ATTENDING:  Rod & Rose Fleming; Kevin Gayken; Bill & Sparrow Daenitz; Paul & Sharie Barban; Chris Browne; Thomas “Doc” Cassidy; Kent Saxton; Bill Edwards; Carole Helstrom; Scott Helstrom; John Q. Lawrence; Melinda Mitchell; Leon Smeiska & Cristina Silva; Greg & Seanna Huber; Jeremiah Culp; Russ Greene (New Member).
 
Special Guest Speaker, Jack Brandais opened the meeting with an introduction to some of the scenic highways and by-ways available in San Diego and outlying areas. In addition to writing a column for the Union Tribune, he has authored a book titled, The Weekend Driver, which outlines 13 coded routes that are accessible on a weekend by a variety of vehicles, from the monstrous RV’s to the smallest trail bikes Mr. Brandais also showed us a tape highlighting 5 of his (and our) favorite routes, along with a few surprising historical notes that even Doc didn’t know about. For further information, you can visit www.weekenddriver.com or even better, buy his book. Thanks go to Mr. Brandais for his informative and entertaining presentation, and our apologies for kindly asking him NOT to publicize these roads too much.
 
Greg Huber called the meeting to order at 10:45
 
MINUTES:  Scott moved that the Minutes be approved as posted to the web site; John Q. seconded.  Minutes approved.
 
TREASURER’S REPORT:  We currently have $799.92 in our treasury.  Carole motioned that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as read; Doc seconded, and the report was approved.
 
OLD BUSINESS:  Members were reminded that Christmas in July will be here sooner than they think.  Thus far, plans have not been fully formulated, but Steve Mitchell is the guy to talk to. Contact him at steveogolf@cox.net to volunteer your ideas and services.
 
NEW BUSINESS:  this October, Rose and Seanna will be doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (That’s 20 miles a day for 3 days! For information about this event, please go to www.the3day.org) They must each come up with $2100 in donations by the middle of September, so Carole and Sparrow will be coordinating fund-raisers. Please note that while this isn’t a formal Club Project, donations will be gratefully accepted. Rose challenged each club member to donate $1.00 per mile.  For more information, please contact Rose at venture-rose@cox.net or Seanna at seanna@thehubers.net.
 
SAFETY FIRST:  Carole & Kent presented a reading titled The Man In The Maze (which I am reprinting in it’s entirety):
 
KENT:                        Last spring, Carole and I took a trip through a part of the Southwest including the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We traveled south through Sedona and Jerome and explored around Casa Grande, AZ.
CAROLE:       Many times during those days we encountered ‘The Man In The Maze.’ To some, this represents a person’s choices in life. As one lives their life they encounter cross-roads and branches in a path, and they will have to make choices. Whether one’s life is simple or complex, and regardless of one’s knowledge, skill or experience, the need to make decisions will always exist.
 
KENT:                        We would like to share with your our observation that the journey made by this association of riders known as the San Diego Wanderers, the details of a particular ride, and decisions of each individual rider in the group is like finding one’s way through a maze.
            (At this point they held up a picture of a woven amulet with a circular maze printed on it, and a tiny man at the top.)
KENT:                        What does it mean?
 
Carole:             A maze has dead ends, passages that go nowhere. There is at least one way through. That is what this represents—life—there are no shortcuts and the full path must be walked. The dead ends represent how often we become stuck. It is an amulet of action, for without action, there is no progress either forward or back.
 
KENT:                        So we each choose our own path.
 
CAROLE:       No, we each make choices. Our choices define the path.
 
KENT:                        We can now understand how this relates to the notion that rider safety is an attitude. We demonstrate our respect for others, by improving and maintaining our own riding skills and striving to demonstrate practices that ensure our continued enjoyment of riding.
                                                THE END
 
Carole and Kent then presented a silver bolo tie with The Man In The Maze on it, in hopes that it will be passed on from president to president.
 
John Q. passed a handbook that he has put together, about accident scene management. It is also available on the web site under “Meetings”---Handouts.  Good job, John Q.
 
THIS AND THAT:  Chris Browne is back stateside for a few months.  He is happy to report that the Wanderers’ emblem is happily recognized in Kenya, Africa.
 
Greg brought up the subject of FRS radios, and offered to check into a discount for a group purchase.
 
After much ado over the most recent tragedy involving a motorcycle and a ladder in the road, it was suggested that rather than try for new laws and legislation as individuals, perhaps it would be more effective to support existing groups, such as AMA, ABATE, etc.
Bill Edwards announced the formation of the Willow Springs Streetmasters Cornering School---a track school designed for cruisers and touring bikes. It was written up in this month’s Friction Zone.  Bill will post the details.
 
NEW RIDES:
 
            Salton Sea Ride                      Kent Saxton                            Feb 5
            Temecula                                 Jeremiah Culp                         Feb 12
            Borrego Desert Flowers          (replaces Joshua Tree)             March
            Sunrise Ride*                          John Q.                                    April 9
       (*Sunrise at 6:30---above ride leaves Grossmont Center 5:00 AM Sharp!)
            Dam Ride                                                                                April (DTBA)
            Tom’s Farm                             Gery Marcelino                       DTBA
            Idyllwild                                 Bill Daenitz                             May (DTBA)
 
Doc announced a Ride Captain’s Certification Program in the works. Doc, John Q., Kent and Leon have been putting their heads together, and the program should be posted within the next couple of months.
 
Sparrow moved that the meeting be adjourned; Scott seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 11:25.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Rose Fleming Secretary