Universities in our region rarely schedule as many public lectures in the dead of winter the way they schedule them in the spring. Driving is safer for regional guests, while longer daylight means more community members will brave the parking hazards of campuses.

As a result, then, I’ve been to too many public lectures lately.

Bimbo Bakeries USA is hiring. There are permanent employment opportunities for merchandisers at the Duluth and Virginia locations. Follow the link or call Robert Hill at 715-571-6981 for details.

It looks like we’re in for another late, cold spring, with delayed ice-out. This means we may be in for another spring full of stranded grebes, loons, and mergansers.

The Harbor City Rollerdames double-header was intense, tonight — both games at times much closer than I would have expected.

1st Game: Shipwreckers vs. Mankato Area Derby Girls
Shipwreckers 239 to MAD Girls 170

2nd Game: HCRD Nautikills vs. Sioux Falls Roller Dollz
Nautikills 176 to Sioux Falls 170

In the last two weeks, I have been to two conferences, one at UW-Superior featuring entirely student presenters, and one at Lake Superior College. In both cases, it was clear: the university is learning to respond to the community, and the faculty and students are committed to making the community a better place.

We need a seasoned or seasonal minion! Raven & Associates, Inc., a great little promotional products company right here in Duluth, has started ramping up for our summer season earlier than usual and we need help! We are looking for person to act as an assistant to our sales team writing up quotes, ordering product, doing product research, etc.  We are looking for someone with computer skills, charm, and the ability to work in an office environment. This very well could turn into a full-time position going into the fall.

Here’s the basic info on the job: Hourly wage of $10 per hour and with some ability to be flexible on work schedule. Previous experience working in an office (you know, with computers), some background in the arts, and interest in outdoors preferred.

For more info, call Dave at 740-2769 or drop me an e-mail at dave @ goravengo.com. We are now located in a creepy old theater at 319 N. Central Ave.

What a strange life–a deer in the garage, a raccoon in the basement, a juvenile crow in the aviary, and a whole flock of pigeons, recovering from a variety of issues, in the basement bathroom and spare room of Wildwoods.