How to Deal with a Medical Crisis
by Graham Meyer
Medical experts tackle more than two dozen questions confronted by ill patients striving to get well—from choosing a doctor to enrolling in clinical trials, and other crucial topics.

Bright Knights
Introducing our seven Chicagoans of the Year for 2008: a concerned mom, a neighborhood activist, a pair of dance makers, an altruistic chef, a Bronzeville historian, and a soulful singer with a voice for the ages    

Lost—and Saved
by Marcia Froelke Coburn
Doug Waldron thought he had a cold, but when he finally got a checkup, he was diagnosed with cancer and given a month to live. Two and a half years later, after top-notch care, he feels fine. 

The New Law in Town
by Bryan Smith
Tom Dart isn’t a big, bruising kind of sheriff. He’s forthright. And when evictions became an issue, he was on the side of homeowners. 

Barack-ed!
by the editors
Like a rising tide, Barack Obama has lifted Chicago into the national spotlight. We present our by-no-means-exhaustive and thoroughly subjective guide to the winners—and losers—of Election 2008.

Arena
PAGE TWO The price of the presidency: gray hair and wrinkles ARTS & CULTURE Stan Shellabarger brings back the art of performance; the new head of Kartemquin; a poet who loves The Who; has Chicago’s fashion initiative stalled?; New Year’s Eve concerts; four readers’ workouts get a makeover; Obama names catch on. Plus: New books—and the one January concert you can’t miss (hint: there’s a pizza-and-beer party after!) SERVICE DESK The rise of life coaching leads to answers for many—and questions, too. Plus: Hidden costs in health insurance STYLE Our no-lobbying, blind-labeled, tested-and-approved list of the best all-natural facial moisturizers. Plus: A walk down the newly expanded Damen Avenue, and January sales galore

Table
Chefs love junk food; everybody loves noodles; the hottest spots right now; honest Asian; mishmash chicken soup

Cheers
by Sarah Preston
Lincoln Park meets Linkin Park at Amp Rock Lounge

Law
by Edward McClelland
More than 40 condo associations trusted Regent Realty to manage their buildings’ books. Now they are left wondering what happened to their money.   

Checkbook
by Robert Krughoff
Looking for collision repair? Check out our list of 28 of the best Chicago-area auto body shops.  

Deal Estate
by Dennis Rodkin
A former Bull’s two homes, a Gold Coast mansion, and three new condo developments in Chicago 

The Closer
by Jeff Ruby
The illustrious fraternity of U.S. presidents includes a lisper, a Vaseline freak, and a cradle robber. Hey, Barack . . . 

Chicago Guide®
The Daisy Dukes and disco balls of Xanadu; Metallica versus other Really Loud Things

Restaurants
Xni-Pec teaches Cicero a spicy lesson; One Sixtyblue’s new chef ups the ante.

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