Memorial Day Moment Of Remembrance: 3:00pm Today

In 1996, a humanitarian organization called  ‘No Greater Love’ asked children why there is a holiday on Memorial Day. Their remarks were all associated with barbecues and extended weekend parties and celebration, and they had little idea about the sacrifices of the soldiers in whose honor it is celebrated.  To help young people understand the real meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance was established by Congress. It takes place at 3pm local time no matter what time zone.  We ask that you pause for a moment or two to recognize all of our military service members and their families.

BEE SWARMS...

Beautiful hanging swarm... there are probably about 50,000 bees in this cluster

This is bee-swarm season.  The cool days keep bees inside their hives, clustering to keep their larva and queen warm.  The first warm days after a cold or wet-spell bring many swarms.  Swarms are the natural way bees increase their numbers; they will create a new queen which either kills the old one or takes off in search of a new home.

Swarming bees will rest by clumping together in a tree or under eaves.  If they are reachable, these swarms are a delight to capture for most beekeepers.  Typically they'll hang around for 2-3 days while their scouts are searching out new digs, then take off.   But if they decide your wall or roof or is the PERFECT place to set up their household, they will be much more difficult to remove.

Swarms may rest under eaves. If not too high, these swarms are not usually difficult to capture.

If you have a reachable, hanging oval of bees (see pics) you have a couple of options:
San Diego Beekeeping Society: They post a list of beekeepers wanting swarms.  Warning: in swarm season beekeepers are swamped with requests, and a lot of us just run out of equipment (boxes) or space for hives.
CraigsList: Enter the word "bees" in the search box.  You'll see a lot of requests for swarms and offers for bee removal.  Some local beekeepers will come for free, some will have a basic charge for time and gas (usually around $50).
If your bees are in a wall or roof, call the beekeeper and/or send pictures to the beekeeper, who will know if it's possible to remove them.  A last resort is to call an exterminator.  If the hive has been there for a long time (years), it could be quite large with a lot of comb to remove ... in other words, expensive.
Want reassurance or have questions: You are welcome to contact us: rob-kim@deerhornvalley.net  We can at least give you our take on your situation and maybe some suggestions.  Also check out the pictures and information on DeerhornValley.net  (use the "Beekeeping" link at left)

They can rest on fences or posts too.  Swarms will usually leave for a permanent home  in a couple of days.

FACTS

• Bees are responsible for every third bite of food you eay: fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc.  
• Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious syndrome where bees abandon their hives, has eliminated some 40% of American bees for EACH of the last 4 years.  This is a major area of concern for countries around the world as they look at future food supplies. CCD has driven many commercial beekeepers out of business, and the price of renting hives for crop pollination is now around $350 each (at least one hive per acre is required)
• Deerhorn's bee population was wiped out by the Harris Fire, so swarms are finding no competition and coming back in large numbers.
• About 80% of wild hives have been "Africanized" to some extent, however the aggressive traits of bees seem to be diluting as they interbreed with domesticated bees kept by beekeepers

WET ROADS... SLOW DOWN ... WATCH FOR LOOSE COWS!

1:00 PM: CHP is responding to reports of a loose cow on Japatul Valley Rd and Lyons Valley Rd.

10:30 AM: ADULT & CHILD INJURED IN SECOND CRASH ON SR-94 DULZURA: About 10:30 AM on SR-94 just east of the Dulzura Post Office, another car skidded off the pavement and into a ditch. SR-94 was closed again as one adult and one child were transported to hospitals.

7:00 AM SR-94 CLOSURE@ DULZURA UPDATE: We sent out an Antler Alert this morning after learning eastbound SR 94 was closed just west of Dulzura due to a head-on crash. SignOnSanDiego now reports a Border Patrol agent lost control of his patrol car on the wet pavement and swerved into oncoming traffic about 6:30 a.m. and struck a westbound Nissan Altima. The driver of the Nissan suffered major injuries, and the Border Patrol agent minor ones. LifeFlight was called but could not respond due to the weather conditions. Both drivers were transported to a hospital by ambulance.SR 94 was closed at Honey Springs Rd. for more than two hours.

KRUISIN' KRITTERS - SATURDAY 5/14 1:00 PM AT THE RED BARN

See you there!  Seating limited, so bring a chair or blanket for the grass.  Popcorn for the kids (even big ones) and cold water.  This program is hosted by the Deerhorn Valley Community Association (DVCA) and free of charge for Deerhorn area residents.

DVCA: "Promoting a safe, inter-connected, and vibrant community..."

ANTLER ALERT: Two More Dog-Kills on Elena Lane

Three months ago the Hill Family on Elena Lane lost one of their two goats to a daytime attack by two dogs. 

This week they found the body of their remaining pet goat, Mollie, and that of their new baby kid, Petunia, inside their fenced run. Their throats had been mauled and the goats bled to death. There was no foraging or feeding– definitely pointing to a dog attack, (not coyote or mountain lion). Our sympathies to the Hill Family and their grandchildren who had become so attached to Mollie and Petunia.
These attacker(s) are not feral or abandoned dogs killing for hunger. They are most likely well-fed pets who have taken to sport-killing. Experts and livestock owners agree: dogs are predatory animals and will not stop killing once they have begun. Dogs will also tend to return to the same areas where they have killed before.  There is also a growing danger that dogs will  attach other prey.  

In 1989, Roy Johnston of Dulzura was attacked and killed in a dog attack.  His body was found by an off-duty policeman who shot and killed one of the dogs circling Johnson's body. Criminal charges were sought against the owner.

In 1991, a 69-year-old ranch hand was fatally mauled by roaming dogs on in Dulzura while walking along a trail near the dog-owners' property.  The owner was later found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and did some serious jail time. DV'er Frank Braunlich remembers the attack and reminds us, "scares me when I think of some small children walking home from the school bus stop. You just cannot be too careful or trusting of animals in a pack, no matter what your size. I don't want to alarm anyone, but this should be publicized to parents and dog owners as well."
Mark Payne also says, “It is legal to shoot dogs attacking your livestock.”  He is absolutely correct, just make sure you have as much hard evidence as possible.  If the dog’s owner claims mistaken identity or blames other dogs for encouraging it, you may have to defend your actions in court.  

You can file a report with Animal Control about any animal bite or attack: (619) 767-2675   That way there is a record for possible future victims to access.

THE SPRING ANTLER IS OUT!

This 6-page issue of The Antler was sent to all residents with mailboxes on Rural Rte. #1. If you didn't get yours... or would like to see the color copy, you can download it by clicking the page below.  Enjoy!

HIGH WIND WARNING TODAY - Peaking mid-morning

The National Weather Service has issued a HIGH WIND WARNING for mountains and inland valleys beginning this morning and peaking mid-morning.  Batten down the hatches, and be extra cautious with machinery that can spark fire.