Features

Horses, Money, Murder
by Gretchen Reynolds
Unraveling the disappearance of candy heiress Helen Brach has led to shocking accusations of murder and fraud on the tony horse-show circuit.

Boosters and Bum Raps
by Geoffrey Johnson
Ever since it was a cluster of crude log huts clinging to the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago has inspired its visitors to everything from rhapsody to parody. A historical look at the city’s ever-changing image

Selling Chicago to the World
Whenever someone uses Al Capone to capture the essence of Chicago, civic leaders sputter as if they’ve just seen a ghost. So we asked seven top ad agencies to create fresh images to promote the city. Their clever creations may surprise you.

Partnership of Trouble
by Stephanie B. Goldberg
Lawyers Gary and Maureen Fairchild seemed to have it all – until news of embezzled brought Gary’s promising career to a crash. Now more serious charges hound Maureen.

Fallen Angel
by Marcia Froelke Coburn
After seven years as a featured soloist with Ballet Chicago, Suzy Strain took her own life, leaving family and friends behind to fathom her private agonies.

The Shapes of Things to Come
by Ted Allen
Jordan Mozer is famed for his wild designs – a squid-shaped gazebo, columns sprouting tulips. Sometimes even he thinks he goes too far.

Departments

Letters

Frontlines
Reviving ragtime; The Second City hits 35; activist Heather Booth; and much more

The Goods
by Leah Eskin
Stocking-size surprises to sock away for Christmas

Metro
by Greg Hinz
Naked truths about the sex survey; plus, fighting for City Hall

Modern Times
by Marcia Froelke Coburn
Mr. and Mrs. Butt-Head talk about how they get their kicks.

Stage & Screen
by Penelope Mesic
Athol Fugard’s Playland receives its Midwest premiere at Steppenwolf.

Lunch with Henry
by Henry Hanson
Playing the Pump Room with music man Stanley Paul

Reporter
by Steve Boman
Illinois’s foster-care system is overloaded. Are orphanages the answer?

Prime Time

Hot dates around town this month

Dining
by Dennis Ray Wheaton
Eating in the kitchen never tasted so good as at the chefs’ dinners – served stoveside – at Charlie Trotter’s and Trio.

Budget Beat
by Anne Spiselman
Quench more than your thirst: Inventive bar food is on tap at four new local pubs.

Back Talk
by Henry Hanson
Tony Kushner, John Vinci, Mirella Freni, John Buck, Maureen and E. B. Smith, Jr.