New York * -- Tennessee * newspaper The Mountain Press reports that according to the National Sporting Goods Association, from 1995 * to 2005 *, the skateboarding population in the United States * grew from 4.5 million to 12 million people. Over the same period, the baseball-playing population reportedly dropped from 15.7 million to 14.6 million. If that trend continues, US skateboarders will outnumber baseball players in 2008. The numbers also show that skateboarding now has more participants than football in the US.

According to Global Surfer News, Sole Technology, owner of etnies *, Es, Emerica and other brands, has hired Roaia Atwood as their first Manager of Environmental Affairs. Previously he worked as American Apparel's "Director of Sustainability". The company already uses 61 solar panels and carries a line of "sustainable footwear and apparel". Says Sole Technology owner Pierre Andre Senizergues, "For the past several years, Sole Technology has been making strides in eco-business practices and now more than ever, we are implementing an aggressive company-wide sustainability strategy in which Roian is going to help lead and take to that next level." New employee Atwood was quoted saying "I am passionate about the environment and my vision is to make a huge environmental impact in our industry. We all have to do our part, no matter how big or small, and by taking more and bigger steps, Sole Technology is doing its part." Sole Technology is based in Lake Forest, California *.

According to many media channels, Tony Hawk * has signed a deal with Kohl's to sell his line of footwear through the 800-store chain. The line is to be priced at about $40 per pair. The design for one of the shoes was inspired by Hawk but chosen by Kohl's. Kohl's has been carrying the Hawk Clothing * line since 2006. Said Hawk about skateboarding "It's its own art form, own fashion. I feel like doing the clothing line that's based on skating culture is something that's intuitive."

Eric Koston * and the skateboard retailer Active have announced the first annual Eric Koston Invitational Golf Tournament. The event seeks to raise money to rebuild the skate park at the Santa Ana Dream Center, a non profit organization whose goal is to help inner city youth. All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the skatepark *.

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