Program for February 4th
USA Overseas Diving 2010
Our February Program will be the formal unveiling of the Under Sea
Adventurers Dive Club’s plans for overseas diving in 2010.
Nils Jacobsen will be the speaker for the evening.
Nils has been in the position of VP of Overseas Diving since 2002, leading
us far and wide on adventures both under the sea and on land.
This evening will be your first opportunity to sign up for the 2010 trips.
Don’t forget to bring your checkbook and be among the first to sign up for
this year’s exciting destinations.
Glada Blench
VP of Programs
programs@usadiveclub.com
 At USA’s January board of directors meeting, several vacant board positions
were filled.
USA’s Past President Glada Blench agreed to assume the vacant VP of
Programs position for 2010.
Julie Manhold and Clare Anthon accepted joint responsibilities for VP of Social
Events.
John Ficarra assumes the additional responsibility of Audio/Video Coordinator;
Ronnie Farr remains on board in 2010 as USA’s Overseas Dive Accountant;
Jorge Carvajal was appointed as USA’s new Membership Coordinator; Julie
Manhold and Clare Anthon continue in 2010 as USA’s Hospitality Coordinators;
Kathy Ficarra continues in the 2010 Photographer/Scrapbook position; Larry
Townsend was reappointed as Promotions Coordinator; Paul Molinari serves
another year as USA’s Safety Coordinator; Russ Manhold accepted the additional responsibility as USA’s
2010 Newsletter/Webmaster.
There remains one vacant position on USA’s 2010 board, the Mini Trip Coordinator. Any member interested
in planning and leading one or more Mini Trips this year should contact any board member immediately.
Usually a three-day weekend event, a Mini Trip could involve canoeing, camping, diving a remote location;
travel to an interesting Florida festival, etc.
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Sadly, USAers and guests can no longer order food at the Newport Cafe in the Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites. We encourage folks to meet at Clamsters Raw Bar & Grill for food and libation before the meeting. Details below under Social Activities.
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USA welcomes two new Hall of Fame members, Larry LePage and Bob Weybrecht.
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After joining the USA Dive Club in 2001, Larry LePage served on USA’s board in several positions including Audio/Video Coordinator, Webmaster, Newsletter editor, and VP of Programs.
At the end of 2009, Larry retired from USA’s board to join his spouse and fellow Hall of Fame member, Mary LePage, for a year of RV travel and adventure in North America.
Congratulations Larry LePage!
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Bob Weybrecht joined USA in 1997 and almost immediately began serving as USA’s Database Coordinator. Bob’s flair for computer science made him the ideal candidate for USA’s Webmaster and Newsletter Coordinator, a position he held through 2009. Bob also served as USA’s Audio/Video Coordinator for one year.
Look for Bob to join his life partner and fellow Hall of Famer, Linda Ianniello, for undersea adventures here, there and everywhere.
Congratulations Bob Weybrecht!
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January was the month for USAers to pay annual membership dues. Dues were due January 1st. A new
rate goes into eff![]() ect this yea![]() r. Individuals pay $40 membership renewal; married couples pay $70 ($35
each). Don’t let your USA membership expire. Rejoining the USA dive club requires a $10 initiation fee
plus regular membership fees.
 Friday evening, January 22nd, over 100 friends and family of
USA Dive Club member Jon Spiegler paid homage at a
memorial service in Plantation, Florida. The event was
robust with lively stories about Jon’s zest for life, love of his
family, and devotion to his wife, former USA President Glada
Blench. A solitary candle flickered near the lectern,
illuminating an artistic man-made mollusk shell, filled with
Jon’s cremated remains.
The following day, an intimate group of Jon’s family and
friends cruised offshore where Jon’s ashes were released into
Florida’s Gulfstream. Although Jon may no longer be
physically with us, his spirit will linger forever among the
corals, sponges and fishes we all love and cherish.
Russ Manhold
President
president@usadiveclub.com
Local Diving
with Kathy & John Ficarra
Our January dive finally took place after a couple date changes due to the weather. We were still reluctant Saturday 23rd when NOAA posted 3-5 ft seas but we polar bears wanted to finally get back into the water. A 72 degree morning with cloudy skies, didn’t know what to expect as we went through the inlet. The sea had not one ripple and no wind blowing. So nice to be able to stand up and walk around the boat while it was cruising to the dive site. When we dove down to seethe Rebel wreck there was only a very slight current. Unfortunately, the water didn’t feel like 90 degrees but 70 degrees isn’t too bad when dressed properly. Our second dive was Anglin Pier Reef which had a variety of fish and a few lobsters to catch.
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Our next dive we have scheduled will be on the American Dream out of Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday afternoon, February 7th, for two tank dives on Tenneco Towers at 110 ft and 100 ft. We have been busy planning our dives this year. So far we have 21 dives scheduled for Local Diving. We are already set up Easter Sunday morning, April 4th, for our Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Starfish Enterprise in Lantana. Also on Saturday, August 7th, start of lobster season (season starts the 6th), we booked spots with Starfish Enterprise.
Something different this year, we are booked Saturday afternoon, October 30th for a Halloween pumpkin carving contest along with other events sponsored by South Florida Dive Center.
Kathy & John Ficarra
VP’s of Local Diving
localdiving@usadiveclub.com
Social Activities
 The Under Sea Adventurers has filled the vacant VP of Social Events position.
Clare Anthon and Julie Manhold (aka "The Social Butterflies") agreed to plan and host USA's social activities through December 2010.
We promise to provide you with an active social calendar this year. We depend on your support at every level, from organizers to participants. All club members are encouraged to contact us with ideas and/or concepts for future social events.
Participating in social events is a sure-fire way to get to know other members of the club. There is no better way to become involved than sharing your time with fellow USAers.
We started off the new year with Movie and a Munch. On Sunday, January 24th,
twenty-six USAers and guests gathered in the Pompano Muvico 18 theater parking lot. Each participant was provided a choice of movie candy, compliments of the USA Dive Club. We then enjoyed watching Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser star in the heartfelt drama Extraordinary Measures.
After the movie, we all strolled over to the French Quarter for some delightful Cajun/Creole dishes. We dined on entrees
such as jambalaya, Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, Bayou "Blu" Burgers and voodoo grilled chicken. The more traditional
folks enjoyed fresh dolphin with all the trimmings.
Mark your calendar for USA's next quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup in Deerfield Beach which is scheduled to take place
on Sunday morning, February 21st, at 9:00 AM. Lunch to follow at Muddy Waters Restaurant and Raw Bar located just
a short distance from USA’s Adopt-A-Street clean-up site.
The Adopt-A-Street program gives us the opportunity to keep our streets clean. We all know that sooner or later, much of
the trash on our streets finds its way into Florida’s canals and waters offshore. This is our way of helping the environment.
Every little bit helps so please sign up at the February 4th dive club meeting. If you can't make the meeting, call or E-mail
USA’s Social Butterflies.
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On Saturday, March 13th we will be taking the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse Tour. After the tour, our group will enjoy lunch on the waterfront at Sands Harbor Marina.
If we're lucky, USA’s own Dr. Ray McAllister will be our tour guide.
More details, time etc. will be forthcoming so watch your E-mails and newsletters.
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Our social events are open to all USA club members and their guests. So, why wait? Sign up for a social event. Get to
know your fellow USAers and let the fun begin.
Future social events include:
DINNER BEFORE THE MEETING:
Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
VP’s of Social Events
social@usadiveclub.com
Hospitality Hut
 A Warm Welcome From The Hospitality Hut.
We had a full house at our January 2010 general meeting!
It's always a treat to see so many old friends and have the opportunity to
make new ones.
At January’s dive club meeting, seven guests joined USAers for an exciting
evening of wining, dining and Gemütlichkeit . A short description of each
guest appears below.
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Julian & Marti Biller, guests of members Rich & Lynn Ladisky, attended their first USA club meeting.
Julian & Marti are not divers, however, they enjoy snorkeling.
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Member, Dave Smith brought another snorkeler to the USA January meeting.
Romain Calvel attended his first club meeting and received encouragement to take one more step and become a certified diver.
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Next we introduced returning guests, Gene & Becky de Tuscan.
Thanks to Bruce Ayala for their attendance.
Becky & Gene are both certified divers and enjoy all aspects of the sport.
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Special welcome to Mary Burnside, guest of members Judy and Al Townsend.
Mary has visited us many times in the past and has submitted her application for membership.
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Mike Hanratty, former member and husband of club member Margie Hanratty, has decided to renew his USA Dive Club membership.
Thanks Mike for completing your application and welcome back!
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Thanks to all our guests for attending the January general club meeting. We hope to see you at future meetings.
We encourage you to visit our newsletter's home page, www.usadiveclub.com and click on the calendar button
for details regarding USA Dive Club's very active diving and non-diving schedule. Also from USA’s home page,
click on the photo gallery button for a glimpse of our past outings. The calendar and photo gallery are updated on a
regular basis, so take a peek. You wouldn't want to miss a thing.
We wish you all "Happy Diving".
Clare Anthon & Julie Manhold
Hospitality Coordinators
hospitality@usadiveclub.com
Membership
 Greetings fellow divers. No, Russ did not get a new haircut or get better looking. My
name is Jorge Carvajal and I am USA’s new Membership Coordinator. It is an honor for
me to be part of such a select group of people.
When my wife, Clara, and I first moved to South Florida almost a year ago, we found the
USA Dive Club on the Internet and decided to attend the May 2009 meeting as guests.
The moment we walked into the meeting room, Russ Manhold gave us the warmest
welcome and then right after that everything fell into place. The following month we were
confirmed as members and it has been a wonderful experience. We feel right at home
sharing with all of you our passion for diving.
It took me a short time to realize the wonderful job USA’s board is doing so, when they
asked for volunteers, I decided to step in. I am very excited about it and I am looking
forward to providing assistance in keeping our membership up and growing.
I am very happy to report that since the January USA Dive Club meeting, five guests have been approved as USA’s newest
members:
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Bob Young
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Deerfield Beach, FL
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Phebe Young
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Deerfield Beach, FL
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Mike Hanratty
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Lantana, FL
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Mary Burnside
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Boca Raton, FL
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Tammy K. Dalgliesh
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Annapolis, MD
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USA Dive Club membership renewal dues were due January 1, 2010.
Dues are $40 per person. Dues for married couples are $70 per couple.
Please make checks payable to Under Sea Adventurers.
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People interested in joining the USA Dive Club will find membership applications available by clicking on the
link appearing below:
MEMBERSHIP PACKET
Warm diving regards,
Jorge Carvajal
Membership Coordinator
membership@usadiveclub.com
USA’s Overseas Diving
Bahamas Dive Trip
Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas
May 21 – 24, 2010
4 days / 3 nights / 6 dives
Stuart Cove’s is an old favorite of the club and it has been a while since we were there. We are planning a
long weekend, starting with a shark dive Friday afternoon (non-shark dives also available). We are staying
at Orange Hill Beach Inn, again an old favorite. The airfare is relative cheap. It seems to change from
$100+ to $161; no explaining the logic the airlines uses to set their prices. When your sign-up is confirmed,
please book your airfare right away. We have 16 spots. Click here to view and print a copy of our Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas flier.
Package Includes:
3 nights stay at Orange Hill Beach Inn, west end of New Providence Island, Bahamas
Friday afternoon 2 tank Shark Feeding Adventure Dive plus or 2 tank reef dives
2 tank morning dives on Saturday and Sunday
Airport transfers. Transportation to boat by Stuart Cove
All service charges, taxes, and tips
Per person, double room
Diver’s Package with Shark Adventure $550
Diver’s Package without Shark Adventure $480
Non Diver $215
Single supplement $150
Options:
2 tank dive Saturday afternoon: $50
Nitrox 6 or 8 dives: $50
Deposit of $100 is required to hold a spot (16 spots available); your spot should be confirmed shortly after
2/18
Not Included:
Air flight – Jet Blue $161 (price checked last time: 1/22). Round Trip including exit tax
· 1st checked bag 50 lbs FREE, 2nd bag $30
· Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau Friday 5/21 9:25 AM arriving 10:24 AM
· From Nassau Monday 5/24 leaving 4:11 PM arriving 5:09 PM
Meals – Orange Hill Beach Inn has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an honor bar open in
the day, and bartender available in the evenings. There are other restaurants in area. Boat Dock has a Grill
Restaurant.
Transportation is available at the Orange Hill Beach Inn. Public bus $1.50 runs every 15 minutes
(downtown 20 min.) until 6 PM. Taxis are available.
Forward questions to trip leaders Kathy & John Ficarra
localdiving@usadiveclub.com
954-340-7755
Check out web sites below for more info.
www.stuartcove.com www.orangehill.com www.JetBlue.com
Cozumel - Isla de Mujeres, Mexico
July 10-18, 2010
8 nights/10-15 dives/2 islands/1 Whale Shark trip
Cozumel is an old favorite of Under Sea Adventurers. We are going back for the first time in 5 years and
we are doing it slightly different this time. Cozumel ranks high on “value for money” and we do a single
direct flight from Ft.Lauderdale. The prices compare to what we paid 5 years ago.
We will be flying out of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, July 10th, into Cancun and traveling to Cozumel for
5 days and 6 nights at the Villa Blanca Garden Hotel. We will be diving 5 days with ScubaMau, highly
rated on Trip Advisor. With ScubaMau, we will be offering two options; either 2 or 3 boat dives a day.
Both options come with unlimited shore diving right there at the Villa Blanca beach. ScubaMau is conveniently
located right next door to Villa Blanca. Our first day of boat dives will be Sunday and the last boat dives for
this trip will be Thursday.
On Friday the 16th, we will be traveling to Isla de Mujeres for a tour to snorkel with whale sharks, with
Delfin Diving. On Isla Mujeres, we will be staying at the Posada del Mar, four doors down from the ferry
dock. Saturday is our Whale Shark tour and, since it is a snorkel trip, we will be off-gassing both Friday
and Saturday.
Package includes:
- 6 nights at Villa Blanca, with breakfast
- 10 dives
- 2 nights at Posada del Mar
- 1 whale shark snorkel trip
- All transfers, taxes, and tips
Diver: $850 Non Diver: $575
Options:
- 5 extra dives: $ 150
- Single Supplement: $260
- Night dive $35
- Nitrox: $7/tank (cost)
Not included:
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Ft.Lauderdale (FLL) to Cancun (CUN) and from Cancun back to Ft.Lauderdale.
Flight #1795 leaves FLL July 10 at 10:25 AM, arriving CUN at 11:09 AM.
Flight #1796 leaves CUN on July 18 at 12:04 PM, arriving FLL at 2:45 PM.
Today’s price (2/3/10) is $284.90; first checked bag free (max 50 pounds; max dimensions 62”; optional second bag will be $30 each way, total of $60.
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Dining in Cozumel:
There are restaurants galore in Cozumel, something for everyone. At the hotel there is “Nemo-Catch of
the Day” gourmet restaurant open from 3:30 PM to 10:30 PM; Las Adas, a bar and casual restaurant by
the pool; and Lahach, a beach club and snack bar. Upstairs from ScubaMau is a Café. A short taxi ride
away are a few places that I make sure to always visit for dinner; Casa Denis, Especia’s and Guido’s.
Sunday night I always enjoy the Fiesta in the Plaza with mariachis and food cart vendors (my favorite
being the churros – yum). The spray-paint artists are amazing to watch using cans of spray paint, paper
plates, newspapers, torches and odd little tools here and there to make their masterpieces.
Taxis around town are plentiful and the prices are set in zones. Sharing a ride makes it all the more
affordable.
DEPOSIT: $100 due with your sign up ($150 if opting for a single supplement). Please sign up by 2/18
or earlier. Please book your airfare when confirmed.
Check out websites for more info:
Dry Tortugas on the “Playmate”
August (14)15-18, 2010
Note: 2008 Prices
This will be my “8th” trip on the Playmate. We took a break last year for many individual reasonsld
and are now ready to do it again. This trip is a hunting trip for lobsters and spear fishing. The boat is 60 feet long
with a twenty foot beam. Holds 8-10 (11) passengers in four separate air conditioned staterooms, plus two
bathrooms with showers. The fine cuisine is prepared to your delight using only the best cuts of meat,
poultry, and fresh-caught seafood. Other amenities include: sun deck, satellite TV/VCR/stereo, water
maker, DNA 32% Nitrox, shaded back deck, cut out transom with platform, 2 electric on board air
compressors. Prices include: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, snacks, water and lemonade. Weights,
tanks and tips included. All dives are drift dives
When we did this in 2008, our trip got cut short by hurricane “Fay”. The new owner, Mark, (even though he
was not in charge when we did the last trip) has offered that we can do the trip at 2008 prices. Compared to
the pricing from this year, that is $800-1700 value depending on how many divers go.
Prices are: $1,350.00 Air, $1,450.00 Nitrox, $1,490.00 for tanks over 80 with own tanks.
PS: It is highly recommended to use Nitrox on this trip. There is a small risk of a fuel surcharge (priced
in already), but only if the prices stray up from where they have been the last year.
We board the boat after 7:00 PM, Saturday night, August 14th. The boat leaves the dock at 5:00 AM while
we sleep. We wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and are served a full hot breakfast. We start diving
around 8:00 AM. We average 6 dives a days, diving on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (2-3
dives), and return to the docks on Wednesday the 19th around 3:00 PM.
This boat books up fast! Many prior participants sign up for this trip.
Deposit: $200
Trip Leader: Nils Jacobsen
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
954-783-1667
Links:
http://www.seaclusive.com
http://spearfishingcharters.com
http://www.usadiveclub.com/html/august_2006_dry_tortugas.html
More details at USA’s February 4th dive club meeting.
Nils Jacobsen
VP Overseas Diving
overseasdiving@usadiveclub.com
USA Calendar
- February 4th - Regular Monthly Meeting @ 7:30 PM
- Best Western Deerfield Hotel & Suites
1050 E Newport Center Drive
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
- February 21st - Adopt-A-Street cleanup
Click on USA’s calendar to view future events.
Contact Info:
Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club web site: www.usadiveclub.com
Meetings: First Thursday of each month at:
Best Western Deerfield Beach Hotel & Suites
1050 E. Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Social: 7:00 PM, Meeting: 7:30 PM
Board of Directors
Membership Dues - - - $40 yearly; $70 for married couples
Download the Membership Packet from our website.
All information and images are property of ©2010 Under Sea Adventurers Dive Club
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