The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/31419
R.o.B.S. DALLAS, Ore. _ A local Harley Davidson enthusiasts’ group is looking to put a hap- pier face on their notoriously rowdy pastime. The Happy HOGs have added charity bake sales and volunteering to their chap- ter’s mission in what one member said is an effort to change the face of biker culture in this conservative Willamette Valley com- munity. The group has hosted an annual motorcy- cle ride-in, including live music and vendors, that draws motorcycle riders from as far away as Idaho and Washington. But complaints from area residents about the noise and nuisance caused by hundreds of bikers descending on the small town have led local leaders to reconsider their image. Happy HOGs chapter president Rusty Al- len said he was inspired by a letter pub- lished in the local newspaper, asking why the group couldn’t put more energy toward B. It’s hard to tell what’s true these days. Take a gander below, and guess if A. and B. are Real or B.S. (Answers at the bottom of the page.) Bikers: ‘Loud, proud,’ A. community-minded doing something that would benefit the whole community, rather than just its own members. “I looked at that letter and I said, ‘Well, we can. And we will.’” Since then, Happy HOGs members have accompanied Girl Scouts selling cookies door-to-door; volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels; and organized a bake sale (featuring such creatively named treats as Biker Bars). With the group’s annual ride-in coming up in a few weeks, Allen said he hopes his efforts will have paid off. “We’re still going to be loud, proud and a little bit dirty, but we hope we’ve generated enough good will over the past year that people will let us have our fun.” The ride-in will take place May 21 and 22 at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall; for information, visit www.dallashappy- HOGs.com. Crafty canine escapes from veterinarian office MEDFORD, Ore. _ After three late-night escape attempts from an Oregon veterinar- ian's office, a German shepherd named Jack finally made it. The Medford Mail Tribune reported the crafty canine managed to pull open his kennel, trip the dead bolt on the clinic's back door and pull down the handle to get out- side. He set off three motion-detector alarms on the way and managed to rip open four bags of food. The dog roamed seven miles from the vet’s office, but only made it home when animal control officers took him to a shelter where he was reunited with his worried family. A veterinarian calls the dog’s recovery from flulike symptoms “impressive.” ess.eal, by The Associated Pr. is r.S., by Emily Popek; BA. is B 22 O-Town Scene May 12, 2011 WKC to offer hip-hop workshop The West Kortright Centre is offering a hands-on hip-hop workshop taught by re- cording artist Kabir Garrett from 4 to 7 p.m., May 16-18 at the center. The class will give students the opportunity to write, record and perform their own original music or remix of their favorite songs. It also will offer instruction on hip-hop beat production and basic songwriting struction, using WKC equipment. The cirriculum will depend upon student interest. Garrett is a rapper, producer and DJ from upstate New York. His work has been featured on many albums from art- ists all over the world. He has performed with groups such as Wu Tang Clan, Atmosphere, Redman and One Be Lo. The workshop cost is $90 for nonmem- bers and $75 for members. For more information and to register, call 278-5454 or go to www.westkc.org. The center is at 49 West Kortright Church Road in East Meredith. Two poets to read at Bright Hill Word Thursdays will feature poets Christine Gelineau and Maria Mazziotti Gillan. They will read after the open mic, which begins at 7 p.m. All are invited to read for up to five minutes from their own work or that of others. The gallery is at Bright Hill Literary Center, 94 Church St. in Treadwell. Gelineau’s 2006 book “Remorseless Loyalty” was awarded the Richard Snyder Memorial Prize and was nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Award. Gelineau’s poetry, essays and reviews have appeared in numerous journals and antholo- gies. She teaches at Binghamton University, where she is associate director of the creative writing program. Mazziotti Gillan won the 2008 American Book Award and the 2011 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award from Poets & Writ- ers. Her latest book is “What We Pass On: Collected Poems 1980-2009.” She is also director of the creative writing program and professor of poetry at Binghamton University. For more details, call 829-5055 or e-mail wordthur@stny.rr.com. Coffee club set for May 20 Local Edward Jones financial adviser Sarah Manchester will host a coffee club at 9:30 p.m., Friday, May 20, at 762 State Highway 28, on Southside between Verizon Wireless and Quiznos. “The coffee club offers us an opportunity to learn from one another and receive market up- dates,” Manchester said. “I look for- ward to keeping indi- vidual investors informed about the current market and economy.” To reserve a seat, call 432-1510. Guitar player to perform at 6OTS Singer and guitar player Garnet Rogers will perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at 6 On The Square, 6 LaFayette Park in downtown Oxford. A media release described Rogers as “liter- ate, passionate, highly sensitive and deeply purposeful.” The Boston Globe said he is a Rogers was “charismatic performer and singer.” Purchase tickets online in advance for $12 at www.6onthesquare.org. Tickets are $15 on the day of the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more info, call 843-6876. 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