$500 Shopping Spree at Blue Springs Harley-Davidson

A few weeks ago I got a mailer from BS Harley-Davidson about their upcoming Back Roads Bash. I went online and entered for their drawing. I usually do this hoping some day my ship will come in.

I got an e-mail last Friday telling me that I won the $500 gift card. I figured this was a ploy to get me to come in and sell me a new bike. I called and talked to them and they insisted it was a regular gift card.

I went out Saturday and picked it up. It was the real deal. They even took our picture with it. I thought that was pretty cool.

We went crazy and I got a watch, new helmet and some clothes. Wesley got a hat and a lint brush (he had to have it for some reason). Abby got some cool clothes also.

The only observation I had was there weren't a lot of people there for a Saturday. Times have changed. Back years ago that place would have been full. We were the only people eating free chili in the tent outside. And they have a whole load of bikes to sell. Oh well, times change.

RIP Mayor Ron Stewart

My former neighbor and long-time friend Ron Stewart died last Friday. He had a stroke about 2 months ago and was trying to recuperate when he had another massive stroke that got him.

He lived two doors down from my parents. I have known him for over 30 years. I used to mow his grass for him when I was a kid.

Stewart always had nice things. He had a bad-ass El Camino when I was a kid. And most importantly, he always had a motorcycle. After a brief stint with a couple of Gold Wings in the early 80's he came back to the Harley crowd (a place he had been since the 1950's).

He was a policeman for more than 30 years. He wasn't the kind of guy who had to put a uniform on to get respect from people. He was a natural born leader who commanded respect with this presence.

After he retired he became Mayor of Independence and brought our town into the modern times in many ways. He took it past the good ol' boy network that had a stranglehold on our city for generations. I didn't agree with all his policies, but at least he moved us forward and he did what he said he was going to do.

He was a colorful character. The world needs more of them.

Happening Lately

I haven't had much time to do a lot of blogging lately. Audrey May Povenmire arrived on June 4 and all hell seems to have broken loose! But it has been fun.

Wes and I are still riding some this summer. He got a new helmet last weekend because his Povenmire melon has expanded.

Benefit for Punk Rod Todd Karnahan

If you want to help donate to Punk Rod Todd and his medical expenses you can send a check to:

Todd Karnahan
c/o Los Punk Rods
P.O. Box 2614
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201

I have been doing the car shows since I was an infant. We went every weekend to some sort of event all through my childhood and well into my high school years. At the point of my early 20's I got burned out and decided to call it quits. I put my car in storage and got into the motorcycle scene quite heavily.

I had considered selling my car, but I have had it since I was 15 years old and had a soft spot for the old girl. She and I have been through a lot of good and bad times together. I drove her to William Chrisman High School on May 14, 1987 (one of the greatest days of my life) and on my wedding day August 6, 2000 (another great day). She is like the red violin for my life.

The Greaserama car show started in 2001. My dad went and told me about it. I went in 2002 and have been going ever since. It was a great show where anything went. No more old guys with high dollar cars looking down on my budget built ride. Plus there was plenty of beer and fun for everyone.

This whole thing was the brianchild of Todd Karnahan with the Punk Rods Car Club. I dare say this man single-handedly renewed my interest in the car scene. Now I take my son to this event and it has been less of a beerfest and more of a family event for me. Times change, but the good times are still there.

Anyway Todd has cancer. He is going to deal with it his own way. I can't blame him on that. We have all seen people who are diagnosed and go through years of chemo and feel like shit then die anyway. They could have possibly spent the last two years of their life spending time with friends and family.

There is a benefit car/bike show for Todd at the Record bar on June 12, 2010. He is a house painter who doesn't have insurance. Come out and support this effort if you can. He has brought a lot of fun to many people's lives.

Bob Chinnery and the Amazing Technicolor Casket

My dad's friend Bob Chinnery recently was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He decided to go out in style and asked my dad to help him find a casket that could be customized.

Dad was able to come up with one (don't ask me where). Bob had it painted by Kenny Frisbee and added the LED lights and images of his various cars, bikes, airplanes and family.

Bob was one of dad's more "colorful" friends. He was an unbelievable machinist and could fabricate just about anything. In fact he made the shift linkage on my Harley for me. The stock piece broke after about 50,000 miles. I doubt the linkage Bob made for me will break anytime soon. It will probably outlast me.

You can see more about him on his website www.bobchinnery.com

Here is the casket finished and the special hearse that took Bob on his last ride.

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business

This was one of my favorite videos from a few years ago. I always loved James Brown since my dad let me listen to his "Live at the Apollo" album when I was a kid. That is one of the greatest albums ever made.

All they ever play on the radio is "I Feel Good." That is a good song, but James had dozens of hits and other great songs. This video incorporates some of the soundbites of the great ones.

Passing the (Greasy) Torch

The time comes for every motorcycle enthusiast to pass the torch... My father and Uncle David passed it to me, now I am handing it to my son, Wesley.

My father told me to "be careful" riding with Wesley (we only go around the neighborhood on regular streets, no highway obviously). I told him that I was extremely careful, and also reminded him that we did the same thing in the 70's and we didn't wear helmets!

His usual response, "That was a different time." Yes it was.

Even though it has been over 30 years, I still miss you Uncle David. You would be happy to know I am passing the greasy torch to the newest Povenmire...