Merry Chirstmas To Ya'll

Merry Christmas from Jeff, Dave, and Jarred at Blank Skate.
Oh yeah, we also have this little deal going on the day after Christmas. Have you heard about it yet? DON'T MISS THIS -- CLICK HERE

South Park Skatepark -- Opens Nov 27

The official word on South Park is that it opens up this Thursday around 10ish (I think). There is a ribbon cutting ceremony and then the County Police will Lock It Up so you can't skate there (Just Like BOYCE! ! ! WHOOOO HOOO)

Let's hope they do a better job of letting people skate the park. I've been to Boyce a few times in the past month and the gates are not even unlocked. I've heard the same thing from others too. It is a shame that after we finally get a place "where the public wants us" we are still waiting for approval to skate it from the Police.

Personally, I liked the old days better. We used to just pick spot and skate it until the police showed up. Then we would leave. It seems much more fun that way. I don't know if skateboarding works in such a controlled environment. None of us really started skateboarding to impress our parents, the high school football coach, or our angry neighbors.

Pittsburgh HAS TONS OF GOOD STREET SPOTS

Someone once told me, "that skateparks make skateboarding weaker". At the time I heard that I could not for the life of me understand why. I thought how could more skateparks be bad thing. We'd always have a back up to go somewhere. More places to skate has to equal better skating.

But now, I can see where public supported places are bad for skateboarding. The same way we saw the "Jockitization" of skateboarding bad in the Late 80's and again in the Late 90's into 2000. You can't skate and play by the rules. We don't want to be unified by anything other than skateboarding. We don't want teams or societies approval.

The truth is, that there are very few things that the government can do for you that the people can't do better for themselves. Look what is happening by relying on places to skate. We have carbon copy kids who all do the same tricks down the same handrail and want sponsored. Part of what makes skateboarding great is that we all come from different experiences. We all skate different stuff, know different spots and have different styles. When you meet up you share those things and skate your heart out.

The same thing applies to where you buy your skateboards at. I have always said that I don't care if you buy from us, but when you do buy your skateboards, your shoes, your hats, your t-shirts and such, PLEASE GO TO A SKATER OWNED AND OPERATED SKATESHOP and choose SKATER OWNED AND OPERATED PRODUCTS. Request USA Made Stuff

Here is why:
When you buy your skate goods from mall stores, auction sites, sporting goods stores, and online shoes stores none of your dollars spent at that store go back into supporting your local scene. To them, skateboarding is just a commodity. Skateboarding is a business. They may save you a buck or two, but none of those sales come back to support you. When you buy from your local shop or skater owned shop, that money goes back into contests, demos, signings, video premiers, sponsoring local riders and building a scene around skateboarding. When you buy your skate goods from mall shops, YOU build a scene around consumption. When the market slows down or dies out again (and it will) the corporate companies that "supported" skateboarding by selling skateboard products will stop selling them once skateboarding is not profitable to them anymore.

In the mean time, skater owned shops take a beating. It doesn't make sense to buy skateboards from some pimple headed jock at a sporting goods store. When you go to your local shop, they know skateboarding inside and out. Plus, they'll tell you 10 spots to skate on your way home.

Lesson:
If you want to kill skateboarding, skate public skateparks and buy your skate goods at the mall. You are doing a great job already.

MY NEXT POST: Skateboarders with Milk Moustaches

Holiday Hours (in Cambodia) for Natrona

Here are our upcoming hours:

Friday: Dec 21 12-7
Saturday: Dec 22 12-5
Sunday: Dec 23 12-5
Monday Dec 24 12-5
Christmas: CLOSED - Enjoy the day with Friends and Family.
Wednesday: Dec 26 12-7 SUPER CHAOS SALE
(Click for Details)
Thursday: - Monday Dec 31 Regular Hours
January 1st 2008: CLOSED.

Thanks again.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Jeff

Battle of the Ramparts All Stars

I just got this video in from the office of Curtis George. I must admit I am a bit partial to it since they are still skating and bringing back many of the spots I skated growing up. Although, I didn't see one Ramparts Spot in there. BOMB SOME HILLS - Le Beouf Forever. Basically, it is just rad seeing some of the new guys coming up from the same area you are from.

Video is raw and that's what I like about it. No Music. Just skating. You'll see Pipes in there a bit. They are a skatepark out in murrysville. They have this 2 1/2 bowl combo that is pretty tight and tons of fun. (They should let me redesign the street course) But there are some rad dudes out there. Look for the tall bald kid. He crushes those bowls Mach 10 Style and his girlfriend is super hot.

Rollerbladers are Lame.

Okay....I know what you are thinking here, what the heck am I doing watching rollerblading videos when I should be making high quality skateboard decks?

Trust me. I wasnt. I was on the Skateboard-City Message boards and found a post on how to make a ledge slide. It just happened to be a rollerblading video.

Now granted I have not tried this and it is only to make a ledge slide with fruit boots on, I am don't know how it will grind. Read the post. There are a few on there who have tried it and state that it works.



So maybe all those years I had to skate elbows out were worth it for one crappy tip.
Here is the official link: Make Any Ledge Slide

Summary from late_flip_45
buy a cement rub block around 15 dollers.
buy instant dry clear laquer. maybe 5 bucks or so.
Rub the hell out of the ledge on the top and most likely the sides. with the cement rub block.
clean it with a duster or any other thing.
then on the tops and sides spray instant dry laquer.
Wait for the stuff to dry...well its instant so wait..like 1 second.
then WAXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TOOO DA MAXXXXX.
and shred it up dog.
Tell some friends.
Watch it get skateblocked in a few months.
And get pissed.
sneak in at night and rip the skateblockers off.
And realise how much of a hardcore skater you really are.
and pull a sick front smith fs shuv out.

MY GUESS WOULD BE:
Sanding makes the ledge smoother and the laquer creates a seal on the ledge. So when you rub the wax onto the ledge it only lays on top of laquer and never gets pushed into the concrete. It probably helps to break the ledge in faster than waxing it, rubbing it in, waxing it, rubbing it in, waxing it, rubbing it in, and waxing it again.

Pittsburgh Skate Initiative

I don't know how many of you have been following what has been going on at The Berrics, but it should be more than a wake up call for us skaters in Pittsburgh.

Steve Berra and Eric Koston grew tired of rain, destroyed spots and cops. So they did something about it. They bought thier own warehouse and are building thier own spots. It has sort of turned into a skatepark for pros in SoCal.

Lets be honest, Pittsburgh has on average 57 Sunny and Cloud Free Days a year. That leaves about 300 days a year with rain, clouds, snow, and such. It wouldnt be so bad if we didnt want to skate EVERYDAY.

The major problem has been the longevity of spots. We can all name a handful of "secret" spots that have come and gone over the years. Usually they blow up and a billion people show up and the spot gets ruined. Its has happend to every spot and will happen to every current spot we have. At some point they crack down and we can't skate there anymore.

But what if we look at it differently. What if we owned the spot? What if a group of skaters got together and formed a co-op? They would share the costs by dividing it up among all participants. We could build whatever we want. We could do whatever we want. No COPS, NO RENT-A-COPS, NO ANGRY NEIGHBORS CHASING YOU OUT.

A PLACE TO SKATE OWNED BY THOSE WHO SKATE THERE.

So many of us have talked about it for years. So many of us know how much this could unify this city by creating a common ground, by creating a meeting point, and just a place to skate without all the drama.

The Pittsburgh Skate Co-Op. It can work, but we all have to work it.

Focus Mag Got Love

The good guys over at Focus Skate Mag posted a blurb and a link to our BlankSkateMag.com. Keep those submissions coming for Issue #2. (Due out at the End of January)

Also, be on the lookout for the New Focus Video Rise and Shine. Due out Soon. It is going to be featuring the best skating on the East Coast.

Chad Knight on American Gladiator

1031 is announcing that Chad Knight will be a contestant in spandex on the new American Gladiators. His showing will be on the premier episode airing Jan 6th on NBC, 8PM/ 10PM Central. Look for the Super Limited Edition Chadiator board coming soon.

PLUS....HE'S GONNA MEET HULK HOGAN

Skate Plaza Grand Opening Delayed

Unfortunately, they lost a few days finishing the park with the weather we have been having.

The Grand Opening WILL NOT happen this Saturday December 15th as scheduled.

In the meantime, you can read the BlankSkateMag online for free. BlankSkateMag.com

Thanks for the support. We will keep you posted as to when it will open.

Attached are a few photos from about 3-4 weeks ago. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. But all in all, the park is looking sick. So much good stuff is in this park.

BLANK SKATE MAG HAS LAUNCHED!

It is Finally Here. Check it out.
BlankSkateMag.com

I personally want to thank all those who have contributed to the first issue. It gives us a solid starting point for building a solid scene here in the Burgh and along the east coast.

SKATE PLAZA OPENS DEC 15

The Shop and Blank Skate proudly announce the opening of Peach Plaza. Greensburgs OWN SKATE PLAZA.
We will be hosting events all day and giving out Prizes and eating Chick-Fil-a.

Event Starts at Noon: (Rough Schedule of Events)
CONTESTS START AT 1
Best Trick Under 14
Best Trick 15 and Over
S.K.A.T.E. Under 14
S.K.A.T.E. 15 and Over

FIRST PRIZE IN EACH GROUP: Wins a Deck
SECOND PLACE IN EACH GROUP: Wins a T-Shirt

SUPER BANGER BONUS:
The Shop and Blank Skate are Putting up $100 on the gnarliest object at the park. (TO BE DETERMINED BY WHAT IS GETTING THROWN DOWN THAT DAY)

First $50
Second $30
Third $20

OPEN TO ALL

DO NOT MISS THIS. (Unless you are Rain or Snow - THEN MISS THIS)

Mag Launches Officially - THIS WEEKEND

Hey Everyone,

I know, I know......we missed another deadline. But, this time it is mainly cause this is a first issue and I had to layout everything myself. Which, of course, should be motivation for you to contribute more and help my sorry butt out a little. ha ha.

Actually, the mag is coming together quite nicely. It has a real light feel to it. Nothing too serious. Just a lot of fun. I think once you see the final project, you will be itching for Issue 2.

This mag represents something different for this city. A sense of unity, a sense of pride. We aren't trying to be the next full color glossy mag with advertisers from truck companies and milk councils. This mag is for skateboarders PERIOD. It is put together for you to read by your contributions.

Help us grow this project and get the spotlight on skateboarding the way it actually happens everyday. From the Trenches.

Later
Jeff

Locals Yocals Make a Montage

Some of the local Natty's made a montage of thier skating from Fall 07. It almost made the mag, but they gave to me in a youtube link. Let this be a lesson to you all. Otherwise, this is one of my favorite crews that come into the shop. They are just down for skating and goofing off. [ (|)Cheese ]