You gotta give Derek Lowe some credit for taking it like a man. After his sinkerball silenced the Phillies’ bats for five innings, he hung a few up in the zone and suddenly the Dodgers were trailing the game. Even though those homers were just over the wall, he didn’t blame the ballpark. Even though Shane Victorino only got on base in the sixth because of a botched play by Rafael Furcal, Lowe didn’t......

Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin, the original "Hockey Mom," brings her only expertise to the Wachovia Center this Saturday to drop the first puck as part of the Flyers' Season Opener against the New York Rangers. While this is a brilliant bit of publicity on behalf of the Flyers, it is more a continuation of Ms. Palin's involvement with a team that likes to play dirty. Only the Flyers usually win. Rumor has it,......

This Phillyist must admit to missing most of last night's game. Depressed and tired, with the Phillies down by two, she fell asleep early in the fourth inning, only to wake up and find the home team victorious. Hmmm... Maybe Phillyist staff sleeping = good luck for the Phillies?......

"Republican City Councilman Jack Kelly is suing a Lawncrest man for a smear campaign that Kelly says nearly cost him last year's general election." "Police are looking for the driver of a gray Ford pickup who may have been involved in or witnessed the wounding of a Glendora man in a road-rage shooting Sunday night near the Walt Whitman Bridge." Barack Obama will be all over Philly tomorrow, with rallies in four neighborhoods. A......

We hate to mention the guy’s name at all, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the recent T.J. Simers piece in the LA Times lambasting Philadelphia and it’s fans, but giving only a cursory glance at the actual baseball that is scheduled to be played over the next week. We will not link this failure’s column because that is exactly what he wants, and in all fairness, we were conflicted on even......

Go Phils!......

With the great clash between Philly and LA coming up tonight, it's time to compare the cities and start trading barbs. (Meanwhile, as the Eagles seem to drift further and further from a championship, they at least have phone sex with Playboy Playmates to console them.) This weekend a number of political superstars will be coming to the region, including Sarah Palin, who'll be dropping the first puck at the Flyers' regular-season opener at the......

The Daily News has a lengthy article on Philadelphia-based model Ray Armstrong and the circumstances that led to him being arrested for the murder of Anthony Williams. Police are seeking a rapist who assaulted a woman in a party bus parked at Lincoln Financial Field during Sunday's Eagles game. Albert L. DiGiacomo, the Chester County chief of detectives, has not been seen on the job in over a month, and no one seems to......

What else is there to say after the Phillies ousted the Milwaukee Brewers and are now heading to the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers? What else is there to say after Pat Burrell lifted the team on his back to become the hero we all knew he could be? What else is there to say now that excitement has reached a fever pitch in Philadelphia with a Pennant win in sight?......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. VH1 Hip Hop Honors (Mon, 10PM-12AM, VH1) Tracy Morgan hosts the fifth annual event, which will honor Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Naughty By Nature, and Too Short. Those folks will all also perform, along with Big Boi, Biz Markie, Bun B, Ghostface Killah, Wyclef Jean, Kid Rock, Lil Jon, MC Lyte, and Scarface. Animal Cops: Philadelphia (Mon, 10PM-11PM, Animal Planet; Tue, 10PM-11PM, Animal Planet)......

The Phillies beat the Brewers yesterday afternoon to win the Nation League Division Series. At almost the same time, the Eagles suffered an embarrassing loss to the Washington Redskins, but most Philadelphians were ignoring that and focusing on the positive, not to mention the upcoming National League Championship Series where the Phillies will face the LA Dodgers. Your deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania in time for the presidential election is today. So......

Showtime continues as the Phillies put a little mustard on their mustard last night and sent CC Sabathia packing in the 4th. Sabathia was once again pitching on 3 days rest, but it just seemed like he had something else on his mind. Shane Victorino, our own Flyin’ Hawaiian, was the hero of the night with his 2nd inning grand slam off Milwaukee’s Cy Young candidate, but that was only possible after Brett Myers......

As I’m sure everyone who reads this column has Phillies playoff fever, I’m not even going to waste your time with a rant this week. (Also, I’m on vacation about to go to the Tampa Bay v. Chicago ALDS game and the tailgate is calling me.) Things are looking up for the Phils. Huge outing by Brett "Boom. Outta Here." Myers last night. I’ll never stop thanking him for the best sound bite I’ve heard......

This Phillyist spent most of yesterday soaked to the bone and freezing. It was a wonderful experience. As an 8-year-old boy, I watched Curt Schilling and the Phillies win Game 5 of the 1993 World Series on television with baited breath. I never guessed I’d be there for the next victory. Nor would I have wagered that it would be 15 years later. Regardless of the rain and cold, it couldn’t have been a......

...

How about those Phils? Their success is good, not only for fans, but also for the local economy. The election is getting closer, which means it's time for some voter intimidation! "An anonymous flier circulating in African-American neighborhoods in North and West Philadelphia states that voters who are facing outstanding arrest warrants or who have unpaid traffic tickets may be arrested at the polls on Election Day." This is false. A plumber was buried......

Last night proved that defense wins games. Wait…wait, no. It proved beyond doubt that Brian Westbrook is the ethanol that makes the Eagles Hybrid car of mediocrity run. No, hold on. Last night’s game proved that Andy Reid calls plays during a 2-minute drill as well as Sarah Palin articulates. Last night’s game proved… aw, who the hell knows? Between McNabb tripping over his own shadow on 2nd and Goal, Andy Reid calling short routes......

A fire broke out in City Hall shortly after 4:30AM on Saturday in a judge's chambers. The chambers were being remodeled and were not occupied. It's possible that an electrical problem was the cause. There were no injuries, although three other offices sustained smoke and water damage. Latrice Bryant, chief legislative aide to Philadelphia City Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., issued a letter of apology to Goode yesterday for holding up signs during a......

On Sunday I attended my second ever NFL game. The first game I attended was the Giants at the Redskins. The outcome of that game was inconsequential to my overall enjoyment of the matchup. I liked neither the Giants nor the Redskins. I don’t even think I really enjoyed the experience. It was mainly a function of the ridiculous drive that has to be made in order to reach FedEx Field (the home of the......

Philebrity reminds us it's been 25 years since we saw Philly's favorite reporter, Jim O'Brien. The Philly Phight breaks down the Phillies Playoff possibilities. Philly Clout has the deets on Councilman Wilson Goode Jr. pulling a McCain media moment. SEPTA Watch likes the new SEPTA TV spots. This Phillyist agrees. But he still hates the bus. The Bicycle Chef takes us on a City Food Tour including two of this Phillyist's favorite food finds: DiBruno......

More information on Daniel Giddings, the accused killer of Philadelphia police officer Patrick McDonald. There's also more on McDonald himself and the area where he was killed, and details on his public viewing. "Service on SEPTA's R6 commuter rail line has been suspended in both directions after a person crossing the tracks this morning was struck by a train." With the presidential election fast approaching, and the key battleground state of Pennsylvania still up......

In a move that surprised pretty much nobody, Mike Richards was named Captain of the Flyers, the 17th in club history (they count Bobby Clarke twice the way Americans count Grover Cleveland). While the move was wholly expected, it remains the best and most logical choice for a team that is poised to stake a claim to elite status in the NHL. Since Keith Primeu’s 5-year run as captain ended in 2006, the team has......

Bucknell (2-1, 0-0): Lost to Cornell, 21-20. Next game: At Marist, Oct. 4, 1:00 p.m. Delaware (1-2, 0-0): Lost at Furman, 23-21. Next game: Home vs. Albany, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. (tickets) Lafayette (2-0, 1-0): Idle. Next game: Home vs. Penn, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. (tickets) Lehigh (1-1, 0-0): Idle. Next game: At Princeton, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Penn (0-1, 0-0): Lost to Villanova, 30-24 (OT). Next game: At Lafayette, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. Penn State (4-0, 0-0):......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. Heroes (Mon, 8PM-11PM, NBC) At long last, the third season of this popular show following various groups of super-powered beings begins. From 8 to 9, a Countdown to the Premiere special, hosted by cast members, provides a review of important plot points, a lineup of suspects in Nathan's shooting, a look at the special effects process, a sample of translated episodes airing internationally (they were apparently really......

So, due to technical difficulties (or personal difficulties) here are the week's picks as an un-elaborated post. Hence: quick style! FALCONS (-5) over ChiefsBILLS (-9) over RaidersTITANS (-5) over TexansBengals (+13) over GIANTSCardinals (+3) over REDSKINSPATRIOTS (-13) over DolphinsBEARS (-3) over BucsPanthers (+3) over VikingsSEAHAWKS (-9) over Rams49ERS (-4) over LionsBRONCOS (-5) over SaintsJaguars (+6) over COLTSRAVENS (-2) over BrownsPACKERS (+3) over CowboysJets (+8) over CHARGERS Oh yeah, there's that other game this Sunday... Steelers......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Pirate It Up: Celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day with a screening of Bob Hope’s The Princess and the Pirate at Independence Seaport Museum (211 S Columbus Blvd), 7:30PM. $4 For Something More Serious: Leerraum Night featuring Swiss, Japanese, and German Experimental film and video at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut), 8PM. Free Soothe What Ails Ya: Experimental electronic music of Tantrum Tonic at the Random Tea Room......

Last night, in case you missed it, the Eagles were topped by familiar foe Dallas. If you did miss it, shame on you. The teams combined for 54 first half points. If you didn't miss it, you'll know that six of those points were not awarded to DeSean Jackson. We all know rookies make rookie mistakes from time to time. Intentionally dropping a ball on the ground at the one-yard line is not a rookie......

Penn (0-0, 0-0) will open up their season this Saturday against Villanova at 3:30 p.m. (tickets). Penn State put up their third straight yawner of a win this season, beating up on hapless Syracuse, 55-13. And it looks like things aren't going to change for the Lions before they get to their Big Ten season, as they close out their non-conference schedule at home against Temple on Saturday (tickets). Another week, another rough loss for......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. Monday Night Football: Eagles at Cowboys (Mon, 8:30PM-11:30PM, ABC & ESPN) The Monday night game this week is one of the really big games for Philly fans—the one in Dallas. Here's hoping they give the Cowboys the same brutal treatment they gave the Rams. It's a short week for the Birds this week, too; you can tune in to CBS at 4:15 on Sunday to see them......

As part of his attempt to convince Philadelphia business leaders to hire ex-convicts, Mayor Nutter hired one himself: Ronald L. Cuie, as director of the Mayor's Office for the Reentry of Ex-offenders. But Cuie was quietly demoted six months later. Nutter's explanation: "Needs and strategies change and evolve over time, and you utilize your personnel as best you see fit." But the Inquirer points out that while in the position, "Cuie nearly doubled his staff......