Yep. There was the headline: A GUN CRIME A DAY. No, this isn't from a Philly newspaper. A headline like this would qualify as good news these days.

On the one hand are the immigrant-rights groups who call Mayor Lou Barletta a racist. On the other are people like Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado who think that efficient use of immigration laws includes deporting an honor student who was smuggled into the United States as an infant.

Philly's own Fast Eddie is becoming the Jolly Green Giant. America's former Favorite Mayor is transforming himself into America's Greenest Governor.

Thank you for your sh*t article. Welcome to the other half: Now you know how 99 percent of us live, not the 1 percent who shop at the "Banana" and eat at the expensive restaurants that have taken over the city, but the rest of us who are being squeezed out of our neighborhoods by $200,000 condos.

CP: How all-consuming can false memories be? PF: The cruel chain of illogic is forged through memory-enhancing techniques (hypnosis, truth serums, guided imagery, participation in survivor groups, etc.), and if no memories bubble to the surface, therapists stir the pot more vigorously.

An initial field of 76 has resulted in the following Final Four matchups: Pierre Robert vs. Cheesesteaks and The Phillie Phanatic vs. The Mummers

Former Bexar County (Texas) District Attorney Sam Millsap used to support the death penalty, but in the past few years, he has toured the country speaking about why he now believes in the complete abolition of capital punishment.

In many ways, the setting bespoke a grammar-school all-purpose room. The institutionally beige walls. The six basketball hoops along the perimeter. The fold-out cafeteria tables.

WYSP 94.1 FREE FM sounded more like Mob Talk Radio last week when Ruthann Seccio turned up on the Kidd Chris show to chat about a recent City Paper story in which she alleged that someone stole nudie pics of her taken by former Cosa Nostra boss turned federal witness Ralph Natale.

not every voter will be contacted by every campaign for the simple reason that every campaign does not want every voter to come to the polls.

Things went a little differently during a recent sit-down with Sharif Street, the mayoral son and coffin-crooner's nephew who wants to be your next at-large councilman. In place of a cocktail came a cup of Bija double-ginseng tea.

In response, DiCicco campaign manager Renee Gilinger said Anastasio should spend more time knocking on doors.

Polly Apfelbaum's paintings (some of which are meant to be hung on a wall, while others are intended to lay flat on the floor) often depict flowers, rainbows and other forms in a vibrant palette that is reminiscent of pop culture at its most celebratory.

Thank God I still have my metabolism at 41 because I love the queso tacos at La Lupe. Add a chicken tamale and a tamarind soda. Wow. —Kent Latimer

While many available titles are of the best-selling variety, there are about 18,000 titles on hand, and there are some pretty good deals. You can get the entire His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman for $7.19.

Darwin can rest easy, though: As further reading of this account of the 2005 intelligent design trial in Dover, Pa., demonstrates, Chapman is showing off only dramatic flair, not creationist zeal.

Robson's sketchy constructs flail about in an absurdist first act revealing that they're delusional, living in filth and fantasy in their decrepit Newport, R.I., mansion. (Madness might be fun for actors to play, but it's not nearly so fun to watch.)

The Shakespeare stars align, treating us to two fascinating productions of The Taming Of The Shrew, providing students of theater (and aren't we all?) a rare opportunity to observe how interpretation makes each production of a script unique.

This month the geese return to Fairmount Park, and Jim Houser, one of Philadelphia's best-known and most interesting artists, returns from down under.

Concern for our ecosystem is popping up all over the place, including on the arts circuit, where Jeanne Ruddy presents Earth Moves: Dance Gone Green.

Yikes stripes! The third annual Design Philadelphia overlaps with the Film Fest, a tragedy of timing for those of us who plan to attend every screening for the latter, and every lecture for the former.

It is universally agreed that no one reads it," wrote Donald Hall in 1989 in Harper's Magazine. "It is universally agreed that the nonreading of poetry is (a) contemporary and (b) progressive."

Runs April 13-June 30, Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. free, The Esther M. Klein Art Gallery, 3701 Market St., 215-966-6188, www.kleinartgallery.org Robots have come a long

Thu., April 12, 8 p.m., free, Campus Center Main Lounge, Rutgers University-Camden, Third and Cooper streets, Camden, N.J., 856-225-6161, www.postsecret.com Who says secrets are no

Fri., April 13, 6-9 p.m., free, Conspiracy Showroom, 910 N. Second St., 215-925-2153, www.teddyscares.com Applehead Factory's Teddy Scares brand, homicidal stuffed bears with demented accessories

There seems to be a shared reaction to Johnny Marr's presence on the new Modest Mouse record: "But you can't even hear him!" It's true.

"I've decided I've got a whole village inside me now!" says vocalist Zan Gardner, marveling over her sudden intimate connection to anonymous donors.

Tim Yehezkely is great at saying sayonara. The Postmarks' self-titled album is filled with dreamy, string-kissed goodbyes.

Orchestra 2001's upcoming concerts represent an accessible, though not necessarily simple, take on new music.

You're probably wondering about the name. Sure, carillons are great and all, but do you need three of 'em?

The Basic Art of Italian Cooking | Let Them Eat Cake | Eat Your Way Through the Italian Market | Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean

1) Fox and Hound 2) Bella Rosa II 3) Ludwigs Garten 4) Cafe Loftus 5) Rx

When someone buys you a drink at Yesterday's and you've already had your fill (we're talking one more shot and you'll be making merry with porcelain), you get a little plastic chip good for one free drink.

As a young child, I was always thinking, "Can I come up with a character that later I can market?"

Finding King Tut | Tours for Tots | Sheep Shearing Day | Fun with Origami | Family Sail

Your little hearts are made of hemp, and that's pretty cute. But even eco-friendly bran muffins need a night on the town every once in a while.