For those interested, Beekeeping For Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470430656) is actually quite a good way to start.
We've had our queen replaced by our swarm and it was quite an amazing thing to witness.
Our hive/swarm gave more than 40 pounds of honey a year and we kept our whole street well fed with local honey for a few years.
And my garden almost doubled in productivity once the bees were in place.
A win all around.
Sadly a family member developed an allergy so we have to discontinue keeping bees, but it was amazing while we had them and I strongly keeping bees to anyone interested.