The - Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds

Published monthly by the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds

Early Bird

Fan

The

January 2013 Chapter 50 – Classic Thunderbird Club International Volume 41 No. 1

NEXT MEETING FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013, 7:30 PM West Valley College Board Room

Membership Renewal on last Page!

THE SCVT EARLY BIRD FAN

The Early Bird Fan is the monthly newsletter of the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds, SCVT. SCVT is dedicated to the enjoyment of the classic 1955, 1956, and 1957 Ford Thunderbirds. Address: Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds

P.O. Box 26103 San Jose, CA 95159 Web Site: http://santaclaravalleytbirds.com CTCI Site: http://www.ctci.org Meetings: 7:30 p.m. meetings are held on the second Friday of each month at West Valley College 14000 Fruitvale Ave. Saratoga, CA. in the college board room. Events SCVT members participate in parades, displays, homecomings, regional and national meets, local cars shows, and driving events. Membership Dues are $40.00 per year per family and are due by January 31 of each year . SCVT is Chapter 50 of the Classic Thunderbird Club International, CTCI. Membership in CTCI is mandatory to participate in parades and displays sponsored by SCVT. See http://www.ctci.org for CTCI membership requirements. Newsletter Deadline: Turn in articles, ideas, suggestions by 25th of each month. Send to: Cliff Monroe: 1207 Minnesota Ave.,San Jose, CA. 95125 CAR‐toon cornere-mail: [email protected]

Caravan tips

- Maintain your car. - Gas up and check fluids/tires. - Know who your leader is and follow. - Turn CB to channel 11. - Turn FRS to channel 7-11. - Gas up at scheduled pit stops. - Generic cars at the end of the caravan.

2012 SCVT Board Members

President Gene Cox [email protected]

Vice President Don Reisinger [email protected]

Secretary Kathy Kelly [email protected] Treasurer Chris Bergquist [email protected] Editor Cliff Monroe [email protected] Parades Deutsch/Reisinger [email protected] Displays Bob Lawrence [email protected] Activities Doc Dockter [email protected] Fundraising Joan Peterson [email protected] Historian Carl Epolite [email protected] CTCI Rep Gerry Nelson [email protected] Logo Sales Bernie Epolite [email protected] NM Hospitality Ray Delgado [email protected]

SCVT Items for sale contact Bernie Epolite

Magnetic sign $5.00 Visor $11.00 Baseball mesh cap $8.00 Baseball cotton cap $15.00 Summer jacket $21.00 Winter jacket $39.50 Large patch $10.00 Name badge $10.50 License plate frame $12.00 Personalized tote $10.00 Logo T-Shirt $15.00 3 piece luggage set $15.00 Grill Badge $26.50T-bird Chairs $15.00 Antenna Flag $9.00 Earrings $12.00 Charm Bracelet $7.00 Charm Necklace $7.00 Key Chain $7.00 Mirrors $6.50 Tapestry Blanket $35.00

Carl Make an offer!

Parts Boxes

- Box 1 Cox - Box 2 Dockter - Box 3 Reisinger - 6-Volt Williams - Tents unknown

(Is this correct?)


PRESIDENTS MESSAGE – Flying Low with Gene

As we Ring in the New Year, we find ourselves just 7 months away from our Birds by the Bay Regional Convention. So much has already been done, and yet there’s still so much to do. Don’s planned the tours

which include Nasa, The Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39, plus the Grand Finale, our own version of Birds on the Wharf for the Saturday Driving tour. Don needs plenty of volunteers for Docents on the Bus Tours to Nasa and San Francisco and probably 20 drivers for Leaders and Tail Gunners to Santa Cruz.

r High!

One of the ways that everyone in our club can help with the Convention right now is to chip in with the Fundraising effort. Jill, Bev, and Joe Ryan have put in a lot of effort into identifying possible Donors, but they need help in approaching more Donors. Carl Epolite has a great idea; every member of SCVT should approach just one possible donor. It’s not that difficult; go to your favorite Auto Parts store, Ford Dealer, Local Jewelry store, or one of the businesses that our Fundraising group has identified. With 100 plus members, in just one month we could reach over 100 businesses and if we have a 25% success rate that would be BIG. We will have lists at the January meeting and hope that everyone there will take the name of just one business to approach. Fundraising is the Key to Success for our convention.

This means more than just the Bottom Line Profit, Fundraising and having more money to work with means we can offer more services, better products and overall have just a Better, More Enjoyable convention. Like it or not, money/Fundraising is the Key! The more money we bring in, the more we can spend to make this convention the Best Ever. I’m surewe all have the same goal with this convention; we want every CTCI member to remember Birds by the Bay as being the Best Convention they’ve ever been to. Let’s set the Ba

atively

Last month I wrote about how much work Larry Manness has done this year. This month we have two members I’d like to tell you about. Since the first Day we started talking about this convention Carl Epolite stood up and took a real leadership role in our effort to put on this convention. He kept the committee focused on timelines and because of him we made every deadline. With no time to accomplish the task he produced a very nice Convention Pamphlet for all of us to take to Memphis. And he didn’t do it alone! A relnew member, Cliff Monroe played a big part in designing the pamphlet, and he designed the Logo for Birds by the Bay. We all read Cliffs Faux Fan when he took over as Editor of the Fan,and there’s no denying his talent with a computer. Carl and Cliff, I want you to know your hard work is appreciated by all of us.

Don’t forget, the Awards Banquet is January 26th at the Three Flames in San Jose. Cocktails at 5:00, and Dinner at 6:00. We need your RSVP by the January meeting.

That’s all I have for now so until our next meeting, keep the dirty side down and drive safe.

Gene


Meeting Minutes:

SCVT did not have a meeting in December 2012. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Kelley, Secretary

Letters to the Editor Disclaimer: The thoughts and comments are those of the writer and do not reflect that of the SCVT or CTCI.

The Letters to the Editor is a communications tool that is used for disseminating individual ideas, humor and good cheer for the good of the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds organization and members.

From: Early Bird Editor, Cliff Monroe Posted: 12/12/2012 04:35 PM PDT Creating a “Letters to the Editor” section in the Early Bird Fan is a step in the direction of open communications between members of the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds. The monthly meetings are fine for those members who can attend and are not afraid to voice their opinions in the open arena. For members who live too far from West Valley College and can not attend every monthly meeting, for members who are intimidated by public speaking and for ideas that may require more than a few minutes to express in a meeting format, the Letters to the Editor section is created. Any member can submit a letter to the Editor for publishing to the general membership for the good of the organization. The nature of the letter is a members opinion and be respected as such. The Editor can communicate with the writer concerning format and content keeping in mind the intension of the column is for the good of the individual and organization. As with typical letters to the editor columns, the content may stimulate other letters and comments thereby creating constructive individual and club communications.

Consider this a letter to the Fan Editor that identifies an idea that the author feels as an improvement to

the Fan and the good of the organization. I welcome comments and suggestions concerning this topic.

2013 SCVT Snacks and Beverage Signup Please consider signing up for meeting snacks and beverages. That is why some of the men show up!!! Date Snacks Beverages Date Snacks Beverages Jan 11 Paul & Barb Perry Jerry & Gail Dance Jul 12 ? ? Feb 8 ? ? Aug ?? ? ? Mar 8 ? ? Sep 13 ? ? Apr 12 ? ? Oct 11 ? ? May 10 ? ? Nov 8 ? ? Jun 14 ? ?

See the May 2009 Fan for Snack & Beverage Helpful Hints. If you don’t have it, see our website: www.santaclaravalleytbirds.com.


January 2013 Membership Anniversaries Member Years Member YearsMichael & Dodie Rivera 39 Don & Katie Hamblin 8 Eric & Linda Jensen 32 Jack & Marie Cox 6 Bill & Marsha Croxton 25 Rich & Laurie Terrell 7 Neil & Judy Schebetta 25 Billy & Heather Mann 5 Ted & Jackie Obniski 22 Jerry & Gloria Goldberg 2 Dennis & Sandie Kay 20 Terri Hornig 1

2013 Santa Clara Valley Thunderbird Activities by Doc Dockter

Buddy Holly Story cruise, Apr. 20-21, 2013 Reserve the week-end. The Monroe’s and Bev and Marty are planning a cruise up to Sonora to see the Sierra Repertory Theater production. Details will follow once we know hotel, dining and shopping availability.

2013 Regional Convention, July 31- Aug 4 – San Jose – Hosted by SCVT The leads meet monthly. Leaders are: Gene Cox, Larry Maness, Jenny Jump, Bobbie Miller, Les Miller, Don Reisinger, Jill Schwab, Carl Epolite, Al Thomas and Georgette, secretary. See our web site for updated information on activities and events. http://www.santaclaravalleytbirds.com/birds-by-the-bay/ The latest version of the Organization Chart for the 2013 Regional Convention: Do your PART and get on the CHART!

http://www.santaclaravalleytbirds.com/birds-by-the-bay/


2013 Activities Calendar Please consider hosting an event. There are a lot of question marks, so if anyone would like to lead us on an event coming up or has any ideas for a future event please let me know and special thanks to all of you that have signed up so far. - Doc Dockter

Date Event Host Information Jan 26 SCVT Awards Dinner Cox 3 Flames, San Jose, 5:00AM, $32 ea.

steak,chicken or veggie Feb need events and hosts ? Mar ? Mystery Tour/Drive Croxton & Croxton TBA

Sonora - Buddy Holly Story Monroe/Bev&MartyApr 20-21 TBA

Apr 27-28 Pacific Coast Dream Machines ? http://www.miramarevents.com/dreammachinesMay 4 Gil's Tech Session ? May 10-12 Gold Rush Car Show - Oroville Dockter/Peterson TBA June need events and hosts (Capital Mall Display) Maness? Jul 31-Aug 4 Birds By The Bay - San Jose Cox/Maness www.santaclaravalleytbirds.com

July Annual Kirk Family Picnic ? TBA Aug ? Hot August Nights ?

Aug 21-25 Thunder In The Heartland -Des Moines, Iowa Dockter TBA

Aug 26-Sep ? Tour Western Provinces - Manitoba to BC Dockter TBA Sep ? Giants Game Reisinger TBA Sep ? Birds On The Wharf ? www.montereytbirds.com/

Oct need events and hosts ?

Nov need events and hosts ?

Dec need events and hosts ?

Parades by Diane Deutsch

No Parade Dates yet

Displays by Bob Lawrence .

There are no pending displays.


PAST EVENT REPORTS

Dec 1, 2012 Festivus For The Rest of Us A great time was had by all. A special thanks goes out to Ray and Judy Delgado for all the planning and leadership that made it happen, And a big SCVT thanks to Rich and Marianne Eichenbaum for letting us party at their beautiful home. Dec 7, 2012 Toys for Tots Fly-By Submitted by Don Reisinger A beautiful day for a beautiful event. Could hardly have been nicer. The toys were ready and the T-birds were packed with care for their rather short parade down Market street to the Christmas on the Park display where avid kids and a few Marines quickly emptied the cars placing the contents with care into a VTA bus. Thanks to all the SCVT elves who came out to make it a success. Jack Weber & his daughter, Charlie & Claire Affrunti, Patrick Ford, Rick Deutsch, Larry & Georgette Maness, Cliff Monroe, Ralph Citti, Rich & Roxanne Parker and Carl Epolite. A very special big thanks to co-Santas Bill & Diana Mann who generously chipped in on the purchase of the toys. Between the toys collected at the Holiday Party/Festivus and the Fly By I estimate we provided toys for over 150 needy kids. Another big thanks for the big heart shown once again by the members of SCVT.

Dec 6, 2012 Senior Appreciation packaging… Jill Schwab Jill held her annual packaging of gifts for the seniors at her home in Foster City. Those helping to stuff, Bernie Epolite, Ranger Rick, Barbara Perry, Joan Peterson, Jenny Jump, Georgette Maness, Dennis and Sandie Kay, Gail Dance, Geoff and Elaine Dye, Paul Lynch, Janette Adair, Diana Mann, Bobbie Miller, Kathy Monroe, Margaret Moore and Chris and Sandy Berquist. The Supreme Elves who dropped off the goodies, Dennis Kay, Geoff Dye, Diana Mann (two trips to the VA) and Joan Peterson and Jenny Jump. But, everyone in the club contributed in some way all those soaps and shampoos and little "goodies". It was a supreme effort - all those suitcases weighed down with ounces of stuff. My heart goes out to the club for their generosity. A few members requested Kathy Monroe’s recipe for the great Chicken Chile that she brought. The Editor received an anonymous memo from some chicken organization that requested, “Please substitute beef!” From Kathy Monroe: White Chicken Chile 2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded 45 oz (three 15 oz cans) Great White Northern Beans 16 oz med hot salsa 12 oz Jack cheese shredded 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder ½ - 1 can chicken broth Cook in crock pot on low for at least 4 hours.


BUY AND SELL

Ads placed in the Fan are limited to 3 months unless renewed. BUY 1) 1955 or 1956 Clock Bracket - Patrick & Tina Ford 2) Vinyl Records (purchase if cheap or would accept them donated) Poor Struggling High School Student - James Croxton [email protected] SELL 1) Complete air conditioning system for 55-57 TBird $150 - Ben 2) Complete Heater Box Assembly - $150 - Ben Gage 3) Complete original white vinyl top frame and cover 57 TBird - Ben $2,500

ANNOUNCEMENTS

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Joe Ryan’s mother on Christmas night.

We extend our deepest sympathy and solace to Joe and his family.


If you have already paid and made your meal choices, disregard this announcement.

Please use this form and return with check

Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds Annual Awards Dinner Three Flames

1547 Meridian Ave., San Jose No Host Cocktails 5:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm

$32.00 per person. Indicate the number of entrée’s for dinner:

_________ Steak

_________ Chicken

_________ Veggie

_________ Total X $32 each = $_________ amount of check enclosed

Make check payable to Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds Note “Awards Banquet” on the check Send no later than January 14th

Send to: Awards Banquet c/o Gene Cox 4223 Chaboya Hills Ct. San Jose, CA 95148

For more information call Gene Cox at e-mail [email protected]


Festivus for the Rest of Us

Carl, This chair is getting too crowded!

Rick, you are soooo bright!

Patrick didn’t get the black shirt memo!

We better or this crowd will get ugly!

Do we know the “fun, fun, fun” T’Bird song?

Ho, Ho, Ho! Happy Festivus?


SCVT 2012

Festivus For the rest

of us


Please use this form and send along even if there are no changes to the information we have published in the SCVT Directory.

2013 Membership Renewal

Annual Membership dues for the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds are due by January 31, 2013. Renewals must be made to continue receiving the FAN and the SCVT Club Directory.

(You need to renew with CTCI separately, see the Early Bird Magazine.)

Checks for $40.00 should be made out to SCVT, brought to the January meeting or mailed to: SCVT - Don Reisinger - 931 Matts Court - Los Altos, CA. 94024

Or SCVT - P.O. Box 26103 - San Jose, CA 95159

Names: ______________________ & ______________________ _____________________

First name First name Last name

________ NO CHANGES… Last years membership roster is correct.

________ CHANGES… Complete the information below as needed.

________ Check here if you DO NOT want your information published in our Club Directory.

________YES, I am interested in participation in Displays and Parades.

If yes, complete the additional information regarding insurance and CTCI membership below.

Address:

__________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________ _________________________ __________________

City State Zip

Home Phone: ( )______________________ Work Phone: ( )_______________________

Cell Phone: ( )___________________ Email: ______________________________________

Car Data: _________ __________________________ ____________________ Year Color License #

______________________________ __________________________ _______________ Insurance Company Policy Number CTCI Number

Note: If you participate in a Club organized display or parade/homecoming, you must be a member

of the Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI) and insurance information must be on file.

Documents

The - Santa Clara Valley Thunderbirds