Heaven on Earth - A poem by The Denim Boa

No matter how many achievements one accomplishes in his/her life; money you acquire, stamps on your passport, tests passed & lessons learned, lovers conquered & lost, homes bought or sold, peers praising gratitude's, degrees/licensees/certifications collected, stories of adventures past & twisted by time…

When idle the heart will trigger the mind to bind with the soul; to form a trinity of love, purity, and serenity!

Only in this state can one focus on the energy which runs transparent through everything living; and binds us all together, earth, man, sky, woman, stars, beast, ocean, and the child within everyone of us which represents innocence & blind-blissfulness…

This is were we transcend through the barriers set upon us by man, fashion, governments, & nonexistent are our fears, insecurities, and demons…

We fade into what is pure; for we are connected to god through a ménage a trois of the most simplistic principles of life; sit, breath, listen…for this is truly heaven on earth!



I was born 100 steps from this very spot! By birthplace, my home, my heaven!

Granada Bistro - Is The Coolest Place In Town!!!

It pains me to the core that I am exposing this hidden gem simply for selfish reasons "I want a seat", and with only 13 seats available in this living room size eatery if exposed I fear I too will have to wait . The minute you set foot in Granada you are instantly whisked around the world. Granada has dark red walls like lip-stick, sensual artwork hangs ilumited by flickering candle light, eclectic vintage chairs & tables make up the rest of the decor which meshes creating a setting which is both comfortable & sensual.

Their wine list is presented in old books with the wine list pasted inside the first chapter. Granada offers wines from around the world and at a very affordable price; all wines by the glass are only $8 max. It is really cool they only offer international wines which expands ones knowledge rather then keep it narrowed to only a local perspective! The food a Granada is amazing and by far the star of the menu is the cheese plate...

Small Plates

Cheese $15.00
A selection of artisan-produced cheeses and seasonal accompaniments.
* add salami for $3.00 * add prosciutto $5.00

Cheese and Wine $25.00
A selection of three cheeses and accompaniments served with three 1oz tastes of wines paired for each cheese selection.

Caprese $10.00
Burrata mozzarella, basil, locally grown tomato

House Salad $8.00
Spring lettuce mix, blue cheese, croutons, pecans, green apple, tomato, red onion, and tahini dressing

Goat Cheese and Beet Salad $8.00
Spring lettuce mix, goat cheese, beets, red onion, croutons, candied pecans, citrus vinaigrette

Soup of the Day $8.00
Housemade with love

Taco de Carnitas $5.00
Carnitas, cotija cheese, onion, sour cream, salsa

Quesadilla $8.00
Queso, carnitas, onion, jalapeno, homemade salsa, sour cream

Panini

Cubano $8.00
Carnitas, gruyere cheese, garlicky mayo, cilantro, jalapeno, onion, lime

Spicy Latini $8.00
Steak, cotija, chimichurri, caramelized onions

Granada $8.00
Peppered turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, red onion, tomato, peppercini, jalapeno, mayo, mustard

Chicken Pesto $8.00
Grilled chicken, pesto mayo, goat cheese, sundried tomato, red onion

Tuna Melt $8.00
Albacore Tuna, sharp cheddar, spicy aioli, onion, tomato

Grilled Cheese $8.00
Melted sharp cheddar cheese, tomato, salt, pepper

Caprese $8.00
Mozzarella, basil, onion, balsamic, olive oil

Mushroom $8.00
Sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, goat cheese

Dessert

Gourmet Cupcake $3.00
Baked daily using locally grown ingredients by Amy Bakes Cupcakes

Cupcake and Wine $10.00
A perfectly paired cupcake and wine creation, changed daily, depending on the cupcake flavor of the day.

Cupcake and Vino for Two $15.00
2 Cupcakes and a 187ml bottle of Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui

Cheese and Sweet $15.00
Carles Roquefort, Pamplie, and Baguette, served with a glass of Chateaux Doisy Grand Cru Sauternes.

-Cupcakes by Amy

Tuesday: Blackberry Port
Wednesday: White Chocolate Macadamia
Thursday: Pumpkin Pie
Friday: Chocolate Merlot
Saturday: Peppermint Stick Mocha
Sunday: Pina Colada

The staff at Granada consists of nothing but beautiful, classy, stylish women headed by owner Kimberly Walker who also owns Borracha Wine Wipes a product which removes wine from your teeth. I can truly say with confidence that Granada is the coolest place in town to have a drink & hey if wine is not your thing they have amazing foreign beers on tap. Granada is the best place to go on a first date, the best place to do an impromptu poetry jam, the best place to get away from the scene, the best place to prepose marriage, the bet place for a break up, & by far the best place in SLO for a glass of wine!

Sorry we're closed! - Bluntly Stated

The Man strikes again! Brooklyn Banks, the legendary skate park underneath the Brooklyn Bridge on the shores of Manhattan, is going to be shut down. Temporarily. Probably! The Downtown Express reports that the area—never deemed an official city skate park but, you know, c'mon—will likely be used as a staging area during the renovation of the Brooklyn Bridge. That work, by the way, is supposed to last until 2014. A Department of Transportation official said he wasn't sure when the Brooklyn Banks would close. When it does, will the East Village's East Side Community High School become the #1 skate spot in Manhattan? We're not cool enough to know.




15 Things You Didn't Know About The Brooklyn Banks 



1. Built in the mid-'60s under the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Banks has been a hub for the New York skate scene since the early-'80s. The spot has banks of varying sizes, wallride pillars, ledges and rails. O.G. Banks local and original Zoo York crew member, Eli Gesner remembers skating at the Banks when the bricks were still so new powerslides were impossible on the grippy surface. 



2. According to Gesner, the earliest contest held at the Banks was an event in 1985 put on by Shut Skates founder, Bruno Musso. Fiveboro's Steve Rodriguez remembers that at one of the early contests, a scuffle broke out and someone was shot, a contest first. 



3. The foundation of the Brooklyn Bridge that faces the Banks is historically known as the Anchorage. The structure has rooms inside but today all entrances are sealed. Homeless squatters lived in these rooms in the '80s and early-'90s. The Anchorage dwellers, who stole electricity for their encampment by hotwiring the streetlamp atop the small banks, developed a friendly relationship with the skaters, allowing them to use the electricity to run their PA systems for contests. 



4. According to Steve Rodriguez, some of the squatters used to run a chop shop inside the Anchorage. It took years for the police to uncover the operation happening right under their noses. The Police Plaza of the First Precinct is directly across the street from the Banks. 



5. Fights used to be a regular occurrence at the Banks as hoodlums from the nearby projects would storm the spot to rob skaters. Gesner remembers an epic battle on Halloween in 1987. "At the time there were only like 30 skaters in New York and we were all skating the Banks when these kids from those projects ran out," he explains. "They all had goalie masks on and bats and it turned into a huge brawl." At least no one got shot. 



6. The wall on the lower side of the Banks was once only a small barricade until a car careened down the off-ramp and crashed right through it. A thicker wall was built, and Christian Hosoi became the first to ollie over the soon to be famous obstacle. 



7. After Hosoi's groundbreaking ollie, a laundry list of tricks were thrown over the wall. But when someone ollied it without looking for traffic, a long, black limo slammed on its brakes, stopping inches short of crushing the skater. The limo was carrying none other than former New York mayor, Rudolph Giuliani. Within a week, a large spiked fence was erected atop the wall to stop the skaters. Within days Mike Vallely ollied over the new obstacle. 




8. In the late-'80s, shops in New York were few and far between, but a small operation called Benji's was run out of an apartment in the projects adjacent to the Banks. Keith Hufnagel remembers, "Benji used to have a skateshop on the 11th floor. You'd have to go into the building and knock on his door and some kid would lead you to a back room. We used to go there 'cause you could get boards for cheap. If my parents knew I was going to the projects into some random dude's apartment, they'd have been like, 'Hell no.'" 



9. The Brooklyn Banks were first showcased in Powell Peralta's Future Primative where Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, Christian Hosoi and Dave Hackett are featured hoisting bonelesses and slappying the brick curbs. Robert Russler also made the scene. He went on to portray Tommy Hook, leader of the infamous Daggers in the movie Thrashin'. One sequence in Future Primative shows Lance rolling over a dead rat with his board. "It offended tons of people," Lance remembers. "For some reason, people were bummed that we ran over a dead rat." 



10. Mark Gonzales was the first person to boardslide the nine-stair rail adjacent to the smaller banks. Saro Tegrarian was the first to hit up the 13-stair rail with a frontside 50-50 and Jamie Thomas was the first to skate both rails in one line in his breakout part in Toy Machine's Welcome to Hell. 



11. In the mid-'90s, the handrail that went down the Banks' nine-stair disappeared. Rumor has it the rail was stolen by a pro rollerblader who kept it at his house so that only he could ride it. A replacement railing was built by Vinnie Raffa and his crew for a contest and anchored into place in the middle of the night. That replacement railing lasted several years until a police car accidently backed into it. 



12. After the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the NYPD became concerned that a terrorist could drive a bomb into the parking garage under Police Plaza. Deciding it would be safer if all vehicles were parked outdoors, the Banks became the unofficial parking lot of the NYPD. Skating at the banks became nearly impossible for several years. The weight of the vehicles and their oil leaks wore down the surface of the bricks and the Banks began to show their age. 



13. When controversial photographer and film director Larry Clark set out to cast characters in his 1995 film Kids, he used skateboarders he'd met at the Brooklyn Banks in both starring and supporting roles. Clark, an avid skateboarder at the time, is by far one of the oldest Banks locals. He was still skating the Banks at 52. 



14. Every so often someone builds homes for cats down at the Banks. These feline sanctuaries are 3 ft. by 3 ft. styrofoam boxes filled with hay, labeled, "Cat Shelter: Do Not Move." Still, the only cat Steve Rodriguez has ever seen down at the Banks was one that had been set ablaze and left to burn inside of a flaming tire in the late-'80s.

15. After the smaller banks were remodeled and deemed unskateable, Rodriguez and other mindful skaters contacted Capital Projects Manager Robert Redmond, who was receptive to their plight to save the spot. The larger banks were preserved and even improved upon by taking existing granite planters and making skateable benches out of them. Unfortunately, a miscommunication among city employees led to the ledges being removed again the next day. Luckily for New York skaters, Spitfire and Fiveboro pooled money to hire City contractors to replace the benches. The Brooklyn Banks is a true success story. Unlike Pier 7 or EMB the Banks have become one of the only original influencial skatespots still standing.

Slocal clothing designers - Peter Ayer

At the end of 2003, designer Peter Ayer wanted to create a line that envisions, promotes, and shapes a look that is unique and appealing. The difference from all the other lines is the darker approach, with a majority of black products and darker meanings. Ayer Clothing's culture is presented in every item of clothing that is produced; each logo is designed from a grassroots mentality with a large-scale result. The rural surroundings of San Luis Obispo, California, allow the creators of Ayer to keep in touch with the bigger city trends without engulfing themselves in the trendy. The central coast of California posseses growth and talent, which Ayer Clothing portrays to the rest of the world.

Things You Didn't Know About Ayer Clothing:

Ayer was started from a simple joke, blurting out Ayerwear as a punchline. No joke.

Surf photographer Brian Nevins' first shot of a surfer was Peter Ayer.

Ayer Clothing has 3 DVDs out now. The first two were free, and the third was through the local rock radio station. The fourth is on the way.

Owner Peter Ayer's grandfather owned his own clothing company, Gus Gravas Clothing, back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Based out of Manchester, NH, Gus Gravas provided dope suits when no one else was pushing the style in the "suit".

Ayer Clothing's Pantone tablet belonged to RVCA's own Russ Pope. He was in a hurry to leave CCS mailorder and work for Savier, and left some things behind that we feel were meant for others to find. Thanks Russ!

Team skater Josh Jamison and Stefan Janoski skated together for many early years. Peter Ayer grew up playing soccer with Stefan Janoski. They all used to skate some of the same local spots in Vacaville, Ca., but as soon as Stefan got his license, he fled to San Fransisco all the time.

Tobin Esperance and Peter grew up together, and when Tobin joined Papa Roach, Peter became their roadie at age 16. From there, Peter went to college and Tobin became a rock star. They still hang out regularly.

Peter is also a published author. He submitted a poem to Papa Roach and they included it in their "Getting Away with Murder" LP, which had the poem on a full page in the insert.

AyerClothing.com

Luv Deluxe - Cinnamon Chasers

Amazing concept, amazing production, amazing video!

Fallen Angles

Marissa Miller hitches a ride.

Girls who wreak shop!!!!

Nellie McKay is a Boss!

Wave of the day!

Orange Crush!

Photographers I love - Peter Hegre

When it come to "nudes" no one is better then the highly acclaimed Peter Hegre. Hegre "2001 photographer of the year" has published six books and have had his work exhibited internationally. He is also married to one of the hottest women on the planet Luba Shumeyko.

Kick Ass!

Kobe - Shot of the Year!

Photographers I love - Ruven Afandor

Peep game bitches!

Come fashion no one captures the essence as does Ruven Afanador!

More Ruven Afanador

Fallen Angles

Carre Otis is "Smoking"!

Wave of the day!

North Shore Pyramid.

"You coming in?" would LOVE to..."NOPE"!!!

Girls who wreak shop!!!!

Duffy has SWAGGER!

Iration "LIVE" @ DTB this Saturday "Special Late Night Show"

Ok so this Saturday @ DTB - Iration comes to SLO for a special "Late Night" show. If you have not had the pleasure of seeing one of Irations shows you are in for a treat!! Their last 3 shows at DTB have SOLD OUT and they have just came off a impressive show at Santa Barbaras West Beach Music Festival where they played to massive audience of over 7,000 people! The boys of Iration bring out throngs of women who attend hoping for a chance to meet the heartthrob boys in the band! Iration has opened for some of the biggest bands in the world (Kings of Leon) and have just got off a summer tour with Pepper & the Expendables.

Saturdays show is by far the coolest party going on this weekend downtown SLO I hope to see all my friends at the show!

To purchase tickets go to Boo Boo's downtown or Buy Online Now

Iration Bio~

The islands of Hawaii are not only the biggest influence on Iration’s sound they are home to all of its members. Iration was born from a love of all types of music and a desire to create something new. Elements of Reggae, Rock, and Pop are mixed with keyboard/synth and melodic vocal lines to create something truly unique. Iration is best heard in a live setting where you can truly experience the full spectrum of their range. They have proven to truly have an understanding of modern and traditional performance techniques that keep crowds of fans’, both younger and older, hands in the air and heads bobbing, along with those females’ hips gyrating. These Hawaiian raised naturally talented musicians look forward to spreading their original sound, aloha spirit, and cutting edge (surf) culture as far as possible and will continue to make original music.

In 2007, they recorded and released their first full length album, No Time for Rest, at Castaway 7 Studios in Ventura, Ca, which featured one of the last recorded performances by reggae legend Mikey Dread, who produced accomplished musicians such as The Clash and UB40. Their single “Cookie Jar” reached number one in Hawaii on 93.9 DaBeat and was featured on Fuel TV’s Triple Crown of Surfing recap. Their music was also featured on MTV shows Maui Fever and Living Lahaina.

In the spring of 2008, Iration embarked on a national tour titled “Playboys in Paradise” in support of the band Pepper. They traveled 16,000 miles and played in front of numerous sold out crowds at venues such as famed Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, House of Blues Dallas, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando. They continue to tour extensively and look forward to bringing their sound to even larger audiences as they have playing shows such as “West Beach Music Festival” with legends Ziggy Marly and George Clinton, along with Jason Mraz, in Santa Barbara and “Back to School Orientation” with Sean Kingston and Shwayze in San Luis Obispo. On October 3, 2008, Iration officially released their latest collection of recordings on their SAMPLE THIS EP – Sample This, is a four song EP featuring two songs, “I’m With You” and “Electricity,” which were co-written with a fellow local Hawaiian musician, songwriter, and Grammy winning producer Charles Brotman of Hawaiian recoding company Palm Records. The EP also features their new smash hit “Falling,” which has already been added to several radio stations in Hawaii and Guam – as well as rising favorite, “Wait and See.” These few tracks have a newly focused emphasis on capturing a popular sound along with their norm rock-reggae feeling. The Sample This EP debuted at 3 on iTunes top reggae albums, “Falling” was the 22 top reggae song on iTunes as of October 7, 2008 and 28 as of Dec 1, 2008. It was released by Michael Harlan music distribution through INgrooves. Iration has been Myspace’s 1 top unsigned reggae artists for almost all of 2009. KUCD, Hawaii’s alternative music station, added “Falling” and peaked 3 in November, 2008. “Falling” currently has over three and a half million plays on Myspace, Iration has over seven and a half million.

In 2009, “Falling” was added to Santa Barbara’s modern rock station, KJEE FM, and begun to receive specialty plays on XTRA FM, San Diego’s alternative rock station 91X (as well as No Time For Rest’s “Cookie Jar”). Since the beginning of ‘09, Iration has accomplished sell out shows at San Luis Obispo’s Down Town Brew, West Hollywood’s famed the Roxy Theater several times, and San Diego’s House of Blues with over a thousand in attendance. Iration also performed at KJEE’s Summer Round UP at the Santa Barbara Bowl with radio’s hottest band, Kings of Leon, and Airborne Toxic Event – as well as headlining San Luis Obispo’s annual Beer Fest at Avila Beach before heading back to the studio to finish their upcoming album titled Time Bomb, due for release in early 2010. For Iration, the second half of 2009 will be all about touring! Iration kicked of their summer touring in August by supporting the band Rebelution’s national “Bright Side of Life Tour,” spanning from San Diego to New York to Dallas. Iration kicks off their fall ’09 touring by playing Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip Music Festival, headlining San Diego’s Paddle for Clean Water Festival presented by 91X FM, and by supporting Pepper’s national “In the Trenches Tour,” leading them from California all the way to back to New York. Iration will then continue touring through the fall supporting 11 dates with jam band legends Umphrey’s McGee. They will end the year with four very special California headlining dates TBA!

In early 2010, Iration plans to release and tour heavily in support of there forthcoming album Time Bomb, which will include their smash hit “Falling.”

Iration has performed with acts such as: Kings of Leon, Airborne Toxic Event, White Lies, Far, Sean Kingston, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, Ziggy Marly, Steel Pulse, Stephen Marley, Don Carlos, Rebelution,The Expendables, The English Beat, Yellowman, Mikey Dread, Katchafire, Natural Vibrations, Rocky Duwani, Shwayze ft. Cisco Adler, Soja, George Clinton and P Funk, Fishbone, and Ooklah the Moc – as well as many others.

Fallen Angles

Tune in Mila Jovovich.

Tough love!

JaMarcus Russell

Wave of the day!

Pyramid size wedge!

Photographers I love - Mojokiss

Mojokiss AKA Matt Mayes is one of my most favorite photographers. Their is something captivating about how he captures his subjects. I find his work both beautiful & of the highest art form.

More Mojokiss Here

Fallen Angles

Emmanuelle Chriqui dropping da' top!

DJ AM's shoe collection is up for action!

DJ Am's massive 800+ shoe collection is up for action. The proceeds go to the DJ AM memorial fund. Turn your swag on and go bid now!

Bid on DJ AM's Shoes

My SLO Production Reel - Fall 2008-Fall 2009

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