Hi Everyone,
                
Another month, another meeting and another edition of "Barb's Bits." As I'm writing this I"m watching Amy on the TV show "Four Weddings."

Amy's sister was the one getting married and I should have submitted this article a week ago so that you could all watch it with me!! I sincerely apologise but I haven't had any motivation until now. For those of you who didn't see it and want to, I won't spoil it for you, you can probably watch it on Yahoo 7. I will say however that Amy did get some air time, so if you didn't see it...... watch it now!!!

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/four-weddings/

Speaking of celebrities, Stuart and Corrin's dining room will be featuring on "Better Homes and Gardens" in the next few weeks, not sure of the date so you'll just have to watch until you see the dining room featuring the wall map!!

As most of you know Steve's Dad passed away on the 14th July and we would just like to thank every one for their kind thoughts and well wishes. While I'm on the subject, most of you know that Steve had another stint in hospital and followed that up with day surgery four weeks later. Well I'm pleased to report that he has been given a clean bill of health and once again he has dodged another bullet!!

I'm pleased to report that Dawn is doing very well and keeping a very positive attitude. She was starting chemotherapy (at the time of the meeting) within two weeks, so hopefully that is going well for her even though as everyone knows it's not a pleasant experience. I'm sure you'll join with me in wishing her all the very best in the coming weeks ahead.

There was a Club run in July to Jamberoo, unfortunately only two families went on it The Silvestri's and the Zafara's (please forgive me if I haven't spelt that right). You can read Dave's report after you've read this one, but by all accounts they all enjoyed it immensely. Murray, being the good friend he is took pity on Steve and they went to MotorEx that day and had a really good time. As usual they played up a bit and hopefully you will see them looking through the back window of a car while Fletch was filming for his show "Classic Restos." Trying to be inconspicuous turned out to be quite difficult!! They ran into Dan, Rochelle and Chris, who they didn't know were going to be there. Not only were they there but so was Dave Stoker and Darren and Shane Hobson with their drag cars!! The world is getting smaller every day for sure!!

It appears as if the web site is going very well, Scott was able to give us some stats at the meeting and I hope that I have them right in repeating them to you. There have been 8310 post viewings on the Flat Four Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/FlatFour) during a one month period ending 5th August and 2726 visits to the Club website (http://www.flatfour.org). Visitors came from as far away as the USA, the United Kingdom and Canada. I know there were more but I didn't get them written down fast enough!!  Murray and Dave confirmed that since the web site was revamped they have both had a lot more inquiries regarding the Club.

There have been a few projects in the pipeline and at last there is some news on Leanne's bus. The gearbox and tin ware etc were ready to go in at the time of the meeting and "Ela" is back after five weeks getting her butt repaired!! Murray is doing a great job on his teardrop and I for one can't wait to see it finished. I believe it will be ready by Old Bar, Murray says no but I'm sure it will make it's debut then. Bill is frantically working on his Beetle and he assures us that it is coming along well. The 1600 is back in, the brakes are good but he was having trouble with the electrics. It should be ready this year however so we'll have yet another car to pour over in the not too distant future!! Phil and Alison are starting work on their Kombi  soon and hope to take it on its maiden run to Canberra. Good luck with that guys, can't wait to see it all finished.

We saw a new face at the meeting and his name is Jeff. He went on the Supercruise and is looking to join the Club. He liked what he saw (silly man) and has only two more events to go to to see if he really wants to join or not. If he is at the next run, I hope you will all make him feel welcome.

Before I go onto the coming events I have one more BIG announcement to make.....Kevin and Amy are expecting their second child. Huge congratulations to them both and little Maddi who will be a big sister to the little one who is due on the 29th February!!

Our next club run is on Sunday the 21st August. We are going to Berrima for a sausage sizzle in the park. We will be meeting at Koshigaya Park at 10.30am and travelling in convoy as per usual. It has been decided that bbqs from now on will have to be paid for to help with costs. Sausages on a roll will cost $2.00 per person and drinks will be a $1.00 so please remember to bring some change!! Also could you please RSVP to Dave via the web site if you will be attending.

Please remember that the next meeting will be on Sunday the 11th of September NOT the 4th as this is Father's Day.

We will be going to Canberra again this year on the 18th of September. Some people will be meeting at Koshigaya Park and some at Pheasants Nest however we will have all the details on this in the next installment. Old Bar is on again and most of us are going with a few exceptions. The details for this will be issued at a later date.

There are a few non-club runs on and they are:- Shannons Classic Car Show on the 20th August at Eastern Creek and The Rat Rod Day at Taren Point on 4th September (Father's Day). For those interested in this run, please let Murray or Dave know via the web site. The meeting place (for the Rat Rod Day) will be at 9.00am at McDonalds Casula.

Well I guess that's it for now, until next time.

Keep the Shiny Side Up.

Barb