zoetica.net), an organic health and wellness facility certified by the USDA—perhaps the nation’s first. “We really did everything possible to make it as pure as possible,” says Ostojich, who spent nearly four years planning..." /> zoetica.net), an organic health and wellness facility certified by the USDA—perhaps the nation’s first. “We really did everything possible to make it as pure as possible,” says Ostojich, who spent nearly four years planning..." /> zoetica.net), an organic health and wellness facility certified by the USDA—perhaps the nation’s first. “We really did everything possible to make it as pure as possible,” says Ostojich, who spent nearly four years planning..." />
Giving green a new name

Born and raised in Yugoslavia, Lillian Ostojich says she has spent most of her life developing ways to encourage healthy ways of living. A doctor who has dabbled in business, Ostojich created Zoetica (1250 N. LaSalle Dr.; 866-963-8422, zoetica.net), an organic health and wellness facility certified by the USDA—perhaps the nation’s first. “We really did everything possible to make it as pure as possible,” says Ostojich, who spent nearly four years planning... Read more
When things turn tough, it may be time for a reinvention. These eight classes point the way Read more
He modernized Chicago’s emergency-response center, served as Mayor Daley’s chief of staff, and led (albeit briefly) the CTA—all before his 38th birthday. Now Ron Huberman, the Israeli-born gay ex-cop, has brought his intensity and his technocratic management style to the city’s public schools. Failure is not an option. Read more
Nearly 25 percent of all local mortgages are “under water,” website reports Read more
Christian Chase knows foreclosures. He should—his past seven homes have all been foreclosures that he bought, cleaned up and (except for the one he lives in now) put back on the market.
“To me, it doesn’t make sense to buy something on the retail market when you can buy a [foreclosed home] so far under the market,” Chase says. And these days, deeply discounted distress-sale properties are virtually.. Read more
Sometimes this city serves up an embarrassment of riches. This week: William Petersen returns—with free beer … Daniel Burnham appears onstage (in spirit) … indie rock icons toast a local lit legend … bicyclists get a gospel revival—and a midnight ride … and much more Read more
Renewed
Despite the recession, Vipul (Victor) Aggarwal has continued to expand his small, family-run business. The 29-year-old entrepreneur recently opened Renew Spa (980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor; 312-526-3891, renewspachicago.com), his third start-up business in three years. Believing that spas were either overpriced or dingy, Aggarwal sought to... Read more
New York multidisciplinary designer Dror Benshetrit’s studio has created interiors for Kiehl’s and Levi’s, a chandelier for Swarovski, products for Alessi, Venini, and Rosenthal, and even an entire island in Dubai. He’s now partnered with Target to launch an exclusive line of limited-edition home... Read more