March 2020 Bonsai Newsletter
The Conejo Valley Bonsai Society’s monthly meeting – originally scheduled for March 19 has been canceled. Due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, Westlake Village has closed its community room, where we normally meet so we must skip this month.
Sadly, canceling the March meeting means once again postponing a demonstration by Jim Barrett, who planned to show us how to build a foemina juniper forest. Watch this space and the program list on page 2 of each newsletter for up-dates on when Jim will be with us.
That said, March 19 is still the first day of spring. If you haven’t already, get back to your trees. By now you should be well underway with your repotting program. (See Bonsai Tips, page 3.)
Also, it’s time to pay your CVBS dues for 2020. As a special reward for paying up in a timely manner this year, each member in good standing will receive a new CVBS name badge.
This badge will be magnetic and will include our club logo designed by Ann Lofquist. If you have paid your dues for 2020, you don’t need to do anything: your badge automatically will be made.
Please join me in thanking Nancy Smeets, who organized the new badges. Note that we will use your name as it appears in our club registry (which is to say, as you provided it on your original membership application). If you have a short or a nick name you prefer we use on the badge, be sure to advise Nancy either at the next meeting, via email, or telephone.
Please remember that those 2020 dues will be overdue the end of this month – nonpayment may result in losing your newsletter subscription!
If you’re planning to take in some of the many spring bonsai club shows coming up be sure to check their status before going. One, the California Bonsai Society March 21 – 22 show at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, already has been canceled (see page 10). Any that are open can be a great source of inspiration and some clubs include member sales so you can pick up good bonsai material. Just exercise prudent precautions against accidental infection by the coronavirus.
Looking back, the Bonsai-A-Thon on the weekend of February 22 – 23 at the Huntington was a great success. I would like to thank everyone for helping and contributing to its success.
The Huntington’s beginners’ class for children and adults on Saturday morning was filled. The finished trees created by the students were very good this year, and there were many happy faces.
Hope to see you in April.
