Bigger Is Not Always Better

At the end of November, we will be finishing up our final fundraising auctions for the year. The last one on our roster is slated for the Soul River Foundation. Chad Brown is in charge of this not-for-profit aimed at helping inner city kids and veterans who suffer from PTSD. To learn more about the good work he is doing, you can check him out at www.soulriverrunsdeep.com.

This year has already been a big year for growth. All-told, eight new clients joined the srdorsey fundraising team. A couple were very large auctions with over 300 people in attendance and more than a $150K raised in one night! Though the majority came to us as grassroot groups starting up with their first fundraising auctions. Most had limited to no experience in organizing a fundraiser. So we were able to guide and coach them into holding their first auctions, which turned out to be better events than they had imagined possible.

On average, we managed to raise between $20,000 and $50,000 on auction night, which was enough to cover their expenses and provide much needed revenue for these kickstart non-profits. Our success didn't surprise me; but what did, was how difficult it was for these small groups with limited resources, to find an auctioneer who was willing to be paid less to work a smaller auction.

In my experience and opinion; it is even more crucial to hire a professional auctioneer for a smaller and newer auction, than it is for a well-established auction that has been running year upon year. Most auctions take at least three years to establish themselves. Usually in year one, we establish a baseline of funds raised. The next year, we improve a bit more by raising more than we did at the inaugural event. Then by the third year, the tendancy is for the amount of money raised to plateau. But not to worry; because by year three, we have typically tripled the amount we have raised from the first auction!

So whether you are considering your first ever auction or you need to spice up your tenth annual one, we are glad to help you out!

Chad Brown. Photo compliments of www.soulriverrunsdeep.com

Back to Where It All Began

This past weekend I had the opportunity to help my old friend and former employer, Mitch Silver. He was just an hour and a half away; up in Shelton, Washington for a small collector car auction held at the Little Creek Casino. We offered up 75 cars and easily sold a third of them.

Working with Mitch on Saturday brought me right back to the days where Mitch and I, along with the rest of our auction crew, traveled around the Western United States every weekend doing small regional auctions just like this. Before the time that television cameras starting showing up at collector car auctions and the age of the internet, these auctions were the mainstay of the collector car business. Oftentimes, these smaller car auctions offered the smart buyer a good deal on a car. A savvy seller could also benefit from the limited inventory at these smaller shows; making his car more special, therefore a standout at the auction.

Showstoppers

She was a beaut. But then, they all were.

I'm talking about the beautifully-restored, very rare Hudson Terraplane. It was only produced for a few years between 1932 and 1938. I like oddball cars and this one fits the bill with its sharp, uniquely-designed grille.

I saw her at the Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance held on the grounds of the historic Pacific University here in Portland. It was the latest in local car events that I have been making a point to attend this summer. Last weekend were the Vintage Car Races at PIR, where my friend's rare VW Bug sportscar won the race in its class. It showed up again this weekend where it won again best in its class at Forest Grove too. A winning car all-around!

Having lived here in Portland for 25 years, this was only my first time at the Concours at Forest Grove. This year's show boasted a display of over 300 cars; with everything from turn of the century vehicles to competition cars, classic and muscle cars, sports cars, limited production cars, custom one-offs; and even motorcycles. It was great to speak with the owners of the many gorgeous vehicles and to reconnect with many of my old car friends in the business. Even if you do plan to travel all the way to Pebble Beach next month, you should definitely mark your calendars to attend next year's Forest Grove. I'm sure glad I did. It's an easy and worthwhile trip.

Back at the Track

I've had a busy summer full of trips to visit old friends and to work car auctions. So with a weekend at home, I headed out to the Portland International Raceway to watch the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association Vintage Car Races this past Saturday. It had been a few years since I'd made my way out there and this year did not disappoint. There was a great mix of cars and a couple even had a local connection to Portland.

If you've never been to Portland, the PIR is actually managed by the Portland Parks Department and is located 10 minutes from downtown Portland. It's also connected to the MAX, Portland's public light rail system. With the exception of temporary road courses built for one-off events, it is the closest racetrack located in or to any major city in the USA.

Along with Porsches, Corvettes, stock cars, MGs and other British racing cars; there were lots of open-wheel cars and a couple of vintage Indy cars. The one that I was most interested in was the car that Jim Clark last raced here in the States. The race was at Riverside in the Rex May 300.  It was 1967. Two months later, he would die in an accident in Europe. This particular car was built here in Portland, Oregon by the legendary car-builder, Rolla Vollstedt. Rolla built many of the cars which competed in the Indy 500 races of the '60s.

I also got the chance to meet two of my childhood racing heroes. Both Al Unser Sr. and Al Unser Jr. acted as grand marshals for the weekend's races. I have always been a fan of them both, throughout their storied racing careers. They were gracious enough to let me grab a photo with them. I got their autographs too.

Wide Open Wyoming

This past Fourth of July weekend; I had the chance to help my old friend, Mitch Silver, at his annual Jackson Hole collector car auction. Mitch was the one who introduced me to the collector car business and helped to start my career as an auctioneer.

If you have never visited Jackson Hole, Wyoming; you should definitely put it on your bucket list. Where the twisting Snake River wraps around the Teton Mountain Range, there you will find and experience one of our country's most scenic areas.

For twenty six years, Mitch has held his annual Fourth of July sale at Teton Village. This year, the auction did not disappoint; delivering another excellent assortment of cars and western memorabilia.  We sold a wide variety of cars, with everything from a 1932 Oldsmobile to a 1966 Dodge Cornet Hemi. There were late-model classics and even a handful of vintage motorcycles

It was really great to return to the old stomping grounds and to reconnect with my old friends and to enjoy some of that Wyoming hospitality.

Car Show in the Palouse

My old friend, Jay Scholz recently invited me to his annual party and car show in his hometown of Rosalia, Washington. Rosalia is located south of Spokane in the rolling hills of the Palouse. The Palouse region is where most of nation's soft, white wheat; brewing barley; and lentils are grown amongst the soft, rolling hills.

This particuliar car show is sponsored by Jay's hot rod shop, Rose's Garage; where they specialize in all forms of automotive customization. If you want to see some examples of Jay's work, check out his website at www.rosegarage.com.

It really was great to reconnect with my old friends from the days when I worked in the Palouse at the local grain elevator, in order to pay for my college tuition. While I was at the show, I was recruited to be one of the judges. About 60 cars were up on display, with half of them signed up to be judged. There was great assortment of cars and it was a tough job to pick out the best one. But someone had to do it and I was happy to oblige.

Looking down mainstreet.

Summer Has Arrived!

Summer has arrived here in Portland!

Last weekend, we already reached temps of 100 degrees. So I've been getting out early in the day to ride my motorcycle with my riding buddies. We always congregate at a local coffee shop to shoot the breeze while enjoying a great latte. This past Sunday, we hit three different spots. Talk about a caffeine overload.

I'm still managing to get a bit of work in, between gardening and auctioneering. Although The fundraising calendar slows down in the summer, new and old clients alike are calling to book their fall events. Spring of 2017 is gearing up to be a busy one with my February and March nearly fully booked. If you can believe it, I've already had a booking request for 2018!

Enjoy your summer. I already am. But then, an auctioneer's work is never done. I'll be close by this summer if you want to drop a line or give a holler!

The Magic Moment

We all know when we're having a great conversation, either in-person or on the phone - everything is flowing and you're both engaged. But sometimes, there is a point that is reached - a magic moment.  A moment when the conversation should naturally come to an end, but doesn't? It keeps dragging on and on... By this point, it has become a one-sided conversation. So imagine instead of having this one-on-one conversation with somebody, now you're having it with an audience of two to three hundred people who would like it to end too.

This scenario can turn your fundraising auction from a place of excitement and laughter to a place where you can hear the audible groaning and shuffling of chairs and the buzzing of text messaging in the audience. It can be one of the most expensive mistakes your organization can make. Why? Because you and your inexperienced auctioneer have let the moment pass. The audience is no longer engaged with the speaker or the cause. Your guests and patrons have literally heard enough.

We all suffer from shortened attention spans today. So it is crucial to make sure everyone who is speaking on stage be scripted, the auction portion of the evening included.

Bikes and Lattes

The combination of perfect weather, no weekend work and a fully functioning vintage motorcycle all added up to make a memorable Saturday afternoon ride around my wonderful city, Portland. I wish I could have more time for weekends like I did this past weekend. My neighbor and fellow biker nut buddy had a great ride to Portland's newest motorcycle inspired coffee shop. Located in historic St. Johns, Two Stroke Moto Cafe is fast becoming the destination ride for PNW riders and coffee drinkers. It was great to join all the other Portland riders, talking motorcycles and enjoying coffee. The guys there make a great vanilla latte.

Yeah, Portland's built up a lot of traffic since I've lived here; but when everything lines up, it's still one of the greatest places to ride a motorcycle.

Can You Believe?

It's two months till the end of another school year and only eight months till Christmas! I cannot believe how quickly the time is moving this year. Can you?

I wasn't quite ready to plan for next year, until a few of my eager-beaver clients asked to book me as their auctioneer again for next March. So now I've got two weekends of the first quarter of my 2017 daytimer already filled. March is the earliest that I have ever had a client request a booking into the following year. Al likens it to booking your favorite, annual vacation rental. You've had such a fabulous time; that no sooner you are packed up and out the door, you are ready to commit to coming back to another wonderful weekend at the cabin.

So if your fundraising group is going ahead with your scheduled event next year, you might want to pen in a date with your chosen venue and preferred auctioneer.

Calendar by timeanddate.com.

Portland is Growing Up

Easter weekend is the only weekend from February to April that I'm not working a fundraiser.

I'm also very excited to report that 2016 already looks to be the best year for my charity clients! Whether it is a foundation, a public or private school, or any other not-for-profit group; all have seen an increase in monies raised at their auctions and special appeals this fundraising season. I would like to think that the big increases that they are seeing in the money we are raising is due to my very professional auctioneering skills, but sadly I cannot take all the credit.

The small town that I moved to twenty five years ago is growing up. Our secret little place in the Pacific Northwest has been discovered. Together with an improved economy and the combined effort of original Portlandiars, new residents are making a real impact. Many of the new families I meet are from both southern and northern California, New York, Boston, Florida, Texas and even Europe. Many come to benefits, already experienced in giving. They support the schools that their children attend and the organizations whose causes they believe in. So, while many of us are experiencing the growing pains of a city full of change and progress; it seems to me that the things we value most, are changing hands with those who feel the same. It looks like our adolescent Portland is in good hands.

A Night of Excellence

Tonight I stood on stage at the Portland Art Museum in front of a sold-out crowd of over 500 people. This was my tenth year at this particular event, A Night of Excellence, where we raised $62,000 in a special appeal that broke its previous record by nearly double.

A Night of Excellence in Commercial Real Estate is the Oregon-Washington chapter of the Commercial Association of Brokers' annual awards reception. Every year it celebrates its members' achievements and at the same time, it raises money for a local cause. This year's recipient was the local association branch of ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease where the nerve cells controlling your muscles progressively die. The connections between your brain and muscles degenerate which leads to a loss of mobility, speech, and then finally breath.

To learn more about these two non-profit organizations, go to:

http://orwacab.org and
http://webor.alsa.org.

Coffee Collage

I've had a long endearing, or should I say, enduring history with coffee. It's a love-hate relationship. I love the way it tastes and the daily routine of the process. I hate that I feel I have to have a cup, or two or three. So recently I've decided it's time to take a bit of a break from my relationship with coffee. Don't get me wrong, we'll never break-up; but it's nice to be the one in the driver's seat for a change.

Coffee collage, in order of consumption: Lear Faye, YVR; Extracto Coffee, PDX; and See See Motor Coffee Company, PDX.

The Line Starts Here

A few Friday nights ago was the opening night of The One Motorcycle Show here in Portland. This was the fourth time that I had attended the show and this year's was, by far, the biggest and busiest.

Some of the best bike-builders in the country came from near and far to have their bikes on display. All-told there were over seventy-five motorcycles in the show. Every one of them, a customized work of art. Each one, a unique sculpture on two wheels.

As I mentioned, I decided to attend on the opening night; thinking that the majority of the crowd would show up for the big Saturday night party. Boy was I in for a surprise. It ended up taking an hour to get inside. Though we literally inched our way to the front door, everyone in line was extremely polite and patient. There were people from all over the USA and even Canada, plus one guy who came all the way from South Africa. While we were all waiting together, we talked about the bikes we owned and the ones that we might like to buy in the future. It was a great night that started early in the line-up all the way through till the end of the show.

I'm already excited about next year's and would highly recommend it!

Moto Guzzi Mania

I have typically focused most of my articles and blogs on Japanese motorcycles. That's because where I grew up, everyone I knew either owned a Japanese-made bike or was in the process of buying another one. But recently, I have become intrigued by a line of Italian bikes. It's Moto Guzzi.

Moto Guzzi is the oldest European motorcycle manufacturer that's still in production today. Established just after WWI, Moto Guzzi is noted for its historic role in Italy's motorcycle manufacturing. Its early innovations include the first center motorcycle stand, wind-tunnel tested designs, and the first ever motorcycle with an eight-cylinder engine. The three original partners were Carlo Guzzi, who was the idea guy; Giorgio Parodi, who was the money behind the company's start-up; and Giovanni Ravelli, a part of Moto Guzzi's grassroots inception, who perished in a plane crash before the company was actually founded. The remaining partners honored the death of their friend and fellow pilot with the Italian Air Corps insignia, the winged eagle, as the company's logo.

The legendary 90 degree V twin was designed in the early 60's and is still used today as the basis of their 700, 1100 and 1200 CC engines. Moto Guzzi bikes have never been mass-produced; with as many as 46,487 produced in 1971 and a mere 3,274 in 1993. My personal favorite is the Guzzi V7 Sport, which can be found priced from $15,500 for the 1973 model or as low as $8,500 for a 2014. This is what I'm looking to ride this summer!

For more on Moto Guzzi, here's the official website: www.motoguzzi.com. Enjoy!

Tick Tock

The clock starts now. We're already a month into the new year. Time is ticking away for the upcoming 2016 fundraising season. This year is already turning out to be even better and busier than it was in 2015! I'm proud to say that each one of our clients saw an increase in attendance and in dollars raised at every event at which we auctioneered last year.

I would encourage anyone who is thinking of holding an elaborate auction gala or just a simple event with a special appeal, to start planning as soon as possible. If you haven't booked a venue or an auctioneer yet; at this point in the game, you may not get your first pick. Those choice weekends book up fast, so make sure you have your favorite ballroom and professional auctioneer lined up ASAP!

You can never be over-prepared for success.

#Hurry!

Las Vegas Motorcyle Auction

This year I had the chance to attend Mecum's Annual Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas. I happened to be working in Vegas anyway, so I met a bunch of friends a day earlier to catch up over a few bikes and beers.

It was Mecum's 25th anniversary event and they had an awesome selection of bikes this year; over seven hundred to be exact. Whatever kind of bike you were looking for or interested in, it was there.
The bikes that I'm most into are the ones that were produced from the mid-seventies up through until the early eighties. I have always felt that the bikes built in this period offer riders style and power; best of all appreciation in value.

One of the bikes that caught my attention was a 1983 Kawasaki GPZ750. I owned one of these bikes back in 1984. At the time, motorcycles were making the transition from bikes with just a straight-line speed and quick acceleration to what has now evolved into today's modern sport bike. The GPZ had uni-track suspension, ventilated front disc brakes, and a powerful 92hp motor. So is the second generation Kawasaki GPZ poised to take off in value? I think if you could find one for less than $4,000, it would still be considered a good buy. The one which sold at the Mecum auction, while not perfect, still went for $4,250.

Happy Holidays

Here's a little Christmas cheer from our house to yours in the form of a photo collage. We baked to our hearts' content. I roasted a 5-boned, nearly 15-pound prime rib and served it with garden-grown horseradish. We paired that with mashed Yukon Gold potatoes from my folks' property and Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley. Leftovers transformed into steak and eggs for breakfast the next day and today, we're enjoying it as an overnight, slow-cooked beef and barley stew!

I hope you and your loved ones are having a safe and very happy holidays! Wishing you all the best of health and happiness for the coming year. See you soon.

Gobble Gobble

Wow. Can you believe it's that time of the year again? Turkey time!

We're all ready for company. Shopping is done. Pies are baking. House is tidy. Tables are clothed. I would have to say Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the tradition and the meaning. It's all about getting the family together and celebrating for what we are grateful with food and wine. And there really is so much to be grateful for in our lives.

We always do a big bird with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The vegetables may vary from year to year. The sweet Hawaiian rolls never do. We always have pie - lots and lots of pie. There are five kinds on the menu this year. This year we're also having Oregon roses from Bergstrom and Winderlea with our meal. It'll be the last of the bottles that we brought back from the Willamette Valley, when we were there earlier this fall.

So whatever you celebrate and however you celebrate with your families, I hope that you enjoy happiness and good health this holiday season. Safe travels and full stomachs to all! Gobble gobble!

Bob Lanphere's Bikes

One of the best vintage motorcycle collections in the world is located just outside of Portland in nearby Beaverton, Oregon. This collection is made up of over 400 vintage bikes; 150 of which are housed under one roof. It was assembled by the late Bob Lanphere, who was a motorcycle enthusiast and racer, as well as car and motorcycle dealer. Bob opened his first Honda dealership in 1964 and built an automotive empire here in the Pacific Northwest. He celebrated 50 years of business in August 2014, before passing away October 2015 at the age of 81 years. He was an inductee of the Trailblazer Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Many of the bikes in his collection are in original, showroom condition. While others have been restored to their original specifications. No matter, they are all beautiful; and together, make up an impressive and thorough example of a great, old bike collection. Though Bob's collection is predominantly comprised of Hondas, there is also an excellent representation of English, German and other Japanese manufacturers.

I was personally and especially interested in the turbo-charged bikes of the early 1980s and his vast collection of vintage Honda mini bikes. Looking at all the bikes from the sixties, seventies, and eighties; brought back a lot of memories of motorcycles that I lusted after when I was kid.

For more about Bob's legacy and vintage cycle collection, go to his Honda motorcycle dealership website: http://www.beavertonmotorcycles.com/custompage2.asp?pg=vintage_bike_collection.