News Story -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25936592#25936592

What do you think?

Be There!  Show Shandi you care!  Show the courts you support her!

We are pushing for a dismissal this time - we need your support!

Tuesday 24th 2:PM 4th District Court in downtown Provo.  The studio will be closed all day Tuesday.

Read the whole stupid story here -

http://tat2me.com/blog/summary-of-the-happy-valley-tattoo-massacre

There are several things you want to look for when shopping for a tattoo. 

A tattoo is going to be with you for the rest of your life.  A low price should not be the first thing you consider when shopping for a studio.

You want someone who is professionally trained, a few years of studio experience, artistically talented. They should have samples of their work in a portfolio and it should show consistently good results.

In a studio where the artists are not professionally trained the prices are not fixed and are usually based on undercutting their competition.  In a professional studio the prices are usually based on how much time the tattoo will take. 

Good looking tattoos are going to cost more than those done by people who are low on training and talent. 

It only makes sense to get your tattoo done by a professional, to get it done right the first time.  That way you are only paying to have it done once.

Cheep Work Ain't Good - Good Work Ain't Cheep

http://www.youtube.com/v/G7mZnumM2Ik&hl=en

So, we went to court with Shandi last Tuesday.  The prosecutor hadn't done her part so the hearing was continued to June 24 @ 2pm.  She wants to talk to the brats before committing fully to dropping the case. 

Since it is a 2nd degree felony (4 of them) the State Atty. is also involved and a new County Atty "rule" requires the investigating officer (Lt. Falslev) to also approve any significant change in the charge, such as withdrawing it.  While the County and State Prosecutors are ready to withdraw, good old Lt. Falslev is insisting that Shandi be prosecuted.  What a DICK! 

What is expected is that the prosecutors will tell Falslev to shove his opinion up his ass and the case will be dropped.  If not, then it will go to a preliminary hearing where the judge will most likely dismiss it.

We are still paying Shandi's atty. so if anyone wants to contribute, it would sure be appreciated.  You can donate using paypal at http://happyvalleytattoo.blogspot.com.

Thanks, Doc

She's come a long way!

Here's Kat Von D's Old Website - http://members.aol.com/bunnyygr57/

18 & Older Please

BEST TATTOO PHILOSOPHY
Happy Valley Tattoo Parlor

American Fork’s one and only Happy Valley Tattoo Parlor might not have the world’s most renowned tat artists but they probably have some of the most conscientious. That’s because Happy Valley Tattoo is also a church, the Whole Life Ministries, where the Reverend “Doc” Lowery and wife Kita Kazoo consider tats and piercings a strong symbol of self-expression. These ministers of ink go out of their way to make sure clients feel comfortable and confident in the sometimes scary experience of getting a tattoo or piercing. “We don’t want our ministers bringing in negative attitudes that other places might have,” Lowery says. The church brings a refreshing kind of “judge not that butterfly tattoo lest ye be judged yourself” ethic to its business and the lives of its customers.

275 E. State Road, American Fork, 801-756-6642, Tat2Me. com

~~~~~ 
By Doc

We are thrilled to be included in the Best of Utah edition.

Thank you SLWeekly and all who voted for us.

We also appreciate the nice article Eric Peterson wrote on us recently.

While raising six kids and running the ministry, studio and school has kept us from attending tattoo conventions the last twenty years, I do want to acknowledge Kita Kazoo as having international status as one of the world's great tattoo artists with grateful clients from all over Utah, Europe, Australia and the USA/Canada.

We especially appreciate the public support we have received lately over our "experiences" with American Fork and Utah County Government.

Thanks again,
Doc

ALSO - From Kita

Detroit & Shandi’s Court date

We got a phone call yesterday from our daughter letting us know that the my parents 50th anniversary party was moved up two weeks and that we need to be there soon.  Between traveling and not having internet in Michigan unless we go to the coffee house posts here are going to get few and far between for two weeks.

Also Shandi’s arraignment is this Tuesday in Provo at 2:30PM.  I’m not sure what room, so call the shop if you want to be there.  We will be closed all day on Tuesday.

She sure could use some support. Be there! This is a frightening experience for her.

Support Shandi – Tattoo Raffle

Congratulations 2 Our Winners!

J.R. Di'Ogaustini won a tattoo valued up to $200 from Randal!

Natalie Gray won a tattoo valued up to $200 from Vanessa!

Tom Marrott won a tattoo valued up to $200 from Paul!

David Price won a tattoo valued up to $200 from Kita!

Win One of 4 Tattoos Valued up to $200!

Tickets cost $5. Buy as many tickets as you want.

You must be at least 18 yrs old to enter.

Drawing will end May, 2008. Winners will be notified by phone or email.

Each winner will receive a gift certificate for a tattoo valued up to $200. Winners will draw the name of their tattoo artist. 

Certificates can not be redeemed for cash or merchandise. Services priced less than the face value of the certificate do not generate a credit or cash refund. Each certificate is good for one tattoo for one client. Certificates expire in 90 days. No refunds.

ENTER NOW - Online - http://kitakazoo.chipin.com/shandis-legal-defense

Besides her being a really wonderful person, who has done nothing wrong? 

She is being charged with 4 second degree felonies of distributing “materials harmful to a minor”.  There is nothing pornographic in our tattoo studio, just the usual tattoo and piercing photos and some flash.  If found guilty she could be sent to prison for 20 years.

If they find her guilty it will mean that the photographs of tattoos and piercings and flash that the police took from us will be considered pornographic.  Once a judgment is made in the courts here in Utah it can be used to decide other similar cases no matter what state you live in.

If they win our situation can happen to you.  At any time your local government can get their panties in a pinch and decides they want to make political points they can do so by using your tattoo shop.  Art is not absolutely covered by the American Constitution as freedom of speech.  If you don’t believe me check out this website - http://www.tjcenter.org/ArtOnTrial/index.html

Shandi’s defense is going to cost at least $6000.00. We have previous donations of $300 (thank you to those who have already contributed) and I am personally putting $1700 in the pot to make the $2000 retainer this week so she can feel better about having secured her attorney.

But that leaves $4000 not covered.  Utah is not a great market for tattoos and we barely break even month to month.  If our studio has to cover this by ourselves I will  get behind on my rent and eventually have to shut down and sell all of my personal belonging so I can move away.

This would make the fascist pigs that are doing this happy, as our being forced to leave is a win for them, even if she isn’t convicted.

If everyone would contribute just $1 this would no longer be a problem… $1 to save a beautiful nice person from being labeled a pornographer for the rest of her life… $1 for you tattoo artists to fight for the right to have photos of your work and flash without being censored... $1 to keep the number one shop in Utah County open.

I am sending this to the 1800 people I know online.  If you can’t afford to donate $1, please pass this on to others who can.

Donate Here - http://happyvalleytattoo.blogspot.com/

Shandi’s Myspace page - http://profile.myspace.com/211475261

See some of the art in question - http://locokazoo.com/2008/03/18/why-you-should-contribute-to-shandi%e2%80%99s-legal-defense/