♪ MAARJA: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

I'M MAARJA HEWITT.

MAARJA: I'M BRETT SCOTT.

TONIGHT, WE'RE TALKING WEDDINGS AND EVENT PLANNING WITH A LOCAL DJ AND EVENT COORDINATOR.

MAARJA: WE'RE ALSO CHECKING OUT A PERFORMANCE FROM THE HIBBING-BASED BAND, SUGAR ON THE ROOF.

BRETT: THAT'S COMING UP, BUT FIRST, AS TEMPERATURES DROP, EXPERTS URGE CAUTION TO PREVENT COLD-RELATED INJURIES LIKE FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA.

DR. BRYAN JUDGE FROM ASPIRUS HEALTH ADVISES WEARING LAYERS, COVERING EXTREMITIES, AND STAYING DRY TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK.

KEEP GLOVES, HATS, AND BOOTS ON HAND, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE OUT IN THE CAR.

STAY HYDRATED AND BE AWARE OF FROSTBITE SIGNS LIKE NUMBNESS OR TINGLING.

IF ENGAGING IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, PLAN AHEAD, CHECK THE WEATHER, AND ALWAYS PRIORITIZE SAFETY.

COLD WEATHER INJURIES CAN BE SERIOUS, SO STAY INFORMED AND PREPARED THIS WINTER.

MAARJA: THE SOO LOCKS IN SAULT STE.

MARIE, MICHIGAN, CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR CRITICAL WINTER MAINTENANCE.

THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL PERFORM A RANGE OF TASKS, INCLUDING INSTALLING A TEMPORARY BRIDGE, REPAIRING THE POE LOCK, AND REPLACING PIER FENDER TIMBERS.

CONTRACTORS ARE ALSO WORKING ON UPSTREAM STOP LOG REPAIRS AT THE POE LOCK.

THESE ESSENTIAL UPGRADES ENSURE THE LOCKS CONTINUE TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY WHEN THE SHIPPING SEASON RESUMES IN MARCH.

THE SOO LOCKS HANDLE OVER 4500 VESSELS ANNUALLY, CARRYING VITAL CARGO LIKE IRON ORE AND COAL.

BRETT: THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS ANNOUNCED NEW INVESTMENTS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION.

12 K-12 SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE WILL RECEIVE GRANTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO COMPUTER SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES.

THESE GRANTS, APPROVED BY GOV.

TIM WALZ AND THE LEGISLATURE, WILL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS AND HELP CREATE SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS.

COMMISSIONER WILLIE JETT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE GRANTS IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS, STATING, "THESE GRANTS WILL HELP EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES BUILD STRONG PROGRAMS THAT BRING COMPUTER SCIENCE TO MORE STUDENTS AND ENSURE EVERY LEARNER IN MINNESOTA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY DEVELOP CRITICAL SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE."

MAARJA: NEXT, WE'LL SEND YOU OVER TO DENNY'S DESK WITH DENNY ANDERSON.

DENNY?

DENNY: THANK YOU, MAARJA, AND WELCOME TO DENNY'S DESK.

NEXT MONDAY, WE CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.

AS WE PREPARE, THE REGION TAKES A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON HOW FAR WE'VE COME, AND HOW FAR WE HAVE YET TO GO, IN THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.

DR. KING'S DREAM OF RACIAL HARMONY, DIVERSITY, AND EQUITY HAS ALWAYS HELD A SPECIAL RESONANCE HERE IN DULUTH, A CITY WITH A COMPLEX HISTORY.

THE CLAYTON-JACKSON-MCGHIE MEMORIAL STANDS AS A PLACE OF SOMBER REMEMBRANCE AND RESOLVE.

IT'S A POWERFUL REMINDER OF THE INJUSTICE THAT TOOK PLACE HERE AND AS A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THE MEMORIAL IS A FOCAL POINT DURING MLK EVENTS.

IT REMINDS US DULUTH CONTINUES TO WRESTLE WITH ITS PAST TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.

DULUTH HAS MADE STRIDES IN FOSTERING DIALOGUE AND ACTION AROUND RACIAL EQUALITY.

THE CITY IS HOME TO A VIBRANT CHAPTER OF THE NAACP, WHICH PLAYS A LEADING ROLE IN ORGANIZING EVENTS THAT HONOR DR. KING'S LEGACY, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL MARCH AND RALLY.

THESE EVENTS ARE MORE THAN CEREMONIAL -- THEY'RE A TESTAMENT TO THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND PROGRESS.

OUR UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OFFER FORUMS, WORKSHOPS, AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS THAT ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN TOUGH BUT NECESSARY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE AND JUSTICE.

THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, DULUTH SEEKS TO EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF DR. KING'S WORK, EMPHASIZING NOT ONLY REFLECTION, BUT ALSO ACTION.

SO, AS WE GATHER FOR THE MARCH, THE BREAKFAST, OR ANY OF THE EVENTS THIS WEEKEND, LET'S DO SO WITH PURPOSE.

DR. KING ONCE SAID, "THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT."

THIS DAY IS NOT JUST ABOUT REMEMBERING HIS WORDS, BUT ABOUT LIVING HIS VALUES, RIGHT HERE, IN OUR CITY, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR.

THIS HAS BEEN DENNY'S DESK.

BACK TO YOU, MAARJA.

MAARJA: THANK YOU, DENNY.

ON THIS WEEK'S "MAKING IT UP NORTH," OUR TEAM MET UP WITH THE BAND "SUGAR ON THE ROOF" WHO GAVE A PERFORMANCE AT THE NORTH 103.3.

TAKE A LISTEN.

♪ >> ♪ I'M GOING AWAY TO LEAVE YOU, LOVE OVER THE GREAT SALTY SEA THE NIGHT STILL FREEZE THE SUGAR RUNS IN THE MAPLE TREES OVER THE GREAT SALUS SEE OVER THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA I'M GOING AWAY TO LEAVE YOU, LOVE OVER THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA ♪ ♪ >> ♪ I'M SAILING HOME TO YOU, MY LOVE OVER THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA SHIP PULLS INTO OLD DULUTH TOWN OVER THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA RAIN AND SLEET AND ICE AND SNOW THE LAST KNOWN LAKERS COME BACK HOME OVER THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA ♪ >> THAT'S SUGAR ON THE ROOF LIVE FROM STUDIO A, ONE FROM THEIR SELF-TITLED ALBUM.

MEGAN, YOU WROTE THAT, RIGHT?

>> I DID.

>> THERE IS A STORY BEHIND IT.

WHAT INSPIRED THAT?

>> IN 2021, IT WAS COLD IN DECEMBER, AND MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTERS AND I WENT UP THE NORTH SHORE.

NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THERE WAS NO SNOW ON THE GROUND.

TRAVELED TO GRAHAM PORTAGE AND LOOKED AT CANADA FROM AFAR.

WE SAW A SIGN AT GRAND PORTAGE NEXT TO THE LAKE TALKING ABOUT THE LAKE, AND I SAW THAT PHRASE, THE GREAT SALTLESS SEA.

AS SOMEONE NOT FROM HERE, I HAD NEVER HEARD THAT BEFORE, AND IT STRUCK ME AS A BEAUTIFUL PHRASE.

I GAVE MYSELF A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT ABOUT A BALLAD ON A KNIFE -- ON A TACONITE RUNNER WHO LEFT EVERY SEASON TO COLLECT TACONITE.

>> DID IT COME QUICKLY?

WAS IT A CHALLENGE?

HOW DID IT GO?

>> THAT ONE CAME PRETTY QUICKLY.

IF I HAVE A TASK AS A SONGWRITER, IT HELPS ME A LOT -- A PROMPT, A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

ONCE I HAVE GIVEN MYSELF AN ASSIGNMENT, THEN I CAN EXECUTE IT.

>> HAVE YOU EVER DONE ONE OF THOSE GROUPS WHERE PEOPLE GET A NEW PROMPT EVERY MONTH OR WHATEVER?

>> I AM OPEN.

REACH OUT, DM ME.

[LAUGHTER] >> WE WERE TALKING A LITTLE BIT BEFOREHAND ABOUT, YOU WERE KIND OF RETHINKING YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS, AND WE PROMISED WE WOULD BRING THAT UP.

>> CAN YOU HANDLE MY SELF-CRITICISM?

>> REGARDING THE INTERVIEW YOU HAD THIS MORNING?

[LAUGHTER] >> YES, I WAS SAYING I HAD DIFFICULTY.

SONGWRITING HAS NOT ALWAYS COME EASY FOR ME.

>> RIGHT, BUT WE WERE ALSO TALKING ABOUT HOW EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT PROCESS OF WRITING SONGS.

PROCESS IS WRONG.

EVERYBODY APPROACHES IT DIFFERENTLY.

THAT WAS ALL.

>> WHAT I WAS GOING TO SHARE WAS THAT I AM ALSO A THEATER DIRECTOR, AND I HAVE RECENTLY COME TO ACCEPT THAT MY DIRECTING PROCESS IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER I HAVE EXPERIENCED.

FOR A LONG TIME, I THOUGHT I WAS NOT GOOD AT IT BECAUSE I DID NOT DO IT THE WAY HAROLD KLARMAN TOLD ME TO DO IT IN THE BOOK "ON DIRECTING YOUR COAT BUT IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE NO RULES TO HOW YOU MAKE THINGS.

>> ESPECIALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> IT IS THE GREAT AWARENESS OF THERE ARE NO RULES IN THIS ERA OF SO MUCH INFORMATION, TO JUST REMEMBER THAT THOSE ARE MERELY SUGGESTIONS, NOT THE RULES ON HOW TO DO THINGS AREA EVERYBODY'S -- HOW TO DO THINGS.

EVERYBODY'S PROCESS IS VALID.

>> I LOVE THE FACT THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS SOMETHING THAT CHALLENGES YOU, YOU STILL DO IT.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE GIVE UP IF THEY DO NOT THINK THEY ARE GOOD AT SOMETHING RIGHT AWAY, BUT YOU JUST KEEP DOING IT.

>> NOT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO HIT.

SOMETIMES YOU WRITE SOMETHING AND YOU ARE LIKE, KEEP THAT IN THE DRAWER.

♪ BRETT: OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS MARK CPIN, ONE HALF OF THE TEAM AT DIAMOND M.C.

ENTERTAINMENT, A DJ COMPANY WHO SPECIALIZE IN WEDDINGS.

MARK, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MARK: THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

BRETT: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THIS DJ BUSINESS, SPECIFICALLY WEDDINGS?

MARK: MY WHOLE FAMILY IS VERY MUSICAL.

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY SINGS OR DOES SOMETHING MUSICALLY.

I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MUSIC AND BEEN AROUND A LOT OF IT.

IT WAS ACTUALLY THROUGH, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, CLASSIFIED ADS, WAY BACK IN THE DAY.

A FRIEND OF MINE SAW A CLASSIFIED AD FOR A DJ COMPANY, LOOKING FOR DJS.

HE SAID, YOU WOULD BE REALLY GOOD AT THIS.

I SAID, OK, I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT.

I WENT THERE IN INTERVIEWED AND SAW WHAT A B.J.

DOES AND WENT TO A WEDDING AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

-- WHAT A DJ DOES AND WENT TO A WEDDING AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

BRETT: AND YOU SAID YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS FOR 20 YEARS?

MARK: 20 YEARS IN JULY.

IT WENT QUITE QUICK.

BRETT: IT GOES QUICK, BUT A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THAT TIMEFRAME.

TELL US WHAT SOME OF THE BIG THINGS ARE.

MARK: WEDDINGS IN GENERAL, WEDDING TRENDS, THE SOPHISTICATION'S OF WEDDINGS, THOSE THINGS HAVE ALL CHANGED.

BACK IN THE DAY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT 1990'S WEDDINGS, THEY ARE VERY GIMMICKY, GAME SHOW -Y.

IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HER TO LOOK AND FEEL MORE LIKE A GAME SHOW THAN -- FOR IT TO LOOK AND FEEL MORE LIKE A GAME SHOW THAN A WEDDING WITH TRADITIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

OVER THE YEARS, IT JUST DEVELOPED INTO MORE ELEGANT AFFAIRS, MORE HIGH-PROFILE AFFAIRS.

BRETT: SO WE ARE NOT DOING THE CHICKEN DANCE ANYMORE?

MARK: NOT SO MUCH, NO.

IN FACT, THAT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DO NOT PLAY SONGS THAT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF WEDDINGS THESE DAYS.

AS I HAVE ALLUDED TO BEFORE, IT HAS GOTTEN TO BE VERY MULLET-ISH , BUSINESS AND THE FRONT, PARTY IN THE BACK, VERY ELEGANT AND LIGHT WITH HORS D'OEUVRES AND CLASSY.

BEAUTIFUL TO CORE, VERY PICTURESQUE MOMENTS, AND THEN -- BEAUTIFUL DECOR, VERY PICTURESQUE MOMENTS, AND THEN A DANCE PARTY AT THE END.

BRETT: WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BOOKING SEASON AS WELL.

HOW MANY MONTHS IN ADVANCE?

MARK: IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A VENUE, YOUR SAFEST BET IS USUALLY TWO YEARS OUT.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A DJ, REALISTICALLY YOU SHOULD BE IN AN AT LEAST A YEAR OUT OR A LITTLE MORE TO GET THE PERSON YOU WANT.

BUT I WOULD SAY MOST COUPLES TEND TO BOOK ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 14 MONTHS OUT FROM THERE DATE.

BRETT: WHAT DO YOU SPECIFICALLY DO WITH YOUR COMPANY THAT MIGHT SET YOU APART FROM OTHERS?

MARK: WE TRY TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE FOR NOT ONLY A COUPLE, BUT FOR THEIR GUESTS.

WE ARE THERE NOT ONLY TO MAKE IT FUN, BUT ALSO TO TELL THEIR STORY AND HIGHLIGHT THEM AND SHOW WHO THEY ARE AS PEOPLE AND REALLY GET THEIR GUESTS INVOLVED IN WHO THEY ARE AND THE LOVE THAT THEY SHARE.

WITH OUR APPROACH, WE TEND TO START WORKING WITH COUPLES MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

WE BRAINSTORM AND TALK IDEAS AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT THIS TO LOOK AND FEEL LIKE, HOW YOU WANT THIS TO FLO, WHO IS GOING WHERE, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO BE, BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE SOMETHING LOOK EFFORTLESS.

BRETT: YOU'RE KIND OF THE HEARTBEAT.

MARK: RIGHT.

OFTENTIMES THE VENUE IS GOING AROUND, RESETTING THE ROOM, PLATING, DOING THINGS, ATTENDING TO GUEST NEEDS, AND THE CATERERS ARE GETTING FOOD READY, THE PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE TAKING PICTURES, AT THE DJ IS ONE OF THE FEW VENDORS ABLE TO SEE THE WHOLE ROOM AND GUIDE AND PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER.

IN ESSENCE, YOUR DJ IS THE GLUE FOR YOUR WEDDING.

THEY ARE GUIDING THE SHIP, MAKING SURE FOOD IS READY, MAKING SURE THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS READY SO THAT WHEN THEY DO THOSE GRAND ENTRANCES, THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS GETTING ALL THE BEST SHOTS, AND THEY ARE MAKING SURE THE GUESTS KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND LATER HAD A LITTLE BIT AFTER THAT AND KIND OF GUIDING EVERYBODY BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF THE SCENES AND THROUGH THE DAY.

BRETT: HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT ENERGY UP?

YOU ARE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE EVENT.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THAT UP?

MARK: I THINK IT IS JUST IN PROPER TIMELINE, PROPER PLANNING, AND PROPER FLOW.

YOU WANT TO KEEP THINGS MOVING BUT DON'T WANT TO MOVE THEM TOO FAST.

YOU DON'T WANT TO RUSH PEOPLE THROUGH THINGS, BUT YOU WANT TO LEAVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO DO THINGS.

A LOT OF THAT IS STUFF THAT WE COVER WITH OUR PROBLEMS EARLY ON AND JUST TALK ABOUT WHERE THE PIECES SHOULD GO AND WHAT IS GOING TO BE A GOOD FLOW THAT IS REALLY GOING TO FIT WHAT THEY WANT AND HOW THEY WANT THEIR KNIGHT TO GO.

GUESTS AREN'T STANDING AROUND WAITING FOR THE NEXT THING TO HAPPEN OR THEY ARE NOT FEELING TOO RUSHED AND THEY ARE CONSTANTLY BEING INVOLVED IN BEING A PART OF THE DAY AND SEEING WHAT IS HAPPENING NEXT, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

BRETT: MY FINAL QUESTION, WHAT IS THE BIG TREND RIGHT NOW FOR WEDDINGS AND EVENTS AS FAR AS VENUE GOES IN MUSIC?

MARK: THE BIGGEST TREND IS -- BRETT: YOU HAD MENTIONED BACKYARD STYLE.

MARK: YEAH, I THINK COUPLES ARE JUST WANTING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THEY ARE WANTING TO GET AWAY FROM THE STATUS QUO.

THEY ARE WANTING A MORE INSTAGRAMMABLE WEDDING.

THEY ARE WANTING A MORE ELEGANT WEDDING.

AND THEY ARE WANTING JUST A DIFFERENT LOOK AND FEEL THEM WHAT MAYBE THEIR PARENTS HAD OR WHAT THEIR SIBLINGS HAD OR THEIR FRIENDS HAD.

THEY WANT TO REALLY PULL THEIR PERSONALITY OUT INTO IT.

BRETT: NOT AS TRADITIONAL.

MARK: RIGHT, IT IS VERY ANTI-TRADITIONAL, VERY FLOWY, WHIMSICAL.

IT COULD BE VERY INFORMAL OR VERY POSH, OR IT COULD BE REAL WILD AND CRAZY.

BRETT: THAT IS ALL YOUR JOB.

YOU CUSTOMIZE THAT.

THAT IS SO COOL.

MARK, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

MARK: MY PLEASURE.

BRETT: NOW WE'RE SENDING YOU ON A TRIP WITH WILDWOODS, A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER IN DULUTH.

WE CONNECTED WITH THEIR TEAM TO LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL IN DISTRESS.

♪ >> MY NAME IS JESSICA, AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT WILDWOODS WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER IN DULUTH.

WE ARE A REHABILITATION CENTER FOR ORPHANED AND INJURED WILDLIFE.

FOR ORPHANED WILDLIFE, THE GOAL IS TO RAISE THE ANIMALS AND RETURN THEM TO THE WILD.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT INJURED AND ILL WILDLIFE, WE TRY TO BRING THEM BACK TO HEALTH, AND WE WORK WITH OTHER REHABBERS ACROSS THE STATE WITH THE GOAL OF BRINGING THE ANIMAL TO HEALTH AND SEEING IT BACK INTO THE WILD.

WE GET ANYWHERE FROM 1100 TO 1500 ANIMALS A YEAR, REPRESENTING UP TO 130 DIFFERENT SPECIES.

THEY COME HERE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, BUT MOSTLY IT IS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO FIND AN ANIMAL IN NEED AND THEN THEY CALL US.

IT IS ANIMALS THAT ARE HIT BY CARS, BIRDS THAT STRIKE WINDOWS, BABIES WHO HAD THEIR NESTS DISTURBED AND ARE SEPARATED FROM THEIR MOTHERS.

WE RELY ON THE PUBLIC WHO RUN INTO THOSE ANIMALS TO CALL US, AND THEN THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ALSO TRANSPORT THE ANIMALS TO US.

I WOULD SAY THE MOST COMMON ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER, WOULD BE RAISE SQUIRRELS AND EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBITS.

WE GET A COUPLE HUNDRED RABBITS A YEAR.

MOST RABBITS COME BECAUSE YOU HAVE DOGS THAT ARE PROWLING THROUGH NESTS, AND IN THE PROCESS A BABY COULD BE SEPARATED FROM THE MOTHER RABBIT OR COULD BE INJURED.

YOU ALSO HAVE PREDATORS THAT ARE GOING TO BE GOING AFTER THE LARGER BUNNIES.

SOMETIMES THAT RESULTS IN ORPHANED ANIMALS.

IN TERMS OF SQUIRRELS, MOST OF THE SQUIRRELS THAT ARRIVE HERE BECAUSE THEIR MASS HAS SOMEHOW BEEN DISTURBED, AND THAT CAN BE AGAIN DISTURBED BY AN ANIMAL OR PEOPLE CUTTING DOWN TREES.

IT COULD ALSO BE A WINDSTORM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE THE BABIES FALL OUT OF THE NEST.

ANOTHER VERY COMMON CALL WE GET IN THE SPRING IS NESTLINGS THAT HAVE EITHER FALLEN OUT OF THE NEST OR, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE PARENT HAS ABANDONED THE NEST.

WE GET ABOUT 130 SPECIES A YEAR, SO MOST OF THE ANIMALS ARE DEFINITELY EITHER MIGRATORY BOARDS THAT PASSED THROUGH THIS AREA, OR THEY ARE NATIVE TO THIS AREA, BUT SOME OF THE ANIMALS THAT WE GET ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

WE DID RECEIVE A GOLDEN EAGLE.

FOR US, THAT IS AT LEAST THE FIRST TIME IN THE PAST SIX YEARS THAT A GOLDEN EAGLE HAS COME TO WILDWOODS.

WE HAVE GOTTEN A FISHER, NOT AN ANIMAL BUT USUALLY GET.

WE ALSO THIS YEAR HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF ORIOLE OWLS AND A SCREECH OWL.

YOU DON'T NORMALLY FIND A SCREECH OWL THIS FAR NORTH, AND THE BOREAL OWLS CAME DOWN FROM CANADA.

IT DOES DEPEND.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SPRING BABIES, WE CAN HAVE ANIMALS THAT ARE HERE ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO THREE MONTHS.

SOME OF IT DOES DEPEND ON THE AGE OF THE BABY WHEN THEY ARRIVE, WHETHER IT IS A NEWBORN OR IF IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

NESTLINGS TEND TO STAY UP TO TWO TO THREE MONTHS, AND THEN WE GET BABY ANIMALS LIKE A PORCUPINE.

THAT ANIMAL WILL GENERALLY BE HERE FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS.

AGAIN, THIS DEPENDS ON THE EDGE OF THE ANIMAL WHEN IT ENTERS INTO CARE.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ANIMALS THAT ARE INJURED AND ILL , GENERALLY WE PERFORM TRIAGE, AND IF THEY ARE BEYOND OUR CAPACITY TO TREAT, WE WILL ONLY KEEP THEM BETWEEN 24 TO 72 HOURS.

AT THAT POINT, WE WILL FIND TRANSPORTATION FOR THEM TO A REHAB FACILITY THAT IS ABLE TO ADDRESS THEIR ISSUES.

ABOUT 80% TO 90% OF THE ANIMALS WE GET ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE INTERACTION WITH A HUMAN.

THAT IS KIND OF THE THINKING WE HAVE TO HAVE.

HOW DO MY ACTIONS IMPACT THESE ANIMALS THAT WE ARE SHARING SPACE WITH?

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, ABOUT ENCROACHMENT TO TO WILD AREAS, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN IMPACT ON THE ANIMALS, AND THOSE ANIMALS ARE GOING TO APPEAR IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, CROSSING ROADWAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT THAT THERE ARE ANIMALS OUT THERE IN THAT WE DO INADVERTENTLY INJURE THEM QUITE A BIT.

-- AND THAT WE DO INADVERTENTLY INJURE THEM QUITE A BIT.

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING.

THINK ABOUT THE RAPTORS AND OWLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE FLYING.

THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT YOUR VEHICLE CAN HAVE ON FOUR-LEGGED'S AND THE FEATHERED ANIMALS.

KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE ROADWAY AND WATCH YOUR SPEED.

IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL THAT IS IN DISTRESS, THAT IS WHEN YOU PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL WILDWOODS.

WE DON'T RECOMMEND APPROACHING AN ANIMAL FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

ONE, YOU DON'T KNOW THE EXACT STATUS OF THE ANIMAL.

TWO, BECAUSE THERE ARE ANIMAL DISEASES OUT THERE.

AVIAN INFLUENZA IS A BIG ISSUE NOW, ESPECIALLY IN WILD BIRDS.

THERE ARE ANIMALS LIKE RACCOONS AND SKUNKS THAT CAN HAVE RABIES.

AND DISTEMPER.

YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT APPROACHING ANY WILD ANIMAL.

THAT IS THE FIRST THING.

THE SECOND THING IS PEOPLE SOMETIMES MISTAKE A BABY ANIMAL FOR AN ORPHANED ANIMAL, AND ONE OF THE WORST THINGS YOU CAN DO, FOR EXAMPLE, IS IT SEE A FALLEN CURLED UP, THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IS APPROACH THE FAWN AND PICK IT UP.

THE RULE OF THUMB, IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL AND THINK IT IS IN DISTRESS, CALL WILDWOODS, AND WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH MANY SCENARIOS FIND YOURSELF IN -- ANY SCENARIO YOU FIND YOURSELF IN.

♪ BRETT: IT IS SO FUN TO SEE ALL THOSE BABY ANIMALS.

MAARJA: I KNOW, THOSE BABY DUCKS.

BRETT: IT IS GREAT TO HAVE WILDWOODS HERE IN TOWN.

THERE ARE SO MANY ANIMALS THAT NEED HELP.

MAARJA: SHE KIND OF ALLUDED TO SOME OF THE OWL RESCUES AS OF LATE THAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA WE SAW A FEW THAT HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO, A SNOWY OWL.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE THAT RESOURCE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SEE THEM GET HELP AND HOPEFULLY BE RELEASED.

BRETT: IT IS FUN TO SEE THOSE CUTE DUCKS.

BEFORE YOU GO, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU MIGHT BE UP TO THIS WEEKEND.

STARTING THIS SATURDAY, IT IS TAKE A KID ICE FISHING WEEKEND IN MINNESOTA.

RESIDENTS AGE 16 OR OLDER CAN FISH WITHOUT A LICENSE IF THEY TAKE A CHILD YOUNGER THAN 15 FISHING ALONG WITH THEM.

THE MINNESOTA DNR ADVISES ANGLERS TO PUT SAFETY FIRST AND CHECK ICE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS BEFORE MAKING PLANS.

ICE SAFETY GUIDELINES CAN BE FOUND AT MNDNR.GOV/ICESAFETY.

MAARJA: ON MONDAY, JANUARY 20, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY BREAKFAST WILL BE HELD AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN DULUTH WITH FOOD BEING SERVED AT 7:00 A.M.

THIS YEAR'S EVENT WILL FEATURE A KEYNOTE SPEAKER, LIVE MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT ALL BROADCAST FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER FROM 8:00 TO 9:30 A.M. ANY DONATIONS GO TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND, WHICH HELPS SUPPORT STUDENTS OF AFRICAN HERITAGE THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT MLKBREAKFAST.COM.

BRETT: ALSO ON MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, AT THE DECC SYMPHONY HALL FROM 12:00 TO 1:30 P.M., A COLLECTION OF SPEAKERS AND PERFORMERS HOPE TO INSPIRE AND CHALLENGE THE COMMUNITY TO CARRY ON DR. KING'S WORK.

THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COLD WEEKEND.

IT FELT SO NICE TODAY, ALMOST LIKE SPRING.

MAARJA: AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO PLUMMET.

BRETT: THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

GO OUT AND ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

I'M BRETT SCOTT, MAARJA: AND I'M MARIO HEWITT -- MAARJA HEWITT.

BRETT: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪