the homewood star january 2013

January 2013TheHomewoodStar.com

See PERU | page 22

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Allison Fuqua still loves to hear her husband, Tyler, tell the story of his fi rst trip to Peru.

Ten years ago, Tyler found himself in a jungle with strangers. At age 18, it was his fi rst time in a Spanish- speaking country. He was sharing a twin mattress with another man. It was hot, and there were bugs. He had lost his luggage and was borrowing clothes and sleeping gear. Boys who lived on the streets were teaching him how to wash his socks in the river.

Tyler had signed up for the hardest-rated mission trip he could

fi nd, but this was not the adventure he expected.

“God took away every possible comfort on that trip,” Tyler said. “It was a humbling experience. At the same time, I was exposed to street boys and learned their stories, and God did a lot of work through that.”

The boys he met, generally ages 4-12, are the lowest in their society even lower than prostitutes, he said. People see them as an eyesore, and they see themselves as an eyesore.

Before the trip ended, Tyler knew he wanted to come back and be a

NOT FORGOTTENOn a mission to show boys livingon the streets of Peru they are

Each New Year’s, a Not Forgotten team, which includes founder Tyler Fuqua (left) and Kristin McKee and Allison Fuqua (above), delivers Christmas presents to the boys they minister to in Peru. Photos courtesy of Not Forgotten.

Culture in the classroom

All-ages exercise

Sponsors ................. 4City ........................... 5Opinion .................... 9Faith ........................ 10Food ......................... 11

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INSIDE

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Features page 8

Community page 14

The Homewood Starneighborly news & entertainment for HomewoodVolume 2 | Issue 10 | January 2013

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Students enrolled in the Islamic Academy of Alabama spend their days learning more than academics. By studying Islamic heritage, they learn how to positively impact their communities as both Americans and Muslims. Photo courtesy IAA.

Instructor Natalie Dabney, above right, changed her life when she decided to change her weight. She lost 120 pounds, and now she’s teaching others how to do the same. At her Mommy and Me Time Fit-ness classes, Homewood mothers are learn-ing exercise can be fun, easy and inclusion of the whole family.

January 2013 The Homewood Star

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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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Dan StarnesKeith McCoyAshley BerkeryMadoline MarkhamJeff ThompsonMatthew AllenRhonda SmithWarren CaldwellAnna Cate LittleLauren DentonKatey CourtneyElisabeth SanfratelRick WatsonMia BassKaitlin BitzHomewood Star LLC

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Homewood runners Jennifer Andress, Tim Roberts, Kile Putman and Jimmy Harrison after participating in The St. Jude Marathon expo. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Andress.

Welcome to a New Year – and all of the hope and excitement it brings with it! I hope that your holiday season was both meaningful and enjoyable, and that you are ready for all that this New Year of 2013 has to offer.

On behalf of The Homewood Star and its sister publications serving this won-derful region of Alabama, I am so appre-ciative of your interest and support as readers and advertisers. Together with our fine staff, I look forward to serving you in coming months.

January is always an exciting time, and this issue has a great lineup of sto-ries that should pique your interest.

For starters, our cover story should in-spire you to think more of others in this New Year. The desire to be more self-less and to serve and find ways to help others around us always emerges around the holidays. In this issue, you can read about how several Homewood residents and Samford graduates started a min-istry in Peru to teach homeless boys about God and about life in general, and to make them feel loved. It will truly

warm your heart.The 9th Annual Red Nose Run, ben-

efitting Ronald McDonald houses, is slated for Jan. 12. If you haven’t already, be sure to hurry and sign up. Space is always limited, and it is sure to be a fun time – it’s much more than just a race through SoHo!

The part we all dread most about the start of the New Year is, of course, working out, setting new fitness goals and trying to meet them. It is tough with two little ones to find time to re-ally exercise, so if you find yourself in that situation, you will definitely want

to hear about a recent fitness program in our area. At Mommy and Me Time Fit-ness, there are no more excuses because you can take your kids along, and it is healthy for them as well. Be sure to read about it on page 8.

As we enter the New Year, if you have any story ideas, news, sports photos of your children or celebration announce-ments, please send them to [email protected].

As always, thanks for reading our pa-per, and we hope that your New Year is a blessed one!

A Touch of Whimsy (8)

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (15)

Alabama Fertility Specialists (22)

Baker Lamps & Linens (15)

Birmingham Speech & Hearing Associates (13)

Brandino Brass (11)

Briarcliff Shop (23)

Brookdale Place (10)

D1 Sports (21)

Dawson Family of Faith (12)

Escape (20)

Harmony Landing (5)

Homewood Antiques and Marketplace (14)

Homewood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (2)

Homewood Parks and Rec (18)

Jacqueline DeMarco (12)

Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadway (12)

Little Hardware, Inc (11)

Mary House Kessler, Ph.D (9)

MedHelp (23)

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (2)

New York Pizza (21)

Once Upon a Time (11)

Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics (14)

Piggly Wiggly (5)

Plastic Surgery Specialists (6)

Powell Pediatric Dentistry (7)

RealtySouth Marketing (19)

Regency Retirement Village (9)

Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace (2)

Rosewood Hall (24)

Salem’s Diner (13)

Sharp Remodeling Specialty (20)

Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (6)

Southern Fireplaces Homewood L.L.C. (10)

The Cook Store (9)

The Maids (1)

The Scribbler (13)

The Wade Team (7)

Vella, King & Jackson (8)

Village Dermatology (17)

Zounds (22)

4 •


State Rep. Paul DeMarco will host an awareness program on synthetic marijuana for the public on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church.

The program, co-sponsored by the Mountain Brook Anti-Drug Coalition and A Safe and Healthy Homewood Coalition, will feature a panel including Mike Reese of the Alabama ABC Board, Barry Matson of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, Chief Ted Cook of Mountain Brook Police Department, Officer Kenny Blackmon of Homewood

Police Department and Ann Slattery of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children’s of Alabama.

“The purpose of the program is to raise public awareness and concern about the dangers of synthetic drugs such as ‘spice,’ herbal incense and other similar compounds,” DeMarco said. “This is a growing concern in our state and in our local communities.”

The program is free and open to the public. The church is located at 2305 Montevallo Road.

Coalitions to raise awareness on dangers of synthetic drugs

Seized quantities of “spice,” a synthetic drug, is displayed during a public forum in Hoover last year. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

CityMayor’s Minute

• 5

Dear friends and neighbors,

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. I’m an optimist! December has passed, once again marking the end of the physical year, and it has been another great year for our city because of the continued excitement by our residents and business owners.

This year alone we have completed Patriot Park in West Homewood, investing more than $400,000 in the area that is paid in full. We have built numerous new sidewalks within our city and plan to continue adding more in the very near future. The Sidewalk Project has gained almost unanimous consent from you, our neighbors, and remains one of the most popular projects we have started. In the very near future, we will begin removing the old Recreation Center at Central Park and will begin construction on the new facility. The community has overwhelmingly supported this project, and it will certainly add to our city’s character and charm once completed.

In December I met with Target officials, and they have informed me they will open for business on Sunday, March 10 after hiring over 200 employees in January. For those interested, I am told the Hiring Event will be January 17-18. This will be a tremendous boost for our city and give another option for those of you who do not particularly enjoy the drive down Highway 280.

When our city was formed by the legislature on February 11, 1927, I wonder if the residents and city leaders ever envisioned Homewood as it currently exists? In Sheryl Summe’s book, Homewood: The Life of a

City, she talks about how the town council of Edgewood (the name before Homewood was formed) thwarted attempts to open new businesses. But in 1924, the future mayor Dr. John T. Callaway finally convinced the Edgewood Town Council that the town needed a drugstore and soon opened the town’s first new business, Edgewood Drug Company.

Today, more opportunities exist because of your support of local businesses, and it certainly makes my job as mayor much easier to recruit them. I love promoting this city, our current businesses and our school system. There are so many reasons to locate to Homewood and even more reasons to stay.

We have come a long way this year, but now it’s time to start again. I have a firm belief that nothing worthwhile can be achieved for ourselves or for others without first developing a heartfelt belief in our ability to accomplish the task — and we will. Nothing of value comes without effort, and anything we gain this year will be based on how well we can love and serve the people of Homewood. The secret of our future is hidden in our daily routine and we will work hard every day to make Homewood even better. With kindest regards I remain

Sincerely,

Scott McBrayerMayorCity of Homewood

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By LT. JASON HALLMAN

After watching Homewood firefighters struggle to move large trees from the roadways to gain access for emergency vehicles in a post-storm emergency, Mayor Scott McBrayer reassigned one of the City’s surplus BobCat skid steer loaders to the Fire Department for exclusive use during an emergency.

“With the BobCat loader available to push downed trees out of the road, firefighters will have much quicker access to areas that are cut off due to storm damage,” McBrayer said.

Homewood Fleet Maintenance refurbished the BobCat, bringing the machine to a mechanically sound state. In addition, firefighters have worked diligently to adapt the diesel-powered loader for fire and rescue work. A log grapple bucket for the loader was acquired at no

cost to the city. Fire Department members have also re-painted the machine and welded on modifications in preparation for storm scene work.

Training for firefighters on the operation of the BobCat has been conducted at Burford’s Wood Waste Recycling facility on Shannon Road.

“We have developed communication systems and operation procedures that will allow us to safely utilize the loader in the chaotic conditions that exist in the wake of a storm,” said Fire Medic Brett Ashworth, lead BobCat instructor.

“Rescue of victims in a storm aftermath cannot take place if our fire fighters and equipment are unable to reach the scene. The BobCat loader will be kept on a heavy equipment transport trailer and housed at Fire Station 1, ready for rapid deployment,” Fire Chief John Bresnan said.

The Homewood Police Department will participate in a Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics on Jan. 29 at Oak Mountain State Park.

Each year, people dress in costume and plunge into Oak Mountain Lake as

a part of the event. The department won last year’s costume contest.

This year registration begins at 8:30 a.m., the costume contest will be held at 9:30 a.m., and the plunge will be at 10 a.m. To register online, visit alabamaletr.com.

Art classes taught by Jo Ann BrownHomewood Senior Center will offer a new art class

beginning in January. Recently retired Edgewood Elementary teacher Jo Ann Brown will facilitate this class for adults age 55 and up.

Brown holds three different Alabama teacher certifications, one of which is art. In addition to her 27 years of teaching experience with children, Brown is also accustomed to working with the older population. She oversees the care of her 89-year-old mother and has taught classes for groups in which her mother has been involved.

Now retired, Brown is looking forward to applying her career skills as she shares her love of clay with members of the Senior Center.

Projects created in the class will be suitable for display and gift-giving. Participants will hand-build objects of clay and glaze them for firing in the kiln. Classes will be held on Mondays at 2:15 p.m. starting in mid-January and are free to Senior Center members. Space is limited, so those interested should call Center

Director Aimee Thornton at 332-6502 to register for the class.

Birmingham Art Peace ProjectHomewood Senior Center will partner with other

community groups in the Birmingham area for the Birmingham Art Peace Project. This endeavor has been initiated to create a symbolic memorial in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the tragic 16th Street Baptist Church bombing during the Civil Rights era.

To help create the memorial, participants are making paper cranes using the Japanese paper-folding technique origami. Inspiration for the project came from the display of these paper cranes hanging in memoriam at Ground Zero in New York. Adopted from Japanese culture, the crane symbolizes peace.

Senior Center members will begin making cranes on Jan. 22. For details on participating elsewhere, contact Margot Wade at [email protected] or Melissa Turnage at [email protected].

The annual State of the City Luncheon, hosted by the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, will be held Thursday, Jan. 15 at 11:30 a.m. at The Club. Mayor Scott McBrayer will speak, and Firefighter, Police Officer and Employee of the Year will be honored.

For more information, visit homewoodchamber.com.

Firefighters prepare for windstorms Police to participate in Polar Plunge

Senior Center to offer art classes, make cranes for Civil Rights anniversary

State of the City set for January

6 •

HFD congratulates retiring officers

Homewood Fire Department Battalion Chief Ray Cummings and Lieutenant Joe Hardaway retired on Nov. 1. HFD congratulates them and wishes them well in their retirement.

Joe HardawayRay Cummings


Police to participate in Polar Plunge

• 7

HFD congratulates retiring offi cers

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Decorating on a dime after the holidaysHollywood resident refl ects on decorating her family room on a budgetBy ELISABETH SANFRATEL

The tree is down. The lights are all put up. Everyone survived the busiest time of the year. Now my resolutions are underway. As always, I hope to give more in my love as a social worker and now in my current position as a stay-at-home mom of three very busy little boys. But a new resolution will make my hubby, Scott, happy because it’s about quality not quantity in the dollar sense – to brighten the small family room in what I like to call our Homewood bungalow.

Over the years, with no true decorating expertise, the design obstacles I have faced in my home have really made it my own, which makes for a good refl ection of us as a family and a home. With that in mind, I set out to tackle a room with only two walls as it opens into three other spaces, with a post-holiday budget in mind.

Below are my simple must haves for this project, all which you too can do.

Color. Those paint coordination chips at Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams are there for a reason, and pairing together paints is easy. My Hubbard Squash Yellow and Liberty Pewter Grey have worked in more than one area in our home. With that

being said, stick with a main color you like and pair it with accent colors on a swatch already chosen for you.

Practical furniture. With three little boys, new and costly furniture is most likely not the best idea, although strolling through a good furniture store or antique store is one of my most relaxing hobbies. Still, my couch is easy and versatile in a warm mocha brown.

Pillows. I spruced up the room’s two gray rattan style chairs with new seat cushions and throw pillows, an easy and inexpensive way to change

it up. My friends might tell you I have a decorative pillow-buying problem! I might agree, but if you are at places like Homegoods or TJ Max, it’s a problem that won’t require medication.

Focus. One focus area for me was the rustic cedar mantel and surrounding bookshelves on one of the room’s full walls. I painted the shelves with one of my accent swatches to highlight special family pieces, accessories and photographs I put on them; the color also leads the focus back onto the other areas of

the room. For the mantel, I found tall inexpensive, elegant candle holders and framed a print my mother-in-law had found at an estate sale.

Splurge for what matters most. I wanted my other big focus to be the entryway from the family room to the kids’ room/TV area, so I budgeted for custom drapes to lead into the space with a dramatic sense of style and fun. I set up an appointment with a design consultation at Calico Corners. After she brought some rolls of fabric to my house, I had decided on a yellow and gray Ikat fabric; it became a fun

texture and color for the space and brought together the colors I was already working with. I didn’t break the bank with huge furniture, but the custom drapes make a huge statement and help me bring the room together.

So in the end – and for less than a grand – my room is done. Pillows, fun accessories, custom drapes and displaying my favorite artwork equal a happy hubby. In addition, our happy family room is inviting, comfortable and a place where we can be ourselves. Most importantly though, it’s where I can focus on family.

Elisabeth Sanfratel focused her décor for her living room on the mantel and entryway leading to the adjacent kids/TV room. Photos by Madoline Markham.


By KATEY COURTNEY

Natalie Dabney said she was always a “bigger” girl growing up. But after having her first child, her weight rose to 250 pounds. “My first marriage really affected my self-esteem, and I gained weight during my pregnancy,” Dabney said. “I was in an abusive relationship, and my divorce really took a toll on me.”

When she married Buddy Dabney in June 2005, she began to lose some of the weight. But she tried every diet imaginable, and none seemed to give her results she wanted. One morning, as she put on panty hose before work, she saw the lines and creases they made on her unfit body.

That’s when she decided enough was enough.

She quit her job that day and dedicated her life to making the best life for herself that she could. She joined the Shades Valley YMCA and made it her full-time occupation to transition into a healthier lifestyle, complete with exercise and diet. Since then, thanks to her dedication, she’s lost 120 pounds. Now, she’s helping others dedicate their lives as well.

In 2011, Dabney became an instructor at the YMCA and began teaching at Mommy and Me Time Fitness, a Homewood fitness organization dedicated to introducing and promoting healthy lifestyles to mothers and their children.

“Mommy and Me Time Fitness is a major part of my life. Teaching kids that fitness is healthy and positive is important to start at a young age. I don’t want my children to grow up

Family fitness Mom who conquered weight problem teaching Mommy and Me Time Fitness classes

like I did,” Dabney said.Mommy and Me Time Fitness

offers boot camp, Zumba, Pilates and yoga classes for mothers and their children and allows participants to exercise at their own pace.

Instructors offer high and low impact moves to assist the fitness levels that participants can safely meet.

The main goal of the group is to allow mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, singles and children to interact in a positive atmosphere while teaching children and adults that exercising is a positive thing.

“My son Jonathan, who’s 3, and my daughter Julia, who’s 5, come with me to most of my classes, and I enjoy creating a special bond and lifelong memories with them,” Dabney said.

Besides being the main instructor at Mommy and Me Time Fitness alongside owner Stacey Jernigan, Dabney served on the Shades Valley YMCA Board of Directors for the past three years. In addition, she acted as chair for the Strong Kids Campaign.

“The Strong Kids Campaign raises money to help provide funds for underprivileged youth to partake in YMCA services like swimming

lessons and childcare,” Dabney said. “We gathered donations from the community and area businesses and truly made a difference in the lives of area youth.”

Looking back on her journey, Dabney reflected on her choice to make a new life for herself and smiled.

“Through the blood, sweat and tears, I made it. By making the decision I made, I gave my children a longer life with their mommy, lost 120 pounds and gave my children an example of how hard work and determination can change lives,” she said.

She advised people looking to lose weight to continue to push through plateaus and to never back down from goals.

“God and exercise changed my life,” said Dabney. “I hope to save a life in my service and ministry and I want people to know that no goal is unreachable with the help of God.”

The Dabney family attends Dawson Church and St. Elias Maronite Church and is active in the Homewood community.

For more information on Mommy and Me Time Fitness, visit mommyandmetime.com or call 356-0374.

Natalie Dabney (right) lost 120 pounds before starting to teach Mommy and Me Time Fitness classes, which allow moms to exercise at their own pace with their children. Photos by Katey Courtney.

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A Home Environment Away From Home

OpinionOrdinary Days By Lauren Denton

Trusting God’s plansWhile cleaning out fi les on

our computer recently, I found a spreadsheet my husband, Matt, made when we got married in 2005 called “The Five Year Plan.” It included work goals, things we wanted to do with the house, vacations we wanted to save for, money we wanted to sock away. As I scanned the document, my eyes stopped when I saw our goal for 2007: have a kid.

I suppose that back in ’05 when we got married, we fi gured having a child would be as simple as deciding when we wanted to have it, then planning accordingly. Little did we know that God had other plans. After deciding that we were ready to add a child to our two-person family, we spent the next two years trying to get pregnant.

Once we got over the initial shock that we didn’t get pregnant right away, as it seemed most everyone around us did, we spoke to a fertility doctor — and spent much of 2008 in her offi ce. We started off hesitantly but ended up with all the injections, medicines and shots that go along with fertility treatment. It was gut-wrenching to see so many friends get pregnant and have sweet babies while I was still beating a path to Brookwood almost weekly. I didn’t understand why God had chosen that path for us.

As the Proverb says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Our plans defi nitely didn’t include fertility doctors, or a two-year wait before fi nally getting pregnant with our fi rst child, but God’s did. In His careful wisdom, He determined, way before Matt and I even thought about kids, that our joy would be delayed. 2008 was a truly diffi cult year for us, and not just because we were endlessly (it seemed) frustrated

in our attempts to have a baby. I had surgery, my grandfather began a decline from Alzheimer’s that ended in his death in September of that year, my family went through a diffi cult time, and I lost my job. As we turned the page into 2009, Matt and I told each other fi rmly, “This year will be better.”

And it was. By God’s grace (and our doctor), we got pregnant in January. Our whole family felt like this

marked the end of the diffi culties of the previous year. While we were still greatly saddened by the loss of our Papa, we rejoiced in knowing he was whole and happy in heaven, and we were so thankful that after losing a member of our family, we’d soon be adding another one. Kate was born in November, tiny and healthy.

As I think about how different our journey has looked from how I thought it would go back when we were newly married and somewhat naïve, I’m actually thankful for the delay that God ordained for us. It was extremely hard, but the experience taught me that God really does have a plan even when it seems like nothing is going according to (my) plan. I see now that He truly knows what I need better than I do. I can look back and see a track record of his faithfulness — not because He eventually gave me what I wanted, but because He was by my side, drawing me to Him while I was at my lowest. Now, four years and two kids later, I can take comfort in remembering that God didn’t forget me when things didn’t go the way I wanted. Instead, He was busy working for my good and laying the path before me, even when I couldn’t see the way.

Lauren can be reached at [email protected].

Moms reach out to community with prayer

Now in its 11th year, Homewood Praying Moms gathers the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Hart and Soul in Edgewood to pray for Homewood children, their teachers and schools. The group, led by Rhonda Moss, asked participants and recipients of prayer to describe what the group means to them.

“Homewood Praying Moms is a group

of inspiring and supportive women that get together to talk, catch up and pray. Rhonda

is a great teacher for all of us. At each gathering we pray for everyone’s children, the schools, teachers and our wonderful town of Homewood. We end with everyone writing a few note cards to staff members at all fi ve schools to let them know they were prayed for that morning. With everyone being so busy and pressed for time, it is great to sit down and talk with members of our community and

By BRETT MORRISON

Editor’s Note: The life of Dave’s Pizza owner, Dave Morrison, 59, was celebrated at the restaurant following his memorial service on Dec. 11. His son, Brett, wrote the below message to the community.

Huge success is what I’d call that night at Dave’s. Countless people came out in support of celebrating my dad’s life. It truly was amazing.

Employees from almost two decades ago showed up, old friends were reunited, the most gracious “regulars” that any restaurant could ever want (you know who you are!) came out, beers were raised, stories were told, our Dave’s Pizza employee family was cradled in the arms of close to 19 years of friendship.

Our employees reaped the benefi t of relationships that my father spent a third of his life culminating; Dave would have been so proud of everyone who took place in the miracle that happened at our restaurant that night. Our staff took in enough donations to truly make this holiday season bright.

On behalf of Dave, myself and our entire staff, I’d like to raise my cup to those of you who were able to attend the

celebration of my father’s life; it meant the world to see your faces. I fully intend to repay each and every one of your kind donations — maybe not with money, but with kind gestures to strangers and loved ones alike. We love you and hold you near to our hearts. Keep us in your thoughts and please continue praying for my family.

In memory of Dave

See PRAYER | page 12

Denton Dave Morrison

• 9


By ANNA CATE LITTLE

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

This is the scripture Dr. Gordon Bals repeated throughout our premarital counseling sessions seven years ago. It meant so much to me at the time that I had it printed and framed for my husband as a gift on our wedding day.

Now, refl ecting on that scripture, I think it well illustrates Bals’ Daymark Pastoral Counseling practice and its effect on our community. Bals’ delicate words, his commitment to his family, church and clients, and his interminable scriptural knowledge all lend themselves to a sharpening effect: A sharpening of our minds, of our relationships with our spouse and other loved ones, of our desire to draw close to God.

And that makes him qualifi ed to write a fabulous book about regaining “common ground” in the midst of a diffi cult, perhaps broken, marriage: Common Ground: God’s Gift of a Restored Marriage.

“Marriage is hard but it doesn’t have to lead to hardened or divided hearts,” Bals said. “Marital diffi culty can turn you toward your faith in a way that matters, so your heart softens and you fi nd rest and togetherness with your spouse. The book helps

Finding common groundHomewood counselor Gordon Bals authors book on marital diffi culty

you recognize harmful relational patterns and turn toward life-giving relational patterns.”

Don’t be fooled by Bals’ quiet, reserved demeanor. He is a seasoned communicator. He talks golf and football with my husband. He lives with four females. And he has a PhD and was in the United States Naval Reserve.

But Bals’ true skill lies in both listening and suffering through life’s challenges with his clients. It is not unusual for him to offer up his own experiences. In our case, it has always been the painful gorge that infertility can cut into your marriage. He also has a way of seamlessly weaving scripture into every session without

sounding preachy, or heck, without even opening a Bible.

It is like lightning bolts of knowledge; one can almost feel God breathing in the room. And, it goes without saying, Bals will weep with you. He weeps from remembering his own pain, for others’ distress, and from the deepest joy and rest we can all fi nd in Jesus.

I, for one, have likened his counseling sessions to a nice massage. You leave feeling rested, feeling peaceful. At least that’s been my experience. My husband Matt and I have not faced huge battles, such as an immediate family member’s death, or a sick or damaged child. But we have our struggles, as do

all couples. And Common Ground addresses those struggles, which, as Bals eloquently points out, are the result of an evil force working against all marriages. It’s up to us to face this evil with God’s wisdom.

Bals and his wife, Dawn, have lived in Homewood 17 years, and their three girls are active in Homewood schools as well as the community. Aimee, a senior, is a Star Spangled Girl; Abby, a sophomore, plays saxophone in the marching band and is in the show choir; Elise, an eighth grader, is a cheerleader. From Gordon offi ciating our wedding ceremony to Dawn and her girls watching our daughter Caroline over the years,

Counselor and author Gordon Bals with his family. Photo courtesy of Nolen Photography.

Faith

the Bals have become a special presence in our lives and the lives of countless Birmingham residents.

If the following quote from Bals’ book speaks to you the way it does me, then you may want to read the entire, marriage-renewing text:

“God pursues you and can restore you into a more loving person. He wants to do this for you not because you try hard, but because He is kind.”

Common Ground can be purchased locally at Little Professor Book Center or online at Daymarkcounseling.com or Amazon.com. For more information about Daymark Pastoral Counseling, visit daymarkcounseling.com or call 871-3332.

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By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Teresa Hartley opened her coffee shop, Hart & Soul, for the community, and she didn’t hold back in making sure no one felt left out.

There’s mochas and frappes of many varieties, croissants and pastries for breakfast, paninis and soups for lunch and dinner, cake pops and gelato for after school snacks, beer and wine for late night and live music on weekends.

To add to the mix, Hartley plans to open a wine bar in the right side of the store, which, for now, is extra seating and can be reserved for showers and birthday parties.

On any given day amidst the bold, colorful décor of the shop, you’ll fi nd Edgewood residents picking up a quick breakfast, college students studying for hours at time, and Bible study groups and classes holding weekly meetings.

Sharon Albritton, a decades-long friend of Hartley who works at the coffee shop, is quick to talk about how its pimiento cheese is “to die for.” She said she can’t say what makes it so good, but it’s obvious that you can’t go wrong with cheddar and jalapeños, as the menu lists. Spread it on a panini with pepper jelly, and we agree: to die for.

Albritton’s favorite sandwich is the French Dip, and Hartley recommends the Turkey on Raisin Bread, which is fi lled with provolone, cream cheese and pepper jelly.

Other Paninis on the menu include the Prosciutto Bagel, Pesto Chicken

Hart & Soul Coffee Company1014 Oxmoor Drive

871-4420hartandsoulcafe.comSunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Tuesday. 6 a.m.-8 p.m.Wednesday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

and a Mushroom with caramelized onions and pepper jack cheese.

The Hart Salad and Soul Salad are tossed with house-made pear vinaigrette.

Daily soups, like everything on the menu, are homemade: Collard Greens with White Beans, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, Tomato Bisque to name a few.

The options for ordering don’t stop

there.“If it’s not on our menu, we can put it

together,” Albritton said.For any time of day, there’s a

selection of pastries and desserts: Nutella Croissants, Apple Danishes, Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce. Any of these tastes excellent when paired with Hart and Soul’s coffee, Carpe Diem from Spring Hill in Mobile.

One customer so favors Hart and

Soul’s Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies and Peanut Butter Cookies Dipped in Chocolate that she orders four dozen cookies a month.

Hartley opened the Edgewood coffee shop just shy of two years ago after moving her SoHo Sweets from SoHo to the right side of the storefront, which she later converted into more coffee shop space.

Just like her shop, Hartley is Home-

wood through and through. She grew up in Homewood and now lives up the street from the shops in Edgewood. She has watched three of her children graduate from Homewood schools, and her fourth, Anna, is a fi fth grader at Edgewood Elementary.

“Teresa knows everyone,” Albritton said with emphasis.

And it’s everyone that she welcomes at Hart and Soul.

Hart and Soul in Edgewood sells coffee, pastries, gelato and sandwiches, among other things. Photos by Madoline Markham.

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• 11


PRAYERfrom page 9

focus on what really matters. It is wonderful to have met so many other women that I would have never met without HPMs. A lot of us in Homewood don’t have family in-state, so it’s great meeting people that can help fill that hole. I also love that by the end of the school year every student is prayed for individually.”

– Julie Estep, member of Homewood Praying Moms

“My name’s Abbey Moss and my mom’s a

Homewood Praying Mom. Homewood Praying Moms isn’t just a prayer group to me. It feels really good to know that I have God on a constant watch over my school and the faculty, students and all that we do in our day. It’s so amazing the ways that God works in our lives and He really pushes us to achieve great things. With the moms of our students praying to help us realize that we are loved and have potential to do anything that we set our minds too, it impacts many students lives even though they might not know the root of it. Every day I see kids struggling to make the right decisions, and it makes me feel good to know that we have women at home praying for these kids that they might feel the Lord in all that they struggle with. With these ladies praying for us, it’s such a comfort to know that I have God on my side to watch over me, in all that I say, pray and do. And I thank the Homewood Praying Moms for blessing us with this security.”

– Abbey Moss, Homewood Middle School student “Homewood Praying Moms never fails to

brighten my day! Every now and then, I receive a small, bright-colored card in my mailbox at school letting me know that Homewood Praying Moms prayed specifically for me and my class that day. It is amazing how that little note always comes on a day when I need it most. That little note strengthens me and reminds me that Homewood truly is a tight-knit-community. “

– Rebecca Smith, elementary teacher To find out more about Homewood

Praying Moms, visit sites.google.com/site/prayingmomsofhomewood/.

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12 •

Kickboxing facility debuts this month

The first kickboxing franchise in Alabama, Gauntlet Fitness, is scheduled to open in downtown Homewood in early January.

The gym offers fitness-based kickboxing group class training, with a class beginning every hour on the hour according to demand. Classes can accommodate up to 20 participants but always maintain at least a 10:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

Head instructor David Sherman has a black belt in three forms of martial arts, and owner Aaron Crocker co-founded Fitness Together in Alabama. Gauntlet refers to steel gloves that knights wore in medieval times; the theme of the class is to accept the challenge of life, said Crocker.

“Kickboxing gets you in total shape and uses all major muscle groups,” Crocker said.

Gauntlet recommends beginners start with a 30-day Gauntlet Fundamentals class that offers workouts three days a week for four weeks. After that, participants can join the gym for a monthly fee that offers unlimited access to classes.

Gauntlet is located 2610 19th Street South and can be reached at 414-6689. For more information, visit gauntletfit.com or find them on Facebook.

New cycling store in Edgewood

Edgewood Cycles is now open across the street from Homewood Antiques in Edgewood.

The full service bicycle shop performs repairs on any brand of bicycle and sells road and mountain bikes for any age and skill level. They also sell baby joggers, trailers,

clothing and riding gear. Owner Vince Robinson has worked as a professional bike mechanic and bicycle store manager for the past 25 years. The bicycle racer has designed a special messenger-style laptop bag for bikes, and non-bikers that the store sells.

Robinson said he was drawn to the location by the neighborhood and that customers have been great so far. He boasts that the store has fast and friendly service, with a turn-around time for repairs between one and two days.

Edgewood Cycles is located at 929 Oxmoor Road and can be reached at 783-1355. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, visit edgewoodcycles.com.

Vulcan offers Valentine’s Weddings

Vulcan Park and Museum is offering special packages to 14 couples looking to have a low-maintenance, stress-free weddings or vow renewals on a budget during February.

All packages are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis and include an intimate 30-minute, outdoor wedding ceremony performed by a licensed officiate, as well as a keepsake bridal bouquet and boutonniere, professional photographs and a champagne toast for the bride and groom.

All wedding services and package items are provided exclusively by vendors carefully selected by Vulcan Park and Museum and GoPro Event Solutions.

The sunset package has sold out, but daytime packages are still available.

For more information or to purchase a package, contact Melanie Goodsell at 933-1409, extension 31 or [email protected].

Promotional company moving into Bloom building

Conzelman and Associates purchased the former Bloom building on 18th Street and plans to move in following renovations.

The company sells high-end goods, including brands such as Apple, Panasonic and American Apparel, as well as basic staples with and without logos to corporations. The company’s clients include TV stations, treatment centers and other entities throughout the country. They also work locally with companies such as Protective Life and Vulcan Materials.

The new facility will boast a large showroom with more than 1,000 items.

After the move, Conzelman and Associates will be located at 2518 18th Street South. For more information, call 879-4354 or visit conzelmall.com.

New location for Moore Agency

Jimmy Moore’s All State Insurance Office has moved from 19th Street to 921 Oxmoor Road.

The office offers auto, car, farm, flood, life, home and motorcycle insurance.

The agency can be reached at 983-6441. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit agents.allstate.com/jimmy-moore-homewood-al.html.

Homewood Happenings


Once Upon A Time2900 18th Street South

870-7776onceuponatimellc.com

Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sarah Bailey and Linda Flaherty are the mother-daughter team behind downtown Homewood baby store Once Upon a Time. Photos by Madoline Markham.

By MIA BASS

It’s evident from stepping in her store that Linda Flaherty loves providing parents – both new and experienced – with everything they need to care for infants. The Once Upon A Time owner greets parents at the entrance to her sea of pale pink and sky blue by speaking softly to babies in their arms.

“Let me have a peek,” she says.From infant and toddler clothes to

diaper bags and furniture, Once Upon A Time sells a selection of items to create a nursery escape for baby.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Flaherty said. The shop offers gifts for baby showers including blankets, stuffed toys, diaper bags and baby carriers.

Although Flaherty and her daughter, Sarah Bailey, are at home in their location in downtown Homewood, they haven’t always been here.

She opened Nursery Décor in 1994. At the store, Flaherty brought her love of sewing to the forefront and began designing and making custom nursery linens.

Once Upon A Time opened in 1996. As the store grew, it moved to larger locations in Crestline Village. In 2009 it expanded into Homewood with a store on 18th Street.

As item variety grew, Bailey came on board with her mother. She worked at the shop while she was in college and jokes that it wasn’t time

to have a baby yet so she had to go her own way. “I was ready to be a grandmother, but she wasn’t ready to be a mother,” Flaherty said with a laugh.

Bailey joined the store again as manager and buyer seven years ago and came on as a partner in 2009.

“It’s great to be able to share this experience with my mom,” Bailey

said.The store fl ooded in December

2011 but was reopened in March 2012, in time for spring showers.

Flaherty’s favorite part about her job?

“It may be the hardest, but buying,” she said.

The mother-daughter pair carefully select each item found in the shop.

They strive for quality, variety and price points in their products.

The two treasure the relationship they have with each of their customers and realize the importance of friendships.

“Some people come in and say, ‘I don’t even have a baby, but I had to come in!’” Flaherty said.

Mothers on baby number four still

fi nd something they need at Once Upon A Time.

So if it’s the once upon a time for you or someone you love, stop by the shop for something to make this special time a little more magical.

The store is holdings its annual Furniture and Linens sale Jan. 21-26. Both fl oor samples and special orders will be discounted.

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• 13

Read past Business Spotlights at TheHomewoodStar.com Business Spotlight


By MADOLINE MARKHAM

At the Islamic Academy of Alabama (IAA), each school day is similar to those in other schools. However, it’s the differences that are important.

IAA students not only study math, science and English, but also Arabic and Islam. They compete in spelling bees and field days in addition to an Arabic spelling bee and an Islamic quiz competition. They play soccer and create newspapers, and later they gather for prayers and learn to read and memorize the Koran in its original language.

“The kids see themselves as Americans and as Muslims,” said Monica Khalaf, a former IAA teacher whose children attend the school. “They are proud to see where they are from and their heritage, as an American and as a Muslim.”

The school, located in the old Shades Valley RLC building (and former Rosedale High, a segregated school) in Rosedale, opened its doors in 1996 for just under 40 students up through sixth grade.

This year more than 200 students attend the school and represent 18 different countries, drawing in students from around Birmingham and surrounding counties. This is its first year to have a class of graduating seniors.

In the afternoon, most of the school gathers for the third of the six

Raising up the next generationIslamic Academy of Alabama in Rosedale teaches more than academics

daily prayers Muslims practice – an opportunity they don’t have in other schools. It was this opportunity for corporate prayer that Khalaf said her son most missed when he attended public high school for a year.

The school also draws from traditions in other countries. Each school day begins with an assembly for all students, which is common overseas. There they hear announcements and say prayers.

“We teach them lifelong skills and habits, not just calculus and chemistry and Arabic,” Khalaf said. “We want our students to learn to be

strong Muslims who are contributing to the local community and global community.”

Male students learn to respect their female classmates and teachers, said Khalaf. When girls start covering their hair at puberty, they are not alone.

“The school gives them a more comfortable environment to start wearing [a scarf]; they might be self conscious elsewhere,” Khalaf said.

During spring break this year as part of their curriculum, IAA high school juniors and seniors will travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia on a small Hajj, the name for the

Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that most Muslims carry out during their lifetime. Back in Birmingham, younger students participate in a miniature version of Hajj each year at the school.

“You don’t really understand [Hajj] until you get there, so I think it’s fantastic that they get to do that,” Khalaf said.

At their annual Culture Day, each classroom represents a different country where students at the school have heritage. The children dress up, bring in special food and present facts about the area.

The school follows the core curriculum for the state of Alabama and works closely with Homewood City Schools. Homewood has helped point them to resources over the years, and IAA teachers observe Homewood classes and participate in Homewood teacher workshops.

“We just think of ourselves as another Homewood school, and I hope [the school system] does too,” Khalaf said.

IAA generally follows the Homewood City Schools calendar but takes off Islamic holidays like Ramadan, which fell in October on the lunar calendar last year.

Learning about the students at IAA also says a lot about Birmingham’s Islamic community.

When Khalaf, who was raised in Pinson, first converted to the religion at age 21, Birmingham’s Muslim community was mostly college students. Since then, it has welcomed converts and lifelong Muslims from all over the world, including many American-born Muslims. Many, like Khalaf, have married within the community, moved abroad and have now returned to Birmingham. The community has grown to include three mosques, one of which is in Homewood.

“One of the community’s biggest strengths is diversity,” Khalaf said.

To learn more about the Islamic Academy of Alabama, visit iaaschool.net.

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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 January 19th!

14 •

Community

On the school’s annual Culture Day, Alley and Ilma Uddin representing Bangladesh, left. Right, pre-K and kindergarten students make a “tawwaf” around the Kaaba during the annual re-enactment of the Hajj ritual at the school. Photos courtesy of IAA.


The Friends of Shades Creek will hold its annual Salamander Festival on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Homewood Senior Center, located adjacent to Patriot Park in West Homewood.

The free event marks the season when salamanders migrate from the mountain of Homewood Forest Preserve by Homewood High School to a wetland pool to find a mate and lay eggs.

“If you’re lucky, you might seem them do their dance in the wetland pool,” said Michelle Blackwood, president of Friends of Shades

Creek. University professors will be at the festival to

talk and answer questions about the salamanders. Educational displays will cover fish, recycling, composting, gardening, fossil tracks, native plants and wildflowers.

The festival will also feature music, a chocolate fountain and other food, and crafts for kids. Festival entry and crafts are free. T-shirts and novelty items will be for sale, and there is a small charge for food at the chocolate fountain.

For more information on the Friends of Shades Creek, visit shadescreek.org.

• 15

Clownin’ around for charityRed Nose Run set for Saturday, Jan. 12

The Bridal Market will be held Jan. 6 from 1-4 p.m. at Rosewood Hall in SoHo. A variety of vendors will be present.

Brides in attendance will be entered in a

chance to win $500 towards wedding bands from Diamonds Direct. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

For more information and to register, visit thebridalmarket.com.

Relay for Life kicks off year with Outrun Cancer 5K

The Outrun Cancer 5K benefiting the Relay For Life of Homewood will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Homewood High School. Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the

race begins at 9 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast starting at 9:30 a.m. Vendors will be also be present. For more information, visit relayforlife.org/homewoodal.

Bridal Market returns to SoHo

The Legacy League, an auxiliary of Samford University, invites the public to hear USA Today and New York Times No. 1 bestselling author Karen Kingsbury as guest speaker at its annual Scholarship Luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 31.

The luncheon will be held at Vestavia Country Club at 11:30 a.m., and ballroom seating opens at 11 a.m. The cost is $50, of which $25 is a tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship endowment.

Referred to by Time magazine as the “queen” of Christian fiction, Kingsbury regularly receives correspondence from thousands of readers describing how her fiction has dramatically changed their lives. She has written more than 50 novels, 10 of which have hit No. 1 on national lists.

She and her husband, Don, live in Nashville with their five sons, three of whom were adopted from Haiti. Their daughter, Kelsey, is an actress and is married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky.

Reservations are required for the luncheon. For more information and to make reservations (available online through Jan. 24), visit samford.edu/legacyleague. For questions, please call 726-2247.

By KAITLIN BITZ

The 9th Annual Red Nose Run will feature a 5K, a 10-mile run, a Fun Run and lots of clowning around.

The run takes place each year to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Alabama. This year it will be held Jan. 12 at Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square beginning at 7 a.m.

Participants in the Fun Run will be accompanied by Ringling Brother’s Circus clowns and Ronald McDonald himself. Participants who register in time will also receive a goody bag with $5 off coupons for Ringling Brother’s circus, a long sleeve race T-shirt and a clown nose.

The race itself is sure to be full of silliness and lots of entertainment. However, don’t forget to register in time. Due to limited parking, only a certain number of participants will be allowed.

For more information on registration, costs and packet pickup, visit rednoserun-bham.com.

Karen Kingsbury to speak at Samford auxiliary luncheon

Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury. Photo courtesy of Dan Davis Photography.

“The Statue of Liberty” participates in last year’s Red Nose Run, which will be held Jan. 12 in SoHo in downtown Homewood. Photo courtesy of Red Nose Run.

Annual Salamander Festival to take place at Senior Center


FOOD & DRINK

Most Friendly Serviceq Hart & Soulq Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadwayq La Bambaq O’Henry’s Coffeeq Salem’s Dinerq Sam’s Super Samwichesq Urban Cookhouse

Most Kid Friendly Restaurantq Hart & Soulq New York Pizzaq Salsarita’sq Sam’s Deli

Best Happy Hourq Jackson’sq Little Donkeyq Michael’s Restaurantq Oak Hill

Best Brunchq Brioq Crape Myrtle’s Caféq Hart & Soulq Jackson’s

Best Ladies’ Lunch Spotq Nabeel’sq O’Carr’sq Urban Cookhouse q Zoe’s

Best Date Nightq DoDiYosq GianMarco’sq Jinseiq Michael’s Restaurant

Best Casual Diningq Dave’s Pizzaq Hart & Soulq Little Donkeyq Mangia Mangiaq Nabeel’s q Saw’s BBQq Urban Cookhouse

Best Asian Foodq Chop Suey Innq Jinseiq Mr. Wang’sq Pho Que Hungq Yoe Express

Best Italian Foodq Alfredo’sq Brioq DaVinci’sq GianMarco’s

Vote online through Jan. 25 at

thehomewoodstar/best-of

q

Best Mediterranean Foodq DoDiYosq Nabeel’sq Purple Onionq Sam’s Deli & Grill

Best Mexican Foodq Cocina Superiorq La Bambaq Little Donkeyq Los Compadresq Pinches Tacosq Sabor Latinoq Salsarita’s

Best New Restaurantq Johnny’sq Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadwayq Little Donkeyq Which Wich

Best Pizzaq DeVinci’sq New York Pizzaq Papa Murphy’s

Best Coffeeq Hart & Soulq O’Henry’s Coffeesq Red Mountain Espressoq Starbucks

Best Bakeryq Dreamcakesq Hart & Soulq Icing on the Cookieq Pastry Artq Savage’s

Best Restaurant Dessertq DoDiYosq GianMarco’sq Jackson’sq Urban Cookhouse

COMMUNITY

Best Outdoor Spaceq Homewood Central Parkq Lakeshore Greenwayq Patriot Parkq Woodland Park

Best Community Eventq Christmas Paradeq Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Offq Hall-Kent Fall Festivalq Taste of Homewoodq We Love Homewood Day

Best Neighborhoodq Edgewoodq Hollywoodq Lakeshore Estatesq Mayfairq West Homewood

Best Church Choirq All Saintsq Dawson Memorial Baptistq Our Lady of Sorrows Children’s Choirq Trinity United Methodist

Best Charity Eventq A Team Ministries Heart 2 Heart Galaq Children’s Dance Foundation’s Community Festq Exceptional Foundations Chili Cook-Offq Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July Festivalq American Cancer Society Relay for Lifeq MS Walk

Best After School Activityq Cookies at Savagesq Homewood Library q Homewood Parkq Homewood Soccerq Trinity UMC Element Café

Local Band/Musicianq Andy Meginnissq Blank State/Will Stewartq Danny Whitsettq Homewood High Bandq La Resistanceq Lee Bains III and the Glory Firesq The Amazing Live Sea Monkeysq The Dill Pickersq The Legendary Pineapple Skinnersq Trey Hill, Trinity UMC Contact Worship

Best Hometown Hero/Celebrityq Bob Newton q Eric Swope, HMS Cross Country q Julie Gentry q Mayor Scott McBrayer q Paul DeMarco

Best Local Personalityq Rick Journeyq Sam Graphosq Coach Steve Sills q Paul DeMarco q Romen McDonald

Best Place for Family Outingq Homewood Community Gardenq Downtown Homewoodq Edgewood Creameryq Homewood Central Parkq Patriot Park

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Best Work Out Facilityq Dawson Family Life Centerq Firm Body Bootcampsq Homewood FITq Homewood Rec Centerq Iron Tribe Fitnessq Shades Valley YMCAq Mommy and Me Fitness

Best Dentistq Dr. Deanne Vailq Dr. Julie Webbq Dr. James Reedq Dr. Jack Clarkq Dr. Michael Kellerq Dr. Jennifer Davisq Dr. Robert Rudolphq Dr. Kari Powell

Best Pediatricianq Dr. Keith Stansellq Dr. Melissa Wilsonq Dr. Stacey Gilbertq Dr. Elizabeth Petersq Dr. Amy Albert

BUSINESSES & SERVICES

Best Place to Have a Child’s Birthday Partyq Homewood Central Parkq Children’s Dance Foundationq Do It Yourself Crafts

Best New Businessq A Touch of Whimsyq Classy Closetq Festivityq Jo Jo’s Diner on Broadwayq Red Mountain Espressoq RSA Medical Boutique q Southern Fireplaces of Homewoodq Steel City Pops

Best Children’s Storeq Homewood Toy and Hobbyq Jack & Jillq Korduroy Krockidleq Once Upon a Timeq Sikesq Soca Girlq Swaddle

Best Store to Buy a Giftq Alabama Goodsq Ambianceq At Homeq Festivityq Harmony Landing q Homewood Antiquesq Homewood Toy and Hobby

Best Store for Menq The Briaryq Jos A Banksq Shaia’s

Best Place to Buy Home Décorq A Touch of Whimsyq At Homeq Harmony Landingq Homewood Antiquesq Siebel’sq Three Sheetsq The Briarcliff Shop

Best Customer Serviceq Alabama Goodsq Applause Dancewearq Homewood Antiquesq Hunter’s Cleanersq Publixq The Maidsq Twin Construction

Best Mechanic Shopsq Edgewood Serviceq Hatfieldsq Jim and Jimsq Malcolm Autoq Rainoldi’s Autoq Rob’e Mans

Best Salonq Gary Anthonyq The Hair Studioq Hopson Jamesq Parksideq Salon on Crescentq Salon Uq Sanctuary

Best Store for Your Hobbyq Cahaba Cyclesq Fretted Instrumentsq Hobby Lobbyq Homewood Toy and Hobbyq Sewing Machine Martq Smocking Bird q Trak Shack

Best Jewelry Storeq The Diamond Dealerq Edgewood Fine Jewelryq Wallace-Burke

16 •

BESTOFHOMEWOOD

2013The Homewood Star


School House

Homewood High School students Antonio Kelly, Michelle George, Malone Morgan and Jessica Nevins were selected to participate in Samford University’s Turning Points Program. Turning Points, specifi cally designed for graduation certifi cate students between the ages of 18-21, meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on Samford’s campus.

This transition program concentrates on the

development of life, social, communication and employability skills and includes instruction and job-training opportunities through hands-on activities and classroom instruction. While much time has been spent on learning and practicing important skills, students also enjoyed activities such as baking cookies in a dorm, listening to the Reid Chapel pipe organ, a picnic lunch on the quad and exercising in the gym.

Coach Rick Baguley’s senior economics classes at Homewood High School created and are running a school store that sells school supplies, novels and Patriot gear to students, faculty and staff.

Students do everything from designing, ordering and inventory, to taking the actual orders and making the sales. The

store is open each day during all fi ve lunch periods.

Students anticipate having their own blog soon that will allow them to create a “catalogue” in which other Homewood City Schools employees can see their products.

Profi ts from the store go directly to Homewood City Schools.

Homewood High students participate in Samford’s Turning Points Program

Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Dr. Kevin Maddox and Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland with HHS students in the Turning Points Program.

Students run school store

Anna Frierson and Rachel Donaldson assist Bianca Perez with her purchase at the HHS School Store.

OLS visits Jones Valley FarmThe fi fth grade class at Our Lady of Sorrows

Catholic (OLS) School learned that eating healthy can be fun during a trip to Jones Valley Teaching Farm in downtown Birmingham.

The students learned the processes required to get food from the farm to the kitchen table. They also learned how to read food labels to help them stay healthy before picking their own vegetables from the farm’s organic garden.

“I love this fi eld trip because it is so hands-on, and it teaches students, parents and teachers important nutrition information that we can use for the rest of our lives,” OLS fi fth grade teacher Claire Long said.

In the on-site kitchen at Jones Valley, students were instructed how to wash, cut and prepare vegetables and how to eat using all natural ingredients. They even had the opportunity to enjoy their food creations!

“Seeing the students picking the vegetables and then truly enjoying the fruits of their labor is such a joy!” Long said. “With childhood obesity on the rise, it is vital that we teach our youth about the impact that their food choices have on their health and their environment,” she said.

– Submitted by Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School fi fth grade students learned about growing vegetables in a greenhouse at Jones Valley Teaching Farm.

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January 2013 The Homewood Star18 •

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HOMEWOOD PARKS HOMEWOOD PARKS HOMEWOOD PARKS HOMEWOOD PARKS HOMEWOOD PARKS HOMEWOOD PARKS

@homewoodparks

Homewood Community Center Activities

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 5:30-6:30pmTuesday 5:30-6:30pmThursday 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

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: Wednesdays10:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years)11:30am - Village (infant to 18 months)1:30pm – Family Time (0-7 years multi -age class)Thursdays 9:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years)10:30am - Our Time (18 months to 3 years)11:30am - Village (infant to 18 months)1:30pm – Imagine That (3-5 years of age)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] 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 Mondays at The Homewood Community Center.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

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 Facility

For More Informati on about our programs:(205) 981-2720 (or)

www.headoverheelsgyms.com

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: Begins: January 14, 2013Ends: 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) [email protected]

Homewood Soccer ClubSpring 2013 season registrati on opens January 1, 2013

Homewood Soccer Club is dedicated to creati ng a balanced youth soccer program for residents of Homewood and is also open to others with payment of a non-

resident fee.There are three levels of play in the soccer program:

The Patriot Teams: Player’s ages 3 to 7. Teams are established in three age groups, U-4, U-6 and U-8. It is intramural so all acti viti es take place at Homewood Soccer

Park. Introduces basic soccer skills and focuses on learning “The Joy of the Game”.The Red Teams: Recreati onal teams ages 8 and older that off er players the

opportunity to learn and enjoy the game in a reduced competi ti ve environment while improving his/her soccer skills.

The Blue Teams: are Select (Try out) teams that play at a competi ti ve level. Blue teams are available starti ng at U-11 up to U-18.

Detail informati on about all three levels of play, including deadlines, fees and Club

philosophy is available on our web site at www.homewoodsoccer.com, or call

David Putman, Soccer Director, at 979-8974

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

Homewood Community Center Project Update

The Homewood Parks and Recreation Board is excited to announce the beginning of

construction on a New Community Center for Homewood in January 2013!

Below is a list of when programs and services will resume at our temporary home which is the site of the former Jeff erson County Satellite Courthouse,

809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209. Please see below for more informati on on the temporary facility.

Cardio & Weight Room: These areas open at the Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility Wednesday, January 2, 2013Instructor taught classes & programs: Classes resume Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility.Homewood Youth Basketball League: will conti nue to use the Homewood Community Center gymnasium for scheduled games and practi ces unti l Friday, January 11, 2013. At that ti me all practi ces and games will uti lize other faciliti es.

Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility809 Greensprings Highway, Homewood, AL 35209

The temporary facility is located at the former Jeff erson County Satellite Courthouse. Services at this facility will include cardio & weight rooms, programs

room for fi tness and instructi onal classes, and administrati ve offi ces.Temporary Fitness & Programs Facility Hours

Monday – Thursday: 5:30am – 8:30pmFriday: 5:30am – 7:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pmSunday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm

Business Offi ce HoursMonday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:45pm

www.Homewoodparks.com


Edgewood Elementary students in Johnny Washington’s second grade class learned about the Homewood community by inviting community helpers including members of

the Homewood Fire and Police Departments, local doctors, coaches and more to come to Edgewood and share information about their jobs.

Hall-Kent Elementary School students are enjoying the Nook program currently shared in Homewood City Schools.

“I just love seeing them being engaged in learning and most of all they are enjoying reading,” Hall-Kent librarian Emily Strickland said.

The Homewood-Oxmoor Rotary Club recently donated and delivered dictionaries to every third grader in Homewood City Schools. Rotary members personally visited every classroom to

distribute the dictionaries on behalf of the Rotary Club and guided the children as they looked up different words together. The students were free to take dictionaries home or keep them at school.

Students in Laura Hale’s and Lashaundra Richardson’s kindergarten classes collected, sorted and boxed 25 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. These shoeboxes will be dropped off at a local church and sent overseas for to less fortunate children for Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child at Shades Cahaba

Rotary delivers special gifts

Rotary members Pam Holt, Glenn Ellis, Bob Bales, Hall-Kent Elementary Principal Gina Dorough, Hall-Kent teacher Jill Walden, Rotary member Debbie Roberson, Sarah Womack, President Paul Scholl, Jonathan Lopez and Donte’ Bacchus.

Edgewood class learns about city offi cials

Students in Johnny Washington’s class with a Homewood Fire and Rescue Service truck.

Nooks in use at Hall-Kent library

Payton Young and Taylor Williams


Sports about town

Sports

The HHS Star Spangled Girls recently held dance camp at the high school for younger girls in Homewood.

Cheerleaders, Star Spangled girls hold camps

HHS cheerleader Cassy Anderson and Abbey Wade at cheer camp at Homewood’s Waldrop Stadium. Photos courtesy of Danielle Wade.

Cordelia Fox, 6, Ella Woods, 8, and Tully Mitchell, 8, enjoy being on the swim team together with Coach Chaz at the YMCA. Photo courtesy of Nikki Woods.

Milly Myers, Laney Petrella and Jack Myers at gymnastics practice. Photo courtesy of Katie Petrella.

Luke Stewart, age 4, has started playing the Robert Trent Jones Oxmoor Valley Golf Course with his dad, Shawn. His favorite part? Driving the cart! Photo courtesy of Shawn Stewart.

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OLS Volleyball places fi rst

The Homewood High School varsity boys cross country team earned 5A State Champions, and the girls team was 5A State Runner-Up. Alex Ngei, Mike Rhody,

Logan Sadler and Andy Smith earned All-State Titles for 5A guys, and Ann Mosley Whitsett earned an All-State Title for 5A girls.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School seventh and eighth grade team won fi rst place in the regular season in the Senior Division of the Birmingham Catholic Diocese. They also took home top honors by placing fi rst in the annual Toy Bowl Tournament.

Front row: Anna Karg, Carolyn Bosworth, Caroline Smith, Laura Lindsay, Anna Grace Nichols, Mallie Hankes. Back row: Coach Michele Alesce, Jessica Walker, Claire Morel, Megan Miller, Erin McMahonand Coach Meghan Alesce. Photo courtesy Mary Pugh.

The Birmingham Track Club hosted one of America’s elite marathon runners, Meb Kefl ezighi, at aLoft Hotel in Homewood in November. His honors include: 2004 Silver Medalist at the Beijing Olympics, winner of the 2009 ING NYC Marathon, winner of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and fourth overall fi nisher at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Kefl ezighi held a signing for his book, Run to Overcome, and promoted his non-profi t,

Meb Foundation, which strives to inspire youth and their families to lead healthy, active, balanced lives.

“We are extremely excited about hosting such an amazing athlete here in the Magic City,” said Jennifer Andress, President of the Birmingham Track Club and Hollywood resident. “When you see what Meb has accomplished with his career and how committed he is to helping others, you can’t help but be in awe.”

Olympic silver medalist Meb Kefl ezighi’s visits

Jennifer Andress, Kile Putman, Allison Putman, Lucas Lamb, Jane Lamb, Meb Kefl ezighi, Chad Hathorne, Teresa Wilson. Photo courtesy mRuns.com

Cross Country wins state

Homewood High School’s boys and girls cross country teams and coaches.

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OFF

How to support Not ForgottenDonate. The team is working to build a steady donor base but is grateful for any donation. Keep up with their work. Follow them on their blog, Facebook and Instagram, or sign up for their newsletter on their website.Go on a trip. Not Forgotten sends two summer teams and one over Christmas to love on children, work on construction and renovations, and teach Bible schools and English to the boys. They welcome anyone who is willing.Share their story. Not Forgotten is interested in making connections with local churches and other people who are interested in learning their story and become a part of their work.For more information, visit Notforgotten.org.

PERUfrom page 1part of the boys’ lives long-term. He had seen that they already had seen enough people leave them.

“They have poor self-esteem, to put it mildly,” Allison said. “They view everything as a result of their own badness, and they feel like they deserve how they live. It’s hard for them to believe that anyone else can love them.”

And so the purpose of their nonprofit ministry, Not Forgotten, is to show the boys that they can be loved.

“If they can see love in Gringos, we hope they can start to see the love of God,” Allison said. “They can tangibly grasp that they are worth loving when they see people coming back to them. We are trying to be a visual of that truth. We want them to see that they are not forgotten—not by us and more so not by God.”

Personal and pointed growth

Although the vision to build the boys’ hopes and dreams started with Tyler, Not Forgotten has always been a team effort, with more than 200 Samford students and others from around the Southeast making trips over the past decade.

During his sophomore year at Samford, Tyler convinced seven college friends to go with him to Peru as a next step to help the missionaries there in the long-term.

“The missionaries sent us off into the jungle with no interns or anything. It was just us,” he said.

Spring break his junior year, he took 23 Samford students, and his senior year he took 37—the first year Allison and Kristen McKee, now the Forgotten Team Coordinator and Church Liaison, would go.

After Tyler and his friends graduated from Samford in 2006, they continued not only to take trips, but also to explore organic ways to do more for the children.

“We found it was hard seeing so

many more needs than we could meet in a trip, like education. So we started supporting teachers,” Tyler said.

It was then in 2007 that Not Forgotten was born — to do more to support local ministry and home there.

A vision for long term, holistic change

The more needs the Not Forgotten team tried to meet, the more needs they saw. And they began to see that the homes they had been working with, in their efforts to provide food and shelter, served as a band-aid over more serious problems.

They started brainstorming with people on the ground and dreamed up a new home to provide a more holistic approach to “build hope, break the cycle,” as the organization’s tag line says.

In April 2011, Not Forgotten purchased 100 acres in Peru to influence the community where they had been working, and the team’s ideas for their property are endless.

They broke ground last summer for a children’s home to get more kids off the streets or from neglected homes.

“We could open tomorrow and have 50 kids,” Allison said. “We have a vision of ways to do this well and to involve the community in taking care of the kids.”

In the future, they hope to build a school and teach the children to speak English and use computers so they can work in the tourism industry. They also want to open a farm and a business such as a gas station or ecotourism site to benefit local residents and teach the boys trade skills.

Next steps, here and thereNot Forgotten hopes to partner

with more churches and schools in Birmingham, adding to their existing network of support.

Allison is now a foster care social worker at Lifeline Family Services, Tyler is an internal medicine and pediatrics resident at UAB and Kristen teaches language acquisition at Montevallo Elementary. All three still live in Homewood, not far from their college friends who are still

very involved in Not Forgotten. They bring their own professional skill sets in speech language, construction, nonprofit management, business and accounting to the ministry.

Tyler’s dad, Joe Fuqua, an architect in Huntsville, and Allison’s dad, Randy Pittman, the Vice President for University Advancement at Samford, are both very involved as well.

In all they do, the overarching idea of any long-term plan is for Not Forgotten to pour into locals who can be on the front lines in Peru to connect with the children on a deeper level. Realizing that as Americans they have some cultural disconnection in Peru, the team said they want to be as involved or removed as they should be in their vision for the boys.

“We can help be motivators for them,” Kristen said. “By working with locals we can teach them to take advantage of the opportunities they have.”

Allison added: “Our heart is not to turn them into little Americans but to listen to people about what they need and connect them with things. We try to lay aside what makes the most sense to us here, knowing that we are still not Peruvian.”

January 2013TheHomewoodStar.com • 23CalendarHomewood EventsJan. 6: The Bridal Market. 1-4 p.m. Rosewood Hall. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit thebridalmarket.com.

Jan. 8 – The Oxmoor Page Turners Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Homewood Library. Discussing A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House.

Jan. 10 – Meet and Greet Michael Harding. 6 p.m. Forstall Art Center. Painting aficionado Harding will talk about his lines of paints as well as proper paint mixing and blending techniques. Free to the public, space is limited. Call 870-0480.

Jan. 10 – 2013 Claypool Lecture. 6:30 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Center. Dr. Brené Brown, New York Times best selling author. Discussion entitled “The Hustle for Worthiness.” Sponsored by Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. Tickets are $15 each. Call 802-6207.

Jan. 11 – Leaps and Bounds. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Library. A class for 2.5- to 4-year-olds designed to help them get the wiggles out while learning gross motor skills. No older siblings please. Call 332-6619.

Jan. 11-12 – Oil Painting with Michael Harding. 10 a.m. Forstall Art Center. $145 for the full day. Lunch is provided, but you should bring supplies. Call 870-0480.

Jan. 12 – Say Hola to Spanish. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Library. Enjoy a language-learning story time. All ages welcome.

Jan. 12 – The Music of Ray Charles with Ellis Hall. 8 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Center. Tickets range from $27 to $69. Call 975-2787.

Jan. 12 – Red Nose Run. 7 a.m. Rosewood Hall. 5K and 10 mile run as well as Fun Run that includes

Ronald McDonald and clowns from Ringling Brother’s Circus. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House. Visit rednoserun-bham.com.

Jan. 14 – Monday Movie. 3:30 p.m. Homewood Library. Popcorn and juice will be served.

Jan. 15 – State of the City Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Mayor Scott McBrayer will speak. City awards will be given. The Club. Visit homewoodchamber.com.

Jan. 15 – The A, B, C’s of Medicare. Noon and 6 p.m. Homewood Library. Karen Haiflich will answer questions about the how benefits are currently computed, how to become insured and how to file a claim.

Jan. 17 – After Schooler’s Fun Club. 3:30 p.m. Homewood Library. Children ages 8-12 can come enjoy the cool craft corner.

Jan. 17 – The Small Business Workshop Series – Social Media 101. 6 p.m. Homewood Library. This workshop will cover the basics for using social media for business including Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Workshop is free. Call 332-6620.

Jan. 18 – Creating Altered Books with Allison Rhea. 10 a.m. Homewood Library. Allison Rhea will be teaching people how to use old unwanted books as canvases for many different types of art. Reservations required. Call 332-6620.

Jan. 18 – Leaps and Bounds. 10:30 a.m. Homewood Library. A class for 2.5- to 4-year-olds designed to help them get the wiggles out while learning gross motor skills. No older siblings please. Call 332-6619.

Jan. 19 – Cereal and Cartoons. 10 a.m. Homewood Library.

Jan. 22 – Synthetic Marijuana Awareness Program. 6 p.m. Shades Valley Presbyterian Church. Rep. Paul DeMarco will host an awareness program for the public.

Jan. 24 – Family PJ Story Time. 6 p.m. Homewood Library. Bring your family in their pajamas to enjoy tales and treats. All ages are welcome. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Jan. 26: Homewood Salamander Festival. 3-5:30 p.m. Homewood Senior Center, 816 Oak Grove Road.

Jan. 26: Outrun Cancer 5K benefiting the Relay For Life of Homewood. 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. race, 9:30 a.m. pancake breakfast. Homewood High School. Visit relayforlife.org/homewoodal.

Jan. 26 – Cereal and Cartoons. 10 a.m. Homewood Library.

Jan. 28 – Monday Movie. 3:30 p.m. Homewood Library. Popcorn and juice will be served.

Jan. 29 – Sports Page Turners. 6 p.m. Homewood Library. Discussing the latest trends in sports and more. Open to second- through fifth-grade students accompanied by an adult. Call 332-6619.

Jan. 30 – Better Than Therapy Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Homewood Library. Discussing Richard Jaffe’s Quest for Justice – Defending the Damned. Call 332-6620.

Jan. 31 – Scholarship Luncheon with Karen Kingsbury. 11:30 a.m. Vestavia Hills Country Club. $50 tickets benefit students in need of financial aid. Kingsbury is New York Times and USA Today number one best selling author of Life-Changing Fiction. Reservations required 2247.

Jan. 31 – Say Hola to Spanish. 4 p.m. Homewood Library. Enjoy a language-learning story time. All ages welcome.

Feb. 5 – National Pancake Day. IHOP will be giving away free pancakes all day. Their goal is to raise 3 million dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s 30th Anniversary.

Special EventsJan. 4-5 – Monster Jam. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday. BJCC. Monster trucks for the whole family. Tickets range from $10 to $50. Call 800-745-3000.

Jan. 12 – Bama Shootout. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. BJCC. 18 of Alabama’s best high school boys and girls basketball teams will play. Ticket prices vary by school. Call 502-435-3255.

Jan. 13 – Southern Bridal Show. Noon-5 p.m. BJCC. Call 800-523-8917 or visit eliteevents.com.

Jan. 20 – Reflect & Rejoice – A Tribute to MLK Jr. 3 p.m. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Alabama Symphony Orchestra collaborate to present program including Beethoven’s No. 5 and conducted by Roderick Cox. Tickets range from $9 to $24. Call 975-2787.

Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast. 7 a.m. BJCC. Call 324-8796.

Jan. 24-27 – Birmingham Boat Show. BJCC. Tickets are $10. Children are free. Visit birminghamboatshow.com.

Jan. 24 – 48th Annual Member Celebration. 5:30 p.m. Botanical Gardens. State Master Gardener

Program Coordinator for Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Kerry Smith will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $20 per person and include refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Call 414-3950.

Jan. 26 – Krispy Kreme Donut Dash. 8:30 a.m. Children’s Hospital. Participants must complete a four-mile run and eat a dozen donuts in one hours or less. Runners who don’t want to eat donuts may register as a casual runner. Benefits Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Visit k2d2fun.com.

Feb. 2 – Jazz Cat Ball. 7 p.m.-midnight. Old Car Heaven. This event is put on by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary.

Music/ArtsJan. 12 – The Music of Ray Charles with Ellis Hall. 8 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Center. Tickets range from $27 to $69. Call 975-2787.

Jan. 16 – Justin Bieber. 7 p.m. BJCC. Tickets range from $41 to $91. Visit aeglive.com or call 800-745-6000.

Jan. 25-27 – Madame Butterfly. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center. Tickets range from $20 to $90. Student tickets are $12. Visit operabirmingham.org.

Jan. 26 – C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. 4 p.m., 8 p.m. BJCC. Tickets range from $39 to $89. Appropriate for ages 13+. Visit screwtapeonstage.com.

Save the DateFeb. 21 – 12th Annual Taste of Homewood. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Rosewood Hall, SOHO. Visit homewoodchamber.com.

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