Living Art Bonsai Society (LABS)

March Newsletter

2008-03-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

RAIL GARDEN WORK SESSION: Saturday, March 22, beginning at 9:00 AM.
Plants in the landscape need pruning, so if you can help with this, bring your pruning tools, get some good pruning experience. If you can’t be there at 9:00 AM, just come at your convenience, and work as long as your schedule allows.

LABS MONTHLY MEETING: Tuesday, April 1 at 7:00 PM
It is in the Boeing Education Room at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Tony and Dennis will talk about preparing plants for the show. If you have not submitted a list of the plants you plan to show, please provide this at the meeting. They will also cover show set-up, and will be recruiting volunteers to help with this.

BONSAI SHOW: April 26 and 27 in the Arbor at Huntsville Botanical Garden.
Tony and Dennis will establish the hours that plants will be accepted for display and for sale.

LABS MONTHLY MEETING IN MAY:

The Huntsville Botanical Garden needs to use the Boeing Education Room on Tuesday. May 6, and has asked that we hold our May meeting in Murray Hall.

REPOTTING TREES:

If you attended our March meeting, you heard John Mullins emphasizing the importance of cleaning all fine soil from a plant’s root system when potting into bonsai soil. At the Kathy Shaner workshops, we saw some good examples of the damage that can result from leaving finely textured soil on the root system, some potentially wonderful plants in decline because of this kind of root problem. Keep this in mind as you do your spring repotting.

Joyce White

Secretary

Living Art Bonsai Society

February 2008 Newsletter

2008-02-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

GARDEN RAILWAY WORK SESSION:

Saturday, February 23 will be the last work session before the spring opening of the railway on March 15. Weather permitting, the session will begin at 9:00 AM.

LABS MONTHLY MEETING:

Tuesday, March 4, 7:00 PM, in the Boeing Education Classroom at Huntsville Botanical Garden. John Mullins will present the program on potting/repotting bonsai. Please remember that Tony George and Dennis Coad want each member to report at this meeting the number and description of the trees we plan to exhibit in the show, which will be in April (see below).

KATHY SHANER WORKSHOPS:

Sunday, March 9 and Monday, March 10 . At this time, all workshop slots are filled for both days. For those participating in the workshops, payment of $40.00 per session is due upon arrival at the workshops. Silent observation is allowed for all members at no cost. Morning sessions begin at 8:00 AM, and afternoon sessions begin at 1:00 PM both days. The workshops will be in the Boeing Education Classroom, our usual meeting location. Tony wants to plan a club dinner with Kathy after the workshops on Sunday. More information about this should be available at the March meeting.

BONSAI SHOW:

Our annual bonsai show is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, with set-up scheduled for Friday, April 25. The show will be in The Arbor at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Hours for set-up and exhibit are to be announced. It isn’t too early to start grooming your trees for the show. Some of them may not look very good this time of year, but should improve with warmer days, increased day length, and some extra TLC.

BONSAI PROGRAMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS:

Tuesday, April 1: Tony and Dennis will present the program on show preparation.

Tuesday, May 6: Wes Harris will present a demonstration on styling and potting a beginner bonsai.

NASHVILLE LAWN AND GARDEN SHOW: February 28 thru March 2. Information available at http://www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com/

Joyce White

Secretary, Living Art Bonsai Society (LABS)

January 2008 Newsletter

2008-01-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

A work session is scheduled for the Huntsville Botanical Garden Railway on the fourth Saturday of each month. This will fall on January 26 this month. The work session begins at 9:00 AM, but you may come at any time that is convenient for you, and work as long as your schedule allows.
Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 PM in the Education Room at Huntsville Botanical Garden. Dennis Coad will lead a hands-on program to assist us with the proper methods of sharpening and maintaining our tools. Bring your tools along with the items you use for sharpening them, and Dennis will provide guidance on how to keep them in good working condition.
A repotting program is planned for our March meeting.
Tony George is consulting with Kathy Shaner and Guy Guidry regarding workshops for our members this spring and summer.

BONSAI SHOW:

Bob White has contacted Huntsville Botanical Garden staff to learn that The Arbor has been reserved for our annual spring show on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, with plans to set-up on Friday, April 25. Tony and Dennis have agreed to co-chair the show again, and Tony is also consulting Botanical Garden staff to schedule dates for our 2009 annual spring show. We have been informed that events in The Arbor must be scheduled well in advance. I have provided contact information to Botanical Garden staff for LABS executive committee members to facilitate more effective communications in the future.

If any of our members do not have a copy of LABS Constitution and By-Laws, please let me know, and I will provide a copy for you.

Hope to see you at the February meeting.

Joyce White (Maam)

Secretary, Living Art Bonsai Society

Bonsai-related Merchandise for Sale

2007-11-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.cafepress.com/livingartbonsai

Go to the above link and buy some bonsai-related merchandise for gifts this Christmas (or for yourself). The photos on the items are from our member's Spring 2007 bonsai exhibit. Money earned from the sale of these items goes back to LABS to help fund guest artists visits, wire, etc. New merchandise will be added.

LABS November Meeting

2007-11-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

Minutes of the November 7, 2007 meeting are as follows:

Eighteen members attended. Phil presided.

Minutes of November meeting and current treasurer's report were approved by the membership.

Announcements and business matters presented by Phil:

The education room is not available for our December meeting due to the Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights. Tony moved that we eat/meet at the Chinese Buffet in Madison across from Old Time Pottery/Wachovia (where the steak house used to be for anyone who has been around Madison for awhile) at 7 PM on December 4th. The movement was passed by the members attending. The link below will give you directions; if it doesn't work by clicking on it, copy and paste it into your internet browser:

http://maps.google.com/maps?li=d&hl=en&f=d&iwstate1=dir:to&daddr=9016+Madison+Blvd,+Madison,+AL+35758+(China+Buffet)&geocode=1422881223688109293,34.675412,-86.755064&iwloc=1&dq=Chinese+restaurant&ei=zek8R9O0Ko2crQKEp7zOAg

The January 2008 meeting happens to fall on New Year's Day and IS STILL PLANNED. It will be a working session.

Phil chose seven DVD's, based on members' preferences, and announced the total cost as $153.70 plus shipping. He has not been able to order these DVDs yet.

No update from Tony regarding Guy Guidry as a guest bonsai artist for a spring workshop for our members.

Bob White, chairman of the nominating committee, introduced LABS 2008 officers:

President: Phil Terry
Vice President: Tony George
Secretary: Joyce White
Treasurer: Charlene and Wes Harris

Thank you to all the outgoing officers: Olga and Carol

Reminder that LABS members' dues are payable as of 1/1/08.

Door prizes were donated by Carol & Lee Bates and Olga Lavan. Thank you!

================================================================
Phil presented the night's program on how to sharpen tools in preparation for the Jan (Feb?) meeting, which will be a workshop on sharpening/maintaining bonsai tools as a "you do" rather than watching Dennis.

Information about Rendezvous 2008 Workshop Schedule

2007-10-20T04:49:00.000-07:00

An early workshop schedule from Brussels Bonsai Nursery was sent to LABS members recently via email. Please let me know at lcdefior at bellsouth dot com if you did not receive the information.

RENDEZVOUS 2008 Plant Material Preview

2007-10-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

RENDEZVOUS 2008
PLANT MATERIAL PREVIEW
DATE .MAY 23rd, 24th & 25th

SPECIAL REGISTRATION FEE NOW THRU DECEMBER 31st $100.00 PER PERSON
(subject to change without notification).

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE PERSONNEL AT 1-800-582-2593 OR VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.BRUSSELSBONSAI.COM

ARTIST
--------------------------------------
TREE SPECIES - WORKSHOP PRICE

SUTHIN SUKOSOLVISIT
------------------------------------------
3 GAL. - TANSU CRYPTOMERIA 150.00
2 GAL. - BOXWOOD 125.00
3 GAL. - CREPE MYRTLE 75.00

KATHY SHANER
------------------------------------------
7 GAL. - CURVED HINOKI CYPRESS 175.00
7 GAL. - CRABAPPLE 475.00
15 GAL. - CURVED BLACK PINE 395.00

MARK NOLANDER
--------------------------------------------
15 GAL. - BLUE ALPS 595.00
5 GAL. - SHIMPAKU "ITOIGAWA" 495.00
3 GAL. - CURVED RED PINE 150.00

JOSE LUIS RODRGUEZ
----------------------------------------------
2 GAL. -BLACK OLIVE "BUCIDA SPINOSA'. 145.00
7 GAL. - TEENIE GENIE "DWARF EUGENIA" 175.00
PODOCARPUS 125.00

-CHENG CHENG-KUNG
---------------------------------------------
JUNIPER PROSTRAT A 595.00
7 GAL. -SHIMPAKU 375.00
3 GAL. - SHIMPAKU "SHOHI N" 175.00

DANA QUATTLEBAUM
---------------------------------------------
15 GAL. - TRIDENT MAPLE 375.00
3 GAL. -FIVE NEEDLE PINE "BUNJIN" 325.00
7 GAL. -CURVED BLACK PINE 195.00

BRUSSEL MARTIN
-----------------------------------------
7 GAL. -BALD CYPRESS 145.00
3 GAL. - CURVED KOREAN HORNBEAM 150.00
CURVED-LG. CHINESE ELM 130.00

LABS October Newsletter

2007-10-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you to our 2008 Secretary, Joyce "Maam" White for filling in as Secretary during our October meeting. Minutes of the meeting are as follows:

Thirty-two members and guests attended. Phil presided.

Minutes of September meeting and current treasurer's report were approved by the membership.

Announcements and business matters presented by Phil:

Huntsville Botanical Garden invites a speaker from our society to participate in the garden's docent training on October 23.

The education room is not available for our December meeting; a few options were mentioned, but no decision made.

Phil chose seven DVD's, based on members' preferences, and announced the total cost as $153.70 plus shipping.

Additional discussions:

Dennis recently visited Brussels Bonsai Nursery, and reported a new shipment of pots and plants, including many tropicals. Dennis also has a list of workshop trees and prices for the spring Rendezvous at Brussels. Phil reminded members that Brussel offers a 10% discount to club members.

John Mullins mentioned that members of American Bonsai Society (ABS) are eligible to access Listserve, a web organization that offers good bonsai information. John recommends this information source.

Tony stated that he has e-mailed Guy Guidry regarding the possibility of his leading a spring workshop for our members.

Bob White, chairman of the nominating committee, expressed appreciation to our currently serving officers, and announced nominees for 2008 officers:

President: Phil Terry
Vice President: Tony George
Secretary: Joyce White
Treasurer: Charlene and Wes Harris

After inviting nominations from the floor, Bob stated that the LABS by-laws specify new officers be elected at the October meeting each year, and promptly made a motion that the members vote to accept the current nominees. The motion was seconded and approved. Bob then announced that new officers are to be introduced at the November meeting, and take office in January.

Phil reminded members to give Tony our suggestions for future programs.

Ann Jones and John Mullins won door prizes, which were donated by Carol and Lee Bates.

Following the meeting, members and guests made their purchases of plants and pots available at the annual fall plant sale.

The LABS Nov 6th program will be a work on your plants session plus a short presentation by Dennis on what to bring to the Jan (Feb?) meeting which will be a workshop on sharpening/maintaining bonsai tools.

Remember that our club has an ongoing service project to keep the railroad garden in shape. Next railroad garden cleanup day is October 27th from 9 - NOON.

The North Carolina Arboretum in Ashville NC opens their bonsai exhibit of native American trees as of October 8th. Would make an interesting trip.

September 2007 Newsletter

2007-09-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

September 2007 Newsletter:

24 attendees were present. The door prizes were donated by Phil Terry and Carol & Lee Bates. Thank you!

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved by the members.

Old Business:

The last date for Bob and Ma'am Whites home work sessions was 9/22/07. Thank you Bob & Ma'am for hosting this event.

Reminder that the next railroad bed maintenance work session, 9 a.m. until NOON is September 29th. Expect to see you there!

Richard Wiley has created LABS membership cards for 2007 members. These cards when shown at purchase will allow you to receive a 10% discount at Brussels Bonsai Nursery. You may pick up your card at the October meeting.

LABS Fall Plant Sale during the October meeting is on. Club receives 10% of sales. Have your bonsai and bonsai-related items marked in whole dollars, no cents. Mark your items clearly. Be prepared to purchase lots of bonsai acclimated to our Southern fall/winter.

Phil Terry researched bonsai-related DVDs for purchase by the club. He passed around descriptions of each DVD and asked that members add their names to the ones they were most interested in purchase. Based on this feedback, Phil will recommend DVDs for purchase so we can retire the old VHS videos donated by a former member.

Tony George was unavailable to report back the availability of Guy Guidry as the bonsai artist for Spring 2008.

New Business:

Nominations for 2008 officers is here. Bob White reviewed the rules for length of term. Phil Terry suggested the nominating committee. If you are contacted about serving, please give it serious consideration.

Program:

Getting your bonsai ready for fall and winter, including winter "greenhouses" for bonsai.

See you at the October 2nd meeting with your bonsai and bonsai-related material for sale!

August 2007 Newsletter

2007-08-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

24 attendees were present for the August 7th LABS meeting. Two new members: Essie McElveen and Stacey McIntyre. Also Linwood Curry and his family were visitors. Welcome, All!

The door prizes donated by Phil Terry were a pair of scissors won by Maam and a pine won by Stacey.

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer’s report were approved by the members.

Old Business:

A general description of the activities at the 2007 Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show was given.

Bob and Maam White sponsor a work session at their home on the 3rd Saturday of every month during the summer months from 2-6. Contact Maam at jmaam6226 at yahoo dot com for directions.

Reminder that the next railroad bed maintenance work session, 9:00 a.m.- NOON is August 25th. This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Gardens.

Richard Wiley has created LABS membership cards for 2007 members. These cards when shown at purchase will allow you to receive a 10% discount at Brussels Bonsai Nursery. You may pick up your card at the September meeting.

New Business:

LABS Fall Plant Sale during the October meeting. Club receives 10% of sales. Have your bonsai and bonsai-related items marked in whole dollars, no cents, mark your items clearly.

John made the suggestion to invite a new bonsai artist for the LABS Spring Show in 2008, Guy Guidry. Tony is to contact him to inquire about his availability.

Carol made the suggestion to make a club bonsai DVD purchase. LABS currently has 5 VHS tapes donated by a previous member. Phil is to research possible DVDs and report back suggestions.

The August program was presented by Steve Lorenz regarding his peach tree bonsai. Very entertaining presentation. Thank you, Steve!

Program for September 4th: Preparing for Fall and Winter; repotting; switching fertilizers; cold frame designs, etc. Everyone be prepared to discuss their successes in a round-robin format.

July 2007 Newsletter

2007-07-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

16 attendees were present for the July 3rd meeting, including several visitors. Welcome All!

The door prizes were a couple of plants donated by Phil. Thank you to everyone who donates these prizes.

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved by members.

Old Business:
The wiring class offered on June 23rd to members went very well.

The club roster was corrected and handed out to attending members; a couple of officers' phone numbers were listed incorrectly.

The Botanical Garden Railroad area needs our continued efforts throughout the summer months. The next workday is July 28th from 9-12. All help is needed; please make time for this continuing club project.

New Business:
Richard is creating club membership cards. These can be used to get a discount at select bonsai suppliers which will be listed in a future newsletter.

Program: Working session

Future LABS Events Schedule:
July 21, 2007: LABS work session at Bob and Maam's house from 2-6. Just bring your plants and tools and come on and learn. Contact Bob or Maam White for directions. She may be contacted at jmaam6226 at yahoo dot com.

July 28, 2007: The next railroad bed maintenance work session, 9:00 a.m.- NOON. This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Gardens.

August 7, 2007: LABS Monthly meeting 7 p.m. Huntsville Botanical Garden Boeing Education classroom.

Future Bonsai Events in the Southeast: (OK so I may stretch the borders of the Southeast at times)

July 28-29, 2007 - Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Nashville Bonsai SocietyMTSU Department of Art and the Nashville Bonsai Society present the 2007 Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show July 28 and 29th at the Todd Gallery- MTSU Campus, Murfreesboro, TN . The show is open to bonsai clubs in the region. Hours of event -Sat - 10-5, Sun - 11-4. Admission is free. Featured artist Matt Ouwinga. Details can be found at http://www.nashvillebonsai.com.

June 2007 Newsletter

2007-06-16T06:09:00.000-07:00

Living Art Bonsai Society (LABS) June 2007 Newsletter

30 attendees were present for the June 2nd meeting, including several visitors. Welcome to Guy, Duncan and Mary.

The door prizes were a couple of plants donated by a member. Thank you to members who continue to provide these great door prizes!

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved by members.

Old Business:

The wiring class offered by Lee and Carol Bates to LABS members on June 23rd from 1-5 is full. Waiting list is being taken in case someone cancels. Please be sure to contact Tony George, georgeaj01 at comcast dot net, if you have a seat but cannot attend so the next person in line can be given the opportunity to attend.

Note: To prevent online data harvesting by spammers and junk mail companies, the e-mail address is presented without symbols. Substitute "@" for at and "." for dot when trying to contact anyone.

The Botanical Garden Railroad area needs our continued efforts throughout the summer months. The next workday is June 23rd from 9-12. All help is needed; please make time for this continuing club project.

New Business:

Maam moved that we close as many old websites related to LABS as possible. The move was seconded and passed. She knows Fred Wells who maintains the old web site and will ask that he close it.

Dennis Coad recapped the Rendezvous sessions he attended as well as brought two gorgeous bonsai he obtained at the event (one as a drawing prize - lucky Dennis!) He gave us the recipe for "magic juice" - 50/50 lysol with distilled water - to use to disinfect your tools when working on the plants. Even suggesting to brush the plant wounds with it before applying cutting paste. In total 8 LABS members attended and shared with us their activities and impressions of the weekend. He also shared a tip he received - when creating jinn, make the point as sharp as possible to help it shed water and prevent rot better.

Program: Working session

Future LABS Events Schedule:

June 16, 2007: LABS work session at Bob and Maam's house from 2-6. Just bring your plants and tools and come on and learn. Contact Bob or Maam White for directions. She may be contacted at jmaam6226 at yahoo dot com.

June 23, 2007: The next railroad bed maintenance work session is on June 23, 9:00 a.m.- NOON This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Gardens.

June 23, 2007: LABS Wiring class from 1-5 by Carol and Lee Bates at the Huntsville Botanical Garden in the Boeing Education classroom (this is where LABS meets monthly). The class is full, to get on the waiting list, contact Tony George georgeaj01 at comcast dot net.

July 3, 2007: LABS Monthly meeting 7 p.m. Huntsville Botanical Garden Boeing Education classroom.

Future Bonsai Events in the Southeast:

(OK so I'm stretching the borders of the Southeast)

July 10-16, 2007 - San Juan, Puerto Rico
BCI 2007 BCI Convention 2007 at the Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico featuring Shinji Suzuki, Marco Invernizzi, David Benavente, Bill Valavanis, Arthur Skolnik, Suthin Sukosolvisit, William Acosta, Yrene C. Vasquez, Xenio Baron, Milagros Rauber, Pedro J. Morales, and Sean Smith. For registration and other details mailto:information@bcifelab2007.com or visit http://bcifelab2007.com/.

July 28-29, 2007 - Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Nashville Bonsai SocietyMTSU Department of Art and the Nashville Bonsai Society present the 2007 Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show July 28 and 29th at the Todd Gallery- MTSU Campus, Murfreesboro, TN . The show is open to bonsai clubs in the region. Hours of event -Sat - 10-5, Sun - 11-4. Admission is free. Featured artist Matt Ouwinga. Details can be found at http://www.nashvillebonsai.com/ or call Barbara Walton at 615-337-4728

June Wiring and Styling Class and May Event Reminders

2007-05-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

The bad news first. The tentative June 9th wiring class is not happening due to events beyond our control.

The good news next:

The June 23rd wiring class is happening IF enough members sign up. We need 10 members to sign up by contacting Tony George for a spot in the class. First come, first serve with waiting list in case anyone cancels. Tony's information is at the very bottom of the blog.

Details:

What: Bonsai wiring class
When: June 23rd from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Where: Huntsville Botanical Garden, Boeing Education classroom (this is where we normally meet).
Who: Carol & Lee will offer the class to LABS members.

May Event Reminders:

May 19th Worksession at the Whites home, 2 p.m until 6 p.m. If you have a dessert or snack to share, feel free to bring it. Otherwise, just come as you are with your bonsai.

May 26th Railroad Garden Cleanup 9 a.m. - NOON

May 1st 2007 Meeting

2007-05-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

36 attendees were present for the May 1st meeting, including several visitors and new members. Welcome, Essie, Wesley, Norma, Juliana, Rachael, Thomas, Catherine and Stacey!

The door prize was a pair of bonsai trimming shears-remember that you have to be present to win and we always have something related to bonsai for a door prize or member give-a-way.

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved by members.

Old Business:
Review of the LABS Show was discussed including the Treasurer's report presented by Olga regarding income from the show. Dennis Coad said there is no excuse not to have an entry next year. You have one year to develop your bonsai for the 2008 show or buy one to enter before next year.

New Business:
Carol and Lee Bates will offer a 4 hour workshop June 9th and June 23rd (tentative dates) on wiring and styling bonsai. The workshops will be first come, first serve to LABS members. The workshops will be at the Huntsville Botanical Garden in the same room LABS uses for monthly meetings. More details will be announced closer to the event.

Reminder by Phil that LABS is responsible for keeping the Huntsville Botanical Garden Railroad Garden area clean. Next workday is May 26th (Saturday) from 9 until NOON.

Joyce (Maam) and Bob continue their LABS work sessions at their home on the 3rd Sat of each month thru the summer. Please contact Maam for directions or more information. An officer will be happy to get you in touch with the Whites. See the officer e-mail information at the bottom of the blog.

Program:
John Mullins gave an excellent presentation regarding styling bonsai. He went over the basic 5 types (formal upright, informal upright, cascade, semi-cascade and windswept) and touched on literati that defies an easy category. He talked about the rule of thirds plus how eye-pleasing triangles are for bonsai stylists. He shared the Intro to Bonsai, A Course Syllabus 4th Edition by Thomas L. Zane which delves deeper into the subject.

The June meeting will be a work session - bring anything - since The Bates will have the wiring/styling classes in June.

LABS Future Programs and Events:
May 19th Worksession at the Whites home, 2 p.m until 6 p.m. If you have a dessert or snack to share, feel free to bring it. Otherwise, just come as you are with your bonsai.

May 26th Railroad Garden Cleanup 9 a.m. - NOON

June 5th LABS meeting at Huntsville Botanical Garden

June 9th and June 23rd (tentative dates) Carol and Lee Bates present wiring and styling bonsai workshops at the Huntsville Botanical Garden.

For more information regarding bonsai, visit our blog: http://livingartsbonsaisociety.blogspot.com/ . You will find several links to other bonsai-related sites there as well as bonsai events in the Southeast

LABS Bonsai Show

2007-04-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

April 3rd 2007 Meeting

2007-04-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Living Art Bonsai (LABS) Newsletter:

31 attendees were present for the April 3rd meeting including three visitors, Norma, Julian and Kat. Welcome!

Carol & Lee Bates brought a box of small pots to give to club members. Thank you!

Minutes of the previous meeting and the Treasurer's report were approved by members.

Old Business:

The LABS Show and the Grand Opening of the Huntsville Botanical Garden's Bonsai Display Garden scheduled April 28th-29th was discussed. Final preparations to the plants being exhibited, the sale of bonsai-related material as well as plants and other show instructions was detailed by Dennis and Tony.

Of particular importance to note is that if you have not yet signed up to help at the show or signed up to exhibit your bonsai, members can still e-mail Tony George with a copy to Richard Wiley and give the following information: the name of the tree, its age and the number of years it has been a bonsai. With that information, you will have a display sign/tag available at the Show.

Members were asked to not bring the bonsai before 1:00 pm on Friday. Show and sale trees can be brought in between 1:00 and 6:00 PM on Friday. Items can be loaded and unloaded from the rear of The Arbor. Also, make plans to pick up your trees by 5:00 pm Sunday. Bob White will graciously handle logistics with the Garden for us (tables,burlap).

Plants will be watered on Saturday afternoon. If one plans to water his or her own trees, be sure to let Dennis know.

All plants and pots are to be thoroughly cleaned and groomed for the show. Plants for sale should also be cleaned and in good form.

Members may offer plants and bonsai related items for sale at the show. All items are to be marked with price and name of seller. All prices are to be listed in full dollar amounts, no coins. The club receives 20% of all sales.

New Business:

Dennis Coad brought Brussels catalogs and Rendezvous brochures to hand out. He reported that many of the work sessions at the Rendezvous were already closed.

LABS Future Scheduled Programs and Events:

April 28th-29th LABS Show and the Grand Opening of the Bonsai Display Garden

April 28th - Railroad Garden clean-up at 9:00 a.m. The area is looking good but needs continual care and nuturing to remain in shape. The Club is responsible for maintaining this area. If everyone shows up, just takes a few hours to get it back in shape.

May 1st, 2007 LABS next meeting program is on plant design and styling by John Mullins.

Bonsai Events in the Southeast:

May 25-27, 2007 Brussel's Bonsai: Rendezvous is Brussel's Bonsai annual convention held over Memorial Day weekend. Europe & America’s top bonsai masters will be on hand at America’s Finest Bonsai Nursery. Featured guest artists include Kenji Miata, Yasuo Mitsuya, Roy Nagatoshi, Michael Hagedorn, Kathy Shaner, and John Powell. Resident artists include Brussel Martin and Dana Quattlebaum. Rendezvous activities to include Friday night reception and catfish dinner, lectures and demonstrations, workshop observation, Saturday and Sunday continental breakfast, Saturday night Southern dinner, catered lunches, refreshments all weekend, and great door prizes.

June 21-24, 2007 - Virginia Beach, VA, USA
ABS Learning Seminars 2007: Bonsai on the Beach at the Virginia Beach Cavalier Hotel, VA. Featuring Michael Hagedorn, Dori Froning, Dennis Donald, Julian Adams, Mary Miller, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Marty Schmalenberg, Bill Valavanis, and Pauline Muth. Registration for ABS members is $275 until 1 February 2007 and $300 thereafter. Details will be announced at http://www.absbonsai.org.

June 23 2007 - Lafayette, LA, USA
Bonsai Society of AcadianaLABS 2007 hosted by Bonsai Society of Acadiana in Lafayette. Featured artists are Guy Guidry and Joe Day. Additionally, Wade Latham, as well as Guy and Joe Day, have expressed interest to attend the event as vendors, so there will be a well-rounded supply of bonsai, material and supplies on hand for purchase. For further details contact Johnny Hardcastle at jmh6344@louisiana.edu.

July 28-29, 2007 - Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Nashville Bonsai SocietyMTSU Department of Art and the Nashville Bonsai Society present the 2007 Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show July 28 and 29th at the Todd Gallery- MTSU Campus, Murfreesboro, TN . The show is open to bonsai clubs in the region. Hours of event -Sat - 10-5, Sun - 11-4. Admission is free. Featured artist Matt Ouwinga. Details can be found at www.nashvillebonsai.com or call Barbara Walton at 615-337-4728

Thanks to Joyce and Tony for their note-taking as the LABS secretary, Carol, was unable to attend!

Root over Rock Work Session

2007-03-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Future Events and Programs

2007-03-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

April 3, 2007: Dennis Coad will do a program on plant preparation for the show. Work session break-out: Bring the plants you’d like to submit for the show to get help in preparing them for presentation. As in past years, we would like everyone to have at least one plant in the show.

April 27, 28, 29: LABS Bonsai Show: Dennis is working out the show layout and will know how many plants we can accommodate. Although it seems like a long way out, we would like for members to start thinking about it now. Future programs: We’d like your suggestions and ideas for future programs. Contact Tony George via phone or email. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Bonsai Events/Shows/Opportunities in the Southeast: The following bonsai events in the Southeast were presented by members:

March 23-25, 2007-Lake Charles, LA, USA:
Lake Charles Bonsai SocietyLake Charles Bonsai Society’s Annual Exhibit at the SW Louisiana Garden Festival 2007 at Burton Coliseum. More information can be obtained at http://www.gardenfest.org/ or http://LCBSBonai.org.

April 28, 2007 - Mobile, AL, USA: Annual Tri-City Bonsai ShowThe annual regional bonsai show for Northwest Florida will be held on April 28 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.. Trees from Mobile, Ft. Walton Beach and Pensacola, FL will be on exhibit. This one-day event will be held at the West Regional Library in West Mobile, at Grelot Rd. between University Rd. and Knollwood, Mobile, AL. Free admission. Inside display. Contact http://www.bonsai-bci.com/(Empty%20Reference!mailto:acbsbonsai@aol.com for more information. Directions to the library http://www.mplonline.org/cothill.htm

May 25-27, 2007 Brussel's Bonsai: Rendezvous is Brussel's Bonsai annual convention held over Memorial Day weekend. Europe & America’s top bonsai masters will be on hand at America’s Finest Bonsai Nursery. Featured guest artists include Kenji Miata, Yasuo Mitsuya, Roy Nagatoshi, Michael Hagedorn, Kathy Shaner, and John Powell. Resident artists include Brussel Martin and Dana Quattlebaum. Rendezvous activities to include Friday night reception and catfish dinner, lectures and demonstrations, workshop observation, Saturday and Sunday continental breakfast, Saturday night Southern dinner, catered lunches, refreshments all weekend, and great door prizes.

March 6th 2007 Meeting

2007-03-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Living Arts Bonsai Society (LABS) Newsletter:

26 attendees were present for the March 6th meeting including two visitors, Nathan McGee and Sarah McGilvrey. The door prize, which was Kathy Shaner's 2007 Calendar with beautiful bonsai photographs, went to our lucky winner.

The revised February 2007 meeting minutes were submitted and approved by attending members.

31 members have renewed their membership during 2007 as of March.

To renew: make check for $20 payable to LABS and send to:
LABS
1009 Appalachee Dr.
Huntsville AL 35801

Include your e-mail, home phone and mailing address with your check.
To continue receiving the LABS Newsletter, renew your membership at the start of each calendar year unless previous arrangements have been made.

Old Business:
Kathy Shaner’s workshop was well received; all sessions were sold out.

Kathy asked that we reduce the number in her workshop to no more than 5 each session. Also she asked that we schedule her for lectures next year to go over basics like soil, potting,etc. She is moving closer to the area and will possibly have more opportunities to work with us throughout the year in 2008.

Six people helped clean up the miniature railroad area at Huntsville Botanical Gardens on February 24th. The area continually needs leaves and trash picked up, weeds pulled and bushes pruned. If you have time during the week to help in this effort, please contact Bob White to coordinate the work that needs to be done.

Next railroad cleanup day is March 24th.

New Business:

Dennis Coad explained requirements for the bonsai exhibit and distributed a sheet entitled "How to Prepare a Bonsai for Exhibition". All members are encouraged to have at least one bonsai in the exhibit. This year the LABS exhibit coincides with the grand opening of the Botanical Garden's new Bonsai home where the old butterfly garden existed. This is an opportunity for us to work with the Garden and the public in cultivating interest in bonsai.

Dennis and Tony George encouraged volunteers to sign-up to help with the LABS exhibit set-up Friday, April 27th. Need volunteers to take shifts for working the various areas of the exhibit within the Arbor on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. We will be able to sell pots, soil, bonsai-related items in conjunction with the exhibit. Olga Lavan will have more information at the next meeting (colored stickers, etc.)

Carol DeFiore moved that an exploratory committee is formed to get details about an extended field trip to Japan. Kathy Shaner mentioned that there are some good tours with bonsai as the theme. Motion was passed.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden needs help in training six docents about bonsai on March 29th from 11-1. Any volunteer interested should contact Maam (Joyce) White.

LABS Scheduled Program:

The scheduled root-over-rock presentation did not occur as Butch Campbell, the evening's presenter, was under the weather and could not attend the meeting. We did have a work session after business adjourned.

LABS Future Scheduled Programs and Events:

March 24, 2007:
The next railroad bed maintenance work session is on March 24th at 9:00 a.m. This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Gardens. The railroad maintenance work sessions are the 4th Saturday of each month from 9 a.m - NOON.

If you could see the faces of the little boys and girls when they see the train and watch it go through the different railroad areas, you’d be rewarded many times over for giving your time here.

April 3, 2007:
Dennis Coad will do a program on plant preparation for the show.
Work session break-out: Bring the plants you’d like to submit for the show to get help in preparing them for presentation. As in past years, we would like everyone to have at least one plant in the show.

April 27, 28, 29: LABS Bonsai Show:
Dennis is working out the show layout and will know how many plants we can accommodate. Although it seems like a long way out, we would like for members to start thinking about it now.

Future programs:
We’d like your suggestions and ideas for future programs. Contact Tony George via phone or email. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

A plea for help from the Huntsville Botanical Gardens:
Needed - Bonsai Display Pedestals
If you enjoy woodworking projects, this is a great job for you! A new Bonsai display is under construction on the site of the old butterfly house. It will be open to the public on April 1st. We need approximately 12 wooden pedestals constructed to display our wonderful Bonsai collection I have the dimensions and all of the details, if you are interested in assisting with this project. You may also see Alyson Shabel or David Hayes on the horticulture staff for more information. The pedestals need to be completed by mid-March.
If interested, contact:
Bernadette Williams
Volunteer Coordinator
Huntsville Botanical Garden

Kathy Shaner Workshop

2007-03-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

Future Events and Programs

2007-02-15T02:40:00.000-08:00

February 24, 2007:

The next railroad bed maintenance work session is on February 24th at 9:00 a.m. This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Garden. The railroad maintenance work sessions are the 4th Saturday of each month from 9 a.m - NOON.

If you could see the faces of the little boys and girls when they see the train and watch it go through the different railroad areas, you’d be rewarded many times over for giving your time here.

March 4-5, 2007:

Kathy Shaner’s workshop schedule is:
Sunday, March 4th 8-12 and 12:30-4
Monday, March 5th 12-4 and 4:30-8:30
Eight people per session/max. $40/session. Sessions are open to members first. Any slots not filled by members will be opened to nonmembers - nonmember fee TBD. Contact Tony George to inquire about availability of open sessions. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

March 6, 2007:

Butch Campbell is presenting a program of root over rock bonsai.

Work session break-out: Work on plants from past years as well as start new plants.

April 3, 2007:

Dennis Coad will do a program on plant preparation for the show.

Work session break-out: Bring the plants you’d like to submit for the show to get help in preparing them for presentation. As in past years, we would like everyone to have at least one plant in the show.

April 28, 29: LABS Bonsai Show:

Dennis is working out the show layout and will know how many plants we can accommodate. Although it seems like a long way out, we would like for members to start thinking about it now.

Future programs suggested by members:

Japanese Suiseki • Chinese Scholar's Rocks • Korean Gongshi ... "Just give him some of that rock ..."

We’d like your suggestions and ideas for future programs. Contact Tony George via email. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Bonsai Events/Shows/Opportunities in the Southeast:

The following bonsai events in the Southeast were presented by members:

March 2-5, 2007

Bonsai Seminar with William N. Valavanis in Sevierville TN. Advance registration and payment required by Feb 20th, 2007. Contact Ms. Vicki Zank 1767 Wears Valley Road Sevierville TN 37862 at 865-429-1934 for additional information/questions.

Kathy Shaner Dinner

2007-02-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Sunday, March 4th, dinner with Kathy Shaner after the last workshop session is at Green Hill's Grill. Meet there at 5:30 p.m. Located at 5100 Sanderson St. N.W. Huntsville AL 837-8282. This is between Wynn Drive & University Drive not too far from Madison Square Mall. If you haven't given Tony George a head count yet, please let him know as soon as possible at georgeaj01 at comcast dot net. (Substitute "@" and "." in the email address as appropriate.)

February 6th 2007 Meeting

2007-02-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Living Art Bonsai Society (LABS) Newsletter:

REVISED - 021507 Removed club Treasurer's report from Newsletter; will report club business separately.

REVISED - 020907 Kathy Shaner's workshop was originally reported as Sunday, March 3rd, & Monday, March 4th. That is incorrect. It is Sunday, March 4th, and Monday, March 5th.

25 attendees were present for the February 6^th meeting including one visitor, Sandra Dunn.

January 2007 meeting minutes were submitted and approved by attending members.

Treasurer Report:

Treasurer report accepted as presented.

2007 paid member information submitted by the Treasurer to create a Membership Roster. (Note: 2007 Membership Roster created and shared to officers via Google Spreadsheets and Documents).

25 members have renewed their membership as of the February meeting on 2/6/2007.

To renew: make check for $20 payable to LABS and send to:

LABS

1009 Appalachee Dr.

Huntsville AL 35801

Include your e-mail, home phone and mailing address with your check.

To continue receiving the LABS Newsletter, renew your membership at the start of each calendar year unless previous arrangements have been made.

Old Business:

Kathy Shaner’s workshop schedule is:

Sunday, March 4th 8-12 and 12:30-4

Monday, March 5^th 12-4 and 4:30-8:30

Eight people per session/max. Sessions are open to members first. Any slots not filled by members will be opened to nonmembers - nonmember fee TBD. Contact Tony George to inquire about availability of open sessions. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Only three people helped clean up the miniature railroad area at Huntsville Botanical Garden on January 27^th. Admittedly it was cold! However, February 24^th is the last railroad bed maintenance date we have before the train begins running again around March 13th. The area needs leaves and trash picked up, weeds pulled and bushes pruned. If you have time during the week to help in this effort, please contact Bob White at 881-5177 to coordinate the work that needs to be done.

New Business:

Bob White moved that the club authorize the purchase of six one kilogram rolls of club wire to replenish the existing inventory. The movement was passed without opposition.

Butch Campbell and John Landers are making a run to Brussels Nursery for plants at deep discounts if the plants are bought in bulk. New members were encouraged to purchase a plant to use during Cathy Shaner’s workshop if they don’t already have one in mind. Members signed up for the type of plants available from John’s list.

Motion presented to set the member workshop session fee at $40. Movement passed with one opposing vote. Contact Tony George to inquire about any sessions that still have openings. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Tony George asked for a show of hands to take a head count for dinner reservations on Sunday, March 4th, to go out to dinner with Cathy Shaner. Restaurant TBD. E-mail or call Tony if you would like to be included in the group going out to dinner. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Joyce White did an excellent presentation on indoor bonsai. Some good tips: have a good water delivery system, do not let the plants dry out, work with root pruning over several growing cycles. She reminded the newbies that you cannot prune and make instant art without severely damaging and possibly killing the plant. Bonsai takes time. She had free ajuna to give-a-way as indoor starter bonsai. Thank you Joyce.

Butch Campbell gave a demonstration of indoor bonsai pruning which resulted in even more free starter plants.

Dennis Coad gave a thorough presentation on bonsai tools, their use and care. His presentation was geared to the beginner through intermediate level. His arsenal of tools was impressive and exhaustive - he even demonstrated tightening shears. Most surprising was not every tool is sold as a bonsai tool; for example the common round chopstick can be used to ensure air pockets are removed when repotting.

We are off to a great start on programs in 2007. Thank you all!

LABS Future Scheduled Programs and Events:
February 24, 2007:

The next railroad bed maintenance work session is on February 24^th at 9:00 a.m. This is a good opportunity to meet with other members, play (without any risk) with someone else's plants and bonsai tools and contribute to the Botanical Garden. The railroad maintenance work sessions are the 4th Saturday of each month from 9 a.m - NOON.

If you could see the faces of the little boys and girls when they see the train and watch it go through the different railroad areas, you’d be rewarded many times over for giving your time here.

March 4-5, 2007:

Kathy Shaner’s workshop schedule is:

Sunday, March 4th 8-12 and 12:30-4

Monday, March 5^th 12-4 and 4:30-8:30

Eight people per session/max. $40/session. Sessions are open to members first. Any slots not filled by members will be opened to nonmembers - nonmember fee TBD. Contact Tony George to inquire about availability of open sessions. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

March 6, 2007:

Butch Campbell is presenting a program of root over rock bonsai.

In preparation for the Spring Bonsai Show at the Botanical Garden (April 27-29) we will have a hand-out from Dennis Coad on how to prepare bonsai for the show and we will have a sign-up for the various volunteer positions we need to staff the show.

Work session break-out: Work on plants from past years as well as start new plants.

April 3, 2007:

Dennis Coad will do a program on plant preparation for the show.

Work session break-out: Bring the plants you’d like to submit for the show to get help in preparing them for presentation. As in past years, we would like everyone to have at least one plant in the show.

April 28, 29: LABS Bonsai Show:

Dennis is working out the show layout and will know how many plants we can accommodate. Although it seems like a long way out, we would like for members to start thinking about it now.

Future programs:

We’d like your suggestions and ideas for future programs. Contact Tony George via email. His contact information is at the end of the newsletter.

Bonsai Events/Shows/Opportunities in the Southeast:

The following bonsai events in the Southeast were presented by members:

February 7-11, 2007

Southeastern Flower Show, Atlanta GA. See web site: http://www.flowershow.org for more details. There is a non-competitive bonsai exhibit at the show. Admission at the door is $18

March 2-5, 2007

Bonsai Seminar with William N. Valavanis in Sevierville TN. Advance registration and payment required by Feb 20^th, 2007. Contact Ms. Vicki Zank 1767 Wears Valley Road Sevierville TN 37862 at 865-429-1934 for additional information/questions.

A plea for help from the Huntsville Botanical Garden:

Needed - Bonsai Display Pedestals

If you enjoy woodworking projects, this is a great job for you! A new Bonsai display is under construction on the site of the old butterfly house. It will be open to the public on April 1st. We need approximately 12 wooden pedestals constructed to display our wonderful Bonsai collection I have the dimensions and all of the details, if you are interested in assisting with this project. You may also see Alyson Shabel or David Hayes on the horticulture staff for more information. The pedestals need to be completed by mid-March.

If interested, contact:

Bernadette Williams ,Volunteer Coordinator Huntsville Botanical Garden (256) 430-3572

LABS Contacts:
President: Phil Terry pnterry2 at mmm dot com
Vice President: Tony George georgeaj01 at comcast dot net
Secretary: Carol DeFiore lcdefior at bellsouth dot net
Treasurer: Olga Lavan olavan at bellsouth dot net
Show Chair: Dennis Coad dlcoad at knology dot net
Work Sessions: jmaam6226 at yahoo dot com

Note: To prevent online data harvesting by spammers and junk mail companies, the above addresses are presented without symbols. Substitute "@" for at and "." for dot when trying to contact an officer.