Discussing the book "From Bauhaus to our house" with the author and journalist Tom Wolfe.

Sandra Cisneros recounts the creation of her works from her new release "Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories" as well as "House on Mango Street". The following have been removed due to copyright restrictions: "Eleven", "Mexican Movies", "Eyes of Zapata", "Bien Pretty" and "One Holy Night". From "House on Mango Street" she reads "A Smart Cookie", "Hips", "My Name", and "Mi Tocayo," "Those Who Don't."

Presenting at the Picasso unveiling: dedication ceremony and comments 30th anniversary.

Hearing Chopin being played through the pipes of another apartment and a tale about a young girl who died and whose father froze her body in an ice house are among the stories in Stuart Dybek's book, "The Coast of Chicago." Dybek explained that although his stories may seem dream-like, he tries to come up up with stories from some place of reality.

Sandra Cisneros sits down with Studs Terkel and provides behind the scenes commentary on poems from her new book "My Wicked Wicked Ways." She provides an enlightening history to them. "Curtains," "Velorio," "Arturo Burro," "I Told Susan Reyna," "Traficante," "In a redneck bar down the street," The Poet Reflects on Her Solitary Fate," "His Story," "Letter to Ilona from the South of France," "New Year's Eve" have been removed due to copyright restrictions.

Author Ross Miller discusses his latest work, which centers around Chicago and the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire and its effects on rebuilding the metropolis and the advantages of gaining a new take on architecture and society.

Rose Rigsby a writer and poet is interviewed along with Betty Shifflett, who teaches fiction at Columbia College. Ms Rigsby and Ms. Shifflett talk about writing with Studs. Ms. Rigsby reads from her stories and about her time in the Sanitarium and receiving shock therapy. Several excerpts are presented from an interview with Rose Rigsby speaking about children and of taking care of them. (1925145-3-1)

When talking about his book, "Chi-Town," Norbert Blei said all the communities in Chicago offer everyone the groups' separate ethnic cultures. Blei also talks about riding the Douglass Park El and the old man sitting on a bench, who he encounters at Grant Park. Lastly, Blei talks about writers who have influenced him.

Ned Rorem discusses the differences between writing books and writing compositions, his book "The Paris Diary of Ned Rorem", and how he uses poetry in his compositions.

Discussing the book, "Eighty Years at Hull House," and interviewing the co-author, Mary Lynn McCree Bryan. Mary Lynn McCree Bryan discusses the Hull House and its founders in Chicago, Illinois. Includes two clips of Florence Scala speaking: one about nature and about a tree that was taken down at Hull House and one about Jane Addams. Includes a clip of Jessie Binford discussing Jane Addams.

Lois Wille caused an uproar with the story she wrote for the Chicago Daily News, "Inside a Slum High School." According to Wille's investigation, a lack of money, over crowding of students, lights that don't work in the school and no books were among some of the problems that Wille found at Crane High School. Students also had a pessimistic view, explained Wille, as she found students didn't believe the teachers and counselors cared what theyd do after they got out of high school but they just wanted them to get out and leave Crane.

What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

Discussing the book "The Chicagoization of America, 1893-1917" (published by Chicago Historical Bookworks) with Chicago author Kenan Heise.

Discussing the debate over the site of the new Chicago Public Library with poet Jim Fuerst and Terry Brunner, Executive Director of the Better Government Association.