Crackdown on illegal hiring expected
Federal authorities expected to release new rules requiring that business fire employees using false Social Security numbers, The New York Times reported. The article quotes Craig Regelbrugge, ANLA v.p. for gov't. relations & research and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Immigration Reform. Regelbrugge told the paper employers are scared and confused about the new requirements.

Nasdaq delists Hines
The Nasdaq stock market suspended trading of Hines Hort.'s shares on Aug. 8. The company was delisted because it failed to file a required quarterly report and maintain minimum stockholder equity requirements.

Fire damage costs $1 million at Corso's
A fire on Aug. 2 caused $1 million in damages at Corso's Flower & Garden Center in Sandusky, Ohio, Toledo Blade reported. There were no injuries. Two pole barns used for the company's wholesale production business were destroyed. The retail store is still open for business, and the wholesale department is still shipping orders.

Nat'l. Hardware Show returns to Vegas
Nat'l. Hardware Show, along with its Lawn & Garden World division, will return to Las Vegas in 2008. The show will be held at Las Vegas Convention Center, May 6-8, 2008. The Gourmet Housewares Show, Global Home Textiles and Global Home Decor shows will be held concurrently at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Rain gardens gain popularity
People are talking about rain gardens, specially planted areas that reduce pollutants in runoff water.
• Cleaning garden. Hometowntimes.com
• Rain garden revisited. High Plains Journal
• Key to runoff. Des Moines Register

Tesco gets OK for Dobbies purchase
Tesco's bid to purchase Dobbies Garden Centres, a popular chain in the United Kingdom, has received a green light, Scotsman.com reported. The Office of Fair Trading OK'd the deal last week. The transaction hit a stumbling block when a Scottish billionaire increased his stake in the chain to 25.6% in June. Dobbies had to secure support from 50% of shareholders for the sale to proceed.

Love it or hate it?
A lot is being said about how important organic products and sustainable practices are to our industry. Do you think that's true or a load of hogwash? We'd like to gain a true picture of where the industry stands on this issue, so let us know what you think.

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Romance at work OK? Open Register

Worth a visit
Our industry is full of plant people. But store design is outside most retailers' comfort zone. Let the Garden Center Design School expert help you on how to draw attention to plants. Only on GreenBeam.com.