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Clarks Fork July 28th
Clarks Fork July 28th
Clark’s Fork, your seconds chance! Enjoy a weekend full of Fellowship. Everyone is welcome.
Click the links below to download directions or use the google map.
Clarks Fork Directions PDF (1211) Clarks Fork Directions Word.doc (349)*From Strawberry
1- Continue on 108 EAST through Strawberry
2- Approximately 17 miles past Strawberry, you will see an exit to the left
For Clark Fork Road
3- STAY ON Clark Fork Road for approximately 6 miles.
4- You will see a sign on the right for Clark’s Fork Campground
Take a right, cross the bridge over the river, and take a right at
the sign for A LOOP. Here is where we will be!!!!!!!
The Summer Ahead
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June 17 2010| Issue #1: The Summer Ahead
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The recent Clark’s Fork trip was a smashing success; at least, that is my opinion. We could have easily been accused of being overzealous, being that, in spite of threats of foul weather, and questions about how many people would follow, a handful of us set out for the mountains days early.
The mood was high with laughs as Grizzly-Glenn and I powered down the highway. The engine of his pickup rumbled loud on unleaded gas and our brains’ sputtered-wild on gallons of caffeinated beverages, and anticipation. “Woo-Who!” I popped off periodically along the way. My Redbull fueled yelps dotted the trip like landmarks jotted on a map as we traveled out of the bustle of Alameda County, past the orchards of the San Joaquin, and through the valley where old oaks seem to outnumber people.
Climbing up-up-up highway 108 the tall pines and cedars of the Stanislaus National Forest gathered, and thickened along the mountainous landscape. The higher we went the more the air cooled, and the awe of seeing snowcapped peaks, was quickly supplanted by a sense of wonder at the sight of snow drifts along the roadside. Towns with curious names fell behind us: Twain Heart, Confidence, Mi-Wuk, and finally Strawberry, the last town before the turnoff.
As we made the turn onto Clark Fork Road and entered the home stretch my anticipation for the days to come grew with each passing mile. Glenn and I marveled at the snow that blanketed most of the campground. A loop was empty except for us, and campers at one other site. We were the first to arrive. In five years and nine trips to Clark’s Fork I had never seen snow in the campground.
In the back of my mind I knew that in the past I would have worried about the snow, the weather, and a hundred other things out of my control, but instead I was simply excited. The snow was not some negative mark against the trip that could be tallied under the heading “Bad” with a bunch of other things that were out of my control. I saw it with a kind of child-like wonder that only an open door on a past full of lonely-black-drinking can put into perspective.
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5 Cities Picnic
The annual picnic for 5 cities fellowship is coming soon. Celebrate Sobriety! Bring the Family! Main dishes are provided, but bring your favorite side dish. There will be fire cooked food, softball, and games for the kids.
The 4 F’s: Food-Fellowship-Family-Fun!
Who could ask for more?
click the map below for directions.
Clarks Fork 2010
Clark’s Fork Camping Trip Is Coming Fast. The First Weekend in June – 4th- 5th & 6th.
Stay In touch with people, because in an attempt to avoid the rain that dampened the trip last year we are watching the weather. If the report predicts rain we may change the date.
Lets have Some Fun!
Use the google map solution provided. Just click the location marker and fill in your starting location, and click go! The directions google provides willl get you to Strawberry California* From Wherever you are. After that
follow the directions from Strawberry down below.
*From Strawberry
1- Continue on 108 EAST through Strawberry
2- Approximately 17 miles past Strawberry, you will see an exit to the left
For Clark Fork Road
3- STAY ON Clark Fork Road for approximately 6 miles.
4- You will see a sign on the right for Clark’s Fork Campground
Take a right, cross the bridge over the river, and take a right at
the sign for A LOOP. Here is where we will be!!!!!!!
Click The Links Below For PDF or Word Directions — These Directions Must be good, they’ve been downloaded over 1,ooo times.
Clarks Fork Directions PDF (1211) Clarks Fork Directions Word.doc (349)
We Have A Website?
Often, When I refer to the 5 Cities website I get a baffeled look, followed by the response “We have a website?” I have gotten this response by the same people on more than one occasion. Yes, we have a website, and today I am going to point out a few useful features/updates. Chek it out by clicking here, or by cutting and pasting the following link into your browser: http://www.5citiesaa.com/
Okay, in brief. The Schedule & Location page makes it easy to get/give direction to 5 cities. It has a built in mapquest driving directions map in addition to the schedule, and address. I have found it helpful several times when getting a call at the fellowship by someone looking for information. Also, the “Resources” link on the sites menu takes you to the website of East Bay Intergroup, a handy resource for finding other meetings around the Bay Area.
Need a Big Book, or Daily Reflections, but can’t find one around? No problem. Click the Big Book on the menu and read, or reference the Big Book Online. You can also read the Daily Reflections RSS feed on the our home page. Not to mention, you can check out the newly added Bill W. videos recently added to the site.
Now, someone told me “a website never got anyone sober”, and that’s true, but neither has a phone book. Sabe? In the past year I’ve gotten over 100 emails from people asking questions, we have had more than 5,000 visitors to our web site, and there are more than 300 websites linking to the 5 Cities RSS feed. On our highest day nearly 500 people visited 5 Cities’ website. All and All that’s a lot of action for such a little site.
Finally, tell other members about the site. Your getting this because you are included in the mailing list, but there are only 12 members on the list! Forward this email to your friends at 5 Cities, and tell them to register for the newsletter. Do your part.
To show the relevance of people coming to our site I’ve included a list of the last several reffering searches quired by visitors:
| five cities fellowship | |
| five cities fellowship | |
| hours five cities fellowship fremont | |
| hours five cities fellowship fremont | |
| alcoholics anominous fremont ca | Yahoo |
| Mission niles fremont AA meeting | |
| Mission niles fremont AA meeting | |
| Mission niles fremont AA meeting |
Spring
Yesterday March 20th was the first day of spring. The vernal equinox came , and officially, in spite of the predictions of any little groundhogs, spring is here. It is a welcomed event for many of us that trudge through the darker seasons of fall and winter longing for the warmer, sunny days of spring , and summer. Here we are, again, on the other side looking forward!
Over the past several months many things have happened in our new sober lives. I know it is true for all of us, because I go to meetings, and listen to my friends share their experience. Some events were good, and some not so pleasant, but each event is part of the greater tapestry of living, and so perfect in its own season. The sadness of death, and the joy of seeing new life, lost defects, and new principles, we have seen positives and negatives ad infinitum, but the possibility for new things to come into our lives makes the joy sweeter, and the sorrow bearable.
When I was drinking nothing new could enter without being polluted by my skewed reality; like a dirty glass making clean water murky. Now, if I am willing, the sunlight of the spirit will enter in, and there is no telling what sort of fruit the litany of my experiences might bare. Spring has come, and I take the time to reflect on the things that have happened over the course of another winter. Looking forward, I am greatful for my faith that lets me to believe that the most satisfactory years of my existence lie ahead.
Goodbye To A Felllow
When I first began going to AA people told me that if I stayed sober, my life would get better. However, my sponsor once said “stick around long enough, and you will see people die from this disease, probably someone you care about.” After 4 years of sobriety I have seen several people die from alcoholism, and my mind stumbles trying to account the amount of death long-sober members of AA have witnessed.Now it is time to say goodbye to another fellow fallen by the horrible affliction of alcoholism.
Brandon was one of my first friends in AA. He was there my first day when several guys took me to breakfast after a meeting and twelve stepped me some more. He stayed with me all day on my second day of sobriety. We drank coffee and talked about staying sober until it was time for another meeting. There were many ups, and downs over the past several years. Times when Brandon was there to help me, and times when he needed my help. In the end, I wish there was more I could have done.
Without a doubt many of us have personal stories from times shared with Brandon. Sobriety, and the relationships we build are often very private. And now, I say goodbye to a fellow.
Rest in peace, Brandon.
50th Anniversary
Every year Anniversary is a big deal, but this Anniversary is a huge deal! This December 4th, 5th, and 6th we celebrate 50 years since our clubs founding, and the miracle of our sobriety. It is three days of fellowship & fun starting with Friday nights speaker meeting, desert potluck, and Hootie Owl Meeting.
Saturday’s BBQ is an culinary jubilee of all things cooked over an open fire. If you can’t manage to get fed at this event, check your pulse, because you must be dead. Later, Saturday, Huey C’s Circle meeting will get even the dead on their feet for a night of song, laughter, and good cheer. Because, after all, “we are not a glum lot.”
Sunday, the Men’s Breakfast tops off a weekend of food and fun with… more food and fun! Grateful members of Five Cities get up early, and prepare a breakfast fit for royalty. Finally, we conclude a weekend of clebration with reflection at the Noon Gratitude Meeting.
It is a weekend of events not to miss. Come and celebrate the gift of sobriety.
Club Clean UP
It’s that time, again! That’s Right, Club Clean Up is here.This Saturday, the 21st of November, come and show your gratitude, and give to the place that gives to you all year. In preparation for the annual anniversary celebrations the club gets a scrubbing. Remember, it’s work, but it’s also fun. So, come on down, chip in, and be a part of, and not apart from, Many hands make light work. 8:00AM until….clean.
Farewell to Summer
While the summer comes to its end
we look forward to the sober activities
that lay ahead. Club clean up & Anniversary
are just around the corner.
From the summer into Indian summer & on into Fall, the cycle continues. As the temperature decreases & days begin to shorten the seasonal changes soon become undeniable. For some of us, the on set of the colder months brings difficulty. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or simply, the winter blues, hits a lot of us.
However, in addition to the regular lineup of meetings day and evening, our fellowship has many fun events that can help break up the gray doldrum of the winter months. Club Clean Up is a great way to be of service to the place that is there for you year round, and it is the perfect time to practice “being a part of”, and not “apart from”.
Anniversary is huge! Each year at Five Cities we celebrate another year since our clubs founding, and the miracle of our sobriety. It is three days of fellowship & fun starting with Friday nights speaker meeting.
Saturday’s BBQ is an culinary jubilee of all things cooked over an open fire. If you can’t manage to get fed at this event, check your pulse, because you must be dead. Later, Saturday, Huey C’s Hootie-owl meeting will get even the dead on their feet for a night of song , laughter, and fellowship.
Sunday, the Men’s Breakfast tops off a weekend of food and fun with… more food and fun! Grateful members of Five Cities get up early, and prepare a breakfast fit for royalty.
Soon it’s time for another event that comes once a year. The Children’s Christmas party can lighten the spirit of even the most cantankerous old Scrooge. There are Christmas Carols & Treats for the little ones. Santa stops buy with big red bag of gifts. A sign-up sheet for kids is available starting a month before the event.
We are not a glum lot, but if you find yourself down in the mouth get up and get involved. Remember, jump in with both feet. Grab-a-hold & don’t let go, and you may find yourself on the other side of winter, standing at the beginning of spring, and looking forward to another summer.
Clarks Fork – Again!
If you missed your chance to go to Clarks Fork – nows your seconds chance! Second Chances are Great! So, come one, come all. Enjoy a weekend full of sober fun. Food, Friends, and Fellowship in beautiful Stanislaus National Forest, and find out what sober living is all about.
Click the links below to download directions or use the google map.
Clarks Fork Directions PDF (1211) Clarks Fork Directions Word.doc (349)*From Strawberry
1- Continue on 108 EAST through Strawberry
2- Approximately 17 miles past Strawberry, you will see an exit to the left
For Clark Fork Road
3- STAY ON Clark Fork Road for approximately 6 miles.
4- You will see a sign on the right for Clark’s Fork Campground
Take a right, cross the bridge over the river, and take a right at
the sign for A LOOP. Here is where we will be!!!!!!!
Annual 5 Cities Picnic
The annual picnic for 5 cities fellowship is almost here. Celebrate Sobriety! Bring the Family and grub. Main dishes provided, but bring your favorite side dish.
Food-Fellowship-Family-Fun & Games!
Who could ask for more?
click the map below for directions.
Painting
First off, thanks to everyone who helped–you know who you are! The building is really coming along great. However, there is still more work to be done. Any, and all contributions of your time, and experience are welcome.
CLARKS FORK –fire!
Clark’s Fork Camping Trip Is Just Around The Corner May 29th – 30th & 31ST
Come On! You KNOW You SHOULD Go!
Use the google map solution provided. Just click the location marker and fill in your starting location, and click go! The directions google provides willl get you to Strawberry California* From Wherever you are. After that
follow the directions from Strawberry down below.
*From Strawberry
1- Continue on 108 EAST through Strawberry
2- Approximately 17 miles past Strawberry, you will see an exit to the left
For Clark Fork Road
3- STAY ON Clark Fork Road for approximately 6 miles.
4- You will see a sign on the right for Clark’s Fork Campground
Take a right, cross the bridge over the river, and take a right at
the sign for A LOOP. Here is where we will be!!!!!!!
Clarks Fork Directions PDF (1211) Clarks Fork Directions Word.doc (349)