David Beard
Monty Python and Curls of Locks
The last two days have been fun. (more…)
Tracing the Week Backward
So I’m in Starbucks on Woodland, and I want to talk about so much in the last week, but chronological order would be the least taxing on my brain, so that will be the choice. (more…)
Nestling Robins
A few days ago, Wildwoods Rehabilitation Center got two nestling robins who were rescued from the jaws of a cat. This cat is normally an indoor cat, but his owners were packing up to move. In the flurry of packing activity, he escaped outside and in short order, had two baby birds in his jaws.
Most animals we get who have been in the mouth of a cat die within 48 hours, despite supportive care and antibiotics. If they make it past the 48 hours, we are usually home free. These two made it.
Then, the next question — would their parents still be around the nest and take them back? They were the only two nestlings that had been in the nest, so the parents didn’t have anyone left to feed and might have abandoned the nest.
We put them back in the nest this morning, and then Ian watched for several hours. Finally the mom came, and then she brought them a fat, juicy worm! It was victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, and we are thrilled — we don’t get many of those.
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A celebration of nerd culture: Comicon promos, games, Nerd Nites and tea duelling
I post here a lot about arts and wildlife, but much of my passion is really for nerd culture. It’s been something I have felt a lot of this summer. (more…)
Coyotes on the Plane; Releases in the Wild

Wildwoods Critters
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A Day of Art
I spent most of today meeting with students, but when I wasn’t with young people, I was working in art.
Changes in the Arts Community (and Your Opportunities within It)
A local arts organization is changing its board and its staff, and you can be part of it! (more…)
Artists win Awards
When I am not teaching rhetoric, I also volunteer with the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
Below is a list of recent award winners. If you see someone you know, congratulate them! (more…)
Coyote Pups
Look who came to Wildwoods last week … a little “song dog” pup (aka coyote)! He was found by himself when he was about 3-4 weeks old, and has been raised by humans since. (more…)
Pudding (The Prøof is in the … )
Visit the new issue of local arts and literature magazine Prøof.
Glad to see the Ennyman and my colleague, the Dean of the School of Fine Arts at UMD, in these pages. Kathleen Roberts gives the Duluth arts community an immense gift in the labor it takes to make this publication happen.
Wildlife Adventures
A lot of adventures at Wildwoods this week.
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RollerDames end the season with energy
… if not with victory.
The Dames lost both bouts. But more importantly, we Rollerdames fans are losing some familiar faces. The following Dames are retiring this year: SoKo Rebel, Wright Around Ya, Killah Cleta, Lady Gotcha, Nasty Fantastic, Hook N Splatter, Janet Smackson, Jilly Willy, Crumpet Crusher, Little Miss Spooky.
I am surely a fan of the Dames, but the first time I met these athletes at Buffalo Wild Wings, I got shivers. They are really, really good at their sport, and they are really, really good as a team. Dames fans will miss them.
Local Landmark Nomination for CJM Memorial
The CJM Memorial Local Landmark Nomination will have its second reading at the Duluth City Council Meeting on June 9 at 7 p.m. The meeting is at City Hall on the third floor in City Council Chambers. The CJM Board ask that you please come and show your support. (more…)
DSFF Day 3 & 4
Last night, I saw Sorcerer and the Shorts festival at the Duluth Superior Film Festival… and I will be adding more to my thoughts before I post them.
But I ran into Kathleen Roberts, a local poet and a leader in the Duluth arts scene (one of the engines behind Prove Gallery). I teased that she would probably spend the weekend watching the movies in her gallery, but this is what she shared with me, instead — the movies she wants to see in the festival. Maybe she or I will see you there? (more…)
Film Fest Night 2: Stop the Pounding Heart
Last night was night #2 of the Duluth Superior Film Fest, and I made an evening of it.
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Film Festival Night 1: Clyde Iron
Full schedule here.
Wildwoods, Woodchucks, and More
Friday we got a call from Samantha, Annabelle, and Lorelei. While these girls were out walking, they found a woodchuck who was stuck in a storm drain. They couldn’t turn away from an animal in trouble, so they called Animal Allies. Animal Allies gave them our number.
Media Relations Internship Available
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC)… (more…)
Bear
In early spring, bear moms often “park” their tiny cubs in or next to a tall “refuge tree” while they go off to forage. The cubs can climb to safety if they feel threatened, and can sleep up in the branches, out of harm’s way, while they wait for mom to return. Mom may be gone for a while. Read more about “refuge trees” here.
Wildwoods got a call yesterday morning about a small cub all by herself. After touching base with Dr. Rogers at the Bear Center, we’ve asked the folks who called about the cub to keep an eye on her from a distance, while keeping curious onlookers, dogs, etc., away. We want to give mom every chance to come back and reclaim her cub. (more…)
Roller Derby Victory!
Harbor City Roller Dames were victorious all around Saturday night! The HCRD Shipwreckers won their bout against Forx Roller Derby 295-112; I missed most of this bout, catching dinner with friends beforehand.
The HCRD Nautikills won their bout against Mid State Sisters of Skate 223-129! It was close in the beginning; the SOS seemed masterful at luring the dames into the penalty box, and they were skillful at keeping control of the lead jammer.
But no one is as flexible as the Dames, no team can adjust the way the dames can adjust, you know?
Special goodbye to the person who introduced me to local derby through a Nerd Nite presentation years ago, I think it was: Killer Cletah. This was her retirement bout, and I will miss her terribly, despite being greeted with “Good to see you, Sir.”







