1. Commodore's Report
We had a rather abbreviated summer this year: August and September were really great. Now, unfortunately, we are into fall and colder weather has started.
This is the time of year that we must start to winterize our boats and prepare for whatever weather Mother Nature has planned for us. Sometimes we forget how stressed our electrical system becomes with colder weather. Mooring members should plan on conserving electricity on anything possible by turning off refrigerators, hot water tanks, and reducing loads that are powered through inverters. By doing so, we will insure that everyone has power through the winter weather season when demand is at its peak. Perhaps you will also save money by using less power. Another important winter preparation is checking all of your connections both on the boat and shore to avoid electrical shorts that could lead to fires. Art Mauldin would appreciate all dock water hoses being disconnected at this time. We don’t want any frozen pipes or valves this winter. We must all be vigilant in checking our boats more often when we reach freezing temperatures. If you are going to be gone during the winter, please designate someone to be responsible for your boat.
Our vessel inspectors have just finished walking the docks and I was a little disappointed in the results. Again, there were a number of vessels with no registration or insurance on file. This is an important yet very easy rule to comply with. Come on, captains, it is not that difficult to take a couple of minutes and email or drop off the information to Deborah in the office.
I want to thank P/C George and Nancy Austin for all of the hard work they and their helpers put in on the Commodore’s Ball. Queen City’s is the first of the Grand XIV events and certainly set the bar for the other clubs. Judy and I had such a good time. Great job!
In October, we enjoyed a spooky event at the outstation hosted by our Fleet Captain, Mike Cochran and First Mate Pam. Thanks for the very, scary weekend.
If you missed the general meeting on October 12, shame on you! You missed an opportunity to win the last “quarter pot” drawing at Queen City. A majority vote of the members present changed the “quarter pot” to the “dollar pot.” Winning the pot is going to be a bit more FUN with this change. Be sure and come to the general meetings and see if you can end up a winner! We had to draw four numbers before finding a winner at the meeting because captains had left to go down to the bar.
At the general meeting on October 12, P/C George Austin announced the members of this year’s Nominating Committee. The members are Mark LaFountaine, Dave Svendsen, Dave Bedner and, of course, P/C George. Please contact any of those captains with any input you might have. You may even want to suggest yourself. Your comments will be welcomed. The open positions are Rear Commodore, two Board Members, Secretary, and Treasurer.
I can’t believe it but it is already time to start thinking about Christmas. Our Fleet Captain, Mike Cochran, has planned a land cruise to the Christmas tree lighting event at Westlake Center on Friday, November 25th. You can arrive early and spend the day shopping and people watching downtown and then head to Oliver’s Lounge & Bar at the Mayflower Hotel. Oliver’s is renowned for their award winning martinis (named Best in Seattle). We will meet up at the bar at 3:45 for snacks and drinks before proceeding to Westlake Center for the official Seattle Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This is always a fun way was to get in the spirit and really get the season started.
The following week we will really get in the spirit of the holidays when Captain Vivian Johnson leads us in the decorating of the clubhouse. She is hoping for a good turnout, along with your bridge, to really make the club look beautiful. Decorating will take place on Monday, November 28 (10am – 4pm) and Tuesday, November 29 (10am until finished). Captain Johnson will provide lunch and munchies. Please put these dates on your calendar now. The larger the turnout, the less time we spend.
Judy and I would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Don Wilson
Commodore
