Last week, I posted a Q&A with Jodi Kantor, author of The Obamas, a new book about the First Couple. Here is the final part of the interview, in which Kantor discusses Barack's time at Columbia University, Michelle's secret trips to Petco and Target, and key Chicago figures such as Valerie Jarrett and Desirée Rogers. Read more
List Price: $1.795 million Sale Price: $1.47 million The Property: About a year ago, construction ground to a halt on this 16-room mansion in South Barrington, leaving much of its interior unfinished—including a planned copper dome, which had only been framed out with wood. But that didn’t stop the selling agent from making a silk purse out of this 22,795-square-foot sow’s ear... Read more
The little slate-colored birds are one of the great pleasures of snowy winter days by the window—and as game theorists, fine examples of Pareto-optimal efficiency. Read more
"White" vs. "what" vs. "wet" and "black" vs. "blargh": linguistic traps for candidates to avoid. But sometimes a letter will accuse you of bias against Canadians, and only Woodward and Bernstein can save you there. Read more
One possible explanation for why it's in the mid-50s in Chicago today: space weather! Scientists are looking into the possibility that sunny weather on the sun creates warm winters in these parts. Read more
From Buckley's Restaurant and Bar, to the Soup House, to Gauguin, to Cleopatra: a go-to getaway in the most underrated city in the United States. Read more
City Winery, the ginormous bar/restaurant/winery/education center/concert venue that took over western Soho in Manhattan in 2008, plans to open a 30,000-square foot space at 1200 West Randolph Street this summer. Read more
