Diva

Diva, the 1981 French film featuring one of the coolest moped chase scenes EVER, is showing at Cinema 21 here in Portland. It goes till tomorrow, so run or moped on down there before it's gone.

Holly Jolly from Kickstart!

Photo from left to right: Mike Einis, me, and Steve Talley
Kickstart crew, Year 1

It's coming up on our second year anniversary at Kickstart and my thoughts turn to that time two years ago. Mike Einis had volunteered to take the helm of OSC’s newsletter and I agreed to lend a hand. At the time, I had no idea how big a part of my life it would become. Mike and I had no experience with graphic design and needed someone to become our layout guru. After holding an open call meeting, in walked Steve Talley and our 'zine staff was born. Having been a fan of the Vespa Club of Canada’s newsletter, The Indicator, and the local Portland scooter ‘zines, I knew that we just had to name our baby. After brainstorming such names as The Spanner and The Cruciform, we came up with the beautiful name of Kickstart.

Thanks to all who have helped us along the way!

This year we didn't have time to pose for an ugly Xmas sweater Christmas card, so I'm posting a photo from the patch jacket shoot.

Happy Holidays to all and here's wishing you a healthy, happy, scootin' new year!

Too Much Coffee Man

This looks like a job for Too Much Coffee Man!

TMCM is a satirical comic strip created by Shannon Wheeler. It's a parody of superheroes and TMCM even wears full body underwear with a buttoned flap on the back. Shannon and composer Daniel Steven Crafts adapted the comic strip into an opera that debuted at Brunish Hall here in Portland last year.

To find out more about Too Much Coffee Man visit Shannon Wheeler at: www.tmcm.com

Ice Ice Scooter

Finding inspiration from his Whiteout series, Steve Leiber drew this ice Vespa for me. He is a founding member of Mercury Studio and has been published by Dark Horse, DC, Marvel, and Oni to name a few.

To see more from this 9 time Eisner nominated artist, visit his website: www.stevelieber.com

Brybox

Bryan Fleming aka "Brybox" sketched this great scooter action drawing for me during Stumptown. Like "Big Time" he is also attending Pacific Northwest College of Art and a member of the Robopocalypse comic collective.
Check out his website: www.brybox.com. Or you can also catch him at www.robopocalypse.com

Big Time

Know as BT Livermore or simply "Big Time", this handlebar mustacheoed man digs robots and drawing. His two-wheeled transportation is Crusher, his bicycle. When he's not busy attending Pacific Northwest College of Art, he's collaborating on a children's book project with 59 other comic artists. The proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Check out this very talented Minnesotan's websites: www.robopocalypse.com and www.bigtimeillustration.com.

R.I.P. Evel Knievel

My brothers had all the Evel Knievel toys growing up. I loved to play with the Evel Knievel stunt cycle. You put it on a stand and wound a handle to make it move and do wheelies. Endless hours of fun!




A couple years ago at one of the Seattle/Portland scooter meetups in Centralia, a group of us visited a nearby vintage motorcycle museum. On display were various Knievel items, but the coolest of all by far was this sweet pinball machine.

You'll be missed you crazy daredevil!