Cover story:
Soothing escapes
Pick up your shopping list and add this item: Time for yourself. The ways to pamper yourself are countless, whether you splurge on a spa or try homemade techniques.
On the cover: Melissa Soika; Photo/C. Taylor

downtime
Worth the effort Some hikes may be tough at the Devil’s Lake trails, but they pay off.
One tank trip: Dr. Evermore's Industrial Art South of Baraboo, a former machine demolisher shows off his menagerie.
The permanent collection Local museums have some gems in their permanent collections. mke spotlights four.
Passion of the cheese A grilled cheese sandwich created quite the stir last week.
Milwaukeeans spin true tales on Fray Day It's time to get personal, folks. If you've got a juicy story, here's your chance to tell it.
Threeview: Palomino At Palomino Bar in Bay View, fried foods rule and vegans get special attention.
Budget bite: Reuben panini and chili at Metro Market Short on time or money? The new Pick 'n Save Metro Market offers a huge variety.
Meet the bartender: Alexis Perez A few years ago, Alexis Perez was out drinking with her girlfriends when she was struck by something of an epiphany.
Exposure On Thursday, Nov. 18, the holiday season got under way with the annual Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival.

how we live
Black Friday: The board game Welcome to Black Friday: The Board Game. The only game based on Nov. 26, one of the year's busiest shopping days.
Letter perfect Sending holiday cards and letters? Some common-sense guidelines can prevent stress.
Whose family do you choose? When couples try to mix holiday traditions, tinsel can fly..
A saucy setup Prepare for holiday guests by stocking the imbibing basics.
Homemade for the holidays When store-bought fare won't cut it at the party, impress the guests with these.
How I got my job: Kevin M. Lynch, Counselor at BESTD Clinic Kevin M. Lynch, 26, is an HIV counselor and president and CEO of BESTD Clinic on Brady Street. The clinic has served the gay community in Milwaukee for 30 years.
Shopping for unique gifts? Think outside the mall The thought of wading through the masses at the mall is too much to bear. Don't despair!
Ask Mom: See the turkey dinner through the table linens On hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner and going outside with wet hair.

in the know
Miller Lite sales climbing as it taps low-carb beer drinkers Boosts in Miller Lite sales have given Miller Brewing Co. a reason to share a toast.
Profile: Kurt Dyer Kurt Dyer’s outreach to gay teens started with fliers and coffee-shop gatherings.
Insure the wedding of your dreams Oops! Was that your gown that just ripped? And other reasons to consider wedding insurance.
When I was 30: Kersey blazes a new trail with Bucks Jerome Kersey, a Bucks assistant coach, recalls the year his team almost won the NBA Championship.

online exclusives
The grilled cheese experiment video When MKE staffers heard about Floridian Diana Duyser and her infamous grilled cheese sandwich that she claimed mirrored the face of the Virgin Mary, they knew an investigation was in order.
Say it ain't so MKE's Sarah Hoye blogs about the grilled cheese sold on e-Bay.
Braving the crowds MKE managing editor Joe Vince braved the post-Thanksgiving crowds on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The following are his reports from the shopping trenches.
Black Friday photo gallery MKE goes post-Thanksgiving shopping.
MKE blogs
MKE blog directory: 1000 voices