Cruise for 4th of July.

Out on the water last weekend. Fun. Little bit of Fish Caught. Need bigger trips. "Great fish come from Great Waters." Means I gotta go out to the Islands more!

So looking forward to Catalina trip... Trish is loading us up now. Boat is dialed in and ready. Big Grins.

K

Out Ramblin' Around - A fine day on the water -

Sunday June 28th - Did go out fishing on Ramblin’ with a few friends. It was a nice day of fishing out on Santa Monica Bay. We searched through the large amounts of bait we metered and did not entice any meaningful fish to take a hook. We worked the 90 foot line from MDR to SM Pier where Larry (bait dock) had reported some local White Sea Bass having been found. I tuned in the fish finder and was pleasantly surprised as to how much the bait showed. But with that much bait the target species is fat and happy. It was a good first try. That area as it was close and easy to work.

Eventually we tried the "Star of Scotland" wreck and that seemed promising. That gave us some excitement with a few little bites. Bigger baits like little mackerel even took our hooks. Then we went to try a deep water rock I had a mark on in 145 feet of water. It was a small rock and once located did have some fish marks but was not easy to get on. Several short drifts and we abandoned this for the Short Banks. This produced a few very nice sized fish. Bocaccio and copper or vermilion rockfish. So there is some nice fish for dinner.

The afternoon breeze was perfect for sailors but too much for us without anchoring up and we decided to call it a day. But not without giving “The Pipe” one more try on the way. No luck, but I must say I’ve rarely seen so much life in the fish finder. The local party boat New Del Mar was on the spot and it made it tricky work to keep away from him and fish the rock structure upwind.

A big "Thank you" for your company to… Gary D., Jeff M. and Stacy T. Gary had the biggest one for the day. It was a nice day our on the water and I appreciate you all for your contributions to the fun of going fishing. Fish Wish Granted. We had a nice day fishing.

Keith L. <”><

A first... Not one photo taken.

Gererator working! - Can go fishing now.

Two items repaired/upgraded and now the Generator is working. Hoot!

Needed new fuel pump. Needed new solenoid on the top. I used a quality local mechanic to get the work done right.

No fuel flow was the real problem. Not an easy one for me to fix by clearing a filter. There was a bit of a story about the repair diagnostic but to make a long story short it was the right guy with the right tools that found the power to the fuel pump problem fast and solved it so that the right parts could be applied for a swift and complete repair. Changed the fuel pump to a smaller more efficient one ($75). Rerouted some fuel line. Key was the change of the old oil pressure solenoid that controls the power to the fuel pump. It was not sending power to the pump. (And yes we checked the pump with direct power) So that cleaned up some of the wires on the top.

The old solenoid may have been bumped (crushed) in the battery system upgrade. But the fuel pump was and had been going for some time.

Thank you to C & C Marine of Marina Del Rey (over on Fiji Way )
The owner Karl sent over a technician (Scott) who showed up when appointment was set, knew what he was doing and had parts with him. Nice.

Now need to get that shut off pull worked out. Mounting will be a fun/interesting.

We are now looking forward to a full summer of Catalina cruising starting with the 4th of July Weekend.

Keith L,
Captain of the M/V Ramblin'

Marina Del Rey - County vs Public Use.

The Department of Beaches and Harbors and The County of Los Angeles is trying to Over Build and will mess up the Marina if we do not get involved. The Public will loose access! Those of you who care... I hope that includes a lot of you... We need to speak up. The County and Dpt of Beaches and Harbors is hoping that we do not.

Reprint... From Nancy Marino of "We Are Marina Del Rey"

Hi, All,

Attached is the sneak "end run" that the County pulled at the Coastal Commission on June 11. It was not agendized as a separate item, but was in the Deputy Director's oral report only (not in the written report attached to the agenda. The Deputy Director's report purportedly covers only "exemptions, waivers, emergency permits, immaterial amendments and extensions."

This proposal would fast-track seven projects (not 6, as the County claims) through the Coastal Commission WITHOUT doing the comprehensive LCP update the CCC recommends in the LCP Review.

It includes seven of the eight PUBLIC PARKING LOTS the County proposes to convert to private use:

Parcel GG (at Dock 72 on Fiji Way)

Parcel 49R (the Public Boat Launch Ramp)

Parcel 49M (next to the visitor center at Admiralty/Mindanao - entrance on Mindanao)

Parcel OT (next to the Oxford Basin on Admiralty Way near Palawan)

Parcel NR (across from Mothers' Beach on Palawan Way)

Parcel IR (at Mothers' Beach)

Parcel FF (at Via Marina/Marquesas Way)


This proposal is an egregious attempt to facilitate major land grab by large developers without any opportunity for public participation in the decision to CHANGE the LAND USE of the parcels, most of which are currently zoned for PUBLIC USE ONLY. It covers a majority of the twelve existing public parking lots. Our current LCP states emphatically that only a park or parking shall be allowed on an existing public parking lot.


Please note: this proposal includes a mega-project for the boat launch ramp and Chace Park expansion parcel (Parcels 49/77), which it claims is "in the pipeline" but has never been presented or described in public. It would more than double the amount of proposed NEW commercial/retail in the Marina, plus up to 26,000 sq. ft. of office space and 255 new residential units, located on the boater facilities that will be increasingly needed as the County continues to pursue the elimination of many hundreds of small boat slips from the Marina.


This is BAD PLANNING by the County.


This is NOT a public process regarding the basic decisions about land use.


Please join the call for a master plan NOW. Call 310.306.4275 to help us circulate the petition for a Marina del Rey Master Plan to your organization or around the community.


Together,
We ARE Marina del Rey,

Nancy

www.wearemdr.com

This is important for a lot of reasons. Not just the loss of the boat ramp and parking while going fishing on the Betty-O. Access to "Mothers Beach" for launching small boats and Kayaks etc. Wind will be cut off for the youth sailing programs. parking will be reduced in the area. Water views will be reduced. Traffic and health concerns for all of us and the animals in MDR.

Please check into it. Speak up!

Keith L.

Wishin' I was Fishin'

Maybe... gotta get the boat in shape for the 4th of July cruise to Catalina coming up fast. But after hearing that there are big fish biting and action is hot out there at the far end of my boat's range... Oh the agony of having to be hard at work.

Good news is I have work and a few Real Estate clients to work with. I even got offered a bigger slip at the club. Not a better one. Just bigger. E921 is a longer walk and a bigger 35' by 12'4" slip may be nice for docking but will it make things better by enough to justify the long walk and increased cost. I'll save the $ and use it to pay for fuel.

A parking place for a boat is a fun thing to talk about. Those who have this as a topic can get into it for way to long. Unless a proper drink is in your hand and then it is just the proper entertaining discussion while doing the more important thing of drinking.

Speaking of the more important thing... I want to go fishing!. Maybe Sunday.

Now must go back to paperwork so I can go play later.

Fish Wish - Nice water & weather for fishing on Sunday.

Keith <"><

My Online Life... and kids cell phones

First comes Chat Rooms, Blogging and MySpace.
Then add You-Tube, FaceBook, Linked-In and Twitter.
Are we at Overload Yet?

A few Bloggers have hit the money tree with lots of traffic and a few adverts converting to clicking customers. Mostly it is nice to have freedom or speech. I use one for family history. This is the one. Then I have two for business. La La Land and Westside Income Prop. None of my Blogs make money on advertising. I do receive a few leads from the Real Estate Blogs.

I have a MySpace page to keep an eye on my kids. I have a Twitter account so I can say I know what it is and how it works. I like FaceBook to do the combo of what MySpace and Twitter want to be.

I like that Conan O'Brian joke in his bit on The Tonight Show... "In The Year 3000!"

In the Year Three Thousand the web sites MySpace and Facebook and YouTube and Twitter will combine into one super time wasting web location now known as You-Twit-Face.

So, yeah, this stuff does suck a bit of time away from me. But I think it is fun. And in a way a Time Capsule of this day in my life. Hopping it does not bore you.

I'm confident Twitter will go by the wayside as it is not money producing in a meaningful way. And only the youth with Phone Texting Addiction can keep up with it. To what end? I do not think we need to know when the Tweeter is out for coffee or a yogurt or a smoothie. Overload of useless info. Then today I see RevTwt. A way to turn Twit into a ???

Speaking of Texting...

Both Thomas and Ryan have now lost their cell phones to the warm and bubbly waters of the new hot tub. Thomas is now almost 2 weeks with no cell phone. Ryan is on day three today. And School is about to let out. How will they adjust to not being able to Text and be able to call on Mom or Dad to do whatever at whenever???

When I was in 6th grade... A LONG TIME AGO. The home TV went out. (Yes we only had one back then. AND Yes it was color.) Mom decided not to have it repaired right away. This was a good thing for me. I got Out of the House. I made a new friend a bit further afield then normal. He turned out to be one of my Life Long Best Friends. (Matt G.) And on top of that we got out there and Did Stuff. We roved across wider areas and learned to do things.

Hopefully while Ryan and Thomas are without Cell Phones they will learn a new skill. Being timely and communicate with Mom and Dad before leaving the house? This would be a good thing. A good change from "I'll call you..." slam goes the door.

My thoughts and Ramblin' for today.

Sincerely,
Keith <">< - that is a fish.

PS feedback and comments on how long Ryan and Thomas will last with no cell?

Weekend

So I wanted to go fishing on Sunday. Not much was pulled up by the boats that did go out so I will not brow beat myself to much. Did spend time doing those Honey-Do items that had stacked up. Then went to watch the Lakers final game.

Down at the club we did install the new Dart Board. Steve Pokras, aka Alta builders - Cabinetry expert, did the backboard construction and together we did the installation on Saturday. Steve did a fabulous job. And the Cork backing he contributed make this look and function great.

On Saturday during the Lakers game half time we threw the first ceremonial dart at the new board. The Game Room is now back to being a Game Room at the DRYC.

Yeah! Bring your Darts and lets play.

2009 Penmar Angels

My son Thomas had his last game of this season in his Little League Baseball. They played better and better all season long. Thomas played Catcher and Third and Shortstop. We had fun.

I tried to be helpful with the team as a Batting Coach and gave encouragement. Then once in the playoffs I backed off some to let the boys just go after the ball. It helped some of the boys get much better at getting the bat on the ball. I was hopeful to get more hits. At the Brentwood game last Tuesday we won 6 to 1. It was our first playoff game.



PenMar Angels 2009

We played with the Penmar park team of the Angels. LA City Parks and Rec. did a good job of getting nice volunteer coaches and making sure all the boys had a chance to shine.

BTW Special shout out to all the umpires. "Thanks Blue!"

Winzer dog fell in the water at the docks today. LOL funny in a way. Luckily I had him in his life vest for the walk onto the docks so it was easy to retrieve him from the water The life vest is a great handle. He weighs 85 pounds dry.

I made an effort to not spook him and not get anxious or seem worried by the incident. It was different from the first time he went in were we got excited and may have spooked him about the water. This time I remained calm. Easy to do when he has that handle on the back. It was a big effort bot get him up but not to hard. Must remember to get low and left right.

Did not see the incident take place, so I do not know if he as chasing a fish or a bird or an oops occurred. Last I saw of him he was on the docks eagerly awaiting me to get off the boat and go. I turned around to get a few more things and when I got back on the dock he was in the water at the bow of the neighboring sailboat. Plenty of room to move about. But no way for him to climb out. Really no way for a man (or woman) to climb onto the docks for that matter. So it was good that I found him quickly. He was a little pumped up and animated in a good way once out.

Took him into the showers to wash off the salt water. Now have to keep him out of the house.

Just another day of fun stuff. Like this Blog for remembering the interesting parts.

Sunday out on the water with Carl

Had a very nice day of fishing with my brother on Sunday. Just the two of us which was a pleasant surprise. Hooked into a Thresher for a fun 15 min. I had to move to the bow and Carl followed the big brute for a bit. I got some nice action and a few big runs on the 14# test line. Would have taken a long time to bring this one to boat for a release. Maybe next time. Other fish were very scarce. No White Seabass, the target. Did find a spot to load up on Sand Dabs. Not much else biting (except the seals that mauled your bait)

We ran up to Point Dume and fished within sight of Carl's home for most of the day. They could see us out on the water from there. Called via Cell and waived hello. This was the first time Carl was on the Ramblin' out off the docks. Not the last but the first.



2009-05-31 Ramblin’

We stopped at the fuel docks and topped off. So she will be ready for the next trip to the islands. Soon I hope.

Keith -<"><