lets start a reef club in riverside/ inland empire

[surferdude141]

anyone wanna start one? im in!!!!!!:D :D :D

[Subpilot]

I'm in. I live in Lake Elsinore.

[ejocam]

I'm in Victorville, if possible I would gladly join. Eric

[LadyReefKeeper]

I would be interested. I live in Chino. :mixed:

[zmust]

Corona (the Circle City) present.

Count me in too.

[Subpilot]

Any of you Inland Empire folks interested in some swaps? I have a nice 2" Flame Angel , a bunch of PomPom and some anemones I would like to trade for frags or? I'd be willing to drive (maybe not to Victorville tho)

[ejocam]

Subpilot how much Pom Pom you have and what else U got? I really do not expect people to come up here. Driving down the hill a lot better than going to LA or the Valley. Couple of reefers up here. I met a reefer by the name of Tracy Gray at Steven Tyrees place today. He lives up here. Really cool guy. He has some nice SPS, Really Nice. Got my "Original Purple Monster from Tyree and some other "Limited Editions" When ready I'll have some nice stuff available. I have alot of Zoo's. Within the next month or two I should have a lot more SPS. All I have are personal rare frags for now.

[gcarroll]

I'm in Norco. Sounds like a good idea. I'm currently a member of SCMAS. I love to sell and trade frags. I just wish my tank was bigger.

[socareefer]

Very interested in Inland Empire Reefers! Live in Riverside and actually offered to have a frag swap at our home in the thread "Next Encino Frag Swap" and it caused a bit of problems as most So. CA reefers preferred to have it in Encino. Count me in for the club! What's the next step?

[surferdude141]

organizing it . whats it gonna be called? where can we have it? i ve never been to one so people with experience please explain.

[ejocam]

I guess first would be to get people willing to have an informal meeting at a central location. There Name, Location and other neccessary topics can be covered. Just a suggestion. Eric

[Old Yeller Tang]

Originally posted by socareefer
Very interested in Inland Empire Reefers! Live in Riverside and actually offered to have a frag swap at our home in the thread "Next Encino Frag Swap" and it caused a bit of problems as most So. CA reefers preferred to have it in Encino. Count me in for the club! What's the next step?

If you plan on hosting a swap, I'll be there! I see no problem.

[ejocam]

SoCareef, I was hoping you were gonna host. Someone posted that you were not ready though. I started the thread in hopes of getting something out here going. I think people were not willing to make the trek to our neck of the woods, so they made a big deal about trying "rock the boat" or "mess up a good thing". Dave's is awesome. He's been a blessing to all of us by opening his home. Now it would be nice if others would too. I would love to host one, but really, How many would drive up to "Victorville"? Lets get this going!:D Eric C

[Eric Boerner]

I'll drive to Victorville. :D

[GTR]

I also posted this in another thread somewhere and thought it might be better here. So if it sounds familar thats because it is.
.................................................................................................

I'm all for it.

I think the clubs out west are great. Just not practical or convenient to participate on a regular basis... such as monthly meetings due to the time required to drive. Without active participation there really is no point in becoming a member.

Does anyone have experience in the operations of these clubs? And is it being suggested that this be a formal club, or just a bunch of reefer fanatics. If it's formal is there a club that we just become a chapter of? This would be much easier as the bylaws and such would already be in place. The problem with informality is that without these "rules" groups just tend to fade away due to the lack of direction.

Count me in, FWIW. I will commit some time to this and we will need others also to do the same.

If we just want to get together once in a while for swapping corals & BS, that's ok to.

I live in Grand Terrace (which is between Riverside and San Bernardino off the 91/215) and my house is open for a get together before years end if some would like to meet a discuss the formation. For those in the High Desert I think we need to find how many of you there are. If substantial, maybe things will need to be moved around to keep your side of the mountain active. But then those of you that live up there are kinda use to long drives. :D

So to make a short story long... we need a group of dedicated people to make this work long term.

Steve U

[ejocam]

Does anyone have experience in the operations of these clubs?

Can't say I have the experience, but I would sure love to help out in any way. Steve, Do you think just a couple of informal meetings like swapping & hanging out can be a starting point? I do. As the meetings pick up momentum we can decide on all the details? Im sure people up here do not mind driving down the hill as opposed to driving to LA/VALLLEY in traffic.

For those in the High Desert I think we need to find how many of you there are. If substantial, maybe things will need to be moved around to keep your side of the mountain active (not trying to be fair). But then those of you that live up there are kinda use to long drives.

As far as I know there is Eric B and a guy I met the other day Tracy Gray are up here. I'm sure there is more. Maybe this club would entice them out of the closet. I'm sure for swaps and maybe even meetings reefers from O.C. would make the drive as well. Where do we go from here? Steve by the way those Xenia are doing great, Thanks Eric C

[GTR]

I can host an informal gathering. My weekends for this are limited due to our Auto Swap schedule.

The dates I have available to host are...

November 22-23, 2003
December 21-23, 2003 (bad idea)
January 3-4, 2004
January 24-25, 2004

I don't know what everyone's feeling on a Friday night would be, but that would open up more possibilities for me. Not sure where everyone works and lives and how long it takes them to get home. I think at least one of the clubs has switched to Saturdays because of this.

Most other weekends I would be ok to attend on Saturday but not Sunday. I can attend on these weekends but not host because that way I can go home and go to bed when I'm ready. We get up around 2am to get to our Sunday only meets.
Even going to the last Encino swap made it tough the next day, with the drive home and mounting frags and trying to unwind and get a little sleep.

Steve U
steve@gtrestoration.com

[GTR]

BTW...

You all have a new RC member in the HD.

New RC member first post (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=261231&goto=newpost)

Steve U

[cinq 1]

IM IN IM JUST STARTING A BRAND NEW TANK THIS WEEK A NEW 150 GALLON GETTIN THE ROCK AND SAND NEXT WEEK FROM TBSLAT WATER ..... SO HOW MANY OF US ARE IN THE DESERT ??

[ejocam]

With you, six that I know of. I am sure there are more. Eric

[smellsfishy]

I'm in Redlands. I'm interested in a local club. Hopefully we can come up with 20+ people or so... But count me IN anyway...

[ejocam]

If I counted correct that is about 10 people that have replied with some interest in IE club or group. I know there are more out there.

[surferdude141]

lets post this in reef discussion! can a mod move it?

[ejocam]

moved it eh?

[surferdude141]

nope but i want to

[ejocam]

Yeah it is. Mod moved it to Reef Discussion, check it out.

[surferdude141]

cool

[surferdude141]

i cant find it?????

[ejocam]

My bad it's on announcements, glasses broke. Kinda wingin it here. So are you gonna get this thing going? If you need any help let me know. Quite a few people seem willing as well. It would be nice to have some swaps and get togethers. Time will tell. Eric

[GTR]

If we are going to do anything about this we need to just set a date for a get-together, see what happens and go from there. Suggested dates are now being accepted.

I'll repeat the dates I am willing to host...
November 22-23, 2003
December 21-23, 2003 (bad idea)
January 3-4, 2004
January 24-25, 2004

If someone else wants to set-up and do the same I'll voice my opinion on other dates offered.

Otherwise we are wasteing RC bandwidth.

Steve U
Grand Terrace

[surferdude141]

im 13 years old BTW. will the thing be a get together or a swap?

[fishinchick]

Hi.
I used to live in Grand Terrace, and you guys are re-inventing the wheel. There is already an Inland Empire club. I do not know if it ever became official yet as far as I know but it WAS held at someones house in the hills over Rancho Cucamonga. I went there several times and the frag trades were pretty stellar. I stopped going when I gave up on the inland Empire and moved to L.A. :D .
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95242

That is the link to the orig. series of posts where we all contacted each other. You can contact the people involved to see if they are still doing it just to make sure you arent stepping on anyones 'toes' (fins). Each time I went the group got larger and larger. It was quite impressive.\
Don't count on too many of the LFS in the area to be too supportive of your efforts. They werent very receptive before when some of us tried to advertise thru them. Seems some - especially one in San Bernardino - doesnt like to have knowledgeable clients. ;)

[smellsfishy]

my suggestion is to have a get-together after the 1st of the year. I know my calandar is pretty booked with the work, holidays and family and such.

Also, should we (Steve or Eric?) maybe start an email list of those that are interested? Would that be a better way of sending meeting ideas/announcments, etc? Personaly, I check my email alot more often than these boards... just my 2cents..

Dean

[smellsfishy]

looks like fishinchick and I were typing at the same time..lol. I agree we should look around and see if we are "reinventing the wheel".....

[ejocam]

I for one would not want or like to re-invent the wheel. I am originally from Pasadena. So to I have no idea about any clubs here. I just assumed there was nothing going on as far as a club. I figured since there are a lot of reefers out here it would be cool and convenient for all out here that commute on a daily basis. Thanks for the heads up on the IE Club. I'll look into it and see what kind of feedback I get and post here. Any other suggestions? Keep em coming. Eric

P.S. Steve I guess once we get some info on the IE club, maybe we can set a date at your house if all is well with everyone else. I'm for it.

[GTR]

Seems some - especially one in San Bernardino - doesnt like to have knowledgeable clients.

Might as well just name it, as it's the only LFS with SW in town.


Pet World

I just cringe everytime I'm in there when they're helping a customer with little experience. I do my best to keep my mouth shut. I spend a lot of money in there though none the less. We have no options at this time really. There is a new store which should be opening in the west end next month which I think will have some good choices for fish and corals.

.
.
.
.
Anyway, after the first sounds good or at least better.

Steve U
steve@gtrestoration.com

[ejocam]

We'll from prelimenary investigation it looks like there was a swap in July of 2002. There were a total of 10 reefers from the IE area attending, 1 from San Diego, quite a few from Orange County and L.A. Others came from the valley and Long Beach. Believe it or not a person from Arizona and Michigan were also interested. I've PM'd all IE reefers to find out the 411. Hang tight I'll keep you posted. Eric

[smellsfishy]

I agree...I always try to have all my ducks in a row when I go to that particular store... Where's this new store going to be??

[Old Yeller Tang]

Originally posted by fishinchick
Hi.
I used to live in Grand Terrace, and you guys are re-inventing the wheel. There is already an Inland Empire club. I do not know if it ever became official yet as far as I know but it WAS held at someone's house in the hills over Rancho Cucamonga. I went there several times and the frag trades were pretty stellar. I stopped going when I gave up on the inland Empire and moved to L.A. :D .
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95242

That is the link to the orig. series of posts where we all contacted each other. You can contact the people involved to see if they are still doing it just to make sure you aren't stepping on anyones 'toes' (fins). Each time I went the group got larger and larger. It was quite impressive.\

The swap craze all started here in the IE! It all came along by India's strong will to make it happen and Larry's generosity of opening his beautiful home to us! I think Larry wouldn't mind having another one as long as his tank is cooperative as he's had some issues with it but I know Aaron and maybe Zack were actually looking for a restaurant to host the meetings. As for India, she's been MIA from the boards lately. :( I would have to say that you would need more than 20 interested as not everyone would be able to attend regularly and I know we do have enough out there but wether or not they'd participate. If one of the hardcore reefers stepped up(Tyree, Tracy, Carlos, Larry, Paul, Mark, etc, etc...), I bet more would be interested in following up on it. See, we do have some serious reefers here!:D Unfortunately, some of these topguns are already members of MASLAC & SCMAS. I've bugged Paul to host one many times at his home already and he keeps saying "HELL NO!":lol: We have a clubhouse here in East Highlands where I live that would be nice to host a swap but it needs to be rented out which I'm not sure if it costs money to host it at a restaurant like Denny's. But it makes it a nice option for those who don't like saltwater spills and other mess in their homes. If we can start a decent club, I will participate as 30min drives are much nicer than 1hr+ drives! ;)

[GTR]

The new store will be in Upland... I think. I'm baby sitting a couple of his corals for him now since he was moving and opening the store in the same time frame.

He was working for local shop until a couple of months ago. I'm not sure how much is public yet so this is all I should say.

I don't think you'll find any "Flower Pots" or the like in his store though. I have heard him many times advise against a particular fish or coral for a certain situation, this is a good sign though owning a store is totally different than working at one or our own opinions as hobbyists of different things. I suspect some of these views may have to change if a store is to remain in business. If you tell a customer not to buy something many times they will just go somewhere else, keeping their mouth shut there and buy it.

Personally I can't wait to have an option.

Steve U

[fishinchick]

LOL @ gtrestoration
I'm glad I'm not the only one that frowns at them.
And even more glad to see the possibility of a good LFS opening up soon! Too bad I don't go inland anymore or I'd check it out.

It only shows as 10 in that thread that went - but dozens and dozens showed up. Don't kid yourself by the replies to the posts - Larrys house is not small by ANY means and it was quite packed.
It was nice to see not only frags, but fish for trade as well as new AND used equipment even!

Plus everyone brought food and helped clean up. Lots of fun!!

[GTR]

Ok... back to the formation.

It seems to me there needs to be a purpose behind the club besides frag swapping.

If that's all it is then we need to just call it that. This would then eliminate the need for any formalities. I can get behind this for a while but could not commit long term. I have kept aquariums on and off (mostly on) since 1968 and would have no need if I back out of the hobby again for awhile. And to be honest I do think about what else I could be doing with this time and money I spend on this.

If it is in fact a club with a purpose then we might be better off contacting one of the existing clubs with the idea of just forming a "branch" or local chapter. This way the road is already paved and we have the bylaws and purposes handled.

Do these clubs though have an impact on things important to us as reefers? If not, IMO then we should just get together as friends and donate our "dues money" to another charity of our own choosing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is long term involvement in my case will come from more than just trading to get "cheap corals" and meeting with new-found friends. If I feel that the time I'm investing is for something worth while then I (and maybe others) would be more likely to remain active. This then becomes a commitment and not just something for my pleasure and future involvement would not require that I remain active in the hobby. I would still donate time and money to a cause such as the one RC got behind a few months ago with the drive to raise money to purchase netting material.

For those of you who are familiar with different business/service clubs you know why most are in the Chamber of Commerce, they are in it to obtain more business, while if you are in a club such as Lions or Rotary these clubs are service clubs who's members have a goal greater than personal gain.

After reading this for errors myself I realize I probably just scared everyone away... oh well.

Steve U

[socareefer]

Steve - You are bringing up good points to consider and I am glad that you have! It is always better to think/discuss first and act later. It would be nice to belong to a first rate club and/or to attend a local frag swap. My husband and I are willing to assist and look forward to what may come of this thread. The Nov. date is not good for us however the other dates look fine as of now. I think we need to select a date so we can all put it into our schedules and plan from there. If you need any help Steve please let us know. By the way, we purchased algae and zenia from Steve a few months back! It is growing like crazy! He's a knowledgeable reefer and thank you for offering your home.

[raider42]

Twentynine Plams checking in here. That's right, the stumps!! There's not too many of us reefers up here, so I'm trying to make some noise and spread the "disease" around these parts!! The Navy moved us up from San Diego a couple months ago and we sold our 180 before we moved to lighten the load. Man, did I regret that. I missed my tank so much, I went out and picked up a used 240. It needed a little work, but looks brand new now. I almost forgot how much of a pain it is to start over. The selection up here isn't that great, so I'm depending on the locals to help me out with some good deals to get me started again. I frequently drive down the 60 to see my son in Hacienda Heights, so I'm used to travelling. I can use all the help I can get on this Navy salary! :) I look forward to meeting a bunch of you.

Matt.

[ejocam]

Frag Swap coming up. Check here for some great deals. I have quite a selection too. LMK Erichttp://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=267967

[surferdude141]

ok anyone still interested? we could make a place to have meetings and things like that. the meetings could have equipment trades and auctions. should we have a membership fee and who can lead it? it was my idea but im only a 13 year old kid. where could we have it? i could be the food guy!

[hipertec]

well im in Norco and for sure ill be interested in a meet or a club. Anyone out there wanna group all of us IEs together????

[JellyTheory]

I could be totally wrong, but I think the San Diego people have a different volunteer member host it at their house every month. The incentive is the member gets a chance to show off their tank. :) Even if San Diego doesn't do it that way, maybe the IE club could. Or if no one wants to hold meetings at their house, we could call some local restaurants and see if it could be held there.

-Chris

[surferdude141]

that would be cool. i have to set up my tank first though!

[ejocam]

MAY 1ST

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=263994

[celltime]

CHECK OUT FISH WORLD IN TORRANCE 310-630-0707. THEY HAVE GREAT SELECTION AND PRICING. HUGE SELECTION, AND LOW PRICES.

[AWExotics]

Inland Empire Cinco de Mayo BBQ and Swap

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=338039


And of course the Encino Swap is coming up fast

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=307619


Hope to see you all at them both

Todd

[thefuture]

im in the IE too. highland. so has a club been formed? if so can i get a link to the site? if not why havnt we formed a club yet? anyone has stuff for sale? i need some stuff for the tank i am setting up maily like live rock and other equipemnt

[hipertec]

well there is a local reef site. check it out http://www.inlandreefs.net/