NEWS & FEATURES

The Boston Phoenix Guide to the DNC
Fifteen features designed especially for clueless conventioneers. Directing the lost to seafood joints and protest gear, upscale lounges and gay clubs, our special supplement will be indispensable to finding what you want in our fair city.

Barry Crimmins pens a Dear John letter that expresses admiration and proposes a deeper relationship.

No, the 527 isn't a new car model, it's a fundraising tax vehicle Democrats are using to equalize the playing field, and it's created a new set of big-money liberal VIPs. David S. Bernstein reports.

Dan Kennedy's primer: for out-of-towners, a guide to the natives; for the locals, a guide to the Big Feet coming our way.

Anyone who tells you Governor Mitt Romney isn't positioning himself for national office is just foolin', says Kristen Lombardi. The question is, will he tilt too far to the right to get re-elected in liberal-moderate Massachusetts, thus imperiling a 2008 presidential run?

Chris Wright imagines what it's like for ol' Mount Rushmore head to face the day.

For decades, journalist and native Texan Molly Ivins has had a ringside seat to view her home state's antic politics. Now she's assembled her take in a new retrospective book. Tamara Wieder talks with her about it.

In "Out There," Alan Olifson says that camping is all about the bacon.

In "Urban Buy," Genevieve Rajewski gets local bartenders to share the fruits of their labors.

In the Phoenix editorial: we contend that it's time for leadership from the Democrats.

Letters to the editor

Moon Signs

Savage Love

Plus, this just in:

MUSIC

The Hives and Sahara Hotnights take on America, and Carly Carioli is glad.

Ted Drozdowski surveys the local scene: Dylan hires Stu Kimball, Mirman hits Comedy Central, and Horton heads to 'toon town'

Sean Richardson hears polite rebel yells from Gretchen Wilson.

Franklin Bruno thinks about the redneck rock of Gretchen Wilson, Angel Dean and Sue Garner, and Chris Stamey.

Brett Milano says Chris Stamey leaves his mark on two new albums.

Ed Hazell surveys a trio of triumphs for Wadada Leo Smith.

Live reviews of: Club D'Elf, The Fifth Dimension and Remembering Mai.

Also, short reviews of:

THEATER

Carolyn Clay reviews Commonwealth's Much Ado About Nothing; the Publick's Troilus and Cressida.

Steve Vineberg sees the old and new mix it up it the Berkshires.

DANCE

Marcia B. Siegel catches the New Danish Dance Theatre at Jacob's Pillow and Donna Uchizono at Concord Summer Stages.

BOOKS

Catherine Tumber reviews Thomas Frank's trip to the heartland.

TELEVISION

Steve Vineberg likes a creepy, enthralling Pennies from Heaven.

HOTDOTS: THURSDAY 29 7:00 (2) Greater Boston. Convention coverage. The Office of Homeland Security raises the alert color to something in the infrared spectrum, cordons off Boston, cancels the election, and quarantines the Electoral College at Guantánamo. By Clif Garboden

FOOD

SPECIALS