According to the Mercury News: Amid the worst budget crisis in city history, with even police officers worried for their jobs, city leaders last fall said San Jose’s gem of a skate park — California’s largest — would have to either be left as an unstaffed free-for-all, privatized or possibly even padlocked. Heaven forbid an unstaffed free-for-all! Then it would be just like every public skatepark in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, and probably a few other states too. – Thanks to Matthijs for the tip.

As much as these look like bindings from water skis attached to a goofy piece of wood, the mechanical design of the skateboard rack from MAxRax is clever. I thin they might sell better wiithout the graphics. Attach the mount to the wall, and the top part slides up as you insert it into the rubber sheath… actually it’s a little bit fetishistic, but a clever design none the less. – Thanks to Boy Ipoh for the tip.

It’s being reported that Rob Dyrdek is negotiating the purchase of Alien Workshop off of Burton. “While Rob’s message was definitely premature, we did want to confirm that we are in an open dialog with him about a possible purchase. At this point, please note that nothing is confirmed, and we will absolutely do a formal announcement when and/or if that transition happens.” That kid loves Ohio. I imagine that’s got to be a good feeling, buying the brand that gave you a start in your own neck of the woods. [Source: Shop Eat Surf via Skateboarder Image exceprt: Gentlemanly Conduct] P.S. Yes, I realize this is not exactly hot off the presses.

It looks like a cross between classic Duane Peters graphic and a Bob Schmelzer graphic, on a skull skates shape. Tyler picked this up at work one day, but the original owner couldn’t shed any light on in it. The deck itself seems of a higher quality than typical bootlegs of the era. Is it a test print or a misprint that later had unrelated designs screened on it? Enlarged after the jump.

This week’s Shot of the Week is Gabe Spotts with a switch Heelflip in Salt Lake City, UT, from Gage Thompson.

Thanks to the good folks (Jack Smith) at the Skateboarder’s Journal, we have 3 subscriptions (Published quarterly, normally $25 a year) to give away. Same rules as last time, leave a comment in this post and 3 winners will be chosen at random. Contest ends on February 9th at midnight. In the mean time, check out the Skateboarder’s Journal online community and Facebook page. WINNERS: Jeff (Me! Me! Me!), Talentless Quitter, and Idahosk8gringo. Thanks again to the Skateboarder’s Journal.

The first two panels of Skate Butt. Don’t forget to check out Explain it, Professor!!!