Miata Mailing List: March 1998, Message #157

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Dear Miata Group,

First of all let me say you are a really great bunch of people. We all
partake of the Miata "whine list " from time to time...myself included. Second
thank you for your heartfelt thoughts about our loss. Patrick had just turned
25 in January and was my amazing "adopted" boy from the man who let me get
away. (Pat is not Phils child and I know some of you who actually have met the
majority of our brood were wondering...). MY two girls were most impacted by
this loss  for up to now life has been rather kind. If you will all indulge
me this moment I will tell you Patrick had been a big MIATA fan and was
especially fond of the old Al Nimmo turbo charger (sorry Norm). For those of
you who pray we really welcome your thoughts for him. 

It is actually times like this that remind me why this MIATA community is so
very special. The car itself is a celebration of life. The simplicity,
availability and willingness of this little roadster with a smile is amazing.
The people it chooses to own are no less warm and open! OK enough Barbara
smarminess. I do appreciate all your comments and really feel for much of the
frustrations aired. It is important to clarify that Phil and I  have taken
over the magazine...not the club. We never had any motives other than to
ensure its future and growth and hopefully to  bring everyone together. I
don't know that we can do much more than to encourage a open communication
between all of you and Norm and Vince. Our plan for the magazine to do a lot
of listening and provide a really full  publication ( please forgive how crude
this sounds but J Lamm and I feel if it doesn't take  at least TWO  visits to
the  bathroom to finish the magazine then we have not delivered a good enough
read!). We would like to see alot more international stuff. Not because we can
all go jetsetting around but because its cool to see what's going on. We want
to bring in alot more news and alot more voices, from professional journalists
to people we feel should have been heard from along time ago.  I am
exceptionally  proud to have Lyn Vogel back in the mix. You can source him
back to the premiere issue Fall ’89. Lyn is a real car guy and a radio and New
York stage talent. You’ll also see a lot more  voices from the net.  I  am
trying to produce the official publication for the Miata Club of America. I
cannot, however change club policy. You guys need to go direct to the source.
Suffice to say within the magazine there will lotsa  changes  and hopefully
all the things you all liked will remain.  Well it’s Sunday night and time for
my last glass of wine before the big  pre-Paris diet begins (I hear french
fashion look better on  "petite" bods).  Thanks again you guys…see you in the
funny pages.       

MIATA BARB (and Dr. Phil)