Philadelphia

The judge in the Philadelphia Orchestra's bankruptcy case has approved the orchestra's request to turn over two of its pension plans to an agency of the federal government. Read full story

One of the world's rarest and most valuable books is out of the vault and on public view as part of an unusual daily ritual at the nation's oldest natural history museum. Every weekday at 3:15 p.m., a white-gloved staff member of the Academy of Natural Sciences lifts the locked protective cover from 19th century naturalist John James Audubon's influential book, "The Birds of America," and turns a large linen-backed page to reveal the bird of the day. Read full story

A new production of the ballet The Nutcracker will use Germantown, Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill for its backdrop. This version being produced by the Philadelphia Dance Theater, which is located at 7500 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. Read full story

After months of delay, the installation of a new sculpture in Lenfest Plaza is finally finished. A full-sized Navy combat plane has been twisted to resemble the moment of impact at Broad and Cherry streets. It's a sword turned into a plowshare. Read full story

A new housing development brings a little art to heart of Kensington. The Flats at Girard Pointe, located at 1221-1233 N. 3rd St., are festooned with a living sculpture of undulating vines and ivy leaves wrapped around more than 100 metal trellises made of galvanized steel. Read full story

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission has named James M. Vaughan its new executive director effective next week, the group said. Read full story

When the bottom dropped out of the economy three years ago, art museums were slammed along with virtually everyone else. Staffs were cut, salaries frozen or rolled back, exhibition and construction ambitions reined in. Read full story

Ten years ago, Cathleen Cohen began calling artists in the Philadelphia community with the idea of using poetry and the arts to begin a dialogue with local Muslim and Christian communities. Read full story

Why is there a statue of the fictional Rocky Balboa near the Philadelphia Museum of Art but not one of non-fictional Smokin' Joe Frazier anywhere in his adopted hometown? Read full story

In an Overbrook church kitchen, a handful of young men on probation for a range of misdemeanors and felonies spend their Saturday morning learning the difference between braising and frying. Read full story