American Reflections Car Club

12th Annual Open Car Show, May 20, 2012

2012-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

Some of the members of our club want to make this year one to remember. We are trying to create excitement and have fun all weekend long. The first Hot Rods and Harleys will be on Friday night, May 18th, two days prior to our open car show. Hot Rods and Harleys is a Friday night meet and show which takes place at the McDonalds drive-in on 40th Ave. and River Road here in Yakima from May thru September each year. The turn out is huge and it allows everyone a chance to unwind from the week and look at and talk "Cars". Usually we pass out flyers for our show and talk to people about coming to our event. This year however, we plan to have a Poker Cruise on Saturday and allow participants to register and get a sixth poker run card during this McDonalds event.

On the next day which is Saturday, May 19th, the club and participants will meet at the Bi-Mart Parking Lot at 10AM for the Poker Cruise. We will leave the parking lot and cruise to Naches and other points collecting cards along the way and finally end up at the Museum Soda Fountain on Tieton Drive, here in Yakima for the final stop. Depending on up-coming sponsorship for this event, the prizes could get pretty high. Later that day, at about 6PM, we will all meet at another Drive In Restaurant called the Stop & Go for a relaxing get together. Stop & Go is located at 2830 Fruitvale Blvd. here in Yakima.

Sunday, May 20th is the big day. Our open car show is from 9AM to 3PM. Plenty of vendors will be on hand. All entrants will recive a dash plaque as well as be eligible for one of approximately 80 trophies given out in over 22 classes. Not to mention best of show, participants choice, best paint, etc., etc. As usual, we will have loads of door prizes and raffle items as well as music and free magazines. This show is considered to be one of the best single day shows in the Pacific Northwest and we usually have participants coming in from all over Washington and Oregon. We had over 200 participants last year.

At the show this year we also are going to try something different. We will have the participants judge what they think is the best club cars. We are doing this to encourage our club members to also bring out their cars so you will have something more to look at.

It sounds like a super weekend packed full of excitement. If you are interested in participating in any one or all of these events, I am posting a registration form on this web site. It is posted as a picture. To use it, just click on it to enlarge then right click on the enlarged version and select "save picture as", then name your saved picture. Once you have it saved in your computer you can print and fill it out. Once filled out, send it along with a check for the registration fee to; The American Reflections Car Club, P.O. Box 11377, Yakima, WA. 98909 and we will pre-register you for the show and send you a card. If you can't get the picture to work, then e-mail Don at AmReflections@yahoo.com and we'll be happy to send you back a form.

Hey old-timers, it's 2012 already.

2011-12-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

This is very hard to believe. We are at the end of the 2011 year and about to turn over a new calendar page to January 2012! For us old-timers, that is hard to believe. Especially for those of us that can remember the cars back when they had style and personality. You know, before the 80's. That's what this blog and the American Reflections Car Club is all about. The american vehicles of the past. Ones that were made of steel and set the standards.

Back in the 50's, 60's and 70's  a person could see a car going down the street and know just what it was.  People could recite the make, model and year of many older american cars at a glance. With the vehicles of today, we cannot tell exactly what they are. If the color "silver" is popular, almost all cars are then painted silver. If a Mercedes or BMW has a popular body style, then all cars start to look like a Mercedes or BMW. If one manufacturer makes an SUV or "Crossover" vehicle, then everyone has to have one.

I grew up in the 50's and 60's and remember trying to think of what a vehicle might look like in say the year 2010. I thought it would be something that might fly. Or at least something that would look like a space ship. You know, like in "The Jetsons". I am somewhat disappointed in the vehicles of today. Oh sure, they are safe in that we have air bags, seat belts and that vehicles are designed to totally disintegrate upon impact. Prices continue to go up as they add "gadgets" and "electronics", but where did the personallity go?    I guess this is one reason that as car club members, we cherish and preserve our vehicles of the past. As the older vehicles are preserved, the values are managing to keep up with the new ones.  Besides being rare, they have charm, personallity and beauty.

Some of us car nuts have put our older cars away for a long winters nap. Myself, I am working on two of my vehicles and am trying to sell the third one. Usually there is something completely different for us to look at in the spring as people trade, paint, remodel and build over the winter months. This is a fun hobby! Full of friendly people that love nothing more than talking about their classic cars or hot rods. I urge everyone that reads this blog to attend a car show in your area or get a classic yourself and get into this hobby.  The American Reflections 12th annual car show is scheduled for May 20, 2012 at the park in Moxee again. It should be the best show ever in 2012. We are also planning a cruise for Saturday the 19th of May to get everyone in the mood. Come on and join us, you won't regret it and you will have the time of your life as well as meet some great people.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. (we're old-timers, remember?)

Moxee Show is a Success!

2011-05-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I have waited almost 5 days after the show to post this article is that I have been talking to various people that have attended the show to find out what they thought of it. I have received nothing but positive statements saying that they thought it was the best show that they have attended in quite some time and that they looked forward to the next one. Many people said that they have attended two day shows that did not offer as many give-a-ways, entertainment, trophies, vendors or fun for that matter.

As the show approached we were intently watching the weather reports because as you know, the weather can make or break a show that you have been planning for months. As the week began the report stated that there would be rain on Monday thru Thursday and then the sun would shine the rest of the week meaning Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Looked good to us.

As the week grew older the weather forcast changed and the weather was essentially perfect all week until Saturday when it rained all day. Our show was the next day, Sunday and we just had two vendors cancel.

There is good news! Sunday came and the weather was good, not perfect, but good enough to have the best turn out ever! We had 204 cars at the show from all over Washington State. We ended up with enough give-a-ways to cover almost everyone. They loved the free magazines we gave out and the raffle items raised over $650 by themselves. We had 80 trophies to give out in 22 classes and we had every class of vehicle on site except bicycles. Yes, it was the best show ever.

Let me take a little space to thank some of our major sponsors of which the show probably could not have taken place without them. If at all possible, we all need to do business with these people because they have gone the extra mile for us.

Les Schwab Tires       Bud Clary Toyota    Moxee Matteress Factory
Renegade Powdercoating    Elliott Ensurance      RB'S Auto Sales
A Muffler Bandit     Budget Appliance     Yakima Veterans Group
DAV Chapter #8     B&B Auto Restoration    Old Town Station
C&H Hardware    Joel Elders Sunset Auto Sames     Johnson Auto Glass
Joel Goesch Insurance     Scrivner Dental Lab    Big Reds Diner
McIntosh Auto Body     Wenas Feed & Seed     RJ's Tire Factory
Mike's Upholstery     Joes Grinding     Gabbord Street Rods
Kim Eccelston Motors     Miz. Dees BBQ     Touch of Class Upholstery
Sears        Mels Diner     TSR Sports     Big Cheese Pizza
Tire Centers Inc.     Magics Pizza     Star Rentals and Sales
State Farm Insurance, Selah

And our internet sponsors:
Edelbrock.com     Hagerty.com    InlineTube.com     RockAuto.com
SurfCityGarage.com    YogisInc.com     PacePerformance.com
K&NFilters.com     OldRide.com     SteelRubber.com
Jegs.com     SummitRacing.com Streetsideauto.com

And now, here are a few pictures of the show. Click on the image to get a larger picture then click on the back arrow at the top or your screen to return to the blog.

American Reflections Car Show

2011-03-11T18:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the new poster for 2011. Look for this image on our shirts as well.....

11th Annual Open Car Show is Coming!!

2011-03-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

The new year means we are working towards our next car show. The 11th Annual American Reflections Open Car Show is coming up this May 22, 2011 at the park in Moxee, WA. Now this is possibly one of the best single day shows in Central Washington and always a favorite for many because the cars are displalyed on cool grass, not hot pavement. This beautiful park is just 4 miles east of Yakima on highway 24 at Rivard Rd in Moxee. This allows for a short cruise to get you in the mood. Just like past shows, there will be plenty of Vendors on hand to keep you fed along with the excitement of dash plaques,trophies, music, games, fun and free magazines.

The show is always open to everyone. Customs, Classics, Streetrods, Ratrods, Stockers, Trucks, LowRiders and Bikes will all be there. There are over 22 trophy classes! If you have a classic car, truck or rod and want to show it off, this event is for you. Entry fee until May 10, 2011 is just $15.00. After May 10th and at the show, entry will be $20.00. People love to look at and talk about all sorts of vehicles, so bring it out, finished or not. SPECTATORS ARE ALWAYS ADMITTED FREE.

Proceeds from the show go to help out the Yakima Veterans, the Make a Wish foundation and Camp Primetime. Several well deserving organizations. So dust off that old ride and bring it out. I know you are dying to show it off. Some other shows do, but we do not descriminate against "For Sale" vehicles. Several classics have been sold at our past shows for some pretty big money.

PRE-REGISTRATION
Below is a reproduction of our registration form. With your mouse, right click on it and then select "save picture as" you may save, enlarge and print the form. Then send it to American Reflections, P.O. Box 11377, Yakima, WA. 98909 along with a check for your entry fee made out to American Reflections and we will register you for the show and send you back a registration number which you then will bring with you to the show.

This show would not be possible without the help from our valued sponsors. We have both local and national sponsors. Most of our national sponsors are from the internet. Please do business with these great people whenever possible. They could easily ignore us but instead they go out of their way to help us at their expense. The show participants each year benefit from their samples, product information, certificates, or savings. Below are some internet links to these great companies.
http://www.npdlink.com/
http://www.paceperformance.com/
http://www.rockauto.com/
http://www.yogisinc.com/
http://www.hagerty.com/
http://www.knfilters.com/
http://www.borgeson.com/
http://www.coker.com/
http://www.edelbrock.com/
http://www.jegs.com/
http://www.ididitinc.com/
http://www.inlinetube.com/
http://www.oldride.com/
http://www.surfcitygarage.com/
http://www.ogdenchrome.com/
http://www.streetsideauto.com

Nearing the end of the Season

2010-09-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

It's almost the end of the 2010 car show season. What a great season it has been too. This year the American Reflections Open Car Show was more successful than it has ever been. Probably due to the early date and the hard work our club puts into it. We make sure that everyone has a good time and goes away with something. Prices are going up on the other shows and quite often they don't have enough items or features to keep most of the car owners interested.

The car show scene is getting to be a focus for everyone who wants to raise quick money. Unfortunately, the cost of these shows all to often fall on the car owners themselves. Although many of the shows are for great causes, I can see why car owners are selective in the shows they want to attend each year. This is one of the reasons that I am trying, along with the club, to keep the costs down and provide a great show with lots of prizes, tophies, dash plaques and other items for the participant and spectators to enjoy. We want our show to improve each year.

Naturally, a few members have said goodbye to us this year but we have also signed several new members. So many in fact that we may be forced to look for a larger meeting place if it keeps up. Still, we welcome anyone that wants to look at our club. Our meetings are every second Thursday of the month at Magics Pizza Parlour in Selah at 7PM. Members usually show up about 6PM so they can visit until 7. The meetings then usually don't take much over an hour.

Speaking of Magic Pizza, I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank you to them for providing us with a meeting place and being so kind to us for the last 2 1/2 years. I think our members love going there and I truly believe they love having us.

Each year that we have had the car show in Moxee, we have had vendors. At first, only food vendors. Then we included car related merchandise vendors. In 2010 we had 13 vendors who not only sold merchandise and food but a person could purchase items for their pet, their kids, theirselves, or even pick up car insurance.

I think that some of the regular readers of this blog check back often, even though I do not regularly change what they look at. I would like to announce that our next car show will be on May 22, 2011 at the park in Moxee, WA. It will be our 11th annual show and therefore our 11th year in existance as a club. Look forward to the same great setting, prizes, trophies, music and amount of fun.

On this site, there will be one listing after this to get us through the winter months. I would like to take that listing and talk about our great sponsors and maybe provide you with some of their web addresses. Please visit these sponsors who support us and use their goods and services. They are true friends of the American Reflections Car Club.

Here is our Address: American Reflections Car Club, P.O. Box 11377, Yakima, WA. 98909. Our E-mail - AmReflections@yahoo.com and a phone number to call if you have questions, (509) 965-2547. Thank You

Pictures of our show are always good too.

May 23rd, 2010..The Day of the Show

2010-05-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

All week I was watching the weather report. Each day the report had pictures of clouds and rain except for Sunday, May 23rd. Each time I checked, everything was changing but the sun was still there for the 23rd. I had gone over every aspect of this car show in my mind, over and over. Now, if everyone would just follow through with their assigned tasks.

The day of the show was here! We had loaded up two trucks the night before and secured them for the night. We got up at 5:30 AM because we wanted to be at the park in Moxee by 7AM. The park is 20 miles from home. When we arrived at the park, three vendors were waiting. I immediately started working with them so they could set up. They all needed power. Oh, the Weather? Cold and clear, slight breeze with no rain.

Vehicles started arriving at about 8AM. I had asked the members to park the vehicles a little tighter this year. Everything was going good so far. Registration started out smooth as the PA system was being finished up and event signage was going up. We had put the speakers on a high scaffold this year so that the sound might travel farther. I checked it out later and found that it worked perfectly.

We had a successful show last year but with this being our 10th anniversary and our 10th annual show we were doing everything bigger this year. We had more vendors this year than ever before. While other shows have only one food vendor, we had four and an espresso van. While other shows have no merchandise vendors, we had seven. This year we had more trophies than ever before. Each set of trophies (1st, 2nd, 3rd) were sponsored in 22 classes. In addition to the classes we had trophies for best of show, best interior, best paint, distance, participants choice, kids choice, poker walk (hi and low) as well as two other game trophies and cash prizes. We also had a participant who gave out four trophies of his own. Total trophies...80. More games, more free magazines, more give-a-ways, more raffle items, more cars this year and more of everything else. We even sold t-shirts. All this, but we didn't have a single bicycle register this year. Oh, and Weather? Cool, clear With no rain...yet.

The cars kept coming! The registration line was getting long and we finally ended up with about 177 entries at the show along with about 30 club vehicles which we don't ever count (at this show anyway). Everyone did their jobs very well and the show went quite smoothly. We created more excitement with a Minute to Win It stacking game, an Automotive trivia contest and a poker walk. We had so many door prizes to give away that we called car numbers during the entire show. A person could also buy tickets for a dollar and take a chance on winning one or more of the valuable prizes we had to offer. We gave away a shop vac, tool boxes, floor jacks, air compressors, canopy chairs, clocks, gas money, ceramics, car parts, and autographed posters by famous people in the automotive design and drag racing industries. The raffle items raised over $700. Tickets were sold for the 50/50 by the Make a Wish Foundation and an additional $370 was raised with the raffling of a generator. The club will in turn kick in another $500 to Make A Wish. The weather? About 2 PM the wind came up and it felt "wet"..Sun was hiding.

People were starting to get impatient as the sky got darker. We had much to do yet, and so the raffle items, auction and trophy presentation was started at 2:30 PM. An hour later the show was brought to a close.

What a day, What a Show! I think people will be talking about this one for a long time to come.

May 23rd is coming FAST

2010-04-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

This year is flying by so far. We are in the final stages of planning for our May 23rd Open car show. This year will be our 10th year in existance as well as our 10th annual show. We have modified the trophy program and will have sponsors names on the trophies this year. This will be a first for us. We will give out 71 trophies this year in 22 classes as well as Best of Show, Participants Choice, Best Paint, Best Interior and Distance.

We should have plenty of food concessions on hand this year. This is the first year that we have had vendors contact us wanting to attend. They usually do very well if their pricing is in line and the weather is good. Some food duplication may take place this year so we may have to seperate like food suppliers this year.

Internet as well as local sponsorship is at an all time high this year because we have modified our needs as well as the trophy program. Generally, we are not asking for as much sponsorship money from each business this year. With smaller amounts, more businesses can contribute with means more opperating money in the long run.

All looks well for our show at the park in Moxee on May 23rd, 2010 if the weather holds up. We look more professional this year than we have in the past, we have more advertising in place and generally better acceptance by the community than in the past. The park has been remodeled and is now bigger and better than in the past. It should be a wonderful show and I hope you all can attend. We try and set the standard for the rest of the year as far as local car shows are concerned.

After the show, check this web site often for show pictures and a description of how the show went. I will mention highlights of the show and list some of the sponsors who helped us out by providing bag stuffers, coupons and certificates as well as general support for our show. See you at the show!

10th Annual "Open" Car Show, May 23, 2010

2010-02-22T09:46:00.001-08:00

2010 Promises to be a GREAT year.

2009-11-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

In spite of the state of the economy, the year 2009 has proven to be a great year for the American Reflections car club. The club has experienced growth with several new members and a greater respect from the community. New members bring with them ideas, contacts and expertise. This helps to keep the club fresh. Some of our members have branched out and conducted other car shows on their own to support various organizations, church groups, and charities. In September, some of the members put on a show at the Yakima Veteran's Center and brought in approximately $3500 to that organization. The members that set up and ran that show found it to be both exhausting and rewarding. Putting on car shows takes a lot of energy, concentration and a good work ethic. It also is beneficial to have as much help as possible.

This year some of our members have also gone to other shows in the Pacific Northwest as well as other parts of the country representing the club and bringing back the ideas of others. Some of the areas visited by our members has been Goodguys, Snohomish WA., Long Beach, WA., Hot August Nights in Reno, Cool Desert Nights in Richland, PINKS all out, and SEMA in Las Vegas to name a few.

Speaking of shows, 2010 will mark the 10th year of our existence and thus our 10th annual show. In 2010 we will have the show in Moxee again at the park and as usual we plan to have an even better show than the proceeding year. The show is scheduled for May 23, 2010. Each year, I try and plan something special for the show by bringing in something or someone special from another area. Truthfully, to date, nothing has really worked out. I am again trying for a surprise in 2010. Will it work? I'm working with little or no money so I don't know, but you can't blame a guy for trying. Anyway, I promise more prizes, more trophies and more fun in 2010.

It is with the help of our sponsors, both local and on the Internet as well as those of you that display and view the cars at our show that make our charitable contributions possible. A big THANK YOU goes out to all of you. This year, the club has supported such organizations as "Make a Wish", "Camp Primetime", and the "Yakima Veterans". This holiday season the club plans to help out a family in need as well as support the "Veteran's Food Bank" and "Toys for Tots".

I would like to display some pictures next. Not of vehicles as usual, but with a recent visit to SEMA we were able to visit with several famous people. Here are pictures of just a few of them, lets see how many you can recognize.

Heres a hint: Foose, Muldowney, Garlits, Jenkins, Petty, McGuire, Gage, Force and a couple of beauties.

2009 Marks the Year of our 9th Annual Open Show.

2009-05-18T18:38:00.000-07:00

(Double click photos for full view. Click "back" to return to blog)

In past years the weather forecast has been very "iffy" as you know from reading our past entries. This year, however the weather promised to be in the 85 degree range with no deviation as we rechecked the forecast and as the show approached. Our show this year was on Sunday, May 17th. Everyone we had talked to said they were coming. The first Hot Rods and Harley's event was on Friday nite, May 15th and they had a record turn out. It seemed everyone was tired of winter weather and was anxious to get out their vehicles. There were two smaller shows in early May, but to quote one of the vendors, ours was the first "Big Show" of the season. I thanked her for calling our show a "Big Show".

The city of Moxee has expanded the park for 2009 and added another parking lot, a pathway and a new entry (possibly with us in mind). If you remember, the old entry at the other end of the park had a hump in the middle and many of the lower cars scraped coming in. The new entry was perfectly flat and led to the asphalt path allowing vehicles to travel the full width of the park before parking in their chosen slot.

We displayed signs this year leading people to the park and arrived early enough to decorate before the big rush. For the show, we had a new PA system and additional speakers provided by one of our new members. We even had Music this year.

Sponsorship was down this year because of the economy so there was not as much money to turn in before the show. Usually we raise enough before the show to cover the cost of trophies. This year, trophy prices had gone up considerably so we had to trim down the amount given out by eliminating third place in each class. Instead, we gave out first and second in 22 classes as well as "Best Paint", "Best Interior", "Distance", "Participants Choice", and "Best of Show"

I cannot give enough thanks to our club members. Their enthusiasm this year was greater than in past years and all of them were eager to help with anything they could. I am so proud. We arrived between 7:30 and 8:AM to set up and things started out smoothly and continued that way throughout the day. Everyone had their specific job and maintained their focus until the tasks were complete. You would have thought we were doing this for 20 years!

Registration for the show started at about 9AM and before you knew it we had over 125 entries. We had seven concessions this year including an Espresso Van, a Pinstripper, a Booth for License Inserts, Shirts, Signs etc., a Snowcone Booth, a Hamburger Trailer, an Outdoor Hotdog Vendor and "Miss Dee" the local Cajun Cook with Jambolia and Bar-be-que. A well rounded selection of goodies for the show.

Usually we have a table full of raffle items of 8-10 where people can buy tickets for $1 and drop them in a container placed by the item they would like to win. This year, we had about 25 items ranging from tickets to the Pat Benitar Concert to Dishes, Model Trucks, Gas Money, Ice Chests, Tool Boxes, Shop Vacs, Lawn Chairs and much more. We also had more give-a-way (door prize) items than ever before, with plenty of Hats, T-Shirts, Car Supplies, Pepsi, Clocks, Stuffed Animals, and other items for the lucky owner of the drawn car number.

We ended up with 152 entries from this area as well as all over the state. It is always good to bring in cars from other areas so the locals have something different to look at. Another reason for people to visit our show. People came from the Tri-Cities, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, and Seattle area. The distance trophy went to a couple from Lake Stevens, WA.

Last year we gave our 50/50 raffle to the Make a Wish Foundation with a promise from the club to match anything they could raise from ticket sales, up to a total of $500. Last year they raised about $425 in ticket sales, with half of that going to a lucky winner. The club gave Make a Wish $500, so their total for the event last year was about $720.

This year, Make a Wish sold $500 in tickets and was willing to offer an Air Compressor donated to them if the lucky winner would donate their half of the money. A lucky number was called and the winner took $150 of the $250 prize and left the air compressor to be auctioned to the highest bidder. The air compressor then brought another $280 and along with the $500 the club will donate, Make a Wish brought in approximately $1130 from the show. This is more money than the club will make from the show to share with their other charities. Congratulations Make a Wish! The money could not go to a better organization and we are happy to help.

Each year we try and make our show one of the best in the area. Our show is early in the season and hopefully will set a standard for everyone to compare to. It frees us up to enjoy other functions throughout the year. Please take a look at this years pictures I am also posting in this blog and visit our internet sponsors that are also listed. Without our sponsors and the support of the local community, we would not be able to put on such a great show each year. it just keeps getting better and better. Thank you to all that have attended our show in the past and thank you to each and every sponsor that helps us. We look forward to seeing you next year.

2009 promises to be a great year!

2009-01-21T20:00:00.000-08:00

As we enter into 2009 and look back, we find that our club has gone through a few changes. The word got out and people started looking us over and as a result, we recently we have welcomed several new members into the club. In addition to that, a couple old members have also returned. It is always nice to see that old members think enough of the club to return when they have several other clubs in the area to choose from. That just proves that we are a family orentated club that thinks alot of it's members as well as the organizations we help to support. As a reminder, our club is now open to "all" american made vehicles from antiques, to the current model year.

This years car show is quickly approaching. It will be the 9th show for the American Reflections Car Club and as in the past, it will be held at the park in Moxee, WA. This year it will be on May 17th, 2009. The park in Moxee has recently gone through a remodel and expansion and should prove exceptional this year. Where the park was a great place to hold a show in the past, it should be even better in 2009 since we now should have more space to spread out and possibly display even more vehicles than before.

The vendors we have had in the past are excited about returning this year. We should have more items for give-aways and raffles than ever before because of the generousity of our local sponsors and we are always working on fine tuning the classes for the 50-60 trophies and I promise.......music this year.

The show is open to all Customs, Classics, Rods, Stockers, Lowriders, Trucks and Bikes. If you currently drive it and you are proud of it, bring it out and we will help you show it off. The show is an "open" show. Therefore any form of transportation is welcome. Oh, and by the way, spectators are always admitted free.

We are currently working on flyers for the show as well as the registration form. I will post a form for your convenience on this site just as soon as it is ready. Please check back often. You may also e-mail us at AmReflections@yahoo.com and I will e-mail you a form in return so you may pre-register your vehicle for the show. Please also send all other inquiries to that e-mail address

Pre-registration for the show goes until May 10th, 2009 and is just $15.00. After that and up to the date of the show as well as at the gate, registration will be $20.00. The first 150 registrations will receive goodie bags and dash plaques. Your registration fee will be well spent. Again this year, we will contribute some of the days proceeds to the "Make a Wish Foundation". We also help to support several Vetrans groups in the valley as well as donate each year to Camp Primetime.

The show for 2009 promises to be the best ever, rain or shine....

As We Approach Year End

2008-09-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

As we approach the years end (for showing off our cars, that is). Let us "Reflect" on some of the things that have happened this year. We have seen all sorts of new (old) cars this year. It seems that everyone is getting into the hobby and having some fun. Gas prices have not detered us too much becuse I have seen some of the largest turn outs for several events this year that I have ever seen.

Although our American Reflections show was slightly down in attendence this year, other shows have shown increases. The weather was beautiful for us this year so we cannot blame the weather. Some of us attribute the slightly smaller attendance to the fact that we are one of the first shows of the season, or.....with all the shows coming up in any given season, some people might be picking the shows they want to attend and showing their vehicles off at fewer shows than in the past.

Now, lets talk about show increases. Hot Rods and Harleys has been successful each and every week this year. They have shown record attendance figures each week. Little or no rain this year and only a couple get togethers have had wind. This is where we are seeing all the newly acquired vehicles, paint jobs and tricked out stuff.

The Vintiques show this year was very successful and said to be a record turn out(approximately 750 vehicles). Trophy classes have changed for the better lately and even one of our club members, Alan Barsten took second place with his 1923 Model T streetrod. Congratgulations Alan! That is a first for one of our club members at this show.

This year my wife and I again attended two large car shows out of town. The first was "Cool Desert Nights" in Richland WA. where there was also said to be a record turn out (800-900 cars or so). Always some different things to look at there. We also went to "Hot August Nights" again this year. That was said to be a record turn out as well. Of course, they allow 5500 cars to register and there is always another 5500 or so on hand around the city. It is always fun when some of the local people join up at these out of town shows and this year a several people from the Yakima area also attended the show in Reno Nevada.

We have only a few shows left this season then it will be time to put the old cars away for the winter. Myself, I have about three winter car projects in mind if I can get them accomplished but that is another posting in itself. In the next posting I will also talk about our next American Reflections car show coming up. It will be our 9th Annual show in Moxee to be held on May 17th, 2009.

Winning Car Show for 2008!

2008-05-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

The weather prediction for May 18th this year was good and it held true as the day started out with plenty of sun shine for this year's event. We all got to the park at around 7:30 AM for the show's set-up. Everyone had their assigned jobs and went to work. Banners and decorations went up, vehicles were un-loaded, registration was set up, give aways and raffle items were displayed, trophies were brought out and adjusted, vendors came and set up in their respective areas and everything else was going along very well. It was almost to good to be true.

We had told the city of Moxee about our electrical needs well in advance of the show. The city was in the process of remodeling their park and we had a trench in the ground to work around but had talked about that with Public Works and for the show, it presented no problem. However, the electricity for the vendors was still locked up. It was Sunday and the workers phone number that I had did not seem to work. We had electricity at the main gazebo but found that part of our PA system was not working.....Like the Music! Finally, we reached a member of Public Works to provide our vendors with some electricity. Vendors were now up and running, but ...still no music.

People started arriving and the parking layout was going well. Because last year's judging was such a disaster, we had a member who came up with a different way of judging this year. It looked like it might work. We had approximately 64 trophies to give away for everything including best paint, best interior, distance, classes from the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's to Present, streetrods, ratrods, trucks, 4X4's, lowriders, motorcycles, bicycles, participants choice, and best of show. Whew!

As noon approached we had upward of 110 entries. The show was declared a success! I think our local advertisements helped bring more spectators this year than in the past. There also were several people that attended this year that were not here in the past. There were also a few that had promised to attend that did not make it this year. I think it was their loss because the show was great. We had people from as far away as Camino Island, Port Townsend, Enitat, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Chelan, and Spokane, just to name a few.

This year we had contacted the local "Make a Wish Foundation" to do the 50/50. The club took a vote and decided to match the money received by Make a Wish, dollar for dollar. During the show, Make a Wish managed to sell about $440 in tickets. The idea of the 50/50 is that they gave $220 of that money to a lucky ticket holder. The club in turn, will donate $440 back to Make a Wish, so their total for the show will end up at about $660. Not bad for an afternoon's work.

Some of the comments received were "Beautiful Park" and "Nice Show" . And we did it all without Music.

NEXT SHOW--MAY 18,2008

2008-03-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

The American Reflections 8th Annual "Open" Show will again be held at the park in Moxee, WA. This year the show is on Sunday, May 18, 2008. Each year we proudly show off Custom Cars, Classics, Streetrods, Stock Vehicles, Trucks, Vehicles Under Construction, Foreign Vehicles, Tuners, Lowriders, SUVs, Motorcycles and even Bicycles. If your vehicle is a little different from the rest and you are proud of it, bring it on down and show it off.

Registration for the show until May 10th is just $15. After May 10th registration will be $20. Registration allows you to show your vehicle, receive a goodie bag, receive a dash plaque and become eligible for prizes and trophies. This show will go on, "RAIN OR SHINE".

In the past shows the car magazines have been a hit. Members bring in their magazines to share with show participants. There just may be an article about a vehicle like yours or project you find interesting. Go ahead, take one home, they are free.

Great music, amazing vehicles, new friends, prizes, trophies, and lots of good food are all expected at the show again this year. If you love to look at vehicles but don't have one yourself, come to the show anyway. Spectators can look around free of charge.

I am including a copy of the 2008 registration form on this page. Right click on it and either print it or "save" the picture to your computer. Then print it, fill out and send it in with your fee to The American Reflections Car Club, P.O. Box 11377, Yakima, WA. 98909. You will then receive a number in the mail or we can hold it for you until the show. See you at the show!

Gas Milage. What is that?

2007-11-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

As 2007 comes to a close we are generally preparing our classic cars or trucks for the winter ahead. Some of us have shops where we can work on our rides or even work on new projects. It is always a special treat to see how a vehicle has progressed or a new project has been prepared for the next year's get togethers. The rest of us do the best we can to protect our classics and prepare them for the next year.

Mark your calendars everyone. The American Reflections 8th Annual Open Car Show is scheduled for May 18th, 2008 at the Moxee Park again. If you have joined us in the past, you know what a nice park this is with plenty of grass, shade and clean restrooms. Again in 2008 we will try and have plenty of food for your enjoyment during the show. Dash plaques for everyone coupled with over 40 trophies and lots of prizes, raffle items, free magazines, music and fun are again scheduled for the day. If you haven't been to our show before, please join us. Moxee is just 4 miles east of Yakima Washington on highway 24. All Customs, Classics, Stockers, Trucks, LowRiders, and Bikes are welcome. This year our show's pre-registration until May 10th is $15. If you choose to register after that or the day of the show, registration will be $20.00 for 2008.

THIS SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE, RAIN OR SHINE...

We always are looking for new club members. Our Club is in the process of changing some of the things we do. With your e-mail address, I can keep you up to date on local shows, and cruises as well as send you several newsletters and jokes. Joining the club also gives you an opportunity to talk about your passion with others that enjoy the same things that you do. E-mail us at AmReflections@yahoo.com for more information.

I always say that If you drive it and are proud of it, join us and we will help you show it off. Even if your project is rough, bring it on out. Lets show it off. Chances are many people have not seen that make or model.

IF YOU HAVE TO PAY $3.00 A GALLON FOR GAS, YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE FUN DRIVING A CLASSIC!

Now let me show you some pictures of un-usual vehicles from the past. Click on the pictures to enlarge. Click "back" on your browser to return to the blog. Thank you so much for visiting our blog. View the posted blog before this for pictures of our 2007 Show!

Hey Everyone! Check out this new website http://www.localhowlie.com/

2007 American Reflections 7th Annual Show

2007-05-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

My 1948 Ford F-1 Truck

We are the second club in the area to have our show in May. Some say that it is a bit early and we are usually taking a chance with the weather. The first "Hot Rods and Harleys" event was on Friday night, May 18th. The turn out was incredible! As the 20th of May approached the weather report started calling for rain as usual.

I advertised our 7th annual show for the 20th of May on every possible web site that I could find. I contacted the newspaper and enlisted their help on sort of a "count down" to the very day of the show. Club members contacted many sponsors and obtained money for trophies, bag stuffers and other give-a-way items for the event. Internet sponsors were coming through for us by sending coupons, certificates, caps and items for goodie bags. We have sent out hundreds of flyers inviting everyone to the show. We were ready.........

The morning of May 20th arrived and I looked out the window to a gloomy sky in the west. This is the time when people make decisions for the day. It was raining lightly outside as we readied the vehicles and took off for Moxee city. The show must go on.

After arriving at Moxee and joining other club members in the early morning set up, we found that the light rain had stopped, people were arriving in their classic and custom vehicles and by 9:30 AM the sky was beautiful. Several of our vendors arrived and we now had a well rounded mix of food on site with tacos, corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, espresso, and barbeque. There was even a Northwest based magazine on site called "Cruzin Times" doing show coverage for us. In addition to the magazine, "A View of America" (http://www.aviewofamerica.com/) was at the show covering it for their web site. Our show should be on their site a week or two after this blog is published.

Cars kept coming, steady until about 11am. We finally ended up with over 148 entries! The show ran smoothly and everyone had a good time. There were plenty of door prizes and we had about 63 trophies that were handed out. Because of all the spectacular vehicles, judging became a little tough as Shawn,our current president tried a point system of judging this year. It was the best show ever. We set the bar high for other shows in the area this year.

Here are some pictures... Clicking on a picture will enlarge it for better detail and when you want to return to the blog, just click on "back".

Hey everyone, check out this website www.localhowlie.com