Portland Cars and Coffee

Thank you for what you've done.

That said, sometimes an event simply grows too big for it's own good, or to be more accurate, maybe grows too big for some who used to attend. That's when creating a second event starts to make sense.

I was there two weeks ago, and I had to wonder what it will look like when summer really gets going.

 

I was wondering when the building owner was going to require insurance and a true contract. One of the first things i would have asked for if someone wanted to use my property for any event.

You could structure it in a way that for a nominal fee or donation you can have the "rossa" of parking spots. Keeps a small flow of cash coming in to pay for all the incidentals and then people will continue to donate. Would hate to see it lead the way of finding business sponsors, even though i know of a real estate company that specializes in finding homes for cars that could be a good fit haha just j/k.

 

Is Peter B a car guy? Does he ever come to C&C? I see from their website that his office is in that building...

 

Good idea, thanks!
As for sponsorship, let's just say that I am already at the Platinum level of sponsorship for this event. ;-)

 

Not sure if I know Peter B. or his business. Feel free to PM me about him.

The only tenants who appear to be open on Saturday is the cosmetic surgery clinic and the HOA management company. And Starbucks, who absolutely love us!

 

free botox?

 

For days I have been trying to come up with a way to address this issues of C&C. I too have become disillusioned with what has become of the C&C gathering. In the past couple of months have stopped going altogether, and have decided I want nothing to do with it or its current "organizers". Likewise over the last year or so several of the original regulars have stopped coming as well. All with the same complaint, this location has been over promoted, and the auto enthusiast have been replaced with the posers.

The sad part is this was a perfect venue. Offering plenty of parking, facilities, coffee of course, as well as seclusion from the interlopers and drive though traffic that was a problem at Bridgeport. When I first contacted property management about using their lot they had a few simple rules.
- no signs
- no advertising
- we should not be an organized group, just a gathering
- no pop-up tents or trailers by vendors selling merchandise
Later as we grew two more rules were added
- no parking in the spots of the clinic. (These are the spots on the south and west end of the building to the north end of the parking area.)
- keep the people with cameras off the corner. Regardless of whether they there to document bad behavior.

But almost as soon as we arrived the philosophy of "ask for forgiveness, not permission" seemed to be the motto. And now every one of the original rules property management requested has been systematically broken. Loosing this venue will be inevitable.

Several people have reached out to me asking about a different venue, and am currently looking into it. As soon as I find a suitable replacement location I will let you know.

 

Please keep me posted on new location Jonny!

Being one of the long term almost regulars I have watched the event change and enjoyed seeing some of the new cars and faces. Others were just not my cup of tea.

I have always tried to snag pictures of the interesting cars to post here while I was there. My posting history should show a big tent view of interesting. I generally pay extra attention along the lines of exotic, vintage or otherwise unique. Those three categories have declined as a percentage of total cars in attendance.

 

Will do Steve.

 

Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf. As can often happen, C&C has become a victim of its own success. In a very short time, we've come a long way from the two dozen or so folks who'd meet in Bridgeport Village.

 

Thanks Allen

 

I'll chime in here for the sake of offering an educated opinion, given that the entire C&C event was my brainchild that was handed off to run with when I moved out of state. I don't say that with an ounce of arrogance, but to see this bickering, this tug-o-war over "ownership" or "promoting", that is more disheartening than anything else that has been mentioned, stated, observed or commented on, whether from a participant level or that of an arm chair.

I started this event with every intent to promote its growth, and did so quite well. The purpose of the event was to share my passion for automobiles, be it exotic or otherwise, with those that either never get the opportunity to see certain types of vehicles or those that simply appreciate what anothers vision of four wheels and an engine can be. Cascade C&C emerged as a "tuner" sort of venue, and back then there were arguments over which was better and whether or not the two venues belonged together.

My personal take on it is quite simple....it's a meeting of gear heads. Simple. Exotic, tuner, muscle, hand built, classic...it doesn't matter...it's all about the cars. This simplicity is what has gotten lost in all of this.

It can run smoothly and as we have seen in the past, starting another location is a direct conflict with what C&C is supposed to be...separating yourselves because the recognition isn't there? That's like saying a Ferrari can't park in the garage because there's a Lotus in it. Come on.

My suggestion is to stop all this nonsense talk and enjoy the cars. Make everyone feel welcome as I always did, how hard is that? Set it up so the tuners are in one area, muscle cars in another, exotics in another...then all of the crap sorts itself out. Following the rules is simple...and if you don't, then you won't be welcome back...it's no different than the rules we had at Bridgeport.

The LA C&C grew to staggering numbers and had community involvement from every type of car imaginable. Police were always on site assisting with the enforcement of basic traffic and this can be no different, in fact it should be no different. Feature a marque every week so everyone feels special and those that don't want to attend when the tuners are the marque, won't attend...again, it's that simple.

The event is in a parking lot, on a Saturday morning before most people have even scratched their asses...enjoy the many cars that attend and leave the personality conflicts at the curb. I don't get along with everyone, but at car events, I enjoy the cars more than the people...but that's me. Put your differences aside, promote the event and grow it into the coolest event in the NW ever seen...the potential is there, the foundation laid, run with it rather than away from it.

My two cents.

 

Please note the cars spilling into overflow lots in the second batch! Also, I think there are a couple of marked law enforcement representatives in some of the backgrounds. Looks like more successful growth. (BTW Thanks for setting the record straight Kevin!)
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

It has outgrown its current location.

If a much larger venue can be sourced, then move, lock, stock and barrel.

Otherwise, I suggest the Ferrari / exotic folk seek their own, smaller venue, and leave this one to the kids / tuners.

 

Not only did we will fill at least two lots, I also filled the photo attachment limit in one post.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Actually, given that we have overflow lots, I wonder about a bit of healthy interbreed rivalry!

I noticed a very orderly line of vintage British road cars parked together. There was also a very well behaved herd of Mustangs in the overflow lot. Then the challenge could be in seeing who represents their brand the best. I watched a group of several Lexi pull in in a group at the same time I did. They parked with a rhythm suggesting practice.

One has to wonder if a group of sophisticated Ferrari 2+2s could smartly set an example and grab a section with the 2 seat Ferrari's next door. If the 2+2 Ferrari coordinated a bit they could line the V-12s up chronologically: FF, 612, 456, 400i, 365GTC, 330GT!

 

I think we'd have to arrive around 4 AM!

 

What a great turnout of Ferraris and Maseratis among the cars today!
308, 328 GTB, 512BBi, 550, 360, 458, California(s), FF, QP, Sport GT.

And of course the 400i of Steve Cousineau and the 456 of Allen above. Good to see and chat with both of you today.

Looks like everyone is able to play nicely in the sandbox after all...

 

David,

I am the one who approached you politely and said exactly that I am. Rey sorry but I am going to have to ask you to move your car because we are in jepordy of loosing this location. I further explained that this was directed by property management themselves. I immediately got HUGE attitude from you and Steve. I was instantly asked who the hell made me the boss of C&C. Based upon that reply and my first two hours of arguing with people who would not comply I agree with you I did become rude. I have no excuse for that and apologize.

Let me remind all of you that Kevin, Mark and I are the ones who started C&C in 2005/2006 and been actively involved since. This event has grown so huge that we have had to now pay out of pocket to hire police to stop the idiots from doing burn outs, pay for a liability policy and have spent hours trying to preserve C&C. I don't see any of you volunteering to help pay the costs to put this event on?

I spoke with Steve today and personally apologized to him for my attitude and offer the same to you. This event was spiraling out of control and someone had to step up to try and put so go basic rules in place with direction from Property Management. If not we are kicked out. The spot you have been parking was one topic PM brought up.

Hope you all understand. I certianly do not want to tell my friends and fellow enthusiasts what to do at C&C but in an effort to save it I will

Mark and Joel are trying their best to come up with ideas and welcome to all. They have put hours into this. Rather than berating their and all our efforts how bout you all help us find a solution?

All the Best

Mike

 

Well said my friend

 

Great Pics Steve!

 

To accommodate exponential growth, if that is what you want, then you must find a huge parking lot that won't be in use on Saturday mornings.

As it may be difficult to find a large lot adjacent to a coffee shop, consider having the coffee and snacks sold out of a coffee truck, which would travel to the event.

Heck, maybe one of you could own and run the coffee truck.

Otherwise, given the massive growth, you'll have to split off, go elsewhere, and take the ball with you.

 

That was my thought after seeing today's attendance. A huge parking lot with maybe mobile Baristas. PIR was a thought but they run events on Saturdays as does the expo center. Otherwise the groups will split.

 

I love the opportunity to take and post the pictures!

Any quality in the pictures should be credited to great subject matter! The magic of the digital cameras combined with a willingness to click the shutter many times and delete the many mistakes may also help a miniscule amount.

I also apologize for my bit in the escalation.

You read my mind with that idea.

It is better to learn to play together than to lose the sandbox.

The only bigger sandboxes would be at someplace like Washington Square in the remote east side or far south side lots. Those come with additional headaches unto themselves.

 

Nice talking to you today Steve and once again my apologies