Meanwhile, closer to home. There’s a benefit BBQ this Saturday the 7th for the Brooklyn Street Skate Spot in Portland. I have to admit I chuckled when I first heard there was a benefit for this tiny spot. This picture is old, actually, but I just heard they’ve hit a snag. The original organizers were engaging the community, taking it somewhat slow. Apparently some individuals decided to kick it into overdrive without scoping out the situation, allegedly tearing up sidewalks (?) and as a result the cops (who were already in the loop) shut it down and the whole thing needs permits now. Pretty much all of the neighbors are on board except for one business owner, who appears to prefer broken glass, garbage and the occasional syringe to pastoral scenes like a mother reading a book on the steps while her son skates, nearly a week after the spot first appeared. True story. Flyer after the jump. No alcohol please, they’re trying to present a positive image to the neighbors and the city.

Mike And Justin succeed where few have. The have been in the skate retail business for 5 years know. According to the Government. If you can stay in business that long you are a success. Well no matter what the government or Shaun White says I like these guys. All though I have only spent an average of maybe 10 dollars a year there. They are a hit with the skate crowd. Tune Drop out and spend some money here… Help start the economy and buy something GVK Out

Ray Stevens II of The Faction, Los Olvidados, Drunk Injuns, Odd Man Out, and Clay Wheels fame has a new band called RS2 SOLID SOUND. They have recently completed the soundtrack to the movie SUPERCHARGED: The life and times of Tim Brauch. One of the stops on their Northwest tour is the movie premiere in Missoula, Montana on the 30th of July. Coincidence would have it that I’m sitting in the Montana night air (sweating)as I’m typing this. I’ve been staying an hour north of Missoula for the past week, and will be leaving two days before then. I will be back in time for the Portland show (with Stinkbug) at PLAN B in Portland on Thursday the 29th. That’s just rock and roll in Portland, there will be no showing of Supercharged at that time. I’m not sure if Supercharged is the project formerly known as Beans or not. Portland flyer after the jump.

Catch long time Portland artist, activist, skater and the future of Cal Skates, Paul Fujita will be the guest on Callin’ on Colin today. Catch it live on the Interwebs at 2pm Pacific, or download the audio later on in the day. Skate and Annoy is proud to sponsor Callin’ on Colin, regardless of how poorly it is named, and whether or not Colin knows that we are a sponsor yet. That’s an old photo of Paul at Aumsville, circa 2004.

…when you pay someone else to do it for you. Still, it’s got an appeal that leans that way. Look for it nestled in between a bunch of hippies in southeast Portland. Jesse built this. He’s on the crew that built Coos Bay and Gold Beach.

Friday night only at the Clinton Street Theater. All ages show at 7pm. 21 and over at 9pm. It looks good if you are into a Wes Anderson/Spike Jonez/Michel Gondry vibe with skateboarding as a plot device to boot. Might be the first time a skateboard drama doesn’t suck. Check out the trailer.

I haven’t seen Mark do this before. It was pleasing to see. I’m sure it was more pleasing to be the one landing this. Enlarge-o-rama.

Before you get your hopes up, this was a one off reunion gig at a benefit. In fact, FM Static distinctly warned the crowd that they should “…go nuts now cause it ain’t gonna fucking happen again!” Well, Epoxies fans can only hope he’s not a man of his word.

I’ve heard from a couple of different sources (some of them reliable even!) that The Department of Skateboarding, or D.O.S., will be shutting down at some point mid-summer. The rumor is that the building was sold, and the bowl is scheduled to be closed down as early as June, with the rest of it to follow possibly in August. This seems at odds with their posted summer camp schedule. Colin has an associate of D.O.S. scheduled to appear on his radio show on June 16th. Maybe we’ll get an answer then. It will be a blow to Portland’s skate scene if D.O.S. does shut down. It’s the only indoor street course of any mentionable square footage accessible to the public in the greater Portland area. No word on what this might mean for the attached Cals Pharmacy skate shop, a long time fixture in Portland. [Image: SkateAllCities]

Steven Reeves has a video premiere this Friday at Plan B. I haven’t seen anyhting since Bailgun, but that was 2008 (!) I’m sure he hasn’t been dormant since then, aside from appearing on Calling on Colin. Should be good.