Vince from Spohn Ranch sent in some pics of the new skatepark in the Dalles in progress.

Interesting alternative construction methods over at Habitat. Cork ply decks have a real cork sheet laminated to the top of the deck eliminating the need for grip tape. The cork is harvested from live trees in a sustainable manner and adhered with water based glues. These collectors decks are both fun to skate and easy on your shoes. Besides cork ply, they’ve also got a hemp composite and a bamboo top ply… Although the web site mentions these technologies for the 2009 lineup, so no idea if this is still current. – Thanks to Boy for the tip.

Here’s some pretty cool POV footage of some downhill action courtesy of Madrid rider Zak Maytum, who starts out at the back and ends up passing everyone at least once. This reminds me of the old Omnimax footage of the rollercoaster ride and corvettes driving down a windy road. Iggy and the Stooges on the soundrtack too. Geez, I must have downhill on the brain, this is two Maryhill posts in a week. UPDATE: Duh. I forgot the video, but it’s there now. [Source:Skateonline]

I don’t usually post a lot of random product announcements unless it tickles my fancy. This one I’m featuring purely because I still love the midwest, even though I don’t really want to live there. If you’re a long time reader you’ll also know I’ve got an affinity for all things Surf Ohio/Cow Skates. Assault Skateboards just released a board for Ohioan Mark Heintzman that is more or less a re-issue of his old ketchup bottle graphic for G&S. Assorted Mark Heintzman video and photo paraphernalia after the jump. – Thanks to Jeff Haynes for the tip.

Limited time offer expires at midnight tonight. 20% off with discount code SKATEANDANNOY. Get your fashion on at Maple XO.

White Girl Wasted by ElleMC, shot on location at Burnside by Dave Hupp. Hip Hop dressed as punk rock. Remember when you used to be able to tell what a band would sound like just by looking at them? I’m not complaining. Shut up old man! Video after the jump.

This is from a Tom and Jerry themed Subway kids meal toy from 1994. the wheels underneath are one solid bar that is strangely arced in the center, so he likes to fall over if he’s on an uneven surface, which goes nicely with his bicycle style helmet. There were three other figures, but I’ve only got this one.

Portland skateboarders foiled a possibly deadly assault on a woman, knocking out the ice pick wielding assailant with a skateboard and holding him until police arrived. Good job citizens. Were these skaters the PDX equivalent of the Red Angels of Dragnet City? (Noprize anyone?) Nope, they were skating a recently built concrete ramp outside of River City Bicycles, where the owner of the shop had the ramps built specifically “for learning tricks on.” While he doesn’t specify whether it was built for skateboards or bicycles, he credits the “quarter pipe” with saving the woman’s life. OK, we can give him that. There’s room for bikes and skaters to get along in Portland (BIke lane! Bike Lane!) especially if you keep building spots for us… As long as you look up the definition of quarter pipe. Is it just me, or does that look like banks and not tranny? – Thanks to Shawn F and Sam for the tip. [Source: BikePortland]

“The Pool” is a temporary installation in a public swimming pool in London. Nike 6.0, the action sports (excluding skateboarding) division set this up for BMX action. If you’re a UK reader of this site who doesn’t have a bike, they’ll even loan you one. This idea is… interesting. I wonder if they’d let someone skate it? I know, skateboarders are always glomming on to the blood sweat and tears of the the action sports industry. When are we going to get it together and make something for ourselves? The Dagenham Swimming Pool sessions end June 12th. That’s one massive temporary structure. – Thanks to Seth Levy for the tip. [Source: Curated Mag]