Last night, in the middle (around the 2 minute mark) of a segment on Kim Jong Il's latest missile threat, the Daily Show host took the opportunity to take a swing at Philadelphians, saying, basically, that we're all assholes. Why does this fill me douchey irrational rage?

Screw Pat's and Geno's, Carolyn Wyman brings you the 10 Best Cheesesteaks you've (probably) never had. Check out Conshy's fresh rolls, or the chocolate cheesesteak at the Reading Terminal. We've also got bonus video of Leo's Steaks in Folcroft, who boast an 18-incher filled with quality ribeye and cheese. Be sure to wipe the drool off your mouth when you're done watching.

In Op-ed:

• Loose Canon: Juneteenth in Juvie (Be sure to check out the bonus audio slideshow)
• Letters to the Editor: What you Say.

In News:

• Maureen Coulter on a local startup tapping into the wireless age for funding.
• In A Million Stories: This anti-casino movement is a circus | Competitive burping in Northern Liberties.
• Sports: James Beale helps you help the Phils. If you vote for Pedro, all of your wildest dreams will come true. (Yeah, I referenced Napoleon Dynamite. You'll deal.)

In Arts:

• Artist Ashley John Pigford gives obsolete technology new life. (With slideshow!)
• John Vettesse sees what's up in Full Exposure. (also with bonus slideshow!)

In Movies and Music:

• MJ Fine on the Dave Matthews Band — with bonus audio.
• Sam Adams' review on Woody Allen's flick, Whatever Works.

And in Food and Agenda:

• Big ass matzoh balls and corned beef sandwiches.
• Felicia D's shopping spree offers custom bathing suits for your double D's.

The Iranian election may have happened more than a week ago, but the struggle for justice continues.

Members of the Iranian Diaspora will meet in protest at Rittenhouse Square tonight from 6 to 8 pm. A silent protest will take place from 6 to 7:15, and a candle light vigil will follow from 7:15 to 8. The group invites the entire Philadelphia community to show their support for the Iranian citizens who have been treated violently in the face of their own protests of the election. Protest attendees are encouraged to wear green, but are asked not to bring flags of any kind in order to respect the needs of Iranians without pushing any political agendas.

According to the Web site iran.whyweprotest.net:

We in the Iranian Diaspora reject the 'official' results put forth by the Ministry of Interior and demand that this election be canceled and held again. We echo demands that the Iranian government take clear and transparent measures toward insuring that the democratic process is respected, and cease all violence against the people. Moreover, we demand that the government respects all the rights of the people enshrined in the Iranian Constitution, including: Freedom of Assembly (Article 27), Freedom of the Press (Article 24) and Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Detention (Article 32).

Silent protest: 6-7:15 p.m., Candle light vigil: 7:15-8 p.m., Rittenhouse Square (North Side) between 18th and 19th on Walnut Street

Shari Dacosta

The facade of William Penn High School

Well, there was cheering, applause, and even tears of joy yesterday evening at the School Reform Commission meeting when Dr. Arlene Ackerman, the School District's Superintendent, announced her decision to keep William Penn open after all.

“I believe this community deserves to have a school that works for them,� Ackerman said, adding that the community had seen many broken promises about facilities and programs over the years.

Ackerman said there were now two preferred options for the school: Demolishing the current building and building a new William Penn at the site, or renovating it.

Robert Kirby of the nonprofit Wharton Centre, which opposed the closure, suggested re-building William Penn as a “green� school, which he believes the district could build with stimulus dollars specified for such construction.

Still, under either plan, William Penn will be closed for two years at the end of the 2010 school year. And in order to keep this school open, officials said, another may have to be closed.

Yesterday's hearing consisted of about two hours of testimony from William Penn alumni, community leaders, and Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, all of whom blamed neglect for the school's current state.

For many of them, Ackerman's decision came as a surprise.

Ronald Shipman, who worked with the Coalition to Revitalize William Penn High School, said, “When it comes to money you never know which way people are going to go.�

CRWP  member and 2002 graduate Shantae Agnew would rather see the current structure renovated than demolished because of its history, she said, but also said she'd be happy with whatever takes place “as long as it’s beneficial to the community."

I never met Mr. Wells, but I found his writing to be brave and funny. The comments on his final piece include an abundance of testimony that he had those same qualities in person.

Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Don't know what to do tonight? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Trek Project

The folks over at the A-Space are leading a discussion on how Americans see themselves in the world — and there's actually an occasion, other than it being a regular old Wednesday, for it. It's a fundraiser for the Trek Project, a documentary that'll be following around kids from Philly and New York City this summer as they build a school in a Nigerian village. They're planning to address all sorts of questions that should be addressed but very rarely are — like, do these visits do more good than bad? It's free, but donations will be happily accepted.

Also, as a side note: We're psyched about Pterodactyl's screen printing class tonight. If you need a refresher on why, check out Sherri Hospedales' article about the new snobbery-free art space here.

Wed., June 24, 8:30-10:30 p.m., free, A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave., 215-727-0882, the-aspace.org.

Rest of the press release from Rep. Josephs' office after the jump. Click For More »

dailymail.co.uk

Note the near-perfect circle in the clouds formed by the force of the blast.

The International Space Station orbits above the Earth 16 times a day at 220 miles. Volcano eruptions are an awesome display of nature's force. Both are well-known facts. So what happens when the IIS happens to be at the right place at the right time to capture a volcanic eruption from space?

Amazing pictures is what happens:

dailymail.co.uk

Sarychev Peak, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, had been sitting quietly in the Kuril Island chain near Japan for 20 years, when it suddenly sprang to life on June 12.

Fortuitously, the International Space Station was flying overhead at the time, and managed to capture this spectacular image of the ash-cloud tearing through the atmosphere, sending clouds scattering in its wake in a perfect circle.

DJ Steve Porter, the madman behind "Rap Chop," is back with this collection of his favorite sports press conference moments set to a jaunty beat. Featured prominently: That one rant by that one guy who used to play point here.

(h/t Adam Riff)

RELATED: Tonight, Allen Iverson comes home

Heard a rumor that your boy M. Night Shyamalan is filming scenes for The Last Airbender at Girard College today. Anyone up in that area spot the production?

The first trailer for the film, an live-action adaptation of the Nickolodeon animated kids' series Avatar: The Last Airbender, just dropped. Peep above. The Insider says a majority of the flick has been shot at the Navy Yard and in East Falls.

This was actually very scary and not funny at all.

Even Bostonians hate Boston sports fans.

I made that up. But they should. They are obnoxious, smug little pricks with their Ben Affleck and their Tom Brady. And how about that chip on their shoulder, painting themselves as the anti-Yankees, the one team in the universe with the higher payroll? Anyway, why am I here?

Oh yes, the Flyers are going to destroy the Bruins at Fenway Park in the 2010 Winter Classic, the NHL's annual outdoor game on New Year's Day. Fenway is normally a place where baseball happens, I assume they've thought of that. Rumors kept pointing to the Capitals being the away team, but seeing fellow neanderthal Alex Ovechkin so skillfully using a tool would likely send Boston sports fans into a hooting, screeching rage.

The Classic is always fun as hell, but this one will be especially sweet because Carter will score, Richards will score, goalies will fight, wolves will howl, lakes will boil and Daniel Carcillo — aka the Hobo Grendel — is certain to stomp some heads in the parking lot. Arms will be torn from sockets. Where is your monster now?

And why am I talking trash about hockey in the Summer? I'm bored, I miss hockey.

But for Obama to really make things happen in Washington, he's going to need an amicable congress, and for congress to be amicable to progressive ideas, they're probably going to need some progressive pressure.

So it's good to see things like this happening:

Health Care For America Now Pennsylvania Bringing 2000 People to Washington for Nationwide Health Care Rally and Pennsylvania Town Hall. Senator Sestak and Representatives Sestak, Dahlkemper, Schwartz and Doyle will join PA Town Hall

Philadelphia, PA—The Pennsylvania Health Care For America (HCAN) organization and its coalition partners will be busing 2000 people to a nationwide rally for quality, affordable health care at Upper Senate Park. Eight thousand people are expected from around the country at the rally. HCAN will send 20 buses from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC while its partners—SEIU AFSCME, the United Steel Workers, the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electricians—will send another sixteen.

Other HCAN state organizations will be sending thousands of people as well. And no, the event won't be as big as, say, some of the old anti-Iraq War protests that congress ignored. It's not going to in-and-of-itself change the health care debate. But hopefully it's part of a process in which it becomes gradually clear to congresspeople that they can't afford not to support health care reform, because people really care about it, and are paying attention, and expecting results (a process, I should note, that HCAN has been leading).

In classic flash mob fashion, a group of ladies on Facebook is trying to get together a spontaneous choreographed dance together this Sunday at 2 p.m. on the steps of the Art Museum. Here's the deal:

At the time of the event, you just jump in whenever you feel inspired by the music. Actually, ideally we would have at least one practice beforehand. The dance is just over four minutes long, and when the music ends, you just go on your merry way as if nothing had happened.

Apparently, according the FBook invite, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau is interested in the event for a promo. Your chance at immortal fame and glory? We think so.

You can get in on the action and learn the steps courtesy of this handy dandy instructional video:

Those are some pretty sweet moves. Unless no one else shows up, then that girl is gonna feel foolish.

Uwishunu

Well, get ready to eat your words, cause Uwishunu just dropped the news that The Roots will be joining her at the free July 4th concert at the Parkway. Have cognitive dissonance much?