New York * -- According to various news reports...

Six Flags Fiesta Texas *, an amusement park in the lone star state, has announced that it is working on a ride called "Tony Hawk *'s Big Spin", which features "skating elements" including a "camelback" and a 27-foot drop.

Powell/Peralta *, as well as celebrities including Ray Barbee *, Dave Chappelle, the Beastie Boys *, and boxer Joe Frazier reportedly donated items to be auctioned for the benefit of The Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship *, which awards academic scholarships to "students who have been activists for public skateparks *". SkateboardDirectory.com has also contributed to the Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship.

Another Tony Hawk video game has hit the shelves, this one apparently built exclusively for the Nintendo * Wii * and called "Tony Hawk's Downhill * Jam". Allowing players to race through eight different cities including Hong Kong, San Francisco * and Edinburgh, the game features eleven different characters.

According to Australia *'s "The Bulletin" magazine, there are an increasing amount of "old-school skaters who are rediscovering their love of the sport". A recent article highlights some 'middle aged skate hacks' who use generators to light up skateboard bowls Down Under. Apparently the number of old-school skaters has been on the rise since 2001 *'s release of the documentary movie Dogtown and Z-Boys *. The article continues with profiles of the skaters and a description of a session in the bowl at Bondi Beach. Says 19 year old Oz skater Adam Haydek: "I'm glad we've still got these old-school skaters in the sport. It shows that you can still have fun, no matter how old you are."

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