What can you find in this week's Isthmus? Highlights from the latest issue follow:
- Bill Lueders takes stock of the food visionary Michael Pollan, who is visiting Madison next week.
- Madison.gov: Madison bars are resisting fire department demands for floor plans.
- Jill Carlson reports that umbrella fundraisers are bracing for leaner times.
- Joe Tarr talks to a doctor who's mad as hell and not going to take this anymore.
- Ruth Conniff says health care reformers have their work cut out for them.
- Susan Kepecs previews the best of what's to come in the Overture Center and Wisconsin Union Theater 2009-10 season.
- Jay Rath reports that UW is training artists to be smart in business.
- Bruce Bradley deems Jacquelyn Mitchard's new novel a mixed bag.
- Rich Albertoni says this weekend's big Forward Music Festival is focusing on showcases of similar acts.
- Jessica Steinhoff interviews The Soft Pack about their new name and who they'd like to share the stage with.
- Dean Robbins says The Good Wife is a solid drama on CBS.
- Kenneth Burns is moved by the poignant heavy metal documentary Anvil!, and Steven Soderbergh returns to audience-friendly fare with The Informant!
- Raphael Kadushin visits the historic Wonder Bar in its reincarnation as a steak house.
- Erin Hanusa discovers the secret behind magic coffee.
- Abode: Linda Falkenstein and Josh Wimmer report on home improvement projects 'n stuff.
- Close to Home: The race for cake at Orton Park.
- Tell All looks for signs of Madison in Lorrie Moore's latest.