SPRING IS FOR THE... BEES!

BEE SWARMS...

The football-type clumps are easiest to remove for beekeepers... the lower to the ground, the better!

Spring is here, and Sven Merten (Mother Grundy) is looking for new bee swarms–

"I cannot remove an existing hive for you, only a swarm. Swarms will show up usually clustered on a low branch or anything sheltered really as they pause to rest in their search for a new hive site. I will come get your swarm/cluster of bees for free. I want to start a new hive, so the bees will not be killed. I will transfer them to a hive in my orchard where they will happily live out their natural lives. I can only go to Jamul and the surrounding areas. I am usually available anytime, just give me a call at 760-468-2296 Leave a message if I don't answer and I will get back to you promptly."

Last year all of San Diego County experienced a record number of swarms. Here in our valleys, the bees returned after two years of absence after the Harris Fire.  Before you call an exterminator, check with Sven or other beekeepers on Craigslist who will usually come and collect the swarm for little or no cost. 

Bees will often swarm right onto the trunks of our oaks.

Possible Predator Warning - Bright Yellow (Nissan?) Pickup

We just received this from a neighbor who lives near the Lyons Valley Trading Post. If you have experienced anything similar or have knowledge of a similar situation, please file a report with the Sheriff's Department. Call 911 or Non-emergency dispatch: (858) 565-5200

A guy in a yellow truck passed today as I was walking (I’ve seen the truck before on my walks).  A couple minutes later I saw him coming back toward me.  I thought, He must have forgotten something at home.  Then he stopped his truck as if he wanted to ask for directions.  He asked, “What color panties are you wearing?”  Thinking I was hearing wrong, I asked, “Excuse me?”  And he asked again, “What color panties are you wearing?”  I replied, “Who the hell ARE you??!”  I walked away and he took off.
I failed to get his license plate info.  He is young, probably in his late 20’s.  Light brown hair, cut short, wavy in the front. Fair skin. Clean shaven. His truck was a newer model Nissan (I think) pickup, bright yellow.
At the Trading Post, I told Francisco about it.  He said he saw the truck speeding by, as it usually does.  He’s seen [the pickup] before many times. Hence, this guy may live in the valley or visits someone who does.
Please be careful if you walk Lyons Valley [and other nearby areas].  Tell your friends and family.  What he did to me merely freaked me out.  But we don’t know what someone like this is capable of, given the opportunity.

UPDATE: A report has been filed with the Sheriffs' Office. The incident number is: S9070881. 

RESPONSES:

Some advice from retired law enforcement. DO NOT confront this person. Try to memorize his appearance and get the license number of the car. Then call the SDSO. Several reasons come to mind, the least being; if he is armed your may get dead, if you get close enough he may grab you and I hear Mexico is rainy during this time of the year so you probably wouldn't like the trip or what happens to you if he gets you in his vehicle. Be safe out there. R. Janson

Thanks for this notice! Good info to know, and that we can share this info.He probably doesn't realize we are all "tuned in" -Debbie

I hope this neighbor will report this to the Sheriff, in case it matches up with other complaints. - Miriam

News from Around the Hills & Valleys

Weather Guru Bill Stevens recorded 1.70" of rain up on The Spices from Monday's storm, and nearly another half-inch last night (Wednesday).  It looks like another incredible spring: lots of wildflowers (and weeds).
Bee Swarms: We got the first call of the year about bee swarms from a resident in Lakeside.  The swarm had collected in her bamboo and after three days was still there.  Generally swarms are docile, and will often move on after a couple of days. If they are fairly-easy-to-reach, many beekeepers will come and get them free of charge.  Check Craig'sList
The DVCA Steering Committee met Tuesday night and set plans in motion for a Self-Guided Roadside Wildflower Tour.  Numbered markers along Honey Springs and DV Roads will be keyed to a guide available online and posted at the Welcome to DV Sign.  A work session to make signs is set for next Tuesday at Rob & Kim's.  Stay tuned.
The Spring Antler is due out on May 1st, this time USPS mail.  We know folks appreciate getting a hard copy in their mailboxes, but unfortunately the $400 for printing/mailing means we can just do it once yearly.  Past Antlers are always available online, though.   Just go to the Antler Alerts link on the left.
A special public "THANK YOU" to Bob Eddy, a former and very special DV'er.  Although now living in Gardnerville, Nevada, Bob has always helped support The Antler with a very welcome donation.  Hope those trout are continuing to bite for you, Bob!
Leslie Yoder has joined the DVCA Steering Committee and will be lending her talents to The Antler, Blog, and other efforts.  She is a Lawson Valley (LV'er) who is currently on sabbatical from teaching English at Southwestern College.  Welcome aboard, Leslie!

-Posted by Kim Hamilton

Foothill Penstemon

Bush Poppies

Ice and Slush & Honey Springs Rollover Accident

A GOOD REMINDER TO US ALL TO SLOW DOWN AND BE EXTRA ALERT:
Lorna Odegaard was driving to work on Honey Springs about 7:40 this morning. As she slowly headed up the HS grade toward 4-Corners water was streaming down the hillsides flooding the roadway. Suddenly the wet became slushy and icy. Lorna "noticed a set of car tracks going off into the ditch and looked over and a car was over the edge on its roof. I made a U-turn at 4-corners and headed back up...the person was blowing on the horn so I sounded my horn and said I would go for help."
She flagged down a Border Patrol unit and then headed to the firestation for help. When she returned, the Border Patrol agent said the lady was alive.
"In all my years living up here since 1980, I have seen it snow many times, but this was entirely different. There was no hail or snow until I hit the bottom and slightly up Skyline."
Thank you so much, Lorna, for having the presence of mind to check on those car tracks and make sure help arrived.  Our thoughts are with the driver and her loved ones.
2:00 PM UPDATE: 
The CHP Incident Report (Archived) http://cad.chp.ca.gov/ indicated "no injuries." That sounds like good news for all.

-Posted by Kim Hamilton

PRODUCE EXCHANGE & WILDFLOWER HIKE: Next Saturday!

EAST COUNTY PRODUCE EXCHANGE
Saturday, March 26    1:00 - 3:00 PM  (TIP: BE THERE FIRST HOUR!)
Jamul Community Church - 14058 Jamul Drive
Spread the Word!  This event is where you can trade your unused produce for your neighbor's fruits and vegetables.  It's a great way to get to know your community better, and use your backyard resources wisely.
Bring fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, eggs, flowers, or anything homegrown.  Bring your own table/chairs, and don't forget bags to collect your items.  Master Gardener Lois Young will be there for questions.  This is a grassroots endeavor, and no money is exchanged, just trading goodies and meeting a lot of good people!

This is some of last month's goodies from the Produce Exchange: pink lemonade lemons, guava, limes, potted fern, tomatoes...

"DISCOVER WILDFLOWERS" HIKE 

Saturday, March 26 – 9-10:30 AM  (Just enough time to go home and get your produce for the exchange!)

A US Fish & Wildlife ranger and native plant experts from RECON Inc. will lead an easy to moderate wildflower hike at Rancho Jamul, our San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.  Bring water, sturdy shoes that can get muddy, and a sketchpad or camera if you'd like.  Meet up at at the end of Par Drive, off Steele Canyon Rd.  Only heavy rain will cancel!

(L-R) Chaparral Mallow ~ Chaparral Pea ~  Blooming Toyon  

-Thank you to Sandra Ignosci  for these updates!

THREE SISTERS... SHARING THEIR DEERHORN ROOTS

Merry Lynn (McLaren), Kathie (Collins), and Susie (Norton)  revisit the original 1896 homestead of great-grandfather, John Edgar Roberts.  Tecate Peak is in the background.  

Three very special women, sisters with Deerhorn roots, spent this week together--- in the place where they spent so much of their childhoods.   Susie (Walker) Norton is a permanent resident and community supporter.   Merry Lynn and Kathie visit the old family ranch house as often as possible. Together they created a whirlwind of wonderful memories and stories; Rob and I were so privileged to be included.  We recorded several hours of reminiscing and shared a day trip through part of the original homesteaded land.  We'll be featuring their stories and memories in our upcoming Spring Antler, and in the historical pages planned for DeerhornValley.net.

The Sisters called this rockytop at the bottom of DV Rd. "Eagles' Peak."  Charlie Bratton's old cabin and the Deerhorn Schoolhouse once stood at the bottom.  Children who attended the school said at times they heard the mountain moan. 

These pinnacle rocks along DV Rd. were called The Sugar Loaves.  In earlier times sugar was sold in large cones (loaves) that could be scraped into granules for cooking.