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August 2017 MBCA Los Angeles Section Officers, Board Members, & Chairs Amir Rudyan President Amir.Rudyan@la-mbca.com Chase Kaufman Vice President Chase.Kaufman@la-mbca.com Kevin Wright Treasurer Kevin.Wright@la-mbca.com Tina Wright Secretary Tina.Wright@la-mbca.com Mindy Rudyan Event Coordinator Mindy.Rudyan@la-mbca.com Fran Schoenfeld Board Member Fran.Schoenfeld@la-mbca.com Arica Ohanisian Board Member Arica.Ohanisian@la-mbca.com Craig Cornwell Board Member Craig.Cornwell@la-mbca.com Paul Bergstrom (Past President) Paul.Bergstrom@la-mbca.com

President’s Message OT! It’s summer and it’s hot. But we are not slowing down. I have many exciting things to report.

The Southwest Regional Event was held from June 2nd to June 4th in Orange County, CA. In attendance were MBCA’s national president Terry Kiwala, our Southwest regional

director

Bud

Cloninger

and

other

section

presidents and board members. It was a very good event allowing me to get to know other chapter board members and share ideas with them. A few of us also got a chance to talk to Terry Kiwala at length about MBCA National and the things they are doing to further better our club. As a businessman myself, I appreciate all that Terry has done during his tenure as president to improve MBCA on many levels and to ensure it will remain a strong and viable car

Our general e-mail: info@mbca.org website: www.mbca.org Southwest Regional Director Bud Cloninger scottsdale3@mac.com National Headquarters Mercedes-Benz Club of America 1907 Lelaray Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909-2872 (800) 637-2360 & (719) 633-6427 fax (719) 633-9283

club for many years to come.

Clock and Engine Museum and Capistrano Mission – We had a wonderful time at the Clock and Engine museum where we learned about old farming equipment, visited a working blacksmith workshop, a working hand weaving workshop, a miniature train museum and other cool stuff!

After a great lunch we had a private tour of the mission at San Juan Capistrano by a retired history professor. She and the mission were amazing.

Upcoming events – there are several upcoming events, so wash your cars, fill up the tanks and join us.

Frasier Mountain Drive – Winery Tour & Tasting – Saturday September 16th – Sunday September 17th. Join us for a two-day event including beautiful drives, dinner with other club members and wine tasting. Can’t attend both days? Then join on either Saturday or Sunday. See more info in this newsletter.

Holiday Party – Saturday December 2nd: Save the date! Mindy Rudyan, our event planner (and my lovely wife đ&#x;˜Š) has been working diligently to plan this year’s Holiday Party. After reviewing numerous proposals, Mindy decided to hold our Holiday Party at the “Automobile Driving Museum at 610 Lairport Street, in EL Segundo CA. While Mindy is still working out the final details, we will get to experience the museum, ride in old cars and enjoy a gourmet lunch and of course, enjoy each other’s company in a private setting.

Further details will be sent out later this year via a news blast. Stay tuned‌ Elections – It’s that time of year again. The four elected positions on the Board are: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. Any member may submit their candidacy to become a board member. If you would like to run for any of these positions, please email a 150 word bio and a picture of yourself (head shot) to either person on our election committee no later than August 25th. Our election committee people are: Craig Cornwell Email: cjc.cornwell@gmail.com

Mindy Rudyan mindy@ashronbilling.com

The election format will be the same as we did last year. A separate email/mail communication regarding our election will be sent to you for voting.

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Other non-voted board member positions are available as well. I encourage all of you to join our board and help us make our club even better. If you would like to join the board for a non-elected position, please contact me or any other board member for details.

Other - At times, I like to share with our members other car related items that I feel might be valuable. One such item is “the car comparison tool” published by Car and Driver.

Please keep in mind that the club is simply passing this information to you. The club makes no guaranties as to the tool’s effectiveness or accuracy nor does this club endorse any car magazine. Proceed using this tool at your own risk.

To access this tool you can go to http://www.caranddriver.com/car-comparison-tool.

It’s been a pleasure serving you this past year. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our upcoming events.

Sincerely,

Amir Rudyan President, MBCA-LAS

Your Los Angeles Section Board

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Your Los Angeles Section is holding elections for President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, e’re having an election and any member can run for any open position.

Members can also run for multiple positions. However, anyone elected to two or more positions can only hold one office. For example, suppose someone runs for President and Vice-President, and they get the most votes for both positions. That person must select one position. The person with the second most votes would get the other position.

Each membership may cast one vote. If a member votes multiple times only their last ballot will be counted. This allows you to change your mind.

Any member who would like to run for office should send us (1) an email so their name can be added to the ballot, (2) a one liner about who they are, (3) a short biography (150 words or less), and (4) a photo. ALSO, we’ll accept write-in names on the ballot. If you want to leave off one or more items, that’s fine too.

Like last year, every member or associate member with Internet access can vote via the web. We’ll have a web page with each position, the names of those running for each position, their photo, bio, and a write-in section for each position where YOU can write in a member’s name. You can write-in any member’s name, but they must be a member.

Those without Internet access (that’s anyone who receives this newsletter by postal carrier) will receive a ballot by mail. Please fill out your ballot and mail it back.

On the following page is a sample of the webpage. With the exception of the best driver we know, we used comic characters as samples. On the webpage, if you wanted to vote for Snoopy, you’d simply click the button in front of his name. If you wanted to see his bio, you’d click the biography icon. If you want to enter a write-in candidate, click that button and enter their name in the field. At the very end of the web page is a submit button. Make sure to press that button. That button will start your email software. The recipient and the subject will both be filled in. Do not change them. Just hit send.

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The arrow points to the submit button. Press it when you’re ready.

Mercedes-Benz Club of America Los Angeles Section Newsletter

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Taking Stock

By Terry Kiwala - National President

henever I travel to the National Business Office in Colorado Springs, I stay at the Antlers Hotel. Breakfasting at the same table where I sat before the start of the November 2013 MBCA board meeting, I remembered how nervous I was having decided to run for president; now I smile as I think about the success we've had. This is a good time to share my pride in all our accomplishments, as well as my hopes for the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

In late 2013, MBCA had finally turned the financial corner with a balanced budget, but it has taken time to replenish reserves and establish financial viability. I'm happy to report that each of the past four years has been profitable; we've diversified our revenue sources, optimized investment income, and initiated careful cost controls. Now we have a healthy $750,000 in reserves and that is growing.

But the club's greatest assets are not financial. Our first asset is our members, engaged and working together as never before, who make our organization successful. As I travel to club events all over the continent, I see that the number of active members at club events is growing as section leaders host events that appeal to a broader group of MBCA members. I've also noted a common theme - an enthusiastic, can-do attitude that fosters membership satisfaction and helps our club continue to grow.

Our second asset, our elected board members, have made incredible progress as a leadership team. Regional Directors are involved in Section affairs and events and the Director s at Large have been focusing on strategic issues. I challenge our board members to commit to the same constructive leadership that I have witnessed these past four years.

Our third asset, The Star, remains the premier Mercedes-Benz enthusiast publication in the world, garnering awards every year since Gary Anderson assumed the role of EditorIn-Chief in 2008. The Star is continually praised by club members and is respected in the automotive community. The magazine consistently emulates the same high standards as Mercedes-Benz and the MBCA, and will continue to unite our members under the direction of Gary and his talented staff.

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Our fourth asset is our technology platform, upon which the club depends for its website, membership data, financial information, and so many other computerized applications.

It's come a long way, but has a long way to go. In my opinion, MBCA is at the bottom of the second in the game to upgrade its technology. But our staff's knowledge is helping us make strategic investments of capital in our technology platform.

Our fifth asset is our National Business Office staff; they are, quite simply, the best! When I became president, I also filled in as Executive Director for several months and realized how much we needed a dedicated and dynamic full-time leader at the NBO. I've never won a raffle, but we all won when Mike Regennitter joined us. Mike's leadership has increased the pace of progress at MBCA from that of a 240D to a C63! Long-time employees Cindy Tumbleson and Geni Wallen have never been better at managing member services and member satisfaction; I cannot thank them enough for all they do.

Ryanne Dias is taking on additional responsibilities as time goes on. Marcus Norwood is an experienced information- technology developer and project manager, and has made significant improvements in the website and software. Annaliesa McBride brings a new level of professionalism to member services that is, based on feedback I hear from members, appreciated and acknowledged.

At a recent Southwest Regional event, I was asked what I thought was my greatest accomplishment as president of MBCA. My reply was that our club is finally running as a business and is positioned well for the future: Building on a strong financial base and the foundation of our intangible assets, we are well positioned for that success.

Together, we have all come a long way; again, we have a long way to go. Our section leaders and our excellent staff are the reasons we have made so much progress, and you are the reason we will make significant progress in the future.

When I return to the Antlers Hotel, I look forward to sitting in the same seat for breakfast, and I'm sure I'll be reflecting on the MBCA's continued success. We can only go up from here ... breakfast is on the ground floor, after all.

To be continued ...

Mercedes-Benz Club of America Los Angeles Section Newsletter

Terry Kiwala

pg. 7

Recapping the Downtown Burbank Car Classic The first Saturday in August brought famous cars, movie stars, and music to downtown Burbank during the sixth annual Downtown Burbank Car Classic.

The show was highlighted with vehicles from the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Television Motion Picture Car Club and countless home-grown restorations.

The event was free to the public, and your Los Angeles Section was right in the thick of it. We could go on with endless details, but we’ll let our camera do the talking: Mercedes-Benz Club of America Los Angeles Section Newsletter

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Big SoCal Euro – September 3rd For those who’ve attended in the past, we know, you’re already attending. For those who are unfamiliar with Big SoCal Euro, this is the biggest European Car Event on the West Coast.

This is also one of the longest running car show events of its kind. It started in

San Luis Obispo, and then ran out of room. It moved to the Earl Warren Fairgrounds in Santa Barbara, and it ran out of room. From there it moved to Primedia Magazine in Anaheim near Angels Stadium. Yes, it ran out of room there too. It moved back to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, but that wasn’t big enough either. In 2007 they were finally able to find a place; Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

What’s this all about? More European cars than we can count. Legal drag racing – they section off a portion of the parking lot, put up concrete barriers, a Christmas tree, timing

lights, and let ‘em rip. Vendors: Food vendors, vendors with show cars, vendors with giveaways, vendors with items at drastically reduced prices, and vendors who foot the bill for the entire event - because it’s free. That’s right, attendees pay nothing to attend. It’s free to park, and free to wander everywhere and see everything.

Big SoCal Euro, Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd, San Diego 92108 Mercedes-Benz Club of America Los Angeles Section Newsletter

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EXKLUSIV at the Mercedes-Benz Prep Center on September 9th

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This FREE event has been approved by Mercedes-Benz USA and will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Prep Center in Long Beach. There will be music, raffles, vendors, awards, food, and a sea of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. If you attended the Prep Center event last May, think bigger – much bigger. Mercedes-Benz Learning and Performance will be on hand explaining new car features. The Mercedes-Benz AMG Driving Academy will have personnel on site explaining their offerings. The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center will bring cars and have reps on site.

Mercedes-Benz is currently arranging 20-25 historically

important cars to showcase on center stage. In addition to these other activities, there will be something special – tours.

Those of us who have attended tours of the Vehicle Prep Center can attest – getting access to that building is an ULTRA RARE occurrence. There will be several tours of the facility during the day, but they will only be given to a limited number of people.

You must

register ahead of time for the tour. Tour registration will be handled via a website and that website will not open until two weeks before the event. This event is being sponsored

by Mercedes-Benz USA and your Los Angeles Section cannot sign members up for tours.

Individuals must personally sign up. We will send out an email notice with the registration webpage when we are given the info.

Participation in the tour is the only event that

requires registration. The other activities are open to everyone.

The Vehicle Prep Center has parking for hundreds of cars, but onsite parking will only be provided for attendees who bring Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Non Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be directed to park across the street or at the end of the block.

If you have a special car and would like to have it showcased, please let us know at info@la-mbca.com . We may be able to get your car in the Über EXKLUSIV center stage area.

The event is on Saturday, September 9th beginning at 10 AM and ending at 2 PM.

More information is available at www.MBexklusiv.com

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Frasier Mountain Drive – Winery Tour & Tasting Organizer:

Chase Kaufman:

Chase’s Cell:

(818) 430-6917

Chase’s Email:

ChaseMK@gmail.com

Date:

Saturday, September 16, 2017

12 Noon

Lunch (optional): The Red Dot Vegetarian Kitchen, 3221 Mt. Pinos Way, Frazier Park, CA 93225

1:15 p.m.

Caravan from the Red Dot to the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot (about 4 hours) 2061 N. Roemer Court, Santa Maria, CA 93454

5-6:40 p.m.

Check in, relax, free time.

7 p.m.

Dinner (optional) at Jocko’s Steak House 125 N Thompson Ave, Nipomo, CA 93444

Date:

(805) 925-8500

(805) 929-3686

Sunday, September 17, 2017 Breakfast included with hotel room.

Checkout by noon and be ready to leave by 12:30

12:30 p.m.

Caravan from hotel to Rideau Vineyard 1562 Alamo Pintado, Solvang, Ca. 93463

2:00-4:30 p.m.

(805) 688-0717

Tour Winery & Tasting

For those who want to have dinner together afterwards, we will pick a venue based on the size of the group.

Costs:

Hotel:

$154 per room + TAX - This is a group rate under Mercedes-

Benz Club of America Reservations to be made directly with the hotel! (805) 925-8500 Vineyard Tour & Classes with Private tasting: $19.00 per person (gratuity included) For questions: Contact Chase

Chase’s Cell:

(818) 430-6917

Chase’s Email: ChaseMK@gmail.com

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To RSVP/Pay Begins 1 June 2017 - Deadline 17 August 2017 ~For Lodging Contact Hotel Directly~ To register and pay on-line via credit/debit card click this link:http://msreg.com/MBFrazier Select an event to review it, and then at the bottom of the screen click on the Continue Icon. The system will then ask you to create an account (one time only), ask you some specific questions regarding that event and then take you to a payment screen.

Or (the old fashion way) Mail RSVPs and payment to: Chase M. Kaufman, 5366 Ellenvale Avenue, Woodland Hills, California 91367 Payable to: MBCA-LAS

Please RSVP BY 16th August 2017.

Winery Tour & Private Tasting No. of tickets needed?

Contact Person’s Name:

Total Payment

X $19.00 =

Cell Number: Email Address I will join the club for Day 1 Lunch I will join the club for Day 1 Dinner I will join the club for Day 2 Dinner I plan on attending the Day 1 Drive I plan on attending the Day 2 Drive

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MBCA Summer Trips to Germany Experience a first-class VIP European vacation tour that will place you at the heart of Mercedes-Benz's rich history.

These member-only trips provide direct and personal access to Mercedes-Benz facilities and museums as well as many amazing European landmarks. Don’t wait any longer, as space is limited and already filling up.

Optional River Cruise Optional river cruises are being offered before or after the Stuttgart Trips. Please contact Randy Norris at Frosch Travel at 800-878-2929 ext. 7105 for details.

CLICK HERE to register and learn more or contact trip Leiter and past national MBCA President Jim O'Sullivan at 843-671-2079 or osullivanj55@gmail.com.

Fall Stuttgart Germany Tour September 18 - 24, 2017 SOLD OUT: Waiting List

Oktoberfest Last year we had a joint event with the Orange County and Long Beach Sections at the Phoenix Club. We’re working on another joint event at the same venue this year.

The Phoenix Club in Anaheim has been celebrating Oktoberfest for over 50 years.

Last year there were hundreds of people in attendance.

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The Phoenix Club has delicious German food, German beer on tap, live music, dancing and many other special events. Last year MBCA members were paid to park their Benz on the grass. We will send out information via email after the details have been worked out.

2017 Holiday Party at the Automobile Driving Museum Organizer:

Mindy Rudyan:

Date:

Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

Arrival Time:

We recommend members to arrive between 11:30 and 11:45.

Lunch

Gourmet Lunch will be served starting at 12:00 noon.

Museum

Price includes touring the museum

Parking:

Free on-site parking

Costs:

Price to be determined

For questions:

Email Mindy at:

mindy@ashronbilling.com

Call Mindy at:

818-707-3518

RSVP:

Mindy’s Home Phone:

818-707-3518

Info will be sent out at a later date with meal choices

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