Jeff Lindsay is an author of Conquering Innovation Fatigue. See InnovationFatigue.com for more info.
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Views from Octoberfest - Perhaps the Best Ever!
Octoberfest in Appleton on Sept. 26, 2009 may have been the best ever. I can say that the demand for Tiger Paws was higher than ever, and in spite of the thousands that were produced with the highly innovative supply chain and production models of the Tiger Paws fund-raising group (youth groups for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, earning money to help young people go to Scout camp and girls camp), our team could have sold three times as many if we could have increased production that much. There were often long lines waiting patiently for their Tiger Paws treat, a genuine tradition for many Octoberfest fans.
Over 100,000 people crowded the long stretch of College Avenue for what is probably the nation's best and most popular Octoberfest celebration - the biggest of the many classy parties that my little party town enjoys. Here are some photos I took before and after my shift making Tiger Paws. Can you guess which Tiger Paws maker is my son, Mark Lindsay?
Over 100,000 people crowded the long stretch of College Avenue for what is probably the nation's best and most popular Octoberfest celebration - the biggest of the many classy parties that my little party town enjoys. Here are some photos I took before and after my shift making Tiger Paws. Can you guess which Tiger Paws maker is my son, Mark Lindsay?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
History Buff? Check Out the "Appleton History Club 1857"--and Explore the Mystery Around Appleton's First Mayor
I'm impressed with the work of one of the Fox Valley's local historian, Chad Wolf, who has just launched a new website with historical information about Appleton. The site is AppletonHistoryClub1857.com. There is a great collection of links to information sites and photos, and some interesting tidbits such as photographic evidence from 1881 that Appleton's Waverly Masonic Lodge was probably the first Masonic Lodge in the world with electric light. (Chad writes that this "makes sense, since almost every individual involved in the purchase of the hydro-electric patent in Appleton were members of the lodge.")
One of the most intriguing gems in this site is a document providing Chad's original research into an intriguing mystery regarding the first Mayor of Appleton, Amos Story (link is to a Word document). Is it possible that the mysterious Amos Story was actually the former Supreme Court Justice, Judge Joseph Story? If so, this is a remarkable finding and an amazing story. Look at the evidence, then let me know what you think. I would love for this to be true - which makes it difficult to be unbiased. So help me out.
Thanks, Chad, for an important contribution to the Fox Valley!
One of the most intriguing gems in this site is a document providing Chad's original research into an intriguing mystery regarding the first Mayor of Appleton, Amos Story (link is to a Word document). Is it possible that the mysterious Amos Story was actually the former Supreme Court Justice, Judge Joseph Story? If so, this is a remarkable finding and an amazing story. Look at the evidence, then let me know what you think. I would love for this to be true - which makes it difficult to be unbiased. So help me out.
Thanks, Chad, for an important contribution to the Fox Valley!
Wild Truffle Pizzeria: Great Pizza and Pasta
My wife and I stopped at Wild Truffle Wood-Fired Pizzeria and Italian Bistro last Friday night. Since it's a new place in a remote east-side location, we figured it wouldn't be very crowded. Wrong! The word is out that this place has terrific food. At 7 pm, already on the late side for Appleton dining, we were told the wait would be 45 minutes. Was packed inside with a healthy group seated or standing outside. Nice! But we didn't have that kind of time, so we went to the fast and inexpensive Q'Doba instead just north of the Fox River Mall, near Noodles. Yes, I am not ashamed to say I like Q'Doba (love their pesto sauce in burritos).
I got back to Wild Truffle yesterday when I went to lunch with a local education guru. I was hoping for some kind of lunch menu, but it's the same menu as dinner, which means lunch was a but pricey - but really delicious. We tried a pizza and a pasta dish. The pizza turned out to be large enough that two could share and be OK, if not really hungry. I ordered the Wild Truffle pizza which has crimini mushrooms (wonderfully sauteed in butter), great cheese, and a little truffle oil. Very nice flavor. The crust is spectacular - something they spent weeks developing, using a mix of imported Italian flours. Very flavorful and bubbly, not thin but not too thick. Baked to perfection. They've really got the pizza making done to an art.
As for those crimini mushrooms, these might be brown Italian mushrooms or baby portobellos, but "crimini" is one of many names for common mushrooms. Wherever they came from, they were terrific. If you find out more, let me know!
The pasta was excellent. We ordered the Sweet Italian Sausage Penne, a rich, flavorful dish with finely diced tomatoes, herbs, and Italian sausage over penne (penne rigati, as I recall). Done well, but not as delightful as the pizza.
Service was excellent. The decor is very pleasant and open. Not overloaded with noise. Great place for most any occasion. But for lunch, it was a bit pricey. Just the pizza and paste (no drinks or desert) with tax and tip came to $36 and change. No problem when it's evening--I just hope they'll add some lunch specials.
Is it the best pizza in the Valley? I've heard some enthusiastic comments about this place. It just may be. What do you think?
Wild Truffle Pizzeria appears to be one of a kind - not part of a standardized chain. That may increase the risks and the learning curve, but they appear to be pretty far advanced. I wish them success!
Wild Truffle is at 5120 W. Michaels Drive, Appleton. A map is at the bottom of their home page, but it's off of McCarthy Road, which is the first street west of Casoloma if you're on College Avenue. Head north on McCarthy from College (or south from Wisconsin) and you'll see Wild Truffle in a little strip mall on the east side of the road. Turn onto Michaels Drive and you're there.
Phone: 920.733.3330. You can call to make reservations--an especially good idea if you're going on a Friday evening.
I got back to Wild Truffle yesterday when I went to lunch with a local education guru. I was hoping for some kind of lunch menu, but it's the same menu as dinner, which means lunch was a but pricey - but really delicious. We tried a pizza and a pasta dish. The pizza turned out to be large enough that two could share and be OK, if not really hungry. I ordered the Wild Truffle pizza which has crimini mushrooms (wonderfully sauteed in butter), great cheese, and a little truffle oil. Very nice flavor. The crust is spectacular - something they spent weeks developing, using a mix of imported Italian flours. Very flavorful and bubbly, not thin but not too thick. Baked to perfection. They've really got the pizza making done to an art.
As for those crimini mushrooms, these might be brown Italian mushrooms or baby portobellos, but "crimini" is one of many names for common mushrooms. Wherever they came from, they were terrific. If you find out more, let me know!
The pasta was excellent. We ordered the Sweet Italian Sausage Penne, a rich, flavorful dish with finely diced tomatoes, herbs, and Italian sausage over penne (penne rigati, as I recall). Done well, but not as delightful as the pizza.
Service was excellent. The decor is very pleasant and open. Not overloaded with noise. Great place for most any occasion. But for lunch, it was a bit pricey. Just the pizza and paste (no drinks or desert) with tax and tip came to $36 and change. No problem when it's evening--I just hope they'll add some lunch specials.
Is it the best pizza in the Valley? I've heard some enthusiastic comments about this place. It just may be. What do you think?
Wild Truffle Pizzeria appears to be one of a kind - not part of a standardized chain. That may increase the risks and the learning curve, but they appear to be pretty far advanced. I wish them success!
Wild Truffle is at 5120 W. Michaels Drive, Appleton. A map is at the bottom of their home page, but it's off of McCarthy Road, which is the first street west of Casoloma if you're on College Avenue. Head north on McCarthy from College (or south from Wisconsin) and you'll see Wild Truffle in a little strip mall on the east side of the road. Turn onto Michaels Drive and you're there.
Phone: 920.733.3330. You can call to make reservations--an especially good idea if you're going on a Friday evening.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Inspiring Local Business: Mind and Body Products, LLC
An interesting local story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and pro-active health care comes from Appleton resident Mar Bentley, owner and founder of Mind and Body Products. While I've been acquainted with the Bentleys for a while, I didn't realize that Mar had launched a business until I ran into her booth a couple months ago during Appleton's famous Saturday morning farmers market. Even that didn't really perk my interest until I went by in September with my wife and tried out some of their products. I was delighted and impressed to learn that the personal care products they sell (body scrubs, bath salts, facial care products, beauty products, and more - they even have a natural diaper ointment) are made right here in Appleton and are natural and hypoallergenic. The products can be ordered online, purchased at the farmers market or Octoberfest this Saturday, and can be found in a couple of local stores. With luck, they will soon be offered in many other locations.
I inquired further and just learned that their story began with a serious neurological disorder faced by one of their daughters that involved seizures, as mentioned on their "About Us" page. The neurological specialist they went to in Green Bay proclaimed that the disorder was permanent and that the child would face a terribly diminished life with serious learning disorders and other severe disabilities. In addition, she would have to take strong medications with serious side effects that would further harm the quality of her life. The family refused to accept the gloomy decree of the expert and began their own proactive search for answers.
They received assistance from a natural therapist. Suspecting that unhealthy chemical might be playing a role, they changed their lifestyle to reduce artificial chemicals in their diet, and began making their own pure soap out of glycerin. They developed expertise in making a variety of natural products without artificial chemicals, and found that their child began making progress. A number of months later, the "permanent" affliction has been overcome and the gloomy forecast of the medical expert has been completely rebutted. Tonight I met that daughter (and the rest of the family) and found her to be one of the brightest and most charming young people I've met with a limitless future before her. Thank goodness her parents didn't give up!
With all they learned about making natural, healthy products for their use, they decided to make some of their products available for others. Thus, Mind and Body Products, LLC was launched. I hope they do well. If you own a spa or retail store, consider adding these products to your line!
I purchased a couple of their products and like them. I didn't realize that such pleasant products could be formulated without all the usual artificial ingredients I'm used to seeing in personal care products. (I'm a chemical engineer and pay attention to the many chemicals in consumer products. A mind-numbing activity!)
Mar Bentley's Mind and Body Products will be on College Avenue during Octoberfest this Saturday, Her booth will be near the Two Paws Up Bakery next to Avenue Jewelers on the south side of College Avenue (around 300 East College Avenue). Try out some of their salt scrubs, buy some products for your own use and for gifts, and be sure to say that Jeff sent you!
(I have no financial interest in this venture, but I do like the story, the people, and the products.)
Here are photos from the Mind and Body booth at the farmers market. My wife is rinsing her hands in between trying different salt scrubs.
I inquired further and just learned that their story began with a serious neurological disorder faced by one of their daughters that involved seizures, as mentioned on their "About Us" page. The neurological specialist they went to in Green Bay proclaimed that the disorder was permanent and that the child would face a terribly diminished life with serious learning disorders and other severe disabilities. In addition, she would have to take strong medications with serious side effects that would further harm the quality of her life. The family refused to accept the gloomy decree of the expert and began their own proactive search for answers.
They received assistance from a natural therapist. Suspecting that unhealthy chemical might be playing a role, they changed their lifestyle to reduce artificial chemicals in their diet, and began making their own pure soap out of glycerin. They developed expertise in making a variety of natural products without artificial chemicals, and found that their child began making progress. A number of months later, the "permanent" affliction has been overcome and the gloomy forecast of the medical expert has been completely rebutted. Tonight I met that daughter (and the rest of the family) and found her to be one of the brightest and most charming young people I've met with a limitless future before her. Thank goodness her parents didn't give up!
With all they learned about making natural, healthy products for their use, they decided to make some of their products available for others. Thus, Mind and Body Products, LLC was launched. I hope they do well. If you own a spa or retail store, consider adding these products to your line!
I purchased a couple of their products and like them. I didn't realize that such pleasant products could be formulated without all the usual artificial ingredients I'm used to seeing in personal care products. (I'm a chemical engineer and pay attention to the many chemicals in consumer products. A mind-numbing activity!)
Mar Bentley's Mind and Body Products will be on College Avenue during Octoberfest this Saturday, Her booth will be near the Two Paws Up Bakery next to Avenue Jewelers on the south side of College Avenue (around 300 East College Avenue). Try out some of their salt scrubs, buy some products for your own use and for gifts, and be sure to say that Jeff sent you!
(I have no financial interest in this venture, but I do like the story, the people, and the products.)
Here are photos from the Mind and Body booth at the farmers market. My wife is rinsing her hands in between trying different salt scrubs.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Octoberfest, Sept. 25-26: Another Reason Why Appleton Is a Total Party Town (in a Wholesome Way)
Appleton is a total party town, with fun, wholesome parties all the time. Things like Art in the Park, free music parties downtown on Thursday night in the summer, our giant Farmers Market every summer Saturday morning, our amazing parades, and dozens of other events. The Fox Cities are far more lively and social than others might imagine. There just seems to be a lot of great public events going on all the time - truly a party town in the best way. One of our famous mega-parties is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 25. A party that brings in people from all over the State and even from all over the Midwest. A town of about 80,000 will just about double in size as over 100,000 flock to Appleton's famous Octoberfest. I hope you'll be there, too! Look for me in a fund-raising booth selling the official treat of Octoberfest, Tiger Paws! Those succulent flat donut-like delights sprinkled with 100% trans-fat free (in fact, fat free!) sugar and cinnamon, cooked to perfection in 100% sugar-free hot oil. Mmmm, talk about dietary wisdom!
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Authentic Southeast Asian Food: Inexpensive and Fun at Pooh Saan
If you like Pad Thai noobles, Vietnamese Pho soups, or other southeast Asian specialties, or want the best bubble tea around (a.k.a. pearl tea or Boba tea), you should consider my exciting new find, Pooh Saan. It's a small, inexpensive cafe/restaurant at the intersection of Richmond St. and Northland Avenue (621 W, Northland Ave., Appleton), just behind (directly south of) Fazoli's on the southeast corner of the intersection. It has cheap tables and chairs and is pretty small inside, so you're not going there for the ambiance, but for the exotic and inexpensive food.
I tried the "exotic" version of Pho soup and really enjoyed it, though that version will be very foreign to many American palettes (the "classic" version might be safer). It's related to the Hmong "fawm" noodle soup dish with broth, noodles, meatballs, veggies, and especially fresh basil leaves. The species of basil they use is terrific - loaded with rich, aromatic flavor. Wow! I also had some of my wife's beef "laab" dish, with very spicy beef. My favorite part of that was the exotic purple rice that comes with it. I've made purple rice before and consider it a true delicacy. Comes from an unusual species of rice and takes a lot of time to prepare. Yum.
The eggrolls were some of the best you'll find. Completely fresh and tasty.
I think my favorite part of the visit was the "Boba Tea" (pearl tea or bubble tea - the Asian specialty that is like a smoothie or shake with large pearls of tapioca in the bottom, served with an extra wide straw that lets you suck them up if you want). The pearls were much better than in the last bubble teas I tried in China Town of Chicago. I mentioned that to the owner and he said the difference is that he makes them fresh twice a day, once for lunch and then again for dinner, avoiding the stale, beanlike quality that can be found when the pearls aren't fresh. Nice.
You can get excellent entrees for $7.95, and the pearl tea is $3.95.
I've noticed that the more authentic southeast Asian restaurants in the U.S. often have names that don't seem to have been carefully crafted with the help of American focus groups. Thus, my favorite Thai restaurant in Atlanta was Phuket Thai - please be careful how you pronounce that in public. One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in the Fox Valley is Poo Dong, and now we have the highly authentic Pooh Saan. If that's your first stop for the evening, maybe you could consider a version of the old Abbot and Costello gag, "Who's On First?" but with "Pooh Saan First." But gags or not, you should give them a try.
I recently made friends with the very sharp and intelligent owner, a young man who grew up in the area but has roots in Laos. He and his wife run Pooh Saan. Be sure to say hello from Jeff if you go, and let me know what you experience.
I tried the "exotic" version of Pho soup and really enjoyed it, though that version will be very foreign to many American palettes (the "classic" version might be safer). It's related to the Hmong "fawm" noodle soup dish with broth, noodles, meatballs, veggies, and especially fresh basil leaves. The species of basil they use is terrific - loaded with rich, aromatic flavor. Wow! I also had some of my wife's beef "laab" dish, with very spicy beef. My favorite part of that was the exotic purple rice that comes with it. I've made purple rice before and consider it a true delicacy. Comes from an unusual species of rice and takes a lot of time to prepare. Yum.
The eggrolls were some of the best you'll find. Completely fresh and tasty.
I think my favorite part of the visit was the "Boba Tea" (pearl tea or bubble tea - the Asian specialty that is like a smoothie or shake with large pearls of tapioca in the bottom, served with an extra wide straw that lets you suck them up if you want). The pearls were much better than in the last bubble teas I tried in China Town of Chicago. I mentioned that to the owner and he said the difference is that he makes them fresh twice a day, once for lunch and then again for dinner, avoiding the stale, beanlike quality that can be found when the pearls aren't fresh. Nice.
You can get excellent entrees for $7.95, and the pearl tea is $3.95.
I've noticed that the more authentic southeast Asian restaurants in the U.S. often have names that don't seem to have been carefully crafted with the help of American focus groups. Thus, my favorite Thai restaurant in Atlanta was Phuket Thai - please be careful how you pronounce that in public. One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in the Fox Valley is Poo Dong, and now we have the highly authentic Pooh Saan. If that's your first stop for the evening, maybe you could consider a version of the old Abbot and Costello gag, "Who's On First?" but with "Pooh Saan First." But gags or not, you should give them a try.
I recently made friends with the very sharp and intelligent owner, a young man who grew up in the area but has roots in Laos. He and his wife run Pooh Saan. Be sure to say hello from Jeff if you go, and let me know what you experience.
Appleton Public Schools: Outstanding, Reasonable, and Generally Non-Political
As a parent who has been concerned about some of the problems in public education in this nation, I'm happy to observe that our Appleton School District has remarkably good leaders and a competent school board. Working with many great educators in our area, they have kept the District focused on education and avoided many of the problems sometimes seen in other parts of the nation. For example, some parents on both sides of the political spectrum have questioned the wisdom of giving up an hour of school time to let the President speak to the kids at a time of political crisis for the Obama Administration, where the temptation to influence the public through children will be hard to resist. The Appleton School District has said no to this, as I understand. Parents can let their kids watch it later, if they wish.
Likewise, I don't think any of our schools are going to be asking our children to pledge to be servants to President Obama and "be the change"--unlike the children in a Utah school and possibly others, who were subjected to the highly manipulative and arguably un-American "I Pledge" video asking children to pledge to be servants to Barack Obama. Pledging to be a servant to any politician is just so backwards, so contrary to what our country is about, where the politicians are supposed to pledge to be servants to us. They are to be our temporary representatives, not our kings or lords. Thank goodness Appleton Schools get that. I'm fine that a bunch of celebrities and leading journalists have made the pledge to serve the President 24/7, but don't ask my children to.
We've got a responsible, education-focused school district here that has the wisdom to say no to some inappropriate things. A district that has pledged to be of service to you and your children. I kind of like that.
Likewise, I don't think any of our schools are going to be asking our children to pledge to be servants to President Obama and "be the change"--unlike the children in a Utah school and possibly others, who were subjected to the highly manipulative and arguably un-American "I Pledge" video asking children to pledge to be servants to Barack Obama. Pledging to be a servant to any politician is just so backwards, so contrary to what our country is about, where the politicians are supposed to pledge to be servants to us. They are to be our temporary representatives, not our kings or lords. Thank goodness Appleton Schools get that. I'm fine that a bunch of celebrities and leading journalists have made the pledge to serve the President 24/7, but don't ask my children to.
We've got a responsible, education-focused school district here that has the wisdom to say no to some inappropriate things. A district that has pledged to be of service to you and your children. I kind of like that.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Town Hall with Rep. Kagen Tonight at North High School, 7 PM
It's time I see what all the excitement is in these town hall meetings, so I'm planning to be there tonight. Appleton North High School, 7 pm, town hall meeting with Steve Kagen. Get there early - and be civil. No negative thoughts, please.