Station ID for France 3, one of France’s state owned television channels. It actually dates back to 2013, and so French readers, I’m disappointed in you for not letting me know earlier.

– Thanks to Nick Dawson for the tortue de la planche à roulettes.

A trip to the toy store almost never disappoints when looking for Skate and Annoy fodder. One of the Kryptonics license holders makes some plastic skateboards that are near Penny board quality, the wheels have decent bearings and they spin quite freely. The trucks are tight, but they have a little room to loosen built in already. The deck design, namely the kicktail and off-putting concave could be better, but it’s not an abomination. At $40, you could do worse when shopping for a beginner who just wants to roll. (UPDATE: Looks like a Mojo Pahse III) Then there’s this Disney character board with Jake and the Neverland Pirates that appears to be molded in one piece, trucks included! Almost ready to ride right off the injection molding machine, just add bearings and wheels.

You’re looking a the concrete equivalent of a Play-doh fun factory. One of them generates a continuous curb and the other, a ditch. I wish I had more information on these photos posted by Architecture and Design magazine. Unfortunately, they were found on their Facebook timeline, and they provide no context or source links. I was very surprised because I assumed Architecture and Design Magazine was an actual print publication, and they should know better. Turns out it’s entirely web based. The “About Us” page has some unintentionally funny copy: “The Architecture & Design story began in Afghanistan ( a country in Asia ) back in 2013…” Yes, 2013, a time when few people have heard of the rarely talked about country of Afghanistan. In any case, these machines are not designed for building skateparks, but the concept is interesting. Ole John Henry could take these machines, each one still requires a crew of guys to operate.

– Via Wrex Cook on Facebook

I will continue to post photos of NOS skateboard products in blister backs with technical style drawings on the back as long as I continue to find them. I am a sucker for vintage skateboard packaging. This set of trucks sold for $45. Nothing says 70’s like action bolts and open bearings.

I would have thought the Christmas edition skateboards would have lost their appeal by now, and frankly, I don’t get it. They must be popular since Powell keeps issuing them, along with some Bones Brigade Christmas ornaments. Actually, they looks like they still have a 2013 edition board available. I do “get it” of course. People want to buy limited edition items and Powell wants to make money. Skateboard collecting is an odd thing. I can’t imagine anyone else makes Christmas-themed performance sports equipment that is fully functional and intended to be collected.

Tis the season for toy dogs on skateboards. Zippy is part of the Happy’s [sic] and as such, runs on “happy power” which makes me think he’s a hippy. He even skates a little in a TV commercial that is really abrasive to watch. Don’t say I din’t warn you. I wonder if the real Zippy has appeared on the skateboard. (The answer is yes. Keep reading.) Then there’s Trixie. She’s part of the Fur Real Friends gang and is not Happy Powered, thus needing batteries.

– Thanks to Mike DeFord for the photos.

A source has revealed that the Owner of Daddies in Portland Oregon has purchased California Cheap Skates, better known as the online retailer CCS, from Foot Locker. The web site is coy about it. If you visit the previous URL it says everything is “out of stock” and points to a new site with an explanation:

CCS is in new hands. We’re a crew out of Portland, Oregon that has been working in the skateboard industry for years. When we heard the news that CCS was being shut down, we jumped. CCS is, after all, one of the most iconic brands in skateboarding.

CCS was once accused of spreading mass amounts of stoke. We want to make sure this will be the case for all time. Our commitment to you will be to quickly deliver the best products, at stellar prices, with exceptional customer service.

But our goal goes way beyond just selling gear. Skateboarding is our passion, and we will make sure that CCS continues to express an enthusiasm, love, and advocacy for skating. Through CCS, we will share our devotion to skate and give you opportunities to share it right on back.

We are beyond stoked!

It’s a bit misleading when they say they have been working in the industry for years. I suppose it’s technically true, as many of the employees may have been, but it’s well known that the current owner of Daddies bought the business as an investment and was brand new to the industry. The previous owners of Daddies actually had been in the business for years. It seems likely that CSS will retain it’s separate identity, as will Daddies, running out of the same physical location. What does this mean? Nothing really. It’s just a mail order skateshop.

Alf’s Super Hit Parade from 1990. The series ended in 1990, but someone in Germany still thought this was a good idea. Alf is rocking a state of the art boom box and a state of 1984 skateboard. Those pads have cats on them too, which would be like a non-vegetarian person skating with cows or chickens on their kneepads. Alf may not be as prolific as Bart Simpson, so it’s a good thing I’ve got a tag for Alf, because otherwise you’d have to sift through every post with “half pipe” in it if you were doing a search.

– Thanks to BPA for the tip.

And that’s pretty much it. One of the items was Fun Fun Fun skate zine #12 from Matt. You can get your own copy by mailing something (at least a stamp!) to 3880 Carroll Drive, Horn Lake, MS 38637. The other was a SASE sticker request from Krista, complete with a post it note in the shape of a hand, fashioned out of boobs, butts, and boners. Perhaps my cat’s delicate sensibilities were offended.

I could probably post one Bart Simpson post a day for year without repeating, but don’t worry, I won’t. In case you’re wondering, Bartpourri is a potpourri of Bart. It’s a real word that appears at least twice on the Interwebs.