10-Year Anniversary Event

I arrived early at StaRRanch and was so happy to see several members were already there and getting everything started.  Richard Green was already working on getting people parked in the right area at the bottom of the hill, Patty and Chuck Giambitti were working hard and starting on icing down all of the drinks we would need for the day.  Carol and Charlie Wolfe, Chris and Brian Hefter, and Evlee and Mark Pinkney were ready to get shuttled up the hill to start working.  Scott Hamilton was all over helping with all the necessary logistical issues like running water and power.  Shortly, Jim Rawlinson arrived to work as roadie to the band for the day, helping get them all setup and ready for the arrival of guests.  

It became apparent early on that it was going to be a hot day.  I had heard that the temperature was expected to rise above 100 degrees so drinks and ice would be a necessity.  In the end we had eight mega size coolers all filled with ice and water and soft drinks.  We added more tables to the plaza area and setup as many umbrellas and EZ-Ups as we had – it was not enough.  Charlie Wolfe volunteered to go back to his house (with the help of Brian Hefter) and get more umbrellas and EZ-Ups – thank you Charlie and Brian!! 

Patty Giambitti and Evlee Pinkney made fast work setting up the T-Shirt sales area under an EZ-Up.  We had a few chapter shirts and challenge coins for sale during the event – thanks to all who purchased them!!  Rick and Barb Saneki armed themselves with raffle tickets and 50/50 tickets and made sure everyone had the opportunity to buy some.  

At the bottom of the hill members worked to setup a work area where entry fees would be collected and raffle tickets (one for each entry) would be distributed.  Mark Pinkney and myself would be shuttling guests up the hill to the party. 
The band started to arrive and setup in front of the little church.  They left a little space for us to go in and out of the church where all the raffle items were stored.  We had over 50 raffle items donated by chapter members and our supporters.  I can’t thank you all enough for your donations – we had some really amazing stuff.  There was a set of tires, two Invicta watches, a Cookie Lee watch, Trader Joes Grocery Gift bags, Starbucks Gift Cards, Car Detailing Gift bags, a Margarita Gift Basket, 4 Men’s leather jackets, 2 women’s leather jackets and so much more. 

While we were all setting up, Bob from StaRRanch moved his bulls into a pen right below the plaza.  All guests were invited to “slap the bull” – if you have seen the movie Wild Hogs this will ring a bell.  

I have to thank Ron and LouAnn Lopez again – LouAnn made the most incredible cake for the event.  You need to go look at some of the pictures people took to really see how great this cake was – rolling green hills, smooth little road and a bunch of motorcycles – oh and a banner!!!  It was so great. 
Finally our final piece, the Taco Guy, arrived and setup and all was ready! 
Members and guests started to arrive.  Along with all of our members from Chapter 230 we were joined by members of Chapters 109, 345, 415, 422, 434, and 500.  Many of our guests had at one time been members of 230 – we had six of the original charter members of the chapter with us (Bob and Anna Barbano, Sharon, Linda, Richard Green and Glenn Sandstrom) – two of which are still active members and currently holding key positions within the chapter (Richard Green and Glenn Sandstrom).  I was also so happy to see Frank Alvarez, president of 415 and Jim Holland his VP (and their nurses/wives).  So glad to see they are both recovering well.  So glad they were able to come out and support our group.  I also want to thank Gail Indorf’s father for coming up!  A group from the Orange Senior Center was there as well, including Tom Maldonado and Tami Rowe and their families. 

Food was served and everyone braved the hot sun to stand in line for tacos.  Don’t know about you but the tacos that I ate were really great!  Thanks to Evan Brown for recommending and arranging for the taco guy!!  
In between the band’s music sets, we held three raffle drawings.  In the end, over 50 items were raffled off – a big chunk seems to go to Barry Cleveland and the Barbano family…Although others did win a bunch.  I can’t explain how it happened but Richard “Taz” Green won the 50/50 drawing.  Now understand Taz has won the last 4 of 7 chapter 50/50 drawings.  Each time we have someone different draw the tickets and each time he has won.  This time we asked Matthew Clark (Ed Clarks son) to pull the ticket.  

Vince Greva made a presentation to Scott Hamilton for his 2012 Star Days Motorcycle Rodeo and Skills Event Top Gun Competition 1st Place!!! Congrats Scott. 

Bob and Anna presented Susan and I with an amazing plaque recognizing the Chapter for the 10-Year milestone. Thanks so much – as I have said in the past it is our chapter, and without the members we would not be as successful as we are today. 

Once everyone had been served, a group walked down to see the bulls.  Several of us tried our luck “slapping the bull.”  A few actually succeeded – me, Evan Brown, Kyle Dalke, and Scott Hamilton. 

As the day ended, we started the process of shuttling members back down the hill and cleaning up.  Everyone had been really great at recycling and I think Ken Indorf was going to take the recyclables down and turn them in and give the proceeds back to the chapter – great deal Ken!!! 

The remaining food was donated to StaRRanch for their ranch hands to eat and the remaining drinks (although there weren’t many) will be used at the November Fund Raiser for the Orange Senior Center. 

I can’t begin to thank the members who helped us put this event together enough.  Without you all we could not have pulled this off. 

But in the end, I can’t thank everyone enough for coming and celebrating our 10-Year Anniversary with us.  This is why I am a part of Star Touring and Riding – the friends we have made who are more than willing to share in these times

August Chapter Ride - Mulholland Highway/Malibu

The day started off great, I arrived early and already several members were already waiting – they new it was going to be a great ride.  It was great to see the Gehrl’s (Patty and Gerry, our past president) joining us – it’s been quite a while since we had them on a ride with us.  Niki Forsythe, a past 230 member who now rides with the Riverside Chapter joined us as well.  Several members and friends from the Riverside chapter also joined us.  We were also joined by Bob Barbano, a charter member of 230 and our local State Director.  It was shaping up to yet again be a great turnout and ride.

We held our usual meeting with information and then the raffle and 50/50.  Bill Gilmore won a utility knife set, Rick Saneki an Allen Wrench set, Bob Barbano a socket set, Luis Vasquez a JBJ Gift Certificate, Bob also won some microfiber towels and a t-shirt (Doesn’t Play Well With Others), and Keith Limbach won three quarts of oil.  I should be shocked, but Richard “Taz” Green won the 50/50 again (that makes 4 out of 7) and walked away with $62.  

Before the ride we had a demo of all hand signals by Richard “Taz” Green assisted by Bob Barbano – reminder all hand signals are made with your left arm.  Then Dan led a group in a lane change demo.  Hopefully this was a good refresher. 

We would be slip into three groups of 40 riders on 32 bikes on our way to Mulholland Highway.  I led one group, Terry Bishop led another, and Dan Dobler led the third.  We were off down the 22 to the 405 north and up to the 10 out to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH for us locals).  The beach was still a little gloomy and it kept the temps down a little.  Our first stop was at the 76 on PCH where we all gassed up and got ready for the twisties!!! 

Up the road and then a right onto Topanga Canyon – then the twisties. Great road with some really nice turns.  At the top of the hill we stopped at a small pull over area and took some pictures – really great view of all of Malibu.  The weather started heating up a bit, but for the most part it was really nice.  We made our way along the ridge, looking at some amazing homes, and then down the canyon and back to PCH.  We were lucky this time and the light at the bottom of the hill was green – it’s a no turn on red lol.  We continued up PCH and then made a right onto Las Virgenes Road and started our second set of twisties. From Las Virgenes we turned onto Mulholland and even more amazing homes – in fact there is one on the hill that has its own helipad – I think Terry Bishop said it had been featured on one of those home shows and was listed at $45 million dollars!  

Now throughout the ride we were dodging bicyclists on the right and then a few sport bikes – but there were two that really pushed their luck.  We were coming into one of the areas where the speed limit drops to around 30 mph and two sport bikes decided to pass my group.  I was leading with Bob Barbano as my wing and my wife Susan right behind him – one bike cut in front of Susan and the other in front of Bob then they criss-crossed behind we and within seconds one passed on my left causing me to move to the right, and then the other passed on my right brushing up against my right leg.  Way too close for me!  
Good thing it was time for lunch!  We stopped at Islands in Augora Hills where they were kind enough to give us half the restaurant.  They were really great and everyone was served within a short time.  A big thanks to their Manager Stacy who made it all work.  I think it must be kind of nerve wracking to have 35 people come in all at once for lunch. 

After lunch we were back on the road and onto the 101, up the 23.  We stopped for gas in Moorpark.  Now a few rides back when we were in this same gas station some people decided to mess with me and told me I should go west on the 118 – and then said no go east.  Now this stuck in my head and I am forever questioning which direction to go when I get to this intersection – this time I picked wrong.  Now my group had to take a scenic drive down a hill and past a mobile home park to get back onto the 118 going east.  Now I did hear from several riders that this was a great road as it had some nice sweeping turns and twists with reasonable speed – so a nice adventure. 

So then we were on the 118 to the 210 to the 57.  The entire trip we had great luck with traffic, until we got onto the 57.  Apparently there was a major accident that had caused them to close the 60.  Well the 60 crosses over the 57 and that was causing a pretty big backup onto the 57.  Good use of the tricks used in the skills class (thanks Vince Greva).  A little patience – one route around – and we were back to a good speed on the 57 and back to El Torito.  

Thanks to all who rode with us, reminders of upcoming events, and of course reminders for the 10-Year Anniversary, and the ride was called.