Plenty of Fireworks on the Fourth Of July

From the cities to the seas, America is set to celebrate the Fourth of July. And PubClub.com is providing the fireworks beforehand with a series of articles on where to find the biggest parties on America’s birthday.

PubClub.com, where every day is the Fourth of July and every night is New Year’s Eve, shines its rocket’s red glare on three stories. One highlights celebrations in major cities across the country, plus activities on lakes and rivers and prime sporting events. A second article focuses specifically on Los Angeles, one of the top spots to spend the Fourth. The third targets the party scene in the LA South Bay beach cities of Manhattan and Hermosa, one of the country’s most raucous locations for Independence Day

“The Fourth of July is America’s great celebration,” said Kevin Wilkerson, President, PubClub.com. “PubClub.com displays the diversity of this country. It’s taken three articles to cover it all, in fact.”

Among the cities featured in the main article are Boston, Chicago (which has the Taste of Chicago), Milwaukee (which has Summerfest, the World’s Largest Music Festival), New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Plus there’s Lake Travis in Austin, Texas and Geist Reservoir outside of Indianapolis, Ind. PubCub.com also realizes sports are large part of American culture and the story provides information on all Major League Baseball teams playing home games on the 4th, as well as NASCAR’s annual race in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Los Angeles story covers the major activities, including information on fireworks at the Rose Bowl and in Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Long Beach and Orange County. Manhattan and Hermosa beaches, known as the South Bay, has a series of house parties up and down “The Strand,” and PubClub.com’s photos and prose brings that scene to life.

All three articles are linked on PubClub.com’s home page (http://www.pubclub.com) under Highlighted Events on the left side of the page. Starting July 1, more prominent links will be placed under the Shot of the Day. Direct links to the articles are here:
http://www.pubclub.com/fourthjuly/index.htm
http://www.pubclub.com/fourthjuly/losangeles.htm
http://www.pubclub.com/FourthJuly/hermosa.htm

“With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, it promises to be a huge three-day national gathering,” Wilkerson said.

PubClub.com is a free-access travel and nightlife website focusing on city guides and bars in places from Amsterdam to Australia, across the USA and Europe. It also covers festivals such as Running With the Bulls, New Orleans JazzFest and San Francisco’s Bay to Breakers, plus un “special events” such as Jimmy Buffett concerts. It is based in Manhattan Beach, CA.

PubClub Party Report, June 5

Here's the latest PubClub.com Party Report, covering LA's South Bay beach cities!


Welcome to the PubClub.com South Bay Party Report!

Whew! We got our team into Surfest ‘09. Barely! In fact, we were the last ones to get entered before it went to the stand-by list.

It took a trio of us pulling an all-nighter to make it happen. The sign-ups were this past Monday morning at Manhattan Beach City Hall and by the time we arrived at about 3 on Sunday afternoon, there was already a line of 40-plus people (the first 32 spots are automatically taken by the really good teams, the ones which play on Sunday, like DEFENDING CHAMPIONS MAGNUM P.I.!).

After Rick did a “grab and go” to get the spot, I took over and four hours later passed the chair to Greg. Team Captain “Ice” did the midnight shift and endured chilly temperatures and even an early-morning misting from June Gloom. Yes, the “Ice” was chilled! I went back to relieve him at 7 a.m., and approached the check-in table at about 8:30. I was greeted with these remarks when the official saw the team name of PubClub:
“PubClub.com. A VERY popular website. You have lots of pictures of the partying but not enough of the volleyball. You should have more photos of the volleyball.”

Well, PubClub DOES have many outstanding action shots (as well as party shots). You be the judge if there’s too many of the drinking action:
http://www.pubclub.com/specialevents/surfest.htm
http://www.pubclub.com/specialevents/surfest08.htm


5-MAN GOLF

There is only one fivesome left, so  register now!  http://www.5mangolf.com/
 
$100 gets you entrance into the tournament, a hosted bar and BBQ dinner, an event t-shirt, a goodie bag, the opportunity to wins tons of cool prizes and the chance to contribute to a deserving local charity.
 
If you don't get a spot in the tournament you are still invited to attend the event and can register as a caddie or spectator for $50. Caddies receive everything that golfer does, except the green fees.
 
Prizes will be awarded to the Best Dressed, Lowest Score, Longest Drive, Straightest Tee Shot, Closest to the Pin, Worst Score and more! Prizes, silent auction and raffle items include: two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines, a TaylorMade R9 460 Driver, clothing and apparel from Revel Golf, a Callaway Golf stand bag, Wilson golf clubs, bikinis from Beach Bunny Swimwear, autographed sports memorabilia, wine, and much, much more.
 
This Surfest-style golf tournament is Saturday, June 13, from 5-8 at The Lakes in El Segundo. The official After Party is at Baja Sharkeez.

SURF’S UP. IN HOLLYWOOD!?
PubClub was on the red carpet for the opening of the new Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal Studios last week. The club sports a tropical theme, which I certainly could connect with, of course. Dana Carvey, Lisa Kudrow and other comedy celebs passed in front of PubClub’s camera. Here’s the photos and story. On the way out of Universal, I passed a line to get into Howl at the Moon, the dueling piano bar which has a location at CityWalk. This may be worth a road trip in the future.
http://www.pubclub.com/LosAngeles/lovitzopening.htm

OUT AND ABOUT IN THE SOUTH BAY

Simmzy’s got my attention on Sunday afternoon. I passed by it on the way to stake our spot for Surfest; the place was standing-room-only packed. It has a small patio and, like Sharkeez Hermosa, an “indoor-outdoor” area leading up to the bar – sliding doors that open up to the ocean breeze. So I stopped in on Tuesday afternoon, met manager Chris and over a beer he told me about this new place, which is next to Starbuck’s on Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Chris informed me the place is owned by locals (father and son of The Kettle) and they want to cater to locals. There are 24 beers on tap – a kind of mini-Naja’s but in a much more pleasant setting – and wines. Most beers are $6. The menu is somewhat limited, offering three salads, burgers and sandwiches ($7.50-15), plus a few appetizers and three breakfasts choices (served until 2:30). As I sat at the bar, the pulled pork panino passed my way and it looked so good, I almost ordered it on the spot, despite having just finished lunch. “Oh, it’s gooood,” Chris said. I also liked the local/friendly vibe of the place.

Another new place is Memphis at the Beach, currently under construction at the Towne location. I’ll have more on this venue in a future Party Report...PubClub.com’s local pages (links below) are providing the schedule and times for the Laker NBA Finals games. If Thursday’s first game is any indication, this will be a quick series...Look for the Laker Gals next week at Upper Manhattan...Looking ahead, the Manhattan Open AVP is July 16-19, with the Hermosa tournament the week after Surfest, Aug. 6-9...Smack Sportswear is hosting its’ 15-year anniversary party on June 25 (9 p.m.) at, where else, Sharkeez Hermosa Beach It will also feature the re-launch of Volleyball Magazine...Smackfest is Saturday, July 25. It’s a mini-Surfest where “average” competitors get to act silly and mix in a little beach volleyball.

Look for information next week on the next Showcase of South Bay Sounds, put on by PubClub.com and SoulCole.com!

That’s it for this week’s edition of the PubClub.com South Bay Party Report!
http://www.pubclub.com

http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/hermosa.htm
http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/manhattan.htm

Soutb Bay LA Party Report. The scene in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach

Welcome to the PubClub.com South Bay Party Report!

For specific information on bars in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, go to these URLs:
http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/hermosa.htm
http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/manhattan.htm


Welcome to the PubClub.com South Bay Party Report!

Memorial Day Weekend is over – and can you believe those crowds at Fiesta Hermosa – but this is the South Bay and there’s always another party.

For starters, the Lakers play TONITE and there are plenty of local places to watch the game. Tip-off is 6 p.m., which means an hour of Happy Hour power at Sharkeez, Blue 32 was packed for Sunday’s game and has a Happy Hour lasting until 8 p.m. And how this for something different: Upper Manhattan will be featuring The Laker Gals cheerleaders, Laker shots (yes, they are purple and gold) and other drink specials. That’s where I’ll be for all the action. Can’t wait to see those Laker Gals!

SiX-MAN STYLE GOLF TOURNAMENT!

Can’t wait for Surfest/6-an? Then check out this 5-man golf tournament taking place on Saturday, June 13. People play in costumes, there’s cocktails on the course and then a shuttle bus to Sharkeez. Get creative on the costumes; I know what you can do with a little inspiration! I would assume the skill level is not quite, ahem, up to par with that of the participants in Surfest. Duffers welcome! There are still spots open for teams to play (and there’s no need to line up at the Pier at 2 a.m., to get a good spot!) so hit the link below. There’s also opportunities for sponsors. PubClub will be there with the PubClubettes!
http://www.5mangolf.com/

FIESTA HERMOSA
I remember when this was a “well not much else is going on so I might as well check it out” event, and the beer garden had fun bands but was nothing special. So what happened!? It has been rocking lately. There had to be tens of thousands of people in and around the Pier and the entire area has a great vibe. The beer garden was packed and was THE place to be for the weekend. Perhaps I should rename it The Launching Pad because that’s what it became for going out on the town afterward. Those cover bands are great but it was also nice to see a local artist, Shari Puroto, featured in the beer garden. I’ve posted photos and and article on PubClub.com (with a video to be added): http://www.pubclub.com/losangeles/fiestahermosa.htm

AROUND TOWN: SEEN ON THE SCENE
Went to Fenner’s after the beer garden on Sunday but we promptly turned around and spent our money at Sangria instead. That’s because FFFF wanted five bucks cover charge! At 6:30 at night!! On a Sunday!!! Those doorguys sure are making it tough to give business to the best bartender in town, Juan...Sunday we gathered at Blue 32 for a birthday gathering and Laker game and, as mentioned earlier, it was jumping more than, well, the Lakers...Popped into the new Café Boogaloo on Sunday and am happy to report there was a live band. A long-time regular has been there a few times and says the bands he’s seen have not not the Boogaloo traditional blues, zydeco and other New Orleans-type music, but more funky. The crowd is younger, too. I ran into new owner Gary Alonso (a former manager at Sharkeez, who he knows the local scene) and will be conducing an interview with him for a future PubClub.com Party Report about his new vision for the bar...Who went to Jimmy Buffett on Thursday? I much prefer Saturday shows, but we took a party bus, arrived about 5 and had about three hours to walk the parking lot. There were three lively rows of tiki bars and churning blenders. What a great way to start the Memorial Day weekend but Jimmy, come back on a Saturday! Irvine Meadows, by the way, is the best parking lot scene for Buffett but is the worst venue. Here’s photos: http://www.pubclub.com/specialevents/buffettirvine.htm

PubClub.com has somewhat of a new look these days and hopefully you will find it much easier to locate new and existing content. The home page is now focused exclusively on the party stories on the site. Scroll to the bottom of the page for links to the individual destination guides (you’ll find writeups on worldwide cities like San Francisco, Honolulu Vegas, Prague, Amsterdam, etc.) and, like a newspaper, there are now specific sections on Music and Sports.

That’s it for this edition of the PubClub.com Party Report! I’ll be out on the town checking things out for you and putting it in the next report. Thursday, I’ll be covering the Hollywood premier of the new John Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal’s City Walk. Be sure and bookmark PubClub.com.

Cheers!
Kevin Wilkerson
http://www.pubclub.com.

Memorial Day Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach, CA

Welcome to Fiesta Hermosa!
Fun, Food, Bands and a Beer Garden!

Fan Halen, a popular Van Halen cover band rocks the beer garden.

As if a holiday weekend in lively beach town is not enticing enough, the city of Hermosa Beach, CA makes it more of a festival atmosphere with Fiesta Hermosa.

Held each Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, the three-day event features local arts and crafts booths, food booth, live music in two locations and, of utmost interest to the many singles of this South Bay part of L.A., a beer and wine garden.

People turn out on the Pier area for Fiesta Hermosa.

Thousands turn out each day, crowding lower Pier Ave., which runs right into the Pacific Ocean, and for five blocks along Hermosa Ave. Vendors hawk jewelry, clothes, photography, wall and house decorations.

In addition to the festival itself, several more people are participating in local beach volleyball tournaments, are cruising along The Strand – a sidewalk that runs parallel to the Pacific – on bikes and rollerblades or are enjoying the ocean, wide beach.

"You can feel the excitement," one resident says. "It just says: celebration!"

That's certainly evident at the intersection of the Strand and Pier Ave. It's the focal point of activities. The centerpiece is a stage featuring live music and along the sides are the restaurants and bars of downtown Hermosa, their patios filled with pacified patrons.

The Pier area vendor booths

There are families and couples, to be sure, but the place is also swarming with singles. They patrol the crafts and eventually head to the food booths, which are located in a parking lot just south of Pier Ave., Grilled meats and shrimp, Thai, Mexican, corn on the cob and other tasty treats are sold, for prices in the $4-7 range.

This is a necessity for those who spend their afternoons in the beer garden, And several people do, enjoying the rotating bands, the beer (of course) and the boys and babes that comprise the crowd.

Grilled shrimp is one of he offerings in the food court.

It's such a popular destination that there's always a line, and while it tends moves fairly quickly it's also evident it's time for a small beer garden expansion. This could be accomplished by relocating three food booths next to the beer garden's entrance.

The beer garden lines require some planning and perhaps planting, as it's difficult to check out the bands here and also at the Pier. And those bands are one of the key draws of Fiesta Hermosa. Organizers bring in great music.

Babes and bands – that's Shari Puroto singing – in the beer garden.

Many are cover bands of popular acts – Fan Ha len (Van Ha len), Led Separating (Led Zeppelin) and The Long Run (Eagles) – along with bands playing classic rock and local musicians such as Hermosa Beach's own blues rocker Shari Puroto. Fan Halen is particular popular and has closed out the last two beer gardens on Mondays.

Fiesta Hermosa runs Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with bands playing from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Kentucky Derby Infield Party

This Saturday is the 135th Run for the Roses, and I wish I were there for it. Not so much because I'm a horse racing fan – I'm not – but because the Kentucky Derby infield is one of America's Great Parties. Here's why in text and photos, from people who have been there to experience it.

A true partier, of course, would hit the first week of JazzFest in New Orleans, then head to the Derby for the first Saturday in May.
http://www.pubclub.com/pubjournals/kentuckyderby.htm

A Broken Relationship, But Not a Broken Heart

Not even the roving party animal of PubClub.com, The Bartender, can avoid the pitfalls of relationships.
http://www.pubclub.com

This is not a story about a broken heart. The relationship did not last that long.

It was, however, significant enough to where we had advanced to the point of planning time together for the future, to be locked in arms while walking in public and for me to be invited to an intimate dinner party with her close friends.

So it came as a great surprise to me – shellshocked would be the more accurate description – when at her house after the aforementioned dinner party I was informed that there was another gentlemen in my lady's life. Not only that, but he was coming out from another state (where he lives) to spend a month with her and if it all works out, she would be packing her bags and moving back with him.

I would describe the feeling if I had any at the time. Certainly betrayal now comes to mind. But, so stunned was I by this shocking development, that I could do nothing – say nothing, do nothing, move nothing. I simply stared in disbelief at a duffle bag I had on her floor. Should I pick up the bag and leave? Stay and try to convince her to change the situation?

Frankly, I was hoping my bag would give me a clue. Suddenly leap into my lap and say "let's go!" But it just sat there, still as the night air.

And let me make it clear, this was no mind-changing 21-year-old but someone in her mid-30s with a good job at a highly respectable company. She had been showing signs of wanting to grow this month-long relationship into something significant. We were to go hiking together. Set up a friend with someone at her dinner party. Spend a weekend on a friend's boat in beautiful Monterey, Calif.

Since I enjoyed her company, I was signed up with the program and ready to roll. But, of course, it all came crashing down like a collapsed bookshelf.

One might expect my feelings the next day to include depression, rejection and anger. But I was too stunned to experience any of those emotions. What I really needed was a hug from a friend.

And I got it. From a few friends. They came to my rescue and lifted up my spirits like a magician doing a levitation trick. Four of us spent the day together, not talking so much about my situation, but just being together. They were there for me when I needed them.

Ironically, on the same night as my incident on the other side of town, a good friend was experiencing a similar breakup with his girlfriend. His was much more dramatic and occurred in a public place, but it had the same effect on him – surprise, shock and disbelief at what had just transpired.

We immediately rallied together because the point of this column is simple: Girlfriends (and boyfriends, as girls I know you've more than likely experienced relationship issues, as well) come and go. But friends last forever.

Thanks friends!

Impressions of Switzerland

Recently, I was sent by Tourism Switzerland on a press trip to the Alps, Zurich and Bern. This blog shows my impressions of the country and it's people. More on Switzerland – as well as several other destinations around the world, can be found at PubClub.com.
http://www.pubclub.com

AN AMERICAN IN SWITZERLAND

I'm in love.

Not with a girl in particular, but with a place. A country and its people. Its landscape and its land.

It's culture, well, I'm still working on parts of that one!

The object of my affection is Switzerland. It is a land of immense beauty. And not just the Alps (more on that later). Care-free inhabitants with European sophistication.

Enjoying beers in the fun village of Saas-Fee.

The people are wonderful. They are friendly, open to meeting others (such as Americans like myself) and quite hospitable.

They are also born to ski, born to eat cheese for dinner and born to walk. And it is in those last two areas where I begin to slide down the cultural landscape.

The skiing, okay. Love it. The Swiss learn to ski the way Americans learn to drive. Everybody does it. By the time they reach 10, they are ready for the Olympics. Not every American is ready for the Indy 500 when they get their license (far from it, in fact).

Yes, they really do eat fondue for dinner in Switzerland.

Now comes the sticky part. They eat cheese for meals. Full meals. Fondue is great and the presentation should win an award, but dipping little squres of bread into a small kettle of melted cheese is not dinner. To an American, this is as sustainable as a cracker. It's more of an appetizer or side dish. We need meat with our meals in order to satisfy our carnivorous habit. This being said, there are some terriffic cheeses in Switzerland and they don't all contain holes.

Then there's the walking. To say the Swiss like to walk is to say Americans have a fondness for football. It's more like an obsession. And not walking like an American, who is too lazy to even return the shopping cart to the grocery store door, preferring instead to leave it in the parking lot.

The Swiss, on the other hand, think nothing of walking several kilometers a day. Not to go anywhere in particular, mind you, but simply for the pleasure of it all.

On a press tour put on by Tourism Switzerland, I was in the fun village of Saas-Fee. We put on "snow racquets" as they call them, and went for what I envisioned to be a simple stroll through the snow.

Whoa, was I wrong! The guide pointed to a structure halfway up the Swiss Alps and very calmly announced it as our destination. It was so high up and far away, I had to squint to make it out in the distance.

"You've got to be kidding," I said to our Swiss Tourism host, the lively Eugenio Ganazzi.

"We don't joke in Switzerland," Eugenio proclaimed.

And, indeed, we walked there. In the snow. Up the hill. Every time I thought we had arrived, I was greeted by another hill. To an American, if this destination were such a special place, we would drive to it. Take a cab.

But that's not the point. To the Swiss, it's not the destination that is the objective but the journey.

Then there is the matter of the T-bar. A European reading this may say "so what," while an American is likely to say "what's a T-bar?"

Well, I'lll tell you. A T-bar is a tow rope with a plastic device attached at every few intervals that is supposed to pull people up the side of a ski slope. To someone accustomed to the comfort of chair lifts, this is as foreign as the Swiss language.

First time, first attempt. I was on my butt in seconds.

I would like to credit the lovely Denise (left) of Tourism Lenk for keeping me from mangling myself on this strange contraption. But in reality, it was a heron, a helpful ski instructor from Norway who, a day earlier, initially got me going in Saas-Fee.

It was Denise, however, who allowed me to gain a measure of confidence with the darned things. Otherwise, I may have spent my entire time in Lenk at the Tipi Bar.

Denise is one of those captivating Swiss girls who simply make Switzerland more beautiful. She's a native of Lenk, dynamic and about the size of my suitcase who is as natural on skis as I am in tennis shoes. At the point of T-bar departure, Denise would toss the thing aside like an old boyfriend. It was nice skiing with her.

And she's not the only Swiss that I miss from that country. There's Samanta of Saas-Fee tourism, a wide-eyed wonder who was impressed with my sunset photos of my home in Manhattan Beach, CA. She's as sweet as Swiss chocolate.

There's also Estelle, the exquisite bartender at Zur Muhle, one of Saas-Fee's apres bars. And the darling dames from Tourism Bern and Tourism Zurich, Flurina and Claire, that showed me those fine and fun cities.

The lively Eugenio with The Bartender at a "forest fondue" in Lenk.

And of course Eugenio, who may not joke but he sure does laugh. He makes others do the same, as well.

Yes, another beer for The Bartender in another Swiss bar.

So I'm not a Swiss. I'm an American.

But Switzerland, would you be open to adopting me?

Please?

Best Job at the Long Beach Grand Prix

See more pictures at: http://www.pubclub.com/bartender/gpbestjob.htm

WHO HAS THE BEST JOB AT THE LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX? IT'S ME!

There are the guys in the broadcast booth, who get up close with all the stars, call the race from a place of comfort with every conceivable camera angle in front of them and are invited to all the fun parties and events.

The public address announcer who describes the action for three days from a perch just above the pits, close enough to nearly reach out and touch the cars (the legendary Bruce Flanders).

Not even the race announcers have it this good.
Photo: JackFleming.com

The photographers who follow the action from the pits to right against the track to alongside the celebrities.

The race car drivers themselves. After all, they get to roar down Shoreline Drive at 190 mph without fear of getting a speeding ticket (exceeding 40 mph for the rest of us does the trick).

So who has Best Job at the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach?

It's me! I have the the absolute, undisputed Best Job at the Grand Prix.

Even at sponor parties, we all stay together.

My role is Media Director of the Tecate Light Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Race Team. What this means is that on race weekends I lead the girls around the facility, get them press coverage, watch over them at victory circle, escort them to sponsor parties and, in general, spend three days as their constant companion.

Yes, I'm that guy who is standing next to the girls when fans stop them for pictures, who is leading that train of beauties in their cool-looking grid suits, who is going backstage with them at the swimwear and competition parts of the pageant.

Heck, I'm almost jealous of myself!

Sometimes, the group joins in with the likes of the Patron girls.

Of course, there's a team involved. Loriann Valencia, who in 2009 put the whole thing together, keeps things together and is the "den mother" (and a hot one at that). Allison, Julie, Chris and others at the Grand Prix who make many of the arrangements. The press room golf cart drivers who whisk us around so the girls don't have to walk everywhere. And I must mention Rosko Dickenson of ProCon Leisure in Australia,who got me involved in all this in the first place.

Constantly at the Grand Prix, I hear "you've got the best job," or "how can I get your job," or "tough job you have there."

Hanging with the gorgeous Lauren Garder is another perk of the position.

Much of this comes from the media or PR reps with whom I've worked for years in another capacity. I was Advance PR person for CART and Champ Car, which means I rolled around race tracks hauling media to drivers and drivers to media.

We're headed to the grid!

Now those people see me in the media center, are ready to say "hi" as they normally would at a race, then notice a stream of beautiful girls following behind me. (Good thing I'm single, right? Well, only recently right before the most recent Grand Prix, in fact.)

They are correct in their assessment, of course. I know this because I used to be on the "other side." Before this great show of girls came to Long Beach (thanks to Rosko) it was on full display at places like Toronto and Vancouver.

One duty has been to organize a shoot with the broadcast network.

That's when, in my previous role, I would be doing something at some place around the track and suddenly girls in grid suits would appear from around a corner. I would have to use every piece of influence to get a good position to watch the contests, which were the Saturday highlight events.

Now I'm the guy leading girls in grid suits from around those corners and fielding inquiries about how to get a good spot for the contest.

And instead of spending qualifying sessions pacing the pit lane to get a glimpse of a screen showing timing and scoring, then streaking to reel in the Top 3 drivers to be sure they get to the press conference, or the race glued to the monitor so I can assist the media with any questions they may have, I'm relaxing with the girls in the sponsored Tecate hospitality tent with great food and a mariachi band. Taking them on a tour of the pit row suites.

Heck, before this assignment I didn't even know where the entrances to the pit row suites were located! I never had any cause to go there.

It's not a perfect existence, of course. In 2009, we were faced with the unfortunate situation of having to replace our first runner-up. She felt she should have won, was not a team player and displayed a constant poor attitude.

Good thing the job doesn't require picking a winner.

It was part of my job, along with Loriann, to tell her to turn in her grid suit and sash. This also involved pulling out an old PR tool, the Issues Book, to properly prepare the remaining girls for any media questions about the change.

But, of course, that's a small chicane on the fast track that is this job, Any drama created by a girl here or there pales in comparison to what I used to do at the tracks.

And it is that experience that makes me ideally suited for the job. I know the sport, the key players, the drivers, promoters, PR people, sponsors and the media. And I know how to get things done.

The Miss GP girls in position for the champagne spray "money shot."
Photo: JackFleming.com

I did not get this position because of some wealthy relative. I am not a helmet holder or "handler." I even slightly cringe at the word "publicist" because it brings to mind people in Hollywood who do nothing other than stand there and wait for media to come to them so they can turn them away.

I am results oriented and am aggressive about getting coverage for clients. That is why the girls are always on the go at the Grand Prix; I'm out looking for media, exposure and photo opportunities.

But enough about me. Enjoy photos of the girls! Thanks to Jack Fleming of Jack Fleming Photography for being part of the team this year. The Procon Leisure photographer is Simon Leung. The 2009 Tecate Light Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was also sponsored by Ed Hardy bikinis and Glitter Mendhi.