…Was Born With Roses In Her Eyes’ FREE LIBRARY: Francine Prose is former president of the PEN American Center and author of more than 20 books. Her fictional critique of academia, Blue Angels, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her nonfiction guide to writing, Reading Like a Writer, was a New York Times bestseller. In her new book, Prose considers Anne Frank’s diary as a work of art—revised many times by the author and meant for publication—and thoroughly investigates the book’s contentious afterlife. A review in the New York Times called it “an impressively far-reaching critical work, […]
SIDEWALKING: Starry, Starry Night
Skyway at 30th Street Station, 6:41 AM by JEFF FUSCO NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT EST WEDNESDAY NIGHT. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RANGE FROM 10 TO 18 INCHES READY NOTIFY PA: Philadelphia, February 9, 2010 Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that in anticipation of the winter storm emergency expected on Wednesday, all City offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, including all recreation centers, libraries and health centers. The City of Philadelphia will direct its efforts to ensuring that […]
REALITY CHECK: The Paranoid Style Of American Politics Minus Adult Supervision Equals Right Now
[Illustration by ALEX FINE] THINK PROGRESS: Des Moines register reports: “A third of Iowans from across the political spectrum say they support the ‘tea party’ movement, sounding a loud chorus of dissatisfaction with government, according to The Des Moines Register’s new Iowa Poll.” But how loud a chorus is this, really? 55 percent of Americans say they’re personally protected by a guardian angel. 38 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Cuba and 36 percent are favorably disposed toward socialism, but I don’t see anyone writing newspaper articles about how a populist wave of socialism is sweeping the country. […]
STUDY: Pot May Not Be A Cure For Alzheimer’s But It Still Makes Led Zep’s “Kashmir” Sound Awesome
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA: The benefits of marijuana in tempering or reversing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease have been challenged in a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. The findings, published in the current issue of the journal Current Alzheimer Research, could lower expectations about the benefits of medical marijuana in combating various cognitive diseases and help redirect future research to more promising therapeutics. Previous studies using animal models showed that HU210, a synthetic form of the compounds found in marijuana, reduced the toxicity of plaques and promoted the growth […]
FAIL WIN: Three Stoogesque In Its Comedy Genius
Just try and watch this for more than 10 seconds without laughing, even though, deep down, you know it’s wrong. Anybody that can resist this should seriously consider seeing a doctor and getting checked out for the zombie virus.
BREAKING: Congressman John Murtha Is Dead
[Photo by JEFF FUSCO] UPDATE: Mr. Murtha was first hospitalized with gallbladder problems in December. He had surgery Jan. 28 at the National Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md. He went home, but was hospitalized two days later when complications developed. According to a source close to Mr. Murtha — confirming a report in Politico — doctors inadvertently cut Mr. Murtha’s intestine during the laparoscopic surgery, causing an infection. MORE ASSOCIATED PRESS: A spokesman says Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine Corps officer who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has died. He was 77 […] […]
CHANGE: New Sheriff Charges Rogue Cop
INQUIRER: The off-duty police officer who shot and killed an unarmed in November has 24 hours to turn himself in after being charged with this morning murder, said District Attorney Seth Williams. Frank Tepper, 43, allegedly opened fire on William “Billy” Panas, Jr., 21, during a late night melee in the Port Richmond neighborhood where they both lived. Police initially said Tepper was trying to break up the fight and fired his gun after he was assaulted. Witnesses disputed that, saying Tepper appeared drunk and Panas never threatened him. Tepper, a 16-year veteran of the force, was stripped of his […]
SPORTO: Insta-Reviewing The Super Bowl Ads
BY MIKE WOLVERTON SPORTS GUY So the Saints won. That was cool and all. Tracy Porter’s 4th-quarter interception return might have been the biggest “We Just Won The Super Bowl” moment ever. From totally in doubt to virtually assured in four seconds. Congrats, NOLA. I’ve always wanted to write a Super Bowl Commercial Review, because the one in the USA Today is shit. So here goes. A true Super Bowl Ad can only air while the game is being played. Pregame and Halftime ads are out. Forget the “straight” ones too…the car commercials (3), Movie trailers (5), TV Promos (21) […]
OPEN LETTER: Goodbye Philly, Hello Cruel World!
Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978). The Peace Corps (J.F.K.’s Bold Legacy), 1966. Story illustration for Look, June 14, 1966. Oil on canvas. 45 1/2 x 36 1/2 in. (115.6 x 92.7 cm). From the permanent collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum. BY ST. JOHN BARNED-SMITH Well folks, by the time you read this I will be gone. This morning I left the U.S. on a jet plane and began a two-year stretch in the Peace Corps in (very) sunny Paraguay. Although I’m from Boston, I will dearly miss the city of not-always-so-brotherly-love that I have called home for the last two […]
MAD HATTER: Sarah In Wonderland
[Illustration by ALEX FINE] ANDREW SULLIVAN: There is no question in my mind that Palin is the leader of the opposition in this country. And there is no question in my mind that she is the leader of the Tea Party movement. Listening to her completely content-free rehash of every Fox News truism, underlined with the classic claim that Obama is on the side of the terrorists and is incapable of being commander-in-chief. Cheneyism is behind her. MORE WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT: Nodding at the much-discussed question of whether this speech would make Palin the “leader” of the Tea Party movement, she […]
PHOTOGRAFIKA: Wing Bowl XVIII
[Photos by FELICIA PERRETTI] PREVIOUSLY: Why I Love Wing Bowl