Commodore's Log 2007 | Bayview Boat Club

Commodore's Log

Latest News, Views and Updates

(2007 Season Archive)

February, 2008

2/18/08 - LAST CALL for the Commodore's Ball!
Well, rather, last call for reservations at the $50/person price. I have to turn in a number to the caterer, Tuesday morning, Feb. 19. Additions to the list, after that, will be at $65/person (which is still a pretty good deal, though).

2/20/08 - A Few More Places at $50 Per Person
OK, I told the catering manager that I really expected a few more people wanted to come to the Ball, but I hadn't heard back, yet. They told me they'd go ahead and build in enough slack to their orders to add some more people at $50 each.
Call me right away, so I can let them know, and we can make payment arrangements.

Commodore Brian "Lizard" Dusek
214 212-3603
commodore@bayviewboatclub.com

January, 2008 (no posts)

December, 2007 (no posts)

November, 2007

11/29/07 - M Dock Hosts Fish Fry Dinner
On Saturday, November 17, John and Jeannie Miller, and the folks on M Dock threw a noontime fish fry, extending the invitation marina-wide. In addition to some exceptional fish and puppies, the spread included ribs, shrimp fried rice, a variety of sides, and deserts that just wouldn't let you say, "I'm too full."
The highlight of the afternoon was the Christmas caroling performance of the Dallas Filipino Lions Club. They began with some traditional carols from the Philippines, then moved on to songs familiar to all of us. Despite full bellies, most couldn't help enthusiastically joining in. Afterwards, donations were collected to benefit the Lions program of vision screening and correction for disadvantaged children in the area. It was mentioned that often, a child who's doing poorly in school has never had a proper eye exam. After correcting a problem they didn't even know they had, the child will make a complete turn-around in school.
We appreciate John and Jeannie, and the rest of the gang on M Dock, for putting together events like this. They foster a greater sense of community on the docks, and set an example for all the new people coming on board at Bayview. And they're fun!

11/28/07 - Halloween Chili Cook-off and Costume Contest Pictures
I have posted pictures of the Halloween Party in the Photo Gallery, under 'Halloween Chili Cook-off 2007'. The credit goes to John Lambert for taking them, and for captioning them. He's had trouble uploading to the Gallery, so he had me put them up. Thanks, John.

October, 2007

10/13/07 - I'm a Grand Lizard!
(No, nothing to do with the Klan... that's Grand Wizard). Sorry I haven't been keeping the website as current, lately, but I've been a little distracted. I can relax a bit, now, I hope. Monica and I had our first grandbaby this past week!

Kaylee Michelle Dusek, born October 10, at 12:39am, and weighing 7 lb., 3 oz.

Old Grandpa Lizard
Ol' Grandpa Lizard

Granny Monica

September, 2007

9/19/07 - Weekends and Boot Scoot Closed
When Weekends Restaurant and Boot Scoot Club closed on Labor Day weekend, they really closed! Visitors and tenants of Bayview Marina were surprised to be greeted by this banner:

Weekends Closed for Remodeling

Remodeling? Well, it wasn't long before I heard the real reason the restaurant and club closed. Then I heard another, different reason. Then a third, and they keep coming. Also, I've been told, authoritatively, that it's "definitely not" one or another of the circulating ideas.

Don't you love it? Someone even wryly suggested that we form a betting pool on what the real real reason for the closing will turn out to be.

As we all know, owner Jim Rosenberg very much keeps his own counsel, along with our slip leases. So, basic human nature pretty much guaranteed that we'd entertain ourselves with rumors and speculation. Let's just be sure we squeeze all the fun out of it, while we can - and it is fun, I admit - before a crew of remodeling workers shows up and spoils it all!

Meanwhile, a lot of us will miss the convenience of having a good restaurant and bar in easy walking distance from (and crawling distance, back to) our boat. But, isn't it nice not having to circle the parking lot five or six times, trying to catch a precious, recently abandoned space?

August, 2007

8/29/07 - Update on Mike Wood
My wife, Monica, talked to Mike, yesterday (Tuesday). They're still running tests and exploring options. Since a successfully-treated case of cancer in his neck, years ago, Mike hasn't been able to qualify for health insurance. Since he's paying out of pocket, he's been trying to get the more routine stuff taken care of at the V.A. He was at the V.A. hospital in Dallas, Tuesday, but was due to be back at Baylor, in Houston, on Thursday. From there, he'll go to M.D. Anderson.
He told Monica he's sore, bruised and beat-up looking, from all the poking and prodding. At one point, he'd had to go 6 days without eating, while they ran several scopes. He said he would have nearly killed for a cheeseburger, or even a fudgesicle.
He has a tumor above the bile ducts that is preventing his liver from draining, and causing pancreatitis and jaundice. "I'm as yellow as a sunflower!" he said. If they aren't able to operate, or otherwise deal with his condition, he was told he may only have a few months to live. Monica said he sounded positive and far from giving up, though.
He told Monica that he was surprised and touched to find so many people concerned about him. He appreciated the visits from Leatta, Twila, Donna, Randy and Jeanette, and the calls, and told Monica he very much wants all our prayers. "I'm a good Catholic boy, go to church every Sunday."

8/24/07 - Mike Wood, Former BBC Member , in Hospital
Those of you who have been Boat Club members, or just at Bayview Marina, for over a year or two, probably know Mike Wood. Mike's a funny, generous, helpful guy, and a great story-teller and friend. Mike sold his business and moved down to Galveston last year, though he's been back to visit us.
Chuck McLaughlin received a call from Debbie York, a close friend of Mike's, that he is in the hospital, in Houston, with possibly inoperable cancer. He's undergoing testing, Thursday and Friday. Chuck called him, and Mike told him to tell everyone, "Hi".
We wanted to let all of you know, in case some of you who were good friends of Mike wanted to give him a call, and so that he would be in your thoughts, and, especially, in your prayers. I'll keep you updated, as I get word.

Mike and Debbie - Commodore's Ball 2005
Mike and Debbie, Commodore's Ball 2005

8/17/07 - New CO₂ Beer System for Club
At Club events, we tend to have part of a keg left over. If it's not finished by morning, it's so flat, only teenagers could drink it. This is because our "party pump" taps pump air into the kegs to push the beer out. The air oxidizes the beer, as well as introduces air-borne bacteria. They're meant for use when the keg will be consumed completely in a short time.
I've had the tragic duty of dumping gallons of day-after flat beer into the lake, this year, and it pains me every time. It's not that I'm totally against beer going in the lake. I just think it should be properly filtered, first... by kidneys. Well, that's all about to come to an end.
The Club has acquired a carbon dioxide setup for our kegs, capable of dispensing from two kegs at once. The beer will stay fresh-tasting through the party, and any left over will still be good, later. It'll quickly pay for itself, both in better quality and no more waste.
I want to thank member Randy Glover, who put me in touch with his friend, Dan Moore, who in turn put me in touch with Brent Sparks (both of the Ben E. Keith Company). Brent advised me on what I needed and the best place to get it. Then he hooked it all up for us, and taught me how to use the pressurized system without blowing my head off. He even threw in some new taps for free! Brent's a great guy and a credit to his company.
Also, I'd like to thank Benny and Deb Brantley, for getting our new CO₂ tank filled on very short notice, in time for the party, this Saturday (and then, refusing to give me an invoice).

8/11/07 - Photographers, Let's Get To Work!
I've had Chuck McLaughlin, our Photo Gallery administrator (and website host), add several new, as-yet empty, categories to the Gallery, for 2007 pictures. Now we need you to start filling them.
Do you have digital pictures from any Club events, this year (or last)? Do you have pictures from your boat, the docks, or other non-Club events that you'd like to share? All you need to do is go to the Photo Gallery, click on Register (upper right area), and go through the process of creating a user name and password for yourself. Once you have created an account, log in to the Photo Gallery, and you'll notice a new option in the upper right area: Upload Photos. You can upload pictures from your computer by browsing to their location. If the pictures are rather large and you don't know how to size them down, don't worry. The program automatically resizes pictures to the appropriate size.
When you upload pictures, you can choose which category to put them in. You may want them in a Club event category (i.e., July Beach Party 2007), or you may just want them filed in your personal gallery (choose 'Member Galleries'), which is created when you create your account. A copy of every picture you upload is also placed in your personal gallery. A member must have created an account and be logged in, in order to view pictures in the Member Galleries.
The gallery is moderated, and uploaded pictures are put on hold until Chuck checks to make sure there's nothing obviously inappropriate, and clears them. We use an easy-going, PG-13 sort of standard, along with, we hope, some common sense on your part. Have much fun, but at least a little consideration, too. Don't post pictures of yourself, or others, that would be damaging if they "got loose" in the world (duh!). Don't post pics that you know will offend or humiliate another Club member. Try not to be over-sensitive, but if a picture winds up on the site that you think crosses the line, please let us know - things slip through, sometimes. If someone posts a picture of you that you want taken down, let us know. It's gone.
OK, enough with the disclaimers - we've never had any serious problems with that stuff, anyway. Upload 'em if you've got 'em! And let's start carrying our cameras, and bring the Photo Galley (which was pretty dormant, last year) back to life.

July, 2007

7/27/07 - Captain Randy and Marshall, Texas Goodwill Ambassadors!
I ran across a post on City-Data.com, by a visiting New Yorker, describing his experience with Bayview's Capt. Randy, sailing on the Foxy Roxy, in April (sixth post down the page, by NY2DFW). I'll quote in part, but read the whole thing, especially if you know Randy and Marshall:

"...there had been thunderstorms and a lot of wind all day. Captain Randy called me and told me he was considering cancelling the trip...later Randy called me and said let's do it. No one else showed up but me.. I felt guilty about going out with just me, but Captain Randy and his mate Marshall made me feel welcome... They didn't have to take me out, but they did. It was Texas hospitality at its best."

June, 2007

6/21/07 - Full Moons Over the Lake
My wife and I are blessed with an end slip, with a beautiful, unobstructed view out over the lake. (And an unobstructed exposure to strong winds, but it's worth the view). Like most of you, we love to watch a full moon rise over the water on a calm, clear night. If the weather's right, there's nothing like it to add just the perfect touch to a nighttime sail or cruise (Right, Captain Randy?).
I've added a calendar of full moons to the 'Weather' page. The dates are the "official" dates, based on Universal Time/Date at the Prime Meridian, running through Greenwich, England (6 hours ahead of regular Central Time, here). For casual viewing, the moon appears full for about three days.
The next full moon is on June 30, and is a calendar "blue moon" - the second full moon in a calendar month. So, if there's something you only do once in a blue moon..., get ready to give it a whirl! (Otherwise, you'll have to wait till December, 2009.)

6/14/07 - Response to Linda Gail II Tribute
Last month, I wrote a little tribute, on behalf of the Bayview Boat Club and my fellow N-Dockers, on the occasion of the sale of the Linda Gail II.
I received an open email letter from the Redmonds, addressed to the Club. I'm posting a link for those who'd like to read it.

June 11, Open Letter to BBC Board and Members, in response to Linda Gail II Tribute.

A little FYI: Linda Redmond is responsible for tagging yours truly with the nick-name, 'Lizard'. How, exactly, is another story. But now, I carry the name proudly. Thanks, Linda Gail... honestly! We miss you guys.

May, 2007

The End of an Era: Farewell, Linda Gail II

Last Sunday (May 20), there was a bittersweet moment for those of us who were on N Dock. Chris (“Redman”) and Linda Redmond have sold their boat, and were up top, removing the final bit of lettering from the “whale’s tail”, as they “de-christened” the Linda Gail II.

Chris and Linda Redmond, Linda Gail II

Chris and Linda, closeup

Many of us have great memories of exciting ‘boat rides’, and fun times aboard the Linda Gail II. For years, she was the leader of our Club boat parades, and fittingly so. The Redmonds generously shared her with us all.

But it was not just fun and laughter, aboard the Linda Gail II. Many times, Redman took her out in truly frightful conditions, and in the dead of night, to rescue hapless boats from off the rocks, and pull them and their crew out of danger. Then, with winds howling and heaving swells slapping her sides, we’d watch Redman, with such panache, back the Linda Gail II safely into her slip, better than most could do in dead calm.

I’m sure another boat is in the future for the Redmonds, with more good times to share. And the ‘old’ boat isn’t gone – she’ll stay in the same slip, beginning a new story with her new owner and a new name. But, for a while at least, expect to see some of us lost in our memories, a wistful expression on our faces, as we stroll by the former Linda Gail II. May you fare well, old gal, in your new life.

5/15/07 - Clarification on 'Blessing' Registration
After receiving an emailed question from a new club member, I realized I hadn't been quite clear about Blessing of the Fleet registration, especially regarding non-members. I rewrote some info on the Registration page, but I'll explain here, too.
Anyone may have their boat join the 'Blessing' procession through Bayview Marina, and have our chaplain ask a blessing on their boat and crew. No membership is necessary. Also, if their boat can't go out, the chaplain can visit their slip, afterwards. But we do ask that they register, so we'll have the information needed to do this, and they'll have the proper instructions. They'll be issued numbers for identification, and get instructions at the Skipper's Meeting.
If, in addition to having their boat blessed, they want to compete for decorated-boat trophies and prizes, and come to the Pirate Party afterwards (where awards are presented), we ask that they at least join as one-day members, for $10. Member dues pay for trophies and other event expenses, and for party expenses (meat, drinks, decorations, kid's prizes, etc.).

Oh, another question I received was, "What kind of meat will we have at the party, so I'll know what kind of a side dish to bring?"
We'll have marinated, cross-cut beef ribs. We'll have coconut curry chicken skewers. And we'll have spicy (not too spicy) chili chicken drumsticks and thighs.

5/9/07 - 'The Harbor', in Rockwall, Joins In
Got a call from Rob Whittle (Whittle Development and The Harbor), in response to an email I sent him. He said he'd love to participate in our Blessing of the Fleet event, and have our parade go by The Harbor. He'll have judges and awards for us, from The Harbor.
So, after going through Bayview Marina, our parade will pass Bass Pro, then cross over to pass Chandler's Landing and The Harbor.
Pray for good weather!

5/8/07 - DFD 'Marine 1' Boat Will Participate in Blessing
Just talked to Chief Martin of the Dallas Fire Department. He's graciously agreed to have the new DFD Fire-Rescue Boat, 'Marine 1', take part in our Blessing of the Fleet ceremony! (Obviously, if they get an urgent call, that takes priority.) If it's not windy, we may have them create a spectacular water-cannon arch for the parade to pass under. If too windy, we can have them close out the procession with a big rooster tail. We'll work out the details, but I wanted to let you know. I'm excited. What a show this'll be.

5/4/07 - Bass Pro is on board!
My thanks to Lisa Byrn in Promotions at Bass Pro - she's really been working hard to come through for us. Here's what we've got, so far.
We'll open up registration for the boat parade a week before the event. If you drop your form off, or fill it out, at the Bass Pro Customer Service desk, you'll be entered in a drawing. (If you register on event day, you need to register at the Marina.) The drawing will be held at the party, after the parade, for one $50, and two $25 gift cards for Islamorada Restaurant.
On May 19, after we go through Bayview Marina and receive the blessing, we'll parade over past Bass Pro. Bass Pro will be judging for 'Best Decorated', three places in the three boat classes, too, and awarding gift cards, merchandise, and maybe trophies (she's still checking into that).

April, 2007

Decorate Those Boats!
4/28/07
I'm working with Bass Pro to see if we can't get more awards and prizes, if we take the Decorated Boat Parade past there on May 19. Good response, so far.
I'll try and see if The Harbor wants to get in on the action, too. I'll update as soon as I have details.
Meanwhile, be thinking about those decorations! We want to give 'em a real show!
We're judging in three categories of boats, this year. Smaller boats won't have to compete with the big boats - only fair, since they're working with a smaller "canvas". Also, sail is separate. With three places in each category, and possibly a whole separate set of awards from Bass Pro, there are lots of opportunities to win.

Kickoff Party a Success!
4/24/07
Wow, what a great Season Kickoff we had on board the TEXAS QUEEN! The riverboat-style sternwheeler, recently purchased by Jim Rosenberg/Bayview Marina, is now moored right behind Weekends Restaurant. We packed her decks, and the people kept on coming. We had folks jammin’ to the music of a fantastic Reggae band, enjoying the Caribbean-spiced buffet, and just having a good time. We were blessed with beautiful weather for an open-air party, and saw lots and lots of new faces. I hope many of them will join us for our up-coming events.