crain’s chicago business

‘The dirty little secret in health care is that everybody’s flying blind’

Crain’s Chicago Business, October 5, 2017 — As Dan Michelson sees it, few hospital executives know how much medical procedures actually cost. “The dirty little secret in health care is that everybody’s flying blind,” says Michelson, CEO of Strata Decision Technology. He has a tool that is giving more and more of them clearer vision—a… Continue reading ‘The dirty little secret in health care is that everybody’s flying blind’

2017 fall culture preview

Crain’s Chicago Business, August 26, 2017 — Read my story on “How to navigate the season’s big cultural fests” and my recommendations for the season’s concerts. Photo: Robert Loerzel

2017 summer culture preview

Crain’s Chicago Business, May 6, 2017 — Read my previews of Lollapalooza and Pitchfork; outdoor summer concerts; and recommended indoor concerts.

In a divided Chicago, one thing we all agree on: A damn fine flag

Crain’s Chicago Business, April 4, 2017 — Can a flag improve your life? If your city just happens to have a municipal flag with a cool, eye-catching design that everyone seems to like, will that somehow make your city a better place to live? … Read the rest of my op-ed at Crain’s Chicago Business.

2016 Winter Culture Guide

Crain’s Chicago Business, November 7, 2016 — Read about “The 52 Must-Do Events in Chicago This Season,” including my previews of the Tatsu Aoki, Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith, the Chicago Podcast Festival and Henry Darger exhibits.

Angel Olsen album review

Crain’s Chicago Business, August 29, 2016 — Read my review of Angel Olsen’s album My Woman in Crain’s Fall Culture Guide.

A startup’s helpful and nonpartisan voters guide

Crain’s Chicago Business, July 28, 2016 — Alex Niemczewski felt ready when she stepped into the voting booth in 2012. But when she looked over the ballot, which stretched from president down to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago board, she realized she wasn’t nearly as well-informed as she’d thought. Read the rest of… Continue reading A startup’s helpful and nonpartisan voters guide

New in Chicago: December 2015

New in Chicago columns from December 2015 at Crain’s Chicago Business: Affordable helicopter rides, a new kind of scooter and more Max Temkin’s latest: A game with a fascist focus This self-cleaning fishbowl is perfect for lazy pet owners Introducing GoBQ, the portable grill that fits inside your backpack

Can this pepper-spray gun replace a lethal weapon?

Crain’s Chicago Business, December 3, 2015 — Two Humboldt Park men have created Salt, an air-powered gun that they call a ‘safe alternative’ to traditional weaponry. Read the story.

New in Chicago: November 2015

New in Chicago columns from November 2015 at Crain’s Chicago Business: Gypsy jazz?! A first look at the new project from the creator of EveryBlock Electronic gift cards, Moto Shop in Block 37 and more that’s new This architect aims to bridge the gap between startup and storefront