Santa Anita Bonsai Society hosts Bill Ward Feb 14 7pm LA Arboretum

Santa Anita Bonsai Society has scheduled an evening program in the LA Arboretum Palm Room that will bring a well-known figure in bonsai sourcing to the local community. The club’s February newsletter, posted Feb. 2 by Lorraine Miles, lists the next meeting as Feb. 14 at 7:00 pm and names Bill Ward as the guest.

The newsletter reads in part: "Next Meeting Feb 14, 2026 7pm LA Arboretum - Palm Room Our guest will be Bill Ward. Bill is known far and wide for his ability to find affordable bonsai material at", the sentence in the notice is truncated. The fragment underscores what many members expect: practical, hands-on conversation about finding material, a vital skill for growers working on budgets or hunting field-collected candidates.

Santa Anita’s meeting is a timely opportunity for members to trade sourcing tips, compare approaches to nebari and trunk work, and test styling ideas amid peers. For collectors who focus on thrift-friendly material or who scout nurseries and field sites, hearing from someone described in the newsletter as adept at finding affordable material can sharpen scouting strategies and broaden sourcing networks.

The club’s placement of the meeting at the LA Arboretum Palm Room keeps the session accessible to Los Angeles-area growers and places it in a familiar, plant-focused setting. The newsletter item is credited to Lorraine Miles under the heading "2026 February Update" in the club’s Monthly Update and Bonsai Notebook lineup, and the club’s broader identity is reflected in the Sabonsai line: "A community dedicated to the study and appreciation of the ancient art of Bonsai."

For context, other regional societies run complementary offerings such as regular program/workshops, beginner help sessions, and exhibit schedules throughout the year. The Bonsai Society of Greater Kansas City, for example, lists program/workshop dates, beginner help hours, and exhibit logistics in its calendar; those practices illustrate the range of services clubs commonly provide to support members at every stage.

What comes next: plan to attend Feb. 14 at 7:00 pm if you want direct access to Bill Ward and a community exchange about sourcing and material selection. Check the Santa Anita newsletter or club leadership for any last-minute changes and for further details on the evening’s format.