Jim Murphy has organized a Native Skate Jam on a six-foot high half pipe at the the Smithsonian Institution (Potomac Atrium National Museum of the American Indian). The session is on Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 at 12 and 2 p.m. daily. The skate jam is in support of “Ramp It Up: Skateboard Culture in Native America” that is open through Sept. 13, 2009. Speaking of Ramp it Up, Betsy Gordon sent in some snaps from the exhibit.

Well we’ve got skateboard lighters, so sure, why not have skateboard knives? So says Snake Head Kives, the “Maker of the world’s first Skateboard Knives.” These two are already available, or at least they exist, as there doesn’t appear to be a way to buy them. They have three new styles in the making as well. Meanwhile, Dogtown Skateboards has a limited edition signed Jesse Martinez model. I didn’t realize Dogtown was a real company again. They’ve even got re-issue Bigfoots. I’m still more than a little turned off by the Dogtown fashion line. Track suits anyone? This was a couple years ago, and it was in an asian market, so who know if it was even legit. – Thanks to William Buckley for the tip.

This just in, from the San Francisco Chronicle:: Physics discussion ends in skateboard attack. A homeless man is on trial in San Mateo County on charges that he smacked a fellow transient in the face with a skateboard as the victim was engaged in a conversation about quantum physics, authorities said Wednesday. I know GVK, Rich and I have almost come to blows in the car on the way to a skatepark, but we’re usually arguing about how to raise kids instead of quantum physics. They want to build a particle accelerator in my neighborhood, but I’m organizing a petition against it because it will just attract scientific method graffiti and discarded lab jackets and pocket protectors littered on the surrounding lawn. Stephen Hawkings image from Nerdtests.com. Also check out Einstein skateboards on Zazzle and Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, Einstein’s Skateboard. – Thanks to Tito for the tip.

The Brain Injury Association of America wants you to wear a helmet while skateboarding. Who knew there was such an association? Do you have to have a brain injury to join, or do they give you one when sign up? Maybe someone with brain damage chose the name, because it sounds like an organization in favor of brain injuries. It’s obvious that the art director who chose this skateboarding butt shot had a brain injury. “Mom, Dad, I’m going to be on a poster!” – Thanks to Danimal for the photo.

So… you can get t-shirts printed up and then compressed into the shape of a skateboard, among other things, and then covered with a promotional graphic and encased in shrink wrap. In other words: Get air with a skate theme that targets the teen scene. Errr.. right. Three models available, all of them not quite right.

Be careful what you sign. You may think you are just going to appear in a local paper, but you may end up plastered all over the packaging for consumer goods. It happened to Benji Galloway, and he ended up on the box of Vizio TV’s.

As promised, more skateboard hygiene products. I first came across this on the old Grand Royale site, the magazine and record label that used to be run by the Beastie Boys. This was back in 2000 or so, and the fact that this skateboard shaped container existed out there somewhere had been in the back of mind since then. They didn’t have any explanation, just the picture, so I downloaded it. Earlier this year I was doing some “research” for Skate and Annoy and I stumbled on one for sale. Turns out it was from Avon, and contains bubble bath. I picked this one up for about 7$. Totally worth it.

Ryan Sheckler is a doll, and I mean literally, or at least virtually. Check out the Ryan Sheckler dress up doll at Stardoll. Sorry about the knee pads, couldn’t resist. Sheckler is the only other skater available, but they do have Dennis Rodman. I still love Dennis Rodman. Yes, I want to gay-marry him. You can even make your own dolls. I tried to make a GVK dress up doll, but all them ended up looking like a very crazy looking girl. – Thanks to Ben Roberts for the tip.

I have a vague recollection of this style of Levis commercial. This one dates back to 1977 and briefly features some kids and possibly even a gorilla on a skateboard. It’s hard to tell compressed and small, plus the psychedelic nature of the animation doesn’t help any. – Thanks to Eric Shea for the tip.

The Half Moon Bay Review reports that their police will enforce helmet regs but that pad use is discouraged. Unless you’re skitching, then no pads or helmet. Huh?