Harleys roar through Houston: This fashionable motorcycle gang is on a mission to fight AIDS

Chris Salgardo has ridden his Harley up and down the west and east coasts to raise money to find a cure for AIDS. Now the president of Kiehl's Since 1851 is roaring across Texas.

Salgardo, accompanied by amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) CEO Kevin Robert Frost, British artist Conrad Leach and rock 'n' roll celebrity photographer Travis Shinn, recently made a Houston stop at the Kiehl's Highland Village store as part of their five-day "Texas Ride for amfAR." The foursome traveled from Austin to Dallas for the Two X Two for AIDS and Art fundraiser, with stops in Sugar Land (at the Kiehl's counter at Dillard's in First Colony Mall), Houston and Longview.

"I've never come across so much rush-hour traffic where car drivers are so considerate to motorcyclists."

"I think that Texas gets a bad rap for not being supportive and emphatic to HIV/AIDS causes and I just don't think that's true," Salgardo said. "There's something about Texas, every time I come, the Southern hospitality is amazing.

"To be able to be on a bike, you see the country and you see the small towns like you can't in a car, so it's really a thrill for me."

Leach, who hails from London, said he found Texas drivers courteous to motorcycle riders, which might surprise some locals. "It's a really motorcycle-friendly place to ride. I've never come across so much rush-hour traffic where car drivers are so considerate to motorcyclists. Here I've never felt so welcomed on a motorcycle. First time in Texas, first time on a motorcycle in Texas. I'll definitely be coming back," he said.

The nice thing about a long motorcycle ride in Texas, Leach added, is the amount of miles you can cover in a day. "You can really stretch out and relax and start to enjoy the scenery," he said. "In Europe, by the time you've warmed up, you've arrived at your destination. Whereas here, the journey is everything — and it's wonderful."

The idea to launch charity motorcycle rides came naturally, said Salgardo, who has been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years. The skin care company, which has been in business since before Lincoln was president (1851), has long featured vintage motorcycles in its stores around the world.

In Houston, the band Dovetail greeted the riders and guests, who were treated to scull-themed nail art manicures and photos at the Smilebooth, along with skin care consultations. All proceeds from sales of Kiehl's Limited Edition Ultimate Strength Hand Salve benefit AIDS research, Salgardo noted. (A tube retails for $28.50.)

"Texas is a huge market for Kiehl's," Salgardo said, noting two stores in Dallas (at Highland Park and NorthPark) and one in Houston, with a new store planned to open in The Woodlands at the beginning of 2014. "We're not done with Houston yet. I will be back."

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Source: CultureMap (Pugh, 10/31)

Family Fun With North Tx. Firefighters Benefit

Everyone in North Central Texas is invited to the 4th Annual North TX Firefighters Fundraiser - Chili Cook-off & Motorcycle Run, October 26, 2013, American Legion's Park, Whitewright, Texas.

Helping North Texas Volunteer Fire Departments buy what they need to save lives, then go home.

Attention chili cooks, motorcycle riders, volunteer fire departments and Halloween costume contestants! Compete for over $3,000 in prizes and 16 awards at the North TX Firefighters Fundraiser on October 26, in Whitewright, Texas. Anyone can enter. Proceeds will be divided among the volunteer fire departments that participate.

The first 15 chili contestants who register early will be entered into a drawing for a $75 gift card from Academy Sports & Outdoors donated by Plano and McKinney. Must be present to win. Cook-off is CASI-sanctioned. CASI rules for fairness and safety must be followed.

The first 25 motorcycle riders who register early will be entered into a drawing for $100 dining card donated by Rick's Chophouse, McKinney. Must be present to win.

The Best-Decorated Firefighter Boot Contest winner takes home a prize for their volunteer fire department. You can vote for your favorite boot by dropping donations into the boot(s) you like best. The boot with the most money wins, and the VFDs take home the collections in their respective boots.

Kids! Costume contest prizes. Halloween tattoos. Loads of trick or treat candy will be handed out by the American Legion. Meet real volunteer firefighters and learn how boys and girls can be firefighters when you grow up.

Spectators! Come early and watch all kinds of motorcycles as they depart from Whitewright from 8:15am-10:00am.

Have breakfast and lunch in the park with the Friday Women's Club Bake Sale and 4th Monday food vendors, including breakfast tacos, hot breakfast plates with biscuits, cappuccino, cocoa, cider, snow cones, homemade desserts, hamburgers, BBQ sandwiches, funnel cakes.

Negotiate bargains with the 4th Monday Trade Days merchandise vendors and the Friday Women's Club of Whitewright rummage sale.

www.FunSaturday.com email texasVFD@gmail.com or call 903.818.9023.

Contact: Ella Fitzbag Vendor Contact: Andrew 972.480.3389

VFDs get one complimentary entry fee that can be used for the cook-off or motorcycle run.

Each VFD gets one equal share of the proceeds. You can enter as many additional chili teams and motorcycles as you want at the $20 entry fee.

All contestants who register early are entered into door prize drawings. Pay at the event or online. Credit cards accepted online.

Drawing for chili contestants who register early:

$75 gift card from Academy Sports & Outdoors, donated by the McKinney store. Must be present and checked-in at the event.

Drawing for motorcycle riders who register early:

$100 dining card from Rick's Chophouse, McKinney.

Must be present and check-in at the event.

Enter the VFD Best-Decorated Boot Contest. The public votes for their favorite boots by dropping donations into the boots they like best. The 4 VFD boots with the most money win trophies, and each VFD takes home the donations in their respective boots.


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Source: KTen (Anderson, 10/24)

RIDE FOR KIDS: RAISES $3.8 MILLION TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMORS

America’s motorcyclists and families battling childhood brain tumors joined together to raise more than $3.8 million to support the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in 2012. The Ride for Kids, held in 40 cities across the country, recognizes top fundraisers in four categories: Motorcycle business, motorcycle club/chapter, individual and special organization.

The overall leaders for 2012 were:

- Northwest Honda of Houston was again the No. 1 motorcycle business, with its customers raising $291,754 for Ride for Kids events in Houston, Dallas, Lafayette, La., Albuquerque and Birmingham.

- Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) TX-C was also a repeat winner from Houston. Its members collected $87,026 in donations at four Ride for Kids events to make TX-C the country’s top motorcycle chapter.

- Texan Sam Caine was the top individual fundraiser, with $81,413.

- The Caden Johnson Memorial Fund was the country’s top special organization, raising $57,192 in Dallas/Fort Worth.

“Children with brain tumors and their families had a lot to cheer about last year,” said PBTF President and CEO Robin Boettcher. “The motorcycle community, volunteers and sponsors helped us fund cutting-edge international medical research and provide support, such as college scholarships for survivors. We’re gearing up for some exciting changes in 2013, and thank everyone for their ongoing support of our work to cure the kids.”

Program enhancements for 2013:

Ride for Kids events are planned in 43 locations in 2013, including the 40 on the current schedule and three pilot rides to be announced later this year.

At each event, we will continue to draw for a new Honda motorcycle and other great prizes. Online registration and integrated personal fundraising pages are coming this spring. The early bird registration rate of $40 per motorcycle includes one ticket for the prize drawing. Walk-up registration (day of event) is $50 per bike.

A new prize redemption program will give fundraisers a greater selection of incentive items. Participants can earn a collectible event T-shirt for as little as $100. Depending on how much is raised, they will qualify for one additional incentive with a selection of great prizes offered at each fundraising level.

Thanks to our partners:

American Honda is the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids, and GEICO is our national insurance sponsor. Our supporters include Cycle World, Advanstar Communications and the International Motorcycle Shows.

This year’s Ride for Kids/Cycle World motorcycle drawing features a 2012 CBR1000RR donated by Honda and customized by Gregg DesJardins with assistance from Blue Cat (Roberto Serangeli), Performance Machine, Cycles 128, Bell Helmets, Leo Vince, Saddlemen, CRG and Dunlop. Get your chance to win online. No purchase is necessary to win, and the drawing is void where prohibited. See official rules for details. The winner’s name will be drawn in May 2013.

Riding to cure the kids:

Pediatric brain tumors are one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer, striking 11 American children each day. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation works to eliminate the challenges of this killer disease by funding medical research and family support programs.

The Ride for Kids program has helped make the PBTF the world’s leading non-governmental source of childhood brain tumor research funding. We are also one of Charity Navigator’s highest-rated nonprofit organizations.

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Source: Cycle World (AP, 1/30)