What can you find in this week's Isthmus? Highlights from the latest issue follow:
- Giving: Marcelle Richards has hints on keeping a holiday gathering manageable, Sari Judge reports on families where Christmas and other traditions are blended, Linda Falkenstein differentiates food magazines with an eye to gifting the foodie in your life, Jay Rath researches how some of the area's early inhabitants may have celebrated Thanksgiving, Mrs. Gift solves readers' festivity frustrations, plus the United Way's annual holiday Wish List for local nonprofits and a holiday events calendar.
- Dave Cieslewicz investigates how little the state is doing to stem chronic wasting disease.
- Joe Tarr finds that Gov. Scott Walker is still dragging his feet on implementing Obamacare.
- Joe Tarr talks to county board candidate Mary Kolar, and reports that work is proceeding on Block 100 redevelopment.
- Joe Tarr reports that the county board approves a permanent day shelter for homeless.
- Marc Eisen reports on efforts by Sector67 to find a new home.
- Marc Eisen thinks Wisconsin Dems need a business-friendly progressive like former governor Pat Lucey.
- James Kreul explains why some movies never make it to Madison -- and why others only stick around for a day.
- John W. Barker is impressed by the student performances in University Opera's production of Medea.
- Jennifer A. Smith says Jersey Boys at Overture is heavy on vocal talent but light on character development.
- Scott Gordon examines how the Baldwin Street shooting has affected the local music community.
- Ben Munson checks in with local rockers the Bin Men, set to release their first EP
- Scott Gordon asks Pinback about their new album in advance of their show at the High Noon.
- Dean Robbins calls HBO's Crossfire Hurricane "a worthy 50th-anniversary documentary" about the Rolling Stones.
- Scott Renshaw says Daniel Day-Lewis makes a spectacular Honest Abe in Steven Spielberg's new drama Lincoln, and Marjorie Baumgarten ponders The Sessions, a film about a disabled man and his sex surrogate that's based on a book from UW Press.
- Linda Falkenstein imagines a quick trip to Paris at Chez Nanou.
- André Darlington picks amenable wines for the Thanksgiving celebration.
- Tell All reflects on the big electoral win for gays.
- Jason Joyce considers the football Badgers' achievements so far this season.
