Cover Story: Down the Drain:
If you can't see it and can't measure it, how do you know when it's gone? The North Bay's aquifer may be the largest imperceptible necessity you're going to miss. The second in a summerlong series on the health of our rivers.

News: Mid-County Madness
Watch in awe as the Rohnert Park-Cotati area goes loudly insane.

Rev: Mind Your P's and Q's: A little Buddha handclasp or a mouthed 'I'm sorry' goes a long way.

Mr. Fliptron Goes to Burning Man: 'Vault of Heaven' theme sends artists to the moon.

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

Gender Is The Night: Spike Lee, channeling Norman Mailer, flaunts his sexual politics in 'She Hate Me.'

Ashgrove to Ashes: Through the years with Dave Alvin.

Heaven Can't Wait: Death is sweet for these late tunesmiths.

Feeling Monkish: New CDs and a DVD to thrill Thelonious Monk fans.

Triumph of the Strange: Antidote is a deconstructionist experiment of surrealist food--the best plate of dada you'll ever eat.

Swirl 'n' Spit: Matanzas Creek Winery.

Funny Lady: Comic Brett Butler is a mix of truck driver and Southern belle.