The American Iris Society 
News & Notes
February 7 2016
In This Issue
SIGNA Seed Exchange
'Petit Lion' - 2009 Founders of SIGNA Medal
It's that time of year again; time to think about iris seeds.  And the Species Iris Group of North America (SIGNA) will be helping you.  Their annual Seed Exchange will be underway shortly.

While only members are eligible to purchase seeds, you can join as you make your purchase.  Current members should have the list in their mailboxes shortly and it will be available online as well.  The details about their seed exchange are here.  You will be able to order (and join) on this page  shortly.  Some seeds from previous years are still available, which anyone can order here.  Learn more about species of iris on the SIGNA website .

Who knows, you could be planting a future medal winner!  That's how 'Petit Lion' (shown above) came about.  Seeds from SIGNA!
 
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 Welcome to the 32nd regular issue of the AIS News & Notes.  Please let us know what you would like to see here.  And if you have notes you would like to add, or you would like to become a reporter, please let us know!  You can contact either Bob Pries or Wayne Messer with your comments or interest.
 
2016 Convention Early Registration Extended
'By Dawn's Early Light'
 
The $299 Registration Fee has been extended to February 29, 2016.  On March 1 the Registration Fee will go up to $310.  The Registration Form (still showing the old deadline) can be found here (PDF)

The 2016 Convention website has all the Convention details.  Among these are the Silent Auction, which is still accepting donations.  Details on donating for it are here.
See the 2016 Iris Shows

The first AIS iris shows are only about 2 months away.  You can see the list by date on this Iris Encyclopedia page.  They are also shown on this map to help you plan your travels.  Both will be updated as additional shows are approved.

And a couple of reminders about registering your shows: 

Remember to send your show schedules for approval to Lois Rose at least two months prior to your show date. Lois prefers to receive schedules via e-mail at lowy222@aol.com 
 as it speeds up the process and saves everyone a little in postage.  If you submit your show schedule via e-mail, please include a cover note with your "snail mail" address as Lois must send the official approval and show certificates back to you via U.S. Postal Service.

To avoid having to pay a "Rush Order" fee of $25, make sure to get your show supplies order to Susan Boyce no less than two weeks prior to show date.  The fee is optional, but Susan generally only ships once a week, and will not drop everything to get out a rush order unless the fee is paid.  Susan cannot accept supplies orders electronically as she is not set up to accept electronic payment. 

Call for Volunteers
 
If you are attending the 2016 AIS Convention in Newark, NJ please let us know if you can serve as a volunteer.  Al Elliott is the Volunteer Coordinator.  Please email him at aaelliott@grandecom.net to let him know you can help.

Thank you for your help.


Irises In Garden Design Magazine
 
Garden Design is a quarterly magazine focusing on gardens, design ideas, and plants.  The Spring 2016 issue shipping in February has an article on irises.  On the cover it proclaims IRISES ARE BACK: Reblooming, Fragrant, Patterned & More.  The topics in the preview for this issue include SPRING'S UNFORGETTABLES referring to bearded irises.

You can subscribe to Garden Design and receive a free copy of this issue by following this link.

17th Annual Geek Dinner and Auction
'Geek Party'
 
What a great way to have dinner for anyone! Have you heard how much fun the Geek Dinner and Auction are? Eat with geeks and non-geeks that have learned what a fun time everyone has. You don't have to be a computer person to attend ...just join a bunch of great iris folks for dinner. First, a reception style dinner and good conversation among iris friends and then, door prizes and an auction for more entertainment.

After having spent your day getting off the tour bus ...rushing around the garden trying not to miss anything ...then back on the bus to the next garden to repeat the same thing again ...there is no better way to wind down your day than a relaxed evening with friends at the Geek Dinner reviewing all those iris that are now on your "wish list."

First there is the reception style dinner meandering through all the food stations with all your friends and making new ones. If you happen to be a subscriber to one of the iris lists or electronic robins, you can meet other members and put faces to all those funny email names. Of course there is a great meal.

Then the real fun for the night... Sit down for the Geek Dinner Auction where you get to bid on new iris introductions, gift certificates from commercial iris growers, and iris themed items. The proceeds from the auction go directly into the American Iris Society Electronics Services fund that sponsors such things as the digital projector for slide shows, online AIS Bulletin archives, and other electronic services. Oh and of course some great doorprizes.

Now is the time to make plans for the, 17th annual Geek Dinner being held during the AIS 2016 Spring Convention. Meet new friends and catch up with old ones.

Reservations always fill up fast and unfortunately pre-registration is necessary. PLEASE RSVP with your check and email address to Joanne Prass-Jones as soon as possible.

COST: $35.00 (not included in convention registration fee)
DATE: Friday, May 27
TIME: 5:30pm - 8:00pm
LOCATION: Salons D & E

MENU:
Reception stations of Fruit & Cheese, Raw Vegetable Crudité with Dips , A Hot Pasta Station with Fusilli with Sundried Tomatoes, Mozzarella and a Gnocchi Bolognese., Chef selection of a Dessert item, Coffee Tea, Decafe and Soft beverages
To ensure your place you must RSVP to Joanne Prass-Jones and send her your check

Make check payable to: Joanne Prass-Jones
Mailing address: 35572 Linda Dr, Fremont, CA 94536
(Please include your email address on your check so that Joanne can acknowledge your reservation)
 
Also, if you have items to donate to the auction, please let John Jones know at: jijones@usjoneses.com as soon as possible so we can prepare the auction.
Finding Hybridizers by Location
'Elegant Answer'
 
The Iris Encyclopedia enables you to answer questions that would previously have been difficult or impossible.  As an example:  What hybridizers are/have been active near you?

The Iris Encyclopedia has a section covering hybridizers, scientists, and other irisarians.  You can use it to locate your answer.  It is just a matter of searching the hybridizers address.  To make it even easier, we have created a page with links for you to follow.  This page has links for searching by state or province name.  Or if you would like to search for a specific city or other country, go to the home page of the Bio Web on the Iris Encyclopedia.  Near the bottom of this page is a search box you can use to enter whatever term you would like to find (it is not limited to addresses).
 
The Bio Web is another part of the Iris Wiki where we can use your help.  It already has almost 3400 bios!  Many need more detail and there are others that should be added.  Just sign in (create an account if you do not already have one) and you can start adding details as well as other hybridizers or irisarians.  Here is an alphabetical list of hybridizers to help you find particular hybridizers,  If you have questions or need help, please let us know.
Winter Bulletin Is Available
 
The latest Irises Bulletin is available to Emembers now and also on its way to your post office.  See the 2015 Photo Contest winners, all about the 2016 Convention plans, and many other topics.  You can learn more about the issue in this World Of Irises posting.

Emembers can find it and other recent and older Bulletins by signing in here with your username and password.
SDB Jigsaw Puzzle
 
While waiting for the 2016 irises to show their heads - it will be a while - I've been reviewing some of last years.  The puzzle is from the  SDB 'Misty Mirage' which has increased nicely in 3 years.  As usual you can enjoy the standard difficulty puzzle or the harder difficulty puzzle which has twice as many pieces.  My apologies if these pull you away from the Super Bowl.
Become an Emember

 

If you are already a member, you might consider adding an American Iris Society Emembership.  This is a way for you to show additional support for AIS.  For just $15 a year, in addition to your regular membership charge, you have online access to Irises, including all the back issues of it and the AIS Bulletin, the Registration & Introductions database, and you help to support our online initiatives!  Find out more here.  And you will qualify for the AIS Voucher Program described in earlier issues.

The Emembers Login link can now be found in the Quick Links in the left column.  You will need your username and password which comes from the AIS Membership Secretary (aismemsec@irises.org).