From CBC News in New Brunswick, Canada

Skateboarder jailed after refusing to pay fine

A Fredericton man who refused to pay a fine for skateboarding on city streets has been taken into custody and will be sent to jail. Lee Breen, 25, was fined in the summer of 2007 after receiving several warnings. After not paying the initial $50 fine, it was increased to $100. A judge then ordered him in April to pay the fine or be sent to jail for five days.

But he’s not doing it because he’s too broke to pay the fine, he’s actually trying to make a point! He’s challenging the nuisance law under the grounds that skateboarding is not inherently dangerous and provides a environmentally friendly means of travel. About 80 people rallied outside the courthouse as he was taken into custody. Skateboarding is a crime!

- Thanks to Michael Brooke for the tip

This is a big weekend for Marginal Way benefits.

May 10th is the date of the Seattle premiere of Dave Hupp’s excellent video “Why Wouldn’t You?” There’s additional footage since the Portland Premiere, and the video and sound have received the final master. DVD’s and T-shirts will be available as well. There is a $3 entry fee, all of which will go to the Marginal Way project. May 10th at 8pm - Capitol Hill Arts Center. 1621 12th Ave, Seattle

Sunday May 11 the much-anticipated Thrasher Skate Rock Tour, final stop Marginal Way! Thrashers legendary Skate Rock collection is celebrating their 13th release with live music from bands such as Grindline the Band, Bad Shit, Shed, Pissboner, Kilgore, and many more local bands including Board Youth that will be opening up the show for the Seattle stop. Marginal Way advocates will be grilling up BBQ, selling Tee’s and making money to keep building Marginal! 2pm to dusk at the Marginal Way Skatepark. (Saturday is the Portland stop of the Skate Rock tour.)

What the heck do they need the money for? Check out these Stakbot pics of some recent concrete pours (Scroll down to bottom)

(more…)

Yes, we’re finally breaking out silence. I’m sure Sam will add this endorsement right next to his other high profile endorsements from The Oregonian, The Portland Mercury, The Willamette Week, The Portland Observer and Just Out. See that picture on the right? That’s Sam Adams cutting the ribbon on Portland’s Pier Park skatepark in 2006. Sam has a proven record supporting skateparks in Portland (among other things.) If you want to see Portland’s 19 park system come to fruition, your best bet is to vote Sam Adams for Portland Mayor.

What about City Council? We’re leaning towards Jim Middaugh for City Council, whom we’ve heard is receptive towards more skateparks in Portland.

Local skater Rick Lai has been working toward a Happy Valley skatepark for a while. Here’s the latest development by way of the North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District:

In March, North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District purchased 33 acres of property off SE 162nd Avenue in Happy Valley. This land was purchased to provide active recreation for community residents of all ages. Some of the uses already suggested include athletic fields, trails, play areas, skate park, dog park and community center. NCPRD will work with the community to complete a concept plan to determine future improvements to this site. Interested citizens are encouraged to participate in the process by attending the planning meetings or by submitting comments via mail, e-mail or telephone. Submitted comments will be presented during the public meetings.

Thursday, May 1, 2008
6-8 p.m.
Oregon Trail Elementary
13895 SE 152nd Dr.
Happy Valley, OR 97015

Your input and ideas will help shape the park site for future use and enjoyment. We hope you will attend. Questions, suggestions or comments may be sent to Michelle Healy by e-mailing (michellehea@co.clackamas.or.us) or by calling the parks hotline at 503-353-4367.

(more…)

This probably fake eBay auction has got to be a misguided attempt to encourage solar energy awareness. The perpetrator needs to dig deeper into the demographics of who is going to be most likely to search for “cool and stylish skateboards” on eBay. And because these things disappear after time, the text is preserved after the jump. What kind of trucks are those, Indy 415’s?

(more…)

Last Saturday there were two events coincidentally planned for the same day at Portland’s Pier Park. One was a neighborhood cleanup championed by Mark Conahan and the other was some sort of Pier Park locals appreciation event organized by Chris Nukala. There was a short speech and some short spot-driven contests with plenty of giveaways. I arrived late to the cleanup and and had to leave early and in a hurry, due to, well, you know. I didn’t get any decent shots, but Michael from The Skateboard Archives was there snapping away, so I’ll link if he posts anything. Also, GVK cameras were on the scene for a little while. Otherwise, this is what you get.

UPDATE: More cleanup coverage on EPM.
UPDATE: More coverage on The Skateboad Archives.

(more…)

I got suckered into leading the skatepark cleanup at Pier Park again. Come on down and help with graffiti removal and trash pickup around the skatepark. Here are the details:

Project Date and Time: 4/19/2008 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Site Address: N. St. John Street & N. James Street Portland Directions to Site: Cross the St. Johns Bridge at Highway 30. Turn left on Lombard and right on St. Johns. The Park will be on your left at North James St. Parking/Meeting Location: Ample street park available along N. James St. Meet at the covered picnic area.

Clean graffiti at the skatepark. There will be a small barbeque after the Pier Park Pick-Up for volunteers. Snacks and beverages available during the event.

Following are some general items to keep in mind when planning your participation: * Please bring work gloves. * This event will take place rain or shine! Dress appropriately for the weather, but plan on long pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes or boots, even if it’s warm. * Mark tools or other items you bring with your name and phone number. * Parents/Group Leaders must accompany and supervise children.

Hope to see you there.

The City of Vancouver, Washington/Clark County Parks (Yeah, I’m confused too) has set up a web page for finding all their (sanctioned) skate spots and parks. It’s got links to pages with specific information about each spot, such as operating hours, directions and individual contact information for concerns an information. A lot of park districts have web sites with information about skateparks, but usually they aren’t centrally collected and you have to know the name of the park to find it. So, hats off to Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation, even if the supervisor didn’t want to use one of my photos in a newsletter with a credit to Skate and Annoy because he thought we promoted cursing and drinking alcohol. True story. In a moment of weakness I agreed to let them use it and credit it to me personally, all for free of course. What was I thinking? They ought to thank Parks Communications Specialist Jilayne Jordan for presenting a more human and less robot-with-stick-in-orifice face to the public. Just so we’re straight here, Jordan lobbied for using the picture, and she’s been helpful to the Pacific Community Skatepark (obviously) and to Skate and Annoy as well in providing us information to disseminate to you.

Enough petty whining. Vancouver-Clark has three new parks/spots planned for this year! Details after the jump.

(more…)

There’s a Marginal Way benefit on Thursday night in Seattle. Marginal Way has the best PR agency out there. It seems like there’s a benefit for MW at least once a month. This one is courtesy of Sleestak.

(more…)

Okay, I volunteered for the skatepark cleanup again. Last year we did graffiti abatement and trash pickup around the park. It’s a four hour gig and your high-schooler can get community service credit – the National Honor Society requirement for example. You can sign up at their website. Last year they had lunch for us and they need to know how many people are planning to show up.