Announcement for emailin'

["Dave VanderWall" <dave@vanderwall.org>]

Eric and everyone,

Hi!  I'm almost settled into my new place, have the computer up and
running, and was just about to email an announcement out to the list.  I
figured I might say something before I did, though.  I was planning on
sending a general text announcement with the links to appropriate
documentation on the AGA Contest site, and then send out the actual PDF
files to the folks who bothered to respond to my initial email.  How
does that sound?  The following is what I'll send as the general text,
which is my edit of James' initial announcement.  Let me know if there
are any suggestions.  I want to send it soon, but I want to make sure
it's right.  Thanks in advance for your feedback.

****************

The Aquatic Gardeners Association is proud to announce the Third Annual
AGA International Aquascaping Contest.  Designed as a permanent forum
for aquatic gardeners to share their love of this segment of the hobby
with others, the event is open to all and we encourage your
participation.

You will find full details about the event on the contest web site at
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org.  Submission of entries will be
accepted until September 15th 2002 and the winners shall be announced at
the AGA Convention, to be  held in Houston, Texas, November 8-10th,
2002.  All submitted entries will be displayed on the web site shortly
after that date.

As in past years, our focus is on the art and practice of aquascaping in
fresh and brackish water aquariums as well as paludariums.  We hope that
the aquascapes you submit can act as a source of inspiration and ideas
as well as a forum for hobbyists to share their creations with others.
Over the past two years we have received entries from hobbyists who live
in many parts of the world, proving how universal this hobby truly is.
The variety of aquascaping styles and themes is amazing and something
can be learned from each and every entry.

All types and sizes of freshwater aquascapes are welcome - African Rift
Lake type tanks, underwater gardens chock full of live plants, the
beginner's tank with plastic decorations, all have their place.  Show
the world your pride and joy!

We have added two NEW categories this year - Botanical Illustration and
Garden Ponds.

Many aquarists have interests in other hobbies and crafts.  Probably,
some of you might like to combine your love of aquariums and aquatic
plants with those other interests.  If you like to draw, sketch or paint
your aquariums and/or aquatic plants, the new Botanical Illustration
category is for you.  Botanical Illustration has a long and noble
history but we are not limiting entries to strictly correct
illustrations.  You are the artists, its up to YOU to decide how to
approach the subject.  We merely wish to provide you with a forum to
display your work.

Many aquarists also enjoy the serenity and beauty of garden ponds and
pools.  Many of the same plants and fish we keep in aquariums can also
be kept in outdoor settings.  Aquascaping is merely "landscaping under
water", so it seems only natural to open our event to those of you who
like to keep garden ponds.

The Guidelines section of the web site will give you all the information
you should need to prepare your entry.  If you are in need of either
inspiration or help in aquascaping or photographing your aquarium,
please check out the many links in the Resources section.

Full instructions on how you may enter are also included.
(http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/?&op=showpage&name=entryform)

We invite you to view the archived entries from prior years and
encourage you to share your own aquascapes and artistry with us this
year.

Enjoy!

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