We stayed with Bill’s old friend Paul Schmitt, in Newport Beach, just south of LA. Paul is the largest manufacturer of skateboards worldwide. Bill was on Paul’s skate team back in the early days. Since then, Paul has manufactured over ten million boards.

During our stay, Paul gave Bill a tour of his California factory. To Bill’s surprise, Paul presented him with a board bearing the graphics of “Cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, along with Evan’s website! Paul is producing 50 boards with these graphics, for us to sell!!

Paul also appeared at the steering committee meeting. He’s a busy guy, with factories around the world. He literally ran from the meeting to get to his next appointment! Thank you Paul, for the time and energy you’ve contributed to help all of the boys, and the future skateboarders.

A side note…while at the factory, a good friend of pro skater Tony Hawk, (Brian Ridgeway), said he would get our Evan’s video and request for some help, to him. We are hoping that Tony might help out with upcoming events in So. California. DMD is in desperate need of a modern role model.

From Southern California, we travelled up the coast to Oregon, where we managed to get Evan’s information and video to singer, Brandi Carlile, at the last concert of her tour, in Eugene. Kimberly wrote a note to her as well, asking Brandi to consider writing a song for Duchenne, from a woman’s perspective. Funny how things work out….On a trip around the country, Bill happened to ask Kim, “log on and see if Brandi Carlile is on tour” Kim logged on, and not only was she on tour, she was playing at the next exit in Eugene Oregon, THAT VERY NIGHT…11 MILES AHEAD!!!! As if that’s not “meant to be” enough , the lady who parked next to us way out in a field, turned out to be friends with Brandi’s guitar tech, which ultimately led to Brandi’s contact!! Before we left on this trip, she was one of the people we thought might have the personality to care to make a difference in something like this.

While away, Kim’s sister Jennifer, held a belly dancing event in Jacksonville, raising $1500 dollars for DMD. Way to go Jen!!!!

Back in Branford, Fl, we heard that the vacation bible school (BBS) is raising money for Evan and DMD.

Thank you so much for keeping us and Evan, in your thoughts, while on the road.

We will try to make it back in time for an event in Athens, Ga….The birthday celebration for Darius Weems, from the movie “Darius Goes West” PLEASE, check out the movie trailer regarding this extraordinary film!!!! http://www.dariusgoeswest.com/film.html