Got some bad news from the tradeshow tonight. Van Wastell has passed away. New pro, complete ripper, and a joy to watch ride a skateboard, Van will be missed. We're sending good thoughts and vibes to all of his family and friends during this tough time. RIP, Van Wastell.

Complain no more friends, all of the videos are back up and working. Sure, it took a little longer than it should have, but they're up. Uploading that many gigs of video isn't exactly something that can be done in one sitting.

If you click on that little image there, you'll see a flyer for a show that theProgam's art director Patrick Jilbert is having next week. Bourbons and 'Lacs, my friends, bourbons and 'Lacs.

Been slow with site updates, but we're working. There are going to be some changes coming that will probably coincide with the next issue, so stay tuned.

In the meanwhile, it looks like SLAP Magazine is following in theProgram's footsteps and going strictly digital. For those of us that read our skate rags on the toilet, we're bummed. For those of us who think it might be a good opportunity for up-and-coming photogs and writers, we're stoked.

The RVCA team will be here this Tuesday, July 22. They'll be at Home Skateshop at 6pm for a signing and then they'll be at the park for a demo after that. Go out, meet some pros, and try not to be complete choads. Here's the flyer.

Also, we're slowly but surely getting theVideos back up and running so that you can watch all of your favorite clips from the past year and a half. We started at the most recent and are working our way backwards, so we've got a little ways to go just yet, but we're getting there.

The site was down for a little while today, and we'll tell you why.

The company that hosts the site pulled the plug. Not because we didn't pay the bill. Not because we surpassed our bandwith. No, theProgram was seeing so much traffic that the other sites sitting on the same server wouldn't load up. Normally, we'd be stoked that we were seeing that much traffic, but we have statistics of our own and could tell that something wasn't quite right.

As it turns out, a site from Russia attached a bot to theSite to phish for videos and subsequently posted links to all of the videos held on theProgram's server. As it turns out, a lot of people in Russia are stoked on what we've got going here.

But, back on topic, what we had to do was take down all the videos for now until the bot realizes that there are no videos for which to phish and quits barging our server with millions of requests. We're currently working to make sure something like this doesn't happen again, and will be getting theMedia back up and running just as soon as we can.

Stay tuned.

The new issue is here, as promised. You didn't think we were lying did you?

There's plenty of good content in this issue, including an interview with local Edward Dearinger, an article on Go Skateboarding Day, and much more. We don't want to spoil all the surprises before you even hit the contents page.

Also be sure to check out Ballard's SF edit down there in theMedia section. We're cracking theWhip and he should have a new montage up soon, so keep checking back.

But for now, go check out the new issue and let us know what you think.

Two updates in two days? You'd think we were on the ball or something.

Anyway, it appears that Cole Wilson is becoming quite the celebrity these days. Matt Ballard's clip of theProgram trip to SF has quickly made it's way around the world wide web and the fellas over at 48 Blocks took notice and threw up a link to the clip and theProgram. Nothing but love for those cats.

You might also notice that they made mention of Isaac McKay-Randozzi's blog over at SLAP Magazine because he too updated with news of Cole's trip to SF.

Let's keep it rolling fellas.

If you've been keeping up with theBlog, you'll remember that some of theProgram's finest associates recently returned from two weeks of shredsticking in San Francisco. Well, now that theBallard's got his own rig, he's finally back on the ball and making clips for you fine folks to enjoy. Check out his latest work down there in theMedia section.

And yes, IssueSeven is coming soon. Just waiting on a few last minute pieces and you'll have another fine issue to check out.

That being said...what did you do for Go Skateboarding Day? Really? Sounds fun. Show us. Send us pictures and video of what you did on the day when we're supposed to skate whether or not we feel like it.

Well, it's been a while huh? Whoops. We're hard at work on the new issue, so hopefully we'll have that for you soon. We've been receiving some stellar photo submissions, so keep those coming. We're really in need of some articles though, so if you write, send us some stuff! Just click on the banner above and send it to us via email.

Also, will the Independent team be here tomorrow? Will there be some of skateboarding's biggest names in attendance? Only time will tell.

Unfortunately, that's all for now. Check out theBlog for some SF-style adventures with some of theProgram's associates.

Which do you want first?

We'll start with the bad news: the old (and amazing) vert ramp at Breslin Park here in Louisville got torn down today. Dane Warner and some of the Bacon Skateboards ams were on their way to skate it and showed up to a bulldozer and jackhammer and the remnants of the ramp. It's not a spot many skated regularly, but it was sort of a landmark for Louisville skateboarding. Dane put it best when he said "It's basically like a close friend dying. One night it's there and the next morning it's gone." That's the truth. RIP Breslin vert ramp.

Now the good news: Local ripper and close personal friend of theProgram, Cole Wilson, has a featured check-out on the San Francisco based website 48 Blocks. It features photos by theProgram's Andy Collins and video shot and edited by theProgram's Matt Ballard. Triple score!

We're stoked to announce that our friend Templeton Elliot is not only stoked on theProgram, but also what theFriends of theProgram are doing. He's got the trailer for Jeremiah Stevens' new project up on his Mostly Skateboarding site.

Thanks Templeton and congrats Jeremiah.

Did you fools do your taxes yet? Are you even old enough to worry about taxes?

Well, Jeremiah Stevens got a fire lit under him when he saw Will Hartsock's trailer in the last update and put together a trailer for his new independent video. He tells us it's pretty much done and that it will out sometime this summer. And what do you know? He gave theProgram the exclusive release of the trailer! It's down there in the media section...do click.

And before it gets started, no, his is not theProgram video. Stay tuned for news on that.

Now go skate.

Spring has sprung and everyone seems to be out skating these days. We like that. What that probably means is that you're going to be seeing the next issue come out faster than the last one did. Maybe not, but we're trying.

Have you been checking theBlog? There's a ton of stuff going on over there. So much so, it almost feels a little redundant updating this section of the site. But, update we must, so update we will.

The biggest update tonight is the news that Will Hartsock and his 750Four Productions is hard at work on another video! Damn, those dudes are getting it done. We like that just as much as we like this spring weather. In fact, they've already got a trailer out! Handlin' the Earf right now.

Not to be outdone, Jeremiah Stevens is setting up to bust out another video from the HOME Skateshop camp sometime soon. It's a bit of leftovers, a bit of new footage, a bit of comedy, and a lot of sick skating wrapped into a package that looks to be the cleanest video to come out of Louisville. Damn, where's that video from theProgram? You'll see.

Templeton Elliot is at it again and promoting Issue Six over at his Mostly Skateboarding website. Thanks Templeton!

Also, theBlog is blowing up! Are you keeping up? Lots of photos, videos, links, stories, et cetera going on in there. Check it.

Issue Six is now up and ready for consumption! It's a bit different than the rest of our issues have been, but we feel like it's an amazing issue in its own right. If you've been paying attention, then you'll already know that it is theArt Issue, so there's not as much "hardcore extreme skateboard action" as past issues. Instead, we chose to focus on the more artistic side of skateboarding. There's no interview, and most of the articles are short, artistic pieces that do more than tell you what a dude's set up is or who did what trick where and on what day. Hopefully it will inspire more of you to tap into your artistic side because as skateboarders, we look at the world in a very artistic way. Anyway, go on over to the right there and have a look!

Once you're done with that, check out all the action in theBlog! We've currently given keys to 6 people, most of whom are already posting lots of stuff. theBiggin has posted a video, theBallard has provided a link to an amazing part from our friend Andy Sisomboune, Andy is posting photos and sequences, our friend Jordan Aycock is posting photos, and "featured:" article subject Jason Bash is asking deep and meaningful questions. Don't be out of the loop!

Well, theBlog just got better! It looks better and reads way easier than before and you can add comments of your own! All of the old posts are gone, but there will be plenty of new posts soon enough. Andy's got one up right now, but Joshua "theBiggin" Boyer, and Matt "theBallard" Ballard will be posting as well. Maybe even a few others if we get crazy with it. Which we'd like to do.

Also, distant friend of theProgram Isaac McKay-Randozzi continues to feature Patrick Jilbert and Andy Collins in his blogging over at SLAP Magazine. Do have a look.

And finally, IssueSix is very nearly done, so be on the lookout for it very soon. Boom-sha-lock-lock-boom.

Dudes of theProgram Andy Collins and Patrick Jilbert are both featured on Isaac McKay-Randozzi's SLAP Magazine blog. Check it out.

And once you're done checking that out, check out Isaac's website. And then Patrick's. And then Andy's.

And don't worry, IssueSix is nearing completion. Promise.

Oh damn, we almost forgot! The new HOME skateshop video premieres this Sunday! It's at the Monkeywrench at the corner of Barret and Winter! Two showings! 7 and 9 pm! Free pizza! Door prizes from Nike, Zero, Mystery, and just about every other company that HOME carries! Get down there and get EXTRA CRISPY!

IssueSix is lagging a bit, we know. It's coming though. We're just waiting on a few last things to come in so that we can start the layout process. Soon my pretties.

Also, if you've inquired about advertising recently, we're still working on it, and we'll get back to you as soon as we have everything in order. Sorry for the delay.

Don't neglect theBlog.

Are you ready for this? We gave Andy the keys to theBlog, the newest feature here at theProgram. He's promised to bring you updates as often as he possibly can, which means everytime he goes out skating with other people or shooting a photo or doing something that may loosely tie into skateboarding in some loose, tangential way. And what do you know? A regular Johnny(no Hobo)-on-the-spot, he's already got a first entry up. Check it out over there to your right.

Also, IssueSix is well underway and we're really starting to see some good submissions come in. If you've got something you'd like to see run in the zine, get it to us ASAP so we can start laying it out. That's all for now. Go find cover and learn a new flip trick.

Oh, and Ballard, we weren't joking.

Dear Matt Ballard,

Please go get your camera so that we can start getting stoked on theProgram video.

Sincerely,
Skateboarders of the world.

It's a sad day when we have to resort to shooting our own kind..

More updates coming soon.

Sean Pigeon is currently rocking a pretty serious quiver of video camera equipment and luckily for us, he knows how to use it. On a recent trip to Atlanta, he and other familiar faces from theProgram logged enough footage to put together a nice little clip. It's down there in theMedia section.

Also, if any of you reading this were able to attend the Tiny Skateshop video premiere and took photos, please send them our way. We tried to get out there in time, but we got locked out and couldn't make it in for the video. Just click on theProgram logo up there in the header and email us your photos.

The weather's been nice lately, so hopefully you've been skating. If not, shame on you.

It's a big week for video premieres here in Louisville.

First up, Will Hartsock's video "As Time Goes By..." premieres this Thursday, January 24, at the Monkey Wrench. There will be two showings (8pm and 9pm) and it's an all-ages affair. And it's free! There, can we eliminate any more excuses for you to not go and see this?

The next night is the Tiny Skateshop video premiere. It's being held in conjunction with the RIOT skatepark all-night lock-in on Friday, January 25. You've got to pay for the lock-in to get into the premiere, so save all your lunch money this week, mooch food off of your friends, and be in the crowd for the first ever viewing of the video. If you can't make it to that, there will be a second premiere at the Monkey Wrench on Monday, January 29. Again all ages, again free. We haven't even seen a trailer, but with the guys that are on that team, we're sure the video will be good. Let's just hope Floyd isn't naked anywhere in it.

In further video-related news, we've got a new video clip up that was submitted to us by none other than IssueFive's interviewee, Jeremiah Stevens. If you read the interview, you know that he's just as stoked on filming as he is on skating, so it's not really a surprise that he's planning on contributing stuff to us on a regular basis. The more the merrier. The thumbnail is down there to your right, so click and enjoy.