Community
The Times They are a Changing
I was sitting here as I have done for the past 3 weeks trying to think about what to write about. What positive spin or thoughts that I could share with you. All I could come up with is that history has a way of repeating itself and hopefully this world, our country and we, as citizens, will learn this time.
We are in unsettling times. We will speak of this global virus pandemic, the stay-at-home orders, food shortages, gas prices possibly going back to 99 cents per gallon, highest unemployment in recent memory and the aftermath this pandemic had on our economy. Before this, how many of you knew the word Essential business or ventilator? The simple word COVID-19 will flow off our tongues like WWI & The Depression and we will all remember where we were and who we lost. This virus knows no color or race, no religion, no gender and doesn’t discriminate… sounds like a John Lennon song.
Future generations will roll their eyes when we try to tell them the stories of the day when there was no toilet paper and food was being rationed. How manufacturing plants were converted from making pillows or beer, to making hand sanitizers and hospital masks/PPE clothing to save the lives of Americans. GM and Ford converted their plants to make not guns and ammo for WAR, but medical equipment. They will humor us, and half listen at the unimaginable sacrifices people have made to save the lives others.
I remember when I was younger, I went down into my Italian grandparents’ basement, and would see everything that they stocked up on. Every weekend, they would take the Sunday newspaper ads and coupon and spend the whole weekend going to stores picking up the Buy One-Get One free products and then they would proudly stock them on massive shelves in the basement. They would only go out to eat at restaurants they had a coupon for. My beautiful Grandma Ginny was our family Italian drug dealer, because she would pay you to refill your prescriptions and then stock them up in her private home pharmacy. I remember thinking that they were just a little bit crazy, but now I understand that they had lived thru the depression, they had lived in a house with several married families and struggled every single day. My grandma worked at a plant in St. Louis and paid double on her mortgage every month so that she could pay her house off early and the bank didn’t own her. She believed in living within her means, and I can’t tell you the countless times my parents borrowed money from them and thank god they always had it to give. They didn’t have credit card because they didn’t want to owe anyone. If they wanted something, they had an envelope and they SAVED until they could go in and pay cash.
It is my belief and deepest hope that this pandemic and shut down will be a life lesson to world leaders, our government and all of us in some small way and will bring CHANGE in how we deal with things.
I have personally learned a lot about how I will deal with things moving forward and to be the rock for my family and friends.
Our estimated goal date to getting back to some semblance of normal is now April 30th, and I pray each day that more people will honor the stay-at-home orders and practice safe social distancing. Group rides are not encouraged, and we ask all riders if you are going to ride to make sure you take the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.
The sooner we all sacrifice and bring this curve of infection down, the sooner we can all get back to the living and rebuilding our lives and our country.
#2WHEELS4MEALS
Colorado Rider News is working with a collective group of biker owned business to form #ColoradoRidersCare. Our first initiative was our #2WheelsforMeals program to ensure that our small business biker owned restaurants survive so that we have them when this is over. We are working with businesses like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, Wide Open Saloon, and Takoda Tavern. Each of these businesses are open for carryout and delivery and we encourage all riders to try your best to support your local biker owned business. If you know of someone that needs a hot meal, please let us know by sending an email to info@coloradoridernews.com
Motorcycle Business Directory
CRN has also created a directory of businesses that have modified or adapted to the shut-down. Many of our dealerships are still open and while the showroom may be closed, they are still open for service and parts.
We will always be #COLORADOSTRONG and stand side-by-side.
As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE
Contact Laurie: info@coloradoridernews.com
Bikers for Justice: April is child abuse awareness month
A person commits child abuse in Colorado when he/she harms a child under the age of 16 or places the child in a potentially harmful situation. Penalties for child abuse range from (3) months in jail to life in prison, depending on 1) whether the child was injured or died, and 2) The severity and frequency of the abuse.
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. It’s the widespread war against our children that we have the power to stop, and understanding the issue is the first step. Just how bad is the issue of child abuse in the United States?
Here is some statistics that One might find shocking:
- Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agency involving more than 6.6 million children (A referral can include multiple children).
- The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations-losing on average between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect.
- A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds.
- Yearly, referrals to state child protection services involved 6.6 million children, and around 3.2 million of those children are subject to an investigative report.
- In 2014 alone, state agencies found over 702,000 victims of child maltreatment,
But that only tells part of the story. This would Pac-10 Modern football stadiums x10.
We must learn to recognize early signs of abuse in order to help save the five children that die every day from child abuse and neglect.
Bikers for Justice Is a group of riders who come together. The one thing that bonds them together is preventing one more child from being abused.
It is difficult to know the scope of how much child abuse and neglect really affect one of our most vulnerable members of our community. Abused children are often isolated, especially when the trauma involves a caregiver they depend on every day. The harm that many
children face is not recognized or reported by adults.
Bikers For Justice
Our mission is simple every child has the right to feel safe in their environment. We look to give a child it’s power back. They will know that we got their back’s, and they need not be afraid. We assist them in expressing themselves and to protect them to get their voice back to testify.
The healing journey for the children that have experienced child abuse and neglect can be extremely painful. With the help of BIKERS FOR JUSTICE the healing process can start. We work closely with the family, state and local agencies to protect children.
Bikers for Justice focus is to eliminate further abuse to a child with our physical presence and we will provide a 360 protection to prevent further abuse to this child and we will immediately respond to a child in need.
Bikers for Justice started in 2016. Our mission is going strong in the fight against child abuse and helping abused children get there voice back so they can testify.
REMEMBER: IF YOU SEE SOMETHING… SAY SOMETHING!! It might just save a child’s Life.
Please contact our helpline at 303-725-3159 or email us at bikersforjustice@yahoo.com or our website@bikersforjustice.org
If you would like to get involved in the fight against child abuse come join us. Our meeting is the first Sunday of every month at 11:00 AM until 12 noon The Board Room 51 W. Dry Creek Ct. Littleton Colorado. 80120
Colorado Motorcycle Expo
We’re excited to announce that the Colorado Motorcycle Expo is all set for 2020! It will be held February 1st and 2nd in the National Western Complex in downtown Denver. Formerly known as the Colorado Motorcycle Show & Swap, the Expo has been held annually in Denver since 1978. After starting at the Adams County Fairgrounds, the Expo moved to the National Western Complex in the early 1980’s, and it draws people from all over the country. Among motorcycle enthusiasts it has a large and loyal following with 20,000-25,000 people attending the event each year.
[Read more…] about Colorado Motorcycle ExpoA Look Back at 2019
Justice for Mark “Munky” Berman
In October 2019, our community lost our friend Munky at the hands of a murderer name Alberto Calcurian. The loss to our community resulted in one of the biggest celebrations of life seen in Denver in several years. The fundraiser raised enough funds that Munky was able to be buried in Florida by his parents but didn’t leave much for his son Marcus or the estate to deal with the after math of such a tragic loss. But the story doesn’t end there.
[Read more…] about Justice for Mark “Munky” BermanDirty Dogs Open Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is about traditions and family and familiarity. When most, if not all, businesses are Closed on Thanksgiving Day and families are locked in the house with relatives that they see once or twice a year, about the only place one has to escape to is 7-eleven.
Rob is continuing the Dirty Dogs tradition by opening the bar @ 1pm and giving customers a safe place to escape to. Rob will provide the Turkey and just asks that customers bring a side dish.
The outside patio will be open with footballs games weather permitting and the Buffalo Bills play the Dallas Cowboys at 2:30 pm. So, come on down to Dirty Dog Thursday afternoon and gather with your riding family.
DIRTY DOGS CHRISTMAS SWAP MEET
Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and Colorado Rider News will be hosting the 2nd Annual Christmas Shopping Day on Dec. 14th at 10am. ALL VENDORS are welcome for FREE and bring your tent (this event will happen rain or shine)! We are asking customer to come share Christmas Cheer @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and give some small business vendors and opportunity to get some last minute sales!
Colorado Rider News will be offering some gift wrapping for a donation to BikerDown and Rumor has it Santa Clause will be in the house!
If you need vendor information, please call Dirty Dogs and ask for Mark or Rob!
34th Annual Children’s Hospital Toy Run
Sunday, December 8th, 2019
Adopt A Family for the Holidays
Nominations for families is Open until November 30th
BikerDown Foundation is in our 8th year of Adopting Families for the Holidays program. The program started with the desire to help 2 families that had suffered a tragic loss due to a motorcycle fatality. While we knew we couldn’t replace the loss they were feeling, we could ensure that the family wasn’t alone and that the children had Christmas under the tree.
[Read more…] about Adopt A Family for the HolidaysAccident Scene Bystander Assistance Class
By Chere Martin, Community Liaison for Rider Justice
There is absolutely no question that bikers are getting injured in Colorado at alarming rates. Certainly, distracted driving by car drivers on the road is one big reason for the disastrous statistics, but no matter the reason for the wreck, the result is the same: A biker is down and probably seriously injured.
[Read more…] about Accident Scene Bystander Assistance Class