Nice skate inspired lettering by Christian San Jose illustration over on Letter Cult. This was part of a roundup of exceptional lettering for the first half of 2009. This both inspires and depresses me just like skating with a bunch of young rippers.

Back in June we reported on the Stardolls online Ryan Sheckler dress up doll. It looks like they’ve added Tony Hawk and Bam Margera too. Sheckles must have pitched a fit, because he’s been removed from the site, and hold on, in the short delay since I first found out about the new additions, Tony Hawk has been removed as well, but maybe that’s because his celebrity likeness looked more like the test tube spawn of John McEnroe and Jimmy Carter. [Source: Examiner.com]

Skate and Annoy welcomes Ravage Skateboards as a sponsor. I asked Jordan for an intro to the company, he said the “About us” from the web site would work, but also gave me some more personal insight: I used to be the buyer for all the Munitions stores in the NW and have skated pretty much all my life and wanted to make a company that was as professional and serious as the big guys but fun and manageable enough to have the small family feel still. So in 2008 I mocked up a company called Ravage Skateboards and in 2009 executed that plan and made it a reality. Our boards are pressed one-at-a-time and feature different art each season from various artists from across the country. We are a Portland based company with our offices in Tigard but I spend half my time in LA working evenings in the music industry and the other half up here skating our amazing NW collection of parks all while doing Ravage during the day. I am very stoked to be forging my own path and nothing beats the feeling of seeing someone at the park riding your own product and having a…

This Rick Howard commercial for Lakai is pretty effing great. I had a hard time picking a still frame because I didn’t want to spoil it for you. Yeah, that’s quite a build up. I’d like to think that skateboard commercials would be this creative. It’s weird enough that there are actual skateboard commercials on TV, even if they are only on MTV, ESPN, or Fuel. And yes, I realize this isn’t actually a commercial for skateboards, rather skateboard shoes. Close enough. [Source: Boardistan]

He was the Z-Boy that had the smallest amount of screen time in the documentary, and he was also the youngest one, hence the name “Baby.” Paul Cullen passed away on the 23rd last week. Cause of death has not been officially made known, but there has been some obvious speculation due to a history of substance abuse. His memorial was open to the public this past Saturday. The image above is from Glen E. Friedman, who recommends you check out Paul’s section on the official Z-Boys page. Yo Venice has more recent pictures of Paul.

Here’s a couple extra shots of 12 year old Bend ripper Jake Selover. Enjoy.

I drive by a lot with some shiny new side dump trucks on a fairly regular basis. I’ve always thought they would make a good photo op for some tight mini ramp-style action, in fact I was just telling that to MC a few days ago on the way back from buying some concrete for his decks. Iw as checking out the Dakine Tiki Tour video, and low and behold, there’s Brent Atchley riding one of those trucks. Check out the Dakine Tiki Tour video in it’s glorious postage stamp size. Seriously, what is this, 1998? I’ve seen watches with bigger displays. Give us some more pixels Dakine!

The SLAG girls will be jamming at the Glenhaven Maiden on Saturday. That’s the Glenhaven skatepark in Portland, Or. Catch the flier and a few shots from the Slag stop in Hood River (Thanks to Carl Warren) after the jump.

Jim Gray skated the Converse Costal Carnage ramp set up. As he says, barge now ask later. Jim’s friend Eric Lee snapped the pics of Jim skating, with Jim’s camera, so credit where credit is due means… I don’t know. I’ve got two bonus shots from the Baade, he says the ramp is the Red Bull miniramp with a an added bowl. It’s all modular and moveable. Hmmm… Interesting. Maybe some folks at the X Games should take note. Modular and reusable is better than temporary and partially recyclable. Either way, looks fun!

Ryan Hass sent in a couple pics of the Hütteldorf skatepark, mostly just to point out the seven stair set that the designers thoughtfully left in the bowl should you decide to slam. There’s also an eight feet deep channel on the opposite end. Where do these things come from? I mean, besides Germany Austria, sorry….