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| America in Bloom Sends Condolences to Kirkwood, Missouri |
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 The entire AIB family wishes to extend our deepest sorrow and condolences to the Kirkwood, Missouri community for the tragic loss of your community leaders and police offers on February 7, 2008. Despite these difficult circumstances, their community spirit continues to thrive as citizens join together to support one another. Kirkwood, Missouri was the winner of the 2007 AIB community involvement criteria award. Photo: Mayor Mike Swoboda and the next generation of Kirkwood leaders. Mayor Swoboda was critically injured on February 7. He remains hospitalized. |
| There's Still Time to Get Your Community Involved! |
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 Enrollment for participation in the 2008 America in Bloom program is still open! The entry deadline of February 28, 2008 is approaching quickly, so get your community together today! The AIB office will gladly supply interested communities with AIB information material; just give us a call at 614-487-1117! |
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Planting Parties - A Judge's Perspective |
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By AIB Judge Norm Kleber  Gallipolis, Ohio has done an outstanding job of pulling together people and organizations to plant containers in the park and prepare and plant 35 flowerbeds along the streets. The AIB committee organized a "Planting Day" in early May.
Ads in the newspaper and letters to organizations and businesses solicited participation and donations. Over 40 individuals, families, organizations, and businesses made donations. The following groups were participants: Boys Home of Ohio, Historical Society members, John Gee Historical Center members at the church and cemetery, City employees on Planting Day, Scout troops, Farmers Bank employees, Garden Club, Purple Turtle employees, Smith Motors, Service Groups, landscapers and florists, Chamber of Commerce, Gallia County, and the county Extension service. This is a good example of people working together toward a goal.
Photo: Park gazebo decorated with hanging baskets and planters. |
| America in Bloom: Where Every Team Wins |
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 On Sunday, February 3, over 90 million Americans watched Super Bowl XLII. Aside from the fantastic game on the field, much of the discussion of the day surrounded the 60 commercial spots seen during the game's broadcast. It seemed by game's end there was almost as much talk about which company had the most memorable commercial as there was about the New York Giants' upset win over the New England Patriots. Indeed, the $2.7 million charged for a 30-second commercial may seem trivial if an advertiser's product or service was still a topic of conversation on the Monday following the game. Such is the added value of word-of-mouth advertising.
Read more |
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Enter Now, Don't Wait |
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By Evelyn Alemani
If you've been sitting on the sidelines watching other towns get the glory, don't wait another minute. Send in your registration form for the 2008 competition. Remember, just like buying a lottery ticket, if you don't enter, you won't win. I'm reminded of a town where, the minute they entered, they draped banners across Main St. declaring themselves "finalists."
What enthusiasm and excitement that generated! Flowers began showing up everywhere from schoolyards to senior citizens homes, in front yards and back, and along roadways. Wildflower seeds were even scattered on vacant lots to make them more appealing.
Get started now. If you need help, guidance, or suggestions, contact the AIB office. They can put you in touch with judges or even past participants who can mentor you through the process.
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| Celebrate Community Pride with AIB Banners and Entranceway Signs |
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 America in Bloom street pole banners are a beautiful, highly visible way to introduce residents to your municipality's participation in the AIB program, and greet visitors to your community.
They add a colorful, dynamic, and decorative element to streetscapes, and complement hanging basket floral displays. A series of eight designs representing the eight AIB criteria categories and one featuring the AIB logo are now available.
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Nursery & Landscape Professionals Learn About AIB |
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America in Bloom was front at center at the recent American Nursery & Landscape Association's Management Clinic in Louisville, Kentucky. AIB President Marvin Miller addressed the crowd of nearly 1,000 landscape and nursery professionals about the benefits of getting involved in the program and how participation can help grow the green industry. AIB was also mentioned during at least two of the many sessions held on the topic of "sustainability." Both a garden center operator and a green industry supplier commended AIB on its efforts to support sustainable practices that are good for the environment, community, and economy. In fact, people were so curious to learn more about AIB that Miller was even approached at the airport on his way home. ANLA is a platinum level steward of AIB. Learn more about this national trade organization by visiting www.anla.org. |
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To date AIB has touched 20 million people in over 150 communities throughout 36 states. |
| Have a Story to Share? |
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We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, LKunkle@ofa.org. | |
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February 18, 2008
