June 22-28, 2006
City Beat : The Bell Curve
The Bell CurveCity Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life
Rick Santorum says he supports Joey Vento hanging the "Speak English" sign at Geno's Steaks. Also supports the hanging of illegal immigrants and gays. Minus 3
Lead poisoning is down among Philly children, according to study. If you don't count bullets. Plus 3
Project Child Safe distributes free gun locks in Center City. "It's better than our old project," says spokesman, "the one where we put children in safes. Especially since that's where we keep our guns." Plus 2
Pennsylvania considers bill to ban using hand-held phones while driving. First they came for the smokers, but I wasn't a smoker, so I said nothing. Then they came for the hand-held phone users ... Plus 2
MTV's Viva La Bam star Don Vito is ejected from Citizen's Bank Park following an altercation with Mets fans. When they get to the parking lot, Bam pays him $25 to light his groin on fire and wrestle Wee Man. Plus 3
UPenn unveils 20-year, $2 billion plan to redevelop the Schuylkill waterfront. "It was easier than you think," says Penn. "We just went down to Kinko's and made a copy of the one we unveiled 20 years ago." Plus 4
The unexplained deaths of a large number of fish in the Wissahickon causes the Schuylkill to be temporarily closed. Now we know where all the lead went. Minus 1
After North Philly's Eagle Bar is raided be-cause employees were selling marijuana, Councilman Frank DiCicco, two judges and other political figures show their support for the bar. It helps to have high friends in places. Minus 1
Total pluses: 14
Total minuses: 5
This week's total: 9
Last week's total: -15