I didn’t get a ton of great shots, but I think I did get heat exhaustion. Anyone who braved the crowds and heat last Saturday for Battle Ground’s grand opening definitely deserves the Red Badge of Courage. That place was packed solid, but you could still get your runs in the bowl while everyone else had their attention focused towards the cradle and deep end. now is as good a time as any to ask if there are any fellow Nikon D-70 shooters out there who are constantly bumping their shutter speed selection dials. I fell victim again but fortunately caught it after a while. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to see action in all it’s blurry glory. Joking aside, this is one serious design flaw with that camera. Anyone? Anyone? Check out the pictures and prepare yourself for the onslaught of teen commentators. [Photos: Left – Unknown rider. Top – Mark Conahan, and Johnny Turgesen] Additional coverage: Dan Hughes has some more pics up at Northwest Skater The Skateboard Archives. Thrasher has good video here.

Annette’s got the hits, and EPM has the park slalom coverage, as well as links to more coverage. First off, I’m surprised that the city of Aumsville agreed to host another contest. Perhaps there is a new administration in this notoriously skater-unfriendly town. Skater-unfriendly? How could that be when practically the only thing in that town is the skatepark? I think they got more than whatthey bargained for. They probably thought they were getting a playground instead of a world class skatepark that attracts traveling skaters. They have been hostile and inflexible towards competitions in the past, ultimately rejecting the Trifecta after two years. Not to mention the predatory behavior of local law enforcement towards visitors from out of town. I actually haven’t been to Aumsville in a long time, but just thinking about it makes me smile. It’s a really fun park. Aumsville locals, how is the surface holding up? i’ve heard it is getting pitted. Aumsville public servants, protect your investment! Star sealing that park annualy before it’s too late. Second point of interest: What is the social hierarchy in slalom skaters? Do the regular slalom skaters dismiss park slalom as a gimmick or fad? Do park slalom…

Team Pain sent in a few pics of the Englewood Florida skatepark that is under construction. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because we covered it in January when a woman donated 200k to the mysterious project. I say mysterious because the only web presence for the city seems to be owned by a newspaper conglomerate that publishes for several small towns in the area. There is vague, limited information about the community. If I lived there I would find it kind of disturbing to have my town’s official news dissemination in the hands of a private company. But I’m getting way off track here. There are more pics and enlargements after the jump.

OK. Time to clear up a few things from yesterday’s post about the progress of Vancouver Washington’s Pacific Community Park Extreme Sports Park. I was totally off base on the BMX track. Somehow I got it in my head that there was going to be a dirt track for BMX at the Pacific Community Park Extreme Sports Park. That is not the case, and BMX will be allowed on the concrete. Before you start complaining you should know that according to the Parks Communications Specialist, the turnout of BMX riders at the public meetings significantly outnumbered that of skaters, especially in the early planning and design phases. Although the whole complex will not open until 2008, they are going to open the skatepark section after it is finished, and the street course is scheduled to open at the same time as the bowl. More information, including the projected opening date and a sneak peek at what phase 2 might look like after the jump.

These skateboard art shows at galleries are now getting to be a dime a dozen. Nobody invites me to exhibit in these shows, but that won’t stop me from mentioning this one that opened today in Chicago at the EXPGallery. There are 40 artists featured in the show, and some money is being raised for Ray Underhill, although the details are slim. Artist reception is June 8th from 6-10. The exhibition runs from June 4th to June 30th, 2007.

On the way home from the Battle Ground grand opening we decided to check out the progress of the Vancouver Washington skate park. Looks like we weren’t the only ones with that idea. Follow the link for way too many pictures of the construction site. Looks like they are holding out on pouring the flat. Or if you just want to see the incredible street course, you can skip ahead. Battle Ground pics coming tomorrow.

I’ll cut a typical crappy skate punk D.I.Y. effort a lot of slack when they show enthusiasm for the music, so why not the same for a rap group? It’s not because I’m a racist, or don’t like hip hop. I have a small percentage of groups like Tribe called Quest, De La Soul, Digital Underground, and Public Enemy in my collection. Sure, that’s a pretty white bread selection, but I don’t dislike the genre on principal. This “group” Board Bangers reeks to high heaven of a marketing decision manufactured by producers trying to cash in on the hip hop and skateboarding connection. unfortunately, it’s most likely at the expense of the kids in the group, who it appears, actually do a fair bit of skating. if there are any doubts, all you have to do is visit their web site to be bombarded with a poorly disguised infomercial “to get this special price you must buy now!”

Innes Clothing and Black Label Skateboards is teaming up to roll the Innes RV up the I-5 corridor for some in-store “Meet and Greets” and to skate all the sweet buttery spots they can locate. Skaters confirmed are: Chris Troy Shuriken Shannon Peter Raffin Steve Reeves Donovan Rice Shaun Gregoire Woody Butwolski (Aussie) And a few suprises along the way. TWS is going to run some coverage, but I’ll be there too, so it’ll be a double whammy. TIMES TBA! CALL THE SHOPS LISTED FOR MORE INFORMATION! July 12th Jacks Boardshop in Medford OR July 13th ValleySSS in McMinnville OR, EXIT (Bridgeport Mall) and Skate Legion in Milwaulkie OR July 14th PlanZ in Kelso WA, IandI Boardshop in Olympia WA, SkateBarn in Renton WA. July 15th Drive Day to Boise Id. July 16th The Boardroom in Boise Id

Jake Feranti (No relation to Ferrante and Teicher) sent in some pictures of an no defunct ramp built in a condemned house, which may I say is an excellent idea, provided the house isn’t condemned for asbestos or black mold. Look closely and you’ll see duct tape on the ramp, which was originally garbage picked. It just goes to show that there are small scenes hiding out all over the place. Keep your eyes open and your thinking cap on.