AUGUST 2008 (Newsprint Version / Without Graphics)
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AUGUST 2008 (newsprint version / without graphics) 1 President's message Upcoming Events 2 Tubing Trip & Collector Car Pool 3 August Cruise-In at PW's 4 Beach Ball 2008 click --> Beach Ball 2008 Registration Form Recent Events 5 Pool Party 6 July Cruise-In Feature Articles 7 Champagne Wishes, Javelin Dreams by Ed Lefkovitz 8 Where are the Great Automotive Designers Today? by Milton Stern News Briefs 9 Straight Eights ZAZZLE! (stuff for sale on line) 10 AutoWeek's 50 Best Driving Routes 11 Club Member featured in Collectible Automobile by Lou Vecchioni Member Interests 12 Join the Board 13 Web Site and Newsletter HELP Needed! For ALL features of the newsletter, including a wealth of great “visuals”, please visit the Straight Eights member web site … http://www.straight8s.net Classified CAR ADS AVAILABLE NOW http://straight8s.net/member_cartalk_2008/classified/classified.htm 1 PRESIDENT’S BRIEFS As with many of us, I knew that gas prices were destined to rise, but I never imagined that the day when it would cost $60 to fill a Subaru with regular gasoline would come with such alarming swiftness. And, as the proud owner of one of Detroit’s most unforgivingly fuelish luxury cars, the spike is all the more jarring. But, while I don’t drive as much as I once did, I have continued to drive, and so have our members, making for not merely “strong” but in some cases “record attendance” at Club events. For that commitment and show of support – which is now something of an ‘investment’ – we are grateful. Over the last several months, I’ve been startled at the regularity with which one does still see collector and vintage iron on the road. Moreover, I’ve been heartened that I’ve seen and heard very little negative reaction from pedestrians and fellow drivers. Frankly, onlookers seem all the more enthused to see these “artifacts.” A pleasant reminder of a more innocent age, perhaps? Echoes of an era when it was assumed that gasoline was going to flow forever? It’s a nice dream, and our cars still bear witness to that “dream.” This issue of Car Talk is full of dreams, new and old! BEACH BALL 2008: South Pacific is drifting our way. And with registration forms mailed nationally in each issue of “DriveShaft,” inquiries have been coming in from across the country. Read about many of the new features of Beach Ball in this issue! Looking for a new ride for the event? There are a number of very interesting vehicles for sale in our classifieds section! Member Ed Lefkowitz has written his SECOND feature for Car Talk, which we greatly appreciate. We continue to encourage each of you to consider sharing your stories, as we are blessed to have an enthusiastic editor who is happy to help guide you through the process. We are especially glad to announce a brand new line of STRAIGHT EIGHTS LOGO ITEMS that are for sale at the Website www.zazzle.com/straighteights . Thanks to newsletter editor Milton Stern and several members of the Board, you can now purchase numerous varieties of T-shirts, mugs, magnets, key chains, and other logo items in a range of price points that you control. The beauty of it is that each item is ordered individually, with no upfront investment from the Club, no supply or storage issues. You can read all about it in this issue. High gas prices or low, the Straight Eights is rolling forward into the future. Be assured: we WILL see you, OUT … On the Road! Jim Byers President 2 Straight Eights Join 3 GLBT Groups for the Tubing Trip & Collector Carpool(w/ Gas Assistance) Saturday, August 16 – Limited Space Available! Here’s a great opportunity to expand your social circle and stay cool in the heat of summer! For our August event, the Straight Eights will join 3 other GLBT social organizations for a group Lazy River Tubing Trip (flatwater) on the Shenandoah River at Harpers Ferry! It will take place on Saturday, August 16. For this event, you’ll need to RSVP and buy tickets early! With four GLBTQ groups co-hosting, this event may well sell out! RSVPs for this special event should be emailed directly to Neil, at: [email protected]. DC Ice Breakers, a popular GLBT social group started by Straight Eights Member Neil Schuldenfrei, has coordinated this event with three other DC GLBTQ groups –Adventuring – Regional GLBT Outdoor Group, NOVA GLBTQ Professionals, and us – the Straight Eights Car Club! COLLECTOR CARPOOL w/ Gas Assistance: Interested participating Straight Eights members are asked to consider “drive-vintage/exotic/sports/special-interest” and offer CARPOOL RIDES for members of the other participating groups. In turn for the unique riding experience, members of these other organizations are being advised to assist by chipping-in for the cost of gas. The idea has been met with initial excitement! IN YOUR RSVP, PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING “SPECIAL INTEREST/SPORT/VINTAGE” CARAVAN TRANSPORTATION FOR THIS EVENT, OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RIDE WITH SOMEONE ELSE AND CHIP IN FOR GAS. Over the last several years, the Straight Eights enjoyed a number of tubing trips before deciding to temporarily “park” the event. This allows us to offer a wider-variety of events. The intention was always to reintroduce the activity eventually, and this new twist provides a fresh, interesting way to do so! The four groups will converge at the Shady Grove Metro parking lot (There will be an email notification about the exact location) on Saturday, August 16, at 11:15 am, and depart at 11:30 am sharp. From there, we'll head to River & Trail Outfitters near Harpers Ferry, WV, where we'll start with a picnic lunch (bring your own), and begin check-in at 1:15 pm for our 2:00 pm tubing event. COST: $24.77 + tax/fees, and includes deluxe quality tube with seat bottom & life vest rental, and shuttle from river pullout point. Pullout is at approximately 4:00 pm. We'll arrive back at the Shady Grove Metro area around 5:00 pm, and those interested can meet for drinks/early dinner at a restaurant near there (location TBD). Bring water, lunch, swim suit, towel, sun screen, change of clothes, and footgear to wear while in the creek. River & Trail Outfitters will provide us with several free floating coolers for snacks (no alcohol is allowed). Again … Please RSVP Early as Space is limited – please plan to purchase your tickets at least one week in advance to ensure your spot. Contact Neil Schuldenfrei by email at: [email protected] to RSVP, and to receive instructions for purchasing tickets. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the Shenandoah, while meeting new people from a variety of GLBTQ social groups! Check out the other partnering organizations at these websites: www.DCIceBreakers.org, www.adventuring.org, and http://gaypros.meetup.com/208/. 3 July Cruise-In Collects a Bundle for WARL, and the Tradition Continues in August By Milton Stern On Sunday, July 20, the Straight Eights held a very successful “Cruise-In” at PW’s Sports Bar and Grill. The donations for the Washington Animal Rescue League (WARL) poured in and filled the entire hatch area of my AMC Spirit with eight bags of treats, peanut butter, and blankets, and some members even donated money, so I could buy even more peanut butter and milk bones, adding four more bags of goodies. I delivered everything on Friday, July 25, with my Scion xB as it has more space in the rear (now I have an incentive to buy a 1983 AMC Concord station wagon). WARL really appreciates all we have done for them and asked that I express their gratitude to all the members of the Straight Eights who help them with these much needed supplies. We also received a great big “woof” and “meow” from our furry friends! If you are looking to adopt, they just took in a number of dogs from a puppy mill, as well as several other dogs and cats from shelters around the country, who are in need of a good home. There are also dogs and cats who have been surrendered by families who have lost their homes and moved into apartments as a result of the mortgage crisis, many of whom are mature and house-trained – as I am. On Sunday, August 17, at 3:00 pm, the Straight Eights will hold their fourth “Cruise-In” of 2008 at PW’s Sports Bar and Grill parking lot (www.pwssportsbar.com), 9855 N. Washington Blvd., Laurel, MD, 20723. (301-498-4840). The “Cruise-Ins” will continue on the third Sunday of every month, weather permitting. To make this and all Cruise-Ins special, the Straight-Eights will continue to hold the monthly “Pet Treat and Creamy Peanut Butter Drive,” benefiting the Washington Animal Rescue League (www.warl.org). Any kind of treats for cats and dogs from Snausages to Milk Bones are appreciated, however, they do ask that we do not donate rawhide chews as they can be problematic for canine digestive systems. Cat and dog toys are also welcome as are towels and blankets. If you don’t want to shop for treats, bring a jar of creamy peanut butter. The peanut butter is us used to fill “Kong” dog toys, which keep our four legged friends occupied for hours. They are not in need of dog or cat food as the good people at Science Diet provide our furry friends with their meals.