While single-stream recycling and sustainability are relatively new concepts in the timeline of human history, they're age-old practices in the art world. Artists have always used what's at hand for inspiration, but many use what others would consider junk as their physical medium. Additionally, the renewed focus on green architecture and ever improving conservation have given a huge new boost to "green art" and in the fickle and rarefied atmosphere of the art world, green......

A steaming hot pile of our favorite things from around the internets. Adam and Jamie of Mythbusters use paint guns to demonstrate the principle of parallel computing. Yay! (Via) Have you seen the new Microsoft commercial with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld? It's pretty hilarious. And it's not even advertising anything specific; it's like they just wanted to make a funny short film with the surprisingly effective comedy duo of Gates and Seinfeld. James Rocchi......

First Friday gallery openings return in force to the city as the "new" art season unofficially starts with the September openings. We've already told you about Northern Liberties' Projects Gallery opening its exhibition season with Fresh! 2008. This invitational exhibition includes an impressive number of the city's emerging artists, including many recent graduates from various art programs. The First Friday artists' reception is tonight, from 6-9 p.m. Projects Gallery is located at 629 N 2nd......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY The Shoebox Tour: Michael Karas and Tempei Arakawa explore the limits of juggling (and what can be juggled) at Greg Kennedy Studio (6122 Greene), 7:30 & 9PM. $10 SATURDAY Doggie!: Carnivale of the Dogs at Rittenhouse Square (18th and Walnut), 10AM. Free Empty Orchestra: Opening reception for "Empty Orchestra: Art Meets Karaoke" at Yo! Darkroom (113 N 23rd), 8PM. Free Grand Prix: Sprint Motorola UYRS Grand Prix......

It's Book Quarterly time! They got fiction, non, and some excerpts. Politics get under their skin, and may keep someone from coming home again. Meanwhile, the PA delegates to the RNC had quite a trek from bed to boardroom. As if Chester didn't have enough issues, now they got the Bloods and Crips running around. Frankly, Philly has enough to worry about without nursing homes, so we tend to agree: get out of the business.......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Comedy in Crisis: "World Crisis," a night of sketch comedy by The Sixth Borough as part of Philly Fringe at the Adrienne (2030 Sansom), 10PM. $10. Cheap Art: Fall Opening Reception of four new exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Art (118 S 36th), 6PM. Free Jazzy: Philly guitarist Monnette Sudler performs tonight as part of the Summer Heritage Jazz Series in Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine),......

Puppy Macbeth I am a big fan of Shakespearean plays that are deconstructed and reimagined. So imagine my surprise when I walked into the Arden Theater and saw the cutest Macbeth ever! A stage of laid down newspaper is easily transformed into the Scottish heath and Dunsinane. Pepper's interpretation of Macbeth is both harrowing and adorable, while Mitzie's Lady Macbeth is snuggly and a revelation ("Out damn spot!" takes on a whole new meaning here).......

The shapeless dough of the internet, formed into tasty pellets and baked to perfection, just for you. Jess at Apropos of Something did a comparison between John McCain and his running mate, and a couple of folks on a certain sci-fi show, and found some distressing similarities... Esquire picked the 20 best steaks in America, and Philly's own Pat's cheesesteak made the list! On the one hand we're rather proud, but on the other... Pat's?......

Former Phillyist, now full-time blogger and author, Jen A. Miller made it to the finals of the Hot Blogger Calendar contest. You're next, Jill! Ladies and Gentleman...The Beatles...I mean, The Jonas Brothers! Philly Comedian Doogie Horner teaches Things To Say During Sex over at Comic Vs. Audience. (Buzz Feed picked up the post yesterday. Of course they did, it was about sex.) The Bicycle Chef shows us how to make and can Summer Garden Salsa.......

Nostalgia. Nothing is better than trying to snap those brightly colored pieces into place.They're as old as we are and still cool. In fact, the LEGO Minifigure turned 30 this week.LEGOs change lives! Kinda. They've gotten more sophisticated with age. What started as some plastic pieces has evolved into movies, video games, and more. They even offer the Rockoh T3! That's a long way from the plain 'ol large bricks.LEGOs in the Olympics. LEGOs rebuild......

Hey guys, have we mentioned it's Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe time? Despite being a good recycler, you're still a little trashy. We'll admit, we didn't know what khat was, but apparently ICE doesn't like it. The guards at the Art Museum are asking for paid sick leave. It's like talking to a statue. A peek into the Democratic National Convention… and getting there. While in the political mood, get involved with a worthy cause. It's......

We're big supporters of new emerging artists and thus we're really looking forward to seeing Northern Liberties' Projects Gallery open its 2008-09 exhibition season with Fresh! 2008. This invitational exhibition includes an impressive number of the city's emerging artists, including many recent graduates from various art programs. Selected by gallery Director Helen Meyrick because of her "immediate visceral response to their work," these artists bring sculpture, photography, painting and drawing to the show. Mayerick tells......

This is the green issue, so it's appropriate to read it online. Then grab a bite to eat. If you've got the cash and time, try "Philly's greenest restaurateur." We Shop Eco. Make sure Fido is on board with the eco-friendliness. We really can't take it that far though. And biking in the city still scares us. Lessons learned from the Olympics. Keep on getting ready for Fringe; good luck getting into Wandering Alice though.......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Art and Wine: Art exhibit by the residents of Park Pleasant Nursing Home and free wine and cheese at Abbracio (820 S 47th), 5-7PM. Free Knitty: Knitting circle at Vagabond (37 N 3rd), 6-8PM. Free Phishy: Strange Design and Long Walk Home at the Khyber (56 S 2nd), 8PM. $8 Quizzo Mania: Get your Quizzo on at 12 Steps Down (831 Christian), 9PM; The Black Sheep (247 S.......

We're excited that Moore College of Art & Design is about to kick off its celebration of 160 years as the first and only women’s art college in the country. During the commemoration, there will be numerous opportunities available for the public to not only learn more about Moore and its accomplishments, both as an innovator and through the success of its graduates, but also to participate in some unique art-related activities. The official festivities......

We're excited about the night of Art, Music, & Film being planned by Studio 34 for August 23rd in West Philly. They're planning an art extravaganza celebrating the premiere of the short film In this place by Cait Davis. In her first film since graduating from college last year, Cait explores personal growth and development. Also enjoy artwork by local artists: installations, short stories, paintings, pottery & more! Bands throughout the night. Support your local......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: FRIDAY Jazzy: Nick Colionne, part of Smooth Jazz Summer Nights at the Great Plaza on Penn’s Landing (Chestnut and Columbus Blvd), 7:30PM. Free Nebula: Nebula, Totimoshi, Serpent Throne, and El Toro de Oro at the Khyber (56 S 2nd), 9PM. $10 Benefit for Philadelphia Jobs with Justice: NYC-based Rude Mechanical Orchestra joins locals Tha Truth, Old Goats, and International Anthem for Irrational Numbers at LAVA Space (4134 Lancaster),......

Can you believe Labor Day weekend is right around the corner? We can't either. Here's what's going on this weekend. Wildwood Block Party & Festival is on Saturday. It has the usual: games, crafts, food, entertainment, etc. Stone Harbor Merchants' Day Sale is on Saturday. The town, with its normally expensive shops, opens its doors to some great discounts. Heading to AC? Here's what's going on: Comedian Andrew Dice Clay is at the Borgata on......

It’s bringing Tina Turner to mind: Do we really need another hero? When it comes to Philly sports, the answer is always yes; does Cole Hamels really fit the bill? It’s Fringe’s first sell-out! Good for them, crappy for us. There’s so much there, they needed an added web exclusive. Cupcake Bandit! We’re all about it, and eagerly await the Film Bandits premiere (if you can’t wait, check out their film festival). Yet another reason......

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you. The boys at Penny Arcade really outdid themselves today. But... ahem... well, not to get even nerdier than usual on you or anything, but... they also spelled wookiee wrong. It's two e's at the end. Everybody gets that wrong. Cinematical picks seven romantic comedies actually worth watching. The three main stars of the original The Greatest American Hero TV show have......

A steaming hot pile of our favorite things from around the internets. A gallery of photos of San Fran's annual "Altered Barbie" exhibition. Some could theoretically be considered NSFW, but c'mon, it's just a doll. (Via Sarah) Three men have scheduled a press conference this afternoon in Palo Alto, California where they say they'll reveal the details of their discovery of what they claim is a dead Bigfoot. But apparently even other Bigfoot hunters doubt......

It’s only right to pick up a hard copy of this one: City Paper presents the Comics Issue! How subversive. Or not. Is oil animal by-product free? Vegans are hit hard by the rising cost of gas. Yeah, what has he done? A look at at-large City Council member Jack Kelly's record, which apparently includes parking garages and puppies (two of our favorite things!). A tale of two truthinesses: Another look at the bill requiring......

Get in one last beach read: PW folks and others give their recommendations for late-summer reading. Also, independent bookmongers show what we’re really buying. All right, we have no excuse for skipping the treadmill ever: Local doc and fitness instructor Marjorie Dejoie (aka Dr. Dej) talks about staying fit while battling sickle cell disease. Enrich yourself, or fail to do so: a guide to area continuing education and enrichment programs. EW! EwEwEw! Yeah yeah, it’ll......

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you. Paris Hilton rather famously made a cameo in a recent John McCain campaign ad. So Funny or Die paid for her hilarious video response. It's the best thing we've ever seen her in! Way better than the sex video. (Via Debbie) Check out the Holy Grail of Buffy fandom, a never-before-seen three-minute demo reel for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer animated......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Knitty: Weekly knitting circle at Vagabond (37 N 3rd), 6-8PM. Free Goes Down Better with Sugar: "Consuming Culture: A Story of Have and Have Nots," a night of theater, song, shadow puppetry and assorted antics presented by local artists Anna Whitehead and Michelle Posadas at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut), 7:30PM. Free Quizzo Mania: Get your Quizzo on at 12 Steps Down (831 Christian), 9PM; The Black Sheep (247......

When Phildelphia artist Erika Risko's work was exhibited at the 2008 Moore College of Art & Design's Senior Art show, it hung as the artist intended and as shown to the left. When it was included in the curated show "Early Look," which took place recently at the Longview Gallery in Washington, DC, it was also displayed in the same form. "Early Look" was an exhibition (curated by this writer) that showcased undergraduate art students......

Friday is for lovers. OPENING RECEPTION FOR MICHELLE SOSLAU: THREADS IN THE CURRENT Why just paint? Why just sculpt? Why just manipulate fabrics and paper to get your point across? Soslau embraces all of these and more in her attempt to engage her audience in the simple questions regarding a piece's origin. A quick look at some of her work reveals textures and palettes that drive entire conversations. Her work will be on display at......

When the clock inches towards five on a Friday, this Phillyist likes to say she'll be going down the shore. But many might say they are going "to the beach" or "to the ocean." According to Urban Dictionary, the term "down the shore" is used mostly by us Philly folks. Regardless, Phillyist believes that wherever you go this weekend—the beach, the shore, or the seaside—you should make it a great one. Mid-Summer Fest is in......

The Philadelphia Turkey lauded the Parkway-crossing antics of a local resident. Brave, or crazy? You decide. Philebrity wondered whether PostGreen was really meant for the Second Life real estate market. So that begs the question: does the sub-prime mortgage crisis exist in cyberlife? Katie at Based on Real Life checked out First Person Arts at L'Etage. Based on her writing, we expect to see her on stage at one of these soon. Jen, of Down......

A tall, icy glass of our favorite internet junk, just for you. The world's oldest Bible is going online! All we want to know is, how are they going to jam those fragile old pages down the tubes of the internets without ruining them? (Via Jill) Sounds like NBC is doing a not-so-good job at selling their new programs to TV critics. (Via Jill) It's Comic-Con time! Cinematical has a preliminary post, then coverage of......