Notes from our President
Hello ALL:
I’m going to try something new on the Western Area Website (wafmca.com) With the help of our WebMaster, Warren James, I’m going to start posting a Blog. I plan on writing on various topics, such as; FMCA Governing Board matters, and any items of interest that may concern those of us in the Western Area. I’ll try to post once a week, but sometimes it could be more, or it could be less.
With all that being said …Welcome to the Inaugural Western Area Presidents Blog…
June 26, 2017
Hello from Boardman, OR.
Christine and I have just left the NorthWest Area Rally which was held in Longview, WA. Kathie Balogh, NW Area President, and her staff really put on a nice rally for about 325 rigs. I would like to thank the 32 rigs from the Western Area for their attendance and support of this rally. Next year they plan on holding their Rally in Coos Bay, OR.
Please save the date for the 30th Annual Western Area Indio Rally…January 10-14, 2018. The theme for the Rally is Viva Las Vegas. It’s guaranteed that Elvis will be in the house!
We are on our way to attend the FMCA convention being held in Indianapolis, IN on July 12-15. Currently there are over 1,400 rigs registered and the number keeps going up. At the Governing Board Meeting we will be electing new National Officers. Running for President is Jon Walker, Sr VP is Rett Porter (and I’ve heard there is a second person, Jack Mayberry, running for this position), treasurer is Frank Taber and John Reynolds, and for Secretary is Gaye Young.
There are also three amendments that are being voted on and one of those is revising our Articles of Incorporation which would allow “towables” to be members of our Association.
As you may have heard there was a new member benefit being worked on between FMCA and Verizon which was a special rate on an unlimited wireless data plan. It was unfortunate that Verizon pulled out on our agreed upon member offering. But rest assured we will find more member benefits that will create the best member benefit portfolio we have ever offered.
Sincerely,
Lon
Lon Cross, F233066
FMCA National VP, Western Area
President, Western Motor Home Association
Western Area Chapter Newsletters
To view Chapter Newsletters, please find the chapter in the top menu “Chapters”.
The Dolphins Chapter joins Western Area
The Dolphins, a National RV interest chapter has elected to move to Western Area affiliation. “A proposal … was presented to move our FMCA Chapter from International (INTO) to Western. After a lively discussion the club voted to accept the proposal as our membership feels a closer affiliation with the Western Area.”
Welcome!
And Dave Barr the President of The Dolphins chapter reports: “I received a call today (11/3/15) from The President of FMCA Western Area to welcome the Dolphin Club into the FMCA Western Area. He is looking forward to meeting all of our Dolphin Club Members at upcoming rally’s. Our next Western Area rally will be at Indio, California.”
Here’s their latest newsletter: Dolphin-Splash-Newsletter-2015-11
(PDF)
Golden Spike Newsletters
The Golden Spike Chapter interest is railroads, and our venues are riding them. We normally cover the western states when we venture out for our rallies. Our members consist of Santa Fe families, others that worked for the railroad, and those who like model railroading. Most of our members just like to ride railroads and learn the history of them. If you are interested in joining us in the future, please contact our president listed below. Contact: Daniel St. John F421001 Phone: 530-820-1100, 530-277-0686
GS July 2017
Older:
October 2015
June 2015
January 2015
November 2014
September 2014
June 2014
Indio 2016 “Call of the Wild” Rally News – Updated December 31, 2015
Registration is now on site!
Online and advance registration is closed, you may of course register on site beginning Sunday 1/3/16 – lots of room left so come on in! Unfortunately we can only accept Checks or Cash at OnSite registration.
UPDATES:
Seminars
The Listing of all Seminars with descriptions:
WEA16-seminar-descriptions
Note: Update to Program and Rally at A Glance info
The following seminar will be in Fullenwider 9A not Craft & Hobby 7:
RV BATTERIES MAXIMIZING CYCLING PERFORMANCE Friday 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Fullenwider 9A
Vendors / Commercial Exhibitors:
WEA16-Commercial-Exhibitors
We don’t have contact info unfortunately. Most will have a website.
Rally At A Glance
Our Pocket Schedule of events in PDF format (in the handouts will be at the Rally) WEA16 RAG
Golf Carts
GTI will have direct onsite golf cart rentals. Reservations are recommended. The form and info are here:
https://wafmca.com/?p=1078
Free party spot
FMCA Chapters attending that have at least 10 coaches or 1/3 of their certified member coaches on the grounds will receive one electric party spot – a $75 value.
City of Indio info and Chamber of Commerce links
City of Indio: http://www.indio.org/index.aspx?page=452
Indio Chamber of Commerce (PDF): http://www.discoverindio.com/getdoc.cfm?id=4
Bus Tours
— Living Desert, Zoo & Garden (with Box lunch) – Tue Jan. 5 – 5 hr $48.00
— Palm Springs Air Museum – Wed Jan. 6 – 2 hr $34.00
Fee Schedule
Full Rally
Coach with 2 Adults – Electric $ 210.00
Coach with 1 Adult – Electric $ 190.00
Coach with 2 Adults – Generator $ 135.00
Coach with 1 Adult – Generator $ 115.00
Coach with 2 Adults – 24-Hour Generator $ 135.00
Each Additional Adult Occupant $ 50.00
Passport* for 1 adult $ 45.00
Children Under 12 FREE
Add $10 for registration after 12/18/2015
Early arrivals with Electric start on Sunday afternoon 1-3-16 at $20 per extra night, payable on arrival by cash or check only. Standard arrivals begin Wednesday 1-6-16.
* Passport does not include motorhome parking; Includes exhibits, entertainment, seminars, ice cream socials, and Coffee Hour.
Day Passes
$10 per adult, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 12 and under free. Day passes will be sold at Fullenwider Lobby, the Arrival Area, and other gates as needed.
Day passes include access to Vendors, Display Coaches and exhibits, seminars, ice cream socials, Coffee Hour, Ladies Tea (Friday 1pm-3pm $2 admittance), Call of the Wild Parade (Thursday 4pm-5:30pm), and the Pet Extravaganza (Saturday 1pm-3pm).
Note that not all attractions are open on Wednesday.
General Information
Place
Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, Indio, California
Directions
I-10 to Monroe, Monroe South 3 miles to Avenue 48, Left ½ mile on 48 to Arabia Street, Left on Arabia to the holding area (on right)
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/UgMyXgmvo892
Rally Contact
Dick Gibbs, President – 661-203-9180 (c) randcgibbs@juno.com.
Lon Cross, Rally Master – Sr. Vice President 661-886-5077 loncross1225@att.net
Commercial Contact
Virgil George, 714-964-3731, Cell 714-745-7092, wmhavendors@gmail.com
Display Coaches
Paul Bostwick, 714-970-9482, Cell 714-240-8105, cabpb@earthlink.net
Groups & Caravans
James McDaniels, 925-818-7718, jmcdan2296@sbcglobal.net
Seminars
Faadiah Smith, 213-598-2511, indiosems@gmail.com
Rally Highlights
4 nights dry camping (Jan. 6, 7, 8, & 9), entertainment, seminars, commercial exhibits, parade, Pet Extravaganza, Ladies Tea & Style Show, 2 ice cream socials, display coaches, door prizes, coffee & goodies served each morning.
Daily hours of operation
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Display Coaches open Wednesday – 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Commercial Exhibits open Thursday-Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Gate Hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parking Surface
Coach Parking will be on asphalt, grass, & dirt in arrival area
Caravans
All Caravan Leaders must contact James McDaniels 925-818-7718 jmcdan2296@sbcglobal.net for arrival time.
Early arrival
Arrival area opens at noon on Sunday, January 3, at $20.00 per night, dry camping, payable on entry (cash or check only). Rally parking starts on Wednesday, January 6 at 8:00 AM.
Handicap Parking
Handicap parking is available for those with a DMV parking placard, close to all activities and handicap trams.
Mailing Address for families
(Member has to go to the post office to get)
Their Name
General Delivery
Indio, CA 92201
Shipping address
For commercial vendors
(UPS, FedEx, etc.)
NO DELIVERIES BEFORE 01-02-15
Gate 4
Riverside County Fairgrounds & National Date Festival
Vendor/Company Name
46-350 Arabia St.
Indio, CA 92201
Entertainment
1) Wednesday- Bingo
2) “THE ALLEY CATS” – America’s Premier A Capella Doo Wop Vocal Group ( 4 people )
3) “NEW WEST” – Western Swing At It’s Best ( 3 people )
4) “THE DIAMONDS” – Classic Rock N’ Roll With Today’s Attitude 6 people ) – Famous “NAME” Group
5) Ladies Tea and Fashion Show (Ladies Tea Flyer PDF)
6) Pet Extravaganza (Flyer PDF)
Seminars
RV Maintenance, health, crafts, travel, member benefits, and many more
Seminar/Craft Sign Ups
There will not be any seminar or craft sign-ups prior to the first day of the rally.
Exhibits
New Coaches, RV Supplies, Travel & Campgrounds, Awnings, Insurance and many others.
Morning coffee
Coffee & doughnuts or rolls are provided each morning in the Fullenwider Building 9 from 7am to 10am. Music by the Frustrated Maestros.
Meals
Food vendors: BBQ Beef, chicken and fried fish, Mexican, ice cream
Water
Come in with fresh water tank full. While water is available on the grounds, there is no water delivery supplier.
Dump Stations
Come in with empty holding tank. There is one dump station on the grounds
Honey Wagons
Pump outs are available by calling Burrtec 760-340-2113 to schedule.
Showers
Showers are available on the grounds.
Laundry
No laundry on grounds. There is a Laundromat 4 blocks from the fairgrounds at Hwy 111 & Monroe.
Tow Cars
Tow cars will be parked close to the coaches.
Trams
There will be trams for both regular parking and handicap parking.
Bus Tours
Living Desert, Zoo, & Garden with sack lunch, 5 hrs $48.00, Jan. 5th
Palm Springs Air Museum, return by noon, $34.00, Jan. 6th
Area Attractions
There are: golf courses, casinos, Palm Springs Aerial Tram, Palm Springs shopping and malls
Volunteers
Volunteer Coordinator, Alice Barnard 530-934-7346 cell 530-519-7346 will give volunteer ribbons to Captains for distribution to their volunteers.
Are towables permitted to attend?
Towables are welcome & they will be parked with their caravan friends when they arrive together.
The Fine Print
Cancellation Policy Refunds will be made only upon written request if received no later than 12/18/15. Absolutely no refunds for electric canceled after 12/18/15. A cancellation charge
of $20.00 will be deducted from any amount. Badges and confirmation material must be returned with request.
Registrations received after 12/18/15 will be held at will call.