Loveliest Village

Designer Alabama Chanin Comes to Auburn

2010-03-12T04:47:31Z

The “2010 Grisham/Trentham Design Symposium” will feature nationally recognized designer Natalie Chanin on March 30, 2010. Chanin’s designs have taken on the name Alabama Chanin, and are respected and admired by many in the fashion community.

While Chanin is in the Auburn area, she will also be attending a trunk show and book signing hosted by The Villager, a local gallery of American craft.

“We are really excited to have an Alabama artist who is known all over the world to come to The Villager,” said Kathy Myles, The Villager gallery manager.

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According to Alabama Chanin’s Facebook fan page:

Chanin’s designs are constructed using quilting and stitching techniques from the depression-era south. They are made from organic and recycled materials by artisans located near Natalie’s home in Florence, Ala. Chanin was also a finalist for the “Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Fashion” and was selected as one of 10 fashion companies for the “Council of Fashion Designers in America/Vogue Fashion Fund” in 2005.

Alabama Chanin creates hand-made jewelry, clothing, home furnishing and textiles using a mixture of recycled and organic materials with local talent.

Expanding Airport Brings New Business to Auburn-Opelika

2010-03-11T22:05:49Z

Stretching between Auburn and Opelika is an essential asset to the economic growth of these two towns. The Robert G. Pitts Airport, just off Glenn Avenue, is in the midst of remodeling and expanding the main terminal and hangers and is planning on building a new flight education building and renovating the taxiways.

"Airports attract industry which provide jobs and tax dollars for schools," Bill Hutto, the airport director, said. “This will aid in Auburn, Opelika and Lee County’s economic growth.”

The 26000-square-foot terminal is scheduled for completion in the early summer of 2010. The up-to-date building has been in the making for eight years, and hopes to serve the community by bringing in companies looking to relocate and need air transportation to operate.

"The Auburn-Opelika area is growing strong economically, and we want people to step off the plane and into the terminal and want to invest in the town. Currently, they see a dated and leaky terminal," explained Hutto.

Along with encouraging new businesses that are relocating to move to the Auburn-Opelika area, the airport intends on continuing its charter services, which are planned according to the person's individual schedule.

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Along with the new terminal, four new hangers are being built for long term leasing. One of the hangers will be exclusively for Auburn Universities jets and the last three are available for approximately 20-year leases. Smaller hangers are also part of the expansion plan in the next few years off the South Ramp.

Each piece of the expansion plan is being built according to demand and funding.

“Our plan changes as the demand changes,” Hutto said. “We still have a plan, but we're willing to be flexible."

The flexibility stretches in matters of how many hangers to build and when, when and where to build new roads and when to expand the runways.

The funding for this project is 95 percent from the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] 2.5 percent from the state of Alabama and 2.5 percent from Opelika, Auburn and Lee County alike. However, the new flight education building will be completely funded by the business school.

"We're getting the lot ready for them, but that's all we can do now," Hutto says about the building.

Though the flight education building will be funded by Auburn University, flight instructions are available for both students and non-students.

For more information on the airport, the expansion plans and the leasing options for hangers visit www.auoairport.com or call 334-844-4656.

‘The Marriage of Figaro’ in Opera Workshop

2010-03-11T21:55:26Z

This April, the Auburn University Opera Workshop will present "The Marriage of Figaro."

Dr. Michael Koon, director and conductor of this year's opera, says this is the first time in about 10 years that Auburn has put on a full opera.

"The Marriage of Figaro," written by Lorenzo da Ponte and music by Mozart, is classified as a social comedy that centers around Figaro who is a servant for the Count. Figaro falls in love and wants to marry Susanna, who is the chamber mistress to the Countess.

"The Count, however, wants to enjoy the right of the lords to have the first night with Susanna," says Koon. "Obviously, Figaro is not happy."

The leading role of Susanna is being played by three different actors throughout the performance.

Jennifer Reynolds, a junior majoring in psychology, will be playing Susanna in Act III and she describes her character as the heroine in "The Marriage of Figaro."

“'The Marriage of Figaro' is performed in Italian and it’s been pretty difficult to learn,” says Reynolds. “But it’s a lot of fun and it’s a really great experience.”

Koon says that the Italian department has been a big help to the actors as they learn all the Italian songs.

This entire performance will be sung with only minimal narrations between each act to keep the audience on track with the story.

This performance is 50 percent longer than anything the Opera Workshop has done and it is also the first extensive foreign language performance.

The co-ed cast, which is made up of about 12 students, has been rehearsing the 90-minute production since January.

“Ninety percent of the show is already blocked,” says Koon. “Now I just have to get them off the books and performing from memory.”

There will be two performances, one on Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Recital Hall.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling the Music office at 334-844-4165.

Koon encourages students and members of the community to come out and see the performance.

“Parts of Act II and IV are as beautiful as I’ve ever heard,” he says. “It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Cross Canadian Ragweed to perform at Alpha Psi Rodeo

2010-03-11T20:32:27Z

Every year the field next to the Good Ol’ Boys Restaurant in Auburn turns into a parking lot surrounding a small arena. In the arena an all-day rodeo is followed by a night full of music.

The events featured at the Alpha Psi Rodeo include bull riding, bareback riding, team roping (from ground) and steer wrestling (from ground). Although the event is not sanctioned by any of professional rodeo’s governing bodies, it is a great opportunity for amateur rodeo cowboys and cowgirls to strut their stuff.

The Alpha Psi Rodeo is the tailgate event of the spring. However the tailgating apparel is a little different. Auburn T-shirts and polo shirts are replaced by shirts emblazoned with NASCAR logos sometimes even a plaid button-up shirt, most without the sleeves. Khakis are replaced by jeans or jorts (jean shorts). Most girls rock a similar look, but ad in some braided pigtails. Some girls may even wear a country style dress, but almost everyone wears boots. Last year the entire town of Auburn sold out of all but one pair of cowboys boots the week before rodeo.

Cars, trucks and trailers wait hours to inch down Sandhill Road to get to the Alpha Psi Rodeo blasting country music the entire way.

Cross Canadian Ragweed will be gracing the stage this year. Don’t be fooled by the name, Cross Canadian Ragweed is an all-American band. Started in Yukon, Oklahoma, Cross Canadian Ragweed is a southern rock band with a western swagger. The name is of the band is a simple conglomeration of the last names of some members of the band. The band is composed of Grady Cross, guitar; Cody Canada, guitar and vocals; Randy Ragsdale; drums and Jeremy Plato, bass.

Some of the members of Cross Canadian ragweed have some sort of rodeo experience.

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“I watched Grady [Cross] get thrown off a mechanical bull once,” said Ragsdale. “I think Grady used to be in rodeos as a kid.”

Other musical acts that have played the Alpha Psi rodeo include John Anderson, Luke Bryan, Joe Diffie and Pat Green.

This year’s Alpha Psi Rodeo will take place on Saturday, April 10. rodeo is held every year by the Alpha Psi Veterinary Fraternity to raise money for charities including Storybook Farm and for the Veterinary School’s mission trips.

This year 11,000 tickets will be sold.

Tickets will be available at:

TK’s store 17 on South College Street
TK’s Store 72 on the corner of Farmville Road and Donahue
TK’s store 22 on North College Street
Bread and Buggy Shell station across from tiger town
Gentilly Exxon on Webster road
Alpha Psi Fraternity house on:

April 5th-7th 12-1pm

April 8th 12-6pm
April 9th 10-6pm

If you are interested in competing at this year’s rodeo, contact John Laster
By email: jhl0007@uburn.edu Or By phone: (270)839-9157

Radio Veteran Shows Auburn Things to Do

2010-03-11T19:37:26Z

"Who says that nothing ever happens in Auburn?" Coffee, wine and beer
tasting, lectures, plays and concerts; all this and more can be found at
OffbeatAuburn.com.

Created by Kelly Walker, Offbeat Auburn is a Web site that covers all
the local events that occur in Auburn. How are these events found? A
side from traditional sources, "you have to 'creep' people a little
bit," Walker said. Using Facebook and Twitter, Walker is able to find
unique events.

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Offbeat Auburn features stories on upcoming events accompanied with
podcasts. Walker uses audio because it is a familiar medium to him. A
long time radio veteran, he has worked with commercial and national
radio for 25 years reporting and doing public radio.

Walker based the idea for his Web site off the Arts Portal in
Bloomington, Ind., which is a Web site for local art and cultural
organization to release get their information about events from one
source.

"I noticed that there really wasn't a single source of information that
covered all of the kinds of events, well, that I like going to and a lot
of my friends like going to," Walker said.

After talking to some local arts organizations, such as the Sundilla
Acoustic Concert series and Tina Tatum, owner of The Gnu's Room, Walker
registered the domain, rented server space and got a theme for content
management and "we were pretty much in business at that point," Walker
said.

The site has been well received with more than 1,500 hits its first
month.

"iIt's been more successful so far then I ever expected," Walker said.
"I'm not planning [for the future] so much as I'm holding on for dear
life."

The site keeps Walker busy with request for interviews and constant
calendar updates.

Down the road Walker hopes to expand into more video and add a wider
variety of podcasts to the Web site. He wants to expand the podcast to
include, not only local art and cultural organizations, but people in
the community that give Auburn its unique culture.

New Lawn Care Business Open in Auburn Area

2010-03-10T20:39:38Z

With spring arriving in the Auburn-Opelika area, it’s time for residents to start thinking about lawn care if they want to enjoy luscious green grass in the coming months.

For many people, there’s not enough time in the day to do all their ordinary work and household chores, and especially not enough to keep up with their yards. Luckily, a new business has begun servicing the area to help busy residents out.

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Spring-Green lawn care is a national company that franchises with neighborhood lawn care professionals to provide quality lawn services to both commercial and residential customers. In Opelika, that professional is John David Andrus, who operates his franchise with his wife out of his Opelika home.

A life-long resident of Opelika, Andrus realized his love of horticulture in classes at Opelika High School. Then, in college at Auburn University, he further developed his love and graduated in 2005 with a horticulture degree. He translated that experience to opening Spring-Green in August 2009.

“I decided I liked playing with plants and playing in the dirt,” said Andrus. “I always wanted to own my own business and this opportunity came along with Spring-Green and I took a shot.”

Andrus began the first branch of Spring-Green in Alabama largely because of their marketing strategy.

“I knew that was something that really drove sales and drove business,” said Andrus.

Although business started mostly with his personal contacts, Andrus has been gaining new customers through direct-mail, face-to-face contact with customers and Spring-Green’s Web site.

Spring-Green offers commercial and residential lawn care, with services including lawn fertilization, weed control, core aeration, insect control and tree and shrub maintenance. Andrus is currently serving all areas between Montgomery, Opelika, Auburn and Phoenix City.

“This is a home town business, I’m doing the work,” said Andrus. “There’s a lot of folks out here who do this sort of business, but I like to pride myself on attention to detail and addressing customer needs.”

Nationally, Spring-Green has been operating with local franchises for 30 years. Although the company realizes the differences of each of their frachises, but does offer its customers a satisfaction guarantee. It does not guarantee perfect lawns immediately, but rather a healthy, green lawn with fewer weeds.

To schedule an estimate with Spring-Green lawn care, you can visit the Spring-Green Web site at www.spring-green.com and search for services in your area, e-mail John David Andrus at jandrus@spring-green.net or call 334-363-2237.

The Road to the Senior Project Show

2010-03-10T20:16:10Z

While most college students are deciding which type of sunscreen to pack for their spring break vacations, Coleen Lyman, a senior in graphic design at Auburn University, is deciding which part of her final design project she needs to complete over the break.

Lyman's work, along with work of the other seniors in the graphic design program, will be showcased in a gallery exhibition, the "Senior Project Show," at the end of the semester.

"Some people know for years what they want to do their senior project on," Lyman said. "I decided on my project over Christmas break, so I would be prepared to write my proposal when I got back to class for spring semester."

The proposal Lyman mentioned is just the first of many steps a student must complete throughout the semester. The proposal includes all the research the student has done as well as sketches outlining what the student hopes to create. These proposals are submitted at the beginning of the semester to one of two groups of professors who review each proposal with the department head, John Morgan.

Lyman's proposal included plans to create the identity for a fictional textile company that incorporated sustainability practices, used 100 percent organic cotton and maintained fair trade methods of production. She named her company High Cotton Textiles and plans to design four different collections of fabrics as well as creating all the packaging and logo materials for the business.

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"I got the name High Cotton Textiles from the old saying, 'in high cotton,' which means someone well off," Lyman said. "In the case of my fictional company, it is supposed to represent the high quality of the materials the company will use."

Now that Lyman received approval on her proposal, she works on creating computer renderings of her collections. Not only will Lyman design all the patterns for her fabric collections, but she also must apply each fabric to a real-life setting to make sure the aesthetics work correctly for the company's target audience.

"It is really hard work, but will be worth it in the end ... I hope," Lyman said.

The next step for Lyman after designing all the parts of her project will be production. This stage includes screen printing the fabrics, creating mock-ups and crafting the materials.

"I think this showcase will help me gain confidence as a designer, and prove to myself that I can manage my time creating a project with out a professor always telling me what and when I need to do the different parts of my project," Lyman said. "The senior design project has already helped me decide which direction I want to take my career after I graduate college," Lyman said.

While the graphic design students must have their projects completed for the final review session by April 13th, the open house for the Senior Project Show will be on April 16th in Biggin Hall.

"[The senior's] families and friends all come to the showcase to see what we have learned over the past four years and what we have accomplished," Lyman said, "though anyone one in the community is welcomed and encouraged to check it out."

For more information on the Graphic Design Program or the Senior Project Show, visit www.cadc.auburn.edu/graphicdesign/.

Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament a Hit

2010-03-10T17:13:35Z

This past weekend the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity successfully carried out its 5th annual “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament.” With an entire day of music, food and dodge ball, this year’s tournament spread the word about domestic violence while still having a good time.

“It’s a unique way to show our support for an under recognized cause,” said Rachel Wilson, the philanthropy chair for Alpha Chi Omega.

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For the past four years, Alpha Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha have had a dodge ball tournament to benefit awareness on domestic violence. Previously they have worked with Safe Harbor, and this year all money raised during the event will go to the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika.

“The Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika is the only organization of its kind within a five-county service area,” said Wilson. “This is why we decided to donate the money to them this year.”

Wilson has known she wanted to be a part of the philanthropy event since she was a freshman, and now as a junior she has taken on the role of the philanthropy chair for Alpha Chi Omega.

“I’ve always helped out with the event, but this year I wanted to directly work with it,” said Wilson. “I started planning for it once I became philanthropy chair in November and it has been nonstop since then.”

Wilson also had the help of Adam Stovall, philanthropy chair for the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Wilson and Stovall worked together to get the event ready and to make it another successful year.

“Over the past years of doing this dodge ball tournament we have raised around $16,000,” said Wilson. “This year we’re hoping to add much more to that total.”

This year, the “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament” was held on Sunday, March 7, at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house from 1 to 4 p.m. The day included music from the band UnderGround Railroad, Chick-fil-a sandwiches for lunch and an appearance from Aubie.

Each team consisted of either five girls or five boys who competed all day in the dodge ball tournament. The winners from each bracket then went on to compete in the final match for first and second place.

“First place received a trophy and $100, and second place received a gift card to Kinnucans,” said Wilson. “We also raffled gift cards to Smoothie King throughout the day.”

Alpha Chi Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha hope to continue the “Dodging Domestic Violence Dodge Ball Tournament” for years to come.

“As long as people keep coming out to have a good time and keep supporting the cause, we want to keep doing it,” said Wilson. “We want everyone to have fun, but also make people more aware of the domestic violence in women’s lives.”

The Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika is a not for profit agency that provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, and aims to eliminate violence in their lives. The organization is also funded by the United Way.

To learn more about domestic violence and what can be done to help prevent it, visit the Domestic Violence Intervention Center of Opelika Web site.

Plant Sale Rakes in Scholarship Opportunities

2010-03-09T23:34:24Z

Looking to finally start that vegetable garden this spring? How about adding additional trees and shrubs to your already fruitful front yard?

This year’s “A-Day Plant Sale,” organized by the Professional Land Care Network (PLANET), is the perfect place to find trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs and more.

PLANET is an undergraduate student club at Auburn University. This year, PLANET is hosting the “A-Day Plant Sale” in conjunction with Campus Club, another university club.

This year’s plant sale will be held on Friday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. and Saturday, April 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash, checks and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment. Jack LeCroy, president of PLANET, said that the club raises a lot of funds for scholarships, and that working with Campus Club brings in more funding for the plant sale.

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Dr. Amy N. Wright, adviser for PLANET, said the proceeds of the plant sale will also benefit members of PLANET.

“The funds will also be going to support members of PLANET to go to their national competition that they go to every year where they go and compete in different landscaping events,” Wright said.

This year, the national competition is in Atlanta, Ga. The sale proceeds will help pay for hotel rooms and travel expenses to Atlanta.

“It’s their biggest fundraiser that they have over the year,” Wright said.

PLANET is also receiving help some from Horticulture Forum, another undergraduate club in the Horticulture Department.

“They’re going to be growing some vegetable plants, so it’s a combined effort [by all the clubs],” Wright said.

There will be a large variety of trees, shrubs, bedding plants, vegetables, herbs and trees for sell at the plant sale. The clubs will both be available to answer any questions.

“The Campus Club will be there helping work it, but also the PLANET students and some faculty will be there to always answer questions about plants,” Wright said.

The plants sale is possible thanks to plant nurseries across the state of Alabama.

“We have everything from our club donated,” LeCroy said. “What we do is we get nurseries all around the state, we call a couple of months in advance, and we ask them to donate anything that they have that we can carry back to Auburn. “

LeCroy and the other PLANET members and advisers are looking forward to the 2010 A-Day Plant Sale.

“It would be great to help you with any of your gardening or landscape questions while you are picking out plants, and we hope to see you in April,” LeCroy said.

According to PLANET’s Web site, the club is a professional organization, service organization and social organization. The officers for 2009-2010 are President Jack LeCroy, Vice President Russell McKeown, Secretary Summer Thaxton, Treasurer Casey Teel, Work Day and Plant Sale Co-Chair Meredith Jedlicka, Work and Plant Sale Co-Chair Michael Kennedy and the faculty advisers Dr. Joe Eakes, Dr. Amy Wright and Dr. Carolyn Robinson.

TNA Wrestling Invades Columbus

2010-03-09T22:38:55Z

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “TNA Live!” presents a night of wrestling at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Ga on March 26.

Wrestling fans in Auburn are excited for the opportunity to see wrestling legends live. Jeb Bates, a student at Auburn, is particularly excited to see the show in a relatively close venue.

“Usually I have to all the way to Atlanta to see the superstars of wrestling, so I am really excited to be able to see the show in Columbus,” said Bates.

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TNA Live! is distinctive because of its interactive approach. The loudest fans will be selected from the audience to go backstage to meet the stars of the show. Also the ring announcer, Jeremy Borash, will add a special twist to the show by hiding a backstage pass in the Columbus Civic Center. The location of the pass will be unveiled before the show on twitter for a lucky fan to find in the civic center.

“I love the idea of being chosen from the entire audience to get a backstage pass. I am going to try my hardest to get back there. I have always wanted to see how the wrestlers are in person,” said Bates.

Wrestlers featured in this event are AJ Styles “The Phenomenal,” Kurt Angle “Olympic Gold Medalist,” Jeff Jarrett “The Founder,” Matt Morgan “The Blueprint,” D’Angelo Dinero “The Pope” and the beautiful people “TNA Knockouts.”

“This is pretty much an all-star cast. I am really looking forward to seeing Kurt Angle. He has won some championships and is an Olympic gold medalist. And Hulk Hogan has recently rejoined the wrestling world, so you never know, he might make a surprise appearance,” said Bates.

Hulk Hogan has been out of the ring for quite some time while he recovered from two back surgeries and dealt with family issues, but is scheduled to return to the ring March 8 on TNA iMPACT!. There is no confirmation that Hogan will be at the show in Columbus.

Tickets are available online at ticketmaster, by phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Columbus Civic Center Box Office and at all Georgia Publix locations. Tickets start at $20 and fans that purchase tickets of $35 will receive a free TNA DVD, redeemable with ticket the night of the show.

Chicken Sale Benefits Poultry Science Club

2010-03-09T21:36:37Z

From Colonel Sanders to Truett Cathy, true entrepreneurs know that chicken sells, especially in the south. Auburn University’s Poultry Science Club is taking advantage of that fact. They are currently hosting their annual “Smoked Chicken Sale” from March 8 to March 12. While the sale is not quite as old as the poultry program at Auburn, which began in 1929, its 25 plus year history definitely makes it an Auburn tradition.

“We have people from the industry come back to talk to the club and they always ask how the smoked bird sale is going,” said Senior Robert Tidwell, president of the poultry science club.

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The smoked chicken sale is not just for students and faculty of the university. The fundraiser is open to the public and anyone in the community who would like to purchase the approximately four pound chickens is welcome. The chickens sell for $7 apiece.

The chickens are brined and smoked for their one of a kind flavor. The birds can be reheated on the grill or frozen for later use.

The proceeds from the sale go directly back into the Poultry Science Club. Tidwell explains that the money is used to promote professional involvement and increase interest in the profession.

“We take a trip each year to Atlanta to the International Poultry Expo,” Tidwell said. “The money we generate from the bird sale fully funds that. It buys the hotel and the transportation over there.”

Forget to pre-order your bird? Don’t worry.

According to Tidwell, “you can come by the department building and here in the lobby we’ll have a table set up and we’ll get you some chickens.”

The chickens will be on sale at the Poultry Science Building located on 260 Lem Morrison Drive.

For more information about the Poultry Science Club’s “Smoked Chicken Sale,” please visit their Web site or contact Amanda Martin at 334-844-2881 or at amartin@auburn.edu.

Firehouse Subs Donates to Opelika Fire Department

2010-03-08T17:04:11Z

To some people, Firehouse Subs may be known for it's Hook and Ladder combination or it's "Fully Loaded" sandwiches, but to the Opelika Fire Department, Firehouse Subs means something different.

On March 1, at 3:30 p.m., Firehouse Subs in Opelika and their non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation donated $18,000 worth of life-saving equipment to the Opelika Fire Department.

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The Foundation donated five Motorola portable radios which will increase the safety of the firefighters because it will provide radio communication during fire operations.

"The radios are equipped with a 'firefighter down' button which automatically sends a distress signal direct to the 911 center," said Opelika Fire Chief Terry Adkins. "These radios will greatly increase the personal safety of the firefighters and will allow them to be in direct contact with other firefighters, the incident commander and the dispatch center."

Attendees at the event included Reed Compton, Opelika Firehouse Subs franchisee, Chris Holmes, Firehouse Subs area representative, Meghan Bender, Firehouse Subs Community program manager, Opelika Fire Chief Terry Adkins, Captain Ashley Harmon, firefighters Lieutenant Stephens, Allmond and Johnson, paramedics Brown and Smith, and nearby Firehouse Subs General Manager Ashly Shannon.

"The Foundation fills needs for different fire departments," Compton said. "We knew we had the funds available and we approached the Opelika Fire Department to see if they had any needs."

Compton explained that the funds that were raised to donate the five radios came from individual donations, pickle bucket sales and canisters placed by registers that explain the non-profit's mission and collect money for the Foundation.

"We are all about giving them tools to improve the community," said Compton. "It's all about safety and response time. You can't help but to make their jobs easier."

Chief Adkins who has been fire chief in Opelika since 1996 and with the Opelika Fire Department for 44 years is appreciative that these radios were made available at a time when the economy is tight, and said," Without the help of Firehouse Subs, we wouldn't have been able to supply our firefighters with this equipment right now."

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Firehouse Subs, founded in Jacksonville, Fla., by former firefighting brothers Chris and Robin Sorenson, is a 379-unit fast-casual restaurant chain. Firehouse Subs offers over-sized portions of premium hand-sliced meats and cheeses, steamed to make the flavors burst, then piled high with fresh produce atop a toasted sub roll. The restaurants reflect the authentic firefighter heritage, as well as the founding family's 200 years of firefighting service. In 2005, the company created The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, Inc. to provide funding to deserving local fire departments. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $1.75 million in equipment and resources. Firehouse Subs was also named "National Chain" winner of the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) Restaurant Neighbor Award for their overall dedication to community service. The 2010 plans for expansion include the Northeast, Central and Southwest regions of the U.S.

In 2005, Firehouse Subs extended their mission with the creation of the non-profit, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to improving the life-saving capabilities of emergency services in communities served by Firehouse Subs by providing funding, resources and support to deserving public safety entities. Through the non-profit 501 (c) (3), Firehouse Subs is able to give back to those hometown heroes who protect our local communities by providing funding, resources and support.

Auburn’s Publix Set to Open in May

2010-03-04T22:50:38Z

Publix will open soon in Auburn at the intersection of Moores Mill Road and Hamilton Road. Brent Gladden is the broker for University Real Estate Group, and is in work with the Hamilton Place LLC Development Company. Gladden explains his role within the development of Publix by referring himself as a partner of Hamilton Development Company.

“I am acting as the leasing agent for Publix because of their role with University Real Estate group” and their ability to handle the leasing of the property. Gladden participates in “commercial and residential brokerage as well as commercial and residential development.” Gladden said.

Along with many others, Gladden hoped to open in April , but due to the heavy rainfall in Auburn and at the site development, opening day was set back.

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The development site for Publix is an 11.77 acres site, which is where they are locating the supermarket. Gladden explains the layout for Publix which will consist of a 54,000-square-foot of supermarket in south Auburn.

“An additional “25,200 square feet of lease space where [they] will have restaurants, dry cleaners, hair salons and tanning salon as well other unique clients.” Gladden adds.

Gladden verifies the placement of the new Publix to be built in South Auburn because of the high residential content and favorable demographics within this area.

Publix's mission is to be the premier quality food retailer in the world. Along with traditional food products, Publix entails a seclusive bakery and deli section. In order to top it off an exclusive diverse wine assortment is found at Publix, with its another month, another wine feature.

“We are shooting for an opening day that will be in the second or third week of May.” Gladden states.

To learn more about Brent Gladden, visit the University Real Estate State Group LLC official webpage at http://www.universityrealestategroup.com/. In order to receive more information about Publix and their attractions, visit their official website at www.publix.com.

Images of Sicilian Women

2010-03-04T22:17:05Z

The Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities will be hosting the event “Images of Sicilian Women” on March 11 at 3 p.m. in the Special Collections and Archives section of the Auburn University library. It will feature speaker Giovanna Summerfield, a professor at Auburn and native of Sicily. The presentation will last an hour and will be followed by a reception. The event is free and open to the public.
Summerfield serves as the director of the Languages Across the Curriculum Program. She is also the coordinator for the Italian Proficiency Exam and the faculty advisor for the AU Club Italiano. Her research and teaching interests include: the long eighteenth-century French and Italian literature (emphasis on Sicilian writers), religious and philosophical movements, European and Mediterranean history/civilization and material culture.
She was the recipient of the “College of Liberal Arts Engaged Scholar Award,” 2009-2012. Summerfield was also awarded the “Outstanding Scholarly Achievement in Women’s Studies,” 2009-2010, and the “Promoting Excellence in Teaching and Learning (PETL) Award” at Auburn University in March 2007. In addition, Summerfield is a published poet and short-story writer.

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“Summerfield is wonderful with a public audience and students,” said Jay Lamar, director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities. “She is a great speaker who is energetic and insightful about the things that she presents."
The “Images of Sicilian Women” event is part of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities’ Discover Auburn program. This year-long series features programs on Auburn research, history and other topics of interest. It is co-sponsored by the Auburn University Libraries and the Auburn University Bookstore. Lectures are held in the Special Collections Department of the Ralph Brown Draughon Library. The next Discover Auburn program event will feature Joe Yeager and Gene Stevenson and the topic "Comer Hall's 100th Anniversary."
Past Discover Auburn sessions are available for download at the University Libraries’ Web site.
The Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities was established by Auburn University in 1985 to develop and offer programming in Alabama schools, towns and communities that strengthens the bond between the academic community, the arts and the general public. The Center was named in honor of Caroline Marshall Draughon, wife of Ralph Brown Draughon, in 2007. The Center's home in Auburn is the historic 1847 Scott-Yarbrough House known as Pebble Hill. Given to the university by Auburn Bank and the Auburn Heritage Association, the building houses an outreach effort shaped by the leadership of founding director Leah Rawls Atkins and subsequent directors Bert Hitchcock, Allen Cronenberg and current director Jay Lamar. Its goal is to help create both appetite and capacity for cultural and educational programming in communities of all sizes and resources.
For more information about Giovanna Summerfield, please visit her Web site.
For more information about the Discover Auburn series or the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, please visit their Web site.

Community Theatre performs “Seussical, Jr.”

2010-03-04T00:02:20Z

The Auburn Area Community Theatre will present “Seussical Jr.” beginning this week at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. Directed by Children’s Program Director Kim Hirt, “Seussical Jr.” is a musical based on Dr. Seuss’ works and is put on by children and youth ages 7 – 18.

The musical falls the same week that Auburn City Schools, along with the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, are bringing "Read Across America" to the community. To recognize the importance of reading, "Read Across America" is celebrated every year in March during the week of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

“I didn’t know that when I picked this show that it just so happened to be the same week as Dr. Seuss’ birthday,” Hirt said.

“Seussical Jr.” features all of the favorite Dr. Seuss characters including the Cat and the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and the Who’s of Whoville.
The performance includes musical style ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel and R&B to funk.

“It’s fun for kids and adults,” Hirt said. “There is a lot of recognizable characters like Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and The Cat and the Hat.”

The AACT presented their first production in 2004 and in 2009; Hirt brought the first musical production, “Fiddler on the Roof, Jr.” to the AACT. There were 24 children and youth in the cast.

“I remember as a kid loving theatre, and there weren’t very many opportunities,” Hirt said. “I majored in musical theatre and always thought that when I was in the position, I would provide that sort of thing.”

Seussical Jr. will be presented at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center located at 222 E. Drake Avenue on March 3 – 8. Performance times are March 3 - 5 at 6:30 p.m., March 6 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and March 8 at 6:30 p.m.

For reservations, email aactreservations@gmail.com or call 770-928-7777. For more information, visit http://www.auburnact.org.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children, students and seniors. The “Family Night” performance on Monday, March 8 is only $6.