Seventeen members had gathered for our November 8 General Meeting and “Pizza ‘n’ Video” night – and it almost turned into chaos. The problem was that the Auto Museum needed a new roof, and they started the work and closed the museum, without notifying some of the clubs, which meet there - including SDVSA.  Dave Hunt, whose newly acquired 240 was hit by a drunk driver while parked, even rented a car to bring an official Volvo video (which was well received at the West Coast Meet in Sacramento) to the meeting. But, due to the perseverance of Jeff Perry and Russ Orrell, we managed to find a room upstairs in the Balboa Club building. It didn’t have video playback equipment, but with all the delays and by the time we had finished the business meeting and putting the newsletter together, it was getting too late to peruse the videos tapes anyway. We appreciate your efforts, Dave, and we hope we can view that tape when we reschedule ”Pizza ’n’ Videos” for February’s General Meeting. However, we did enjoy the pizzas and sodas – and special beers, which Jeff had selected just for the occasion. John Håkanson won Bob Skoog’s 50/50 raffle (again?), but he was not in attendance, so the $22 goes back in the pot for you to have a chance to win - if you attend the general meetings, that is.

What a super great turnout we had for the official SDVSA and Southern California VSA 20^th Anniversary Celebration Lunch at Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano! We had five more participants than the thirty-seven who actually made reservations. Just our San Diego area caravan was ten cars long, and more members of the SDVSA showed up later. Over thirty classic Volvos of all descriptions were present in the Capistrano Depot parking lot, representing the SDVSA, the Southern California VSA, the Orange County VSA, and Volvos ‘R’ Us. After our bellies were full of excellent food and drink, Art Banks, who was the main organizer of this event, introduced Bud Hartwell and Bill Webb as the founders of the vicennial SDVSA and SCVSA, respectively. Russell Orrell, SDVSA Chapter Coordinator, was called upon to speak, and related some amusing anecdotes about how he became involved with our club.  Bill Webb also spoke, relating the history of the Southern California VSA, 

which later became, and currently is, the Western States VSA.  Some more classic Volvo cars trickled into the parking lot during most of the afternoon, and the tall Volvo tales flourished.  Too soon participants  who had traveled considerable  distances thought it prudent to leave for home, and by 4:30 p.m., the Volvo invasion of San Juan Capistrano itself was part of the annals of history.  Jeff Perry has provided some of his many pictures (see http://sdvsa.org/Pictures3.htm) from this fantastic event, starting on page 5. 

  Diane and Mark Jankowski were most gracious in hosting this year’s SDVSA Christmas Party, which took place on December 9 at their beautiful home! About forty members, relatives and friends came in a variety of Volvo chariots, -- most notable was the color selection of the twelve or so 1800s. We had a bounty of wonderful vittles and libations, and the camaraderie was thick enough to be carved along with the ham and turkey. We collected over forty stuffed animals for the inner city kids of SAY (Social Advocates for Youth), and the White Elephant gift exchange didn’t disappoint our members. Jeff Perry was selected as the most outstanding contributor to the SDVSA in 2000, and was presented with a beautiful certificate of appreciation created by Russ, and an HO scale 1800 slot car! We plan to have more memories of this excellent party in the next issue of 1800 NEWS.

A special note from Mark and Diane:

Mark and I want to thank everyone who attended the Christmas party at our home on December 9. Thanks to all for your contributions to the meal -- the side dishes and desserts were outstanding. And my thanks also to everyone helping in the cleanup. Hosting the Christmas party was a delightful experience.”