Two friends on a buddy bench

Buddy bench - that simple solution to schoolyard loneliness - is catching on across the country in a number of interesting and heartwarming ways.

What is a buddy bench? Most of you by now have heard the buddy bench story. The concept was made popular in the US by first-grade student Christian Bucks after he learned about the idea from a school in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The youngster's family was scheduled to move there after his father's company planned to transfer him there.

While looking at the school's website, Christian noticed a peculiar bench that seemed to continually attract students.

Turns out, the bench was the school's official "buddy bench." It's designated as a place where a student can sit if he or she feels lonely. Then other students notice this and are

Metal picnic tables from The Park and Facilities Catalog at Indiana State University

When you are the landscape manager for a major college campus, you face a variety of challenges and that's why metal picnic tables are one solution that requires less maintenance and care.

Stephanie Krull is the Landscape and Grounds Manager for a leading college - Indiana State University in Terre Haute, with a student population of 13,000 students.

The National Fire Protection Association has created codes and standards for aluminum bleachers and wooden bleachers

By Gerald Dlubala

Looking out over your stadium, it can be picture perfect as the shiny angles of the aluminum bleachers frame the manicured field.

It's the perfect venue, just the way it was all envisioned.

But are there hidden dangers within your venue?

Those bleachers will be tested in every conceivable way, and because they will be the home for every fan that comes through that turnstile, they need to be safe. They're expected and assumed to be safe whether they're stepped or jumped on, climbed or crawled on, or even just sat on as intended.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) updates their

Spectators on bleachers with drinks at gam

Aluminum bleachers endure a lot of use, misuse and abuse. How do you keep them safe and sound when you have so many crowds of people walking, cheering and jumping up and down on them?

There are very few structures out there that are subjected to this type of activity. And to add to the danger, a large number of bleachers are outside - subject to rain, sleet, heat and snow. Then you have the food and refreshments factor - people watching a game for three hours are going to eat and drink - and spill and drop food.

Here are some tips to consider to keep your aluminum bleachers in tip-top shape and safe for public use.

Be sure your

Fans about to return to the bleachers for fall sport

By Gerald Dlubala

It's fall and if you are a spectator, time to head for the bleachers. You've been tracking that big mark on your calendar - the start of football season (or soccer), and it's finally here.  You know that everybody is going to be there. And you also remember in the past how much fun it was in those bleachers with your friends, family and fellow fans.

It is tradition, after all, isn't it? Working your way up to the perfect spot,