As we reported last week, Michael Smerconish is now a regular fixture of the Inquirer’s Sunday Op-Ed page. Bully for him, we’re all for equal time and open debate. But as we have said before, it’s because of guys like Smerconish — Machiavellian media climbers that will say ANYTHING to ensure their butt space in the game of musical chairs that is the talking head puditocracy — that people don’t even expect to hear the truth anymore, let along demand it. Mr. Smerconish is a cunning fellow who likes to pass himself off as too guileless to have an agenda. […]
ARCHITECTURE: The Bad Poetry Of New South St. Bridge
No matter how many turrets and stainless-steel railings are pasted on this deeply flawed scheme, the current design remains a lost opportunity for Philadelphia. The engineers have dutifully outfitted the proposed span with bike lanes and a ramp connection to Schuylkill Banks park, yet there isn’t an ounce of poetry in its steel bones. After a decade of tinkering with its design, the bridge promises to be little more than a chute for efficiently moving traffic onto the most frightening of the I-76 entry ramps. If city leaders were seriously interested in branding Philadelphia as a vital modern metropolis, they […]
GUNCRAZY: Cops Bag 4th Dubious Trophy Kill Of The Year
A police official said yesterday that a man fatally shot by two officers Saturday night in Southwest Philadelphia – the fourth victim of deadly police force in 2007 – refused requests to drop his loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol. Philadelphia Police Capt. Benjamin Naish said Raheem Pridgen, 27, caught the attention of the officers on patrol in the Elmwood neighborhood because he was sitting in his car, which was running and facing the wrong direction in the 6400 block of Dicks Avenue at 6:15 p.m. Naish said Pridgen got out of the vehicle and ran as an officer approached; the officer […]
MOTHER OF INVENTION: Local Chick To Be Named FIRST WOMAN President Of Harvard In Like Ever
Drew Gilpin Faust is expected to be named Harvard?s 28th president this weekend, according to three sources familiar with the situation. The Board of Overseers, the alumni governing body that must approve the appointment, has scheduled a special meeting for Sunday, two sources said. The meeting had not been on the board?s regular schedule. If she is approved at that meeting, Faust, 59, will become the first woman to lead Harvard in the University?s 371-year history. Faust is set to succeed Lawrence H. Summers, who stepped down one year ago amid tensions with faculty. Derek C. Bok has served as […]
HIZZONER ’07: Dem Machine Gives CHAIRMAN BOB Lock On Nomination; GOP Preps For Agony Of Defeat
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – February 9, 2007 – The 69 ward leaders of Philadelphia’s Democratic Party are set to endorse a mayoral candidate today, something they haven’t done for an open primary in more than 35 years. The candidate is widely expected to be Congressman Bob Brady, the party’s chairman for the last 21 years. He was the only one of the five declared Democratic hopefuls to get a 20-thousand-dollar campaign donation from a political committee run by the party. And, until Wednesday, signs touting his name were the only ones hanging in the party’s headquarters downtown.The endorsement is considered such […]
Cover Wars: Whose Artfag Kung-Fu Is Stronger?
As if we needed further proof that the winter doldrums are officially upon us, here comes two alt-weekly covers that scream at the top of their lungs: Low tide at idea beach. If you guys aren’t gonna try, why should we? WINNER: City Paper
EARLY WORD: I Am An American Aquarium Drinker
An evening of incendiary duos with Wilco’s Nels Cline and some of Philadelphia’s most idiosyncratic performers. Featuring percussionist Toshi Makihara (Eugene Chadbourne, Thurston Moore), Stinking Lizaveta guitarist Yanni Papadopoulos, and two of Philadelphia’s most accomplished jazz musicians, trumpeter John Swana and guitarist Rick Iannacone. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 NELS CLINE + TOSHI MAKIHARA CHARLES COHEN + YANNI PAPADOPOULOS RICK IANNACONE + JOHN SWANA 9PM | $5 ADMISSION AVANT GENTLEMEN’S LODGE 4028 FILBERT STREET
City Council Passes Historic Ban, Could Change Ratio Of Fat Kids To Skinny Kids, Even Kids With Chicken Pox
The bill, which passed unanimously, is a ban on restaurants using trans fats like partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that have been linked to heart attacks and death. While conceding that some restaurant chains have eliminated or are in the process of banning trans fats from their kitchens, Ramos said the new law will spur the industry to action and save at least 200 lives in the city each year. Assuming the mayor signs it, the bill, starting Sept. 1, will prohibit oils, shortenings and margarines that have trans fats and are used in frying or for spreads. In September 2008, […]
EXCLUSIVE: JOEY VENTO IN BED WITH SOUTHERN AGENTS OF INTOLERANCE & INDECENCY? OH MY!
So, as you may well have already heard, the running sore on the city that is THE JOEY VENTO AFFAIR was picked open again today: (AP) PHILADELPHIA ? The battle over an English-only ordering policy at one of the city?s signature cheesesteak joints is apparently far from over. The city?s human relations commission found evidence that the owner of Geno?s Steaks may have discriminated against immigrants by posting a sign telling customers, ?This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ?PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,?? according to a letter sent to owner Joe Vento [pictured, left] last week. Vento?s attorneys had hoped the matter would […]
VEGEDELPHIA: First They Took Our Smokes, Then Fumo, Now They’ve Come For Our Biggie Fries
As the nation takes steps toward a trans-fat-free finish line — with 19 states considering bans or restrictions — some local universities have already tightened their belts against trans fats. At most of the schools, the ban was prompted by deadlines from food-service providers such as Aramark, which has about 500 collegiate contracts, and Sodexho, which has 816. Aramark set a March 31 deadline for a trans-fat ban; Sodexho completed its ban in January 2006. Aramark’s switch is a companywide effort, said Jenifer Bland-Campbell, senior director of nutrition program development. “It’s been something that we’ve been considering for quite some […]
MELROSE PLACE: Munchers Mull Fumo & OPM; Old Man Threatens To Kick Reporter’s Ass Into Next Week
By Alfred Lubrano Inquirer Staff Writer South Philly was churning yesterday, the natives at turns delighted and dejected. The loud and conspicuous opera that is currently the life of the newly indicted State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo elicited sympathy and enmity, loyalty and spite. During lunch at the Melrose Diner, prime rib and eggplant were the specials, but at least one customer at the counter was chewing on Fumo, savoring the taste of a man who might be cooked. “Everybody’s day comes, and I do revel in it a bit,” said Randy Dezii, an investment counselor who has done business […]
Freedom NOT Just Another Word For ‘Nothin’ Left To Lose’
BY JANE L. DALTON CHANCELLOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION Many firms with Philadelphia offices are in fact providing pro bono services to Guantanomo detainees, and to dozens of other clients whom the average person might find offensive. They are to be commended. Lawyers who practice in this country are obligated to be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice, and that the poor and the near-poor cannot afford adequate legal assistance. Therefore, all lawyers are asked to devote time and resources and use civic influence to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who, […]