frequency: TSJ writer Agent X appears on Coast to Coast am web/radio show

Aerial photojournalist, self-taught weapons expert, science writer, and one of the original "Dreamland Interceptors" (first individuals to document and call attention to the pentagon's "secret" testing facilities in Groom Lake, NV)... Mark Farmer AKA Agent X has been a friend of frequency: TSJ's from day one and even longer for myself.

Chris Brunkhart, Walter Sims and I, had the fortune of first meeting X in person outside the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, after the SIA trade show in Las Vegas. He was the one wearing a full military jumpsuit, boonie hat and toting a gun case with his mini-SK assault rifle (M-16A2).. After climbing into our rented Sedan de Ville, we lit out at 100 mph our into the Nevada desert. At a point past the Nellis Airforce base, we hiked up into the hills and rendezvoused with UFO notable Glen Campbell and other interested observers. "There's a MIG!" someone excitedly declared, spotting the Russian warplane in town for the annual Air Force's Green Flag exercise. "It's fun to get together and try to figure out who's the government informer," X laughed, kind of. Shortly thereafter, we took a brand spanking new Movement snowboard (certainly a collectible now) out of the plastic. Set ‘er up on a saguaro cactus and unloaded dozen's of rounds through the board. A very cathartic end to another harsh week at the Vegas trade show.

Later we made our way to Rachel, NV, the famed "black mailbox" (site of many UFO sightings), and had dinner and beers at the Little Ale'inn, stayed in a beat down hotel and headed back in the am.

Farmer is intelligent, well-spoken and mad as hell at the current buffoons in control of the White House. We are proud to call him a friend and look forward to more contributions in the future. Check out his interview on Coast to Coast about HAARP and other secret govt programs, as well as his own site at www.topcover.com

Believe in boron.

Although Craig Kelly had an enormous influence on snowboarding in the Northwest, there were certainly individuals who had an enormous influence on his life and career. Today, all in the NW snowboard community are mourning the loss of Bob Barci, who, by nearly any account was one of the pivotal folk in helping the NW gain prominence in snowboarding's now global culture.

Opening the Bikefactory in Bellevue, WA in the late ‘70's Bob took a risk on BMX and skateboarding at a time when the two sports were definitely not videogame material. Soon, he extended this passion and stoke, both on retail and a personal level, to snowboarding, providing boards to the few interested parties years before any other area retailers. At a time when lift access was not even in the cards and Mike Ranquet was likely a grade-schooler, Bob was tromping the hills of Highway 2 and Steven's Pass with the earliest version Flite and Sims boards, sleeping in decrepit Forest Service A-frames and blazing a trail for an entire generation. Years later, Carter Turk, Jeff Fulton, Eric Janko, Dan Donnelly, and of course, Craig Elmer Kelly, were drawn to the man as their own learning curves brought them to a point where they wanted to run their skills against others. The Bikefactory team began.

In 1985, Bob went to Mt. Baker's Duncan Howat and asked about the possibility of running a race for these guys. For the first several years of this event, Bob was the timer, organizer and final judge for the course. 22 years later, the Legendary Banked Slalom remains the best event in the world. A few years after starting the LBS, as the event became big enough to limit the field, Bob reached out once again, helping to create the NW Series. This completely open series with reasonable entry fees allowed for any kid to step up and ride in any of the events from Baker to Snoqualmie to Mission to Hood and even 49 Degrees North. For folks like Peter Line, Jamie Lynn, Dave Lee, Joey McGuire and others, this was their first opportunity to compete and meet kids from other resorts.

Bob Barci was our first subscriber here at frequency TSJ, sending a check the day he saw it. He never let his sub lapse and he never missed an issue.

This past February, weathered by his long and strong battle with stomach cancer, Bob still managed to make it to the Banked Slalom, as he had for most of the last two decades. Being the previous year's recipient, it was his turn to give away the Craig Kelly Award (for NW individuals who have made a significant contribution to snowboarding). Although he held the mic about a foot away from his mouth and most of the couple hundred people in attendance didn't hear a word he said, his thoughts were inspired and moving. Most had no idea he was dying as he held the granite and hardwood CK thunderbird trophy. As I stood next to him I listened intently, here's as a best a paraphrase of this speech I can offer:

"Craig was a good friend of mine. He was more than just a team rider, or another bro, he was an inspiration. Being around him was an incredible energy and watching him made us all believe anything was possible with snowboarding. And when I look at this trophy, I have to say it is in keeping with Craig's spirit. The eagle, with its watchful eyes and broad wings, sees much and goes far. The totem below the Thunderbird head represents a base of friendships and close-knit ties which provide support. And when I noticed the pegs holding the wings to the body got knocked a little loose, I realized that the trophy, like Craig himself, reminds us that life is delicate. We are not here forever, and Craig's life reminds us to make the most of the time we have."

Bob went on to introduce the Cummins family as the 2007 CK Award recipients, calling Mike, Matt, Temple, Joe and Cheryl, Barrett and Cannon up to the stage appropriately.

Every region in snowboarding's world, from Tasmania to Tyrol Basin, has a Bob Barci the guy who organized, preached, believed, and grew a culture for thirty years. Bob Barci passed away at his home in Fall City last night, surrounded by his family. For myself, although this is a sad day, I am reminded of why we do what we do around here.

Thanks, Bob,

Jeff Galbraith

Photo from frequency TSJ 3.3: 1983, Sauk Mt., WA. Photog: Kevin Ward.

March 18-29th La freq Week and Freq Week 07: Building upon last year's unequivocal success, frequency TSJ and Baldface opted to add a ladies-only event (La Freq Week), as well as doing a two-session co-ed Freq Week.

With ladies exiting the helicopter in yoga-bliss smiles and refreshed auras, after several days of powder, massage, wine tastings, yoga, and perfect tree runs with Barrett Christy, Megan Pischke, Jessie Lu and Baldface's expert guides including the legendary John Bufferies, it was clear La Freq Week was good for all. Guests ranged from early 20's to early 50's with all women focused on supporting each other in learning to ride better and relax. Liz Randall from Spy, Katie from frequency TSJ, ladies subscriber winner Kahe Richardson, Susan Waite (pro rider Alexi Waite's mother) and others enjoyed a first-ever all ladies cat at Baldface.

The contrast with the standard Freq Week festivities was clear within in minutes upon touchdown at the heli-in Baldface Lodge, when the "blue fish" beers began flying. With the first several days blessed by classic spring pow, the infamous Boston Boys, along with a strong Mt. Baker contingent consisting of Baker icon Jason Bas, longtime photog Tony Welch, big winner Chad Perrin, as well as the frequency TSJ crew with Laing, Maxx, Wibby, JG, Jessie Lu and the Burton posse Liam, Dave Downing, Kier, Elena Height, Chris Owen, and assorted radsters including Superbig's Kevin Walsh, subscriber Jason Burke, Marcel, Sean Genovese and his dad Don, and returning Freq Week patron Patrick Davis, all got down the business of some serious powder surfing. Kier, having flown in a heli and ridden a cat for the first time all at once, took a day to get used to the decidedly non-groomed conditions, but had it dialed quickly and a smile which led all to believe this won't be his last cat trip. Although spring rains hit on the last night of this first session, many took to the surrounding areas with shovels and determination, crafting a solid quarterpipe, and jib course in front of the lodge. The sun came out, the snow softened, and a classic spring session was had. Highlights included MC Airwolf's performance of "Crazy Train", ending with a bart-top performance.

Freq Week's second session, shuttled in a new crew of guests including famed surfer and notable subscriber Gerry Lopez along with his son Alex and friends from Bend, OR. Snoqualmie Summit head and cool cat Krush Kulesza made it along with the second session's subscriber-winner Tim Cooper from Vancouver, BC. and another round of shred vacationers including the much loved and admired Bob and Barb Rodger from Mission, BC, the Capozzis, Ryan and Rebecca, and many others. With corn conditions ruling the Koot' Range, drivers Jamie, Kord, and even the man Jeff Pensiero himself, all jumped to along with visiting HCSC summer camp groomer James Jackson to create Superfreq 07, a stunning mini-park featuring a step-down, table-top and QP at the bottom, all meandering between our private chalets at 2,000+ meters. With a cat-in barbeque in the bowl above for the freeriders, and amazing session below featuring two generations of Lopez's boosting the park, Freq Week was declared another complete and total victory. Highlights included MC MIT belting out his own "Crazy Train". Something about Ozzy makes people jump up on the bar.

A big, big thanks to all the amazing staff at Baldface including Mish, Tess, Lanny, Navine, Yuska, Heath, Dem, and especially to Jeff and Paula P. for helping make this happen again. Viva Elmer.

Watch for details here soon and at www.baldface.net for info on next year's event. Subscribers are automatically entered to win a trip for Freq Week 08 and also get first crack at reserving spots, so join the frequency TSJ family today.

Special thanks to Liam and Burton

Check out some pictures from the week.

Above Photos: Tony Welch
L. Airwolf R. Elana Height

Mt. Baker, WA - With conditions varying from Bear Mountain to classic Cascadia, the 22nd running of the Legendary Banked Slalom was highlighted by the victories of both a veteran competitor and the opening salvo of a local prodigy. (Additionally the event was equally highlighted with a unique "overpass-corkscrew" turn integrated into the final pitch above the Toilet Bowl turn. Envision a frozen hotwheels track leave it to the Howats to keep this grande dame fresh)

With Whistler resident Maelle Ricker's first LBS Women's Pro, she added the duct tape and a Scott Rowley custom surf shape to her existing pile of hardware (including X Games Boardcross wins and a fourth place halfpipe finish at the 2002 Turino Games). And with 18-year old lifetime Glacier local Lucas Debari's victory in the Men's dept, came the localest of pro champions since Temple Cummins or even Craig Kelly himself. With Terje (who finished seventh) noting in the parking lot, moments before he lit out for an Oslo flight (and the impending birth of his third child), "Lucas had a smoking run I think he took it". The Viking's predictions came true with the White Salmon Lodge erupting over Lucas's win. No doubt Milano's went off hard until well into the night.

Congrats to both Lucas and Maelle.

left P. Joe Briggs R. Lucas Debari
right P. Greg Miller R. TRice

Mt. Baker, WA - frequency TSJ's 2nd annual Legendary LBS Freq Party brought to the fine community of Maple Falls, WA by K2 Snowboards, Café Ju Juana Mexicana, and frequency TSJ, continued the tradition of margaritas, macrobrews and DJ Pat A's fine, fine sounds. With noted appearances by Shaun McKay, Tex Devenport, Lucas Debari, Shawn Farmer, Guy Deschenes, Natasha Zurek, Sean Genovese, Jesse Huffman, Patrick McCarthy, Victoria Jealouse, Nathan Yant, Donkey, and many other heads who refused to be intimidated by the continued and un-American abuse of Fourth Amendment rights up the road in Glacier. While rumors--(later substantiated) of seven of Whatcom County and the State of Washington's finest (plus a few of their Belgian Shephards) actually handing out jay-walking tickets to those hapless pedestrians along the 542 highway trying to stay off the roads both literally and figuratively--plagued the community the entire weekend, frequency TSJ fought back and packed Kelly Jo's house once again.

And although many a racer blamed their slowed performance on wax jobs with the following day's warming, the margarita factor can't be ignored.

Vivas Las LBS.