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A few days before Gearfest 2017, I sat down with the reigning Ms. Gearhead 2016, Beth Hood aka Tattoo Betty to talk about her experiences and passions. Photos by Roger Neria and Michelle Haunold. You can get a copy of her limited edition poster for your very own right here. Thanks to So Cal Speed Shop for giving us a great place for this photo shoot! But first, a little bit of personal stuff about her: Birthday: Aug 3 1983, Leo Favorite band: Hank 3 Favorite Drink: Jameson straight with a Pineapple back Favorite Food: Crab Not currently seeing anyone 2 kids: Robbie 9 (loves skateboarding) and 4 year old JR (the happiest kid ever!)  GH: What prompted you to enter the Ms. Gearhead contest? TB: I liked that it was at a punk show and not a super traditional contest. You were looking for personality, not beauty, you know inward beauty, not just outward beauty. There was substance to the questions. GH: You were selected as our Ms. Gearhead 2016. What did that feel like when your name was announced? TB: It was super awesome, it was exciting!  Ms/ Gearhead 2016 posing for pictures GH: How would you explain your role as Ms. Gearhead? TB: I’ve stopped by the booth at a lot of the events you’ve been at. It has been nice to just support and say hi to people whenever I could. I usually have the kids with me, so it’s pretty busy, and I can’t stay long, but that was fun. It was really fun doing the photo shoot and being connected to the whole company in general. GH: I like to think of Ms. Gearhead being the more social part of Gearhead, to help spread the word about women being involved with the company, not just guys. TB: I loved that you were excited and wanted me to stop by. I loved that when I was at Viva that you posted that Ms. Gearhead was at Viva, that was really exciting to me  Taking a break during the photo shoot to hang out with Gearhead shop dog Dooly GH: Tell me a bit about your personal life, who you are, what you do, and what you’re passionate about? TB: I’m passionate about art! I’m a tattoo artist so everything I do is creative. I’m also really athletic. I love skateboarding with my son. And playing baseball with him. He’s got a great arm, so I’m trying to nurture that. And punk shows! And I love cooking too. I’m a big cook; I love cooking everything. GH: I love cooking too! It’s one of my creative outlets.  A Crown and scepter makes all the difference! TB: Cooking is an art! It’s one of those arts that people don’t really care about anymore. GH: You mentioned you are a tattoo artist. Tell me about how that started. TB: I’ve always been into art, my whole life. My 7th grade art teacher had me teaching the class. And I did AP art in high school so I got college credit for art. I knew I wanted to do something art related. My parents wouldn’t help me with art college. I had someone offer me an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop and I thought, oh my God, that’s super cool! I never realized that was an option. My parents then offered to help me with college, but I’m pretty spiteful, and I said no, I’m going to do this tattoo thing. And I’m glad I did. Otherwise Id’ be working for the man, and that’s no fun. GH: How long have you been a tattoo artist? TB: 12 years ! GH: Wow, that’s a long time! What else are you passionate about?  TB: My kids. My kids are my life. GH: Do you do art with your kids? Yes, my youngest one is really into art, so we draw and paint together. My oldest doesn’t like to sit still for that, he’s the athletic one, so I really just work with the younger one. Some day I’d really like to open a non-profit art school for kids and really work with kids using art as a way to help them grow and think for themselves. GH: That’s great! Ms. Gearhead is about being of service and using your gifts to help others. An art based non-profit for kids sounds great! TB: Yeah, I think about it a lot. And I hope to get it started sooner than later. GH: Anything else you’d like to share with the Gearhead readers? TB: Yes, ladies, don’t be shy about entering the Ms. Gearhead contest! It’s so much fun, it’s really rewarding, and it is not about how you look but who you are.  There you have it. Ms. Gearhead is fun, playful, creative, passionate and shines her own light. Ladies, if you are interested but afraid to enter, this is your heads up that there is more reason than ever to join us Sat. Sept. 30, 2017. To make it easier, this year’s theme is Rosie The Riveter! Dress up as you would imagine her to look today, or dress as the vintage Rosie did! Everyone gets the same question: How are Rosie’s qualities of service, passion, creativity, ingenuity alive today in your life?
All proceeds from the contest to benefit the Sacramento Friends of the River. Bring out your pre-'73 hot rod, muscle car, custom, bomb, low-rider or traditional. Grab a dog from Dave's Dawgs, a beer from The Blue Lamp, and enjoy the California sun. Show starts at 3 pm, all cars will be charged $5 with funds going to Friends of the River. Spectators can view the show for free! Hosted by The Swanx CC Sponsored by So-Cal Speed Shop Sacramento. Music starts at 7 pm inside (21+) $10 advance, $15/door.Sponsored by Sacramento Tattoo and 805 Beer. Ms Gearhead contest at 10 pm, all ladies welcome to enter. Theme: Rosie The Riveter! Click here for more info and to register. Sponsored by Vivacious Vixens, Tres Noir, Atomic Aces and Kustom Koffins  #gearfest2017 #gearheadrocks
 There's so much happening before and during the upcoming party at The Blue Lamp, Saturday Sept. 26, 2015 I figured I'd make it real easy and post a time-line. Please feel free to share and post on your own social media pages! See y'all there!
5:30- 6 PM HOT RODS, CARS, MOTORCYCLES MEET IN FRONT OF THE BLUE LAMP. There will be cones set up in front of the club for hot rods and bikes to park, but please note, Space is Limited! All are welcome but you may have to park farther away. 6 PM BLESSING OF THE CARS RALLY BY REV. MICHELLE HAUNOLD This will be a short non-denominational blessing free to all attendees, and held in front of the Blue Lamp. All participants will get a coupon for $1 off entrance fee for the show. 6:30 DOORS OPEN— TIX ARE $10 AT THE DOOR, $8 ADVANCE Thank you to our party sponsors So-Cal Speed Shop, Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. Everyone attending the party gets a free poster! FIRST 25 DOOR ENTRANTS GET A FREE GEARHEAD GOODY BAG! 7 PM THE SACTO STORYTELLERS 8 PM THE WHITE BARONS 9 PM MS. GEARHEAD CONTEST and Fundraiser for the SPCA $5 to ENTER All women are welcome, no matter what shape, size, or style of dress. Each participant will get a chance on stage to introduce herself and share why she thinks she should be Ms. Gearhead. The winner will get a 2 page spread in a future issue of Gearhead, a goody bag from Tres Noir Optics, a gift certificate for $50 towards a tattoo from Sacramento Tattoo, a $25 gift certificate from Phono Select Records, a goody bag from Cock Grease Hair Pomade, a goody basket from Illumination Vacations, 2 Limited edition signed prints from Bruce Gossett Studios and a gift certificate for a hair cut by Kylie from AJF Salon worth $50.WOW!! Plus a very cool home-made scepter and crown and flowers, and the chance to wear the title of Ms. Gearhead for a year. How cool is that?! Thanks to our sponsors Tres Noir Optics and Norcal Knock Out! 10 PM PAT TODD AND RANKOUTSIDERS 11 PM THEE MERRY WIDOWS Food trucks will be available during the event, and there will be a GEARHEAD merch booth.  To pull off a party like the Gearhead Anniversary Party/Gearfest, getting help from sponsors makes all the difference. Take a moment to read about each of our sponsors and please support them! Our main sponsor is locally owned So-Cal Speed Shop. Located at 1715 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento CA 95621. They are located just minutes off of Highway 80! and minutes from Downtown via Highway 160. Established in 2008, So Cal Speed Shop Sacramento is more than a Speed Shop or Auto Parts Store, it’s a destination for anyone interested in or dedicated to the tradition of old school hot-rodding and the automotive industry. Whether you have a 32 Ford, a low rider, traditional rod or kustom, the staff at So Cal can help you in finding that just right part, accessory, motor or complete body you need to finish, or start, your project. So Cal takes pride in having the best selection of traditional hot rod parts and accessories available in store, on line and on site at the nearly 20 shows we attend yearly. They also have a fantastic selection of t shirts, magazines, and other really cool shit to look at and buy, so there's something there for everyone that likes to support Mom and Pop style shops. Unique products, super friendly staff, and cool cars....what else could you ask for?  Sacramento Tattoo and Piercing, also one of our main sponsors, is one of the best and oldest tattoo shops in Sacramento. Originally opened in 1991, the shop has a staff of 3 full time tattoo artists as well as 1 part time tattoo artist and 2 full-time piercing artists. Sacramento Tattoo is a traditional street shop, open to anyone who comes in and wants flash or custom work. Everyone in the shop is open, friendly and willing to talk to people just toying with the idea of getting their first tattoo, as well as the seasoned customer who wants to add to their collection of skin art. I started getting tattooed here back in 2006, and was impressed with how cool and down to earth all the artists are here, no rock star bullshit! Located at 2722 X St, Sacramento CA 95818, between 27th and 28th St. at top end of Midtown, and the edge of Oak Park, they work on a first come first serve basis. The shop is open every day from 12 Noon until 10 PM. Call 916-737-8282 or email [email protected] for more information.  Our third main sponsor, originating in Wisconsin in the 1844s, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer has been the beer of choice for rockers and rebels for decades. Easy to drink and affordable, the company is also very dedicated to supporting the independent music industry. Having earned awards at US and international competitions, Pabst begins hand-tying a blue silk ribbon around the neck of each Best Select beer to identify it as a first-place winner. You know, because it was. Even without traditional advertising, Pabst Blue Ribbon continues to be one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in the country, embraced by a wide cross-section of the population. Including South Park fans. Now owned by American beer entrepreneur Eugene Kashper, Pabst remains American owned and operated, as they have been for 170 years.  Hand built in Southern California by a passionate family team, Tres Noir Optics are THEE choice of sunglasses for hotrodders, rock and rollers and anyone who just wants to look cool, but protect their eyes. Tres Noir is one of the sponsors for our Ms. Gearhead Contest, and whom ever wins will get a killer goody bag featuring a cool pair of sunglasses, cute t shirts and other delights! Each pair of glasses is handmade and comes with a heavy duty case to protect them when you're not using them. And best of all? They are guaranteed for life, so if they crack, or chip or whatever, they'll take care of you, no problem. I personally own a pair of their terrific glasses and am delighted to welcome them as a sponsor.  And finally, helping spread the word about the party and supporting the Ms. Gearhead Contest, we have Nor Cal Knockout based out of Sacramento.
Norcal Knockout is a nostalgic rock'n'roll car & bike show held annually on the first weekend in July at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo, California. Come join us for a day full of amazing Pre-70 American made Traditional Hot Rods, Kustoms, Bombs, Lowriders, Gassers, Nostalgic Race cars, and 40's - 60's style Choppers, Bobbers, & Cafe Racers. Owner "Hollywood" Hank and his wife Korena were at the original Gearfest in Sweden in 1998 so we're thrilled and blessed to have them join us for this US revival of Gearfest and Anniversary Celebration!
Following the crash of the US economy and personal differences between the two co-owners, Haunold put Gearhead on hold for the last five years to assess the business and figure out what new direction to take the company. Moving to Elk Grove in 2013, Haunold rediscovered her passion for rock and roll and hot rods, and decided to revive the dormant lifestyle brand by releasing a new record by L.A. rockers The Lords of Altamont. She quickly followed that successful record with several new clothing designs created by Sacramento-based tattoo artist “Cuz’n” Bill Lorenz, from Sacramento Tattoo. “We’d worked together on several records and projects in the past, and asking him to draw up some new t shirt designs seemed like a logical step,” commented Haunold. The two had started dating several years previously and the personal and creative collaborations have been going strong ever since. “I’ve started to get the word out about the revival of Gearhead by vending at car shows up and down the state, and bringing it all back home to Sacramento with a party just makes sense! People have been so supportive and enthusiastic here, and this is agreat way to say thank you,” exclaimed Haunold. The party will start at 6 pm, in front of The Blue Lamp with a car rally and a non-denominational “Blessing of The Cars” performed by Haunold who is a minister. The blessing and rally are free and open to the public. “Any one with wheels can show up for the rally and blessing,” says Haunold. “Bring your strollers, bikes, cars or whatever!” All participants will be given a coupon for $1 off the entrance fee. Following the blessing, local reggae-rockers The Sacto Storytellers will take the stage at 7pm for the 21 and over portion of the party, followed by The White Barons, who will be playing selections from their new record Electric Revenge, out now on Gearhead. The first ever Ms. Gearhead contest will follow. Entrance to the contest is a $5 donation with all the money going to the SPCA. All women are encouraged to dress up in their best idea of what a Ms. Gearhead would look like and compete for a Gearhead Goody Bag and a a 2 page spread in a future issue of Gearhead, complete with photos and story. The contest is sponsored by Tres Noir, who will also provide a goody bag to the winner worth over $150! “Gearhead is run by a woman, and I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate a female’s perspective on what a Gearhead is, as well as raise some money for the animals in need at the SPCA,” claims Haunold, who is a passionate animal lover. Gearfest then continues with Pat Todd and The Rankoutsiders, from Los Angeles, who play high-energy “punk ‘n’ roll”, a term coined by Haunold. The show ends with Thee Merry Widows taking the stage. The world’s first all-women Psychobilly band has an internatinoal following. They’ve shared the stage with international rock stars such as The Necromantix and The Misfits. Food Trucks will be available through out the party for hungry guests. There will also be an extensive merchandise table featuring the Gearhead brand of clothing, music and magazines. For more information, please visit the Gearhead website at http://www.gearheadhq.com Contact Information: Michelle Haunold Phone:916-897-2451 E-Mail: info[at]gearheadhq.com
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