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April 30, 2008
The Pistons blew out the Sixers last night 98-81, putting Philadelphia at the brink of elimination. But, the big story from the game was Samuel Dalembert’s new coif. Sammy shaved a fresh mohawk before Tuesday’s game, with the initials “SD” on the side. “SD” stands for “Samuel Dalembert” and “strong defense” according to Sixers play-by-play man Marc Zumoff. Sammy’s nemesis Rasheed Wallace went for 19 points, 6 boards and 6 blocks, so Dalembert might just...
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We’ve often seen our relationship with SEPTA as a “loveless marriage,” too: The City and our beloved transportation system are promising a more cooperative relationship leading to “a vibrant, clean, safe and efficient transit system.” And they got a bridge they can sell ya, too. Police fear a serial robber who has hit 20 businesses is getting bolder, which may lead the armed bandit to become violent. The description is as vague as usual, but...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 29, 2008
In last year’s NFL Draft, the Eagles traded out of the first round and selected QB of the future Kevin Kolb with the 36th overall pick, leaving many fans underwhelmed. What would they do in 2008? Trade out of the first round to take a DT, leaving many fans underwhelmed. Hey, at least they’re consistent. Evaluating the NFL draft past, say, the 20th pick is like trying to handicap a middle school frog race. And...
Continue Reading "Eagles' Draft... Snore"
Probably not. At least not consciously. After all, they don't seem to have a problem with the countless four-legged friends people bring with them for their weekend walks along Kelly Drive. But still, they've given us pause by approving a planned sculpture by Tom Otterness in Aviator Park. Otterness is well-known for his works of public art that can be found all around New York City. He's also well-known for the whirlwind of controversy that...
Continue Reading "Does the Fairmount Park Commission Hate Dogs?"
"Police removed a large suitcase filled with human remains from a rowhouse in South Philadelphia yesterday." The case has not been ruled a homicide. The older man living in the rowhouse is being cooperative and is apparently not connected to the suitcase. The suspicion is that the remains may be those of a baby reported missing in Baltimore several months ago. An autopsy will be performed today. "State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille...
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April 28, 2008
Beginning at 10AM today at City Hall, Philadelphia School District officials will present their proposed $2.28 billion budget to City Council. You can already see the budget and prepared testimony on the district's website. Members of the public will offer testimony on the budget tomorrow. The Inquirer investigates the lasting effects of the shooting death of 33-year-old Moroccan-born Ouadii Souliman. He was gunned down at the door Al Aqsa Mosque on the border between Northern...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 25, 2008
Dear Philadelphia Voters: I hope you’re proud of yourselves. No, really. I’m not saying that in the “Johnny, I hope you’re proud of yourself. Now your little brother has a black eye,” kind of way. I’m saying that in the most sincere way I can. Because whether you’re happy with the results of Tuesday’s Primary Election or not, you should still be happy about the day itself. I grew up in a very political...
Continue Reading "Return to Sender: The Democracy Edition"
Well, the Pennsylvania primary has (finally!) come and gone, and Michael's candidate, Hillary Clinton, carried the state, but not Philadelphia. But even though Barack Obama won the city, and even if Obama eventually wins the nomination, there probably won't be any egg on Michael's face. And the winner for pointless press conference of the week goes to...Michael's conference to encourage the city to support the Sixers and Flyers in their playoff runs. Oh, and the...
Continue Reading "Nutter? I Don't Even Know 'er!"
"A man who was being evicted from his apartment in Yeadon, Delaware County, yesterday pulled a gun and shot the constable who served the eviction notice and the apartment manager, police said. The gunman fled into Southwest Philadelphia and hid in a rowhouse at 1846 Conestoga St, but a host of cops tracked him down and arrested him as he attempted to get away out the back door." The wounded men were listed in critical...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 24, 2008
So much for David; it seems the Sixers awoke a sleeping Goliath. The Pistons, who lacked their trademark intensity in game one, responded last night with a 105-88 rout at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Philadelphia shot a dismal 39.5%, trailed big the entire game and had their top scorers held in check by Detroit's stifling defense. We love Lou Williams, but when a bench player is your top scorer in a playoff game, it's...
Continue Reading "Sixers Fall Back to Earth; Prince Beats Cole"
Proofreading Philly tries to capture typos, wordos, and all other kinds of grammatical mistakes that we see around the city. But we need your help! Email photos to us from your computer or your phone, and show the city that you care about good grammar. Once in a while, Proofreading Philly turns into Fact-checking (Phact-checking?) Philly, and this is one of those times. We just wouldn't be responsible bloggers if we didn't correct CBS 3's...
Continue Reading "Proofreading Philly"We're sure you'll be missing these, now that the Primary is over....
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Philadelphia Safe and Sound, a local non-profit focused on improving the health, safety, and well-being of children, sent out a press release yesterday revealing that the board of directors had voted to cease all operations as of June 30, 2008. The press release doesn't go into a lot of detail as to why PSS is shutting down, but it seems pretty clear it has to do with recent budget cuts. You can read PSS's letter...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 23, 2008
The Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime last night, advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs. You knew that, right? What’s that, you’re not a hockey fan? This is the best time of year to start! Don’t worry, there’s plenty of room on the bandwagon. Here are 10 reasons to get Flyered Up, teeth optional. 10. Playoff Beards Hockey players are a superstitious bunch. One of their practices is to start...
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The big news today is obviously yesterday's primary. First off, Hillary won, but six of the 26 Pennsylvania superdelegates remain undecided. Also, Obama kept it close enough that it was still kind of win for him, and after all, he's still in the lead overall. Assuming Obama does become the nominee, what will that mean for Rendell and Nutter, who have supported Clinton all along? The Daily News says they'll come out of it...
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April 22, 2008
You may have noticed that another new writer has joined us! And we take it from all the recommends you've given his first post that you like him. We forgot to give him a proper introduction on that post, so we're making up for it now. Mark Downing works in video production, but also wrote at the sports desk of a New Jersey newspaper, and it's that experience, along with his love of the Philadelpha...
Continue Reading "PA Primary - Sports Edition"
Yes, it's true, today is the pivotal Pennsylvania primary. A record voter turn-out is expected—which probably means there will also be a record number of problems. Clinton and Obama made their final push for votes yesterday. Obama didn't promise to win, but he did promise to keep things close. Meanwhile, the Clinton camp was talking comebacks. For more Philly.com election coverage, go here, or follow their live-blog of the election. Of course, a far...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 21, 2008
Friday The much-ballyhooed match-up between Cole Hamels and Johan Santana took place at a sold-out Citizens Bank Park. Santana baffled the Phils bats, fanning 10, and David Wright went 4-4 with 2 RBI’s as the Mets nipped the Phils 6-4. The Good - Greg Dobbs’ pinch-hit, three-run homer brought the Phillies to within a run in the bottom of the eighth. Santana may have had an answer for the Phils offense, but he only...
Continue Reading "Weekend Sports Roundup"Wow... Even the BBC is talking about us these days....
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UPDATE: A seven alarm warehouse fire on the 1300 block of Adams Avenue in the Frankford section of the city was declared under control at 7:30 this morning, but nearby residents were evacuated, 160 homes are without power, and various road closures have created a traffic headache for many. "The 14-year-old accused of stabbing his older brother to death during a fight over a video game last July is back in court today for a...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 18, 2008
With all the news focus this week on the Presidential primary, there wasn't a whole lot to report in the world o' Nutter. But here's what we've got for you. The biggest Michael Nutter news of the week was, of course, his appearance on The Colbert Report, where Michael did a good job of holding his own against Colbert's needling. Of course, we would've liked to have seen the mayor play along and give a...
Continue Reading "Nutter? I Don't Even Know 'er!"
"Common Pleas Judge Jane Cutler Greenspan yesterday ordered the city to temporarily halt enforcement of five gun-control laws passed by City Council last week and signed by Mayor Nutter. The city must stop writing police rules for enforcing the laws and training officers about them." Meanwhile, Philadelphia police officers confiscated 113 firearms in two separate incidents this week. West Philadelphia High School's Automotive and Technology Academy has become the first program of its kind...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 17, 2008
Usually I can muster a good chuckle at the tendency of the mainstream media to trumpet shock over substance in its campaign coverage, but last night's debate only made me angry. Here's why: watching them with me was a bona-fide undecided voter, the likes of which I haven't seen in a long time. As most people I know (myself included) foam at the mouth in rabid support of whatever candidate won their endorsement long ago,...
Continue Reading "Does ABC News Love America?"Here it is, in its entirety. (The remaining clips are after the jump.)...
Continue Reading "In Case You Missed Last Night's Debate..."
"Philadelphia schools that cut out soda, revamped snack selections and took other measures to prevent childhood obesity were able to halve the odds of students becoming overweight by sixth grade, a study has found." (Via Sarah) Both the Inquirer and the Daily News have coverage of last night's debate, and the general consensus is that Obama got the worst of it. However, Obama also picked up endorsements yesterday from three U.S. House members, closing...
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April 16, 2008
If you happened to be near the Visitor’s Center this morning, you might have noticed some dapper and intimidating looking folks perusing the area, and we’re not talking about tourists with floral patterned shirts and hefty digital SLRs. We’re talking Secret Service. A little bird told us that Barack Obama will be making a visit to Philadelphia this Friday, April 18th. Apparently from 6 to 8PM, he’ll be giving a speech on the lawn...
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The Eagles' 2008 schedule has been released, and one of the more exciting games will be the one they'll they'll play at home versus the Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving night. It will be nationally televised on the NFL Network. (Via Sarah) Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, was apparently well received when she spoke at a rally at Haverford College yesterday. A new Daily News/Franklin & Marshall poll has Clinton still in the lead with...
Continue Reading "Yo, Philly in the News"April 15, 2008
TV critic Ellen Gray at the Daily news takes a look at last night's Colbert Report, filmed right here in Philly, featuring appearances by Mayor Nutter and Benjamin Franklin. We have incredible amounts of news today related to the Pennsylvania primary. First off, applications for absentee ballots have to be in no later than 5PM today. Clinton is announcing a "major endorsement" at noon today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Obama admitted to...
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