The modern violin emerged in northern Italy in the 1500s, in the cities of Brescia and Cremona. Brescia had the older school, but the Cremona guild perfected the instrument in the workshops of Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari. Most notably, in the late 17th century, Antonio Stradivari combined Cremona’s sweetness of tone with the famous power … Read more
The president came in with hopes from liberal Democrats that he might usher in a new New Deal. But in terms of governance, temperament, and ideology, he might be more like the Man From Plains.
An annotated blog roll of local favorites of mine. Plus: some underrated Chicago books, and brief advertisements for myself.
As jury deliberations continue in the Blagojevich retrial, one of the city’s prominent criminal defense attorneys provides insights on the case. He says that Judge Zagel has acted uncharacteristically “screwy” and unfair, leaving open the possibility of a retrial, and that Blagojevich did remarkably well on the stand…
The jury remains out, and observers are starting to get antsy, jumping when the jurors ask a question. Here’s a theory as to why they’re taking so long: the jury has to deal with the interpretation of a statute that’s currently vexing legal scholars.
BREWS CLUES: One of America’s foremost cask cellarmen offers advice
The Sun-Times is reporting that, for the second year in a row, various CPS bureaucrats will see substantial raises over their predecessors’ salaries. It makes no sense… and perfect sense.
The 25-year-old former community organizer is the first Democrat to jump into the race to reclaim the seat from Republican Robert Dold in 2012.
Grid Chicago reports on sustainable transportation in the city; The Steppes of Chicago takes an on-the-streets look at Chicago architecture.
The cost of wrongful incarceration and the city’s immense legal-settlement costs; Chicago’s new gun law seems as ineffectual as the gun ban that preceded it; a Sun-Times reporter gets caught in the line of fire and returns to figure out why; and more
