Commodore's Report
Wendy Campbell

      An incentive program to increase the club membership was approved at the Board meeting on Wednesday, February 10th. We currently have approximately 45 openings for membership which has been the results of our economy and the number of members that have became life members. This Membership Drive is now in effect and includes any completed applications received by May 31st.

     Applications can be obtained from Membership Chairperson Mike Beach and are available behind the bar from the bartender, or on the web site. Completed applications are either to be given to Mike or dropped in the slot in the Officers mail box (located in the hallway) that is identified as such. Any person of good moral character, 21 years of age or older, is eligible for membership in the club. Applications must be fully completed, signed by the applicant, and endorsed by three active members. Applications should be submitted prior to meetings to give Mike a chance to review them. One or more sponsors must attend designated meeting for the reading of the initial application, the primary sponsor will be notified of this meeting date. All applications must be approved by at least seven members of the Board of Directors and their names posted for thirty days. One or more sponsors must be in attendance with applicant for their introduction to the Board members for final membership approval. One dissenting vote from the Board of Directors will cancel the proposed candidate's application for membership.

     Being a member of Monroe Boat Club offers individuals the right to use our facilities, allows them to purchase drinks at very low prices in our Bar (Lounge) Area, allows them to rent our banquet room for parties and get-togethers, offers storage of boats and trailers in our out lot storage area at very affordable prices, gives them opportunities to participate in club dinners and events, allows them to bid on available docks at our annual dock assignment meeting, which docks are assigned by seniority. Being a member of MBC gets people involved with the boating community. No, you don't have to own a boat to be a member.

     If needed, the Board will hold monthly Membership Inductions into the club during General membership meetings, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. During induction applicants will be responsible to pay his/her annual dues, the initiation fee of $400may be paid in four (or less) consecutive monthly installments (of no less than $100).The first installment payment can be paid up to 1 month from the initiation date. A "Temporary" membership card, clearly marked as such and including an expiration date, will be issued upon receipt of the first installment of the initiation fee, which is only for MBC use and has no reciprocating rights. The seniority date (and ability to vote at club meetings) of the new member will be the date the initiation fee is fully paid to MBC, corresponding with the permanent membership card. All first year members are required to work 10 work hours and are not allowed to pay for their hours not worked; however work hours may begin to be accrued by the new member as of the Induction date. New members not complying with the mentioned terms shall be deemed "Not in Good Standing."

     As an incentive to get members to promote the Membership Drive, the primary sponsor, once guiding the new member through the process and once all of the fees are paid in full will receive $50.00 in club coupons. These coupons can be exchanged for any saleable merchandise the Club offers, but can not be used for dues, dock fees, storage fees, power or other service charges.

     I would like to compliment all of the officers of the board that are actively involved. Each of you are giving countless hours and hard work to Monroe Boat Club. Also the members of the various committees for their dedication. Being part of the planning and overseeing club finances and functions is a task that should not go un-noticed.

     Remember to check out the calendar of events for upcoming activities. Lastly, remember when the back room is in use to be considerate.

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Vice Commodore's Report
Rick Campbell

      We are basically in the middle of the winter months. Before long spring will be here and outdoor activities will begin. Until we get through our snow and ice season I'd like to remind everyone to be careful in the parking lot and when walking on the sidewalks. There are shovels and salt inside the storage closet by the bar entrance door. If you see an issue that needs addressed, please take care of it. We all need to do our part to keep everyone safe!

     Work in the men's restroom is coming along very well and before long the finishing touches will be completed. I would like to thank everyone that has helped with this much-needed project. By our own members stepping up for projects we are able to save the club money. As soon as the weather breaks a little, the planned outdoors work on the exterior of our building and replacing the sidewalk will begin.

     All of the payments for out-lot storage have been received and deposited into the General Fund. I would to thank everyone that stores with us for their timely remittance.

     As you have seen around the club, there are flyers for Dan's famous Cod Fish Fry on March 12th. These are cod loins cut into chunks and deep fried with Dan’s famous breading. Come out and try some!

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Rear Commodore's Report
Bill Amatucci

       We are fast approaching spring and it's time to get off the couch and come on down to the club for a homemade bowl of soup or a tasty lunch special! During Lent we will have fish specials, so keep an eye on the board in the bar area.

       March is going to be a busy month. Please see the upcoming events section in the newsletter. One date you do not want to miss is March 20th. That is the Testicle Festival and also Sunseekers Boat Club bus will be stopping by our club that afternoon. DJ LOUIE will be “spinning the tunes” morning until night. The bar will open at 9:00 am. We are going to send winter away for another year, so come on in and enjoy the day. Palm trees will be in full bloom!

       Euchre is in full swing for another 3 weeks. The support has been fantastic. Great fun is being had by all. Even if you don't play cards, come on down and enjoy the lunch and friends.

       In the Bar area is a new project sponsored by the Blue Gavel, namely brick pavers that will be placed around the flag pole to beautify the area. If you are interested in a paver engraved with your name(s) please see Tom Konopka or me.

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Power Fleet Captains' Report
Mike Taylor

      AYC weekend was a blast and I want to thank all of the members that helped with our Hospitality Room. Special thanks to the Satin Gavel for the monetary donation, which was used to purchase meat for the room. I also want to thank the Auxiliary and members for all of the wonderful dishes of food for the room.

     Congratulations to AYC Commodore Doug Bagley and Lady Sharon!

     Don’t forget the Fish Fry on March 12th...all for $6.00! I have received many inquires about the upcoming Poker Run schedule. The schedule will become available on March 28th, so I will post it at the club shortly thereafter.

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Sail Fleet Captain's Report
David Ryan

       The Erik Peterson Junior Sail Scholarship Program is back again for 2010! The opportunity to participate by backing the Scholarships is being offered again this year, and the direct benefit of each donation is clear to see. The kids learn teamwork, safety and boating skills, in addition to self esteem and lasting friendships. This year special recognition goes to MBC’s Satin Gavel for being the club’s first group to participate, quickly followed by the Education Committee. Thank You Satin Gavel and Education Committee!

     Every MBC member’s son, daughter or relative is eligible for a scholarship; the fund is administered entirely by volunteers with ZERO expenses. This program grants a full scholarship for any relative of an MBC member under the age of 18 to the Jr. Sail Camp run by NCYC. The MBC Website front page has an informational advertisement with a link to the Application page. There is no charge to apply, but the application MUST be received by the admissions committee by March 31...no extensions. You can also go directly to the Application page here: http://monroeboatclub.org/scholarship.htm

   Another record number of applicants is expected this year, and we look forward to the generous support of MBC organizations and individual members for this fantastic program! 

Spring Steak Roast will be on Friday April 23 from 6-8pm and will include salad, potatoes and all the trimmings for just $12.00. This follows the excellent dinner at MBC that many enjoyed to begin their Valentine’s Weekend festivities.

MBC Spring Membership Drive is well covered in other areas of this month’s newsletter. Quite possibly, the sailors bring more guests into the club on a regular basis than most, and our friends and crew are an excellent pool of potential MBC Members. Several crew are already club members: I joined Monroe after sailing with John & Michelle Glanville years ago when they suggested this was a good club to join. Bob Zaki sails with the Dutton family, while Phil Costello and the club’s data-base manager Tony Martin both crew for Dave and Sue Grassley. There are plenty of other examples.

     Right now there are about 45 membership openings, and we have the ability to address the issue before it turns into a crisis. The program will give you $50 in club coupons for every new member you sponsor. Sponsor 3 people and you’ll get $150.00! The new member will have the option to stretch out the initiation fee over 4 months.

     Virtually every aspect of this Club is attractive: a newly dredged harbor, well-maintained infrastructure including seawall, green space, roof, renovated lounge, environmentally-sound heating and cooling, and a very economical pricing structure.

     It doesn’t take much effort to simply ask. So please ask a crew or friend to join MBC. Then hand them an application!

Spring is Marching In and some pleasant days are coming soon. When you visit your boat during a warm spell (and you know you will!), be sure to make a spring “to-do” list and cover these essentials: *Check Oil, * Inspect Impeller * Engine Inspection and Clean-Up, *Check/Clean Zinks, * Change Fuel Filters on schedule, *Inspect Hoses and Sea cocks, *Inspect Rig, *Open/Inspect Safety Gear, *Inspect and Update Registration, Documentation and other government forms. And make sure your cradle or jack-stands are still secure.

     Now is also a good time to check your batteries electrolyte levels and put them on charge to top them off since they’ve been sitting for a few months.

Sail Fleet Winter Meetings really do help the winter months in the Midwest go a little faster. The February meeting will be Sunday Feb 28 at 1:00pm. All sailors, both cruisers and racers are welcome to discuss the types of events we want to have at MBC next year and your input is welcomed and desired. 

     A special event for a the April 11th Sail Fleet Meeting is to tour the Norris Maritime Museum in Sylvania, OH with the meeting following at a nearby restaurant. The Norris Museum is owned by a former MBC member, showcasing world-class maritime artifacts.

Upcoming Dates:

Feb 28: (Sun) Sail Fleet Meeting 1pm, MBC          

Mar 27: (SAT) Sail Fleeting Meeting 1pm, MBC     

Apr 11: (Sun) SF Meeting noon, Norris Maritime Museum                                                                 

Apr 23: Steak Roast, 6-8pm

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Dock Master's Report
Brian Moyer

Greetings from the docks! The AYC party is now behind us; hope everyone who came had a great time. The available docks are posted on the dock bulletin board. The following docks are available for 2010 are 19B, 56B, 59B, 62B, 94B, 12C, 52C, 71C, 88D, and 130D. Postings will remain up until Feb 27 at 11:59 pm. The Dock Committee will hold the annual assignment meeting on March 7 at 2pm. The Committee will meet on Mar. 6 at 9:30 to make final preparations for the meeting. There is an informational sheet regarding the process posted near the signup sheets. Remember no docks will be awarded without all necessary documentation. If you’re bidding on a dock for the first time, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the dock rules in your member directory. This information is invaluable to understanding the process. Once we get the dock assignments out of the way, we will look at the end of March or beginning of April to refurbish our pontoon work boat. Watch the dock bulletin boards for more information about upcoming work parties. Think Spring! See you at the club!

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Auxiliary Report
Linda Lamb

      I want to thank Linda Palm and Wally Lynch for the awesome ribs!! Everyone who attended really enjoyed them. Also a big thanks to everyone who made this event a success, including set up, food donations and clean-up. 

     Just a reminder that the Auxiliary meeting is held every 4th Wednesday of the month. The Board meets at 7:00 and General Membership at 7:30. We need fund-raising and project ideas for the year so please come and give us your input.  

     The Children's Easter Party will be held Sunday March 28th from 1-3pm. A kid-friendly lunch will be served and Sloppy Joes and chips for the adults who accompany them. A sign up sheet will be in the club and we urge everyone to sign up so we can have an accurate count for food and prizes.  

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Education Committee Report
 

March 7, Boating Q & A Forum, following dock assignment meeting, Commodore’s Room

March 11, Social Networking on the Internet Workshop, 6:30-7:30pm, Banquet Room

April 22, Weather & GPS Workshop, 6:30-9:00pm, Banquet Room

May 6, Skipper Saver Workshop, 6:30-9:00pm, Banquet Room

Are you starting to think about spring and boating? What questions about your boat or boating have come to mind? Are you wondering how to fix that annoying problem you have on your boat? If so, come to the Q&A on Boating, immediately following the dock assignment meeting on March 7. Fred Lemerand and Sparky Swanson will lead the session. Even if you don’t have specific questions, it’s a great opportunity to share experiences. Come and learn more about boats!

Are you being pressured by your kids or grandkids to get connected via social networking? Maybe you just want to learn the basics so you can watch out for the younger members of the family? In this session, Mel Hudson-Nowak will introduce you to some of the central social networking platforms (Facebook and Linked In) and talk about what you can do - and what you should watch out for - when you’re out there. Take advantage of your own personal computer tutor - send questions you want to have answered to Mel Hudson-Nowak at mbctechgeek@gmail.com.     

Are you in the market to purchase or sell a boat? If you’re new to boating, it’s hard to know which boat is the right one for you. Buyers should consider not only the price but also the engine and boat manufacturer, size, and fuel capacity. The first step is to determine how you will use the boat. What activities do you plan to enjoy on your boat? Will you be cruising, fishing, playing water sports or a combination of these? Once you have an idea of the type of boat you need, it’s time to weed through the options. One helpful resource is http://www.boattest.com, a web site that allows users to compare boats by type, size and manufacturer. After you specify what you’re looking for, Boattest.com generates a head-to-head comparison of all the models that fit your criteria. Visitors to the site can see articles about various boats and watch videos of independently conducted tests for each model as well as video clips on engines, electronics and more. You can also visit the manufacturer’s dealer locator through boattest.com to get more information and pricing.

Global warming’s contribution to the snow! So, if global warming is happening, why in the world is the East Coast literally buried in snow? The growing pattern of extreme snowfall has the fingerprint of climate change all over it, even as we see temperatures steadily rising across the United States and the world. And yet, this year we have seen more snow in Baltimore and several other cities than other years since 1870.

     Beijing had its coldest morning in almost 40 years and its biggest snowfall since 1951. Britain is suffering through its longest cold snap since 1981. And freezing weather is gripping the Deep South, including Florida's orange groves and beaches. Yes, I can attest to Florida’s cold; I’ve had the heat on every day since arriving on January 1; however, things are looking up...tomorrow we will see the 70s.

     Such weather doesn't seem to fit with warnings from scientists that the Earth is warming because of greenhouse gases. Gerald Meehl, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., said it is part of natural variability. "With global warming, we'll still have record cold temperatures. We'll just have fewer of them," he said. In fact, 2009 will rank among the 10 warmest years for Earth since 1880, according to Deke Arndt of the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.

     How could global warming be driving a pattern of more snow like the Eastern seaboard this year? One word: moisture. A warmer atmosphere holds more water. Plus, warmer surface temperatures are triggering more evaporation of ocean water worldwide. That water goes up, up, up into that atmosphere. And what goes up must sooner or later come down.

     This is precisely what scientific studies are now documenting. Water vapor in the global atmosphere jumped by about 5 percent in the 20th century, P.Y. Groisman and his colleagues reported in 2004. And all the while, global temperatures have risen sharply, including an average warming of 4 degrees Fahrenheit in the Northeastern U.S. This historic wetness from the south has met cold-enough temperatures in the east to produce snow levels that neither science nor old-timers can recall.

     Just last fall, the U.S. Global Change Research Program, established by Congress in 1990, predicted more violent storms in the Northeast due to climate change. "Strong cold season storms are likely to become stronger and more frequent, with greater wind speeds and more extreme wave heights," the agency said. So, yes, we are getting record winter precipitation events here even as overall temperatures are rising.

     And, yes, there is the usual caveat: No single storm episode can be blamed definitively on global warming. But the overall trend - the shear freakiness of this winter weather - fits the pattern scientists say will only intensify with more warming. Sources:

Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/

National Center for Atmospheric Research http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/

National Climatic Data Center http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.warming0214,0,3544880.story

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To read dissenting opinion on this topic:

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/146138  

http://www.petitionproject.org/  

http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/81583352.html  

http://www.kusi.com/home/78477082.html?video=pop&t=a)