4th of July! One of my favorite times of the year. I always head up to Crestline for their fabulous over-the-lake fireworks and festivities. Then over to my brother Sonny’s for some really spectacular eats (some of which I’ve even cooked myself). It’s a bunch of fun and I look forward to it every summer… One of the slightly more humongous celebrations takes place every year at the La Verne 4th of July Parade. This one is spectacular for its parade of motorcycles, because every year ABATE 19’s Jim Morrison, Jeff Bassler and Diane Davis gather together quite a few of their closest friends, affix flags to every motorcycle and they kick off the parade. This one is quite the sight to behold! Last year’s event was over 200 motorcycles long, with flags from every state, every military group and I think a few unknowns… Looking forward to Jim Ferrand’s annual 4th bash also. I know it’ll be lots of fun. What else is cooking for July? Look for it in the online THUNDER PRESS events calendar—I only have room for a couple here… Flagman Frank always works tirelessly on the Freedom Coalition Fest and it shows in the end result. You can tell a lot of work goes into this ride. This year’s event is on July 22–23 at Irvine Lake, Lakeview Park at 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd. in Silverado. Look for a ton of awesome music (18 bands), camping, vendors, food, a bike show, a kid zone, lots of raffle prizes and lots of fun!… Check out your local paper for your summer evenings in the park. If you haven’t been to one, you’re missing out. There’s some great free music playing at a park in your town. I’ll give you a couple more next month. Fullerton Sports Complex has live music every Wednesday night. Look for Skynyrd Reloaded on July 27… This one at the Central Park Amphitheatre in La Palma looks like fun; check out a Tom Petty cover band the PettyBreakers on July 30. See what I mean? These are everywhere and parking is super easy on your bike. Make it a fun bike night with a few of your friends… July also seems to hold a lot of birthday celebrations, so here’s best wishes to lots of folks. Happy birthday to Sam Peterson! Hope your birthday is wonderful, honey! Scott Jones, I know you’ll have a swell day, since you always throw your own party. I swear, this may be the year I make it! Brian “Hoot” Gibson, you have a very fun birthday too. Sharron Berry from the CREW, will you still be on the road for your July 7 birthday? If so, I know it’ll be some place fun as long as you’re with your honey Don!… Tangles Salon owner and award winning weightlifter Sandi Dubois, hope your July 14 birthday is a blast! And Joe Dubois, it looks like you’ll be right afterwards with your own July birthday. You guys do something fun! Bill Balas, hope your July 15 birthday is super! Tammy Farber—have a great birthday! Hope you’re spending it somewhere tropical… Halle and George Fetty’s son Andrew Fetty turns 33 in July! And while I’m out there, here are a few birthdays from the low desert area too. Danny Cota (still up in Northern California with Monica Mazet)… everyone misses you down there in the desert! But we know you’ll still have a super fun birthday. Melissa Palomares—your whole month of July is awesome—congrats on the new baby, and the wedding ring! Oh yeah and happiest of birthdays too! Kelly Burns—you enjoy your birthday! Same goes for George Humphrey; hope yours is filled with fun and friends! David LaSarte, hope you have a fun day. Rich Mooty, hope your day is a great one! Shara Miller-Franco, here’s wishing you a special day. John Ewing— hope your July birthday is super cool! Lee and Jacqui Chandrasena celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary in July—hope it’s a wonderful one you two! And George and Halle Fetty celebrate the 22nd anniversary of their first date! Happiest of anniversaries to Ellen and Dale Kruger—sorry I missed it last month you two—57 years, wow! Congrats to Steve Broughton on your new ride—happy for ya, buddy!… Dave Warren, jeez man, take care! Hope this finds you on the mend… Diane and Bill Balas, very sorry for your loss… And Sandi Dubois, I’m sorry for your loss also; my condolences to you and your family… There’s a full moon on the 19th, perfect for going out and enjoying an evening ride somewhere. Back in my H.O.G. days, we’d plan a “Pie Ride” on a warm summer full-moon evening once a year. And yeah, it’s exactly what it sounds like—very fun! So that’s it for me this month. As always, you know the routine— send me your cool stuff. You guys have been a little light on it lately! Looking forward to seeing you guys out and about. See you all next month. Enjoy your ride!
