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Sun Harbor Marina Minute
 Well, we had a splash of sunshine at the marina in the beginning of July, but our stubborn marine layer is not giving up without a fight.
We're not complaining though, because the waterfront and beaches are the only place to escape from the heat that starts a few miles inland and extends all the way to the East Coast.
Tenant of the Month
Our appreciation goes to the Brown’s this month for being great boater neighbors and going above and beyond the call of duty while helping Todd Conant out as he began his recuperation of his badly broken leg.
Don't Miss Sun Harbor Marina's Potato Potluck!
August 19th is National Potato Day! SHM is hosting a potluck!
 Bring your potato masterpiece for stick-to-your-ribs dinner and time with your neighbors. 6:00 p.m. in the rec room. Sign up in the office, call or email.
Potato soup. . .potato salad. . .potato pancakes. . .mashed potatoes. . .baked potatoes. . .potatoes au gratin. . . tater tots. . .twice baked. . .mmmmmmmmm!
Some Other Holidays in August
We talked about National Potato Day, but don't forget that August has some other very interesting holiday observances:
- Elvis Week (2nd week in August)
- Friendship Day (1st Sunday in August)
- Twins Day (August 4th)
- International Left Handers Day (August 13th)
- Archaeology Day (August 17th)
Black Jellyfish in America's Cup Harbor
Many of you discovered jellyfish swimming around your boats recently. There were numerous daily sightings here at the marina.
 Since the 1900s, the black sea nettle, whose scientific name is Chrysaora, has only visited the area four times.
The invertebrates, long-tentacled giants, can measure 3 feet across with tentacles sometimes three times that length. The translucent creatures, also known as Poralia, are larger than most jelly species. They are commonly called black jellyfish because they appear so from a distance (though they are actually dark purple, red and brown).
Most jellies seen off Southern California's coast are light blue or clear. (You can see pictures taken by Steve Bouscaren on the Sun Harbor Marina Facebook Page). 
Volunteers Wanted For Operation Clean Sweep 2010
 The San Diego Port Tenants Association will hold the 20th annual Operation Clean Sweep on Saturday August 28th.
Clean up sites will include the A-8 Anchorage, Barrio Logan, Ceasar Chavez Park, Chollas Creek, Chollas Creek Marsh, 24th Street Marine Terminal and Pepper Park.
Sun Harbor is looking for clean-minded volunteers to form a group of clean sweepers for the event. If you are interested in volunteering, come in to sign up, or let Allie or Kathy know. For more information about Operation Clean Sweep, please Click Here.
About Underwater & Topside Services for Your Boat
(Reprinted from U.C. Davis article)
Here's a great set of guidelines to follow when deciding on underwater and topside services courtesy of U.C. Davis.
Selecting a Service Provider:
Ask your boat maintenance services to follow marina requirements and use best management practices (BMPs) to avoid damaging boats or releasing pollutants into marina waters.
Ask your marina manager or harbor master for a list of service providers. Some marinas may not be able to provide business referrals.
Hire a professional: Ask to see the service's current business license & liability insurance. Some maintenance services may belong to a professional association that uses BMP's.
Help the Environment, Help Your Budget With the New Ionator Home Use Model!
Every year, Americans pour a total of 5,280 tons of cleaning chemicals down drains. One out of every three of those products is harmful to humans, animals and plant life. Using the Ionator will result in significant environmental benefits over the impacts associated with using traditional cleaning chemicals. We consider this the greenest American-made product on the market today.
The Ionator is an easy-to-use, on demand cleaner that converts tap water into ionized water - a powerful dirt-removing, bacteria-killing agent that may be used for:
- Daily use household cleaning and sanitizing
- Multiple surfaces such as Glass, stainless steel, natural stones, carpets and fibers, etc.
- Kills 99.9% of bacteria
The Ionator Home Use Model (and the Ionator EXP for commercial/industrial use) was developed from advanced technology that was previously unavailable for everyday use and typically cost several thousand dollars. Both these units are a portable on-demand cleaning and sanitizing technology available to everyone.
The Home Use model is available for $169.00 (plus tax and shipping) and includes a two-year warranty….and will not only help the environment, but will also contribute to your overall savings as it replaces cleaners such as all purpose, glass, stainless steel, chrome and carpet spotters!
For more information or to order a unit, please contact Sierra Natural Cleaners at 619-338-0736.
That's it for now - See you at the marina!
Kathy OBrien - Sun Harbor Marina
kathy@sun-harbor.com
Young Anglers' Tournament - Saturday, July 31st
Young anglers ages 6 through 15 are invited to compete in the free 8th Annual Young Anglers' Tournament this summer at the Shelter Island Pier.
The pier is located at 1776 Shelter Island Drive. This saltwater event is sponsored by the International Game Fish Association, the San Diego Sportfishing Council and the Port of San Diego
The tournament features a points system to allow for catch and release. Winners, one in each age category from 6 to 15, will be determined by adding up points for various fish caught. The angler with the most points overall will be recognized on the tournament's perpetual trophy.
IGFA representatives and volunteers from the United Pier and Shore Anglers Club and will be on hand to assist young anglers and to tally points.
Young anglers in the competition are encouraged to bring their own gear, although a limited number of loaner rods will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Small quantities of bait will be provided each angler while supplies last.
For more information, call the San Diego Sportfishing Council at 619-234-8793 or log onto their web site at www.sportfishing.org.
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Avalon Sports Some New Developments
- By Richard Benscoter
If you're a regular reader of my column, you know I have a real soft spot for Catalina Island.
 Each time I go to the many destinations the Island provides, from the city of Avalon to the peace and quiet of Emerald Bay or the seclusion of Little Harbor, all are memory makers, and each trip adds another chapter to my memories.
This year was no exception. As the last week of May approached, my wife and I left our slip in San Diego At 4:30 a.m. with coffee in hand and a last check of the weather, and once again, we dropped our lines and set out for Avalon. Fourteen hours later we picked up our mooring. This particular trip was atypical with no wind, no seas, no current, and one whale and a single pod of dolphins.
The Manly Game of Docking
- By Capt. Debra Marks
What's your score? Did you win or lose? How fast did you go? How many miles did you cover? How high? How long? How many? How much? In what place did you finish?
 I was thinking about why docking a boat is so frustrating for people - especially men.
There are so many misconceptions imbedded in their psyches: "It's like parking a car", "Look, there are thousands of boats in this harbor, and their owners all apparently have no problems docking them", "As a male, I should just be able to do it", "My broker told me it was easy". Right - and Wall Street is always looking out for the little guy's best interests. All erroneous thinking.
Can anyone just jump into the cockpit of a plane with minimal instruction take off and land it? Just as many aspects of boating are challenging. That's what makes it challenging - but also rewarding when you master it!!!
How to Deal With a Smelly Boat?
- By Jay Bernstein
It's always this time of year as the temperature begins to rise that the nose can be assaulted by some of the most offensive odors ever to come from aboard a boat.
 Now you may be forced to come to terms with the idea that your interior maintenance strategy may still need some tweaking. A lot of people like to just air out their boat, throw out a few insults at the poor boat, and repeat the process next time.
If you are tired of this repetitive never ending cycle, there are some simple steps you can take to combat the most common smells coming from holding tanks, heads, humidity, and bilges.
The only boat scenario more feared and hated than working a blackwater system is having to contend with the leaking juices of an over full blackwater system. To have a smell however, the system doesn't need to be anywhere near full.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Tip of the Month: Disposing of Outdated Flares
- By Bob Simons
Everyone will give you the instructions of what not to do with them, but so far, no one has given a definitive answer as to what to do with your old outdated flares.
 I contacted the San Diego Fire Department, and apparently their local firehouses have been directed to take flares from individuals when they are dropped off. The Station I talked to was on Catalina Blvd. at the top Canon Street in Point Loma.
This is a stopgap solution because many individuals probably will not go out of their way to properly dispose of hand-held and aerial flares. I have an appointment next week with the Harbor Department to see if receptacles similar to those for "Hot Ashes" in many areas might be installed to accept flares and such.
In the meantime, if you take your old flares to a fire station and they do not accept them, please get the name of the individual, date/time and the Station number so I can follow-up. This is a very serious situation for all of us and we must have a positive solution.
 Editor's Note: Bob Simons has been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years and owns a small sailboat as well as a small powerboat. He teaches classes in Boating Safety & Seamanship as well as Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation. You can call him at 619-743-3095 or send an e-mail to Bob at bobsimons@BlueSkyNews.com.
Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day -
July 21st
 It's the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, though most patrons prefer to refer to it as "where the turf meets the surf."
Since its inception in 1937, Del Mar has always been more about the atmosphere than the action. Co-founder Bing Crosby saw to that and invited many of his cronies including the likes of Jimmy Durante, W.C. Fields and even Marilyn Monroe.
Comic-Con International - July 22 - 25
 Costumed characters, comic lovers and sci-fi aficionados converge on the San Diego Convention Center for this wildly popular international fan fest.
While most boaters are not likely to attend this convention, we highly recommend having some fish and chips and a brew at the Tinfish Restaurant downtown at lunch time during the event, and watch the characters go by. Don't forget the camera; you might get your photo taken with Wonder Woman or Captain Kirk.
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