Thes are a few images from graffiti artist/illustrator Mike Giant‘s solo show at Fecalface Gallery in San Francisco opens Friday, July 20th, from 7–10 pm. It’s appropriately titled “Confessions of an Old Dirty Skateboarder,” which works well for our purposes here. There are other items besides loads pinups covered in skateboard flash art.

– Thanks to KC for the tip.

Anthony Mock in Keizer, Oregon. Photo by Karlie Kroessin. Anyone that sends me a sepia toned photo better snail mail me the paper negative if they want to make SOTW. That or a tintype.

I’ve been strangely silent on the downhill controversy in Portland, not by design, but through a series of slip ups and dropped balls. Long story short: Some people on a very popular downhill skateboarding (and bike) route in a ritzy are of Portland are trying to get skateboarding banned on their streets because they are allegedly worried about safety, and of course, property damage. Portland has legalized skateboarding on city streets with the exception of a small area downtown. If we allow people to decide willy nilly which streets are OK for skateboarding then we might as well make it all illegal. Downhill activists have been working with the city and the community for a year now trying to make sure skaters follow traffic laws on the hill to avoid having it completely shut down. Video on local PDX news after the jump.

– Thanks to Donny for the tip.

Bonfire Snowboarding’s 15th annual Pipe to Pipe contest is coming to Windells in Oregon this weekend. 50% skateboard contest, 50% snowboard contest, 100% fun.

Old News really, but there’s Wired story on a guy who replicates old skateboard graphics whith shapes he has custom made from our friends at Factory 13. Most of those featured in the photos of John Greeley’s collection have been available as rereleases at some point or another. Others like the Mutt and Hawk’s first model that haven’t. Greeley’s reproductions look excellent, and that’s awesome… Until some show up on eBay five years from now in through a chain of events that ultimately ends up with them being passed off as originals. “I may have the largest archive of original deck graphics anywhere.” Either that or you’re the guy who stole Sean Cliver’s laptop full of all the photos and outtakes form Disposable. For the record, I’m not accusing John. I’m just promoting open discussion on reproductions… and being a smartass.

– Thanks to Andrew Wahl for the tip.

I get emails all the time from companies trying to extol the virtues of featuring their ads as editorial content. Sometimes they’re just fishing, sometimes there are actual cash rewards implied, usually from car companies or the like. Sometimes I find myself on the recipient list for PR that I’m pretty sure I never signed up for, as was the case with an announcement for this new Osiris commercial. I’m not sure why I clicked through on this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a good advert, just wait for the punchline. Osiris Shoes “This never gets old” after the jump. I wear a size 13 (in uh, Vans) by the way…

Spotted on the Drobo web site. A precocious little futre businessman with rocket powered wings and a skateboard. Be careful kid, or you’ll end up as a stock photo. Uncluttered version after the jump.

Skate Jawn has good photography and a nice clean layout, plus interviews with people I don’t know. There’s even an interview with Todd Falcon and they don’t make fun of him. They hit me up to advertise, so I checked it out. You should too.

This week’s Shot of the Week is from Elias Parise. It features Kevin Solomon at a Portland DIY spot. Take a moment to gather your complaints about the fact that I’ve posted it here. Take your time though, really gather your bile. Thanks Elias. I am enjoying the summer. My only complaint is that seems to be going too fast.