Re: US AROC Chapters

[etsuter@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

On 09/30/98 at 04:55 PM,

   ERIC_LUTKIN@domain.elided said:

> Subject: US AROC chapters

> I've joined AROC and would like to affiliate with the chapter that
> has the best  newsletter.  Best to me would be a mix of technical
> articles and non-technical  articles.  I consider ARA's Overheard
> Cams to be a good newsletter (yes I'm an  ARA member). 

Eric,

If you live near an active chapter, affiliating with them should
probably be of equal priority to affiliating with the one that has the
"best" newsletter.  If you don't live near an AROC chapter, or if the
one you live near is not really active enough to make that a factor,
then I agree that the quality of the newsletter is probably the basis
on which you should make your choice.

Speaking as a very biased source (I have been the Editor for the last
couple of years), I think that Alfacionada - the monthly newsletter of
the Alfa Romeo Owners of Southern California - does not suffer when
compared with other newsletters, particularly using the criteria you
mentioned.  I attempt to maintain a reasonable balance of all types of
material whenever possible.  Since our typical issue is 20 to 24
pages, there is normally a variety of material in each issue, though
an individual issue may have an emphasis in one area or another from
time to time.

However, rather than going on the basis of my opinion and description,
I suggest that you drop me your postal address in an off-line note and
I'll pass it along to our membership chair to have her send you a few
copies of current issues of Alfacionada.  This is our normal policy
whenever we receive an enquiry from a potential member, so that people
can see not only what the newsletter looks like but also the number,
frequency, and type of activities which AROSC offers.

If you happen to be in Santa Clara - as implied by your e-mail address
- - there would be another advantage to affiliating with AROSC in
addition to the newsletter, if you are interested in driving events of
various types.

For the last 27 years AROSC has run what is probably the most active
marque track program in the country, with five (5) Time Trials and two
(2) Driving Schools each year, each of which is a two-day (Saturday
and Sunday) event.  Our most recent was a Time Trial at Laguna Seca
last weekend, and the next will be a Time Trial at Willow Springs on
October 31-November 1.  We've had people come to the Driving Schools
from as far away as Seattle and New Mexico, so we must be doing
something right in that area as well.

In addition, we are doing a Wine Tour up to Santa Maria on the weekend
of October 3-4 and would welcome you or anyone else interested in
joining us for what is essentially a social event.  I *think* that we
have filled the hotel in Santa Maria at which we are "officially"
staying, but there are a number of others in the area and you could
always do it as a one-day event if you prefer.  If you would like
additional details, call Paul and Mary Blankenship at (818) 883-0266
for the most current information.

If I've drawn an erroneous conclusion about your location from your
e-mail address, the above comments about AROSC activities may not be
relevant.  However, in any event be sure to drop me an e-mail message
with your postal address and I'll see that you get a chance to look
over Alfacionada.

Incidentally, the same offer applies to anyone else on the Digest who
might be interested.

With best wishes,
Tom
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etsuter@domain.elided
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