You have but six months left to say “Me? Oh, nothing, I’m just driving.”
Big old FYI:
Mayor Nutter yesterday signed into law a ban on using handheld cell phones while traveling the city’s streets that applies to just about anyone except pedestrians, despite threats from the state legislature to punish the city for doing so.
The law encompasses just about every form of transportation, and prohibits talking, dialing. or texting on a handheld device. Modes of movement covered in addition to motor vehicles are bicycles, scooters, in-line skates, and skateboards.
First-time offenders will be fined $150 and second-time offenders $300.
Beginning in August, the Police Department will launch a three-month public-education campaign to inform residents and officers of the ban. Though the ban is in effect, it will not be enforced until Nov. 1.
It still looks a bit uncertain how likely it is you’re going to get pulled over on cell-phone charges while on a highway like 95 or 76 where the monitoring is done by state troopers. Since this whole thing is a sore point between Harrisburg, which doesn’t like the idea of Philly having its own driver-distraction laws to the tune of trying to withhold $250 million in taxes, and Philly, in which a woman on a cell phone ran a red light and rammed a SEPTA bus yesterday, state troopers may or may not be enforcing it.
And speaking of cell phones: although Prada’s total sales fell by 22% this year, mostly attributed to a lack of orders from retail outlets, their in-store sales were up by 5% because of how anxious people were to pick up the expensive, iPhone-ish Prada-branded cell phone.
Inquirer: Nutter signs hand-held cell phone ban
Daily News: Cell-phoning driver plows into bus, injuring 16
Philadelphia Business Journal: Phila. cell phone bill now law, could jeopardize state funding
British Vogue: Prada’s profits down
Rain, rain, go away
FYI: 
From the last Fairmount Flea in September 2008
Sadly, this may put a damper on the many many outdoor activities of the second weekend of spring (well, spring by temperature). This includes one of my favorite things, the Fairmount Flea, where vendors set up tables completely encircling Eastern State Penitentiary:
Due to Pending Inclement Weather For Saturday, May 2nd – Log onto our web site below or call our 24 Hour Info Line below anytime after 5AM on Saturday Morning for an update if the Flea Market will be held on Saturday or will be postponed to the Sunday rain date.
More Than 200 Vendors Will Surround The Historic Eastern State Penitentiary at 22nd & Fairmount with additional vendors around the Bache-Martin School at 22nd & Brown.
This Saturday, May 2nd (Rain Date – Sunday) From 9AM til 5PM
(215) 625-FLEA