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Home , Dennis Anderson, Madusa, Mohawk Warrior, Monster Jam, Monster Mutt

Inland Empire Community Newspapers • January 23, 2014 • Page A11 Thrill-seeking fans gear up for in Anaheim

Madusa at this weekend’s Monster Monster Jam will roar through the Jam at Angel Stadium in Anaheim stadium in two parts, a racing and Jan. 25. freestyle segment. “When that engine revs, man it’s In the racing portion, drivers will an uproaring experience. Then go head-to-head in a mini-tourna - watching her pink truck leave the ment along the course. Drivers will boys in the dust, it’s so great. match up with lap winners to com - —she’s no dainty girl,” pete in the finals for the ultimate Thompson said. “I’m excited we race winner of the night. get to see her again.” But the main event and biggest at - Madusa, the ex-female wrestling traction of Monster Jam is the superstar champion, is making her freestyle event. way back to Anaheim after four- This year’s truck lineup is high - years for the event. Her name is a lighted with appearances by Mon - play on “Made in the USA” and the ster Jam powerhouses and World blonde-haired blue-eyed driver Finals Champions “Grave Digger,” takes pride in sitting behind the driven by and wheel of her hot pink frame “MaxD,” driven by the highest adorned with stars and stripes. awarded World Champion Tom But don't let her look fool you be - Meents, performing a Max-D truck COURTESY PHOTO /MONSTER JAM cause the last thing Madusa said back-flip for the first time in South - she wants to be is “treated like ern California. “Madusa” i s scheduled to per - some diva.” Crownd can also prepare for COURTESY PHOTO / form this weekend at Monster “Pink is strong, powerful and “Clash of the Monster Jam Titans” Jam in Anaheim. means you’re a survivor. I came in as truck icons Grave Digger and Madusa and monster Jam fans will have two oppotunities to as the only woman driver in Mon - Max-D compete head-to-head for check out car smashing thrills at this year’s Monster Jam in Ana - ster Jam,” Madusa said. “I was out the first time together in Anaheim heim Jan. 25 and Feb. 8. By Yazmin Alvarez there working on the truck and get - for another show Feb. 8. ting dirty… there were sabotages— Making their Anaheim debut ap - edlands’ Charlotte nothing was going to stop me. I pearances will be all-new 2014 sea - Diablo, Son-Uva Digger, Metal meet the star drivers for autographs Thompson stands at 5- made sure that I kept going and I son trucks “Cleatus” and “Police Mulisha, , Lucas Oil and photos, according to event or - feet-10-inches, has plat - spit them out every night.” NEA” plus 2012 World Freestyle Crusader, Team ganizers. inum blonde hair and piercing blue The determination to not be Champion “Northern Nightmare,” Firestorm, Iron Man, Monster En - Ticker prices for Monster Jam at eyRes. But much like her idol, the looked at as a “typical girl” is what “Scooby-Doo” along with the fan- ergy, , Captain Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry driving “Madusa,” Thompson said makes Madusa a selected monstrous looking “Zom - USA, Tropical Thunder, Shocker, Way in Anaheim, start at $25 for Thompson is “no typical girl.” true role model. bie” “back from the afterworld” to Devastator, Destroyer, Titan, Nitro adults and $10 for children ages 2- “You can literally describe us the “That’s why I believe in her,” wreck havoc, according to organiz - Hornet, Double Trouble, Obses - 12. Performances are scheduled same,” said Thompson, 35. Thompson said. “It’s the reason ers. sion, Time Fly’s and King Krunch Jan. 25 and Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. “Only difference is she smashes why my daughter likes her, because More fan-favorite trucks featured to name a few. For ticket information visit mon - cars with a 1,500-horsepower en - she’s not afraid and she’s strong.” at the various Anaheim events in - If fans want to get up-close-and- sterjam.com. gine and I fling dirt with my bike. For Madusa, true fans like clude World Champion Madusa, re - personal with drivers and their fa - Either way, we’re both leaving Thompson and her daughter are turning to Anaheim after four years, vorite high-rised beasts, the Yazmin Alvarez is a reporter for boys in the dust,” said the compet - what keep her to strive in the male- “” featuring the return of Anaheim events will offer a “Party Inland Empire Community News - itive motocross rider as she pulled dominated sport. veteran driver John Seasock, El in the Pits” preshow. Fans will have papers and can be reached at out a hot pink tutu from her closet “If it wasn't for my fans, I would - Toro Loco and Captain’s Curse, El access to view trucks up-close, [email protected] for her daughter, Angela, 8. n't have the enthusiasm that I do. But the two weren’t preparing for They make me who I am,” she said. a dance recital. “And I’m gonna blow the doors off Instead, they were getting out the place and give them the best their “gear” in preparation to see show yet.” Workforce Investment Board announces 60 training places @LIKE

ix months ago the future to have the funding for more young looked bleak for 24-year- people to take part,” said Emily old Jeanette Rivali. Jeanette Petrus of the Workforce Investment had three children, and was without Board. a Sjob. Today, she is working full- The @LIKE initiative is funded time in the medical field and is by a $6 million grant, spread going back to school to further her throughout four counties, from the career – all thanks to @LIKE, a no- U.S. Department of Labor Work - cost job training program from the force Innovation Fund. County of San Bernardino Work - In the case of 23-year-old mother force Investment Board. of two, Maurilia Alonso, the The @LIKE project, Linking In - @LIKE program helped with ob - novation, Knowledge, and Educa - tainment of a high school diploma tion, was launched in February and assisted her to complete na - 2013 and has already enabled and tional certifications in customer inspired 66 young adults, ages 18 service and safety. As a result of the to 24. @LIKE provides resources program she was hired in a retail and encourages participants to im - store and within a short time was prove career and life skills, attend recognized as Employee of the vocational training programs, pur - Month. Maurilia is now preparing sue higher education, and find jobs. to study at the College of the Desert Jeanette was provided with train - for an Associate of Arts degree in ing and placed in an @LIKE paid Sociology. She plans to become a work experience opportunity at St. social worker. Mary’s Medical Center. After com - pleting 125 hours of training, she Sandy Harmsen, Executive Direc - was hired permanently. In addi - tor of the Workforce Investment tion, Jeanette received help with Board, believes there are more college costs, transportation sup - great success stories to come: The port, and a work clothing al - @LIKE program is currently seek - lowance through @LIKE. ing youth, ages 22-24, that have not The County of San Bernardino been in school, employed, or in the Workforce Investment Board has military for at least 90 days. For announced 60 openings for 22 to more information call (909) 387- 24-year-olds in the @LIKE pro - 9859 or email [email protected] - gram. county.gov. To apply visit “We are delighted with the pro - www.atLIKE4U.com gram’s success so far and are glad