Following a Jan. 15 loss to Seton Hall, the women's basketball team had a 16-day break before its next game against Harvard. But the time off was not a voluntary choice for Penn coach Pat Knapp, who feared that his squad would get rusty. The layoff was just one of several unfortunate byproducts of the unusual Ivy League schedule.

Past DRL, at the edge of campus, the Intermezzo Cafe lies in uncharted territory for most Penn students. Surprisingly, it's barely a five minute walk from College Green. While not quite as comfortable as some local eateries (its single banquette and stiff seating leave a little to be desired) Intermezzo offers delicious food, coffee, a full bar and free wi-fi - perfect for a study session or dinner with friends.

With no end in sight, it is likely the remaining Democractic presidential candidates will descend upon Pennsylvania before the April 22 primary. However, despite the state's potential role in deciding the nominee, the likelihood of campaign rallies and speeches at Penn remains in doubt.

Disclaimer: I don't know that much about Italian food. It was only about a month ago that I learned how to pronounce gnocchi, and I'm still not entirely sure what prosciutto is. (Google tells me it's ham, but I'm not convinced) Basically, I'm pretty easy to please.

Old Original Bookbinder's has been a Philadelphia institution for over 140 years. It's been in the family of current owner John Taxin since his grandfather raised the money to buy it from it's founders. According to Taxin, his grandpa worked at the grocer across the street and ate lobster at Bookbinder's every day, breakfast and lunch.

Prepare to embark on a journey to the legendary Cote d'Azur. Located in the heart of Old City near 4th and Market streets, Patou Restaurant and Bar will allow the Philadelphia resident to be transported to the land "blessed by the gods" through both its decor and dishes.

At La Terrasse, food is art. This, mind you, is coming from a person who loves to scoff at those establishments that serve you meager amounts of food decorated with superfluous frills, all while charging you an arm and a leg. But at La Terrasse, you get what you pay for - which in this case was simply a superb culinary experience.

My tongue walked into a creamy winter wonderland with a 1908 soda shop feel. Franklin Fountain, a small "ice cream saloon" on the corner of Letitia and Market streets in Old City, flings you into a timeless vortex of sundaes, phosphates and ice cream sodas The shop was opened a few years ago by Ryan and Eric Berley, two brothers who traveled across the country every year and compiled their ideas, along with those of the rest of their staff, to create the old-fashioned candies and goods supplied at the store.

Beyond the pizza joints whose main draw is their cold beer, Italian dining near Penn's campus is hard to find. Little do most students know that across the Walnut Street Bridge, exists an option for finer Italian cuisine. Salento, located just before 22nd Street, offers students willing to spend a few extra dollars the chance to experience the tastes that made Italian food ubiquitous in American culture.

When Brian Voelker was hired as the men's lacrosse coach before the 2003 season, he took the helm of a program that had not been to the NCAA tournament in 13 years. But within four years, he had taken his Quakers there twice. Now, if Penn wants to return to the postseason after last year's absence, Voelker will have to navigate a boatload of young talent through a harsh regular-season schedule.

If you believe in saving the best for last, a trip to Sazon Restaurant and Cafe is definitely in order. Sazon, a Venezuelan BYO located at 10th and Spring Garden streets, offers a delicious assortment of appetizers and entrees, but the highlight of any trip there is the chocolate caliente that follows the meal.

Penn may be guilty of its share of faults this season, but it can't be accused of lacking intensity during Ivy play. This weekend's two games at the Palestra were no exception. Coming off last Tuesday's foul-fest of a win against Princeton - in which the teams combined for 52 fouls and four technicals - Penn's game lost none of its physical character.

It is no wonder the restaurant named for the landmark city of Morocco is also a landmark of fine cuisine in Philadelphia. Located off of Fourth and South streets, an auspicious alley conceals this gem of high-dining. Immediately after being greeted at the door by a fez-wearing host, you will notice how the traditional Moroccan decor reflects the authenticity of the cuisine.

Several Web sites that require users to log in with their PennKeys for access - including PennPortal and Blackboard - were unavailable for several hours on Sunday afternoon due to problems with the server that allows for PennKey authentication, according to Robin Beck, vice president for information systems and computing.

Thhhwack! That's the sound of bare skin against foam padding as I smack the daylights out of an oncoming assailant. Don't worry. Hidden behind the pads is none other than my smiling instructor, Michelle Ray. This simple exercise is part of my first lesson in physical self-defense.

Who knew SEPTA went to Turkey? While I've never actually been to the land of hummus and ottomans, Konak restaurant certainly met my expectations. Owners Melek Basaran and her daughter Aysa Atay have transformed one of Old City's many cramped buildings into a palace.

Pennsylvania's putting all its votes in one basket. A recent report issued by Common Cause and the Verified Voting Foundation identified the Keystone State as one of 17 states at "high risk" for voting-machine problems. The reason? While voting machines in Pa.