Cover: Trial by Fire
Santa Cruz County DA Ron Ruiz has to learn on the job.

Bruce Bratton: The continuing battle for control over the makeup of downtown Santa Cruz.

Model Citizens: Local designers show off at the 'Seventh Sense' fashion show.

The Sound of Noise: The Lowdown makes noise-rock with discarded gadgets.

Dub Prophet: Linton Kwesi Johnson's fierce dub has earned new fans on rave scene.

Sights and Sounds: To err is human, but to really botch a club show is Sublime.

Notes From the Underground: More than guys in makeup, Naked Ape rocks like a nightmarish Gene Loves Jezebel on their debut disc.

Planet Ahead: Student food with attitude is watchword at the new Saturn Café.

A La Carte: Riding the tip of the buzz at Surf City in Soquel.

A Cockney in California: 'The Limey' brings Soderbergh's dark touch to the City of Angels.

Tuva Solo: 'Genghis Blues' ventures into the lost artistry of deep-throating Mongolians.

On the Boards: The Z Festival opens with Tanya Shaffer's powerful 'Let My Enemy Live Long'; 'Mass Appeal' doesn't.

Opera Like That: Bay Shore Lyric Opera doesn't have enough fun with 'Cosi Fan Tutte.'