Opening Day Closings.....and Springing Ahead

There was a fairly good turn-out for the 2008 Opening Day Festivities here at SPYC, with about 50-60 members, their guests, even some old familiar faces we haven't seen for awhile, including one of our "pillars", Mr. John Markulis, of which we are all happy to see that he is making a nice recovery.

A group of our members in their boats gathered together, after leaving the docks, and headed out for the traditional "laying of the wreath", in honour those who have passed; and at the same time welcoming the new fishing season!

Afterward, back at the docks, most everyone returned to the Club for champagne and a buffet lunch. The weather was on our side and actually has been hinting of a very early and warm summer. Let's hope there were a few "fish tales" that developed during the afternoon conversations, as that was what this celebration was all about...remember...it's fishing season!

Now, where are all those fish? It's Time to Spring into Action & Reel 'em on in!! We're ready to have our first fish fry, and are just waiting for YOU! Catchin' On?

Here's to a great season, and a great summer.

AND THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE:


(Bobby's Sculpin Twins)

OR A REASONABLE FACSIMILE!

HAPPY FISHING!

COUNTDOWN to OPENING DAY @ SPYC

This Sunday, April 6, is our Opening Day here at San Pedro Yacht Club. Starting at 10:00 am, we will have the ceremonial introductions, followed by our boat parade, which traditionally is headed by our officers and members and where we place an offering of a wreath in honour of those we have lost in the past. On our return to the landing we will have a buffet lunch. Please come and enjoy with us the turning of the new fishing season.
Fishermen...Bait Those Hooks! *It's That Time Again!

"Hook-Up" with San Pedro Yacht Club!

Prize Pictures?

Do any of you have photo "catches" that you think are worthy of sharing or showing off? It just might be one that makes THE FISHING BOARD! Or it just might be THE ONE of the year -- you never know. If so, send them to our Email address: SPYCwhatsHappening@gmail.com and we'll be sure they get to the right place, and right away! Now go through those pictures and send us your best, (or even your worst, if you think it could be the winner!!) ... Click...

show us your stuff!

SPYC's "CALENDAR of EVENTS" NEEDS YOU to help fill in the Blanks! There are EMPTY SPACES on our calendar where we have some 'open', unscheduled, unspoken-for, "everyday" type of days still available, just waiting for someone like you to come along to fill them with new thoughts & ideas; to bring them some hope for life, and a purpose!
SAN PEDRO YACHT CLUB would like ALL of you to play a part in making SPYC YOUR CLUB by bringing more of YOU to it; by sharing your knowledge or expertise; maybe you have methods or ways of doing something/anything, that others have shown interest in; or sharing a handy, useful tip or secret to help make a project, chore, even our lives that much easier!
ALL OF US HAVE SOMETHING in us that we can do better than others, so why not share it? And we all have room to learn from one another. With all of these new members, there also must be alot of new thoughts & ideas that haven't been brought to the surface yet--let's dig them out and have some fun with the new uncharted territory!
CHECK OUT OUR "CALENDAR OF EVENTS", to your right -->. Pick any day you like that says "OPEN" or a date that ISN'T listed, which means that it's available for you to start planning; making it whatever you'd like it to be, or doing whatever you'd like to do & bringing that part of you that is ONLY YOU!

GO AHEAD, PICK A DAY: to 'work' with, 'schedule' it with us & start planning for 'YOUR DAY' today, with something you would like to share or bring to the Club. Make it all yours; show us who you are; expand our avenues for having fun! Heck...there are 366 days this year, have at it, take more than one if you want: take two, three, even four (4) days & open up your ideas on the Club and let's just have fun!! Whatever you want to make it! Take advantage of the opportunity, it doesn't come your way very often: up to four (4) whole days of your very own this year, to do with as you choose, with no boundaries, (save of course, legal being a given!!). Just let loose and enjoy; the ideas are endless...the ONLY thing stopping you is your imagination!
LET'S SEE...YOU COULD: plan an outing or adventure; guide or instruct a "how-to" (on any subject) that others have shown an interest in or that would be beneficial to know; put together an intimate special meal or even a large banquet or BBQ; maybe you've come up with new ideas for movie munchies, (Hey, maybe even a movie!!!) &/or "Bar Bites"--something to munch on while chatting or playing the latest board or card game(s); haven't had a chess, backgammon, or poker tournament in awhile!; plan & map out a "Scavenger Hunt" around the marina(s); start a Raffle w/ an interesting prize/offer for the winner; make anything (here or elsewhere) of interest into a contest or competition; get together w/ Tim (or maybe YOU are the fisherperson!) before the weekend & set up a "fish fry" for dinner that night, right off the boat (NOW THAT'S FRESH!!); have a celebration or party in honour of someone special, or their birthday; Hey! You could even throw Yourself a Birthday Party!!!! It's up to you: Do whatever you so desire. *(Within reason, Mind You! There must be SOME limitations!)
JUST BE CREATIVE! Maybe you have some insight or found a solutions to an 'ever-nagging' problem that the rest of us might benefit from; or have seen or heard any new or unusual entertainment; possibly lead us down avenues never travelled; and with you giving it the introduction you can peresent it with a 'FLAIR' that's all your own; having "THAT-LITTLE-BIT-OF-SOMETHING'' that is You & ONLY YOU; giving it an added 'SPARK' that shows your seal of approval, with pride in what you've done; and bearing your signature, your final touch that says: "MAKE MY DAY"!
YOU WILL HAVE A FRESH START TO MAKE YOUR DAY: you will have a clean slate, an open canvas, a white board, if you will, for choosing & using any available, unscheduled day this year & 'making' it all yours ; a day to remember: whatever you want it to be...*(OK! Well, ALMOST.)

NOW THAT I'VE LAID OUT ALL THE GROUND RULES, and all of these thoughts and ideas are roaming around your head(s), trying to all get out and figure out just what to do . . . maybe we should have just made this into a contest or competition right from the start!!!!!
**This could be you!!! --> -->

GREAT IDEA!* IT'S WORKING ALREADY! . . . . So, what are you waiting for?? Put your thoughts into words and your words into action . . . Speak Up . . . Let us know what you're thinking of doing & when you would like to schedule it , and we'll set it up, and get things moving.
**BE THE FIRST TO RESPOND to this offer; to venture into this with us & then go where no one else has gone before: into the far reaches of your thoughts and mind! Although, even if you're just skimming the surface & wanting for some superficial basic fun, just because--it doesn't matter, it's still your day to do as you please, all your own!
YES, "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU"! Depending on how & where your adventure takes you, we will incorporate an extra "bonus-helping-hand" to make sure it all works the way you had planned. That 'somthing extra' we can add to your day for being the first one to respond will be decided upon according to your chosen subject, idea or "theme", with your "finished product" in mind! Thus we may call upon you to be a consultant.
**THIS EXTRA BONUS "HELPING HAND" is only offered to the first person to respond to this contest/offer, which has now been named "MAKE MY DAY". The general contest/competition will span the entire year, from NOW (@ the time of this posting) up until the holidays which start @ Thanksgiving. During the entire year, when each "MAKE MY DAY" entrant or event is occurring, we will have a 'standard-form-of-questions' and 'items-to-vote-on' for all participants having experienced any or all of your "MAKE MY DAY" adventures. This will provide first hand opinions & experience so as to accurately provide as fresh & valid of a response as possible. (This can and should aid both you as the creator, we as the open mind of the Club/SPYC, and anyone looking to expand their arena of ideas/ways & means, with a variety of innovative & fresh recreational fun!) We are still expanding in membership with more & more new faces--which ALSO brings with them many new thoughts and ideas!!! So, there is ALOT to be GOT coming through our doors. IT'S ALL IN HOW YOU USE IT! The more you put into it, the more you get out of it!!!
~SO! Give it ALL you've got!
. . . "MAKE MY DAY"!! . . . . SHOW US YOUR STUFF!


Scheduling, Planning & Responses Made Thru Pamela @ the Club; Or- Email Us: spycwhatshappening@gmail.com

from "Against All Odds", to "The Starting Gate--and They're Off"

The first Official Board Meeting of 2008 with our newly installed officers, (Re: Installation Dinner & Ceremonies--Jan 12, 2008) was held last night. If this is any sign of "Life" as the new board sees it, there's bound to be alot going on around here AND things ought to be very lively. There is a new breed of thought patterns and very diverse I might add, lending, it would appear, to activities, "going's on", events, festivities and the like which can only lead to energy, growth, production and even fun!
Last year was a building block or laying of the foundation, and alot of hard work. Not that the club was hard work nor was getting new members which seemed to flock in once the doors were open, and regularly, at that.
It is a year to look back upon and view all our accomplishments and with all of our new members and truly see what we've done "Against All Odds". There was some fancy footwork being performed to make me stumble, but I think it just improved my patience and dancing ability; both of which can always use a little adjustment. All and all it was a busy year and continued to be all the way until the last minth when the rains hit, and with unusual amounts!! But as the epicenter, and a survivor of SPYC 2007, and with what little time there is to catch my breath, it is with sheer wonderment and a sigh of relief to see the whirlwind before me moving along and gathering up all the s*@!, while making things happen, all without infringing upon others, or expecting of others and they're even showing signs of good old fashioned team-work! There not only is Hope, there is also Action and quite a bit of Production. (Time to catch my breath and eat my 'Wheaties'!)
This new group of officers are sure to leave their mark while making things happen this year at SPYC. We have the people coming in, we have new members joining, and regulars renewing, and even those whom life has given yet another agenda towards the end of the year; they were all here waiting at "The Starting Gate" ready to jump in, some with all fours, right into the new year, with willingness and input and 'motion'. Which sounds a lot like energy, and that's all we need to produce action and to achieve.......... whatever it is we want. Sounds like a good start to me.
There probably will always be stumbling blocks and curves in the road, but having a mind-set, with determination, perseverance, and of course 'power in numbers', we should have much smoother sailing in 2008. GREAT!

SPYC is the REAL winner of the SUPERBOWL POOL

Looks like SOME catch this week for all involved! Not only were the lobster and sheepshead cooroperative for Art & Andrea Gumm, but Art also won the 'final' in our "Super Bowl" pool, having put himself in just the right square! To get things even more 'squared away' and stay rolling in a possitive direction it was suggested just what he should do with his winnings: continue on as a member for 2008 right here at SPYC!! (Now was that an offer that he just couldn't refuse????)

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Gumm, and you didn't even feel a thing. That is pretty good winning, considering you weren't even here for the game! . . although that isn't saying much, since I HAD been here, and still was oblivious to my winning(s), seeing as how I was kept quite busy with a thirsty and hungry bunch! But . . Only Too soon did THEY fill me in on what I had missed and let me know in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS there was still one more 1/4 left!! I was told that it turned out to be a very good game, obviously waiting 'til the end to produce any kind of action! I apologize for running you through the mill and then having you go on a scavenger hunt for the details, but when it 'struck me', I couldn't resist and found myself running with it and I have to admit had alot of fun! --I hope not at your expense.
You guys do lend an outlet, one that I need heed more often...and the energies you exude can be quite contagious, which is a good thing! The atmosphere in the club is exuberant and 'on guard' with open arms, not knowing when or where that next quick left turn is going to take us, or how long we'll be able to hold on or even keep up the pace, but nevertheless knowing we're already caught up in the crossfire or whirlwind and are along for the ride whether we're ready for it, saw it coming, or even know it . . . or not! All of a sudden you find yourself there, caught up in the motion, on the roller coaster; so just hang in there, catch your breath, sit back and enjoy, you might as well roll with the punches, you are now captive and have no choice but to have fun and maybe even get in a good laugh or two or five! That's the kind of energy that brings with it a life all it's own; one that makes you really feel alive.
So with congrats and much thanks to you 'guys' for bringing that energy here to SPYC & for being THAT type of person(s), we at the San Pedro Yacht Club welcome you, Art & Andrea Gumm and family, Bobby & Linda. They have been a part of he SPYC family since Buccaneer Days 2007 and we're happy they've decided to continue on with their membership for 2008! Thanks guys, (and gals). *Finally!...do you know how long I've been waiting to say that??
I hope you don't take any of my jeering to heart; of all people, you should understand the ART of humour--if not, just ask your "kids"--I'm sure they can fill you in with all the gory details should you get lost in the ups 'n downs of your everyday work life!! (Need I go on????)
Congratulations again on your win and I suppose there's some thanks due, also, to Randy for doing the 'tow job', or special "vessel assist" way back when in those dinghy days!!..... a good time was had by all and they just keep getting more dinghy all the time!!

*(Randy & Carla: we miss you already!! Remember, you're not THAT far away!!)
Your reciprocity list is on it's way, maybe even there already, and will be updated regularly!! Looking for a club you don't see listed there, but might like to check out? Give us the name(s) and we'll see if we can 'hook you up'!
NOW, what else is on the agenda????
This year's Calendar of Events, while still being added to and touched up, (and may find itself in that "state" throughout the year with the new "MAKE MY DAY" campaign going on! **See above story: "SHOW US YOUR STUFF" for more info on that.) has been posted along the right sidebar where you can easily get to it and it is full of all of our basics and this year's specifics. The items in question, (w/ ?) will be cleared up/out as soon as all the proper info can be gathered, and as time permits. It seems that one holiday just runs right into the next these days. I have no idea where time disappears to??? Even a slight blink is invasive!

**(Speaking of calendars: To find out how YOU can help 'fill-in-the-blanks', and become a part of the "MAKE MY DAY" experience by helping to make a GREAT 2008, and a much more fullfilling year... please check out & into "SHOW US YOUR STUFF" above. (Then go ahead & have at it!!! You'll be glad you did!!!)



a little back bite:

~K.C. put together a wonderful spread for the SUPER BOWL; a ton of food was made available & with such a variety, you didn't dare be indecisive! Although had you decided to have even a taste of everything on hand, you still may not have been able to actually get to all of them--at least not w/o loosening that top button or opting for the sweats right from the onset. That taste was of the utmost didn't help matters in the least!!!
~There were 2 huge chafing pans filled with what looked like hundreds of "Buffalo Chicken Wings", being kept warm throughout the afternoon, simmering away in their pool of tenderizing spices that made them melt in your mouth. Their full bodied flavour had just enough bite to entice, but not attack; not one of the many intense flavours even thought of over-powering another; though with each having a particular zing all it's own, could have lent to more than one disagreement over the matter. (But not here amoungst all this food, mind you, where each individual plate spoke novels of their own & in their own native tongue!)
~She does do wonders in that galley, or any galley, for that matter!
Bon Appe'tit & Cheers!

Pooling our Interests & Getting Them All Squared Away!

For all of you who participated and have been waiting to hear who the winners are from this year's "SUPERBOWL POOL" here at SPYC, and ESPECIALLY to the man who called in at the end of the first quarter to get the numbers, all I can say is ..."You should have been here"! Although, if it was information and details that one needed to know, they didn't do much for me as I was so busy I didn't see much more than a few minutes of the entire game, and then only after everyone was eating, quiet & rather subdued while giving me THE GLARE that must have coined the phrase "If Looks Could Kill", did I even take notice of what was happening!! Hell what did I do? Besides running around taking care of your libations, snacks and comfort, somewhere in my oblivion I also had the winning square of the first 1/4! Yeah! ......And as the tension rose, in their quiet glare I found I also had picked the 1/2 time square! Yeah, Yeah!! BUT... That wasn't enough apparently, because after the third 1/4 --- well.... all I can say is: "It's NOT my fault that these guys can't score any more touchdowns"!! ----It was only one square!! I guess we'll have to chock that one up as "beginner's luck", because I don't think I've ever been in a (football) pool before. Oh Well.....Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!!

NOW...Congratulations also goes to the other Square, for the final score---
HEY! You never called back......Where For Art Thou?

our new face, our new place ----- welcome

Just a few words to welcome you to our new pages and new look. During this time of transition, your patience and support have been much appreciated; especially with all the glitches popping up here and there, and everywhere. Things are falling into place with a bit more ease, as of late and sometimes quicker than expected. Acknowledging this as a learning experience every step of the way, and accepting glitches as the 'question on the test for extra points' or something of the sort, in my ever exuberant 'over preparing' (because one can NEVER be TOO prepared--HA!) w/o even realizing, they have cooperatively been working themselves out--of which I am happy to say only lends the extra time and space for me to get wrapped up and involved in even more new, interesting, and fun "things"! (*MORE?*)
Having searched through and "tried out" quite a variety of different sites, with a wide range of options, gadgets, possibilities, and yes, even attitudes and personalities, I feel like the proverbial kid in toy store! The range of ..... well ..... infinity ...... is .... quite ......... FLABBERGASTING!! (Quite the understatement; *Probably unnecessary & uncalled for, but I couldn't resist the calling!) Some of the formats & layouts I fought with, (as if I had a chance!) and I'd venture to say they seriously "had-it-in" for us humans, seeming to have no potential whatsoever to be user-friendly, at least NOT in this lifetime!
Comfortably & I think Happily, I've settled in nicely, here, with this page. It even lets me experiment without causing too much harm or complaint of potential damage to itself or threatening my overly-frustrated central nervous system! The typical love/hate, use & abuse human/computer relationship! I have definitely learned an amazing amount of information in the past few months--and it just keeps breeding within & of itself and expansively branching out here, there and everywhere! Talk about the blank canvas! I guess that's what it is all about, right?

In these pages you'll find all the latest of what's happening, is going to happen, or has just happened here, in, around, and about the San Pedro Yacht Club; otherwise fondly known as "SPYC". It will provide as much detail as possible, to keep you informed, of all that there is to know about the "going's on" here at the Club. As time goes by, the pages will each have their own function, will find avenues to perform specific duties & serve a purpose for a particular need and thus form their own personalities and paths of growth ......hopefully taking us right along with them for the ride!
*(HEY! No one told me there were any options...=^)

THE FRONT PAGE will be our welcoming mat, our "hello", and an introduction to who we are and what we are all about. All of our events will be featured here with all the necessary details for you to be prepared and ready for whatever it may be; hopefully without any sudden surprises or last-minute-changes! (I personally had more than my fair share this past year--enough to last me for many, many years to come!!) With all of us working together & keeping the lines of communication "open", it will help us to better understand, enjoy and be productive in this coming year.

Our basic information will be included here on the FRONT PAGE for anyone happening to "stumble upon" us, and should they find it of interest, will have the necessary means to reach us and/or check out links providing other options and ways to find out more.
*(Just out of curiosity, has anyone "browsed" their search engines for "San Pedro Yacht Club"? Four (4) months ago, there was virtually NOTHING to be found on us, unless you did ALOT of digging, but even then there wasn't anything of substance, or much more than the name--the full name, not the acronym, but then THAT's another huge story in itself...... )
TODAY, you'll find much more than just the name, and hopefully won't end up in Madrid, Spain anymore! *More about Madrid, Spain & how NOT to end up there (unless you plan to), in the article below: "Our Place On the Map ".

We're also looking to incorporate something to help promote member interaction; to spur interest & find ways to bring our members together, or at least "on the same page"; to keep the momentum of energy and ideas flowing in a forward direction, by participating with and through a "concept page", set up specifically just for that! -- Just for YOU!
NOW, I suppose it would help if I had some "Comments from the Peanut Gallery", which you will find at the end of most of these articles: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROMOTE, SUGGEST, REQUEST, and when this (your) page is up & going, INCORPORATE you, yourself and all the rest into "THE PAGE THAT'S ALL ABOUT YOU." ~I'm SURE Mike Plassmeyer & Crew will have a few adventurous anecdotes about the race when the "KIMME II" returns to our docks. * That's your 'cue' Mike, I know how excited you were when you first told us you were going to do this! ~All our BEST to you & your Crew! ~And Kim...I hope the energy of my thoughts will lend to your mend! Let me know if there's anything we can do--I'm working on the 'hoist';^)

This participation page: "THE PAGE THAT'S ALL ABOUT YOU", is also a test to see if people really want to be involved, if there truly is an interest, and how far we'll ALL have to go before we're able to get things moving in an orderly fashion, where our "word" is our plan, and our plan is to keep our "word"! We would all save alot of time and frustration if there weren't so much "pretentious volunteering" ('lip-service') going on. Life would be that much easier, smoother and productive if we would all just learn that it is perfectly fine to say "NO" to some things or someone, rather than to idly appease them, only to leave them and those relying upon the situation, stranded; stuck with THAT much more responsibility, and ALWAYS at the last minute...when it could ALL have been worked out at the onset. At times such as these, saying "NO" is a VERY positive action!! Virtually, we all benefit; there is always a way to find & work out a "win/win" situation for everyone involved! It is also much nicer when everyone is happy!


**(Somehow I don't remember bringing up or planning an editorial page...but I suppose there really is NO limit to where we can go with this. It's like I've ALWAYS said regarding this Club --"It's All in What We Make of It!" AHH! There's that blank canvas!)

THE SECOND PAGE will be set up for various lists, schedules, details, numbers & other pertinent or necessary information that actually should be compiled and organized together. This way, we have only ONE place to fumble around in and "rummage" through when needing that 'all-important-piece-of-info-at-the-last-minute-and-you-don't-know-where-to-find-it-thingy!'
There is always room for new ideas and expansion, so if there is anything you'd like to see fill the pages, or info you'd like compiled together, just let us know. We'll make it a point that it finds it's way into these pages.

THE BACK PAGE as it stands right now is the former sight where we started this revival of the newsletter "SPYline" on the Internet. It is mostly past articles, news & events, but they will remain here "archived", as somehow 'getting rid of them' didn't seem right, as it is a map of where we've been and how we've evolved. There is always something to be learned from the past, of which should hopefully lend insight to the future! Eventually these new postings will be replaced by newer timely ones, putting them onto a "back page" of their own for future reference, info or what-have-you.
. . . And don't think it is going to stop there! There can be as many pages as there are subjects, or members and their subjects: I especially like the idea of an "open page" for our members. Got any thoughts, ideas, something you'd like to say or do? Speak up!! Sponsor an event, fishing tournament,or fund raiser; cook dinner, have a contest or throw yourself a birthday party!! The possibilities are endless!
~ We'll see you @ the Club ~

our new face(s) for 2008

Even with the weather surprisingly turning on us and all the many different holiday gatherings and parties taking our members in all different directions, some being far away, we still ended up having a fairly good turn-out here @ SPYC on Sat. Dec. 15th, for the 2008 election of Officers and Board of Directors.

There are alot of new faces at the Club and the evening helped to produce some of the new energy and enthusiasm that has been hovering and building up during this past year that needed only to be sparked by bringing new people together. Yes, Virginia, it has truned around! In fact, new chapters are being written, and the cast are studying their lines!

The night went from barely a few names on the ballot to actually bringing about an air of competition and sincere disappointment to some who didn't hear their name announced after the votes were tallied! An interesting turnabout and quite a fullfilling change for the Club's atmosphere! There were actually thoughts and ideas brewing and being discussed almost immediately. They couldn't wait for 2008!

SPYC would like to thank everyone who took the time to come out and break away fom their busy schedules to participate in the elections, and those of you who voted by proxy. Your participation has made a difference, and a wonderful impact on the renewed life of the Club! Thank You!

SPYC WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE & WELCOME THEIR NEW OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2008. (Names are posted in the right sidebar at top. --->)

*SECRETARY, TREASURER, PORT CAPTAIN & OTHER NECESSARY OFFICES, ARE CHOSEN BY THE BOARD, & SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED AT THE INSTALLATION DINNER, SAT. JAN 12, DURING THE CEREMONIES.