Feds Take Down East Side Gangsters

Straight from the Independent-

On Wednesday, October 15, the Santa Barbara Police and County Sheriff’s Department joined with federal and state agencies to crack down on the Eastside gang as part of Operation Gator Roll. (Go here for detailed coverage.) On October 16, Santa Barbara Police released the following names of those arrested or already in custody as part of the roundup. The grand total in custody is 59, with more sweeps and arrests expected. Not listed here are four juveniles and another 100 people who have already been arrested over the past year as part of this investigation.

Arrested on Federal Charges

● ISMAEL PARRA, 23; Nickname: Ishboo; Alleged Role: drug-dealing to gang

● JOSE GONZALEZ JR., 20; Nickname: Scrappy; Alleged Role: Assaults including 2006 baseball-bat attack in Isla Vista

● MIGUEL PARRA, 20; Nickname: Tripps; Alleged Role: Selling cocaine to gang

● ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ, 20; Nickname: Stilo; Alleged Role: Using Molotov cocktail

● FRANCISCO ANTHONY ALCARAZ, 21; Nickname: Stranger; Alleged Role: Gang soldier

● FERNANDO MARCO ALCARAZ, 18; Nickname: Lil Stranger; Alleged Role: Gang soldier

● HUMBERTO OLVERA, 24; Nickname: Danger; Alleged Role: Knife attack

● PEDRO RENE GARCIA, 27; Nickname: Oso; Alleged Role: Gang leader

● ALFREDO ORNELAS, 23; Nickname: Capone; Alleged Role: Gang soldier

● JESUS MARTINEZ, 18; Nickname: Peke and Lil Pac Man; Alleged Role: gang leader

● REYNALDO FERER-DOROTEO, 36

● IVAN GARCIA, 18

Still Sought by Authorities

● ROBERTO AREBALO AMADOR, 20; Nickname: Lil Oso; Alleged Role: 2007 gang attack

● JESSE GARZA PEREZ, 40; Nickname: Chili Red; Alleged Role: Selling heroin to gang

Arrested but Already in Jail or Prison

● BRIAN JASSO ORTIZ, 22; Nickname: Villain; Alleged Role: attack at Jack in the Box

● OCTAVIO MARIN, 20; Nickname: Lil Tu; Alleged Role: Soldier

● JOSE CAMPOVERDE, 20; Nickname: Big Boy; Alleged Role: Racial attack on African American

● JOSHUA ALEXANDER RODRIGUEZ, 22; Nickname: Sinner; Alleged Role: Attempted murder of African American

● SEBASTIAN MARTINEZ COVARRUBIAS, 22; Nickname: Seabass; Alleged Role: Made Molotov cocktail

● ROBERT MARTINEZ, 22; Nickname: Lil Bullet; Alleged Role: Conpiracy to murder

● CARL SAMUEL FLORES, 26; Nickname: Lil Kill; Alleged Role: Conspiracy to murder

● IVAN QUEZADA, 23; Nickname: Pac Man; Alleged Role: Baseball-bat attack

● OMAR RAMOS, 18; Nickname: Sleepy; Alleged Role: Knife attack

● ARIEL RANGEL COLON JR., 21; Nickname: Huero; Alleged Role: Attack on African American

● XAVIER JESUS ALVAREZ, 25; Nickname: Malo; Alleged Role: Knife attack

● MARTIN MENDEZ, 24; Nickname: Lil Shyboy; Alleged Role: Selling methamphetamine to gang

● ELSON LEYVA TAPIA 25; Nickname: Yuyo; Alleged Role: Cocaine sale

● ENRIQUE MORAN, 21; Nickname: Silent; Alleged Role: Soldier

● EDWIN ORLANDO BAY, 20; Alleged Role: Soldier

● JOSE PEDRO ZAVALA, 22; Nickname: Lonely and Shy; Alleged Role: Attack on non-gang member

Operation Gator Roll

Fucking Cholos Need To Get Rolled

The City of Santa Barbara has been experiencing an escalation of violence and other criminal activity primarily associated with the cities two largest criminal street gangs. In response to that criminal activity, the Santa Barbara Police Department with the assistance of the United States Attorney’s Office, Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Marshals, Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, , San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Maria Police Department, Lompoc Police Department, , Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Ventura Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Santa Barbara County Probation Department, and California Department of Corrections State Parole began Operation Gator Roll early this morning. Teams of officers from multi-agencies are in the process of serving arrest and search warrants at approximately 60 locations within Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

We will be holding a press conference on Operation Gator Roll today at 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Jury Services Room located at 1108 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, Ca. 93101. The press conference will further explain details about the investigation and the results of today’s operations.

I am interested to see what they find. This topic is of great concern to me and was heightened when one of my little brother's 14 year old friend's & local SB skater "Chunky" got stabbed DT a while back. These kids are out of control and this shit needs to end.

Tony Hawks Acquires BirdHouse

Straight from Transworld Business... things may be shaking up very very soon!

In a press release from Tony Hawk, Inc., Tony Hawk is now the sole owner of Birdhouse Skateboards. Blitz Distribution President Per Welinder will continue his focus on the remaining Blitz Brands—Baker, Flip, Fury, Sk8mafia, and Hook-Ups. Blitz will also continue to distribute Birdhouse. Read the press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tony Hawk Acquires Birdhouse Skateboards

Vista, CA, October 14, 2008 – Tony Hawk and Per Welinder, business partners for the past 15 years, reached a definitive agreement whereby Tony Hawk has acquired all interest in the Birdhouse Skateboards brand from Blitz Distribution, Inc.

By purchasing the brand, Tony Hawk will initiate integrating Birdhouse into his overall activities and his business, Tony Hawk, Inc. Full ownership will also give Tony increased oversight and involvement to his biggest priority, the Birdhouse team riders.

The asset purchase will allow Per Welinder to continue his passion of incubating core brands. Blitz continues to distribute the Birdhouse, Baker, Flip, Fury, Sk8Mafia and Hook-Ups brands.

About Tony Hawk Inc.
Tony Hawk Inc. is a world leader in its field with the unprecedented ability to bring alternative sports and their unique lifestyle to the masses while maintaining an indispensable edge of authenticity with the market’s hard-core, trendsetting audience. Founded by Tony Hawk in 1998 and based in Vista, CA, the company is organized into five segments: Merchandising, Events, Endorsements, Film and Digital Media. These lifestyle sports include skateboarding, BMX, Motocross, surfing and snowboarding. Consumer goods bearing the Tony Hawk brand have dominated several markets, including video games, skateboards and sporting goods, lifestyle apparel, toys, interactive content, food, publications and more.

About Blitz Distribution
Blitz Distribution is located in Huntington Beach, CA and distributes some of the most important brands in skateboarding, The company distributes skateboarding products around the world, from mom and pop shops to sporting good stores. Through the years the goal of Blitz remains providing highest quality products at reasonable prices to encourage the continued growth of skateboarding as a passion, an activity and way of life.

BRAND NEW Re-Issues Avail This Later This Week

Stacy Peralta Hipster k15 Available To Order Direct This Week!

Steve Caballero Chinese Dragon k15 Re-Issue Available To Order Direct This Week!

HESH

So, now that I have been working in the skateboarding industry for almost 3 months, I finally discovered what the word hesh means-

	From Urban Dictionary.com
	"a term derived from skateboarding culture. usually used to describe someone unkempt and sometimes dirty in appearance. will have facial hair more times than not along with tighter jeans." Please see Bones Wheels rider Adam Dyet for your perfect example of "Hesh" Example "Holy shit! Did you see that dude's beard? That is one heshy mother fucker!" "That dude has never washed his clothes and has maybe showered once or twice in his entire life. He is hesh as a bitch." Another meaning... "In the 1980's--yes, old school. It was a derogatory term used to describe cigarette and/or marijuana smoking, long-haired, heavy metal music fans (usually male)." "In the skating world; hesh is the style that says you don't give a fuck. Except, now that's it's been labled, no one is really hesh. You dig? The dudes with the tighter pants, smaller shirts, mesh back hats, and high top shoes...are generally hesh...but shit, if you say you're hesh, then you're not really hesh! You're not supposed to care, dumbass." That is funny. More about what Thrasher Mag thinks is Hesh-

White Walls San Francisco, CA

Looks like San Francisco was a blast this weekend! Wish I could have made it Mike Giant's show.

Ripper Homage.

Thank goodness one member of the crew was up there, check out SB/ BONES Artist Brett Hammond playing the drums for Mike Giant...

Stop by the show if you are in SF

Check out more at: White Walls Gallery.

Fresh Faces in Fashion

This Friday, Rachel and I attended Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion, hosted by Mandy Moore.

The fashion show was fun, but what was more fun was scoping the party for fashion mishaps, or what Nick Frost has described as being 'Fresh' - The Man Band. The Man Band is what fashionistos wear around their perfectly cut fo-hawks to compliment their amazing outfit, or just tie it together with an edge of hipster style. Either way, Rachel and I thought it was GAY! I definatley don't' want my beau wearing a Man Band. Even if it is Fresh, leave the oober cool head accessories to me and my chicas, unless it is a bandanna, now that is SEXY punk rock status= Hottie!

Here are a few highlights from the night....

Mandy Moore on the scene, guys be jocking!

Gangster!

Her glasses were sick! With Gems! BeDazzle My Dizzle!

MAN BAND OFFENDER!

Say "No" to weird, ugly hats~

Mr. Cartoon bandanna, One Word= DOPE!

Her tights were pretty tight, with the Fall Season here, cute decrotive tights are a must!

Joe Shea participating in Noche De Los Muertos

It's offical! My piece "Violetta" is finally up at Muddy Waters for you to go check out and critique. This is my first show, as well as my first painting this size (3ft X 3ft)- I can't wait for the feedback!

I went by Muddy Waters yesterday and there was some pretty sweet stuff up, including three Halloween inspired pieces by Joe Shea. Definitely worth checking out, the installation reminded me of Jack the Pumpkin Head in Sleepy Hallow- another one of my favorites by Tim Burton.

On another note, Anne Hathaway has just signed off to do Tim Burton's new film Alice in Wonderland starring as the White Queen. CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS ONE TO COME OUT!

Jordan Hoffart is FUN!

Just because this Canadian shreds...

American Folk By Joe Shea

Santa Barbara local artist & Joanne Hollister's favorite...

Joe Shea's first solo show of the year at the Art From Scrap gallery titled "American Folk"

From his blog-

"It's deeply inspired by a cross-country trip I made earlier this year………for this show I’m mixing watercolor painting……..sculpture…….and found object assemblage to
Round out the mediums………..its been good fun putting the collection of work together……..and I’m excited to return to the AFS gallery to exhibit………its one of Santa Barbara’s best kept secrets……………here’s a sneak preview of the collection………"

Noche De Los Muertos

Each year around this spooky time, Sheryl Schroeder curates the annual Noche De Los Muertos show at Muddy Waters.

This year I decided to participate in lu of my love for the Mexican holiday & Halloween. My piece will be hopefully up tomorrow.

Check out Powell Artist & local Graphic Designer Steve Sherlock's stencil piece of Sleestak from Land of the Lost.

"Chaka was followed by the Sleestaks through the forest until a dinosaur scared the Sleestaks away."

4th Annual Noche De Los Muertos
Group Art Show
Muddy Waters, 508 East Haley st. Santa Barbara, CA (805) 966-9328
Oct. 1 - Nov. 1, 2008
Opening Reception Party Saturday, October 18 6PM
With the music of DJ MAGNETO
Free food, wine and great art!
ALL ages welcome!

The Fedoration

This past weekend was the Fedoration's bi-annual formal.

We started the evening out at Eric's house for cheese fondu and wine, followed by a nice dinner at Opal restaurant and then over to the main event, The Aggrolites at Soho.

They call themselves "The Fedoration" because all of the men wear Fedora hats and dress up once a month to go out for dinner and drinks. It's just a good group of guys that get together to have good times and share their experiences for that particular month (work, love, and life). They have monthly $$ dues and every 6 months they take those dues and throw a Fedorama party or travel to a different city for a weekend. They also have their our own bank account, buttons, jackets, stickers and a club house. The official drink of "The Fedoration" is Kettle One/Sodas. The Fedoration also has three different offices which they take turns running- Treasurer, Historian, and Event Coordinator.

I was invited by Rob Washburn, BONES Wheels Brand Manager and Mike Taylor, who also is a Brand Manager and works at Skate One with me.

For a bunch more pics click HERE

Oh yeah, those Kettle One/Soda's tore me up. I'm now an official Fedorette!

Get Your Costume On, already!

Happy Almost Halloween!

It is time to start looking for a costume, but hey lets face it, most of us can't beat this one out.

Check out that nasty Alien, from the movie, Alien- Gross! That movie used to give me nightmares and my older cousins used to hold my eyes open to watch it, how mean!

Kat Von D Bam Decks by Element

Kat Von D draws for Bam Margera & Element Skateboards.

More things for me to collect and put on my walls = FUN!
I just saw these decks live at the office and I almost peed my pants, not only are they FUCKING GANGSTA, Kat Von D is a rad chica who knows how to pick up a pencil or two.

Maybe if I buy these decks, she will tat me up soon. Just putting it out there.

My favorite is the one in the middle, her eyes are precious and is she is a fine lil hyna! Get there.

My New Piece "But'trfly"

For Rachel's B-Day, I decided to paint her a little BABY LOVE tribute...

I spray painted the back ground on a piece of wood, followed by acrylic paint... it is about 3 ft by 1 ft approx.

Again, I love Mandy and the bigger the better!