Cover: Teen Bashing
Despite some scattered efforts throughout the valley, local teens are still treated like public enemy number one.

News: Crash Course
A San Jose couple who became quadriplegic after a joyride in their new Miata have sued the city and county, and taxpayers will foot the $7 million bill.

Public Eye: Controversy bites.

Wild Horseplay: Pegasus High School masters the art of free rein.

Presents of Mind: Metroactive's annual holiday guide cuts to the heart of the season of giving. Plus, clutter-free gifts.

Back on Top: Nicky Baxter reviews the Four Tops' Keeper of the Castle retrospective album.

Jane Says (Again): Sarah Quelland covers the Jane's Addiction relapse at the ENIT Festival in San Francisco.

Musical Journey: A new series of Rhino CDs chronicles the heart of American folk music as recorded by Alan Lomax.

Beat Street: Indie rock's favorite kid sis, Juliana Hatfield, grows up on Please Do Not Disturb.

Fine China: Silver Wing takes off from the basic Chinese eatery and soars higher with good service, pleasant decor and a wide variety of Szechuan and Yangchow dishes.

Wising Up Early: Mystery writer Walter Mosely visits Eve's Bayou and examines childhood and forgiveness.

Figaro It Out: Beaumarchais sweetens a scoundrel.

Beneath the Law: A bland hero dampens Rainmaker.

High-Wire Acts of Art: In his mobiles, Alexander Calder made engineering a playful pursuit.

Farewell to Saigon: San Jose's Larry Engelmann collects stories from all sides of the last days of the Vietnam War.

Books in Brief: Reviews of How to Survive Federal Prison Camp and Thrift Score: The Stuff, the Method, the Madness.