The Daily News takes a closer look at one of the programs that Philadelphia Safe and Sound will have to shut down, thanks to Nutter's budget cuts: the anti-truancy program. Meanwhile, the Inquirer takes a closer look at a federal lawsuit filed by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, implicating Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, a Bush cabinet member. A profile of Phyllis Beck and Alice Beck Dubow, the first mother-daughter judges in the......

For thirty-five minutes, I sat on a loveseat in the dressing room of Ciaran McFeely, who performs under the moniker Simple Kid, and simply shot the proverbial shit. With legs crossed and hair hanging in his face, he thoroughly answered any query that I spewed his way. Follow-up questions were unnecessary; everything was answered. When I originally agreed to interview Simple Kid, I knew nothing of the thirty-year-old Irish banjo strummer. Through my research, I......

On Tuesday, the American -ists will be celebrating democracy and hitting the polls, letting politicians know what they really think. It just made us wonder: if it were up to the -ist-a-verse, what would we be voting for? Londonist votes for better skincare, alternative spaces for art, cute little birds and the men who keep them, and concrete. Lots of concrete. Shanghaiist votes for one of the Bee Gees and Air Supply (it's a double-ticket),......

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed. Beck Tower Theatre, Upper Darby Mon, 10/23/06, 8PM $45 On sale: Today, 10AM, LiveNation Joanna Newsom First Unitarian Church Thu, 11/16/06, 8PM On sale: Fri, 12PM, TicketWeb Lifetime First Unitarian Church Sun, 11/19/06, 7PM On sale: Fri, 12PM,......

Fun around town, for $10 or less: Free Fringe: Don't forget it's Fringe season, and several shows are free. Friday "Irish Rasta Pirate Music!": Albert Einstone with Amy Pickard and Rebecca Zapen at The Green Line Cafe (43rd & Baltimore). $5 suggested donation. 7:30 PM Panoramic Poetry: Open mic at October Gallery (68 N. 2nd Street) at 7:30PM. $7 Saturday Beastie Boys vs. Beck: The School of Rock presents The Music of the Beastie......

Friday night I took in what I'd like to call an experimental indie rock show in what I'd like to call the "crypt" of the First Unitarian Church (actually, it's just the basement). The evening began with a performance by a two-piece band called Ching Chong Song. We weren't even aware this group was on the bill, and so were pleasantly surprised in more ways than one. It's hard to describe exactly what they......

Faith Evans will perform at the Trocadero tonight as a part of the Beck's After Dark series. The singer is arguably most famous for her marriage to slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. She became more famous after his death, performing on the Puff Daddy tribute song, "I'll Be Missing You." Faith released three albums on the Bad Boy label, but she is now touring behind this year's The First Lady, her fourth album, but her first......