May 2007, Volume 10, Issue 5


General Meeting - May 2, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:09 PM by Keith Thorson, President.

Keith expressed his sorrow about Aaron’s passing and expressed his condolences to Aaron’s brother, Ted Bechtel, and to the family.

The Secretary’s Minutes were approved as printed in the April Transcript with the exception of a correction toward the end of the article which read: “Keith recommended that anyone interested in attending car shows, check with either him or Ted Bechtel first”. The line should read: “either John Bonner or Ted Bechtel”. In addition, the 2007 Upcoming Events should show “John Bonner and Ted Bechtel” wherever “Keith Thorson and Ted Bechtel” is shown. The May Trans Script will be revised.

The Treasurer’s Report for March was presented by Treas. J. O. Raff and approved as read. J.O. also reviewed the current orders and financial standing of the Jacket account.


Old Business: Past Events;

There was additional discussion concerning the Jacket Logo. Gary Vollstedt has been in contact with the vendor concerning the embroidery and brought a sample of the bird to be displayed. The design was finally approved with a recommendation that a red flame be added. The price of the embroidery will be approximately $30.00 and the total price of the jackets for the current 14 orders will remain at $55.00. The Club will sustain the cost of “set-up” consisting of the difference between $55.00 and final overall cost. The price of the remaining 3 jackets will be $60.00.

Mario’s Classic/Modern Car Show, to be held Sunday, May 6 at Bella Vista High School parking lot was re-announced and membership was encouraged to attend.

Because of conflicting commitments, only two vehicles are expected to attend. A flyer for the Elk grove High School 3rd Annual "Support Our Auto Shop" Car Show on May 19th was provided. For further info refer to "Upcoming Events".

Robet Holland was presented his and Fay Fong's Blue Ribbon and Chili's Award for their participation in the Club Chili Cook Off on March 11th.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM.

Respectfully Submitted; Irene Raff, Secretary.

AARON BECHTEL
Born: July 17th 1966
Died: April 11th 2007


I’ve been trying for weeks to think about what to write about Aaron, to help you all understand what made him so special, and why he was so important to me. He was sensitive, caring, funny, charming, intelligent, talented, and always my “little brother”! We could argue and fight and get on one another’s nerves, but when all was said and done we were each others biggest supporters.

As far back as I can remember, we were at our best when we worked as a team. My earliest memory of my brother and I, is when I was about four years old, sneaking up on my father while he was asleep on the sofa. We got on top of the couch and using our feet pushed him off. Of course with all the giggling we were doing, I am sure my dad had something to do with being able to get him off the sofa so easily!

And of course there were bad times too. As children Aaron's aim left something to be desired. To prove to him I was tougher than he was, I challenged him to hit me in the chin. I learned this was not a good idea as he would always end up accidentally hitting me in the nose or the eye! I guess this should have been a clue that he would end up needing glasses.

Of course Aaron got his share of bruises also, as I have hit him with my bicycle, shot him in the chest with a BB gun, and got him in trouble for things that I had done. This was always followed by me getting punished by our mom. But through it all, we always knew that if the other one needed us, we would be there.

With the exception of the four years that I was in the Air Force, Aaron and I have always been together. Yes, we had different friends, hung out with different people, and had different views on life, but in my opinion we were as close as twins. We were just born two years apart.

There are probably many of you wondering why Aaron was in the club when he did not own a Firebird. Aaron actually liked the Trans Am when I was still into Camaros. His favorite car has always been the 1969 Trans Am. He always said that if he were to win the lottery this would be the car that he would own.

I will miss Aaron very much, and know that he is in a better place now, but what bothers me most now is that in the end I was not able to protect my "little brother" from dying! As I finish this up, the song "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas just played on the radio, so I will take this as a sign that Aaron is watching over my shoulder!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and remember a very special person!

Ted "Theo" Bechtel .

TACA, GSC Meeting Place and Time.

Club Meetings will be held at Denny's Restaurant, 3520 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento, CA at 7:00 PM on the first Wednesday of each month. Anyone with an interest in the Pontiac Firebird, Trans Am, Formula or Firehawk is welcome to attend.

Birthdays.

Rachel Gershanoff, May 6th
Miren Klein, May 29th
Dave Lane, May 29th
Ted Bechtel, June 4 th
Keith Thorson, June 8th
J.O. Raff, June 29
Dave Gershon, July5
Phil Lamaison, July 8
Diane Dahneke, July 8

Upcoming Events: 2007.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - 5/2/07
Denny's Restaurant, 3520 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, Intersection of Auburn Blvd. and Watt Ave, 7:00-9:00 PM.

MARIO'S CLASSIC/MODERN CAR SHOW - 5/6/07
Sunday, May 6, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, Registration $15.00.
Benefit for Shriners Hospitals and Bella Vista Booster Club. This is Mario Gomez' Senior Project! Registration Forms attached. If interested, contact Keith Thorson or Ted Bechtel.

MAXWELL HIGH SCHOOL PARADE - 5/19/07
Saturday, May 19, 9:45 AM, Maxwell, CA (Between Williams and Willows).
Car Show after Parade at Maxwell High. Trophies will be awarded. No Registration fee, food available at the Chuck Wagon and watch the last free High School Rodeo in CA! Posted on TACA GSC Message Board. If interested, contact Keith Thorson or Ted Bechtel.

ELK GROVE HIGH SCHOOL 3RD ANNUAL “SUPPORT OUR AUTO SHOP” CAR SHOW - 5/19/07
Saturday, May 19th, Located in parking lot behind Elk Grove HS. Registration starts at 7:30 AM. Show until 2-3:00 PM. 30 Trophies, Raffle, Food Available, Prizes for Club Attendance. Bring fold-out tents. Registration fee of $20.00 includes T-Shirt and Dash Plaque. For more info call Bob Hamm, (916) 806-4319. Meet K-Mart Parking Lot, 2344 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova, 6:30 AM, leave 7:00 AM.

THUNDER IN DEPOT PARK - 5/26/07
Saturday, May 26th, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Downtown Rio Linda. Registration $20.00 per car, Pre-register prior to May 19th and receive a discount coupon for an Event T-Shirt.
Hosted by Thunderbolts (Capitol Auto Club). All years vehicles welcome but Salute for all vehicles made in 1932. If interested, contact Keith Thorson (who plans on showing two cars) or Ted Bechtel.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - 6/6/07
Denny's Restaurant, 3520 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, Intersection of Auburn Blvd. and Watt Ave, 7:00-9:00 PM

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - 7/11/07
Denny's Restaurant, 3520 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, Intersection of Auburn Blvd. and Watt Ave, 7:00-9:00 PM

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - 8/1/07
Denny's Restaurant, 3520 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, Intersection of Auburn Blvd. and Watt Ave, 7:00-9:00 PM

IF YOU HEAR OF OTHER CAR SHOWS OR EVENTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST, PLEASE NOTIFY J.O. RAFF, JOHN BONNER OR KEITH THORSON.

OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL BE POSTED WHEN PROVIDED BY ACTIVITIES CHAIRMAN.