Grandma Jan's 31 Jan B'day

New Map

Check this out, and it is being posted from FotoTagger.

Team Base Revelry

Last evening at the BMW ORACLE Racing base, Leslie and Meg standing by as we feted our old AC friend, Bob "The Fish" Fisher (GBR, journalist/ historian), on the occasion of his 72nd birthday. Full story on the team blog.

Spitting Image?

More nice ink in this week's Chelsea Standard for Kaitlin....

Chelsea's Ehman signs with EMU

By Don Richter, Sports Editor

PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007

Chelsea's Kaitlin Ehman is a typical teenager.

She likes hanging out with friends, loves movies, especially "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and enjoys listening to rock and roll and rap music.

She's your typical girl, except for one, small little nuance - she has an unusual habit of spitting before every soccer game.

Well, not only Ehman, but the entire Chelsea girls' soccer team has the same ailment.

"We've been doing it since I've been on the varsity," said Ehman, a two-year captain and three-year varsity performer for the Bulldogs. "Before every game, we gather together in a huddle and we all spit onto the field."

Uh-huh.

Whatever it is, the pre-game tradition has worked wonders for Ehman, a 5-foot-2 bundle of energy and competitive fire on the soccer field. Last month, the senior midfielder signed to continue her soccer career at Eastern Michigan University.

"It has always been a goal of mine to play college soccer," said Ehman, who also was recruited by Grand Valley State, Olivet, Findlay (Ohio) and Buffalo. "I always wanted to play soccer at the highest level. Playing Division I was ideal."

Ehman, 17, will join Bulldog senior teammate keeper Maggie Manville on the Eagles' squad next season. Manville committed to EMU earlier this year.

"We've been close friends for a long time," Ehman said of Manville, who along with Ehman and senior midfielder Sarah Reinhardt captain this year's Chelsea team. "Having Maggie there (at EMU) made it more comfortable for me. I'll know quite a few of the incoming freshmen."

Scott Hall is EMU's women's soccer coach.

"He was my coach for a couple of years when I played for the Novi Jags," Ehman said regarding another reason why she chose the Eagles.

Chelsea coach Chris Orlandi said he would describe Ehman as feisty.

"I like that because it's a combination of fiery and nasty," he said. "She plays tougher than one would anticipate after looking at her small frame. She doesn't back down from anyone."

Ehman was born into an athletic family. Dad Martin played hockey at EMU, while mom Susan, also an EMU graduate, has been involved in athletics her entire life. Younger sister Brooke is a sophomore forward for Chelsea.

"My family has always been into sports," said Ehman, who spends time off the soccer field working at the family-owned North Lake Country Store in Chelsea. "Both of my parents have always encouraged me to try my best. And my younger sister has pushed me to work harder. She's made me a better player."

Ehman, who has a 3.8 grade point average and plans to major in business at EMU, began playing soccer at age 4 in the Chelsea Recreation league.

"I've always been a competitive person," she said.

For two years when she was 11- and 12-years-old, Ehman played in the local Brazilian American Youth Soccer Association on a boys' team.

"I loved it," she said of the more physical boys' league. "I wasn't intimidated at all. I actually liked hitting back. It was really competitive. I was sad when it ended."

After playing BAYSA soccer, Ehman moved on to the Dexter Mustangs for a few seasons before making the jump to the Chelsea varsity her sophomore year.

"My first year was pretty tough," she said. "After that, I was able to get used to things. In high school, there are so many different styles of play coming together. It's a physical game. But I love that."

Orlandi said Ehman is a very capable captain for Chelsea.

"She's willing to open her mouth when something needs to be said," he said. "Kait also understands the game well and is a great leader and motivator on the field. She brings a lot of positives to our program. Her teammates truly respect her ability, drive and commitment level."

Last season, the Bulldogs lost to county rival Dexter in double overtime in the Division II state district final. The Dreadnaughts would go on to the state semifinals before losing. That loss has motivated Ehman.

"This is our year," she said. "This season, we all decided that our motto would be 'No Drama.' We wanted to get rid of that element. Our main focus this year is to play as a team every game. In the past, we focused more on our won-loss record and on individual stats. This year, it's all about the team."

And the pre-game spit.


See also our previous EFB story on Kaitlin.

Smingus Dingus

Courtesy of today's Valencia Life newsletter:

+ Easter Island was named as such by Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who discovered it on Easter Day 1772.

+ The Easter Rebellion was a revolt that shook Ireland in 1916.

+ Rabbits are used at Easter to celebrate fertility.

+ Easter in Poland is called Smingus Dingus and consists of people pouring or spraying water over each other.

+ The Easter Egg Hunt is based on a German fable where eggs were coloured so they could be easily identified in case of famine.

Nice Ink: Midfielder Kaitlin Ehman

Baby brother (of your Ed.) Martin Ehman and his wife Sue have two soccer playing daughters of high school age and considerable repute, Kaitlin and Brooke. Excerpt from an article this week in the Chelsea Standard:

Chelsea's girls' soccer team opened its season defeating visiting Ann Arbor Huron 2-1 last Thursday.

Alison Beatty, Colleen Cottrell, Lee McLaughlin and Codie Barron were outstanding in the back," Orlandi said. "And Kaitlin Ehman, Liz Gunden and Cara Johnson were excellent in the midfield."

Chelsea next travels to Saline for a game April 12 at 7 p.m.

On April 17, the Bulldogs host Tecumseh at 5:30 p.m.

On April 19, Chelsea visits Ypsilanti Lincoln for a match-up at 5:30 p.m.

On April 20, the Bulldogs host Jackson Parma Western at 5:30 p.m.

Full story


And from the Eastern Michigan University athletics website about the "2007 women's soccer recruiting class":

Kaitlin Ehman
Chelsea, Mich.-Chelsea
Position: Midfield
Club Team: Novi Jaguars
"Kaitlin, who is teammates with fellow recruit Maggie Manville at Chelsea, is a leader by example and the hardest working player on the field who will provide more depth to a talented midfield. Her best position is center midfield but she can play as an attacking midfielder or back on defense as well. She understands the game very well, puts a premium on maintaining possession and plays every match with great passion and determination."



EMU Eagles women's soccer team, with whom Kaitlin will be playing this fall.



Kaitlin in a 2004 photo from the story "Bend it Like Kaitlin" posted here on the EFB.

Dan Lyons, 1936-2007

Our old sailing friend, and father of long-time Midwest Sailing and Portage Yacht Club staffer Rick Lyons, has left this world.

Dan was a very capable sailor, whether in his Sunfish or, later, the Interlake. Quiet and affable, he was a fixture in racing on Portage Lake for some 35 years. Dan, Rick and I won a Flying Scot North Americans in, what, 1973(?) at Riverside YC in Connecticut. I think it was the first and maybe last time Dan raced on salt water! Dan was as good a crew as he was a helmsman.

Here is a nice write-up about Dan that I found (thanks to Google) on the PYC website, written by Rick last year.

The obit forwarded yesterday by sister Ruth:

Daniel Tibbals Lyons, 70, of Pinckney died Wednesday, March 7, 2007. He was born March 28, 1936 in Toledo, Ohio, the son of James and Belva Lyons. He was the owner of Ashley Auto Service in Ann Arbor and a long-time sailor at Portage Yacht Club. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Carole Freeman Lyons. He is survived by his son, Rick (Cheryl) Lyons; his daughter, Laura Rodenbeck; his step-daughter, Atessa Khazaeli; his mother-in-law, Opal Freeman; his sister, JoAnn (Larry) Shaw; his aunt, Annabelle Ehnis; five grandchildren, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. A memorial service will be held at Shalom Lutheran Church (1740 East M-36, Pinckney, MI 48169) on Thursday, March 22 at 2 p.m. Family will receive visitors at the church on Thursday from noon until the time of service. Those who wish may direct memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.

Our condolences to the entire family, especially Rick and his sister Laura with whom the Ehman kids literally grew up at Portage Lake.

Buon Apetito

Antonio Campagniolo, late one night last week, in front of his restaurant Lambrusceria, Conde Altea 31 in Valencia. For three years Lambrusceria, a.k.a. "The Docks", has been our favorite eatery in VLC, and has in that time become a popular hangout for the AC crowd. Toni is a marvelous host and good friend.

AC Vets

TFE with old long-time Cup friends and veterans Bruno Trouble (FRA), Dyer Jones (USA) and Christine Belanger (FRA) at a recent informal reception in the Port America's Cup. Bruno founded the Louis Vuitton Cup in Newport for the '83 Cup. Dyer, who was for years our next-door neighbor in Newport, is the overall Regatta Director for AC 32 and ran the last two LVC's in Auckland. Christine is LV's sponsorship director for AC 32. Yikes, between among* the four of us we have done something like 40 America's Cups. Nice photo courtesy of LV's Monica Savini (FRA/USA).

*grammar corrected thanks to Grandma Jan

For the Love of Art

Like the Love Sculpture in NYC and elsewhere, this "Por amor al arte" by Robert Indiana is in the Gran Vía Marquez de Turía, Valencia. Photo courtesy of Fabio Gava.

PC

A gem of an email arrived this morning from our friend Peter "Luigi" Reggio in Connecticut, who happens to be PRO ("Principal Race Officer") for the 32nd America's Cup. Peter is also widely known for his warped sense of humour, which helps to lighten up an otherwise too-often serious AC scene. Politically correct he ain't....


Not that you care what I think, but it appears that I am not alone -- see below. Best,

Luigi

"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous liberal press, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."


As good as Luigi's quote is, sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. N.B. -- this is a post about PC, not ACM.

Video Call from Karlsruhe

Aunt Cristine and niece Rachel checked in this afternoon via Skype, and we turned on the video cams. Above, a screen capture of the video call at my end. Rachel also showed Cristine how to IM (instant message) using Skype, and together we showed Cris some of the more interesting if not useful emoticons, such as:

)o(

Starbucks

Valencia now has not one but two Starbucks. We paid a quick visit to the newest one on Sunday when touring Rachel around downtown. Rachel has lived all her life in the USA, has even been to Seattle, but, LOL, the first time she went to a Starbucks was today in Spain....

Parting Shots

We enjoyed very much having Rachel here with us these past few days. I put her on the plane this morning bound for Frankfurt (GER) via Madrid. She will train to Karlsruhe and stay with "Aunt Cristine" for a few days, then on Friday head to Bitburg to visit a friend of hers stationed at the US Air Force base there.

On Sunday Rachel flies home to Michigan, having completed a whirlwind European trip -- her first. A few of the many shots Rachel took over the past couple days that she asked be posted here....

Yesterday, Rachel and Leslie strolled on the Puzol town beach, near our home. The beaut early summer weather we enjoyed over the weekend continues this week with temps in the 70s.

The view from the Puzol beach erosion-prevention pier that also doubles as a fishing pier. The homes up on the hill, more or less behind the foot of the pier, is our neighborhood.

Valencia's bull ring.

Sunday evening, "Uncle Tom" at home in the family cabin. Am just leaving to drive the 20 mins or so into Valencia to give another talk at the team base for a group from BMW.

AC TV

The America's Cup will be carried on the Versus network (formerly OLN) in and around the USA. I just posted a story about ACTV and Versus on the Challenger Commission Blog.

For those of you in and near Ann Arbor, Versus says this is where you can find them on your TV dial:

Comcast - Ann Arbor		Channel number 71
Comcast - Ann Arbor (Digital)		Channel number 71
DIRECTV Detroit - Detroit		Channel number 608
DISH Detroit - Detroit		Channel number 151
DIRECTV - USA		Channel number 608
DISH Network - USA		Channel number 151

Others of you in North America can find your Versus channel here.

Marketing Minds

Two of TFE's good Cup friends, who are themselves close friends -- Mirko Groeschner (GER) and Lars Boecking (GER), respectively the marketing directors for BMW ORACLE Racing and Shosholoza, and two of the top marketing minds in the sport. TFE photo.

For Grandma Jan and Sister Ruth

Saturday evening "deener" at Casa Ehman. Nice Argentine beef marinated by Leslie and grilled to near perfektion on the barbecue.



Meg and Rachel in front of USA-61, the 2000-era Cup boat now used as a "show boat", outside of the BMW ORACLE Team Base in the Port America's Cup in Valencia on Sunday.



To think that TFE Sr and Jan are only 20 years older than Jr, yet Jr is 40 years older than Meg. Yikes, Meg, you got old-fart parents! Photo by Rachel.

Carrot Fibre Boats?

A piece your Ed. posted over on the Challenger Commission Blog a week or so back that you might enjoy....


Maybe this latest tech development is why the British have decided to Challenge for the next America's Cup? We are checking with Andy Green (GBR), but in the meantime....

According to press reports over the weekend, scientists in Scotland have developed a revolutionary new material called CurranTM, made from microscopic fibres extracted from carrots. Similar to carbon fibre, it is lighter, stronger and can be moulded into almost any shape when it is combined with special resins.

Your Ed. has been copied on an email to ACC Technical Director Ken McAlpine asking if this new exotic fibre would be legal under the current (Version 5) of the Class Rule. The email was from a senior (at least in terms of age if not also stature) member of the Challenger Commission, who wishes to remain anonymous so as not to embarrass his/her team give away any of his/her team's potential design developments.

Mr. McAlpine's terse reply said that he would take it up with the Measurement Committee. He did add that perhaps aging members of the Challenger Commission, including your Ed., should continue to eat their carrots for the sake of their eyesight and lower tracts.

These carrot fibre press reports have also brought renewed attention to other low tech health benefits of this potentially high tech vegetable. Indeed, one hears ACM is considering opening up yet another restaurant in the Port America's Cup -- this one to specialize in dishes using Valencia's second-leading (only to oranges) agri-produce, arroz, which can be combined with the orange legume to make carrot-fiber treats.

Maybe this development will bring Andrew "Carrot Top" Johns (NZL, legal advisor to the 1988 Big Boat Challenge, and now a successful vegetable farmer) out of retirement.

One thing seems certain -- America's Cup teams from countries with a rich agricultural industry will be rooting for this new material.

Full story

Blogging Up the Wrong Tree?

P.S. Meg suggested a new title for this post -- "Your Blog is Worse than Your Bite."

Self-portrait

Photo Meg took of herself just playing around with Rachel's nice Canon A630 digicam at the dinner table last evening.

Rachel Arrives in VLC

Sister Ruth's oldest, Rachel, arrived in VLC this evening after an overnight flight from Detroit to Frankfurt, and then connecting through Madrid -- her first trip to Europe. Rachel took the 20-hour journey in stride and was none the worse for wear. Tonight, after raising a glass at dinner to the memory of "Aunt Ethel" (Rachel's grandmother -- see previous post) we got Grandma Jan on the speakerphone....

"Aunt Ethel" Stevens, 1919-2007

We are profoundly saddened by the passing of "Aunt Ethel" Stevens, aged 88, in Chelsea, MI this morning after a long illness. Ethel shared a 31 January birthday with Grandma Jan, and they were close friends for over 50 years. Ethel was grandmother to sister Ruth Ehman's four kids (Meg's cousins). Her late husband, Commodore W. Robert Stevens, was one of the founding members of Portage Yacht Club. A simply delightful lady, she was universally popular among, and treasured by, our extended family. A celebration of her life will take place at Portage Lake in July.

Grandma Jan (left, Tom's mom and Meg's grandmother), Kathy Wilson Leonard (center, Leslie's older sister), and "Aunt Ethel" Stevens at Ethel's 85th, and Jan's 70th, birthday party at PYC on 31 January 2004.

Ann Arbor's AC Team?

If for some odd reason our family and friends in A2 do not want to get behind and cheer for the "home" America's Cup team, the USA's BMW ORACLE Racing, then maybe you will find reason to back Sweden's Victory Challenge. From this morning's issue of the popular sailing newsletter Scuttlebutt....

* The Victory Challenge’s new America’s Cup boat, SWE 96, has been named Järv, or wolverine in English. The wolverine is one of the least known predators which is remarkably strong for its size and often described as cunning. By naming SWE 96 Järv, Victory Challenge continues its tradition of giving their America’s Cup boats names from nature. The two boats built in Auckland, SWE 63 and SWE 73 were called Örn, eagle, and Orm , snake. -- http://www.victorychallenge.com



Järv, training off Valencia against one of Victory's 2003 Cup boats in recent days. Photo: Victory Challenge.



Järv (upper right corner) was christened last night at a raging party, sponsored by title partner Red Bull, at their team base in Valencia. Photo: TFE.



You Univ of Mich fans will even appreciate the colors of the Swedish
national flag.

Mystery Music Man

Speaking of making music, this snap was taken in a bar here in VLC just before Christmas. Four of us had been asked to sit in for one set with the mystery man in the middle -- a semi-celebrity on his way up whose reputation we did not want to tarnish by blogging him playing with amateurs! Visible, from left: Carmen Hidalgo (ESP), Beatriz Pastor (ESP), TFE and BMW ORACLE Racing colleague Jane Eagleson (USA).

In Too Deep

After a Saturday night sleepover, band practice at our home this morning. From left Meg, Hayley Braun (USA), Rebecca Norberg (SWE), whose father sails with United Internet Germany), and Rosie Huhtamaki (FIN). Yesterday we re-arranged the living room furniture to accommodate a bandstand with a café ambience.



Name of the fledgling combo: "In Too Deep" (we won't ask). When we took this snap they were working up their first original song, yet to be named, written by Meg. No doubt about love and teenage angst. Yesterday, they were in town at the Aqua Mall all afternoon, at the teen nightclub "Guru" until 2300, then watched movies here at Casa Ehman until the wee hours. Not pictured, posse members Meggie Davison (AUS/NZL) whose dad sails with Alinghi, and Mikkel Bank (DEN), whose dad skippers United Internet Team Germany.