Fellow Members

Another exciting year is now finished so we should ask ourselves what we learned in 2009.

I think in BAWA, no matter at what level of woodworker we are, we had opportunities to increase our knowledge of woodworking.

We had visited the Kaiser facility in Berkeley were we saw how a modern cabinet manufacturing operation works, we also visited the Wood Technology department of Laney College in Oakland to see how they were training the next generation of cabinet makers – all CNC based with not a hand tool in sight. We had a visit from Whitethorn Construction, based up on the Lost Coast region north of Mendocino, who gave us a presentation on the work they do with native California hardwoods. We then had a demonstration of milling this type of "recovered" lumber at California Urban Lumber in Martinez. During our regular meetings we covered many topics including a presentation on the theory and practice of making 3D puzzles, how better to optimize your workshop space plus classes on using and understanding hand planes. We had 2 formal training courses; one on using Google SketchUp for 3D design work and another on hand cut dovetails. So I hope you agree that the year's activities covered a very wide range of woodworking related topics.

Looking forward I think our meetings in 2010 will also provide many rich opportunities for learning.

One change for 2010 will be access to our library. We have many books and DVDs that are available to members to loan at only $3/month. Previously our librarian had to cart this bulky library to each meeting. With our new arrangements you can now check out the titles on our website and book them on line. (See the instructions in the front of this month's newsletter) So hopefully this will help support your learning through the next year.

I look forward to seeing you at this year's meetings. Hearing about your woodworking projects, your favorite tools, the jigs and fixtures you have developed for special projects and all of the other creative things you are doing with your woodwork.

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year and hope you have great success with all of your projects in 2010.