Street Master Alley

         A new Year has begun, and as in years past, the American Street Masters have started the year off in full stride.

          We began the month with 12 of us taking our Rides to the Winter Rod & Speed Car Show at the Linn County Fairgrounds. There were over one hundred entries that ran the full spectrum of vehicles. The Batmobile with Batman & Batgirl, and Toemater were there for all of the Kids, big and small. Plenty of venders, lots of dragsters, even a jet powered one. TV Tommy Ivo's 25 T Bucket was there as well as a couple of  Hot Rods from American Graffiti and a couple of Basketball Stars there to sign autographs. We all had a good time and the day went by fast with well over 3,000 people coming in to check it all out. It was a Great Fund raiser for the Children's Cancer Fund. My personal favorite car was a '50 Merc that was just "Right On" with steel wheels, white walls, louvered hood and beautiful reddish orange candy paint job.

          The following Sunday was the Mild to Wild Swap Meet. A lot of interesting stuff there but mostly for Dirt Track Racing. Frank, Bunny and I all walked around together to check out the stuff and ran into a lot of the Members there. Mike Vogler bought some coil over shocks for a chassis that John Dorsey is making, Roger Phillips  got some new chrome pieces for his'57 Chevy and I bought a 1939 Buick Roadster die cast. That is all I know of. Ron Shinn, Mike V., Frank, Bunny and I all went to Roger's Café for breakfast afterwards.

          That next Sunday was the Canby Swap Meets and as far as I know Rich Chrisman was the only one to go. I think all of the rain and flooding kind of put the dampers on most of us.

          This coming month looks to be another Fun Filled backed month with something going on almost every weekend.

          The first Saturday the 4th is the Peterson Salem Car Auction. This always kind of fun to do, in that it is a pretty good Car Show and it is fun to see how much people think that their cars are worth and what they actually sell for after watching the Rich & Famous spend Millions at the Barrett Jackson Auction in Scottsdale. Speaking of  the Barrett Jackson Auction, fellow Club member Dave Clouse sold his just finished Beautiful Ford Powered '55 Ford F100 there. It went across the stage on Sunday and sold for $55,000.00. It sure was pretty.

          On the 11th -12th there is both the Salem Invitational Roadster Show at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and the Corvette & High Performance Meet in Puyallup a the Fairgrounds. The Salem Roadster Show always brings in some Super Nice Hot Rods from all over the Northwest and Calif. to which many if not most we have not seen around here. And for those of you that like to travel or just really like Swap Meets, this one in Puyallup is one of the best.

          The most important thing going on in February is the 19th Annual American Street Masters Dinner on Saturday the 25th at the Eagles Lodge in Albany. You will have your choice between Prime Rib, 8 oz. Grilled Halibut, or Vegetarian Lasagna. All dinners include Green Salad & Fruit Salad, Vegetable, Potato, Roll, Coffee and Dessert, and will be served banquet style. Prime Rib or Halibut will be $17.00 and the Vegetarian Lasagna will be $14.00. You don't need to be an Eagles member to attend! Also there will be a non host bar and music to dance to after dinner. Please remember that these meals must  be pre paid. So if you have not already done so, please sign up soon. You can either do it at the meeting or send us a check, stating what you would like to have, to 6173 Piedmont Pl. SW, Albany, OR. 97321.  As in the past, we need to know how many of you are going to show up.

          The News about Jeannie Powell in her fight with cancer has been encouraging lately and they should be able to operate in March. On the other hand we have received some bad news about the health of Fellow Hot Rodder and long time friend to most of us, Harry Carter has passed away from Cancer today Jan 30. Our Prayers and Best Wishes are with them and their families.

          Today we received the Club Plaques, so those of you who have ordered them or wish to buy one, we will have them at the meeting. ($30.00 each)

          Please get hold of  us for the Club Dinner and we will see you at the meeting Feb. 7th at Pops' Branding Iron.

         Bill