Random Posts

James Fallows on Cirrus as Game Changers, 9 Years On

This was interesting to me. On the Plane Conversations blog, author Alan Howell reviews a 2001 book by Atlantic contributor James Fallows called “Free Flight: From Airline Hell to a New Age of Travel.” In the book, according to Howell, Fallows says that the Klapmeier brothers of Duluth’s own Cirrus Design created the first of three major innovations that would change the way people travel. How did the prediction stack up?

In the last nine years, how did James Fallows’ case studies fare?

To date, Cirrus has manufactured and sold more than 5000 aircraft and has been the number one, best selling aircraft in the past decade – not bad for a start-up company with a non-conventional design. Like other aviation companies, Cirrus has been severely impacted by the economy but will survive in some form. The aircraft has been too successful and the market will continue to demand new models with improved technology.

Read the whole article here: Free Flight: What has happened since James Fallows wrote the book

Nerd Gang!


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U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says prisoners can no longer play Dungeons & Dragons in prison, because it “promotes gang-related activity.”

The only thing hazardous about D&D are possibly the 4-sided dice if you happen to step on them! I think activities like this are harmless, and could provide an alternative to prison gang culture (and it uses math!). Some of my coworkers think that if you’re in prison, you shouldn’t be allowed to game. I think everyone can agree that despite what Jack Chick tells you, D&D is not a gang. Thoughts?

Jason Vincent new Fox 21 news director

FOX21 news director

Hearing voices in the parking ramp

I’ve had the occasion to park in the Tech Village ramp a few times in the past week, and while I was able to exit promptly each time (unlike others’ experiences), I did notice something odd about the machine that takes validated tickets as you drive out.

Rubber Chicken Radio Hour has a permanent home at The Shack

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The Rubber Chicken Radio Hour has a new permanent home at the Shack in Superior.

Bart Band

NiceBearsSmall

Forum on “The Struggle for Abortion Rights”

THE STRUGGLE FOR ABORTION RIGHTS: a panel discussion
—————————————————-
Sunday, January 24 at 7pm
Duluth Building for Women at 32 E. 1st St.
(basement meeting room)
—————————————————-
To mark the anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, you’re invited to a panel discussion on abortion rights. Speaking will be Heather Bradford, Chere Suzette Bergeron and Linda Gokee-Rindal. After the presentations there’ll be an open discussion period.

This event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Socialist Action and the UMD Reproductive Justice Collective. Bring a friend!
pro-choice

Wilco-Ashes of American Flags

ashes
The Wilco folks contacted us about screening their newish documentary by Brendan Canty (Fugazi) and Christopher Green. This film will screen one time only at 7:15 on Thursday Jan 28th. We will also be giving away two free tickets to their upcoming show at the DECC. Cost is 6.50.
Also want to remind folks about the upcoming screening of Buster Keaton’s The General with a new score written and performed by Marc Gartband. This Friday & Saturday at 7:30p.m. For tickets head to Zinema 2

Geek Prom rip off or homage?

“First ever Geek Prom set for Tango’s Ballroom”

http://centralwisconsinhub.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100115/WDH0501/1140390

Saturday Night

Jazz and blues with a little pop

At Sara's Table Wine Bar Event

At Sara's Table Wine Bar Event

iFilms at the Duluth Library- Free, 3rd Sat. at 1:30

You can see the listing at www.duluth.lib.mn.us
Country Teacher will be shown on Sat, Jan 16.

Lily the Black Bear

I have found the most wonderful work distraction.  Not that it’s wonderful to be distracted from work, but I can’t take my eyes off of this webcam. 

Lily the Black Bear at the North American Bear Center in Ely is just days away from having her cubs.
She is in hibernation and you can watch it all unfold on the den cam

For the most part she’s just snoozing away … zzzzzzzzzz

I’m also addicted to other Ely, MN cams like:  Fall Lake and Birch Lake 

Question.

Has anybody done the math on what Superior and Duluth bars are geographically closest to each other? I’m thinking Schultz’s and Quinlans. Am I right?

Dog-friendly Duluth

I was reading comments to convince my girlfriend, and saw one reader post that Duluth is sooo dog friendly.

We have just moved from the Twin Cities and I have struggled finding dog-friendly places. Where we lived in the Cities, there were huge dog parks with hiking trails where we could safely let our dog off-leash (and get exercise ourselves), dog-friendly businesses to visit, dog day cares, cafes you could bring your dog, and a lot of special events. (It probably helped that there are publications like Sidewalk Dog to point you in the right direction).

The one tiny dog park in Duluth is inadequate to say the least (we won’t visit again), and while I’ve heard about the Superior Hiking Trail, in many places in Duluth it seems too close to roads to feel comfortable letting my dog off leash (also am not sure how easy it would be to hike it in the winter).

So, dog owners — what are your tips for great places to bring your dog? Where can you let your dog off-leash? I work in Duluth and am staying in Cloquet until we find a permanent place to settle, so am curious about any Cloquet/Esko tips as well.

Thanks!

“I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.”

7wQEll

Stand strong Conan.

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