The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

A judge rules that Michael Nutter cannot close libraries without City Council's consent. "We don't have time for that kind of debate," argues Nutter. "We're talking about people that argue about whether to get lunch from Wendy's or Quizno's, every day, from 10:30 to 2:30, until Jim Kenney just orders Chinese." Even

The Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund, a nonprofit tied to Vince Fumo, donated $100,000 of the $230,000 raised by the Mummers. "I do not feel developed," says Delaware Valley Regional Economy.Minus 1

The Philadelphia branch of the International Action Center holds a rally to protest Israel's bombing of Gaza. That's such a wordy name for an activist group. Can't they just call themselves "Mount Airy"? Plus 1

All four of Philadelphia's major sports teams made the playoffs in 2008. "A derrrr," says Jayson Stark. "Wake me when you get a real noodle-twisting factoid." Plus 6

Leo Dignam, director of the Mummers parade, says that this year's event was the most efficient since its inception. Listen, if you have a column in your budget marked "sequins," you are not operating at maximum efficiency. Plus 1

A university trustee gifts Drexel University with $25 million, the largest donation in school history. "This very easily tops the $30 million we received in 1999," says Drexel dean of mathematics. Plus 2

A burning car sets a small brush fire in Bridesburg. "We're on Action News!" says Bridesburg's most esteemed resident, Freddy Windbreaker. Minus 1 

Total Pluses: 10

Total Minuses: 2

Total for the Week: 8

Last Week's Total: 4