April 2008

Reno Jaguar Club
April 11, 2008 Dinner Meeting

Thirty five people attended the April dinner held at the Butcher Boy Prime. Everyone really enjoyed the unique venue and delicious food.

Guest Speaker

President Larry Richardson welcomed everyone and introduced Charles Doyle from Autoexotica, who provided information on upcoming activities. A new event will be held on June 13-15, Father’s Day weekend. The 2008 celebration commences Friday at the Reno-Fernley Raceway, continuing on Saturday and Sunday in downtown Reno. Events will feature a host of sports and exotic cars, including a Show-N-Shine competition, track day awards, vendors and sponsors. Charles noted that if you’ve never had a chance to take your car out on a real race track, this is an opportunity to do so at a very low cost. The Ferrari guys have challenged the import guys, so starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, drag races will be held. (Iain Buxton challenged John Wittrig to a race, so maybe we’ll see them on the track!)

Charles noted that a wonderful company is coming down from Washington called the "Mobile Dyno". So if Club members want to see what kind of power their car can put out, you can actually schedule a session. There are only 40 spots, so check out the web site, www.autoexotica.org for more information and, you can also e-mail Charles with questions.

Other activities of Autoexotica include "Cars and Coffee", at Starbucks on Damonte Ranch Parkway, which is held every third Sunday of the month at 9:00 AM. It’s a free event, and all car clubs are invited to come down.

Autoexotica is building a community calendar on their web site so visitors can see what all the car clubs are doing, including links to all of their web sites. RSCVA is also involved with this, as part of marketing this area to California and the world.

New Business

50th Anniversary Badge. Mike Glass provided a sample of the JCNA’s 50th anniversary badge, which can be placed on a car’s radiator. It is of very nice quality. These can be ordered from JCNA for $35. Larry Richardson is looking into putting together a similar one for the Reno Jag Club’s 25th anniversary.

The following new members were introduced.
George and Marje Tabor
Buck Redman (who noted that he is independently wealthy - adding that he doesn’t smoke, drink or tell any lies!)
Bob and Carol Harris, who are founding members were welcomed back.

Treasurer Dave Minedew wasted no time in collecting fines of $1 each from members who did not wear a badge or drive their Jag to the dinner.

The first Tech Session, on general maintenance, is planned for May 3rd, sponsored by Gary Dyer. It will be held in his garage at the Stead airport.

The RJC garage sale is scheduled for May 17th, in conjunction with the annual neighborhood Saddlehorn garage sale. Tony and Terry Mitchell have graciously offered to hold it at their house. A BBQ is planned, with the RJC purchasing the meat. If anyone can’t make the sale and has something to donate, Larry Richardson has offered to pick it up ahead of time and take it to the garage sale.

The San Francisco trip is scheduled for May 10-13. Contact Vice President Patti Wilder, for further information.

The fly/drive trip to Europe in September is on schedule. There will not be any more meetings until approximately a month before the departure date. For those who have not signed up and are interested, contact Patti Wilder for information.

The Calaveras County trip which will include tours to caves and wine tasting is tentatively scheduled for June or July. Patti Wilder will check on specific dates. Charles Doyle noted that his mother runs Meadowmont Lodge in the area, where car clubs rent out rooms, hold a BBQ, then go to Ironstone. He suggested Hwy. 4 as a windy, beautiful drive in the area.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Dave Minedew reported that the club has approximately $4,000 in the bank, with $128 in the Village Green account.

Mike Glass noted that polo shirts from the last year’s Concours are still available, at $12 each.

Secretary Sunny Minedew noted that she has put three separate announcements in the Reno Gazette Journal regarding RJC activities, and as far as she can see, none of them have been published. She wanted everyone to know she gave it her best try!

Sunny & Dave are in charge of arranging the September dinner, and have changed the date to Friday, September 19th in order to not conflict with the Europe trip. Sunny suggested a couple of venues, and a show of hands voted for the Zephyr Cove Lodge at Tahoe. It would be a nice drive, plenty of room to park the cars, and a cozy, casual lodge atmosphere. Cocktails at the Minedew cabin nearby before dinner is an option, and cabins are available for rent if members want to stay overnight. A guarantee of 25 people is needed for a banquet menu.

Member’s activities

Congratulations to Mike and Kathy Glass on their 9th anniversary.
Patti Wilder will miss the next meeting, as she will be in the Panama Canal, with Rich’s mother.

Iain Buxton reminded members of a section on the RJC website called "Featured Car". He suggested members might want to e-mail Webmaster Rich Wilder with some stories that he could put on the page. Rich even offered to write the story, if members would give him details and include some pictures.

The winner of the raffle was Debbie McMurtry who received thirty dollars, the cost of the night’s dinner.

Old “Cat Talks” newsletters were distributed, and different ones will be passed out over the next year or so.

President Richardson thanked Mick and Lani Collins for arranging for the great dinner. Next month’s meeting will be planned by Ron and Julie Pizer.

Minutes by the RJC Secretary - Sunny Minedew

Photos by Patti Wilder

Click on any photo for a large view