We host weekly happy hours, monthly parties, day sails, offer sailing lessons and more.

Welcome to the August edition of the Cowtown Mariners newsletter.

As I write this, Patrick, our Commodore and knower of all things nautical, is conducting the first of two sessions on Basic Sailing at the Fort Worth Boat Club. We have so many in the class, that the on-the-water portion has to be done in split sessions. Great job Pat of getting the new sailors up to ramming-speed.

Elizabeth L is having her annual pool party on August 22nd at 2440 Medford Court West (just above the Fort Worth Zoo). The party starts at 4 PM. Bring an item for grilling and a side dish to share. Remember, at Elizabeth's there is not much room for bank wading, so bring your swimsuit so you can get into the pool and have a place to dance.

Mark it down, Saturday September 5th, Dallas R is hosting the Mother of all Labor Day parties. Dallas and Elizabeth will be having a blind beer-tasting contest at the party. Just to make sure the best beers are available they have been going out and sampling some of the brews around Fort Worth. I understand that they have not gone blind on tasting any of the beers, but they did have to shut one eye to see the road to drive home.

Thanks to LaVoice for organizing dinner at Ruth Chris on August 18th during KRLD's restaurant week. We have 20 going and the restaurant is full. However, if you are interested, talk to LaVoice about getting on a waiting list in case someone cannot go.

In the ongoing saga of renaming our sailboat "Rainbow," we are having difficulty in finding a name that Pat, Burt, and I agree on. (I am pushing for "The Horny Toad" myself.) If any of you can come up with a name and get the three of us to agree upon it, I will buy you a case of Bogle.

Several Mariners will be sailing the Greek Isles the first week in October. Jimmy Buffet is playing in Paris on Saturday the week before. It would be great to do both, but I could not stretch vacation to cover it.

Upcoming in the fall, we are going to have cooking classes for those of you that make Ernie’s free appetizers your main meal of the week.

In October, there will be Stuart's Halloween party and maybe a Hobo Stew party. Details to follow.

The Holiday Season starts with Emerald City and the Fort Worth Margarita Ball on November 14 and closes with Big Band Sounds at the Ridglea Country Club for the Cowtown Mariners' Christmas party on December 19th.

Birthdays to remember are Janis G 2^nd, Sybil C 3^rd, Al C 7^th, Terry A Jack W, and Liz Z on the 8^th, Jae J 15^th, Brian C 22^nd, Rich G 27^th, Toby B on September 3^rd, and Nancy Bon 9/4.

In closing, remember guys, it is not the size of the yacht that matters, it's how well you maneuver it into the slip. Wonder if Pat taught that at his sailing classes?

Welcome to the July edition of the Cowtown Mariners online newsletter.

It is the middle of summer in Texas. That means Hot Weather and time for skinny dipping or chunky dunking for those of us without our youthful figures. If you go out on one of the Moonlight Sails, bring your swimsuit and jump in the lake to cool off. Be sure to check facebook and sign up early if you what to go. I know the boats were full the last two weeks.

After a couple of slow months of activity, the Mariners are kicking it up a notch or two with things to do. On the 4^th of July, Roy T. has a party at his Lake Bridgeport lodge and Peggy is hosting a pool party for those staying in Fort Worth..

On July 11^th, Maieve is having a pool party at her Bedford home. The party starts at 4 pm. Bring an item for grilling and a side dish to share. Call for more information or directions. Music will be provided if you want to dance in the pool.

Elilzabeth is having her annual pool party on August 1^st at 2440 Medford Court West (just above the Fort Worth Zoo). As with the Maieve’s party, the party starts at 4 pm. Bring an item for grilling and a side dish to share. Remember, at Elizabeth’s there is not much room for bank wading, so bring you swimsuit so you can get into the pool and have a place to stand.

O, and by the way, at five minutes and six seconds after 4 am on the 8th of July, it will be 04:05:06 07/08/09 - it ain’t coming around again.

On these hot summer days, it is a good time to practice for the Beer Tasing Party that Dallas R. will be hosting Labor Day weekend.

Our Commodore will be leading Basic Sailing Lessons starting August 1st. Contact Patrick to register or for information at CowtownMariners@hotmail.com.

By the way, you can help Patrick and me rename our sailboat. It was given the name “Rainbow” by a previous owner. If you can think of a different name that is not “gay” related it will be appreciated and we may not get raided by the TABC.

You have probably received a survey request from the Board on comments as to what we need to do different or keep doing to help improve Mariners.  We have been around 20 years and have reinvented ourselves several times, we need help on what we what to be when we grow up.

Whimp free happy hour will be announced on Facebook later in the month for those of you that are interested in a little up-scale happening.

The last week in September, join us in Paris and go on to Greece the next week with Linda’s Sailing Adventures.

The Holiday Season starts with Emerald City and the Fort Worth Margarita Ball on November 14 and closes with Big Band Sounds at the Ridglea Country Club for the Mariners' Christmas Party on December 19^th.

Upcoming Birthdays are Ellie T. 2^nd,  Renée M.and  Toni P. 4^th , Steve G 5^th,  Dolores F 6^th, Larry F 7^th, Keith J 12^th, Cathy M. 13^th, Linda G 17^th, Phyllis C 22^nd, Darrell B 23^rd, Carol  and Charlene C 25^th,  Tom D 28^th, Alice S 30^th,  and Janis G on 8/2.

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Please check with Pat so we can get you on a boat to get out in the lake or just bring your own.

Now that it is warning up, we will be going out for moonlight sails more often. Drop by Earnies on Thursday to see who is going out. 

Whimp Free Happy Hour is on June 9th. There is no free food or cheap wine prices, but if you enjoy a nice glass of wine in a great atmosphere, come on down.

June is Concerts in the Garden – Check Facebook for information as it is updated.

Heineken Regatta at the Fort Worth Boat Club June 6 and 7th. Capitan’s are usually looking for more crew if you want to sail all weekend.

Ralph and Ron are going to the BVI’s the latter part of June and still have a couple of slots open. Call them if you want to go.

Here is part of your calendar for the coming months:

July 4^th

For those of you that want to get out of  town. Roy T.  has invited us to Lake Bridgeport. Party starts at noon. BYOB and a dish to share. Roy is cooking catfish.

For those that want to stay in town, Peggy N. is having a pool party at her house. Come after 4, BYOB and a dish to share.

July 11^th  Maieve is having a Pool Party followed by another pool party at Elizabeth's on August 1^st.

Last week in September join us in Paris and go on to Greece the next week with Linda’s Sailing Adventures.

The Holiday Season starts with Emerald City at the Fort Worth Margarita Ball on November 14 and closes with Big Band Sounds at the Ridglea Country Club for the Mariners' Christmas Party on December 19^th.

Remember to sign up on Facebook on the Cowtown Mariners page so you can find out about activities put together at the last minute.

Save the date - December 19 - for our big, big annual Christmas Party at Ridglea Country Club!