Freeman Lamback's cousin, Tyree, was fooling around with someone else's girl, and that someone else and his friends were not happy about it. Tyree was jumped earlier in the day, and now those same people were starting trouble with him again at an Olney playground. Freeman, his uncle said, needed to get there. He hung up the cell and dressed, but his wife, Indea — with her infant daughter in her arms — asked Freeman not to go. "I knew that wasn't an option," she'd later say.

Church here, state there. Is there a problem?

by Steven Conn

The bad memories roll as the Democrats face another catastrophe.

by David Faris

Now that Onion Flats is everyone's favorite iconoclast, the city's ignorance of things green actually encourages their innovation.

by Bruce Schimmel

What You Say

Running Numbers has anticipated the disappointment you'll feel tomorrow when you see National Treasure: Book of Secrets and realize its creators swayed from the original.

A.D. was ready to send y'all off with a list of Philly-fings for last-minute shopping stomps. But nothing offers Icepack holiday kisses, wishes 'n' fishes

damonabnormal on the street

Through the diner's front windows, the cause of Weinstein's consternation sat in clear view: a small battalion of yellow trucks and orange barrels, which gave the impression that the road, and the diner's entrance, were closed for construction.

Michael Nutter, who recently endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, showed support for Barack Obama during mayoral primary. "You call that a controversy?" asks Milton Street, just before unicycling down Market with a hot dog gun. Even

Food, with a sprinkling of crime history, marks the mob holiday season.

by Brendan McGarvey and Gabriele J. Valentine

Why Street won't be remembered fondly in some quarters.

by Brian Hickey

Larry Farnese looks to take down the hard-to-beat Babette Josephs.

by Mary F. Patel

Age of Arousal seems melodramatic and overblown on the page, but in Blanka Zizka's bold production, it's sincere and enlightening.

by Mark Cofta

The Dirty Projectors | Marianne Dages | Metroid soundtrack | Time Cube theory

by David Anthony Fox

The bleak setting of Holiday Show at the Swing Club works in its favor.

by Mark Cofta

By Arthur Nersesian, Akashic Urban Surreal, 280 pp., $22.95

by Justin Bauer

By Nicola Barker, Harper Perennial, 848 pp., $16.95

by Justin Bauer

By Martin Goodman, Knopf, 624 pp., $35

by Rodney Anonymous

By William Boyd, Bloomsbury, 528 pp., $22.95

by Gary M. Kramer

Senso to Heiwa: Sam Flores' exhibit, which translates to "War and Peace," critiques current events by portraying the victims of war as women with their hands in prayer, heads bowed to the ground and frowns prominent. | Vast Beautiful System (barely holding together): Constant stress, change and tweaking must occur for a high-functioning system to remain in equilibrium. | Small Works: In this group show, more than 30 artists depict big ideas on small canvases.

Being Jewish at Christmas: Tue., Dec. 25, noon-4 p.m., $5, free for kids under 3, National Museum of American Jewish History, 55 N. Fifth St.

by Tami Fertig

Stomp: Wed.-Thu., Dec. 26-27, 2 and 8 p.m., through Jan. 2, $25-$44.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.

by Deni Kasrel

Galleries are usually open Tuesdays through Saturdays; please call the gallery for exact days and hours. Receptions are denoted with Reception 3RD STREET GALLERY ,

Museums and exhibits have varying schedules;please call for exact days, hours and prices. ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES , 19th St. & the Parkway, 215-299-1000. AMAZON

Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information. dance FLAMENCO DEL ENCUENTRO This traditional flamenco cuadro is

AMERICAN CHRISTMAS READINGS This theatrical evening of Christmas readings includes performances of "A Christmas Memory," "A Cup of Christmas Tea," "A Visit from St. Nicholas"

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly begins with cinema's elemental act: the opening of an eye. Jean-Dominique Bauby has suffered a stroke, and comes to in a seaside hospital to discover that his entire body has been paralyzed save for his left eye.

The first time we meet, he's trying to illustrate a point about the extraordinary opening of his third film, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, an uninterrupted 15-minute sequence shot from the point of view of a paralyzed but fully conscious man.

The siblings at the heart of Tamara Jenkins' long-awaited second feature may be winkingly named after the protagonists of Peter Pan, but their problem isn't that they never grew up — they just refuse to own up to the fact that they have.

"They're rarefied and incredibly bright and astute, but that doesn't matter, because it does not prepare them for the emotional demands of life," says Philly-born writer-director Jenkins.

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

1. Maria Schneider Orchestra Sky Blue (artistShare) Schneider has somehow discovered a way to make a cumbersome big band daub in watercolors. Her Orchestra's sixth CD is an impressionistic landscape full of bird calls and entrancing lyricism.

1. Various artists Bullet Records Rhythm & Blues (Bullet) From the late '40s and early '50s, Nashville's Bullet put out some intensely energetic R&B by Wynonie Harris, Max Bailey, Doc Wiley and more. Don't think you know the roots of rock 'n' roll till you've assimilated these tunes, all joyful, with plenty of sax and boogie piano.

1. Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra: Daniel Barenboim, conductor MAHLER: Symphony No. 9 (Warner). Barenboim has been dogged by accusations of superficiality as an interpreter. I cannot imagine anyone pinning that label on this glorious, blazing performance. Barenboim and this superb orchestra completely get this score, in full sync with the deep, even frightening passion of Mahler.

1. Radioclit Hard Working Class Vol. 1 (Self-Released Mix Tape) This U.K.-based production duo has really staked its ground as top boys in the club game. This is a compilation of some of their singles, remixes and unreleased tracks. Innovative and yet totally accessible.

J. Edward Keyes on Shuffle

by J. Edward Keyes

I get so many letters, handwritten letters, asking me for updates and information on Jon Solomon, noted WPRB DJ and host of City Paper's biweekly Local Support music podcast. I thought it might be fun to answer some of these letters here.

Sat., Dec. 22, 8 p.m., $13-$15, with the Bittersweets, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., worldcafelive.com.

by Mary Armstrong

Thu., Dec. 20, 8 p.m., free, with Raoul Bjorkenheim/Toshi Makihara, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

The recipes, too, might go back 100 years, but then that's the whole point of bistro fare. Even if your grandfather supped on the same dishes as a boy, things like steak frites and mussels in broth never get old. The trick is keeping them from getting stale. Cochon chef/co-owner Gene Giuffi pulls that off gracefully.

Why does Lynn Rosen — a former editor at Running Press and Ballantine who ran her own Leap First literary agency — care about berry forks, the accepted ruffle napkin wrap for traditional English tea, candelabrum and oyster plates? Because: If not her, then who?

If a diner's religious persuasion is one where gifts are gifted, when's the best time for presents?
I'd say after the meal, or maybe during a break between dinner and dessert. If you're giving presents at a dinner party, make sure you have something for everyone — or if you're only giving presents to the kids, then for every child present — so no one feels left out. If you don't have something for everyone, save giving out the presents for later.

Be warned, though. The menu of authentic home-style Japanese fare here is concise — you won't find tempura or even made-to-order sushi, which is considered a luxury food in Japan (though there are little to-go boxes of pre-fab maki in the deli case).

Get Out!

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

Shell Game

by Gary M. Kramer

Sly Fox Christmas Ale | Dante's Tea Break | Lactaid Eggnog | Foodie Fight: A Trivia Game for Serious Food Lovers

Q: My boss has given me the task of locating a Philadelphia restaurant that can accommodate a party of 30 for lunch, at no more than $30 per person.

No time for checking it twice

by Monica Weymouth

Surcle: Open Sat.-Sun., noon-5 p.m. and First Fridays, 110 Church St., 215-923-1415, myspace.com/surcleartistcooperative

by Monica Weymouth

Homeless Memorial Day

by Deesha Dyer

Pantyline Undies: $10-$15, at My My, 15 Byberry Road, Hatboro, pantyline.etsy.com

by Monica Weymouth

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration: Sat., Dec. 22, 1-5 p.m., $1-$5, New Media Technology Charter School, 340 E. Haines St., 267-286-6900

by Dana Henry