JP Rennquist
Balloons
One of those enormous strings of balloons that arch across the street at the finish line for grandmas got loose and headed off into the heavens. Last seen flying high over Lake Superior headed south … I wonder where they’ll land or if they’ll ever be found … I wonder if there are tell tale marks on the balloons that will lead a finder to know they’re from Duluth. Hopefully they won’t end up in any bird or varmint bellies, that’s deadly. Any way to track them? Anyone else care but me? Anyone else get a better picture than this?
Father’s Day
Some father’s day notes …
I read this great book (above) to my daughter at the dentist’s office yesterday. Working with fathers for my “real” job, I notice these things like how medical offices are decorated and set up, many are very friendly to mothers (great), but some are a little daunting for dads (too bad). It’s wonderful that in addition to providing great quality and accessible health care, the Lake Superior Community Health Center also makes an extra little effort like this to make dads feel comfortable and welcome at their kids’ appointments.
I read a lot of books for kids and adults about dads, this book was really great I had never seen it before. I think it would make a good father’s day gift for a dad of school age kids, or one who appreciates crafty art like Steve Jenkins’ paper cut images in the book ….
Postcard from First Street
This is one of the ways I see the city I love. I saw the shoes hanging from the wire, the clock tower, and that brilliant blue sky and I needed a picture. (more…)
Cover Story: Gay Getaways & Duluth
Somewhat difficult to find the story online, but click the picture and that will get you started, anyway.
Save the Date: Father’s Day at the Zoo
Boyz II Dadz 9th Annual Father’s Day at the Zoo
First 200 through the gates are free. Free Train Rides. Free Face Painting. Free Family Snapshots. Much more.
Rain or Shine. Everyone Welcome.
DNT Watch: Headline changes, but little else
Yesterday the Duluth News Tribune online version printed an article on Edison Schools which is listed in the search above. I am not sure if it was in the paper version or not, because I rarely read that except for the headlines when I see the paper, or on weekends. And yes, I do subscribe, weekends only, but I want to support the paper especially for the many fine people I know and care about who work there.
So in the search that I screen-shotted (if that’s a proper term) above I noticed two articles on the same report on Edison schools. The thing is … it’s the same article. So they changed the headline, good. But there is no retraction, no correction, and the article’s substance is essentially the same: no more analysis, interviews, or balance brought to the piece. I am not a journalist by any means, but for me, this doesn’t really pass the smell test. I mean there are, I suppose, a thousand or more families in this community involved in Edison schools and maybe a couple thousand more at other area and regional charter schools. That should be enough people who are affected to get the story out properly in a balanced and factual manner, shouldn’t it? And if not then I say don’t cover it at all because something this critical of an organization requires level headed reporting in order to be responsible.
A final note … anyone who clicks on the new “version” won’t see all of the critical comments from me and nearly a dozen other readers on the first piece. Naturally, they weren’t included in the update. Thin skinned much DNT?
Nearly Threadjacked: Taconite Curtain
This just about became a threadjack for Mary’s “I’ll give you a medal … ” post But propriety seized me just before I hit post when I realized this was probably a post in it’s own right.
It all started when I finally clicked the urban dictionary link to taconite curtain that Adam provided: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Taconite%20Curtain
I have to kick myself that that actually qualifies as “urban” but it’s hilarious and very well written, folks. It wasn’t until I’d read it that I caught the “Iron” v. “Taconite” connection, as in, Europe has (had) the “iron” curtain of totalitarian socialism, but we’ve only got this really dense rock with some iron in it, “taconite.” You people are all way too clever for me.
Malt Shoppe gets big Shout Out
Portland Malt Shoppe – Duluth, Minn.
“I appreciate places that know they’re the best but are still nice. You find that kind of friendly cockiness at this art deco shack set on Lake Superior. I’ve never had a better malt in my life (716 E. Superior St., portlandmaltshoppe.com , open summers, malts from $6).” – Danny Meyer
Pomp and (Impressive) Circumstance
I spend a lot of time on what I affectionately call “the dark underbelly of Duluth.” That is, around people in really rough circumstances with tough, long odds against them. As soon as I post this, I am headed up to the Arrowhead Juvenile Center, to spend some time with young dads up there, for example. But one thing that circumstances can’t extinguish is hope. It will live on even against the greatest odds, I’ve seen it happen over and over again and I’m convinced that it’s true.
Hillside Tree Hits the Medium Time
Big Tree in the Hillside, Duluth, MN
My tree snapshot was selected for the MN DNR Arbor Day photo gallery, they are looking for nominations of Minnesotans favorite trees and mine made the list. Or “a” list, anyway, not sure if it’s “the” list. Submissions are open for at least the rest of the month.
Try the DNR Photo Gallery here, my pic is about half way through MN DNR Arbormonth Photo Gallery
$25 for priceless
Jay Cooke Park 5.03.09
Took the kiddies out to Jay Cooke Park yesterday. Including the newest gosling on his first ever trip to nature.
Other Signs of Spring …
Homegrown Week, I know.
My Lilac Bush 4.28.09
Homegrown Festival is a sign of spring for many PDDers, no doubt. But for me one of my favorite signs that Spring is underway is when my lilacs bloom. Or appear to be near blooming, as is the case here.
Duluth’s Piper Building
Mysterious Surveyor Type Outside Piper Building
When I was growing up my mom used to take us to the St. Vincent DePaul store in this building, next to our church, Sacred Heart, which was still a place of worship in those days. (more…)
Chickens in the City?
I doubt I will actually do this, but wanted some input, encouragement and/or discouragement based on experience
Backyard Chickens
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Perfect Duluth Dye
My girlies dyeing eggs this year OUTDOORS!
We’ve been having an annual Easter Eve Egg Dyeing Party every year since I decided to participate more in my family rather than just attempt to finance it by working every Saturday. (more…)
Dining Al Fresco …
That ever expanding city within a city, or as I like to call it, SMDC-opolis played host to a shockingly pleasant dining experience today …
After the first dr visit of her 10th month of pregnancy my partner and I were both famished and agreed to visit that behemoth’s hearthstone grill (I refuse to put the extra “e” on grill cause that just grates on me, they are trying way too hard to be something they are not).
Anyway, the food was really good. Nice variety, well prepared, and yeah, it’s cafeteria style, but the service was still really good and quick, and it’s nice to pick out your own serving sizes sometimes, especially when you’re rushed or have a big appetite.
And as my impromptu photo will attest, the view and ambiance were very very pleasant. Although, if you are a neat freak keep your food on the tray as the outdoor tables had a thin, barely noticeable layer of grime on them.
The cost for this very gastronomically and aesthetically pleasing lunch for two cost (that’s one giant and one very pregnant lady so we are talking appetites here folks.) Well, it came in well under $20.
So I’m wondering to myself, am I crazy, or did I just stumble upon a fantastic new lunch place? And even more shocking to me … did I just find the new best place to dine outdoors in the Twin Ports?
Our 1st outdoor lunch of 2009 at the new(ish) SMDC clinic building
Your thoughtful thoughts?
Hot Toddy Hits Basic Cable
Hot Toddy and Laura Jo Dewitt
Got this interesting message from my friend who moved to LA to make it big about a year ago. He’s a Duluth native singer/songwriter/babe magnet, Hot Toddy Eckart, and I thought some of you PDDers might be interested in the update on his career: (more…)
Paper or Plastic?
Diaper Man!
Alyssa reminded me today that we can ask each other questions on PDD and get some great localized answers. So, I have three questions to ask the collective PDD wisdom/snark base. Yes three, but I’ll stick to two for now.
Question #1 I am blessed with a new baby that is coming sometime in the next several weeks. For my first two girlies I used plastic diapers without any prejudice. However, with this one, my partner has been advocating for the use of re-usable cloth diapers. And I am going along on this, and not just because I have to, but because I want to. In fact, I am washing my first batch of cloth diapers now (just out of the package). I am interested in stories, experiences and advice on the reusable diaper front from a local perspective, I’m especially interested in stuff like logistics, tips and tricks, price savings, and if anyone has any theories of actual savings and environmental benefits, etc. For the record, the plan is to breast feed this child, I know that makes a difference. And, because she is on parental leave indefinitely I suspect she will be doing quite a bit more of the changing, but I will probably do most or all of the laundry, so the decision affects us both. I would also entertain general earth friendly baby advice, offers of free stuff you think we could use, and good infant activity ideas around the area as this will be my first new one in 6 years.
Question #2 Is almost completely unrelated, however, I hope it will produce some fascinating advice mash-ups. Here goes, during my long period of unemployment and underemployment I archived nearly all of the wild goose music library onto a hard drive for eternal use. Then, being broke I sold as many of those cds as I could to pay for stuff like food, bills and (until I quit) cigarrettes). I also gave many that could not sell away because I just didn’t think I “needed” anymore. So … things have been going just fine until … the last few weeks. I got a new laptop and thousands of the dang things won’t play. the reason is that over the course of the last few years I have used a number of junker computers and all of them are gone now. The digital files are wma’s with DRM and the windows site says that I have downloaded the license too many times. This is very troubling as it looks like those are just “ghost files” that I will never be able to play ever again, and being a (retired) DJ I still kind of need them sometimes, not to mention WANT to listen to them. I have looked into a number of different ways of removing the drm on various bulletins, etc online and it all seems very confusing and many of them also seem very pirate-like. I am not interested in slinking around in the shadows (much) since these are all things that I prchased legally and feel like I “own” and I feel I should be allowed to use them on any coputer I own, or any computer anywhere for that matter. So … looking for advice and experience with this matter as well. Oh and if posible I would like to do this for free. But would pay something if I knew what was the best way to proceed.
Fathers Forever (reprise)
MN Fathers Forever Saturday March 21st at Fond du Lac Tribaland Community College
MINNESOTA FATHERS FOREVER
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, 2101 14th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720
MINNESOTA FATHERS FOREVER: March 21, 2009 (Saturday), 9:30am-3:00pm, Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, 2101 14th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720. This event is about honoring fathers and connecting them with the resources that they need to best serve their children. We welcome fathers who are looking for positive solutions to problems with child support, child custody, and parenting time issues. Fathers who attend for will get assistance in modifying their child support orders, drivers license reinstatement, and legal information/assistance.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Oscar Reed (former Vikings running back with 3 Superbowl appearances). Special appearance by members of the 2008 National Championship UMD Football Bulldogs.
The thought provoking film “Smoke Signals” will also be shown.
Free family photos of dads and kids resource vendor booths, child care, lunch, and limited transportation are all available. This event was created by a large coalition of organizations that really care about strengthening families in our region, including the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), Boyz II Dadz Young Fathers Program, Carlton County Child Support, Fond du Lac Head Start, Fond du Lac Social Services, St. Louis County Child Support, and University of Minnesota Extension and many, many others.
TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: Free rides to and from Duluth are available. A van will leave the Central Hillside Community Center at 8:45 am on Saturday Morning. A return trip to Duluth will be made at 3:15 pm from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Call me for transportation details (jp Boyz II Dadz: 218.391.8330)
What are you doing for dinner?
Love Feast Wednesday at Hillside Community Church 6-8 pm
Good food, good music, good company. No expectations, no pressure, no judgment, only love. I wouldn’t be telling you about it if I wasn’t planning on going myself. We meet in the Historic Shrine Auditorium across from the friendly Cozy Bar and the CJM memorial. Kids and big appetites welcome. Oh … and if you play your cards right you might even be able to get one of these snazzy bumper stickers. See you there.
Love, JP
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