Did you know that for every ton of office paper, book reports, or love letters you recycle could save approximately 380 gallons of oil?  Or are you aware that about 50-100 species of plants and animals become extinct due to the destruction of their natural habitat?  Wrap your mind around this one – your urine has multiple beneficial uses.  Like peeing on your t-shirt then wrapping it around your head when you can’t escape the heat is a good way to keeping you cool.  Not just slang cool, but your temperature cool as well.   That one doesn’t really apply to saving the planet but I thought you should just know that fact.  

I’ve done my part.  Now it’s your turn to spread the wealth of knowledge.  The Element Team have definitely given their share of environmental awareness.  Their brand new “Power To The Planet” campaign gathered over 60 Element family members to share with you the viewer, why it’s important to save our planet and how essential it is to start now.  And you essentially don’t have to do that much.  Change your light bulbs to power saving bulbs.  Ride your board once a week instead of using your LIFTED CHEVY.  Maybe hang out with NUDIST.

Check out this VIDEO starring some of Element’s biggest names:  Mike Vallely, Chad Muska, Bucky Lasek.  Even some old faces like Jeremy Wray and Ray Barbee are part of the movement.  And listen to what they have to say.  Except for the go vegetarian part.  That would mean I would have to give up PIG KNUCKLES. MMmmm

Mike V is great at a few things.  Obviously skateboarding for one, music, busting skulls, and hockey.  We’ve seen him in loads of skateboard videos, countless tours, and numerous demos he’s been apart of.  Vallelly has just gotten off a tour with his band this summer during the Warped Tour.  And this epic video of him fighting.  But there isn’t much about Mike V. out on the ice.  I think I remember seeing some short clip of him playing many years back.  In that video too he ended up in a fight. 

Well his hockey skills will now be on showcase for the world to see.  Or at least his apparel company will be because the Anaheim Ducks is teaming up with Mike for a new clothing line, which will be sold at the team’s store.  Maybe see Mike V  on a Flying V t-shirt.  Perhaps a custom Mike V helmet with a hair net.  Check out the press release below for more info. 

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has partnered with professional skateboarder Mike Vallely, known as “Mike V” in the entertainment and sports industries. Highlighting the partnership, the Ducks and Mike V will launch a co-branded apparel line to be sold at the Anaheim Ducks Team Store. Mike V will also be featured on the Anaheim Ducks web site with his own blog, as well as segments on The Element and Ducks TV which are part of the Anaheim Ducks Hockey Network (ADHN). An avid hockey supporter, fans will be able to catch Mike V spreading his passion for Anaheim Ducks hockey in all his endeavors and appearances in the Southern California area.

“Both skateboarding and hockey are fast-paced, athletic sports that are proving to be the activities of choice for today’s youth,” Anaheim Ducks Executive Vice President/COO Tim Ryan. “Teaming with professional skateboarder Mike Vallely and his core following of sports and music enthusiasts is a demographic fit that benefits both parties and provides us a unique opportunity to extend our brand.”

Mike V is a professional skateboarder, musician, television personality (DRIVE on Fuel TV), stuntman and actor. Born and raised in Edison, New Jersey, Vallely made a name for himself in 1986 when he was discovered by skateboarding legends Stacy Peralta and Lance Mountain while skateboarding in a parking lot in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The first east coast based street-skater to emerge on the scene, Mike became an overnight sensation in the skateboarding world and has remained one of its most influential and important professionals over the last 22 years.

“In my mind hockey is the original action sport,” said Mike V, a Ducks season ticket holder “Before the fame of action sports, hockey players were generally regarded as the toughest and craziest athletes on the planet. I think they still are. Of all the traditional and action sports, hockey and skateboarding are the only ones that are truly compatible.”

Mike is also the vocalist for rock band Revolution Mother, formed in 2005. After touring with bands like Bad Religion and Tiger Army as well as playing on the past two Warped Tours, Revolution Mother has fine tuned their sound and live show to create their own brand of rock and roll. Mike V is also involved in many charities, inspiring and empowering young individuals to positively and creatively express them selves.

For more information on the Anaheim Ducks or Mike V, please visit either AnaheimDucks.com or MikeVallely.com.

It’s true; I think you can tell a lot about a person based on their footwear.  I consider myself a good, no great judge of people especially from their shoes even without looking at who they are above the ankle.  For instance, I was at the beach the other day and while staring at the ground because of my depression, I saw a pair of Birkenstocks walk past my frame of vision.  Without even looking up, I figured because we’re by the beach, Hermosa Beach specifically, the dude must have been a 205 lb body builder from Austria.  When I did look up, the guy must have weighed at least 255 lbs with a blond flat top and a muscle t-shirt.  I knew it!  Well I come across these situations all the time and I’m never surprised how correct I am 80% of the time.

Well it looks like I’m not the only shoe expert here.  After reading this amazing article in the New York Times about skaters and their sneakers, it looks like I might have some competition.  The article features the relationship between skaters and their sneakers and how unlike most sport related footwear; skaters seem to prefer style before function.  I myself would have to agree.  Although unrelated to skating, I prefer the color of my Soaps before I check the detail of the shoe’s buttery sole.

Anyway, check out the article in the New York Times.  You might find out like I did from reading it that I may be a little shallower than I thought.  I mean, I would never use a gray colored Soap.  Are you kidding me!?

Just in time too because I think I can speak for most of the world when I say, we’re getting tired of reruns of Jackass on MTV 2. Time for new material. Anyway, the video will make its premiere on the Element Skateboards site on October 1st. The film also comes free with the purchase of any Bam’s Or Bust pro decks. Check out the trailer here.

Yes that’s correct.  What kind of person must it take to attract so many people?  This person must have charisma, likeability, charm, and the ability to articulate a message.  No I’m not talking about Barack Obama, although he very mush so applies to this description.  But he spoke to 200,000 and that took place in Berlin.  Low and behold, I’m talking about America’s own Mike Vallely.  Actually I’m not sure if he fits every aspect to that description but regardless, I find it absolutely astonishing that one man can attract so many people.

It’s been almost two decades since Mike Vallely has visited Mexico City and he sure received a warm welcome.  Mike documents the entire thing on his Myspace Blog and it’s something you definitely have to look at.  You would think that you’re reading Michael Jackson’s blog.  I haven’ seen a crowd that large gather in Mexico City since the Emo’s vs. Punks riots that occurred earlier this year.  Regardless, it’s really humbling to see people all over the globe really appreciate representatives like Mike Vallely when they come to town. 

Chad Muska is taking time out of his busy DJ’ing career and time away from entertaining the nu-rave hipsters of Los Angeles for you.  Mike Vallely is taking time out of his busy band schedule looking scary on stage to be here for you.  And Bam Margera has to reschedule beating up on his dad and bumping his head senselessly on drywall to be here for you.  Where’s “here” you may ask?  The Vans skatepark in Orange County, that’s where.

The threesome will be doing a skate demo and autograph signing to entertain the kids of the O.C. and greater Los Angeles area on August 19th from 1PM – 3PM.  These guys are psyched to be there for you despite their crazy schedules.  Check it out.

This new documentary on the evolution of NYC skateboarding looks bad! I can’t wait to see it. Narrated by one of my favorite actresses Chloe Sevigny, “Death To Downtown” is takes a look at those involved with skateboarding’s evolution by speaking with skaters like Lance Mountain, Mike Vallely, Keith Hufnagel, and the Gonz.  The footage in the trailer is amazing.

The documentary will premiere tomorrow May 8th at 8:30 pm at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Check out all the info below.

PREMIERE:
Thursday May 8th
reception at 7pm
screening at 830pm

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
199 Chambers St.
b/t Greenwich and West Streets.
(near the west side highway)
NY, NY

AFTER PARTY:
Thursday May 8th, 2008
10pm – 2am
21+

Waterfront New York
AKA The Tunnel – (the one with the ramp)
224 12th Ave at 27th St.
NY, NY

special guest DJ Paul Sevigny
open bar and cocktails

The MOVING IMAGE
a photographic history of skateboarding in new york city
opening reception
Thursday May 9th, 2008
7pm – 12am
21+

Etnies Showroom
29 Greene St.
NY, NY