April 21-27, 2005

the bell curve

The Bell Curve

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

John Street named one of America's worst mayors by Time magazine. "This isn't an all-time list, right?" asks Wilson Goode.
Minus 7

76ers clinch playoff spot. Flyers clench another round of Mooseheads in Medicine Hat.
Plus 3

Helis the "Delawhale" is seen heading south toward the Atlantic Ocean. Who knew whales read Time?
Even

Bill Cosby's attorneys request names, phone numbers and addresses of nine women who claim Cosby assaulted them. He's doing research for People Suing Me on Groping Charges Say the Darnedest Things.
Minus 1

Jurors in the City Hall pay-to-play trial are told to "listen to each other." "C'mon," implored the judge. "How much is it gonna cost to get a verdict out of you people?"
Even

Budget airline USA3000 announces nonstop flights between Philadelphia and Bermuda. Company boasts of 75 percent non-mysterious-disappearance rate.
Plus 3

Penn's Wharton School will host Alan Greenspan as the M.B.A. commencement speaker. That's like Holy Family booking God, or Saint Joe's booking Bam Margera.
Even

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia research finds that fat babies are likely to become fat adults. Sales of Gerber's "Bacon Double Cheeseburger Puree" plummet.
Plus 2

Black History conference with the theme "Philadelphia: A Historic Black Capital of America" comes to town. White historians flee en masse to Haddonfield.
Plus 5

Total Pluses: 13
Total Minuses: 8
This Week's Total: 5
Last Week's Total: 0

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