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.

Two photos of a spot that amazingly enough was not built for skateboarding. Storm water management done the right way, somewhere in Austin, Texas.

– Thanks to Brianna Vance for the photos.

Only one commercial shown during the Superbowl this year featured skateboarding… and the Flaming Lips too. That’s probably a good chunk of change for them. Watch the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe “Epic Playdate”commercial after the break. NoPrize to anyone who can name that skatepark.

PORTLAND – Officers arrested a suspect after a man was stabbed at the Burnside Skatepark late Friday evening, police said. Just before 10:30 p.m., a man was stabbed in the leg after getting in a verbal altercation while skating under the Burnside Bridge on Southeast 2nd Avenue, said Sgt. Pete Simpson with Portland police. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police arrested 29-year-old Jeremy Moore Friday night and booked him in the Multnomah County Jail on first-degree assault charges.

[Source: KGW]

If you would ask me, what is the best-known song out of Germany with a connection to skateboarding, I´d say “My god rides a skateboard” by the hardcore/punk band Spermbirds from Kaiserslautern.

Another frankenramp creation, Barnside (unofficial name) is somewhere in the Kansas City area. Four videos after the jump. Chin Ramp indeed.

– Thanks to Dave Campbell for the tip.

I haven’t been to Orcas Island in a million years, but this is the year, I swear. As soon as I learn inverts. I love Orcas, did I mention that? Here’s a Landyachtz video featuring downhill, park riding and a metric ton of lifestyle footage.

– Thanks to Billy Bones for the tip.