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ISSUE . February 1st, 2007
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Cover Story


The Transaction
A new, faster way to ruin your credit. (Just add hookers and blow.)
by Jeff Deeney

"Before we get started, let me ask you ..." He pauses, a little nervous, worried he's about to say something out of line. "What else do you got?" He lets the question hang.

"What is it that you want?"

That, my friends, is the $16,000 question.



Opinion


Slant:
Too Late to Escalate
The Bush administration goes all-in ... with nothing.
by David Faris
The 29th version of our Strategy for Continued Low-Level Quagmire in Iraq dictates the deployment of more than 20,000 additional troops into the Mesopotamian meat grinder.

Loose Canon:
Playing with Slavery
Everyone uses slavery as a tool.
by Bruce Schimmel
Dear Mr. Mayor: American slavery is tough to talk about. Which is why I'm grateful to playwright Thomas Gibbons for his new play, A House With No Walls, which premiered recently at the InterAct on Sansom Street.

Editor's Letter:
World Without a Superman
It's not every day you tell your son about the mass murders of 2,973 people.
by Duane Swierczynski
We knew it would come up someday; on 9/11, my wife was two months pregnant with him, and once the shock had dulled, we asked each other: God, how are we ever going to explain this?

Feedback:
Letters to the Editor
What You Say
Mmm, Chihuahuas; Be Carefl What You Wish For; Scouting Report


Naked City


Naked City :: The Sweet ScienceThe Sweet Science
As the brains behind Wondergy, Ken Fink has designs on a better, more curious world.
by J.F. Pirro
When Ken Fink was 3, he untied his shoelaces, then stuck the plastic-coated ends into an electrical outlet. "It hurt," recalls Fink bluntly.

Running Numbers
A scholarly look at the digits that matter.
by Nick Norlen
550,000 square feet; 13,000 "Afro-Americana treasures"; $3,200 for a Ryan Howard baseball card; $2,500 maximum loan discount; 200 years since the abolition of the slave trade in Britain.

Icepack
Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.
by A.D. Amorosi
Though I thought it hilariously perfectly Philadelphian that last week's blue-bloody Academy Ball occurred on the same night as the more prominent green-liquidy Hair O' the Dog fundraiser at the Constitution Center, I just don't know if I like Philly's swank Restaurant Week's finale all bucked up against sloppy ol' Wing Bowl 15 this weekend.


News


News :: Occupational HazardsOccupational Hazards
Local protesters want us out of Iraq now. Some Iraqis say not so fast.
by Jared Goyette
The Philadelphia presence hoped to pressure the city's congressional delegation to sign onto the anti-war movement's demand that Congress refuse to fund anything but a full troop withdrawal.

The Bell Curve
City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter
When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Jesus Walked
Repent America learns that anti-gay rhetoric isn't necessarily protected speech.
by Francesca Heintz
Freedom of speech may be a First Amendment right, but as 11 members of the evangelical Christian group Repent America recently learned, even the Constitution has its limits.

Philly Blunt:
My $35 Worth
Barbaro would have expected more of you.
by Brian Hickey
Now that we've sufficiently mourned a horse that ran really fast, can we finally turn our collective attention to the deaths of, oh, I don't know, human beings?

Political Notebook:
The Royal Crush
Tracking the royals, the Rendells and the mayoral candidates.
by Mary F. Patel
The Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, never made it to the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue hotel for the main course of the Academy Ball.

Cocktails With...:
Frank DiCicco
1st District Council, Democrat
by Brian Hickey
Buck-Buck, an old-time street game, is the reason why Frank DiCicco embarked on his four-decade trip through the world of Philadelphia politics.

The Insider:
Where the Money Goes
At this stage, campaigns are spending on staff, overhead and raising more money.
Just like with companies, if a campaign's burn rate is too high their ability to run their operations will be impaired.

Ask A Candidate
Adam Feldman of West Philadelphia has a question for Michael Nutter. Nutter has a response.
Mr. Nutter, Why did you allow Carol Campbell to hold up the restoration of the Route 15 Girard Avenue trolley over something as petty as parking on her block?


Arts


Arts :: First Friday FocusFirst Friday Focus
Lori Hill's First Friday hit list.
by Lori Hill
Why you shouldn't miss Qbix Gallery's "Out of Africa" show, Nexus' first show in Fishtown with "Thoughts on Death" and "Win Big" and The Ice Box's "Big Room Now."

Culture Shock:
Things That Matter To People Who Matter
The Pursuit of Happyness; Bite the Bag; The Big Dig; Rubbing Your Middle Finger Over Your Thumb
Pamela Samuels-Young, Author, In Firm Pursuit; Alicia T. Lewcarth, Vocalist, King Kong Ding Dong; Edward Horlick, Blogger, liberaldoomsayer.blogspot.com; George Alley, Artist, creative director of Alley Ink Dance

Art:
Anarchist Nook Book
Talking with James Generic about his history of the Wooden Shoe Collective.
by Sam Tremble
There's a Cajun saying that goes something like, "Those who don't know where they came from don't know where they're going." So the goal is to ultimately have a steady guide for not only us, but other groups of radicals or collectives trying to figure out the best way to effect real change in real people's lives.

Cast Away
Catching up with would-be AVA alum Kristin Chenoweth.
by Steve Cohen
"My parents moved from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania," says Chenoweth, "and I fell in love with the state."

Dance Review:
Bring the Pain
nEW festival review: Cie Herve-Gil / Melanie stewart Dance theatre, UArts Dance Theatre at the Drake, Jan. 28
by Janet Anderson
Now in its third year, nEW Festival, curated by longtime Philly dance experimenter Melanie Stewart, is running into some of the same woes that plague other ongoing fetes, festivals and collectives.

The Finish Line
nEW festival review: Pluck /Tania Isaac dance, UArts Dance Theatre at the Drake, Jan. 26-27
by Deni Kasrel
Karl Schappel warns viewers that we need not "try and read anything deep or meaningful into any of this." All of which makes you think straightaway, thy performer doth protest too much.

Theater Review:
House Divided
A House With No Walls, Interact Theatre Company, Through Feb. 18
by David Anthony Fox
"What about the shit — how messy and shit-stained the past was?" Or, as another character puts it more politely: History is "messy and inconvenient."

Arts Picks:
Pennsylvania Ballet
Feb. 2-10, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.
by Janet Anderson
In 1995, longtime principal dancer Tamara Hadley danced the lead as her farewell performance, opposite her husband, principal dancer William DeGregory. "[It was] sad," she recalls. "A heartbreaking way to go."

King Tut
uns Feb. 3-Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
by Juliet Fletcher
Forget, for a second, his preserved flesh wrapped in fabric; it's the appeal of King Tut and his attendant treasures that's showing some unexpected longevity.

DanceBrazil
Thu., Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m., Fri., Feb. 2, 8 p.m., Sat., Feb. 3, 2 and 8 p.m., Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St.
by Janet Anderson
"Capoeira is a game," Dance-Brazil artistic director and choreographer Jelon Vieira likes to say. And what a game. The rules are simple: Only your head, hands or feet can touch the ground.

Martin Amis
Thu., Feb. 1, 8 p.m., Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St.
by Juliet Fletcher
When we're first introduced to the unnamed Russian narrator of House of Meetings, the new novel by British author Martin Amis, he's telling us about a boat trim the crew calls the "gulag tour."


Arts Agenda


Arts Agenda :: Last ChanceLast Chance
Catch It or Regret It
by Lydia Navatsyk
Walt Goettman: Beneath These Skies; Barbara Zucker: Time Signatures; Nate Larson: Burden of Proof

Arts Agenda Picks:
In The Event That...
You Don't Buy the Spoiler Theory
by Billy Kekevian
Ralph Nader Thu., Feb. 1, 7 p.m., free, Borders, 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-7400

Gettin' Some
The Manly Man's Date
by Monica Weymouth
Flowers, delicate little amuse bouches, theater: Dating was designed for the ladies. If we're lucky, we don't even have to pay for it.

On The DL
Poe: Supernal and Infernal
by A.D. Amorosi
Sun., Feb. 4, 3-5 p.m., Manayunk Art Center, 419 Green Ln.

Just Do It
Stencil Travels
by Mary Wilson
Mon., Feb. 5, 6 p.m., free, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk

Galleries
Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 201 GALLERY, 1400 N.

Museums/Exhibits
Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please call for exact days, hours and prices. ABINGTON ART CENTER, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882. SOLO SERIES 2007:

Performing Arts
Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance BROWN BAG AND THE BALLET Roxey Ballet a

Readings/Book Signings
AL TACCONELLI AND MARION COHEN The local poets read from their collections as part of a Monday reading series. Tacconelli's work has appeared in lit


Movies


Movies :: Doing the 'danceDoing the 'dance
Finding the best of both Sundances.
by Sam Adams
"Don't go to Sundance," the voices said. "It's too commercial. It's not about the films. It's a miserable tar pit of industry glad-handers and heat-seeking starfuckers, crammed together in an overpriced ski resort."

Piece Plan
Iraq in Fragments surveys a shattering nation.
by Cindy Fuchs
Mohammed wants to be a pilot. "I want to fly the plane," he says. "I imagine if I'm high in the sky, I can see the doves and the sky."

The Rest of the Fest
by Sam Adams
Other titles in the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival: The Source; Black Gold; Dreaming Lhasa

Screen Picks
Adams on Idiocracy and the Chestnut Hill Film Group
by Sam Adams
Finally eked out on DVD after its infamous nonrelease last fall, Mike Judge's bitter, broad satire finally gets the shot at being the cult movie it deserves to be.

Showtimes
AMC Orleans 8 , 2247 Bleigh St., 215-722-4262. Arthur and the Invisibles (PG) fri: 12:45, 3, 5:15; sat: 10:20, 12:45, 3, 5:15; sun: 12:45, 3,

Repertory Film
Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net.


Music


Music :: A Surreal LifeA Surreal Life
Inside the mind of SuperEd, Northeast Philly's eccentric video troubadour.
by A.D. Amorosi
The first time I saw SuperEd, he was plucking a tiny acoustic guitar outside the Painted Bride. The shaggy-haired busker laughed out lyrics about beer and giants in a countrified cackle.

Classical/New Music:
You Can Count on Mimi
Mimi Stillman: Rosenwald Gallery, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, Jan. 24
by Peter Burwasser
Although the repertoire ranged from the English Renaissance to music of the 20th century, the presentation had the ambience of a coffeehouse happening.

CD Reviews
Spring Awakening, Refrigerator, The Shins
Spring Awakening Original Cast Album; Refrigerator, Bottles of Make Up; The Shins, Wincing the Night Away.

One Track Mind:
Grizzly Bear
"Central and Remote"
by A.D. Amorosi
Though its songs' constructions have been deemed deconstructionist, there's something fit and seamless about Grizzly Bear's new Yellow House.

Reconsider Me:
Sloan
M.J. Fine does it again.
by M.J. Fine
"I'm unable to tell if I know who I am," Chris Murphy sings, but don't you believe him.

Soundadvice
Get Out!
Bodyrock; The Loved Ones; One and One; The Love; Happy Birthday, Chuck D; Alvin Curran and Ensemble Noamnesia.

Music Picks:
Charlie Hunter
Sun., Feb. 4, 8 p.m., World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St.
by A.D. Amorosi
Just because Hunter achieved acclaim for his low-slung, bass-blended, jazz-bo efforts like Friends Seen and Unseen, doesn't mean Charlie can't rock.

Fern Knight
Sat., Feb. 3, 8 p.m., Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave.
by M.J. Fine
It's getting hard to find folk that's not too freaky and not too dull, but Fern Knight hits the spot.

The Philadelphia Orchestra with Vladimir Jurowski
hu., Feb. 1, Sat., Feb. 3, Tue., Feb. 6, and Fri., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., and Fri., Feb. 2, 2 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.
by Peter Burwasser
classical Vladimir Jurowski will be in town this week to lead the Philadelphia Orchestra in four subscription concerts plus a special Discovery concert.


Food


Food :: Whiskey RebellionWhiskey Rebellion
Distillers revive your granddad's favorite drink.
by Lew Bryson
Democrat or Republican? City dweller or backyard griller? These are questions that define who you are. But when you walk into an Irish pub, only question matters. Catholic or Protestant, boyo: Will it be Jameson or Bushmills?

Small Bites:
Tiffin Store
A Northern Liberties service battles Ghee Fatigue.
by Elisa Ludwig
If you've ever taken advantage of one of the local Indian buffet lunch deals, you're familiar with the phenomenon I like to call Ghee Fatigue.

Feeding Frenzy
Restaurants opening, closing and pending
by Drew Lazor
NOW SEATING: Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Mexican Post; WAITING LIST: Swanky Bubbles

What's Cooking:
The Week In Eats
Eat, Pray, Love; Cupid's Cooking Club; Desperate and Dateless Party and more.
by Amy Strauss
Eat, Pray, Love; Satyr Square; Cupid's Cooking Club; Couples Chocolate Massage; Lady and the Tramp; Desperate and Dateless Party

Top 5:
Ethnic Grocers
World Fusion
by Lydia Navatsyk
1) International Food and Spices; 2) La Jarocha; 3) Bell's Market;4) Hung Vuong; 5) Han-Ah-Reum Asian Market

Watering Hole:
Eulogy Belgian Tavern
It's Where We Drink
by Will Dean
Skeletons always look like they're smiling, and at Old City's Eulogy, you get the feeling it's because they're actually enjoying themselves.


Agenda


Agenda :: Black is Back
Agenda Lead:
Black is Back
Highlights from Black History Month
by Termeh Mazhari
"We should emphasize not Negro history, but the Negro in history," said African-American author and historian Carter G. Woodson who founded Black History Month in 1926.

Agenda Picks:
Just Do It
Washington: Devout or Deist
by Erin Brodbeck
If you'd like to celebrate the cherry tree-choppin' father of our country in a way that doesn't involve buying clearance sheets at Macy's, check out the National Constitution Center's program about the debate surrounding George Washington's religious beliefs.

Kids, etc.
Big Fun for Little Ones
by Linnay Trail
15th Annual Junior Jazz Festival; Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; The Great Rescue; Baby Loves Disco

What We Heart
Mima Cocktail Rings
by Nyjia Jones
Old City boutique Third Street Habit boasts a selection of new wave cocktail rings by designer Mima that even Liberace would be proud to call his own.

Just Do It
Fantasy Role-Playing Workshop
by Lisa Tauber
At some point in your life, you've wanted to be someone else.

Just Do It
Quizzo Bowl 3
by A.D. Amorosi
For the third round of Johnny Goodtimes' annual Quizzo Bowl, the host-with- the-mostest/roast-master promises to put the "IQ" into "risque" for the first time in the sport's history.

On The DL
A Cappella Fest 2007
by Sean Cleary
It began as church music, was taken to the streets by barbershop quartets and made famous by the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos.


 
 
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