Category Archives: Philadelphia

‘Low-stoop’ fiction writer seeks agent, brand


Citations from an article about the importance of tireless self-promotion in trying to establish a brand for your work: For artists, the great problem to solve is how to get oneself noticed. — Honore de Balzac, Lost Illusions Great success … Continue reading →

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A Python-esque rite in South Philly


Ah, the rites of spring in the `hood! You know — palm weaving, the Easter Parade on South Street, race riots in Grays Ferry. Here’s one that was new to me — the Good Friday re-enactment of the crucifixion of … Continue reading →

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In the neighborhood, in spring


What’s he building in there?/What the hell is he building/In there?/He has subscriptions to those/Magazines… He never/Waves when he goes by/He’s hiding something from/The rest of us… He’s all/To himself… I think I know/Why… — Tom Waits Overheard while running … Continue reading →

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On the road to Johnny Brenda’s w/ Nicos Gun


You’re achy and pissed when you pull into Roadkill, AL, or wherever, and sick of looking at each other, of the smell of each other in that RV you’re rattling around in. But South by Southwest in Austin was sweet … Continue reading →

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Correction, DN — Corbett wields the chainsaw


Here’s Josh Cornfield of the Philadelphia Daily News following up on reaction to the newspaper’s cheesy, Photoshopped front page photo on March 31: The Philadelphia School District apparently loved the Daily News’ cover yesterday as much as district parents and … Continue reading →

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Corbett to constituents: Go frack yourselves


From the March 17 Philadelphia Daily News: It hasn’t gone unnoticed to Pennsylvanians that the natural-gas industry is drilling the Marcellus Shale without paying taxes, while Gov. Corbett has been drilling into education and Medicaid. According to a Daily News/Franklin … Continue reading →

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The end is near, Philly! For you too, NYC.


From The Raw Story: In the documentary Urban Danger, 84-year-old Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, who is serving his tenth term as the representative of Maryland’s Sixth District, explains why US citizens should avoid living in cities. “There are a number … Continue reading →

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DiCicco drops out, but has DROP to console him


And so it comes to pass that one of Philly’s most consistently [GASPS, GRABS FACE]-inducing City Council members would rather just take the DROP money and run, rather than deal with your broke asses for another cringe-inducing term. And it’s … Continue reading →

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Consumer confidence & the price of Cheez Whiz


Pat’s Steaks, in South Philadelphia, which raised the price of its cheesesteak from a tourist-targeted $8 last year to $8.50, is getting by with a bit less profit to keep from raising prices again, said spokesman Tommy Francano. “Last year … Continue reading →

Posted in economic collapse, enviromentalism, Great Recession, Gulf, health care, immigration, livable cities, mainstream media, Philadelphia, Politics, unemployment, world-wide economy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

My dinner with Arianna — submit your questions


Any business owner who uses largely unpaid labor, with a handful of underpaid, nonunion employees, to build a company that is sold for a few hundred million dollars, no matter how he or she is introduced to you on the … Continue reading →

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