Gazebo Completion (Le coup de gras)

BudRob · Post by **BudRob** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:34 pm

Glenn,

The railings look great! I think I can speak for the whole club when I say "thanks" to you and your crew, and all the other SHGA volunteers that stepped up to get so much done in the last week or two.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:19 pm

Thanks Rob. I have a few remaining things to fix, adjust and finish on it, but it has been a challenging and fun project, and I'm happy with it. We enjoyed it, and now we have a truly one-of-a-kind custom railing.

Thanks to all for the info, suggestions and help that made it possible.

I can't wait to see the finished Pavilion, and sit there with a cold beer and a cigar after a flight. The view will be wacktastic!

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:34 pm

My step-son, Cisco, and I worked today finishing the railing. Yes, in the rain. I planned it to be done this week, and I was determined. There was very little painting left, and it cleared up long enough to get it done, but it was freaking cold out there. I still need to add or replace a couple screws here and there, but it's safe to use, and it's all there now. We added the caps on the shorty posts. They have some informational plaques embedded on top that I hope everyone likes. I also installed a small piece of artwork that I hope you all decide to keep. It's all Stainless Steel, so it will be fine in the weather. I hope nobody steals it before you see it.

I took some liberties:

1) I installed this art, and prominently at the front near the steps.
2) It includes my name on it, but pretty small. I'm no artist, but I hear they do that.
3) One of the small plaques on the post caps includes a very small acknowledgment saying: "Metalwork by LoboStar". LoboStar is my company, which provided all the labor and some of the material for free. My people enjoyed working on it. It's different from what we usually do and it was fun. I hope you don't mind us tagging your gazebo.

I hope adding those things is not a problem for the club, I didn't ask about doing that ahead of time, so if it IS a problem, I'll remove them, without any argument.

Thanks for the opportunity. It's very satisfying to build something lasting that people can enjoy, but I was in cold wet clothes all day, so someone owes me a cold beer on the next hot day. Now I can get back to some flying as soon as the weather cooperates.

I hear the roof is approaching a decision to start construction. If the job includes volunteer labor, count me in for a few days worth. I need the exercise, and I don't go to no damned gym.

BudRob · Post by **BudRob** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:13 am

Glen,

Thank you again for your efforts in moving this project forward. I was out there on Thursday so I haven't yet seen your "tagging" but the railing sure looked good. As far as I am concerned, anyone that has put in as much time and effort as you deserves to put their "mark" onto the work. Others can speak for themselves.

Yes, we are are getting closer to putting a roof on. We have 2 estimates from outside contractors and are looking for another, plus we have some volunteer offers that may reduce or eliminate the need for a contractor. I believe that we will have enough information by meeting time this Thursday to vote on these proposals. Anyone that wants to attend is welcome.

Rob Burgis

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:06 am

Glen,

There were a few people out admiring your work this morning. It really turned out great, and your sculpture is art on a high level. I could see a classic car with a smaller version on the hood. The caps are cool too. The one with a little history of Sylmar was a nice touch.

I hope your effort finds plenty of work for your business, you deserve as much.

skygeek AKA Seabass · Post by **skygeek AKA Seabass** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 6:26 pm

Absolutely amazing sculpture, your contribution to the club is greatly appreciated, I would not have a problem if you made a stainless steel bust of yourself. I am concerned on the location of the sculpture I can see kids hitting there heads and people running into and its to easy to vandalize or steal where it is, It could go above head level mounted to the 6x6 post in the middle of the pavilion, where the left side of the stairs are facing the LZ or leave it where it is just put it on a post to make it above head level. Or maybe Glen just put it there for now to display, if that's the case never mind.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:13 pm

Thanks for the kind words. It's my first foray into making something completely useless - at least the first time I did so intentionally.

I would hate to see the wing moved higher than it's current height since that would only allow you to see the bottom of it. It could be moved to a different shorty post, but the only one that's safer would be the one at the north corner where it would be mostly out of reach of any heads, but it would still make it only visible from one side. I think the current location is the safest that provides a view of all sides. On the outboard side, it's fine because it's impossible to run into being outside the current platform rail and the future stair rail. On the inboard side, I think it's only a slight risk to children and pilots on their knees looking for lost change. I think I can eliminate that risk by placing a medium size potted plant right at that corner under the wing. This would prevent both types of shorties from getting under it or running into it. A typical 30 gallon garbage can at that location would do the same thing. I'd be glad to provide the potted plant, which would be a nice addition anyway. There are a number of attractive ones in the genus Cannabis. I'll do that tomorrow (Sunday) when I come out to replace some screws.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:40 pm

Oh, and on the possibility of it being vandalized or stolen. I'm willing to take that chance. I expect it will get at least vandalized eventually. It was some work to create, but now that I have it figured out, I could reproduce it if needed. As for the stealing, I have a way to make it very hard to remove if the club decides to keep it.

Who wants one? Quantity discounts available. This one is an exact copy of the planiform of a Moyes Litespeed RS. I can make your wing too. Then you can attach it to the front of the family car where your wife can feel the pride as she drives it around town thinking of how much you must love her to put it there. Better than a Kardashian diamond ring to bring the love full circle and take your relationship to new heights. Imagine if you gave her one for the hood and the trunk - marital bliss!

skygeek AKA Seabass · Post by **skygeek AKA Seabass** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:19 pm

What about the cash drop post, it might have to be moved anyway, paint it the same gray and figure out a way to bolt it down or make a new on that is square to match the rest of the look. That is a good spot for it. Visiting pilots would look at the sculpture then see the money drop post with a stainless signage that explains the current fees. This would be a win win situation.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:26 pm

Hey, that's a great idea. Is the current drop cash post usable, or do we need a new one? If it's usable, I could weld tabs on the bottom and bolt it to the floor. I'll take a look at it tomorrow. Who has the key to it?

skygeek AKA Seabass · Post by **skygeek AKA Seabass** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:40 pm

Yes its usable not sure who has the key I would think Rob or Katherine Yardly the treasurer.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:06 am

On Sunday, I got a pot and plant (Oleander) and put it there next to the sculpture and post. I think it solves the problem. It should prevent anyone from running into it, and I think the sculpture looks great in that spot, and lets people see what we are about as soon as they approach the Gazebo.

The Oleander is drought resistant and just needs water once a week. A few more plants on the gazebo might be nice too. We could run some invisible small tubing irrigation to water plants on the gazebo. I'd be willing to do that if it's approved.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:44 am

For those who have not gotten out to the LZ to see the Gazebo additions, here are some photos:

Railing-23 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-18 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-17 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-19 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-09 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-10 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Railing-11 by bagoh20, on Flickr

Lynn McLaughlin · Post by **Lynn McLaughlin** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:40 pm

Absolutely stunning... Will speak w/you re: Bill Bennet Memorial when we get closer to including that piece within our landscaping....

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:13 am

I moved the sculpture to the north corner to eliminate any safety concerns. I think it looks fine there as well, and is safely out of the way.

The compass cap was placed at the top of the steps in it's place. For those questioning the accuracy of the compass post. Below is how I determined it from home, far from the LZ.

I overlaid an aerial photo of the gazebo foundation on to a google aerial shot which are oriented true north or grid north when on a flat projection (the same thing at this zoom). I rotated the gazebo overlay until it matched the google one, so that all was north oriented. Then I measured the angle between north and the lines of the gazebo foundation. I got about 15 degrees. See below.

Any error in this process is due to the sloppy work of whoever who laid out the planet. Did you ever see the way he lays out rivers - not a straight line in the whole bunch. I'm just saying - how hard can it be with his resources?

LZ Aerial View w North by bagoh20, on Flickr

Image1 by bagoh20, on Flickr

BudRob · Post by **BudRob** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:40 pm

I walked the indicated north path on Glenn's compass with my Flytech 5030 and can verify that it is in fact true north.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:18 pm

Oh crap, now I'm going to have to reexamine my whole finding.

All I need now is for Rome to tell me the sculpture is safe eat, but my fabric softener dryer sheets can kill me in my sleep.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:52 pm

Props to Phil (Napoleon of the LZ), Geroge, Joe and whoever else worked to greatly improve the electrical service. I saw it today for the first time. Nice work.

After a discussion today with some of the greatest minds to ever grace the LZ, Rob decided to purchase 15" PVC tubes and try a novel approach to storage cell 1 at the NW corner. The 15" tubes are less than half the price of 14" ones due to them being a different market with different sizing specs.

We will try something different that we hope will save money, provide waterproof storage, larger tubes, and still fit more gliders into our spaces. It's done through some kind of magic involving human sacrifice. You'll be notified, if you've been selected to participate. It's a great honor.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:19 am

The building of the sky temple continues.

The first and largest roof section is nearly roughed in through the sheathing, and it's gonna look great.

Another storage cell got cleaned out Friday and a lot of trenching for the retaining wall was done.

Very impressive effort and it's moving along, but there is a lot to do yet, and it's all being done by just a few people. They are working incredibly hard and dirty. They could use some more help. If you can find the time, this unflyable weather is a great opportunity to put a real dent in this project. Spring is gonna sneak up on us, and it would be shame if this thing was still unusable for the coming season. Even just a couple hours manning a shovel would give the sore backs out there a break.

p.s.: George is awesome!