The Bell Curve

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

Controversy surrounds Power 99 DJs Star and Buc Wild, aka "The Original Haters," when they call an Indian customer service rep a "bitch" and a "dirty rat-eater" in on-air prank. You're haters, yes. But no more original than everyday barstool bigots.
Minus 7

The Water Department holds hearing on its plan to raise rates 15 percent on Feb. 1. Dear PWD, I like your style. One bit of advice: If they don't pay, dehydrate them, young or old. It's the right thing to do. Sincerely, Thomas Knutsen, PGW.
Minus 5

Former 76ers president Pat Croce opens pirate museum in Key West. Visitors not giving 110 percent are forced to walk the plank.
Plus 1

Philly is back up to No. 2 on the list of fattest cities. Which reminds us: Who ate the fitness czar?
Minus 3

Many security cameras in the Philly airport are blurry or are aimed poorly. Maybe it was a mistake to hire Lars von Trier as security chief.
Minus 6

Plans for Center City slot-machine parlor rely on customers taking public transportation to get there. Capitalizing on the notion that SEPTA is the biggest gamble in town.
Even

City schools CEO Paul Vallas wants to get kids interested in playing chess to help their academic performance. "Since we're not the fattest city," says Vallas, "we're gunning for nerdiest."
Plus 1

Inquirer editors call subscribers who stopped getting the paper because of its support of John Kerry. Ad reps are asked to file stories! Reporters are retrained as paperboys! Dogs married to cats! Mass hysteria!
Minus 3

Total pluses: 2
Total minuses: 24
This week's total: -22
Last week's total: 26