Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
8 nAugust 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Don Kline BEAUMONT, CALIF., JUNE 25—The last two runnings of this event were interrupted by rain, and last year's show was even cut short as a result. Speaking with the Baldi family last year they told me they were moving the date back a bit for the next show. That move worked out great as this year's show ended up having sunny skies and a much bigger turn- out. Temperatures for the area were forecasted to be over the 100-degree mark thanks to a high-pressure ridge that moved in from Texas. Fortunately there were plenty of shady areas to sit under and many people brought their own canopies. The show takes place on the south and east parking lots of the Top-Line facility with the south lot holding the vendors, food and raffl e prize tables and a few off-road vehicles. The show is free to the public and was sched- uled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There were about 100 vehicles entered in the show and it was open to all makes and models, foreign and domestic. Cost to enter a vehicle was $25 for motorcycles and $30 for cars and trucks. If you pre-registered it was $5 cheaper. Situated by the main gate was what I called motorcycle row—a few custom bikes lined up in front of the building with the show bikes lined up on the east side. The motorcycles were mostly American with Harley- Davidson being the main marque. There was a Honda-powered chopper in a Denver's frame that won Best Metric Cruiser while Best of Show for motorcycles went to Bob Smith for his fl amed Harley-Davidson Deluxe. Shannon Venturo won two awards, one for her Swarovski crystal-covered 2009 Nightster in the Sport category, and one in the Radical Freestyle Class for her 2014 Harley-Davidson Breakout. I talked to Shannon before the award s were announced and she told me you can look her Sporty up online as it's the only Swarovski-studded Sportster. She also told me that there are over 50,000 hand-applied crystals on the bike. Besides the tank and fend- ers there are crystals on the wheels. The mix of vehicles was very interesting; there were hot rods, classic cars, rat rods, trucks both lifted and lowered, Jeeps, high per- formance off-road vehicles and even a fi re truck just to round it out. My favorite car was a 1923 T-bucket which had a twin tur- bo-powered V-8. Spectators and families were coming and going all day so it appears it was well attended. As to the vendors you could get barbecue from Foxen Canyon Barbecue, lemonade and other drinks from Tropical Islands, and Carol's Kitchen had snow cones for a donation of $2. It had been years since I had one and you could choose from different fl a- vors. The other vendors included Diamond Bros Detailing, Route 66 Cigar Lounge, Farmers Insurance, Best Energy, Road Warriors AZ, The Owners Club, Real Time Pain Relief, Elizabeth Brown Kelly-Williams Realtors, Redlands Motorsports (who had a few of their off-road-capable vehicles on display) and First Place Powder Coating. There was also a raffl e prize drawing and a 50/50 being held. Entertainment was provided by live music in the south lot and a DJ spinning on the east side. Of course Top-Line had their store open. They offer custom made hoses, fi ttings, adapters tools and other supplies, and they have a huge warehouse of supplies. They also have another store in Temecula. The purpose of this show is to raise money for Carol's Kitchen Inc., which provides hot meals four days a week at different locations in Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon. Over 500,000 meals have been served since 1998. All the money raised during this event goes to Carol's Kitchen, which was founded in 1998 by Arlene and Jim Ragan in honor of their daughter Carol who was killed by a drunk driver in 1996. Carol was born and raised in San Bernardino, graduated from the University of Southern California, was a member of the National Program Big Brothers and Big Sisters and later began teaching in Boise, Idaho. According to their website, their motto, which is, "Ask your heart what is right and follow it," was the last entry in Carol's private journal. Along with the kitchen they operate Carol's Closet, which receives and hands out donated clothing. The only thing needed to get a meal at Carol's Kitchen is to be hungry. I enjoy going to this show since it is put on and supported by local busi- nesses and supports a local charity. For information on donating or other infor- mation on Carol's Kitchen go to www. carolskitcheninc.org. They also have an e-mail newsletter you can sign up for online. (www.top-lineindustrial.com) 4 4TH ANNUAL TOP-LINE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CHARITY CAR AND MOTORCYCLE SHOW Having a blast and feeding the hungry Carol's Kitchen takes it in and dishes it out Best of Show Winner Bob Smith Shannon Venturo on her crystal-covered Sportster Sam Baldi receives a plaque from Arlene Ragan and Alex of Carol's Kitchen