Ryan Howard’s Mansion in Florida Will Have a Lazy River

Plus: Rita's heads to Burbank, Robert Barchi might be the new Rutgers prez, funeral arrangements for Philly's fallen firefighters, and more of what the city is buzzing about today.

Check Out Ryan Howard’s Mansion Plans. The Big Piece has big plans to build a 17,500-square-foot mansion on a lot he bought just south of Clearwater back in February 2011. The plans include a pool that flows into a lazy river. The man will practically have a moat. [Crossing Broad]

Rita’s Heads West. Like, way west—Burbank to be exact. The first Rita’s location in California is set to open in September with 24 other Los Angeles locations expected to follow. [Philadelphia Business Journal]

Is Robert Barchi the New Rutgers Prez? Back in July, Barchi announced he’ll step down as head of Thomas Jefferson University at the end of this school year. Richard McCormick has been the president of Rutgers since 2002 and announced last year that he’d retire at the end of this academic year. Yesterday, Barchi’s picture was uploaded to the Rutgers University media relations website under the file name “Barchi approved.” It was quickly removed. [Newsworks]

Funeral Arrangements for Fallen Firefighters. Lieutenant Robert Neary’s viewing and memorial will be on Friday at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday at Givinish Funeral Home in the Northeast. A viewing for firefighter Daniel Sweeney will be at St. Cecilia’s Church on Rhawn Street at 7 p.m. Friday and again at 9 a.m. Saturday. [NBC Philadelphia]

Sixers Win! Sixers Win! It was against the Nets, but, seriously, at this point we’ll take what we can get. [Yahoo!]

Fake Peco Workers Rob South Philly Homes. Police are investigating a string of robberies in South Philly where a group of guys dressed up as Peco employees say they need to check for faulty outlets and then take cash, personal checks and valuables from the homes. [Philly.com]