It's Our Anniversary and We Want You to Be There!
More than 200 people are expected to gather in our nation's capital from October 6-8, 2011 to learn, be inspired, and celebrate 10 years of America in Bloom. If you're interested in making your community a better place to live you can and should make the trip!
From stellar educational sessions to tours of community spaces and public gardens throughout Washington D.C. you're sure to take home a ton of ideas to improve life in your community.
And remember, it's not limited to AIB participants, anyone can attend.
Click here for more information and to register. 
The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, which allocates low-income housing tax credits for the state, now recognizes establishing community gardens on the 2011 list of sustainable items that developers can use to comply with tax credits. The move is being recognized by many as a catalyst for other states to develop similar criteria for multi-family affordable housing. 
All current and past AIB participants have the opportunity to enter and win $500 for their town. Creating and posting a YouTube video is a great way to promote your town and its community enhancement efforts. Plus it can be used as a promo piece for the chamber of commerce or visitors bureau, for grant applications, and/or to recruit new volunteers. Don't delay! The deadline to submit videos for consideration is August 31. 
After almost 11,000 consumers voted in the 2010 American Garden Award contest, the program is back and bigger than ever for 2011. There are now 24 participating public gardens displaying 7 stunning new varieties (produced from both seed and vegetative cuttings) for the gardening public to choose as their favorite. All 24 gardens can be viewed on the AGA web site. 
