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California Delta Scuttlebutt
September 2007 by Suzanne Black
http://www.californiadelta.org
For California Delta Chambers & Visitors Bureau

Editor's Notes & Reader Feedback:

Hi everyone . Welcome to September!  Ok, what happened to the rest of the year??  One of the good things about September is the Pittsburg Seafood Festival which is going on this weekend.  They always put on a great event. boat races, air show, food, vendor booths, music .. what more could you ask for?  Visit their website for more info: http://www.pittsburgseafoodfestival.com/

I had some feedback about letting people know where places are that I mention in Scuttlebutt.  It was a good suggestion, so I will try to give the city or area in the future.  I also usually put the website link for each place so you can visit them online.  If you aren't sure where places are, just email me!

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The next Delta Chambers Mixer will be held on Wednesday, September 12,
5:30-7:00 pm, at Moore's Riverboat Restaurant on the Delta Loop.
http://www.mooresriverboat.com
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Last week, Tom and I decided to go out to dinner for our 11th Anniversary, so we headed down to Stockton to Chitiva's Salsa Bar & Grill for dinner.  Liz Chitiva greeted us on a quiet Thursday evening (we like to eat early).  Liz is such a charming, vivacious lady who serves up one fantastic meal!  The chefs at Chitiva's are super and the offer the best Mexican dinner around (in my
opinion).  Their food is so fresh and the salsa is SUPER.  We had sautéed tilapia and it just melted in your mouth.  Makes me hungry now!  Please visit Chitiva's sometime and experience what really good Mexican food tastes like! They also have events like salsa dancing, blues, etc.  Check them out at http://www.chitivas.net

While you are at the Stockton Waterfront, you can also take a really fun Delta River Cruise.  The 1.5 hour cruise will include narration of points of interest along the route. A full service no host bar is available. Various cruises are available year round.  Your Advance reservations are encouraged to secure your seat aboard the vessel.  Visit their website for further information:  http://www.deltarivercruise.com/site/html/index.php

On August, 26, we were lucky enough to get to the Bethel Island Air Show on the Margarita Mile.  We saw the show from Paradise Bar & Grill (http://www.paradisebarandgrill.net) which gave us a fantastic view.  The highlight of the event was the Patriots Air America Jet Team. INCREDIBLE!  It
just can't be described. you have to see them perform.  I took lots of photos and will get them published in the next few weeks on the Margarita Mile website. (http://www.margaritamile.com)

I don't know if you have heard, but The Lighthouse Restaurant is OPEN again! It is located on the Delta Loop Recreation Area (http://www.deltaloop.com) which is just off Hwy 12 between Rio Vista and I-5.  They have totally remodeled the building which allows for great views of the water from almost every seat in the house.  "Super chef Mike" has created an outstanding menu. I had their teriyaki appetizer plate and ate every bite.  Yummy stuff!  I have put their menu on the website, so check it out at: http://www.lighthouseresortandmarina.com/

Big news . The Bay & Delta Yachtsman is now published completely online!  To view the magazine in its entirety, please go to the following link: http://www.yachtsmanmagazine.com/   Recreation Publications (Ty Mellot & Don Abbott) have done a great job with this website, so check it out each month.

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Need a Hal Schell Delta Map & Guide?  (Only $6 includes tax and shipping)
Purchase yours online on the following link:
http://www.californiadelta.org/ordermap.html.
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Discover The Delta Update:
Become a member of The Discover The Delta Foundation today.  Help to make the
Information Center a reality! http://www.discoverthedelta.org
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New Delta Chamber Members:

Giftkone.com - Hank Gray, Owner
2464 El Camino Real #211
Santa Clara, CA 95051
408 420-3976 / Email

Stockton Conference & Visitors Bureau (http://www.visitstockton.org)
Wes Rhea, Director, 445 W. Weber Avenue #220, Stockton, CA 95203
877-778-6258

"Village on the Delta" A Renovo Community (http://www.villageonthedelta.com)
203 2nd St, Isleton, CA 95641
916-777-4111

The Ryde Trading Company - Norman & Diane Shaw
14286 Highway 160 Suite 4, Ryde, CA 95680
916-776-2023

Mid-Cal Construction - Greg Peterson - VP (http://www.mid-calconstruction.com)
2716 E. Minor Ave., Ste S, Stockton, CA 95205
209-832-4440

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Another website I recently finished is for the Whiskey Slough Marina and Dry Stack Storage.  What an incredible transformation they made to this old Delta marina.  It is now state-of-the-art with a super new restaurant and bar.  I haven't had a chance to eat their yet, but am planning to in the near future. If you are looking for dry stack storage, check this place out!
http://www.whiskeyslough.com

After I send out each monthly Scuttlebutt, I get lots of great feedback from you readers.  It is so much fun to get your messages and to hear your "tidbits" about the Delta etc.  However, a lot of feedback was about changing email addresses.  At the end of each Scuttlebutt, there is the following message showing how to do just that! 
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Delta Happenings:

Now this would be a fun thing to do . September 28, 2007 - Wine Tasting Party at The Point Waterfront Restaurant, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Featuring E2 Family Winery, Specialty hors d'Oeurves Prepared by Chef Jim Baumann - Tickets - $12 in advance - $15 at the door - Free Wine Glass! $5 goes to the Discover The Delta Foundation.  (http://www.pointrestaurant.com)

The 10th Annual Delta Loop Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 17, 2007, at the Oakmore Golf Course in Stockton.  Sign in at 11am.  Shotgun start at 12 noon  $100 per person.  Call Sal Curcuruto (Manager of Moore's Riverboat Restaurant) for more information at 916-777-4884 or 916-777-6351. This is a really fun event and I will be there taking photos of all the good
times!

The Knightsen Car Show will be October 6. 2007.  Held in Historic Downtown Knightsen, FREE Admission, FREE Registration, starts at 1:00 pm and concludes after dusk with a movie on Knightsen history.  Food, Drink, Music, and friendly people.  The car/tractor show will be on Knightsen Avenue from Delta Road to Second Street.  Bring your restored custom or antique tractors and cars.  A raffle late afternoon for several prizes.  The Show is sponsored by the Knightsen Firefighters Association in conjunction with the Knightsen Town Advisory Council.  For more info, call Jack at 925-634-4042.

The 3rd annual Classic Yacht and Boat Rendezvous will be held at Tower Park Resort 14900 West. Hwy 12 Lodi, Ca 95242 on October 6 and 7, 2007.  Tower Park is located on Little Potato Slough with easy access from San Francisco, Stockton, Sacramento and all other Delta locations.  Meals are available at the famous Sunset Bar & Grill.  Fuel, hot showers, and protected docking
available.  Please call Commodore Bill Wells at 916-869-9141 for more information or reservations. email: commodorewells@msn.com

Delta Tidbits:

I received an email from Steve Burton, former Manger of Tower Park Marina. Here is what he has to share from his new position and home in Dubai!"Suzanne, It is interesting reading Delta Scuttlebutt from the opposite side of the world.  Keep up your excellent reporting.  Life in Abu Dhabi, UAE, continues to be an amazing chapter in our lives.  I head up ALDAR MARINAS LLC for ALDAR Properties PJSC, the largest waterfront developer in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, adjacent to Dubai.  We currently have 6 luxury yacht marinas under construction with another 8 on the drawing board and already approved by HRH Sh. Kalifa Nahyan, President of the UAE.  Our Abu Dhabi developments are the largest in the world with over 43,000 laborers working 2 sites, 1,100 hauling trucks working around the clock and endless heavy equipment, some the largest ever built.  Islands are being relocated and new waterways cut.  The 4 mega-developments have 42 km. (25 mi.) of waterfront under construction whose iconic architecture is off the charts.  The unbelievable fact is that the developments' residential flats and villas sell out within hours after being introduced to the market ... and they're not completed. Google www.aldar.com and link into the videos for Al Raha Beach, Al Yas Island, Al Gurm and Coconut Island. Pictures speak better than words. You will soon read about Race Track Marina on Yas Island.  Surrounded by Ferrari World's Formula I race track, HRH expects it to be the most opulent destination marina in the world.  Ever since HRH bought a percentage of Ferrari, this project has been his baby.  Its 147
berths, predominantly 40-66 m. (120-200 ft.), are already reserved.  Four berths will accommodate the 400-560 ft. vessels owned by members of the royal families.  The President stated I must have the marina completed prior to the World Championship Formula I Races in early 2009. The population on the island of Abu Dhabi consists of 85% ex-pats, mostly Brits, although most all nationalities are represented.  Our offices are occupied by 300+ of some of the most gifted designers, architects, engineers, consultants and contractors. It's a dynamic environment with everyone expected to think outside-the-box.

There is so much interesting news to share, but suffice it to say that living on this side of the revenue flow from the oil-thirsty countries is an overwhelming experience never to be forgotten.  We both send our best wishes to you and the many wonderful people we had the opportunity to meet in the Delta." Steve and Pamela Burton

NCPCA NEWS - AUGUST-SEPT 2007 by Susan Pippin, NCPCA Publicity, San Joaquin
Y C
The Northern California Power Cruiser Association (NCPCA) has certainly maintained a steady course this year with the ever exciting contests we've had so far, and especially including this past August. Several participants and skippers have enjoyed the fantastic weather and yes, even the lower fuel costs as well. The latest reduced fuel costs seem to be at Village West YC & Marina and at the Antioch Marina. Those folks going down bay will see much higher prices when they go for Fleet Week. Having been to Europe this past June, and noticing the high costs of fuel over there; we sill don't pay nearly as much in fuel costs as the Europeans do. Their average cost is 3.5 to 4.0 Euros a liter, which comes out to over $8.00 dollars @ gallon. Whew! No complaints here.

The 2007 August Contests were at Driftwood YC on the 18th, and the Stockton YC on the 25th. Both of these contests began at Three Mile Slough. Even though the weather was great during and after the contests, each of these start lines began with quite a windy beginning for the skippers. By the looks of the NCPCA Start Line flag, it was all Mark LeBoeuf could do was to hang on to that red flag. There were little or no incidents to report during these contests except that the courses sort of ran like a figure eight at times, and included many exciting turns.

The Driftwood YC contest, which was held on Aug. 18th, had the following winners; First Place, Judy Lynn, Ricky Stebbins, Oxbow YC; Second Place, Judie Ann, Ken Whitham, San Joaquin YC; and, Third Place, Snowbird, Dennis Pippin, San Joaquin YC. Driftwood served a great prime rib dinner that was so outstanding. They were really great hosts.

The Stockton YC contest, held on Aug. 25th, gave out the following trophies; First Place, Granada, Billy Krumlinde, San Joaquin YC; Second Place, Dad's Choice, Ron Bishop, Vallejo YC; and, Third Place, Snowbird, Dennis Pippin, San Joaquin YC. Stockton put on a very nice BBQ Rib dinner with all the trimmings, and served a hearty breakfast on Sunday Morning. There were nominations for
the Bent Prop, aka: Pink Flag (hey, where's the Pink Flag? Anyone seen it lately in the Delta?). The last known recipient was Jim Fenelon, who lost it from his boat, Truant. Well, the nominees for this award were the start line, in particular the Commodore, Peter Paradis, who for some reason had some timing (clocks?) and radio problems. Those are the two most important items that the start line needs to operate, but Peter pulled it off anyway. Equipment failure won the award.

We had some rather unique characters visit us at our Awards Night at Stockton. It seems that the ever changing fashions that the 'NCPCA Checkers' use to camouflage themselves is working. Gail and Graham Giggins, aka; Blue Dolphin, were dressed up as down-home Delta Fisherman and fooled us all. They were located just a few 100 yards from the start line. Very clever 'checkers' for
sure.

Our final three contests are downbay and they are the Coyote Point YC Contest, on Sept. 15th, the San Rafael YC, the 22nd, and the last contest of the season at the Vallejo YC on the 29th. We look forward to more good weather and some good times down the San Francisco Bay Area for the end of the 2007 Season. All of you who would like to race with us or join us for dinner, please contact our Commodore, Peter Paradis at pete@iparadis.com or contact your local NCPCA
Delegate. Happy Boating!!
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Gotta sign off, so have a wonderful September on the Delta.  Try to get to some of the fabulous events coming up because Fall is one of the BEST times of the year in the Delta!  Until next month, enjoy some bubbly!  Cheers, Suzanne

Yes, It's Copyrighted!

As paltry as you might feel these words to be, Suzanne Black, has toiled diligently to produce it and feels a certain attachment to it. Thus these writings are copyrighted by Suzanne and may not be reproduced elsewhere in any form without her specific written permission.

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