September 30-October 6, 2004

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

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

Pep Boys agrees to stop selling mini-motorcycles in Philadelphia. Then they bowed their enormous heads in shame.
Plus 1

After QVC host is plagued by a third stalker in the last few years, Inquirer calls her a "stalker magnet." And Daily News launches new columnist-character The Magnetic Stalker.
Minus 3

Logan Square is becoming more popular with homeless people. Philly Weekly calls it "the next Fishtown."
Even

Former payroll clerk at a Northeast candy company charged with embezzling $800,000 to feed her gambling habit. Mmm, red hot dollars.
Minus 2

On the day Neil Stein is arrested for tax evasion, Center City District issues a report praising the success of the sidewalk dining craze started by Stein. "Irony is a dish best served tartare," laments Stein.
Even

During MTV concert at Constitution Center, vendors are asked not to sell underwear with a George Bush pun on them. "I'm pussed off," says one vendor. "They cunt infringe on my rights like that."
Minus 3

Company that installed traffic cameras in New York City wins bid to do the same in Philly. That company is Fox. Watch for World's Most Extreme Rear-Endings this fall.
Even

Police suspect traveling nurse of cutting the feeding tubes of six patients at Fairmount nursing home. Sounds like she's the Johnny Appleseed of half-assed euthanasia.
Minus 6

Total pluses: 1
Total minuses: 14
This week's total: -13
Last week's total: -12