P. Allen Smith will tout Proven Winners
Proven Winners announced that P. Allen Smith will showcase 18 plant varieties in upcoming magazine articles, online features, TV shows and personal appearances. The "Hot 18" plants are varieties Smith selected himself after seeing plants in trials and at Proven Winners locations, according to a statement from PW. Selections include plants from the Supertunia, Intensia and AngelFace series. In this partnership, Smith will not act as spokesperson for Proven Winners. They plan to work together to offer ideas, know-how, products and gardening solutions. PW will also run commercials and purchase underwriting credits for Smith's weekly syndicated and PBS TV shows.

Online tools promote Nat'l. Bird Feeding Month
To promote Nat'l. Bird Feeding Month in February, the Wild Bird Feeding Industry is offering brochures and other publications retailers can download, print and share with customers. "Feeding backyard birds is a very relaxing and easy hobby the entire family will enjoy," said Susan M. Hays, exec. dir. of WBFI. "And February is an ideal time to start. This is one of the most difficult months for wild birds across the United States and Canada."

10 products win 2006 MGA Green Thumbs
Five new plant varieties and 5 new tools won 2006 MGA Green Thumb Awards presented by Mailorder Gardening Assoc. Winners in the plant division: Red and Blue Spring Duet Bulb Bed from Dutch Gardens, agapanthus 'Cold Hardy White' from High Country Gardens, Organic Potato Blossom Festival from Wood Prairie Farm, brugmansia 'Inca Sun' from Logee's and begonia 'Sweet Dream' from Dutch Gardens. Honored in the tool, supplies and accessories division: Water-Wise Timer from Charley's Greenhouse & Garden, Pollinating Pals--Mason Bee Nest from The Lawn and Garden Performance Group, The Post from Telcom USA, The Defense PAC from The Pond Guy Inc. and the E-System from Mantis. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of garden writers and editors.

Visa cards get a new look
Visa's new logo made its official U.S. debut on Jan. 3. The updated brand mark will now appear on all new materials including Visa payment cards, merchant decals, marketing materials and stadium signage. Visa also unveiled a new card design with security enhancements. The dove hologram will move to the back of the card and be integrated into the magnetic stripe. Also, the 3-digit security code will be printed on a separate panel next to the signature panel, making it easier to read. Retailers should have received detailed toolkits to assist with employee education.

New dollar coins coming in 2007
USA Today recently reported that the U.S. Mint will start producing dollar coins with portraits of former presidents in 2007. Four coins will be issued each year in the order which the presidents served. The coins will be gold-colored, like the Sacagawea dollar coins, and the Statue of Liberty will be on the reverse.

X-Factor contest winner selected
Congratulations to Carl Feighner of Our Garden Nursery in Livermore, Calif., who won $100 worth of Plantid products in the December X-Factor Contest. Enter this month's X-Factor contest here.

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