Bob & Alice Vickers went to Hawaii to watch their son or
son-in-law compete in some event. Bob saws that they went
snorkeling or scuba-diving and took this picture of a turtle
swimming under water. I say it looks like the aquarium at
the Dennys.
|
In
this month's issue:
|
Happy Thanksgiving!!
|
It is hard to
believe that Thanksgiving is upon us. This year has passed
so quickly. We've been going to college volleyball games
to watch our oldest daughter play. We come home to watch
the younger daughter play volleyball. Let me tell
you--when you go from watching college ball to 7th grade ball,
it is a new world. Our son played football, so we were
always on a bleacher somewhere. But you've got to keep
those kids busy, and we've certainly tried to do that. It
does cut into my TBird time, but that's ok. We travel to
Atlanta this weekend for some playoff games, but will be back in
time for the meeting on Sunday.
If the
weather is nice, drive the TBird and show it off. You've
got from now until Sunday noon to clean up the car. We
have the good fortune to live in the Gulf Coast area of Texas,
so we can drive our cars year round. People in the North
have already stored their cars for the winter. That just
ain't right!
Hope to
see you on Sunday. I hope you have a happy and safe
Thanksgiving, and you're able to spend time with family and
friends. Keep on Birding.
--Hugh
Jackson |
| A
Message from the President |
|
Just a reminder--officer nominations are approaching quickly.
If you want to serve your club, let us know. Dave
Barnes is heading up our nominations. The ballots will be mailed with the Holiday
party invitations in mid-November.
This weather has been outstanding.
Enjoy
life--drive that Bird every chance you get. Bring it to
the meeting this weekend. You'll be glad you did.
Until
next month, keep on Birding…
--Hugh
Jackson
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| |
| Ford's
100th Anniversary Party and Rt. 66 Cruise |
|
It's
official. We are going to wrap our Rt. 66 cruise in with
our trip to Dearborn for Ford's anniversary. We've been
from Tulsa out to Holbrook, AZ. Next June, we'll head back
to Tulsa, get on Rt. 66, and take it to Chicago. From
Chicago, we'll head on over to Dearborn. Make plans to
attend. Rt. 66 in a T-Bird is a wonderful experience.
Our hotel of choice in the Dearborn/Detroit area is the Red Roof
Inn-Dearborn. Phone 313-278-9732 or reserve online
at www.redroof.com.
The dates for the anniversary party are June 12-16, 2003.
More Rt. 66 details will be forthcoming. It's about 500
miles from Houston to Tulsa, about 700 miles from Tulsa to
Chicago, and about 300 miles from Chicago over to Dearborn.
We're thinking about leaving Houston on Saturday, June 7, 2003,
for our big trip. Dennis Baetz is working on the details
even as we speak!
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|
|
November
Meeting |
| The
November meeting will be held on Sunday, Nov 17, at 1:00pm.
We'll eat at
Goode Co. BBQ at 8911 Katy Freeway, exit Voss. Go through
the line, pay, and the meeting area is upstairs at the back of the
restaurant. I recommend the turkey on jalapeno cheese bread,
sauce on the side. Their phone number
is 713-464-1901 if you
get lost.
The meeting will start at 2:00pm. We hope to have nice
weather and a big turnout. Dave
Barnes will deliver the silver and gold TBird charms that he
has located. They are nicely done, and available for all 3
years. Contact Dave if you would like more
information. Also, Carol
& Ron Swofford are willing to order more club
clothing if anyone is interested. Contact them to order a
new shirt or cap. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are
below in the officer section, or click their blue names.
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|
|
October
Meeting |
| The
October meeting was held on Sunday, Oct 20. We met at
Jalapenos, a new place for us. Although it was a bit noisy,
we had no trouble being louder than everyone else. Our very
observant Jeff Skiba pointed out Ken Lay in the crowd.
And he didn't even have body guards with him. Amazing.
We welcomed new members Robert & Sissie Madeira to the
club. Come to the November meeting for a reading of the
minutes.
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|
|
Ford's 100th
Anniversary Celebration--Dearborn, June 12-16, 2003 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Ford Motor
Company's 100th Anniversary Celebration
Do I need to register in advance to attend the 100th
Anniversary Celebration?
We are expecting tens of thousands of Ford Motor Company
enthusiasts to join in our celebration. We encourage everyone
to purchase tickets <https://fordcentennialreg.com/orderform/app/menu_welcome/index.cfm>
in advance so that we can accommodate all of our guests.
Will I be able to display my collector's car
on the grounds of the Henry Ford II World Center during the
100th Anniversary Celebration?
The display of thousands of classic and collector Ford Motor
Company vehicles will be one of the highlights of the 100th
Anniversary Celebration. An independent panel of automotive
experts will select vehicles for display at Ford Motor
Company's 100th Anniversary Celebration. Vehicles selected for
display purposes will be of historical significance and/or
reflect classic themes representative of Ford Motor Company's
product lines (Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Aston Martin,
Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover). Once you have purchased
tickets <https://fordcentennialreg.com/orderform/app/menu_welcome/index.cfm>
you will be provided with a Vehicle Display Application.
What is the schedule of events for the
100th Anniversary celebration?
The celebration is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, through
Monday, June 16, 2003. While many of the details are not yet
available, we can share two confirmed events.
Thursday, June 12, is Ford Racing Fan Appreciation Day. You'll
have a chance to meet many of your Ford racing heroes,
including drivers from NASCAR Winston Cup, NASCAR Busch Series
and NASCAR Craftsman Truck.
On Monday, June 16, if you're a Ford Motor Company
shareholder, you will be invited to attend the company's 47th
annual meeting of shareholders, and the first shareholders'
meeting of the company's second century.
Check this website often for updates on the event schedule, or
register <https://fordcentennialreg.com/orderform/app/menu_welcome/index.cfm>
to receive email notifications of when the site is updated.
Will there be entertainment during the
celebration? Who will be performing?
Plans for an outdoor theatre are underway. The theatre will
feature live entertainment including: Motown, jazz, rock and
country artists (talent to be announced later). Check this
website often for event updates, or register
<https://fordcentennialreg.com/orderform/app/menu_welcome/index.cfm>
to receive email notifications of when the site is updated.
What other Ford-related activities are
available in the Dearborn area?
Within a mile of the Henry Ford II World Center are Henry Ford
Museum & Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Estate. Both
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford
Estate are offering discounted admission through the
registration site.
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village is the nation's largest
indoor/outdoor history museum. For information on this
world-renowned attraction, visit
http://www.hfmgv.org.
The Henry Ford Estate is the former home of Henry Ford and his
wife Clara, who lived there from 1915 until their deaths in
1947 and 1950. For more information on this National Historic
Landmark on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn,
visit
http://www.henryfordestate.com.
What hotels are available in the
Dearborn/Detroit area?
We have compiled a list of hotels
<Hotels> in the Metro Detroit and surrounding
areas. Please note, this listing is a guideline and is not
complete. Ford Motor Company does not endorse nor support the
hotels. Ford Motor Company is not responsible for rates or the
conditions of the hotels.
I am (or my group is) planning to travel to
attend the Ford Motor Company 100th Anniversary Celebration.
Will Ford provide any monetary assistance?
Due to the number of individuals and groups that plan to
attend the event, Ford Motor Company is not able to reimburse
individuals or groups for travel or travel-related expenses.
If you didn't find the answer to your
question, send us a note
<mailto:100years@ford.com>.
Back
to top
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|
| Czhilispiel
Parade--Flatonia |
|
The parade was rained out, as it was held during the 2 weeks of
non-stop rain that we had. Maybe next year we can get out
there to haul some queens.
|
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| Birthdays
and Anniversaries |
|
Nov 8 |
George Pality |
|
Nov 9 |
Bob & Judy Goldstein |
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Nov 9 |
Carolyn Jones |
|
Nov 10 |
Joy Truelock |
|
Nov 12 |
Bernice Swan |
|
Nov 21 |
Robert Edwards |
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Nov 22 |
Scott & Le Kochran |
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Nov 23 |
Jock & Vicki Collins |
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Nov 25 |
Nancy Heller |
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Nov 27 |
Judy Goldstein |
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Nov 28 |
Jan Robbins |
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Nov 29 |
Le Kochran |
|
Dec 7 |
Carol Swofford |
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Dec 12 |
Barbara Beutnagel |
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Dec 14 |
Anita Dick |
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Dec 14 |
Ted Frois |
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Dec 17 |
Sharon McBride |
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Dec 18 |
WJ Janecek |
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Dec 18 |
John Karsten |
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Dec 24 |
Carolyn Benson |
|
Dec 24 |
Cleo Bickford |
|
Dec 27 |
Sammie Nugent |
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Dec 27 |
Buddy Swan |
|
Dec 29 |
Marc & Mimi Markel |
|
|
|
| Officers,
Board Members, Committee Chairs |
|
Click
on blue link for e-mail address.
|
|
| SEMA
News |
Vermont Scraps Scrappage
SEMA and Vermont hobbyists successfully opposed two Vermont
bills that would have implemented statewide vehicle scrappage
programs.
The first proposal would have created a scrappage program
funded by a pollution surcharge and a diesel fuel tax. The
pollution surcharge would have been tied to vehicle
registrations and would be more costly on expensive-and
supposedly higher polluting-vehicles. Further, a voucher
system would pay owners of scrapped vehicles up to $2,000,
calculated so that the state pays more for scrapping vehicles
that pollute the most. These vouchers could have then been
used to purchase public transit tickets or a replacement
vehicle identified on a state-prepared "Clean Car List" from a
dealership participating in the program. The second scrappage
bill proposed to dispatch portable vehicle crushers to various
locations in the state to accept vehicles for crushing.
SEMA and New England area SEMA Action Network hobbyists were
able to convince Vermont legislators that these programs don't
work. Noted SEMA Action Network Director Brian Caudill, "Scrappage
remains a public policy fraud. These programs do little to
clean the air. The only thing they do well is eliminate the
availability of vintage cars for restoration projects and
curtail the availability of inexpensive transportation for
lower-income families."
SEMA would like to note that Vermont has seen several
scrappage bills introduced in the last two legislative
sessions. Each time, these bills have failed in no small part
because Vermont SEMA Action Network enthusiasts like the
American Truck Historical Society, Green Mountain Chapter,
Champlain Valley Street Rods and the Adirondack Mustang Club
and the New England Mopar Club have taken action.
The Case Against Scrappage
* Scrappage programs ignore the fact that older,
particularly classic, cars are well-maintained,
infrequently driven and not a substantial source of
emissions reductions.
* Scrappage programs are unfair to low-income drivers who
rely on low-cost parts and transportation.
* Scrappage programs are difficult to operate and enforce.
They are also subject to fraud.
* Scrappage programs are inferior to other programs, such
as VOLUNTARY emissions system repair and upgrade programs,
which both cleans the air and keeps the cars on the road.
|
|
|
Interesting Reading |
America's Most Loved
New Vehicles
Americans love their vehicles. But what is it about these
vehicles that they really love? More importantly, which cars and
trucks do Americans love the most?
We found answers to these questions and more in a survey of more
than 117,000 car and light-truck owners, conducted by automotive
research company J.D. Power and Associates of Agoura Hills,
Calif.
According to Power's 2002 APEAL (Automotive Performance,
Execution And Layout) study, Ford and Lincoln brands ranked the
highest in five segments. Honda, General Motors and Toyota
brands each received three top segment rankings.
"Ford's achievement is crowned by the Ford Thunderbird's
impressive debut," said Brian Walters, director of product
research at Power.
The T'bird took top honors for J.D. Powers' Initial Quality
Study this year as well, which according to Walters, is "an
exceptional achievement for a vehicle in its first year of
production."
Also in its first year on sale, the popular MINI Cooper captured
the top ranking in the compact car segment, replacing the New
Beetle, which had topped the segment since its introduction in
1998.
The Audi TT was top of the premium sports car group, and
Cadillac's Escalade ranked as most-appealing luxury SUV again.
And for the first time a Hyundai model topped an APEAL segment
ranking. The redesigned Hyundai Sonata received the top ranking
in the entry midsize car segment
Altogether, the APEAL study examines 17 vehicle categories.
Results are based on responses from vehicle owners after three
months of ownership. Among the areas probed are why consumers
feel the way they do about their vehicles, and what they think
about vehicle styling; engine and transmission; comfort and
convenience; ride and handling; seats; heating, ventilation and
cooling; cockpit and instrument panel; and sound system.
The 17 APEAL vehicle category winners for 2002 are:
Compact Car
MINI Cooper
Compact Pickup
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Compact Van
Honda Odyssey
Entry Luxury Car
Ford Thunderbird
Entry Midsize Car
Hyundai Sonata
Entry Sport Utility
Honda CR-V
Full-Size Car
Ford Crown Victoria
Full-Size Pickup
Cadillac Escalade EXT
Full-Size Sport Utility
Ford Excursion
Full-Size Van
GMC Savana
Luxury Sport Utility
Cadillac Escalade
Mid-Luxury Car
Lincoln Town Car
Midsize Sport Utility
Toyota Highlander
Premium Luxury Car
Lexus LS 430
Premium Midsize Car
Toyota Avalon
Premium Sports Car
Audi TT
Sporty Car
Acura RSX
Source: J.D. Power and Associates
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|
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Tail
Lights |
|
The
Difference Between The Liberal and Conservative "Debate" Over
The War On Terrorism:
Question: You're walking down a deserted street with your
wife and two small children. Suddenly, a dangerous looking man
with a huge knife comes around the corner and is running at you
while screaming obscenities. In your hand is a .357 Magnum and
you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches
you and your family. What do you do?
Liberal Answer:
Well, that's not enough information to answer the question! Does
the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him
that is inspiring him to attack? Could we run away? What does my
wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun
like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the
law say about this situation? Is it possible he'd be happy with
just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me or would he
just be content to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and
hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? This
is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some
friends for a few days to try to come to a conclusion.
Conservative Answer:
Shoot the SOB! Then take your family to a baseball game, eat
some hot dogs with apple pie, sing the national anthem, go to
church and praise the Lord for one more day of freedom. |
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|
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| Upcoming Events:
November 27-30--
Houston
Autorama, at the Astrodome Complex
December
6, 2002—
Annual
CTOH Holiday Party at Wyndham & Nancy Smith's home
December
7, 2002—
Dime
Box Christmas Parade and Chili Cookoff June
12-16, 2003-- Ford's
100th Birthday Celebration, Ford World Headquarters, Dearborn,
Michigan. Make your own hotel reservations at the Red Roof
Inn, Dearborn. Phone 313-278-9732 or online
at www.redroof.com
|
Happiness is watching your kids rear their kids!
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I may have my faults, but being wrong ain't one of them.
Jimmy Hoffa
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