Never better
Won’t you please come to Chicago
For the help that we can bring.
We can change the World.
—Graham Nash
Last Tuesday night will be forever known as a new beginning in Chicago history, like the morning after the Great Conflagration, though this moment washed in triumph rather than burned in tragedy. The city will never be the same, having sent one of its own to the nation in a manner that will be marked as a turning point in American history. As the city basks in this glorious moment, it has the chance, one chance, to reach for new heights, to rebuild itself anew, on top of its already mighty foundation, and to create a vision of what a new city can be.
Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot.
—Alan Jay Lerner
Our enthusiasm is inflamed not only by the new possibilities of the body politic, but also by our own current obsession, our annual Best of Chicago. Herein we celebrate much that is fine about this town of ours and, if not so fine, much that makes us what we are. Sixteen times now, we’ve journeyed thus, and still we find ourselves running out of time and space before we run out of words. And you participated as well, by casting votes in seventy-five or so categories. Your results follow our critic’s selection in each category, sometimes punctuating our choice, sometimes setting us straight. And if you still have more to say, starting this week, you’ll be able to comment directly, at our new Best of Chicago web site, found right here at best.Newcity.com. And here you are.