PLACE Forum

Note: Especially during the summer, meeting dates and/or locations are subject to change, sometimes with little notice. When possible, such changes will be sent via PLACE email and/or posted on the PLACE website http://placeforum.org/blog/.

WEEK OF JUNE 29, 2009 — Meetings, events & updates

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.

THROUGH JULY 7 – COMMENT ON ACCR’S DRAFT OF MOCK ALABAMA CONSTITUTION
ACCR – Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform  - this month showed just how constitutional reform could be accomplished. Over 250 delegates from the 105 Alabama house districts participated in a mock constitutional convention.  Go to ACCR’s website – www.constitutionalreform.org – to see and comment on the delegates’ draft constitution.

THROUGH JULY 18  – ALABAMA WATERWAYS PHOTO EXHIBIT
Held at the new Lite Box Gallery at Pepper Place, 2825 2nd Ave South, Birmingham.
Gallery hours:  Thursday and Friday, 12:00 – 5:00 pm,  Saturday 8:00 am – noon (to coincide with the Farmers’ Market)
Info and photos from the exhibit online at: www.alabamarivers.org/alabama-waterways-photo-exhibit
Alabama Waterways – A Photographic Exhibit was designed to aid the Alabama Rivers Alliance in its mission to protect and restore Alabama waterways.  A local note:  among the ten photographers whose work is showcased in this exhibit is Alabama Water Watch  student employee Hunter Nichols (hunterious@yahoo.com). View his photography and videography at  http://www.alabamarivers.org/alabama-waterways-photo-exhibit/hunter-nichols and  http://hunternichols.tripod.com/.

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MONDAY, JUNE 29, 8:00 AM – NOON — ONLINE WORKSHOP:  AGROCLIMATE
Available online. Open to all. More info: Brenda Ortiz at 844-5534 or bortiz@auburn.edu
Improved ability to understand the impact of both weather and climate enhances producers’ crop management skills. To reduce production risks associated with both climate and weather on crop variability, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will conduct this AgroClimate Workshop. Brenda Ortiz, an assistant professor in agronomy and soils at Auburn and Extension specialist working in grain crops and precision agriculture, says this workshop will include discussion of the differences in weather and climate and potential effects of climate change on the Southeast. Also, the workshop will introduce participants to AgroClimate, a set of tools designed to support crop management decisions. In addition, participants will have a number of hands-on activities with AgroClimate. The workshop is sponsored by the Southeast Climate Consortium. http://www.aces.edu/extcomm/npa/newsline/

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 10:00 AM — PUBLIC HEARING / TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF ALABAMA’S WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Held at the Public Hearing Room,  ADEM, 1400 Coliseum Blvd., Montgomery. Open to all.
Take the day off, grab a buddy and carpool to Montgomery for ADEM’s triennial review of the water quality and permitting for Alabama.  The triennial review happens only once every three years.
NOTE: This triennial review is one of the steps taken to improve the Use Criteria for the Saugahatchee when Save Our Saugahatchee/SOS first began in 1997.
Call to Action:  We encourage you to stand up and speak at the hearing, and we encourage you to write and submit individual comments.  We also encourage you to sign on and support ARA’s comments.  The Alabama Rivers Alliance will be sending out our public comments later this week.  Further questions may be directed to Mitch Reid, the ARA Program Coordinator, at mreid@alabamarivers.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 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. EMA Personnel Achieving Advanced AEMA Status-Kathy Russell
6. Reports from Commissioners and Staff:
a. Lee-Chambers Water Authority – Kurt Johnson
b. County-wide Hazmat Exercise – Kathy Russell
7. CONSENT AGENDA: a. Minutes of Commission Meeting June 8, 2009;  b. Ratify and Approve Claims
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Request Approval of New Garbage Pick-up Service – Chad Anderson
b. Housing Rehabilitation Programs – Commissioner Harris / Lisa Sandt
c. Prescription Drug Plan – Judge English / Jackie Pinkard
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. CDBG Citizen Participation Plan – Lisa Sandt
b. Announce 2 ADECA Grant Programs – Lisa Sandt
c. Accept Halawaka Hills Subdivision for Maintenance – Neal Hall
d. ALDOT Agreement on Pierce Road/Preliminary Engineering – Neal Hall
e. North Donahue Road & Bridge Joint Project with Auburn – Neal Hall
f. Educational Reimbursement – Roger Rendleman
10. Adjourn

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 7:00 – 9:00 AM  —-  ORGANIC LOCAL BLUEBERRIES FOR SALE/ PROCEEDS BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Held at the parking lot of Walgreens, Magnolia Ave at Dean Road, Auburn.
Organic local blueberries for sale again this year by the WeHelp Coalition, with a donation on each quart going to Habitat for Humanity. More info: Mike Kosolapoff 334-821-4859.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 3:00 – 6:00 PM — OPELIKA MAIN STREET FARMERS’ MARKET
Held on South Railroad Ave, downtown Opelika. Open to all.
This market is open every Tuesday throughout the summer. Produce is grown by local farmers. Please call Velinda at 334.745.0466 or e-mail opelikamainst@aol.com for more information

TUESDAY, JUNE 30 , 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.
Meeting agendas & minutes online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/cycle/Minutes.aspx.
Agenda includes:
Public Works Report – Brandy Ezelle:  Street re-striping,  Bike Facilities Naming,  Health Fair.
Parks & Rec. Report – Dee Watson.
Public Safety Report – Tommy Carswell: N. Donahue accidents.
You CAN Get There From Here – Kirk Iversen, Chris Graff: Street rating system for cyclists, Other products – cards, signs, brochures.
Utility Cover Pinball – David Kern.
Next Meeting July 28, 2009.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 12:00 – 2:00 PM  — EPA WATERSHED BRANCH / CLEAN WATER ACT WEBCAST
Open to all.  Live webcast available online. [After the live seminar, a streaming audio version will be available. You can also subscribe to the podcast feed of this & archived webcasts in iTunes or another RSS feed aggregator.]
Pre-registration required.  Registration, additional info and links to archived webcasts at: http://epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.
Local watershed organizations, municipal leaders, and other interested persons are invited to sign up for these free, on-line Webcast training sessions.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watershed Academy sponsors free Webcasts to help build the capacity of watershed practitioners from around the globe. On July 1, the Watershed Academy will sponsor the first in a series of Webcasts about the Clean Water Act (CWA). William (Bill) Painter, environmental scientist with EPA’s Watershed Branch will make the presentation. This webcast will provide an introduction to the CWA including a brief history of the act, an explanation of technology vs. water quality-based approaches, and a brief overview of key components and related EPA regulations. Future Webcasts will focus on water quality standards, monitoring and assessment, total maximum daily loads, programs for managing point sources and nonpoint sources, and wetland protection.

CANCELLED — WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 5:30 – 7:00 PM — WEEKLY ECO HAPPY HOUR & GREEN DRINKS
Held in the back room of Zazu’s Eclectic Eatery (formerly Buffalo’s), E. Magnolia, downtown Auburn. Open to all.
This is a time and location for people to gather and discuss “Green”/”Eco”/sustainability-related issues while socializing at a locally-owned venue.  Everyone from “professionals” to those who are just curious are welcome. This will be a child-friendly gathering for those with little ones (or even medium-sized ones), with a large space and table/floor space for them to play and still be in direct eyesight/earshot.  Feel free to spread the word to others who might be interested.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 7:00 – 9:00 AM  —-  ORGANIC LOCAL BLUEBERRIES FOR SALE/ PROCEEDS BENEFIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Held at the parking lot of Walgreens, Magnolia Ave at Dean Road, Auburn.
Organic local blueberries for sale again this year by the WeHelp Coalition, with a donation on each quart going to Habitat for Humanity. More info: Mike Kosolapoff 334-821-4859.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 3:00 – 6:00 PM — AUBURN FARMERS’ MARKET AT AG HERITAGE PARK
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.  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 has moved 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 Pavilion. The entrance will be on Donahue Drive.]

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 6:30 – DARK  —- OPELIKA’S ANNUAL FREEDOM CELEBRATION with musical entertainment by MUSE
6:30 pm – Fun, entertainment  /  7:30 pm:  Buddy Blue and the Opelika Sky Divers  /  Dark:  Fireworks show
Held at the Opelika High School football practice field.  Free to the public.  Info: Opelika Parks & Recreation at 334.705.5560
Giant inflatable games and activities for the entire family. Purchase hamburgers and hot dogs at a reasonable price of your family picnic. Music, entertainment, great food & the Ultimate Fireworks Show make up this family night of fun.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 7:00 PM – EXPRESSIONS CAFÉ  / AT 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.  Free & open to all. Held the first Friday of each month.
Poets, authors, musicians, and storytellers are invited to perform their work for an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. The event is open to all and there is no charge for the event.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 7:30 PM —-  EAST ALABAMA ORCHID SOCIETY
Held at the AU Fire Ant Lab.
The EAOS is the local chapter of the American Orchid Society, open to everyone, beginners and experts alike. We generally meet the first Friday of the month to discuss various orchid related topics.  For further information and directions to the Fire Ant Lab, please contact Vince Cammarata, cammavx@bellsouth.net or Julia Bartosh, bartojl@auburn.edu.

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 6:00 PM —- CITY OF AUBURN’S ANNUAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION / Sponsored by Briggs and Stratton
***FIREWORKS SHOW BEGINS AT 9:00 PM*** http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pr062309.asp
Held at behind the home side of Duck Samford football stadium, Auburn.  Free & open to all. Rain date: Sunday, July 5th.
Celebrate Independence Day with a FREE patriotic extravaganza including fireworks and fun. Gates will open promptly at 6:00 p.m. Free goodies, courtesy of Briggs and Stratton, will be given away at this time. Live musical entertainment featuring Floyd the Barber will kick off at 7 p.m. This family friendly band will include fan favorites “Mustang Sally,” “Dock of the Bay,” “Respect,” “Hit Me With your Best Shot,” “Old Time Rock & Roll” and more! The public is encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Country’s Barbeque will be for sale. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. More info: Auburn Parks and Recreation Department at 501-2930.

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CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
* Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority – three vacancies will be filled at the July 7 City Council meeting. (Incumbents Phillip Fretwell and Jim Douglas have served two full terms; incumbent Robert Poole has served one partial and one full term.)
* Greenspace Advisory Board – one vacancy will be filled at the August 4 City Council meeting. (Incumbent Cliff Webber has served one partial term & is eligible for reappointment.)
* Water Works Board – one vacancy will be filled at the August 4 City Council meeting. (Incumbent James Baird has served one partial term & is eligble for reappointment.)
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

LEE COUNTY FORMS ‘COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE’ FOR 2010 CENSUS www.leeco.us
The 2010 Census is quickly approaching and to help spread the word about the Census’ importance, the Lee County Commission announces the formation of a Complete County Committee. The CCC will be comprised of citizens and public agencies and will assist with outreach efforts within the community. Having an accurate count of Lee County citizens is vital to federal funding the county may receive to assist with improving and expanding services. Interested citizens may contact Wendy Swann at 334-737-3674 or wswann@leeco.us for more information. www.leeco.us

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
June 28, 2009

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