NABF Newsletter #8

Feature #1

President's Message

If there is any convincing that's needed about the vibrancy of bonsai in the Southwest Region of North America, this issue of the NABF Newsletter should erase all doubts. Editor Carl Morimoto has assembled a fascinating variety of articles which, through words and images, capture the state of bonsai in the areas comprising this Region -- California, Hawaii and Nevada.

The Golden State Bonsai Federation, which has made such an enormous contribution to the art of bonsai, is highlighted in Feature #2, authored by GSBF's past President, Bill Hutchinson. Formed in 1977 with Jim Barrett as its first President, GSBF has lifted the quality of bonsai in North America to the highest levels, and as you will see in viewing this issue, GSBF's influence has been phenomenal. The Federation deserves the gratitude and support of all bonsai enthusiasts.

Hawaii is covered in Feature #3, with Hawaii Bonsai Association Newsletter Editor Tim Liu describing some of the important educational programs sponsored by HBA, which just held a successful mini-convention last month. Tim also shines the spotlight on a number of the many bonsai clubs located on the four main islands of Hawaii.

In Feature #4, Patrick Flynn, President of Nevada's Yukiyama Bonsai Kai, examines the bonsai challenges and opportunities in Northern Nevada, mentioning also two of the bonsai pioneers in that area: Wilson Makabe and Chuck Glattley. With the rapidly increasing population in Nevada and its many native plants, Patrick is expecting a significant expansion of bonsai lovers in his area. Other Nevada bonsai pioneers -- those instrumental in establishing the Las Vegas Bonsai Society -- are noted in Feature #5. LVBS President Bob Kovack reviews the history of the Society and some of its many activities, which include two aptly named annual exhibits: "Spring Awakening" and "Fall Expressions."

If you want to see outstanding bonsai, you will enjoy the photos in Feature #6. Yes, not only are there are stunning California junipers as you would expect from California, but also I think you will also be very impressed by the beautiful bonsai from Hawaii and Nevada.

As to bonsai collections open to the public, you will be amazed by the number of these in the Southwest Region:

• Marilyn Imura-Tyler introduces us to the Bonsai Court at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles (Feature #7).
• John Castle shows us around the Golden State Bonsai Collection-North in Oakland (Feature #8).
• Steve Valentine and 'lyn Stevenson provide a tour of the Bonsai Pavilion at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (Feature #9).
• Fred Miyahara describes the Japanese Friendship Garden's Bonsai Area in San Diego (Feature #10).
• Bob Hilvers reveals the Lee Institute for Japanese Art's New Bonsai Collection in Hanover, California (Feature #11).
• David Fukumoto covers two public collections in Hawaii, Walter and Ann Liew's Penjing Collection at the Hawaii Bonsai Culture Center in Waimanalo, and the Fuku-Bonsai Cultural Center & Hawaii State Bonsai Repository in Kurtistown (Feature #12).

For anyone who has wondered how to keep a California juniper alive, Jerry McNey tells you all about that, and much more, in (Feature #13). And, the collectors among us will enjoy Lance Laney's perceptive tips on collecting Ironwood in Hawaii in (Feature #14).

Finally, in Feature #15 you are invited to donate items to the Benefit Drawings to be held during the 5th World Bonsai Convention next May in Washington, D.C., and you are reminded that the October 31, 2004 deadline for entering the WBFF World Bonsai Contest 2004 is coming up soon.

Thanks to Carl and all of the contributors for making this such a terrific issue of the NABF Newsletter.

One other important matter: I am pleased to announce that Craig Hunt has recently succeeded Andy Rutledge, as the WBFF/NABF Webmaster. Craig is well known in the bonsai community, and has been the highly-regarded Webmaster of the National Bonsai Foundation for a number of years.

On behalf of WBFF and NABF, I would like to thank Andy for his impeccable creative and design contributions in establishing the WBFF/NABF and 5th WBC websites and for his dedication, good nature and exquisite sense of propriety in maintaining these websites.

Felix Laughlin