Silicon Valley Model A Restorers Club

SVMARC               CCRG Tour Porterville                        May 1, 2, & 3, 2009

Three amigos from the club met in Gilroy for a tour never to forget.  We traveled back roads, dirt roads, along creeks, beautiful old trees, National Parks, and agricultural land. They were harvesting beautiful lettuce, strawberries, hay, & alfalfa for feed.  New crops of tomatoes and corn were just showing their leaves, grape vines were well established getting ready for their crop.  We traveled along the beach at Pismo for a short time seeing the beautiful white caps and sandy beaches such a site. Arriving in Nipomo for dinner at Jocko’s we met two other club members and a guest Bill from Texas for dinner. If you have not ate at Jocko’s you are missing a real treat.  The BBQ meals are on an open flame you can watch your meal being cooked.   Staying in Santa Maria overnight we traveled back roads to Porterville these roads were more heavily traveled by trucks and vehicles but it was still a wonderful ride through the open space.  Oil pumps were seen in hill tops, we commented on how amazing it is to get oil from a hill.  The next day we had a wonderful tour to an orange plant.  The sweet smell while cleaning and processing the oranges was fun to watch. The plant is used for all citrus crops at different times of the year.  They gave us bags of fresh oranges to take home such a nice surprise and thoughtful.  Then off to the tractor museum with several barns filled with all era tractors. The barns were built in between orange and lemon fields the fragrance was great. The banquet event held about 300 people for a rib/chicken dinner. Awards and jokes were plenty, friends had great times.  Several were dressed in era clothing. The next morning we ate breakfast and visited many from other clubs. Meeting Les Andrews and his sweet wife Bobbi was a pleasure, we were honored for them to join our new club.  Off in the A’s back to home traveling all back country roads through dirt roads and streams, lunch at Harris Ranch, dinner at a watering hole along the way, finally back home to the ranch.  No vehicle trouble we all made it back safe and sound. Seeing the people enjoy the A by snapping pictures and waving at us along the way, while we sound AHOOGA to them is the most wonderful fun part of the trip. A BIG THANK YOU to BILL ROSE for another fantastic trip!

By: Lauren Alley

SVMARC  Testicle Festival & Tulare Antique Farm & Equipment Show  Apr. 17, 18, & 19^th, 2009

Starting with the Vegetable Garden Tour we traveled a total round trip of about 600 miles of the Worlds Primary Food Source… the California Central Valley.  Seven members joined us on this first leg with 4 model A’s and one modern.  We arrived in Le Grand near Chowchilla for a tour of a tractor and auto museum with some old antique items placed for viewing.  The work shop was amazing with large pulleys attached to the ceiling for various duties.  We were then off to Ed & Marge Bright’s beautiful ranch for the Friday night annual Testicle Festival, and celebration of Ed Bright’s birthday.  Lots of fun and laughs to be had we shared deep fried testicle pieces of lamb and cow.  Gourmet tidbits were refused by some and enjoyed by others. Our Model A’s were admired on display at both events.  Some comments were “you drove those cars that far” which added to our pride in the hobby.  A wonderful delicious BBQ dinner was served for at least 300 people to eat, some were glad to have other items on the menu in addition to the testicle’s. The 2^nd day we were off to the Antique Farm & Equipment Show joining 2 other members at the show.  Tractor’s everywhere was the scene with vendors on hand with various items to sell.  The BBQ dinner and entertainment was enjoyable for all. The following day we traveled to a dairy where they milk about 6K cows daily.  Bill Rose explained areas in the dairy to all of us; babies were in separate areas they were so precious.  From the feed they eat to processing the waste was a very precise process.  What was surprising NO FLYS and very little smell.  Water is flushed on a regular basis where the cows are kept to keep the pens very clean. Bill Rose said he had never seen such a clean dairy before. The cows release their own pumps when the milk has been extracted they seem to be happy to go through the process to relieve the pressure they feel. No mechanical incidents, which was a joy to one of our members who was “endurance testing” his new car.  A short stop for dinner Sunday night, continuing the jokes and fun, capped off a delightful tour.  Thank you Tour Guide Bill Rose. 

Don Hubbard & Lauren Alley

Bill Rose Crab Feast                   March 15, 2009                          By: Lauren Alley

What a wonderful event! The day was great it didn’t rain on the A’s.  The event was represented by 14 Model A clubs,  Henry A’s, Acorn A’s, Diablo A’s, GraNeva A’s, San Francisco Model A’s, Linden A’s, Napa A’s, La Questa Crankers, Modesto A’s, Delta A’s, Tokay A’s, Santa Anita A’s, Santa Clara Valley Model A’s, Silicon Valley Model A Restorers, friends and family shared in the festivities too.  The first dish served would be the BBQ large fresh Oysters on the grill, dipping the Oysters in garlic butter was a delicious treat.  The Oyster servers stood for some time until all the Oysters were cooked and served, a big thank you to Dennis Bohl, Chris Thomson, Bob Enriques, Larry Guillian, & Brent Fukushima. The large bowls of prawns on ice with cocktail sauce and many vegetable trays were enjoyed before the main event.  The Ted Shafer Dixie Land Band played 20’s & 30’s music for us all to enjoy.  Bill Rose called for his guests to take a seat to orchestrate the dinner lines.  Starting with the dinner rolls Kenny & Paulette Thompson were so kind to pick up, salad was our next item which Marge Bright brought for the event, she spent so much time preparing the salad with her Mom Betty Holender and Keith Anderson they were all a BIG help in the kitchen.  Bill Rose’s recipe for the chili beans were prepared by Ed Bright and they were delicious.  The crab boxes were placed at the end of four tables and we could pick out our own pieces, they were very good.  Last but not least the fantastic Prime Rib prepared in Bill Rose’s giant smoker by Ed Bright with his secret rub, I have never had better prime rib.  There were three meat cutters Ray Fontaine, Ed Bright, and Jerry Smith who graciously cut each of us a nice slab until everyone had their fill. To complete the serving of guests and have all seated for their meal took 13 minutes total. The dessert of home made Model A churrned ice cream by Melvin Kruscke was served with large Driscoll strawberries on top and chocolate sauce, extra trays of strawberries were also served (Yum).

During this event a well stocked bar was set up inside by Bill Alley who maintained the bar the whole day, we forgot to give him breaks!  The raffle donations by The Mitchell Family Sue, Steve & Cyndi, Ed & Diane Simpson, Silicon Valley Model A Restorers Club, Bill & Lauren Alley, Shirley & Bob Hazleton, Delta A’s, and a Jewelry donation relating to the Model A. Working the raffle table was John & Judy Guzzetta, Shirley Hazleton, & Patty Meneely a big thank you to all of them.  Melvin Kruschke was our official ice cream maker running the Model A truck until the ice cream was ready for serving, he made 4 batches total, 350 ice cream cups were filled to the brim. Pat & Bob Meneely prepared the name tags and collected from those who had not paid.  The decorating committee was comprised of many SVMARC members who also spent hours helping during the event and clean up, Armando & Linda Gutierrez, Ed Hedgpeth, Ed Shannon, Kenny Thomson, Don Hubbard, Melvin Kruscke, Bill & Lauren Alley,  also friends of Bill’s helped out a lot with various duties.  Our official picture taker Wilma Shannon, her thoughtfulness to help us will show the event for all to remember our good times together.  There are numerous people who helped with the event that cannot be thanked enough.   Bill Rose our event planner, organizer, and all around host was the best, his funny hat and clover leaf around his neck with lipstick kisses from the gals, his jokes and comedic humor brought life to a wonderful party.  Until the next event thank you to all and see all of you soon.

NEW YEAR TOUR   2008/2009

We pulled out Tuesday evening headed for Los Angeles by way of Hwy 101.  Traveled until dark and pulled into King City to spend the night.  The A’s were running great!  Next morning we hit the road bound for Woodland Hills where Bill Alley’s brother and his family live. The ride was beautiful a few back roads were taken and some fog near the coast caused a little slowing. Lunch was at a special place called Jocko’s in Naipomo one of Bill Rose’s favorite stops.  Bill Alley’s family invited us for dinner that evening we all enjoyed the visit.  The next day New Year’s Day we took the A’s to the Santa Monica pier via back roads through the canyons of Malibu what a treat.   Driving in the canyon’s you would have no idea you were in or close to L.A. it’s so picturesque and peaceful on the winding country roads.  We spent part of the day on the pier looking at the vendor arts & crafts and lunch at a Mexican restaurant at the end of the pier overlooking the ocean.  Some fog burned off by lunch which made a nice viewing of the ocean and deep sandy beaches.  We headed back through the canyon to Woodland Hills for a New Year’s party with the Alley’s family.  To ring in the New Year a BBQ dinner to celebrate, plenty of wine & champagne and before we knew it time to get back to the hotel and get some rest.  Friday the Regan Library WOW! Air Force One on display and being able to enter the plane was very interesting.  It was fun to see the early years of Ronald Regan his family pictures including his birth certificate and the later years with Nancy.  Clips of movies were shown of his early days some in black and white.  We left the exhibits in the dark what a nice day.  Dinner at Maestro’s was fantastic a nice treat.  One last visit to the Alley’s to say our goodbye’s and back to the hotel.  After a good night’s rest we traveled back 101 to Jocko’s Restaurant for dinner and stayed the night in Santa Maria.  Sunday we stopped in Pismo Beach for cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate before starting the last leg of our journey. We also walked the butterfly grove and took a walk to the beach to take pictures, it was cold and clear we could see the breaking waves and down the beach for miles.   This last day of driving was special the ride was back roads that included dirt roads, hills, and mountains which certainly tested our A’s.  Snow on the side of the road at the higher elevations we bundled up in the A with coats, hats, gloves and plenty of blankets.  Two separate herds of antelope on Shalom Road headed toward Parkfield were seen.  One herd ran in front of and on the side of the A’s, pictures were fantastic some antelope had large horns.  Bill Rose and Bill Alley said they had never seen Antelope so close before.  We stopped for hot chocolate and to slip cardboard in front of the A radiators it was so cold they needed to be kept warm to run well. Reflecting on the success of the 1^st trip of the New Year for SVMARC I hope more members will sign up and join us to share in the memorable fun.

Lauren Alley

A fun, scenic and well nourished trip was enjoyed by all who attended Saturday & Sunday, November 29^th and 30^th.  Three antique cars & one modern met at Diablo Road in Danville.  Two more Model A’s & one modern met us in Pleasant Hill. Later another joined us for a total of five Model A’s and three modern cars. 

Ken & Paulette made it over the Altamont Pass with their Mitchell Overdrive.

Our first stop was Starbucks in Concord.  Many of us thought we were already beginning a tour right there in the shopping center parking lot.  Armando I’m glad you finally found a way to make a left hand turn.

We drove up 680 to 80.  Stopped in Dunigan for a rest stop and onto Williams for lunch at Granzella’s. Sue, Cindy and Steve Mitchell of Mitchell’s Manufacturing also joined us for lunch.  What a fun place to eat. There were a lot of Delicacies, wines, beer, specialty items and a wonderful deli and restaurant.

We then drove on to Colusa to Mitchell’s Manufacturing.  We were given an in depth tour.  Our men got all of their questions answered.  I’m sure by now they have convinced their wives that a Mitchell Overdrive is a must for them.

The women enjoyed seeing the Depression Glass that Cindy and Sue have collected through out the years.  It was fun exchanging stories and information about the beautiful collection.  Cindy made scrumptious pies for us.  Boy were they delicious!

Drove to Woodland where we would spend the night.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Morrison’s Restaurant.  Ed said it was the best steak he had eaten.  Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their dinner.

The next morning we were able to tour the Hendrick Ag History Center in Woodland.  We were able to tour before it opened to the public.  It brought back a lot of memories for those of us and myself being raised on a ranch and in farm communities.

In a matter of minutes our men were able to time Kenny’s Engine to better performance right on the spot in the parking lot.  What a crew!!!!!

We were headed toward Sacramento and in Sutter Buttes.  You’ve heard of the Swallows coming to Capistrano.  Well the Snow Geese were coming to Sutter Buttes.  The sky was just covered like an area of large clouds.  It was spectacular.

We arrived in Old Town Sacramento and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Rio City Café on the water.  The women even got a little shopping done. We were then off to a beautiful relaxing ride along the picturesque Delta to Isleton, onto Antioch, to Brentwood and to Tracy.  We stopped at the Texas Roadhouse for dinner.   We then drove to Livermore.  We were contemplating driving to Salinas for dessert.  Every one continued home.

All in all, beautiful weather, good people and a well thought out tour that was enjoyed by all.

Thanks again,

SVMARC