Sequoia celebrated the changing of the guard in fine style on Saturday evening. We had a full house with 94 members and guests. The ambience was magnificent thanks to great work on decoration led by Kathy Harris. The food was exceptional and Chef Stephen Higgs and Chef Jeff Tachibana did us proud, for yet another time with an outstanding four course meal.

The Sea Scouts served the assembled group as well tested professionals, to ensure a smooth evening. Thank you!

The awards ceremony was enormous fun as we had so much to celebrate from so many fine members who made it such a great year.

The racers awards had been handed out at the Racer's Ribs evening, although we recognized them one more time.

The additional awards given out on this evening were:

Iris Ames award for youth sailing - Kirstin Gillam and Natasha Morgan-Witts.

Broken Paddle Award - ( for leading a successful cruising effort above and beyond the call as most marina's we're off limits ) - Shannon Amerman

The H.C. Armitage award for support for youth sailing - Winston Bumpus as he created the Junior Sailing Program Steering Commitee and chaired it during an already busy year.

The Bull Feather trophy for the most outstanding contribution to youth sailing - Peter McCormick as director of youth sailing for multiple years and is stepping down after a very successful tenure ( including the Garrett Horder award).

The Wyman Trophy for the officer or member who has contributed above and beyond the call of duty - Rick Dalton for an exceptional beer can season

Member of the Year - Jerry Jones for tremendous efforts in new member recruitment - a record year!

It was also appropriate we celebrated with music and laughter - just a little fun goes a long way. There was great energy in the room which was good to see as this annual transition is so important.

Our new Commodore Winston made a great speech. The new flag was exciting to see and there is no doubt we shall build on the momentum of the past year with such a strong team.

Just a lot of fun and a memorable evening for all!  Sequoia is the place to be! The best club in the South Bay....

My best wishes to the new team!

Peter - your Staff Commodore

Photos by Rick Dalton and Sheila Jones

We have an outstanding flag and officers who will make this another year of fun and growth for our club.

Peter Blackmore has done an amazing job as Commodore and I look forward to his counsel in his new role as Staff Commodore this year. 

Vice Commodore Dan Lockwood and his team will do a terrific job keeping the house in order and in helping to have another great year of social events at the club.

Our new Rear Commodore Rick Gilmore is a great addition to the flag and he, with his team, will give us another exciting year of racing and cruising.

Our new Port Captain James Brown, is looking forward to his new role and with his skills, and help from others, will keep our boats in order and support an increased number of cruise-ins to our club in 2014.

Phaedra Fisher will continue to keep our money and budget managed. She has done a very detailed job helping to report and shape our finances and we are lucky to have her back.

We also have Robin Weber continuing to do her excellent job as Secretary. We are lucky to have her talent for another year, as well.

In addition we have the continuing Directors Tim Petersen, Michele Hartman and Richard Butts, who are joined by three new Directors, Dennis Lowe, Clinton Ward and George Carr.

We are very fortunate to have this team and I am excited to work with them as we bring this club to new heights,  including next year, 2014, we will be celebrating our 75th anniversary.

I am here for you, so feel free to call me or email me at any time, if you have questions or concerns.

We have a great club and I am excited and pleased to be your Commodore.

Sincerely,
Winston Bumpus
Commodore

Photos by Sheila Jones

A great Installation Dinner and Awards Saturday night, plus we have two more new members.

Ernie and Emily Mendez from San Jose are on their way to take delivery of their new boat on the East coast and do some cruising while there.  It is a Cal 346 Quiet Times.   Nominated by Dan Doud and Rick Dalton.

Andrew and Kathy Cole are from San Jose and are long time racers in the Beer Can series.  Andrew started sailing at eight years old and has taught sailing in the Netherlands.  Nominated by Brett Herr and John Zolck.

Jerry Jones - Membership Chair

The night of the Installation Dinner was filled with all kinds of statements of what an amazing year 2013 has been for Sequoia Yacht Club.  As Treasurer let me provide a few statistics to provide foundation for these claims.  Those of you who are at our General Meetings have heard this already.  For everyone else – hey -- we miss you at the Club, please come and visit!

Key statistics to back up everyone’s statements that 2013 has been a year to remember:

• Membership Revenue  -- 10% above budget – Lots of new members!  Please get to know our new members and get them involved!
• Bar Net Income – 34% above budget – We apparently are very social and like hanging out at the bar.  Keep it up!  Thank you for sacrificing your livers for the good of the club. 
• Club Rental Income – 89% above budget – Wow.  Thank you for thinking of Sequoia Yacht Club as the venue for your next social gathering.  It is a GREAT place to have your office holiday party, class reunion, wedding, etc.  Please contact office@sequoiayc.org for details to host your next event. 

But here is the one statistic that really summarizes the whole year.  Wait for it…   Boogedy boogedy boogedy  (as certain people would say)

• The number of Beer can dinners served  = 1998 (just short of TWO THOUSAND)

Does that sound like a lot?  It is. 

Just to put this in perspective – the prior record Beer Can season was 2008 when 1448 dinners were served.  This means that 2013 was about 28% above the prior RECORD participation level. 

Although 2013 was a record year on multiple fronts, I think it is safe to say that the fabulous Beer Can season was the main tent pole that raised the whole canopy higher.  Thank you to Rick Dalton and everyone else who made this happen. 

Let’s learn from 2013 and build on our successes in 2014!

Phaedra Fisher
Treasurer

This Friday we have a drop in dinner.  You are cordially invited to enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow members and Lina’s tasty menu:
>
> London broil marinade - grilled
> Mushroom vegetable Lasagna
> Caesar salad with homemade dressing
> Or plain salad with choice dressings
> Toasted garlic bread
>
> Lemon Bundt cake

After dinner we have a speaker from the Bay Area Vessel Traffic Service.  His name is Michael Carlson and he will talk about the history of the organization, its mission and ways to avoid being run down by large ships on the Bay!  I believe he will also mention public resources where you can inquire as to exactly where that ship bearing down on you is going prior to your course adjustments.

I  am certain it will be an informative evening.  See you there!

Dan Lockwood
Vice Commodore

ALL IS LOST
Starring Robert Redford
Sunday, November 17, 2013, 1:50pm show
Century 20 Theatres, Redwood City

All is Lost is described as “… a tense adventure drama about a man who must fight for survival after being lost at sea.”

Sailing Anarchy says:  “The movie starts off with a calamity that could have been wholly prevented, were someone on watch.”  (Sound familiar?!)

Gather with other SYC members in the downstairs lobby of Century 20 Redwood City at 1:30pm this Sunday.   Dan & Sue Lockwood are planning a movie afternoon followed by discussion at Sequoia Yacht Club immediately after the show.  

If you’re certain you’d like to attend, let Sue know slockwood@fordlandco.com  and she’ll get tickets in advance at the Theatre ($9.00 Adult / $8.75 Senior), or purchase your own on Fandango ($10.25 Adult / $10.00 Senior).  Come as you are, come at the last minute, come to the Club after the movie; just come on down and watch “… one of the most decent and realistic sailing movies….”

Please give our supporters your first consideration.  Note that most listings will have the ability to click through for further information. Also note the advertisers will change the sequence of listing so we will have a new advertiser at the top of the list each week.

If you have feedback on this advertising section or would like to have your business listing included in future editions of “The Weekly Blast”, please contact Larry Mayne at lrmayne@aol.com

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