Features

Entertaining in Style
The talent assembled here-from the worlds of catering, flowers, and entertainment-can assist you with special events at home, leaving you free to be the life of the party.

True Lincoln, by Geoffrey Johnson
Before he became a martyred President shrouded in hagiography, Abraham Lincoln was an actual person, a prosperous Springfield lawyer and successful Illinois politician. His Kentucky birthplace and his Springfield house-the former long exploited by hucksters, the latter a model of meticulous preservation-offer connections to a Lincoln of a human scale.

After All This Time, by Stuart J. Rosenberg
Thirty years ago, the singer Bonnie Koloc reigned as the queen of the Chicago folk scene. The ensuing decades brought foiled ambitions along with a bittersweet Broadway triumph. Now Koloc ha a new book of her artwork, a CD of live performances, and an upcoming gig for her devoted fans.

Remains of the Day, by Gale Kappe and Brittney Blair
Sold to a developer with plans of turning the space into lofts, the Lyric Opera’s old warehouse opened its doors, scattering forgotten treasures of the stage to the public.

Departments

Letters

Contributors

Arena
Human beatbox Yuri Lane; the best Christmas light displays and the woman who loves them; an art theft caper; Victoria Lautman chats with Susanna Clark; caviar tasting with Steppenwolf’s Yasen Peyankov Plus: Style Sheet and The Shopper

How We Spend, by Clare La Plante
All that holiday jingle? It’s the sound of cash registers ringing as Chicagoans shell out more than the national average for gifts, entertainment, and more. Plus: The high-or low-cost of moving; and where Illinois ranks as a boater’s paradise

Reporter | Fat City?, by James Ylisela, Jr.
For several years, the city has been trimming its rank of workers. But an analysis of the city payroll reveals layer upon layer of supervisors, many with political connections. Has the city done enough to trim fat at the top?

Business | Stepping Up, by Robert Reed
He’s put out several fires along the way, but after six years at Abbott Labs, CEO Miles White has emerged unscathed and at the top of his game.

History | Detail Man, by Brian McCormick
In a revealing Q&A, Jon Phillips, the city’s onetime de facto chief of protocol, recalls his service over three decades to four Chicago mayors-and his Zelig-like encounters with Queen Elizabeth, JFK, Bette Midler, and Jesse Jackson.

Deal Estate, by Dennis Rodkin
Kraft Foods’ CEO buys a mansion, Rocky Wirtz loses a divorce battle over a house, and problems selling R. Kelly’s former pad-plus condo news from Edgewater, Melrose Park, and the Loop

Nightspotting, by Sarah Preston
The new L8 aims to bring wee-hours noshing to the chic set. And a scene blossoms alongside tropical plants on the roof at SushiSamba Rio.

The Closer, by Jeff Ruby
With Snoop shilling for AOL, and Ditka cashing in on erectile dysfunction, next thing you know Dylan will start selling lingerie. Oh, wait. That happened, too.

On the Town

Events

Calendar
During December: Christmas movies get bigger and in your face when shown in 3D on the giant Omnimax Theatre screen at Navy Pier. Making a seasonal return is Santa vs. The Snowman, along with Polar Express.
Marquee: A preview of coming attractions

Food & Drink

Dining Out | In Full Bloom, by Dennis Ray Wheaton
Two restaurants take a crack at French-Vietnamese fusion-one on a modest scale, the other with much fanfare.

Restaurants
The city’s definitive guide to Chicago’s top restaurants| This month: Six new updated listings, including Miramar and MK
Dish: The ten hottest restaurants right now; Q&A with a great chef; openings; closings; funny quotes; and more