Back to Life: A happy holiday miracle story.

Verna's Equinox: Backstabbed by the mayor city council president Anna Verna keeps a sunny disposition (at least around the living).

Tim And Eric Go To Hollywood: Class clowns turned high-comedy absurdists, Tim and Eric get ready for the big time.

The April Fools Issue

Fables of the Reconstruction:
A Coalition memo reveals that even true believers see the seeds of civil ware in the occupation of Iraq.

Touching the Void:
A show about nothing unites the arts community.

Vernell's Hell: How shoddy police work in a shooting case has one grieving mother groping for answers.

Feast or Famine: Local restaurants tell carbs to take a hike. But will they make any dough?

I Was a Federal Informant: The incredible story of one man, seven government agencies, a Jamaican drug ring and a North Philly community center.

As The Borough Turns: In Darby, where politics is a soap opera, Mayor Paula Brown is both hero and villian.

Doomed To Repeat: Forty years ago, political deceptions plunged the U.S. into war. A Navy pilot from New Hope, whose photographs helped escalate conflict in Vietnam, wants you to know the same thing happened in Iraq.

Holding Out Hope: LGBT delegates took a voluntary back seat at the DNC. With a Kerry victory, they think their time will come.

Twists of Fate: Having stumbled into a high-profile mob trial, Chris Warren has become one of the city's go-to lawyers. Ron White couldn't be happier about it.

Game, Set, Life: On the old site of a notorious housing project, kids from North Philadelphia are preparing for the future by playing tennis.

Lesson Plans: Schools CEO Paul Vallas will announce a sweeping new education-reform package next week. But are his goals realistic?

Unconventional! Philly gets two arts festivals for the price of one.

Poll Position Brace yourselves, Pennsylvanians. At their NYC gala, the Republicans said you're their key to keeping the White House.

Marketing 215 City Paper's crash course in making a good city great.

Home Away From Home Documenting the growth of Philly's Latino Community along North Fifth Street. A Photo Essay By Michael T. Regan

Turning Lives Inside Out Temple professor Lori Pompa is a free woman, but she spends as much time in jail as she does outside. Why does she do it and why are others following?

Fall Book Quarterly

The Music Issue: Visionaries, This is what Philly music looks like.

Choice Awards 2004

Vote, Then Die
Talk about a rude wake-up call. It was 5:40 a.m. EST when Andrew Card's smarmy mug materialized on the television.

Blood Brothers
The Dead Milkmen return to pay tribute to the late Dave Schulthise.

Holiday Gift Guide/Book Quarterly

Wireless Mike
Mike Missanelli says he doesn't care if you hate him. (Or if he gets back on the air.)

Bought and Sold in America
Seven women now living in, and around, Upper Darby were victims of human trafficking. Their case sparked public outrage. But are they better off today?

Holiday Dining & Entertaining Guide
CityPaper proudly presents 12 of the most eclectic, nondenominational, festive, frightening and just plain wrong-headed party ideas for all of your holiday needs.

Gang Mentality
Is recent school violence a flashback to 1970s street gangs? Or is it something more dangerous?

"Oh, You Shouldn't Have…"
But we did. Here are City Paper's gift suggestions for local celebs, pols, teams, neighborhoods, companies, institutions and everyone else in dire need this holiday season.

What Happened Next?
We revisit our biggest stories of 2004.