Dear Dolphin Divers of Sacramento, February 2024

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of Dolphin Divers of Sacramento; I hope this letter reminds you to get
something nice for your Valentine.

A little trivia about Valentine’s Day…did you know?
The real (brief) story of Valentine’s Day – “Valentine” was a very common name in late antiquity,
stemming from the Latin Valentinus. St. Valentine, who was born around 226AD in central Italy, was
the first of many martyrs recognized by the Roman Catholic Church to have had the name.
Valentine’s martyrdom was a result of his persecution as a Christian – a type of religious
discrimination that lasted in the Roman Empire until 313AD. Valentine was imprisoned and then killed
for general ministerial malpractice and for overseeing the weddings of Roman soldiers who were
forbidden from marrying by law. When the emperor Constantine legalized the Christian religion, under
the edict of Milan in 313AD, February 14th was renamed St. Valentine’s feast day. However, it would
be over a century until this date was celebrated by loving couples. ~ University of Lincoln
According to the Oxford Languages Dictionary, “St. Valentine’s Day” or Valentines Day (February
14 th ) is defined as, “a day when it is traditional to send a card, often anonymously, to a person one is
romantically involved with or attracted to.” In many cultures, it is a time to celebrate romantic love,
friendship, and admiration. Every year on February 14 th people celebrate this day by sending
messages of love and affection to partners, family, and friends.”

So get out there and share some love and affection with your partner, family, and friends – maybe not
in that order, but treating them with some roses and chocolates is a great way to honor their presence
in your life.

Please note, our next Dolphin Club General Meeting will be held in-person on Wednesday,
February 21 st , 2024, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Round Table Pizza (9500 Greenback Lane in
Folsom), and via Zoom for those who would prefer to attend remotely. Marilyn will send information
on the day of the meeting. You will not want to miss this meeting…everyone is welcome to join!
Hope to see you in the water and bubbles up!!

Owen Autry,
President

QUOTES FROM THE SEA

Please send in your favorite “Quotes from the Sea” if you have not already seen them here. I am always looking for more.

Safety Officer’s Message
By: Brad Freelove

Educate Yourself,

I just returned from a 12-day trip to the Socorro Islands. Along with three DDS members, we
enjoyed the warm, sunny weather to dive among some of the larger creatures that inhabit our
oceans. Dolphins, manta rays, and six different kinds of sharks showed up to look at us while
we did the same of them. With 77-degree water and a great group of people, the trip was full
of fun and excitement.

Dive computers were mandatory and most everyone had at least 2. Underwater cameras were
as common as dive computers. As the trip progressed, a few divers started asking some
equipment related questions. The divers knew how to operate their computers but did not
remember what RBT or MOD meant. As usual, we try and help each other when we can.
Questions were answered by the more experienced divers. The same for cameras. Cell phone
housings were the most prolific choice for our group. Both iPhone and Android cell phones
take some amazing photos and videos. As easy to use as they are, cell phone housings do
require some maintenance and knowledge from the owner. Again, questions were asked, and
the more experienced users helped as needed.

While owners’ manuals are a good source of information, many dive computers do not come
with them. If you want to have one, you get on the internet, find the owner’s manual that you
need and print it. You could end up with a 60-page book! Many of our more experienced
divers take advantage of the many videos that are available on the internet. They might spend
an hour or two finding the most helpful video or videos, then watch them before each trip to
refresh their memory. I use a combination of both videos and owners’ manuals to build my
own “cheat sheets” that apply to my computers and cameras. Another great source of
information is the folks at Dolphin Scuba. Sometimes the owner’s manual is a little vague and
the on-line video passes right over your question. Head on down to Dolphin and ask for some
help. They can get you the help you need. With a mix of owner’s manuals, on-line vides, and
Dolphin Scuba, you can become familiar with your equipment before you take your next trip.

Socorro Island Pictures
from January’s trip
(just a few until the meeting)

Underwater Easter Egg Hunt
(Reposted from last month)

 We have scheduled our first major dive event for 2024. Our annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt will be held again in Monterey on Saturday, March 9. This event is open to all paid 2023 and/or 2024 members, only. Guests are welcome to join for the Awards Ceremony the evening of the event. Information about the event is below, and the sign-up form is attached.

EASTER EGG HUNT
Saturday March 9

Our annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt in Monterey will be on Saturday, March 9. We’ll have lots of GREAT prizes, one for every egg and some for our raffle too! The hunt area will be at the west end of San Carlos Beach, opposite the breakwater, and down the stairs from the restrooms. Everyone will need to be on the beach between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. to sign in and receive a dive orientation. The area of the hunt will be cordoned off underwater with yellow rope and there will be floats on the surface marking the area from above. Boats may be moored outside of the hunt area BUT ALL contestants must remain ON THE SURFACE until the starting whistle is blown.  At 10:00 sharp we will blow a whistle to signal the start of the event, at which time you should descend. If you are floating over the hunt area and descend when you hear the whistle you are almost assured of finding an egg. If you have not yet reached the hunt area when the whistle is blown the easy ones will be already found and you will have to work much harder to find them. There are often egg numbers that are not found so don’t give up too early!  There will be extra weights and a safety diver in a boat, anchored in the center of the area. We will have children’s activities organized on the beach while parents are searching for their eggs underwater. If you, or someone you know, would be willing to help with the children’s activities please let me know. 

 Prizes for the adults and children will be awarded at the evening buffet and awards ceremony at Del Monte Grill and Cafe, located in front of the Monterey Travelodge on Fremont Avenue. Social hour will start at 5:00 followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the prize presentations immediately after dinner. Be sure to bring money for some GREAT raffle prizes! I will post the sign-up form on our web site and send a map and directions in an e-mail to everyone who has signed up for this event. If you do not have access to the internet, or a printer, the forms will also be available at the January and February general meetings. Some of the meal cost will be subsidized by the club to keep your member cost down.

We have negotiated a group rate of $129.00 single, $139.00 double/night at Monterey Travelodge for Friday and Saturday nights, regularly $159.00. Ask for Erika Henss to get our club rate. There are only 15 rooms set aside for us at this rate.

Monterey Travelodge, (831) 373.3381

For more info e-mail, text, or call the Easter Bunny: Jack Millard at (916) 955.8017,  jbmillard@aol.com

Just Laugh

Member News

February Birthdays:
Mitch Evensen
Kathleen Forrest
Ashley Herzberg
Brian Hopper
Barry Hurff
Alex Oja
Mark Oliver
Rob Lamun
David Sheh
Liz Gilmore
Owen Autry
Natalie Clark

New Members:
Nancy Deer
Jennifer Tracy
Wendy & David Oberst
Nancy Ryman
Rob Lamun
Sean Nealon
Michelle Hicks

Are you interested in becoming a Dolphin Divers of Sacramento member?
CLICK HERE TO JOIN

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

For the full view click here…

Feb 1, 2024	DDS Board Meeting	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
Feb 21, 2024	DDS General Meeting	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com	Joe Morgan topic Socorro Islands trip in January 2024
March 6, 2024	DDS Board Meeting	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com
March 9, 2024	Easter Egg Hunt	Jack Millard	(916) 955-8017 jbmillard@aol.com
March 20, 2024	DDS General Meeting	Owen Autry	(916) 955-9105 ocautry@gmail.com

EDITOR’S NOTE
By: Joe Morgan

I AM LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TO SEND IN PICTURES OF DIVING, DIVING VACATIONS ETC.

• Trip Reviews: Let us know where you have been diving, what operator you used, the hotel you stayed at and how was the diving there. Let us know if the operator was safe and fun. Let us know if the hotel was a good deal, give us as much detail as possible and hopefully more Dolphin Divers will venture there in the future.
  
• Recipes: I was told that in the past Dolphin Divers gave each other SEAFOOD recipes that they loved so that everyone could enjoy the bounty of the sea, I hope to continue that each month with at least one good recipe.
  
• Dive and Camping yard-sale items you wish to include in the newsletter.
  
• Dive Activities: Please let me know if there are any dive-related activities you would like included in the newsletter.
  
• Pictures from your last dive. Please make sure to let me know how you would like the picture credited in the newsletter. -example – Picture by John Member, of a Silky Shark, at Roca Partida Mexico.

PLEASE MAIL ALL SUBMISSIONS TO

Editor@dolphindivers.org

DOLPHIN DIVERS OF SACRAMENTO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Owen Autry
Vice President: Ken Takata
Treasurer: Marlyn Sepulveda
Secretary: Elizabeth Marchiondo
Safety Officer: Brad Freelove
Activity Chair: David Whiteside
Webmaster: Renee Viehmann
Promotions Chair: Tracy Clarke
Newsletter Editor: Joe Morgan
Historian: Jack Millard
Member at Large: Tom Mischley
Member at Large: Lalanyia Little
Member at Large: Ed Hurff
Member at Large: Sally Walters
Member at Large: Douglas Hillblom
Alternate Member at Large: Corinne Fuerst