 What is North County Aviculturists? North County Aviculturists (NCA) is a club whose purpose is to stimulate and promote interest in aviculture, gather and share information for further education of the membership, and bring into friendly contact all those who love and raise birds of all types. NCA was established in January 1983. We are the only all-purpose bird club that meets in North San Diego County. Our membership is made up of people who own from one to one hundred birds or more; keep birds as pets or breed birds as a business; or own any kind of exotic bird (parrots, parakeets, canaries, finches, pigeons, softbills, gamebirds ... ). Anyone who has a love of exotic birds and wants to learn more is welcome. When are the meetings? With some exceptions, NCA meets on the first Saturday of each month. The doors generally open at 6:30 PM and the meeting starts promptly at 7:00 PM (meeting dates and times are subject to change; please contact the club first to verify). Board meetings are held on the same date as the general meeting one hour prior to the meeting. Guests are always welcome, and there is no fee charged to attend. What and when are some Upcoming Meetings and Events? Saturday, November 5, 2011, 7:00 pm Speaker: Paula Strausser Topic: You Eat What? An exploration of bird diets from a layman's point of view. Saturday, December 3, 2011, 7:00 pm Annual Christmas potluck dinner. Saturday, January 7, 2012, 7:00 pm Speaker: Topic: Saturday, February 4, 2012, 7:00 pm Speaker: Topic: Program information will be given as it becomes available. Where are these meetings held? Notice : NCA meets at the Vista Masonic Lodge, 761 Eucalyptus Avenue, Vista, CA 92084. From the North County Coastal area, take CA-78 east to the Civic Center Drive exit and turn left onto Civic Center Drive. After about 1.1 miles turn right on Eucalyptus Avenue. Travel about 1/4 mile on Eucalyptus Avenue and watch for the Masonic Lodge on the right. From the East and South, take I-15 north to CA-78 and go west. Exit at Civic Center Drive in Vista, and turn right onto Civic Center Drive. After about 1.1 miles turn right on Eucalyptus Avenue. Travel about 1/4 mile on Eucalyptus Avenue and watch for the Masonic Lodge on the right. From the North Inland Corridor, take I-15 south to Gopher Canyon Road and turn right. Follow Gopher Canyon Road 4.7 miles to East Vista Way. Turn left on East Vista Way and drive 3.2 miles to Civic Center Drive, and turn left. Travel about 1/4 mile on Civic Center Drive to Eucalyptus Avenue and turn left. Travel about 1/4 mile on Eucalyptus Avenue and watch for the Masonic Lodge on the right. Click here (mapquest) or click here (Google maps) for maps to the meeting site. I think that the Google map is the best, as it shows a picture of the Lodge so you know what to look for if it is your first time going there. - Chuck What goes on at the meetings? * Interesting Speakers * Since we are the only exotic bird club in north county, our speakers and presentations cover a wide range of topics. * Question Box * Ask questions on avian topics that will be answered by the audience. * Meeting other "Bird Brains" * Socialize before and after the meeting. Who knows who you'll meet and what you'll learn! * Ways & Means Committee 'Opportunity Drawing' * Lots of birds, cages, supplies and other goodies will go home with lucky winners! * Buying and Selling * NCA Members can sell birds and related items; anyone may buy. * Refreshments * Our Refreshment Committee, with the help of our members, puts out a yummy spread each month. There is always a great potluck of refreshments available after the meeting and you are asked to donate to the 'kitty' to help defray the cost of utensils and paper goods. * Just Fun Stuff * Our annual Potluck Picnic, usually in June, starts at 4:00 PM. Our December Holiday Potluck Party starts at 6:00 PM inside the Lodge. Is there more? * NCA Bird Mart & Educational Fair * For more information about NCA's Bird Marts click on this email link to ncabirds@gmail.com This year's mart was on the 15th of October from 9am to 3pm at the Escondido High School. A successful funds raising event once again, thanks to the efforts of Jill Thorburn. We hope to do it again next year. What are the benefits of NCA membership? * Monthly Newsletter * Our newsletter, "AVINews" in a PDF file e-mailed as a link to members. * E-mail of New Information * Members with e-mail can receive updates and notices throughout each month. * Library * NCA has a large and growing lending library that is available to members only. * Members-only drawing for free "opportunity drawing" tickets at the monthly meetings. * Sales Table privileges * Discounted booth fee at our annual Bird Mart. * The opportunity to socialize with and learn from other bird lovers. * For a Sample Issue of AVINews, click the link below: What does it cost to join? $25.00 - Single Adult "Traditional" Membership $ 5.00 - each additional adult in the same household who wishes to participate. $ 2.00 - each child in the same household who wishes to participate. Please contact the club if you require more information. A membership application may be downloaded below, in the attachments. To request a printed membership application click on this email link to ncabirds@gmail.com , or join us at a meeting. Please include your postal address in your e-mail. Avian Links: American Federation of Aviculture Avicultural Society of America Contact the NCA: ncabirds@gmail.com This page last updated 2011-11-05. |