News Archives

Rendell gives reality check to mayors

Forget the good news, the good press and, basically, the good vibrations - America's cities are still in crisis mode, according to Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell and three other big-city mayors who participated in a panel discussion on political leadership, part of the three-day Steinberg Symposium, "Beyond Ideology," held Nov. 17 to 19.

Not the same Penn she entered

Recently I stood among my friends cheering as Penn clinched at least a share of the Ivy League football title with a 41-10 shelling of Harvard. Now I must admit that I have not been an avid attendee of Penn football games the last few years. After my freshman year the novelty of throwing toast and watching as people pegged both the Quaker and the Zamboni trying to suck up the mess wore off.

Attention holiday shoppers!

'Tis the season to be frenzied, as everyone and their dog flocks to the stores to wrap up their Christmas shopping. You can save yourself a lot of hassle - and money - by taking advantage of the holiday specials offered by local shops and programs.

"I guess it's the competition...you know, they shake hands and all that, then they kill each other? Well, this is something like it."

Rich Wallace practices his moves for Bill McIntyre's Shooting Stars' 1999 Mummers Parade production. Photo by Mark Garvin

First scientific director for Abramson Institute

Craig B. Thompson

AWARDS & HONORS

Comer: Change for children's sake

It's time to get teachers off the defeated and defensive track and create a radical new culture in schools - one that reflects the supportive sense of community of simpler times and encourages children to embrace their intellectual potential, according to venerable education reformer James P. Comer, M.D.

Beyond ideology

Under what, if any, conditions can the life prospects of today's inner-city poor children be improved, and how, if at all, can we foster these conditions? Based on four years of research and direct observation, I believe that supporting inner-city churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith-based grassroots organizations that perform youth and community outreach tasks is a necessary and vital - but insufficient - condition for repairing the social fabric of truly disadvantaged urban neighborhoods.

"You find yourself maybe stretching the envelope of what you thought you were capable of."

Kaminsky in front of the Gazela Primeiro, the oldest, largest wooden square-rigger still sailing in the world. Photo by Candace diCarlo

We'd like to give thanks for...

Because Thanksgiving is almost upon us, we thought we'd ask what you were most thankful for right now. And since Thanksgiving is about family and friends, it's probably no surprise that most of you were thankful for your friends and families. But there were other blessings to count, just being alive among them. However, lest we forget, Thanksgiving is an American holiday and Penn is an international university. John Primerano, College, Class of '02 "Being alive, living in America. I like my life in general, and I like my family, too."