Changing Times

Written by Tim Kelly Friday, 26 June 2009 05:22

Changing Times

This is a quick reminder that for these next two weeks we will be gathering around 5:30a.m., then hitting the trail at 6:00 a.m.

Beginning Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, we will move back another notch to an earlier wake-up call. Yep. That weekend we will come together around 5:00 a.m., then trip the light fantastic beginning at 5:30 a.m. We know, we know. That's an unmerciful time to be out misbehavin'. But if you've lived in the Mojave Desert for longer than 30 minutes you know how miserable it can be here in the summertime.

Once Ma Nature has vented her wrath and begins to cool down we'll slip back to a saner starting time. But that ain't gonna happen for quite few weeks, so let's do the best we can with what we have to work with.

Steady Friends

A Friend, indeed, is a Friend in need right now. More than a few of you have spotted the two articles in the Las Vegas Sun about Carlos Ramirez. Most of you would recognize Carlos by sight simply because he's the only one among us who's trained for, then completed, an entire marathon while walking with a cane and an unforgettable limp. Two years in a row Carlos was the last finisher in the Las Vegas Marathon needing every bit of 11 hours to make the journey. His time wasn't important. His determination is all that mattered.

A few years back Carlos suffered multiple strokes and heart attacks. As a result Carlos lost his job as a mechanic with Metro. Now, even after years of fighting back through physical therapy, the muscles on the left side of Carlos' body have atrophied and withered. It seems that there's just no way to bring back the nervous sensation in his left leg and arm.

Because of Carlos' medical misfortunes he's been unable to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's in the form of property taxes. Together we have a chance to help a good man, and a good friend, hang onto the modest house he's lived in these last 20 years. Here's the deal.

We'd like to propose a challenge to all of us who have been a little more fortunate than Carlos. The Las Vegas Running Company will match any contributions you make collectively up to $4,250 which is roughly half of the tax lien due. With 765 wonderful people on this list it shouldn't be too hard to come close to retiring that tax debt. A $5 contribution from everyone who's trained with us in the past, or who's on the trail with us now, will just about put this thing to rest.

We've set up an account with Washington Mutual just for this purpose:
415 266 3831 account number
322 271 627 routing number

You can make a deposit at any of the WAMU branches around the valley, or you can wire money into the account using the information above. Or, you can mail your check made payable to FBO Carlos Ramirez to our address:
LVRC - Carlos Ramirez
5665 Lion Head Way
Las Vegas, NV 89118

We'd be honored to make the deposit for you.

Please help a friend if you can. Your kindness won't go unrewarded.

Thanks All,
Tim Kelly
Las Vegas Running Company
Las Vegas in Motion