Dave and Dave Blog

The appearance of the Shrine Circus at the DECC this weekend brings back many fond memories of entertainment “under the big top” over the years.  I can remember the circus coming to town was always a really big deal as a kid.  Posters would start popping up on telephone poles around the neighborhood a few days in advance of their arrival.  Then, on the big day, they would pull into town on the train (in the early years…later by truck) and organize a parade down the main street to give everyone a taste of what was in store at the big show.  The parade included a calliope blasting out typical circus music, followed by lions, tigers and other wild animals in mobile cages, plodding elephants, plenty of clowns and the stars of the show…the high wire and trapeze acts.  The atmosphere under the, usually hot, big top was very unique, a combination of smells that included popcorn, cotton candy, cigar smoke, sawdust and wild animal droppings.  It’s not quite the same in an arena, but the experience is still one that every kid should have at least once in their life.

The oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that exploded and burned last week continues to leak oil at a rate that is five times greater than originally thought.  Latest reports say 5 thousand barrels of oil each day is being leaked into the waters of the gulf.  Ideas are being taken from all levels on ways to stop the leak and to clean up the growing oil slick that is threatening wildlife and the fishing industry in that area.  You have to figure that among the other consequences of this disaster will be even higher prices for gasoline (which are already closing in on 3 dollars a gallon).  Oil companies seem to use any excuse they can to continue to jack up the price while, at the same time, reaping in obscenely large profits.  Just today, Exxon-Mobil reported a first quarter profit of 6.3 billion dollars, up 38 percent from a year ago.  I would hope they would use some of those profits to increase the safety features of off-shore oil rigs, so that this kind of disaster won't happen again. 

Low income residents in the Twin Ports are benefitting from a new program introduced by Habitat for Humanity.  It's called "A Brush With Kindness" and matches up eligible homowners in need of exterior repairs to service groups, businesses, clubs and churches looking for opportunities to make a difference in their community.  Several such projects are being accomplished in Duluth, Superior and Cloquet this spring.  This and other Habitat For Humanity programs are in need of volunteers and monetary donations.  Get more information at www.habitatduluth.org

Duluth Mayor Don Ness was a guest on the program today and talked about the positive impact that the purchase of the Norshor Theater will have on the continuing refurbishing of the "old downtown" area east of Lake Avenue.  The mayor also touched on the importance of the new airport terminal building that has now acquired needed state and federal financing.  Phase one of that project is already underway. 

After a long and varied history in Duluth the Norshor Theater is set to begin another chapter after the city council approved the 2.6 million dollar purchase of the theater and two adjacent buildings.  After starting as a live venue called the Orpheum in 1910, it was re-named the Norshor and converted into an art deco movie theater in the early 1940's.  It survived into the early 1980's when most downtown theaters, in Duluth and around the country, were replaced by the multiplex movie facilities we see today.  Since then, the building has fallen into disrepair and has seen several attempts to reopen as a live theater and independent movie house without much success.  Over the last several years it has survived as a strip club.  It would seem that deep pockets and lots of hard work will be needed to bring the facility back to its former glory but I hope it will happen.  During its prime, the Norshor was a real jewel and deserves a better fate than most of the other classic theaters that no longer exist.

Duluth Superintendent of Schools, Keith Dixon, brought several special guests with him during his appearance today on the Dave & Dave Show.  Holly Sampson, President of the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation talked about the upcoming Manley and Lillian Goldfine Gold Star Teacher Awards.  Seven outstanding Duluth middle and high school teachers have been nominated for this year's award to be presented on May 5th.  Jill Lofald, the faculty advisor for the Duluth High School Speech Team, talked about several students that will advance to the National Speech Tournament in Kansas City in June.  Three students from the Secondary Technical Center in Duluth received state awards and now move onto the Business Professionals Of America National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California next month.  Congratulations to these and many other students and teachers who have done their schools proud and rank among the finest in the state and nation.

The beautiful view of the city and harbor from Skyline Parkway in Duluth is getting even better thanks to Friday's Global Youth Services Day.  Organizers say about 200 volunteers are picking up garbage left behind by empty headed people who use the 11 mile stretch of road as a dumping ground.  The most common items found along the roadway are cigarette butts and plastic bottles.  However, previous clean up efforts have uncovered bags full of garbage, appliances, tires and even furniture.  Thanks to all the volunteers who clean up the mess that others make and brighten the surroundings for all of us.

Since we all live on this planet, it is only right that we do our part to take care of it and try to pass it along to future generations in better shape than it was.  The first Earth Day was held 40 years ago on April 22nd, 1970 to promote environmental issues and call attention to protecting our environment.  Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded the day as an environmental teaching opportunity.  Nelson's idea caught on quickly.  Today, it's estimated that more than one billion people in 190 nations will mark Earth Day in one way or another. 
Make a special effort to use the recycle bins and do what you can to reduce your energy use today.  Other ways to get involved can be found at www.earthday.org

The Minnesota D-N-R now says there have been more wildfires so far this spring than in all of 2009.  As of today 833 wildfires have burned over 17 thousand acres in the state during March and April.  With no rain in the immediate forecast, the dry and windy conditions will keep making the situation worse over most of Minnesota but especially the northern half and in northwestern Wisconsin.  There are already many burning restrictions in place but even more are expected to be added by this weekend.  Besides campfires and other fires that get out of control, the D-N-R says unusual wildfire starts include hot mufflers on A-T-V's that ignite tall, dry grass and even sparks from lawnmowers.  Until we get sufficient rain or the vegetation greens up, please be extra careful with anything that could start a fire.  Remember, the person who starts the fire is responsible to pay back the state for the costs involved in putting it out.

This is National Weed Day and we're not talking about the dandelion problem you have in your lawn.  The celebration involves marijuana and the day that is set aside to celebrate the most popular illegal drug in the country.  The day was thought to have started in California in 1971 when school kids could hardly wait for the 4:20 p-m bell so they could get out of school and light up their joints.  Since then the counter-culture has designated 4/20 or April 20 as the day each year to celebrate all things cannabis.  In 21 states (not including Minnesota or Wisconsin) you can now enjoy smoking weed legally, with a doctor's prescription.  Medical marijuana bills are also being considered in several other states this year.  Meanwhile, three states have banned a new synthetic drug known as K-2 which has similar effects to marijuana and is primarily made overseas and sold on the internet as a potpourri.  As it becomes more readily available, law enforcement continues to support efforts by many other states to control or ban it. 

In addition to earthquakes and hurricanes, you can add active volcanoes to the list of natural disasters we don't have to deal with in this part of the world.  The volcano in Iceland continues to spew hot, abrasive ash miles into the atmosphere which is severly hampering air traffic.  The cloud of ash has caused 63 thousand flights in Europe to be cancelled over the last several days and has stranded many thousands of travelers trying to get in and out of that area.  There is considerable pressure for some flights to resume since the airlines are said to be losing 250 million dollars a day because of the no-fly order. 

Meanwhile, among the  natural disasters we do have to contend with are wildfires.  The unusually warm weather and lack of rain this spring has left most of northern Minnesota with a very high fire danger rating.  So far this year the DNR reports nearly 800 wildfires in the state, burning almost 16 thousand acres.  Burning restrictions are in place and caution is urged until the vegetation greens up or a soaking rain arrives.

A city wide clean-up campaign begins on Saturday in Duluth and will continue through next week.  Duluthians are being asked to help clean up parks, trails and other public areas.  It is also a great opportunity to spruce up your own property but don't leave piles of brush along the street since city crews will not pick up debris from private property.  Owners should contact their waste hauler to dispose of bulky material or use the WLSSD Materials Recovery Center, Yard Waste Composting Site or the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 27th Avenue West and the waterfront.  There are over 30 neighborhood groups who have volunteered to pitch in and help spiff up Duluth for spring. 

The city is also looking for help in "raising" the roses at the Rose Garden in Leif Erikson Park.  Bring a small shovel and a pair of leather work gloves to the Rose Garden on Sunday between 12:30 and 3:30 or next Tuesday from 3 to 6 p-m.  Experienced rose growers will be on hand to show volunteers how to raise the plants that were buried last fall as protection from the winter cold. 

Hearings are underway in Washington D-C concerning the increasing use of chewing tobacco among teen boys.  Health experts say smokeless tobacco can cause various cancers in the mouth, throat and esophagus.  Among the reasons given for the higher teen use are more smoking restrictions and the influence of baseball players, many of whom continue to use "a pinch between the cheek and gum" during major league games.  Chewing tobacco has been banned in minor league ball since 1993, but the Major League Players Association is fighting efforts to ban smokeless tobacco in the big leagues.  A recent survey showed about 33 percent of major league players still use smokeless tobacco.  Besides being bad for your health, chewing tobacco also results in almost constant spitting.  Even those who don't use "chew" seem to have acquired the disgusting habit of spitting every few seconds.  As kids try to copy their favorite players, spitting soon joins the other, more important, skills needed to play the game.  I would hate to be on dugout clean-up duty after ball games at any level from T-Ball to the Majors.