PLACE Forum

Meetings & Events:

MONDAY, OCT 29 — FINAL DAY TO BUY TICKETS FOR DIWALI / FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION
(see details Sunday, Nov 4 below)

MONDAY, OCT. 29 — LEE COUNTY COMMISSION www.leeco.us
4:00 pm — work session / 6:00 pm — regular session
Held in the commission chambers, Opelika Courthouse, 215 S. 9th Ave, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
3. Public Comment from Citizens: (limit of 3-minutes per speaker)
4. Establish Quorum and Open Regular Meeting:
5. Awards, Presentations, Proclamations or Other Recognitions:
a. Presentation of Donated Truck – Mayor Fuller
6. Reports from Staff:
a. Update on Board Appointments-Alice Hodge
b. Update on Highway Reference Guide – Neal Hall
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting October 9, 2007
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
8. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Lee Road 246 Road Maintenance Issues – Johnnie Mae Coleman
b. Joint Project on Lee Road 10 Improvements – Auburn City Manager Charlie Duggan
c. Public Safety Partnership – Major Hugh B. McCall
d. Local Legislation Package – Commissioner Lawrence
e. Grant right-of-way of Public Road to Chambers County – Neal Hall
f. Auburn Satellite Architect Agreement with John Randall Wilson – Roger Rendleman
g. Revenue Administration Agreement with RDS/AlaTax – Roger Rendleman
9. Discussion Items
10. Adjourn

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 5 – 8 pm – FREE CONCERT & FAMILY FUN AT THE OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
Held at the Opelika-Auburn News building, 2901 Society Hill Rd, Opelika. Free & open to all.
Come join the fun! Food, tours, face painting, CDs, family fun, autographs, prizes, and a free concert by Adam Hood.

TUESDAY, OCT 30, 5:00 – 7:00 pm – OPENING & ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: SELECTIONS FROM THE AU SCULPTURE PROGRAM
Held at the Opelika Arts Association Gallery, 1032 South Railroad Avenue, Opelika. Free & open to all.
The AU Department of Art and the Opelika Arts Association present an exhibition of sculpture by AU art students. The exhibition will include works in diverse media and a range of styles from the abstract to the representational. The exhibition will be on view from October 30 to November 12, 2007. Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm, 1-3pm More info: Christopher McNulty, Assoc Professor, AU Dept of Art, 334.844.5267.

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 6:00 pm – LEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN CLUB
Held at the Elks Lodge, Opelika Road. Guest Speaker – Luther Strange.

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 6:00 pm — Arboretum “Bat Walk”
Held at AU’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum. Free & open to all. Door prizes will be given way.
The Department of Biological Sciences, in cooperation with the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society, will sponsor this “Bat Walk” event which will include a slide presentation, a question-and-answer session with local bat biologists, and of course, live bats. Participants will also break into small groups and walk about the arboretum to look for bats. Bat detectors and night vision scopes will be available for use in the search. Participants should bring a flashlight. Info: contact the arboretum at 844-5770 or arbinfo@auburn.edu.

TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 7:00 pm – AUBURN BIKE COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 8:00 am – LEE-RUSSELL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEETING
Held at 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Open to all. www.lrcog.com

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, NOON — OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES: CROSSROADS www.opelikamainst.org
Celebrate the arrival of Fall every Wednesday in October with a free lunchtime concert. Bring a brown bag lunch (or purchase one from our local restaurants), a quilt or lawn chair and relax by the fountain for an hour of unforgettable musical entertainment. Complimentary dessert will be provided by Opelika Main Street.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 6 – 8 pm – 7^TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN AUBURN TRICK-OR-TREAT
Held in Downtown Auburn. Look for the “Official Monster Merchant” posters in participating businesses’ windows. Open to children 12 years and younger, accompanied by an adult.
This year’s Halloween festivities will feature a variety of free activities for children of all ages to enjoy, including live musical entertainment featuring the Auburn University Steel Drum Band, goodies and treats given out by participating downtown merchants, autographs from Auburn University sports teams, a costume contest and more. During the event the City will close Magnolia Ave. at Gay and Wright Streets and College Street at Thach and Glenn. The streets will be closed from 5:30 – 8:15 p.m. For more info about Downtown Trick-or-Treat, call the Auburn Parks & Recreation Department at 501-2930.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 31, 7:00 pm – ENVIRONMENTAL MOVIE / The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) Hall, Thach Ave. Free & open to the public.
From the film’s website: When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cubaʹs economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call ʺThe Special Period.ʺ The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all‐time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope. The movie lasts 53 min (2006). The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil is a project of The Community Solution, a non‐profit organization that designs and teaches low‐energy solutions to the current unsustainable, fossil fuel based, industrialized, and centralized way of living. Visit www.communitysolution.org for more information.

THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 10:00 am – AU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Held at the AU Hotel & Dixon Conference Center. Open to all.
I. Committee Meetings (Ballroom B, AUHDCC)
**Committee Meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m.– all other meetings are subject to change in starting time, depending upon the length of individual meetings.
A. Joint Committee Meeting/Agriculture & Property and Facilities Committees/ Chairpersons Rane and Blackwell/10:00 a.m.
1. Office and Laboratory Building AAES Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center, Belle Mina, Alabama - Joint Item – (John Mouton)
2. Plant Sciences Center – Soil and Plant Samples Building, Approval of Project and Initiation of the Design Consultant Selection Process – (John Mouton)
3. Track and Soccer Building, Approval of Project and Initiation of the Design Consultant Selection Process – (John Mouton)
4. Sciences Collections Building, Selection of Design Consultant – (John Mouton)
5. Athletic Complex Interior Modifications, Suite #3138, Approval of Project, Facility Program, Budget, Funding Plan & Schematic Design – (John Mouton)
6. Pebble Hill Property – Auburn, Alabama, Alterations (Additions to the Scott – Yarbrough House, Facility Program, Budget, Funding Plan and Schematic Design) – (John Mouton)
7. Student Center Ancillary Projects, D:E: F and G, Program Requirements, Budget, Funding Plan & Schematic Design – (John Mouton)
8. The Hotel at Auburn University: Guest Suites Renovations, Approval of Project, Design Consultant, Facility Program, Budget, Funding Plan & Schematic Design – (John Mouton)
9. Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport Land Conveyance for Terminal Access Road – (John Mouton)
10. Current Status of New Construction/Renovation/Infrastructure Budgets of $750,000 and Greater (For Information Only) – (John Mouton)
11. Quarterly Report for Projects Costing More than $500,000 but less than $750,000 Fourth Quarter FY 2007 (For Information Only) – (John Mouton)
12. Annual Report for Maintenance Projects Greater than $500,000, FY 2007 (For Information Only) – (John Mouton)
13. Key Projects Memo (For Information Only) – (John Mouton)
B. Compensation Committee Meeting/Chairperson Ginn/11:30 p.m.
1. Compensation Policy (For Information Only) – (Don Large)
12:00 NOON – LUNCHEON – BALLROOM A, RIGHT (AUHDCC)
C. Academic Affairs and Finance Committees/Chairpersons Miller and Lowder/12:45 p.m.
1. Writing Initiative (For Information Only) – (John Heilman)
2. National Survey of Student Engagement (For Information Only) – (Drew Clark)
3. Request to Change the Designation of the Construction Program in the College of Architecture Design and Construction from the Department of Building Science to the School of Building Science – (John Heilman)
4. Faculty Dismissal Policy – (John Heilman)
5. Non-Substantive Alteration of Existing Masters Degree Programs (For Information Only) – (John Heilman)
6. Proposed Master of Science Degree Program in Geography at Auburn University – (John Heilman)
7. Scholarship and Enrollment Update (For Information Only) – Joint Item – (Wayne Alderman)
8. Proposal to Institute Professional Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Students in the College of Business – Joint Item – (John Heilman)
9. Professional Fees for College of Architecture, Design, and Construction (For Information Only) – Joint Item – (John Heilman)
10. Proposed Debt Policy (For Information Only) – (Don Large)
11. Approval of Bond Issue – (Don Large)
D. Student Affairs Committee/Chairperson Franklin/2:00 p.m.
1. Security Update (For Information Only) – (Don Large)
E. Executive Committee/Chairperson Newton/2:30 p.m.
1. Recognition of the AUM Lady Senators Tennis Program – (John Veres)
2. Recognition of the AUM Senators Tennis Program – (John Veres)
3. Recognition of Mr. Dwight Wiggins – (Larry Benefield)
4. Proposed Awards and Namings
II. REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES – 3:00 P.M.
A. Proposed Executive Session (Meeting Room A)

THURSDAY, NOV. 1, 10:00 – 2:00 – ALABAMA-TOMBIGBEE RIVER BASINS CLEAN WATER PARTNERSHIP
Held at the Alabama Forestry Association. Lunch and a Lure Tour of the Downtown Tacklebox included. Contact Ashley Henderson at (334) 270-8236 or ahendersoncwp@charter.net.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 10:30 am — AU BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Held at the AU Hotel & Dixon Conference Center. Open to all.
I. RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES – 10:30 A.M. (Ballroom B)
(Agenda items are determined primarily based upon committee actions.)
LUNCHEON – 11:45 a.m. (BALLROOM A, RIGHT, AUHDCC)

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 11:30 am – AUBURN TREE COMMISSION
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to all.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 1:00 pm – AU ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Held at AU’s Alumni Center. Visit www.aualum.org/about/board.html for more information.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 7:00 pm – AU HOMECOMING STEPSHOW
Held at AU’s Student Activities Center. Student admission $10. Tickets: will be sold Oct 22 – Nov 1.
Auburn’s National Pan-Hellenic Council will be putting on it’s annual Homecoming Stepshow. This is a step competition that all historically black greek organizations on campus will participate in by displaying traditional stepping.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2, 7:30 pm – SUNDILLA CONCERT FEATURING CHUCK PYLE
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach Ave; open to all.
Admission: $10; with student ID $8; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided). Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed). For more info, and to hear music clips of Chuck Pyle, go to www.sundilla.org.

SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 9 – 10 am – AU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Held at AU’s Alumni Center. Visit www.aualum.org/about/board.html for more information.

SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 9:00 – noon — 28th Annual AU Taste of Alabama/Ag Roundup features food and fun
Held at AU’s Ag Heritage Park.
Hosted by the College of Agriculture and the AU Agricultural Alumni Association. Pay $5 for admission, and then help yourself to a bounty of Alabama-produced foods, from fried catfish and grilled burgers to boiled peanuts and sweet potato fries. Also on tap will be live entertainment, informative exhibits and live and silent auctions that help raise money for scholarships. For more details on this homecoming tailgate tradition, contact Elaine Rollo at rollome@auburn.edu or 844-3204.

SATURDAY, NOV. 3, 1:30 pm — AU HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME (v. Tennessee Tech)

SATURDAY, NOV. 3 – TOOMER’S CORNER OAK SEEDLINGS
The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences will be selling Auburn Toomer’s Corner oak seedlings Saturday at the school’s homecoming. The trees sell for $55 each and are direct descendants of the two oaks at Toomer’s Corner. The trees come with a certificate of authenticity, which tells the history of the Toomer’s Corner oak trees, planting instructions, a tree ID tag and a roll of Auburn toilet paper. All proceeds from the trees are divided among the Forestry Club, The Wildlife Society and the Toomer’s Oak Leadership Endowment for scholarships. You may also purchase an Auburn Toomer’s Corner oak tree online at any time by logging on to
http://www.tigerrags.com/official-toomers-seedling-p-1166.html.

SUNDAY, NOV. 4, 4:00 pm – INDIAN STUDENT ASSOC. / DIWALI ‘07: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION
Held in AU’s Foy Ballroom. Cultural show free & open to all. Dinner tickets $5/students, $10/non-students.
Tickets available at AU’s Multicultural Center, 243 Foy Union, at the Goalpost store (Glenn at Donahue), and at Foy Patio/Cafeteria from noon – 3 pm. Last day to buy tickets is Monday, Nov 29.
Diwali is India’s biggest cultural Festival. ISA celebrates Diwali every year with a variety of cultural events. Indian food served at dinner.
More info: www.auburn.edu/isa/cultural/diwali or email narayan@auburn.edu.

CITY OF AUBURN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS – Details and photos available online: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp

AU strategic planning survey available online
The strategic planning Web survey is now available online on the AU
home page ( www.auburn.edu) by clicking on the strategic planning button. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, community representatives and others are encouraged to provide input regarding strategic alternatives. The survey will build upon the situational assessment and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis previously done by consulting group Messina and Graham. These are available for review through links on the strategic planning page. This Web page will be open for input through 4:45 p.m. Nov. 21.

ADEM – COMMENTS REQUESTED RE: NPDES RULES
ADEM is accepting public comment regarding ADEM Admin. Code ch. 335-6-12, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction, Noncoal/Nonmetallic Mining And Dry Processing Less Than Five Acres, Other Land Disturbance Activities, And Areas Associated With These Activities. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 pm, Nov. 20, 2007.
1) details of request for comments / http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/Oct/10Div6.htm
2) document upon which to comment / http://adem.alabama.gov/D6aChapter12.pdf . =============================================

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE

In a recent Birmingham News article Alabama Governor Bob Riley states: We’re not willing to let Georgia make a determination for what the flow should be into Alabama and Florida.

The ARA applauds the Governor for continuing to fight to make sure the Army Corps of Engineers’ and Georgia’s water policies do not jeopardize Alabama’s water needs. However, what the Governor fails to mention is that we currently have no statewide policy to determine what the flow should be in Alabama.

There are no policies governing how much water Alabama rivers need to support the many uses of our important water resources: industry, drinking water, recreation, and the important fish, wildlife and plant species that keep our river ecosystems healthy.

The decisions made by our state and federal officials during this time of crisis will have a major effect on our rivers as well as the downstream communities that rely on healthy ecosystems, but so far no one is discussing sensible solutions to our region’s future water sustainability.

That’s why we need you to tell Governor Riley to make comprehensive water policy for Alabama his top priority. Alabama cannot wait a moment longer to start developing a statewide water policy!

Please write letters to Governor Riley and letters to the editors of your local papers letting them know that the long term solution to the water wars lies in the state’s ability to create sound, sustainable water policy.

Governor’s Riley’s Address: Office of the Governor, State Capitol, 600 Dexter Ave, Mont. AL 36130. Or click here to email the Governor.

Our rivers cannot afford to be destroyed by the lack of water policies in Alabama any more than they can afford to be damaged by misguided Army Corps and Georgia policies. We need policy that encourages conservation and balances all the uses of our water resources to the best extent possible, and Governor Riley can lead that charge.

Please take action now on behalf of Alabama’s rivers and help give our rivers a fighting chance in the water wars!

The Alabama Rivers Alliance, along with the Southern Environmental Law Center and our many watershed partner organizations have been advocating for healthy instream flows as part of the Alabama Water Agenda. For more information visit: www.alabamawateragenda.com.

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COLUMN BY LISA BROUILLETTE — “Auburn Water Board Evaluates Future Plans”
Online at: http://placeforum.org/blog/. (First published in the Opelika-Auburn News.)

CITY OF AUBURN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS –  Details and photos available online: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp

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Meetings & Events
SUNDAY, OCT 21, 2:00 pm (3:00 pm EST) — CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Held in the Lanier Room, H Grady Bradshaw Library, Valley. Open to all.
Agenda: Christopher Haveman will speak on “The Experience of Creek Indian Removal.”

AUBURN STRIDE WALKERS
Schedule & locations for Oct. 22 – 26 : www.auburnalabama.org/news/2007/pr1011072.asp
On rainy days, the walks will be held at the Frank Brown Recreation Center. Bring bottled water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Participants can walk at their own pace and distance. Info: Melissa Weldon at 501-2946.

MONDAY, OCT 22, NOON – GREEN LUNCH: Kevin Fielman /Green Genes
Held in AU’s Foy Union, room 208. Free & open to the public.
Speaker: Kevin Fielman, Dept of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
This talk will explore the promises fulfilled by biotechnology, those promises that have been broken and where a more “biologically-based,” sustainable future may be headed. Sponsored by the Auburn University Sustainability Initiative. www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/Greenlunch.php

TUESDAY, OCT 23, 10 am – 4 pm – LOWER TALLAPOOSA RIVER BASIN CLEAN WATER PARTNERSHIP
Held at the Water/Sewer Complex, Bailey-Alexander Center, 1501 W. Samford Ave.
Agenda: (1) Stakeholder committee meeting. (2) Moore’s Mill Creek Restoration Project Meeting.
Contact Chenita Stanley, CH2MHILL, at (334) 271-1445×313 or chenita.stanley@ch2m.com.

TUESDAY, OCT 23, 3:00 PM – OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION www.opelika.org
Held in the Opelika Public Works Facility, 700 Fox Trail. Open to all. Agenda:
A. PLATS (prelim and prelim & final) – public hearings
1. Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church SD, 2 lots, 2324 Double Hill Road. Prelim & Final approval.
2. Betty Ruth Garner SD, 2 lots, 3810 Hwy 29. Prelim & final approval.
3. Tiger Town Corporate Park SD, 3 lots, Frederick Road, Prelim approval.
4. Southern States Bank SD, 2 lots, 2700 block of Frederick Rd. Prelim & final approval.
5. National Village SD, 2 lots, Sunbelt Parkway. Prelim & final approval.
6. Spring Villa SD, 2 lots, Lee Rd 151. Prelim & final approval.
7. Nelson Hilyer SD, 2 lots, 7675 Lee Rd 146. Prelim & final approval.
8. Medical Plaza SD, 2nd revision, 1 lot, Thomason Drive. Prelim & final approval.
9. Senn SD, 2 lots, 204 Lee Rd 448, Prelim & final approval.
10. Royale Acres SD, Resub of Parcel B, 2 lots, Lee Rd 632. Prelim & final approval.
11. Creekstone SD, Phase 4, 20 lots, South Uniroyal Rd, Prelim & final approval.
12. Creekstone SD, Phase 5, 29 lots, South Uniroyal Rd. Prelim & final approval.
C. CONDITIONAL USE
13. DELETED – item not complete, postponed until next month: Beverly Brady, 1801 Market St, M-1, GC-2, Child care centers.
14. John Blanton, Fox Run Parkway Parcel 2A-1. John Deere retail equipment dealership.
15. Jeff Hardin, 3806 Pepperell Pkwy, C-3, GC-2, Truck rental business (U-Haul).
16. Betty Salmon, 3829 Pepperell Pkwy, C-3, GC-2, gas station & convenience store.
D. REZONING
17. Haskel Patterson, Bradford Drive, 1 acre, from R-5, GC-2 to C-2, GC-2.
18. Sonam Consulting Inc., Gateway Drive, 3.7 acres, from R-4, GC-2 to C-2, GC-2.
E. TEXT AMENDMENTS (public hearing)
19. Amendments to the zoning ordinance – Section 6.1 Districts, Section 6.4 Purpose & Intent of Zoning Districts, and Section 7.9 Retail/Entertainment District.
F. OTHER BUSINESS
20. Jenny Han, 1703 Columbus Pkwy, C-3, GC-2, discuss conditional use requirement

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 3:30 – 5:30 PM – FILM “MY TWO CENTS”: WHAT’S RACE GOT TO DO WITH IT? SOCIAL DISPARITIES AND STUDENT SUCCESS
Held in AU’s Foy Union, Room 208. Free & open to the public. The monthly multicultural film viewing and dialogue sponsored by the Multicultural Center.
Film Title: “What’s Race Got to do with It? Social Disparities and Student Success”
What’s Race Got to Do with It? is a new 49-minute documentary film that goes beyond identity politics, celebratory history and interpersonal relations to consider social disparities and their impact on student success in today’s post-Civil Rights world. In one sense, What’s Race Got to Do with It? is a “sequel” to Skin Deep, California Newsreel’s compelling 1995 release which has become a core audiovisual “text” in student affairs and youth programs across the nation. Like Skin Deep, this new film chronicles the experiences of a diverse group of college students – in this case, over the course of a 16-week intergroup dialogue program – as they probe and confront each other about such issues as under-representation, the limitations of multiculturalism, social equity, affirmative action, and their own responsibilities for making a difference. This film goes further than Skin Deep however, by showing the incremental learning and attitudinal change that can occur over the course of a sustained dialogue and by illuminating the stark differences that exist between students on the same campus.

TUESDAY, OCT 23, 4:00 pm – FILM: PRISONERS AMONG US
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art. Free & open to all; refreshments served. Sponsored by The Italian Club.
This feature-length documentary explores Italian ethnicity in America from several unique and distinctly personal perspectives. In the decades preceding WWII, hundreds of thousands of Italians flocked to these shores in hopes of starting new lives in a land that promised freedom and opportunity. They immigrated through the Great Hall of Ellis Island, in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, and spilled out into the streets of New York City and beyond in anticipation of a kind of renaissance. The director of the film, Michael DiLauro, along with Joseph Lupo, President of Copilas, and Luigi De Sanctis, Director of the Education Office for the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC will facilitate a question and answer session immediately following the film.

TUESDAY, OCT 23, 5:30 – 7:30 pm – JOINT MEETING: AUBURN CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the city meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. Open to the public.
Topic: Auburn Integrated Growth Model, Phase I. More info: City Manager’s office 501-7261

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24, NOON — OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES: THE FEDORAS www.opelikamainst.org
Celebrate the arrival of Fall every Wednesday in October with a free lunchtime concert. Bring a brown bag lunch (or purchase one from our local restaurants), a quilt or lawn chair and relax by the fountain for an hour of unforgettable musical entertainment. Complimentary dessert will be provided by Opelika Main Street.

THURSDAY, OCT 25, noon – LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
Held in Bruno’s community room. Brown bag lunch; Open to all. Topic: Immigration Issues.

THURSDAY, OCT 25, 6:30 – 9:30 pm – AUBURN ARTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL PARTY
Held at Creekwood Castle, 1655 Creekwood Trail. Open to the public.
Wine, food, fun & prizes. Masks, costumes or disguises encouraged. The event is open to the public, held to welcome new members and thank current members for supporting the arts.

FRIDAY, OCT 26 – ANNUAL PUMPKIN CARVE
9:00 am – carving begins
noon – food & student costume contest
5:00 pm – pumpkin carving ends/pumpkin lighting/face painting for kids/food
6:00 pm – children’s costume contest/pictures with Aubie
6:30 pm – pumpkin judging / 7:00 pm – awards
8:00 pm – pumpkin viewing ends
Held in AU’s Dudley Hall courtyard. Free & open to all.
AU’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) will hold its annual Pumpkin Carve on Oct. 26. Sponsored by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). More than 400 pumpkins, many with intricate designs and current-event themes, will be judged on creativity, appearance and craftsmanship. Festivities begin at 9 a.m., with pumpkins going on sale for $4 and the carving begins.. A live video stream of all the day’s activities will be provided on the Internet at www.cadc.auburn.edu/pumpkincarve/. The college encourages the community and students from other curricula to come out from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to participate in carving; the competition is open to all members of the university.

FRIDAY, OCT 26, 6:00 – 7:30 pm — Sundown Concert Series at Kiesel Park featuring Auburn Knights Orchestra
Held at the Kiesel Park Pavilion. Free & open to all.
Presented by the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. Enjoy an evening of outdoor music Kiesel Park. Bring the family, a picnic supper, your lawn chairs, and maybe even the family dog and enjoy a free, relaxing evening of entertainment under the stars. In the event of inclement weather, please check the City’s web site at www.auburnalabama.org for rescheduling. For more info: 501-2930.

FRIDAY, OCT 26, 7:00 pm – FREE GUITAR CONCERT: COLIN DAVIN
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 South College Street. Free & open to the public.
Co-sponsored by JCSM and the Chattahoochee Valley Guitar Society. Info about Colin Davin: www.chattahoocheeguitar.org/Colin.pdf

SATURDAY, OCT 27, 5:00 pm — AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME (v. Ole Miss)

SATURDAY, OCT 27, 6 – 7 pm – COMMON GROUNDS OF THE ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS
Held in AU’s Foy Union, Room 208. Open to all. Sponsored by the Muslim Students Association.

SUNDAY, OCT 28, 2:00 pm – AUBURN DOG CLUB FUN WALK
Held at Kiesel Park. Walk will be at your own pace
Free and open to the public and participants of all ages. Note: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Auburn Parks & Recreation Dog Club will host a Fun Walk for you and your canine. The event will kick off with a brief educational segment conducted by the Auburn University Small Animal Teaching Hospital. Donations for dog food, toys and other items will be collected by the Lee County Humane Society. More info: Melissa Weldon at 501-2946.

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COLUMN BY LISA BROUILLETTE
October 19, 2007

Auburn Water Board Evaluates Future Plans

In the midst of this southeastern drought, some startling facts have come to light. So far this year, Auburn is approximately 15 inches below its typical rainfall. In addition, water usage has been higher all this year than average use over the past five years. In fact, water usage has skyrocketed since May.

You might wonder how our watershed can adequately supply us. Well, our watershed isn’t supplying us, not on its own. For years Auburn has purchased a portion of its water from Opelika. And the strategy during this drought has been to limit the amount of water taken from Auburn’s main water source – Lake Ogletree – by purchasing more water from Opelika.

Already this year Auburn has purchased 721 million gallons from Opelika, more than twice what it purchased last year. The increase means about 15% more of Auburn’s water is being purchased rather than produced by our own watershed.

The water board is evaluating several long term opportunities for water resources, including Opelika, Alex City, and the lower Tallapoosa, as well as enhancing production of our own water supply. And it recently approved a ‘drought management plan’ for use in extreme situations. However, according to that plan, our current situation doesn’t call for severe measures. Also, the plan has no enforcement mechanism yet; that must come through the city council.

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Recently I was asked by a newcomer to describe the current local issues. That got me to musing that few issues ever get resolved. Perhaps we should call this “government by postponement.”

Auburn Integrated Growth Model – The AIGM, as it’s called, is supposed to help predict growth patterns in Auburn and help guide that development. Phase 1 of this project will be summarized at a joint city council and planning commission meeting next week. Yet we’ve committed tens of millions of dollars to various development projects and related infrastructure (i.e., roads, water lines, sewers) before doing the long-term planning and predictions that this growth model is supposed to accomplish.

Tree protection – How many years have Auburn citizens been clamoring for better protection for our trees, especially our urban trees? Yet we still have no significant or successful method in place for such protection. With each new development more trees, including magnificent older trees, are slashed, bulldozed and torn out of the ground.

Downtown design and redevelopment – First the Triennial Review of the zoning ordinance was to handle downtown issues. After that came the downtown parking study. Then it was the Urban Core Task Force, which only addressed a handful of design issues. Finally came the University Services-2 zoning district proposal, which currently is stalled. We still don’t have meaningful protection of downtown’s ‘sense of place’, nor a traffic/parking solution acceptable to a broad segment of the citizens, or even a sensible development policy that promotes appropriate redevelopment without favoring new development over established and small businesses.

City-wide traffic study – This project, begun in 2005 and supposed to have been completed shortly thereafter, isn’t yet finished. Information from this study has been requested many times—by citizens, planning commissioners, developers and others—in order to better understand or plan a proposed development. But, nope, sorry, it just ain’t done yet.

All these stalled or compromised efforts leave the city in a reactive position or, as some have termed it, “planning by the developers.” Auburn deserves better. Where is the city leadership on these issues?

 

(First published in the Opelika-Auburn News, Oct. 19, 2007.)

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Meetings & events this week:

SUNDAY, OCT 7, 1 – 4 pm – ART MUSEUM 4th BIRTHDAY PARTY & FAMILY DAY
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 S. College St. Free museum admission. Open to all. www.julecollinssmithmuseum.com/

SUNDAY, OCT 7, 2:00 pm – FALL WILDFLOWER HIKE
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. www.sfws.auburn.edu/eco-site/
Join Margaret Holler for a fun and informative hike as you explore the preserve’s beautiful display of fall wildflowers. Admission is free. The preserve is located on North College Street across from the AU fish ponds. For more info, call 707-6512.

MONDAY OCT 8, 9:00 am — AUBURN STRIDE WALKERS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, N. College St. past AU Fisheries on the right. Free & open to all ages.
[ * Rain location: On rainy days, the walks will be held at the Frank Brown Recreation Center.]
Bring bottled water and wear comfortable walking shoes Participants can walk at their own pace and distance. Info: Melissa Weldon at 501-2946.

MONDAY, OCT 8, noon– TOPIC: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Held in AU’s Foy Union, room 208. Free & open to the public.
Speaker: Dr. Claire Crutchley, Dept. of Finance, Auburn University
The Auburn University Sustainability Initiative “Green Lunch” series is open to anyone on campus (students, faculty, staff, administrators) as well as interested members of the community. These brown-bag lunch seminars (water, iced tea, and coffee provided) will offer informal, non-technical talks by AU faculty and staff on a wide range of sustainability-related topics. For information about additional speakers this semester, please check our Green Lunch schedule. http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/Greenlunch.php

MONDAY, OCT 8, noon– AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION PACKET MEETING (AGENDA DISCUSSION)
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
CONSENT AGENDA (no public hearings and often handled in one vote)
1. Donahue Ridge Annexation PL-2007-00873
Applicant: Donahue Land, L.L.C.
General Location: North Donahue Drive, east of Camden Ridge Subdivision and south of West
Farmville Road
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 13.61 acres into
the City limits
2. Ellington Place Subdivision PL-2007-00869
Applicant: Elken Investments, L.L.C.
General Location: 2400 block of Richland Road
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: Final plat approval of an 84-lot conventional residential subdivision
NEW BUSINESS
3. Interim Annexation Policy PUBLIC HEARING MS-2007-00146
Applicant: City of Auburn
General Location: City of Auburn
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to adopt changes to the current annexation policy
established by Resolution 95-171. Under this request, staff is recommending to implement an interim policy that requires interdepartmental review of each annexation petition.
4. West Pace Rezoning PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00795
Applicant: West Pace, L.L.C., an Alabama Limited Liability Company
General Location: North of Shell Toomer Parkway and east of Interstate 85
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits, pending Rural (R) (Annexation – Case PL-2007-00794)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to rezone approximately 40.35 acres from Rural
(R) to Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
5. Stone Creek PL-2007-00870
Applicant: Auburn Investment, L.L.C.
General Location: At the current north end of Reynolds Drive and adjacent to Lee Scott Academy
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: The applicant is requesting revised final plat approval for 35-lots in order to change a previously approved conventional subdivision to a performance subdivision
6. Logan Square Addition PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00836
Applicant: Donald Allen Development, Inc. for Logan Alabama Properties II, L.L.C., a Delaware
Limited Liability Company, Freddie Lee Dowdell, Lou Pome Cook and Royrickers Cook
General Location: 709 and 733 West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: University Service (US)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a multiple family
development (apartments)
7. The Chicken Salad Chick PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00867
Applicant: Stacy Evans for Auburn Land Corporation
General Location: 555 Opelika Road, Suite 7
Zoning District: Redevelopment District (RDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval of a road service use
(catering business with drive-through)
8. Project Brum Beat PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00872
Applicant: City of Auburn Industrial Development Board
General Location: Southeast corner of West Veterans Boulevard and Cox Road
Zoning District: Industrial (I)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for an industrial use
9. Tuscany Hills Clubhouse PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00874
Applicant: Tuscany Hills, L.L.C., an Alabama Limited Liability Company
General Location: Tuscany Hills Drive (Lot 104 of Tuscany Hills Plat No. 1A)
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a subdivision
amenity (clubhouse with swimming pool)
10. East Lake Subdivision Clubhouse PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00875
Applicant: Donald Allen Development
General Location: Located adjacent to East Lake Phase I
Zoning District: Limited Development District (LDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a subdivision
amenity (clubhouse with swimming pool)
11. Bar 51 PUBLIC HEARING PL-2007-00883
Applicant: Mike Watson for Phillips Family Partnerships Limited
General Location: 2328 South College Street, Suites 11 and 12
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for an amendment to Resolution No. 07-66 that
granted conditional use approval of a commercial and entertainment use (lounge), in order to amend the hours of operation which were a condition of the approval.
OTHER BUSINESS. CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION. STAFF COMMUNICATION. ADJOURNMENT.

MONDAY, OCT 8, 4:00 pm – AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD
Held in the Water Resource Management Conference Room, 1501 West Samford Avenue (Shug Jordan and West Samford). Info: 501-3060.

MONDAY, OCT 8, 6:00 pm – AUBURN SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP)
Held in AU’s Foy Union, room 208. Open to all. (no dues required)
This is the first meeting of a new student sustainability group on campus, the Auburn Sustainability Action Program (ASAP). ASAP will promote sustainable practices on the AU campus and in the AU community through a series of active projects. Come and be part of a group that will be an inspiring force of change to create a sustainable future for Auburn. Because sustainability applies to everyone, ASAP is an inclusive organization, all are welcome to attend and participate (no dues required).

TUESDAY, OCT 9, 9:00 am — OPELIKA ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT www.opelika.org
Held at the Public Works Facility, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.
VARIANCES
1.Ronnie Gaston, 2211 Pepperell Parkway, side yard setback variance
2.Dorothy Eller, 3525 Ridge Road, lot area variance
3.William Starr (for Southern State Bank), 2421 Frederick Road, sign variance.

TUESDAY, OCT 9, 11:30 am – AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. Open to all.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 3:30 – 5:30 pm – FILM: “My Two Cents” / Race-The Power of Illusion, Part II: “The Story We Tell”
Held in AU’s Foy Union, Room 208. Free & open to the public.
The monthly multicultural film viewing and dialogue sponsored by the Multicultural Center.
“The Story We Tell” traces the origins of the racial idea to the European conquest of the New World and to the American slave system – the first ever where all the slaves shared similar physical traits and a common ancestry. Historian James Horton points out that the enslavement of Africans was opportunistic, not based on beliefs about inferiority: “[Our forebears] found what they considered an endless labor supply. People who could be readily identified and so when they ran away they couldn’t melt into the population like Native Americans could. People, who knew how to grow tobacco, people who knew how to grow rice. They found the ideal, from their standpoint, the ideal labor source.

TUESDAY, OCT 9 — LEE COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA www.leeco.us
4:00 pm – -work session / 6:00 pm — regular meeting
Held in the commission chambers, Opelika Courthouse, 215 S. 9th St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
6.Reports from Staff:
7.CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting September 24, 2007
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
c. Bid #39 Audio/Visual Equipment for EMA – Deedie Matthews
d. 1st Reading Lee County Recreation Board Appointment-Judge English
e. Announcement of Cemetery Preservation Committee Vacancy – Judge English
8.OLD BUSINESS:
a. Retail Beer and Retail Table Wine License/TREX – District 1
b. Set Work Sessions on Citizens Council Recommendations – Commissioner Holt
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Emergency Response, Rescue & Ambulance Service Agreement – Judge English
b. Resolution on Coroner Salary – Bill Harris
c. Proposed New Pay Plan – Roger Rendleman
d. Proposed Probate Monthly Bookkeeping Agreement – Judge English
e. Educational Reimbursement Request – Roger Rendleman
f. Set Speed Zones and Traffic Controls on Various County Paved Roads-Neal Hall
10. Discussion Items. 11. Adjourn.

TUESDAY, OCT 9, 4:00 pm – AUBURN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the conference room, Development Services bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all. www.auburnalabama.org/hpc/

TUESDAY, OCT 9, 5:00 pm – LEE COUNTY RED CROSS / DISASTER TRAINING
Held at the Lee County Chapter House located at 206 26th Street, Opelika, Alabama, 36801. Free & open to the public. Space is limited so pre-registration is required. Call (334) 749-9981 or go to www.leeredcross.org for more info or to register.
Get Trained to Help Your Community Respond to Disasters. The Lee County Red Cross is offering the following disaster training courses: October 9, Mass Care Overview; October 30, Shelter Operations; November 6, Disaster Assessment.

TUESDAY, OCT 9, 6:00 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION
Held in the Auburn High School multi-media room, 405 S. Dean Road. Open to all. Agenda details: www.auburnschools.org/School_Info/BOE%20Minutes/board_of_education_minutes_2007.htm

WEDNESDAY, OCT 10, 9:00 am — AUBURN STRIDE WALKERS
Held at the Auburn Soccer Complex, Wire Road past the AU Vet School . Open to all ages; free to the public. [* Rain location: On rainy days, the walks will be held at the Frank Brown Recreation Center.]
Bring bottled water and wear comfortable walking shoes Participants can walk at their own pace and distance. Info: Melissa Weldon at 501-2946.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 10, noon — OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES: MARTHA’S TROUBLE www.opelikamainst.org
Held in downtown Opelika. Free & open to all. Complimentary dessert provided.
Celebrate the arrival of Fall every Wednesday in October with a free lunchtime concert. Bring a brown bag lunch (or purchase one from our local restaurants), a quilt or lawn chair and relax by the fountain for an hour of unforgetable musical entertainment. Complimentary dessert will be provided by Opelika Main Street.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 10, noon – TALK: “The Impact of Sustainability”
Held in AU’s Dudley Hall, Architecture auditorium (B-6, basement). Free & open to all.
Speaker: Thomas A. Taylor, LEED AP, Founder and General Manager of Vertegy. Located in the highest rated LEED building in the world, Vertegy is a full service sustainability consultant that works with building owners, designers, constructors, and occupants. Vertegy’s clients include: GM, Anheuser-Busch, and Aquascape Design, LLC. Co-sponsored by the AU Sustainability Initiative and the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 10, 3:00 pm – HONORING TWO AUBURN MARINES
Held at AU’s RDB library, Special Collections & Archives. Open to all. Refreshments to follow program.
The Eugene B Sledge Digital Collection; introduced by Aaron Trehub, Director of Library Technology, AU.
http://diglib.auburn.edu/collections/ebsledge/. Remembering Iwo Jima; Jack Simms, Professor Emeritus, Dept of Journalism, AU. Copies of Dr. Sledge’s book, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa, will be available for purchase. For more info: call 334-844-8272. Sponsored by the AU Libraries, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities, College of Liberal Arts, and the AU Bookstore.

THURSDAY, OCT 11, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – AUBURN OUT LOUD CELEBRATION
Held on AU’s Haley Center concourse. Free & open to all.
In honor of National Coming Out Day, Spectrum Alliance and the Auburn Gay/Straight Alliance have announced the second annual Auburn Out Loud celebration. There will be information available, T-shirts made by LGBT students on display and an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to make a T-shirt to wear or put on display. National Coming Out Day is an international event which gives gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the opportunity to “come out” to others about their sexual orientation and gender identity. It also provides a means of increasing the visibility of gay and transgender people on the Auburn campus. More info: Stephanie Graham at grahasr@auburn.edu or Katie Lushington at lushidk@auburn.edu.

THURSDAY, OCT 11, 4:30 pm – OPELIKA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Planning Commission chambers, Public Works Facility, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.
For info, call Andy Bell at 705-5156. www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=281&pg=Historic+Preservation+Commission&hilite=historic

THURSDAY, OCT 11, 5:00 pm — AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp [See details above, Mon, Oct 8, noon]

THURSDAY, OCT 11, 5:00 pm – SYMPOSIUM & RECEPTION: NATURALISM IN 19^TH CENTURY ALABAMA: PHILIP HENRY GOSSE
Held in the auditorium, AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, 901 S. College St. Seating is limited; call 334-844-3085 for reservations. www.julecollinssmithmuseum.com/
Speakers: Ann Thwaite and Gary R Mullen. Reception to follow.
British naturalist Philip Henry Gosse, visited Alabama in 1838. During his stay he produced meticulous watercolors of the insects he collected. The folio, Entomologia Alabamensis was never published and presently is part of the The British Library collections. JCSM is proud to present 24 of these 48 images as photographic reproductions as part of our examination of 19th century naturalism. Ann Thwaite, “Glimpses of the Wonderful: the biographer’s view of Philip Henry Gosse.” Thwaite, a scholar and author of several biographies including Glimpses of the Wonderful: the Life of Philip Henry Gosse (2002), has lectured and taught from Mississippi to Tokyo. Originally from New Zealand, she now resides in England with her husband, the poet Anthony Thwaite. Gary R. Mullen, Ph.D., “Philip Henry Gosse’s Watercolors of Alabama Insects, 1838,” Dr. Mullen is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University where he specializes in medical-veterinary entomology. He is also an accomplished scholar on Philip Henry Gosse. Co-sponsored by the JCSM, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, College of Liberal Arts, Department of English, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology and the College of Agriculture.

THURSDAY, OCT. 11, 6:00 PM — KIESEL SUNDOWN CONCERT FEATURING Derek Findley
Held at Kiesel Park Pavilion, Auburn. Free & open to all.
Hosted by the Auburn Parks & Recreation Department. Citizens are encouraged to bring family and friends, a picnic supper, lawn chairs and even your dog. (Kiesel Park is a dog friendly park.)

THURSDAY, OCT 11, 7 – 9 pm – Pine Hill Cemetery Lantern Tour
Held at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Armstrong St, Auburn. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Come see and hear Auburn history come alive as characters from Auburn’s past are portrayed at the historic cemetery on Armstrong Street. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visitors should park at the Auburn Junior High School and take the free transportation provided to the cemetery. Hosted by the Auburn Heritage Association. (Also on Friday, Oct 12, 7-9 pm)

FRIDAY, OCT 12, 9:00 am — AUBURN STRIDE WALKERS
Held at the Charlotte & Curtis Ward Bike Path, Shell Toomer Pkwy across from the entrance to Chewacla State Park.[* Rain location: On rainy days, the walks will be held at the Frank Brown Recreation Center.] Bring bottled water and wear comfortable walking shoes Participants can walk at their own pace and distance. Info: Melissa Weldon at 501-2946.

FRIDAY, OCT 12, 10:30 am – AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION / REZONING
Held at the School Board central office, 855 E. Samford Ave.
The Auburn Board of Education will hold a work session on school rezoning.

FRIDAY, OCT 12, 6:00 pm – OPELIKA’S 5th ANNUAL ‘ON THE TRACKS’ / A Food & Wine Event
Held along historic Railroad Avenue. Ticket & other info: http://www.onthetracks.org/
Join the festivities along historic Railroad Avenue, with a wine tasting trail, food and music hosted by Opelika Main Street.

FRIDAY, OCT 12, 7 – 9 pm – Pine Hill Cemetery Lantern Tour
Held at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Armstrong St, Auburn. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Come see and hear Auburn history come alive as characters from Auburn’s past are portrayed at the historic cemetery on Armstrong Street. Tickets are $10 at the door. Visitors should park at the Auburn Junior High School and take the free transportation provided to the cemetery. Hosted by the Auburn Heritage Association.

FRIDAY, OCT 12, 7:30 pm — SUNDILLA CONCERT: DANA & SUSAN ROBINSON
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach Ave; open to all. Admission: $10; with student ID $8; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided). Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed). For more info, and to hear music clips of singer-songwriters Dana & Susan Robinson and their guitar, banjo, fiddle,and mandolin music, go to www. sundilla .org.

IMRivers Map of Alabama’s Watershed Groups
IMRivers GIS data to be mapped with Google Satellite Imagery. Go to: www.imrivers.com/alabamarivers to find where your fellow watershed groups are, not to mention including data about your group on the internet! http://alabamariversalliance.blogspotcom/2007/09/map-of-alabamas-watershed-groups.html
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Info from the APJ / Alliance for Peace and Justice
Fed up with war, hatred, intolerance and injustice? Join the Alliance for Peace and Justice, P.O. Box 2654, Auburn, AL; (334) 319-1351 www.peaceeagle.org
The Alliance for Peace and Justice is a grassroots group working for justice as the practical way to achieve peace in our local communities, in the nation, and in the world. We will articulate relevant social, economic and political justice issues, motivate people to take positive positions on these issues and participate, individually and collectively, in actions that will help create a more just and peaceful world. We strive for a world ruled not by military and economic power but by justice and equal regard for the rights and welfare of all people. For this, we believe, is the surest way to peace. All are welcome to join Monthly meeting: the first Tuesday of each month at Busch Center (at 508 Auburn Drive) behind Auburn Unitarian Fellowship, 450 E. Thach Ave, Auburn, Alabama, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. More information? Visit our website about on-going meetings and current events. www.peaceeagle.org

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NEW ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ON THE WEB

Courtesy of the law office of David Ludder, www.enviro-lawyer.com , here is a summary of new environmental information on the Web:

Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) has some new features, mostly in search and output parameters. http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/index.html

Online Tracking Information System (OTIS) is maintained by EPA and billed as “the premier environmental and enforcement and compliance analysis and reporting resource for government agencies.” It is mostly restricted to government agencies and contains more than the public Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. However, one portion is available to the public — charts and tables of effluent data and permit limits. With this new data presentation, mining of data in the Permit Compliance System (PCS) is not necessary and examination of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) is largely unnecessary. This can be especially important if you don’t want to tip ADEM off that you are intending to file a 60-day notice of intent to sue. There are two ways to obtain publicly available OTIS data. The most direct is http://www.epa-otis.gov/cgi-bin/effluentsquery.cgi?tool=otis . Enter the permit number and click “search” and charts of effluent data will be presented. Click on “Details” for any chart and a table of the effluent data and permit limits will be presented. [Caution: It appears that not all permit limits for a particular parameter may be shown, e.g., weekly averages] Another way is to enter the ECHO website and pull up data for a facility of interest. Scroll to the table labeled “Environmental Conditions” and click on the blue “W.” That will take you an “OTIS Water Quality Report” page. At the top is a link to “NPDES Effluent Charts Report.”

ADEM Electronic Environmental Reporting System (E2) has been launched.

https://e2.adem.state.al.us/NPDES/Pages/Main/Login.aspx “The E2 DMR systems provides wastewater facilities with an alternative way to submit DMR data and allow the ADEM to electronically validate the data, acknowledge receipt, and upload data to Alabama’s central wastewater database.” Director Trey Glenn promised the environmental community (I believe on Jan. 10, 2007) that this data would be accessible to the public via the web. No provision has been made for public accessibility. I have an inquiry in to ADEM about their plans.

Water Violation reports

Anyone with a water violation report should be sure to sent a report to EPA at www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints/index.html .

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Thanks for your interest and support.

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