November 2003, Volume 6, Issue 10

General Meeting - November 4th, 2003
The meeting was called to at order 7:05pm by Sgt. At Arms Frank Brown. President Theo Bechtel, presiding.

Guests:
Kevin O'Connor from Sacramento has an '87 red Firebird. Jim Egan from Placerville has an '88 Black Firebird. Dennis & Doreen Gardner from Alta. Everyone drooled as Dennis announced that he has a 1977 Black "Bandit" Trans Am. One of the original nine used in the movie "Smoky and the Bandit." He had pictures with him and they were just beautiful, looks brand new. Welcome to all of you. Hope to see you at the Christmas Party.

Corrections to the minutes from last month: Kyle Mahler was not listed as winning a 2nd place at the car show in Fairfield. Kyle has a 2001 Blue WS6 Trans Am. This was Kyle's first award. Sorry Kyle, I apologize. Minutes were then accepted as amended.

Theo appointed the following to count the ballots that were received. Dave Gershon, Dennis Trimble and Gordon Tackett .

Prior to giving info on past events, Leo gave a change in dates for the Apple Hill run. It was scheduled for November 8th but has been changed to November 9th.

Old Business: Past Events;

C.C. Coppage Funeral - 10/8:
Nine cars from our Club met at the funeral home in Elk Grove. The services were very touching and well done. The Club cars were lined up behind the family car, oldest to the newest, and we left for the cemetery. After the services we caravanned to C.C.'s aunts home. Beautiful place and so full of food we could have eaten all evening. I'm sure everyone appreciated the hospitality.

CHP Academy - 10/18:
This event was titled "Cops and Rodders". There were four Club cars at this event - Dave Gershon with his '89 GTA Flame Red TA, Keith Thorson with his '84 Black & Gold TA Convertible, Leo Brown and his 2002 Burnt Orange TA, and Terry Trimble with her (quietly now) '65 Tempest. Leo said it looked and sounded like an Edsel.

Kragen's "Toys for Tots" - 10/12:
Leo didn't attend this function so Terry reported. Those in attendance were, Terry, Jaime, Keith, Gordon, J. O., and Mervin Ory, one of our new members. No name, but we met one of the members of the Capital City Firebirds met up with our members at Mc Donald's and decided to join us for this event. Kyle Mahler from Oakland is a member of the Capitol City Mopars and he joined us for this event. All the participants voted for five cars for awards and in addition one for best of show. Terry and Kyle won and were awarded clocks. They were unique in that they had been taken apart and a car was placed on the hands and then put back together. Terry also won a raffle prize. Can you imagine seeing an eight foot stuffed shark sailing down the highway in a TA convertible? Terry should have taken a picture.

Trans A Ween Party - 10/25:
This was a great party at Leo's home. Very scary approach to the front door. Very large participation and lots of food. Awards: Most Original Kids, boy and girlÑNatalie Gershon as a Ragged Ann and a neighbor of Leo's, Kevin, as The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Most original adult, Jim Prinzivalli as Ozzie Osborne. Most Scary adult, Gary Vollstedt. He was a cross between "Tinker Bell and Dolly Parton". Now that's scary. The Scavenger Hunt: The winner was - Jim Prinzivalli's kids. They went all out and visited all the neighbors to get what was on their list. They won a 15 piece fondue set. Do you remember contest: You had to remember how many skull heads, and other things, were on the porch. Winner was a guest by the name of Denise. She won a Witch Ball light.

Les followed up with his version of the party. Directions to the house were perfect. You couldn't miss it once you were on the street. The spiders hanging from the trees, the skeleton heads, the strobe lights, etc. That's Leo's.

Jaime thanked Les and Gail for helping out with the food.

The Message Board is at a standstill for the time being. We may have Jim set up one of our own. More at the next meeting.

Dave had an update on the 'All Pontiac Show' that will be held in Reno in 2004. They have decided that it will be in August and headquartered in the Atlantis Hotel. This is open to all Pontiac's and club affiliation is not necessary. More info as it comes in. Dennis reported on the Auto Rama next year. He has 11 entrants and room for one more car. If anyone is interested see him.

Dennis will be setting up a meeting for entrants soon.


Upcoming Events:
Veterans Day Parade in Sacramento - 11/18:
Meet at Levitz on Watt Ave. at 8am and leave at 8:30am. This is rain or shine. Get out and support our Vets.

Apple Hill - 11/9:
New deserts tasting and Craft Fairs, live music, etc. Meet at 8:30am, in the K-Mart parking lot on Sunrise and Coloma in Rancho Cordova just north of Highway 50. Leave at 9am.

Christmas Dinner / Installation - 12/12:
This is a change from the Website and TransScript schedule and is our December meeting. The Club will pick up $10 of the cost of dinners for all paying members. Be sure to bring a $10 gift for exchange if you want to receive one. The stealing of gifts, not twice but three times, is really a kick. Come and have fun.

Super Bowl Party - 2/1/2004:
The Super Bowl will be at Straw Hat at 2929 Mather Field Rd, Rancho Cordova about 12:00 PM

Valentines Day Party - 2/15/2004:
Meet at El Torito's on 1212 Howe Avenue. The cost will be $12.99 for adults and $4.99 for kids 12 & under. It will be an all you can eat Brunch including Champagne.

Jaime had information on the Towe Ford Museum. He is selling raffle tickets as a fund raiser for the museum at $1 each. The raffle is for a $20 gift certificate for a ham or turkey from Raley's or Bel Air. We don't know how many certificates will be available.

The Capitol City Mopars are co-hosting the Sixteenth Annual Towe Museum Christmas Tree decorating party & pot- luck dinner on Sunday November 30th. Jaime is expecting a sign-up sheet and will let us know more info.

Ted spoke of having a Dyno-Day if anyone is interested. There needs to be at lest 5 to 10 cars. More cars less money. The cost for less than 10 is $45 per car, if more than 10 it will drop to $40 per car. This would be in early 2004.

Election Results.
President:	Keith Thorson
Vice President:	Leo Brown
Secretary:	Irene Raff
Treasurer:	J.O. Raff
Activities Director:	Terri Trimble

Frank Brown motioned to close the meeting, seconded by Leo Brown.

With no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Irene Raff, Secretary.

A Tribute......

In honor of all the Veterans, we would like to give our thanks and gratitude for our existence in a country that is so great! We too have several veterans in our Club who helped make this a great place to live. We are the Trans Am Club of America and proud of it. Our Club was created in October of 1979 by an outgoing group of people (some veterans) looking to share their passion for this legend with others! With over 50 current members, we continue to look for people that share our interests and desires. We would like to, at this time, give special thanks and tribute to Al Ackerson, Mark Iriarte, Constancia Brown and C.C. Coppage who were fallen Birds, but lifted up by the hands of God. Special thanks to all who have given their lives to make this a "Great" Nation...

Written by Leo Brown and announced as our Club passed the reviewing stand at the Veterans Day Parade.

(Thanks for the article, Leo!!).