The mayor went on TV, two days after the presidential election, to disclose the scope of the city's budget crisis and announce drastic cuts. It was, in a sense, his coming-out party. Since then, Philadelphians have begun to see one of a few different versions of Michael Nutter.

by Bruce Schimmel

Nothing in Philadelphia disappears completely.

by Nathaniel Popkin

What You Say

Firefighter Shawn Flynn of Ladder Company 11 at 12th and Reed remembers the alarm bells going off at 2:30 p.m. As the truck turned onto Passyunk Avenue, Flynn, a 17-year veteran, saw the plume of smoke. "We got a job," he called out to the other firefighters.

"He looks like an orange gremlin coming out at you. It's almost like a fat chick driving you home at 9 in the morning, where you know its just not going to turn out well. He may be able to kick my ass, but at least I can tan, so fuck him."

Yeah, it's tough out there. But you're good Icepack people — cold exteriors, warm hearts. So stick with me on this. Y'all must tuck in and dig deeper — within yourself, within your pockets.

Looks like yet another sad Christmas for the grouchy and unfortunately long-named Burgermeister Meisterburger.

Increasingly, the debate over libraries is centering around the issue of cost. But among the data that has so far been provided by the Free Library and the mayor's office, those costs have remained conspicuously absent.

Fire Maurice Cheeks.

by E. James Beale

What does Ed Rendell's alleged gaffe say about gender double standards?

by Amy Z. Quinn

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Jennifer Childs and James Sugg pit their wits against tacky vaudeville in Cherry Bomb.

by A.D. Amorosi

The Nutcracker is everywhere.

by Janet Anderson

Robin Rice on Visual Art

by Robin Rice

Review: Doug Varone at the Annenberg Center

by Janet Anderson

The Government Inspector, through Dec. 28, Lantern Theater Co. at St. Stephen's Theater, 923 Ludlow St., 215-829-0395, lanterntheater.org.

by David Anthony Fox

"Luminous Communities: Shaping our Neighborhoods with Jell-O," through January 2009, Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, 200 S. Madison St., Wilmington, Del., 302-656-6466, thedcca.org.

by Jakob Dorof

Through Jan. 4, $30, Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., 215-574-3550, walnutstreettheatre.org.

by A.D. Amorosi

Here, as in Apollo 13, director Howard seems liberated by the fact that history has already revealed the outcome of the story, allowing him to concentrate on personalities under pressure.

Stranded's story of cooperation and self-sacrifice gains added resonance in troubled times. Even cannibals have lessons to teach.

A devotee of conceptual art and design, Moran was already familiar with the quilts from Gee's Bend, Alabama. But to learn more about their creation, he actually traveled there to meet with some of the women who created them. The Houston-born pianist was soon reminded that there's the South and then there's the South.

Martin Bisi has been at a crossroads since 1979, a four-way intersection of ambient electronic music, industrial noise, no-wave jazz/punk and hybrid funk.

by Peter Burwasser

Kieran Hebden/Steve Reid | Philly Brotherly Love Concert | My Brightest Diamond | Musicians from Marlboro | mi3

Fri., Dec. 12, 8 p.m., $15, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

Fri., Dec. 12, 8 p.m., $10, with Hymn for Her, The Discount Heroes and Dante Bucci, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by Deesha Dyer

Sun., Dec. 14, 7 p.m., $12, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0978, tinangel.com.

by M.J. Fine

Like the other small-plate spots in the city that have paved the way, I found that Katz's upgraded model naturally lends itself to sharing, giving us the freedom to experience more flavors without necessarily breaking the bank.

The first thing one feels compelled to write about Mix Brick Oven Pizzeria is that its oven bears no visible trace of brick.

Paesano's | King of Clubs | Tampopo | New restaurant from Devil's Alley/Sam's Grill owner Susan Schlisman

Get Out!

by Nikki Volpicelli

Buy Kenzo

by Andrew Thompson

Punk Rock Flea Market | Omoi Turns 2 | Arcadia Holiday Trunk Show | Dilworth Plaza Christmas Village | Traveling Wares

You Still Have that Brokeback Mountain Costume in your Closet

by Holly Otterbein

Shop, Rock & Roll

by Dianca Potts

Annual Holiday Party and Threads of History Reception

by Dianca Potts