Delta Rat Scrapbook – by Bill Wells
PICYA Annual Awards
We headed to the Berkeley Yacht Club for the Pacific Interclub Yacht Association (PICYA) awards ceremony. The club is in a beautiful spot right on the water at the Berkeley Marina, with a beautiful view of San Francisco Bay. It was great to catch up with many folks we had not seen for a while. There was a cocktail hour before the dinner and Liz Allison gave us an update on her latest adventures while we enjoyed a glass of wine.
We enjoyed an excellent dinner that the galley crew slaved over all day. Their hard work paid off. You had a choice of great-looking lamb chops with Chutney or vegetarian lasagna. Ceasar salad and one of my favorite desserts – pumpkin pie with whipped cream topped off the feast.
I previously told you about my friend Gerry Kamilos receiving the Yachtsman of the Year award. Gerry was there with his wife the lovely Karen Kamilos. There were others there from the Classic Yacht Association; we had our own table: Alan Almquist, Rob Sesar, Roberta Montero and naturally, Sue and me. Also, we were joined by Karen Walter from the Glen Cove Yacht Club (Rob & Roberta are members of Glen Cove too.) It was great to see Gerry receive his well-deserved award and to see the other clubs and individuals be recognized for their hard work in promoting boating in Northern California. Gerry reminded me that he keeps his boat Aurora V in Emeryville not Berkeley as I claimed in a previous issue. Gerry is a successful community developer in Northern California and he sits on several charity boards.
Awards presented at the event were: Meritorious Service Award – Kevin Kornegay, South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club; Bay & Delta Yachtsman Public Service Award – Sacramento Yacht Club; Lloyd B. Ryland Historical Award – Conway Jones, Golden Gate YC; Jo Bates Memorial Delegate of the Year Award – Gus Meyner, San Jose Sailing Club; Admiral Chester W. Nimitz USN Perpetual Trophy – Stockton Sailing Club; The Condon Perpetual Sailing Award – Alice Watt, Island Yacht Club; Robert S. Olson Memorial Poseidon Award – Al Alys, Petaluma Yacht Club; Sims Website Award – Melissa Sopata, Oakland Yacht Club; Douglas Boswell Perpetual Yachtsman of the Year Award – Gerry Kamilos, Classic Yacht Association; Edger Wilder Newsletter of the Year Award – 1st Bill Krivan & Scott Fitzgerald, Tahoe Yacht Club, Wilder Newsletter of the Year 2nd place, Terri Neeley, Stockton Yacht Club, Wilder Newsletter of the Year 3rd place, David Robinson, Elkhorn Yacht Club; Yacht Club of the Year Award (five-way tie) – Ebony Boat Club, Petaluma Yacht Club, San Jose Sailing Club, Sequoia Yacht Club, South Beach Yacht Club; Harter RBOC Recreational Boating Donor of the Year Gale Force Wind Award – Ebony Boat Club; Hanley Above and Beyond Award – Liz Allison, PICYA.
Berkeley Yacht Club (BYC)
I had not been to the club in a few years, and I had forgotten how nice it was. It is one of the nicest clubhouses in the region. Berkeley Yacht Harbor was built in 1935 and the club was started in 1939 with 50 original members. Their first regatta included a Snipe race and a 21-gun salute. They initially met at a nearby restaurant and later moved to the current clubhouse location in 1940 with help from the city. During World War II, club members were called upon to help patrol the Bay and watch for enemy submarines. Admiral Chester Nimitz was one of the more famous members of the club.
Currently, the club has about 300 members. “BYC continues to participate in racing and cruising, along with social and community activities including the Berkeley Marina Day Festival and a youth sailing program. Under all volunteer leadership BYC promotes and manages racing that includes free weekly Friday night races during the summer and Sunday afternoon chowder races during the winter. There is also a Midwinter Series originally cohosted with the Metropolitan Yacht Club, the annual Wheeler Regatta and various other regatta events. BYC also manages the starts of the biannual West Marine Pacific Cup for the Pacific Cup Yacht Club, the largest long-distance race in the Pacific. Members participate in all these races and are strong contenders in the Pacific Cup.” There you have it, if you are looking for a good club with a fantastic clubhouse you should consider the BYC, especially if you are a sailor and interested in racing.
Wimpy’s
We headed to Wimpy’s for a midweek Delta Chambers mixer. The Goodie family went all out with plenty of food and drinks. They made their specialties, steak quesadillas, pasta, sliders, buffalo wings, fresh spinach and plenty of beverages.
It is still hard for many of us to grasp that family patriarch Gerry Goodie Senior has passed away, but his family, led by Gerry Goodie Junior (just call him “Goodie”), is doing a great job keeping the resort going and, indeed, improving it.
The mixer was over at 7:30 and then the karaoke started. Marth Esch did a spirited rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody that was appreciated by everyone. Tressa Dahlberg joined the fun and sang a number. The bar area is a little tight when there are a lot of people, but that just adds to the feeling of camaraderie.
Next time you drop in for lunch, try their Westerner Burger, “stacked high with crispy onion rings, smoky bacon, melty cheese and BBQ sauce that brings the perfect kick.”
Ye Old Sacramento Yacht Club
The Sacramento Yacht Club held its first annual Renaissance Fair in early November. The weather was absolutely perfect, a warm Indian summer. Sue and I were tapped to judge the pie baking contest. Let me just say that all nine entries were outstanding and we really had our work cut out for us. My favorite pie in the whole world is pecan pie and sure enough one of the entries was pecan. I volunteered to recuse myself but management asked me to carry on. I was totally impartial. After sampling the nine pies we were both pretty full, they were all great and only a few points separated the winners and losers.
One of the activities was shooting pumpkins out of a large slingshot; that was a hit with the children and adults. The best part for me was the pumpkin cannon. It was an amazing device that looked like a cannon from an early 1900s dreadnought battleship. It was powered by compressed air, provided by a compressor attached to the piece. It was one of the coolest things I have seen this year. They were shooting pumpkins several hundred yards out into the river. The lads assured me that it could easily reach the river’s opposite bank. They let me fire it; after charging the compressed air you just pull a lever and Ker-boom it fires the projectile way the hell out there. I swear I saw a puff of flame come out the muzzle, it must have compressed the air so much that it combusted. When I fired the cannon, I was careful that no boats were cruising in the area. It was absolutely amazing; it was built by Vice Commodore Jason Chastain, who is donating it to a pumpkin farm with the proviso that he can borrow it back for the club whenever it is needed.
There were several craft booths with interesting items for sale, including handmade crafts and artworks. Lunch was available, too; it was primarily turkey legs (a great Renaissance meal). They added a nice medieval touch to the afternoon. Drinks were available and served in goblets. I could not find any mead unfortunately, so a beer sufficed; Sue stuck with Coca Cola.
It was a great party and a credit to Stacey and everyone that helped put it together including her husband Tim and daughter Amanda Jensen.
Marina West Yacht Club (MWYC)
Fleet Surgeon Susan Cordes checks in from the MWYC secret pirate hideout at Oxbow Marina: “The MWYC Halloween Bash was not for the weak of heart. If the animated grave digger at the entrance to the clubhouse didn’t scare you, the multitude of ghouls, goblins and skeletons inside probably would.
“For the party, the clubhouse was fully decorated as a creepy haunted mansion complete with aforementioned dangling ghouls and goblins. In the bar, there were plenty of bloody knives and a creepy skeleton surgeon. The cemetery-themed buffet featured “Marcus the Carcass” as well an incredible spread of heavy appetizers and delightful desserts.
“Partygoers did not hold back on dressing up for this event, and the costumes were amazing with everything from a gang of Vikings to Joe DiMaggio with the breathtaking Marilynn Monroe and everything in between. Gary Bohannon and The Bad Habits kept everyone on the dance floor with a fantastic mix of great tunes. These ghouls know how to have some fun!”
Sacramento Bayliner Club (SBC)
My Ace Reporter, Daniel Witte files this report: “Sacramento Bayliner Club held their annual holiday party at The Point Restaurant in Rio Vista on the weekend of Nov. 15-17. There were three member boats at the event including our family, SBC Commodore Sam McKillip and his girlfriend GiGi Baltazar, along with Chuck and Denise Schoeller. Rich and Gracie Santerelli showed up with their family by car, and former members Mike and Neila Pardue, along with Mark and Judy Hudock, came by RV. With the Rio Vista Bridge closed for the weekend, it gave those who live on the south side a good excuse to come to the party by boat. The Point is a great place to have a party since people can come by all modes of transportation including boat, car or RV.
“Since there were some old members present, everyone had a great time reminiscing about old times and catching up. It was hard to talk with everyone since there were so many people, but both the Hudocks and Pardues have been doing a lot of RV travel. Judy Hudock is a former 911 dispatcher, so she and I shared stories together and we got quite a surprise. I told her how smart phones have gotten so good now that you can simply say “hey Siri, call the cops,” and they will call. When telling this story, I didn’t realize Judy’s phone was sitting right there and that the microphone was active and close enough to pick up our voices. As a result of my phrase, it called 911 which caused us to have to make an explanation. Thankfully, we heard the operator answer and were able to explain our situation before law enforcement showed up.
“The party on Saturday night was a big hit as usual. Everyone walked up to the restaurant at 1700 hours for cocktails and then dinner was served at 1800 hours. There was a choice of halibut, prime rib, and one other dish, but most people ended up having prime rib. All the food was delicious, but for me, the prime rib was the best. After dinner, everyone sat around a while longer and then headed back to their boats.
“On Sunday morning, Commodore Sam McKillip and Vice Commodore Denise Schoeller held the monthly meeting. Since Sam didn’t wear the chicken outfit while docking, he was not able to pass on the award this month. However, your editor would have been a top choice for the 911 incident.
“It looks like next year is going to be a pretty good year for SBC. The club is getting some new members including Jim and Susan France, Geoff and Janice Simcoe (who will be returning) and possibly an old skydiver friend of my dad’s. In addition, SBC is always looking for new members. Please come to one of their events as they are a lot of fun. SBC hosts their winter events at yacht clubs and restaurants and their summer events typically at anchor.”
Ryde Hotel
The Ryde Hotel in Walnut Grove is happening nowadays; they are open on Sundays for a fabulous brunch and the 42 rooms are available seven days a week. The hotel is a classic Art Deco Delta icon that has been visited by many celebrities in the past. The rooms are great and very reasonably priced.
We recently attended a film night there. Gene Davis and Tressa Dahlberg arranged to show the documentary film “Rivers End.” Our audio-video expert, Chad Sublet, set everything up, including a large screen in the main dining room. About 40 concerned Delta lovers showed up to view this important educational presentation. Free popcorn and water were provided. The bar was open for wine and cocktails. A few lucky guests won some valuable door prizes, including artworks, wakeboards, books, wine and decorative items. It was a fun evening.
Please plan to attend the Delta Chambers Great Gatsby Dinner at the Ryde on January 24. It will be a fabulous party with good food, good friends and good fun (no-host cocktails). Wear your best Jay Gatsby era garb and you could potentially win a valuable prize. If you arrive in a vintage Rolls Royce or Duesenberg, you will receive special recognition.
Doors will open for Deco-era cocktails at 1600 hours (4:00 p.m.) and dinner at 1700 hours. Guest speaker will be Pat Hume, Sacramento County’s Supervisor from District 5 (covering the Delta). Mr. Hume has lived in the region all of his life and is knowledgeable about the Delta and the rivers. There will be prizes and an auction. The price is $75.00 per person; entrees are chicken or steak, and reservations are a must. Call Blair Hake at 209-481-9146 or Karen Chandler at 209-369-6868 to reserve your spot. Space is limited so sign up early.
Maybe one of the ghosts inhabiting the hotel will make an appearance.
The Ryde Hotel is a mysterious place even without paranormal activities happening. The current building is the third iteration of the Ryde Hotel, dating to the 1920s. It was used as a speakeasy during prohibition and even had a secret tunnel going through the levee to the boat landing on the Sacramento River. The tunnel was used by bootleggers to carry illicit whisky into the building without being observed.
The Ryde is perched on the levee of the West Bank of the Sacramento River on State Route 160 midway between Isleton and Walnut Grove at State Route 220. It is a cool place, right out of the Art Deco era. The rooms are small but cute. The hotel resembles the building on the cover of the Eagles album “Hotel California,” but in spite of the rumors it is not the same place.
We held a masked ball there, and for an added treat, we hired a psychic to try to communicate with the spirits in the building. A friend of mine came who had recently lost his wife. He always carried with him two wristwatches that his wife had given him as gifts. He was there with a new lady friend that he just started dating. Twenty or so of us sat in a semi-circle and the psychic made many amazing revelations for the audience. She asked if there was anyone in the room that was a recent widow or widower. My friend raised his and said that his wife had recently passed on. The psychic said that his wife’s spirit was there in the room and that she approved of the new relationship. My friend and his girlfriend were both very happy that the spirit approved.
We spent the evening dancing and enjoying our friends, and the next morning we arranged for the four of us to meet in the dining room for their excellent brunch.
When we sat down for breakfast my friend said to me, “Bill you won’t believe what happened last night.” I am always up for a good tale so I asked him to explain what he was talking about. He said he was amazed that the psychic experience was real. He said that during the night his wife’s spirit turned back the time on both of his watches. He pulled them out for me to look at. I was amazed that just as he said they were both an hour behind the clock on the wall. I looked at my own watch and it too was an hour behind. I thought I must have the story of the millennium at my fingertips and imagined after writing my article about the experience I would be appearing on talk shows and maybe even have my own TV show.
Unfortunately, my wife, the buzz killer, brought the dreams tumbling down for both my friend and me. She looked at us as if we were idiots and said, “you knew you were supposed to set your watches ahead an hour for daylight savings time last night, didn’t you?”
Well, anyway we enjoyed a great breakfast with coffee and a mimosa or two while my plans for becoming famous had once again been dashed. (I have told you this story before, but it is literally my favorite Delta tale, so I thought you might enjoy it again.) I look forward to seeing you at the Ryde on Jan. 24 for a great dinner and party and maybe a ghost or two.
Western Flyer
Sherry Flumerfelt, executive director of the Western Flyer Foundation shared that “The Western Flyer Foundation and Soulcraft Allstars are proud to announce that their short film, The Western Flyer with Nick Offerman, has been awarded Silver in the Sustainability, Environment & Climate category at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards. This recognition celebrates the film’s playful yet profound tribute to the legendary Western Flyer and its inspiring story of resilience and renewal.” Selected from over 2,300 submissions spanning 34 countries, this nine-minute film weaves together history, science and environmental advocacy.
Narrated by Emmy-winning actor and comedian Nick Offerman, the film brings the storied Western Flyer to life, from its adventures chronicled by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in their 1940 expedition to the Sea of Cortez, to its recent transformation into a modern platform for marine research and education.
“We are thrilled to receive this honor. This film isn’t just about restoring a historic boat – it’s about inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards. Nick Offerman’s humor and heart made this story accessible and engaging, and being recognized by the Anthem Awards affirms that the Flyer’s message of curiosity and hope is reaching audiences far and wide.”
Aaron Straight, Director of Soulcraft Allstars, shared his excitement, “Winning Silver in the Sustainability category is a testament to the power of storytelling. The Western Flyer’s journey is a celebration of seeing the world through the lens of art, science and humor.
Nick Offerman brought the perfect blend of wit and sincerity to this project, and it’s incredible to see this story resonate on a global scale.”
“The film showcases the Western Flyer’s dramatic revival, from its near loss to history to its rebirth as a beacon of marine science and conservation. Now equipped with a state-of-the-art science lab, the restored vessel sails into the future, fostering education and collaboration among young scientists, artists and conservationists.
“The Western Flyer Foundation is proud to have its mission recognized on such a meaningful stage.” The film is available online for viewing at no cost. To learn more about The Western Flyer with Nick Offerman and watch the film, visit www.westernflyer.org/nick-offerman-film
John Garamendi
We attended a fundraiser for Congressman Garamendi at the Areias family’s Orchard Gables estate. He represents District 8 which covers much of the Delta. He has been an advocate for the interests of the region, including helping to get the Delta designated as a National Heritage Area. He won reelection handily; you might say a landslide with 74 percent of the vote. Supporters and his lovely wife Patti surrounded him. Gian Carlo produced an excellent dinner and wine from Saint Jorge Winery which was enjoyed by everyone. Miss 102 was at the dock and Rusty invited a couple of us to accompany captains Pat Carson and Tony Kopshever while they took a load of passengers for a boat ride. Alas, just as we got to the dock they pulled out and headed up the Sacramento River without us. It was almost like they wanted to leave us. Well, next time. Miss 102 was tied to the family dock for some time. Several people including Rusty, Tony and Pat Carson sent me great photos of her with a reflection that you could not tell if it was inverted or not. After they told me about the phenomena, I went by and took a few of my own.
Golden Mussels
The latest scourge to hit the Delta is Golden Mussels. They are native to China and the east. To say they breed prolifically is a vast understatement, one mussel can deposit millions of eggs in one year. The larvae can swim until they find a likely spot to attach where they start their colony which will grow quickly. There is a lake in Brazil that was noted for its sandy beaches, and two years after a golden mussel invasion, the beaches are gone, covered by “dark and stinking mussel shells.”
Apparently, they were first sighted at the Port of Stockton where they probably came in on a freighter from a foreign country. They have been found on the Calaveras River almost up to the I-5 Bridge. They have also been found in other nearby areas. So far, they don’t seem to attach to boat anti-fouling paint or fabrics. Be aware of your boat water intakes as they can clog the entire system.
From the California Department of Fish and Wildlife: “On Oct. 23 and 24 UC Davis and CDFA independently returned genetic analysis results consistent with golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei), a species not known to be present in North America. On Oct. 25, 2024, State Parks staff reported mussels on an artificial substrate deployed for monitoring for the presence of quagga/zebra mussels in O’Neill Forebay. Specimens collected from O’Neill Forebay are currently in route for genetic analysis by UC Davis and CDFA labs.”
Report any mussels or suspect invasive species you find to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife hotline at 866-440-9530 or email: invasives@wildlife.ca.gov
Transition
Don Henkle and Del Hayes have announced their retirement from West Marine. They have both been with the company for 18 years. Don has served as a General Manager and Del as Assistant Manager. Don says, “We have been happy to be part of the Sacramento boating community for all these years. We have seen the industry change first in 2008 during the recession and then again during the COVID period.
“We both have been proud to support our local boaters and also have participated in numerous community events like “Kids on the Water” with Sac Marina, the Annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade by Capital City Yacht Club, Boater Safety Events with the local Coast Guard Auxiliary and five years of the parking lot Season Kick-Off Events with vendors, clubs and agencies. And let’s not forget the long-standing association with the local Sea Scouts. With a combined 50+ years of boating experience and 70+ combined years of retail, we feel we have left our mark. We both would like to say thank you to all the loyal customers and the friendships and relationships we have made.” These lads have been an institution in the Delta area, it is going to be strange not seeing them around.
Eight Bells
Joe Locicero crossed over the bar on Nov. 1, 2024. He was just short of his 90th birthday on Dec. 9. Joe was a great guy and a good friend of mine; his loving wife Patti said he was an avid reader of my Yachtsman column every month. Patti Locicero reports: “Joe has been boating since the 1960s here in the Delta.
“He was considered a gigolo when I first met him in 1986 on a cruise ship in the Caribbean and we have been together for 40 years. We went back a year later and got married in the Caribbean at Blue Beard’s Castle. He was a great man, a great husband and of course a great lover and we had a wonderful life together, so much traveling, so much Delta, especially all the poker runs.” Rest in peace Joe, we will miss you.
Irish Pennants
When I used to go to Chicago on business an absolute “must visit” for me was the Billy Goat Tavern on Michigan Street. You went down a staircase from the street to the lower level. They had great “Cheezborgers,” and of course, beer. The tavern turned 90 years old in Nov. of 2024 and the proprietor Sam Sianis turned 90 in December.
Sam is the nephew of the original owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, William “Billy Goat” Sianis. The restaurant was immortalized by a skit on Saturday Night Live starring John Belushi. The name came in the 1930s when a billy goat fell off of a truck and wandered into the tavern. Sianas senior kept it as a mascot. The goat liked to drink Blatz beer.
The Delta Stewardship Council has published a draft Adaptation Plan as part of its climate initiative, Delta Adapts. The draft details strategies and actions to improve regional resilience to climate change including adaptation costs and governance recommendations.
The draft Adaptation Plan and supporting documentation are now available for public review and comment through Jan. 17, 2025. Comments may be emailed to climatechange@deltacouncil.ca.gov or mailed to the following address: Delta Stewardship Council, Attn: Morgan Chow, 715 P Street, 15-300, Sacramento, CA 95814.
The Isleton Bridge on State Route 160 will be closed from 0600 hours to 1800 hours Mondays through Saturdays through June 30, 2025. Repairs are being made and parts replaced. When you think how old this bridge and others are it is amazing that they can keep them running as well as they do.
The International Sportsmen’s Exposition will be in Sacramento from Jan. 16-19. The Delta Chambers will be there in booth 3317; drop by and say hello; there will be many Delta luminaries helping out over the weekend.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and looking forward to Christmas. The future looks good for boaters. By the way, always remember yachtsmen & yachtswomen don’t get “toys” for Christmas, we get equipment. Let me know what you are up to by writing or calling: commodorewells@msn. com or 916-869-9141.
