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/.

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PRE-REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1:00 – 3:30 PM — RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Held at the AU Arboretum.  Open to all. Cost is $25 per rain barrel.
Pre-registration is required. To register email Tia Gonzales…. gonzats@auburn.edu
Registration is open for the fourth Rain Barrel Workshop. You will take home a completed rain barrel. Depending on your situation, you may need to purchase some additional parts to make gutter connections.
Registration fees may be paid on the day of workshop. Correct cash or check, made to ACES (Auburn Cooperative Extension
Service).
The Workshop:
–Why Rainwater Harvesting is important, useful and practical.
–Some local watershed issues.
–Anatomy of a Rain barrel
–Build your Own Rain barrel
Be prepared to be inspired, get dirty and have some fun. And don’t forget, a 55 gal barrel may not fit into the trunk of your car. Also, plan for a little time to visit the Arboretum. Aside from the natural beauty, you can also see examples of pervious pavement, rain gardens, a 500 gal cistern and rain barrels in action.  Meanwhile, check out the links on our website http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/raincatchers.htm. See you at the downspout!

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THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 — ART EXHIBIT / SUMMER INVITATIONAL 2009
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn Arts Association gallery. Free & open to all.
Monochromatic works in a variety of media by local and regional artists.

ALL WEEK / MONDAY, JULY 13 – FRIDAY, JULY 17, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm  — YOUNG ARTIST ATELIER FOR YOUNG TEEN STUDENTS
Held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. To register, call the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center at 501-2963.
Young Artist Atelier is a collaborative art program in its fourth summer, provided by the Jule Collins Smith Museum, the City of Auburn/Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and the Auburn Arts Association. The week-long program meets 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with museum and studio experiences for artists 12-18 years of age. Visits to the museum include age appropriate gallery talks and sketching activities utilizing the museum’s collections and space. The first session will be held June 8-12, and the second session July 13-17. Studio, “atelier” in French, experiences are held at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and are taught by artists and art educators. Lessons are inspired by the museum’s exhibitions. Chichi Lovett, assistant professor in Auburn University’s art department, directs the program. There will be an exhibition of the students’ works at Jule Collins Smith Museum in the fall. More info: Colleen Bourdeau at 844-7075 or cbourdeau@auburn.edu.

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MONDAY, JULY 13   – 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:
a. Recognition of Employee of the Month for April & May – Sheriff Jay Jones
6. Reports from Commissioners and Staff:
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting June 29, 2009
b. Ratify and Approve Claims & Procurement Card Purchases
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Petition to Vacate a Portion of Lee Road 265 – Ed Wilder/Attorney Larry Ray
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Lee County Dept of Human Resources/Housing Issues – Theresa Davis
b. **Public Hearing on Garbage Fee Increase – Judge English
c. Consideration of Garbage Fee Increase – Roger Rendleman
d. Letter of Support for Northeast Opelika Industrial Park/AdvantageSite-Judge English
e. Update on EDAA & ACCMA Conferences – Commissioner Lawrence
f. Update on ACCA Board Meetings – Commissioner Lawrence
g. Schedule Joint Work session with the Lee County Planning Commission-Wendy Swann
10. Adjourn
**GARBAGE FEE INCREASE – PUBLIC HEARING: The Lee County Commission is considering enacting a garbage fee increase for citizens of Lee County currently using Lee County Convenience Centers. The current rate was set on Oct. 1, 1995. The County Commission is considering increasing the current garbage disposal rate from $12 a month to $16 a month for residential users and from $24 a month to $48 a month for commercial users. The rate would then be adjusted yearly based upon the Consumer Price Index. A public hearing on the proposed rate increase will be held during the July 13, 2009, Lee County Commission meeting after which the County Commission will take action on the proposed increase. If enacted the rate increase would become effective Oct. 1, 2009 to be first collected starting Oct. 1, 2010.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 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, JULY 14, 8:30 am  – SUMMER WALKS! /  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE http://www.auburn.edu/preserve
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Meet at the Pavilion. No fee or registration required.  Cancelled only for rain.
Starting July 7, 2009, join us for walks every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy some exercise and observe the Preserve as the beauty of spring unfolds.   More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 9:00 AM  – OPELIKA BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT (BZA)
Held in the Public Works Facility, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.  www.opelika.org
Agenda includes:
A.  ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL
1.  Doug Higgins, America’s Home Place, 1250 Fox Run Avenue.  An administrative appeal to determine a freestanding sign in a C-2 zoning district, based upon Section 11.1 Interpretations and Purposes of the Zoning Ordinance.

TUESDAY, JULY 14,  11:30 am – AUBURN GREENSPACE ADVISORY BOARD
Held in the city of Auburn meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave. (entrance off side of building, across from rear entrance to Cheeburger Cheeburger.)  Open to all.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, NOON – 1:00 PM — AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY / BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES: ALABAMA’S STATE PARKS – VACATION OPPORTUNITIES
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.
Speaker/Topic: Randy Jinks of the Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will present vacation opportunities at Alabama’s state parks.  More information: Reference desk at 501-3195 or visit http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/adultprograms.asp#brown.

TUESDAY, JULY 14,  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 opelikamainstreet@aol.com for more information.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 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, JULY 14  - AUBURN BOARD OF EDUCATION  www.auburnschools.org
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. Open to all.
Agenda includes:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. 2009-10 PUPIL PROGRESSION PLAN/STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
2. 2009-10 Salary Schedules
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT AND NEW BUSINESS
1. Annual School Discipline Reports
2. Attendance/Social Services Reports
3. Substitute Academic Credit for Foundations of Health Science Course
4. Auburn City Schools Policy Manual – Revision to Policy IHF: Graduation Requirements
PERSONNEL —  Resignations, Leave requests, Contract changes,  Summer employment, Employment, Exit surveys
Other:
–Members of the Board of Education will attend the Alabama Assoc. of School Boards summer conference, July 26-28, 2009, Orange Beach, Alabama.
–The Board of Education will meet for a special session to approve personnel for the 2009-10 school year on July 30, 2009, at 4:00 p.m., at the Board of Education Office.
–The Board of Education will meet for a budget work session on August 11, 2009, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Board of Education Office.
–The Board of Education will meet for its next regular session on August 11, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Media Room at Auburn High School.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 8:00 AM – LEE-RUSSELL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Held at LRCOG office, 2207 Gateway Dr, Opelika. Open to all.  Ph: 334-749-5264.  http://www.lrcog.com/

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm — EMERGENCY SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF WORKSHOP
Held at the AU Hotel and Conference Center, Ballroom B. Attendees may come and go as their schedules allow.
Free & open to owners of existing businesses. (Business must have existed two years or more. Start-ups do not qualify.)
Register today by calling 334-844-4220 or email woodaca@auburn.edu.
Learn if you qualify and how to apply for the American Recovery Capital (ARC) Loan. Business owners will be provided U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan checklists, completing SBA loan application forms, and preparing necessary information to meet with bankers who are participating in the ARC loan program.  Program conducted by Jackie DiPofi, Ph.D. and David Ramp, Lender Relations Specialist, Small Business Administration (SBA).
This is an all day, intense program where individuals may come and go at anytime to participate as their schedules allow, picking up information and leaving, or staying and actually working on the application process.  For maximum benefit, business owners should plan to participate for the full day.
8:00 A.M.       Registration and morning coffee and pastries
9:00 – 11:00    Session   I
11:00 – 1:00    Working Lunch Session   (provided only to pre-registered attendees.)
1:00 -3:00      Session   II (Repeat of Session I)
3:00-4:00       Wrap- up and afternoon snacks
Dr. DiPofi has served as Director of the Small Business Development Center, College of Business, Auburn University, since 2001.  She earned her Ph.D. from Auburn University (‘03) and Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from The University of Alabama (‘79, ‘88).
The SBDC is an institutional member of the Alabama Small Business Development Centers Network.  The ASBDC is an accredited member of the Association of Small Business Development Centers. The SBDC is partially funded by the U. S. Small Business Administration.  SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinion, or services.  SBA funded programs are extended to the public on nondiscriminatory basis. This program is offered in partnership with the Institute of Commerce. Go to www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html for more information concerning the American Recovery Capital Loan program.

NO AUBURN BEAUTIFICATION COUNCIL MEETING IN JULY WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 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, JULY 15 , 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.

WEDNESDAY -LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB / no meeting this month

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 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 16, 8:00 am  – DOWNTOWN AUBURN MERCHANT ASSOCIATION (DAMA)
LOCATION CHANGE: New location: in the back room,  ZAZU ECLECTIC EATERY, 149 E Magnolia Ave.  (formerly Buffalo’s). the City of Auburn meeting room, 122 Tichenor Ave (entrance is at side of building, behind the Ale House, across from rear entrance of Cheeburger Cheeburger).

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 8:30 am  – SUMMER WALKS! /  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE http://www.auburn.edu/preserve
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Meet at the Pavilion. No fee or registration required.  Cancelled only for rain.
Starting July 7, 2009, join us for walks every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy some exercise and observe the Preserve as the beauty of spring unfolds.   More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, JULY 16 – 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF APOLLO 11 & THE FIRST MOON LANDING / FILMS & SYMPOSIUM: THE EAGLE HAS LANDED AT AUBURN
8:30 am – 3:00 pm - (lunch break 11:50-1:15 PM)  held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
7:00 – 9:30 pm  – held in the AU Student Center Ballroom
Live online webcast via http://connect.auburn.edu/cah.
Free & open to the public.  Also available as a free live webcast.
There will be lectures and book signings throughout the day. A film screening at 7 p.m. in the AU Student Center ballroom will include footage of original Apollo 11 moon landing news coverage and the 1970 documentary film Moonwalk One.
The first moon landing mission was flown by Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins in July 1969. Jim Hansen, an Auburn University history professor who organized this commemorative event, said that no worldwide celebration of humankind’s greatest adventure should unfold without spotlighting the Auburn community’s direct connection to the effort. Hansen wrote “First Man,” a biography of Neil Armstrong, and is director of Auburn’s Honors College.
“Many Auburn University graduates in engineering, science and business have excelled in careers related to aeronautics and space,” said Hansen. “Auburn has produced not only six of our country’s astronauts but also three graduates who served as directors of the Kennedy Space Center, the moon mission launch site. One of those astronauts, “TK” Mattingly, traveled to the moon in April of 1972 as command module pilot for Apollo 16.”
For a schedule of the day’s events, to view high resolution images courtesy of NASA, and for links to more information, go to http://ocm.auburn.edu/moon_landing .  Press release with more info: http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1041
To watch the symposium live online, go to http://connect.auburn.edu/cah. Sign in as a GUEST by typing your name in the box and clicking enter. (To test the webcast software, your computer and internet connection BEFORE the 16th, go to http://connect.auburn.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm.)
Sponsors for “The Eagle Has Landed at Auburn” include the Auburn University Honors College, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, the Dept of History in the College of Liberal Arts, Phi Kappa Phi and the Office of the President.

THURSDAY, JULY 16,  NOON – 1:00 PM  —- OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY BROWN BAG SERIES / Understanding Credit/Credit Scores
Held in the Library Board room, Lewis Cooper Memorial Library, 200 South 6th Street, Opelika.
Speaker: DeDe Jackson, of Four Seasons Credit Union.
Bring your lunch; lemonade, water & coffee provided. Open to all.  Limited seating requires reservations: call 705-5380.
Upcoming topics: July 23 – Internet safety; July 30 – Peter Huggins: meet acclaimed local poet and author of children’s books

THURSDAY, JULY 16, NOON – 6:00 pm  — 3RD ANNUAL ALABAMA URBAN AND COMMUNITY FOREST VOLUNTEER TRAINING / BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY
Held at the AU Hotel & Dixon Conference Center.
Registration is $35 and includes lunch, dinner and all educational handouts. Send registration fee, payable to Alabama Cooperative Extension System, c/o Bessie Buchanan, School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, AL 36849; Phone: 334-844-1002, FAX 334-844-8094; e-mail: buchabz@auburn.edu
Info: Urban & Community Forestry Event July 16th, 2009 http://www.aces.edu/forestry/U&CF%202registration%2009.pdf
An event for city foresters, city horticulturists, city officials, county and state officials and other interested persons to meet and discuss urban & community forestry resources and grant information. Scheduled speakers include Ed Macie, urban forest coordinator, U.S. Forest Service Southern Region; Chris Anderson, associate director, Center for Forest Sustainability, Auburn University; Randy Gordon, National Arbor Day Foundation; Linda Casey, state forester, Alabama Forestry Commission; Fred Kapp, Alabama Urban Forestry Program Manager Association; Mike Zarichnak, utility forester, Alabama Power Company; and Rachel Barker, urban forester, Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission.
Organizer and contact person: Michelle Cole, Extension Specialist, Urban and Community Forestry Volunteer Development; Phone: 334-844-1078, 334-740-9863, E-mail: coleden@auburn.edu.

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 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,  through 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.]

Next Opelika PC work session is July 23. THURSDAY, JULY 16,  4:00 pm-OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 5:00 PM — DANCE EXHIBITION / DOC WALLER — MAN   www.thelaymangroup.org
ART MUSEUM FREE ADMISSION NIGHT www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Held in the Grand Gallery, AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.
Free and open to all. (Recommended for those 16 & above.)
MAN is an improvisational dance exhibition on the ideals of manhood. Through improvisational dance and real-time audience response, Man addresses the stereotypes/ideals of what manhood has come to mean at home and within the larger society. The dance, live music, and prompts to the performance supplied by quotations from Alabama men promises to culminate into a truly unique and revealing evening. Joining the artistic staff of the Layman Group will be Jacob Wood, professional contemporary dancer with Brooks and Company of Atlanta. The Layman Group stands to champion the emergence of the arts and creativity as essential ingredients of life. Reception and cash bar or wine tasting will accompany this event.
More info:  http://www.thelaymangroup.org/one.htm or contact Doc Waller at 206-339-3930 or doc@thelaymangroup.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 6:00 – 9:00 PM — MUSEUM OF EAST ALABAMA / 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Held at the Museum of East Alabama, 121 S. 9th Street, Opelika. Ph: 749-2751. All invited to attend. www.eastalabama.org
Birthday cake and lemonade will be served. The Whistle Stop Pickers dulcimer players will entertain. The museum invites everyone to join and support the museum, which houses over 5,000 artifacts from East Alabama.

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 9:00 am —  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE PROGRAM: SUMMER NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve. Meet at the Pavilion. Fee: $25. Registration required.
More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 6:00 pm  —- INAUGURAL MONTGOMERY FILM FESTIVAL
Held at the Capri Theatre, 1045 E Fairview Ave, Montgomery; ph: 334.262.4858  www.capritheatre.org.
Open to the general public. Tickets on Sale Now: Advance: $8.00 — At The Door: $10 — Capri Members: $5.00
For More Info Call: 334.320.1226  http://montgomeryfilmfestival.com
The Montgomery Film Festival is open to the general public. Film lovers, enthusiasts and curious parties are more than welcome to attend. This  inaugural event showcases the works of filmmakers within Alabama and the United States. International entries are also accepted.

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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

CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
* 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

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Thanks for your interest and support.

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

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