If the presidency becomes the exclusive domain of rich, famous and privileged people, what are student council presidents supposed to dream about?

By supporting the death penalty, both in Abu-Jamal's case and in general, I court that most dreaded of epithets: white racist. But let me ask the anti-death-penalty crowd a simple question. If a white criminal murdered someone I care about, do you think I would not want the depraved murderer to pay with his life?

Much of the time, Philly is capped by a cloud of sepia. Greenhouse gases cover us in a pale, brown bubble.

I am not a silly groupie, my dear. I am a Philadelphia-based artist who now is in Sarah Jessica Parker's collection. | Pelosi soiled herself when she arrogantly proclaimed that there would be no impeachment of George Bush. | The whole "I hate the whole world, and I'm obsessed with asses" schtick was already done by some guy named Crumb who was also from the City Of Brotherly Love, but had the smarts to get out.

Guess who wasn't invited to reputed mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi's birthday bash at the Shore last Saturday night? Nicky Scarfo Jr., that's who.

The Chinese-takeout joint and basketball courts near 30th and Jefferson just weren't cutting it on March 23, 2006. So three young friends set out to find something better to do.

The role of mayor is not a one-man show — just look at current Mayor John Street's failed formula — so it is important that a mayor surround himself with bright, competent people who can assist him and help him reach his goals.

Brian Coleman delves into the background of 36 classic hip-hop albums in Check the Technique, in each case letting the artists talk their way through, track by track.

"In the first surging 10 seconds of MilitiA's earth-shaking voice, my stomach twists and I tear off the top of the polish bottle with my teeth, loosening a molar." —Susan DiPronio

During this increasingly random, violent summer, when kids are shot off bikes and bodies turn up daily, Merciless imagines a city held hostage by a single, logical madman, with a coherent plan and flawless execution, tripped up by dedicated policing.

If Spook Country doesn't prove William Gibson's extraordinarily sharp sense of our current technological age for you, then you may as well spend your days surfing cyberspace.

Dworanczyk's strength is a witty juxtaposition of shapes within images and between images.

This week's show at the Philadelphia Clef Club has a seriously star-studded cast: Def Jam poets Sunni Patterson from New Orleans, Abyss and Georgia Me from Atlanta, and Philadelphia's Black Ice.

dance/theater Ever feel like you're neither here nor there? Then welcome to the world of Storage, a new work by 13th Street Theatre.

The mixed-media exhibit "Revolution" takes the long-form, high-definition digital videos shot by Ben Whitehouse in order to study how a swatch of scenery changes from dawn to dusk, and matches them with his paintings of selected stills.

Tim Bowen has kept busy over the past 30 years. The Philadelphia-based artist has experimented with figure compositions, three-dimensional shadowboxes and mixed-media pieces.

For all the promises of testicular revival, what Lordi really brings back to rock is the ridiculous.

The Philadelphia branch of American Composers Forum have done their important work mainly behind the scene. Rather than serving only as a silent partner, there are now more events and forums that bear the brand name of ACF.

Set lists posted online should come with spoiler warnings. Flip-flopping the closing spot on this co-headlining tour, both Slayer's and Marilyn Manson's sets were as predictable as a symphony orchestra's.

If Illuminea lulled you to sleep with 2004's Nightlight, it's time to wake up and pay attention. Since their debut, the seven-piece Philly-New York chamber-pop collective gained an upright bass player, lost a cellist and added a syllable to their name.

In the family that is Psychedelic Pennsylvania, the Espers are woodsy space cadet sisters, and Golden Ball are the spooky space cadet brothers — weird, but nice kids all. So what does that make Black Moth Super Rainbow?

In Pursuit of Ale and RPS Tournament | Charity Wine Tasting | Hot Night, Cool Blues | Oktoberfest | Hope Fox Book Signing

1 Almanac Market | 2 Pub on Passyunk East | 3 Johnny Brenda's | 4 A Full Plate Café | 5 Mugshots Coffeehouse

All Rufus Wainwright wanted to do after his grand, tender, song-by-song re-creation of Judy at Carnegie Hall was something small and dark. Instead, he came up with Release the Stars

There's more to being Polish than pierogies. There's also kielbasa, sauerkraut and Karol Szymanowski.

Laura Lewis has revived the long-lost art of the Shrinky-Dink. She traces the '80s medium with animal silhouettes, adds designs and pops them in the oven.

The last spelling bee I participated in was moderated by Sister Mary Anne. It was an orderly affair, and the winner was awarded a homework-free night. Bob & Barbara's hosts a very different contest.

Sponsored by local bike shops such as Trophy, Firehouse and Bell's, Summerslam is a three-part race with a top-secret course revealed only after registering.

With comedy showcase "Laughs For Life," BEBASHI hopes to uplift spirits, raise funds and promote awareness among African-Americans, who are leading the numbers of newly diagnosed HIV infections.

In celebration of end of combat, the National Constitution Center invites guests to strap on their zoot suits and Christian Dior tiny-waisted skirts for an anniversary party set in 1940's America.