Westlake Yacht Club in the News

Conejo Valley Life, Oct 8, 2004 Yacht Club Luau Caps Summer Socials In prior Conejo Valley Life articles we've discussed Westlake Yacht Club's expanded fleet, our Sail-A-Thon fund-raiser for local children's charities, our excellent junior sailing program, and the U.S. Sabot National Championships. With all this good work and serious sailing, readers might wonder: is Westlake Yacht Club all sail and no play? "No Way!", exclaims VICE Commodore Michael Singer, "We have the Best Parties in the Conejo Valley!" Once in home port, WYC members follow ancient seafaring traditions - they look for a cold drink and a hot dance partner. This summer's social season began with "South of the Border" hosted by Debbie and Chris Rolin, and Robin and Bill Baker. Larry Warner, commodore in 1992, transformed the Club entrance and bar into "Fernando's Hideaway", a notorious seaside cantina and haunt for beautiful senoritas and salty marineros. Drinks were prepared by bartender John, Director Gene Burke and Bar Captain Joe Mercurio. Their special margaritas went perfectly with the guacamole and dips. The Club's dining area was decorated with serapes and colorful, oversized sunflowers authentically patterned after the art of San Miguel de Allende (Debbie directs tours of Latin American art at the LA County Museum of Art). The feast began with Tink Henderson's shrimp with clam-broiled seasonings. This was followed by a delicious menu prepared by Debbie and Robin, which included mushrooms stuffed with Brazilian sauce, smoked salmon quesadilla, grilled pork with raspberry chipotle sauce and raisin-stuffed chicken breast with mole sauce. Chris Rolin greeted guests in big red sombrero, while Marshall Baker, clad in Border Patrol garb, investigated anyone NOT disturbing the peace. The Copy Cats' Latino ensemble provided dazzling music, featuring vocalist Nieve, with Herman on bass, Mike on guitar and Gary on drums. Eighty-five happy, well-fed guests rocked and salsa'd the night away. In August, members brought eight electric party boats to the Club for a Tie-Up. Boats were lashed to each other and to the dock, creating one large raft. Forty more members came by land, each bringing their favorite hors d'oeuvres, and the Nautical Fleet donated wine and mystery punch. The object of a boat tie-up is to hop from boat to boat sampling everyone hors d'oeuvres, without falling into the lake, and all the while enjoying a brilliant California sunset over our beautiful lake. (It's best to finish boat-hopping before enjoying mystery punch). Hosts for this event were Nautical Fleet Co-Captains Larry Schalk, tennis player and "Le Sommelier" extraordinaire, and Terry Pierce, a former LAPD homicide detective, who solved the mystery of the mystery punch but is keeping it to himself for now. In Abbot's Flatland, Terry would have been "Circular". September brought the much-anticipated Nautical Fleet Luau, hosted by Vice Commodore Michael Singer, and Nautical Fleet Co-Captain Karl Klessig, who by day climbs mountains and saves failing companies. (It takes three Co-Captains to chart the Nautical Fleet's many parties). The Luau was sold out once again with over 110 members joining the party. A creative team transformed the Club into an Hawaiian paradise with tropical flowers, palm fronds, coconut trees, and centerpieces of hula girls and toucans on colorful Hawaiian-print tablecloths, Luau festivities began with a Polynesian revue featuring Hawaiian dancers Melia Kiana, and Kilikina performing the hula and Mauri dances. House Captain Alan Jeffery won the conch shell-blowing contest (we knew he could do it). The show's climax was a spectacular fire dance by Kapono. I checked Kapono 's hands and saw no burns. "Now that I'm more experienced" he said "I don't get burned anymore!" Imagine how painful a fire-dancer's learning curve must be. The evening's fabulous food began with delicious appetizers of spring rolls, meatballs, Maui ribs and Kalani shrimp. Guests then moved on to the main courses - Kalua pig, seared ahi, Hawaiian chicken, and mouth-watering vegetables. As kamaaina say, da food was o'no (o'no is mo' bettah dan gud!). The Kauai Mai Tai's from the open bar were a perfect compliment. Revelers danced on the deck overlooking the lake to the rockin' music of the Hula Monsters, featuring lead singer Mailia , Herman on bass, Walter on guitar and Jeff on drums. While many members danced as couples, others danced in 3's, 4's or more, leaving no willing hoofer on the sidelines. After all this summer partying, is there any wind left in our sails? "Aye Matey, the holiday season's dead-ahead". With so much fun on the lake and on the shore what's not to love about Westlake Yacht Club? For more information on Westlake Yacht Club call 818-700-5257 or visit www.westlakeyc.org -- Robert Piccioni, Rear Commodore