Cover Story: Sense of Place:
The results of our first annual photo contest.

News: Lord of the Faerie Ring
Jim Friedman's uphill climb to create a community.

The Byrne Report: Bombs Away.

Briefs: Ex-Mercury News reporter Gary Webb's death sends conspiracy theorists into overdrive.

Christmaskkah: Blending the holidays, finding good cheer.

Partee!: What's cooking for an NB New Year's Eve.

Rev: Honk If You Love Noise Pollution.

Critic's Picks: A guide to the week's best arts, theater and music events.

A Farewell to Amélie: Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Audrey Tautou remember World War I, try to forget their farcical ways, in 'A Very Long Engagement.'

New Noel Noise: Last-minute discs to deck the hol's.

Kitschy Xmas: John Waters plays the perfect holiday host.

Just Desserts: Surprise and delight friends and family with a special--OK, raw--cake this holiday.

Swirl 'n' Spit: Let's Drink to the Holidays!

Cook It!: Pass the Paté, Love.