WEEK OF MAY 26, 2009  – MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES

COLUMN BY LISA BROUILLETTE — Deja vu happening all over again in Auburn
First published May 15, 2009 in the Opelika-Auburn News
http://placeforum.org/blog/2009/05/26/may-15-2009-column-by-lisa-brouillette-deja-vu-happening-all-over-again-in-auburn/

COMMENTS OPEN THROUGH JUNE 5  – LRCOG AOMPO DRAFT FY2010 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) www.lrcog.com
The Lee-Russell Council of Governments invites public review & comment on the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Draft FY2010 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).  The UPWP is the instrument for coordinating metropolitan transportation activities in the Auburn-Opelika study area.
The UPWP can be viewed and commented upon during normal business hours at the LRCOG office (2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika), the Auburn Public Library (749 E. Thach Ave), the Opelika Public Library (200 South 6th Street), the Auburn Housing Authority office (931 Booker Street), and the Opelika Housing Authority office (1706 Toomer Street).  In addition, the UPWP and comment forms are available online at http://www.lrcog.com/.   Comments on the UPWP can be submitted through June 5, 2009.  Comment forms are available at the locations listed above and should be submitted in person or via mail to: Keith Bryan, Lee-Russell Council of Governments, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.  Questions or concerns should be directed to Keith Bryan at 334-749-5264 ext. 214.

THROUGH SATURDAY, MAY 30 – ALABAMA’S MAGNIFICENT BICYCLING ADVENTURE  http://www.amba1.com/
AMBA, Alabama’s Magnificent Bicycle Adventure, is a multi-day bike ride established to raise money to support AlaBike. AlaBike is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 corporation formed to make Alabama a better place to ride bikes. The organization hopes to accomplish this goal by making roads safer for bicyclist and work to make road improvements bike friendly.
AMBA is different than other 7 day bike rides:

• AMBA is staged in one location and has out and back loops every day.
• Since AMBA is staged in one location, you set up and break down camp just once, and, your car is available every night.

• While you bike, your non-biking mate can go sightseeing, golfing, shopping or do other activities and still meet you for dinner!
If you have any questions, you can email Peter Wolf at writerider@charter.net or go to http://www.amba1.com/.

THROUGH TUESDAY, JUNE 30 —- 11TH ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association gallery. Free & open to all.
Come view this 11th annual juried art exhibition / competitive exhibition open to artists and craftspersons in Lee County.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 8:00 – 10:00 AM — LEE COUNTY PHASE 27 ARRA BOARD MEETING (ARRA = American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) www.lrcog.com
Held in the LRCOG Conference Room, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika. Open to all.
More info: Erin.Stephens@adss.alabama.gov
Background:  Lee County has been awarded federal funds under the EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM as an extension of the ARRA.  Lee County has been chosen to receive $31,741 to supplement Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in the area under the FY09 Phase 27 ARRA award.  The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  This Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the country. For fuller description of these funds and the local agencies which comprise the Phase 27 ARRA board, go to http://www.lrcog.com/news.html.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 3:00 pm-OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all.  www.opelika.org

TUESDAY, MAY 26 — 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:
6. Reports from Commissioners and Staff:
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting May II, 2009
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Comprehensive Development Strategies Invoice – Judge English
b. Joint Meeting with Other Counties – Judge English
c. NACo Rural Action Caucus Steering Committee ~ Judge English
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Request to Resurface Lee Road 697IBrentwood Subdivision – Charles Roberts
b. BRAC Regional Growth Management Plan – Gary Jones, Columbus Chamber of Commerce
c. Capital Improvement Fund Budget Adjustments – Roger Rendleman
d. Various Budget Adjustments to FY 2009 Budget

• Roger Rendleman

e. Ballots for Claims/Charter Communications Bankruptcy – Roger Rendleman
f. Planning Commission Funding Request – Wendy Swann
10. Adjourn

TUESDAY,  MAY 26, 7:00 pm – AUBURN BIKE COMMITTEE  www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda includes:  Committee Bylaws Review; Public Works Report; Review of Bike Month activities; Parks & Rec Report; Review of Bike Bash 2009; Public Safety Report;  N. Donahue accident; AMBA update. Next Meeting June 30, 2009.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 7:00 PM — CONCERT: ROY SCNEIDER / THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
There is no cover charge, but a suggested donation of $5.00 will be greatly appreciated by the musician.
As part of his summer tour, Roy Schneider will perform at the Gnu’s Room. Schneider is based in Southwest Florida and carries over a decade of experience performing in festivals, house concerts, coffeehouses, restaurants, bars and other environments. His original music has earned him slots on national festival stages and has been played on various public, mainstream, college and internet radio stations including syndicated radio show The Grateful Dead Hour. He has two full-length CDs to his credit, “The Humble Sessions” (2007) and “Roy Schneider and the Roadside Turtle Rescue” (2008). A 5-song EP, “Snack,” was released in May of 2009 in preparation for his summer tour. Schneider writes songs that come from the heart, engaging the most diverse of audiences with passion, soul, humor and grit. From his early days as a teenage runaway to an under-age union worker, a traveling Deadhead, a toy designer, a nationally syndicated cartoonist, marriage, divorce, spiritual searches and parenthood, he has stories to tell. And with 25 years of dedication to fingerstyle and flatpicked guitar, harmonica and vocals, there’s no better way for him to tell them. His sound has been compared to the likes of Willis Alan Ramsey, John Prine, Levon Helm, Guy Clark, Arlo Guthrie, Keller Williams and John Gorka. For more info about Schneider or to hear some of his music, please visit www.royschneider.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 and THURSDAY, MAY 28 —- STREAM RESTORATION / MACROINVERTEBRATE ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
Held in Montgomery.  More info: http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/iby.htm or contact Eve Brantley at brantef@auburn.edu.
This Stream Restoration Design will be conducted in Montgomery and will center on Baldwin Slough, a degraded urban stream in a City of Montgomery park.  Participants will use reference reach information to develop design parameters for an urban stream. Other topics include sediment transport calculations, applications of in-stream structures, and habitat enhancements.
Upcoming workshop:
* July 14-15 Stream Restoration Construction will be conducted in Montgomery.  Participants will learn about plan sheet development, construction specifications, permitting, and construction oversight while observing channel grading and structure installation.
These workshops are made possible through partnerships and funding from City of Montgomery, Auburn University, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood, Inc., Jennings Environmental, LLC, Upper Alabama River Clean Water Partnership, Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, North Carolina State University, and  the USDA CSREES Southern Region Water Program.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, noon — OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES featuring Larcus Fuller
Held by the fountain,  Courthouse Square, Opelika.  Free & open to all.
Bring a quilt or lawn chair; pack a brown bag lunch, or purchase lunch from a local restaurant.  Larcus Fuller – Country and light rock.  Songs that make you want to sing along.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 8:00 AM — AUBURN LIBRARY BOARD
Held at the Auburn Public Library, Library Board room, 749 E. Thach Ave.  Open to all.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 10:00 AM — ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS LICENSURE BOARD
Held at 445 Herron Street, Montgomery. Phone: 334-242-2230.  Open to all.
AGENDA includes:
I. Call to order, Welcome–10:00 A.M. John T. Manuel, Presiding
II. Roll Call Jean Cannaday
III. Voluntary Prayer
IV. Approval of Minutes of the last Board meeting
V. Awards and Presentations
VI. Public Input and/or Appearances Before the Board
VII. Appeals/Hearings Kathy Perry Brasfield
VIII. Committee Reports
IX. Staff Report Chip Carden
X. Licensure Applications Meeting Standards Jamie A. Durham
A.  Review and Approve New Applications.
B.  Review and Approve Expired Applications.
C.  Review and Approve Expired Building Official Applications.
D.  Ratify and Approve New Applications.
E    Ratify and Approve Expired Applications.
F.   Ratify and Approve Renewal Applications.
G.  Ratify and Approve Inactive Applications.
H.  Ratify and approve Expired Inactive Applications.
Licensure Applications for Board Review
I.   Board Review¬¬¬¬–Renewal Applications.
J.   Board Review–New Applications.
K.   Board Review–Expired Applications.
XI. Legal Report
1.   Recovery Fund Review: Jamie A. Durham
(a) Appeals
(b) Pending Claims
(c) Verified Claims
2.    Unlicensed Builders: Jamie A. Durham
(a)  Consent Agreements
(b)  Settlement Agreements
3.     Litigation Kathy Perry Brasfield
4.     Hearing Officer Recommendations Kathy Perry Brasfield
5.     Settlement Agreements Kathy Perry Brasfield
6. Investigative Committee Actions: Kathy Perry Brasfield
(a) Formal Disciplinary Actions
(b) Informal Disciplinary Actions
(c) Consumer Complaints
(d) Board Complaints
7.       Advisory Opinions Kathy Perry Brasfield
8.       Declaratory Judgments Kathy Perry Brasfield
9.       Attorney General Opinions Kathy Perry Brasfield
10.     Other Legal Issues Kathy Perry Brasfield
XII. Old Business
XIII. New Business
XIV. Discussion
XV. Adjournment

THURSDAY, MAY 28, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts; www.jscm.auburn.edu.   Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.  www.auburnchambermusic.org

THURSDAY, MAY 28,  3:00 – 6:00 PM — AUBURN FARMER’S MARKET AT AG HERITAGE PARK
Held at AU’s Ag Heritage Park, Samford Avenue. Entrance is free. http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/comm/themarket/
The Auburn Farmer’s Market will be held Thursdays, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm, May 21-Aug. 27.  Check out the farmers’ market, a seasonal market which gives local farmers and producers an opportunity to sell directly to their customers, and which gives us all a chance to buy fresh, tasty, locally produced food. Entrance is free, so if you haven’t been before, come and have a look! For more information and directions, visit the website here (http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/comm/themarket/).  For more info on the market, contact market manager Dani Carroll 334-749-3353 or carrodl@auburn.edu. [Note the market is moving from its previous location on Samford Ave across from the Athletic Complex to the greenspace on the opposite side of the park's pond, near the Alfa Farmers Paviliion. The entrance will be on Donahue Drive.]

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 5:00 – 7:00 PM —- AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE RECEPTION
Held at the home of Susan and George Constant, 228 Chadwick Lane, off Hwy 14.  All are invited.
The APL’s 3rd Annual Reception will be held at the Greek Revival home of Susan & George Constant.  APL’s focus is to promote a constructive effort by private citizens toward preserving Auburn’s historic structures and sites.  For more info, see the APL website at www.auburnpreservationleague.org.
Note:  The APL board meets the first Tuesday of each month, Auburn Chamber of Commerce Building, E. Glenn Avenue, 6:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public and members are encouraged to attend.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 6:00 – 7:00 PM —- FREE MAY CONCERT SERIES: SUNDOWN AT KIESEL PARK / Auburn Road
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all. Performances will be held weather permitting
The City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to come and enjoy a FREE concert at Kiesel Park with live musical entertainment the entire family will enjoy. Bring a picnic, a blanket and even the dog to enjoy a free, entertaining evening at the park under the stars. Concerts lasts an hour and a half and kick-off promptly at 6 p.m.
More info: www.myspace.com/sundownatkiesel or Alison Hall at 501-2930.

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 7:00 – 9:00 PM — GNU BREW’S ICE CREAM FUNDAE  / THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
Marble Slab Creamery will be serving up free ice cream from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at The Gnu’s Room. We will be selling their delicious ice cream by the cup this summer, and will expand our menu to include some ice cream/coffee smoothies! In honor of the event, please come dressed as your favorite flavor, and if you are so inclined, bring an ice cream-themed poem or one-page story to share. The best poem or short story will win a Gnu’s Room gift certificate!

SATURDAY, MAY 30 – ALABAMA WATER WATCH 18TH ANNUAL MEETING & PICNIC
Held in Comer Hall and at the Fisheries Dept ponds, Auburn. Open to all. Program details and online registration on the Alabama Water Watch website (www.alabamawaterwatch.org) or call 888-844-4785.
The Alabama Water Watch Association and Program are teaming up to host the 18th Annual AWW Annual Meeting and Picnic on Saturday, May 30 in Auburn.
10:00 AM – NOON —   “mini-conference” in Comer Hall on the AU campus
LUNCH — at the Fisheries Department Ponds north of town for our trademark lunch of fried catfish and all the fixin’s.
AFTERNOON (until 5:00 pm?)– Awards and other celebratory events will follow into the afternoon.

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 7:00 PM — CONCERT:  BOTTLE UP AND EXPLODE BAND (+ 3 other local bands) at THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
There is no cover, but a suggested donation of $5.00 for the musicians would be greatly appreciated.
Local indie/alternative/rock band Bottle Up will play acoustically.The band members Chris (vocals/guitar), Micah (keyboards), Zak (drums), Jay (guitar) and Pat (bass) write music influenced by such artists as Tom Petty, Coldplay, Nirvana, The Wallflowers, Weezer and many others. To sample their music please visit www.myspace.com/bottleupandexplodeband.
Josh LaFayette, who performs as These Are Magnets, is also a local musician who has been influenced by the  likes of Bob Dylan, The White Stripes, Paul Simon, Neon Blonde, David  Bowie and Thin Lizzy. To sample his music, please visit
www.myspace.com/thesearemagnets or to learn more about him visit his website www.joshlafayette.com
Man Made Sea, www.myspace.com/manmadesea,  and one other band (TBA) will perform.

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City of Auburn Board Vacancies:
* Board of Education – Note: Tracie West was appointed to the Board of Education at the May 19 City Council meeting.
* Indian Pines Recreation Authority – one vacancy will be filled at the June 16 City Council meeting.
* Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority – three vacancies will be filled at the July 7 City Council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact their City Council member, the entire City Council (coagbemail@auburnalabama.org)  or notify the City Manager’s Office at webocm@auburnalabama.org or 501-7260. Information on the city’s boards and commissions, including current members and their terms, available online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/BoardsandCommissions/Boards.aspx.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 26, 2009

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Deja vu happening all over again in Auburn

Column by Lisa Brouillette

First Published in the Opelika-Auburn News, May 15, 2009

Summer’s creeping up again and it’s not only the rising heat that’s provoking deja vu. It’s also annual rising anger at our do-little Alabama Legislature.

Recent headlines decry legislative double dipping, clamor for relief from the grocery tax, beg for constitutional and ethics reform. Sound familiar?
It should, because last May’s headlines said the same thing.

Our legislators must have collective amnesia.

They can’t seem to remember their promise to clean up PAC-to-PAC transfers and give us real ethics reform. Shame on them. And shame on us for tolerating their inaction.

Please, folks, mark your election-year calendars now with one simple note: Vote Them Out!

We have the power. We just have to use it.

Speaking of using our collective power, Auburn citizens have the chance this summer to do just that. Not with an election vote, but with participation in Auburn 2030.

Times change and our city’s vision for itself must keep pace.

Hence, Auburn 2030, an update of Auburn 2020, the city’s basic blueprint for it’s future.

This isn’t a nut and bolts regulatory document. It’s a more general “this is where we are, where we want to go, what we want to be” guide. Specific details of how to reach the city’s goals will be filled in by other documents, such as CompPlan 2030, a land use planning document also under review this summer.

Like its predecessors, Auburn 2030 is supposed to draw ideas from diverse segments of the city’s residents. So, step up! Call City Hall, ask to join Auburn 2030, help design Auburn’s future.

Back to deja vu, a quick glance at pending lawsuits brings on a tsunami size dose.

The lawsuit over connecting Scott Land’s commercial project via the residential Indian Hills neighborhood is still working its way through the courts.

Similarly, water service rights for both West Pace, Donahue Ridge and other projects remain tangled in the Auburn Water Board’s legal wrangling with Loachapoka’s Water Authority. And lest we forget, the proposed tax district for West Pace still thrashes in legal limbo.

Other legal issues which still echo from last year: individual and developer bankruptcies and foreclosures, with the added twist of tax delinquencies.

Although one could argue Auburn hasn’t been hit as hard as other parts of the state, we’ve still been hit.

Perhaps it’s not a killing body blow, but it’s certainly a solid jab to the gut.

But thankfully summer also heralds another type of deja vu, a delicious one – the first taste of sun ripened fruits and vegetables at local farm stands and the farmers’ market (which opens May 21). So buy your fill.

It’s a local economic stimulus with no downside.

Lisa Brouillette is a community activist, editor, and writer. Contact her at placeforum@gmail.com

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CANCELLED
The Monday, May 18, 6:00 PM – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION special called meeting has  been cancelled. www.leeco.
No date for a rescheduled meeting has been announced.

REMINDER
AUBURN SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
At this Tuesday’s city council meeting (May 19, 7:00 pm, council chambers, 141 N Ross St), the council is scheduled to appoint someone to fill a vacant position on the Auburn School Board.
Interested in applying?  Send a letter of interest & brief resume to the entire council at coagbemail@auburnalabama.org. You can also contact your council representative individually (contact info at http://www.auburnalabama.org/cc/members.asp).

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 16, 2009

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MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES — WEEK OF MAY 18, 2009

NOTE: There may be changes or additions to this schedule later in the week.  Such changes will be noted in PLACE emails and/or posted on this website.

MAY IS NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/preservation-month/
May is National Preservation Month — Watch for local activities and information celebrating local historic sites!
For more info about historic preservation activities locally, across Alabama & nationwide, check out these links:
Auburn Historic Preservation Commission  http://www.auburnalabama.org/hpc/hpc.asp
Auburn Heritage Association  http://www.auburnheritage.org/
Auburn Preservation League http://www.auburnpreservationleague.org/
Lee County Historical Society  http://leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/
Opelika Main Street  http://www.opelikamainstreet.org/about.php
Opelika Historic Preservation Commission  http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=513&hilite=historic+preservation
Alabama Historical Commission http://www.preserveala.org/
Alabama Dept. of Archives and History  http://www.archives.state.al.us/
National Trust for Historic Preservation  http://www.preservationnation.org/about-us/

5th Annual Trash Amnesty Week May 18 – 22 http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/es042909.asp
In an effort to help citizens with their spring cleaning, the Auburn City Council has approved the City’s 5th Annual Trash Amnesty Week for the week of May 18 – 22. During Trash Amnesty Week, the fees normally assessed to residents for the collection of oversized yard debris and other bulky waste will be waived. Citizens are asked to pay close attention to the following guidelines when placing items out for collection:
• Debris should be properly placed at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regularly scheduled collection day. Please avoid placing items on or near mailboxes, utility boxes, utility poles, or other fixed objects. All items should be properly contained or bundled so they do not fall into the street or down storm drains.
• The City will accept yard waste, appliances, and bulky items for collection. No household garbage, hazardous waste, or other unacceptable waste should be placed out for collection with debris.

• Debris should be placed in front of your residence and at least 3 feet behind the curb, roadway, or sidewalk.

• Debris should not be placed in the roadway, on or around storm drains, near utility lines, on utility boxes, or on vacant lots.

• Limbs and other debris should be no longer than 5 feet in length.

• To facilitate wood debris and metal recycling efforts, please separate all wood debris, including limbs and grass clippings, from metal items.
Due to the large volume of debris expected during Trash Amnesty Week, citizens may experience a delay in the collection schedule. Every reasonable effort will be made to maintain the established collection schedule.
For more information, please contact the City of Auburn Environmental Services Department at 501-3080.

THROUGH TUESDAY, JUNE 30 —- 11TH ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association gallery. Free & open to all.
Come view this 11th annual juried art exhibition / competitive exhibition open to artists and craftspersons in Lee County.

CANCELLED MONDAY, MAY 18, 6:00 PM – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION / special called meeting  www.leeco.us
Held in the commission chambers, historic courthouse building, 215 S. Ninth St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda: The purpose of the meeting is to discuss an economic development venture with Macon, Chambers and Russell counties.

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1:30 PM — ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS LICENSURE BOARD / Special Called Investigative Committee Meeting
Held at 445 Herron Street, Montgomery. Phone: 334-242-2230.  Open to all.
Agenda: Investigative Committee Meeting

TUESDAY, MAY 19  – OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
TBA – work session / 7:00 PM – regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika.  Open to all.
Agenda: www.opelika.org/ (Agenda should be available online by Monday, May 18.)

TUESDAY, MAY 19 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
TBA -Committee of the Whole /  7:00 pm – Regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet:  www.auburnalabama.org/agenda (Agenda should be available online by Friday evening, May 15.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  — AUBURN BEAUTIFICATION COUNCIL
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave.  Open to all interested in keeping Auburn beautiful. Lunch is provided.  http://www.auburnbeautification.org/

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, NOON — AUBURN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION BOARD
Held at Pebble Hill (Caroline Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities).
All members are encouraged and invited to attend.  www.auburnheritage.org
Note: Held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from Sept to May

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 6:00 PM  — LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
NEW MEETING PLACE! Now held at Auburn University Club. 1499 N. Donahue Road. All are invited to attend.
6:00 pm – buffet dinner ($11, tax & tip included)
6:50 pm -Speaker: Senator Ted Little and Representative Pebblin Warren. Topic: The 2009 Legislative Session
SENATOR Ted Little, born on June 21, 1942, in Andalusia is serving his eighth term in the Senate. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Alabama and his J.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.  He serves on committees for: Children, Youth Affairs and Human Resources, Economic Expansion and Trade; Finance and Taxation; Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability (Chair); Judiciary; and Rules.  His 27th Senate District covers Tallapoosa County, central Lee County, and north Russell County.
REPRESENTATIVE Pebblin Warren was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in a special election held on March 8, 2005.  Her District 82 covers Lee County west of North College Street in Auburn.  She serves on the Commerce, County and Municipal Government, Health, Lee County Legislation, and Rules Committees in the House.  She holds a B.S. degree in business administration and a M.Ed. degree in personnel administration from Tuskegee University.
DIRECTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY CLUB
Take East University northwest or Shug Jordan northeast to North Donahue Drive.  There is a large gas station at the corner of Shug Jordan and North Donahue.  Take Donahue to the north for about  1/4 mile and turn left at the entrance to Yarbrough Farms subdivision.  The road winds around about another 1/4 mile and you will see the University Club on your right at the top of a hill. The Club web site has Google Maps directions at http://www.aucyf.com/directions.html
Another, possibly better way from Opelika is to take 280 north to Lee Road 72 (Farmville Road).  Turn left and go 2.7 miles to Donahue (Lee Road 72) and turn left.  Go south on Donahue about a mile and turn left at Yarbrough Farms subdivision.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts; www.jscm.auburn.edu.   Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.  www.auburnchambermusic.org

THURSDAY, MAY 21,  3:00 – 6:00 PM — OPENING DAY:  AUBURN FARMER’S MARKET
Held at AU’s Ag Heritage Park, Samford Avenue.  http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/comm/themarket/
The Auburn Farmer’s Market will be held Thursdays, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm, May 21-Aug. 27.  If you too are interested in eating local food, check out the farmers’ market, a seasonal market which gives local farmers and producers an opportunity to sell directly to their customers, and which gives us all a chance to buy fresh, tasty, locally produced food. Entrance is free, so if you haven’t been before, come and have a look! For more information and directions, visit the website here.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 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. The Board meets on the 1st Thursday after the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 4:00 pm-OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org

THURSDAY, MAY 21 — JCSM Third Thursday Free Night
5:00 pm – Curator’s gallery talk / Dennis Harper (in the Noel and Kathryn Dickinson Wadsworth Gallery)
5:00 – 8:00 PM  – Museum open, free admission.  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.  Free & open to the public. Reception with cash bar to follow gallery talk.
At 5:00 pm, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Dennis Harper, will offer an insightful discussion of El Alma Mexicana/The Mexican Soul: Selections from the Permanent Collection (on view through May 30, 2009), which features paintings, prints, and drawings by important 20th-century Mexican artists, and by Americans who were inspired by Mexican art and culture.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 6:00 – 7:00 PM —- FREE MAY CONCERT SERIES: SUNDOWN AT KIESEL PARK / Old Soul
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all. Performances will be held weather permitting
The City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to come and enjoy a FREE concert series every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. throughout the month of May at Kiesel Park. The line-up will provide live musical entertainment from local and regional musicians the entire family will enjoy. Bring a picnic, a blanket and even the dog to enjoy a free, entertaining evening at the park under the stars. All concerts last an hour and a half and kick-off promptly at 6 p.m.
Next Sundown at Kiesel Park May concert, on Thursday, May 28, features Auburn Road.
More info: www.myspace.com/sundownatkiesel or Alison Hall at 501-2930.

FRIDAY, MAY 22 – SATURDAY, MAY 24 — The Creek War and War of 1812 in the South: A Symposium
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art.  Registration fee (includes lunch and refreshments): $25/one day;  $40/both days. Registration info online: www.auburn.edu/CreekWar.
This symposium features scholars from a variety of universities as well as representatives of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  Sponsored by Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, with funding from the National Park Service.  More info: call 334-844-4948 or visit www.auburn.edu/CreekWar.

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 6:30 PM —  BIRMINGHAM EVENT:  AN AMERICAN LAWYER IN GAZA / Linda Mansour-Ismail, National Lawyers Guild Attorney and Member of NLG Gaza Delegation
Held on the UAB campus, Heritage Hall, conference room 104. (Corner 14th St. and University, easy street parking)
Free & open to the public. Contributions accepted to defray costs.
The Birmingham Peace Project and Alabama chapter of the National Lawyers Guild will present “An American Lawyer in Gaza” — Linda Mansour-Ismail, National Lawyers Guild Attorney and Member of NLG Gaza Delegation.
Link to Directions & Map: http://www.uab.edu/images/stuaff/pdf/Campus-Map-07-Rev04-06.pdf
In February, a National Lawyers Guild delegation, including attorney Linda Mansour, of Toledo, Ohio, traveled to the Gaza Strip to investigate the latest 22-day Israeli military offensive into Gaza. The delegation members spent their own funds and risked their lives to investigate the circumstances that led to massive Palestinian casualties, to determine if violations of international law occurred and whether U.S. domestic law was implicated as a consequence. Last month the delegation to Gaza released a 37-page report containing new evidence on the facts surrounding the offensive. Mansour-Ismail will present dramatic photos and interviews with citizens as well as officials, and will discuss evidence of crimes warranting further investigation.
Speaker’s Bio: Linda Mansour-Ismail is a committed activist and practicing attorney for over 30 years and is believed to be the first U.S. licensed Palestinian-American female attorney. This past year she was appointed by the Ohio Democratic Party as its delegate at large for Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Ms. Mansour is actively involved in community matters. She serves on various civic, Democratic, cultural, institutional and professional boards serving her communities locally, nationally and internationally. For over three decades she has been a presenter in and out of the US on panels focusing on building international, trade and human relations. She is known for her active role in Arab American and Palestinian civil and human rights issues. She has led several delegations to the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. Having successfully litigated many cases of national importance Ms. Mansour has been featured in a swathe of national and international television, radio, and newspaper outlets as well as a guest lecturer. She has served as the resident associate in charge of a recognized US international law firm in Abu Dhabi. Presently Ms. Mansour has an active law practice in Toledo, Ohio focusing on litigation, immigration, civil rights, children’s issues and employment, as well as domestic and nternationaltransactional matters.

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 7:00 PM — SHORT FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION / THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.

SATURDAY, MAY 23 – SATURDAY, MAY 30 – ALABAMA’S MAGNIFICENT BICYCLING ADVENTURE
Registration Starts at Noon to 6:00 PM at Auburn Soccer Complex, 2340 Wire Road.   http://www.amba1.com/
AMBA, Alabama’s Magnificent Bicycle Adventure, is a multi-day bike ride established to raise money to support AlaBike. AlaBike is a Non-Profit 501(c)3 corporation formed to make Alabama a better place to ride bikes. The organization hopes to accomplish this goal by making roads safer for bicyclist and work to make road improvements bike friendly.
AMBA is different than other 7 day bike rides:

• AMBA is staged in one location and has out and back loops every day.
• Since AMBA is staged in one location, you set up and break down camp just once, and, your car is available every night.

• While you bike, your non-biking mate can go sightseeing, golfing, shopping or do other activities and still meet you for dinner!
If you have any questions, you can email Peter Wolf at writerider@charter.net or go to http://www.amba1.com/.

SATURDAY, MAY 23, NOON – 5:00 PM — WRITING WORKSHOP / THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

City of Auburn Board Vacancies:
* Board of Education – one vacancy will be filled at the May 19 city council meeting.
–Note:  The incumbent, Anne Penney, has served two five-year terms.
* Indian Pines Recreation Authority – one vacancy will be filled at the June 16 City Council meeting.
* Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority – three vacancies will be filled at the July 7 City Council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact their City Council member or notify the City Manager’s Office at webocm@auburnalabama.org or 501-7260. Information on the city’s boards and commissions, including current members and their terms, available online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/BoardsandCommissions/Boards.aspx.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 13, 2009

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WEEK OF MAY 11, 2009 – MEETINGS, EVENTS & UPDATES

THROUGH MAY 19  – SECTION OF WEST SAMFORD AVENUE TO BE CLOSED DURING BREAK
A section of West Samford Avenue, between Biggio Drive and Wire Road, will be closed during the break between spring and summer semesters. It will close on Sunday May 10, following spring commencement and will reopen on or before May 19, prior to the beginning of summer classes and the first Camp War Eagle. Closure is necessary to replace a failing culvert under Samford Avenue. A detour route will be established using Biggio Drive, Lem Morrison Drive and Wire Road.

MONDAY, MAY 11 to FRIDAY, MAY 15 — BIKE TO WORK / BIKE TO SCHOOL WEEK www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/
Bike to Work/Bike to School week will be celebrated throughout the week, encouraging students, families, and commuters to utilize the bicycle as a form of transportation and recreation.  Coupons from Bruster’s, ColdStone Creamery, Marble Slab, Sonic, TCBY, and AMF Auburn Lanes will be distributed to citizens seen practicing safe bicycling skills and/or commuting to work or school.  More info:  http://www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/bikemonth.asp.

MONDAY, MAY 11 – WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 —- MACROINVERTEBRATE ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP
Held in Auburn.  More info: http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/iby.htm or contact Eve Brantley at brantef@auburn.edu.
* May 11-13 an Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assessment will be conducted in Auburn.  This workshop will introduce the participants to the basic ecology and taxonomy of aquatic insects.  Field work and lab work will emphasize the use of EPT (mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies).
Additional upcoming workshops:
* May 27-28 Stream Restoration Design will be conducted in Montgomery and will center on Baldwin Slough, a degraded urban stream in a City of Montgomery park.  Participants will use reference reach information to develop design parameters for an urban stream.  Other topics include sediment transport calculations, applications of in-stream structures, and habitat enhancements.
* July 14-15 Stream Restoration Construction will be conducted in Montgomery.  Participants will learn about plan sheet development, construction specifications, permitting, and construction oversight while observing channel grading and structure installation.
These workshops are made possible through partnerships and funding from City of Montgomery, Auburn University, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Goodwyn, Mills, and Cawood, Inc., Jennings Environmental, LLC, Upper Alabama River Clean Water Partnership, Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, North Carolina State University, and  the USDA CSREES Southern Region Water Program.

MONDAY, MAY 11, noon- AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION PACKET MEETING (AGENDA DISCUSSION)
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
[NOTE: The regular Planning Commission meeting will be held this Thursday, May 14, 5:00 pm, in the Auburn city council chambers, 141 N. Ross St.]
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATION
OLD BUSINESS
CONSENT AGENDA
NEW BUSINESS
1. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment PUBLIC HEARING MS-2009-00021
Applicant: City of Auburn
General Location: City of Auburn
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to amend Articles VI, VIII and IX of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance
2. Annexation Policy Amendment PUBLIC HEARING MS-2009-00022
Applicant: City of Auburn
General Location: City of Auburn
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to adopt changes to the City of Auburn Annexation Policy established by Resolution 07-328
3. Flip Flops PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00237
Applicant: Brandon Haynes for 152 North College, LLC
General Location: 152 North College Street
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC) with an overlay of the College Edge Overlay District (CEOD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use (lounge)
4. Tuscany Hills Amenity Lot PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00242
Applicant: McIntyre Building Company
General Location: 125 Tuscany Hills Drive
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a subdivision amenity (swimming pool and restroom facility)
5. Dowdell Subdivision (PL-2006-00238) PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00240
Applicant: Timothy Moore
General Location: Off of Miracle Road and East of North Donahue Drive
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits (Planning Jurisdiction)
Action Requested: Waiver to the City of Auburn Subdivision Regulations, Article IV, Design Standards, E4, in order to allow a subdivision which would create four (4) lots that do not abut upon a dedicated public street
OTHER BUSINESS
6. CompPlan 2030 Update – Justin Steinmann, Principal Planner
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION
STAFF COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT

MONDAY, MAY 11   – LEE COUNTY COMMISSION www.leeco.us
4:00 pm – work session / 6:00 pm – regular session
Held in the commission chambers, historic courthouse building, 215 S. Ninth St, 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:
6. Reports from Commissioners and Staff:
a. P-Card Program Update – Roger Rendleman
b. Outdoor Warning Siren Testing Notification – Kathy Russell
b. Legislative Update – Wendy Swann
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting April 27, 2009
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Dirt Road off Lee Road 83 (aka Sara Lane) – Tim Moore
b. Alabama National Fair Advertisement – Judge English
c. Comprehensive Development Strategies Invoice – Judge English
d. NACo Drug Plan – Commissioner Harris
e. Report on Garbage Fee Issue – Jack Marshall
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Energy Efficiency Presentation – Eric Hodge
b. Approve Travel to Al City/County Mgmt Assn & ACCA Conferences- Commissioner Lawrence
c. Right-of-Way Policy Amendment – Commissioner Harris
10. Adjourn

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 11:30 am – AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the city of Auburn meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. Open to all. http://www.auburnalabama.org/greenspace/

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 10:00 AM  – CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE / AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (AOMPO CAC) http://www.lrcog.com/mpo.html
Held be in the Lee-Russell Council of Govts-LRCOG Conference Room (2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika). Open to the public.

TUESDAY, MAY 12,  NOON – 1:00 PM — AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY / BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES – How to Get or Refinance a Mortgage
Held in the programming room, Youth Services Building, Auburn Public Library, 749 E. Thach Ave.
Free & open to all. Water & coffee provided; bring your lunch.
May 12 Program: How to Get or Refinance a Mortgage —  Jim Tice and Tom Williams, who work in the mortgage industry, will provide some guidelines on qualifying for or refinancing a home mortgage in today’s economy. More information: Reference desk at 501-3195 or visit http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/adultprograms.asp#brown.
Upcoming programs:
June 2  - ADHD:  Tim Thornberry, a graduate clinician at Auburn University, will discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and provide guidelines and techniques on helping your loved one.
June 23 – Alternative Energy:  Auburn resident David Newton lead a talk on alternative energy.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1:30 PM – TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE / AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (AOMPO TAC) http://www.lrcog.com/mpo.html
Held be in the Lee-Russell Council of Govts-LRCOG Conference Room (2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika). Open to the public.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 3:00 – 5:00 PM —- WAYNE GREENHAW / Book Signing:  A Generous Life, W. James Samford, Jr.
Held at Red Door June, 831 S. Railroad Ave, Opelika. All proceeds go to support the mission of the W. James Samford Jr. Foundation.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 4:00 pm – AUBURN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda:  http://www.auburnalabama.org/hpc/agenda.aspx

TUESDAY, MAY 12  - AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION www.auburnschools.org  Open to all.
5:00 pm – dinner, Board of Education Office, 855 East Samford Ave.
6:00 pm – meeting, Auburn High School multi-media room, 405 S. Dean Rd.

TUESDAY, MAY 12, 5:00 PM — LEE COUNTY MASTER PLAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE
Held in the old Johnson Gallery building located directly behind the County Courthouse in Opelika.
Agenda:  discuss outreach efforts for the second round of Town Hall Meetings that will be held in June.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 through SATURDAY, MAY 16 —AUBURN AREA COMMUNITY THEATER / FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JR.
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center.
Performances May 13- 16 at 6:30 pm, plus 2:00 pm matinee Saturday May 16.
Tickets:  $6/children, youth & students;  $8/adults. Tickets at the door or reserve by calling 741-5333.
The Auburn Area Community Theater’s annual spring children’s production is “Fiddler on the Roof, Junior.” This production marks the first musical presented by our local community theater. While it is an abbreviated version of the original Broadway show, FOTR, JR still packs an emotional punch with a compelling story of lives in transition highlighted by beautiful songs and exciting choreography.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 – THURSDAY, MAY 14  — FIFTH ANNUAL STATE OF OUR WATERSHED CONFERENCE – The Tallapoosa River Basin
Held at the Betty Carol Graham technology Center, Central Alabama Community College, Alexander City. Open to anyone interested in learning more about the current and future status of the Tallapoosa Watershed.
Free, but registration required by Monday, May 11. For registration and conference info, visit http://www.twp.auburn.edu.
This free conference will look at ways to manage and protect water quality and quantity at a basin scale and have examples from AL, GA and FL. It will have many opportunities for us to learn about water governance, pros and cons of Watershed Management Authorities, and to voice our opinions via break-out sessions and electronic surveys.   The conference will focus on effective water policy and on land and water management practices that will lead to an ecologically and economically healthy and sustainable Tallapoosa Watershed. More conference info: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/comm/news/2009/watershed.php.
The Auburn University Water Resources Center and the Auburn-based Alabama Water Watch program are among the conference’s cosponsors.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 9:00 AM  — MPO POLICY BOARD / AUBURN-OPELIKA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION http://www.lrcog.com/mpo.html
Held be in the Lee-Russell Council of Govts-LRCOG Conference Room (2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika). Open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 10:00 AM — ALABAMA ELECTRONIC VOTING COMMITTEE / Special-Called Meeting
Held at 125 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Ph: 334-242-4337
Agenda: Approval of changes submitted by ES&S, made to Model 100 precinct tabulators and Model 650 central tabulators so that maintenance, work and sales contracts can be executed.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, noon  – OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES – The Fedoras
Held by the fountain,  Courthouse Square, Opelika.  Free & open to all.
Bring a quilt or lawn chair; pack a brown bag lunch, or purchase lunch from a local restaurant.  Noon Tunes  will be held every Wednesday in May.
May 13: The Fedoras – This acoustic duo plays folk, pop and bluegrass tunes the whole family will enjoy.
May 20: Strawberry White – Performs music from today’s country artists such as Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, and Kenny Chesney.  Strong vocal harmonies. The Father/Daughter duo also plays tunes from classic rock artists such as the Allman Brothers, Eages, and Jimmy Buffet.
May 27: Larcus Fuller – Country and light rock.  Songs that make you want to sing along.

THURSDAY, MAY 14,  noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts; www.jscm.auburn.edu.   Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.  www.auburnchambermusic.org

THURSDAY, MAY 14,  4:30 pm – OPELIKA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Planning Chambers, Opelika Public Works Bldg, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 5:00 pm – AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION – regular meeting
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 agenda details above, Monday, May 11, noon, Planning Commission Packet meeting.)

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 6:00 – 7:00 PM —- FREE MAY CONCERT SERIES: SUNDOWN AT KIESEL PARK/ Crossroad Band
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all. Performances will be held weather permitting
The City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to come and enjoy a FREE concert series every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. throughout the month of May at Kiesel Park. The line-up will provide live musical entertainment from local and regional musicians the entire family will enjoy. Bring a picnic, a blanket and even the dog to enjoy a free, entertaining evening at the park under the stars. All concerts last an hour and a half and kick-off promptly at 6 p.m.
Sundown at Kiesel Park May concert series schedule: Thursday, May 21 – Old Soul; Thursday, May 28 – Auburn Road.
More info: www.myspace.com/sundownatkiesel or Alison Hall at 501-2930.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 to TUESDAY, JUNE 30 —- 11TH ANNUAL JURIED ART EXHIBITION
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association gallery. Free & open to all.
Come view this 11th annual juried art exhibition / competitive exhibition open to artists and craftspersons in Lee County.

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 7:00 PM —- JEANNIE THOMPSON / POETRY READING & BOOK SIGNING - www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
Jeanie Thompson has published four collections of poetry: How to Enter the River, Witness (which won the Benjamin Franklin Award of the Publishers’ Marketing Association), and White for Harvest: New and Selected Poems, and her latest book The Seasons Bear Us. Her poems have appeared widely in such magazines as Apalachee Review, Black Warrior Review, Copper Nickel, Crazy Horse, Louisville Review, New England Review, North American Review, River Styx, Southern Review, and the online journals  StorySouth and Thicket.  She has received individual artist fellowships from the Louisiana Council on the Arts and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, has held a Walter Dakin Fellowship at the Sewanee Writers Conference, and in 2003 was named Alumni Artist of the Year by the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences. Thompson is founding director of the Alabama Writers’ Forum and is a faculty member in the Spalding University Brief Residency MFA Writing Program in Louisville, KY. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama.

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 8:00 AM — SAMFORD BIKE LANES DEDICATION CEREMONY
The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place near the intersection of East Samford Avenue and Jockish St. The dedication ceremony for the newly constructed Samford Bike Lanes will be held in conjunction with the weekly Saturday Bike and Breakfast ride.  More info: http://auburnalabama.org/cycle/bikemonth.asp

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 8:00 AM – ALABAMA DEPT OF CONSERVATION & NATURAL RESOURCES / DCNR
Held at the State Capitol Auditorium, Montgomery. Open to all. Phone: 334-242-3486
Agenda includes:
Registration — 8:00AM until 8:30AM
Regular meeting:  9:00 am
1.Call to Order
2.Invocation
3.Introduction of Board Members
4.Approval of Minutes from Last Meeting
5.Public Hearing
6.Old Business
7.New Business
8.Selection of Dates and Locations for 2010 Advisory Board Meetings
9.Adjourn

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 10:00 AM — FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE PROGRAM:  The Eastern Indigo Snake!
Fee:  $3 for non-members, $2 for members. Directions & more info:  https://fp.auburn.edu/preserve/
Learn more about this amazing endangered reptile, the largest snake (up to 8 feet long) in North America and Auburn University’s plan to help re-establish them in the wild. For more information, call (334) 707-6512.

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 7:00 – 9:00 PM —- CONCERT: JOHN PETERSON / The Gnu’s Room www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.

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CITY OF AUBURN STATEMENTS AND COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS RE: PINE HILL CEMETERY INCIDENT
Press release: http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ocm050609.asp
Statements & Resolution: http://www.auburnalabama.org/agenda/TempFiles/2c678128-357e-4627-88b4-da94f49fd7bb.pdf

OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS ARTICLES AND VIDEO/SLIDESHOW RE: PINE HILL CEMETERY INCIDENT
Dowdell apologizes – http://www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/dowdell_apologizes/71268/
Critics and supporters packed last Tuesday’s council meeting to voice their views on the Confederate flag controversy. The mayor and other council members also stated their views.  A slideshow of the meeting is available at http://www.oanow.com/oan/oan_slideshows/20090505-dowdell_apologizes/71271/

UNIVERSITY SETS UP WEB PAGE FOR SWINE FLU INFORMATION
Auburn University has set up a Web page (http://www.auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/emergency/flu.html) about the university’s monitoring for possible swine flu cases and about precautions that can be taken against the flu. It will include timely updates regarding any news affecting the university. Currently the university is operating as normal; all university events, including commencement on May 9, will proceed as planned; and university employees with children should consider a contingency plan for child care in the event classes are canceled for elementary, middle and high school students. If you think you have contracted the flu (http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/swine-flu-questions-and-answers.html), please schedule an appointment with the Auburn University Medical Clinic at 844-4416 immediately.

GET WET, GET INVOLVED IN ALABAMA WATER FESTIVALS
Montgomery and Lee Counties are preparing for their annual water festivals and looking for volunteers to help. The purpose of the festivals is to teach elementary school children about water and its importance in nature and in our lives. They learn about surface and groundwater, wetlands, forestry, and wildlife. And they learn about their own impact and responsibilities.
Each year, thousands of children participate in these interactive festivals and each year a couple of hundred volunteers are need. Please take a day or two from your schedule and help to pass the mantle of good stewardship to the next generation.
For details on how to volunteer, download the relevant form below:
Lee County  - Tuesday, May 12th and Wednesday, May 13th -volunteers needed both days.
Haley Center, Auburn University, Auburn. To download for: http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability/website/pdf/lee_water_fest.pdf
Montgomery County  - Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th -volunteers REALLY needed on Friday, May 15th.
Auburn University, Montgomery. To download form: http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability/website/pdf/montgomery_water_fest.pdf

CITY OF AUBURN Press releases:
**  New Traffic Signal at East Glenn Avenue and East Samford Avenue: http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pw0428092.asp
**  Auburn Citizens Voice Their Opinions: 2009 Citizen Survey Results Now Available:
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ocm042109.asp
**  New Traffic Signal at East Samford Avenue and East University Drive
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pw050609.asp

City of Auburn Board Vacancies:
* Board of Education – one vacancy will be filled at the May 19 city council meeting.
* Indian Pines Recreation Authority – one vacancy will be filled at the June 16 City Council meeting.
* Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority – three vacancies will be filled at the July 7 City Council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact their City Council member or notify the City Manager’s Office at webocm@auburnalabama.org or 501-7260. Information on the city’s boards and commissions, including current members and their terms, available online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/BoardsandCommissions/Boards.aspx.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

ANONYMOUS REPORTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Want to report info on ADEM, environmental violators or other environmental issues, but prefer to do it anonymously? You can do it via this website: http://www.enviro-lawyer.com/Contact.html.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 10, 2009

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PLEASE TAKE FIVE MINUTES TODAY &

CONTACT LEGISLATORS ABOUT ETHICS & QUARRY BILLS

(see legislators’ contact info below)

There are only a few days left in the regular legislative session.  Please take a few minutes today ask your legislators to pass these important bills.  Thank you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

ETHICS BILLS —  HB 574 (Gibson/Erwin) & HB 582 (DeMarco)

PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE / NEED TO BE PLACED ON SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR

Ethics bills passed out of House Judiciary Committee after negotiations on May 30.  The Rules Committee needs to put both these bills on the Special Order Calendar for Tuesday, May 5 or Wednesday, May 6.

Contact Speaker Hammett; Rep. Guin, Chair of Rules Committee; members of the Rules Committee; and your own representative. (Local Representative on Rules:  Peblin Warren; she is also on the Rules Subcommittee on Special Calendar).

Call the members’ offices at State House; clerks will take a count.

House of Representatives switchboard:  334-242-7600 /  Senate switchboard:  334-242-7800.

Message for representatives: “Give us Ethics reform this year.”   Please put Judiciary Committee bills for HB 574 (Erwin) and HB 582 (DeMarco) on Special Order Calendar for May 5 or May 6.

According to Jim Sumner, Alabama State Ethics Commission Director:

HB 594 Gibson   Governor’s bill =  “gold standard”

HB 582  De Marco =  ”silver standard”

HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Ken Guin, Chair; James Buskey, Vice Chair; Ron Johnson, Ranking Minority Member; Barbara Boyd, Craig Ford, Blaine Galliher, Todd Greeson, Randy Hinshaw, Richard Laird, Jack Page, Arthur Payne, John Robinson, Rod Scott, Pebblin Warren, Cam Ward

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HB 804  — LOCAL AUTHORITY OVER SITING OF QUARRIES

The House CMG (County and Municipal Government) committee PASSED HB804!

PLEASE contact your representative, let them know that you support this bill, (thank them if they are on this committee) and ask them to make sure this bill is passed.

Also please ask your representative to support the 4 local bills for LIMESTONE County…these Limestone bills passed the House committee. They just need a House vote (with no tinkering so conference won’t be needed with Senate) and the Governor’s signature.

HOUSE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

Bill Dukes, Chair; Randy Wood, Vice Chair; Steve McMillan, Ranking Minority Member; Mike Curtis, Owen Drake, Chris England, Earl Hilliard, Richard Laird, Jim McClendon, Frank McDaniel, Jeff McLaughlin, Jeremy Oden, Rod Scott, Butch Taylor, Pebblin Warren, Jack Williams

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Additional bills of Interest:  Removal of Grocery Tax, Constitutional Reform, etc

A fairly comprehensive summary by Alabama Arise about these & other bills of interest, updated as of May 1, 2009, is online at http://alarise.org/Legislative/Arise%20Bills%20of%20Interest%205-1-2009.pdf.

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LEGISLATORS’ CONTACT INFO:

House of Representatives switchboard:  334-242-7600 /  Senate switchboard:  334-242-7800.

Contact info for members of House committees: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/housecommittees.html.

Contact info for members of Senate committees: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senatecommittees/senatecommittees.html.

A complete list of legislators can be found at www.legislature.state.al.us.

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 5, 2009

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WEEK OF MAY 4, 2009

MONDAY, MAY 4, 4:00 pm – AUBURN CEMETERIES ADVISORY BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, NOON – 1:00 PM — AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY / BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES — How to Get Out of Debt
Held in the programming room, Youth Services Building, Auburn Public Library, 749 E. Thach Ave.
Free & open to all. Water & coffee provided; bring your lunch.
Speakers:  Jim Tice and Tom Williams, who work in the mortgage industry, will give some basic principles for getting out and staying out of debt.  Join the Auburn Public Library’s Brown Bag Lunch series, noon Tuesdays. Bring your lunch and learn about a variety of topics.  More information: Reference desk at 501-3195 or visit http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/adultprograms.asp#brown.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2:30 PM – ART LECTURE: DR. SUSAN BRADEN / ALABAMA SMALL TOWNS: WORKING WITHIN IDEALS OF DEVELOPMENT AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Susan Braden, who recently retired from AU’s Art Department, taught art history at Auburn for 20 years. Her major interest is in American art and architecture. Her book Florida Resort Architecture: Architecture of Leisure was published by University Press of Florida in 2002. She is the Alabama representative to Southeastern Society of Architectural Historians. This lecture is in conjunction with the Auburn University Faculty Exhibition, on display through May 30 in the Bill L. Harbert Gallery and Gallery C. (Note: This lecture was mistakenly publicized as being held last week.)

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 5:15 pm – AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 6:30 PM – AUBURN PRESERVATION LEAGUE / Board Meeting
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave.  Open to the public. www.auburnpreservationleague.org
The APL board meets the first Tuesday of each month. All meetings are open to the public and members are encouraged to attend.

TUESDAY, MAY 5 — OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:30 pm – work session  / 7:00 pm – regular meeting
Held at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda:  www.opelika.org
Meeting agenda includes:
6)   UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7)   REMARKS BY THE MAYOR –  Gary Fuller
1.  Proclamation, National Day of Prayer.
  CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS – (Limit comments to five minutes or less)     Bob Shuman
9)   REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS –  Bob Shuman
1.  . Request by Bent Creek SD for their 6th annual neighborhood picnic.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS –  Shirley Washington
1.        Bid, remodel and renovate the Chamber of Commerce.
2.        Bid, polymer concrete enclosures – L&P.
13)  RESOLUTIONS –  Guy Gunter
1.  Contract, 4th of July fireworks – P&R
14)  ORDINANCES –   Guy Gunter    (none)
1.  Amend text zoning ordinance, section 8.18 (c) – 2nd reading.
2.  Amend zoning ordinance, Cedar Creek SD, add 5.97 acres PUD, phase 5A – 2nd reading.
3.  Amend City Code, section 14, business license descriptions – 2nd reading.
4.  Amend City Code, section 3-1, add special retail license – 2nd reading.
15)  APPOINTMENTS –     (none)
16)  ADJOURN

TUESDAY, MAY 5 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
6:50 pm-Committee of the Whole /  7:00 pm – Regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet:  www.auburnalabama.org/agenda
Committee of the Whole agenda includes: PINE HILLS CEMETERY. Discussion.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS. (5 minutes per person)
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS. City Manager Duggan.
a. Alcoholic Beverage License. Southeastern Pizza Group LLC dba/Pizza Hut Wing Street. 1923 South College Street. 040 – Retail Beer (On or Off Premises) License.
9. ORDINANCES.
a. Sales Tax Holiday. Exempt Certain Items from City Sales Tax. August 7 – August 9, 2009. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
b. Traffic Control Signs and Devices. Establish “No Parking” Zones. Greentree Terrace and Veterans Boulevard. Unanimous Consent Necessary.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Municipal Water Pollution (MWPP) Annual Reports. Approval to Submit.
(1) H. C. Morgan Water Pollution Control Facility.
(2) Northside Water Pollution Control Facility.
b. Industrial Development Board. Straehle + Hess USA, Inc.1132 West Veterans Boulevard. Package of Incentives. Concurrence.
c. Parks & Recreation Department. Architectural Services for Frank Brown Recreation Center Renovations and Additions. Infinity Architecture, P. C.  Contract. Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.
d. Drainage and Utility Easements, Rights-of-Way, and Permanent and Temporary Construction Easements. Acceptance.
(1) Blain and Blanche McElfresh. 5180 Cress Lake Road. Temporary Construction Easement. FY09 Streets Resurfacing Project.
(2) Donahue Land, LLC. Donahue Ridge Subdivision. Property Located east of North Donahue Drive and Camden Ridge
Subdivision 1st Addition and south of Farmville Road.
(a) A Redivision of Parcel 1. Drainage and Utility Easements and Rights-of-Way.
(b) Manholes 25, 22, 20, 14, 12, 9, & 6. N. Donahue Sewer Interceptor. Permanent and Temp. Construction Easements.
11. OTHER BUSINESS.
12. ADJOURNMENT.

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 7:00 – 8:30 pm — ALLIANCE FOR PEACE & JUSTICE (APJ) www.peaceeagle.org
Held at the Busch Center, 508 Auburn Drive (the 2nd house behind the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 450 E. Thatch Ave). Park behind the Fellowship.  The Busch Center is the small building to the left.  Open to all.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, NOON — OPELIKA SUMMER SWING’S NOON TUNES / MUSE
Held by the fountain,  Courthouse Square, Opelika.  Free & open to all.
Bring a quilt or lawn chair; pack a brown bag lunch, or purchase lunch from a local restaurant.  Noon Tunes  will be held every Wednesday in May.
Muse – Easy listening, vocal oriented acoustic soft rock played as only Muse can. (Note: Muse also will appear for the 20th year on the Summer Swing Bandstand, Tuesday, July 7th.)
Upcoming concerts:
May 13: The Fedoras – This acoustic duo plays folk, pop and bluegrass tunes the whole family will enjoy.
May 20: Strawberry White – Performs music from today’s country artists such as Alison Krauss, Shania Twain, and Kenny Chesney.  Strong vocal harmonies. The Father/Daughter duo also plays tunes from classic rock artists such as the Allman Brothers, Eages, and Jimmy Buffet.
May 27: Larcus Fuller – Country and light rock.  Songs that make you want to sing along.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 4:30 pm – AUBURN BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT / BZA
Held in the city council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda: www.auburnalabama.org/bza/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
OLD BUSINESS
Variance to Section 436.01 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00150
Applicant: The Concrete Company
General Location: 294 Beehive Road
Zoning District: Industrial (I)
Action Requested: Variance of 173.5′ to the required 300′ between curb cuts on an arterial street in order to allow a curb cut 126.5′ from the adjacent curb cut to the west
Variance to Section 436.01 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00151
Applicant: The Concrete Company
General Location: 310 Beehive Road
Zoning District: Industrial (I)
Action Requested: Variance of 173′ to the required 300′ between curb cuts on an arterial street in order to allow a curb cut 127′ from the adjacent curb cut to the west, and a variance of 173′ to allow a curb cut 127′ from the adjacent curb cut to the east
NEW BUSINESS
Variance to Section 502.02A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00229
Applicant: JoAnn Perkins
General Location: 680 Kalypso Circle
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: Variance of 12 feet to the required 20 foot rear setback in order to allow a rear setback of 8 feet for a single-family residence
Variance to Section 502.02A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00230
Applicant: Lane Pearce
General Location: 159 Solamere Lane
Zoning District: Development District Housing (DDH)
Action Requested: Variance of 14 feet to the required 20 foot rear setback in order to allow a rear setback of 6 feet for a single-family residence
OTHER BUSINESS.  CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION. ADJOURNMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 7, noon – ART MUSEUM / A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts; www.jscm.auburn.edu.   Free & open to all.
Enjoy lunch in the museum café on Thursdays while the lovely sounds of local musicians echo through the museum. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber Museum Society.  www.auburnchambermusic.org

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 3:00 PM  – NELL RICHARDSON / A FAMILY HOME: A HISTORY OF THE PRESIDENT’S MANSION AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Held at AU’s RBD library, Special Collections & Archives.  Free & open to all.  Reception to follow author’s talk.

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 5:30 – 7:30 PM — AUBURN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION / Annual membership wine & cheese party
Held at the historic Cary-Pick House, 360 N. College Street.  Refreshments will be served.  www.auburnheritage.org/
RSVP to Mary Norman 826-0390, pinetucket@gmail.com or Kitt Conner 332-7911 kitconner@mindspring.com.
Anyone interested in Auburn history or preservation is encouraged to attend.  Tours will be given of the Cary-Pick House, which is the former home of the Auburn Heritage Association’s founder, Mrs. Alice Cary Pick Gibson.  Parking will be available at the Train Depot. Tiger Shaws will be available for transportation to the house.

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 6:00 – 7:00 PM —- FREE MAY CONCERT SERIES: SUNDOWN AT KIESEL PARK/ Auburn Knights Orchestra Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all. Performances will be held weather permitting
The City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department invites the community to come and enjoy a FREE concert series every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. throughout the month of May at Kiesel Park. The line-up will provide live musical entertainment from local and regional musicians the entire family will enjoy. Bring a picnic, a blanket and even the dog to enjoy a free, entertaining evening at the park under the stars. All concerts last an hour and a half and kick-off promptly at 6 p.m.
Sundown at Kiesel Park May concert series schedule: Thursday, May 14 – Crossroad Band; Thursday, May 21 – Old Soul
Thursday, May 28 – Auburn Road. More info: www.myspace.com/sundownatkiesel or Alison Hall at 501-2930.

THURSDAY, MAY 7, 6:30 – 9:00 pm — 2009 CITIZENS PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY BEGINS
Held at various locations. Free. Pen to Auburn residents ages 18 & up. Limited seating; apply early.
More info: City of Auburn Public Safety Department at 501-3110 or visit our website at www.auburnalabama.org.
The City of Auburn’s Public Safety Department will begin the 2009 Citizens Public Safety Academy on Thursday, May 7. The academy will run for six consecutive weeks on Thursdays from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Two Saturday sessions will be held on May 23 and June 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Graduation will be Thursday, June 11.  During the training period, participants will interact with City staff from all areas of Public Safety, including Police, Fire, Communications, and Codes Enforcement. For Related Information:  Course Syllabus http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ps050109.pdf (PDF);  Application (PDF) http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ps0501092.pdf .

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 11:30 AM – AUBURN TREE COMMISSION
Held at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 714 E. Glenn Ave. Open to all.

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 6:00 -11:00 PM — AUBURN ARTS ASSOCIATION / 2nd ANNUAL JAZZ AND BLUES FEST
Held at the Greystone Mansion and Pebble Hill, Magnolia Ave at Debardeleben.  Open to all. Tickets: $10/person; $20/family. Tickets available at Stamp, Big Blue Bagel, The Guitar Shop and The Gnu’s Room.
Come join the Auburn Arts Association in their second annual Jazz & Blues Fest! Food vendors will be on hand, and performers include Lil Jimmy Reed, Jane Drake, Blues 9 and Dooley’s Blue Revue.  For more info, or to help organize or volunteer with this fundraiser, contact Shelley Shields 826-1410.

SATURDAY, MAY 9  – AU GRADUATION

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm — LEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY / SECOND SATURDAYS - Living History & Whistle Stop Pickers Dulcimer Group
Held at the LCHS Museum, 6500 Stage Road (Hwy 14) Loachapoka; the museum and its grounds are located about half way between Auburn and Notasulga.
Free & open to all.     http://leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/
LCHS event calendar: http://leecountyhistoricalsociety.org/calendar.html
On the second Saturday of every month, a group of history re-enactors gather at the LCHS Museum in period attire to demonstrate their arts and crafts.  Blacksmiths are usually working at the forge, spinners and weavers are in the log cabin, and someone is always cooking up a meal in the fireplace or outdoors. May 9 – Planting the Garden: planting day for the Crops Garden and the McLain Garden.  The Museum is always open on Second Saturdays.  Also on Secord Saturdays, the Whistle Stop Pickers dulcimer group meets at the Museum at 11:00am. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcomed. Bring your dulcimer or other instrument and join in the pickin’.

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1:00 – 3:30 PM  — WORKSHOP:  MAKE YOUR OWN RAIN BARREL
Held at AU’s Forest Ecology Preserve, 3100 Al Hwy 147 (N. College Street), Auburn.
Workshop fee: $25 (includes, workshop, barrel and parts.
Pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to Tia Gonzales at gonzats@auburn.edu.
Due to the overwhelming response to the first rain barrel workshop, the Raincatchers and Alabama Cooperative Extension are holding a second workshop on May 9. Everything you need to build your rain barrel is included in the cost of the workshop, $25. There will be two designs available, one for houses with gutters and one for those without.
The agenda for the workshop is as follows:

• Why rainwater harvesting is important, useful and practical
• Local watershed issues
• Anatomy of a rainbarrel
• Build your own rainbarrel

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University sets up Web page for swine flu information
Auburn University has set up a Web page (http://www.auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/emergency/flu.html) about the university’s monitoring for possible swine flu cases and about precautions that can be taken against the flu. It will include
timely updates regarding any news affecting the university. Currently the university is operating as normal; all university events, including commencement on May 9, will proceed as planned; and university employees with children should consider a contingency plan for child care in the event classes are canceled for elementary, middle and high school students. If you think you have contracted the flu (http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/swine-flu-questions-and-answers.html), please schedule an appointment with the Auburn University Medical Clinic at 844-4416 immediately.

THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Alabama House to consider for the fourth time this session whether to debate removal of sales tax from groceries. http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/statebriefs.ssf?/base/news/12413385683800.xml&coll=2

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BILL —- COMMITTEE VOTE TUESDAY
The vote in the Rules Committee last Thursday ended in a tie, but Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton plans to bring it up for a vote again Tuesday, May 5th.
There are 15 members of the Rules Committee. Seven voted for the Resolution and seven voted against it.  One member of the Committee was late and did not get a chance to cast his vote.
The Representatives voting for HJR 91 in the Committee Thursday are: Ken Guin (D), Jasper; Barbara Boyd, (D), Anniston; Jack Page (D), Gadsden; Randy Hinshaw, (D), Meridianville: John Robinson (D), Scottsboro; Pebblin Warren, (D), Tuskegee; and  Craig Ford (D), Gadsden.  Representative Rod Scott (D) from Birmingham would have voted for the Resolution but got to the Rules Committee too late to vote.
The Representatives who voted against HJR 91 in the Committee Thursday are: James Buskey (D), Mobile; Ron Johnson (R), Talledega; Blaine Galliher (R), Gadsden; Todd Greeson (R), Ider; Richard Laird (D), Roanoke; Authur Payne (R), Trussville; and Cam Ward (R), Alabaster.
Your legislators can be found at www.legislature.state.al.us.
House Rules Committee includes:
Ken Guin of Carbon Hill, Chair (home 205-924-4005); James Buskey of Mobile, Vice Chair (home 251-457-7928); Ronald Johnson of Sylacauga, (home 256-249-9489); Barbara Boyd of Anniston (home 256-236-7423); John Robinson of Scottsboro (home 256-259-2434);  Pebblin Warren of Tuskegee (home 334-727-9127); Craig Ford of Gadsden (home 256-547-2727); Blaine Galliher of Gadsden (home 256-442-7517); Todd Greeson of Ider (home 256-632-3963); Randy Hinshaw of Meridianville (home 256-828-7119); Richard Laird of Roanoke (home 334-863-2424); Jack Page of Gadsden (home 256-546-5365); Arthur Payne of Trussville (home 205-655-5845); Rod Scott of Fairfied (home 205-781-1322) and Cam Ward of Alabaster (home 205-664-1066).

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Excerpts from AU Office of Sustainability newsletter: (To receive this newsletter regularly, send an email to sustain@auburn.edu)

ALABAMA’S FIRST LEED HOMES COMPLETED
The state of Alabama has recently seen the completion of its first LEED homes, in Enterprise. The Turtleback Subdivision, which is being developed by Bo and Del Lee, will comprise all LEED certified homes. Two of the homes are already complete. Last weekend, as part of Enterprise’s Parade of Homes, the two completed houses were open for viewing.
For more information on the homes in the Turtleback development, download this PDF. http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability/website/pdf/turtleback.pdf

The Roving Locavore: Auburn’s new local food blog
Some of us putter about the garden growing our own vegetables, some of us hunt deer or duck for meat, some of us spend hot steamy days at the end of summer canning our glut of tomatoes, and many of us dabble in dietary challenges for the sake of our health and the environment. But all of us love food. Read about one Auburn woman’s adventures in eating local and seasonal food in the new food blog, The Roving Locavore. And follow Amy, Jack and Peter as they meander up through the northeast US and then spend a year in Rome.
Visit The Roving Locavore blog. http://therovinglocavore.com/about/

Get wet, get involved in AL water festivals
Montgomery and Lee Counties are preparing for their annual water festivals and looking for volunteers to help. The purpose of the festivals is to teach elementary school children about water and its importance in nature and in our lives. They learn about surface and groundwater, wetlands, forestry, and wildlife. And they learn about their own impact and responsibilities.
Each year, thousands of children participate in these interactive festivals and each year a couple of hundred volunteers are need. Please take a day or two from your schedule and help to pass the mantle of good stewardship to the next generation.
For details on how to volunteer, download the relevant form below:
Lee County  — Tuesday, May 12th and Wednesday, May 13th -volunteers needed both days.
Haley Center, Auburn University, Auburn. Click here to download form. http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability/website/pdf/lee_water_fest.pdf
Montgomery County  — Thursday, May 14th and Friday, May 15th -volunteers REALLY needed on Friday, May 15th.
Auburn University, Montgomery. Click here to download form. http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability/website/pdf/montgomery_water_fest.pdf

CITY OF AUBURN:
New Traffic Signal at East Glenn Avenue and East Samford Avenue http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pw0428092.asp
Announcing the 2009 Citizens Public Safety Academy http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ps050109.asp

Auburn Citizens Voice Their Opinions: 2009 Citizen Survey Results Now Available
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ocm042109.asp

City of Auburn Board Vacancies:
* Board of Education – one vacancy will be filled at the May 19 city council meeting.
* Indian Pines Recreation Authority – one vacancy will be filled at the June 16 City Council meeting.
* Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority – three vacancies will be filled at the July 7 City Council meeting.
Citizens interested in serving are encouraged to contact their City Council member or notify the City Manager’s Office at webocm@auburnalabama.org or 501-7260. Information on the city’s boards and commissions, including current members and their terms, available online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/BoardsandCommissions/Boards.aspx.

CITY OF AUBURN / CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STATUS REPORTS (updated weekly)
PUBLIC WORKS: www.auburnalabama.org/pw/status.asp
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/status.asp

ANONYMOUS REPORTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Want to report info on ADEM, environmental violators or other environmental issues, but prefer to do it anonymously? You can do it via this website: http://www.enviro-lawyer.com/Contact.html.

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
May 5, 2009

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