Just in case you've been hiding under a rock, the 5th World Bonsai Convention being held this spring in Washington, D.C. from May 28 through May 31, is less than three months away.  Everyone involved in hosting this convention -- the hotel staff, exhibit planners, demonstrators, speakers and the committee members -- is making final preparations for this extraordinary bonsai event.  I am delighted that over 500 people have already registered for the convention and the workshops are filling up fast.

Even though time remains to register for the convention, I urge you to register soon.  The organizers have planned a tremendous agenda for this rare gathering of bonsai leaders from around the world -- an event of this magnitude should not be missed!

The opening ceremonies will feature the world premier of a short film honoring Saburo Kato of Japan (Chairman Emeritus of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and of the Nippon Bonsai Association) and the late John Y. Naka of the United States (first President of the NABF and formerly Vice-Chairman of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation).  The interview of these two legendary bonsai masters, who created the WBFF to promote the peaceful spirit of bonsai, will surely be an inspiration to us all.  As the demonstrations, lectures and workshops unfold, masters from around the world will reveal their techniques in bonsai, penjing and suiseki in one of the largest conventions ever held in the United States.  This, of course, will be a terrific occasion to visit with old friends and make new ones.  An event of this magnitude is rare, so don't miss it!

To get more information on the 5th WBC, log onto www.bonsai-wbff.org/wbc5/main.htm, or contact me at susticj@usna.ars.usda.gov or you can reach my co-chair, Glenn Reusch, at ghreusch@aol.com.