Houston's Premier Scuba and Dive Shop Oceanic Ventures Inc.

(713) 523-3483 (dive)
5808 Newcastle Drive
Houston, TX 77401

Archives for November 2019

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Black Friday Specials 2019

Dive Mom has simply lost her mind this year with her Black Friday Scuba Drawing

She wanted to have a special to make sure everyone came in the store this holiday season so she came up with this off-the-wall scheme.  On Black Friday (actually starting today through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and “Resist the Click” Monday) if it is black or has black in it, you can draw for a special discount ranging from 5% to 50% off your black items on the invoice.  Almost every “black” item in the store is eligible for the discount (ok, it excludes rebreathers, Shearwater Dive Computers, items already on sale, and travel) but it includes things you need to go diving — BC’s, air delivery systems, computers, environmental protection systems, and much much more.  Oh, and it is limited to the stock on hand.
Of course we will have treats and adult beverages (and non-adult ones too) this weekend so come by, avoid the rush and complete your holiday list.  We can even gift wrap it for you!
Come join your friends, for a fun day at your family Dive Center, Oceanic Ventures, Inc.
 
A couple of other sales you might be interested in…
 

HOLLIS SPECIAL Hollis NeoTek 7MM Semi-Dry Suit Reg, $459.95 On-Sale $349.95 Sale Ends December 2, 2019
SUUNTO SPECIAL Purchase either an Eon Core or a D5i and receiver the Tank Pod Free! A savings of $440.95 Sale Ends December 31, 2019
ZEAGLE SPECIAL Purchase a Stiletto or Ranger BCD and Receive a free MASK You Save $99.95, Sale Ends December 31, 2019
 

 

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Eric's Receipe Challenge – Gougères

Ok, the month has flown by and I have not had time to make the Cannels from the last challenge.  Maybe before the open house I’ll have time for them.  Anyway, I found a new challenge for this week – Gougères or French cheese puffs.  These taste amazing and you can make them ahead of time and bake just what you need straight out of the freezer.  You should try them; they are delicious!  Here is the recipe.  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know how you like them.

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Racing Through the Cook Islands Reflections on French Polynesia (#11)

20 October

Carl Landed a Nice Mahi-Mahi

I don’t even want to talk about how far behind the “chronicles” are. We have had some wonderfully interesting experiences since I last wrote. Honestly, I’ve been too busy to write, do boat work, or much else but play and sleep.

We just spent two weeks in the tiny, isolated Swarrow (Suvarov) lagoon in the central Cook Islands. Our time was spent learning from the remarkable 72-year-old caretaker of this park. We hunted coconut crabs, had potluck dinners with 30 lobsters, made fishing lures from black pearl oyster shells and coconut husks, went out fishing for 30 minutes, and came back with a 60-pound yellowfin tuna (tons and tons of sushi that night), and generally exhausted ourselves. Mornings started early and we never got back to the boat before 10 PM.

We finally had to leave to get some rest. We are three days into the six or so required to get to southern Tonga (17*42S / 169 59W). We blow through Tonga on our way to NZ since we’re planning to spend next year cruising in that area.
As we leave the Marquesas, here are a few family photographs…

Carl Strange Avatar
Carl and his wife Karen set-off on a journey around the world on-board their sailboat S/V Enchante. Along the way, they had a lot of adventures and in Aruba, a new member of their crew was born. Now a family of three with Rebecca’s birth, they sailed the Caribbean and the Pacific experiencing life along the way.

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Jess Stark Is an Inspiration

Recently, our “favorite four year old”, Jess Stark was mentioned as a diving role model by Jona, the Cruise Director of the Philippine Siren.  Jess was diving with us on our recent trip to the Philippines aboard the Philippine Siren when he met Jona.  Like he does with everyone, he charmed her but more than that he impressed her with his stories and his love for diving.  Jess is a beautiful diver underwater and he loves being there.
Someone asked me why do we refer to him as our favorite four year old?  Well, he is a little mischievous and like a four year old he sometimes wanders off in the airport, the hotel and underwater.  Never far but something has caught his eye and he is then focused on it.  So like a four year old, you sometimes have to keep an eye on him.  But don’t worry, he loves the title!
Here is Jona’s, the cruise director on board S/Y Philippine Siren comment”

“My diving role model is Jesse Loren Stark. He is a US Navy Veteran Diver, who has more than 8,000 dives under his belt. He started diving when he was only 14 years old. He’s worked in nuclear power plants, as a rescue diver for the police and as a boat captain for a few years. His life story is an inspiration to many and his love for the ocean is immeasurable.”

Thanks Jess, we can’t wait to go diving with you again!

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Eric's Recipe Challenge – Canelés de Bordeaux

I have been trying to find time to make these all year and just keep getting sidetracked.  So, I decided to start to challenge myself each month with a project and this is the first one I chose –Canelés de Bordeaux.  These are a small pastry that are caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside.  Here is a recipe to get you started.  Write a comment below or send me a note about how yours turned out.  If you want to try mine, watch for the email and I will tell you when I will have them in the store.
Ok divers — BAKE!