We’re off and running and about 5 weeks away from the event (May 2, in case you forgot). Some aspects are doing well, some are slow, others in-between. One of the problems this year in terms of the calendar is that the first Wednesday is right at the beginning of the month so it’s almost like we “lose” a few days to get you all involved.

Full information on everything can be found at www.chamberday.org . We’ve got our secure server up and running so you can sign up on-line for just about every aspect of this great event, or you can give us a call at 310/652-4990 to get involved. Here’s what‘s happening right now.

BOATS (sponsor):

Although the sign=ups are preceding okay, a few things are sow. The Dutchman is really slow right now (we’ve only had 6 signups so far - what’s up with that) and our two open boats - Great Escape and Bottom Scratcher - are running a bit behind last year’s pace. So the good news is that we’ve still got room for you on those two boats. Don’t wait too long or you may get aced out.

Aquatica (Douglas Dive Club & Dive ‘N Surf) - Only about 8 spots left
Bottom Scratcher (Open) - About 1/3 full
Cee Ray (Reef Seekers) - About ¼ full
Flying Dutchman (Open) - Unlimited space (arrrrrgggghhh!!!)
Great Escape (Open) - About 1/2 full
Island Time (Sport Chalet) - About 1/4 full
Magician (Sport Chalet) - Almost ½ full
Mr. C (CA Wreck Divers) - Only 8 spots left
Pacific Star (Scuba Schools of America) - About 1/3 full
Psalty V (Scuba Schools of America) - SOLD OUT
Sea Bass (SoCal Tec Divers) - SOLD OUT
Second Stage (Scuba Schools of America) - SOLD OUT
Sundiver (Ocean Adventures) - About 4 spots left
Sundiver II (Ken Kurtis) - SOLD OUT

The best bet for a sponsored boat is to call the sponsor directly. Open boats can be booked on-line or by calling 310/652-4990.

CHAMBER EVENING (table sponsor & total seats):

Last year we sold this thing out for the first time. This year, we’re filling even faster than last year. DO NOT wait too long to book yourself in. We’ve already got commitments for over 350 of the 500 seats available. Sign up directly with your group, or on-line, or by calling 310/652-4990. Here’s where we are:

Open table (10) - 4 seats available
Deep Sea Supply (10) - SOLD OUT
South Coast Divers (10) - SOLD OUT
Reef Seekers (20) - 9 seats available
RA Buck & Barnacle Busters (20) - 5 seats available
Aqua Adventures (10) - Available
Haven’s Reef (20) - 8 seats available
SoCal Tec Divers (20) - SOLD OUT
Scuba Schools of America (30) - 7 seats available
Hollywoodivers (10) - 5 seats available
Old Broads Dive Club (10) - SOLD OUT
Tom Wetzel & LA County (10) - 5 seats available
ScubaDiverNet.com (10) - 8 seats available
Ocean Institute (20) - SOLD OUT
Laguna Sea Sports (20) - 9 seats available
Eco Diver Center (40) - SOLD OUT
DDD Club (10) - 5 seats available
Ocean Adventures (20) - 9 seats available
Antelope Valley Divers (10) - Available
Sport Chalet (30) - SOLD OUT
Burbank Dive Club (20) - 18 seats available
Sole Searchers (10) - SOLD OUT
Sunken Treasures (10) - Available
Valley Scuba Club (10) - 8 seats available
OCDiving.com (10) - SOLD OUT
LABUE (10) - SOLD OUT
Dive Vets (10) - Available
Pacific Wilderness (10) 2 seats left
Bluewater Divers (10) - 4 seats left

CHAMBER CHALLENGE
We also do this as a separate update but right now (3/28 @ 10AM) we’re at $8900, thanks in part to two generous $1000 donations, one from Divevets and one from SoCal Tec Divers (both of whom also have Ch-Eve tables). So we’re off to a good start but we’ve got a ways to go. So . . . Who’s next???

CHAMBER DAY COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
I think this is one of the best ideas we’ve had yet and I’m a bit surprised that it hasn’t (yet) taken off like a rocket. Part of the problems is that we probably haven’t publicized and hammered this enough and part of the problem is that it’s something new. I’m referring to our commemorative book for Chamber Day & Eve 2007.

It’s called Through the Lens: A Chronicle of Chamber Day 2007 and it will be a photographic record of the entire day, from sun-up to midnight. Best of all, we want everyone with a camera who does the event to submit pictures to us because that’s where all the photos will come from. It’s a great way for everyone to make a permanent contribution to the day.

Of course, we want to sell these books too. (Let’s not forget that this whole thing is a fundraiser for the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber). We anticipate around 80 pages in a high-quality, high-gloss soft-cover that will be something you’ll be proud to look at time and again and to show your friends as well (especially if you’ve got your own photos in the book). Through midnight on Chamber Eve, the cost is $65. After that (we intend to have these ready at the Scuba Show June 2 and they’ll be for sale there as well) it’ll be $75. But you should definitely get one of these keepsakes.

So that’s where we are. This event represents the largest single source of outside income for our Chamber as well as one time in the year when the entire scuba community gets together to work for the greater good. We appreciate your support in the past and hope to have many of you with us again this year.

Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2007