Our annual display at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show will be assembled on Tuesday, March 17 and on display from March 18-22. The display is our best opportunity to promote the art of bonsai and the BSSF to the community. Over the course of five days, we will display our trees for literally thousands of people from many backgrounds. Many of the show attendees anticipate our display and demonstrations, but many find our display as a pleasant surprise.

This year, BSSF will have an expanded display area with 100+ trees. Our display with be in the Fiesta Hall of the San Mateo Event Center.

We need volunteers to provide security, information, demonstrations, and of course… muscle. Please contact Eric Schrader (eric(at)phutu(dot)com or (415)786-1349), for opportunities to volunteer. Currently, we are seeking members to perform demonstrations and provide security (especially on the weekdays). Do not be shy about giving demonstrations! Even our beginner members understand the basics of bonsai techniques and can provide valuable information to show-goers. They need not be a giant production. Just bring a couple trees to work on and talk to the show-goers about what you are doing. Easy!

The show is open March 18-22 and the hours are 9AM-8PM Wed. - Sat. and 9AM - 5PM on Sunday. Shifts are 3-4 hour blocks of time within those days. Try to volunteer for two or more consecutive shifts. The club will pay for your entry to the Flower and Garden show. Parking passes may be provided if you plan to work the entire week, or require special assistance. Otherwise, the parking fee is $10/day.

Please wear your BSSF name tag, shirt, hapi coat, etc. to the display. If you do not have a name tag, please contact Robert Smith rwsmithtbn(at)earthlink(dot)net or call (650)726-1713.

TREES!!! The BSSF show is all about displaying trees at various stages of development. Therefore, we encourage all members to submit at least one tree to the show. If you want to show more than one tree, bring it to the setup. If space exists for your tree or Eric is searching for a particular style/species to complement an arrangement, your additional tree may be selected. Do not forget your stand! If you have extra stands, please bring them to the show for those who need one. Accent plantings are also needed. If you are submitting a tree for the show, please email/call Joe Nersveen (joe(at)nersveen(dot)com, or (415)252-1555) with the following information: owner, tree common name, Latin name, age/years in training, size, style, and direction of flow (left, neutral, right).

SETUP: Set up will be March 17, 3PM-7PM. Travel time to the show will not be as convenient this year. Try to get your trees to the show as soon as possible on March 17. We will be setting up the show throughout the evening. Passes will be handed out during setup and the March meeting for the show shifts. If you cannot drive your tree(s) the center, please make arrangements for their transportation to and from the show. Bernard Marque (415-254-2985) and John Edwards (415-621-0935) have space available for extra trees.

The San Mateo Event Center is located at 2495 South Delaware Street in San Mateo. To get there, make your way to highway 92 and take the Delaware St. exit South. The Event Center is located (0.6 miles) on South Delaware St. On move/in and move/out days, you should turn on Saratoga Dr. at the north boundary of the event center. Follow Saratoga Dr. around to the back side of the facility to the SARATOGA ENTRANCE. You will then cross the parking lot to GATE DD and park just inside the gate along FIESTA HALL. (Map is included in this issue. Online viewers click here for a detailed map http://www.bssf.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/eventcenter.pdf )Our display is in the SOUTHWEST CORNER of the FIESTA HALL.

BREAKDOWN: Just as important as setting up the show, we must remove all of our trees and material at 5PM on Sunday. Please arrange to pick up your tree or have someone take it for you. Please do not orphan your trees.
In the coming days please contact Eric about your show trees. Also, please remember to bring extra stands, accent plantings, and other display material. To guarantee the return of your belongings, please do not forget to write your name on each item.

Tag: Exhibit