Community STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE AND EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY SECTION 2
Photos by Michelle Le/The Almanac Golden Harvest Bees beekeeper Richard Baxtor uses a smoker to calm bees in the langstroth hive. The smoke emulates a forest fire and calms bees down.
On the cover: Golden Harvest Bees beekeeper Richard Baxtor shows a frame from his top-bar hive.
ocal honey is becoming a sweet business for beekeepers on the Peninsula these days. L For Richard Baxter, who started beekeeping when he was 9 years old, it’s exciting to see so many Busy new people getting involved in his favorite hobby. Semi-retired, he runs Golden Harvest Bees out of his home in Redwood City, and helps set up and maintain about 100 hives in the area. He says that when he joined the Beekeepers’ Guild of San Mateo County 10 years ago, there were maybe 50 members; now there are more than 300. The sup- bees port group meets monthly to talk about the joys and challenges of raising bees. Beekeeping is booming Mr. Baxter teaches introductory classes in beekeep- ing a couple of times a month for $45. He also sells on the Peninsula basic starter kits that include a box to set up a hive with bees, and food to get a colony established. That
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April 9, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 25 COMMUNITY TOWN OF WOODSIDE 2955 WOODSIDE ROAD WOODSIDE, CA 94062 Busy bees Mr. Sieber sells his honey at pollen, then return to their Emily Joubert in Woodside. hives to make honey. During INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR COMMITTEES Continued from previous page He has been keeping bees for their travels they could eas- 35 years, and notices that it’s ily encounter natural enemies ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE costs around $600; he also offers getting harder and harder to such as varroa mites, wax Meets first Thursday of each month, 5:00 p.m.; appointed for two-year term. a maintenance plan for $75 a keep his hives alive. moths and small hive beetles, month on top of that. He estimates he lost 30 to and environmental stressors The Committee strengthens multigenerational community involvement He harvests the honey usually 50 percent of his hives this such as lack of rain. by initiating, sponsoring and celebrating local art, creativity and cultural activities including, but not limited to, the areas of art, photography, de- in the spring and fall, and the past winter due to colony col- Mike Vigo, ranch foreman sign, music, horticulture, culinary arts, literature, drama and dance. The owner gets to keep all of it. lapse disorder. He’s driving to of the Bee Ranchers, based in Committee will create opportunities to educate, inform and engage the Alternatively, he will install a Vacaville and Orland (about the East Bay, services dozens community about cultural affairs and will organize and supervise events hive at a property for free, give 20 miles west of Chico) this of hives at homes in Woodside, to showcase local creative talent the resident up to five pounds Portola Valley and Ather- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS of honey, and keep the rest to ton. This year, he says, he’s This committee is newly formed and the meeting day has not yet been deter- sell as raw honey at places such ‘Spring is when bees very concerned about late- mined; appointed for staggered two-year term. as Draeger’s, Beltramo’s, and the season bee forage. “If there’s Country Corner store in West not enough rain, everything The Committee supports the General Plan policies to institute or partici- naturally swarm to try pate in education related to natural hazards and to support emergency Menlo Park. His wife makes blooms early ... and by the preparedness education. The Emergency Preparedness Committee soaps, lip balms, and lotions out to find a new home.’ end of July and beginning works with Town staff to develop and maintain appropriate plans and of the wax and honeycombs, and of August, if bees don’t have procedures for responding to disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes, they sell that, too. adequate food sources, we’ll floods and other emergencies. The Emergency Preparedness Committee Mr. Baxter recently spoke month to pick up new bees to need to feed them,” he says. supports the work of the Citizens’ Emergency Response and Prepared- ness Program (CERPP) to develop a network of volunteers to respond to at Wegman’s Nursery in Red- replenish his supplies. He recommends feeding them emergencies at the neighborhood level. The Emergency Preparedness wood City to about 50 people Starting in February, more simple syrup made from two Committee works with staff to recruit, organize, train and maintain a wanting to know more about than a billion honeybees are parts sugar and one part water. team of volunteers who can assist staffing an Emergency Operations backyard beekeeping. He says trucked to the Sacramento Less than two years ago, Mr. Center when Town staff is partially or wholly unavailable. The Emer- gency Preparedness Committee works with staff to develop emergency he was thrilled to see so much Valley to pollinate the state’s Vigo set up a hive in Leslie communication facilities and capabilities and to provide residents of the interest because “this is gener- almond crop, a multi-billion- Doyle’s yard in Portola Val- Town with information and training in emergency topics. ally the time to get started.” dollar industry. After their ley. With kids, dogs and cats, Spring is when bees natu- work is done, the bees are then the family gives it a healthy LIVESTOCK AND EQUESTRIAN HERITAGE COMMITTEE rally swarm to try to find a shipped off to other parts of the 5-foot berth and has run into Meets fourth Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m.; appointed for unexpired one-year term. new home. He will gladly trap country that need them. no problems getting stung, Ms. a local swarm of honey bees, or What’s killing off the hives? Doyle says. The Committee reviews applications for professional stable permits and what Woodside hobbyist Mike Experts explain it could be a Mr. Vigo comes by regularly forwards recommendations to the Planning Commission. It also reviews Sieber calls “freebies.” The only combination of pests, patho- to maintain the hive, and last applications for exceptions to the private stable regulations and forwards recommendations to the Planning Director. It conducts inspections of other way to obtain bees is to gens, pesticides and herbicides, fall harvested 36 pounds of stables in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Code. The buy them, and that can cost a and/or lack of habitat. Bees honey. She’s a graphic artist and Committee develops and supports education and information programs $100 and more per package. forage a mile or two to collect was delighted to put her own which aid the community in sustaining, protecting enhancing and enjoy- ing equestrian activities and facilities. The Committee is also a resource for Town Council, staff and residents on equestrian matters.
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE Meets fourth Thursday of each month, 5:30 p.m.; appointed for two-year term.
The Committee advises and assists the Town Council, Planning Commis- sion and staff in implementing the policies and goals of the Open Space and Conservation elements of the General Plan, specifically with respect to acquisition and maintenance of conservation easements and open space preservation.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Meets on call of Chair; appointed for two-year term.
The Committee advises the Town Council and staff on issues of com- munity public safety, including police and fire services provided within the Town.
RECREATION COMMITTEE Meets first Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m.; appointed for three-year term and unexpired two-year term.
The Committee guides the activities of the community recreation pro- grams.
SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Meets fourth Monday of each month, 6:00 p.m.; appointed for two-year term and unexpired one-year term.
The Committee advises and assists the Town Council, Planning Com- mission, and staff on conservation, open space, noise, public services and facilities as pertaining to the elements of the Town’s General Plan.
WOODSIDE HISTORY COMMITTEE Meets second Thursday of each month, 10:00 a.m.; appointed for unexpired one-year term.
The Committee advises the Town Council and staff regarding actions, policies and plans relating to historic preservation.
Committees are volunteer positions and serve in an advisory capacity to the Town Council.
Interested residents may request information and applications Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon and 1-5:00 p.m., from the Town Clerk’s
Office at Town Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, or telephone (650) 851-6790, or Photo by Michelle Le/The Almanac through the Town’s web site at www.woodsidetown.org. Deadline for appli- New world carniolan Italian hybrid bees on a frame from a langstroth hive on Golden Harvest Bees’ property. cations is Friday, May 2, 2014.
26 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N April 9, 2014 COMMUNITY label on 70 eight-ounce jars and honey back and putting a Mr. Baxter says some people give them to clients, family and personalized label on it so he seek out local honey “for friends for Christmas. could give jars to clients over medicinal benefits ... for a good Mr. Vigo also keeps hives in the holidays. 80 percent of people with hay Portola Valley and Woodside, Mr. Vigo also keeps four fever the pollen in the honey where the arrangement is that hives in Karen Gilhuly’s garden has a way of stimulating your the host gets two pounds of the in Woodside. Last fall he set up immune system to build up honey, and then Mr. Vigo sells his gravity-strained extractor tolerance.” the rest of the harvest to Rob- in her garage to harvest his “Talk to your doctor,” he rec- erts Market, where it is pack- local clients’ honey. Frames of ommends, since some believe aged as Roberts Kitchen Honey honeycombs were scraped into there’s only anecdotal evidence in 16-ounce jars that retail for a bucket, and the wax was sal- to support this claim. $16.99. vaged for Mr. Vigo’s daughters Mr. Sieber says for him it’s Mr. Vigo keeps two hives at to make lip balm and candles. not all about the honey. He Mike Corley’s home in Wood- Ms. Gilhuly’s daughter Kate finds the entire beekeeping side. “The honey is phenom- sampled some of the fresh hon- experience therapeutic. “In the enal,” says Mr. Corley. “There ey and pronounced it as hav- afternoon light you look up in is something extra to it that ing “almost a smoky, darker, the air and see the bees coming makes it feel cool because it’s more flavorful” taste than the and going, and in the summer from your house.” spring harvest, which tends to when it’s warm in the garden, After the last harvest Mr. be lighter and sweeter, based on there’s a scent, the most incred- Corley ended up buying the what’s blooming then. ible smell.” A
Photos by Michelle Le/The Almanac Bars of BeezSoap are made using wax from Golden Harvest Bees. NIKE TENNIS SERIOUS. CAMPS FUN. STANFORD UNIVERSITY JUNIOR OVERNIGHT AND EXTENDED DAY CAMPS Directed by Head men’s coach, John Whitlinger and Head women’s coach, Lele Forood Photos by Michelle Le/The Almanac June – August | Boys & Girls | Ages 9-18 Richard Baxtor adds wet leaves to a smoker used to calm bees down by emulating a forest fire and calms STANFORD TENNIS SCHOOL bees down. Directed by Frankie Brennan & Brandon Coupe June 16-19 | Aug 11-14 | Full Day and Half Day Options | Boys & Girls | Ages 8-15 STANFORD ADULT TENNIS SCHOOL Directed by Frankie Brennan & Brandon Coupe Local youth basketball team takes national title June 14-15 & Aug 9-10 | Ages 18+
Redwood NJB’s 6th Grade USSportsCamps.com | 1-800-NIKE CAMP (1-800-645-3226) All Rights reserved. Nike and the Swoosh design are registered trademarks of Nike, Inc. and its affiliates, and are used under license. All-Net Team qualified for Nike is the title sponsor of the camps and has no control over the operation of the camps or the acts or omissions of US Sports Camps. the national tournament in Los Angeles by winning the Silicon Valley title. That sent team members to Los Angeles, where they won the National Junior Basketball champion- ship by defeating a strong team from L.A. in a double overtime game on March 16. Pictured (from left to right): STANFORD WATER POLO CAMPS James Pleasants, Justin Wad- dell, Justin Sellers, Owen Ages 7 and up. New to the sport or have Liston, Michael Matsuno, Ben experience, we have a camp for you. Rubin, Nick Tripaldi, Trevor Wargo, and Charlie Selna. Half day or full day option for boys and girls. Back row: assistant coach Ravi All the camps offer fundamental skill work, position work, Bhambhra; and head coach Junior Basketball organization side, Portola Valley, Menlo scrimmages and games. Peter Diepenbrock. Front row is a youth league with 25,000 Park and Atherton. A (seated): team manager: John participants in six states. The Submitted by Jeff Tripaldi, 650-725-9016 Diepenbrock. Redwood NJB program chapter director of Redwood stanfordwaterpolocamps.com The nonprofit National includes children from Wood- NJB and a parent of a player.
April 9, 2014 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 27 COMMUNITY Support The Almanac’s print and online coverage of our community. Join today: SupportLocalJournalism.org/Almanac
Little kids scramble to find eggs while the big kids cheer and take photos during last year’s Easter egg hunt. Easter egg hunt set for April 19 Enrichment Programs The Easter Bunny will be the star, but not the only attrac- tion at the Atherton Dames’ annual easter egg hunt set for Saturday, April 19. A magi- cian for those who want to be enthralled, and firefighters for kids who might relish meet- ing the person they inevitably want to be when they grow up will also be part of the mix at Preschool, Elementary this year’s event in Holbrook- Palmer Park. and Middle School The hunt begins at 10 a.m. and participants are encour- aged to get there early. Also on the day’s agenda are Let Your Child’s Adventure breakfast treats and beverages; in Learning Begin! a performance by Gerald the Magician; face-painting by Stratford School – Palo Alto Gigi and Joanna Sachs; pic- 870 North California Avenue ture-taking opportunities with (650) 493-1151 the Easter Bunny; and a chance to get a look at fire trucks and Summer enrollment forms an Atherton police car, and are available online. Call us or visit to meet firefighters from the Menlo Park Fire Protection www.StratfordSchools.com/Summer District. The event committee is ASSOC N IAT R IO E T N
S O E F W chaired by Anje Stevenson and
S C S Accrediting Commission E H for O G O Schools E L LL S C O City Councilwoman Elizabeth A N D Lewis, who, according to an Preschool State License Number: 434408056. Atherton Dames spokeswom- an, had the support of numer- ous community volunteers and groups including the Atherton Dames, the Holbrook-Palmer Park Association and the Men- lo-Atheron Little League. Tickets can be purchased at the event for $10 per person with cash or checks only; there is no charge for children 12 months and under. A
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28 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N April 9, 2014 COMMUNITY
Teen honored for efforts ‘to make Palo Alto Community Child Care Learning, Playing, Growing Together a lasting impact’ Good for Business. Good for You. Good for the Community. SUMMER FUN 2014 By Emma Marsano Special to the Almanac Grades 1– 6 June 2 to August 8 hese days, it’s easy for high school students to become STANFORD EXPLORE J.V. SPORTS ADVENTURE VARSITY SPORTS Tensconced in a world A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research CAMP ADVENTURE CAMP consisting of Entering 1st – 3rd grades Entering 4th – 6th grades classes, school- Dates: JULY 7 – AUGUST 1, 2014 Walter Hays Kids’ Club Walter Hays Kids’ Club work, athletics, Scheduled Activities* Scheduled Activities* social events, Place: Stanford University (School of Medicine campus) 3PORTSPLEX s 3AN *OSE 'IANTS 3PORTSPLEX s 3AN *OSE 'IANTS and college Eligibility: High School Students (9th-12th grade) NEIGHBORHOOD ULTIMATE applications. ADVENTURE FUN ADVENTURE FUN With so much Entering 1st – 3rd grades Entering 4th – 6th grades going on, many PROGRAM TOPICS: Hoover Kids’ Club Hoover Kids’ Club WEEK 1 (July 7-11) IMMUNOLOGY/CANCER Scheduled Activities* Scheduled Activities* teens forget to !QUA !DVENTURE s 3AN &RANCISCO