Cover Story: Burning Sensations
Forget tattoos and piercings, the real thrill for pyro-performers is the burning sensation of fire-eating and poi dancing.

News: Public Eye
Why did Tom McEnery give up a good shot at his old job?

Best of the Silicon Valley: Select your favorites in the 2001 readers' survey.

Notes From the Underbelly: A skulk of fox.

Work: Secrets of Ms. Gorf.

Hip-Hop Expansion: For the East Bay's Azeem, the spoken-word scene is just a launching pad for bigger beat projects.

The Son Also Rises: Chuchito Valdes does his famous father, Jesus Valdes, proud.

Supersoul Diva: Erykah Badu showed off her attitude and her heart at Chronicle Pavilion show Aug. 17.

All Shook Down: From stage to screen, 'Hedwig' suffers from cuts and changes.

Aural Fixation: Downtown San Jose's SoFA Street Fair prepares for final party.

Exile Files: A couple and their daughter adjust to the mixed rhapsody of life in America.

Sleuth Truth: A lesbian PI goes looking for a missing poet in 'Monkey's Mask.'

New Luster: The venerable Valeriano's in Los Gatos--now with chef Eric Tosh at the helm--serves the finest in Mediterranean cuisine.