Community Rowing, Inc. Newsletter

WeeklyOctober 4, 2011
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CRI Family Quad 
Family Fills Quad and Rows at Textile


Lila McCain and her family rowed in a 'family quad' this past Sunday at the Textile Regatta. 
Coaches Appreciation Night
An Evening of Celebration and Fun
The boat bays set the scene for a night of conversation, presentations, speeches and music on Saturday night. With 350 people in attendance the evening was lively.

Special thanks to all of our staff, coaches, volunteers and members who worked so hard to make the special evening possible.
CRI Decals
Get Your CRI Decal Today!
 
CRI decals are now available for $2 at the front desk. You can stick them on your car, your boat, wherever you like. 
CRI Decal 
Housing For Traveling Rowers
CRI Friend Building Program
Would you be willing to host a rower from out of town who is coming to Boston to row in the Head of the Charles? Hosting a visiting rower is a fabulous way to participate in the huge undertaking that is the Head of the Charles.

We are looking for someone willing to host a rower from Philly. Spread the community spirit of CRI and help find this rower a place to stay. Host a rower and make a new friend to cheer for during the regatta.

If interested, please contact: 
Nonna 
Boathouse Hours/Columbus Day:  5am - 10am
No Regular Programming Monday, October 10th

The Harry Parker Boathouse will not be open for regular programming on Monday, October 10th, in observance of Columbus Day. 

The boathouse will be open from 5am - 10am so people may use the erg and weight rooms. The sculling pavilion will be open from 5am - 10am as well, for those who would like to scull.

There will be no regular programs held on Monday.
Corporate Rowing Volunteer Opportunities

 

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: leigh.communityrowing@gmail.com

  

Upcoming Corporate Rowing Events

We will need volunteer dock attendants, rowers and coxswains for all events listed below.

 

Wednesday, October 19th

6:30am - 11:30am
Participating Company: Lanxess from Germany
Volunteer Rowers, Coxswains and Dock Attendants Needed
 

For more information please email Leigh at: 


Weekend Private Events This Week  
Thursday October 6th and Sunday October 9th  

Thursday, October 6th
The Meeting Room will be closed from 7:30am to 5:30pm.
It is rented for the day by a corporate rowing group.

Sunday, October 9th - Wedding
2nd Floor Closes at 11:30am.
The Main Boat Bay East side 
will be used for the cocktail hour 
and the setup begins at 1:30pm.

 

Traffic Pattern Change ALERT! A MUST READ!!
Annual Traffic Pattern Change Effective Immediately
Traffic Pattern Change:
  • Quoting the traffic pattern document:   From Labor Day through Thanksgiving, from 5 am until 1 pm, the center arches of Western and River street bridges are upstream only, to accommodate crews and scullers training for the Head of the Charles regatta. In the afternoon, the center arches resume being bi-directional.
  • When using the center arches, all boats should stay to the right side of the river, and side arches should still be used as standard. 
  • Also remember that powerboats appropriately use the center arches in both directions so PLEASE use caution, especially at Weeks and Eliot.
Construction:

  • We have heard that the DCR plans to repair the railings of the Weeks Footbridge.  Little is known about this project, though we do know that barges and cranes will be used.  We do not expect work to begin until late September, and have asked that the Cambridge arch be closed first but little information has been forthcoming.  We'll let you know more when we know more, but keep your eyes open.
  • Longfellow has scaffolding and at least 3 barges working and they move.  Take a good look before proceeding and keep an eye out for diving flags.  The center arch is still off limits to all rowing traffic, as it always is.
  • BU is nearly complete and all remaining work will take place on the roadway.  However, barges will reappear at some point to take down the scaffolding.
  • Work on Anderson will not begin until January, but it is possible that sampling at Anderson, River or Western may take place.  If we hear that there will be barges or divers, we'll let you know (many thanks to MassDOT for good communications).
Reminders:

  • Think of the river in thirds, and stay out of the middle third unless passing. 
  • Boats sitting idle or doing drills should be on shore and single file.  Boats should NEVER sit more than one boat across, unless they are ready (as in, any second now) to start a piece (Sculling groups, that means you too).
  • Boats that are being passed move to shore.  There should be no mystery or dance to it.  Only during HOCR itself can the overtaking boat choose their course.  The only time a boat should have to change course to move around you is if you are on shore with nowhere to go.  Otherwise, you should move out of their way.  Yelling "Sculler look ahead" is not appropriate unless you are on shore.
  • Overtaking boats should also exercise caution.  In many, if not most spots on the river, passing 2 boats across is not safe.  If passing will require you to cross into the center of the river, don't do it.
  • Stroke seats should communicate oncoming traffic to their cox'n.
  • Watch out for novices.  They move slower and can't get out of your way as well as experienced crews.
  • Lights (both a red/green split for bow and white for stern) are not optional, they are required if you are rowing in the dark or anywhere near dawn or dusk.  Get a good set and a backup set.  Blinking lights are not allowed and those little frog light should only suppliment your standard lights.
  • Paint your blades the colors and pattern of the club from which you row, so that others can identify you.  This is not only required by the traffic pattern document, it is required by the State Police who are the harbormaster of the river

 

DCR Traffic Advisory - Weeks Memorial Footbridge
Work on Weeks Footbridge Begins September 20
DCR Traffic Advisory: Weeks Memorial Footbridge and Charles River Use

WHAT:   Beginning September 20, 2011, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will initiate work on the Weeks Memorial Footbridge to repair the original limestone balustrade handrails and replace a portion of the navigational lights above each arch on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge. This work is expected to conclude in mid- to late-January, 2012.

Given the historic nature of the footbridge, DCR has been coordinating with the Cambridge Historic Commission, the Boston Landmarks Commission, and the Massachusetts Historic Commission.

At any given time, half of the footbridge will remain open to the public for use during the construction project. In addition, navigational access will be maintained through at least two of the three arches at all times during construction.  DCR is working with the contractor in an effort to schedule the single arch closures during October, November and December in a sequence that minimizes impacts for rowing and boaters. This schedule will be posted on DCR's website by October 1.

To accommodate for the Head of the Charles event in mid-October, all work on the footbridge will be suspended, and full public access temporarily restored while the event is taking place.

It is anticipated that a barge will be staged in the Charles River in order to complete the necessary work and to provide the necessary containment. In addition, a containment system made of netting will also be installed to prevent any debris from entering the Charles River.

Per Coast Guard requirements, the barge will be equipped with navigational lights and positioned and anchored to the side of the river during non-working hours.

These immediate investments in railing and lighting repairs are a first step in a larger, multi-phase renovation and restoration of the Weeks Footbridge that DCR expects to unveil to the public through a public process and to commence in the Spring of 2012.

WHEN:   Beginning on Tuesday, September 20, and running through mid-January 2012.

WHERE:  DCR's Weeks Memorial Footbridge, the Charles River.
 
In This Issue
CRI Family Quad at Textile
CRI Decals
Housing for Traveling Rowers
Boathouse Hours Monday October 10th - Columbus Day
Private Events Thursday and Sunday
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