There are about 10,000 of you who are receiving LC/dbm for the first time, so I'd like to be the first to say Welcome!

Now I know there are already about 50,000 of you who have been receiving LC/dbm for quite some time, and I want you to know that we still appreciate your readership. It's just that LC/dbm has been spending a considerable part of the last 18 months refining our systems and setting in place the groundwork for growth and well . . . Let the growth begin!!!

Speaking of growth, there is some good news on the horizon as the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently released a news item (see page 10) saying that work is up 72 percent for the RLA's. That is good news!

While many of you have been hanging on with your maintenance clients, the news means that there are projects in the works. While a project for an RLA doesn't mean you have a project today . . . and in fact many designs never get built . . . It does mean that you may want to start attending those local ASLA chapter meetings and begin slapping a few palms . . .

And speaking about meetings . . . Tradeshow season is right around the corner, and LC/dbm will be attending five trade shows in a two-month stretch beginning in August (six if you count the two-in-one EXPO/Hardscape show in Kentucky as two).

Yep, we'll be in Texas for the TNLA show; in DC for the Landscape Architect show; in Long Beach, California for The Landscape Expo; in Louisville, Kentucky for the EXPO and Hardscape show; and, in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Parks show all between August 20th and October 27th.
If you are at any of those events please stop by our booth and say 'Hey' . . . We'll be there looking for news, articles, new advertisers and even more new readers . . . We'll also be there to see the old familiar faces, and shake the hands of those we've known for more than a dozen years.

And speaking of a dozen years . . . Actually, LC is now a teenager and beginning its teenage growth spurt . . . OK, I have two teenage boys and one girl on the verge, so I know about the challenges that lie ahead . . . But with the economy having been so ''wonderful'' these past months, we really did decide to pack on a few pounds and set in motion the process of growth, so again . . . Welcome to all you new readers!

LC/dbm already has more than twice the number of advertisers than the other landscape and lawn care magazines, and now we are ready to pass the ''big boys'' in distribution as well . . . So, while we may still get a pimple or two, we look forward to meeting even more of you across the nation as we continue to bulk up, spread our wings and grow forward into a strapping young magazine . . . Sorry, but did I mention I have two teenage boys?

Anyways . . . See you at the shows . . .

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