With apologies to Paul Slansky, and hopes for a better 2009, we give you City Paper's 2008 End-of-the-Year Philadelphia News Quiz. »»

As 2009 embarks, let's look back at what 2008 meant to the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles and Phils, and why it matters going forward. »»

Then there were poignant moments, moments full of heartbreak instead of humor. Moments, that in some form or another, will, sadly, be repeated in the coming year. »»

"Was she wearing her Obama Girl T-shirt with a little 'I voted for Obama' button on it when she wrote the article? Or perhaps a 'Yes, we did' hat?" »»

Does Bill Clinton cruise into his library to check out books and use the free Internet to surf for porn? Does anyone have a membership card in the Nixon Library, and what are the late fees like? Is there a special section for Jimmy Carter's books in the Jimmy Carter presidential library? »»

In a world ruled by the market, news must compete with entertainment and journalism is losing. »»

Most interestingly, the recession that's been on the tips of everyone's boot-boiling tongues did not seem to discourage restaurateurs from doing their thing in the '08. I hope I'll be able to say the same a year from now. »»

The name isn't the only thing about this narrow 55-seater that harkens back. The jukebox is filled with handpicked classics from Fugazi and The Cramps. A Galaga arcade game (I scored an embarrassing 28,750) doubles as a two-top. »»

Local 44 Beer Bar | Projects at Commerce Square | Mugshots expansion | New items at Crispy Sweetie »»

Wexler Gallery | Projects Gallery | Vivant Art Collection | Locks Gallery | Rodger LaPelle Galleries
»»

Those who know C.S. Lewis only through his Chronicles of Narnia novels might be surprised by the wry and very adult themes here, though they will recognize the underlying Christian allegory. »»

Rock Bottom by Michael Schilling | Kill Your Friends by John Niven | The Singer by Cathi Unsworth
»»

We weren't sure what we'd get when we announced the rules for City Paper's 23rd Annual Fiction Contest. Mostly because we didn't have a lot of rules. »»

That's great, Jim. The Current is young. MPR is blossoming. You're used to the chill factor. Fuck you. You're leaving. We hate you. No. We love you. You can't leave. »»

A sort of forlorn goofball duality is what made 2008 the thing to run from, and its heroes and villains so mucky and fucked up. »»

In 2009, I will become a master of mind and body. »»

When it comes to meaningless music-ranking exercises like this one, to be clever is to be dishonest. »»

It's a data explosion! »»

This year, the movies that cut through the clutter were those that pushed at the extremes, sacrificing comfort and mere perfection in the pursuit of outlaw visions. »»

The most remarkable films of 2008 are the sorts of movies that the shrinking economy will make harder to find. »»

According to Barbone, the New Orleans jazz funeral is perhaps the church's best representation of this dynamic. It's nice, he says, to be able to call a chapel "standing room only." »»

Fri., Jan. 2, 7-10 p.m., exhibit through Feb. 1, Juanita and Juan's, 125 N. 11th St., juanitaandjuans.com
»»

$20 (five-card set), available at Art in the Age, 116 N. Third St., 215-922-2600, artintheage.com
»»