March 06, 2007

Philly Love #68: SEPTA

Obviously, nobody really loves SEPTA. Or, possibly, even like SEPTA. Or possibly many of you feel an intense deep hatred for SEPTA.

No matter. You still have to admire their moxie (or whatever). What other company, public transit agency, or any business, really, facing a $140 million budget shortfall would release a budget like this?

SEPTA hopes to spend $426 million in the next fiscal year for reconstruction, new buses and railcars, and other repairs and upgrades.

The agency's capital budget for the 12 months that start July 1 calls for $100 million to be spent on rebuilding the Market-Frankford El in West Philadelphia. An additional $49.5 million is earmarked for new buses and $10 million for Regional Rail cars.

SEPTA plans to buy 400 buses and 104 railcars. Also, $15 million of the 2008 capital budget is for repairs and improvements on the R5 Paoli line, the busiest of the Regional Rail lines. And $47 million is earmarked to overhaul vehicles.

Yeesh. As usual, the chances of all of this happening is roughly the same as a giant elephant attacking City Hall in retaliation for letting the elephants leave the zoo.

SEPTA releases budget wish list [Inquirer]
[Image via dalig]

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March 05, 2007

Philly Love #67: This Transition

Note to local news producers: Just because you have two unrelated stories that happen to involve human body parts does not mean you have to link them together.

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March 02, 2007

Philly Love #66: T. Milton Street

Yeah, Milton's been in this feature before, and he will again, because, ohmigod, have you seen the video? Most likely, there will be more reflections on yesterday's Milton Man March later today. Frankly, though, I find it hard to write about it without my head exploding, as thinking about what happened yesterday pretty much violates all principles of logic.

So let's, for now, take a look at Milton Street's website, tmiltonstreet2007.com and campaign slogan (click to enlarge):

As you can see, not only do I have a new Milton head to cut out for a "MILT(MILTON STREET'S HEAD)N!" logo, but Milton Street has a slogan: "The 'T' Stands for Tough on Violence, Homelessness and Unemployment."

It also, coincidentally, stands for tax evasion.

T. Milton Street 2007
Archives: Milton Street

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March 01, 2007

Philly Love #65: 76ers

I may have done the 76ers before, but no matter. Last night, our local basketball team continued its confusing, infuriating season by holding the high-scoring Suns to 94 points and never trailing in a 99-94 win.

Okay, so the Suns were missing Shaun Marion and Boris Diaw, but they probably should have won anyway. They hadn't lost on the road to a team from the Eastern Conference this season and were looking to become the first team to go undefeated on the road against the opposing conference. And all they had to do was beat the 76ers!

But Andre Iguodala had 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the 76ers inexplicably won the game, leaving the Suns at 14-1 -- the same number of road losses against the opposing conference as the 82-83 76ers, our city's last championship team. And Kyle Korver even dunked last night. Twice!

Yes, the 76ers may not get the top pick in the draft -- and even if they do, they're going to figure out a way to blow it -- but at least they amuse us once in a while.

Oh, yeah, and Andre Iguodala did this:

Sixers rain on streaking Suns [Daily News]
[Photo by Yong Kim, Daily News]

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February 28, 2007

Philly Love #64: CBS 3

Just for this headline:

I don't know what it takes to label an interview with Milton Effing Street -- also interviewed here and here and here and here and probably a few hundred other places, too -- exclusive, but I do know it takes a lot of it, whatever it is. Good show, CBS 3. Good show.

CBS 3 Exclusive: Milton Street Interview [CBS 3]

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February 27, 2007

Philly Love #63: Central Girls Hoops

Almost every year, Central High School's girls' basketball team makes it to the public league championship. And every year, they have girls that look like this.

Seriously, what do they feed the girls at Central? It's like this every year; girls who could not only kill me with one punch, but can do a pretty good job driving to the hoop as well! Did you see that one girl's play? She's, like, Charles Barkley but she can make a sweet spin move to the basket.

Perhaps this is why, even though I couldn't watch a WNBA game if you paid me to, I always, without fail, enjoy both the boys' and girls' public league championship games every year. (Plus, there's always some unintentional hilarity from announcer Don Tollefson.)

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February 26, 2007

Philly Love #62: Wintry Mix™

I'm not quite sure when our area stopped getting snow and started getting Wintry Mix™, but ever since the forecasters started using the term pretty much exclusively, that seems to be pretty much all we get.

And so, after a January where we were in the 70s and a winter where we didn't have a snowstorm -- er, a Wintry Mix™ storm -- until two weeks ago, we now have two of 'em this month. Yesterday's and today's weather wasn't nearly as bad as the Valentine's Day massacre, as overnight temperatures weren't all that cold and kept the Wintry Mix™ from freezing the roads, closing interstates, et cetera.

So huzzah to you, Wintry Mix™. I don't know when you replaced snow as the winter storm this area gets, but, hey, I'll take what I can get.

Winter, Round Two [Inquirer]

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February 23, 2007

Philly Love #61: Nicole Tranquillo

Last night, Nicole Tranquillo -- the UArts student on American Idol -- was voted off. Now, I don't really care a lick about Idol, but I do feel bad for the local girl, so I figured the least I could do was make this post about her.

It's not really all bad, though: Since she's been eliminated early, we (1) don't have to hear about her anymore and (2) we won't hear about her enough to grow sick of her and hate her! Really. Remember how much everyone was sick of Justin Guarini and Anthony Federov Fedorov by the time they were voted off? Exactly. Nicole, you're probably upset about losing, but, really: You just dodged a bullet here.

Update, 3:37 p.m.: Jesus, people.

Nicole Tranquillo and Paul Kim on Good Day [MyFox Philly]

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February 22, 2007

Philly Love #60: Hall Of Famers

Yeah, I changed the name of this daily feature. But it's still going to be tagged the same at the bottom. I was kind of just tired of having the headline wrap and look ugly and such. Okay, moving on...

Today's reason to love Philadelphia is pretty much just because I wanted to post this unintentionally hilarious (and intentionally awesome) photo. Last night at the 76ers' game -- Which they won! By 20! In front of 15 fans! -- there was a ceremonial exchange of jerseys between four Hall of Famers: Moses Malone (a 76ers assistant and a member of the '82-'83 title team), Mannie Jackson (chairman of the Harlem Globetrotters), Harvey Pollack (76ers stat guy) and Walt Frazier (Knicks' great and broadcaster).

Okay, so it was just a promo for several upcoming Harlem Globetrotters games in and around Philly. (Geeze, do the Globetrotters ever stop touring? Oh, wait, they don't. That's why they're the Globetrotters, natch.) But any promotion can be forgiven if it leads to this photo:

Korver scores 31 in Sixers’ win over Knicks [Inquirer]

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February 21, 2007

Reason #59 To Love Philadelphia: Jimmy Rollins

As Spring Training begins to get into full swing, it's time to start actually getting excited about the Phillies. And, as much as we should all love Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, etc., by far the coolest guy on the Phillies is Jimmy Rollins.

And not only is he the coolest guy on the Phillies, he's going to make the 19 games between the Phillies and Mets this season even more awesome than usual.

It was Rollins who repeatedly has said that the Phillies, not the Mets, who finished 12 games ahead of them last season, are the team to beat in the East thanks to their improved starting rotation. Mets third baseman David Wright said he was irked by Rollins' confidence.

After he took part in the team's first full-squad workout, he reiterated those feelings and dismissed Wright's concerns.

"If they needed motivation to play this game, then they're playing the wrong game," Rollins said. "They had a chance last year to get to the World Series. Last year's over."

And this is the Phillies' year?

"I want to put that pressure on [his teammates]. And myself."

Might that not have an adverse effect?

"If you're afraid, then I don't want you on this team, anyway."

Oh wah wah wah, David Wright. How dare a guy on the Phillies be confident!

This season can't come fast enough.

Rollins embraces leadership role [Daily News]

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February 20, 2007

Reason #58 To Love Philadelphia New Jersey: Gay Civil Unions

Yesterday was the first day gay people in New Jersey could file for civil unions, six months after Jon Corzine signed the law. The civil union law stemmed from a court decision that ruled the state could not deny the same rights to gay couples it gave to straight couples.

So the legislature passed a bill for civil unions because if they had used the word "marriage" people would have been angry, or something. And, after a 72-hour waiting period, New Jersey's gay couples who registered are going to be, ah, unionized.

Hey, it's something. And now gay couples can get spousal privileges and can also be just as depressed in a marriage -- or a civil union, rather -- as straight people. But only until the first gay civil divorce will this law be fully realized. Now that will be a great day in New Jersey history.

Across N.J., gays register for civil unions [Daily News]

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February 16, 2007

Reason #57 To Love Philadelphia: Milton Street

As you probably know, yesterday Milton Street decided he was going to run for mayor. This seemed problematic, since Street was indicted late last year. Also, he lives in New Jersey.

But that didn't stop him. (Of course not.) As the Daily News' Mark McDonald points out, he's slated to stand trial for tax evasion and other charges on May 14. The primary is the next day.

And his confusing "Vote for Watermelon Man" line from yesterday was actually an attack on Michael Nutter. (Watermelon Man is a 1970s movie where a bigoted white man suddenly becomes black. Its tagline is "The Uppity Movie.")

Street also said he doesn't live in Moorestown, N.J., he just stays there sometimes with a lady friend. Asked where he sleeps, he said: "Wherever I am when I get tired. I lay down and sleep." So that's why I saw him on a park bench the other day!

Oh, yeah, and the first place Milton went after he announced his candidacy was the McDonald's at 10th and Market.

I don't know if this Milton Street candidacy is a joke, if it's real or if there's any shot he can even get on the ballot. But who cares? Milton Street just made the mayor's race 10 times as fun.

Milt (yep, that Milt) eyes mayoral tilt [Daily News]
Milton's first stop [The Next Mayor]

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February 15, 2007

Reason #56 To Love Philadelphia: Jon Lieber's Truck

Last year, Aaron Rowand showed up at Spring Training with a jacked up Ford F-250. Jon Lieber couldn't let that stand. So he bought a house and converted it into a truck.

Well, okay, he special ordered it from Ford. And yesterday, Jon Lieber showed up at Spring Training (hooray!) in a giant Ford F-650. It cost him $211,000, which is cheaper than the same truck models owned by Shaquille O'Neal, the King of Jordan and Sheik Mohammed of Dubai. So he got a great deal!

(I know, I suppose we should hate that truck, since I'm sure it's responsible for roughly 5 percent of recent global warming, but let's pretend it runs on rainbows instead of diesel.)

Some fun facts: Passengers must go up two steps to enter the vehicle. It costs $500 to fill up (four 50-gallon tanks) and gets 12 miles to the gallon. The satellite service on the truck costs $4.99 a month. Ford apparently sold 60 of these things to people.

And, yes, it's owned by a pitcher who went 9-11 with a 4.93 ERA last year yet makes more money than you or I will ever see. Wait, why is this a reason to love the city again?

Lieber's camp arrival wheely amazing [Daily News]
[Photo via DN, by Jim Stem]

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February 14, 2007

Reason #55 To Love Philadelphia: Sixers Jerseys

There's not really all that much to love about the 76ers this year. They traded away their best player, slumped to the worst record in the league out of the gate and now are mired in this mediocrity where they're not the worst team in the league (and so are less likely to get the first pick) but still manage to have frustrating losses more nights than not.

But here's something they did well: New Sixers road jerseys debut tonight! (Aww, and they're red for Valentine's Day.) I've never been a big fan of the 76ers current logo and jersey -- too much black and gold and mid-1990s -- but these new ones are a step in the right direction. They're, ah, just simply better looking.

Here's a history of 76ers jerseys. The ones from 1991-94 are, by far, the worst jerseys in professional sports history. They should totally bring those ones back; it'd fit this season pretty well.

History of the Uniform [Sixers.com]
Return of the Red [Sixers.com]
Related: A Prefect 9 [PW]

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February 13, 2007

Reason #54 To Love Philadelphia: Freddie Mitchell

Yes, Freddie Mitchell hasn't lived in Philadelphia for a while now. (He's been out of football since the Eagles' 2004 Super Bowl season.) But Philadelphia made Freddie Mitchell.

And all his antics since -- not joining the Philadelphia Soul, being a substitute teacher, etc. -- are in part because he made his mark first in Philadelphia.

And what is he up to now? Why, he might go play in the Canadian Football League! (And he might play with Mike McMahon, who was on the Eagles in the awful 2005 season.) This, truly, is a fitting end to Freddie's football career.

Well, okay, when he gets cut from the CFL, that will be a fitting end to his football career.

FredEx to play in CFL? [Daily News]

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February 12, 2007

Reason #53 To Love Philadelphia: These Headlines

Seriously. What other city could you get a mix of headlines like this:

What other city's main media outlet gives you all these stories -- a very nice set of them, I must say -- and only lets you comment on divorce in New Jersey. And doesn't let you comment on oh my God we're going to war with Iran soon what the fuck?

Ahh, Philadelphia.

Philly.com

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February 09, 2007

Reason #52 To Love Philadelphia: Montco Commissioners

Short one today. Let's just give props where props are due to the Montgomery County commissioners, who yesterday announced the HPV vaccine would be given free to those without insurance.

The HPV vaccine prevents the strains of the disease that can cause cervical cancer, but some religious groups are against it because they think it will encourage kids to have sex. Yes, the only reason our 11- and 12-year-olds aren't screwing in the streets is because they're afraid of contracting a disease they've probably never heard of.

So good for them, etc., etc. You know the drill here.

Montco Officials Urge Use of HPV Vaccine for Pre-Teen Girls [KYW 1060]

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February 08, 2007

Reason #51 To Love Philadelphia: 'Northeast Times' Letters Page

It's been a while since I checked in with the Northeast Times letters page. If you're unfamiliar with it, there are archives. But it can really just be summed up like this: The Northeast Times letters pages are like Craigslist's rants and raves, only with less stringent guidelines and better editing.

And, as such, people sometimes use the letters page to thank a good Samaritan, to complain about Section 8 housing, to complain about the state of Mayfair, to complain about Section 8 housing again and, of course, to chastise their neighbors without having to complain to their faces.

Dude, do your duty as a dog owner

This is to the young man that walks his dog (part bulldog, with a dark body white face, you know who you are) down Hellerman Street every day, sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening. You allow your dog to defecate on our lawn and our neighbor’s lawns and then walk away without cleaning it up.

Young man, it is the LAW in this city that you must clean up after your dog. You have to pick up, take it with you and put it in a trash can. I am tired of cleaning up after YOUR dog, my sister is tired of cleaning up after YOUR dog, and my mother is tired of cleaning up after YOUR dog. We own a dog and we NEVER go out for a walk without bags in hand. We always clean up after our dog, and I expect you to do the same. So I am asking you politely, please, be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog.

I'm asking you politely with a patronizing "young man" and a pointless appeal to authority that wouldn't convince anyone over the age of 10.

See? Awesome.

Dude, do your duty as a dog owner [Northeast Times]

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February 07, 2007

Reason #50 To Love Philadelphia: The Big 5

Last night was the Holy War, the annual basketball contest between St. Joe's and Villanova that uses the slaughter of innocents in the name of God as a nickname. But, anyway, it's usually a game with a decent amount of buildup; the fans are always into it; the two teams sometimes even play a good game.

Last night, though, I watched the entire thing even though it was a terrible game. 'Nova won, 56-39. But that only scratches it: the two teams combined to shoot 6-for-36 from three-point range, meaning around 30 trips down the court included a long shot that clanked or airballed. (Threes are almost a mid-range jumper in college.)

But, still, the game was exciting and fun to watch. So huzzah for college basketball in Philly, which makes 16 percent three-point shooting somewhat watchable.

Cats romp as Hawks go ice-cold [Inquirer]

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February 06, 2007

Reason #49 To Love Philadelphia: Criminals

Okay, not all criminals. But, really, I just needed an excuse to show you this video from NBC 10 last night:

Ha ha! Right in the head! The robber probably will have horrible brain damage! (Moe: "Next place he robs better have a ramp.") Ha ha!

Really, watch it about five times and you won't be able to stop giggling. Okay, that's all.

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February 05, 2007

Reason #48 To Love Philadelphia: Our Commitment To Journalistic Standards

You may remember the uproar a few years ago over a Mitch Albom column allegedly written from the Final Four. His column described two ex-Michigan State players courtside cheering on their alma mater at the Final Four. Of course, they were never there.

Albom based the column on what they said they were going to do; he had to turn in his column for the Sunday paper before the game was played. And when they didn't attend the game, he looked foolish, etc., etc.

One could imagine our own local scribe, Dan Gross, feeling the same temptation in this article about Wing Bowl winner Joey Chestnut in today's paper. He most likely interviewed Chestnut after the Wing Bowl Friday morning, and got some information on what Chestnut was going to do over the weekend.

But instead of pulling an Albom, our boy Dan Gross used this instead:

While in town over the weekend, Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., was hoping to catch the Franklin Institute's King Tut exhibit - and to get his first glimpse of snow.

Excellent! Strong journalistic standards, especially in stories relating to something as important as chicken wings.

As to why the citizens of Philadelphia would be interested in what the Wing Bowl champion would be doing in town over the weekend, well, that's a question to be left to the philosophers.

Dan Gross | Wing King talking trash [Daily News]
Mitch Albom - Controversy [Wikipedia]

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February 02, 2007

Reason #48 To Love Philadelphia: Wing Bowl

I'm not saying I like it enough to go down there and cover it today -- Please. -- but it's nice to know that it's there every year. Ya dig?

Anyway, Philly.com, naturally, has tons of coverage of this radio station promotion. Tune in next week when they cover four men who have to keep their hand on a car for three hours to win a free coupon to Denny's and then one where 15 college kids have to fit themselves into a phone booth in order to win a keg of beer.

Oh, yes, and the Philly.com coverage includes exclamation points:

1. Gentleman Jerry, 112!!!

Update: Oh, and not to be outdone, Philebrity has Sean Agnew covering it. This will be the only coverage with a sighting of ECW's Sandman. Do you think he carries around that bamboo stick (or whatever) all the time in real life?

Wing Bowl [Philly.com]

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February 01, 2007

Reason #47 To Love Philadelphia: Jeff Garcia And Carmella DeCesare

You might think, now that the season's over, that, ah, Jeff Garcia mania might be over. But, no, of course not. Not when there are promotions to be done!

On Saturday at the Atlantic City Hilton, fans will get a chance to meet Jeff Garcia and his fiance, Carmella DeCesare. But there's a catch: You can't just walk up there, wait in line and then get autographs from the Birds' QB and the 2004 Playboy Playmate of the Year (who is 24, by the way).

No: Every 30 minutes between 2 and 7 on Saturday, organizers will select one lucky table or slots gambler to attend a reception with Garcia and DeCesare that night. That's right: You have to gamble for five hours and probably lose a few hundred dollars, and if you do that, you might have a chance to attend a reception where you can get a photo with Garcia and DeCesare.

Who wants to bet they'll have a packed house?

Here's a chance to meet Garcia and his fiancee [Daily News]
Jeff Garcia Mania! [The 700 Level]

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January 31, 2007

Reason #46 To Love Philadelphia: The 'Daily News' No Longer Runs Michelle Malkin's Columns

Every once in a while I like to peruse the conservative blogosphere -- and dammit, do I hate that word ("blogosphere," not "conservative") -- to try and learn something. Unfortunately, the popular conservative blogs tend to be run by, shall we say, idiots, and I don't really learn anything. (We'll leave the liberal blogs alone for now.)

One popular conservative blogger is Michelle Malkin, whose syndicated column used to run in the Daily News. It doesn't anymore, and that's probably the best decision the Daily News has made in the past 15 years. Need an example? Sure.

Malkin recently wrote about some anti-war protester who spit at the feet of a soldier doing a counter protest. Here is how she feels about the protester:

Shame on the spitter. May you rot in hell.

It's amazing that people like this exist, really. I wonder what it's like to damn people to eternal suffering because you disagree with their world view. It must really be depressing. But thank God the Daily News stopped running her column so we don't have to read her pointless drivel. Seriously. Compared to Michelle Malkin, I love Christine Flowers.

Spitting at a war hero [Michelle Malkin]
Image Credit: Wonkette

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January 30, 2007

Reason #45 To Love Philadelphia: The 76ers Are Right Back On Schedule

After trading away Allen Iverson, the 76ers were expected to founder, losing most of their games and getting the best shot at winning the NBA lottery and getting the number one pick in the draft.

The 76ers have been playing better recently, winning three of four at one point. (It would have been four straight, but they blew a 17-point halftime lead at home against Cleveland.) While I'm not actually rooting against the 76ers -- that's no fun -- it seemed typical Philadelphia: The 76ers don't even know how to have a terrible season.

Last night, the Houston Rockets jumped out to a 41-point (!) lead. The Inquirer's Joe Juliano:

After three quarters, the visitors trailed by 89-51, and it got worse. When Houston's Chuck Hayes converted a three-point play on the first possession of the fourth quarter, the Sixers actually trailed by 41 and seemed a lock to top their previous worst margin of defeat, 27 points against Chicago on Dec. 6.

So give credit to the Sixers' bench, and starter Rodney Carney, for making it look to the basketball nation at large as if it were a real game judging by the final score. But it was a rout in every way possible, something that the Sixers would like to write off as a bad night.

If you're wondering, the 76ers lost 105-84. A 21-point loss. Yeah, they really made it look like a real game, all right.

Rockets shoot to 41-point lead, leave Sixers in their trail [Inquirer]

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