Issue of January 17, 2008

Cover Story

How Joe Bought the Farm
Six years ago, Myopic Books owner Joe Judd thought he was going to die. When he didn't, he decided to live the life he'd always wanted.
By Laura Putre

Letters

"What will you do with this newfound freedom? The answer is clear, Mr. Rosenbaum. I encourage you to do what Orson Welles, Samuel Fuller, Jean-Luc Godard, or any of your heroes would encourage you to do now: MAKE A MOVIE."

Columns

The Works
Hear Ye, Hear Ye
A Good Day for the Rainmakers
The well-connected score again as the city works out new TIF deals for a former alderman, a wealthy private hospital, and a big car dealer.
By Ben Joravsky

Hot Type
One Newspaper Is Like One Horse
Can a town without competing dailies really be a global city?
By Michael Miner

Savage Love
Help! My dad got scammed by a "Russian virgin."
By Dan Savage

The Straight Dope
Did the Romans use tokens to pay for sex?
By Cecil Adams

Sports

Breakfast of Hooligans
A quiet morning of Bloody Marys, beer, and breathtaking soccer at The Globe pub
By Ted Cox

The Business

A Favorite at Last
For a local aspiring novelist, the years of frustration (and a friend with an agent) pay off.
By Deanna Isaacs

Our Town

A House Divided
At a glance, how the contest between Obama and Clinton has split local Democratic bigwigs
By Mick Dumke

A Job for Batman
When a ruptured appendix put local director Ron Lazzeretti in the hospital, Michael Keaton stepped in to save the day. This weekend their project, The Merry Gentleman, is at Sundance.
By Ed M. Koziarski

Food & Drink

Going Green Without Going Broke
Local restaurateurs put their heads together to make takeout eco-friendly.
Omnivorous by Mike Sula

Plus: Vegan, vegetarian, and vegetarian-friendly restaurants.

Arts & Entertainment

Movies

Image Problem
Honeydripper is one of John Sayles's best stories, but as a work of visual art it's flawed.
By Jonathan Rosenbaum

Music

How a Bad Band Gets Good
Tirra Lirra's journey from self-indulgent sprawl to taut postmodern psychedelia
Sharp Darts by Miles Raymer

The Secret History of Chicago Music
Little Howlin' Wolf
by Plastic Crimewave

Theater
Bruised Bodies, Bruised Souls
Requiem for a Heavyweight, Rod Serling's time-tested play about boxing, doesn't pull any punches.
By Kerry Reid

This week’s crossword: The Hidden Coin Trick (PDF)
By Ben Tausig