Thrill-seeking fans gear up for Monster Jam in Anaheim

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • January 23, 2014 • Page A11
Thrill-seeking fans gear up for Monster Jam in Anaheim
COURTESY PHOTO/MONSTER JAM
“Madusa” is scheduled to perform this weekend at Monster
Jam in Anaheim.
R
By Yazmin Alvarez
edlands’
Charlotte
Thompson stands at 5feet-10-inches, has platinum blonde hair and piercing blue
eyes. But much like her idol, the
monster truck driving “Madusa,”
Thompson is “no typical girl.”
“You can literally describe us the
same,” said Thompson, 35.
“Only difference is she smashes
cars with a 1,500-horsepower engine and I fling dirt with my bike.
Either way, we’re both leaving
boys in the dust,” said the competitive motocross rider as she pulled
out a hot pink tutu from her closet
for her daughter, Angela, 8.
But the two weren’t preparing for
a dance recital.
Instead, they were getting out
their “gear” in preparation to see
Madusa at this weekend’s Monster
Jam at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
Jan. 25.
“When that engine revs, man it’s
an uproaring experience. Then
watching her pink truck leave the
boys in the dust, it’s so great.
Madusa—she’s no dainty girl,”
Thompson said. “I’m excited we
get to see her again.”
Madusa, the ex-female wrestling
superstar champion, is making her
way back to Anaheim after fouryears for the event. Her name is a
play on “Made in the USA” and the
blonde-haired blue-eyed driver
takes pride in sitting behind the
wheel of her hot pink frame
adorned with stars and stripes.
But don't let her look fool you because the last thing Madusa said
she wants to be is “treated like
some diva.”
“Pink is strong, powerful and
means you’re a survivor. I came in
as the only woman driver in Monster Jam,” Madusa said. “I was out
there working on the truck and getting dirty… there were sabotages—
nothing was going to stop me. I
made sure that I kept going and I
spit them out every night.”
The determination to not be
looked at as a “typical girl” is what
Thompson said makes Madusa a
true role model.
“That’s why I believe in her,”
Thompson said. “It’s the reason
why my daughter likes her, because
she’s not afraid and she’s strong.”
For Madusa, true fans like
Thompson and her daughter are
what keep her to strive in the maledominated sport.
“If it wasn't for my fans, I wouldn't have the enthusiasm that I do.
They make me who I am,” she said.
“And I’m gonna blow the doors off
the place and give them the best
show yet.”
Workforce Investment
Board announces 60
training places @LIKE
S
ix months ago the future
looked bleak for 24-yearold Jeanette Rivali. Jeanette
had three children, and was without
a job. Today, she is working fulltime in the medical field and is
going back to school to further her
career – all thanks to @LIKE, a nocost job training program from the
County of San Bernardino Workforce Investment Board.
The @LIKE project, Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Education, was launched in February
2013 and has already enabled and
inspired 66 young adults, ages 18
to 24. @LIKE provides resources
and encourages participants to improve career and life skills, attend
vocational training programs, pursue higher education, and find jobs.
Jeanette was provided with training and placed in an @LIKE paid
work experience opportunity at St.
Mary’s Medical Center. After completing 125 hours of training, she
was hired permanently. In addition, Jeanette received help with
college costs, transportation support, and a work clothing allowance through @LIKE.
The County of San Bernardino
Workforce Investment Board has
announced 60 openings for 22 to
24-year-olds in the @LIKE program.
“We are delighted with the program’s success so far and are glad
to have the funding for more young
people to take part,” said Emily
Petrus of the Workforce Investment
Board.
The @LIKE initiative is funded
by a $6 million grant, spread
throughout four counties, from the
U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation Fund.
In the case of 23-year-old mother
of two, Maurilia Alonso, the
@LIKE program helped with obtainment of a high school diploma
and assisted her to complete national certifications in customer
service and safety. As a result of the
program she was hired in a retail
store and within a short time was
recognized as Employee of the
Month. Maurilia is now preparing
to study at the College of the Desert
for an Associate of Arts degree in
Sociology. She plans to become a
social worker.
Sandy Harmsen, Executive Director of the Workforce Investment
Board, believes there are more
great success stories to come: The
@LIKE program is currently seeking youth, ages 22-24, that have not
been in school, employed, or in the
military for at least 90 days. For
more information call (909) 3879859 or email [email protected]. To apply visit
www.atLIKE4U.com
Monster Jam will roar through the
stadium in two parts, a racing and
freestyle segment.
In the racing portion, drivers will
go head-to-head in a mini-tournament along the course. Drivers will
match up with lap winners to compete in the finals for the ultimate
race winner of the night.
But the main event and biggest attraction of Monster Jam is the
freestyle event.
This year’s truck lineup is highlighted with appearances by Monster Jam powerhouses and World
Finals Champions “Grave Digger,”
driven by Dennis Anderson and
“MaxD,” driven by the highest
awarded World Champion Tom
Meents, performing a Max-D truck
back-flip for the first time in Southern California.
Crownd can also prepare for
“Clash of the Monster Jam Titans”
as truck icons Grave Digger and
Max-D compete head-to-head for
the first time together in Anaheim
for another show Feb. 8.
Making their Anaheim debut appearances will be all-new 2014 season trucks “Cleatus” and “Police
NEA” plus 2012 World Freestyle
Champion “Northern Nightmare,”
“Scooby-Doo” along with the fanselected monstrous looking “Zombie” “back from the afterworld” to
wreck havoc, according to organizers.
More fan-favorite trucks featured
at the various Anaheim events include World Champion Madusa, returning to Anaheim after four years,
“Batman” featuring the return of
veteran driver John Seasock, El
Toro Loco and Captain’s Curse, El
COURTESY PHOTO/FELD ENTERTAINMENT
Madusa and monster Jam fans will have two oppotunities to
check out car smashing thrills at this year’s Monster Jam in Anaheim Jan. 25 and Feb. 8.
Diablo, Son-Uva Digger, Metal
Mulisha, Monster Mutt, Lucas Oil
Crusader, Team Hot Wheels
Firestorm, Iron Man, Monster Energy, Mohawk Warrior, Captain
USA, Tropical Thunder, Shocker,
Devastator, Destroyer, Titan, Nitro
Hornet, Double Trouble, Obsession, Time Fly’s and King Krunch
to name a few.
If fans want to get up-close-andpersonal with drivers and their favorite high-rised beasts, the
Anaheim events will offer a “Party
in the Pits” preshow. Fans will have
access to view trucks up-close,
meet the star drivers for autographs
and photos, according to event organizers.
Ticker prices for Monster Jam at
Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry
Way in Anaheim, start at $25 for
adults and $10 for children ages 212. Performances are scheduled
Jan. 25 and Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
For ticket information visit monsterjam.com.
Yazmin Alvarez is a reporter for
Inland Empire Community Newspapers and can be reached at
[email protected]