Santa Anita Bonsai Society Members,

Hello, and best wishes to all of you as we continue to wait out this virus situation. I truly hope you are all safe and well.

As expected, our Memorial Day weekend show has been cancelled by the Arboretum, based on L.A. County orders. Given that, we will move forward with a “virtual” show as I outlined in my previous letter. It is important that we work together and continue to share our love of the art of bonsai.

The plan is to have our Virtual Show posted on the club website at www.sabonsai.org on May 30. All members are invited to take a digital picture of their tree or trees with a smart phone or digital camera and email them to our webmaster Robert Sencer at rsencer@sabonsai.org. Robert will put the pictures together in a format viewable on our website for all of us to enjoy.

The show will not be judged. I hope we will use the opportunity to share our favorite trees with each other without some of the stresses that go along with a judged, live show. Our theme this year is “conifer trees”, so show them if you have them. However, as always, share any variety of trees you wish.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Try and set up a neutral colored background behind your tree.
2. Use a display stand if possible, but not required.
3. No accent plant necessary; we want to see the tree.
4. Avoid photographing in direct sunlight; the sun can wash out the photo.
5. Just take a picture on your phone or camera and send it to Robert and he will work his magic.
6. Email your picture(s) along with your name and tree variety to rsencer@sabonsai.org.
7. Send pictures of as many trees as you wish.
8. Deadline for email submissions is Thursday, May 28.

If you want to enter a tree but need help with taking the photo and/or sending the email, contact me at 909-519-5391 (Dave’s mobile) and we will arrange help.

This will be a new and different way to present our show, but also a new opportunity for everyone to participate. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lorraine & I via my mobile phone or email address at LMiles6455@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing your trees.

~Dave

Santa Anita Bonsai Society May 2020 meeting is cancelled

Santa Anita Bonsai Society Members,

Greetings to all of you during this difficult time. I hope all of you are well and navigating safely through each day of the stay-at-home order. It has been a good time for spending quality time with our trees.

Our May 9 club meeting has been cancelled by the Arboretum in keeping with the L.A. County order to stay at home through May 15. I contacted the Arboretum and asked about our Memorial Day Weekend show dates May 23-25. They would not commit one way or the other until the County gives direction beyond May 15.

I have been in contact with Board members with an idea to have our annual show in one of two ways. If the Arboretum allows us to use Ayres Hall for our show, I will contact members to arrange for show set-up. I would anticipate some restrictions, for instance, maybe no demonstrations.

However, if the show is cancelled, I am proposing a “virtual show”. We would have members post pictures of their show trees to a site to be arranged. Our webmaster, Robert Sencer, has offered to create a “storybook” on-line where member can view all the show trees. Details are being worked out, but would include assisting members with posting pictures if needed.

I am hopeful our members will participate in either option, and that you will plan to prepare your trees for our show. It is important for our club to continue our interaction through our common love of bonsai. I will keep you all informed about the show as I get updates from the Arboretum.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lorraine & I at LMiles6455@gmail.com or via our website at www.sabonsai.org.

Best wishes to all,
Dave

Santa Anita Bonsai Society April 2020 meeting is cancelled

Due to ongoing L.A. County Health Department Guidelines our April 2020 club meeting has been cancelled.  No decision has been made regarding the month of May and future meetings.

I hope everyone is well and managing as best you can with our current corona virus situation.    It is a great time to work on bonsai.

I am optimistic and looking forward to having our Annual Show over the Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25. The theme for this year is conifers.  Plan to have your trees ready for the show and also all of your sale items.  I will keep you updated on the show status as I hear from the Arboretum.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lorraine & I at LMiles6455@gmail.com or via our website at www.sabonsai.org

Best wishes to all,
Dave

Well, we are sorry to report that the Los Angeles Arboretum has decided to close after all. Unfortunately, we will have to cancel our March 14th meeting at 7:00 PM in the Palm Room at the Arboretum. As of this posting, the Los Angeles Arboretum is closed until further notice. Please refer to the Arboretum web page at www.arboretum.org/visit/staying-safe-at-the-arboretum/ for updates. You may also contact Dave at (909) 519-5391 if you would like any additional information. Have a good weekend and take care of yourselves. We look forward to seeing everyone next month. Please check back for further updates on future schedules. Thank you.

We are still planning to have our March 14th meeting at 7:00 PM in the Palm Room at the Arboretum. As of this posting, the Los Angeles Arboretum is planning to remain open this weekend, only their tours have been suspended. Please refer to the Arboretum web page at www.arboretum.org/visit/staying-safe-at-the-arboretum/ for updates. You may also contact Dave at (909) 519-5391.

If you are feeling unwell please stay home and get better soon. Otherwise, please join us for a great demo by Jaime & Jason.