My name is Francine West and I have two great passions – singing and motorcycles. I started out 16 years ago doing friend’s parties and biker events for ABATE of Oregon. Now, along with other gigs (see our schedule), I host the annual Musicians Toy Run Benefit at the Trails End Saloon. If you’d like to schedule us for a gig (public or private), please contact us.

Musicians Toy Run Benefit Report

Jan 10th, 2012

The 10th Musicians Toy Run Benefit

I have rested up from the whirlwind of the last few months, pondered this writing to extremes and I have some thoughts to share with you, I hope you are interested.

We have all made adjustments to our continuing economic struggles, myself included. Last year at this time I had great ideas for the 10th, was going to make time somehow to accomplish my goals. SLAP!! Life’s demands got tougher, work hours increased, compensation decreased and suddenly two weeks before the show I was so far behind I couldn’t catch up if I was driving the Bat mobile. What to do? What to do? The list of loose ends covered my desk, my thoughts were filled with phone calls to be made and people to see, a light came on, a simple answer. Not my problem, I turned the whole situation over to God, called my staff and dressed for the gig. Prayer works!! The 10th show was a smashing success, not a glitch, bump in the road or missed note.

When Francine and I attended a wheelchair presentation a couple of years back, the hospital had made a DVD compiling the donations the Toy Run had contributed to the children over the last 30 years. I was extremely impressed, got me to thinking, how much had the MTRB raised in the years? It took a while to find the old records from the first few benefits, my filing system needs some tune up. Ran a few numbers through the calculator and was pleasantly surprised. The goal for the 10th would be to break $30,000 in total contributions; I am pleased to report that overall the Nov. MTRB has raised $30,675.66. Considering that we are enjoying cocktails, friends and great music, what could be better?? We will present our check Dec. 3rd at the 32nd Toy Run. Hope you come and join us, pray for sunshine.

Francine and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, a great job, you know who you are, a real blessing. Trails End Saloon, “The Home of the MTRB” The Bands donating their time, it has been our honor and pleasure to work with you. Each and everyone ROCKS!!!

Reaching my 60th birthday, and realizing that the sand is slipping thru the hourglass at alarming speed, conclusion, better get on with doing whatever it is my goals are.

Planning for the next decade in the MTRB future has already begun, I can only hope that time will allow their implementation. We have developed a solid foundation, format, staff and clientele. We need to expand our sponsor base, I have ideas about this and need volunteers with extra time and business contacts, if you have any ideas, I am all ears; you know where to find me.

As for next years show, Nov. 3, 2012, I am already workin on the lineup, gonna spend some time making new friends. I always try to have surprises for you, we’ll see, I wonder? Who will it be??

Sincerely, Arthur and Francine