Fair Winds for All

Navy blue blazers, gold buttons and Nantucket red pants reigned supreme when the Santa Barbara Yacht Club marked its 153rd opening day as the second oldest sailing Mecca on the West Coast.

Club chef Owen Hanavan laid out a heaping display of food – plank halibut, Eggs Florentine and Benedict, sizzling sausages and more – along with gallons of mimosas that would have impressed even Belshazzar.

Naomi Jane Voigt sang the National Anthem, Dylan Edwards read the Pledge of Allegiance, Boy Scouts from Montecito’s Troop 33 presented the colors, and Mayor Randy Rowse made the city proclamation.

The Parade of the Fleet featured more than 20 boats led by Tom and Julie Hinkle in their 35-foot vessel True North, with 32 commodores and local dignitaries – from San Diego to San Francisco – joining in the impressive nautical festivities.

Club chaplain Judith Muller gave the invocation and blessing, and Becky Berkus conducted the eight bells ceremony remembering past club members, including my former colleague Erin Graffy and philanthropist Tom Parker.

Among the many marine mavens were new commodore Jeff Berkus, Jack Byers celebrating his 88th birthday with wife Karen, Matt Wilson, Dennis Boneck, Trish Davis, Brenda Blalock, David Sadecki, Francie Lufkin, Ed Schifferns, and Carly Kieding.

Quite the splash…