LA BALLONA VALLEY BROMELIAD SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

                             MAY 2008

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From President Emmit Willis:

                         President's Message

Did you see the May 8th HOME section of the LA Times?  On page 2 is a
picture of half a dozen tillandsias on an upright log, and the caption
"Air plants of the '70s find new niches."  Also listed is availability
information, and a $590 price tag!  We Bromeliad society members know
several things that the times writers don't.  We know that tillandsias
have never lost their "trendiness."  We know that our show displayed
tillandsias beautifully.  We know that the "Best in Show" plants of
Ray VanVeen were outstanding, and that the "Best Artistic" combination
of original pottery and tillandsias by Barbara West was magnificent.

It is unfortunate that the LA Times published this picture on the 8th,
if it had been published on the 1st, visitors to our show would have
had an even greater appreciation for these beautiful plants.

Thanks to all the members who participated, by bringing plants for
show and for sale, and by helping with set up/break down, registration
and staffing for the two days.  It is a gigantic task made easier by
the spirit of cooperation and the sharing of your time and energy.  We
are all winners for your effort.

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                     2008 LBVBS Plant Show

Many thanks to the 23 members who entered 203 lovely plants and
artistic displays, and to everyone who helped out at the show.  Note
that both of our best in show winners are first time entrants, so
please don't be afraid to enter plants in next year's show!

Here are the winners:

Best in show -- bromeliad:  Tillandsia tricolor by Ray Van Veen 

Best in show -- artistic:  "Tropical Tree Stump" by Barbara West 

Sweepstakes:  Don Misumi, with 35 blue ribbons

A big thank you to Tony Princiotta of the Beverly Hills Cheese Shop
for his assistance with the prizes.

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From Gary Wagnild:

                           Gary Allen
 
Gary Allen, age 60 of Hawthorne, California, was born June 5, 1947 and
succumbed to liver cancer on April 11, 2008.  He attended Leuzinger
High, El Camino College and was a U.S. Army veteran.  He is survived
by his mother, two sisters and long-time partner, Linda Ohara.
 
His great love of photography and horticulture lured him to places
near and far, including Australia, Thailand, Hawaii, Fiji, the Cook
Islands and Tahiti.  His extensive photo collection focused on
tillandsias and other bromeliads, staghorn ferns, epidendrums and
plumerias.  Gary was a member and participant in many local botanical
societies and widely known by other plant enthusiasts.
 
His other eclectic interests included TV cooking and painting
programs, birds, 70's era muscle cars, movie going and shooting pool
with friends.  He was a skilled craftsman and created intricate pool
cues and art-quality canes as well.
 
Gary was a very friendly person and loved meeting and talking to
people, especially with anyone who shared his interest in plants.  He
will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
 

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From Denise Pidd:

              An Announcement About the Newsletter

We are trying to expedite the sending of the Bromeliad newsletter.
Would any of you who get a hard copy of the newsletter in the mail
please send your e-mail address to either Denise Pidd (email address
redacted) or Jean Yoshii (email address redacted) or you can call
Denise at XXX-XXX-XXXX.  This will really help in sending out the
newsletter.  Thanks in advance for your help.

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                           May Meeting

Meeting: Wednesday, 28 May at 7:30 pm in the Rotunda Room at the
Veterans Memorial Hall.

Speakers: Don Misumi and Alan Levy will give a cultural demo.  There
will be lots of good information and advice.  New members are
especially welcome!

Raffle: Donations for the raffle table will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Drinks:  Rita Newman and Beverly Clark

Food:  Janet Brown, Irene Nuss, and Mary Woloschinowisch

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                        Administrivia

The La Ballona Valley Bromeliad Society meets the fourth Wednesday of
each month, January through October, in the Rotunda Room at Veterans
Memorial Hall, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City.

Please send any items for the newsletter to (email address redacted)

Emmit Willis, President
Jim Jaeger, Vice-President
Don Misumi, Treasurer
Gloria Grover, Membership
Jean Yoshii, Newsletter (hopefully...)