TSFA's TMF / TMFA Times

 

                            

 

 

Hello all and welcome to our newest TSFA newsletter for TMFs, TMFAs and future TMFs !!!

We hope you enjoy keeping up with what is going on,
seeing what you missed, and planning for future events...

To view our previous issues on line visit: 
http://alliedfloristsofhouston.org/TSFA-TMF-Newsletter.htm

 

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

"High School Certification Testing" - April 2 2006
TSFA Education Center - Austin, TX
Contact TSFA at (512) 834-0361 for more information.

 

"New Trends for Spring" - April 4 2006
Designer: Sharon McGukin AIFD PFCI
Sponsor: Smithers Oasis
Southern Floral Company - 8742 Shoal Creek, Austin TX 78758
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Open House
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Design Show
Admission is Free.
For more info. and to register contact Southern Floral at (512) 459-1343

 

"How to Compete Workshop" - a Hands-on Class
April 6 2006
Instructors: Patricia Gomez AIFD & Debbie Wright AAF TMFA
Southern Floral Company - 1313 West 20th Street, Houston TX 77008
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Designs made by participants will be evaluated and feedback will be given to enhance design skills.
Class will benefit all floral designers, not just those interested in competing.
Best of Show included in Southern's program later that evening.
Event is a Fundraiser for TSFA
Cost to participate $45 TSFA member / Non-member $85
For more info. and to register contact Susan Weatherford at (713) 880-1300,
Dianna Doss at (800) 375-0361, or Debbie Wright at (713) 944-4303

 

"New Trends for Spring" - April 6 2006
Designer:  Sharon McGukin AIFD PFCI
Sponsor:  Smithers Oasis
Southern Floral Company - 1313 West 20th Street, Houston TX 77008
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Shopping
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Design Show
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Shopping
Admission is Free.
For more info. and to register contact Susan Weatherford at (713) 880-1300

 

Allied Florists of Houston - April 11 2006
"Prom & Homecoming Flower Magic"
Designer: J Schwanke AAF AIFD PFCI
Sponsor: John Henry Company
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist - 2112 Leeland, Houston, TX 77003 (713) 223-0299
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Shopping/Networking
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM - Meeting/Program
Cost $15/reservations $17/door
For more reservations contact (281) 427-7454

 

"FFA Contest" - April 29, 2006
Texas A&M University - College Station
Scholarship opportunities and coffee hosted by Texas Floral Endowment (TFE) for high school teachers.
Contact TFE President Jim Johnson AAF, AIFD, TMFA at (979) 845-1699 for more information.

 

"More Than a Bouquet" - April 30 2006
Teleflora Central Texas Unit
Designer: Ralph Null AAF AIFD PFCI
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist - 2005 Wheless Lane, Austin TX (512) 928-0033
For more info. and to register contact Renee Dahl TMFA at (512) 291-0038

 

Allied Florists of Houston - May 16 2006
"Funeral Design Symposium"
Designers: Scott Hasty & Robbie Goodin
Sponsors: Bloomnet & W R Goodin
Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home - 6123 Garth Road, Baytown TX 77521
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Shopping/Networking
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM - Meeting/Program
For more reservations contact (281) 427-7454

 

"High School Certification Testing Retake" - June 3 2006
TSFA Education Center - Austin TX
Contact TSFA at (512) 834-0361 for more information.

 

TSFA Education on the Road - June 3 2006
"Permanent Botanicals with a Fresh Look" - Hands-on Workshop
Designer: j. Scott Hasty
Star Wholesale Florist -
Star Wholesale Florist - www.stardecorators.com
8223 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, 75247 - (214) 631-1300
9:30 AM - Noon.  Class size limited.
Cost $85/TSFA member - $100/Non-member
Contact TSFA at (512) 834-0361 for more info. and to register.

TSFA Education on the Road - June 4 2006
"Is it Permanent or Real?" - Design Program
Designer: j Scott Hasty
Star Wholesale Florist - www.stardecorators.com
8223 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, 75247 - (214) 631-1300
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Cost $15/TSFA member - $25/Non-member
Contact TSFA at (512) 834-0361 for more info. and to register.

 

Contemporary Flower Design Class - June 24 - 26 2006
Texas A&M Benz School of Floral Design
P.O. Box 9099 , College Station, TX 77842 (979) 845-1699
Visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/benz/contemporary.html or email a-boney@tamu.edu to register.

Texas Certified Florist Retreat - July 9 - 14
Benz School of Floral Design - A&M University
Instructors: Jim Johnson AAF AIFD TMFA & Jack Cross AAF TMFA
All required TMF classes provided. Exam to be held on Saturday July 15
Contact TSFA at (512) 834-0361 to register

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT ....

TSFA Texas Cup Preliminary Competition  - Austin Texas

Chair: J Scott Hasty - j scott's AFLORIST - Orange TX

Commentator: Carol Bice AAF AIFD

Judges :

SHARON ALLEN AIFD TMF
Susan Tate AIFD
DEBBIE WRIGHT AAF TMFA

Finalists :

JULIE BECK TMFA
Diane Castillo - Alamo Plants & Petals - San Antonio
Earlene McCauley - GEM Design - Hitchcock
Coby Neal - The Flower Studio - Austin
Beth O'Reilly - The Flower Studio - Austin

Finalists with TSFA President Jimmy Klepac, Jr. & Texas Cup Chair J. Scott Hasty

 

Also Competing :

Benoit Ballon - King Florist - Austin
Arthur Chung - Darryl Murchison Designs - Houston
NORA CISNEROS TMF - Flowers of Kingwood - Porter
Dana Humberson - The Flower Shop - Katy
JODI PRUITT TMF, Jodi's Floral - Eastland
REY RODRIGUEZ TMF - Virginia Twin Market - Pleasanton
GINA MARIE SANCHEZ TMFA - Central Market - San Antonio
MARY SAVALA TMF - Channelview
Andrea Sessums - Austin Community College

Cheering on the competitors :

Tom Crow, Susie Ramos AAF TMF, Sheri White AAF TMFA, Rudy Rutledge AAF TMFA, Dianna Doss AAF

~~~ Flowers/Product donated for the competition by Southern Floral Company / Austin ~~~

TELEFLORA Spring Design Show
United Wholesale - Longview TX

SAF Congressional Action Days - March 20 - 21 2006

The Texas Delegation

AIFD Diagnostic Evaluation Workshop
AIFD Across America 
March 4th & 5th, 2006 - Austin, TX

Kudos to Pat Shirley-Becker AIFD TMFA, the AIFD South Central Regional Chapter,
& Greenleaf Wholesale Florist for one of the most educational weekends I have ever experienced.
This weekend was so fabulous a special newsletter was sent and it was put online so all who missed it could enjoy it.

http://alliedfloristsofhouston.org/texasmasterflorists/tsfatimesmar2006.html

Fundamental Floral Design Classes - Basics, Funeral & Wedding
March 25 & 26
Greenleaf Wholesale Florist
Instructor: Pat Shirley-Becker AIFD TMFA

Assisting with class:  Renee Carpenter TMFA, Debbie Gordy AAF TMFA, & Judy Rutledge AAF TMFA

* ACCOLADES *** KUDOS **** CONGRATULATIONS *** WAY TO GO ***

Kathi Thomas AIFD PFCI TMF PBC

Kathi is running for the Texas State Senate, SD 25, serving South Austin,
all of Hays, Comal, Guadalupe & Kendall Counties and Northern Bexar County.
She is the Democratic nominee and will be on the ballot in the Nov. 7 election.

While one can only vote for Kathi if they live in her district,
anyone can send her a personal donation (no corporate donations!)
Her web site is www.KathiThomas.org .

GOOD LUCK KATHI !!!

Renee Carpenter TMFA

In the Dec. 21st issue of SAF's E-Brief editors asked readers to share New Year's resolutions for their businesses:
Always shamelessly plugging herself and her pet projects, Renee was quoted in their Jan. 5th E-Brief as follows:

"My New Year's resolution is to become more active in my state organization, Texas State Florists Association
In doing so, I reap benefits for my shop, my industry, and myself. Continuing education and networking is critical
to be successful in this industry. I'm looking forward to expanding my horizons outside my shop while building
personal relationships with others in my field."

TSFA's Dianna Doss

A sign outside of an Austin veterinary hospital that read
"Poinsettias are poisonous to pets"
wasn't up for more than a day thanks to
Dianna Doss AAF, executive director of the Texas State Florists' Association

Armed with research posted at SAF's consumer web site,
www.aboutflowers.com
Dianna contacted the hospital to explain that the sign could cause undue
alarm among concerned pet owners. That's when the vet removed the sign.
"When you have the facts, and you just present the facts in a way people understand them,
they don't have any other choice but to do the right thing," Doss says.

Thanks Dianna, for looking out for all of us !!!
(Story courtesy of SAF's Dec. 7th E-Brief)

Sheri White AAF TMFA

Allied Florists of Houston's President, Sheri White AAF TMFA was recently interviewed on National Public Radio
discussing the importance of floral tributes during the grieving process. AFH has launched a grassroots effort
"It All Begins with You" to reduce/eliminate the phrase "In Lieu of Flowers"
in obituaries when requests for charitable contributions are made.

For more info. on this topic visit - www.alliedfloristsofhouston.org/public_relations.htm

(Story also covered in SAF's Floral Management magazine, Dec. 2005)

Congratulations to the Teleflora Lone Star Unit for winning the National Benevolent Award !!!
(Teleflora's Tom Butler, Unit President Pam Hightower TMF & Regional Unit President Debbie Gordy AAF TMFA)

Debbie Woltmann TMFA taught two classes for TSFA on January 6th
for the AgScience High School teachers during their Mid-Winter conference.

Want to see your shop mentioned in a national forum? Are you interested in a little free publicity?
Contact SAF's Jenny Stromann at (800) 336-4743; jstromann@safnow.org or fax articles to (703) 836-8705.
SAF is always interested in receiving information regarding the floral industry.

TELEFLORA will also include items on their web site newsletter. Send information to newsletter@teleflora.com

SERVING OUR INDUSTRY

It is amazing how many TMFs & TMFAs are volunteering their time to improve the floral industry. 
We encourage all to get involved.  It's hard work, but well worth the effort!

Pamela Hightower TMF  - Lone Star Unit President
Renee Dahl TMFA - Central Texas Unit President
Sandy Blanco TMF - New Mexico West Texas Unit President
Debbie Gordy AAF TMFA - Regional Unit Director

NOTE:  TELEFLORA Scholarships are still available. Contact your Unit President for more information.

Teleflora's 2006 Education Center Schedule
TELEFLORA Education Center - Oklahoma City OK
For more info. call (800) 456-7890

TMF/TMFA SURVEY .... How do you promote your TMF accreditation?

"Do you have TMF/TMFA and TSFA in your FTD and/or TF listing?  I always look for initials and associations when wiring out orders.  I would rather trust my orders to someone who pursues continuing education and the advancement of our industry. Don't forget to promote it on your web site as well!" - Renee Carpenter TMFA

"So much has happened in our industry since our formation of TMF.  I have always added the TMF certification credentials to my name with pride and enjoy letting people know that I was among the first members of TSFA to work for this honor.  I feel the vision of the founders of TMF has gone beyond the expectations of their dreams.  TMF allows a great opportunity for education and development of people to be able to advance their talent as an artist and business person." - Howard C. Eckhart, CSEP, TMF

"I promote my TMFA certification on all correspondence, business cards, telephone yellow pages, and my personal printed business stationery." - Pat Shirley-Becker AIFD TMFA

Robbie Wooldridge TMF shares his TMF experiences with his students at Caddo Mills High School and encourages them to seek accreditation as well.

Survey for the next issue... How many TSFA conventions have you attended? Why do you attend?

Send an email to mcflorist@flash.net and you just might be featured in our next issue !!!

The Texas Floral Endowment is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships
and promotes consumer awareness benefiting the floral industry.

Scholarship applications for the 2006 TSFA Convention are available now !!!
Visit http://tsfa.org or call TSFA (800) 375-0361 for more information.

93rd Annual Convention & Trade Show
"A Floral Fiesta...Alamo City Style"
July 20-24, 2006
San Antonio, Texas

It's never too early to volunteer your time and talent !!!

Contacts:
Convention Chair - Jack Cross AAF TMFA jack@apflorist.com (210) 734-5166
Design Symposium Chair - Gina Waters AAF TMFA flowerfrst@aol.com (210) 822-6766
 TSFA - Dianna Doss AAFddoss@tsfa.org or (800) 375-0361

We hope you enjoyed our newsletter !!!

To view our previous issues on line visit: 
http://alliedfloristsofhouston.org/TSFA-TMF-Newsletter.htm

We'd love to include you in our next issue - send us the following:

• accolades/TMFs in the news
• shows/programs/competitions
• career accomplishments
• job opportunities
• survey responses
• photos

Send information, comments or suggestions for our next issue to Renee Carpenter TMFA mcflorist@flash.net

Education Committee Co-Chairs :
Debbie Gordy AAF TMFA - Compton's Florist - La Porte TX - ddgordy@aol.com
Judy Rutledge AAF TMFA - Loki Flower Garden - Houston TX - lokiflorist@ev1.net

Education Committee Members :
Carrie Beamer, AIFD TMFA - Always & Forever Florist - Austin TX - carrie@alwaysforeverflorist.com
Renee Carpenter TMFA - Memorial City Florist - Houston TX - mcflorist@flash.net
Renee Dahl, TMFA - A Bed of Roses - Austin TX - bedofroses@austin.rr.com
Ed Fimbel TMFA - Sugar Land TX - edfimbel@houston.rr.com
Pam Fuller, TMFA - Bloomer's Flower Shop - Harlingen TX - pamalou2354@aol.com
Gregg Hoppe, AIFD, TMF - McShan's Florist - Dallas TX - hopp@ev1.net
Jim Johnson, AAF AIFD TMFA - Texas A&M University - College Station TX - jl-johnson@tamu.edu
Kaywin Kubesch TMF - Rhinestone Angel - La Grange TX - kaywin02@hotmail.com
Cecilia Manouel AIFD TMF - Central Market - Plano TX - ceciliaaifdtx@yahoo.com
Pat Shirley-Becker, AIFD TMFA - Northwest Hills Florist;(Davenport) - Austin TX - Patshirleyb@aol.com
Gina Waters, AAF TMFA - The Flower Forrest - San Antonio TX - flowerfrst@aol.com
Debbie Woltmann, TMFA - Brenham Floral - Brenham TX - debbie@flowersabound.com
Robbie Wooldridge, TMF - Caddo Mills High School - Caddo Mills TX - rlwooldridge@yahoo.com
Debbie Wright, AAF TMFA - Enchanted Florist - Pasadena TX - enchantedflwrs@aol.com

If you would like to be notified when a new issue of the newsletter is available send a message to mcflorist@flash.net to join our mailing list.