Program to stimulate cut-flower production (The Huntington Herald-Dispatch) CHARLESTON -- A grant awarded to the Great Kanawha Resource Conservation & Development Council is open to anyone that has an interest in producing cut flowers for florists, wholesalers, chefs or other potential markets in the area.

Flowers Direct Helping Local Florists Beat the Credit Crunch (PRWeb) Flowers Direct, with its support of local flower growers and suppliers, are helping the local flower industry find its feet during the credit crunch. With flowers available at every corner store and major brand market, many florists are struggling to keep their heads above water. (PRWeb Aug 24, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/08/prweb1239294.htm

Flowers Direct Helping Local Florists Beat the Credit Crunch (PRWeb via Yahoo! News) Flowers Direct, with its support of local flower growers and suppliers, are helping the local flower industry find its feet during the credit crunch. With flowers available at every corner store and major brand market, many florists are struggling to keep their heads above water.

Flowers of the World festival opens in Moscow (Russian Information Agency Novosti) Florists from 70 companies have demonstrated 200 designer floral compositions including clothes made of flowers. (88 sec./3.33Mb, shows: 32)

In Brussels, French elite find favorable real estate values (International Herald Tribune) Belgium's tax system favors those with inherited wealth or anyone trying to limit capital gains taxation. So local wisdom has it that the fastest way to find out who is planning to sell their company is to hang out at the Brussels-Paris train and look for any French who have suddenly opted for a long-distance commute.

United Online completes its $754 million acquisition of FTD (InternetRetailer.com) United Online Inc. has completed its acquisition of FTD Group Inc., a deal that was announced in April.

FUEL PRICES IMPACT ALL, CHAMBER MEMBERS AGREE (Dundalk Eagle) Higher gas prices are like the first domino being tipped over: shipping costs rise, meaning products being shipped get more expensive, and consumers get a double whammy of having to buy pricier gas and more expensive goods.

CONSERVING COSTS (Dallas Morning News) As the cost of gasoline soared over the past year, small businesses took steps to mitigate the damage to cash flow and profits. Now, even though gas has fallen from the record levels of mid-July, companies are making those strategies permanent.

Local 4-Hers showcase animals, origami art at 163rd County Fair (Harlem Valley Times) RHINEBECK - During the week of fun-filled rides, games and agriculture-related activities, local residents were out in full force enjoying what the Dutchess County Fair had to offer.

Annual Taste of Greater Middleborough planned, to benefit veterans' park (The Standard-Times) MIDDLEBORO — Plans are well under way for the fifth annual Taste of Middleborough, to be held on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 7—9 p.m. at the National Guard Armory on 1 Elm Street. This is the only fund-raiser annually for the care and maintenance...