Ahoy, Level 1 students! - - JoAnne McClure

It's not too late to take your written test, so you can get your rating at the January Awards Banquet! If you have completed your water test and maintenance class, just contact one of the written test instructors and get that test completed! You have until the end of 2010 to make the banquet, but don't put it off! Study up and do it now! Questions? Contact JoAnne McClure (je-mcclure@earthlink.net)

Here's a list of the Level 1 Written Test Instructors:

• David Pardy
• Nancy Weiss
• MaryJane Bacinski
• JoAnne McClure
• Sam Olive
• Trudy Morse

NEW Booty and Swag - Just in time for the Holidays! - - Dave Clark

ASI now has it's own store! Queensboro Shirt Company has set up our own store to sell their products. All profits will be sent to ASI on a weekly basis.We have new logo's and new products including both printed and embroidered items. Pay with your own credit card and have the item shipped whereever youwant.

Your polo, sweatshirt or jacket will sport NOT ONLY the cool ASI logo, but also your area of special interest - racing, instruction, maintenance, cruising!  

You will be dealing directly with the Queensboro company. I will no longer be the middleman! I really hope this is a big improvement for you and our club. It's just in time for Christmas, so please give it a try.  Here's the website:

www.asibootyandswag.qbstores.com  

Put this link in your favorites and it willbe easy to find whenever you are ready. Save this phone number in case you needsome help with your purchase.  (1-800-847-4478 Queensboro Shirt Company).I hope to add even more logos soon.

Thanks, Dave

Keelboaters take note! - - Norm Schmidt

A meeting for all Level 3 / 4 sailors and students is scheduled for Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Busch's Market - upstairs conference room. Level 3/ 4 topics will include:

• Level 3/4 member feedback 
• financials
• new rates
• new information
• boat status
• sailing locations
• lottery 
• new students
• general discussion.

Another meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 25, 2011.

Busch's Market is located in the shopping mall at the corner of Six Mile and Newburgh roads in Livonia.  Enter the store, walk in front of the check out counters, go past the service desk, and up the stairs.

Notice of several changes in the ASI fees schedule - - Joe Jaeger ASI, Vice President

While it has been several years since any increases in ASI's fee schedule, rising operational costs require the following changes:

• Individual Membership dues            $85
• Family Membership Dues                $130
• L4 Week Timeshare                       $1000

The membership cost changes will help reduce non-level specific operating costs shared by all levels.The increase in the L4 North Channel timeshare fees better scales L4 income to operating expenses.

These increases are a reminder the three best ways you can serve our club are:

1. Grow ASI membership
2. Keep costs down
3. Timeshare those keelboats!

Thank you, Joe Jaeger  ASI Vice-President and Operations Lead

Last chance to take our survey!  

The ASI website, www.sailasi.org - is being redesigned. But we could use your help! Please give us your opinions and ideas by taking a survey! We need to know what you think of the present website, and what you think needs to be done to make it even better! All responses are confidential and anonymous. 

Thanks, the ASI website redesign IT team:

• Craig Smith
• Heidi Dzendzel
• Mike Perrin
• Don Fairchild
• Don Caley

Attention all keelboaters! - - Peter Fulda 

Toward the end of the past sailing season, Manitou's mainsail clutch, part of a set of three on the starboard side of the deck, shown in the accompanying photo, started to fail.

A replacement set that had been bought three years ago had been kept on the boat in one of the drawers across from the head, where it had steadfastly remained until somebody moved it this season.

The cost of this replacement part runs in the neighborhood of $150 - $175, so it is imperative that we locate the spare that we already have. If you know the whereabouts of this part, please advise Peter Fulda, the boat captain at peterful@fastmail.fm or at 248-624-0347.

What's the 'ASI Fog Dog Award'?  What's a 'Fog Dog'?- - Claire Zepeda 

Thanks to Phil Zepeda, an inveterate reader of dictionaries:

The definition of a Fog Dog is a bright spot sometimes seen at the horizon as a fog starts to dissipate. Origin: From the fact that it accompanies fog as a dog accompanies its owner. 

Undoubtedly you know many ASI members who give generously of their time and talents – often with limited or no recognition of their enormous contributions. The ASI Board has just approved an annual award that will be given to one of those “unsung heroines/heroes”.  The award has been named the ASI Fog Dog.

Let us know about some of these amazing people: someone who was the bright spot or beacon in a murky mist, who came to the rescue in a treacherous storm, who provided calm in an unsettled sea. 

Nominations must include a descriptive narrative explaining why this person should be nominated: what specific contribution he/she made, how they were a Fog Dog in the club, and/or how they furthered the goals and Mission Statement of ASI..

Please send your nominations to Claire Zepeda (clairezepeda@gmail.com) We are accepting nominations through Dec 15th. In late Dec/early January, we will publish the list of nominees and then the membership will vote for this year’s Honoree.

The January Awards Dinner meeting - Saturday January 22

Please note that we'll be holding the January Awards dinner at the Monaghan K of C Hall (same place we had the October dinner meeting), on Saturday, January 22. Details to follow, but put it on your calendar! That one you don't want to miss! 

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.

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. 

Gary Jobson's background 

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.

Volunteers for Board Meeting Recorder

The ASI Board of Trustees meets once each month (typically the fourth Monday of the month) Volunteer(s) are needed to assist the Board Secretary to take meeting minute notes.

The work can count toward volunteer hours.  If you are interested please contact Norm Schmidt at NSchmidt09@sbcglobal.net for more information.

2011 Keelboat classes - - Bill Lane

Become a Level 2 Captain and sail the Level 2 O’Day 28' Keel boats Interlude and Overture on Lake St Clair. Learn the basics of: navigation and GPS, docking a keelboat, anchoring, keelboat sailing, radio operation, boat systems, rules of the road for power boats, and much more.

  Prerequisites are:

1. Declare sailing ability by submitting a sailing resume to head of Level 2 instruction.
2. Be an ASI member and Level 1 Sail Pass holder with all volunteer hours up to date.
3. Complete and present a certificate showing completion of US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe Boating / Basic Seamanship course before the start of Level 2 classes. The class must have a navigation component. 

Sail longer and farther than ever before!

Contact Bill Lane, Level 2 head instructor, for details 248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

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Level 3/4 class for 2011

Level 2 sailors, it is not too early to be think of joining the level 3/4 class for 2011

Sail to interesting ports such as

•       Thames River
•       Port Huron/Sarnia
•       Goderich
•       Kincardine
•       Port Elgin
•       Harbor Beach
•       Tobermory
•       Killarney

Georgian Bay and the finest cruising area in North America, The North Channel. Explore beautiful coves such as: Covered Portage, Snug Harbour, Marianne cove, The Pool and Browning Cove

Learn advance navigation techniques and enhance your knowledge of GPS

• Do off-shore sailing work
• Advanced anchoring
• Boat provisioning
• Crew organization
• Sail to a destination overnight
• Prerequisite are to have a Level 2 sail pass and work hours current, and to sail the Level 2 keel boats 8 times, 4 times as captain and 4 times as crew.

Contact Bill Lane for details 248-891-6125  or Email to wjl6355@gmail.com

One more thing...

The ASI Burgee is now on an 'as needed' schedule. The next one will be - well, we just don't know! It depends on input! Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net