1 October 05: Hot topics at phillyskyline.com:

1. The current Philadelphia Magazine. The current issue of the Main Line's favorite representation of the City claims that they have an "exclusive chart and Philly skyline circa 2016". Let's clear this up right here: it is NOT exclusive. This web site has had an exclusive chart since May called The Skinny which looks eerily similar to Philly Mag's "exclusive" October 2005 chart. Now, I don't begrudge Philly Mag for running such a newsworthy story ("The Condo Revolution"), but I don't appreciate the blatant ripoff. The only thing different about theirs is the price column, which frankly doesn't fall in the phillyskyline.com demographic. And the skyline composite? Remember this? Granted, that view of the skyline is a popular one, but it just furthers the coincidence of similar material. Whatever, it's not like I ever bought a single Philly Mag anyway.

2. The Phillies. Ok, I'd like to apologize to the team for the standard Philadelphian cynic's post after the second one-run loss to the Mets the other night. From the fourth row behind the Phillies dugout the next night, my faith was renewed. Sort of. While all Phillies fans can certainly be pleased with their performance in Washington this weekend, it's hard not to think of where we'd be if Jim Leyland or even Larry Bowa was our manager. Uncle Charlie is still doing things -- like pitching Urbina and Wagner seemingly every day, or Ryan Madson at all, or pinch running Endy Chavez every time a fellow outfielder (be it Burrell or Abreu or Michaels) gets on base late in the game -- that just make me scratch (or punch) my head. What's even worse is that this finish all but guarantees that Ed Wade (and indeed Charlie) will be back. Once again, I'd like to thank Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and the inarguable Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard for such an exciting second half of baseball this year. The three best players on the team are home grown . . . fantastic. Go Phillies.

3. National Geographic Traveler. The "Next" Great City? Didn't they say that when they covered our 300th birthday in their March 1983 issue? Hey, they're just saying what the rest of us here already know -- or refuse to admit. (I mean I guess there was that whole "Sixth Borough" thing in the New York Times written by the Philly Weekly gossip columnist.) It's great, to be sure, but I hope it makes the uptick in burglaries and muggings and smash-n-grabs go back down.

4. XPN's 885 Greatest Albums Ever. Everyone's favorite Penn radio station is counting down the 885 Greatest Albums of All Time this week. (Get it? They're 88.5 and it's 885 albums.) The 885 comes from their editorial staff and the tally of the submissions through their web site by listeners. If you're interested, mine is HERE. I'll elaborate once the Reviews section above hits full throttle.

5. Northeast Philly. That's right, the Great Northeast. It's an anomaly to most of us living below Cottman Ave, and I think most Neasties would like to keep it that way. Fair enough, but we here at phillyskyline.com like to see the city, so we'll trade the funny looks we get when seen with our cameras straight up for just seeing the place. At long last, the Northeast makes its debut in the neighborhoods section, with a fresh fall look at the Parkwood area. Also included are the abandoned Byberry Mental Hospital, Benjamin Rush State Park and the Franklin Mills Mall. The sum of these parts is entitled "The Far, Far Northeast." Enjoy.

–B Love




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