Since our SoCal summer has been going since April, I’m having a hard time reconciling that it’s already November and the holidays are just around the corner. Usually the weather gradually eases into fall, but not so much this year. At least I have my November and December runs to get me in the mood, so let’s get started! Veteran’s Day is on the 11th—look for parades to honor the day such as the 8th annual Fallen Riders Ride—meet up at La Plaza in downtown Palm Springs at 10:00 a.m… If you happen to be up in Fairfield, the Veteran’s Day parade will feature a Blue Angel flyover to mark the day… Election Day is on the 6th; this is an important one, so no matter who you vote for—just get out and do it!… I’ve got lots of November birthdays and a few more runs, starting with my November 11 favorite, Honda Ray and friends’ Totally Kids run. This is the sweet, feel-good run of the year. No pins, no T-shirts, no lunch and, technically, no ride! Just come to the Totally Kids Center and bring batteries, kids’ DVDs or the multitude of other items on the list. Don’t bother with the dolls or stuffed animals. This is for developmentally disabled kids. For the directions and their wish list, log on to www.totallykids.com/BikerRunBrochure.pdf and follow the instructions… As always, thanks, Jackie Ray of the CREW for the extra info. And thanks to Christine Vanyo for letting me partner up with you on the CREW chicks’ Halloween Bunco game night!… And speaking of Halloween, had a great time at host Jim Ferrand’s house for the CREW’s annual birthday get-together, which just happened to turn into a Halloween party. Good planning, Crystal Morrison and CREW-ettes!… Nice to hear from Wild Bill Hartley; thanks for the humor. You know I can always use it, Bill!… The October AMA Flat Track races at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds was attended by a few of my wrecking yard pals—Jeff “Rev Leroy” Wilson of ABC Auto Parts in San Francisco, and John at P&C Auto Wreckers in Milpitas. Sounds like a good time was had by them and several thousand others!… Congrats to the members of The CREW for taking the Chapter Challenge at this year’s Loma Linda H.O.G. Poker Run… For you Brad Wilson fans, he’s got a few Central Cali appearances this month. Look for him November 9 in Course Gold at the Blue Heron, on the 11th at Feather Falls in Oroville, the 17th at one of my favorite places, the River View Inn at Three Rivers, and then in Lemoore on the 24th at Mickey’s… I promised a bit more on the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza at the Riverside Airport on November 24. This event just keeps getting bigger! There will be a judged car and bike show (and I know some pretty cool plaques will be awarded). The Commemorative Air Force will have World War II planes on display for you to take photos of your car or bike next to—a shot you’d be hard-pressed to get anywhere else. The music lineup is impressive with Gizzelle, Mad Max & the Wild Ones, Deadbeat Daddies, and a Roy Orbison Tribute by Mark Brunette. There will be a pin-up and a pompadour contest, a pancake breakfast, and the D&D Airport Café will be open all day long. Sounds like a great event!… I’m giving you info on this one because it’s the first run of December, on December 1, and Flagman Frank asked me to. His favorite charity (OK, one of several) is the Roque Center and this is the Roque ‘N’ Lifestyle Toy Run. Bike Registration is at 8:00 a.m. at the Roque Center, located at 9842 13th Street in Garden Grove. It will end up at First Congregational Church, located in Anaheim at 515 N. State College Boulevard at 11:00 a.m. with the live music of Electra, Hurrikane, the Anonymous Bank and DJ Frank Joe. Santa and his helpers will be there, along with vendors and food. Donation of one unwrapped toy and $10 will be your entry. Flagman Frank is in charge of vendors; he says if you are one or know of one, to give him a call at 714.745.0948. Booth fee is only $25 and a raffle prize. Thanks for the info, Frank and Road Soldiers MM Secretary Tina “Breeze”… So nice to hear from Jan and Ron Rightmer from beautiful downtown Podunk, Minnesota. Good talking to both of you!… Rip City Riders had their Chilly Billy run on October 6, and Jeff at ABC Auto Parts in San Francisco says it was huge and dang fun! Over 500 cars for the car show and a ton of bikes, plenty of vendors, raffles and a great chicken barbecue with sounds by Tommy Castro to keep the crowd rockin’… Steve Broughton gave me a call the other day to remind me that the ABATE 1’s and Glendale H-D’s Skid Row Toy Run is on December 9. The destination is, as always, the Fred Jordan Mission. This is such a sweet ride because you get to see the kids that the toys go to. It’s just the ticket to get you in the holiday mood… November also marks the creation of U.S. Marine Corps back in 1775, so happy birthday to all you Marines; especially my own nephew, Staff Sergeant Aaron Weigand! Birthday wishes also go out to Ed Fortelny on November 2, Dave St. Peter on November 7, Steve Cockrell on November 15, Annette Seay on the 22nd, Jim Smyth on November 29 and Cindy Gano on the 30th. A belated happy birthday to our friend and fellow THUNDER PRESS contributor, SuperGlide Gail; sorry I missed you in October, Gail! Also, birthday congrats go out to desert folks Steve Sanchez, Kathy Page, Charles Frey and Nina Carmer-Kessler. Hope your November birthdays are filled with fun! Happy November 3 birthday to Steve Broughton—thanks for all the reminder calls throughout the year, Steve! And, even though he’s recently passed on, here’s to remembering what would have been Richard Fetty’s 91st birthday on November 28… So sad to note the passing of our friend Alisson Smyth. My condolences to husband Jim and their family. Her contagious laughter and sweet smile will be sorely missed by all of us… That’s it for me this month. Remember, daylight savings time ends on the 4th of November this year, instead of the usual last Saturday in October date… Thanksgiving’s at my house this year; my sis Laurie and I have decided we’ve cooked enough turkey over the years and we’re going for a New Orleans-themed menu. Hope all of you enjoy your Thanksgiving as much as I will—it’s my favorite holiday. How cool is it to have a holiday to celebrate by eating great food?! That’s it for this month. Have fun doing your Christmas shopping on your bike; just remember to keep it small! Enjoy your ride!
