We just ran an article on BE-MAG featuring pictures by KUBA URBANCZYK. I love encountering photographers whose work unexpectedly blows me away; check it! -B

link: KUBA URBANCZYK

I never cease to be amazed at the innovative and socially-minded ideas coming out of the world of social capitalism. Check out this great little blurb just dropped by FASTCOMPANY… -B

Below is an email that I recently sent out to my friends announcing my new role as Be-Mag.com’s new online Editor-In-Chief; ready for rolling to blow up? Yeah, me too! Catch y’all over at Be-Mag.com… -B (more)

Happy New Year, everyone!

Wanted to drop my friends a quick personal note that I have joined up as the new online Editor-In-Chief for Be-Mag.com!

Those of you who know me know that I truly believe aggressive inline skating is one of the most progressive sports on the planet. While there are a handful of folks who are presenting rolling in the way it deserves, I’ve often felt that we sell ourselves short in the way we portray our sport and lifestyle to “the outside world.” So, I’m really excited to take the helm of Be-Mag’s online presence and drive forward great new content that captures how amazing rolling is while expanding our reach into fashion, photography, music, etc…

Over the last few years Be-Mag has focused much of their energy on their print magazine, fashion line, and European product distribution. As a result, Be-Mag.com has not always been the website it could be. That’s why Be-Mag is entirely relaunching a new website (coming very soon – and it looks great!) and I’m getting involved to focus on great content every day!

Some of you on this email are part of the rolling industry. Please don’t hesitate to let me know how Be-Mag.com can help promote anything you’re working on!

Others of you on this email are artists, fashion designers, etc. Please don’t hesitate let me know what you’re up to as Be-Mag.com truly is a lifestyle magazine and we will be running a wide range of content!

Hope you all had a great holiday, and I look forward to working with y’all in 2010! -B

–

Ben Murphy
Online Editor-In-Chief, Be-Mag.com
ben@be-mag.com

This is the new (concept) 313 HP Audi e-tron, to be produced in 2012.  Audi? Electric? 313 HP? Need I say more? Proper. -B

link: Four-Engine, 313-Horsepower Audi e-tron EV Makes North American Debut, FastCompany.com

More from 10.DEEP – lovin’ their new Winter collection “Hunt or be Hunted.” You can peep all the details over on their lookbook… -B

link: 10.DEEP WINTER 2009/2010 COLLECTION

Found BLOOD OF THE YOUNG ‘ZINE off of BOOOOOOOM. Found R. CLINT COLBURN on Blood of the Young… lovin’ this piece! -B

link: R. CLINT COLBURN on BLOOD OF THE YOUNG ‘ZINE

I love BOOOOOOOM because every day I find new artists whose work blows me out of the water! Like JOAO RUAS… Beautiful work! -B

link: JOAO RUAS on BOOOOOOOM

I’ll be releasing a series of these placing the ‘We All Die’ line over popular images of youth, wealth, and success… -B

link: WE ALL DIE (GUCCI) by American Artist Ben Murphy on FLICKR

Did you know that it takes 9 years to age KNOB CREEK?  Apparently there’s been quite a shortage on the small batch Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey… until this week. If you’re a KNOB CREEK fan than read on because their fine folks were kind enough to pass along details and photos of their recent release after a summer shortage. Press release after the jump… -B

CLERMONT, KY, October 29, 2009 – Loyal Knob Creek® fans, the drought — and your wait — are finally over.  After running out this summer, the next batch of fully aged Knob Creek® Bourbon was released today from the barrels where it has matured for nine years, now ready to bottle and soon ship to establishments and retailers nationwide. Bill Newlands, president, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, U.S. and Fred Noe, the seventh-generation Beam family distiller, officially restarted production at the distillery, presiding over the opening of the first mature, four-char barrel dating to 2000. (In Bourbon speak, an occasion known as barrel dumping.)

The nation’s number one selling Super-Premium Bourbon ran short this summer, due to high consumer demand and an unwavering commitment to the full, nine-year aging process that gives Knob Creek its rich, distinct character.  Rather than rush production, Knob Creek stayed true to the ideals and standards of its originator, the late Booker Noe — Fred Noe’s father, and grandson of Jim Beam – and let this batch, barreled in 2000, reach its full potential.

“We want to thank Knob Creek fans everywhere for their patience and understanding these past months, and promise it was worth their wait,” said Newlands.  “Accelerating production and compromising quality, by a few weeks, even days, was never an option we considered.  Knob Creek fans have been in touch, many thanking us for doing things the right way.  It is very gratifying, and validating.”

“Dad would have been proud today, seeing his vision for Bourbon’s discovery by a new, sophisticated generation come to fruition,” said Noe.  “That was his wish in creating a richer, longer aged Bourbon like Knob Creek, and with it, the entire Super-Premium Bourbon category that’s growing so rapidly.  Increased demand wound up outpacing our own very solid 2000 forecasts, and created the shortage that’s on the road to ending today.”

link: OVERRATED by American Artist Ben Murphy on FLICKR