Also this issue: Vox Discipulus Philly students grill candidates. -Daryl Gale Ridge To City: Drop Dead (For Now) -Daniel Brook Inky Stinky Over Mag Bag Staff and readers express remorse at the death of the 100-year-old Inquirer Sunday magazine. -Deborah Bolling In the spirit of blowing one’s own horn... -Deborah Bolling No Way Street -Mary F. Patel

April 17-23, 2003

the bell curve

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

In show of solidarity with the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, which has been working without a contract for over a year, Channel 10 anchors don’t show up to give autographs at WCAU’s Fit Fest. Which means no one was there at all. Plus 1

Allen Iverson’s pal borrows his Bentley to drive himself to the hospital after getting shot outside Glam. Inside Glam, a guy in an Iverson jersey does shots by himself and gets bent. Minus 1

Sen. Fumo says the mayor should endorse Democratic City Council candidates, even if he doesn’t like them. Don’t look at us, people, you’re the ones who keep electing him. Minus 2

Mayor Street and members of his administration eat at Ocean Harbor restaurant to demonstrate that Chinatown is safe from SARS. Street insists everything but his bio-warfare suit was "at the cleaners." Plus 2

Longtime Philadelphia politician Thacher Longstreth passes away at 83. Minus 10

Mayor Street and PGW want to eliminate program that discounts gas bills for senior citizens regardless of income. Damn, Thach ain’t even cold yet. Minus 1

Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park could be the new home of the Please Touch Museum. The park’s long tradition of whirling should get its own exhibit. Plus 1

Allen Iverson named to Olympic team. As long as he stays away from other events -- all the gunfire could cause false starts. Plus 5

Total pluses: 9

Total minuses: 14

Score for the week: -5

Last week’s score: -9