They mayor of Philadelphia lifted the ban on skateboarding in Love Park for a handful of days in advance of the whole thing being torn down for a complete overhaul. So while the gesture was definitely appreciated by the locals and many people who travelled hours to get a session in, let’s not kid ourselves. If it wasn’t being demolished, the skateboarders wouldn’t have gotten any concessions. Red Bull produced a video, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why it’s only 2 minutes long. This really pushes the old adage that something is better than nothing. Is almost nothing better than nothing?

Running a marathon on a treadmill is in reference to skating in a skatepark that mimics real world spots. 99% Invisible is Roman Mars’ radio show about design, distributed on Public Radio. Episode 71, In and Out of LOVE features the familiar theme of skateboarders reinterpreting their environment for their own needs. It’s made with the help of skaters for the non-skating public, but just as your attention starts to wander they get down to focusing on Love Park. You know the story, but listening to a well produced audio version makes it fresh again. A big part of it is the random asides, including audio of the original architect, Edmund Bacon. Definitely worth checking out. You can watch video footage of Edmund’s act of civil disobedience after the jump, but do yourself a favor and listen to In and Out of LOVE first. [Photos: Mike Blabac] – MC is artsy

Another newspaper story, this one from The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the shocking fact that people over 30 years-old are regularly riding skateboards. There are some interesting details about how they organized and paid for their indoor facility and I did enjoy reading: “Skating doesn’t make you a skateboarder,” he says, quoting Lance Mountain, a skateboard legend in the ’80s. “Not being able to stop skating, that makes you a skateboarder.”

PHL is the airport code for Philadelphia International Airport, the same place you can find this 1988 installation by Vito Acconci, called Flying Floors. These cellphone snaps are courtesy of 1998 Tom Jacobs, via Brian Baade. There’s another overview shot here, and here. As long as we’re blowing it out… U.S. Airways area, Terminal B. That’s one hell of a roll in. I love public art.

As seen in the Philidelphia Enquirer: A skateboarding paradise at FDR Park. 1,649 words on how much they love it. – Thanks to Doc Murdock for the tip.

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.