Category: Courtyard

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Courtyard Members Corner

Sign-Up Planning for The Courtyard

March is here and we are getting ready for the series of sign-ups for The Courtyard. Volunteering to help is an exciting opportunity to meet members, learn about different wines and enjoy the OC Fair.

Cashiers will be able to sit throughout their shift. Stewards work involves standing to carry ice and/or move several bottles of wine up to a heavy case during their shift.

Signing up for the fair will be opened in several phases. All members are required to sign up for a minimum of four shifts. Selecting more shifts is recommended if you a shift you selected was full and closed. Other things to know:

1. RBS Certification is required before signing up for The Courtyard.

2. Manager sign-ups open April 1 at 8 a.m.

3. Cashier and Steward sign-ups open April 15 at 8 a.m.

4. Server sign-ups open May 1 at 8 a.m.

5. All Courtyard sign-ups close on the OCWS website May 31.

6. Shifts will be confirmed in late June or early July. We will do our best to assign members to their selected shifts; however, some members may be asked to work different shifts if needed.

We will have five daily shifts during the 23 days of The Courtyard, Wednesdays through Sundays, July 17 through Aug. 16. The sooner you sign up for your shifts, the greater the opportunity to get the shifts you want. The times of these shifts will be:

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1 to 4 p.m.

4 to 8 p.m.

8 to 10:30 p.m. (Wed., Thurs., Sun.)

8 to 11:30 p.m. (Fri., Sat.)

Express Bar: 5 to 9 p.m.

Note:  The Courtyard closes one hour before the fair closes.

In recent years, the OC Fair has limited daily attendance to a maximum number of guests. One of the benefits of volunteering at The Courtyard is guaranteed fair entry on your volunteer days—and even on days you just want to enjoy the fair—with parking included.

Courtyard Sign-Up Conditions:

  1. There is a known limitation with Courtyard shift sign-ups on our website when multiple members submit their selections at the same time. When the first person “Submits” their choices, other members are not notified that those shifts may no longer be available. All selected shifts are still recorded in the system, and Courtyard management will review submissions and try to resolve any conflicts.
  2. Working with another member – Most members sign up together with their spouse or significant other as Dual Members. If you would like to work the same shift as someone else:
    1. because you and your spouse or significant other are not Dual Members together, especially if you have different last names or
    1. you would like to work the same shift with a friend—please explain in the Comments block at the bottom of the website sign-up page. Signing up early before shifts fill up is helpful.

—Rich Skoczylas, Courtyard Scheduler

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Courtyard Members Corner

RBS Certification: 1 month closer

Before we know it, the OC Fair will be upon us again. The largest OCWS fundraising effort of the year will be taking place for a total of 23 days, Wednesdays through Sundays, July 17 through Aug. 16.

Volunteering at The Courtyard is a unique and fun experience. All Courtyard volunteers handling wine in any capacity are required to be RBS (Responsible Beverage Server) certified through the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) pursuant to fair requirements. RBS certification is required prior to signing up as a volunteer.

It is highly recommended that new members obtain RBS certification as soon as possible, so they are prepared when volunteer sign-ups open. This also applies to those renewing this year. All OCWS volunteers serving as managers, stewards, or servers must be RBS certified. Volunteers who serve exclusively as cashiers are not required to be certified; however, obtaining RBS certification allows access to a wider range of volunteer opportunities.

EMAIL US – To get started, just email Sue England at RBS@ocws.org and let her know you need RBS certification this year.

THREE-STEP PROCESS  – More detailed instructions will be sent to you when you register.

1. Create an RBS account with Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

2. Take the online, self-paced course through the RBS provider that OCWS has selected.

3. Take a final quiz with ABC online and obtain the ABC certification, which is valid for three years. You are now ready to serve in the courtyard at the OC Fair.

PLEASE NOTE – Each OCWS member will need a valid individual email address that will be used to set up your account. Your own individual email address will be your username for the online system. Thank you so much for your volunteer efforts. You are what makes the OCWS the great success it is.

—Sue England, RBS Coordinator

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Courtyard

‘Find Your Happy’ setting up The Courtyard

It is amazing to experience the entire OC Fair setting up around us the week before it starts and you can be a big part of it all too. The Courtyard has always been a special place for the OCWS.  If you enjoy using power drills and stepladders and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting grubby, this crew is for you. When you walk in and look around, you can say you helped transform The Courtyard into one of the best venues at the OC Fair!

It will take our dedicated Courtyard volunteers several days to set up The Courtyard before the Fair starts, the only place that not only serves award-winning wines that we all enjoy but is the largest TWO sources of OCWS scholarship funds generated during the Fair. This is not the same as server shifts and RBS server training is not required to volunteer.

Dates for Set Up are each day from 9 a.m. to 3 pm on Tuesday, July 8, Wednesday July 9, and Thursday July 10, the week before the OC Fair starts. There may be another day added the week of the fair for last-minute adjustments. We will be moving and setting up express bars and hanging signs and decorations.

What gets set up must come down after the fair ends. The date to tear down The Courtyard is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, and Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Members can sign up for any or all five dates with me directly at Les@OCWS.org, and lunches and parking will be provided. Please contact me with any questions. Thank you again crew, for making The Courtyard the best place to Find Your Happy at the 2025 OC Fair!

Leslie “Les” Hodowanec, 2025 OC Fair Courtyard Set Up/Tear Down Coordinator

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Courtyard Featured Member

Master of the Cellar

If you have been in the Orange County Wine Society for some time, you are probably aware of the various positions needed to make the organization run smoothly. But none may be as important – or as cool – as being the esteemed Cellarmaster.

For roughly the past 40 years, the Cellarmaster has been responsible for organizing the cellar and doling out wine gathered from the OC Fair Wine Competition to OCWS events.

The position, which is appointed by the sitting OCWS president, has been occupied by only a handful of the society’s more knowledgeable minds. The honor has been bestowed on Bill Redding, who has served in many roles, including president.

On a recent summer day, as dozens of volunteers worked feverishly to set up The Courtyard for the upcoming fair, Redding himself was busy preparing the cellar for the heavy foot traffic over the next few weeks.

Redding explained it was former OCWS President and Cellarmaster Charley Owen who built the cellar when The Courtyard was being transformed to its current state. Owen got all of the pallets donated that are in each cubby hole. He was meticulous about the cellar design.

Being Cellarmaster is equal parts about doing the small things like checking the cellar’s temperature and cleanliness but also some of the heavy lifting by providing certain types of wines for a host of events.

A major responsibility of the cellar master is to get the wines sorted into lots for the annual auction. This task takes about 10 working days and requires the help of 12 to 14 volunteers each year.

Redding, a former high school science teacher and administrator, said those skills he acquired in the education field have helped him while being Cellarmaster.

The position is part manager, part liaison, all the while keeping track of the wines going in and out of the cellar.

Redding pulled out a big white binder that tracks the order requests submitted for events where wine is being poured such as the Spring and Fall socials and the annual Wine Auction.

“Part of the job is deciding what wines each event gets,” Redding said. “My philosophy is that I give a mix of award-winning and non-award-winning wines that are representative of the Commercial Competition.”

The job also entails a strong knowledge of wine – which means Redding needs to whet his palette with different varietals. .

“For the last 20 years, I have been trying everything I can,” he said. “I don’t turn my nose down to anything.

Being Cellarmaster enhances the enjoyment and the value of wine. You are getting to learn a lot more. It’s like you aren’t reading grade-level books anymore – you are reading college-level books.”

Redding, who has served more than eight years in the role and is helped by Cellar Manager Kevin Coy and Assistant Cellarmaster George Cravens, suggests if anyone ever wants to assume the role that they have a good working knowledge of the Commercial Competition and how OCWS operates.

Redding, along with the other nine previous Cellarmasters, has his name adorned on a cork-lined wine glass rack tucked in the back of the cellar. He appreciates the opportunity afforded to him by being appointed Cellarmaster.

“It’s very fulfilling and has been a privilege,” Redding said. “You get paid with knowledge.”

Categories
Courtyard Members Corner

Events at the Fair and Courtyard

Courtyard Feature Winery and Seminars

Click the chart to enlarge

Hanger Concerts

July 19

Start Making Sense
The Talking Heads Tribute

July 20

Hollywood U2
The World’s Greatest U2 Tribute

July 21

One More Night
Phil Collins and Genesis Tribute

July 24

Dead Man’s Party
The Oingo Boingo Tribute

July 25

Ticket to the Moon
The World’s Best ELO Tribute

July 26

Red Corvette
A Prince Tribute

July 27

Atomic Punks
A Tribute to Early Van Halen

July 28

24K Magic
#1 Bruno Mars Tribute

July 31

Elton – The Early Years
A Tribute to Early Elton John

August 1

Don’t Look Back
The Boston Experience

August 2

Listen to the Music
A Tribute to The Doobie Brothers

August 3

Live From Earth
Pat Benatar and Beyond

August 4

Mariachi Ambassadors
Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez

August 8

Queen Nation
A Tribute to the Music of Queen

August 9

No Duh
The World’s Greatest Tribute to No Doubt

August 10

Which One’s Pink?
Tribute to Pink Floyd

August 11

I Am King
The Michael Jackson Experience

August 14

The Long Run
Experience The Eagles

August 15

Devotional
The Depeche Mode Experience

August 16

Twisted Gypsy
Fleetwood Mac With A Twist

August 17

Zeppelin Live
America’s #1 Tribute to Led Zeppelin

August 18

TUPUA
The Spirit of Aloha

Categories
Courtyard

Plan Now For OC Fair Visits, Volunteer Opportunities

The 2024 OC Fair is right around the corner. The fair, with the theme “Always a Good Time,” runs from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, August 18, with Monday and Tuesday dark. Just as last year, the daily attendance will be limited, so make your plans early.

The Courtyard is, by far, our largest fundraiser and each year brings in many of our new members. The committee has been making all the preparations for a smooth and fun summer. The set-up team plans to have everything ready to go the week before the opening.

This year, The Courtyard will look much the same as last year, with high top tables and a tasting area near the Featured Winery Bar. There will be plenty of the fabulous award- winning wines to taste.

For members new to The Courtyard and anyone wishing to attend, training for servers is scheduled for Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m. in The Courtyard. For experienced servers who would like to train as a steward, training is scheduled for the same day at 10 a.m. in the Courtyard. Cashier training will be July 11 at 6 p.m. in The Courtyard. Managers will receive information regarding training and meetings.

Fair credentials, parking passes and information will be mailed to reach everyone during the first part of July. Your credentials are valid for everyday of the fair, including sold out days. However, if you are bringing someone who needs a ticket, it must be purchased in advance.

Check out ocfair.com for up-to-date information on entertainment and ticket purchases. Plan for a fun summer and “Always a Good Time.” See you at the fair!

—Fred Heinecke,
OCWS Director and Co-Chair of The Courtyard Committee

Categories
Courtyard

Help With The Courtyard Set Up, Tear Down, Decorating

Courtyard Set-Up

If you enjoy using power drills and stepladders, and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting grubby, this event is for you. We are already working to get The Courtyard for the OC Fair and you can be a big part of it all too.

Volunteers will be needed to set up over three days to make this special place, which serves award-winning wines, ready for fairgoers. The Courtyard is one of the biggest sources of funds that are used for OCWS scholarships.

Set-up is scheduled each day, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on July 9-11. The scheduled tear-down date is Monday, August 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

During the shifts, we will not be handling any wines. It is not the same as server shifts and RBS is not required.

Members can sign up for any or all four dates with me at Les@ocws.org, and lunches and parking will be provided. Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you for making 2024 Always a Good Time at The Courtyard!

—Leslie Hodowanec, 2024 Courtyard Set Up/Tear Down Coordinator

Categories
Courtyard

Join the 2024 OC Fair Courtyard Set-Up Crew

Every year, one of the BEST locations to meet and greet at the OC Fair is at The Courtyard, an attractive place to enjoy award winning wines while generating the largest source of OCWS scholarship funds. Our crew helps make sure the OCWS passes various OC Fair & Event Center requirements and other inspections the […]

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Categories
Courtyard Members Corner

Join The 2024 OC Fair Courtyard Set Up Crew

Every year, one of the BEST locations to meet and greet at the OC Fair is at The Courtyard, an attractive place to enjoy award-winning wines while generating the largest source of OCWS scholarship funds. Our crew helps make sure the OCWS passes various OC Fair & Event Center requirements and other inspections the week […]

This article is only available to members. Please LOGIN HERE to access this article.
Categories
Courtyard

RBS Certification

One Month Closer!

  You must be RBS certified before signing up to volunteer AT the Courtyard. Here’s how:

 Before we know it, the OC Fair will be upon us again. The largest OCWS fundraising effort of the year will be taking place for a total of 23 days, Wednesdays through Sundays, July 19 through August 18.

Volunteering at The Courtyard is a unique and fun experience. Beginning next month, you will be seeing information about signing up for shifts but, in the meantime, it is important to know that all Courtyard volunteers handling wine in any capacity are required to be RBS (Responsible Beverage Server) certified through the ABC (Alcohol Beverage Commission) pursuant to fair requirements.

It is highly recommended that you obtain certification sooner than later in order to sign up for Courtyard shifts when available. If you received your RBS certification within the last two years, then your certifications are still in good standing for this year. Certifications are valid for three years.

How do I get started? Check out our tips below!

EMAIL US

Please send an email to RBS team members Sue England and Linda Flemins at RBS@ocws.org, letting them know you need to be RBS certified this year.

3-STEP PROCESS

Instructions will be sent to you when you register. 1. Create an RBS account with Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). 2. Take a course with the RBS course provider that the OCWS has selected. 3. Take a final quiz with ABC online and obtain the RBS certificate, which is valid for three years.

ONLINE CLASS

Once you have sent your request for certification you will receive an email from #1 Premiere with your username and password and a link to the online course. You may take the class one chapter at a time or all at once. The online course is followed by an online exam with ABC. Once you are RBS certified you are ready to serve at the OC Fair

PLEASE NOTE

Each OCWS member will need a valid individual email address that will be used to set up your account. Your own individual email address will be your username for the online system.

Thank you so much for your volunteer efforts! You are what makes the OCWS the great success it is.