We finally got our computer updated and was able to do a clocking inventory.  All the birds should be clocked by the end of the day today.  We did our own clocking inventory a week ago and we had 384 birds.  Of course we have had hawk problems with the younger group that we have been letting out.  The older birds are locked up with their 9th and 10th growing in.  The health has been very good this year and the birds should be ready when we start training in middle of September.  Thank you to all our breeders this year.  Many of our breeder in Southern Calif. were not able to put birds in our race because of the Newcastle quarantind counties.

We will be using the same hotel again this year, Marriott Courtyard Liberty Station, San Diego.  We will have the itinerary up in a few weeks.  Of course we have added 2 races to our big week, Leach Feed is sponsoring the Royal Cup put on by John Timmerman which will be flown on Sunday of the weekend before Thanksgiving and the Dehesa Classic will be flown on Thanksgiving Day.

We are having difficulty with Wincom on our computer so we can't do an clocking inventory.  Therefore I went thru and marked all birds missing on the breeder list and the bird list.  You should be able to determine if you have any missing birds.  Any questions call or email me.  619-933-8188 or sminervangruen@aol.com.  Birds are doing great.

We cut the 9th&10th flights this week and will be pulling them 7-10 days later.  This is only for the older group, we will cut and pull younger group next week.  Birds are out most every day before we cut flights and younger ones are out daily for another week or so.  Hawks have been a big problem again the past couple weeks.  We will be putting a inventory on the website in the next couple days.  Health has been very good, looks like birds will do well again this year.  

Today, Wed., July 3 is the last trip to Yuma.  Any questions, Steve Miner, 619-933-8188 or sminervangruen@aol.com.

We took an inventory on Monday and were very happy to find that we were only missing 3 birds and we will contact the breeders for replacements.  We installed a fairly large settling cage, 10x10x10 and the birds were able to go down to the ground and learn to fly back up to landing board and feel comfortable around the loft.  It certainly has been very beneficial for settling this year.  The large majority of the birds are out every day, flying and enjoying life.

Our deadling for receiving birds is June 15 however if you need to send a few days after that let us know and we will accomodate you.  If we have to make a couple more trips to Yuma we can do that.

Today had a problem setting up inventory however I'm confident we have it up and running by tomorrow.  Sorry for the incconvenience.

Birds have been coming in steadily, we now have @350 birds in the loft with 3 weeks left.  We expect to have close to 500 birds this year.  Obviously the quarantine areas have had a negative effect on all our races in San Diego however we have worked very hard to make this year another great year for San Diego.  

The health of our birds has been very good, no major problems, of course I think 7 birds have had to be replaced.  We will be doing an inventory the next couple days so check to make sure all your birds are here.  We will take replacements until July 1.   We will contact those of you that may have bird(s) missing asap.

Thank you for your continued support of all San Diego races!!!!!

Our website technician, Shawn, is on vacation therefore website has not been updated.  We will have breeder and bird page updated in a week or so.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Birds are coming in daily from Yuma, we now have almost 200 birds, everything is looking good.  Birds are out of loft almost daily, of course we battle the cooper's and falcons but seems so far so good.

Donnie Miner, brother to Steve, passed away Sunday.  He had a history of enphysema and had been on oxygen the past few months.  Donnie was a San Diego Club member as a junior member in the 60's and flew in San Diego til he moved to Hayden Idaho in early 2001.  He was an avid pigeon man, very knowledgeable in eye sign and pigeons in general.  He won the AU Race 6-7 years ago and recently won the San Diego Triple Crown last November.  Donnie will be remembered as a person with a heart of gold, would help anybody anytime.  God Bless!!

Birds are coming in without any problems with the shipping.  We are hoping the ban on shipping in and out of San Diego will be lifted soon however not sure when.  We now have @80 birds are expecting many more this week.  Health is good and all birds are out on settling cage on front of loft.  Remember you must ship birds to our Yuma PO Box to get them to us unless you are hand delivering.

SHIP TO SAN DIEGO HOLIDAY CLASSIC, PO BOX 5861, YUMA, AZ 85366.  ATT. STEVE MINER 619-933-8188.

Since the postal service shut down receiving birds in San Diego we have opened a PO Box in Yuma, Az.  We have cleared  this with the Postal System and the State of Calif.  To ship birds to our race you can ship them to the PO Box in Yuma and we will picking them up on a daily basis Wed, Thur, and Friday every week until this ban is lifted.

SHIP BIRDS TO:  SAN DIEGO HOLIDAY CLASSIC, PO BOX 5861, YUMA, AZ. 85366.  ATT. STEVE OR JOHN, 619-454-7696 OR 619-933-8188.  IF BIRDS ARE GOING TO ARRIVE IN 1 DAY PLEASE SHIP ON TUESDAY.

Correction to Quarantined Counties, only LA, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties are quarantined, Ventura County is not.

Questions contacat Steve Miner, 619-933-8188 or sminervangruen@aol.com.