MySpace


SKATE ERIE

Skate Erie


Last Updated: 6/18/2009

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

Gender: Female
Status: Single
Age: 42
Sign: Libra

City: ERIE
State: PENNSYLVANIA
Country: US
Signup Date: 10/17/2006

Blog Archive
[Older      Newer]
 /  / 
Friday, June 19, 2009 

Current mood:  triumphant
Category: Life
October 17, 2004
THE CITY OF ERIE
"ROLLS OUT SKATE PARK IDEA"
Mayor Rick Filippi's administration is applying for an $80,000 grant through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(Times News Headline)

June 19th, 2009
Dear Family, Friends, Advocates, & Sponsors...........
Nearly 5 years has passed since the inception of this project . I remember when I first began researching the whole “Builld A skate park” idea. I had read somewhere it will consume you, be prepared for battle and that the average community skate park can take YEARS to build. Poppy cock I thought, how difficult can this be when there is such a clear need. Foolish was I…………..

Nevertheless, Skate Erie is pleased to announce June 23rd at 2:30pm shovel will finally hit the dirt!!!
We cordially invite you to join us at Columbus park located between W15th& 16th and Cherry & Poplar for the groundbreaking of Phase I.

Clearly this will be a most triumphant dig, yet I remind all we are not finished. Fundraising still continues for Phase II, the transitional part of the park. Through your continued support I’m positive we will see the total vision. Donations will still be graciously  accepted and all interested parties my contact us through erieskatepark@yahoo.com.

While there are so many folks to thank for getting us this far I’d like to extend a very special thank you to Councilwoman Jessica Horan Kunco  & Marc Buccigrossi for sticking behind me all these years and to my husband Chris and the kids for following me on this crazy journey.

Sincerely,
Kim Berdis
President Skate Erie Association



To my Skaters:
Following the official groundbreaking we will be hosting a competition. There will be 3 different events.
Game of SKATE, Highest Ollie and Best trick on a ¼. 5 bucks gets ya into all 3 events (proceeds benefit phase II) Prizes awarded courtesy of Wheels, Midtown and Suburban blend!
Hope to see you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, April 30, 2009 

Category: Life
Ok so I got a few replies from some older folks who read the blog, folks with a little more wisdom than your average teenager…don’t get me wrong guys…it just comes with age, wisdom that is…and while I agree with these folks of wisdom that perhaps I should have held my tongue…or that perhaps I should take the recent bike rant blogs down…I didn’t and I wont…to late its out there and I stand by my convictions.

I have tried to teach my kids to stand by your word and if your not prepared to back it up…don’t spit it out.

I have nearly 30 years on these kids and the disrespect I wont have it…I think that’s a huge problem today…we let people get away with far to much ..especially our youth.

I do suppose I could have worded my words more appropriately so as not to start a myspace riot….and for that I do apologize.

My intention was more to call attention to those who belittle our efforts and think they can steal our hard work… I know for a fact that bikers will try and probably succeed at getting in the park I only hope my skaters stand their ground and keep what you built for yourselves….

I have been to many parks over the years and those that include bikes…I go to less often…far more injuries…far more damage….

To my skaters who took up the defense..I thank you…but lets agree not to lower ourselves to the standards of others…

And to my wiser older friends...perhaps I could have handled this better
again..my apologies...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 

Category: Life
f@ck skate erie

Yup I said f@ck skate erie……

But before I get into that…I must say you guys rock my socks!!!!!
Heard you guys did a heck of a job…drove up to Columbus myself to check it out..
DAMN
The pile of debris was huge…just gotta wonder how long it’ll take the city to remove  it …lol


Photobucket


Apologies for not being there myself…as some of you may know we were in West Virginia…hillbilly country to skate a comp…we did well taking third, honorable placing considering we were on someone else’s turf…

Anyways…as always I’m proud of you all!!!

So…now why, f@ck skate erie…cuz that’s what our latest fan says!!!!

Check it out for yourselves…from our new found friend in the spiffy little suit…

Photobucket


You can check him out here…
www.myspace.com/xxunhappypunkxx 

And Jake’s little words of wisdom would be and I quote….

“cody is dumb
an fuck you guys
bikers rule
skaters blow
an we'll be there anyways
fuck the police
like im gonna get fined for hitting a fucking quarter
no pegs
and you dicks are still pussy's”

Photobucket


Once again few things I need to address here with Mister Biker Man in the spiffy little suit…

One…there will be no quarter …
(for those who don’t know there is a killer song by zeppelin called no quarter and just for the record…lol
No quarter means…..A victor gives no quarter when the victor shows no  mercy and refuses to spare the life of a vanquished opponent)

 Back to all seriousness had our buddy the peddle pusher been paying attention  to blogs he would know there will be no quarter. In all honesty, there wont be much to chase bikers off till we get the bowl….

Two..I’ll bet Mom and Dad paid a lot for that spiffy little suit and that kiddie bike…I’ll even bet they pay a lot for you tO go out and compete…do they know you have such a master of the English language?

Three…once again way to rep the bikers with that intelligent verbiage instead of literate  debate…you’ll get nowhere with your juvenile name calling...

Fourth and finally…don’t frett to much about the cops….worry more about 50 or so testosterone laden boys with planks of wood….

Wishing Mr. Biker Man aka. unhappypunk  aka. jakeeeeee a wonderful day…and if those dirt tracks your riding in all your pics aint enough…once again we would be more than happy to help you get started with
ANOTHER place of your own….

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 

Current mood:  aggravated
Category: Life



Well I guess since now we are getting threats there is no time like the present to address the “bike” issue.

Below please find our most recent message…..

hope yall know
that lots of bikers including myself are gunna ride this park.
soo, bikes should probaly be let in or...theres gunna be problems. like lots of bikers goin down. protests, u know.
cuz i think us bikers need stuff too. we tear up the city way more than skaters. and it would be good to have a place of our own to tear up.
hope this gets thru to you. thanks .=)
cody speer™

While the Skate Erie Association is in agreement that bikers need a place of their own...... it will not be this park.

Let me start with some history. The SEA was formed back in October of
2006. Since then local skaters and skateboard advocates together have raised over $100,000  for the cities first skatepark. We have gone before council, city officials and local charitable organizations. We have solicited door to door. We have held numerous benefits, written and won grant applications, one being the largest award offered by the Tony Hawk foundation which is in fact the largest skateboard park advocate in the U.S.

Local skaters have held press conferences,  held dress down days at their school and  have attended design meetings with skate park designers Grindline and offered input.

We are nearing the end of our struggle.

Where were the bikers?

Apparently they are here now and it’s to late.
You can look back over the blogs, in specific one dated Nov. 22, 2006 where we asked the bikers to come forward .Three years later, still none has come forward except to claim a rite to ride a park our local skaters built.

As quoted by Mr. Speer “we tear up the city way more than skaters” this is exactly why bikers are not welcome in most parks.  

Currently in Erie there exists a bmx track and numerous dirt tracks, it is also not a crime to ride your bike down town, however there is a city ordinance on the record that prohibits skating in the city and no safe place to ride a board.

In a nut shell when this park is all said and done it will cost nearly
a quarter million dollars and will be a shining new light in the cities park system. It will be clearly signed and heavily patrolled by both local law enforcement and members of the SEA.

Should all the bikers like to get together and rally for their cause we would be more than happy to point you in rite direction to build your own facility.






Wednesday, April 15, 2009 

Current mood:  accomplished
Category: Life
Once again I must apologize for gaps in updates...just nothing wonderful but behind the scenes paper work...until now...

Last Tuesday we opened bids and are most pleased to announce that Grindline has in fact won the bid...coming in as the lowest QUALIFIED bidder....

Our situation still remains the same and the park will be built in phases with phase I being the street section.

HOWEVER.... we are still off by about 10 grand  and still are in  need of help...any one out there with any brilliant ideas.... or who may like to host a benefit...or perhaps a dress down at your school...it would be greatly appreciated....

As it stands now we are hopeful to begin digging in June...but if we do not raise the existing 10 grand the scale of the street course will have to be made smaller...this my friends would be no good...as I see it...with the amount of skaters we have in Erie to the size of the park we are looking at a potential cluster F&@%.

Please keep in m ind every little bit helps...10 grand is nothing in comparison to what we have already accomplished!

10 bucks 20 or even 5.....Folks can send a check to:

Skate Erie
PO box 1514
Erie PA 16507
Make checks payable to Skate Erie
or
For larger donations and a tax write off make check out to:
LERC
(Lake Erie Region Conservancy)

Also once again....United way's Day of caring is fast approacing...April 25 at 10:00 am we will be at our future home of Columbus park to help in the annual cleaning of the park....

We have had a successful showing for the past 2 years ...
PLEASE DONT LET ME DOWN NOW...
ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE AND HELP WILL RECIEVE A FREE SKATE ERIE SHIRT!!!

One more thing....
If you are one of the skaters who usually hits NORTHWEST savinbgs bank...
be respectful...clean up your stuff!
Ya dont appreciate what ya got till its gone!

Be well...Happy Spring ....
Kim



Monday, September 22, 2008 

Greetings all,

Apologies for such a long gap in updates, but our hands are a bit tied at this time. The project lies in the hands of others at this current juncture. For those of you who may have read the recent article in the times news from earlier this month here are some current updates and for those who may not have, you may wish to visit this link

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080903/NEWS02/809030376/-1/ETN

A formal request to the DCNR was sent off early last week and Sarah Galloway should be in touch with them soon in regards to a response, my gut says we should be ok with the extension and should they say no, that is a fight I'm prepared for. I think for them to say no at this point would be unreasonable. If all we had at this point was there grant I could understand, but that is not the case. With other grants and donations available I feel they would be hard pressed to say yes. Another important issue is the weather, it simply is not feasible to build now with impending winter.

We still are awaiting the construction documents. One of the DCNR requirements was that we have PA seal …meaning we needed a certified architect to put his seal of  approval on the documents. So in around about by we are being held up by a state requirement.

The cost of the overall project has in fact gone up much like everything else these days which does mean, should we not get a big chunk of change in the near future we will be building in phases. Phase I consisting of the street section and Phase II the transitional section. We currently have enough money for Phase I.

We are still plugging away at fundraising and donations. Jessica and I are currently working on another grant and Marc and I recently met with the Great Lakes building trade and got a most positive response to help with labor!

If all goes well with the DCNR we should be putting something in the ground this spring!

Be well, stay positive,

Kim

Sunday, June 22, 2008 

Current mood:  savage
 
Hello friends.....
Hope all is well and that your summer is off to a great start! To my skaters...Happy belated go skate day!
Things are still moving along and for those that don't know we recently had Grindline in from Seattle to begin the design process!
Micha Shapiro , lead designer spent the day with us surveying the park, listening to ideas and posing some of his own...
 
The result......?!
The Gods of Grindline... I only call them that because...they seem to create little slices of heaven....
As I was saying.....
The Gods of Grindline have spoken....pointing their mighty fingers at a 12,000 sq ft. piece of land in our fair city....
And it was good....
 
To see this wonderful goodness.....follow the link....
 
Some really neat things to take note of.....look closely at those pics....the compass in the street coarse and those ledges and banks surrounding them...come from another prominent park feature in our city....free t'shirt to any one who can tell me where they have seen it before!
 
Also take note of the pinkinsh ledges on the edges of the park...this is for my older skaters and a lil history....once upon at time...state st. used to be closed... it was more of a mall type thing to my understanding....and it was lined with GRANITE, pink Canadian granite as a matter of fact....no doubt they were skated back in the day....but...alas..when they opened the street...the granite would be no more....
now get this....the city still has it hidden away in a secret vault...lol...kiddin' not so secret...but the city has been kind enough to let us have it!
 
Ok...Moving on...what's next....were waiting for a final approval from the city and then the actual construction documents can be made and the entire project put out to bid....we are hoping and aiming for and August dig date!
 
Please keep in mind we are still in need of funds to complete the full scope of the project!
 
Other news...July 13th at the Erie tuners....WHIPLASH will be throwin it down for us! cost will be 6 bucks and it will be an all ages event....more details soon....
 
For my skaters...WARPED TOUR IS NEAR.....
Few things I know...
Qualifying rounds for Pittsburgh will be at Mr.Smalls...dates unannounced
Qualifying rounds for Buffalo will be at Xdreams......dates unannounced
 
Qualifying rounds for Cleveland...get this....
IN MY HAND....
CAN YOU SKATE A MINI LIKE ITS NOBODYS BUSINESS?
DO YOU WANT FREE ADMISSION TO THE CLEVLAND SHOW AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SOME CASH?
IF YOUR INTERESTED IN REPPIN' ERIE AT THE WARPED TOUR AND READY TOO CONQUER THE MINI RAMP....
CONTACT ME FOR DETAILS  A.S.A.P!
 
Cleveland show is July 17
 
One more heads up....for those who wish to travel..qualifying rounds for the free flow tour will be in Philly July 19th.
 
Be Well...
Kim
Friday, May 09, 2008 
Hosted By: SKATE ERIE ASSOCIATION
When: Saturday May 17, 2008
at 9:00 AM
Where: CITY OF ERIE
1800 BLOCK OF STATE ST.
ERIE, PA 16502
United States
Description:
SKATE ERIE ASSOCIATION

Click Here To View Event
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 

FROM TONY HAWK FOUNDATION!!!!!

WE DID IT!!!!!!

Congratulations on being awarded a grant for the construction of your public skatepark project. Please see below for the full list of results.

The Tony Hawk Foundation Board of Directors met on Wednesday, April 16 to deliberate and select this session's awards. Of the 84 applicants, only 29 communities were selected.

We are currently compiling the Grant Agreements and other paperwork we will be sending you, but in the meantime we would appreciate your acknowledging that you received this message and whether you intend to accept your grant award to help pay for the construction of your skatepark.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

-Mik
------------------------------------------

Miki Vuckovich

Executive Director

Tony Hawk Foundation

miki@tonyhawkfoundation.org

http://www.tonyhawkfoundation.org

Spring 2008 Tony Hawk Foundation Grants

 $25,000

Oceanside, California

Columbus, Georgia

Erie, Pennsylvania

 
$15,000

Mount Shasta, California

Kirksville, Missouri

 
$10,000

Waldron, Arkansas

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Augusta, Maine

Ironwood, Michigan

Pascagoula, Mississippi

Mexico, New York

 $5,000

New Smyrna Beach , Florida

Pembroke, Georgia

Onawa, Iowa

Oblong, Illinois

Goodland, Kansas

Melvern, Kansas

Bethel, Maine

Mayville, Michigan

Boulder, Montana

Beulah, North Dakota

Ellenville, New York

Hyde Park, New York

Winnsboro, Texas

Jonesville, Virginia

Chester, Vermont

La Farge , Wisconsin

Milton, West Virginia

 $1,516

Myrtle Creek, Oregon


BEAR WITH ME GROUPIES...HAVE BEEN IN A WHIRLWIND SINCE THE BENEFIT.....WILL POST DETAILS SOON........


Sunday, April 20, 2008 
DEAR FRIENDS,

so far the weather holds.....

DONT FORGET YOUR CANS

just a heads up on some raffle goods....

goods from DESTRUCTO
decks from both WHEELS on 26th and MIDTOWN BIKES....
2 SKATE ERIE decks signed by "PUDDLE OF MUDD"
AND GET THIS...
AN ELECTRIC GUITAR SIGNED BY BREAKING BENJAMIN!!!!!
COURTESY OF ROCKET 101

RAFFLE TICKETS WILL GO FOR A BUCK A PIECE OR 5 BUCKS FOR AN ARMS LENGTH!

WE'LL HAVE A FEW FREEBIES TO TOSS OUT THE THE ADORING FANS TOO!!!!!
ARE YA READY!....LETS BUILD A SKATE PARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SIGNED,
THE 4/20 FULL MOON

OH YEA...THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED CLEAN THE PARK YESTERDAY...AWESOME JOB!!!!!!