Fun holiday gifts!

Looking for a unique and fun holiday gift this season?

Consider shopping at the Old Car Picnic's online store: www.cafepress.com/jimmyspicnic.

Lots of gifts featuring this year's Studebaker design.

Have a friend who loves Ford Falcons? Check out our online store: www.cafepress.com/jimmyspicnic08

Happy Holidays! and a little update

Last week Jimmy & some of the Picnic crew went to the annual holiday party for Adaptive Recreation Programs, held in Golden Gate Park. Bay Area programs that serve Disabled people were invited. The 100+ clients who attend have a wonderful time every year—there is a hot lunch served by the SFFD, fun music, treats, and a visit by Santa! These people aren’t able to get out much and these parties mean a lot to them. We were told that they look forward to them all year and are happy to see their friends from other programs.

This event is being cut by the SF Rec & Park Dept. We were invited to the party because the Old Car Picnic directly benefits this program, but no matter-- it’s not enough to keep it running. Our donation from this year’s Picnic will most likely be going to another worthy SF organization that directly serves the disabled-- because this program will no longer exist.

This program has been part of the Rec & Park for over 40 yrs and is being cut because of the budget....

SF government likes to pride itself on its “inclusiveness” but it doesn’t seem to have many qualms about cutting programs for our most vulnerable neighbors-- people who can’t make a fuss about having their services cut, who can’t speak up for themselves. Rec & Park has not been easy for the Picnic organizers to deal with—they’d rather see the Picnic gone—and it feels like they don’t really care about what happens to the people we benefit, either. We just wanted to let fans of the Picnic know what is going on.

Thanks to Dave & Carolyn and all the dedicated and selfless people who serve our Disabled communities in the Bay Area!

Already November!

Wow, it's November already!
Phew--that went fast. We are still doing follow up work with the SF Rec & Park Dept regarding the Picnic and its future.
The Picnic takes a TON of work and by the end of the event, we felt like passing out for a week straight--we are still recovering.... We'll post updates as we get them. Thanks!

Trophy by Alex Smith! (not the 49er!)

Our friend, car guy and professional sculptor, Alexander Smith, has created this beautiful Picnic Choice award trophy this year! You have to see it up close--it's really a work of art.
The Picnic Choice award is chosen every year by the organizers of the Picnic to be given to a really outstanding and interesting car. Any participating car is eligible to win this award!

For more of Alex's work, check out www.alexanderthesmith.com

Important things to know about the Picnic

Another update because we keep getting the same questions from people over and over!

-First we'd like to thank the folks at Steele Rubber Products for donating two awesome prize packs to the raffle and to Pissed Off Pete for donating a sweatshirt & t-shirt too!

Important things you need to know about Sunday:
- The admission is $30, no exceptions. There is no guest list, no comps. We had to raise the fee so we could pay OUR fees to throw the Picnic. This is the only way we could even have the Picnic this year. On top of paying the fees, we will still benefit the Developmentally Disabled. We are a nonprofit organization who hosts this Picnic because we feel it is important to help out our Disabled friends and neighbors AND we love the event!
- NO MODERN CARS. We have a very strict permit and cannot allow modern cars into the show. If you do bring one, you will be turned away. This is an OLD Car Show.
- Please don't try to sneak in to avoid paying or to bring in your modern car. This is about respect. We hope that you respect what we are trying to provide for our Bay Area classic car community. It's not easy to plan this event and when people do this, it's very disrespectful.
- RESPECT the Park. In this age of digital cameras and instant internet access, if you decide to show off by doing donuts on the lawn or anything else that puts our permit at risk, a photo of your behavior might end up online as the "person who ruined it for everyone...." We also have the SFPD and Park Police to enforce the law.
- No vending! The City requires us to immediately report vending to the Park Police.
- Our rules are in place because we have to have them. If you aren't into them, no one is forcing you to attend.

This is a 21 year San Francisco tradition that welcomes all people with a good attitude! The Picnic is organized by family and friends who really love the event and work VERY hard to make it happen; we are not rich and we do not make money off this event. There's nothing else like it in San Francisco!
--
Jimmy's 21st Annual Old Car Picnic
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park, SF
Sunrise to Sunset
$30 admission for vehicles 1972 and older
www.jimmyspicnic.com for details
Online store for merchandise:
www.cafepress.com/jimmyspicnic

NO VENDING OF ANY KIND AT THE PICNIC

Why the year limit?

We've been getting ALOT of people asking if they can bring their modern cars to the Picnic, especially cars from the 2000s.
We are car people, we love all kinds of cars, and if you've ever been to Jimmy's, you would have seen a huge variety of cars, but they all have one thing in common--they are OLD! That is why we are called the Old Car Picnic and we have a cut off date of 1972.
We love seeing what people do with their modern cars--they are cool, interesting, and creative, but we have a really strict permit and need to be able to have room for vehicles that make the year cut off.
Thanks to those who have checked in advance if they can bring their modern cars, as we will not allow modern cars into the show. If you were planning to bring your modern car, or know someone who is, please know that modern cars will be turned around at the gate. BUT they will be welcome to park on JFK Drive, overlooking the Meadow, where parking is free and public. If you have any questions about this, please let us know. Thanks for understanding!

Raffle Prizes!

We always have a nice raffle at the Picnic. Participating vehicles will receive raffle tickets in their entry packets, but we'll have them for sale to everyone at $1 each and 6 for $5. Look for people walking around selling the tickets. If you get tickets in your packet, you will also need to put half into the raffle box.

The raffle is usually held at 2:00 or 2:30 at the antique fire truck that's parked towards the center of the Meadow. The fire truck will sound the siren when it's time for the raffle. Remember, you must be present to win!

We'd like to thank the following donors for their great prizes!

Bob Fields--A night at the San Remo Hotel, SF

Thrasher, Slap, & Juxtapoz Magazines-- t-shirts, sweatshirts, all kinds of goodies

NHS-- Independent Skateboard Trucks t-shirts and accessories and Santa Cruz Skateboard decks

Kristi Chatham at Betty's Race Garage-- crystal & silver wrench earrings

SF Park & Recreation Nursery-- large houseplants

Dan's Chevron, SF-- cases of oil

Mel's Diner on Geary Blvd., SF-- t-shirts
Pissed Off Pete- Born & Raised in San Francisco sweatshirt & t-shirt

We'll update the list as we get more confirmed donations!

Comp'd Picnic admissions

We are disappointed to learn that some people have been bragging that they sneak into the Picnic....or they say they are a close personal friend of Jimmy's....or they have connections to Thrasher-- just so they don't have to pay the admission donation of $30.
THERE ARE NO COMP'ED ADMISSIONS FOR VEHICLES! (Besides, Jimmy does not comp!)
So if your friends are telling you there are, that's not okay.

The Picnic is run by a nonprofit organization that gives the proceeds to the Developmentally Disabled. The organizers do not profit off this event-- and that's part of the reason why it's lasted so long! We try to keep the Picnic fee as low as possible so the widest variety of people can bring their cars out for a day of fun--so you can see the cars of rich people and the not-so-rich. When people have paid $X for their vehicle's paint job or tires, and don't want to throw in $30 to help support the event and the Disabled, well, we think that's saying something about them....

This is also an OLD Car Picnic--we don't have a problem with your 80s, 90s, 00s cars--there just isn't room for them and we have a very strict permit. So please, don't try to force your modern cars into the event. If you do see modern cars in the event, you know it's highly likely they sneaked in and therefore didn't chip into to support the event.....

It's all about respect--we respect you and your cars and hope you respect what we are trying to do for you, your family, your friends, your City, and your disabled neighbors. We want to keep this Picnic going and FUN (and fair!) for everyone!

Classic Picnic designs!

Did you miss out on getting your official Jimmy's Picnic merchandise from last year's Picnic? We now have an online store featuring fun items from the 20th Anniversary Old Car Picnic in 2008!

Last year's design features a sporty red 1963 Ford Falcon race car! Lots of different options are available--check them out at www.cafepress.com/jimmyspicnic08

If you don't see an item you would like, just let us know and we can see if we can add it. Thanks!
We also plan to add other designs from years past, so if your favorite isn't here yet, hang tight!

ONLINE STORE!

Because our permit does not allow vending at the Old Car Picnic, we can't sell shirts and posters this year. We've set up an ONLINE STORE for you to order your OFFICIAL Jimmy's Picnic gear!

We have lots of fun things available, including hoodies & sweatshirts, kid's stuff, ladies sizes, posters, and other fun stuff! If you order NOW you'll get your stuff in time to wear to the Picnic. Fight the fog with an official Picnic sweatshirt! All items feature our logo and car for this year--a 1951 Studebaker!

Check it out now at www.cafepress.com/jimmyspicnic

Let us know what you think!

The Mailing List!

People often ask us to put them on our mailing list for Jimmy's Picnic information. We hope to send our mailing out this week!

We are also trying to trim postage and shipping costs by requesting email addresses from people so we can put them on our emailing list instead. If you would like to be put on our emailing list, just send a note to jimmyspicnic@gmail.com. We won't use your email address for anything besides updating you about the Picnic. We'll also email you a downloadable and printable version of the flier so you can print out as many as you would like.

If you have been receiving material from us in the mail and have changed your address or no longer wish to receive them, please let us know this as well.

If you have friends who don't use a computer very much, please let them know this information. Thanks!

CHANGES for this year's Picnic!

You might know that we've been working with the SF Recreation & Park Department (R&P) for about half a year now to get the permit for this year's Picnic. R&P has made a lot of changes in the way it issues permits, so this process hasn't been easy. As a result, there are a few new things we'd like to share with you.

1. Jimmy's Annual Old Car Picnic is in the process of becoming an officially recognized non-profit organization! We've always been not-for-profit, but soon we'll be official! We've always existed to benefit programs for Developmentally Disabled and that will not change.

2. Because of much higher permit fees from R&P, we must raise the admission fee for participating vehicles from $20 to $30. This new fee will allow us to be able to pay for all the additional fees from R&P and to continue to make a donation to the Disabled. The old admission of $20 wouldn't cover the new higher fees, our costs, and still allow us to make a donation. If you cannot afford the raise in admission, leave your car at home and come out anyways! As always, spectators are free!

3. We cannot sell event t-shirts or posters at the event. R&P requires a percentage of the sales of these items (even though our event benefits their Adaptive Recreation program) and we don't want to deal with this. We will look into setting up an online store and will keep you posted.

4. We cannot allow any food vending on site (even if the vendor already has a permit with R&P). R&P is requiring us to call the Park Police if a vendor shows up. Please be aware of this and bring your own picnic lunch or bbq to the event.

Please spread the word about the new changes! If you have any questions, please let us know. We'll update as we learn more, as well. Thanks!

Welcome to Jimmy's Old Car Picnic!

Hello! Welcome to our new blog. We, the organizers of the Picnic, want to use this to get you updated on what's going on with this year's Picnic--our 21st! Keep checking back as we get more information.

In the meantime, save the date of Sunday, October 11!

Check out our website at www.jimmyspicnic.com, join our Facebook group I love Jimmy's Old Car Picnic, or become our myspace friend!