August 28-September 3, 2003

the bell curve

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

Preseason game launches Eagles first season at Lincoln Financial Field. We lost. Better build another one. Minus 10

Mayor Street unveils plan for $2 million skatepark near the Art Museum. Skateboarders wonder if the fact that the park in the middle of Kelly Drive is some sort of hint. Plus 1

Street commercials rip into Katz's proposed tax cut and urge Philadelphians to "vote Democratic." This approach should be more effective than Street's "I laugh, I cry, I'm better than Katz" campaign. Even

Mumia supporters start campaign to mail cloves of garlic to the jailed cop-killer/herbalist to remedy his swollen ankle. A confused Ed Asner lends his support with an anti-vampire speech at City Hall. Minus 1

South Philadelphian appointed to Pa. Game Commission. He quits immediately upon learning Commission has nothing to do with running numbers. Plus 3

Daniel Pipes, Philly-based scholar of Islam just appointed by President Bush to "U.S. Institute of Peace," says that war might be needed to make peace with Muslim nations. With a straight face. Minus 7

State calls 27 Philly schools "dangerous." But with a little work, we could be upgraded to "bad" and, eventually, "thriller." Minus 5

Katz proposes a new prison be built in Philly to deal with overcrowding. Twenty-seven potential sites named immediately. Minus 5

Total pluses: 4

Total minuses: 28

Score for the week: -24

Last week’s score: 1

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