Tribute to Steven Wells: Friend, Co-Worker, Hilarious Writer
By Music Editor Brian McManus What would Steven Wells think of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” video? What would Steven think of the new Melvins’ album? What would Steven think of Treme? What insipidly hilarious things would Steven write about BP CEO Tony Hayward—in what gratifying ways would he cut him down to size? What would piss Steven...
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Boy Scouts vs. City Verdict: Scouts Win! Damn.
After a week-and-a-half-long trial, witnesses as diverse as a Catholic priest to an expelled gay boy scout, and commentors busting more balls than the city, this trial finally reached a verdict! "Fuck the city, we do what we want, and then we're going to make the city pay US." First, we’ll break it down: “Some people might say this...
Continue ReadingBrief: Tomorrow Is It For Tax Amnesty
Don’t say they didn’t warn you. They did! Tomorrow, at midnight, the city’s secret agents are going to be on your tail, for not paying them your back taxes during this elongated period of amnesty. City Revenue Commissioner Keith J. Richardson promises increased activity by lawyers and collection agencies to go after those who owe the city money, and to...
Continue ReadingLawmakers: Some Stuff Is Going Down (Rendell, Nutt, Sestak, Toomey)
Let’s start at the top. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Philadelphia Magazine profile in which it’s at least insinuated Rendell had an affair with Dr. Kirstin Snow, director of Commonwealth Media Services. Well, he’s got some choice words about the article and the rumors, which have been circulating around him for some time. “No comment,” he said, via...
Continue ReadingOwner of PYT: ?uestlove Never Raised or Gave Money to Sabina Rose O’Donnell’s Memorial
Tommy Up, owner of Piazza burger joint PYT, is accusing the Roots drummer of not “donating a penny” to the memorial for Sabina Rose O’Donnell, the PYT waitress who was raped and killed on June 2, despite claims on his Twitter and elsewhere, like this Newsweek article, that he did. Read the whole story at Make Major Moves, our music blog. Music...
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Depression-era Soup Kitchens Making a Comeback
Mary Williams, 57, was laid off three months ago, and is hopeful for a new job, but expects one won't come by any time soon. Bill West is one of thousands of others in the state who are living on unemployment, but he doesn’t know how long that will last—not only because he can’t find a job, but because the Senate is stalling to pass an unemployment...
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Excessive Heat Warning: Head to the Nearest Bar as Quickly & Efficiently As You Can
Hot damn! It is 90 degrees right now, everyone. Not as hot as our neighbor Bikram Yoga, but close. Speaking of degrees: Another neighbor, 5000, the burger joint that went up in flames a few weeks back, is up and running again. Get your cooked-to-order meat on. Other helpful information: It is a SIPS day. Normally we wouldn’t take the time to point you...
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Daily News: Gay Panic Defense
The Daily News has some story this morning. It’s about gay panic defense – a temporary insanity-like legal defense in which the defendant is “so offended or shocked by sexual advances from a person of the same gender that the defendant assaults or kills the victim.” Specifically, the case is about the death of Anthony Williams, a former Grays Ferry resident,...
Continue ReadingSheriff’s Office Asked To Cut Spending (HaHa)
Everyone seems to be hatin’ on the Sheriff’s Office these days (with good reason), and it’s not just us. (We did write about efforts to close the office in this week’s PhillyNow editorial). Mayor Nutter, too. In fact, he asked the office to cut spending by $2 million and got an immediate answer. Guess what it was. Philly.com: An independently...
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Our Verdict On The Boy Scout’s Culture War; Jury Stands In Deliberation
Scouts Attorney Bill McSwain says the city has bullied the Scouts to change its supposed discriminatory policy. The city and Scouts gave its closing arguments today, which lasted roughly two hours each and centered around the cultural battle that the Scouts thought ended a decade ago when a Supreme Court decision decided to allow the Boy Scouts of America to...
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