Dave Bergthold started Blockhead skateboards in his garage in 1985. Since then he’s had a kid, worked on the TV show Built to Shred and had a minor relaunch of Blockhead handful of years ago. While there are bigger plans for the Blockhead brand in the works, Bergthold just is launching a new project called the Skate Crate via Kickstarter. It’s an updated version of the fruit crate scooter, the forefather of the skateboard. It’s essentially a vintage styled cruiser with a removable crate and handle bars attached. There are three graphics available, blue you have the option to design and build your own. Because it’s a Kickstarter project, there are some cool incentives to donate, including Blockhead t-shirts and a great looking cruiser in it’s own right.

This tin sign is the perfect gift for any youngster that enjoys skateboarding. There’s no better way to encourage a free spirit by squashing their youthful enthusiasm!

MC tipped me off to these photos of a skatepark in Hirschgarten. It’s got a weird stadium vibe too it, like something you’d see as the sport of future in a sci-fi movie. The park looks like it would be a lot of fun, but the most interesting architectural aspect is unfortunately, effectively skate stoppered. It would be a nightmare of loose boards falling into the main bowl, but it seems such a shame to build something so inherently skate able, something that is part of an actual skateboarding facility, and then stick a railing in front of it. Top photo is via Klaus Leidorf on Flickr, and the bottom two were found on IanClairdge.net.

Dead at 53 from a heart attack, as reported by Fox Sports, among others. Catch a 2008 Interview with Jay after the jump.

Photo: Glen E. Friedman

That’s Ron Cameron looking unhappy in that picture, having recently found himself unexpectedly more or less homeless and looking for a place to store his archive of art, including everything from his Blockhead days. He’s got a campaign on Go Fund Me to get him get on his feet again, and most immediately keep his historic collection from being set out on the curb for the garbage collectors. It’s not strictly charity, there are some cool incentives you can essentially buy with your donations, so check it out. Meabwhile, he’s in cahoots with Dave Bergthold in the planning stages of relaunching Blockhead. Meanwhile, Dave has his own surprises, but more on that later. If you’re in LA on August 22nd, check out his DJ gig at Amoeba Records.

Illustrator Russell Tate has made some mostly functional art boards as part of the Bondi Perspectives exhibition happening not 200 yards from the skatepark. I say “mostly” functional because the ones with steel wheels are mostly just beautiful to look at. The theme of the free show is a Local’s view of Iconic Bondi Beach and it’s place in Australian culture. Check it out at the Bondi Pavilion Gallery September 25th – October 5th.

BCSA Tommy McGuigan annual skate jam on Aug 16 at the Corvallis, OR skatepark, starting at 1pm after the farmer’s market. High ollie, hippie jump, speed track and bowl jam competition. Cash prizes!

I remember New Deal and ATM making Iron Maiden decks in the past, but I don’t think this crappy complete was official Iron Maiden merchandising. I found out this is the design from their 1981 single ‘Purgatory’ and that’s about all I need to know about Iron Maiden. It sold for $99 on eBay after 1 bid. Details of the design after the jump.

Jesse Ramirez with a 16 foot wall ride during something called the Empire Games presented by Converse Cons, sponsored by Volcom and Organika. What are the Empire Games? Where are they? Me thinks somewhere in Quebec, but I’m not sure. Linky, linky, link. Video plus another wall ride contest in Barcelona after the jump.

[Source: Soma]