IMMODEST PROPOSAL: Get Your Wallet Out, Bitches!

Leaders in the city’s art, business and political communities are scrambling to raise $68 million in six weeks so a treasured Thomas Eakins masterwork will not be removed from its only home. Officials acknowledge that matching the record-setting sum for the lifelong Philadelphian’s 1875 painting, “The Gross Clinic,” will be a challenge. However, they said they have to believe that they can prevent the departure of an irreplaceable part of the city’s cultural history. Let’s get out the old abacus and figure out how much each of us has to pony up to keep “The Gross Clinic” within the gates […]

NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t

Fresh Air from WHYY Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006 Books: John Edwards and the Virtues of Home Former vice presidential candidate John Edwards has edited a book, Home, in which both public figures and lesser-known professionals reflect on the places where they grew up. The former senator currently lives in Chapel Hill, N.C., and campaigned for Democrats in advance of last week’s midterm elections. He talks about the Kerry-Edwards campaign and his thoughts on his own possible presidential bid in 2008. WHYY: Why Ask Y

STOP THE PRESSES: Rumblings From The Smoking Volcano Of Fear And Loathing That Is 400 North Broad

READERS IN THE KNOW REPORT: Sounds like the ugliness is about to begin. Just heard that Business Editor Bob Rose is leaving to take a job at Smart Money magazine. This morning, the talk in the newsroom is that Mark Frisby, head Gannett-bot publisher of the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, is coming on board as — get this: Vice President for Acquisitions. Frisby is one of the acolytes of former C-P publisher Robert T. Collins, who oversaw Gannett’s slash-and-burn takeover of the Asbury Park Press in the 1990s. During the first year of Gannett’s ownership of the Press, the newsroom underwent […]

We Know It’s Only Rock N’ Roll But We Like It

THE FADING CAPTAIN SERIES: Robert Pollard, World Cafe Live, November 14th, 2006 [FLICKR] EVA SAYS: He drank tequila straight from the bottle, and smoked half a pack of cigarettes, and kept dipping into the cooler by the drum-kit for yet another Miller Lite, like a bear dipping paw into a honeypot. He did high kicks and cute little backflips and twirled his mic in the air like a helicopter. Backstage, he polished off the last of the tequila and gave his most ardent acolytes a boozy, back-slapping audience, some high-fives included. You?d think it was Pete Doherty at a Libertines […]

Joey Vento’s South Philly Rowhome Racism Goes Upstate, Joins Forces With Hazleton Mayor, Another Scapegoater Of The Undocumented

Last week, Barletta was bowled over when he opened an envelope sent by Vento, owner of Geno’s Steaks in south Philadelphia. Inside was a check for $10,000, by far the largest contribution the city’s legal defense fund. “You could definitely say that’s a lot of cheesesteaks,” Barletta quipped. Lou Barletta knew Joey Vento wanted to help. But the Hazleton mayor didn’t realize just how much. Vento said he made the generous contribution because he agrees with the mayor’s effort to rid Hazleton of illegal immigrants. “I’m definitely on the same page with the mayor,” Vento said. “We could be brothers; […]

THE DONALD: Trump Points Limo Towards The Heart Of Pennsyltucky, Jokingly Threatens To ‘Fire’ Gaming Commissioners, Woos Podunk Locals, Many Eager To Give Him All Their Money As Soon As Fucking Possible

The Donald woos fans at license hearing Wednesday, November 15, 2006 BY MARY KLAUS Of The Patriot-News Marilyn Levin might not be a Donald Trump groupie, but she managed to greet the millionaire yesterday at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Trump came to the Harrisburg museum for a state Gaming Control Board hearing on his proposed slot machine parlor in Philadelphia. […] “I’ve left a lot of money in the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City,” Levin said. “I’ve lost more than I’ve gained. I don’t gamble anymore because it can be a bad habit. But I was glad […]

REAL SPORTS: Vertical Paper Brings Bronze Home To 215 And Breaks Canada’s Stranglehold On Winner’s Circle At International Rock Paper Scissors Championship And YES It Turns Out There Actually IS Such A Thing

PHILADELPHIA, November 14, 2006 — The Pabst Blue Ribbon Philadelphia Rock Paper Scissors City League Championship Series is pleased to announce that Philadelphia player and resident Tom Smith (who competes under the name Vertical Paper, pictured in action, right) has brought the bronze medal back to Philadelphia from the 2006 RPS International World Championships, which took place in Toronto this past weekend. Vertical Paper outplayed over 500 competitors on his way to laying claim to being the 3rd best RPS player in the World. Vertical Paper competes as part of the Majestic 12, one of the largest and most feared […]

NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t

Fresh Air from WHYY to Tuesday’s show — Nov. 14, 2006 Books: Author Sees No Evidence Prayer Can Heal In his new book, Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of Religion and Medicine, Richard Sloan examines the claim that prayer and religion can heal the sick. Using the scientific method, he shows that there is no compelling evidence that religion can actually cure medical ailments. Interviews: Stemming Violence in Iraq Michael Gordon, chief military correspondent for The New York Times, was recently in Iraq. He discusses efforts to stem the violence in Baghdad, and the prospects for change in American policy. […]

PEEPLE: Fear Not Celebrity Rubberneckers, Britney’s Pre-Nup Is Tighter Than A Nun’s C**T

The pre-nup In the document referred to as the Smith and Jones Cohabitation/Prenuptial Agreement, Britney and her husband agree to each have a one-half share of their $5.2 million home in Malibu. The agreement bans Federline for getting his hands on any of the money Britney made before their marriage or any money she makes from pre-existing deals and contracts during their marriage. Any gift worth more than $5,263 requires a legal document signed between the couple stating who will own it if they split. If there is no legal document, Federline will be forced to hand back gifts from […]