At the last board meeting, Bob Albanese asked if he could get the newsletter forwarded to his E-mail. Since I convert the newsletter to HTML and forward it to the webmaster for the FCBS to be placed on our website, I could e-mail it to members very easily. This would save postage and printing costs, which amount to 57 cents a month now or $6.84 a year. Beside saving money the newsletter would arrive quicker. I will try this and see if it works like it should for Bob this month, and if it does, we will have a list at the meeting to let people sign up for this option. We realize that not everyone has a computer and online, so this would not be an option for them. But if you have a working e-mail address and would like to give it a try, be ready to sign up at the meeting.

Bromeliad Blast Sunday

Sunken Gardens is hosting it's 1st annual Bromeliad Blast Sunday September 29th from 10:00 - 4:00.

Dave Johnston, Mike O'leary and Gyula Nemeth will have over 1000 bromeliads on sale. Wide selection of species and hybrids including Tillandsias from Tropiflora and Guzmanias and Vrieseas from Hill's Rain Green Tropicals.

Sunken Gardens is located at 1825 4th Street N. St Petersburg. Phone #551-3100. Take 22nd Avenue North off I-275. Go east on 22nd Ave N. to 4th Street. Go South on 4th Street about 1 block on East hand side.

Admission to Gardens is $7.00 although September is 2 for 1 so bring a friend.

Please remember to bring extra plants for the raffle table

The raffle table helps to add funds to the treasury to pay for the room and the speakers that we enjoy each month. Sharing those extra bromeliads with the raffle table will help. Please make sure that they are clean and labeled.

Special FALL FESTIVAL OPEN HOUSE AND SALE at Tropiflora

Live Music by Caribbean Cool, featuring Steel Drum and Calypso Music.

A money-saving coupon for plant purchases can be downloaded from the internet at the Tropiflora website. Something for everyone, all day, everyday! There will be Free refreshments, and hourly door prizes. Also raffles hourly to benefit the Bromeliad Identification Center at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Plenty of free parking.

Florida's best barbecue restaurant will be on hand each day. In addition, a Special Luau will be held Saturday evening, October 5 at 7PM.

-$35/person or $50/couple.

- Authentic Hawaiian food cooked by David Shiigi and Dennis Cathcart.

- Food, open bar and music.

- Presentations by David Shiigi and John Arden.

- Rare plant Auction

- Under cover

Everyone's invited. Please RSVP to Tropiflora @ 1-941-351-2267

Special Guest Vendors

David Shiigi Extraordinary grower and chef from Hawaii will be here with his beautiful bromeliads.

Plantio La Orquidea nursery from Venezuela will have an amazing array or orchids, Grant Groves from Color Zone Tropicals and many more outstanding dealers. Choose from Heliconias and Gingers, Hibiscus, Crotons, Bonsai, Fruit and Nut Trees, Ferns and much more.

Artists and craftsmen will be on hand with prints, paintings, t-shirts, yard art, pottery and other objects d'art.

Seminars

Brush up on your grow-how! Get the latest growing tips from our professional growers and guest vendors. Hourly seminars, sure to be fun, entertaining and educational on growing and using all kinds of exotic plants.

Mark your calendars! Don't miss this event that is sure to be memorable and fun. Bring a friend, and spend the day!

NOTE: Tropiflora will be closed Thursday, October 3rd, for preparation.

Tropiflora Nursery is at 3530 Tallevast Road, Sarasota, FL 34243. Maps are available at their website http://www.tropiflora.com

Tropiflora is soliciting paid volunteers for any or all three days of the sale. Those interested may call Linda Cathcart 1-941-351-2267 for details. I am not sure what a paid volunteer is as it sounds like an oxymoron to me. But they need lots of help with this sale, moving things around, working the sales tables and with the other booths that are located all over the nursery. There are lots of jobs to do and I am sure that Linda can find a place for everyone. Sounds like a fun time to me.