TELL TALES 20 (Mar. 13, 2008)

• Well, we tried to send this Tell Tales out last week and had massive computer problems. Vowed that I was not going to send any more, but here is another edition. Hope you receive it all right.

• Some parents have told us that they have not received certain e-mails and we have no idea why that has happened. For example, one family reported that they had not received a "Tell Tales" since No. 14, and that was a while ago. Have checked all the addresses, and in some cases, families have three different e-mail addresses, but none of them seem to be working. Therefore, if you suspect you are not receiving our messages, please let us know by calling or writing.

• The biggest news this week is the fact that we will be handing out the winter series trophies on Saturday (Mar. 15) at 1230. That way all the fleets can participate. Joe Dombroski, a board member and former Venice Yacht Club commodore, will make the presentations.

• Green Fleeter Jonathan James had his picture in the Gondolier for winning a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American history essay contest. Congratulations. He will miss Saturday's sailing because he will be in Orlando for the awards banquet.

• Garrett Lawlor, another Green Fleet skipper, had his picture in the paper this past week. He was grinning for the photographer during a parade and the caption noted how bashful he is. NOT!

• Dr. Jeff Johnson, father of Green Fleet sailor Stefan Johnson, has been named to the Venice Youth Boating Association's board of directors and attended his first meeting earlier this month.

• This "Tell Tales" is full of Green Fleet news, but Sami Tornese brought home some hardware from the Allison Jolly Regatta in St. Petersburg last weekend when she finished fifth in the Green Fleet. Red Fleeter Cara Patete was doing well before she experienced equipment failure.

• Former VYBA sailors Christi Frost and Michelle Thomas were second and fourth, respectively, in the 10-boat Laser 4.7 class. Officials called off the races Saturday, but had racing Sunday.

• Today is Cara Patete's birthday and tomorrow is Alicia Muscato's. Happy birthday, young ladies!

• We are not above making mistakes in this newsletter. For example, on the subject line for "Tell Tales No. 19, our grubby fingers made it Tell Takes. Sorry about that. We used to know an editor who claimed he made some errors on purpose so that he would have something for everyone.

• Tyler Thorpe has officially moved up from the Red, White and Blue Fleet to the Portsmouth Division where he is racing a Laser Radial that Ryan Gissal donated to VYBA.

• Saturday is the boat load for our regatta which will be in Englewood on Saturday, Mar. 22. Although it is our regatta and we are hosting it, our sailors still need to register, fill out the proper forms and pay the appropriate fee. A notice of race and forms will be available at the Pram Shed this Saturday. However, you can just give us the information and money rather than mailing it. We are hoping to break our record of 74 boats participating.

• Parents and friends who would like to help out with registration or meals should contact Celeste Patete as soon as possible. We need folks to hand out T-shirts, sailing instructions, etc.

• The next big regatta will be Sarasota's Sailfest slated on Apr. 5-6. A sign-up sheet will be posted.

• Sailing tip: Know where your fleet is supposed to sail. If you are a member of the Green Fleet, do not promote yourself to Red, White and Blue. You may not like it. This has been done before. And once you go to the correct course, make sure you know where all the buoys are.