Activism: Oaks & Bees

The season of advocacy has sprung here locally in the Woodland and within the City of Angels. First off, as mentioned previously, I've been working with my neighbors regarding a lot where four oaks were cut down prior to a building project being approved. On Thursday four of us met with the developer and his son at the field office of our local councilman Bob Blumenfield. Cesar Diaz, the planning director for Blumenfield was present at the meeting.

The gathering proved very interesting and gave us lots of information for the upcoming hearing scheduled in Van Nuys where the developer will present his project before the review board. At that time, those opposed to the project will have a chance to speak.

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Rob of HoneyLove have made tremendous headway with legalizing efforts for urban beekeeping within Los Angeles. They begun the task by getting local city councils within LA to approve it, now up to seventeen. On February 12th the City Council in downtown LA will be voting on three bee measures:

1: Legalize urban beekeeping in Los Angeles
2: Saving America’s pollinators act
3: Humane policy for live bee removal

This is THE VOTE, which will finally have Los Angeles join other major metropolitan cities all over the US and the world that have been visionary in legalizing urban beekeeping.

While I had the ear of Cesar I mentioned several sites within the Los Angeles area that have been planted with California native plants to see if Blumenfields office seemed sympathetic to the cause. It appears they are, more on that shortly.

Scent of the week: To Bee and Q of course!

O Captain! My Captain!

There are rare individuals on this earthly plane who inspire by example and break conventional modes of thinking in order to bring about change. One such individual is Kirk Anderson, Captain Kirk as I call him, the inspiring mentor of the Backward Beekeepers here in Los Angeles. Without Kirk, his heartfelt wisdom and passion for holistic beekeeping we wouldn't have our club and most likely not be on the path to making urban beekeeping legal in Los Angeles. Kirks contagious enthusiasm drives our boat along with some very committed folk like Russell, Amy, Chelsea, Rob and the education committee.

The reason for this post today is because we have received word that Kirkobeeo needs our help. He's had some serious heart problems and is undergoing lots of tests, taking lots of meds and is required to rest, so he can't work as much as he needs to to take care of expenses. Chelsea MacFarland of Honey Love has created a page accepting donations for Kirk. In an extra effort to help out I am offering a 20% donation to Kirk on every To Bee flacon (the non pouch version) that is sold as well as a 5% donation on the 1 gram vial and the 5 gram honey pot. I also have some high quality prints of the honey bee image I did using one of my paintings which I will offer 50% donation on. Please note this offer cannot be used with any coupons.

Here is an inspirational clip that has the same emotional vibration of how many of us feel about Bee ship commander Captain Kirk.

Honey Bee!

The sun is in Leo and just now via a tweet I heard this "Happy Leo new moon! A good time for creativity, play, doing things that you love & being in your heart. What auspicious new as we celebrate the honey bee today!!"

Hope you locals will all be coming out to to Honey Bee Awareness Day in LA from 1:30 to 4:00 with festivities continuing at 423 West Gallery (7-10pm).

Ginger mentioned she would be going to her farmers market today and asking the honey sellers about bees. I enccourage you to do the same, if you feel courageous ask them these three questions to find our how pure their honey is:

~ Do you use feral beees?

More likely they will think you are out of your mind, since most beekeepers have been led down a path unconsciousness, convinced that they need to use the domisticated bee. The challenge with the domisticated bee is she has been bred larger (Bigger is better mentality). This breeding has created a honey bee that has a weakened immune system and thus doesn't survive very well. Meanwhile the tiny little feral bee, pictured above, manages quite well. Another example of how Mother Nature knows best.

~ Do you allow the bees to build their own foundation?

Another likely no answer. Most beekeepers, do not do this because it is easier to extract honey from chemically treated plastic foundation.

~ Do you use any chemical in the hive, like mite control?

Another likely no answer, if they are using the domisticated honey bee than they need to use mite control.

A very Happy and Aware day to you all, my scent of the day (SOTD) is To bee of course.

Honey Bee photo was taken by me on Thursday while celebrating my 50th birthday at the Getty. More on that soon. Image ©RoxanaVilla, feel free to pin.