Fred Robinson drives a cab in Los Angeles, California. His grandparents were from Manchester so he feels a certain kinship with the UK. He will be writing fairly regularly for Call Sign talking about his life, loves and his taxi! Any questions you have about LA or the LA taxi business, let Call Sign know and Fred will attempt to answer it...

To all of my fellow 'road warriors' at Dial-a-Cab in good old London, England, I would like to introduce myself: Fred Sidney Robinson is the name and driving a taxi in Los Angeles is my game!
   Your editor Alan Fisher, thought an occasional article describing some experiences I have had would help you to gain something of an insight to the LA taxi scene. I don't plan on detail in this first submission, but a general overview with a slice of spice.
As you can imagine, Los Angeles is one of the more interesting cities in the world - not unlike London - with it's ethnic and cultural diversity. Over 100 languages are spoken and more than 600 religions are recognised.

A DAY IN L.A.

Adding that to the fact that we are the 'entertainment capital of the world' and that tourism is our second largest industry, living and driving a hack here can be quite provocative.
  Unlike many other US cities, LA's transportation system for its 3.7 million dwellers is pretty minimal, so you either drive yourself or get a cab - preferably MY cab!
   No doubt, our weather, the blue Pacific Ocean and our majestic mountain regions add to the aura of Los Angeles. More on that subject in a future issue...
   The fact that my grandparents were from Manchester contributes

to the extra pleasure I have when picking up Brits. We have about 25,000 of you blokes living here with the majority settling in the oceanside city of Santa Monica. Again, more details at a later date...
   During my 12 years as a cabby, some of my customers from the world of music have included The Firm, The Cure, The Smiths and just this past year I lunched with members of Prodigy. I happen to love rock & roll.
   Among my regular clients are Warner Bros/London office  executives, the veteran of many English movies Victor Spanetti, Marty Feldman's widow Lauretta and many lesser known folks involved in the entertainment field. And oh yes, I forgot to mention Rod Stewart! The list of people from all walks of life and the experiences shared go on and on.
Future content will address a variety of taxi-driving issues and I would welcome any comments or enquiries you may have.
   Stay well and drive safely...
Fred

SAHARA MARATHON CHARITY APPEAL 2000
Following the death from Motor Neurone disease of his close friend Paul Bishop at the age of 44, Bob Woodford (P49) will be running across the Sahara Desert in April 2000 in the world's toughest race - the Marathon Des Sables - to try and raise funds to help fight this awful disease.
Bob writes the following article as his training preparations start to head towards a peak...

Although actively seeking to acquire more sponsors and donations for the Appeal, I would like to publicly thank all those who have helped so far:
   Dial-a-Cab have agreed to be my main sponsor for £1000 and will obviously benefit from the publicity and media attention throughout the event which is covered by Eurosport as well as other European satellite stations.
   The DaC account client Sporting Index, have agreed to chip in with £200 in kit sponsorship and my thanks to Graham Cowdrey at Marketing in Gateway House, Milverton Street.
   Fleet operator Colin Goodwin

of L & C Taxis has also come up with £150 worth of sponsorship and I am most grateful for that.
   My special thanks go to all the Dial-a-Cab drivers who have sent cheques in to Call Sign and to the Editor, Alan Fisher, for the £50 in Kit Sponsorship courtesy of Call Sign advertising.
   There have been numerous individual Sponsors amongst our subscribers to my Kit Sponsorship list, of which an revised update will feature in the edition before the actual event.
   Many thanks to Neil and Hazel Crane of the East London Branch of Motor Neurone Disease who are both giving up so much of their time to help me co-ordinate this project and by publishing excellent publicity material.
   Also my thanks go to Helen Cox and Tony Sephton of Holmes Place Health Club for their invaluable advice in my

 arduous fitness programme, and to Dr Ian Oliver who has recently come aboard as my Race Preparation Adviser.
   Can You Help?
   Well, by becoming a Kit Sponsor from as little as £5, yes you can. And, by the way, I still need my trainers (£75) and Sand-Gaiters (£10) sponsored - a fat lot of good flip-flops are going to be up against snakes and scorpions!
   Please send your cheques for sponsorship or donations, however small, to Call Sign. You can send or drop in your cheque to Alan Fisher here at Brunswick House - make any cheques payable to Call Sign.
   Finally, any anoraks out there who are really keen on keeping up to date with this extraordinary event can do so by visiting www.qoukka.com which gives information of the race, daily rankings and press releases.
   Once again my sincere thanks to all those helping me to raise funds for the research into finding a cure for this most dreadful disease and please, please, keep the money rolling in...

Robert Woodford (P49)
Click to browse the Dial-A-Cab Web Site

Call Sign Home Page

Page 25

Powered by NetXPosure

Copyright © 1997-2000 Dial-A-Cab Ltd, All rights reserved.

Sells Louis Vuitton Vassili GM Store Louis Vuitton Albatros Toiletry Bag Louis Vuitton Pegase 55 Business Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM Cheap Louis Vuitton Albatros Toiletry Bag Alma PM Sale Buy Louis Vuitton Neo Bailey Aviation Louis Vuitton Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags Louis Vuitton Cabas PM Louis Vuitton Bags on sale Authentic Louis Vuitton Handbag Louis Vuitton Bags on sale Louis Vuitton Olav PM Sale Louis Vuitton Organiser Atoll Outlets Sells Louis Vuitton Artsy GM Cheap Louis Vuitton Ceinture