April 8-14, 2004

the bell curve

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

Penn professor wins Pulitzer Prize for history. Drexel professor wins $40 at the Taj.

Plus 8

The state Department of Education says it’s unaware of any evidence that the administration of West Oak Lane Charter School filled in answers on standardized tests last year. Who’s to say they even knew the right answers? Even

First batter in Citizens Bank Park history, Cleveland outfielder Matt Lawton, finds $200,000 in jewelry and electronics stolen from his room at the Ritz-Carlton. Now his stuff is swinging for the fences. Minus 2

Mayor Street’s plan for redeveloping the waterfronts involves redirecting money from the Water Department. In fact, all his decisions will be free association from now on. See you all at the PGW fart contest next year! Minus 1

City will auction off 400 of its vehicles and instead lease gas-electric hybrid cars from PhillyCarShare. Mayor puts PECO and PGW in charge. Plus 5

City will reveal identities of people arrested for hiring hookers. But most of the conventioneers are still wearing their nametags anyway. Even

SEPTA adds bomb-sniffing dogs to its security force. And after we get terrorism solved, maybe one of them will know how to make change? Plus 1

Former Phillies closer Jose Mesa gets a save against his old team with the Pirates in home opener. Enjoy it Pittsburgh, we know how the story ends. Minus 2

The parents of a local businessman sue Donald Rumsfeld, saying that the U.S. military is detaining their son in Iraq without explanation. Rumsfeld throws parents in Guantanamo for violating "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy. Minus 2

Total pluses: 14

Total minuses: 7

This week's total: 7

Last week's total: -18