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ISSUE . July 26th, 2007

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Cover Story

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85 Shots

Steven "Butter" Miller's last day alive

by Tom Namako and Doron Taussig

In his teens, Steven "Butter" Miller had been seduced by the fast life. He'd sold drugs and packed guns. He'd been locked up as a result, both as a juvenile and an adult, and had gotten himself shot, so that his left hand hung limp and his boys busted on him that it needed Viagra. Nowadays, he was gravitating more toward the straight life. But his arrest record extended as late as November 2006, when he was accused of carjacking (he beat the charge).

Opinion

Editor's Letter:

Sidewalk Tiger

Conclusion: Let Us Prey

by Duane Swierczynski

I took the 14 bus from Bridge and Pratt, stepped off at Grant Avenue. Traffic raced by so fast it whipped your clothes against your body. This used to be one of the most dangerous intersections in the country. Twelve lanes of speeding two-ton vehicles, turning and weaving and not stopping unless the light is all the way red.

Slant:

Simple Green

Maybe the free market will save the planet.

by Gerald McOscar

There were "friends of the Earth" before the term became a trendy logo designed to be worn to be on the sleeves of enviro-elitists like Al Gore, as the mark of their moral and intellectual superiority.

Loose Canon:

Market Forces

If a great market serves its citizens, the Reading Market is terminal.

by Bruce Schimmel

If you go to Whole Foods, you'll see the source of every item marked. If you go to a farmers market, you'll probably meet the farmer. But save for the Amish and a single, pricey Fair Foods stand, you don't know the source of the Reading's "local" food. That's why they lost my business.

Feedback:

Letters to the Editor

What You Say

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, having received half a million dollars each in campaign contributions from the insurance companies. | Rendell's plan is well-intentioned but wasteful. It would flush millions of taxpayer dollars down the insurance industry toilet,. | You don't have to like the sport nor be necessarily objective when writing about it, but presenting the event from the outset as "the bloodletting" was a bit too much.

Naked City

Sticking Around

Anna Guarneri is the Philly Fellows' best-case scenario, but hardly their only success story.

by Kristin Pazulski

Among the sea of white shirts milling around the Germantown Mennonite Church on Washington Lane, Anna Guarneri stood outside in the courtyard talking to and playing with the children who were too young to sit and listen to New Covenant Church of Philadelphia's gospel choir.

Icepack

Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.

by A.D. Amorosi

Maybe it's summer's sudden gray pall or that my neighborhood's still mourning Tykeem Law's murder on our doorstep, but do we recognize violence only when there're guns around? I watched a police crew clean the suicide space at Mace's Crossing where a boy (barely a man) had just jumped from a Windsor Suites window. (Odd that. I thought I saw something falling, standing off in the distance as I was. But it couldn't be. It was.)

Running Numbers

A scholarly look at the digits that matter.

by Nick Norlen

5 Approximate number of local stylists who will be on hand to cut and style lace wigs at the Diva Cherry Lace Wigs seminar, July 29 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown, 1305 Walnut Street. The stylists don't have experience with wig-fitting, but guess where they stayed last night?

News

The Fourth "S"

Americans once visited the Third World for "sand, sea and sex." A local author says it's time to add "surgery."

by Ted Hesson

More and more, Americans are going abroad for medical care because the system here doesn't provide for them. Some have insurance, some don't, but they are all looking for the same thing: quality medical services at affordable prices (with some sightseeing thrown in for good measure).

The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

UPenn seminar pinpoints gun density as major contributor to city's homicide rate. "I've developed a solution to this 'density' problem," says UPenn scientist. "Lightweight Yaffa guns! They're incredible interlocking guns that shoot any which way! In fact, it's my professional opinion that you could actually stack Yaffa guns right up to the ceiling like two skyscrapers!" Even

Skeeter's Gone

A cat burglar steals dog ashes in Chestnut Hill.

by Trish Boppert

It got a bit more unsettling, however, when mother and son realized something had been taken — right off Paul's dresser. Specifically, the thief lifted the earthly remains of Kutzer's Boston terrier, Skeeter, who died four years ago but has not been forgotten.

Two Minutes With...:

Dr. Clyde Goulden

Director, Academy of Natural Sciences Institute for Mongolian Biodiversity and Ecological Studies

by Brian Burke

In 1994, a Buddhist lama from Mongolia was getting worried about the world's future. So, he invited Dr. Clyde Goulden of the Academy of Natural Sciences to central Asia to see what could be done about weather-related peculiarities he'd noticed.

Philly Blunt:

At the Corner of Shame and Market Streets

What's more disgraceful: slavery, or an unjust war?

by Brian Hickey

Perry and about a dozen compatriots took over the field next to Independence Visitor Center and started setting up about 600 graves to serve as a backdrop for an afternoon visit from Cindy Sheehan who, a day earlier, both announced she'd be running against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and got locked up in the Capitol.

Political Notebook:

A Gay New Time

The buzz around last week's Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

by Mary F. Patel

Larry Farnese, an attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney who is running against state Rep. Babette Josephs next year, arrived with Renee Gilinger and her husband, Michael Marsico. Gilinger, the former director of Liberty PA, is the campaign manager for City Councilman Frank DiCicco.

Arts

Art:

Under the Spandex

Inside the strange, synchronized world of Philly dance squad Club Lyfestile.

by Will Dean

In an old North Philly warehouse filled with carpentry equipment and musical instruments, 15 people are cutting and sewing spandex, punching out buttons, painting cardboard and practicing dance moves.

Culture Shock:

Things That Matter To People Who Matter

Jason Mraz | Swimming | Cambodian Children's Fund | Biking with pretty girls

The workshop was fantastic, but what I left with were sobering accounts of Seane's work with teenage sex workers in Mumbai, India, organized by YouthAids and her recent visit to a Cambodian orphanage.
—Larry Mangel Owner, Cerealart gallery

Re-View:

In the Cards

Robin Rice on Visual Art

by Robin Rice

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts now calls architect Frank Furness' polychrome temple to art its "Historic Landmark Building."

Theater Review:

Outside Chance

The Game of Love and Chance

by Mark Cofta

Outdoor summer theater hasn't caught on in our area, but Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company might change that.

Mate to Order

The Taming of the Shrew

by Mark Cofta

Russell Treyz and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival answer the call with broad humor and superb actors who bring out the best in Kate and Petruchio. (Whether Shakespeare saw these better sides, of course, is arguable.)

Arts Picks:

Invisible/Invincible

Thu., July 26, 6-9 p.m., Wooden Shoe Books, 508 S. Fifth St.

by Patrick Rapa

Two local artists are aiming to stimulate your eyes, ears and brain with "Invisible/Invincible," a two-pronged interactive installation empowered by a grant from the Leeway Foundation.

Romeo and Juliet

Wed.-Sun., Aug. 1-5, 7 p.m., "The Bowl" in Clark Park, 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue

by David Anthony Fox

I can't think of a better way to savor Romeo and Juliet than in Clark Park, where the intimacy, and the landscape, should suit it perfectly. And it's free!

Stephen L. Carter

Thu., July 26, 7 p.m., Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St.

by Amy Baily

New England White is a novel that dwells a great deal on race, but surprisingly little is black-and-white.

Arts Agenda

Last Chance

Catch it or Regret it

by Monica Weymouth

Jim Brossy: Unentitled | Matthew Davis, James Enders, Shane Leddy: Occupations | Brenna K. Murphy: Hairdos That Solve Problems

Arts Agenda Picks:

Just Do It

Tim Weiner

by Peter Baker

In the wake of the intelligence community's post-9/11 expansion, we urgently need to decide what role a massively funded spy service can and should play in a democratic society. And we couldn't have a better guide than Weiner.

On The DL

Full House Live!

by Holly Otterbein

In his caustic take on the series, director Damian Bellino rips apart the white-picket-fence facade and exposes the Tanner family for what it really is: creepy, with unrealistic values.

Galleries

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 222 GALLERY , 222

Museums/Exhibits

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules; please callfor exact days, hours and prices. ABINGTON ART CENTER , 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, 215-887-4882. THE HANDMAKING, Features

Performing Arts

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. theater ANYTHING GOES This charming Cole Porter musical recalls

Readings/Book Signings

BARBARA BEROT The author reads from her new romantic novel, "Lies and Liberation: The Rape of Europa." Fri, July 27, 7pm, FREE , Barnes &

Movies

Who's the Boss?

In his latest experiment, Lars von Trier puts the camera in charge.

by Shaun Brady

Director Lars von Trier appears reflected in window glass at the outset of his latest, arguing that "the film won't be worth a moment's reflection."

Odd Couple

Patrice Leconte's My Best Friend makes for less than thrilling company.

by Sam Adams

FranÃƒÂ§ois Coste (Daniel Auteuil) has everything he wants: money, power and respect, or at least enough of the first two that people feign the last.

Screen Picks

by Sam Adams

Beyond Leone: Lost Spaghetti Western Classics (Thu.-Sat., July 26-28, 7 p.m., $5-$7, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-895-6542, www.ihousephilly.org) Curated by Exhumed Films' Harry Guerro,

Repertory Film

repertory film Send repertory film listings to tami.fertig@citypaper.net. AMBLER THEATER 108 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-345-7855, www.amblertheater.org. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936, U.S., 115

Music

Feline Persuasion

When Cozmic Cat went to Toronto, all she left us was alone.

by Brian Howard

For the better part of a decade, no one got Philly asses moving like DJ Cozmic Cat.

Right on Time

How East Hundred became the Marty McFly of rock.

by M.J. Fine

How did East Hundred come together? "Like when you're playing Tetris and that one damn piece you need before you lose the game comes out and fits right in," says Beryl Guceri over e-mail.

CD Reviews

Various Artists | Rose Maddox | Umlaut | Uncle Earl

Uncle Earl makes sure they hold onto the tradition while loosening its stays, like calling a square dance in Chinese.

Suite Spot:

New Culture Icons?

Peter Burwasser on Classical

by Peter Burwasser

It is hard to resist the stories of the giant figures such as Napoleon, Lincoln and Hitler, and in the field of music, it is the power of individual composers that dominates our imagination, not the cultural context.

Soundadvice

Get Out!

Music Picks:

Jay Reatard

Thu., July 26, 9 p.m., with Clockcleaner and Home Blitz, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave.

by Atom Goren

As a high school teacher who regularly finds himself telling students that calling somebody a "retard" isn't nice, I've been reluctant to endorse Jay Reatard for quite some time. Yet here I am.

Benni Hemm Hemm

Fri., July 27, 9:30 p.m., with Get Him Eat Him and Except after Sea, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave.

by Brian Howard

But give Benni Hemm Hemm's latest, Kajak (Morr Music), a listen and you'll find it hard to shake the eeriness creeping from their melancholy lullabies.

Sonic Lux

Wed., Aug 1, 8 p.m., with Solid, Lasting Factor and The Cartwrights, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St.,

by Donny Sheldon

After winning Guitar Player Magazine's Guitar Hero competition last year, Trey Alexander was reborn. Or his band was, anyway.

Food

Good As New?

New Samosa resurrects a classic space — with mixed results.

by Elisa Ludwig

Recently, this Walnut Street institution closed and then changed hands before re-emerging, Coke-like, as New Samosa. So what's new about it?

On a Roll

Old City's Uzu hovers on the quieter end of Market Street Ã¢â‚¬â€ easy to miss, but only if you've never stopped here before.

by Elisa Ludwig

With one server and one sushi chef, the pace here verges on dawdling, but as they say, good maki comes to those who wait.

On the Table

How a little cafe helped Shannon Stewart become the belle of East Falls.

by Adam Lipper

Shannon Stewart might not be in the neighborhood watch, but that hasn't stopped her from looking out for East Falls.

Feeding Frenzy

Restaurants opening, closing and pending

by Drew Lazor

>> WAITING LIST City Grange | Union Gourmet Market & Café >> LITTLE VITTLES Pumpkin

What's Cooking:

The Week In Eats

Get Out!

by Ciana Hardwick

Williams-Sonoma Cooking Class | Ultimate Philadelphia Ice Cream Festival | University City Dining Days | Dinner Cruise | Brew at the Zoo

Top 5:

Summer Specialty Cocktails

The Spirits Move You

by Gary M. Kramer

1.) Aloha, 2.) The Lemon Drop, 3.) The HPNOTIQ Breeze, 4.) The Mertillo, 5.) The 007

Small Bites

Little Vittles

Txangurro a la Donostia at Tinto | Blow Energy Drink Mix | Chocolate-Covered Crickets | Pearl of the Sea Cocktail | Philly Flavors

You Ask We Answer

Culinary Mysteries Solved

I'm only 20, so no drinking for me just yet. But what about hookah bars around here?

Agenda

Agenda Lead:

Tough Fluff

Gabriel Iglesias is all that.

by Ben Kharakh

According to comedian Gabriel Iglesias, there are five levels of fatness: "big, healthy, husky, fluffy and damn!"

Agenda Picks:

Day Tripper

Miss Crustacean

by Alexandria Symonds

While some pageants prefer to think of themselves as "scholarship programs," Ocean City's Miss Crustacean Contest is a shameless, shell-deep competition.

Kids, etc.

Big Fun for Little Ones

by Donny Sheldon

Discovery Channel's special is pretty fierce, but this 10-day celebration brings the creepy creatures even closer.

Phillyanthropy

Get Out, Get Up, Get Involved

by Molly Dickinson

Take a break from rocking out at the Tweeter Center and help run the VolunteerMatch booth, a nonprofit that pairs do-gooders like yourself with volunteer opportunities.

Been There/Done That

Mew Gallery Craft Night

by Molly Dickinson

It wasn't the charming exhibits or boutique offerings that brought me to Mew Gallery. I went to create my own project at craft night.

Word on the Street

Harry Potter Party at Penn Bookstore

"We're going to read it out loud together and make drinks for every character that dies and every Horcrux." -- Megan and Shannon