The Daily Examiner closes the day with a choice quip from Bob Schoelkopf, director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, about the problems of caring for a blind seal that’s been under his care since March. If it doesn’t find a home soon, the seal will be euthanized.

“Just the air-conditioning is costing us $1,300 a month. I’d like to have other animals with him. But he’s not sighted, and we don’t want to take the risk that he’ll lash out and take a bite. We don’t need any other injured seals.”

Time running out for injured seals? [Inquirer]

Tit-happy fraternimag Maxim has just christened the legendary Bob and Barbara’s one of the “Best Dive Bars in America.” Owner Jack Prince found out about the somewhat significant achievement yesterday, but says he doesn’t want to make too big a deal out of it. If the mention — which will appear in the mag’s November issue — gets more people to stop by for $3 PBRs and three-piece jazz, great.

(more…)

The Jewish Federation’s venerable weekly newspaper the Jewish Exponent hasn’t provided much coverage of the mayoral race this election season, but the little it has run seems to be favoring long-shot Republican candidate Al Taubenberger.

Asked by the Daily Examiner if this has been a prelude to the paper’s coming out for Big Al, an Exponent editorial staffer said the paper doesn’t openly endorse candidates and, further, that it offers equal coverage and has no political bias. The staffer then encouraged the Examiner to check out its “Politics” section for confirmation. We did.

(more…)

The Wall Street Journal has a lengthy story today about drinking-game entrepreneurialism that mentions Philadelphia-based company Bing Bong Inc., which is apparently becoming quite successful thanks to its $150-plus drunk-gaming tables. The company was founded by two Penn State grads who, according to the WSJ, estimate that they’ll do $1 million in revenue this year.

(more…)

BUSINESS: Inquirer building trial balloon price: $70 million

CITY PLIGHT: Philly, Camden and their surroundings rank near the top of wealth disparity nationwide, latest Census figures show

PHILANTHROPY: Free Library expansion architect nicely says we’re cheap bastards who hate the poor

(more…)

The Daily Examiner closes the day with a choice quip from American Idol senior producer Patrick Lynn:

“We absolutely do not look to put people on camera who are mentally challenged. I have an aunt who is, and this is not something that I find funny. But people do act out strangely in front of the camera, for their own reason.”

Idol Aspirations [Inquirer]

Recent bizarre reach-outs to constituents from state Sen. Vince Fumo are making some in the city wonder if he’s trying to deflect attention away from his federal indictment scandal. Many in the area have received mail and multiple phone calls to let them know about “some of the services available” at both of his offices. And what are they, you ask?

(more…)

Yesterday’s Britt Reid saga concluded with 33 (or some say as many as 200) pills found by police in the truck he smacked into a shopping cart with in Plymouth Meeting last Thursday. Today, Britt is in Montgomery County for mandatory psychiatric testing, which may have an impact on the charges filed in his latest dustup — or, at least, give some clue as to what’s knocking around that head of his. But with the pre-season about to close, it still begs the question: Will Andy Reid stick around?

(more…)

Philadelphia’s prison system has reached dangerous levels of overcrowding, and the city solicitor says the city needs another prison to keep up with its plethora of convicted criminals. According to the Inquirer, the prison population hit 9,123 on August 6th, which is more than double the average of 4,000 inmates in 1980.

(more…)

CASINOS: Opponents of Delaware River casino sites get Rendell’s attention

SAFETY: Pa. releases statewide bridge ratings; crank up Excel if you think you really want to know

EDUCATION: The post-Vallas exodus begins?

(more…)