Classic Cars to Gather for Rise & Grind Coffee Event

Dust off your classic car and head to Copper Bell Cafe, 11128 Boyette Rd. in Riverview Saturday, Dec. 29 for the Rise & Grind Cars Coffee Event from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The event will be hosted by the Cianfrocca's Auto Detailing/Tampa Wax Slingers of Riverview and will feature a free coffee bar for car show participants, free kids' meals, an $8.99 breakfast buffet and a Top Ride of the Day award.

After breakfast, Mustang owners will travel as a group up Interstate 75 to Ocala for lunch at Sonny's BBQ.

"It's just a chance for car enthusiasts to get together and socialize and for the public to view some great vehicles," said event organizer Jessica Cianfrocca of Tampa Wax Slingers.

All makes and models of cars are welcome. There is no entry fee but donations for the Awareness Journey for the Healing Heroes Network will be accepted.

Tim Urban of Alternative Koncepts, a custom vehicle shop in Tampa, is currently building a custom 1989 Mustang GT for the Healing Heroes Network. On March 2, he will drive it 1,200 miles to the Autorama in Detroit. The Autorama is a premier custom car show held in Detroit for 60 years and sponsored by the Michigan Hot Rod Association. This year the Autorama will be held March 8-10.

The Healing Heros Network provides financial assistance for medical treatment to the mena nd woman of the armed forces injured in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The Tampa Wax Slingers will host a breakfast send-off for Urban that day. Urband will be on hand with his Mustang for photos and to answer questions.

Other Rise & Grind events are scheduled at the Copper Bell Cafe Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 30, April 27 and May 25.

On Feb. 2, Tampa Wax Slingers and other car enthusiasts will participate in the Paws for Patriots Benefit Open Car and Truck Show. The event, sponsored by the Florida Chapter 11 of the Rolling Thunder car club will take place at Quaker Steak & Lube, 10400 49th St. N., Clearwater.

The roll-in will begin at 10:30 a.m., judging will take place at 12:30 p.m. and awards will be presented at 2 p.m.

Preregistration is $10 and registration the day of the event is $15. Awards will be presented for Best Ford, Best GM, Best Truck/SUV, Best in Show, Best Military Display, Best Mopar, Best Import, Best Classic, best car made from 1990 to present, best car made from 1908 to 1980 and Best Club Participation.

Paws for Patriots is a project of Southeastern Guide Dogs, providing trained guide dogs to visually impaired veterans, places service dogs with veterans who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and provides therapy dogs to military hospitals to raise the spirits of veterans healing from injuries.

That same day, there also will be a Paws for Patriots Benefit Ride and Rally starting at Quaker Steak & Lube starting at 9:30 a.m. Registration is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the rally.

In addition to the car show and rally, the event will include entertainment by disc jockey Ed Cullins, Party Patti and Bitter Sweet, displays and raffles. Vendor opportunities are available for $20.

For more information, call Jessica Cianfrocca at 813-409-2630.