Cover Story

 

Cold Play
edited by Shane Tritsch
With temperatures falling, we’ve brought out the antifreeze: a bounty of ideas—from sled hills and cross-country ski trails to perfect homemade hot chocolate—to help you make the most of winter.

 

The True Story of the Deadly Encounter at Fort Dearborn
by Geoffrey Johnson
For years, a conflict between settlers and Potawatomi was called the Fort Dearborn Massacre. A park now at the site calls it the Battle of Fort Dearborn. What really happened that day so long ago?

Ice Folly
by Bryan Smith
Facing middle age and a slowly expanding midsection, our writer stumbled upon figure skating—and fell hard for the sport in a personal odyssey from flailing rail-clutcher to competitive champ.

 

Departments

 

Arena
PAGE TWO Grading Mayor Daley’s Olympic-sized projects ARTS & CULTURE Meet Carrie Schneider, a rising star on the local art scene; a roundup of the year’s best cookbooks; Chicago’s video-gaming community meets the mouse; the Art Institute of Chicago mounts a major design show; the anatomy of a joke, by local up-and-coming comedian Adam Burke. Plus: December’s Pocket Guide program STYLE The ultimate gift guide: From naughty to nice, find 80-plus ideas for every personality on your holiday list, including 40 under $50.

Table
It’s raining pintxos and pouring empanadas; Wicker Park gets satisfaction in the form of a honky-tonk taquería.

Cheers
by Amalie Drury
Afterwork additions; where to take a load off from holiday shopping

Art
by Cassie Walker
The poster boy for poster art? Jay Ryan, whose fanciful screen prints are sought-after worldwide

Business
by Robert Sharoff
Building is stalled, architects unemployed, and new projects scarce. Welcome to the recession.

Deal Estate®
by Dennis Rodkin
A slow sale, foreclosure stress, and still-falling condo prices

Outer Drive
by Jeff Ruby
Santa Claus is actually two brothers making toys in the West Loop.

Chicago Guide®
The Nutcrackers, the Christmas Carols—and plenty of picks with no sign of Santa

Restaurants
Suburban action: Abigail’s and Glen Prairie break into the listings; Lovells drops to one star.

 

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