by The Editors on April 1, 2009
[April Fools Day Story 2009] Looks like even the coolest guys in the skateboarding world can be dumb with their money. In a story released this morning the Skatepark of Tampa has announced that it will be filing for chapter 11 reorganization protection after opening too many stores and running up nearly $20 million in debt to a Tampa gentlemen’s club.
Owner Brian Schaefer said that he hopes the bankruptcy filing, while painful, will allow the company, which is celebrating its 16th anniversary, to begin the healing process and return to being a strong company with 993 stores instead of 1001. . . “We look forward to creating a great Skatepark of Tampa that is an asset to all of its partners,” he said. . . . Schaefer and GM, Ryan Clements, have met with 30 vendors in the past three weeks to explain the situation, Schaefer said. He said vendors have been very supportive and have said they will ship fresh goods to Skatepark of Tampa on a COD basis. Some have even said they will offer SPoT credit terms as soon as Skatepark of Tampa filed for bankruptcy, Schaefer said.
For the rest of the sad, sad story and a chart featuring the top 20 creditors click the link.
[Link: Skatepark of Tampa]
by The Editors on March 31, 2009
Tony Hawk launched a all-out scavenger war this morning by announcing to his 200,000+ followers via Twitter than he had a couple complete skateboard decks to hand out.
“Whatup Twit-talkers! I have a couple of complete skateboards to give away today. Stay tuned . . . First one is for 760 locals: Palomar Oaks Way just south of Palomar Airport Rd. Look behind the fire hydrant just across the bridge. Go now
Within 50 minutes a girl named KT Alach of Carlsbad, California had hunted it down and Twittered a photo back up with the new deck in her hands.
T.Hawk is killing it with the instant Twitter marketing. Funny, that this is the first time we’ve seen Twitter used this way, and we have to admit, it’s really pretty genius use of the technology.
[Link: Tony Hawk]
by The Editors on March 30, 2009
There are times we see stories that we really wished we had done first, but never did. Slap Skateboard Magazine’s Ron Cameron Portfolio by Mark Whiteley is one of those pieces.
Ron Cameron could be one of the most underrated skateboarding artist/designers ever to work in the business. From the Nothing Is Cool design for Blockhead Skateboards to the RVCA logo (yeah, he’s responsible for the V and the Artist Network Program), Ron has been working behind the scenes creating some of the most original designs in action sports. It is Ron’s take on the commercial side of skateboarding, however, that spoke most to his deep history in skateboarding. Here’s part of what he says:
It really is difficult to earn a living in the skateboarding industry. I always just egotistically thought my talents. . . like I would produce great work and the money would come and that’s not true. A lot of times if you don’t go in with money you don’t go out with money. And that’s the hard lesson I learned. And you need to take care of business no matter how ugly it feels to you. And if you think you’re going to become a businessman asshole. You’re not. You’re just taking care of that part so you can continue to do art.
Wise words. Follow the link for all the images and an audio interview with Ron.
[Link: Slap Skateboard Magazine via Skatedaily.net and Ron Cameron]
by The Editors on March 30, 2009
Davie, Florida police officer David Rodriguez, 25, has received a two-day suspension and been ordered to attend anger amanagement classes after he reportedly slammed a 10-year-old skateboarder up against his car while the child was skateboarding in front of his own house, according to a story in the Sun Sentinel.
“He threw him like he was a rag doll,” said the boy’s father, Joseph Smith, who witnessed the April 6, 2008 incident and filed a complaint the next day. . . Smith says his son was left with a cut on his knee, a bruise on his chest and a fear of police. . . Rodriguez was facing a battery charge, but Broward prosecutors closed the case on Nov. 17 after both parties agreed to mediation and the boy’s father decided not to press charges.
Reminding us once again that people who want to be police officers should automatically be disqualified from service.
[Link: Sun Sentinel via Skatedaily.net]
by The Editors on March 30, 2009
by The Editors on March 30, 2009
Sole Technology’s Don Brown and Pierre Andre discuss the re-release of their seminal skate shoe the etnies Rap in a new video clip up on the etnies site. Say what you will about the state of the skate fashion industry, but it’s still nice to see the big guns out on the interwebs pitching their own products. . . . isn’t it?
[Link: etnies]
by The Editors on March 29, 2009
Dreams came true on March 28, 2009 for Clairemont, California’s Jonathan Azevedo when The Make-A-Wish Foundation built him a skateboard park right in his own back yard.
“I just rode in a imousine to and from SeaWorld and there is a ramp in my backyard. And that’s not possible. That denies every law of physics and the space time continuum,” he said. “How is that even possible? Seriously, I’m freaking out.”
Sounds like Jonathan was about as happy as a kid could be, right? Not surprisingly people in the comments of the story immediately began complaining about the “traffic this monstrosity will generate.”
You stay classy, San Diego.
[Link: CBS8.com]
by The Editors on March 28, 2009
Randy Laybourne is opening a new collection of photographs today March 28, 2009 at Concepia in Friday Harbor, Washington. The show titled Going (flickr collection here) features images from Randy’s recent relocation/honeymoon trip from California to Canada. The opening party, which is also the grand opening of the gallery is today from 2-5 PM. If you can’t make it click here to watch the live camera feed.
Concepia, 232 A Street #7, Friday Harbor WA
[Links: Lookforwardtothepast and Concepia]
by The Editors on March 27, 2009
The communications person at the Tigard, Oregon Police Department needs a raise. We hear a so many stories about cities and police departments having trouble with skateboarding and yet, none of them ever do anything to promote cooperation. In Tigard the police department decided to host a skateboard competition this Sunday, March 29, 2009, The Tigard Police Skateboard Challenge 2009, according to a story in the Tualatin Times.
“It’s a chance for us to reach out to them and build a better relationship — and hopefully be viewed differently by that group of kids,” said Sergeant Mike Eskew, the officer in charge of youth services. . . While he has never had a bad experience with a skateboarder himself, Eskew acknowledges the animosity traditionally built into skateboarder/police officer relationship. . . . “I think we’re even targets of scorn on video games,” he said.
How sad is it that this “no duh” action on the part of a local police department seems like genius public relations in a world otherwise filled with incompetance? Hopefully, more police departments will take note.
[Link: Tualatin Times]
by The Editors on March 27, 2009
What would an Ipath shoe be without a little hemp? The Darius classic boat-shoe stylings features saddle stitched hemp, canvas, a shock absorbing mid sole, and not surprisingly, a secret stash pocket. This is a shoe even some of us Vans fans might wear.
The Darius drops May 15, 2009.
[Link: Ipath]
[April Fools Day Story 2009] Looks like even the coolest guys in the skateboarding world can be dumb with their money. In a story released this morning the Skatepark of Tampa has announced that it will be filing for chapter 11 reorganization protection after opening too many stores and running up nearly $20 million in debt to a Tampa gentlemen’s club.
