Cover: Ebonics Economics
Criticizing the academic performance of African-American students is one thing, but getting to the root of the problem and paying for it is another.

News: Heartbreak Hotel
The Hotel Metropole, once slated for demolition, is ba-ack. And for the first time in 12 years, the Redevelopment Agency is out of the loop.

Wheels of Fortune: Used, rusted bicycles might not make most of us see dollar signs, but to an enterprising merchant shipping America's discards to the Vietnamese countryside, they may as well be made of gold.

Public Eye: Doing the shuffle.

Polis Report: Sunsor, Inc. just wants to make sure folks are comfortable after a day at the beach. The most vociferous opponents? The sunscreen manufacturers, of course.

Wild Ride: David Lynch drives off the deep end of human obsession in 'Lost Highway.'

Taking a Gamble: All bets are off in softhearted 'Hard Eight.'

History Hurts: John Singleton turns a searing lens on real-life 1920s racists in fictionalized 'Rosewood.'

Newest Live Is Dead on Arrival: 'Secret Samadhi' by Kowalczyk and crew is everything rock critics hate--and with good reason.

Zeltser's Powerful Prokofiev: SJ Symphony's guest pianist exhibits mastery of the composer's many intricacies.

More Than 'Amore': New CDs reveal a wealth of diverse Italian music.

Audiofile: Reviews of the latest CDs by Resolve, the Pizzicato Five and various artists.

Beat Street: SoFa District club owners on new policing policy.

Mexican Masterpiece: Heirloom recipes, professional service and genuine warmth combine to make La Fiesta an adorable adobe fore those yearning for hearty home-style cooking and premium tequila.

Dave, Stop, I'm Afraid: Tech types and academics ponder the possible reality of bringing Kubrick and Clarke's famous HAL to life.

Familiar Surprises: Bay Area artists display works at Eureka show.