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One Small Step for Robots
; "Cover Story :: One Small Step for Robots")
A Drexel lab has big plans for its little humanoid.
by Brian James Kirk
There's a bit of pressure on the shoulders of Drexel's Jaemi HUBO, an
adorable, anthropomorphic robot runt that acts like it just rolled out
of bed.
Sweetest Taboo
Monell scientists are studying the way one food additive affects your body's secret taste receptors.
by Lauren F. Friedman
For a long time, lactisole — which has been tested on rodents and is
generally accepted as safe — was the only compound known to block the
sweet receptors. But that just changed.
Old Salt
A West Chester U scientist finds ancient DNA — and new hope in the search for life on other planets.
by Andrew Thompson
What he found when he brought them back to the laboratory at West
Chester University wasn't just old DNA; it was the oldest DNA ever
discovered, clocking in at about 419 million years.
Clams Casino
A mollusk scientist at the Academy hits the jackpot.
by Will Dean
Few summertime shell collectors pause to consider
the briny creatures that once lived inside — unless they're hungry. But
that could change, thanks to new research, done in part by the Academy
of Natural Sciences here in Philly, which points to these ocean
denizens as sources of new drugs and fuels.
Pretty on the Inside
A medical film fest wants to get under your skin.
by Shaun Brady
The two decided to bring together medical and film scholars,
filmmakers, archivists and programmers to explore the widely defined
genre, which encompasses experimental and narrative films, educational
pieces, medical imaging and documentations of actual medical
procedures.
Editor's Letter:
Lane Rage
Stu Bykofsky's attacks on city bike lanes are flawed.
by Brian Howard
Why he failed to point out that the report's AM rush hour counts support the idea that auto traffic at Broad Street is being snarled is a mystery to me. I guess a rigged system makes a better story.
Feedback:
Letters to the Editor
What You Say
"If you are going to write about urban agriculture, I wanted you to have the correct facts."
Loose Canon:
Confidence Game
"I'm in the trust business."
by Bruce Schimmel
Talking to this young man, I want to believe him. But there's an issue,
because Rob is not only an ex-con, he was also a con man.
Grumpy Old MenWant to criticize Jack Kelly during a political campaign? Be careful. He'll sue.
by Andrew Thompson
Until you saw the pettiness of what was at stake in the defamation
lawsuit that City Councilman Jack Kelly filed against one of his
constituents in 2008, and which he lost Jan. 15, it's difficult to
understand the magnitude of the frivolity at hand.
Sports:
Do Something
The Bell CurveLet's be there for Samuel Dalembert.
by E. James Beale
Dalembert first burst onto the scene in 2001, when he literally jumped
onto the stage at the NBA draft as his name was called. Coming out of the poverty that was Haiti, "It is just tough
not to be happy every day," he says. "You know?" We don't.
City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter
When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.
A Million StoriesAll the news we care to print.
Man Overboard!:
Policy is Policy
America is fickle.
by Isaiah Thompson
Even as the Obama administration extends temporary protection status to
Haitians here illegally — a move not just humane but practical — the
feds promise to detain and deport any new illegal Haitian immigrants.
Cubans are still welcome.
Art:
Lovely Bones
Slought unearths the fruits of a deadly obsession.
by Shaun Brady
The thousand-plus pieces that make up Harris' personal collection have
an end built right into them — from nearly every canvas, print,
sculpture, carving and Grateful Dead T-shirt stares the hollow eyes of
a skull.
Theater Review:
Feelin' Single, Seein' Double
Mauckingbird Theatre Co.'s Tru. and The Treshing Floor
by Mark Cofta
Devoted to gay themes, the two one-man shows produced by Mauckingbird Theatre Co. are an inspired pairing.
Dance:
Are We Human, or Are We Dancer?
Last ChanceDANCE REVIEW: River North Chicago Dance Co.
by Deni Kasrel
A nimble troupe of highly athletic performers who play to their
audience, this corps is composed of real people with real bodies who
also happen to be in fantastic physical shape.
Catch it or regret it
by Holly Otterbein
Knapp Gallery | Lorenzo Homar Gallery | My House Gallery
Kaleidoscope
All Around Us 2010 | Tender Mercies | I Am Ozzy | Teddy Pendergrass
Re-View:
Blahg Humbug
"I won't be happy if you print my name."
by Robin Rice
It is intriguing that one of the blahgger's pals, a writer with a
regular Philadelphia gig and occasional contributor to a national
publication, has not been a target. Perhaps the blahgger hypocritically
hopes she'll remember what frenz are for.
Arts Picks:
Concrete Dinosaur
Through Jan. 24, $20-$25, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-735-0630, playsandplayers.org.
by Mark Cofta
Only one weekend left to catch this new play by Nicholas Wardigo,
ambitiously produced by Plays & Players, who also premièred the
local playwright's Exit, Corpse last year.
The White RibbonCity Paper Grade: B
by Sam Adams
The film's visuals lend an air of eerie calm to the disturbing series
of attacks that begin to infect the town's serene and self-righteous
surface.
Your weekly guide to local film events, festivals and under-the-radar screenings.
Send repertory film listings to molly.eichel@citypaper.net.
Suite Spot:
Lost Keys
I have no explanation for the current obscurity of pianist Richard Farrell.
by Peter Burwasser
The 1950s was a dangerous decade to be a classical musician.
Music Picks:
Freelance Whales
Nanci Griffith
Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update
Ken Vandermark Septet
The Inbetweens
Fri., Jan. 22, 7 p.m., $10, with Animal Tropical and Faces on Film, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, r5productions.com.
by Patrick Rapa
The quirkiness level is way elevated. Not a problem yet, it's just ... be careful. I worry is all.
Nanci Griffith
Sat., Jan. 23, 8 p.m., wait list only, with Susan Werner, Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media, 610-891-0100, mediatheatre.org.
by Carolyn Wyman
Probably no one was happier to see the '00s go than "folkabilly" singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith.
Jeff Antoniuk and the Jazz Update
Fri., Jan. 22, 5:45 and 7:15 p.m., free with museum admission of $16, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Pkwy., 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.
by Shaun Brady
Suggesting a refresher on the sounds originally broadcast by the Jazz
Messengers, the Jazz Update, Canadian-born saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk's
Annapolis-based quartet, is aptly named.
Ken Vandermark Septet
Fri., Jan. 22, 8 p.m., $12, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, arsnovaworkshop.org.
by Shaun Brady
Ken Vandermark has never been shy about trumpeting his influences.
The Inbetweens
Thu., Jan. 21, 8 p.m., free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., arsnovaworkshop.org.
by Shaun Brady
The Inbetweens are a guitar-bass-drums trio of ex-New England
Conservatory students who have doubled as the rhythm section for the
Brooklyn Qawwali Party and Philly soul singer Candice Manson.
Build-a-BarDrinking in is the new drinking out, so stock your home like a cocktail champ.
by Felicia D'Ambrosio
Assembling the elements of a home bar doesn't have to be difficult.
Feeding Frenzy
Restaurants opening, closing and pending
by Drew Lazor
R2L | Wit or Witout | Zavino | Healthy Bites To-Go | Apo Bar + Lounge | Maru Global Takoyaki | Green Aisle Grocery
Sweetie's Pie Diner
by Trey Popp
Waitresses are quick with smiles, plus crayons for the pint-size set.
And the dessert pies don't hold back on the empty calories. As Thaw
puts it, "People really do come wanting sugar."
Agenda Lead:
Orientation Ritual
A new poetry workshop helps younger LGBTQs navigate the tricky path to sexuality.
by Natalie Hope McDonald
Some are questioning their gender. Others are coming out or dealing
with sexual abuse. But there’s a shared thread for each person who
attends the poetry workshops at The Attic Youth Center — they’re all LGBTQ-identified
women meeting in a much-needed safe haven to talk
about sex.
Agenda Picks:
Wounded Warriors
Queer BaitMon., Jan. 25, noon-2 p.m., free, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St., 215-573-0917, cphi.upenn.edu.
by Mandy Bee
A good veteran's story will take you to the unfamiliar deserts of
Afghanistan or Iraq, and make an often-unfathomable war real. Sadly,
most Americans don't get a chance to hear these tales firsthand.
Josh Middleton on the LGBTQ scene
by Josh Middleton
"My Right Self" | Scene's One-Year Anniversary Party | Hydrate
IcepackAmorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.
by A.D. Amorosi
Icepack can't stress enough the continued need to take care of our Haitian brethren. See hpphilly.org for worthy efforts accepting donations.
Agenda Picks:
Elvis Birthday Bash
Bye, Bye Big Boobies
Patrick Swayze Tribute Party
Fri., Jan. 22, 8 p.m., $34.50, Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.
by Brendan Bianowicz
Why celebrate the birth of a man who died on his toilet 33 years ago?
Bye, Bye Big Boobies
Sat., Jan. 23, 9 p.m., $6 (dancing only)-$10 (dancing and show), Sisters, 1320 Chancellor St., 215-735-0735, sistersnightclub.com.
by Josh Middleton
If anyone knows boobs it's Sisters, the Gayborhood's premier lesbian nightclub.
Patrick Swayze Tribute Party
Thu., Jan. 21, 6-9:30 p.m., $25, Zesty's, 4382 Main St.; Society Hill Dance Academy, 4401 Cresson St.; 215-482-1611, philadelphia.singlesevents.com.
by Anna Lockhart
When Patrick Swayze died last September, so, too, did the hope that America might ever make another respectable dance movie.
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