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Our Blog, Etc.
Posted by Lynn Peters on 7/3/08 |
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 If you read our blog regularly, you probably understand that it’s Convention & Visitors Bureau staff members writing about things they like in the Fox Cities. I admit that these aren’t exactly critiques, because we never slam a business or event. Instead we share with you things we’ve experienced and liked. No one asks us to write about their business, museum or event. No one pays to be included. It's just real people writing about stuff they like. If you want to know more about the things we mention here, just give us a call (1-800-236-6673) or stop at our Visitor Center (3433 W. College Ave., Appleton).
And before I quit for the day, I just have to tell you that this is the perfect time for a stroll across the Fox Cities Trestle Bridge. If you haven’t done it, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. You’ll find yourself right down on the water and there’s usually a nice little breeze. Last week when my friend Jean and I walked the bridge (1/3 of a mile long) we saw several beautiful white pelicans. From the east end of the bridge you can easily stroll into downtown Menasha. From the west end you can continue along the Friendship Trail for miles!
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Ult(r)a
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/30/08 |
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I was at the Fox River Mall on Friday and decided it was time to check out Ulta, the new store located near the mall’s front door. (To those of you who are familiar with the mall, this is where Pier One was located for many years.)
Oh . . . my . . . gosh. Ulta has so many cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, hair products, lotions and potions that I was practically overwhelmed. I felt a sudden need to to spritz myself with every scent, paint my toenails with lime green polish and a spray my hair to make it shiny.
I settled for buying a few bottles of a favorite shampoo that I’ve been having trouble finding elsewhere, and Ulta’s price made me pretty happy. Had I checked out the Ulta website, (www.ulta.com) I’d have been able to print out an in-store coupon too!
There are only two Ulta’s in Wisconsin – one in the Milwaukee area and this one at the Fox River Mall.
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Music at Houdini Plaza
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/27/08 |
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Here’s something I love: lounging in a lawn chair, soft drink (or maybe a beer) in hand, listening to live music. There are several great places to do exactly that, but I’m particularly fond of the summer concert series at Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton. It begins July 10 and runs from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. every Thursday ‘til the end of July.
If you read our little Fox Cities blog very often, you may have gotten the drift that I like reasonably priced entertainment. So these concerts are high on the top of my list – they’re free! Here's the 2008 schedule of bands.
July 10: Greg Waters & the Broad Street Boogie
July 17: Unity the Band
July 24: Copper Box
July 31: Nashville Pipeline
Aug. 7: RPM
Aug. 14: Grand Union
Aug. 21: Boogie and the Yo-Yoz
Aug. 28: Vic Ferrari
You can get more info at www.appletondowntown.org.
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Spa BenMarNico's
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/20/08 |
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Earlier this week a friend asked me to suggest a spa in the Fox Cities. I gave her several possibilities and she selected Spa BenMarNico’s in downtown Appleton. She emailed me today and here’s what she had to say.
“Thank you - the spa you recommended, Spa BenMarNico's, was amazing! The prices were very reasonable, the atmosphere was great and they were very accommodating. They have about 7 rooms for massages and 3 of them are double rooms. I would recommend it to anyone.”
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Sisterhood of the Orange Jeans
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/9/08 |
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My friend Rod recently asked me why the three women on the front of the Fox Cities Visitor Guide were all wearing orange pants. There are several answers:
1. When the Fox Cities CVB first adopted "Wisconsin's Shopping Place" as its slogan, our ad featured a woman in orange pants. You'll see her on the opening page of this website, wearing vivid orange jeans and carrying several shopping bags. We came to love those pants, and decided to use them in future ads as well as in the Visitor Guide.
2. There's a certain craziness that happens when women have a couple of days to spend with old friends. There are actually several groups of women who make an annual pilgrimage to the Fox River Mall, and they wear matching "shopping costumes." I'm not making this up! They don't care what people think; they just want to laugh and have fun together and, of course, shop. Like the women on the Visitor Guide, they're creating a shared experience, a story that they'll tell time and time again as the years go by.
3. We've actually gotten phone calls from people who've seen our ads, asking where to buy the orange jeans. So we're not the only ones who think they're fun and cool. |
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Visitor Center A Great Resource
Posted by Lynn Peters on 6/5/08 |
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| If you're from the Fox Cities, it probably hasn't occurred to you to stop at the Visitor Center. After all, you're not a visitor and you know your way around . . . or do you? I'm willing to bet that you'll find lots of new things to do, in the Fox Cities as well as nearby Green Bay, Manitowoc, Oshkosh and all around the state. The Visitor Center, located at 3433 W. College Avenue in Appleton, is the only place in town to get Department of Tourism publications, state maps and visitor guides from many Wisconsin Communities. It's free and open 7 days a week, and we've got a friendly staff member waiting to help you! |
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Fox Cities Online
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/27/08 |
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Looking for info about the Fox Cities? Of course I think our website, the one you're on, is the best. But it's entirely possible that you're looking for something other than what we offer. If so, I wholeheartedly recommend a quick stop at www.focol.org.
Pronounced "foe-kul," this website will give you links to virtually every Fox Cities website available. Updated regularly, it'll connect you to businesses, schools, governmental agencies, and non-profits. It's searchable in a variety of ways, and if you don't know what you want you can scroll through the whole darn list of websites. Check it out! |
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Play Ball!
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/21/08 |
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Are you a baseball enthusiast? Then the upcoming Memorial Day weekend holds some great stuff for you. First, the NCAA Division III Baseball Championships will be played at Fox Cities Stadium. This is great college baseball in a beautiful stadium. With a bit of popcorn, some nachos and a soft drink, as well as the wonderful weather we’re anticipating and you’ll have a great day. You’ll find details by clicking here.
Add to that a quick stop at the Appleton Art Center for an exhibition called “The Art of the Diamond,” a baseball-inspired art show, and you’ll have kicked off your summer in all-American style. Check out www.appletonartcenter.org for more info.
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My New Favorite Hole-in-the-Wall
Posted by Lynn Peters on 5/15/08 |
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I love finding a new little "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant. You know what I'm talking about - those places that don't look like much from the outside, but have good food and great prices. On Monday I met some friends at the Solea Mexican Grill, located at 705 Appleton Street in Menasha. The parking lot is the size of a postage stamp and the restaurant isn't a whole lot bigger, but it was busy, busy, busy!
The prices are good. A generously sized meal can be had for around $10. You'll find all the standard Mexican fare, as well as a few unusual things like a burrito with "Pipian sauce." (I had it but still can't tell you exactly what it is.) The staff is friendly and our service was speedy. You can see the whole menu and learn more at www.soleamexicangrill.com. |
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Cannova's
Posted by Pam Seidl on 5/13/08 |
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 IMHO Downtown Neenah has a few of the Fox Cities dining scene's best kept secrets. Cannova's is one of them. Billed as a "pizzaria", this place is so much nicer than the name implies. The big old wood bar and original tin ceiling add to the wonderful warm ambiance. The speciality is rustic traditional Italian pizzas. My favorite is the Bianca: mozzarella, bazil, olive oil and tomatoes. Why mess with perfection?
Cannova's is one of those rare places where you can go and have a nice quiet dinner for two or bring the family --- and either way you'll have a wonderful experience. Aside from pizza, they feature traditional pastas and nightly specials. The pork loin and sea bass were both wonderful.
Friday and Saturday nights you might catch some live piano music...one of my favorite things to enjoy with a glass of wine after dinner.
While it may be a Fox Cities best kept secret, Cannova's is no secret with the Neenah locals, so you may face a wait on busy evenings. It's worth it. |
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