How to do everything better
Who couldn’t use a little good advice? So we went directly to the experts and solicited their best tips on how to improve our lives in myriad ways, such as impressing wine-snob friends, winning arguments, fending off an attacker, eating for long life, decluttering a desk, and working smarter than the average monkey.

Ten Modern Masterpieces
by Jay Pridmore
Call them the best of the 21st century, if you’d like. These ten tour de force buildings, all built around the turn of the 21st century, vividly illustrate what makes Chicago the current (and future) epicenter of architecture. 

Out There
by Robert Sharoff
The visionary Jeff McCourt made the Windy City Times one of the top gay newspapers in the country, but after a 15-year run, his health declined and his success story unraveled. 

Ale Raisers
by Sarah Preston
From Uptown to Bucktown, Boystown to the ’burbs, our definitive list of the newest hot spots elevating Chicago’s nightlife scene—plus a few on the horizon

Campus Revolutionary
by Dirk Johnson
Deciding that the future is now, the dean of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism has vowed to “blow up” the curriculum, changing the emphasis to new media and marketing. Some students and alums are irate. 

Letters

Contributors

Arena
PAGE TWO The GOP’s top-of-the-ticket woes; another Super Bowl season? The Bears will have to defy history; and Chicago broadcasting—all in the family ARTS & CULTURE The Blip taps new talent; a candid chat with Bears miracle man Devin Hester; Sarah Ruhl’s dark new play; Once star Glen Hansard comes to town; inking it out on reality TV; new books, new music, more SERVICE DESK Fun in Forest Park; the cost of our car culture STYLE Drama at home; the five items our make-up artist can’t live without; how to wear the season’s makeup trends. Plus: sales and new store openings galore

Table
Irresistible mussels; the hottest restaurants right now; hateful banquettes; bistro magic in the western suburbs; sassy Italian on the cheap

Cheers
Purple haze: the Violet Hour hits Wicker Park; plus, where to woo first dates, and an early peek at NV Penthouse Lounge

Books
by Debra Weiner
What’s more American than apple pie? Cookbooks, according to food historian Penelope Bingham, who discusses the cultural phenomenon.

Reporter
by Geoffrey Johnson
When grave robbers snatched the remains of showman Mike Todd, gumshoe Anthony Pellicano dramatically solved the case—though the mystery endures. 

Deal Estate
by Dennis Rodkin
A developer’s plans to parcel out a Lake Bluff estate; condo news from the city and suburbs

Classifieds

The Closer
by Jeff Ruby
A lawyer weighs in on getting out of jury duty.

Chicago Guide®
A selective handbook to what’s going on around town. This month: men in kilts at Celtic Fest, a shimmering façade at the Hyde Park Art Center

Restaurants
The definitive guide to Chicago’s top restaurants. Yoshi’s Café finds its groove; L’Anne charms with not quite fusion.