K.C. SlammersEnthusiasts of Automobiles in ScaleMisc. & Other Fun StuffText Box: In checking on other model car clubs around the country and reading their newsletters, one of the things many of them do to encourage their members to be more active in building, instead of just talking about models, is to have a theme for each monthly meeting. The themes are kept VERY loose so they can be “interpreted” by individuals so they can build what THEY like to build without being confined to a particular model. For example… “Red, White, and/or Blue” for a July Meeting (any automotive model that has red, white, or blue as its main color). Of course, we all realize that no one can have a new model built for EVERY meeting. That’s not the idea at all. A member may only actually have one model done for one monthly theme build all year. Others may get three or four done in the course of a year! And, some (like me) may not get one done at all. The plus here is that the members that make a run at the monthly build will also automatically have a completed model of their favorite type completed for other contests and our own Heartland as a dual- benefit! We may have one entry in a month or ten! To sweeten the bait to take part a bit there’s a whopping $5 cash prize each month to the top vote getter. Voting is done by the members present at that meeting. The rules are very simple: You had to build and paint the model It must have been completed within the last 12 months. (it’s the honor system on this one!) The model must be completely finished – no incomplete models. Models can be any scale. It must “fit” the theme framework for that month in SOME way. Text Box: Monthly Theme Build Club Contests for 2012 January My latest model (the LAST model you finished - (no time limit on the build completion - it might have been from 10 years in the past! ) February 1949 and older model years (any car, truck, or motorcycle) March Chopped, channeled, and/or slammed (any vehicle as long as one or more these is evident on the build) April “One Piece at a Time” (a vehicle made up of a variety of parts from other models) May Chrome (The emphasis here is on the CHROME!) June Racing cars, trucks, and bikes (Yeah... it's Heartland Month but what the heck!) July If I won the lottery, I would own this vehicle… August 1950 or newer model years (any car, truck, or motorcycle) September Less or more than 4 wheels – but NOT 4! October Anything BUT a car, truck, or motorcycle. (Bring out those "other" great model builds!) November No Theme Build this month due to the club auction December “Blue Christmas” (Any vehicle with a blue color scheme or a Christmas theme!)

           Check out the news below about the 2012 Club Theme Builds and watch this  page for a special visit to a great hobby shop in Junction City, Kansas.  It’s called RC Hobby and it’s located in the downtown area!  The pics and the story will be up soon!
RC HOBBIES115 W. 7th St., Junction City, KS (785) 238 -1877

                 If you’re lookin’ for an “old skool” hobby store with some stuff that’s been on the shelves for 40 or so years, then you need to make the trip someday out to Junction City and stop by RC Hobbies and meet Karen and Robin.  These two gals run one of the neatest hobby treasure troves around.

             Our own KC Slammer Dave Johnson has bragged on this shop for quite awhile to me and I finally had the time to visit it this autumn.  This place is a jewell.  As Dave describes it… “They have tools and then they have tools for the tools.”

             We’re talking about a 40-year accumulation of modeling goodies, train stuff, radio-control, slot cars, books, paints, tools, decals, styrene kits, and more stuff than can be listed here.  I walked in on a warm autumn Saturday and immediately found model kits dating back to the early 90’s.   There are nooks and crannies just stuffed with hobbies and crafts!  The place is clean as a pin and it covers two entire store fronts right in the heart of downtown.

             It’s super easy to get to and a pleasant drive out through the Kansas Flinthills.  Junction City is right on I-70 and is the home city of the U.S. Army’s 7th Calvary “Big Red One” .  Tie your trip to RC Hobbies for a trip back into history.  There’s lots to see and do in the area.

             Jan and Karen will be glad to order anything special for you and ship it.  Just give them a phone call or contact them by email at  hobby911KS@cox.net

             Here’s some pix of the shop to hold you over until you get the chance to get there yourself!  (Ellis)