GCPS e-ZONE

	July 8, 2008 Riddle me this... I am a rock group that has four members, all of whom are dead, one of whom was assassinated. What/who am I? (Scroll down for the answer.) Trends: Hot products International House of Handshakes... After nearly two decades of tending the garden industry, I’ve decided that there are basically two kinds of people in this business: good and great. I’m amazed every time I hit the road for a trade show or conference at how genuine and genuinely dedicated the folks who serve the home gardener are, whether they provide said service as a person who sells directly to the consumer or as a person who sells to the person who sells. To wit: my two new best friends, Teruaki Shinokura and Kuri Inoue of TOWA Corporation. We met at the recent National Lawn & Garden Show in Chicagoland and bonded almost instantly. How? Well, Teruaki and Kuri are, as you might suspect, Japanese. My all-time favorite movie is "The Last Samurai," which is loosely based on one of the more important periods in Japanese history. While that’s probably not the conventional geometric way for "A plus B" to get to "C", we got there and shared a delightful evening at Navy Pier exchanging business cards and explaining the various cultural quirks that make us different and the same all the while. Somewhere during the course of the conversation, we also talked about TOWA’s new line of gardening gloves, With Garden, which very well could become the next major player on the U.S. garden apparel scene. The gloves are strong and sturdy and supple and soft — all good things, I would suggest. But don’t take it from me. My wife now owns several pairs, and she says she loves them. As anyone who reads these missives knows, my wife knows best — especially when it comes to gardening. Now when it comes to international affairs, I would be the family authority, what with my recent experience getting to know Teruaki and Kuri. I’ve probably not quite achieved goodwill ambassador status yet, but I’m chikai. That’s "close" in Japanese (... or, at least, it had better be, lest I start an international incident). Speaking of the art of communication, I want to give you a heads-up that changes are a-brewing at GCP&S. Beginning with our September issue, we’ll introduce a smattering of "new," toss in a pinch of "improved" and, for good measure, stir in some "revolutionary." What ultimately emerges from our oven should taste deliciously fresh. Be sure to check out the July 22nd e-ZONE for details. Going compostal Check our BLOG Puzzling pictures Oh, so it’s like a game? Cool!... While you see three images here, only one is the puzzle that unlocks the secret to the meaning of life — or that gives you a few minutes of mindless entertainment... I always get those two mixed up. In any case, select the one that is the puzzle, put the product together again, and while you might not learn the meaning of life, you will be way wiser than the guy who skipped the puzzle part and went straight to the riddle answer. Going compostal Check our BLOG Pick 'n Click Sort of like Match.com, only with prettier results... The links below will help you connect with suppliers who advertise in GCP&S. Point and click to reference a specific product or lines of goods and services offered by the respective companies in our most recent issue. Achla Designs: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17037 Achla Designs: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17046 A-V International: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17030 Bartlett Bench & Wire, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17011 Blübandoo: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17052 Blübandoo: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17001 Carleen & Company: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17040 Carruth Studio, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17049 Carson Industries: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17025 Casual Furniture & Accessories Market: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17012 Clean Air Gardening: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17034 Clean Air Gardening: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17029 Danove Corporation: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17054 Deer Run Greenery: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17060 DEROMA: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17038 DeWitt Co., Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17010 Discount Pond Supplies, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17018 Dorothy Biddle Service: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17062 DP Foods, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17017 Dramm Corporation: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17004 Echo Valley: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17053 Fabriscape: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17024 Gardenware: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17014 Gifts That Bloom: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17009 Gifts That Bloom: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17003 Hydrofarm Greenhouse Lighting: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17016 Kalalou: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17050 Kay Berry: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17042 Magnet Works, Ltd.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17005 Melrose International: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17041 Melrose International: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17047 Michael Gordon, Ltd.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17045 Novelty Manufacturing Co.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17058 Nycon Products: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17019 Ohio Wholesale, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17043 P&M Creations: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17036 Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Assoc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17063 Pottery Express: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17008 Principle Plastics: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17002 Protective Industrial Products: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17026 Punxsutawney Glass & Tile Co.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17032 QuickBooks: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17007 Radius Garden LLC: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17031 Red Carpet Studios: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17051 Riverside Enterprises: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17020 Rustic Natural Cedar Furniture Co.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17044 Shatley Farms: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17015 Sherman Nursery Company: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17057 Stoney Creek: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17023 Structural Plastics: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17006 Structural Plastics: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17064 Sunlight Supply, Inc.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17033 Tula Hats: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17059 United Label & Sales Corp.: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17056 VAL-CO Environmental & Greenhouse Systems: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17027 Vitamin Institute: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17035 Xiamen Amplesolar Technologies: Request info • Web site • 1-800-690-1826 ext. 17013 Going compostal Check our BLOG Oh, yeah, the riddle answer... Mount Rushmore (get it, rock group?) To SUBSCRIBE: http://www.greenbeampro.com/signup To UNSUBSCRIBE: Reply to this e-mail here. TO CONTACT EDITOR YALE YOUNGBLOOD: yyoungblood@branchsmith.com To reach the desktops of thousands of garden center professionals twice a month through the e-ZONE, contact Tiffany O'Kelley, tokelley@branchsmith.com, Ed Tavender, etavender@branchsmith.com, or Hilary Hymer, hhymer@branchsmith.com. (c) 2008 Branch-Smith Publishing. Before publishing or redistributing this information, visit the copyright information page.