Kavarna Blog http://www.kavarna.com/blog/ The Kavarna Blog: Green Bay's finest coffeehouse on-line. en Copyright 2008 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:37:02 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Breakfast at Kavarna!

One of the things we decided that we'd like to do at the future, expanded Kavarna is breakfast. We told ourselves that our kitchen was too small, that it wasn't practical, and that the idea needed to wait until we could redesign everything around it. Well, we realized that we were being defeated by our own expectations. We may not have room for a griddle (making pancakes and eggs to order impossible), but there is quite a lot that we can do now. So why not start now? So, that's what we decided two weeks ago.

Starting on Tuesday, September 2nd, Kavarna will open at 7 am with a breakfast menu consisting of a selection of breakfast foods such as Polenta with Poached Eggs, Quiche, Egg Wraps, Savory Scones, Strata, Frittate, Grilled Vegetables, Fruit, Roasted Potatoes, and more. We're excited and we hope that you are too!

While our future goal is to have the most amazing brunch North of Chicago, for the time being, we will be serving breakfast from 7 am to 10 am, Monday through Friday.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/breakfast_at_kavarna.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/breakfast_at_kavarna.php Kavarna Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:37:02 -0600 Kavarna: Media Darling Off the heels of being featured in the lede to Friday's story about Kelly Czypinski being hired as the new director of On Broadway comes Sunday's feature on eating vegetarian. Thomas Rozwadowski's story not only features many (accurate!) quotes from Linda, but also has two photos of Kavarna. It was a wonderful thing to spot in the paper on Sunday.

UPDATE: Evidently, publicity is a good thing. Many people were introduced to Kavarna for the first time last week. It kept us on our toes! Thanks for checking us out everyone!

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/kavarna_media_darling.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/kavarna_media_darling.php Food Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:26:27 -0600 Welcome Kelly Czypinski! When we first heard that one of our favorite customers, Kelly Czypinski had been hired as the new director of On Broadway, we had trouble containing our excitement. Kelly's a wonderful person, and we think that the board could not have made a better choice in finding a successor to Naletta Burr. You can read about it here. Considering that Kelly managed to work Kavarna into the article, we think that she's off to a great start!

ps. This blog has been a little empty this Summer, we've been in baby-town for the most part. I think I'm ready to resume authorship now.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/welcome_kelly_czypinski.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/08/welcome_kelly_czypinski.php Broadway District Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:36:39 -0600 Note on Wireless Internet... One of the unforeseen (really, I must slap myself on the forehead for not having foreseen this) consequences of Yikes! Salon moving down the road is that the wireless connection that we shared with them is gone. Don't fret, we are working on restoring our signal. In the meantime, the Broadway District wireless is up and running, so everyone may surf freely!

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/06/note_on_wireless_internet.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/06/note_on_wireless_internet.php Kavarna Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:23:47 -0600 Travel Green Wisconsin & Other Things We are pleased to announce that we have earned our Travel Green Wisconsin certification. It's one thing to view yourself as a 'Green Business,' but it's another thing to be certified as one. We are now official. The thing that we like best though, is that now that we are certified, we can begin talking about this innovative program and encouraging others to participate. It first came on our radar about a year ago, and since then has been an aide in our travel planning.

We are also pleased to announce that the readers of the Green Bay Press Gazette voted us the third best coffee shop in the region, behind Starbucks and Jo to Go. We think that this is probably more a measure of brand recognition more than anything else, so we're very pleased with the result. Thanks Green Bay!

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/05/travel_green_wisconsin_other_things.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/05/travel_green_wisconsin_other_things.php Environment Mon, 19 May 2008 15:28:48 -0600 The Past Month... Where Did It Go? Introducing Frida Wendell Galt

It's been well over a month since I touched this website, and there's only one good excuse for that... a second child. That's Frida there above doing her characteristic Frida salute. She's nearly a month old now, and we're finally reaching a new state of normality. We're terribly pleased with ourselves, so forgive us if we bore you about it.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/05/the_past_month_where_did_it_go_introducing_frida_wendell_galt.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/05/the_past_month_where_did_it_go_introducing_frida_wendell_galt.php Kavarna Mon, 19 May 2008 14:56:56 -0600 Si Puo Fare! Kavarna Endorses Walter Veltroni

We have long felt that billionaire media tycoons should not run countries directly (or indirectly). Though we don't expect to have any impact whatsoever in the Italian general election, we endorse Walter Veltroni.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/si_puo_fare_kavarna_endorses_walter_veltroni.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/si_puo_fare_kavarna_endorses_walter_veltroni.php Politics Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:08:52 -0600 Eat. Drink. Better. We were recently visited by Lisa Kivirist, her husband John Ivanko, son Liam, and Grandmother Sue. Aside from being wonderful people to eat lunch with, Lisa and John are the owners of a vegetarian bed and breakfast just South of Monroe, Wisconsin called Inn Serendipity. They also seem to have made writing about food, sustainability, ecology, and travel something of a family cottage industry. Lisa wrote a very nice post about Kavarna at eatdrinkbetter.com, which appears to be a blog worth reading.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/eat_drink_better.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/eat_drink_better.php Kavarna Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:03:03 -0600 Earth Week Coming Fast! We're fortunate in Green Bay to have a wide coalition of organizations and institutions who come together every year to present a full slate of Earth Week activities.

Here is the schedule:

  • April 17th, 6 pm - 10 pm, Green Bay Green Drinks: Though not technically part of Earth Week, Green Drinks is one of the best ways to get involved in environmental activities in the region. It's an informal gathering of the local green community held at Kavarna on the third Thursday of every month. Kavarna Coffeehouse, 112 S. Broadway, Green Bay.
  • April 19th, 9 am - noon, Fox River Clean-Up: St. Francis Park, Green Bay.
  • April 19th, 1 - 4 pm, Great Lakes Compact Forum: A discussion of the crucial Great Lakes Compact featuring Peter Annin, author of The Great Lakes Water Wars. UWGB, Rose Hall Room 250.
  • April 20th, 9 am - 11 pm, Take Back the Pavement: See Green Bay's streets transformed into artistic greenery displays, North Broadway Street, Green Bay.
  • April 21st, 6 - 8 pm, What's the Woof About Wolves?: Featuring naturalist Cindy Mueller, Brown County Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay.
  • April 22nd, 10:30 - 11 am, Earth Day Storytime: Brown County Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay.
  • April 22nd, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, Earth Day Recycled Craft Projects: Brown County Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay.
  • April 24th, Leave Your Car at Home Day Challenge: A citywide challenge to leave your car at home.
  • April 24th, 7 - 8 pm, Storytime at Barnes & Nobles: Storytime with ecological themes, Barnes & Nobles, 2498 S. Oneida St. Ashwaubenon (should be a challenge to get there without a car!)
  • April 25th, 6 - 9 pm, The 11th Hour: Free screening of the documentary featuring actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Brown County Library, 515 Pine Street, Green Bay.
  • April 26th, 9 am - noon, Baird Creek and Willow Creek Clean-Ups: Pick a creek to clean up! The Baird Creek Clean-Up will start at Triangle Hill Pavilion, Beverly Rd. in Green Bay (we'll be providing some coffee & cookies to help get you started). The Willow Creek Clean-Up will begin at NEW Lutheran cul-de-sac at 1311 S. Robinson Avenue, Green Bay.
  • April 26th, 1 - 3 pm, Hikes, Rain Barrel and Composting Demos: After the clean-up in Baird Creek there will be demonstrations of rain barrels and composting at the Triangle Hill Pavilion on Beverly Road in Green Bay. Rain Gardens will be demonstrated at Christa McAuliffe Park around this time.
  • April 26th, 5:30 pm - midnight, EcoJam!: Featuring Burnt Toast & Jam and Kojo at the Holiday Inn City Center, 200 Main Street, Green Bay. $5.00 per person ($4.00 with the donation of a used cell phone).
  • April 27th, noon - 4 pm, Izaak Walton League's Teddy Bear Hunt in Bellevue: Featuring food, fishing, and more, a family 'hunting license' costs $10. Osprey Point, HWY GV, 1 mile S. of 172.
]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/earth_week_coming_fast.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/earth_week_coming_fast.php PSA Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:58:14 -0600 State of the City! How Is It? Find Out at 5:30 This afternoon at 5:30, Mayor Jim Schmitt will be delivering his annual State of the City address (and presumably slide show) at the Meyer Theater. We always like to go if we can make it. If you can't, I'll be taking notes and will probably report back later!

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/state_of_the_city_how_is_it_find_out_at_530.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/04/state_of_the_city_how_is_it_find_out_at_530.php PSA Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:27:03 -0600 On Starbucks Oddly, I'm writing this at a local Starbuck's Coffee. While Linda and I will occasionally pop into one when traveling and no other option presents itself, we have never been regular Starbuck's customers. In Green Bay, Kavarna came first. Today I'm here because it's a little more comfortable than my car dealership's waiting room and it happens to be several hundred feet down the road.

Starbuck's has recently generated a lot of publicity for itself by attempting to regain the quality and sense of place that it once had (though if there was ever a 'Golden Age' of Starbuck's, I think I missed it). First, there was founder Howard Schultz's memo about how Starbuck's has lost its way, and then the three hour nationwide closure for retraining. It definitely seems like these are part of a marketing strategy to try to convince people that they are more than just the McDonald's of coffee. If anyone at Starbuck's upper management happens to be subscribed to this eNewsetter, I've compiled a list of what I believe that Starbuck's can learn from Kavarna:

  • Use Lighter Roasts. The cup of coffee that I am drinking right now isn't terrible. But, what I am tasting are mostly the artifacts of roasting, and not the coffee itself. It's overdone, some might call it slightly burnt tasting. Starbucks' strategy appears to be to use overly-dark roasts to produce a strong flavor that covers up deficiencies in its coffee.
  • Use Ceramic Mugs. Sure, it's a pain to wash dishes, but it's just not possible to curl up with a cardboard cup the way you can with a nice, thick diner mug.
  • Use Loose Leaf Teas. The best quality tea is reserved to be sold loose leaf. Tea bags are generally filled with lower quality teas.
  • Free Wi-Fi. I can't believe they continue to charge for this, wi-fi should be like air.
  • Give Your Store Managers More Autonomy. Starbuck's is full of little touches that seem homey until you see that the location across town has the same little touches. If you gave your managers more autonomy, you could actually, you know, have homey little touches that were meaningful.

I could continue, but it's this last point that's most striking to me. Starbuck's is full of marketing materials that are designed to look like corkboards, fliers, and other trappings of actual, community-based coffeehouses. It's a shame that they do not have sufficient trust in their 'partners' to do more than simulate community.

Being in the coffee industry, it's hard not to think about Starbuck's frequently. But happily, they're not really in the same business that we are.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/on_starbucks.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/on_starbucks.php Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:02:00 -0600 <![CDATA[Kavarna ®]]>

That's right, just like Starbucks ®. We thought it was time that we registered the Kavarna trademark, before someone else did...

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/kavarna_1.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/kavarna_1.php Kavarna Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:04:44 -0600 Announcing: The Third Kavarna Ukulele Night, Featuring Bosko & Honey on their International Ukulele Safari

It's been well over a year since our last Kavarna Ukulele Night, so I am elated to announce that the Third Kavarna Ukulele Night will take place on April 24th, 2008. It will feature Bosko & Honey, two talented performers from Australia, who will be traveling the world spreading uke-joy. They're best known for their fun ukulele love-in videos on YouTube, check them out.

I'm working on confirming other performers, so far Aaron Baer of Dr. Kickbutt's Orchestra of Death (and brother coffeehouse owner) is on board. Do you play the ukulele? Drop us a line!

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/announcing_the_third_kavarna_ukulele_night_featuring_bosko_honey_on_their_international_ukulele_safari.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/03/announcing_the_third_kavarna_ukulele_night_featuring_bosko_honey_on_their_international_ukulele_safari.php Music Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:05:36 -0600 Tom Vollman Canceled For This Evening Wintry weather has once again gotten in the way of wintry fun... We'll reschedule for Early Summer.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/02/tom_vollman_canceled_for_this_evening.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/02/tom_vollman_canceled_for_this_evening.php Music Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:53:55 -0600 Valentine's Day Things, Support Local Businesses! Jeff Mirkes of Downtown Green Bay, Inc. and the "What's Up Downtown?" eNewsletter (to which you can subscribe by emailing Jeff at jeffm@downtowngreenbay.com), took the time to compile the following list of Valentine's Day things for local businesses, so I thought I'd help spread it around the internet!

Angelina’s
117 N. Adam’s St. 437-7248
Authentic Italian Dining- Private room for up to 50 guests.
A great place for a business lunch with clients, prospects and friends! 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. M-F

ARTgarage
1400 Cedar St. 448-6800
Bring your sweetie to the ARTgarage and pick out a piece of original art together. They’ll have chocolates on the counter!
Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, author, and artist, Michael Taav, will hold a reception to show his abstract art, on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 3-6:30 p.m.

Aster Park Floral
332 S. Monroe Ave.
Treat your special Valentine to fabulous fresh flowers from Aster Park Floral. Any fresh flower order over $50 from Feb. 9th to 14th in GB vicinity- FREE DELIVERY. 437-6565

Beerntsen Candies and Captain’s Walk Winery
200 N. Broadway 345 S. Adams St.
437-4400 431-WALK
Captain’s Walk Winery has partnered with Beersten’s Candies for a cross promotion-
Make a wine purchase and receive a coupon for 10% off on a candy purchase at Beersten’s. (expiration 2-14-08)
Make a candy purchase and receive a coupon for 10 % off on a wine purchase at Captain’s Walk. (expiration 2-29-08).

Bosse’s News & Tobacco
220 Cherry St. 432-8647
Buy 2 get 1 free Romeo & Julieta Cigars at Bosse’s. Special available starting February 8th through February 15th or while supplies last.

Camera Corner Connecting Point
Main & Monroe 435-5353
Sony Sweetheart Deals Like.No.Other
Alpha A100 DSLR camera $50 instant rebate
Portable DVD player 8” LCD monitor regularly $199, sweet deal- $99.99

Cup O Joy
232 S. Broadway www.cupojoy.com
This and next weekend have some great shows for the Valentine Couples.
No cover Charge. A Great Couples/ Family Night Out!
Fri. Feb. 8th Katie Nelson also Scott Troyer 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 9th Keith Cooper, acoustic guitarist with guitar tips session. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Fri. Feb 15th Bluegrace, 5 member Bluegrass Gospel 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 16th Fish Sticks Comedy, 2 Crazy Interactive Shows 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.

Curves
515 S. Monroe 431-0411
Introducing CurvesSmart, the world's most technically-advanced workout for women. CurvesSmart is programmed with your body's own information then adjusts and monitors every workout. All you have to do is "go for the green" - the green light that means you are working out at a pace that will get you to your fitness goals. Join the revolution! Call Curves today and mention this ad and get one month FREE!

Daily Buzz
First Floor Bellin Building 227-2096
Chocolate Covered Cherry Latte for your sweetie! $3.50-$4.
Valentine Heart cookies $2.50 Two for $4
Expanded Lunch counter- soups, wraps, sandwiches, nice desserts!!

Flowerama
1405 Main St. 432-1651
A dozen roses arranged for $49.99
Cash & carry dozen roses- $29.99
www.flowerama-roses.com

Fox Harbor Pub & Grill
348 S. Washington St. 593-8327
Fresh Hand Breaded Perch every Friday $10.95
Serving all day 11a.m. to 11p.m.
Sat., Feb. 9th Live music by “Hindsight” No Cover Charge 9 p.m.

Furs & Clothing of Distinction
207 N. Washington St. 433-9916
Huge end of season clearance. Racks of clothing as low as $10, $20, $30, and 50% off the lowest sale price. Many great buys to be found!

The Gift Itself
125 N. Broadway 433-9171
Wonderful Valentine Jewelry, and lots of terrific gifts for your Valentine!

Green Bay Art Colony
Neville Public Museum
Give the Gift of Art to your Valentine
Art Colony members are artists who show their work locally, regionally and nationally. The group also raises funds for scholarships to summer art school for promising local students.
www.greenbayartcolony.com. 465-0492

Holiday Inn City Centre-
200 Main St. 437-5900
Holiday Inn City Centre Seafood Buffet.
Back for two nights only Thurs. Feb. 14th and Fri, Feb, 15th. Just $19.95 per person. Enjoy Snow Crab Legs, Hand Breaded Perch, Fresh Salmon with Mushroom Hollandaise, Peel 'n Eat Shrimp and much more. Join them on Thursday, February 14th and enjoy a complimentary glass of house wine with each buffet purchased. Reservations are recommended, Call 437-5900.

KaVarna
112 S. Broadway 430-3200
Kavarna is launching Chocolate Elixir Valentine week. A chocolate drink made with organic, single origin dark chocolate. This is not a chocolate drink for kids. It is a rich, indulgent tasting treat that's low in caffeine and in high quality. They serve it with a bit of dark chocolate on the side to add to the experience! They also have an amazing selection of chocolate bars and caramels from some of the world’s finest chocolate makers. On the 13th they will be getting JAVA LOGAS, clean burning fireplace logs made from used coffee grounds. They smell awesome and would be a great way to warm you and your sweetie on a cold night….but not if you have a gas fireplace!!

PI of Green Bay
Walnut & Adams 884-7501
“Bitter Ball” Fri. Feb. 14th 8-10 p.m.
Does the thought of Cupid make you sick? Tired of Hallmark’s non-stop Valentine’s ads? Join Jen O’Dell and the rest of the KISS FM crew at Pi for the 1st Annual Bitter Ball. They will have a shredder handy to shred all those old pictures, specialty drinks and great prizes including a ruby ring.
www.959kissfm.com

Primal Eye
128 N. Broadway 430-1961
Receive a surprise Valentine Gift with every $ 35 or more purchase, while supply lasts.
Great new items for Spring arriving every day! Experience the fun, funky and functional at Primal Eye!

Print King
First Floor Bellin Building- 435-9999
Valentine’s week full color digital copies only 29 cents each.
Traditional stick pens imprinted with your info as low as 20 cents each.
Printing, copying, fax service and advertising specialties.
Free pick up and delivery. Celebrating 32 years of service!!

Quincy’s
2nd Floor Bellin Building
“Prime Night Out Special”
Five course dinner paired with wine featuring prime steak selections- Tenderloin, N.Y. Strip or Ribeye. Includes salad, appetizer & dessert. Each course is complimented with a suggested wine pairing. Valentine’s Day only 5-10 p.m.
For reservations call 430-7700.

St. Brendan’s Inn
234 S. Washington St. 884-8484
Special impressive Valentine’s menu Thurs., Fri. & Saturday!

SCANHOME Furnishings
142 N. Broadway 435-1961
Annual Winter Sale in progress with storewide savings from 10-50% off.

Streu’s Pharmacy Bay Natural
635 Main St. 437-4750
All Gifts are 25% off if you mention this offer in “What’s Up Downtown.”

Ten-O-One Club
1001 Main St. 432-9787
Valentine’s Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.- Sweetheart Pasta, Cherry glazed Duck, King Crab paired with Queen Prime Rib, Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Sauce & from the bar we will feature Chocolate Martinis w/ fresh strawberries.

Titletown Brewing Company
200 Dousman St. 437-2337
Announcing the First Badger Bash Club event for Club members (& new club members!) and their “Valentines.” A special dinner on Valentine’s Eve, Feb. 13, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Your choice of the Shrimp Putnessca or Chicken Breast Rustica entrée for $14.95, with the second entrée free for Club members. One free Chocolate Mouse Parfait dessert for Club member couples to share. One special, free Wisconsin “W” heart pin for your special Valentine. A romantic and elegant smoke free atmosphere, specially decorated for Valentine’s Day with a little flair of your Badger Red. If you’re not a Badger Bash Club member, you can join that night for only $10 & get the special! Call Marnie at 437-2337 for reservations.

Vicenzi’s Grand Opening
Baylake City Center Building
“Taste of the World Menu” Cuisine from Italy, Mexico, Asia and USA
On Valentine’s Day- 25% off second meal and a complimentary after dinner drink.
For reservations- 432-0970 serving 4-10 p.m.

Valentines Day- 2008- Live…Laugh….Love!
Live….Celebrate the Gift of your spouse and partner with Dave Ehman, psychologist and ordained minister’s presentation
“Keeping the Romance Alive”
Laugh….A warm candlelight dinner with your spouse and friends.
Love….A romantic night of conversation and light jazz with the Steve Seitz Trio.
Saturday, Feb. 16th 3:30 p.m. registration, 4-8 p.m. program
Regency Suites, $ 60 per couple register by calling The American Foundation of Counseling at 437-8256 by Feb. 12th.
Special room rates of $ 99 to $ 109 are available at the Regency Suites for attendees. 432-4555.

YMCA
235 N. Jefferson St. 436-9638
Super Saturday Downtown, Feb. 16th 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Free for Everyone- “Power 90”
A high powered workout class that combines cardio exercise, plyometrics, strength training and yoga inot one great workout that can be modified for people of all fitness levels.

YMCA joiner fees waived until Feb. 15th. A savings up to $75 !

Looking for a way to spend quality time with your family? Come to Valentine’s Day at the Downtown YMCA on Saturday Feb. 16th from 6:00-8:30PM. Highlights include a free dinner, joust, Miller and Mike magic show, swimming, gymnastics obstacle courses, cookie decorating, bingo, and more. Call 436-9622 for more information.

YWCA
230 S. Madison St. 432-5581
It's cold outside, so why not enjoy a dip in one of the YWCA's two 88 degree pools?! The YWCA offers a variety of open, adult, and lap swimming times from Monday through Saturday. The cost is only $6.50 for adults, $2.25 for children, and $8.50 for families. Please contact the YWCA at 432-5581 for more information.

]]> http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/02/valentines_day_things_support_local_businesses.php http://www.kavarna.com/blog/2008/02/valentines_day_things_support_local_businesses.php Green Bay Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:53:02 -0600