Cover Story: The Year in News and Culture

News: Who's in Charge?
San Jose's department heads are facing tough times by getting out of Dodge. Should we be sorry to see them go?

Public Eye: After 18 years of squeezing the political underbelly until it hacks up what other newspapers neglect to report, Public Eye is placing pennies on its own lids.

Arrested Development: One year closer to the mallification of Silicon Valley.

Biter: Biter previews the midseason replacements on the new American-backed Al-Iraqiya TV network.

Notes From the Underbelly: Piano technician Howard Frederic chats about keeping pianos in tune.

Techsploits: Reverse social engineering is sort of like social engineering crossed with reverse psychology.

Breast in Show: The new art show 'Got Breast Milk' takes a confident look at a subject that society often turns away from in embarrassment.

Kicking Ass: 2003 was really the year to lose it at the movies.

Sink or Swim: Tim Burton's new film, 'Big Fish,' flips between magic and maturity.

Dead Girl Walking: The selling of a serial killer: Charlize Theron dresses down to play Aileen Wournos.

'One From the Heart' Redux: The film that almost ruined Francis Ford Coppola returns to the screen and arrives on DVD.

Get Low: Shake it like a Polaroid picture! A musical snapshot of 2003.

Lost in Transition: In 2003, San Jose's rock scene staged a quiet comeback with new clubs opening and bands signing deals.

Aural Fixation: Nadine Condon wrote the Cliffs Notes to making it in the music industry.

Paging Through Oz: A few good books add depth to a shallow year.

Together Forever: Chef Yung Le's creations combine the best of two worlds.

Knife, Fork, Cocktail: Trends of the year in food.