Q-Tips Reviews

MOST WANTED MAN – Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman – When a half-Chechen, half-Russian, brutally tortured immigrant turns up in Hamburg’s Islamic community, laying claim to his father’s ill-gotten fortune, both German and US security agencies take a close interest: as the clock ticks down and the stakes rise, the race is on to establish this most wanted man’s true identity – oppressed victim or destruction-bent extremist?

Q-Tips Say: We enjoyed it. A bit long and slow at times but worth seeing the last movie that Hoffman made and good acting by Rachel McAdams.

CHICAGO Walking ARCHITECTURAL TOUR – our tour started at 10 South Dearborn St. Chicago, (312) 350-1131 chicagodetours.com Tour Overview: Step inside magnificent lobbies, corridors, and the underground Pedway system for an in-depth, personal approach to a Chicago architecture walking tour downtown. Available six days a week, the Loop Interior Architecture Walking Tour takes you on a creative route that weaves through buildings and secret short-cuts. Tour guests get to share iPads with archival images like maps, historic photos and documentary video clips while the tour guide shares stories of Chicago history. For the next level of connection with architecture, go inside of the buildings. You will appreciate Chicago architecture from new perspectives. From the interiors, you experience architectural space rather than from the more isolated perspective of a downtown sidewalk. All guests receive the gift of our color-printed map of the Chicago Pedway System and complimentary offers to our favorite local restaurants and businesses in the Loop.

Q-TIPS SAY: A 2 hour tour with a total of a half mile of walking.
Mrs. Q suggests: Getting a Living Social deal or other deals offer 2 for 1 – Otherwise the tour is $26.00 per person – Seniors $24.00 per person. Highlights include the Macy’s building (originally Marshall Fields), Chicago Cultural Centre, the sky church at the Chicago Temple Building, Block 37, stories on the public transportation system and much more. A sample of a local frozen kefir cafe (like frozen yogurt) was also set up which was a nice touch.

COOPER’S RESTAURANT – 1232 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, (773) 929-2667,
cooperschicago.com

Q-TIPS SAY: COOPER’S is a GREAT restaurant across the street from the WIT Theater that serves delicious food and outstanding drinks, super service, and an entire book of “Beers.” They have some free parking in the back and have outdoor seating that is covered. Our weekend guest had the Burgers with awesome hand cut fries. Mr. Q had the BBQ pulled Pork and Onion Soup and Mrs. Q had the Onion Soup and Turkey Panini on Sourdough Bread. Everyone enjoyed their meals immensely. Mrs. Q says: Our first time at Cooper’s but it won’t be our last time.

EVANSTON ETHNIC ARTS FESTIVAL – Centennial Park (Sheridan Rd. Between Clark and Church) FREE
Dates: Sat., July 19-Sun. July 20, Time: 12pm-7pm

New location! Due to construction, the festival has moved just north of Dawes Park to Centennial Park on Sheridan Road between Clark and Church. The lakefront will come alive from noon to 7pm with two stages of continuous world music and dance, up to 140 juried artists, international cuisine, hands-on art activities and more.

Q-Tips say: It is ok – features art from an abundance of countries, family crafts activities, international cuisine, and live music, dance. Experience the colors, sounds, and aromas of world cultures. You can learn folk-dance, experience new ethnic foods and also some of the usual food offered at this type of Festival. Mrs. Q says: She enjoyed watching the different dances from other countries by the costumed performers. The Q’s shared a sausage called “Cevapcici” Mr. Q liked it with onions and a special sauce they make, but it was a tad too spicy for the “Little Woman.”

What is CEVAPCICI?? The casing-less sausages known as cevapcici or cevaps found their way into Eastern Europe via the Ottoman Empire, which picked them up from Arabic cultures around Persia.

Today, there are different versions of cevapcici throughout Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia. Some use pork and lamb, others use pork, lamb and beef, and yet others omit the pork entirely.

Originally, they were skewered and grilled over an open fire. Nowadays, most cooks grill, broil or pan fry them. They make great appetizers and sandwiches on lepinje (Serbian Flatbread).

HISTORY MUSEUM at the CASTLE -330 E College Ave., Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 733-8445, myhistorymuseum.org

Q-Tips say: SEE IT! In a cool Castle, Part History, and part Houdini. Mrs. Q enjoyed the Houdini part because it had many “hands on” exhibit. Most you could try yourself! Yes, they do warn you about finding out how magicians accomplish their tricks – so if you don’t want to know – skip that part. Houdini likes to say that he is from Appleton but was really was born in the Hungary and lived in Appleton as a child. Mrs. Q finds it interesting that Houdini did not believe in mediums and psychics. His training in magic helped him expose frauds that scientists and academics could not. He chronicled his time investigating the occult in his book, “A Magician Among the Spirits”. An interesting Museum – granted, not the largest you might have ever seen but enjoyable non the less. Houdini died in an unusual way and a replica of the coffin he used for one of his magic tricks is on display.

A bit of history about arry Houdini: www.thegreatharryhoudini.com/

HEARTSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM – 625 W Prospect Ave, Appleton, WI 54911, (920) 730-8204 –
http://www.focol.org/hearthstone/events.html

Q-Tips say: Wonderful place to visit. The docents are well informed, funny, and full of facts. If they don’t know it – they say “I don’t know.” Mrs. Q says: As we all know, when we take these tours, they could tell us just about anything because most of us don’t really know all the history of a castle, etc. – that is why we are there, to learn. The Museum, I understand, decorates for the “Christmas Holidays” and is an awesome site – something to keep in mind if you are in Appleton during the winter. Not all artifacts are from the original owners but they are donated from others who lived during that time. One has to admire the wood floor, hand carved moldings, original lighting, fireplaces, etc. Mrs. Q says: Some have felt the presence of ghosts, but they are said to be “friendly ghosts”. Went on a beautiful summer day summer – we were the only ones on the tour.
Make sure you go down to the basement/gift store area. The down stairs exhibits are all: “hands on”. Try your “hands” or should I say, try your “Feet” at trying to get Mr. Edison to dance. We enjoyed our visit.

A BIT OF HISTORY:
HENRY ROGER’S HOME- HEARTHSTONE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM – First house in the world lit with an Edison central hydroelectric station September 30, 1882. Hearthstone was lit on September 30, 1882 along with the Appleton Paper and Pulp Company and the Kimberly-Clark Vulcan Paper Mill. Only Hearthstone survives. This was the first time in the world that several buildings were lighted with a central hydroelectric station using the Edison system. Only one other central station in the nation existed. Thomas Edison’s Pearl Street Station in New York City began its operation September 4, 1882. Edison’s station was powered by steam and lit only businesses. Hearthstone’s rare 1882 Edison light switches and electroliers still are in operation. It is possible that Hearthstone is the sole surviving example of wiring and fixtures in their original location from the dawn of the electrical age. William Waters, a prominent, Fox Valley, turn-of-the-century architect, designed the stunning home. He gained national recognition for his Wisconsin building at Chicago’s 1893 World Columbian Exposition, and is noted for numerous prestigious private and public buildings throughout the Fox Cities, Oshkosh and Wisconsin. Mr. & Mrs. Henry J. and Cremora Rogers and their daughter, Kitty, lived in their home approximately 11 years. They left Appleton in 1893. The house then changed hands nine times. In the 1930s it was a public restaurant called The Hearthstone because of its nine fireplaces. In 1986 the City of Appleton considered razing the building. A grass-roots effort by 13 or more Appleton residents raised enough money to purchase the property in December 1986, saving it from destruction. The group formed the Friends of Hearthstone, Inc. and opened the home as a museum emphasizing its Edison heritage. The building is being restored to the historic era 1880-1895. Today guests from throughout the country and the world tour this amazing example of early domestic electricity.

FRATELLO’S Riverfront RESTAURANT AND BREWERY – 4301 W Wisconsin Ave., Appleton, WI 54913

Q-Tips say: Great view, ambiance, drinks, decent food and outstanding service by our server, Annie. Mrs. Q says: Had questions about the menu – no problem, Annie found out and came right back with all the answers. The Q’s had the Ahi Tuna, some of the best Ahi Tuna we have had – along with delicious bread, choice of veggies, etc. and drinks made for a great evening. Fratello’s is a brewery and there is a history to the site. If time permits, ask about the history. Fratello’s outdoor seating on a beautiful day at the Riverfront is what a Wisc. summer is all about. Had a great time with friends and would go back should we be in Appleton again.

GEORGE’S – 2208 S Memorial Dr., Appleton, WI 54915, (920) 733-4939, www.georgessteakhousea…

Q-Tips say: Old school mid-western Supper Club Steakhouse. The food was mediocre but the onion rings were good. Mrs. Q says: If she is ever in Appleton again she would go for a few drinks and the “salad bar” offerings which had the best Liver Pate, Black Olives and delicious homemade bread for the Pate and call it a day.

GRAND STAY HOTEL – Appleton-Fox River Mall – 300 N. Mall Drive, Appleton, Wisc. (920)993-1200

Q-Tips say: Stay at the Grand Stay Hotel if you are in Appleton Wisc. There are NO negatives about this hotel. Mrs. Q really like the spacious room which was very modern and clean. The rooms have a wall thermostat, frig. microwave, free WiFi, the bath had a heat lamp should you be there in winter. The “Free Breakfast” was awesome – cold and hot breakfast items, scrambled eggs and hard boiled. Sausages or bacon, tasty smaller hash browns, cereal, make your own waffles, all types of tea, coffee, juices, fresh fruits.

They have a “Bar” with small bottles of wine, beer, hard liquor and mixes to make your own drink that you can purchase. However, the Q’s brought their own bottle of wine and opener. Mrs. Q says: They have a heated indoor pool and spa/whirlpool – what can be better than that? The people who work there are extremely helpful and so pleasant and happy to be working there and the prices are reasonable. Located near a very large shopping mall with every store you could think of – so if you need anything you are covered.