By Larry Fish, with staff contributions

After his loss in the Democratic mayoral primary in May, Marty Weinberg and many from his inner circle endorsed the victor, John F. Street.

Yet to be heard from, however, has been State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, one of Weinberg's main men. Before the primary, Fumo said a Street victory would be "a disaster for the city."

"Take the value of your house and deduct 10 percent," Fumo told about 20 people at a Democratic ward meeting in South Philly.

Now comes word that Fumo has made his choice in the general election between Street and Republican Sam Katz.

It's Street, say sources close to both Fumo and Street. There may or may not be a public announcement, but Fumo on Sunday will hold a fund-raising event for Street at the senator's favorite restaurant, Ristorante La Veranda in Old City.

No update yet on home prices.

- Tom Infield

Teachers' union will go with Street

Ted Kirsch, president of the union, which represents 20,000 teachers and other school employees, said last week that he expected Street to win the union's backing, but that votes were still being counted. The results are now in.

The union has had big differences with School Superintendent David Hornbeck, and Katz had said he would dump Hornbeck if elected.

Street, however, has been coy, saying in a debate on Saturday that "Hornbeck is not the issue."

Kirsch said that Street had asked whether the union would require a public statement that he planned to fire Hornbeck as a condition of an endorsement. Kirsch said no.

The key word may be public. There's no question the union leadership wants Hornbeck out.

- Tom Infield

Nader will stump for Council candidate

Ralph Nader, who ran for president on the Green ticket in 1996 and who may do so again in 2000, has agreed to headline a fund-raising event for the party's first-ever municipal candidate in Philadelphia. Eugene Miller, a systems analyst for the Philadelphia Gas Works, is running against Democrat Darrell Clarke in the Fifth, which covers parts of North Philadelphia and Center City.

Nader is coming to town for an environmental conference at the University of Pennsylvania. He'll meet Miller supporters at the Penn Towers Hotel on Oct. 15.

Tickets will be $50 to $500, but campaign manager Dan Kinney said there will be a sliding scale for those otherwise unable to afford to attend.

The campaign expects to spend at least $20,000 - a substantial amount for any candidate in a City Council district race, let alone for a third-party race.

"We're not messing around," Kinney said.

- Clea Benson