Cover Story: Cremation Nation
As more and more families choose cremation for their deceased relatives, the options for scattering remains are overwhelming, baffling and sometimes downright bizarre.

Grave Consequences: Sometimes developed and vandalized, or just left to the weeds, some old graveyards are finally winning protection in the open space and historical preservation movement. But not all of them.

Halloween Special: Skeleton Cruise
From the magnificent DVD rerelease of Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' to a night of terror at Gyro's to Dia de los Muertos to two local scary cinema events--Halloween is the best holiday of all.

News: Candidately Speaking
Don't be fooled into complacency this election. There's a lot on the line. Metro's voting recommendations.

Metropolis News Extras

• Saratoga: Shop participates in fight against domestic violence.
  
• Sunnyvale: Local students conquer fears on new Ropes course.
  
• Los Gatos: No audience for Ray Davis' 'last word.'

So Sue Me! With Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.^® it's like having a legal pit-bull in your pocket 24 hours a day.

Public Eye: eBay scalpers cash in on charity concert. Democrat poses as Republican in supe race. Cisco CEO plays both sides.

Notes From the Underbelly: Ode to Alviso; Or How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love Cisco.

Work: Of cheap futons and 14-hour days.

Sex, Dread and Rock & Roll: On 'Kid A,' Radiohead embraces the anguish of rock.

Due to the Devil: The SJ Symphony did right by Liszt's sprawling 'Faust Symphony.'

Ambient Music: Jazz pianist Jason Moran finds music in the sounds around him.

Aural Fixation: A rundown of some of the Bay Area's Halloween happenings.

Dork 'Shadows': There's nothing to fear, but fear of a bad sequel, in 'Blair Witch 2.'

Dream House: A kindly dreamer gets a new lease on life in 'Two Family House.'

Now, Voyeur: A teen plays peeping tom in 'Just Looking.'

Ciné Fest: The Palo Alto French Film Festival highlights 10 French-language films.

Where the Work Is: TheatreWorks' 'Grapes of Wrath' looks at the lure of the Golden State.

French Kissed: Palo Alto's L'Amie Donia's French country elegance never fails to delight and amaze.

A La Carte: Fire roasted, organic sauces made easy.