But that was before the Bethlehem Skateplaza opened.  Now I’m rushing out of my house to meet a small but growing group of homies at the plaza at 6, 7 or 8am to get an early morning session in before we all go off to our various jobs.

I think I might be the only one who actually east breakfast at the plaza.  If you really want to know what I eat, follow me on Twitter.

It takes some time to get used to skating at 6am.  You get eventually get warmed up after a while.

Well, some don’t . . .

To get the most out of the session you might want to come dressed in your work attire like Emery over here.

He can tune up your car or tweak an ollie over the hip.  No biggie.

Kyle was one of the first people to session the plaza in the wee hours of the morning.  Smith grind pop into the bank.

Dan Welsh has been killing it for years in the 610.  Big tweaked frontside grab is disaster on the clam.

“You see us as you want to see us. . . “

Click here to view the embedded video.

So in an effort to give you a quality skateboard wheel at a fair price we proudly present the first Homebase wheel.

Oh!  The places you will go.

We selected 100a forumla urethane that would give you a smooth ride on the fresh skateplaza concrete and flatspot resistant so all those little pebbles wouldn’t ruin your session.

The wheels come in 52mm, 53mm, 54mm and 56mm.  Only $25 a set.

As part of our Homebase is for Homies Sale we’re getting started, if you and a homie come in and buy a set each you’ll each get $5 off.

It’s good seeing everyone learning new tricks and progressing.  Homebase manager, Josh Novak has been on the injured list for a while so it was so inspiring seeing him snap these frontside 360’s over the steep hip.  (photo by Jaim Heim)

Keeping sending us your skateplaza footage to: Homebase610@gmail.com

Flipsk8r051

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dmitricobb123’s

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BillieBenedict

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Kindabutwhatever

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and of course. . . . The Berrics clip again:

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s also really good seeing everyone helping take care of the plaza by cleaning up trash and looking out for the younger kids.  We all need to keep working together to make sure Phase 2 & 3 get built.  The City is very proud of how you’ve all be treating this new skateplaza.

KEEP IT UP!

The team was made up of some of the best skaters to ever set foot on a skateboard but it just seemed to lack the heart and originality the original line up had.

Then VAMdalism was released this month and I’m thinking they are back on the right track.  The rawness of this video can’t be digested in just one viewing- watch this over and over again and understand why the “game” is all messed up now.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Not trying to break any hearts but seriously kids- skate for fun unless you’re already on this level.

It’s been a busy week at Homebase since the skateplaza opened and I can’t thank you all enough for your support of the shop. We’ve had kids hanging out that we normally don’t see, skaters from California, Philly and even had some visitors from Holland today.  This is the best place to chill after letting the good times roll at the plaza.

So what else is new at Homebase?

Hard Times Skateboards. . . That’s what.  Y’all see this video?

Click here to view the embedded video.

New wood starting at $45.

New decks from the Lebanon, PA based Artick Skateboards.

Also wheels from Spitfire and we have Chima’s new pro model Real Deck.

Some regular and mini decks from Mystery & Zero too.

Manik Skateboards did a Summer baseball themed Homebase collab T-shirt repping the 610.  Maybe we’ll wear these when we play wiffleball against Exit and Reign.

Es & Emerica Fall Footwear is showing up.

New Bobby Worrest First Bloods in black/gum.

The Es’ Square One in black/ red/ white.

The Emerica Reynolds Classics in deep purple.

The Emerica Romero 2 Toy Machine Collab shoe.

Got a re-up of 610 Love T-Shirts too.

Coming soon Lost Soul Decks, Altamont, Skullcandy and more . . .

Thanks to Jeff Pang and DC Shoes, Duarte from The Berrics was able to fly out and cover the Grand Opening as a follow up to the original Homebase Field Ops.

He’s going to be so bummed I posted up a picture of him.  The guy works insane hours, travels all over the world helping out core skateshops like Homebase and knows all your favorite pro skaters too.

Not too bad of a gig working for The Berrics.Homenase Revisited.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I know, I know, I know . . . . where are the photos, videos and results from the Grand Opening Weekend?!

I’m working on it y’all.  It’s been a really hectic week preparing for the opening and it’s been crazy since the gates opened.  I’m trying to keep the City, the Mayor, the neighbors, the riders, the skaters and everyone’s parents happy.

I NEED YOUR HELP TO DO THAT.

If you support the plaza and want to see it expand into Phase 2 & 3 then please help us to these things and tell others to do the same:

1) Put ANY trash in the trash cans.

2) Don’t act tough.  Accept you will run into people from time to time.

3)  Don’t skate or ride in the street. Keep it in the skateplaza.

4)  Please do not park on the street so the residents have a place to park.  Park in other public lots and skate over.  Park across the street in the Sands lot and WALK OVER.

5)  Take it easy on the little guys. A lot of the younger kids don’t know how to operate in the plaza yet.  If someone is standing, sitting or just generally in the way- ASK THEM NICELY to move to the back of the plaza to practice their ollies.  We need to work together to teach the younger kids skateplaza manners.

Understand that your actions- good or bad can effect the skateplaza.  The better we all act and show the City that this is a positive and safe place- the fast they will work to build us more of the skateplaza. The more reports of peeing in public, fighting and skating in the street they get from the neighbors who are watching us (not to mention the 24 hour surveillance) the less likely they will want this skateplaza to expand.

You may not be the cause of a problem but if you do not prevent problems from happening when you can- we can all pay the price for other people’s irresponsibility.

That’s the case for Wes and Luke who will be setting off on a cross country trip that will finish on the west coast in hazy San Francisco.  Not just for a short skate trip to bomb Lombard St, grind the 3rd & Army ledges or heckle the hippies on Haight St.

They’re both starting a chapter in their lives out there and we wish them all the best.

I have no doubts they’ll both stand out in California with their unique skateboarding styles but also genuine attitude towards life itself.  I’ve known both Wes and Luke since they were 14- maybe even younger and have had the privilege to look at them as skate rats to full grown men that I respect and would trust with my life.

You both should know that you will both be missed by a lot of people here in the 610.  It will be a shame not to see Luke crushing through the new skateplaza or having Wes at the party making everyone laugh.  It’s time the rest of the world had a chance to get to know you two.  Lucky for them.

Safe travels.  God bless.  When you’re ready to come home, the 610 will be waiting.

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.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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)

Click here to view the embedded video.

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

Click here to view the embedded video.

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