2006 NJ Meeting Volunteers

Some members of the 2006 NJASLA Annual Meeting Committee take a break from the "behind the scene"meeting preparations for a photo opp. Clockwise from the top left: Jeff Tandul, Eleanor James, Nick Tufaro, Rob Preston,Erica Sollberger, Denise Mattes, and Patricia Brewer. When you see them at our Meeting, please stop and thank them for their efforts.

NJASLA 2006 Annual Conference Will Include The Quarter at Tropicana
Following in NJASLA’s “Rediscover Atlantic City” tour program within our 2006 Annual Meeting and Exposition, January 29 thru 31, 2006, we will be offering a Sunday morning guided tour of a new attraction in our perennial meeting location. The Tropicana Hotel and Casino recreates a bit of Old Havana with its new dining, entertainment and retail complex – The Quarter.  Three floors of shopping, dining, spa services and south Jersey’s only IMAX Theatre in a state-of-the-art complex occupy over 200,000 square feet, just a skywalk across Pacific Avenue from the Tropicana Hotel and Casino.

Visitors will enjoy a stroll through the museum-quality art and architecture of The Quarter.  At the hand of a local muralist, The Quarter’s landscape has taken shape with nearly 60 feet separating ceiling and floor.  Susan Daly of Masters Mural Studios in Northfield, NJ, hand-painted unbelievably realistic skylines throughout the complex.  Featuring the illustrious colors of a clear Havana day and puffy white clouds that seem to breathe, Daly and her crew recreated a skyline so real that visitors will forget they are actually inside!  Through extensive research, Masters Mural Studios has also brought to life the interior of Jeffrey Chodorow’s Red Square.  A Russia themed restaurant and mod vodka bar, Red Square features murals depicting the propaganda used in Russia during World War II.  A nostalgic vision of Old Havana, with its cobblestone walkways, ornately designed architecture and signature streetscapes, The Quarter at Tropicana’s visual appeal is well worth the visit to Atlantic City.

A tour led by one of the architects responsible for the design of the project will orient you as you stroll through the various ‘neighborhoods’ in The Quarter.  The faux sky ceilings, stunning three-story streetscapes, ornate hand-made water fountains and beautiful 40-foot palm tree replicas will provide for a backdrop one would experience only in Old Havana! 

The tour will culminate for brunch at The Sound of Philadelphia restaurant highlighting the talents of Philadelphia’s Bynum brothers, famous for two Philadelphia hot spots - Zanzibar Blue and Warmdaddy’s featuring elegant soul fusion cuisine.

To participate, see our soon to be released 2006 Annual Meeting and Exposition Brochure. 

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In Memoriam
Steven Strom, 56, Metuchen
Steven Strom of Metuchen, chairman of the Department of Landscape Architecture at Rutgers University from 1987 to the present, died Thursday, July 28, 2005, at Hackensack University Medical Center due to complications from cancer treatments after a 10-year battle. He was 56.

Born in Hackensack, Steve was educated at Rutgers University and received his M.L.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He taught landscape architecture for over 20 years, both at Rutgers University and the University of Wisconsin. He was active in professional societies and received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and scholarship, including being elected Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2002.

A consummate teacher, he was well known for his role as past president of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, which presented him with the Outstanding Educator Award. His contribution to education also included programs he initiated such as study-abroad programs both at Rutgers and the University of Wisconsin and his internationally recognized, co-authored textbook, "Site Engineering for Landscape Architects."

Steve's public service included membership on the Metuchen Planning Board and design of public education outdoor spaces. He was also Advancement Committee chairman for Boy Scout Troop 17 at St. Francis in Metuchen.

He is survived by his wife, Beth; a daughter, Emily; sons, Peter and Matthew; and two sisters, Carol Ninehan and Varnee Bargmann.

Both in public and private life, Steve expressed a generous and patient personality, providing sound counsel to students and colleagues, alike.  His contributions to design and planning crystallized the full scope of Landscape Architecture for a new generation of practitioners and we are forever grateful for his legacy to the body of knowledge in the profession. Donations in his loving memory may be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 116 South Euclid Ave., Westfield, NJ 07090 and/or the Steven Strom Memorial Fund, c/o Rutgers University Foundation, 7 College Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901. 

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The Bambi Theory of Liability
By Lawrence Powers, Esq.
It was bound to happen sooner or later, plaintiff’s lawyers being among God’s most creative creatures. The Bambi Theory of Liability. Here in New Jersey, after a long, hard Winter, plaintiff’s lawyers are starting to sue landscape architects to recoup the cost of landscaping lost to our most voracious herbivore, the White Tailed Deer.

The theory goes like this: Landscape architects have a duty to advise their clients that deer, being herbivores, will likely consume the expensive plantings that they specify for the lots for the McMansions which have been carved out of what used to be the pristine habitat of the White Tailed Deer. Failing to so advise the purchasers of such luxuriant landscaping, the landscape architect whose client finds that the melting snows have revealed well browsed stubs in lieu of any recognizable landscaping has breached that standard of care, leaving the cost of replacing that landscaping as the proximately caused harm.

This theory of liability, while offensive to most decent minded people, is finding increasing popularity in New Jersey. Accordingly, as we know that the scope of a landscape architect’s duty to his client is circumscribed by the scope of his contract, the easiest way to deal with this newly popular theory of liability is with an appropriate contract provision which puts the Owner on notice of the problems created by our ravenous woodland neighbors and requires the Owner to waive liability claims for deer damage. Here is the contract clause that we have suggested to our New Jersey clients to meet this new theory of liability:

Waiver of Liability for Deer Damage: By executing this contract, the Owner and Landscape Architect acknowledge that they have discussed the fact that deer are herbivores (plant eaters) and, thus, may damage some or all of the plantings that are the subject matter of this Contract. Accordingly, the Owner acknowledges that, as no plant is deer proof, the Landscape Architect shall have no liability to the Owner as a result of deer damage to the plantings selected by and/or specified by the Landscape Architect pursuant to this Contract.

Warning: At the Owners request, the Landscape Architect will provide the Owner with a list of landscape plants which are rated according to their resistance to deer damage. The provision of such a list by the Landscape Architect is for the Owner’s edification only, and shall not give rise to any liability on the part of the Landscape Architect for specifying plants which are later damaged by deer, which liability is specifically barred by this Waiver of Liability for Deer Damage clause. This list was compiled with input from nursery and landscape professionals, The Rutgers Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners in Northern N.J. Realizing that no plant is deer proof, the Owner is specifically cautioned that plants rated in the Rarely Damaged, and Seldom Rarely Damaged categories would be best for landscapes prone to deer damage. Plants rated as Occasionally Severely Damaged and Frequently Severely Damaged are often preferred by deer and should only be planted with additional protection such as the use of fencing, repellents, etc. Success of any of these plants in the landscape will depend on local deer populations and weather conditions.

This clause will, at the very least, put the issue on the table for Owners, taking the “failure to warn” arrow out of the well stocked quiver of creative plaintiff’s counsel. We also would caution the reader that this clause is merely a suggested solution to this nascent problem, and that stealing this clause for inclusion in your contracts is no substitute for the advice of your own, competent legal counsel.

Lawrence Powers is co-partner in charge of the Construction Litigation Department at the New Brunswick New Jersey law firm, Hoagland, Longo, Moran Dunst & Doukas, LLP. Mr. Powers is also counsel to AIA-New Jersey, the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers and ASLA-New Jersey.

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The ASLA 2005 Annual Meeting & EXPO Registration Brochure Is Now Online
Visit the 2005 Annual Meeting web site for the latest information on the Annual Meeting & EXPO, including information on General Sessions, Education Sessions, Tours, Field Sessions, and much more.  Register today and save $100! 

This year, we've recruited some of the most highly regarded experts in the landscape architecture community to present education sessions. Earn up to 13.5 hours of continuing education credit—an 80 percent increase over 2004.  Whether you work in residential design, public practice, commercial/institutional design, planning, academia or other fields, with more than 85 educational opportunities to choose from, you'll find plenty of great options to meet your practice and licensure needs.

We've also expanded our residential design offerings—this year, residential design will be featured in field sessions, education programs, and a new category in the annual awards program.

The most popular host hotels will fill up quickly, so please reserve your room today. 

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Lauderdale!

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Announcing ASLA’s NEW PI Group Web Pages
You’ll find:

• News and Information about the groups
• Online Resources to help groups enhance their effectiveness
• Valuable Tips for maximizing your member benefits

Here’s where you’ll go: (http://www.asla.org/members/pigroups_home.htm)




Get there from ASLA’s front page (www.asla.org):

Visit the PI Group pages today and direct any feedback to Jennifer Strassfeld (jstrassfeld@asla.org).
 

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How To Turn A Place Around
Is a two-day workshop designed for professionals and non-professionals who help shape towns and cities -- from highway engineers and real estate developers to community garden advocates and housing specialists. Based on PPS's 30 years of experience in Placemaking, and inspired by our popular book, "How to Turn a Place Around," the course shows step-by-step our unique approach to revitalization.

During the course, participants work in small teams to observe and analyze places in Greenwich Village, a thriving historic neighborhood that's evolved enormously in recent years. It provides ample examples of mixed-use buildings, residences and offices, and historic brownstones next to new developments, on varying scales. The sites will be used to illustrate complexities in making places, encourage a user's point of view, and provide insight into how public spaces function.

The registration fee covers two days of tuition, including a neighborhood tour, in-depth presentations and discussions, on-site evaluation, case studies, a copy of How to Turn a Place Around, and training support materials. Light lunch and refreshments will be provided on both Thursday and Friday. There is a reception Thursday evening (included) and we will make recommendations for dinner Friday night should you want to continue the discussion (not included in the fee).

Fees: Individuals -- $475 (members, $425). Team rate (3 or more) -- $435 (members, $385).

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Hunter’s New Spray Sprinkler Test Facility Maintains Company’s Strong Reputation For Product Quality
A Hunter Industry Press Release
Hunter Industries recently opened a new on-site spray sprinkler test facility at the company’s headquarters in San Marcos, California. The multi-million dollar laboratory adds new capabilities to Hunter’s existing testing laboratories and is focused specifically to support the company’s growing spray sprinkler business. Its unique design and testing hardware offer one of the most sophisticated, comprehensive testing environments maintained by an irrigation products manufacturer. The company used the facility to develop the recently introduced Pro-Spray® line of fixed pattern spray nozzles.

Hunter developed the facility in order to maintain better control over individual product testing, giving the company the ability to adapt and adjust spray head and nozzle development based upon test results. Having the ability to conduct such extensive research on site gives the company the opportunity to do more thorough testing and strengthen the company’s already strong reputation for high quality products that it maintains with customers. The test facility can also be used for testing of competitor units to assure that the Hunter offerings meet or beat industry standards.

Among the more notable tests performed at the new facility are:

• 2-D Automated Collection Grid – Allows densogram testing of spray sprinkler nozzles of any pattern to ascertain Distribution Uniformity, CU, and SC data. Determines flow, radius, and density of water to ensure that distribution is uniform (so grass will be green everywhere). The grid includes catchments that measure the entire sprinkler pattern, which is specifically valuable when testing spray sprinkler nozzles.
• High Pressure Burst Testing – Performed on the body and body cap of Hunter products. This test allows up to 1200 PSI to be pumped into Hunter sprinkler bodies (most Hunter sprinkler bodies usually can handle up to 600 PSI).
• Environmental Chamber – Permits testing of all products in the harsh climates contractors put them in. Product operation can be tested in sub-zero temperature on the low end and 140o F on the high end.
• High Pressure/High Heat Accelerated Life Wear Tanks – Simulates years of job site conditions in a shorter time. Allows the company to determine the longevity of products in typical field conditions.

The new facility is viewed by Hunter as the perfect complement to the extensive independent testing that the company’s products already undergo at the Center for Irrigation Technology. The Fresno, California-based operation is the industry’s most highly regarded independent testing authority. Hunter uses these independent tests to provide third-party verification of the results achieved in its testing facility.

Hunter is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of irrigation equipment for turf, landscape and golf.  For more information, contact your local authorized Hunter distributor, or see Hunter on the internet at www.HunterIndustries.com.

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Landscape Architects Help Wanted

Civil Source Associates is the largest and only search firm on the east coast dedicated to servicing the civil engineering community.  Because of our specialization and reputation for being able to identify hard to find talent, our select client base will come to us when they need to fill a unique career opportunity.  Most of these positions are never advertised in either print or on the internet.

Toms River based Civil Design firm has immediate openings for Landscape Architects.  Qualified candidates will have 4-8 years of experience on a variety of projects including: campus design, golf course design, public parks and playgrounds as well as large, very upscale residential projects.  Duties will include, but are not limited to: drainage design, construction observation, sanitary, sewer and road improvements along with all elements of site design.

Salaries will range from $55,000 to $75,000 plus sign on bonus and performance Bonus.  Excellent benefits and a 4-day workweek.

Resumes should be forwarded to civilsource@comcast.net

Visit our web site at www.civilsource.net.

Pickering, Corts & Summerson, Inc., a multi-talented, multi-disciplinary consulting firm is seeking a Landscape Architect with 2-3 years experience, who is an energetic team player and a self-starter to work on a variety of projects in our award winning landscape architecture department.

In addition to an opportunity for growth, PC&S offers a pleasant working atmosphere, good salary and great benefits.

All candidates will have a degree in Landscape Architecture, excellent organizational skills, and have strong writing and graphic abilities.  Proficiency with AutoCAD is required.  Experience with Photoshop and PageMaker/In Design is a plus!  Licensure is not required and salary is commensurate with experience.

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