At the center of the ever-ratcheting dredging debate is Maya van Rossum, an outgoing 44-year-old lawyer and mother who enjoys patrolling the river "to inform the work I do, but also because it's beautiful." But where some see a tireless standard-bearer, fighting to protect the river despite the political pressure exerted by many of the region's job-desperate leaders, others see a relentless gadfly, an impediment to necessary progress.

Our goal was to be eye-catching. Sorry if we scared you.

by Brian Howard

What You Say

These fresh fields are especially sweet.

by Bruce Schimmel

It's a half-hour into the inaugural meeting of the Philadelphia Coffee Party, on March 13, and the 20 attendees have reached an impasse: They can't decide what to write on their protest sign.

To be read aloud.

by Patrick Rapa

From February 2008 to February 2009, the Pennsylvania State Police issued 750 disorderly conduct citations for the use of profane language or gestures. At least one of these involved a woman cussing at her toilet. Who hasn't done that?

We shouldn't be the pawns of anybody's lobby.

by Isaiah Thompson

The $300,000 amounts to a final payday for Tierney, who had been engaging in brass-knuckle bargaining with the new owners, a group of senior lenders that won control of the papers at an April 28 auction for $139 million.

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

Václav Havel's Leaving sums up the life of a statesman — and a playwright, too.

by A.D. Amorosi

John Vettese sees what develops

by John Vettese

American Idol | Riff-Raff | Trenton Avenue Arts Festival | Found*ling

Thu., May 20, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 21, 8 p.m.; Sat., May 22, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sun., May 23, 2 p.m.; $24-$48, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900, annenbergcenter.org.

by Deni Kasrel

Sat., May 22, 2 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Carolyn Huckabay

Opening reception, Fri., May 21, 6-8 p.m.; exhibit May 22-Sept. 26; free, Morris Gallery, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N. Broad St., 215-972-7600, pafa.org.

by Shaun Brady

Through June 6, $35, Lantern Theater Co., St. Stephen's Theater, 923 Ludlow St., 215-829-0395, lanterntheater.org.

by Mark Cofta

The director and producer of the 2007 Oscar-winner Taxi to the Dark Side, Alex Gibney pushes past conventional documentary structures and expectations to tell stories in new ways.

Looking for Eric returns director Ken Loach to the heights of Riff-Raff and Raining Stones — winning stories of working-class life whose politics were integrated rather than smeared on top.

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

On the verge of Making Time's 10th anniversary, we asked Dave P, the impresario of Philly's long-running rock 'n' roll dance party, to run down 10 defining moments.

Tue., May 25, 8 p.m., $10-$12, with Grooms, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Damien Jurado's Saint Bartlett | David Cross' Bigger and Blackerer | Kurt Vile's Square Shells EP

"Turn Me Away (Get Munny)"

by K. Ross Hoffman

The problem is that it's monotonously competent.

by Rodney Anonymous

Sun., May 23, 8 p.m., $8, with Beretta 76, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com.

by M.J. Fine

Sat., May 22, 8 p.m., $7, with Pants Yell! and Scott Churchman, PiLam, 3914 Spruce St., myspace.com/thepilam.

by M.J. Fine

Sat., May 22, 8 p.m., $14, with Alexisonfire, Therefore I Am and La Dispute, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011, livenation.com.

by Patrick Rapa

Fri., May 21, 8 p.m., $14, with The Postelles, First Unitarian Sanctuary, 2125 Chestnut St., 877-435-9849, r5productions.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

Thu., May 20, 9 p.m., $8, with Animals and Insects, Alchemilla and Conservative Man, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com.

by John Vettese

Thu., May 20, 8 p.m., free, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

by Shaun Brady

Thu., May 20, 9 p.m., $10, with Missing Palmer West and Strand of Oaks, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by John Vettese

Supposing everything were executed to perfection, this setup may appeal to well-heeled, risk-averse diners. It offers a sort of survival-of-the-fittest smorgasbord, in which yesteryear's experiments have been winnowed down so that the most successful ones remain. But perfect execution is not something to be counted on at R2L.

On tequila's longtime dance partner, sangrita.

by Felicia D' Ambrosio

Local Abundance Launch Dinner at 10 Arts | Watson Adventures' Munch Around the Market Scavenger Hunt | Bucks County Chocolate Show | Tequila Dinner at El Vez | Annual Spargelfest at City Tavern | Dock Street Beer Dinner at MidAtlantic

Amuse | Muntin | Biba | Nana Petrillo's | Delicastessen | D.P. Dough

A benevolent gong show in West Philly? Chuck Barris would be proud.

by Tom Tiballi

My advice to run-amok Flyers fans — especially those with the M-F-ing goal horn at South Philly Bar & Grill — is paraphrased from Don Rickles: Calm it, hockey pucks.

Thu., May 27, 7 p.m., free, Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-567-4341, freelibrary.org.

by Sam Kaplan

Philly Drag King Competition | Diana Ross After-Party | Mazzoni Center Variety Show

Sun., May 23, 3-5 p.m., $15, Square Peg Artery & Salvage, 108 S. 20th St., 215-360-5548, squarepegartery.com.

by Emily Currier

Sun., May 23, 1-5 p.m., free, Ninth and Montrose streets, messagesinmotion.com, 484-201-6063.

by Sam Kaplan

Sat., May 22, noon-5 p.m., free, Trenton Avenue and Dauphin Street, 215-427-0350, kinetickensington.com.

by Alexandra Harcharek

Sat., May 22, 11:59 p.m., $9, Ritz East, 125 S. Second St., 215-925-7900, landmarktheatres.com.

by Molly Eichel

Fri., May 21, 7-9 p.m., $5-$15 (sliding scale), Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., screwsmartly.com.

by Molly Eichel