Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
35 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nNovember 2016n Chopper Vintage Bike Show put on by Mondo Porras, Les Covington and Michelle Avery. There were 58 bikes entered in the bike show and the winners were awarded the coveted handcrafted awards created and fab- ricated by Les and Michelle. These awards were meticulous and deliberate in their design coinciding with the class of winners. They were nothing less than brilliant. Another well-done show by this threesome. After the show was over and the winners were acknowledged, Les and Michelle had a special surprise for Mondo. It was said that Mondo was expressing dis- appointment—OK, whining—about his inability to be eligible for one of these prestigious awards, so Les and Michelle made a special award just for Mondo and presented it to him with Mondo's daughter Kim present. Mondo was truly grateful and touched by the display of honor to their friend. We had the pleasure to meet 2016 Ms. Street Vibrations, Rebecca Abbitt from San Diego, at the Hollister Independence Rally in July. Rebecca and the other International Bikini Team contestants competing for the 2017 title were on hand for most of the VIP events, including the bike show. It was no surprise that the beautiful and poised Ms. Abbitt took the 2017 title and will represent Street Vibrations again next year. Congratulations Rebecca, well done. After all was said and done, Reno Police Department released their safety report showing 18 citations with 11 of those attributed to panhandling (which would seem to be a local issue unre- lated to the event), 11 arrests related to DUI, outstanding warrant, domes- tic battery, resisting and obstructing an offi cer and only one felony arrest related to carrying a concealed weapon. It was much fewer than the See "Street Vibrations," page 36, column 1 by Diane "Shadow's Wife" Jones RENO, NEV., SEP. 24—Some things worth noting are people and things that have withstood the test of time and the test of the laws of this land. There are two things that have those two tests in common; they are badass women and badass motorcy- cles. Since the mid-19th century in the state of Nevada there has been the on and off legally operated brothels, or in slang terms, cathouses primarily in the rural areas of the state of Nevada. Interestingly enough, although legal to operate those brothels or cathouses they were unable to advertise their ser- vices. So 20 years ago, in an effort to help the struggling brothel operations whose owners might have been or might not have been a friend or asso- ciate of the members of a local Reno motorcycle club known as the Reno Renegades, they initiated the Cathouse Poker Run, a fundraising effort and through that effort they legally pro- vided a side benefi t of advertisement and awareness for the legally operated brothels in the rural area surrounding Reno, Nevada. In November of 1998, the Reno Renegades were patched over and became members of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, and Hell's Angels have continued to support the Cathouse Poker Run during Street Vibrations every year and this year they celebrate the 20 years of dedica- tion to the support and awareness to the local business of brothels in their community. While the debate over legal advertising by these brothels as well as the legal operation of other brothels in other areas has continued over the years and challenged by the First Amendment and back and forth through various levels of courts, the moral judgments of many city offi cials and citizens, the commitment of this club has remained steadfast and for very good reason. The Cathouse Poker Run has grown in popularity over the years as the motorcycle community has recognized this well-organized event ensures even the most skeptical (myself, a few years ago) the utmost fun and frivolity that almost everyone can enjoy. 20TH ANNUAL CATHOUSE POKER RUN BIKES, BOOZE AND BROTHELS What's not to like? See "Cathouse," page 51, column 1 Bikers getting their chance to pose with the greeter girls from Sagebrush Ranch History meets horsepower in the streets of Virginia City Proud American biker