Features

Chicago’s Top Doctors,
Thousands of local medical professionals said where they would go with their health problems-and the result is our guide, prepared in cooperation with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., to 350 of the area’s best M.D.’s in 58 medical specialties.

Public Spirits,
Our seven remarkable Chicagoans of the Year for 2003-including a record producer, a compassionate crusader, and a beloved former Cub-provide inspiration in an uneasy time.

Closing Arguments, by Shane Tritsch
The Chicago law firm Altheimer & Gray survived the worst recessions of the 20th century only to succumb to the first recession of the 21st. Management blames the economy. Angry partners think management dropped the ball.

Fashion: Breakaway Bride, by Stacey Jones
The flip side of tradition-unconventional fashions and accessories add a little excitement to a marriage right from the start.

Party Favors, by Stacey Jones
Great gifts for the members of the wedding and fabulous prizes for the bride and groom-chocolate, diamonds, a new car.

Departments

Letters

Contributors

Frontlines
Eco-friendly furniture designer Jill Salisbury; the busiest theatre director in town; Daley’s “ridiculous” world; adventures in teeth whitening; Sweet Mandy B’s killer cupcakes; purses with snap; more

Style Sheet, by Stacy Wallace-Albert
Look on the bright side-these colorful travel accessories will keep you ready to roll; the sun-screen classics will keep you soft and safe.

How We Spend | Read Between the Lines, by Clare La Plante
Although Chicagoans tend to be dedicated readers, they don’t spend much money on books and magazines. Instead, it seems, they head to the library.

Real Lives | Dogged, by Marcia Froelke Coburn
In some of the country’s elite competitions, it’s up to Dana Cline to choose the top dogs-he’s known as a “hound person.”

Business | On the Pill, by Robert Reed
Despite the potential impact on Illinois employers (and fierce political opposition), two local Democrats are leading the fight over prescription drug costs.

Cityscape | Ode to an Eyesore, by Steve Rhodes
The modest, low-slung Sun-Times Building, unloved by legions, is on death row-doomed, if all goes as planned, to be replaced by a Trump tower of affluence. But at least one person likes it just where it is.

Deal Estate, by Dennis Rodkin
A house with a hangar and an estate with a Mercedes-plus new uses for an apartment building, a Wiebolt’s department store, and the one-time home of the Latin School

Nightspotting, by Sarah Preston
Crobar gets a makeover; B.B. King and Isaac Hayes make history at the House of Blues Hotel.

The Closer, by Jeff Ruby
If you watch “E.R.,” you know it already: Doctors have a language of their own. Here’s an emergency guide to understanding what they are saying.

On the Town

Events

Prime Time
During January: The Elmhurst Art Museum mounts a show of paintings featuring Lisa Erf’s grids of nearly identical portraits, Nancy Rosen’s large-scale figure paintings, and series of still lifes by John Sabraw.

Food & Drink

Dining Out | Architectural Digesting, by Dennis Ray Wheaton
New theatre district Boka is the hottest ticket in town while Cafe des Architectes wins for set design

On Wine, by Dennis Ray Wheaton
Meet a vintner without a vineyard to call his own.

Restaurants
The city’s definitive guide| This month: Two new listings, Don Juan and Fogo de Chao; re-reviews of Coco Pazzo and Erwin; more

Short Takes
Budget Beat| Riques knows from tacos, but tinga in the way to go.
Feel the Burn| At Charlie’s on Leavitt, you’d be wise to hold on to your water.
Street Beat| The tropics are closer than you think.
Opening| Jacky Pluton is taking the downtown upscale plunge with Pluton.
Quirky| May St. Cafe marches to its own Nuevo Latino drummer.