Morris, Patterson Head Meeting For Mt. Olive High School. Automotive Programs coming back to schools.

Several years ago many schools began eliminating their high school auto shop programs for a variety of reasons. The bottom line? They were seriously missed by thousands of young people who had an interest in the field of automotive repair. Fortunately there are people like the Patterson family and Kevin Morris, principal of Mt. Olive High School who are willing to do what it takes to put these programs back in place. With some funding returning to the schools, an automotive advisory group was assembled by the Patterson's and Mr. Morris to begin to lay the foundation for Mt. Olive's shop and curriculum. It may be 1 or 2 years before the funding is actually in available and things could get under way, but that's not soon enough for this group. They are looking to put things in place immediately through donations and the participation of local auto related companies. Sandy, her husband Harvey and son Sean, have been putting on shop classes and taking the kids on field trips to local businesses, racing events and other auto related happenings for some time. They also do a lot of hands on repair and building of bicycles for under privileged children. In the future they will be working with the local Elks Club, YMCA and other community service organizations. They are always in need of donations and materials to make these things happen, so if you'd like more information regarding the Mt.Olive program, please contact Sandy at siriusgear@gmail.com.



A little insight from the principal, Kevin Morris:

We believe success can be
accomplished through:
• A safe and nurturing learning
environment
• A community of caring and
respect
• Parent and community Involvement
• Shared decision making
• Strong standard-based curriculum
• Meaningful professional
development for staff
• Supportive counseling and
family services
• Directed-instruction
• Effective academic intervention
programs
• Comprehensive pre and post
assessment system that measures
program effectiveness
These key factors move Mt.
Olive closer to becoming one
of California’s more notable
Continuation High Schools for
years to come. We are a team of
dedicated educators who are committed
to teaching and preparing
our students for life after high
school as socially conscience
and productive citizens in today’s
society. That is our commitment
to every student. The Mt. Olive
Family is a community of success
and nothing less!


...gathering time.

Sandy Patterson and Kevin Morris getting ready

to get things started.

Richard Nicholson was there to lend support to

the group and the program. A long time educator

and "gear head," Richard has worked with many

schools and related automotive programs.

You have to eat, right? Victor made sure no one

went home hungry.

Parents, professional educators, business and

company owners; there's a lot of brain power

sitting around this table...and a lot of very caring

individuals.

Thanks to all of you for donating your time and

making the effort to put these programs back in

place. You guys rock!!

"Old Guys Rule!" Doug Smith and team 501X celebrate Baja 1000 win at AREA 51.

"Old Guys Rule!" is something you see a lot of on hats and tshirts these days. They're usually worn by older, baby boomer type guys who are about 50 lbs overweight and heading to the golf course for their weekly exercise...driving their golf cart. Not so for Doug Smith and a group of friends who decided they would like to see the Baja peninsula in Mexico. And what better way to see it? How about entering The Baja 1000 off road race and doing it on a motorcycle!! Doug and his teammates, Paul Doebereiner, Jim Dizney, Eric McKenna, Dave Potts, Steve Williams, Jimmy Sones and Charlie Marshal entered the biggest off road race in the sport and won the 50 and over class on their Honda CRF450X. They not only finished the 1,061.69 mile course first in class, but finished 7th overall out of 292 entries! If and when these guys ever hit the golf course, I wouldn't want to be the foursome playing ahead of them! Congratulations Team 501X and good luck the rest of the season.

The hardware....#1

One of the biggest modifications done to the new

Honda CRF450X are the lights. These babies

will brighten up your night!

...lots of stories and bench racin' after a 1,000 miles.

Win the Baja?...better have Mexican food!!

Lots of support from family and friends.

Betty looks like she wants to go for a ride!

Doug had sweatshirts and tshirts made up to

celebrate their victory. Jim Dizney checkin'

out the new wardrobe.

Checkin' out the hardware...

The "Hazmat Head" gets checked out by some

curious wives. Their comment? "You guys have

too much time on your hands."

Congratulations Team 501X! Thanks for chalking

one up for us old guys!!! You Rule!!!

"70 What?" Years in the works, Suzy's Nova begins to take shape.

We've all started a project with good intentions, hopes and dreaming of the finished product. Then life happens and things go sideways. Years ago, and I'm sure it's more years than she'd like to remember, Suzy Dollins began restoring a 1973 Nova. It was going to be a street car and her everyday driver. She had a vision of what the car would be and was going to make it happen. Doing much of the work herself, she chipped away at the project over months that eventually turned into years. Then, as things often do, circumstances prevented her from completing the project and the Nova had to be put on hold.

We met Suzy years ago through the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce and would help her with little things along the way when she was working on her car. Towards the end of 2010 Suzy came to us and said that she wanted to get the project back underway with the help of her "special friend", Bobby Ross, owner of Gem City Grill in Monrovia. After meeting with Suzy and Bobby it was decided that it was time for this Nova to be brought back to life and the build resumed with the help of Pete Baleno and Buster Baglierie. Below are just a few pictures of some of the action that's taken place over the past several weeks. The Nova, per Suzy's vision and design, has taken on an identity all it's own. It's a combination of parts from 1972 through 1974 to make this Nova a "70 What?" Can't wait to see this "bad girl" on the street!

After pulling off the front end, Buster does a little

touch up work to the firewall after welding up

all the unnecessary holes and openings.

After the front end was completely rebuilt by

Pete, the engine was sent in place to start mocking

up all the pulleys, belts and lines.

Pete fabbed up some cool brackets for the alternator

and power steering units.

It's starting to look like an engine...

The core support and radiator were put in place

so that the engine could be started and checked.

Suzy arrives for the start up. I think she was

a little excited. Ya' think?

A push of the button and the 350 Chevy comes

to life.

I don't think Suzy believes it's actually running!

Bobby Ross and Pete look on as Suzy enjoys

the moment.

Wiring Guru Buster starts working his magic.

Do you REALLY know where all those wires go?

Buster finishes wiring the carbon fiber gauge

panel that Suzy assembled some time ago.

It's starting to look like a car again.

Stay tuned for more build action in the weeks

to come. It won't be long now, Suzy!