Two events worth catching

Ahoy.

There are two important blips on my radar screen, and I think you

should plot to intercept one or both.

The first is the approaching Christmas Boat Parade Awards Dinner

and Auction, and the second is the Southern California Yachting Assn.

Women’s Sailing Convention.

Why not continue the festive holidays a little longer and at the

same time help keep the boat parade floating with the 94th annual

Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade Awards Dinner and Auction?

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

extends a welcome to the community in joining this wonderful evening

sponsored this year by Traditional Jewelers.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating America with Light,” was shown

throughout the parade route. The dinner is how the chamber thanks the

boat and home participants, parade sponsors, general public and

volunteers.

You will not only enjoy a five-star dinner at the Four Seasons

Hotel in Newport Beach, but have the opportunity to bid on both the

live and silent auctions, with proceeds used to operate the parade.

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m., with a welcoming reception and

concludes with dancing to the music from the band E-Ticket.

The dinner is Friday, Jan. 17, at Newport Beach’s Four Season

Hotel, and you do need to make reservations with the chamber at (949)

729-4400, so attend for a great evening out and show your support for

the parade.

Next on my radar is the yachting association’s 14th annual Women’s

Sailing Convention on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht

Club in Corona del Mar. This is an impressive event open to all women

who are interested in sailing, whether you are a novice or an expert.

BoatUS is the primary sponsor for this year’s event.

“BoatUS has long supported getting more women involved in boating,

so the 14th Annual Women’s Sailing Convention is a natural fit for

us,” said Elaine Dickenson, managing editor of BoatUS Magazine and

Webmaster of the Web site www.BoatUS.com/women. “It’s such a great

event because anyone, novice or expert, can participate in the

workshops and learn something new.”

This is one of the many avenues that BoatUS supports boating in

the United States. Last year, BoatUS opened a retail store in Newport

Beach, at Bayside Drive and Pacific Coast Highway.

Gail Hine, who organizes this annual event, has planned a

multi-workshop format in which the participants can select from a

combination of workshops that best fits their interests and

abilities.

“This event gives women an opportunity to meet many other women

sailors, find out about existing women’s sailing organizations in

their area, instructional programs available, and many other areas of

interest for those who would like to do more -- racing, cruising and

day sailing,” Hine said.

“We’ll have something meaningful for everyone,” she said. “For

those who are already involved but desire more, we will offer some

new areas of inspiration and instruction along with excellent

networking opportunities.”

All of the workshops are presented by top women sailors from

Southern and Northern California, many of whom are U.S. Coast

Guard-licensed captains.

Seminars range from a beginner’s introduction titled “Welcome

Aboard” to diesels for dummies, practical sailing tactics and

docking, reading the weather, overboard procedures and life raft

demonstrations. There will also be cruising with kids and pets.

That evening, Hester Rumberg, vice president of the Sleavin

Foundation, which promotes maritime safety, will talk about her life

at sea (some 40,000 miles), and how important humor combined with

attitude can be. She is very knowledgeable and entertaining while

helping sailors better prepare for local sailing and offshore

cruising.

Hine recommends early reservations, as the event sells out every

year -- and no fair weather sailors here. Rain will not hamper this

day. The convention fee of $110 includes the workshops, a continental

breakfast, lunch, dinner, a souvenir and handouts. Contact Gail Hine

by writing SCYA Women’s Sailing Convention, 1421 Lance Drive, Tustin,

CA 92780, or calling (714) 730-1797, or by e-mail at hine@scya.org,

or online at www.scya.org.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist.

Send him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story

suggestions via e-mail to Mike@BoathouseTV.com or visit

BoathouseTV.com.