December 16, 2008
Dome Magazine — Covering the People, Issues & Events Shaping Michigan Politics & Policy 
December 16, 2008
For a Well-Designed Tree …
Fans of Michigan’s Capitol can celebrate its famous architect this holiday season (and all future ones) with the official 2008 ornament from the Friends of the Capitol organization.
Friends is offering the sixth in its series of limited-edition annual ornaments. This year, in addition to featuring the Capitol dome, the ornament marks the state’s centennial commemoration of the passing of Elijah Myers in 1909.
New, limited edition silver medals commemorating Myers also are available. They were designed by Rep. Steve Bieda of Warren, chairman of the state’s Myers Memorial Commission.
Myers first rose to fame in 1872 when he won the competition to design Michigan’s new state Capitol. Although he was one of the first architects to gain a national reputation for his designs of many types of buildings, his reputation today rests strongly on his portfolio of state capitols. By the time of his death, he had designed more statehouses than any other architect in America.
The Myers commemoration includes the first comprehensive research project ever conducted into his life, career and major works. It is scheduled to conclude on March 5, 2009, the centennial of his death, with the placement of a plaque at his gravesite in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. A first plaque was mounted in the Capitol in 2008.
The nonprofit Friends started producing and selling an annual holiday ornament in 2003 to raise money for preservation and education projects. Only 750 ornaments are produced each year.
The ornament is available for purchase inside the Capitol at a cost of $20. Or write directly to the organization at PO Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909. There’s a $4 shipping charge for mailed ornaments. Credit cards are not accepted.
The 100 silver proof medals sell for $53 inside the Capitol, or can be shipped for an additional $6.
And to spread the wealth of Myers’ work beyond those purchasing a limited-edition ornament or medal, some 100,000 aluminum medals have been made for free distribution to Capitol visitors, especially school groups, until the supply is exhausted.
Enter Dome's drawing for a chance to win the Capitol ornament.
Unfinished Business
With only one day left on the schedule (December 18) before lawmakers close up shop for the 2007-08 session, it’s looking like there will be a lot of unfinished business for the new Michigan Legislature when it starts fresh in January.
So it’s perfectly fitting that the Michigan Society of Association Executives — the state association of associations — is calling its annual start-the-year legislative conference “Michigan’s Unfinished Business, The Economy in 2009 and Beyond.”
Slated for January 27 at the Lansing Center, a couple blocks from the Capitol, this signature conference consists of four main information-packed sessions followed by a legislative reception. Session topics include: a keynoter by Governor Jennifer Granholm (invited); “rolling” panel discussions on Michigan’s economy, insight into the political advertising from the November elections, and the future of health care in Michigan; the new legislative leadership’s agenda for 2009; and the new lawmakers in the House.
The legislative reception brings together members of Michigan’s congressional delegation, state senators and representatives, and administration officials in one spot. Just right for making the most key contacts in the least amount of time.
The conference, planned by two dozen leading members of the politics and policy community, is aimed at anyone and everyone whose industry or work involves any type of interaction with the legislative process.
Conference and registration information is available from the MSAE website.
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