Hill residents must know that the fire alarm went off for an actual reason this morning. A car parked near the corner of 33rd and Walnut was seen ablaze and has since been extinguished. Fortunately, no one seems to have been injured. After being let back in, Hillites were asked to keep their windows closed. People in the area have been saying they heard a loud boom, and no cause has been reported. Check back later at the DP for updates!

Do youse guys love speaking like real Philadelphians? According to a recently published study by Penn linguistics professor William Labov, the Philly accent has changed significantly over the past century.

The Philadelphia dialect used to be more similar to Southern speech, but Northern influences have been increasing during the last few decades. Some sounds, like the “i” in fight, have become more extreme, while others, like the “o” in soda, have become less distinctive.

This might seem like a lot of change, but don’t worry. This is still the only city in the world where you can order a glass of wooder.

For seniors counting down their last days as undergrads and other students alike, Sidetour might be your new best friend.  It’s a new community marketplace aimed at offering unique experiences in cities and Penn grads just brought the site to Philly.  From tequila tastings to a guided tour from a descendant of Philadelphia’s charter-writer, all the offerings on the site sound like preceptorials you would want to take.  This might just be the perfect opportunity to finally put that thesis to rest and reacquaint yourself with the outside world.

If you’re stressing about that exam tomorrow or paper due in a few days, don’t. With all those equations and dates and principles to memorize, it may seem like your brain is on fire! We’re here to tell you that things can always be worse. Your brain could actually be on fire.

This article from CBS warns about a mysterious sickness that seems to be striking mainly young women. Appearing at first like a mental illness, the disease begins with personality changes. Affected women bounce between feeling hysterical and catatonic with no warning or explanation, prompting doctors to claim that it was like their brains were on fire. It’s no mental illness, but an auto-immune condition that causes antibodies to affect the brain.

The disease was first diagnosed by doctors at our very own Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, but its causes are still unknown. Even worse, this isn’t the first time a bizarre disease has swept through Philthadelphia. Cue the hysterical calls from Mom. Have you been Purell-ing?!?!

2013 is well under way, y’all, and even though we don’t have WiFi-enabled contact lenses or hover skateboards yet, new computer technology may allow us to predict crimes before they happen, much like in Minority Report.

Developed by Penn professor and criminologist Richard Berk, new software can help predict which freed prisoners are expected to repeat crimes, making police and parole officers’ jobs, like, a billion times easier. The algorithms can also help decide sentences and bail amounts based on these predictions. It’s already being implemented in Philadelphia, making for a smarter security.

Peep the the full details here.

Philadelphia, the city of brotherly LO.

Forget sandy beaches and idyllic national parks—our very own Philly has been named the fourth best travel destination in the US. All UTB has to say is DUHHH. We could have told you that. In fact, we should really be #1. I mean, Kentucky? Robbed.

Lonelyplanet has dubbed Philly the new art capital, pointing to renowned destinations like the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the trendy Loft District. The only thing missing from the list is a little shoutout to West Philly. It’s also no secret that Penn is the gem of the Philadelphia art scene. There’s a giant, broken sex button in front of our library. There are two giant tampons duking it out over Locust Walk. We’re artsy.

Now that the secret’s out, everyone’s going to be cancelling holiday flights to St. Bart’s and flooding our little city. ‘Tis the price of fame. Just remember that we were here before it was cool.

Banh-mi is cool but when are we getting one of these?

There are few things that Penn students love more than Quaker spirit food trucks. Luckily, we now have yet another choice as to where to stuff our faces in that awkward hour-long break between classes. Coming to Penn/Drexel (meh) this spring, Baguette Philly will serve Vietnamese Banh-mi hoagies (no idea what that is either, but it looks good).

The hoagies aren’t even the best part—no, seriously. The food truck will participate in the Lunch 4 Lunch Program, which donates to a hunger relief organization for every meal purchased. Now you can feel good about stuffing your face in the middle of the afternoon! Go ahead and have that second hoagie, girl. It’s for charity.

Can’t wait for that Banh-mi? Help Baguette Philly purchase and set up its truck by pledging on kickstarter.

In keeping with the now-heralded tradition, Center City Sips returns tonight and lasts all summer long.  For the uninformed, CCS runs every Wednesday evening through August 29.  More than ninety bars and restaurants participate by offering drink specials from 5pm to 7 (hello $3 beers, $4 wines, and $5 cocktails) and half-priced appetizers.  Some restaurants continue the fun and discount menu items 15% after 7pm.  Round up the most tolerable best of your fellow interns and friends and get there tonight!