November 6-12, 2003

the bell curve

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

AAA might move its regional headquarters from Market Street to Delaware to reduce its tax expenses. They would have moved earlier, but they're still waiting for a tow truck. Minus 4

M. Night Shyamalan converts set of The Village into haunted house for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Adrien Brody, Joaquin Phoenix and Sigourney Weaver appear in costume. Sadly, Bruce Willis was dead the whole time. Plus 3

Among the changes proposed for city cabs by the Parking Authority are ìhijack lightsî to warn people outside the cab that the driver is in trouble. Finally, a light to tell us whether or not a cab is occupied! Plus 2

After man flashes Goretti high-school students, they chase him down and beat him up. Police say they would have intervened sooner but they were afraid of the Goretti girls. Plus 2

Philadelphia Ultimate Frisbee team loses its bid for a second consecutive championship title. In related news, police say they've slowed the flow of weed into the city. Minus 1

Thirty-six incidents, some violent, are reported at polls by mid-afternoon on Election Day. Carpenters union keeps building walls around voting booths in Democratic neighborhoods. Electricians union keeps burning them down. Minus 3

In aftermath of recent attacks, more women are joining running clubs. As a further precaution, police will station Goretti girls throughout Fairmount Park. Even

Scientist says PA's state insect, a type of firefly called Photuris pensylvanica, is nowhere to be found within the state. And yet, the bug voted for Street five times on Tuesday. Minus 3

Total pluses: 7

Total minuses: 11

Score for the week: -4

Last week's score: -6

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