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Tuesday, February 8, 2011 |
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Boats, Trains and... Stretch Limos? - - Thomas R. Baker |
 On a cold, dark Thursday morning in January, seven ASI sailors climbed aboard the Amtrak train in Dearborn. They were on their way to the Strictly Sail Show at the Navy Pier in Chicago that weekend. Tom Baker, Norm Schmidt, Duane Dipert, Tom Herritage, Trudy Morse, Kathy Chrzanowski, and Bill and Sandie Lane settled themselves in a comfortable section of one of the lounge cars. As the train traveled through the early dawn, they were joined in Ann Arbor by Dave Anderson and Peggy Clark. As coffee and snacks were consumed, the group shared sailing stories and plans for later that day.
The skies had turned darker gray and snow began flying as the train passed Kalamazoo. At noon the group arrived at Union Station in Chicago with fresh snow falling, and took cabs to their hotel – the Doubletree on Ohio Street just west of the Navy Pier. That afternoon some of the group visited the Museum of Science and Industry. Bill Lane enjoyed the U505 submarine that was on display so much that he was ready to sign up as crew. Others took the subway and explored the Art Institute of Chicago.
That evening the group decided to eat dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in the Hancock Building and ended up renting a stretch limo to get there in one group (as cheap as the 2-3 cabs would have been). The entire group emerged at the restaurant from the back of the limo laughing and joking at the sight of it all. The dinner was delicious and filling (large portions) and the waitress was helpful and fun.
Afterwards, the group repeated their fantasy limo ride back to the hotel with lots of laughter. On Friday, after a delicious breakfast at Mary’s Café, the group was off to the Navy Pier. As one entered the hall, the dark gray of winter gave way to the sight of colorful sails, beautiful yachts, and nautical gear of all types. There were Island Packet and Tartan luxury yachts that you could walk around on and go into.
It didn’t matter that you couldn’t afford to buy one foot of these yachts: they were just fun to look at and touch. A large “indoor lake” was set up with fans blowing so that you could race model sailboats around a three legged course. There was even a reggae singer near one of the dining areas - a taste of the Carribean. During the four days of the show, there are dozens of free seminars available to all. They cover all aspects of sailing from maintenance to sailing solo around the world.
The most popular seminar for our ASI sailors was “Sail Trim and Shape Analysis” with Nick Turney of North Sails. Our group also learned a lot about electronic charting in a class called “The Cruising Computer” taught (in a humorous and informative way) by Mark and Diana Doyle.
In addition to the seminars, Tom B. and Dave met former ASI member and keelboat instructor, Mike Meagher. Talking with him and sharing stories was another highlight of the show, although an unexpected one. Friday evening most of the group met at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Company at the Navy Pier for another wonderful dinner, laughter, and fellowship.
After a great meal, the ASI sailors made their way back to the hotel tired, but stimulated by the sights, sounds, and interesting workshops they had seen that day. No limo this time, just a short cab ride followed by a good night’s sleep.
Some of the crew returned on the train Saturday afternoon, while others came a day later. On the way home, they again shared experiences and ideas from the seminars at the show.
Inevitably, the discussion turned to all kinds of “improvements” they would make to ASI. They arrived in the dark at the Dearborn station greeted by several inches of new snow on their cars. Our group of sailors had only been gone for a couple of days, but returned with new insights gained from interesting seminars and discussion with fellow members. Their spirits were lifted by visits to interesting museums and the beautiful and colorful sails, yachts, and displays in the Navy Pier hall. Best of all, they returned with a deeper appreciation of the wonderful community of sailors that they are part of in ASI.
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An update from Lisa Drumm, our ASI Sail Secretary |
ASI Sailors,
Thank you for for your well wishes and understanding after my car accident and subsequent absence from the ASI office. I must ask for your continued patience as my office hours this week will be erratic due to illness and another family emergency. I will be in the office to work, respond to emails and voicemails, but it may not be during my usual office hours. My commitment to the best possible customer service to ASI members and potential members has not changed, but the needs of my family must come first during these unexpectedly difficult few weeks. Again, I thank you for understanding.
Best, Lisa
ed. note: in an email, Lisa also explained...
I have one with strep, one with such a severe ear infection (he's on antibiotic #4 and has burst the ear drum twice in 3 weeks), one with an upper respiratory infection, my van is still in the repair shop, and my grandfather was admitted to the hospital on thursday and is not expected to make it. i feel terrible about my lack of focus on ASI these past two weeks, but it truly cannot be helped and i'm praying that the board and membership understand.
You can send your best wishes and thoughts to Lisa by clicking here. |
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The Asian Carp menace - - Don Anderson |
The Corp of Engineers meeting about the dangers of the asian carp has been rescheduled to March 8, in Ann Arbor . Those interested can get official info about the meeting by going to http://glmris.anl.gov/ and clicking on another site to get the meeting schedule. Boaters need to voice their displeasure regarding the dangers if the asian carp get into Michigan waters.
For those unfamiar with the asian carp, They reproduce and grow quickly to about 30 pounds and more. They generally start jumping about 4 feet in the air when they hear boat engines.
You will be in serious danger when you start an engine to bring down the sails, fight a storm, pick up a man over board, etc. Fishermen and water skiers also face the possibility of collisions with asian carp. |
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ASI Logo sub-texts - - Dave Clark |
I've been working with Queensboro, the supplier of our Booty and Swag merchandise (see above). As you know, all these clothing items can be ordered with the embroidered ASI logo.
There have been many requests for an additional line of text BELOW the logo, to show the particular activity within ASI that you're most involved with. Here's an example, showing 'Racing':
We're trying to determine just which activities should be made available, for instance:
I want all the ideas we can get and then choose which ones work best. Send your suggestions to Dave Clark by clicking here.
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Photo shoot this spring - - Craig Smith |
All sailors of all levels, want to have some fun and help ASI get some great pictures and video’s for the website and other promotional ads?
We are in the process of updating the website, www.sailasi.org, and we need some pictures and videos of us sailing and having fun. This spring we are planning a Photo Shoot on Lake St. Clair near Jefferson Beach Marina. We will need sailors to skipper the 4 keelboats and 2 Interlakes and the power boat. We will need camera crew and equipment. The JBM location will be the first photo event. At a later date we will have a photo event at Kensington and then at Stony Creek.
So, won’t you volunteer for this exciting adventure and who knows, maybe you will become a star on the ASI website. You will certainly be a star in helping ASI. More information on date and time will available soon. Please contact me soon so we can make plans, thanks.
Craig Smith 248-767-8871 cell craigsmith248@msn.com
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A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson* - - |
Great Lakes Yacht Club presents: A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson*
All proceeds to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Michigan Chapter
- February 11, 2011 6:30-11:00 pm
- The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House1100 Lake Shore RoadGrosse Pointe Shores, MI
- Music by Brian Lang
- Tickets $35
- Limited Seating
- Complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available.
NOTE: There are a limited number of tickets remaining and they are going fast. Don’t miss out – order early. Invite friends, family, crew.Go to http://mi.jobson.llsevent.org or CALL 800-456-5413.
To order tickets, please call 800-456-5413 or online at http://mi.jobson.llsevent.org
*Curious about Gary Jobson? See the article directly below. |
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Gary has won many championships, including the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race and many of the world's ocean races. In College at SUNY Maritime he was an All American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year. He was sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. He has won two EMMY Awards as sailing commentator for ESPN and PBS.
Here's Gary Jobson's bio in Wikipedia:
Gary Jobson is a decorated sailor, television commentator, sailing lecturer, and author based in Annapolis, Maryland. He has recorded many achievements in his sailing career, having won multiple championships in one-design classes, the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the Fastnet Race, and many of the world's ocean races.
Jobson is also an active cruising sailor, having led expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn.In October 2003 Jobson was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame by the Herreshoff Marine Museum. In 1999 Jobson won the Nathanael Herreshoff Trophy, US SAILING's most prestigious award, and as of 2010 is the current president of US SAILING.[1]
Jobson is also the National Regatta Chairman of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's sailing program.Jobson has authored 15 books on sailing, and is Editor at Large of Sailing World and Cruising World magazines. In addition to his print work he has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. He won an Ace Award for Cable Excellence for his coverage of the 1987 America's Cup.
In 1988 Jobson won an Emmy for his production of sailing at the Olympic Games in South Korea and also won an Emmy for the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race on PBS.In college Jobson was named an All-American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year (1972, 1973).
He graduated with his Bachelors Degree and Third Mate's License (Unlimited Tonnage) from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1973. He began his career as a sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.Jobson currently races an Etchells, owns a Sabre 402, Whirlwind and has a partnership in a NYYC Swan 42, Mustang.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is honored to have had Gary serve as national chairman of The Leukemia Cup Regatta since 1994. In 2003, after years of committed service on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gary was diagnosed with lymphoma and, in his words, "became a beneficiary of the research advances I had helped support." He is now cancer-free.
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the 2011 Detroit Regional Yacht-racing Association Winter Seminars |
Here's a description of the remaining 2011 DRYA Winter Seminar Series, scheduled for most Wednesdays in February and March. All seminars are free (except for the CPR seminar with a nominal materials fee) and open to the public.
February 9, 2011:“Weather for Poets”
Pat Healy served as head dinghy team coach at theNaval Academy from 1976 until 1981 and then again from 1998 until 2002.In between he was the Canadian National Sailing Coach leading the Canadians to win five Olympic medals and twenty-two Pan American medals. After leaving Canada, Pat ran the Louis Vuitton Cup for the1995 AMERICA’S CUP. He has been the marketing director for theCommanders’ Weather Corporation, a private weather forecasting company supporting racing and cruising boats worldwide. Pat graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology."Weather for Poets" is a non-technical explanation of why there is weather, why the weather patterns look the way they do, thunderstorms, lake breezes,what to look for on the water and on the internet. Join us at the Tompkins Center, Windmill Pointe Park (home of the Grosse Pointe Sail Club) on Wednesday evening, February 9, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. No restaurant facilities available.
February 16, 2011:“Chartering”
Our next seminar is another of our new topics this year. It will be an in-depth coverage of chartering, for cruisers as well as racers. Hope Swift, a fellow sailor and owner of Swift Yacht Charters will bring her years of sailing and chartering experience to share with us.In this two-hour seminar she plans to: i.) Explain the function of an independent charter agent; ii.) Discuss chartering options including bareboating and obtaining the qualifications necessary for those new to chartering; iii.) Provisioning & other considerations; iv.) Availability of captained and fully crewed charters including destinations, planning, and itineraries; and v.)Theme charters (e.g. Racing, Diving Healthy Living, and Honeymoon/Anniversary. Hope is taking the time and making the effort to give us special insight into chartering when others in the industry have beenuninterested in doing so. We trust that you'll join us in the midst of winter while we dream of the joys of other seasons! This free seminar will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club from 7:00– 9:00 PM on February 16, 2011. The restaurant will be open ahead of time,accepting credit cards only. Beverage service will be available. The formal dress code will be waived.
February 23, 2011:“Medicine Afloat”
Once out on the water, we are very much left to our own devices and preparation with knowledge and supplies is often the key to safely continuing our sail or even safely returning to shore. With this in mind, we continue our efforts to bring new ideas and new voices to our superb group of seminar presenters over the past years with the addition of Dr. Robert Welch, M.D., M.S. from Wayne State University, Department of Emergency Medicine. His Medicine Afloat seminar, given from a sailor's perspective is sure to provide us with an educational evening addressing practical care in the setting of short term cruising and racing. This is an evening not to bemissed! This seminar will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Clubfrom 7:00 – 9:00 PM and as usual, is free and open to the public. Therestaurant will be open ahead of time, accepting credit cards only.Beverage service will be available. The formal dress code will be waived.
March 2, 2011:“Staying Alive With CPR”
When someone’s heartbeat or breathing stops, immediate CPR is critical to their survival. Learning how to properly administer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a genuine life-saving skill. Get that training by joining us for a three-hour class taught by PC Loretta Rehe, and Ted and Janie Williford, fellow sailors and certified CPR instructors. There is a nominal fee of $30.00 to cover the cost of educational materials. Pre-registration before February 26th is mandatory in order to have adequate equipment and instructors on hand. Participation is limited to 30. If there is enough interest, a second class will be added on March 3rd at the same location and time. This seminar will be hosted, from 7:00 – 10:00 PM, by the Edison Boat Club. No food or beverages will be served. Pre-registration will be available at any prior Wednesday Night Seminar or through kevinvsherry@aol.com
March 9, 2011:“Saving Sailing … Continued”
This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on the special DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes, author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar will feature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cup and Around the World Sailboat racer who is also an accomplished businesswoman, community leader and youth-sports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator and committed philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passion for `saving sailing' including her newest activities with the Oakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, owners and teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. A panel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers) who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman will moderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.
March 16, 2011:“Basic Racing Rules”
“Saving Sailing … Continued” This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on thespecial DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes,author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar willfeature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cupand Around the World Sailboat racer who is also anaccomplished businesswoman, community leader and youthsports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator andcommitted philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passionfor `saving sailing' including her newest activities with theOakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, ownersand teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. Apanel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers)who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman willmoderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.
March 23, 2011:“Safety at Sea”
This seminar, presented by Chuck Knowles and Margi Schneider, will be a practical discussion of safety issues and equipment that relate to both racing and cruising sailors. Chuck will present the very newest equipment available, and make numerous specific recommendations. Chuck and Margi are aggressively preparing their live-aboard yacht V-Twin for extended world cruising; lessons-learned to date, and planned upgrades will be discussed. This should be an instructive and entertaining evening. A special mystery guest will discuss safety from his perspective and explain what a sailboat ‘looks like' from the bridge of a fully-loaded 1000' freighter. This presentation is sponsored by West Marine. Please join us at the Grosse Ile Yacht Club on Wednesday evening, March 23rd from 7:00 -9:00 pm. The availability of food and beverage service will be posted later.
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One more thing... - - Don Caley
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The ASI Burgee is back on a weekly schedule. The next one will be next Tuesday, February 15. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee. |
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