Come check it out at the St Bernards (aka The Burners).  333 Brodhead Ave (southside) Bethlehem, PA

Doors open at 8pm

$5-10 donation (PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE BETHLEHEM SKATEPLAZA)

ALL AGES // 21+ to drink

Performing Live:

TUG McRAW

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JOE STYLEZ

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HANK TATE

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THE UNCANNY

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w/ DJ Boog spinning between sets.

Giveaways throughout the night from Homebase Skateshop. Come out and support the Bethlehem Skateplaza. 100% of the door gets donated to the plaza. Let’s get the funds up to build phase 2 & 3!

**Also check out McRad & Bad American on Friday August 13th**

We could not have asked for a better display of what skateboarding in the 610 is all about.

Let’s keep showing the City of Bethlehem that we can take care of the plaza and deserve to have Phase 2 & 3 built as soon as possible.

Special thanks to Steve Williams Aerial Photography for the sky high images of the Bethlehem Skateplaza.

Check out the coverage on the DC Shoes website and keep your eyes peeled for another Berrics Field Ops on Homebase. Many more photos and videos to come.

I have no words to express this weekend means to me.  So many people have been part of this project through your support to the plaza itself or with all your encouragement to me personally.  We’ll finally have a place for all of us to meet, skate and have fun in our own town.  We’ve been on the road for so long; traveled to so many towns together- now it’s our turn to watch the nomads come to our park.  I’m glad this day has come and we’ve made together as a scene I’m proud to be a part of.

This is just the start. The day after the 18^th, all eyes will be on the skateboarding community and what we do with this plaza.  The locals that have championed this project we’ll be expected to set a positive example- whether we recognize it or not.  How we as a skate community conduct ourselves is a big deal now.  The City, the public and the press will be on the edge of their seat wondering if they made the right or wrong decision.  If they feel good about it then phase 2 & 3 will come faster.  If the minimal problems they fear so much like drinking, litter, graffiti, trespassing after hours and fighting occur all the support we’ve accumulated can quickly turn against us.  There are just some people who love saying “I told you so.”

We’re in a very peculiar spot as skaters right now. We have a lot riding on our shoulders- more than some might realize, all dependent on how we treat this first phase of the Bethlehem Skateplaza.  There are now opportunities to build more skateparks in Easton and possibly putting in a better park in Allentown.  Maybe the Bethlehem Skateplaza inspired kids on other towns to stand up and say “What about us?”  “If Bethlehem can do it, why can’t we?”  These other cities are starting to listen but we need to be sure they can never say ”We’re not building a skateplaza or skatepark because look at what happened in Bethlehem.”

We have everything going in our favor right now: favor in the City’s eyes, the backing of the community, the support of the local media and a growing buzz in the skateboarding world.  All we have to do is keep things positive and use this plaza for what it’s for- the fun and progression of skateboarding. The example must be laid by us- we have to show the younger generation park etiquette, tell these youngsters its not worth fighting someone who accidentally cuts you off, keep the drinking and smoking outside of the plaza, pick up the trash others might leave behind.  The future of the skateplaza and the possibility for more parks is literally in our hands.  We’ve set the bar high with this one but . . . We got this.

Thank you all for your support of Homebase & The Bethlehem Skateplaza

-Andrew Po

The Bethlehem Skateplaza’s address is 1325 Steel Ave.  Bethlehem, PA 18015 (It’s across the street from the Sands Casino)

The Grand Opening is a 3-day long event.   It’s ALL FREE, open to ALL AGES and once the skateplaza opens- it too will be FREE & for all ages.

Thanks to Jeff Pang and DC Shoes, The Berrics will be covering and our Grand Opening Event and we might even make it on Fuel TV.

Volunteers Needed! I know everyone is psyched for the plaza but we need people to donate some time to really support it this weekend.  Please call the Bethlehem Parks & Rec Department and volunteer: 610–865-7080

Now thoroughly read the flyer for the more information about Friday & Saturday’s events:

So what else is happening? Where do I park? Who’s coming?    Keep reading….

Friday July 16th.  The Grand Opening Ceremony

At 4pm the 2 proudest skateplaza supporters, Mayor Callahan and Director of Parks Ralph Carp open the Bethlehem Skateplaza with a little flare.  Mayor Callahan will be “focusing” a deck in true skateboard tradition.

Also attending will be members of the City Council, DCNR, Southside Vision 2012, The CACLV and many other community supporters who have silently and boldy made this world-class plaza happen.  We owe these people a debt of gratitude.

Help us Complete the Skateplaza & WIN!

The Grand Opening Weekend is only for Phase 1 of the 40,000 square foot skateplaza the City of Bethlehem plans on building.  The City will be selling refreshments, brick pavers and taking donations for the 2nd & 3rd phase.  Homebase will be helping by running the raffle wheel and giving away prizes like decks from 5boro, shoe certificates from DC Shoes, clothing from L-R-G and RCN even donated a iMAC and a WII to the prize pot!  $10 a spin.

Let the Good Times Roll.

We’ll also be donating a few of our limited edition “Let the Good Times Roll” T-Shirt.  The commemorative grand opening shirt will also be available for sale at Homebase starting Friday.

The Best Place to Park.

Want to get to the skateplaza quick and don’t want to get stuck looking for street parking for hours?  Here’s a hint. . . . use this FREE PUBLIC PARKING LOT.   It’s a direect walk/skate down to the skateplaza.

Or . . . park at the Sands Casino and walk acorss the street using the cross walk that will take you right to the skateplaza.  But you didn’t here that from me…..

Saturday July 17. Pro/Am Demo & Shop Team Contest.

On Saturday, there will be some pro/am skaters present from some of the brands that have really gotten behind the Bethlehem Skateplaza

The Pro/Am Demo will be on 1 section of the plaza and will start at 12pm and end with an autograph signing session.  We want to event to mainly consist of YOU getting to skateboard on the plaza but we respectfully ask no one skates the designated demo area while it is happening.

So who exactly is coming? Glad you asked.

Dan Pensyl & 5Boro: Skateplaza Supporters from Day 1.

Click here to view the embedded video.

L-R-G’s New East Coast rider: Tom Asta

Chris Cole can’t make it but his squad from Reign Skate will:  Ed Duff, Ishod Wair & you already know Tom Asta is coming.

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Thanks to Jeff Pang’s support, the DC Shoes “Build/Control” Northeast Tour is stopping by the skateplaza grand opening featuring:

Josh Kalis (So HYPED for Kalis)

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Wes Kremer

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Marquis Henry

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Evan Smith

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Alien Workshop’s Jake Johnson

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10 Deep’s German Nieves, Jamal Smith & Daniel Kim

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There will also be shop riders from about a dozen regional shops coming to compete in our Inaugural Skateplaza Shop Showdown:

Reign Skate, NJ Skateshop, Division East, Kinetic, Bently’s Boards, Pocket Aces, Nocturnal, Homebase, Penn Skate, Amateur Athlete, 2189 Skatehop, Switch Skateshop and who knows who else will show up.

Each shop will register a 3-skater team so 1 skater can compete each of the contests.

There will be a Game of S.K.A.T.E. sponsored by Zoo York.

Best Trick on the “Clam Shell/Taco” Obstacle sponsored by L-R-G.

Best Trick down the Gap/Rail/Hubba sponsored by DC Shoes.

Again, we ask that no one skate the designated contest area while it is happening.

As soon as the contest is finished, it will be open skateboarding for everyone til the sun goes down.

Open skateboard time on Saturday will be from DAWN til 12pm and then 3pm til DARK

Live Performances by: Music throughout the weekend will be provide by:

DJ Cap Cee thanks to B104 & Skullcandy Headphones.

Friday night concert courtesy of The Sandlot Heroes

- Their drummer, Ans Gibson is a long time friend of Homebase and one of the most slept on skaters in the 610 too.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Saturday night concert courtesy of The Trouble City Allstars (and possibly McRad)

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Refreshments will be provided by the City of Bethlehem for a donation to the Bethlehem Skateplaza.  Consumption of alcohol will not be permitted in or around the skateplaza. Please keep in mind this is a family event.

Anything else? I think I might have covered it all between the flyer and the insane amount of text but if there is anything else:

Please contact us at:  Homebase610@gmail.com for more info

4th of July Weekend started on First Friday and for most of the Homebase posse that was home that meant coming out to Andy V’s L.V.A.N. Art Show, “Furnitural FIgures.”

V set up one of the best L.V.A.N. window displays we’ve ever had.  Better than what other ones? . . . Well, I’m not that ruthless.

V’s woodworking is amazing. Not that I know a whole lot about woodworking but if you do, come by and give me your professional critique.

Roughly 15-20 hours of work went into each of these hands.  Look for all of them around the shop . . . then buy the set.

The mob lurked into the wee hours of the night.

And I was lurking too.  Creepy.

I took off to New York for the rest of the holiday weekend to hang out with friends in Brooklyn.  If you follow me on Twitter then you know what I did in New York.  I ATE.  Like at this BBQ in Prospect Park, I must have had a box of Fruit by the Foot.  What do you mean that’s not BBQ food? What do you know anyway.

5Boro’s Justin Barnes and the other Dobbin Block skaters have put on a 4th of July block party for the last 4 years. . . without permits.

I got there a little late and the cops had already shown up 3-4 times to give them warnings about people being in the street and noise.  What do you expect when its a crowd of skaters (I’ll refrain from name dropping here), metalheads, punks, hipsters and the occasional homeless person.

The fireworks- purchased from our own Phantom Fireworks came out as the sun went down.

And it wasn’t long til the cops came and shut it down.

Watch the video a see why. . .

Click here to view the embedded video.

So when there’s the really big explosion and all the people screaming- the camera gets all shakey because I was thrown back by a mortar that just blew up without taking off.  I was probably 15 feet away from the looks of this picture where they were setting up.

Something hit the bottom of my left eye and now I have this weird twitch happening.  At least I still have it.

Nothing like a long weekend and a Monday Night Saugy Session to bring out the crowds.  Well, there might have been a bigger crowd if it wasn’t 100 degrees outside.

It pays to come to Saugy Sessions- not just by playing Sk8 Dice.  These guys came up on some used decks by helping pick up trash at the park.  Thanks Homies.

Peep Izzy’s drawing of Ray.  Nice goatee Ray.

The Saugy Showdown Games of S.K.A.T.E. and the weekly clip will be up soon.

One way is by coming out to the Southside for July’s First Friday events at Homebase and all the other shops.  We’ll be celebrating two ways this month.  One will be by starting our Summer Clearance Sale on almost all the apparel and shoes in the store now to make room for a season which will remain nameless. . .

Tons of deals on Summer apparel like t-shirts, shorts and hats.  Save up to 75% on some items while they last.  The sale will go on til the Bethlehem Skateplaza opens on the 16th.We’ll also be debuting longtime Homebase homie and shop rider, Andy Vasquez’s L.V.A.N. Art Show “Furnitural Figures” on the back wall at Homebase.

V has been studying woodworking for a number of years and will be displaying his creations for the first time.  I’ve been working at the shop as V’s been bringing in the hand-carved pieces and they are amazing.  Come out and support one of the skateboarding communities finest tonight from 7pm-10pm.

If not, you can SUCK IT.  Just kidding.

Friday July 16th:  Official opening ceremony with riboon cutting

Saturday July 17th:  Skateboarding Only All Day Celebration with guest pro teams, shop best trick contest and of course . . . skateboarding

Sunday July 18th:  BMX Only All Day Event.

In Allentown we’ll be at. . .

Monday Night Saugy Session & the start of the Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown.  And you know we’ll have the trick wheel out too.

Download the Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown 2 Bracket HERE

The first 4 matches will be on June 21st:

Michael Hlavinka vs. Marc Pichardo

Justin Wolfinger vs. Austin Ferdock

Jackie Nguyen vs. Cal Smith

Brandon Sandt vs. John Escueta

There are a few changes to the dates, rules and what happens if it rains is covered in here so if you’re one of the 32 skaters entered in the tournament- read this carefully.

Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Bracket with Dates:

Download the Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown 2 Bracket HERE

The first 4 matches will be on June 21st:

Michael Hlavinka vs. Marc Pichardo

Justin Wolfinger vs. Austin Ferdock

Jackie Nguyen vs. Cal Smith

Brandon Sandt vs. John Escueta

The Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown Rules: The Berrics rules apply.

- This is flatground only, but that doesn’t mean anything on the flatground counts.

- No feet on the ground. That means no, no complies, no handplants, grabs, bonelesses.

- Last letter gets two tries.

- Offensive toe drag gets one do over.

- Defensive toe drag has a bigger margin for error, but will ultimately be decided by the referee.

- Tricks must be “popped” if they are set that way.

And two of our own . . .

- Re-do’s can only be given by the official judge, not the crowd.

- Skater setting the trick can do NO MORE THAN TWO 180 BIG-SPIN TRICKS IN A ROW.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:  When and where do the games of S.K.A.T.E. happen?

A:  They happen at Monday Night Saugy Sessions in Keck Park in Allentown.  The Games of S.K.A.T.E. typically start at 6pm.

Q:  How Do I Enter the Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown?

A:  This year’s tournament registration is already closed.  There’s always next year though

Q:  What if I can’t make it to my match?

A:  All match dates are final.  It is your responsibility to make to to your match.  A no show will equal a loss.  There are no refunds for your $5 entry fee but if you can choose your own replacement if you know you will not be able to skate.

Q:  What if it rains?

A:  If it rains, matches will get pushed back to the next session unless another plan is worked out.  If we push back, then all the matches will get pushed back too.   All skaters entered in the Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown should SEND ME YOUR CELL PHONE OR E-MAIL TO: Homebase610@gmail.com This way we can contact you if anything comes up.

I think that pretty much covers it but if not, e-mail your questions to: Homebase610@gmail.com

We will have to postpone tonight’s Saugy S.K.A.T.E. Showdown matches so we can re-arrange some dates for some skaters who are entered.  We will be reposting the showdown dates later this week and if you can not make your match- that will result in a loss.  Stay posted for details but in the mean time, here’s who you will be up against.

Instead of a weekly contest we will be bringing out the raffle wheel but it’s now going to be the trick wheel. Here’s the general idea:

1) Give Ray a $1

2) Spin the wheel and hope it doesn’t land on switch laser flip

3) Whatever trick it lands on- do it win a t-shirt, DVD, hats and more from Homebase.

Get there early because once the prizes run out the wheel gets put away.  Even if you don’t go to Keck tonight- hope you get out and enjoy this perfect weather for skating,