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 February 15, 2010
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America in Bloom
Planting Pride in Your Community |
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Photo Credit
London, Kentucky
2009 Participating Community, Special Mention for Environmental Awareness |
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Jumpstart Your Town's Urban Renewal Webinar Recording Available
AIB's first-ever webinar, "Jumpstart Your Town's Urban Renewal with America in Bloom," was quite a sucess earlier this month! Nearly 100 attendees representing 74 cities in 38 states participated and lots of good questions were asked.
If you were unable to attend the webinar but are interested in AIB you can now view a recording of the webinar at your own convenience by visiting www.americainbloom.org/webinar.
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Turning A Potential "Eyesore" Into an Asset for Residents and Tourists
By Ed Rhinehart, AIB Judge
Point Pleasant, West Virginia, situated on a point where the Ohio River and Kanawha River meets, has made the best of a potential eyesore - the flood wall. What was once was a muddy path along a flood wall has been transformed into Riverfront Park, a recreation destination for residents and visitors.
Riverfront Park boasts an 800-seat amphitheater built into the river bank, a 900-foot dock, a small-boat marina, a pavilion (event shelter seating up to 100), and walking trails. The flood walls have proven to be a perfect canvas for murals (pictured left) that tell the story of the Battle of Point Pleasant, believed to be the first battle of the American Revolution.
In addition to these amenities, the sides of the riverfront are beautifully landscaped with gardens, walkways, and picnic pavilions. Congratulations Point Pleasant on capitilzing on your community's unique features! |
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Fayetteville, Arkansas Beautification Advocate Wins State Award
Led by Cindi Cope (pictured left), Fayetteville, Arkansas, has been a multi-year winner in the America in Bloom program. Cindi's volunteer efforts have not gone unnoticed.
The Arkansas Parks & Recreation Association is honoring Cindi as this year's Individual of the Year. Cindi was also a nominee for the 2009 America in Bloom John R. Holmes III Community Champion Award. Congratulations Cindi!
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Accountability: We're Spreading the Word!
By Marvin Miller, AIB President
America in Bloom has been spreading the word, literally, of late, and we've been spreading the word in ways like we've never done before.
Beginning in mid-January, AIB was represented at a number of horticultural industry events.
After all, we've got to keep the industry informed about our program, as these folks often become volunteers and sometimes even catalysts for their local communities. Read the full article. |
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Need Help Developing Parks and Athletic Programs?
Studies indicate that most park departments and recreation districts are severely underfunded and therefore their park and athletic field inventories do not meet the needs of their communities. This is especially true for smaller communities.
A new non-profit organization, Sports Genesis, will provide a professionally designed Conceptual Master Plan and Cost Opinions at no fee. Now communities can confidently "kick start" a potential project without having to invest any of their own initial money.
For more information, visit www.SportsGenesis.org. |
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Unleashing the Artistic Side of the Community
Racing against the possibility of rain, dozens of volunteer painters - as many as 200 - helped produce the first mural on Lompoc, California's north end, near the entrance to the municipal airport.
The helpers, volunteers in the Lompoc Valley in Bloom organization, were guided by local artist Nina Streetman, who designed the 12-by-36-foot painting of sweet pea fields with a barn and mountains to honor that industry's history in the Lompoc Valley. Read more. |
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Have a story to share? 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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