| Get Connected! |
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| It's Spring . . . I Think |
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By AIB President Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company
 As I write this column (less than 10 days before you read it), the Chicago area has experienced its first taste of spring, as weather this past weekend was warm enough to rouse the rabbits from their dens, to start the grass on its way to turning green, and to swell the buds on some of the early spring flowering bulbs. I even saw my first spring bloom this afternoon. Yet, there is a rumor that snow may be back before this next weekend passes. Such is the nature of a Chicagoland spring, which is predictable only by its unpredictability.
Read more |
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Bike Trails - A Judge's Perspective |
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By AIB Judge Jack Clasen  In the early 1990s the railroad pulled out of St Clairsville, Ohio, leaving the city with railroad tracks that bisected the city. The city looked at the abandoned tracks as an opportunity to create the first bikeway in eastern Ohio.
Construction of the bikeway started in 1997 and was completed in 1999. It resulted in an outstanding 3-mile long "linear park" that connects residential areas, commercial areas, parks, and the county fairgrounds. The bikeway is very popular for walking, in-line skating, running, and cross-country skiing. The trail has a gazebo, hanging baskets (with flower colors that match the colorful banners), attractive landscaping, benches, plaques, a memorial garden, and Ohio's only rail-trail tunnel. A nature trail was recently added to bring an educational component to this outstanding cohesive element that ties the community together.
For those communities contemplating a bike trail, this beautiful trail provides an excellent example of how to organize and implement this type of community enhancement project. Contact Dennis Bigler, Director of Public Services, dops@stclairsville.com or 740- 695-0156. |
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Fayetteville's Daffodil Days |
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By Evelyn Alemani, AIB Judge and Board Member
 Springtime wouldn't be the same without daffodils, and if Cyndi Cope has her way, each child in Fayetteville, Arkansas will know everything there is to know about bulbs, particularly daffodils.
Cyndi spends a considerable amount of time visiting schools, teaching kids about the "daffodil principle," that planting a few bulbs every year will eventually yield fields of golden flowers for all to enjoy. In the fall, she secures bulbs to plant around schools and gives children bulbs to plant at home.
Fayetteville has won its population category several times and competed internationally in 2007. Its success is due to dedicated people like Cyndi. |
| AIB Symposium and Awards Program |
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 It's "Homecoming" for this year's 7th Annual America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program, October 2-4. Celebrate in AIB's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where you'll be treated to small-town hospitality and big-city culture.
Sessions and learning tours will provide easy-to-implement take-home ideas that relate to the eight AIB criteria (floral displays, landscaped areas, turf and groundcover areas, urban forestry, environmental awareness, tidiness, heritage preservation, and community involvement).
Watch next month's e-Newsletter for complete session and tours details, registration information, and more.
Begin planting pride in your community by attending this year's symposium! |
| Call for Case Studies |
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The Sustainable Sites Initiative is collecting case studies that use sustainable land development and management practices. Projects are not required to be a sustainable site in all respects, but rather illustrate such sustainable practices as stormwater management, integrated design teams, water conservation, habitat restoration (soil, vegetation, and wildlife), education, user health and well-being, materials selection and management, and others. |
| 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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April 21, 2008
