Weekly News and Announcements
April 20, 2005

COACHING SCHEDULE: APRIL 18-22

Ad Comp
M, T, W, R, F - Alex

Open a.m.
Still waiting to hear if anybody will be coming down to row. If nobody has contacted Will (or Kevin) by Thursday (4/14), there will be no extra a.m. coach for this week.

Open/Novice p.m.
M - Kevin, Laura
T - Kevin, Peter
W - Laura
R - Laura, Peter
F - TBA

SPEEDINESS ON THE DOCK!

It should be taking less than 1 minute to get on or off the dock, especially when other boats are waiting to use the dock.  The evening boats have been taking approximately 7 minutes, with some taking closer to 15 minutes.  Please work quickly, get the oars in the boat, shove off, pull away from the dock, and then tie your feet in.  If you know you need to move your shoes, you can either (a) have the other person in your pair go get the oars or (b) do it on the water.

LEARN TO COX, APRIL 27

There will be a Learn to Cox session at evening practice on April 27th.  Priority will go to those who have not had a coxing lesson and the remaining time will be used on people who want a refresher.  Even if you do not get to practice your coxing that night, you will at least get to hear what is being said to the coxswain in training.  Remember:  All rowers are expected to learn to cox and will be expected to cox their fair share of the time.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR REGATTA COMMITTEES

AARC is looking for volunteers to join two committees related to our fast-approaching regatta season!

First, we need volunteers for the Regatta Committee. The Regatta Committee organizes AARC's entries for away regattas. Members serve as regatta captains and supervise boat entry, fee collection, rigging and derigging, and all the other tasks involved in helping our team compete. This job is great for people who want to help out in short, concentrated bursts.

Second, we need volunteers for the MCI Steering Committee. This committee will plan our regatta, the Michigan Club Invitational, which will be held this year on July 23. Of course all club members are expected to help out in pulling off the premier event of our season, but the Steering Committee will help direct the process.

Anyone who is interested in either of these committees should contact Carly Gomez at cago@med.umich.edu

Meet the Coaches

If you want to know more about those mysterious individuals on the other side of the megaphone while you're rowing, check out the 2005 Coaches Bios that can now be found on line at http://www.a2crew.com/coaches.html.

Launching the Mary Beth Doyle

Please join us in the naming our newest boat, the Mary Beth Doyle on Sunday April 24th. The land ceremony with begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a potluck BBQ. A flyer is attached.

We would like to invite all members to attend. There will also be a group of folks with kayaks/canoes present so if you would like to bring your small boats to paddle along side the MB for it's maiden voyage please feel free.

If you would like further information please feel free to contact Kristie at shasbut@hotmail.com

Dance for the Earth Benefit Concert and Earth Day Costume Party

Friday April 22, 2005
8-11 p.m.
Downtown Home & Garden (210 S. Ashley Street in Ann Arbor)
$25 plus cash bar

All proceeds benefit the Ecology Center's Mary Beth Doyle Memorial Fund. Join us for live music, dancing, costumes, food, cash bar, and door prizes. Wear the best Earth Day theme costume and qualify to win great prizes! In honor of Mary Beth, expect a parade or two and an all-around good time! Music will be provided by Friends of Mary Beth including Dave Boutette, Mike Boyde, Dave Keeney, Eric Kelly, John Latini, Jim Roll, Jack Spack and more. Joe Tiboni will be the M.C.

Downtown Home & Garden generously donated the space for Dance for the Earth. Other sponsors who are making this event possible include Arbor Brewing Co., Big City Bakery, Espresso Royale, Kinko's - Plymouth Rd., NiaFit, Old Town, People's Food Co-op, WEMU - 89.1FM, and more.

The Ecology Center is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization that works for healthy communities, clean products and clean production. Mary Beth Doyle was the Ecology Center's Environmental Health Campaign Director, a tireless advocate for the environmental movement and a vibrant member of the Ann Arbor community, who loved local music and a great time. The Mary Beth Doyle Memorial Fund will be used to continue her work for environmental health and justice.

For more information, ticket pre-sales, or to make a donation to the Mary Beth Doyle Memorial Fund, contact Stephanie Feldstein at (734) 761-3186 ext. 110 or stephanie@ecocenter.org. Tickets also available at Downtown Home & Garden.

Argo Park Work Day

Saturday, April 30 from 1:00 – 4:00. Meet at the Longshore Boat Launch parking lot, next to the Argo Canoe Livery. Come after the QuickCatch!

CALENDAR

Sunday, April 24: Mary Beth Doyle Boat Naming Ceremony, 2:00 PM
Saturday, April 30: LTR QuickCatch, 9:30-12:30
Saturday, April 30: Argo Park Workday, 1:00-4:00, contact Tom Kraft, vbcTom@comcast.net
June 18: Midwest Masters Sprints (Columbus)
June 18: DBC, Detroit
July 9: Grand Regatta, Grand Rapids
July 20-24: U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis
July 23: Michigan Club Invitational, Argo Pond
August 2-7: Canadian Henley
August 10-13: USRA Masters Nationals
September 17: Head of the Thames, London, ON
October 1: Head of the Ohio, Pittsburgh
October 15: Frogtown Races, Toledo
October 22-23: Head of the Charles, Boston
October 29: Speakmon, Columbus
November 6: Wyandotte