San Clemente Sunset Status

It’s a beauty tonight. Big swells coming in, warm temps… August and September is the best time of the year in Southern California.

Don’t Trust Anyone in Venice, CA

If you’ve ever watch Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory on MTV, chances are you’ve seen him wearing some t-shirts from Los Angeles-based Rogue Status. Originally founded by snowboarder/skaters/sneaker heads Jo Esbensen, Jasper Watts, and Rex Hollway, the brand got a huge boost when Dyrdek and Famous Stars and Straps founder and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker signed on as partners. Soon after, the Rogue Status crew opened a flagship store on Main Street in Venice, CA, proudly reppin’ AWOL status all day everyday.

After starting out small the brand, quickly gained notoriety with their infamous Gun Show Print, voted #9 by Complex Magazine’s Top 100 T-Shirts of the 2000s. Today the Easy Company boys have their hand in everything from snowboard clothing to a full-blown motor sports division, and have become fixtures in the Gumball 3000 rallies.

Agenda 2009 in Huntington Beach

The 2009 Agenda Tradeshow took place in Huntington Beach, CA on July 22 and 23 to coincide with the US Open of Surfing. Skaters, surfers, shredders and streetwear kids of all shapes and sizes descended on the Hyatt Resort and Spa to rep the latest fashions from progressive labels like Supra and Rogue Status to classic brands like Vans and DC. Tons of personalities (like DJ Muggs, shown above) from the hip-hop, action sports and street fashion worlds collided for a celebration of the lifestyle and a productive two days of fun in the sun.

As the first time it was billed as a stand-alone show, at a separate time and place from the ASR (Action Sports Retailer) tradeshow in San Diego, Agenda has furthered its purpose and created its own identity. The location was ideal: virtually smack dab in the center of SoCal and almost equal distance from San Diego and Los Angeles, the Hyatt played a perfect host to the fortunate few that were lucky enough to attend. Feeling more like a vacation resort and less like a conference center, the beachfront setting lifted everyone’s spirits and made for a good all around vibe.

SoCal 4th of July Weekend

SoCal in the Summer is a special time of the year. Fireworks, friends and families all come together to celebrate America’s Independence. Although from my recent reading of David McCollough’s John Adams, I learned that the Continental Congress actually first voted for independence on July 2nd, 1776, then after another day of debate and revisions approved the Declaration on July 4. Nonetheless, the date lives in infamy in the USA and has forever since been a reminder of the tremendous personal sacrifice and dedication of the brave patriots of that era, particularly John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who penned that monumental manuscript.

Home base in SoCal is Capistrano Beach, a hidden gem nestled in between San Clemente and Dana Point. Beautiful views from the bluff of the harbor and Doheny Beach below provide an idyllic setting to take in the cool ocean breeze. The backyard, which just a few years ago was a barren plot of weeds and dead grass, has been transformed in a jungle oasis thanks to California’s natural tendency for growth and a little good ol’ fashioned gardening.