FATHOM THIS!
The monthly newsletter from
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
December, 2011
Issue #42
Peter Kasin, Park Ranger
Newsletter editor/writer
CONTRIBUTORS:
Seth Muir
Education Director, San Francisco Maritime National Park Association (SFMNPA)
Eve Vanderschmidt
Maritime Events Coordinator, SFMNPA
Alice Watts
Membership Coordinator, SFMNPA
IN THIS ISSUE:
YOUTH BOATBUILDING DORY LAUNCH
CHRISTMAS AT SEA
LIVING HISTORY OLD TIME MARITIME CHRISTMAS
SANTA'S MAILBOX
FLOATING FILMS SERIES: DONOVAN'S REEF
SF MARITIME NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
MEMBERS MARITIME STORE HOLIDAY SALE
LINKS
Welcome to the December issue of Fathom This! and to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, your floating national park on San Francisco's historic waterfront. Take in the park's special holiday family programs, view a classic movie in the Maritime Museum, and tour the historic floating vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Join the park's cooperating association and get 25% off on any items in the Maritime Store, through Christmas! For more information on all the programs and events the park has to offer, please see the park website at www.nps.gov/safr, the website of the Association at www.maritime.org, and of the cooperating Maritime Library Friends at www.maritimelibraryfriends.org.
The park will be closed on Christmas day.
Fathom This! is sent monthly. Feel free to forward it, in whole or in part, and enter it into blogs. If you would like to receive it, or to cancel, please email the editor at peter_kasin@nps.gov. Your name is never loaned or sold.
YOUTH BOATBUILDING DORY LAUNCH
Monday, December 5, 12:45pm, beginning at the Sea Scout base, Northern end of Van Ness Avenue. Free. Wheelchair accessible.
Come join us as we launch and christen our traditionally built wooden dory, the newest vessel in our fleet of Youth Built Boats. It took a team of students from Downtown High School, SF, just 14 working days to build this boat from scratch while learning to safely sail, row, interpret tide and wind, and read maritime literature as well. Please join us as we celebrate their accomplishment.
This project is a joint nonprofit partnership between the SFMNPA and GetOutAndLearn, with support from the National Park Service, the San Francisco Unified School District, and the Sea Scouts.
CHRISTMAS AT SEA
Saturday, December 10, 3:00-4:45pm, aboard Balclutha. Admission: Adults, $5. Ages 15 and under, free. Free with national park passes. Information: 415-447-5000. Wheelchair accessible.
This special holiday celebration features live music, refreshments, ornament-making, a ranger-led reading of a Christmas tale, and a special visit from Santa Claus. All activities are held aboard the historic sailing ship Balclutha, berthed at Hyde Street Pier. The Dogwatch Nautical Band starts the festivities at 3:00pm, performing traditional sea chanteys with a holiday twist. Kids of all ages will enjoy the popular ornament-making activities and refreshments beginning 3;00pm. As the band concludes its performance, Park Ranger Carol Kiser will read a classic holiday story. Another highlight of the celebration will be the arrival of the jolly fellow in the red coat. Santa arrives at 4:20, and will listen to children's wishes until the program ends at 4:45.
LIVING HISTORY OLD TIME MARITIME CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 10, 6;00pm-9;00pm. On Hyde Street Pier, and aboard the Lewis Ark, Eureka, and Balclutha. Free. Reservations required. Information and reservations: 415-447-5000. Pier and Balclutha portions of program wheelchair accessible.
The park's costumed Living History players present the annual Old Time Maritime Christmas, bringing history to life in this unique holiday program. Turn the clock back to Christmas in the year 1901, where you will meet and talk with captains, wives, and crews aboard historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Lamplit guided tours leave every 20 minutes from the entrance to Hyde Street Pier until 8;00pm. With the lights of San Francisco twinkling in the background, the historic ships and characters offer a memorable holiday experience.
SANTA'S MAILBOX
Saturday, December 10, 12 noon-4:00pm. In the Maritime Store, 2905 Hyde Street, just left of the pier entrance. Free. Wheelchair accessible. Information: 415-561-6662.
A letter to Santa Claus? Yes, it's true! Jolly St. Nicholas wants to hear from you. Write him a letter in the Maritime Store between 12 noon and 4:00pm, and the elves will deliver it to Santa after he arrives aboard Balclutha at 4:20pm. Letter writing supplies and candy canes for all.
FLOATING FILMS SERIES: DONOVAN'S REEF
Thursday, December 8, 7:00pm. Open seating begins 6:30pm. In the Maritime Museum, 900 Beach Street, foot of Polk. Donation: $5 - $15 suggested. Wheelchair accessible.
"Thomas Aloysius Gilooley!" ...roars John Wayne in this 1963 comedy/adventure, where the characters are as colorful as the scenery! Directed by John "long shot" Ford. Filmed on location in Hawai'i. Refreshments by donation. Benefits SFMNPA programs.
SFMNPA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
With the excitement of the holidays, including a huge sale at the Maritime Store in progress, and anticipating next year's arrival of the America's Cup events, now is the perfect time to become a member of the Association. There are seven levels to choose from. When you join SFMNPA, your membership supports an exceptional educational experience for all. You help build the self-confidence of students and sustain an exciting, authentic destination that reflects the best of San Francisco's past and present. Please consider joining us today either online at www.maritime.org (and see on the website all the programs and special events the Association has to offer), or by emailing Membership@Maritime.org, or call 415-561-6662.
MEMBERS MARITIME STORE HOLIDAY SALE
Store located at 2905 Hyde Street, at the entrance to Hyde Street Pier. Open daily, 9:30am - 5:30pm. 415-775-2665.
A 25% store wide discount from Thanksgiving through Christmas for all members of the SFMNPA! Become a member now to receive your discount.
LINKS
https://www.nps.gov/safr SF Maritime National Historical Park.
http://www.maritime.org SFMNPA, the park's cooperating association.
https://www.library.nps.gov The Maritime Library catalog.
https://www.museum.nps.gov/page.htm The Maritime museum catalog records.
