On this edition of counterfeit board of the month we have a Jim Thiebaud bootleg that surfaced in Portugal on the local equivalent of Craigslist or Ebay, or something, Custo Justo. ON the left is an actual Jim Thiebaud model from SMA, circa 1989. On the right is cheap knockoff.

– Thanks to Samuel Silva for the tip.

It is what it is. Ambivalent Skateboarding Fraternity. Skater: Kai Hillebrand. Photos: by Alex “Foley” Concept by Gonzalo Lizama and Roberto Cuellar. Art Direction: Roberto Cuellar. Location: Berlin, Germany. Year: 2012. More from Roberto.

– Thanks to Jerome for the tip.

That would be accurate if you were talking about me lately… Buzz Lightyear is probably the second most ubiquitous character on a toy skateboard next to ole Bart Simpson, (Not to be confused with Bort Sampson.) If $11.99 is what they were blowing these things out at over at Ross, I’d hate to see what full price is. (Return)

Elyse is a dancer at Mystic in Portland, photography by Hypnox. She actually skates too. We cover gentleman’s clubs and the Smithsoinan here on Skate and Annoy.

CNN has a photo spread by Mike Belleme on what they call an “inside look at street skating.” There some cool shots in there mixed among a lot of photojournalism-style shots that would be called “lifestyle” in a different context.

– Thanks to Jeffrey Roenning for the tip.

No Coke. Pepsi This Pepsi can hails from Greece, circa 1993. Limited edition, don’t you know? Mohawks, dogs and guitars on skateboards. Radical. I can’t believe Greece still used pull tabs on cans as late as 1993. If you don’t get the reference, look it up. Good luck finding a video. Effing Hulu…

Santa Monica College has parking for your Fratboards. This skateboard rack photo comes from the Skateboarder Magazine’s Facebook page. Yeah, you’ve seen it on Facebook already, but if you’re looking for it next year, where’s it going to show up? Is that the Governator on the podium? Yes, it is.

Rodney Mullen visited the Smithsonian (on invitation) as part of the Lemelson Center’s informal initiative to build relationships with skateboarding’s innovators. Your response may be “What the what?” Or at least, what is the Lemelson Center and why do they care about skateboarding? Technically, it’s the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, and it was established in 1995 under the larger umbrella of the Smithsonian Institution. But why skateboarding? According to deputy director Jeff Brodie:

Most associate invention and innovation with technology and science, but the Center often explores other unexpected places where invention and innovation flourishes—like skateboarding. This wide exploration is critical to fostering an appreciation for the central role invention and innovation play in the history of the United States. It also makes our work extremely interesting, fun, and exciting as we meet, collaborate, and explore the world of invention and innovation with all types of people.

And it doesn’t end with Rodney Mullen’s interview. They are planning an event to coincide with National Go Skateboarding Day called Innoskate, which will be “a major public festival that will celebrate invention and creativity in skate culture.” Watch Rodney’s interview and read a little bit about what happened behind the scenes thanks to our spy in the Smithsonian Betsy Gordon. (Thanks Betsy!)

I have no idea what the date is on this set. It’s #191, and still a Questor/Child Guidance company. Playschool bought them in 1985. The packaging on this looks like some sets from the late 70s. The one I have does not actually have enough pieces to build a skateboard or anything else, so I essentially bought a container for 3 bucks.

UPDATE: Added some pics of more complete set with instructions from Ebay.