Steve Weinberger just called to tell me there's an update to the IFBB Pro Card allotments at this year's Optimum Nutrition NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships and Met-RX National Fitness Championships.  This year's event will be held on September 18-19, 2009 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, in the best damn city in the world (NYC).

There is little doubt that bodybuilding enjoyed a wonderful and historic golden age out in Venice California. Back in the day, before exclusive magazine contracts, websites, DVD sales, supplement company endorsements and scandals involving performance enhancing-drugs, there was a little community of us, minding our own business, throwing down hardcore in a little gym down by the beach. We wore "gym shorts" and tank tops and sometimes even trained in flip-flops.  Surely such attire would seem comical by today's standards, but style side down, we had it going on.  We liked each other.  We looked forward to training and looked forward to hanging out with each other after the work was through.  Bodybuilding in Venice Beach was about as good as it could get if you had a mind to build your body and bask in the warm sun 365 days a year.  Even dead-ass broke there was no better life, and every glance in the mirror proved we were the richest people in the world.

The 2009 NPC Bev Francis Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, and Bikini Championships is set for June 6th at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in downtown Manhattan.  You won't want to miss what's become known as one of the most competitive regional shows in all of the United States.  For this year's event, promoter Steve Weinberger has brought in 2x Mr Olympia Jay Cutler, 8x Mr Olympia Ronnie Coleman, and reigning Mr Olympia Dexter Jackson to wow the crowd with their freakish mass, incredible symmetry, and outlandish muscle!  Order your tickets today!

Steve Weinberger's New York Pro Show will take place on Saturday May 16, 2009 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (Manhattan College) in downtown Manhattan on Chambers Street.  Don't miss as the best men and women bodybuilders in the world (from over 15 countries) vie for the coveted title of New York Pro Champion.  Let's not forget the prize money and the stunning engraved New York Pro ring that will be given to this year's men's champion.  Look for names like Evan Centopani (making his pro debut), Markus Ruhl, Kevin English, and Silvio Samuel.  On the women's side, look out for Cathy LeFrancois (looking to redeem her poor Arnold Classic showing), Debbie Bramwell, Dena Westerfield, and many more. 

"Prosville" is my new name for Bev and Steve's Powerhouse gym in Syosset, NY. Just like when Motown records was called "Hittsville" in the 60s because of all the hits they were producing, the same can be said for Bev's Gym because of all the pros they have walking in and out of their doors.

The 2009 NPC Steve Stone New York Metropolitan Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, and Bikini Championships help in conjunction with the IFBB New York City Pro Fitness Championships kick off the New York Metro District contest year on April 11 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in downtown Manhattan.  You won't want to miss this highly anticipated start to a fantastic 2009 calendar year.  Come down and meet the RX MUSCLE crew as we cover Steve Weinberger's tribute contest to his great friend and now-deceased vice chairman, Steve Stone!

The golden age of bodybuilding had its home in Venice Beach, California.  If you were a serious bodybuilder back in the 70s, 80s and early 90s, you packed up your shit and moved to Venice to train at Gold's Gym with the rest of us.  It was the place to be.  You almost had to be there. It was necessary.  If you wanted to be where the action was, there was just no choice but to make the pilgrimage to the Mecca.

But just as all things in life do, the Golden Age came to an end and the faithful dissipated.  Gold's Gym is a mere gutted cavern of its former self; the pictures of the champions who trained there are still on the walls like spirits of an era passed. The building stands, but its spirit is gone.