The Auburn Plainsman

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GPS Car

Auburn’s first lady

Whatcha gonna do?

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GPS car ushers in the future of driving.

Living in the president’s mansion is the perfect job for Susie Gogue.

Melvin Owens helps guard coach Gene Chizik every game day.

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Vol. 120, Issue 7, 24 Pages

SGA goes the distance for injured veterans Morgan McKean Writer

Kristi MeGahee, last year’s Miss Auburn, is getting the city of Auburn up and running. This year’s Fall 5K Oct. 17 will directly benefit Plainsmen in Action for Wounded Soldiers, a group created by MeGahee, senior in psychology, to raise money for the Lima Foxtrot Program for

Injured Military. The cost of the race is $15, and those interested in participating can register on the SGA website or on the Haley concourse Oct. 11-15. The Lima Foxtrot Program, a division of the Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, organizes several camps throughout the year for injured veterans. Although the camps are

located in the Birmingham area, veterans from all over the country are invited to participate at no cost, according to the Lakeshore Foundation’s website. The camps are specifically designed to help injured soldiers regain an active lifestyle and build confidence in living with a physical handicap, MeGahee said. Equipment, such as

specialized wheelchairs for soccer, tennis and even waterskiing, will be available onsite. “I think it’s really important to encourage them that they can still be active no matter what their injures are,” she said. Throughout her tenure as Miss Auburn, MeGahee and P.A.W.S. will raise money specifically for PLAINSMAN ARCHIVES

» Turn to FALL 5K, A2

A group of runners participate in last year’s SGA Fall 5K run.

Fires spark state alert Alison McFerrin Staff Writer

‘Fall Discovery Hikes’ encourage learning Emily Adams Photo Editor

The Forest Ecology Preserve is making it fun for children to enjoy the outdoors and the chill autumn weather. The preserve is hosting Fall Discovery Hikes at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday for children ages 5-12. Margaret Holler, preserve volunteer and former coordinator, said the hikes keep a free form, as there is no need to plan time spent in nature. “Usually, the forest provides a program,” Holler said. “The forest is our classroom. I keep it pretty much a hike, and that’s usually fun for every age.” Holler guides participants

through different paths each week. “I know this property very well, so I know little places during each season where something is different to find out,” Holler said. “I make sure the kids keep their eyes and ears open, and even their noses, too.” The hikes usually last an hour, but Holler said that varies by the group. “I have a hard time not letting the kids explore and giving them a chance to be free,” Holler said. “It’s too important to me to not rush them.” She said the purpose of the hikes is to get children outside. “The next generation is not going to know what the natural world provides,”

Holler said. “We need them to fall in love with it if they’re going to take care of it.” The hikes are a free activity for families to enjoy, she said. “Most of the parents that come recognize the need, and it’s an opportunity to have a special day,” Holler said. “There’s not that much for families to do that parents and children enjoy together, and being in nature is automatic entertainment, and it’s cheap.” For parents, seeing their children get excited about something is the reward, according to Jodi Steltenpohl, who participated in a hike Sept. 21 with twin daughters, Alex and Maddie, 7. “The best part for me is

seeing how excited the kids get when they see something neat,” Steltenpohl said, “and listening to them retell the stories about all the neat things they saw.” Steltenpohl, who is leader of Girl Scout Troop 7182, brought the troop to the preserve as a fun way to help the girls earn hiking badges. The hikes have numerous benefits for children, Steltenpohl said. “It’s good to get them outside and get them active,” Steltenpohl said. “There are plenty of things here they can learn and discover about nature, so it’s a great educational experience for them, and it’s also really good for » Turn to HIKE, A2

Moderate to extreme drought conditions in Alabama have caused a statewide fire alert. “It just means that we, being the Alabama Forestry Commission, have the authority to restrict the issuance of burn permits,” said Dan Jackson, AFC protection division director. “That’s required if you’re doing any kind of open burning in the state.” Although there was rainfall prior to the alert being issued Sept. 23, it was not enough to make a difference. “Who knows where we’re going to get that next shot of rain like that?” Jackson said. “So we’re

just asking people, if they can, to hold off on doing any kind of that burning.” He said they would still issue permits to some people or companies, if they have the proper facilities and show they will be on hand to watch and control the burn. According to wildfire totals from AFC’s website, Alabama has had 626 wildfires in just the past month that have burned 7,008 acres of land. “The majority of those are probably in the northern half or the northern twothirds of the state,” Jackson said. “It’s just drier there.” In contrast, Lee County has reported only three wildfires and 166 acres damaged in one month. Jackson said that » Turn to WILDFIRES, A2

On Campus Crime Annual security and fire safety report

Burglary 2007 43 2008 37 2009 21 Arrests for drug law violations 2007 13 2008 5 2009 13 Arrests for liquor law violations 2007 22 2008 44 2009 47 Disciplinary actions for drug law violations 2007 1 2008 3 2009 16 Disciplinary actions for liquor law violations *not to scale with other graphs

Emily Adams / PHOTO EDITOR

Emily Adams / PHOTO EDITOR

Tripp Colley, 5, examines a maypop fruit during a Discovery Hike at the Ecology Preserve.

Adrian Meadows, 7, looks at a patch of lantana as she walks through the Butterfly Garden on a Discovery Hike.

INDEX

News » A3

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Campus » B1 |

Intrigue » C1 |

Arts & Entertainment » C3

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2007 172 2008 96 2009 104

Wasting Time » C5

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Sports » D1


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