The ongoing concrete work in Hood River, Oregon is looking really interesting, at least from afar. This is a shot of what looks like a bridge over a creek that has one side with a steep tranny wall, almost like a modified Jersey barrier. I assume this is connected to the rest of the new skate trail that’s being built. Actually, I should stop making assumptions and make the drive out there to check it out. Carl Warren has the picture, and you can click to enlarge.

This month, at Fifty 24 PDX Gallery, skateboarder/artist/writer Michael Sieben has his original artwork in an exhibition entitled “From the Desk of Whatserface,” along with Mel Kadel and Travis Millard.  This exhibit is located at 23 NW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, and will last until November 29.

Expect paintings with lots of cutesy, renegade monster things with cryptic messages.  Sieben is also a columnist/artist with Thrasher magazine, and has made many skateboards with his trademark style.  Some may remember the video he did with Adidas that SNA covered a few months back.  The above pictures were borrowed from Sieben’s web page.

Went by Ed Benedict to see the progress. They finished the quarters opposing the shots Kilwag got earlier. They seemed to be finishing up a lot of smaller sections of the park. It seems like it might be a while before it opens. Enjoy these awful cellphone shots..

He’s got blisters on his fingers, but Joesf finally finished the last pour of this bowl in his DIY backyard concrete extravaganza. Two pics after the jump.

After probably a 30 year gap, there’s another Skitch Hitichock model out. This model made by Skate Designs looks like a pretty nice cruiser, complete with wheel wells. I want to say that Skitch the guy who invented the gorrila grip, but I’m not sure. Proceeds from the model will help Skitch with some life threatening medical needs. Video and pics of vintage Skitch after the jump.

– Thanks to Craig Snyder for the tip.

It was nominated last year and didn’t get in, but this year the skateboard made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Joining it this year were the baby doll and the “stick.” Proponents of the booger and the “doodle” (As in “They can see my doodle!“) were upset, as can be imagined. Tony Hawk appeared in a prerecorded video at the induction ceremony. In his words skateboarding “promotes individualism … artistic expression and it’s also very athletic.” Also, it doesn’t make you go blind if you do it too much.

– Thanks to Livmo and Sorenee for the tip.
[Source: CNN]

This week, Thrasher magazine’s website will release one section per day of a five part Duane Peters interview filmed by Lance Conklin.   It started on Monday and will end on Friday.  Everyone’s favorite crusty old grouch tells it like it is about being in a band,  Jerry Only, Los Angeles and Australia, and more to come…

It’s actually kind of neat to see DP just unloading his attitude onto the internet.  No rocket science or brain surgery here; just a punk rock skater/surfer/survivor telling it like he sees it.  If you can ignore the gratuitous advertising, check it out!

Thanks 10 Things Zine for the picture.

This week’s Shot of the Week comes to us from Kevin Porterfield, the proprietor of Dokument Skateshop in Salem, Oregon. It was a slow day so they dragged out the launch ramp for some wall ride action in front of the shop. Skater’s name is Travis Jolley. There are some bonus shots after the jump. Don’t forget to check out the full frame Shot of the Week.

I’m thinking of changing the name of this site to “Skatepark Construction Pictures and Annoy.” It’s just a phase, I promise. The Team Pain park in Colorado Springs is getting closer to being done. Check it out on Concrete Disciples.

Check out this out of print Sergie Ventura model on Hosoi Skates. I want to say that looks like Pier Park on the bottom of the deck. That’s Sergi at Pier Park during the 2007 Trifecta. Although a crowd favorite, rumor has it (overheard) some of the competitors felt it was was a “jock park” (AKA too burly, required pads) and that’s why it wasn’t on the repeat list for 2008.

-Thanks to Greg North for the tip.