Bulls-Heat: Chicago's Loss Isn't Derrick Rose's Fault

Contrary to what Derrick Rose says, the loss doesn't fall on his shoulders. He made mistakes, but didn't get enough help from his young team, much like the Michael Jordan of old. Plus: Scottie Pippen says LeBron might be better than MJ. Heresy!

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How Did Illinois End Up With Rod Blagojevich, Anyway?

As Blago spends his second trial painting a long verbal portrait of himself as a genial fool, a look back at the question: how did this guy get to be governor?

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Five Things to Know About Smith, the New Wine Bar Coming Soon to Logan Square

On the heels of the hotelier Ian Schrager’s announcement this week that the Ambassador East Hotel, once a celebrity playground, now will be called Public, we learned that the owners of Webster’s Wine Bar and The Bluebird have chosen a name for their soon-to-open Logan Square spot, further feeding this postrecession Everyman trend: Smith...

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Illinois Statehouse Developments on Pensions, Education

While Rod Blagojevich spins long yarns about his life, important legislation is making its way out of Springfield on the big issues of the day.

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Rod Blagojevich Trial: The First Time as Tragedy, the Second Time as Farce, the Third Time as a Twitter Feed

Thanks to the magic of Twitter, Rod Blagojevich's rambling testimony can be easily digested through entertaining, 140-character dispatches from the weirder side of politics.

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On the Market

A Storied Gold Coast Townhouse

List Price: $2.34 million The Property: This four-story limestone townhouse built in the late 19th century is part of a block of nine known as the Fairbank Row Houses. They are named after Kellogg and Janet Ayer Fairbank, a high-society couple who lived in one of the homes and may have owned several of the others...

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Why ComEd's Smart Grid and Rate Hike Might Not Be a Bad Thing

ComEd just got approval to implement a rate hike that will cost customers about three bucks a month, or 36 dollars a year, in order to implement a "smart grid." No one likes paying more, and no one likes having to work to pay less, much less do math for it. But there's evidence that a smart grid, and the irritating pricing structure that accompanies it, might have broader benefits.

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Ian Schrager Gushes About the New Pump Room

Seven Questions for Ian Schrager
Schrager bought the Ambassador East Hotel and its legendary restaurant, the Pump Room, in April 2010. Yesterday, he announced his plans to reinvent the hotel as Public Chicago...

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Alan Cumming, Whales, More Beer

This Week’s Five: No exotic getaway planned this Memorial Day? No sweat. We’ve got great picks, plus a weekend agenda from the Art Institute’s design guru, Zoë Ryan

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Housing Bulletin

Chicago Association of Realtors Hands Out Good Neighbors Awards

At its 19th annual Good Neighbor Awards event last week, the Chicago Association of Realtors (CAR) recognized several real-estate agents and developers who have turned around distressed properties in neighborhoods from Lake View to West Pullman. “These are private individuals and enterprises taking it on themselves to rehabilitate these homes,” said Mabel Guzman, CAR’s president and an executive at Envision Real Estate...

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The Origins of Bob Dylan's Accent

On Robert Zimmerman's 70th birthday, an attempt to trace the origins of his singular voice. Plus: my favorite deep cuts, two of which never appeared on an album proper.

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’Stock Increase: Humboldt Park’s Rootstock Prepares to Expand

Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar, the cozy Humboldt Park spot owned by three former Webster’s Wine Bar vets and our 2010 pick for best wine bar, has gotten so popular that I now consider it a major win if I snag a stool there on a weekend—or actually any—night...

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Eco-Centric Boutique Arrives in Lincoln Park

Glamorously Green
The Green Goddess Boutique (1009 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-5600, thegreengoddessboutique.com) opened a new location in Lincoln Park last month, bringing its jewelry, accessories, clothing, and home goods closer to Chicago women...

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A Modest Theory About Oprah's Decline in Viewership

In the past decade or so, Oprah Winfrey went from being a business to a businesswoman, which may have brought her private and privacy, but also cost her the most influential part of her brand.

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Dish Flash: Ian Schrager’s Plans for the Ambassador East and the Pump Room—Public and Jean-Georges Vongerichten

No one knew exactly what to expect when Ian Schrager bought the Ambassador East hotel (1301 N. State Pkwy.), home of The Pump Room, the most famous restaurant in the city for decades. Dish got a look at the official release on the project. The hotel will be called Public, and it will emphasize service over extravagance. The restaurant will still be called The Pump Room, and, confirming the unconfirmed rumors Dish had been hearing...

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What the Joplin, Missouri, Tornado Sounded Like From Inside

In the time of stormchasers, we're pretty familiar with watching tornadoes from a distance. Less often do we get a sense of what a tornado is like from the inside. Here's a recording from inside a convenience store walk-in refrigerator as the tornado passed overhead.

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