Newsletter 11-29-98

Hello everyone,

Well, we have been hard at work this fall with our website, which will continue to go through changes in the next few weeks. Some of the things we are working on are a complete guide to sailing in the Gorge.   We added a free classified section to our website which has been getting quite a bit of use. This is self-submitting system open to anyone: a great place to put a Lost and Found, for sale, for rent ad, or whatever. Here is a bit of local Hood River news that you might like to read.

The hot topic in Hood River lately is the casino proposed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. I have never seen the community of Hood River work together as they are on this issue. People are coming out of the woodwork to oppose this proposal. We still have a long way to go, but I am hopeful that we can stop this huge gambling casino from coming into Hood River. The Hood River County Commission came out against the proposal. They now plan on doing a survey of voters in the county to determine their views.
Hood River City Councilors also came out against the Casino. Although the tribe doesn't need approval from local government, the votes against the casino does send a message to the Warm Springs Tribe, Governor Kitzhaber, and Bruce Babbitt, that we don't want a casino in Hood River. Those three entities
will ultimately decide whether Hood River will become the gambling center of the Gorge.

Another issue that is still on the Hood River political table is Lot #6, on the Hood River Waterfront. Lot #6, as it is usually referred to now, is the bare land just to the West of the Luhr Jensen building (which is beside the Event Site). The future of this land has been an ongoing battle between those who want to
build more buildings down there (it is presently zoned Light Industrial, as was the Event Site), and those who believe it should be a park. After five years of meetings, lawyers, consultants, and more meetings, there is now another appointed group of people to work with the public, the Port, and the City, to resolve things. At the latest meeting, three plans were proposed, with the third one favored (the one with the most park land) by this commitee. This is by no means a done deal and I expect the Lot #6 argument to continue for years to come.

Mount Hood Meadows is now open for the Winter, and already has a good coverage of snow. With their new High Speed Quad chairlift replacing Shooting Star, Meadows is really becoming a destination spot for the Northwest. Many Hood River Hotels have joined with Mt. Hood Meadows in offering special
"package" deals.

I Hope all of you have a great winter.

sincerely, Brian Carlstrom

Newsletter 8-15-98

Hello Everyone,
The Wind Women Event hosted by Windance Sailboards on August 1st was a huge success. There were over 60 women in attendance. The evening started with an incredible "pot-luck style dinner", it was a gourmet feast!
We heard from 6 different speakers. Joan Chase , a veteran windsurfer who has been in the sport for 20 years talked about her experiences over the years as an avid participant in many competitions. Then we heard some great stories from 18 year old Cecily Kitts, who has been spending the past two winters on Maui sailing in the waves. We then got some great tips on the simulator from Holly Tencer, a current instructor for Rhonda Smith and an employee at Windance Sailboards. Jane Parker, a Gorge Pioneer, then went on to show how to master a jibe. Next up was Erin Calmes, who just won the 1998 Gorge Games Freestyle event. She was very inspirational. Last to speak and entertain was Layne Ortlieb. She had all the women in stitches laughing and psyched everyone up for going for big air out in the swells.
The evening ended with a raffle where many companies donated great prizes. Thanks to Windance, Ezzy, Windsurifng Hawaii, NSI, DaKine, Visual Speed, Powerex, HiFly, Chinook, and Rainbow Fins for their donations.
Thanks to all who were able to attend,
Lorraine Carlstrom

Newsletter 7-27-98

Hi Sailors,
This year has been epic, and will go down in the record books. I hope everyone has had a chance to get out and use their small sails. With all the tired bodies out there, I thought I would let you know about some upcoming "kicked back" events in Hood River that can be enjoyed after a great day of sailing. Some of these events are The Wind Women event here at Windance, the Hood River County Fair, and the Families in the park concert series. All of these are explained in more detail below.
First of all, I would like to tell all the women out there about an event here at Windance:
WINDANCE SAILBOARDS and WIND WOMEN are joining together to put on a fun, free and educational event on Saturday , August 1st at 6:00 P.M. on the Windance Lawn. Just bring a dish to share for the potluck and get ready to have fun. "I just want to see a wide range of women windsurfers from beginner to Pro, from young to young at heart, to get together and share in their experiences." says Lorraine Carlstrom of Windance. Expect a potluck style dinner and then some windsurfing tips from some of the Gorge’s best women boardsailors. We also have many prizes to give away in a free raffle (donated by local companies). If you have any interest in windsurfing we would love to see you. Call Windance at 386-2131 for more information.
And don't forget the HOOD RIVER COUNTY FAIR: from July 29th-August 1st, at the Hood River County Fairgrounds. Call 386-2865 for more info.

THURSDAY CONCERT SERIES
A great event that many of you may not know about is the "FAMILIES IN THE PARK" series. Now the name is a little misleading, as it is open to everyone, not just families. Here is the schedule of events for this year (each Thursday in August):
The location is Jackson Park - 13th and May Streets.
Thursday,August 6th: The Bob Miller Band - 60's and 70's music
Thursday,August 13th: Mo Dixon - Pop, rhythm and blues
Thursday,August 20th: Etoufee - Cajun, zydeco music
Thursday,August 27th: R'n'R Country - Country Western
And it is FREE! A fundraising BBQ precedes each event at 6:00 and the music starts around 7PM. You should bring your own seating (blanket or beach chair). For more information, contact: Hood River Community Educ. (541) 386-2055.
Well, I hope you find this information of value.
Take Care, Brian

Newsletter 6-18-98

Hi Sailors,
Here is a Newsletter from Windance. The Last Windance Swap Meet of 1998 is this Sunday, June 21st (Father's Day). The Swap meet starts at 8:00 AM for buyers, and if you want to sell stuff, you should be there around 7:00 AM. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate with us this weekend, so I hope to see you all in the Gorge! To make sure things run smoothly during the Swap Meet (so we can continue having them), please follow these guidelines:
1. Park legally and courteously
2. Remember that Hwy. 35 is a Highway, not a walkway, and please don't back onto it.
3. Obey signs, especially the ones I post around the area.
4. Please keep your dog on a leash (or at home), and bring your scooper.
5. Please don't park on the overpass, you will be towed.

CONVENIENT SWAP MEET PARKING!!
Please park in the parking area just below Windance, and walk up the new pathway to the Swap Meet. As you are driving there, you may think the walk will be long, but it is really close, I promise. From the Tum A Lum/China Gorge intersection, drive North, past Windance. Turn right on Dock Rd, stay on this road as it goes to the Hood River, and then under the railroad bridge (follow signs). You can park in this area, and walk up the new trail to the Swap Meet. If you decide to park under the overpass by Windance, please don't walk across the railroad tracks. There will be some railroad security personnel down there, so you can walk back up on the overpass.

DOGS IN THE GORGE
Most of us like dogs, but there are some important rules that need to be followed at the Gorge and specifically at the following sites. Some of these rules are laws, some are courteous hints, and some if we don't follow them, may jeopardize windsurfing at some sites altogether.

DOGS AT DOUGS
Must be on 6' leash.
Bring and use scooper

DOGS AT ROOSEVELT
Must be on 6' leash.
Bring and use scooper

DOGS AT THE HATCHERY
NO DOGS ALLOWED AT ALL, ANYWHERE AT THE HATCHERY INCLUDING THE POINT, AND PARKING AREA.
For a little background on this matter. Some of you may remember the season's pass system that was set up a few years ago to pay for someone to monitor things at the Hatchery. This was done away with, but the issues that brought it about still exist.
The "Hatchery" is a National Fish Hatchery, with people working there everyday to hatch salmon. It is not a windsurfing park (or a park at all!). Some of you may remember that the hatchery used to be off limits to sailing altogether, and has come very close to being shut down to sailing many times! The people who run the Fish Hatchery have set up some rules of their own. These are not laws, these are their rules, and they are not that restrictive of rules. Here are the main ones, and they are also posted on a sign provided by the CGWA.

1. NO DOGS AT THE HATCHERY
2. NO STOPPING ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY IF A FISH TRUCK IS COMING THROUGH
3. NO LITTERING
4. NO CAMPING

The Hatchery is one of my favorite places to sail, and I really don't want to have access further jeopardized by a few people who can't follow the simple rules set up by the folks who work at the Hatchery. They aren't asking for much, and we do get a lot in return, so let's work together to police ourselves, and our friends; then we will have a better chance of keeping this great windsurfing location open. Ponder this question for a minute: What is more important to a Federal Fish Hatchery
1. Salmon
2. Windsurfing
Let's not force them to make this decision.

Sincerely Brian Carlstrom

Newsletter 6-12-98

Hi everyone,
As you may remember from last year, we periodically send out information regarding windsurfing and related issues in the Gorge to our customers. We haven't, nor will we sell or give our list of people to other entities to use, and we won't be bombarding you with junk mail, only periodic notices (about 10 per year) that we feel you may want to keep abreast on. We have done this in the past, but have had some of our employees accidentally put the whole list of names in the cc, rather than the bcc field, and resulting in an embarrassing blast of names. I want to eliminate that possibility, so we are setting up a mail list server. This system will also allow you to remove your name from the list easily, or of course, we can. If you have any comments regarding this, please let me know at windance@windance.com.

Sincerely, Brian Carlstrom