High school sports are officially underway, and here's a look at what's going with the fall teams at Homewood and John Carroll Catholic high schools. FOOTBALL The Homewood and John Carroll Catholic football teams have each played a couple games, with mixed results to show for them. The Patriots and Cavaliers squared off in Week 0 to begin the season, with Homewood winning 38-20. Click here for the story of that game. Last week, Homewood fell to Vestavia Hills, while John Carroll fell to Marbury in a tight game.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/sports/hs-sports-recap-083022/

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by LEAH INGRAM EAGLE June 26, 2023 1:42 PM The Homewood Star won four first-place awards at the Alabama Press Association's 2023 Media Awards competition this year, which culminated with a banquet at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach on June 24. The publication won first-place in three categories: In addition, the Homewood Star received four second-place awards in the 2023 competition and two third-place awards, which involved work published in 2022. The publication competes in the Alabama Press Association's Division E, which includes associate member newspapers and free circulation products.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/news/homewood-star-wins-three-first-place-awards-at-apa-conventio/

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Herpetology, the study of amphibians, has been a lifelong love for Kristin Bakkegard, a professor of natural sciences at Samford University. 'Ever since I was a kid, I've been out bird watching, catching lizards, salamanders and snakes in the yard,' Bakkegard said. 'It's just one of these things that I've really loved ever since I was little.' That love led Bakkegard to receiving the Fulbright Scholar Award, an award funded through an international, U.S. government-led program that gives people from different countries the opportunity to travel abroad to teach and conduct research and professional projects.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/schools/hopping-to-the-bahamas-samford-professor%20-receives-grant-to%20research-little-known-frog/

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Sometimes habits lead you in new directions in life. That's what happened to the Tompkins family. Kaye Tompkins, her daughters Maggie and Katie and parents Kirby and Kathy Harrell fell in love with acai and fruit smoothie bowls and found themselves driving from their homes in Bessemer and Hoover to the City Bowls in Vestavia Hills up to three times a week. Finally, Kaye and her husband, Brad, decided to open their own City Bowls franchise in Stadium Trace Village in Hoover in June of last year. But when the Tompkinses wanted to alter and expand their menu, including offering smoothie drinks, City Bowls wouldn't allow it, Brad said.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/businesses/a-passion-for-smoothie-bowls-leads-to-new-business

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Homewood residents looking for ways to get active, or just to get out and about, are in luck heading into 2022, with plans to extend the Shades Creek Greenway as well as adding sidewalks and a pocket park. Those projects are just a few of the top projects and developments heading to Homewood in 2022. Shades Creek Greenway Phase II The second phase of the Shades Creek Greenway project will connect the existing trail that currently ends at the intersection of Columbiana Road and Lakeshore Parkway to the other side of Columbiana.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/news/extension-to-shades-creek-greenway-tops-2022-priorities-in-h/

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The Homewood High School volleyball team will hardly, if ever, face a height disadvantage this fall. The Patriots feature five players on the front row who stand at least 6 feet tall. 'We have a really big front line,' Homewood head coach Andie Freedman said. 'You can't teach height. We're definitely very lucky in that respect.' Mira McCool is the most dominant of that group, as the senior hitter stands 6-foot-3 and is an all-around force on the court. Ellis McCool, Alora Austin, Ella Serotsky and Mae Noerager are all in that category as well.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/sports/homewood/high-school-volleyball-preview-patriots-taking-advantage-of-/

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Today is John's first day of school. His mother, Tanya, is saying goodbye to him. She kisses him. She straightens his collar and fixes his hair. She sends him off to join his kindergarten classmates. Soon, several five-year-olds are walking into the building, all wearing large backpacks. Tanya waves again. 'I love you!' she shouts from the parking lot. 'Love you, mom!' he yells. 'So much!' 'I know, Mom!' John's book bag looks heavier than he is. His mother waves again and again. More I-love-yous, more blowing kisses.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-the-first-day-of-kinderga/

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This November, among many state and county races, Homewood voters have a congressional seat up for grabs as well as a state Senate district. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Roberts, who represents District 15, faces Libertarian challenger Michael Crump, while U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, a Republican representing Alabama's 6th District, faces Libertarian Andria Chieffo. The Homewood Star did not hear back from Crump or Chieffo before its print deadline. For up-to-date information on the November elections, visit thehomewoodstar.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/news/homewood-voters-to-choose-between-republicans-libertarians/

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Great Clips recently opened in the Edgemont Town Center next to Publix. Richard DiCarlo, a Homewood High School graduate, is the owner. 205-438-6028 Swaddle Kids, a curated space where kids can uniquely discover their style, opened Aug. 12 in Homewood. Swaddle Kids and sister-store Swaddle Baby now co-exist in its original downtown Homewood location at 2827 18th St S., with a 1,500-square-foot expansion and newly renovated storefront. Swaddle Kids is focused on creating an experiential shop where kids can explore their style confidently, and parents can relax knowing their child's choices are age appropriate.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/businesses/businesss-happenings-september-2022/

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Homewood Theatre proudly announces their 2023-2024 season. The season will include four comedies, a cabaret show, and a holiday jazz show in the theatre's location at SoHo Square in downtown  Homewood. All performances will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon matinees at 2:30 p.m. at 1831 28th Avenue South. Individual Tickets and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at homewoodtheatre.com .  Bill Bugg is back with an all-new cavalcade of cabaret to kick off our season.

https://thehomewoodstar.com/events/homewood-theatre-bill-bugg-and-friends-part-6_1/

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Jefferson State Community College is holding its Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K and Community EGGstravaganza in its traditional format this year after making the run virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To register for the race, go to jeffersonstate.edu/5K. For more information, contact Libby Holmes at lholmes@jeffersonstate.edu or at 205-983-5230. March 22, 2022 1:11 PM

https://thehomewoodstar.com/events/judy-m-merritt-memorial-5k

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