Cover: 1997--Just Like Heaven?
Revisiting the stories that made the pages of Metro this past year, from water tortures to snappy campers, from big public spenders to politicians who don't know much about history.

News: Tom's Diary
A peek inside ex-Mayor Tom McEnery's year of decision and indecision.

Editor's License: Outside of a small circle of friends.

Mission: Santa Claus: We come, with the man in red, via chopper, bearing gifts of good cheer and buzzwords.

Hootie With Teeth: The Negro Problem deconstructs racial riffs on Post Minstrel Syndrome album.

Los Idolos del Pueblo: From their home base in San Jose, Los Tigres del Norte have become the norteño kings of America and Mexico.

Say Goodbye to Hard Rock: Country music, R&B and Elton John are what the record-buying public really wants.

1997's Book of Spells: The year's best hip-hop, rap, blues and ennui-rock albums.

Live and Local, All Year Long: The best live shows of 1997 remembered.

Top 11: Best releases of 1997.

Bubbly Personality: Christina Waters' gives tasteful advice on sipping in the New Year in style, on any budget, in any situation, choosing from an excellent local selection of sparkling wines.

No Pain, No Grosses: From G.I. Jane to The Ice Storm, 1997 was the year of punishing dangerously.

A Media Tail: The public gets led astray in Wag the Dog.

Jack's Back: Nicholson drops the gimmicks and plays a down-to-earth character in As Good as It Gets.