Oakland Yellowjackets Bicycling Club

Do you want to help decide the 2010 YellowJackets ride calendar? The ride committee will be meeting in the next few weeks. We are looking for volunteers to be on the committee, but if you don't have time for that, please take the time to give us your input about the season. Start with last season—listed below—and tell us what you liked and didn't like.

Which rides are "must have"? Which rides are "don't care"? Should we change the order of some rides? Your opinions matter. Vote early. Vote often.

In 2009, the OYJ initiated a new club award, the Kathy Starkey Award, and it was awarded to an outstanding member, Mary McGowan. The award is named in honor of a long-time OYJ member who has been instrumental to the OYJ over the past decade.

It's unfathomable to capture all that Kathy Starkey has done on behalf of the club. Some of her key contributions has been as the coordinator of the annual Monterey ride, and the holiday party. She has been the person who made sure the picnics were organized. She updated the ride maps, riding the route, if necessary. She continues to do that today. Her contributions have been immense.

We were a little concerned when Kathy and Ron moved away. This year, Mary McGowan stepped up to fill part of Kathy's huge shoes. Mary has been successful in getting ride leaders for most of our rides, a monumental task. Mary became the Monterey ride coordinator, making sure we had food, volunteers, and arrows in place. Mary has helped to make our club successful in 2009.

Thank you both. To Kathy for all your contributions over the years, and to Mary for what you are doing now and in the future.

OYJ is Having a Party!

Get off your bike!

Put on your dancin' shoes and your party clothes!

Join us for the 15th Annual Holiday Party.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: The Gondola Room at Lake Chalet Restaurant; 1520 Lakeside Drive, Oakland , CA 94612
Price: $35 for members, $40 for non-members*
Checks** will be accepted until NOVEMBER 21, 2009, or until the event is sold out, whichever comes first. Checks should be made payable to Oakland Yellow Jackets and mailed to 544 Prince Street , Oakland , CA 94610 . Please include the name of your guest and your phone number on your check.

Respond early as seating is limited to 100 guests. Once tickets sell out there will be no tickets available at the door!

Attire: Holiday Festive
Toy Drive: Bring an unwrapped toy. The toys will be donated to the St. Vincent De Paul Women's Shelter.

Cocktails from 6:30 - 7:00
Buffet dinner from 7:00 - 9:00
Dancing from 9:00 - 11:00
No Host Cash Bar from 6:30 - 10:30

There is limited street parking in the area. Valet parking is provided by the restaurant - cost $5.00/vehicle
*Membership based on dues paid as of September 30, 2009
** Returned checks will be subject to a $10.00 fee

Need more information?
Send messages to: holidayparty@oaklandyellowjackets.org.

Hope to see you there!

Tonight, at the final club meeting of the season, the OYJ elected new officers for next year. Fred McWilliams will be the new club president replacing Al Joseph who has been serving in that office since 1995. Al is not stepping down, but rather stepping aside into the role of President Emeritus. Mary McGowan, who lead the Monterey Ride effort this year, will be our Vice President. Pam Covington will be stepping in the role of Treasurer. Last but not least, Laurie Kunit has taken over the role of club Secretary.

Please congratulate all the new officers and give them all the support you can.

Much thanks and appreciation goes out to the 2009 team of Al, Amal Johnson, Lynne Trestrail and Barbara Moodie.