By Ingrid Schnader At 412 members, the largest band in Alabama calls an Over the Mountain community home. It’s the most-seen high school band in the South, and it has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more than any other high school band in the country — the Homewood Patriot Band. Band director Ron Pence is gearing up for the band’s ninth performance at the … [Read more...]
Investing in the Indaba: 2018 ZooGala Pitch Zoo as Community Investment
By Emily Williams In southern Africa, a gathering or meeting often is called an indaba. Originally a term for a political conference between tribes, some of the largest indabas in southern Africa today range from conferences for tax professionals to cultural and tourism gatherings. Throughout its existence, the Birmingham Zoo has been a place for children young and old to … [Read more...]
Football Has Long Been a Part of Renowned Artist Skipper’s Life
By Rubin E. Grant Internationally renowned artist Steve Skipper was once a standout high school football player. Skipper played linebacker for the Homewood Patriots in the mid-1970s, starting his junior and senior seasons. He patterned his game after two of the NFL’s most vicious hitters, Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears. “I was … [Read more...]
Metro Plex Fields Open: Phase Two Is in the Books, Phase Three Next on the Schedule
By William C. Singleton III The opening of the new Hoover Metropolitan Complex athletic fields will make Hoover a competitor for softball and baseball tournaments throughout the Southeast, Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said. “We’re looking forward to bringing people from across the United States, but particularly from the Southeastern United States, who will use this facility as … [Read more...]
Peruvian Import: Homewood Senior Loo is Right at Home on the Volleyball Court
By Rubin E. Grant As a young girl growing up in Lima, Peru, Alejandra Loo would look out the window of her family’s apartment at the volleyball players practicing on the court outside. She was fixated. “It looked like so much fun and when I saw the players mash the ball, I told myself I wanted to be able to do that,” Loo said. Loo told her mother she wanted to play, … [Read more...]