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On Tuesday Pennsylvanians will decide who they want in Harrisburg: the rumpled big-city mayor, or the softspoken state auditor general? In the meantime, the battle for your votes promises to continue at a breakneck pace. by Brian Hickey
PHOTOGRAPHS BY JESSICA GRYPHON
As his finance/field director steers the rental car up I-95, Ed Rendell juggles phone calls and paperwork. Earlier in the day, the city's… » more |
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Dear Mick, Keef, Woody and Charlie:
Please stop. I'm not saying this to be cheeky, I'm saying it as a friend and an admirer. Consider this an intervention. I'm sure you guys are familiar with the concept. (Ronnie, I hope the rehab thing works out for you.)
I am concerned about your legacy as the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band and the way you… » more |
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>>PENNED IN
Last week's cover story, "Skin Deep," detailed allegations of racism and unsafe working conditions made in a lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania by 34 animal care workers from University Laboratory Animal Resources. The allegations, many of which were also made in an EEOC complaint (a complaint that was eventually dismissed… » more |
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>> BACK TO THE FUTURE
Is WMGK-FM's new program director Buzz Knight trying to recreate the glory days of WMMR? Knight, who came on board three months ago after a successful run in Boston, has been tweaking WMGK's format switchover from Classic Hits to Classic Rock (translation: less James Taylor, more Rolling Stones, according to one station… » more |
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As the disembodied voice of Anna Verna addressed her 16 loyal charges in the next room, comers to the temporary Council chambers were, for the second straight week, greeted with an almost distressingly empty gallery (with few options for avoiding eye contact with our city's esteemed leaders). With what sounded like relief, Verna reminded her flock… » more |
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Experiments performed on Philadelphia inmates decades ago still pack horrific power. by Solomon Jones
Last week the City Council Committee on Law and Government held a hearing concerning allegations that biological and chemical research was performed on inmates in the city's prisons between 1949 and 1974.
The committee, chaired by Councilman David Cohen, wrote a resolution stating that "the testing was allegedly funded by various pharmaceutical and… » more |
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[ SATURDAY, MAY 18 ]
It was nearly 20 years ago that a former girlfriend threw hot grits on Al Green, burning him over 80 percent of his body before killing herself with his gun. Right after that the legendary soul pleader found God (like, um, you wouldn't?), became the Reverend Al Green and dedicated himself to his ministry at the Full Gospel Tabernacle… » more |
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[ SUNDAY, MAY 19 ]
Oh, how delightful it is to go see a band with a pretentious album title and a name nobody's sure how to pronounce. +/- (pronounced "plus-minus," natch) fits the bill on both counts and then goes ahead and rocks anyway. Though Self-Titled Long-Playing Debut is, ahem, the band's debut album, singer James Baluyut and Patrick Ramos… » more |
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Seminal hip-hop DJ Grandmaster Flash was the first to use phonograph turntables as musical instruments. Back in the '70s he opened for the Clash, inspired a Blondie song and invented the "quick mix."
Today, at 44, he still retains a passion for the genre he helped create. Speaking recently about his new album (Grandmaster Flash: Essential Mix Classic… » more |
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>> COUNCIL'S RADIO DAYS
Members of City Council are doing a whole lot more than legislating these days. Between hearings on alleged prisoner abuse by researchers, meetings on budgetary matters and trying to sort out the mess that is the schools takeover, Council members are talking. And they're talking live, on new talk-radio station WURD 900-AM.… » more |
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HEROES
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND: Displays enlightened leadership by issuing license plates honoring Mr. Potato Head. Lightbulb! Pennsylvania plates honoring Philadelphia City Council.
STEVE LOPEZ: Tells PW that Philly will always have something L.A. won't: "a sense of mystery and wonder." Generously forgets to mention L.A. has something Philly doesn't:… » more |
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Local writer Larry Platt sees himself as an "anthropologist who goes into black culture to explain it to a white intelligentsia." by Brian Hickey
Pat from West Chester argues that Allen Iverson is a "hot dog" who has to go. From her car phone, Michelle maintains that the Sixers star does enough good on the court to make up for skipping practice. Checking in from Haverford, Ron says all the young players need an attitude adjustment. Stephanie on a mobile, meanwhile, blames Larry Brown's stubbornness… » more |
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[ MORE FUN THAN ROKY ERICKSON-INSPIRED BHANGRA. MAY 16-MAY 22 ]
[ THURSDAY, MAY 16 ]
After seven years of sporadic recordings and college degrees, Rye Coalition finally boasts its founding five-man lineup once more. So it's no surprise that the guys from Jersey City via NYC are tighter than ever on their third album, On Top. And whether it's… » more |
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[ TUESDAY, MAY 21 ]
You'd be forgiven for never having heard of Australia's the Vines prior to their appearance on the surprisingly, wildly popular soundtrack to I Am Sam a few months back. In fact, it seems like their appearance in the U.S. was engineered in just this way. Their contribution was a sneering-yet-bouncy version of the Beatles' "I'm Only… » more |
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A columnist thinks he could do a better job than the Catholic officials in charge. by Jimmy Breslin
Beautiful. Here was Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston giving a deposition in one of the lawsuits against him in a Boston courtroom the other day. The questions were about how he dealt with complaints against priests by parents of children who were sexually abused by priests, the Rev. John
Geoghan foremost.
Geoghan is in the can. Each time there was… » more |
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[ FRIDAY, MAY 17 ]
With something like 13 days to go before Memorial Day--when it will become the time when it's okay to not only wear white pants but also to barbecue at will, on the deck, in the parking lot, behind the office, you name it--it's high time you got your summer BBQ m.o. in order. Why not try a test run this evening with Johnny Harris… » more |
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[ MONDAY, MAY 20 ]
As indicated by Ally McBeal's recent surprise cancellation, there are an awful lot of ex-viewers out there. For those lost sheep still interested in the closure that will presumably be provided by Monday's series finale, here are some desperate key story changes you may have missed this year: A bunch of new people join the law firm.… » more |
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[ WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 ]
Though the five members of Kinky are from Monterrey, Mexico, they might just as well be from the sweaty dance clubs in London--or Studio 54 in 1976. With hints of mariachi and a pulse that recalls Donna Summer's backing band (such as it was), Kinky's music is a satisfying admixture of rock en español, Tito Puente rhythm,… » more |
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