By Rico Dizon
Artesia City Manager Maria Dadian was endorsed by Mayor John Lyon to represent the City at the America in Bloom Symposium and Awards to be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Sept. 20 to 22.
During the opening of the three-day event, Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan will welcome all participants and share his insights as to the initiatives that have distinguished Fayetteville as one of the most livable places in America. Keynote speaker will be Arkansas native son P. Allen Smith, one of the best known and most beloved lifestyle and gardening experts in America.
On the last day of the symposium, Robin Moore, Director of National Learning Initiative and author of “Natural Learning – the Life History of an Environmental Schoolyard,” is expected to discuss “Designing Nature into Children’s Lives.” Along with the workshops, participants are expecting to receive a detailed report that evaluates the City’s efforts and recommendation on future activities.
As one of 200 participants vying for honors and recognition, the City of Artesia, just like each of the entries, will be evaluated in terms of its floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, and the overall impression left on the America In Bloom judges. All the criteria for the contest are designed to bring community and people together to achieve improvements in the latter’s quality of life, as part of the community-building endeavor of the Arkansas-based national organization.
Two AIB judges Evelyn Alemanni and Jack Clasen flew to Los Angeles on the weekend of July 6 to peer through the City parks, neighborhood and business districts.
Mayor Lyon gave a special orientation to the judges at the Old Fire Station 30. Alemanni said she was amazed by the amount of work the City has done toward greening its community. She also found especially moving the partnerships between the City, the local volunteer organizations such as Artesia in Action, and the school district.
Both judges were particularly impressed by the nature gardens at Niemes Elementary. Individual is valued for his/her intrinsic worth and contribution,” said Alemanni.
The City was a participant to America in Bloom in 2008. Since then the community has developed enough “green” projects and has come to understand just what needs to be done in order to do well in the next America in Bloom symposium. Confident that Artesia is ready for the AIB program this year, Mayor Lyon said, “we’re a built up urban community and we’ve done a lot that we can be proud of and showcase.”
