You faithful Digital Mike readers know I've got my faves, including webcams. Nothing beats being there in person, but since my PowerBall ticket purchases have not afforded me that luxury, I do meander sometimes through webcams. I've found a few local efforts that are good during the city's summer events.
Top dog
University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor Stephen Lehmkuhle has got the best view in town, at least from what we can glean via the web. This webcam is one of two that are especially entertaining during Thursdays on First . (Well, they actually include "& Third," but really? That's marketing, not what the locals call it.) But take a gander out his office window via the cam. Enjoy the Peace Plaza fountain and the grand postage stamp of greenery. It's fun year-round, but 'tis the season for summer fun.
r.umn.edu/about-umr/weather-cam
Down on the ground
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The folks who sponsor the big Thursday shindigs also have a webcam. It's a closer to the ground and across the street from the Peace Plaza fountain , but you can get a good view of people or the reflection of folks in the windows walking past Salute . Give it a look when there are lots of people. It can provide humor, intrigue or just moments to ponder the vast range of humanity who trod on the blue path.
www.downtownrochestermn.com/webcam
Eye on the street
The Post-Bulletin had the first webcam downtown for public consumption. Back in the day when Rochesterfest was downtown, you could watch the diners in Greasy Gulch on Civic Center Drive, but since that venue moved to Soldiers Field — a good move, by the way — you don't have as many engaging viewing opps. But if you haven't been to Rochester Civic Theater's Friday evenings on the patio, you might be able to squeeze in a view from this cam or watch next year's Med City Marathon finishes. Give it a look.
Highlight the past
As the good folks debate, discuss and discern weighty Destination Medical Center matters, here's a museum idea that will be off the table, because it's been captured in Los Angeles. It's the Museum of Broken Relationships. Huh? Here's how it started: "The museum's concept was born when the founders — Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić — wondered what people did with objects that had been meaningful in their relationships. They asked friends to contribute any items from love-gone-bad, along with musings about their meanings, and used these to create exhibitions that subsequently toured 25 cities — collecting donations along the way." Sounds interesting. Not something I'd seek to visit on its own, but if I'm wandering down the street without a plan, this might just engage me for an hour or so. Take a look and see if it'll be on your LA travel agenda.
