Bilge Pump: April 2009
1. Commodore's Report
Looking at the Club’s calendar for April, it looks like it is going to be a very busy month. Two predicted log races, two work parties, two social events and two major boating events are just a sample of what our members have to choose from this month. Your Bridge will be bouncing from one event to another, and while it seems like a very busy schedule, in the end, it really is a lot of fun for us. My job as Commodore would be impossible without the help I receive from your Vice Commodore, Ed Jennerich, and your Rear Commodore, George Austin. The next time you see them, thank them for all the time they spend in carrying out their duties.
In February, Gordon Foote hosted the “Woodies” Friday Night Social in which those who own or love wood boats served up a wonderful dinner to a packed house, all for $5.95. Fleet Captain Don Wilson and Judy devised a superb event, the Murder Among the Mateys, which was held at the Winslow Outstation over Presidents Day weekend. I was unable to attend, but everyone involved said that it was an event to remember. Don and Judy have a creative slant that makes their events fun for all those participating.
Our Membership Chairman, Chris Benson, has been busy making sure we have a steady flow of new members, which is not always an easy task. After organizing the boat show effort, he arranged the Open House for Prospective Members, which allowed guests to look at our facilities. Many of those who attended are now becoming members. Thanks, Chris.
Another member driven event, Breakfast with the Bridge Part II, was held with the intent of opening the feedback loop between the members and the club’s current leadership. This time, our Board of Trustees Chair, Mark Weiss, made a presentation which focused on potential By-Law changes and the financial future of the club. The Classes of Membership Special Committee also presented their outline for possibly adding spousal membership categories. Their recommendations are being considered by the Board of Trustees and at some point in the future we could see a proposal before the members to amend the By-Laws. I want to thank P/C Larrie Chmela, P/C Russ Oberg, Andrea Schock, Chuck Cooper, Jeff Madera, Dorothy Dubia and Jan Gould for the terrific job their committee did.
Our QCYC predicted log racers had a successful weekend of racing during Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club’s Boomerang Race in early March. They always represent our club well. In April, they have two events, the QCYC-SYC Eagle Harbor race on the 4th and 5th, and the BYC/POYC IPBA on the 25th and 26th.
April will see Sherry Weiss hosting the Children’s Easter Party on Saturday the 11th. Our Fleet Captain will send a fleet of QCYC boats to Tacoma Yacht Club for the Daffodil Festival on April 17th through 19th. The Tarettes’ Past Presidents are hosting a Friday Night Social on April 24th . Our foremost event of the year, Opening Day, will begin on April 29th and continue until May 3rd. Hosting six of the Grand 14 yacht clubs and providing meals and entertainment for them and other guests takes a cast of over 100 volunteers. The Opening Day Chairman, Bob Stettner, needs your help and if you can volunteer, it would be greatly appreciated. Two work parties are scheduled in April. The first is the Outstation Work Party on April 18th , which is headed up by Barb and Eric Wood, and the second is the Pride of Queen City, scheduled for April 25th and is chaired by Jim Hess.
My apologies for this long Commodore’s report, but with all that has been going on and with all that is coming upon us, it just takes a lot of words. By looking at all the events listed above, you can tell how hard our members work at making our club so successful.
Thank you all, as it makes my job that much easier!
Dale Roberts
Commodore
2. Vice Commodore's Report
Breakfast with the Bridge II was a well-attended event with some very healthy discussion about the future of the Club. I’d like to thank those who participated and I look forward to continuing this event in the future. As you know, we have many important (and expensive) projects which we need to complete over the next 5 to 10 years. In particular, the Fire Code Compliance project is a critical and complex one requiring lots of volunteers. The Docks Committee Organization Chart which was published in the February 2009 Bilge Pump also contains many opportunities for volunteering. I bring these to your attention because without volunteers stepping forward to take leadership of these tasks, we may be forced to hire a project manager to get them completed on time. Hiring such an individual will only increase the cost of the projects, and we’d like to avoid incurring the additional expense, thus freeing up money for other needed projects. Please contact Art Mauldin to lend a hand.
The Captain’s Conference Room is moving rapidly toward completion. The room has been painted, new lighting should be installed by the end of March, and appropriate conference-type furniture should be in place. We selected tables which can serve the multiple functions of the room, such as committee meetings, Tarettes’ meetings, the Ladies Bridge group, and the Junior Boating students. Thanks to Jim Damery, Dick Geving, P/C Dave Krows and P/C Jeff Ewell who helped me with the painting.
The Outstation updating project is also moving towards completion. P/C Dick Timmerman has almost completed the cabinetry and the remainder of the painting will be done during the outstation work party on April 18th. We hope to have the new lighting installed before Memorial Day. Thanks also go to Randy White and Nick Castrow for arranging for and installing the new “endowed chairs” in the women’s and men’s rest rooms.
Under the excellent leadership of Docks Chairman Art Mauldin, Waterfront Construction has completed its work for this year. We’re starting to make a little headway on some of the deferred maintenance projects. Also, the roof on Dock 2 will be replaced by Diamond Roofing starting on March 30th and Art and his team will need your cooperation. The Dock 2 roof will be completed before Opening Day and the two remaining roofs on Dock 1 will be completed this summer.
Thanks to all who contribute their time and talents to our many projects – it’s what makes Queen City such a special Club!
Fair Winds,
Ed Jennerich
Vice Commodore
3. Rear Commodore's Report
Nancy and I just flew in from 10 days in Hawaii and landed in the snow.It’s going to get better, right?
Spring is coming and lots of stuff is happening.
At the Winslow work party on April 18th, Eric and Barb will have a list of “to do’s” for everybody. The clubhouse and grounds will look really great to start the season after this. While you are over there take a look at the condition of the deck and docks. When the budget needs are presented this year these items are just a couple that need to be funded in the near future. They are in sad shape.
“Opening Day,” April 29th thru May 3rd, is the big event of the year and before this we have the “Pride of Queen City” work party. Jess Hill has a flyer and e-mail with all the “J’s” (his fearless task leaders) whom you can contact about helping. This is the big yearly spiffing event. Come out and help or send money (see Jess’s flyer).
Nancy and I will have Grey Goose (our boat) as the QCYC decorated boat for Tacoma Yacht Club’s “Daffodil Parade,” April 16-19th. We’re going to put 2,000 flowers on the boat (no staples). Come and help decorate the boat on Saturday. The parade is Sunday morning at the Tacoma Yacht Club. They are one of our Grand 14 clubs and welcome you to this event.
Grounds – Linda Roehl (one of the “J’s”) will need some helpers on the April 25th “Pride of Queen City.” All those who helped last year and for the two other yard cleanups during the year know we can get this done is a couple of hours and then help out the others.
Security – Rod Hilden is our Chairperson so contact him with any questions. Scott Grimm is assisting and can help also.
Membership – Thanks for welcoming the prospective members that came to our open house. Chris Benson has done a stellar job as membership chairperson. A hearty welcome to our new members this year and if you have any questions just look for any of the guys in the suits (your Bridge Officers) on meeting night and we’ll be glad to answer your questions. We still have openings for new members. Don’t forget the $1,000 raffle for those who sponsor a new member this year, and remember our Vice Commodore’s famous saying, “The number one reason people don’t join an organization is that they aren’t asked,” so ask.
We are a first class organization, be proud to fly your burgee and have fun.
George Austin
Rear Commodore
Board Report
At the February Board meeting we approved rule updates in section 1.07 Moorage Charges and 8.02.2 Rentals to Yachting Fraternity and Community Groups. Specifically, 1.07 was updated for consistency of late fee penalties associated with moorage billing and 8.02.2 was updated to reflect the current practice in use for the past two plus years. Details of these changes can be found in the February Board Meeting minutes available in the member only section on our website.
As mentioned previously, the Board has continued to work with the Bridge and the Planning and Finance Committee to review the budget forecast for five and ten year periods: primarily concentrating on mandatory code updates and required maintenance expenditures. At the Breakfast with the Bridge meeting held on March 7th, we presented a summary of cost increases for the club since 2002 and a summary of expenditure requirements for the next five years. The presentation also included options for funding these expenditures. The presentation was also discussed at the March Board meeting and is included in the March Board meeting minutes.
Also at the March Board meeting, a presentation was given by Captains Andrea Schock and Membership Chairman Chris Benson on classes of membership. This presentation was also given at the Saturday breakfast with the Bridge and is included in the March Board meeting minutes.
I would encourage all members to go online to the QCYC website and review the Board meeting minutes and attend the Board meetings which are open to all members and held on the second Monday of every month at 7pm.
Thank you.
Mark Weiss
Board Chairman
Breakfast With The Bridge #2 - Saturday, March 7
Secretary
Children's Easter Party
Docks Committee
Waterfront Construction’s work on Dock 1 is complete. When you receive this Bilge Pump, their work should be complete for this year. Currently, with two weeks’ work to go, their progress is excellent and our costs are down for the work being done. The report couldn’t be a lot better. The water pipe on dock 1 has been replaced, but some finishing touches are still needed. Note that the overhead valves are no longer in service and the globe valves at the south side of the dock are now live.
The week of March 30 will see the stripping and re-roofing of the first unit on Dock 2. The Docks Committee will notify 12 owners in slips 209 through 220 of the requirement to relocate their boats during this week. Slips 221 and 222 may be impacted in the matter of dirt that falls from the roof. The reciprocal and U-docks are available for temporary use and please let Arthur know of any slips that will be vacant in the marina during the period March 27 through April 8, and of any hardships these moves might present. Please do use the guest registration cards and mark them “By order of the Docks Committee” to secure electricity at no extra charge. The work should be for a shorter time than shown here, but let’s accommodate bad weather or whatever. Please use great care in construction zones and this includes the parking lot. Equipment will be moving and hard workers move fast. Please: stop, look, and listen.
The Docks Committee now schedules a work party on the second Saturday of every month. This is a wonderful place to get to know people and to become involved. Project leaders are needed and so are hammer throwers and swingers. Even throbbing thumbs are popular! In all my lifetime of being around this club, one thing that has always amazed me is how it’s the times we work together that bond us so well, not so strongly the times we play together. It’s not really “work” in that case, is it?
March 14 will have already passed, but not so April 11 and May 9. Please join us for breakfast at 8:30. Willie comes in early for that. Lunch will be provided by the club and served by Willie. We try to start work at 9:30 and complete the day at 3:00 PM, give or take an hour or so. A last note: We are missing one DeWalt cordless reciprocating saw, battery and charger, a “sawzall” if you prefer. It is yellow and black and should be marked “QCYC.” The committee desperately needs its return.
Arthur Mauldin
Docks Chair
Fleet Captain's Summary Report
As some of you have probably noticed, I am not great about writing reports. I will try to give you an update on what has happened at the Fleet Captain’s events so far this year. I would like to take a minute to thank all of you that have assisted me so far you have all helped make these events so much fun! A vote of thanks to all who attended the events, without you there would be no events. Thank you all again!
Apple Cup Nov. 21 & 22: Kingston Cove Yacht Club was a great host. We had a fine spread of gourmet burgers, sides and a wonderful bar. The game could have turned out better but by the time it was over no one much cared. QCYC had 8 boats and three people that drove over. Kingston seemed to have a lock on the raffle prizes. It seems we bought them and they won them. A nice young lady from Kingston had a majority of the winning tickets. Lots of money and prizes were won by all. The weather was quite nice for November. I took over 200 photos to share with the clubs… alas, after returning home I went to download them into the computer and realized that someone (me) had neglected to put a photo card in the camera! All in all a great time was had.
Westlake Center’s 20th Annual Tree Lighting Nov. 28: Sixteen Queen City members and friends met for some terrific award winning Martinis and snacks as well as a warm atmosphere of companionship at Oliver’s at The Mayflower Hotel. At 4:30 we took our burgee and attended the pre-show and tree lighting celebration at Westlake Plaza. The wind whipped up and unfortunately the fireworks were cancelled for safety reasons. It was an exciting fun way to kick off the Holiday Season and many thought it should be an annual event.
Christmas Jazz Cruise with Deems Tsutakawa Dec. 22: This was an outstanding event! I think it was one of the best. The weather was cold and clear. We had 60 people signed up and even with the surprise snowstorm, 48 were able to make their way to Kirkland for a memorable evening. Argosy cruises has given us rain checks for those who could not make it that evening. I will get them to those folks shortly.
Bowling Party Jan 18: Great Fun!! 39 bowlers and about 10 watchers showed up. The Garage had never experienced people lining up for entry at 3 PM before. They apparently don’t know how boaters react when there is alcohol involved. There were six bowling lanes dedicated to Queen City for 3 hours plus good food, cheap drinks, bowling and pool. All of this made for a fantastic afternoon of fun. The next day a number of people were feeling muscles they didn’t know they had. I was sore for days. The big winner was Jim Van Wagenen with the top score and Judy Wilson with the lowest score. Thank you, Willie, for all the snacks.
Murder Among the Mateys Jan. 14-16: Thirty-two (32) players, special drinks (“Dead Man Walking”), wonderful food and a great mystery made an exciting fun weekend. Jess Hill, our resident mixologist, took my recipe for “Dead Man Walking “and used two cases of Red Rum in it. We actually ran out Saturday night. Willie’s pork dinner Saturday evening was one of his best and there were 54 dinners served. Nancy & George Austin did justice to Sunday breakfast (48 served) while the chicken & shrimp jambalaya Sunday night prepared by Tracy McPhee, Nadeane Rutledge & crew was perfect pirate fare. Forty-eight people were served jambalaya and the excess was sold out by the bag in just a few minutes. I (Merciless Morgan) was viciously murdered by Sea-legs Sam (Paul Grimm). He was found out by Tammie & Michael Hogan and sent to the gallows where he was hanged by Dirty Wiggins (Jess Hill). Tammie & Michael Hogan were the only ones to figure the mystery out and they received the “Smoking Gun Award.” Chris Castrow was awarded the “Dressed to Kill Award.” The “Drama Queen Award” was awarded to Dorothy Dubia and “Ruthless & Rich Award” went to the Madera Girls. There was a perfect amount of free time to enjoy Bainbridge and the company of friends without feeling rushed. Sunday afternoon there were three movies shown, the main feature being “The Perfect Storm.” We had 20 people for breakfast Monday morning. Those who left on Monday encountered rough water and high waves, which created a perfect storm of their own. Paul Frodesen, while experiencing some damage to his dinghy and boat, made it home safely. Tuesday the water was perfect. We came back leaving at 8:30 AM Tuesday and were through the locks by 9:30 AM.
Coming up at this writing is the St Patrick’s Adventure to Portland on March 14 & 15. Thirty-one lucky members are going to have an Irish experience at Kell’s Pub and a night at the Benson Hotel. This event has been sold out since the first of the year.
April 17-19: The Daffodil Festival in Tacoma is taking place. I would like to see Queen City Yacht Club make a real presence at this event. Contact Gary Halverson or Don Wilson for more information. You can sign up on-line by logging on to: www.tacomayachtclub.org Please let Gary or myself know if you are going as there are going to be some QCYC activities planned. We need help with decorating the Flag Ship and trivia quiz participation.
Up coming events are:
June 13 &14: Overnight Poker Rally & Picnic. Details to follow later. This will be a fun unique event.
July 17 & 19: Andrews Bay Raft-up
July 29: Tentative – Cruise on a U.S. Navy Ship
August: Summer Cruise – Exact dates to follow.
Aug 29: Mariner’s Game /w Kansas City
Recipes:
‘Dead Man Walking”
Red Rum Tropical rum - 2oz
Squeeze of lemon
Sweet &Sour Mix – 1oz
Cranberry Juice – 1oz
Sprite – 1oz
Add ice and shake in cocktail shaker
Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya - serves 4 to 6
1 - medium onion, peeled, ends trimmed and chopped fine
1 – medium celery rib cut crosswise, chopped fine
1 – medium red bell pepper, stem removed, seeded and chopped fine
5 – medium garlic cloves, peeled
2 – tablespoons vegetable oil
4 – bone-in chicken thighs
8oz – Andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼ inch pieces we used Louisiana Hots in ours)
1½ - cups (10oz) long-grain white rice
1 - teaspoon salt
½ - teaspoon minced fresh thyme
¼ - teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 - 14½ oz can diced tomatoes, drained, ¼ cup juice reserved.
1 – cup bottled clam juice
1½ - cups canned low sodium chicken broth
2 - large bay leaves
1lb – medium / large shrimp (31-35 shrimp), shelled
2 – tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium–high heat until simmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Add chicken skin side down, cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using tongs turn chicken and cook until golden brown on second side about 3 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to plate and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and add sausage; cook, stirring frequently, until browned, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to paper towel and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium–low, add vegetables and cook stirring occasionally and scraping bottom of pot with wooden spoon, until vegetables have softened, about 4 minutes. Add rice, salt, thyme, and cayenne; cook, stirring frequently, until rice is coated with fat, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, reserved tomato juice, clam juice, chicken broth, bay leaves and browned sausage to pot; stir to combine. Remove and discard skin from chicken; place chicken skinned-side down, on rice. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir once, keeping the chicken on top skinned-side down. Replace cover and continue to simmer until chicken is no longer pink when cut into with a paring knife, about 10 minutes more; transfer chicken to clean plate and set aside. Scatter shrimp over rice, cover and continue to cook until rice is fully tender and shrimp are opaque and cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
While shrimp are cooking, shred chicken. When shrimp are cooked, discard bay leaves turn heat off, stir in parsley and shredded chicken and serve immediately.
Don Wilson
Membership Report
I want to thank all of those who came out to our Queen City Open House. About 20 members came and greeted the prospective members on a beautiful sunny February day. Thanks to Willie and Peg, who did a great job getting the food set up for our guests. From the boat show and from our open house we now have had 5 new applicants that have made payment and are in the process of having their applications read, presented to the Board for approval and finally attending the general meeting to be initiated into the Club. Usually it takes about 5 weeks to complete the process. Our new members in February and March are Captain Douglas MacQuarrie, Captain Mark Pywell, Captain Peter Ollodart, Captain Dave Bedner and Captain Becky Garvie. Welcome to Queen City Yacht Club.
There have been about 25 new members over the last 18 months. I encourage all of the members to welcome all into our Club and share your boating and Club experiences with each other. We will have a New Members Orientation Class on Saturday, March 28th, at 10:00. We are inviting all sponsors of the members to come to this meeting and affirm their new membership and encourage all to take full advantage of their membership by becoming involved in the Club. As we all know this is the fastest way to make new friends. Many committees really need help now.
We currently have 375 active members and 125 life members. We need an additional 25 members to reach our membership goal of 400. Thanks to each and every sponsor who has introduced a new member to Queen City Yacht Club and had them join. We all need to keep recruiting new members to insure the long term health of our Club.
Remember, "The number one reason people do not join organizations is: no one asked them!”
Keep recruiting
Chris Benson
Membership Chairman
Memorial Day Cruise
