure, which makes it extremely likely that the children will contract leukemia and cancer. Gage, who just turned 7, and Stella, who is 5, both have FA.

Chelsea says Stella’s condition is the same, but Gage’s has since moved a step closer to a bone marrow transplant. Dr. Farid Boulad from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in Manhattan, NY, will soon decide whether Gage starts androgen therapy (anabolic steroids), or pre-transplant preparations. “There is one donor in the entire registry that is a match for Gage,” said Chelsea. “Children’s Hospital of Birmingham is in the process of lining up that donor.”

“We’re getting ready for the transplant sooner than we thought,” said Chelsea. “So the article in The Homewood Star came at the perfect time.” The Suthers were touched by how the people in Homewood responded. “I can’t tell you how much we appreciate

the kindness they have shown our family,” she said “People who don’t even know us have stepped forward to help.”

“After we get through this, we will spend the rest of our lives trying to raise money to help other people and help find a cure for FA,” she said. “With a cure for FA, the cures for many types of cancer would be right around the corner.”

If you would like to donate to help with the travel expenses and other costs incurred by the family, you may make a donation to the Gage and Stella Suther Charitable Account at any local branch of Regions Bank and or mail a check to:The Gage and Stella Suther Charitable Account, C/O The Homewood Star, PO Box 530341, Birmingham, AL 35253.

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By ASHLEY BERKERY

Thanks to city, state and federal funding, Homewood sidewalks are receiving updates and renovations. According to Greg Cobb, Director of Engineering, Planning and Zoning for the City of Homewood, sidewalk projects at Broadway, Hollywood and Hall-Kent are fi nishing ahead of schedule and within budget. “Broadway sidewalks have around 80 percent of the walking surface down,” Cobb said, “and lighting from Greensprings Highway to Saulter Road is going to be installed as soon as the poles are delivered.”

Cobb said that Hollywood sidewalks have all surfaces laid, and they are simply waiting on the delivery of sod to complete this project. As for the Hall-Kent project, all of the sidewalks and sod are in and the project has been completed. The Hollywood and Hall-Kent sidewalk construction is a Safe Way to School project; the design and inspection were paid for by the city, and construction was paid for by state and federal government.

A Rosedale sidewalk project is coming this summer near the Lee Community Center. For more information on the sidewalk projects, call the Engineering, Planning and Zoning Offi ce at 332-6833.

Homewood Sidewalk Projects

Completed Hall Kent sidewalk project.Photo courtesy of Greg Cobb.

To get in touch with a council member you may contact the main offi ce at 332.6100, or visit www.homewoodal.net. For a ward map, visit http://www.homewoodal.net/wardmap.php.

Council President: Allyn HolladayWard 1 Place 1: Anthony R. SmithWard 1 Place 2: Sam Scott

Homewood City Council MembersWard 2 Place 1: Fred T. HawkinsWard 2 Place 2: Vance MoodyWard 3 Place 1: Patrick McCluskyWard 3 Place 2: Walter JonesWard 4 Place 1: Hunter PayneWard 4 Place 2: David HooksWard 5 Place 1: Jackie LanglowWard 5 Place 2: Peter Wright

Each month The Homewood Star will feature a different city council member in order of wards. This month we are proud to highlight Anthony “Tony” Smith from Ward 1, Place 1.

Q: Tony, tell us a little bit about your placement on the council and how long you have been serving Ward 1, Place 1.

I have been honored to serve on the City Council for about 6.5 years now. I was elected to the City Council in 2004 and then re-elected in 2008. I am currently serving as the Chairman of the Council’s Public Safety Committee. I am also a member of the Council’s Finance Committee.

Q: Any particular issues right now facing your ward?

One of our biggest recurring issues is speeding and the danger it poses to children and other pedestrians. Unfortunately, this not a problem that is unique to our ward. We are, however, continuing to work with the Mayor, the Police Department and the Traffi c Department to evaluate and address these issues.

Q: You live in Grove Park, an area that is a part of the East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch (EENW). Tell us more about this watch and how the council is working to help support this neighborhood program.

Yes, I live in Grove Park, a community which merged with Edgewood and Rosedale to originally create the City of Homewood. The East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch, however, has been a great addition to our ward. It works with

Meet your City Council Members: Anthony “Tony” Smith

the Police Department to report suspicious individuals and activity, to disseminate public safety information to its members and to improve neighborhood safety in general.

Q: We Love Homewood Day is this month. What are a couple of things you and your family absolutely love about Homewood?

That’s a tough one. We love so much about Homewood. Although location is what originally drew us to Homewood and we love being able to walk to church, parks, shops and restaurants, it is the overall sense of community that we cherish the most. There is just something about Homewood that makes you feel like you have lived here forever even if you just moved in yesterday.

Councilmember Anthony “Tony” Smith

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| May 2011 | 6 The Homewood Star

Excellence in Education LuncheonThe Homewood Chamber of

Commerce Excellence in Education luncheon sponsored by Office Depot will be held on Thursday, May 17 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Homewood Middle School. The Chamber of Commerce will honor one outstanding student from each school and award a college scholarship to the outstanding Homewood High School student. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.homewoodchamber.org or call Tricia Ford at 871-5631.

Market in May Shopping Spree Contest – What a Shopping Day!

Look for the Spring Green Bows at Market in May downtown on May 21. Participating merchants can be identified by a spring green bow on their front door. For every $25 (before taxes) spent you will receive an official stamp on your card from that merchant. Any stamp found unofficial will void that card. Fill your card up with stamps by spending a total of $300 per card. Complete your card with your contact information and turn in the card(s) to a participating business or to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce office. You will be eligible for a $500 shopping spree in Homewood. Shopping cards are unlimited—the more you spend, the more chances you have to win. Have some fun and shop, shop, shop!

Chamber News

Ribbon Cutting at Second Elegance in Edgewood – Photo compliments of Homewood Chamber of Commerce

On Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, Homewood Public Library welcomes actress and storyteller Delores Hydock to perform In Her Own Fashion from the stories of Ninette Griffith. Hors d’oeuvres provided by Barbara Just and the ladies of Christian Catering Company will be available at 6:30 p.m., and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 120 persons per performance. Tickets are $20

and may be purchased by calling 332-6625 or in person at the Adult Services Desk in the library.

This one-woman play presents the true story of Ninette Griffith, a sassy, stylish, independent 96-year-old woman who was Fashion Coordinator for Loveman’s Department Stores in the 1950s and 1960s. For more information on Ninette Griffith, visit www.storypower.org.

Library News

Dennis Nichols, head of the Adult Services Department at Homewood Public Library, was presented the prestigious Eminent Librarian Award on April 21 during the Alabama Library Association’s annual convention at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. He was nominated for the honor by Deborah Fout, Director of Homewood Public Library, and Heather Miller Cover, the library’s teen librarian. The final selection was made by members of the Association Awards Committee of the Alabama Library Association. The honor was based primarily on his active participation in the association for the past 24 years.

The Oxmoor Page Turners, Homewood Public Library’s book discussion group, meets the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, with no meetings scheduled during the summer months. The next meeting will be held May 10 at 6:30

A newly formed committee met with facilitator Debbie Dahlin, a retired Birmingham librarian, to develop a five-year plan for the Homewood Library on April 5. They evaluated the 2006-2011 library plan and began to develop a new mission statement that will guide the plan’s goals and objectives. “We want to make sure citizens receive value from public funds for the library,” said Paul Durand, a member

Dennis Nichols, head librarian of adult services. Photo courtesy Homewood Public Library.

p.m. in the Lucretia Somers Boardroom. Refreshments are served at each meeting. For the title of the book to be discussed in May or additional information, please call Dennis Nichols at 332-6620.

of the library’s board. Among the ideas discussed were connecting to the online world, encouraging literacy, satisfying curiosity, and stimulating imagination.

The committee will meet two more times to develop the five-year plan. The library has a survery available on www.homewoodlibrary.org to gather the community’s input as they create a vision and plan for the future.

Delores Hydock presents In Her Own Fashion

Nichols honored by Alabama Library Association

The Oxmoor Page Turners

Discussion for library five-year plan

Ribbon Cutting at YoLo Desserts in Colonial Brookwood Village - Photo compliments of Homewood Chamber of Commerce

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Schedule for We Love Homewood Day10 a.m.-1 p.m. Rotary Club Bake Sale, Community Center

Auditorium. 10 a.m. -3 p.m. West Homewood Lions Club Barbecue 10 a.m.-4 p.m. -Arts and Crafts / Business Expo, Homewood

Community Center Gymnasium -Silent Auction, Community Center Room 100-Rotary Club Sidewalk Chalk Art Expo, Central Park Playground

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Rides, Games and Inflatables at Homewood Central Park

5 p.m. We Love Homewood Day Parade Lineup6 p.m. We Love Homewood Day Parade, travels from

Homewood Library along Oxmoor Road to the Edgewood Business District

Sunset- 9 p.m. Street Dancers and The Shadowboxers, Edgewood

Creative Anachronism. Most festivities are free, but there are

ticket costs for rides and barbecue plates. Shuttles will run between parking lots at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist to Homewood Central Park.

This year the arts and crafts vendor expo will be held in the community center gymnasium instead of the park to eliminate any potential weather concerns for vendors.

Everyone comes together to watch the annual parade down Oxmoor Road in the evening. The parade will include the Homewood High School band, youth cheerleaders, dignitaries, businesses, youth sports, Corky Bell dancers, and more.

The parade is followed by nighttime festivities in Edgewood. Emerging Atlanta band The Shadowboxers will take the

HOMEWOOD CONTINUED from page 1

stage after dark. Bring a lounge chair to sit and listen, or join in on the dancing in the street. The group describes their sound as “original accessible pop music that is rooted in soulful vocal harmony.” Their songs are suitable for all ages.

We Love Homewood Day is what it is thanks to the support of local sponsors. “Twin [Construction] is happy to give back to a community that has been so generous to our company throughout the years,” said Kacy Eoff of Twin Construction, Inc., a sponsor for the event.

“Homewood has been a great partner with Buffalo Rock and we are pleased to help with this great day,” said Matt Jordan, Division Support Manager of Buffalo Rock. Buffalo Rock provides volunteer T-shirts, special event trailers, and banners for the event.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

On May 14 and 15, artists will set up displays of jewelry, representational art, and more both outside and inside Colonial Brookwood Village as part of the first The Village Art Festival, sponsored by Birmingham Art Association (BAA) and Brookwood Mall. The event is free and open to the public.

The festival will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with chef demonstrations 12-2 p.m. and children’s art projects 2-4 p.m. The event will go on rain or shine.

“We hope to create access to broad array of arts experiences through the event,” show co-chair and BAA member Frank Holden said, noting that the organization anticipates it will become an annual festival.

“We hope it will be as important to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia as ArtWalk is for downtown,” Holden said. “We are excited about that prospect.”

All artwork, including representational art, abstract art and handmade jewelry, will be for sale; prices will range from around $50 to $200 or higher. “There will be something for everybody,” Holden said.

The BAA hopes the event will create another opportunity to provide local and regional artists an opportunity to show and sell artwork to the public.

“This year we hope to attract artists that have never participated in an art festival or have never shown arts, as well as established artists,” Holden said. “Next year if we participate, we would expand it and consider advertising nationally.” In future years they also hope to have exhibits that feature items besides just artwork.

Art festival comes to Colonial Brookwood Village

“It’s great for artists because it’s less expensive than going [to a show] out of town,” BAA chairman Sam Collins said.

BAA volunteers will run free children’s art projects inside the first floor of the mall near the escalators. Each child can paint a special The Village Art Festival image on a canvas with colors of their choice and take them home as a memory of the festival. “It’s important to expose kids to an art activity,” Holden said.

During a private artist’s reception Saturday evening, $2,000 worth of cash awards will be presented to artists after a blind jury review. The media competition categories are: ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, graphics and print making, jewelry, metal works, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.

The idea for the festival started when a BAA juried exhibit of more than 100 pieces at the mall last fall drew a big crowd. Afterward, the mall’s general manager, Cindi Akins, approached the organization about collaborating on the festival in the spring.

For more information on the event, visit www.birminghamartassocation.com.

Founded in 1908, the BAA is the oldest continually operating art association in the state. They hold two juried exhibits each year in addition to four more other exhibits.

They meet on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road. The next meeting is June 20. Jo Staley, a jewelry artist from Montgomery, will present a metal smithing demonstration as well as show and sell her artwork.

| May 2011 | Homewood Flavor

2913 18th Street South877-8797Mon.-Sat., 6:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.www.salemsdiner.com

Outside Wayne Salem’s diner on 18th

Street, you’ll find news articles about his Philly cheese steak, his family’s restaurant legacy in Birmingham, and his father’s fame as an Alabama football player. But they’re only part of the reason so many people come in weekly or even daily.

Ask anyone inside the small diner, and they might say they come for Wayne Salem himself. They may come for Wayne and the lively, family-like camaraderie he creates with each of his friends in the restaurant. And everyone who comes in is his friend, even on the first visit.

Surrounding the atmosphere of the sort of “diner family” are walls covered in Alabama and Auburn photos and memorabilia. Tickets from both teams’ national championship games in 2010 and 2011 are taped to the wall by the kitchen.

Alongside signs for the 2009 and 2010 Heisman trophy winners, you’ll also find one commemorating Salem’s father, Ed, who was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 for his football career in the late 1940s. Ed Salem opened three diners in downtown Birmingham that were a regular hangout from 1950 to 1983, and his family later owned four bowling alleys in town. It is this family legacy of his diners and drive-ins that Salem’s carries on today.

Jimmie and Sonny Dixon ate burgers and shakes at Ed Salem’s drive-in on 26th

Street when they were dating in the mid-1950s. Now they drive from Roebuck at least once a week, usually on Saturdays with their daughters and grandchildren to join a crowd of Saturday regulars at Salem’s. They come for the atmosphere, for Wayne and for the good food.

The couple says they can’t count how many friends they’ve brought to eat at Salem’s. “When we tell them, they tell someone else,” Jimmie said.

They have tried everything on the menu but now eat either the cheese steak or the tilapia grilled with Salem’s secret seasonings, which is served either over rice with coleslaw or over Salem’s salad.

The menu expands beyond what you see in print. “If you don’t see it on the

Salem’s Diner

menu, build it,” he tells people. Regular customer Roger Tomberlin created “The Trashcan”: hash browns loaded with onions, peppers, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and the diner’s specialty spicy pork sausage. Some complete the order with the addition of eggs by requesting Wayne “put a lid on that.”

Coworkers Hyland Knecht, Debbie Foster and Shari Hamby come to Salem’s from downtown for lunch once a week. “We come back because Wayne knows us,” said Hamby, who always orders the cheesesteak. “It’s like walking into Cheers.”

“You can’t beat the atmosphere,” Knecht said. “It’s like going to a family diner. Everything is always fresh.” He thinks the burgers are the best in the city and raves about the banana pudding Salem makes. He also usually stops for breakfast on Fridays.

After running an Ed Salem’s location for 20 years and then a deli in Avondale, Salem said he decided to open a quiet little diner in either Homewood or Mountain

Brook. In 2006 he moved into the location on 18th Street that for 40 years had housed Dino’s Hotdogs and has since created a Homewood dining tradition of his own.

“Homewood people take care of their own,” Salem said. “I came in from Southside as an outsider, and they’ve been darn good to me.” He recalled how Laura Williams invited him to cook for a big party at her house shortly after he opened shop. “Laura said, ‘Wayne, we’re going to introduce you to Homewood,’” Salem said. And they did just that. “It sure was the right move [coming to Homewood],” he said.

Salem’s doesn’t draw in just an older crowd; Samford students are regulars as well. Salem cooks cheese steaks at some of the home baseball games. He speaks with pride about basketball player Emily London, pointing to a laminated article about her team on the wall, and her family visiting. “I love Samford University students,” he said. “This is their place too.”

His customers aside, Salem is most

proud of his Philly cheese steak’s spotlight on national television. While in town to perform at The Comedy Club, Craig Ferguson, host of CBS’s “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” stopped by Salem’s. Salem served him the cheese steak while Ferguson chatted and signed autographs for fellow customers.

“I had an experience at this diner that shook me to the core,” Ferguson told his TV audience when he returned. “This diner in Alabama had the best Philly cheese steaks, and I include Philadelphia.”

Ferguson also picked up on the signature atmosphere of the diner. “When I came in they were like, ‘Hey! It’s the guy from TV!’” he said. “And then a couple of minutes later another guy came in, and they were like, ‘Hey! It’s the guy from the hardware store. They do it to everyone.”

Come into Salem’s, and you’ll become the next diner to be greeted like Ferguson and the guy from the hardware store, only for those of us in Homewood, we can stop by any and every day.

At age 99, Will Holmes received the “Crown Jewel” Jubilee Award designated by the Amaranth Club. Amaranthians met for their March monthly luncheon, this time on the premises of United Way of Central Alabama. Will Holmes, speaker, presented an informational program and clever “Anecdotal History of Pigs” tied into a “Pig-nic” luncheon. The tone was unsurprisingly “Pigs” given by its long-time member and catered by Full Moon BBQ. Through the years, Mrs. Holmes, almost a century old, has been a speaker, not only for Amaranth but also for dozens of clubs and special events. Decorations were in keeping with the casual and comical fare of barbecue, but also showed a bit of green, in recognition of a sprouting spring. Hostesses for the event were Mims Adams, Elizabeth Cooper, Will Holmes and Maryhelen Kirpatrick.

Others joining in the merriment of the “Pig-Nic” humor were Kathryn Porter, Margaret Wiygul and Pam Colbert, Jeanne Alexander, Sara Beth Blair, Jocelyn Bradley Palmer, Beth Hardwick, Jane Hicks, Pam Turberville Ager, Angela Comfort, Ben Holmes (son of Will Holmes and guest), Ellen Broome and Rebecca Mason.

The Amaranth Club is the third oldest Club in the Birmingham and Over the Mountain area. This 37-member

Will Holmes receives Amaranth Club Jubilee Award

Homewood resident Will Holmes with President Kathryn Porter and Rebecca Mason.

organization began in 1897 to encourage intellectual development. Presently, over a hundred years later, meetings occur nine times each year with different hostesses, speakers, locations and themes. “Amaranth” was originally coined at the time of the clubs organization by a charter member, Miss Ella Hubbard, who was the daughter of an early Birmingham pioneer family and editor of the newspaper’s woman’s page. Many present day members have a family legacy with Amaranth, via their mothers, mother-in-law or other relatives.

By MARY ELLEN SNELL

The East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch (EENW) is partnering with Edgewood residents and Homewood Police to keep an eye on crime and safety issues. The EENW is officially registered with the Sheriff’s Association and initially worked with Sgt. James Evans to form a group in fall 2009 after a sudden increase in home burglaries in Edgewood. Through the cooperation of Edgewood residents and the Homewood Police, the neighborhood watch reduced crime in their 12-street area significantly by spring 2010 and received a community commendation award from the Police Department.

Although home burglaries have greatly decreased since that fall of 2009, Edgewood has experienced car burglaries, petty crime and thefts of business and personal property, especially when property is unsecured. The EENW continues to advocate for every home and business in Homewood to protect their property with locks, cameras and/or alarms.

EENW strives to serve the community through a communication network of email notifications and invitations to quarterly meetings. At their March meeting, EENW

East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch

presented information and reports on crime and safety, and other community concerns. This information was presented by acting Police Chief Bob Copus, current Police Department Liason Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, City Council President Allyn Holladay, Mayor Scott McBrayer and Code Enforcement Officer Scott Cook.

Together Edgewood residents, Homewood Police and city officials continue work to protect our charming and historical Edgewood area. EENW will continue to watch and advocate for a visible and consistent police presence near the Edgewood shopping area and on our neighborhood streets, to monitor traffic, reduce crime and protect our special quality of life.

If you see suspicious traffic or persons in the Homewood area, don’t wait; call Police Dispatch at 332-6202 to report it! For information on how to participate in East Edgewood Neighborhood Watch, contact Mary Ellen Snell, EENW President, at 527-8908 or [email protected]. To learn how to form a watch group in your area of Homewood, contact Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, Homewood Police at 332-6200.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Restaurant Showcase

|

Wayne Salem holds his signature Philly cheese steak and grilled tilapia in front of a painting of Ed Salem’s Restaurant. Photo by Madoline Markham.

8

www.TheHomewoodStar.com | May 2011 | Entrepreneur Spotlight

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

Drive through any Homewood neighborhood and you’re sure to spot a blue or pink bow affixed to a mailbox. On March 20, a pink bow appeared at the home of Cathleen and Jason Crunk, Edgewood parents who welcomed their second baby girl on the first day of spring. Now, Birmingham parents have a chance to create a keepsake for their child’s birth that will last long beyond the mailbox bow.

Crunk and Forest Park mom Emily Heide have recently collaborated to launch a charming new business. “Pat-A-Cakes

New business takes the cake

Keepsakes” are custom ceramic impressions of a child’s hands and feet, lovingly fired, painted and hung with ribbon—to create a wonderful memory of those tots who seem to grow up way too fast. In a city where births are so prevalent, these “cakes” make the perfect gift or memento for parents, grandparents or anyone who treasures those precious fingers and toes.

“Emily approached me with the idea, and it immediately sparked my interest,” Crunk said. “I have always loved working with children and saw it as a

great opportunity to do something completely different and out of my element, but fun!” The opportunity came when Crunk was planning to transition from full-time to part-time employment as a speech language pathologist at Children’s Hospital, so the additional income, as well as a job that wouldn’t take away from time with her kids, was ideal.

Crunk and Heide began by purchasing an instructional video and a kiln, among other things, and set up shop in a studio behind Heide’s home. Currently they host two events per month where customers can bring their kids to make the clay impressions, and prices range from $35 to $65. The shows are held in homes or retail locations, or even schools and daycares. They also plan to participate in at least two big events a year, including the Junior League of Birmingham’s Market in November.

“We usually take about 10 to 15 orders per show, and orders take four to six weeks to process,” said Heide, who explained the exhaustive process of drying, firing, painting, glazing, firing again and finally packaging.

One thing is certain: every impression is delicately brought to life by a routine that Crunk and Heide seem to have mastered. “It has been a great experience so far,” Crunk said. “And I love how flexible it is. I am able to work on the cakes during

naptime and in the evenings so that I still have time to spend with my family and soak up every minute with my little ones.”

Pat-A-Cakes make for an original baby-shower gift (in the form of a gift certificate to the expecting parents), Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts, Christmas presents or ornaments. “It’s a different kind of gift, something they’ll keep forever,” Heide said. “And the price range is similar to the price of a nice outfit.”

Or, parents can simply order the impressions as a decorative keepsake for their own homes. “Our hope is that people will want to come back every few years and build a series of impressions,” Heide said. “We think it will be neat to document their kids’ growth over the years, kind of like a growth chart.”

To find out how to participate in an upcoming Pat-A-Cakes Keepsakes event, visit www.pat-a-cakeskeepsakes.com. They are holding shows May 6, 2-4 p.m. at Swaddle and May 7, 10 a.m.-12p.m. at Oodles of Ribbon.

Danielle Wade & Cindy Wade 966.9600 283-2349

[email protected] [email protected]

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THE WADE TEAM....Your Over The Mountain Specialists!!!

Custom ceramic impressions of children’s hands and feet make for perfect keepsakes and gifts. Photo by Anna Cate Little.

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Billy Wade107 Columbiana RdHomewood, Al [email protected]

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Cathleen Crunk with daughter Mary Hinson and Emily Heide with daughter Ginny Grace. Photo by Anna Cate Little.

Entrepreneur Spotlight9


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Andrea and John Synder, owners of Urban Cookhouse

Homewood merchants participating in Market in May include David Hezlep of Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry and Collectibles; Barbi Brown of Collage Designer Consignment; and Laura Wilson and Suzi Reynolds Smith of Four Seasons Art, Antiques & Collectibles. Photo by Madoline Markham.

As Urban Cookhouse approaches its one-year anniversary, owners Andrea and David Snyder can proudly say their idea, or dream, is working. “The mission of the restaurant is to support local farming, whether that be in buying produce directly from farms, helping out an individual in time of need, organizing the farmers market or providing compost for the Rosedale Youth Garden,” Andrea said.

Each of these missions has fi rmly taken root and continues to thrive. When Owl’s Hollow farm of Gadsden was in crisis after snow and ice severely damaged its greenhouse, Urban Cookhouse took action. On a typical night, they sell about 15 take-home meals in addition to in-house dining. But after a much-publicized event on February 9, the restaurant sold 300 take-home meals, with 100 percent of the proceeds going straight to their friends at Owl’s Hollow.

“Owl’s Hollow is back on track,” Andrea said. “The thing about farming is it’s very diffi cult to do as your fulltime job. Many of our farmers have other day jobs, but farming is their passion. That’s why we chose to reach out to Owl’s Hollow because he has been doing this his whole life and it’s his livelihood.”

Urban Cookhouse also donates its vegetable waste to serve as compost for the Rosedale Youth Gardens project, known as Nehemiah’s Quest. This community program has taken several vacant Rosedale lots and allowed youth residents to build and plant gardens, teaching them the value of greenspace, cultivating and even business practices. Fittingly, the youth will be selling their own plants at the farmers market as well.

It seems Tricia Ford and her Chamber team and the Urban Cookhouse family have found a perfect match. “I had always wanted a farmers market here but didn’t have the time or resources,” said Ford, who had previously worked with David on the Zoës Kitchen opening in Crestline. “David knew this was something I always wanted, so it was like a gift from heaven

MARKET CONTINUED from page 1

when he walked in the door to discuss the idea.” David, who runs the kitchen at the cookhouse, will offer two cooking demos at the market.

As the Snyders solicit the food vendors, the Chamber team is actively searching for artisan vendors to add to this year’s lineup. Music and live cooking demos from other restaurants are also in the works. “We’re still in recruiting phase, but it’s defi nitely on,” Andrea said. “We have a good, solid crew that’s going to be there every weekend.”

Those sure to make a market appearance throughout the summer are Owl’s Hollow (hydroponically-farmed produce), Harvest Farm (heirloom varieties), Rosedale Youth Gardens, Lagniappe Bread (sourdough bread), Cahaba Confections (cupcakes, cakes, pies), Dr. Matt Smith (wellness), Ken Easterling (“The Peach Man”) and Monroe Sausage.

Just in time for that summer heat to settle in, downtown Homewood will awake early, with refreshing market treats, breakfast at Urban Cookhouse from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and plenty of bargain shopping. It’s a family event you won’t want to miss!

The Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market runs every Saturday, May 21-August 27, 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., in the parking area behind SOHO.

Located in Soho Square

Soho Square, Suite 100 | 1830 29th Avenue South Homewood, AL 35209 | www.wallace-burke.com | 874.1044

MAY EVENTS:*5TH MARGARITAS AND ART,

WELLON BRIDGERS ART SHOW - 3pm-7pm*9TH-20TH SPRING CLEANING, 50% OFF LARGE SELECTION OF ACCESSORIES

*21ST MARkET IN MAy EARLy BIRd SPECIAL, OPEN 7:30AM60% OFF SIdEwALk SALE

1829 29th Ave. South, 870-8110

803-4059 • 2910 18th Street S.www.4seasonsantiquesandart.com

Peter’s PotteryJoin us for an afternoon with

Peter Woods Wednesday, May 4th

10 am- 2 pm

10

www.TheHomewoodStar.com | May 2011 | The Homewood Star 11

| May 2011 |

Homewood SportsHomewood Sports

Homewood Youth Cheerleading Registration for Summer Clinic at

Homewood High School for 1– 6 graders runs now through May 15 for the 2011 football season. You may register online at www.homewoodyouthcheerleading.com. Registration fee for Homewood residents is $110 and includes a practice HYC T-shirt, shorts, summer cheer

Mary Katherine Cleveland, Hannah Crim, Elise Banish, Madison Pinke, Mary Lauren Burdeshaw. Photo courtesy of Amanda Pinke.

Homewood Youth Sports

By TODD KEITH

Who says you can’t grow up but retain all the positive attributes of youth? Though Homewood Soccer Club has been serving the youth of Homewood and the greater Birmingham area for over 30 years, it is reaching new heights recently. A new three-field complex just off Lakeshore Drive and Columbiana Road was just the beginning.

Remarkably, the club has doubled in the number of players since 2004 — all the while offering effective, low-cost programs that balance the development of the child and of the soccer player. The club prides itself in having the means to give scholarships or financial aid to 12% of its program participants, never turning away a player that may not have the financial means to play soccer. “Homewood Soccer is justifiably proud of our significant growth,” soccer director David Putman said. “In just the last three years registrations have grown 25 percent with over 1,150 individual players this calendar year.”

The growth has been followed with new training systems for players and coaches, new fitness training and skills

A soccer success story

Homewood Soccer Club grows

White Sharks soccer team celebrates end of the season party at Homewood Soccer Park

sessions, online training video series, and other program improvements. In fact, in last year’s Governor’s Cup and State Cup, Homewood under-10 teams had two first place finishes and one second place finish. In the older age groups, four teams out of six made it to the final four or semifinals. All in all, it was the best post-season success in the club’s history.

Significantly, the club keeps the focus on having a good time and playing for the love of the game — just ask any grinning, sweaty five-year old after their friendly matches. “The continuing growth in all three programs is the best endorsement that Homewood Soccer is meeting the youth athletic goals of our community families,” Putman said.

Homewood Soccer provides high-quality training in three age and development level appropriate programs: Introductory (Patriots, age 3 to 7), Recreational (Red Teams, ages 8 to 15) and Select (Blue Teams, ages 10 to 17). Competitive tryouts for Select Teams begin June 4th. For details and information, see www.homewoodsoccer.com.

Samford Women’s Basketball Team wins first ever Southern Conference championship title

This year the Bulldogs earned the program’s first Southern Conference championship as well as its first NCAA Tournament bid this year. The team’s head coach is Mike Morris. Assistant coaches are Andrea Ward, Katherine Katz and Megan Wilderotter.

clinic, end of the year party, trophy, and participation in the Christmas and We Love Homewood Day Parades. Uniform cost is additional. Mandatory uniform fitting day is May 15 from 2 – 5 pm at Homewood Park and Recreation Center. For more information please contact Amanda Pinke at [email protected].

Baseball Season is in Full Swing!!Homewood softball and baseball fields are filled with the sound of cracking

bats and cheering parents. But for many of the enthusiastic young athletes the season ends way too soon due to injury.

A recent study noted a 5 fold increase in elbow and shoulder injuries in young baseball players. The increase was attributed in part to specializing in a single sport or position, playing a sport for more than one continuous season per year, and throwing curve balls/sliders at a young age. Previous studies have shown significant relationship between number of pitches thrown per day and the risk of elbow and shoulder pain. Efforts have been made to decrease the risk to young athletes.

USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee recommends the following:

1. Take athlete’s complaints of arm pain seriously and seek medical care if not resolved within 4 days of rest or if recurs immediate upon return to sport.

2. Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated.

3. The risk of throwing breaking pitches prior to physical maturity is of concern- curve balls and sliders appear to place at increased risk for injury.

4. Pitchers should develop proper mechanics as early as possible and develop year round conditioning program.

Maximum PitchesAge per game per week 9-10 50 75 11-12 75 100 13-15 75 125

USA Baseball 2006 Provided by: Kim Fagan, M.D.

Fagan Sports Medicine ...Life is a Sport

www.FaganSportsMedicine.comFor more information on pitch counts, rest days,

injury prevention, thrower’ ten exercises, visit our website at

located in Homewood , AL at the intersection of Mayfair and Hwy 31

12

www.TheHomewoodStar.com | May 2011 | Homewood Sports

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www.Homewoodparks.com

Board Members

Mission StatementThe mission of the Homewood Parks and Recreation Board is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens

of Homewood by offering and managing leisure opportunities and expanded green space.

Community CentersHours of OperationHomewood Community CenterMon. – Fri.: 5:35 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat.: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Weight Room closes at 6 p.m.)Sun.: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.Main offi ce Hours: Mon. – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Gym Offi ce: (205) 332-6707Weight Room: (205) 332-6708

Lee Community CenterMon. – Sat.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun.: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.Information: (205) 322-6191

Homewood Senior CenterMon. – Thur.: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri.: 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sat.: 10 a.m.– 10 p.m.Sun.: Center closed unavailable for rentalsFront Desk: (205) 332-6500

Membership Information Homewood residents (1) non-residents Family Single Family SingleAll-Purpose (2) $200 $150 $400 $300All-Purpose Senior $55 (3) $30 $100 (3) $60Senior Center Only $42 $25 $84 $50Gym Basketball Only -- $45 -- $90

(1) Proof of Homewood residence required to purchase badge at resident rate. Must present one of the following at registration:

•Lease agreement •Current utility bill •Check imprinted with address •Driver’s License (if renewed in last three months)

(2) All-Purpose membership includes gym, weight room, cardio room, indoor track and pools.

(3) All-Purpose Senior Family (Husband & Wife) living in the same house who are age 55 or over. Children, grandchildren, ect; will need to purchase their own member-ship if living with senior family.

All memberships are valid for one year from date of purchase. Adding family mem-bers after time of purchase will result in an additional fee of $40 per person. Children under fi ve (5) are not included on memberships but a $10.00 photo fee is assessed if you want them to have a picture (badge) made.

Swimming Pools InformationCentral Pool at Homewood Community CenterPool HoursMon. – Sat.: 10 a.m.– 7 p.m., Sun.: 1 p.m.– 6 pm.Phone: (205) 879-5012Central Pool opens for summer season!Thursday, May 26th 2011

West Homewood Pool at West Homewood ParkPool HoursMon – Sat: 10 a.m. – 7p.m.Sun: 1p.m. – 6 p.m.Phone: (205) 942-4572West Homewood Pool opens for summer season! Thursday, May 26th 2011

Pool “Only” Membership InformationHomewood Resident: $100 - First Badge; $25 - each additional badge in a familyNon-Residents: $200 - First Badge; $50 - each additional badge in a familyPool badges will go on sale Wednesday, May 11, 2011. They can be purchased at the Homewood Community Center Main Offi ce during offi ce hours (8am - 5:30pm).

Main Offi ce will be open extra hours for pool badge sales: Saturday, May 28th: 10a.m. - 2p.m.Sunday, May 29th: 1p.m. - 5p.m.

AthleticsHomewood Patriot Youth Football LeagueHPYFL is responsible for organizing youth football in Homewood and over-sees its operation. Please visit their website for more information.www.homewoodyouthfootball.org

Competitive SwimmingIt is not a learn to swim program but no experience is necessary. Swim-mers compete against other swimmers with the same age and times during the meets. A pre-competitive program (GUPPY) is available for kids that can swim but are not quite ready to compete, ages 8 and under. They must be able to swim across the pool. Children who are ready to compete, ages 5 – 18, will be divided into groups- older (more experienced) and younger (less experienced) at the Central Homewood Pool. We compete through the Jefferson County Swim League (JCSC) against other teams from our area. Registration begins May 7th at We Love Homewood Day and runs through June 4th. JCSC fees will be assessed at a later date. Practices are Monday through Friday 8am – 10am, specifi c times will vary depending on the age of the child. For additional information call Brook Gibbons at 401-9656

Summer Adult Softball LeagueCo-ed and Men’s DivisionsOrganizational meeting for the 2011 Summer Adult Softball League will be held on Wednesday, June 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the Homewood Community Center in room 100. All participants must be 19 years or older. Games will be played at West Homewood Park fi elds. Coed will play Mondays or Thurs-days, men will play Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Fees will be $350 for resident teams and $400 for non-resident teams. A resident team must have 70% of the players living in Homewood or the be sponsored by a Homewood busi-ness or church. The minimum number of teams is 7, the maximum is 9. Fee includes offi cials, trophies and tournaments. Play begins in August. Contact Linda Sellers at 332-6706 for more information.

Homewood Senior Center*Free transportation for Homewood Seniors, age 60+The Homewood Senior Center offers a FREE transportation program to seniors 60 and older who live inside Homewood City limits. Call the Homewood Senior Center at 332-6500 to schedule pick-up or to register for this wonderful service. The limit of passengers we can accommodate daily will depend on the distance of the destinations and locations of those requesting service. We have only one van operating Monday through Friday for this service. There may be days when we cannot accommodate all requests. We recommend that you schedule your pick-up a week in advance.

*Service is Monday through Friday. Because the same van is also used for seniors’ special recreational trips, we may occasionally modify the daily transportation schedule. We do have a wheelchair van. However, our staff are not clinically trained. Therefore, we may not be able to accommodate individuals who need physical lift assistance. Staff are not available to accompany seniors to appointments.

Daily Transportation Schedule (9:00am – 2:00pm) Monday – Errands (non-grocery) within Homewood tuesday – Medical AppointmentsWednesday – Medical Appointmentsthursday – Piggly WigglyFriday – Food World & Publix

The Senior Center also publishes a monthly calendar; View it online at: www.homewoodparks.com

Lee Community CenterUSA Boxing 2011 District ChampionshipsThis year’s District Championship is an Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Hosted by Fight 4Life Fitness and Boxing. This tournament will bring elite boxers from throughout the southeast. The USA District Championships are open to all Open and Novice male and female athletes, 17-35 years of age.Tournament Contacts: Greg Young – 205-706-3251Dorothy Young – 205-527-8301Tournament Dates and Times:Friday, May 13, 2011 – Doors Open at 5pm -Boxing starts at 6pmSaturday, May 14, 2011 – Doors Open at 1pm -Boxing starts at 2pmVenue: Lee Community Center – 1825 25th Court South, Homewood, AL 35209Admission Prices:Adults - $20 advance 2-day pass* / $12 per day at the doorKids - $12 advance 2-day pass* / $8 per day at the door* Advance passes can be purchased at Fight 4Life; located at 129 West Valley Ave., Homewood, AL 35209 between the hours of 4pm – 7pm only.

Homewood Central ParkPark Players

(Alabama Community Theater) Presents:

A Midsummer Nights DreamBy: William Shakespeare

Directed By: Paul McCrackenVenue: Homewood Central ParkDates & times: May 19th – 22nd & May 26th – 28th All Shows begin 7:30pmAdmission: Adults $10 – Under 16 Free with a paid adultFor more information please call: 205-590-0155

W. thomas Blake Chair – At Large

1827 Lancaster RoadHomewood, Alabama 35209

Chris MasonVice Chair – Ward 4

115 Edgewood BoulevardHomewood, Alabama 35209

Paula SmalleySecretary – Ward 3903 Westover Drive

Homewood, Alabama 35209

rich LawsPrograms Chair – Ward 5

322 LaPrado CircleHomewood, Alabama 35209

tim BaggettFacilities Chair – At Large

1814 Lake Ridge Road Homewood, Alabama 35216

Dr. Don LittleMember – Ward 2

632 Oakmoor DriveHomewood, Alabama 35209

Christopher MeeksMember – At Large

212 BroadwayHomewood, Alabama 35209

Becky MortonMember – Ward 1108 Hanover Rd

Homewood, Alabama 35209

thomas e. WalkerMember – At Large

1121 Shadesmont RoadHomewood, Alabama 35226

City Council representativeFred HawkinsWard 2 Place 1

1111 Oak Grove RoadHomewood, Alabama 35209

13

| May 2011 | Super Moms

Melissa and Caine Hill along with Lottie, Lola and Fox

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Super Moms of HomewoodBy ASHLEY BERKERY

Balancing a family along with commitments outside the home and well, life in general, is a job that our Homewood moms have, over the years, done with grace. In their honor, we are highlighting

four “super moms” who somehow manage to pull it all together. This Mother’s Day, we say thank you to all of the moms out there. No matter what you do, you are all super!

Reg, Walker, Julia and Kathryn Mitchell

Family: Husband Brian, Ree Ree (nanny and defi nitely part of the family), MaryCase (5); Madeline, Caroline and William (3)Job: Area Vice President of Business Development for Amedisys Home Health Care. Amedisys offers personalized skilled services (nursing, physical therapy, etc.) to patients and their families in the comfort of their own homes. Q: What are your time management secrets having a full-time job and being a mom of four kids, three of whom are triplets? A: A great support system – I am blessed with a supportive husband, family, friends and a great nanny. Planning is also key. Luckily, I am type A and like to stay organized, so it has helped tremendously with getting my family places on time as well as myself. I never go anywhere without my calendar/day planner! Flexibility is also a must. All the preparation and organization in the world does not help when the triplets decide to melt down in a restaurant all at the same time. Being fl exible helps us remain calm and realize this is not a real crisis.Q: How do you and your family spend quality time together?A: We love to spend quality family time together on Saturdays, usually in the backyard or all piling up on the couch reading books. We also enjoy church together on Sundays. My husband and I feel strongly that it is important to spend time with each of our children

Corporate Super MomKathryn Mitchell

Family: Husband Reg, Walker (10), Julia (6), Leroy and Boomer (dogs)Job: I am an Executive Assistant at Altec Inc. We are the company that manufactures bucket trucks. Prior to that, I was with Delta Air Lines for 19 years. (My children think I own all Delta Air Planes and all bucket trucks. Q: How do you balance your corporate world and being a mom? A: That is easy, Mrs. Veronica; everyone should have a Mrs. Veronica. She started out as a temporary nanny fi ve years ago and now is a dear friend and a part of our family. We love her and are so fortunate to have her in our life.Q: What is your secret to time management?A: The pastor at my church talks about “fi rst things fi rst.” My priorities are God, family, work and then everything else. Monday nights are date nights with my handsome husband. We have a dependable and responsible babysitter

and of course, Mrs. Veronica, our daytime nanny.Q: What is the thing you wish most for your kids? A: Love God and love people! I want them also to live the motto: “Thoughts become words; Words become actions; Actions become habits; Habits become character.”

Teacher Super MomStephanie Brant

Family: Husband Jody, Tucker (10), Hutch (5) Job: I am a Kindergarten teacher at Hall Kent Elementary where I attended elementary school. Q: What is a life lesson you apply to being a mom that you also apply to being a teacher?A: I feel that I am a better teacher because I am a mother. I focus on teachable moments in both areas. My students are someone’s baby, and they trust me with their most cherished and loved possessions to mold, teach and care for each day. Even when my own boys make me want to pull my hair out, I have to stop and do what I do with my students and look for the teachable moments. Q: How do you stay sane?A: The main thing is to always be fl exible! My family lives by this saying: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present.” B.OlatunjiQ: What are some ways you and your family spend quality time together? A: We are known as the “Disney Family.” We spent our honeymoon in Disney and vacation there with our family a lot! Jody and I also enjoy a day of never leaving the house with the boys to just hang out and watch movies.

Jody, Stephanie, Hutch and Tucker at a 50s party

Q: What is the thing you wish most for your kids?A: That my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus, and that through God’s grace and wisdom, He will protect them, hold them up and show them the plans He has for them.

Small Business Owner Super MomMelissa Hill

Family: Husband Caine, Lorraine (3), Charlotte and Fox (twins, 22 months)Job: Weddings Etc. is a stationery and gift boutique in downtown Homewood. We carry a great range of traditional and modern papers for all of life’s occasions. We also carry little wedding lovelies like vintage hankies, sixpence, handmade guest books and a great selection of jewelry.Q: What is your defi nition of sanity?A: Sanity = going with the fl ow.Q: What are some ways you and your family spend quality time together?A: Sunday is the only day we are all together. We go to breakfast and play at the park. Sunday is my favorite day because we enjoy the benefi t of co-parenting all day. We truly enjoy each

Super Mom of MultiplesLauren Tanner

individually and that they get that undivided attention they crave. Saturdays are spent dividing our time to get that one on one time with each of our kids or at least two on one time. Whether it is getting ice cream, running to the grocery store, or a quick trip to the park, it is in these little moments as a mom I get the most pleasure. It is amazing how their personalities change from a group environment of four siblings to just being with mom or dad and one sibling.Q: What was an initial obstacle you had to overcome being a mom of multiples?A: I had to learn to let go of things that are not important and realize laundry and dishes can wait. Not missing a moment with my kids was more important to me; they grow up so quickly. I had to realize that life will always be busy and somewhat chaotic at times so I have learned not to sweat the small stuff and I laugh more!

Brian and Lauren Tanner with MaryCase, Madeline, William and Caroline

other (rather than stressing about dishes and prepping the next meal).Q: What is your favorite thing about being a mom?A: The incredible excitement I am greeted with when I get home. Every day is like New Year’s when I walk through the door!

14


Lately when I’ve been flipping around on Facebook, I’ve noticed a “Click if you like being a mommy” button. I love being a mommy, but I haven’t clicked that button and I don’t plan to. As Mother’s Day approaches, there will no doubt be a plethora of status updates talking about gifts received from children. There may even be email chains floating around that talk about what a precious gift our own mothers are and how precious children are to those who are mothers. And these are all fine ways to show appreciation for our moms and friends who have kids. However, when I see them, and especially when I see the “Click here if you like being a mommy” button, my heart breaks a little for the lovely women I know who long to be mothers. I know way too many people who don’t understand God’s reasons for withholding children from them, even if it’s just for a time, and I know exactly how they feel.

This year will be my second Mother’s Day as a mother, but before Kate, I spent several wishing I were on the opposite side of childless. Mother’s Day is designed to be a day of celebration, of honoring the ones who raised us, of thanking our moms for the sacrifices they made every day for us. I hadn’t even begun to realize the sacrifices my own mom made for me until I had my own child, and I know I won’t fully realize them until Kate progresses through all the stages I went through—stages my mother loved me through. Having a child helps us see our own mothers in a different light and hopefully causes us to be even more

thankful for them. So, Mother’s Day is and should be celebratory, but for those women who wish they had children of their own and don’t, it can be a day tinged with sadness. Even when we know and believe that God has a plan for us—a very good plan—it still hurts to feel time slipping by without holding tiny baby hands or nuzzling a baby’s soft, downy head.

Sometimes I can’t help posting tidbits about Kate or photos of her frolicking in the den with her mini grocery cart and almost life-sized stuffed and polka-dotted hippopotamus. I rejoice that God blessed us with her, and I still find her presence in our lives almost magical when we waited and prayed for her for so long. But even as I click the upload button, I’m saying a silent “I’m sorry” to those women who may see my photos and feel any sadness.

It is for this reason that I won’t click the “Mommy” button on Facebook. I know it’s a small and silly thing, but it’s my way of standing with those women, my friends, who are waiting for their babies.

So on this Mothers’ Day, here’s to mothers of all kinds: those who raised us and sacrificed for us (and still sacrifice for us!); those who have cheered and cried with us; our friends with their own families to care for and raise; those whose babies are already waiting for them in heaven; those who out of a special kind of love have taken foster children into their home or adopted children as their own; and those who know deep down in their bones that God has a wonderful child chosen for them that He just hasn’t introduced yet.

Talent in the visual arts was on display at Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Homewood as OLS School children presented their annual art show on April 3. Paintings, drawings, sculpture, and collages by children in grades kindergarten through 8 filled the auditorium of the family life center. Parents and parishioners stopped in before and after Sunday masses to see the exhibit and meet the artists.

About 200 people, families and friends, gathered for fellowship at a Lenten fish fry at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood on April 8. The free dinner was sponsored by the parish’s Knights

OLS Fish Fry Fellowshipof Columbus. The Knights cooked and served 90 pounds of tilapia, plus grilled cheese sandwiches, hush puppies, French fries, and beverages.

Bill Braswell, Bruce Franco, David Dunlap, Chad Gentry, Adam Morel, Matt Montegut, and Nick Graffeo who helped prepare the dinner.

OLS Annual Art Show

Second grader Emma Blackmon, 8, exhibits her papier mache dinosaur during the Our Lady of Sorrows School annual art show on April 3 in the Homewood parish’s family life center.

a Duke blowout over the inexperienced Bulldogs.

After 39 minutes of hard-fought basketball, Butler had the chance to beat Duke on a last-second shot. Nored watched as teammate Gordon Hayward let fly the most famous miss in college basketball, clanking it off the rim from half-court in what would have been the shot of the century to beat the Blue Devils.

“When that last shot went up, I thought it was in,” Nored said. “From my point of view, I just knew it was going in. When it didn’t, I was just shocked. We hadn’t lost a game in four months, so losing was sort of a new feeling.”

The Bulldogs got over the pain quickly. A month ago, one year removed from their incredible run to the Final Four, Nored and his team somehow made it back to the championship game. As an 8-seed, Butler had to go through a treacherous schedule to make it, but the scrappy Bulldogs were back. And this time, the experts were realizing the truth.

Legendary coach-turned-ESPN- analyst Bobby Knight named Nored the “x-factor” on Butler’s team. Almost every TV analyst was hailing Nored’s hustle defense as the best in the game. And every fan of the game was shocked at the Bulldog’s unbelievable two-year stretch. Except Nored.

“We knew the high expectations, and we had a lot of returning starters and we were prepared so well. So it hurt way worse to lose this year. Having seniors leave that you have known and played with for three years is pretty tough.”

Yes, Butler suffered another championship game loss. But no one really minded that outside of the team – most were simply amazed Nored and his teammates had made it so far. To make the championship game two years in a row is one thing, but to do it at a school like Butler is unbelievable. Many sportswriters have claimed that Butler’s two-year run is one of the most amazing in sports history.

Nored credits a lot of his success to Shepler and Rick Baguely, his coaches at Homewood High School.

“Coach Shepler and Coach Baguely were the most influential coaches I had growing up,” Nored said. “They have done a lot for me in my formation as a player and more importantly my formation as a person. They have spent a lot of time with me and have a lot to do with who I am now.”

Nored also mentioned the effect his community had on him growing up as an athlete:

“Around where I grew up, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, that area, everyone thinks athletics is a huge deal. It prepared me well, because competing at the highest level in the state taught me how to compete at the highest level.”

Now that Nored has lived out his dreams and then some in the Final Four, he is a busy man. ESPN is constantly calling for interviews with the well-spoken junior. He said he has less and less time to get home.

“I don’t get to come home a lot, but when I do I try to hang out with friends and see as many people as I can,” Nored said. “I make sure to eat a lot of good dinners. I try to get to my favorite Homewood restaurants - Sam’s Super Sandwiches, Demetri’s, and Salem’s Diner. I also still keep up with Homewood sports pretty well. Facebook helps a lot on that, although I do make it down for a football game once a year.”

Next in his career? Coaching. Nored is currently coaching an AAU team that has had success in its Indianapolis tournaments, and wants to coach once he’s out of college. He would be a tantalizing coaching prospect with his high basketball IQ and his experience.

Anything is possible for him after his basketball career. Because for Ronald Nored, dreams really do come true.

NOREDCONTINUED from page 1

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| May 2011 | School House

Congratulations to Homewood High School senior Aaron Ernest for earning MVP honors by winning the 100 meters, 200 meters, and long jump at the prestigious invitational division of the Mobile Challenge of Champions. Ernest ran an amazing 10.17 100 meters, which is the fastest time in the US this year.

His 200 meters of 20.86 is the second fastest time in the nation, and both times are the fastest in the history of Alabama. Ernest also won long jump with a jump of 23-2.

At the Homewood Invitational, which consisted of 1,375 athletes from 42 schools, Ernest had his best long jump of 24 ft. 2

inches, which is sixth in the U.S. Ernest has received a full track

and field scholarship to Louisiana State University and plans to major in education. “We are so excited about the rest of this year and the chance to watch him become a world class athlete in the years to come,” Track and Field Boys Coach Tom Esslinger said.

“His ability to take coaching and maximize his potential is what really separates him from everyone else,” Esslinger said. “His rate of improvement shows how hard he has worked, and I am confident he will still find ways to improve to become even better.”

System Director of Support Services Mike Hathorne retires after 23 years of service in the Homewood school system.

Hathorne, who has a total of 39 years of service in public education, came to Homewood in 1988 from T. R. Miller High School where he served as a principal. He served as an assistant principal at Homewood High School and then became principal in 1992. For the past 13 years, Hathorne has served as System Director of Support Services.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the Homewood Schools and the Homewood Board. It has really been my pleasure,” Hathorne said.

Homewood High School has been selected as a CLAS Banner School, an award originated in 2001 with the purpose to identify, recognize, and publicize schools and programs with outstanding educational programs which serve as models for schools across the state. A panel of seasoned educators selected the school as one of 13 winning programs from a pool of 130 nominations from across the state of Alabama.

Homewood High School has created an environment encouraging lifetime fitness. Their program, The Movement, is designed to change the way students and staff members think about health and wellness. Its purpose is to create a culture change in an effort to better address the challenges of obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, stress, cardiovascular disease, and other related illnesses.

The Movement, a unique and student-centered program, is a shift in traditional physical education. It includes classroom instruction focused on the individual student, prevention and rehabilitation for

athletes, adapted programs for students with special needs, as well as employee wellness programs. The Movement has been successful in involving a variety of participants, and has been recognized at the national, state, and local levels. This very effective program creates an atmosphere of self-motivation, self-assessment and accountability. Each day the students are challenged with a LIFE mission that mirrors their district’s mission statement that “each student will have the opportunity to reach his/her own unique potential.”

“Receiving this award is a tremendous accomplishment for our administrators, faculty, and staff who have dedicated their time to not only provide a school environment that enhances learning but also an environment that encourages lifetime fitness,” Dr. Bill Cleveland, Homewood City Schools Superintendent, said. “This prestigious award recognizes that Homewood City Schools is dedicated to change the way students and staff members think about health and wellness.”

Homewood High School student has fastest time in the US

Homewood City Schools’ Hathorne retires

Scott Williams presents Mike Hathorne with an award for his 23 years of service in the Homewood school system at a Homewood City Schools Board of Education meeting.

Homewood City Schools faculty and staff met before school as part of The Movement to walk/run/bike together to promote health and wellness.

Homewood High School selected as CLAS Banner School

Throughout his outstanding career, he has received the Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year award and the University of Montevallo Lawrence B. Malone Outstanding Principal award. He is also very active in many civic and community organizations including the Homewood Rotary Club and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.

“There is no doubt that Mike Hathorne loves his job, this system and truly believes that Homewood is the best place to be,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland said. “His compassion and dedication to our community will be greatly missed.”

Donna Johnson, sixth grade social studies teacher at Homewood Middle School, was recently honored as the Alabama State Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding History Teacher

for 2011. Johnson was recognized at the Alabama State DAR Conference in Auburn.

Congratulations to Mrs. Donna Johnson, ASDAR 2011 Outstanding History Teacher!

Donna Johnson honored as 2011 ASDAR Outstanding History Teacher

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Ernst with the clock showing the fastest time in the 100 meters in the U.S. this year

16

www.TheHomewoodStar.com | May 2011 | School House

State Representative Paul DeMarco attended the Shades Cahaba Elementary School PTO meeting for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school’s new playground equipment.

A PTO grant request was received during the 2009-2010 school year to include a metal slide to the playground to accommodate children using cochlear implants. When a child wearing an implant slides down a plastic slide, which was the only type of slide that SCE had, static electricity is generated and it can interfere with the implants settings and affect the

Shades Cahaba welcomes Representative DeMarco

Shades Cahaba students watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony from the school’s new slide. L to R: Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland, Principal Sue Grogan, State Representative Paul DeMarco, and SCE PTO President Jen Fitzpatrick.

hearing of the child. The PTO board, membership and administration felt that a shade structure accompanying the metal slide would be necessary as well.

State Representative DeMarco helped the PTO negotiate the grant application process to the State Legislature, and then followed the application for funding through to fruition, resulting in a grant of $10,435 from the State Legislature. These funds, combined with a contribution from PTO funds, gave them the ability to install both the metal slide and the shade structure.

Homewood Middle School will be performing the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series, School House Rock. School House Rock is directed by HMS choir director, Paul Litten, and HMS teachers, Mary Binkley and Karen Narro. The students have been rehearsing and will debut for the public on May 3 at 6 p.m. They will also perform for their classmates with school day performances on May 2.

The cast includes Hayes Snodgrass as Tom, Bishop Kelly as George, Aiden Alford as Dori, Mae Dowda as Shulie, Seth Tucker as Joe, and Lily Thompson as Dina.

The chorus includes Avery Greer, Elizabeth Johnston, Matthew Lett, Abby Logue, Mary Grace Pitts, Kelsey Reid, Molly Richardson, Caleb Sokol, Cannon Nuckols and Dina Zaher.

The crew includes Ryan Bing, Emma

April was Autism Awareness Month and Hall-Kent Elementary School classes worked together to help educate others about Autism. Classes receive a puzzle piece and decorated them together. Once the pieces were complete, the “big puzzle” was pieced together and displayed in the school.

Pam Yau, Alabama Teacher of the Year Top Four Finalist

Hall Kent educates on autism

Hall-Kent students Khaki Fuller and Jessica Jackson in Linda Klopack’s class take turns decorating their puzzle piece for Autism Awareness Month.

Homewood Middle School performs “School House Rock”

Droste, Emi Ferderber, Kendall Fowler, Seabrook Jeffcoat, Emily Kachelhofer, Nora Madden-Lunceford, Jay Shropshire, Sara Teichmiller and Kameron Mitchell.

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[email protected]

Homewood teacher named Alabama Teacher of the Year Top Four Finalist

The Homewood City Schools Foundation presented Showcase 2011 at Homewood Middle School on March 8. Each year Showcase celebrates the talents and achievements of students and teachers from all five Homewood Schools. This year’s event was sponsored by Robins & Morton.

This year’s Showcase featured

even more student organizations and performances as well as art and classroom demonstrations from all five schools. All Foundation Action Team Project (ATP) winners presented their award winning projects as well. ATP’s are designed to promote both innovative teaching and teacher collaboration in order to increase student learning.

Showcasing Homewood City Schools

Students register for a drawing during Showcase 2011.

Homewood Middle School Jazz Band performs during Showcase 2011.

Congratulations to Pam Yau, Edgewood Elementary School LEAD (Learning Enhancement and Academic Design) teacher, for being named one of the four finalists for the Alabama Teacher of the Year program.

More than 132 school systems submitted an elementary and a secondary school candidate for the position of Alabama’s 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year.

“It is always an honor to have one of our teachers recognized at this level for their commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Bill Cleveland, Superintendent of Homewood City Schools. “Pam Yau has established a reputation as an extremely effective teacher with a creative imagination that allows her to make classroom work interesting for her students. She is a dedicated teacher and a wonderful role model for students and her peers.”

“We are very proud of these teachers and hope they inspire others throughout Alabama,” said Dr. Joseph Morton, State Superintendent of Education.

Bishop Kelley, Lily Thompson, Mae Dowda, Aiden Alford, Hayes Snodgrass and Seth Tucker

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| May 2011 | Homewood Star Calendar

5/1- 1-5 p.m. Earth Day at the Gardens. Energy efficiency and clean air will fill the Formal Garden, the lawn in front of the Conservatory, with fun-filled, family-focused activities. More than 1,300 attended last year’s festival, placing it among the region’s most-attended free Earth Day celebrations. Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

5/14- 10 a.m. Watching Wildlife. Nature program led by the Oak Mountain State Park naturalist. Oak Mountain State Park.

5/6-5/7- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Embrace Space Days. Join us for Planetarium presentations, space crafts, solar observations, learn how telescopes work, and learn how to become an amateur astronomer. McWane Center. Call 714-8414 for more information.

Family FunHomewood Events5/1- 1-4 p.m. The Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes sponsored by Holly Oak

Garden Club. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Sweet Pea Garden Shop, Hunter’s Cleaners, Harmony Landing, Urban Cookhouse and from members of Holly Oak Garden Club. Contact Stephanie Kennedy at [email protected] for more information or visit historichollywoodhometour2011.blogspot.com.

5/3- 5:45 p.m. Homewood City Schools Foundation Meeting at The Homewood Board of Education located at 7 Hollywood Blvd next to Shades Cahaba Elementary.

5/3- 6 p.m. School House Rock Production at Homewood Middle School

5/6- 6 – 8 p.m. Fitness Fair at Homewood High School. Race registration and packet pick-up along with a pasta party hosted by HHS Cross Country Team. All proceeds benefit the cross country program.

5/6- 2 – 4 p.m. Pat-A-Cakes Keepsakes show at Swaddle in downtown Homewood.

5/7- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Pat-A-Cakes Keepsakes show at Oodles of Ribbon in Merchant’s Walk.

5/7 -7:30 a.m. Homewood City Schools Spirit Scamper (10K/5K race, 1 mile Fun Run). Race will begin at the entrance to the HHS main office and continue through Shades Creek Greenway and HHS campus. Entertainment will be provided along the course by HHS Marching Patriot Band, and a rock band will be playing at the finish line. Awards ceremony at We Love Homewood Day after the parade.

5/7- 10 a.m.–9 p.m. We Love Homewood Day. Activities begin at 10 a.m. in Homewood Central Park and Homewood Community Center. Parade kicks off at 6 p.m. and will travel from Homewood Library along Oxmoor Road to the Edgewood Business District. Street party and dancing until 9 p.m. Edgewood businesses will be open.

5/7- 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Troop 97 Fundraiser sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church. Features a pancake breakfast, garage sale and silent auction. Tickets are $5 available at the door. Children under age 5 eat free. Contact Donna Burgess at [email protected] or 870-8124 to schedule pick up of garage sale and silent auction and garage sale donations.

5/7- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Assistance League of Birmingham Book Sale in conjunction with We Love Homewood Day at 1755 Oxmoor Road. For more information please call 870-5555.

5/10- 5 – 6:30 p.m. Free educational series. Come eat, meet others and join our discussion as we talk tax strategies that you may be forgetting. This month’s topic is “It’s My Money.” Brookdale Place University Park, Brookdale Senior Living, 400 University Park Drive.

5/13- 4-6 p.m. Assistance League of Birmingham hosts Annual Lobster Sale. Operation School Bell and Operation Literacy. Order by May 6. Call 870-5555 to place your order Tuesday – Saturday. Drive through pick up is 4-6 p.m. at 1755 Oxmoor Road in the back of the building. For more information, please call 870-5555.

5/16-5/17- Delores Hydcock presents “In Her Own Fashion” at Homewood Library. Hors d’oeuvres served at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 – seating is limited to 120 persons per performance. Call 332-6625 or stop by the Adult Services Desk to purchase tickets.

5/21- 7:30 a.m. Market in May kicks off 15-week market with a one-day shopping extravaganza, Spring Green Shopping Fling. Located in the parking lot behind SOHO.

5/25- Last Day of School for Homewood students.

5/26- Homewood and West Homewood Pools open for summer season.

Tuesday Morning Story Time-10:30 a.m. at Swaddle. Enjoy weekly stories, songs and interactions with your children. Please call Swaddle at 870-3505 for more information.

Wednesday Night Run- 5:30 p.m. Meets at The Trak Shak every week rain or shine. Every pace welcome. Call 870-6544 for more information.

Friday Night Wine Tastings- 4-6 p.m. The Piggly Wiggly, 3000 Montgomery Highway. Free to the public. Call 879-5238 for more information.

Gardening/Nature5/18- 6:30 p.m. Birmingham Fern Society’s Free Annual Lecture. The Birmingham

Fern Society’s free annual lecture. \Naud Burnett II, ASLA, founder and CEO of Casa Flora, Inc., the largest fern producer in the United States will present “Growing Ferns from Tissue Cultures,” and he has also promised to show slides of some of his projects. Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

5/20-5/21 noon-5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon Saturday. Spring Plant Sale. The Spring Plant Sale, or Hydrangea Sale, is annually held each year in May. Call 682-8019 for more information.

5/21- 8:30-4:30 p.m. Introduction to the Study of Native Plants. Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator John Manion will lead this intensive, day-long intro to native plant studies. $90. Call 414.-958 for more information. Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Sports5/9-5/13 7 p.m. Birmingham Barons vs. Carolina Mudcats. With a history dating

back more than 125 years, the Birmingham Barons (a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) have a long tradition of providing Birmingham with a three-hour excursion into the national pastime. Regions Park Stadium. Call 205-988-3200 for more information.

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

Special Events5/3- 4 p.m. Town Hall Meeting with Mike Huckabee. The Samford University

Auxiliary will host former Arkansas governor and U.S. presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. He will speak and take questions from the audience during the one-hour event. Wright Center on the Samford campus.

5/3- 7:30 p.m. An Evening with Mike Huckabee. Samford University Auxiliary will host former Arkansas governor and U.S. presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at a private patron reception and scholarship gala dinner. He will speak at the dinner. Tickets are $100. Wynfrey Hotel.

5/4- Brown Bag Lunch Series presents Raising Literature Children: the Role of Children’s Literature in Good Parenting. This brief lecture will focus on the very important role parents play in the literacy development of their children and techniques they may use when reading and working with their children and books. 12-1 p.m. Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch. Call 226-3742 for more information.

5/5- 6-7 p.m. Birmingham Revealed - Too Many Questions: An Evening with Virginia Durr. Born in Birmingham in 1903, Virginia Durr’s childhood was immersed in the conventions of the segregated South. But Durr broke with accepted tradition and went on to become one of the country’s most passionate voices for civil rights and labor reform. Join us for an intimate portrayal of Durr’s life, presented through a one-act, one woman play titled Too Many Questions: An Evening with Virginia Durr. Vulcan Park and Museum. Call 933-1409 for more information.

5/6 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 26th Annual YWCA’S Mother’s Day Flower Sale helps homeless children bloom at the Harbert Plaza in downtown Birmingham and at the Ray & Poynor building in Mountain Brook Village. Plants and flowers also available at Children’s Hospital. Proceeds will benefit the YWCA KIDS Korner for children of homeless families. Flowers and gift items may be viewed at www.ywcabham.org/flowersale. For more information please call Christian Smith at 322-9922 ext. 307 or email at [email protected].

5/13- 8:30 p.m. The Young Advisory Board members of the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation present the 2nd Annual Pirates and Ninjas vs. Ovarian Cancer event at Bottletree Cafe. Costumes are strongly encouraged if you don’t want to walk the plank or face the ninjas! Music featuring The VEGABONDS and DJ Rafa. Tickets are available at www.thinkoflaura.org.

5/21- Parade Begins at 11:01 a.m. Do Dah Day. Do Dah Day is Birmingham’s oldest event. A music festival that in its infancy was enjoyed by 200 fun-loving Birmingham citizens, now sees more than 40,000 people from all over the United States converge on Birmingham’s Historic Highland Parks for a day of fun, food and music with their pets.

Theatre5/5-5/15- 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Five Guys Named

Moe. With more than 50 top ten singles on the rhythm and blues charts, this great composer and saxophonist brought a popular new slant to jazz that paved the way for the rock-and-roll of the 1950s. $30. A Musical by Clarke Peters featuring Louis Jordan’s Greatest Hits. Red Mountain Theatre Company.

Music & Arts5/2- 7:30 p.m. Hilltop Singers. Varied program ranging from the Renaissance to

Vocal Jazz. Hill Recital Hall, Birmingham Southern College.

5/3- 7 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Choir Concert at Southside Baptist Church. Free admission.

5/3- 6-8 p.m. Sidewalk Salon. Birmingham’s filmmaking community can meet, greet, listen and discuss. Rojo, 2921 Highland Ave South.

5/6- 12:30-1 p.m. Mid-Day Musical Menu: A Cabaret - Piano Man! Lonnie Parsons presents a free, 30-minute show of Broadway favorites in Clingman Commons at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. Free admission. Boxed lunches with table reservations are available at noon. To reserve a lunch, call 443-8553 or 226-3505 by no later than Wednesday, May 4.

5/6-5/7- 8 p.m. Pam Tillis In Concert. The child of music royalty, Pam Tillis is a superstar in her own right. With two Grammy awards, three CMA awards and a shiny new IBMA award on her mantle, she has racked up 14 Top Five hits including six that hit #1, and has sold over six million records. The Library Theatre. For more information, call 444-7888.

5/10- 4:30-5:30 p.m. Art and Understanding: Ashley Bryan’s Work. Houston Todd, a Birmingham artist and art specialist at Princeton Alternative School, will make a presentation of Ashley Bryan’s work that is on exhibit at the Birmingham Public Library. Birmingham Public Library.

5/13- 8 p.m. ASO Masterworks: Beethoven Festival Concert I. Hear all nine symphonic masterpieces plus the rarely heard Choral Fantasy (with Brown conducting from the piano) over the course of four concerts in two weeks. $75/$50/Students $25. Alys Stephens Center.

5/20- 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Who Shot Rock & Roll sets the tone for this year’s Art on the Rocks! Red Mountain Garden Club Memorial Garden and Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden upper plaza. $20. Birmingham Museum of Art.

5/24 8 p.m. James Taylor and His Legendary Band. BJCC Concert Hall. Call 800-745-3000 for more information.

5/19-5/24 Basic Digital Photography. You’ll learn the essentials of camera handling, composition and exposure. There will be attention paid to specific applications and assignments, such as photographing people, and shooting in low-light situations. $150. Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

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Each year Boy Scout Troop 97, sponsored by Trinity United Methodist Church, holds an annual fundraiser the Saturday before Mother’s Day. This year it will be May 7, 7 a.m.-1p.m. The fundraiser includes a pancake breakfast, garage sale and a silent auction. Scouts sell pancake breakfast tickets in advance to earn credit toward the cost of summer camp, but tickets can also be purchased at the door the morning of the event. The cost is $5, with children age 5 and under eating free. Last year, they served more than 775 orders of pancakes and sausage. The garage sale will feature a gym full of miscellaneous (and interesting!) items ranging from antiques to xylophones. The silent auction will feature more than 200 items.

The fundraiser started in 1976 when the scouts decided to have a pancake breakfast, and as a last minute idea, Assistant Scoutmaster Dick Jessie set up a card table with a few used items for sale. Today the fundraiser has become an annual event that folks look forward to

Troop 97 Fundraiser

Eagle Scouts: Mitchell Anderson and Spencer Boyd

Homewood City Schools Superintendant Bill Cleveland, Homewood Police Officer Scott McSparen and Andrea and Dave Bledsoe participated in Relay for Life at Homewood Park. Photo courtesy of Cindy Wade.

Relay for Life at Homewood Central Park

On May 1 from 1-4 pm visit the Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes sponsored by Holly Oak Garden Club. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Sweet Pea Garden Shop, Hunter’s Cleaners, Harmony Landing,

Urban Cookhouse and from members of Holly Oak Garden Club. Contact Stephanie Kennedy at [email protected] for more information or visit historichollywoodhometour2011.blogspot.com.

both for donating and sharing in the fun of searching for special treasures.

Troop 97 provides many benefits to the citizens of our community through service projects and leadership training for young men. This fundraiser is their major source of funds for the year and is vital to the success of our programming.

The 2011 Historic Hollywood Tour of Homes

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987-2633

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Making Homewood Home Again Drew and Sue Ellen BinkleyBy ASHLEY BERKERY

Many who grow up in Homewood follow a route through life that can be compared to that of a boomerang – they fly away for a while but ultimately come back home.

Sue Ellen (Walker) and Drew Binkley are both products of Homewood who have followed that circular route. After college and jobs elsewhere, they returned to live in their hometown. “We love the fact that Homewood is a place where you know most of the people who walk by when you are working in the front yard,” Drew said.

Drew graduated from Homewood High School in 1995, one year ahead of Sue Ellen. Drew attended Auburn University, and Sue Ellen went off to James Madison University in Virginia for her undergraduate degree. She later attended the University of Memphis for graduate school.

They were friends in high school, but their relationship didn’t blossom until after they finished college and ran into one another at a Homewood High School football game in 2000. Sue Ellen took a van of elementary kids from the Homewood Park Heat Program to a Friday night football game. Another volunteer took the kids home while Sue Ellen stayed to chat with old friends.

Drew was one of those old friends, but after catching up at the game and afterwards at Oak Hill and Krispy Kreme, the two high school buddies decided there was more to their old friendship.

After they began dating, both Drew and Sue Ellen again moved away from Homewood – Drew to Memphis to start

a new job and Sue Ellen to Colorado. Because they had just started dating, the distance was difficult. However, both were embarking on new adventures that provided somewhat of a distraction to their distance.

Distance, however, was not an issue for long. Drew proposed, and in November 2001 the couple said their vows in Birmingham at Camp Hargis. Because of Drew’s job in Memphis, the newlyweds began their married life in Tennessee.

In the summer of 2004, Drew embarked on a new career adventure in Birmingham, and he and Sue Ellen were finally able to call Homewood their home again. Sue Ellen says that their decision to move home and raise their family in Homewood was an easy one.

“Having both sets of parents who live here made us feel at ease knowing they would be close to their grandchildren and be a part of their everyday lives,” Sue Ellen said.

The couple now has three beautiful children: Chandler, 6, Latham, 4, and Walker, 3. A fourth Binkley will be joining the crew in August of this year.

The family enjoys bike rides in the community, stopping for ice cream at Edgewood Creamery, and visiting the West Homewood pool in the summer months.

When Drew and Sue Ellen have a night out, they often go to Lovoy’s restaurant to dine on their favorite pasta dishes.

“There truly is no other place that offers such a community feeling like Homewood does,” Drew said.

Sue Ellen, Chandler, Drew, Latham and Walker Binkley.

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| May 2011 |

WALLACE - BURKE

D O W N T O W N H O M E W O O D • S O H O S Q U A R E . I N F O

The Homewood Star May 2011

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