Bishop - Get your motor runnin’ for a good cause this weekend

Saturday’s forecast calls for sunny skies with high temperatures in the high 90s, a perfect climate for hopping in the car or on the motorcycle and heading up the Sherwin Grade for a poker run, barbecue and live music.
That’s just what participants in the 11th Annual B&Z Poker Run have in store for them – a ride with stops in Benton, June Lake, Convict Lake and Tom’s Place followed by a barbecue and live music at the Bishop Elks Park on Line Street.
Proceeds from the poker run go to benefit a number of local non-profits and community organizations each year.
“This year we’re going to donate some money to the (Home Street Middle School) eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip and I want to do a scholarship for next year,” said Emilio “Z” Hernandez, one half of B & Z. (The other half, Dan “Bulldog” Johnston, moved to Texas last year and will not be participating in the 2009 poker run.) Hernandez also uses some of the proceeds from the poker run to help support Altrusa of the Eastern Sierra’s annual Christmas book giveaway.
“This started because Bulldog said he wanted to give something back to the community,” Z said. “They always appreciate it and thank us and try to get us in the paper.”
The poker run raises between $3,000 and $4,000 each year, which goes directly to the community organizations.

A couple riders from last year’s B & Z Poker Run participate in the slow race at the Elks Park on Line Street in Bishop. In addition to the poker run there are several events, such as the slow race, a barbecue and live music offered. Photo courtesy Emilio “Z” Hernandez

But participants in the poker run never walk away empty handed, or with an empty stomach.
Following the run, each contestant turns in their poker hand, with the best hand winning $150. Then the festivities start.
A community band will perform classic rock, ’80s rock and country music hits while Z and a handful of volunteers man the grill and cook up home-style barbecue chicken and tri-tip.
Z said he isn’t sure what to call the band because it’s a group of local musicians who tend to change year-to-year, but said that they’re a talented group with a wide selection of tunes.
Each participant also has the opportunity to win dozens of great prizes donated by local residents and merchants.
“A lot of people donate raffle prizes, which is great,” Z said. “We’ve got hair salon stuff and all your little restaurants give. It’s a wide variety or stuff.”
Z said that this year he will be giving away fishing poles donated by Brown’s Town, dinners for two to Whiskey Creek, Tom’s Place and other local eateries and even a pontoon boat ride on Crowley Lake.
“And you don’t have to participate in the poker run to come have dinner and have a good time,” Z said.
The cost for one hand in the poker run, a ride T-shirt, dinner and door prizes is $40 per person and registration starts at 10 a.m.