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An Online Resource Station for Avid, R&B Skaters |
Visit the Black Rinks page for info on this newly listed rink:
Skate & Strikes
Eufaula, Alabama
and check out the Links page to access this site which offers legal document preparation:
Legal Ace
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RST received this tribute from a skater who greatly respects Bill Butler’s passion for skating and what he has brought to the sport. The author, Stanley L. Raper, has been skating since the age of 10 and resides in Decatur, Georgia. He first saw Bill on wheels in 2003.
“JAMMIN”
William “Bill” Butler
Bill Butler
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
Gentleman Roller Skater
Bill Butler
Was born with a groove to roll, rock, bounce on a pair of roller skates
Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing Bill Butler on roller skates?
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
Grand Master Artisan of the Roller Rinks from the ATL to the Chi-Lites
From the Big Apple to L.A. and so many rinks in between
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
Bill Butler’s style is evident in all his Pupils from coast to coast
Beautiful smooth moves with mesmerizing cuts and turns
Yeah Baby… those are some of Bill Butler’s moves
To roll, rock, bounce with skill and grace
They learned to roller skate from
The Grand Master Artisan
William “Bill” Butler
JAMMIN-JAMMIN
JAMMIN-JAMMIN.
©2008 by Stanley L. Raper
Stanley L. Raper is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. An accomplished author, poet, essayist and lyricist, his works have been published in The Atlanta Journal Constitution, San Fernando Poetry Journal, Anthology Magazine, Issues Magazine, Africa’s Children Community Magazine, Rolling Out Urbanstyle Weekly, CAPPER’S, CrossRoads NEWS, Ifa News, The Atlanta Metro OBSERVER and The Sunday Paper. He can be contacted at: ra-per@comcast.net.
RST does not usually post this kind of information, (related to what are called “national skate parties and events”), but on behalf of Garry “Gman” Corporal and the Adrenalin Awards team, we are posting this:
2009 Adrenalin Awards & Skate Jam Weekend
Open Panel SelectionHear ye, Hear ye, Hear y!!! The time has come to prepare for the 2009 Adrenalin Awards.
When/Where: May 1-2, 2009 in the Washington DC Metropolitan/Maryland area. Hosted by Three-0-Two Entertainment, Style Skaters Television Network & the Adrenalin Awards Committee.
We are now opening the panel selection for those people interested in participating in nomination process for the 2008 Adrenalin Award nominees.
If you are interested please email your request to Nikki@AdrenalinAwards.com or GeeMan@AdrenalinAwards.com.
The absolute deadline for panel member request is: October 31. 2008.
On behalf of the Adrenalin Awards Committee, we know that you will make 2009 Adrenalin Awards & Skate Jam Weekend…{hummm, we seem to be stuck}. Can you finish the phrase?
Help us finish the slogan. The favorite slogan will be used for the 2009 campaign and the one person who picks the favorite slogan will win a wonderful surprise.
Slogan submission deadline: September 24, 2008 (Nikki@AdrenalinAwards.com)
“Adrenalin Awards & Skate Jam Weekend 2009….”
We are looking forward to hearing from you. Get the Adrenalin pumping!!!
FYI: the current website for the Adrenalin Awards is best viewed by using Internet explorer. We are currently updating the new and revised version. Thank you for your patience. www.AdrenalinAwards.com
Visit the Links page to access these newly listed sites:
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The historic Chez Vous rink is once again facing closure as it has been on the brink of shut down several times over the last few years. According to a recent news article, if a new sprinkler system (costing $170,000) is not installed soon, the doors will close Nov. 14. Read more in this Bay State Banner article, “Facing Shutdown, Chez Vous Still a Place for Peace.” (Visit the Black Rinks page for rink details.)
Lady hip hopper and actress, Eve, is on board to be part of the cast of “Whip It” - the roller derby film being produced by Drew Barrymore. Read more on SOHH.com: “Eve Rolls w/Drew Barrymore in Upcoming Flick.”
Many were unaware of any controversy surrounding the sale of Elsmere Skating Rink in Delaware until RST’s posting entitled “Shady Rink Deal Goes Down.” Since then, it has been announced that the rink’s new owners are Tracy and Lawrence Akines, a Black couple who currently live in New Jersey where Tracy has served for many years as General Manager of Millennium Skate World - a rink operated by United Skates of America.
RST has attempted to contact one of Elsmere’s former owners, Cort Wahlig, for comment but he has not returned several phone messages An interview request submitted to Tracy was denied with the comment that she was not interested. At this time Garry “Gman” Corporal, the long time general manager of Elsmere is refraining from any further comment and is continuing to move forward with his plans for the future.
RST is glad to be able to add another Black owned rink to the Black Rinks page but continues to have questions about the process and ethics involved in Elsmere coming under its current ownership.
In what appears to be a shady, underhanded and ‘cold-blooded’ deal, Elsmere Skating Center in Delaware has been sold and Garry “Geeman” Corporal, who was the rink’s general manager for 30 years, was told to pack his things and get gone by July 28. He had long been told or assured that he would become the rink’s next owner but instead, Elsmere has been sold to another person. According to the new message on the Elsmere phone line, the rink name is now “Adrenaline Skating Center,” a slap in the face to Corporal who was one of the originators of the Adrenaline Awards and Weekend which he hosted annually from Elsmere for the past several years.
Corporal issued this news release today:
Elsmere Skating Center Closed, Then Sold
Peace and Blessings, as some of know, I have been released of my duties, of operating and Managing The Elsmere Skating Center in Wilmington as of July 28, 2008. I leave with mixed emotions because I have made so many good friends over these past 30 plus years. My life has been greatly enriched by the kindness and encouragements so many of you have shown to me. I will always be grateful for the many friends I have made along the way and the wonderful memories I take with me. With a bit of sorrow, I wish to formally announce my departure from The Elsmere Skating Center. I remain grateful, however, for the opportunity to work with everyone at The Elsmere Skating Center. My thanks to all who made Elsmere Skating Center and the skate store flourish as it did. I wish the best of success to everyone who is remaining with the new owner or moving to new ground. Again thank you all for the opportunity to allow me to be a part of your lives, God Bless.
Unconfirmed reports have it that another Black rink manager was involved in this shady deal which, in essence, kicked Geeman to the curb after his many years of working under the belief that Elsmere’s owner would be true to his word and promise to transfer rink ownership.
RST wishes the best to Geeman as he moves forward through the many open doors that are surely ahead of him and will eventually, if it is his desire, lead him into the ranks of the small, but steadily increasing, number of Black rink owners in the country.
Skate legend Bill Butler has been contacted by representatives of the Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG) to discuss a role for him in directing a roller skating reality TV series. SLMG is headed by hip hop guru Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan and is dedicated to bringing a positive image of the hip hop generation to music, TV, radio, and other forms of media.
This is from the group’s website:
… Nearly 30 years in the game, two generations strong, billions of dollars in revenue, Hip-Hop is MODERN AMERICA’S culture. Yet turn on a television and, other than music videos, Hip-Hop culture is nearly invisible. Simmons Lathan Media Group is set on changing that. We’re the voice of millions of young people - Black, White, Asian, Latin, poor and rich - who don’t see themselves represented honestly in the media.
Through comedy, poetry, dance, animation and drama, we offer cultural expressions that have been ignored for too long….
Bill is to meet with one of SLMG’s representatives in Atlanta this weekend to find out more about their proposed project.
Stay tuned!
AURORA, CO - After Music Spectrum’s “Grown Folks” Session ended Sunday, July 20, several skaters commented that they had not sweated so much in a long time and, with a crowd of 120 in Skate City, that only increased the heat and contributed to so many getting an extra workout to song after song played by DJ Big Mike. The Old School session was a pleasant change up from what skaters have become used to in the Denver area with sounds from artists like Stevie Wonder, Lou Rawls, Mary J, Keith Sweat, Tupac, Biggie, and RST’s favorite of the night was “The Rain” (1986), by Oran Juice Jones ….. a song we haven’t heard (to our recollection) at any skate event nationwide.
Here are some of the faces from the special night:
Big Mike pleasantly surprised many skaters who came through the doors and rolled to the variety of songs he played from the ‘back in the day’ era.
Most Sundays find Victoria Ayers (l) and Lori Span at the skating rink where they meet up with other adults who share their same passion for skating. “We’re like family,” Span said during a break from her weekly roll. A skater for 35 years, she explained that when she misses a Sunday, her whole week is thrown off. Ayers has been on skates for 38 years and said she is in another world when on the skate floor where all her troubles just fly away.
Pictured at Skate City, and preparing to roll, are: Henry Kirby (l) and DJ Lemon (r) who make the 45 minute drive from Colorado Springs regularly for adult skating in the Metro area. Kirby has been skating for more than 10 years and most enjoys the fact that he receives a beneficial workout while skating. DJ Lemon is originally from Brooklyn, NY and has been skating since he was a young boy. Skating, he said, takes his mind away from everyday trials and concerns and allows him to relax.
Even community activist, organizer and businessman Brother Jeff takes a break from his busy schedule to “get his roll on” from time to time at the local adult skating session.
Photos by Lens of Ansar
© 2008 - All Rights Reserved
