July-August-September — Volume 16 Issue 2

The STillwaTer Cove’er

COMMODORE’S LOG July–Aug 2016

Continued on page 2

Chapter IIWelcome to the Summer of 2016 at SYC. The season is off to a terrific start! A large

number of new members have joined the club this year. We offer them a warm welcome and hope they will enjoy their membership in SYC for years to come. We have already completed five social events so far this year and almost all of them were a sellout. The feedback from the members has been very positive. Amidst fellowship and fun, a record number of over 200 members turned out for our May 15 Pier Opening. The weather was picture perfect, the hors d’oeuvres were well in supply, the “blessing of the fleet” by Pastor Rick Duncan provided a nice touch of ceremony, followed by the Wild Blue Trio tropical music and, most importantly, everyone had a great time. Thanks go to Vice Commodore Meyer for orchestrating such an enjoyable launch of the season. Our SYC’s first Beach BBQ followed a week later and was well-attended by members old and new.

“I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.” —Nikos Kazantzakis, “Zorba the Greek”

Ports of Call DinnerSunday, July 17, 2016 • 5:30 – 8:30 pm Beach Club Dining RoomOur menu theme for this season’s Ports of Call Dinner will be Asian Fusion, featuring: “Shaking” Beef & Prawn Stir Fry, Basmati Rice, Thai Red Curry Sauce (vegetarian option available) and for dessert, Pineapple Upside Down Cake Each course will be paired with the perfect wine to complement and enhance all the flavors being served. As it was last year, this party will be the highlight of the social season, the talk of the town for weeks to come. SYC members will be given priority reservations. Guests of SYC members will be wait-listed and accommodated on a space-available basis. The ticket price is $55 for members and $65 for guests and includes everything except private, bar-ordered drinks. Please make your reservations, including seating requests, through the Beach Club. Call or email Kayla Missler at the Beach Club at (831) 625-8587or misslerk@pebblebeach.com to reserve! Seating requests cannot be guaranteed; but we will do our best!

The History and Romance of SpainIn one meal… Sunday, August 14, 2016 • 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Join us for PAELLA with its ancient roots.

SYC will transport you to Valencia as we partake in Paella de Marisco (seafood) and Paella Mixta (chicken and meat). Chef Elias will painstakingly prepare a culinary feast in paelleras (traditional pans) cooked over orange and pine branches. Savor the prized Socarrat, a delicacy crust formed on the base of the pan. Using authentic and essential ingredients (Moli de Rafelet Bomba) he will present and prepare our Paella along with Tapas and a traditional dessert.

All to be paired with Cava, Spanish Wine, and of course, Sherry! Remember, in Spain, Paella is prepared only by men… so ladies, come and enjoy the Gypsy Guitarist and the Flamenco Dancers… along with our Machismo Men.... ¡olé!

Lots of fun is being had at Stillwater Cove! “Ten (10) children, ages 8 and above, are learning to sail

this week,” says Rear Commodore Tad Church. “They are also enjoying kayaking, paddleboarding, and other fun activities in the sun.” The lessons are $250/week or $55/

day. Registration forms, payment,and waivers signed by parents are required before lessons begin. Wetsuits are strongly recommended. Weekly sessions run from June 13 - August 5 from 1-4:30. Students must be able to swim at least fifty yards and tread water for two

minutes. A short test will be given at the Beach Club pool. Life jackets are provided for every student. Certified Instructors in the program are committed to providing every student with a safe, fun, and memorable experience! For additional information and reservations, please contact SYC Rear Commodore Addison Church by email at: watersports@sycpb.org Space is limited.

Adult Sailing & Certification: Stillwater Yacht Club is an ASA (American Sailing Association) certified

sailing school. Adult sailing lessons and certification programs are taught in Stillwater Cove and Carmel Bay during the SYC sailing season by Charlie Kurtmen, SYC Port Captain. Upon successful completion of the Basic Keelboat course [ASA 101] you are qualified to use the SYC’s two Santanas at no cost! For additional information or to schedule lessons please contact Charlie Kurtmen at (559) 917-0559

Commodore’s Report continued from page 1 Summer Sports at StillwaterYouth Sailing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding The Humma Humma on June 11 (see pictures on

page 4) was a wonderful evening in our beautiful Beach Club dining room that was exquisitely decorated by the hard-working social committee. The great dinner menu and the fantastic music of the Muse Band was a recipe for success. Like last year, we had scheduled the party on the same date as of the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club’s Commodore’s Regatta, so Stillwater Cove was full of sailboats, further enhancing our scenic view. The following Thursday, more than a 100 members attended the now annual Tacos and Beer on the pier event to signal the start of our Thursday night adult sailing program. Over the next couple of months, do not miss our social events starting with the Ports of Call Dinner on July 17, then History and Romance of Spain Dinner on August 14 and an Author’s Night with Light Buffet on September 7. (See articles in this newsletter for more details.) Our Potluck Pier BBQs, a favorite of most of the SYC members, are scheduled on July 30, August 28, September 25 and Pier closing “Themed BBQ” rounding the sailing season on October 15. Please note the Changed dates for the August and September BBQ. The Youth Sailing & Water Sports Program is underway under the supervision of Rear Commodore Tad Church. There are openings still available for your children, grandchildren and their friends to sign up for the fun. Help them to begin a life-long love of the water and gain new skills. Remember, this year you can sign up online or by traditional application form. SYC’s Board of Directors is dedicated to providing you with the best possible member experience. We hope you enjoy this year’s activities off and on the water and encourage you to make the most of your SYC membership. As you can see, SYC is very busy and, because we are a volunteer organization, it means there are many people working to make these events run smoothly and ensure that the sailing and water sports equipment is in good working order. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and directors for their efforts as well as our member volunteers! Without you, all we offer could not be done. Enjoy the rest of the SYC events and activity and my best wishes for a wonderful summer. See you all soon.

Your humble Commodore, Sherif Michael

MEMBERSHIPThe opportunity for membership in the SYC is one of the best benefits of joining the Beach Club. This year we have ten major parties, plus seven Pier BBQs, plus eleven Thursday Night Sailing BYOB gatherings. Furthermore, your current SYC Membership card can get you reciprocity at several hundred yacht clubs around the world. Members may use our fleet of kayaks, standup paddleboards and FJ sailboats at no charge from May 20 through the end of September. Members who have at least Keelboat Sailing certification can use our fleet of Santanas (no charge!) You don’t have Keelboat Sailing certification? Take three sailing lessons from our Port Captain, Charlie Kurtmen, and you can probably pass the on-water and pencil/paper tests. The SYC has a limited number of memberships, so that members are able to attend our events. Currently, we have ten available memberships. You can apply on-line at SYCPB.org/join-us.

Be sure to join the fun on certain Saturday or Sunday evenings, 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, throughout the season! No reservations are required. Members may bring two guests free-of-charge. Additional guests are welcome with a cost of $10 for each adult and $5 for children.

SYC provides complimentary wine, beer, soft drinks and barbecue grills. Members and guests bring their own entrée and condiments.

Plates, utensils and napkins are provided by Beach Club. No glass vessels, please (Beach Club rules). Members are also asked to bring a potluck side dish, which may be an appetizer, salad, vegetable, casserole or a dessert. Whatever you choose to bring, it should be for six to eight others and be placed on the community buffet table for all to share and enjoy! We ask that you welcome new members and guests and invite them to sit at your table. Volunteers are needed to assist in bartending and other matters. Check the sycpb.org website or call Bruce Graham at (831) 595-9402 to volunteer.

2016 Pier Potluck Barbecues • 5–7 pm

2016 SYC Pier BBQs Saturdays5–7 pm

❹ July 30❺ August 28❻ September 25❼ October 15 (themed BBQ)

Author’s Night Wednesday, September 7, 20165:00 – 8:00 pmThe Stillwater Yacht Club is excited to have a presentation by John Pennington, author of the book, Orca. After a light dinner, John will relate the inspiring and hilarious true story of an unworldly, twenty-two-year old California surf punk and his faithful girlfriend, Kara Potter, who tire of their parochial and drama-filled home town, Monterey, California. They decide to buy a thirty-foot sailboat and disappear. They must overcome spectacular nautical

ignorance and defeat a cunning sabotage attempt by safety-conscious parents armed only with a shoestring budget and an unshakable sense of humor. Once on the high seas, unexpected enemies and incredible allies soon propel little Orca across the Pacific and into the unforgiving Southern Ocean. Before long, the crew realizes they’ve gone

too far downwind: in order to return home to Monterey, they must sail around the world. Nothing will ever be the same. Now, after their five-year sail and returning to live a couple of years in the Monterey harbor, we have the pleasure of hearing John and Kara relate their story and share pictures of their fascinating five-year voyage.

Stillwater Yacht Club Pier Opening Party • Members onlySunday, May 15, 2016

Stillwater Yacht Club 2016 Officers & Directors

Commodore Sherif MichaelVice Commodore Carl Meyer Rear Commodore Addison ChurchStaff Commodore John Pfeiffer (PC) Secretary Peter Baldwin (PC)Treasurer Marina MillerPort Captain Charlie Kurtmen (PC)Fleet Captain Richard Clark (PC)Fleet Surgeon Paul Kandler, MD (PC)Webmaster LeBon AbercrombieDirectors David Day (PC)

Jim Fuqua (PC) Judy Furman Dick George Bruce Graham Debbie Jett

Kevin Larkin Michael Praisner Terry Russey (PC) Dixie Smith Kay Sullivan (PC) Ralph Thompson

(PC) Past Commodore

Visit the SYC website at sycpb.org

Newsletter Design & Graphics - Mary Wiltse Design

Jul 17 Ports Of Call Dinner, 5:30 pm BC Dining Room

Jul 30 Stillwater Pier BBQ #4, 5 pm

Aug 14 History and Romance of Spain Dinner, 5:30 pm

Aug 28 Stillwater Pier BBQ #5, Sunday at 5 pm

Sep 7 Author’s Night, 5 pm BC Dining Room

Sep 25 Stillwater Pier BBQ #6, Sunday at 5 pm

Oct 2 Lobster Fest, 4 pm Stillwater Pier

Oct 15 Stillwater Pier BBQ #7, 5 pm Themed BBQ

Nov 11 Commodore’s Ball, 6:30 pm BC Dining Room

2016 SYC EventsHumma Humma Party Saturday, June 11, 2016

Burgee Update

We encourage you to exchange burgees with other clubs when you visit. Check our burgee photos before you leave in order to avoid duplicate exchanges. Burgees are available from the BTC office. Upon your return, give the new burgee to Staff Commodore John Pfeiffer and email the exchange photo to Director Abercrombie for the web, and return the unused burgees to the BTC office.