Muscular Dystrophy Assn

Oliver Shokouh, a Harley-Davidson dealer from Glendale, blames Hollywood movies and black leather for the stereotype of bikers as rowdy outlaws. "The actual fact is bike riders are just like everybody else," Shokouh said. "They look different because they wear leathers and boots, just like skiers look different" in their sports outfits.

Psycho Ward, a laundry warehouse manager for Los Angeles County, will mount his Harley on Sunday and zoom up the Golden State Freeway to Lake Piru. He will be accompanied on the trip by 15,000 bikers, including comedian Jay Leno, actor James Caan, "Entertainment Tonight" host Mary Hart, KLOS disc jockeys Mark and Brian and cast members from "Married with Children" and "Northern Exposure." They are all riding for love and money.

Jerry Lewis raised a record $45,759,368 Monday through his annual muscular dystrophy telethon despite scattered protests from victims of the disease and a White House appointee. "The American people are listening," Lewis said as the tote board registered the new record, nearly $688,000 over last year's record. "They heard me." Lewis' voice broke with emotion as he praised his staff, saying: "They share my passion." The Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

Special thanks to Robert A. Jones ("Jerry's Kids: It's a Pity but It Works," On California, Sept. 4) for his trenchant comments concerning the recent actions by muscular dystrophy activists over the Labor Day weekend. I would have preferred that Jerry Lewis had refrained from "begging for survival" in the opening moments of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. telethon and instead have composed a rebuttal to newspapers once the telethon was completed. However, I can understand that he probably felt that not saying anything would be misconstrued as dodging the issue.

I am writing in response to Lynn Simross' article in your Dec. 26 section ("New and Not So Useful: Items Necessity Didn't Mother"). I should state my bias since I market Sunlid, one of the products Simross thought "questionable." Frankly, I doubt if Simross ever tried the product. If she had, she would have seen it is, in fact, extremely useful and versatile--better than sweating under a hat, T-shirt or towel when trying to protect the face while sunning. Her only actual complaint is to imply that Sunlid is illegal when used in cars.

Last March I celebrated my 60th birthday by running the Los Angeles Marathon. This race had 20,000 runners and 10,000 volunteers. We received encouragement from hundreds of thousands of people in nearly every ethnic neighborhood--hand slaps, water, refreshments and words of encouragement. It was truly an opportunity to see people at their best. And it was an opportunity for the city of Los Angeles to show off a little bit and get some wonderful publicity. Now, with much the same opportunity for San Diego and the coastal cities, we see the city of Del Mar turning thumbs down on the race.

More than 800 walkers are expected for the Pop 'n Doc South Bay Stride on Sunday at Torrance Beach. The event. which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., will feature 5- and 10-K walks and a chili cook-off. Walkers will check in at 9 a.m. at Miramar Park, next to the beach, and the walks begin at 10 a.m. Walkers are asked to collect or donate a minimum of $50.