Hello out there in Pantera Email Forum Land. Huge thanks to Kurt as I am another who has always loved our communication in this way. For anyone who might be confused, just to be clear, I'm Laurie Basile/ aka Laurie Ferrari on here as that's my email name. I'm one in the same in case you are looking up any of my old postings in the archives, which I don't advise. I have some of my own thoughts on the new status of POCA. While there's no question that a stock, unmodified, unmolested Pantera is a rare and specially revered item, however the Pantera Club (POCA) and its Website is not to be confused with that same logic. The Club has needed modifications for far too long, most notably reconsideration of modernization and efforts to offer more to the members, and the opening of paths that were forever encumbered with roadblocks. I think the main beef of the many members/lurkers who have been complaining of late is due to the possible loss of the email forum. Yes? Or, some perhaps are not used to the no nonsense, energetic, assertive, personality of Michael Shortt. Well, as board meetings have been open to members I must say I was truly shocked at the rude and unprofessional demeanor of some of the oldest of Board Members. And those on here who are seeking fault and trying to paint a negative picture of the new direction of POCA, I say, if any of you are so touchy and hypersensitive, you'd not have been able to tolerate the myriads of posted comments through the years that could be considered the most non politically correct on here and greatest examples of taunts and tongue in cheek comments on everything from gayness, to racial and political insults, or the worst (personally offensive) the wing modifications on GT5 Panteras. ... Come on folks. What I see that is happening is that Mike Shortt's vision and those of the progressive Board members is one that many have begged for. That being one of a more professionally represented, respectable club (except for our more private, less respectable ramblings on here) one that's more of a Class Act rather than a knitting party, and more representative of the rarity and beauty of our cars, the wealth of knowledge and expertise of our members, and the generosity, helpfulness, and camaraderie of our people. I'd say Michael sees and is enacting, remember....with Board and Chapter Representative approval, a vision of the possibilities and potential of our organization to be more transparent as to the inner workings of major POCA decisions. Those in the know can not argue about the fact that this has been something sorely lacking in the past with regard to political issues, election fairness, and finances, i.e. comparative shopping for our needs, insurance, printing and so on. For the few to make suggestions or even comments that Mr. Shortt is a bigot or the usual gay comments from the peanut gallery.... shame on you! Those comments are just as untrue and inappropriate as they've ever been on here. But we grin and bare it and realize any such past comments would never be posted if serious. Or those who make such comments can look up the definition of "Psychological transference." I personally think a "Thank You" is far more appropriate for all the time, effort, and changes Michael is trying to implement! When the word went out that races were wanted at the Fun Rally, the first thing I recall he did was make contact and plans for such. It's ridiculous and unacceptable for anyone to be rude and insulting to those doing their best to help us have a better organization. I recently renewed my membership which I feel would be great if it was reduced a bit in cost (as it used to be) as I'd like the option to get only the "Profiles Magazine" in print form.. the Newsletter is perfectly suited for an online reference... (again, my opinion) and which I seem to hear would save the club something like $26,000 a year. On our new POCA Website I am able to look up old articles in Profiles... especially enjoy the ease of being able to find ones about my car and me, issue 2010 #1, and my SSCC synopsis, in 2000, #3. That's a whole lot easier than searching my own computer room and closet filled with years old multi-curricular lesson plans and old publications from POCA, and three other car clubs. I really love the idea of these publications being available ON LINE; it is quite modern and convenient. Insofar as the survey regarding POCA's Fun Rally...As always there were goods and not so goods. The good, naturally, is getting to see and socialize with old friends and meet new ones. The bad is that the Plaza remains to be, not the most appealing of choices. I don't know about the new furnishings but I do know that the entire floor where the hospitality and banquet was held was covered in sheets over the construction and warnings of potential injury....I kind of felt early on that it'd be a good idea, as a few others, to opt to stay at the Golden Nugget. It's right across the street and very nice! As usual though, at our event, the hospitality room opportunity with all the Club stores was and is always great. The sessions, especially Scott Mead's photography session was more than excellent. The run to Mt. Charles was beautiful. I didn't have a car there so I was so grateful to Lori Drew who hooked me up with a ride with a super nice fellow from PCNC, Bayani; many thanks Bayani! The banquet food was something I'm unable to compare easily as to the awfulness compared to any past Fun Rally. The Plaza buffets were generally decent in the past, even used to get a bottle of red and white wine on each table, but something definitely went amiss this year. As I was seated at a table with Terry Himes (Mars' space scientist) and friends, the best way to describe the salmon was freeze dried and suitable (almost) as astronaut food. The water was undrinkable, maybe tainted with some alien creatures, toxic chemicals, or poisoned purposefully so people would buy liquor during the banquet. Dessert, can't comment, didn't try. The raffle... well that's yet another story! I've been the one in the past who once had the job of recruiting prizes for months, organizing the displays, getting everything to Vegas, and then announcing the prizes at the dinner and I vividly recall being reprimanded for how long it took to disseminate prizes at the banquet ... BUT...in good fairness to me, i took a fraction of what happened this year.. which was in ponderous tortoise-like, multi-hours long, motion, so much to the fact that I literally made up for the previous two nights of lost sleep. I mean really, for hundreds of prizes from a few really nice car related, down to insignificant, and each prize announced in humorous but mostly painful detail ... down to a slew of t-shirts, one by one... and then waiting for the comatose winner to notice or be nudged awake that he or she'd won and then have to walk what seemed like 3 blocks to the podium to claim the prize... Good Lord! And I don't blame the presenter as I know what a difficult and commendable job this is.. it's the SYSTEM, not the person! I know many of you like to poke fun at the Corvette Clan but .... the way they've done raffles, at least the National ones, is to post a list of winning tickets #s and during the event, people go over periodically to see if they won, and get the prize from those in charge. Or those so inclined can stay at the prize area and watch the tickets being drawn. All the contributors are posted in advance and the donors are thanked and acknowledged on banners, signs, visuals, business cards, etc. There's always music and dancing and some sort of entertainment. We used to have music, karaoke, and entertainment. What happened??? So in conclusion, I like both the old (forum) and the new (POCA) and hope that people will be more cordial and appreciative of the efforts of Michael and those who work for us. Again much gratitude to Kurt and all involved for the Forum being alive and well. I am not in favor of the fact though that I very recently got a malicious malware bug that caused me to wipe out my entire computer... and start over, not saying it was from here.. BUT I've never had that problem before and I did have an excellent Internet security program installed. So I write with hopes that the risks are not found here! Can't leave without a big hello to Nathan of the North. Always great to hear from you and see your uplifting greetings. And to Bob Levitt...hope you remember me as I was out there on the Santa Monica pier to take pictures of you and your son upon your take off for the Gumball Cross Country race way back when. Still have them saved somewhere and they were on my former POCA album. Btw where are those albums? OK.... off and running and just might see lots of you at Pantera Palooza! Cheerio, Laurie Hello out there in Pantera Email Forum Land. Huge thanks to Kurt as I am another who has always loved our communication in this way. For anyone who might be confused, just to be clear, I'm Laurie Basile/ aka Laurie Ferrari on here as that's my email name. I'm one in the same in case you are looking up any of my old postings in the archives, which I don't advise. I have some of my own thoughts on the new status of POCA. While there's no question that a stock, unmodified, unmolested Pantera is a rare and specially revered item, however the Pantera Club (POCA) and its Website is not to be confused with that same logic. The Club has needed modifications for far too long, most notably reconsideration of modernization and efforts to offer more to the members, and the opening of paths that were forever encumbered with roadblocks. I think the main beef of the many members/lurkers who have been complaining of late is due to the possible loss of the email forum. Yes? Or, some perhaps are not used to the no nonsense, energetic, assertive, personality of Michael Shortt. Well, as board meetings have been open to members I must say I was truly shocked at the rude and unprofessional demeanor of some of the oldest of Board Members. And those on here who are seeking fault and trying to paint a negative picture of the new direction of POCA, I say, if any of you are so touchy and hypersensitive, you'd not have been able to tolerate the myriads of posted comments through the years that could be considered the most non politically correct on here and greatest examples of taunts and tongue in cheek comments on everything from gayness, to racial and political insults, or the worst (personally offensive) the wing modifications on GT5 Panteras. ... Come on folks. What I see that is happening is that Mike Shortt's vision and those of the progressive Board members is one that many have begged for. That being one of a more professionally represented, respectable club (except for our more private, less respectable ramblings on here) one that's more of a Class Act rather than a knitting party, and more representative of the rarity and beauty of our cars, the wealth of knowledge and expertise of our members, and the generosity, helpfulness, and camaraderie of our people. I'd say Michael sees and is enacting, remember....with Board and Chapter Representative approval, a vision of the possibilities and potential of our organization to be more transparent as to the inner workings of major POCA decisions. Those in the know can not argue about the fact that this has been something sorely lacking in the past with regard to political issues, election fairness, and finances, i.e. comparative shopping for our needs, insurance, printing and so on. For the few to make suggestions or even comments that Mr. Shortt is a bigot or the usual gay comments from the peanut gallery.... shame on you! Those comments are just as untrue and inappropriate as they've ever been on here. But we grin and bare it and realize any such past comments would never be posted if serious. Or those who make such comments can look up the definition of "Psychological transference." I personally think a "Thank You" is far more appropriate for all the time, effort, and changes Michael is trying to implement! When the word went out that races were wanted at the Fun Rally, the first thing I recall he did was make contact and plans for such. It's ridiculous and unacceptable for anyone to be rude and insulting to those doing their best to help us have a better organization. I recently renewed my membership which I feel would be great if it was reduced a bit in cost (as it used to be) as I'd like the option to get only the "Profiles Magazine" in print form.. the Newsletter is perfectly suited for an online reference... (again, my opinion) and which I seem to hear would save the club something like $26,000 a year. On our new POCA Website I am able to look up old articles in Profiles... especially enjoy the ease of being able to find ones about my car and me, issue 2010 #1, and my SSCC synopsis, in 2000, #3. That's a whole lot easier than searching my own computer room and closet filled with years old multi-curricular lesson plans and old publications from POCA, and three other car clubs. I really love the idea of these publications being available ON LINE; it is quite modern and convenient. Insofar as the survey regarding POCA's Fun Rally...As always there were goods and not so goods. The good, naturally, is getting to see and socialize with old friends and meet new ones. The bad is that the Plaza remains to be, not the most appealing of choices. I don't know about the new furnishings but I do know that the entire floor where the hospitality and banquet was held was covered in sheets over the construction and warnings of potential injury....I kind of felt early on that it'd be a good idea, as a few others, to opt to stay at the Golden Nugget. It's right across the street and very nice! As usual though, at our event, the hospitality room opportunity with all the Club stores was and is always great. The sessions, especially Scott Mead's photography session was more than excellent. The run to Mt. Charles was beautiful. I didn't have a car there so I was so grateful to Lori Drew who hooked me up with a ride with a super nice fellow from PCNC, Bayani; many thanks Bayani! The banquet food was something I'm unable to compare easily as to the awfulness compared to any past Fun Rally. The Plaza buffets were generally decent in the past, even used to get a bottle of red and white wine on each table, but something definitely went amiss this year. As I was seated at a table with Terry Himes (Mars' space scientist) and friends, the best way to describe the salmon was freeze dried and suitable (almost) as astronaut food. The water was undrinkable, maybe tainted with some alien creatures, toxic chemicals, or poisoned purposefully so people would buy liquor during the banquet. Dessert, can't comment, didn't try. The raffle... well that's yet another story! I've been the one in the past who once had the job of recruiting prizes for months, organizing the displays, getting everything to Vegas, and then announcing the prizes at the dinner and I vividly recall being reprimanded for how long it took to disseminate prizes at the banquet ... BUT...in good fairness to me, i took a fraction of what happened this year.. which was in ponderous tortoise-like, multi-hours long, motion, so much to the fact that I literally made up for the previous two nights of lost sleep. I mean really, for hundreds of prizes from a few really nice car related, down to insignificant, and each prize announced in humorous but mostly painful detail ... down to a slew of t-shirts, one by one... and then waiting for the comatose winner to notice or be nudged awake that he or she'd won and then have to walk what seemed like 3 blocks to the podium to claim the prize... Good Lord! And I don't blame the presenter as I know what a difficult and commendable job this is.. it's the SYSTEM, not the person! I know many of you like to poke fun at the Corvette Clan but .... the way they've done raffles, at least the National ones, is to post a list of winning tickets #s and during the event, people go over periodically to see if they won, and get the prize from those in charge. Or those so inclined can stay at the prize area and watch the tickets being drawn. All the contributors are posted in advance and the donors are thanked and acknowledged on banners, signs, visuals, business cards, etc. There's always music and dancing and some sort of entertainment. We used to have music, karaoke, and entertainment. What happened??? So in conclusion, I like both the old (forum) and the new (POCA) and hope that people will be more cordial and appreciative of the efforts of Michael and those who work for us. Again much gratitude to Kurt and all involved for the Forum being alive and well. I am not in favor of the fact though that I very recently got a malicious malware bug that caused me to wipe out my entire computer... and start over, not saying it was from here.. BUT I've never had that problem before and I did have an excellent Internet security program installed. So I write with hopes that the risks are not found here! Can't leave without a big hello to Nathan of the North. Always great to hear from you and see your uplifting greetings. And to Bob Levitt...hope you remember me as I was out there on the Santa Monica pier to take pictures of you and your son upon your take off for the Gumball Cross Country race way back when. Still have them saved somewhere and they were on my former POCA album. Btw where are those albums? OK.... off and running and just might see lots of you at Pantera Palooza! Cheerio, Laurie