News From The Western Region
leftcoastlines@insulators.com

Hello Crown Jewels readers, my name is Michael Doyle and I am very excited to be your new Western Region correspondent! I thank God for the many blessings He continues to heap upon me; also my wife, Ruthann, for her love and enthusiastic support; and Dwayne Anthony, Howard and Linda Banks for providing this opportunity.

First, let me introduce the new column, "Left Coast Lines," and share my vision for this space; then, I'll make a couple of observations and talk a bit about the Western Region show schedule. [Editor's note: "Left Coast Lines", the new Western Region Correspondent's column, will appear whenever there is news from the west.] 

Some of you, may remember that I had a great opportunity to help Dwayne out by writing a few show reports back in 1999 and 2000. The hours spent behind this keyboard back then helped me to better appreciate the difficult task that Dwayne Anthony and Mike Guthrie have performed so well for the last few years. (We won't say exactly HOW MANY years....) In the future, Left Coast Lines will bring west coast perspectives, show reports, and collector profiles to Crown Jewels. Here you will see the spotlight focus on western insulator shows and the unique aspects of local collectors who make those shows possible. There will almost always be a list of show goers with their home towns included in these show reports because it is important for the hobby to recognize those who support their local shows. Our perspectives on topics of regional interest certainly will invite and may well inspire your feedback. There has always been a lively ebb and flow of news and events out here, and we will work to bring a taste of that local flavor into this journal.

In a recent conversation, Linda Banks said, "It's great to curl up in your favorite chair with your new Crown Jewels issue and escape the day's stresses for a little while!" How true! Her statement speaks volumes to the level of commitment that the Banks' have to our hobby, and it speaks directly to those techies who would say, "Scrap the rag and go on-line." Our old familiar insulator rag has a strong present and an extended future. I believe we'll want to keep adding it to our special Crown Jewels shelves for years to come.

On the other hand, Bill Meier has always received copies of my original show report content at the same time that it has been offered to Crown Jewels magazine. That will continue in support of the increasing positive influence of ICON and Insulators.Com on our fast growing hobby. One day, technology will help us blend these disparate media in a seamless way, but for today, show reports will go to both Bill and Howard. 

To paraphrase Dick Bowman in a recent ICON posting, "... swap meets and snows are truly the heart of our hobby..." Surely the Marshall was shootin' straight an' true when he wrote that email. Let us renew our commitment to advertising shows and to encouraging more participation in back yard swaps and tailgaters. Left Coast Lines will play a role in that by summarizing the western region's proposed show schedule on a regular basis. There will be a generous dose of opinion, observation, and editorial comment mixed into that summary, and as always, Left Coast Lines invites YOUR comments and opinions. The more our show hosts communicate their plans and success stories to their regional correspondent, the more information we can share with readers in this space. Canadian subscribers, (Yoo-Hoo!) if you are in BC, Alberta, or Western Saskatchewan, give Left Coast Lines a holler and you'll see your swaps, shows and tailgaters listed here too! Email us using: leftcoastlines@insulators.com. 

About shows....OK......I sat down the other night and tried to figure out how many insulator shows and bottle-insulator shows there were in the west. I started with an empty slate and I couldn't remember a single western show for January. February was easier because I remembered Roger Nagel's Jail House Swap thrown by the Grand Canyon Insulator Club in Yuma, Arizona; then, there was the Las Vegas, Nevada show where a few insulator dealers showed up. The northwesterners kicked off their year with the popular and well attended Emerald City Swap, hosted by the Hare's at their home in Seattle, Washington. This show has been held in both February and March. March brought us Nathan Lamkey's well attended barn swap insulator show in Salem, Oregon. There were bottle shows in Chico and Morro Bay, California as well. Both have featured some insulator dealers in past years. 

April brought Spring and the always anticipated Rohde Roundup Invitational. When Don and Camille Rohde opened their ranch to members of the Nor-Cal and Southern Counties insulator clubs there were more folks in attendance than ever before. Members of the Jefferson State Insulator Club were invited to attend again this year. The Vallejo, California bottle show (which used to be in Antioch, California) attracted a few insulator dealers as well. Steve Bava can tell you all about that one. 

May was a busy show month in the western region with the CaÒon City, Colorado Insulator meet and the Cayucos, California Insulator Show. Bottle shows in Victorville, California (also in June, some years) and Enumclaw, Washington added to the fun. These have always attracted a few insulator dealers. June brought us the Mountain View, California show, hosted by Dave Elliott, in the beautiful San Francisco Bay area. Our Canadian neighbors in Naramata, British Columbia have held an insulator and bottle show up there in past years. (Hey, Gary Reed, is that Chute Lake Resort show still hap'nin'?)

In July we had fun at Howard and Linda Banks' back yard swap in Merlin, Oregon. When August came, everyone pulled stakes, saddled up and joined the wagon train going out to the Sierra foothills for Nor-Cal's Auburn show, hosted by Nor-Cal and Pat Patocka. This has been one of the most popular insulator shows in the West. August also featured The Greater Portland Insulator Swap in Portland, Oregon which enjoys a large and enthusiastic gathering of northwestern collectors every year. 

September was an exciting month for many California collectors, who have witnessed the sudden growth of the Merzoian Brothers' Porterville Pole Barn Tailgater. It grew from a coffee table conversation to a fully blown Glass-A-Rama (OK, Mud-O-Rama, too) in just a few short years. What a show! September also appears to be the home month for Ron Yuhas' Big Sky Insulator Swap Meet near Helena, Montana. There have only been two get-togethers at the Yuhas compound so far, but we can rely on Bill Reid and cohost Montie McDowell to keep the pressure on for future Big Sky events. How about it, guys? Should we put this one on the calendar for 2004?!?! (Watch Left Coast Lines for the Merzoian and Yuhas show reports coming soon.)

Also in September, Canadians in the western region had the Fort Langley Insulator Show in (where else?) Fort Langley, British Columbia. Bob Scafe is the man to talk to on this one. The Enchantment Insulator Club (new home club for Carol & John McDougald) had their annual insulator and bottle show in Albuquerque, New Mexico during September, followed by the Arcadia, California bottle show where a few insulator dealers have always shown up. October brings the rainy season out west and is usually void of "insulator shows; however, I have certain insider information about three amigos who are planning to band together to host some wild kind of an insulator thang out in Lancaster, California. Don't quote me just yet, but keep yer telegraph sounder well adjusted for headlines out of Lancaster. The Jefferson State Insulator Club moved their annual show to the late-October, early November season. Did I mention that they also moved to a new facility? That's right! The Jefferson State Insulator Club's new location for their annual show is Canyonville, Oregon, preferring the Seven Feathers Resort to their former armory venue. Their show is going to be a whopper this year, and sources close to JSIC's leadership told Left Coast Lines that the next NIA Western Regional might even be held in Canyonville.

November and December were simple to recall because they have always had one show each, Tulare and Auburn. The Tulare, California bottle show in early November has been attended by about ten insulator dealers in past years. We expect future insulator dealer attendance at the Tulare show to increase. The Auburn, California bottle show in early December has always been a very popular show for insulator dealers. We expect that it will continue to attract 20 or more dealers each year. 

Well, there it is, a full review of the western region show schedule. If you don't see your favorite event listed, then please give us a holler. How in the world will Left Coast Lines be represented at all of these events? The simple truth is that we can not be, but you can help by sending us a brief who-what-when-where, you might even include a couple of highlights. As you will see in the near future, that is exactly what Ron Yuhas did and it took us about 10 minutes to put his show report together. When we get that kind of input and support from show goers, we can put a report together with some pictures, and have it ready for Howard and Linda in one or two days! 

So, even though Left Coast Lines will only be represented at shows north to Canyonville and south to Yuma, each of you is invited to put your feelings, comments, observations, and ideas into print and send them to us. Left Coast Lines promises to use everything we get from you in some way; shape, or form. Email or write using: leftcoastlines@insulators.com or Left Coast Lines, 1805 East Country Court, Visalia, CA 93292-1202. 

So, all you thread-heads, Listen Up: Getcher glass and mud traders into a good, sturdy box. Getcher swap lists and price guides updated. Flip open yer Crown Jewels to Coming Events and click in the Show Finder for details on the next swap meet or tailgater in your area. Dig that dusty wad of cash out-o-the Fred Locke pinhole and get all yer friends together for an insulator road trip because......

IT'S SHOWTIME!