The big and small moments of 2008 in Philadelphia.
The year began with a bang in Philadelphia. So many people fired into the air immediately after the clock stuck midnight that 911 received 257 calls about gunfire. It was contagious, with police firing into a house, grazing a 9-year-old boy and putting a 33-year-old in a coma.
It was an auspicious start of the new year, one that became bigger, dumber and more Philly than anyone could've imagined.
Citizens lined up around City Hall to shake hands with the new mayor. Nutter was then inaugurated and celebrated by covering "Rapper's Delight." The Daily News ran a headline that read, "NOT WORTH THE INK IT'S WRITTEN WITH." KYW-TV ran one that said, "RENDELL NAMES DOG LAW ENFORCEMENT DIRECTOR."
Dennis Kucinich finished second in a straw poll at Central High School. A reality show about the Parking Authority debuted on A&E. Larry Mendte read the announcement of Alycia Lane's firing. Beanie Sigel was sent to a halfway house due to a mention in the Daily News' gossip column.
A museum honoring departed hero/horse Barbaro was cancelled. On a reality show, Miss Pennsylvania couldn't identify the state flag. Announcements were made: The price of the Inquirer and Daily News would go to 75 cents each; Alycia Lane didn't lose her virginity until she was 23. A man asked KYW-AM's John McDevitt: "Are you trying to pimp me for a pie?"
And all of that was just in the first month.
Sometimes the big moments tended to overshadow the little stuff that was just as entertaining. As 2008 draws to a close, PW looks at the big and small.
Big moment:
Four police officers are killed, creating waves of grief across city.
Small moment:
The police department website posts videos of Phillies-related vandals. Keep your eyes out for guys in red hats.
Big moment:
Thomas Scantling viciously assaults sleeping passenger Dewayne Taylor on SEPTA with a hammer. A compassionate bystander steals Taylor's cell phone.
Small moment:
SEPTA installs token machine at busy 52nd Street station. Given the reliability of other SEPTA token machines, it might take a hammer to get this one to work.
Article:
Super Kuts
Article:
Enemies of the Skate
Article:
Not Home Alone
Article:
The HPV Vaccine: Lifesaver or
Russian Roulette?
Article:
Survival of the Fittest
Article:
Donk the World
Article:
Summer Guide 2009
1. meeee said... on Dec 30, 2008 at 08:29PM
“P!nk IS a big deal:p and no harm in Self -Promotion;)”