We will have Sarah Cooke doing beginner instruction, covering April’s to-do list, especially swarm management.

Steve Sheppard, M.SC., Ph.D. Entomologist and Thurber Chair, Washington State University will be presenting his latest Research in Queens.  Check the newsletter for more detail.  Hope to see you all there.

I’ve compiled some information over the past couple of weeks while trying to figure out how to manage dissemination of information.  I’ve settled on sending out “digest” e-mails with lists of items that may or may not have been announced in the meetings or other venues.

So, without further ado:

Apiary Sites
Community members requesting that bees be placed on their property

West Seattle

• ·             1/4 acre plot of land where the landowner will not be around much, but would like to tag along and learn as much as possible.  Reference: Kathryn-WS when you respond and I’ll get you in contact.

North Seattle

• ·             Another person would love a couple of hives to help with pollination of her and her neighbors organic gardens.  Reference: Joan-NS when you respond and I will get you in contact

Madrona/Central District

• Large, 2-lot garden in need of honey bees. Reference: Nina-MD

Edmonds

• Plenty of Fruit Trees and an older house reference: Gred-ED

Greenlake:
Here is a quote from the requester, who has had sites in the past:

Reference: Nelda-GL

Calls for Volunteers

Listed are events that may be in your neighborhood.  These events are direct requests from the organizations.  What is required is one person to take the lead on any given event.  What that means is getting the various pieces of equipment and PSBA information picked up and delivered and any other items that may be used.  The list of items that are brought to events are (but not  limited to):

• Canopy
• PSBA literature
• PSBA business cards
• Hive equipment (tools, boxes, frames, feeders, etc…)
• Observation hive
• Honey for sale
• Cash box
• Friendly attitude

These are always fun events.  The scale of personnel needs is dependent on the event.  Some can be handled with one person, but most require 2 or more (The more, the merrier) to allow for breaks and opportunities to look at other exhibits/presentations.

If you live in the area and are interested in representing PSBA for this event, please get in contact with me.  If you are interested in taking lead on any event, please let me know and I will assist in logistics.

Upcoming events

Earth Day in Newcastle ~ Saturday, April 21st, 2012

http://bit.ly/GMQOVM

Grace Stiller

Event Chairperson

425.228.7927; Cell 206.795.5783

Northwest Solar Fest, July 28, 2012, Shoreline, WA
http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/933591/822eff37e9/ARCHIVE

GreenLife: A Sustainability Expo at West Seattle Summer Fest, July 13, 14 and 15
PSBA has been part of this event for several years and it is a great event!  It is truly fun for the whole family.
We have the option of doing any number of days.  I believe we managed two days last year, but if we can get between 10 and 15 people, that would make it possible to make it to all 3 days.  Contact Nancy Beckett at enbee555@gmail.com  if you’re interested in volunteering for this event.

Other events

17th ANNUAL CMACC (Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course and Conference)
Learn the ancient art and science of apitherapy, the medicinal use of products from the beehive:
Honey, Pollen, Propolis, Royal Jelly, Bee Venom, and Beeswax.
GOVERNOR HOTEL, 800-554-3456
PORTLAND, OREGON
Register by September 1, 2012 to qualify for group room rates.
CONTACT: 631.470.9446;  www.apitherapy.org for details about the program, faculty, and hotel.

Other Requests

Wanted: a beekeeper willing to let a family (2 adults and 2 teenagers) to tag along and learn about beekeeping, particularly the extraction process.

National Winter Loss and Management Survey
This was mentioned at the meeting last Tuesday and WSBA is also sending out notices to drum up participants.  The potential is great that we can get some Washington statistics if we have >300 participants, so we encourage you to take the survey.
http://participate.beeinformed.org/Surveys/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=76KI4p3

Regards,

Brad Jones
President
Puget Sound Beekeepers Association

Park at the Graham Visitors Center at the Arboretum, and walk behind the greenhouses to the apiary. We’ll be sorting equipment and doing general spring maintenance. Contact the work party coordinator, Pat Foote, at 206-286-1356 or secretary@pugetsoundbees.org to RSVP or for more information.

Plan ahead for future work parties:

• Second half of April, coordinated by Barnaby Hoit, 206-579-4021
• 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 5, coordinated by John Woodworth, 206-265-3295

President Brad here (HiYa!)  In an effort to streamline our communications, we’ve connected a Facebook plugin to the PSBA website to automatically update FB when any new content arrives on our website.  This will help to get the word out about events, volunteer opportunity and just general beekeeping items of interest.

Happy Beekeeping!

New beekeepers are especially welcome to come and get some hands-on experience.

The following work party will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, coordinated by Pat Foote, 206-286-1356.

Also, volunteers are welcome to join a work party installing a new garden on the pathway, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 17, on Columbia Street between 24th and 25th Avenues. For information about “adopting” and caring for a garden, contact Pollinator Pathway.