The Great Vallejo Race is now reputed to be the largest inland regatta in the United States, drawing from 300 to 500 sailboats annually. This year’s race will take place on May 3-4 under the aegis of the Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay.
Photo by Dean McCully
Published: May, 2008
Largest Regatta in U.S. Hits the Bay
The two-day race marks the official opening of the Bay’s racing season. The race starts near the Berkeley Circle on Saturday morning, rounds a single weather mark near Alcatraz, and then heads to Vallejo.
As the boats enter Carquinez Strait, they bunch together while making the turn into Mare Island Strait, where the fun really starts. After the long run up the Bay, many crews are lulled to sleep by the time they enter the Strait but a sharp crew can usually pick off several places before reaching the finish line at the Vallejo Yacht Club. Then the party begins with a band, dinner cooked by club volunteers and an evening dance that lasts until the wee hours of Sunday morning. The next morning, after breakfast prepared by more volunteers, crews wander (or stagger) back to their boats to prep for the trip home. Sunday’s starting line is Saturday’s finish line, with just as many boats jockeying for position in the narrow confines of Mare Island Strait for a reaching start. The race finishes near G-17, off the San Rafael Channel, just before the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. In all, the course is about 40 miles long, tests skippers and crew alike, and makes a grand, splashy start to the Bay’s racing season. This spectacular event can be seen from just about any waterfront location in the North Bay. For more info visit www.vyc.org.
People Paddle to Fight AIDS
The Third Annual People Paddle for AIDS will take place on May 4 from 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Billed as San Francisco’s most colorful paddlecraft fundraiser and after-party/festival, up to 200 kayakers and outrigger canoe paddlers will converge on Pier 40 at historic South Beach Harbor, paddling and partying at the festival to raise funds to fight AIDS. Proceeds benefit up to 30 Northern California AIDS service organizations. Paddlers will launch from the South Beach Marina at 10:30 a.m., paddle to a turn in McCovey Cove for a big raft up photo opportunity, then paddle back to South Beach Pier 40 at 12:30 p.m. The event will end with a large block party at South Beach Harbor complete with an awards ceremony, live music, food, and booths showcasing the offerings of our partner agencies and sponsors. Healing Waters, whose mission is to empower, inspire and enrich the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS through outdoor adventures, is sponsoring the event. For more information visit www.peoplepaddle.com.
KaBoom!
The weather is often better in May than in July around the San Francisco waterfront, great for being able to appreciate the incredible display of fireworks synchronized to a World Class Rock soundtrack provided by KFOG. This year’s 15th Annual KaBoom on Piers 30/32 will feature music by Los Lobos, Collective Soul and Matt Nathanson. The event also features a Children’s Stage with continuous performances and plenty of food and beverages are available. The event, which started in 1994, used to be called the KFOG Sky Concert until 1994 when it was renamed KaBoom. Saturday, May 10 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information visit www.kfog.com/kaboom.
Greg Kihn Band to Appear at TROOPFEST 2008
The aircraft carrier USS Hornet, permanently moored at Pier 3 in Alameda, welcomes TROOPFEST 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. The benefit concert and festival are open to the public. Proceeds from the event will be used to send packages to U.S. troops overseas. The highlight of TROOPFEST 2008 is the concert with five hours of classic rock music on the hangar deck featuring the Greg Kihn Band, Midlife Vices, Cocktail Monkeys, and Evolution: A Tribute to Journey. Guest star Chris Jackson of 98.5 KFOX and Grammy-winning artist Tony Lindsay will also perform. TROOPFEST 2008 activities include live music, ship tours, exhibit and sponsorship tables, and raffle. The raffle grand prize is a 12-day cruise for two from Holland America Line. Other raffle prizes include an original 80s Kramer Pacer American (Strat shape) all-stock guitar signed by classic rock artists including Joe Satriani, Greg Kihn, Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons of The Doobie Brothers; Pat Travers, Dave Meniketti of Y&T, and others, donated by Chris Jackson. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (5-17). A special military ticket is available for $15 with valid military I.D. All tickets will be $5 more if purchased at the door. Tickets may be purchased calling (510) 521-8448 x282 or by logging onto the USS Hornet Museum’s website at www.uss-hornet.org. Updated event information is available at www.troopfest.org. Free parking is available.
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MTC Seeks Nominations for Its Transportation Awards Program
When it comes to transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants to know: What moves you? Is your bus driver the friendliest, most helpful person on earth? Has an organization in your community worked hard to beautify the view along your daily commute? Have bike-friendly routes or newfound groups of riders gotten you back on two wheels? It’s time to recognize those exceptional projects, groups and people who have made it easier, safer, greener or just more fun to get around the Bay Area by nominating them for an MTC award. Past winners have included volunteers, community leaders and government employees dedicated to improving transportation for Bay Area residents.
MTC is the regional transportation planning agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area and its awards program recognizes individuals, projects and organizations that develop new and better ways to help people get where they’re going each day. With the award theme of Excellence in Motion, MTC is seeking nominations for the Grand Award as well as Awards of Merit to recognize worthy efforts, regardless of their specific transportation focus. Examples of past Award of Merit winners include programs that make more efficient use of the transportation network, groups that work to inform and educate the public about transportation issues, individual or group efforts to improve transit service or boost smart growth, and efforts to promote the use of bicycling or other alternatives to driving alone.
MTC is also seeking nominations for five special award categories:
• The Miriam Gholikely Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in the field of community service, volunteerism, advocacy, leadership or minority affairs.
• The Doris W. Kahn Accessible Transportation Award honors efforts that have resulted in significant improvement in transportation services for the elderly or persons with disabilities.
• The David Tannehill Special Employee Award is intended for a bus driver, train operator, road maintenance worker or other transportation employee who goes beyond the call of duty.
• The Greta Ericson Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term, quality leadership in the transportation profession.
• And the John F. Foran Legislative Award honors a state or federal legislator whose work has had a positive effect on transportation.
The deadline for all nominations is Friday, May 9. Winners will be selected by a jury representing MTC and the community. Visit the MTC Web page at
www.mtc.ca.gov to submit an application online or to download an application form or call the MTC Public Information Office at (510) 817-5757 for more information.
To have your event or announcement considered for the Bay Crossings Around the Bay listings, please send information or a press release to: joel@baycrossings.com.
