Cover: Painter of Lite
How local painter Thomas Kinkade turned his brushes to the lite side--and made a mint comforting the masses with images of safety and home.

News: Nüz
Metro Santa Cruz team paddles to first (and last) in its division in the Aloha Outrigger Races.

Bruce Bratton: Senate redistricting will divide Santa Cruz; the Downtown Area Residents Association; this week's movies.

Work: Such a Deal!

Sights & Sounds: The Expendables nail the essence of the Santa Cruz surf-punk sound.

The Ultimate Taco: Tacos Moreno, still creating world-class taqueria fare, is another reason not to pull up stakes and leave town.

Fall's Well: Look beyond the generic autumn sonatas, and there are some promising films coming to theaters this season.

Pair Bonding: Acting couples air loads of dirty emotional laundry in 'Anniversary Party.'

Citizen Kael: Richard von Busack recalls the impact of film critic Pauline Kael.