| Virginia Women in Horticulture MeetingVA Women in Horticulture - meeting Jan 9, 2008 at 3 p.m. - ASAP, RSVP syhwright@msn.com your tentative plan to attend (including follow up network opportunity). A final RSVP is required by Jan 7th. Do not 'reply all'. During 2007, it was decided the 'informal' VA Women in Horticulture founded by the JSRCC Horticulture Department will meet quarterly and if possible, tag meetings onto other Industry Events. On Jan 9th at 3 p.m. the first meeting for 2008 is scheduled. The meeting consists of a tour of the recently renovated Capitol Square (specifically a landscape focus) provided by Jim Wootton, the executive director. Jim has indicated that due to the fact that the 9th is the first day of the Assembly in town, parking may be a challenge. St. Paul's garage will probably fill up early in the day. There is a surface lot at 14th and Main. It is a bit of a climb uphill to get to the Capitol, but very convenient to the slip. A similar lot is at Canal Street behind La Diff. For other alternatives, see http://www.ridefinders.com/FrontEnd/Download_Files/Guide_Downloads/Ridefinders_Map.pdf The plan is promptly meet at 3 p.m. inside the Capitol Building at the Bank St. entrance. Using the historic maps of Capitol Square in the exhibit gallery, Jim will discuss the evolution of the Capitol Square landscape. After touring the interior, he will then (weather permitting) walk the Square and discuss how the landscape is maintained and preserved. We should finish the tour at approximately 4:30 and for anyone interested, as a group we will go to the Tobacco Company Restaurant for a drink (early dinner) to continue our networking opportunity. How does this event tie the VA Women in Horticulture meeting into another Industry event? The VA Agri Council is coordinating its "day on the Hill" on January 10th. If you plan to attend the Agri Council events, arrive earlier and join the 'informal' Va Women in Horticulture's tour. The Agri Council events on January 10 serve a number of Industry purposes. On the 10th., Council members (and interested participants) meet at 8:30 a.m. at the General Assembly Building to be briefed on the plans for the day, message to legislators, and information in gifts. From about 9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. attendees meet with legislators or their aides to deliver the Council's message, policy, and gifts. Some Council members stay after lunch to continue visits, however, the morning activities usually end around noon. Although not confirmed, attendees may also visit the House and Senate Galleries to be introduced at noon, when the General Assembly Session begins for the day. Later, that evening participants are encouraged to attend the Agribusiness Appreciation/Legislator Banquet the evening of January 10. For details, see http://www.va-agribusiness.org/public/pages/index.cfm?pageid=29 or contact Katie Kyger Frazier <katie.agribusiness@att.net >. Further details of James Wootton, Executive Director of the Capitol Square Preservation Council - An abiding interest in Virginia's architectural heritage brought Jim Wootton to the University of Virginia's School of Architecture in 1976. After receiving his Architectural History degree in 1980, Jim worked in the administration of Ash Lawn-Highland, the Albemarle County home of President James Monroe. He was appointed Assistant Director in 1983 and Curator in 1987. For over twenty years he collaborated with the museum staff in research, interpretation, program development, and planning. In 2000, Jim accepted the position of Executive Director of the Capitol Square Preservation Council. This group of fourteen individuals is charged with planning and reviewing projects that affect the State Capitol, its historic artifacts, other historic buildings on or adjacent to Capitol Square, and the landscape and archaeological features of Capitol Square. Jim works closely with the members of the Council and with representatives from the Library of Virginia, the Department of Historic Resources, and other state agencies, as well as with individuals and groups. Because of his efforts to preserve Capitol Square, the Virginia Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects, presented him its 2007 Allied Professional Award. |
