http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists RSS Feed for P-com Columnists en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:07:15 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Ronnie_Polaneczky__FOR_DISABLED___TAXIS__LIFE_IS_SIMPLY_NOT_FARE.html I'VE NEVER been more grateful for my two good feet than I was after attending yesterday's public hearing about the need for more wheelchair-accessible taxicabs. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Marquis_of_Debris___Bandit_signs__already_sticking_up_city_nabes.html A PROPOSAL from City Council to tweak the laws concerning one of the city's many dirty habits - and to monetize it - has incensed some neatness freaks, who say that the idea will make it even more difficult for Philadelphia to clean up its act. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Michael_Klein__Husband-and-wife_duo_offer_homey__fresh_fare.html Locally sourced ingredients and a daily menu are the watchwords behind the homey Russet (1521 Spruce St., 215-546-1521, www.russetphilly.com), an American BYOB that opened Tuesday at the former site of Ernesto's 1521 Cafe. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Kevin_Riordan__A_writer_finds_poetry_in_Kensington.html David Livewell found poetry in Kensington long before downtown artists discovered that rough and resilient Philly neighborhood. "As a poet, you're always looking for that right word," says Livewell, whose fondly remembered childhood in a Master Street rowhouse inspired many of the poems in Shackamaxon. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Sideshow__Sir_Paul_on_approach_to_70.html Paul McCartney turns 70 in June, yet the Beatle rocks on. He says he has already beaten the odds. "You really don't want to go beyond 50," a former manager once told him. "It's going to get embarrassing." So recounts Sir Paul in the March issue of Rolling Stone, a mag founded by kids who thought it was all over at 30. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Worldview__Fertile_ground_for_Xi_s_visit.html I wonder what lessons China's future president will draw from his Wednesday visit to Iowa, the state where Republican presidential hopefuls so recently tested their strength. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Tell_Me_About_It___How_can_she_endure_constant_bad_news_.html Question: Any advice on how to keep bouncing back when life keeps sending bad news your way? I feel like that ambush scene in Bonnie and Clyde when the cops keep shooting way after Bonnie and Clyde have probably died. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Jeff_Gelles__Time_may_be_here_to_collect_sales_tax_on_Internet_shopping.html Is it time for Internet retailers - companies like Amazon, Overstock, and eBay - to finally abandon the idea that Web sales should take place free from the burden of collecting state sales taxes? http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Tattle_.html AS SATURDAY'S funeral for Whitney Houston nears, there's still a fair amount of breaking news: * The Los Angeles County coroner's office has issued subpoenas for medical and pharmacy records from Whitney's doctors and medical providers. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/20120216_Dan_Gross___Witch__gang_meets_in_N_J_.html UPPER DARBY native actress Heather Donahue will reunite with her "Blair Witch Project" co-stars Michael C. Williams and Josh Leonard at the Monster-Mania convention, March 9-11, at the Cherry Hill Crowne Plaza.