T. Kenji Sugahara

I thought this would be appropriate to share with all of you.

If you are going to Elkhorn, please support the local merchants,
especially those who have stepped up for us. It's a great way to say
"thanks" and grow our goodwill in the community.

I'm also asking you, the racers to help enforcement with littering.
If you see someone tossing a bottle please help the officials and
point them out. This will help us preserve our venues.

If you do have stuff to throw away, either call up the official and
put it in their car or drop it at the feedzones. Please remember to
drop your bottles right before the feedzone- that is the best place to
do it.

Thanks!!!

T. Kenji Sugahara
Executive Director
Oregon Bicycle Racing Association
503-302-4935

Begin forwarded message:
>
> Subject: Fw: Fw: Historic Baker City
>
> Below is a message I sent to a bunch of my Elkhorn-newbie teammates
> and a few others. Most of it is some info from Beverly Calder at
> Bella's about how many merchants step up to support this race,
> especially the women's race. What Beverly doesn't really mention is
> her role as ring leader. :) I encourage you to do some shopping in
> Baker City this weekend as a way of expressing your appreciation for
> what you will see is truly red-carpet treatment. Let them know
> you're with the race (although they'll know that just by looking at
> you) and you appreciate their support and enthusiasm. And be sure
> to go to the pasta feed at the high school on Friday night to
> support the girls volleyball team and to commiserate with your
> racing buddies (my favorite part is the unlimited supply of homemade
> cookies)! See you Friday! -Martha
>
>
> On 6/12/08, Martha Walsh
> Dear Elkhorn-bound friends: I was really excited to get the message
> below from one of the visionaries in Baker City who make that bike
> race possible. I'm sharing it with you (no, there won't be a test,
> so nobody'll know if you don't read it all) to give you a little
> taste of the hospitality that awaits us next weekend. You'll have
> lots of time next Saturday to do some shopping, so make a list of
> books, wine, whatever you want to buy and patronize the businesses
> of our supporters in Baker City. Bella is another woman of many
> words (just like yours truly), but her prose is worth the read. See
> you next Friday in Baker City! -Martha
>
>
>
> To Martha and all the other Elkhorn Classic participants, attendees
> and supporters- both women and men!
>
> The entire town is really behind this race, and that includes over
> 120 businesses just in the historic district! As members of
> Historic Baker City, the downtown is
> a self-taxed 'economic development district' that is committed to
> supporting and sustaining events that showcase our historic downtown
> (we have 110 buildings on the National Register of Historic
> Places!) as well as fostering the healthiest (and award winning)
> commercial district in eastern Oregon.
>
> Everyone knows that Mad Matilda's, Barley Brown's and Charlie's does
> a lot of business during the bike race weekend. The owner of Mad
> Matilda's made a statement last night at the city council meeting
> that the moto and cycle weekends were his two biggest weekends of
> the year in fact. But it is the broad support that makes the event
> a real success, and that comes from all corners of the historic
> district. Many businesses "sacrifice" their regular business (sad
> but true, a lot of regular customers won't come downtown if they
> can't park on Main) to support events like the Elkhorn Classic.
>
> What makes Baker City so unique is the fact in our 'little tiny
> downtown" we have INDEPENTLY OWNED convenience stores, womens
> boutiques, candy shops, gift stores, music and book stores, sporting
> goods stores, restaurants, a wine & kitchen shop (you know the one),
> housewares, hardware, re-sale shops, a computer store, apparel
> stores, craft stores, stationery, toy & antique stores, banks as
> well as home decor/furnishings (one of the most exciting new
> businesses in town!), automotive, appliances, hotels and motels, and
> a variety of services from Les Schwab to Artcraft Paint. Throw in a
> couple of lawyers, accountants, a printer, a dry cleaner, a real
> pharmacy and several salons and you've got Historic Baker City.
>
> Without the support of all the businesses that don't 'cash in' on
> the bike race, an event like this WOULD NOT happen here. It really
> is an accomplishment to get that many retailers and service
> providers to see the overall benefit in closing down the street for
> a day, and bringing the community together with the Shimano Kids
> event and the Gold Rush Criterium.
>
> So while you may not see direct support from Betty's Books, Barbara
> Jeans Boutique, The Pill Box, Baker City Copy, Ship & Mail or
> Sycamore Tree they are tremendously important in the overall health
> of the entire downtown and all successful events, including the
> Elkhorn Classic. They don't all expect cyclists to make their cash
> registers sing during the weekend, but are excited to have them in
> town and have the opportunity to share what we really treasure with
> people from all over the northwest and beyond.
>
> Long story short (I can never answer a question in too few words, so
> sorry!) we all just want the cyclists to know how much we appreciate
> them coming to Baker City for this event. The downtown business
> district is made up mostly of women business owners and we have long
> wanted to see the womens peleton become a more "noticed" part of the
> race - this year is really rewarding for us all in that sense! All
> of the hosted housing that was offered for support of the womens
> peleton came from downtown property and business owners and several
> of BELLA's favorite customers!
>
> The cyclists have a pretty busy weekend and most business owners are
> fairly aware that when they aren't on their bikes, they are re-
> fueling or resting - but if the racers (and their families and
> friends) have a chance to stop into any of the businesses in Baker
> City, it's always nice to hear that you enjoy the event and that
> you're glad it happens in our town.
>
> Baker City is a very special place. We live here because we choose
> to; many of us abandoned big cities and big salaries to start a
> businesses here because it's really rewarding to create something
> that is truly cherished by locals and visitors alike (only in small
> towns does this seem to happen!) It's a lifestyle choice, not
> something that 'pencils out' per se but it is something that we are
> simply crazy about and we love to share!
>
> Most Sincerely,
> Beverly Calder
>
> BELLA Main Street Market
> 2023 Main Street
> Baker City, OR 97814
> www.BellaBakerCity.com
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