Westlake Yacht Club in the News

Conejo Valley Life, April 1, 2005 Sinbad Sails into Yacht Club On Saturday, March 19, Westlake Yacht Club (WYC) was transformed into an Arabian palace overlooking a beautiful oasis. It was the Arabian Nights Party, the latest Nautical Fleet international theme party, with Sheik Karl Klessig, Fleet Captain, and his one and only harem girl, Philipa, hosting this exotic affair. The Clubhouse was decorated with draped veils of white, gold and sienna. The table centerpieces were blue glass vases adorned with multicolored beads and gold and black scroll work transforming them into Morrocan style lanterns, all hand made by Philipa Klessig. Many Club members took advantage of the exotic theme and arrived in creative Middle Eastern costumes. Men wore caftans, fezzes and kaffiyehs, while the ladies were especially alluring with sparkling dangling baubles, billowing pants and embroidered skirts. The evening's special theme entertainment was provided by belly dancers Aleya and Jeni of the Negma Dance Company. Aleya and Jeni did a dazzling opening performance together, then each lady soloed while the other changed from one spectacular costume into another. In Aleya's solo, she danced with a Damascene sword balanced delicately on her head. The dancers then coaxed Club members out onto the dance floor - Connie Mercurio, and David and Lois Klein did a wonderful job following Aleya and Jeni's rhythmic movements. And Phil Archbold, WYC's 1980 Commodore, was great out there - way to go, Phil. All this belly dancing certainly did get everyone's heart beating faster. A delicious dinner was catered by Shandeez, a fine local Persian restaurant. The feasting began with appetizers, including borani badenjan (an eggplant dip), mast o khiar (yogurt with cucumber, mint and herbs), and dolmahs (stuffed grape leaves). Then came the entrees: chicken and beef kabobs, salad, koresh loobia (a Persian vegetable stew), grilled tomatoes, rice pilaf, and pita bread. And finally, for those without shame, the scrumptious deserts included baklava, honeyed pastries, and chocolate fudge for the more conventional.   Not all of us can belly dance, and heaven knows most of us shouldn't. So, most of the dance music was provided by WYC's favorite rock band, the Copy Cats, with Rebecca singing, Herman on bass, Mike on guitar, and Gary on drums. The band set up amongst the Pillars of Hercules, an array of columns built by WYC's 1992 Commodore, Larry Warner. Some of their selections this evening seemed to have a Middle Eastern twist, such as "That Ol' Time Rock and Oil" and "Sheik it up Baby" (sorry). Actually, one of the best parts of any WYC party is decorating for the event. This time the pre-party fun was had by the Klessigs, Larry Schalk, Joyce and Terry Pierce, Fifi and Spence Lippman, and Joan and Robert Piccioni. For more information about Westlake Yacht Club, call 1-818-700-5257 or visit http://www.westlakeyc.org. Westlake Yacht Club is located at 32123 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village. You don't have to own a boat or live by the lake to be a member. ---Robert Piccioni is Rear Commodore of the Westlake Yacht Club.