I published this list in our August Newsletter and I thought that I would publish it here as well. Whenever a new business opens up that falls somewhere in our business category (whatever that is) people like to ask us if it impacts us. The answer is not really. A lot of businesses have opened up in the past three or four years, yet our sales keep on going up. My gut feeling is that the more strong local businesses there are, the more consumers are aware of what local businesses have to offer. Our competition isn't really Luna or Urban Frog; it's McDonald's, Appleby's, Texas Roadhouse, etc. So, we do our best to support local businesses whenever we can. Here are some of the ones we enjoy:

• The Urban Frog, 163 North Broadway: During Linda's pregnancy she was absolutely addicted to Urban Frog's butterscotch rice crispy bars. We think they're a great addition to the Broadway District, and we're glad that they escaped from Ridge Road.


• Teaosity, Oneida Avenue, just behind Krispy Kreme Donuts: Definitely the best place for tea in Ashwaubenon. I try to stop there for their Moroccan Mint Ice Tea every time I get out there.


• Luna Cafe, Main Street, West De Pere: So where do you go if you co-own your favorite coffeehouse but need to get some studying done without being interrupted? Luna. We wish their hourse were longer. Their brewed coffee never fails to satisfy.


• Lock, Stock n' Bagel, adjacent to the Webster Avenue Super Valu (formerly Sentry Foods): Lock, Stock, n' Bagel makes the finest bagel in the region and the best iced latté within four blocks of our house. Sometimes it seems like virtually everyone we know (including Linda) has worked there at one time or another.


• Little Tokyo, 121 N. Broadway: Owned by Amy Lee, Little Tokyo is our favorite spot for sushi in Green Bay. Johanna can't resist waving back to the little good luck cat on the sushi bar.


• Taste of India, 930 Waube Lane: Our only problem with Taste of India is that it's not open on Mondays, otherwise it satisfies our immense need for an Indian restaurant in Green Bay. It's good for the environment too, since it's cut down travel between Green Bay and Appleton by one whole percentage point. Taste of India is probably Green Bay's second best vegetarian restaurant too.


• A Bravo Bistro and Wine Bar, 2069 Central Court: A Bravo has long been one of our favorites. As a footnote Linda and Julie Brunette once considered opening a restaurant together, however as they discussed it they realized that their ideas were diverging and decided to each open their own restaurant. I think we can all agree that Green Bay is better off with both Kavarna and A Bravo, rather than some kind of hybrid.


• Titletown Brewing Company, 200 Dousman St.: From time to time, when I'd like to have a glass of beer with dinner we go to Titletown.


• The Attic Books & Coffee, 730 Bodart Street: I first wandered into the Attic when I lived in Chicago and would take the Greyhound bus back and forth to visit my parents (this is before I got involved with Linda and moved back to Green Bay). I was waiting for a bus and I was surprised to see it across the street. I walked over and ended up buying a copy of 'Babbit' by Sinclair Lewis. I don't always find what I need, but I usually find something that I didn't know that I needed, and that's the pleasure of a used bookstore. The Attic has recently changed hands, so we'd like to wish Bill Macier, the new owner, well. We've been meaning to drop by to say hello.


• Asian-American Café, 1425 Main St.: The Asian-American Café opened up in the space that A Bravo vacated in last year's move to Bellevue. We are addicted to their eggrolls.


• Bouchée Catering Company, 353 Main Street, De Pere: Though primarily a catering service, Bouchée also serves breakfast and lunch. We haven't managed to get there for lunch yet, but the honey and fig scone that Johanna and I shared was excellent. They also have one of these, and I'm very jealous.


• Caffé Mario, 1212 Marine St. (off of Monroe Avenue on the Fox River, by Lindemann's Cleaners): Caffé has the very best roasted potatoes that we have ever had. I think that's really saying something. It reminds me of the story of the Pope who sent an emissary to collect samples from the finest painters in Italy so that he could decide which would get an important commission at St. Peter's. The emissary arrived at Giotto's workshop and asked for a sample of his work. Giotto, being a busy man, grabbed a piece of paper and drew a mathematically perfect circle with a twist of his brush. On the basis of this gesture, the pope awarded him the commission. Mario's potatoes are like this perfect circle.


• Number One Chinese, 118 S Broadway De Pere: Number One Chinese's Cold Sesame Noodles have been a guilty pleasure of Linda's since she lived at the Lawton Foundry.