It was dark, cold and clear at 6:00AM New Year's Eve Day.  The cars started rolling in to the pre-staging area early to take their places for the pre-parade run backwards through the streets of Phoenix.  There were some beautiful cars throughout the parking lot, and ours drew admiring looks from neighboring car enthusiasts.  Soon, the officials got us underway, and we slowly drove the parade route backwards, zigging and zagging along the way.  We waved to the crowd, cheerily calling Happy New Year, and listening to the revving engines of the Camaro's behind us.  People were lined up early saving places for friends yet to come and enjoying the cool car parade prior to the main event.  It was a beautiful day to drive top down on blocked off roads, and we had a great time showing off our cars.  Until the next time....Happy Trails...

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The new year is upon us and it is time to mellow out from the holidays with our Sky-Sol friends.  The first two events are coming up soon and we'd like for you to attend to them quickly so we can get a good count before the event date. 

January 1 (Sun): 2012 Hang Over Cure Ride and Brunch -It's going to be a nice warm sunny day for our fist drive of 2012.  We've decided to start with a brunch at Renegade Canteen , 9343 E. Shea Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85260.  Brunch will be at 11:00AM for those wishing 8 hours sleep after the New Years Eve celebrations.  Renegade will have live music, champagne, great food, and their popular Bloody Mary Bar! [MAP ]

When brunch is over we will cruise out Shea Blvd to the Beeline highway and head north towards Payson. We'll exit the 87 at Rte 188 for a pit stop at Jakes Corner.  Past Punkin Center we have a photo op and we'll line up the cars for a shot with the lake and mountains.

Route 188 will take us down to Claypool, between Globe and Miami before we take the 60 back towards the valley.

January 8 (Sun): Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for 11:00 AM at Chompies in Scottsdale.  They are located at 9301 E. Shea Blvd.  We will be having meat and cheese trays from which to make sandwiches along with dessert trays, so be sure to save room for dessert.  Lunch will be $12.00 per person.

Lunch will be followed by The Year in Review, Regular Business, and Induction of the New Members of the Board.  The Board members are looking forward to seeing you all at this event.If you are not yet (or still) a dues paying member and want to participate, it is not too late - even at the meeting.  Just RSVP and come with your checkbook...we would be happy to accommodate.  

January 15 (Sun):  East Enders "It's just coffee" will start the new year off at an old haunt...P. Croissant on the NW corner of Rural and Warner in Tempe.  Join the group from 9:00 to about 10:30 AM to partake of the establishments delicious pastries and coffee, visit with each other and admire our cars!  This is a perfect time for people who have been wondering what this club is all about to join us as East Enders is very laid back and casual. 

January 21 (Sat): Monthly Car Show. We are back to the Pavilions for the January Car Show.  Let's have a great turn out for our return.  Plan on being at the parking lot (just west of the 101 in Scottsdale on Indian Bend) by 4:00 PM.  There are no assigned places for clubs so you just have to look for the group.  If you RSVP, we will try to reserve enough spots for us to be together.  We will head out to dinner somewhere about 6:00 PM.  Don't forget to bring your chairs! 

January 24 (Tues): Dinner.  Want to try the latest in local pubs?  Join the group for dinner at Wally's American Pub 'n Grille in Arcadia on Tuesday, January 24th.  Our reservation is at 6:30 but their bar and happy hour can host those of us who can get there sooner.  Check out their reasonable priced and diverse menu.  Please RSVP by the 21st so that we can give them a good number - if there is a larger group, we will have a private dining room!  They will split checks by small groups so we won't have to fret over the bill at this cool place in the Biltmore area. 

Plan on Kappa Koffee showing up on the calendar soon. 

The club has been offered the opportunity for 6 cars to participate in the Pre Fiesta Bowl Parade on Saturday, December 31st. A Group of about 100 car enthusiasts will be meeting at 7 am to 9 AM at the Jack in the Box on 7th St & Indian School for Pre Staging. Event is limited to 100 cars of which only 6 can be ours.  The group will cruise the parade route prior to the Fiesta bowl parade.  Details to follow later this week.

The parade itself begins at 11:00, so we would assume that we will be done by then.  People start lining up for the parade in the early morning, so this should provide quite the large audience for us to show off our cars!  If you want to participate, RSVP and Joe will contact you to let you know if you were quick enough to snag one of the spots. 

The "elfing" started early in 2011, with contributions starting to arrive beginning in November.  We had 4 families this year with single mom's trying to make "a go of it" on limited income.  The outpouring from our small community was tremendous.  Members bought gifts, delivered gifts to the wrapping party and gave from the bottom of their hearts.  The families ranged in size from one child to four children with a diversity of ages.  We wrapped presents for an hour on Saturday December 17th, and met Gina who was the coordinator of our families this year.  She brought her children and husband to help out in any way they could.  There were stockings to fill, and the room was filled with laughter and joy as the merry elves wrapped the presents to give later in the evening. 

It's that time of year when we elect the dedicated, hardworking, talented and charming members of our Board. As always, you must be a paid member of the club to receive your e-mail asking you to vote. This year we are using surveymonkey as the ballotbin fails to load...(?)  Surveys should be in your e-mail today, Dec 6th.

We elect 4 new members, in even years, to a two year term.  The Board appoints the club officers, looks out for the best interests of the organization and finds new places to eat.  Our current board members, Phil and Debbie Denette, Rose Scott and Joe Schumann have finished their gruelling arduous and demanding two years.  A big Thanx for all their efforts.  The list of the 8 people running  for the board, with bio and pics, is available to registered members logged in to Phoenix Sky Sol website.  If you need your login info or password just email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Debbie).

The Annual Meeting will be held at Chompies on Jan 8th at 11:00AM for lunch and business.