I’ve just returned from the Spring Brunch and had a marvelous time consuming the sumptuous mimosas, pastries, pancakes, potatoes and sausage, hash brown potatoes, egg casserole, cabbage salad, and fruit. If you missed it, you missed a lot of good food and comradery. Thanks to John Profant for organizing the event and the other Past Commanders who provided the food and/or the stimulating conversation. Thank you Will and Doris Swalling for hosting us again at your beautiful home and congratulations again to Will for becoming our newest Lifetime Squadron Member.
Keep your eyes on our squadron calendar because we have several interesting activities coming in May. The May 3rd Members Meeting will be open to the public (I will be listing the meeting on Edhat, Noozhawk, and Meetup) because we will enjoy the real life experience of Jim Hirsch (member) during his voyage from New Caledonia to Australia in what was a little less than perfect weather conditions. We also will have fascinating stories by Alyssa Lewis and Patrick White about the extensive refurbishing of their sailboat –something we all wish we could have done if we had the time!?!
Next, we will be enlisting volunteers for the Santa Barbara Harbor Clean Sweep on May 5th from 8am to noon. Last year about 50 volunteers helped in removing 1.5 tons of garbage from the harbor seabed. This year the Harbormaster will be concentrating on Marina 2. If you would like to keep our harbor clean and you have some work clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, let me know so I can add you to our list.
I have reserved two spaces for squadron members at the May 12 Harbor Nautical Swap Meet. After some cruising, Virginia and I accumulated equipment we just don’t see us ever using now that we are in our home Channel Islands waters (i.e. 220-110 transformer, bicycle cart for hauling groceries, an extra set of sails, etc.). So perhaps you have a list of items you need to clear out of your bilge, boat box, or garage. You needn’t spend all morning at the swap meet as there will be other members there just for the comradery and if you put a price tag on it and tell us the minimum amount you’d accept, we’ll try to get it off your hands. Hazardous Waste is also being accepted that day; a coupon is included in this newsletter for use by slip owners.
One of our members, Scott Burns, is making plans for a Spring shakedown cruise to Fry’s Harbor on May 18 -20 to see what needs attention prior to the summer cruising season. Libertad is planning to join him and we invite anyone else who is free that weekend to come along. Scott is notorious for getting in his dinghy and knocking on everyone’s hull in the anchorage and inviting them to a happy hour on the beach. So come on out and join us for a trip to Santa Cruz to start the season (if weather permits).
If you aren’t venturing out to Fry’s Harbor, be sure to take advantage of Safe Boating Week by participating in or inviting someone you know to the Safe Boating Seminar our Education Department is planning for Saturday May 19. And on Tuesday, May 22 we are participating in the Harbor Patrol’s flare shoot. This is where you gather up all your expired flares and find out if they are now duds. If you’ve never fired off a flare, it’s a great exercise to get you comfortable with this piece of safety equipment. If you have fired off a flare it’s just another opportunity for pyromania fun. Since we’ll be on the beach, we may also have an anchoring exhibition so you can see what happens on the seabed when you are trying to set your hook. See more details for these events in the articles below.