A series of slayings in Atlantic City highlighted America’s obsession with serial killers while showing what happens when a neighborhood is left to decompose like bodies pulled from the muck.

In which your dear columnist gets himself busted.

by Bruce Schimmel

Philly and its weird tendency to forget its own sons.

by Duane Swierczynski

A disorganized party is just what this country needs.

Mumia, Grannies, Kosher Unkind, Rodney offends

On seven occasions between Oct. 7 and Nov. 12, employees of marketing company Exit 10 passed distributed items emblazoned with the cryptically positive message, "Keep on Living" to users of the park

By the time you read this Allen Iverson may very well get his Christmas wish and be traded from the 76ers. I have one word:

$2.34, 2, 0, 0, 6

At a meeting with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, neighborhood leaders watched an al-Qaida recruitment video seized from the battlefield in Afghanistan.

Karen Schermerhorn was hired in 1967, two years after CCP was founded and three years before the Faculty and Staff Federation (FSF), an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, was recognized as a bargaining agent.

by Brian Hickey

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Even the mob gets into the holiday spirit. But not everybody can make the party.

by Brendan McGarvey and Gabriele J. Valentine

by Mary F. Patel

Aaron Cromie shares the limelight with his creations.

by Juliet Fletcher

phillyhistory.org, Sufjan Stevens, Deep Fried PIckles, Christmas Music

by Robin Rice

Thu., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., free, Free Library.

by A.D. Amorosi

Opening reception Fri., Dec. 15, 6:30-11 p.m., runs through Dec. 29, Space 1026.

by Will Dean

Fri., Dec. 15, 8 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 16, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 17, 2:30 p.m.

by Deni Kasrel

Through Dec. 24,Delaware Theatre Company,200 Water St.

by Mark Cofta

Through Dec. 31,Prince Music Theater.

by David Anthony Fox

Through Jan. 7,1812 Productions at the Adrienne.

by Mark Cofta

The Value of Names, The Art of Nelson Shanks, ICA Fall Show,

by Rachel Frankford

You Netflix The Big Sleep,Homeward Bound and Queer As Folk in One Fell Swoop

by Lou Perseghin

Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad

by Amy Strauss

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 3RD STREET GALLERY, 58

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please call for exact days, hours and prices. ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, 19th St. & the Parkway, 215-299-1000. BUTTERFLIES!,

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Spiritoso Ballet presents this

NIA NANDI The author of "Hot Flashes," also known as "NiaRotica," reads and signs her collection of steamy and erotic short stories, Fri, Dec. 15,

Now settled firmly into Orson Welles' career trajectory, alternating ever-more-baroque failures with diminishing triumphs, Terry Gilliam has seemingly reached the Mr. Arkadin phase with Tideland.

Ah, for the days before the smackdown. It was September 2005, and Terry Gilliam had just premiered Tideland at the Toronto Film Festival.

Virtually unseen since its 1971 debut, Jacques Rivette's Out 1 was a cinematic chimera.

No doubt about it: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith is adorable.

AMC Orleans 8 , 2247 Bleigh St., 215-722-4262. Charlotte's Web (G) fri: 12:20, 2:45, 5, 7:30, 9:50; sat: 10:10, 12:20, 2:45, 5, 7:30, 9:50; sun:

Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net. ABINGTON ART CENTER 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882, www.abingtonartcenter.org. Lust for Life (1956, U.S., 122 min.) Kirk Douglas stars

Paul Nicgorski and Ryan Bernstein wrapped up their time as Mazarin members weeks ago. Though the occasion was sad, a joyful night at Johnny Brenda's was had by all.

Ten summers ago, the poetry club kids shelved their lit-mag dreams and took off for a more secure career in indie rock.

Dolly Parton, Tommy Boy, Sugar Hill, Bob Wills, The Bee Gees, Fats Waller.

Peter Burwasser on Classical.

by Peter Burwasser

Wed., Dec. 20, 7 p.m., The Trocadero,

by M.J. Fine

Sun., Dec. 17, Iron Hill Wilmington, Mon., Dec. 18, Iron Hill Newark, Tue., Dec. 19, Iron Hill Phoenixville

by Carolyn Wyman

Sun., Dec. 17, 3 p.m., Curtis Institute of Music

by Peter Burwasser

Good for the Jews/Jewmongous, London Meets Philadelphia, Damien Rice, Home Blitz, Piffaro and the Choral Arts Society, The Killers

"If you can read, you can cook." That was always my grandfather's motto. And he was one hell of a chef

It's Where We Drink

by Will Dean

by Elisa Ludwig

ChriStevens, Blackfish, PTG Restaurant and Catering, Rittenhouse Snackbar, Patrick Feury of Nectar

Chabaa's Spicy Contest, Rachael Ray Book Tour. Running of the Santas, Holiday Afternoon Tea, The Deen Boys: Holiday Helpers

by Amy Strauss

Fill 'er Up

by Jessica Loughery

Building an Icon Out of Kuwasi Balagoon

by Jessica Loughery

You're a Fan of the Other Mr. Show

by Natalie Hope McDonald

The Pearl at Avenue North

by Gary M. Kramer

Cereality Christmas Extravaganza Open Mic

Satellite Winter Crafts Fair

by Will Dean

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Megan M. Erwin

The strange allure of cross-dressers

by Ashlea Halpern