You don’t need a stinking $1200 video camera. GVK, you should be ashamed of yourself. What can you do with a $40 camera from a pawn shop and a $30 fisheye adapter? Tyler Martin will show you, after the jump. The video has street skating, skateparks, private bowls, golfing, the Clash and car tow-ins. What else could you ask for? This isn’t a sponsor me vid, Tyler already has one.

Kevin Kowalski made it over the face wall of the brand new Coos Bay skatepark last Saturday. It was his first time at the park, and this was his second attempt. His new, more aerodynamic haircut must have helped get the extra speed, because he was “booking” as they say, or at least used to say when I was in the eighth grade. That’s one hell of a death box. Thanks to Colin for the photo. Dude, ditch your old iPhone for one of the new ones, I hear the camera is a lot better. With Kowalski blowing up you should be able to afford it. Check out the Shot of the Week.

I’ve been over there a couple times since the day of the pour, and I’m still in awe. So here’s way too many pictures of the bowl pour in Portland, Oregon. Believe me, I had to restrain myself from putting up more, but this is something most skatepark riders don’t get a chance to witness. The guys on the crew were craftsmen. I was blown away by what they accomplished. Check it out. UPDATE: If you’re still not sick of it, EPM has another large gallery.

Two benefits at opposite ends of the country this Saturday. In Portland there is a benefit bowl contest fro Taylor Appelo who was one of the two (Hey Clay!) skaters in PDX who were jumped by four jocks at a MAX station in Portland. Taylor’s got a broken jaw, missing teeth and a mountain of medical bills. The contest entry fee and the spectator fees all go to the medical bills, plus there’s a pirate’s chest of booty being raffled as part of your entry fee. This is a daytime event. Registration at 3pm, contest at 4pm. Details at the Department. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the private facility known as the Warehouse is having a fundraising bash to cover the costs of operation. Skate Rock legends McRad will be playing with a couple other bands and a DJ too, plus food, beer, etc…. Flyers and bonus vid of the Warehouse after the jump.

Sleestock 2009 is this weekend, June 6th and 7th in Hood River. I had planned to attend but the concrete doesn’t wait for anyone. I might be able to make it out for a bit on Sunday. If you get into town early on Friday June 5th, Wally Inouye’s IPS skate shop will have three live bands (Pink Gravel, OAC, & The Vipers) as part of Hood River’s First Friday, starting at 5pm..

It may have been pen for months already, but the Ed Benedict grand opening celebration is this Saturday, May 30th. 1:15 PM Ceremony: Commissioner Saltzman, Commissioner Fish, PP&R Director Zari Santner 1:30 PM Adidas/Tribute Skateboards Skate Jam 2:00 PM Best Trick Competition 2:30 PM PP&R Skate Jam Invitational (grades K-8 and 9-12)

The review of Mingus Park, also known as Coos Bay, is deep and smooth with fast coping. The street area has yet to be developed. When you pull up, it looks like a 1950’s flying saucer. The pool is deep and fast. The shallow end is a hero’s drop in. The deep end is fun and easy to ride. This is the link between Reedsport and Port Orford. You can now skate yourself silly on the coast hitting a park every half hour. There were about a hundred people skating on Saturday, the day after it officially opened. I would like to thank the Mayor for his hand-written invitation to Mingus Park. Hope to see him next time I drive through. P.S. Surrounding the park are baseball fields and tennis courts; none of them used. Eight great iPhotos after the jump. Thanks to EPM for the gorgeous shot of yours truly. He’s got some more shots of Matt Kline killing it.

As you recall from last summer, the Independent team did their 30th anninversary tour.  When they came through, I was at Glenhaven for a session, and Tosh Townend, Brian Anderson, and others were ripping it up.  Lance Mountain, David Gravette, Chet Childress, etc. were casual observers of the session, sitting in the shade on a hot day.  Afterwards, the team went to Pier Park, where they met other members of this online community for a session. You will be happy to know that Independent has the footage for viewing on their website.  You can view the video footage of the above session that Kilwag was shooting.  If I’m not mistaken, you can see MC on deck while Grosso grinds through the corner.  By the way, the Dwarves are rad.

Join Portland Parks in the celebration of Portland’s new skate plaza at Ed Benedict Park, Saturday, May 30, 1:00-3:30 p.m. Event Schedule 1:15 PM Ceremony: Commissioner Saltzman, Commissioner Fish, PP&R Director Zari Santner 1:30 PM Adidas/Tribute Skateboards Skate Jam 2:00 PM Best Trick Competition 2:30 PM PP&R Skate Jam Invitational (grades K-8 and 9-12)

Here’s a couple photos from the camera phone of Jason Schomaker. It’s a 100% naturally occurring, totally organic skate stopper, and it’s not what you think. Find out what it is after the jump.