Virginia State Senator Richard H. Stuart of Montross and Va. Delegate Barry Knight of Virginia Beach have filed bills for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly which could set the stage for total extinction of the Menhadden fishery in the Chesapeake. Menhadden, which form a basic foundation of the Chesapeake Bay's food chain have been increasingly subject to overfishing, and in November, 2011, the Atlantic States marine Fisheries Commission took the first steps towards establishment of science based "catch limits" to preserve the species.

The menhaden fishing industries reaction: let's move to remove all limits and make a fast buck while we can. Two bills pre-filed for introduction in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly pose a grave threat to efforts to promote Bay conservation.

HB 88
Introduced by Barry D. Knight would remove the cap by removing a provision that allows an adjustment for underages or overages in the annual harvest cap to be carried over to the next year's cap limit. Currently, if a person harvests less than the 109,020 metric ton limit on taking menhaden, he can add the difference to his cap for next year's harvest. Conversely, if he exceeds the cap in any one year, he must reduce his harvest in the succeeding year by the amount of the overage of the preceding year.

A copy of this bill is available at:http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf" rel="external" title=""> http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB88+pdf

SB 18
Introduced by: Richard H. Stuart removes authorization for Virginia's membership in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact. The purpose of the Compact is to promote better utilization of the marine, shell, and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard through the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause. If any state desires to remove itself from the Compact, it must send a six months' notice in writing to the member states of its intention to withdraw from the Compact.

A copy of this bill is available at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+SB18+pdf

To stop these bills, Virginia legislaturive representatives need to hear from you now - early and often!

Go tohttp://legis.state.va.us/" rel="external" title=""> http://legis.state.va.us/
to find the name of your Delegate and Senator and others and write them to stop these bills.

James Madison's Montpelier
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A New Way to Celebrate National Constitution Day
Fireworks, Barbeque, and James and Dolley Madison

Celebrate the anniversary of the Constitution's signing on September 17, 2011 in the very place where James Madison imagined it! Enjoy mansion tours, colonial games for kids, and James and Dolley Madison. Bring your own picnic dinner, or purchase barbeque, hamburgers, Ben & Jerry's, and beer and wine at the end of the day. Then, settle in on the mansion's front lawn to listen to the Quantico Marine Corps Band and watch a spectacular fireworks display. Discounted admission is $10 per car ($5 for Orange County residents).

For more information, visit the Montpelier website (http://www.montpelier.org/visit/calendar_events.php#sep_17).

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
New Exhibits Show Montpelier's Famous Faces

The next time you walk into the Montpelier Dining Room, take a close look at the faces around the table. There you'll see figures of James and Dolley Madison and several of their notable guests. The dinner party is one of several new mansion exhibits that show what the plantation was like when the Madisons lived here. Visitors will also see the figures of slaves, new furnishings, and a new video in the Old Library that takes visitors on a three-minute journey through James Madison's creation of the framework of the U.S. Constitution. Read more about the mansion's new features on the Montpelier blog (http://montpelier.org/blog/?p=4200)

Ready, Set, Run
Constitution Run Registration Open

Lace up your running shoes and get ready to dash to victory in the second annual Constitution Run! Adults can choose either the 5K or 10K course. Kids ages 5-10 can run the 1K "Dolley's Dash." Finally, dogs (and their owners) can race to the finish line in the 1K "Dogathon." Don't despair if you don't have a four-legged friend! Local rescue groups will be onsite to rent you a running partner for a small donation. All participants receive a Constitution Run T-shirt and discounted mansion admission.

Visit the Montpelier website for more information or to register (http://montpelier.org/run/)

A Christmas Evening at
James Madison's Montpelier

December 3, 4, and 5, 2010
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Come enjoy centuries of Christmas traditions at the Montpelier candlelight tour. Be greeted by Dolley Madison and learn about early 19th-century Christmas customs while exploring the Madisons' home by candlelight. Join Confederate re-enactors around a Yule log, and listen to stories and songs evoking Montpelier's Civil War Encampment. Enjoy light refreshments, wine, and wassail around the tree in the William duPont Gallery while listening to Christmas tunes on the duPonts' restored Steinway upright grand piano. In search of the perfect gift? Our Museum Shop will be open.
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Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Members receive a discounted rate of $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Children ages 6-14 are $5, and children 5 and under are free. For advanced sale prices, please R.S.V.P. by December 2 at 5 p.m. to 540.672.2728, x112 or e-mail ( mailto:jsimmons@montpelier.org ) . Reservations must be cancelled 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund.

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