Belt Drive Betty's Blog

Great Canadian Bike Rally under siege

Belt Drive 6 Community, Law & Politics 6:39 AM

Mike and Paul Fairfield are two  of the most likeable people on the planet, but the father and son team are being sued not only by Community Futures <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/travel/bc-travel/308-bc-motorcycle-events/25181-another-lawsuit-filed-against-bike-rally">but now by the City of Merritt.</a> 
 
For those of you attended the 2012 GCBR - you know just how bad the policing was there and you know that the organizers were sick about it.  They knew people were leaving town in droves and there was nothing they could do about it. 
 
I have hosted motorcycle events and I am here to tell you that if a police officer - in particular the commanding officer of a regain decides they don't like motorcycles and or the event coordinator - LOOK OUT. 
 
In 2007 I hosted a fatal bike show in Olds Alberta. The commanding officer of the Sylvan Lake region decided he didn't like my attitude of not banning "Illegal Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Colors" and the next thing I knew I had patrol cars parked at every event entrance, people were being jacked up left right and centre, people who didn't ride were terrified to come into the event and when the dust cleared I lost 100K dollars and it damned near killed my business. It really hurt my spirit for a long time too. 
 
The pain and effort it took to get out from under 100K in loss I have no way to express. 
 
My only saving grace is most of it was credit card debt, that was negotiated down, otherwise I could have been in the same boat as the Fairfield's. 
 
No one helped me to over come that debt. I had to bear it and deal with it on my own and it took a huge toll on me. Although I had every right in the world to lay formal complaint against the conduct of the RCMP, I chose not to for fear of reprisal. 
 
I am deeply disappointed in the City of Merritt and Community Futures in the Nicola Valley for the way this rally is being handled.  These two organizations should, in my humble opinion be working with Paul and Mike, towards a resolution where they support this event and it's financial benefit to the region. 
 
Every rider that comes to a community to support an event spends an average of close to $300+ per day over and above rally registration fees. They may choose not to register for the rally itself but come to take in the free oration of the event to see what it's all about. 
 
$100+ for rooms, $20-40 on fuel, $100+ on food, $100+ on souvenirs and sundry items. 
If 2,000 riders come out to the event that's $600,000 that is brought into the region. 4,000 riders represent 1.2 million dollars and so on... 
 
Even if all of those riders only came to town for a day ride, the economic benefit to the community would still be in excess of $300,000 for 2,000 visitors. 
 
The math is pretty easy to do. So why is it that no one is fighting to keep the rally alive? 
Why is the local Chamber not stepping up? Have they not been approached? I don't know. 
 
Win, loose or draw - the lawyers fees alone will kill their dream. The anti rider sentiment the RCMP of the region appeared to exhibit will leave such a horrible taste in everyone's mouth that fewer riders will go out to support their event even if they should somehow find a way to pull it off again. 
 
I am hard pressed to find the justice here - when you compare the two large events BC has attempted to host; Sturgis North and the GCBR - hands down the better of the two events was Merritt, and yet they are being black balled and an event like Sturgis North that has hurt so many people has found a way to continue - it does not seem right to me. 
 
I want to help Mike and Paul - I know their heart is in the right place. 
I believe Western Canada deserves a really good, BIG rally. 
I highly doubt, given the circumstances and the seemingly anti biker sentiments that appear to exist in Merritt, that their rally will be able to live on. 
 
These two riders are going to end up loosing everything they have worked their life for. 
 
Anyone got any ideas on how we could help Mike and Paul? Does anyone care? 
 
These are the questions on my mind this morning... 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider

Great Canadian Bike Rally under siege

Mike and Paul Fairfield are two of the most likeable people on the planet, but the father and son team are being sued not only by Community...

Omnibus Bill C-45 and why the Indigenous community is fighting for ALL Canadians

Belt Drive 4 Community 7:38 AM

I don't know how many of you are following the "<a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/">Idle No More</a>" movement but I have been watching it grow with much interest. I know this is not motorcycle related but it is important to anyone who likes clean water to drink among other things...and I have been asked by some of my riding buddies on Facebook to talk about this subject. 
 
Omnibus Bill C-45 is over 400 pages long and includes changes to the Navigable Waters Act, the Indian Act, the Fisheries Act and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act among other things. 
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I spent some time on the Idle No More blog, reading and educating myself on Chief Spense's hunger strike, the entire movement and all of the <a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/p/bills.html">bills that violate the</a> Untied Nations Declaration on the RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.</div>
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Their blog provides volumes of <a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/p/background-on-idle-no-more.html">information and history </a>and a measured and wise plan of action.</div>
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I am very surprised and pleasantly so by their re-awakening and I hope that translates into other re-awakenings .</div>
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I am copying an excerpt from a blog post on "<a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/">Idle No More</a>" </div>
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Begin Quote: Again, this is a two-pronged attack on our democratic
processes, as this bill seems designed to<o:p></o:p>short-circuit parliamentary discussion of major legislative changes that would significantly reduce opportunities for public consultation.</div>
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Bill C-45 would further undermine the protection of Canadian
nature by making substantial changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA, proposed to be
the Navigation Protection Act), the Fisheries <o:p></o:p>Act and the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act — critical laws that were once used to steward a sustainable environment, clean water and healthy oceans for all Canadians.</div>
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Together, the changes proposed in the omnibus bill would
further weaken Canada’s environmental laws, remove critical federal safeguards, and reduce
opportunities for the public to have their say about projects that could threaten the air, water, soil and
ecosystems on which all Canadians, and our economy, depend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The proposed changes to the NWPA are disturbing on several
levels. The result is that the vast majority of Canada’s lakes and rivers would no longer enjoy
proactive federal navigation protection under the new act. Instead, concerned citizens would be
forced to spend their time and money in the courts fighting to protect their rights to unobstructed
waterways. For those water bodies that remain “protected,” the changes would also eliminate all automatic
public participation from decision-making, allowing the minister of transport to fast-track specific
projects without even notifying, let alone consulting, the public.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Changes to the Fisheries Act, also buried in the bill, would
further dismantle this key environmental law by giving industry the option to request that their
existing commitments to protect fish habitat be amended or cancelled, or that they be let off the hook for
promised compensation for lost or damaged habitat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The changes in Bill C-45 would also eliminate the Hazardous
Materials Information Review Commission, <o:p></o:p>an independent body charged with making science-based decisions to protect Canadians from toxic chemicals and hazardous materials in the workplace. This could result in less disclosure from companies about the chemical contents of their products. Canadians deserve accountability and transparency about the use and distribution of toxins, yet if the commission is eliminated no independent body will oversee industry requests to mask chemical contents of the products that industry uses or produces.</div>
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Bill C-45 further demonstrates a pattern of recklessness by
the federal government that puts the long-term safety and health of Canadians in jeopardy. These are
major changes that, if not stopped now, willripple out across communities everywhere in Canada --
putting our water, air, food and quality of life at risk. END QUOTE<o:p></o:p></div>
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This excerpt does not address the changes to the Indian Act...<a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/p/bills.html">the changes to this act are deplorable</a>.</div>
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If you read what's going on - and please read both sides of the equation from the main stream media's point of view and the Indigenous Community information that is available through <a href="http://idlenomore1.blogspot.ca/">Idle No More</a></div>
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you will see that this is one time where the Indigenous peoples of Canada - all of the tribes - are united and putting their concerns forth not just as Indigenous peoples but as Canadians.</div>
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Our health, our country's lakes and rivers, our environment is at risk with the passing of Bill C-45.</div>
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I applaude Chief Theresa Spence for her hunger strike and how she is drawing her people's together - I applaud the way the First Nations & Aboriginal peoples of our country are standing up to defend Canada, to defend OUR land from those who appear to want to sell our resources off to big business.</div>
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I applaude the re-awakening of their pride.</div>
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I am disturbed by the changes to the Indian Act - done with no consultations.  Where is it legal or moral for our Government to make changes to an act that was created sovereign nation to sovereign nation?</div>
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Like it or not our forefathers agreed to certain conditions to their "take over" of managing Canada.</div>
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The Indigenous people of our country have rights that NO ONE should be trampling on.</div>
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And yet, as angry as they are about those changes, and rightfully so - their primary focus is on protecting Mother Nature - the very thing that makes Canada - Canada - it's land, rivers and lakes. </div>
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These people - the First Nations and Aboriginals - the NATIVE Canadian - Our indigenous People are not fighting for the protection of their rights alone - their vision is much broader than that. </div>
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It is a shift - a huge shift. Like I said - their has been a re-awakening in their pride of culture and heritage that I hope will translate into other things.</div>
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I am not always supportive of some of the rights that the First Nations and Aboriginal communities have not because they aren't entitled to them but because of the way they do not appear to manage their money well and we taxpayers are always footing the bill for their lack of care to the homes that are built for them.  There are issues in my humble opinion where I feel the Indigenous community has taken the taxpayer for a rotten ride and yet...Our government over the generations has not honoured it's agreements with the Indigenous people's in a timely way either.  </div>
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When you make people grovel for what is theirs - rightfully - you create a depression in their spirit. When you are depressed of spirit - pride in one's self goes down the tubes. That can be evidenced on many reserves and communities across this country. </div>
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And perhaps, just perhaps the re-awakening in their pride will lift this once proud nation out of it's collective depression and cause the Indigenous peoples to take better care of the property and possessions we taxpayers pay for when our Governments do finally do the right thing and settle treaty claims etc. </div>
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When one feels good about themselves they tend to have more desire and energy and put more pride in what they possess and who they are. We the average "Joe" in Canada very seldom know all of the ins and outs of the various debasements our Indigenous people's have faced at the hands of our government.  </div>
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The abuse we taxpayers witness, whether real or perceived, does not give the Harper government the right to tamper with the Indian Act without proper consolation.  Remember that they were a sovereign nation when the treaties and act came to be. Just because it does not always appear that they use their money or resources well themselves does not give you the right to sell them or the Canadian people down the river. LITERALLY...</div>
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I for one am supporting the "Idle No More" movement because I resent my government writing away the protection of our lakes, rivers and land without consultation and I resent that all these years later I am still paying for the sins of my fore fathers because the governments of the day do not honour the word of our forefathers. And I am supporting "Idle No More" because I really like their approach to the issues that affect us all. </div>
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My personal feeling on the subject is - Settle the treaty claims, honour the words that were written all of those years ago. Reverse Omnibus Bill C-45 - you had no right to push it through.</div>
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If our government would just do what is right and deal with all of the past baggage...we would see so much improvement in the circumstances and attitudes of our Indigenous peoples. But no - our government continues to make them grovel for what is rightfully theirs...and continues to write away - behind our backs -buried in 400 page bills -  the rights of the Indigenous peoples of our country and the rights of all Canadians to the protections for our environment.</div>
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Stephen Harper -I think you really need to sit down with Chief Spence and all of the leader of the Aboriginal community.  YOU NEED TO DO THAT - NOT YOUR MINISTER.</div>
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And then sir - you have a date with the Canadian voter and we are not amused. </div>
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I hope and pray that before the next election, someone surfaces who could be seen as a Good Sense leader so that we can send a message loud and clear that we - the taxpayer of Canada are fed up and not going to take it anymore.</div>
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I'd love you to weigh in on this topic.</div>
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No funnies to day - I don't feel like laughing at the moment - I really just want our government to do the right thing, quit procrastinating and settle all of the treaty claims, honour the word of our fore fathers and once and for all put this issue to bed - JUST DO IT!</div>
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Belt Drive Betty</div>
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Editor and Ride</div>
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Omnibus Bill C-45 and why the Indigenous community is fighting for ALL Canadians

I don't know how many of you are following the " Idle No More " movement but I have been watching it grow with much interest. ...

Merry Christmas

Belt Drive 0 Law & Politics, South Carolina 6:41 AM

For most who read my blog today is Christmas eve - I want to wish everyone a wondrous holiday filled with love. 
 
In the news today are some heartwarming stories that help to reaffirm one's faith in humanity. 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25131-she-was-a-special-gift-from-our-heavenly-father">The first story comes our of Idaho</a>, members of BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) attended the funeral of 6 year old Emilie Parker. Their bikes were adorned with pink and green ribbons, and they attended her funeral to ensure that the family could say goodbye uninterrupted. 
 
<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25133-bikers-do-their-part-to-help-family-">The second story comes from Philadelphia </a>where over 100 riders with the aide of firefighters and police brought Christmas presents to the children of a 32 year old mom who had been killed in a car crash in November. According to the article - "The motorcycle clubs decided to donate presents to the family as a group instead of holding their annual gift exchange between each chapter, said Bryan Elwell, the coordinator of the event and the president of the Bucks County Knights of the Inferno Motorcycle Club." 
 
And again out of the US - <a href="http://glossynews.com/top-stories/politicos-and-polticians/201212230648/bikers-ride-whole-hog-for-nra/">bikers are stepping up to answer the call of the NRA</a> to protect schools and kids across the US. 
 
In South Carolina, <a href="http://www2.wbtw.com/news/2012/dec/23/worshipers-gather-old-biker-bar-celebrate-christma-ar-5230418/">Christmas mass is being celebrated in an old biker bar</a>. According to the article: 
"“That's part of what we're trying to do here is just make people feel comfortable, who maybe haven't felt comfortable in a church before,” said Branyon. 
 
“It’s actually very welcoming to say look it doesn't matter who you are and what you've done, come as you are, and I think a space like this allows for that. It allows you to bring all your baggage,” said Pastor Fallaw. 
 
So if you're still not sold on the biker bar church, Pastor Fallaw has a very simple question. 
“Jesus turned water into wine and why not come and worship at a biker bar?” asked Pastor Fallaw." 
 
The diversity of these stories tell me something about our community - something that is wonderful and whether or not you believe in God or you believe in some other higher power, that message is the same - LOVE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY and EMPATHY are alive and well. 
 
Being of service to your fellow man, stepping up when called upon, is a part of the biker culture. It always has been and it is wonderful to see the old school values of our community being embraced and demonstrated in so many ways. 
 
As you open presents and share laughter with family and friends I ask you to remember those who are alone, those who have been shut in in hospitals and extended care homes and those who have lost someone they love. Spend a few moments of sober pondering on how good you have it and a few moments thanking your higher power for the love and warmth that surrounds you. 
 
For those who are Christian I have a song that I want to share with you.

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C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was but a youngster<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christmas meant one thing,<o:p></o:p></div>
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that I'd be getting lots of toys that day<o:p></o:p></div>
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I learned a whole lot different <o:p></o:p></div>
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when Mother sat me down <o:p></o:p></div>
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and taught me to spell 'Christmas' this way:<o:p></o:p></div>
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C is for the Christ child, born upon this day<o:p></o:p></div>
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H for herald angels in the night<o:p></o:p></div>
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R means our Redeemer<o:p></o:p></div>
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I means Israel</div>
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S is for the star that shone so bright </div>
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T is for three wise men, they who traveled
far <o:p></o:p></div>
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M is for the manger where He lay<o:p></o:p></div>
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A 's for all He stands for<o:p></o:p></div>
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S means Shepard's came<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that's why there's a Christmas day!</div>
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And that's why there's a Christmas day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Music by Eddy Arnold<o:p></o:p></div>
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with lyrics by Jenny Lou Carson, 1949<o:p></o:p></div>
 
 
Merry Christmas...let 2013 be the year of love, empathy and service to others...not just at Christmas, but all year long. 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider

Merry Christmas

For most who read my blog today is Christmas eve - I want to wish everyone a wondrous holiday filled with love. In the news today are some...

Paralyzed and now beaten - by his wife...

Belt Drive 0 Community, In the News 7:14 AM

The news feeds are full of the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25094-wife-of-paralysed-motorbike-stunt-rider-eddie-kidd-charged-with-repeatedly-beating-him-">tragic story of a famous motorcycle stunt rider named Eddie Kidd who has allegedly been being beaten by his wife Samantha</a>. 
 
 
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The former stunt rider performed stunts in many films for many actors: Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights, Roger Moore and Michael Caine in Bullseye, Pierce Brosnan in GoldenEye and Val Kilmer in Top Secret. 
 
One of his most famous motorcycle stunts was in the 1979 film Hanover Street starring Harrison Ford. Doubling for Ford, he jumped a 120 feet railway cutting at 90 miles per hour in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.  Robbie Knievel challenged Kidd to a world title motorcycle 'jump off' competition in St. Louis, Missouri in 1993 and Kidd won. 
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In 1996, Kidd performed a pretty tame stunt at the Bulldog Bash Kidd - a jump of approximately 50 ft across a drag strip. There was a short landing area beyond the drag strip that consisted of an uphill incline leading to the edge of a steep embankment. He completed the jump and landed the bike upright on two wheels, but his chin struck the fuel tank and he was knocked unconscious. As a result, he was unable to prevent his bike from continuing up and over the 20 ft embankment edge. Kidd sustained serious head and pelvic injuries in the resulting fall. He spent three months in coma.</div>
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I can not imagine being paralyzed and victimized by the person who is supposed to be caring for you. Eddie and Samantha had dated for sometime back in 1988, in 2007 they met again and began a relationship so it's not like he wasn't already in a wheelchair and she didn't know what she was signing up for.</div>
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If the allegations are true and she really did beat the man - why, what made her do that?</div>
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It's all so very sad.</div>
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In other news:</div>
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Honda will field a team <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/intl-off-road-racing/25093-honda-to-field-three-rider-team-in-2013-dakar-rally">of three for the upcoming Dakar Rally</a>.</div>
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Marc Coma will be <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/intl-off-road-racing/25090-marc-coma-out-of-dakar-2013">sitting the Dakar out</a>...</div>
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<a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25092-fairfield-county-motorcycle-club-supports-newtown-victims-with-26-angels-fund">26 Angels Fund was launched</a> by members of the Renegade Knights Firefighter Motorcycle Club of Fairfield County to support those affected by the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary.</div>
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If you like motorcycle movies check out <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/component/content/article/25091-two-weeks-of-mcn-tv-for-free">the free offer from MCN-TV!</a> 
 
Boot Hill Saloon & Strip Club Choppers have inked a deal that will see the two companies working together for Daytona Bike Week 2013 - <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/news/international-news/286-news-international-/25087-boot-hill-saloon-and-strip-club-choppers-ink-deal">they are offering a whole ton of FREEBIES</a>.</div>
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There are many other items in the news feeds that may affect your day or life as a rider, check it out at <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/">www.beltdrivebetty.com</a> where our work is keeping You informed!</div>
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I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and via emails!</div>
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Have a fantastic weekend everyone - talk to you all again on Christmas Eve...</div>
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Belt Drive Betty</div>
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Editor & Rider</div>
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Paralyzed and now beaten - by his wife...

The news feeds are full of the tragic story of a famous motorcycle stunt rider named Eddie Kidd who has allegedly been being beaten by his w...

Trade Shows - are they worth it?

Belt Drive 0 Belt Drive Betty Media, Community, In the News 8:12 AM

I have heard many complain about the cost of going to a motorcycle show as a spectator. By the time you pay $15 or so for parking, add another 14-15 for admission, buy an over priced burger or hot dog and a bottle of something to wash it down with, your pocket feels like a tornado went through it. 
 
I agree that it is expensive to attend a motorcycle show, but think of being a vendor! 
 
Depending on your business needs, your 10 x 10 booth can range from $275 for non profits to $1295 for a business that sells product. (Depending on the show) 
 
Then if you need to add any extras to that booth you are going to pay! 
These are the discounted rates for ordering 14 days BEFORE a show: 
 
Electrical - depending on service need: $108- $331 
 
Need internet access to run your booth? WIRELESS - 3 day event - $252.45/connection 
 
Then there's parking - depending on the venue - vendors generally don't get a break and when they do they are pretty small. Fuel is another expense that has to be factored in to the cost of attending a trade show. 
 
Let's talk show insurance - if you don't have a business liability policy, you will end up paying the show company provider and average of $130 per show for insurance! 
 
You have to account for wages for employees and even if volunteers are helping you out - there is the cost of feeding people! 
 
To attend one show for three days it can cost a small business anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 
 
Here in Canada, we all want and in most cases need a really good wage to keep body and soul together and so the costs of everything here are high. 
 
It's a trade off, really. 
 
When you look at that simple fact and then factor in that the show staff need to be paid, the entertainment needs to be paid not to mention venue rental, and the fact that the show needs to generate a profit it's no wonder booth prices are where they are at. 
 
As vendors - be you a riding club, non profit or a business only you can decide if the expense is worth the return. 
 
You need to make those decisions like every other business decision. 
You need to have a plan and a goal. What do you want to see the show generate? 
Is it 10 new members? Is it 500 units sold?  Is it awareness? 
 
What intangible benefits are there? Are there other things like alliances you want to form that a trade show environment can offer? 
 
Then you have to evaluate your costs: 
 
Lets say you are a riding club, a booth costs $275 + $130 for insurance.  You have no wages because you all volunteer and every individual bears their own cost of support. 
 
You set a goal of signing up 10 new members and forming an alliance with two riding clubs and three or four businesses. 
 
At $405 for the booth alone, the cost of acquisition for 10 members is $40 each. 
If you are successful in finding the two alliances from riding clubs that you were looking for and you signed up one business to support you the cost of acquisition goes down to $23 each. 
 
This figure does not take into account the marketing materials, banners, business cards or anything else that it takes to run your booth. 
 
If you include the intangible of branding your business or riding club into the benefits of attending, and the show you attend generates 30,000 visitors over the course of three days, and you can talk to 300 people a day... 
 
If 1/3 of the people who attend the show walk by your booth then 10,000 people have seen your logo and perhaps your message if it is on your banner. 
 
Trade Shows can prove to be a very valuable method of exposure for your group and business, but a lot of the value has to be determined by your goals, your budget and the show's ability to generate the kind of visitors you are hoping to attract. 
 
Like every major decision in your riding club and or small business - only you can decide if attending a show makes sense or not! 
 
 
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Belt Drive Betty Media will have representation at all 5 Canadian motorcycle shows in January.</div>
 
Lou DeVuono of the <a href="http://heroshighwayride.com/">Heroes Highway Ride & Rally </a>& <a href="http://www.realityradio101.com/">Kick Stands Up on RealityRadio 101</a> will be manning our booths at both the <a href="http://www.motorcyclesupershow.ca/">Toronto International Super Show </a>January 4-5-6 and again in Ottawa at the <a href="http://ottawainternationalmotorcycleshow.ca/">Ottawa International Show</a> January 11-12-13 
 
He will have our new line of teeshirts and subscription/renewals for the Busted Knuckle Chronicles available and - he will also have a card that offers you three Apps for your cell phone! 
ALL ARE FREE! 
 
 
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The App GIVEAWAYS are:</div>
 
The <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/calendar2/index.php?theme=publisher">Canadian Motorcycle Events</a> App - this app allows you to have and share event information from right across Canada on your phone and the information is broken down by province for ease of use! 
 
The <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/busted-knuckle-chronicles">Busted Knuckle Chronicles</a> App: This app is the scaled down version of our community newspaper! 
It features information on the contributors to the newspaper, the feature stories from the paper, jokes, classifieds and my blog. 
 
The third and final App is the <a href="http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/rider-friendly">Black Book of Rider Friendly Businesses</a>: 
It features the mobile version of our web based business directory, all of the touring maps that are in the printed version of the book, all of the businesses that partner on the touring maps, information on special services and discounts from our partners and information on the Canadian Riders Support network, the Never Ride Alone Program and our North American Toll Free support number. 
 
I will be at the <a href="http://www.calgarymotorcycleshow.ca/">Calgary Motorcycle Show</a>, January 4-5-6, the <a href="http://www.edmontonmotorcycleshow.ca/">Edmonton Motorcycle Show</a>, January 11-12-13 and the <a href="http://www.vancouvermotorcycleshow.ca/">Vancouver Motorcycle Show</a>, January 17-18-19-20. 
 
I will have all of the same things avaialbe in our booth - our new tee shirt line, the Free App giveaways and more! 
 
We are looking forward to seeing you out there in January!!!!! 
 
I leave you with a few funnies shared with me by friends on Facebook and by email: 
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Have a fantastic Tuesday! 
 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider

Trade Shows - are they worth it?

I have heard many complain about the cost of going to a motorcycle show as a spectator. By the time you pay $15 or so for parking, add anoth...

What do you remember?

Belt Drive 4 Community 8:39 AM

Yesterday, someone who shall remain anonymous, <a href="http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.ca/2012/12/healing-broken-mindsand-devastated.html">wrote a comment on my blog post</a>. 
 
"With all due respect BDB, I couldn't give a damn about this individual. 
Every story I have read so far mentions this killers name, but I have seen very little on the ones that were killed. In history we always remember the killers but never the victims, can anyone name Jack the Rippers victims, the Montreal massacre, Columbine, and the list goes on." 
This person got me thinking about why we often do not hear a lot about who the victims are, sometimes for days.  I think that perhaps there are a couple of reasons why that is. 
 
1) It takes a long time to gather information on the victims, there are so many and there are police protocols to consider. 
 
2) One would hope, that in spite of a world that is hungry for details, journalists and news outlets have some degree of empathy to the pain the families must be feeling and exercise a small modicum of respect. 
 
<a href="http://beltdrivebetty.blogspot.ca/2012/12/healing-broken-mindsand-devastated.html">Anonymous says:</a> "In history we always remember the killers but never the victims, can anyone name Jack the Rippers victims, the Montreal massacre, Columbine, and the list goes on." 
 
Why is that? This person may be right you know.  
Do we as a society do tend to remember the perpetrator and not the victim?  
 
I could not recall the names of the shooters in Columbine, nor that of the victims, so I Google searched the information and found a page dedicated to all who were lost. 
The site includes the who, what, where, how and why of journalism. (<a href="http://www.acolumbinesite.com/who.html">Columbine Massacre</a>) 
The site from what I gather, is run 
 
I could not recall the name of the man in Oslo Norway who took 92 lives in a bombing and shooting at a youth camp or the names of the victims.  So, I Google searched. I found lots on the shooter/bomber - very little on those whose lives were taken.   
 
The Columbine Massacre site was compiled and is owned by Cyn Shepard - it is an independent site and in stark contrast to all of the other reports/ers on the various other mass shootings - balanced in approach without over sensationalizing or glorifying the killers. 
 
For me personally, I either have Alzheimer's setting in or my mind just tends to block out the details in an effort to protect myself. I am not sure about the rest of you, what you remember from some of history's most notorious of violent crimes. 
 
Do I remember Robert Picton AND his victims? 
NO I remember Robert Picton. Why? because of the lengthy trial and investigation. 
 
I barely remembered Clifford Olson, but I did remember that the parents of one child had started a non profit called "Victims of Violence" that had a motto "It shouldn't hurt to be a child"  Their web site appears to be down and I don't have the hours to devote to find their names, but Gary and Sharon Neufeldt (SP) comes to mind. 
 
I all cases, I recalled that there had been brutally, cruel horrors perpetrated. 
But the details, the who, what, when, where and why. Not really. 
 
When I started Google searching, I realized that for those who do recall the names of the horrifiers but not the victims, there really is a reason why that happens. 
 
The cruelty of these people is something that everyone tries to wrap their head around. 
But the innocents - no matter their age - are not mentioned as often - very little can be known by those who'd rather grieve in private. And in too many cases the sheer number of victims becomes impossible to commit to memory. Certainly it does not appear that many journalists focus any of their energy on the victims in any meaningful way. 
 
I am not a journalist - I have never gone to school to report on the issues. 
I have no large team of people feeding me facts so to write anything thoughtful takes me hours to accomplish. 
 
Am I interested in the victims of Sandy Hook, who they were as people? 
Yes. 
 
Am I willing to satisfy my desire to know their stories by violating their wishes to grieve privately? 
NO. 
 
So what am I left to do to numb the pain? To help me make sense of it?  
 
If you are me, with the background I have, you look at how someone came to be this way. 
You look at what you can do to change things. You look for ways to feel less powerless. 
You look for something joyful to hold on to. 
 
Rich Boersma shared with me the link to an article called:"<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/moments-that-restored-our-faith-in-humanity-this-y">26 Moments That Restored Our Faith In Humanity This Year</a>" 
 
I takes millions of these small moments to help distance our minds from the abject horrors that invade our world at times.  They are out there, there are millions and millions of good people around the world who in their small way attempt to make the world a better, brighter place. 
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"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)</h4>
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Is gun control the answer - I don't know but I doubt it. 
Criminals the world over manage to get guns to use in their crimes regardless of bans. 
 
Drunk drivers continue to drive in spite of bans. 
How many times do you hear of drunk drivers driving without benefit of license? 
 
Are better mental health programs the answer? 
 
As long as there are people, the war between good and evil will rage on. 
I leave you with this two Cherokee Legends to consider. 
 
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<a href="http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TwoWolves-Cherokee.html">Two Wolves</a></div>
 
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A Cherokee Legend</div>


An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. </div>
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"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. 
 
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too." 
 
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" 
 
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." </div>
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Here is the same story, but it is called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"</div>
 
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story. 
 
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. 
 
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. 
 
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. 
 
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." 
 
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?" 
 
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed." 
So what are your thoughts on the thought provoking comments made by Anonymous? 
 
I would love to hear yours - because I desperately want to believe that through thoughtful and respectful dialogue we can improve things...and I am always open to other ideas and ideals - I may not accept them as right for me, but I will always listen. 
 
And, that is where my heart is at today... 
 
Have a wonderful Monday 
Belt Drive Betty 
Editor & Rider 
“Each time I perform an act of kindness, a part of me heals.” ― Lupi Ngcayisa 
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What do you remember?

Yesterday, someone who shall remain anonymous, wrote a comment on my blog post . "With all due respect BDB, I couldn't give a dam...