Cover: Going It Alone?
Robert D. Putnam's new book, 'Bowling Alone,' argues that Americans are dumping community life to go solo.

News: Chemical Warfare
Contaminated Ecstasy wreaks havoc on unsuspecting ravers as demand for the drug rises and dealers' scruples decline.

Usual Suspects: A federal court reinstates Macias lawsuit against Sheriff's Department.

Breaking with Convention: The alternative media goes live and global for the Republican convention.

The Scoop: Political humorist Bob Harris offers live coverage of the GOP National Convention.

This Modern World: Cartoonist Tom Tomorrow takes on the Republicans.

Fresh Meat: Cole's Chop House serves up the flesh but goes light on the veggies.

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

Turning Back the Clock: 'Time Regained' offers a bold but confusing take on Proust's classic novel of memory.

Scraping Bottom: 'What Lies Beneath' aspires to Hitchcock but sinks like a stone.

The Wine Country Film Festival: Official website offers schedule and ticket information.

Hot Tunes: Petaluma Summer Music Festival gears up.

Hart of the Matter: Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart headlines the Marin Music Festival.

Randy Rhythms: Short reviews of new CDs by Lucy Pearl, Nina Gordon, and Lil' Kim.

SF Club Guide: Disco divas, hip-hop connoisseurs and salsa suaves to flannel-clad pinball players, jazz luminaries and more from the City by the Bay.

Doing the Numbers: Math stirs passion in a quirky young woman in 'An Invisible Sign of My Own.'