Ocean Explorers Society
January 2004
Sponsored by Ocean Enterprises
Contents
Monthly
Meeting
Thursday, January 8th
at 7PM - Upstairs classroom at Ocean Enterprises. This will be
a business meeting to discuss club operations in the wake of Mark's
retirement. We seriously need one or more people to arrange speakers
for meetings. If you can help, please contact Dave Ambrose.
From
the President
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
On a personal note, I wanted to let all of you who I did not have time to call, I had a heart attack early at about 12:15am Tuesday morning before Christmas. As you can imagine, it came as a surprise to me and those around me. After going through the usual emergency room wasting of time (around really sick people) I was moved from Tri City in Vista to Kaiser on Mission Gorge (Zion), and after a day moved to Scripps where I had a stent implanted in one artery that was clogged. The surgery was completed in the morning of the 24th and I was released Christmas morning at about 10:30am.
It goes without saying that this Christmas was one of the best I ever had (because I was here to enjoy it). I am at home taking it easy for the next week to three until my doctor says I can resume somewhat normal life. I am not sure yet how long I will be unable to dive, that will depend on the time it takes my heart to heal and whether the meds I'm on will restrict diving.
I want you all to know I had intended on giving up the helm
of the dive club next month anyway, as it has been 10 years, but
this latest development has accelerated that need. I am hoping
someone will step up and continue steering this club of great
people into our future, as I plan on hanging around for a long
time. I may not see all of you at the January meeting but rest
assured I'll be at the February meeting. Until then, have a great
holiday and take care of each other.
Mark Clausen (one lucky guy)
Club
Diving
Nothing formal planned. Send an email to the list if you want to dive after work or on the weekend.
Flotsam
Latest reports say it was dead flat
calm with 25 feet of vis. <expletive deleted>! It figures
since everyone in our house is down with the flu.
The Birch Aquarium gift shop has been an excellent source for oceanography, and marine biology books for a while. Now, they've expanded their diving section to include the essential reference books, and a good selection of other books about diving. They carry Neutral Bouyancy, but we'll have to forgive them for that inclusion. Besides, if you need a copy, Chris Rink will make you a good deal.
Also at the Birch Aquarium - The 3rd Annual Ocean Authors Day, Sunday, January 11: 10 am - 3 pm
Meet a variety of authors whose works focus on the oceans, conservation issues, and San Diego's marine environment. Each year, Ocean Authors Day features authors of children's books, field guides, and more.
10 am - Meet Rod Fujita, Ph.D., marine ecologist and author of Heal the Ocean: Solutions for Saving Our Seas. This new book examines the ocean environment and threats such as pollution, overfishing and deep-sea mining. Despite the problems our oceans face, this book emphasizes success stories in the fight to save the seas.
11 am - Judith Garfield, local author, biologist, and underwater photographer will present a slide presentation on her book The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve: A Field Guide, which won a San Diego Book Award for "Best Nonfiction San Diego County Subject." Learn about local marine life and take a look at recent ocean phenomena.
12 noon - Discover the little-known world of nocturnal ocean animals with internationally published children's author Deborah Lee Rose. Deborah's love of the ocean and adventures with her own children have inspired her to write books that weave themes of ocean science, language and family. Her picture books include Into the A,B,Sea, One Nighttime Sea and the forthcoming Ocean Babies.
1 pm - Dr. Markes Johnson's book, Discovering the Geology of Baja California, will lead you along six day-hikes around Punta Chivato on the east coast of the southern Baja California peninsula. Dr. Johnson is a Charles L. MacMillan Professor of Geology at Williams College in Massachusetts. He has spent many years conducting research in Baja, making him a knowledgeable guide. Prepare for a journey through the natural history and geology of the celebrated Baja peninsula.
2 pm - Milton Love, Ph.D., was formerly a commercial fisherman turned science writer and is currently an associate research biologist for the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He also is the author of several books, including The Rockfishes of the Northeast Pacific. Join us for what promises to be a lively discussion on Pacific marine life.
3 pm - Marine biologist and renowned undersea explorer, Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., is a national Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, project director for the Sustainable Seas Expedition, and former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The focus of her research is on marine plants as well as the development of technology for exploring the deep sea. She has written several books for children and adults including Wild Ocean: America's Parks Under the Sea, and Coral Reefs.
San Diego
Council of Divers
The Council of Divers is also examining its current activites
with an eye toward overhauling its programs. The Council
would like to hear from the San Diego diving community about its
concerns, ideas, and directions. If any OES community members
would like to offer input, please feel free to contact
me directly. While the OES is not formally part of the Council,
I am on the Council's board of directors and will carry your input
to future meetings.
Dive Travel
We're looking for 2004 destinations.
I've heard discussions of Papua New Guinea, Truk, Yap, and Hawai'i.
I'm hearing great reports on Bahia de los Angeles and am getting
interested in Florida. What piques your interest? Please let us
know.
Cozumel -- Jon
and Eileen Parkhurst are putting together a 7 day club trip to
Cozumel Tuesday March 9 - Tuesday March 16, 2004 (Tues to Tues
plenty of frequent flier spaces). Tentative flight plan on American
Airlines below, three lodging choices below (we are undecided
as to which one at this time). Pricing is per room, for two people.
Diving not included - would be $55 for each two tank boat dive.
Any additional research or comments would be appreciated. For
more information, contact Jon & Eileen Parkhurst at jlparkhurst@cox.net
Frequent flyer airfare is 30,000 miles plus $57.99 Taxes
Get 3,000 Bonus Miles For On-Line Booking at Land & Air Vacation
at AA.com or call the Vacations Desk at (800) 321-2121
or get 1,000 Bonus Miles For On-Line Booking Air AA.com Advantage
Desk (800) 882-8880
Tentative Itinerary
8-Mar SAN San Diego #1930 11:00 PM Fiesta Americana Dive Resort
9-Mar Chicago - - 4:45 AM - - - - Air & Land Package $ 2,429.58
9-Mar Chicago #2301 6:30 AM Land Only $ 1,306.00
9-Mar Dallas - - 8:54 AM - - - -
9-Mar Dallas #363 11:00 AM El Cozumeleno Beach Resort
9-Mar Cozumel - - 1:36 PM - - - - Air & Land Package $ 3,003.58
Land Only $ 1,612.00
16-Mar Cozumel #364 2:39 PM
16-Mar Dallas - - 5:30 PM - - - - Iberos Cozumel
16-Mar Dallas #365 8:00 PM Air & Land Package $ 3,535.58
16-Mar SAN San Diego - - 9:11 PM - - - - Land Only $ 2,144.00
Membership
Renewal rates are $20 single; $30
for a family. If you can't make it to a meeting, send your renewal
to Mark Clausen; 1862 Willow Way; Vista, CA 92083.
OES Info
OES members can receive $30 off the
regular OE price for specialty classes.
For more information: