Zen and the Art of Mayoral Maintenance

Jacques Barzaghi is back at Jerry Brown's side after being sent to the woodshed following an embarrassing sexual harassment case. Officials say this should keep Barzaghi out of trouble and them out of court. But other experts aren't so sure.

• By Susan Goldsmith
• Tags: Feature, Politics

Now, About That Oil Refinery...

"Environmental justice" means all kinds of things these days. In North Richmond, it means cracking down on trash dumpers.

• By Will Harper
• Tags: News, Environment

7 Days

Perata raises third-run cash; midwives raise hell; Tom Bates raises his public profile; and CMJ's rep has been razed.

• By Dave Gilson, Will Harper, Michael Mechanic, and Chris Thompson
• Tags: News, Politics

Letters for the week of March 19-25, 2003

The essence of agitprop; the significance of history; the alternative of television; the tragedy of sellout.

Hysteria and Its Discontents

From different starting points, the Berkeley Rep and Impact Theatre examine women's relationships with themselves and their families.

• By Lisa Drostova
• Tags: Theater, Fräulein Else; Scab

A Different World

"Praises for the World" is one long song with one short message: peace.

• By Larry Kelp

Billboard

This week's day-by-day picks

• By Stefanie Kalem and Kelly Vance

Party Fight!

Oscar (TM) night dilemma: vodka bar or beer bust.

• By Joy White

So Enjoy

Jewish Music Fest surprises

• By Stefanie Kalem, Larry Kelp, and Kelly Vance

Powe Power

Prep hoops title within reach

• By A.J. Hayes and Kelly Vance

Rinse Cycle

Young actors teach lessons

• By Jonathan Kiefer, Justine Nicole, and Kelly Vance

Skin Flute

PornOrchestra's money shots

• By Stefanie Kalem

Rare Prince

Dance magic from Bali

• By Stefanie Kalem, Ann Murphy, and Kelly Vance

Now Hear This!

Apartheid didn't stand a chance against so many songs.

• By Robert Wilonsky
• Tags: Movie Review, Amandla!

The King Is Dense

There's more to Stephen King's Dreamcatcher than will fit in its confusing cinematic adaptation.

• By Andy Klein
• Tags: Movie Review, Dreamcatcher

Nine Billion and One

Antiwar clips reel strikes back; vintage porno at midnight.

• By Kelly Vance

Politics Can Be Tasty

A homey French bistro offers decadent protest cuisine.

• By Jonathan Kauffman
• Tags: Restaurant Review, Le Bistro

Great White Hopes

It's hard to find blanched asparagus -- before Alice does.

• By Jonathan Kauffman

Salt, It's the New Pepper

Exotic sodium is the next hot sauce -- and Lynne Rose saw it coming.

• By Michelle Turner

Hip-Hop à la Mode

Les Nubians bring Fela Kuti's torch, and the griot's touch, on the road.

• By Katy St. Clair

FCC's Gut Instincts

If Michael Powell insists on sucking, Clear Channel will swallow -- everything.

• By Katy St. Clair

Critic's Choice for the week of March 19-25, 2003

Latin jazz that simmers, a Kennedy with an Identity Crisis, the Marlene Dietrich of salsa, punk as a second language, imperfect perfections, the stars of tomorrow today, and more.

• By Eric K. Arnold, Larry Kelp, j. poet, Jason Victor Serinus, and Jesse "Chuy" Varela

New and Reissued Vinyl

Reggae, dancehall, and dub.

• By Greg Doherty

Fabulous Disaster

Panty Raid!

• By George B. Sanchez

Antipop Consortium

Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp

• By Jon Pruett

Tribalistas

Tribalistas

• By Lawrence R. Kay

David Murray Latin Big Band; Orchestre National de Jazz; Stefon Harris

Now Is Another Time; Charmediterraneen; The Grand Unification Theory

• By Richard "Duck" Baker

Various

Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

• By Lawrence R. Kay