Essay
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The “A” word
“I didn’t mind the checkout guy’s patter. It was rote, but not meaningless. It gave a rhythm to our interaction, moved things along.” Read more
Letter from a childless cat lady
In this month’s essay, Rebecca Jamieson declares “I’m a childless cat lady who cares about our future.” Read more
Oct 7, 2024
What’s the rush?
“Listening to slow talkers can indeed be exasperating. Fast talkers sometimes try to finish our sentences, occasionally helpful when a word is hard to recall, but also annoying.” Read more
Sep 12, 2024
There once was a tree that lived on top of the factory
“Garver Feed Mill wasn’t always a nice spot to take your family or get some work done. It was once an abandoned building, but one that teemed with life, a playground for those brave enough to enter.” Read more
Aug 7, 2024
Teacher’s lounge
“That’s when I decided that the teachers’ lounge is like a cruise ship where, once you get into international waters, you can do anything you want.” Read more
Jun 11, 2024
Climbing the rock
“Hidden from sight, I was on my own. Standing on the relatively flat base of the rock, I gazed at the ocean, the endless surge of water so lonely and awe-inspiring.” Read more
May 8, 2024
The blood-stained wedding dress
Our friends came over for a costume party — we still had a basement full of liquor from our wedding to get rid of—and we proudly showed off our costumes, including the bloodstains.’ Read more
Apr 13, 2024
8:00 AM
Walk this way
‘The isolation I’d sought near the edge of town began to feel a bit too isolating. I chafed at the need to hop in my car nearly any time I wanted to meet up with friends.’ Read more
Mar 13, 2024
8:00 AM
Anxious in the liquor store
“It wasn’t that hard, but it stopped being fun at some point. Soon I noticed the smell of wine on my mom’s breath when she would lament to me about ‘being too sick to do anything.’ I was young, not stupid.” Read more
Feb 6, 2024
8:00 AM
Warm blanket
”My presence at the desk was, in fact, both an affirmative action initiative and a desperate ploy to address dwindling enrollment.” Read more
Jan 10, 2024
8:00 AM
Tiny Tiger, big love
“When I met No. 72631, he sat on the far edge of a desk in a meeting room and stared at me. Slowly, he inched closer. Closer. I offered him Easy Cheese on the tip of my finger. It was the first time I’d felt the warm, rough tongue of a cat.” Read more
Dec 12, 2023
8:00 AM
A bowl of many parts
"At our house, my son Hollis, 10, is responsible for taking out the recycling. He’s not super into it. But when we started wondering whether we could make cool stuff out of our own plastic waste, the job got more interesting." Read more
Nov 10, 2023
8:00 AM
In the November issue
The Nonprofit Issue 2024
We have been thinking about doing a special issue on nonprofits for a couple of years now. No doubt our curiosity was sparked in part by Isthmus’ own entry into the nonprofit world. Whatever the inspiration, it has arrived. Read more
Isthmus Volunteer Guide presented by Park Bank
As a newer nonprofit ourselves, Isthmus is proud to support the volunteer-powered organizations that provide important services to our community. Isthmus is grateful to Park Bank and the other sponsors who make this guide possible. Read more
Madison is rich in nonprofit media
Public radio and public television — here and across the country — have long operated as a nonprofit, but the model is relatively new for print publications like Isthmus. Read more
UW-Madison's University Club closes to ‘reevaluate operations’
There is no estimated completion date for a study detailing the building’s financial future and long-term plans. Read more
Behind the Isthmus cover: November 2024
Elena Delzer was touched by the camaraderie she found while volunteering at a food pantry. She drew on that experience for her November cover illustration for Isthmus. Read more
