Cover: Miracle Factory
Hard-knock kids find a safe place to spin their dreams.

News: The Scoop
Pinochet and the GOP--surprising champions of central planning.

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.

Precious Memories: A new five-CD series from Peacock charts the history of gospel music.

Hip-Hop Drop: The latest Offspring CD, Americana, gets downright puritanical.

Bowie.com: Rock icon and actor David Bowie is now an Internet Service Provider. Has the Thin White Duke sold out?

Talking Pictures: Animals as Teachers and Healers author Linda Chernak McElroy fries Babe: Pig in the City.

Bible Belt: The new animated film The Prince of Egypt builds on tried-and-true formula.

Festive Fare: Dutch treat on New Year's Eve.

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

On the Road: Two books explore experiences abroad.