Kiger's Notebook

Growing up Rochester

Rochester once again tops a “Best Places” list, though this one is different since its looks at U.S. cities through the eyes of a child.

U.S. News and World Reports magazine, a long-time fan of Rochester, named the city as one of America’s 10 Best Places To Grow Up in a list published Thursday.

Described on the list as having “… Enough activities to tire out even the most energetic youngsters,” Rochester is ranked among other cities such as Boston, Denver, San Jose, Calif., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The magazine delved into its database of 2,000 communities to look for place  with a low crime rate, a strong school system, lots of green spaces and plenty of opportunities for recreation and artistic outlets.

When mapping out Rochester’s child-friendly features, the magazine spoke with Brad Jones, the executive director of the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He described the variety of activity options, like “85 miles of trails for in-line skating, 3,200 acres of public parks for touch football, and 56 different playgrounds.”

The list also included the Graham Arena hockey facilities and National Volleyball Center.

U.S. News and World Reports has often named Rochester to its many lists, starting with the Best Places to Live. It also has made the Best Places to Work and Best Places to Do Business lists.

RochFest Hot Air Balloon race - deflated for 2009

Here's some from an announcement that floated in this morning.

The popular Rochesterfest event - The Mayor’s Cup Invitational Hot Air Balloon Race - has been canceled for 2009.

We'll have more on this on the main Web site and in the weekend edition. Here some from the announcement:

After extensive discussions with the event’s major sponsors, and a careful examination of projected operating expenses, the decision was made to cancel the race for this year.

Roscoes Root Beer & Ribs, Re/Max Realtors of Rochester, Higgins Custom Cabinetry and Spring Green Lawn Care, as well as event founder and organizer George Ibach of Ibach Balloon Company in Minneapolis came to the agreement this week.

They will immediately start evaluating the future of the event into 2010 and beyond.
The Mayor’s Cup has been part of Rochesterfest for 23 years.  It has traditionally been held during the last weekend of the city’s annual celebration.

Home Show 2009 ready to raise the roof

At 3 p.m. today, the annual Rochester Area Builders Home Show opens the doors at the Mayo Civic Center to show off what local builders and related businesses can do.

Here's some from a story I have in today's dead tree edition of the Post-Bulletin: 

Lights are on, brick walls are up, fireplaces are burning and playhouses are ready for crowds of kids.

The 30th annual Rochester Area Builders Home Show is ready for people looking to remodel, expand or build to check out what the local builders, plumbers, landscapers and others can do.

With new home construction down dramatically, Home Show Chairman Mark Nelson says the organizers expected fewer exhibitors, but that’s not how it turned out.

With 205 exhibitors in more than 330 booths, visitors can expect a show with as much to see as in previous years.

“It is a really great marketing opportunity. For the price of a booth, you can meet potentially around 7,000 people and show everyone what you can do,” says Nelson, of Service Pros Plumbing & Heating.

And it is not just home builders. Expect to see lighting specialists, closet experts, kitchen remodelers, flooring companies, entertainment system installers, mattress retailers and even a firm that builds luxury doghouses.

“It is a good investment to be out here. It pays for itself,” said Paul Burt of Audio Video Planners as he hooked up a large screen, high-definition television at his booth.
Beside the many exhibitors, the association has a lot more to offer visitors during the weekend show this year.

Saturday is slated as Family Fun Day with activities like birdhouse building and bouncing on giant inflatable toys. It will also have face painting, live eagles, magic and a puppet show,

And for the second year in a row, the builders have created Once Upon A Playhouse with four whimsical, one-of-a-kind playhouses for kids to play in and possibly win. Raffle tickets are being sold for $10 each for a chance to win one of the playhouses. The money raised goes to Family Services Rochester.

On Sunday, many area restaurants and food specialists will be cooking up their specialties and offer free samples throughout the day for Taste of Rochester.

Free seminars on topics like financing, geothermal energy, kitchen design trends and many others will be offered all three days.

The Remodelers Council has built a new exhibit this year as an example for everyone considering updating their house called the Build It Right Home.

In the end, the show gives every one in the construction industry a chance to show that stormy economy has not washed them away.

“This let’s people know we’re alive, still busy and still out there working,” said exhibitor Karin Buechler of afm Countertops. “We can show people what we can do.”

Hardcore Computer + Mall of America

Rochester's most popular liquid submerged desktop computer – the Reactor by Hardcore Computer – is hitting the mall Friday.

Remember this is over-clockable box built by  Chad Attlesey and Daren Klum. Ex-Pemstar Chief Al Berning is the company's CEO.

Evidently the super fast computer with glowing blue lights is going to set up shop at the super huge Mall of America Friday to boot-up a contest with a Reactor as the prize.

That should catch the attention of serious computer gamers.

Here are the details kicked over to me by Hardcore's PR folks:

Beginning Friday, February 13 at  12:01 AM PT , Hardcore Computer is running a sweepstakes for a free Reactor. The sweepstakes will run until Monday, March 16 at 12:00 AM PT.

 To kick it off, Reactor will be showcased at Mall of America this Friday through Sunday - Feb 13 through 15 - during all mall hours. The systems will be set up in a kiosk between the Sunglass guy and Rosetta Stone. One will be running games on a 46” LCD HD monitor and Bose surround sound and a second system will showcase the system itself. 

Roch. More Than You Know awards for 2008

The More Than You Know awards are back.

This is the Rochester awards deal sponsored by the Rochester Visitors and Convention Bureau as an offshoot of the Rah Rah Rochester campaign.

Awards in 12 categories will be presented on Sept. 30. The ballot is now posted at www.RahRahRochester.com for anyone to nominate friends, neighbors, co-workers and family, as well as their favorite businesses, organizations and activities through September 19. Residents may also send an email to info@rochestercvb.org with their nominations

Known for Families:
What’s your favorite family-friendly spot?

Known for Free:
What’s not only great, but free too?

Known Trendsetter:
What place or person sets trends and builds business?

Known Character:
What/who has a personality all its/their own?

Known Romantic:
What person or place is known for creating sparks?

Known at Night:
What in Rochester gets better by moonlight?

Known for Talent:
What person or institution is truly talented?

Known for Relaxation:
What’s the best way to relax after a stressful week?

Known Annually:
What’s great that comes around only once a year?

Known for Networking:
Where do you go to meet or be introduced to people?

Known Leader:
What/who is a catalyst, putting Rochester on the map?

“Little Known” Video Category:
What’s great that few people know about?

Pics w/ dead buildings standing

Here's another not-well-thought-out photo contest. And S. Jennebach is not eligible for this one, so everybody has a chance. Heh.

Take a picture of yourself, pet, spouse or kids in front of your favorite downtown building awaiting destruction.

Do not, I repeat do not, go into unsafe or restricted areas.

But other than that, anything legal is fair game. Dress up like colonials, wear graduation gowns, pose with Slider, whatever…

The winner gets lunch with me (and I'll even pay) at the reasonably priced eatery of your choice:

The buildings on the list include:
• Colonial Inn

• College Apartments

• The old CJ's

• The Rep Theatre

Red ball contest winner is…?

The winner of the pose on the red concrete ball in front of the new south Target store contest is… Stephan Jennebach.

His pic rolled into my in-box at 10:55 a.m.

This should have been expected. This guy is always on the ball. That's just the way he rolls. Heh.

Congratulations.

Drop by the paper, Stephan. I've got a card for you.

Big red balls

OK, I'm sorry, but I'm fascinated by the huge red concrete globes in front of Rochester's new South Target .

Uh huh…you can keep your quips to yourselves.

They just seem unusual to me. And my odd fascination could mean a (very) minor windfall for one of you.

The first person to e-mail a picture of themselves, their spouse, children or pet standing on a red ball gets a $10 Target gift card. If you get your spouse, child and pet all on one at once, I'll make it $15. Heh.

Good luck and be careful. I'm not responsible for any broken legs, cameras or marriages.

Roch. man + state inventor contest

Michael Zumbrunnen of Rochester has made it to the semi-finalist level of the annual Minnesota Cup inventors competition.

Not sure what he entered, but Smart Blending Technologies is what it is called. It is in the "other" category.

I think I remember Zumbrunnen from the days of JDS Uniphase in Rochester.

Anway, I'm checking with him and we should more in the dead tree edition soon.

173rd guitar auction

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On Thursday morning, Jake and Tracy on Fox 102.5 will auction off a guitar signed by Lynard Skynard and Big & Rich to raise money to build a memorial for 173rd Airborne Brigade. This is the most decorated unit in the Vietnam War that Rochester adopted in 1966.

The winner of the auction will also get to meet Big & Rich. The duo, which wrote and performed "8th of November," will also help with the auction by phone.

Inspired by the story of Niles Harris of the 173rd Airborne Brigand, 8th of November recount a brutal battle in which the 173rd lost 45 men. Harris will be in Rochester for Rochesterfest next week.

If you support the 173rd or just are a fan of Lynard Skynard or Big & Rich, tune into Jake and Tracy early Thursday (tomorrow) morning. Make a bid.

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