The Buzz Around Bees

This week I met with three local beekeepers in Elk Grove for an upcoming features story.
First I met with Kathy and Vern Waldorf. Kathy began beekeeping two years ago as a hobby, then Vern joined in. The first bees they had died due to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD. CCD is a major concern among beekeepers because it can wipe out entire colonies, and no one is certain what is causing it. (You'll read more about this in my article, which will come out in the next couple of weeks.)
The next day I met with Richard Henry Martin and Mill Sutter. The two friends teamed-up to manage 27 hives on two properties. Mill found friends who allowed them to keep bees on their property. Gardeners often like having bees nearby to pollinate their plants. This makes their gardens grow better. The Waldorfs said since they started beekeeping, their cherry tree has been more fruitful. Sutter and Martin said they’ve noticed a strawberry patch near their bees has had increased in production.
Beekeepers are a passionate group- and knowledgeable too!
Here are some facts I've picked up this week: without bees 2/3 of the fruits and vegetables available in grocery stores wouldn't exist. Bees die once they sting. Bees keep the temperature in their hives from the lower to mid 90 degrees Fahrenheit- even in the winter.
Martin and Sutter reminded me that the hobby of beekeeping hasn't changed since its discovery thousands of years ago. In fact, they said, honey was found in King Tutankhamun's tomb (honey also never spoils).
I was warned I might get stung, but I'm not allergic to bees so I wasn't too worried. So far I'm sting free!
I had to resist the urge to swat at the bees (which can cause them to sting). Running from the bees can also cause them to attack. But I never felt worried.
Fortunately, Sutter had a beekeepers netted hat for me to wear so the bees wouldn’t sting my face (ouch). And next week, when we visit Elk Grove beekeeper Brian, who operates the blog www.beesarelife.com ,he will have bee suits and hats for the photographer and I to wear.
Bees are so important to agriculture, it's amazing!

Elk Grove Citizen's Version of Antique's Roadshow

When I scheduled an interview with local antiques appraiser Gary Cox for the article that ran in the Elk Grove Citizen, I asked him if he could do appraisals for the Citizen staff so I could post them on my blog.
On Sept. 3 we were already getting excited talking about the antiques and collectable items we could bring in and have appraised on his Sept. 7 visit.
I’m thrilled to say that the etching I brought in turned out to be worth $800-$1,300 if put up for auction in America. In Europe it could fetch up to $2,000.
The etching was purchased for only $1 at a white elephant sale in Sacramento.
I knew it was by the Czech artist T.F. Simon (1898-1925), and that one print is hanging in the British Museum.
Gary confirmed that it was an original etching by T.F. Simon complete with his red stamp and a watermark. We were all enthralled that something with so much value could be found among the small collection of items we brought in.
The etching was probably made from a highly polished copper plate, the plate was coated with an acid- resistant wax and then the etching is carved into the wax. The idea is to expose the metal along the lines drawn. The plate is dropped into a bowl of acid, which eats into the exposed metal. When the design is complete, the plate is inked and then the surface is wiped with a cloth, this cleans the plate only leaving ink lodged in the lines that have been etched into the surface. A sheet of damp paper is pressed upon the plate and a print results. Voila!
After World War II, the dollar was strong, he explained, and Americans were able to purchase a lot of European artwork. Now, they are buying their art back, he said. That’s is why the etching is worth almost twice as much in Europe today.
I’ve always thought being an antiques appraiser would be an enjoyable job, but after meeting Gary I’m even more certain of that! It was evident that he was enthralled with his work. We could tell when he would pick up an item with an interesting history because of the look on his face. Wow, he sure knew history well!
Gary looked at a spear that Citizen Photographer Laura Bemis brought into the office. She purchased the spear in Scotland and was told it was from a war between Africa and Scotland. (On a humorous note, Laura said when she purchased this spear she was able to carry it onto the airplane- wow, that must have been some time ago!)
Gary confirmed her suspicions about it being from Africa. He showed us that it was a handcrafted spear made by either the Masasi or the Zulu tribes in Africa, and possibly used during the Boer war between Dutch settlers and Africans. He said more research would be necessary to determine a price, but the amount of history he could recall about a lot of be pieces we brought in was impressive.
On Sept. 3, Receptionist June Hanson and I talked about what items we might have of value. She told me about an antique silverware set she has in a wooden box that looks like it is from Germany. As a fan of Antiques Roadshow, I had high hopes that this would be worth a pretty penny because I’ve noticed that utensils and furniture can often be worth more than one might expect. June was realistic and said she wasn’t certain that it was valuable, but we were hopeful that someone on staff would bring in something with a good story and/or high price.
Unfortunately, June’s silverware set was estimated to be worth $150-$175. Not cheap, but not as much as it could be worth if it was sterling. It was made in America and was silver-plated. The box was in a “German style” but also most likely made in America.
She also brought a pair of baby shoes in the original box from the late 1940s. Cox said the shoes might be of interest to a doll collector.
An antiques appraiser not only looks for signatures, materials and manufacturing stamps to determine value, but also must consider the market. Who would buy this? What is the demand?
Even though not everyone’s items turned out to be worth a boatload, City Reporter Cody Kitaura brought in a lot of historical objects from his family’s past.
The cast iron toy train that his grandfather played with as a child still rolled along like new. He also had several framed photos of his grandfather playing with the train and other toys from that period.
Cox examined the train and right away knew the story behind it.
The train was from the 1940s or 50s, but the photos, with the supposed train, were taken in the late 1920s.
Cox told a story he’s probably uncovered a thousands times. Cody’s grandfather probably lost the original train at some point and someone bought the current train because it looked similar. But to a trained professional like Cox, the ironwork was different and there were minor details he noticed about the construction of the train in the photos versus the train he held.
Cody also had V-mail from the same grandfather who served in WWII. The content of the letters would determine their value.
Reading about “what I had for lunch that day” is not of interest to buyers, Cox said, unless the letters were written from, say for example, the USS Arizona or the USS Enterprise. The letters could also be valuable if the content discussed using a new weapon or an upcoming battle that would later be in history books.
Cody also had a history book with only 44 states in the Union, the last one being Utah. This was only worth about $15-$20 because there are so many of these out there.
I was due for a surprised when I learned my antique bed warmer was a mid century re-creation of an early 18th century bed warmer. I had hoped it belonged to an early settler, but no dice.
It’s often the objects that you don’t expect to be valuable that end up being worth something, he said. That’s why when he goes on appraisal jobs at homes he asks to look around, or, he said, he’ll ask them if they have certain items that many people overlook.
I told Cox that I noticed appraisers on the Antiques Roadshow often talked about the “Arts and Crafts” era. I’ve noticed these items always seem to be valuable.
Items from the “arts and crafts” period can be very valuable, he explained. This was a time, shortly after the industrial revolution, when craftsman were returning to the detailed craftsmanship of handmade items. This was mostly taking place in England.
When I first spoke with Cox on the phone and suggested we meet in an antiques store where I can see him in action, he said that antique storeowners generally know what they’re doing and often price their items on the mark.
The best bet is probably grandma’s attic or the family heirloom you thought was unsightly or estate sales.
For the entire story about Gary Cox read my article about the “Modern Day Treasure Hunter” at www.egcitizen.com

Western Festival Photos!!

Pinkberry Party!

Last Thursday I went to the grand opening of the Pinkberry store in Sacramento.
Pinkberry is not just any fro-yo. Not only is it healthier than most other yogurts, but it also has a different taste- tart yet sweet.
I sampled coconut, mango and pomegranate frozen yogurt. Pinkberry is made with non-fat milk, cane sugar and contains "billions" of probiotics (good bacteria), the franchise owner said.
There are more than 30 toppings, including mochi, Fruity Pebbles cereal and fresh fruit sliced daily.
The Elk Grove store will open April 29 in the Target and Borders shopping center on Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road.
To learn more about Pinkberry visit http://www.pinkberry.com/

EG Volunteer's Heartwarming Holiday

Like so many Americans, Elk Grove resident Trish Fontana lost her job and found herself looking for something to occupy her time.
Fontana resolved to do something beneficial for the community with her newly acquired free time. She began volunteering around Elk Grove. Fontana told me the kindness she found in the community made her proud to call Elk Grove her home. Here is an article she wrote about her experiences. I thought it was really touching.

Charity Does Begin at Home

“So this is Christmas

And what have you done?

Another year over,

A new one just begun.”

- John Lennon

Christmas has come and 2010 looms just around the corner – and what have you done?

Due to the economy, I am currently not working and, like many others, have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed. Not spending every waking moment consumed by the next deadline, the next file, the next e-mail and a buzzing Blackberry actually frightened me almost as much as not having a job.

I tried to stay busy- sports, errands, chores, but I was still unhappy.

One day I even went to Sloughhouse Farmers Market and filled the car up with corn which I delivered to my neighbors (I truly thought I had lost my mind). Then, when I was at the gym, I saw Michael J. Fox featured on a magazine with a headline that said, “Happiness is a Choice.”

What would replace a job, that could make me happy, that would make me feel fulfilled? Then it came to me. This is Christmas, and what is Christmas all about? It was time for my boo hoo pity party to end.

I have always done community service but where did one sign up to be a full time volunteer? I decided to check out some local organizations. I thought I’d do an onsite visit and shop for the best fit- I didn’t need to go far.

I purged my closets and ended up at the Elk Grove Clothes Closet. Hey, I could walk in, donate a few bags of clothes and if I didn’t like it, what did I have to lose? I had no idea what was to come.

The Clothes Closet is powered by some of the most amazing women (and a few good men) I have ever met. I was immediately hooked. The words of Margaret Mead came to me, "never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

The closet provides clothes to deserving Elk Grove residents with the primary focus on school children. Local schools' request, many through the Healthy Start Program, everything from coats to shoes.

The need is absolutely overwhelming. Each donated item is carefully inspected to make sure it is clean and appropriate for distribution. The clothes are hung by size and gender to facilitate and streamline the order process. It is a well-oiled machine fueled by dedication and passion.

During the Christmas season, the closet also supports School Coat Days and a Gift Day. The first thing that happens at Coat Day is the children are checked to see if they need shoes and then are also given a coat, sweatshirt, hat, gloves and scarf.

I will never forget the young girl whose toes were poking through her little shoes. She said she wore a size 5½ but was finally fitted with a size 10½!

With the recent cold spell, it’s not surprising that gloves would be a huge hit. One day I was unloading the boxes and noticed a huge pair of black leather motorcycle gloves that would literally go past a young child’s elbow. I immediately thought, “who could ever want or use those gloves?” Towards the end of the morning, a young fourth grade boy came into the gym in a wheel chair. He didn’t want a coat or shoes but his face lit up when he saw those gloves. He was beaming with pride when he wheeled himself back to class, his hands and arms protected by the gloves.

The Gift Day is sponsored in conjunction with the Elk Grove Food Bank Christmas program. Individuals first go to the Food Bank to pick up the fixings for their Christmas meal and then are sent to the gift site where they are assigned a number of gifts. Each new or gently used item is wrapped with a bow and can range from clothes, to toys, books, bikes, appliances, bedding and household items. Random raffle tickets are given for the larger items and I was assigned to distribute the prizes.

Here, I met a grandfather whose eyes teared up when he saw the child-size bed which would be perfect for his 3 year old grandson. He was beaming when we helped load it in his pick-up truck with a fury stuffed animal added to complete the package.

Faces and more faces streamed into the hall. There is a 10-year-old girl who selected a large stuffed Mickey Mouse with her ticket to give to her little brother. Two homeless women are overcome with emotion at the sleeping bags and blankets that will help keep them and their little dog warm at night. And finally, I met an elderly woman who had lost her home and car but still wanted to provide a Christmas for her grandchildren, just like her grandmother had done for her.

More people have said “God Bless You” to me in the past two weeks than in my entire Catholic education. But what is most amazing, is that no one complains– most are happy and genuinely grateful. For now, my “office” is a double-wide trailer without any electricity and I couldn’t be happier.

“And so this is Christmas,

I hope you have fun,

The near and the dear one

The old and the young……”

Elk Grove Fine Arts Center's "2nd Friday" event in September

Elk Grove artist Russell Frank painted this pastel portrait of a duck
titled "Wood Duck on a Bright Winter Day." Frank will be the featured guest
artist at the 2nd Friday event at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center on
Sept. 11.

The Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, the light and airy gallery in Old Town Elk Grove, is once again hosting their 2nd Friday event that mirrors the downtown Sacramento “Second Saturday” event on a much smaller scale.
On the second Friday of each month residents are invited into the center to view amazing art by talent local craftspeople. Everything from paintings, sculptures and photography can be viewed at the Fine Arts Center.

Each month a different artist is selected at the “Featured Guest Artist.” For the Sept. 11 event Elk Grove artist and resident of 19 years Russell Frank will be the featured artist. Frank will have his art on display and be talking to the public about his pastel, ceramics and woodworking art pieces.

Another perk to this event is much of the artwork is reasonably priced. Some of the paintings reflect local scenery too, which would be a nice addition for the walls of local businesses in particular.
Snacks and drinks will be provided. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. It is free to the public.

World-Traveling Photographer to Give Presentation at CRC

Rick Sammon photographs lions, cowboys, sand dunes and old Cadillacs. Looking at Sammon’s collection of work, it’s clear he photographs anything that catches his eye.
“My specialty is not specializing,” he notes on his Web site.
Author and one of Canon camera’s “Explorers of Light,” Sammon, will speak at Cosumnes River College on Sept. 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Recital Hall.
Sammon will share his experiences and photography techniques. He will show his photos from around the globe, some of which have appeared in his books and thousands of newspaper and magazine articles. For every image shown, Sammon will share a photographic technique, digital darkroom tip or a photo philosophy.
He has photographed in almost 100 countries and gives more than two dozen photography workshops each year.This event is free and open to the public.

Spotlight Elk Grove Benefit

One of the most talked about events in Elk Grove is approaching. Spotlight Elk Grove is similar to “A Taste of…” events, combined with a service industry tradeshow. The event on Sept. 10 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is a benefit for the Elk Grove Community Foundation, which awarded 161 scholarships in 2009.
Spotlight will feature more than 60 vendors including restaurants, wineries and area businesses. A rodeo, silent auction and raffle will entertain guests while helping to raise funds for the Elk Grove Community Foundation.
Guests are encouraged to dress in Western wear. “Oscars” will be awarded for the best Western Celebrity costumes.
Spotlight Elk Grove will be held at the Sociadade Do Espirito Santo (SES Hall), located at 10428 East Stockton Blvd.
Tickets are $40 and available at the Citizen office. Elizabeth Pinkerton wrote an article about Spotlight for the Sept. 2 edition of the Elk Grove Citizen, and listed many of the vendors. www.egcitizen.com

Tea Time

My favorite tea shop in Elk Grove is having a tea pairing event on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
Boba Tea & Gifts will host a Tasting Party in combination with Sinful Treats Gourmet Pastries and Desserts. Guests can sample of the newest pastries and get a chance to name the new treats. Sample tea too and enter for a chance to win a raffle prize.
I went to a tea-pairing event several months ago when Boba partnered with Lulu's Cupcakes. It was a casual event where guests mingled, ate mini cupcakes and drank tea.
I normally order the Pu-erh or Oolong teas, so I enjoyed sampling other varieties.
Seating for the event is limited, so please call in advance. Call 591-8373. Boba Tea & Gifts is located at 9020 Elk Grove Blvd. in Old Town Elk Grove.

Elk Grove Celebrity Psychic Reads My Mind

I’m skeptical when it comes to psychics. But I do believe there are things in this world we don’t understand, or have not yet discovered- both spiritual and scientific.
Having said that, I’m always open to new information- whether I disagree with it or not.
I met Celebrity Psychic and Elk Grove resident Belinda Bentley at a local Starbucks a few months ago. She’s been on national TV programs, and is the personal psychic for celebrities Dave Navarro and Margaret Cho.
She’s not a one-trick psychic. Bentley can read tarots, read palms and perform energy healing. She even does exorcisms on body parts.
“I’ve worked with people who thought different body parts were haunted,” she said. “It’s not that uncommon.”
Recently, a television network contacted Bentley and asked her to work with celebrities in a reality-type TV show.
Bentley is only 30 years old, but has already experienced so much in her life. She grew up in a conservative household in Los Angeles where spirits were considered demonic, she said. However, Bentley frequently felt spirits in her childhood home. Bentley said cabinets in the kitchen would open without anyone there and other strange phenomena would occur.
When she was a teenager, a friend jokingly suggested she was psychic. The friend’s boyfriend tested Bentley’s psychic skills by asking her a specific question, to the effect of “what did I do on a certain night a few years back?” He mentioned a specific date. Bentley guessed based on what she could see in her mind and was dead-on right. From that point on she decided to foster her psychic abilities. She moved to New Zealand for one year at age 20. More psychic experiences ensued.
While on a New Zealand beach, Bentley reached down to pick up a seashell. She felt a hand on her back. Bentley turned around to present the seashell to the person touching her, who she assumed was her daughter. She was shocked that no one was there- her daughter was on a hill in front of her.
Bentley has many stories about answering her past clients’ questions accurately, and knowing information that no one, or very few people could know about the person.
Psychic readings allow her to help people one-on-one, which is rewarding, she said.
But when people don’t listen to her advice Bentley said her job can be frustrating.
“There’s been times when people don’t listen and their life is hell,” she said. Then Bentley has to hear a sad story, which could have been prevented.
But when people do take-up Bentley on her advice, they’ll send her an e-mail saying she changed their life.
“I remember one woman, she tape recorded our hour session and she said ‘everything in that reading has come true,’ she said ‘every last detail,’ and I’m like ‘that’s 100 percent, that’s unheard of, even for me!’”
I’ve never encountered a psychic who is so shocked at her own abilities.
“We’re not taught that this is normal, but it is,” she said. “Everybody has a psychic connection.
“There are so many people who say they wish they came with a manual so they would know how to live life and a lot of people think that’s the Bible. I personally think it’s our intuition.”
She said people should listen to their intuition.
“You want a manual, and you don’t think you have one,” she said. “It makes no sense when you’re getting hints.”
To enhance or get in touch with your intuition, Bentley suggests meditating.
“Developing you intuition is about listening to yourself,” she said.
After our chat, Bentley gave me a reading.
I’ve had readings before and I’ve rarely liked them. I used to work at a retirement facility where one resident had been a psychic in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen for 50 years. She gave me a reading and said I would go to graduate school (yeah!) but I would be low income for the rest of my life and only have one or two children (I want four.)
Another psychic once told me my heart is closed and it will be at least 8 year before I find love. Good thing that reading was free at a Farmer’s Market!
Even if the readings were good, I’d like to think we control our own futures.
Bentley had good predictions for my future. But one thing she said stuck out in my mind. It wasn’t something of great importance, but I can’t figure out how she could have known this fact.
Bentley said she felt like there was something else she had to tell me. After a long pause, she asked me if I’m going through a name change. “I’m am!” I replied. My friends and family call me Kate, but I’ve always applied to jobs with my full name, Katie. I mentioned to my mom that I might go by Kate at work too. Bentley said this would greatly help my career and my outlook on myself in my future career.
This wasn’t earth shattering, but I can figure out how she knew this. Maybe a lot of people are transitioning from their full name to a nickname? Or, Maybe Bentley saw a vision of the conversation I had with my mom in her mind?…