Cover: Crimes of Passion
The county's crackdown on sex with a teen--statutory rape--is the latest cause célèbre of Governor Pete Wilson. Critics say the numbers don't add up to anything but a political agenda.

News: Rethinking Consent
The law makes no distinction between acquaintance rape and stranger rape. But attorneys say juries have some catching up to do.

No Way, Jose: The Preservation Action Council sues stop the demolition of the landmark Jose Theater.

Public Eye: Supes tinker with term limits.

Neal's Son Raiding: Beat goes on with Kid Cassady at the Blue Rock Shoot.

One Holiday at a Time: Metro offers 25 tips for the cheer-challenged to survive the coming weeks.

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

Deftones at Full Volume: The Adrenaline band charges up the pit at the Edge.

Sole Survivors: Cassandra Nash reviews KMEL's big House of Soul concert at the Warfield.

Special K: Ex-Basehead Keith Lofton lives Life in One Day on new album.

Audiofile: Reviews of the latest CDs by Elaine Summers, Snow, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Young MC.

Beat Street: The year's best home-grown albums.

Designated Quaffers: The latest wave in specialty brew is nonalcoholic beer that is as tasty and pricey as any microbrew.

Bargain Bites: A Cupertino Village eatery dishes up rib-sticking East-West fusion fare.

Rocky Horror Mountain High: Corey Rosen of Los Gatos wants to turn Cannibal! The Musical into the next midnight cult movie.

How Low Can It Go?: Forget the popcorn and bring a barf bag to Sick & Twisted festival.

A Better Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies lives up to HK action standards.

Sinking Fast: Titanic hits bottom in a hurry.

Browsing the Future: Esther Dyson sees the digital future through a rose-colored screen saver.