The Cat's Tales

Catalina 36 Santa Monica Bay—Fleet #1

December 2002

John Celick — Newsletter Editor\Treasurer

http://www.catalinasmbay.org/

From the Captain of the Fleet:

“As the New Year rolls around, it's time to act on a new board to guide your fleet into 2003. The position of Fleet Captain will be filled by Hal Avery, who generously volunteered (Unless there are other volunteers, which would require a runoff). Also, John Celick will continue as Secretary, Treasurer, and newsletter Editor and Chief. Gisela Dawson will continue as Membership Chairperson. Program, Publicity, Cruise, and Hospitality chairperson positions are open at this time. The jobs are easy and enjoyable. Remember, that unlike a yacht club, there is no facility, our costs are minimal, and above all no politics. Our sole purpose is to have fun.

“Our next gathering is the Holiday party. The actual date of our party is Friday the 13th at the recreation room on Marquesas Way. Thanks to Mary Anne and Jim Mendel for again arranging for this facility. The enclosed flyer has specific instructions, but that's the final date. There will be a slight charge of $7.50 per person. Please bring any adult beverage you might want to share, and, above all, a gift for the gift exchange. It should not exceed $20 and amusing is good. Most of you are gentle kind hearted souls and wouldn't take candy from a baby, but come that night, if a dear close friend has something you want, take it and gloat. Of course, if the object is not at the end of the trading cycle, you can lose it too. See the gift exchange instructions in this newsletter.

“I look forward to seeing you there. Come and enjoy the food and festivities and help all into the new boating season.” Your Fleet Captain, Gene Levinthal

One New Member:

Please welcome Warren and Karen Burnett and their Catalina 32 named Selkie. “Selkie” are mythical Scottish sea creatures that are seal-like in the water and become human-like on land. They are known for their singing and dancing on the beach. I think we’ve all seen “Selkies” on Catalina.

Gisela Dawson

Holiday Party and the Gift Exchange (and Steal) Rules:

One of the highlights of the annual Holiday Party is the “gift exchange.” Fleet #1 members have played this game at our last eight annual Holiday parties and it has always been great fun. The following guidelines apply...

Bringing a present is optional. Each person can bring a wrapped gift (a couple can bring one or two wrapped presents) and each person bringing a gift will receive a gift in return. We suggest that for a lively game that you strive to keep what you spend for a gift at about $ 20.

Each person bringing a present will draw a number to determine the order in which they get to select a present.

The Play: The person selecting first can select any gift under the tree. The second person can select a gift from under the tree or steal the gift from the first person. If the gift is stolen, the victim of the theft gets to select another gift from under the tree. After both the first and the second person have gifts, the third person can select a gift or steal a gift from either of the previous recipients. ...and so it goes.

Two details: (1) After a gift is stolen twice it can not be stolen again. The gift is frozen after it is stolen twice. (2) The victim of a theft can not immediately steal the same gift back, but they can steal a gift from anyone else unless that gift is frozen.

Obviously, creative and “boat-useful” gifts draw tremendous attention. The odd, unusual and unique gifts are the most fun, but please refrain from bringing live animals.

Coming Events

Date:	Event:	Remarks:
Friday, December 13th	Party	Annual Holiday Party and Gift Exchange No Meeting in December
Tuesday, January 21st	Meeting	Pot Luck Dinner at SMWYC, Speaker TBA

Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club, 13589 Mindinao Way, cocktails at 6:30, Dinner at 7:30