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American Bonsai Association, Sacramento
To promote interest in the growing, training, showing and care of bonsai
LOCAL BONSAI LIASONS
New members are encouraged to use this club benefit by contacting the liason near you.
(Contact information provided in new member's welcome letter.)
If you are unsure which neighborhood you fall into, this list by ZIP code may help!
Your liason can help you with a tree, its care and placement in your yard, repotting, and accessing other bonsai resources.
North Natomas/Elverta/Rio Linda/Woodand/
Antelope/Roseville/North Highlands/Plumas Lake
Paul Newman
Downtown/Midtown/East Sac/Land Park + South Land Park/Curtis Park
Debbie Ballanti
Arden Arcade/Carmichael/Foothill Farms
Ed Slomovic
Fair Oaks/Orangevale/Citrus Heights/
Folsom/El Dorado Hills/Cameron Park/Placerville
Bill Burns
Years in Bonsai: "I started Bonsai in 2001 and have been in ABAS and Sacramento Bonsai ever since. I studied under Kathy Shaner for 19 years and also Ted Matson and currently take classes from Peter Tea and Roger Steel. For the last year and half I have been assisting Roger in his Chop-in and Dig-in classes. I usually give the demo on thread grafting and air layering."
Favorite species: "Fruiting and flowering plants with the exception of Azaleas which I do not own or work on.
What you enjoy about Bonsai: "I enjoy growing trees in my growing beds to get the thicker and bigger trunks. I really have a good eye for finding good pots and have many from quite a few potters from around the world. I have made many mistakes and killed trees in the past and probably will again. I enjoy helping others and if I do not know what or how to do something I can find someone in the club who can."
Rancho Cordova/Mather/College Glen/Tahoe Park/Oak Park/
Rosemont/Fruitridge Manor
Timm Johnson
South Natomas/Del Paso Heights/Woodlake/Pocket
Clarksburg/West Sac/Davis/All Distant Areas
Renee Seely
"Bonsai has been my passion for approximately 20 years. My experience comes from many sources. In the beginning it was my own “trial and error”, which was not working out very well. In 2008 I joined ABAS and in 2009 began studying with Kathy Shaner, a Japanese trained bonsai professional. Things started getting much better! The real meaning of bonsai started to come into focus. Every chance I had I would take workshops from visiting bonsai professionals. In addition, attending conventions and local club bonsai shows added to my growing knowledge of this esoteric art form. In 2013 I began studying with Peter Tea who had just returned from Japan. This was the turning point at which I really grasped the true meaning of bonsai. Although not an expert, I have learned a lot and love sharing what I have learned."
Elk Grove/Franklin/Laguna/Rancho Murietta/Wilton/Clay/Galt
Mark Mendenhall
Years in Bonsai: "I've lived in Elk Grove since 1984 and began my Bonsai experience in
1999. At the advice of my mentor at the time, I joined ABAS. That was a good move. The club
provides a host of learning opportunities, both detailed specific techniques and general activities
& information like repotting, styling, pot selection, soil mixes, fertilizing and the like.
We also have annual activities visiting member’s gardens, trips to view collections and bonsai nurseries and a ‘Show and Learn’ at all meetings to expose everyone to different tree varieties and experiences. There are a variety of purchase opportunities to move your collection along. I
maintain 30-40 plants in bonsai containers in various stages of development. I consider myself a
hobbyist and an active member of ABAS."
Rocklin/Loomis/Granite Bay/Lincoln/Auburn/Colfax/Penryn
Lucy Sakaishi-Judd
Years in Bonsai: I've been involved with bonsai since 1990 and have traveled to many places for conventions and meeting instructors from around the world. My husband Gary Judd and I hosted several instructors in our home/workshop.
Favorite Species: I have worked with several species, "certified" in particularly satsuki azaleas through the El Dorado Bonsai School instructor by Gondo of Japan. As far as my "favorite", I'd have to say they come and go with the seasons.
Favorite thing about ABAS: I admire the leadership in ABAS!
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