You're surrounded by talented people who love you like crazy. Who will treat you right — the way you deserve. You're going to go on, and be bigger and better than ever.

Contrary to the popular notion of decadent liberals celebrating each dead American soldier with a pomegranate martini and some casual sex, no one is happy about this ongoing tragedy.

My car's become a junker. It squeaks, groans and kvetches lustily as it bounces down the city's streets. Mechanically, the very act of moving forward seems almost a miracle. And that suits me just fine.

Pay attention, readers. [Doron] can help you broaden your horizons if you let him. | Mr. Schimmel, people in my community want SugarHouse Casino!

It was not until years later, after many nights staying up with my father listening to Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) news reports, when I would come to know of Islamic government soldiers burning villages and bombing cattle camps in the south. Leir, my home region, became a battleground.

In a city noted for architectural heritage, but not necessarily the preservation thereof, demolition seems an even more frequent occurrence this year. Now comes word that the future of two famed Philadelphia theaters is in limbo.

enter City Residents Association (CCRA) celebrated its 60th anniversary last week at the Pyramid Club, and political candidates took advantage of voters who could be swayed one way or another.

"There're not enough independent or amateur theater options for performers or audiences here...We want to change that."

"You can't help but bob your head and shake your booty." / "Wowzers! That's Fliptastic!" / "Rocco is credited as being one of the first actual skateboarders to own a skateboard company." / "It's horribly violent and violently sexual. I loved it."

Philadelphia is the only East Coast venue for "Frida Kahlo," a traveling show organized around what would have been the artist's 100th birthday.

The movement of the book's first pages, from Wideman introducing fictional Thomas obsessed with biographical Fanon, shows the difficulty Wideman has had in approaching this project as clearly as anything he says outright.

The drama skillfully revealed is heartbreaking, especially through Santiago's nuanced Angela, the soul most in danger.

By the actual conclusion, those willing to devote patient attention to these complex people are rewarded as live theater does best: with much to ponder.

This work feels too weighted down by its own overly grand ambitions, always looking up at the glass ceiling separating it from top-tier operas.

With each piece, Wei aims to create a different movement vocabulary, and for the company's appearance at the Kimmel Center this weekend, two dances present distinct approaches.

Donizetti's The Elixir of Love was first heard in 1832, but still knocks 'em dead.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes that might not be enough.

Wed., Feb. 20, 7 p.m., free but registration required, Ritz Five, 214 Walnut St., 215-895-1029

Mon., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m.; Tue., Feb. 19, 10 a.m., free but reservations required, Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk, 215-573-9749, writing.upenn.edu/wh

People, if you're looking for insightful feminist protest songs, look elsewhere. Soca Gold 2007 simply delivers what it promises, and what it promises are infectious, danceable rhythms and lyrics about doing your girl doggy-style on the beach before high tide comes in.

So gather the kids — should we remind audiences that Haynes played with Johnny Depp and Flea in that band, P? — and let Green's wonkiest stand next to hoary old Haynes.

Suffice it to say, over the past 30 years the alto saxophonist has played with most of them, and has emerged as a distinctive leader in his own right.Suffice it to say, over the past 30 years the alto saxophonist has played with most of the greats, and has emerged as a distinctive leader in his own right.

Perhaps the best-known use of the sax in the Russian canon is in Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet, but there are many other examples, and the PRISM Quartet highlights this legacy in a concert they are calling The Red Saxophone.

1 The London Burger | 2 The Grace Burger | 3 The Deuce Burger | 4 The Vintage Burger | 5 The Copa Burger

Sure, the Zone's upbeat feel may not immediately appeal to the Bukowski crowd, but regardless of your stripes, easing into an evening here is downright agreeable

Ten-Course Chinese New Year Banquet | Dark Chocolate and Red Wine Reception | Tuscany Wine Dinner | Frida Kahlo Menu at Xochitl

Bonus Web version: So many more questions!

"Though they were 'only' comics, they were hugely important in the English freeing themselves of a serf mentality. If I get more pompous, feel free to stab me."

Unbridaled Wedding ExpoSat., Feb. 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $12-$20, Crane Arts Building, 1400 N. American St., 267-269-8237, unbridaledexpo.com

Open Fri., 2-7 p.m.; Sat., noon-7 p.m.; Sun. noon-6 p.m., the Antiquarian's Delight (basement), 615 S. Sixth St., myspace.com/wilburvintage

Thu., Feb. 21, 7 p.m., free, Germ Books & Gallery, 2005 Frankford Ave., 215-423-5002, djunaverse.com

Every Sun., 7-9 p.m., $10, Passional Toys, 620 S. Fifth St., 215-829-4986, passional.net

$36-$39, at Absolute Pop, 137 S. 13th St., 215-733-0196, absoluteabstractart.com