Vol. 26, No. 51
Standard of Care
When a childbirth went terribly wrong, the blame game began. Dodging responsibility was everybody's first order of business.
By Bruce Rushton
Faded Love
Warner's biggest fans turn on their hero, feeling betrayed
By Jim Nesbitt
The Terrorists Are Winning
Truth, justice and the American soap opera are under attack at the West County Y
What Would You Order in a Vegetarian Restaurant?
Week of December 18, 2002
By Wm. Stage
Rip's Riposte
Guilty Pleasures
Nobody has the right to judge you for your secret musical kinks -- but everyone will
By Jordan Harper
Masters of Their Domains
Hometown legend Bennie Smith joins other blues greats at the "Guitar Masters 2002" show
By Dean C. Minderman
X-mas Marks the Spot
A guide to new holiday discs, from surprise presents to Tannen-bombs
By Michael Roberts
Christmas Sweets
Tired of the usual X-mas tunes? We've got some suggestions.
By René Spencer Saller
Sissy Spacek with Panicsville, Foamula and BMBM
Sunday, December 22; Radio Cherokee
By Paul Friswold
Jeff Lash Trio
Jeff Lash Trio, Thursday, December 19; Pop's Blue Moon. Hot House Sessions with Jeff Lash, Sunday, December 22; Miso.
By Terry Perkins
Various Artists
Maybe This Christmas (Nettwerk America)
By Matt Harnish
James McMurtry
Saint Mary of the Woods (Sugarhill Records)
By Steve Pick
Sounds Around Town
Steamy Choices
Lu Lu offers an embarrassment of riches
By Michael Renner
Sidecar
Famous Bar, 5213 Chippewa, 314-832-2211
By Randall Roberts
Orc Chops
The action's much meatier in Jackson's second Rings film
By Gregory Weinkauf
Sand Through an Hourglass
Over time, George Sand seems less radical and even a little old-fashioned
By Andy Klein
Meaner Streets
Scorsese looks at the roots of New York's violence, with mixed results
By Bill Gallo
Film Openings
Merry X-mas, Mr. Abhorrence
If you like Jackass, get yourself to Pop's on Friday
By Mike Seely
Inside Out
Shmigel evokes our gutted past without dewy-eyed nostalgia
By Ivy Cooper
Book Bonanza Bye-Bye
Fabled bookstore A. Amitin's is closing its doors, but not before doing a kind deed
By Byron Kerman
Hide, Seek
Illinois shows off the enigmatic work of one of its unassuming treasures
By Sarah Daub
Springtime for St. Louis
Crazy, wacky, hilarious -- the American musical is back
By Dennis Brown