February 20, 2018 - Meeting Summary
The San Diego S-Gaugers held the February club meeting at our clubhouse (304 on the mall map) in Grossmont Center at 10:00am. Attendees were: Mike Forys, Robert Graves, Raulf Polichar, Wes Noel, Ken Sadlock, Mark Reinhard, Dale Minard, Les Smith, Jerry Shiller and Alex Sibbald.
Introduction of new faces / Show and Tell:
The club welcomed our new member, Jerry Shiller. Jerry had American Flyer Trains as a youth and is currently building a layout. Dale Minard displayed a bullldozer he obtained suitable for a flatcar load. Mike Forys presented the March issue of Trains Magazine that updates the progress of the California high speed rail project and other good articles. Wes Noel showed us a model shed that he constructed.
Treasurer’s Report:
Bob Graves reported that we received $235.78 from visitor donations and realized a $109.01 profit in January.
Standards Report:
Raulf Polichar reported that the switches for the S curve module are undergoing final alignment. Raulf has ordered Grossmont Center Decals.
Publicity Report:
The Mom's Guide to La Mesa Brochure is out and available at the information booth. There were 10,000 copies printed. The advertising for the shopping center is targeted to residents/businesses located within 7 miles. Our club is featured in this issue and an event calendar, and coupons are included.
Old Business:
SDSG Website:
Robert Graves reported that a photo of Jerry Schiller's layout has been added to the member's layouts section on the club website.
New Clinics:
Dale Minard and Wes Noel attended a clinic on DCS presented by Mike Wolf in old town. Apparently DCS plays nice with all S scale systems except those proprietary systems created by Lionel.
New Gilbert Town Modules:
Rework on the last module is on hold.
Grossmont Grapery:
Dale Minard's The Grossmont Grapery complete with wine tasting facility is installed and open for business. Mike Forys planted more grapevines to the lift bridge module.
Wndow Layout Success and Visitor Attendance:
As of 02/17/2018 the window layout button has been pushed 3,809 times since our last meeting, 85,849 times since we installed it at Grossmont Center and 121,721 times since day one.
New Business:
Future events:
The next meetings will be on Tuesdays, March 20, 2018 and April 17, 2018 and will be held at our clubhouse (suite 304 on the mall map) in Grossmont Center at 10AM.
Window Displays:
Raulf Polichar reported that he replaced brushes in the A.F. locomotive on the window display after it began making strange noises. Raulf stated that the other diesel locomotive has a problem with the flywheel and needs a rubber tire.
Lift Bridge:
The bridge entry module alignment is still our number one problem. Progress has been made on the track alignment. More work needs to be done. Dale Minard suggested adding a U shaped piece of plywood to both sides of the entrance to stop movement of the towers.
10th Anniversary:
We had 660 visitors at our celebration. A video was created at the event and Robert Graves will add a link to it on our website.
National Train Day:
Les Smith will be unavailable for an open house that would feature a display of original A.F. Train Sets and offer the general public an opportunity to bring in their A.F. Trains to be checked and run. Plan is on hold.
Work Schedule:
Mike Forys presented a plan and proposed schedule to catch up on incomplete projects and maintenance
Grossmont Shopping:
Les Smith informed us that using the code GCEMP at Grossmont Center stores can get you an employee's discount up to 30%. Les also has a supply of piano wire available for club members. You can also order food to go from any of the restaurants in the mall at GC2GO and get a 10% discount using the code above.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:20 AM.
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