Congratulations, neighbor: Your Buzz correspondent would like to salute Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for being honored as the nation’s best pediatric hospital in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey of “America’s Best Hospitals.” CHOP—where Penn’s pediatric faculty practice—took the top honors from archrival Children’s Hospital of Boston for the first time in the survey’s 14-year history. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of the CHOP family.

Charting his own course: University of Pennsylvania Press Marketing Manager Bruce Franklin has set sail into new-but-familiar waters, leaving the Press Aug. 15 to devote full attention to his new publishing house, Westholme Publishing. Franklin intends to focus on history, in particular military and naval history, initially. His first title could not have been better timed, though—a reprint of B.K. Beckwith’s 1940 as-it-happened account, “Seabiscuit: The Saga of a Great Champion,” now available at the Penn Bookstore. Bon voyage, Bruce.

Timeshares on wheels: Is your second car—or your only one—a pain in the wallet? Relief is now available right here in University City, in the form of PhillyCarShare, a service that offers its members access to cars at a moment’s notice for shopping, errands and other short trips. Members also get car-rental discounts for longer journeys. PhillyCarShare—co-founded by neighbors Clayton Lane (EAS’93) and Eli Massar (C’95)—is opening a car-share station, or “pod,” at the 38th and Walnut garage Sept. 13. If you need access to a car without the hassles of owning one, visit phillycarshare.org or call 215-386-0988.

Riders wanted: The Penn Health System Cycling Team is looking for volunteers to participate in the annual MS 150 City to Shore Bike Tour. The two-day, 150-mile tour, held this year on Sept. 20-21, benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and takes participants on a grand loop along some of Southern New Jersey’s most scenic byways from the start/finish point at Woodcrest PATCO station. There is also an optional 45-mile ride from Hammonton to Ocean City and a 100-mile Centur Route ride on Saturday for those seeking more or less challenge. For registration information and requirements, visit www.ms150biketour.org/city2shore or contact the team captain, Emily Silvis (uphsteam@earthlink.net or 215-615-2378).

YES to two more years: The Ivy League and the YES Network have re-upped for two years of sports telecasts. Five Ivy football games and six basketball games, including one women’s match-up, will air on YES this season and next, with an option to renew in 2005-06. This year’s football telecasts will include the season-ending Penn-Cornell match-up on Nov. 22; the basketball schedule will be announced later this fall. Subscribers to the DirecTV Sports Pack can watch YES on channel 622.