In the late '70s and '80s the Shopsmith store in San Carlos Ca. had get-together's on Thursday evenings. It was a chance to share ideas and see the new Stuff.
From that group a few of those attendees broke off to have their own get-together's with the interest more focused on round things, "Turnings". At the same time another group was having meetings once a month at a woodworking store across the bay in Alameda. Their interest was also Woodturning. That was at the beginning of the (8/26/89) Bay Area Woodturners Association. Some of the Shopsmith folks even joined that group.
Back at the Shopsmith group they decided to start their own Woodturning Club. They elected a staff and that was the beginning of the(4/12/94) West Bay Woodturners. It didn't take very long for WBW to outgrow the Shopsmith store. They moved to a few other locations and finally settled at a High School shop in San Mateo, CA. Members came from all over the bay area including San Jose.
A few guys that were traveling to the WBAW meetings decided to have a get-together in San Jose to see if they could start their own woodturning group. They began with once a month Wednesday evening meetings. It did not take very long for the word to get out and as more people became interested and involved, in the late ninety's ( 9/3/97) they became the Silicon Valley Woodturners.
Silicon Valley Woodturners over the years
As with any great organization, building a great organization is not an easy task. It has taken dedication from many volunteers over the years to build the Silicon Valley Woodturners to what it is today. Though we can not list every volunteer who has contributed over the years, here's a list of president's and the people who have served on the board over the years.
2024 - Present
Jerry Galli
VP/Program Chair
Jim Loney
Member at Large
Tim Cole
Secretary
Tom Stutz
Treasurer
Kevin Lee
President
2023
Jim Loney
President
Kevin Lee
Secretary
Jimmy Vidunas
Secretary
Barbara Loney
Treasurer
Steve Dahout
Member at Large
Matthew Bartlett
Treasurer
Jerry Galli
VP / Program chair
President Ard Sealy recognizes Rich Johnson for his outstanding service during the 2011 April meeting.
Ard presented a plaque to Rich Johnson in recognition for his outstanding service to the Silicon Valley Woodturners club as our founder and past president from 1997 to 2011. The walnut and maple plaque was laminated by Mike, and engraved by Ard and Marcus. Rich was subsequently made our 1st lifetime member, by unanimous vote.
Timeline
Dec 2022
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Jim Loney elected as President of SVW
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Nov 2021
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Steve Dahout elected as President of SVW
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Mar 2020
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Last social gathering (meeting) of SVW for 2020
COVID-19 pandemic forces SVW to change course of our meetings. SVW
decides to forego social gatherings for the sake of the health of its members.
Nov 2016
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Paul Rygaard elected as President of SVW
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Jul 2014
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Club meetings moved to the TechShop San Jose
the TechShop San Jose, 300 S. Second Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Jun 2014
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Last club meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
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Aug 2013
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Meetings moved back to Rich Johnson's woodturning center
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Jan 2013
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SVW website created by Rich Johnson goes online
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Feb 2012
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New logo used for the first time
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Dec 2011
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Moved to the Eagle Lodge in Willow Glen
The Eagle Aerie, 1036 Lincoln Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
The meeting was moved back to the FIRST Wednesday of the month.
Apr 2011
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Moved to the First Congregational Church of San Jose
1980 Hamilton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
The meeting was moved to the LAST Wednesday of the month.
Mar 2011
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Last club meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
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Nov 2010
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Ard Sealy elected as President of SVW
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Apr 2001
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SVW starts using Yahoo Groups.
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Sep 1998
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SVW newsletter gets the name Chips & Chatter.
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Sep 1997
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On Sep 3, 1997 SVW becomes an affiliate of AAW
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Jul 1997
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SVW starts meeting at Rich Johnson's woodturning center
14979 Joanne Ave, San Jose, CA 95127
1st Wednesday of the month, 6:00pm
Jul 1997
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Rich Johnson becomes first president of SVW
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Early 1997
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Some woodturners on their way to WBW meet in San Jose
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Apr 1994
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West Bay Woodturners (WBW) was formed
They start meeting at a high school shop in San Mateo, CA
3rd century
B.C.
Flat wooden dish turned in Mycaene, Greece
It was later found in a pit grave.
6th century
B.C.
Wood turning practiced in Egypt
​
70 million
years ago
Palm trees make their first appearance
​
95 million
years ago
Magnolias, laurels, maples, sycamores, and oaks inhabit earth
The age of hardwoods
250 million
years ago
Primitive conifers inhabit earth
The late Permian to Triassic period.
Ginkgo trees appear.
360 million
years ago
Giant trees inhabit earth
Carboniferous period