Also this issue: End Game As the 2002 gubernatorial race lurches to a merciful end, here’s a look at where candidates stand on the issues. -Daryl Gale The 8-Ball Playing the Section 8 card in the Hoeffel/Brown race. -Daniel Brook Cruz Control Despite past legal troubles, State Rep. Angel Cruz poses a formidable challenge to his two opponents. -Daniel Brook Sweet on Sweet -Mary F. Patel Freeze Play -Daniel Brook "Rat" Infestation -Deborah Bolling Data Interrupted The man who fought The New York Times over freelancers’ rights talks about archives, money and history. -Deborah BollingBy Deborah Bolling

October 31-November 6, 2002

the bell curve

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

Playboy holds open audition at Manayunk nightclub. For the upcoming “Big Hair and Annoying Accents” special issue. Plus 1

Former PGW executives acquitted on charges of using company funds for home improvements. Jurors couldn’t help but sympathize with execs’ desire to convert to oil heat. Minus 3

West Philly man charged with 10 armed robberies of cab drivers. Ed Rendell protests, saying victims were just actors. Plus 2

Two Kensington women to be extradited to New York for allegedly killing Brooklyn woman and driving here with her body in their trunk. A road trip to the Playboy auditions seemed like the perfect opportunity to clear up that whole boyfriend dispute. Minus 1

CBS orders nine more episodes of the Philly-based series Hack. That’s nice, but how about a CSI: Philly, in which the investigators work all kinds of overtime so that the mayor can get re-elected? Plus 1

Donovan McNabb runs for 111 yards in important win over Giants. Oh, and some other, less telegenic guy runs for like 124 or something. Plus 3

School District releases details of plan to hire 250 parents as truancy officers. Paying parents to do for others’ kids what other parents won’t do for their own -- it’s either brilliant or the basis for dozens of future Bell Curve items. 0

Judge says narcotics officers’ repeated failure to show up in court for trials is becoming a “crisis.” Proposes hiring other cops as “truant officer officers.” Minus 5

Inquirer finds that reductions in drug-related and violent crimes are far smaller than mayor has claimed. Well, he’s not the first man to exaggerate about size, and he won’t be the last. Minus 3

Total pluses: 7

Total minuses: 12

Score for the week: -5

Last week’s score: 9