The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt now wears the title of Museum. The Garden earns this status as a non-profit organization dedicated to the public display and education of the art of bonsai.  We are continuing to certify our museum status to enhance our goals and image in bonsai art. Now supporters, like you, can contribute to strengthening the museum field by participating in a special interest license plate program dedicated to museums.  Through Bill AB482, the California Cultural and Historical Endowment will be awarding  $3 million in grant awards over the next two years. This program will be sustained after this two-year period if 7,500 special interest license plates are purchased from the State.   Already 4,500 plates have been sold with an original drawing of Snoopy on the license plate.  But we want to reach the full endowment number of sales by the year’s end. When fully funded, museums in California are able to reap benefit in forms of grants for acquisitions and capital development of their facility.  These grants will be distributed through application from the museums following the published guidelines in 2015.  This is certainly an opportunity for individuals to enhance their license plate with a Snoopy drawing and contribute to helping museums, such as the Bonsai Garden, to develop faster through matching state funds.  The additional charge for personal plates is also tax deductible.  Go the site: to see your opportunity to help.  This is a win-win situation for you and museums.

Joe Byrd, Chairman, BGLM

The following comment is from a new volunteer who has been contributing his artwork to the Bonsai Garden. You will notice his poster about supporting the Garden the next time you visit us. He even created an icon of me that I plan on using here on a regular basis.