Well, isn’t this new layout cool? I am loving our new size and format here at THUNDER PRESS; I even like my column’s new look. Hope the rest of you like it as much as I do! Great job to the art department, and thanks for my new column header… I can’t believe we almost have fall here already. I’m guessing the rest of you are also ready to get your end-of-the-year rides on your calendars—and I have a few for you while you’re filling up your weekends… I run into Roger McEwen occasionally, and he asked me to get you the info on the Loma Linda H.O.G. Quaid Harley-Davidson 18th annual Veterans Poker Run. It’s Saturday, October 5, and signups start at 8:30 a.m. at 25160 Redlands Boulevard in Loma Linda. There will be vendors, a 50/50, lots of food by Carl’s Jr. and great music donated by Party Time DJs. All proceeds will benefit the Loma Linda Veterans Hospital, which is always a wonderful cause! Look for their flyer at www.lomalindahog.com. If you register early your entry is only $30 for a couple, but after the 28th it will be $35 a couple… The 11th annual Palm Springs H.O.G. Run for the Troops is on October 12. Check out their flyer at www.psharley.com… The 4th annual Sober Riders Run for Recovery will be held at Valley V-Twin on October 26. For info, you can call 760.275.4276… I’ve got a bicycle ride that is kinda cool because they have invited us bikers to participate by lining the starting line with bikes and U.S. flags. This is the Patriot Ride for our Heroes and is on October 26. It’s a fundraiser for military, police and firefighters. Check out www.patriotrideforourheroes.com for info if this might be something you’d like to participate in… For you Brad Wilson fans, he doesn’t have any SoCal gigs in October, but if you’re planning on attending the Big Bike Weekend in Redding he has a couple dates there, so check him out in the grandstands and the Holiday Inn… Hi-ya to a couple folks that I’ve talked to this past month. Paul from A&H in Redlands, howdy to you and not your brother Glen!… One of my contacts mentioned being impressed with William Baker Photography, so if you’re in need of a professional, his e-mail is williambphotographer@gmail.com… I chatted with Jeff Givens at Qwik Parts after the fundraiser for Courtney’s Ride and he wanted to send a huge thank you to Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson for all their help making the event a success. Jeff has another event coming up in November that I’ll just fling a hint at you for now: the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza Car & Bike Show on November 30… Also heard from Honda Ray Fleischman with the date for this year’s Totally Kids Ride—it’s on November 10, which is, coincidentally, the 238th birthday of the US Marine Corps. If you are a SoCal club, H.O.G. chapter or ABATE local that wouldn’t mind passing the famous Honda Ray top hat to your group, give Ray a call at 951.279.4370 or e-mail hr-wolfe@att.net. Ray has an online flyer for this year’s wish list. The event leaves from Chopper Place at 4791 Doane Ave in Riverside. There is also an online flyer at the Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare website (www.totallykids.com/OneMoreFromtheHeart2013.pdf). More next month on this one, my fave of the year!… This month brings birthdays to Joaquin Murguia and John Pena out in the desert. Hope your day is great! Christine Madruga from the Pet Rescue Center in Coachella is celebrating a birthday, so is Monica Mazet and Cat Minter—have a fun day! Joe Howells and Amy’s mom, Alice Broich, are also celebrating in October, as is Jamie Francis. Marti Hall and Tami Gedigian also share October birthdays. I know Tami will be celebrating hers with the rest of the CREW as they celebrate with their 3rd annual Birthday Party for the whole CREW. And last but not least, a happy birthday to our own Almost Fiction author Sam Jones on October 1! My friend Splatt is also one of those October birthdays. I only get to see Splatt at a couple rides a year, so hope your day is great! Kirsten in Australia gets to read this birthday wish online via Halle’s Facebook forwards, so hope it’s fun reading for you. Paul Holt and Paul Glasser, also out in the desert, hope your day is groovy, too. And while I’m wishing happy birthdays—a very happy 238th birthday to our own U.S. Navy on October 13!… And in this same area, happy 10th Anniversary to Valley V-Twin this month! Halle’s not sure what they will do to celebrate, but you can bet it will be special! Especially since it happens during Palm Springs Bike Weekend on October 25–27… Steve Broughton, hope you’re on your way to recovery… That’s it for October. Have a great month and a fun Halloween. As always, you know the stuff I like—bring it on! Your very best toy runs are covered in the Calendar pages in the middle of the THUNDER PRESS, but sometimes deadlines get missed or you may think they need a little extra something—I don’t mind—bring it on! Enjoy your ride!
