From The Publisher January 1998 Well . . . What do you think? Huh? What do I mean?!? Oh yea you're only on page 6 and couldn't have already looked through the rest of the magazine to see the many changes to LASN's editorial and graphic format. Well go ahead . . . take a look and let us know what you think . . . . A Great '98!!! By the time you get this 1998 will be well upon us, and unless things change dramatically 1998 is going to be a great year! If you read the last issue of lasn you would know that you should be looking ahead for at least five years of solid, stable growth and while the past five years have taught us that rapid expansion and staff building are not the way to plan for the future, it may be time to look for quality personnel and look for growth opportunities. In a letter recently received from Jim Dalton, outgoing Executive Vice President of the ASLA, he suggests an opportunity in storm water management. According to Dalton, who came to ASLA from the engineering profession, the Landscape Architects' "sense for stormwater infiltration presents a technological advantage over the more traditional engineering solutions to stormwater management." Another opportunity comes from Burton Sperber (see lasn v. 13, no. 10), who encourages Landscape Architects to acquire extended contracts, like those of a maintenance firm, bringing them back to the site over a period of years for upgrades, renovations, etc. In any event growth is ahead of us. To use the growingly familiar "medical metaphor" it is time to build a wing or two to the hospital and fill it with quality staff, equipment and guidance. The profession still has opportunity to expand, but desperately needs: 1) to attack the licensing issues; 2) get focused attention/support from the ASLA; 3) simplify the definition of the profession to encompass more; 4) out-PR the other competing professions; 5) produce quality work and police the profession for substandard workmanship; and 6) always look for the next opportunity to plant the seeds of growth. As 1998 unfolds and expands into a year of history we (at lasn) look forward to seeing all the above mentioned numerals be added together to produce a big number "1". It's January, and everyone seems to be making New Year's resolutions. This year, we at LASN suggest you RESOLVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE-- resolve to put your best foot forward and give a little extra time to fight for the cure for breast cancer. LASN's 1997 "Team Landscape Architect" made a strong showing in the Susan B. Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure in Newport Beach, CA-- as did Merrie M. Carlock, the lone Landscape Architect in Detroit, Michigan's race. So, put on your cross trainers and start warming up! To form a "Team Landscape Architect" for the next race in your area, contact Kimberley Layne at 714-979-5276 or email landarchx@aol.com. Have a Great '98 . . . . George Schmok PS - As I mentioned, I recently received a letter from Mr. Dalton who, in addition to the aforementioned suggestion and along with several interesting comparisons, pointed out that the attendance at the 1997 Annual Meeting was actually up and that ASLA's budget has grown by some 38% with a good deal of that growth going towards public awareness . . . As I said before, I think I'll miss Mr. Dalton . . .