It's a sure sign that summer is totally, officially and beyond question
over.

No, it's not the idea of turning the calendar over to September.

Not the fact that Labor Day is now in the rear-view mirror.

Not the fact that it seems to be getting dark earlier and earlier at night.

Not the fact that politicians will now begin turning up everywhere. Hey,
does anybody know who Al Taubenberger is? He's the Republican running
for mayor of Philadelphia against Michael Nutter? No wonder nobody knows
the guy.

It's not the fact that those kids who have not yet returned to school
likely will trudge back this week.

It's not the fact that, true to form, the Phillies took us to the brink
of hysteria with their thrilling sweep of the Mets, only to put it full
throttle into reverse, leaving us cursing our fate one more time.

It's not even the fact that the real sports season starts this week,
with the Eagles opener on Sunday, a 1 p.m. date on the not-yet-frozen
tundra of legendary Lambeau Field against the Packers.

Give up yet?

How was your drive in this morning? That's right, it's traffic. Is it me
or does the number of cars on the road triple on the Tuesday after Labor
Day?

Everyone is back from the shore. Everyone is headed back to school. And
of course kids have to drive their own cars. Every school bus manages to
be right in front of me.

At times like this, there's only one thing to do. All together now:
E-A-G-L-E-S!

So how many times do you think we're going to hear that between now and
January?

Yeah, that's right, about the same number as the cars backed up on the
Blue Route this morning.

Yep, summer's over. Hello, fall. It's nice to know some things don't change.

*
Moving Beyond 10,000 Losses: An occasional look at why it's so difficult
to be a Phillies – hell for that matter a Philadelphia – sports fan.
Speaking of falling back, the Phils aren't waiting for the end of
daylight saving time for their annual dive. They did it again. Took us
right to the precipice of exhiliration, then promptly backed off. They
swept the Mets, only to lose two of three to the lowly Marlins, and get
hammed yesterday in Atlanta.

*
The Daily Numbers: 5 days and counting before the Eagles open their
season in Green Bay. Try not to hyperventilate, fans.

21 years old, age of La Salle College student struck and killed by a
taxi early Sunday on Ridge Avenue in East Falls.

41 years ago, when a Philadelphia police officer was shot. He died of an
infection last month. Now the D.A. is going to bring murder charges
against the man who was convicted and did his time in the shooting.

2 stories, where a car flew out of a Philadelphia parking garage and
slammed into the pavement below, killing the driver.

4 people who suffered from carbon monoxide symptoms after inhaling
dangerous levels of the gas at a King of Prussia hotel over the weekend.
A fault pool heater was the cause.

150 graffiti images spray-painted on William Penn High School in
Wilmington over the weekend. It's the second incident of vandalism that
has targeted a Delaware high school.

11 months old, age of toddler who drowned in a bathtub in the Olney
section of Philadelphia.

9 people who lost their lives in a bloody holiday weekend on the streets
of Philadelphia.

287, where the murder toll now stands in the city.

11 losses now for Phils' aging starter Jamie Moyer, against 12 wins.

4 hits the Phils managed yesterday in losing to the Braves.

5 games back of the Mets in the N.L. East, where the Phils now sit. They
are 3 games back in the Wild-Card race, tied with the Dodgers.

*

I Don't Get It (with apologies to Jack McCaffery): Why is it that every
kid on your block (including my own) has to drive his or her own car to
school? Exactly how are we ever going to cut our demand for oil with
thinking like that? I don't get it.

*

Today's Upper: Yes, summer is over. So when do the leaves start to
change color? At least there's that to look forward to, followed of
course by months of gray, cold weather.

*

Quote Box: "I think that many people believe that because you to to
church or area a member of a ministry, domestic violence doesn't affect
you, but this shows that domestic violence affects women in all aspects
of life."
-- Linette Graham, at fund-raiser to help the children of murder victim
Christine Coleman.

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