5 Ways to treat your Valentine in 2012

Guys, your better half deserves a treat.

Let’s face it, she didn’t mind your Super Bowl party. She probably even did most of the cleaning up afterwards. We can complain about St. Valentine’s Day being created by the greeting cards companies but in truth, she deserves every week instead of once a year.

Yet there is always that question about what to do for Valentine’s day.

How will you celebrate St. Valentine's Day in Wisconsin?

What do you do for her? What do you get her? She deserves a bit more than the cheap bouquet at the grocery store on the way home.

5 Ways to treat your Valentine special in Wisconsin:

1. Take her for a romantic retreat a one of Wisconsin’s romantic spots.

Maybe an evening with Swiss European flare in New Glarus. How about a night in Door County at one of the local resorts? There are many places in Wisconsin that offer a different view and a chance to be together and enjoy it.

2. Give her  a special Wisconsin treat.

If getting away for a night is not an option this year since St. Valentine’s Day is in the middle of the week, you can still giver her a treat from those places. You can order chocolate from the New Glarus Cheese and Chocolate Haus or Esther’s European Imports. Both have online stores and you might get the goods in time if you order soon. There are a number of Door County specialties that can be found all over the state. At the very least, you could get her some special Door County Coffee and enjoy a warm evening together. Don’t forget the New Glarus Bakery or any local Wisconsin bakery for other baked sweets.  You can get her jelly beans at the Jelly Belly Factory in Kenosha.

3. Spend some time in the Wisconsin outdoors together.

One hint: the middle of February is probably not a good time for a walk down Grant Park Beach with the cold wind from Lake Michigan. However, the 7 Bridges in Grant Park might make a nice romantic walk and it’s kinda of hidden from the wind. If you can skate (or she can) there is ice skating at Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee. For something even more athletic, go skiing. Crystal Ridge Ski Hill in Franklin is just minutes away from much of Milwaukee and has ski rentals.

4. Flowers from one of Wisconsin’s florists.

I’ve always loved the look on my wife’s face when I give her flowers. She really loves them. There is Parkway Floral in South Milwaukee as well as a large number of other local florists in Wisconsin.

Flowers and Jewelry Make Valentine's Day Better

5. Diamonds are always treasured.

If not diamonds, there are other choices in jewelry that will thrill her heart. My wife loves pearls. I think they look better when she is wearing them then in a store. I suggest you go to a local jeweler like Donn Powers instead of a discount chain store. You’ll know your getting something that is worthy of your better half instead of some cheap imported piece of costume jewelry.

Of course, if one of the five ideas above doesn’t come to mind you can take your Valentine out to eat at a Wisconsin restaurant.

You can go Italian at Paisano’s in South Milwaukee or diCarlo’s Pizza in Oak Creek. You can go with Chinese at China Chef in South Milwaukee. For something a bit more upscale, you can take your Valentine to the Packing House. If you are not near one of these places, I am sure there is another fine Wisconsin restaurant near you the she loves. Better yet, combine dinner with one of the options above.

Whatever you do, do something.

She deserves it, doesn’t she? After all, she chose to spend St. Valentine’s with you.

di Carlo’s Pizza Oak Creek, WI

Trattoria Di Carlo

Di Carlo’s Pizza has become well known in the Milwaukee area for being one of the best places to eat. It certainly has great pizza, but that is not all. Di Carlo Pizza also has a large number of other Italian specialties. Steak and seafood are also on the menu.

The original Di Carlo Pizza was a very small building.

This meant a long waiting time for the few tables. It was worth the wait. Even to sit in the somewhat cramped dinning room.

They have expanded the building.

Now there is much more room. The parking lot is still usually full on many nights. There is also a separate entrance for carry out orders.

Prices are nice too.

Di Carlo’s Specialty Pizzas range from $10.00 to $24.50 for the 18 inch “Everything but the kitchen sink.” Most of the Specialties and entrees are in the $12-$20 range. There is also a children’s menu. Di Carlo Pizza of Oak Creek also does catering.

Di Carlo’s does both carry out and delivery.

Phone number for Di Carlo Pizza

• 414-768-0001

Address for Di Carlo Pizza

• 8469 South Howell Avenue
• Oak Creek, Wisconsin 53154

Map to Di Carlo Pizza Oak Creek Wisconsin

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Websites for Di Carlo Pizza

• Di Carlo Pizza
• Trattoria Di Carlo Catering

The City of Oak Creek, WI Public Library

The Oak Creek Public Library opened in 1972. It has been serving the growing community of Oak Creek, Wisconsin since then.

The Oak Creek Library has much more than books.

Besides books, there are DVD’s, CD’s, video tapes, magazines and more. Recently, free Wi-Fi access was added in addition to the library computers with internet access.

The library is a department of the City of Oak Creek.

It is also a member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System. This means you can request many materials from other Milwaukee County libraries and pick them up at the Oak Creek Library. You can also use the Milwaukee County Federated Library System website to check your records and even pay fines for late returns.

The Oak Creek Public Library as two main sections.

The adult section. The children’s section. The children’s section is separated and contains books, videos, and DVD that would interest younger children. There is a book drop on the East side of the library for after hours returns.

Services available at the Oak Creek Library:

• Photocopier
• DVD player
• Meeting Rooms
• Internet Access
• Word Processing

Address for the City of Oak Creek Public Library

• 8620 South Howell Avenue
• Oak Creek, Wisconsin 53154

Map to the Oak Creek, WI Public Library

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Oak Creek Library Phone Number

• 414-764-4400

Oak Creek Library Websites

• Oak Creek Library
• Milwaukee County Federated Library System

The City of Oak Creek, WI

The City of Oak Creek, Wisconsin is one of the southernmost suburbs in Milwaukee County. Its south border is next to Racine County, WI. Oak Creek is an incredibly fast growing city. Its population in 2004 was estimated at 31,029 but many homes have been built in just the last few years which will increase the population dramatically.

While growing, Oak Creek still has a rural aspect.

There are still farms in Oak Creek. There are also not only county parks but city parks.

The City of Oak Creek also proudly shows a “Tree City USA” flag from the National Arbor Day Foundation at the City Hall. Oak Creek has a boat ramp on the coast of Lake Michigan.

Some statistics for the City of Oak Creek, Wisconsin:

• Incorporated – 1955
• Population – 32,410
• Median Housing Value – $139,100
• Median Rent – $704
• Size – 28.4 square miles

Oak Creek has some great advantages.

It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. It is only 70 miles from Chicago, Ill. Interstate I-94 passes through Oak Creek with several exits. Oak Creek has several industrial and commercial parks. Several large department stores have moved into Oak Creek, including Target and Kohl’s.

Some important phone numbers for the City of Oak Creek:

• Emergency – 911
• Oak Creek Police Deparment (non emergency) – 414-762-8200
• Oak Creek Fire Department (non emergency) – 414-762-3036
• Oak Creek City Hall – 414-768-6500
• Oak Creek Public Library – 414-764-4400
• Oak Creek Chamber of Commerce – 414-768-5845

Address for the Oak Creek City Hall

• 8640 South Howell Avenue
• Oak Creek, Wisconsin 53154

Map to Oak Creek, WI City Hall

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City of Oak Creek Wisconsin Website:

• OakCreekWI.org