New Poster

Big thanks to Peter Mounier of Mounier Giclee in Morro Bay, CA for blowing up Ralph Palumbo's photo of me into poster size. Peter is a whiz with the giant scanner!

OC Kids story

Fun story in the September 2006 edition of OC Kids magazine. (Special thanks to photographer Ralph Palumbo and his daughter/assistant for all their patience getting this shot just right.)

East Coast Wrap Up

Had a terrific turn out for the East Coast Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama last Sunday. Nearly 20 women met at Wakefield Skatepark to spin our wheels. Special thanks to Patti Hurst for going out of her way (so many times, so many ways) to make the event so great. For photos, check out Maggie Winters' shots at:
http://web.mac.com/mj.642/iWeb/Site/Home.html

Below: Patti and I in our post-skate delerium!

Washington D.C. on Aug. 13th

Calling all East Coast skate women (you don't have to be a "mom" to roll with us): the next Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama will be on Sunday, August 13th in the Washington D.C. area.

We will meet at 2:30 pm at the Wakefield Skatepark in Annandale, VA (skating starts at 3 pm). The skatepark is located at 8100 Braddock Rd. in Annandale, VA.

Phone: (703) 321-7081

website: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/skatepark/

Wakefield Skatepark is offering a special discount rate of $4 for women 18 years old and up. The skatepark rents helmet, elbow and knee pads for $5/day (the Skate Moms highly recommend wrist guards, too, but the skatepark only has a few pair so bring your own). Please wear full safety gear and SKATE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Novice lessons, compliments of the International Society of Skateboarding Moms, available on a first-come, first-served basis.



After a couple hours at the skatepark, we'll grab some grub then move on to an (as of yet) unspecified spot in D.C. for our Rolling for Reading book campaign. This is where we skate while handing out books to kids. My publisher, Putnam, very generously donated several boxes of new children's books for this roll-out. Yea Putnam! If you'd like to participate on this roll-out, please bring a backpack in which to carry some books. If you have new or GENTLY used books you'd like to bring a lot to contribute, by all means do.

Directions to Wakefield Skatepark:

From the Beltway, take Exit 54-A West, skatepark is approximately one-quarter mile off the Beltway at 8100 Braddock Rd. in Annandale, VA. Phone (703) 321-7081.

Please check back here for updates (especially the morning of the 13th, just in case!).

MMSOR report

Well, Sunday, May 14 was one awesome day indeed. The 2006 Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama was so much fun, I wish Mother's Day came twice a year. Nearly 30 moms and "aunties" came out for the celebration at Laguna Niguel skatepark along with many, many supporters.

Particpants included Isabelle C., Amy B., Kristin M., Wednesday A., Melissa S., Patricia M., Maureen F., Mandy E., Nellie J., Tracey S., Rose B., Gale H., Sharie L., Patrice G., Jaime S., Tamara M., Quynn L., Sheila K., Elaine N., Vicky O., Ji H., Christy N., Dawn C., Karena G. and me.

A special moment, for me personally, was the arrival of my parents, Orlando and Dorothy. My dad, who decades ago drove my friends and I all over kingdom come looking for cool skate spots, is now wheelchair bound due to a stroke three years ago, but I still saw a flicker of happiness in his eye when I jumped on my board and did a few skate tricks for old times' sake.

A huge thank you again to all the incredibly generous sponsors who donated product to our amazing raffle, which netted $729 for the library at Orangewood Children's Home. Sponsors included:

Gravity, Fanatic, Skaterbuilt, Van's, etnies, Skatelab, Pro-Tech, Bell, Judi Oyama, RockinRonsRockets, Justin's Custom Bags, Backleash, Tum Yeto, Curly Grrlz, Barnes & Noble, Diedrich's Coffee, Chili's, BJ's Pizza, Champagne Bakery, HB Wahine, Infinity Boardshop, artist Gale Hart, Sempson Graphics, Vitamin Water, Maggiano's, Sk8kleen Soap, pro skater Mike Ogas, Sk8supply.com, Connie's Skate Place and many others!

A huge thank you to Master of Ceremonies Dan Hubbard of Stunt Teams for doing his always awesome job (third year in a row, yea!). Big thanks to to all the volunteers, especially Kristin M. and her brood, for helpful service.

The Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register gave us fantastic coverage--front page of both papers' Metro sections and lead photos on both their websites. Links to both can be found at www.webvira.com/skate/mmsor

Next up: the Eastern Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama in Washington D.C. on Sunday Aug. 13th. Details TBA.

Mighty Mama Skate-O-Rama May 14!

We are one day away from our big annual event!

We have one awesome raffle this year (with all proceeds going to the library at Orangewood Children's Home). If you're around Laguna Niguel, CA, please come by to watch and/or buy some raffle tickets to support the cause! Tickets are $1 each or 25 tickets for $20!



2006 MIGHTY MAMA SPONSORS


Van’s (20 pair of skate shoes)
Gravity Skateboards (2 decks, 3 sets wheels, t-shirts, hats)
Fanatic Skateboards (6 decks in three sizes).
Etnies Girl (10 pair of skate shoes)
Vitamin Water (6 cases of beverages)
Chili’s ($100 in gift certificates)
Maggiano’s ($50 gift certificate)
Champagne Bakery ($50 gift card)
BJ’s Pizza ($100 in gift certificates)
Skaterbuilt (1 deck, 2 sets of wheels)
Sk8kleen (100 “skateboard wheel” soaps & gift bag)
Art by Gale Hart
Identity Boardshop
“Skate Date” lesson with pro skater Mike Ogas
Tum Yeto (12 shirts and sweatshirts)
Bell safety gear (36 pair of kids’ elbow/knee pads)
Backleash (skateboard leashes)
RocknRonsRockets skateboard bearings
Sk8supply.com ($25 gift certificate)
Dustin’s Custom Bags (two bags)
Pro Tech (six helmets in new cool colors)
Curly Grrlz Skateboards (six T-shirts)
HB Wahine (gift basket with hoodies; mini-ramp tickets)
Diedrich Coffee ($10 bag of beans)
4 Alva padded skatebags (donated by skatemom Amy!)
Sempson Graphics (cool MMSOR banner)

Ladies' Home Journal May issue

Check out the May issue of Ladies' Home Journal, a magazine I never expected to find my way into!

Freelance writer Stephanie Stephens did an excellent job, and I was really impressed by the fact checking crew at LHJ. They went over each and every detail!

Page 150 of the May 2006 issue if you're interested.