Nov - Diablo A`s

www.DiabloAs.com
Volume 45 Issue Number 11
MAFCA 2011 Certificate of Merit
November 2012
Magical Mystery Tour 2012
Destination: Modesto
General Membership
Meeting
Friday, November 16,
2012 — The doors open
at 7:00, meeting at 8:00
pm, at Faith Christian
Fellowship Church, 860
Bancroft Rd., Walnut
Creek. Guests are welcome.
Special Attractions
 Upcoming Tours
 Tour Photos
 Very, Very Last Laugh
Inside Insights
Presidents Column
3
Sunshine Report
4
Classified
4
Technical Seminar/Tips
5
Upcoming Tours &
Events
6
Fashion
7
Meeting Minutes
Calendar
9,10
11
It was a pretty early start for most of us. Still dark for those that made it by 7:30 at the
Starbuck’s on Kirker Pass Rd.
The navigators of ten A’s and six modern cars got their instructions for the first
leg of the journey to coffee\potty stop at McDonalds in Tracy. New instructions for
everyone and on to Ragtime West in Ceres.
This is a very unusual business. Owner, Ken, builds and repairs calliopes. You may
have seen them in pizza or ice cream shops. Large, wooden, boxes filled with banjos, guitars, drums, cymbals and many other musical instruments. All controlled by
computers.
The business is not normally open to the public, but Ken allowed us in and
showed us his wonderful creations. We were all amazed at what we saw.
Then on to Hilmar Cheese where we had a virtual tour of the facility and a delightful “box lunch” in their visitors area. Many bought the locally made cheeses and
items from the gift shop and deli.
Our third stop was Beekman & Beekman Honey. They make varietal honey and
honey wine (mead). The family has been in the Hughson area since the era of our
cars. There is a photograph of the owners grandfathers car out in a field. She
thought it might be an “A”. But on closer inspection, Ron Accornero pronounced it a
Dodge.
After a wonderful lecture on beekeeping, honey and honey wine making and
many items bought at their store, we were off to the hotel and hospitality suite to
relax and visit before dinner.
Six o’clock found us lining up our cars outside Fuzio’s restaurant in Modesto. The
area outside our banquet room is normally closed to traffic, but they do allow “car
shows”. So there we were, like so many times, attracting all sort of attention from the
locals strolling through the area, on their way to or from the movie theater across the
street. The guys do so like to show off their cars, don’t they?
Fuzio’s did a bang up job for dinner. They went out of their way to meet a few
special dietary requests and all comments I heard back were positive ones. Names
were drawn and every registration got to pick a raffle prize.
Back to the hotel, a good nights
sleep (hopefully), breakfast in the hotels
hospitality room and we left for home in
groups or alone. And not one report of
any car trouble!
Thanks to our fellow committee
members, Ron & Katie Wolfman and
Marianne & Pete Goodson and thank
you to all the participants for making
this a very enjoyable and successful
Mystery Tour.
Peggy & Wayne English
Support our advertisers because they support us
1
It was a bit dark for the first people to arrive. Elsie came to see
us all off
Our first stop at Ragtime West. Roger and Marilyn taking a whirl
around the dance floor
Then it was our lunch stop with a tour of Hilmar Cheese
Beekman & Bekkman Honey has a long history in Hughson, as
you can see from their original gas pump
Lined up outside Fuzio’s before
the banquet
Browsing the raffle table
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Enjoying the camaraderie and
food


I start my first column, for the Moto-meter, with sad news, Jeane James
(our President's Lady) passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2012. All of
you who knew Jeane will remember her friendly smile, unending energy
and great spirit. There will be a celebration of Jeane's life on Saturday,
November 17 (details later).
The next years board has been nominated and ballots will be included
in the Moto-meter. It is a sad state-of-affairs when we can only find one
person to run for a board opening, I know this has been going on for a
number of years and I do not see much improvement for the near future. Unless we all take a few minutes and reflect on what you are getting from the Diablo A's.....and what can you do to give something
back. Please give it some thought, I will be asking you for help.
Reyanne and I were not able to attend the Martinez Historical Home
Tour by Paul Kraintz, or the Mystery Tour by the English's, Goodson's and
Wolfman's. Reyanne had her 50th high school reunion in San Bruno,
that weekend, and it was a huge success. I understand that the tour
leaders have already been selected for the next mystery tour....way to
go tour coordinator!
If you missed last weekends "Blue Victorian Winery Tour" that's really too
bad. What a great tour and weather we had by Bob and Rose Estrella.
TIPS FROM THE GARAGE: Recently I lost a horn cover mounting screw
(horn cover wedge itself between the fender and hood) and one of
two license plate mounting bolts and bracket. The front end of a Model
A Ford has a lot of vibration and "stuff" tends to loosen up....check your
nuts, bolts and screws.
Doug Freeman, VP
Moto-Meter
Elected Officials 2012
Board of Directors
President
Ed James (925) 837-0851
Vice-President
Doug Freeman (925) 682-6819
Secretary
Herb Neumann (925) 687-4691
Treasurer
Michelle Webber (925) 830-1599
Tour Coordinator
Ron Accornero (510) 521-4846
Past President
Roger Staggs (925) 261-9791
Editor
Peggy English
(925) 682-3759
Editor@DiabloAs.com
Appointed Services
ACCC Representative
Herb Neumann
Membership Services
Roger Staggs
Refreshments Co-Coordinator
Ceil Callister
NCRG Representative
Bill Pugh
Photographers
Alicia Watson & Bill Truesdell
Advertising/Public Relations
Marilyn Neumann, Bob Grady/Bob Rigor
Sunshine Reporter / Club Vests
Elsie Boarman / Marge Tait
Roster Manager
Bill Pugh
Video Coordinator
Bill Truesdell
Webmaster
Steve Mick
The Moto-Meter: The Moto-Meter is the official publication of the Diablo A’s Chapter of the Model A
Ford Club of America. The Moto-Meter is published
once a month and is mailed to each member in
good standing and other Model A Ford Clubs in
exchange for their publication. The Moto-Meter
takes no responsibility for the accuracy of materials,
dates, places, etc. of its contents. The Moto-Meter
welcomes any article, artwork or suggestions. Please
submit all materials by the Tuesday following the
Board Meeting.
Meetings: Meetings are held on the third Friday of
the month at 8:00 PM at Faith Christian Fellowship
Church at 860 Bancroft Rd., in Walnut Creek unless
otherwise indicated in the Calendar of Events.
GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
Membership: Membership in the Model A Ford Club
is not a prerequisite to join The Diablo A’s, but it is
recommended. Both MAFCA and The Diablo A’s
membership commence on January 1st, and expire
on December 31st. MAFCA dues are $40.00 (MAFCA,
250 Cypress Ave., La Habra, CA 90631,
www.MAFCA.com ). The Diablo A’s dues of $45.00
per family is payable to the treasurer. Separate
subscriptions to the Moto-Meter are $15.00 per year.
Diablo A’s Model A Ford Club mailing address:
P.O. Box 6125
Concord, CA 94524
We thank the various clubs for the use of the many
articles, jokes, fashion and technical advice that we
have used. Permission to reproduce items in The
Moto-Meter is hereby granted provided credit is
given to The Moto-Meter.
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Sunshine
Report
CLASSIFIED
Elsie Boarman
I enjoyed watching the ladies come into the parking
lot driving an “A”. They were all so pleased and so were
their instructors. Congratulations ladies. Now, if the guys
will ever let you drive, that would be awesome.
Thank you Peggy and Wayne English for representing
the Diablo A’s at the Food Bank Volunteer Luncheon. Diablo A’s was acknowledged for the check donated to the
Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank.
Too much sad news for one month: Barbara Werner
suffered a stroke in early October and never really recovered, with her heart failing she passed away on October
29. Barbara was married to Daryl for 62 years and a long
time member of the Diablo A's. She was 92 years young.
After a valiant battle with cancer, Jeane James
passed on October 30, surrounded by family. A celebration of Jeane’s life will be held November 17th, 1:00 PM at
the Community Presbyterian Church, 222 West El Pintado
Rd., Danville.
Ruth Janke came through her surgery very well. She is
home now and able to walk to the mail box with Alex’s
help. Her only complaint is that Alex is not a good cook,
yet. But whose fault is that. We gals do the cooking and
don’t teach our fellows to cook. I think in my next life, I’ll
get a 12 year old and train him to wash, cook and clean.
HA!
Let’s also celebrate 5 years cancer free for Geneva
Chiabotti.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Next meeting is the Pie Social. Will we see Patsy Pond and
Bob Estrella? I understand they are very fond of desserts.
Happing A’ing
Elsie
4
FOR SALE: CAST IRON BRAKE DRUMS.
Ed James is stocking cast Iron brake drums in the bay
area for Mel Gross. These are quality, proven drums.
You can pick them up and save the freight from Los
Angeles. Full set (front and rear) for $270 plus studs for
$20 set. Call Ed James, 925-837-0851.
FOR RENT: Cabin, West Shore Lake Tahoe. 3 bedroom, 2
bath, sleeps 6. Close to So. Lake, Meeks Bay and Sugar
Pine Park. Two blocks from the lake. Attractive rates for
Diablo A’s. Call Pam Lee 925-689-9226.
FOR SALE: Used Model A Clutch (Bell) Housing. See
Snyder’s catalog part number A-7501-B. Sells for
$155.00 new. Will sell for $75.00. Contact Ronald Frye at
925-828-4845.
FOR SALE: Brand new, never used, Model A, V-8 Style, 3fingered Clutch Pressure Plate assembly. See Bratton’s
catalog part number #11460. Sells new for $73.00. Will
sell for $50.00. Contact Ronald Frye at 925-828-4845.
FOR SALE: former member, Rosella Hendrickson, has
decided to sell Jerry's coupe. It's a 1930 Coupe, Pinto
engine, automatic transmission, hydraulic brakes, and
tube shocks. It has a hot water heating. It has dark
brown fenders and splash aprons with a tan body. Red
wheels with whitewall tires. Asking $12,000. Located in
Brownsville CA. Rosella phone number is 530-675-9424.
FOR SALE: t's Time to order another case of Aero Kroil 13
oz. Penetrating Oil Aerosol Cans. There will be a signup sheet at the November meeting. Cost to members
$12.50 each. Contact Ron Accornero.
TECHNICAL
SEMINARS
2012
That’s All Folks!
Any suggestions for seminars in 2013?
RSVP
Alex Janke (689-0859) or Bob Grady (933-1154)
Cals’ Garage
with Alex and Bob
A Blast From The Past...originally printed January 2007
I had a call the other day from a man whose Model A just would
not run the way he felt that it should, and not being gifted with
blind intuitive powers, I suggested that he try to get the car out
here and I would be glad to look at it.
But first, let me ask a question or two. What was the last thing
that he had done to the engine? “Changed the oil” he answered.
Okay. What was the thing that he had done before that?
“Greased the chassis” he answered. Well! I was not getting any place so , so try again. Can you get the car out here? “I will try,”
he answered.
Some time later, the car arrived and as it pulled up into the driveway, I could hear an engine badly out of time, struggling to
run and obviously heated up as a bit of steam struggled to escape. “Shut it off and let’s let it cool off a bit,” I said as I raised the
hood. I said that it seemed a bit out of time but he reassured me that he had indeed retimed the engine that very morning so he
know that the timing was not the problem.
“Humor me” I said as I raised the distributor cap and removed the timing pin. “Now retard the spark lever to full retard” I said
and he said “Why?” Well, you guessed it. The car was out of time because there is a 20 degree difference between full retard
and full advance and if the retard lever just happened to be some where in between when he attempted to retime his engine
he could be anywhere from zero to twenty degrees out of time and yes, he was!
A quick check showed that the timing was indeed the problem and a quick retime soon had the old car purring like a wellfed kitten. Soooooo, timing does greatly affect the performance of the Model A engine and if you suspect that something is
wrong, yet you have the timing down pat, then look to the timing gear cover. Yes, there are at least 3 difference covers– all will
fit but some are for the Model B engine which has only a 10 degree advance which could lead to problems.
Well, that’s enough on the subject so I leave it to you to check things out.
Well that’s Model A'ing, take care and let’s all have fun while we can and as the old cowboy used to sing “Happy Trails to
You”……
Cal
5
Pie Social
UPCOMING TOURS & EVENTS
November 16, 2011
Dec 1—Christmas Banquet-Oakhurst Country Club
Herb & Marilyn Neumann
Dec 9-12—MAFCA National Awards BanquetCharleston, SC-Palmetto A’s Chapter
Jan 20, 2013 - January Brunch—Marriott in San Ramon
Webber-Harrich
Feb 24, 2013—Grand Island Mansion, Walnut Grove
John & June Rosploch
May 24-27, 2013—NCRG Roundup—Pleasanton
Acorn A’s
Sept. 27-29, 2013—Apple Hill
Hangtown A’s
TBA 2014—MAFCA National Convention
Tacoma WA.-Galloping Gerties Chapter
Pies, cobblers, crumbles. It all sounds too good!
Food assignment is as follows:
A-L
Bring you favorite pie and serving utensil
Plates, forks, ice cream and whipped cream will
be provided.
2012 Board Meetings Schedule:
Monday, Dec. 3—Lloyd & Michelle Harrich-Webber
Meetings are at 7:00 p.m. unless specified otherwise.
Please R.S.V.P.
For information on upcoming tours and events please
go to our web site www.DiabloAs.com
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Jeane James Service
November 17, 1:00 PM
Community Presbyterian Church
222 W. El Pintado Rd.
Danville
Diablo A's club members are encouraged to drive your Model As,
wear your Club Shirts (optional) and caravan to the
church so we can all park in a designated area.
Bob Grady has offered to lead us there. We will meet at 12 noon at our
monthly meeting place (Faith Christian Fellowship Church
on Bancroft Road). We will leave promptly
at 12:15pm so we can arrive at the church in Danville
in time to park our cars and be seated (on time) in the church for Jeane's service.
Please contact either Bob Grady ((925) 933-1154 or Marilyn
Neumann (925) 687-4691 if you would like to caravan with us
so we will know who is coming with us.
Directions for those who want to drive directly to the church and not caravan
with us:
From the North: Take 680 South to Diablo Rd. exit. Turn right at the end of the exit and go to first stoplight. Turn right
onto W. El Pintado Rd. Church is just ahead on the right. Follow road into parking lot entrance.
From the South: Take 680 North to Diablo Rd. exit. Turn left and proceed under the overpass. Follow Diablo Rd. for
two blocks and take a right at the stoplight onto W. El Pintado Rd. Church is ahead on the right. Follow road into
parking lot entrance.
Ladies Learn to Drive
It was a beautiful late summer Saturday morning when six Diablo A's ladies earned their model A drivers license. We
also had a lady visitor who showed up looking to buy a Model A coupe and she also learned to drive in Ed James's
Roadster. She intends to join the chapter next month. You can see from the picture Bob Grady showed up with
Rufus to point and laugh at the crazy lady drivers. We used some city streets not traveled much in Pleasant Hill to
stage the event. We also had a great hill where we had the drivers stop. While we were there Elsie Boarman
showed up to watch and say hello. We ended the tour by having lunch at the Elephant Bar and Grill on Willow Pass
Road. Good time, good food with good friends. What more could you ask for.
Oh, by the way, we only had to replace one front fender and one rear bumper. I thank all the ladies for their courage and ribbing.
Thanks,
Ed James
Left to right: Bob Grady, Donna Truesdell, Michelle
Webber, June & John Rosploch, Reyanne Freeman,
Barry & Ceil Callister, Lloyd Harrich, Nancy Larsen,
Doug Freeman, Marty Larsen, Ed James
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Generator Seminar October 20th
Houmis Garage
Everyone got a real CHARGE out of the seminar!
8
Diablo A’s General Membership Meeting
October 19, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 8:02pm by President Ed James.
Visitors and Guests: 5 guests tonight.
Membership – Roger introduced our 5 guests.
Secretary’s Report – Herb Neumann: the September 2012 Membership Minutes as printed in the Moto-Meter were
approved.
Treasurer’s Report – Michelle presented the September month end bank statements.
Correspondence – Wayne English: none
Committees:
Technical Seminars – Generator Rebuild Seminar will be held tomorrow, Oct. 20, at the Houmis home.
Sunshine – Elsie reported that Barbara Werner has had a stroke and Ruth Janke will have surgery next week.
ACCC – The Legacy License Plate Bill has been signed into law, car enthusiasts have until Jan 2015 to sign up for one
of 3 style plates: black with yellow lettering, yellow with black lettering or blue with yellow lettering. Must have 7500
applications for each style of plate in order for that plate to be issued.
NCRG – N/R.
Tours – Ron asked the tour leaders to talk about their upcoming tours: Bob Estrella talked about his wine tour Nov 3 rd;
leave from Harbor Freight at 9:30am. Barbara Sharman talked about the Ladies Tea Nov 10th. Herb mentioned that
the Christmas Party is Dec 1, at Oakhurst CC. Details will be in the November Moto-meter.
Video Report – Bill gave September sales report.
Editor – Peggy introduced our new Editor, June Rosploch.
Public Relations – Bob Rigor showed off the First Place trophy that the Club received for the Walnut Festival Parade,
will present the trophy to John Tait.
Old Business – None.
New Business – Barry Callister asked members to send in their Outstanding Member Ballots. Melinda Hayes thanked
everyone for the recycle bags she received tonight. Ron Accornero announced a new MAFFI Raffle, see Ron for
tickets.
Refreshments – Ceil thanked those who brought refreshments tonight.
Ron and Melinda read a For the Good of the Order.
Meeting adjourned at 9:01pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Herb Neumann, Secretary
9
Diablo A’s Board of Directors Meeting
November 5, 2012
Location: the Neumann’s house.
Board Members present: Ed James, President; Doug Freeman, Vice President; Herb Neumann, Secretary; Michelle Webber, Treasurer; Peggy English, Editor; Ron Accornero, Tour Coordinator; and Roger Staggs, Past President.
Guests: Wayne English, Marilyn Neumann, Lloyd Harrich, Bill and Donna Truesdell, and Barry Callister.
Meeting was called to order by Doug Freeman at 7:12pm.
Approve 10/1/12 BOD Minutes as posted in Moto-Meter – Approved.
Treasurer’s Report – Michelle reviewed the October month end bank statement.
Membership & P.R. – Roger handed out application packets to two guests at our last General Meeting.
Correspondence – Wayne: received a thank you note from the Mystery Tour Restaurant, and a letter from MAFCA..
Tour Report – Ron reviewed the upcoming tours: Ladies Tea Nov 10th; Christmas Party at Oakhurst Country Club Dec 1st ;
January Brunch Tour to the Marriott at San Ramon Jan 20th ; Tour to Grand Island Mansion in Walnut Grove February 24th.
Editor – Peggy reported deadline is this Friday.
Video Report –Bill presented the October Video Sales report.
Roster Manager – N/R.
Advertising – N/R.
ACCC – Herb reported on the Legacy License Plate Law.
NCRG –N/R
Technical Seminars – N/R.
Public Relations – N/R.
Old Business – Peggy presented the financial report on the Mystery Tour.
New Business – The Board approved an Early Bird renewal discount of $15 dues plus $5 for ACCC for a total of $20 if received by Dec 31, 2012. The new Liability Release will be part of the Dues Renewal Form. 2013 Board positions have been
filled and will be announced at the Nov. meeting. Board approved the Christmas Party price of $25 per person. Board
approved two $100 donations to MAFFI in memory of Jeane James and Barbara Werner.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
Next General Meeting: November 16th at 8:00pm. Next Board Meeting is Dec 3rd at the Webber/Harrich home, at 7:00pm.
Respectfully submitted, Herb Neumann, Secretary
10
N ovemb er 2 012
November
Birthdays
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
6
10
11
15
18
4
5
end of day- Board Mtg
light savings
6
Election
Day
7
8
9
10
Marine
Corps Day
11
Veteran’s
Day
12
13
14
15
16
Gen Mtg
17
18
19
20
21
22
Thanksgiving Day
23
25
26
27
28
29
30
22
29
Anniversaries
24
1
Nick and Peggy Houmis
6
Alex and Ruth Janke
14 Bruce and Bridgette Nicolai
D e ce mbe r 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
December
Birthdays
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
Brd Mtg
4
5
6
7
Pearl Harbor Day
8
Hanukkah
begins
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Bill of
Rights Day
16
17
18
19
20
21Gen Mtg 22
First Day of
Winter
23
24
30
31
New Years
Eve
25
Christmas
Day
26
Kwanza
begina
27
Paul Kraintz
Ron Accornero
Wayne English
Don Carter
Cecilia Callister
Clint Passalacqua
Karen Villandre
John Rosplach
Paul Peterson
28
11
29
1
3
7
9
11
17
19
20
23
24
29
Sandi Rigor
Paula Ferre’
Jan Granquist
Tom Sharman
Nick Houmis
Deb Pugh
Morton Mitchell
Betty Glazier
David Antkowiak
Mary Kraintz
Richard Anderson
30 Bonnie Frye
Anniversaries
7
10
26
Dave & Jan Granquist
Herb and Marilyn Neumann
Danny and Barbara Riggio
THE VERY, VERY, VERY LAST LAUGH
Side-by-side
A woman's husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months,
yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day.
One day, when he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer.
As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears, 'You know what? You
have been with me all through the bad times.
When I got fired, you were there to support me.
When my business failed, you were there.
When I got shot, you were by my side.
When we lost the house, you stayed right here.
When my health started failing, you were still by my side...
You know what Martha?'
'What dear?' she gently asked, smiling as her heart began to fill with warmth.
'I'm beginning to think you're bad luck.......
Never Forget — 9/11/01
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2007 BALLOT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vice President
Barry Callister or________________
Vice President
Barry Callister or _________________
Secretary
Marilyn Neumann or ______________
Secretary
Marilyn Neumann or _________________
Tour Coordinator
Ron Wolfman or _________
Tour Coordinator
Ron Wolfman or ____________
Editor
June Rosplach or _____________
Editor
June Rosplach or ________________
[Circle your choice or write in an alternative]
Mail your ballot to Doug Freeman, 1843 Jefferson St. Concord, CA 94521 by November 25
or Bring your ballot to the November meeting
Diablo A's Christmas Party
Oakhurst Country Club
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012
We will have passed Appetizers beginning at 6:00pm along with a no-host bar.
Dinner at 7:00pm - please choose from one of entrees listed below.
Dessert will follow dinner with Coffee and Tea service.
Cost for dinner is $25 per person.
Please bring your choice for dinner and your payment (cash, or checks made out to the Diablo A's) to the Nov.16 General Meeting. See Marilyn or Herb with your dinner choice and payment.
Thank you! We are looking forward to another fun and enjoyable Christmas Party.
Herb & Marilyn
Name(s) ________________________________________________________
Entrée Choice:
________# Braised Beef (cabernet demi-glace), potatoes & seasonal vegetables
________# Chicken Santa Cruz (artichoke and mushroom sauce), potatoes & seasonal vegetables
________# Seasonal white fish, rice and seasonal vegetables
_______# attending X $25 = _______________
13