Philly loves cameras. And not really the “liberal arts degree” kind. More, let’s say, surveillance-y. Like red-light cameras. They’re all over the city. New cameras will be activated at Broad and Vine Streets at midnight, tonight. Those traveling through red lights will receive warnings until December 2, when they’ll start getting $100 fines.

Mayor Michael Nutter and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay have a bet over the NLDS – and it involves beer! If the Cardinals win the series, Mayor Nutter will send Slay a couple beers from “local microbreweries,” and if the Phillies win, Nutter gets a Budweiser. Man, mayors are just like me and my friends! Betting beers! I love having a regular guy as mayor.

The national chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees ended their strike at the Kimmel Center after one day, announcing a “cooling period” to allow a production of “Carmen” to go on as planned. But although signs (and the giant blow up rat?) have been put away, perhaps tucked away in a backstage crawlspace, the strike is far from over. The union is demanding an increase in wages and benefits, better working conditions and expansion of their jurisdiction. They say they’re not quitting until all demands are met.

Only in Philadelphia does a Republican (Al Taubenberger) agree to put himself up as a strawman candidate for mayor in exchange for a meaningless Republican City Committee endorsement four years later in his Council run, then pay a Washington State company to conduct a push-poll testing his and others’ negatives, not know what those negatives are (the poll he paid for said he hates neighborhoods; what a dick!) and upon hearing about his poll, says, “I didn’t know they were beating me up that badly…That’s a little rough.” Seriously. Only in Philly.

Also only in Philly: Now that the Phillies are in the playoffs again, it’s time for national media outlets to write their “Philly sports fans: grrrrr!!!! or awwww!!!!” articles. The latest is Time Magazine, and here is the Real Quote: “So thanks to the Eagles’ troubles, many fans can’t enjoy the success of the Phillies to the fullest. Such pessimism is part of the city’s DNA. For 25 years, between 1983 and 2008, none of its four major professional sports teams won a title — a record drought in a four-team town. The Eagles have never won a Super Bowl.” And yes, it’s mentioned the fans here once booed Santa.

There are now eight potential GOP candidates looking to face Senator Bob Casey in the Pennsylvania Senatorial election next year, and more may be on the way. Last year, Casey was untouchable, but as his positives have gone down alongside the GOP inside-job economy, he hasn’t really offered anything to distinguish himself as someone who should stick around, and Republicans are feeling it.

Nine-hundred Philadelphians have obtained concealed carry permits (which we wrote about in a May 2010 cover story) in Philadelphia through the Florida loophole, a number this Inky article says has “skyrocketed in recent years.” And people who maybe shouldn’t be getting permits, uh, are.

Today Philly, tomorrow the world! Seriously. The Mormon Church, which is building a huge temple at 18th and Vine (don’t speed on your way there … red light cameras), have similar plans for five cities worldwide, including two in Africa.