In May 2007, the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and its surrounding county proclaimed 2008 the "Year of the River," as part of a downtown revitalization effort. The cruel irony of that designation was not lost on Al Pierson, whose florist shop sits in the downtown Cedar Rapids corridor that was submerged by that very river, as part of devastating floods that have pummeled and saturated the Midwest since late May.

Kitayama Brothers Greenhouses were robbed of aluminum troughs, in what authorities are calling one of the biggest agriculture thefts in recent history.

After 15 years of talking about why no one was getting the message that Christmas trees can be earth friendly, a group of tree growers is finally getting the message that they need to turn up the volume on their environmental efforts.

Retail florist, and SAF member, Karen Fountain, AAF, of Flowers 'n' Ferns in Burke, Va., knows the costly impact interchange fees associated with credit cards can have on small businesses.

Helium-filled metallic balloons are a serious threat to the California power supply, according to some of the state's utility providers, so legislators are looking to outlaw them.

Is the current decline in cut flower imports just a minor dip in what has been a long-term incline or is it the beginning of a different trajectory? For its Summer 2008 issue, Floral Trend Tracker (FTT), took a look at the data, both recent figures and long-term trends, and spoke to industry insiders to find out why this was happening and how it might affect the industry.

Teamwork, a gas generator, flashlights and improvisation kept Karin's Florist in Vienna, Va., up and running and on the road after some unusually severe weather hit the area recently. 

Seattle's business community got to peek inside the high-tech world of cut-flower greenhouses after the Puget Sound Business Journal profiled Leo Roozen,  AAF, president of Washington Bulb in Mount Vernon, Wash., on June 2.

Is your local TV news station flower friendly? Do they frequently feature flowers on their set? SAF would like to recognize those stations or shows that understand how flowers brighten a room, or in this case, a news set.

Sure, everyone wants to extend the vase life of flowers, but who cares about extending the vase life of the poor, empty vase? The folks at Ashland Addison Florist in Chicago can hardly contain themselves over a new program designed to increase the life expectancy of your average vase, wicker basket, mug and assorted container. And by doing so, they hope to tack on a few years to the health of the planet, kick more money to charities and drive more customers through their doors. 

You keep hearing the word "sustainability"... find out what it really means and how your business can capitalize on it at SAF Palm Beach 2008. On Thursday, Sept. 18, renowned business analyst Jim Prevor and a panel of floral industry experts will take you from a broad-brush understanding down to the nitty-gritty of what to do next at the All-Industry Session, Sustainability: Issues and Opportunities for the Floral Industry.

Retailers who deal in high-end goods and services are feeling the effects of the economic downturn as some of the country's wealthiest citizens forgo luxuries that had become lifestyle standards.

More than half of working Americans have done little to plan for retirement, according to a new survey. Workforce Week reports a new survey from Brinker Capital of its financial adviser clients found that, while about 46 percent of American workers are "on track to enjoying a timely retirement," the other 54 percent "have some work to do shoring up their retirement savings." That said, 86 percent of financial advisers say the concept of a "typical retirement age" is no longer relevant, as people tend to work "as long as they're willing and able."

Struggling to keep your work life and home life in balance? Tyra Banks feels your pain.

• "Keys to Communication" by SAF's PFCI featuring Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI: July 7, 2-3 p.m. in Chicago, in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium. Early-bird registration $50 before June 21, $75 after if space is available.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Executive changes at 1-800-Flowers, workforce challenges at Sun Valley Farms, and SAF efforts to combat negative wedding flower publicity topped readers' interest last week.

We received some additional feedback, in response to last week's story, "Help (with Gas Prices) Wanted: Job Applicants Seek Low-Cost Commutes."

Reduce your own prescription costs and enhance your employee benefits package by enrolling in ScriptSave. This no-cost, premier prescription drug savings program is available to SAF members, their employees, and even employees' families. The program can save members an average of 22 percent on brand name and generic prescriptions with the possibility of saving up to 50 percent based on national program savings data! The ScriptSave card is accepted at more than 53,000 participating chain and independent pharmacies nationwide. It's a great way for your business to attract and retain quality employees.
 
(DISCOUNT ONLY - NOT INSURANCE. This program is not an insurance policy and does not provide insurance coverage. Discounts are available exclusively through participating pharmacies. AR, KS, SC, SD and TN residents: You may cancel your registration under this program within thirty (30) days from the date your discount card is issued).

Weddings and calculating design labor costs were the focus of new posts to the discussion boards this week.

Slightly more than 52 percent of respondents to last week's e-poll don't actively market to same-sex couples.

Eight in 10 retail florists have increased their delivery fees during the past year — 65 percent during the past six months, and 13 percent within the two weeks before the survey was sent (May 16). Almost one in 10 (not shown) raised their fees more than six months ago.