From The Publisher June 1996 There I was, all ready to write an inspirational commentary on the fantastic accomplishments set forth by the Landscape Architectural Community and predicting the outstanding impact these firms will have on the world while lavishing in the PR possibilities that all center around the Centennial Olympiad. .. . when I'm faxed a copy of a letter coming from ASLA's Executive Deputy Director maliciously claiming that LASN is purposefully trying to convince advertisers that we are really LAM so the foolish vendors will buy an ad?!? and erroneously claiming that we printed somewhere that only 1/3 of ASLA members receive LAM, . . . When in fact . . . LASN has always done its very best to differentiate itself from LAM (I 'm pretty sure that every one of LASN's 200+ regular advertisers knows, without a doubt, that they are advertising in LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT and Specifier News) and what we really said was that only 1/3 of LAM's monthly distribution reaches ASLA members, the rest being paid subscriptions from newsstand, students and who knows where. This, of course, is true. You know, I expect this from the magazine but not from the Deputy Executive Director of the ASLA. Especially when we just met a few months ago and agreed to call each other if we thought the other was putting out wrong information. I guess the election year is getting to him and LASN now commands more than 40% of the market share . . . If it weren't for the fact that this is the Olympic Issue (and what an Olympic Issue it is!) . . . I would probably continue on about issues of trust and other statistical anomalies coming out of ASLA's "Official Publication", . . . but it is an Olympic Year and also an Election Year so you have to expect the worst from the opposition and focus on the good . . . which in this case is the outstanding projects presented in this Issue! I tell you what . . . we heard a lot of moaning and groaning coming from those who, for whatever reasons, didn't end up doing the work, but the work that we've seen, especially given the tremendous obstacles that needed to be overcome, collectively makes a great site and should be a source of pride and example for Landscape Architects across the country (across the world!!!). Now let's get to the business of informing the American People. For the profession, I look to the firms themselves and also the local ASLA, if not national, to seize this golden opportunity to showcase the work of LA's to the American Public. How about a TV PSA "Landscape Architects for a Drug-Free America" with an underlying theme like "Landscape Architects - Planners for a Developing World". We may even get enough support from international LA organizations to buy some ad space on the networks . . . Whoa! Hey, it is possible. And . . . speaking of possibilities while focusing on the good . . .. I was, before being so rudely interrupted by the DEVP, also going to tell you about the great work being done by the Rhode Island ASLA in regard to the "Vision Rhode Island" project, and also the fantastic database being established by the Governmental Affairs Department of the Nat'l ASLA. "Vision Rhode Island" is sponsored by the Rhode Island ASLA in conjunction with "Forward Rhode Island" and is "a state-wide grass-roots effort to identify and develop projects that incorporate and balance a direct contribution to the State's economy with environmentally appropriate improvements and enhancements." Or . . . in other words . . . the Chapter is leading the state in responsible and progressive development with the full participation of elected officials and citizens . . . Whoa! The Database, spearheaded by ASLA's Manager of Governmental Affairs, Stan Bowman, identifies and documents the licensure status and battles in every state across the country. Whether you are in the fight to obtain or maintain licensure or in the quest to become a part of this licensed profession you can contact the ASLA and reap the benefits of this continually updated service. Tidbits from the "base" tell us that there are 29 independent state boards and 16 merged boards and that 25 states have a practice act while only 20 states have just the title act. There is more, much more . . . but that, of course is for the future . . . So, have an Olympic Year! We've won a Gold Medal . . . Wear it proudly! :-) EarthmanX@aol.com . . . over and out. On the Cover (and In the Corner) The Gold Medal exemplifies the Olympic tradition of excellence, as do the projects featured in this issue and soon to be showcased throughout the world! In the other corner, LASN's very own Kimberley Layne participated in the 1984 Olympic Torch run through Southern California.