James Wright" Celebration of Life"

[Mr Rare]

To all Concerned:

We just confirmed the date of the Celebration of Life for Saturday September 26^th at the San Diego Botanic Garden (“SDBG”).

The celebration will commence promptly at 9 AM and run till approx. 11 AM . we will need to be out of the event venue by noon as there will be a wedding setting up after we finish.

Those that want to socialize or enjoy the garden can stay as long as they like outside the celebration venue.

I am not an event planner nor do I intend to become one so I really need everyone’s help to make this a truly memorable celebration for Jim.

Some of the aspects for consideration are as follows:

1. We will need an Officiant for the Celebration.

2. A Guest Booklet should be purchased so all attendees can sign in and leave their contact info and messages to the family.

3. Name Tags should be purchased so all attendees can be identified easily.

4. A Memorial Booklet will need to be prepared with the Celebrations itinerary as well as pictures of Jim and sayings that he liked. Jims daughter Stacy is heading up this task.

5. We will want several speakers who were very close to Jim and want to share some good history, positive uplifting stories, etc. The SDBG will provide the PA.

6. We will want a few Memory Tables with lots of photos, personal effects, special plants ,etc. The SDBG will provide the tables.

7. The Celebration should have music and we will need someone to select songs that meant allot to Jim and are appropriate to be played at different times during the Celebration. Unless we know any musicians that would like to play at different times we will need the music recorded and composed in the order we want it played. The devise and format for playback will need to be coordinated with the SDBG.

8. We would like to have a ceremonial planting of a palm and perhaps some of Jims other favorite plants. The location and plant selection will need to be coordinated with the SDBG.

9. We would like a bench dedication with a plaque acknowledging Jim and Lise Wright. The type of bench ,location in the garden and plaque will need to be coordinated with the SDBG.

10. Some have suggested having a few tables were we could make available plants of the many genus and species Jim loved and propagated. These could be made available on a donation basis with the monies raised used to offset the costs of the Celebration.

11. Card stock could be purchased and handed out with the Memorial Booklet to allow Guests to write Farewell Messages to be given the family.

12. One of the things I have seen done is a Butterfly Release. This might be a nice touch and clearly appropriate given Jims love of nature.

13. Refreshments – Liquid refreshments and perhaps some sweets could be offered upon arrival and at the end of the Celebration.

The list above is by no way set in stone or all inclusive.

We are completely open to allm ideas and really need several of you to step up and volunteer to help run with any of the items above.

We need some approx. head counts from each organization so we can establish a magnitude of Guests . The SDBG will we providing the chairs, tables,PA ,etc.

It is undetermined what the total costs will be and we will be looking for contributions from all those that would like to do so.

Jeffry Brusseau

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Wonderful Idea Jeff ! Wish i was able to come over and help /participate !

[Kim]

Jeff,

I'll be happy to purchase a guest book and name tags (#2 and #3) as well as pens. I have a cooler I can bring with some chilled waters (#13) or other (suggestions?)

[akamu]

Jeff my wife Kathy and I would like to donate an Orchid that Jim grew and gave to us to be planted in his honor. We can also bring some home made cookies that Kathy had made for Jim that he really enjoyed. I also have some nice Hawaiian Slack key guitar music on cd that is very peaceful we could bring if that is appropriate. If someone has a good cd player that would be helpful.

[Mr Rare]

Thanks for your offers to help.

I will post an update of what is covered and what is still needed. It would be most helpful if we could get an estimate of how many palm society IPS and PSSC members plan to attend.

Thanks

[Mr Rare]

 To all those on PalmTalk that knew Jim and want to come to his Celebration of Life.

Please log on to the website set up by the SDCOS and confirm your attendance and or desire to help with the event.

We need a head count.

Thanks!

 

To All Concerned:

I wanted to follow up with an update on the upcoming Celebration of Life for Jim Wright.

For ease of following I will continue with the format of my 8-21-15 post and update each item in Black. Items which require no further action are marked as Complete . All items requiring additional work are marked , Continue.

 

We just confirmed the date of the Celebration of Life for Saturday September 26^th at the San Diego Botanic Garden (“SDBG”). Complete

The celebration will commence promptly at 9 AM and run till approx. 11 AM . we will need to be out of the event venue by noon as there will be a wedding setting up after we finish. We will need several volunteers to arrive approx.. 8 am to help with setup of the event including but not limited to the following: Set up of memory tables, Plant display, drink coolers for water and soda, desserts/snacks, etc. Continue

Those that want to socialize or enjoy the garden can stay as long as they like outside the celebration venue. Confirmed, Complete

 

I am not an event planner nor do I intend to become one so I really need everyone’s help to make this a truly memorable celebration for Jim. The Orchid Society has really been great as have several others. Ivan Allen is the lead party at the SDCOS and he has provided the following.

     The San Diego County Orchid Society (SDCOS) has found it convenient to setup a Volunteer Website to get a count of how many will attend an event, the job they will perform at the event - if any- and a quick way to communicate with these people (they log onto the website with their e-mail address).  I have setup a Volunteer Website, for Jim's  celebration at "www.volunteersignup.org/FHYCB". 

 The website can be modified once jobs are defined - Ushers, bring food, serve food, setup tables, setup chairs, speak at the event, whatever.  

     If you look at the website, you will see that 9 people have signed up, for a total of 12 people.  All are listed as "Attendees".  Again, this will be changed when jobs are defined.  Also, Scott Labouff has 14 additional people that replied directly to him.  I will integrate these people after jobs have been defined.

    This website works for people with computers, they just log on and register.  For people who do not have computers, they just call me at 760-533-4975, and I add them to the list.

 

I would like to ask that all parties utilize the Volunteer Website above to confirm attendance and job duties. If you have further questions please contact Ivan or myself.

 

Some of the aspects for consideration are as follows:

1. We will need an Officiant for the Celebration. I will act as the Officiant. Complete

    

2. A Guest Booklet should be purchased so all attendees can sign in and leave their contact info and messages to the family. Stacy Wright has purchased and will bring to the event. Complete

    

3. Name Tags should be purchased so all attendees can be identified easily. Stacy Wright has purchased and will bring to the event. Complete

    

4. A Memorial Booklet will need to be prepared with the Celebrations itinerary as well as pictures of Jim and sayings that he liked. Jims daughter Stacy is heading up this task. Stacy Wright has purchased and will bring to the event. The format may want to be updated to reflect the event activities. Continue

    

5. We will want several speakers who were very close to Jim and want to share some good history, positive uplifting stories, etc. The SDBG will provide the PA. We currently have six speakers as follows, Jeff Brusseau- Palm Society of Southern California (“PSSC”), International Palm Society ,(“IPS”) and friend, Horace Hobbs- IPS and friend, Peter Tobias- Orchid Conservation alliance and friend, Krista Mills – friend, Scott Labouff- San Diego County Orchid Society (“SDCOS”)and friend, Tom Biggart- SDCOS and friend. Please confirm with me the amount of time you estimate to speak so we can schedule appropriately. Continue

    

6. We will want a  few Memory Tables with lots of photos, personal effects, special plants ,etc. The SDBG will provide the tables. I am hopeful these tables can be set up by the SDCOS volunteers with help with the personal effects to be provided by Stacy Wright and Pattie Byrd. Continue, 

    

7. The Celebration should have music and we will need someone to select songs that meant allot to Jim and are appropriate to be played at different times during the Celebration. Unless we know any musicians that would like to play at different times we will need the music recorded and composed in the order we want it played. The devise and format for playback will need to be coordinated with the SDBG. This is an open item and needs to be addressed. Phil Bergman is trying to arrange some musicians ,But I believe we should have recorded music lasting approximately from 8:45 am till noon. Who can handle this and coordinate the mode of playback with SDBG? Continue

    

8. We would like to have a ceremonial planting of a palm and perhaps some of Jims other favorite plants. The location and plant selection will need to be coordinated with the SDBG. Phil Bergman is confirming a location as well as what plants can be planted. We will need people to donate the plants approved for planting. Continue

    

9. We would like a bench dedication with a plaque acknowledging Jim and Lise Wright. The type of bench ,location in the garden and plaque will need to be coordinated with the SDBG. Phil confirmed the cost for the bench with SDBG at $15,000. In light of the significant cost this is not something that we are able to pursue. Complete

    

10. Some have suggested having a few tables were we could make available plants of the many genus and species Jim loved and propagated. These could be made available on a donation basis with the monies raised used to offset the costs of the Celebration. I have received mixed responses privately from a few on this aspect. Unless the SDCOS wants to bring and sell/give away some of the orchids Jim gave to them I believe we should eliminate this idea from the celebration. Continue

     

11. Card stock could be purchased and handed out with the Memorial Booklet to allow Guests to write Farewell Messages to be given the family. Stacy Wright has purchased and will bring to the event. Complete

     

12. One of the things I have seen done is a Butterfly Release. This might be a nice touch and clearly appropriate given Jims love of nature. I have investigated this and the cost is estimated at $ 350. I believe we can cover this cost from volunteer donations. Continue

     

13. Refreshments – Liquid refreshments and perhaps some sweets could be offered upon arrival and at the end of the Celebration. I am hopeful this aspect can be provided by the SDCOS as well as suggesting attendees bring a dessert/snack of their choice. Continue

     

14. Open Mike- A member of the SDCOS has suggested an open mike time when a volunteer will walk the mike around and allow those in attendance who want to say a few words about Jim an opportunity to do so.Continue

 

The list above is by no way set in stone or all inclusive. No other suggestions were offered, Complete

We are completely open to all ideas and really need several of you to step up and volunteer to help run with any of the items above.

We need some approx. head counts from each organization so we can establish a magnitude of Guests . The SDBG will we providing the chairs, tables, PA ,etc. Still need head counts, Continue

It is undetermined what the total costs will be and we will be looking for contributions from all those that would like to do so. At this point the only known costs that are not covered by the family or other individuals are the butterfly release. Continue

[Darold Petty]

Hi Jeff;

  I cannot attend, but would like to contribute to the butterfly release.  Please advise, thanks, 

 

 

 

[Mr Rare]

Darold

Sorry you won't be making it and thanks for the offer.

All donations can be made out to Jeff Brusseau and sent to 1525 Faraday Avenue, suite 200, Carlsbad, Ca. 92008.

I will see that they all donations get applied to the cost of the event.

Thanks!

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Great effort Jeff  ! Jim was a remarkable individual and will always be remembered !

[Mr Rare]

One of the volunteers is preparing a video of Jim and some of his many adventures.

we would like to find someone with a drone so we could do a flyover down the street and around Jim's garden. 

Can anyone help with this request?

[Mr Rare]

To all attendees.

We really need your help in signing up on the website listed above www.volunteersignup.org/FHYCB".  so we can get a head count.

Thanks!

[Mr Rare]

Jeff my wife Kathy and I would like to donate an Orchid that Jim grew and gave to us to be planted in his honor. We can also bring some home made cookies that Kathy had made for Jim that he really enjoyed. I also have some nice Hawaiian Slack key guitar music on cd that is very peaceful we could bring if that is appropriate. If someone has a good cd player that would be helpful.

The cookies would be great and please get the word out for everyone planning on attending to log on to the website and acknowkedge their attendance no later than this weekend!

Thanks!