NEWS & FEATURES

Special Feature: DRUGS

Last week in Boston, five New England governors and a group of drug experts got together to talk about the state of drugs in the region. If you didn't know about the summit, you're not alone: the public wasn't invited. Camille Dodero tells you what you missed.

Dan Kennedy says The Station Agent and its star, Peter Dinklage, cast dwarfism in a new, well-rounded light.

Strictly local, or a vehicle for commentary on national and world issues? Adam Reilly finds the Boston City Council pondering its role.

Our top officials warn of predators seeking to addict our children to drugs, but David S. Bernstein says it's the adult users we should be worrying about.

Why does the Bush administration seem so intent on denying medical marijuana to adults in extreme discomfort? Kristen Lombardi looks for answers.

Tamara Wieder talks with choreographer Rennie Harris, who's making an on-stage pilgrimage to the roots of hip-hop.

In the Phoenix editorial, we explain why the war on drugs is a failure.

In "Out There," Steve Almond experiences reefer sadness.

Ruth Tobias checks out restaurants' product lines "Urban Buy."

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Plus, this just in :

CAMPAIGN SNAPSHOT: Hennigan tries for win number 12
Q&A: Gay pride in the Holy City
TALKING POLITICS: Gore in 2004
URBAN EYE: Backstage-kitchen confidential
MEDIA: The last days of the Narco News Bulletin
REFORM PARTY: No Perot, no Jesse, no Pat, no funds

EDITORS' PICKS

In Arts News, "The Patronage of Bindo Altoviti" at the Gardner, the Boston Women's Memorial opens, and more.

In Performance, Europe's hot choreographer David Dawson makes his US debut.

In Theater, Boy Gets Girl, now in rehearsal at Merrimack Repertory Theatre.

In Galleries and Museums, Polly Apfelbaum, Fluxus in Central Square, and the Axelrod Lecture at the MFA.

In Classical, Leonard Bernstein, plus Pro Arte and a memorial for John Daverio

In State of the Art, The Boston Fantastic Film Festival probes the globe for thrills.

Plan your week:

MUSIC

Josh Kun says The Thrills and Los Tigres del Norte see two Californias.

Franklin Bruno says Van Oehlen survive on the border between art and rock.

Sean Richardson hears The Fire Theft pick up where Sunny Day Real Estate left off.

Bill Kisliuk says Steve Earle hits his peak on Just an American Boy.

In "Cellars by Starlight" Ted Drozdowski on the local folk of Kris Delmhorst, Holly Harris, and John Cremona.

Live reviews of: Chris Rock at the Comedy Connection, Lucinda Williams at the Orpheum and John McLaughlin at the Sanders Theater.

Also, short reviews of:

...and Roadtripping: Post-punk heroes Pretty Girls Make Graves hit the Middle East, heavy metal legends invade the Palladium, and more.

MOVIES

Peter Keough says The Station Agent has classic stature.

In "Filmculture" Gerald Peary watches Mao spin the Cultural Revolution.

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Iris Fanger says the Poets Theatre are friends of Fo.

Steve Vineberg doesn't buy The Credeaux Canvas.

Carolyn Clay says Hairspray is irrepressible fun.

Liza Weisstuch looks at Pictures of Patty Hearst.

DANCE

Marcia B. Siegel on José Mateo's 'Undercurrents.'

BOOKS

Julia Hanna on Daughter's Keeper, Ayelet Waldman's legal brief.

TELEVISION

HOTDOTS: 7:30 (25) Baseball. World Series Game #1. A digression: high on the list of things in sports that don't make any sense is this fall's Red Sox 'cowboy up' campaign. Are there cowboys in Boston? There are barely cows.
By Clif Garboden

Steve Vineberg says the new Mr. Chips is no Donat or O'Toole.

FOOD

SPECIALS