What do Glenville Timberwrights, Fresh Madison Market, Happy Bambino, Madison Music Foundry, Forward Theater Company, Candinas Chocolatier, Community Pharmacy and Home Savings Bank have in common? Well, not much based on the businesses they are in, but a lot when you take into account how they conduct those businesses. And because of how they do it, they are all winners of the Isthmus Independent Business Awards - the Indies for short.
Each of these enterprises topped the list in one of the eight divisions of the Indies: Dynamic Developer, Fresh Food Friend, Market Spark, Bridge Builder, Hometown Artist, Dane and Beyond, Neighborhood Notable, and Green Angel. And in every case there are people responsible for the achievements. Just what all these titles mean and how they were fulfilled is explained in this week's cover story.
On Monday, Oct. 8, the people responsible will be honored at the third annual Indies Awards ceremony at the Goodman Community Center. The gathering begins at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are available for $25 at the Isthmus office, 101 King St., or online at IsthmusIndies.com. Manna Café will be serving heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and a special dessert is promised. The Indies are presented by Isthmus and sponsored by SupraNet in cooperation with Dane Buy Local.
If you are interested in matters gustatory, plan on attending the Isthmus Food & Wine Festival, Oct. 19 and 20 at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall. The show has been revamped from past editions and now runs for four hours each session, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Day passes and premium tickets are available now at the Isthmus office, Star Liquor and all Steve's Liquor locations. You can get more information in the ad on page 28 of this edition and at IsthmusFoodAndWine.com. A single day pass is $40. As the ad says, it's a party for your palate.
