Photo Access in Virginia and D.C.
			If you have any information, including contact names, telephone numbers, driving directions and transmission information that would be helpful to VNPA members concerning access to sports arenas, stadiums, government property or other restricted access locations, please email the VNPA.net web editor Josh Meltzer at josh.meltzer@roanoke.com
	The University of Virginia Scott Football Stadium in Charlottesville is a nice place to shoot. The sidelines are wide and movement up and down the field is easy. Some times the end zones get crowded, but most people will move out of the way of a camera toting photographer.  UVa has a small 10 person digital work room right off the field level where the home team comes out. They have a router box for internet connections and a few phone lines. Try and have your pass before game day. I have had to wait for the will call office on the west side of the stadium to open and lost valuable prep time. Food is served in the press box beginning 1 hour before game time. Parking in Charlottesville is tight! The lot is on Stadium Road near the forestry department 1/4 mile from the stadium. Come in from the 250 bypass, Ivy Road exit, then right on Alderman Road to media parking. The overflow lot is a mile away from the stadium near the medical center, no kidding it's a 20 minute walk! Contact Rich Murray UVa SID 434-982-5500, secretary Darlene. http://virginiasports.collegesports.com (Notes from The Roanoke Times photographer Matt Gentry matt.gentry@roanoke.com)  Virginia Tech's Lane Football Stadium in Blacksburg can be a pretty tough place to shoot a game. The sidelines are narrow and crowded. Night games are dark and loud. Lane Stadium has a electronic dark room off the field, but it's deep inside the new south end stadium addition. The accommodations are nice, there are TV's for keeping up with the game action. For Internet connections, Tech wants you to pre register your machine so be sure to call ahead. There may be a fee. We pay a year round fee for our line.  A technician is often on duty during game day to trouble shoot. Virginia Tech athletics staff photographer Dave Knackel (540) 231-1838 is very helpful, and can help identify coaches and players for you. The west side press box is under a major renovation at this time and scheduled to be completed in 2005. Food is served on the 8th floor of the press box, quite a hike from the field and workroom area usually up to two hours before kick off. Parking is in a field next to the indoor tennis courts 1/4 mile from stadium. Come in to Blacksburg on the 460 bypass, turn right on Southgate drive, show parking pass to police, turn right on Spring Road and park in media lot. Virginia Tech SID Dave Smith 540-231-6726 secretary Donna. http://www.hokiesports.com (Notes from The Roanoke Times photographer Matt Gentry matt.gentry@roanoke.com) Richmond Federal Court...located on Main Street is the U. S. District Court, defendants can enter one of two doors on Main, both within view of each other. Security is generally friendly as long as you stay outside and don't obstruct foot traffic, which usually isn't a problem. There are parking meters on the other side of the street, for a big case the satellite trucks will get there early and get them. Other parking is available nearby, but you have to pay for it. The meters are two hours only. The ticket writers are vicious. There is food available at several shops nearby. I'm also believe they have a salleyport where cops can take cars with suspects inside if they want, but I've never had to do that job. On the other side of the building, facing the State Capitol, is the 4th District Court of Appeals. It is the north side of the building, so it is colder in the winter because it gets no sunshine. There are parking meters across the street, but for big cases where all the judges are in town, they reserve some of those spaces for them. They will also reserve some spaces for the media, you have to get there early. They close the meters, so you don't have to pay. Might call the marshal's office the day before to ask about how to get a spot. Sat trucks also park there sometimes. No food available within site of the one door that lawyers/defendants go in and out, so bring your own. A folding chair can also be helpful. Security is generally friendly, even helpful, even if the U. S. Marshals bring in extra people, as they sometimes do on a big case. I know of no wireless hotspot near that location, although the AP bureau is just a few blocks to the west at 600 E. Main.
				VNPA webmaster josh.meltzer@roanoke.com