Did You Read About Joann Thompson Don Thompson And Timbuktu

• A scene from Timbuktu, Mauritania’s first Oscar-nominated film

Reader staffers share stories that fascinate, alarm, amuse, or inspire us.

• The letter from 15 artists—including Anish Kapoor of Chicago Bean fame—protesting Cuba’s treatment of fellow artist and activist Tania Bruguera? —Tony Adler

• About another vision of the American Dream, straight out of Englewood? —Qudsiya Siddiqui