Cover Story: The Big O
How a so-called San Francisco Olympics in 2012 could be a sweet deal for the South Bay.

News: Heretical Animals
Christian songwriter Dan Barker used to praise the Lord for Pat Boone--now he's the Mr. Rogers of atheism.

Public Eye: Council race runners get down and dirty.

Biter: Drive-By Culture.

Pretty in Pink: François Ozon turns the drawing-room mystery into a musical in '8 Women.'

Booky Nights: 'The Man From Elysian Fields' is a highly remainderable drama.

French Punch: 'Wasabi' is a movie that stings the nose.

Motor City Madmen: With two drummers and one cool frontman, the Dirtbombs propel garage rock back to the future.

Boom and Bust: With Sebadoh and Folk Implosion gone, Lou Barlow ponders the future.

Aural Fixation: With 'El Cielo,' a sonic journey through sleep paralysis, the Los Gatos band dredg could rise.

All Shook Down: The English agit-punk band The Mekons goes out of its head.

Book Review: Dave Eggers' 'You Shall Know Our Velocity.'

Bridge Over the Dinner Thai: Smack dab in San Jose, a homey but gourmet world of pad Thai and delicious curries awaits at Lampang.

Cheap Eats: Dakao in San Jose.