Commodore's Letter

Dear SYC Member:

Hi everyone,

My last Compass News letter as Commodore is proving very difficult to write. Over the past year I have tried to keep things light and chatty but today I’ve got to get more serious.

Serving as Commodore of Seattle Yacht Club is obviously a great honor for anyone and it is also a life changing experience. Marion and I have met literally hundreds of people who we would never have known. We have had the opportunity to work closely with some of the finest people we have ever known, the SYC members and staff. You are truly great! We have been privileged to receive countless compliments for what you; our members do for the Club and the community, all the while knowing that much of the credit is the result of the legacy provided by those who have preceded us.

Now the tough part. Where do I find the words to express what I feel? The best I can do is say, thank you, thank you, thank you for what has been a life changing opportunity.

All the best to you and yours,

Jack Sullivan, Commodore

P.S.: My apologies for missing the Oktober Beer Fest.  I was on the Sacramento River at the St. Francis Yacht Club station at Tinsley Island.  A fantastic party!

P.P.S.  Pam, Len, Looking forward to our luncheon.

You are invited to a Benefit Screening of Morning Light
proceeds benefit the SYC Junior Sailing Program

Monday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Lincoln Square Cinema
700 Bellevue Way NE

Includes Q & A session with Special Guests: Roy Disney & Leslie DeMeuse, Executive Producers

Sponsored by:
CSR Marine
Fisheries Supply
Market Street Shoes - Market Street Athlete
North Sails Seattle
Pacific International Yachting Association
Ward and Company, Certified Public Accountants
William Buchan Homes
West Coast Sailing

Ticket Cost — $25

Hosted By:
Seattle Yacht Club
1807 East Hamlin Street
Call (206) 325-1000 or email Lance Downing for tickets.

Click here to see the trailer!

Ticket pick-up at SYC after 10/3 or Will Call at the theater
MC / Visa / SYC# accepted
limited supply

Committee Sign-Ups

OOPS! The Sponsorship Committee was left off the list. If you're interested in being on the Sponsorship Committee, please contact Tanya Treat.

University Bridge Painting Project

Certified Coatings Company, was awarded the contract to paint the University Bridge. They have requested a change in operations with the USCG, requiring four hours notice for a double-leaf opening, there will also be containment tarps, not more than 4 feet below the bridge on the inactive leaf.

Their request and schedule, starting with the south leaf, they estimate will take 9 to 10 weeks to complete and the north leaf up to 13 weeks due to possible inclement weather. The tentative start date is September 16, 2008. Please contact me with any concerns.

Mary E. Brown
Supervisor, Bridge Operations Roadway Structure

Lock Closure

Both the large and small Locks will be closed for four hours on Thursday, October 2, 2008 for inspection of the Adult Salmon Exclusion Structure.  There will be divers in the water between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and the only exceptions will be for emergency vessels.  Questions should be directed to David Carpenter, Navigation Supervisor at (206) 789-2622, ext. 202.

OctoberBeerFest

'Ein Prosit!' does indeed describe the high energy and very fun OktoberBeerFest party at SYC last Friday, September 26. Shelby Finn and the AIs recruited several Seattle area microbreweries who served seven different seasonal brews. People pretty much stayed until the beer was all gone and the band had gone home. We drew a crowd of over 140 people, who between them consumed a lot of brats and a lot of beer.

The beer drinking competitions were fiercely fought. Winners were Kyle Kinsey in the Men's Division, Jenny Bolles in the Womens Division, Richard Kolb in the Seniors Division, and trustee candidate Don Dally was the first to empty his class in the Candidates Competition. Rear Commodore Larry McCarthy was the judge and handed out the beer steins to the winners.

Incidentally, Kyle reported that this is his 6th win and the 6th beer stein in his growing collection. It just proves that practice makes perfect. Thanks also go to Tyler Ellison who was perfectly attired in his role as Burgermeister for the evening.

Thank you,

Kathy Schwartz
Chair Entertainment Committee

Click here for the full Oktober Beef Fest Gallery

Survival Skills Class a Resounding Success

SYC “Cold Water Survival Skills” class coordinated by the Marine Traffic, Environment & Safety Committee.

On the last Wednesday in September, 14 intrepid SYC mariners (including Commodore Jack Sullivan and his wife Marion) braved cold and rainy weather to gather at the club’s Elliott Bay saltwater outstation for an all-day class. Taught by Sarah Fisken, Eric Olsson and Steve Harbell of Washington Sea Grant, the class provided excellent instruction in a few skill areas that are critical to survival in our local—as well as Canadian and Alaskan—cold waters. They put special focus on how to diagnose and treat hypothermia (the lowering of the body’s core temperature), dispelling many myths that are actually dangerous to a person’s survival. This is just a part of what was covered.  Look for the full details in the November Binnacle.

At the end of the long day, participants declared the class a big success.

SYC Port Madison Weekly Update

Landscaping:
This week the dirt moving for the buffer and sports courts should be completed. The irrigation will be completed the following week. The planting is scheduled to start the week of October 21st and continue into November.

Storm Drains:
Work continues on the storm drains. The lower parking lot design required pervious pavement which has now been determined to be unacceptable due to the slope of the lot. Therefore a new design that will use storm filters to treat the site will be used. The cost estimate is that this solution will not fail and will be less costly than the pervious pavement.

Well:
The drilling continues and we should be close to hitting water at around the 600 foot level. The electrical power for the well will require bringing underground power to the well from Hidden Cove. The current power to the well is insufficient and the feed wires are attached to the trees. We are in the process of obtaining estimates on cost.

Electrical:
The trenches have been dug and the conduit has been laid. The electricians should complete the installation and connection of the wire this week.

Docks:
It is expected that the docks will be installed during November and therefore that January 15th cut off date will not be a problem.

Click here to see Stacey Wilson's latest report and photos!

Mike Riley
Chairman Port Madison Committee

Yearbook Updates

Good News for SYC Spouses! Responding to overwhelming demand, in 2009 our yearbook roster will include contact information for both spouses. This week the roster update sheet will be mailed to all members. In addition to changes in member contact info, boat ownership, etc the book will include spouse contacts as well as call signs for those with an amateur radio license. Please take time to check with your spouse to see if he or she would like to have an email or telephone number listed and return the form or email Tanya Treat.

Helmsmen Specials

Annual Meeting
(Voting Members Only)

The Seattle Yacht Club's Annual Meeting is on Friday, October 3, 2008. The Club will close for regular business at 3:00 p.m. Hospitality service will begin at 5:00 p.m. and Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. (reservations only). The meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. and is open to all voting club members. Ballots will be available until 8:00 p.m.

Small Craft Warnings

Women interested in arts & crafts will love this. Our first date is Tuesday, October 7, in the Fireside Lounge from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Coffee will be served. We will learn to create fabulous holiday tablesettings for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah. Supplies will be provided. The November 4 Small Craft will feature Photo Projects: Online Publishing.  Contact Ann Redmond with questions: (425) 642-2612.

Dinghy Group

The October Dinghy Group outing on October 8 will be a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo to view the new Chilean flamingo exhibit, among other zoo highlights. We will be treated to a guided tour by one of the Zoo Ambassadors, with lunch following at the Rain Forest Food Pavilion located on the zoo grounds. Please contact Sue Pruner at (206) 262-1918 to sign up or ask questions.

We will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the SYC and carpool to the SOUTH entrance to meet our Zoo Ambassador at 10:30 a.m. If some people do not wish to carpool, they may meet up with us at the SOUTH entrance. Parking is $4.50 per day in the zoo parking lot. Entry fee to the zoo is $11.00 for adults; there is a $2.00 discount from regular admission prices for persons with disabilities and senior citizens (65+) years.

Power / Sail Dinner

October 9, 2008

"Power / Sail Dinner:  Feature guest speaker - Dan Schwartz, Head of Marine Operations, Department of Oceanography, University of Washington.  Dan will be highlighting events with the Thomas Thompson and other vessels in the University of Washington fleet.

Past Commodore Chris Otorowski will outline and discuss a proposal to conduct a joint cruise with Seattle Yacht Club and the New York Yacht Club late next summer in the Puget Sound."

Medical Care for Long Distance Sailors and Wilderness First Aid

HAS BEEN CANCELLED

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