I got two messages that SFBATS was featured in contra costa times but apparently it isn't on the website. I'm still trying to get info. Someone will hopefully be faxing or e-mailing me the article so I'll be sure to post it. Unless someone found it online already.
EdgarOrtega
Today?
UglyKid2
Where can we get a copy in the North Bay?
Arachnocat
One guy wanted info about our next meeting and said he saw it in the paper a few days ago. Then I just got an email from some company trying to sell us a plaque of the article and they said they could fax it to me. So, it was sometime this week I guess. I'll let you know what I find out.
EdgarOrtega
I called the paper.
It ran on the 26th. She is emailing me the story.
I will post it when i get it.
EdgarOrtega
Here it is!
IT'S ALL ABOUT THAT WARM, FUZZY FEELING
Subhead: Spider buffs sell, trade, proudly display their most prized invertebrates at Concord event
Reporter: Doug Jastrow Correspondent
Desk:
Source:
Day: Sunday
Dateline:
Print Run Date: 4/26/2009
Digital Run Date:
Text:
CONCORD - Ken MacNeil, of Concord, is considered the largest spider dealer on the West Coast, so when someone captured a loose spider crawling around the Bay Area Tarantula Society's Spring Sling Fling on Saturday in Concord, they naturally brought it to MacNeil.
"Not one of mine, " MacNeil said. "Probably just a local."
MacNeil, an officer with the Tarantula Society, joined dozens of other collectors and dealers Saturday to sell, trade and proudly display their most prized invertebrates at the Concord Veterans Hall to other like-minded enthusiasts.
On display were hundreds of tarantulas, scorpions, roaches and snakes for anyone brave enough to enter the hall.
The Tarantula Society holds these expositions four times a year to help educate and raise awareness for creatures most people tend to avoid.
Although the group's name focuses on the large, hairy arachnid, the group's interests cover a broad range of animals.
"If we called it the cockroach society, it wouldn't be too popular, " said Fred MacDonell, president of the group.
MacDonell, a gardener from Santa Cruz, began the group in 2007 in a Richmond warehouse, along with five other founding members, so the group could get together and show off its bug collections. Since then, the group has grown to more than 75 members, and the meetings, like the one Saturday in Concord, have been opened to the public and are drawing big crowds.
MacDonell founded the group because he wanted to share his growing spider collection with others but didn't know where to find them. "I thought, there's got to be more people out there like me, " he said.
As the group has grown, so has MacDonell's collection. He now owns over 250 spiders. MacDonell said there are limits to being a collector of this type. He is not, like some in the group, a spider breeder.
MacDonell said the Brazilian Salmon Pink tarantula can produce more than 1200 offspring with a single pregnancy. Each baby spider needs to be cared for and carefully fed a diet of crickets.
"That's just too much time, " MacDonell said. "I've got a family."
Such limits do not apply to Ken MacNeil, aka "Ken The Bug Guy." By his estimates, he owns more than 15,000 bugs that he keeps in a 1,000-square-foot room in his Concord home.
Selling bugs online, with the assistance of his wife, has now become his sole source of income.
MacNeil got his start when he bought an egg sack of praying mantises from a local plant nursery. He then tried selling the mantises online and found himself sold out in just a few weeks. With the profits, he reinvested the money in some tarantulas he found online for a reasonable price.
"And with that, I pretty much started selling bugs, " MacNeil said.
MacNeil attended the Tarantula Society's exposition to meet with other dealers in order to trade and sell from his extensive inventory. Several potential buyers were in attendance to add to or start up their own collection. Peter Conheim, of Berkeley, came to the show thinking about buying a tarantula.
"I've always been a big spider fan, " Conheim said. "Someone was talking me into buying a baby tarantula, but it's so much more satisfying to have that big monster on your arm."
Rana Robillard and her 5-year-old daughter, Bella, were also at the show to look at tarantulas. Robillard said her daughter has always been a big fan of tarantulas, an interest Robillard said she does not share.
"I try to stay neutral about the subject, " Robillard said. "For her."
Robillard said owning a tarantula has been something Bella has wanted since she was 3 years old. And when they saw several for sale, Bella found it hard to resist.
"That's what she's asking for today, " Robillard said. When asked if her daughter would get one, Robillard was quick to respond.
"Not today, " she said.
Caption: PHOTO 1: Linda Baily, of Livermore, and her son Carter, 6, laugh while a tarantula crawls up Linda's back during the Bay Area Tarantula Society's Spring Sling Fling on Saturday, in Concord. PHOTO 2: Brook Mahay, 5, of Pleasant Hill, gets up close and personal with one of the furry eight-leggers. (Sherry LaVars/ Staff)
Publication: Contra Costa Times
Edition:
Section: News
Page: A19
EdgarOrtega
Woohoo! That was a nice article. I'm glad the reporter talked to Fred and included our founding.
We have well over 100 members, though.
We will have to get some copies. I want 3
UglyKid2
I'm glad they talked to Fred and put him in the article, its only fitting. I'll take 1 paper if you can get them
Arachnocat
Neat article. Was there only one photo in there?
Arachnocat
Here's what the plaque people sent me. FYI if you want a plaque its $265...
That top pic is a little creepy. lol.
DeeCasey
Very cool Rachel!
It is a great article!
LOL the first picture is of Raphaela, my PZB!
Very awesome gang!
BayLee
Nice article and nice idea about the plaque.
sntcruzan
Request
Can somebody get me 2 copies of this issue? My birthday is on Friday...Hint...Hint....
BayLee
Hey Fred, I can go down to the CCT on Thursday and get a few more copies and bring them to the meeting on Saturday.
sntcruzan
Update
Rachel,
I'm not coming to the meeting, I was in Napa last weekend. I made a mistake on the day that we could come up without a Little League Game that weekend.
Is there a way you can send me 2 copies and mail them to me? Let me know how much the cost and I will reimburse you.
Arachnocat
Hi Fred,
Sorry you can't make it. If Lony can get us some papers before the meeting I will definitely send them out to you.
BayLee
Re: Update
sntcruzan wrote:
Rachel,
I'm not coming to the meeting, I was in Napa last weekend. I made a mistake on the day that we could come up without a Little League Game that weekend.
Is there a way you can send me 2 copies and mail them to me? Let me know how much the cost and I will reimburse you.
Sorry you can't makke it. I will send you copies. I am going to get some more tomorrow.
No cost to you Fred.
EdgarOrtega
Aww she made me pay $20 for my copy... she blamed the economy and something about gas and trouble...
She just smirked when I gave her the money. Then she asked if I wanted to purchase a REAL Rolex watch.
It is a nice watch.
BayLee
EdgarOrtega wrote:
Aww she made me pay $20 for my copy... she blamed the economy and something about gas and trouble...
She just smirked when I gave her the money. Then she asked if I wanted to purchase a REAL Rolex watch.
It is a nice watch.
You forgot to mention that I received a phone at 11pm demanding copies. I had to pick them up during lunch next day. Because I had to rush I got a speeding ticket and almost got arrested. You got off cheap Mister.
