Social Events/St. Louis Excursions

No-Host Social - Union Station Grand Hall

Wednesday, 11 July
7 p.m.

All meeting participants wearing their name badge will receive 15% off their drinks in the hotel through the week, beginning with the Wednesday evening no-host social.

Joint Meeting Reception - City Museum

Thursday, 12 July
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

This year's joint meeting reception will be at the unique City Museum. Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.

With so much to explore, both inside and out, the City Museum staff suggests that you dress appropriately. They highly recommend that sneakers or closed-toe, closed-heel shoes are worn in the museum. Sandals/flip flops are strongly discouraged. Please note that, regardless of style, footwear must be worn at all times. They'd also like to recommend that you consider wearing full-length pants or jeans, as you will want to take advantage of the multiple slides, tunnels and various attractions.

SSAR 50th Anniversary Banquet, Program and Live Auction

Friday, 13 July
Social Hour
5:30 p.m.: (Regency Ballroom A - This is a cash bar event and is open to all JMIH participants.)
Banquet
6:30 p.m: (Regency Ballroom C - The banquet requires a ticket. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
Program
7:30 p.m.: (This event is open to all JMIH participants. Please enter from Regency Ballroom A and B.)
Auction
8:45 p.m.: (This event is open to all JMIH participants)

SSAR will celebrate its 50th Anniversary during the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH) in St. Louis. Special activities associated with the celebration are scheduled for 13 July to accommodate individuals who would like to attend only the SSAR events. These events include a symposium organized by Jonathan Losos titled "Herpetology in the Age of Genomics." An SSAR Banquet will be held that evening. Jim Murphy and Kraig Adler will be the Masters of Ceremonies for the evening’s program. The SSAR/HL auction will follow the banquet and will be open to all JMIH participants. You may register for the SSAR banquet when you register for the meeting.

Banquet Menu

Firsee Salad with Bleu Cheese and Raspberries with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Baked Halibut
Wild Rice
Chef's Selection of Vegetable
Rolls and Butter
Strawberry La Bomba
Initial Wine Service
Coffee, Tea

The SSAR/HL live auction is an opportunity to support the programs of SSAR and HL and to clean out your office or house of those interesting and valuable herp (or fish) related items. Any herp (or fish) related item, especially books, art, sculptures, famous autographs, field equipment, or clothing, is appreciated. Please note that items made from amphibians, reptiles, fish, or parts thereof, should NOT be donated.

Donations are tax deductible. Receipts will be issued on request. Also, if you know of a business, winery, etc., that would be willing to donate to the auction, please send the contact information to the auction coordinator at the address below.

Items can be brought to the meeting or sent to St. Louis at least one week prior to the meeting. Send items to:

Ben Jellen
Department of Biology
Saint Louis University
3507 Laclede
St. Louis, MO 63103-2010 USA

For additional information contact Ben Jellen at bjellen@SLU.EDU or (314)-977-1710.

Jack Musick Retirement Dinner

Friday, 13 July
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Come celebrate the career of Professor John A. Musick at his retirement
dinner and roast in the East Dining Room of Windows Off Washington, a 1920-era building featuring a panoramic view of St. Louis and an open-air veranda.

Jack leaves his position as Marshall Acuff Professor of Marine Science on 1 January 2008 after 40 years of teaching, research and advisory service at The Virginia Institute of Marine Science. During his distinguished tenure, Jack has advised 89 master's and doctoral students in ichthyology, fisheries science, herpetology and vertebrate ecology - many of whom we hope to see at this event! His record of scientific accomplishment is impressive, and his career-long dedication and enthusiasm for ASIH is legendary.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour (cash bar with passed hors d'oeuvres) followed by a buffet with choices of salads, entrees and accompaniments. A one hour wine service is included with the meal. The event will continue with guest speakers, a slide show and toasts to our friend, mentor and colleague. Windows Off Washington will provide shuttle service to and from the facility for each guest registered for the dinner.

The fee for the dinner is $50 and includes an initial complimentary champagne service, hors d'oeuvres, buffet dinner, one hour wine service, and shuttle service. Register for the Musick Retirement Dinner at the same time you register for the meeting.

Banquet Menu

Reception:
Goat cheese, black currant and walnut canapés Shrimp & Andouille sausage brochette Curried pork satay with Thai peanut sauce Toasted ravioli parmesan with marina sauce

Buffet:
Windows house salad with cheese Prime rib of beef au jus with creamed horseradish Herb-seared salmon with cucumber-tomato salsa Whole roasted baby Yukon Gold potatoes Steamed sugar snap peas with peppers Tuscan medley of vegetables

Key lime pie

Schedule

A tentative schedule for the evening is as follows:

5:30 - 6:00 pm: Shuttle service from the Hyatt Regency St Louis
6:00 - 7:00 pm: Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
7:00 - 8:00 pm: Buffet and wine service
8:00 - 9:00 pm: Program
9:00 - 10:00 pm: Return to Hyatt Regency St Louis

Joint Meeting Picnic - St. Louis Zoo

Saturday, 14 July
7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Student: $25; Professional: $40.00; Children (under 18): $20

On Saturday, 14 July 2007, from 6:30 - 10:00 p.m., join your friends and colleagues at the St. Louis Zoo for the Joint Meeting Picnic. Dinner will be served in the Event Tent, nestled between the Primate House and the Herpetarium at the St. Louis Zoo. Each ticket includes two free drink tickets with each meal. Cost of the picnic tickets is $40.00 for professional participants and guests, $25.00 for graduate students, and $20 for children under the age of 18. Sign up for the picnic when you register for the conference.

Joint Meeting Banquet

Monday, 16 July
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Student: $42; Professional: $57.50

On Monday, 16 July 2007, from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., the Joint Meeting Awards Banquet will be held in the Hyatt Regency Ballrooms A, B and C. The social hour will start at 6:00 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. The menu will feature mixed green salad with diced tomatoes, candied walnuts, and goat cheese with a choice of either buttermilk ranch or raspberry vinaigrette dressing; baked salmon with red onion and tomato confit; spinach and fennel whipped potatoes; fresh vegetables; and big baby bundt dark chocolate cake topped with creamy dark ganache. Wine will be served with dinner, plus cash bars will be available. Cost of the tickets is $57.50 for professional participants and guests, and $42.00 for graduate students. Sign up for the banquet when you register for the conference.

Group Photographs

Thursday, 12 July
Time/Location TBD

Traditional group photos will be taken on 12 July. The Joint Meeting group photo will be taken first, followed by the AES group photograph and the SSAR group photograph. Photographs should be pre-ordered when registering for the conference. Delivery will be on site during the conference. A limited number of photographs may be available for purchase on site. Cost is $12.00 per photograph.