Shifter’s News Letter
Well it has been a very busy summer for me and as a club member. I do not know were the time has gone. I am starting to get ready for the weather that will be coming and getting the Pontiac out as much as I can.
We had a pretty good turn out for the 4th of July parade and BBQ. As the group was resting in the park with our BBQ lunch, the line started getting longer and started crowding us back further into our cars parking spots. They had the whole park to form it and they kept coming and surrounding us. After the third warning to the crowd leaning on the cars, I got up, stop the crowd and had them shift the whole line over and start sending the line towards the museum. I have never had that happen before. After eating and sitting so our lunch could settle the Frontiers day people started announcing awards. As Shifters we did pretty well receiving a Medallion for the Police Car to add to its collection. We also pick up about a half a dozen ribbons or medallions as individual participants.
On July 20-22 a few Shifter members joined Lee with his Tear Drop trailers group. Dave B. took his trailer and Rich and myself with the boys tented over at the Cabrillo light house. One of the high lights was going to Red Burks house and seeing his collection of cars, scooters and all kinds of things and memorabilia. Lee invited him for dinner that night with the tear drop trailers. He was the guest of honor when he showed up I think it was a red 52 Chevy convertible. If I am wrong sorry. He is great to listen to with the stories he tells and the knowledge that he gives. I wish I had a tape recorder every time I talk with him to preserve his wisdom.
The next weekend was Fortuna Auto Rama. Jim M and Jim C. took the Police car up for the day. I saw quite a few Shifters there. I know Duncan was up there looking for treasures at the swap meet and found an Indian with a cigar statue. Lou was up there looking at a Honda 90 thinking he should buy it. There were many other Shifters but I can’t find my list. I was by Jerry and Rea Brown when they got I think was the Mayor’s choice award with Rea’s vet, congrats.
Had a couple of weeks break and was back at it again. The Shifters members helped out parking the car for the Howard Hospital fund raiser on Aug 18th. With a big hole in the ground and many other obstacles we did a great job parking all the cars that night. We did not even have to resort to leading the cars into the hole, the crew kept lining them up in the back of the tent. Max Myers was the driver of the big golf cart all night, thanks Max. Also, thanks to the crew on a great job well done. The food and beverages were well needed after all the dust had settled. Max and I called it a night around 11:30 after the last of the crowd had found their cars. This was a task with no yard lights.
The next morning Aug 19th, Dan and I were at it at 7:30 loading the golf carts up and returning them. Then off I went to Covelo for the Blackberry Festival. Dave B was there running the car show. Ron and Jackie Silva were there also. I left after a few hours of eating Blackberry shushes pies, wine and Indian Taco’s. Dave tallied the votes and surprisingly he won, sounds a little fishy Dave but cograts for the win. Oh what was the count for second? You got 43 votes and Ron got 42. That is just too funny not to give you a hard time. Congrats again to Ron.
When I left the Blackberry Festival I headed to the Elks Car show that started up at 3:00.
I was joined by I think 11 Shifter vehicles and the drivers with passengers. It was a great turn out. The setting was perfect with the chairs under the trees and the conversations as well. The turn out as a whole was I think also great with lots of Mustangs and other varieties of cars. The Tri Tip dinner was just the right thing for an early dinner. We also did well as a cub with Rea and Jerry winning I think a first with the vet. The best thing was that the police car won its first trophy with a Third Place. With such a great victory, we as a club went to Cold Stone for ice cream to celebrate and to wish Jim C. Happy Birthday.
Sept. 6th was Eureka’s car show and Bill Baxter tells a great story of this “Goth” like car club that was hanging around his car and gave him their “Pan Draggers Award”. Bill graciously accepted. Then he goes and gets a “First In Class”, even though he says he has no Class in the Eureka Car Show.
That’s what I know has been going on.
Some up coming things;
We are going on a Fall Color Drive
OCTOBER 14th, 2007 Leaving Little Lake 9:00 am.
Taking the back roads to Hopland, then to Hwy 128, to Boonville, maybe Gowens fruit stand, lunch in Navarro where they have BBQ and sandwiches, then up the coast to Ft. Bragg. There should be some good colors changing and great scenery.
October 21, 2007 @ 2:00 The Great Blind Fold Driving Course
We will have Ice Cream, popcorn, and drinks for the participants and the spectators waiting there turn. The Mustangs are invited which they said they had a great time last time we did this. So, bring you cars and a co- pilot if you have one. There will also I am sure volunteers who will navigate. For those who won’t let me forget. Patrick will be wearing a helmet this time. I still say Julie made me do it by screaming at me. It will be lots of fun.
November 17th Poker Run/Chili Feed/Can Food Drive in Ukiah with the Mustangs
December 8th Christmas Party at the Orr’s Garage/Rec. Room, 6:30 social time, 7:00 dinner.
Thanks,
Neil Orr
Shifter’s Vice President
I got the following information at work and on different e mails in a different format but the same message. I am passing on the one I got from another news letter so more people are aware of a possible theft problem with our cars.
Safety Information on Car Thieves
This is from our neighborhoods’ representative with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.
It seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your car or truck without any effort at all. The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #. My friend didn’t believe this, so she called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended she had lost her keys. They told her to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut her one on the spot, and she could order the keyless device if she wanted. The car Dealer’s Parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN #, and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn’t have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local Chop Shop with your vehicle. You don’t believe it. It IS that easy.
To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (Electrical tape, duct tape, or medical tape) across the VIN Metal Label located on the dashboard. By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you can cover it so a car thief can’t view it through the windshield. I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck. I slipped a 3 x 5 card over the VIN NUMBER.
This can also be done when you have parked your car for the day at a shopping mall, hospital, or work place parking lot!
Cindy Burdette
Crime Prevention Specialist
Sacramento Sheriff’s Department
North Central Division
916-876-5717
