Dave and Dave Blog

February 3rd of 1959 was the day three stars of the music world died in a plane crash in Iowa.  Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and "Big Bopper" J-P Richardson were on their way to Fargo to continue the "Winter Dance Party" tour after a concert in Clear Lake, Iowa.  Just a few days earlier they were in Duluth at the Armory.  Among the many teenagers attending that event was Bob Zimmerman who later became world famous as Bob Dylan.  Hosting was local radio personality (and still a teenager himself at that time) Lew Latto.  The plane crash took the lives of three up and coming stars but, unlike the often quoted line in Don McLean's "American Pie", it wasn't "the day the music died".  Thankfully, the music they created up to that time lives on and is still enjoyed by millions around the world.  Buddy Holly and his music has, over the last 53 years, inspired countless others (including members of the Beatles) to pursue careers in rock and roll. 

It's Super Bowl week and along with all the other hype about the players and the big game on Sunday is a bunch of predictions from sources of all kinds who claim to know which team will win and, in some cases, the final score.  The Las Vegas bookies are giving the Patriots about a 3 point advantage but what do they know?  A camel at some zoo on the east coast has picked the Giants to win and apparently has been right 5 of the last six years.  The strippers at Rick's Cabaret in midtown Manhattan are picking the Giants because "several players were in here last week and they were cool, calm and confident".  EA Sports is out with its Madden video game simulation which shows the Giants winning 27-24.  They were right in 6 of the last 8 Super Bowls.  Or you can flip a coin and have a 50-50 chance of picking the winner.  If betting on the game is too lame, how about getting some action on bets being taken regarding how Kelly Clarkson will do at singing the National Anthem before the game...what will she wear and will she forget some of the words?  87.5 million dollars was waged on official betting on last year's Super Bowl but millions of dollars also trades hands unofficially in casual wagers.  If some of that is your money...Good Luck!

It is probably something we have never thought about while watching the Superbowl and munching on chicken wings.  The animal rights group PETA, is reminding us that 600 million chickens will be killed to provide the wings consumed on that day alone.  PETA officials say billboards are going up around the country urging us to try "vegan" alternatives to chicken wings at our Superbowl parties.  Among the suggestions are seven layer Mexican dip with tofu cream cheese, Korean barbecued "meatballs" made with ground up vegetables and the ever popular lettuce wrapped fried zucchini.  Mmmmm.  Of course, even though we might save the chickens on Superbowl Sunday, they would still be on the chopping block for chicken dinners the rest of the year. 

A large solar flare on Sunday may mean some spectacular northern lights in the skies of Minnesota and Wisconsin this week.  Scientists say the outburst from the sun has caused one of the strongest solar radiation storms on earth in the last six years.  Although it could trigger a variety of disturbances to satellite communications and magnetic fields, it will also result in some intense northern lights displays.  The best viewing of the aurora borealis would be late at night, away from other sources of light and look to the north.  Obviously we would need mostly clear skies too.

The subject matter has a high "ish" factor but a physician from Essentia Health in Duluth will be featured on the Monday (January 16) episode of "The Doctors", a nationally syndicated television show.  Dr. Tim Rubin is a gastroenterologist and treats patients suffering from a severe colon infection with a procedure know as a "stool" or fecal transplant.  Yes, that is just what you think it is.  Dr. Rubin uses a solution made from a donor's stool which is inserted into the patient's stomach through a tube in the nose.  Patients come from around the country to undergo the procedure, which has a success rate of 90 percent, and can feel better within a few days.  The donor stool is typically from a family member or spouse of the patient and Dr. Rubin says it helps bring the bacteria that lives in the colon of the patient back into balance.  The doctor says the patient doesn't taste or smell anything as the solution, made from donor fecal matter, is introduced into the upper GI tract in a slurry that is the consistency of chocolate milk.  Dr. Rubin will explain the process and benefits of a stool transplant on "The Doctors" which airs at 4p-m Monday on KDLH TV in Duluth.

After sitting out the first week of the NFL playoffs, thanks to their outstanding regular season record, the Green Bay Packers will host the New York Giants in the second round on Sunday.   The Pack outlasted the Giants back in early December by just 3 points and it looks to be another tight contest this weekend.  There is no doubt that Green Bay can put up big offensive numbers, the question is can their defense keep New York to a few points less.  Another concern is the bye week.  Last year the Packers were hot and the momentum kept building right through the Super Bowl.  This time, besides the pressure of repeating, they go into the game with Aaron Rodgers and several other key players not having played since Christmas night.  Hopefully, they can shake off any rust quickly and light up the Lambeau Field scoreboard early and often.  GO PACK!

This week's suggestion from the National Transportation Safety Board that all cell phones be banned while driving has me wondering about other driving distractions that may have to be outlawed.  Eating a burger while trying to find the fries you dropped in your lap as you cruise down the road at 65 miles per hour (or more) can't be any safer than talking on a hands-free cell phone.  Just talking to in-vehicle passengers can be dangerous especially when you include all the hand gestures needed to make a point.  Seeing what the kids are up to in the back seat can take your focus off the road just as much as hitting the send button on your phone.  Obviously distracted driving is a serious issue but there are plenty of other distractions in the vehicle besides the cell phone and there hasn't been a call yet to ban putting a CD in the player, changing radio stations or trying to read a map (or change a setting on your g-p-s unit) while driving.  Just remember, the people who send and read text messages or surf the internet on their smart phones and otherwise take their eyes off the road while driving are not just putting themselves and their passengers at risk but also everyone else who happens to be on the road at that time.  Please, make it a point to concentrate only on the job of driving (and nothing else) every time you're behind the wheel

If you are wondering why the ticket prices are so high at sporting events, part of the reason might be to help pay the outrageous salaries of pro players.  As an example, the Miami Marlins have just upped their contract offer to free agent baseball player Albert Pujols to a ten year deal at more than 22 million dollars a year.  It is possible that other teams could still top that proposal to lure Pujols to play for them.  Obviously, Pujols is an exceptional player and most players don't command that kind of money, but the average player salary is still over 3 million dollars a year (and teams have at least 25 players on the roster).  Major League ticket prices now average 27 dollars but several teams are charging over 50 dollars per ticket.  It won't be long and the only people able to afford to take the family to a ball game will be the players themselves.

A new reality TV show is set to hit the airwaves on ABC in January.  It is called "Celebrity Wife Swap" and will feature ten stars trading wifes for a week and then documenting the hilarity that is sure to follow.  Among the "celebrities" signed up for the program are Flavor Flav who will swap wifes with old rocker Dee Snider.  Actor Gary Busey, wrestler Mick Foley and pastor Ted Haggard are among the others on the show.  Apparently the television programmers will just keep throwing this kind of crap at us in hopes that something might stick.

No matter which side of the real vs artificial Christmas tree debate you're on, the arguments are pretty good for both.  Obviously the cost over time is much less by going artificial since it can be used for many Christmases to come while the real tree goes out after the current holiday season.  The artificial tree also gets the upper hand when it comes to maintenance with no cutting, shaping or daily watering needed.  Many also come pre-lit and pre decorated.  Among the advantages of the real thing is the fun of choosing the perfect tree every year, the wonderful smell that will fill your home and easy recycling when it's time to say good-bye.  We are lucky to have an abundance of natural trees available in this part of the country and there are several cut-your-own operations nearby so you can be assured a fresh tree that won't lose its needles before Christmas day (assuming you water it properly).  One other note that might tip the scales, if you're undecided on which tree to go with, the real Christmas tree industry employs more than 100 thousand in the U-S while the majority of the artificial trees are imported from China.  But then so is most of the stuff you'll be putting under it this season.  

The Holiday season officially kicks off in Duluth on Friday with the Christmas City of the North Parade, a week before Thanksgiving tradition that dates back to the 1950's.  Bundle up the kids, put some hot chocolate in a thermos and head downtown Friday night to enjoy the parade that features around 70 units including 20 marching bands and, of course Santa himself.  There is plenty of room to set up lawn chairs along Superior Street, or watch the parade pass below you from the relative comfort of the skywalks (you might want to arrive early to stake your claim on those prime spots).  Another sure sign that the season has arrived is the opening of the Bentleyville Tour of Lights on Saturday at Bayfront Festival Park.  There is even more to see than ever before with additional lighted displays and a new animated giant tree topper.  If the economy or other factors make it seem tougher to get into the "holiday spirit" this year, either of these downtown events will have you saying "ho-ho-ho" in no time.

Once again the Dave & Dave Show has entered into a mighty competition with the purpose of raising $$ for Habitat For Humanity.  The interesting angle is that the losers of this competition will be scooping poop at the Lake Superior Zoo. 

The Dave & Dave Show will take on hosts from other stations here at Midwest Communications......who cares who they are anyway.  The Daves will reign supreme because we have the best listeners.....period. 

10 days.......and we need your help!  Oh...by the way the project we’re working on is a ramp we’ll help build for a disabled veteran.  Please help and remember.....when we win....you win!!

Donate at the following link or drop off donations at the KDAL studios (715 E. Central Entrance).

http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Daveanddave-Habitat-Veteransday