I never know what sort of reactions a post will get. Sometimes I can be spot on with a prediction, and other times when I hesitate to make a particular post, the comments flood in when it goes live. I made a quick public service announcement on Friday about the opening of Gabriel Park skate park, and it touched a nerve. Shortly thereafter I received a comic from a source that wishes to remain anonymous. All things considered, it’s pretty damned funny, so I’m posting it.

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Even though he’s “all old and rickety,” Fox 12 spotlighted Mark Conahan in the Oregon Sports Final segment. Did you know he invented skateboarding in Portland? And then he went on to fund, design and build all the skateparks in Portland. All this was done in his spare time away from his job drawing skateboard comics. You can watch him being interviewed by a barn owl on the FOX 12 web site. Keep your eyes peeled for other notable figures in the Portland skate scene media. I wonder why he’s not promoting this…

Gumby and his band are performing at a skateboard rally, but before he can get to it the Blockheads steal Gumby’s board (7 minutes). You can watch a short segment here. No blockheads but Yes that is Gumby throwing up the hang loose looping and playing his guitar at the same time. Prickle on Sax, Goo on keyboards and Pokey on skins.

For $1.99 you can download Gumby Adventures episode 86 from Amazon and it will be yours to cherish. Provided you have a Windows XP SP2 or Vista PC or Tivo Series2 or 3 box or a Video-ready Playsforsure portable device registered with them.

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There are several organizations out there for giving skateboards to needy and/or at-risk youth. Some of them are in Africa, some are closer to home. The newest one, Board Rescue, seems to be the most organized option. They are a non-profit corporation with a (skate)board of directors that has some industry ties. I ‘m pretty sure the directors are all unpaid volunteers. Board Rescue’s Mission is “to provide free skateboards and safety equipment to children, targeting low-income and at-risk youth.” There’s also an informal group called United Skates Alliance that was started by Randy at Flood Kontrol. The United Skate Alliance’s mission is “To UNITE underprivileged kids with skateboards and supplies.” It looks like he is literally just taking old and new equipment and giving it to kids. So while they might not be able to provide the tax receipt, the gear probably gets disseminated quicker. It looks like both organizations accept new gear. Used, but still useful gear might find a better home at United Skate Alliance. Board Rescue also accepts monetary donations.

- Thanks to Judi Oyama and Chris Stephens for the tip.

There are large corporate type skateboard summer camps that everyone knows about, but if you want to stay closer to home (Unless you live in Poland) or closer to your (parent’s) hard earned cash, there are usually local options available. The Department (of Skateboarding) has been doing these for a while, and Windells too. Raise you hand if you’ve ever been hit with the buzkill of having a busload of kids show up at your favorite skatepark. I’ve got mixed emotions about pay-to-skate facilities bussing kids around to neighborhood parks. But what about your local Parks and Recreation district? Well they operate the parks (in most cases) so it makes perfect sense. Portland Parks and Recreation has a series of skate camps and learn to skate events going on this summer. You can get details here It’s a PDF link, and you have to sift through it to get all the relevant info, but one interesting thing is that there’s an event planned at Burnside, of all places. Some might find that inappropriate, while others might recognize this as an important step in maintaining relations with the city and a skatepark that is technically still existing on a trial basis. Ok, two more interesting bits, there’s a beginner’s session and an all girls skate jam too.

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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.

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CNN has a video piece on helmet safety and skateboarding. It’s the usual not very-in-depth filler complete with a couple who lost their son to a head injury to pull on your heartstrings. What’s not clear is what the kid was doing, from the limited amount of information they give. I think he was possibly just traveling from point A to B as his family walked behind him, but speculation is pointless and the tragedy is not diminished. However, the couple and CNN’s tone seem to be implying that video game characters and magazine pictures should all be wearing helmets too. I mean really? Is that how much baby sitting we need now as a society? Are seatbelts going to be mandatory in driving video games as well? What about games where you battle the undead or perform similar unrealistic maneuvers? It’s the same kind of asinine mentality that places those disclaimers on the bottom of TV commercials that say “Professional drivers on a closed circuit, do not attempt” or “Exaggerated driving conditions. Not a performance claim.” Really? I can’t drive up the side of building in my Geo Metro? I shouldn’t base jump off the Sears Tower in search of a radical tasting snack? I shouldn’t attempt to crooked grind down a 50 step stair set without a helmet? Yes, kids should wear helmets. Yes, people should take responsibility for their own actions. NO, they don’t need to be shielded from any stimulus where people are doing anything other than sitting in a padded room, safe from all risk. They even drag Tony Hawk into the fray. Is this a U.S. only phenomenon? Do other countries want to hold their citizen’s hands through life as well? Watch the video on CNN.

- Thanks to Brian Baade for the tip.

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.

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Some parents buy kits to assemble swing sets and sandboxes for their kids. Things in Oregon are a little different. I was at a BBQ this weekend where the dad had built a small mini ramp and a rock climbing wall on the outside of his wife’s studio almost entirely made from salvage lumber. This was a “Welcome Spring” BBQ in Oregon, so of course it rained, but dad had the possibility of bad weather covered. Alternate picture after the jump.

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Skateboarding really is dead! A disappointing marketing turnout for Valentine’s Day has been followed up with a similarly anemic skateboarding Easter. The Scooby-Doo extreme Easter baskets are nowhere to be seen this year, and so far the only thing I’ve found is a pocket skateboard game (Skate Jam) that is housed in the chassis of a VW hippie bus. I saw it with the rest of the easter paraphernalia at Target. For some reason they chose to market these with a few Easter Eggs on the packaging, which is odd. There’s nothing inherently Easter-ish about VW vans. Makes me think they will drop well below $6 in a few days. That rabbit is something I had laying around from the 80’s.

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