While we were out, Playmobil launched an action set featuring Chad Muska as the skateboard bandit and George Michael as the cop… Or maybe that’s not really true. However they currently have 2 sets featuring skateboarded typecast as the bad guys. There not just run of the mill skateboarding-where-they-aren’t-suposed-to-be bad guys either, they are involved in high stakes robbery and… it’s hard to say what that stick is for… illegal water divining? – Thanks to Josef for the tip.

The parole board has tentatively grantees Mark “Gator” Rogowski parole based on a combination of circumstances including his remorse, completion fovea various rehabilitation programs, and a new law affecting offenders under the age of 26, related to brain development studies. He has not been released yet. The board has 120 days to make the decision final, and the DA plans to appeal the decision. Gator is currently 53 years old, and plans to live with his brother while working as a paralegal clerk. More information can be found at ABC 10 News San Diego. He’s been in prison for about 25 years. Is he rehabilitated? Does he deserve another chance? Meanwhile, Vision still sells a Gator deck… – Thanks to Mark Sellman for the tip.

Yesterday we saw preliminary reports that Julie Lynn Kindstrand may have been sexually assaulted as a minor by Neal Hendrix, but the source was abstracted enough that we left it until today to post. These are serious accusations, and we didn’t want to post something half-baked. Since then it has started appearing on ESPN and the Wall Street Journal. Neal Hendrix denies the allegations. Julie Kindstrand has provided a six page document to the Costa Mesa police, as well as the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Although suspended, Neal Hendrix is still listed (at the time of this publication) as an Athlete Representative and Executive Committee member on the USA Skateboarding web site. Update: Video statement from Julie. NOTICE: Comments will remain open on this thread. Anything misogynistic or overtly inflammatory, such as threats of harm will result in an immediate ban. It’s time to be an adult.

Be sure to have some extra Euros with you when skating in the wrong places in Barcelona, Spain.

A long time ago, but not that long ago, someone claimed the only reason they were re-releasing the Gator board with “Gator” on it instead of “Vision” (like they originally did the re-issues) because there was a mixup with the old films. A little while later they claimed that Mark “Gator” Anthony never owned the trademark to the “Gator” name so it was ok. So… someone sure is confused about those old films huh? A mini version of your favorite celebrity skater’s pro model. Just the thing to inspire your kids. Available at Select Distribution.

The Skateboard Bandit may have been busted. I don’t know, this guy looks like kind of a putz. I’m disillusioned. Did I mention I met the Choir Boy Bandit? – Thanks to Eric Cherry for the tip. P.S. Still buzzed from the earlier post. (Update: Obviously, I forgot to include the link.)

The Vancouver Sun reports that a civil suit against a guy who spray painted at a skatepark has resulted in an award of $6400 to the city.

Apparently, four insecure jackasses felt the need to hassle someone they knew, repeatedly taunting and eventually beating up a kid and stealing his skateboard. The kid finally pulled out a knife and fought back. One of the attackers suffered some non life threatening injuries, and all four were arrested after the cop took everyone’s story, including onlookers (non-skaters) using the surrounding park. The upshot? If you watch the postage size video reminiscent of the internet circa 1998, you’ll see the commotion has scared off some younger kids from visiting the park again. Hooray! More skatepark for me! But seriously folks… It’s too bad that happened. Gabriel Park is one of the last places in Portland I would have expected that. Hey douchebags ands bullies, keep your quarrels and your lame asses out of the skateparks. Skatepark users, don’t stand for this crap. – Thanks to Welsh Pete and Troy Sliter for the tip. [Source – KGW NewsChannel 8, Portland]

Wrapping up some longboard-centric items. First up is fashion designer Adam Kimmel’s promo film Claremont consisting of a couple of beardos screaming downhill in suits we can only assume were designed by Adam Kimmel. I’m not exactly sure how the tie in works, but it seems to be getting people talking. The right people? I can’t make that call. I thought it was a hoax at first, as far as Adam Kimmel being in the fashion industry, but it would have to be an elaborate one. The downhill action looks insanely fast. These guys even pass a car as well as passing the camera between themselves and shooting backwards. I don’t know how they do it, but my helmet is off to them. They make a certain German downhiller look like a wuss in comparison. Supposedly, German police are on the lookout for a man assumed to be “a professional stuntman” in full leathers who reached 62 MPH on a two mile stretch of the Autobahn after getting a tow in by a motorcycle. Pfffft! Talk to me when you do it in light blue polyester. Lastly, there’s the L.A. Times article titled More skaters switching to longboards, from the…

“I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward.  It is not so desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.” -Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience, 1849 On August 29th, Derek Anderson (Mark Conahan’s age) committed a breach of peace when he scaled a 300-foot crane located in the beer garden of the Doghouse Public House.  This act of civil disobedience was an aim to shed some light on a particular subject: the Dudhope Skatepark, pictured above courtesy of Google Maps user ihatetechnology,  in Westport, Dundee, UK.