Cover: Immaculate Misconception
Sure, abortion is legal, but the increasing number of Catholic-owned hospitals is making it more and more difficult to get the procedure.

News: No Quarter
Proposed Santa Rosa law would get tough on panhandlers.

The Scoop: Viagra--performing on demand.

Up to the Task?: See how your kids' school did in the state Standardized Testing and Reporting program.

Climbing Up on Capitol Hill: Check up on the your Congressional Representatives and U.S. Senators--where they stand, how they voted.

In the Ghetto: Duo brings sounds of Jewish ghetto dwellers to the forefront.

Black and Blue: Nicky Baxter reviews Blue Collar, Black Future, the new album by New York hard-core band Dripping Goss.

Talking Pictures: A colorful conversation with psychologist Peter Kramer on the big-screen love story Message in a Bottle.

Angst for the Memories: Affliction writer/director Paul Schrader talks about life, love of cinema, and his latest film.

Cyber Cinema: Digital technology is changing the way filmmakers like San Jose's Pete Anderson turn their dreams into movies. Plus, a guide to this year's Cinequest film festival.

Zine Scene: Good news for grassroots gourmets.

Heard It Through the Grapevine: Get to the root of all things wine.

War and Peace: Palestinian playwright Emily Shihadeh on conflict and reconciliation.

Oral Sects: Spoken word artists march to a new Beat, reflecting what goes on in the Bay Area today--not what was happening 50 years ago to that other generation.