Cover: Kicking Crank
Elisa Zeniga told Metro that after being a methamphetamine user for 18 years, she was ready to quit. Reporter Michael Learmonth chronicles the hard journey of a 42-year-old crank slammer on her road to recovery.

News: Animal Shelter Skelter
Animal defenders in the north and south of the state have created warring legislation over how best to extend the lives of shelter animals.

Metropolis News Extras

• Los Gatos: Residents of county pockets appear hostile to annexation.
  
• Sunnyvale: PSOA takes proactive steps to combat racial profiling.
  
• Willow Glen: Parents and students voice fears at high school district meeting.

County Fair Watch: A peek down the midway--this week, the Alameda County Fair.

Electronica Valley: The Chemical Brothers and a host of DJs seek to charge up a musical revolution at this weekend's Cyberfest in San Jose.

Beth of Fresh Air: Lilith Fair's Beth Orton brings a cutting edge to her emotional brand of folk.

Bottom Line: On 'Supernatural,' Carlos Santana balances sin and redemption.

Aural Fixation: DJ culture occupies the fairgrounds; Lilith makes last stand at Shoreline.

The Purity of Tragedy: The story may be harsh, but Joan Chen's 'Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl' is anything but depressing.

Bonkers in Yonkers: S.O.S. indeed! Spike Lee's 'Summer of Sam' is a sprawling mess.

Eat Your Heart Out: Christina Waters writes about the true meaning of the social ritual of dining out.