Cover: Moving Violations
The trials, tribulations and constitutional injustices of traffic court.

News: Mercury Rising
The San Jose quicksilver mines that at one time accounted for a lot of the gold in the Golden State are now being eyed as hazardous to the public's health.

Public Eye: Gubernatorial racers need no stinkin' position on the Unz initiative.

Reflective Moment: Decades after working with Ansel Adams, being in Life magazine and suffering tragedy, Joseph Schuett finds form in downtown's buildings.

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

Break on Through: On the road a decade ago, a rock writer discovered a different side of Michael Hutchence.

Audiofile: Reviews of the latest CDs by the Deftones and Sherri Jackson.

Beat Street: Your opinion counts! A Smash mouth fan responds to Beat Street.

How Low Can They Go?: Debased, disgraced and disgruntled ex-stars find new life in the content-hungry wasteland of cable TV.

Beasts of Beauty: Believe it or not, Ripley's back in action in Alien Resurrection.

Making It Up: A collaborator turns himself into a hero in A Self Made Man.

Cain's Rep Is Pure Blues Gold: Local bluesman Chris Cain brings musical 'Thunder' to new San José Repertory Theatre musical drama.

A Better Chestnut: San Jose Cleveland Ballet's Nutcracker is a step ahead of the rest.

Gallic Grace: A San Jose institution, Gervais retains its elegant French accent.

Bargain Bites: A budget diner's haven already, downtown Mountain View scores with another winner.

The Beat Master: Herbert Huncke, the unsung Beat, finally gets his due.

Down on Dilbert: Norman Solomon's new book exposes Scott Adams as a tool of the corporate elites.