Had a marvelous birthday party event today for my son atSoccer Heaven and Sports Center, N218 Stoney Brook Road, Appleton (920-830-3907), a little north of Calumet Road, just west of Highway 441 on the east side of town. A group of 14 teenagers enjoyed indoor soccer on a small field, and then later had a wild game of dodge ball on their new dodge ball court. Just $6 per person for the event - not bad at all. We had a room also where we could enjoy the ice cream cake that we brought (except for cake and ice cream, carry-ins aren't allowed - they sell pizza, soda, and other snacks there).

Soccer Heaven has a large indoor tennis court and a couple of smaller courts, in addition to the dodge ball field. I met the owner, Pete, and learned of their interest in adding more dodge ball teams to their roster. A lot of healthy fun.

If you go, let them know Jeff sent you!

Last night's Christmas Parade was another big success. As a bonus, it was a little warmer than normal. As a double bonus, it was actually toasty warm for me, privileged to watch it with my friends at Weidert Group, the outstanding marketing strategy and communications firm in downtown Appleton, just above the Copper Rock Cafe, offering a delightful second-story of the parade above the crowds and above the chill. What made the parade even hotter still was everyone's favorite float, the flame-spewing heart-and-body warming full-throttle display of Fox Valley Ballooning, the club of hot-air balloon enthusiasts that float all over the state and beyond. They have combined several of their flaming hot-air generators for a real crowd pleaser. (Click to enlarge.)



For additional photos from other Appleton Christmas Parades, see my Appleton blog, my 2005 Christmas parade gallery, and 2005 Christmas parade gallery.

Tonight is the 38th Annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. It begins at 6:20 PM on the corner of College Avenue and State St., and continues east through the heart of Appleton on College Avenue. "Christmas Dreams" is the theme. This is the nation's biggest Christmas Parade - as if thousands of other communities enjoy lining up in icy weather to watch high school marching bands and hundreds of other people freeze. But I love it! Look for me there tonight among the throngs. I'll be the tall guy shivering.

I've got a gallery of photos from the 2005 parade. I've got more from last year, too, that I'll be adding shortly. Hope to get a few tonight as well.

Be there or be warm!

Took my son to Gyros Kabob in their new digs on College Avenue. Wow - what a classy interior compared to the little dive they were in before. Very nice place. Food seems even better. Delicious gyros and other items. Great place for an inexpensive meal with a Greek touch.

205 W College Ave., Appleton, WI. Phone: (920) 830-9355.

I like the one in downtown Neenah also - but the Appleton location is especially nice, and that's where you'll meet the man behind the kabob, the impeccable and friendly owner.

Friend of mine in Madison is looking for mechanical engineers. Here's the posting. If you're interested, send email to jlindsay at innovationedge d0t com and I'll get you in touch with the right person.

We have 2 mechanical engineer positions open in Madison WI for people w/the following experience. If you know of someone out of work who might meet the qualifications.


IMMEDIATE NEED for a Mechanical Engineer to work for a global provider of fuel handling components in Madison, WI. The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) and at least 5 years experience designing products for the petroleum fueling industry. Experience developing solid models in Pro-E is preferred.

Responsibilities:
● Primary focus will be the development of products for gasoline service stations.
● Certification coordination with various compliance agencies
● Product testing for design, validation and certification
● Product enhancements and value improvements
● Documentation and multiple project coordination of the above including test procedures, test supervision, data analysis, and test reports consistent with ISO Quality standards

Requirements:
● Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
● 5+ years of professional experience developing products for the petroleum fueling industry
● Demonstrated technical skills and ability to lead key projects to achieve business goals and objectives
● Energetic, motivated individual with a desire to succeed
● Solid modeling CAD experience (Pro-E)

A few weeks ago one of my sons went to a new place in Appleton, Sports Clips, to get a hair cut and was happy with their work. Then last week, to my delight, the kind owner of Sports Clips and a reader of this blog sent me a few coupons for free haircuts - his way of saying thanks for the info I try to provide here and on my Appleton pages. So today, another son of mine took advantage of the gift and got a hair cut there.

My sons like the business model: men (boys, too) get to watch sports while getting their hair cut (or while waiting, if that happens). My youngest son who went today told me that the people there are really nice. Just show up - it's walk-ins only.

Sports Clips Haircuts has two locations in the Fox Cities, Appleton and Oshkosh.

Appleton location:
Fox River Mall area (just north of the mall in the strip that has Q'Doba, south of Wisconsin Avenue and north of Macy's)
4343 West Wisconsin Ave.
Appleton,WI 54913
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 9:30am-8pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm
Telephone: 920-830-3505

Oshkosh location:
Buffalo Wild
536 South Koeller Street
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Hours of operation:
Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
Telephone: 920-385-0368

Arthur Bay Cheese Company is the newest cheese outlet in town and perhaps the best place to shop for great Wisconsin cheese outside of Simon's Cheese out in Little Chute. They feature a wide variety of high-end Wisconsin cheeses such as the artisan cheeses of Carr Valley Cheese. Carr Valley Cheese is one of the state's finest cheese producers and a consistent winner in national contests. A few years ago we even planned a family vacation around a visit to their cheese factory in LaValle, Wisconsin, where I was introduced to the fabulous flavor of Grand Canabria cheese. You can find that at Arthur Bay Cheese Company along with several other variety from Carr.

Some of the high-end cheese are expensive ($13 to $20 a pound), but they also have some great buys, like Provolone for $2.99 a pound and a 5-year cheddar for $4.99 - an amazing price.

Arthur Bay Cheese Company is in the south side of town at 237 East Calumet St., Appleton, in the building that used to house Manderfield's Bakery. The tradition of delicious treasures at that location lives on.

Phone: 920-733-1556.