Business
Saving a part of Americana--old diners restored and repurposed
-Steve Harwin bought his first diner in 1987..and has been preserving this special part of American history ever since. Dave caught up with him to learn how he got into the business, why it's important to save these unique structures, and much more. You can learn more about Steve's business, Diversified Diners, here.
Angry Trout Cafe to distribute salad dressings this winter
-Usually closed through the winter, the Angry Trout Cafe is trying something new this year.
Crooked Spoon's 10 Year Anniversary
Will Moore-The Crooked Spoon Cafe is celebrating 10 years of bringing unique foods to downtown Grand Marais.
Circular economy's goal moves way beyond recycling
-The basic idea of the circular economy is that in production, nothing should be wasted, and everything at the end of its life should be made into something else. Dave talked with Nathaniel Springer, an economist in the U of MN Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, to learn more. Here's a great article about it from the Institute on the Environment (U of MN). Nat also recommends the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as a place to learn more.
Everything you ever wanted to know about World's Best Donuts
-Everybody loves Grand Marais' World's Best Donuts--so Julie Carlson invited second- and third-generation donut makers Dee Brazell and Stacey Hawkins, and their mom, Sherrie Lindskog, to stop by The Roadhouse and chat about the fun stories and history behind this family-run business. Their first 'cash register' was a tackle box.
***WARNING***: Listening to this story may cause severe cravings and/or sudden trips to downtown Grand Marais.
Avoid being 'greenwashed' when looking for environmentally-friendly products
-What do those labels on 'ecofriendly' products really mean? Dave chatted with Dr. Tim Smith of the U of MN Institute on the Environment's NorthStar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise to learn what to look for and how to better read those labels. Dr. Smith suggests the Good Guide phone app as one of many tools to help make more environmentally-friendly buying decisions.
Everything you wanted to know about maple syrup--from local producer Greg Nichols
-Greg Nichols is part of the Sawtooth Mountain Maple Syrup Company in Lutsen--currently the largest sugarbush in Minnesota. He sat down with Dave Seaton recently to explain the intricacies of organic maple syrup production. You can see their Facebook page to learn more.
What makes a boycott effective? Business professor/sociologist weighs in
-In the wake of the Silver Bay City Council ban of Bent Paddle beer, we wondered...how effective are boycotts anyway? Brayden King is professor of managment and organizations at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago. He talked with Ann Possis about why and when boycotts work, and explained how modern communications have changed the playing field.
Sure sign of spring--Duluth's shipping season under way
-Duluth's shipping season just opened, and it's big business. Adele Yorde, PR director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, chatted with Dave recently about shipping in Duluth-Superior and what it means to the area. You can go to www.duluthboats.com for ship arrivals and departures--it's updated several times a day.
What does the future hold for driverless cars? Transportation expert weighs in
-Following the recent crash of a driverless car, there's been a lot of talk about these vehicles. Frank Douma is a transportation policy expert and director of the state and local policy program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the U of MN. He chatted with Dave recently about the challenges and advantages of driverless cars, and what the future might hold for this technology.