Three numbers from last week's national news caught my eye: 93, 1/2 and 3,000. The first two refer to the age of former President Gerald Ford at the time of his death and the mast level of the flags flown while mourning him. The third quantifies a new and grim milestone: the number of American troops killed in Iraq since the war began.

On Dec. 20, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board ignored public opinion and awarded Philadelphia's two slots licenses to the lawyer and supporters of Sen. Vince Fumo and his allies on City Council.

As a journalist, I do interviews two, three, four times a day. Still, when a reporter calls me with "just a few questions," the hair on the back of my neck rises and my ears burn.

We Could Be Heroes, Be True to CCP, From the Spokes-man

Our guide to who's on the rise, and who's on the outs in Philly politics this year.

Anthony Smyrski, Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr., William Pym, Jenny Jaskey

Lewis Whittington mourns the the dance world's loss.

Tue.-Wed., Jan. 9-10, 8 p.m., through Jan. 14, $25-$73.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

Opening reception, Sat., Jan. 6, 6-8 p.m., exhibit through Jan. 27, Falling Cow Gallery, 732 S. Fourth St.

Through Jan. 21, Pageant: Soloveev Gallery, 607 Bainbridge St.

Thu.-Sat., Jan. 4-6, 8 p.m., Sun., Jan. 7, 2 p.m., through Jan. 14, $34.75-$55, Academy of Music, Broad and Locust sts.

Puppet Uprising Presents: The Wonders of the World: Recite and Going Nowhere Sat.-Sun., Jan. 6-7, 7:30 p.m., suggested donation $5-$10, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St.

Thu., Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m., free, Barnes & Noble, 200 W. Rt. 70, Marlton, N.J.

Runs Jan. 4-28, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 146 W. Rose Valley Road, Media,

When you look like Evan Dando, you can get away with a lot.

Young Jeezy is easily the most audacious member of the burgeoning "I'm not a rapper, I just relay my life experiences in rap form" species.

Thu., Jan. 4, 6 p.m., $10, Balcony at the Trocadero, 1003 Arch St.

Sun., Jan. 7, 3 p.m., $8-$16, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust St.

Sat., Jan. 6, 9 p.m., $8, with Devin Greenwood and Hezekiah Jones, The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave.

If Martha Washington were alive today, she'd say, "I can not tell a lie. American beef is the best."

1) Ed and Midge Rendell; 2) Chaka Fattah and Renee Chenault-Fattah; 3) Paul Levy and Carrie Rickey 4) Maria Gallagher and Ray Didinger 5) Mark Segal and Jason Villemez

Not many bars in the Great Northeast have much to do with antiques—the area is typically dominated by neon.

Sat.-Fri., Jan. 6-12, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 13, 8 a.m.-5 p.m, $5, Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Cameron and Maclay sts., Harrisburg.

Sat.-Sun., Jan. 6-7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., $150, Connie's Ric Rac, 1132 S. Ninth St.

Sat., Jan. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Philadelphia Folklore Project, 735 S. 50th St.

KidScience, Winterfest, Pirate Slumber Overnighter, My Neighbor Totoro, Hsiao Hsi Yuan Puppet Theater

2007 Party Expo Sun., Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $2, Congregation M'Kor Shalom, 850 Evesham Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J.

Mystery menage at a no-tell motel. Extreme submission. Cubicle cuckolding. Rape ... and that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Philadelphians' wildest sexual fantasies.