The Roadhouse

Pretty cool--you can count seals in Antarctica, right from your couch, via satellite images. Dr. Michelle LaRue is a research ecologist at the U of MN Department of Earth Sciences and lead researcher on the project, which is called "Satellites Over Seals." She talked with Dick about what they're studying, why the seal count is important, and why they've turned to the public for help. It's easy to get started counting seals--just go to www.tomnod.com and follow the instructions. 

Perseid meteor showers peak the week of Aug. 8...and best overnight Thursday night. One of our favorite regular guests, Bob King, chatted with Dave about when and where to see them, and how to get pictures, too. Lots of great info here including where to get the best northern lights predictions, aurora apps for your phone, and a simple explanation of what a meteor shower actually is. Bob is a photographer and photo editor at the Duluth News Tribune, and writes the popular Astrobob blog. 

Local musician Chris Gillis put together a new group of percussionists to 'play a little light-hearted rumble,' with traditional instruments as well as metal  junk, in front of Bill Bally's blacksmith shop during Fisherman's Picnic. Dick chatted with him about how he got the idea, why the historic blacksmith shop, and much more. The "Grand Marais Junkeroo Steel Band" made its debut Aug. 6.

Kate Welp, a surgical cardiac nurse at Mayo Clinic and regular Grand Marais Rec Park guest, founded Hands for Humanity in 2002, a few years after adopting her daughter from Ecuador. She joined Dave to explain the conditions and needs in Ecuador, what kinds of projects they do, and how volunteers are involved. You can learn more here.

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. 

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.  

Longtime favorite Michael Monroe stopped by Studio A recently to chat about what he's up to lately, and play both original tunes and covers. You can learn more about Michael's music, schedule, and log cabin concerts here. 

Restorative justice is an approach to repairing harm that considers all parties involved and focuses more on healing and rebuilding than it does on punishment. Kay Pranis, senior associate at the Center for Restorative Justice at Suffolk University in Boston, will give a talk about the process at Cook County Higher Education Thursday, July 28 at 7 p.m. She joined Dick to explain what restorative justice is and give a preview of her talk.

The adorable, popular six-stories-tall rubber duck is coming to Duluth for the Tall Ships festival, August 18 to 21. Dave chatted all things duck with her creator, Craig Samborski of Draw Events, which organizes the Tall Ships event and owns the World's Largest Rubber Duck. 

New musical duo Red Dirt Girl (Michele Miller & Amymarie Schmidt) made their radio debut on The Roadhouse last week. Look for them to play around town this summer.