UPDATE - Oct. 28, 2009

ADDITIONAL EVENT
TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 6:30 - 8:00 PM — ACLU COMMUNITY MEETING - CIVIL LIBERTIES : DISCUSSION & ACTIVITY UPDATE http://www.aclualabama.org/
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF) sanctuary, 450 E. Thach Ave. Open to all. www.auuf.net
The ACLU of Alabama will hold a community meeting which will include an update on their current work and a lively discussion on civil liberties.  All are welcome.

ADDITIONAL EVENT
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm — AU H1N1 CLINIC / H1N1 VACCINATION VIDEO AVAILABLE
The next H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held Thursday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in AU’s Student Center. The Harrison School of Pharmacy has developed a short video to answer questions about the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and the university’s vaccination efforts on campus. This informative video provides information about who can and cannot receive the vaccine, and what to expect when you get vaccinated. The video is available for viewing at this link ( http://www.auburn.edu/healthytigers ).

AGENDA DETAILS
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm — Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy
Held in the Joint Briefing Room (Star Wars Room), 8th Floor, Alabama State House.
Info: Kristen Rector, Exec. Assistant to Rep. Greg Wren, repgregwren@yahoo.com, 334-395-0123.
Agenda includes:
* Welcome & Opening Remarks-Senator Wendell Mitchell and Rep. Greg Wren
* Recognition of Special Guests
* Introduction of Energy Committee Legislative Members in Attendance
* Discussion of legislation passed during the 2009 Regular Session
* Discussion of Energy Package for 2010
* Green Fleet Review Committee Membership Announcement
* Energy Efficiency Reports from Around the State
-Susan Parker-Public Service Commission
-Chris Habig-Alabama Power
-DG Markwell- EcoMax
* Presentation from ADECA regarding energy Stimulus funds - Terri Adams
* Questions & Comments
* Closing Remarks

ADDITIONAL EVENT
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 3:30 - 5:00 PM — AAUP FORUM ON NEW LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER POLICY
Held in AU’s Thach Hall, room 317. Free & open to all.
The Auburn chapter of the American Association of University Professors, or AAUP, will convene a forum on the proposed Lecturers/Senior Lecturers policy. Associate Provost Emmett Winn and others will help to facilitate a wide-ranging discussion of the policy currently under development. Instructors and tenured and tenure-track faculty are invited to attend.
AAUP defends academic freedom and tenure, advocates collegial governance and develops policies ensuring due process. For additional information about the event or any matters related to AAUP, contact Auburn chapter president David Carter at dcarter@auburn.edu. For more information on the Auburn AAUP chapter, visit this link ( http://www.auburn.edu/academic/societies/aaup/ ). Info on national AAUP: http://www.aaup.org/aaup

ADDITIONAL EVENT
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 7:00 PM — FILMMAKER TO SHOW, DISCUSS “PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI“
Held in the new AU Student Center, ballroom. Free & open to all.
This screening of the prize-winning 2009 documentary, “Prom Night in Mississippi,” which stars Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, is sponsored by AU’s Honors College.
Filmmaker Paul Saltzman and co-producer Patricia Aquino will offer introductory remarks prior to the film. There will be an opportunity to meet and talk with the filmmakers following the movie. The film derives from an offer made by Freeman in 1997 to pay all expenses for the senior prom at the public high school in his hometown of Charleston, Miss., but under one condition: the prom had to be racially integrated. Freeman’s offer was ignored. In 2008, he offered again. This time the school board accepted, and history was made. Charleston High School had its first-ever integrated prom in 2008. Until then, blacks and whites had gone to separate proms even though their classrooms had been integrated for decades. “When I saw the film on HBO,” said James Hansen, director of the Honors College, “I knew I wanted to bring it to campus for everyone to see. We are extremely fortunate that the producers of the film themselves will be on campus to show and talk with us about their remarkable film.” For more info, contact Hansen at 844-5862 or hansejr@auburn.edu.

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Auburn Stride Walkers Schedule for November

Auburn Arts Association to host “ArTrees”

AU’s INFO TECH OFFERS CYBER SECURITY WEEK TIPS - HOW TO SECURE USB DRIVES, LAPTOPS & EMAIL ON CELL PHONES
Cyber Security Week Four focuses on ways to keep mobile data safe and secure on laptops, USB drives and cell phones. Today’s smartphones can run programs and store documents and files. If lost or stolen, your unsecured phone grants access to your e-mail, address books, files and more. For tips on how to secure your mobile data and what to do to protect your e-mail if you should lose your cell phone, visit http://keepitsafe.auburn.edu/.

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(FLORENCE) TIMES DAILY - The Times Daily urges readers to go to state’s “open checkbook” web site to determine how state tax revenues are being spent.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Rob Young calls for Alabama to consider relocation and restricting development as options to battle coastal erosion.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - al.com — Jefferson County erosion plan concerns EPA

HUNTSVILLE TIMES -  Home sales in Alabama decline while national sales figures show increase.  Home sales in Alabama dropped 7 percent in September, compared with the same month last year, while selling prices remained fairly steady, the Alabama Center for Real Estate reported Friday.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR - No-bid bond financing schemes, like those at the center of corruption trial of Birmingham mayor, have cost taxpayers billions. (Note: The Birmingham Weekly has continuous coverage of the trial, including a Live Blog feature here.)

BLOOMBERG:  Armageddon in Alabama Proves Parable for Local U.S. Governments

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - City of Prichard again files for bankruptcy protection.

TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Alabama among the ten worst states for unemployment in September.

OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS - Last 400 employees at Opelika’s BF Goodrich facility to lose jobs as plant closes on Friday.

TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Seafood industry threatened as FDA proposes ban on sale of Gulf Coast oysters.

NEW YORK TIMES - Alabama’s state retirement systems plow millions back into local real estate developments.

GREENER BUILDINGS - Modular Building Designs Take Top Prize in Lifecycle Building Challenge Awards - Greener Buildings, 2009.1013

GRIST e-newsletter — A $4 Billion Push To Make Affordable Housing Green

GRIST e-newsletter — New interactive map shows devastating effects of global temperature rise; The Guardian - interactive map

NEW YORK TIMES — Feud continues between wood certifiers –  New York Times, 2009.1026

ASSOCIATED PRESS - WRAL — Activists meet with feds over environmental racism. Environmental and racial justice activists from six states met with federal Environmental Protection Agency officials Tuesday to demand a revamp of the agency they accuse of overlooking years of chronic environmental missteps in minority communities across the South.

NATURE BLOG — BIOFUEL WOES - Climate Feedback (Nature blog), 2009.1023 http://blogs.nature.com/climatefeedback/2009/10/biofuel_woes_1.html
New peer-reviewed research findings add important weight to the growing mountain of evidence against biofuels as an easy route to maintaining liquid-fuel-based lifestyles.
“Two papers in Science yesterday have poured cold water on the promise of second generation biofuels.
“Biofuels derived from the cellulosic, woody parts of plants are not having their greenhouse gas emissions properly accounted for, says Jerry Melillo from the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. Melillo’s study suggests that changes in the way land is used, as a consequence of growing crops for biofuels, is not taken into account, and if it were then those biofuels would be shown to actually cause more greenhouse gases to be released than fossil fuels….
“In a related policy forum article, Timothy Searchinger from Princeton University and a bunch of colleagues point out flaws in the ways that carbon emissions are counted for cap-and-trade schemes in both Europe and the US.
“They say that the assertion that fuels made from biomass can be counted as carbon neutral is wrong. ‘Harvesting existing forests for electricity adds net carbon to the air,’ the report says. ‘If bioenergy crops displace forest or grassland, the carbon released from solid and vegetation, plus lost future sequestration, generates carbon debt, which counts against the carbon the crops absorb.’”

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Thanks for your interest and support.

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

Comments Off

Meeting details, 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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ADDITIONAL EVENTS TODAY - SATURDAY, OCT. 24

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm — FRIENDS OF THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY / FALL USED BOOK SALE
Held at the pavilion, Town Creek Park, S. Gay Street. All are invited.
Friends of the Auburn Public Library’s Fall Used Book Sale will offer thousands of books at bargain prices.  Hardbacks cost $1 and paperbacks cost 50¢.  Come find a good book and support the library! (Rescheduled from Oct 10 due to inclement weather.)

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 8:00 am — 5K TRAIL RUN / FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE
Held at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve.
Day-of-race registration - $20.  https://fp.auburn.edu/preserve/
Registration 6:30 - 7:45 am; race begins at 8:00 am.
This Saturday’s 5K trail run is on a carefully measured, well-marked course through the forest. Splits will be given at one- and two-mile marks. Proceeds will support development of the preserve.  T-shirts and door prizes will be handed out.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 5:00 - 10:00 PM — OKTOBERFEST STREET PARTY / BY ALPEN CAFE, OPELIKA
Held in the street in front of Alpen Cafe, 913 South Railroad Ave, Historic Downtown Opelika. Free & open to all.
More info: contact Raymond Jackson at (334)705-0111 or rjackson@jacksonlawgroup.net.

SATURDAY, OCT 24 — INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE ACTION DAY
Please commemorate Saturday’s day of Climate Action by joining one of more than 4,000 events worldwide, in more than 170 countries. Although, the current atmospheric concentration is nearing 390 parts per million of atmospheric carbon dioxide, 350 parts per million is the upper limit on the concentration of CO2 which can sustain our global climate conditions, according to NASA scientist Dr. James Hansen’s report entitled “Target atmospheric CO2: Where should humanity aim?”
This Saturday, October 24th, people all over the world will be gathering as part of a global day of action to urge world leaders to take bold and immediate steps to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. From capitol cities to the slopes of Mount Everest, and even underwater on dying coral reefs-people will come together to hold rallies aimed at focusing attention on the number 350. Visit www.350.org to learn more.
Visit www.aeconline.org/energy for additional information on Energy issues, including a recent presentation by AEC executive director Michael Churchman on environmental impacts of energy from the recent Energy Forum 2009 ( http://tinyurl.com/mc-energy-forum ).
Information courtesy of Alabama Environmental Council - www.aeconline.org.

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Week of Oct. 26, 2009 — Meetings, events & upates

ONGONG through FRIDAY, OCT. 30 — - AU COLLEGE OF AG’S LEARNING COMMUNITY COLLECTING SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Collection boxes in AU’s Comer Hall foyer.
Budget cuts have affected all levels of education, including Lee County’s public schools. As part of its community service effort, the College of Agriculture’s Learning Community is providing desperately needed items for K-12 students and teachers in Beulah, Beauregard, Loachapoka and Smiths Station.
** Requested items range from paper products, markers and glue to first-aid supplies, hand sanitizers and children’s clothing.
** For a list of requested items or to find out how to contribute, call 844-4768 OR go to the Learning Community Web site http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/student/prospective/life/community.php .

COMMENTS ACCEPTED THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 2: DRAFT FY2008-2011 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - FY2010 REBALANCE (TIP)
Lee-Russell Council of Government’s Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (LRCOG/AOMPO) invites the public to review and comment upon the AOMPO’s prioritized list of transportation projects (the TIP) for the AOMPO planning area.
The draft TIP and comment forms are available for review during normal business hours at the LRCOG offices, Auburn Public Library, Opelika Public LIbrary, Auburn Housing Authority, Opelika Housing Authority and online at www.lrcog.com/mpo.html.
Comment forms should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Keith Bryan, LRCOG, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.
Questions? Contact Keith Bryan at 334-749-5264 ext.214.

ONGOING THROUGH TUESDAY, NOV. 10 - ART EXHIBITION / WATER: THREE STATES (PHASE II)
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall. Free & open to all
Gallery hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri (open through the lunch hour). Info: www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg
The College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Art, and the College of Agriculture presents the exhibition Water: Three States (Phase II). The exhibition is free and open to the public.  Biggin Gallery is wheelchair accessible. More info: Kathryn Floyd, assistant professor of art history at 844-3393 or Katie Jackson, Head, Office of Ag Communications and Marketing at 844-5887.

ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20  -  AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT / PLEASE DONATE!! FIVE DOLLARS BUYS TEN POUNDS OF FOOD!!
Collection barrels at local grocery stores & other locations. Monetary donations accepted by mail to Food Bank of East Alabama, 375 Industry Drive, Auburn AL 36832 and via secure online transactions at www.foodbankofeastalabama.com.
This is the largest food drive of the year. Last year an amazing 212,200 pounds of food were donated locally.  This event has a huge impact on the Food Bank’s ability to provide food for needy families this holiday season and beyond. Follow the event and/or make donations at www.beatbamafooddrive.com.

ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20 - JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION / Photo XI
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center. Free & open to all.
Annual juried exhibition of photographs by regional artists and photographers.

ONGOING THROUGH SATURDAY, JAN. 23 — JCSM EXHIBIT: ADVANCING AMERICAN ART
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.   www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Info:  http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1219
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University will exhibit a selection of some of the museum’s most treasured pieces from its “Advancing American Art” collection Oct. 24 through Jan. 23 in JCSM’s Chi Omega-Hargis Gallery.
The 36 paintings and works on paper in this collection constitute one of the most significant components of the museum’s permanent collection. Acquired by Auburn University in 1948, when Auburn was known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute, they were originally part of a group of 117 oil paintings and watercolors assembled by the U.S. State Department in 1946 to demonstrate the ascendancy of American modern art at the mid-century.

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 4:00 - 5:00 PM — LECTURE: JULIE SHAFFER - SLOW FOOD / includes chocolate tasting
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3195. Free & open to the public.
Representative of Slow Food, Emory University, Ms. J. Shaffer, will hold a lecture about Slow Food to celebrate National Italian American Heritage Month and to inform students of healthy eating habits and environmental issues. Shaffer is founder of Slow Food Atlanta and southeastern regional governor for Slow Food USA. Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic organization founded in 1986 to counterattack the opening of the first McDonald’s in Rome, Italy. Shaffer is also Emory University’s sustainable food service education coordinator. Her lecture will include a video on Slow Food and chocolate tasting.

MONDAY, OCT. 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:
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:
7. CONSENT AGENDA:
a. Minutes of Commission Meeting October 13, 2009
b. Ratify and Approve Claims
8. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Update on TRUEbroadband - Commissioner Harris
b. Annual Personnel Policies Update - Kim Oas
c. “A Guide to Lee County Government” - Wendy Swann
9. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Updated Highway Reference Guide and Map - Neal Hall
b. Environmental Services Fund Budget Reduction - Roger Rendleman
c. Retail Beer License for Fish Bait / District 3
10. Adjourn

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 5:30 PM — BAT WALK
Held at AU’s Davis Arboretum. Free & open to all. Children welcome.
Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society, will host its 32nd annual Bat Walk at the Davis Arboretum. There will be a short presentation on bats and their lifestyles, followed by a walk through the arboretum which will allow participants to hunt for bats using night vision goggles and bat detectors. There will also be live bats and door prizes. The event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Children of all ages are welcome. More info:l Katheryn Walker walkek3@auburn.edu.

MONDAY, OCT. 26, 7:00 PM — GERMAN FILM SERIES: BERLIN IN GERMANY
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3242. Free & open to all.
The Fall of the Wall - Twenty Years After; Hannes Stöhr: Berlin is in Germany.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27 11:00 - noon — SFWS SEMINAR: INCORPORATING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) PRINCIPLES IN BIOFUELS RESEARCH
Held in AU’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences (SFWS), Room 1101
Dr. Adam Taylor (UT) will give a seminar titled “Incorporating Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Principles in Biofuels Research”.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 12:00 - 2:00 PM — FREE EPA WEBCAST ADDRESSES CLIMATE CHANGE
Info & registration:   http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/wacademy/webcasts/register.html
The Watershed Academy is sponsoring the “Working Together to Address the Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources” Webcast on Oct. 27, 12:00 - 2:00 pm CST.
Presenters will be Michael Shapiro, deputy assistant administrator, U.S. EPA’s Office of Water; Karen Metchis, senior climate adviser, U.S. EPA’s Office of Water; and Lisa Beever, director, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Fla.
Climate change has been identified as one of EPA’s top priorities and the agency is working to define strategies and actions to address climate change. EPA’s National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change provides basic information on climate change, the water-related effects of climate change, and the implications for EPA’s National Water Program.
The Webcast will cover the latest information about what EPA is doing as well as how Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is developing climate change vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, and indicators under EPA’s Climate Ready Estuary (CRE) program.
Participants are eligible to receive a certificate for their attendance.
The Webcast presentations are posted in advance and participants are encouraged to download them prior to the Webcast.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 2:30 PM — AUTHOR GIN PHILLIPS / PUBLIC READING: THE WELL AND THE MINE
Held in the auditorium, AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Writer Gin Phillips will read from her award-winning novel, “The Well and the Mine,” set in Depression-era Carbon Hill, Ala., a coal-mining town populated by hard-working people making do in a hard-scrabble life. The free, public event is hosted by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts and is cosponsored by the Osher Life Long Learning Institute (www.ollieatauburn.org). The AU Bookstore will have copies of “The Well and the Mine” available for purchase and signing. Phillips’ visit to Auburn will include working with a Dept of English creative writing class led by award-winning author and faculty member Judy Troy.  More info:  http://www.auburn.edu/cah or call 844-4946.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 3:00 pm-OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all. www.opelika.org
Agenda includes:
A. ADMINISTRATION SUBDIVISION (Ratify)
1.Pinecrest S/D, Corrective Plat Lots 19B & 20B, 2 lots, Cutler Ridge Court, J. Toland, Ratify
B. PLATS (preliminary and preliminary & final) - PUBLIC HEARING
2. Bottoms S/D, No.2, First Revision, 2 lots, 920 Lee Road 417, James M. Bottoms, P/F approval
3. Piney Woods S/D, 3 lots, 1121 Sauga hatchee Lake Rd., The Rhema Group, Inc., P/F approval
C. CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL
4. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 2217 Marvyn Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
5. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 1706 Columbus Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
6. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 2900 Pep perell Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
7. Sonam Consulting, Inc., 2000 block of Gateway Drive, C-2, GC-2, Revision of site plan (Studio 6 motel)
D. ANNEXATION AND ZONING RECOMMENDATION
8. WP Properties Opelika, LLC, 2401 First Avenue, 94 acres, M-1 zone recommended
E. AMENDMENT TO TEXT OF ZONING ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING
9. Amend Section 7.4; Airport Hazard Area, by deleting the entire section and replacing same with a new Section 7.4, entitled Airport Overlay District
F. OTHER BUSINESS - RESOLUTION
10. City of Opelika Comprehensive Plan 2020 Resolution
G. OTHER BUSINESS
11. Discuss conceptual plan for Carmike movie theater. Conditional use review at November Planning Commission meeting.
12. Discuss Schedule for November and December Meeting Dates due to holidays

TUESDAY, OCT. 27   –  JCSM ART TALK & MOVIE www.jcsm.auburn.edu
4:00 pm — ALICE JARDINE / I Like Ike, but I Love Lucy: Women in 1956
6:00 pm — MOVIE: Baby Doll
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22, 6:00 PM — LEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN CLUB
SPEAKER: KAY IVEY - Alabama State Treasurer & gubernatorial candidate
Held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn.
Meetings held on the 4th Tuesday of each month.  Executive committee meeting at 7:00 pm, following regular meting.

TUESDAY, OCT.27, 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.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 7:30 pm — HARPER LEE’S TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD / OPELIKA PERFORMANCE SERIES EVENT
Held at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts.
More info & ticket purchase: ph: 334-749-8105 or email info@eastalabamaarts.org.
Note: Copies of To Kill a Mockingbird available at 20% discount at Books-A-Million TigerTown.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, OCT. 28 & 29 — 2009 CLEAN WATER ALABAMA SEMINAR AND FIELD DAY
Held in the Bessemer Civic Center, Bessemer.
The 2009 Clean Water Alabama Seminar and Field Day provides an excellent opportunity to see the latest BMPs in the field and network with others. The events are offered by the Alabama Erosion and Sediment Control Partnership to help planners, designers, contractors, inspectors, and others learn more about erosion and sediment control practices and products.  For more information contact: Katie Heath, Jefferson County, Soil & Water Conservation Foundation, 6267 Park South Drive, Bessemer, AL 35022; PH:205-424-9990, Ext 101; katie.heath@bham.rr.com

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, NOON - 1:00 PM –GREEN LUNCH / MIKE KENSLER: Cultivating Sustainable Communities
Held in AU’s Student Center, Room 2223.  Free & open to the public. Bring your lunch!  http://www.auburn.edu/sustainability
Info: http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/projects/green_lunch.html“Cultivating Sustainable Communities: How to Ignite and Spread a Commitment to Sustainability.”
Mike Kensler, Outreach Programs Administrator for AU’s Water Resources Center, will present this month’s Green Lunch, which will take the form of an interactive presentation and will help participants develop their own philosophies and approaches to sustainability action and organizing. Mike has expertise in natural resources management, planning, and policy, as well as in the areas of organizational learning, team building, leadership development, and civic engagement. He has worked with communities and organizations at local and regional scales to cultivate a more sustainable future.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 28, 4:00 - 6:00 PM — NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH (Film Screening)
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3195. Free & open to all.
Film Screening: MAC by and with John Turturro.
A personal story but also a recount of the sacrifices, values, and customs of the Italian immigrants and their families. The film is in English.  The event is free and open to the public to celebrate National Italian American Heritage Month.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28, 7:30 PM — AU PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE/STEEL BAND FALL CONCERT
Held in AU’s Goodwin Music Building Band Hall. Free & open to all.
Info: 334-844-4165; Music Dept. http://media.cla.auburn.edu/music/.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29 — AU: CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS DAY
Held on AU’s concourse.
October is National Cyber Security Awareness month. The Office of Information Technology and campus information technology providers will offer tips and hints each week during October to help students, faculty and staff protect themselves and their computer and data. There will also be a Cyber Security Awareness Day on the concourse Oct. 29 with more tips, free T-shirts and goodies. The designs for this year’s campaign were created by Auburn graphic design majors Mary Grace Moseley, YunJung Choi, Grace Garrett and Cary Walker from professor John Morgan’s class. Visit the Web site ( http://keepitsafe.auburn.edu ) and follow the Office of Information Technology on Twitter ( http://twitter.com/auburnoit ) for more details.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm — Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy
Held in the Joint Briefing Room (Star Wars Room), 8th Floor, Alabama State House.
Info: Kristen Rector, Exec. Assistant to Rep. Greg Wren, repgregwren@yahoo.com, 334-395-0123.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, NOON — WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY BOARD / LUNCHEON & ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON DIVORCE BASICS
Featured speakers: Beverlye Brady & Brenda Dozier
Held in the private dining room, AU’s Hotel & Dixon Conference Center.
Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, call the WPB office at 844-3524 or e-mail wpbchs1@auburn.edu.
Cost: $18; includes luncheon buffet and speakers
The Women’s Philanthropy Board will host this luncheon and roundtable discussion featuring speakers Beverlye Brady and Brenda Dozier.  For additional information, including speakers’ bios, please visit:  http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/wpb/09Events/Brady_and_Dozier_combined_flyer.pdf

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 3:00 PM — DISCOVER AUBURN: THE HOUSE DETECTIVES
Held in AU’s Special Collections and Archives Department, Ralph Brown Draughon Library.  Free & open to all. Reception follows program.
Ralph Draughon Jr, Delos Hughes, and Ann Pearson have dubbed themselves “The House Detectives”. They will discuss their ongoing quest for photos of Auburn’s past and houses that no longer exist.
Discover Auburn is a year-long series that features programs on research, history, and other topics of interest by Auburn faculty, staff and graduates. The series is co-sponsored by the AU Libraries, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, and the AU Bookstore. For more info: 334-844-4946; www.auburn.edu/cah.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29,  3:00 pm –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE DISCOVERY HIKE
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Also try the Preserve’s weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 6:00 - 8:00 PM — AUBURN DOWNTOWN TRICK OR TREAT
Come celebrate the 9th Annual Downtown Trick or Treat event! This is an event that encourages an alternative to house-to-house trick or treating. Last year more than 5,000 children participated in the fun filled festivities. This year’s festivities will include musical entertainment, face painting, costume contests and most importantly your involvement! More info: Alison Hall, 334-501-2930 or Jackie Zook, 334-501-2930, jzook@auburnalabama.org.
Carve A Bite Out of Hunger!
Bring your children, ghosts and goblins to trick or treat at the local downtown Auburn Businesses. There will be barrels setup around downtown for your costumed friends to place food donations for the Food Bank!

THURSDAY, OCT. 29,  6:00 - 7:00 PM — ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ORGANIZATION (EAO)
Held in AU’s Student Union. room 2107.  Open to all.
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/eao/index.html

THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 6;00 - 9:00 PM — INTERNATIONAL ASIAN FILM: THREE. . . EXTREMES
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 1203. Free & open to all.
International Asian Film, “Three…Extremes”: Asian Film Series #6

FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 1:00 - 2:00 pm — FISHERIES SEMINAR: DAVID GLOVER (AU)
Held in AU’s Swingle Hall, rm 303. Free & open to all.
Topi: “Slow growth of coastal largemouth bass: consequence of an alternative life-history strategy?”

FRIDAY, OCT. 30 — AU CADC’S 21ST ANNUAL PUMPKIN CARVE
3:00 - 6:00 pm — face painting, cookie decorating, games and the public is invited to carve pumpkins
6:00 pm - LIGHTING OF CARVED PUMPKINS & children’s costume contest
Held in the courtyard of AU’s Dudley Hall. Free & open to all.
Students from AU’s College of Architecture, Design and
Construction will light up the courtyard of Dudley Hall with the glow of more than 400 jack-o-lanterns at the 21st annual Pumpkin Carve. Food and drinks, including hot dogs, burgers and chili, will be available for purchase. The event, sponsored by the Auburn chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students. More info: http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1225
9:00 am - pumpkins on sale to students & visitors; carving begins
9:30 - 11:00 am - visit from Aubie
12:00 noon - student costume contest
3:00 - 6:00 pm — face painting, cookie decorating, games and the public is invited to carve pumpkins
6:00 pm -  children’s costume contest
6:00 pm - lighting of CADC students’ pumpkins
6:30 pm - pumpkin judging
7:00 pm - presentation of awards
7:30 pm - carved pumpkins available to purchase for $5 minimum donation to American Institute of Architecture Students.

FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 4:00 PM — AU RAPTOR CENTER / FOOTBALL, FANS & FEATHERS
http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1105
Held at AU’s Southeastern Raptor Center, Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater on Raptor Road off Shug Jordan Parkway. Directions are available at www.auburn.edu/raptor.
Admission: $5 each,  free for children under age 3.
Group admission: $3 a person for school groups of 25 or more; those groups should contact the center ahead of time by calling (334) 844-6943.
Additional shows: 4:00 pm, Nov 6 / Also 9:00 am on Nov. 27, the day of the Alabama game.
Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center will host “Football, Fans and Feathers,”  educational, birds-in-flight raptor programs this fall on Fridays before home football games.  A variety of birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles will be free-flown from flight towers. Education specialists will inform the audience about each bird and their role in nature. Programs take place in the 350-seat amphitheater on Raptor Road just off Shug Jordan Parkway.
The Southeastern Raptor Center, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, has a mission of rehabilitating injured or orphaned raptors and educating the public. All birds used in the educational programs are non-releasable due to prior injuries or human imprinting. Any bird capable of surviving in the wild must be released, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits Auburn to house the birds.

FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 6:00 - 8:30 PM — DOWNTOWN AUBURN FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY / Music by Miss Used
Held in Downtown Auburn. Live music & other events.
The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association will hold block parties every Friday in the streets of downtown Auburn this football season.Magnolia Avenue will be blocked off from College Street to Gay for the block parties. There is no cover to the events.
Upcoming Block Party & Music: Nov. 6 - Kidd Blue.
Questions? Contact the ADMA at auburnmerchants@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 11:00 am — AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME — AU vs. Mississippi
Game day info: http://www.auburn.edu/communications_marketing/gameday/index.html

SATURDAY, OCT. 31 — REMINDER: MOVE CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR TONIGHT

SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 3:00 - 4:30 PM –  ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES / PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION:  Energy Innovations by the City of Auburn - James Buston, Assistant City Manager/CIO, City of Auburn
Held in the Auburn City Meeting Room, 122 Tichenor, west of City Hall; entrance on side of building, behind Cheeburger Cheeburger parking lot.  Free & open to all.
Co-hosted by AU’s Office of Sustainability; see http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/energy/talk_series.html for details on the series.

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CITY OF AUBURN OFFERS NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT CARD PROGRAM
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ed102309.asp

CITY OF AUBURN GOES SOCIAL
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/ocm102309.asp
Citizens looking to stay up-to-date on the latest news and announcements from the City of Auburn have two new ways to stay informed. Visit the City of Auburn page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofAuburnAL or follow the City of Auburn on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CityofAuburnAL to stay current on the latest news and announcements from your Auburn City Government. Citizens may continue to receive their updates via the e-Notifier, the city’s email subscription service providing free email notifications of press releases, meeting packet availability, Open Line announcements, trash pick-up schedule reminders, Library events, and much more. For more information, visit the City of Auburn online at www.auburnalabama.org or contact Auburn City Hall at 501-7260.

AU CENTER FOR GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES / ANALYSIS OF CENSUS BUREAU DATA –  % OF TAX REVENUE DECLINE DURING RECESSION
AU’s Center for Governmental Services has unveiled its analysis of newly released U.S. Census Bureau data showing that during the current recession Alabama’s tax revenues have declined slightly less than the 14.2 percent average falloff for the nine Southeastern states.
The most recent data show that Alabama’s total tax revenues in the second quarter of 2009, collected from all sources, declined by 13 percent versus the same quarter in 2008. Alabama’s falloff was greater than that of Arkansas at minus 5 percent; Mississippi at minus 9 percent; Tennessee at minus 11 percent; and Florida at minus 12 percent. Alabama’s decline in tax revenue was exceeded by those of Georgia at minus 17 percent; Louisiana at minus 18 percent; South Carolina at minus 21 percent; and North Carolina at minus 22 percent.

ALABAMA VOICES: ADEM’s oversight too lax - Montgomery Advertiser
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20091022/OPINION0101/910210377/1006/opinion
The author, Michael W. Mullen, a certified professional in erosion and sediment control, is executive director of Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper Inc.

OXFAM CLIMATE CHANGE MAP - THE SOUTHEAST IMPACTS
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/climate-change-going-to-hurt-southeast-united-states.php

COMPREHENSIVE DATA PORTAL FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE INFORMATION
http://gosic.org

AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ECONOMY RANKS ALABAMA 48TH IN THE COUNTRY in the implementation of energy efficient programs and policies.  Scoring lower than Alabama (worse) were Mississippi, North Dakota, Wyoming and the District of Columbia.
Here is the report: http://www.aceee.org/press/e097pr.htm
Birmingham News Story - http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/10/alabama_ranks_48th_in_energy_e.html

SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER (SELC) REPORT SHOWS BIRMINGHAM METRO AREA #1 WORST SOOT POLLUTION IN URBAN SOUTH with levels high enough to put more than 400,000 children and adults directly at risk for heart and lung disease.
The SELC Report - http://www.southernenvironment.org/newsroom/press_releases/2009_10_20_bham_press_release/

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CITY OF AUBURN WEBSITE / LINKS TO AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.auburnalabama.org/publications.asp

CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
*Tree Commission - Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 3 City Council meeting.
*Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 17 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: 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/
Oct. 24, 2009

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Meeting details, 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/.

ADDITIONAL AGENDA DETAILS
TODAY, TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 3:00 PM — AUBURN URBAN CORE/DOWNTOWN STUDY COMMITTEE
Today’s meeting will be closed to the public. The committee will be holding additional stakeholder interviews.
More info: contact Auburn Planning Department at 501‐3040 or http://www.auburnalabama.org/pl/Misc/Downtown%20Study%20Committee.pdf

MUSEUM CAFE OPEN DURING EVENING EVENT
TONIGHT, TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 4:45- 6:00 pm  — JCS Museum Cafe www.jcsm.auburn.edu
The museum cafe will be open to serve its lunch menu from 4:45 - 6:00 p.m. between the 4:00 pm artist talk and 6:00 pm movie.

ADDITIONAL EVENT
TONIGHT, TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 6:30 PM — MUSICIANS MONTHLY JAM SESSION
Held at the Loachapoka United Methodist Church, Hwy 14 (on the right as you enter Loachapoka from Auburn).
Peck Rowell and a group of musicians will have their monthly Jam Session. Held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

CORRECTION
HEALTH CARE FORUM ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT, TUESDAY, OCT. 20 WILL BE HELD TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21. See below for details.

AGENDA CHANGE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 10:00 AM — ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
Held at 401 Adams Avenue, Mont. Ph: 334-242-5499. Open to the public.
Agenda: Regular meeting, includes:
Open Meeting
1.  Roll call and Declaration of Quorum
2.  Recognition of former Vice-Chairman Malcolm Steeves
Reports of Officers and Committees
3.  Consideration of Minutes of July 28, 2009 meeting
4.  Report from Division Director, ADECA Office of Water Resources
Old Business
5.  Water Wars Update
New Business
6.  Presentation by USGS on Basinwide Water Availability Tools
7.  Recognition of Dr.Don C. Hines
Other Business
8.  Schedule of Future Meetings
9.  Adjourn

ADDITIONAL EVENT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 3:30 PM — FACULTY OPEN FORUM ON LECTURER & SENIOR LECTURER POSITIONS
Held in AU’s RBD Library, room 1106, auditorium. Open to all.
Provost Mary Ellen Mazey will hold an open forum discussing the Lecturer and Senior Lecturer positions. The forum is open to anyone interested in attending.

ADDITIONAL EVENT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 6:00 - 7:00 PM –  LECTURE / DAVE MARTIN: DISABILITY RIGHTS AS CIVIL RIGHTS
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3195. Free & open to all.
Dave Martin, the W.T. Smith Professor and head of the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, Counseling/School Psychology, will present “Disability Rights as Civil Rights.” The lecture is sponsored by the Honors College and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. More info: contact Paul Harris, associate director of the Honors College, at pah0005@auburn.edu.

NEW DATE, TIME, LOCATION
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 7:30 PM  — FORUM ON HEALTH CARE REFORM
Held in AU’s Hotel & Dixon Conference Center, auditorium. Free & open to all.
More info:  call AU SGA at 33-844-4240.
Alabama legislators representing both Democratic and Republican opinions on the issue and a panel consisting of health advisors, employees and constituents will be attending. The forum is a place where people will discuss both sides of the issue and gain knowledge of the consequences, both good and bad, and the impact this policy will have. A question-and-answer session will be provided at the end to deal with the misconceptions, rumors and technical questions surrounding the legislation and discourse of health care reform.

ADDITIONAL EVENT
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21 through FRIDAY, OCT. 30 — - AU COLLEGE OF AG’S LEARNING COMMUNITY COLLECTING SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Collection boxes in AU’s Comer Hall foyer.
Budget cuts have affected all levels of education, including Lee County’s public schools. As part of its community service effort, the College of Agriculture’s Learning Community is providing desperately needed items for K-12 students and teachers in Beulah, Beauregard, Loachapoka and Smiths Station.
** Requested items range from paper products, markers and glue to first-aid supplies, hand sanitizers and children’s clothing.
** For a list of requested items or to find out how to contribute, call 844-4768 OR go to the Learning Community Web site http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/student/prospective/life/community.php .

RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE FOR UPCOMING EVENT
TUESDAY, OCT. 29, NOON — WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY BOARD / LUNCHEON & ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON DIVORCE BASICS
Featured speakers: Beverlye Brady & Brenda Dozier
Held in the private dining room, AU’s Hotel & Dixon Conference Center.
Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, call the WPB office at 844-3524 or e-mail wpbchs1@auburn.edu.
Cost: $18; includes luncheon buffet and speakers
The Women’s Philanthropy Board will host this luncheon and roundtable discussion featuring speakers Beverlye Brady and Brenda Dozier.  For additional information, including speakers’ bios, please visit:  http://www.humsci.auburn.edu/wpb/09Events/Brady_and_Dozier_combined_flyer.pdf

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(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Environmentalists say drop in ADEM penalties reflects diminishing enforcement of protections.    [PLACE editorial note: For more info on the state of water quality and other environmental issues in Alabama, go to the Alabama Rivers Alliance website - http://www.alabamarivers.org/ and the website of David A. Ludder, Environmental Lawyer - www.enviro-lawyer.com/.

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Two national reports find serious problems in Alabama’s health care systems.

BLOOMBERG.COM – Bloomberg looks at charges against Birmingham mayor Larry Langford, warns that case should be a “parable for local U.S. governments. “

ANNISTON STAR – The Anniston Star blasts GOP senators, including Alabama’s, for opposing anti-rape amendment. Excerpt: “. . .  an amendment to a Defense Department appropriations bill that prohibited defense contractors from requiring employees to resolve sexual assault and similar claims through binding arbitration instead of taking their case to court.
In Iraq there have been a number of incidents where women who worked for U.S. defense contractors were raped or assaulted but because they had to sign that waiver as a condition for employment they could not pursue their cases to a legal and just conclusion.”

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GADSDEN TIMES -  Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis to outline how he would pursue constitutional revisions if elected.

HUNTSVILLE TIMES - Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis calls for rewrite of state’s 1901 constitution.

Information below courtesy of ACCR - Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform.
More info on all aspects of constitutional reform at ACCR’s website www.constitutionalreform.org.

ARTUR DAVIS CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis held a press conference in Huntsville yesterday, where he pledged his support for a new constitution for Alabama. Davis endorsed a constitutional convention comprised of elected delegates who will draft a new constitution to be voted up or down by voters in a statewide referendum.
“Alabama’s 1901 Constitution is rooted in a 1901 value–the idea that local communities cannot be trusted to make their own choices, and that powerful special interests in Montgomery will always have the final say.  Our old constitution protects the privileges of forces like out of state land owners, while it shortchanges families who pay taxes on baby milk and medicine,” said Davis. “Alabamians deserve the right to vote on a new document that speaks to our current values and our current needs as a state.”
Davis has previously proposed the toughest ethics reform plan ever considered in Alabama, reforms that far exceed anyone running for governor.  Last week, Davis unveiled a Taxpayer Protection Plan to increase transparency and accountability and fight government waste.
Davis continued, “None of our recent governors have made a rewrite of the 1901 constitution a priority, and it is a fact that the other candidates in this race are all opposed to a constitutional convention.  I would expect the opponents of constitutional reform to trot out the same tired arguments about why we should fear constitutional reform. But what they really mean is that they don’t trust the voters and they’re not prepared to defend the status quo in the light of day that a constitutional convention would provide. ”
With more than 800 amendments, Alabama’s 1901 Constitution is the longest and most convoluted state constitution in America.  Among other things, the document bars local governments from participating in economic development activities and places local decisions in the hands of Montgomery politicians.  According to Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Alabama is the only state in the southeast that deprives counties of local control.
More info on the Davis statement: www.reformALconstitution.com.

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
Oct. 20, 2009

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WEEK OF OCT. 19, 2009 — MEETINGS, UPDATES & EVENTS

Meeting details, 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/.

Oct. 16, 2009 column by Lisa Brouillette - Hard to believe nobody knew store’s stock
First Published: October 16, 2009 in the Opelika-Auburn News
http://placeforum.org/blog/2009/10/16/lisa-brouillette-oct-16-2009-column-hard-to-believe-nobody-knew-store%E2%80%99s-stock/

(MOBILE) PRESS-REGISTER - Alabama’s jobless rate increases to 10.7% in September.

CRIMSON WHITE - UA law professor Susan Pace Hamill campaigns for House District 63.

BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL - Alabama foreclosures up 22% in September.

BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Former Ethics Commission Chair Cameron Vowell calls for changes to give commission stronger powers.

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ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7:45 am - 4:45 pm - DISPLAY OF WORK BY AU SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS
Held in AU’s Dudley Hall, on display on all four floors. Free & open to all.
The College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Landscape Architecture program in the School of Architecture is featured in an exhibit of student work from the last five years on all four floors of Dudley Hall. The exhibit consists of drawings, photographs, multimedia and more and will be on display through Oct. 23. It was compiled for the recent visit of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, which visits every few years to review and re-accredit the program. The public is welcome to visit Dudley Hall from 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. to view the exhibit. For more information, contact Rod Barnett at rjb0012@auburn.edu.

COMMENTS ACCEPTED THROUGH MONDAY, NOV. 2: DRAFT FY2008-2011 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - FY2010 REBALANCE (TIP)
Lee-Russell Council of Government’s Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Planning Organization (LRCOG/AOMPO) invites the public to review and comment upon the AOMPO’s prioritized list of transportation projects (the TIP) for the AOMPO planning area.
The draft TIP and comment forms are available for review during normal business hours at the LRCOG offices, Auburn Public Library, Opelika Public LIbrary, Auburn Housing Authority, Opelika Housing Authority and online at www.lrcog.com/mpo.html.
Comment forms should be submitted in person or via mail to:
Keith Bryan, LRCOG, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.
Questions? Contact Keith Bryan at 334-749-5264 ext.214.

ONGOING THROUGH TUESDAY, NOV. 10 - ART EXHIBITION / WATER: THREE STATES (PHASE II)
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall. Free & open to all
Gallery hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri (open through the lunch hour).  www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg
The College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Art, and the College of Agriculture presents the exhibition Water: Three States (Phase II).  The exhibition runs through November 10, 2009.
Phase II of Water: Three States continues the conversation from Phase I by contrasting the power of water to overwhelm human society to the hopeful potential for growth and restoration.  Daniel Kariko, a Florida-based photographer, presents Storm Season, a series of pinhole photographs that document the on-going erosion of the Gulf coast in the aftermath of recent hurricanes.  Similarly, Andy Behrle, a sculptor living and working in Alabama, deals directly with the corrosive forces of water on natural and synthetic materials in his large-scale installations.  Their investigations of the persistent and sometimes devastating powers of water are quietly counterbalanced by the continued growth of Xavier Cortadas live mangrove seedlings begun in Water: Three States (Phase I).
Water: Three States (Phase II) is part of the interdisciplinary project Art in Agriculture.  www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg
The exhibition is free and open to the public.  Biggin Gallery is wheelchair accessible. More info: Kathryn Floyd, assistant professor of art history at 844-3393 or Katie Jackson, Head, Office of Ag Communications and Marketing at 844-5887.

ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20  -  AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT / PLEASE DONATE!! FIVE DOLLARS BUYS TEN POUNDS OF FOOD!!
Collection barrels at local grocery stores & other locations. Monetary donations accepted by mail to Food Bank of East Alabama, 375 Industry Drive, Auburn AL 36832 and via secure online transactions at www.foodbankofeastalabama.com.
This is the largest food drive of the year. Last year an amazing 212,200 pounds of food were donated locally.  This event has a huge impact on the Food Bank’s ability to provide food for needy families this holiday season and beyond. Follow the event and/or make donations at www.beatbamafooddrive.com.

ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20 — JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION / Photo XI
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center. Free & open to all.
Annual juried exhibition of photographs by regional artists and photographers.

MONDAY, OCT. 19, 7:00 PM — LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF EAST ALABAMA
Topic: Sprawl, Taxes and Planning in Lee County
Speaker: Wendy Swann, Govt. Relations Coordinator, Lee County Commission
Held in the EAMC Health Resource Center, Pepperell Pkwy, Opelika. Open to all.
7:00 - meet & greet; 7:30 pm - program.

MONDAY, OCT. 19, 7:00 - 9:00 PM — BOOK-SIGNING/MUSICAL PERFORMANCE — AT THE GNU’S ROOM
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn.   www.thegnusroom.com
Open to all. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.  Free & open to all.
From 1980-2000, Toni Brown was owner and publisher of Relix Magazine, a bible amongst Deadheads and a visionary link to “intelligent music alternatives.” Relix propelled the Jamband scene, and Brown has taken her place as a performing participant.
Touring since 1995, Brown has shared the stage with many musical friends–including Vince Welnick/Tom Constanten and Donna Jean of the Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Hot Tuna, Big Brother & The Holding Co., Vassar Clements, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Merl Saunders, Bela Fleck, Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan, Melvin Seals & JGB, Flying Burrito Brothers, Commander Cody, Blues Traveler, Zen Tricksters, Leftover Salmon, David Nelson Band, ekoostik hookah, Crazy Fingers, Max Creek, String Cheese Incident, Juggling Suns and many others.
In addition to touring as a solo artist, Brown is a music journalist, lectures on the music industry and is a publicist for a variety of acts and events. Now living in Orlando, Florida, she has solidified her musical base locally and nationally, and appears regularly with guitarist Ed Munson as a folk rock duo. Brown and Munson will be performing their music, and signing copies of the recently published Relix: The Book. For more info, please visit www.tonibrownband.com.

MONDAY, OCT. 19, 7:30 PM — COOKIE WALK PLANNING MEETING
Held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 Church Drive, Auburn. Open to all.
Help plan the upcoming Cookie Walk (Dec 5 at Grace Methodist Church), the proceeds of which will benefit Habitat for Humanity.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 11:00 - noon — THE FORENSIC SCIENCE OF WOOD AND PAPER EVIDENCE
Held in AU’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences (SFWS) bldg, room 1101. Free & open to all.
SFWS Seminar - Dr. Terry Conners (UK) will give a seminar titled “The Forensic Science of Wood and Paper Evidence”.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 3:00 PM — AUBURN URBAN CORE/DOWNTOWN STUDY COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St.
Agenda: TBA  [view at http://www.auburnalabama.org/pl/Misc/Downtown%20Study%20Committee.pdf or contact Auburn Planning Department at (334) 501‐3040.]

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 3:30 PM — T. R. BIRKHEAD / DARWIN AND POST-COPULATORY SEXUAL SELECTION
Held in AU’s Rouse Life Sciences Bldg, room 112. Free & open to all.
AU’s Dept of Biological Sciences will host T.R. Birkhead, a professor at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and is among the most prominent evolutionary and behavioral biologists in the world. He has the distinction of being Friend of the Royal Society, which is the equivalent of the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20 — JCSM ARTIST TALK & MOVIE  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
4:00 PM –  MICHAEL BERTRAND / The King of Rock as Working-Class Hero: The Rise and Reign of Elvis Presley
6:00 pm — MOVIE / The Girl Can’t Help It
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 5:30 pm — DR. WAYNE FLYNT: HARPER LEE’S TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
Held at the Community Cultural and Conference Center of Opelika, 1103 Glenn St, Opelika. Free & open to all. Reception provided compliments of Jimmy’s.
Envision Opelika Foundation Inc and The Arts Association of East Alabama present AU Distinguished University Professor of History, Dr. Wayne Flynt.  Copies of To Kill a Mockingbird available at 20% discount at Books-A-Million TigerTown.
More info: Envision Opelika 334-705-5138 or The Arts Assoc of East Alabama 334-749-8105.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20  — OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:30 pm - work session / 7:00 PM - regular meeting
Held in the council chambers, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika.  Open to all. Agenda:  www.opelika.org/
Work session agenda includes:
(1) -  a.  Resolution/agreement, ALDOT, resurfacing - ARRA funds.
b.  Resolution, Federal funds for a Northern Perimeter Road Corridor study  — Walter Dorsey
(2) -  a.  Resolution to approve ADA Fact Sheet and Grievance Procedures and designate a new ADA Coordinator — Lisa Seymour
(3) -  a.  Proposal for Broadband services  — Commissioner John Andrew Harris
(4) -  a.  General updates  –  Mayor Fuller, John Seymour
(5) -  Review/discuss the 10/20/09 CM agenda items — Mayor Fuller
(6) -  General Discussion  - -  City Council / a. New / Old Business, b. Board appointments - Library Board, c. Other City business.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
6)   UNFINISHED BUSINESS  -
7)   REMARKS BY THE MAYOR -  Gary Fuller
a.  EDPA certification of a N.E. Industrial Park site - Gary Faulkner.
b.  Proclamation for Pro Bono Week - Robbie Treese.
c.  Recognize two Police officers of the month - Ben Jones & David Veasey.
d.  Recognition of the Opelika Police Department & Police officers for winning Regional Awards.
8)   CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS - (Limit comments to five minutes or less)
9)   REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS
a.  Request from AM-PM Food Mart for a retail wine/beer off-premise license.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS -  Shirley Washington
a.  One (1) tractor with options for the WW Treatment Plant.
b.  One (1) 2010 Ford F-150 extended cab pick-up for WW Treatment Plant.
c.  IBM blade centers, storage devices and hardware for the IT department.
d.  Power Series (iSeries) Server to replace current OPLCOM Server - IT dept.
e.  Change order, remove soil materials under Hickory Lane - Eng.
13)  RESOLUTIONS -  Guy Gunter
1.  Special appropriation contract with NeighborWorks Columbus.
2.  Annual appropriation contact with J. W. Darden Foundation.
3.  Annual appropriation contract with Valley Haven School.
4.  Agreement with Cauthen, Forbes & Williams.
5.  Designate and authorize disposal of surplus inventory.
6.  Annual appropriation contract with E.A. Sickle Cell Foundation.
14)  ORDINANCES -   Guy Gunter    (none)
1.  Amend zoning ordinance, 411 N. 16th St., from R5 to C3 - 2nd reading.
15)  APPOINTMENTS - a.  Library Board.
16)  ADJOURN

TUESDAY, OCT. 20 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
6:55 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:
3. REQUEST FOR REDUCTION OF LIEN.   360 Frazier Street.  Discussion.  City Manager Duggan.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.  City Manager Duggan.
a.  Alcoholic Beverage Licenses.  Consideration.
(1) Hamilton’s On Magnolia LLC dba/Hamilton’s On Magnolia.
174 East Magnolia Avenue.  020 - Restaurant Retail Liquor
License.
(2) Alabama CVS Pharmacy LLC.  050 - Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) and 070 - Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only).
(a) dba/CVS 1777.  1888 Ogletree Road.
(b) dba/CVS 8933.  1498 Opelika Road.
(3) ML Restaurants Inc. dba/Momma Goldbergs Deli. 040 - Retail Beer (On or Off Premises)
(a) 133 W. Longleaf Drive.
(b) 217 East Thach Avenue.
(c) 500 West Magnolia Avenue.
(4) Tiger Eye Entertainment LLC dba Homecoming Jam.  2065 Sandhill Road.  140 - Special Events Retail License.
b. Announcement of Board Vacancies.  Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Two Positions.  Four Year Terms Expire November 30, 2013.  Appointments at the November 17, 2009 Meeting.
9. ORDINANCES.
a.   Annexations.  Planning Commission Recommendation.  Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Marzine and Pamela Dumas.  Property Located on east side of Lee Road 083 (Miracle Road).  1.09 Acres.
(2) Susan Snyder.  Property Located on the west side of Alabama Highway 147 North (Heath Road) and north of U.S. Highway 280.  1.54 Acres.
(3) Outback Enterprises, LLC.  Tom Cooksey (Authorized Representative).  Property Located south of Lee Road 026 (AlaHill Drive) and west of Lee Road 054 (Society Hill Road). 3.00 Acres.
b. Zoning.  Planning Commission Recommendations.  Public Hearings Required.  Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Crosswoods Development, LLC and Sky is the Limit Homes, LLC.  Gregory Forthofer (Authorized Representative).  Property Located on the south side of Richland Road, east of the Cotswolds Subdivision and north of Willow Creek Subdivision.  10.25 Acres.
(a) Rezone from Neighborhood Conservation (NC-20) to Development District Housing (DDH).
(b) Amend Ordinance No. 2584.  Expand Planned Development District  (PDD) With Underlying Zone of Development District Housing (DDH).
(2) Amendment.  Article IV (General Regulations, Section 424 (Bufferyards) - Section 432 (Landscape Submission Requirements).
c. Traffic Control Signs and Devices.  Establish “No Parking” Zones.  Unanimous Consent Necessary.
(1) Southeast Corner of Terrace Acres Drive and Dean Road.
(2) Southeast Corner of Magnolia Avenue and Gay Street.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Conditional Use Approvals.  Planning Commission Recommendations.  Public Hearings Required.
(1) MG Holdings, LLC.  Michael and Nick Davis (Authorized Representatives).  Road  Service Use - fast food restaurant w/drive through (Momma Goldberg’s) in the Comprehensive Development District (CDD) Zoning District.  133 West Longleaf Drive.
(2) Keith and Scott Pridgen, LLP.  Patricia Davies (Authorized Representative). Road Service Use - scooter vehicle sales and service (The Scooter Groove) in the Redevelopment District (RDD) Zoning District.  203 Opelika Road, Suite B.
(3) 110, L.L.C.  Frances P. Dillard (Authorized Representative).  Commercial and Entertainment Use - restaurant (Waffle House) in the Urban Core (UC) Zoning District.  110 West Glenn Avenue.  One-Time Six-Month Extension.
b. Patricia McDonald, Trustee for the Lenore V. Cloutier Revocable Trust (Russell Balch (Authorized Representative).  McDonald Right-of-Way Opinion.  Property Located east of Lee Road 042 and south of Lee Road 757.  Planning Commission Recommendation.
c. Close City Street.  Southern portion of Eagle Circle.  Neighborhood Block Party. Saturday, October 24, 2009.  4:00 PM - 10:00 PM.
d. Corporate Limits Reduction.  Lot 1, City Limits Subdivision.  Alabama Highway 14. Holt Property.
e. Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).  Federal Highway Administration.  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.  Agreements.
(1) Preliminary Engineering.  $5,000.
(2) Resurface Various Streets.  $1,248,975.
f. Drainage and Utility, Ingress/Egress, and Utility Easements.  Acceptance.
(1) Cleveland Brothers, Inc.  Mimm’s Trail Subdivision.  Property Located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Shell Toomer Parkway and Mill Creek  Road (Lee Road 022).  Drainage and Utility and Ingress/Egress Easements.
(2) South Hood, L. L. C.  Tom Hayley (Authorized Representative).  Lot 5-A,  Golfview Subdivision.  Utility Easement.
11. OTHER BUSINESS.
12. ADJOURNMENT.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20, 7:00 PM — AUUF ENVIRONMENTAL MOVIE: FRESH, THE MOVIE
Held at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF), 450 E. Thach Ave.  www.auuf.net Free & open to all.
Fresh, the Movie (running time: 72 minutes)
Take a Fresh look at food, agriculture and sustainability across America! A celebration of small farmers and local food production, of ecologically sane practices, and of partnerships between growers and consumers, this documentary is inspiring and positive. “FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agriculture into an industrial model and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.” FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy. You can watch the trailer at http://www.freshthemovie.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 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, OCT. 21, 10:00 AM — ALABAMA WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION
Held at 401 Adams Avenue, Mont. Ph: 334-242-5499. Open to the public.
Agenda: Regular meeting, includes:
1.  Roll call and Declaration of Quorum
2.  Recognition of Dr. Don C. Hines’ Contributions to AWRC
3.  Recognition of former Vice-Chairman Malcolm Steeves
Reports of Officers and Committees
4.  Consideration of Minutes of July 28, 2009 meeting
5.  Report from Division Director, ADECA Office of Water Resources
Old Business
6.  Water Wars Update
New Business
7.  To be announced
Other Business
8.  Schedule of Future Meetings
9.  Adjourn

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 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, OCT. 21, 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, OCT. 21, 2:30 PM  — CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. / CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT AND CHINA-U.S. RELATIONS
Held in AU’s new Student Center, ballroom, 3rd floor.  Free & open to all.
The Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Wenzhong Zhou, will visit Auburn University Oct. 20-21 at the invitation of Auburn President Jay Gogue to promote international education partnerships. Ambassador Zhou will give a public presentation, “China’s Development and China-U.S. Relations.”  His visit also will include campus tours as well as gatherings hosted by President and Mrs. Gogue, the Chinese Professional Association and the Chinese Student Organization.
About the speaker: Ambassador Zhou was born in Jiangsu Province, China. after studying at Bath University and London School of Economics of the United Kingdom for two years, he joined the Department of Translation and Interpretation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in 1975. From 1978 to 1983, he served as attaché and third secretary at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America in Washington, DC. in 1987, he was named Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco and was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados and to Antigua and Barbuda in 1990. He then served as Consul General of China to Los Angeles in 1994 and as Minister and DCM of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC in 1995. he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Commonwealth of Australia from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, he was named Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. since 2005, he has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the United States of America.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 4:00 - 5:00 PM — DR. KACZEK / RESISTING BODIES: NARRATIVES OF ITALIAN WOMEN PARTISAN
Held in room 2370, Haley Center, AU. Free & open to all.
The co-author of the book Resisting Bodies: Narratives of Italian Women Partisan will be in Auburn to celebrate National Italian American Heritage Month.  Dr. Kaczek is Professor of Italian and Chair of the Language Department at Clemson University.  The event is free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 6:00 PM  — LEE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
NEW MEETING PLACE!  Now held at Auburn University Club. 1499 N. Donahue Road.
6:00 pm - buffet dinner ($11, tax & tip included)
6:50 pm -Speaker: JOSH SEGALL, candidate for Alabama’s 3rd US Congressional Disrict (v. Republican incumbent Mike Rogers)
Josh Segall has generated much excitement in the 3rd District by announcing that he is going after Mike Rogers again in the upcoming election.  Segall shocked political onlookers last year when he raised almost $1 million and garnered over 46% of the vote against Rogers. This strong showing came despite a late-entry into the race with just a few months for the first time candidate to assemble a team, develop a fundraising base and build a district-wide grassroots operation. Many political commentators felt that Segall would have prevailed but for lack of time to get his message out. Josh graduated from Brown University and Alabama School of Law.  He has worked on campaigns in Virginia, Texas, and Washington.  While in law school, he started an organization called “Homegrown Alabama” to get the University to buy its food from Alabama farmers.  He and students from a class he taught started a farmer’s market on campus, which helped the University community come together to support Alabama’s farmers while creating an economic benefit for Alabama.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 7:00 - 9:00 pm — ART IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY / outdoor video screening by The Layman Group & NY-based ART:21
Held at Chewacla State Park. All welcome to attend!
Admission: Regular Park fee $1(child) - $3(adult)
More info: contact Doc Waller, Ph: 206-338-3930, E-mail: public@thelaymangroup.org or visit www.thelaymangroup.org and join the mailing list for updates!
The Layman Group, East Alabama’s newest nonprofit Arts organization, in partnership with Art21, Inc. as part of its Art21 Access 09 initiative, presents a sneak preview of the fifth season of “Art:21Art in the Twenty-First Century,” the only prime time national television series focused exclusively on contemporary art,. And we’re doing it under the stars! Bring your blankets, the kids, and plenty of empty stomachs! We’ll have food, wine, a fire to roast delicious S’mores over, and an exclusive peak at an award-winning documentary series. See it before the rest of the world!  Come join us for conversation with other arts lovers within the community! Bring friends!
Art21 Access 09 is an international screening initiative created to increase knowledge of contemporary art, ignite dialogue, and inspire creative thinking through hundreds of public screenings and events that tailor the ideas presented in the series to the interests and concerns of local audiences. The season premieres on PBS October 7th with a new episode each Wednesday during the month at 10pm (check local listings). Through in-depth profiles and interviews, the four-part series reveals the inspiration, vision and techniques behind the creative works of some of today’s most thought-provoking artists.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm — 4th ANNUAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE
Held at the Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill, Prattville.
Register on-line at: https://www.energyservicescoalition.org/chapters/AL/conference/2009/index.html
For Questions: Larry.Knox@adeca.alabama.gov or call 334-353-7556
General Session Speakers:
*Doni M. Ingram, Director of ADECA,
*Alabama Representative Greg Wren, Co-Chair,Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Energy,
*Dr. Eric G. Mackey, President of School Superintendents of Alabama, Superintendent of Jacksonville City Schools,
*Dale Hahs, Steve Sain, DOE, NASEO,TVA, AL Power, PowerSouth,
*ALAGASCO Breakout Presentations: Alabama Photovoltaic Study: Dr. Henry Brandhorst, Space Research Institute, Auburn
University/ Project Financing: Karen Keeler, AAIG/ Tennessee Valley Authority: Recent Developments in Renewable Energy Incentives/ Dr. Steve Taylor, Director, AU Center for Bioenergy & Bioproducts

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 10:00 AM — ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS LICENSURE BOARD
Held at 445 Herron Street, Montgomery. Open to all. ph: 334-242-2230
Agenda details at https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/display_notices.aspx [search by name of board]
[ or go to: https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/display_notice_details.aspx?agencyname=Alabama+Home+Builders+Licensure+Board&submissiondatetime=10%2f9%2f2009+4%3a44%3a32+PM ]

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 11:30 AM CENTRAL (12:30 PM EDT) — LEGALLY GREEN: DELIVER THE GREEN YOU PROMISE / LIVE Webcast for Professional Builder
Live online seminar; free & open to all.
Registration required: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=162303&sessionid=1&key=1FD20361057E8AEF008282CA6AAAB331&sourcepage=register.
As more home builders and remodelers embrace green building, they find themselves in danger of making claims about home performance that can’t be delivered. Real liability issues surround green. Having systems in place to ensure your ability to deliver is essential, and making sure you don’t find yourself in hot water with a hard-charging lawyer requires more than just under-promising and over-delivering. Our two experts will educate you on execution and liability.
Details, including speaker bios, at http://www.housingzone.com/info/ca6312276.html.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, noon - 1:00 pm — BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES / LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF EAST ALABAMA
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center, Auburn.
League members gather to discuss current local affairs each fourth Thursday of the month (third Thursday in November).

THURSDAY, OCT. 22,  3:00 pm –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE DISCOVERY HIKE
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Also try the Preserve’s weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22 , 4:00 pm - AUBURN WATER WORKS BOARD http://www.auburnalabama.org/wrm/
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, OCT. 22, 4:00 pm  -  OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Held at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika Public Works bldg. Open to all.  www.opelika.org
Note: Regular Planning Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3:00 pm, at the same location.
Agenda includes:
A. ADMINISTRATION SUBDIVISION (Ratify)
1.Pinecrest S/D, Corrective Plat Lots 19B & 20B, 2 lots, Cutler Ridge Court, J. Toland, Ratify
B. PLATS (preliminary and preliminary & final) - PUBLIC HEARING
2. Bottoms S/D, No.2, First Revision, 2 lots, 920 Lee Road 417, James M. Bottoms, P/F approval
3. Piney Woods S/D, 3 lots, 1121 Sauga hatchee Lake Rd., The Rhema Group, Inc., P/F approval
C. CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL
4. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 2217 Marvyn Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
5. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 1706 Columbus Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
6. Goodwill Southern Rivers, 2900 Pep perell Parkway, C-3, GC-2, Goodwill donation center
7. Sonam Consulting, Inc., 2000 block of Gateway Drive, C-2, GC-2, Revision of site plan (Studio 6 motel) D. ANNEXATION AND ZONING RECOMMENDATION
8. WP Properties Opelika, LLC, 2401 First Avenue, 94 acres, M-1 zone recommended
E. AMENDMENT TO TEXT OF ZONING ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING
9. Amend Section 7.4; Airport Hazard Area, by deleting the entire section and replacing same with a new Section 7.4, entitled Airport Overlay District
F. OTHER BUSINESS - RESOLUTION
10. City of Opelika Comprehensive Plan 2020 Resolution
G. OTHER BUSINESS
11. Discuss conceptual plan for Carmike movie theater. Conditional use review at November Planning Commission meeting.
12. Discuss Schedule for November and December Meeting Dates due to holidays

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 6:00 PM — KIESEL PARK SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES / featuring Spoonful James
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all.
Info: www.auburnalabama.org/parks, click on Special Events.
Bring the family, a picnic supper, your lawn chairs & the family dog and enjoy a free, relaxing evening under the stars. More info: Alison Hall, 334-501-2930, ahall@auburnalabama.org.

THURSDAY, OCT 22, 6:30 PM - SAVE OUR SAUGAHATCHEE (SOS)
Held in AU’s Comer Hall Auditorium.  Open to all.
Agenda: Syrup Soppin’ planning and potluck. 6:30 social hour, 7:00 program.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 7:30 pm  — AU THEATRE: A BEAUTIFUL END
Held at AU Theatre Upstairs. Additional performances Friday, Oct. 23 & Saturday, Oct 24, at 7:30 pm. http://www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org/season/index.cfm
A Beautiful End — Book, Music and Lyrics by Christian Duhamel; Directed by Joseph Bates.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22, 7:30 - 9:00 PM — AU CHAMBER WINDS & PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Held at First Baptist Church, Opelika. Free & open to all.
Featuring members of the AU Symphonic Band.
More info: music@auburn.edu; ph: 844-4165; AU Music Dept  http://media.cla.auburn.edu/music/www.auburn.edu/music

FRIDAY, OCT. 23 through SUNDAY, OCT. 25 — HUNGER MARCH TO MONTGOMERY
Starts on AU Campus.
This is the second annual Hunger March to Montgomery. Students march from campus to the State Capital Building in Montgomery to raise political awareness of Hunger and to raise funds and support for Auburn’s War on Hunger Initiative. More info: http://www.auburn.edu/event/hunger/index.php

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM — LRCOG/AARP SHREDDING DAY
Held at Lakeview Baptist Church, Auburn. Open to all.
LRCOG and AARP are partnering to sponsor a shredding day to protect your identity. The public is invited to bring documents to be shredded.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM— 2009 WAR EAGLE NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum. Free & open to all.  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Join us as we celebrate Native American culture and history at the 2009 War Eagle Native American Festival.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 1:00 - 2:00 PM — FISHERIES SEMINAR: GREG MOYER, USFWS / USE OF EFFECTIVE POPULATION SIZE IN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Held in AU’s Swingle Hall, rm 303.  Free & open to all.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7:00 PM — HOWL AND OTHER POEMS /AT THE GNU’S ROOM  www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn. Free & open to all.
More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
Celebrate the anniversary of the October 1957 ruling by Judge Clayton W. Horn that Allen Ginsberg’s poem, Howl, was not obscene. Considered one of the principal works of the Beat Generation, Howl was originally written by Ginsberg as a performance piece. Steele Campbell will be presenting the poem in its entirety along with some other Beat Generation works.

FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7:30 pm  — AU THEATRE: A BEAUTIFUL END
Held at AU Theatre Upstairs. Additional performance Saturday, Oct 24, at 7:3o pm. http://www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org/season/index.cfm
A Beautiful End — Book, Music and Lyrics by Christian Duhamel; Directed by Joseph Bates.

FRIDAY OCT. 23, 8:00 pm — MUSIC AT FRED’S IN LOACHAPOKA
Held at Fred’s, Hwy 14, 6434 Stage Road Loachapoka.  Contact: Fred 334.502.6602
All welcome. Admission: $10 band donation / Kids Free
An evening for All Ages with THE LAZYBIRDS. Come on out for this great group of players.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 — 2ND ANNUAL EAST ALABAMA FIGHT HUNGER FALL FOOD DRIVE
Held in the Opelika Wal-mart parking lot. For details, or to make online monetary donations: www.foodbankofeastalabama.com.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24 — JCSM ART EXHIBIT OPENS: SELECTIONS FROM ADVANCING AMERICAN ART
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. www.jcsm.auburn.edu

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM —– LOACHAPOKA SYRUP SOPPIN’ http://www.soppin.org/
Held in Loachapoka Park, downtown Loachapoka, just 7 miles west of Auburn down Hwy 14. Free admission.
Join us for this all-day festival celebrating the historical method of cane syrup development. Arts & crafts, entertainment, and great food round out this family event.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 1:30 - 5:00 PM — What Catches the Eye - From Darkroom to Lightroom, Photos in Conversation
Come view and converse about the photos taken by Judy, Laura, Susan, and Jolly.
Held at Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF), 450 E. Thach Ave.  www.auuf.net
Showing photos from the darkroom of film developing to the light room of digital processing. Judy Booth’s work is 35mm film developed and hand processed in her own darkroom, Susan Ledbetter’s work is 35mm film processed in a photo lab, Jolly Roberts’ work is with a digital camera and processed by a photo lab printer, and Laura Kloberg’s work is with a digital camera and processed on a commercial digital ink printer.
While the methods and processes are different, what catches the eye of the photographers of this show has some common ground. Finding relationships that speak to one another, they have grouped the photos by titled categories on the individual wall spaces, and extended the conversation with a flow of context from one space to the next - hence the conversation of grouped photos and conversation between categories. We invite you to view them and converse about them too.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24, 7:30 PM — AU THEATRE: A BEAUTIFUL END
Held at AU Theatre Upstairs. http://www.auburnuniversitytheatre.org/season/index.cfm
A Beautiful End — Book, Music and Lyrics by Christian Duhamel; Directed by Joseph Bates.

SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 1:00 PM — THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC) IN LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Held in the University Chapel, corner of Thach Ave & College St. Free & open to all.
More info: Mary Lou Smith, 334-887-5796 or smithml@auburn.edu.
The Auburn Heritage Association will sponsor this talk by Bob Pasquill, Forest Heritage Program Manager/Archeologist, U.S. Forest Service. Pasquill will explain the creation of the CCC in 1933 and how it contributed to the development of the Alabama State Park System. Mr. Pasquill has also authored a book entitled, The Civilian Conservation Corps in Alabama, 1933-1942: A Great and Lasting Good.
Note: Unveiling of an historic marker at Chewacla State Park follows lecture at 3:00 pm.

SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 3:00 - 4:30 PM –  ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES / PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION: Weatherization Saves Money and Energy - Jim Yount, JRB Home, Inc., and colleagues
Held in the Auburn City Meeting Room, 122 Tichenor, west of City Hall; entrance on side of building, behind Cheeburger Cheeburger parking lot.  Free & open to all.
Subsequent presentations include energy innovations by the City of Auburn and solar power. Co-hosted by AU’s Office of Sustainability; see http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/energy/talk_series.html for details on the series.

SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 3:00 pm — CCC HISTORIC MARKER UNVEILING
Held in Chewacla State Park. Free & open to all.
An historic marker will be unveiled commemorating CCC Co 4448, SP-12, responsible for the infrastructure work at the park from 1935-1941. The CCC Co. 4447, SCS-9 is also recognized on the marker for their soil conservation improvement efforts in the County and support of Co. 4448. The marker is co-sponsored by the Auburn Heritage Assoc. & the Historic Chattahoochee Commission.
More info: Mary Lou Smith, 334-887-5796; smithml@auburn.edu.

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UPCOMING EVENT:

BOOTHS AVAILABLE!!
SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM — NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION BENEFIT YARD SALE
Held at the old Lowe’s building, Opelika.
Donations at the door at requested to help fund NIE.
8:00 - 9:00 am: $2 requested; 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: $1 requested.  All proceeds provide newspapers to area teachers, who request them for classroom use. NOTE: Booths still available. Call 749-6271 or go to www.oanow.com, key word YARDSALE.

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CITY OF AUBURN WEBSITE / LINKS TO AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.auburnalabama.org/publications.asp

CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
*Tree Commission - Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 3 City Council meeting.
*Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 17 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: 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/
Oct. 18, 2009

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Lisa Brouillette: Hard to believe nobody knew store’s stock

First Published: October 16, 2009 in the Opelika-Auburn News

What a ruckus flared about that new business, Kalli’s Love Stuff, on South College Street in Auburn.

I’ll leave to others the question of whether or not the store’s adult novelties and vibrators violate state laws.

I find it difficult to believe no one knew what the store’s contents would be. But I find it equally difficult to believe the uproar over those contents.

Underlying the controversy, believe it or not, is our zoning ordinance.

If a new business conforms to certain general categories, its location is permitted automatically in certain zoning districts.

That means no additional scrutiny for compatibility with its surroundings, no public hearings, no conditional use approvals from the planning commission or city council.

Often this is a good thing, as it allows landlords flexibility in finding suitable locations for business tenants, with little delay.

However it also can allow rapid changes of use, which can be problematic or surprising, as seems to be the case with Kalli’s.

But this is hardly the first time such a change in business type has occurred.

Remember Hooters? Its location, which was in the same shopping center that now houses Kalli’s, originally was approved for an oil change business. Then the plans switched, showing it as an unnamed restaurant, which ultimately became Hooters.

Some might consider that bait-and-switch. Others probably just consider it good business. Either way, it’s allowed under our zoning ordinance.

* * *

Bobby Lowder’s connection with Auburn University popped up in the national news again recently, this time in Fortune Magazine.

Along with a summary of the company’s collapse, the Oct. 12 article on the former Colonial Bancgroup CEO detailed his relationship with Auburn University.

Lowder, a current member of the university’s board of trustees, also still chairs its finance committee.

Makes you wonder what financial advice he’s providing AU, and where it will lead, doesn’t it?

* * *

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it will no longer be endorsing political candidates. Instead it will provide “just the facts, ma’am” about those running for public office.

What a shame. What a waste of expertise and experience.

Reporters and editors know more than politicians’ public facades. They know the issues, the context, the background that gives meaning to political action or the lack thereof.

They know the stories that can’t be printed.

Facts are important and should fill the news pages. Editorial pages, however, should brim with informed opinion and, at election time, endorsements.

Lisa Brouillette is a community activist, editor, and writer. Contact her at placeforum@gmail.com or visit her Web site http://placeforum.org.

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Meeting details, 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/.

CHANGES/CORRECTIONS

LOCATION CHANGE — TONIGHT’S AUBURN ARTS ASSOCIATION PARTY
New location: Greystone Mansion, 434 E. Magnolia Ave, Auburn.
Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:30 - 10:00 pm –  Open to Auburn Arts Association Members and the public.
All are invited to attend and enjoy wine, food, music and prizes. More info: 887-2832.

TONIGHT - CONCERT CANCELLED
Sundown at Kiesel Concert Cancelled for Thursday, Oct. 15
Cancelled due to predicted inclement weather.

——————-  ————————
UPDATES

AUBURN UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY GRADE SLIPS TO “C” AVERAGE
Auburn University’s sustainability efforts received a “C” on the 2010 Sustainability Report Card. The report cards were released Oct. 7, which included 332 colleges in all 50 states and Canada.
The purpose of this green report card is to identify colleges and universities that are leading with regard to sustainability efforts, according to www.greenreportcard.com. [read the full story "Auburn slips to 'C' Average' online at www.theplainsman.com]
PLACE editorial note: Judge for yourself AU’s progress towards sustainability; go to the AU Office of Sustainability website: http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/index.html. Prepare to be impressed . . . and to join their efforts!

COMMUNICATION LACKING AT ADEM / by MITCH REID, Program Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance
Published in the Montgomery Advertiser - posted at
http://placeforum.org/blog/2009/10/11/communication-lacking-at-adem-mitch-reid-in-montgomery-advertiser/

——————-  ————————
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEKEND - Mark your calendar!
There are lots of local events from which to choose this weekend. And on your way, drop off a contribution to the AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT benefiting the Food Bank of East Alabama. Details and online donations via credit card at www.foodbankofeastalabama.com.

THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 6:00 - 8:30 PM — DOWNTOWN AUBURN FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY / Music by Bobby Moore and the Rhythm Aces
Held in Downtown Auburn. Live music & other events.
The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association will hold block parties every home-game Friday in the streets of downtown Auburn this football season. Magnolia Avenue will be blocked off from College Street to Gay for the block parties. There is no cover to the events. Upcoming Block Parties & Music: Oct. 30 - Miss Used; Nov. 6 - Kidd Blue.

THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 7:30 pm - SUNDILLA CONCERT FEATURING Ellis
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach. www.sundilla.org
Admission: $10; with student ID $8; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided). Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed). For more info, and to hear music clips of Ellis go to www.sundilla.org.

THIS SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 1:00 - 3:30 PM — RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Held at AU’s Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. Space limited. Pre-registration required, via email to Tia Gonzales gonzats@auburn.edu.
Cost: $25, payable on or before date of the workshop with correct cash or check made to ACES (Auburn Cooperative Extension Service).
Workshop participants will learn about watersheds, local watershed issues, storm water and it’s effects on water quality. We’ll introduce various forms of rain water harvesting and talk about why rain barrels can be an extremely valuable part of an integrated approach to rain water harvesting.
We’ll show you how to build a simple, inexpensive and easy to maintain rain barrel. Then you’ll be able to build your very own rain barrel, with the tools and materials provided. (Depending on your situation, you may need to purchase some additional
parts to make gutter connections.) There will be several trainers there to help folks that are unfamiliar with using power tools.
Be prepared to get a little dirty and have a lot of fun. And don’t forget that a 55 gal plastic barrel may not fit in your trunk.
Also, plan for a little time to visit the Forest Ecology Preserve - https://fp.auburn.edu/preserve/.  Meanwhile, check out the links on our website http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/raincatchers.
Upcoming workshop / pre-registration available soon:
Nov 14, 1:00 - 3:30 pm, at the Auburn University Arboretum

THIS SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 3:00 - 4:30 PM –  ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES / PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION:  Innovations in Biofuels - David Bransby, Dept. of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University
Held in the Auburn City Meeting Room, 122 Tichenor, west of City Hall; entrance on side of building, behind Cheeburger Cheeburger parking lot.  Free & open to all.
Series continues on Sundays through October & November. Subsequent presentations include  weatherization, innovations by the City of Auburn, and solar power. Co-hosted by AU’s Office of Sustainability;  http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/energy/talk_series.html .

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
TUESDAY, NOV. 17 & WEDNESDAY, NOV. 18 — 6TH ANNUAL ALABAMA RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE
Register today at https://ssl.acesag.auburn.edu/conference/adeca2009/registrationForm.php
Held at the Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.
Hosted by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and the Auburn University Natural Resources Management and Development Institute (NRMDI)
The conference will feature a series of panel discussions and speakers on topics that include, but are not limited to:
·        Federal and State Policies Related to Renewable Energy and their Impact
·        Federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program
·        Carbon Sequestration Opportunities in Alabama
·        Overview of Renewable Energy Initiatives in the Southeast, particularly involving public/private partnerships
·        Current Technology Trends and Opportunities
·        Profiles of Success - An overview of renewable energy projects around the state that successfully combine the resources and expertise of ADECA, Auburn University, local municipalities and/or local farmers to positively impact communities
Who should attend?
·        Agricultural and renewable energy entrepreneurs
·        Producers of agricultural and/or forest biomass
·        Members of the academic community
·        State and local government leaders
·        Members of the private sector with an interest in renewable energy

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LEGISLATIVE SUPPORTERS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Information courtesy of ACCR - ALABAMA CITIZENS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM  http://www.constitutionalreform.org/

ACCR Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that supports holding a constitution convention. To that end, we like to inform supporters about those legislators who, like us, support this effort.
Senator Ted Little and Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton in the House are just such legislators.  In fact, they have sponsored legislation to bring a convention to Alabama since 2002.
Both will be running for re-election in 2010 and because of their support of a convention, some organizations that oppose a convention will fund candidates to run against them.  It is critical to note that no legislator can receive campaign funds for re-election while the Legislature is in Session.  If any individual chooses to donate then he or she should do so before January of 2010.
If you would like to contact them to let them know you appreciate their support, that will help them let other legislators know that they have the support of the people of Alabama.

Senator Little at:  tedlittle@mindspring.com or district office at 334-887-3472. or
Friends of Ted Little
P. O. Box 2366
Auburn, AL  36831-2366

Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton at home 205-324-6053 or district office 205-252-0203 or
Demetrius C. Newton Campaign
1820 7th Avenue North  Suite 108
Birmingham, AL 35203

In addition, there were 39 legislators who signed on as co-sponsors of the 2009 Resolutions to allow the people to vote on holding a constitution convention.  They also need your support because opponents of reform will work against them.  Keep in mind that additional information about all legislators, and finding your own legislator is available at:  http://www.legislature.state.al.us

In the House of Representatives, co-sponsors are:
(home phone numbers and e-mails are provided if available)
Marcel Black  of Tuscumbia  256-381-5277
Barbara Bigsby Boyd of Anniston 256-236-7423   bboyd@calhouncounty.org
Merika Coleman of Midfield  (work) 205-325-5308
Chris England of Tuscaloosa  205-759-9265  cengland1@hotmail.com
Bill Dukes of Decatur  256-353-1725
Senator Priscilla Dunn (had been a representative earlier this year…newly elected as a senator) of Bessemer  205-426-3795
Ronald Grantland of Hartselle 256-773-5796
Laura Hall of Huntsville 256-859-2234  laura.hall2@att.net
Alan Harper of Aliceville 205-373-2433 aharper@nctv.com
Earl Hilliard, Jr. of Birmingham 205-798-6976
Tammy Irons of Florence (work) 256-766-9201  tammy@ironslawfirm.com
Joseph Mitchell of Mobile  251-473-5020
John Robinson of Scottsboro  (work) 256-218-3090
Yusuf Salaam of Selma  334-872-6334
Tommy Sherer of Jasper  205-387-1321 tommysherer@yahoo.com
Patricia Todd of Birmingham 205-599-2856  reptodd@gmail.com
Pebblin Warren of Tuskegee 334-727-9127  tiger9127@bellsouth.net
Lea Fite of Jacksonvillle  256-886-127
Ken Guin House Majority Leader Of Carbon Hill (work) 205-924-006 ken@kenguin.com
Jeff McLaughlin of Guntersville 256-582-5696  jeff@mcedlaw.com
Oliver Robinson of  Birmingham  205-849-6765
Randy Hinshaw of Meridianville 256-539-5441
Joe Faust of Fairhope  251-928-5445  jfaust@co.baldwin.al.us
H. Mac Gipson, Jr. of Prattville 334-365-9529 macgipson@knology.net
Mike Hill of Columbia  205-669-6264 mhillcolum@aol.com
In the Senate, co-sponsors are:
Rodger Smitherman, Senate President Pro Tem, Birmingham 205-322-3768
Zeb Little, Senate Majority Leader, Cullman 256-734-6348  zeb@zeblittlelawfirm.com
Hinton Mitchem of  Union Grove 256-498-6600 legislator@mclo.org
Wendell Mitchell of Luverne (work) 334-244-1877 wmitchell@faulkner.edu
Bobby Denton of Muscle Shoals 256-381-7449  bobby@bobbydenton.com
Hank Sanders of Selma  334-875-1395
Roger H. Bedford, Jr. of Russellville 256-332-7709 senbedford@aol.com
Bobby Singleton of Greensboro  334-624-5619  bsingle164@yahoo.com
Linda Coleman of Birmingham, 205-798-1045 lindacoleman60@bellsouth.net
Vivian Figures of Mobile  (work) 251-208-5480
Larry Means of Attallia 256-538-2014
Quinton T. Ross of Montgomery  334-280-2963
Steve French of Birmingham 205-871-3881
Del Marsh of Anniston 256-237-1931

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
Oct. 15, 2009

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Update - corrections & additions

FORTUNE - Fortune magazine profiles Bobby Lowder, former CEO of failed Colonial BancGroup.

NEW YORK TIMES - Alabama among states where coal-powered utilities dump toxic substances into waterways in effort to reduce air pollution.

ADDITIONAL MEETING
TODAY, TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 3:00 PM — AU GENERAL FACULTY MEETING
Held in AU’s Broun Hall auditorium.
Agenda includes:  remarks from President Jay Gogue and Senate Chair Kathryn Flynn; updates by Provost Mary Ellen Mazey on current dean searches, the lecturer/senior lecturer positions and the provost forums; an update from George Flowers on graduate tuition remission; and an update from Don Large about the budget. The agenda is available at http://www.auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/website/agendas/2009-2010/faculty_agenda_10_13_09.html .

CANCELLED
TODAY’S AUBURN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
There is no Auburn Historic Preservation Commission meeting scheduled for today.

ADDITIONAL MEETING
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 9:00 - 10:30 am — AU WOMEN’S FACULTY MENTORING & NETWORKING
Held in AU’s Women Resource Center conference room, room 312, Mary Martin Hall.
These gatherings give attendees a chance to meet other new faculty and share their experiences in negotiating the academic world.  Throughout the year, we will have regular gatherings, on the first Fridays and third Thursdays of each month.  We will also have brown-bag lunches that will have speakers or panels who will address specific topics, including surviving the first years, how to allocate family and work time, how to set goals, and promotion and tenure issues. We will also work with those new faculty members interested in finding mentors, and we’ll assist them through this process.  Other fall semester gatherings are scheduled for: Friday, November 6th, 2009 & Thursday, November 19th, 2009.

ADDITIONAL MEETING
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, noon - 1:00 pm — WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER ‘CONNECTIONS’ GROUP
Held in AU’s Mary Martin Hall, room 312.  Free & open to all.
Bring a brown bag lunch; drinks & dessert provided.
“Connections’ meetings are for anyone whose life has been affected by breast cancer, and they provide opportunities to talk with others who are facing issues related to breast cancer.  Bring a brown bag lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided. More info: Women’s Resource Center at 844-4399.

ADDITIONAL EVENT
THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 7:00 - 10:00 pm — SCREENING OF GUS VAN SANT’S FILM “MILK” & SHORT FILM “575 CASTRO STREET” / hosted by SPECTRUM ALLIANCE
Held in AU’s Student Center, room 2223. Free & open to all. Refreshments served.
Spectrum Alliance is hosting a screening of Gus Van Sant’s Academy Award winning film “MILK” in celebration of National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month. The film will be accompanied by a short film entitled “575 Castro St.” by Jenni Olson.

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

Thanks for your interest and support.

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

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Week of Oct. 12, 2009 — Meetings, events & updates

ONGOING THROUGH FRIDAY, OCT. 23, 7:45 am - 4:45 pm — DISPLAY OF WORK BY AU SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS
Held in AU’s Dudley Hall, on display on all four floors. Free & open to all.
The College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Landscape Architecture program in the School of Architecture is featured in an exhibit of student work from the last five years on all four floors of Dudley Hall. The exhibit consists of drawings, photographs, multimedia and more and will be on display through Oct. 23. It was compiled for the recent visit of the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, which visits every few years to review and re-accredit the program. The public is welcome to visit Dudley Hall from 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. to view the exhibit. For more information, contact Rod Barnett at rjb0012@auburn.edu.

MONDAY, OCT. 12 THROUGH TUESDAY, NOV. 10 — ART EXHIBITION / WATER: THREE STATES (PHASE II)
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall. Free & open to all
Gallery hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Mon-Fri (open through the lunch hour).  www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg
The College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Art, and the College of Agriculture presents the exhibition Water: Three States (Phase II).  The exhibition runs through November 10, 2009.
Phase II of Water: Three States continues the conversation from Phase I by contrasting the power of water to overwhelm human society to the hopeful potential for growth and restoration.  Daniel Kariko, a Florida-based photographer, presents Storm Season, a series of pinhole photographs that document the on-going erosion of the Gulf coast in the aftermath of recent hurricanes.  Similarly, Andy Behrle, a sculptor living and working in Alabama, deals directly with the corrosive forces of water on natural and synthetic materials in his large-scale installations.  Their investigations of the persistent and sometimes devastating powers of water are quietly counterbalanced by the continued growth of Xavier Cortadas live mangrove seedlings begun in Water: Three States (Phase I).
Water: Three States (Phase II) is part of the interdisciplinary project Art in Agriculture.  www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg
The exhibition is free and open to the public.  Biggin Gallery is wheelchair accessible. More info: Kathryn Floyd, assistant professor of art history at 844-3393 or Katie Jackson, Head, Office of Ag Communications and Marketing at 844-5887.

MONDAY, OCT. 12 THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20  —  AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT
Collection barrels at all local grocery stores. www.foodbankofeastalabama.com www.beatbamafooddrive.com
For the past fifteen years, Auburn University and the University of Alabama have competed against each other to see which school could raise the most food for their local food bank in the weeks prior to the big competition on the football field.  This is the largest food drive of the year and last year an amazing 212,200 pounds of food were donated locally.  This event has a huge impact on the Food Bank’s ability to provide food for needy families this holiday season and beyond. Collection barrels can be found at all local grocery stores.  Visit www.foodbankofeastalabama.com for more information.

MONDAY, OCT. 12, 5:00 - 7:30 PM
LECTURE: ECO-ARTIST XAVIER CORTADA / PARTICIPATORY ART PROJECTS - GLOBAL AWARENESS/LOCAL ACTION
OPENING RECEPTION: WATER: THREE STATES (PHASE II)
Held in room 005 Biggin Hall (auditorium - lower level), AU. Free & open to the public. Reception follows lecture.
The College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Art, and the College of Agriculture present a lecture by eco-artist Xavier Cortada entitled Participatory Art Projects - Global Awareness / Local Action.
Miami-based artist Xavier Cortada will discuss his eco-art projects in which he engages the environment directly through actions that address climate change and environmental restoration.  In addition to raising awareness of these issues, many of Cortadas works also invite the participation of individuals and communities to create change at the local level.  Cortada will discuss his work as an eco-artist, especially his on-going efforts with the restoration of the Florida mangrove forests, a participatory art project featured in the exhibition Water: Three States.
Xavier Cortada has exhibited his work in cultural venues across the globe. Many of his community-based projects explore our ability to co-exist with nature. Cortada has created art for the White House, the World Bank, and the Florida Supreme Court.  He has completed murals and community art projects in Switzerland, South Africa, Ireland, and Cyprus. Recently, Cortada has been exploring the ecologies of the North and South Poles.  His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Program as well as the New York Foundation for the Arts.  He holds a B.A., an M.A., and the J.D. from the University of Miami.  For more information visit Xavier Cortadas website at:  http://www.cortada.com/
Participatory Art Projects - Global Awareness / Local Action is part of the interdisciplinary project Art in Agriculture.
More info: www.ag.auburn.edu/ArtinAg;  Kathryn Floyd assistant professor of art history at 844-3393 or Katie Jackson, Head, Office of Ag Communications and Marketing at 844-5887.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13 & 14 — ENERGY FORUM 2009: Challenges and Possibilities for Alabama
Held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Hosted by the Interfaith Environmental Initiative of Alabama (IEIA) http://www.interfaithenvironmental.org/
– Energy Forum 2009 Schedule :
http://www.aeconline.org/uploads/file /IEIA%20Energy%20Forum%202009%20Schedule%20090709.pdf
Energy Forum 2009 participants include members of faith, science, education, the arts, environmental, business, government, energy providers, and consumer sectors…all coming together to learn and to encourage informed choices for the care of creation. IEIA is committed to facilitating collaboration and information sharing to produce workable decisions and outcomes for sustainability in Alabama.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 , 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 11:00 - noon — DR. JEFF WRIGHT OF ARBORGEN / EUCALYPT PLANTATIONS FOR PULP AND BIOENERGY
Held in AU’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Bldg, Room 1101. Free & open to all. Light refreshments will be served. Part of the School of Forestry & Wildlife Seminar Series.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 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.
http://www.auburnalabama.org/greenspace/

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 3:00 PM — AUBURN URBAN CORE / DOWNTOWN STUDY COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St. Closed to the public.
Agenda: stakeholder interviews

CANCELLED - TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 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, OCT. 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: http://www.leeco.us/co/agenda.html

TUESDAY, OCT. 13 — JCSM LECTURE & MOVIE www.jcsm.auburn.edu
4:00 PM — ELVIS: A LIFETIME OBSESSION - by Joni Mabe, the Elvis Babe
6:00 PM — 1956 film: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.  Sponsored by the College of Science and Mathematics, Auburn University. More info: www.jcsm.auburn.edu/edu/2009_tuesdays_fall.php

TUESDAY, OCT. 13  - 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.
1.  Call to Order 2. Roll Call
3. Approve  Agenda
4. Recognitions — Auburn High School: National Merit Scholar Semifinalists; AP Scholars; AP Scholars with Honors
5. Hear Delegations
6. Approve Minutes : regular sessions - 09-08-2009 &  10-06-2009
7. Communications
8. Approve Payment of Bills and Salaries - September 2009
9. Unfinished Business
1. Auburn City Schools Policy Manual -
Policy Revision: GAMC Drug Free Workplace
and Drug and Alcohol Testing Administrative Procedure
2. Auburn City Schools Policy Manual -
Policy: IFAAA Textbook Inventory Control
Revision to Administrative Regulation IFAAA - R(1) (Info Only)
3. Unitary Status Resolution and Semi-Annual Staff Count     10. Superintendent’s Report and New Business
1. High Hopes/Credit Recovery Presentation by Davis Thompson; High Hopes Advisory Board Appointment
2. Update on Hal Moore Leadership  Academy
3. Final Calendar for 2010-11 and Tentative Calendars for 2010-11 and 2011-12
4. Contingency Allowance Authorization #2 for Duck Samford Stadium Project
5. Bid Results: Buses
6. Energy Star Certification - Richland Elementary School
7. Selection of District 4 Director for Alabama Association of School Boards
8. Selection of Delegates for Alabama Association of School Boards 2009  Convention and Delegate Assembly
11. Personnel — Resignations, Termination, Retirement, Leave Requests, Contract Changes, Employment, Exit Surveys
12. Other
–Selection of dates to visit schools.
–Members of the Board of Education will attend the Alabama Association of School Boards Fall Conference on October 25 and 26, 2009, in Montgomery, Alabama.
–The Board of Education will meet for its next regular session on November 10, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Media Room at Auburn High School.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 6:00 - 8:00 PM — CITY OF AUBURN PUBLIC MEETING / CompPlan 2030 VISIONING www.auburnalabama.org/compplan2030
Held at Auburn Junior High School, 332 East Samford Ave. All invited to attend.
Share your ideas for Auburn’s future in a series of public meetings designed to give citizens a voice in the development of a new comprehensive plan for the City of Auburn. This first public meeting will begin with a presentation, followed by breakout groups where citizens will be able to offer input on this comprehensive plan for Auburn’s future.
More info: www.auburnalabama.org/CompPlan2030 or contact Justin Steinmann, Planning Dept, jsteinmann@auburnalabama.org or 501-3045.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 7:00 pm — OPELIKA HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Held at the Brownfield House, Opelika. All invited to attend. Refreshments provided.
The Opelika Historical Preservation Society cordially invites you to an open meeting on October 13th, 7 pm at the Brownfield House in Opelika.  Southern Paranormal will discuss their “ghostbusting” experiences, including an evaluation of Spring Villa!  Please join for an entertaining speaker and refreshments. Info: 334-745-3713.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13, 7:30 - 9:00 PM — AU CHAMBER WINDS & PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE CONCERT
Held at First Baptist Church, Opelika. Free & open to all.
Featuring members of the AU Symphonic Band.
More info: music@auburn.edu; ph: 844-4165; AU Music Dept  http://media.cla.auburn.edu/music/www.auburn.edu/music

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14 & THURSDAY, OCT. 15 — FREE BIODIESEL WORKSHOP
October 14, 2009 from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
October 15, 2009 from 8:30 am - Noon
Held in EPA Region 4 offices, Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 2nd Floor Bridge Conference Center, 61 Forsyth ST, SW Atlanta . Free & open to all. Registration required.
Registration: www.epa.gov/region4/clean_energy/conferences.html
Info: Ken Mitchell/EPA Region 4 - (404) 562-9065, mitchell.ken@epa.gov
EPA Region 4 will be hosting a Biodiesel Workshop that will focus on producing biodiesel from waste grease/oil that is targeted for schools and local municipalities. The workshop will provide information for county and municipal governments and school districts on using waste grease to produce cost- competitive biodiesel for use in their diesel fleets and equipment.  This workshop will also assist teachers in developing curricula to instruct students on this “green job” technology, including the benefits of biofuels, and the safe production of biodiesel.
WORKSHOP TOPICS
- Technical Overview of the Biodiesel Production Process
- Discussions on Safety Concerns and Regulatory Requirements
- Setting up a Successful Grease Collection Program
- Myths & Challenges in Biodiesel Production and Use
- What are the Costs?  Will you Save Money in the Long Run?
- Case Studies
- Exhibits from Vendors of Biodiesel Production Equipment

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 9:00 - 11:30 AM — HEIR PROPERTY VIDEO CONFERENCE
Held at AU’s Duncan Hall, room 112. Free & open to all. Register by email to centrcb@auburn.edu.
View also via video link through ACESAG IP Polycom (http://www.aces.edu/ctu/techref/video/manualpolycomdial.htm ), number 6413 or by connecting from a desktop computer at http://scopia.aces.edu?ID=6413. Publication that accompanies this program: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/H/HE-0852/.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will offer an Heir Property Video Conference. It features Craig Baab of the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice speaking on the benefits and risks of heir property ownership, factors that contribute to land loss and resources to help families manage and protect their land. Decision making and protection of heir property can be difficult for families due to legal issues and ownership by several individuals.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 1:00 PM — ADEM PUBLIC HEARING / PROPOSED REVISIONS TO WATER QUALITY CRITERIA
Held in the Alabama Room/Main Hearing Room at the ADEM Central Office, 1400 Coliseum Blvd, Mont.  Open to all.  http://www.adem.state.al.us/
Agenda: Public hearing for proposed revisions to Division 6 ADEM Administrative Code — 335-6-10-.09: Specific Water Quality Criteria and 335-6-11-.02: Use Classifications.
Amending rule 335-6-10-.09 to change the bacterial indicator organisms and associated criteria for non-coastal waters from fecal coliform to Escherichia coli (E. coli) to be consistent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations for protection against water-borne illnesses. The Department also proposes upgrades in use classifications (rule 335-6-11-.02) for segments of Hurtsboro Creek in the Chattahoochee River Basin and the Magnolia River in the Mobile River-Mobile Bay Basin, respectively.
Copies of the proposed rule and the summary of reasons (http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/Aug09/pdfs/8waterquality.pdf) supporting the revisions are available online at http://adem.alabama.gov/PubHearings/PubHearings.htm.
Copy of public hearing notice: http://www.adem.state.al.us/PublicNotice/Aug09/8waterquality.htm

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 3:00 - 4:00 PM — LOCAL FOOD SECURITY AND THE AUBURN COMMUNITY GARDEN
Held in room 244 Spidle Hall, AU. Free & open to all.
Speaker: Michael Mulvaney
Any interested are welcome to attend.  No registration is necessary.

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALK
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 3:00 pm –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE DISCOVERY HIKE
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Also try the Preserve’s weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 5:00 - 8:00 PM - JCSM ARTIST TALK: JONI MABE THE ELVIS BABE www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.
Followed by a reception and wine/beer tasting by Gus’ Fine Wine and Beer.
Joni Mabe, whose exhibition Elvis and Friends will be on display in Gallery C, October 10, 2009 - January 9, 2010, will talk about her work.  A native of Georgia, Mabe graduated from the University of Georgia with an MFA in Painting and Drawing.  She is also founder, collector, owner, and curator of The Panoramic Encyclopedia of Everything Elvis.

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 6:00 PM — KIESEL PARK SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES / featuring Auburn Road
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all.
Info: www.auburnalabama.org/parks, click on Special Events.
Bring the family, a picnic supper, your lawn chairs, the family dog and enjoy a free, relaxing evening under the stars.
Upcoming performance: October 22: Spoonful James
More info: Alison Hall, 334-501-2930, ahall@auburnalabama.org

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 6:00 - 9:00 PM — ASIAN FILM SERIES  / CHINESE FILM: SILK
Held in room 1203, Haley Center, AU.  Free & open to all.
This month, Asian Film Series features three horror films from Asia. This second film is a 2006 Chinese film,”Silk” which won the Golden Horse Award for Best Visual Effects. Silk (Gui Si); Director: Chao-Bin Su; Main Cast: Chen Chang, Yosuke Eguchi, Kar Yan Lam, Barbie Hsu.  For upcoming films, please check “events calendar” of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures: http://media.cla.auburn.edu/forlang/EventCalendar/index.cfm

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM — ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ORGANIZATION (EAO)
Guest speaker: Alabama Water Watch
Held in AU’s Student Union. room 2107.  Open to all.
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/eao/index.html

THURSDAY, OCT. 15, 6:30 - 10:00 pm — AUBURN ARTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP EVENT “Thrift Store Chic”
Held at Creekwood Castle, 1655 Creekwood Trail, Auburn.
Open to members and those interested in becoming a member. Wine, music, food, prizes. Info: http://www.auburnarts.org/, 334-887-2832.

THURSDAY, OCT 15, 7:00 PM — GERMAN FILM SERIES: GOOD BYE LENIN!
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 3242. Free & open to all.
The Fall of the Wall - Twenty Years After; Wolfgang Becker: Good Bye Lenin!

FRIDAY, OCT. 16 — OPENING: JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION / Photo XI
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center. Free & open to all.
Annual juried exhibition of photographs by regional artists and photographers. Ongoing through November 20.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm — NATIONAL HUNGER DAY EVENT / LINE UP, STAND UP, SPEAK UP . . . AGAINST HUNGER: A WOMEN’S ISSUE
Held on AU’s Haley Center Concourse. All invited to attend & participate.
On National World Hunger Day, Friday, October 16, 2009, the Womens Resource Center will team up with the Auburn University Committee of 19 to host Line up. Stand up. Speak up. . . .Against Hunger: A Womens Issue. The event will be held on AU’s Haley Center concourse where people will line the walkway to stand up against hunger. It is estimated that 60 percent of the worlds chronically hungry people are women and girls. E-mail Amye Still (stillam@auburn.edu) for more information on how you can be a part of this amazing event to raise awareness about hunger-a womens issue.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 11:00 AM — ALABAMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
Held in the Alabama Room/Main Hearing Room at the ADEM Central Office, 1400 Coliseum Blvd, Mont.  Open to all.  http://www.adem.state.al.us/
Agenda:  http://www.adem.state.al.us/EMCInformation/emc_information.htm
1.  Consideration of minutes of meeting held on August 21, 2009
2.  Elections
3.  Report from the Director
4.  Report from the Commission Chair
5.  Consideration of adoption of proposed amendments to ADEM Admin. Code Division 6, Water Quality Program (Underground Storage Tank) Regulations, Chapter 335-6-15 - The Commission will consider proposed amendments to ADEM Admin. Code Division 6, Water Quality Program (Underground Storage Tank) Regulations, Chapter 335-6-15, “Technical Standards, Corrective Action Requirements and Financial Responsibility for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks,”  The amendments are being proposed to provide updated regulations to meet the requirements for cathodic protection testers and other necessary updates.  The Department held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on September 11, 2009.
6.  Consideration of adoption of proposed amendments to ADEM Admin. Code Division 6, Water Quality Program (Underground Storage Tank) Regulations, Chapter 335-6-16 - The Commission will consider proposed amendments to ADEM Admin. Code Division 6, Water Quality Program (Underground Storage Tank) Regulations, Chapter 335-6-16, “Administrative Guidelines and Procedures for the Alabama Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Fund” to establish the annual Trust Fund Charge and scope of Trust Fund coverage, effective January 1, 2010.  The Trust Fund Charge is proposed at $0.0125 per gallon, and the scope of Trust Fund coverage is proposed at $1.1 million per incident.  The Department held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on September 23, 2009.
7.  Consideration of adoption of the proposed addition of Chapter 335-13-12 to ADEM Admin. Code Division 13, Solid Waste Program Regulations - The Commission will consider the proposed addition of Chapter 335-13-12 to ADEM Admin. Code Division 13, Solid Waste Program Regulations.  Chapter 335-13-12 would establish the regulatory requirements necessary for the implementation of the Solid Waste landfill operator certification program.  The Department held a public hearing on the proposed addition on August 26, 2009.
8.  Consideration of adoption of the proposed addition of Chapter 335-13-13 to ADEM Admin. Code Division 13, Solid Waste Program Regulations - The Commission will consider the proposed addition of Chapter 335-13-13 to ADEM Admin. Code Division 13, Solid Waste Program Regulations.  Chapter 335-13-13 would establish a statewide solid waste reduction and recycling goal.  The Department held a public hearing on the proposed addition on September 23, 2009.
9.  Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Inc. v. ADEM, and Shepherd Bend, L.L.C., EMC Docket No. 09-04 (NPDES-Related Matter) - The Commission will consider the Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) “Recommended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law” in which the ALJ recommends to the Commission that ADEM’s and Shepherd Bend’s motions for summary judgment be granted as to the issue of standing, particularly the issues expressed by Black Warrior are not ripe for appeal.  The Commission will also consider the Petitioner’s Request for Oral Argument; the Petitioner’s Objections to the ALJ’s “Recommended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law”; the Petitioner’s Alternative Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law; the Petitioner’s Proposed Order; the Intervenor’s Reply Brief in Response to the Petitioner’s Objections; the Petitioner’s Motion to Strike Portions of the Intervenor’s Reply Brief; the Intervenor’s Response to the Petitioner’s Motion to Strike; ADEM’s Motion to Extend Time to Respond to Petitioner’s Objections to Recommended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law; ADEM’s Response to Petitioner’s Objections to Recommended Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law; and ADEM’s Proposed Order.  The ADEM administrative action appealed under Docket No. 09-04 is ADEM’s issuance of NPDES Permit AL0079162 on July 21, 2008, to Shepherd Bend, L.L.C., Shepherd Bend Mine, Walker County.
10.  Other business
11.  Future business session
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mitchell Reid, on behalf of Alabama Rivers Alliance, SUBJECT: Presentation by Mitchell Reid (Alabama Rivers Alliance) and Matt Rota (Gulf Restoration Network) of findings from the Clean Up Your Act! Report Card for gulf water quality standards (Chair Gardner will recommend approval of this request.) (This request to address the Commission is attached to the agenda.)
Mac Underwood, on behalf of the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB), SUBJECT: Presentation by Patrick Flannelly, P.E. (designated speaker for the BWWB) regarding the Shepherd Bend Mine permit (Chair Gardner will recommend disapproval of this request.) (This request to address the Commission is not attached to the agenda because it pertains to an appeal on the agenda.)
*The Agenda for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website, www.adem.alabama.gov, under EMC Information and Calendar of Events.
** The Minutes for this meeting will be available on the ADEM website under EMC Information.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 4:00 PM — AU RAPTOR CENTER / FOOTBALL, FANS & FEATHERS
http://wireeagle.auburn.edu/news/1105
Held at AU’s Southeastern Raptor Center, Edgar B. Carter Educational Amphitheater on Raptor Road off Shug Jordan Parkway. Directions are available at www.auburn.edu/raptor.
Admission: $5 each,  free for children under age 3.
Group admission: $3 a person for school groups of 25 or more; those groups should contact the center ahead of time by calling (334) 844-6943.
Additional shows: 4:00 pm Oct. 30 & Nov 6 / Also 9:00 am on Nov. 27, the day of the Alabama game.
Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center will host “Football, Fans and Feathers,”  educational, birds-in-flight raptor programs this fall on Fridays before home football games.  A variety of birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles will be free-flown from flight towers. Education specialists will inform the audience about each bird and their role in nature. Programs take place in the 350-seat amphitheater on Raptor Road just off Shug Jordan Parkway.
The Southeastern Raptor Center, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, has a mission of rehabilitating injured or orphaned raptors and educating the public. All birds used in the educational programs are non-releasable due to prior injuries or human imprinting. Any bird capable of surviving in the wild must be released, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which permits Auburn to house the birds.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 6:00 - 8:30 PM — DOWNTOWN AUBURN FRIDAY NIGHT BLOCK PARTY / Music by Bobby Moore and the Rhythm Aces
Held in Downtown Auburn. Free & open to all. Live music & other events.
The Auburn Downtown Merchants Association will hold block parties every Friday in the streets of downtown Auburn this football season. Magnolia Avenue will be blocked off from College Street to Gay for the block parties. There is no cover to the events.
Upcoming Block Parties & Music: Oct. 30 - Miss Used; Nov. 6 - Kidd Blue.

FRIDAY, OCT. 16, 7:30 pm - SUNDILLA CONCERT FEATURING Ellis
Held at the Auburn Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall (AUUF), 450 E. Thach. www.sundilla.org
Admission: $10; with student ID $8; children under 12 free (and welcomed; play area provided). Light refreshments provided free of charge; you may also bring your own food or beverage (beer/wine allowed). For more info, and to hear music clips of Ellis go to www.sundilla.org.

SATURDAY, OCT. 17 , 1:00 - 3:30 PM — RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP
Held at AU’s Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. Space limited. Pre-registration required, via email to Tia Gonzales gonzats@auburn.edu.
Cost: $25, payable on or before date of the workshop with correct cash or check made to ACES (Auburn Cooperative Extension Service).
Workshop participants will learn about watersheds, local watershed issues, storm water and it’s effects on water quality. We’ll introduce various forms of rain water harvesting and talk about why rain barrels can be an extremely valuable part of an integrated approach to rain water harvesting. We’ll show you how to build a simple, inexpensive and easy to maintain rain barrel. Then you’ll be able to build your very own rain barrel, with the tools and materials provided. (Depending on your situation, you may need to purchase some additional parts to make gutter connections.) There will be several trainers there to help folks that are unfamiliar with using power tools.
Be prepared to get a little dirty and have a lot of fun. And don’t forget that a 55 gal plastic barrel may not fit in your trunk.
Also, plan for a little time to visit the Forest Ecology Preserve - https://fp.auburn.edu/preserve/.  Meanwhile, check out the links on our website http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/raincatchers.
Upcoming workshop / pre-registration available soon:
Nov 14, 1:00 - 3:30 pm, at the Auburn University Arboretum

SATURDAY, OCT. 17, 6:30 pm — AU HOME FOOTBALL GAME — AU vs. Kentucky
Game day info: http://www.auburn.edu/communications_marketing/gameday/index.html

SUNDAY, OCT. 18, 3:00 - 4:30 PM –  ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES / PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION:  Innovations in Biofuels - David Bransby, Dept. of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University
Held in the Auburn City Meeting Room, 122 Tichenor, west of City Hall; entrance on side of building, behind Cheeburger Cheeburger parking lot.  Free & open to all.
Series continues on Sundays through October & November. Subsequent presentations include weatherization, innovations by the City of Auburn, and solar power. Co-hosted by AU’s Office of Sustainability:  http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/energy/talk_series.html .

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BIRMINGHAM NEWS - Larry Lee of the Center for Rural Alabama reminds us that infrastructure is necessary if technology is to reach rural areas.

(FLORENCE) TIMES DAILY - Citizens for Constitutional Reform to kick off statewide campaign for new constitution.

ANNISTON STAR - Alabama activists reflect on changes in society’s views of domestic violence.

TUSCALOOSA NEWS - Tuscaloosa officials considering incentives to lure retail investment. The amount would be based on the amount of sales tax generated, with a “substitution effect” factored in. Substitution is the amount of money a new development takes away from existing retailers. . . . It is not additional revenue for the city. So rebates are based on an estimated net gain, not the total tax money a development generates.

MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER - Information on public employee salaries on state’s web site can be confusing.

City of Auburn Offers New Street Routing Web Application — http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/it100909.asp

First Public Input Meeting for CompPlan 2030 to be held October 13 http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pl100909.asp

Magnolia Avenue - Ross Street Intersection to Close October 12 & 13 http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pw100909.asp

Holiday Art Sale to be held Dec. 12 – http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pr100809.asp

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CITY OF AUBURN WEBSITE / LINKS TO AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.auburnalabama.org/publications.asp

CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
*Tree Commission - Three vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 3 City Council meeting.
*Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - Two vacancies will be filled at the Nov. 17 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: 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/
Oct. 11, 2009

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Mitch Reid in Montgomery Advertiser:

Communication lacking at ADEM

by Katie Shaddix - last modified September 24, 2009 01:06 PM Mitchell Reid

Program Director, Alabama Rivers Alliance

mreid@alabamarivers.org — ph: 205-322-6395

Can communication solve Alabama’s environmental woes?

To most people, “communication” means picking up a telephone, writing a letter, sending an email, or having a conversation. Communication is one of the most effective means of resolving conflicts and moving toward positive solutions, but does it always work?

Environmental organizations have been trying to communicate with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) for years.  The Alabama Rivers Alliance and partners continuously submit written comments to ADEM on dozens of pollution permits and participate in public hearings.  In 2002, a coalition of more than 40 organizations called the ADEM Reform Coalition developed the Blueprint for ADEM Reform designed to “communicate” the concerns of citizens across Alabama to ADEM regarding the lack of protection of their environment and the public health.

Beginning in 2005, after the hiring of the current ADEM Director, Trey Glenn, the ADEM Reform Coalition took every opportunity offered (and there were many) to meet with Mr. Glenn and ADEM staff.  During these meetings, groups explicitly discussed their concerns and proposed solutions.  Two key issues highlighted in these meetings were Environmental Justice and Enforcement.  Despite these communication attempts by the ADEM Reform Coalition, Environmental Justice has moved forward at a snail’s pace at best and recent reports presented by the ARC to the Environmental Management Commission show that enforcement has taken an alarming downward trend in recent years.

The 600+ agency staff are not to blame for this communication problem;, the current ADEM administration has developed agency policies which effectively inhibit public participation with the agency.

The most recent example of this communication lapse can be seen in ADEM’s reaction to the Gulf Restoration Network’s Clean Up Your Act! Report Card for Gulf State Water Quality Standards.  Released on September 2nd and endorsed by the Alabama Rivers Alliance, the report card is the most comprehensive independent assessment of Alabama’s water quality policies in decades.

The Report Card, which represents over five years of research from highly qualified engineers and scientists throughout the Gulf States, examined four categories - “Water Quality Standards,” “Public Health Protection,” “Phosphorous and Nitrogen Pollution,” and “Public Participation,”-  comparing them to established requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act and EPA regulations.  When evaluated according to these benchmarks, Alabama came out with a D+.

When asked about Alabama’s disappointing grade, ADEM continued an all too familiar policy of bait and switch rather than discussing the valid concerns brought up in the report.  ADEM’s only answer was to claim that neither group behind the report had “made any effort to contact the department to find out about the work [we've] done.”

In fact, the information in the report came directly from ADEM, either through direct consultation or from the Agency’s reports to EPA.  Beginning in 2007, Alabama Rivers Alliance and Gulf Restoration Network contacted officials throughout ADEM repeatedly to gather the documents necessary for or verify items within in the report.

Now, some in Alabama are suggesting that environmental groups are not doing enough to “communicate” with the agency, but evidence shows that repeated communication efforts have not worked.

To be fair, there have been instances of progress, including the implementation of nutrient criteria for major industrial facilities and in our major lakes, and the toughening of restrictions on carcinogens in our waters. These gains were the result of overwhelming pressure from concerned citizens and environmental groups.

To date, the Alabama Rivers Alliance is still waiting for a response to our most recent attempts to “communicate” with ADEM - triennial review public comments, the ADEM Reform Coalition’s enforcement presentation, and the aforementioned water quality report card.  In the mean time, it is the responsibility of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, as a citizen-based organization, to voice the concerns of Alabama’s citizens publicly and, when necessary, to take action to hold government accountable for protecting Alabama’s environment.

Environmental groups are generally open to communicating and working with state agencies to solve environmental problems, but when communication results in continued failures to protect our environment and public health, waiting is not an option.

About the Author

Mitchell Reid is the Program Director for the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Alabama’s statewide nonprofit river protection organization. A 1998 graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point and 2009 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, he has focused his studies in Environmental and International Law as well as Community Development. In addition to these achievements, Mitch has served for the past year as President of the University of Alabama School of Law’s Environmental Law Society. He also serves as a Captain with the 75th Division in Birmingham, Alabama.

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UPDATE — OCT. 6 — ADDITIONAL INFO & EVENTS

AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION:
WEST PACE VILLAGE REZONING & CONDITIONAL USE REQUESTS
West Pace items likely to be continued to Nov. 12 PC meeting.
The traffic study for West Pace Village is not yet finalized. Therefore the planning dept. staff recommended these items be continued (postponed) until the Nov 12 Planning Commission meeting. The applicant agreed. It is likely the public hearings for the items will be opened at this week’s meeting but continued to the Nov. 12 meeting. For more info on the individual agenda items, see the Oct. 8 meeting agenda & full packet online at http://www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.aspx.

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ADDITIONAL EVENTS THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, NOON — ENVISION OPELIKA’S CULTURAL UNITY FOOD FOR THOUGHT LUNCHEON
Speaker: Terry Andrus
Topic: National Health Care Reform
Held at the Opelika Depot.  Info: 705-5138.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 5:00 PM - PHILOSOPHY ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION “FREE WILL & DETERMINISM” / AT THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn.
Free & open to all. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
The Philosophy Club of Auburn University will present a panel discussion on the topic: “FREE WILL & DETERMINISM.” The panel, composed of faculty and students, will consider whether as human beings, we are free to make decisions, or whether we are determined by nature, culture and other factors. The meeting will conclude with a time for open discussion. There is no charge for this event.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 1:30 pm — GINN DISTINGUISHED LECTURER TO DISCUSS ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC POLICY
Held in AU’s Broun Hall, room 239. Free & open to all.
Reception follows lecture, to be held on the Shelby Center patio.
William Wulf, president emeritus of the National Academy of Engineering, will present a seminar on responsible citizenship in a technological democracy. As president of the academy, Wulf sat at the nexus of science, engineering and public policy. In this role, he learned that while much public policy has a technical dimension, this dimension is often neglected — often resulting in bad policy. Wulf will explore ideas to address this issue including an increase in the number of engineers in public office and improved education of citizens to ensure they know enough science and engineering to develop informed public policy. Wulf is a University Professor at the University of Virginia. Previously he was an assistant director of the National Science Foundation, founder and CEO of Tartan Laboratories Inc. and a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University. Auburn’s Samuel Ginn Distinguished Lecture Series, founded in 2005, brings distinguished leaders from the academic and business communities to campus to interact with faculty and students. A reception on the Shelby Center patio will follow the lecture.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 7:00 PM - SCIENCE CAFE AUBURN / AT THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn.
Free & open to all. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.
The topic, “Sustainability Lessons from Native Americans,” will be presented by Philip Stroud. Stroud is an Environmental Engineer with the State of Alabama in the Auburn area. A time for Q&A will follow the presentation. There is no charge for this event.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10,  7:00 PM - POET & SPOKEN WORD ARTIST KOLAYAH KEEVAN / AT THE GNU’S ROOM www.thegnusroom.com
Held at The Gnu’s Room Bookstore & Coffee House, 414 S. Gay Street, Auburn.
Open to all. More info: Tina Tatum, tina@thegnusroom.com or 334-821- 5550.  Free & open to all. A suggested donation of $5.00 will go to the artist.
Kolayah’s Teleidoscope Effect –  Local poet and spoken word artist, Kolayah KeeVan, will present an evening of Culturetainment at the Gnu’s Room. Kolayah will perform a set of his newest works along with familiar favorites.

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UPCOMING EVENT
MONDAY, OCT. 12 THROUGH FRIDAY, NOV. 20  —  AUBURN-ALABAMA FOOD FIGHT
Collection barrels at all local grocery stores.  www.foodbankofeastalabama.com
For the past fifteen years, Auburn University and the University of Alabama have competed against each other to see which school could raise the most food for their local food bank in the weeks prior to the big competition on the football field.  This is the largest food drive of the year and last year an amazing 212,200 pounds of food were donated locally.  This event has a huge impact on the Food Bank’s ability to provide food for needy families this holiday season and beyond. Collection barrels can be found at all local grocery stores.  Visit www.foodbankofeastalabama.com for more information.

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Thanks for your interest and support.

PLACE Forum
Email: placeforum@gmail.com
Web: http://placeforum.org/blog/
Oct. 6, 2009

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Week of Oct. 5, 2009 — Meetings, events & updates

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/.

MONDAY, OCT. 5 through TUESDAY, OCT. 6 — DEMPSEY CENTER / ART EXHIBITION
Held at the Dempsey Arts Center.  Open to all.
Final two days of Special Works - an exhibition featuring artworks on loan from area residents.

ONGOING THROUGH NOV. 10 — Water: Three States (Phase I) Exhibition
Held in AU’s Biggin Gallery, 101 Biggin Hall.  Free & open to the public.
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/comm/ArtinAg/index.php

NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT DONAHUE DRIVE & BRAGG AVENUE IN OPERATION
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pw092809.asp

CITY OF AUBURN’S DOWNTOWN TRICK-OR-TREAT TO BE HELD THURSDAY, OCT. 29
http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pr0928092.asp

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY MONTH
October is National Cyber Security Awareness month. The Office of Information Technology and campus information technology providers will offer tips and hints each week during October to help students, faculty and staff protect themselves and their computer and data. There will also be a Cyber Security Awareness Day on the concourse Oct. 29 with more tips, free T-shirts and goodies. The designs for this year’s campaign were created by Auburn graphic design majors Mary Grace Moseley, YunJung Choi, Grace Garrett and Cary Walker from professor John Morgan’s class. Info: http://keepitsafe.auburn.edu and/or http://twitter.com/auburnoit.

LOST AUBURN / Photographs requested
Do you have photos, print or digital, of houses, businesses, etc., that are no longer standing in Auburn? AUUF member Ann Pearson, Ralph Draughon, Jr., and Delos Hughes, all Auburn natives, are compiling a book of photographs called LOST AUBURN and are looking for photos of the exteriors of structures. If anyone has any appropriate pictures, they may contact Ann Pearson at stonylonesome@earthlink.net or by phone at 821-3660.

UPCOMING MEETING:
TUESDAY, OCT 13, 6:00 PM - City of Auburn to Host Public Input Meeting for Future Land Use Plan - Public Meeting #1: Visioning
Held at Auburn Junior High School, 332 East Samford Ave. The public is invited to attend. www.auburnalabama.org/compplan2030
The first public meeting for Auburn’s CompPlan 2030 (Future Land Use Plan) will be held October 13 at 6pm at Auburn Junior High School. The meeting will begin with a presentation on the current state of the city.  Participants will then break into small groups to share their ideas for the future of Auburn.
More info: http://www.auburnalabama.org/news/2009/pl091809.asp

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MONDAY, OCT. 5, 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 PC meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, 5:00 pm in the Auburn city council chambers.]
Agenda & full packet: www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.asp
Agenda includes:
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Snyder Annexation PL-2009-00631
Applicant: Susan Snyder
General Location: 4921 AL Highway 147 North
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 1.54 acres
2. Dumas Annexation PL-2009-00649
Applicant: Marzine and Pamela Dumas
General Location: 1325 Lee Road 83
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 1.09 acres
3. Outback Enterprises Annexation   PL-2009-00676
Applicant: Tom Cooksey for Outback Enterprises, LLC
General Location: South of Lee Road 026 (AlaHill Drive) and west of Lee Road 054 (Society Hill Road)
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for annexation of approximately 3 acres
NEW BUSINESS
4. Airport Overlay District - PUBLIC HEARING MS-2009-00040
Applicant: City of Auburn
General Location: City of Auburn
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to amend Sections 512 and 907 of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance in order to create an Airport Overlay District
5. West Pace Village PDD - PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00660
Applicant: West Pace, LLC and Lynch Properties, Inc.
General Location: North of Shell Toomer Parkway and east of South College Street
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council to apply the Planned Development District (PDD) designation to approximately 165.55 acres
6. West Pace Village - PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00670
Applicant: West Pace, LLC and Lynch Properties, Inc.
General Location: North of Shell Toomer Parkway and east of South College Street
Zoning District: Planned Development District (PDD) [pending approval of Case PL-2009- 00660] with Comprehensive Development District (CDD) underlying
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for outdoor recreational uses, including a park and bicycle/jogging/hiking paths; for institutional uses, including private libraries and museums, and aquariums; for indoor recreational uses, including a skating rink (roller & ice), bowling alleys, billiards, gymnasium, and indoor athletic facilities; for office uses; for commercial and entertainment uses, including an auto accessory store, barbershop/beauty shop, building material sales, clothing stores, copy shop, electronics repair, florists, garden supply, general merchandise stores, health & personal care stores, hotel/motel/condotel, office supplies/stationary/gift stores, package store, pet/pet supply store, restaurant, restaurant-lounge, restaurant- pub, specialty food stores, sporting goods/hobby/book/music stores, tavern, lounge, banks, dry cleaners, grocery stores, professional studios, and  theaters/indoor auditoriums; for road service uses, including ATM’s, auto dealerships, auto repair/paint/body work, convenience/small grocery stores, gasoline/service stations, bank with drive-thru, and fast food restaurant; for a commercial recreational use, specifically an amphitheater; for agricultural support uses, including farm equipment sales/rental/leasing, farm equipment sales/repair, and farm produce sales (permanent); for a nursery use, specifically retail; for a commercial support use, specifically a wholesale distributor; and for a regional shopping center use
7. Project Rollerball   PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00673
Applicant: Industrial Development Board of the City of Auburn
General Location: 2375 Riley Street
Zoning District: Industrial (I)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for an industrial use (manufacturing use)
8. Momma Goldberg’s West Longleaf -  PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00674
Applicant: Michael and Nick Davis for MG Holdings, LLC
General Location: 133 West Longleaf Drive
Zoning District: Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a road service use (fast food restaurant with drive-thru)
9. The Scooter Groove -  PUBLIC HEARING PL-2009-00688
Applicant: Patricia Davies for Keith Pridgen
General Location: 203 Opelika Road, Suite B
Zoning District: Redevelopment District (RDD)
Action Requested: Recommendation to City Council for conditional use approval for a road service use (scooter sales/service)
OTHER BUSINESS
10. McDonald Right-of-Way MS-2009-00042
Applicant: Casey Corley for Patricia McDonald
General Location: Lee Road 42
Zoning District: Outside of the City limits
Action Requested: Request for prescriptive right-of-way
11. Waffle House PL-2008-00247
Applicant: Charles Pick for 110, L.L.C.
General Location: 110 West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Request for an extension of conditional use approval granted for a commercial and entertainment use (restaurant)
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION
STAFF COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT

MONDAY, OCT. 5, 3:30 PM — AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY - KIDS’ PROGRAM / ALABAMA AUTHOR ROGER REID
Held at the Auburn Public Library, 749 E. Thach Ave. Free & open to all.
Alabama author Roger Reid will give a presentation about his new book SPACE, for grades 4 and up.  http://www.auburnalabama.org/library/youthservices.htm

MONDAY, OCT. 5, 3:30 pm — BIOFUELS CONVERSION / Biofuels from Biomass in Autothermal Reactors
Held in AU’s Shelby Center, room 1103. Free & open to all.
Auburn University’s Department of Chemical Engineering will host a lecture by Lanny Schmidt, professor of chemical engineering and materials science at the University of Minnesota. His presentation, “Biofuels from Biomass in Autothermal Reactors,” will cover various biofuels generated by autothermal reforming to produce synthesis gas, hydrogen and chemicals. He will also offer recent results on the production of syngas created by reactive flash volatilization of nonvolatile liquids and solids. Schmidt’s research examines fuels that are alcohols, esters, carbohydrates, biodiesel, vegetable oil and solid biomass. Schmidt’s seminar is the first in the department’s inaugural Basore Distinguished Lectureship series, which brings noted experts in chemical engineering to AU’s campus. The program is named for Cleburne Basore, who in 1929 became the first head of AU’s Department of Chemical Engineering.

MONDAY, OCT. 5, 4:00 pm - AUBURN CEMETERIES ADVISORY BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

MONDAY, OCT. 5, 6:00 pm — AU/ 2009 INTERNATIONAL PEACE DINNER
Held in AU’s new Student Center ballroom. Free & open to the entire AU community.
The Office of International Student Life is hosting the 2009 annual Peace Dinner. All students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy free food from around the world. The Peace Dinner is co-sponsored by Chartwell’s Catering, Division of Student Affairs, International Student Organization and Student Government Association.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6  — NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY / AUBURN OUT LOUD / ALLY WEEK (through Oct. 10)
Held on AU’s new concourse. All invited to participate.
A visual representation that encourages students and faculty to support Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) issues; to design t-shirts with LGBT relevant messages and to latch them to a clothesline for visibility. The day promotes awareness of a lifelong process of “coming out,” why it is done and exactly who does it. Because allies can face bigotry simply by being supportive of LGBT issues, voicing that support is itself a form of “coming out.” Sponsored by the Auburn Gay Straight Alliance (AGSA http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/agsa/links/), Auburn Feminist Alliance (AFA http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2224394927) and Spectrum Alliance (https://fp.auburn.edu/stuorgs/more_info.aspx?OrganizationID=257).

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6 & 7 — ALABAMA COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP NETWORK CONFERENCE
OCT 7, 10:30 - noon — Town Hall discussion: Kay Ivey, Ron Sparks, Sen Ted Little, Rep. Mike Hubbard –Wednesday morning’s town hall discussion will address today’s pressing issues and concerns with gubernatorial candidates Kay Ivey and Ron Sparks. Senator Ted Little and Representative Mike Hubbard will be in attendance.  Contact: Arturo Menefee; (334) 844-2307.
Held at AU’s Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.
The Alabama Community Leadership Network is a group of organizations and individuals committed to building, supporting and enhancing community leadership programs through education, training and information sharing that will equip local leaders with necessary leadership skills for the betterment of Alabama. The conference is structured to help community leaders, state and local officials, economic and community developers, Chamber of Commerce members, nonprofit executives, community health specialists and other individuals improve leadership in their communities. Keynote speakers include David Bronner, CEO, Retirement Systems of Alabama, and David Wilson, chancellor, University of Wisconsin Colleges and UW-Extension. To read more of this article from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, visit its News Line https://sites.aces.edu/group/comm/newsline/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=77 .

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 10:30 - noon — PERMANENT JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
Held in the Joint Briefing Room (Star Wars Room), 8th Floor, Alabama State House,Mont.  Open to all.
Info:  Kristen Rector, Executive Assistant to Rep. Greg Wren, repgregwren@yahoo.com; 334-395-0123.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 11:00 am - noon — AU SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE SEMINAR
Held in AU’s School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Bldg., Room 1101. Free & open to all. Light refreshments will be served.
Speaker: Dr. Latif Kalin, AU
Topic: Predicting Water Quality in Ungauged Watersheds using Artificial Neutral Networks (ANN)

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM — RHETA GRIMSLEY JOHNSON TO ADDRESS OLLI AT AUBURN  www.olliatauburn.org
Held at the Lexington  Hotel, 1577 South College Street in Auburn. Free & open to all. Feel free to bring your lunch.
More info: OLLI office at  334-844-5100 or www.olliatauburn.org.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) will host a Brown Bag Lunch meeting featuring Rheta Grimsley Johnson, syndicated columnist and Auburn University graduate.  She will be discussing her book Poor Man’s  Provence, which is a rich examination of the colorful, cultural state of Louisiana, including Cajun family life, food, and celebrations.  The talk is provided by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University, and all interested people are invited to bring a lunch and attend the talk. Copies of the book Poor Man’s Provence will be available for purchase.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 2:00 pm — Lecture / Q&A — FILMMAKER ELVIRA DONES  http://www.elviradones.com/
Held in AU’s new Student Center, room 2222. Free & open to all. (All Women’s Studies Program events are free and open to the public.)
Info: Women’s Studies office 334-844-1974 or http://www.auburn.edu/academic/other/womens_studies/
Albanian-born novelist, screenwriter & journalist Dones sought asylum in Switzerland while on assignment with Albanian State Television. Her award-winning documentary, Sworn Virgins, explores the lives of women in northern Albania who take an oath of virginity in order to enjoy the rights of men. This event is co-sponsored by the AU Women’s Studies Program and the University Lectures Committee.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6,  3:00 PM - AUBURN URBAN CORE/DOWNTOWN STUDY COMMITTEE
Held in the conference room, Development Services Bldg, 171 N. Ross St.
Agenda: TBA.
Info to be posted at : http://www.auburnalabama.org/pl/Misc/Downtown%20Study%20Committee.pdf

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 4:00 PM — AUBURN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB)
Held in the Auburn City Hall conference room. Open to all.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6 — JCSM LECTURE, DINNER & MOVIE www.jcsm.auburn.edu
4:00 pm — Lecture: Design ‘56 / Ashley Callahan
5:00 - 6:00 pm - dinner / Ursula’s Catering at the Museum Cafe
6:00 pm - Movie: SCTIF: Pants on Fire / Colin Campbell, producer-director
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Lecture & movie are free & open to all.
Event info: www.jcsm.auburn.edu/edu/2009_tuesdays_fall.php
Dinner info: serving lunch menu; details at  www.jcsm.auburn.edu/cafe
Elvis’s America: 1956 is an eight-part series of lectures that takes as its broadest topic mid-twentieth-century America, its popular culture and the social and political atmosphere from which it emerged. The series is public programming related to Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis, an exhibition of silver gelatin print photographs taken by Alfred Wertheimer and organized in conjunction with Govinda Gallery, Washington D.C., on view at JCSM October 10, 2009 to January 9, 2010.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6, 5:15 pm - AUBURN PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Held at the Dean Road Rec Center. Open to all.

TUESDAY, OCT 6, 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, OCT. 6 — OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL
6:35 pm - work session  / 7:00 pm - regular meeting
Held at 204 S. 7th St, Opelika. Open to all.
Agenda:  www.opelika.org
Work session agenda includes:
(1) -  a.  Request to advertise.  Amend text of Zoning Ord. -airports in I-1 zone.
b.  Request to advertise.  Amend text of Zoning Ord. -parking for a movie theater - Jerry Kelley
(2) -  a.  General updates
(3) -  Review/discuss the 10/06/09 CM agenda items
(4) -  General Discussion  -  a. New / Old Business;  b. Board appointments; c. Other City business.
Regular session agenda includes:
6)   UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7)   REMARKS BY THE MAYOR -  Gary Fuller
a.  Employee service awards.
b.  Recognize the Opelika Police officer of the month - Terri McCall.
8)   CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS - (Limit comments to five minutes or less)     Bob Shuman
9)   REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS
10) COMMITTEE REPORTS
11) GENERAL BUSINESS -  Bob Shuman
a.  Request from Alpen Café for an Oktoberfest Celebration at 913  S. Railroad Ave.
b.  Request from Gohyong Gardens for a restaurant retail liquor and retail beer on-premise license.
c.  Request from Gateway Food Mart for a retail wine & beer off-premise license.
d.  Request from Waverly Parkway Store for a retail wine/beer off-premise license.
e.  Request from Get it to Go for a retail wine/beer off-premise license.
f.  Public Hearing for a weed violation at 2112 Crestview Street.
g.  Public Hearing to amend Zoning Ordinance for 411 North 16th St. from R5 to C3.
12) AWARDING OF BIDS -  Shirley Washington
a.  Five (5) 2010 marked Police package automobiles and One (1) 2010 Police package canine automobile.
b. Two (2) zero turn diesel mowers for P/W Groundskeeping.
c.  Replacement of the A/C units at City Hall, P/R Denson St. and the Library.
13)  RESOLUTIONS -  Guy Gunter
1.  Authorize abatement of weed violation at 2112 Crestview Street.
2.  Updated Lee County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
3.  Alabama Recycling Fund Grant Agreement.
4.  Actuarial evaluation of the City’s Workers Compensatio
5.  Refund of sewer service fees paid in error.
6.  Annual appropriation contract, Alabama Council on Human Relations.
7.  Annual appropriation contract, Employer’s Child Care Alliance.
8.  Annual appropriation contract, Keep Opelika Beautiful
9.  Annual appropriation contract, Lee County Humane Society.
10.  Annual appropriation contract, Opelika Chamber of Commerce.
11.  Annual appropriation contract, Jule Collins Smith Museum.
12.  Annual appropriation contract, Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County.
13.  Annual appropriation contract, Envision Opelika Foundation.
14.  To carry forward 2009 budgeted funds to the 2010 budget for various projects.
14)  ORDINANCES -   Guy Gunter    (none)
1.  Amend zoning ordinance, Hamilton Gables, from R3 to PUD - 2nd Reading.
2.  Amend zoning ordinance, 1419 2nd Avenue, from C2 to C3 - 2nd Reading.
3.  Project development agreement with Blackrock for a new Carmike Cinema - 2nd Reading.
4.  Amend zoning ordinance, 411 N. 16th Street - 1st Reading.
15)  APPOINTMENTS -
a.  Re-appointment and new appointment to the Library Board.
16)    ADJOURN

TUESDAY, OCT. 6 — AUBURN CITY COUNCIL
6:55 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:
3. THREE-WAY STOP SIGN - DONAHUE AND LONGLEAF. Discussion.  Councilperson Dick Phelan.
4. AUBURN DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Nominations.  One Vacancy.  Incumbent:  Al Odell (resignation).  Unexpired Term Ends July 18, 2011.
Regular meeting agenda includes:
7. CITIZENS’ COMMUNICATIONS.
8. CITY MANAGER’S COMMUNICATIONS.  City Manager Duggan.
a. Alcoholic Beverage Licenses.  Consideration.
(1) JLK LLC dba/The Bank Vault.  101 North College Street. 010 - Lounge Retail Liquor - Class I License.
(2) The Independent Inc.dba/The Independent.  203 Opelika Road, Unit C. 020 - Restaurant Retail Liquor License.
(3) India Garden Inc. dba/India Garden.  1251 Opelika Road. 040 - Retail Beer (On or Off Premises) and 060 - Retail Table Wine  (On or Off Premises) Licenses.
b.  Taxpayer Waiver.  QualServ Corporation c/o Grant Thornton LLP.  201 S. College Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC.  $2,219.31.
c. Announcement of Board Vacancies.  Tree Commission.  Three Positions. Three Year Terms Expire November 7, 2013.
9. ORDINANCES.
a.   Annexation.  Harvey and Barbara Gosser.  Property Located on the south side of Ensminger Road (Lee Road 093), east of Heath Road (AL Hwy 147 North). 15 Acres.  Planning Commission Recommendation.  Unanimous Consent Necessary.
b. Traffic Control Signs and Devices.  Establish “No Parking” Zone.  North Side of Magnolia Avenue between Wire Road and Hemlock Drive.  Unanimous Consent Necessary.
10. RESOLUTIONS.
a. Conditional Use Approvals.  Planning Commission Recommendations. Public Hearings Required.
(1) Design Plaza, LLC.  Greg Darden (Authorized Representative). Commercial Recreational Use-skate park (East Alabama Skate Park) in the Comprehensive Development District (CDD) Zoning District.  1901 East Glenn Avenue.
(2) Sky is the Limit Homes, LLC.  Blake Rice (Authorized Representative). Lundy Chase Subdivision Amenities. Development District Housing (DDH) Zoning District w/an Overlay of the Planned Development District (PDD).
(a) Swimming pool and restroom facilities (Swimming Pool Amenity Lot).  754 Lundy Chase Drive.
(b) Playground and associated pavilion (Playground Amenity Lot).
778 Hunter Court.
b. Rename City Street.  Portion of Bent Creek Road, north of the intersection of East Glenn Avenue.  Mike Hubbard Boulevard.
c. Close City Streets.  Auburn Chamber of Commerce.  Annual Christmas Parade. Thursday, December 3, 2009.
d. City Depositories.  Designate Financial Institutions Authorized to Receive Deposits of City Funds.
e. Contracts.  Authorize Mayor and City Manager to Sign.
(1) Office of the City Manager.  Bradley Arant Boult & Cummings, LLP. Governmental Affairs Representation Services.  $90,000.
(2) Public Works Department.  D & J Enterprises.  FY09 Carlisle Drive Resurfacing Project.  $25,325.
(3) Public Safety Department - Fire Division.
(a) Pro-Fire Equipment, LLC.  Eight (8) Rapid Intervention Packs.
$19, 923.
(b) North America Fire Equipment Company.  Mobile Breathing
Air Compressor.  $46,979.
(4) Water Resource Management Department.  Ben Atkinson Motors. 4-Wheel Drive 2010 Ford F150 Pickup Truck.  State Contract. $23,417.
f. Drainage and Utility Easements and Sidewalk Easements.  Acceptance and Conveyance.
(1) Drainage and Utility Easements.  Acceptance.
(a) Bobby and Marilyn Mosley and WBB, LLC.  Mosley Combination Plat.  Property Located at the northwest intersection of Gentry Drive and Opelika Road.
(b) Rayford and Brenda Keel and Michael Keel.  Water Oak  Ridge Subdivision-Being a Redivision of Lot 2B of Longhorn Subdivision).  Property Located on the east side of Alabama Highway 147, north of U. S. Highway 280.
(2 ) Donald Allen.  316 North Donahue Drive.  Drainage and Utility  Easement and Sidewalk Easement.  Conveyance and Acceptance.
(3) Sidewalk Easements.  Conveyance and Acceptance.
(a) South College Street Sidewalk Project.
(1) War Eagle Trail LLC.  1131 South College Street.
(2) Marshall Properties LTD.  1499 South College Street.
(b) Slaughter Avenue Sidewalk Project.
(1) Annie Ruth Epps.  747 Slaughter Avenue.
(2) Beverly Jelks and Priscilla Smith Johnson.  811 Slaughter Avenue.
(3) Marie Milford.  745 Slaughter Avenue.
g. Auburn Downtown Redevelopment Authority.  One Position.  Unexpired Term Ends  July 18, 2011.
11. OTHER BUSINESS.
12. ADJOURNMENT.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7 — INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY http://www.walktoschool-usa.org/

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 9:30 AM - ALABAMA ETHICS COMMISSION
Held in the 9th floor PSC Hearing Room, RSA Union Building, 100 N. Union Street, Mont. Ph: 334-242-2997.  Open to all.
Agenda: In Open Session, to render Advisory Opinions requested by public officials/public employees.  An Executive Session will be held to discuss matters relating to complaints filed with the Ethics Commission and the results of those investigations.  These matters are covered by the Grand Jury Secrecy Act.  No matters will be discussed which are outside the scope of the State guidelines for the holding of Executive Sessions.  Matters discussed in Executive Session will be voted on in public.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 1:00 - 2:00 PM — DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH EVENT / CAROLYN COX - THE SILENT SECRET
Held in the auditorium, AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. Free & open to the public.
The Auburn University Women’s Resource Center, in partnership with Alpha Chi Omega, the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, and Safe Harbor will host an event to raise awareness about domestic violence.  Carolyn Cox, nationally known Domestic Violence survivor and advocate will be the keynote speaker. Her talk will begin at 1:00p.m. and is free and open to the public. If you would like more information about this event please contact Amye Still at 844-4399.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 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:
NEW BUSINESS
Variance to Section 605.01A of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance PL-2009-00667
Applicant: Rakesh Patel for SAI Hospitality, LLC
General Location:  2283 South College Street
Zoning District:  Comprehensive Development District (CDD)
Action Requested: Variance of 3.25 feet from the required minimum setback of 10 feet from any side lot line and 10 feet from the front or any street property line in order to allow a sign to be placed 6.75 feet from the side property line
Variance to Section 502.01, Table 5-1, of the City of Auburn Zoning Ordinance  PL-2009-00671
Applicant: North Auburn Housing Development Corporation
General Location:  721 and 724 Ellis Street
Zoning District:  Limited Development District (LDD)
Action Requested: Variance of 10 feet to the required 25 foot front setback in order to allow a front setback of 15 feet for single-family residences on two lots (each lot is less than 10,000 sq. ft. in size)
OTHER BUSINESS
Request for Rehearing (110 West Glenn Avenue)
Applicant: Charles Pick for 110, L.L.C.
General Location:  110  West Glenn Avenue
Zoning District: Urban Core (UC)
Action Requested: Request to rehear Case PL-2008-00799.  The request was for a variance from Section 516.02, Development and Design Standard Requirements within the Urban Core (UC). The applicant is asking to be able to have parking screened by a masonry wall rather than landscaping.  The Ordinance requires that parking be screened by the principal structure.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT

THURSDAY, OCT. 8 through SATURDAY, OCT. 10 — 2009 ALABAMA PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
Held at the AU Hotel & Dixon Conference Center, 241 S. College St.  Registration & fee required.
Conference schedule, registration form: http://www.alabamatrust.info/2009ALPresConfE.pdf
The Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation (http://www.alabamatrust.info/), the Alabama Historical Commission, the Black Heritage Council, and the Auburn
Preservation League will host the 2009 Alabama Preservation Conference. Please join us as we explore the historic sites of the area, hear from a lineup of interesting speakers, and have fun just getting together!

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 8:30 am –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE WALKS
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also Discovery Hikes at 3:00 pm Thursdays.  More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, NOON — AUTHOR BILL ELDER / Opelika library brown bag
Held in the board room, Lewis Cooper Memorial Library, 200 South 6th Street, Opelika.  Free & open to all. Bring your lunch; refreshments provided.
Seating is limited; reservations required: call (334) 705-5380.
Info: http://www.opelika.org/Default.asp?ID=435
Come meet author Bill Elder who with other students broke the racial barrier in college basketball.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 1:00 PM — ALABAMA BOARD OF LICENSURE FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
Held at 100 N. Union Street Suite 382, Montgomery. Open to all. Ph 334-242-5568
Meeting info posted at https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/display_notices.aspx.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 3:00 pm –  FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE DISCOVERY HIKE
Held at the Forest Ecology Preserve, on N. College Street, on the right just past the AU fishponds. Free & open to all.
Also try the Preserve’s weekly walks at 8:30 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
More info:  Jennifer Lolley at 707-6512 or go to the Forest Ecology Preserve website -  http://www.auburn.edu/preserve.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 4:30 pm - OPELIKA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Held in the Planning Chambers, Opelika Public Works Bldg, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika. Open to all.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 5:00 pm - AUBURN PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the council chambers, 141 N. Ross St. Open to all.
Agenda & full packet: http://www.auburnalabama.org/pc/agenda.aspx (For details, see  above, Monday, noon, Oct. 5, PC packet meeting)

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 6:00 - 9:00 PM — KOREAN FILM: A TALE OF TWO SISTERS / ASIAN FILM SCREENING SERIES #3
Held in AU’s Haley Center, room 1203. Free & open to all.
This month, the Asian Film Series features three horror films from Asia. The first is a 2003 Korean film, “A Tale Of Two Sisters” which won a number of international film awards.
A Tale of Two Sisters (anghwa, Hongryeon)
Director: Ji-woon Kim
Main Cast: Kap-su Kim, Jung-ah Yum, and Su-jeong Lim
Featured at the Cannes International Film Festival 2006.
For upcoming films, please check “events calendar” of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures: http://media.cla.auburn.edu/forlang/EventCalendar/index.cfm

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 6:00 PM — KIESEL PARK SUNDOWN CONCERT SERIES / featuring Old Soul
Held at Kiesel Park. Free & open to all.
Info: www.auburnalabama.org/parks, click on Special Events.
Bring the family, a picnic supper, your lawn chairs, the family dog and enjoy a free, relaxing evening under the stars.
Upcoming performances: October 15: Auburn Road /October 22: Spoonful James.
More info: Alison Hall, 334-501-2930, ahall@auburnalabama.org

THURSDAY, OCT. 8 (& FRIDAY, OCT. 9), 7:00 - 9:00 pm — PINE HILL CEMETERY LANTERN TOUR / AUBURN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION www.auburnheritage.org
Held at PIne Hill Cemetery, 303 Armstrong Street, Auburn.
Tickets: $10 at the gate (includes the character script Tour Book).
Parking: at Auburn Junior High School, Samford Ave; trolley transportation available to the cemetery. Tiger Shaws available.
Open to all. Children welcome. Golf carts provided for the handicapped.
Pine Hill Cemetery, which dates back to 1837, is the oldest of Auburn’s five burying grounds. This is a luminary tour through the cemetery in the early evening hours of the day. Early inhabitants of Auburn come to life and tell tour goers who they were and what their significance to Auburn was. Proceeds from the tour will be sed for various Auburn Heritage Association project promoting Auburn’s history & preservation.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 7:00 pm — EAST ALABAMA CYCLING CLUB
Held at the EAMC Health Resource Center, Pepperell Parkway, Opelika.  Open to all.
The East Alabama Cycling Club (EACC) is a bicycle club for riders of all skill levels and riding styles.  The club meets at 7:00 pm, on the second Thursday of each month. Info: mk1hgn@yahoo.com .

THURSDAY, OCT. 8, 7:00 pm — RECEPTION: ALABAMA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE
Held at Pebble Hill (AU’s Carolyn Draughon Center for Arts & the Humanities). Ticket required; visit http://www.alabamatrust.info/ for more information.

OPENING FRIDAY, OCT. 9 — JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION / Photo XI
Held at Auburn’s Dempsey Arts Center. Free & open to all.
Annual juried exhibition of photographs by regional artists and photographers. Ongoing through November 20.

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 — 2009 ALABAMA PRESERVATION CONFERENCE See details above, Oct. 8.

FRIDAY, OCT. 9 — JCSM EXHIBITS OPEN www.jcsm.auburn.edu
–ELVIS AND FRIENDS: GLITTER MOSAICS BY JONI MABE
–ELVIS AT 21, NEW YORK TO MEMPHIS: PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALFRED WERTHEIMER
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Free & open to all.

FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 8:00 am - ALABAMA BOARD OF LICENSURE FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND LAND SURVEYORS
Held at 100 N Union Street, Suite 382, Mont., ph: 334-242-5568. Open to all.
Agenda details at: https://www.openmeetings.alabama.gov/generalpublic/display_notice_details.aspx?agencyname=Alabama%20Board%20of%20Licensure%20for%20Professional%20Engineers%20and%20Land%20Surveyors&submissiondatetime=8/25/2009%2012:22:25%20PM

FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 9:00 - 11:00 AM — TOURS OF THE AU ARBORETUM
Held at AU’s Donald E Davis Arboretum; on Garden Drive, just west of S. College Street.
Meet in the Arboretum’s pavilion. Free & open to all.
Info: http://www.auburn.edu/arboretum/
Tours last one hour each and are scheduled on the hour from 9:00 - 11:00 am, the second Friday & Saturday of each month (except Jan & Feb 2010). Guides are members of the Lee County Master Gardeners. The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is maintained by the College of Sciences and Mathematics. For more information on the tours, call 844-5770 or visit the Web site ( http://www.auburn.edu/arboretum ).

FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 6:00 - 9:00 PM — JCSM MEMBERS’ FALL OPENING & RECEPTION
Held at AU’s Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.  www.jcsm.auburn.edu
This event is for JCSM members only.  If you would like to join the museum please contact Cindy Cox at 334-844-3005 or coxcynh@auburn.edu.  You may also purchase your membership online.
6:00 pm — Lecture by Chris Murray. Reception follows.
Opening reception for Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis, photographs by Alfred Wertheimer, organized in conjunction with Govinda Gallery, Washington, D.C.
Chris Murray is founder and director of Govinda Gallery and has organized over two hundred and fifty exhibitions of paintings, drawings, and photographs, many of which have traveled throughout the United States and abroad, including countries such as Germany, Spain, Ireland, England, the Netherlands, Mexico and Cuba.  He has edited and authored over a dozen books and catalogues including Between Midnight and Day: The Last Unpublished Blues Archive (Action Publishing Group/ Insight Editions, 2003), Elvis at 21: New York to Memphis (Insight Editions, 2006), Knockout: The Art of Boxing (Insight Editions, 2008), and John and Yoko: A New York Love Story (Insight Editions, 2008).
Elvis will be in the building! Be sure to join us for the reception following Murray’s talk.  Young Elvis will be entertaining members during the reception with song and dance.
This event is for JCSM members only.  If you would like to join the museum please contact Cindy Cox at 334-844-3005 or coxcynh@auburn.edu.  You may also purchase your membership online.

FRIDAY, OCT. 9, 7:00 - 9:00 pm — PINE HILL CEMETERY LANTERN TOUR / AUBURN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION www.auburnheritage.org
Held at PIne Hill Cemetery, 303 Armstrong Street, Auburn.
See other details above, Thursday, Oct. 8.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10 — 2009 ALABAMA PRESERVATION CONFERENCE See details above, Oct. 8.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10 — 5TH ANNUAL “THINK PINK” BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK
Held in Downtown Auburn. Entry form & info: www.eamcfoundation.org or www.opelikamainstreet.org.
Join Breast Cancer Survivors from Lee, Russell, Chambers, Tallapoosa, Randolph, and Macon counties for the 4th Annual ‘Think Pink’ breast cancer awareness walk. Activities include a one-mile informational walk, walkers’ reception and breast cancer awareness information.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 9:00 - 11:00 AM — TOURS OF THE AU ARBORETUM
Held at AU’s Donald E Davis Arboretum; on Garden Drive, just west of S. College Street.  See details above, Friday, Oct. 9.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm — FALL USED BOOK SALE / FRIENDS OF THE AUBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Held at the pavilion, Town Creek Park, S. Gay Street.
All are invited.  Rain date: Sat. Oct. 24.
Friends of the Auburn Public Library’s Fall Used Book Sale will offer thousands of books at bargain prices.  Hardbacks cost $1 and paperbacks cost 50¢.  Come find a good book and support the library!

SATURDAY, OCT. 10, 10:00 AM — FALL WILDFLOWER HIKE / FOREST ECOLOGY PRESERVE
Held at AU’s Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve. Free & open to all.
Info & directions: http://https//fp.auburn.edu/preserve/ or call 334.844.8091.
Join Margaret Holler in exploring the preserve’s beautiful fall wildflowers.

SUNDAY, OCT. 11, 1:00 - 4:00 PM — JCSM / ART MUSEUM’S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Held at AU’s  Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.
Free & open to the public. www.jcsm.auburn.edu
Come celebrate the museum’s sixth birthday with your family!  Join the museum for children’s art activities, music, tour the exhibitions and enjoy birthday cake. This year we will focus on the exhibition Elvis at 21, and include Elvis tribute band Young Elvis and the Blue Suedes, and projects for children that connect the man, the music, and the artistic work of Al Wertheimer. Come join us October 11th to celebrate 6 years of JCSM, eat some cake, and shake those hips with the king of rock’n'roll!  This event is part of our Educational programming offered to the community.This event is open and free for everyone!

SUNDAY, OCT. 11, 3:00 - 4:30 PM –  SAVINGS IN BUILDING DESIGN / NORBERT LECHNER (retired), AU COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Held in the Auburn City Meeting Room, 122 Tichenor, west of City Hall; entrance on side of building, behind Cheeburger Cheeburger parking lot.  Free & open to all.
This is the second of six presentations & discussions of opportunities and savings associated with energy efficiencies, energy conservation, and alternative fuels.  Subsequent presentations on Sunday afternoons in October and November in the Auburn City Meeting Room include biofuels, weatherization, innovations by the City of Auburn, and solar power. Co-hosted by AU’s Office of Sustainability; see http://www.auburn.edu/projects/sustainability/website/energy/talk_series.html for series details.

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CITY OF AUBURN WEBSITE / LINKS TO AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS
http://www.auburnalabama.org/publications.asp

CITY OF AUBURN BOARD VACANCIES:
*Tree Commission - three vacancies will be announced at the Oct. 6 City Council meeting.
*Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - two vacancies will be announced at the Oct. 20 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: 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/
Oct. 4, 2009

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