Cameron Diaz Shooting "Shoes" in Philadelphia

Cameron Diaz has begun shooting In Her Shoes (based on novel by Jennifer Weiner) in Philadelphia, with the very first scenes shot Thursday at a small park in a residential neighborhood. Today (Friday), filming shifts to a restaurant in South Philadelphia, with additional work done near Rittenhouse Square in the center of town this weekend.

With trailers and trucks taking up a three block radius in the area, and many cars towed the night before, residents watched as the crew sprayed artificial snow on the ground. A number of dogs were also used for the scene, so pet owners stood on the sidelines waiting for their cue to hand their dogs over to the extras who would walk them through the park.

Toni Collette co-stars, and filmed scenes for The Sixth Sense only blocks away in 1999. The movie also co-stars Shirley MacLaine and is directed by Curtis Hanson. The film, about two sisters with nothing in common, will also shoot in Princeton NJ and Miami. It will be released in 2005.

Mayor Fills several management positions

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street filled several management positions this week, although there will soon be another vacancy in the city Treasurer's Office.

Joseph Faraldo, 54, has been filling in as acting treasurer since Corey Kemp's abrupt departure_ in the midst of a federal probe — in November. Now Faraldo plans to retire from the $98,000-a-year job next Friday.

Faraldo declined to return calls, while a mayoral spokeswoman said it is unrelated to the broad investigation of City Hall practices.

The troubled Minority Business Enterprise Council, meanwhile, will be led by Michael Williams, 45, a lawyer who worked as deputy director of Community Legal Services until last fall.

Also, Street on Thursday named Leon A. King II his prison commissioner, after King had served as acting commissioner since 2002; and named Joseph Grace and Shawn Fordham as government-affairs officers. Fordham, who managed the mayor's Street's reelection campaign, makes $110,000 a year in his new post, up from $75,000 during his last government stint.

Philadelphia Has Program To Get You Moving
Philadelphia Wants To Be Known as Fit-adelphia

One of the biggest health issues facing Americans is the battle of the bulge.

If the current trend persists, more people in the United States will be dying from obesity than smoking -- making obesity the nation's No. 1 cause of preventable death.

Can the epidemic be stopped? Health experts are hopeful they can find the answers.

"Let's get moving Philadelphia" is Ed Rendell's motto as the city promotes its Health Trip program.

The program helped Gail Cummings, 49, to lose 53 pounds.

"I feel I can run around the block where before (I could) walk or crawl," Cummings said.

Cummings, like thousands of Philadelphians, is active in the city program created by fitness czar Gwen Foster.

"It costs $20 to register with partner, $25 on your own," Foster explained.

You get a travel kit with a passport entitling you to attend over 70 activities. You also get a free assessment of weight, body fat, blood pressure and more. You will be evaluated before and after the program.

Members say it is fun. Members have access to health clubs, cooking schools and support groups.

Byronette Watson, 52, is a member. One year ago, she weighed 287 pounds. She has lost 81 pounds. She got motivated when she was diagnosed with diabetes and refused to use medication.

"It became to easy to do nothing, but (with a) diagnosis of a health problem that causes long-term ill effects, (I had to) rethink my position," Watson said.

She now walks 11 miles to work -- all the way down Broad Street and back, even in bad weather.

"I walk art museum weekends on West River Drive, Kelly Drive and then back to my car," Watson said.

Foster said the benefits of the program extend beyond the personal gain.

Members track their mileage. Every minute of exercise, every 8-ounce glass of water, can lead to rewards.

"(I tell them) 'take it one day at a time, (one) step at a time, and every time you do something for your health it will pay off in the long run,'" Foster said. "There is no magic bullet. It is a lifelong thing. If you stop and you go back, you'll be sorry you stopped.


Let's Get Fit Philadelphimamrumphrumph

Citizens Bank Park ready to debut

PHILADELPHIA -- Construction workers are still hammering and chiseling the final touches on Citizens Bank Park, the new home of the Phillies, as the first dress rehearsal for the new park approaches this Saturday when the Cleveland Indians visit for a two-game exhibition set.

The stadium should be about 98 percent ready when the Phillies and Indians take the field on Saturday. Some dust still needs to be cleared and some fine-tuning before the home opener on April 12 against Cincinnati, but Citizens Bank Park will surely have all the amenities of the modern-era ballparks.

Tight Times for Philladelphia Budget

PHILADELPHIA(AP) — City budget cuts could prove more severe than those outlined in the mayor's budget, if certain revenues don't come in as projected.
City officials, at a council hearing Wednesday on Mayor John F. Street's proposed $3.4 billion budget for the coming fiscal year, said there could be more cuts to pools and recreation centers if the city can't balance next year's budget.

Mayoral aides cited the $18 million that the Philadelphia Gas Works, a city-owned utility, owes the city's coffers as an example of the funds that remain in doubt.

Council members must approve a budget plan by June 1.

Where you might find me tonight...

The Buying of the President 2004
Who's really bankrolling the election?

Wednesday, March 31, 2004, 7:00 PM

4th Street Meeting House
4th & Arch Streets
Suggested donation $3-5
Enter on 4th street. Parking available.


Media Tank presents CHARLES LEWIS, best-selling author and founder and executive director of the Center for Public Integrity.

Come hear one of the nation's top investigative reporters discuss how the process of choosing a president has moved from the voting booth to the auction block, and the special interests that invest in the politicians seeking the nation's highest office.

Lewis takes you behind the scenes to reveal the facts you won't find in the mainstream media-answering such questions as:

 Who is the biggest career contributor to George W.
Bush?
 In the last election, which candidate was a registered lobbyist while running for president?
 Which candidate was paid by a pharmaceutical firm to give speeches while running for the Senate?
 Which candidate proposed 32 separate tax breaks for big businesses that support his campaign?
 Who turned the Homeland Security Act into a bonanza for the biotech industry?

Amid 'Apprentice' success, Trump's casinos in trouble financially

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- While Donald Trump basks in the popularity of his runaway hit reality TV show, "The Apprentice," the auditors for his Atlantic City casinos are raising alarms over their real-life debt.

Barring a bailout, Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts may not be able to continue as a "going concern," auditors for Ernst & Young LLP warned in a letter to the company's board of directors.

The debt-laden company, which runs three Atlantic City casinos, is struggling under stiff competition, recurring operating losses and what had a working capital deficit as of Dec. 31, 2003, the auditors said.

The letter was made public Tuesday as part of Trump's filing of the company's annual report.

"The Company is working on various alternatives to improve the Company's financial resources ... Absent the successful completion of one of these alternatives, the Company's operating results will increasingly become uncertain. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern," the auditors said.

Last month, Trump announced that Credit Suisse First Boston had agreed to make a $400 million cash infusion into the company in exchange for a controlling stake.

If approved by bondholders, the deal would result in Trump's removal as chief executive officer. He would stay on as chairman, but the company would be called Trump International, under the plan.

Trump Hotels, which carries $1.8 billion in debt, has been unable to finance major capital improvements at its Atlantic City properties at a time when competitors _ including the new Borgata Hotel Spa & Casino _ have been luring away gamblers.

Trump, who initially declined comment on the auditors' letter Tuesday, noted later that the 11.25 percent notes issued by subsidiary Trump Atlantic City Associates don't come due for another two years.

"The debt doesn't come due until May of 2006. That's a long time. We are addressing the situation immediately, as we speak," he said.

Scott Butera, executive vice president of Trump Hotels, said the company would be able to make a $73 million interest payment on the notes due May 1, although the company may use a 30-day grace period to do so.

"Obviously, the auditors have to do and say what they have to in today's environment," Butera said. "They have to take whatever care and caution that they have to. What we've been saying to the market is we have high leverage and we have fairly high interest rates relative to our competitors in Atlantic City. Most of our cash flow goes to pay debt service. As a result, we haven't had the opportunity to invest in our properties as our competitors have."

One analyst called the auditors' warning no surprise.

"Their cash flow is going one way and their interest expenses are rising," said analyst Jim Gentrup, of Provident Equity Research. "They're just drowning in debt. They recognize it, though. It's not like Donald is standing still. He's doing something about it."

The Credit Suisse deal hinges on whether bondholders will agree to the recapitalization. Asked Tuesday if he thought they would, Trump said: "We'll find out. We'll see what happens."

Shares of Trump Hotels fell 35 cents, or 11 percent, to close at $2.71 on the New York Stock Exchange. The shares fell another 2 cents in after-hours trading.


Can he fire himself?

Wolf Found Wandering In Philadelphia
Police Thought Animal Was Dog


PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Philadelphia police got quite a surprise when they arrived to pick up what they thought was a stray dog last weekend. The pooch was actually a wolf.

Someone spotted what they thought was a big dog around 4 a.m. Saturday, wandering near Delaware Ave.

The animal was a little too big for police to handle alone so they called in animal control officers, who were able to corner and capture the animal.

When they got the animal back to the shelter, they realized it was no dog.

“We've handled other rare breeds, alligators, hawks, falcons, this is our first wolf,” said George Stem from Philadelphia Animal Care Control.

It was Linda Thomas's first wolf as well. She was working at the Mobil gas station when the wolf appeared across the street.

“We thought it was a big dog at first and then someone got close enough and saw it was actually a wolf,” said Thomas. “I actually thought somebody was going to hurt it, because first thing when people see a wild animal, they'll try to destroy it.”

There are no plans to destroy the animal. Animal Control officers are hoping to find a place that can provide the proper habitat for wolves, which is not the city of Philadelphia. It is actually illegal to own a wolf in the city except under strict regulations.

Officials say the wolf appears to be very young and is as fragile as a puppy right now, but he may not be as docile. “The older it gets, it could go back to becoming a wild animal,” said Stem.

More Pickets, if Sparse, at 'Real World'

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The carpenters union picketed outside the building set to house the MTV series "The Real World," just days after the city wooed back producers who had left town over labor issues.

The three-person picket, which started Monday morning, suggests the union is unhappy with the agreement brokered last week by Gov. Ed Rendell, city and labor leaders and the show's production company.

Pat Gillespie, who heads the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, represented the carpenters and other construction unions in talks with the city last week. In brief comments Monday, he said the carpenters' issue had been resolved. He declined to elaborate.

Negotiators have indicated the unions approved the confidential agreement on the renovation of the former Seamen's Church Institute in Old City.

But three men wearing placards from the Metropolitan Regional Council of Philadelphia and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America picketed outside the site from about 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. before driving off.

A spokesman for Bunim/Murray Productions, the Van Nuys, Calif.-based production company, also declined comment.

Shooting for season 15 of the show is scheduled to begin in late April.

Earlier this month, the company had decided to pull up stakes over the union labor question after three weeks working on the set with nonunionized labor.

Members of the Teamsters and others had picketed outside with signs and a giant inflatable rat.

Online Grocery Shopping comes to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Acme markets will begin offering online grocery shopping Monday at stores in Philadelphia and its Pennsylvania suburbs.

Acme will charge $4.95 for pick-up at a store or $9.95 for delivery in the five-county area. Orders placed before 10 a.m. will be available after 5 p.m. the same day, while later orders will be available the following day. The company promises that deliveries will arrive within a 90-minute window.

Philadelphia is the tenth urban market to offer online grocery shopping.

Acme is a subsidiary of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Inc., which introduced online shopping in 1999 on the West Coast and has slowly expanded it.