HeMan Cup and Sandy Stahlecker Memorial Regatta---and some bad news

All--

Two of the SJSC's biggest on the water events are planned for the next two weekends. Unfortunately, summer is drawing to a close, but we still have some great sailing left, and we hope to make these two weekends highlights of the summer.

He-Man Cup and champagne brunch are Aug. 19-20. This is our annual endurance contest and post-race raftup in La Jara for dinner and a Sunday AM champagne brunch. We hope to have both a cruising (non-spinnaker) and racing division, and we're going to try to avoid the starting line mayhem for the cruisers by starting them before the racers. Even if you don't want to race, c'mon down for the raftup and party. (Those of us who made it to La Jara 2 weeks ago had a great time.) Skipper's meeting is at the dock at 7:00 pm Friday. I think Bill Dodds is planning to distribute some race materials via e-mail, so watch this space. Prizes for first through third places in both divisions.

The Social Secretary, a/k/a Mrs. Commodore, reminds everyone to bring hors d'ouevres for the raftup following the race and orange juice and a brunch item for the Champagne Brunch. The Club is bringing the champers. You also may want to toss in a extra bag of ice or two--those Mimosas are kind of hard on the ice supply!

The Sandy Stahlecker Memorial Regatta will be August 26. This is our annual benefit for the American Cancer Society. No entry fee for the club, but a donation of at least the normal club entry fee is required--all entry donations go directly to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Checks should be made payable to the Society. Dorman McShan had a great idea last year--he solicited pledges for his entry, and when he won, the pledges kicked our total donation to a club record. Don't race? All donations accepted--please be generous.

Format for this regatta is two or three short races, weather permitting (we got blown off the lake last year after 1 race). Lowest total score based upon finish order in all races wins. 1st is 3/4 point, 2nd 2 points, 3rd 3 points, etc. DNF's get one point more than the last place boat, so if you miss one race out of three, you still have a chance. Prizes for 1st through 3rd places. Raftup for dinner Saturday evening after racing. Skipper's meeting at the dock at noon on Saturday.

Please join your fellow SJSC members for these great events.

And if you haven't checked out Fred's nifty blog for the SJSC yet--please do so! It's fun to know that ancient mariners also struggled with the conundrum of the "head"! (You'll have to go there to find out!)

A bit of a somber note--some vandals/thieves have apparently decided that boats in the mooring cove are easy targets. Many of the boats on moorings were broken into on Wednesday night. Little property was taken (liquor, binoculars), but the thieves/vandals left a big mess behind them, and several boats were heavily damaged by the crude methods used to gain entry (kicking in or prying open doors and hatches). Best guess is that the perpetrators are using methods of opportunity (unsecured dinghies, air mattresses, etc.) to get to the boats from shore, either at the dock in the cove or from the shore. If you are down at the lake on a weekday evening, please be observant. And if you have a dinghy, lock it up. Unfortunately, reaching authorities after the Park closes for the night can be difficult. A week ago, the Bartons spotted some kids on Janson's houseboat. By the time we found someone on the radio who had a land line and could reach the Archuleta County sheriff, they were long gone. Anyone with information should contact the Park.

Thanks to Neal, Ginger, Ted, Deb and Brittany for all their hard work. Brittany, good luck as you go off to college.

David Dickinson
Commodore