June - July 2006
June - July 2006 RidgeDancer Print
  1. Remembering John Van Meter
  2. President's Report
  3. Editor's Notes
  4. New BAPA Website Launched
  5. Meeting Minutes - June
  6. Meeting Minutes - July
Remembering John Van Meter
Written by Ann Sasaki   
Monday, 04 September 2006

John Van Meter launches on a good day at the Dump - photo by Andy Stocker

 Remembering John Van Meter 

Ann Sasaki 

I wanted to write a little about John Van Meter who taught many pilots to fly when he lived in the Bay Area and who extended friendship and welcome to those who visited once he moved to Tahoe.   John was always smiling and laughing and making sure that everyone was having fun and flying safely.  John loved to fly and he loved sharing that joy with others.  Beyond his life as a pilot, he was also a caring friend and an inspiration to many.

At John’s memorial service, held in the huge grassy meadow close to Slide, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate John’s life.  Friends recounted so many wonderful stories about John.  The minister who married John and Lori recalled that when he and John were kids in Carmichael, John persuaded him to get on a skateboard for the first time and ride down a steep hill.  Despite crashing at the bottom, the minister remembered that ride fondly as it embodied John’s love of adventure and excitement.  I think there were three people who said that John inspired them to quit their day jobs and become snowboard instructors. The folks from Alpine Meadows spoke fondly of working and playing with John.  Many people said that John showed them what was truly important in life.

A particularly notable speaker talked about how he would be hanging out at John’s house waiting for someone else to show up and John would say the nicest things about whomever was about to arrive.  This speaker said he learned from John how to look for the best in people. He said, “It’s not just us saying nice things about him, he used to always say the how wonderful his friends were.” 

One person said that John and Lori ran a “home for wayward boys” at their house in Soda Springs.  He said that he was very grateful for their hospitality and friendship when his life was at loose ends and he needed a place to stay.  I don’t think there was ever a person who met and got to know John who didn’t receive constant invitations to stay over or share a meal at John and Lori’s house. 

John was the quintessential teacher – his students recalled how he had carefully tutored them, always showing that he cared about their safety and always encouraging them and supporting them. 

Friends of John’s played guitar and sang songs that reflected upon his love of life and the joy he created.  During the service, the breeze blew softly at points and there was much love in the air.  We could feel that John was with us and that his spirit will live on with us.  Lori Van Meter said she knew that John would want her and all of us, to go forward and live joyful, meaningful lives.   

I think all who knew John would agree that our lives were enriched by knowing him and that we couldn’t possibly think of him and not end up smiling or laughing about some happy time we shared. 

As Dale Munsterman said, “Gentle winds, my friend.”

 

Well he's walking through the clouds..... - photo by Tom Bair

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 September 2006 )
 
President's Report
Written by Ann Sasaki   
Monday, 19 June 2006

President’s Report for June and July 2006 

Ann Sasaki 

Gary at the Dump - photo by Ann Sasaki
 

I hope that everyone has had a good summer. I hope you’re getting in some enjoyable flying as well as time for relaxing with folks you like.  I’m sorry that we haven’t produced the Ridge Dancer on the normal monthly schedule – we will try to get back on the regular schedule soon. 

If you haven’t already registered with BAPA, please do so as soon as possible.  Julie Spiegler sent out an email about two months ago asking that we all register online. Julie has moved the BAPA website to new software which allows greater functionality. 

Each member is now in charge of updating their own contact information and keeping it up-to-date.  This means that if you get a new email address or phone number, you simply log in on the www.sfbapa.org 
website and edit your own profile.  This will be much easier and more efficient for you and for the BAPA officers.

 

Members will also be able to submit Ridge Dancer articles and calendar items online via the website.  Items that are submitted will be reviewed by the RD Editor or the Activities Directors and then posted on the website. 

Julie’s goal is to have everyone registered on the new system ASAP.  If you haven’t already done so, please register on www.sfbapa.org  If you have any questions, please send them to Julie at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

If you have photos that you would like to submit for the BAPA 2007 calendar, please do so as soon as possible.  You can go to the www.sfbapa.org website to find the instructions and guidelines for submitting photos.  If you  want to see what has been submitted so far, go to the BAPA website and you will see a link to the photos.  There are some really outstanding photos! 

Scott Hooper and great clouds at the Dump - photo by Ann Sasaki
 

BAPA hats are still in the works.  Now that the new website is up, we will soon have a photo of the hats and some information on how to order one. 

I wish everyone a happy and safe remainder of the summer and great fall.  We participate in a wonderful sport that endlessly fascinates and challenges.  We also have the privilege of meeting some really amazing people through our sport which it seems is not at all a hobby but more a passion. 

Blue skies, soft breezes and smooth lift.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 September 2006 )
 
Editor's Notes
Written by Rich Hammer   
Monday, 19 June 2006

It has been a beautiful summer and seems promising for a wonderful fall as well! Sorry for the haitus of this publication...

Note that a vote was taken recently at the BAPA meeting and we will be moving to a bi-monthly publication of the RidgeDancer. Since this is the June-July Issue we will publish the August September issue at the end of this month.

Get high...stay safe!

 Rich

Last Updated ( Monday, 04 September 2006 )
 
New BAPA Website Launched
Written by Julie Spiegler   
Monday, 04 September 2006

As many of you have noticed, we finally launched our new sfbapa.org website.  We needed to move our website to a new hosting situation (now on Dreamhost, for those who care), and in the process we decided it was time to move it to a new content management system (converting it from Zope to Joomla, if that means anything to you :-).

The new system offers a lot of great features, including online calendar, classified ads, polls, forms, news items, rotating images and a member management system.  Over time we'll be incorporating even more features (such as discussion boards, for Loren ;-)

In the meantime, PLEASE be sure to go to the new site and register.  It's quick and easy.

There was no good way to convert the old spreadsheet to the new system, plus this gives everyone the opportunity to make sure your information is up-to-date.  Once we officially cut over to the new system, you will no longer get BAPA emails (such as the announcement about the RidgeDancer!) unless you have registered!
Here's how:

1.  Open your web browser and go to http://www.sfbapa.org

2 . Click on "Members Only" (at the very top), or "Register" in the Newsflash, or "Join BAPA" at the bottom right.

3. Fill out the online form with all your pertinent information.  The form has little icons for each field, telling you which information we definitely need, and whether the information will be available to other members, or available only to officers.  Remember - NO BAPA membership information is shared with anyone outside BAPA - we only want to connect members with other members.

4.  Hopefully you are a current BAPA member (meaning you have paid your dues this year).  If so, just check the box indicating you have already paid.  If you are NOT current, you can click the link to specify your payment information (PayPal preferred).  Either way, your registration will not be completed until we have a record of your dues payment for 2006.

5.  Click the "Submit Registration" button.  You will then get an email message to the email address you specified, confirming the status of your registration.  You will NOT be able to log in to the Members Only area right away - you need to give us a day or two (possibly a little longer, if there is a flu epidemic or flying trip :-) to confirm your payment information and/or membership status and approve your registration.

6.  Once your payment/membership status has been confirmed, you will get _another_ email address that lets you know everything is in order and you can now access the Members Only area.  This also confirms you have been added to the announcement list of official club email notices.

If you haven't already done your Registration with the new system, please do so Right Now.  We're waiting for you before shutting down the old system.  If you're all set - thanks!  And have fun trying out some of the new features.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 September 2006 )
 
Meeting Minutes - June
Written by Alex Koorkoff   
Monday, 04 September 2006
Officers in attendance

Ann, Rolf, Tom, Atta and Alex 

The meeting was called to order by Ann Sasaki at 7:30. 

Total 13 members attended, of which 4 were BAPA officers.

No new members attending this meeting.

Officer reports.

Tom Moock – Site Director

  • Encouraged all BAPA members who also fly Ed Levin to join WOR.
  • Discussed the Tam incident where a failed base jump from a tandem paraglider resulted in the volunteer Fire Department being called to rescue the jumper from a swamp. At this point we know the incident involved visiting pilots who flew without getting a site intro and without signing-in. Site Administrator Wally Anderson has spoken to the Fire Department and the State Park Rangers to assure them that the pilots involved were not local pilots and that BAPA is making efforts to keep the site open and prevent incidents.
  • Discussion of Dunlap campground management issue. Tom to further investigate the matter and pursue resolution with the campground staff.
 

Atta Pilram – Treasurer

  • Atta reported that BAPA currently stands at 148 members, of which 2 joined this month.
 

Ann Sasaki – President

  • New BAPA hats will be manufactured inat least two colors – navy and khaki, although possibly one more color will be available as well.
  • Julie will put all the information on the web. The price will be $15 or less.
  • July meeting will be pushed back by one week to July 12th since many members will be traveling for the July 4th weekend.
  • Gregg’s “Potato Hill Patriotic Flying” is happening on June 24-25th.
  • Craig Gamma will present a first-aid class some time when the flying season winds down. Exact date will be announced later.

 

Old Business

  • NONE THIS MONTH.
 

New Business

  • Paperwork for the incorporation need to be approved
  • Motion to approve $35 for tax ID paperwork – PASSED.
  • Wayne volunteered to create a site where members can submit photos for the BAPA 2007 calendar.
  • Duscussion on whether out of country photos are allowed for submission (no final decision made)
 
 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.

Last Updated ( Monday, 04 September 2006 )
 
Meeting Minutes - July
Written by Tim Sirianni   
Monday, 19 June 2006

SFBAPA Meeting Minutes, 7/12/2006 

New Faces / Old Friends 

There were 3 new faces at the meeting: 

    o  Juan Ramos, visiting from San Diego.   He's a P3 pilot in town for a month and a new member. 

    o  Sam Jonaini.  GA pilot and skydiver from San Jose. Interested in getting started in PG. 

    o  Ricardo Salinas, P2 trained by Wally. 

 And one old friend: 

    o  Jerry Destremps, P3.  Flys a yellow FreeX Arcane. 

Officer Reports 

Tom Moock, Site Director, 

Road to to Tollhouse needs 4wd vehicle, nothing less.

Sequoia Highlands Campground at Dunlap

Tom's not spoken with the management of the campground recently.   The new price structure ($20/person/night) now favors renting cabins ($70/night) instead.  

Wally Anderson, Safety Director, 

There have been four blowbacks at Mussel Rock in the last four weeks!  It seems like those who are getting blown back are not usually from the local area and are apparently not informed of the danger to themselves, the public, and our flying site.

We have been lucky that the recent events have all been injury-and damage-free, but that will not  continue.  We should try to spread the word that the site is endangered because of the number of blowbacks.

Possible methods include: 

     o  More signs including graphics at the site with information on the primary hazards:  water, wind gradient, power lines, garage doors. This may be a problem because of the political climate with the city.  We may not get permission to post signs, and doing so may aggravate the situation. 

     o  "I've had a site intro" helmet stickers.  Part of a packet of information and goodies.   This would give local pilots a way to identify visitors and an easier way to start to talk with them. 

     o  Instructors (local and regional) could be contacted and asked to mention the issue with their students. 

     o  Likewise, regional clubs could be contacted. 

     o  USHPA magazine letter-to-the-editor. 

     o  E-mail / listserve / forum postings. 

Ann Sasaki, Jerry Destremps, Tim Kuenster, Tim Sirianni and Wally Anderson to form a committee to come up with an action plan to get the word out. 

John Van Meter and passenger Travis Kolvet died July 8, 2006 at Slide.  Ann passed a card which she will send to John's wife.

Online donations are possible at John's wingtrip.com web site.

It is not clear what caused the accident. Various lessons could be learned, depending on what went wrong.  Please be careful. 

Atta Pilram, Treasurer, 

We are now incorporated as a para-mutual organization.  Non-profit status with the IRS has been applied for.  The costs were less than expected - about $400 this year, and around $45 every two years in the future.  Renewal must be accomplished yearly in October.  The bylaws must be updated to remove the requirement that SFBAPA's newsletter be distributed to members as hard-copy.

There are 3 or 4 new members this month, 150 total in July.

 We have $5021 in the bank. 

Old Business 

None 

New Business 

Sonoma wings has a fly-in at Potato for both HG and PG July 21-23.  Events with both types of USHPA members are a good chance to intermingle.

Motion by Wally Anderson to donate $200 to Jon's memorial fund was passed unanimously. (Editor's note - personal contributions increased the amount to $300.)

Be sure to re-register yourself at the new-and-improved sfbapa.org web site.  Everyone must re-register due to site redesign.

An REI down camping pillow was awarded in a raffle. 

Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56. 

Post-meeting entertainment

Chip Sheppard's trip to Bir, India in November, 2005 was featured in an A/V presentation.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 September 2006 )
 
 
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