OCTOBER...   and Beyond

                                                        - By Dave Schneider, Vice President, Calendar

        Phone numbers of event coordinators are not posted to ensure privacy.  If you are a Club member please consult your Buddy List for the number you need.  If you do not have a copy of the Buddy List one will be available for you at the next General Meeting.

        Just a quick reminder.. The Calendar exists for the information of all our members.  Should you see an event that is of interest to you please contact the Coordinator directly.  You can sign-up for the event's) of your choice at any time of the month. The Coordinator will be more than pleased to place your name on the list and tell you where to mail payment.

HELP MAKE YOUR CLUB BETTER ! ....  We need more people to step up and run events.  If you are interested in coordinating a dive.. a trip.. a dinner or any other type of event please contact an E-Board member. Any member of the Board will be more than happy to assist you.

September 20:  Boat Change 1:00 PM Show  1:30 PM Go (Saturday) Join Dave and Elaine Schneider for an afternoon aboard the Lady-Go-Diver  out of Deerfield Beach.  We're planning on diving the Sea Emperor and a reef so bring your lobster gear and join the fun. A dinner afterwards is always a great way to end the day.  Cost will be $55.00, tax and tip included.  Call Dave for more details or go to www.dixiedivers.com. 

September 26-28:  Date Change  Annual Bahamas Weekend  Flushed with success from their Keys Weekend, Jeff and Ginny are back with a special weekend of fun and diving in the Bahamas.  We'll be cruising to Grand Bahama aboard Carnival Cruise Lines.  Luxury accommodations have been secured at Pelican Bay resort.  Saturday will feature two morning dives and two afternoon dives.  There will be two more dives Sunday morning.  As an extra treat one of the dives will be a shark dive.  All this for the bargain price of $450.00.  

October 1:   General Meeting  7:30 PM (Sharp!)   Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club We're back at one of our favorite locations and this promises to be a great meeting, so be sure to join us. Directions elsewhere on the website.

October 6:  SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30.  Everybody welcome.  We hope you will come and join us

October 8:  1:30 PM Show 2:00 Go (Wednesday) "Over-the-Hill & Off-the-Stern"  It's been awhile since the old folks have had a weekday dive, so we invite all those who can to join us on the Lady-Go-Diver out of Deerfield Beach.  Never crowded, always fun and only $55.00, tax and tip included.  Call Dave Schneider for more details or go to www.dixiedivers.com.

October 15: 7:30pm, Dinner at Large,  Join Capt. Chris for an OctoberFeast at Old Heidelburg Restaurant. Enjoy all your German and Bavarian Favorites...OOOMPA PA. Click Here for More Info and Menu. Sign up at the Oct. Meeting or call Capt. Chris for more details. 

October 17 - 19:  Penne-Camp Weekend  The Spring camping weekend was so successful that we're gonna do it again, this time at John Pennekamp State Park.  There will be room for tents only.  This location will allow us to dive the park, explore Key Largo or just kick back and enjoy the good life.  Cost will be about $15.00 per person for the tent site.  Amusing yourselves, extra.   Call Dave Schneider for more details.

October 25:  Boat Change  1:00 PM Show  1:30 PM Go (Saturday)  If you haven't been on the Starfish Enterprise in awhile this is your chance! Join Dave and Elaine Schneider for an afternoon of fun and "adventure". The boat leaves from Lantana and returns to port right behind the Old Key Lime House so dinner is a distinct possibility.  Cost is $55.00, tax and tip included.  Call Dave for more info or go to www.idivestarfish.com 

October 31:  Halloween

November 1:  Bowling Night With the Stars  (Saturday)  What "stars" you might ask, but that would just be cynical.  Joe G is leading us to Sparez, 5325 S. University Drive, Davie.  Get to the lanes around 6:30, the bowling begins around 7:00.  Joe plans to form "teams" this time and give out some classy prizes. Food, soft drinks, tip and shoes all for $24.00. Such a deal!  Give him a call for more details.  Or,go to www.sparezbowling.com.

November 4:  Election day 

November 5:   General Meeting  7:30 PM (Sharp!)   Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club We look forward to a great turn-out for the next to last meeting of the year. Directions elsewhere on the website.

November 8:  Date Change  Marine Mammal Conservancy - Key Largo (Saturday)  Adele Nicholson has arranged for us to join with the staff of the MMC for an afternoon of training in the basic handling, evaluation and transport of marine mammals.  The session is 4 hours and will cost $5.00, training manual included.  After, we can all enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  As an added after dinner feature, those "with the stomach for it" can visit MMC's Haunted House for an additional $5.00 contribution.  Further donations to the Conservancy are encouraged.  Call Adelle for more information or go to www.marinemammalconservancy.org to learn more about MMC.

November 10:  SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30.  Everybody welcome.  We hope you will come and join us

November 11:  Veterans Day

November 13:  1:30 PM Show 2:00 Go (Thursday) "Over-the-Hill & Off-the-Stern"  What a great excuse to call in sick or just tell the boss that you're taking a "personal" day.. an afternoon of diving off the Starfish Enterprise" out of Lantana.  Great weather, calm seas and lobsters aplenty, all for $55.00, tax and tip included.  Dave Schneider has the details or go to www.idivestarfish.com. 

November 15:  Slate's Three Tank Dive Day  This is the reschedule date for this dive.  Time and other details have not been finalized yet but we will be bringing 3 tanks to do 4 dives out of Key Largo.  We pick the spots so your input is requested.  Details at the September meeting or give Dave Schneider a call

November 15th:  Pete's Golf Scramble  7:30AM Show 8:00AM Go  Join Pete Stephinson and his golfing friends for their annual Fall Scramble at Boca Dunes Golf and Country Club. This event is designed so that golfers of all abilities have a fun day. The $55 fee includes golf, cart, trophies & prizes, buffet lunch including beer and sodas. If you are interested in participating, you are invited to play a round with us before the event to establish your "handicap. See Pete for details or go to www.nuestro-portal.com:8080/unisysgolf. 

November 19:  Dinner-at-Large  Joe and Julie are taking us to the subcontinent for some exotic fare at the Royal India, 3801 Griffin Road, Dania Beach. Those who have been there before can attest to the quality, so you will want to be there when they ring the dinner bell at 7:30. Sari optional.

November 23:  Julie's Jewelry Exponanza! (Sunday)  What a fun way to make some extra cash selling off your old and unwanted baubles.  Gold is pretty much at an all-time high so gather them goodies and trek to Julie's place for a evening of laughs and profit. The fun will begin at 5:00 PM.  Julie will have more details and directions at the September meeting. 

November 27:  Thanksgiving

December 3:   General Meeting  7:30 PM (Sharp!)   Lauderdale Isles Yacht and Tennis Club We look forward to a great turn-out for the last meeting of the year. This meeting will feature the election of officers to the E-Board for next year. Directions elsewhere on the website.

December 7:  Jazz Brunch (Sunday)  Steve Oller is making the arrangements for this event, held the first Sunday of every month at Riverwalk in beautiful downtown Fort Lauderdale.  Details forthcoming but for a preview go to www.ci.ftlaud.us/events/jazzbrunch/jazzbrunch.htm. 

December 8:  SFDI Executive Board Meeting at Connections for Business, 2843 Pembroke Road, NE corner of I-95 and Pembroke Road.  The meeting starts promptly at 7:30.  Everybody welcome.  We hope you will come and join us

December 13:  Holiday Party  This is the "big one".. need we say more?  Never too early to put it on your social calendar 'cause you don't want to miss it.

April 3-5:  4th. Annual Camp & Canoe Okay, it's really a long way off, but Craig & Linda have so much fun in their tent that they wanted to be sure to get the sites and give everyone another reason to look forward to 2009.

                                         INTERNATIONAL TRIPS FOR 2008 - 2009

January 6 - 18, 2009:   Raja Ampat, Indonesia   Seven Seas (liveaboard)     $4500.00+/-                                                               The trip includes 12 nights on the Seven Seas, all diving, meals, coffee, tea, drinking water, sodas, optional land and beach trips.  Trip cost is based on double occupancy with a deposit of 30% and balance due 90 days before departure. Cancellations made up to 90 days before departure are subject to a $500.00 cancellation fee and within 90 days there are no refunds. Not included are all airfares, hotels, transfers enroute to Sorong and mandatory trip insurance. Departure will be on or about January 2, 2009.  Return home should be by January 20,2009. For more information please go to www.thesevenseas.com or give Fred Miller a call.

June 4 - 13, 2009:   Beqa Lagoon, Fiji  -  Susan Judah & Ray Gonzalez                                                                            It's too early to nail down the details so keep an eye out for more information. At this point it looks like the trip will run $3300.00 +/- plus air from here to California (and back, presumably).  We will have 7 nights on Beqa, which will include all meals and 10 dives plus unlimited shore diving.   A sign-up sheet will be at the next meeting and deposits will be accepted from people who sincerely want to go.  

June 7 - 14 2009:  Saba  -  Details forthcoming.  Pete Stephinson, Coordinator

July 11 -18 2009:  Belize  -    Dave Schneider, Coordinator                                                                                We will be staying at Ramon's Village, Ambergris Caye.  The town of San Pedro is a 5 minute walk from the hotel.  There are any number of land-based possibilities for those who do not dive. 

Also in '09 ....  Bonaire  -  Details forthcoming.  Barbara Sabatelli, Coordinator

AND SOME LAST IMPORTANT NOTES...

Club Policies on Dives and Trips:

Dives, Trips, Activities and events are run according to the SFDI Policies and Procedures, which are available to everyone.  If you don’t have a copy, please ask the Membership VP, or other E-Board member at the next General Meeting. Here is a summary of some of the important ones:

1.      Payment for Dives, Events and trips:  A member is confirmed on a dive, trip or event only after they have paid.  Payments for dives should be made when signing up.  Payments for trips should be made according to the schedule as outlined by the trip coordinator.  In the event that a dive/trip/activity is oversubscribed, then those confirmed will be determined by the order of payment.

2.      Cancellation:  Once a member signs on for a dive/event he or she is obligated to pay for that dive/event unless they contact the coordinator for that dive/event and cancel by the specified cancellation time.  Not paying immediately does not eliminate the requirement to make full payment if you do not cancel within the designated cancellation period or simply fail to show up for that dive/event.

3.      Certification Requirements:  Some dives will be restricted to divers with certain minimum certification levels.  For example Advanced Open Water.  In some cases, these requirements will be set by the dive operator.  In others they may be set by the dive organizer in conjunction with the E-Board based on the profile and characteristics of the planned dive.  In these cases the minimum certifications required for the dive will be clearly identified on the sign up sheet and in the published calendar.  No exceptions will be made for any reason.

4.      Special Needs:  Some of our members have “special needs” when participating on a dive or trip. These can be cases where the diver needs extra assistance on a dive boat or a member has particular requirements regarding accommodations. Dive organizers will check for the common ones, such as the requirement for extra assistance getting into or out of the water.  However, it is the responsibility of the member to make sure that his/her needs are known to the organizer and if there is any doubt the member should contact the operator in advance.  It is the responsibility of the club member to verify that their needs can be accommodated prior to the event/trip/activity.

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