FEBRUARY COMMUNITY MEETING PLANNED IN TRUSSVILLE
Our next Friends of Red Mountain Park Community Meeting (Birmingham/Jefferson County area) is scheduled for February 8th at the Trussville Public Library. Please join us at 6 pm to hear about all the plans we've made for 2010. We will be presenting the newest developments with the park and our various volunteer opportunities, and we will be available for any questions you might have. Bring a friend!
Our next Friends of Red Mountain Park Community Meeting (Birmingham/Jefferson County area) is scheduled for February 8th at the Trussville Public Library. Please join us at 6 pm to hear about all the plans we've made for 2010. We will be presenting the newest developments with the park and our various volunteer opportunities, and we will be available for any questions you might have. Bring a friend!
The Historic Mobile Preservation Society will be hosting the 2010 Mobile Historic Homes Tour on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This year's tour will feature five homes in Ashland Place, one of Mobile's most prestigious historic neighborhoods.
Ashland Place was established in the early 1900s and is Mobile's oldest subdivision. It was home to Mobile's lumber barons and business leaders. Many of the homes continue to be occupied by the original owner's families, a unique characteristic of this historic area. A walkable neighborhood nestled under Mobile's famous live oak canopy, Ashland Place features homes in a variety of architectural styles - from a grand Georgian Revival to charming a Craftsman Bungalow. This year's tour will showcase how contemporary families have adapted these lovely historic homes for today's use.
Ashland Place was established in the early 1900s and is Mobile's oldest subdivision. It was home to Mobile's lumber barons and business leaders. Many of the homes continue to be occupied by the original owner's families, a unique characteristic of this historic area. A walkable neighborhood nestled under Mobile's famous live oak canopy, Ashland Place features homes in a variety of architectural styles - from a grand Georgian Revival to charming a Craftsman Bungalow. This year's tour will showcase how contemporary families have adapted these lovely historic homes for today's use.
Sunday, Feb. 7 Kick-Off for Alabama's Civil Rights Trail, by Frye Gaillard
Discussion, Roundtable and Reception
Sponsored by University of Alabama Press/ hosted by Troy University
Rosa Parks Library Auditorium & Exhibition Hall, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
"No other state has embraced and preserved its civil rights history more thoroughly than Alabama. Nor is there a place where that history is richer. Alabama's Civil Rights Trail tells of Alabama's great civil rights events, as well as its lesser-known moments, in a compact and accessible narrative, paired with a practical guide to Alabama's preserved civil rights sites and monuments.
In his history of Alabama's civil rights movement, Cradle of Freedom (University of Alabama Press, 2004), Frye Gaillard contends that Alabama played the lead role in a historic movement that made all citizens of the nation, black and white, more free. This book, geared toward the casual traveler and the serious student alike, showcases in a vividly illustrated and compelling manner, valuable and rich details. It provides a user-friendly, graphic tool for the growing number of travelers, students, and civil rights pilgrims who visit the state annually.
The story of the civil rights movement in Alabama is told city by city, region by region, and town by town, with entries on Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, and Mobile, as well as chapters on the Black Belt and the Alabama hill country. Smaller but important locales such as Greensboro, Monroeville, and Scottsboro are included, as are more obscure sites like Hale County's Safe House Black History Museum and the birthplace of the Black Panther Party in Lowndes County."
Discussion, Roundtable and Reception
Sponsored by University of Alabama Press/ hosted by Troy University
Rosa Parks Library Auditorium & Exhibition Hall, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
"No other state has embraced and preserved its civil rights history more thoroughly than Alabama. Nor is there a place where that history is richer. Alabama's Civil Rights Trail tells of Alabama's great civil rights events, as well as its lesser-known moments, in a compact and accessible narrative, paired with a practical guide to Alabama's preserved civil rights sites and monuments.
In his history of Alabama's civil rights movement, Cradle of Freedom (University of Alabama Press, 2004), Frye Gaillard contends that Alabama played the lead role in a historic movement that made all citizens of the nation, black and white, more free. This book, geared toward the casual traveler and the serious student alike, showcases in a vividly illustrated and compelling manner, valuable and rich details. It provides a user-friendly, graphic tool for the growing number of travelers, students, and civil rights pilgrims who visit the state annually.
The story of the civil rights movement in Alabama is told city by city, region by region, and town by town, with entries on Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, and Mobile, as well as chapters on the Black Belt and the Alabama hill country. Smaller but important locales such as Greensboro, Monroeville, and Scottsboro are included, as are more obscure sites like Hale County's Safe House Black History Museum and the birthplace of the Black Panther Party in Lowndes County."
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville will be offering a special 3-day Jedi Experience overnight camp during the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit from June 25 - Sept. 6. The camps will use both Space Camp and the rocket center's museum facilities for their activities. Programs include overnight lodging with the option of a Parent/Child weekend Jedi Experience or a 3-day/2-night youth Jedi Experience during the week. Both programs are designed for 7-12 year olds. A Jedi Experience day camp is also being considered.
Jedi Experience focuses on the principals and moral codes surrounding the training of a Jedi Knight. It is an educational look into the scientific, technological, historical and cultural trappings of the Star Wars universe, with real world parallels. Parent/Child Jedi Experience campers spend Friday afternoon through Sunday morning immersed in the world of Star Wars. Each team (one parent or guardian and one child ages 7-12; two parents and two children, etc.) will be guided through their training by a Jedi instructor. All of the camp's events take place in various Star Wars themed classrooms. All attendees receive log book, pen, T-shirt, graduation certificate and team photo. The 3 day/2 night youth experience is Monday - Wednesday. Cost is $450 per person for either camp. There will be a limited capacity and camps are expected to fill up quickly.
"Between the exhibit itself and now, Jedi Experience, we believe this summer, Huntsville will be the place to be," says Holly Beach, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Vice President of Marketing. She adds, "It has the potential to bring millions of dollars into the local economy." "We want the people who will come to Huntsville to see the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit to stay a little longer and do a little more. It's a great opportunity to show off what we have here in North Alabama and everyone will benefit," Beach says.
For more information on the Jedi Experience please see http://www.spacecamp.com/landing/jedi/
Jedi Experience focuses on the principals and moral codes surrounding the training of a Jedi Knight. It is an educational look into the scientific, technological, historical and cultural trappings of the Star Wars universe, with real world parallels. Parent/Child Jedi Experience campers spend Friday afternoon through Sunday morning immersed in the world of Star Wars. Each team (one parent or guardian and one child ages 7-12; two parents and two children, etc.) will be guided through their training by a Jedi instructor. All of the camp's events take place in various Star Wars themed classrooms. All attendees receive log book, pen, T-shirt, graduation certificate and team photo. The 3 day/2 night youth experience is Monday - Wednesday. Cost is $450 per person for either camp. There will be a limited capacity and camps are expected to fill up quickly.
"Between the exhibit itself and now, Jedi Experience, we believe this summer, Huntsville will be the place to be," says Holly Beach, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Vice President of Marketing. She adds, "It has the potential to bring millions of dollars into the local economy." "We want the people who will come to Huntsville to see the Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit to stay a little longer and do a little more. It's a great opportunity to show off what we have here in North Alabama and everyone will benefit," Beach says.
For more information on the Jedi Experience please see http://www.spacecamp.com/landing/jedi/
The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Florence was named a National Lighthouse Award Winner designating it in the top five percent of Hampton Hotels in the nation. The hotel was recognized for its high rankings in overall accommodations, service and quality. The 5-story, 88-room Hampton Inn & Suites Florence Downtown is located near such area attractions as the University of North Alabama, W.C. Handy Birthplace, Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House, Helen Keller Birthplace and Alabama Music Hall of Fame. www.florencedowntownsuites.hamptoninn.com
The Quality Inn Athens recently received the Choice Gold Hospitality Award. The Choice Gold Hospitality Award is awarded to the top ten percent of hotels within the Choice brand. The awards are based on a ranking system that measures guest satisfaction, product quality, room condition and cleanliness, and staff service. The Quality Inn Athens is located near Athens State University, host of the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-athens-alabama-AL325?promo=gglocal
The Quality Inn Athens recently received the Choice Gold Hospitality Award. The Choice Gold Hospitality Award is awarded to the top ten percent of hotels within the Choice brand. The awards are based on a ranking system that measures guest satisfaction, product quality, room condition and cleanliness, and staff service. The Quality Inn Athens is located near Athens State University, host of the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-athens-alabama-AL325?promo=gglocal
MONTGOMERY, AL - Companion bills filed in the Alabama
legislature (SB 258, HB 376) would create an Alabama Trails Commission
to foster widespread development and link-up of green and blue-water
trails throughout the state. Focused on health, family, economic and
tourism incentives, the bills call for the proposed commission to
coordinate local needs, goals and leadership in trail design,
operation, build-up and maintenance for hiking, biking, running,
horseback riding, motorized off-highway vehicles, and water sport.
An initiative of the Alabama Recreational Trails Advisory Board (ARTAB), the plan was moved forward by Senator Wendell Mitchell (Luverne) and Representative Cam Ward (Alabaster). Both legislators have long histories in the outdoor recreation communities. An ARTAB committee chaired by Fairhope City Council member Debbie Quinn led in the plan's preparation.
"This would be a first for Alabama," said Quinn. "The Commission would promote and coordinate recreational trail projects across an array of organizations such as local, regional, state and federal agencies, trail advocates, business interests, higher education centers and non-profit organizations." Quinn said a similar program has been underway in Florida since 1995.
Under the proposed legislation, there would be a twelve member Alabama Trails Commission. Five state agencies would be members: Alabama Department of Transportation, Alabama Department of Conservation and National Resources, Alabama Tourism Department, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Governor's Office. Other board members would represent trail users, local government and the business community.
The legislation also calls for an Alabama Trails Commission Advisory Board and a tax-deductible non-profit foundation to advance the Trail Commission's goals by fund raising and supporting recreation in education.
The Commission would be housed in the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
"Alabama's diverse terrain provides some of the most splendid trails anywhere in the nation, said ADECA Director Doni Ingram. "This commission will help identify trails in the state and work to promote them and encourage usage."
CONTACT:
Debbie Quinn
Alabama Recreational Trails Advisory Board
P.O. Box 429
Fairhope, AL 36533
Phone (251) 751-1858 (cell)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. CARE is a community-based program that works with county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources.
EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self-sustaining.
In 2009, EPA's CARE program distributed $2 million to nine communities. Examples of projects that received grants include addressing waste and storm water issues in Kennett, Mo.; reducing air and water pollution in Holyoke, Mass.; addressing water pollution from coal slurry in Wheeling, W.Va.; reducing radon and other indoor air pollutants in Pueblo, Colo.; and tackling the problem of hazardous waste materials and open dumping in Toksook Bay, Alaska. Since 2005, the grants have reached 68 communities in 34 states and territories. A recent evaluation by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) recognized the CARE program as a solid tested framework for engaging communities and other stakeholders.
Applications for the CARE grants are due March 9, 2010. EPA will conduct three Webcasts to answer questions from prospective applicants about the application process on Feb. 2, 23, and 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
More information about the grants: http://www.epa.gov/care/
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov
EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self-sustaining.
In 2009, EPA's CARE program distributed $2 million to nine communities. Examples of projects that received grants include addressing waste and storm water issues in Kennett, Mo.; reducing air and water pollution in Holyoke, Mass.; addressing water pollution from coal slurry in Wheeling, W.Va.; reducing radon and other indoor air pollutants in Pueblo, Colo.; and tackling the problem of hazardous waste materials and open dumping in Toksook Bay, Alaska. Since 2005, the grants have reached 68 communities in 34 states and territories. A recent evaluation by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) recognized the CARE program as a solid tested framework for engaging communities and other stakeholders.
Applications for the CARE grants are due March 9, 2010. EPA will conduct three Webcasts to answer questions from prospective applicants about the application process on Feb. 2, 23, and 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
More information about the grants: http://www.epa.gov/care/
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov
The application deadline for three popular Farm Bill programs -- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is January 29, 2010 according to Dr. William Puckett, state conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Applications for the three programs will be accepted until close of business on that day. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.
EQIP and WHIP offer financial and technical assistance to install structural and management practices on eligible non-federal lands to address natural resource concerns and wildlife habitat restoration. Conservation treatment activities for EQIP and WHIP are carried out in accordance to a conservation plan that is developed with the landowner or manager
GRP is a voluntary program to assist landowners and operators of private and tribal lands in restoring, protecting and enhancing grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrub land and certain other lands through rental contracts and easements. The program offers producers several enrollment options:
-- Rental contracts (duration of 10-years, 15-years, or 20-years). -- Easements (permanent or maximum duration authorized by state law.
-- The Grassland Reserve Program is jointly administered by NRCS and the Farm Service Agency.
Interested landowners should contact their local NRCS office listed in the telephone book or online at the Alabama NRCS Web site at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov.
Applications for the three programs will be accepted until close of business on that day. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.
EQIP and WHIP offer financial and technical assistance to install structural and management practices on eligible non-federal lands to address natural resource concerns and wildlife habitat restoration. Conservation treatment activities for EQIP and WHIP are carried out in accordance to a conservation plan that is developed with the landowner or manager
GRP is a voluntary program to assist landowners and operators of private and tribal lands in restoring, protecting and enhancing grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrub land and certain other lands through rental contracts and easements. The program offers producers several enrollment options:
-- Rental contracts (duration of 10-years, 15-years, or 20-years). -- Easements (permanent or maximum duration authorized by state law.
-- The Grassland Reserve Program is jointly administered by NRCS and the Farm Service Agency.
Interested landowners should contact their local NRCS office listed in the telephone book or online at the Alabama NRCS Web site at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov.
High school students please apply - guidelines are in the attachment or call Paulette Rowe, Outreach Coordinator at 205-254-1960
Scholarship - $3,500 to Savanna College of Art and Design
Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
Artwork accepted mediums are as follows: o Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. o Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers o Collage: must be two dimensional o Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints o Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc. o Computer-generated art o Photography.
Deadline: May 24, 2010
Scholarship - $3,500 to Savanna College of Art and Design
Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
Artwork accepted mediums are as follows: o Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. o Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers o Collage: must be two dimensional o Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints o Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc. o Computer-generated art o Photography.
Deadline: May 24, 2010
The Alabama Tourism Department is asking representatives from state attractions and events to turn in their 2009 attendance figures. This list is used by state tourism in economic impact studies and is the basis for our annual "Top 10" listings of tourism destinations. This list serves as an invaluable guide for state government, local organizations, and the media. It will also be distributed in our press kit to travel writers and group tour operators. In order for you to be counted we must have your data by Friday, Jan. 22. The reporting process has been streamlined to allow you to enter your attendance figures directly online. The entire process should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
Please follow this link to enter your attendance figures: http://www.alabama.travel/media-room/attendance.cfm
Please follow this link to enter your attendance figures: http://www.alabama.travel/media-room/attendance.cfm
The Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and support outstanding community arts and humanities programs that celebrate the creativity of America's young people, provide them learning opportunities and chances to contribute to their communities. These awards focus national attention on exemplary programs currently fostering the creative and intellectual development of America's children and youth through education and practical experience in the arts and the humanities. Accompanied by a cash award, the Coming Up Taller Awards not only reward these projects with recognition, but also contribute significant support to their continued work.
Deadline: January 29, 2010
Maximum Award: $10,000
Number Of Awards: 19
Period: Award.
More Information:
Coming Up Taller Awards
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 526
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: 202-682-5409)
URL: http://www.pcah.gov/cut.htm
NEA
Deadline: January 29, 2010
Maximum Award: $10,000
Number Of Awards: 19
Period: Award.
More Information:
Coming Up Taller Awards
President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 526
Washington, DC 20506
Phone: 202-682-5409)
URL: http://www.pcah.gov/cut.htm
NEA
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for the 2010 Native American Library Services Basic Grants program. Federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native villages and corporations may apply for these grants in either the Basic or the Basic with Education/Assessment Option categories.
These noncompetitive grants are designed to support traditional core library services in tribal communities across the country. The supplemental Education/Assessment Option provides funds for continuing education opportunities for library staff and on-site library assessments. In 2009, IMLS awarded 31 Basic Grants and 177 Basic Grants with the Education/Assessment Option to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and corporations.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2010
Contact Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer, at 202/653-4665 or afreese@imls.gov with questions about this grant program. For more information, please go to:
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nativeAmerican.shtm
These noncompetitive grants are designed to support traditional core library services in tribal communities across the country. The supplemental Education/Assessment Option provides funds for continuing education opportunities for library staff and on-site library assessments. In 2009, IMLS awarded 31 Basic Grants and 177 Basic Grants with the Education/Assessment Option to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages and corporations.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2010
Contact Alison Freese, Senior Program Officer, at 202/653-4665 or afreese@imls.gov with questions about this grant program. For more information, please go to:
http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nativeAmerican.shtm
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Award for Federal Preserve America Accomplishment for its support of the Preserve America Program and its leadership in historic preservation efforts across the nation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
From The Associated Press article "Alabama Urged to Extend Land Preservation Program" by Bob Johnson:
Conservation leaders in Alabama urged the Legislature on Monday to continue the Forever Wild program that in 18 years has preserved about 200,000 acres of wilderness in the state. Forever Wild uses money from oil and gas revenues to purchase private land. It will expire during the 2012-2013 fiscal year unless the Legislature votes to continue it. Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley joined tourism, hunting and fishing group officials and other outdoor enthusiasts at a Statehouse news conference to push for renewal of Forever Wild for another 20 years. Lawley said areas preserved by Forever Wild include the rugged wilderness area along the Alabama-Tennessee line known as the "Walls of Jericho" and the swampy Tensaw Delta north of Mobile.
Rep. John Robinson, D-Scottsboro, said he's "100 percent" for continuing the Forever Wild program. His district is adjacent to the "Walls of Jericho," an unusual rock formation that is a popular destination for wilderness hikers. "I've hiked it several times and it's a great place. We have people come from everywhere to see it," Robinson said. Alabama Tourism Department director Lee Sentell said preserving land through Forever Wild has given people a chance to explore "unpolluted, untrashed" areas of Alabama. "I have people say to me that they had no idea that Alabama was such a beautiful state," Sentell said.
For the complete article please see http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9535436
Conservation leaders in Alabama urged the Legislature on Monday to continue the Forever Wild program that in 18 years has preserved about 200,000 acres of wilderness in the state. Forever Wild uses money from oil and gas revenues to purchase private land. It will expire during the 2012-2013 fiscal year unless the Legislature votes to continue it. Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley joined tourism, hunting and fishing group officials and other outdoor enthusiasts at a Statehouse news conference to push for renewal of Forever Wild for another 20 years. Lawley said areas preserved by Forever Wild include the rugged wilderness area along the Alabama-Tennessee line known as the "Walls of Jericho" and the swampy Tensaw Delta north of Mobile.
Rep. John Robinson, D-Scottsboro, said he's "100 percent" for continuing the Forever Wild program. His district is adjacent to the "Walls of Jericho," an unusual rock formation that is a popular destination for wilderness hikers. "I've hiked it several times and it's a great place. We have people come from everywhere to see it," Robinson said. Alabama Tourism Department director Lee Sentell said preserving land through Forever Wild has given people a chance to explore "unpolluted, untrashed" areas of Alabama. "I have people say to me that they had no idea that Alabama was such a beautiful state," Sentell said.
For the complete article please see http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9535436
Chase away the Winter Blues by exploring Eufaula and the
Chattahoochee Area with the Alabama Trust. See Fendall Hall, the village of
Westville, Americus, and eat at the Windsor Hotel. On Sunday, complete your
weekend with a tour of Fort Mitchell. In two days you will find yourself
renewed and ready to face February.
Friday Jan 22:Arrive
at Lakepoint State Park near Eufaula. You may want to arrive early to do some local touring and
shopping on your own. We will meet at the Lodge in the lobby at 6 p.m. and then convoy by car that
evening to Fendall Hall Alabama Historical Commission property in Eufaula for
our opening reception and tour sponsored by the Friends of Fendall Hall.
Saturday Jan 23: We will board the bus at 8:30 a.m. to tour Westville, an 1850s village created from relocated endangered properties in throughout Georgia. There are many businesses typical of the period with all their tools of the trade intact. There are several styles of houses of the period. The world's largest remaining cotton press is here. We will have a lunch stop along the way. We will pass through Plains (home of President Carter) for a rest stop. We will end the day in Americus, at the Windsor Hotel, a turn of the 20th century gem that has been restored and has a gourmet restaurant where we will have dinner.
Saturday Jan 23: We will board the bus at 8:30 a.m. to tour Westville, an 1850s village created from relocated endangered properties in throughout Georgia. There are many businesses typical of the period with all their tools of the trade intact. There are several styles of houses of the period. The world's largest remaining cotton press is here. We will have a lunch stop along the way. We will pass through Plains (home of President Carter) for a rest stop. We will end the day in Americus, at the Windsor Hotel, a turn of the 20th century gem that has been restored and has a gourmet restaurant where we will have dinner.
Sunday Jan 24: We will have the breakfast buffet at the Lodge, then board the bus at 9:30 a.m. to travel to tour Fort Mitchell, a reconstructed fort and educational center. We will visit an Indian monument on the property.
Collegeville Neighborhood Plan
In early December, the RPCGB staff, with the Auburn Urban Design Studio and the UAB College of Engineering presented a plan for the Collegeville Neighborhood of Birmingham. The attendance was excellent with over 75 neighborhood members present.
Elements of the plan considered by the neighborhood included a pedestrian underpass on Shuttlesworth Drive, a vehicular and pedestrian bridge on 34th Street and a recommended Fire Station on the northeast corner of 34th Street.
The planning team is finalizing the plan and the finished product will include all conceptual designs and funding recommendations. These projects combined with the Finley Boulevard Extension will begin to correct decades of isolation for this historic neighborhood.
This project is funded through the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Building Communities Program. For additional information please contact Steve Ostaseski at smo@rpcgb.org.
16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan
The RPCGB is evolving the draft of the 16th Street Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan for Fountain Heights. The RPCGB met with the City of Birmingham in December to discuss the draft and move forward with the study. The RPCGB looks forward to another public meeting in the coming month to present the draft plan to the residents of Fountain Heights. The Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association and the City of Birmingham have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete this study. For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.
City of Leeds Master Plan
The Leeds Master Plan is moving forward with the completed first installment of the draft Master Plan. The draft of the first installment of the Master Plan includes a community assessment that shows the existing conditions, which include the environmental analysis, a demographic study and an overview of the City of Leeds services and infrastructure. The RPCGB met with the Planning Commission and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce to gather input into the master plan process in December. The RPCGB looks forward to kicking off the public involvement meetings in the coming months to gather input from the residents of Leeds. The City of Leeds have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete the Master Plan for the City. For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.
City of Fairfield Master Plan
The RPCGB Community Planning Department is working with the City of Fairfield to develop a new Master Plan. The RPCGB will be working closely with the Economic Development Department in Fairfield to look at downtown redevelopment, interstate access, greyfield redevelopment and neighborhood improvement initiatives. For additional information please contact Philip Amthor, Planner with the RPCGB at pamthor@rpcgb.org.
City of Bessemer Master Plan
The RPCGB continues to work with Bessemer on a new Master Plan, focusing on neighborhood redevelopment strategies, commercial redevelopment oriented to US 11/Bessemer Superhighway, and transit plans connecting newer development near I-459 and I-20/59. For additional information please contact Philip Amthor, Planner with the RPCGB at pamthor@rpcgb.org.
In early December, the RPCGB staff, with the Auburn Urban Design Studio and the UAB College of Engineering presented a plan for the Collegeville Neighborhood of Birmingham. The attendance was excellent with over 75 neighborhood members present.
Elements of the plan considered by the neighborhood included a pedestrian underpass on Shuttlesworth Drive, a vehicular and pedestrian bridge on 34th Street and a recommended Fire Station on the northeast corner of 34th Street.
The planning team is finalizing the plan and the finished product will include all conceptual designs and funding recommendations. These projects combined with the Finley Boulevard Extension will begin to correct decades of isolation for this historic neighborhood.
This project is funded through the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Building Communities Program. For additional information please contact Steve Ostaseski at smo@rpcgb.org.
16th Street Corridor Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan
The RPCGB is evolving the draft of the 16th Street Study and Conceptual Streetscape Plan for Fountain Heights. The RPCGB met with the City of Birmingham in December to discuss the draft and move forward with the study. The RPCGB looks forward to another public meeting in the coming month to present the draft plan to the residents of Fountain Heights. The Fountain Heights Neighborhood Association and the City of Birmingham have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete this study. For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.
City of Leeds Master Plan
The Leeds Master Plan is moving forward with the completed first installment of the draft Master Plan. The draft of the first installment of the Master Plan includes a community assessment that shows the existing conditions, which include the environmental analysis, a demographic study and an overview of the City of Leeds services and infrastructure. The RPCGB met with the Planning Commission and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce to gather input into the master plan process in December. The RPCGB looks forward to kicking off the public involvement meetings in the coming months to gather input from the residents of Leeds. The City of Leeds have requested assistance from the Regional Planning Commission through the Building Communities Program to complete the Master Plan for the City. For additional information please contact Richard Amore, Senior Planner with the RPCGB at ramore@rpcgb.org.
City of Fairfield Master Plan
The RPCGB Community Planning Department is working with the City of Fairfield to develop a new Master Plan. The RPCGB will be working closely with the Economic Development Department in Fairfield to look at downtown redevelopment, interstate access, greyfield redevelopment and neighborhood improvement initiatives. For additional information please contact Philip Amthor, Planner with the RPCGB at pamthor@rpcgb.org.
City of Bessemer Master Plan
The RPCGB continues to work with Bessemer on a new Master Plan, focusing on neighborhood redevelopment strategies, commercial redevelopment oriented to US 11/Bessemer Superhighway, and transit plans connecting newer development near I-459 and I-20/59. For additional information please contact Philip Amthor, Planner with the RPCGB at pamthor@rpcgb.org.
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) will host its 2010 Annual Conference, January 27, 2010 at The Club. The title of the conference is Unlocking Hidden Potential and Greatness in our Communities and the keynote speaker will be Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, SC.
The conference will feature a look at Complete Street Networks, a presentation on the Shelby County comprehensive plan, form based code zoning and grant writing. Participants can choose between attending the full conference or only the luncheon featuring the keynote speaker. The registration deadline is January 20th.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon is Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, SC. Mayor Riley is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America. First elected Mayor in December 1975, Mayor Riley is serving an unprecedented ninth term. Under his leadership, Charleston has increased its commitment to racial harmony and progress, achieved a substantial decrease in crime, experienced a remarkable revitalization of its historic downtown business district, seen the creation and growth of Spoleto Festival U.S. A., built the beautiful Waterfront Park, developed nationally-acclaimed affordable housing, and experienced unprecedented growth in Charleston's size and population. Mayor Riley has led a city government with an impressive record of innovation in public safety, housing, arts and culture, children's issues, the creation of park and other public spaces, and economic revitalization and development. The City of Charleston is recognized as one of the most livable and progressive cities in the United States.
The conference will feature a look at Complete Street Networks, a presentation on the Shelby County comprehensive plan, form based code zoning and grant writing. Participants can choose between attending the full conference or only the luncheon featuring the keynote speaker. The registration deadline is January 20th.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon is Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, SC. Mayor Riley is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America. First elected Mayor in December 1975, Mayor Riley is serving an unprecedented ninth term. Under his leadership, Charleston has increased its commitment to racial harmony and progress, achieved a substantial decrease in crime, experienced a remarkable revitalization of its historic downtown business district, seen the creation and growth of Spoleto Festival U.S. A., built the beautiful Waterfront Park, developed nationally-acclaimed affordable housing, and experienced unprecedented growth in Charleston's size and population. Mayor Riley has led a city government with an impressive record of innovation in public safety, housing, arts and culture, children's issues, the creation of park and other public spaces, and economic revitalization and development. The City of Charleston is recognized as one of the most livable and progressive cities in the United States.
More than 1,650 events including a major Star Wars exhibit at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the first Indy Racing League competition in Alabama are featured in a calendar of events published by the Alabama Tourism Department. Several major anniversary celebrations are scheduled for the year including the 50th anniversary of the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" in Monroeville and the centennial of Birmingham's Rickwood Field. The 96-page calendar has a city-by-city index of events and features a top ten list for each month. "We've made planning a trip to Alabama easier than ever," said tourism director Lee Sentell.
The calendar also serves to kick-off the tourism agency's campaign of the "The Year of Small Towns & Downtowns." More than 200 communities across the state are participating in "Small Towns & Downtowns" by holding local homecomings. These events, known collectively as the Great Alabama Homecoming, are highlighted in the calendar.
The cover features Bellingrath Gardens and Trowbridge's, a 1917 ice cream parlor in Florence. Travelers can pick up copies of the publication at each of the eight Alabama Welcome Centers, by calling 1.800.ALABAMA or by going online at www.alabama.travel.
The calendar also serves to kick-off the tourism agency's campaign of the "The Year of Small Towns & Downtowns." More than 200 communities across the state are participating in "Small Towns & Downtowns" by holding local homecomings. These events, known collectively as the Great Alabama Homecoming, are highlighted in the calendar.
The cover features Bellingrath Gardens and Trowbridge's, a 1917 ice cream parlor in Florence. Travelers can pick up copies of the publication at each of the eight Alabama Welcome Centers, by calling 1.800.ALABAMA or by going online at www.alabama.travel.
Eagle Awareness Weekend - Jan 1-30
Hear the call of the wild. Enjoy fireside chats, guided interpretive programs at various Bald Eagle nesting sites, and guest speakers. Each program followed by meals in park's dining room. All activities take place at Guntersville State Park the weekends of Jan 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30.
The Presenters Exhibition - Jan 2-31
In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Clay Conference at Troy University, this exhibit will showcase the artwork of four of the top pottery artists in the world.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park's 45th Anniversary - Jan 9
In honor of the park's 45th anniversary, Alabamians will be admitted on this day at 1/2 price (a valid AL driver's license must be shown). Since opening to the public, more than 13 million have visited Battleship Memorial Park.
Reflect and Rejoice: A Community Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Jan 17
A musical gala presented by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alys Stephens Center in honor of Dr. King.
Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival - Jan 29
Storytelling featuring nationally acclaimed storytellers Donald Davis, Barbara McBride-Smith, Kevin Kling and Elizabeth Ellis. Tickets go on sale Dec. 29, 2009. For tickets, call 334-735-3125. Open reserved seating only.
2010 Senior Bowl - Jan 30
The nation's unique football game and football's premier pre-draft event features the country's best senior collegiate football stars and top National Football League draft prospects. Teams represent the North and South and are coached by the entire coaching staffs from two NFL teams.
381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story - Jan 30-11
This exhibition offers a gripping account of the men and women whose nonviolent approach to political and social change matured into a weapon of equality for all.
Neil Berg's 100 Broadway Years of "Singing with Broadway Stars" - Jan 30
It's your chance to be a star. How would you like to have the opportunity to win a chance to sing a song with five Broadway stars in front of family and friends? To enter the online auditions, take a 90- to 120-second video of yourself singing a Broadway show tune and upload it to YouTube, MySpace, or Facebook.
Hear the call of the wild. Enjoy fireside chats, guided interpretive programs at various Bald Eagle nesting sites, and guest speakers. Each program followed by meals in park's dining room. All activities take place at Guntersville State Park the weekends of Jan 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30.
The Presenters Exhibition - Jan 2-31
In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Clay Conference at Troy University, this exhibit will showcase the artwork of four of the top pottery artists in the world.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park's 45th Anniversary - Jan 9
In honor of the park's 45th anniversary, Alabamians will be admitted on this day at 1/2 price (a valid AL driver's license must be shown). Since opening to the public, more than 13 million have visited Battleship Memorial Park.
Reflect and Rejoice: A Community Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Jan 17
A musical gala presented by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alys Stephens Center in honor of Dr. King.
Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival - Jan 29
Storytelling featuring nationally acclaimed storytellers Donald Davis, Barbara McBride-Smith, Kevin Kling and Elizabeth Ellis. Tickets go on sale Dec. 29, 2009. For tickets, call 334-735-3125. Open reserved seating only.
2010 Senior Bowl - Jan 30
The nation's unique football game and football's premier pre-draft event features the country's best senior collegiate football stars and top National Football League draft prospects. Teams represent the North and South and are coached by the entire coaching staffs from two NFL teams.
381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story - Jan 30-11
This exhibition offers a gripping account of the men and women whose nonviolent approach to political and social change matured into a weapon of equality for all.
Neil Berg's 100 Broadway Years of "Singing with Broadway Stars" - Jan 30
It's your chance to be a star. How would you like to have the opportunity to win a chance to sing a song with five Broadway stars in front of family and friends? To enter the online auditions, take a 90- to 120-second video of yourself singing a Broadway show tune and upload it to YouTube, MySpace, or Facebook.
Congratulations to the 29 towns in
rural southwest Alabama for being selected and recognized in the Alabama
Department of Tourism's Year of Small Towns and Downtowns. Each one of these
towns had to submit a summary of the things that make their town special and
agree to host a festival that will continue as an annual event.
"This many towns hosting an annual festival will give tourists a reason to visit our area at various times throughout the year," according to Linda Vice, Director of Southwest Alabama Office of Tourism and Film . "Tourism is ongoing economic development. Each town, in the process of defining what makes them special and what festival the community will support, has found something interesting that tourists will want to see."
Each town that is part of this 2010 Year of Small Towns and Downtowns will receive a historic marker that gives some highlights of the town's history. It will serve as a permanent recognition of the town's initiative in being part of this program. Many segments of the community and a variety of organizations came together to make this happen. This is an example of grassroots efforts that have come together for the betterment of their communities. According to Vice "Tourists are interested in authentic experiences that give them a taste of what an area is really like. The festivals held as part of this effort will give tourists just that. Tourists just might like the area so much we can keep them coming back".
"Southwest Alabama Office of Tourism and Film wants to give a special thanks to their Tourism Partners in the 11 counties of Rural Southwest Alabama for encouraging their communities to participate in the Year of Small Towns and Downtown and for providing an ongoing calendar of events in each county. Tourists visit our website alabamasfrontporches.com and plan their visits to the area. Not only does the casual traveler check the website, but business travelers coming to the area, people coming to visit relatives along with the families of the hunters, fishermen and campers who spend many weekends here", says Vice. "Rural Southwest Alabama as Kathryn Tucker Windham says in our promotional video is 'a place where magic still happens and legends never die'".
"This many towns hosting an annual festival will give tourists a reason to visit our area at various times throughout the year," according to Linda Vice, Director of Southwest Alabama Office of Tourism and Film . "Tourism is ongoing economic development. Each town, in the process of defining what makes them special and what festival the community will support, has found something interesting that tourists will want to see."
Each town that is part of this 2010 Year of Small Towns and Downtowns will receive a historic marker that gives some highlights of the town's history. It will serve as a permanent recognition of the town's initiative in being part of this program. Many segments of the community and a variety of organizations came together to make this happen. This is an example of grassroots efforts that have come together for the betterment of their communities. According to Vice "Tourists are interested in authentic experiences that give them a taste of what an area is really like. The festivals held as part of this effort will give tourists just that. Tourists just might like the area so much we can keep them coming back".
"Southwest Alabama Office of Tourism and Film wants to give a special thanks to their Tourism Partners in the 11 counties of Rural Southwest Alabama for encouraging their communities to participate in the Year of Small Towns and Downtown and for providing an ongoing calendar of events in each county. Tourists visit our website alabamasfrontporches.com and plan their visits to the area. Not only does the casual traveler check the website, but business travelers coming to the area, people coming to visit relatives along with the families of the hunters, fishermen and campers who spend many weekends here", says Vice. "Rural Southwest Alabama as Kathryn Tucker Windham says in our promotional video is 'a place where magic still happens and legends never die'".
The American Battlefield Protection
Program (ABPP) of the National Park Service invites non-profit groups,
academic institutions, and local, regional, state, and tribal
governments, and other private sector organizations to submit
applications for grants. The purpose of this grant program is to
provide seed money for projects that lead directly to the
identification, preservation and interpretation of battlefield land
and/or historic sites associated with battlefields. Project funding has
ranged from $5,000 to $80,000.
The ABPP encourages potential applicants to contact the ABPP staff and discuss proposed projects before preparing an application. Contact the ABPP Grants Manager by email or at (202) 354-2037 for more information.
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Due Dates
Definitions
Guidelines and Forms - download
Application Due Dates
Applications sent by commercial express delivery service or hand-delivered by the applicant must be received in the ABPP office by 4:00 p.m. January 21, 2010.
Continue reading American Battlefields FY2010 Battlefield Project Grants.
The four recipients of the 2009 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement are as follows:
Overall Excellence: Lancaster County Planning Commission for Envision Lancaster County. Lancaster County, in south-central Pennsylvania, is known for its historic towns and villages, and its fertile farmland. To maintain the county's character, its diverse economy, and its natural resources for future generations, the Lancaster County Planning Commission established a countywide comprehensive growth management plan, which protects valuable farmland and historic landscapes by directing development to established towns and cities in the county.
Policies and Regulations: City of Charlotte for Urban Street Design Guidelines. As the central city in a rapidly growing metropolitan area, Charlotte, N.C., is under intense development pressures. Rather than continue the automobile-dominated development patterns of the last 50 years, Charlotte adopted Urban Street Design Guidelines to make walking, bicycling, and transit more appealing and to make the city more attractive and sustainable.
Built Projects: Chicago Housing Authority, FitzGerald Associates Architects and Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation for Parkside of Old Town. Parkside of Old Town sits on eight city blocks that were once home to a public housing complex notorious for criminal activity. The redevelopment has transformed the neighborhood by reconnecting it to downtown Chicago and tying together mixed-income housing, parks, and new shops and restaurants.
Smart Growth and Green Building: City of Tempe, Ariz. for the Tempe Transportation Center. The Tempe Transportation Center is a model for sustainable design, a vibrant, mixed-use regional transportation hub that incorporates innovative and green building elements tailored to the Southwest desert environment. The Tempe Transportation Center is a true multi-modal facility that integrates a light rail stop, the main city bus station, and paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.
More information on the winners and EPA's Smart Growth Program: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/
Overall Excellence: Lancaster County Planning Commission for Envision Lancaster County. Lancaster County, in south-central Pennsylvania, is known for its historic towns and villages, and its fertile farmland. To maintain the county's character, its diverse economy, and its natural resources for future generations, the Lancaster County Planning Commission established a countywide comprehensive growth management plan, which protects valuable farmland and historic landscapes by directing development to established towns and cities in the county.
Policies and Regulations: City of Charlotte for Urban Street Design Guidelines. As the central city in a rapidly growing metropolitan area, Charlotte, N.C., is under intense development pressures. Rather than continue the automobile-dominated development patterns of the last 50 years, Charlotte adopted Urban Street Design Guidelines to make walking, bicycling, and transit more appealing and to make the city more attractive and sustainable.
Built Projects: Chicago Housing Authority, FitzGerald Associates Architects and Holsten Real Estate Development Corporation for Parkside of Old Town. Parkside of Old Town sits on eight city blocks that were once home to a public housing complex notorious for criminal activity. The redevelopment has transformed the neighborhood by reconnecting it to downtown Chicago and tying together mixed-income housing, parks, and new shops and restaurants.
Smart Growth and Green Building: City of Tempe, Ariz. for the Tempe Transportation Center. The Tempe Transportation Center is a model for sustainable design, a vibrant, mixed-use regional transportation hub that incorporates innovative and green building elements tailored to the Southwest desert environment. The Tempe Transportation Center is a true multi-modal facility that integrates a light rail stop, the main city bus station, and paths for bicyclists and pedestrians.
More information on the winners and EPA's Smart Growth Program: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/
American Panelists in Copenhagen Call for Sustainable Land Use and Growth Patterns
"Urban development patterns have a significant role to play in carbon reduction. Otherwise we'll just get knocked back by land use patterns," said University of California-Berkeley College of Environmental Design Professor of City & Regional Planning Robert B. Cervero during an international panel discussion at the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Cervero stressed that, "Sustainable urbanism has to be part of the equation." Writer Ben Fried of dc.streetsblog.org pointed out that transit investment alone can reduce the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per capita by 10 to 20 percent, but energy savings "embedded" in pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development can push that reduction to 30 percent below the current level, and up to 60 percent below the future level expected under routine sprawl-type policies.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7446
2010 Transit Security Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the release of application guidance for the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) totaling an estimated $253 million--funds for state, local, and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen the nation's transportation infrastructure and protect the traveling public from acts of terrorism and other major disasters. Applications for the TSGP programs are due February 18, 2010.
www.smartgrowth.org/library/articles.asp?art=4469
Ecosystem, Vegetation Affect Intensity of Urban Heat Island Effect
NASA researchers studying urban landscapes have found that the intensity of the "heat island" created by a city depends on the ecosystem it replaced and on the regional climate. Urban areas developed in arid and semi-arid regions show far less heating compared with the surrounding countryside than cities built amid forested and temperate climates.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7443
House Jobs Bill Provides $27.5B for Highways, $9.2B for Transit
"If the goal is to create jobs, invest in buses and rail rather than highways," said the Boston-based US Public Interest Research Group's (US PIRG's) Senior Tax and Budget Policy Analyst Phineas Baxandall, commenting on the new $154-billion job stimulus bill. The bill takes $75 billion in leftover money from the bank-bailout fund to provide another $48 billion for "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that could put workers on the job by April, $26.7 billion to help states and localities avoid public worker layoffs, and $79.4 billion to expand or extend several programs for the poor and unemployed.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7444
"Urban development patterns have a significant role to play in carbon reduction. Otherwise we'll just get knocked back by land use patterns," said University of California-Berkeley College of Environmental Design Professor of City & Regional Planning Robert B. Cervero during an international panel discussion at the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Cervero stressed that, "Sustainable urbanism has to be part of the equation." Writer Ben Fried of dc.streetsblog.org pointed out that transit investment alone can reduce the U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per capita by 10 to 20 percent, but energy savings "embedded" in pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development can push that reduction to 30 percent below the current level, and up to 60 percent below the future level expected under routine sprawl-type policies.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7446
2010 Transit Security Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the release of application guidance for the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP) totaling an estimated $253 million--funds for state, local, and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen the nation's transportation infrastructure and protect the traveling public from acts of terrorism and other major disasters. Applications for the TSGP programs are due February 18, 2010.
www.smartgrowth.org/library/articles.asp?art=4469
Ecosystem, Vegetation Affect Intensity of Urban Heat Island Effect
NASA researchers studying urban landscapes have found that the intensity of the "heat island" created by a city depends on the ecosystem it replaced and on the regional climate. Urban areas developed in arid and semi-arid regions show far less heating compared with the surrounding countryside than cities built amid forested and temperate climates.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7443
House Jobs Bill Provides $27.5B for Highways, $9.2B for Transit
"If the goal is to create jobs, invest in buses and rail rather than highways," said the Boston-based US Public Interest Research Group's (US PIRG's) Senior Tax and Budget Policy Analyst Phineas Baxandall, commenting on the new $154-billion job stimulus bill. The bill takes $75 billion in leftover money from the bank-bailout fund to provide another $48 billion for "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects that could put workers on the job by April, $26.7 billion to help states and localities avoid public worker layoffs, and $79.4 billion to expand or extend several programs for the poor and unemployed.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7444
The Listening Post Project is a cutting-edge initiative designed to identify the major challenges facing nonprofit organizations through a nationwide information platform for the nonprofit field, a network of organizational "listening posts." Listening Posts are asked to respond to about three, 20 minute web-based surveys, or "Soundings," per year intended to determine how nonprofits are being affected by key nonprofit issues and how they are responding to them.
Listening Post participation is open to any nonprofit organization involved in any of the following fields: children and family services, elderly housing and services, community and economic development, arts and culture, non-hospital health care, and education.
If you would like to join the 1,100+ Listening Posts and make your voice heard please visit www.jhu.edu/listeningpost the deadline to sign up for a listening post project is Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Listening Post participation is open to any nonprofit organization involved in any of the following fields: children and family services, elderly housing and services, community and economic development, arts and culture, non-hospital health care, and education.
If you would like to join the 1,100+ Listening Posts and make your voice heard please visit www.jhu.edu/listeningpost the deadline to sign up for a listening post project is Tuesday, January 5, 2010.
Sick of freezing temperatures and icy roads? This winter season, escape from the cold and take a trip on Alabama's Coastal Connection!
Soak up the sunshine, stroll through beautiful gardens, or enjoy an
invigorating hike as you take the perfect southern winter getaway.
No matter what the season, the Bellingrath Gardens and Home, on the byway's western end near Bayou La Batre, is always in bloom. During the winter season, see poinsettias, tulips, and camellias, as well as other flowering plants, or come back for azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, and chrysanthemums in the fall. You'll also love the Magic Christmas in Lights event held each December. Get into the Christmas spirit by exploring illuminated displays throughout the 65-acre estate or attending nightly choral concerts. Read the full article on Alabama's newest Nationally Designated Scenic Byway on the www.byways.org website.
No matter what the season, the Bellingrath Gardens and Home, on the byway's western end near Bayou La Batre, is always in bloom. During the winter season, see poinsettias, tulips, and camellias, as well as other flowering plants, or come back for azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, and chrysanthemums in the fall. You'll also love the Magic Christmas in Lights event held each December. Get into the Christmas spirit by exploring illuminated displays throughout the 65-acre estate or attending nightly choral concerts. Read the full article on Alabama's newest Nationally Designated Scenic Byway on the www.byways.org website.
