homewood star february 2013

February 2013TheHomewoodStar.com

See TASTE OF HOMEWOOD | page 9

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Fresh Market, DSW, two Dunkin’ Donuts and other retailers are coming to Homewood this year, Mayor Scott McBrayer announced in his State of the City address on Jan. 15.

Fresh Market, an upscale grocery store, and DSW, a large shoe retailer, will locate adjacent

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

There is only one night each year that gathers the best Homewoood eats in one room. And this year it’s set for Feb. 21.

The 12th annual Taste of Homewood event will take place on that Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Rosewood Hall in SOHO.

“I look forward to everyone enjoying the food of Homewood and all the many tastes of the different restaurants,” said Homewood Chamber of Commerce Director Tricia Ford. “We feature something for every palate.”

Ford said several new restaurants are among the 30 vendors participating this year, including Little Donkey and Full Moon BBQ.

Entertainment will be provided by Alan Barlow, and like always, the event will feature a Mardi Gras theme.

The Chamber started Taste of Homewood 12 years ago with only a few restaurants participating, but it began to grow after finding a new home at Rosewood Hall.

This year the Chamber anticipates hosting around 500 guests. Ford said there is also

New shopping spots on the horizon

Flavor frenzy

Pastry Art Owner Dennis Gregg helps a Taste of Homewood participant select the right flavor of Baby Bite at last year’s event. Photo by Keith McCoy.

to the new Target on Lakeshore Drive next to Colonial Brookwood Village. Target is slated to open March 10.

A Dunkin’ Donuts will be located nearby beside the Shell station on Lakeshore Drive in front of the Target development. The second will be located at Oxmoor and Greensprings in the former Rally’s Hamburgers location.

A Restaurant Depot, a wholesale foodservice supplier, will fill the 53,000-square-foot former Bruno’s in Wildwood.

When The Homewood Star posted this development news to Facebook on Jan. 15, readers responded with an overwhelmingly immediate positive response.

“We were just saying that Homewood should have a Fresh Market,” Meredith Schaumburg Husnik said. “It’s so exciting!”

One reader voiced concern about the traffic, especially near Homewood High School, that the new developments on an already congested Lakeshore will create.

Also slated for construction in Homewood in 2013 are a Pep Boys auto parts and car repairs, Moretti Apartments on Valley Ave. and a 66-bed nursing facility near Brookdale Place on University Park Drive off Lakeshore.

Read The Homewood Star in print and online for more details on these new developments and any measures to be taken to address traffic concerns.

Taste of Homewood returns

A Father and Sons OperationMon-Thur: 7-7 Fri: 7-6:30, Sat: 9-4

1915 Oxmoor Rd. • 871.6131 [email protected] Hunter Payne and sons Winston and Collier

We Love Homewood

Burgers on Broadway

Sponsors ................. 4Celebrations ........... 5City ........................... 6Food ......................... 11Business ................. 12Community ............ 14School House ........ 18Sports ..................... 22 Calendar ................ 23Opinion ................... 23

INSIDE

facebook.com/thehomewoodstar

Business page 13

Food page 11

The Homewood Starneighborly news & entertainment for HomewoodVolume 2 | Issue 11 | February 2013

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Since 1955 children have visited Sikes in downtown Homewood for a pair of Mary Janes or tennis shoes. Meet the family who has owned it all these years inside. Photo by Keith McCoy.

At JoJo’s Diner on Broadway, serving a Hot Burger or Rueben is all in the family. Learn more about their menu and new expansion in this issue. Photo by Madoline Markham.

The shoe still fits

February 2013 The Homewood Star

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETINGPROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038(531)

Intersection Improvements on SR-38 (US-280) at SR-119 and Additional Lanes on SR-119 from Corporate Drive to Brook Highland Parkway

Thursday, February 28, 2013The Church at Brook Hills – Student Center

3145 Brook Highland ParkwayBirmingham, Alabama 35242

4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Display maps prepared for this project will be available for inspection. Information packets, which include a comment form, will be provided to you at the sign-in table. Representatives from ALDOT and the Design Consultants will be present to assist in explaining the display maps, discussing the scope

of the project and responding to your questions and concerns about the project. Your written comments regarding this project may be submitted

during this meeting, or by Friday, March 15, 2013 to the address listed below:

Mr. Brian C. Davis, Division Engineer Alabama Department of Transportation – Third Division

P.O. Box 2745 Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2745

Attn: Mrs. Sandra F. P. Bonner

For additional information or for individuals requiring special assistance contact the ALDOT - Division O�ce, (205) 581-5725. Request for special assistance should be received at least �ve (5) business days prior to the meeting.

Updated information on the proposed US-280 Intersection Improvements will be available at this meeting:PROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038( )

US Highway 280 Intersection Improvements/Access Management From Hollywood Boulevard to Doug Baker Boulevard

Begin Project

End Project

Meeting Location

2 •

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The Homewood Starneighborly news & entertainment for Homewood

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

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About Us

Editor’s Note By Ashley Berkery

Photo of the Month Please Support our Sponsors

For advertising contact:[email protected]

Dan StarnesKeith McCoyAshley BerkeryMadoline MarkhamJeff ThompsonMatthew AllenRhonda SmithWarren CaldwellAnna Cate LittleLauren DentonKatey CourtneyMerrick WilsonRick WatsonEddie MacksoundAllie SaxonHomewood Star LLC

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Allie Saxon, a Nashville native, is a senior English major at Birmingham-Southern College. She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority and enjoys volunteering with the sorority’s local philanthropies. Allie enjoys writing, fashion, working with children, the arts and sports. She loves reading poetry written by Adrienne Rich.

Meet our intern

‘Tis the month of love, candy hearts and chocolate. And did I mention love? I never really enjoyed Valentine’s Day until I got married four years ago. Even last year, we celebrated quietly at home with tacos, a baby on the way and Noah’s homemade painting for Dad. But this year I am more excited than usual. There is a lot to do in Homewood in February, and we have a great issue that captures the best of it for you.

You will find articles that will inspire you, recipes for sweet treats that will tickle your taste buds, and lessons on love and marriage.

Edgewood resident Dr. Jacqueline Dillon DeMarco is a dear friend and a professional clinical psychologist. Her article, “Scuffed Shoes – The Key to a Happy Marriage,” is one you will definitely want to read on page 8. We could all use an extra dose of wisdom, especially the advice from her 93-year

old grandmother, the kind of priceless, and humorous, counsel you just can’t get except from a grandmother.

Speaking of love, it sometimes carries a meaning that reaches beyond just hugs and kisses. Love can be interpreted as loyalty, honor or sacrifice. Edgewood resident Buzz

Veal shares an amazing story of his days in Vietnam and how he ended up honoring one of his fellow soldiers, a friend with whom he served. Read his inspiring story on page 10.

We have delicious recipes to share with you this Valentine’s holiday – and, of course, all are desserts. Check out the sweetest of the sweets on page 7. And speaking of delicious, have you tried a burger from JoJo’s Diner yet? If not, you must go to Broadway’s latest quaint diner for one. It’s a fortunate thing for me that JoJo’s is a short walk from my house! Its Restaurant Showcase is on page 11.

Our Business Spotlight this month celebrates 58 wonderful years of Sikes Shoes anchoring the hill in downtown Homewood. I went there as a little girl for new shoes and am now shopping there for my own children. It is truly a special experience that every child should enjoy (and it often includes an “after shoes” trip nextdoor to Savage’s for a smiley face cookie). Long-standing businesses like Sikes make Homewood the special place it is, so be sure to read their profile on page 13.

And lastly, we at The Homewood Star love you, our readers and advertisers. We appreciate you and hope that you have a February filled with love and happiness. I can’t send each of you a valentine, but perhaps this issue of The Star will suffice.

As always, reach me at [email protected] should you have any questions, feedback or story ideas to share. I love hearing from you!

Homewood Fire Department built a snow man during the Jan. 17 snow storm. Photo courtesy of Charlie Boyd.

MORE ONLINE Find snow day photos at thehomewoodstar.com.

4 •


Engagement story told by the bride-to-be

On Dec. 4, my boyfriend, Matt Culbreth, told me that before he headed home he had to meet his mom on the highway to “pick up some bills.” Now, I know he thought he was being sneaky, but I was secretly hoping those bills were very pretty. I knew he and I both had a day off on Thursday, and I was hoping for an early Christmas present. My wish came true that Thursday night.

After looking at Christmas lights and eating dinner at Italian restaurant in English Village, we headed to Samford because we hadn’t seen the campus all decorated for Christmas and we knew it was beautiful at nighttime.

Matt asked if I would like to open my presents from him under the tree. He took out a little gift box, and inside was an ornament. Four more little boxes followed, and Matt talked about what they meant to us and how they were going to go on our Christmas tree. The fourth one was a 2012 ornament because,

as he said, it was going to be the best Christmas I had so far so we needed to remember it. Finally, Matt took out the last ornament, telling me he thought I was going to like it the best.

I definitely got extremely anxious at this point, and it took me a second to take “the ornament” out after seeing that it was a ring box! I knew what that meant. I saw a sparkling ring and quickly threw my arms around Matt, exclaiming how beautiful it was. Matt asked me to marry him, looking into my eyes with a huge smile on his face. I screamed, “Of course!” and a few other sweet things, hugged him, and then started running in circles calling my family and texting all of my friends as Matt did the same.

We celebrate our second anniversary on Valentine’s Day, and we’ll be married at Reid Chapel on July 13 of this year.

Craig Kleimeyer interned for The Homewood Star and is a graduate student at Samford, where she and Matthew Culbreth met as undergraduates.

Kristin Marie Mullins and Christopher Michael Patton united in marriage on Nov. 10 at Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church. The wedding was subtly unified by a theme of light throughout the church and reception hall to signify the light of the Lord guiding the bride and groom’s path for their future.

The ceremony was co-officiated by Kristin’s childhood pastor, the Rev. Brad Allison, and her uncle, the Rev. Allan Poole. Standing beside the bride was her maid of honor, Meagan Mullins, accompanied by her bridesmaids Ashley McCullars, Stephanie Sweatt, Ellie Poole and Lacey Viner. The groom was surrounded by his close friends, including his best man, Trever Tummins, and groomsmen Bryan Vaughn, Zach Pelham, Jonathan Jeans and Feras Sadik.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Patton were welcomed into the reception hall with cheers and love from their friends and family. After the wedding, the couple cruised the Southern Caribbean.

They are beginning their life as husband and wife in their new Clarksville, Tenn., home. Kristin, a Homewood native, is a speech-language pathologist working with special needs children, and Chris is an accountant serving as a controller for a manufacturing company. Photo courtesy of Jevois Photography.

Dana Lynn Parrish and Alexander James McSorley married on Oct. 6 at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church.

Lacy Lee Kamber was the Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Beth McSorley, Miranda Smoot, Lacy Hartley, Brooke Turner Stone, Lauren Kemp Ebrahimi, Katie Kemp and Anne Wallace. Joey McSorley was the Best Man. Groomsmen were Jason Parrish, John Joseph, Andy Boohaker, Joseph Tatonetti, Brandon Watkins, Butch Owens, Scott Swiderski and Rusty White.

The bride, a Homewood native, was given away by her father Rev. Tom Parrish. Rev. Jimmy Aycock and Rev. Tom Parrish officiated. The reception followed at Rosewood Hall in Homewood. The couple resides in Hoover.

Photo courtesy of Jevois Photography.

Kleimeyer-Culbreth Mullins-Patton

Parrish-McSorley

CelebrationsHave an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email [email protected] to have it included in an upcoming issue!

• 5


On Thursday, Jan. 10, Homewood Police Sergeant Eric Hampton and Janie Shellworth-White, a member of the Homewood Police Foundation and President of the Homewood Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, participated in the 2013 Race to the Top of the Tower in Orange Beach. Participants raced 33

flights of stairs to the top of Turquoise Place Tower.

Shellworth-White finished in fifth place with a time of 5:54, and Sergeant Hampton finished in 5:59 in seventh place. Proceeds from the race went to the Special Olympics of Alabama.

By LT. JASON HALLMAN

Electric space heaters are responsible for many injuries, deaths and fires every year because of careless use.

“The dangers of space heaters can be greatly minimized by understanding and following some basic safety concepts,” said Homewood Fire Chief John Bresnan.

HFD recommends these tips for space heaters:ff Keep space heaters at least three feet away from household combustibles.ff Keep children and animals away from space

heaters.ff Never leave a space heater unattended.ff Do not use extension cords on space heaters.ff Never operate a space heater while you are sleeping.ff Do not use space heaters to dry other items.ff Never place any other items on top of the space heater.ff Make sure your space heater has an automatic tip-over switch that turns the heater off if it is knocked over.ff Look for a UL mark on your space heater. This means it meets stringent safety standards.– Submitted by Homewood Fire Department

Homewood Police Participate in Race to the Top of the Tower

Space heater safety

6 •

CityMayor’s Minute

Dear friends and neighbors,

On Jan. 15, I had the opportunity to deliver the State of the City Address at The Club. I always look forward to that speech because I have the opportunity to discuss all the positive achievements that have taken place over the past year. Today, I would like to recap parts of the speech I think you will find interesting.

When I was first elected Mayor in 2008, I knew one of the most important and impactful characteristics I would need to possess as Mayor would be to have the ability to Focus On The Outcome (FOTO). Whether we are playing sports, involved in politics, or running a successful business, a common denominator exists. Do we get caught up in the little things that knock us off track or do we focus on the outcome? Focusing on the outcome has probably become one of my most important jobs.

All of our decisions for the City must be based on character, honesty, civility, vision and truthfulness. With the absence of even one of these fundamental qualities, you end up with a government that is greedy and broken, serving no one but those in charge. It is important that we stand firm, tell people the truth and make decisions that affect Homewood in a positive way. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”

All of our city departments have had

a very busy year, and I’m proud of them for the work they have accomplished. It’s been said that government does not produce revenue but that it consumes it. But I’m proud to report for the fourth year in a row the City of Homewood has created more revenue than has been consumed. The city has brought in just over $3.9 million more than it has spent in the past four

years. We were able to give raises to our employees, continue longevity and provide a bonus to each employee for their hard work and frugality. We have built a Rainy Day Fund consisting of more than $10 million and a Capital Project Fund with $8 million.

So you can see that Homewood continues to move forward despite the economy and despite the naysayers. The history of Homewood and the great advances that have been made possible is not a story of cynics or criers of doom. Rather it’s a gallant chronicle of the optimist — the determined people, men and women, who dreamed great dreams and dared to try whatever it took to make them come true. So we too move ahead with a strong State of the City and look forward to a great 2013.

Sincerely,

Scott McBrayerMayorCity of Homewood


“� e Wade Team”

1703 OXMOOR ROAD across from Homewood Park

Cindy Wade & Danielle Wade 283-2349 966-9600

[email protected] • [email protected]

Our Heart Is In Homewood and So Are We

Your Realty Specialists

• 7

The City of Homewood named it’s public service employees of the year following Mayor Scott McBrayer’s State of the City address to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 15.

Gregory GarrettFirefighter of the YearHomewood Fire Chief John

Bresnan recognized Garrett’s role as not just a paramedic and firefighter but also as an apparatus operator (fire engine driver) and breathing apparatus repair

specialist. Bresnan also recognized Garrett for his work ethic and leadership skills.

Eric MarquardPolice Officer of the Year Homewood Police Chief Jim

Roberson spoke of how Marquard, a 19-year police veteran and Patrol Division Lead, has a professional demeanor that inspires others. Marquard also is a member of the tactical team, a firearms instructor and a field training officer, Roberson said.

Oanh NguyenCity Employee of the YearLibrary Director Deborah

Fout recounted how Nguyen, an administrative assistant at the Homewood Public Library, was born in Vietnam and served four years in the U.S. Air Force before coming to the Library in 1999. Fout and McBrayer both spoke of how Nguyen not only does her job well, but also helps behind the scenes at the library and other areas of city administration.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

There was a special guest appearance from the Homewood Police Department during Mayor Scott McBrayer’s State of the City address on Jan. 15: canine officer Shiloh. When a bank robbery suspect ran into the woods after dark last year, it was Shiloh who found him in a ravine. And when a burglary culprit saw Shiloh, he climbed a fence back over to the side of the police.

Shiloh’s work was just one of the many praises McBrayer sung of the city during his hour-long speech to the Homewood Chamber of Commerce luncheon at The Club, reminding everyone what we love best about the City of Homewood.

“Our school system is second to none,” McBrayer said. “And we have the finest police department and fire department in any city.”

Last year the Homewood Fire Department responded 3,560 times, with an average response time of five and a half minutes.

“That’s incredible,” McBrayer said.Homewood Police Department responded to

24,235 calls in 2012.

For the fourth year in a row, Homewood ended the year with a surplus, McBrayer said, creating more revenue than it consumed. The room applauded at this announcement.

Then, the mayor had all the city’s department heads and city council members stand.

“That is why we have a surplus,” he said, referring to each of them.

The 2012 fiscal year ended with a $1.9 million budget and a surplus of $1 million. The surplus, when added to the general fund, totaled nearly $4 million over the past four years.

At year’s end, plans for the Homewood Community Center and Lakeshore Greenway were underway. Patriot Park had been completed, and Target was set to open March 10.

For 2013, the city is planning for more sidewalk projects, the purchase of two new clam shell brush loaders, progress on the new phases of the Lakeshore Greenway project, the Oxmoor Road project, and $60,000 in fencing at West Oxmoor Park.

Canine officers, a budget surplus and lots of Homewood love

Mayor Scott McBrayer talks about how Shiloh, a member of the canine unit, has been instrumental in his role with the Homewood Police Department over the past year.

City honors employees of the year

Police Chief Jim Roberson announced Eric Marquard as Officer of the Year on Jan. 15.

Mayor delivers annual State of the City address


By DR. JACQUELINE DILLON DEMARCO

My 93-year-old grandma, who was married for more than 70 years, told me her secret to a lasting marriage: “If you don’t want to shine his shoes for the rest of your life, don’t start now.” She gave me good advice because couples fall into routines, or patterns of behavior that become familiar over time. While some of these patterns are healthy, some are also unhealthy. The first step toward improving a marriage is recognizing these unhealthy patterns.

A common misconception about marriage is that arguing is “bad.” If couples do not disagree at some point in their relationship, they think it is doubtful they are communicating effectively and honestly. What matters is not if a couple argues; it is how the couple argues. Arguing by constantly criticizing your spouse, making personal attacks toward your spouse, becoming defensive or emotionally shutting down may be red flags that there are some unresolved problems in your marriage.

In order to improve your relationship, communication is key. Many arguments begin because of miscommunication or lack of communication, and then making false assumptions to fill in the gaps. To communicate effectively, especially when communicating is a problem, some important points to remember are to start positive and be specific about what you are communicating. Then, express your feelings using “I” statements (ex: “I

Scuffed shoes

Dr. Jacqueline Dillon DeMarco with her husband, Paul. Photo courtesy of Jacqueline DeMarco.

The key to a happy marriage?

feel angry when…”), and be brief when defining your problem. It is also important to be a good listener. Many times, we are so focused on making our own point that we do not completely “hear” what our spouse is attempting to tell us.

Repeat back to your spouse the gist of what they are trying to convey and see if you are correct. Further, attempt to

understand and empathize with what your spouse is saying and feeling. This can reduce problems related to miscommunication and may validate your spouse’s feelings.

It is also important to spend quality time with one another. Although cell phones keep everyone connected and are great methods of communicating information, time spent together is priceless. Set a “date night” every month or every other week that is reserved for just you and your spouse. On your date night, put your phones away and try to stay in the moment. Use this time to communicate and reconnect with one another.

The truth is, marriage can be hard, and you have to work at it just as you do anything else. More than half of marriages end in divorce, and the rate increases when it comes to second marriages. Further, unhappy marriages are associated with both physical and emotional stress, which can lead to increased risk of physical illness and potentially even shorten your life. So, investing in the time and effort to improve your marriage can potentially lead to a longer and healthier life for both you and your

spouse. In the long run, wouldn’t you rather have scuffed shoes and a happy marriage? I know I would.

Homewood resident Dr. Jacqueline Dillon DeMarco is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Office Park who offers both individual and couple therapy to adult clients (ages 18+).

By EDDIE MACKSOUD

The Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County is accepting applications from female high school students graduating in 2014 and residing in Jefferson County. The deadline for receiving applications is March 1, 2013.

The program, formerly Jefferson County’s Junior Miss, will take place July 19-20 at Samford University. Interested young women may visit DistinguishedYW.org to apply.

There is no entry fee. Participants compete in the categories of fitness, self-expression, interview, scholastics and talent. Last year, awards included more than $13,500 in cash-tuition scholarships and more than $460,000 in college-granted scholarships. With a qualifying GPA and test score, any participant in the program is eligible to compete for scholarship awards.

The Jefferson County representative will advance to the Distinguished Young Women Program of Alabama in Montgomery, where she will compete for additional scholarships.

All state winners will travel to Mobile to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2014 and for a share of more than $125,000 in cash scholarships.

Founded in Mobile in 1958, then as America’s Junior Miss, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for young ladies in high school. During its 55-year history, more than 700,000 have participated.

Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. National sponsors include the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Encore Rehabilitation, Spanx Foundation, Mobile Gas: a Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation and Regions Bank.

For more information, contact Eddie Macksoud, Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County, at 907-0210 or [email protected].

Call for applications: 2013 Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County

930 Oxmoor Roadwww.homewoodantiques.com

(205)414-9945

antiques, furniture, artwork, gifts,children’s items,custom nursery bedding, area rugs, jewelry,home accessories, lamps, monogramming, upholstery service,custom slip covers, and so much more!!!

Red Balloon Sale Saturday February 16th!

8 •


Area residents enjoy last year’s Taste of Homewood event.

Valentines treatsRECIPE

By RICHARD LAMOREAUX Owner, Mangia Mangia RECIPE

Topping1 cup sour cream2 T. sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a small microwavable bowl. Cook in microwave for approximately two minutes.

Petite Cheesecakes2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature3 egg yolks3/4 c. sugar3 egg whites, beaten stiff4 T. butter melted1 box graham cracker crumbsTopping (recipe below)

Beat cream cheese with electric mixer until fl uffy. Add egg yolks and mix. Then add sugar and mix thoroughly. Fold in egg whites.

Melt butter and use to brush mini muffi n pans with butter. Place a spoonful of graham cracker crumbs in each cup and then shake the tin until each cup is covered inside with crumbs.

Shake excess crumbs onto wax paper and reuse. Continue until all pans are dusted with crumbs.

Fill the cups almost full with cream cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. Cool well before topping.

Red Velvet Cake Bites1 Prepared Red Velvet Cake (for example, Duncan Hines box recipe),cooled16 oz. Cream Cheese Frosting24 oz. Vanilla Flavored Candy Coating, melted

Crumble cake in a bowl with your hands. Mix Cream Cheese Frosting with cake crumbles. Roll mixture into small balls and drizzle the melted candy coating over top of cake balls. Refrigerate until serving.

Put 1 tsp. of topping mixture on top of each cake in the center. Remove from tins carefully by using a butter knife around the edges.

Chill or freeze until serving.

increased interest from people all over Birmingham and the state in the event.

Money raised is returned to the Chamber to support local businesses.

The Homewood Star, CBS 42, Alagasco and Samford University Radio are sponsoring the event.

Tickets to Taste of Homewood are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, located in the

Homewood Library, or online at homewoodchamber.com.

For more information on Taste of Homewood, call Tricia Ford at 871-5631.

Go OnlineTheHomewoodStar.comff See a full list of participating restaurants.ff Watch a video from last year’s Taste of Homewood for a sneak peek of this year’s event.

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• 9


Faith

By JEFF THOMPSON

Arguably, the most important person in the life of William C. “Buzz” Veal was Lenny Nute.

If not for Nute, Veal might never have attended Cumberland Law School and opened a law firm in Birmingham. He might have missed marrying his wife, Dell, or fathering two daughters and welcoming a stepson, Brian, into his family. He might never have seen his three granddaughters, Madison, Avrie and Claire.

Because without Nute, Veal believes he wouldn’t be alive.

Leonard K. Nute had 120 days remaining on his tour when Veal was assigned to Nute’s platoon in 1966. They were stationed in the Quang Tin province near the Cambodian border of South Vietnam.

With infantry embedded deep in the jungle, one of the most important members of the platoon was the man responsible for outside communication – the Radio/Telephone Operator (RTO).

“The RTO was usually carefully chosen,” reports tourofdutyinfo.com. “He had to be someone with experience, who wouldn’t get rattled under fire… It was also a dangerous job, since the radio antenna said to the enemy, ‘Shoot me first.’”

As RTO at the time, Nute was responsible for the regiment’s PRC-25, a 23.5-pound metal box the size

of a case of soda. It was cumbersome to carry and came with grave risk. Nute’s commanding officers tried to strip him of the duty and pass it to Veal.

“They saw me and thought, ‘Oh here’s a big guy, he’ll get to carry the radio,’” Veal said.

But Nute declined. He held onto the heavy metal box, and Veal believes it’s what cost Nute his life.

“For 25 years I couldn’t even talk about it,” Veal said. “They brought a mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall to Birmingham several years ago, and a buddy took me down there and showed me (Nute’s) name.

“I just couldn’t stay.”Over the past decade, Veal began to

learn that the more he talked about his experiences in Vietnam, the better he felt. Eventually, he decided it was time to tell the story of the man who saved his life. He wanted those who knew and loved Lenny Nute to find closure – and know that he would always be remembered.

Veal set out to find Nute’s friends and family, calling around Nute’s hometown of Hudson, N.H., a city of approximately 25,000. After a frustrating lack of success, he drafted a letter in 2010 and sent it to both The Birmingham News and New Hampshire’s Hudson-Litchfield News. Both papers published the piece, but, in the Northeast, it had entirely different meaning.

According to a story by Doug

A Vietnam veteran’s search to learn more about the

man who saved his life

Homewood resident and Vietnam War veteran William “Buzz” Veal, left, salutes the memory of the man he credits for having saved his life, Lenny Nute, in Hudson, N.H. in 2011. He is joined by Gene, Mary and Jim Nute. Photo by Doug Robinsin. Reprinted courtesy of the Hudson~Litchfield News.

Robinson printed July 30, 2010 in the Hudson-Litchfield News, Nute’s death certificate reads he died of “multiple fragmentation wounds.” Unknowingly, Veal’s letter explained to Nute’s hometown just how that came to pass – right there, on the front page.

It was a rare occasion that the chaplain would come to the deep woods to visit the troops, but this day he did. We were over near the Cambodian border. Nute kept a small cribbage board with him, and we played some that evening. Then, my squad was sent to be a listening post for the night.

We went out past the bottom of the hill where the rest of the platoon and some mortars were set up. The next morning, we were hit hard by the North Vietnamese. I was with my squad at the bottom of the hill, and as we started up the hill the next morning, a bullet went over our heads. Then it really broke

loose. The first mortar round landed beside Nute, and he died on that small hill somewhere west of Pleiku, Vietnam.

Veal said the Hudson-Litchfield News called him after they received the letter, and told him Nute was not only remembered but that his legacy had also been preserved. As the first Hudson soldier killed in the war, Nute’s high school gym now bears a plaque dedicating the facility as the “Leonard K. Nute Gymnasium.”

But it kept going. For 44 years, the American Legion Post in Hudson had honored Nute’s memory with a 21-gun salute, which Nute’s brother, Gene, attended every year.

Veal called the Legion post and confirmed what the paper told him. He told the woman on the other end of the line he was absolutely going to be there for the 45th year.

“Well I just got my new Grand

Marshal,” she replied.So, in 2011, Veal and his wife

went to New Hampshire, where they were received warmly. They met Gene Nute, saw the plaque that bore Lenny’s name and witnessed the salute. He and Dell then visited Lenny’s grave.

“It’s amazing how he’ll always be a young guy,” Veal said.

After the trip, Veal said his regret was in his timing. Nute’s parents had already passed away, never knowing the extent to which their son’s heroism extended. But if not for Veal and his courage to break the silence, many more still wouldn’t.

“In my mind, it’s not about me,” Veal said. “It’s about the people like Lenny who died when they were 20 years old and never had the opportunity to tell their stories. I lived through it just so I could.”

A more personal mission10 •


By MADOLINE MARKHAM

For brother and sister Joe and Zelda Resha, food is all in the family. With inspiration from each parent seasoned in the restaurant business, plus their own fl air, they opened JoJo’s Diner on Broadway in April.

“(The business) is in our blood, I guess,” Zelda said. “Joe was in the insurance business before, but he enjoys this a whole lot more.”

Joe, the owner, runs the kitchen and created the menu. Zelda, 10 years his junior, manages the cash register, waits tables and is also the restaurant baker. Occasionally Joe and Zelda’s mom, Phyllis, fi lls in for one of them, but generally you will fi nd only the brother and sister and cooks William Robertson and Barrett Andrews.

The diner’s space is small, with four booths and four bar stools, but their business is continuous.

Meat dominates the menu, which is best known for its burgers and Reuben.

“Meat was always a subject in our house growing up,” Zelda said. “We grind our own combination of brisket and chuck for all the burgers. We corn the beef for our Rueben. People from up North are surprised that it tastes like one from home; they say it’s incredible.”

And everything on the menu has a story. Jinky’s Chicken Salad is their dad Tommy’s recipe and is named for a restaurant he used to own. The

Read past Restaurant Showcases at TheHomewoodStar.com Restaurant Showcase

JoJo’s Diner JoJo’s Diner on Broadway903 Broadway Street

877-8058Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m.-close

For brother and sister Joe and

With inspiration from each parent

plus their own fl air, they opened

waits tables and is also the restaurant

Jerk Chicken Sandwich evolved from a Jerk Chicken appetizer Tommy served at his restaurants. The marinated chicken is topped with grilled peppers and onion and spread with Joe’s jerk mayo.

The whole family loves spicy things, so Joe created a hot burger with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño dill pickles and chipotle ranch on a jalapeño cheddar bun.

Joe is also the mastermind behind all their daily specials, which they post on Facebook.

“He doesn’t go by any recipes, and it’s always incredible,” Zelda said.

A cousin nicknamed Babs suggested they make a burger with fried egg on top; the Babs burger is a

bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg.Pretty much everything on the

menu — eggs, fries, burgers, even lettuce and tomatoes — is sprinkled with Joe’s special seasoning mix.

“We call it the ‘248,’” Zelda said. “Joe made it up.”

Another specialty ingredient is the JoJo sauce, their blend of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup.

“I can’t tell you much more than that, but it’s incredible,” Zelda said. “People put it on fries, burgers and anything else they can. It’s not barbecue-y like other burger sauces.”

JoJo’s all-beef hot dogs are topped with Downtown Sauce, another one of Joe’s secrets. It’s like a chili sauce. The Broadway Dog is topped with

sauerkraut and onion, and the Slaw Dog with a vinegar-based Lebanese (Tommy is Lebanese) slaw sauce made with lemon, olive oil and mint.

For the winter season, Joe is serving up his specialty brisket, sausage, bacon, beef and bean chili, served with a grilled cheese.

One last – but certainly not least – note on the menu: breakfast is served all day.

“We are the only place I know where people can order a burger with a side of grits,” Zelda said.

And to top off a meaty sandwich, JoJo’s makes milkshakes with whole milk, ice cream and syrup, or Zelda always has an offering of brown sugar cookies, cake pops or her latest

creation, Crème Brulee Cupcakes.This month, Jo Jo’s is expanding

into retail space to the right of the diner and will start selling Alabama craft beer and wine.

Zelda said their customers are becoming like family, too, as they are watching kids grow up.

Joe is a 1995 Homewood High School graduate. Zelda recently moved to the area and said she doesn’t plan to leave.

The close ties of brother and sister to the business of feeding people and making them happy, and doing so in Homewood, are likely to stay strong to the next generation – Joe’s 3-year-old son, Joseph Jr. or “Jo Jo,” is the diner’s namesake after all.

JoJo’s Diner Manager Zelda Resha and Owner Joe Resha. Photo by Madoline Markham.

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• 11


Belk, Inc. presented a check for $10,000 to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which is based in Homewood. Kelli Holmes, Director of Development, former Greater Birmingham Humane Society; Jacqueline Meyer, Executive Director, Greater Birmingham Humane Society; and Jan Clevenger, chair of the Belk Western Division.

D1 Sports Training Facility in Homewood recently participated in the National D1 Testing Day along with the 17 other D1 locations across the country. Carson Griffis, a ninth grader at Homewood High School, broke two national records for the Developmental Group, ages 12-14.

His broad jump was 8 feet, 7 inches, and his pro-agility was 4.22 seconds. He also placed second nationally in the 20-yard dash at 2.7 seconds and the medicine ball throw of 45 feet, 31 inches.

D1 offers speed, agility and strength

Dave’s Pizza re-opened its doors Jan. 14. The restaurant temporarily closed following the death of owner Dave Morrison in early December.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The restaurant features $2 beer Monday-Saturday, Feed the Family for $14.99 Tuesday and half-off bottles of wine on Wine Down Wednesdays.

Dave’s is located at 1819 29th Ave. South in downtown Homewood. For more, call 871-3283.

Hunter’s Cleaners in downtown Homewood started offering a new eco-friendly automobile for home deliveries late January.

The Polaris GEM (Global Electric Motorcar) e4 has an area where garments can hang without wrinkling, as well as a storage area for bags of clothes.

The cleaning service will provide deliveries to homes around the downtown Homewood area and will service most of the Hollywood and Edgewood areas.

The service runs 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more, call Hunter’s Cleaners at 871-6131.

Hunter’s Cleaners to offer home delivery service

Hunter Payne delivers dry cleaning to local homes in his business’ new GEM. Photo by Allie Saxon.

Dave’s Pizza back in business

Belk donates to humane society

HHS student places in D1 competition

Carson Griffis

training for athletes of all ages. For more information, visit d1sportstraining.com.

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Skybucket celebrates 10 years in music businessBy MICHAEL SEALE

Travis Morgan, owner of Homewood-based Skybucket Records, developed his vision for the company with only a love of music and the hope it would survive the industry’s high failure rate.

Currently, as he gears up to celebrate the label’s 10th Anniversary with an event in February, few independent record labels can boast what Homewood-based Skybucket can,

“Back when we started Skybucket, there was really only one other label (in Birmingham) to my knowledge,” Morgan said. “They were kind of at the tail end of putting out records. They had their style, and the rest was wide open. It’s like opening an ice cream shop next to a swimming pool in the summer. Well, something like that.”

What made Morgan want to venture into the business was an excitement he had for the Birmingham music

scene. “I used to be into Remy Zero when I was in high school, and discovered Verbena shortly after that. I’ve always been into record labels since I recognized what they were. Labels’ purposes resonated very highly with me.”

Morgan said he is thankful to still have momentum as Skybucket moves into its second decade of business. The 10th anniversary event is set for Feb. 8 and 9 at Bottletree Café in Avondale.

For more, visit skybucket.com.

12 •

Homewood Happenings


By RICK WATSON

The wildly popular TV series The Little Rascals hit the airwaves in 1955. That same year on Valentine’s Day, Sikes Shoes opened for business.

“Frankie Sikes always said that every city needs one good children’s shoe store,” current owner Frank Youngs said.

Youngs married into the Sikes family in the early 1960s, and his father-in-law offered him a position with the store.

“I’d just graduated from the University of Alabama as a marketing major and needed a job,” Youngs said.

Fortunately the work suited him. Sikes opened a second store in

Vestavia, and Youngs moved to that store in 1968. He stayed there until 1991, when he bought the business from Sikes’ son.

The location at 2920 18th Street is situated perfectly to service not only Homewood customers, but also customers in surrounding neighborhoods such as in Mountain Brook, Vestavia and Hoover.

“We have customers who come from Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Montgomery to shop at our store,” Youngs said, adding he thinks it’s because the business has stayed true to its original mission of carrying only quality footwear and providing great service.

Some businesses complain about the impact the Internet and big-box

Sikes ShoesSikes Childrens Shoes

2920 18th Street South879-3433

Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

stores have had on small businesses, but Youngs said he’s kept customers by offering quality shoes for kids that are guaranteed to fi t. The clerks know how to measure a child’s feet and fi t them with shoes that wear properly, according to Youngs. Unlike Walmart, when you come into Sikes Shoes, you will see a familiar face.

“Our people have been here for 10 and 15 years,” he said, pointing out that one woman who works at his

Jack and Jill children’s clothing store next door has been working there 30 years.

The iconic store runs like a well-oiled machine, according to Youngs.

“I don’t do a lot of work, I have great employees who handle the day- to-day operations,” he said. “The business is like a pretty good train on the track. My job is to keep it there.”

The rewarding thing for Youngs is that families have bought shoes

at Sikes for generations. “We have young mothers who got their shoes at Sikes as a child, bring their kids in for their fi rst pair of shoes,” he said.

There’s a lot of talk about changing demographics in Homewood, but Youngs said he doesn’t see it. The only thing different now is that it seems some young mothers are looking for “the next hot thing” in shoes. Youngs said chasing trends

is a fast way to lose your shirt, so to speak.

“You can’t get too far off track on trends. I also don’t plan to try and ‘out Walmart’ Walmart.”

Youngs had four sons with his fi rst wife Nancy, and later became a stepfather to a son and daughter by his second wife, Karen. He now has two grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren, the latest being a granddaughter.

Sikes owner Frank YoungsHalie Fulmer helps Mia Paige Kendrick fi nd the perfect shoe with the perfect fi t. Photos by Keith McCoy.

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• 13

Read past Business Spotlights at TheHomewoodStar.com Business Spotlight


This year’s Muscular Dystrophy Walk will be held to honor adults and children with any of the more than 40 muscle diseases in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA’s) program. The walk will be held at Homewood Central Park on March 16 at 10 a.m.

The event provides fun and light exercise with kids, friends, parents, grandparents, students, corporate teams and more, but

participants walk to raise funds to help the MDA foster research and provide vital services to families affected by neuromuscular disease.

Participants can start a team, join a team or individually walk. For every dollar donated, 77 cents supports MDA’s research, health care services and education programs.

For more, visit the event’s page on mda.org or call (800) 572-1717.

UAB Medicine/ UAB Compre-hensive Cancer Center will hold Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) PurpleStride at Homewood Park on Feb. 23.

This event will have a timed 5K on a USATF-certifi ed course and 1-mile fun run/walk to honor and remember loved ones, as well as kids’ activities, music, a special Zumba warm-up and more.

Gifts can be donated to a specifi c

individual, team or a general donation. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to pancreatic cancer research.

Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the race will begin at 8 a.m.

For more information, please contact Kathryn Brekle at [email protected] or visit kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1039982. To make a donation, call (877) 272-6226.

The Winter Festival is returning to Shades Cahaba Elementary on Feb. 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Entertainment will include outdoor games, a rock climbing wall, inflatables and slides. Inside, there will be more games, including Girly Girl Salon, where kids can have their nails painted and add a splash of color to hair. At the Walk the Plank room kids can be a pirate complete with eye patch and

tattoos.There will also be a silent auction

with gift cards and services from many local merchants, as well as summer camp packages. Proceeds benefi t the Shades Cahaba Elementary School.

Games and lunch are paid for with tickets. Tickets are 50 cents each, and individual wristbands are $15.

For more information, contact Stephanie Kennedy at [email protected].

February fun at Shades Cahaba festival

PurpleStride run to raise support for pancreatic cancer research

Making a difference at the Muscular Dystrophy walk

Troop 97 honors four Eagle Scouts

Eagle Scouts Zach Blomeley, Zach Sims, Ross Page and Chris Campbell. Photo courtesy of Andi Sims.

Recently, Troop 97 of the Boy Scouts of America celebrated the achievement of the Eagle Scout rank for Ross Page, Chris Campbell, Zach Blomeley and Zach Sims, all from Homewood.

Collectively, these young men have logged almost 400 nights of camping, more than 100 merit badges, more than 20 leadership positions, hundreds of miles of hikes, thousands of hours to their community and an Arrow of Light each.

In addition, they have traversed and experienced many BSA high adventure bases and hiking trails including: Florida Sea Base, Double H, Philmont, Pinhoti, Chickamauga, Fiery Gizzard and Appalachian Trails. Chris Campbell and Zach Blomeley also received the Order of the Arrow designation.

Each young man started his scouting career in the fi rst grade as Tiger Cubs and has worked his way up through the ranks as a Cub Scout, crossed

over to Boy Scouts and now have reached the elusive level of becoming an Eagle Scout, an accomplishment achieved by less than 5 percent of all Boy Scouts.

Presently, Ross Page is a freshman at the University of Alabama majoring in business and a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Chris Campbell, Zach Blomeley and Zach Sims are seniors at Homewood High School, where Campbell and Blomeley play in the Homewood High School Band and Sims serves as captain of the Homewood Patriots football and wrestling teams.

Campbell plans to study mechanical engineering in the fall while Blomeley has plans to attend Auburn University. Sims is currently being recruited to play college football and recently started as center for the Alabama Team in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.

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By ALLIE SAXON

Birmingham Fashion Week is back for its third annual event starting Saturday, Feb. 23, with the fi nale runway show on Saturday, March 2 at Pepper Place in downtown Birmingham.

Showcasing world-renown designers and top models, the week’s schedule has expanded from four days to seven days of runway shows and parties.

Homewood boutiques Soca, Theodora, Shaia’s and Bella Bridesmaid are sponsoring different events during the week.

“I love bringing the big New York names to Fashion Week that would never think about visiting Birmingham,” said Jeana Lee Fleming, Fashion Week co-founder and owner of Bella Bridesmaid in Edgewood.

“They are so blown away by everyone and the Southern hospitality that they want to come back and bring their designer friends.”

The schedule includes designer runway shows, fash-ions from local boutiques, and model and design competitions highlighting the latest fashions of the season. This year a new fourth runway night will feature lifestyle designs from Lulu Lemon, The Pants Store and more.

Designers Annie Griffi n, Southern Proper, By Smith, Prophetik, Heidi Elnora, Leona Collection and What Goes Around Comes Around, as well as international designers will contribute clothing. Not only will there be local and national celebrities in attendance, but they will also judge design and

model competitions. Birmingham Fashion Week

benefi ts many nonprofi t organizations, including Ala-bama Forever, which aids communities in need, and Camp Smile-A-Mile, which provides a year-round program for children with cancer in Alabama.

Fleming recommends get-ting tickets early. Last year, each night sold out, and she is expecting bigger crowds this year.

“Even if you are not just into fashion, it’s a fun night,” she said. “The energy is so high, and there is something for everyone.”

General admission and VIP seating are available, with an after party following each show. Tickets range from $15-$85. For more information, visit bhamfashionweek.com.

The Exceptional Foundation’s Ninth Annual Chili Cook-Off has a new venue this year: the parking lot next to Belk at Colonial Brookwood Village. This event will be held March 2 from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off and other fundraising efforts provide three-fourths of the funds needed to ensure that Exceptional Foundation participants are able to gather daily for social activities, take fi eld trips and compete in sports. The nonprofi t organization provides social and recreational activities to mentally challenged individuals in the Greater

Birmingham area.Cook-off teams are reserved on fi rst-come,

fi rst-serve basis, starting with corporate sponsors. Returning corporate sponsors will be given the opportunity to participate fi rst, followed by new sponsors.

A panel of judges will select winners for Grand Prize, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up, and the People’s Choice Award will be given to the team who gets the most votes by patrons at the event. The Spirit Award is given to the team with best decoration or costume, and is voted on by the judges and

Exceptional Foundation participants. The Fundraising Award goes to the team who sells the most tickets to the event.

Tickets can be purchased on exceptionalfoundation.org or at The Exceptional Foundation prior to the event for a $10 donation per ticket. The day of the event, tickets can be bought at the entrance for a $15 per ticket. Children 12 and under are free.

For more information, contact Margaret Klocke at [email protected] or call The Exceptional Foundation at 870-0776.

The annual Guild Gala benefi tting The Bell Center is being held for its 24th consecutive year on Feb. 25 at The Country Club of Birmingham at 5:30 p.m.

The Service Guild works to support the The Bell Center in Homewood and its specialized programs for children with developmental delays.

The Oz-inspired theme is “There’s No Place Like The Bell Center.” The event this year will be a sit-down dinner and fundraising auction. Lance Taylor of WJOX’s Rountable is the host for the evening. Jack Granger, of Granger, Thagard & Associates, Inc., will conduct a live auction during the event.

Before the live auction begins, guests will enjoy cocktails and a silent auction. The night will conclude with dancing and music by The Double Feature Band.

Ticket price is $125 a ticket/$250 a couple. For more information, contact Tommie Ford at [email protected].

Enjoy decadent desserts and a dance lesson with your sweetie at the annual Takes Two to Tango fundraising event for the Children’s Dance Foundation. Participants will also take home a treat from event sponsor Café Dupont.

Dance lessons will be taught by Dancing with the Stars pro Fabian Sanchez. The cost is $75 per couple. To make a reservation, call 870-0073. For more information, visit childrensdancefoundation.org.

Children’s Dance Foundation is located at 1715 27th Court South in downtown Homewood.

Tango for a good cause, dessert included

The Bell Center to host Guild Gala

Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off moves to Brookwood Village

Birmingham Fashion Week model displays one of the many extravagant dresses that will be modeled in the show. Photo courtesy of Chuck St. John.

New York fashions come to Birmingham for Fashion Week

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• 15


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By ASHLEY BERKERY

Do you ever wonder how Tuesday got so fat? Many of Jo Ann Brown’s Edgewood Elementary students have, and asked her that question over the years. So, as a retired art teacher, she put her skills to good use and wrote and illustrated Fat Tuesday: A book about Mardi Gras.

“Fat Tuesday is a character in this educational activity book for children of all ages,” Brown said, “but most importantly I wanted to share the truth of what the day really means.” As Brown states in her book, the real reason for all the excitement is because it is the last fl ing before the strict Lenten season begins, which is all about sacrifi ce and self-control.

To create the story, Brown compiled her art lessons from over the years where the students studied fun facts about Mardi Gras. They learned how French settlers held the fi rst American Mardi Gras in Mobile in 1703, how parties and parades were hosted by groups of people called krewes, and what the special Mardi Gras colors, purple, green and yellow symbolize.

Along with making colorful Mardi Gras masks and fun jewelry, Brown also creatively

Former art teacher publishes children’s Mardi Gras book

Jo Ann Brown, a retired art teacher from Edgewood Elementary. Photo courtesy of Jo Ann Brown.

In November, Sisterhood and Servants, a service group of second graders at Edgewood Elementary, partnered with Habitat for Humanity to collect kitchen-cleaning supplies to give to new homeowners.

Girls went from door to door with their “sweet sales pitch,” and some asked friends and family to contribute.

They originally hoped to collect fi ve buckets worth of supplies, but the girls ended up presenting Habitat for Humanity with 24 packed Welcome Buckets.

Members of the group were invited to a Habitat home dedication for the Bland family in Roebuck to personally present them with a Welcome Bucket.

Second graders collect supplies for Habitat families

Neily Stephens, Charlotte Lee, Molly McCollum, Lily Giffi n, Walker Heath and Julia Mitchell .Not pictured: Chandler Binkley, Sidney Dobbins, Mary Britt Garlington , Laine Siegel. Photo courtesy of Katherine Mitchell.

incorporated cooking lessons into her art projects.

“Not many people understand what the tradition is behind the King’s Cake or why there is a plastic baby baked inside, so I like to explain how it symbolizes the king’s search for the baby Jesus.”

Fat Tuesday comes complete with a fun and inexpensive mask activity that kids can make at home. Souvenirs are included with the book if it is purchased locally.

Brown hopes that fun and learning will take place in your home this Mardi Gras season through her words and illustrations, because as the last page of the book says, “Live it up while you can, because on Wednesday – the party’s over!”

Books may be purchased at Seasons to Celebrate in downtown Homewood or by emailing Brown at [email protected].

Cathy Patterson, Jane Lucas, Donnette’ Hulsey, Kimberly Oehrlein and Jamie Stephenson at Birmingham Track Club New Years Eve Resolution run at Red Mountain Park on Dec. 31.

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16 •


By KAITLIN BITZ

Jon and Lisa Potter are of no kin to the book character, but they do have quite a magical story.

The Potters were the image of the American dream. Jon was a member of corporate America pulling in six fi gures a year. He had three beautiful children and an amazing wife, yet he still did not feel fulfi lled. So, he decided to abandon his career for a calling within the fi eld of ministry.

That was 11 years ago. Jon has now worked as a pastor in every corner of the Jefferson County map, including Mountain Brook, Birmingham and Homewood – as well as 19 countries across the world. Now, Jon and Lisa have started their own church right here in Homewood.

“About a year and a half ago we felt the stirring to plant a church in Birmingham,” Jon said. “It was just sort of a natural progression from where we were.”

Canvas Church began in the Cahaba Heights area of Mountain Brook, where it remained for eight months. However, Jon and Lisa did not feel that the area was conducive to their goals. They truly wanted to live up to the church’s name.

“A long time ago I saw a church named Canvas down in Florida, and I thought that it was a very eclectic and cool picture of what a church should be — multicolored, multifaceted and kind of open to interpretation,” Jon

Canvas Church spreading love across Homewood

said. “The Bible says we’re all God’s works of art, and it just kind of stuck with me.”

Jon and Lisa then made the decision to move Canvas Church to Homewood. After creating a coalition with The Exceptional Foundation, Canvas Church has offi cially been meeting there since July of 2012.

“My heart was for Homewood because of the demographic. I lov-

ed the small-town feel in the big city and the location just couldn’t be better for what we want to do,” Jon said. “You have middle class, upper class, and then the Rosedale class has a strong African American and Hispanic contingent. That went along with my vision for a multiracial church.”

Canvas Church had its fi rst major outreach in October of 2012, where

it fed more than 400 people from the community. The event, entitled Jumpin’ Jambalaya, featured live music, food and children’s activities.

“It was our fi rst ‘this is who we are’ event,” Lisa said. “We didn’t preach, we just wanted to tell the community that we were here and we want to love on people.”

The Potters hope to continue

expanding their church as well as their involvement in the Homewood community.

“So many people have been wounded by religion. I want our church to be a safe place to heal if you’re wounded or if you’re hurting,” Jon said. “I want to grow a multiracial, multicultural church. We believe sin is black and white but church shouldn’t be.”

Jon and Lisa Potter and their three children. Elliot, 20 is a student at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. His two daughters, Barrett, 16, and Kelsey, 15, are students at Mountain Brook High School and Mountain Brook Junior High. Photo courtesy of Jon Potter.

• 17

By KAITLIN BITZAnd JEFF THOMPSON

When Jennifer Harwell began painting in her late 40s, angels were one of her primary subjects. She has a fi rm belief that, though unseen, they have contributed greatly to the direction of her life. And when she was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2012, she believes angels were there for her.

Dalton Payne, 16, shares that belief. On July 29, 2012, Dalton found himself

fi ghting for his life after he was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s T-cell Lymphoma. Dalton’s angels are currently helping him through chemotherapy.

Harwell is a self-taught artist from Oregon living in Birmingham, and Payne is a student from Pell City. Last year, they would come to fi nd they had much to learn from each other, but they may have never had the opportunity if it weren’t for aTeam Ministries in Homewood.

aTeam is a nonprofi t organization committed to offering spiritual, fi nancial and emotional support to children and their families within the pediatric cancer community. Annually, the organization pairs artists from around the Southeast with area children suffering from cancer.

After the pair sends time together, the child creates a painting in the style of the artist, and the work is sold at aTeam’s Heart2HeART Gala, scheduled this year for Feb. 16 at Ted’s Garage.

This year, Harwell and Payne turned out to be a match made in heaven.

“Heart2HeART provides children with a vehicle for feeling some joy and some kind of encouragement instead of just talking about hospitals and needles,” Harwell said. “What was unique about our relationship, which Dalton hopefully won’t fi nd with other artists, is that I too had a cancer diagnosis.”

Although she was painting – even teaching – long before her cancer diagnosis, Harwell has always created with open emotion, channeling

an ideal that hope and healing can be expressed through painting. Harwell draws on her childhood in Oregon, scripture and the football craze of the South among other sources for her vibrant art, which she creates using acrylic paint and a palette knife.

“I always saw art as healing. I saw it through my classes where I had people from all walks of life,” Harwell said. “When you put a palette

knife in their hands and watch them unfold in one class, it showed them that it’s really not rocket science, it’s color and movement.”

Dalton, in his time with Harwell, learned quickly, she said. From watching Harwell work he created an abstract painting that includes a reference to the hope he and Harwell share hidden in the corner – an angel.

During the gala, both Dalton’s piece and the

painting Harwell crafted to pair with it will be auctioned off to raise money for cancer research.

“He didn’t have any way of knowing what an inspiration he was for me,” Harwell said.

For more information on the Heart2HeART Gala, visit ateamministries.org. For more information on Jennifer Harwell, visit jenniferharwellart.com or visit her store in the Regions Harbert Plaza.

A match made in heavenaTeam Ministries connects artist with patient for Heart2HeART Gala

Artist Jennifer Harwell was paired with 16-year-old Dalton Payne for aTeam Ministries’ Heart2HeArt Gala. Above is Dalton’s painting. Photos courtesy aTeam Ministries.

February 2013 The Homewood Star18 •

School House

By MERRICK WILSON

Alexis Crenshaw is pretty sure she knows where she wants to go to college, but she’s having trouble deciding whether to become a chef or a lawyer afterward. To help make that decision, the Homewood High School junior is enrolled in the culinary arts class, where she is learning to make things like banana pudding and Nutella crepes. Next year she plans to take business law to see which profession she likes better.

Crenshaw’s professionally orient-ed electives are part of the new expanded career-related electives in culinary arts, business law, fi nancial planning, health and medical science and cosmetology.

“[Students] might not realize what these careers entail,” said Dr. Betty Winches, assistant superintendent for instruction. “This allows them to see how these professionals spend their day while also having the opportunity to gain some actual training.”

Dani Felty, who now serves as the career tech coordinator, saw a need for these electives when she was teaching computer applications at Homewood High School. In her class, the students did some career exploration activities and assessments, and she saw the need for

offering career ready classes. “Some students who choose to

immediately go into the workforce need additional specifi c preparation to enter the workforce. Then you have the students who want to go to college, but they are undecided about what they want to major in and just need a little introduction into a fi eld to decide on that major,” she said.

Using a survey for grades 8-11, she identifi ed the six courses based on student interest.

“Once we knew which courses students wanted to take, we had to promote these brand new courses so students would know to include them during the course selection process,” Felty said.

To promote the electives, she planned a career expo the day before students were expected to request classes for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year. She invited three professionals from each of the areas of the new courses to share information about their careers and answer questions.

Currently, 156 students are enrolled in these career related electives.

Dr. Desiree Smith, who serves as the career tech administrator, said they would review the success of these electives each year. Just like other electives they will be offered in

A step into the future

response to student interest and need, she said.

“The goal is to help undecided students make good choices, and for decided students to confi rm their career paths,” Smith said.

In her cosmetology class, senior Noell Marlowe is not only gaining awareness about the fi eld but also earning training hours toward her license.

“My nana and I would do each other’s hair and make-up when I was a little girl. I always knew I wanted to

do that for others,” she said.Through a partnership with Aveda

Institute Birmingham, an Aveda instructor comes to HHS and teaches the students while allowing them to have hands-on experience using mannequins during the fi rst semester. The second semester, the students take classes at the Aveda Institute where they earn hours towards becoming a licensed cosmetologist. Noell will graduate HHS with 90 hours of the 1,500 she’ll need to get her license.

“This class will better prepare her for immediate entry into the workforce,” Felty said.

Hysani Tubbs, an eleventh grader, is taking the cosmology elective so she can become a cosmetologist to help her pay for medical school.

“I know I want to go to medical school, but I also wanted to learn more about hair and make-up,” she said. “I enjoy it, because she doesn’t just tell us stuff or show us a Power Point. We get to be hands-on and experiment to learn.”

Hysani Tubbs earns hours toward a cosmetology license through new course offerings at Homewood High School. Photo by Merrick Wilson.

HHS offers new Career Tech program

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Shades Cahaba students in Jennifer Bauman’s LEAD classes (Learning Enhancement and Academic Design) have been participating in stimulating activities to learn more about engineering and the process of problem solving.

Fourth and fifth graders had 20 minutes to work in groups and build a structure that could hold the mass of a marshmallow using a certain amount of spaghetti noodles, tape and string. After the 20 minutes, the class as a whole talked about how difficult this was and what they could have done differently. Then the students had a second opportunity to build their structures.

Fifth graders then built a 27-inch tall structure that supported the marshmallow.

Schools award spelling bee winners

Hall-Kent Elementary School: Winner fifth grader Alyssa Baylon, center, and runners-up James Womack, left, and Harlan Alford, right. Edgewood Elementary School: Winner

Alex Kamau (Abby Chandler’s fourth grade class) and runner up Reed Jeffries (Jamie Wilson’s fourth grade class).

Shades Cahaba Elementary School: Runner up Avery Stansell and winner AyonaRoychowdhury, fourth grade.

Homewood Middle School: Seventh grader Hrithik Praveen, left, won by spelling “baccalaureate” and “delicatessen” correctly. Last year’s district winner, seventh grader, Hunter Callaway, right placed second, and sixth graders Keefer Boone and Hannah Crosswy tied for third.

LEAD students build spaghetti structures

Students work on a problem solving project with spaghetti noodles at Shades Cahaba Elementary.

In the first year of a debate program, Homewood Middle School’s five team came in top place with a 13-5 record over the course of two tournaments held at Samford University.

Teams competed against more than 100 teams representing 22 Birmingham-area middle schools in the Birmingham Area Debate League. The

topic for the Fall Championships was “Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should restrict minor’s access to violent video games.”

The Homewood Middle School debate team is sponsored by Mary Binkley and Austin Bonds. It is coached by Mike Janas, Skip Coulter and John Curtis.

Debate team wins fall championship

Homewood Middle School Debate Team


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Homewood Community Center ActivitiesTemporary Fitness &

Programs FacilityPrograms and services from Homewood Community Center are now located at our temporary facility which is the site of the former Jeff erson County Satellite Courthouse, 809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209. Services at this facility include cardio & weight rooms, programs room for fi tness and instructi onal classes, and administrati ve offi ces.Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility HoursMonday – Thursday: 5:30am – 8:30pmFriday: 5:30am – 7:00pmSaturday: 8:00am – 6:00pmSunday: 1:00pm – 6:00pmBusiness Offi ce HoursMonday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:45pm

ZumbaZUMBA is the new craze sweeping America! It is Lati n inspired aerobic dance and every class feels like a party. ZUMBA is for all ages, and both sexes! You can burn 500 to 1000 calories in one fun hour!Instructor: Camille Scruggs Contact Info: 256-452-2500 or [email protected] on: Temporary Fitness and Programs FacilityDays & Times:

Monday 5:30-6:30pm Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm Thursday 5:30-6:30pmSaturday 9:00-10:00am

KarateClasses are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility from 4:00-5:00 pm. Monthly tuiti on is $55 - $65. Classes are for children and teenagers ages 4 and up. For more informati on please contact Master Joe at 966-4244

Head Over Heels Gymnastics!Gymnasti cs promotes coordinati on, fl exibility and balance. We teach gymnasti cs at your child’s individual level in a fun, creati ve and positi ve environment, therefore developing self-confi dence, a love for fi tness and a sense of achievement. Skills are taught on a variety of fun props!Locati on: Temporary Fitness and Programs FacilityDay & Times: Wednesday 5:15pm – 3-5 yr old 6:00pm – 6 yr old & upFor More Informati on about our programs:(205) 981-2720 (or) www.headoverheelsgyms.com

Young RembrandtsDraw amazing things with Young Rembrandts!

We believe that drawing is a skill that can, and should be learned by all children. Young Rembrandts classes are both fun and educati onal, and our step-by-step curriculum is developed to teach fundamental art skills in a nurturing environment that gives children an academic advantage. Our weekly classes are for boys and girls 5 to 12 years of age. Classes have relocated to Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. All new lessons monthly and each year!Please contact Chris Roberson at (205) 943-1923 for more

informati on and to register or visit www.youngrembrandts.com to enroll anyti me.

WEDNESDAYS, 3:30 – 4:30 PMEnroll anyti me! $40 monthly

Belly Dancing with AzizaClass Locati on: Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Class Fee: $60 cash onlyFor more informati on contact Aziza at 879-0701 or azizaofb irmingham@att .netLearn the ancient art of Middle Eastern belly dance (classic Egypti an style) with Aziza, award winning dancer, with 36 years of experience in performance and instructi on. Women only, ages 13 and up are welcome; with no dance experience necessary to enroll. Each session is 5-weeks long on: Tuesday night for beginners, Wednesday night for intermediates and Thursday night for advanced. Times ti mes are 7:00-8:30pm. Beginners start with the basic steps, isolati ons and shimmies and progress to the intermediate class where you will learn to put the dance together with more advanced steps and combinati ons plus dancing with the veil; advanced classes include performing with zills, cane, veil with more advanced and longer performances. The classes are for anyone who wants to dance for fun and fi tness, as well as those who wish to perform. Aziza has trained dancers to perform for many events in the Southeastern area in additi on to dancers who perform regularly at Ali Baba Persian Restaurant in Hoover. www.azizaofb irmingham.com

KindermusikAs the world’s recognized leader in early childhood music and movement, Kindermusik off ers a musical learning adventure that will impact your child now and for years to come! This is accomplished through our extraordinary classroom experience and unsurpassed At Home materials. There’s simply no bett er way to foster your child’s love of music and love of learning. Classes are available for ages 0 to 5 years.Classes Off ered & Schedule: Thursdays 9:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years)10:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years)11:30am - Village (0 to 18 months)Classes have relocated to the Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility. You can enroll for classes at anyti me!

For more informati on call or email Kelly at:(205) 552-6129 (or) [email protected]

Please visit htt p://kellyalligood.yourvirtuoso.com for more informati on or to enroll

Children’s Ballet with Claire Goodhew

Your child can be a fairy, a princess or a butt erfl y while keeping ballet traditi ons alive and having fun with classical music. The beginning ballet moves taught are the important foundati on for many types of dance. The French names for steps will be introduced. Students will work on coordinati on, balance, rhythm and fl exibility while developing listening skills and strengthening muscles. The environment provided is a happy and age appropriate one.Claire has been teaching ballet since starti ng as a teenager in Montgomery. Then, aft er moving to Birmingham, she started teaching with Birmingham Ballet. She has taught preschoolers in Mother’s Day Out and Day Care as well.Girls may wear any color leotard and ti ghts for class, with pink ballet shoes. Classes meet once a week on Monday.Times & Locati on: Monday 3:45pm-4:30pm / Homewood Parks Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility

Please contact Claire to enroll or for additi onal Informati on: (205) 879-8780

AthleticsGirl’s Softball

Homewood Parks and Recreati on off ers Girls Soft ball. Games are played during the months of March thru May with All-star play in the month of June.Registrati on: Now OpenEnds: February 15, 2013Monday thru Friday 8:00am – 5:45pmHomewood Temporary Fitness and Programs Facility Business Offi ceProgram Fee: $60 Homewood Residents $80 Non ResidentsFee includes jersey, visor and socks for regular season play.Jakob Stephens – 332-6709 (or) jakob.stephens@homewoodal.

org

Homewood Patriot Youth Baseball

LeagueHPYBL is a youth recreati onal

baseball league for the citi zens of Homewood, as well as, surrounding communiti es.

Please visit our website for more informati on about the upcoming

Spring Season:www.homewoodyouthbaseball.

com

Tennis with Dave Luesse

Programs & Events Off eredPrivate and Group Lessons

Kids USTA Team TennisKids Group Clinic and Rally Ball

Adult Singles Park LeagueAdult Mixed Doubles Park

LeagueAdult Tournaments

(Singles, Doubles & Mixed)For more informati on contact

Dave Luesse at 967-5875 or 901-9243

www.Homewoodparks.com


For Grandparents’ Day at Shades Cahaba Elementary, 11-year-old Pate McDaniel had an idea for a special guest to invite in addition to his grandfather: Victor Billingsly, an employee of the Homewood Sanitation Department.

With the help of former city council member Jackie Langlow, the McDaniels tracked down Billingsly along his route to extend the invitation.

Billingsly is known for the hand-written notes that he leaves for residents along his route in Hollywood each Christmas. Residents enjoy sharing stories of the sincere messages he leaves for them.

On any given Monday or Thursday you’ll see Billingsly passing out high-fives and back-slaps to the neighborhood children who stop and

A special Hollywood ‘grandpa’

Victor Billingsly, left, with Pate McDaniel and his grandfather, Tony Todd

Teachers of the Year

Homewood City Schools recently announced the 2013-2014 Teachers of the Year. One teacher from each school was selected, and a committee of teachers, administrators and community members selected Jerome Isley as Homewood’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and Christie Morman as Homewood’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

To learn more about each teacher, visit thehomewoodstar.com.

Jerome Isley, Hall-Kent

Teacher of the Year

Johnny Washington, Edgewood

Teacher of the Year

Eric Swope, Homewood Middle School

Teacher of the Year

DeLaine Ragland, Shades Cahaba

Teacher of the Year

Christie Morman, Homewood High School

Teacher of the Year

assemble around him as they make their way to school.

Edgewood Elementary student Reed Swope was the third place winner in an expressive writing contest sponsored by the HOAR Program Management/ Go-Daddy.com Bowl Learning Through Reading Program.

Reed’s writing was selected from 8,000 submissions. As third place winner, he was awarded a $1,500 savings bond.

The program asked fi fth graders from across Alabama and the Gulf Coast areas of Mississippi and Florida to submit book reports of 250 words. The top 10 of those reports were selected as fi nalists, and the student authors traveled to Mobile to write another report for the fi nal competition.

Finalists were assigned a book to read by contest organizers. In December, Reed and his

Swope wins writing contest

Reed Swope with his $1,500 prize.

parents traveled to Mobile, where he and the other fi nalists composed an essay from their assigned reading.


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Homewood Joy League Baseball begins registering boys and girls for its 56th consecutive season of daytime baseball on Saturday, Feb. 2. Registration continues each Saturday in February from 9 a.m.-noon at Edgewood Elementary School, 901 College Avenue.

League games are played on Saturday mornings from March 30-June 29, followed by a watermelon picnic. Boys and girls ages 4-12 are eligible to play. Cost per player is $30. Each team practices one hour a week.

Now serving its third generation of players, the Joy League has been an important part of youth life in Homewood since 1958 when the league was founded by the late John J. Smith Sr.

“We have always lived by the motto, ‘There are no bench warmers in the Joy League’,” Commissioner Perry Akins said. “Every player gets to play in every game. We want the players to have fun and learn the great game of baseball.”

Last year, more than 200 boys and girls played in the league.

Doug Akins (823-4929) and Ted Hagler (985-9608) direct Joy League play as Commissioners.

Thousands of dollars were raised for Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School’s Warrior Run. The first-year event (named after the school mascot) was a part of a nine-day effort to raise money for the school’s media center. A motivational pep rally led by eighth grade students kicked-off the festivities.

The event encouraged students to ask family and friends for donations on a per-lap basis or for a flat amount. For every $25 they received, a $1 Warrior Buck was awarded to each student. After all of the donations were collected, the students had the opportunity to use their Warrior Bucks to purchase items from the OLS Warrior Store.

Homewood senior Zach Sims (No. 70) was one of only three Over the Mountain athletes selected to play in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game on Dec. 15 in Montgomery. The game showcases the best in high school football from Alabama and Mississippi, and Zach snapped every ball as center for the Alabama Team.

Sims is currently being recruited by Troy, UAB, Furman, Navy and Air Force and has two offers from Mercer and Stetson.

The last time a Homewood High School athlete played in the All-Star Game was Ameer Abdullah, who now plays for the University of Nebraska.

Sports

Joy League to begin 56th season

The 2012 Bucs baseball team of the Joy League in Homewood was last year’s Single A division champion. Photo courtesy Doug Akins.

OLS holds first Warrior Run

Students at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School participate in the Warrior Run fundraiser. Photo courtesy of Mary Pugh.

Sims plays in State All-Star Game

Homewood senior Zach Sims, 70, snaps a ball during the state All Star game. Photo courtesy of Andi Sims.


CalendarCommunity Events Feb. 7-28: Zara Edwards Gallery. Featured artist Rhea Gary’s work will be displayed. Monty Stabler Galleries. 5-8 p.m. Call 879-9888 or visit montystablergalleries.com.

Feb. 9: Carnival for a Cure. Benefi tting Relay for Life of Homewood. 7-10 p.m. Aloft Hotel. $10 per person. Call Mary Browning at 281-5992.

Feb. 9: Wild About Chocolate. Benefi tting the Alabama Wildlife Center. 6-8 p.m. Rosewood Hall in SoHo Square. Call Carol Argo at 663-7930, ext. 5.

Feb. 14: Samford Legacy League Membership Meeting and Program. 10-11:30 a.m. President’s home. Call 726-2247.

Feb. 16: Backyard Beekeeping and Pollinator Gardening. This program is part of the Sims Ecoscape in Edgewood’s education days and is taught by George Stegall and Arnie Rutkis Suggested donation $1. 1:30-3 p.m. The Sims Garden, 908 Highland Road.

Feb. 23: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PurpleStride 2013. There will be 5K timed run and 1-mile awareness walk. Homewood Central Park. Call (877) 272-6226 or contact Kathryn Brekle at [email protected].

Feb. 25: Guild Gala. A night to enjoy good music, food and fun. 5:30 p.m. The Country Club of Birmingham. $125 a ticket/$250 a couple. Contact Tommie Ford at [email protected].

Homewood LibraryFeb. 1, 8, 15, 22: Leaps and Bounds. A movement class for our friends 2-4 years. Registration is required and begins Jan. 28th. 10 a.m. Call 332-6619.

Feb. 2, 16: Cereal and Cartoons. 10 a.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 4-8: Make a Valentine for Children’s Hospital. 3:30 pm. We provide the glitter and glue, and you provide the heartfelt sentiment that will

make a child’s Valentine’s Day extra special. Call 638-9956.

Feb. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27: Story Time. 10:30 a.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 7: Famed Birmingham Attorney and Author Richard Jaffe. There will be a book signing after his book talk. 6:30 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28: Mommy and Me. Mommy and Me is a story time program for our patrons who are birth to 2½ years old and are accompanied by their lap partner. 11 a.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 9, 21: Say Hola to Spanish. A special language learning story time for all ages. 10:30 a.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 11, 25: Monday Movie. A movie for all ages. Real movie popcorn and juice is provided for children in attendance. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Homewood Public Library. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 12: The Oxmoor Page Turners: “Quest for Justice”. Join us for nationally acclaimed Birmingham attorney Richard Jaffe’s Quest For Justice: Defending the Damned. 6:30-8 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 14: Anti-Valentine’s Day with The Hunger Games. Complete with popcorn and pizza following. 4-6:30 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 14: An American Girl Tea Party. You are cordially invited to an evening tea party hosted by your favorite American Girls. Dolls are welcome to attend. 6-7 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 19: The ABCs of Medicare with Karen Haifl ich. All your questions about the how benefi ts are currently computed, how to become insured, and how to fi le a claim will be answered. Noon-1 p.m., 6-7 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Feb. 22: Creating Altered Books with Allison Rhea. Just take an unwanted book and use it as your canvas. Paint, collage, rubber stamp, scrapping, photomontage, and writing. 10 a.m.-Noon. Call Leslie West at 332-6620.

Feb. 26: Sports Page Turners. Join us for our next installment in our sports centered book

club. 6-7 p.m. Register at 332-6619.

Feb 27: The Better Than Therapy Book Club . Join us as we explore Joshilyn Jackson’s “ A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.” 2-3:30 p.m. Call 332-6600.

Special Events Feb. 2: Beaker Bash 2013- Who Done It? 5-8 p.m. The McWane Science Center’s annual family-friendly fundraising event. Tickets may be purchased by calling 714-8414.

Feb. 2: Second Annual GHBS Jazz Cat Ball. Held at Old Car Heaven beginning 7 p.m. Cajun Cuisine, Silent Auction, Milo’s Tea Gaming Casino and more. Call 942-1211.

Feb. 3: WWE Presents RAW Pre-Game Pandemonium. The Superstars of Raw return to Birmingham for the fi rst time in 2013. Will the feud between John Cena and Dolph Ziggler end in Birmingham? 1 p.m. BJCC Arena. Ticket Prices: $95, $50, $35, $25 and $15. (Facility fees and service charges are additional). Call 745-3000.

Feb. 4: BAO Bingo. Bingo game to raise AIDS awareness. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 322-4197.

Feb. 8: Phoenix Ball. Think of a premier social fundraising event. Now think of red carpets, Hollywood backdrops & paparazzi, vintage cars, delicious food, cocktail dresses, an ice luge, and a horned owl. 8 p.m.- Midnight. Old Car Heaven. $50 per person. Call 949-5989.

Feb. 8-10: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. Featuring a wide variety of custom cars, trucks and motorcycles as well as restored and antique vehicles, our exhibitors, our vendors and tens of thousands of spectators make these annual shows informative, exciting, and fun. BJCC Arena. Child (ages 5 & under) free. Child (ages 6-11) $5. Adult $18. Call 458-8400.

Feb. 12: The Price is Right - Live Stage Show. To mark our 40th year on TV, we’ve created a touring version of the studio show with even more audience interaction! BJCC Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Call 745-3000.

On Dec. 14, I picked my oldest daughter Kate up from school like any other day. Kids were swarming all over the school, parents hurrying here and there, everyone chatting and smiling. But the day was different for 20 families in Connecticut. As I ate my lunch just before leaving to pick Kate up, I had watched with horror the breaking news updates about the school shooting.

Very soon, people were saying, “If it can happen at an elementary school, it truly can happen anywhere.” And it wasn’t an isolated incidence of violence. The movie theater in Colorado. The shopping mall in Oregon. And the month of December was full of gun violence in Birmingham, including here in Homewood. It’s enough to make a person live in fear of walking out the front door.

As I went through the next few days, I imagined what I’d do if I was at Publix and heard gunshots in another aisle, or if I was getting gas and someone pulled a gun out. It is nerve-wracking to think of all the “what ifs” and to let your loved ones walk out of the house when there’s so much evil in the world. To get through the day without hiding with my family inside, I started thinking about what God says about fear and peace. A verse that always runs through my

mind when I’m nervous or fearful is in Psalms: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Another Psalm says, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” A different translation says, “He will not fear evil tidings.”

I tend to be a bit of a worrier, and along with worrying comes a

measure of fear. Worrying about something basically means I’m

fearful of the outcome, whether that’s as benign as how naptime will go or as monumental as whether the evil in the world will strike closer to my home. But God tells us not to worry or fret, and to not fear evil tidings or the possibility of bad news. It doesn’t mean nothing bad will happen — it’s obvious just talking to friends and listening to the news that bad things do happen, even to those who trust in God — but that evil won’t win in the end.

It may look like evil is coming out on top, especially when we see something as horrendous as a school shooting, but we can lie down and sleep in peace and entrust our loved ones to God’s care, knowing His hand is on us, guiding and protecting us, until He sees fi t to bring us home.

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].

Overcoming fear

Denton

OpinionOrdinary Days By Lauren Denton

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Feb. 13: 2013 Hearts of Hope Luncheon. The Hearts of Hope Luncheon benefi ts our programs for addicted and homeless women seeking Christian recovery, shelter, education and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. $75 per individual. Call 425-7737 ext. 26.

Feb. 14-17: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. Show will feature The Living Fountain, gardens by Father Nature, Nature’s Edge, Southern Botantical, The Nelson Team, Art Marketplace, hero day and Kitchen Stage. Adults $7 online, $10 at door. Children 6-12 $3. Visit HomeShowBirmingham.com.

Feb. 15: An Evening with Jim Brickman. Brickman will wow audience members with his hits including “Valentine,” “If You Believe,” “Love of My Life” and more, plus songs of hope for 2013 from his latest release, Believe. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Call 975-2787 or visit alysstephens.uab.edu.

Feb. 15-17: Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend. Full marathon, Half marathon, Marathon relay, and Superhero 5K. Online registration fees. Call 870-7771.

Feb. 15-17: Kami-Con. Kami-Con is an anime convention that was founded at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL hosted by the student organization, The Bama SoS Brigade! BJCC Arena. To register, visit kamicon.net/registration/.

Feb. 16: aTeam Ministries 2013 Heart 2 HeART Event. The event gathers children with pediatric cancer and pairs them with a professional artist. This

is done to celebrate children by aiding them in expressing themselves through art. 6-9 p.m. $100 admission. Call 401-8232 or visit ateamministries.org.

Feb. 16: 2013 Takes Two to Tango. Enjoy dancing lessons from choreographers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios and a treat from Cafe Dupont. Benefi ts Children’s Dance Foundation. $60 per couple. Call 870-0773.

Feb. 21-24: 28th Alabama Clay Conference. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. Adults $160, students $100. Visit alclayconference.org.

Feb. 22: A Night Under The Big Top. In support of Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center, the gala event features an extensive silent and live auction, casino fun and games, food and drink, and music from The Undergrounders. 8 p.m.-Midnight. The Club of Birmingham. $60 per ticket pre-event. Call 795-3294.

Feb. 22-24: Birmingham RV Super Show. Featuring several football fi elds of rv’s including luxury motor coaches, pull behinds, fi fth wheels, campers, vendors, motorhomes, and toy haulers. BJCC Arena. Adults $7, children under 12: FREE with accompanying adult. Call (256) 509-3574.

Feb. 22-24: Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday. Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe-weather preparedness supplies free of state stales or use tax. 12:01 a.m. Feb. 22- 12 midnight Feb. 24. Visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPSalesTaxHol.cfm.

Feb. 22-24: It’s A Hoot! 2013 Columbiana Winter Retreat. All-inclusive retreat at the Alabama 4-H Center nestled on 246 acres of lush woodlands along the banks of Lay Lake. Alabama 4H Center. Call (251) 599-7033.

Feb. 22-24: Alabama Ballet Presents The Sleeping Beauty. A grand classic, a stunning score, a simple kiss. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter or call 726-4591.

Feb. 23-Mar. 2: Birmingham Fashion Week. Bringing Birmingham together through fashion. Call 769-6515 or visit bhmafashionweek.com.

Save the DateMarch 2: Knights of Columbus 5K and Fun Run. Benefi tting children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Pre-registration through Feb. 2, $15. Registration on Race Day, $20. Crestline Elementary School. 8 a.m. Call Amanda Marcrum at 705-1809 or email at [email protected].

March 2: Arbor Day Tree Giveaway. The Mountain Brook Tree Commission will be giving away seedlings - mostly to elementary school students. 9 a.m.-Noon. Western in Mountain Brook Village, Piggly Wiggly in Crestline Village, Whole Foods in Cahaba Village and Piggly Wiggly in River Run. Visit mtnbrook.org.

March 4-8: Love-Love Magic City “Finish the Fight” Tennis Challenge. Tournament to benefi t the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. Registration will open February 1 and close February 25. Visit love-lovemagiccitychallenge.com.

homewood star february 2013

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