the jack to jack yacht race - March 2024
Printed in the Press Democrat and Sonoma Index Tribune March 2024:
Ahoy there, mateys!
Get ready to set sail for a seaworthy spectacle at the
Jack to Jack Yacht Race, a Glen Ellen Regatta – the grand
event that'll have you saying, "Knot a dull moment!"
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 6, because
plans are underway for a nautical extravaganza from
11:45 AM to 3:30 PM.
The racecourse, set along Sonoma Creek in downtown
Glen Ellen, promises a tidal wave of excitement. The
Jack London Saloon is the shipshape headquarters,
serving our signature drinks: Pirate's Bloody Mary and
Mai-Tai-One-On. The viewing spots are as plentiful as
sh in the sea – from Saloon patios to creekside banks,
the Glen Ellen bridge, and Glen Ellen Village Market
picnic area.
Registered yachts will battle it out in heats, all leading
to a heart-pounding nal race. And fear not, young
sailors! The Junior Jack Race invites buccaneers to craft
boats on-site and join in the seafaring fun between
11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. This Race is at 1:30 PM.
Anchoring
the event is the
ever-charismatic Squire Fridell
as the Master of Ceremonies, with Terry
Koehne and Chris Gallagher bringing the laughs as
sportscasters. KSVY/Sonoma TV Productions will make
waves with top-notch audio and visuals, while Jaydub
and Dino provide a toe-tapping, sea-shanty- lled
soundtrack.
The Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley will tour downtown,
stopping at Wine Snob, Laurel Glen Vineyard Tasting
Room, and the Jack London Village, where you will nd
AMPLE PARKING! It's the perfect way to stay a oat
during the festivities.
The Jack London Saloon is ready with two food trucks:
The Stop and El Coyote. Meanwhile, Glen Ellen Village
Market invites you to savor the day with a BBQ in their
picnic grounds and nish-line viewing.
If you're landlocked or just want a di erent view, Jack
London Village has you covered with a closed-circuit TV
for watching the race. And from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM,
Schermeister Winery and Songbird Parlour will tantalize
your taste buds with wine tastings and pairings on the
deck, joined by other seafaring Villagers.
Wine Snob isn't
just about sipping – they're
hosting a Sushi Shoubu food truck, o ering
walk-in tastings, selling local merchandise, and even
donating $5.00 for each clothing item sold that day.
Now that's what we call making waves!
Don't miss out on Garden Court Cafe, open from 8:00
AM to 2:00 PM, and Les Pascals, serving up Race Day
Specials to keep your spirits high and your sails full.
So, batten down the hatches, rally your crew, and let's
make this nautical gathering the talk of the seven seas!
PAST GRANT DISTRIBUTION - NOVEMBER 2023
The JLYC Social and Grant Distribution Event - B.R. Cohn Winery
This year, the JLYC distributed $27,000 at its annual Grant Distribution event, held on November 14 at B.R. Cohn Winery.
We are overjoyed that we can continue to award small grants that we hope make a big impact... It is the generosity of this community that makes it all possible.
Over 120 guests and twenty-six grant recipients enjoyed B.R. Cohen wine and scenery under the beautiful outdoor Pavilion.
This year, our event charted a new course.
We cast a nautical spotlight on our local entertainment treasures, including a visit from Jack London himself.
Our star-studded lineup included:
From Sonoma Arts Live Theater Company:
Joey Favalora and Brandy Noveh from Dames at Sea
and an teaser from the upcoming show, Nuncrackers, singing "In the Convent".
From Transcendence Theatre Company:
Colin Campbell McAdoo
PAST GLEN ELLEN VILLAGE FAIR - October 2023
We stepped into the sea of smiles and marched to the rhythm of community! The Yacht Club Members gathered for the celebration numbered 30, and triumphantly, we clinched the 'Best Decorations' award for the second consecutive year!
Past Jack to Jack yacht race - March 2023
The Jack to Jack Yacht Race
Glen Ellen was filled with excitement on Saturday on March 25 as crowds of people gathered along the edge of Sonoma Creek for the 3rd Annual “Jack to Jack Yacht Race” hosted by the Jack London Yacht Club.
A small portion of Sonoma Creek’s 33.4-mile-long stream was the racing venue as the starting line began at the back of Jack London Lodge & Saloon to finish at a line point just past the bridge on Arnold Drive. It was a rapid-flow course that more than 60 miniature yachts competed in.
The free event that Saturday was a series of five “Heats” (or races). Each were conducted over a time period of more than three hours from 12 Noon to 2:00, with two final races at 2:10 and 2:30 PM.
The very small stretch of the Creekside course was most elated by onlookers at the convergence point of where the Calabazas Creek merges into Sonoma Creek; where the bridge on Arnold Drive is at the center of town. The bridge was filled with people eager to see the yachts meandering down stream.
Vehicle traffic had to slow down as the center of Glen Ellen was one large block party. Booths, banners and streamers were set up outside the century-old lodge & saloon making for a festive atmosphere where food and drinks were readily available as people gathered.
The recent heavy rains provided plenty of fast-moving currents to keep the yachts moving along and people cheered frequently as each “Heat” had seven yachts competing.
“This is so much fun,” exclaimed Jana Conley, who serves as a board member for Jack London Yacht Club (JLYC). “The weather today is perfect and the rain we had this past week makes it ideal for racing.”
Despite the typical breezy wind of March and billowy clouds, the warm sun and blue skies made for an almost perfect spring day for the event.
Established in 2019, “This is our signature event, said Conley. It’s the ‘Jack to Jack Yacht Race’ (J2J), which occurs in spring on Sonoma Creek.”
“We have this in the spring she said because typically/historically, the water level for Sonoma Creek is at its highest.”
This event set along the side of the creek was established and is managed by Jim Burch and Ana Dominguez. They are the creators and serve as the official Commodores.
“Back in 2019, when all originally this started, the race took place from the Jack London Lodge in the waters of the creek, to the Jack London Village, Creekside, a .7- mile course,” Conley said.
Only this year, organizers Dominguez, Burch and others decided to shorten the down-stream span of the raceway due to flooding, fallen trees, etc.
“The boats are replicas of Jack London's SNARK,” Conley added.
For all the members of the JLYC The “Jack to Jack” is truly a highlight of the yacht club’s activities during the year.
The JLYC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of volunteers that support our local nonprofits and public entities, and builds community through fundraising efforts and engagement in the Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County, California.
Amid the heavy crowds cheering and reveling, many with food and drink in their hands, Ellen Toscano coordinated the live auction, urging attendees to donate and pledge support. As donations poured in, Toscano praised the generosity of the people, asking that they help JLYC reach a goal of $50,000.
Squire Fridell was Master of Ceremonies and Terry Koehne & Chris Gallagher, did the sportscasting as Sonoma TV posted live on YouTube. DJ music was provided by JayDub & Dino. The acoustic duo of Jeff Falconer and Dennis Cordellos often perform at HopMonk pub.
Retrieving a couple of the “little Snarks” between heats from the water, one of the event sponsors Jimmy Galvin was pleased with the entire event as he said, “Glen Ellen is my favorite place to be in all of Sonoma.”
Galvin, his wife Colleen, Diane & Joe Benziger, Skolnik Family Vineyards & Vic Trione Family among many others worked to make the “Jack to Jack Yacht Races” a success.
“This was unexpected because I really didn’t think it was going to be so much fun,” said longtime Sonoma resident Lisa Coleman. “I definitely want to do this again, she added. Especially, since I agree with Jimmy, Glen Ellen is my favorite spot in all of Sonoma.”
(Kenwood Press)
past GLEN ELLEN village fair - October 2022
The Jack London Yacht Club will be present and accounted for, always up for frivolity and laughter with a spectacular float. Past float honors by parade judges... with 'Best Decorations'. (Kenwood Press).
past GRANT DISTRIBUTION - november 2022
Come Ashore! Social, Grant Distribution Event - B.R. Cohn Winery
This year, the JLYC distributed $20,000 at its annual Yacht Distribution event, held on November 13 at BR Cohn Winery overlooking the vineyards in all their fall color glory. Twenty nonprofits received donations at the event, and an additional four nonprofits received spot grants throughout 2022, totaling $24,000.
This year’s grant recipients included the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bear Flag Post 1943, which received a grant toward the purchase of a tiny home for a Sonoma Valley veteran experiencing homelessness. The tiny home will be built in collaboration with Homeless Action Sonoma to help the veteran transition into a permanent residence.
The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance will use funds awarded by the JLYC to purchase new sports equipment and games for its eight mentor centers on each of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s campuses. The Mentoring Alliance has mentor centers in Glen Ellen, Boyes Hot Springs, El Verano, Agua Caliente, and Sonoma; mentor centers are safe and accessible spaces where mentors and mentees meet for one hour each week. These spaces are available to mentees not only during their mentoring times, but throughout the school day. Because mentees may lack social and emotional skills, lunch and recesses can cause feelings of anxiety or inferiority. The mentor centers are places of no judgment, and the Mentoring Alliance’s experienced facilitators are available to welcome students at any time.
The Marine Conservation Institute, Sonoma Charter School, Glen Ellen Historical Society, La Luz, Art Escape, Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma Community Center, Glen Ellen- Kenwood Rotary Club, Sonoma Arts Live Theatre Company, Pepperwood Preserve, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Pets Lifeline, Magnolia Global Academy, Jack London Park Partners, Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Foundation, Kenwood Education Foundation, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, Sonoma Valley Kenwood Community Club (Kenwood Depot), Belos Cavalos, Glen Ellen Fair Association, Restore the Springs, and Glen Ellen Fire Association also received grants this year.
(Kenwood Press)
Past event grant distribution, November 2021
Come Ashore! Social, Grant Distribution Event - B.R. Cohn Winery 2021
The Jack London Yacht Club drew 160 members, guests, and representatives from local nonprofits to B.R. Cohn Winery on Nov. 14 to hand out funds raised in the past year. Twenty Sonoma Valley nonprofits received grants at the November event; the culmination of the JLYC’s annual grant program, which also included spot grants to La Luz, Jack London Park Partners, and others earlier in 2021.
At the helm, adding comic relief as JLYC Commodores Ana Dominguez and Jim Burch handed out checks, were Tommy Smothers and Squire Fridell.
Nonprofits receiving grants this year included: Glen Ellen Kenwood Rotary Foundation, Art Escape, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Kenwood Depot, Sonoma Ecology Center, Glen Ellen Village Fair, Glen Ellen Historical Society, the JAYC Foundation, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Glen Ellen Forum, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance, Marine Conservation Institute, Sonoma Community Center, Pets Lifeline, First Responders Resiliency, Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, Homeless Action Sonoma, Belos Cavalos, Sonoma Arts Live Theatre Company, and Sonoma Valley Community Communications (KSVY).
Past anchors Aweigh Yacht Christening 2021
A Fundraiser Social at Jack London Creekside Patio, Glen Ellen
WE HAD A YACHTA FUN!
A sunny day on the Creek, tri-tip BBQ, great entertainment, national anthem, judging of the sails, champagne chocolates, mini-Snarks, live music to a sold-out audience, and smiles on people's faces.
Thank you to all of you who placed your bids and donated to the Club!
▪Jack London Lodge for having the best clubhouse and best marina in Glen Ellen
▪Squire Fridell our MC - the best helmsman on board
▪Tommy Smothers - for blessing our yachts to keep them safe
▪Chef Dave Walker and his ship crew - for a First-Rate meal and First-Rate galley
▪Bob Taylor KSVY SONOMA - for keel over sound
▪Dave and Dana Shefferman - who donated the sparkling wine and wine auction items, helped us sell swag, and check our auction winnings
▪Our Board Members: Rob Barnum, Melissa Dowling, Patrick Brannigan - for your valuable insights and constant support
▪Mayra Swatt and the Klipptones - for overboard live music
▪Doug Offenbacher - for your inspiring poetry
▪Our Judges Billy and Susie Friedman, Susan and Jon Reiter - for your impeccable taste and not being swayed with promises of riches and gifts
▪Penny and Bill D'allaird - for your generosity in donating the vineyard auction item
past grant distribution 2020
Jack London Lodge, Glen Ellen
Because of social distancing rules, we had to keep our Grant Distribution a bit hush-hush. (Except that in Glen Ellen, nothing is quite hush-hush). A few of us social-distanced at the intersection of Arnold Drive and Jack London Ranch Road. The Jack London Saloon/JLYC Clubhouse porch served as a port of call for Grant Recipients who showed up in decorated vehicles to receive their checks, Wine Country Chocolate Sailboats, and paparazzi attention.
Prizes were given to the best-decorated vehicles. ALL participants showed overboard enthusiasm, but the judges had to pick three. FIRST PLACE: Jayc Foundation; SECOND PLACE: Sonoma Mentoring Alliance; and THIRD PLACE: Teen Services.
past Come ashore! Member's social - March 2020
B.R. Cohn Winery, Glen Ellen
B.R. Cohn did an amazing job setting up and providing our mates with oysters, wine, and a beautiful spacious area. Rob and Nancy Kovak, experienced sailors, gave a short and extremely interesting talk on Jack and Charmian London's SNARK (mis)adventures at sea. We hope to have our next Come Ashore! in the Fall of 2021.
PAST Dinner auction - january 2020
Viansa Sonoma Winery, Sonoma
We had a hull of a time at our wildly successful annual Dinner Auction that was held at Viansa Sonoma Winery on Sunday, January 19, 2020
Entertainment included:
Transcendence
The Smothers Brothers
Eric Jackson as our MC & Auctioneer
Cuvee Catering
We are so very grateful for all the incredible support and amazing mates. This fundraiser has launched a successful start and we will surpass our 2019 Grant Distributions in 2020!
Past Event - glen ellen fair and parade - October 2019
Glen Ellen, California
All hands were on deck at the Glen Ellen Parade and Fair! Big O and a 1929 Ford Cabriolet were decked out in JLYC burgees and American pennants for the parade. Our JLYC booth was supplied with swag, videos, raffles, and apparel. We had many locals, members, and new faces stop by to say HI!
past kenwood 4th of july celebration - july 2019
Kenwood, California
We had a fun JLYC float with members aboard. We had a booth at the park with 4th of July T-shirts, sailboat cookies, JLYC apparel, raffles, and Jack to Jack sailboats on display. A great time was had by all!
past grant distribution event - September 2019
Valley of the Moon Winery, Glen Ellen
We distributed $31,250 to multiple community groups through grants and additional donations! Tommy and Dick Smothers (and Yo-Yo Man) were there to entertain and help hand out the grants.
Over 120 people attended the event and enjoyed chilled chardonnay on the sun-drenched patio of the Valley of the Moon Winery.