Also this issue: Cafeteria Society Contrary to an earlier study, public school lunches in Philly aren’t as bad as all that. Still, there’s room for improvement. -Elisa Ludwig Pressed For Time? -Mary F. Patel Soundbites -Deborah Bolling

November 14-20, 2002

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

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

Drexel grads charged in massive betting scheme. Too bad -- if they’d gone to Penn they’d have the cash and connections to beat it. Plus 1

Gov.-elect Rendell rumored to be considering former Philly Police Commissioner John Timoney for high-level state post. Mayor Street calls Rendell, says “Speaking of high-level Posts…” Plus 1

Judge upholds previous dismissal of charges against police captain who allegedly covered up his own drunk-driving incident. He celebrates at -- nah, it’s too easy. Minus 2

Hundreds turn out for opening of city’s first Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. Not since the Republican convention have so many unemployed young people and cops come together in one place. Plus 2

PGW workers’ union vows to fight sudden enforcement of residency requirement. “Have you ever tried to get your gas turned on in this city?” Minus 1

Chestnut Hill Academy rocked by rumors of secretly taped sex video involving students. Another case of life imitating Boston Public. Minus 1

Sequestering jurors for Einhorn trial cost city $95,000, Inquirer reports. City trying to get MasterCard to option story for commercial: “Sequestering a jury: $95,000. Putting an elderly whacko in prison: priceless.” Minus 1

Mayor wants city to buy about 2,500 vacant properties as part of blight plan. If by “blight plan” he means create more of it, then yeah, that’s definitely the way to go. Plus 3

Local advocates for women’s ordination to Catholic priesthood take their message to billboards. It reads: “At least your sons will be safe.” Plus 1

City officially turns over management of Washington Square Park to National Park Service. Which promptly fences it in with crappy barricades. Plus 1

Total pluses: 9

Total minuses: 5

Score for the week: 4

Last week’s score: 9