Make sure you grab the new 411VM 14.1 when it comes out February 7th and check out Marius Syvanen's "Growing Pains" segment...buttery. See the trailer in the Video section.

Jason came by NHS recently in his newest ride (Chevy Biscayne) to take care of some business regarding his Vets Division Model which should be out in April. He also talked about his adventures at San Jose Airport and his new friends in the FBI. One big misunderstanding turned into a special reception upon landing complete with more cops than ten Dunkin Donuts could hold and an all day interrogation with FBI Agents & San Jose Police. We're happy to report Jason was released without any charges...freedom of speech is still in effect apparently. Being the gentleman that Jason is, he arranged a full on-air apology on a local Bay Area news station to all the passengers on the flight who were inconvenienced that day. Well done.

I hope I'm not letting the "Vato out of the bag" too soon but good news like this is hard to hold back...Emmanual Guzman scored his 1st pro cover shot on the March issue of The Skateboard Mag (recall Eman's cover as an Am on SLAP July 2005)! Emmanuel also has a 10-page interview in The Skateboard Mag March issue!
Congrats my friend - keep up the hard work Manny, you're killing it!

If you plan on flying with Jason Jessee, ask him to please keep his journal in his backpack...for the full story go to http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/13554638.htm

Tommy Fynn's recent "business" trip to the US is starting to pay off in magazine coverage...Tommy made the "Who's Hot" list in the February issue of Skateboarder Mag (page 112). Good on ya' mate!

It's my displeasure to report that skateboarding is now officially illegal in Barcelona.. as of January 1st, 2006! I guess the SC team finished up filming "Out There" just in time to have the hammer thrown down! That's about the only good thing to report with this! Lee Smith and crew let us in on this totally ridiculous, trend following story. He sent us an email today saying "Skateboarding is now illegal in Barcelona, dont come here!!!!" Thanks for the heads up Lee!

As a matter of fact, skateboarding isn't the only thing that is illegal in Barcelona as of the 1st. Here's where the list starts but it doesn't end... playing music, juggling, skateboarding, drinking alcohol, being homeless, spitting, selling things on the sidewalk, 'visually degrading the surroundings', prostitution, rollerblading, acrobatics, reading tarot cards, graffiti, getting tattoos or massages, etc. I have to admit that the rollerblading thing should have happened long ago but still, that doesn't help the whole picture here! I have a feeling Barcelona is going to loose a lot of their tourist economy... if they turn themselves into a mirror image of American cities, then why would Americans need to go there? hummmmm