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 […]
NPR FOR THE DEAF: We Hear It Even When You Can’t
FRESH AIR Former Vice President Al Gore has been on the forefront of warning against global warming for many years. His critically acclaimed documentary on the subject, An Inconvenient Truth, is up for Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Music Written for a Motion Picture. PLUS, Joe Hunter, who died last week at the age of 79, was one of the Funk Brothers, the session musicians who helped create the Motown Sound. He could be heard on such hits as “Money” by Barrett Strong, “Shop Around” by The Miracles and “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas. AND David […]
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 […]
BREAKING: ANNA NICOLE SMITH IS DEAD
(CNN) — Reality TV star and former model Anna Nicole Smith was pronounced dead Thursday after being taken to a Florida hospital after being found unconscious in her hotel room, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case told CNN. Smith, 39, collapsed at a south Florida hotel and was taken to a local hospital, according to news reports. TMZ.com had reported that Smith collapsed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, and was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood just after 2 p.m. ET. According to reports, Smith was found unresponsive in her […]
CARTOON: The More Things Change
[Courtesy of Married To The Sea]
NPR FOR THE DEAD: “How Do You Ask A Man To Be The Last Man To Die For A Mistake?” — John Kerry
[Click on image to activate] RADIO TIMES WITH MARTY MOSS-COANE HOUR 1 — Iraq: Resolutions to reality. While Congress debates non-binding resolutions on President Bush’s war strategy, sectarian violence continues unabated in Iraq. We’ll talk about why Congress cares so much about these resolutions, and what message this is sending to those in Iraq and its neighbors. We’ll talk with DICK POLMAN, the national political columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and TRUDY RUBIN, the foreign affairs columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer. HOUR 2 — MICHAEL APTED is a documentary filmmaker and director of feature films and TV shows. His most […]
DUNE (Directed by David Lynch, 1984)
A curious blend of the sublime and the ridiculous, and depending on what cut you get either an epic bore or a truncated mess bordering on slapstick. Still, it contains some of the most bizarre and arresting images ever committed to celluloid.
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 […]