Dennis Barry has recently started Crystal Blue Divers, an open water scuba diver instruction business. Ross Maak recently caught up with Berry for five questions, during a lesson at Pioneer Park in Nevada City. For more information on scuba lessons, Barry can be reached at 263-3037.

Ross Maak: What got you interested in scuba diving?

Dennis Barry: “Honestly, I don't know. I guess I've always been a water person and I've always liked exploring.”

RM: How long have you been diving?

DB: “Not all that long, really. My wife bought me a gift certificate in 1999 and it just went from there.”

RM: What gave you the idea to start the business here?

DB: “Just because there's nothing really like it here. It's an opportunity for people. It opens up a whole new window for people. It's an opportunity to give back to the community.”

RM: Is this full-time or part-time?

DB: “I'm a building contractor and I became a Realtor in 2006 right before the economy got bad. This is new. I just started this.”

RM: How has the reaction been?

DB: “It's really odd, because with all the people losing their homes and losing their jobs I didn't expect much reaction. But it's been weird because there are so many people that want to learn scuba diving. It's neat because it's such a fun thing. It just tends to lighten things up a lot.”

— Ross Maak, Special to The Union