Lodging tax revenues for December were up for the same month last year county-wide according to the latest report from the Cook County Auditor-Treasurer’s office. The 2011 totals are slightly higher than for the year 2010 and the highest since the county started keeping records in 2005.  The year to date shows revenues up 6.9 percent.

Lutsen-Tofte revenues are up 8.8 percent over 2010. Grand Marais revenues were up 1 percent over last year. The Gunflint Trail revenues for December are up 8.4 percent over last year. 

The Auditor’s office emphasizes that not all businesses report taxes at the same time each year and revenues are an “apples-to-apples comparison.” That means only businesses which reported lodging tax revenues both in December of this year and last year are included in the monthly accounting.

 An informal get-together is being planned at the Superior North Outdoor Center (the bike shop) in Grand Marais on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. to talk about biking.

The meeting is open to all female bikers. Talk will be about possible rails to trails trips, organizing a bike maintenance class, and showing some slides of the 260-mile Katy Trail trip that Melinda Spinler and Leah Thomas completed last October.

Ideas for future trips include the Mickelson Trail, Munger Trail, C&O Canal Trail and Allegheny Trail. Call Leah at (218) 387-9709 if you plan to attend — if there's a big response organizers may have to change the location.

“Shout! The Mod Musical” returns for a very limited engagement as dinner theater at the Harbor Light Supper Club on Feb. 9, 11 and 12. Thursday and Saturday dinners begin at 6:30 p.m., and the Sunday dinner is at 2 p.m. Kerri Bilben, Karen Blackburn, Hilja Iverson, Molly Hicken and Karina Roth return to give us another chance to swing through the 60s.

Take a stroll down memory lane as the cast brings back the 60s classic dance—the Frug, as well of course the Pony, the Swim and more—all done in go-go boots! Come prepared to laugh and possibly to sing along to 60s tunes such as “To Sir With Love,” “Downtown,” “Georgie Girl,”“Son of A Preacher Man” and of course, “Shout1”

Reservations through Harbor Light at (218) 387-1142. Dinner and Show only $35.

 The monthly birthday party at the North Shore Care Center will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 8 to honor Ina Radloff and Howard Joynes. Cake and ice cream will be served at 3 p.m. with piano music performed by Susan Scherer.

Additional activities planned for February include history sessions using computer websites, baking cherry cheesecakes on Presidents’ Day, church services, bible study, reading groups, movies, exercise groups, movies, Leap Year Bingo, word games, potting plants, lunch outings, and live music.

For more information about activity programs or volunteer opportunities, please contact the Activity Department at 218.387.3518 or go to the website www.nshorehospital.com.

Sen. Al Franken is introducing legislation to make courthouses more secure.

Franken says the Local Courthouse Safety Act would provide courts with access to security training and give states authority to use existing grant money to improve security.

The legislation comes in the wake of a shooting in northern Minnesota's Cook County courthouse. That shooting left two people injured with multiple gunshot wounds.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.

Boozman's state also experienced a courthouse shooting in recent months. He says eliminating red tape will give local courts access to equipment like metal detectors.

Jim Franklin, executive director of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, estimates most rural courthouses in Minnesota have no metal detectors. At least one judge has also voiced safety concerns.

The 1960's are making a comeback this weekend at the Harbor Light Supper Club in Grand Marais. That’s because the Grand Marais Playhouse is presenting three dinner theater performances of the hit show, “Shout! The Mod Musical.”

The show features Kari Bilben, Karen Blackburn, Molly Hicken, Hilja Iverson, and Karina Roth in all their 1960’s mod glory!

Evening dinner theater performances at the Harbor Light begin at 6:30 Thursday, February 9, and Saturday, February 11. Sunday dinner and performance begins at 2 PM.  The three-course dinner includes choice of prime rib, walleye, chicken or veggie pasta.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Harbor Light Co. Supper Club & Bar at 387-1142.

(Click on "attached file" below to hear a short feature produced by WTIP's Carah Thomas)

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