Bacon's vision for Philadelphia circa 2009 was particularly utopian and predicated on receiving federal money to fund projects he believed would transform the social and economic welfare of the city. Bacon wrote the essay when there was "a down economy, an active government and faith in experts." And Bacon was an expert.

I thought it was a mistake at the time, but it turned out to be the right choice. Tolson has more than doubled recycling rates, to about 15 percent. And today, with a new incentive scheme ready to roll out in February, there are smiles all around.

"Apparently calling Catholic priests 'fags' is less disrespectful than saying 'fuck' in front of a church."

So transparent is government in Harrisburg that you can watch it on a webcam. In theory, at least. So I fired up the old House of Representatives live feed hoping to catch the debate on S.B. 711.

At the end of the day, if Brian Westbrook believes he can come back, he should have every right to continue to earn a living.

There's nothing Dickensian about Philly productions like The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Snow White: A Musical Panto or Peter Pan.

The cast's verbal and physical dexterity never ceases to amaze.

I was disconcerted by Taffet's decision to use only single shoes. Shoes are supposed to come in pairs; to break them up seemed like separating salt from pepper, an avoidance of the implicit dialogue of similarity and difference. However, in the gallery I was not troubled by a sense of isolation or singularity.

The photos were shot by preteens from those very neighborhoods. Considering the strength of the work we saw coming from a single session, we're excited to see what the best of The Goodlands' entire run looks like.

Less cartoonish and more nasty than most versions, director Megan Nicole O'Brien's production features fresh takes on carnivorous plant Audrey II.

The exhibit presents provocative video by nine acclaimed artists, yet the subject matter — female superheroes — feels sensational.

Nearly 15 years ago, feisty talk show host Jane Velez-Mitchell put her addiction to alcohol on lockdown, and now she's ready to reveal the gritty details.

It's young emerging artists who are trying to establish their own aesthetic ... working outside the box."

Their forthcoming project, Guignol & Mischief Brew Fight Dirty, is a true meeting of the wanderlusting minds: Brew and Guignol functioning as a single band with Petersen and Nicolay swapping songwriting duties.

These creatures are often a few steps ahead of their audiences. This was the case for the late Hungarian composer György Ligeti, a sound gatherer of the first order, whose reputation has been growing since his death in 2006.

Nothing wrong with annual Messiah performances, candlelight choral processions or carol sing-alongs.

It may sound like a limited palette, but the music on cellist Daniel Levin's Fuhuffah is remarkably varied, juggling sounds, textures and approaches that don't allow for the suggestion of monotony.

I'm just gonna fess up here: I heard Lissy Trullie's jangle-poppy cover of Hot Chip's "Ready for the Floor" and thought it was a band with a guy singer.

Before anyone could name-check them, Bethlehem's Weston made punk like the Pixies with a warm, eerie vibe mixed in with its thrashing rhythms and paranoid lyrical sensibilities.

Christmas Beer at The Institute | Northern Home Toy Drive at National Mechanics | Pub Crawl with Santa | Firkins for Our Furry Friends | Bridget Foy's Carolers' Dinner

Being on hiatus has also allowed BMC to raid the icebox for oldies-but-goodies: Als Dinosaurier will feature "Black Sabbath" from Ozzy, a Led Zep samba and carols like "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," featuring a musical saw, bass clarinets and a sword-swallower.

Browse though gorgeous screen-printed posters by Largemammal, killer vintage from Philly AIDS Thrift and Night Owl, and prints from Space 1026's Andrew Jeffrey Wright.

Craig Robinson often plays a rude, easily offended, sarcastic guy who's disappointed in everyone.

When the shogun sends warriors to off his head-chopper but kills his wife instead, our titular hero goes on a faux-blood-filled vengeance spree, taking his young son along for the ride.

Despite its name, Dirty Diamond's annual Vagina Jam was never too popular with the ladies — until he began handing out free vibrators.

To help pay for Dave Sommer's medical bills — roughly the size of Lake Ontario — his bandmates have rallied together local artists and musicians for a benefit show.