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Rise and shine, Fox Cities! A voice-tracking maternal wellness app, Hamilton, the Great Backyard Bird Count, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
New approach to maternal wellness: An Appleton mom has created Auvia, an app that tracks voice changes and alerts a support circle to help parents facing perinatal depression and anxiety. It does not diagnose — see how it works.
Inside the treatment process: Photo tour shows the Neenah-Menasha Wastewater Treatment Plant, where renovations are underway to improve solids removal and lower phosphorus before discharge to the Fox River at 101 Garfield Ave — check out the full tour.
Where mentors spark creativity: Neenah Boys and Girls Brigade has served Fox Cities youth for 126 years, with 700 volunteers and programs from archery and climbing to ceramics, welding, small engines, and music — explore the programs and people.
Artful experiences and community support: Explore creative classes at Neenah’s Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass. The Crystal Ball fundraiser will take place February 28, returning to the same venue as the last event — get all the details.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and 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
Boost for Wisconsin EV drivers: ChargePoint is expanding public EV charging at rental car lots in Appleton and Madison, including airports and neighborhood branches. Partnering with Midwestern Wheels, the company is installing Level 2 and Level 3 fast chargers open to everyone, managed through its new platform to improve reliability and coverage. See how coverage expands.
Ambitious community hub takes shape: Ope! Brewing Company has broken ground on a 23,000 square foot spot at the former Car City site in Appleton. Plans call for two taprooms, two sand volleyball courts, four outdoor pickleball courts, a pilot brewhouse, and a dog-friendly dog wash and merchandise shop, supporting area redevelopment. See what’s planned for Appleton.
Wood‑fired weeknight win: Neenah’s own Broken Tree Pizza fires up wood‑fired pies with hand‑stretched dough and creative combos that actually work… think margherita or the cheeky “Fun Guy.” Cozy, no‑fuss, and weeknight‑friendly, it turns an ordinary Tuesday into something you’ll anticipate, one blistered crust and melty bite at a time.
Laughs between the locks: Need a midweek pick‑me‑up? Skyline Comedy Club keeps Appleton’s chuckle muscle toned with weekly open mics and a steady stream of touring comics. It’s comedy as catharsis: they do the venting, into a mic, with punchlines.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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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.
🎶 Nomfusi @ Lawrence University | Monday (2/2) at 8:00 PM – Give your Spotify a rest and catch Nomfusi at Lawrence University, a powerhouse South African vocalist blending soul, jazz, and township grooves. Big voice, joyful band, zero filler. A world-stage sound without the airport lines, and parking you actually understand.
⛄ Glass Studio Class: Snowman Family Portrait @ Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass | Tuesday (2/3) at 5:30 PM – Trade the slushy driveway for cozy creativity, and build your own fused-glass snowman family in a curved display that stands on its own all season. All levels welcome. Register online or call the museum, and ignore the Facebook strangers promising “extra tickets,” bless their hearts.
🎭 Hamilton @ Fox Cities Performing Arts Center | Tuesday (2/3) at 7:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally see Hamilton at the Fox Cities P.A.C., this is it. History with a beat, goosebumps guaranteed. Buy through the Center or Ticketmaster, not Bob from the comments; if plans change, donate for a tax perk.
🍷 Wine Bingo @ 313 Dodge | Wednesday (2/4) at 5:30 PM – Whether you’re lucky at 313 Dodge or just here for the pour, wine bingo serves laughs and chances to win bottles of wine. Your ticket covers two hours, extra cards are a buck, cash only, so bring your competitive spirit, not your poker face.
⭐ Star Show @ Barlow Planetarium | Thursday (2/5) at 4:00 PM – Barlow Planetarium is dimming the lights for a guided tour of the cosmos, comfy seats included. Think night sky energy without freezing in a lawn chair, assembling a telescope, or arguing about Pluto. Bring curiosity, sip coffee beforehand, and let someone else drive the stars.
❤ Valentine-Themed DIY Mini Sign Workshop & Cookie Decorating @ Board & Brush | Thursday (2/5) at 6:00 PM – Channel your inner crafty Valentine, and head to a Valentine-themed DIY workshop with The Floured Whisk. Personalize a wood sign from their gallery, then learn to decorate four cookies to take home. Materials are included, hand-holding is provided, pre-registration required, extra instruction fee applies.
🎿 Winter Solstice Ski/Snowshoe and Hike @ Bubolz Nature Preserve | Friday (2/6) at 5:00 PM – If you prefer your holiday lights quiet and outdoors, take Bubolz’s luminary-lit, 1.5-mile Winter Solstice stroll. Self-guided, peaceful, and punctuated by $1 s’mores and hot chocolate. Bring boots, or rent snowshoes or skis if we finally get six inches.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Fox Cities report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 25°F – Low: 7°F – Precip: 11%
A chance of snow showers before 7am. Mostly sunny. High near 25, with temperatures falling to around 23 in the afternoon. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 20°F – Low: 5°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 20. North northwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 5.
This house is wild
On Appleton’s trendy eastside, steps from Erb Park, this home has coved ceilings. The main level primary suite offers a wet bar, wine cooler, and private entrance. An eat-in kitchen with gas range, a second floor game room, a third floor bed and bath, a lower-level rec room with painted block walls, a rooftop oasis, and a deck complete it.
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 genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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