March 2004, Volume 7, Issue 3


General Meeting - March 2nd, 2004

The meeting was called to order by President Keith Thorson at 7:12pm.

Guests:
Jhonatan Sosa. He visited our display at Auto Rama and decided to come and see what our Club is all about. He drives a ‘92 white T/A convertible.

Eric Melson, (he signed in on the member side so we don’t have an address for him). He found us on the web. He said he had looked into another car club but they were a little too young for his taste. He saw pictures of some of our Club members and thought they looked a little more mature so he is visiting this evening. He has a black 1989 Trans Am, Night Hawk Edition.

Elden and Jaye Lowe were also our guests. They are from Rio Linda. They have a 1968 Firebird convertible.

We also had a member we haven’t seen for quite a while. Kevin Doyle who says he is a negligent member. He has a 1989 Trans Am. “It wasn’t running when I joined the Club, still isn’t”, says Kevin. But he is still working on it and hopefully will have it done in time for the track.

Minutes:
Frank made the motion to accept the minutes as printed in the Trans Script, seconded by Kevin, motion carried.


Old Business:
Activities Director, Terry Trimble, reported on past events. We had twelve cars entered in Auto Rama at Cal Expo. Dave Karnes received a second place in his category for his 30th white anniversary Trans Am.

The display was set so that people could walk through the area and take a good look at the cars. Sixteen people signed our sign-in sheet. They will be receiving info on our Club. Leo thanked all those who worked the show. There is a lot of work getting the cars set and then having people be there all day to keep an eye on the display and answering questions about our Club. Keith said he had a special thank you to Diana’s son Steven. He really had a good time helping out with getting the cars cleaned and set. He has already volunteered for next years Auto Rama

Valentines Day Brunch was held at El Torito. Quite a turn out with forty including the kids. The food was excellent and the choices were many. And of course Leo had another birthday. (Dante’ was there and he always tells the host or restaurant personnel that it’s Leo’s birthday.)


New Business:
Terry gave us a run down on the upcoming events.

Sunday, March 7th - Black Hawk Museum in Danville:
Meet at Levitz parking lot at 7:30am and leave at 8am. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for kids. Terry talked to some of our members in the Bay area and they will meet the caravan there.

Saturday, March 20th - “Chili Cook Off” at the Raff’s:
Meet in the K-Mart parking lot on the corner of Coloma and Sunrise in Rancho Cordova. Be there by noon and leave at 12:30pm. Prizes for the best of categories.

Saturday, April 17th - Cool April Nights in Anderson, California:
We need to be there by 10am. More information at the April meeting.

Saturday, May 29th - “Thunder In The Depot” car show in Rio Linda:
More info at next meeting.

June 11th & 12th - Trans A Rama XVI:
Friday cruise to California Burger, Saturday will be the car show at Reliable Pontiac in the Roseville Auto Mall. Raffles, eats and beautiful cars.

Other events in the planning:
July, Hot Antioch Nights.
August, Hot August Nights in Reno on the 7th.
Kragen’s “Toys for Tots” Car Show on the 23rd.
September, P.O.I.C. in Reno on the 17th, 18th and 19th.
October, The Vacaville Car Show is on the 2nd.

Events also being looked at and planned for:
Rio Linda Car show in May, Hot August Nights in Reno, August of course, P.O.C.I. National event, also in Reno, in September, Yosemite at the end of September or first part of October. (No one mentioned this Club was formed in October 1979 in Yosemite, 25 years ago.). “Pontiac’s In The Park”, October 9th. Also on the agenda is the Sacramento Childrens Receiving Home, no date.

There was a discussion regarding Trans A Rama this year. Should we have it or shouldn’t we have it? It was put to a vote by ballot and the Club decided we will have the event. This means - - - EVERY ONE - - - put some time in rounding up raffle prizes. This is the best way for the Club to make money on this event. Registration doesn’t cover the entire amount for T-Shirts and Trophies. We need judges for the car show. If you know anyone that might be interested, get their names and phone numbers and turn them in to Dennis. We need at least 12 to 14 judges. More if possible.

Gordon Tackett said the I.H.O.P in Yuba City is planning a car show. A buddy of Gordon’s wants to get the GTO Club in on the first night meeting. He said he would like to make it an all Pontiac show and have us bring our Club up and join in. Raffles and such. There will also be a discount if you would like to eat. The exact date has not yet been set.

Gary said that Jim Boy’s Tacos in Loomis is ready to start having their Saturday night car events soon. It will only be on the second Saturday of the month.

J.J. would like us to check into new Club jackets. Something like we had in the past. The jackets were black with our Club name and Firebird on the back. It may be hard to find someone that will do the birds but we will look into it.

Dave Gershon spoke on the new legislation to kill off the 30 year roll over for smog exempt cars. It will not be the SB-42 that they introduced last year. The new bill will have the break between 1975 & 1976. Dave will send the info to J.O. so he can get in the Trans Script. Everyone, write your representative because this concerns anyone with an older car. Our Club belongs to the Association of California Car Clubs who is fighting this. They sent Dave a copy of a letter that should be sent to our Representatives. It will be in the Trans Script for everyone to see, copy and mail.

Keith said he called the Towe Museum to see if there is a chance we can get some of our cars in there for this year but they are booked. Keith explained to our new members that we are members and anytime the would like to go there all they have to do is show their membership card and the admission is free except on holidays. Not just once but as often as you choose to go.

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:13.

Respectfully submitted - Irene Raff, Secretary.

TACA, GSC Meeting Place and Time.

Our meeting place is at:
CARROWS RESTAURANT
4601 N. Watt Ave.,
North Highlands, CA 95660

Please have all food ordered before 6:45 PM.

Birthdays.

Christine Barenchi, Mar. 12th
Pearl Ackerson, Mar. 19th
Wally Jeffery, Mar. 24th
Terry Trimble, Mar. 26th
Lin Barenchi, Mar. 29th
Jim Prinzivalli, Mar. 29tH
Gary Vollstedt, Apr. 4th
Rhonda Phillipe, Apr. 10th
Gayle Vollstedt, Apr. 12
Susan Brown, Apr. 25th
Troy Nunes, May 12th
Julie Haddix, May 16th
Carol Karnes, May 16th
Dean Yeager, May 24th
James Pelling, May 27th
Miren Klein, May 29th
Dave Lane May 29th

Keith's Corner

With “ TRANS-A-RAMA XVI” coming up so soon and with advertising being so expensive, Ted and I decided for the good of the club we would take a road trip to Reno. While we were there we would drive around to all the auto parts stores and ask them to display our flyers for “TRANS-A-RAMA”. Being the trooper that he is, Aaron volunteered to go with us and help out.

Once in Reno we stopped off at just about every “Kragen’s” and “Pep Boys” up there. They were all happy to display our flyers at their front counters for us. Driving down Virginia Street we passed a bright red ’69 Firebird in mint condition. After asking around I found the owner and soon learned he has had the car since he was 16, which I estimated to be around 25 years or so. He drives this car because it catches the most attention but he prefers his other car, a ’69 Trans Am also in mint condition! I felt like I was talking to a guy who owns two Cavaliers. After a few minutes I left him with a flyer and a “Thank You” for his time. He thanked me for the invite with the comment, “I never really thought about entering them into car shows but this sounds like fun.”

Anyway, back to work. At our next stop we learned that “Summit Racing” has their store in Sparks so off we went. Ted did most of the talking here, to the sales clerk—at the parts department that is. After getting a great deal on some chrome valve covers for his car however, we did remember to leave some flyers for them.

After hours of driving from store to store we decided that we had visited about every auto parts store around. Our sole purpose of being in Reno was of course for the sake of the club but we decided that we had done as much as we could that day and decided it was time to relax. Coincidentally we were right in front of the “El Dorado” at the time, so we went in for the buffet. Since the slot machines and tables were right there too, we decided to reward ourselves for a long hard day’s work. Ted, also known now as “Mr. Lucky” was rewarded better than Aaron or I. Either way it was a long but fun day.

Being the devoted club members that we are though, we have already talked about taking another road trip down to San Francisco. We are planning on handing out flyers in front of the ice cream parlor at “Ghirardelli Square.” I’ve heard there are a lot of Trans Am enthusiasts down there.

Keith Thorson.

Chili Cook Off

On Saturday March 20th, chili aficionados gathered at the Raff’s for the Club’s Annual Chili Cook Off! There have been no reports of any Acid Reflux, Dolor del Estomago, Montezuma’s Revenge or other abdominal ailments but it isn’t because there wasn’t just cause.

Categories for judging were ‘Hottest’, ‘Wimpiest’, ‘Best Red’, ‘Best Green’, ‘Best Chicken’ and ‘Peoples Choice’. After everyone had an opportunity to sample the culinary masterpieces prepared for the occasion, ballots were cast and winners were chosen. The Blue Ribbon for Hottest went to Chris Brown, The Most Consumer Friendly (AKA Wimpiest) to Allan Blanchfield & Julie Haddix, the Best Green to J.O. Raff, the Best Chicken to Terry Trimble, Best Red AND People’s Choice to Leo Brown.

Although it was the First Day of Spring and the temperature was around 86 degrees, the water in the Raff’s pool registered a cool 68 degrees. Sarah (Terry Trimble’s Grand Daughter) and Liana (Frank Brown’s Grand Daughter) were still brave enough to take the first swim in the pool this year.

Welcome!

JAMES PELLING - Joined: February 2004
Los Angeles, CA.
1994 Red Formula LT1

JASON BENSON & STACY HOLT - Joined: December 2003,
Tracy, CA
1992 Red Trans Am, No photo available at this time.

LOU THOMAS - Joined: January 2004
Alamo, CA. 2001
Black Formula.

Upcoming Events.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - 4/06/04
CARROW’S Restaurant, Roseville, CA.
4601 N. Watt Ave.,
North Highlands, CA 95660.

KOOL APRIL NIGHTS- 4/17/04
Hot Autorama in Anderson, CA. All years welcome. All cars must be pre-registered. Call (916) 363-6650 for forms. Meet at Levitz parking lot, 4741 Watt Ave., North Highlands, CA, 6:30 AM, leave at 7:00 AM SHARP.

ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL, Stockton, CA - 4/24/04
Meet at Levitz parking lot, 4741 Watt Ave., North Highlands, CA 8:30 AM, leave at 9:00 AM.

KRAGEN CAR SHOWS - 4/24; 5/22; 6/26; 7/24; 8/28; 9/25
5601 Pacific St., Rocklin, CA
3:00—7:00 PM .

FILOLI GARDENS, Woodside, CA- 4/29/04
Meet at Levitz parking lot, 7:30 AM, leave at 8:00 AM.

TOWE AUTO MUSEUM - 5/16/04
Meet at Levitz parking lot, 12:30 PM, leave 1:00 PM.

THUNDER IN DEPOT PARK- 5/29/04
Rio Linda, CA. 8AM-4PM, All years American vehicles welcome, $20.00 per car entry fee.

TRANSARAMA XVI - 6/11-12/04
Friday and Saturday, June 11th & 12th. Details TBA.

HOT ANTIOCH NIGHTS - 7/18/04
Meet at Levitz parking lot, 7:30 AM, leave at 8:00 AM for Antioch.

HOT AUGUST NIGHTS - 8/7/04
Reno, NV. Details TBA.

POCI (Western Regionals) - 9/17-19/04
Atlantis Hotel, Reno, NV.

VACAVILLE / FAIRFIELD CAR SHOW - 10/2/04
Registration 8:00 to 9:30 AM. Location TBA.