Editorial: Lightning Round

Finally, a sports champion reigns again in Philadelphia.

The Soul captured their first Arena Football League title on Sunday, winning ArenaBowl XXII in New Orleans.

It's the city's first football title since 1984, when the Philadelphia Stars won the USFL championship.

The city's "big four" teams - the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies and Sixers - haven't won a title since the Sixers earned glory in 1983.

So, congratulations to Soul owner Jon Bon Jovi and his players, including MVP quarterback Matt D'Orazio. They deserve all the love that the city can give in a victory parade on Thursday.

And you other Philly teams, take note.

Our compliments to the chef. That's Aaron McCargo Jr. of Camden, who won a weeks-long competition to earn his own cooking show on the Food Network.

McCargo, 37, was most recently the executive chef of catering at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City. He also created several restaurants in Camden.

Beginning Sunday at 1:30 p.m., he'll be the star of

Big Daddy's Kitchen

on the culinary cable channel.

Proving again that the Philadelphia region is more than just cheesesteaks and soft pretzels, McCargo competed against another Philly chef, Adam Gertler, as a finalist.

Hey, maybe McCargo could use a

sous

-chef for his new show?

Olga's Diner, a popular fixture in South Jersey for more than 60 years, may have served up its last meal.

The landmark Fodero-built diner on the Marlton Circle was seized last week by state officials for $37,000 in back taxes. Sadly, the future appears uncertain for a once-great meeting place for a quick meal and good conversation.

The family-owned restaurant has been at that location since 1960, when Olga Stavros expanded the business from the Camden site where it all began in 1946. A huge neon sign made Olga's easy to spot at the busy intersection of Routes 70 and 73. With its shiny, stainless steel exterior, it was a literal landmark for motorists.

Olga's was once a popular campaign stop for politicians and travelers headed to the Jersey Shore. But those glory days may be long gone.

The last thing this nation ought to be doing is to make it more difficult for disabled veterans to exercise their right to vote. Yet that is exactly what could happen if the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs goes forward with a directive that would prohibit nonpartisan voter registration at VA facilities.

Fortunately, there is an effort in Congress to stop the move. The good fight is being waged by House administration chairman Rep. Bob Brady (D., Pa.) and House veterans affairs chairman Bob Filner (D., Calif.)

"The fact that this affects wounded veterans, many of whom risk life and limb defending the freedoms that we all enjoy, is most troubling," said Brady.

He's right. The VA needs to rethink this maneuver.