The FaGowee International, Sacramento Chapter

May 2006

Social Corner
Please mark your calendars now for the following dates. There is always room for more.

FaGOWEE EVENT / TRIP REFUND POLICY
Revised, Approved and Adopted at the Executive Board Meeting, October 8, 2003

1. The following Refund Policy applies to any Club event for which a fee is charged.

2. You will automatically receive a 100% refund fur any trip or event cancelled by the Club.

3. If you cancel and someone takes your place from the waiting list, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid, less a cancellation fee. The cancellation  fee will be $10.00 or 10% of the event/trip fee- whichever is more, unless a specific cancellation fee is advertised for the event/trip.

4. If you cancel and there is no waiting list, or no one on the list takes your place, you will receive a refund of the amount you paid less a cancellation fee and less any expenses that the Club incurs due to your cancellation.

5. If you arrange for someone not on the waiting list to take your place, you will be responsible for full payment to the Club plus any transfer fees or costs the Club incurs because of the change. Other money transactions are between you and your replacement. You must provide that replacement with a note for the trip leader or you must confirm the replacement directly with the trip leader prior to the event/trip. The person who submits payment must request all refunds from the Executive Board in writing within 60 days after the completion of the event/trip. The Executive Board will review the final financial report from the event/trip and may approve refunds in accordance with this refund policy.

6. Any member may appeal to the Executive Board for refunds greater than provided by this policy if special circumstances warrant.

7. There will be no refund for events that are designated as "Fund Raisers" unless they are cancelled or rescheduled by the Club.

DAY / DATE:       Saturday, July 8, 2006 – 11:00 am
LOCATION:       Rancho Seco Recreational Area – Picnic Site # 2-C
YOUR COST:     Adults:  $12.50     Children under 16:  $ 2.50      Children under 5:  Free

There is also a $5 entry fee at the park ($4 for seniors and disabled), but that entry fee will be reimbursed to you at the picnic site upon showing your paid receipt.  Signups must be made no later than July 1^st to receive your entry fee refund.  Contact Jim at 916-721-0892, or e-mail at p2forever@surewest.net

  Come and join your brother & sister FaGowee’s at our 3^rd Annual FaGowee Family Picnic.  This year’s outing is being combined with our Annual Luau.  The Luau has traditionally been a fundraiser to help support your race team, and this year is no exception.  Rancho Seco Recreational Area is located adjacent to SMUD’s former nuclear power plant.  There is a 160-acre fresh-water lake, large lawn areas and a large clean sandy beach.  R/V and tent camping sites are available for those who might want to come earlier or stay longer.
Note: If you want to camp, you must make your own reservations.  Reservation information is listed below on this page.  Some of us will be staying in the campground for the weekend.

 THE CLUB WILL PROVIDE:  BBQ pork ribs and hot dogs, the sandwich buns and condiments, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, a sheet cake, a variety of soft drinks & bottled water, the plates, cups & eating utensils. 

YOU NEED TO BRING:  Your friends and family (yes, your kids and grandkids are welcome).  Bring your own adult beverages.  If you would like to bring your favorite side dish to share, I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated.  Bring your ball gloves, bats and a ball for a softball game, your horseshoes, your Frisbees, your swimsuits, your kayaks or canoes and your fishing poles.  

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO: Rancho Seco Recreational Area offers everybody a wide variety of things to do for their enjoyment. 

1. Cast a line from one of the six fishing piers.  The lake sports bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, crappie and catfish. SMUD also stocks the lake with rainbow trout, November through March.  (Fishing enthusiasts 16 years and older must possess a valid California fishing license to fish).
2. There are two boat-launching ramps.  Bring your own kayak, canoe, rowboat, sailboat or electric motor boat.  (Gas-powered boats are not allowed on the lake.)
3. Pedal-boat and kayak rental is available from May through September. 
4. Depending on the wind conditions, windsurfing is allowed.
5. There is a roped-off swimming area along the 36,000-square-foot sandy beach.  Lifeguards are on duty.
6. There is a General Store available May through September for your incidental shopping needs.
7. 18 R/V campsites are available.  Each site has a BBQ, fire pit, picnic table, drinking water and electrical outlets.  There is a $15 per night charge for R/V sites and reservations are required.  A sanitation dumpsite is available at the park.  Call 916-732-4913 to make your R/V reservations.
8. 20 Tent lakeside campsites are available.  Each site has a BBQ, picnic table and drinking water.  There is a $10 per night charge for Tent sites and reservations are required.  Call 916-732-4913 to make your tent camping reservations.
9. Also available for your convenience:  Coin operated showers, washer & dryers, fish cleaning stations, 3 public restrooms, horseshoe pits and a recreation room are available for overnight campers.

DIRECTIONS:  From Sacramento, take Highway 99 south to the Twin Cities Road/Highway 104 exit.  Go east for 15 miles on Highway 104 to the Rancho Seco Park exit.  Take the first right after passing the two towers to the park entrance.   We’re looking forward to seeing you there.  “AFFAFFA”

NOSTALGIA RIVER CRUISE TO SAN FRANCISCO RECAP
By: Jim Van Riper 

April 9, 2006 will go down in FaGowee history as one of the most enjoyable days on the river that we’ve ever had.  Before we even boarded the ship, I could see a FaCademy Award in the making – for one of our group that forgot his (or her) photo ID – which was required to be able to board the ship.  A little fast-talking finally got that club member (and you know who you are) on board without too much of a problem.

The day was overcast and the weather forecast predicted rain, but true to FaGowee custom, we weren’t going to let a little inclement weather spoil our fun.  12 FaGowee’s and their 5 guests joined approximately 250 other “wanna-be sailors” aboard the WWII liberty ship, SS Jeremiah O’Brien as she steamed through the inland Sacramento Delta waterways from the Port of Sacramento to San Francisco.

Upon boarding, we were treated to a continental breakfast on the main deck.  Norm Benedict expressed one concern, stating that he saw the crew bringing 2 of every kind of animal on board before we departed the port.  After we gathered our personal belongings and found a place to set up our “ base camp” near the port bow, we began exploring the ship from stem to stern.  We found that if the weather became too chilled for our liking, we could always wander down into the boiler and engine rooms where the temps were over 100°. 

This ship is restored to its original WWII configuration as originally built, so it was quite an eye opener as to what we saw.  The museum and photos in Hold # 2 were quite interesting.  They explained the need for, the building of and the mission of the liberty ships.  The displays were really worth taking the time to view.  The gift shop had a large variety of items of interest relating to the ship, and many a dollar was spent in there. 

While underway, were treated to one of the all-volunteer crewmen “playing” with a 20 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun, blasting away at people fishing along the banks of the river, approaching wave runners and other pleasure craft.  The on-deck bar was open with free wine and beer, bottled water and soft drinks and the live band played 40’s big band era music while several guests danced the day away.

One of the most interesting sights we beheld was the “mothball fleet” at anchor in Suisan Bay.  We had a great view of the battleship USS Iowa as well as almost 90 other ships of various sizes.  Many of the vessels that had been stored there in the past have been used for naval gunnery practice, some had been purposely sunk to build barrier reefs, and even the ship we were on was at one time a part of that mothball fleet.  There are plans to restore the Iowa and place her on display as a museum.  As we passed areas of interest, the captain would come over the loudspeaker to point them out and explain their historical importance.

Our delicious catered lunch consisted of all-you-can-eat BBQ teriyaki chicken, BBQ pork, Caesar salad, fruit salad, wild rice, garlic bread and cookies for dessert.

The weather and the water stayed calm for several hours, but as we approached the San Francisco Bay, the wind coming off the ocean began kicking up.  However, the rain gods continued to smile upon us as the rain still remained in a holding pattern and the ship remained steady and smooth in the water.

Later in the afternoon, we were treated to an additional unexpected dining treat of spring rolls, BBQ baby hot links, a large variety of snack crackers with a couple kinds of dip, and M&M chocolate candies.

We got a wonderful view of the former residence of Al Capone as we passed Alcatraz Island, and a spectacular view of the San Francisco skyline as we crossed the bay and approached our final docking facility at Fisherman’s Wharf.  As we tied to the dock and let down the gangway, the weather gods decided to play a little prank on us and it rained for about 2 minutes – just enough to let us know what they had been capable of had they opted to try to dampen our spirits.  Immediately after leaving the ship, we boarded our chartered bus for the ride back home to Sacramento.  Overall, the 12-hour day was relaxing, entertaining, educational, and a lot of fun.  I definitely will plan to lead the FaGowee’s on a trip like this again the next time the SS Jeremiah O’Brien comes to town.  It will be a day that you should plan to join us, and a day that you will never forget.  

Get away from it all.  Leave the 100+ summer degree heat of home behind and take the scenic route through the California Redwoods to the cooler weather on the coast north of Mendocino.  Join us as we relax among the redwoods and sunbathe on one of the cleanest beaches in Northern California.  Take a ride on the Skunk Train through some of the most pristine redwood forests you'll ever see.  Explore the quaint town of Mendocino, test the libations at the brewpub in Ft. Bragg and join us for a great abalone feast on Saturday night (there will be BBQ chicken for those who have an aversion to abalone).

 I have reserved 14 R/V sites, and most have full hookup available.  I will assign sites as I receive your reservation monies, so…  First paid, First Taken.  Be forewarned, you snooze - you lose.  I still have a lot of space for tents for those of you who wish to “rough it.” 

WHERE:                                                                       WHEN:

     Caspar Beach R/V Park & Campground                       Arrive:  Thursday, Aug 17, 2006
     14441 Point Cabrillo Dr, Mendocino, CA 95460         Depart:  Sunday, Aug 20, 2006

YOUR PARTICIPATION COSTS:

• R/V Camping Fees:  $33 per night - most sites have full hookups available.  Those staying in R/V sites will be responsible for paying their own camping fees to the R/V Park.  The R/V campers will pay the club the "Saturday Night Dinner Only" fees for their attendance.

• Tent Camping Fees: Members: $40 ea.     "Wildcard" Guests: $40 ea.    Other guests:  $50 ea.

• Saturday Dinner Only:  Members: $25 ea.    "Wildcard" Guests:  $25 ea.    Other guests:  $35 ea.

• Divers:    FREE  (Please note:  "Divers" are defined as those who actually physically go under the water and return with abalone for consumption by the attendees at the Saturday Night Dinner.)

• Children 15 & under: FREE (Children must be accompanied by an adult)

• Pets:  The campground charges an additional $2 per night per pet.  It is the responsibility of the pet owner to pay this fee to the park.

PLEASE BRING: Your own firewood & camping equipment, warm clothes as it can be cool (hey - you're at the ocean), lawn chairs, towels, soap, etc.  BYOB!!!  You're on your own for all meals except the Saturday Night Abalone Dinner. 

NEARBY THINGS TO DO: Including, but not limited to:  Kayaking sea cave tours, Skunk Train, Botanical gardens, Pt. Cabrillo lighthouse, Mendocino Village, Noyo Harbor Fishing Village, magnificent redwoods, river canoeing, golf & tennis, many fine restaurants, bicycling, scuba diving, fishing, beach combing, shell collecting, horseback riding, blueberry picking and wine tasting at several of the local wineries. 

STILL NEEDED: Volunteer Divers, Volunteer Cooks, and lots of Happy Campers. 

CONTACT:     Jim Van Riper at 916-721-0892 (p2forever@surewest.net) for more information.  To guarantee your reservations, send your check payable to "FaGowee Ski Club" to me ASAP at one of the below addresses as follows: 

Please note that any refunds for this trip will be made strictly in accordance with the current FaGowee Refund Policy as published in each and every monthly issue of the Sacramento FaGowee Snow News newsletter at www.sacramentofagowees.org.