A person put a gun to his head and ended his life in front of Mission Police Station as passersby watched in horror Monday morning, police said. . . The victim, identified only as a white male, committed suicide around 8:30 a.m. at the station at 17th and Valencia streets. He used a high-caliber handgun and shot himself right in front of the station’s front doors.
We can only take solace in knowing that Swenson is no longer feeling pain and that skateboarding would not be the same without all his contributions.
At the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction this weekend (June 25, 2011) at the Orange County California Fair Grounds car collectors will get a chance to bid on what is being called a “Tony Hawkized Mustang” created with help from DUB and Galpin Ford, according to a post on Muscular Mustangs.
The winning bidder of the “Hawkized Stang”, as it has been nicknamed, will also get a package which includes a dinner with world renowned skateboarder Tony Hawk, autographed merchandise, tickets to the annual Stand Up For Skateparks event in Las Vegas and a taco party for 50 catered by Wahoo’s Fish Taco’s.
It’s summer, so this must be Windells. Check out what the skate kids are up to in Windells Concrete Jungle (and other Oregon spots). Kind of makes us want to visit when the kids are somewhere else.
Aside from a little sensationalism at ABC 7, it seems like LA was happy about skateboarders rolling through the streets today. LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith told the LA Times:
“Anytime someone calls an event ‘Wild in the Streets,’ it’s something we want to pay attention to,” Smith said. “Right now they are laying down in the heat or goofing around in the skate park. There’s been no trouble. They’ve been very well-behaved so far.”
LAPD Capt. Todd Chamberlain of the Central Division told LA Downtown News that there looked to be about 400 skateboarders in the streets.
“Our main goal was to ensure the safety of the participants and of the community,” said Chamberlain. “There were a lot of unsafe actions and a lot of foolishness, and we wanted to curtail that.” . . . Though no injuries or arrests were reported, some tickets were handed out for violations including skating against traffic or traveling on the sidewalk, said Chamberlain. The number of citations was not disclosed.
It must have been a sad day in the Thrasher Magazine office today as they said goodbye to another of the company’s founders Eric Swenson (August 4, 1947 to June 20, 2011).
People talk, but seldom act. Eric Swenson got things done. Never one to clamor for the spotlight, he preferred the hard work, orchestrating the show from behind the scenes. It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of a dear friend and one of our founders. His mark on skateboarding is extraordinary. Without him there would be no Thrasher Magazine, Independent trucks, or Spitfire wheels, to name a few.
He is shown in a 1983 MoFo photo on the left with Craig Stecyk and Fausto Vitello in 1983 in San Francisco. Our thoughts are with Swenson’s family and friends.
The troops have gathered at emerica’s Wild In the Streets event at LA’s Hollenbeck Skate Plaza. And now, we just have to see how far this goes before the guys in the riot gear show up to slow things down. And yes, there was some interaction with the police. Follow the jump for more photos. . . . [click to continue…]
Andrew Reynolds has apparently slipped into a new sock deal with Stance.
It is a fact that The Boss has permanently etched his influence on skateboarding. He’s shared his creative vision and his passion for purity and progression through his life both on and off a board. We’re proud to welcome Andrew Reynolds to Stance and are excited to bear witness and participate in the ongoing creation of his legacy.
So we’re guessing Altamont isn’t dipping their toes into the sock market yet?
Yes, we all should be skateboarding everyday and most do, but that’s not the point of the 9th Annuall Go Skateboarding Day today (Tuesday, June 21, 2011). The point is to let the rest of the world know that skateboarding is important, necessary, positive, influential, and eternal. In the words of the International Association of Skateboard Companies:
GSD unites the global skateboard family to have fun, raise money and awareness for needy skateparks, promote local skate shops, and raise money for local charities and community needs. Founded by the International Association of Skateboard Companies (IASC) and with strong support from skaters everywhere, GSD is a holiday that encourages everyone to drop what they are doing, have fun, and go skateboarding! . . . “This year for GSD, IASC is focused on promoting charities and retailers that support and grow their communities through the love of skateboarding,” said IASC Executive Director Josh Friedberg. “Events like the Skateistan Skate-a-thon in Afghanistan and Fairfax Skateshop’s Skate-for-a-cause in Annandale, Virginia are great examples of ways the 2011 holiday will make a difference in people’s lives. Go Skateboarding Day is a great time to remember what you love about skateboarding. Grab your friends, get out there and skate!”
For more on what you can do to get involved and a lists of events in your part of the world, follow the jump and/or click here. [click to continue…]
[Update: Wild In The Street LA meeting place will be the Hollenbeck Skate Plaza415 South St Louis St. Los Angeles, CA at the south end of Hollenbeck Park at noon today (June 21, 2011). For up-to-the-minute updates follow @emerica and remember to arrive ready to be nice to the LAPD.]
Here’s an email they’ve sent out to some of their tennants:
The Building Management Office has learned of a large event that may directly impact Wells Fargo Center. The event, Emerica’s Wild in the Streets, is intended to have skateboarders converge on the streets of Los Angeles to celebrate skateboarding. In several other large cities where similar events have already taken place, this weekday gathering may draw thousands of participants around noon tomorrow, June 21, 2011.
Currently, there is no concrete information to share on the route that the skaters have designated. However, sources believe that the group is likely to travel by the Wells Fargo Center down the Grand Avenue hill towards Pershing Square. The LAPD Special Events group is working with the City Attorney to restrict this large group from coming into the Central Business District, but at this time that has not been confirmed.
At this time, there are no known street closures. However, we will keep you informed should new information become available. The website announcing this event may be accessed at the following address: http://emericawildinthestreets.com/
Thank you.
Thank you, indeed. Luckily, the skateboarders know where and when to show up. For more info click the link. This should be fun.
Details are coming out surrounding the death of Thrasher Magazine co-founder Eric Swenson on Monday June 20, 2011. 
