| Divas for a Cure to ‘high heel’ motorcycle show - MontgomeryNews.com Posted: 07 Oct 2009 07:46 AM PDT 
In conjunction with the Philadelphia Motorcycle Show, professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn will lead a bevy of 50 to 100 other riders on a motorcycle ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks this weekend to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure. View and purchase photos By Jesse Reilly
Staff Writer With the Keystone state ranking fourth in the nation for new motorcycles sold and home to 800,000 registered riders, David Mockus believes it's about time to end the several-year hiatus and bring a show to the bikers.
"For the past few years they've had shows in New York and Washington, D.C., but none here," the show's producer said.
After a few bumps in the road during previous shows, Philadelphia was taken off the map and after years without a show, Mockus left his job and created D&D Expositions with his mother to create one.
"During previous shows, thousands of people came out," he said. "We know there is an interest."
To kick off what he is hoping will be an annual event, Mockus is bringing in some unlikely riders.
Wearing a leather jacket and high heels professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn and 50 to 100 other divas will ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo at Oaks to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure.
"It's not every day that you see women on bikes in heels," she said with a laugh. "But if we're called divas, I am going to make sure I look like one."
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to "promoting early detection, education, screenings and supporting research organizations to continue the quest to one day find a cure and eradicate cancer of all kinds," its Web site said.
Proceeds from rides go toward educational material, health fairs, wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy, as well as mobile breast exams, the site continued.
Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Llewellyn said the opportunity to combine her passion for riding and her goal of spreading awareness to her community was something she couldn't pass up.
"I live by the rule that knowledge is power and the numbers show that breast cancer affects a large percentage of the Hispanic and black communities," she said, adding that as a woman of Jamaican and Mexican descent, the cause is close to her heart.
"If women know about early detection, they can protect themselves," she said. "If they have the information, they won't become the statistic."
Even though she's dolling up for the event, Llewellyn said once she's done the ride, she can kick off her heels and tell the estimated 10,000 bike lovers what it's like to go 190 mph around a track.
The divas will also stick around to talk to convention-goers and sign autographs.
After welcoming the women, thousands of bikes will be set up in the center's three halls, which are set to host the largest collection of motorcycles, ATVs and power sports vehicles in the area in years.
"There will be all different types of bikes," Mockus said, adding that anyone can register their bikes.
With numerous categories including antique and best in show, those who register their road hogs will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes.
After perusing the bikes, people can make their way over to the rod and customs carnival.
The carnival will feature an auto-rama of select Old School, Hotrod, Rat Rod, Kustom and Specialty show cars and bikes from around the tri-state area and, according to the press release, the event is all about "fun, kool cars and wild ideas."
Amazing oddities including rubber girls, a two-headed duck, a Fiji mermaid, mummies and shrunken heads are also sure to draw a crowd, Mockus promised.
Professional BMX stunt bicyclists by Dialed Action Sports Team will wow and shock audiences with their death-defying feats, and booths featuring local tattoo artists and custom-made bikes will also be at the show.
Parts and products will be sold for those who are hoping to start, or finish, their own bike project.
The event will also include a toy run for St. Christopher's Hospital. All show-goers are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy with them to receive $3 off admission on Sunday.
Saturday night will be a special treat, with Biker Brawl's presentation of R.I.E's Mixed Martial Arts at 8 p.m.
There is a separate admission and the cost is discounted for motorcycle show attendees.
"The fights are always broadcast and when you watch, there is a huge Harley Davidson ad in the middle of the ring," Mockus said. "They are a huge sponsor of the event so we thought the combination fit."
With the weekend full of exciting activities, Mockus said the convention center will definitely be revving with things to do.
"It hasn't been here in so many years," he said. "It's definitely going to be exciting."
If You Go …
Philadelphia Motorcycle Show,
presented by D&D Expositions,
will take place
at the Greater Philadelphia
Expo Center at Oaks,
100 Station Ave.,
Oaks, PA 19456,
Friday – Sunday,
Oct. 9 – 11.
Admission: $10, adults;
$5, 6-11, free, 5 & under.
Info: 856-626-3226 or
www.phillyexpos.com.
 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Laks closing Motorsports site - Buffalo News Posted: 07 Oct 2009 03:57 AM PDT Ray Laks Motorsports in the Town of Lancaster is preparing to close. The business, which opened in 2006, sells Honda motorcycles, ATVs, motor scooters, personal watercraft, apparel and other items. It is targeting Nov. 1 as the closing date, said Michael Laks, general manager of the Ray Laks Auto Group. Laks said he wants to concentrate on the three Ray Laks auto dealerships — which sell Honda, Acura and Mitsubishi — and found that there was not the crossover in running a motorcycle dealership that he had expected. "I'm a good car guy, not a good motorcycle guy," he said. Laks said he found that among motorcycle buyers, there is not the same loyalty to a particular brand or dealership as in the auto business. Customer loyalty programs did not translate well to the motorcycle side, he said. The economy has also made it a tough market for recreational vehicles, with consumers more hesitant about their spending, he added. Laks said he approached American Honda Motorcycles earlier this year for additional help in offsetting marketing expenses for the dealership, but was told no additional help was available. "I'm going to stick with what works for us, and that's the auto business," he said. The closing date could change slightly, depending on whether additional time is required to complete the final deals, Laks said. After the business is closed, the dealership's location, which sits on 28.5 acres on Walden Avenue, east of Pavement Road, will be put up for sale. Laks said there has already been some interest in the property. Many of the employees of Ray Laks Motorsports have been offered jobs at one of the Laks auto dealerships or have found other jobs, he said. About a dozen people currently work at the motorcycle dealership. mglynn@buffnews.com  Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment ![image]() |
| Executives' Club breakfast a chance to reflect on Chicago 2016 outcome - Chicago Tribune Posted: 07 Oct 2009 12:01 AM PDT Melissa Harris CHICAGO CONFIDENTIAL October 7, 2009 At Tuesday's Executives' Club breakfast, club president Kaarina Koskenalusta was somber.
Recounting the moment Chicago was eliminated from the 2016 games competition Friday, she said "not a sound was heard" in Copenhagen until someone spontaneously stirred the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Chicago 2016 chairman Patrick Ryan was straightforward in analyzing Rio de Janeiro's victory.
"The leaders of the [International Olympic Committee] decided going to South America was a risk worth taking," he said Tuesday at the Sheraton Chicago.
Mayor Richard Daley couldn't thank enough people -- even mayors of other U.S. cities.
Then there was James Tyree, the Mesirow Financial chief. Had his comments been aired alone, the audience could have concluded Chicago had won. He called for a standing ovation -- the third of the morning.
"Let's applaud them all," he said. He praised the bid team's "outstanding leadership."
"You are incredible," he gushed.
He even described the bid's star logo as "a source of light and inspiration."
What's next?Chicago Confidential will be monitoring what's next for executives at Chicago 2016. So far, none have firm plans "other than to take a few weeks off," said bid spokesman Pat Sandusky.
But that won't last long. Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said he planned to call 2016 President Lori Healey to pass along some job openings -- including a communications director post -- to her staff.
Art, fire and ATVsAt business luncheons, Bill Uniowski, principal of BCU Risk Advisors, says he does "insurance." Ask him what kind, and he says, "We cover yachts and planes and artwork, and do risk management."
And what exactly is risk management?
"Well, one time I got a call at about 11:45 a.m. from an adviser to a client on the North Shore. He was the patriarch of the family. His daughter and three grandchildren had waited too long to escape the California wildfires.
"As their personal risk manager, if you will, we immediately engaged our security firm. ... They had a helicopter in the air, but about 15 minutes before they arrived, the winds shifted and the airspace closed. So the firm sent in an ATV.
"By 3:15 p.m., the family and the dog were extracted from the area. The dog was kenneled in San Diego, and the family was on a friend's private jet to Las Vegas."
Top workplacesLast week The Wall Street Journal featured its third-annual report on the nation's "top small workplaces."
The paper's staff does the writing, but behind the scenes the competition is run by Evanston-based Winning Workplaces, founded by the Lehman Family.
The Lehmans and other relatives owned Fel-Pro Inc., a large automotive gasket maker based in Skokie. In 1998 (the year Fortune named the company the fourth-best place to work in America), they sold the business and started Winning Workplaces as "a way to share what we learned with others," said Kenneth Lehman, its chairman.
Fel-Pro "ran a summer camp for kids and had a workplace recreation area ... and then all of the sudden, when it became fashionable to do things like that, we were discovered," Lehman said.
Spotted: Opera diva Renee Fleming dancing at Chicago Symphony Orchestra's opening night gala at the Hilton Chicago. Marc Schulman, president of Eli's Cheesecake Co., posing for a photo with the Jesse White Tumblers and the 2009 Michigan Apple Queen at the company's festival.
New hire: Steve Simoncic, now chief creative officer at Jacobson Rost, formerly of PEAK6 Energie.
Promoted: Mary Jane Horne to vice president and general manager of RCN Business Services.
Appointments: Corey Goodman, formerly the engine behind Pfizer's push into biotechnology, to the board of Chicago's NeuroTherapeutics Pharma Inc. Robert Mintz, partner at the Stahl Cowen law firm, to president of the board of the Jewish National Fund of Chicago.
Melissa Harris can be reached at mmharris@tribune.com or 312-222-4582. Follow her on Twitter @ChiConfidential.
 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Ray Laks Motorsports closing, owner focusing on cars - Buffalo News Posted: 06 Oct 2009 08:55 PM PDT Ray Laks Motorsports in the Town of Lancaster is preparing to close. The business, which opened in 2006, sells Honda motorcycles, ATVs, motor scooters, personal watercraft, apparel and other items. It is targeting Nov. 1 as the closing date, said Michael Laks, general manager of the Ray Laks Auto Group. Laks said he wants to concentrate on the three Ray Laks auto dealerships which sell Honda, Acura and Mitsubishi and found that there was not the crossover in running a motorcycle dealership that he had expected. I'm a good car guy, not a good motorcycle guy, he said. Laks said he found that among motorcycle buyers, there is not the same loyalty to a particular brand or dealership as in the auto business. Customer loyalty programs did not translate well to the motorcycle side, he said. The economy has also made it a tough market for recreational vehicles, with consumers being more hesitant about their spending, he added. Laks said he approached American Honda Motorcycles earlier this year for additional help in offsetting marketing expenses for the dealership, but was told no additional help was available. I'm going to stick with what works for us, and that's the auto business, he said. The closing date could change slightly, depending on whether additional time is required to complete the final deals, Laks said. After the business is closed, the dealership's location, which sits on 28.5 acres on Walden Avenue, east of Pavement Road, will be put up for sale. Laks said there has already been some interest in the property. Many of the employees of Ray Laks Motorsports have been offered jobs at one of the Laks auto dealerships or have found other jobs, he said. About a dozen people currently work at the motorcycle dealership. mglynn@buffnews.com Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar