Cover Story: Strip Tease
They're short, cheap and perfectly beautiful. Traci Vogel reveals reasons to love the lowly strip mall.

News: Field of Screams
Will NIMBY politics in one of the valley's wealthiest enclaves derail a badly needed school bond?

Public Eye: New Palo Alto City Council gets off to a rocky start.

Work: Plug and Play.

Reel Preteen: Cinequest turns 12, and the stars come out to play.

In the Bored Room: The Penn is not mightier than the film in sticky 'I Am Sam.'

The Hot Squat: Billy Bob Thornton romances Halle Berry in Deep South of 'Monster's Ball.'

You Must Forget This: Even Mandy Moore fans might think twice before enduring the emotional glop of 'A Walk to Remember.'

Faction Reaction: San Jose punk rock legends return ready to shred.

Aural Fixation: 'Survivor' contestant Lex van den Berghe's band plays AIDS benefit in Santa Cruz.

All Shook Down: Stay tuned for more crappy music, but first, here's traffic.

Seeking Tiki: The gods have smiled on Palo Alto's new Trader Vic's.