RIDERS REMEMBER GOOD FRIEND'S FALLEN SON.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Bikers revved their engines Sunday for a special Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. motorcycle ride to help a fellow rider whose only son was killed in a tragic car crash. More than 65 motorcycles carrying friends of the Calhoun family took off from Mabel's Roadhouse road·house n. An inn, restaurant, or nightclub located on a road outside a town or city. roadhouse Noun a pub or restaurant at the side of a road Noun 1. in Saugus for Donavan's Run - a fund-raiser in honor of Donavan Calhoun, 24. Killed July 7, he was a former star high school football player and 1996 graduate of Valencia High School Valencia High School may refer to:
Family members said they believe Donovan Calhoun may have suffered a heart attack before his Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a compact car manufactured by Honda. It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback version that September. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the crashed head-on into a van on San Fernando Road San Fernando Road is a major street in the city and county of Los Angeles. It starts off in Castaic as The Old Road, passing through Santa Clarita and the Newhall Pass, where upon its intersection with Sierra Highway near the junction of the Golden State (I-5) and the , between Balboa Boulevard and Sierra Highway Sierra Highway is a road in Southern California, United States. It runs from Tunnel Station near the north limit of the City of Los Angeles, where it intersects with San Fernando Road and Foothill Boulevard, as well as Interstate 5, and continues north to Mojave, mostly paralleling . California Highway Patrol highway patrol n. A state law enforcement organization whose police officers patrol the public highways. officials initially said the driver might have been in a car race when the crash occurred. But coroner's officials investigating the death say they suspect that he had a medical condition. The close-knit biker community came together to support their friend and fellow biker Mike Calhoun Mike Calhoun is the Vice President of Local Church Ministries for Word of Life Fellowship, Inc. He is the author of Pushing the Limits: Unleashing the Potential of Student Ministry. Biography Mike was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1952. His formal education includes a B.A. , the victim's father, and to help him through a difficult time. ``I want to support Mike - whatever I can - and help out a buddy,'' said Brad Kerr, who has known the father for 20 years. ``This is what Mike likes, and this is what he would want to do for his son. ``Nobody loved his son and was more proud of his son than Mike was,'' added Kerr, recalling how the father had kept the friends he encountered on motorcycle runs updated on Donavan's schooling and football. Mike Calhoun mingled with his friends at the first stop of Donovan's Run: Harley's Rock Inn on Elizabeth Lake Road. ``It's upbeat,'' Kerr said. ``Mike's being strong, so everybody else is being, too.'' ``I see all the love - the people that cared about me and my son,'' said a visibly touched Calhoun, surveying the large group at the bar. ``I felt great on the inside. I knew there was a lot of love and support.'' Carle Manley, the supervisor for maintenance and operations in the William S. Hart Union High School District, where Donovan Calhoun as well as his father worked, said he was there to support an outgoing man known for having a smile on his face and being a good influence on campus. ``Naturally, things aren't supposed to happen that way. The kids aren't supposed to go first,'' Manley said. ``So I want to do anything I can do to help and support him.'' Manley said the large turnout for the bike run was a direct result of the impact both father and son have had on the community. ``He (Mike Calhoun) really raised a gentleman,'' Manley said. ``At 24, Donavan had touched everyone's life. Mike did a good job raising this kid, and he's using that influence with the kids at school. He didn't only raise one kid. He's raised hundreds of kids.'' The bikers felt that a ride with friends was the most appropriate way to raise some money toward funeral expenses. ``I know Mike and feel bad for what happened, especially when it's a fellow biker,'' said friend Steven King Steven King is the name of:
``This has a meaning for me and the guys that ride,'' Calhoun said. ``It's a lot of friendship. I'm a friend for them and their kids, and they know I'd do the same for them.'' All riders paid $15 to $25 - depending on whether they were riding single or in a pair - to join the run through Saugus, Lake Hughes, Lancaster and Palmdale. The event's organizers were also planning a raffle after the run, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Calhoun. The owners of Mabel's Roadhouse said they also would match the amount of money collected in a tip jar at the bar. ``We just wanted to help him out,'' said Mike DeAngelis, co-owner of Mabel's. ``Mike Calhoun has a lot of friends in the valley.'' CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Dozens of motorcycle riders gather at Mabel's Roadhouse in Saugus for a ride to raise funds for the funeral of Donavan Calhoun, 24, and to comfort the young man's father, Mike. (2) Friend Kandy Boak comforts Mike Calhoun outside a Saugus roadhouse where motorcycle riders gathered Sunday before a ride to raise funds toward the funeral of Calhoun's son, Mike, 24, killed in a car crash. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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