Old World. (Trash).

The long-running Dogtown and Z Boys marketing dispute is finally (according to some) close to resolution. Jay Wilson, Nathan Pratt, Jeff Ho and others have been seen meeting at Vans HQ. Oddly, a DTZB big wig who is not affiliated with Vans nor was not m the meetings allegedly characterized some Z Boys as "ungrateful trained monkeys."

Globe International has agreed to buy Kubic for up to US $45 million. Globe is said to be issuing 81 million worth of shares to fund the takeover. Kubic founders Rodney "Mutt" Mullen and Steve "Rock" Rocco have been about, appearing fatter and happier than usual. And there were once those who said that there was no future in freestyle? Meanwhile, the so-called industry quakes in confusion while the real skaters keep riding.

Sullen, sassy, and self-satisfied, Rock surveyed the debacle of the Mervyns' Soul Bowl on the beach in Hermosa. Steve stared wistfully at the show astride examples from his fleet of 1950's Schwinn black, red, and green Phantom cruiser bikes. Periodic flashes of brilliance stirred all present, including the boy multi-millionaire. The Grandmasters division was exceedingly flagrant in its ability to generate heat. The abundant crowds called out McGill, Hackett, Steve Caballero, Dave Duncan, and Duane Peters as being exceptional. Jake Brown's fakie 720s, Omar Hassan's corner-carve 50-50s, and Chad Vogt's nollie heelflip backside lip revert all went down with distinction. Brian Patch walked off with $1,500 bucks as the consensus favorite. At the end of it all, Rocco rode off into the sunset on a new old-stock 1948 B-6 sprung front chrome-tanked bicycle that easily cost more than most cars.

The artistic ascent into hell of Steve Olson accelerated greatly with his debut at Jennifer Nicholson's "Pearl" space in SM. Artistic statements such as "$69.99-Buy Sexual" were selling well. Included amidst the mavens of culture were Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, Jamie Brisick, Giselle Amatta, Ned Evans, Nicky Morgan, Jeff Higginbotham, James Ganzer, Skip Engblom, Melanie Berry, Joe Pettit, Rex King, JA Ho, Sepp Donahower, Ed Moses, Ember Curry, Andy Moses, and John O'Shei. The leather Confederate States of America battle flag was termed offensive by the old broad that bought it.