Tranquil Triangle Thursdays - June

[oznogonzo]

Since the Triad area has its Manic Mondays the folks over in the Triangle have decided its time we start doing something similar... Tranquil Thursday :D

To start out, we will be having small gatherings on the second Thrusday of each month beginning June 2007. The current meeting place is the outer parking lot in front of Target in Brier Creek Commons on Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh. This spot is right next to I-540 and is easily accessible from every direction. There is enough room for lots of MINI's, plenty of places to eat, and lots of people we can show off our latest mods to ;)

As we gain momentum, the group can decide on other activities to take place, other meeting areas etc. If there is enough interest, hopefully we can expand the gatherings into a weekly event similar to what the Triad has with the Manic Monday meets.

Those of us in the Triangle want to build involvement in the area, and think this will be a great way for everyone to get out and enjoy the MINI experience.

Several of us have discussed the possibility of making some sort of flier to add with the "I spotted your MINI" cards to try and make a better first impression when we see a lone MINI out & about, or to hand out to potential MINI owners we might encounter. There are tons of MINI owners in the Triangle, and it would be great if we could get everyone involved in some fun times.

Additionally, we will try to get the word out on other forums so people who don't normally visit our club pages can hopefully join our little gatherings as well.

When:
The second Thrursday of each month at 6:30 pm
Thursday June 14, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday July 12, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday August 9, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday September 13, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday October 11, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday November 8, 2007 6:30pm
Thursday December 13, 2007 6:30pm

Where:
8651 Brier Creek Pkwy Raleigh NC
Outer parking lot in front of Target.

Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=8651+Brier+Creek+Pkwy+raleigh+nc&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.822589,95.888672&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr&om=1

[BlimeyCabrio]

Thanks, gonzo! I've been trying all day to figure out an appropriately descriptive "T" word for our Thursday meets - I like "Tranquil". :)

Great minds, ya know...

[simplygriff]

Awesome! With enough notice like this we should be able to make one or 2 of these.
-G

[MidnightDave]

I'm in for a few...

[HotRodPilot]

I'm in for a few...


That's one heck of a drive for ya...

P.S.

I forgot to get that decal in the mail to you before I left... I'll get it to you in Sept..

[MidnightDave]

Rich, np on the decal, want to tint the windows first anyway, and you know how we both like to drive!

All, I'll be there on 7/12 and 11/8. My teams in W/S and Raleigh don't want to see mee any more often than that! ;-) And to think, I buy them lunch?

[mrry550]

I can't do June (will be in Miami on a business trip), but I am putting the rest on the calendar now! :D

[CooperSKart]

I'll put those on the calendar also - I may be a bit late when I can make it but that sounds like not too much of a problem. Are these dinner mtgs or what exactly?

[BlimeyCabrio]

I'll put those on the calendar also - I may be a bit late when I can make it but that sounds like not too much of a problem. Are these dinner mtgs or what exactly?

Well, we're still kinda figuring out the format. :)

Those who show up get to decide. But general concept is hang out and talk / see cars for half an hour or so, then move to a local establishment for drinks and food.

Anyone arriving late can call my cell 919-274-3872 if you need to find us.

[myhotwheelz]

Awesome! Thank you so much for posting this event notice. I look forward to see more mini's at our next gathering on the 14th.

See you guys soon!

Christi

[BlimeyCabrio]

Awesome! Thank you so much for posting this event notice. I look forward to see more mini's at our next gathering on the 14th.

See you guys soon!

Christi

Christi - CONGRATS on having your own account - and your own MINI!

See you next week.

[BlimeyCabrio]

FYI - I sent an email with info on this to all Raleigh/Fayetteville/Greenville area members - there were 143 people (133 of whom had email addresses)!!!

Should be able to build momentum with that big of a base... :D

[TWISTER]

Did you notice our most recent members are from Raleigh?

[BlimeyCabrio]

Yep - LOTSA recent members from the Raleigh area...

.... all those spotter cards I'm using must be working. :)

[TWISTER]

So did all the flyers we handed out yesterday!

[Sgt Pepper]

I'm updating my calendar as well! I'll try my best to make it to the one this week, if not then I'll get to the next one! Thanks!! :D

[BTBYAGRL]

I'm in for this Thursday!

[BlimeyCabrio]

Just a bump/reminder - we should have a good turnout Thursday nite! Several folks have confirmed with me via email also. And we should have some M2C2 reps there as well. One big happy Triangle MINI Tribe in the making... :D

Come on out if you can!

[simplygriff]

Take some pics! I wanted to try to make it out tonight but had some work stuff come up.
-G

[HPUdrew]

Yeah I'll have to reschedule for the next one too. Sorry I can't make it, but it sure sounds like the group is growing!

I'm glad to hear that there will be some M2C2 folks joining in on a Tar Heel MINI event. Please let them know that we're happy to have them join our club too so that they can stay up to date on our events as well. You guys have fun!!!

Drew

[doodlez]

I think I might actually be able to make it out to this one! :)

[MDK]

The weather is looking pretty bad over here in Greenville today, I'll have to see what's going on later this afternoon. How is it in Raleigh?

[BlimeyCabrio]

Weather in Raleigh is just fine! Overcast all day, but the storms have missed us and nothing brewing out there right now. Might have a shower blow over or something - but that will just give us an excuse to take cover for food and drink! We're on for 6:30! Several folks have confirmed!

[CooperSKart]

We'll be there (yes, the weather is really wonderful after all the mid & upper 80's & 90's we've been having).

[MINI Rog]

Sorry we didn't make it. Had every intention on going but 6:30 is a stretch for me from Burlington, especially since I didn't get home until 6:20 today. Hope to catch you all next time.

[myhotwheelz]

Our first TTT went really well....Lots more mini's... which was AWESOME..

We got to meet some really cool people and strategize for some more events in the triangle. I think next time since we know a date already...if we can get an idea of where we would like to meet for dinner afterwards (or I can set it up either way) then we can reserve some tables ahead of time so that we all can be at the same local.

We were in the group that went to Chili's we had an awesome time. I hope we can continue to have such a great turn out. Its nice to meet new people and see all the varieties of mini's. It gets the energy and ideas flowing.....

[BlimeyCabrio]

Yep - great turnout! 13 MINIs, 14 MINI owners and about 20 people! (one new owner came sans MINI cause hers is in the shop - somebody threw a brick through her rear window :mad:)

A couple of pics before my camera died (grrrr)
http://www.paulscottpenny.fastmail.fm/THMMC/TTT_0706_1.jpg

http://www.paulscottpenny.fastmail.fm/THMMC/TTT_0706_2.jpg

We had 9 folks at Johnny Carino's and that group had a good time and good conversation as well. We'll coordinate one location in advance next time - but given that we had NO IDEA what kind of turnout to expect tonight, I think all was great! Thanks to everyone who took the time to come out - next month, same bat time, same bat channel...:D

[MDK]

Looks like a good time-sorry I missed it. I guess the sotrms stayed east but I do like the cooler temps they brought!

Hopefully I will see you all next month! Next meeting is the 12th, right?

[simplygriff]

Wow! Great turnout guys! :D
-G

[HPUdrew]

Yeah really guys, that's as big of a turnout as we've had with Manic Mondays so far! Congrats and keep it up, looks to be a great event.

Drew

[mini_specter]

I'll have to check out the next "Gathering" as I missed this one. I've been thinking about getting a mini for awhile now. It would be great to chat with some owners to get some feedback on potential mods and stuff.

[doodlez]

I'm glad I was able to make it out last night. It was great to meet everyone, and I look forward to our next gathering!

[CooperSKart]

We had a great time too & met a lot of nice folks, although our 4 YO had a bit of a meltdown at the end unfortunately (we're just glad it happened at the end of dinner & not earlier).

[BlimeyCabrio]

We had a great time too & met a lot of nice folks, although our 4 YO had a bit of a meltdown at the end unfortunately (we're just glad it happened at the end of dinner & not earlier).

You just gotta learn who's boss - when he says you're going to Target, you GO... :D

Been there, lived that. Many times. No worries.

[myhotwheelz]

Blimey

Thanks for the posting the pics from last night. I think that we get more people interested in coming out!!!!

[BlimeyCabrio]

I'll have to check out the next "Gathering" as I missed this one. I've been thinking about getting a mini for awhile now. It would be great to chat with some owners to get some feedback on potential mods and stuff.

Specter - come on down! You'll certainly have an opportunity for plenty of that if you come out in July!

[MDK]

That sounds like a lot of fun, if it's OK'd and I not away, I'm in!

[surreptitious]

The Tarheel and M2C2 club members were both in attendance making this a Great Meet, We are hoping to recruit for both clubs, Many thanks goes out to all who attended, Hope to see you at the next one.

[HPUdrew]

FYI, FLOW MINI is a HUGE part of this club and they have done a lot for us. Any gatherings created by Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club need to use FLOW over Hendrick. As far as I know Hendrick does a lot for M2C2 also, so if we're doing 2-club events in the future we may want to keep the dealerships out of the mix on those specific events. Thanks!

Drew

[myhotwheelz]

I just want to say thanks to everyone who came out to the TTT's (Tranquile Triangle Thursdays). Regrettably, I most likely wont be attending any future events. After reading the threads today I see there is obviously some issues going on - I personally dont feel that anyone picked Hendericks over Flow - it was simply an idea putting out that there maybe sponsors and potential prizes was just thrown out there, unfortunately the wrong dealership was named. But it just brainstorming not intentionally picking one over the other it was more from "excitement" I presume-that an acutal Rally could happen and that others might want to sponsor in its being a big event for MINI owners. Because that was how everyone felt last Thursday the hype and adrenalin rush that things were getting going where all the minis no matter what club or dealership could have some fun and show our cars off. What a concept...since we have wanted something going on in the RDU area for a long time and it now we could see that life was being breathed into it and it was actually happening. And on top of that, someone wanted to organize a rally on behalf of the mini owners- which was a bonus to the evenings event.

But, I feel its not about having "MINI fun" its about picking sides. All I know is I have a car I absolutely love much like everyone here and just wanted to share in that experience with others who have the same enthusiasm. But, I feel uptight now like I have to watch what I would say or that I might do something that is deemed not politically correct and no one should feel that way. But, hey I understand! You have to stand by what you feel is right. Life is way to short to spend worrying about these trival things. I wish this club, as well as the other one, and its members the best and am grateful that I had an opportunity to meet some great Mini owners. Should the rally ever come to be Im sure that it will be absolutely AWESOME :-)

[MidnightDave]

May we do a point/counterpoint? Okay, let's do.

I share your sentiment entirely, and that's why I sponsored an interclub run to the Childress Vineyards last year, and will for years to come, and people from both clubs attended,

and I go to meetings and events organized by both clubs and am welcomed at each,

and I go to both dealerships when its convenient and they don't ask where I bought the car or what club I'm in,

and I've made many friends in both clubs, (and no known enemies ;-) ) and unlike your approach of recoiling from potentially great times, I'm embracing them and just ignoring any rivalry, contrived or actual, past, present or future between clubs or dealerships.

BTW, I've heard the same shenanigans applies to vintage v. new, Cooper v. S, old-new v. newer-new, "real BMWs v. MINIs"--Rob, God rest his soul, had a Cooper and taught me momentum and patience on the track, I went to the BMWCCA event at VIR with my MINI by invitation, as did several others, and the M2C2 guys just had a vintage owner join them, and Anna and her Dad are bringing their newer new MINIs to Mt. Mitchell with us, so there goes those rivalry theories, at least in part.

There are drama queens and petty people with an us/them attitude in all walks of life, and I for one am not going to let them choose my friends or venues.

It's about the cars and camradarie (sp) and I plan keep it that way, regardless of others' affiliations.

We are fortunate to have two great and active clubs and two supportive dealerships in close proximity, as well as SCCA venues, road tracks, British car shows and the like.

Finally...

As for Drew's comments, Flow is geographically centric to THMMC, they just sponsored our discounted participation at VIR, Lee was a gracious host, and I think Drew was safe guarding that relationship--one of the roles of the Presidency. Don't you think any organization should rally to support their sponsors? Is it wrong for Luke, (the M2C2 President), to bring donuts to entice folks to Hendrick's on Saturday mornings? I for one loved getting a creme filled gut bomb while watching an early release of a Hammer and Coop episode with other enthusiasts, some of whom happened to work there at the dealership--and nary a word was spoken about any rivalries, we were too busy singing '80s big hair band songs.

MOTOR ON...everybody!

[TWISTER]

bintliff,
Thanks for helping BC out with this. This is a great start in getting both clubs to do more together. I cant wait to see the rally take off! I moved them to their own thread to get others excited about it

[BlimeyCabrio]

To clear the air here...

Mark and Christie - I don't think ANYBODY meant to imply that you guys did anything "wrong" - I certainly didn't mean to do that in any posts or PMs... but Dave perfectly states the issues, and how we all live "around" them. I hope you'll recall that, at our first (4 person) meet, I was ALL FOR participation by all folks, regardless of club affiliation, in the Triangle events. I still am. The only thing Drew and I tried to convey - badly I guess - is the point that Dave makes well about taking care of our sponsors. That doesn't make the Rally, or seeking sponsorship, or anything else a bad idea - unfortunately we got separated from each other at dinner last week or I would have been there and could have mentioned the idea of using Flow as a sponsor in "real time" - and I don't think anyone would have taken that the wrong way or gotten any feelings hurt.

We're currently posting this on the THMMC forum. The event was planned on this forum. The event drew attendees by mailing to this club's email list. We chose to also post an invite on the M2C2 forum, as well as on NAM - but I honestly don't see how anyone could have ever considered TTT anything other than a THMMC event. It's not "political" - I don't have a clue what "bad blood" may have been an issue in the past - nor do I care. But we all have a vested interest in building momentum and membership for THIS club - the more "mass" we have, the more perks, sponsorships, sponsored events, discounts, etc. that we can generate.

If I've done anything to cause either of you any stress or grief today, I offer a public apology - again, that was not my intention. Your energy and excitement were instrumental in getting TTT started - I sincerely hope you'll continue to participate (and LEAD) and help out, and have FUN. I think lots of FUN was had last week. I'd hate to think you would walk away after all you've helped accomplish... please reconsider. Or at least lets have a face to face, offline conversation - those seem to work better than this e-garbled stuff... :)