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May 2009
Sale of the Week: Hinsdale Foreclosure Sparks a Bidding War
By Dennis Rodkin
List Price: $899,900
Sale Price: $925,000
The Property: Five days after U.S. Bank put this foreclosed 12-room Hinsdale house up for sale, three bidders were vying for it—and the only reason it took that long was that the bank requires a property be marketed for at least five days before it will look at offers. “It could have gone even... Read more
Artful Dodging
   

Holy Hockneys, Batman—there are a LOT of mighty fine art events going on in the city this weekend! We have the Mart's trilogy of trade, Artropolis, consisting of the sprawling Art Chicago on the 12th floor, with modern and contemporary offerings (although I'm told that this year they've changed the floor plan of the fair so that it's not quite so sprawling…I was always wandering in circles, not sure how many booths were left to see), the NEXT show, on 7, which serves up more cutting-edge culture, and a grande dame of an antiques fair on 8, showing—you guessed it—antiques, from 100+ dealers. Wear comfortable shoes, please. But it's not all about the Mart this time of year—the international art world focuses on Chicago, and local galleries use that attention to showcase the finest fillies in their stable. Richard Gray has a terrific one-man Marc Swanson show in their John Hancock gallery (that's Swanson's twinkling taxidermy above) and dealer Aldo Castillo has curated the second coming of Chicago's only Latin American art exhibit ARTEahora at his River North gallery. And, as I mentioned last month, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will be bringing down the hammer on art and rare books from the collection of the recently shuttered Robert Henry Adams gallery, on Monday May 4. This Rudolph Weisenborn 1951 portrait is among the 285 lots, available for viewing now. 

-BRADLEY LINCOLN

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In the Name of the Father
By Bryan Smith
The 1974 murder of Daniel Seifert, a Bensenville businessman, unhinged his two sons and set them off on separate, troubled quests to avenge their father. After 25 years, they confronted the man behind his killing—Joseph “The Clown” Lombardo—not at the end of a gun, but in court Read more
Salad Days
By Karin Horgan Sullivan
Michelle Obama isn’t the only locavore with a backyard Vegetable garden. These three urbanites have turned their private patches of land—including a rooftop in Ukrainian Village—into micro farms. Their mantra? Anyone can do it. PLUS: Read our quick beginner's guide to planting and check out our resources list. Read more
Third Annual Green Awards
April 15, 2009--In its third year, the annual “Green Awards” editorial feature in Chicago magazine’s April issue honored six individuals whose efforts in the areas of conservation and sustainability were considered groundbreaking. To salute these individuals, Chicago magazine partnered with Shedd Aquarium to hold a private 2.5-hour award reception held at the Shedd for over 125 guests. Hosted by the editor and publisher of Chicago magazine, the reception included a Champagne toast to the winners’ achievements and plentiful hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Read more
FashioNext at the History Museum
On Friday, April 17th, the Chicago History Museum hosted FashioNext- an insider fashion event and contest where three established Chicago designers competed to create a piece that will be permanently added to the exhibition- Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum. The winner, Price Walton, showcased their elaborate gown alongside fellow contestants Melissa Serpico Kamhout and Jermikko Shoshanna. Mario Tricoci provided hair and make-up styling for the runway presentation, and over 400 guests were able to enjoy the new GLK-class courtesy of Mercedes-Benz upon entering the museum. Mercedes-Benz also sponsored a raffle giveaway- a day of style and shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, with transportation to and from the store in a brand new GLK! Read more
New Books
May 2009 books: Frank Lloyd Wright: American Master, Into the Beautiful North, Pretty in Plaid, Love and Obstacles Read more
Over the Inkwell
By Elizabeth Crane
Over cupcakes at the West Town bakeshop Lovely, our writer—a short-story author with a knack for the weird—sat down with Joe Meno. The occasion? The May publication of his new book, The Great Perhaps, about a man who goes on the hunt for a giant squid Read more