Oh my, its the wicked sexy, Philly based BIKINI BANDITS. Besides wanting to party with this clan, I would love to have these Betty’s tag along on official Fierce.com business. Hey, I’m in Philly, you’re in Philly, what’s the problem!?

You tell me….and oh yea, Amber, a member of BB is the original Obama Girl!

The very fierce and very sexy Lora, part of the Fuel Girls squad. But what the heck do I know. Tell me what you think?

Details
XGAMES
July 31 – August 3, 2008
Los Angeles, California
The Home Depot Center & STAPLES Center

The premier extreme sports event covered on ESPN channels. I’m particularly stoked to watch Moto Best Whip.

The very fierce Michele Madden, front for Aussie band, Tourettes

So Roxy has a video contest going for the gals ending August 1, 2008. Submit a 2-3 minute video of who you are, your goals, your passions, and how you’re gonna get there! Theres $10K up for grabs so make it good!

Check out the promo video for the contest here at Fierce.com

Here are the details:

TELL US YOUR STORY AND ENTER TO WIN $10,000 TO PURSUE YOUR DREAM!
It’s as easy as 1-2-3-4

1. Show Us The Love! Create your own 2-3 minute video showing us who you are (your dreams, your passions, your inspiration) and how you’re following your heart!

2. Upload Your Video to the Follow Your Heart group page. Then go to the Follow Your Heart website and click “Submit a Video” to enter the contest.

3. Cast Your Vote…for the finalists at Roxy for a chance to win additional prizes, including $2,000 from Schick® Quattro for Women®.

4. Video Submissions will be judged on passion, commitment and ability to articulate your vision.

Deadline for submissions: August 1, 2008. The winner will be announced on or before August 15, 2008.

ABOUT THE TOUR

ROXY will be touring around the country stopping at colleges and surf shops to tell the stories of 9 influential women who have followed their heart.

Read their stories here.

Schick® Quattro for Women® helps you Get a Leg Up with a long-lasting shave that lets you skip a day or two — because you never know what’ll happen between shaves.

Click here for official rules, competition rules, tour schedule, and to vote on your favorite videos.

BUMBERSHOOT 2008
Aug 30 - Sep 1
Seattle Center

Originally staged and funded by the city of Seattle as the Seattle Arts Festival in 1971, BUMBERSHOOT now lays claim to the largest music and urban arts festivals in the world. Thank One Reel, a local non-profit arts and entertainment production organization, in 1980 to taking the festival to another level by ticketing the event to attract global talent. Lots of incredible talent expected this year to appear including, Beck, Kid Sister,Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Anti-Flag, Xavier Rudd and Asylum St. Spankers to name a few. Check out more details here.

Thanks DotcomCowgirl for passing along this very good cause to support injured BMX rider Mike Vincent. Details at the end of the post on how to support and contribute!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ebay Auction established to raise funds for injured Action Sports BMX Athlete Mike Vincent

LOS ANGELES (July 12, 2008) — On January 18, while riding his bike to work Mike Vincent, a former BMX rider who has been a prominent fixture in the sport for many years, was struck by a car. He sustained major head trauma and many bodily injuries, including the possibility of permanent loss of sight. Like many action sports athletes, Mike did not have any insurance at the time of the accident therefore payment for all of his treatment and future rehabilitation and surgeries, outside of a life-threatening emergency, will have to come out of his own pocket.

In addition to competing in BMX, Mike has worked as a judge for all of the major action sports competitions, including the X Games, LG Action Sports World Tour, AST Dew Tour, and the former Gravity Games. He has also been a part of most of the core BMX competitions, including Rebel Jam and the CFB events. During the off-season he worked as a professional caddy at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, in Gainesville, VA.

Over the last few months the industry has assisted Mike by participating in local fundraisers and donating their heart, time and money when needed. However, the need is greater than anyone could have ever imagined and the support must continue in every way possible. Realizing that at any time Mike’s plight could be their own, the industry has established an Ebay auction to raise funds for Mike’s current and future treatment. At the 6th month mark of Mike’s accident, an auction will be opened on EBay. On Friday, July 18th, at 12:00 PM EST the auction will go live online. Many athletes and friends have graciously donated items for this cause. All items will be offered for only 10 days. Final bids must be completed by 12:00 PM EST on July 27th.

Some of the auction items include:
* DC x SE Quadrangle 24 in Cruiser: Limited Edition
* Haro Forum Pro Lite BMX: autographed by Ryan Nyquist
* Redline Flight Pro BMX Racing Bike
* X Games 14 VIP Package for 4
* Camp Woodward: one week action sports camp
* Ryan Sheckler’s autographed Plan B 3D Skate Deck
* Paul Rodriguez’s autographed Plan B Signature Skateboard Deck
* Chris Haslam’s autographed Almost Skateboards Deck
* Bucky Lasek’s autographed signature Element Skateboard
* PLG’s autographed signature Darkstar Skateboard
* Jake Brown’s autographed Blind “Eternal Life” Slam Deck
* Tony Hawk’s autographed 8×10
* Mat Hoffman’s autographed Bell helmet worn during X Games 13 Mega Ramp Contest
* Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg’s signed Thor Jersey worn during Moto X World Championships
* Chad Reed’s autographed San Manual/Yamaha team THOR MX pants
* Callaway and King Cobra golf clubs
* Boutique shoes by Jimmy Choo and Society for National Dress
* Playboy merchandise package

For a full detailed list of auction items please go here
For details and updates on Mike’s condition please visit here or contact Olivia Elizandro at 310 738 0936 or via email.

The road to recovery will be a long one, but together we can make a difference.

Contriubutors:
Alien Workshop Skateboards, Almost Skateboards, Alpinestars, ASA Entertainment, Blind Skateboards, Bucky Lasek, Chris Haslam, Chad Reed, Coda Skateboards, Creative Deployment, Dakine, Darkstar Skateboards, DC Shoes, Duo BMX, Dwindle Distributions, Element Skateboards, ESPN, Gagosian Gallery, Habitat Skateboards, Haro Bikes, Helen’s Cycle, Herbivore Clothing, Hoffman Bikes, Ideology Productions, Indie Printing, Jake Brown, Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg, Jeremy Lusk, Jim Bauer, LAfixed.com, Mat Hoffman, Metal Mulisha, Odyssey BMX, Paul Rodriguez, Pierre-Luc Gagnon, Plan B Skateboards, Playboy, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, Ryan Nyquist, Ryan Sheckler, Souney Media, Sweet Pea Bakery, The Bungalow Club, Todd Potter, Tony Hawk, Verde BMX, Wasserman Media Group LLC, Woodward Camp, X Games, Yanco Pads

Slow Food Nation ‘08
San Francisco, Ca
Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2008

Directly from their website and a very solid cause to support. Get engaged and start contributing!

SLOW FOOD NATION TO TAKE PLACE IN SAN FRANCISCO LABOR DAY WEEKEND 2008

Largest Celebration of American Food in History On Eve of the Presidential Election, Gathering Sets New Agenda for a Sustainable and Healthy Food System

Keynote Speakers Include Wendell Berry, Marion Nestle, Carlo Petrini, Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Vandana Shiva and Alice Waters

San Francisco, CA (June 4, 2008) — Slow Food Nation, the largest celebration of American food in history, will take place in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend (August 29 to September 1, 2008). An unprecedented event, Slow Food Nation will bring together tens of thousands to experience an extraordinary range of activities highlighting the connection between plate and planet. The majority of Slow Food Nation’s events will be free and open to the public; certain events are ticketed. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 4 at http://www.slowfoodnation.org.

At the peak of harvest season, and on the eve of a Presidential election, Slow Food Nation will bring together local citizens and visitors, farmers and food artisans, political leaders, environmental advocates and health-care experts, community educators and artists. Participants will savor food from across the U.S. at Taste, a 50,000 square foot pavilion; meet farmers and producers at a marketplace surrounding a 10,000 square foot newly-planted urban garden in the heart of the City; learn from visionary speakers; and engage in political discourse to shape a more sustainable food system. Slow Food Nation will also feature a music festival, workshops, films, dinners, hikes and journeys.

“Slow Food Nation will catalyze a huge shift in how Americans perceive and prioritize food. Through the four-day event, we hope to build momentum and demand for an American food system that is safer, healthier and more socially just,” said Anya Fernald, Executive Director of Slow Food Nation. “Our founder Alice Waters has set the stage for a delicious revolution through decades of leadership and advocacy and our parent organization, Slow Food U.S.A., has built a wide membership base across America. By creating a framework for a deeper environmental and community-based connection to our food and farmers, Slow Food Nation will help participants learn how everyday choices affect our well-being, our culture and the health of the planet.”

Highlights of the four-day event include:

Taste

Saturday, August 30; 11 am – 3 pm; 5 pm – 9 pm
Sunday, August 31, 11 am – 3 pm; 6 pm – 9 pm
Fort Mason Center/Festival Pavilion
Tickets: $45 – $65

Taste is Slow Food Nation’s grand celebration of good, clean and fair food from across the United States. In-depth taste workshops and hands-on experiences with quality, process and distinguishing flavor factors will connect visitors with the origins and true value of our food. Each of the 15 uniquely designed pavilions showcases a different food through on-site demonstrations and tastes. Featured foods include: Beer, Bread, Charcuterie, Cheese, Chocolate, Coffee, Fish, Honey & Preserves, Ice Cream, Native Foods, Olive Oil, Pickles & Chutney, Spirits, Tea and Wine. The Green Kitchen takes place here, where acclaimed chefs will demonstrate techniques for making simple, everyday dishes sustainable.

Food for Thought Speaker Series

Friday, August 29, 9 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday, August 30, 11:30 am – 10 pm
Civic Center/Herbst Theater and Milton Marks Auditorium
Tickets: $5 - $25

Featuring leading thinkers, community organizers, journalists and activists discussing current food issues, from policy and planning to education and climate change. Speakers include: Wendell Berry, Marion Nestle, Carlo Petrini, Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Vandana Shiva and Alice Waters.

Marketplace

Friday, August 29 - Sunday, August 31; 9 am – 4 pm
Civic Center Plaza
Tickets: Free

The Market showcases 60 California farmers and artisans growing and producing good, clean and fair food. Visitors can purchase directly from the producer and learn the significance of regionality, diversity and artisanality in the Bay Area’s food system. Next to the Market, “Slow on the Go” demonstrates how “fast” slow food can be. Visitors can purchase affordable street food from San Francisco’s diverse ethnic community, prepared with fully sustainable, source-verified ingredients.

Slow Food Nation Victory Garden

Friday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31; 9 am – 4 pm
Civic Center Plaza
Tickets: Free

In collaboration with Victory Gardens 2008+, Slow Food Nation will herald the era of self-sufficiency through the creation of an ornamental edible garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Civic Center. Planted on the same site as 60 years ago during World War II, the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden demonstrates the potential of a truly local agriculture practice and brings together and promotes Bay Area urban gardening organizations, while producing high quality food for those in need. The Slow Food Nation Victory Garden will be introduced to the public on Saturday, July 12 in a ceremony with Mayor Gavin Newsom and Slow Food Nation Founder Alice Waters.

Slow Food Rocks

Saturday, August 30; 11 am – 7 pm and Sunday, August 31; 11 am – 5:30 pm
Fort Mason Center/Great Meadow
For tickets visit: www.slowfoodrocks.com; Tickets on sale June 10

Featuring: Gnarls Barkley; G Love & Special Sauce; the John Butler Trio; Medeski Martin & Wood; New Pornographers and Ozomatli. Additional major headliners to be announced soon.

A two-day outdoor music festival featuring the biggest names in rock, folk, hip-hop, soul, jazz and world music. Produced by the Festival Network, this is one of only three public events permitted on the Great Meadow the entire year.

Petition Launch for a New Vision for Agriculture and Food Policy for the 21st Century

Thursday, August 28; 4 – 5 pm
Civic Center/Slow Food Nation Victory Garden
Tickets: Free

Hosted in conjunction with Roots of Change (ROC), Slow Food Nation will introduce a Vision Statement for Agricultural and Food Policy for the 21st Century drafted by notable activists, practitioners, producers and eaters across the country. The Vision Statement will be a call to action to frame future food and agricultural policies, including the next Farm Bill, to benefit all Americans.

Slow Food Nation is sponsored by Whole Foods Market, Rodale Inc., Saveur magazine, Sunset magazine, Anolon cookware, Medlock Ames winery, Organic Valley Farms, Jack London Market, Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association, Bon Appétit Management Company, Cain Vineyard and Winery. Media sponsors include7 X 7 magazine, Chow.com, Culinate.com, Edible Communities magazines, Mother Jones magazine, Wine & Spirits magazine, Yelp.com, Meatpaper magazine and many more partners to be announced. Slow Food Nation is presented by arrangement with the Fort Mason Foundation and thanks to the generous support of the City and County of San Francisco and the office of Mayor Gavin Newsom.

About Slow Food Nation

Slow Food Nation is a subsidiary non-profit of Slow Food USA and part of the international Slow Food movement. It was created to organize the first-ever American collaborative gathering to unite the growing sustainable food movement and introduce thousands of people to food that is good, clean and fair through enjoyable, accessible and educational activities. Slow Food Nation is dedicated to creating a framework for deeper environmental connection to our food and aims to inspire and empower Americans to build a food system that is sustainable, healthy and delicious.

About Slow Food

The Slow Food movement was founded in Rome in 1989 and flourishes in 131 countries around the globe. Currently supported by 83,000 members worldwide (16,000 members in the U.S.), Slow Food’s ethos is defined by the belief that food is a common language and a universal right, and an appreciation for slowing down and savoring the convivial traditions of the table. Established in 2000, non-profit Slow Food USA has grown to 200 local chapters in 47 states. Its members include culinary professionals and food enthusiasts, farmers and food producers, educators and students. Slow Food USA envisions a world in which all people can eat delicious food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it and good for the planet.

For press passes, interviews and graphics/photos, please contact:

Naomi Starkman
Communications & Policy Director
naomi@slowfoodnation.org
917.539.3924-cell
415.369.9950-office

Layla Azimi
Communications Coordinator
layla@slowfoodnation.org
925.785.0713-cell
415.369.9950-

The Muse Hotel
130 W 46th St (btwn 6th and 7th on W46th)
NY, NY 10036
(212) 485-2400

I was fortunate to stay at yet another great lifestyle hotel on my last trip to New York City. The Muse, part of the Kimpton Hotel Group is located smack in the theatre district and boasts 181 guestrooms and 19 hotel suites. Each Kimpton brand has a distinct personality; The story at The Muse is Inspiration and is named for the nine Greek mythological Muses each known for their ability to inspire a unique discipline of the arts. My experience started earlier that day when I called to confirm my reservation (something I do as a rule and it helps gauge customer experience). I was greeted on the phone by a very professional woman who welcomed me back to NYC, gladly confirmed my reservation, made certain I knew how to get to the hotel and thanked me in advance for choosing their hotel…so far so good. I went about my day, had a late sushi dinner at Ise and arrived at the hotel by 8:30pm. I was immediately impressed by the very clean lobby area, modern decor and chill club music being streamed overhead. Although I had booked a regular guestroom, I was pleasantly surprised when they upgraded me to one of their exclusive 19 hotel suites. (They had no idea I was writing a review. This was simply a factor of staying on a slower Tuesday and the hyper competition for business and leisure travelers in the city). Up to my very cool, again very clean, and surprisingly spacious room where I promptly logged on to their free Wi-Fi Internet service to finish a few blog posts. Interestingly I noticed an apologetic letter next to the 52″ flat screen notifying customers that the HDTV service from Time Warner was not to be expected for another week or so. Nice touch, however I can’t imagine staying in NYC, let alone the Theatre District and holing up in my room watching TV. I digress….nothing pressing that couldn’t wait until the morning so down I went to check out their bar/restaurant called The District. Minus a short lived group that apparently was more comfortable at the local dive, I thoroughly enjoyed my very healthy pour of Macallans 18 , more chill, relaxing house music and a very comfortable, quiet nights sleep. I paid just just north of $269.00 per night, which frankly is a bargain any day and twice on Sunday in NYC. When planning your next trip to NYC, skip the traditional chain and check out The Muse. My overall rating for The Muse is 8 fierce stars out of 10!

Gunslingers Anonymous
KARMA (2008)
South Jersey, NJ

‘Karma’, GSA’s latest album, and track-for-track my favorite and most played band on my iPod, is simply pure genius. I’ve been a huge fan of this South Jersey duo since introduced to their music over a year ago now. I recall visiting their myspace page and launching a hilarious GSA promo video and realizing, I could party with these guys! Then the music, ahhh that was the clincher. I immediately dove into ‘This Type of Behavior’, to date my all time fav GSA track. The chill piano intro is deceiving…then bang straight into this rad synth number. Very, very cool. A close second is ‘The Distance Between Infatuation and Love is Closer Than We Had Thought (Boy, Did I have You)…Whew, yea that’s the track name and an incredible cut that spotlights Michael and Shane’s vox and instrumental talents. The lyrics are really Rounding out an incredibly solid album is ‘Save The World’ which GSA personally shared with Fierce.com before releasing to the general public. Pay particular attention to the fade throughout between ballad and hard hitting synth and guitar on this track, not to mention the incredible piano ending. Check out the video promo for ‘Karma’ at Fierce.com and show some love and download the album here.