December 4-10, 2003

the bell curve

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

General counsel for the Philadelphia Housing Authority steps down, the city's third high-ranking official to do so since the FBI started investigating. Early polls place him third in '07 mayoral race. Minus 4

Inky columnist holds reader contest for coming up with new state slogan; the winner is "Pennsylvania -- Rusted, Disgusted, Almost Busted." Isn't that the Inky's new motto? Minus 3

DA Abraham and Police Commissioner Johnson warn that Philly residents should be wary of credit card scamming cash register operators, pickpockets and "flimflam" artists this holiday season. Abraham recommends death penalty for those committing "hijinks," "shenanigans" and "malarkey." Minus 2

Rittenhouse Square clothing store robbed of $70,000 in furs. Confused activists release them into the wild. Minus 1

Rivalry between competing Chinatown bus companies is becoming violent. In a cost-cutting move, the companies begin taping the violence and using it for the onboard movie. Minus 1

Historic Bartram's Garden in Southwest Philly fights to prevent the building of a waste-transfer center nearby. SEPTA apologizes, says they were just trying to put up a bus station. Minus 2

Village People, Chubby Checker, Kim Delaney and Kelly Ripa make appearances at Thanksgiving Day Parade on Parkway. What is it we're supposed to be thankful for again? Even

Melrose Diner named one of the best places in the country to work by the American Psychological Association. "Just kidding," says spokesperson. "We're the American Reverse-Psychological Association." Plus 4

Total pluses: 4

Total minuses: 13

Score for the week: -9

Last week's score: -4

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