NEWS & FEATURES

Adam Reilly introduces Patricia White and Matt O'Malley, two newcomers at the forefront for the Boston City Council's four at-large seats.

David Bernstein says Boston City Council member Felix Arroyo might just grow into political maturity.

Kristen Lombardi asks why it took the murder of John Geoghan to train attention on the mysterious prison death of Kelly-Jo Griffen, killed a full month earlier.

Camille Dodero finds out what life is like at an urban beauty school.

Susan Ryan-Vollmar wonders what happened to Somerville mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, who's now facing two serious re-election challengers.

Camille Dodero says that Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri deftly mines the immigrant experience in her new novel.

In the Phoenix editorial we explain how, thanks to Bush, we're worse off today than we were two years ago.

In "Out There," Steve Almond tells us how to win the governorship of California without really trying.

Brian E. O'Neill cooks actual, real food "Urban Buy."

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Dr. Lovemonkey

Plus, this just in:

EDITORS' PICKS

In Arts News, The House of Blues closes its doors, Blue Men hold an art contest, plus more.

In Performance, Dance Collective has thirty years' worth of reasons to celebrate.

In Theater, Stephen Pelinski reaps the Ginkas whirlwind.

In Galleries and Museums, cartoons and dust hit the ICA, and the galleries heat up for fall.

In Classical, Monteverdi ŕ la chinoise, a Wagner marathon, and much more.

In State of the Art, Amy Lee on bringing Evanescence’s ‘Bring Me to Life’ to life.

Plan your week:

MUSIC

Matt Ashare on The Dandy Warhols, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and the Raveonettes.

Sean Richardson hears Poison the Well and Further Seems Forever take action.

In Cellars by Starlight, Ted Drozdowski on Juliana Hatfield's new band, Some Girls, and the last of little a.

Mike Miliard braves the precocious noise punk of Slick Pig.

Ted Drozdowski on Derek Trucks and Robert Randolph.

Franklin Bruno on Parker & Lewis, Steve Lacy, and Roswell Rudd.

Live reviews of: Guided by Voices, Bruce Springsteen at Fenway, and ˇCubanismo!

Also, short reviews of:

...and Roadtripping: N.E.R.D. is headlining a soft-drink-sponsored summer tour, plus Ted Leo, Tommy Stinson, and more

MOVIES

The Boston Film Fest wraps up.

Chris Fujiwara remembers the cinematic faces of Romy Schneider .

In Filmculture, Gerald Peary watches Sondheim, Herzog, McNamara, and Coppola make the Telluride scene.

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Carolyn Clay says Pete 'n' Keely hits some strident notes.

Iris Fanger says Language is incomprehensible.

ART

Jeffrey Gantz on "Brother Thomas: Creator of Luminaries" at the Pucker Gallery.

BOOKS

Julia Hanna reviews Jhumpa Lahiri's new novel, The Namesake (Houghton Mifflin).

TELEVISION

HOTDOTS: Thursday 18: 7:30 (2) Basic Black: Boston 2004 Inc. The Democrats are coming! The Democrats are coming! Next year, our fair city will be immobilized by wishy-washy pols who lack the guts to thwart the Bush coup. A round-table discussion. By Clif Garboden

FOOD

SPECIALS