He lives. The State Supreme Court has agreed to hear Vernon Anastasio’s appeal of a lower court ruling throwing him off the Democratic primary ballot. Anastasio -- who is trying to unseat incumbent First District Councilman Frank DiCicco -- was tossed off the Democratic primary ballot by Common Pleas Court because he failed to file his financial statement properly. He lost an appeal in Commonwealth Court. Even before this surprising turn of events, which was announced late Tuesday afternoon, Anastasio packed his schedule with numerous campaign events. His attorney, George Bochetto, said he is pleased with the court decision. There is no date scheduled.

Sharon Suleta, attorney for Sarah DeRose -- who filed the initial objection to Anastasio’s financial statement -- had no comment.

Wanted: Park Visionary with a Brain

Members of the Fairmount Park Commission have finally done something constructive and decided on a national search for a new and qualified executive director for Fairmount Park. The Commission has retained the Boston search firm Isaacson, Miller. The position, according to Isaacson, requires broad vision, experience and strategic leadership. The qualified individual must also be articulate. Political cronies need not apply. Fairmount Park is the largest landscaped city park in the world, has 22 historic mansions and is, as a whole, underused due to poor marketing and management. Traditionally, Fairmount Park’s executive director has been a mayoral appointee. Karen Borski, wife of former U.S. Rep. Bob Borski is currently acting executive director, Phil Goldsmith preceded her and Bill Mifflin had been the official executive director since the days of former Mayor Wilson Goode. "This is the most important decision we will make," said Philip Price Jr., the park commission member who is heading up the search.

Big Stones

It is rare for Gov. Ed Rendell to commit two hours to any event unless it is really important or sports-related. But last Monday, the governor and his wife, Midge, spent more than two hours at the complimentary screening of the new documentary film,

Rendell related to the film because it is about a worthy object that nevertheless exists in obscurity, much as Rendell himself was perceived in the rest of the state prior to last year’s gubernatorial campaign.

Stone Reader is about the director’s search for the elusive author of a fabulous book who was a one-hit wonder more than 30 years ago.

Rendell may also have attended because he is beholden to the film’s creator, Mark Moskowitz, a key member of The Campaign Group, the media management consultants who have handled Rendell’s successful campaigns over the years.

Many have not heard of Moskowitz, but are familiar with Neil Oxman and Doc Sweitzer, principals of The Campaign Group. Both Oxman and Sweitzer attended the screening, and Oxman appears in the film for a microsecond.

The movie’s featured book is The Stones of Summer, a novel by Dow Mossman that Moskowitz bought back in the 1970s and finally read years later. Moskowitz found it so compelling that he searched for other books by the author, and finally, the author himself.

The underlining theme of the film (which is well done for an independent project and will appeal to book junkies) is the connections people have through the books they read and, more importantly, how a good book can still stimulate the imagination.

Stone Reader won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 2002 Slamdance independent film festival and will open to the general public here in the city on Friday, April 25, at the Ritz at the Bourse.

Sound Off

Former City Solicitor Ken Trujillo has been appointed by Gov. Rendell to the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA).

Pollster Bill Batoff was appointed by President George W. Bush to the advisory committee of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Rendell will be honored at the 10th annual Mayor’s City Hall Ball on May 3 at City Hall.

This annual black-tie bash features 15 theme parties held in City Hall courtrooms and benefits the free tours of City Hall. This year’s gala will feature "Fashion Headliners," a media fashion show starring reporters-turned-models.

Fox News evening anchor Dawn Stensland will MC and Daily News political columnist Gar Joseph will model and represent the male species. The fashion show will be produced by Sharon Phillips Waxman with fashions by the Shops at Liberty Place. A VIP reception hosted by Mayor John Street precedes the ball. For tickets call 215-683-2077.

Democrat Women of Philadelphia will host their annual candidates night at the Swan Caterers in South Philly on May 1. For more information contact Angela Cinquino, 215-465-6282. (m_patel@citypaper.net)