Columnist Paula Del Giudice: Q Lube offers boaters convenient way to service craft

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at [email protected].

Boaters at Lake Mead can now take advantage of an unprecedented innovation in the marine services industry. Q Lube, Inc., a subsidiary of Quaker State Corporation, has introduced its "marine fast lube" services to the greater Las Vegas area.

The services are patterned after automotive "quick lube" centers at which customized Q Lube Marine Services mobile centers employ environmentally friendly sealed evacuation and fill procedures. The mobile service centers provide marine lubrication and maintenance service for both pleasure and commercial craft up to 65 feet in length in both dry and on-the-water environments.

Q Lube takes great precaution to avoid environmental contamination by using precision pressurized evacuation and fill equipment.

"Nearly 900,000 gallons of used motor oil are disposed of improperly each year in the state of Nevada," said Dan Boyle of Mobile Marine Services. "This issue is particularly disturbing when considering that do-it-yourself marine maintenance often takes place on or near the water."

Boyle hopes the availability of the new service will encourage boaters to adopt the Q Lube approach to marine maintenance rather than doing it themselves. He points out that more frequent preventative maintenance will help spare the environment through detection of engine or outdrive oil leaks, cleaner bilges and fewer on-the-water breakdowns.

Those interested in the service should call 804-LUBE to make an appointment. The service truck will travel to your home or the marina where your boat is moored.

* EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS SOUGHT: Expenditure proposals that will benefit boating access and safety are being solicited by the Clark County Boat Facilities and Safety Committee.

Proposal forms may be obtained by contacting the committee's liaison, Brandon Cunningham, at 455-3530. The submission deadline is Thursday, Jan. 28.

The committee oversees fuel tax revenues that are generated from fuel pumps at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

* LICENSES STILL VALID: The arrival of the new year doesn't mean that Nevada's anglers and hunters should discard their annual licenses, according to Nevada Division of Wildlife spokesman Geoff Schneider. Both licenses are valid through Feb. 28, 1999.

According to NDOW, the license year runs from March 1 through the end of February. This allows hunters to complete the fall-winter hunting seasons on a single hunting license.

The 1999-2000 hunting licenses should be available by late February. Licenses and stamps can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and bait and tackle shops.

* RED ROCK SESSIONS: Several excellent hikes are offered at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area this weekend.

A "Winter Nature Walk" will be offered for adults on Saturday. It's a two-mile moderate hike along the Lost Creek Willow Springs Trail. A family outing to watch the stars will also be held on Saturday. Bring a flashlight, a lawn chair, something warm to drink and lots of warm clothing for this one.

On Sunday, a family hike will take participants to explore for evidence of early campsites at Red Rock in the Willow Springs and Lost Creek areas.

To register for the hikes call the Visitor Center at 363- 1922.

* WATERFOWL DRAWINGS: Drawings for reservations for youth waterfowl hunts at Key Pittman and Overton wildlife management areas will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 8 a.m. at the Nevada Division of Wildlife, 4747 W. Vegas Drive.

A special youth waterfowl hunt will be held in Clark and Lincoln counties on Saturday, Jan. 23. The hunt is open to youths 15 and younger.

Reservations at Key Pittman and Overton will be limited to 55 hunters during the youth hunt. Youngsters participating in the youth hunt must be accompanied by an adult who is not allowed to hunt.

Shooting hours, bag limits and other regulations for the youth hunt are listed in the 1998-99 state waterfowl hunting regulations brochure. Copies may be obtained at NDOW and most stores that sell hunting licenses.

* FLAPPERS TICKETS: If you haven't already purchased tickets for the 1999 annual banquet of the Las Vegas Flappers Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, you still have time. The Flappers will be celebrating their 27th year of helping waterfowl and wetlands conservation at their banquet on Feb. 19.

For more information and to buy tickets call Pamela Goodwill at 896-1588. Seating is limited.

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