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June 2009
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June 28th Open House July 4th Potluck and Water Games
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Happy June!
We have had a few more OYC members at the Board of Directors meetings... please keep coming for it is wonderful to see our members take an interest in the intricate handling of club business. One of our members, Betty Collins, just got back from an 118 day Princess Cruise around the world. She visited many yacht clubs on behalf of OYC and distributed our club's burgee to and received burgees from various yacht clubs. She presented these burgees to your Board of Directors at the Board meeting in May. We have flags from France, Copenhagen, Scotland and awaiting one from Ireland. She shared with the Board tales of her travels and her interesting visit to Singapore where they do not have a yacht club but have a store that sells yachting uniforms. Thank you so much Betty for thinking of the club on your travels and we wish you a wonderful trip in August for your next 118 day around the world cruise. I would like to reiterate on OYC's declining membership. True, some
of it is economics but there are still potential members out there.
If we all work together, talk to our friends, bring them to the
club, treat them to dinner, etc......this might bring in new
members. Let all try! Ron Konkle gave an excellent presentation regarding alternatives for obtaining membership and this will be one of the highlighted items for the Board to consider. Our new Directory is currently available. |
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Another reminder about the "Buck a Foot Rebate" at Svendsens.......$1 in rebate per linear foot of your boat goes to OYC for a haul out, bottom job or engine service....all you need to do is present your OYC card. The harbor inspections that started last year are a success! Our Vice Commodore has continued with them this year and our members have been wonderful about correcting items as needed. Thank you all again. I would like to mention, now that summer is approaching, about washing and cleaning up your boat....some are in dire need and are calling out to you. Please come visit your boat and while you are here, stay and have dinner on Friday or Saturday or breakfast on Sunday and mingle with your fellow members. We would like to say farewell to Doug and Annette Switzer who have resigned from OYC for personal reasons. Doug was our Cruise Chairman and Annette was our Librarian. There is an opening for Librarian........it is a very easy task but much needed. Please contact me if you would be interested in helping out. Gail and Karen Harris asked for Cruising status and this was approved by the Board. OYC will conduct its annual boat photo shoot on the Bay, Saturday, June 6 around 11:30-12:00 on the north side of the Bay Bridge between T.I. and the City Front. Mike Russell will the taking the photos from Bob Steffensen's boat, Angelique. They may move around a bit to get the best background for the photos. You can hail them on Channel 72. Participating members will receive a couple of 8.5 x 11 photos, one of which can be used for display at the clubhouse. Reservations are appreciated to ensure everyone gets their photo taken. Any questions, please call Mike Russell at 925-944-0691. Sheldon Haynie presented at the Board meeting in May regarding the Wallace Cup. A letter has gone out to prospective yacht clubs regarding participation in this race for 2009. The Wallace Cup Declaration of Trust language has been updated and has been approved by the Board .... the 1938 Declaration was a bit out of date. OYC wants to host the annual Wallace Cup event for East Bay Yacht Clubs on October 3rd, with the intention of the event being a significant wrap up to the season. For more information, please contact Sheldon Haynie at sheldon.haynie@gmail.com Tom Charron gave the Board an update regarding the Point Vista facility next to OYC. This is crucial to OYC for many reasons. 1) There are only 394 total parking spaces in the Pacific Marina area which includes OYC, Marina Village, Encinal, Marina Village Inn and the apartments...if this catering facility were to be approved, there would not be enough parking to handle everyone. 2) The noise level for the lease of the building for catered events would impact the serenity of the club. 4) This would not be like a restaurant setting where patrons come and go but a building that is leased out for parties. 3) The security issues would be horrible. We are currently having difficulties now, there were a few car break-ins this past month in the parking areas we are talking about. There is a meeting regarding this at 7:00 pm on June 8 at the Planning Division , City of Alameda, City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Rm 190. Our Vice Commodore, Len Cardoza and Tom Charron will be attending. If you can possible attend, please do so for a combined showing can make a difference. Ciao Carolyn Hooper Commodore
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HOUSE View: Connie Russell, Rear Commodore
Baseball Cruise to
Pier 39 : OYC Cruisers had a bit different experience this
year as we spent the weekend at Pier 39 rather than South Beach.
Yes, the seals were noisy but the Harbor Office supplied ear plugs
if needed and the surge was a challenge, but the weather was an
unbelievable 90 degrees. Friday night, 16 of us hiked up the hill to
North Beach and managed to get seated a Joey and Eddy’s for a family
style Italian meal. Saturday we attended the baseball game. The
weather was “hot –hot” but the Giants were not------again! Saturday
night we had a great dock party. Thanks to Doug and Vicky Dewar and
Ron and Carmen Konkle for jumping in at the last minute to make this
cruise happen and for helping to give everyone a hand at docking in
some challenging conditions. Other cruise attendees were Michael
Hershey and Jet, Chuck Baker and Lorie, Anne and Sandy Jacobson, Jim
and Judy Labee, Pat and Lamont Sanders, Louie Johns, Ernie and
Linda Tuttle, and the Russells. Coming June Events: There are few credible excuses for any member to not get out on your boat this June either for a race or other Club event. The House Committee and Social Committee have scheduled the following for this month:
OYC Move Night Sat-Sun. June 6-7th Yacht Photo Day Sat. June 6th Salsa Dance Lessons Fri. June 12th Dock Party Sat. June 13th Cooking Class Sat. June 20th Get out, have fun and support your Club! July 4th Potluck and OYC Water Games: The Social Committee has scheduled a Potluck for Saturday July 4th and we are adding some special fun called the “OYC Water Games”. We are currently planning at least four events as follows: Kayak Races Radio Control Sail Boat Races Dinghy Races Rubber Duck Race I’d like volunteers from docks 2&3, 4&5, and 6&7 to help lead 1 of these events, sort of like a dock challenge. We can supply 2 kayaks and 1 radio control sailboat (Mike has all of the toys!) I will supply the not so valuable prizes for the winners. Check out the announcement and let me know if you would like to volunteer. If nothing else, I will learn whether or not anyone is reading the electronic Seascape. Remember that the Club Bar is now open on Saturdays at 2:30PM. As always, if you have any input or recommendations regarding the House, please send me an email at connierussell1@comcast.net (note 2 lls in Russell followed by the number 1), give me a call or joins us at the next House Committee Meeting.
Thank you, Connie Russell Rear Commodore |
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OYC Crooze Nooze
SIGNUP DEADLINE FOR DELTA
DAZE ANCHOR OUT CRUISE IS JUNE 25. Cruise dates are July 12
to 19. The Jessies will be leaving for the Delta on June 26 and will
need to know who's signed up. There will be a minimum of four boats in
order to have the cruise. If you have questions about location,
equipment, activities and/or cost please call or email Jim or
Diana.Phone 510-769-6753. Jim's email
marinesurveyor32@att.net ; Diana's email
dbjessie38@att.net
.
We hope to include some new spots and old
favorites. You will need a dinghy, anchor with ground tackle, and
working anchor light. We are looking forward to cruising with you.
NOTE: As in years past, there will be two separate cruises to the Delta. The first one (July 6-10) will take place at the Delta Yacht Club. The second one (July 12-19) will be an anchor out cruise to various place Some members do one or the other, while other members do them both. Don’t miss out. The Delta is a unique place and historically everyone who cruises up there has a great time. |
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Happy June
Schools out,
vacations are being planned, Flag day is this month, as is Fathers day,
it is truly the beginning of summer.
I missed Cinco de
Mayo, I heard it was a great success, especially with Salsa Dance
lessons in the afternoon. That would bring everyone to their feet.
Speaking of
lessons, a little bird told me that we are going to have cooking
lessons, the first one being on Saturday June 20 at 2:00 in the
afternoon. This lesson will be exploring how to make fresh sausage.
Also included with this first class is salami making. Cost is $15.00,
class size is limited to 25 students max. Sign up early, and for your
information this same little bird also told me that if this a success,
we can have more cooking lessons. So between dance lessons and cooking
class's, I see our group becoming classy and sassy
Looking forward
into our busy summer social calendar, there is the June 13th dock party,
another dock party on July 4th and our Luau on July 11th, and then just
one month later our Blues & BBQ on August 11th. These are Interesting
events for this next three months.
We hope all of you
had a pleasant Memorial Day holiday weekend. BTW, how many of you
happened to watch the entire Indianapolis 500? Lap 181 and Danika
Patrick is in third place. That is a WOW. I've got to run and
see..............
Until July's
social news,
we remain your
awesome threesome,
Inez, Pattie and
Toni
see the entire social calendar
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On Saturday, June 20th I will be conducting a one day cooking class on fresh sausage and salami making. Growing up this was an activity that I enjoyed with my grandfather and father, and I hope to share it with you. In this class we will produce two fresh sausages that we can sample immediately, and we will produce two salumi that we can taste once they have cured (in about 90 days). This will be a hands-on class, so be prepared to make a mess. The class will start at 2:00pm and last about 1.5 hours. To keep it manageable there is room for a maximum of 25 students. The cost of the class is $15 per person. A sign-up sheet is in the club lobby. If there is sufficient interest
we will continue with other classes/topics such as cheese making,
mushroom foraging, fresh pasta, etc. I hope to see you there! Chef Kris |
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October Past Commodore Cruise to Loch Lomond Yacht Club October 9 thru 12th , 2009 You are all invited to the Past Commodore’s Cruise to Loch Lomond Yacht Club. In particular we would like to extend a SPECIAL invitation to all the OYC New Members in 2008 and thus far in 2009. This is Columbus Day weekend and you can arrive on Friday and depart on Monday. There are a lot of berths and we feel we can accommodate all that wish to attend. We promise a good time, good weather, good food and good friends. The Past Commodores wish to remind you that this is NOT a Cruise just for Past Commodores but a Cruise sponsored by the PC’s. All members are invited!! A signup sheet will be posted in September but we want you to put the dates on your calendar NOW!!! If you need additional information, please feel free to contact PC Michael Hershey at 510-652-7140 or PC Ron Konkle at 925-831-0991.
Giants Baseball Cruise, May 15 -17, 2009 Eight boats and a total of 29 participants enjoyed San Francisco, Pier 39, Seals, sunshine and a little “rock and roll’ on the Baseball Cruise. Our thanks to Doug and Vicki Dewar plus Michael Hershey and his guest “Jet” for all the work with tickets, cocktails and great companionship. Rear Commodore Connie Russell and husband Mike did a great job of getting us all together for a wonder dinner at a restaurant off Washington Square for Italian dishes on Friday evening. The Giants did not win but the view seats gave us a lot to look at while the runs rolled up. It did get a little too hot and sunny for some of us. By the end of the game the OYC crowd had diminished by a majority number. For those of you that have not spent a recent night at Pier 39, we’d suggest you give it a try. Guest docks are on the west side of the Harbor in docks near the Seals. The Harbor does offer ear plugs free of charge at the Harbor masters office but I do not recall anyone using them. The surge did provide some difficult times for a few of the boats but it was not too bad. Many have seen worse. We want to thank Chuck Baker, Dog and Vicki Dewar, Michael Hershey, Sandy and Anne Jacobson, Jin and Judy Labbe, Sandy and Pat Lamont, Mike and Rear Commodore Connie Russell, Ernie and Linda Tuttle and Louis Johns plus their guests for making the Cruise a great success. Co-Chairs Carmen and Ron Konkle |
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From the Race Deck:
May racing featured the Sweet 16 series with
5 fleets racing on the Estuary, results are posted on the racing
web pages. As of the 20th (race 3) John Tuma was leading Fleet A,
with Richard Keller in 3rd, George Gurrola and Robin Ollivier
were contesting in Fleet B, several OYC racers were in the middle
of the pack in Fleet C, and Tom Charron and Warren Taylor were in
the upper half of fleet F. Next month will see the remaining 4
races of the first half of the Sweet 16.
The Interclub race on May 9th was on the
Central bay course, and was a race around Alcatraz. Robin Ollivier
and Emile Carles were racing in Fleet 1, while Fleet 3 (non
Spinnaker) was swept by Martin Jemo, Michael Maurier and Steve
Zevanove with Sheldon Haynie placing way back in 6th. The next
interclub will be hosted by OYC, and takes place on June 13th,
with a dock party afterwards. Come out and play on the bay, or at
least come to the party and swap lies about unexpected headers and
foul currents with the rest of us.
All members are encouraged to look in their
June statements for the coupon which gives un-entered sailors a
free race. Just bring the coupon up to the race deck, or mail it
in with your entry, (or since this is the 21 century, just email
me, or show up and call in on channel 69) We will open a Novice
class start if there is any interest, to allow new comers a chance
to get a feel of going around the buoys without having to contend
with the intimidating skills of the " mighty woofs". (go ask Jim
Jessie, he'll tell you all about what it means to be a woof)
The Race committee will also be hosting a learn to race event on Sunday June 28th, concurrently with the Membership open house, starting in the regatta room at 1100. Come on up, have breakfast and sit in, we will have guest speakers from our racing fleet, volunteer coaches for the on the water segments and even provide some skippered boats for those who want to get out and try racing, but perhaps not yet on their own boats. Even if you don't think you would ever want to race, Its a no fee, great way to learn about boat handling, sail trim and basic rules/tactics, and get a sense of what all the fun is about.
We will run starts on a short race with the
normal start off the race deck, to a buoy off the Oakland shore
(#2 on chartlet) The objective is to provide lots of short
races, practice starts and the ability to try new things. Members
are encouraged to participate either as clinic attendees, or as
volunteer coaches and skippers. Leave your experienced crew ashore
and take somebody new racing. Sign up with the office, or email me
at
sheldon.haynie@gmail.com so
that we can provide enough coaches and boats for those who are
interested in getting out. All sailors welcome, if you have
friends who are not members, drag them along !.
And finally thanks to all the volunteers, who help put out the marks, retrieve the marks and set up the race deck. Please take a moment to thank John Tuma, Robin Oliviier and Don Rowlands who have pitched in and the crew on Nice Turn (Dick Johnson et al) who have placed the marks for years. If you are looking for something to do, consider volunteering to fetch the marks with our RIB. George Gurrolla will be running our Interclub race again and can always use help on the water with time keeping, check in and flags.
Race Committee
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It’s not easy to get a good photo of your boat underway. This is your chance to do it and to proudly display it on the wall of the Club’s dining room. OYC will conduct its annual photo shoot on the Bay, Saturday, June 6th. Around 11:30/Noon on the North side of the Bay Bridge between T.I. and the City Front, Mike Russell will be on Bob Steffensen’s boat, Angelique (75 foot power yacht). They may move around a bit to get the best background for the photos. You can hail them on channel 72. . Participating members will receive a couple of 8.5X11’s, one of which can be used for display at the clubhouse. Reservations are appreciated to ensure everyone gets their photo taken. Any questions, call Mike Russell at 925-944-0691.
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Scholarships Available! Deadline for Yacht Club Nominations June 30, 2009 As we mentioned in last month’s Seascape, The Western Boating Safety Group (WBSG) and PICYA are offering four $2,500 scholarships for students whose parents, grandparents or guardian are members of a yacht club that belongs to PICYA. If any Oakland Yacht Club member would like to nominate someone from your family or a friend, just go to the PICYA web site www.picya.org and click on scholarships. You’ll find everything you need – criteria, application forms and other information. The deadline for submission of applications is June 30th. The scholarships will be awarded on November 2, 2009, at the PICYA Awards Dinner Meeting at Encinal Yacht Club. For more information, contact Linda Breninger, Chair 916-771-5685 lbreninger@ips.net or Sue Roderick 510-521-6754 rodsroost@alamedanet.net. Lipton Regatta Series – July 18-19 – Golden Gate Yacht Club The annual Lipton Regatta is coming again next month! Oakland Yacht Club members are invited to participate in the PICYA Perpetual Cup Regattas – Big Lipton, Larry Knight, Little Lipton and Admiral – all occurring on one weekend at Golden Gate Yacht Club, July 18-19. Information and entry forms are available on the PICYA web site www.picya.org. We hope you will join in this exciting series! California Budget and Elimination of California Department of Boating and Waterways Much appreciation is due to yacht club members all over the state who called and sent letters and emails to their legislators and the Governor regarding the elimination of our State Department. It has once again escaped the chopping block and we want to give a hearty thank you to the Recreation Boaters of California’s campaigns and lobbying efforts that helped lead to the removal of the DBW issue from the docket of the committee designated to consider it. This is not the first and it will not be the last time DBW will be up for removal. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for the next steps to be favorable as well. Many thanks to all of you who took part – it does make a difference. Opening Day on the Bay – Winners! The best overall decorated boat in the Opening Day on the Bay parade was Seasilk, a beautiful Hylas H30 46’ skippered by Craig Blasingame, Sue Steven and Natalie Sturm of Oyster Point Yacht Club. Their theme was “KRAKEN: The Legendary Sea Monster”. PICYA awarded the BoatUS Ward Cleaveland trophy to them at the Delegates Meeting May 4th. Other trophies were awarded as follows: Jim Purvis, Marin Yacht Club on Sans Souci (Captain Morgan trophy); Sandy Grieve of Richardson Bay Yacht Club on Aniasuma II (Pier 39 trophy); C. Gordon Strom of Treasure Island Yacht Club on 306 Nangor (Marine World trophy); and Oyster Point Yacht Club (Royal Cruise Line trophy). Congratulations to all and enjoy the photo of Seasilk.
As always, if you have any issues you would like to be brought up to PICYA, let us know. John Roderick and Sue Roderick – PICYA Delegates – Oakland Yacht Club 510-521-6754 or cell phones 510-51704727, 510-205-1908 |
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OYC Movie
Weekends
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CRUISE TO DELTA YACHT CLUB
It is up river time again! OYC is cruising up to the Delta Yacht Club beginning Monday, July 6th and leaving Friday, July 10th. Make your plans and sign up now. There is no limit. Delta YC has 600 feet of dock space, a clubhouse, a 20’ x 40’ swimming pool, and plenty of room to relax. |
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A New Amenity for Boating “Clean and Green”
Free bilge absorbent “pillows” are now
available in dispenser racks at Gate 6 and Gate 3. Each berther will also
be getting one directly through the mail. Place it in your bilge (a handy
loop can be used to tie it in place) and check it from time to time.
Water passes through it, but oil sticks- it can hold up to a quart of
oil. When it looks dark and blotchy, it’s time to pull it out and dispose
of it in the red can, located next to the dispenser rack. It will be
picked up by a specialized hauler and recycled.
The bilge absorbents and recycling service are funded by the City of Alameda, using grant funds from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
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HUNGRY?? Taking the boat out for the day? Taking guests? Need some great food? Call OYC and order box lunches. Fixed fresh to your order. Sandwich – salad – cookie - & a drink! $ - - - - - $ Priced right $ - - - - - $ See the Box Lunch Program
IMPROVE YOUR SAILS’ PERFORMANCE & SHARPEN YOUR boat handling SKILLS
The fastest, and the most fun, way to fine tune your sail trim & boat handling skills is to join an OYC informal race series. Keep your eyes open for the advance notice about this winter’s Sunday Brunch Race series. Even the best among us can always get a little better. If you’d like to volunteer to help the Race Committee, please contact Craig Wong. Racing is a “hoot”, give it a try! |
Try something a little different and volunteer to help your Club. We belong to a Club that is completely dependent upon each of us volunteering to help with a variety of Club projects. Please make a little of your time available and become involved with our Club's governance, boating, & social functions; our Club's future always looks much brighter when we have a wealth of new ideas.
Host Your Next Event at Oakland Yacht Club I wanted to make sure that all members know that the Clubhouse is here for each member to use. If you are getting ready to celebrate a special occasion (Wedding, Anniversary, Retirement Party, Baby Shower, Holiday Party, etc.) the club is here for you. Members get a $200 discount off the Room Rental rate. We want you to feel welcome in planning any special occasion at you Yacht Club. For more information please contact Elaine Mendes at (510) 522-6868 or via e-mail at emendes@oaklandyachtclub.com Why do all the work, when we can do it for you |
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Hello from
Pete Lismer
Hello from Moissac France
2009 #2 A watched pot never boils. A watched toaster never burns toast. The first is an old wives’ tale told to me by my Grandmother and the other is a modern scientific deduction I made after removing burnt toast from our new French toaster. For some reason the toaster does not know when the bread is done and it keeps toasting until either I stop it or I notice smoke emitting from the top, in which case I stop it. The weather is off and on, that is to say the rain is on today but off tomorrow and then maybe the next day also. We had a rather heavy rain yesterday, Tues 28 Apr. It was cold enough in the clouds that it hailed and the ground was covered with white hail stones for a while, but then the sun came out and all was well for 20 minutes, then more rain. The children across the street at the school were out, playing, when it hailed and you should have heard them scream, you would think they were getting wet or something. Spring has sprung a leak here, but that is OK with me. I just stay indoors, read, and keep dry. Except when we go out and then I try to run between the drops. We just can’t leave things as they are. Case in point, as you know, if you saw the pictures of our jungle/garden last year, there is a covered patio of sorts as you go outside from the kitchen and I spent some time there drinking wine while Liz attacked the garden. Well, we decided to enlarge/change the patio and we called our friend Habib, our source for all things that require construction. He resolved the pigeon roosting problem in our chimney and got a stone mason to repair our garden wall last year. After some discussion we went forward with a grand plan to enlarge and reshape our patio. I will have some pictures showing the progress soon. We, actually Habib and his mason friend, dug a big hole, knocked down a low brick wall, laid some stone aggregate tile and constructed a half circle wall where the dirt was. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the weather gods caused it to rain big time. We almost had a river in the yard instead of a dry patio but Habib came to the rescue and he strung a big blue plastic tarp over the whole area. Actually it looked like an archeological dig and we were looking for some lost civilization, something from 1000 years ago in Moissac. Sorry, no luck on historical relics, but we did save the site from being washed away and the patio was finished. Actually it is large enough that if it gets too hot we could wall up one side and have a good size wading pool. Speaking of rain, it has been raining, as noted above, so often that Liz can’t get out and move all the loose dirt around to level out the area. The dirt is so wet that we either sink up to our shoe soles and get stuck or the mud sticks to our shoes and we track it around the house. Thank God for the tile floors. Have you noticed how society has evolved the last few years? Once when people went around talking to themselves we would think they were going crazy and commit them? Well, now we just hope they are talking on their cell phones using the required “hands free” ear piece and not bother them. As the song goes “The times they are a changing.” We are still looking for more furniture for the house and found a really cute telephone seat with attached table. This was not on our list, but who cares? The fabric is the same color and style as the other “new” old 30s chair we found a few weeks ago. It looks like it is small, just for a child, but an adult can sit in it easily. There was an antique-second hand fair last weekend in the place in front of the Abbey and there was a lot of furniture, clothing and old stuff on display and for sale. It is dangerous to go out wandering on a nice day when there is a fair going on. One might see something he or she would like. It is interesting that someone’s old stuff can become somebody else’s antique or desirable trinket. All said, we found the newest member to our home, the phone chair, now all we have to do is to find a way to use it. Our first guest arrived last week for a few days and we had fun showing off the town and the surrounding area. Since the area is full of historic and interesting sights we have developed some short day trips for our visitors. Liz is a born tour guide and I am a boring amateur historian and together we can occupy our guest’s time with more information than they wanted and keep them entertained while they are here. Actually, this part of France is really full of wonderful and historic sites and it will take me years to see it all. Well it is time for me to do something productive like, ----- don’t rush me I am thinking. O yes we have to go to the store and get more wine, chips, water, and food in that order and go quickly before it rains again. I say, life is simple and should be enjoyed when one can. Take care, vote, and stay dry and until next time,
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iPhone Wind Meter App
"Works real cool; pretty accurate side by side with
other handheld meters, seems to have better averaging as compared to skywatch" |
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Salutations from the Harbor!
Even
a well-maintained boat engine may drip a little oil from time to time-
ever think about where all those drips end up? Thanks to a new program at
Oakland Yacht Club, it won’t be in our Bay! 
We
trust that you are finding the iPhone Wind Meter App an interesting accessory.
We have just reduced the price from 2.25 Euro to .78 Euro or .99 cents US at
the Apple I Tunes App Store. And we are just beginning to advertise to Wind
Surfing enthusiasts who happen to own iPhones.