Rocky Road
Here's a news flash: Rocky does not live at Tusculum Street, you do [Cityspace, 1800 Tusculum St., Duane Swierczynski, Sept 8, 2005]. Why not clean up that weed lot and put in a cute garden? Why do Kensington people keep waiting for the city, Rocky or whomever to fix what's wrong with the neighborhood? It's up to the people who live there to make it habitable.

Stop being so lazy and do something for your neighborhood! Those of us who like nice clean streets, gardens and other amenities can't wait till gentrification takes over here on these streets. It's not far off either. Then we can push these lazy people out and get people here who appreciate a nice property for a very reasonable price. They'll be glad to renovate and put nice gardens in.
Theresa Parker
East Kensington

No, we don't need Rocky to put in a garden or playground. We need some new residents in this area who are really willing to fight and sweat and do what is necessary to make the neighborhood presentable. Kensington has many nice houses at affordable prices and slowly people are starting to buy up some buildings. Once we start getting people in here who appreciate the neighborhood, then we won't have to look at weed-filled lots anymore.
Barbara Tarvydas
Kensington

Those people on 1800 Tusculum St. need to go into nursing homes and let people into the neighborhood who can repair the damage they let come into the neighborhood.
Barry Tustin
Kensington

Whack a Bush
In reference to [WTF, Duane Swierczynski, Sept. 8, 2005], Daddy Bush had to ask, "What criticism?" to avoid the following exchange:

Larry King: What do you make of all the criticism?
George Bush: Listen, my boy is making sure that terrorists don't attack us again, and that's why he ordered the invasion of …

LK: No, I was talking about …
GB: Oh, that. Some folks think that the president can do something about high gas prices. Hey, we have to fill up just like everybody else and …

LK: No , I was talking about …
GB: When in the world will these accusations of stolen elections go away? My boy's been president for six years; it's time to move on from that nonsen--

LK: No, I was talking about …
GB: Well, look, Larr, the reason the president did not want any investigation into the 9/11 attacks is simple. He had to make sure that …

LK: No, I was talking about the criticism of …
GB: I don't like it when people talk about my boy in that manner . And if you do it in front of his mom, you'd better bring a flak jacket, a bottle of cheap vodka, a lighter, a bowie knife between your teeth, some chewing tobacco, some rope, a .357 magnum and a vial of knockout drops!

LK: No , I was talking about the criticism of his response to Hurric--
GB: Thank you, Mr. President, our time is up.

LK: Whuzzat?
GB: Thank you, Kingfish. Glad to be here.

LK: [Looks in camera] Uh …

Cut to commercial.
Mark F. Walker
Via E-mail

A good friend of mine who is a dedicated Philadelphian, has a personal litmus test: If John Dougherty wins the election for mayor in 2007, he's leaving the city. I can't help but feel the same, whether it's Dougherty, Jannie Blackwell (the only council member to vote against the ethics reform bill … twice), Chaka Fattah, whom I admire, but who has been in and out of town for the last few years, and the remainder of the other potential candidates, who seem like the standard fill-in fare for politics-as-usual in Philadelphia.

Philly deserves someone progressive to pull us into the 21st century and beyond, whether it's Nutter or someone else who can help this city achieve its full potential. In the meantime, I hope that you will continue to keep close tabs on the situation.
Christopher Torpie
Old City

Westward Show
When Nick Stuccio goes only to Penn officials to "find out" what is going on in West Philadelphia, he will be proudly directed to Penn-sponsored programs and venues, which without a doubt are truly outstanding. But, this kind of "research" shows that Mr. Stuccio isn't as "fringe" as he thinks he is, nor has he found the ultimate in truly independent and progressive performance venues in West Philadelphia, mind-numbing architecture included [Cover, "The Next Stage," Lori Hill, Sept. 1, 2005]. I cordially invite Mr. Stuccio to Calvary Center as my guest for the Crossroads Music Series' October performance of Mamar Kassey from Niger. Calvary Center could be an amazing venue for the Fringe Festival that is true to the festival's roots. And there are some other venues which Stuccio should become aware of in West Philadelphia.
Rich Kirk
Calvary Center for Culture and Community

Grilled for Shill
[News, "Bar and Grill," Doron Taussig, Sept. 1, 2005] neglected to mention Stephanie Frank Singer is the finance director for Senate hopeful Chuck Pennachio. This omission to the reader and Joe Hoeffel himself, paints a strikingly different view of the evening. As a member of Drinking Liberally, I appreciate the press, but an honest or more professional approach would be preferred.
Mark Hurst
Via E-mail

I believe it's necessary to mention that Stephanie Frank Singer is campaign finance director for Chuck Pennachio's campaign, and not to present her as just another Drinking Liberally attendee with strong feelings about the Senate campaign. If you are going to distinguish the candidates for office as somehow different from other DL attendees, then it is just as important to mention their staffers. Present all the facts. Those of us who go to DL regularly know why Stephanie has an ax to grind with Joe Hoeffel.
Peter Wohlsen
Via e-mail

City Paper regrets the inadvertent omission.

Correction
Due to a copy-editing error, last week's cover story stated that City Councilman Michael Nutter was elected to three terms in office. He was actually elected to four terms.