January 2007
January 12-14 - San Pablo Cruise Out Photos February 4 - Super Bowl Potluck February 17-18 - Treasure Island Cruise February 24 - OYC Crab Feed March 17th - Ladies Luncheon Contents From the House |
|
The 2007 Directory continues to gain paying advertisers thanks to many members’ effort at salesmanship. Bruce Gillis is integrating the data as it reaches him, and thanks again to Mike Russell, two more member photograph opportunities are scheduled on January 5th & 19th. Following a few more refinements and integration of/to the revised OYC Bylaws and Policies, I am hoping for a first quarter print date of 2007 OYC Directory.
At the Board of Directors meeting in December, 2006 the Sunday buffet hours were extended until 12:00 noon. A bonus for the late morning risers! Additionally, a “token” price increase of $1.00 was also approved for the full buffet which remains a great bargain.
For those that like the idea of “One Stop Shopping”, the Harbor Reconfiguration effort and the Harbor committee effort are now integrated into the Harbor Committee which meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7 pm. The combined group now represents a rather large body of members. Information relative to both subjects should abound and OYC Members are encouraged to attend.
Welcoming New Members to OYC is always a pleasure. At the December Board of Director’s meeting FIVE new members received approving votes to the club roster. Kindly make a point of welcoming these valued Green Dot Members when you have an opportunity.
David & Shirley Burror
David & Toni Lyman
Elbeck Einer & Nancy Lasky
Jack & Sally Traughber
Mary Ann Maggiore
From my prospective, the 2007 Goals for OYC remain much the same from last year and years past, namely, Increasing Membership, the Harbor Plan B, Phase One effort (initially), continued maintenance of the Club House and Marina, maximizing opportunities and participation of Cruise Out’s, the continuing Power and Sail race activities and the Social programs all of which are member focused as well they should be. OYC has an excellent staff that supports the membership. OYC is a Members organization and the future of the Oakland Yacht Club is a shared responsibility. I urge your participation, your feedback, suggestions and recommendations.
A final note: After more than a year of personal effort and dedication by SC Paul Cahill, a new editor and publisher for the Seascape must be found. Paul established a standard that will be hard to emulate. Charles Chernack, OYC Web-Master has volunteered to organize the January Seascape and for that effort I am eternally grateful. Further developments regarding the Seascape production will be announced. The Seascape will continue onward.
The lighted boat parade was fantastic this year and we enjoyed many many beautiful decorated boats. It was a gorgeous night and we had a great turn out. Thank you to Bob and June Steffensen for donating their yacht as the judge’s platform. Again, we would like to thank Dick Fowler for being our Santa…. he does look great in red and he knows how to HO HO!! Diana Jessie along with her Sweet Adelines sang wonderful Christmas songs and made it very magical. Roger, in his usual fashion, set-up a wonderful Italian dinner with meatballs, sausages and everything else you can think of and with a glass of red wine you would have thought you were in Italy.
| Bill Niepoth, Education Chair On Panama, SP-30, and New Year’s Resolutions
It seems like I should be writing about New Year’s resolutions in this issue. It would be a timely topic and, with some stretch, I probably could make a connection to educational matters. I have some experience making resolutions but a less than laudatory record for keeping them. However, it is quite easy for me to suggest things for other people to consider. Here is one that is on my mind: Resolve in 2007 to take better care of your skin. Take care of your skin? What kind of a resolution is that? Well, let me explain. The recent news of the First Lady’s treatment for skin cancer was not the reason for my suggestion. Actually, I drafted this article several weeks ago. What prompted it was a couple of nights on board “Almond Joy” in late November when the temperatures felt like the low 30s. In a spare moment, I was flipping through an old Latitude 38. In the Changes section there were the usual communications from cruisers off in exotic waters. Most of the time, these folks seem to be in southern . . . warmer locations. The conditions in Almond Joy’s main salon were less than balmy. The articles from cruisers who had turned left outside the Gate caused me to recall with considerable pleasure past experiences in warmer climates. Panama, for example. Several years ago, I helped Carlos Valencia take his Bristol 29.9, “Felicia,” through the Canal and then on to the San Blas Islands. |
I got sunburned a lot when I was a kid. That probably is why I have had some skin cancer problems in later years. Just before I left for Panama, the dermatologist told me about a line of wearing apparel that protects against overexposure. I ordered a couple of items and, as late as it was, had to take what was available. As a result, I ended up with a pair of white pants, a red long-sleeved tee shirt, and a white hat that looked like it came from the late Yasser Arafat’s closet. I turned out in those duds the first day in the locks, tied up next to a big, gnarly-looking tugboat. I barely made an appearance on deck, when I heard snickers from some of the tug’s crew. That did it. I went below, stowed the showy apparel, and put on something less conspicuous . . . including a different hat. I also lathered up with sun block lotion. Later, after transiting the Canal and sailing on to the San Blas Islands, I tried out the garish sun gear. It was drab compared to the colorful molas made by the Islands’ Kuna Indians, but it still looked out of place. I take care of my hide nowadays with more muted protective apparel and SP-30 or 45.
There are different types of skin cancers, of course, but the most serious is melanoma. The National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) reports that about 42,000 Americans develop melanoma annually, with more than 7,500 deaths each year . . . and the numbers are rising. Melanoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women 25 through 30. At the other end of age spectrum, increasing numbers of older men suffer fatal melanomas. An old friend of mine was surprised when doctors found a melanoma on the bottom of one of his feet. Yes, on the bottom of his foot! Fortunately, they caught it early and operated . . . then followed up with radiation and chemotherapy. He is doing fine now, five years later, but it was a struggle. The early detection no doubt saved his life.
What do the experts say? Most agree that excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun increases the risk of melanoma. UV is not the only factor, but it is a primary one. Basically, you should limit your UV exposure, particularly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the “short shadow” hours). Several web sites, including the NCI’s, suggest ways to do this. Take a look at them. However, there is another wrinkle to think about. Sunshine helps your body manufacture vitamin D. If you cover up completely, you limit that ability . . . and insufficient amounts of vitamin D pose some health liabilities (weakened musculoskeletal status, for one). How much sun is needed and how does that balance against cancer risk? While there is lack of agreement on the answers, there is consensus that more research is needed. In the meantime, eat right and take your vitamin supplements.
In any case, get smart and take good care of your skin in 2007. Make a New Year’s resolution to do that. It will be easier to keep than cleaning out the garage or visiting Aunt Minnie in Omaha.
the infamous protective apparel |
a display of the fabric molas made by Kuna Indians in the San Blas Islands. |
a shot of Felicia in the locks tied up to a tug |
Felicia enroute to the San Blas Islands |
Rites of Spring RaceOYC's best-known race, the Rites of Spring for single and double-handed sailors, falls on March 17 this year. If you haven't done much short-handed sailing, this is the time. Short handed is great. Not only do you skip the hassle of lining up five crew and lunches, you finally get the opportunity to do everything done the way it should be done-your way. Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions are available.
Most participants don't race single or double-handed regularly, but do this one race just for the experience. Some, usually couples, count this as their only race for the season. In any case, it's a fun race, user friendly, with the winds and weather usually pleasant. So, come on out. This is easily the best possible way for a sailor to celebrate the start of spring-don't miss it.
Pick up an application at the club, OYC website or/and contact George Gurrola (510 843 9417) or ggurrola@comcast.net ) for details. | |
| A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO MEMBERS OF THE OAKLAND YACHT CLUB!! YOU ARE AWESOME AND DESERVE HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND! You filled 5 toy barrels with joy and love for some really great kids. You gave 208 lbs of food to some very hungry folks and when we passed the hat at the Lighted Boat Parade dinner, you gave $782.00!!! You made some very special people’s holiday season one to remember. And that’s not all. In her book, The Pleasure Zone, Stella Reznick says “the one who ends up getting the most from a good deed may, ultimately, be the good Samaritan.” In another book called The Giving Heart, M.J. Ryan says “Helping others can not only make us feel good about ourselves; it can also increase our physical well-being. A recent study by Cornell University found that volunteering increases a person’s energy, sense of mastery over life, and self-esteem.” (Pretty good news for a volunteer organization like ours) “Positive emotions also release endorphins, which leads to a relaxed heart.” . In my book you have a heart the size of the Bay, and I am very proud to be a member of OYC. Jim Sadler |