Farwell Farrah - a True Diva

Actress Farrah Fawcett died on June 25 in Los Angeles at the age of 62. With her passing after a long battle with anal cancer, we lose one of the quintessential symbols of post-feminist Hollywood, a definitive pinup who somehow parlayed a delicate-flower demeanor and all-American beauty into a 30-year career.

As it turned out, her bravest role of all was her final one: She shared every brutally unglamorous step of her cancer treatment with the world in the riveting NBC documentary Farrah's Story.

The former University of Texas sorority girl became an instant star when she sashayed onto Charlie’s Angels in 1976. (Her trademark poster -- shot pre-Angels -- hit stores that same year, cementing her role as a sex symbol.) Fawcett left the show after only one season, and, after a string of big-screen flops, finally earned critical praise in the mid '80s with the off-Broadway play Extremities and the NBC movie The Burning Bed. (Her role, as an abused wife, earned the actress her first Emmy nomination.)

In 1985, Fawcett -- divorced from Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors -- struck up her romance with O’Neal, and the two had a son, Redmond James O’Neal. Throughout the next decade, she attracted plenty of critical praise for her on camera work, including 1997’s The Apostle and 2000’s Dr. T and the Women. But she also engaged in her share of public foibles -- a naked-body-painting layout in a 1995 Playboy, a famously addled appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show in 1997. She even tried to tell her own story in 2005 with the short-lived TV Land reality series Chasing Farrah, to roundly dismissive reviews.

In 2006, Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, the actress was cancer-free. Unfortunately, doctors found the disease had returned in 2007. Even as her treatment resumed -- and family's drug battles continued to make headlines -- Fawcett managed to maintain an upbeat outlook. As Alana Stewart, friend and co-producer of Farrah's Story, told EW.com in April, "She’s always been positive. Her spirits have always been good throughout this ordeal."

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations to support cancer research be made to The Farrah Fawcett Foundation c/o P.O. Box 6478, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

--Jennifer Armstrong (Additional reporting by Jeff Jensen, Dan Snierson, and Tim Stack)

Riders rumble through Allensworth

Porterville Recorder - Porterville,CA,USA

By ALEX K.W. SCHULTZ

June 7, 2009 - 9:34PM

ALLENSWORTH — Rarely can Harley-Davidson and Allensworth be used together in the same sentence.

The opportunity presented itself, however, during a three-day event Thursday, Friday and Saturday as thousands of motorcyclists converged on Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for the second annual West Coast Bikers Round-Up.

The event — which attracted riders from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington — was sponsored by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Sinister Wheels.

The entrance fee was $25. Children ages 10 and under were admitted for free.

All of the proceeds will go toward bone marrow research, West Coast Bikers Round-Up Association treasurer Deryk Howard said.

“We’re just trying to do a good thing,” he said.

Last year’s event, according to Howard, drew roughly 3,000 riders and raised $105,000.

“Next year’s going to be even better,” he said. “It’s starting to catch on.”

Showing its support by attending the rally was Divas For A Cure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising cancer awareness through early detection, education, screenings and research.

DFAC founder and president Jan Emanuel is a three-time breast cancer survivor.

Her organization has raised over the past three years $110,000, all of which was injected into the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center fund.

“Passion should have a purpose,” Emanuel said. “Why not do something good for someone and have fun doing it.

“The quicker we do something about it, the quicker we’ll find a cure.”

Activities galore kept attendees constantly entertained Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

A bike race, bike show, stunt show, talent show, water slide, movie night, camping, raffles and music — among many more attractions — greeted bikers and children alike.

“It wasn’t something we had to come to,” Stan Jones, president of riding group Rising Sons, Bakersfield chapter, said. “We wanted to come.”

Broken Swords president Alex Shinal agreed.

“It’s wonderful,” he said. “So far I’ve been around to all of the different clubs. It’s really nice.”

Howard said he was hopeful 70 to 80 clubs would make an appearance in Allensworth.

He also said he wants to increase the size and popularity of the event by reaching out to East Coast riders.
“If we build it,” Howard said, “hopefully they will come.”

Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049.

Harley-Davidson rides into West Coast Biker's Roundup

Source 1st5ive.com - Chicago,IL,USA

Thousands of motorcyclists on the West Coast will ride to the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park for the 2nd Annual West Coast Biker's Roundup. During the three-day event Harley-Davidson will present a custom bike show, a game lounge, raffle drawings and giveaways. Motorcyclists from Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada and California will enjoy primitive camping, events, exhibits, town tours and other activities from June 4-6.

Harley-Davidson believes in experiencing the culture of motorcycling with our riders by supporting organizations and events such as the West Coast Biker's Roundup," said John Comissiong, director of market outreach for Harley-Davidson. "We are always looking for new ways to effectively reach out and enhance the riding experience of enthusiasts."

The historic town of Allensworth, Calif. is named after Colonel Allen Allensworth, the highest-ranking African American in the U.S. Army in 1906. Colonel Allensworth's vision was to have a thriving, prosperous and self-sustaining community. Today, the town is home to the annual West Coast Biker's Roundup event where motorcycle clubs and enthusiasts gather to celebrate the camaraderie of the biker community and support his vision.

In conjunction with the rally, Harley-Davidson Motor Company is supporting the attendance of Divas For A Cure (DFAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising cancer awareness through early detection, education, screenings and research. DFAC will have items on sale that include, bandanas, lapel pens and patches, with proceeds will benefitting their cause."As a breast cancer survivor, I am extremely thankful that Harley-Davidson continues to provide even more opportunities for us to raise awareness about cancer research," said Jan Emanuel-Costley, founder and president of Divas For A Cure.

Gates open on June 4, 2009 at 6:00 am. The entrance fee is $25.00 per person and children ages 10 and under will get in for free. There is limited RV parking on a first come, first served basis and pre-registration is required. For more information visit www.westcoastbikersroundup