Skating in LA: An Interview at Pedlow Skatepark

I'm really stoked about YN's skate week. The whole week I've had the chance to visit different skateparks and meet a variety of skaters. Young skaters, ex-skaters, big ones, crazy ones, parents of skaters, and older skaters. It's been a blast!

Andrews catching some air.

Take one dude I met recently, Andrew Andrews. He's this older cat from the valley whose been skating for over 15 years now. I've always pictured skaters as these young agile kids with long hair. So imagine my surprise when I meet Andrew -- older guy, agile then most people half his age, short hair, and just a regular looking dude, similar to Hal in my previous post on falling and skating safely.

"SKATE OR DIE!"
But Andrew is not your regular skater. He's been skating for years and will probably be skating long after this post is written 'cause the guy defies age as much as he does gravity. Just look at his pics. And don't forget to check out the video too.

Some pools are meant for flying.

Andrews' is the kinda guy you meet and find out he's skated with pro skaters, back when they weren't even pros. Imagine the wealth of skate experience this guy's got! Like a wikipedia page, he broke down some basic skate stuff for me on style, talked a bit of skate history, and added fuel to my burning anticipation for the opening of the new P-Rod Skatepark by demonstrating some awesome air time. Check out the video for more.

Now I've seen what's capable at Pedlow skatepark. And I can't wait to see some crazy moves and skills that rock the senses at the new P-Rod skatepark.

Come out! Get your Jam on! Let's see your style!

Skate on! But Do It Safely

Have you heard the news? It's happening.

It's all going down this Sunday, June 21st
at the
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima.

P-Rod, Nike SB, and other surprises await you!
Don't miss it!

IT'S A PART OF THE GAME
So I've been checking out the skating scene in big anticipation to the new skatepark opening this Sunday. My recent day Pedlow Skatepark got me thinking about one of the biggest parts of any sport: falling. And falling hard.

Falling is part of the game. My weakened knees, scarred skin, and twisted fingers can testify to that. Roller hockey checks, downhill handlebar flips from my bike, and the regular b-ball ankle twist from battling in the paint kept my youth rocking. Again, it's part of the game. And skating is no exception to the rule.

My visit to the park not only had me blown away by the skills these kids had -- their air time, the tricks, the long grinds -- but I was also floored by their persistence to perfect their art, going at it again and again, even after the occasional hard fall. It takes a lot of heart to keep at it when you're hurting. And it builds heart just the same.

Alex Carballo, 12, catching air at Pedlow.

A PARENT'S TAKE
Now we all know that practice makes perfect ... or at least better. And there's nothing like speeding down a ramp, a hill, or a half-pipe, catching some air, and landing that shiznit. All the falls, all the hard work, (and the fun) are well worth it.

Hal Long, one of the parents I met at Pedlow, knows just how fun skating can be. He grew up on the east coast with a half-pipe in his backyard, "probably the only half-pipe in a 20 mile radius," he says, and skated throughout his youth.

As with all sports, he's aware of the potential dangers of skating. He personally took a lot of hard knocks as a kid and is now a big proponent of wearing proper protection while skating. He added, "Some skateparks need to do a better job with enforcing helmet use."



Hal makes sure his 14 year old daughter, Hunter, wears protective gear while skating. "She doesn't like it so much, but all it takes is one wrong fall without protective gear to do some serious damage."

I asked Hal if he would ever take up skating again. He said that his daughter tries to get him out in the park sometimes and continued, "I almost get the nerve to do it, but then my sanity kicks in. I can't afford to get hurt. I have to work!" He's taken up mountain-biking instead.

Dude, I know the feeling. There's a lot of concrete out there -- in my daily life at work and in the skatepark. Both can get a little dangerous. It's much easier to get out of the city and catch some air.

Although I'm sure that kids like Alex, pictured below, prefer the concrete park instead, and enjoy catching a different kind of air. So to all you skaters out there perfecting your game, I say: Skate on! But do it safely.

Alex Carballo in the pool

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LA in '84 to P-Rod today: Ritchie Valens Skatepark Hits LA

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

THE FLAME CONTINUES
The year was 1984 and the City of Los Angeles was in an uproar. The Olympic Games had come to town and would change the face of our city forever. A quarter century later, the spirit of those Games still lingers and continues to put a smile on the face of Angelenos both young and old.

Remnants of the Games, murals like these still salt the city.

When all was said and done, the medals given, the athletes gone, the Los Angeles Olympic Games had become one of the most financially successful in history, earning a surplus of over $230 million. A portion of this money was used to seed the LA84 Foundation, which has been a major advocate and coordinator of youth sports programs in the City for over twenty years.

Most recently LA84 teamed with Nike SB and the City of LA Dept. of Recreation & Parks to push forward yet another endeavor fueled by the lasting spirit of the games:

THE RITCHIE VALENS
SKATEPARK

in
Pacoima California.

Still under construction, the park is set to open on June 21, 2009 (which also happens to be International Go Skateboarding Day and Father's Day). So bring your board, your dad, or both and come celebrate at the new skatepark!

A number of cool peeps will be present, including P-Rod, a home-grown talent of the valley, and the Nike Skateboarding Team. Now you should know that Nike Folks never come empty-handed to a party -- like a true pachanga in the valley, there's bound to be music, giveaways and food!

A SKATE PARK LIES AHEAD
The new Skatepark is located on the same grounds as the Ritchie Valens Community Center and is part of a huge green area that also houses basketball courts, a multi-use field, tennis courts, a pool, and a gymnasium.

One happy resident and local community activist, Tony Alcala, said that he's been working with Councilmember Richard Alarcon for a few years to have an area built for local skaters at the current site. He continued, "Up until recently they've been using the planters and steps near the front of the park [to practice]."

Above, left, is where the skaters used to chill and practice. On the right, their new home awaits completion.

Approximately 50-60 youth visit the current location daily and demand is growing. Tony added that the nearest skatepark, Pedlow, is a few miles away and that that's why a lot of the locals are stoked. "There's a need for places like this in the community, a place for youth to hang out after school, to stay out of trouble, and do what they love" says Alcala.

It's on its way, baby!

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Sole Models to Role Models: Express Yourself!

LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE FUTURE SOLE DESIGN COMPETITION
Today's the last day to register for the Future Sole Design Competition put on by Nike and Jordan Brand. If you haven't submitted yet, well buddy you got a day a left, and if you already submitted, good luck. Let's face it, we love our shoes and we're always looking for new kicks. If you've entered the competition, you might win the chance to design the next big hit.

Lisa Leslie and D'Wayne Edwards

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE ...
So that's the competition, but there were also some workshops provided to Inglewood students on footwear design. Now besides the tips and techniques on how to improve their art

If there's one thing good competitors know, it's that you have to practice, practice, practice. After all, practice is all about learning, 'cause learning makes you a better athlete. Learning is part of the path that makes you a star.

I recently had the chance to sit in on two Future Sole Design Workshops in Inglewood, California put on by D'Wayne Edwards, footwear design director for Jordan Brand. With him on different days were Lisa Leslie of the LA Sparks, and Seattle Seahawk, Lawrence Jackson.

You gotta love it when star athletes -- record-breaking, pennant-winning, awe-inspiring folks that appear as super human on the field, on the court, or whatever -- do something real special like spend an afternoon with others to share their experiences and just hang out.

Yea, they usually drive home the proverbial 'push hard and you can make it too', which is definitely cool 'cause they speak from the heart, but they do something even cooler in the process: their actions--the fact that they donate their time, energy, or money--reveal that stardom is only part of who a star can be.

A star can teach others by example. And that's one of the things that has stayed with me almost two weeks later. Whether it was Edwards' giving drawing tips to the art students, or Lisa Leslie's advice off the court. a star is not defined by their stardom, but by their star qualities.

D'Wayne Edwards: Future Sole Design Workshops in Inglewood (pt. 1)

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

SOLE POWER!
Whether your breakdancing or balling it up on the court, we all need our kicks to survive. Our shoes take us to new heights as we leave our mark on the planet. Few know this better than D'Wayne Edwards, Footwear Design Director of Jordan Brand and a creator of Nike's Future Sole Design Competition.

D'Wayne, a graduate of Inglewood High School in California, is a living example of how soles really can take you places. Sketching and designing footwear for over twenty years, he says that footwear design is more than a job. It's his passion!

SOULS UNITE: FROM ARTISTS TO ATHLETES
It's no surprise than that D'Wayne recently returned to his old alma mater to share his passion with others by providing his Future Sole Design Workshop to a group of graphic art students. The workshops are an opportunity to share his wealth of design experience, to provide feedback on the students' footwear designs, and to urge them to enter the competition.

I attended the second installment of his workshop and had the pleasure to see young artists being introduced to footwear design techniques, marketing practices, and industry basics -- juicy bits of information most folk would have to pay for!

Another Inglewood graduate, Seattle Seahawk defensive end, Lawrence Jackson, was also there to offer advice on how to succeed off the field, and to provide feedback on the work submitted by workshop participants. D'Wayne and Lawrence reminded the students that they too can make it big in anything from athletics to footwear design if they work hard and aim high -- to dream big is to begin big.

D'Wayne Edwards and Seattle Seahawk, Lawrence Jackson
(Graduates of Inglewood High School)

INDUSTRY PRACTICES: STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR WORK
The student artists presented their footwear designs and discussed such things as the motivation behind their color schemes and overall inspiration for their designs. Some artists even had a handful of impressive specs detailing the type of material to be used for the shoe and where it would be placed.

Another artist shared that he had talked to Inglewood High athletes to learn about players' needs and wants in a basketball shoe -- a research process common to the design industry, especially to industry leaders like Nike and the Jordan Brand.

After presenting their designs, each student chose their favorite sketch and submitted it before the workshop judges. The goal was to compare the design styles, provide feedback to the designers, and to highlight those soles that were original, creative, marketable, and functional.

Two Future Sole Design Workshop Participants
(Sheuntae Morisette and Jacquelyn Armstrong)

THE SOUL OF THE FUTURE SOLE DESIGN COMPETITION
In high school, I never had an opportunity to share my art with designers like D'Wayne or to hear inspiring advice from professional athletes like Lawrence Jackson. The Future Sole Design Workshops are an example of how the sport-for-good movement builds our future by investing in our future leaders. Big props to D'Wayne and Lawrence 'cause they're the kind of professionals our communities need.

D'Wayne's simple message is equally as impressive as his actions are: Someone has to design our future footwear. And that someone can be you. He did it. You can do it. Enter the Future Sole Design Competition and let your sole shine!

PROPS!
Speaking of shining. Inglewood has some stars, buoy! I was wrapping up outside the school when these real cool students introduced their fancy footwork to me. Nothing shines like real soul and these ladies weren't afraid to show it. I'm putting together a short video and you just might see them practicing their moves!

Kasie Davis and Nakeva Smith

Inglewood High School is obviously building stars that excel and who aren't afraid to express themselves. It was wonderful to see. Big Props to all Inglewood High's fascinating students, both past and present!


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May Day in Los Angeles 2009

So I'm checking out Facebook and I still see in my highlight section photos from May Day and Mother's Day. Even though the days have come and gone, I can't stop thinking about workers, moms, and working moms. Something I've learned from my mom and the countless mothers I've worked alongside with in various low-wage jobs (and I've learned a lot from them) is that we have rights as workers. And it's our prerogative as human beings to demand those rights if we're not getting them.

Front of the the MIWON May Day march, 2009

I'm a product of a single working mother who, not surprisingly, was also a product of a single working mother (my nana). Poverty is a battle all its own and it leaves scars that affect generations to come. So I march in honor of my mother and my family's hard work--for my grandma who waited tables to make ends meet, for my mother's long early bus rides to work to provide food for me and my brother. I march for workers; FOR PEOPLE, regardless of their immigration status, who are thrown to the margins and forgotten, those caught in the vicious cycle of poverty, racism, and unjust laws.

Just one of the many demands being made at the march

JUiCE: LA Graffiti Art Battle

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I last checked out JUiCE's dance scene, which includes a variety of breaking all-stars. But another kick-ass component to this wonderful elixir is JUiCE's graffiti art and the host of street artists at this place. What better time to check out their art than during their 4th Annual Graffiti Art Battle?

A piece found at J.U.i.C.E.

4th ANNUAL GRAFFITI ART BATTLE IN LOS ANGELES
Every year for the past 4 years, JUiCE and Visual Elements, an Oakland-based group from the Eastside Arts Alliance, battle it out to see who can throw up the most creative and original graffiti art piece. The first battle took place at the Venice graffiti walls in 2006 and then moved on to Oakland in 07 and 08, each taking place during the Malcom X Jazz festival. This year's battle took place at JUiCE's headquarters in Los Angeles.

The battles are usually themed, and cover such themes as Immigration and Jazz. This year's theme was Culture. But the challenge for the street art teams doesn't stop there. Each team is then given a word that they must use to anchor the whole piece. Previous words include War and Bebop. This year the JUiCE team was given the word Native. Visual Elements received the word Survival.

JUiCE's Canvas

Visual Elements Canvas

JUiCE's GRAFFITI ART BATTLE: A TEAM EFFORT
Each team consists of about 10-15 street artists whose skill levels are matched and set to complement one another. The idea is to create a piece as a team and the winning piece is judged largely on how well the team works together.

As an artist, it's difficult enough to throw up a piece by yourself. But to get 10-15 heads on the same page, to consider dimensions and how things will connect, to blow it up while another talented team does the same just a few feet away, and there's only about three hours or so to complete the piece. Well that's a practice of showmanship. Paint on you crazy artists!

The teamwork of Visual Elements

JUiCE Graffiti Artists working their magic

JUSTICE by UNITING In CREATIVE ENERGY
Events like these are true acts of justice because a lot kids from urban areas like LA don't have equal access to arts programs, which are typically the first things cut from the state budget. If you live in a poor area, your arts program and other after school programs are likely the first to go.

Part of the Justice that JUiCE brings to the communinty is that it provides an opportunity to develop one's creative potential thru dance, music, and art. Not to mention it creates a space where people interested in hip-hop can come together and celebrate it. Few outlets for urban youth exist that provide such a service and JUiCE has stepped up to support LA's youth and develop their creative potential.

WHO WON THE BATTLE?
Well, Visual Elements took the prize this year. The series between JUiCE and the Visual Elements team is now tied 2-2. The next battle may occur as soon as May 30th in Oakland. Contact JUiCE for more details.

VISUAL ELEMENTS - "SURVIVAL"

J.U.i.C.E. - "NATIVE"

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JUICE: From Bgirls and Bboys to Graffiti Art

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

THE CITY OF ANGELS
You ever get in a funk? Nothing seems to go right. Time flies by, exhaustion sets in, and work piles up. Stuff you can't control like the weather breaks a number of heat records for Spring one week, and kills your desire to tackle your obligations the next. Luckily, the City of Angels heard my distress call 'cause I was yearning for some loving. It extended a hand and gave me a much needed shot of community in action. If you're looking for a place to improve your skills or you simply love hip-hop, dance, or art, you'll love JUICE.

One of the art pieces displayed at JUICE

A SWEET NECTAR: JUSTICE, UNITY, AND CREATIVE ENERGY
JUICE is a spot, a program, a place of replenishment, a community of folk doing their thing. It's another world made up in the City of Angels that literally stands for Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy.

And the place—the bgirls and the bboys blowing up the floor with bodily contortions and rhythmic mastery, artistic journeys that erupt in a flow of harmony, smiles, dance, and street art, the lingering aroma of freshly-squeezed graffiti cans, and a night of movement—turned my funk to funky, my bitter drink to wine, my daily grind to grooving times, and my lows to a new sublime. JUICE entered my system and I've been cool ever since.

Another dancer doing his thing

GOOD VIBES AND GOOD TIMES
I've been to JUICE twice in the last month and each time the dance floor just grabs me in one swift motion, sucking me into a magically orchestrated vortex of flailing legs, mind-boggling headspins, and lip-biting, soul-moving footwork. Bboys and bgirls just practicing and battling, having a good time. Each visit had me floating through wave after wave of soulful tunes from greats like James Brown, Nina Simone, and Bob Marley, remixes that provide an inspiring backdrop to the pulsating vibes of energy and creative bliss.




















SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
One of the coolest things about the place is that everyone is welcomed. Come out, get your dance on, handle a couple of cans, throw up a piece on the wall, and share your creative energy with others. You don't have to be Happy Feet or Banksy to kick it here.

Everyone is at their own level. There's a few like me just watching, admiring, and chilling—waiting for our chances to blow-up. And then there's others like Enerjetik who dances in the crew: Killa4nia. He's been dancing for a grip of years and believe me, he's got mad skills to show for it. He came to JUICE about three years ago and says that breaking is his passion. He and his crew even put on shows in various high schools around Los Angeles. Like I said, there's something for everyone under this sun. JUICE is where it's at.

Enerjetik

ART
Oh man, I haven't even touched on the street artists in this place .... till next time.

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"YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME"

Baseball player Elijah Dukes was recently fined $500 and benched for the game after showing up five minutes late to pre-game batting practice. Dukes had a good reason. He was attending a little league game as part of charity work. But Washington Nationals Manager, Manny Acta said that the law had to be laid down and enforced, even under Dukes' circumstances.

You win some, you lose some. Right? Rosie Perez has this line in White Men Can't Jump where she says, Sometimes when you win, you actually lose. Sometimes when you lose, you actually win. And sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. The first time few times I heard Rosie say this, I was like, uhh okay. Thinking about it now, it's pretty true.

We play all sorts of games in life, from those on the field to those in the classroom. And since I brought up Rosie, let's not forget the good ol' game of relationships. We have all this stuff going on around us and when the temperature hits 101 in the Spring time in LA like it is now, breaking all kinds of records for this time of the year, I'm forced to remember to slow down, enjoy the ride, and keep on playing -- win or lose.

I'm glad Dukes is giving back to his community and I hope this event doesn't stop him from doing future community service work. Five minutes late is five minutes late but in this case maybe there was just too much going on in the guy's life and though it appears he was penalized for his actions, I'm sure he actually won and won big with the folk he visited in the community.

Nike's Diamond Days comes to Carson High School

The following post is from YouthNoise Play City—a community dedicated to changing the world through sports and play. PLAY ON!

DIAMONDS IN CARSON: COLTS AT WORK
I've heard that nothing strengthens a relationship quite like a diamond. And on Monday I had the opportunity to see it happen firsthand with the Women's Varsity Softball team at Carson High School. Nike brought it's new training program, Diamond Days, to the Colts and provided the second of five training sessions with a certified Velocity trainer to improve the team's speed, strength, and agility. But teamwork didn't stop there. Nike's Diamond Days will also be providing various giveaways and contests that are sure to hype up the already-heightened atmosphere of Colts readying for battle with their rival, San Pedro, on Thursday, April 16th.

The Colt's Women's Varsity Softball Team: The "be silly pic" that made the grade

BRINGING IT BACK: SUPPORTING FELLOW PLAYERS
But Nike knows the powerful support seasoned veterans can bring to younger players. So Diamond Days also teamed up with professional softball player, UCLA alum, and US Olympic medalist, Andrea Duran, who made a surprise appearance and trained with the team during Monday's practice. She did drills with the young Colts team, spoke to its members about her experiences, took pictures with her fellow softball players, and even signed some t-shirts.

I later had the chance to speak to Andrea who stressed that her immense dedication to the game of softball as a youth, starting when she was around 12 years of age, paid off quite well. She is the recipient of numerous medals and has won various championships throughout her career. To top it off, she's still playing and loving the game, traveling, and meeting other softball players from all over the globe.


INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION: ONE ATHLETE TO ANOTHER
Colts Head Varsity Coach, Cam Werner, stated that Diamond Days is an awesome opportunity for her team because a lot of the girls look up to Andrea and other world-class softball players like her. She proudly added that this year’s Colts team is bursting with talent. Some of the girls are batting in the 400's and 500's and one of the Colts pitchers has a solid 75 strikeouts this season. Coach Werner said that her team is constantly working at raising their game and to be able to train with an athlete of Andrea's caliber is a big up for them.

Warm ups

DIAMONDS THAT SHINE: FROM ATHLETES TO SCHOLARS
The beauty of the diamond is it's ability to shine. Like Andrea, who graduated from UCLA in 2006, the Colt players are also dedicated to their academics. One Colt, Veronica Vasquez, is even at the top of her class at Carson. She's been playing softball since she was about five years old and loves everything about the game, from the smell of the grass to her teammates and team play. Wow!

I have to say that athletes like Veronica, Andrea, and the rest of the Colt's team and staff really made Nike's Diamond Days a memory I won't soon forget. And I'm pretty sure Diamond Days will have the Colts relishing Nike's support for years to come.

Scholar Athletes: Andrea Duran and Veronica Vasquez

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