Also this issue:

Classroom Chaos
Did Edison's reduction of support staff help foster school violence?
-Elisa Ludwig

Free Marty!
The ringleader of a band of stadium gatecrashers has his day in court.
-Daryl Gale

Soundbites
-Deborah Bolling

The Big Kahuna
-Mary F. Patel

January 9-15, 2003

the bell curve

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

Mayor Street says he¹d like to see Super Bowl played in Philly someday. He must have realized how much seats in the mayor¹s box would fetch in campaign contributions. Plus 1

After denunciation by Cardinal Bevilacqua, Mummers group Slick Ducks says plan to satirize priest sex scandal was a hoax. Ducks also claim to know nothing about the 40 sequined cassocks found in the Dumpster behind their headquarters. Minus 1

Buddhist monks saved by Mummers when their South Philly temple goes up in flames. Who knew ostrich feathers were fire-retardant? Plus 2

Burglar nicknamed "Spider-Man" for his climbing abilities gets 26-80 years in prison. With awesome power comes awesome stupidity. Plus 2

School District gets $40-million grant for technology upgrades. Suggestion boxes removed from schools when more than 90 percent of entries mention PlayStation or Grand Theft Auto. Plus 4

Despite mayor's promises, new stadiums may not generate enough tax revenue to cover debt service on city's share, Inquirer reports. Mayor proposes building yet another arena to make up difference. Minus 6

Parking Authority has added more than 200 new employees under control of Republican-led state legislature. Philly's more fun when you sleep over because the impound lot is closed for the night. Minus 3

Philly again ranks fourth on Men's Fitness magazine's annual fattest cities list, behind Houston, Chicago and Detroit. Bell Curve ranks Men's Fitness first on "It Was Funny Once" list. Minus 1

Total pluses: 9

Total minuses: 11

Score for the week: -2

Last week’s score: Even