Other Monday miscellania (you know you want it)

• Former Mayor Wilson Goode (Sr.) thinks Philadelphia should get in on the teen abstinence promotion craze. It should be noted (a) that this Silver Ring Thing program was funded through earmarks by Sens. Specter and Santorum, and (b) such programs have been noted for their ineffectuality and provision of misinformation.
  
  
• Apparently Philadelphia has some sludge problems, and Mayor Street is suggesting that the solution might be to privatize the treatment of sewage solids. Because, you know, corporations always hold the public health as paramount. ?!
  
  
• The city's real estate market continues to surge, with Center City slowing and the surrounding areas speeding up.
  
  
• Two suburban Republican Reps (Gerlach and Fitzpatrick) appear to have been in a battle over the placement of a veteran's cemetary. This story perplexes me, not least because it's not at all clear what outcome represents winning or losing. However, both have tough races ahead in the general election, so probably every event is supercharged... [There's also a zoning meeting tonight related to the prefered site, for those interested in having a voice in the outcome.]
  
  
• Above Average Jane has been looking at the candidates for the Democratic half of the 8th District House race (Fitzpatrick's seat). She favors Patrick Murphy, as do I, but has attempted to research each of the other contenders in some depth as well; today's installment is Andy Warren, and her conclusions aren't that pretty.
  
  
• Rep. Chaka Fattah has been generating news events for himself recently, on topics from heating oil to college scholarships. The article notes that this seems like more than preparation for an easy reelection to Congress. Indeed, Fattah plans to send out letters inviting folks to join his mayoral exploratory committee, and he remains unrepentant about his large contributions from Selfless Philanthropists. Dan at YPP adds his own speculations to those surrounding Fattah's plans.
  
  
• Finally, Marc Stier puts in a few cents worth of thoughts on Rendell's experience as governor and about what progressives might learn from his attempts to run the state in a manner similar to his centrist approach as mayor -- specifically from his increasing failures in the face of the ever greater difficulty of achieving bipartisan compromise. Stier intendes more posts suggesting a better way to go...