This Friday April 6th is the opening for With Much Haste a show featuring work by skaters/artists from Portland as well as Mickeal Broth and Barf from Born Ugly out of Richmond, Virginia. Check it out at Commonwealth Skateboarding (1425 SE 20th Ave.) Opening reception Friday, April 6 from 6-9 p.m. The show runs through April at least.

A few people have 900’s under their belts but the first kid to land a 1080 is 12 year old Tom Schaar (no relation to Steve Claar) who did the whole thing in front of a few people and not a televised sporting event packed with spectators. The asterisk comes from the fact that it was done on a megaramp specially modified just for the occasion. The feat is spectacular, amazing and Extreme!™ but it would seem harder to accomplish on a regular size ramp. Of course, your beloved author can’t even land a 360 on a regular ramp, much less attempt anything on a megaramp. Tom landed it on his fifth try!!! (!!!!!) Where did it happen? Woodward West, with a little help from Red Bull. I kind of feel bad for this kid, like he got robbed of his chance for a spectacle. He’ll never get a Pizza Pocket endorsement now. Tom needs a better agent. Video after the jump. WARNING: both videos autostart. I can’t turn it off.

– Thanks to Boy Ipoh for the tip.

I wouldn’t wish these Rector knee pads on my worst enemy, but it’s kind of tempting to have a brand new sweat-free pair on the wall. I remember being so stoked on these the day I replaced my soft padded volleyball-style kneepads for a fresh pair of Rectors. They came in a nice plastic bag with a hard handle that had locking tabs. $15 bucks is about what these are actually worth, with historical/nostalgia value making up the greater part of their worth. Get some at Marcs Board Shop.

Portland Parks and Recreation is out of money. The red tape has been more or less cleared for the rest of Portland’s planned 19 skateparks, but there just isn’t any funding. Somebody in Southeast Portland must be doing some real grass roots work for this meeting to even be on the table. Unless I’m mistaken, Portland communities don’t have to wait for the city. If they can raise money, they can get it built.

Powell Park was identified as a location for a skatespot. We are inviting you to hear more about the project timeline and a unique public/private partnership that will allow us to take steps toward implementing our Skatepark System Plan.

The open house will provide information on the project, proposed timeline, fundraising goals, and give the community a chance to make their interest, support, ideas, and concerns heard.

When: Thursday April 5, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Cleveland High School, Library (3400 SE 26th Ave.)

Be there or fee free not to complain when it’s finished.

Ping has boxes of negatives from various sessions during the golden age of big pipe skating in various desert areas of the U.S. He’s slowly scanning and cleaning them up. You can check out the tip of the iceberg at Desert Pipes Galleries.

Larry Stevenson,founder of Makaha Skateboards, publisher of Surf Guide and Poweredge Magazines and inventor of the kick tail passed away at age 82. RIP indeed.

Update: Obituaries in the NY Times and LA Times.

This week’sShot of the Week is Andy Adams at the DOS/FOB bowl in Portland, as shot by Elias Parise. I’m going to get it out of the way now because I know someone is going to ask again. This is the DOS bowl from the now defunct Department of Skateboarding in Portland, but now it’s a cooperative open to members only, not affiliated with D.O.S.. Fob refers to the electronic key fob that controls access via computer instead of keeping track of a thousand keys. But who cares? That’s a boss lien air. I can’t recall a DOS photo I’ve liked more.

The Lost Bowl in Richmond, VA is trying to wrap things up with a Kickstarter project that they are very, very close to getting, but time is running out. Head on over an give them a boost if you are so inclined. Back this project: Do it here, now.

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on the Gene Pool. Looks like he’s been hitting the rebar. Check out My D.I.Y..