Good turnout for our first meeting of 2012!

On behalf of Dorcie, I collected dues for the season from Joel, Coll, Sheila, Rob, Rochelle, Orin, Bill, Judy — if I missed anyone, please let me know!

Orin revealed the Logo for Hamster Run VII and in true form he has captured the Vegas theme. The design will be posted on our Web site for viewing (click on the ‘Hamster Run’ tab above. —Ed.). We will do a pre-run of T-shirts in the Spring — this will be a HOT T-Shirt to have! An announcement will be sent out soon for pre-orders, stay tuned.

To fit the Vegas theme we are looking for ideas for games for the rally weekend, please forward yours to me so we can get the ball rolling. A Poker Run is already in the works.

We discussed having another winter scooter maintenance class taught by Jason; we will put together a modern Vespa 150cc+ class in February at Fullers’ Garage, date TBA. Jason has tires if you need some, and now’s the time for a tuneup!

Our next meeting will be February 25th.

Tom Smith – Founding member / secretary

Do you like pie? Quiche? Pizza? Do you like riding your scooter?

You’re in luck!

Pi(e) Run happens March 17, 2012, immediately following the Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Make a day of it… ride with the group in the parade, then head out for pie, and other things. Details can be found on the Pi(e) Run Facebook page. Invite your scooter-riding friends. Invite yourself! See you there.

Did you know there’s a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Bellingham? It’s true… and this year there are gonna be scooters in it!

Everyone who rides a scooter—vintage, modern, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, electric, whatever—is invited to be part of the group. Membership in a scooter club is NOT required… neither is insurance, and Washington State law specifically waives the requirement to wear a helmet in a parade. Wear your most festive green and come on down!

Stay tuned! Details about meetup times and locations will be posted here once we know them!

Bowling in the New Year!

Orin, Tom S, Todd F, and Dorcie met up at the Sehome Village Starbucks for the SOB ride of the New Year. The weather was a wonderful spring like day for the first day of the year!

Todd led the group on one of the club’s favorite routes up over Yew St. to North Shore to Agate Bay and Y Road.

The group stopped for a warm up (it is winter after all) at The Fork at Agate Bay, a great little bistro restaurant in the sticks.

The group of four then split into two groups as Todd and Dorcie headed home and Orin and Tom S headed to bowling in hopes of meeting up with other scooterists.

Tom S and Orin represented the SOBs at the bowling alley for two games, honing up on their skills for 2012.

Great day for a ride and a great afternoon for bowling.  Too bad there weren’t other scooterists there to partake.  Still lots of “new” in the new year for everyone to get out and ride!

Not visible in the photo: Sheila's antlers were wrapped in flashing lights

Once again, the crew gathered at Jana & Skyler’s for the annual Holiday Party. Thankfully, there were only about five Starbucks scooter mugs in the gift exchange. The club will be helping a needy family this holiday season, a collection among the attendees netting $160, which the club treasury will match. Have a happy holiday season, everyone!

A few hardy souls rode to the meeting!

GREAT TURNOUT!

In attendance; Orin, Jeff, Mary, Rudy, Craig, Tom, Dorcie, Todd, Bill, Judy, Sheila, Coll, Larry, Louise, Dan, Rob, Sandy, Fred, Brooksana and Jason.

We had THREE hard-core riders who showed up on scooters with the temp hovering around 40°F.

THE CLUB’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY will be held in two weeks, on Saturday, 12/3 @ 6PM – Jana and Skyler’s home again this year. Please bring a food item – hot or cold, not complicated, easy to nosh on. There will be an optional gift exchange which must be a scooter- and/or Italian-related item, NOT TO EXCEED 15.00 IN VALUE. The club will provide beer and wine.

JASON IS OPEN FOR SCOOTER REPAIR BUSINESS and you should contact him directly for an appointment, He will also have a selection of tires on hand.

Sandy suggested we should have a SCOOTER/PROJECT BIKE TO RAFFLE for HAMSTER RUN SEVEN.

Dorcie gave our FINANCIAL STATUS and we’re in good shape going into next season.

We discussed and decided NOT TO HAVE A CLUB MEETING IN DECEMBER, and will resume monthly meetings in January.

WINTER SCOOT REPAIR CLASSES were discussed and we will try to put together a couple after the holidays.

Respectfully submitted,
Tom Smith – SOB Secretary

Tood and Dorcie were in Seattle visiting their new grandchild. Congratulations!

Bonnie recently arrived from Ketchikan, Alaska and rides a Bajaj Chetak.

As the club has lost several members over the last year (Jen, Jeff &
Taira and Alison have moved away), the need to raise our profile and recruit new members was discussed briefly. Plans are being made to participate in the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day parade; printing a card of flyer for distribution to members to place on scooters or give to riders would be a possibility. Lots of scooters are running around Bellingham.

Jason has left Motorscooters NW in Tacoma and is now living in Bellingham; he has a day job at Avenue Bakery, and looks to formally launch his scooter maintenance/repair business in the spring. In the meantime he still works out of Todd’s garage. He’s open to the possibility of doing scooter maintenance classes as was done last year, but Tom organized those… he or the club would need to make those arrangements.

Attendance at Sunday bowling has fallen off lately; it was suggested Sunday might not be a good day for people. Lots of clubs have successful weekly social gatherings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so Orin will check with 20th Century regarding potential conflicts with league play. One is not required to bowl, and 20th Century serves beer and food.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Orin O’Neill
for Tom Smith
Club Secretary