Robin s Nest By Robin George

Transcription

1 SACRAMENTO AREA MIATA OWNERS ASSOCIATION February 2010 Robin s Nest By Robin George Photo by Robin George It s that s time of year where everyone should be lining up that special run they would like the club to do. The wet weather gives us the time to plot, think, and design the special area and restaurant to go to. So do it!! The regular miscreants are busy planning the 20 th Anniversary so step forward to plan a run or place you would like to visit. When the weather dries up I expect some new creations. If you need guidance please contact a Board member and we ll happily assist you. DO IT!!! On another note, what would you like to see at the General Meetings? What format or method of conducting a General Meeting would you prefer? What would induce you to attend a General Meeting? Do you consider the meetings informative? Instructional? Boring? Better than sliced bread? Your highlight of the Month? Waste of time? A substitute for sex? What can we do to make that monthly meeting better and a place you can t wait to go to? Let me know!! Editor s Intersection k9nurse@comcast. net Hi Everyone! Welcome to February s newsletter. I love the month of February. It s full of signs of spring if you look close enough the rose bushes start to get the smallest of buds and the tulips start to push through the ground. Most importantly, our Miatas are waiting for that first trip of the year with the top down. When I first arrived in California in 1985, it was Feb. 5 th and 80 degrees in Sacramento!! There IS hope!

2 Join us on the President s Run on Presidents Day February 15 th. We will run through the hills and stop by Windwalker Winery. Windwalker has sponsered our annual birthday party at their facilities for 4 years. They let us have the run of the place and have offered large discounts on their wines. While at the winery we will present the owners Alana and Jim with a plaque thanking them for their continued support. Then we will run around the hills some more and end up at the infamous landmark, Poor Red s Treasure Trove News By Jeanne George Plan on attending the SAMOA Autocross Championships in March. It s fun and you ll be surprised how much you learn about your vehicle and your driving skills. Even though your times are compared with other drivers for the trophies you actually really race yourself. You know you can do better and try to beat your last time. Plus the only one you can injure is an orange cone. Ask Jack Parker!! Please check the articles on the 20 th Anniversary in this Newsletter. Information is changing and being updated all the time. Get your event registration and lodging reservations in as soon as possible. The lodging at the Bear Valley Lodge is 2/3 full. After February s General Meeting we are going to advertize to the rest of Miata World about our event, so act quickly.! " #! $% & &' & %&% %(!! &) % * &' #%&!"! +,-,+++./ - 2 -

3 Running Around Bear Now On The Web by Ron Petrich If you have visited the SAMOA website recently, you may have noticed that we have added a new section describing our upcoming 20 th anniversary celebration at Bear Valley, scheduled for the weekend of October 1-3, The announcement on our home page provides a link to the page. There you will find a complete description of the event, and special links for filling out an online registration form and making a credit card payment. We have tried to make the process as easy as possible, and those who have used this means of registration have told me that it works without issue. Information for contacting the lodge itself to make your room reservation is also provided. And, if the lodge does fill up before you book your room, we have listed alternate accommodations just 20 minutes down the highway (this is actually a good thing you get to drive beautiful, twisty Highway 4 an extra 40 miles each day in your Miata). We have also provided constantly updated lists of raffle prizes and attendees. These pages are updated daily as new prizes/registrations are received. Jennifer Sipe is the SAMOA member in charge of event registration. Contact her at jsipe@surewest.net with your questions or concerns. This event WILL sell out so make your reservations early. Just log on to the event information page at ndbear2010.html and follow the directions. See you at Bear Valley!!! The BOO has selected multiple charities to benefit from the raffle. The Children s Receiving Home of Sacramento, the Lupus Foundation, the Society for the Blind, and the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America will receive 100% of the raffle proceeds. We have already sent s and letters to more than 100 potential donors, and many have already verbally committed to provide prizes. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase commencing next month, and will be priced at $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00 or multiples thereof. Winners need not be present to win, and raffle tickets are available for purchase by your friends, relatives and business associates. If you (or they) cannot attend the event, simply write your name and telephone number on each ticket before turning them in. We will get in touch with you and make arrangements for prize pickups and/or delivery

4 Lifetime Membership Award By Jeanne George Late last year the Board of Officers decided to approve another Life Time Membership Award for This award is presented to individuals who have been SAMOA members for over 17 years. The award was presented to Dave DeNuzzo at the January 14th meeting. Dave, better known as the Crazy Red Italian, joined SAMOA in January Over the past 17 years Dave has seen many people come and go as well as changes to the club. He has the honor of being the 3rd longest term member of SAMOA. Dave was serving as Club President in 1997 when Robin and I joined. Over the years he has worked on many of the members Miatas and also provided raffle prizes at the monthly meetings and other events. We congratulate him for this honor. Poster by Michelle Thomas using Photobucket Photo by Jeanne George Dave DeNuzzo with Club Prez Robin George - 4 -

5 Jeanne s Hangover Run By Jeanne George other members. It was a good way to start off the New Year. SAMOA s first event of the year, the Hangover Run, was held on Saturday January 2 nd. The Hangover Run was started in 1999 by Robin and me. It was a break from the holidays, family, food, and football. That first year we were fortunate enough to have a cool crisp morning but with the sun shinning. This year the day began with fog and heavy drizzle. But that did not deter the 39 people in 20 Miatas, 2 Honda S2000 s and a Mercedes Benz from taking the drive to Woodland Starbucks meeting area. As people arrived, Robin greeted them. To start off the New Year with a safety reminder he passed out copies of Helpful Hints and Manners for Driving in a Group. Next he cornered Adi and Parvin Damania to do sweep duties. They live in the Woodland area and know the roads, so we felt they would be good hosts for the group. Photo by Jeanne George After loading up with warm beverages the group headed to the parking lot. Robin, perched atop a chair, gave his usual jovial and sometimes comical welcome greeting to the group. Then the group introduced themselves. Among them were our newest member Doug Neville and wife Susan who joined Jan. 1 st. Also joining the group was Terry Chasteen from the Bay area and he brought a friend, both driving Red Miatas. The group headed out and soon we found ourselves in the sun. The leisure drive took the group through the Capay Valley and multiple towns. When it came time to open up a little we were stuck behind a driver that could not see the large group behind him. The road to Williams provided the opportunity to drive the posted speed limit. We arrived in Williams and headed to Granzella s. They were ready for our group and seated us in the lounge/bar area. The bar manager told me that she and the restaurant manger argued over who would get to host the Miata Club. They remembered us from the 1999 event. But Robin and I insisted on the bar area when we did out test drive, so we ruled the decision. The newly rebuilt restaurant and lounge looked great. The group admired the many stuffed animals heads located around the room. The food was good and members got the chance to meet Photo by Mark Brooks Photo by Mark Brooks

6 SAMOA History, Part 1 Jeanne George I decided that with this year s 20 th Anniversary Celebration that I would do some research and write newsletter articles covering the history of the Club and its earlier members. What better place to start than with the beginning. Who better to ask than our longest SAMOA members Skip Noyes and Dennis Swaney. Both men agreed to meet with me, and on Saturday, January 23rd we had lunch. Dennis brought his copies of all the Club s newsletters beginning with the first one. Skip brought several albums, numerous photos, and some Miata information. I want to thank both Skip and Dennis for their time and their information. I enjoyed talking with them and I hope you will enjoy these compilations of their memories, club stories, pictures, as well as my research. Hopefully I can decipher my many pages of notes and get their facts correctly. If not, I apologize in advance. The first thing I learned was that Dennis and Skip were friends since 1962 going back to their high school days. After graduation Dennis joined the Air Force and Skip joined the Navy. were: Classic Red, Crystal White, and Mariner Blue. Demand was so high that waiting lists were created and premiums were tacked on the $13,800 base model price (no radio, manual steering, manual windows, and air conditioning was a dealer add-on). Shortly after the release Dennis began looking in earnest for a Miata. He wanted the Mariner Blue. Dennis was stationed in the Barstow area and drove to a dealership in Victorville. At that time, they would not talk to you about the Miata unless you put down a down payment. They didn t have the blue, and a red one displayed on the show room was sold to the owner s daughter for her 16 th Birthday. July 1989, Dennis headed to another dealership in San Bernardino and found the Mariner Blue. He traded in his sand-pitted 1981 Volkswagen Jetta, and with a promise to bring in a check within a week, he drove off with his new Miata. His wife, Mary, flew to Sacramento, picked up a check at the Mather AFB Credit Union, flew back and they drove to San Bernardino to pay for their car. His first after-market purchase was custom wheels and later a dash cover. A designer used Dennis car to measure and design a Miata dash cover and then gave it to Dennis. Dennis still drives this Miata today: at our lunch meeting it had 267,350 miles on it. In December 1989, two weeks before Christmas, Skip found his choice, a Classic Red Miata. His enthusiasm was so great that on Christmas Eve, he decided to drive to Lake Tahoe with the car top down. Despite the cold and later falling snow he enjoyed the adventure to the amazement of fellow travelers photo of Skip Noyes and Dennis Swaney Skip indicated that in 1986 or 1987 he first read in Road and Track magazine about Mazda working on a light weight two-seater roadster sports car. It piqued his interest and he watched for the release. The MX-5 ( Mazda experimental, project 5) was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10, 1989 with a price tag of $13,800. In May 1989, it was made available in the U.S.A. It was also known as Miata in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan. The original colors offered - 6 -

7 By 1992 Skip purchased a second Miata, a 1992 Sunburst Yellow. Skip drove this car during the Walk for Wishes parade for Make-A-Wish, which SAMOA did for charity for 2 years. Skip transported two young passengers along the parade route, much to their delight. Skip no longer has his 1990 Red or 1992 Yellow Miata, but is now on Miata number eleven Walk For Wishes Parade One day summer of 1990, Skip was visiting his mother and drove past Dennis s mother s home. Dennis was outside and they got talking. Dennis told him that he had purchased a Miata and Skip indicated that he had also. And the story of two friends and their Miatas continues today, 20 years later. Next month, Part 2, An Idea is Born. Three original 1990 colors: Classic Red, Crystal White and Mariner blue Sunburst Yellow -7-

8 Mark s Hangover Run Photos and Story by Mark Brooks Saturday, January 2nd, a group of over 20 Miatas and around 30 people converged at Starbucks coffee in Woodland. When I got there (on time for me, which according to most clocks is actually about 5-10 minutes late), the drivers meeting was under way and everyone was sipping their morning coffee. Once Robin was done flapping his lips, we all hopped into our cars and hit the road. After a couple stops to reorganize and regroup, we took a VERY leisurely (almost nap-like) drive to a restaurant named Granzellas in Williams. The weather was cool but cooperative, we could have easily had some rain showers, but we lucked out and had a dry drive. Granzellas was interesting... lots of dead animal heads mounted to the walls, and lots of local patrons wearing camouflage. I was kind of waiting for banjoes to start playing and the cast of Deliverance to saunter in at any moment. The food was pretty good and the service was friendly and quick. After eating my salad while looking up at all the corpses mounted on the walls, we all packed up and headed out separately for the drive home. Photos and video are posted in the SAMOA Forum on the site...but if you haven t had a chance to check it out, the video from the drive can be seen here: Photo by Mark Brooks Photo by Mark Brooks For anyone concerned that the SAMOA drives may be too spirited, you should make time to participate in the next Hangover run - you can do it with one eye open... it was a nice relaxing drive, perfect for all driving styles! Thanks to Robin and Jeanne for organizing it, and keeping us all in check. Photo by Mark Brooks - 8 -

9 Hangover Run (cont.) All photos by Mark Brooks -9-

10 RPM GO KART RACING By Ken Johnson On Tuesday night January 19 a small but enthusiastic group from SAMOA enjoyed a night of indoor go kart racing in Rancho Cordova. The event started with RPM s drivers meeting and issue of drivers suits and helmets. Then a 10 lap qualifying race determined each driver s starting position for the 20 lap main event. Tom Tyer got fast time in qualifying and managed to win the main too. Good job Tom! Steve Johnson (non SAMOA but rumored to be Ken s brother) finished 2 nd and Ken Johnson rounded out the top three. Also racing on this evening were Mike Dillon, Diana Loo and Mary Jo Kapaun. The top 3 finishers were separated by less than half a second! The racing was such fun that some of us stayed to do a hot lap session. That s when you go as a group for a 10 minute session and race the clock. Finishers are ranked by their fastest lap. We managed to complete 26 laps in 10 minutes and in this session Tom posted fastest lap of the entire day at RPM! Overall we had a great time for a reasonable cost ($28.00 each for the race, $20.00 each for the hot lap session). Not a bad way to get in some racing on a rainy winter evening. Watch the Newsletter for the next SAMOA go kart event and come out to race or watch! Disclaimer: Photos of random participants gleaned from Facebook and shown for demonstration purposes only no actual SAMOAns were documented on film for this event!

11 TIMING BELT BLUES By Adi Damania All Miata owners will have to face this dilemma as to shall I change the belt now or wait till the recommended mileage of 104K miles on Miatas 1999 models and on. To be cautious is good but to be over cautious could be foolish or a drain on the wallet or both. I bought my th Anni. from the Service Manager of Mercedes-Benz of Sacramento. The car had covered 72K miles almost all from Galt to Sacramento from 1999 to Aug He gave me no service records at all (very strange for a Service manager!). When I asked him if he had changed the timing belt at 60K miles as recommended. He replied that he had done nothing except oil changes. So imagine my chagrin when the car was running like a Swiss watch as the odo crossed the 100K miles. The nightmare always ended with me standing by the side of the road with a broken belt and the AAA truck about to tow my car. Since Parvin also now loves to drive the car in summer (when she is not wearing a heavy winter coat) the nightmare of the timing belt breaking on her was too much for me. One can handle and bear all sorts of problems and breakdowns but not let the wife deal with it all by herself. So with much trepidation and dread, I took my beloved Blue Belle to the mechanics for a timing belt change. The job was done by lunch time. The other two belts (A/C and alternator) and the two bearings incl. the idler were also changed for good measure. But the water pump looked just fine so we let it be. The oil seals looked well too so were not changed. A new gasket was, however, installed. I collected the car, was promptly relieved of $521. I asked to see the old timing belt. Since I had supplied the new timing belt bought directly from Mazda, I could visually compare the two. My old timing belt looked as good as new. I folded it, pulled it, turned it inside out but saw NO cracks or other signs of stress of 100K miles at all. Experts say that that alone cannot be the only criteria for concluding that the belt did or did not need changing because the belt has already undergone temperatures from zero to 100F thousands of times in the last 10 years and so a new one was warranted. Here I have included a picture of an old belt that really NEEDED changing and the one removed from MY car. You be the judge. What I think is this, that Mazda (and Mazda.net as well) was being over cautious when recommending a timing change at 60K miles. A single incident of a timing belt breaking off at speed could put a dent in the otherwise impeccable reputation of reliability and build quality of the Mazda Miata. As for me, I can sleep peacefully thinking that the next belt change does not come till 190K miles! And that it s too far away for me to even think about it now. Drive on! Someone s thoroughly worn belt. Belt from Blue Bell after 100K miles

12 Diana s Hangover Run Photos and Story by Diana Loo The first run of the year was on January 2, also known as the Hang Over Run was a great way to start off the new year. The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and it is time to settle back into a routine. December was very cold and wet (Orangevale had light dusting of snow twice) and I was starting to get garage fever. The anticipation of driving topless with the breeze blowing is exhilarating. It is always fun to get together with the other SAMOA friends for a drive. This is going to be a fun year for SAMOA. There is the trip to Moab Utah through the Southwestern states and then later a trip to Bear Valley for the SAMOA 20th Birthday Bash and all the other trips that will be on the calendar. There were about 40 people and 23 cars. We met at the Starbucks in Woodland. Introductions were done and directions were handed out for the run. This was a leisurely trip along Highways 16 and 20. My human, Diana gave me a sponge bath, yesterday. I am glad that she didn' t wash me because it was really cold. I like it when she washes me in the afternoon when it is warm and the sun is shinning. I love it when she spreads the nice wax all over me and makes me shiny. I know she really cares for me because she spends a lot of time getting me all shinny and pretty. And I like it when people say I look nice. Hopefully, the weather will get nice so that I can get a real bath. I am glad that she doesn' t take me to a car wash. Those places are scary and I am claustrophobic. very small Post Office. After our stop, we continued on Hwy 20 up the West Coast Mountain range around Cache Creek Regional park where there were some really nice roads just right for Miatas. The run ended at Granzella' s in Williams for lunch where a giant polar bear and various other stuffed animals watched everyone eat. My BFF GyPSy who is not directionally challenged got us home safe and sound from Williams without any problems. I don' t know how she does it. Something about satellites and global positioning. Oh, I' m Zoie, the 2008 Silver Retractable Hardtop Convertible. Diane Loo and Zoie The weather forecast for the day was foggy and said the fog would lift late morning. The weather forecasters were correct but once we got away from the Sacramento area, the fog was gone and it was a nice day for a drive. The run started in Woodland where the road was relatively flat and the scenery was the farmlands of Northern California. The fruit trees were barren but the ground was green from the rain and there were a few farm animals along the way. We drove through Esparto, past the casino, Capay, Brooks and Guinda. We stopped in the town of Rumsey. The town was so small that if we did not stop we would have missed it, however, the town does have a

13 Diane s Hangover run (cont.) SJVMC Poker Run By Ron Branam The San Joaquin Valley Miata Club would like to invite all owners of Miatas to the sixteenth annual Poker Run through the central Sierra Nevada foothills on Saturday, April 17, Following the run will be a fun-filled awards banquet and raffle. For extra fun, this year we have added a Show & Shine the morning of the event. This year s beneficiary of the proceeds from the raffle will be Joni and Friends of Central California. For more information call Tom at or visit our web site at As a former participant in our poker run, you already know how fun the poker run can be. If you have never experienced the poker run, you are in for a treat. Since the restaurant is requiring a substantial deposit, we would appreciate receiving your check as soon as possible. Please note the early registration discount. We look forward to seeing you on April 17th

14 2010 SAMOA Autocross Championships By Jack Parker The Club Autocross Championships will return to Mather Air Force Base on March 21, Start times for our run group, which more than likely will be the street tire class, will be published at a later date when the SCCA gets their act together. Some of us with turbos, superchargers, R compound tires and class specific cars might want to run at other times. This competition is open to first time competitors as well as seasoned vets. No experience is needed. You will be placed in a class with competitors equal to you regardless of ability or experience. All, including the ladies, are welcome to run in this event. top times in each class and to others depending on the size of each class. Mather Field is known for its high grip concrete sections and long courses. There will, more than likely, be about 150 other cars out there with varying amounts of experience so whatever your level of ability there will be someone like you probably right next to you on the grid. Last year we had 12 drivers from first timers to ladies and more than hideously modified cars. Last year's Club Champion was our President, Robin George. Robin will be in the sights of several of this year's entrants. For more information contact Jack Parker at or culdad@svics.com. This year we are running on the second day of the big Shriners Charity event held annually by the SCCA to benefit the Shriners Hospital. The first day would be a great day to come out and contribute to a great cause and get some practice before the competition on Sunday. There will be some of us out on Saturday to give advice and help you if you would like. To determine your class, download the rules which are located on the website. Go through the list of modifications done to your car. Each mod has a point value. Total your points and then compare the total to the classes at the top of the page. That more than likely will be your class. Some adjustments take place so that first timers with lots of mods and no experience are not thrown in with the lots of mods and experience crowd. This event, every year so far, has been won by a different member and the field is always wide open. We are changing the classes a little this year. Novice, II, III, Open and Ladies are this year's classes with Open being for those with hideously modified cars and Novice being for the first or second timers. Ladies run together regardless of experience. This event is meant to be a fun introduction to Autocross and a low key kind of event with everyone helping to get the most out of your experience. The entrants with the most experience will be glad to help those beginning this activity for the first time. Trophies are given to the March 2009 Autocross Participants

15 So You Want To Do An Event? By Jack Parker So you want to do an event for the club and share a great restaurant, road, sightseeing location or whatever. It is not rocket science. Choose a date that is vacant on our calendar on our website. ( l). Choose a starting location. Choose a meet and start time. And finally choose an ending location with a purpose. A restaurant is a great place to finish any run. The next step seems always to be the most difficult. the events coordinator (culdad@svics.com) and the website manager (freescopesdad@comcast.net) of your event details. The details need to include the start date, location, time and contact person for the run as well as an appropriate title. Another item that will make the run more attractive to members is a run description or purpose. Those could include sightseeing, a special twisty road, a charitable event, and a motor sports event and just about anything else you might find interesting to share with the club members. Keep in mind though that this is a car club and activities centered around the cars are always the most attractive events. Are Your Tires More Than 6 yrs Old? By Bob Bacon One of our members, Jesse Young, found this on the Internet. After watching it, I thought it would be good info for everyone to have. It may help you get the best and newest tire for your money. The US tire people seem to be somewhat unconcerned about the age of tires but Europe seems to be ahead of us again. I hope everyone finds this both informative and useful the next time you look at your tires Your tech guy Bob Bacon Zoom-Zoom After all of the above is done, make sure you write a newsletter article publicizing the event. When all else fails and you get stuck for an idea or route or whatever, give me a call at and I will be glad to offer advice. The club is member driven and only as much fun as you want to make it. So get out there and come up with lots of new roads and activities for the club to enjoy this year. Has that new tire been sitting on the shelf?? Time to start checking Manufacture Dates! Tires more than 6 years old, even never used, pose SERIOUS driving hazards

16 Samoa Birthdays by Swami Ron Ron Petrich Joanne Gingrich February 8 th Ralph Gingrich February 8 th If you have been making decisions and then changing your mind lately... today will be different. There are circumstances today that will help you make some important decisions. This is a great day to sign contracts, conclude business deals or make plans. Your sharp mind will see all aspects from all angles. Any high-level mental pursuits should be rewarding. Welcome all new ideas! Financial ties to other people are highlighted. Sharon Howe February 10 th Toni Wilson February 3 rd You appear perhaps more charming and refined than usual. Now could be the time to make that date, apply for the job, or otherwise make yourself known. Fears and self-doubts about your abilities however, may creep into the picture and unfortunately, nobody around you is offering any encouragement. If you are involved in a leadership role, you may find that this anticipation is perhaps the way your mind and body prepares itself for performance. Margie Jurach February 5 th Michelle Thomas February 5 th A collision of powerful and unpredictable energy spills into your life today. The decisions and actions of today will have long lasting effects. Fears and self-doubts about your abilities may creep into the picture-- unfortunately, nobody around you is offering any encouragement. Take this as a selfchallenge. Your management and directional abilities will automatically take over as they are in high focus and will see you through this period. You are sensitive and will most likely sense a deception. You can be ruthless when seeking to point out someone's mistake. It would be a good lesson for you to search and find the best in that person... point it out and then move forward. This will disarm the person and get them thinking about ways they can improve their life and not waste your time with the deceit. You have questions, but learning to rise above the intrigue is a benefit to you now. Consider writing a mystery book. Ellen Cutler February 15 th You are entering a phase of emotional directness, emotional beginnings, a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new habit patterns. Some sort of change in the routine may have stressed everybody around your place of business. Taking time to make yourself clear and making sure you understand what others say will ease the tensions. This may be a time of experimenting with new concepts and putting aside the old tried and true behind. Ann Vance February 16 th Susan Willett February 16 th Indulge your curiosity because today your imagination and creativity are at their best. New ideas are easily understood and bring interesting and exciting rewards. Make the most of this exciting day. You are entering a phase of emotional directness, emotional beginnings, a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new habit patterns. To you dreamers of impossible dreams, you just

17 might make them come true. Your mind is wide open and insisting to be fed! Today is a great day to study and learn new things, as well as to assess your own position. Dorothy McCamey February 18 th This is a day where much can be accomplished. You move forward quickly as you analyze facts. An important clue into new investments may be worth your review now. Ask questions, give this some time and you will benefit from your own choices. Something electric is in the air this evening and your charisma shines! It is time for a fun date, a new friend or some creative plans for a future party. You need a break from your general routine. Pisceans Feb. 19-March 20 talents and abilities, you will stand out from the usual and gain some positive recognition. Sandy Arnold February 24 th Your enthusiasm about your work is positive- -you are creative and ready to apply your effort to the present project. If you give your best effort, considerable success will follow. You are buoyed with confidence; make sure however, that both your expectations and abilities are realistic. Any study time that you spent on this project to learn or perhaps update your skills, was well worth the effort. Michael Gingrich February 25 th You can make a favorable deal for any business, financial or legal venture! Your mind is alert, your objectives are clear and your buoyant optimism will help win your way. Athletic energy is also high--this is a great time to jog around the park. You are well disposed to others at this time and have a great deal of confidence that will help you succeed at any project you attempt. Make sure both your expectations and abilities are realistic before diving into something you may not be able to get out of easily. Your desire to succeed, not only financially, but also personally, is strong at this time. Lori Thomas February 19 th Work progress may be a bit slow today. It seems as though there are plenty of interruptions. Much power and creative expression can be enjoyed. Don't be afraid to show others what you can do. You may find new ways to advertise or you will write a news release for your company that will create firm profits. By using your creative

18 Fellow SAMOANs, By Mike DeLaurentis Here s the latest on our 20 th Anniversary goings on. More information on lots of other activities will appear in this column throughout the year. Mike DeLaurentis mdelaurentis@hotmail.com. If you attended January s meeting you saw the 20 th Year logo unveiled. Members and guests are reserving hotel rooms quickly as of this writing close to half of the Lodge s available rooms have been reserved. After the Lodge is sold out you will need to get a room in Arnold or Murphys, which are about a 30 minute drive. In February we will begin advertising the event to other clubs further incentive for you to make your hotel arrangements sooner, rather than, later. Ron Petrich has placed a 20 th anniversary calendar on the website for you to download as well as a registered attendee list. After reserving your hotel room you ll need to register with SAMOA and you can do this in a number of ways all explained on our website. You can do this totally on line or download and mail in your form and payment. We will also have registration forms at our monthly meeting

19 Running Around bear The Sacramento Area Miata Owners Association cordially invite all Samoa members and any and all other Miata enthusiasts to join us for a gala celebration of our twentieth birthday at beautiful Bear Valley Lodge in the high Sierra Nevada mountains. The event will represent the culmination of a ten month long series of events and activities documenting our milestone year. Our birthday bash will take place on the first weekend of October, starting on Friday, October 1st and extending through Sunday, October 3rd. A myriad of activities are planned, including but not limited to a Friday afternoon welcome party and get together, a Saturday run in the mountains, a gala banquet and raffle Saturday night, and a Sunday morning Funkana. A complimentary program and goody bags for all attendees will also be provided. So set aside the dates below and make your reservations early. Complete information can be found through a link at SAMOA s web site at We look forward to seeing you there January FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER