If there is such a thing as a “bicycle happening,” Teen Services’ Operation Bicycle just had one!
Following the ribbon cutting on February 10th, Executive Director Becky Jo Peterson thanked everyone for coming and then turned to Adrian Palenchar, Operation Bicycle Manager, for a few words. With an enormous grin, Adrian was clearly thrilled with the event and the opportunity to share the new shop. “This has always been my dream, but no dream comes true without a lot of help from a lot of people. Operation Bicycle works because the whole community is behind it.”
To read more about the Grand Opening and enjoy some photos, click here.
On Thursday December 13, Operation Bicycle, one of Teen Services
micro businesses, received an early holiday gift. Christy Coulston, Vice
President, and Socrates Vargas, Branch Manager, from the Rabobank Sonoma Valley
branch office, presented a check for $1,000 to Adrian Palenchar, the manager of
Operation Bicycle.
Rabobank, a longtime supporter of Teen Services, stepped
forward to sponsor the Grand Opening of Operation Bicycle in its new location
in Nino Marco Square on Highway 12. The Grand Opening will take place in
February 2019.
For many years Rabobank has generously supported Teen Services financially and with many in kind gifts to Operation Bicycle. The bank has a history of active engagement with international bicycle racing. Also accepting the check form Rabobank are Becky Jo Peterson, Executive Director of Teen Services Sonoma, Doug Hanford and Sandy Drew from the Board of Directors.
Operation Bicycle is opening in Vailetti Plaza! – The doors will finally be open on Wednesday, November 7th. Hours = noon to 7 pm, Wednesday thru Sunday. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We will have a grand opening in January, sponsored by Rabobank, but we are open for business on the 7th. Many thanks to all who helped out – especially Allen Tose and Rotary of Sonoma Valley. Come on by!
One of our favorite bike projects to date! And one of our most satisfied customers, who got to see his dream bike come alive. We started with a used Marin frame that was donated and Michael had it professionally repainted. He brought it back to us and we built it up for him using a mix of new and used parts. It's a speedy, light, yet comfortable hybrid with great lines. And check out that fork! Very cool.
The newest in a fleet of motor-cycles was finished last week by Luis and Simon, who took a crusty and corroded donated bike and overhauled the entire thing. After that, the engine was installed from the box. Impressive two-week project!
Operation Bicycle volunteers Esteban and Irving (not pictured) and staff member Simon parked 30 bikes during the festival.
Staff member Adrian partnered with the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition to safety check 15+ bikes for the rodeo.
Kurtis, Luis and Francisco have all converted their bikes to gas-powered cycles totally on their own. They use them daily for school and work commutes as well as out-of-town excursions. Nice work, guys!
Teen staff and volunteers ready for more bikes. |
Ok, that's enough bikes. We're out of space! |
Martin poses with his bike after the presentation. |
Operation Bicycle volunteers Esteban and Irving (not pictured) and staff member Simon parked 30 bikes during the festival.
Staff member Adrian partnered with the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition to safety check 15+ bikes for the rodeo.
Simon, Kurtis, Norma and a wholelottabikes. |
The team poses with their new trailer before leaving for the market. |
Joel replaces an axle on the rear wheel of his BMX bike. |
Brayan and Brian team up to tighten some brakes. |
TSS employee Simon replaces a spoke and trues a wheel. |