TELL TALES (July 8, 2009)

· COMPUTER PROBLEMS: As mentioned before, we think computers are of the devil. The past few days have confirmed that fact because we had to have to the hard drive replaced. Then the printer wouldn’t work; we lost our address book, and there were a myriad of other problems we will not discuss. Bottom line is that this publication is a day late, and we apologize.

· SCHEDULE:  Summer sailing hours on Saturdays run from 12 noon to 5 p.m. until further notice. 

July 11 – Summer Series race 6

July 18 –Summer Series race 7

July 25 – Summer Series race 8

Aug. 1 – Summer Series race 9

Aug. 7 – Last day of summer learn to sail sessions

Aug. 8 – Boat reassignment, be kind to your boat day and change rigs

· LAST SATURDAY: Mike and Celeste Patete led group of volunteers in preparing a special picnic at Higel Park. Mike cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs and there were plenty of other goodies and drinks to go around. Thanks to Jen Dietrich, Lucille Kreider, Conni  Muscato, Sari Reegler, Sheila Sosa, Debbie Wood and everyone who participated in the event. Later, Shaun Graser, local dentist and Venice Yacht Club vice commodore, presented the spring series trophies. 

· LAST SUNDAY: Again, Mike and Celeste Patete took the reins of the crab races and the project raised $380 for VYBA. There were 25 crabs who participated in five races, rushing from the center of a circle to the third and last concentric outer circle. Assisting in that endeavor were Sandy Bills, Shaun and Paula Graser, Tom and Lucille Kreider, Mike and Conni Muscato, Sari Reegler, Paul and Sandy Thorpe and Larry Tornese. We may do this again on a Friday night.

· SERIES STANDINGS:  (After five races in the Summer Series)

Optimist Fleet: 1, Garrett Lawlor, 6; 2, Alicia Muscato, 15; 3, Samantha Wood, 17; 4, Stefan Johnson, 19;  5, Lucas Galarza, 28; 6, Mariah Miller, 30; 7, Scott Trecartin, 31; 8, Alex Soodak, 32; 9 (tie) Blake Erquiaga and Shaun Gallagher; 11 (tie) Stephan VerHulst and Toussaint Thomas.

Portsmouth Division: 1, Michelle Thomas, 5; 2, Chloe Dietrich, 19; 3, Sami Tornese, 22; 4, Evan Langer, 27;  5, Bryan White, 28; 6, Tyler Thorpe, 28; 7, Cara Patete, 28; 8, Carla Johnson, 30; 9,  Andrew Sosa, 32; 10, Paul Kreider, 34; 11, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 40.

· SCORING EXPLANATION: Most of our sailors came for the special picnic and trophy presentation, but they did not compete in the regular series race. Michelle Thomas and Chloe Dietrich, the top two sailors in the Portsmouth standings, raced along with RWB skipper Samantha Wood. Those who were here but did not sail were given a DNS (Did Not Start) and appropriate points. Those who did not come at all were given excused or unexcused absences/points, accordingly.

· LEGAL EAGLE Sari Reegler’s eagle eyes spotted an error in the Portsmouth standings last week. We had Cara Patete listed twice, in spite of all that our proof readers could do. Andrew Sosa, our webmaster, also caught the mistake. For the record, Cara was seventh, not ninth

· ANOTHER LASER: Blake Erquiaga is the proud owner of a Laser now and he will be racing in the Fall Series after he returns for visiting in Tallahassee. He moved up from Green Fleet to Red, White and Blue in May. Thus, we have 11 RWB sailors and 12 Lasers skippers at this time.