President

It is amazing to me how many miles of decent back-country roads exist in northern Los Angeles County. We experienced several hours of premium Corvette driving on out latest Poker Run event in early September. Our run planner, Jimmy Webster, hit the jackpot with his latest route for this year’s Poker Run. The participation was for the event was high and our enthusiasm was at the same level. Thanks to Jimmy for continuing and improving the run and to the Websters, the Jewetts, the Ceos, and the Mondens for passing out envelopes in their assigned remote locations. Many thanks also to Mark and Cheryl for opening their home and “compound” as our surprise destination. Our Corvettes were made to be driven, and that we did.

I want to thank you all for your attention and understanding at the September General Meeting as the work done by your board was explained regarding the necessary corrections to insure good corporate standing. There have been many challenges this year in that regard, but our club is on the right track for many more years to come for Corvette owners.

In the coming weeks, work by the Board of Directors will include a review of our by-laws to assure it is current and accurate for our club. The need for some changes are evident and the addition of a code of conduct has been discussed.

Our Three Months at a Glance is loaded with information about upcoming activities. This month, the Ceos are again hosting their annual Italian Night. Thanks in advance for their commitment and generosity. The Nethercutt Museum tour in November is a jewel in our back yard that shouldn’t be missed. Our next food drive at Sam’s Club to benefit the Santa Clarita Valley Food pantry is in November as well. We have two toy drive events to help the kids coming up. A big thank you to Bob Haas for responding to the challenge of getting a local drive with the Los Angeles County Sheriff on our calendar in November. Then in December, our long standing multi-club toy drive hosted by Bunnin Chevrolet takes place.

One of the benefits of being a Regular Member is also right around the corner. Our club Christmas Party will be held on December 9 at Knollwood Country Club. We are already planning the music, so if there are requests to consider, write them down and send them in.

We have some openings for membership currently. We also have more prospective members checking us out. It is my wish that you all will make all of the new people feel welcome. Take somebody under your wing and show them that the SCVCC is the place to be in their Corvette.

I hope to see you all for our October meeting and at the many activities our Activities team have put together.

Trick or Treat…and Save the Wave,

Mike

September has arrived. We still have some summer remaining and school kids have already been hitting the books for over two weeks. August was hot, but it always is. We sorta had a hurricane and an earthquake to bring Dr. Lucy Jones out of hibernation. We even had a surprise sprinkle just after final credits of Top Gun Maverick on movie night. Pretty much a normal August that you might read about in the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

We had our August General Meeting at Santa Clarita Lanes with a near record turnout at our bowling alley venue. We enjoyed a delicious Taste of the Town outing for our favorite Chinese entrees at Grand Panda. August was off to a Grand Start it seemed, for most.

But wait, there’s more. At that same TOT event, our board held an emergency meeting to consider the newly discovered requirement requiring the club (our nonprofit mutual benefit corporation) to have a permit from the California DOJ in order to conduct a raffle to benefit our car show charity. Our permit application was rejected, and in order to comply with California law, the board halted the September 30 car show. These circumstances will be discussed fully at our September General Meeting.

The car show cancellation came as a great disappointment to us all. A lot of effort went into the preparation, and the membership is commended for supporting the show. Many lessons were learned. Most important though, we know we can make a show happen.

As the car show cancellation became a reality, the undoing began quickly and is still continuing. At the same time, the critical board position of secretary needed to be filled. Thanks to longtime SCVCC member and past board member Dan Stern for stepping up for the job.

During August, the realization of the importance of our board was especially evident. I mention that because as a result of recent events our club, and corporation, are better than we found them, thanks to actions by the board. There will likely be more board positions that will need to be filled in the next club year, so I am asking all of the membership to consider when you will take your turn in leadership to keep our 45 year old club alive and on track for the future.

I am looking forward to seeing some smiling and confident people at our September meeting. There are some fun events coming up. Our club is top-notch, and I want to assure you that all of my efforts are meant to keep it that way.

Save the Wave!

Mike

How many of you have September 30th on your calendar. Many of you do, and there are still some who might ask, “what is that, the first day of Fall?”! Seriously, there are some. We in the SCVCC are holding our 2023 All-Corvette Car Show that day. Some in our membership have answered the call already and are sharing their time, talents, and even dollars to get behind the planning and organizing needed to make this year’s car show at Route 66 Classic Grill a success.

To do so, “all-hands on deck” is the call that needs to be answered. Past shows we have held were fun and successful. We know how all of the pieces fit together. We have chosen the Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative as the beneficiary of funds derived from the show. We are addressing the areas that need addressing and now is the time for all to pitch in with YOUR giving. You have answered the call for support in assembling raffle baskets. Thank you. Now we need your support by your registrations for the show. We want to fill the parking lot with your wonderful Corvettes. We still need you to contact businesses for their support of our charity through their donations or by participation as vendors. We need you to encourage friends and fellow Corvette owners to attend the show and to enter their Vettes. We need your commitment to help with the many tasks we need to accomplish on show day. This show is not only to show Corvettes to the community, but it is also to show the community what a great club we have. Sooner is better to say you are on board for the car show!

Our club is not just preparing for a car show, our monthly events are continuing. We had a fun run to the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Camarillo this past month. Lots of Corvettes in the caravan with lots of interest in in the WWII aircraft on display! Our TOT at Red Lobster was another hit in July too. There are always good reasons to get together with our Corvette friends. Check out all of the upcoming events that are planned.

Thank all of you who have been extremely punctual in getting your membership dues paid on time. I look forward to another great club year, 2023 – 2024 with all of you.

Remember, you don’t have to wait for something to appear on our Three Months at a Glance to enjoy your Corvette. Get together with some other Corvette friends and just do it! Also, if you have ideas for runs or events, do not keep them to yourself. Let Activities know what you would like to dee happening in the club.
We have some openings on our roster, so I hope you will help recruit some more new members. We have plenty of business cards, so grab some at our meetings and let other Corvette owners know er want to meet them.

Let’s have a wonderful August as we meet, have fun together and work even harder to assure the success of our 2023 All-Corvette Car Show!

Save the Wave,

Mike

And just like that, summer is here again. I have to say that we had a splendidly wet winter, followed by the nicest spring season we have witnessed in some time. Now, the switch has been flipped on to the blazing hot setting again for the heat many crave, and others seek shelter from. Summer has arrived, so let’s enjoy it. Let’s lather up with the sunscreen, put the top down, and roll. The beach is calling, and we have Corvettes. Some of us even have kites!

The temperature was perfect as promised in June as over 30 Vettes caravanned to our club picnic at Steckle Park on 6-3. Our Activities team once again put together a fun, relaxing and delicious day for us to gather together and enjoy our camaraderie and Corvettes. It was hard to say which was better, the drive, the games, or the food, but all in all it added up to a wonderful day. Thank you all for attending and many thanks to our planners and organizers for making it happen.

The picnic was not our only event club for June. On 6-17, we again conducted a food drive at Sam’s Club to benefit the SCV Food Pantry. Thanks to all who joined us to support this worthy cause to help those in our community.

Our new board of directors was announced at the June meeting and the positions will be finalized at the July board meeting. Your board exists to assure that our club continues in good standing and is one that is welcoming and fun. Your job is to be good and supportive members and to pitch in with whatever is needed to continue the success of our club. Your help is especially important now as our September 30 Car Show is being organized. Sign up. Contribute. Recruit. Everyone is needed to make our All Corvette Car Show 2023 a success.

As I write this message, the Santa Clarita July 4th holiday is almost here. The 4th is always one of America’s most popular and certainly most important celebrations. We have much to celebrate being Americans. Enjoy and appreciate it. With that, our participation in the local July 4th Parade is something we enjoy participating in each year. Our club is popular with the community, and I thank you all in advance for your participation and wish you a cool, safe, and enjoyable time in the parade.

Just two days after the parade, we will meet for our first club meeting of the new club year. One item of business we will attend to is a vote to update our Standing Rules. As always, our meeting is a fun gathering, but it is our monthly business meeting. If there are issues to discuss, please bring them up for membership. I will see you then.

July was more Corvette fun coming. Check out the events in the Three Months.

It is my honor to serve as president for another term, and if your dues are still unpaid, I hope you will choose to stick with us for another year as the 2023 – 2024 club year is here.

Save the Wave,

Mike

May Gray has passed, and June Gloom is here, right on schedule. It happens every year. The months of May and June are typically the cloudiest months of the year in coastal southern California, with only 59% 58% sunny days. Summer will return with more blazing heat for the sun worshipers to enjoy. They say with el Niño returning, June Gloom will be lighter next year. That’s it for the weather report, just mor or the same. We have Corvette Club stuff to talk about.

First off, May was a good month for us in the SCVCC. We started the month with the highest attendance for our general meeting since the virus scare began. Well done, it was great to see so many in attendance at Santa Clarita Lanes. Our activities team put together a weekender away in Las Vegas. Some of you were up for the caravan and some were not. I haven’t heard much about the getaway since what happens in Vegas stays there. TOT at Oggi’s was tasty as expected and our attendees had a fun time getting together for our monthly social too.

May was voting month for next year’s board. We experimented with paper ballots for attendees at the May meeting followed up by mail-in ballots for the membership not in attendance. Results will be known at the June meeting. Thanks go out to our Inspectors of Election, Barbara Walker, Marcia Stern and Judy Tomlinson, for volunteering to handle the tabulations this year.

Membership renewal also got off to a start in May. Thank you all who have paid your dues for 2023 – 2024 membership already. Treasurer Dennis Monden reminded us of all that our primary source of income for the club is your dues. I ask all who have not yet renewed to complete a new membership form and submit your dues promptly before your membership expires on June 30th.

This coming Saturday is our annual club picnic at Steckel Park. BBQ, games, music and of course Corvettes will make for another great day for all. Be sure to have your $5.00 for parking before the caravan to the park and maybe some singles for tabletop car racing once again. I will see you there!

Also, this month, our club is again holding a food drive at Sam’s Club to benefit the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. Your participation in this worthy cause is important. The SCVCC is known as a club that cares and the contributions we obtain to support the Food Pantry are important to our community.

It is not too early to be getting ready for the Santa Clarita July 4th Parade either. Once again our club will join in the festivities as the best, and only Corvette club in town. Our club organizer Jimmy Webster will provide us with all of the details in the coming days.

Our All-Corvette Car Show is coming on September 30th. Your help in supporting the show by seeking donations from local businesses is needed. You are also urged to consider donating baskets for our show raffle. The club has designated the Santa Clarita Veterans Collaborative as the recipient of the proceeds from our car show. Let us all do everything we can to make the event a success.

I look forward to seeing you all in June as we get together at our events and functions and enjoy our gasoline-powered Corvettes!

Save the Wave,

Mike

April has arrived. A month ago, we were looking forward to a run to Santa Anita for a time out at the horse races, but we all know the rainy weather cause that event to be postponed until April 23. Remember also that our Poker Run in January was put off until April due to weather. The April Fool apparently had other plans for that run too as the rains continues and left the planned route unsatisfactory for a decent Corvette run in the back country. Better safe than sorry, the Poker Run will also be rescheduled.

Personally, I like the rain. Raised in Washington, I has a half mile walk to the bus stop every day for the school bus and I don’t recall the weather being an issue. When I got a car, it was a challenge to keep it clean, so there were many trips to the quarter car wash. Those were the days. We will dry out and it won’t be long before we are complaining about the heat and then about our water bills instead of the natural gas bill.

Many of us did gather this past month to support Jim Fulmer and his family at Glanda’s celebration of life. I want to thank you all for doing so. I know it meant a lot to the Fulmers. We are a Corvette club, but it is the people that are the club and your support for one another is just important as the cars. Our friendships are long lasting as we all saw with the great attendance of current and past members.

So, what will April bring us? We have some drying out to do, but meanwhile the hills are green, and the poppies are everywhere. The weather has left some potholes in the roads and CalTrans is busy with projects everywhere you look. Still, it is time to start thinking about getting out and about in our Corvettes. One event we have on the calendar in April is the KHTS Home and Garden Show at Central Park on April 30. In May we have a run to Las Vegas which should be a great get away and our annual picnic is coming in June. If you have ideas, get with Activities and help put more on our calendar. Just keep busy with those Corvettes like Patty Kemple this past month. She got herself another 1st place trophy on a rainy day at the Glendale Elks Car Show!

Our car show needs your recommendations for a charity to support. Please let your board know where to direct the show proceeds. Show organization will begin in earnest soon and we need to have a beneficiary begore publishing our flyers.

Board elections are next month, so your nominations for the director positions are important. Your recommendations for candidates need to be submitted in the coming days. It is your club, and your support is needed.

Your board also needs your feedback on how things are going with the club. Please let us know your thoughts about our meeting location, our events and how we can continue to make the SCVCC a club you are proud to belong to.

As always, it is my honor to be a part of our club and I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting and in the coming events.

Save the Wave!

Mike

February started out with our monthly General Meeting occurring on Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil was reported to have again seen his shadow, thereby predicting another six weeks of winter. Phil was right. Winter hung around not only Pennsylvania, but also here in Southern California. February stayed cold while our heating bills rose and the polar blast that we heard about arrived just ad the weatherman said it would. The Grapevine was closed as often is the case, and even the 14 too this time! Phil is only right 39% of the time, but he called it this February!

The February weather was beautiful however for our scheduled run to Boron on 2-4. It was sunny and smooth sailing for over 20 Corvettes on our morning run to the Mojave to visit the home of Borax. Our Activities team had a guided tour of the facility arranged at the Rio Tinto borax mining facility. The site has the largest open pit mine in the USA and runs 24/7 bringing borax out of the seemingly unending vein. We all have driven past the mine numerous times on CA 58 between Mojave and Barstow, but probably never gave it a thought beyond Death Valley Days. Mines do make you hungry though, and we were well fed and cared for at Domingo’s Mexican Restaurant. We then enjoyed hearing the locals tell us all about the town of Boron. It was a very good run!

Our Taste of the Town event was at one of my favorite spots, Lucille’s. Home cooking is what you want on a cold winter night in February.

We have lots more on the horizon with activities and planning is beginning for our All-Corvette Car Show. Many of you put your names on the interest list to serve in putting the car show together and your interest is much appreciated. The car show will have many jobs to fill to make it special to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Corvette. Everyone will bee needed to pitch in to make our 2023 event a success.

Our February meeting again had over 60 attendees and little by little our club is continuing to grow, now with 90 regular members. Be assured that your board is doing much behind the scenes to keep moving us in the right direction as we enter our 45th year.

Be sure to check out the Members page on our scvcc.org website. It has been updated with your new photos, and I must say, your cars look great…you do too!
Let’s hope Punxsutawney Phil will allow us to have a sunny day at the races in March. Hoping too to see you all once again at Santa Clarita Lanes for our March General Meeting. The weatherman promises a mostly clear sky for Thursday!

Mike

Where did 2022 go? Like it or not, a New Year is upon us. 2023 is here! This is always a time of reflection of where we were, as well as where we hope to go in the coming 12 months.

We often make vows for change but remain in the path we were on in the past year. Most often the only change we experience is just getting a year older.

Might I suggest everyone make an effort in the new year to move a few steps out of the box. Make this the year you assume a role in our great club. Submit an article for the newsletter. Lead a run. Even sit at another table at the club meeting each month and get to know someone you have never spoken with before.

There will even be board positions that will need to be filled this year. You are all bold and adventurous people as evidenced by the Corvettes you drive. Nike said it better than anyone could, “Just Do It”!

Check out what is up, listed in the Three Months at a Glance. I see a Poker Run, a run to Boron and even a day at the Horse Races. Those are three days out of ninety. Let’s get those Corvettes out of the garage and “Do It”.

Meanwhile, let me just say, Happy New Year! Let’s all work together to get 2023 off to a great start and continue to have some Corvette fun together!

Mike