Many years ago, the bright red carpet at West Philly's Leroy's Showcase Lounge was regularly trod upon by some of our favorite acts: Harry Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Staple Singers and Patti LaBelle, to name a few.

Putting your finger on Rum Bar's specialty isn't difficult. (Hint: It's not mint schnapps.)

"From the first meeting it seemed like an insurmountable amount of detail," says local resident Nate Johnson. The sketches that David Guinn came up with managed to pack in all of it.

You still have four days to take in concerts, seminars, barbecues and parties, parties, parties.

Charleston, SC, mayor Joseph P. Riley spoke at length about the importance of building public housing that is an architectural match for its surrounding area, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Some say folks who drink alone are alcoholics. To avoid such dastardly pigeonholing, hang out at the crowded guild night at South Philly's Burg's Lounge every fourth Tuesday.

Once a month, the bar holds a potluck dinner for homeless folks and anybody else who wants a good meal.

Darwin can rest easy, though: As further reading of this account of the 2005 intelligent design trial in Dover, Pa., demonstrates, Chapman is showing off only dramatic flair, not creationist zeal.

When someone buys you a drink at Yesterday's and you've already had your fill (we're talking one more shot and you'll be making merry with porcelain), you get a little plastic chip good for one free drink.