Commodore`s Scuttlebutt

VOLUME 26 BLAST 5
www.marinyachtclub.com
May 2009
Commodore’s Scuttlebutt
O
ur April 4th membership
meeting on the proposal
to create a new class of
membership, regular spousal, was
well attended. I had the opportunity
to explain the proposal and its
importance for the club, to answer questions about
it, and to listen to all of your thoughtful comments
and suggestions. I took a number of informal straw
votes on certain issues that were raised, and on the
basis of that have made several changes to the text
of the proposed by-law. The members present
were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal. At
our Board meeting on April 27th, the Board will
examine the precise wording of the proposal and
determine whether to present it to the membership
for vote.
The April 2nd- 4th cruise out to Jack London
Square, organized by Noel and Bonnie Diefendorf,
was a great success. While bad weather had been
predicted, we basked in warm weather, had great
meals, toured the lightship, and attended a great
performance at Yoshi’s.
Our work day on Saturday April 11th was well
attended and we got a lot done. I want to particularly
thank the organizing efforts of Lee Essayan and Don
Lesley. I have to think the quantity of vegetation
that had to be chipped by Jim Prince and his gang
exceeded anything from past years. And not to
escape notice, Rich Schmidt and Terri Wright have
been working a number of long days on the grounds
of the tennis facility, which of course is the entrance
to the club, to make it look particularly sharp. And
please take a look at the newly created view of Mt.
Tam off the south west corner of our property: we
had a great view but never saw it. And as you have
probably noticed Lee Essayan’s landscape committee
did not just work on work day, but has been very
busy before and since: if you want to volunteer,
please give Lee a call.
Coming up in the near future we have the
Commodore’s Ball on May 2nd, the Monday May
11th trip to the California Academy of Sciences,
the St. Francis Yacht Club’s chorus, Sons of the Sea
performing May 15th, and our Cruise to Angel
Island on May 16th. So please sign up early for
these events.
Our club’s combined classic car and boat show is set
for July 18th. If you know someone with a classic
car or boat, or have one or more yourself, please get
them entered. Even if the owner is out of town that
weekend, provision can be made. I will be showing
a gorgeous cream colored1936 Auburn (replica)
convertible on behalf of Jim and Bernadette Sweeney
who will be busy with their triple windshield
mahogany Chris-Craft Little Bear in Tahoe that
weekend with the classic small boat show.
Commodore Jim Purvis
The Port Report
Membership
Committee Report
The safety ladders are in place on all
three docks. The number is limited
by the practicality of cost and
obstructions by pilings, etc. The
safety ladders are supplemented by
the number of swim ladders fitted on
many of the boats in the harbor. I
recommend that each family become
familiar with the various ladder locations and those
neighboring boats that have ladders at the transoms.
I am now aware of seven accidental immersions on
“A” dock alone.
MYC sponsored a booth at the Sail
and Power boat Expo in Oakland
on April 15 through April 19.
Many thanks to the members
who volunteered time to work in
the booth and talk to potential
new members. Special thanks to
Randy Cranmer who got us a good
deal on the booth (free) and worked
hard to get the booth set up. We were able to talk
to lots of potential new members and will be sending
out several application packages as a result. The
boat show was combined sail and power this year,
probably as a result of the economic conditions and
the effect on the new boat market. It was a little
smaller, but there seemed to be quite a bit of interest
and attendance was good.
For those 100 or so members who hold berth rights,
the Berth Agreement is an important document. The
Berth Agreement is a four page form that should be
handled like a deed and kept in a safe place. When
you, or your estate, sell your berth, the agreement
establishes the price you paid which is used to calculate
any profit that is shared with the club. Those eleven
or so members who do not have a Berth Agreement
will be receiving a letter with instructions on how to
obtain a certified copy. Please respond promptly.
Don Lesley , Port Captain
Breaking News: MYC ‘s Yellow
Submarine Wins lst place!!!
Some of the crew hosting our booth at the Jack
London Square Boat Show include Lee Cordner,
Jeremy and Bruce Rubin, Bill Olsen,
and Chuck Essayan
The MYC club boat for Opening Day won 1st
place in our division! We were a sight to see as the
Yellow Submarine and 21 on board, many with great
costumes that clinched the scene. Commodore Jim
and Donna Purvis came up with the theme, and
many members helped decorate the boat on Saturday,
and they were also part of the crew on Opening Day.
Congratulations to the Yellow Submariners! Another
great day for Marin Yacht Club!
We also plan to use the car and boat show on July 18th
as an opportunity to invite boat owners from around
the bay as well as local east San Rafael residents to
come see the club. There will be a financial incentive
to join as either a regular or social member during
the show. If you have friends or neighbors who you
would like to bring into the club, the car show day
will be an excellent opportunity. We are planning
a great show, with new yachts to explore, cool cars,
kid activities, vendors, police and fire department
displays. We are hoping for a big crowd. Membership
committee will be out in force to give tours and talk
to people about joining the club.
Call Lee Cordner for more details at 415-455-9192.
See the application in this issue of the Bugle for
entering a classic or special interest car in the show.
You can also get an application and more information
on the car show from the website. for our speaker and stayed on for a delicious dinner
prepared and presented by entertainment committee
member, Alex Dickerman, who had lots of help from
husband John. Thank you Zia, Alex and John!
You will read about the Opening Day on the Water
elsewhere in the Bugle, so I will just say a few words
about our Sunday afternoon activities. Once the
boats were back in, members trickled onto the patio
for live music, very tasty appetizers organized by
committee member Lil Cranmer followed by a BBQ
Drunch.
Lee Cordner
Galley News
The House committee has placed an
online survey form on our website.
It is hidden real well since only 11
people have responded including
myself as a test to see if it worked.
It is located under the heading of
What’s Happening at the Club
Next Week. Scroll down to the bottom of the page
and click on the blue “Take the Survey button”. It is
only 12 short questions and is real easy to fill out.
Of course we may be a little biased but overall, the
entertainment committee would like to see this as
a good start for future Opening Days to become a
whole weekend of fun activities for members.
May is going to be an action packed month for the
club. On May 10, we will celebrate Mother’s day with
a family Brunch. We plan to have some supervised
time between 11am and Noon for the little ones so
mom’s can enjoy a glass of champagne or two. If
you are bringing children or grandchildren, please let
them know they will have a chance to say a few words
about why their Mom’s, grandmothers, aunts etc.
are so special. We will “give them the floor” at the
end of the mealtime. Please make your reservations
for this event ASAP.
The last two questions will really provide us with
your input. After all it is our club and we would
like to hear from all of our members. We know that
we can not please all of the people all of the time but
we are really trying to please most of the people.
We would like to hear good comments as well as
constructive criticism, remembering that we have
physical and budgetary constraints.
Sons of the Sea are returning for another great
performance and a delicious dinner on May 15th. This event was sold out last year so please make your
reservations soon.
The more people that take the survey will improve
our restaurant operations. We would like to get your
response after each visit.
Marty Siegan, Acting House Chair
Not to let the mom’s have all the fun, we are planning
a Father’s Day BBQ on Sunday June 21. Stay tuned
for details on this event.
Entertainment
Committee News
Janet Holt, Entertainment Chair
What a terrific weekend the club had for Opening
Day! The weekend kicked off on Saturday with
members decorating their own boats as well as helping
our Commodore decorate the Yellow Submarine. 25
members enjoyed a BBQ on the patio and took a break
from the decorating. Going right into the evening,
we kicked off our Speaker Series with cocktails, and
member Zia Ahari giving a riveting presentation on
his solo sailing adventure. 45 members turned out
Cruise Report
Our summer cruising schedule,
both cruise-outs and cruise-ins, is
proving to be very successful. Our
cruise-out to Jack London Square
was great fun -- especially the
dinner at Yoshi’s and the jazz show
afterwards. Super thanks to Noel
and Bonnie Diefendorf for organizing this wonderful
event. The details of that cruise are chronicled by
Noel nearby.
For registration or inquiries contact Paula Russo at: (415)
485-1722, or e-mail: paula.j.russo@kp.org . In Sonoma
County call Herb Golenpaul at (707) 996 5964.
The St. Francis Yacht Club cruised-in on April 1719, and by all accounts, they had a great time and
will be returning next year. Linda McGee, a new
MYC member, and her significant other, Howard
Robbins, a SFYC member, chaired this cruise on
behalf of the SFYC. We had an excellent dinner
Friday evening accompanied by a three-piece combo
that drew you to the dance floor. They also put on an
exceptional barbecue Saturday evening that featured
Howard’s famous ribs and chicken. The event was
well attended (about 60 revelers) and a good time was
had by all. Further, it should be noted that most, if
not all, of the yacht clubs that are cruising in this
summer will be hosting similar Saturday barbecues,
and ALL Marin Yacht Club members are invited to
attend these events.
Also, I’m trying to set up a Saturday, May 16th day for free
Safe Vessel Exams at Marin Yacht Club from 10-4.
Yours,
Gail Giacomini, FSO-PA
Flotilla 14
USCG Auxiliary and Homeland Security
Landscaping Committee Report
A Wonderful and Productive Work Day
A great turn out, and I want to thank
my crew along the drive way, Bob
and Judy Romer, Frank Devita, Wib
Tapscott and Rich Kurtz. Looking
good!
Well, I have a new happiness in my life....chainsaws
in the hands of MYC men. We attacked the area out
by the picnic tables, and a big surprise...a view of Mt.
Tam from our property! Commodore Jim was on his
way to a view of downtown San Rafael, but we saved
the houses in the way. Commodore Jim did not use a
chainsaw, but many limbs hit the dust with his use of
a “conventional” saw. He is not seeking a new career
in landscaping, but he did have fun…. we all did!.
So mark your calendars and make reservations to
attend the MYC Angel Island cruise on May 16th,
the Grindstone Joe’s cruise on May 19-22, and the
Sacramento Jazz Festival on May 22-25. And for
those of you who are not attending these cruises,
the Benicia Yacht Club is cruising in on May 22-24.
Please make a point to come to dinner Friday night
and the barbecue on Saturday.
Bob Wheeler went through four chainsaw blades,
and Elton Landi cleaned out areas that have not seen
the light of day for years. Paul Descalso made the
mistake of looking young and strong, so he was chief
“dragger” of all the limbs that hit the ground. Thanks
also, to Daniel...besides being a great bartender, he
has many landscaping skills...and youth!
Bob Schaberg, Rear Commodore
Everything You Need
to Know about Safe Boating
USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 14, is sponsoring an eleven week
Boating and Seamanship course, beginning Tuesday, May
19th, from 7:30 - 9:30 P.M. at the Loch Lomond Yacht
Club, 95 Loch Lomond Drive, San Rafael. A big thanks to Staff Commodore Val Clayton for the
use of his “car trailer” to haul off two loads of the cuttings
from the grounds that saved us about $600, at least.
All classes are taught by qualified and experienced USCG
Auxiliary volunteer members. Class content includes:
“Rules of the Road,” boat handling, buoys and markers,
introduction to navigation, marine radio and tide book
usage, and basic lines and knots. In short, you will learn
everything you need to know about safe boating! Many thanks to all who pitched in to help get our
grounds into shape. Still some work to go, but better
each week through your help. Lee Essayan
A fee of $85. covers a text, workbook, copy of the SF
Bay chart, classroom and instruction. Graduates receive
diplomas, which may reduce the cost of boat insurance.
Memory Rose Garden
Please stop by to see our
happy Roses and the
Trellis with the frame
“Remembering with Love”
listing everyone who has
a Rose in the Garden. If we have left anyone out,
please give me a call so I can correct the list.
Amy Cordner gets the job done
Essayan, Chuck Essayan, Scott Baxter, Frank Divito,
Work Day was a success! Julie made sure the Roses
were fed and deep watered to ensure better blooms
for Spring and Summer. Of course, “Liquid Fence”
was the “perfume” of choice to prevent a Deer picnic
in the Rose Garden.
We were saddened to learn about a great friend who
passed away, John Samuels. A Rose has been added
to the garden in his memory. Two Roses have been
added to remember Staff Commodore Claude Witzel
and Claire Witzel, donated by Staff Commodore Ron
and Joanna Witzel.
Carl Clark and Frank Hall paint the gate
Give me a call if you would like to remember
someone special in the Garden. Lee Cordner and Rich Schmidt open up our views
Lee Essayan and Julie Myers
Charlie McBride, Wib Tapscott, Frank Hall, Judy
Prince, Jim Prince, Don Lesley, Bob Wheeler, Bruce
Fairey, John Sommer, Rick Laurence, Paul Clark,
Val Clayton, Paul Descalso, Brad Kaufhold, Larry
Myers, Julie Meyers, Marty Siegan, Joyce Siegan, Ron
Witzel, Wayne Lowrance, Loreen Lowrance. Thanks
also to our staff, Dora Madeiros, David Watson, Jade
Nguyen, and Kelley Wheeler for providing logistical
support for the day.
Work Day
The committee chairman and I would like to thank
the members and staff who made our April 12th
work day a great success. It never ceases to amaze
me how much we can accomplish in a few hours.
We completed projects in all areas of the club, many
of them physically demanding.
Lee Essayan, Don Lesley, Rich Schmidt,
Marty Siegan, Jim Prince
Castello di Amorosa Tour
On a beautiful warm and sunny day, nineteen of
us drove to Calistoga. Participants were JIM and
SANDY ABERER, FRANK and KATHY DIVITA,
CHUCK ESSAYAN, DIANA JENSON, RICH and
JOAN KURTZ with guests the Carlsons, CHARLIE
and CLAIRE McBRIDE, BOB and JUDY ROMER,
JOHN and JUDY SOMMER with guest Sera Lane,
and FLOYD and LiNA WHITE. We met at the
fabulous Castello di Amorosa. This castle is not
Lee Essayan leads a happy crew of workers
To the following members we say,” job well done:”
Commodore Jim Purvis, Donna Purvis, Lee Cordner,
Amy Cordner, Dan Wambach, Chris Wambach, Bob
Romer, Judy Romer, John Likas, Rich Schmidt, Teri
Wright, Rich Kurtz, Elton Landi, Noel Diefendorf,
Bonnie Diefendorf, Ron Viner, Mike Sales, Lee
Jack London Square
and Yoshi’s
visible from the highway, and many of the group
had never heard of it. The sight upon arriving is
breathtaking. We had a very comprehensive tour by
our guide Kerri. She explained all about how the wine
is made, showed us the beautiful French oak barrels
A slightly nervous group headed out from Marin
Yacht Club on Friday morning, April 3, 2009, to
venture over to Oakland and Jack London Square.
Bonnie and I had been monitoring the NOAA
weather broadcasts predicting doom, gloom, small
craft advisories and possible rain for the weekend.
But, someone said, “Tell the bugler to sound the
charge,” and charge we did. Well, I have to tell ya,
the weather on Friday morning was spectacular. A
northwest breeze was blowing 5 to 10 kn. and the tide
was going out. In other words, just about as good as
it gets for boating. Time Out and Wandering Star,
the slowest boats, made the passage in a blistering 2+
hours averaging 9.0 knots. That may not seem fast
to some of you, but in a 32 or 36 Grand Banks, that’s
moving right along, with all the horses pulling in the
same direction.
Castello di Amorosa - Wine tasting plus!
and the huge shiny stainless steel vats, and we tasted
young wine from the barrel. We visited many areas
of the castle, some with beautiful frescoes, a church,
a banquet hall, and saw stunning stone architecture
as well as knights in shining armor. In addition, we
were shown the dungeon and torture chamber which
We had a former sales dock pretty much to ourselves,
due to the unfortunate demise of a yacht brokerage,
a gloomy sign of the times these days. The following
boats and crews participated; “Andiamo” with Lisa
Klairmont and Harold Kleiderman, “Sun Quest”
with Claire and Charlie McBride, “Sans Souci”
with Donna and Jim Purvis and their guests, Fred
and Roz, “Sidney Marie” with Linda and Greg
Rice, “Wandering Star” with Alexandra and John
Dickerman, “Time Out” with Bonnie and Noel
Diefendorf, and “Ana Moon” with Ginny, Keegan,
and John Horton. On Saturday evening, Bob and
Dana Schaberg and Barbara Stewart and Jamie
Jensen joined us for dinner and the show. More on
that later.
Judy Sommer organized a delicious Napa lunch at
Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen
none of us could even imagine existed. The cave
down below holds literally miles of barrels, which are
not used more than two times. There are also long
rows of wines in bottles.
After the tour, we had a private wine tasting of many
of their lovely wines. These wines cannot be bought
anywhere else but right there or on their website. As
a result, many of our group left carting bottles and
cases of wine.
Late Friday afternoon Ana Moon pulled in and we
were able to get the serious partying started. Everyone
joined the Horton’s on the aft deck of their beautiful
Hatteras and enjoyed each other’s company into the
night. The appetizers were some of the best I had
seen and, I believe, nobody opted to go to dinner that
night, instead choosing to hang out and visit. The
evening was beautiful, the conversation lively and the
views were not bad either. The featured guest that
evening was, who else, but HORTON, the elephant.
From the castle, we drove into St. Helena, a short
distance away, for a relaxing lunch at Cindy’s
Backstreet Kitchen. It was enjoyed by all and finished
off a perfect day.
Judy Sommer, Event Chair
A picture of him may appear somewhere, space
permitting. Elephants are pretty big, you know.
May 23, Saturday, l000 -1400 (l0 am-2pm) Regular Memorial Day Cruise aboard the S S.
Jeremiah O’Brien.
On Saturday a few of us toured the Lightship Relief.
In olden days many approaches to land masses used
lightships to warn mariners of rocks, shoals and the
proper channels to use. The San Francisco approaches
had a lightship until the ‘70’s, when the Sea Buoy
or “light bucket” was installed. There was a craft
fair going in Jack London Square and Bonnie and I
managed to get rid of some money there and pick up
a few gifts.
Burial at sea ceremonies for Tom Patterson,
midship, near cargo hold #2, for immediate family,
friends and visitors as it is underway, most likely
under the Golden Gate Bridge. There are about
700 people expected that day with 4 other burialat-sea ceremonies also being performed on the
fantail. The ship is charging the normal $100 per
person for the day’s sail from Pier 45. Reservations
required: please call (415) 544-0100.
Saturday evening we repaired to Yoshi’s Jazz Club
and Japanese Restaurant. If you have never been to
Yoshi’s, I recommend it. Harold and Lisa mentioned
this place when I talked to them about the Jack
London Square cruise out. We were treated like
royalty. From the moment we entered until we left,
I don’t think anyone went hungry or thirsty. We
had a 6 course family style Japanese meal. It was
sensational. After stuffing ourselves, we were seated
right down in front of the stage and got treated to
some really good modern jazz by a premier “comer”
in the jazz field, Joshua Redmond.
Any other questions regarding these two events,
please call 415-456 4265 - Dana Schaberg.
Sunday morning, we met on Time Out and had
fresh scones, coffee, bagels, cinnamon buns, and of
course, Mothers Milk. The Purvis’ left Sans Souci
at Svendsons for some maintenance and rode back
to MYC on Time Out. It got a bit slow with that 3
knot ebb, but we made it just before the low tide.
Thanks for Listening, Noel Diefendorf
Memorial Celebration for RADM
Thomas Patterson: May 22- 23
Deadline
for Bugle
Articles
May. 15
A Very Special Invitation for all those that may
wish to attend the Memorial for RADM Thomas
Patterson. You are cordially invited by RADM
Frank X. Johnston of the S. S. Jeremiah O’Brien. There are two occasions for which we have been
invited:
Reminder: Event articles or flyers should
be published twice. (2 issues preceding
event) Please submit articles and photos to Holly
at HOlsen1241@aol.com or to the office in the
bugle envelope. Thank You
May 22, Friday, 1700-1900 ( 5-7pm.) A
Memorial Tribute to Tom on the Jeremiah O’Brien
alongside Pier 45, San Francisco – no charge. BERTHRIGHTS FOR SALE
size
36'
36'
36'
36'
46'
46'
46'
46'
46'
56'
56
56'
56 H'
56'
64'
72'
72'
.4/15/2009
Berth
Asking Price
3/31/04
6/29/08
2/3/08
3/16/09
8/20/08
2/17/05
8/20/08
10/28/08
8/20/08
8/20/08
8/20/08
8/1/08
8/20/08
2/15/09
8/20/08
2/10/09
11/11/08
A1
A-43
A-27
A-37
B-65
B 53
B-77
A-44
B-85
B-86B
B-70
B-54
B-50
B-86 A
B-70
C-96
B-82
$7,000
$7,000
$10,000
$10,000
$15,000
$25,000
$10,120
$10,500
$10,120
$18,480
$21,120
$21,000
$9,240
$20,000
$21,120
$38,000
$25,000
BERTHRIGHTS SOLD 2007-FORWARD
SIZE
SALE/CLOSE
DATE
BERTH
NUMBER
SELLING PRICE
36'
36'
36'
1/20/07
3/1/08
3/5/08
A 46
A-33
A-39
$8,000
$5,000
$2,500
36'
6/10/08
A-29
$5,000
36'
36'
36'
36'
36'
36'
39'
42'
42'
46'
46'
46'
46'
46'
46'
46'
56'
56'
56'
56'
80' H
6/25/08
4/10/08
7/20/08
1/13/09
2/13/09
9/1/07
8/1/08
3/11/08
6/10/08
3/10/07
4/10/08
5/2/08
6/10/08
6/25/08
6/6/08
7/26/08
7/1/07
6/10/08
2/28/09
10/16/07
2/12/09
C-89
A-17
A-23
A-3
A-47
A-7
C-109
C-101
C-93
A 24
B-57
A-12
A-8
A-26
A-38
B-83
B 64
B-62
C-100
B 86-F
C-80
$4,000
$2,000
$5,000
$4,900
$3,800
6,500
6,630
6,700
3,000
$6,000
$5,250
$4,000
$5,500
$6,000
$6,000
$7,820
$25,000
$8,000
$26,000
$18,888
$25,000
Marin Yacht Club
24 Summit Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-9366
2009 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Commodore.....................................................................Jim Purvis
Vice Commodore......................................................Justine Fairey
Rear Commodore....................................................Bob Schaberg
Jr. Staff Commodore........................................................ Bill Olsen
Director....................................................................... Marty Siegan
Director................................................................ Noel Diefendorf
Director.................................................................... Karl Goldberg
Director.......................................................................Rich Schmidt
2008 COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Bugle................................................................................Holly Olsen
Cruising.......................................................................Bob Schaberg
Entertainment.................................................................. Janet Holt
Finance.......................................................................Paul Zwimpfer
Gov’t Relations................................................Harold Kleiderman
Harbor............................................................................. Don Lesley
History............................................................................ Elton Landi
House...........................................................................Justine Fairey
Insurance........................................................................Floyd White
Junior Sailing..................................................................... Ed Hewitt
Landscape...................................................................... .Lee Essayan
Membership.................................................................Lee Cordner
Memory Rose Garden...........................Lee Essayan/Julie Myers
Nominating................................................................ Paul Simmons
PICYA......................................................................... Paul Simmons
Planning...................................................................... Paul Simmons
Racing/YRA................................................................ Paul Descalso
Secretary to the Board..................................... Larry Burnworth
Ship’s Store........................................Kim Hadley/Dana Schaberg
Special Events.............................................................Donna Purvis
Tennis Facility..............................................................Rich Schmidt
Website............................................................................... Zia Ahari
Wine.......................................................Bruce Fairey/John Brown
For the latest MYC information. . . .
Visit our website: www.marinyachtclub.com
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