AIB's "Best Ideas" Book Gets International Acclaim

By Evelyn Alemanni

At the Communities in Bloom symposium and awards in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (October 10-13, 2012), our "Ten Years of Best Ideas" book received a lot of attention. This unique book features nearly 2000 best practices from America in Bloom participants and arranges them by criteria and population. Hundreds of photos from participants and even testimonials are included. It is the only book of its kind.

When Friday's keynote speaker, Ian Hill, CEO of Let Them Be Kids (www.ltbk.ca) was given the book as a gift, he learned that the book's author had donated the rights to AIB and that we use it as a fundraiser. Asking whether we accept donations, he reached into his pocket and said, "Here's all the Canadian money I have." Wow!!! And THANK YOU!!!

On Saturday, Mark Cullen, the celebrity spokesperson for Canada's Home Hardware chain of building supply stores (similar to Ace or True Value in the US) moderated a town hall meeting. He started off by saying, "Tell us your best ideas." Then he opened our book and read a passage from it.

Later, delegates from England, Singapore, Czech Republic, and Canada purchased the book. We certainly hope they'll find inspiring ideas to implement at home.

You can purchase the book at www.americainbloom.org.

We're pleased and excited that demand for our Best Ideas book has warranted the creation of a brand new edition. This volume features more than 2000 of the best ideas from nearly 200 America in Bloom participating towns and cities in 38 states. The book is 242 pages and includes an index so that you can easily find the activities of participating towns.

Here's a review by Christa Kolster-Frye:



“Clearly should be a must-have read for every community, every town, every city across America.”

America in Bloom’s “Best Ideas” book could well be called the “America the Beautiful” book. A quick leafing revels nearly 200 stunning photographs of participating America in Bloom (AIB) towns and cities. AIB’s “Best Ideas--Planting Pride in Our Communities” is a valuable handbook for communities who are considering joining the nationwide beautification program, and for those already involved, and for those who really want to make their town a better place to live. This inspirational book showcases the efforts of the many, many volunteers across the country who work together to keep America beautiful--in the motto of AIB: one community at a time.

The book features more than 2,000 ideas from the participants which can be adopted, copied, or modified by other communities wishing to enhance their own hometowns. Pleasantly compact, the book travels effortlessly in handbag or briefcase and can be used as a valid aid in presentations or programs. Easily referenced through color-coded pages, AIB’s eight evaluation criteria are introduced and described in detail. Each section includes an anecdotal story about the impact AIB has had in various communities; as well, tips and suggestions for each category from the judges. The “Best Ideas” from towns, cities and universities are grouped in their population categories for further clarity and easy identification.

The Best Ideas book also offers suggestions on how to work with the AIB judges from the perspective of the judges themselves. AIB Judge Katy Moss Warner speaks directly to the reader in describing how the program works and the benefits awarded to individual communities. Although AIB is, in part, a friendly competition, the focus is really on what following the program’s guidelines can do for those cities and towns involved.

“Whether you have been part of the AIB contest in the past or are considering joining for the first time, I encourage you to go for it!” Moss Warner writes. “As an AIB judge, I have seen first hand how cities benefit just by being part of the America in Bloom experience, whether they win the big prize or not. I look forward to visiting your community!” she concludes.

In the book’s foreword, editor and AIB judge, Evelyn Alemanni, states that “citizens are becoming actively involved again in their communities” through a grass roots urban renewal movement. Many have adopted the AIB program as the framework for addressing urgent needs in their communities. The book’s examples from these communities demonstrate the many varied benefits of the program including civic pride, tourism, preservation of America’s history and the many benefits to be gained from excellence in civic horticulture.

“America in Bloom encourages you to plant pride in your city,” Alemanni writes. “We hope you enjoy the book and find many useful ideas and programs.”

Books cost $50 (including shipping) and can be ordered from the America in Bloom website at www.americainbloom.org.They will also be available for sale at the America in Bloom symposium in St. Louis, September 30 - October 2, 2010.

by Evelyn Alemanni

Beginning early in May through the end of August, America in Bloom judges will experience the epic adventures of judging 28 towns and cities throughout America. To keep the playing field level, a team of two judges is assigned to evaluate one population category. They spend two days in each town, touring, meeting with local movers, shakers and horticultural enthusiasts, and giving presentations to groups when asked. They also take copious notes and photos.

At the end of the touring, the judges start the process of scoring and writing the evaluation. Although they are supposed to have a minimum of three to four hours in the host city to start the evaluation, writing can take many more hours, days, weeks... to generate the 20 to 30 page evaluation which lists noted accomplishments and suggestions to consider for the future. Mayors of many towns have told us that their America in Bloom evaluations are more valuable than consultants' studies which have cost much more than the AIB entry fee.

During the past eight years, I have judged more than 60 towns in five countries. It has been a remarkable experience to meet so m any smart and talented people who are passionate about the places where they live. I have learned so much from them, and it is my honor and pleasure to share with towns gleanings from places I've visited.

The Best Ideas book was born from these adventures... if you don't already own a copy, you can order it online at www.americainbloom.org.

But, as I was saying, the host towns and their people are simply wonderful. Sami is ready to party with them, too bad I can't bring her along.


Good gardening,

Evelyn

By Evelyn Alemanni

How do you start improving your town? Where would you go for input? Ideas? Plans?



As an America in Bloom judge for 8 years, I have met a lot of remarkable individuals, seen some amazing communities, experienced terrific community spirit, and admired ingenious ways to make the best of challenging situations. What I saw and learned was way too good to keep to myself. Even sharing these goodies with the towns I judged didn't seem to do justice.
Soooo..... I gathered all the America in Bloom evaluations even written. (That's 171 to be exact.) Then I read each one, highlighter in hand, scouring them for the best and brightest ideas. For a few years, these ideas were available on the AIB website for anyone to download. Many of them are still there.

Then last year, I was obsessed to turn this wonderful information into an informative book, unlike any other on the market. It was updated to include all the AIB participants, and includes color photos of their accomplishments in the eight evaluation criteria. The result is 240 pages, full color, with more than 2000 ideas that you can easily implement right where you live.

Simply titled, "Best Ideas", the book has become an invaluable resource for communities and has been nominated for the prestigious American Horticultural Society national book award.

Buy it for your community. Put a copy in the library and give it as a gift to the mayor and chamber of commerce.

You can buy the book online at http://americainbloom.org/resources/Best-Ideas-Books.aspx.

Congratulations to all the towns that have registered to participate in the 2010 America in Bloom program. To our new participants, "Welcome to the family!" To returning towns and cities, welcome back.

Now that you've registered, what to do next?

For returning towns, it's easy. Just look at what you did last year and update it.

For new towns, you'll receive an info packet from the office. Be sure to read it thoroughly. If you have questions, call the office or the head of the contest committee.

Here are some tips for all of you:

- If you don't already have it, order the Best Ideas book from www.americainbloom.org. It is 240 pages in full color, with more than 2000 best practices from towns that have participated during the past nine years. You'll find inspiring ideas in each of the evaluation criteria; most of which can be implemented by volunteers.

- Talk to your judges. In a few weeks, you'll learn who your judges are. We are privileged this year to have all experienced, highly trained judges. It is, quite possibly, the best team we've had to date. Feel free to contact them BEFORE they come to your town, and ask them any questions you might have.

- Create the community profile book. This task is greatly simplified this year. You'll receive a Word template from the office.  You can either fill in the blanks or get fancy, it's up to you. Just limit your work to 50 pages.

- Take lots of pictures. Before and after pictures are great, so are photos of people working on projects. Think of ways to use the photos besides the community profile book. For example, newspaper articles, town website, blogs, display in the city hall or community center.

- Delegate! Organizing an AIB entry is easiest when you appoint a subcommittee for each of the eight judging criteria, and also have subcommittees for publicity and fundraising. If you have garden centers or growers in your town, get them onboard!

- Strategize. Closely examine the evaluation form the judges will be using. Go through it line by line and think about your related efforts. If you don't know, assign one of  your committee members to do some "investigative reporting". Look for areas where you are strong and think about areas where a little effort will make a big difference.

- Symposium. Mark your calendar for September 30 - October 2 for the national educational symposium and awards, held this year in St. Louis, MO. The hotel, the Hilton at the Ballpark, has just finished a $45 million remodel and is next to the City Park, the baseball stadium, and walking distance to the world famous Arch. We have outstanding speakers lined up and memorable tours. The symposium is open to anyone, and we particularly extend an invitation to people from towns who are interested in finding out more about America in Bloom. More details are at www.americainbloom.org.

Watch for notices in our e-newsletter about upcoming webinars. If you have an idea for a webinar, please contact me at alemanni@allea.com.

My boss is all excited about the 2010 program. Just look!