by Sharron Quick/June 6, 2013

CNSNews.com) – Retired Ravens center Matt Birk chose not to attend a Ravens team meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday, citing his own pro-life views as a Catholic and criticizing the president’s support for Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion business.

Birk is a six-time Pro-Bowler and was on the Ravens’ 2013 Super Bowl team.

Last month Philadelphia and the skater community completed a 10 yr effort to do something amazing. Something that works. Something that made me think \”wow, how does this happen?\”. An awesome new skatepark… one like you\’ve never seen before… opened in the city in a location that is as perfect as the park design itself. 

And its completely free. 

Ask anyone where the best skateboard locations were to be found, and most would probably say California. But if you had to pick an East Coast King, there is no doubt it is Philadelphia. Two locations became world famous decades ago, Love park and its at times taken over by skaters concrete walls, and FDR Park… the skater built, city seems to look the other way, organically grown park that really is one of a kind. So famous are these two gems, that the best selling Tony Hawk video games have put playable versions into the game series.

But its not always love between the city and the skaters. Love Park and the City Hall grounds have been a key battle ground, and back in 2003 Mayor Street offered up a piece of real estate to the skater community if they could come up with the funding to build it. And while up close it may not have been much to look at, it really is a prime location… not tucked away under a bridge or along some endless path. The land is located almost in the shadow of the Philadelphia\’s most famous Art venue, the Philadelphia Art Museum. And in the 10 years since that offer was made, the Schuylkill Banks trail which passes along side it, has turned into an amazing place to visit on its own (more on that in another post).

So now 10 years later it has happened. The park is open. Who knows if back in 2003 Mayor Street was privately laughing when he made the offer \”How are a bunch of skaters going to raise the money for this?\”

But raise money they did.

$4.5 Million worth.

(Read on for more, and pictures)

Relatives and friends are invited to her Memorial Service on Thursday, June 13 at 1 PM at Calvary Chapel Gloucester County: 5360 Route 42, Turnersville, NJ 08012.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to: Marie Weatherley Memorial Fund: P.O. Box 358, Gloucester City, NJ 08030.

Special to CNBNews.net