Have you ever considered that weather is a state of mind? I hope so. Because I have for a long time now been boasting and bragging that it is always Sunny and 80 on the dock at CBI, ......which it is. In fact I even promised my boss (CBI's Board of Directors) that we would open on April 1 and I would personally deliver a sunny, gorgeous, and warm day. Recently a few naysayers have pointed out to me that the weather forecast for tomorrow includes snow. What's your point I say? Let's consider... Isn't weather as we generally know it something that we experience? And haven't we all noticed how no two people can be counted on to recount in the same way experiences that they allegedly share? Therefore we see that no experience is the same for any two individuals and therefore experience is an invalid basis for quantifying states of being and any related issues. So while it may appear to some that snow, rain and cold will be the dominant features of the weather tomorrow, the truth is that it will be warm, sunny, and windy.
Welcome to the 2011 sailing season!
Charlie
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Opening Day Weather Forecast
Beautiful weather expected for Opening Day. In fact the weather is going to be so brilliant that no matter what the weather actually is, it is going to be beautiful, brilliant, fantastic and generally wonderful. This is a fact. And I am willing to stand by this forecast no matter what. So here are the plans we have made.
Thanks to a lot of hands helping out at the work party last Saturday (65 in total) we got a lot of the boathouse put back into order. Starting tomorrow we will be launching, with the help of the contractor's crane, R19s, Sonars, and Launches. The focus on Saturday will Mercuries in the slip - as many as possible. That will give us all of next week to rig, tune, and tweak. We invite everyone to take next Friday off from work, come lend a hand in the morning and go for a sail in the afternoon. I have to confess that I am so excited to get the 2011 sailing season off and running and do it on April 1. A part of me really thought that we might not be able to sail until mid April. So a big hats off to the management team at the DCR and the crew at CRC Contractors for pushing this project all the way through. Remember what this winter was like? The workers who built this dock never took a break even when the wind, snow, and cold seemed unbearably harsh.
Now onto a more worrying subject.. There are not many who sail at CBI who do not recognize the ebullient southern voice of Jim Johnson. I don't know if I've ever met a more enthusiastic sailor in my life. One thing I've learned at CBI over many years is how easily enthusiasm in our adult members turns into a certain childishness. I am of course completely immune to this. Jim on the other hand, is another story. While purportedly visiting the boathouse to renew his membership for 2011, Jim was found to be preparing to rig a Mercury and go sailing. Photos attached.
Upon interrogation Jim explained "there is a pretty good wind today." Well, yes Jim there sure is but that doesn't make what you were doing right....does it? .....mmmmmm........... there sure is a nice wind.......mmmmmmmm...... gotta go....
Charlie
Thanks to a lot of hands helping out at the work party last Saturday (65 in total) we got a lot of the boathouse put back into order. Starting tomorrow we will be launching, with the help of the contractor's crane, R19s, Sonars, and Launches. The focus on Saturday will Mercuries in the slip - as many as possible. That will give us all of next week to rig, tune, and tweak. We invite everyone to take next Friday off from work, come lend a hand in the morning and go for a sail in the afternoon. I have to confess that I am so excited to get the 2011 sailing season off and running and do it on April 1. A part of me really thought that we might not be able to sail until mid April. So a big hats off to the management team at the DCR and the crew at CRC Contractors for pushing this project all the way through. Remember what this winter was like? The workers who built this dock never took a break even when the wind, snow, and cold seemed unbearably harsh.
Now onto a more worrying subject.. There are not many who sail at CBI who do not recognize the ebullient southern voice of Jim Johnson. I don't know if I've ever met a more enthusiastic sailor in my life. One thing I've learned at CBI over many years is how easily enthusiasm in our adult members turns into a certain childishness. I am of course completely immune to this. Jim on the other hand, is another story. While purportedly visiting the boathouse to renew his membership for 2011, Jim was found to be preparing to rig a Mercury and go sailing. Photos attached.
Upon interrogation Jim explained "there is a pretty good wind today." Well, yes Jim there sure is but that doesn't make what you were doing right....does it? .....mmmmmm........... there sure is a nice wind.......mmmmmmmm...... gotta go....
Charlie
Monday, March 14, 2011
So what's that dock made out of anyway?
As the dock moves toward completion I've been asked a few times about the materials used. The piles are greenheart and the decking is purple heart. They are both imported from South America. This can raise concerns about whether the dock is being built out of eco friendly and sustainable materials or contributing to deforestation and global warming.
When the design work was started almost 4 years ago CBI and others raised the question/concern about what materials would be used and advocated for the dock to be built out of sustainable resources. For all of our information I have copied the relevent parts of the contract specs used by the DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) .
Charlie
(SECTION 02300-2):
6. Greenheart piles shall be supplied by a company that operations in the Guiana Shield countries are in
conformity with the International Conventions and National Forestry Regulations relating to the
management of forestry concessions. Company shall enforce the protection of the endangered species
listed by CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) and the bio-diversity of the ecosystems.
It respects the Intellectual Property Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, whose communities are the
beneficiaries of the Company’s field operation.
7. Greenheart piles are supplied by a company that stresses the need for low impact forestry operations,
ensuring that its forestry extraction is state of the art while constantly monitoring the effect of its
logistics systems on watershed management and its use of biodegradable wood preservatives.
(SECTION 06100-2):
3. Tropical hardwood shall conform with the International Conventions and National Forestry
Regulations relating to the management of forestry concessions.
6. Tropical hardwood shall be supplied by a company that operations in the Guiana Shield countries are in
conformity with the International Conventions and National Forestry Regulations relating to the
management of forestry concessions. Company shall enforce the protection of the endangered species
listed by CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) and the bio-diversity of the ecosystems.
It respects the Intellectual Property Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, whose communities are the
beneficiaries of the Company’s field operation.
7. Tropical hardwood shall be supplied by a company that stresses the need for low impact forestry
operations, ensuring that its forestry extraction is state of the art while constantly monitoring the effect
of its logistics systems on watershed management and its use of biodegradable wood preservatives.
When the design work was started almost 4 years ago CBI and others raised the question/concern about what materials would be used and advocated for the dock to be built out of sustainable resources. For all of our information I have copied the relevent parts of the contract specs used by the DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) .
Charlie
(SECTION 02300-2):
6. Greenheart piles shall be supplied by a company that operations in the Guiana Shield countries are in
conformity with the International Conventions and National Forestry Regulations relating to the
management of forestry concessions. Company shall enforce the protection of the endangered species
listed by CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) and the bio-diversity of the ecosystems.
It respects the Intellectual Property Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, whose communities are the
beneficiaries of the Company’s field operation.
7. Greenheart piles are supplied by a company that stresses the need for low impact forestry operations,
ensuring that its forestry extraction is state of the art while constantly monitoring the effect of its
logistics systems on watershed management and its use of biodegradable wood preservatives.
(SECTION 06100-2):
3. Tropical hardwood shall conform with the International Conventions and National Forestry
Regulations relating to the management of forestry concessions.
6. Tropical hardwood shall be supplied by a company that operations in the Guiana Shield countries are in
conformity with the International Conventions and National Forestry Regulations relating to the
management of forestry concessions. Company shall enforce the protection of the endangered species
listed by CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species) and the bio-diversity of the ecosystems.
It respects the Intellectual Property Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, whose communities are the
beneficiaries of the Company’s field operation.
7. Tropical hardwood shall be supplied by a company that stresses the need for low impact forestry
operations, ensuring that its forestry extraction is state of the art while constantly monitoring the effect
of its logistics systems on watershed management and its use of biodegradable wood preservatives.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Junior Instructors In Training complete complete winter projects
A few weeks back I made a promise to the world. I said I would get rid of all the snow, at least in my neighborhood. I just needed a little time. I'm pleased to report that my work is now done, ahead of schedule and under budget! By next Monday all the ice left in the river will also be gone! Boy does that feel good to get that out of the way.
Last winter CBI Director of Youth Programs, Amy Lyons, hosted a group of Junior Program Instructors In Training. Amy worked with these CBI sailors to develop skills as future sailing instructors. They taught classes, gave presentations, and worked on projects including knot boards and man-over-board "dummies". Amy's report follows along with a "class picture"
CBI is many things. One thing which many adult members may not be aware, is how much CBI is a youth training, development, and leadership program. Sailing teaches many valuable skills and concepts. But nothing compares to the experience of teaching sailing to others. There is a good chance that one day you will be seeing some of these faces on our dock staff. And when you do I predict that they will amaze you at their self confidence, responsibility, knowledge, and general where-with-all. Congratulations IITs!
Charlie
Amy Lyons
Last winter CBI Director of Youth Programs, Amy Lyons, hosted a group of Junior Program Instructors In Training. Amy worked with these CBI sailors to develop skills as future sailing instructors. They taught classes, gave presentations, and worked on projects including knot boards and man-over-board "dummies". Amy's report follows along with a "class picture"
CBI is many things. One thing which many adult members may not be aware, is how much CBI is a youth training, development, and leadership program. Sailing teaches many valuable skills and concepts. But nothing compares to the experience of teaching sailing to others. There is a good chance that one day you will be seeing some of these faces on our dock staff. And when you do I predict that they will amaze you at their self confidence, responsibility, knowledge, and general where-with-all. Congratulations IITs!
Charlie
Community Boating's first Winter Instructor In Training program was a great success! The nine juniors who participated learned skills that will help them be excellent IITs, and they also made instructional aids that will be useful to all Community Boating members. Over the course of seven meetings, these juniors lead team building exercises and learned how to construct lesson plans. Each junior chose a topic, and wrote their own lesson plans which they presented to the rest of the group. Their presentations were all excellent, and we are excited to have such enthusiastic and well-trained IITs on board for this summer! The IITs also made four new "person overboard" buoys, and three traveling knotboards that will allow members to practice tying basic knots. We would like to thank the following juniors for taking part in this program: Maria Condon, Tori Condon, Gregor Dieckow, Chris Dsida, Khalil Kaba, Andrew Lazaro, Fiona O'Connor, Sam White, and Ben Zheng.
Pictured (left to right) back row: Chris Dsida, Gregor Dieckow, Khalil Kaba, Maria Condon front row: Fiona O'Connor, Tori Condon.
Winter IIT participants show off their handiwork - three new knotboards for our members!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
CBI makes changes to junior program membership price
For many decades CBI has charged a $1 membership fee per child to participate in the summer junior program. Commencing in 2011, CBI is changing course. We will now charge a sliding scale based on household income. Critical to discussing this change is understanding what continues to be a priority for CBI and has not changed - junior membership will still be $1 per child for families with annual household income of less than $75,000. At the bottom of this blog is a link to the 2011 Junior Program Application form..
A couple of questions I have been asked are: Why now? What prompted this change? And is it connected to the dock replacement? So I want to offer some discussion to these questions.
In 2010 CBI's Board of Directors adopted a 5 year strategic plan. It articulates our commitment to "Sailing for All" and provides for the needs of our programming today and for future generations. From this foundation, we took an in-depth look at our junior program pricing and came to the decision that $1 per child for all children was not a sustainable model for CBI in today’s world and in the future.
In the past two years, CBI's junior program grew to close to 2300 participants. Along with this numerical growth, in 2011 we're expanding our programming into the spring, the fall, the winter, and on weekends. Furthermore, we are improving the quality of programming by offerings diverse interactive lessons on topics such as the environment. The total junior program cost in 2011 will be approximately $300,000.
Additionally, the need to replace much of our fleet in the near future is an immediate and growing concern. I believe this price change has come at the right time for the right reason. It supports sailing for all, both today and in the future, while keeping our commitment to minimizing economic barriers to the sport of sailing.
The last question - Is this price change connected to the new dock? The answer is no. It is related, however, because CBI has accepted responsibility to deliver ambitious programming which lives up to the investment made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the DCR, and other supporters of The Esplanade and "Sailing for All", something that we take seriously with humility.
I believe that the meaning of the new Community Boating Dock will be found in how well we meet our mission of "Sailing for All" in the 21st century. In addition to increasing the quantity and quality of the Junior Program, CBI plans to double the size of our accessible sailing program in 2011 - something which wasn't possible before with the smaller dock - and to host more regattas such as the Massachusetts Special Olympics Championship. So while there is no direct linkage between the new dock and the change in junior program pricing, both changes will make CBI a stronger organization, and a more effective and impactful organization.
Link to CBI's Junior Program application: http://www.community-boating.org/images/stories/JP_app_2011_web.pdf
A couple of questions I have been asked are: Why now? What prompted this change? And is it connected to the dock replacement? So I want to offer some discussion to these questions.
In 2010 CBI's Board of Directors adopted a 5 year strategic plan. It articulates our commitment to "Sailing for All" and provides for the needs of our programming today and for future generations. From this foundation, we took an in-depth look at our junior program pricing and came to the decision that $1 per child for all children was not a sustainable model for CBI in today’s world and in the future.
In the past two years, CBI's junior program grew to close to 2300 participants. Along with this numerical growth, in 2011 we're expanding our programming into the spring, the fall, the winter, and on weekends. Furthermore, we are improving the quality of programming by offerings diverse interactive lessons on topics such as the environment. The total junior program cost in 2011 will be approximately $300,000.
Additionally, the need to replace much of our fleet in the near future is an immediate and growing concern. I believe this price change has come at the right time for the right reason. It supports sailing for all, both today and in the future, while keeping our commitment to minimizing economic barriers to the sport of sailing.
The last question - Is this price change connected to the new dock? The answer is no. It is related, however, because CBI has accepted responsibility to deliver ambitious programming which lives up to the investment made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the DCR, and other supporters of The Esplanade and "Sailing for All", something that we take seriously with humility.
I believe that the meaning of the new Community Boating Dock will be found in how well we meet our mission of "Sailing for All" in the 21st century. In addition to increasing the quantity and quality of the Junior Program, CBI plans to double the size of our accessible sailing program in 2011 - something which wasn't possible before with the smaller dock - and to host more regattas such as the Massachusetts Special Olympics Championship. So while there is no direct linkage between the new dock and the change in junior program pricing, both changes will make CBI a stronger organization, and a more effective and impactful organization.
Charlie
Link to CBI's Junior Program application: http://www.community-boating.org/images/stories/JP_app_2011_web.pdf
Friday, February 11, 2011
CBI and staff receive multiple national awards!
Reprinted here is our press release announcing the awards CBI and staff received in January at the US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium. Congratulaions to CBI, Tom Moore, and Amy Lyons!
21 David Mugar Way Boston , MA 02114
BOSTON , MA – Community Boating, Inc. (CBI) received four prestigious awards at the US Sailing National Sailing Program Symposium in Clearwater Beach , FL Somerville , MA Brighton , MA
US Sailing, the national governing body of sailing awards the Captain Joe Prosser Award at US SAILING's National Sailing Programs Symposium in cooperation with the United States Merchant Marine Academy's Sail Training Program (Kings Point , NY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 07, 2011
Contact: Marcin Kunicki
Community Boating, Inc.
P: (617) 523-1038, x.23
Email: marcin@community-boating.org
Website: http://www.community-boating.org
Boston’s Community Boating Wins Four (4) National Awards
Community Boating recognized at US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium with awards for outreach and inclusion and excellence in sailing
Community Boating Executive Director Charlie Zechel states "It is a true honor for all of us at Community Boating to receive this level of national recognition and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and many volunteers. As Community Boating prepares to launch it's 65th sailing season on the Charles River , we remain committed to the concept of "Sailing for All" and look forward to expanding our programming in areas of accessibility. The Commonwealth and partners have made an important commitment to our programs by rebuilding the docks this winter. CBI is equally committed to expanding accessibility to the sport of sailing for all individuals."
US Sailing, the national governing body of sailing awards the Captain Joe Prosser Award at US SAILING's National Sailing Programs Symposium in cooperation with the United States Merchant Marine Academy's Sail Training Program (
Community Boating is the nation’s oldest and largest community sailing program offering learn to sail programming for adults, kids and individuals with special needs on the Charles River . The mission of Community Boating, Inc., is the advancement of sailing for all by minimizing economic and physical obstacles to sailing. In addition, CBI enhances the greater Boston
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Be Good To Our Environent -Spare the plastic bottles!
Today's guest blog is from our very own Director of Youth Programs, Amy Lyons. Thank you Amy.
Water Water Everywhere…
I don’t know about you, but sailing and being surrounded by water always makes me thirsty. If you share this sentiment, please read on before you dip your hands into the Charles for a sip… I’ve got a better solution.
CBI wants to put an end to two pervasive problems among our membership – drinking Charles River water, and buying single-use plastic bottles. For your health, and the health of our environment, we’ll be selling reusable aluminum water bottles for the low price of $6 each, as well as installing a new water fountain with a better filtration system. Cool, refreshing, filtered water… aaaaaahhhh.
Did you know:
- Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting
- 90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself
- 38 million plastic bottles go to the dump per year in America from bottled water
- 24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles
- The average American consumes 167 bottles of water a year
- Bottling and shipping water is the least energy efficient method ever used to supply water
Be the envy of all your friends with a small piece of aluminum that says “I care”.
Best features of these bottles: there’s a spot to write your name, so no one can steal your awesome bottle (believe me, they’ll want to!), and they have a carabiner – attach it to yourself or your boat to keep that cool water coming!
Buying one of these bottles is a no-brainer, however choosing the right color can be difficult. Here are a few notes on what these different colors mean – choose wisely. These bottles also make great gifts, but you’ll want to make sure that you choose the appropriate color for your friends and loved ones.
Handy Color Guide:
- Black is a very powerful color that portrays one of class, elegance and wealth.
- Purple portrays rich powerful kings, leaders, wizards and magicians.
- Green is the color of nature and health. It represents growth, nature, and money.
- Blue has a calming effect; it is a color of loyalty, strength, wisdom and trust.
- Red is a very strong color that evokes a powerful emotion of passion; it is a symbol of pride and strength.
You can order your water bottle TODAY by calling or emailing the Front Office (frontoffice@community-boating.org).
Stay Hydrated,
Amy
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