Dave and Dave Blog

Spirit Mountain is beginning a new feature that will allow people who don't ski an opportunity to see the amazing vistas and experience the thrill of racing down the mountain side.  The new "Timber Twister" alpine coaster opens for business on Thursday and will be open from 10 a-m to 7 p-m through Labor Day.  It will also be open at reduced hours through the winter months.  Duluth Mayor Don Ness will preside over a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting event on Thursday morning and will also get the first "official" ride down the mountain on the Timber Twister's 3200 foot track.  The attraction is one of just 5 alpine coasters in the country and is the only one in the midwest.  According to Spirit Mountain Executive Director Renee Matson excitement is high and advance ticket sales have been great.  Get more information about the Timber Twister at www.spiritmt.com

A news story today highlights the important role of residents in keep their neighborhoods safe.  A citizen noticed someone entering a parked vehicle on the street and taking stuff out of it.  The neighbor called 9-1-1 with a detailed description of the suspect and the vehicle he was driving and that information led to his capture by police.  We all need to keep a better eye on our surroundings and if something doesn't seem right, call authorities and have it checked out.  Unfamiliar people in the neighborhood who appear to be acting suspiciously should be reported to 9-1-1.  If it turns out they had a legitimate reason for being there, it is still better to be safe than sorry.  If it's your vehicle or home that is being broken into, I'm sure you would want your neighbor to notify authorities.  It's the neighborly thing to do.

It's amazing that 1.7 million people have already put their 200 dollars (or more) down to get the latest I-Phone from Apple.  Advance orders began on June 15th and many won't get their phone until later because of a supply shortage caused by a much higher than anticipated demand for the latest version of the smart phone.  Many of those buyers already have the previous I-Phone model which continues to work just fine, but lacks some of the "must have" new features.  The "I-Phone 4" has better graphics, face to face calling, advanced multi-tasking capabilities, longer battery life and high definition video recording plus additional cost applications that will do everything except blow the candles on your birthday cake out...oh wait, it will do that too!  It even makes phone calls.  No wonder everybody wants one.  

The 6th Annual Rhubarb Festival in Duluth on Saturday is a fundraiser for Churches United In Ministry (CHUM) providing food shelves and emergency shelters plus employment and housing advocacy programs.  The festival includes a bake sale that features over 900 rhubarb pies and dozens of other creations that feature rhubarb as the main ingredient.  The Rhubarb Festival is held from 9 a-m to 4 p-m at First Lutheran Church, 11th Avenue East and London Road.  There will also be a silent auction, live music and plenty of activities for the kids.  Although rhubarb is one of those foods that you may have to acquire a taste for, add enough sugar and everybody seems to like it.

A consumer group has given McDonald's 30 days to do away with their "Happy Meal" toys or face a class action lawsuit.  The group says packaging a toy with "unhealthy junk food" is illegal under consumer protection statutes in several states and says it contributes to the increase of childhood obesity.  CSPI founder, Michael Jacobson, says McDonald's makes a parent's job nearly impossible by giving away toys and bombarding kids with slick advertising to promote their fat laden food.  McDonald's disagrees and says they are committed to a responsible approach to their menu and Happy Meal offerings, claiming they have added more choices and variety than ever before.  The fast food restaurant chain first introduced a toy with their meals in 1979.  My view is that McDonald's and other such establishments are not forcing us to eat what they offer and parents need to show some responsibility about what their kids are consuming.  Most kids and many adults would probably eat at McDonald's everyday if it weren't for some parents saying "no" and people using common sense about what foods to eat and how often. 

The Duluth Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force is currently restoring a PBY-6A Catalina "Flying Boat" from World War Two.  It is quite an expensive project and the group is now conducting a fundraiser with the goal of raising 20 thousand dollars by the 4th of July.  Any donations to the local group of volunteers will be matched by the national C-A-F dollar for dollar, effectively doubling your contribution.  Several sponsorship levels are available for 75 dollar and up donations with an engraved plaque to be displayed at the Duluth C-A-F museum.  Get more information on the plane and the fundraiser by calling 218-733-0639, log onto their website at www.cafduluth.com or visit them at 4931 Airport Road near Cirrus Design

Surveillance cameras are popping up almost everywhere lately and a growing percentage of people are able to take high quality pictures and even video with their cell phones.  That is good news for police and bad news for lawbreakers.  A report out of Los Angeles today says police there are using hundreds of images from news sources, business surveillance video and posts on Twitter and Facebook to round up rioters who looted stores and committed other crimes during the street celebrations that followed the Lakers winning the NBA Championship last week.  Although it might take weeks, or even months, to complete their investigation, they have already arrested 46 people on various charges.  Even though some complain about a lack of privacy, the proliferation of cameras in public places should give police a better chance at identifying those who are committing crimes and bringing them to justice.  Keep a smile on your face, because it’s very likely that no matter where you are, you’re picture is being taken.

Through the magic of inter-league play, the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers will match up in another neighboring states skirmish on the baseball field this week.  This three game series starting Tuesday is being played in Milwaukee's Miller Park after the Twins took 2 of 3 from the Brewers at Target Field earlier this year.  The Twins also hold 43-30 record against the Brewers in their all time matchups.  The Twins(40-29) remain in first place in the American League Central Division while the Brewers (29-40) are 9 games behind St. Louis in the National League Central.  On paper, it would seem the Twins will roll over the Brewers again, but maybe the home field advantage will keep it close.  It's always fun in the Twin Ports with the various Minnesota and Wisconsin border battles, but baseball stills trails the excitement level of the Viking-Packer football rivalry each year.  Hear all the Twins games right here on 610 KDAL.

With all the other events going on this weekend, including Grandma's Marathon, it's easy for dad's to get lost in the shuffle.  Father's Day on Sunday was proposed a hundred years ago in, 1910, by a woman who listened to a Mother's Day sermon at church and thought the same type of recognition should be made for fathers.  It wasn't until 1972 when Father's Day got official recognition and was permanently established by President Richard Nixon.  On Sunday in Duluth, a group called FACT, which stands for "Fathers and Children Together" is treating the first 400 visitors to the Lake Superior Zoo with free admission in honor of Father's Day.  The first 250 visitors will be provided a free lunch coupon and everyone is treated to free zoo train rides.  FACT serves northeastern Minnesota fathers and their families and is designed to promote the healthy development of young fathers and children.  Get more information by calling 218-730-4500.  The Lake Superior Zoo is open from 10 a-m to 5 p-m on Father's Day.  Speaking for myself, a day at the zoo with the family would sure top another gift wrapped wallet or tie.

This weekend’s 34^th running of Grandma’s Marathon and all the other races and events will draw thousands of runners and spectators to the Duluth area.  It provides a huge economic boost to the entire region and continues to be the biggest event of the year.  I can still recall the modest beginnings of the race, started by a group of running enthusiasts called the North Shore Striders in 1977.  That year there were 150 entrants in the marathon and 116 finished the race, a far cry from the 9,500 runners that participated in recent years.  That number has decreased a bit in 2010, but the associated races such as the William Irvin 5-k and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are more popular than ever and continue to reach their runner limits every year. By the way, the winner of that first Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 was Garry Bjorklund who won the race again in 1980.  Congratulations to all of the runners this weekend and to the thousands of volunteers who make Grandma’s one of the top marathons in the country.

Now that the city of Duluth has officially taken over the NorShor Theater and adjacent properties, lets hope the resources can be found to bring the downtown landmark back to its former grandeur.  The building has led a long and stately life and really deserves this chance to  recover from its most recent role as a strip club venue.  Some cleaning and resotration work will be done over the summer months and the Duluth Playhouse will begin its first full season of entertainment in the NorShor this fall.  The current tenants in the NorShor Annex and Temple Opera Building will remain and DEDA is considering a contract with Oneida Realty to manage the facilities.

The Fourth of July is less than a month away but is the 10th of June too soon to be shooting off backyard fireworks?  I certainly hope it is, but apparently someone in the neighborhood doesn't agree and the loud show started already last week.  We're not talking firecrackers and bottle rockets either, but rather mortar launched, full scale "bursting in air" fireworks.  I expect to be awakened by such patriotic displays over the 4th of July weekend, but 3 weeks early and after 11 at night seems a little excessive.  Since I'm up at 3 a-m for work, I could return the wake up call around then, but afterall, such exploding and flying fireworks are illegal in both Minnesota and Wisconsin and I'm a little more considerate of my neighbors.