Finn Gold Cup Trials Get Underway
Close to 100 participants from all over the world … from New Zealand in the South Pacific, to Brazil in South America, from the USA and Canada here in North America, to many European countries … launched their dinghies at the Harbor Master’s Launch Ramp this morning after a short postponement due to a total lack of any wind. Note the photo showing the special red & white nautical flag on the flagpole showing the international signal for “postponement.” Click here to view video.
Take a look at the photo “gallery” below and see if you can spot Steve Orosz, our very own Harbor Master in charge of the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, working at a breakneck pace to help all the participants safely get their boats into the water. The Finn Gold Cup is awarded annually to the World Champion in the Finn class, the equipment for the Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy sailing event at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Check out: http://www.london2012.com/. If you use your computer’s photo zoom feature you may even be able to see the boats that already sailed past the breakwater into the open water of the ”Olympic Circle” while dozens more were still ”putting in” on the ramp. Many of these racers will also be sailing in the Men’s One Person Dinghy Heavy sailing event at the 2012 London Olympics. The event pictured here, right in our gorgeous backyard, continues through September 4. If you miss this week’s event, there will be two large, major sailing events next year! Next year’s events will have even more boats, but will not be the Finn World Championships as they sail in different participating countries each year. Quiz: how many countries can you identify among these photos (hint: refer to the abbreviations on the high tech sails)?
Photos by RZ
International Sailing Competition
Please click for detailed information about a major boating event that will take place in our very own “backyard.” Event runs through September 4.
Photo courtesy of Steve Orosz, Harbor Master, Marina Bay Yacht Harbor. Click on photo to see enlarged view; Barbara & Jay Vincent Park is in the background. Hit “back” arrow to return to this page.
Richmond Municipal Natatorium Grand Reopening Makes Big Splash!
Click on each photo to see enlarged version. Use the back arrow to return to this page.
Photos courtesy of Ruth Zablotsky, MBNC Secretary
Big Day for The Plunge is Here!
Our very own Richmond Plunge (or Natatorium) is about to re-open this weekend and it’s been on our Google calendar to help remind you.
Please make sure to read the link below to a brand new article in the Contra Costa Times for additional information. And remember to click on the image to the left for a full view of the flyer so you can read details about the festivities!
Be sure to come and help make the event a big “splash.”
http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_15734880?nclick_check=1
Tree City USA
Richmond becomes a Tree City USA!
The City of Richmond has been designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a ‘Tree City USA’ for the year 2009. This designation was applied for by the City of Richmond Parks & Landscaping Division. To have gained this distinction is consistent with the “City of Richmond 5-year Strategic Plan” adopted by City Council.
This is an accomplishment, and can be repeated annually, provided the City of Richmond maintains or surpasses current funded service levels in support of our urban forest. ‘Tree City USA’ signs can now be officially posted at entry gateways to the city.
With this designation the city enjoys better chances of success when applying for regional and national grant programs to support and expand our urban forest. Unlike the usual nationwide Arbor Day spring celebration the official City or Richmond Arbor Day (appropriately held in autumn like other California jurisdictions) as authorized by City Council is always the third Wednesday of October every year (which is acceptable to the National Arbor Day Foundation).
Richmond Municipal Natatorium
Grand Reopening Celebration of “The Plunge” on Saturday, 8/14/10
Join in the festivities, have a free swim, marvel at the mural, the new state-of-the-art water-purification technology and learn about the history of “The Plunge”!!
Click on the photo to see an expanded view and to read the details of the reopening event for our grand, local “natatorium” (click your “back” arrow button to return to this page when done). Natatorium: indoor swimming pool.
Click here to learn more: http://www.richmondplunge.org/history.html, and http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-05-21/bay-area/20907717_1_pool-richmond-municipal-natatorium-quake-damage
AC Transit Changes Bus Service to Marina Bay
As of June 30, 2010, the # 74 AC Transit bus that serves Marina Bay will continue to travel between Marina Bay and Castro Ranch Road in Richmond, but will no longer serve the Orinda BART station.
A June 4, 2010 posting on the AC Transit website states that the “Board of Directors has agreed to whittle another 7.2 percent of its bus service to help offset a projected deficit of more than $56 million by June 30, 2011.” The Board also passed a resolution vowing a moratorium on more service cuts until at least 2012.
For more information on AC Transit cuts, see the AC Transit website; you’ll also be able to use their convenient trip planner, get fare information, have access to maps and even listen to their live audio: http://www2.actransit.org/main.wu?r=n
Richmond Police Dept. Contact Information for Marina Bay
Please remember, if you need a police officer to respond to a specific location for any reason, AND you are calling from a mobile phone please call 510-233-1214 and when the recording begins, prompt “0″ to transfer to the 9-1-1 dispatchers. If you call 9-1-1 from a mobile phone, you will connect with the California Highway Patrol. When calling from a business or residential hard line, call 9-1-1.
For a list of RPD “Southern Beat” Officers and their contact information, go to: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=988nid=82
Richmond Art Center Got a Face Lift!
The Richmond Art Center (RAC) has undergone a number of valuable enhancements, including: seismic retrofitting, outside window and door replacements, and a new door to the courtyard from the ceramics studio. Please check the RAC website for more information.
On-site parking continues to be available.
Eco-tourism on the Bay Trail in Richmond
Eco-tourism has been the fastest growing segment of the global travel industry. The good news is that eco-tourism is conveniently available and affordable right here in Richmond along the San Francisco Bay Trail in the form of bird watching, the fastest growing recreational activity in the nation.
The Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau is capitalizing on this trend by featuring birding along the Bay Trail on its web site. This is the best time of year to see birds due to the abundance of migratory wintering species in residence. Learn more about the many birds found along the shoreline at the Golden Gate Audubon Society website: http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/conservation/wetlands/north-richmond-shoreline/.
