Good times were had, art was displayed and pondered, music was performed. Special thanks to Tim Martinez, Imagine Marketing and Ollie Pop for providing the funding for this really cool and mellow event. A bunch of skate shops under one roof hanging out and having good times - Why doesn’t that happen more often? Side Note: Patrick Melcher pretty much ruled the wheels of steel. Tha Selector was on point.

Photography provided by Ashlie Chavez who not only captured lovely images but also called this author an a-hole. For more on Ashlie check out her site.

An additional special thanks to the Liberty Boardshop Artists that contributed another solid body of work. The list of artists include:

Anthony Bach, Jason Samarin, Scott Lee, Ashlie Chavez, Foof, Tom Krauser, Gershon Mosley, Robin Letcher, and newcomer Sho Noro

Like a lightning bolt from the almighty. The boardshop has orders to issue a discount code. 20% Off Entire order from now till Monday, June 22, in the year two thousand nine - ano domini.

Shop for some stuff then on checkout there will be a discount code field.

Use this code: junspc

Then receive 20% Off whatever you buy.

Free Shipping on orders over $80.00

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It’s looking like it’s summer, don’t make it a bummer.

The Maloof Money Cup is coming up soon. If you have a chance to go see it in person, we suggest you go. It’s crazy hectic and some of the best skating and antics don’t seem to make it past the FCC - even on cable. It’s like WWE but with skating - a battle royale of sorts.

We have a contest. And it starts right now. Leave a comment below with a valid email adress and be entered to win a limited edtion Maloof Money Cup skate deck. It’s very simple - like the beer, Simpler Times, for $2.99 at Trader Joes.

This contest ends on July 12th. The winner will be determined by a random drawing.

Winners will be announced July 13th. Please provide valid email address so we can contact you.

The Maloof Money Cup takes place the weekend of July 10 through 12, 2009 at the Orange County fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

Check the Maloof Money Cup web site for more details on the event.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD.

This contest is subject to these Official Rules and any other rules at any time promulgated by Sole Technology, Inc and/or Liberty Board Shop Sole Technology, Inc. and/or Liberty Board Shop reserve the right to amend these rules at any time in its sole discretion. In the event that any provision or rule is found unenforceable by any court of appropriate jurisdiction, such provision or rule shall be severed herefrom and the remainder of the Official Rules shall remain valid and enforceable. The contest rules shall be interpreted according to the substantive laws of the State of California, without regard to choice of law principles.  In the event of any question or ambiguity with respect to these Official Rules, Sole Technology, Inc.’s interpretation of such question or ambiguity shall be final and binding upon all participants.

Up to  3 (three)  Limited edition Maloof Money Cup Skate deck(s) will be available for this contest from  June 2nd to  July 12th .  This promotion is valid while supplies last or July 12 whichever is earlier.  All entries shall be subject to availability, and entries received after July 12th for the limited edition Maloof Money Cup skate deck shall be invalid.  Sole Technology, Inc. reserves the right to substitute like prizes of equal or similar value. Winners are responsible for all taxes in connection herewith.

Winners will be selected by random drawing[s].  Winners will be notified around July 13th for the limited edition Maloof Money Cup skate deck. If a potential winner does not reply to the winner notification within 48 hours of its issuance, he/she will be deemed ineligible. If he or she cannot or does not comply with the Official Rules, she or he will be disqualified, the prize will be forfeited and an alternative winner may be selected, at Sole Technology’s discretion.  The total value of all prizes awarded hereunder is approximately $100. Prizes shall not be redeemable for cash. Odds of winning are subject to number of entries.

THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION OR OTHER FILINGS OR NOTICES ARE REQUIRED UNDER LAW. This promotion is not open to employees of Sole Technology, Inc. and their families. Sole Technology, Inc. shall not be responsible or liable for lost, stolen, misdirected, delayed, destroyed or illegible entries or submissions.  Winners agree that their name, certain biographical information, and/or a photograph of them may be used by Sole Technology, Inc. without further compensation, in any publicity.  This promotion is only open to legal residents of the continental United States.

ALL SUBMISSIONS, ENTRIES, DRAWINGS AND ANY COPYRIGHTED OR COPYRIGHTABLE ARTWORK OR DESIGNS OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CONTAINED THEREIN ARE AND SHALL BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF SOLE TECHNOLOGY, INC. and the entrant agrees to execute such assignment or other documents as are necessary to enforce the rights of Sole Technology, Inc. granted herein without any compensation of any kind to the entrant.

James Craig is probably Liberty Boardshop’s longest tenured team rider. Not too long ago James broke his arm and instead of dwelling on the tragedy of not being able to skate while he was injured, he came and worked with us at the Liberty Boardshop HQ. It’s almost as if James hasn’t missed a beat since being injured. The Blind Video just dropped and he’s been filming ever since - logging clips and making Liberty an all around better place.

We caught up with James since it was right down the hall and asked him some questions.

Check out James Craig’s section of the Free Press  - The Cliff’s Notes Blog.

How’s the arm?

The arm is feeling really good! No pain really at all

For those that don’t know what happened to it?

Well I shattered my Humerus bone or the upper part of the arm, then re-broke one of the fractures 3 months after.

How do you feel now that the Blind Video is out?

I feel good but just wish I could have been able to film for the last 11 months. It always feels good after a part drops, like a lot of weight of the shoulders and kinda refreshed to learn new shit.

Have you been skating a lot since the video premiere?

Yeah I have a few times with Ronnie, that dude is on fire. I have even learned a few new moves. I guess you can teach an old T-dog some new tricks.

So what’s it like to be managing 2 careers? You’ve taken on a pretty solid position with the Boardshop and you also have your Pro Skateboarder responsibilities - is that difficult to manage?

Well I’m really just about to find out cause the skate career was on pause cause of the arm and working at Liberty is fun for me… I think if I just maintain focus on what needs to be done and do it - I should be fine - just a little more stressed. Also, the pro skate career is not going to last forever. Sometimes you gotta keep looking for what’s next.

It seems like that doesn’t happen till it’s pretty late in the game for a lot of people. Is this something that’s always been in the back of your mind?

Well I love skateboarding and have been fortunate to be around almost every side of it and have always thought I would want to work in skateboarding after the pro chapter is closed. I have also had the understanding that kids are just too fucking good and to think a young buck could be right there and ready to fill the spot of an over the hill pro. I’m not saying I’m over the hill cause I’m like a fine wine yo! But, yeah man, kids are just so good these days and younger than ever.

A fine wine indeed. What’s you take on where skateboarding is right now?

Well it’s pretty big and I don’t see it ever being as small as it was in the early 90’s. We are accepted as a sport now, when before we were weirdos. Skating is going through a cleaning of sorts right now and I think it’s good cause whoever is left will have a good market to supply because people are still buying skateboards.

That’s an interesting comment - what do you think fuels that change - the cleansing?

Well it’s a product of an over-saturated market combined with the contraction of the economy which have made for a doozy of a shit cocktail. Greed is thrown into all of that and it becomes a big dick contest but really it’s part of the natural cycle of ups and downs in the industry. Skateboarding has seen this a few times during it’s years. It seems like somehow, someway it always happens.

Even if we are getting air time on ABC, ESPN and NBC we still have pro’s making peanuts and others rolling Aston Martin’s.

You’ve had a long career when a lot of other people have came and went. What’s the secret?

(Laughs) … uummm…. don’t give up even when they try to bring you down. (Laughs) no I don’t know. I have been fortunate to have Blind have my back through a bunch of injuries and shit and also having friends who always skate and film with - Jub Jub!

What sort of advice do you have for all the young and hungry rippers out there?

Kids, remember that skateboarding is fun first and if you want to make it as a pro/am never give up and be realistic. There is a huge talent pool so don’t be discouraged and keep given er’ !

Congrats to Carlos Lastra for advancing to the next event - he was ripping.

Yes yes, we just unearthed a lost Morse Code from a kiestered hard drive. One night of filming at Etnies TF. The cast in order of appearance: Brad Herrera, David Rodriguez, Chase Morse, and skate counter extraordinaire - Jeff Chikami. Enjoy.

In the tradition of giving it all away, or open source as they call it, we have another great mix available for download. This one is slightly on the older side - taking it all the way back to the days of analog recording, vinyl records turnning, and babes with big hair.

This mix is brought to us by Valdas Karalis. Valdas is a Long Beach, CA native who can rock the house. The mix does get a little sketchy about 20 minutes in. Don’t blame the DJ - it is not his fault - this author may have scratched the disc while reaching for that cup of joe.

Check out his myspace

Download the MP3 from us. Remember to right click and save.

Download from MediaFire.

No track list available just yet but stay tuned we’ll keep you posted.

What is Foof - What is Gias? We’ll let you decide. The new Liberty Boardshop decks are in with a special guest graphic contributed by the world famous artist - Foof. You buy a board online you can get a free limited screen print - printed by none other than the man himself - Foof. There are not that many of these screen prints available. Buy a board get a free print - it’s that easy.

Now go buy one before the prints are gone.

This is a billboard project that GIAS just recently completed. Legit dot com.

Ahhhh… Spring is here and it’s time to start working on that base coat. Get out the cocoa butter and oakley blades and get your spot reserved at the local plunge. A good way to start out the week by getting 20% off you entire order. This author should have postponed that new deck purchase for a few days in order to save some money. What’s the saying… Hindsight 20/20 - not sure. Either way from now till May 19th, 2009 you can save 20% off your entire order - this applies to all items and even sale merchandise. Why you ask? Because we want you to be stoked and to save some money.

20% Off your entire order starting now till May 19th.

You must use the discount code: lbsmay09

Sale ends May 19th, 2009

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May the force be with you.

Toy Machine’s newest blood sucker and Emerica’s native son - Leo Romero will be at the shop signing autographs and generally just hanging out.

This all goes down: Wedndesday - May 6, 2009 (5:30pm - 6:30pm)

Liberty Boardshop

330 N. Brea Blvd. # B

Brea, CA 92821

Map this.

Come by and hang out with one of the gnarliest skaters of our time.

Maybe buy some Emerica Leo’s to show some love.

Shop Emerica

You can also call for anymore information: 714.256.9464