Philadelphia City Paper

Philadelphia City Paper logo

By Howard Altman

Editor-in-Chief
Executive Editor
Interim Editor
News Editor

Print and/or digital publication Philadelphia City Paper / citypaper.net

  • The Ross Report

    Pretzel Logic Karl Ross was someone I’ve wanted to talk to for a couple of months, ever since I found out that he was probably the last reporter to speak to a guy named Pena Gomez, a Dominican presidential candidate whose political associates were holding fundraisers in North Philadelphia crack alleys, selling millions of dollars…

  • Skate Crimes

    Pretzel Logic Good deeds rarely go unpunished in the city that gloves you back. Just ask skateboarders Mark Laman, a New Jersey contractor, and Josh Nims, budding attorney and, as it happens, City Paper ad campaign poster boy. On Sept. 17, Laman and Nims, as they have nearly daily for the past five years, were showing some…

  • Summertime Blues

    Pretzel Logic It could be a long, hot summer for state Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Fisher. Thanks to U.S. District Court Judge A. Richard Caputo, Fisher — barring any last-minute motions — will have to defend himself this July against a lawsuit filed by state narcotics officers who claim their careers were…

  • Still Standing

    Pretzel Logic It is one o’clock in the morning and the Liberty Bell is bathed in an eerie backlight. All is quiet on Independence Mall, save for the noise of a late-night SEPTA bus rumbling by. More than 16 hours after the most surreal morning, I stop for a moment to take in the sight…

  • Nothing Will Ever Be the Same

    Cover Story Observations and ruminations on the day the world changed, from Philly, New York and Washington. By Howard Altman, Jim Barry, Daniel Brook, Jenn Carbin, Daryl Gale, Mary F. Patel, Gwen Shaffer, Rick Valenzuela and David Warner Tuesday, September 11, 2001 9:45 a.m., U.S. Customs House, Second and Chestnut Elva Cherry is standing on the stone steps of the Customs building, trembling. “I am…

  • The Ballad of Bonnie and Carl

    Pretzel Logic It is Monday evening and as usual I am at the ballpark at Seventh and Bigler, coaching a very spirited bunch of 5- and 6-year-olds. It is a very cold night for the first week of June, and the South East Youth Athletic Association’s (SEYAA) Yankees and Marlins shiver in the stiff wind…

  • Hope Floats

    Pretzel Logic How tough is it to pull off a major development project in this city? Just walk over to Eighth and Market, look down at the big hole in the ground and see for yourself. The much anticipated DisneyQuest entertainment complex — originally conceived to open in time for the hordes of Republicans and…

  • Interview with the Umpire

    Cover Story Eric Gregg, the legendary plump ump from Philly, opens up about the game, the fans and the prospect of losing his job. The sun is bright, and a stiff, refreshing wind is blowing in from Lake Michigan, a mile or so from the right field wall of the time tunnel ballpark at Clark…

  • The Howies

    Editor’s Choice City Paper Choice Awards Issue 1996 Awards The Nikita Kruschev Freedom of Information Award To State Sen. Vincent Fumo, for meritorious sealing of public records never before sealed. The Elizabeth Taylor Love Is Forever Trophy To fired Phillies manager Jim Fregosi and general manager Lee Thomas for their very public lovespat. The Roseanne…

  • Dog Day Afternoon

    Pretzel Logic Mellow Milton relishes his big chance. The city’s most famous hot dog vendor is in a particularly fine mood as he picks an all-beefer off the grill, places it in a bun and shoves it up the line. “This is good, really good for the city,” says a downright jovial Milton Street, spearing…