Cover Story: Mister Twister
How reporter Jayson Gallaway walked into the Trocadero Transfer to do a little dancing and walked out with a full-time job.

News: Lender Benders
Desperate for home loans in Silicon Valley, the credit-challenged often get the raw end of the deal on 'subprime' loans.

Metropolis News Extras

• Los Gatos: Attempted theft worthy of a 'how not to' manual.
  
• Campbell: DA is stepping up efforts against smoking in bars.
  
• Cupertino: Erin Brokovich praises local group's efforts when speaking at De Anza College.

Share Bears: Can anything be more empowering than attending a yearly shareholders' meeting?

Public Eye: Cunningham backer didn't write gay-bashing letter, cops say. Aliens vote in Los Altos Hills. Cisco hires T&C consultants.

Holiday Gift Guide: Our Toys, Ourselves...
Classic toy aficionado Mickey McGowan analyzes some of today's popular playthings.

Omni-Presents: A quick guide to quirky, nonlethal gifts that go everywhere because they are in fact nowhere.

Notes From the Underbelly: Downtown Nocturne.

Work: Hacking the sock puppet.

Transglobal Spice: World-beat pop gets filtered through a savvy Mexican consciousness on Plastilina Mosh's new album.

Unknown Quality: As his latest album proves, multitalented DJ Nobody is somebody to watch.

Aural Fixation: Billy Rosenthal adds his mic skills to Willie's Conception set at Cactus.

Macy's Parade: William H. Macy leads a crafty cast in 'Panic,' a smart new drama.

Bard on the Run: City Lights crams all of Shakespeare into a night of hilarity.

Woodblock Diary: Roger Shimomura remembers the internment in 'An American Diary' at the San Jose Museum of Art.

Lunchtime Los Gatos: Cafe Trio, a tiny pioneer of California cuisine on the east side of Los Gatos, continues to hold down its delicious turf.

A La Carte: New supper club goes over The Edge.