For those of you who kept asking, such as it is, the "new" surfboard is finished. It was a bit tougher than I thought it would be, and I gotta tell ya I worried big-time about the glassing. But all came out reasonably well, as you can see here.
We have received several letters about the recent shows - mostly positive, but each had some difficulties as pointed out by those who went, and wrote letters.
We'll be going to C.H.O.P. tomorrow for the cruise, so a reminder - the C.H.O.P. cruise now runs from 5-7 for the remainder of their season. And they are having a show at the fairgrounds later this month - but we cannot go, since they will only be accepting antiques - vehicles that are at least 25 years old. Antique drivers do not count :o(
But I will give them much credit - unlike some shows, they are not going to take our money under false pretenses, as was done at Shawnee Peak earlier this year.
Anxious for this weekend, at OOB. That is just about the best "cruise" on Friday, and a darned good show the next day. It is one of the highlights of the season. Hope to see ya there!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Windham & Settler's Green
Two big shows were held today - the Windham Boosters Show in Windham (ME) and the Mt Washington Valley Old Car club's Settler's Green show in North Conway (NH). I went to Windham, but so far the reports on Settler's Green say it was excellent. For those interested, here is a letter from the organizer of Settler's Green show:
Sounds like a fine crowd. And while it did not look like Windham had such a big draw, it still did very well. And Bob already has his Vehicle Safety Cards for next year's show :o). Some folks are on the ball!
The biggest drawback of the Windham show was something over which they had no control - the layout of the school grounds. The property is such that vehicles had to be separated by vast expanses, making it difficult to mull around and see everyone. And it was nearly 1/4 mile to the concession stand.
Other than that, there was one really noticeable problem - and it was a biggie. Anyone who was there can likely guess, because it was obvious and blatant - class jumping and abuse of certain classes. For example, there were two corvette classes, so all corvettes SHOULD have been in one or the other. But one decided to enter into the 80's class because there was a better chance of winning - and he did. That was completely unfair to the others in the 80's.
But the extreme abuse and disrespect of class occurred, of course, in Special Interest. If you were not there (or were there and did not notice), here is a sample what was found in Special Interest. As you can see by the pix, there was a stock, nearly off the showroom floor Caddy; a stock nearly off the showroom floor Grand Cherokee; a stock nearly off the showroom floor GMC Jimmy SUV; a Cobra kit car (there was a class for Sport Compacts); a stock, unrestored 1967 Ford pickup truck (there was a class for 2WD trucks); a rather stock Firebird (there was a class for GM Muscle); a car whose lineage was not readily known, and our own PT Woody SurfWagon. The last two were the only ones that belonged in SI.
Such disrespect and abuse of any class is untenable. Both the people who wrongfully entered the class AND the show organizers are at fault, and both should be thoroughly ashamed. If a show does not have a class for you, don't go. Do NOT put your car in a class in which it does not belong just so you can be there - it is incredibly rude, dishonest and unfair to the people who do belong in that class. And if the show has gone to the trouble of having a class specifically for you (like Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopar, Muscles etc.), then that is the class you should be in.
I will tell you this: if I were to register my PT Woody into your class, you would be pissed - and rightfully so. And if I took votes away from you, you would be livid, and would likely complain loudly to anyone who would listen. And you would be absolutely right!
All we ask is that everyone give us the same respect and consideration that y'all would want us to give to you if the tables were turned.
Slowly but surely, class jumpers and poachers are beginning to pay the price for their dishonesty. People are not voting for them as often. The folks are becoming aware. To the jumpers I would say, "You have been warned." If you choose to cheat, you will likely lose. Most folks want honest shows, and they are beginning to look for the cheats now that the problem has been brought into the light.
That said, the Windham show was a very fine show. I did notice that many of the judges were not particularly qualified, and some even looked lost. One was observed walking past 25 vehicles in 28 seconds. That judge did return later, but spent minimal time looking over only 1/2 the vehicles.
I fully recgnize that qualified judges are difficult to come by, so we do need to accept such problems in a judged show. But that is a shame - organizers really need to start training their judges better. If not, perhaps they should consider another form of judging.
I know this does not sound very good for the Windham show, but that really is not the case. They did put on a very good show. Pretty well organized, they were ready for us when we arrived. Food was good. Music was OK (not my type). Award ceremony was well-done and moved along rapidly. Yes, there were problems, but some were not within their control, and the others were, if nothing else, expected. Perhaps their 16th show next year will include improvements in the enforcement of classes, and the training of judges.
Thank you, Windham Boosters, for one of the better shows of the 2008 season.
"HI BILL; Mt. Washington Valley Old Car Club show had great weather we also had 227 cars and 631 Paid spectators. The (vehicle safety) cards worked great - some of the spectators said thanks when we handed them to them. Hope to see everyone again next year.
Thanks Bob"
Sounds like a fine crowd. And while it did not look like Windham had such a big draw, it still did very well. And Bob already has his Vehicle Safety Cards for next year's show :o). Some folks are on the ball!
The biggest drawback of the Windham show was something over which they had no control - the layout of the school grounds. The property is such that vehicles had to be separated by vast expanses, making it difficult to mull around and see everyone. And it was nearly 1/4 mile to the concession stand.
Other than that, there was one really noticeable problem - and it was a biggie. Anyone who was there can likely guess, because it was obvious and blatant - class jumping and abuse of certain classes. For example, there were two corvette classes, so all corvettes SHOULD have been in one or the other. But one decided to enter into the 80's class because there was a better chance of winning - and he did. That was completely unfair to the others in the 80's.
But the extreme abuse and disrespect of class occurred, of course, in Special Interest. If you were not there (or were there and did not notice), here is a sample what was found in Special Interest. As you can see by the pix, there was a stock, nearly off the showroom floor Caddy; a stock nearly off the showroom floor Grand Cherokee; a stock nearly off the showroom floor GMC Jimmy SUV; a Cobra kit car (there was a class for Sport Compacts); a stock, unrestored 1967 Ford pickup truck (there was a class for 2WD trucks); a rather stock Firebird (there was a class for GM Muscle); a car whose lineage was not readily known, and our own PT Woody SurfWagon. The last two were the only ones that belonged in SI.
Such disrespect and abuse of any class is untenable. Both the people who wrongfully entered the class AND the show organizers are at fault, and both should be thoroughly ashamed. If a show does not have a class for you, don't go. Do NOT put your car in a class in which it does not belong just so you can be there - it is incredibly rude, dishonest and unfair to the people who do belong in that class. And if the show has gone to the trouble of having a class specifically for you (like Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopar, Muscles etc.), then that is the class you should be in.
I will tell you this: if I were to register my PT Woody into your class, you would be pissed - and rightfully so. And if I took votes away from you, you would be livid, and would likely complain loudly to anyone who would listen. And you would be absolutely right!
All we ask is that everyone give us the same respect and consideration that y'all would want us to give to you if the tables were turned.
Slowly but surely, class jumpers and poachers are beginning to pay the price for their dishonesty. People are not voting for them as often. The folks are becoming aware. To the jumpers I would say, "You have been warned." If you choose to cheat, you will likely lose. Most folks want honest shows, and they are beginning to look for the cheats now that the problem has been brought into the light.
That said, the Windham show was a very fine show. I did notice that many of the judges were not particularly qualified, and some even looked lost. One was observed walking past 25 vehicles in 28 seconds. That judge did return later, but spent minimal time looking over only 1/2 the vehicles.
I fully recgnize that qualified judges are difficult to come by, so we do need to accept such problems in a judged show. But that is a shame - organizers really need to start training their judges better. If not, perhaps they should consider another form of judging.
I know this does not sound very good for the Windham show, but that really is not the case. They did put on a very good show. Pretty well organized, they were ready for us when we arrived. Food was good. Music was OK (not my type). Award ceremony was well-done and moved along rapidly. Yes, there were problems, but some were not within their control, and the others were, if nothing else, expected. Perhaps their 16th show next year will include improvements in the enforcement of classes, and the training of judges.
Thank you, Windham Boosters, for one of the better shows of the 2008 season.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
The Board
Well, surprisingly, the new surfboard seems to be coming along. I tried my hand at fiberglassing, and the bottom of the board looks pretty darn good, considering it is just the glassing coat. So far, I am pleased. That could change at any time - still a long way to go.
Hurricane Hanna kept us from the Concord (NH) Kiwanis show. That's a shame, because they put on a superior show. But tomorrow looks good for show-goers. We will be doing the Windham show because Settler's Green is not going to respect or enforce all the classes. Neither is Windham, but at least we do not have to travel as far to get treated that way :o) We are going more for the experience, since we have never done the Windham show.
Really looking forward to OOB next week - that is always a great time, especially Cruise Nite on the Boulevard. Don't see much for next Sunday, though.
Well, gotta hit the sack - it's late, and 6am comes fast.
Hurricane Hanna kept us from the Concord (NH) Kiwanis show. That's a shame, because they put on a superior show. But tomorrow looks good for show-goers. We will be doing the Windham show because Settler's Green is not going to respect or enforce all the classes. Neither is Windham, but at least we do not have to travel as far to get treated that way :o) We are going more for the experience, since we have never done the Windham show.
Really looking forward to OOB next week - that is always a great time, especially Cruise Nite on the Boulevard. Don't see much for next Sunday, though.
Well, gotta hit the sack - it's late, and 6am comes fast.
A Taxing Situation
I have had several people ask me to once again explain how taxing the rich, or businesses, results in taxing the poor. Others have flatly disagreed - they cannot see the larger picture. So, if you will bear with me for just a few minutes, perhaps I can clarify.
First, I can state emphatically that the rich do not pay any taxes - not ever. And the poor pay all the taxes - always. And that is precisely how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Now for proof of the pudding.
Let us say Joe is poor, and Mark is rich. Joe eats a lot of Ramen soup because it's cheap. Mark's company makes the Ramen soup. Joe works for Mark.
The government increases Mark's taxes. They also increase the taxes on capital gains. This pleases Joe.
Since Mark's taxes have increased, and he is not in business to lose money, he must now raise the cost of the Ramen that Joe buys. Suddenly, Joe is not so pleased.
Mark also reduces company benefits, and lays Joe off because the increase on capital gains has forced investors to stop investing in his company. Needless to say, Joe is REALLY unhappy now - and poorer than ever.
But it is much worse than that - increased taxes on EVERY business and rich person has resulted in the prices of all products and services to increase. Joe is now paying more for gas, his lawn mower, milk, pizza, movies, tires, car - everything he buys is now more expensive, because businesses always pass off any increase in costs - including taxes - onto the customers and employees. They have to.
The only people who cannot pass these added costs onto others are the poor - there is no one below them to pass them to.
This is how capitalism works. Every time.
Increasing taxes - regardless of who you tax - always harms the economy, increases unemployment, decreases investments that make the economy grow, and makes the poor even poorer.
Even you, the working stiff, pass on your taxes to people below you. Yes, you do. In order to pay taxes, you must earn more money than if you did not have any taxes to pay. Your paycheck reflects that. As businesses increase prices because of higher taxes, those higher prices mean YOU pay higher sales taxes (when the price goes up on an item, so does the amount of tax - you pay 5 cents on a one dollar item, and 6 cents on that item when the price increases to $1.20). So, when you get hit with higher property taxes, higher sales taxes etc., you have to ask for a raise, or you fall into poverty. And where do you think your boss is going to get that money - he has no money tree. He will get it from his customers by way of higher prices (again), which results in even higher cost of goods, plus higher sales taxes on those higher prices. But you have effectively passed on your taxes to those below you. Your "cost of living raise" pays those extra taxes. And the money your boss needs for giving you that raise comes from the customers.
Every penny of tax is passed down to those below. And it stops with the poor, because they cannot pass it down - they are already at the bottom. Who would they pass those costs onto?
When businesses are taxed more, or capital gains taxes are increased, the business must do one of three things if they are to stay in business. They must either increase the costs of their products/services, OR they must reduce company benefits and/or lay people off, OR a combination of the two. Regardless which they choose, it will result in a sagging economy, higher unemployment, fewer people insured (lost benefits), and the poor getting poorer.
There can be no other result.
Of course, you could say that the rich guy could just pay the taxes out of his own pocket and not raise prices, but that is unrealistic - no one, not even the poor, would pay out of their own pocket if they can pay from someone else's pocket. And that rich guy does not want to become one of the poor.
The next time any politician says he will raise taxes on the rich and lower them on the poor and middle class, you should now understand that he is lying, and intends to do great harm - either out of his own ignorance, or with intent (to create a socialist state). In either case, we really should not be voting for him - if he is that ignorant, he cannot represent us, and if it is intentional, then he won't represent us. And given the opportunity, he will do untold harm to us all.
Let's not give those guys the opportunity. If they are for taxing anyone more - regardless of who they want to tax - give them the ol' heave-ho!
First, I can state emphatically that the rich do not pay any taxes - not ever. And the poor pay all the taxes - always. And that is precisely how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Now for proof of the pudding.
Let us say Joe is poor, and Mark is rich. Joe eats a lot of Ramen soup because it's cheap. Mark's company makes the Ramen soup. Joe works for Mark.
The government increases Mark's taxes. They also increase the taxes on capital gains. This pleases Joe.
Since Mark's taxes have increased, and he is not in business to lose money, he must now raise the cost of the Ramen that Joe buys. Suddenly, Joe is not so pleased.
Mark also reduces company benefits, and lays Joe off because the increase on capital gains has forced investors to stop investing in his company. Needless to say, Joe is REALLY unhappy now - and poorer than ever.
But it is much worse than that - increased taxes on EVERY business and rich person has resulted in the prices of all products and services to increase. Joe is now paying more for gas, his lawn mower, milk, pizza, movies, tires, car - everything he buys is now more expensive, because businesses always pass off any increase in costs - including taxes - onto the customers and employees. They have to.
The only people who cannot pass these added costs onto others are the poor - there is no one below them to pass them to.
This is how capitalism works. Every time.
Increasing taxes - regardless of who you tax - always harms the economy, increases unemployment, decreases investments that make the economy grow, and makes the poor even poorer.
Even you, the working stiff, pass on your taxes to people below you. Yes, you do. In order to pay taxes, you must earn more money than if you did not have any taxes to pay. Your paycheck reflects that. As businesses increase prices because of higher taxes, those higher prices mean YOU pay higher sales taxes (when the price goes up on an item, so does the amount of tax - you pay 5 cents on a one dollar item, and 6 cents on that item when the price increases to $1.20). So, when you get hit with higher property taxes, higher sales taxes etc., you have to ask for a raise, or you fall into poverty. And where do you think your boss is going to get that money - he has no money tree. He will get it from his customers by way of higher prices (again), which results in even higher cost of goods, plus higher sales taxes on those higher prices. But you have effectively passed on your taxes to those below you. Your "cost of living raise" pays those extra taxes. And the money your boss needs for giving you that raise comes from the customers.
Every penny of tax is passed down to those below. And it stops with the poor, because they cannot pass it down - they are already at the bottom. Who would they pass those costs onto?
When businesses are taxed more, or capital gains taxes are increased, the business must do one of three things if they are to stay in business. They must either increase the costs of their products/services, OR they must reduce company benefits and/or lay people off, OR a combination of the two. Regardless which they choose, it will result in a sagging economy, higher unemployment, fewer people insured (lost benefits), and the poor getting poorer.
There can be no other result.
Of course, you could say that the rich guy could just pay the taxes out of his own pocket and not raise prices, but that is unrealistic - no one, not even the poor, would pay out of their own pocket if they can pay from someone else's pocket. And that rich guy does not want to become one of the poor.
The next time any politician says he will raise taxes on the rich and lower them on the poor and middle class, you should now understand that he is lying, and intends to do great harm - either out of his own ignorance, or with intent (to create a socialist state). In either case, we really should not be voting for him - if he is that ignorant, he cannot represent us, and if it is intentional, then he won't represent us. And given the opportunity, he will do untold harm to us all.
Let's not give those guys the opportunity. If they are for taxing anyone more - regardless of who they want to tax - give them the ol' heave-ho!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Fosters Daily Democrat Show (Dover NH)
Many of you attended the Foster's show in Dover NH last year, as did we. A really good show. Unfortunately, the folks that sponsored the show last year bought a new business and there will be no show this year.
In speaking with the folks at Fosters Daily Democrat, I have been assured they will resume the show next year.
Meanwhile, if the weather holds, Saturday we have the Vineyard Church show in Lewiston ME and the Kiwanis show in Concord NH, and on Sunday there is Settler's Green in North Conway NH and the Windham Boosters show in Windham ME. Enough to keep us hoppin'.
We were able to bring quite a few new readers from New Hampshire to HotKarz, from our visit to the Moose Festival in Pittsburg/Colebrook/Canaan. To those wonderful folks I would ask that you, too, participate in HotKarz. We do not receive as much info on NH events, shows and cruises because of the distance. But with your help, HotKarz can be every bit as helpful and fun for you as it has been for those of us in Maine and southern NH.
If you know of shows, cruises or events in NH that are not yet posted, please let us know. If you have news you would like to share, email me your story and I will post it. Selling a car, or parts? Post them free in our classifieds. Would you like your opinion heard on a show you have attended? Send it in and it will be posted. Just email me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com
Perhaps next year we can expand our coverage throughout MA and VT, if we can get those good folks to participate. We'll see. But for now, we are hungry for NH news, so please get in touch.
Join us, and reap the benefits.
Later!
In speaking with the folks at Fosters Daily Democrat, I have been assured they will resume the show next year.
Meanwhile, if the weather holds, Saturday we have the Vineyard Church show in Lewiston ME and the Kiwanis show in Concord NH, and on Sunday there is Settler's Green in North Conway NH and the Windham Boosters show in Windham ME. Enough to keep us hoppin'.
We were able to bring quite a few new readers from New Hampshire to HotKarz, from our visit to the Moose Festival in Pittsburg/Colebrook/Canaan. To those wonderful folks I would ask that you, too, participate in HotKarz. We do not receive as much info on NH events, shows and cruises because of the distance. But with your help, HotKarz can be every bit as helpful and fun for you as it has been for those of us in Maine and southern NH.
If you know of shows, cruises or events in NH that are not yet posted, please let us know. If you have news you would like to share, email me your story and I will post it. Selling a car, or parts? Post them free in our classifieds. Would you like your opinion heard on a show you have attended? Send it in and it will be posted. Just email me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com
Perhaps next year we can expand our coverage throughout MA and VT, if we can get those good folks to participate. We'll see. But for now, we are hungry for NH news, so please get in touch.
Join us, and reap the benefits.
Later!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thank You!
In yesterday's post, I humbly asked our readers to send their prayers to other good friends of ours, David & Rachel. I am very happy and proud to say that you fine folks are coming through in the clinch. David reports he has received several emails from you folks, and coming from "strangers", it has given Rachel a real lift. As you may know, a person's attitude and "spirits" have a lot to do with healing, and your emails are helping big time. For that, dear friends, we thank you.
If you have not sent your prayers, but would like to do so, you may simply send an email with "You are in our prayers", or something similar, and send it to davidamcclane@yahoo.com. It's like receiving "Get Well" cards - every one helps the spirit, and if you have ever known anyone facing cancer, you know the importance of helping to lift the spirits.
Again, we thank you. We just knew you folks were special! And you are proving it, where it counts.
Bill
If you have not sent your prayers, but would like to do so, you may simply send an email with "You are in our prayers", or something similar, and send it to davidamcclane@yahoo.com. It's like receiving "Get Well" cards - every one helps the spirit, and if you have ever known anyone facing cancer, you know the importance of helping to lift the spirits.
Again, we thank you. We just knew you folks were special! And you are proving it, where it counts.
Bill
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Of Humor, Wolves & Caring
It seems some good folks take me too seriously, which is almost always a mistake :o) In an earlier post I mentioned, in jest, that HotKarz is in the hole. At the cruise this evening, two wonderful people tried donating funds. Of course, I had to graciously refuse.
While it is true that HotKarz loses money like a washing machine loses socks, there is no cause for concern. The Good Lord blesses us in many ways, and more than we have any right to expect. The only wolves at my door are the ones chasing my 17 year old daughter, and she handles them very well.
So, though I do thank those folks from the bottom of my spleen (my heart is taken), please worry not. And may the Good Lord bless you at least as well as He blesses us.
And speaking of blessings, I have a great favor to ask of you all. As you may know, we stayed with wonderful friends in Pittsburg for the Moose Festival - David & Rachel McClane. They are among the best people we have ever known - kind, generous, thoughtful and always ready to smile or laugh. But they are not laughing tonight. When we got home, we had a message from David that really shook our world. It seems that Rachel's doctor has found what appears to be a malignant tumor.
We are asking for your prayers for both David & Rachel. And we hope that you will help provide strength by letting them know they are in your prayers by sending them a brief email with your wishes. Knowing David & Rachel as I do, seeing such support will give them the strength they will need over the coming months.
If you would like to send your wishes, simply email them at davidamcclane@yahoo.com and tell them you are friends of "BJ" (that's me). And may God bless you for caring.
Thanx!
Bill
While it is true that HotKarz loses money like a washing machine loses socks, there is no cause for concern. The Good Lord blesses us in many ways, and more than we have any right to expect. The only wolves at my door are the ones chasing my 17 year old daughter, and she handles them very well.
So, though I do thank those folks from the bottom of my spleen (my heart is taken), please worry not. And may the Good Lord bless you at least as well as He blesses us.
And speaking of blessings, I have a great favor to ask of you all. As you may know, we stayed with wonderful friends in Pittsburg for the Moose Festival - David & Rachel McClane. They are among the best people we have ever known - kind, generous, thoughtful and always ready to smile or laugh. But they are not laughing tonight. When we got home, we had a message from David that really shook our world. It seems that Rachel's doctor has found what appears to be a malignant tumor.
We are asking for your prayers for both David & Rachel. And we hope that you will help provide strength by letting them know they are in your prayers by sending them a brief email with your wishes. Knowing David & Rachel as I do, seeing such support will give them the strength they will need over the coming months.
If you would like to send your wishes, simply email them at davidamcclane@yahoo.com and tell them you are friends of "BJ" (that's me). And may God bless you for caring.
Thanx!
Bill
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