Don't have an interest in Firestone other than helping promote them as a local company.
The brewing or beer side of the business is actually called "Firestone Walker Brewing Company". Adam Firestone and David Walker started the beer side of the business. Adams father “Brooks” Firestone is a direct descendant to the Firestone Tire & Rubber family. In the early seventies he came to California and established the Firestone Winery, planting one of the first vineyards in our area. His foresight led to the establishment of a now significant wine industry in Santa Barbara County.
David Walker is married to Polly “Firestone” Walker, Adams sister (and Brooks’ daughter).
Unlike many spoiled rotten heirs and trust fund babies of a wealthy family, this family has had a significant positive involvement in our local community. My children have attended school with the Walkers and Firestone’s and collectively they have contributed significantly to the benefit of our small school. These contributions haven’t been just throwing money at things, but actively volunteering and getting involved with their time and talents to support fundraisers and serve on local boards. I have worked side by side with them cleaning up after our annual school fundraising events when other parents that didn’t contribute anything went home.
Ironically, I’m not even much of a beer drinker, but you can’t miss the connection between the Petro side of the Firestone name. Since I am a Petroholic, I had to put the two together and it just seemed natural to link the beer side with a service station theme, especially for a car show.
So Chris, this is a long answer to your statement, but in essence it’s what I can do for them for what they have done for our community. Since this event benefit’s the local community I think that it’s worthy of my involvement. I certainly get some local recognition for it too and you never know where that will lead.
Just wait till you see the oil cans I made for this car show.
Heading out now to move the “Andersen’s Pea Soup Special” dragster and the gas pump over to the grounds where the car show is being held. Last nights event was fun and people loved the beer pump.
