Welcome to Philadelphia, temporary center of the universe. Again.

Back in 2000, Republicans liked to argue that the Democrats "had their chance," and they had the gall to make this argument at a time of unprecedented prosperity. Remember that the biggest dispute of the Bush-Gore campaign was what to do with the gigantic fiscal surplus after eight years of competent government. Those were the days, weren't they?

Let's extend our praise to all the entrepreneurs, especially those whose stories have been buried in the xenophobic mud of "Country First." Many of these folks love America with a special affection, and have a long history of bringing new life to our cities.

"Cities are not houses — no matter how cute they appear."

Gerald has been knocked to the canvas only once, when a former heavyweight champion caught him with a wild left hook four years ago in Vegas. Gerald got up and began to open up with hooks of his own and when it was over, his opponent quit with fractured ribs, a broken nose and jaw, and a collapsed eye socket.

The scene was something to behold: Hundreds of Sudoku players lined up on tables, quiet but eager to see how their skills stacked up against competitors from across the country and abroad.

While Barack Obama is leading in the polls, his national worker bees are taking nothing for granted.

The man who nearly had a career going with MAD magazine for his highly satirical brand of brutal skewering took on a ferocious anti-war stance to the Vietnam conflict before it was popular.

Here, the topical treatment is iconic and sweeping. There are too many obvious metaphors and too much one-dimensional character writing.

Those who take on the 912-page novel will not regret it. The stunning talent, humor and inventiveness on display is more proof that when Bolaño died in 2003 at age 50, the world lost not just a great Latin American writer, but perhaps one of its greatest writers, period.

Chung's works are often quite detailed, although her most essential concern is the "evocation of a mood or a feeling."

Big Mess was a precursor to everything Philly Fringe and Live Arts Fest would one day become. And what did Greg Giovanni do to celebrate that? Become a Noh theater artiste and abandon his baby.

"Rest Your Feet," an exhibit presented by Drexel's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, takes a look at our evolving and peculiar relationship with footwear, from high-fashion pumps to '70s ski boots to faux sneaks.

Americans love to make fun of France even though the French don't have a Creation Museum, hockey moms or Alabama. What they do have is a first lady who does a lousy Nico impersonation.

Too many people crammed into too small a space, cultural heritages rubbing up against and off on one another — sound familiar, University City?

They won't lift you up, but they'll never let you down.

The schlocky pop group Mannheim Steamroller is not nearly as innovative and bold as the original Mannheim Orchestra, the 18th-century ensemble that inspired their name.

1 N. 3rd | 2 12 Lounge | 3 Tiffin | 4 Twenty Manning | 5 Distrito

MANNA Pie in the Sky Tasting | Halloween Spirits at McGillin's Olde Ale House | Thirteen Tailgate Brunch | Five-Course Wine Dinner at Rum Bar | Election Night Party at Johnny Brenda's

"Vincent Price was my favorite actor. House on Haunted Hill was my favorite movie. And when other little girls were doing Barbies, I was making models of the Wolf Man."

Sazz Vintage | Thrift Fair | Retrospect | The Curiosity Shoppe | Sephora

Graphic novels are much more than stories with pictures or X-Men for grownups. This misunderstood literary genre will be the center of attention at the Free Library's upcoming panel featuring industry hotshots.

"I think there are a lot of the living dead among us right now, McCain included. At least zombies eat what they kill."