Happy Independence Day!

Hey Blog buddies. Happy Independence Day to you!
Long time no post, I know. I haven't had much free time lately, sorry. My day job has been keeping me busy, did some traveling, and I'm working on my new scooter magazine.

For those who don't know, I stepped down as editor of Kickstart recently. While I loved creating and editing the magazine for the past 2 1/2 years, I didn't want it to be a financial burden for the club. The good news is that Rick Fletcher has picked up the baton and is doing an online version of Kickstart on the OSC website. I wish him much fun and success with it!

Doing Kickstart was really a gift; it brought out an artistic side that I usually kept to myself. I'm appreciative to OSC for giving me the opportunity to express it. Steve feels the same way as I do. Like me, he also caught the bug. So Steve will be working with me to create our own scooter publication... in between his bocce games and babysitting gigs of course! We'll keep you posted when we're ready to launch it.

Happy 4th of July everybody!
Kickstart Karen

Kickin' it with Talley

The Talleys aboard their Piaggio X9


He's the man behind the scenes quietly toiling away at Kick's layout; the Tonto to my Lone Ranger. Together, Steve Talley and I make up Team Kickstart. Steve is a pretty unassuming man and I felt it was high time I cast the spotlight on my friend.

So, Mr. Talley, I am going to ask you some questions and you can answer accordingly.

Karen: Do you have any aliases?
Steve: My wife has several for me, but I'm not publishing them.
Karen: Fare enough, Talley Man.

K: What turns you on?
S: Scooters, curling, bocce, history

K: Any turn offs?
S: Vehicles with studded tires; drivers who don't use turn signals

K: What was your first scooter?
S: Piaggio X9

K: Tell me a little known fact about yourself.
S: I rode submarines in the navy.
K: Well, anchors away! I never knew that. Here's another little know Talley tidbit: He's a semi-retired technical writer and was published in the New York Times!

K: OK, finish these sentences (When I'm on my scooter... Kickstart is... Curling and bocce are... Karen G is.... If I had a monkey...)
S: When I'm on my scooter, I'm enjoying the trip.
Kickstart is fun to work on.
Curling and bocce are non-contact sports where men and women of all ages compete equally.
Karen G is the generative force behind Kickstart.
If I had a monkey, I'd trade it for a bullmastiff.

Well, there you have it. Steve is quite the renaissance man and Kickstart wouldn't be half as fun without him!

If you'd like to find out more about curling and bocce in Portland,
click here:
Curling
Bocce

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!