Maureen Davidson

When asked about the most embarrassing story from his formative years, Scott Lifton is almost too eager to recount the incident. Then again, when you consider Lifton has built his career around the telling of the tale--perfecting his cadence, plotting out pregnant pauses and honing his punchlines--it makes sense.

Halloween is the holiday when we become obsessed with the things that scare us. We watch more scary movies. We purchase scary costumes. We...

All Hallows’ eve falls on a Monday this year, but that doesn’t mean the parties are packing it in. Check out this list of...

So many perks to this place we call home. We're just a short drive from beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring hikes and world-class wine producers. The food is stellar and the nightlife is eclectic. The South Bay continues to breed world-class artists and musicians-and the region's cultural venues regularly host thought-provoking speakers, inspiring exhibitions, top-notch theater and rocking live music.

So many perks to this place we call home. We're just a short drive from beautiful beaches, awe-inspiring hikes and world-class wine producers. The food is stellar and the nightlife is eclectic. The South Bay continues to breed world-class artists and musicians-and the region's cultural venues regularly host thought-provoking speakers, inspiring exhibitions, top-notch theater and rocking live music.

In the order she got them, Amy Cohen has: a drawing by Leonard Cohen, a bouquet of flowers, a lantern, a ship bursting from a bottle, an hourglass and a wreath-'originally designed for the mannequin in the exhibit,' she says, hinting at what visitors to the McKay Gallery in History San Jose will see, should they visit the new exhibit, 'Tattooed and Tenacious: Inked Women in California History.'

At the turn of the millennium, popular music was heading into a dark place. Cheesy boy bands and bling-obsessed hip-hop ruled MTV, and the only rock music cracking the Top 40 was abysmal—literally and figuratively.

"I wouldn't say I’ve been a hardcore punk my whole life,” says Keith Brown, guitarist for Oakland’s border-crossing, blog-darling band, Trails and Ways. Before...