Pulse Journal

Charity raffle for chance to win 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Participating Dayton-area Dodge dealers will be displaying the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, reminiscent of the muscle car era, for car fans through July 3. One person will win it, thanks to a raffle for charity.

The Challenger SRT8 is Hemi Orange Pearl with black stripes and is powered by a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V-8. It also features a canted center console, navigation system and 13-speaker Kicker SRT audio system with AM/FM, six-disc DVD, MP3 and Sirius Satellite Radio. Dodge has built 6,400 units for sale in the United States for the 2008 model year, and each will have a limited-edition numbered plaque on the dashboard to warrant its authenticity. All 6,400 units have been pre-sold by dealers across the country.

Retail value of the raffle car for charity is just under $42,000. Raffle tickets, priced at $5 each or six for $25, are on sale at all participating Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky Dodge dealers. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Salvation Army, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Make-A-Wish Foundation. The raffle drawing will take place in November. For information, contact Sharon Heisler at Key Chrysler Jeep Dodge, (937) 426-9362.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 display dates and locations: June 21: Erwin Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Troy; June 23: New Carlisle

Chrysler Jeep Dodge, New Carlisle; June 24: Jeff Wyler Dodge, Springfield; June 25: White's Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Urbana;

June 26: Ann Schmidt Auto Group, Bellefontaine; June 27: Dan Hemm Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Sidney; June 28: St. Mary's Chrysler Dodge Jeep, St. Mary's; June 30: Bud's Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Celina; July 1: Gaier's Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Fort Loramie; July 2: Sherry Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Piqua; July 3: Dale Carter Motors, Eaton.

Senior community hosts event on June 27

Brookview Place Apartments, a 55-plus senior community, will host a monthly summerfest cruise-in on Fridays on June 27,

July 25, Aug. 29 and Sept. 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at its location, 4032 N. Main St., Harrison Twp. Cars, trucks, low-riders and motorcycles are welcome. Call (937) 276-3972 to register your vehicle or for more information.

Cruise the 'Burg starts June 28 in Miamisburg

The Miamisburg Merchants Association is sponsoring its first Cruise the 'Burg cruise night on Main Street at Market Square (enter at Ferry and Main streets) from 4 to 9 p.m. June 28. Cars and trucks are welcome, but bicycles, skateboards and pets are not. Free entertainment from Phat Like Dad will be offered from 5 to 8 p.m. Call (937) 672-1919 for information. Remaining 2008 dates include July 26 — Elvis, the Key of E; Aug. 23 — MC Services Mobile DJ; and Sept. 27 — The Fries.

Spectacular Summer Cruise-in & Concert is June 28

Miami Valley Centre Mall, Exit 82 on Interstate 75, Piqua will host its free Spectacular Summer Cruise-in & Concert on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. featuring a car show and concerts by Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Cocktails & Dreams, Soul Express and Walt Sanders & the Cadillac Band. Gary Lewis will present trophies at the end of the day to the sponsors' choice vehicle. The event includes Ronald McDonald & Feel 'N Lucky the Clown. Food vendors will be outside plus inside the mall's food court. Souvenir T-shirts will be available for $10 each at the information tent. The free event has drawn more than 1,000 vehicles and 15,000 people in past. Free shuttle service will run from the Buckeye Mutual Insurance building on the other side of Interstate 75. Spectators are encouraged to use the mall's back entrance off of Garbry Road via Looney Road.

The day's schedule — 10 a.m.: Event begins; 11 a.m. to 1:24 p.m.: PHonics; 1:24 p.m.: welcome and introduction by WDTN-TV Channel 2's Jim Bucher; 1:25 p.m.: national anthem sung by Pat DeBrosse; 1:30 p.m.: Soul Express; 3 p.m.: Walt Sanders

& the Cadillac Band; 4:30 p.m.: Cocktails & Dreams; 6 p.m.: Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels; 7 p.m.: judging of cars completed; 8 p.m.: Gary Lewis & the Playboys; trophies awarded by Gary Lewis; 9 p.m.: event over/band merchandise available.

Event sponsors are Challen 2, 104.7 WTUE-FM (104.7), WLQT-FM (Lite 99.9), Piqua Comfort Inn, Troy Daily News, Piqua Daily Call, Sidney Daily News and the Miami Valley Centre Mall.

Tipp City free cruise-in is June 28

A free cruise-in sponsored by the Tipp City Merchants Association will be held in Tipp City Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street. Free dash plaques will be given to the first 200 vehicles. Held in conjunction with the fifth annual Antique & Artisan Show, the event will include a DJ and door prizes. There is also a pancake breakfast, a spaghetti dinner and a farmers market.

Directions: Interstate 75 to Exit 68, go east one mile to downtown. For more information, call Steve Staub at (937) 603-4080.

Springfield cruise-in is June 28

Joe's U.S. 40 Grille, 1205 W. North St., Springfield, will hold a cruise-in from 5 to 9 p.m. June 28. Mike Stooksberry will provide music. Call (937) 323-3383 for information.

Southeast Dayton Days free cruise-in is on June 28

A free cruise-in will be held in conjunction with the Southeast Dayton Days Festival on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Walnut Hills Park, between Wayne and Buchanan avenues, Dayton. The event will include food, music, games, raffles and $10 booth space available to vendors (vendor fee is $20). Call Mike Schommer at (937) 256-2516 for information.

Lexus of Dayton presents Ride for Charity Poker Run on June 29

Lexus of Dayton will present the second annual Ride for Charity Poker Run on June 29 starting at 11 a.m. at the Lexus of Dayton Pre-Owned Center, 1777 Lyons Road, Centerville. The first bike will go out at noon. A prize drawing will be held following the ride. The event benefits Daybreak youth shelter. Entry fee is $15 per bike and $5 for an extra rider. A free ride pin will be given to the first 250 preregistrants. The event includes a live band, The Outlets, who will perform from 2 to 4 p.m., door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, food and vendors. The Steel Horse Stunters will perform a stunt show at 3 p.m. Contact Tom Meininger Sr. or Scott Gomez at (937) 438-7455 or go online to www.LexusOfDayton.com for updates on or before ride day.

Champaign Cruisers 11th annual Firecracker Car and Truck Show is July 4 in Urbana

The Champaign Cruisers will present its 11th annual Firecracker Car and Truck Show on July 4 at Skelley Lumber, 1300 N. Main St., Urbana. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon and costs $10 per vehicle. The event includes $2,000 of gas pump trophies, club and drivers' pots and free admission for spectators. Preregister at www.champaigncruisers.com.

July 4 car show is in Xenia

On July 4, the 43th annual Car Show and Swap Meet will be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, with 30 classes for antiques, classics, street rods, street machines and special-interest cars and trucks. Show registration is 8 a.m. to noon, with dash plaques for the first 250 vehicles; trophy presentation will be at 3:30 p.m. Food will be available on site. The show is sponsored by the Greene County Antique and Classic Car Club, in conjunction with the National Corvette Restorers Society, Miami Valley Chapter. For information, call (937) 429-0717 or (937) 372-3405, or e-mail mike7353@aol.com.

Also, the club's weekly Friday night cruise-in at the Beavercreek K-Mart on Indian Ripple Road, across from The Greene, continues from 4:30 to 8 p.m. It will be through October every Friday night except July 4.

12th annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show is July 5

The Miami Valley Antique Fire Apparatus Association and the Germantown Firefighters Association are cosponsoring their 12th annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show at Veterans Memorial Park, North Walnut Street, Germantown, on Saturday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Apparatus dating from the 1850s to the 1970s will be displayed. The event includes free admission, fire-related flea market and lunch available for purchase from the Germantown Firefighters Association food stand. For information, call Bob McCain at (937) 855-2479 or e-mail him at rmcclain3@woh.rr.com or go online to www.mvafaa.org.

Bob Evans Cruise-in is July 5 in Springboro

A series of cruise-ins will be held at the Bob Evans restaurant, 40 Shartz Road, Springboro, on July 5, Aug. 2 and Sept. 6 from 4 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 vehicles. There will be a DJ. For information, call Mervin Bair at (937) 746-2247.

Culvers of Troy Classic Cruise-in is July 8

Culvers of Troy, 2100 W. Main St. (state Route 41), Troy, holds a cruise-in the second Tuesday each month from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is open and free and will include free treats to all drivers, and music from the '60s and '70s. Bring a chair and play corn hole. Call (937) 332-7402 for more information.

Stillwater Center holds Classic Car Show July 13

The Stillwater Center, on behalf of Stillwater Families & Friends Inc., is sponsoring its sixth annual classic car and truck show July 13 in front of the center, 8100 N. Main St., Vandalia, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Randy Clark will present the event, and its sponsors are D&C Stylist of Greenville and Vecner Construction LLC of Troy.

Proceeds go to Stillwater Center Families & Friends Inc. for purchase of residents' needs.

All car and truck show enthusiasts are invited to attend. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A registration fee of $10 will earn the right to compete for trophies in nine categories. Dash plaques will be given to the first 75 vehicles. The event will include prizes, giveaways, food, raffles and a bake sale. For information, call Jim Conner at (937) 547-1635 or Randy Clark at (937) 248-4803 or e-mail curtiss@mcohio.org.

Show benefiting A Special Wish Foundation is Sept. 7

Jokers Car Club and Sam's Club are presenting a benefit car and truck show for A Special Wish Foundation Inc. on Sept. 7 in the Sam's Club parking lot on Miller Lane, Butler Twp. The show starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Registration costs $10 per vehicle; spectators are free. The event will include top 75 vehicle trophies, awards for best car and best truck, door prizes and a live DJ. For information, call Eric at (937) 264-3306 or 305-4163.

American Legion Post 286 hosts open cruise-in Fridays at 5

American Legion Post 286 at 2251 N. Dayton-Lakeview Road, New Carlisle, will host a cruise-in for hot rods, street rods, tuners, trucks, muscle cars, early iron, rat rods and motorcycles from 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays through the summer season. Open to the public, the event will include food and beverages for sale, a covered patio, horse shoe pits, cornhole toss, pool tables and live DJ "Purple Flames."

West Milton cruise-in continues

Jim's Dairy Bar and Ohio Cruisers host Thursday night cruise-ins from 5 p.m. until dark. The Dairy Bar is located on state Route 48. The events include music, food, ice cream, door and food prizes and a 50/50 drawing. There is plenty of parking; bring a chair.

Cruise-in continues in Huber Heights on Tuesday evenings

A weekly cruise-in is being held Tuesday evenings starting at 5 p.m. at Marble Slab Creamery, Waynetowne Plaza, 7805 Waynetowne Blvd., Huber Heights. All rodders receive $1 off any ice cream purchase. For information, call Scott Stewart at

(937) 237-5665.

Kmart cruise-in revs up

The Friday night cruise-in at Kmart (across from The Greene in Beavercreek) continues every Friday evening (5 p.m. until sunset) through the end of October. The cruise-in is co-sponsored jointly by the Greene County Antique and Classic Car Club and the Miami Valley Chapter of National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS). For information, contact

www.greenecountyantiqueandclassiccarclub.com or www.ncrs.org/mvc.

AARP Driver Safety Program sets course dates

The AARP Driver Safety Program, designed especially for drivers age 50 and over, is holding classes. The course covers aging and the driving environment and how to develop defensive driving habits. Attendees learn about left-hand turns and right-of-way situations (the two major causes of crashes involving seniors) from course materials, trained instructors and videos. Some insurance companies give a multi-year discount upon completion of this course. Pre-registration is requested. Call the telephone number for the class you wish to attend and verify the time and date. There is a $10 per person fee. Call (937) 299-1376 for an updated schedule or further information.

- Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., City of Riverside, Council Chambers, 1791 Harshman Road. Call Rae at (937) 299-1376.

- Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lathrem Senior Center, 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering. Call (937) 296-2480.

- Thursday, July 24 and Friday, July 25, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Yellow Springs Senior Center, 227 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs. Call Corinne Pelzl at (937) 767-5751.

- Thursday, Aug. 28 and Friday, Aug. 29, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., VA Medical Center, 4100 W. Third St., Dayton. Call Marcia Brownlee at (937) 262-3376.

- Tuesday, Sept. 9 and Wednesday, Sept. 10, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Samaritan North Hospital, 9600 N. Main St., Dayton. Call Carefinders at (866) 608-3463.

- Thursday, Sept. 11 and Friday, Sept. 12, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Kettering Medical Center Years Ahead Program, 3535 Southern Blvd. Din. Room No. 1, Kettering. Call Brenda Ralston at (937) 384-4884.

- Monday, Sept. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Fairborn Senior Center, 325 N. Third St., Fairborn. Call Amy Barringer at (937) 878-4141.

- Tuesday, Oct. 7 and Wednesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hithergreen Senior Center, 5900 Hithergreen Drive, Centerville. Call Cynthia Fraley at (937) 435-2415.

- Thursday, Oct. 9 and Friday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Beavercreek Lofino Senior Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek. Call Krissi Fedkow at (937) 426-6166.

- Thursday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 24, 1 to 5 p.m., Lathrem Senior Center, 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering. Call (937) 296-2480.

- Monday, Oct. 27 and Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Greene Memorial Hospital – Herman N. Menapace Bldg., 1141 N. Monroe St., Xenia. Call Linda Richardson at (937) 352-2193.

Classes are being conducted in these areas, too:

- Hamilton: call Linda Mancel at (513) 867-1998 Ext. 349.

- Middletown: call David Voyles at (513) 423-1734.

- Wilmington: call Sue Caplinger at (937) 655-2157.

Moler Raceway Park schedules 3 DARF dates

The members of the Dayton Auto Racing Fan Club (DARF) have been invited by Moler Raceway Park promoters Kevin and Kim Moler to visit their quarter-mile dirt track on three occasions in 2008.

The facility, which opened this year, has scheduled April 26, June 21 and Aug. 23 as DARF nights during which DARF members will receive half-price admission to the grandstand.

For up-to-date information on Moler Raceway Park, go online to www.molerracewaypark.com or contact the track.

A 12-month DARF membership includes Moler Raceway Park and a number of other tracks where members are admitted free or at reduced admission. Membership for the 2008 season is $15 for a single or $20 per couple. Send a check to DARF, PO Box 641, Dayton OH 45401 or contact membership secretary Linda Berry at (937) 698-2237.

Wheels is accepting information of automotive consumer or enthusiast nature for this column. Event announcements should be sent at least two weeks in advance to allow time for publication. Include the location and cost to attend, if any, and the name and telephone number of a person who can be contacted for additional information. Items will be run without charge on a space-available basis. Send information to: Wheels, Marketing Publications Department, Dayton Daily News, 1611 S. Main St., Dayton OH 45409. The fax number is (937) 225-2417; e-mail is arollins@coxohio.com.