Issue of August 28, 2008

Cover Story

How Sonny Defeated the Dragon In his six-decade career, legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins has claimed many a triumph. But his greatest may have come during a quiet period in Chicago.
By Neil Tesser

Chicago Jazz Festival Our complete critical guide to the 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival, including afterfest jams around the city
By Peter Margasak, John Corbett, and Bill Meyer

Letters

"Ahmadinejad never said he wanted to wipe Israel off the map. This was a deliberate mistranslation."

Columns

The Real Action in '68 You've heard plenty lately about the action outside the '68 Democratic National Convention. How much do you know about what was going on inside?
Hot Type by Michael Miner

It's the Mayor, Stupid The city's facing a $420 million deficit, but as usual it's somebody else's fault.
The Works by Ben Joravsky

Putting the Arts Back in Education Free Street Theater's artistic director aims to start a one-room school for the tots; a new arts high school opens next fall.
The Business by Deanna Isaacs

The Straight Dope
Never mind the war on terror -- what about the war on the undead?
By Cecil Adams

Savage Love
Be careful what you wish for (on Craigslist, anyway).
By Dan Savage

Food & Drink

The Local Wiener A Vienna Beef veep publishes a tribute to the people who sell the product.
Omnivorous by Mike Sula

Plus: Hot dogs, from classic to Coney

Arts & Entertainment

Music

The Secret History of Chicago Music The Butterfield Blues Band
By Plastic Crimewave

Theater

Politics Versus Values In Gore Vidal's 1968 satire Weekend, a Republican senator faces a timeless dilemma.
By Albert Williams

Lit

Misadventures in Urban Rehabbing Ed Zotti, the longtime editor of the Straight Dope, has a new book on the house he and his wife bought to rehab in 1993. They're almost finished. Here's an excerpt.
By Barry Wightman

Ink Well

This week’s crossword: Dropping E (PDF)
By Ben Tausig