“Original wooden form for the Prototype Independent baseplate, circa 1977.” I wonder how they got the raised text on the baseplate looking so clean. [Source: independenttrucks on Instagram]

Jess Kendall model, courtesy of an entrepreneur in China and reader Benji Haecker. Jess rode for Stan Cruz, right? If you’re going to counterfeit a board, why not make it an exact copy?

Check out the Unheard Skate Supply indoor facility (formerly known as SE Indoor thing) that I keep forgetting to post pictures of. Why, it’s a session and a Bacon Skateboards video on Saturday, May 19th at 1913 SE Haig street in Portland. Sponsor Luv.

Some people find the retro fetish tipping the scale more towards “annoy” than “skate,” but I’m all for it, just as I like the new plastic banana boards. I’m not sure if boards like this ever actually existed though, that shape looks like a direct copy of 60’s era Nash boards, and while they did have that style trucks with composite wheels, I would had guessed urethane wheels would have first appeared on a little bit of a bigger or wider board. Someone (slightly) older than me should clear this up. In any case, these are really nice looking decks, even though I can’t really get behind a name like Shakastics. However, urethane is for wussies. Part of the reason I like these so much is because I am prototyping a steel wheeled version in my garage right now. And you think I’m joking… – Thanks to Seth Levy for the tip.

This week’s Shot of the Week features Noah Johnson in a Lebanon, Oregon spot. Photo shot by Micah Breshears.

Sam informed us that the grand opening of the new Dreamland skatepark in Estacada, Oregon is happening on May 19th. Lifeblood team demo, which might include Red himself, seeing as how he recently joined the team. EPM has a sneak preview. GVK has the shortest video ever after the jump.

This week’s Shot of the Week features the boneless action of Nick Murphy at 3 Piers, Bradenton Beach, FL. The photographer is Nick Nicks from No Comply magazine.

Random Cinco de Mayo footage from last year. Get out and enjoy it responsibly like these young adults in southern Oregon. If you’re in the Seattle area, check out the mondo taco benefit for Marginal Way known as Cinco de Margo.

Rubbing sleep from my eyes… whaaaaaaaa? I can’t find this anywhere except on the Facebook page for the CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art in Bordeaux, France. If they have any information on it, it’s hidden behind lousy web design and/or my lousy high school knowledge of French, even though the post appears to be in Portuguese. 43 meters. I did get that much. Holy nuts. There’s the ramp, and then there’s the setting. Amazing. Oh wait, I forgot to do my “I don’t now art” joke. Uhm… I don’t know art, but I know what I like to skate. (…crickets…)