Goose

WHEN THE I-35 BRIDGE over the Mississippi River collapsed two weeks ago, there was the predictable rush to see what the state of other bridges were around the nation. I instead reached for my trusty reference book I keep by my bed - "Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes" - and immediately turned to "London Bridge. " I was familiar with the first stanzas: "London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. " It was some of the other stanzas that caught my attention: "How will we build it up?

It seems inconceivable that a Philadelphia neighborhood can have existed this long without landing an Italian BYOB. Those satisfyingly simple trattorias have spread in epidemic proportions across the city in recent years, and become, like the corner coffee shop, the local tavern, or a convenient Wawa, one of the basic amenities of a quality urban life. So it's no surprise that my friends in Fairmount were frothing with excitement when they finally got their Gnocchetti Moment with the recent opening of L'Oca.

For those whose blood runs green, nothing - do you understand? - nothing will get in the way of watching the Eagles play archrivals the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow for a shot at the division title. Not chatty in-laws who drove five hours to see the baby. Or a Yuletide feast the wife slaved over for days. Or playing with the kids' new Nintendo Wii - though that one's tempting. For diehard fans, Christmas this year ends at 4:59 p.m. Glazed ham and fruitcake? Been there. But this is the first time the Eagles will play on Dec. 25 since the NFL extended the regular season in 1990.

MAYOR STREET is quite an obstacle to progress. Here we are, ready to move on from business tax reform to improving property tax abatements. But the lame duck threatens to veto tax cuts hammered out last week. Miserable it is to be a Street duckling on Council as he lets you roast on the spit of public opinion. Letting others burn is the defining behavior of lame ducks. Mayor Duck frets that passing a tax bill before his budget address is "terrible, terrible public policy," reported the Daily News.

For years, the Canada geese that have taken up residence throughout the region have been designated pests for messy droppings that foul waterways, parks and lawns. Despite the best efforts of officials, the birds have continued to proliferate and frustrate. But now their goose may really be cooked. With nationwide numbers of so-called resident Canada geese soaring and the headaches they create for landowners, farmers and officials mounting, the federal government is declaring all-out war. And you, dear reader, could become one of its trusty foot soldiers.

Despite a few miscalculations in dramatic tone, Friday's opening-night performance of Christopher Wheeldon's Swan Lake was a visually stunning, emotionally wrenching and gorgeously danced way to inaugurate the Pennsylvania Ballet's 2005-06 season. Commissioned to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary, this Swan - set in a 19th-century Parisian ballet studio of the sort painted by Degas - is the company's largest and most expensive work, created by a sought-after choreographer.

RE YOUR editorial on the Vioxx verdict: You would think that Merck devoted thousands of man-hours and millions of dollars to developing a drug that kills people. With thousands of lawsuits forthcoming, Merck will eventually go under, and then you can bring out the editorials bemoaning the increase in unemployment and the lack of interest in our government officials. Keep up the rabble-rousing and don't worry about the facts. Jack Callahan Philadelphia

The matchups have been set for five of South Jersey's six boys' basketball championships, highlighted by tonight's Group 4 final between Shawnee and Atlantic City. Three teams - Burlington City (Group 1), Haddonfield (Group 2) and St. Augustine (Parochial A) - will be trying to repeat as South Jersey champs. The South Jersey Parochial B final will be set up after tonight's semifinals: Moorestown Friends at Cardinal McCarrick, and McCorristin at Holy Spirit. Here is a look at the five other South Jersey finals, along with the Central Jersey Group 1 championship game: Group 4. Top-seeded Shawnee (25-1)

A week ago, fans attending 76ers games were still cheering for the Eagles. On Saturday night in an electric setting in the Wachovia Center, the cheers were all for the Sixers. Allen Iverson enjoyed another virtuoso performance, the first 60-point game of his career, in a 112-99 win over the Orlando Magic. He shot 17 for 36 from the floor and 2 for 5 from three-point territory. He also drilled 24 of 27 free-throw attempts. When he hit two free throws with 1 minute, 7 seconds left to become the first NBA player to score 60 points since Tracy McGrady last season, the crowd roar was deafening.

I AGREE with you. Let's get all of President Bush's National Guard records out in the open. And, while we're at it, get Sen. Kerry to sign that Form 180, which he refuses to do. And let's not forget that Sen. Kerry also applied for a deferment. And how about we have the Congress investigate whether or not Sen. Kerry did commit atrocities in Vietnam, as his sworn testimony states. President Bush may have missed a physical, yet he still got an honorable discharge. Sen. Kerry swore he committed atrocities in Vietnam worse than those at Abu Ghraib, and he gets a pass?