President's Message

From the Interim Co-Editor(s)

The following members have submitted their biographies as candidates for the 2014 officer election. All four of the members whose bios follow are incumbent and are seeking re-election. This is not the final slate of candidates as you may still "throw your hat in the ring" or nominate others.  

These four, and all other candidates, will be introduced at the Annual Meeting on October 20, 2013 (see flyer below). The election will take place in November. 

Candidate(s) for President: 

Those of you who have been members for a few years will know that I got my start on the Board by being appointed to the VP position.That was back in the Spring of 2010.

My VP duties consisted mainly of being responsible for the Redwood calendar, for entering Redwood events on the National calendar, and for keeping RSVP lists for events. I held the position for almost two years, at which time I ran for and was elected President.

If you have attended a Redwood event over these years you and I have most likely had a conversation.I believe it is the duty of the region President to welcome and speak with each and every person in attendance. Furthermore, the President should be at most if not all region activities. I will leave you to judge, but I think I have done extremely well at this.

I have greatly enjoyed my two years as President, and if you have enjoyed the many and varied runs, parties, tastings, autocrosses and other activities the Redwood Region has and continues to put on, please give me your vote for President once again for 2014.

Candidate(s) for Vice President:  

Mike Hinton  

My first year as Redwood Region Vice-President has flown by!  After a rough start due to a computer meltdown in February, things seemed to have settled down.I've truly enjoyed attending most of the many events sponsored by the Region, which has enabled me to meet more PCA members, both within our region, and our Zone. It's a delight to share the "Porsche Passion" with fellow enthusiasts! 

I hope to be able to continue to assist our President, Vern Rogers, and the rest of our Board, to make our club accessible and enjoyable for all of our members.I would be honored to serve as Vice-President for 2014.

Candidate(s) for Secretary:   

Craig Steele  

I am running for re-election for the office of Secretary. I have enjoyed working with the existing Executive Council and wish to run for a second term. I have a long history of serving in volunteer leadership positions from my College Fraternity, to IFMA (International Facility Management Association) to Leadership Santa Rosa, Cultural Arts Council to United Centers for Spiritual Living. I believe I can continue to add value to the club team leaders and assist in sustaining the high standard of offering outstanding activities for our Porsche owners and associates.

My wife, Sandy has made a special space for our PCA activities and the friends we have made in the club. I have a son, Sean who is all things Porsche and BMW in San Diego. He owns Autobahn Auto Dismantlers and sold me my 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Cab in December 2009. My wife, Sandy, and I love our red Porsche. We have participated in every aspect of Redwood region activities from autocrosses, to tech sessions, to brunch runs, to car shows, to winery tours, to holiday parties, to special club events.

I am a fifth generation Californian, born in San Rafael. I also have a daughter; Shannon and her husband live in Parker, CO with my two granddaughters (six and two years old). Also my son just had his first child, Sophia, in September 2012. My hobbies include: photography, traveling, shooting and genealogy.

Currently, Sandy and I are re-modeling our home. We have converted 2200 SF of 1960-ish space into a brand new artisan living space with red oak floors, cherry cabinet and oil rub bronze finishes. Open house TBA

Candidate(s) for Treasurer:   

Jerry Gladstone

For most of my adult life I have been a Porsche enthusiast and owner as well as a member of PCA. I joined Redwood Region in 1996 and have served as Secretary for 6 years and Treasurer for 3 years. My current Porsche, my fifth, is an arctic silver 993 Carrera coupe. I very much enjoy my Porsche, the Club and the people with my favorite events being driving tours, tech sessions, going to the races, car corrals, concours and social events. For 2013 I have also been co-editor, with Barbara McCrory, of Redwood's newsletter -- der Riesenbaum. I would enjoy continuing to serve as Treasurer for 2014.

Photographer John Jackson and your editor interviewed Concours entrant Barbara McCrory at the recent Redwood Region Zone 7 Concours at Ledson Winery. Barbara is well known for her short, concise answers and she was true to form on that day. Barbara was showing her 1987 944.

Deven Congratulating Barbara & Steve McCrory on their Win                                                           photo by Jerry Gladstone

(Ed.) How long have you been a member of PCA?

(B)    35 years.

(Ed.) How long have you owned the 944?

(B)    2 years.

(Ed.) How did you come to show the 944 in Concours?

(B)    The car was too pretty to drive, so we show it.

(Ed.) Why do you participate in Concours?

(B)    My husband makes me do it.

(Ed.) What are you looking forward to?

(B)    The next concours -- the last of the season.

(Ed.) What is your dream drive?

(B)    Driving home.

(Ed.) Anything else you want to add?

(B)    I have a cramp from cleaning around the gas pedal.

(Ed.) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Concours.

 

"Don't Touch this Car!"                                                              photo by John Jackson

Barbara, Vern Rogers and her 944                                                               photo by John Jackson

Kurt's Korner: Maple Creek Winery Tour -- September 21, 2013 

by Kurt Fischer, Past President, Redwood Region

I was watching the weather all week fearing that our jaunt to Maple Creek Winery was going to be rained out. We gathered in the parking lot of Kaffe Mocha under the trees avoiding the light rain. Of all days and in the middle of our normally great month of September....arrrrgghh!

Meeting At Kaffe Mocha: A Llight Rain Before the Run

At departure time we had 21 cars and 37 people; light rain was still falling. I had planned a great back roads run of 57 miles. As we started into the first section we saw blue sky and billowing clouds -- will the day be saved?

Ron Breeze was our volunteer chef de BBQ. He arrived early at Maple Creek to prepare the chicken breasts for one of our great potluck lunches. Food was stowed in each car and all participants were hungrily thinking of the great Maple Creek wines paired with always great food from Redwood Region members.

Festive Outdoor Wine Tasting and Lunch

On our way to the winery we picked up another Porsche that followed us up Highway 128. After seeing a long line of Porsches and wondering where they were going, Denny Chu and his lovely wife, from the Diablo Region, in his Turbo S joined us for a pleasant lunch stop on their way to Mendocino -- a very nice couple.

As I predicted, and boy was I lucky, the sun was out in full force as we drove up the long Maple Creek driveway and parked along side a festive setting of tables and an outdoor tasting bar. Our hosts, winemaker Tom Rodriques, and staff of Cyndee Hollinger and Saffron were ready, willing and able to serve.

First we sampled their Chardonnay, followed by Cowboy Red, then a great Zinfandel, and their Pinot Noir which has made Maple Creek a winery recognized with multiple awards. Check out their website.

Nestled in the Woods: Maple Creek Winery

http://www.maplecreekwine.com/WineFrame.html

Our chef, Ron Breeze made the call, the chicken was ready and the line up at the food table began. I sneaked into the tasting room and bought a bottle of Zinfandel for the table...then the fun began.

After lunch the action centered on the tasting room with lots of purchasing happening. Happy people and great wines. What could be wrong with that?

As we packed up a brief rain shower started -- damn, but we did dodge the rain bullet at lunchtime. All was well as we headed back to our respective homes.

Many thanks to the entire Maple Creek staff for being so hospitable and giving. We will be back in 2014!  Another great day for the Redwood Region (aka Redwine Region).

Click here for more photos from the Maple Creek Winery Tour. 

Story & Photos by Simone Kopitzki, Redwood Region Sponsorship Director 

As many of you know I'm from Germany which may be one reason that I was asked if I could write an article about Oktoberfest. Some members even suggested that I should write this article in German so non-German speakers could have fun while trying to translate! I'm sure some people know how funny the translations can be when you use a machine to translate. Instead I'll write this article in English and be glad an editor will review it. (Ed: with pleasure! :)

Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

First let me tell you what Oktoberfest is and why it is celebrated in September and not during October.

The first Oktoberfest was celebrated on October 17th, 1810, in Munich. Porsche cars, nor any other cars, did not yet exist at that time! The United States was still in its infancy. For instance, only nine years later Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. and it became a territory in 1822. 

Oktoberfest was originally the celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig (who went on to become King Ludwig I and who built the famous Castle Neuschwanstein -- the inspiration for the castle in Disney's Cinderella) and Princess Therese. Horse races in the presence of the royal family marked the close of the event that was celebrated as a festival for the whole of Bavaria in southern Germany.

Because Ludwig was a big fan of ancient Greek culture, he proposed that this event be similar to the original Olympic Games. The people liked the idea, so in the beginning years Oktoberfest included sporting events. Some considered the event as the model for today's Olympics. The first carousel was built for the event in 1818. The first beer was served in 1880. At the end of the 19th century, Oktoberfest had evolved into being a festival for the grown-ups.

The celebration was moved to September to take advantage of better weather, and the length of the event was extended. With many carousels, try-your-luck stalls, traditional Bavarian music and other types of entertainment; the festival was growing bigger and bigger.

Tragedy occurred during the 1980 event because of a terrorist attack. Many people died or were injured. This attack was one of the worst terrorist attacks in Germany. But not even this could stop the Germans from celebrating this event.

During the 200 year history of the festival it was cancelled 24 times because of wars and other political conflicts. Today it is the world's largest Folk Festival. More than six million people attend each year and the festival is exported to many continents and countries, such as Japan, Australia and of course, the U.S.

The Oktoberfest that we celebrate with our Porsche club is hosted by members Martina and Holger Seibert along with their partner Michael Miethe. They are the owners of the Pure Grain Bakery in Vacaville.

The Drive to Oktoberfest - Vacaville

Redwood Region has been celebrating Oktoberfest since 2011 at the event in Vacaville. This year, 37 members in 21 cars attended and joined the ride/drive through the canyons around Lake Berryessa on a beautiful warm Autumn day. Some members, including our President Vern and me, showed up in traditional Bavarian outfits. Kurt, our fearless leader, led us on an enjoyable 77 mile route; fun for both drivers and navigators.

After arriving in Vacaville at the festival, Holger set up a special table in the shade for us to enjoy. We feasted on traditional German foods such Currywurst, Brats, Sauerkraut and potato salad. The German Beer "Spaten" was chilled and refreshing, especially as the temperature climbed into the 90's!

Redwood's Reserved Table

Our Hosts: Maria and Holger Siebert, Michael Miethe

Thorsten and I felt like we were back in Germany when we watched traditional dance groups and listened to the German music band. We were further delighted by the appearance of special desserts including German cakes and pastries and of course, coffee. This was paradise for me and my husband!

Congratulations to Debi Jacobsen (from Diablo Region) who joined our tour, she won the Woman Beer Holding Stretch Contest - what an honor! Everybody seemed to have a wonderful time and I am already looking forward to the 2014 Oktoberfest!

Vern Rogers & Justin Raines Enjoying German Beer

Cris, Suzana, Martina & Wendy Having Fun

                                                                                                       Finally I would like to add, because this event is celebrated all over the world, many non-Germans think that Oktoberfest is a big tradition in every part of Germany. In fact, Oktoberfest is only celebrated in the Bavarian Region centered around Munich. I can assure you that in no other part of Germany will you see people wearing the "Dirndl" or "Lederhosen"!

Oh...and please have fun trying to come up with the actual meaning of the following German phrases:

Ein Bayer und ein Ami stehen vor dem Hofbräuhaus. Der Ami will ein Gespräch beginnen, holt seine Zigaretten heraus, hält sie dem Bayer hin und fragt: "Smoking?" Der Bayer lacht aus voller Brust. "Naaa, dös is a Trachtenanzug, ihr seits lustig ihr Amis."

(Google Translate may help. :)

Click for more of Simone's Oktoberfest photos. 

PCA Escape to L.A. October 24 - 27, 2013

Autocross Results

 Rik Larson  rik.larson@gmail.com  or Ray Fiore  rafiore@sonic.net

Redwood History

Membership Report

Membership Information

Der Riesenbaum is the official newsletter of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, encompassing Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. This publication is intended to inform Club members about Club activities and other related matters of interest. The opinions expressed in der Riesenbaum are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, its officers, or its members.

Letters to the editor, feedback, questions, and suggestions about der Riesenbaum and the Redwood Region in general are welcome. We also encourage members to submit photos and/or write-ups about Club events or related activities. Written contributions and photos are welcome and should be emailed to the editor. The submission deadline for publication in der Riesenbaum is the 15th day of the month preceding the month of publication. Material received after the deadline will be considered for publication the following month. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication.

All written content and images in this publication are protected by copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any original content herein provided credit is given to the author, to der Riesenbaum, and to the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region. 

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Thank you all for supporting your Club!

Barbara McCrory & Jerry Gladstone, der Riesenbaum Co-Editors   

Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region