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Scrap Book Peace * Love * Happiness
Motorcycle Rally
April 2006
Some had tattoos; some had long hair and one earring; all wore smiles, goggles and helmets – and many who attended the fourth Peace*Love*Happiness Motorcycle Rally April 9 and 10 were big-deal celebrities and Austin movers and shakers.
A $50 general admission ticket ($25 for peace officers) or a $1,000 VIP ticket for two gave admission to Saturday and Sunday festivities. More than 220 motorcyclists and fans gathered for this annual rally, held to equally benefit The 100 Club of Central Texas and The Austin Children’s Shelter – for which they each received almost $18,000. Since its 2003 inception, the event has raised nearly $100,000 for these organizations.
Celebrities, who generously signed autographs, included Peter Fonda, Robert Davi (former James Bond villain), Robbie Knievel, and our local favorite John Paul DeJoria (co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems). This kind of celebrity involvement draws crowds of bikers, fans and media coverage each year to the event. Saturday festivities consisted of a VIP-only ride sponsored by Road King Tours, a leather-clad VIP reception at Sugar Daddy’s in Lakeway, and a fashion show sponsored by South Austin’s Austin Harley-Davidson/Buell and Laurie B. Spellman (CEO of Ultimate Face Cosmetics).
Serious engines were started early Sunday after a hearty breakfast donated by Maria’s Tacos. The police-escorted race began at 10 at Austin Harley-Davidson/Buell, broken up by lunch at the Shadetree Saloon in Spring Branch. That evening, after a roaring drive through bluebonnet-laden country, the Bobby McChrystal Band, Texas Radio, Josh Davis, and 4 Feet Down presented a sizzling live concert.
PLH, The 100 Club, and The Austin Children’s Shelter are grateful for the following race sponsors: Austin Harley-Davidson/Buell, The Academy at Austin, Carolina Academy, Five Star, HairLines, McCar Print, Paul Mitchell, Pulse Beauty Academy, River City Sportswear, Shadetree Saloon, Southeastern Salon Suppliers Inc., South Austin Chapter of Harley-Davidson, Ultimate Face Cosmetics, and Vanguard. Thank you also to media sponsors Austin Monthly Magazine, KLBJ 93.7 FM Radio, and Watershed Studios.
Mark your calendar for next year’s PLH rally on April 14 and 15, 2007. You can never start your engines early enough. (For more information, see Website www.peavelovehappiness.com.)
22nd Annual 2005 Circle of Excellence Awards Banquet
Twelve awards honoring officers who excelled in police work or performed heroic deeds the previous year were handed out at our 23rd Annual Awards Banquet. The Officer of the Year Award’s identity was kept secret until the presentation.
More than 300 attended our gala on May 10 at Austin’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. Austin weatherman Troy Kimmel emceed the event for the second time, and CEO and co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems John Paul DeJoria delivered the keynote address.
Many local police chiefs were on hand, including Hutto’s Harold Thomas, San Marcos’ Howard Williams, and Sunset Valley’s Scott Kniffen. Also in the audience were surviving family members of officers killed in the line of duty: Christy and Bryce Carty (pictured), Bernadette Ruiz, and George and Mary Ruiz.
Banquet sponsors included: AMPCO System Parking, Austin Police Association, Cyndee and Tom Barnes, Brown Distributing, C&M Liquor, Dollie Cole, Cuba Libre, M.H. Crockett Properties, GT Distributors, Game Warden’s Peace Officer’s Association, Hoisington Investment Management, Roger and Sheree Hunter, Richard Kammerman, Milagro Consulting, U.S. District Court Judge James Nolin, Opal Divine’s, Paul Mitchell / Ultimate Salon Services, San Marcos PD, Spillar Marine, Tony’s Vineyard, The Westin’s La Cantera Resort, Travis County Sheriff’s Officers Association and Law Enforcement Association, Vintage Villas, and Yellow Cab Co.
The Dr. M. James Moritz endowed scholarship at Texas State University was presented to APD Detective Robbie Volk. Brent Barry won the raffle prize of a Perfect Flame ™ 55,000 BTU gas grill, and Teri Howard and Chris Martin were the respective winners of silent auction items .357 magnum pistol and 110-year anniversary badge (donated by Texas Parks and Wildlife’s game warden) and four rounds of golf at San Antonio’s Westin La Cantera Resort.
Award recipients, counting Officer of the Year, were chosen for going above and beyond the call of duty – some to the point of receiving bodily harm. Awards were presented by Troy Kimmel and John Paul DeJoria.
Excellent in Police Work Awards:
· Sunset Valley PD Chief Scott Kniffen (pictured), who obtained serious grant funding for local security projects;
· APD Officer Michael Youngs for stopping a suicidal subject from jumping off a bridge;
· APD Officer James Hellums for being instrumental in acquiring property donations and building a neighborhood park for local children;
· Hutto PD Lieutenant Dwain Jones for his professionalism in assisting the PD and City transition to a new police chief and city manager;
· Round Rock PD Officers Larry Hayes and Marc Gray for their innovative way of teaching the criminal justice system to high school students;
· Round Rock PD Officers James “Tate” Hunter and Brian Quick, who assisted a heart-attack victim with CPR until EMS took over and transported him to the hospital, where he recovered; and
· Seventeen Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force of the U.S. Marshal’s Service: Officers Troy Boddy, Gilbert Cardenas, Christopher Limmer, Jerry Marzan, Keny Rybarski, Robert Soto, Tom Sweeney; Deputy Wayne Samson; Ranger Dusty McCord; Marshalls Aaron Greenwood, James Johnson, Steve Lowenstein, Eric McGill, Mike Nagle, Darrin Sartin, Terry Shaddix, and Brian Sheely. Last year, the Task Force closed 82 state and local fugitive cases, 107 federal fugitive cases, and 13 fugitives arrested nationally and internationally – one was the pursuit and capture of Colton Pitonyak, the main suspect in the brutal murder of UT student Jennifer Cave.
Heroic Action Awards:
· Austin Park Police Officer John Scott for
rescuing a woman and her boat from being
sucked into the floodgate at the Tom Miller
Dam;
· APD Officer John Hitzelberg for rescuing
and saving the life of an elderly gentleman
from a burning house;
· Manor PD Officer James Turner (pictured)
who, via “rescue breaths,” saved the life of a two-year-old who had quit breathing;
· Travis County’s Precinct 3 Constable Damon “Jay” Miller, who was instrumental
in saving the lives of three people involved in an automobile accident.
Officer of the Year Award:
· San Marcos PD Sergeant Penny Dunn (pictured), who instigated the hiring and grant-funding of the City’s first Victims Service Coordinator, where victims can apply for a protective order, plan for their safety, talk to a police officer meet with a prosecutor, counsel with a chaplain, obtain help with transportation, etc. (standing with Sgt. Dunn is Jan Estlow, Chairman of the Board, Ginger MacMicking, Executive Vice President and Chief Howard Miller).
22nd Annual 2005 Circle of Excellence Awards Banquet
On April 6th, The 100 Club of Central Texas hosted their 2005 Annual Banquet at the Hyatt Regency on Town Lake to honor local law enforcement officers. More than 325 supporters, members and law officers attended.

The evening started with a VIP reception, hosted by GT Distributors, at the Foothills of the Hyatt, followed by a happy hour. At 7 p.m., guests begin to take their seats as The Austin Police Department’s Honor Guard and Pipes & Drum Corp marched through the ballroom. Emceeing the night was Troy Kimmel, TV Chief Meteorologist, who captivated the audience. Colonel Austin Bay, author, was the keynote speaker for the banquet. Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas, presented the outstanding officer of the year award. Throughout the night, door prizes where given away; including dinner for two at Tex-Mex resturant and hand crafted furniture by Chuck McCarthy. There was also a silent auction that helped raise funding for The 100 Club’s programs. Included in the auction was a UT football, signed by the 2004 Rose Bowl Champions. It was sold for $750. There was a moment of silence for Dr. Ed Stivers, who passed away. Stivers was the co-founder of The 100 Club of Central Texas, along with Dr. M. James Mortiz.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Circle of Excellence Awards. APD Officers Colby Bushell and Bradley Parks, were awarded Officers of the year. APD Chief Stan Knee accepted the Department’s Award. Winners of the Excellence in Police Work were: Sergeant Roberts Rosenbusch, (Round Rock Police Department); Officer Adrian Marin, (San Marcos Police Department); Sergeant William Beechinor, (Austin Police Department); SPO Todd Bircher, (Austin Police Department); Patrol Sergeant Larry Simmons Jr., (Lockhart Police Department) and Trooper Kenneth Caldwell, (Texas Department of Public Safety). Recipients of the Heroic Action Award were: Deputy II Mark Cruise, (Travis County Sheriff’s Department); Deputy II James Sapp, (Travis County Sheriffs Department); Deputy II Michael Morton, (Austin Police Department); Officer Colby Bushell, (Austin Police Department) and Officer Bradley Parks, (Austin Police Department). Thomas Monahan, received The 100 Club’s Scholarship.
The 100 Club would like to thank all those who participated and a special thank you goes to our sponsors.
Cruisin’ for a Good Cause
The 2005 Peace*Love*Happiness Rally
Imagine yourself riding down Mopac on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, surrounded by roaring engines and celebrities, like Robbie Knieval. You’re probably thinking, ‘oh yeah!’ That was exactly how it was at The 2005 Peace, Love and Happiness Rally, which benefited The 100 Club of Central Texas and The Austin Children’s Shelter, last April. Over 130 motorcyclists and fans gathered to support these two great causes, by doing what they love to do – ‘cruisin’ through the beautiful Texas hill country.
On Saturday, April 16th, people started to swarm into Harley Davidson South from all directions for the early morning registration. Soon after, Paul Mitchell EBS Salons and Sports Clips, hosted a Cut-A-Thon, where they gave the best haircuts for charity. But the glamour didn’t stop there — people had the opportunity to mingle amongst celebrities; including John Paul Dejoria, (CEO of Paul Mitchell Products), Robbie Knieval and Ian Ziering. Models also strutted down Davidson South with the hottest in Harley Davidson Wear. But the following day was what everyone was waiting for, the opportunity to make their way into the Texas hill country for some fresh air and sunshine. The day would end with lunch at Austin’s famous Antone’s; where Guy Forsyth, and other Austin musicians would celebrated and finished the day off in true ‘Harley’ style.
Thank you to all those who attended and to our sponsors and volunteers, who helped make this event possible.
Gone Fishing
The Very First Fishing Tournament & Fish Fry
On April 30, more than 40 anglers cast their lines into Lake Travis at Jones Brothers Park in Jonestown, Texas for The 100 Club’s & Texas Parks and Wildlife’s very first Fishing Tournament & Fish Fry. People walked up with their tackle boxes in one hand and rods in the other, and some came with a fully loaded ‘SS Minnow.’ No matter what they brought, one thing was for sure, they were ready to fish.
As volunteers and staff started to set up at 4:30 a.m. they noticed three things; the pavilion light above, glimmers from the lake… and the cold wet wind. “Grahame Jones, board member, made fishing rod display stands for the tournament. It seemed as though every time he would finish placing all of the rods in each stand, they would be blown over by the wind,” said Ginger MacMicking, executive vice president, as she laughs. “Then he would look down at the fallen rods, exhale, and look up at me with a stale grin.” The previous day, the weather was nearly 95 degrees. People were expecting the same type of weather for the tournament. Some had even thought about working on their tans while waiting for the anglers to bring in their afternoon catch. That night a cold front came through and turned yesterday’s summer heat into a winter rain. People were camping in the back of a truck just to stay warm. Even with the rough weather, fishermen began to arrive at 5 a.m. After the last fisherman signed in, the rain started to pour and lighting began to strike. The tournament would be delayed an hour. “When it rains, it pours,” said Jones. At 7 a.m., still drizzling and cold, anglers were off on their boats, fishing for the biggest catch of the day. Anglers would race from the center of the lake to the edge of the weigh station. After the weigh-in the catch was returned back into the waters safely. By noon, rays of hope for a brighter day peeked out and people were ready for a hot meal catered by Fire Hall Kitchen. Anglers, volunteers and staff were surrounded by large trays of fried catfish, hush puppies, pinto beans and refreshments. As time grew closer to the 3 p.m. deadline, everyone hurried to make every minute count.
Anglers now would have to wait patiently while Earl Studdard, 100 Club president, called out the winners of each category. More than $70,000 in prizes were given away, including a Benelli Super Black Eagle 12-Gauge 3.5’ Magnum Shotgun and a 2005 Skeeter TZX200 with 200 HP Yamaha. Unlike many fishing tournaments where only the winners received a prize for best catch, everyone who participated received a gift for their efforts and support. “An older gentleman came to the prize table and asked if it was true that he would be getting a prize even though he didn’t catch a fish,” said Jones. As he handed him a $35 tackle box with a $25 gift certificate and cap taped to the top he said, “Yes, it is true.”
Even though the day started out cold, wet and windy, everyone who attended had a great time. Many said they would be back next year. “I had four separate individuals come to me and tell me it was the most fun they ever had fishing in a tournament,” said Jones. It was the Club’s first fishing tournament and a very memorable event. Thank you to our partners and sponsors: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Gamewarden Association; and Academy Sports, All Star Rods, American Rodsmiths, Capitol Chevrolet, R.W. Eagles/G3 Boats, McBride’s Guns, Inc., North Carolina Furniture Direct, South Austin Marine , Spillar Custom Hitches, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Starbucks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Marine Enforcement, Texas Parks and Wildlife Operation Game Thief, Wave Walker and Verizon Wireless.“I couldn’t be any happier with our partners, sponsors and volunteers,” said MacMicking. “They all played a critical part in making this event what it was…a special thank you to them.”
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