Cover: Puppet Masters
Puppeteers are plying their age-old art in new and unexpected ways.

News: Whetherman
Resident clairvoyant Richard von Busack dusts off his crystal ball and predicts cultural turbulence in the year ahead.

Midnight Specials: From First Night to last call, New Year's Eve has something for everyone.

Bruce Bratton: Yahoo! construction is underway; local nonprofits sponsor New Year's Eve dance party for queer youth; First Night Santa Cruz supports local arts.

Work: Mini-industry springs up around geek seduction.

Extra Virgin: Galería Tonantzin hosts an exhibition inspired by the Virgin Mary.

Sights & Sounds: Dylan vs. Blackstar; Ralph Nader bustin' a move; the Big Bang Hype Y2K--WHAT?

Eating Backward: Christina Waters remembers the meals that dazzled in the year that was.

Nothing But the Truth: David Mamet chills the comedy in pallid Hollywood satire 'State and Main.'

Horsing Around: Cormac McCarthy's novel pulls up lame in 'All the Pretty Horses.'

Weekly World Web: An internet directory catalogs the graves of the famous and the not-so-famous.