I warned one and all last week that tickets to the Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, happening this Saturday afternoon at the Alliant Energy Center, were going fast and could sell out before the doors opened. Well, it has happened. As of this writing on Wednesday afternoon, there were about 30 VIP tickets left at the online site and no regular tickets. A canvass of retail outlets turned up two available. By the time you read this, we're done.
It gratifies us, of course, but we're sorry that anyone has to be disappointed. Like diehard Packers fans, those left out can always console themselves with the thought that there's always next year. Meanwhile, staff and volunteers prepare for the biggest and best Beer & Cheese Fest yet. Any lingering questions about when and how are answered in the back-page ad of this issue.
Also in this issue is the first notice for the next special date on the Isthmus calendar, the annual printing of the Book of Love, our Valentines supplement that will appear in print on Feb. 8. As you might know by now, this is the supplement that the readers write and illustrate themselves. The text comprises the messages of affection you write to one another, the art being the pictures you include to go with them.
The instructions for getting this material to us are contained in an ad on page 11. You will notice that the deadline for getting the words and pictures to us online, via the web entry page at Isthmus.com/BookofLove (our preferred method of receiving them), is midnight on Sunday, Feb. 3. By any other means it's earlier than that. Again, read that ad or visit that website to get the details right.
Beer & Cheese, Book of Love - pretty soon we're talking Wisconsin Film Fest (supplement: March 15; event: April 11-18) and Isthmus Green Day (April 20). All of a sudden it's spring. Yay! I'll drink to that. Responsibly.
