Powell Street skatepark benefit in Portland. Neighborly forces are mobilizing. Plan B is the venue, Skate rock and skate vids are the plan. Shrunken Heads is the sponsor. Portland’s skatepark system has definitely stalled, gone into hibernation even, but it seems that we’re gearing up for the second great push.

I was at the DOS bowl a couple months ago and noticed a rack on the wall with a few boards up there, more than there were people there. It was almost like one of those bowl of pennies at the store counter. The D.O.S. Bowl in Portland was full up over the summer, but now there are a few open spots in the membership roster, just in time for the rainy season. The facilities are clean and just like the Ramones sang, There was (is) beer in the soda machine.

Shred the Lard with Bacon Skateboards at Baconfest in Portland on Saturday, September 8th. It’s an 80’s style “streetstyle” contest with rails and a spine. $5 to enter, winner takes all. Will there be a jalopy as well? I hope so. I think it was actually illegal to hold a street contest without a beat up old car on the course for a year or two there. Remember streetsyle? The layout may not have been “authentic” street, but you can be damned sure the trucks on the trophies weren’t backwards.

Brooklyn Street Skate Spot benefit on Saturday FRIDAY. Mr. Hand isn’t it ok to have a little food on our time? Mr. Spicoli your absoloutly right. It is our time. Yours, mine and everyone elses.

Someone in Portland is getting one hell of a skate spot in their backyard with help from Evergreen Skateparks, as seen on Facebook.

L.A. is going to ban bombing hills after two recent deaths. This is also bad news for Portland skaters fighting a similar ban in the Zoo Bomb neighborhood, although the ban isn’t an outright skateboard ban. They just want skateboarders to observe the traffic laws like stop signs and speed limits. Really, you can’t blame them for that. Portland’s coalition is asking for the same thing in lieu of an outright ban. The end result is that it will still be illegal to have a speed run downhill. Skateboarders aren’t usually prone to following rules and regulations regarding our useless wooden toys. Serious hill bombing will still happen, but maybe it will keep some of the yahoos away. [Source: “Los Angeles City Council bans skateboard ‘bombing’ after San Pedro deaths” – via the Daily Breeze.]

I did not see Tony Hawk’s unannounced stop at Burnside yesterday, but I did make these nifty shelves in my garage instead. It would take me half a day to get this into the form of a cartoon like MC does, so this is what you get instead. Frame 1: Caption – “1986” 1st guy speech bubble – “Tony Hawk is at our local skatepark right now!” Frame 2: 2nd Guy speech bubble – “Oh man, I’m going to blow off finals for this, lets go!” Frame 3: Caption – “2012” – 1st guy (looks older) speech bubble – “Tony Hawk is at our local skatepark right now!” Frame 4: 2nd guy (looks older) speech bubble – “I think I’m going to build shelves in my garage.” I’m not dissing Tony, I’m sure he was rad. I saw that he even graciously posed for some photos with grooms. Interesting side note: The story behind why Portland wasn’t an official stop on his tour is a disappointing one.

The second annual Mt. Tabor Downhill Challenge on Sunday, June 24th. This is sanctioned downhill race in Portland. Big prize money. If I can scrape up the entry fee and it doesn’t rain, you may get to see the Ski-Skate in some open class action. All sorts of fun. The MTDHC is a one day event featuring a downhill skateboard race, slalom race, classic luge (buttboard) race and a mini-bike race. All of the races will be held on SE Resevoir Loop Dr. of Mt. Tabor Park in Portland, Oregon. The winner of the downhill skateboard race will recieve $750 and the winner of the downhill mini-bike race will receive $300. Cash prizes for other classes will be determined later. Awards ceremony and after party will take place at the Mt. Tabor Theater. Entry fee is $60 for downhill classes and $30 for slalom only. Go to Tabordh.com for more info on the event… – Thanks for the heads up from Billy Bones.

Check out the Unheard Skate Supply indoor facility (formerly known as SE Indoor thing) that I keep forgetting to post pictures of. Why, it’s a session and a Bacon Skateboards video on Saturday, May 19th at 1913 SE Haig street in Portland. Sponsor Luv.

This week’s Shot of the Week is Dane Brady in downtown Portland, taken by Tom Bender. Nice. Very nice.