A Million Stories

[ a million stories ]

Barriers

The anniversary of the Roe v. Wade on Jan. 22 always draws support and bitter hatred for women's rights groups. This year was especially tough. In January, state Sen. Don White (R- Indiana) introduced SB 3, which would ban insurance companies participating in the health care reform act's state exchange program from covering abortions, except in the case of rape, incest or to avert the death of the mother.

Then there was the horrific grand jury investigation of an abortion clinic in Mantua, which charged doctor Kermit Gosnell with unspeakable acts of neglect and cruelty. But despite the gloom, abortion rights advocates say the Gosnell case should bolster — not squelch — their argument for better access. "Things like this bill," Dayle Steinberg, president of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pa., says, "build even more barriers to abortion," driving poor and minority women to shoddy clinics like Gosnell's: "If a woman wants an abortion," she emphasizes, "she's going to do so by any means possible."

—Holly Otterbein

Bimbo limbo

Say " Beembo," says the Philadelphia Union, Philly's own Major League Soccer team. But a lot of fans are still saying "bimbo," and wondering why the Union accepted the unfortunately homophonic Mexican-based bakery's name to sport on its jerseys and merch — aside from the obvious reason: a $12 million four-year sponsorship offer.

City Paper discovered the simmering controversy thanks to a post on isportacus.com, a Philly team sports blog, which questioned the propriety of kids donning "bimbo" garb. Union fan Mac MacAllister, writing on the Facebook page of Union fan club "Sons of Ben" (SoB), agreed, declaring Bimbo is the " worst sponsor ever " based solely on its name. Club president Bryan James, however, says SoB is "excited" about the sponsorship and, while it may be a shock to some, the " best shock is the amount of money the Union will gain as a result," he told CP.

But James' point of view, however widespread, faces undeniable grassroots opposition. At bigsoccer.com, fans are split over whether they're going to see teens, children, old folks and reveling tailgaters sporting "Bimbo" logos. While CP takes no official stand on the issue, we kind of secretly hope so.

—Tanya Hull

Track Soundtrack

In every great city, there are things that seem weird to newcomers but, over time, become as normal as going "down the shore." For years, the voice announcing stops on SEPTA's Broad Street Line — in particular, the " doors closing " message — featured an odd ... accent? Lilt? It sounded more like, " dawhs closing." It was strange, yes — but it was familiar. But last week, City Paper came across an online thread asking whether the voice had changed — and we determined to find out the truth.

SEPTA's Jerriah Williams confirms that the voice was indeed altered. The changes were made in September as part of a system-wide "communications upgrade." The voice, she concedes, "was so fast, it sounded like the woman was from a foreign country. The recording now is clearer, slower, more manageable."

Regardless, she adds, "I miss it, as a matter of fact."

—TH