The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

A Penn student is one of five local recipients of a Rhodes scholarship. "That means four area students who don't go to Penn got them?" asks Penn President Amy Guttman. "Summon the fourth batallion of radioactive lab rats. It's time to destroy Swarthmore." Plus 1

Some runners at the Philadelphia Marathon dress in costumes, such as ballerina, Captain Marvel and Wonder Woman. And a Mummer, who withdrew after two miles due to massive, sequin-chafing-related blood loss. Plus 3

Jeweler Benjamin Sorkin is sentenced to eight years of probation for videotaping women in the bathroom. "I'm so sorry," he says. "I was just trying to prove to my brother Aaron that anything would be better than Studio 60." Even

SugarHouse Casino will contribute at least $1 million to fund a nonprofit in Philadelphia. And that is how the SugarHouse branch of the Fishtown Library was born. Even

KISS lead singer Paul Stanley cites Gamble and Huff as an influence when he's painting. His work is currently showing at the King of Prussia mall. "My other big influence is Bath & Bodyworks." Minus 4

Philly mob boss "Little" Nicky Scarfo will be the subject of a Biography Channel special next month. During which police expect South Philadelphians to shoot at their televisions at an even higher rate. Even

Two Temple students and a La Salle student are charged with growing and possessing $145,000 in marijuana. "People should come to Temple to learn, not to be growing pot," says a Temple student. "People should come to La Salle," counters a La Salle student. Minus 2

Total Pluses: 4

Total Minuses: 6

Total for the Week: -2

Last Week's Total: 5