From the police blotter of the Salinas Californian, an item of interest. I wish they had photos. I wonder why we never hear about interior decorators breaking into abandoned buildings and fixing the place up: …a few throw pillows, some nice curtains…

How is your stimulus check hanging? On the one hand, the economic downturn is good news for skaters. We’ve all been made redundantly aware of the fact that their are a lot of empty pools associated with mortgage foreclosures. Even the Mayor of San Francisco knows about it. Apparently, Gavin Newsom is very concerned that something must be done about teenagers who use google maps to find foreclosed homes with pools, so that they can then drain the pools and skateboard in them…ruining the pools and lowering the property value. Another upside, funding the pad nanny position at public skateparks is no longer a priority in communities like Watauga County, NC. All the skateparks in San Diego and Ocean Beach are no longer pay-to-play for the same reason. While some cities like Portsmouth, VA have to put off plans for new skateparks, at least one town, Pawtucket, Rhode Island is going to get a brand new skatepark as a direct result of Obama’s stimulus plan. You can check out a video highlighting how the toothless residents feel about this use of federal funds after the jump. – Thanks to Sean Mykael for the tip. Obama skate logo courtesy of AGP.

I’m in Chicago for a few days, actually flying back home by the time this post goes live. I went to the Northbrook skate park on Friday. It was a little bit chilly, but there were a handful of people riding. I actually met this guy named Pete (Hi Pete!) who was there the last time I was at this skate park back in August. I didn’t take many photos, but I did get this shot of Trevor with a little bit of board slide action. I can’t believe I got the exposure right. While I was there a cop showed up to give the boot to some BMX riders. They were ineffectually whining at the cops saying they should be allowed to use a public park, and the cop replied “If I had it my my, neither of you could use it, and there would just be an empty parking lot here.”

Graham Taylor has made a video comparing skateboarders to modern ballet dancers. It includes some UK footage from the 90’s on. Noticeably present, the Craig Stecyk quote about technology, a cement playground and the minds of 11 year olds. Noticeably absent is the Daniel Gesmer spotlight. In any case, It’s an odd little film that might make you chuckle, especially when the jump cuts between the two disciplines get hopping. Try to imagine a session at street spot with everyone in tights. Then try to imagine ballet dancers gathering secretively in an empty warehouse with their generators and mirrors, practicing their moves and then cursing loudly while trying to focus that big wooden bar. [Source: When we was RAD]

This is an old decal, you know, the kind you put in water and slide it off onto a plastic model. I found it on eBay, but there wasn’t any information on it other than “vintage”. I would have guessed 60’s but The name Aaron Loyd turned up a surfboard shaper who was in business in Pismo beach in the early 70’s. Whenever it was, it’s pretty obvious this came from a different time. I don’t think this type of racial stereotype would fly nowadays. Loyd Surf is now a father-son operation. I’ve got an email into them to see if that was the case, and maybe find out a little more.

Ben Cannard sent in some pics of his old Alphonso Rawls model on Evol, that features Janet Jackson. There is some confusion about this on the Interwebs™. Some people remember it alternately as a Droors ad or a Fuct advertisement. I don’t remember it at all, which would place it in the early 90’s. I find it hard to believe that it’s not photoshopped. I guess Janet Jackson was slumming it trying to get some street cred out of skateboarding. If I’ve got the story wrong, by all means fill me in. I plead ignorance.

Jay Adams is selling a Jay Adams SMA deck on eBay. I don’t know if this is/was a production model or a one off. He gives no details on the deck auction except to say he will personalize an autograph if you want. Just looking at the picture makes me feel intimidated into bidding. Less than five hours left. UPDATE: It’s over.

Skateboarder Magazine. has a slide show from the opening of the Seen of Change photography show in Portland. If you haven’t checked out the show you should get over there before it’s gone. Artery also has shots from the opening. It’s in frames, so you need to hit the main site and click on the Opening Photos link at top.

Milan Spasic created a pool skating documentary called Chlorine in 2003. SnA has posted about his Rip City Project a couple of times. Well, I don’t know what happened to Rick Coyle who started the project but the thing seems to be in the can. The Portland premiere is Tuesday March 24, 2009 at the Doug Fir Doors at 8pm, Showing at 9:30pm. FREE!! Sponsored by Fuel TV and NikeSB.

I know what you’re all thinking, it’s the boy who cried wolf… but it isn’t really. The reigns of Concussion might end up being turned over to two longtime contributors. Davoud has requested omitting the specifics until the final details have been ironed out, in case the deal goes sour. The story has been leaked elsewhere. Believe it or not, I found this Skate Zombie photo over at BMXmuseum.com.