BY DAVE ALLEN Like time, news waits for no man. Keeping up with the funny papers has always been an all-day job, even in the pre-Internets era. These days, however, it’s a two-man job. That’s right, these days you need someone to do your reading for you, or risk falling hopelessly behind and, as a result, increasing your chances of dying lonely and somewhat bitter. That’s why every week, PAPERBOY does your alt-weekly reading for you. We pore over those time-consuming cover stories and give you the takeaway, suss out the cover art, warn you off the ink-wasters and steer […]
I TWITTER, THEREFORE I AM: Meet Jeff Tweeney
Hey folks, Jeff Deeney here to let you know how this new Twitter project we’re rolling out will work. From now until Philadelphia no longer needs me for cannon fodder in the trenches of the War On Poverty, I will be posting the little overheard snippets of unintentional brilliance and frequently unhinged insanity that comprise the background noise of my work day. Think of it as Today I Saw for the ADD set; I will bring you the streets in 140 characters or less. All dialogue 100% overheard. You’re already a couple days behind, so start following the Phawker […]
GAMBLOR: Snider Contribution Suspected Of Buying Off Member Of House Gaming Oversight Committee
INQUIRER: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is investigating whether a $15,000 political contribution from Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider, who is a partner in the Foxwoods Casino planned for Center City, violated the state ban on campaign giving by gambling interests. Snider gave $15,000 on Jan. 15 to Comcast Corp. PAC-USA, a political committee registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The 2004 gaming act prohibits any casino principals from contributing “to any political party committee or other political committee in this commonwealth.” […] Snider has 8 percent of the Foxwoods venture as part of Philadelphia Entertainment and Development Partners L.P., […]
EARLY WORD: Get Your Filthy Paws Offa Me!
JB’S: Michael Johnson’s Ape School features members of Lilys, Human Television, and Holopaw. After some fine tuning, Johnson and company have crafted an intriguing collage of influences which amount to a melodic, head spinning treat of shoegazey tremolo and effect-driven ambience. Ape School’s record will be released on Ninja Tune’s Counter Records on April 28th on the U.S. MORE
GAYDAR EXTRA: Chickenhawk Of The Sea
Mischief, mayhem, madness, oh my! But it all happens underwater this time. Tonight the Dumpsta Players, those rancorous ruffians of all things retro, are showcasing Prom-Trash: Under the Sea at Bob and Barbara’s tonight. Both ladies and gents are invited to participate. Trashing Disney is encouraged. You’ll be in good company (Ho White, Sleepy Booty, and even an imminently outed Sponge-Bob). And as the name implies, whoever’s the trashiest takes home the crown. Best of all kiddies, entrance to the Prom-Trash: Under the Sea is granted but for a shrimpy $1.99. So why not bask in the glory of the […]
WARNING: Reading The Philadelphia Inquirer May Cause Hairy Palms, Blindness, Eternal Damnation, Etc.
Not that there’s anything wrong with it. [Video: Afternoon Delight with John Thornton]
EARLY WORD: Book ‘Em, Danno
The Free Library Festival—a burst of books, music, and inspiration on the Parkway—will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 2009. Join us at the Parkway Central Library for two days full of stimulating talks by award-winning writers, live music, children’s entertainment, and a bustling literary marketplace thronged with booklovers and booksellers. A fun, free way to spend the day, the Free Library Festival connects booklovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region with the culture makers of the literary world. MORE And look for an exclusive Phawker Q&A with the mighty Joe Queenan later this week! Joe Queenan | […]
RIP: Harry Kalas, Voice Of The Phillies, Dead At 73
[Photo by jasonford] INQUIRER: Harry Kalas, the Phillies’ Hall of Fame announcer, died at 1:20 p.m. today, the Phillies announced. Mr. Kalas collapsed in the press box at Nationals Stadium in Washington at about 12:30 p.m. and was rushed to George Washington University Medial Center. The cause of the death was not announced. Today’s game against the Nationals will be played, but the team will not visit the White House tomorrow. MORE PREVIOUSLY: Legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas has been taken by ambulance to a Washington area hospital after he was found passed out in the press box at Nationals […]
Bankrupt Phila. Newspapers Denies That Paying Out $1.4 Million In Exec. Bonuses Was Mismanagement
INQUIRER: The filing by Philadelphia Newspapers called the senior lenders’ ire over a $350,000 bonus paid to chief executive Brian P. Tierney a “red herring,” designed to capitalize on public outcry over bonuses at AIG and other companies funded by taxpayer money. The filing said Tierney’s bonus was paid out of a pre-established bonus pool of $1.5 million, of which $1.34 million was paid at the end of 2008 to 45 employees. The filing also said the pre-petition lenders had previously offered Tierney a management-incentive plan that would have paid him more to work for them and institute their plans. […]
CONCERT REVIEW: Neko Case At The Keswick
BY JONATHAN VALANIA FOR THE INQUIRER A tomboyish siren with a thick red mane and lungs of fine Corinthian leather, Neko Case is equal parts gender warrior and indie aesthete, a potent hybrid aptly evoked by the Joan-of-Arc-in-a-muscle-car tableau on the cover her new album, Middle Cyclone. Case is also in possession of what is arguably the greatest voice of her generation — clarion in tone; trans-national in its reach; and bottomless in its capacity to transmute wryly-observed public fictions into inescapable private truths that all more or less boil down to: I am woman, hear me ruminate. That voice […]
RIP: Delfonic Randy Cain Dead At 63
ASSOCIATED PRESS: Randy Cain [pictured, above right], a founding member of the soul group the Delfonics, which had such hits as “La La Means I Love You,” has died. He was 63. Cain’s death Thursday at his home in Maple Shade, N.J., was confirmed by investigator Rob O’Neal of the Burlington County medical examiner’s office, who declined to release other details. MORE WIKIPEDIA: The Delfonics are a Philadelphia soul singing group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their most notable hits include “La-La (Means I Love You)“, “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “Break Your Promise,” […]
WEEK IN REVIEW: The Good News Flower Hour
The Good News Flower Hour #16 It’s back! The week that was in just five minutes, read by a stoned daisy with the obligatory voice of gawd. Even better than the real thing.
EARLY WORD: Meet Your Paperboy
Yep, Phawker music writer and PAPERBOY columnist Dave Allen will be your Quizzo host at Local 44 on Sunday. Deep down, you know this is only right and natural. Admit it.