In any sane system, a president whose approval rating has been hovering around the Flyers' winning percentage would be history.

The kid turned and spit. It was an excellent shot.

I appeared before an ethics committee recently. It was a voluntary appearance, before a panel of media practitioners, whom I hoped would offer me a way out of a little moral morass.

Don't judge lest ye be judge | To debeard, or not to debeard | Podcastaway

Name changing hasn't homogenized history so arbitrarily since Ellis Island.

The Final Four round of City Paper's Philly Madness, the round that eliminated Cheesesteaks and The Phillie Phanatic, drew 71,088 votes . That round sent WMMR jock Pierre Robert and everyone's very favorite feathered banjo players The Mummers to the final stage of this six-week battle royale.

One year ago this past Monday, Robert Pierson, a popular 17-year-old from Fairmount, died in the hospital where he bravely battled for his life for several weeks after being shot at 27th and Parrish streets.

He has no real political baggage to speak of, with the exception of 1999, when he last ran (unsuccessfully) for mayor, receiving less than 5 percent of the vote. Lacking money and a strong political machine, as well as the power and connections to overcome the John Street operation, Evans was out.

Over the past two years, YPP has become a place where politicians, activists and other present and future leaders go to discuss issues. In the run-up to the May 15 mayoral primary, we've asked YPPers to brainstorm solutions to some of the city's problems, which we'll publish here in consolidated column form. This week's topic is the school district.

The final reason to seek an endorsement is the credibility it gives a candidate among the voters. It is easier for many voters to make connection with a candidate if someone else they know and respect is backing him; it basically becomes the Good Housekeeping seal of approval.

When voters head into the booths, they'll decide which potential councilmembers will head the local redistricting efforts in 2010.

The candidates' stances on arts and culture.

For a group that denounces the mainstream publishing industry, the Underground Literary Alliance (ULA) certainly enjoys basking in media attention.

Let us all eat crepes! —Amy S. Kauffman, Artist

The traditional ink painter has less opportunity to make changes or corrections, and that necessary deliberation tends to produce a more static image. Cartwright's vision often appears to be in flux.

To think a ballet company claiming links to both of Russia's great troupes, the Bolshoi and the Kirov, could be as dreary as the tired, overworked outfit that presented Cinderella at Annenberg last Wednesday night.

No lube jobs were needed during the superb seventh-season opener of Jeanne Ruddy's Performance Garage.

This is the first year that two contestants from one school have won the prestigious Met auditions.

The Fantasticks, through May 6, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St.

The amusingly named HATG (Heads Above the Gutter) Productions revives Shanley's dark ode to the movie biz at Shubin Theater, emphasizing laughs more than the bile fueling the Oscar winner (Moonstruck), who also wrote and directed the less successful Joe Versus the Volcano.

When she was in high school, artist Alison Saar helped her conservator father with his restoration work, and gained a hands-on understanding of the mediums and materials of ancient Egyptian, pre-Columbian and African art.

The basic plot involves a group of strangers waiting for a train, wondering about the contents of one another's suitcases.

"Modern" is a relative term in regard to Pennsylvania Ballet's Modern Masters program, which includes works created between 1986 and 1998.

Runs April 20-Aug. 5, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, 118 S. 36th St.

Of all the once-mighty mid-'90s artists foundering in the post-misery generation, perhaps none has seemed as hopelessly displaced as Trent Reznor.

The Philadelphia Folklore Project's workshops in grant-writing and artist residencies help keep cultural heritages thriving and meshing with the contemporary.

The San Francisco string quartet noted for bringing high art to low places (what classical ensemble covered Hendrix before them?) has had deep relationships with several modern composers

Gamelan is the most influential music you've never heard of.

arlier this year, I invited chef Joseph Poon, aka "the unofficial mayor of Chinatown," over for dinner.

1) Apple Dumplings, Dutch Eating Place 2) Shoofly Pie, Stoltzfus Bakery 3) Soft Pretzels, Fisher's Soft Pretzels 4) Apple Cider Doughnuts, Linvilla Orchards 5) Chow-Chow, Kauffman's Lancaster County Produce

Once a month, the bar holds a potluck dinner for homeless folks and anybody else who wants a good meal.

Dave's Dinners | Mid-Atlantic BBQ Convention and Trade Show | Farmers Market Frittata Class | Single Malt Scotch Tasting | Tequila and Food Pairing

Why not shower the old gal with a li'l Earth Day love? Heaven knows we could use the brownie points.

Since the 1950s, local antiques collector Set Charles Momjian has been hunting down presidential memorabilia by placing ads and combing tables at flea markets.

The Cat's Pajamas | Kids' Night Out | Party with Cinderella | From Earth to the Stars! | Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

With literary speed dating, Phoenixville Public Library hopes to ease the jitters of romance-seeking bookworms.