May 2- 8, 2002

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

D.A. Lynne Abraham says she'll take claims of molestation by priests to grand jury. Archdiocese officials say they hope Abraham pursues this as vigorously as she does cases against bad cops. Plus 1

Local NAACP president Jerry Mondesire to host cable show. Says style will be part Ted Koppel, part Chris Rock Saturday Night Live character Nat X. Plus 1

Philadelphia Housing Authority has spent more than $1 million on public relations consultants in last two years, Inquirer reports. And that was before this story came out. Minus 5

Owner of Krass Bros. -- "Store of the Stars" -- puts business up for sale. Bell Curve staff excited over long-awaited opportunity for Krass Bros.-Betsen's Furniture crossover commercial: "Hey, where'd everybody go?" "They went somewhere else to buy clothes -- about 30 years ago." Minus 1

Federal agents order plane back to Philly because some passengers were men of Middle Eastern descent who bought one-way tickets with cash. What a comfort to know that potential terrorists now can be detected within an hour of takeoff. Minus 2

Controversial Teamsters leader Johnny Morris dies. Five bucks says he's re-elected anyway. Minus 1

Flyers coach Bill Barber fired after players openly criticize him. Even though most of their comments sailed high and wide, missing him by a mile. Minus 2

Million-plus 18th-century artifacts unearthed at Constitution Center construction site aren't being analyzed, archaeologists say. They're not satisfied with Center officials' cost-saving plan to wait for Antiques Roadshow to come to town. Minus 1

During American cardinals' visit to Philly, Cardinal Bevilacqua says gays are unfit for priesthood. An odd stance for a man who wears a dress and purple hat. Minus 4

Total pluses: 2

Total minuses: 16

Score for the week: -14

Last week’s score: 1