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This 60-minute video-- part of The Royal Horticultural Society Practical Guide series-- captures the excitement and wonder of creating these beautiful living sculptures for yourself...for beginners to the more experienced. Three internationally acknowledged British bonsai artists (Dan Barton, Colin Lewis, and Harry Tomlinson) demonstrate the design, care and display of bonsai. They will show you what to do, when to do it and how to do it! Packed with beautiful examples of bonsai-- and plenty of inspirational tips--this video is worth seeing. We hope you can join us. ______________________________________________________________

Meeting Dates for 2001

To join or renew your membership, send your dues to: Pittsburgh BONSAI Society c/o Michael Matic, Treasurer, 3264 Langfitt Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

Pittsburgh BONSAI Society Membership Application

Please make checks payable to: Pittsburgh BONSAI Society

Name:_______________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________

City and State:_______________________________ Zip:______________

Phone: Home______________________Work_______________________

Individual $18.00 _____ *New Member _____

Family $32.00 _____ Renewing Member _____

*How did you hear about us?______________________________________

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From Bob Grealish: Japan 2000 CDROM

From Ralph Dukstein: Congress Approves Plant Protection Act

Congress has passed the Plant Protection Act (PPA) which gives the USDA the power to impose tougher civil penalties against people caught smuggling agricultural products that may contain pests or diseases into the U.S.

Individuals who violate the PPA can be fined up to $50,000 while businesses can be fined up to $250,000. A fine of up to $1,000 can be imposed upon first-time offenders determined to be carrying prohibited agricultural products through ports of entry not for commercial gain. American Nurseryman, January 2001 Issue.

Bonsai Reference Material is available to you at every monthly meeting. Members, old and new, please take advantage of this opportunity to use valuable resources that are included with your membership!

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Ross Ramsey folds,tapes, labels and stamps 135 newsletters each month. Thanks Ross, and keep up the good work! (please)

David McConaha joined in November 2000. "I've dabbled in bonsai for over 20 years, but only seriously for 8 to 10 years. I have about 12 trees but the mungo pine is my favorite--I love the knarled trunk."

Evelyn Christie joined in 1986. " We attended the Spring Bonsai Show and I joined up. I instantly became very interested in bonsai--it got under my skin--it's really like a disease! I have about 85 potted trees and still others that haven't been potted. My favorite tree is the chamaecytaris obtusa (Hinoki Cypress)." (Editor's note: Evelyn is also the owner of Mizuki Bonsai Supplies)

The year closes in rain and lack of light. We are house-bound, or plunge about in grey mud. It is almost impossible to avoid feeling depressed, and we are tempted to rebel. But we grow reconciled to this bored, bound-in feeling, as we realize that escape from it would deaden the contrasts of the year. May stands out brighter and more desirable against a background of December. It is possible that we need a period of gloom in the same way that the darkness below the earth is necessary for the growth of seed and bulb...The year tastes best to those who do not fear the bite of the wind or the drench of the rain.

Leighton, Clare, Four Hedges--A Gardener's Chronicle, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1935