February 2007
February 4 - Super Bowl Potluck Advanced Coastal Navigation Class February 17-18 - Treasure Island Cruise February 24 - OYC Crab Feed March 4th - Open House March 17th - Ladies Luncheon Contents |
Alas, we all need to be aware of and acknowledge that Roger "The Chef" will retire effective February 28th. We certainly appreciate his “record” service to OYC and wish him every success. (See R/C C. Hooper’s article as well.)
In terms of Social opportunities, February is again filled with options. I would hope that you avail yourselves of the “Super Bowl” Party and if you have an interest in a “short distance” Cruise Out, I remind you that the sign-up sheet for the February 17-18 Cruise Out to Treasure Island is now posted. Bill Fishel, Cruise Sponsor advises that a limited number of boats will be afforded slips; the balance will be in the historical anchor-out profile. TI reports that they have a new Dingy dock for your landing pleasure. Least I forget the additional opportunity for the February 24th OYC Crab event that doesn’t even require cranking up a single boat!
An initiative to RE-KEY the Oakland Yacht Club dock gates and Club Building has been initiated by V/C M. Jackson, S/C Dick Johnson, S/C Dennis Mahoney and Craig Wong. For details read V/C M. Jackson’s report. And what about the Harbor Reconfiguration you might ask. Well, rather than steal reporting from V/C M. Jackson, I again refer you to his report. Needless to say we all want things to move faster and be completed this year; however, caution has become the watchword as greater understandings of events, requirements, and expectations have been experienced. Some hard lessons have been learned. Prudence and attention to detail is now far more incorporated into the planning and action items as OYC moves forward.
With a pleasant Indian summer to date, that is what it was right? I trust spring time approaches or is that too optimistic. At any rate let’s hope so and I’ll see you on a Cruise, the Docks at the club House or wherever……
Why are we doing this? As I’m sure that you are aware, anyone that has one of our metal keys has access to not only our Harbor, but also to the head and Regatta Room in our House. Since it has been so long since we last updated our combination it is very likely that many non-members have our keys; this could easily result from Club members that resigned and didn’t return all of their keys, or contractors that borrowed a key and never returned it. Many of your Club's leaders agree that it is past time to improve our security.
When you pick up your new keys please remember that these keys are solely for the use of our Club members and their families; they are not intended to be given to anyone else such as the contractors that are working on your boat, divers, canvas makers, etc. If these people need to have access to our harbor they may leave their drivers license at the office in exchange for a key. Thanks for Your Patience during this process.
New TRASH SITE
Another change around the harbor includes the long over due termination of the dumpster near piers 2 & 3; this should be permanently removed by the 15th of February. It is routine for this to be used as a dumping place for a wide variety of things that may require special handling as toxic waste. Where this material comes from is unknown, but I’d guess that members of our surrounding community find it easier to dump their questionable material into an unprotected dumpster, than to take it to the correct disposal site. So, where should you put your waste from a weekend on the boat? It is just a short walk to the dumpsters across from the Club house and behind the old Tied House; your using this location will help us solve this issue before it becomes a problem, and save us the money that we’ve been paying for a dumpster’s use.
New harbor POLICIES
For the past year, the Harbor Committee has worked to revise and clarify the policies that govern our harbor. These policies were approved during the January Board meeting and will be published in the new Directory in the coming weeks. It is worth your time to give them a quick scan and to know what they cover. These revised policies have been significantly shortened and written so that they are easier to understand. If, after you have read them, you have any questions please let me know and I’ll be happy to discuss them with you.
The harbor reconfiguration project
If some of you have stopped believing that there is really a plan to reconfigure the harbor, I wouldn’t blame you a bit. We have had at least our fair share of delays. As of now we have the Board’s approval to sign a “short term” contract with the new contractor (Cooper Crane) and we’re waiting for them to provide us with some data for the contact. We are doing a short term contract so that Cooper Crane can begin working now on the remaining permit (City of Alameda) and the first design drawings. While these items are being worked on we will simultaneously be working with our attorney to draw up the final contract for construction; I’d love to tell you when I think the piers will be moved and the new slips will be finished but with this project’s history there’s no way that I’d even guess. (Maybe this spring – but you didn’t hear that from me) As you’ll recall, the debt that may be required for this project was approved at last year’s General Membership meeting. To date we haven’t incurred any debt, we’ve only spent $38,800, and we currently have a reserve of a little over $200,000.00. I’ll pass on to you what some people have been telling me ……….. “HANG IN THERE, this really is going to happen”.
Winter boating activities
Now that summer is gone and snow is dusting the Bar Area’s hill tops, you are a lot less inclined to go down to your harbor and visit your boat. As I was walking around the harbor yesterday I saw your boat and she asked me to tell you that she is doing fine but misses you a lot. She asked if you knew about our Club’s Sunday Brunch race series and she suggested that she’d love to be a part of it. (Doesn’t everyone talk to boats?) Power boats are welcome too; the race committee always needs help setting and retrieving the race buoys. The Club puts on a great Sunday Brunch (hence the name of the races) and after a relaxing meal, you can go out and play with your boat --- if its still really cold just bring a thermos of hot chocolate. Boating is always more fun than working on the “Honey Do” list ……. Right???
Mike Jackson
Vice Commodore.
Steve and Lynn Haggerty donated a fantastic sail boat picture. It is already hanging and being enjoyed. Thank you.
OYC will be having a crab feed on February 24 so sign up early and bring your bibs. What could possibly taste better than crab with a glass of wine?
Also, ladies, please mark your calendars for March 17th for the ladies luncheon. I heard from the grapevine that there will be a fashion show.
Our breakfast hours have been extended until noon for a month now and I have had lots of positive feedback from members who had difficulty trying to make breakfast by 11.
The Wine Committee has been incorporated into the House Committee and we are very excited and pleased to tell you that we will be evaluating new wines. This will be a tough job but someone has to do it!
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the galley, bar, etc., please feel free to email me at cahoop@ix.netcom.com and please reference OYC in the subject line.
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
My first computer was an Osborne that I bought in about 1981. It was billed as the world’s first portable computer, but people who owned one said the term should have been “luggable.” It just barely fit under an airplane seat in coach, and weighed considerably more than the Bruce anchor on our boat. It had a five inch screen and 64k of RAM. Pretty measly by today’s standards. The Mac laptop I bought three or four years ago weighs less than five pounds, and has 256 MB of memory. I owned several computers between the Osborne and the current laptop, but the old Osborne was my first love. I nearly cried when I took it to the recycling center.
I take the Mac on board Almond Joy fairly often, mostly to do word processing. I have not used it for marine purposes, yet . . . but, I am looking forward to Marilee’s presentation to get some ideas. If you have a computer on your boat, you should consider the session also. It will be a great way to get smart.
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. | |
Annual Iceberg Cruise well attended
In spite of some of the worst weather in recent memory the annual Iceberg cruise was well attended with some 76 plus members braving freezing temperatures to enjoy the feast from the sea. Many members drove up after Bay conditions forced them to return to port. Several boats made it on their second try. Our thanks to Bob Steffensen and Glen Voyles for being on hand Friday and Saturday to assist incoming boats. Several new members were especially pleased with the cruise and commented on the fun they are having with the club. Point San Pablo showed us their usual excellent hospitality and a special thanks to Harry Hogan, Rear Commodore and Paul Lagier, Port Captain for all their help. Next month it is a cruise to TI being sponsored by Bill and Alison Fishel. Don`t miss it and we look forward to seeing you on the Bay and in the clubhouse. Cruise Chair, Roy Stark |
There’s No Better Time to Ham it Up!
Calling all Hams (and those who aspire to be): the happy day is here! On February 23, 2007, the FCC will eliminate the Morse Code proficiency requirement for the General Class amateur radio license!
Anyone who passed their General Class element 3 written exam within the 365 days prior to 2/23/07 and holds a valid CSCE can get their license upgrade without taking the Morse code test. If you haven’t taken any of your radio tests yet, there’s no better time than now! On July 1, 2007, the General license exam will become more difficult with the addition of new technical questions. So, dust off those text books, and start studying now!
Have questions about amateur radio licenses? See Marilee or Steve Shaffer or send us an e-mail to marilee@waypoints.com. |
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