January 4, 2010 Bee Guild Meeting

Happy New Year,

MEETING INFO:
Our January 4, 2010 meeting will be held at the West San Jose Library,
1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San Jose 95117
From 6:30 -9:30 PM
Our speaker will be Lothar Schicker discussing Late Winter/Early Spring Hive Maintenance

The 6:30 start time is to allow for a little swarming before the actual meeting at 7:00 PM

DUES:
Dues, $15 for an individual or family, are now due for calendar year 2010.Technically we can't do any financial transactions at the library, so please mail your dues to our treasurer, Ed Lo.
Ed Lo
1388 Suzanne Ct.
San Jose, CA 95129
Please include your name, phone number, address, both US Mail and email with your check.

BEE PACKAGES:
Packages will be delivered in early April 2010 Payment will be required bythe meeting in March. They will be supplied by Olivarez Honey Bees, http://www.ohbees.com/ The package size will be 3 pounds at $65 each.

SWARM LIST:
The swarm list has been purged. New signups are required to be added to the list. Information needed is:
NamePhone numberArea to be serviced
(This year there are some requirements to be added to the list.)
All dues must be current. If you have been previously on the list, the all dues paid requirement is all you need. If you haven't been on the list, we assume that you do not have experience collecting swarms and request that you ride along on at least 2 swarm captures prior to requesting being added to the list. Above all, safety is the most important item. Don't try to capture a swarm that will require a trip to the hospital for repairs to your body. The"free" bees aren't worth the pain, misery, and cost. Kaiser's emergency roomminimum is $100. A 3 pound package is $65. Buy a package and save $35. I generally update the list on Sunday evening, so there may be up to a 6 day delay between your request and its posting.

CONTACTING YOUR OFFICERS:
Click on the Contacts link in the left hand frame at http://www.beeguild.org/ and send us a message.

See you at the library,Wayne

A Little Bee Keeping House Cleaning

The Guild board met this past week to go over the meeting topics for 2010, budget and by-laws update. So here are some of the highlights:

1) Membership dues will now be a flat $15.00 per household due at the beginning of the year.
2) Swarm list will be cleared and all members must sign up again at the start of 2010. There are requirements for new members who wish to be added to the list which will be discussed at the next meeting.
3) Election of a parliamentarian to the board at the January meeting. If interested please contact a board member or email me at litatani@pacbell.net
4) The Guild meetings will begin at 6:30 for those who wish to socialize or speak to other bee keepers before the speaker's presentation at 7:30. There will also be an hour after the meeting depending on the speaker.
5) Copies of the by-laws will be available and the updates will be voted on by the membership.

Bee Guild Holiday Party

The Santa Clara Bee Guild and Morgan Hill Bee Guild will be co-hosting it's annual holiday potluck party on Sunday, December 13 at the Gilroy Grange. The Guilds will provide Honey Baked Ham and dessert. Please bring your favorite beverage and a dish that can serve 8 or more people.
RSVP to: kingbee@uvasgold.com by 12/10/09
Gilroy Grange
8191 Swanston Lane
Gilroy CA
Directions from Santa Clara/San Jose:
101 South Leavesley Road exit, westBe in the left lane as you pass the 3rd light. Swanston has a left turnaccess about 200 feet after the 3rd light. (if you get to railroad tracks,make a U-turn and Swanston is the first right.) Turn left onto Swanston. Pass ABC Roofing Supply on the right.The Grange Hall is on the right hand side. It's a historic school buildingWe will eat about 6PM. The Hall will be open at 5.

At this party the Santa Clara Guild will elect it's new board members, so if you're interested contact a current board member.

Local Bee Keeper Need Help

Guild member Therese McCoy were keeping bees on property that was burnt out this past year in the Santa Cruz Mountain fires.Their two colonies survived - even though everything around was burned, including the cabin where they stored ALL their beekeeping supplies.They are interested in buying any kind of basic equipment - as if starting fresh (hive tool, frame grip, wooden ware etc.)If anyone has extra equipment they’d be willing to sell, please contact Therese McCoy at:theresemccoy@hotmail.com



Photo and Doll by:
Wee-mee Whimsies

John Hood

We just received word that John Hood passed away. He was a long time member of the Santa Clara Bee Guild. Our condolences to his wife Dolores and family. The Bee Guild will be making a donation to the Heifer Bee Hive program in memory of John.

Something for every bee keeper

Here's the link to the latest pin up bee calendar.
All the proceeds goes to the Sunflower project which helps provide bee loving flower seeds and honey bee awareness to the general public.
http://www.greatsunflower.org/

Another Photo From Nepal

This was a building right across the street from the very small airport in Chitwan that I flew out of to catch my flight in Kathmandu.