Minutes of the April Meeting of the Westbay Woodturners on April 8, 2008

            The meeting was opened by president Clarence Kellogg at 7:20 p.m. in the wood shop of the Hillsdale High School in San Mateo.

            Visitors included Paul Guersch, Barbara Cambon, and All Fenn.

            The club welcomed a new member, Ed Hachfeld.

            Under officers' reports, treasurer Ken Clifford said there was about $4,500 in the bank, though some show expenses were still to be paid.

            Librarian Budd Trapp introduced us to a new book, From Tree to Gallery, and indicated that there were a number of books out on loan and not yet returned. 

            Larry Maggi, our new safety officer, made a brief report.

            Warren Atkins, who for years has sold his segmented bowls to gift shops in the area, indicated that he can't keep up and that one market members might want to explore was the Potpourri store in Burlingame.  It is a market for turners.

            Gordon Rockhill said he had a phone call from Bob Bley, who has buckeye burl cutoffs if anyone wants them.  His phone number is (650) 854-4939.

            Dave Vannier discussed the Saturday beginners'

classes, especially the homemade tool class just held.

 He brought some green walnut and offered it to anyone wanting any.

            Under the president's challenge, the following submissions were offered.

            Ed Howes had a bowl.

            Tony Dowden presented a small dish and a "two bit bowl."

            Mike Howes had a bowl with a bite out of it of oak burl.  He also showed a depth gauge he made at the beginners' class.

            Peter Pipe had an egg finished with deft, diluted with 10% lacquer thinner--2 coats.

            Gene Franz had a large silver maple bowl finished with salad bowl finish.

            Bill Daniels offered a bolo.

            Tom Haines, ever the prolific turner, presented an olive bowl, a walnut bowl, and a raggedy edged Manzanita bowl.  He said the Manzanita was well behaved for turning.

The president's challenge prizes went to Ed Howes, Tom Haines, and Bill Daniels.  Mike Howes won the prize for show and tell.

            Laura Uden introduced the judges for the turning contest materials members presented at the Saratoga Carvers and Turners Show on April 5th and 6th.  These judges are experienced woodworkers, who are not members of our club:  Bruce and Jim Gott.  Laura took notes on their judging criteria, which included the orientation of the wood piece being turned, the weight of the piece, including thickness of walls (thin preferred), shape of piece, finish, including absence of tool marks or tears, fineness of polish, and the like.  There were forty-four piece in the show, and seventeen prizes were offered. 

At the break it was announced that the following club members had offered piece to the raffle:  Peter Pipe, Grant Allison, Steve Baum, Barry Uden, Warren Atkins, and  John Sauer.

Following the break, the meeting was devoted to the judging of each piece, both judges commenting.  Since Laura has already codified all the prizes and entries, I will not repeat that material in the minutes, especially since the presentation was more informal and hard to present in an organized manner--which she has done.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul O. Williams, Reporter