(MONEY Magazine) – If you could sit down for a heart-to-heart with any financial pro in the world, whom would you choose? That's the premise behind one of my favorite editorial franchises at MONEY, the Ultimate Investment Club. Our fourth annual installment, which begins on page 76 of this double issue, opens with senior writer Suzanne Woolley's conversation with the consummate market guru, Abby Joseph Cohen of Goldman Sachs (who last year recommended pulling back on tech; her suggested portfolio is up 16%). The article continues with insights from market-beater Bill Miller of Legg Mason (who's outpaced the S&P 500 for 10 years in a row) and bond market genius Bill Gross (who warned us two years ago that higher interest rates would put a damper on stock prices). It also provides rare, exclusive access to Michael Price, the retired value icon who brought the Mutual Series funds to prominence, and Bill Ruane, the reclusive founder of the Sequoia fund, perhaps the best mutual fund of all time.

Taking our readers where no one else can is something we pride ourselves on, and this issue of MONEY is peppered with examples. On page 96 you will find editor-at-large Ken Kurson's profile of financial-information pioneer--and New York City mayoral candidate--Michael Bloomberg. Kurson (who joined MONEY early this year after writing for Esquire and Worth, founding Green magazine and Green.com, and publishing his own personal-finance book) has a unique vantage point from which to assess the man we've dubbed "Emperor Mike." An incisive follower of both Wall Street and New York politics, Kurson has known Bloomberg for several years. Moreover, he was recently tapped to co-write a book with outgoing New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani. For a plugged-in perspective, his article is the place to start.

On page 112, senior writer Amy Dockser Marcus offers special access of a different kind. A year ago, she treated us to a ground-breaking inside look at college admissions at the University of Virginia. This time she's convinced Union College to open its financial aid awards process to us--at a time when the face of financial aid nationwide is undergoing radical change. "Welcome to the Bazaar" is a powerful and important story that you won't find anywhere else.

There's plenty more, from Ron Insana's interview with Lucent CEO Henry Schacht (page 67) to Peter Carbonara's anointing of American Express' Ken Chenault as one of the year's best new chief executives (page 144). In all, I think it's a terrific issue. I hope you agree. Please share your thoughts and ideas at managing_editor@moneymail.com or at MONEY, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020. We're eager for the feedback. Thanks.

ROBERT SAFIAN Managing Editor