| Where The Z-Boys Began: Horizons/Zephyr
The one-story stucco building at Main and Bay streets can hardly be said to have any architectural significance. Yet it has been under discussion for possible designation by the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission. The building is the home of the Horizons West surf shop and also houses the Zephyr skateboard shop, home to the legendary Z-Boys skate team who have been the subject of two films, the documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys and the fiction film, Lords of Dogtown. Randy Wright has managed Horizons since the mid-1980s, and knows a great deal about the local surf and skate scene. Back in 1984 I was surfing in Venice and I was a really advanced local surfer, says Wright. This surf shop had a pretty well-known surf scene at the time. They picked me up [and] I surfed for the shop [as part of the team representing the shop in competitions] and I started working here.
Love all things surfing? Then blast off to Cocoa Beach, Fla.
I'm standing in the aisle of the main sales floor, watching a clerk restocking shell-covered jewelry boxes. She stops to help a customer looking for flamingo-themed wind chimes. They are temporarily out of stock this time of year -- they are a popular Christmas item -- but she promises to have them by week's end. Not only will they get them in, there will probably be three or four models to choose from; clerk and customer know that if they could be found anywhere, this would be the place. As the sales person says, "Ron Jon speaks for itself." New Jersey, 1959: Ron DiMenna has a developed and growing passion for surfing. He has tired of his homemade surfboards and wants to order his own custom California board. His father advises, "Buy three, sell two at a profit, then yours will be free." He does just that, and in 1961, opens a little surf shop in Long Beach, N.J.
City Council candidate receives second threat letter
Two days after an article was published in this newspaper about an anonymous threatening letter to City Council candidate Jefferson Wagner, another one arrived at his surf shop, Zuma Jay's. The letter warned that further information about Wagner would be turned into this reporter.This second letter was handwritten. The first one was typed. At the top of the letter, it says "IRS." It addresses Wagner as "Mr. Zuma Jay," and then lists eight first names, with an initial following three of them. Wagner told The Malibu Times some of these names are of current or former employees at Zuma Jay's.The letter states, "Well let me remind you that you did not pay tax's [sic] for each. Big Problem [sic] Don't run for office or these names will be turned inTo [sic] IRS and Jonathan Friedman w/Much More Details."Wagner said the person who sent the letter was "probably somebody following the business very closely," but he did not think it was an employee."I kind of doubt it, because they [an employee] would have come up with a better list," Wagner said.
Ron Jon Surf Surfpark plan unveiled to the public
So it's finally coming. The three dimensional model of the park looks fabulous, the idea seems virtually perfect, and the plans and engineering are nearing completion for groundbreaking next month and opening to the public next fall.
Ed Moriarty, president of Ron Jon Surf Shop, said, "The face of surfing as we know it is about to change forever. We feel Surfparks best personifies the Ron Jon brand, and we are excited to be in partnership with [them]." Mr. Moriarty also pointed out that Ron Jon is not only a licensor for the park, but an investor.
The press conference scene included a number of Ron Jon executives in business casual, a few Surfpark execs in shorts and t-shirts (corporate culture and logo defining itself early), and an array of press, investors, and future customers.
Familiar retailers expected to open wallets at TIA
The preview of a new dining and shopping lineup at Tampa International Airport glittered with nationally known names like Tommy Bahama, Fossil and Carrabba's. But for Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio's taste, the menu lacked local flavor. "I think we're making a big mistake having all the retail be 'Anywhere U.S.A.,' " she told fellow members of the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority board Thursday. When an executive from concessions contractor HMS Host suggested the Ron Jon Surf Shop fit the bill, Iorio cut in. "You want people to step into a shop and say this city I'm about to visit has a personality to it." There will be a shop selling gifts that reflect Tampa's heritage when the extreme makeover is complete in December 2008, pledged Louis Miller, the airport's executive director.
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