Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place: May 14, 2022 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room

The May 14 meeting will be at the Arboretum at 7:00pm. Jack Reynolds will be our guest and will do a presentation on ficus bunjin. Jack is a retired biology professor who taught at Moorpark College. He started in bonsai in 1986, learning on his own.

Jack joined the Sansui Kai Bonsai Club in 1987 and is a past president of the club. He studied with Ted Matson for 25 years and was one of Ted’s first students in 1988. He retired in 2003 and moved to Lake Isabella in 2005. Jack prefers to work with broadleaf evergreens and deciduous trees.

President’s Corner

May is our show month. As I said last month, we have waited two years to return to normalcy, so I look forward to following Baikoen, California Bonsai Society, and the Bonsai-A-Thon to keep up the tradition of bonsai shows.

A show entry form is included with the mailed newsletter and also available to the email recipients. There will also be extra forms available at the May meeting. The form includes sign-up times for being a docent throughout the weekend.
Monitoring the trees as a docent provides a great chance to witness the public interest in the show and answer questions about bonsai from people who are curious about the art form.

SABS Show 2022 Form

1 file(s) 62.97 KB

Download Show Form

We will talk about the sale table at the meeting and cover the use of the sales slips and sale list used by our members. We have a simple process that is easy to follow.

Please plan to help with show set-up on Friday, May 27, at 12:00 noon. The more help we have, the quicker we get it done. Thanks in advance.

I hope all our members will consider entering a tree and come to the show to enjoy the long tradition we have with the Arboretum during the Memorial Day Weekend.

For those members entering trees, planning to sell at the sales table and/or willing to volunteer for set up, takedown and being a docent the form is included with this newsletter. Please complete and return this form on or before May 20th.

Call me if you have any questions.

~Dave

Members Corner

How to use the SABS Complimentary Badge for our 56th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Show :
There will be an Arboretum employee stationed at the Ayres Hall gate to check for SABS club identification for free entry to the show.

A blank identification badge is printed in this newsletter for you to cut out and use. We will have clear plastic badge holders at the show for use with the paper ID badges. We will also have the paper ID badges and holders available at the May meeting and at the show set up day on Fri. May 27.

SABS Show 2022 Badge

1 file(s) 271.56 KB

Download Badge

For those of you curious about eliminating scale on foliage– Ted Matson recommends Ultra Pure Oil. Another helpful “Ted hint” for greening your trees to be show ready is to apply Humic Acid to the soil/ roots. Both of these products can be easily found online.

If you were fortunate to attend our Jan mtg- the Azalea Workshop with Lou Camarota, and take home an azalea or two… now is the time to be tagging the solid color flowering branches to be ready for Lou’s part 2 demo in Jan 2023. Mine is blooming and I am excited. All of that “plucking” seems to be popping this spring…. LM

Our raffle table has been fabulous– thanks to all of the members who have generously donated to the table. Please help keep up our club tradition and bring an item to support SABS. Everyone enjoys going home with trees, plants, pots, tools, supplies, books and even an occasional bag of “bonsai dirt”. Please bring items to share.

For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Thank You To our April Raffle Table Donors

Bob Alderette, Jim & Helen Barrett, Sue Cook, YS Farn, Mike Kelly, Dave & Lorraine Miles, Marren Padrones, Wendy Tsai

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Welcome New Members

Steve Riley
Rick Naber
Barbara Wright

April 2022 Meeting Highlights

The April meeting was a great learning experience for everyone in attendance. Our guest, Ted Matson, did a wonderful job with his tree critiques, and he also provided advice on the future development of the trees. Members were able to stay in their seats as Ted moved around the room carrying each tree to show up close what he was talking about. His process was very helpful.

Ted’s years of study and time spent curating the GSBF collection at the Huntington was on display all evening. He had such an amazing understanding of the growth habits and care needed for each tree. He moved effortlessly from tree to tree explain the unique details of each. Ted held everyone’s attention and answered questions continuously.
Whether you brought a tree or not, the information shared by Ted was very worthwhile. We went home with thoughts about improving our own trees. We are all learning as we go with the bonsai art form, and Ted helped clear up some of the mysteries.

Upcoming Events

May 28,29,30 Santa Anita Bonsai Society 56th Annual Bonsai Show, Memorial Day Weekend
LAC Arboretum 9a-4:30p daily, exhibit, sales table, demonstrations

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: May 14, 2022
Time: 7 pm

Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates
May 14 — Jack Reynolds LAC Arboretum
June 11 — Jason Saito LAC Arboretum
July 9 — Peter Macasieb at his home in West Covina

Refreshment Schedule
May 14 — Hubert Llanes, Matt Mahaffey, Steve Riley
June 11— Peter Macasieb, Jackie Zinder
July 9 — Dessert Potluck at Macasieb’s

2022 Refreshment Sign Ups will be available at the May meeting

newsletter-2022-05

1 file(s) 1.29 MB

download newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
April 9 2022 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
Board Meeting 6pm – before General Meeting

BRING A TREE TO THE MEETING
Our program for the April 9 meeting is a warm-up to our annual show in May. Ted Matson will be our guest, and he will be there to give advice on final tree preparation for the show.

Members are asked to bring a tree or trees and make good use of Ted’s expertise in preparing for the show.

Ted Matson is one of our local bonsai artists known throughout the bonsai community for his attention and mastery of structural details in bonsai design. He began studying bonsai in San Francisco in 1979. He moved to the Los Angeles area in 1980, and over time, studied with Ben Suzuki, Shig and Roy Nagatoshi, Melba Tucker, Warren Hill, and John Naka. Ted started teaching bonsai classes at his home in the late 1980’s. In 2008 he began working at bonsai full time.

Ted is a member of many Southern California clubs including California Bonsai Society, California Shohin Society, and Nampu Kai. He oversees both the GSBF and Huntington bonsai collections at the Huntington where there are approximately 70 trees on display at a time.

This will be a great opportunity to get expert advice to advance the development of your tree. Remember, advice is a guide and not meant to sway you from your own design plans. Learn as Ted shares his thoughts about our trees.

President’s Corner

The Memorial Day Weekend Show will be our club’s 56th annual show, and our first since the Covid-19 pandemic prevented shows in 2020 and 2021. Our show is a popular event over the holiday weekend at the Arboretum. It is attended by a large number of “non-bonsai” guests who visit our show while on a planned visit to the Arboretum. We always make a great impression.

Additionally, we rely heavily on attendance by local bonsai enthusiasts seeking good deals at our sale tables. The revenue from the sale tables helps sustain us financially as a club. We encourage club members to bring bonsai related items to the sale tables where 80% of the revenue goes to the seller and 20% goes to the club.

As president, I am always nervous about the size and success of the show, hoping everyone will participate. I remember being self-conscious the first time I entered a tree, and the satisfaction I felt in having done it. It is our show, and we support each other in this wonderful art form. If you need help with show display (stands, accents, etc.), ask me at the April meeting. Bring a tree to the April meeting, and be ready for the support and encouragement our members willingly share.

Show entry forms are included with the newsletter. Please help relieve my anxiety by returning the form or phoning me by the due date.

~Dave

March 2022 Meeting Highlights

Tom Vuong did his magic at the March meeting. He has a great deal of experience bending large branches for his bonsai designs, and we were amazed at how he applied his talents.

He started with an “unbendable”, straight semi-cascade juniper and ended with a heavily transformed tree with beautiful movement in the design. Tom brought two trees; one to show how he prepares for bending and one previously prepared that he bent into his final design. His process to prepare a tree for bending involves wrapping the trunk area to be bent with wet rag paper towels, running two lengths of #4 aluminum wire (one on each side of the bend) and holding it in place with zip ties. He then wraps the area with electrical tape, sticky side out. Tom recommended the wrapped tree be left for one week, keeping the wrapping moist to soften the tree fibers.

On the previously prepped tree, Tom wound it with three strands of #5 wire side by side. He then used a special steel bending bar to bend movement into the trunk and held it in place with zip ties. The last step involved using webbed hold-down straps to tie the tree and pot together and looping the straps around the worktable and securing it tight with a ratcheting mechanism. With the tree and pot secure, he used another tie-down strap around the wired trunk and table. By ratcheting this strap, the trunk was easily bent down into a cascade position. The cascading trunk was secured to the tree base with heavy duty zip ties and the two tie-down straps were then removed. The tree design was complete, and Tom said it should remain wrapped and tied in place for about a year to hold the new shape.

It truly was a fascinating process to watch. Sue Cook was the lucky raffle winner who happily took Tom’s tree home.

Members Corner

SABS Club trivia – in the beginning, all Club members were required to enter trees in the SABS Annual Show. There were multiple categories and a tree from you would have been expected for each category. The many entries made the shows exciting to view and created opportunities for many conversations among the members…. Those were definitely the “good old days”

Our raffle table has been fabulous – thanks to all of the members who have generously donated to the table. Please help keep up our club tradition and bring an item to support SABS. Everyone enjoys going home with trees, plants, pots, tools, supplies, books and even an occasional bag of “bonsai dirt”

We are looking for members who are interested in joining our SABS Board to help with planning for future meetings and events. Come and check out the April Board Meeting at 6pm before the general meeting. New ideas are always appreciated, even if you decide not to “join the board”

For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Thank You To our March Raffle Table Donors

Bob Alderette, Jerry Banuelos, Jim Barrett, YS Farn, Mike Kelly, Dave Miles, Marren Padrones, Vic Shelton, Jackie Zinder

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Welcome New Members

Anthony Giandomenico
Johan Garcia
Tom & Hannah Vuong

Upcoming Events

April 2-3
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon
Fundraiser for the Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection at the Huntington Library, Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, 10a-5p details for attendance to follow.

May 28,29,30
Santa Anita Bonsai Society 56th Annual Bonsai Show
Memorial Day Weekend, LAC Arboretum 9a-4:30p daily, exhibit, sales table, demonstrations

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: April 9, 2022
Time: 7 pm
Location: LAC Arboretum
Palm Room, 301 N. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Board Meeting 6pm
before General Meeting
— Everyone Welcome—
we are show planning

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

April 9 — Ted Matson – LAC Arboretum – bring a tree for critique
May 14 — demo TBA – LAC Arboretum
June 11 — demo TBA – LAC Arboretum

2022 Refreshment Schedule

April 9 — Peter Macasieb, Judy Anthony (if you would like to bring easy snacks to this meeting, please contact Lorraine)
May 14 — Hubert Llanes, Matt Mahaffey
June 11 — Peter Macasieb, Jackie Zinder

Refreshment Sign Ups will be available at the April meeting

Newsletter-2022-04

1 file(s) 859.62 KB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place: Mar 12, 2022 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room

The March 12 meeting will again be at the Arboretum. It was great to be back to familiar surroundings at the February meeting. Our guest will be Tom Vuong, who has demonstrated for us in the past. We look forward to seeing his talented work again.

Tom has been involved in bonsai for over 20 years. He is a self-taught bonsai artist and has developed an amazing understanding of the art of bonsai. He has learned by watching and studying bonsai experts over the years.

Tom has a large collection of trees that he and his wife Hannah have shared while hosting bonsai events at their home. He works a lot with large conifers and has developed specialized techniques for styling these trees. At the March meeting Tom will use a juniper to demonstrate how he bends large branches. Join us for another enjoyable and informative bonsai experience

President’s Corner

It is repotting time in Southern California. Our trees have to be confused by our back and forth weather patterns; cold to hot and back to cold. Deciduous trees are popping buds all over and our conifers are also ready for repotting. Of course, we don’t have to repot all our trees.

Some say every three or four years, but our trees will often tell us when it is time for root pruning and soil change. If water stands on top of the soil and doesn’t drain steadily, it is time for repotting.

If a tree isn’t quite as healthy looking as it has been over time, repotting may bring back its vitality. If roots are pushing a tree out of its pot, it is definitely time for root pruning and new soil. A healthy tree with good draining soil should be fine for another season. Keep track of repotting dates, and let the trees tell you when to repot.

Soil is always a topic of curiosity for bonsai enthusiasts, and there many opinions on what to use. Inorganic, fast draining soil for conifers is popular. Adding some organic potting soil to the same mix for deciduous trees is also widely recommended.

I use a popular recipe of Akadama, lava rock and pumice. I was out of pumice to begin mixing soil and my usual brand was unavailable. Gonzalo heard my supply woes and showed up at my house with a bag of pumice. Thanks Gonzalo, now I have no excuses.

~Dave

February 2022 Meeting Highlights

The February meeting featured a fun and informative presentation by club member Debra Mauzy-Melitz. Debra has become very knowledgeable about the art of Kusamono, the arranging and potting of wild grasses and flowers. She shared her knowledge as she spoke and demonstrated the art form.

Debra’s career as a teacher was very evident in how she presented details and elicited feedback from our members. She had everyone engaged and interested.

It was fascinating to learn how much the art of kusamono parallels bonsai. A kusamono design incorporates tall grass to represent heaven, flowers to represent man, and vines for earth. Kusamono are very popular for use as an accent to bonsai in shows.

Debra brought numerous examples of the elements for a kusamono design and showed us how to arrange the plants in a pleasing display. She utilized two of our members, Sue Cook and Judy Anthony, to build two different kusamono styles at the same time she styled her own planting.

Debra talked about a variety of ways to pot kusamono including small ceramic pots, wood, and pots made from crocheted wool yarn. She also explained that a completed display included a stand for the kusamono and a small accent made from a variety of elements.

Debra used the kusamonos completed by Judy and Sue along with two of her own designs to make four complete displays with stands and accents. She donated these to our raffle along with many individual kusamono elements. A large number of our members went home with something from Debra’s presentation. Thank you Debra for a memorable evening.

Thank You To our February Raffle Table Donors

Jerry Banuelos, Jim Barrett, YS Farn, Mike Kelly, Peter Macasieb, Dave Miles, Marren Padrones, Jim Pelling, Wendy Tsai, Jackie Zinder

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Welcome New Members

Bryan Nicholson
Frank Saya

Members Corner

• Debra Mauzy-Melitz shared so many Kusamono ideas and examples at our meeting. She also provided a comprehensive pdf handout for those in attendance. Debra has generously offered both the handout and technique sharing to all who might be interested in Kusamono. Please contact her at: DMauzyme@uci.edu. Thanks again, Debra!

• Annual Membership for 2022 will continue to be available at the March 12 meeting. Dues remain the same: $20 per person and $25 for family. For those of you who joined in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

• For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

• Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

• The raffle winners of the completed displays were Bryan Nicholson, Sue Cook, Peter Macasieb, and Judy Anthony’s granddaughter Hailey.

Upcoming Events

Mar 19-20
California Bonsai Society 65th annual bonsai exhibit
Huntington Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, details for attendance to follow.

April 2-3
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon
Fundraiser for the Golden State Bonsai Federation Collection at the Huntington Library, Huntington Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, 10a-5p details for attendance to follow.

May 28,29,30
Santa Anita Bonsai Society 56th Annual Bonsai Show
LAC Arboretum

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: March 12, 2022
Time: 7 pm

Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave
Arcadia, CA 91007

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

Mar 12 — Tom Vuong – LAC Arboretum
April 9 — Cheryl Manning – LAC Arboretum
May 14 — Demo TBA – LAC Arboretum

Refreshment Schedule

Mar 12 — Julio Martinez, Daniel Deephouse, Judy Anthony, Vic Shelton
April 9 — Peter Macasieb, Judy Anthony
May 14 — Hubert Llanes, Matt Mahaffey

2022 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the March meeting
Thanks to all who brought snacks to our Feb meeting – they were delicious!!!

Newsletter-2022-03

1 file(s) 823.39 KB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place: Feb 12, 2022 at 7pm
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room

The February meeting will feature club member Debra Mauzy-Melitz as our guest presenter. She will be talking about and demonstrating the art of Kusamono, the potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers. They are often used as accent displays with bonsai.

Debra is a retired UCI Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology and an avid lover and practitioner of many arts and crafts. She developed an interest in bonsai after seeing a 2012 demonstration of saikei by bonsai master Al Nelson, who has presented many programs for us over the years. Debra has since studied bonsai with Al Nelson and demonstrated saikei and related art forms at the Cherry Blossom Festival, LA, Fullerton Arboretum and several local bonsai meetings and shows. She learned kusamono from Young Choe, the artist-in-residence at the U.S. National Arboretum. Debra is an active member of many Southern California bonsai clubs.

Join us for our return to the Arboretum and an interesting and very useful presentation by Debra.

President’s Corner

In January, the Board discussed our annual show and decided to keep it simple by not having a specific theme. Instead, we invite members to pick out their favorite tree (or trees) and bring it to the show in May. The show is about our club and its history, and we want all our members to consider participating.

Now is the time to renew your membership for the new year: $20 for and individual, $25 per family. Our club is a non-profit organization and and membership dues help keep us solvent Many members renewed at the January meeting. Please take time at the February meeting to see our treasurers Steve & Judy Anthony and continue your support of our great club.

We are still adjusting as covid-19 restrictions continue to affect bonsai events. The Shohin Seminar scheduled for February has been cancelled, and the Bonsai-A-Thon has been rescheduled for April 1-2. We will do our best to keep up with any other changes that occur.

Mike Kelly has an exciting plan for our programs this year that we know you will enjoy. We will always endeavor to make our meetings interesting, informative and interactive for our members.

~Dave

January 2022 Meeting Highlights

The January meeting at Longo Toyota was fun and interactive. Lou Camerota was our guest demonstrator and provided an entertaining program on his specialty, Satsuki azaleas. Lou went to Nuccio’s Nursery in Altadena and picked up enough azalea plants for everyone attending to get one of their own. There was a wide variety of Satsuki trees to choose from.

Lou talked about the process of “cleaning or plucking “ the plants of dead and ugly leaves to open them up to the sun. This work helps to encourage abundant flowering. All our members worked on their own trees following tutelage, and the leaves were flying.

Lou explained the importance of maintaining an appropriate water Ph level of 6.2 – 6.8 for the health of the azaleas. He suggested storing water in a container for a week before using to allow the Ph level to stabilize from its level out of the tap. You can use Ph test kits for an accurate reading and use additives to adjust the level.

He recommended keeping the potted azaleas on the ground in full sun for the evaporative benefits. Once outside temperatures reach 80 degrees or more, Lou said the azaleas should be moved under shade cloth or kept in partial shade. He said repotting could be done when new growth begins to appear. We will all be watching for our red, pink, and white flowers.

There were extra azaleas after each member picked a plant. The extras were purchased by those who wanted more, and some were on the raffle table. Everyone enjoyed working on the azaleas and socializing with each other and listening to Lou’s excellent lessons for good azalea care.

In addition to the program, we had a full raffle table and lots of satisfied members, which is why we get together each month. It was a nice start to 2022.

Thank You To our January Raffle Table Donors

Mike Kelly, Dave Miles, Wendy Tsai, Victor Shelton & Lou Camerota

And to all who so generously purchase tickets.

Members Corner

Reminder: For our 2023 follow-up Azalea Workshop with Lou, tag all of the solid color flower branches on your tree when it blooms in the coming months. The tagged branches will be the guide for future trimming. The small colored twist tie tags are available at Michaels & Hobby Lobby.

Annual Membership for 2022 will continue to be available at the February 12 meeting

Dues remain the same: $20 per person and $25 for family For those of you who joined in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos, club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Feb 4,5 & 6, 2022
California Shohin Society Seminar 2022, Santa Nella, CA
This show was CANCELLED. Look for it again in 2023

April 1-2
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon
Huntington Botanical Garden, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino
8a-5p, vendors, demonstrations, auctions, raffles, exhibits
Please note this date change.

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: February 12, 2022
Time: 7 pm

Location:
LAC Arboretum, Palm Room
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007

Everyone Welcome

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

Feb 12 — Debra Mauzy-Melitz – LAC Arboretum
Mar 12 — Tom Vuong – LAC Arboretum
April 9 — Cheryl Manning – LAC Arboretum

Refreshment Schedule

Feb 12 — Julio Martinez, Wendy Tsai, Mike Kelly, Judy Anthony
Mar 12 — Julio Martinez, Daniel Deephouse, Judy Anthony, Vic Shelton
April 9 — Peter Macasieb, Judy Anthony

Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the January meeting

A yummy thanks to all who brought snacks in January – they were amazing!!!

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
Jan 8, 2022 at 7pm
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
El Monte, CA 91731

Directions to Longo Toyota: 3534 Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731 take the Peck Road exit off the 10 fwy. just west of the 605 fwy, you will see the signage for Longo Toyota which is next to the 10 fwy. When you drive into the main lot facing the showroom, look for the round blue “AAA” sign on the building just left of the main showroom, enter the door below the sign and take the stairs down to the meeting room. Assistance will be available for anyone needing help with the stairs.

Our January 8, 2022 meeting will be held at Longo Toyota once again before we return to the Arboretum for a five month stand including our annual Memorial Day Weekend show. We will not have our usual potluck dinner in the interest of covid-19 safety, but we will have a demonstration, large raffle, and refreshments.

Louis Camerota will be our guest and will do a presentation on azaleas. The current plan is for everyone to have an azalea to take home, so we hope all our members will join us to start the new year. Lou has been with us before to present different stages of azalea development, and we will learn more as he continues. Lou’s beautiful azaleas have been awarded “Best of Show” in our club shows, and he is very knowledgeable about their care and development.

Lou was raised as a 3rd generation landscaper. He started working with bonsai in 1990. He originally learned about training Satsuki azaleas from Dwight Goins, a former student of Khan Komai (one of our club founders). Lou also studied with Marty Hagbery. He has been studying with David Nguy for many years, and he specializes in Satsuki azaleas.

We look forward to seeing all our members to kick off an eventful new year.

President’s Corner

Happy New Year to all. We look forward to a full year of bonsai events, and hope we can continue to work around the additional covid-19 variants that arise. We are anticipating a year full of the bonsai events that have been traditional for us, beginning with the Baikoen Silhouettes Show. Keep an eye on “Upcoming Events” for dates.

As president, I want to thank our club officers and Board members for their commitment to the club. Without them we would not be able to operate as a club for our loyal members.
We have had some changes during the last year. Long-time member and devoted volunteer, Marge Blasingame, has asked to step down from her duties as Secretary. Her participation in the operation of our club has covered more years than I know of, and we will miss her hands-on involvement. We hope to see her and Ray Blasingame at our meetings just relaxing and socializing. Gabriel Gonzalez has taken a break from being our program chairman. He has done a great job arranging our demonstrations, and we hope to see him at our meetings also. Mike Kelly has graciously helped out with our program scheduling. He is always willing to help, and I appreciate his time and effort. Robert Sencer, our webmaster, has moved to Texas. He is keeping in touch and continuing to help with our internet services. His maintenance of our web page has been responsible for membership growth and numerous inquiries about our club, making him an invaluable asset to us.

I want to thank Steve and Judy Anthony and Jim Pelling who continue to serve us as treasurers and raffle chairman respectively. Again, our club could not function without their help.

Peter and Marissa Macasieb, Gonzalo Rodriquez & Wendy Tsai and Richerd Ryerson have been very supportive and helpful to our club for many years. I appreciate their continued participation and help.

I could not manage the meetings and produce the newsletter without my wife, Lorraine. She does a tremendous amount of work and provides unwavering support for me and the club. Thank you.

We would welcome volunteers from our membership to assist with our efforts to keep the club viable. My phone number is in the newsletter or you can see me in person at a meeting if you are interested.

~Dave

November 2021 Meeting Highlights

Mel Ikeda was our guest at the November meeting. His traditional raft-style demonstrations with procumbens nana junipers have evolved to include a rock formation in his design. Mel glued rocks together with anchoring cement to create a backdrop for his tree placement. He then used a masonry drill bit to drill holes in the rock positioned so branches from the nana-raft could be drawn through as his individual trees. The root ball of the juniper was behind the rock out of view in the wooden box Mel made to display the tree scene.
For his juniper material, Mel looks for p. nana junipers with a crown near the middle of the plant. This usually indicates a larger trunk, which works best in his designs.

Mel finishes by planting moss around the base of the rock and “trees”. His work resulted in a beautiful blending of a rock and multiple trees from a single source.

Ken Teh was the lucky raffle winner of Mel’s design, and happily took the finished product home.

Members Corner

6pm Board Meeting will be held before the general meeting on Jan 8. Open to all! Please join us if you are interested in 2022 planning. We will be also deciding on the “Show Theme” for our May 2022 Memorial Weekend Show.

Annual Membership for 2022 will be available beginning with the Jan 8 meeting. Dues remain the same: $20 per person and $25 for family. For those of you who joined in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

For those of you still receiving the US mail version of this newsletter, better quality photos and club updates and resources are always available on our website. Check us out at www.sabonsai.org

Anytime you have any questions please contact Dave & Lorraine at LMiles6455@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Jan 22-23, 2022
Baikoen Kenkyukai 58th Annual Winter Sillouettes Show
L.A. County Arboretum, Ayres Hall, 10am-4pm

Feb 4,5 & 6, 2022
California Shohin Society Seminar 2022
Hotel de Oro, Santa Nella, CA
workshops, demonstrations, vendors, info at calshohin@yahoo.com

Feb. 26-27
GSBF Bonsai-A-Thon
Huntington Botanical Garden
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino
8a-5p, vendors, demonstrations, auctions, raffles, exhibits

Thank You To our November Raffle Table Donors
Steve Anthony, Y.S.Farn, Mike Kelly, Dave Miles, Robert Sencer, Wendy Tsai & Frank Yee
And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: January 8, 2022
Time: 7 pm
Location:
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Road
El Monte, CA 91731

6pm Board Meeting before General Meeting Everyone Welcome

2022 Monthly Meeting Dates

Jan 8 – Longo Toyota– Lou Camerota
Feb 12 – Location: LAC Arborteum, demo TBA
Mar 12 – Location: LAC Arborteum, demo TBA

Refreshment Schedule

Jan 8, 2022 – Manuel Dizon, Judy Anthony
Feb 12 – Julio Martinez, Wendy Tsai, Mike Kelly
Mar 12 – Julio Martinez, Daniel Deephouse

Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the January meeting

*a yummy thanks to all who brought snacks in Nov– they were amazing!!! We may need to consider a recipe exchange in our future…

Newsletter 01-2022

1 file(s) 1.30 MB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
Nov 13, 2021 at 7pm
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
El Monte, CA 91731

The November 13 meeting will be held at Longo Toyota in El Monte at 7:00pm. Our guest demonstrator will be Mel Ikeda. Mel was at the GSBF Rendezvous last month and demonstrated a raft-style bonsai that later sold in one of the many event auctions. He will work on another juniper raft at our meeting. He has added additional details to his traditional raft which everyone will enjoy.

Mel grew up around bonsai, learning from his father at the family’s Ikeda Bonsai Nursery. He also studied with John Naka, Harry Hirao and Khan Komai. He belongs to many bonsai clubs including California Bonsai Society and Nampu Kai. He has been very active with the Golden State Bonsai Federation and their annual Bonsai-A-Thon, where he regularly conducts a demonstration.

Mel has taught the art of bonsai to many students over the years, and he will share his knowledge and expertise with us at our meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a master.

President’s Corner

We are now into the holiday time of year. Fall colors are showing in our deciduous trees, and leaves are beginning to cover the ground and our pots. It is time to clean up debris on our benches and prepare for winter.

Tropical trees may have to be sheltered when temperatures drop below about 40 degrees, or leaves may get burned by the cold.

The designs of our deciduous trees will be more evident in the winter months when leaves have fallen. You can refine your trees with pruning and wiring, but be careful of brittle branches during this season.

This is a time when watering can be cut back from the heavier watering of summer. Check the soil below the surface for moisture to help with your watering habits. If your soil is quick draining, it helps avoid the dilemma of too much versus too little water.

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

~Dave

October 2021 Meeting Highlights

October started with the GSBF Rendezvous in Santa Nella. Bonsai enthusiasts from all over were finally able to gather together and enjoy a weekend of bonsai events. We had a full schedule of demonstrations, critiques, auctions and vendor sales. The weekend provided hope that we will continue with our traditional meetings, shows and related bonsai events.

Our October club meeting back at the Arboretum featured Lindsay Shiba as our guest. He demonstrated the development of a rock planting. Lindsay started by explaining and demonstrating the construction of a large 12’-15’ rock using smaller rocks. He used dense rocks that had pockets in them for planting. He said soft, crumbly rocks could break apart and not hold up over time. Lindsay cemented the rocks together using liquid cyanoacrylate (super glue) dripped on a mixture of 60% Portland cement and 40% sand. At the joint where the rocks touched each other, he poured a thin layer of the dry cement mix then dripped the cyanoacrylate until the mix was saturated. The cement set hard within seconds to create the rock bond.

Lindsay cemented his constructed rock into a shallow oval bonsai pot using the same process. He used a “muck” mixture of clay soil in the rock pockets and then planted various small trees, mosses, and assorted small plants. He also planted moss around the base of the rock inside the pot to complete his work. Lindsay’s efforts produced a very appealing visual image.

Our meeting raffle ended with Jim Pelling winning the beautiful rock planting.

Members Corner

The newsletter, updates and better quality photos are always available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Many of you have questions about Club dues. For all who paid in 2020 prior to the close down, your membership will remain current thru Dec 2021. For those of you joining in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

Upcoming Events

Jan 22-23, 2022
Baikoen Kenkyukai 58th Annual Winter Sillouettes Show
L.A. County Arboretum, Ayres Hall, 10am-4pm

Feb 4,5 & 6, 2022
California Shohin Society Seminar 2022
Santa Nella, CA.

Thank You To our October Raffle Table Donors

Bob Alderette, Jerry Banuelos, Y.S.Farn, Mike Kelly, Dave Miles, Robert Sencer & Frank Yee….. And to all who so generously purchase tickets.

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: Nov 13, 2021
Time: 7 pm
Location:
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Road
El Monte, CA 91731

2021 Monthly Meeting Dates

Nov 13 — Longo Toyota– Mel Ikeda
Dec 11 — no meeting for the holidays
Jan 8, 2022 — Louis Camarota location TBA

Refreshment Schedule

Nov 13 — B. Alderette, S. Cook, J. Anthony
Jan 8, 2022 — M Dizon, E. Janza, M. Kelly

2022 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the November meeting

Newsletter 11-2021

1 file(s) 235.11 KB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
Oct 9,2021 at 7:00pm
LAC Arboretum/ Palm Room

6pm Board Meeting before general meeting
Open to all – please join us if you are interested in 2022 planning

We will be returning to the Arboretum for our Oct. 9 meeting at 7:00pm. Our guest demonstrator will be Lindsay Shiba, and he will be working on a rock planting for us.

Lindsay started his bonsai training when he was just 11 years old. He learned from his father, Katsumi Shiba, and in 1972 he began studying with Khan Komai. Under Khan’s tutelage, Lindsay refined his talent for bonsai and developed a love and understanding of the formal display of bonsai. Lindsay has given presentations on formal display across the United States and Mexico.

He worked at and later co-owned his family’s nursery business in Upland where he also taught Bonsai classes. The nursery property was sold a few years ago, ending a long tradition in the Shiba family. Lindsay is an active part of Baikoen Bonsai Kenkyu-Kai, as well as California Bonsai Society and Nanpu-Kai.

Join us in October for our return to the Arboretum and a great learning experience with Lindsay Shiba.

President’s Corner

Wow! We just experienced another hot spell. I hope all your trees are doing well. We have officially passed through the last days of summer, and I hope cooler weather will be the new norm for a while.

Entering the Fall season is a good time for collecting seeds to start new trees. You can start trees from seed and potentially have a nice shohin size tree in five or six years. I don’t think we ever get tired of seeing new tree shoots pop through the soil and new buds emerge from cuttings.

October also brings the GSBF Rendezvous in Santa Nella which will be held on the 2nd and 3rd. The best part of the event is that it is free to participants. You will have to pay for a room. There will not be any banquets, but the host hotel, Mission de Oro, has a restaurant for meals in addition to other local dining locations.

The event will include demonstrations, critiques, silent auctions, and a large vendor area. Demonstrators include Sam Adina, Scott Chadd, Paul Holtzen, Pauline Muth, David Nguy, Eric Schrader, and Matthew Walker. Mel Ikeda will host his Tomodachi friends for styling bonsai that will be donated to the silent auctions.

You can download the event schedule of activities by searching “GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous” on your computer. We have been without bonsai events throughout the pandemic, so the Rendezvous will be a great opportunity to see familiar faces and surround yourself with everything bonsai.

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

~Dave

September 2021 Meeting Highlights

In September we were treated to another memorable evening at the home of David and June Nguy. Prior to the program, we had the pleasure of walking through David and June’s bonsai collection. It was inspiring to see all the beautiful trees and be in awe of the effort and talent it took to create such a collection.

David entertained us by styling a San Jose juniper with plentiful foliage. He provided a special learning experience talking about the art of bonsai and explaining his work as he progressed. He emphasized studying the movement of the tree to decide the most appropriate style for it. David’s San Jose juniper had movement suggesting a semi-cascade style. The tree had branching to provide a good apex that David said was critical for the cascade style, and he proceeded with his work. He told us to have a design or picture of a finished style in your mind, and work toward your image.

Lou Camerota assisted David in trimming and wiring branches, and David positioned the selected branches into his finished design. Watching and listening to David throughout his work culminated with him donating his tree to our raffle. We are grateful for his generosity.

Thanks again to both David and June for providing a wonderful evening for our members. They both give a great deal of themselves to the art of bonsai, and we appreciate them.

We had another large number of raffle items that went home with our members, and David Melitz was the lucky winner of the demo tree

Members Corner

The newsletter, updates and better quality photos are always available on our website www.sabonsai.org

Many of you have questions about Club dues. For all who paid in 2020 prior to the close down, your membership will remain current thru Dec 2021. For those of you joining in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

Please note: Board Meeting at 6p prior to the general meeting

Thank You To our September Raffle Table Donors

Jerry Banuelos,Y.S.Farn, Mike Kelly, David & Debra Melitz, Dave Miles, David & June Nguy, Robert Sencer & Frank Yee……
And to all who so generously purchase tickets.

Upcoming Events

October 2-3
GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous
Hotel Mission de Oro, Santa Nella, 9a-4p daily with demonstrations, critiques, vendors, no banquets, see website for details, www.gsbfconvention.org.

Oct 16
Sale of mame and larger pots, toolsand additional bonsai items at the home of Jim Barrett 480 Oxford Rd, Arcadia 91006
9a-2pm: no early entry- lottery may be used if necessary, cash or check only for questions contact Dave Miles 909 519 5391

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: Oct 9, 2021
Time: 7 pm
Location:
LA County Arboretum
Arcadia, CA 91006
Palm Room

Board Meeting
6pm – Prior to general meeting everyone welcome

2021 Monthly Meeting Dates

Oct 9 — LAC Arboretum – Lindsay Shiba
Nov 13 — Longo Toyota – program TBA
Dec 11 — no meeting for the holidays
Jan 8, 2022 — Longo Toyota — Louis Camarota

Refreshment Schedule

Oct 9 — Julio Martinez, Y.S. Farn
Nov 13 — ???

2021-22 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at the Oct meeting

Newsletter 10-2021

1 file(s) 179.22 KB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
September 11, 2021 at 6pm
at the Home of David & June Nguy

Our Sept. 11 meeting will be held at the home of David and June Nguy in Chino. We will start at 6:00pm to take advantage of the daylight for the outdoor site. We will not have a potluck dinner. Refreshments will be provided by club members and you are always welcome to bring your own snacks. Directions to David and June’s home will follow in the newsletter.

David Nguy will be our demonstrator, so we are looking forward to David’s bonsai artistry. Come early so you have time to view David and June’s vast bonsai collection. Viewing their trees is a treat all by itself. We are so lucky to have a bonsai master like David so accessible to our club. He is well known throughout the world of bonsai for his work with junipers, especially California junipers. Black pine are also his specialty, and many of both are on display in his collection.

I hope you all had the opportunity to view the show at the Westminster Mall, hosted by David and June and the Chino Bonsai Club. It was the most spectacular show I have ever seen. The quality of the trees was amazing, and the show was a testament to David’s leadership as a true bonsai master. Join us for a summer evening of bonsai.

Directions to Sept meeting at 6pm at the Nguy Residence.

President’s Corner

The Golden State Bonsai Federation is hosting the “Bonsai Rendezvous” Oct. 2-3 in Santa Nella. The event will be held at the Hotel Mission de Oro, and there will be no fees to participate. The event will include demonstrations, critiques, and silent auctions. Vendors from both northern and southern California will be there selling everything bonsai. You can get more details including a schedule of all events by searching “2021 GSBF bonsai rendezvous” online.

I appreciate the support of our club members as we have resumed regular meetings. The virus is still an issue for all of us, but we are moving ahead with our meetings, while counting on members to keep themselves safe. We have been using meeting sites away from the Arboretum because of event conflicts, and we hope the inconvenience will not deter members from attending. We are working hard to have interesting and worthwhile programs so members enjoy attending regardless of the meeting location. Again, thank you for your support.

We are still experiencing hot weather, so try to avoid overly stressing your trees with heavy pruning. The Fall season is around the corner, hopefully bringing cooler weather. For your trees’ well being and for you own peace of mind, spend time with your trees every day.

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

~Dave

August 2021 Meeting Highlights

We were treated to an entertaining and informative demonstration by Julian Tsai at the Aug. meeting. He styled an in-ground grown Itoigawa juniper and shared stories of his internship at the Fujikawa Kouka-en nursery in Japan. Julian carved shari (deadwood) on the trunk of the tree prior to the demo to save time. He said shari should flow with the grain of the trunk to avoid cutting through lifelines. He explained on you choose branches to use in your design, you can follow their lifelines along the trunk and not carve shari on them.

When creating branch structure, Julian said that you should not “stack “ branches to form pads. Use single branches and let the pad develop over time. Julian described the importance of having good foliage density close to the trunk. He warned not to compress foliage to try and get it closer to the trunk in order to accomplish the design you want. Bending branches inward to compress foliage will take away from the natural flow of the tree.

Julian completed his work on the “still developing” tree and left sacrificial branches for the future growth of young branches. The result was a very graceful design with room to fill out beautifully. We all appreciated Julian’s work and instructive dialog. Steve Anthony was the lucky winner of Julian’s work.

Members Corner

The newsletter, updates and better quality photos are always available on our website www.sabonsai.org.

Many of you have questions about Club dues. For all who paid in 2020 prior to the close down, your membership will remain current thru Dec 2021. For those of you joining in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

Please join us in welcoming our new members in 2021

Barry & Guy Altshulte, Ron Espiritu, Jackie Zinder, R Godwin Milner, Manuel Dizon & Ian Killips, Joel Villalua, Hubert Llanes, Denise & Phil Williams, Julio Martinez, Marren Padrones

Please note the September 11 meeting time change to 6p to allow for maximum lighting during the evening

Thank you to our August Raffle Table Donors

Jerry Banuelos, Sue Cook, Y.S.Farn, Dave Miles, Victor Shelton, Wendy Tsai, Frank Yee, And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Upcoming Events

Sept 18
Bonsai Pot Sale at Jim Barrett’s home:
480 Oxford Rd, Arcadia 91006
9a-2pm: no early entry – lottery may be used if necessary, cash or check only
for questions contact Dave Miles 909-519-5391

October 2-3
GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous, Hotel Mission de Oro, Santa Nella, 9a-4p daily with demonstrations, critiques, vendors, no banquets, see website for details, www.gsbfconvention.org.

Come Join Us

Next Meeting:
Date: Sept 11, 2021
Time: 6 pm
Location:
At the home of David & June Nguy

2021 Monthly Meeting Dates

Sept 11 — Home of Dave & June Nguy
Oct 9 — LAC Arboretum – program TBA
Nov 13 — Longo Toyota – program TBA

Refreshment Schedule

Sept 11 — Sue Cook, Jackie Zinder, Hubert Llanes, Marren Padrones
Oct 9 — Julio Martinez, Y.S. Farn

2021 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at Sept meeting

Newsletter 09-2021

1 file(s) 215.15 KB

Download Newsletter

Bonsai Notebook

Meeting Time And Place:
August 14, 2021 at 7pm
Longo Toyota Meeting Room, El Monte, CA 91731
6pm Board Meeting prior to General Meeting

The August 14 meeting will be held at Longo Toyota, 3534 Peck Rd., El Monte at 7:00pm. We have used the meeting rooms at Longo before when summer concerts interrupt our meeting dates. This site is a close alternative to the Arboretum and a valuable resource for us. The meeting room is downstairs on the west end of the main showroom building.

Our demonstrator for the evening will be Julian Tsai. You may remember Julian from when he joined the club with his parents a few years ago. He has since progressed quickly in the bonsai art.

Julian developed a passion for bonsai during his college years and pursued an
apprenticeship at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Osaka, Japan. He studied with Mr. Keiichi
Fujikawa, and the experience gave him a foundation in both evergreen and deciduous
techniques. Julian puts an emphasis on horticulture and development that enable
sustainable design.

As a young and new bonsai artist, he hopes to create beautiful trees and share his
enthusiasm for the art. Come and watch Julian apply his talents on a tree that will go
home with a lucky raffle winner.

President’s Corner

I hope you are all enjoying the renewal of our month meetings. The interest and pleasure of our art form is much more suited to live meetings.

Well, the weather has definitely heated up. Be sure to keep up a regular watering
schedule. I water every day because of my fast draining soil and sometimes twice on the 100+ degree days. Misting also helps during extreme heat. It will help minimize leaf burning. Water in the morning so moisture has a chance to soak in before the daily heat evaporates it. It is easy to let our trees get away from us with quick summer growth. Keep up with trimming so sun can get into the middle of trees and promote growth close to the trunk.

The Golden State Bonsai Federation is hosting a “Bonsai Rendezvous” October 1-2 in Santa Nella. There will be no fees, so it will be a great opportunity to see free
demonstrations, get critiques on your own trees, and shop with vendors from northern and southern California. Check their website for details, www.gsbfconvention.org.
Anytime you have any questions please feel free to contact Lorraine & I at
LMiles6455@gmail.com or via the SABS website at www.sabonsai.org

~Dave

July 2021 Meeting Highlights

We had a great time at our first live meeting post-covid at the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb. As usual, we got to marvel at Peter’s wonderful collection. We were able to visit with each other and be treated to a fun demonstration by Peter. Peter started by talking about his favorite topic, developing shohin bonsai. Using examples from his collection, he talked about cutting trees back hard to get to the necessary size, flat-cutting root bases for size and new root growth, and layering of larger trees. At one point, Peter picked up his reciprocating saw and quickly cut a large tree down to shohin size. He surprised us all, but made a dramatic point. We loved it.

Just when we wondered if Peter was going to work on a demo tree, he brought out a nice medium sized black pine and began wiring and bending. He talked about wiring technique as he worked, and a beautifully shaped bonsai began to materialize. Peter’s wonderful talent coupled with his vision for the tree resulted in a bonsai we all wanted to take home.

After the demo we had our raffle, with the largest collection of trees and bonsai items I
can remember seeing at our meetings. It took awhile to give away everything, and I hope everyone enjoyed it. The evening culminated with Zane Meints winning Peter’s tree. Zane, who was at his first club meeting, was surprised and pleased with his luck. He got pointers from Peter after the meeting, and looks forward to learning more.

Members Corner

The newsletter, updates and better quality photos are always be available on our website www.sabonsai.org It was wonderful to have an opportunity to visit with current members and welcome so many new bonsai enthusiasts to our July meeting. Our turn out was exceptional, the demo complete with a sawzall lesson was fascinating, the raffle table was extraordinary and the opportunity to be together in a live setting and share bonsai was memorable.

Many had questions about Club dues. For all who paid in 2020 prior to the close down,
your membership will remain current thru Dec 2021. For those of you joining in 2021 your membership will extend until Dec 2022.

Please join us in welcoming our new members in 2021

Barry & Guy Altshule
Ron Espiritu
Jackie Zinder
Manuel Dizon & Ian KillipsJoel Villalua
Hubert LlanesDenise & Phil Williams
Julio MartinezMarren Padrones

Thank You To our July Raffle Table Donors

Jerry Banuelos, Sue Cook, Ron Espirit, Emma Janza, Mike Kelly, Gary Lai, Matt Mahafrey, Dave Miles, Michael Robinson, Victor Shelton, Wendy Tsai, Frank Yee

And to all who so generously purchase tickets

Upcoming Events

October 2-3
GSBF Bonsai Rendezvous
Hotel Mission de Oro, Santa Nella, 9a-4p daily with
demonstrations, critiques, vendors, no banquets, see website for details,
www.gsbfconvention.org

Come Join Us

Next Meeting

Date: August 14, 2021
Time: 7:00PM
Location:
Longo Toyota Meeting Room
3534 Peck Road
El Monte, CA

Board Meeting

August 14
Prior General Meeting
6:00 PM

2021 Monthly Meeting Dates

Aug 14 — Longo Toyota – Julian Tsai
Sept 11 — Home of Dave & June Nguy
Oct 9 — Arboretum – guest TBA
Nov 13 — TBA

Refreshment Schedule

Aug 14 — Joel Villalu , Wendy Tsai, Barry Altshule
Sept 11 — Sue Cook, Jackie Zinder, Hubert Llanes, Marren Padrones

2021 Refreshment Sign ups will be available at Aug meeting

Newsletter 2021-08

1 file(s) 223.13 KB

Download Newsletter

Santa Anita Bonsai Society

CLUB MEETING  SATURDAY JULY 10, 2021 at 6pm

At long last we are having a meeting!  The Arboretum wasted no time in scheduling summer concerts, so our July 10 meeting will be held at the home of Peter and Marissa Macasieb in West Covina . The meeting will start at 6:00pm, so we have the extra daylight for this outdoor event.  Masks will be optional, but we hope everyone will be comfortable coming to the meeting to restart our regular schedule.  It will be great to see each other after such a long pause in our routine.

It is always a treat to walk around Peter’s yard and admire his large and diverse bonsai collection.  I am sure he will be glad to answer questions about how he does it all! Peter will do a demonstration for us, and there will be a raffle table.  Bring bonsai related items you would like to donate to the raffle.

There will not be any refreshments provided as we do our best to navigate through these  post-pandemic times.  You are welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages.

Join us for a fun summer evening as we rekindle our bonsai interests. Directions to Peter and Marissa’s home can be found here.

CLUB ACTIVITIES UPDATE

I am very sorry we were not able to have our annual show this year.  We are already scheduled for the Memorial Day weekend in 2022.  Although the Arboretum has been open to visitors for walking through the gardens, their buildings have been closed to meetings and events.

As you know, the state opened up from the pandemic closures June 15.  The Arboretum notified me a week before our scheduled June 25 set-up date that they would allow the show to proceed.  However, a number of requirements were added.  These included mandatory monitoring fees and limiting entry to the show to our members only.  Others could attend by  pre-registering and paying admission to the Arboretum.  Having only a week’s notice, the Board agreed there was insufficient time to try and comply with the new restrictions and put on a successful show.

The Arboretum is now being managed by the Arboretum Foundation rather than Los Angeles County.  The Foundation has made a number of changes in fees and other operational issues.   I will share the changes with the members when I have the details.

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

I look forward to seeing all of you as we restart our meetings in July.

Dave