President’s Message
July 2023
I hope everyone is prepared for the warmer weather the Bay Area is headed for with July showing its true colors! Have you heard that 100 degrees temperatures are predicted? I'm setting up a overhead screen with metal supports that has a 40% covering, hoping that this will remedy the extremely hot temperatures the East Bay will be experiencing. For those of you who need protection, often times relocating your trees out of the direct sun for the hotter times of the day works as well. But remember to keep them hydrated by watering them frequently throughout the day as needed.
Our club’s nursery tour to Calaveras Nursery in Sunol last weekend was not well received. Pete Pelkey and myself were the only members who showed up. I guess this type of club events which is designed to encourage club members to pick up new bonsai material is not needed in the future!
Silent Auction
We're gearing up for our first Thursday meeting this month, with our Yearly Silent Auction. This event gives everyone a chance to place their bid on that highly desirable tree or pot you always wanted. Make sure you are there to pick up bonsai materials not often available at such modest prices. Yes, this is one of the club's biggest annual fundraisers that, at the same time, helps members tailor down their bonsai supplies and pass on trees they no longer need or can handle. This is a great opportunity for newbies as well as experienced members to take home that tree or pot that would make an outstanding addition to your collection. It’s also a great time to reduce your collection for a good cause.
Of course, all of this cannot take place unless club members bring in their unwanted items for sale. We're asking that everyone sort through their bonsai related items, including trees, that you would be willing to pass on to others for a price you suggest for the item. A Silent Auction Form will be needed for every item sold, unless you group items together with a single price. The idea is for members then to review each item to be sold, and place their bid in accordance to what they feel they want to pay for it. At the end of each segment a time period will be concluded, if your bid is the highest at the end, you are the owner and will need to pay for it at the conclusion of our meeting. The person who sold the item will be paid the selling price, minus the 20% the club will receive as our fundraiser portion.
This is great fun for everyone that evening, running back and forth replacing your bid, hoping the time period ending will be on your side. Hopefully, there will be many items to be bid upon, and everyone will be able to take home that cherished tree or pots you truly wanted.
A Silent Auction Form you can download and print out will be included with this newsletter, allowing you to fill out the forms prior to attending the meeting. More forms will be available that evening at the auction.
Third Thursday
This once again will be our usual workshop for those who bring in trees for questions and support.
Juan Cruz will be once again holding his beginners class for those who have attended the past few weeks.
Our Up and Coming Bonsai Show
September 30th, the date of our up and coming show is quickly approaching, but a few months away. We will need everyone’s support as usual, meaning, now is the time to determine what trees you plan to show, making sure our trees will be show ready and having all the needed items to support the display. Having your trees ready to the best of your ability then, will allow you the time needed for the many other jobs the club will have for volunteers.
Shortly, the club will have printed flyer materials for club members to use and distribute and pass out to potential attendees. Family members, close relatives, local friends, workmates, all are welcome and we want them to attend. You can distribute to local nurseries for their community bulletin boards or garden clubs. Please, pass out these flyers far and wide!
Have a great month of July doing bonsai everyone! 🌳