South Bay : Hawthorne Invites ‘Hogs’ on AIDS Ride

Can a group of hogs really bring home the bacon? Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi thinks so.

Guidi has sent invitations to more than 200 aficionados of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, affectionately known as hogs, to participate in the first Mayors’ Ride for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation on Oct. 22.

The apostrophe goes after the “s” because Guidi has also invited 84 area mayors to participate. Even if they can’t ride, Guidi hopes municipal executives from around the county will still contribute donations for the event, which seeks to raise $25,000 for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The nonprofit agency provides services to youngsters with the disease.

The ride will start at a popular biker cafe in the Malibu hills of Malibu and go 50 miles to Hawthorne Park, where a festival of food and music will be waiting.

Guidi, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast who is running unopposed for reelection in November, said the idea for the ride came from his campaign manager Cathy Amado. “I was getting ready to do a mayors’ ride for a charity, and she recommended the AIDS angle,” he said. “This has to do with helping young children and babies grow up and lead a normal life. It has nothing to do with politics.”