It’s Bikers Have Heart season at D&S

Each spring we remind our riders and friends that some people are less fortunate than we are, and need our help. For the seventh year we’ve chosen a child in our community who is has a special need.

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Meet Dominic Luciano.

The kid with the great smile is a 15-year-old sophomore at North Medford High School. He loves to write and produce music, and he plays piano with a jazz ensemble at school. He builds and works on computers. And he has a terrible disease called “NF2.”

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 causes tumors to grow on the cranial and spinal nerves, and lesions on the brain and spinal chord. He’s had two brain surgeries – in Portland and Los Angeles -- since he was diagnosed in 2004. Now he is scheduled for his third surgery in June.

His dad is a single dad, raising Dominic and his 11-year-old brother, and he usually works construction, but is on disability at the moment. They have health insurance, but there are still mounds of medical bills as well as living expenses when he has to take the time off to be with Dominic during the surgeries.

The latest tumor is on the 10th nerve of Dominic’s brain and will affect both his swallowing and speech. He will need to travel either to Portland or Boston when school finishes in June, and right now he doesn’t have the money to travel or pay his 20 percent of the surgery costs.

So, what do you say? Want to help us help Dominic? We’ve got a goal of $10,000 and we’re going to raise it with our signature Yahtzee Run and party on Saturday, May 3. You can contribute in several ways:

• Send us a check made out to “Sparrow for Dominic Luciano” We will deposit it in his medical trust account with the Sparrow Club, a national organization that helps kids with life-threatening illnesses.
• Donate merchandise or services to our event. We’ll raffle or auction off just about anything – haircuts, helmets, pizzas, pool tables, you name it!
• Volunteer to help us raise money, collect donations or work the day of the event.
• Donate flyer miles if Dominic and his dad have to travel to Boston.
• Tell your friends about Dominic and see if they want to be part of a great cause.
• And finally, show up and be part of Bikers Have Heart May 3.

We’ll start at D&S that morning with registration from 11 to 1. Cost is $20 per Yahtzee card. The ride will end with a street party in downtown Medford, hosted by Howie’s and four other businesses. The party is open to everyone, of all ages. There will be live music, prizes, lots of bikes -- and lots of opportunities to help a great kid with a great smile.

If you have an idea or need more information, email kim@dsharley.com or call and leave a message at her extension 541-535-5515, ext. 1004. Send checks to D&S Harley-Davidson, PO Box 1528, Phoenix, OR 97535.

To learn more about neurofibromatosis, visit Children's Tumor Foundation.

Ride, Ride, Ride

It’s official! Our bulletin boards overflow with places to go and things to do. We do our best to stay on top of What’s Happening out there. You can always find a list of D&S events in the Sidecar on our What’s New page. You can find events sponsored by local clubs and organizations on our Calendar, with the help of the United Bikers of Southern Oregon.

If you have an upcoming event, please e-mail the basic details to terrie@dsharley.com and we’ll be happy to list it. We do not reproduce flyers. We do accept cookies as thanks!

But Be Careful Out There…

Those early spring days offer wet pavement – and some oil spots – as our friend & service tech Mike Burke can tell you all about. Mike and his companion, Kathleen, had a serious accident last Sunday on the way back from the Oregon Coast. As he put it, “the bike just went out from under” him.

Mike fractured a vertebrae in his back and is recovering at home. But Kathleen is still in critical care at Rogue Valley Medical Center. She broke three vertebrae and while the prognosis is good, she’s got a long road to recovery – and no health insurance. We’ve set up donation jars at the counters and plan to include Kathleen in our Bikers Have Heart fundraiser May 3.

So, truly, take that corner a little slower this weekend. And send your good thoughts Mike & Kathleen’s way.

Odds - N - Ends

We’re gearing up for spring and hope you are too. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If you need an appointment with our Service Department, make it as far in advance as possible. If you wait ‘til the first sunny day – like everyone else – we may not be able to get you in as soon as you wish. Call Mark or Greg at 541-535-5515, ext. 1005 or 1006, or zip an email to service@dsharley.com
• If you’re thinking about buying a new 2008 Harley-Davidson, you better pick it out now. Production is limited this year, and we may run out of certain models or colors. If you want to know what we have in stock or what’s coming, email lori@dsharley.com
• Our HOG Chapter, Southern Oregon No. 1, is in need of security volunteers for two events – the Medford Cruise in June and the Iron Horse Rodeo in July. Contact Sue Summers at 541-840-2172 or email her at hogmembership@dsharley.com
• Two of our favorite events have gotten their websites up and running in recent weeks. To find out more about the Original Iron Horse Rodeo, June 27-29, at Lake Selmac go to: www.ironhorserodeo.us. To find out more about the 4th annual Corset Cruise, July 12, go to www.corsetcruise.com

That’s it for now! As always, come see us when you can and ride safe out there – terrie* and the Crew @ D&S