Features

How Your High School Stacks Up
by Dennis Rodkin
Chicago does a by-the-numbers evaluation of 233 public high schools in the six-county metro area, looking at school spending, as well as teacher experience, test scores, and other academic categories—including an exclusive appraisal of the relationship between money and test scores. PLUS: Educational experts discuss the new emphasis on student-centered teaching, an innovative approach already demonstrating positive results.

A Classic Act
by Robert Sharoff
This fall, Richard Driehaus, the founder of one of the city’s largest investment firms, punctuates his campaign for the 19th century by opening a new museum
of the decorative arts in the Nickerson mansion. by Robert Sharoff

The Deadly Difference
by Shane Tritsch
Black women in Chicago with breast cancer die at a much higher rate than white women with the disease—a disparity that’s nearly double what it is nation­ally. That pattern of racial suffering shows up locally in other diseases as well. Why? And what can be done?

Stone in Exile
by Josh Schollmeyer
Three years removed from his job as a Cubs TV announcer, Steve Stone still spends summers in Chicago, keeping close tabs on his beloved Cubs—and hoping an impending change in ownership might open the door to the front office.

Freeze Frame
by Dennis Rodkin
As the local real-estate market cooled, homeowners worried that this was the beginning of the next ice age. But the results of our annual survey of house prices in 281 Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs weren’t entirely chilling.  

At Home: Self-Portrait
by Christine Newman
The architectural photographer Barbara Karant takes some private time, turning her camera on her loftlike house in Bucktown, where she lives with three rescued greyhounds. 

Departments

Letters

Contributors

Arena
PAGE TWO A month on the campaign trail with Barack Obama; Marcus Jordan’s new school ARTS & CULTURE The Blip suits up for Halloween; Eighth Blackbird; Jenniffer Weigel talks to the dead; bottled water versus tap; Ira Glass’s new project; The Fiery Furnaces return; more SERVICE DESK Diversions for every taste on Division Street; stocks or houses—where to invest STYLE We host a mini–Project Runway with three emerging designers; Tory Burch lands; ankle booties; advice from Cynthia Rowley

Table
Mac and cheese for adults; the hottest restaurants right now; another standout in Beverly; a citywide panini attack

Cheers
by Sarah Preston
Park place: martinis in River North; plus, 5 spots to get your fall drink on

Books
by Debra Pickett
Chicago psychotherapist Dr. Richard Baer, author of a remarkable new book on a woman with multiple personality disorder, talks about his treatment of this astonishing case. 

Politics
by David Bernstein
Barack or Hillary? Illinois Democrats face a tough a presidential dilemma.

Reporter
by David Murray
Luxury real estate, golf, population growth, rage, and tears with Bolingbrook’s mayor Roger Claar 

Deal Estate
by Dennis Rodkin
Chicago’s annual survey of high-end house sales shows a rare drop in volume; condo news from the city and suburbs

Classifieds

The Closer
by Jeff Ruby
Good citizens know their presidential candidates!

Chicago Guide®
A selective handbook to what’s going on around town. This month: Babes with Blades, Vaders with sabers, and iPods for everyone

Restaurants
The definitive guide to Chicago’s top restaurants. Tay Do wows with Vietnamese faves; Chiyo raises the bar on Japanese.