If you see a swarm of bees that won't move on - who ya gonna call? Jeremy Brickner, beekeeper and swarm collector. He will gladly respond, with a huge smile, to someone in need of help getting rid of unwanted bees. Yesterday afternoon he responded to the 800 block of F Street. Residents had noticed 5,000-6,000 bees hanging around a gutter, flying about, for roughly a week. He said he sells the boxes – that happen to be full of bees. The bees, however, are free – Brickner can't guarantee they'll survive long. He explained that about five generations of bees will become toxic from one generation’s exposure to the poisons used for extermination in the hive. Bees live four to six week

A mural of man-sized bees and bright orange honeycombs adorns the Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies storefront. The welcoming outer appearance is continued inside with congenial staff and a bright shop filled with golden honey jars, beeswax blocks, and beekeeping gear. Owner Nancy Stewart says that the bee enthusiasts and beekeepers who come to the shop are largely “cheerful people” who enjoy what they do and take pleasure in coming to the store to talk and engage in conversations about bees and bee products. Working in the Bee Business Stewart is an affable proprietor whose enjoyment of her work has much to do with the friendly atmosphere of the place. She says she “was born to retail.” S

River Cats starting pitcher Lenny DiNardo was roughed up in the first inning of Thursday’s game, giving up five runs and four hits before he could find his rhythm and pitch five innings against the Salt Lake Bees. DiNardo’s effort was more than enough and the River Cats were able to make up the deficit and add three additional runs to win the game 8-5. The River Cats chipped away at Salt Lake’s lead by scoring two runs each in the first and third innings, a game-tying run in the seventh, and added the final three runs to take the in the eighth inning on a three-run home run by designated hitter Shane Peterson. River Cats outfielder Jai Miller also homered in the game, collecting his team

The Sacramento Historic Cemetery on Broadway hosted an informational flower tour on Saturday. The 10-person tour group, led by guide Sharon Patrician, made its way around the cemetery, enjoying the multitude of plant life that the site has to offer. Members of the tour group were free to ask Patrician questions, explore plots and take photos. Patrician pointed out noteworthy plants and flowers along the way. Tour favorites were the fragrant historic rose bushes, vibrant red poppies and the rice flower, named for its pearl-like formation. Patrician passed around a primrose flower from a plant that has been in the ground for 10 years, encouraging attendees to feel its “silken quality.”

Local gardeners face many challenges, not the least of which are hot days and no precipitation between May and late September. Soon we will have water meters and thirsty yards will run up the water bill. The local area has also seen a decrease in a number of beneficial native insects, such as bees, butterflies and many of the native flies that aid pollination. Many gardeners have been complaining that their vegetables and fruits aren’t setting, and even though they had lots of blossoms they had few zucchinis, tomatoes, apples etc. Many of these problems can be remedied by re-introducing local California natives to your yard. The natives from this area tend to be very drought tolerant and

The bees were out and buzzing Saturday morning as two graduate students from the the UC Berkeley Urban Bee Laboratory spoke to 30 Sacramento residents about native bees and plants and their role in the environment. The gathering was in the Hamilton Square garden inside the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. It was organized by the Sacramento Audubon Society in conjunction with the Old City Cemetery Committee. Those in attendance sat in the shade of the Mortuary Chapel as Sacramento Audubon's Julie Serences introduced Misha Leong and Marissa Ponder from UC Berkeley. "There are many things that are out of our control with climate change. It can be so abstract," Serences said, "The one thi

The Sacramento River Cats played an early game on Tuesday, May 4th.  The first pitch was scheduled for 11:35am.  The weather was perfect, and while one fan said, "It's perfect golf weather," the obvious only seemed overlooked by that one person.  It was, in fact, perfect baseball weather and a great day to be at the ball park.  Any one of the hundreds of kids on hand would surely have said it beat being in the classroom.  Indeed, for many adults, it was better than being in the office.  For the River Cats, however, Raley Field is the office, and at 11:35am it was time to take care of business.  River Cats Pitcher, Jon Hunton, got the win.  Left fielder, Corey Wimberly, went 3-for-5 and st

Among many local beekeepers, Nancy Stewart is the queen bee, and her shop, Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies, is the hive. Stewart has spent a quarter of a century selling bees, local honey and all sorts of equipment needed to raise Apis mellifera ligustica in Sacramento backyards. And she has dispensed plenty of advice, starting with the fact that Sacramento city regulations allow two hives on any size lot. Now 72, Stewart gets help at the shop, 2110 X St., from her daughters, Pam Hill and Donna Stewart, and her retired husband Fred — an operation Brian Fishback, president of the Sacramento Area Beekeepers Association, compared to a colony of honeybees. "The workers all have the same goa

 West Sacramento, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats are happy to be back at the friendly confines of Raley Field after spending most of July on the road. The team will host the Salt Lake Bees in a quick four-game series before Sacramento goes back on the road. Salt Lake could very well be the River Cats’ first-round opponent in the playoffs. The Bees are only four games behind the Colorado Springs Sky Sox for first-place in the Pacific North Division. The South Division winner will play the North Division winner in the first round. The Series kicks off Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. when Shawn Chacon will take the mound for Sacramento. Newly acquired third baseman Brett Wallace and pitcher

 As the Sacramento River Cats finish up a four game-series with the Las Vegas 51s, the Fresno Grizzlies and Reno Aces are in Sacramento’s rear-view mirror in the PCL Pacific South Division standings. The River Cats are in the middle of a pennant race, and July will go a long way in deciding who wins the division. Sacramento plays Fresno and Reno eight times each in July. Sacramento begins the month with a three-game series at Raley Field against Fresno. As of Tuesday, the River Cats are six games ahead of the Grizzlies in the division. Sacramento then goes on the road for their longest road trip of the season, starting with four in Reno. The Aces trail the River Cats by seven games in th

 The Sacramento River Cats are back home beginning tonight for the start of an eight-game home stand. They begin their four-game series with the Salt Lake Bees tonight as former River Cat and now Oakland A’s second baseman Mark Ellis returns to Sacramento as a River Cat for a rehab assignment. The Bees have suddenly exploded as one of the top-tier teams in the PCL. Sacramento has a much-needed day off Monday before they finish their home stand with another big four-game series with another squad from the PCL Pacific North Division, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Sacramento split their last four-game series with Colorado Springs just two weeks ago. The River Cats finished up a quick three-

If you are like many Sacramentans, right about this time of the year you get a runny nose, begin to sneeze, and have a lot of chest mucus. These symptoms are part of your immune system's reaction to allergens, also known as allergies. But did you know that besides taking traditional medicine for allergies, there might be another supplement that can help alleviate your symptoms? It's honey — specifically, wildflower honey — and it can do much more than just help your allergies. Sacramento Press caught up with local bee farmer and honey producer Britt Floyd, and he spoke in an email interview about why buying his honey at the Southside Park Farmers Market might help one's allergies, beekeep