War. Recession. Four-dollar-a-gallon gas. And four whole months until the election. We’re not suggesting anybody fiddle while Rome burns. But, damn, you deserve a little fun. Remember laughing till it hurt? Here are 49 ways to get back to that place, just when you need it most

Urban Outfitters billionaire Dick Hayne — now trying to add to his empire with his new gardening concept, Terrain — has become one of Philadelphia’s richest, most powerful figures by understanding one not-so-simple thing: the quirks and intricacies of the female brain

Veteran Philadelphia teacher Frank Burd tells his own story about the violence that plagues Philly’s schools, the incredible support he received from the community, and his ongoing fight to recover

UPenn’s most soulful alum returns for two holiday concerts

Dumped by WIP for being a hothead, sports talker Mike Missanelli is back on the air, challenging his arch-nemesis, Howard Eskin — and trying out a brand-new Zen persona

You ran as a reformer, promising to clean up the city’s old-school politics. Six months into “New Day, New Way,” we’re wondering: When are you going to start?

I brought my daughter up to believe that everybody’s equal. What was I thinking?

WITH: Summer sausages from Talula’s Table in Kennett Square.DRINK: Artful cold sausages in flavors like brandied duck and curried lamb cry out...

Toast the Fourth of July with a mug of strong golden ale brewed in honor of the Declaration’s author. Philadelphia’s own Yards Brewing...

Making Chick’s — and the daiquiri — modern again

Fine dining may be dying, but Perrier’s kitchen is still full of life

Introducing Philadelphia to modern Israeli cuisine, Solomonov-style

The simple BLT might just be the sandwich of July 2008. July is, after all, the height of New Jersey tomato season, and 2008 is officially the year of...

Manly, substantial and, most importantly, waterproof, these sharp styles are perfect for surfing, fishing, boating — or whatever wet adventures summer brings.

James and Karen Moustafellos may design and handcraft their simple but striking jewelry in a Philadelphia studio, but their sculptural wears evoke the...

No roads lead to Alaska, and relatively few run through it, so for most, the only way to see the 49th state is by ship. Which leaves two options: behemoth cruise liners, or so-called “small ships,” like Cruise West’s 138passenger Spirit of Yorktown. I chose a nine-day trip on the latter, which, while lacking the luxuries of bigger boats, fits right up close to Windex-blue glaciers for an authentic experience.

It’s hardly breaking news that kids no longer run around and play outside. Blame it on whatever (video games, obesity, Dateline) — the sad reality is that now, playtime has to be scheduled. Local entrepreneurs are opening up places to do just that.

It’s not something most of us realize, but after surgeries and treatments, when breast cancer survivors go back to “normal” lives, a new set of hurdles awaits: As a result of mastectomies, chemo, and traumatic side effects such as lymphedema — a permanent, localized fluid-retaining condition — women need special post-surgical bras, skin-care products and compression garments, often for the rest of their lives. And when it comes to the available products, we’re mostly talking beige and frumpy. Luckily, Philly’s got some ladies who are making life easier — and more stylish — for survivors

Omoi, the sunshine-bright boutique on Pine Street, is having a tent sale July 11th through 13th, with guys’ and girls’ apparel (like this...

Entrepreneur and West Philly native KeVen Parker (yes, the “v” is capital) is using his best assets — innate style, creative vision, endless energy — to turn the stretch of South Street between 13th and Broad into a mini lifestyle empire, bringing panache to a section of the city not exactly known for it. Here, a peek inside his ever-evolving world.

When men need to shop for anything but suits around here, their store options are limited. Which is something that Jon Segal, owner of brand-new Bryn...

G. Love & Special Sauce, Superhero Brother (Brushfire) On his third studio release in four years, G. Love and his Special Sauce trio have cooked...

Trading Dreams at Midnight By Diane McKinney-Whetstone (HarperCollins;...

Jersey Shore: Vintage Images of Bygone Days By Emil Salvini(Globe Pequot Press; $18.95) In a breezy follow-up to 2005’s Boardwalk Memories,...

It’s been years since a Philly-based company has been as inescapable in American life as Comcast. The most thrilling part of the new tower the...

Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston, Parker Posey — Center City has looked like Hollywood East lately. And now there’s a new place to stalk...

Real estate may be in the doldrums (Edgar is still trying to unload our condo in West Palm), but it feels like everyone’s moving. The Main Line...

How kids’ stores in the Gayborhood may mean that we’re all just growing up

Competition’s fierce in the specialty-water world these days; last year, Coca-Cola paid $4.1 billion for Vitaminwater and signed gansta rapper...

Why the Library just got way more fun

When it comes to breeding Olympic athletes, Pennsylvania may not hold a candle (torch?) to such sporty states as California and Colorado, but you’ll be able to catch a handful of locals in action when the Games take over your TV next month.* Here, a who’s who of our own Beijing-bound, so you can root for the home team.

In honor of our centennial, we look back at some of the stories that shaped Philly Mag  “Guess What’s Coming With Dinner?”...

What Vince Fumo has in common with a guy who cuts up dead bodies

Every summer during the 1970s, my brothers and I piled into my parents’ brown Buick and headed to Wildwood for a week at some gaudy motel. And I...

Consider the tortilla. It’s a simple combination of masa (lime-treated corn flour) and water, yet few restaurants — and even fewer home...

When we heard about the Expresso Bike, the new virtual-reality cardio system hitting Philly’s gyms that claims to realistically shed pounds and...

Now’s the time to start training for Philly’s Three-Day Walk for the Cure

When it comes to having fun this summer, don’t let your kids settle for the computer screen. A recent study in the Journal of the American...