TELL TALES (July 29, 2009).

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

Aug. 1 – Summer Series race 9 (last race and there will be a throw out)

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

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

Aug. 10-14 – Special Green Fleet training period (1000 to 1700)

Aug. 15 – Fall Series race 1

Aug. 22 – Fall Series race 2

Aug. 29 – Fall Series race 3 and boat load

Sep. 5-6 – Labor Day Regatta at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, Sarasota

LOOKING AHEAD: We expect all sailors to show up Aug. 8. RWB skippers will need to check their boats thoroughly and help our new Green Fleet sailors. Portsmouth Division members will have practice and possibly a series race. Hours will be the same as last school year: 8 to 12 for the Green Fleet, 9 to 1 for the RWB Fleet and 1 to 5 for the Portsmouth. Optimist sailing in the afternoons is optional, but we must have at least four people sign up. RWB sailors also are strongly urged to attend the special Green Fleet training session Aug. 10-14, from 12:30 to 5.

SERIES STANDINGS:  (After eight races)

Optimist Fleet: 1, Garrett Lawlor, 17; 2, Alicia Muscato, 20; 3, Samantha Wood, 31; 4, Lucas Galarza, 35; 5, Stefan Johnson, 47; 6, Scott Trecartin, 47; 7, Alex Soodak, 52; 8, Shaun Gallagher, 53; 9. Mariah Miller, 55; 10, Stephan VerHulst, 57; 11, Blake Erquiaga, 58; 12, Toussaint Thomas, 65. Only half the fleet came last Saturday, but Shaun moved up one spot..

Portsmouth Division: 1, Michelle Thomas, 8; 2, Chloe Dietrich, 27; 3, Cara Patete, 39; 4, Bryan White, 41; 5, Sami Tornese, 41; 6, Carla Johnson, 42; 7, Andrew Sosa, 44; 8, Evan Langer, 45; 9, Tyler Thorpe, 49; 10, Aubrey Khachetoorian, 53; 11. Paul Kreider, 55.

· POLICY REMINDER: Our policy is that sailors must make at least half of the races to receive a series trophy. For example, if you are in one of the top five spots, but have attended only four of the nine races, you are not eligible for a trophy. That comes under the fairness doctrine.

· REGATTA REPORT: Instructor Michelle Thomas has been showing the VYBA colors extremely well in New Jersey so far this month by winning Laser Radial regattas in Briganteen on July 11 and in Stone Harbor on July 25. There were 11 boats entered in the former and eight vessels in the latter. She will be racing at Cape May this coming Saturday as she prepares for nationals.

· LASER SAILORS: Please keep your boats on your assigned outside racks, not on dollies in the shell pits. And if you use the new spar racks in the shed, put your spars on them and don’t leave them on the floor, or you may find them outside on the ground. Your maid and butler resigned.

· OUR CONDOLENCES go to the Waldron family because Robert’s father, Richard (a retired state park ranger), died in Lake Wales on July 18. Robert is a long-time supporter of VYBA and his wife Debbie once served as board secretary. Most of you know Robert and Debbie’s sons, Sammy and Blake. Sammy was head instructor two summers ago, and Blake has coached this summer.

· OUR THANKS go to the Venice Yacht Club again – this time for the Trivia Night that took place July 18. It was a 50-50 situation meaning that VYBA received half ($125) of the proceeds.

· LOST AND FOUND: Check the box because its contents are going to Goodwill on Aug. 6.