Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Merry Christmas, Foss Harbor Tenants!

A Budget Tale


T’was the night before Budget and all through the grounds,
Not a tenant was stirring except the Guard doing rounds.

The stockings were hung by the masts with care,


In hopes that our government would not leave them bare.


The vessels were nestled all snug in their slips,

While their radars monitored the on-going blips.

And I with my flak jacket armed with a Mac,


Had just settled down for a long budget chat.

When out on the dock there rose such a clatter,
The Guard inspected to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I moved like a tug,


Cleared the condensation and then tripped on the rug.


The moon on the bow of the newly purchased yacht,
Gave the luster of mid-day to the boats with the rot.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,


But an extremely tight budget that forced out a tear.

With a little old income, so stretched and maligned,
I knew in a moment that I should be confined.

More expenses than ever, the budget it grew,


I became dejected, just what would I do?


"Now, Taxes! Now, Leases! Now Insurance and More!

Why all these expenses? I must go to war.”

“Lower the lease rates! Topple the tax wall!

We will fight for our marina ‘til the enemy falls.”


So back to face the drawing board, the manager, I flew,
With a handful of implements for crafting budget stew.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the deck,

It was me with the budget, wringing its neck.


It wasn’t very pleasant and the budget almost drowned,
But when it resurfaced it seemed much, much more sound.

It was dressed all in 2009 moorage rates, from his feet to his head,

But his coversheet was tarnished as if he’d been dead.


A bundle of rates he had on his back,
They were identical to last year, with only one exception to the pack.

The tenants-- how they twinkled! Their dimples how merry!

Their cheeks were like roses, their noses like cherries!

Their mouths were all drawn up in grandiose smiles,
They knew they lucked out, lucked out by a mile.

The stump of a budget still maintained his composure.
Despite the fact, he had more exposure.


And the expenses encircled his head like a wreath,
So the budget bore down and growled his big teeth.

Keeping the same rates would take a large toll,

To keep expenses in check was now his big goal.


He carried the weight of the marina on his frame,
When all of a sudden his face looked crazed & insane.

His eyes were darting all over the place,

When he spotted a marked door and his feet made the chase.


With a wink of his eye and a flush of the head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Cleaning the marina and smiling a smirk.


And laying his finger outside of his nose,
Stated,” I need some fuel” and pulled out the hose.

He sprang to his boat and opened the cap,

The tank filled in minutes and he gave a loud clap.

And I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"I’ll be back next year and you’d better not bite.”

Friday, November 13, 2009

BOAT AUCTION NOVEMBER 20TH @ 11:30AM

The Foss Harbor Marina will be auctioning off two impounded vessels on November 20, 2009. The vessels eligible for auction are:

*1975, 24' Bayliner Sailboat

*1967, 33' Fairliner
There is no minimum bid at this time. If you are interested in these vessels, you may begin viewing them on Friday, November 13th, 2009 during business hours. We cannot allow boarding of these vessels until the morning of the auction. The Foss Harbor Marina has no knowledge of actual vessel conditions. The marina is located at 821 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402. Please keep in mind, according to the Revised Code of Washington, vessel owners have the right to show up at any time prior to the auction and pay off their balances. We recommend that you call the morning of the auction to verify that the vessels are still available. The marina can only accept cash or cashier's check. If you have any questions, please call the marina @ 253-272-4404.



Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Seas ‘N Greetings - A HOLIDAY TRADITION ON THE THEA FOSS

The marinas located along the Thea Foss Waterway in Downtown Tacoma have announced their 4th Annual Holiday Boat Decorating Contest, Seas ‘N Greetings, to be held the evening of December11th. Judging will commence at 4:30pm. Lighted boats will be seen from Foss Harbor Marina down to Dock St. Marina, Delin Docks Marina and Foss Landing.

Vessels will be judged based on their use of lights, their creativity, and their theme. An independent panel of judges will chose an overall Grand Prize Winner for the waterway and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places for marinas North of the 11th St. Bridge and also for Marinas South of the bridge.

In past years, the contest has awarded thousands of dollars worth in prizes and is anticipating similar prizes will be awarded this year as well. Any decorated vessels moored in the Thea Foss Waterway at Foss Harbor Marina, Dock Street Marina, Delin Docks Marina, or Foss Landing are eligible to participate. This includes boaters who come in for guest moorage. Those who do come in for guest moorage will be treated to the Tacoma Yacht Clubs annual lighted boat parade on the following evening of December 12th.

SEAS ‘N GREETINGS individual boater’s awards will be presented at the Foss Harbor Marina, 821 Dock St. between 7:00-9:00pm. The Marina with the best decorated boat will also be awarded with the Waterway Trophy, which will be held at the winning Marina until the following year when the next event takes place. There will be hot drinks, cookies, and possibly some entertainment from Michael Agostini, a local humorist.

The Waterway Marinas, Foss Waterway Development Authority and local businesses are working jointly to promote this event. All prizes have been donated by community-minded businesses. Bring a toy to donate to Toys-For-Tots and help your personal community spirit. A trip down to see the lights from the masts reflecting off the water is a good way to slow things down for a moment and enjoy the season with your family and friends.

Sign-up in your marina office to participate in the contest!