On Your Mark, Get Set, MOW!

The film's trailer is in the process of being recut and should be available sometime in November 2009.

October 23, 2009 Congressman Hoekstra meets with lawn mower racing family
On October 13 Congressman Peter Hoekstra met with the Mikula racing family in Comstock Park, MI to discuss the Huntington's Parity Act of 2009 (HR 678). Hoekstra has just recently announced that he will co sponsor bill which will enable those diagnosed with the disease to recieve Medicare benefits shortly after being diagnosed instead of waiting two years which is currently the case. During his visit it was an opportunity for the Mikulas to thank him for his support and for the congressman to further his understanding of the disease. The Mikulas made Congressman Hoekstra aware of the fact that they host a USLMRA national points race each year with all the proceeds to benefit the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA).

thanks

Mike Ratel would like to thank the following for their contributions of time, talent, money, or combination thereof:

John Kinhart, Phil Duarte, Christine Coopey, WGTB, Dave Adler at WGRQ, Aaron and Staci Crowl and all the AMRA staff and racers, Bruce Kaufman, Manny Torres, Kerry Evans, and all the USLMRA staff and racers, Bob Hirsch and everyone at Gold Eagle, David Stickles at HDSA Michigan Chapter, Stephanie Webb at WZZM TV 13 Grand Rapids, Ron Camel at the Grand Rapids Press, Flounder and Scrubs in the Morning on 94.5 Thunder Country, Scotty Bud at WZUU, Dave Adler at WGRQ, Dr. Tim O'Neil, Patty Hillman, The Mikula Family, Nicole and Al "Lawn Monkey" Minnaker, Joey and Vicky Nahas, Damon Hennesey, Pup Tent, Janel and Anthony, Phoebus, WRGW, Melissa Houghton at Women in Film and Video, my parents Joe and Eileen Ratel, Bill Spieler, DC9, Adele Schmidt and Docs in Progress, Shawn Wright, Joesph Lamountain, Congressman Filner and staff, Congressman Hoekstra and staff, Susan Harper, Chris Warner, Tim Bracken, Ron Morreale, and Will Clark for making me aware that people actually raced lawn mowers.

October 1, 2009 The Docs in Progress screening held at the Writer's Center on September 15th was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the trailer for On Your Mark, Get Set, MOW! to an audience of fellow documentary filmmakers and documentary fans. Mike was able to discuss the project and the audience offered their feedback on the film's trailer.

August 25, 2009 Docs In Progress has chosen the trailer for On Your Mark, Get Set, MOW! to be screened as part of their documentary trailer program to be held at the Writer's Center in Bethesda, MD on September 15. This event is open to the public.

May 26, 2009 Mike is heading to Grand Rapids, MI for interviews with Scrubs in the Morning on 94.5 FM Thunder Country and Stephanie Webb on ABC TV affiliate WZZM's Take Five and Company show on Friday, May 29th. The interview with Scrubs in the Morning will take place on Friday at 7:10 AM EDT. Listen online here. If you're near Grand Rapids Thursday night stop by Juke's Bar and have a beer with me. They will be screening my trailer for the patrons.

May 6, 2009 Yesterday Mike interviewed Congressman Bob Filner of California. Congressman Filner has introduced the Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2009 which if passed will elimiate the two year wait that those diagnosed with the disease now have to wait before they get Medicare benefits. Mike would like to express his thanks for the generousity of Congressman Filner and his staff for their time and interest in the project.

March 31, 2009 Thanks to Pup Tent, Phoebus, Janel and Anthony, and Tim Bracken for playing at last night's benefit at DC9. The press release for the event can be found here.

Oct 2007 Mike Ratel is pleased to announce that John Kinhart has joined the production team of On Your Mark, Get Set, Mow! as an editor. John has recently won the award for best documentary at the Coney Island Film Festival with his documentary on Baltimore b movie maker Don Dohler. Blood, Boobs, and Beast documents the career of a seemingly normal and middle class family man who has been called the "Ed Wood of Baltimore". Blood, Boobs, and Beast is currently screening at the film festivals. Find out more at bbbmovie.com.