By Emily Williams The buzzing and whirring emanating from the former Oakmont Methodist Church are the collective sounds of the finishing touches being put on the newly refurbished and renamed Trinity West Homewood campus. Last year, Trinity United Methodist Church and Oakmont unanimously voted to merge the two congregations and now identify respectively as the Oxmoor campus … [Read more...]
Red Hot Chili Contest: Exceptional Foundation Fundraiser Stirs up a Crowd
By Donna Cornelius The Exceptional Foundation has come up with a winning recipe for its biggest fundraiser. The Homewood-based nonprofit’s Chili Cook-off, which last year attracted more than 11,000 people, is set for March 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 2015 version of the cook-off drew more than 90 teams and raised more than $294,587. At the first event 12 years ago, 20 teams … [Read more...]
A Focused Lens: Shades Valley Camera Club Holds Contests and Workshops for Hobbyists
By Sarah Kuper What started as a night school class became a lifelong hobby for amateur photographer Ken Gables. Now president of the Shades Valley Camera Club, Gables says photography gives him a creative outlet he doesn't get from his day job as a physical therapist. The Shades Valley Camera Club isn't just a casual meet-up of photography enthusiasts. The club was … [Read more...]
Indoor Rule: Hoover Wins Girls Meet Again, Many in Area Take Titles
By Lee Davis One of Alabama's most impressive sports dynasties continued its winning ways at the Birmingham CrossPlex last weekend. The Hoover girls track and field team won its third consecutive crown and fourth in five years by totaling 126 points to easily outdistance runner-up James Clemens’ 83 total in Class 7A competition. Mountain Brook was third with 64 points. In … [Read more...]
Second Act: Lady Patriots Picking up Where They Left Off
By Lee DavisAfter Homewood’s girls basketball team posted a 30-4 record and streaked to the Class 6A girls basketball championship in 2014-15, it might be safe to assume that the only way for it to go is downhill. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. “I’d say it’s clear that our team is more experienced than last year,” Homewood coach JoVanka Ward said. … [Read more...]