As I write my final Commodore's article, I am really excited for the future of WSA-OC. We were lucky enough at our November meeting to elect an awesome roster of Flag Officers with Risa Scott serving as our 2017 Commodore and Melanie Green and Karen Pacella serving as Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore respectively. With these dynamic women at the helm, we are in great shape for at least the next three years!

I am also feeling really energized after a recent all day WSA-OC strategy meeting with the incoming board. Our membership is in for another great year with plans on the horizon for Catalina trips, fun programs, community service projects and our very first WSA regatta! If you haven't already joined or renewed. Be sure to do it now!

It has been such an honor to serve as Commodore for the past two years. When I began looking for a women's sailing organization to join in late 2014, I had NO idea it would lead to the rebirth of WORSA into what has evolved into our wonderful WSA-OC organization. Thank you to so many of you who helped walk me thr

ough the early days and stepped up in so many ways along the way to offer advice,

donate your boat, volunteer to lead a

meeting and, most of all, be open to new

friendships with  sailing friends in our wonderful community.

Finally, a big thanks to board member Kathleen Brown for the wonderful look back at 2016 she produced for our holiday party. I encourage all of you to take a few minutes to watch and feel proud about all we have accomplished this year! Click on image to play video.

Happy Holidays to all of you!  --  Valerie

CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR!

Please join us on January 3rd for our first meeting of the new year as we kick off 2017 with our Officer Installation celebration!  

Meetings are open to all members, their guests and any member of the public interested in learning more about WSA-OC. Guests may attend up to two meetings as non-members to learn about our group.

	Aventura really set the scene for a festive holiday party.  Photo: Chuck Hutchings

One of the other fun parts of the event was our holiday gift drive benefitting Laura's House, which provides shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. Our members came through BIG TIME with piles of toys, clothing, blankets, slippers and robes to make the holidays a little brighter for the women and children served by Laura's House. WSA-OC members also generously participated in our holiday silent auction which raised over $1,000 with a portion of the proceeds going to our 2017 on-the-water event with Laura's House.

The first order of business at our November was electing the WSA-OC Board of Directors for 2017. As no office had opposition, current Commodore, Valerie Rhodes proposed the membership vote via acclimation. The members in attendance approved the slate with no dissenting votes voiced. The 2017 WSA-OC Board of Directors will be: Commodore, Risa Scott; Vice Commodore, Melanie Green; Rear Commodore, Karen Pacella; Secretary, Brenda Highley; Treasurer, Wayne Wallace; Membership Director, Cheryl Case; Directors, Kathleen Brown and Gabi Schwaiger and Junior Staff Commodore, Valerie Rhodes. 

Don't mess with Chef Rose when she's sharpening her knives ;) Photo: TGallucci

After the business portion of the meeting concluded, Program Director Melanie Green introduced the evening's speaker, chef and sailor, Patricia Rose. During Chef Rose's cooking demonstration,  Cuisine at Sea, we were whisked away to Tahiti as her slideshow from her 2015 trip, during  which she was the onboard chef, played in the background. The Lemongrass Crusted Tuna with Cucumber Salsa and Peanut Sauce dish she prepared for us came about during this trip to Tahiti and the Green Bean, Potato, Tomato and Pesto Salad was inspired for a trip to Catalina. They are simple recipes that are perfect for a boat, as most of her recipes are. She has many more available on her website, which are often accompanied by interesting stories and photos. 

	Green Bean, Potato, Tomato and Peanut Sauce salad. Photo: TGallucci

She also gave some kitchen tips and hacks that we can all use:

~ Always sharpen your knife before you start

~ Use a manual food processor on the boat

~ When zesting citrus, use only the color

~ Use a spoon to remove the skin from ginger 

~ When cutting: elbows out, fingers in

The photos and words don't describe the wonderful aromatic experience from the fresh lemongrass and basil being chopped up and the tuna being seared, that those in attendance got to experience. However, the best way to relive the experience or enjoy it for the first time, will be to make the recipes yourself! 

 

WSA-OC events* have been tentatively planned for all of 2017. More details will be added as planning continues throughout the year. For more information, view our  All Events page on the website where you will be able to read more detail about each event, as well as additional events that aren't listed below. As each event gets closer, more details will be provided via the various WSA-OC online outlets and this space. 

  

*Subject to change

**Affiliate event