Isthmus encountered a milestone this week: April 9 marked the official date of our 37th anniversary of publishing. Truth be known, the first issue of Isthmus appeared on the streets on Thursday, April 8, 1976. As is still the custom, the paper hit the stands on Thursday while being dated on Friday.
There is no public celebration of the event this year. Convention holds that only anniversaries divisible by five are worthy of general commemoration. It may be a different story when we hit 40. But as consolation, there are a number of public events in the offing to which you might be attracted.
On Saturday, April 20, comes the annual eco-celebration, Isthmus Green Day, to be held once again at Monona Terrace from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event boasts free admission, courtesy of sponsor Madison Gas and Electric. Inside you will encounter more than 100 exhibitors of various sustainable products and services. There will be speakers, including Michael Brune, Sierra Club executive director; and Doug Fine, sustainability advocate and promoter of the hemp plant and its many uses. You'll learn more about this in the supplement to next week's issue of Isthmus.
We then move to our next event, which is not free but a great deal. On Friday, May 10, we will gather at Olin Park from 4 to 8 p.m. to taste the offerings of Madison's fine collection of street cart food purveyors. This will be the second annual Isthmus a la Carts, a rousing success last year and twice as big this year. For details consult isthmusalacarts.com.
We'll wrap up the Isthmus-sponsored summer events on Saturday, July 20, with the 2013 running of Paddle & Portage, the rigorous cross-isthmus ordeal that brings canoes to the Farmers' Market and beyond. Again, you'll find out what you need to know by visiting the website, paddleandportage.com.
This lineup should help you fill out your warm-weather activities card. Now all we need is the warm weather.
