www.GardenWeb.com

Do you know what tree has been banned in several U.S. cities? Is there an upcoming garden show coming to your town? What can you plant successfully in your area of the country? GardenWeb.com gives you the answers!

This site begins with the GardenWeb Forum. In this section you can e-mail questions regarding plant care and landscaping and have it answered by anyone of the thousands of other users. (By the way, the Mulberry tree has been banned in Tucson, Albuquerque, and El Paso because it is highly allergenic and has very invasive roots.)

Other sections include:

• Hortiplex: where to go for color pictures of different plants (great for class projects!)
• The Garden Bazaar: garden-related businesses, including books
• The Calendar: garden related events located locally or world-wide
• Glossary of Botanical Terms: over 4000 distinct entries
• Sesbania.s Gardening Tips: easy to understand articles for new gardeners
• GardenWeb Europe: most content available in 5 languages besides English

The avid gardener will love GardenWeb.com; the hobbyist and researcher will not be disappointed either. The different categories are all useful, informative, colorful and fun. Now is the perfect time to think about gardening. Check out the GardenWeb.com for a breath of Spring air!

Reviewed by FIDM R&RC staff member Elizabeth Lady.

Title: VM & SD
(Visual Merchandising & Store Design)

Publisher: ST Media Group International
407 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.421.2050
ISSN:0745-4295
Published: Monthly
Web Site: www.visualstore.com
Subscription Rate: $42.00/per year

Are you wondering where you can find a mannequin directory? Are you curious about how E*Trade went about collaborating on their New York flagship? Are you looking for a survey of the Top 50 Retail Design Firms? This is just a sample of what is available on a monthly basis within the pages of VM & SD, your guide to visual merchandising and store design.

Typical monthly "Departments" include:

• Portfolio - Highlights of windows and store interiors including photos and accompanying articles.
• Industry News - A variety of news and information such as awards, relocations, store openings, management changes, business watch and more.
• Event Preview - Global Show 2002, EuroShop ShopEast, The Review of the VM & SD International Retail Design Conference.
• Calendar - Dates and descriptions for competitions and events.
• Checking Out ô The final page which has a Q & A with different personalities from the VM & SD world.

VM & SD contains articles with resources for lighting, fixtures, mannequins, signage, holiday and decorative manufacturers and more! The January issue is the Buyer.s Guide to manufacturers, distributors, products and services. VM & SD is invaluable for anyone involved with or interested in this creative industry.

A Resource for devotees of fashion, shoes and Indian culture...

The foot has long held a place of high esteem in Indian culture. The feet of elders are worshiped by the younger generation, and a lover who caresses his beloved.s foot has proven his ultimate devotion. A rich tradition of foot adornment has developed as a result of this attention to the foot, from toe rings to elaborate henna tattoos to meticulously carved padukas (toe knob sandals.) Published by the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Feet & Footwear in Indian Culture traces the history of India.s fascination with and respect for the foot, and how that attitude impacted the development of its footwear.

The authors draw upon the literary and artistic tradition of India to trace the evolution of its footwear. Ancient Indian poetry, Sanskrit texts and Hindu paintings and sculptures depict richly carved anklets, bejewelled toe-rings and elaborate tattoo designs for the foot. Padukas are shown in many varieties: painted wood, silver and ivory. Mojaris (ceremonial shoes with upturned toes) are displayed with gold and silver embroidery and embellished with rubies, diamonds and emeralds set in gold. From more modern times, a variety of sandals show the importance of regional influences on style: a sandal from Himachal Pradesh comes with a thick leather sole to protect against the rough terrain and a built in leather sock for warmth.

Feet & Footwear in Indian Culture is a wonderful resource for those interested in Indian culture as well as devotees of fashion and shoes. The historical references are enlightening, and the abundance of exquisite photographs is truly remarkable. Fashion students will indeed find inspiration in India.s rich tradition of adornment to this most important body part.

Reviewed by FIDM R&RC staff member Mollie Jones.