Welcome to the fifth issue of what seems like The Endless January of 2010. It hasn't been particularly brutal, as this perennially frigid month goes. We've certainly experienced colder and snowier ones, but this one seems to me to have gone on an inordinately long time. If you're feeling the way I do, let me bring you the good news - it's almost over, and a reward lies at the end.
The reward is the Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, taking place the penultimate day of the month (Jan. 30) at the Alliant Energy Center from 1 to 5 p.m. This first-ever event will feature some of the finest of Wisconsin's treasures - our beers and cheeses, showing a wide array of styles and tastes and the genius of our state's dairies and craft brewers.
I am not unaware that opposite this column is a full-page ad for the event. Peruse it for more information, such as the fact that there will be at least 80 styles of beer and 80 styles of cheese, and the fact that you can get a free cab ride to the festival and a discounted ride home. You can get even more details and exhibitor info online at TheDailyPage.com/beercheese. Tickets are $40 if you act before the event.
In another end-of-January heads-up, it's time to start sending in your valentines for The Book of Love, our annual Valentine's Day supplement, which will appear Feb. 11. We'll print your love notes gratis in the book, and possibly your love-inspired photo too. We'll even entertain your love-themed video. (These will appear on the website, of course.)
To do your Valentine's thing, go to TheDailyPage.com and click on the Valentine's Day box in the upper right. That will take you to the page to enter your love note, photo or whatever. If you want to send in your message by snail mail, the address is: Isthmus Book of Love, 101 King St., Madison, WI 53703.
Beer & Cheese Fest, Book of Love; before you know it, it's time for golf.
