We’ve got a bit more than two weeks to go and we’ve got a ways to go. We’ve certainly hit some bumps in the road.

The first is that the Aquatica has dropped out of the event due to the loss of their COI (Certificate of Inspection). Although Manny offered to run for us as a 6-pack, we couldn’t find a mutually agreeable way to do that. We wish them the best of luck and appreciate their support in the past.

But it also means we just lost 25 boat spots that, when you add in the projected raffle ticket sales, means we’re down about $3000.

On top of that, things slowed down a bit with Challenge donations. Some of this may have been due to the fact that I was in Costa Rica (Cocos Island) the last two weeks and not making phone calls and twisting arms. But I’m back now and feel a little arm-twisting coming on.

We’re also a bit slower on our book sales than I thought we’d be. This book is going to be really cool (IMHO). It’s called “Through the Lens: A Chronicle of Chamber Day 2007” and the best part is that it will truly be a community event since ALL the photos contained inside will come from May 2 and hopefully be submitted by many of you. We’ve got the full details on the website but the bottom line is that we expect to produce an 80-100 page full-color high-gloss book that will truly be a memorable keepsake from the event. They’re only $65 now ($75 after May 2) and remember that the money goes to help fund our Chamber.

We’re actually doing pretty good on both daytime boat sign-ups and evening dinner reservations. But we’re still not sold out yet and that’s where we’d like to be for both. So we’ve got a bit of work to do.

If you’re participated in the past but haven’t signed up yet, don’t wait too long. If you’re a previous contributor to the Chamber Challenge, how about making a donation again? Don’t lose sight of the fact that our Chamber relies on your generosity to help stay financially stable. Sure, there’s an LA County grant, but it doesn’t cover everyone. Chamber Day is vital to keep our Chamber running smoothly. And your generous participation makes all that happen.

So get involved!!! Sign up by calling us at 652-4990 or do it through our secure website. But don’t wait any longer. Here’s where we are right now.

BOATS (sponsor) [246 total spots available, 83% sold]

Bottom Scratcher (Open & Dive ‘N Surf) - About 10 available
Cee Ray (Reef Seekers & Douglas Dive Club) - Only 1 more available
Flying Dutchman (Open) - 40 signed up so far and plenty more to go
Great Escape (Open) - SOLD OUT
Island Time (Sport Chalet) - 15 available
Magician (Sport Chalet) - SOLD OUT
Mr. C (CA Wreck Divers) - 4 available
Pacific Star (Scuba Schools of America) - 10 available
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) - 2 spots available
Sundiver II (Ken Kurtis) - SOLD OUT

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) [480 seats available, 91% sold]

Again this year, it’s filling fast. DO NOT wait too long to book yourself in. Sign up directly with your group, or on-line, or by calling 310/652-4990. Here’s where we are:

Open table (10) - 1 seat available
Deep Sea Supply (10) - SOLD OUT
South Coast Divers (10) - SOLD OUT
Reef Seekers (20) - 3 seats available
RA Buck & Barnacle Busters (20) - 2 seats available
Aqua Adventures (10) - SOLD OUT
Haven’s Reef (20) - 6 seats available
SoCal Tec Divers (20) - SOLD OUT
Scuba Schools of America (30) - SOLD OUT
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 (30) - SOLD OUT
Eco Diver Center (50) - SOLD OUT
DDD Club (10) - SOLD OUT
Ocean Adventures (20) - 3 seats available
Sport Chalet (30) - SOLD OUT
Burbank Dive Club (10) - 3 seats available
Sole Searchers (10) - SOLD OUT
Sunken Treasures (10) - 5 seats available
David Walker Family (10) - SOLD OUT
OCDiving.com (10) - SOLD OUT
LABUE (10) - SOLD OUT
Dive Vets & Valley Scuba (10) - SOLD OUT
Pacific Wilderness (10) - SOLD OUT
Bluewater Divers (10) - 4 seats left

CHAMBER CHALLENGE
We also do this as a separate update but right now (4/16 @ 10AM) we’re at $14,120. Not bad 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.

So that’s it. We hope to get you involved in Chamber day this year. It’s a lot of fun and it’s all for a good cause.

Ken Kurtis
Chairman, Chamber Day/Eve 2007
www.chamberday.org