David Beard
Changes to Arrowhead Regional Arts Grants
There are major changes coming in grant funding in the arts in our region. This notice will help explain some of them.
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StageNorth comes a wee bit South to Teatro Zuccone
Kate and I have often said that, if there were a suitable academic job there for both of us, we would move in a second to Washburn — halfway between Bayfield/Madeleine Island and Ashland, and so just close enough to wonderful things, but just far enough, away, too, to enjoy the quiet things: the best used bookstore north of Minneapolis and of Madison, one of the best bakeries (although there are so many great bakeries in northwestern Wisconsin, it is hard to choose), a cultural center with antique shops, local arts and crafts, and a gallery space that, among other things, hosted the awesome “No Reservations” exhibit last year. And a DQ. Every small town has a DQ.
Last night, I got a taste of the next best thing in Washburn: StageNorth Theater.
Is Duluth one of the “Cities where the most people have heart attacks”?
From USAToday:
Duluth, Minn.-Wisc.
> Pct. reporting heart attack: 6.2% (tied for 8th highest)
> Pct. obese: 26.9% (68th highest)
> Pct. who smoke: 19.6% (78th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,110
In many respects, people in Duluth were in better health than the country as a whole. For instance, the percentage of people with both high blood pressure and high cholesterol were below the national rate. However, nearly 27% of people surveyed were considered obese, higher than the 24.8% obesity rate across the country. Like most areas on this list, Duluth’s median household income was lower than the national median. In 2011, it was about $4,400 less than the U.S. median of $50,502. In addition, Duluth had a slightly higher poverty rate of 16.6% than the U.S. poverty rate of 15.9%.
Jazzy Tunes and Good Eats
One of the most awesome aspects of hanging out at the local comic shop are the quirky people who hang out there. I don’t mean the Sheldon Coopers — I mean the creators of Apocalypse City and Night of the Smurfing Dead. I mean the owner of Psher Meats, who also sidelines as a fiction writer. I mean Sir Jeff, the newest light in the kitchen at Zeitgeist, and Greg, who makes the DNT’s new creative services run like clockwork. Duluth is filled with more talented people than it has outlets for that talent.
So it didn’t surprise me that a talented light-jazz musician stopped by the shop and told us about his show tonight at Valentini’s.
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Otter Lost
Via Great Lakes Aquarium‘s Facebook page:
It has been a difficult week for us at the Aquarium. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved male river otter. Zhoosh passed away early Saturday morning. He was discovered by the aquarium’s otter keeper during the morning feeding. He was 13 years old. We know many people loved him and he will be greatly missed.
An Afternoon with the Minnesota Council for Non-Profits
I spent the better part of Monday with the Minnesota Council for Non-Profits. I attended largely because of the work I do with Wildwoods, but also because I serve on the Board of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and have volunteered with Clayton Jackson McGhie, Inc. (more…)
Aviation Action after Greek Tastiness
I wish very much that I could have talked my friends into attending the Lark of the Lake festival today ($30 admission for two after the money spent at the tasty Taste of Greece event at the Marshall School was too tough for their wallets). (more…)
Silver Screen and Starlit Skies
Photo from Twin Ports Night Life
Leashless Dogs; Wildlife finally Wild and Free; BridgeFest and Budgeteer: Wildlife Roundup
Wildwoods updates of all sorts below (one funny, some happy, some sad, one quite terrible–read with caution):
Wildwoods
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Local Music Research Discussed on KUMD
Seth Langreck, a student at UMD, was interviewed by KUMD for research started here on PDD.
Common Loon Release
This beautiful adult common loon was grounded in a yard down in the Cloquet area. After we checked the bird over and fed it some minnows (thanks to Chalstrom’s Bait Shop for their kind donations!), we released it into Lake Superior down beneath the Lakewalk. The loon was happy to be in the water again! Thanks to Trish for taking these pics, and and to Farzad, Kelly, and Trish for doing the release this evening!
Critter Updates
Daily critter report from Wildwoods… (more…)
A Night of Awesome in Duluth
Monday was awesome.
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Beaver Relocation in Downtown Duluth
This beaver was in the downtown Duluth area, near the on-ramp for the adjacent freeway. Farzad from Wildwoods captures it. It is later released outside of town by a creek. Video courtesy of Duluth PD Officer Jayme Carlson.
Amazon cuts off Minnesota affiliates
News release from “Shelf Awareness.” Do you think this has more than anecdotal Duluth impact?
Amazon cuts off Minnesota affiliates
With Minnesota’s online sales tax law due to take effect July 1, Amazon has played a familiar card by cutting ties with 5,200 members of its Associates program in the state, the Pioneer Press reported. The online retailer has previously taken comparable action in other states that passed similar legislation.
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Ennyman Reviews Sol Fest: “Plein Air Painters and Ayla the Mermaid Take Sol Fest Over the Top”
From the Ennyman:
“The setting, as I noted previously, was spectacular, the weather cooperating with enthusiasm. And the performers, as anticipated, were not only determined to make Sol Fest a spectacle, they were accompanied by some wonderful embellishments. I refer here to the plein air painters and Ayla the Mermaid… (more…)
Rollerdames Crashing into Charity
Today the Harbor City Roller Dames will bring dinner to LifeHouse in Duluth. LifeHouse is an organization that serves homeless youth in our community. It provides a place for them to be and access to resources. In addition, the HCRD will present a pledge check toward the “Adopt a Kid” program which will provide services to a youth for one full year.
I’m a fan of HCRD, and I have several friends who work, who give their personal and professional lives to LifeHouse. This is great to see.
Critter Update
Critter updates:
The young grey foxes, though scared and sad without mom, take comfort from each other’s presence, and ate well last night. We cleaned out their kennel this morning (lots of poop–yay!), and moved them to a new kennel. Two are very docile, but one is a real spitfire. He thinks we’re planning to kill him, and he will not “go gentle into that good night.” More power to ya, buddy; way to go! (more…)
Wildwoods on CNN
If you love reading stories like this and would like to support our work, please “share” this. Also, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help us pay for the food, medication, and equipment we need to help these animals.
Duluth artist wins prestigious McKnight Visual Artist Fellowship
The Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the McKnight Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of the 2013/14 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Visual Artists: Catherine Meier of Duluth, and Joe Sinness, Amy Toscani, and Dyani White Hawk of the Twin Cities.
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Briar, Bentley, and Beavers in Our Community
A recent social media campaign about beavers has caught my attention. At the very least, it raises some questions about common access to wild space in our community.
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Arrowhead Regional Arts Awards
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is very excited to be able to host an annual event that recognizes the contributions made by individuals to the arts in the Arrowhead Region and beyond. This year ARAC will present the fifteenth annual George Morrison Artist Award to nationally recognized public sculptor Gareth Andrews from Zim, MN, and the Maddie Simons Advocate Award to Dr. Stanley Wold, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Arrowhead Chorale.