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Hey Fox Cities, hope your week’s off to a good start! A world-premiere opera, a Chinese New Year celebration, birds of prey with coffee, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Greener goals take shape: Appleton is exploring stronger sustainability efforts, with Mayor Jake Woodford saying last week on Focus Fox Valley the city is on a good path and will push further — read the full story.
Enhancing care for underserved families: An Appleton-area nonprofit health clinic received a $30,000 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards grant to upgrade its facility and lab. Hope Clinic hopes to buy a chemistry analyzer to speed results — see how funds will help.
Coping help from first responders: As spring nears, the Grand Chute Fire Department recently shared simple ways to fight winter blues, from sunlight and exercise to watching for warning signs and sticking with treatment plans — see tips and warning signs.
Four universities join forces: Army ROTC cadets are training at Plamann Park through April 16, using nonfunctional “rubber duck” equipment that cannot fire. Drills began Feb. 19 and continue on select days — see who’s participating and when.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
AIDS-era stories take stage: Lawrence University will premiere A Nearer Mother March 5 to 7 at Stansbury Theatre in Appleton. The opera by Evan Mack and Joshua McGuire is based on the activism and allyship of Ruth Coker Burks. Talkbacks and community events follow. Also included is The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret. Get all the performance details.
Fresh businesses debuting now: New spots are popping up around the Fox Cities. The Flora Shelves, a fantasy and romance bookstore with a floral studio, opened Feb. 7. Appleton Bundt House began serving scratch-made Bundt cakes Jan. 31. That Healthy Place offers functional shakes, food, and wellness products. Read the full story.
DIY chocolate fix: Craving something sweet and a little custom? Wilmar Chocolates lets you build a bar at the Mix-It-Up counter, and stocks über-fresh, small-batch classics that make weeknights feel celebratory. Whether you indulge now or save a box for future you, happiness is pretty much guaranteed.
Fresh closet finds: If your wardrobe needs a spark without sticker shock, Chic to Chic keeps the good stuff moving, with gently loved styles, rotating drops, and the occasional brag-worthy gem you spot first. Serendipity does the styling as you browse the racks.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🔥 Glass Studio Class: Shattered Beauties Fused Glass @ Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass | Tuesday (2/24) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats making art by safely breaking stuff, right? Learn to layer, cut, and nip glass into a one of a kind fused piece, choose from three images, and, if you get hooked, open studio awaits after three classes for tackling your own intricate designs.
🎩 Houdini Family Night Out @ Baskin-Robbins | Wednesday (2/25) at 4:00 PM – Finally, a school fundraiser that rewards your sweet tooth. Hit Baskin-Robbins the last Wednesday of the month, 4 to 7 pm, order your usual, and 10% helps Houdini. Bring the kids, enjoy a cone, and feel noble between bites.
🥃 An Evening with J. Henry Distillery @ Stone Toad Bar & Grill | Wednesday (2/25) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats sipping handcrafted Wisconsin bourbon with the guy pouring it. For $50, you get a welcome cocktail, J. Henry flights with Mark, a bottle drawing, and Wisconsin-themed apps, plus bottles to buy after. Pop into The Toad to reserve, and practice your tasting face.
This weekend
🐦 Beaks & Beans @ Bubolz Nature Preserve | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Upgrade your Saturday morning at Bubolz with a cozy coffee crawl inside The Lodge, complete with live birds of prey. Meet Wisconsin raptors, sip warm tastings, compare wingspans, and yes, dissect an owl pellet, because caffeine, curiosity, and feathers pair surprisingly well.
🌱 Community Plant Swap @ Appleton Public Library | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Head to the Appleton Public Library for a cozy plant swap. Bring a cutting, some seeds, a spare pot, or that moss you keep meaning to use, and trade for new leafy roommates. Easy vibes, real neighbors, zero-guilt shopping.
🧣 Circles of Light Knit Shawl @ Casting On | Sunday (3/1) at 11:00 AM – Take a breather and stitch something gorgeous at Casting On, a crescent lace shawl knit entirely in the round with optional sparkle beads and no drama. Three Sundays, pattern on Ravelry, laceweight yarn required. Only 10 seats, so claim yours, your shoulders will thank you.
🎉 Fox Valley Artisan Market Grand Opening @ Fox Valley Artisan Market | Sunday (3/1) at 11:00 AM – Pop into the Fox Valley Artisan Market next to Acoca for a grand opening stocked with handmade, eco-friendly, toxin-free finds. Natural self-care, sustainable home goods, and wellness essentials, all curated by a local holistic pro, supporting small makers. Your reusable tote can finally show off.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fox Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 34°F – Low: 13°F – Precip: 82%
Snow after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 23°F – Low: 13°F – Precip: 1%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. West northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Later: A slight chance of snow after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
On a Town of Neenah cul-de-sac with mature trees, this smartly designed home pairs expansive windows with a great room ceiling that lives large. A flexible main-floor study doubles as formal dining. The private primary suite offers a spa bath and walk-in closet. Daylight lower level adds a pellet stove family room, bedroom with direct bath access, and garage-to-basement entry.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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