Public opinion about city workers ranges from "selfless public servants" to "lazy good-for-nothings," but a lot of those opinions, it seems to us, aren't based on much. We wanted to know more.

Dougherty's job is to make sure large construction projects are up to "the minimum standard of the code" on everything from fire caulking to sprinkler systems.

A typical trash crew — one driver and two throwers — eventually learn one another's rhythms. "Like a basketball team," Jackson says.

Young runs programming at Carousel House, the city's recreational facility for people with mental and physical disabilities.

In choosing books, Banas talks to publishers, keeps an eye on professional and academic reviews, and also bears in mind the community surrounding each library.

Though he knows there's more money in the private industry, in his line of work, Madera says, "you have job stability, 'cause there's always gonna be drugs."

In the private sector, Medley administered a lot of bedside care; at a health center, most people walk in. "The most exciting thing is either people have respiratory problems, or fainting," she says.

When Cruz first felt pepper spray, "I thought my eyes were gonna pop out of my head," he says. Now he stands in front of recruits as they experience the sensation for the first time.

Gigliotti is responsible for making sure shelter residents are on track, and, if not, motivating them to get on track.

Kevin Williams began at quite possibly the lowest rung on the city's employment ladder: cleaning toilets at the airport.

Green generally has a queue of requests to deal with, and she's taken to speaking in some very tech-y jargon.

Drain's a "certified peer specialist" and facilitator for the Wellness Recovery Action Plan, which means part of his time is spent visiting facilities, talking to addicts to persuade them that "recovery is possible."

Knox enjoys the interaction with clients, she says, but has been taken aback by how easily one thing going awry can throw off her whole schedule.

What does free cost?

by Bruce Schimmel

What You Say

The things now being asked of Philadelphia's middle schoolers when they apply to high school — not just getting good grades and taking standardized tests, but writing essays and scheduling interviews — bear a striking resemblance to the college application process.

by Mike Newall

Hey, jerkoffs: May is National Masturbation Month.

Michael Nutter is not on Twitter | Springsteen rules, Joel drools | The anti-casino grove | Two grand slams!

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Proximity Gallery | Mount Airy Contemporary Artists Space | Gallery Joe| And Then There's ... Sage Projects

Through May 7, free, Mew Gallery, 906 Christian St., 215-625-2424, mewgallery.org.

by Holly Otterbein

Tue., May 5, 7:30 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Molly Eichel

by Mark Cofta

Megan Mazarick's Avatard

by K. Ross Hoffman

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens | deadwhale.com | Whore Moans | The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards

Sat., May 2, Tue., May 5 and Thu., May 7, 7:30 p.m., Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St. (sold out); May 9, 7:30 p.m., Walter K. Gordon Theater, Rutgers-Camden, 314 Linden St., Camden; $48-$83, 215-735-1685, avaopera.org.

by Peter Burwasser

Thu.-Sun., April 30-May 3, $20, Wolf Building, 340 N. 12th St., 800-838-3006, volcanousa.org/productions.html.

by Lauren F. Friedman

Reception Fri., May 1, 5-8 p.m., through May 30, AxD Gallery, 265 S. 10th St., 215-627-6250, aigaphilly.org.

by Holly Otterbein

Thu.-Fri., April 30-May 1, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 2, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 3, 2:30 p.m.; $34-$46, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

by Deni Kasrel

Betrayal — actual and perceived — is pervasive in Nerakhoon.

Beginning this Saturday night with Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future ("Where we're going, we don't need roads"), the program will run for seven weeks, ending with Hayao Miyazaki's breathtaking Spirited Away on June 20.

As he is increasingly debased in the outside world, Ryuhei exercises his authority at home in increasingly arbitrary and violent fashion, but he is unquestioned by long-suffering wife Megumi until the truth is spoken aloud.

Send repertory film listings to molly.eichel@citypaper.net.

PJ Harvey

Tue., May 5, 9 p.m., $15, with Great Northern and Eulogies, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, johnnybrendas.com.

by Michael Pelusi

Wed., May 6, 8:30 p.m., $12-$14, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

Sun., May 3, 8 p.m., $29.50, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., 215-627-1332, ticketmaster.com.

by Deesha Dyer

Sun, May 3, 7:30 p.m., $14, all ages, with Bukue One and Mike Relm, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by Deesha Dyer

Fri., May 1, 8:30 p.m., $12-$14, with Lewis & Clarke, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by M.J. Fine

Fri., May 1, 9 p.m., $20-$32, with Luke Top and Chairlift, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

Fri., May 1, 8 p.m., $10, all ages, with Moral Crayfish and Kuschty Rye Ergot, First Unitarian Church Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

Fri., May 1, 9 p.m., $10, with Jotto and Faux Slang, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, johnnybrendas.com.

by John Vettese

Thu., April 30, 9 p.m., $13-$15, with Electric Six and Human People, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 866-468-7619, johnnybrendas.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

Thu., April 30, 8:30 p.m., $12-$14, all ages, with BBQ, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 866-468-7619, r5productions.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

What's frustrating is that there are several dishes here that show quite clearly that Bar Amalfi is capable of rising above the middle of the pack.

They don’t make bars like they used to. Except when they do.

Headhouse Farmers Market Opening | Kensington, Fishtown and Port Richmond Restaurant Week | Eats and Beats Benefit Dinner | Drink a Beer ... Save the Earth | Cinco de Mayo at Xochitl

Kibitz Room | Noble American Cookery | JT's Philadelphia House

Showcasing unconventional good looks at the Catwalk Tragedy Tour.

by Lauren F. Friedman

Would you pay top dollar to hear the former Secretary of State speak?

by Lauren F. Friedman

Learn to relax at Northern Liberties' new massage/aromatherapy practice.

by Christina Shaffer

by Felicia D'Ambrosio

by Lauren F. Friedman

Needle, thread ... chemistry?

by Lauren Fleming

Valborgsmssoafton Celebration

by K. Ross Hoffman