News and Current Affairs
Upper Chester: Not so fast there people!
Duluth took a beating this past year. But thanks to everyone pulling together we’ve made a remarkable comeback. For proof, you don’t have to look any further than Chester Park. Thanks to the indefatigable Dan Proctor and others the Lower Chester trails are probably in better shape than they were before the floods of June, and that’s saying a lot considering the scope of the mudflows and washouts that ravaged pretty much every inch of the ravine.
Upper Chester, however, is another story. Despite good intentions, there’s been a lot of jumping the gun to clean up or improve things that one could make the argument has ended up doing more harm than good. I’m not going to run down the list, but the latest chapter seems to have taken place largely under the radar, and I think it deserves a public airing.
(more…)
Armory: Love it, but would also love this
I was reading the Duluth News Tribune coverage of the Duluth Armory flood damage and happened upon this comment:
I wonder if the Armory Arts Org has bitten off more than it can chew. This place is really a white elephant but that is the regretful truth. The scale of difficulties in dealing with a place of this size, age and state of disrepair – now with flood damage and other problems – It’s just not going anywhere! (more…)
Christmas City of the North Parade Stream
Hi folks. Especially the folks who are far away Duluthians, this could be good news for you.
I just got word in this nice little video from Kevin Jacobsen and LeAnn Wallace that the Christmas City of the North Parade will be streaming live at the Northland’s Newscenter website.
The twitter hashtag is #christmascityparade
The Duluth Creative Corridor
Today’s reading material:
PDF of the full report | PDF of the executive summary
(more…)
Post Election Day Hunt
By David Cowardin
Duluth Outdoors Editor
After the 2012 presidential election, there are only so many things a man can do to come back down to earth. Hunting grouse is one of them.
“Think of it as hiking with a gun,” my friend Luke said.
You see, I’ve never been hunting. Ever. So Luke was showing me how simple it really is.
“It’s really just an excuse to get out into the woods,” he said as he stopped to rub some pine needles between his fingers, telling me how much sweeter they smells after a rain.
We were about 30 miles north on Rice Lake Road, hiking around a small lake listening for the heavy thump of a grouse. The sky was gray and everything was wet: the sweet smell of pine was strong. (more…)
A solution to the LPOE problem?
So, I haven’t read every post and comment related to the Last Place on Earth here on PDD, so maybe this connection has already been made, but hearing about voters in Washington and Colorado legalizing recreational marijuana use makes me think if they can do it out there, maybe we can do it here. Then maybe, just maybe, the LPOE wouldn’t have to sell the “legal alternatives” that seem to be way more harmful than the real stuff. Or do you think this would even make a difference? Would people still line up for incense and bath salts or whatever the heck it is they sell there, even if marijuana was legal?
Lake Superior Honey Co. Kickstarter
On the heels of a Duluth City Council vote to broaden legal beekeeping within the city, Jonathan and Erin Otis of Lake Superior Honey Company announced the launch of an online campaign to raise funds for the expansion of their successful honey company. Continue the story at: kickstarter.com.
Rod Raymond – Part II
Duluth News Tribune: “UMD investigates two new complaints against Raymond”
Duluth News Tribune: “Ex-UMD official: He advised firing Raymond, was demoted”
Old PDD Post: “Regarding Rod Raymond“
LakeVoice election edition focused on young voters
This week, the editors and student journalists of LakeVoice News have produced more than 30 stories looking at next week’s election. This work includes news articles, interactive maps, videos, audio podcasts and interactive timelines.
You can read these stories by going to the Election 2012 category on the Lakevoicenews.org website.
The articles focus on the issues that are relevant and important to everyone but specifically to voters age 18 to 30. (more…)
Posted: No Wolf Hunting
Passing along this photo from Ivy Vainio; click the image to see it in context.
Fond du Lac Band passed an ordinance banning the wolf hunt a few days ago.
Dan Kraker provided some fairly decent balanced coverage that explains some of the legal and cultural implications of the wolf hunt in this MPR News story.
Bill Clinton in Duluth at UMD
Video by WDIO-TV.
Look for a guy with a goat skull on his head…
I found an interesting discussion about a possible video-game/real-life event happening over at /r/duluth/. Maybe we can help solve this mystery? (more…)
Outdoor Alliance Meeting
Representatives from the Outdoor Alliance met with local outdoor leaders last night at Hartley Nature Center. The goal was to form a collaborative effort in making local green space more accessible and maximizing outdoor opportunities for Duluthians and tourists alike. Last night’s meeting got the ball rolling in what will likely be a very successful collaboration between outdoor leaders in the region.
David Cowardin says: “No”
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Recorded live at Beaner’s Central last week.
Brewhouse to nix North Loop Plan
It looks like the Brewhouse won’t have a location in the Twin Cities.
Vita.mn: “Fitger’s Brewhouse nixes North Loop plans”
Duluth craft-beer bastion Fitger’s Brewhouse has scrapped its plans to open a Minneapolis location in the North Loop space that once housed Trocaderos. Brad Nelson, a spokesman for Fitger’s parent company Just Take Action Inc., which also owns Burrito Union and Tycoons Alehouse and Eatery in Duluth, said Thursday that the scope of the project proved more than they were willing to take on at this time.
Last Election on Earth
Well, there it is. Jim Carlson’s name is on the ballot.
Wolf Debate at UMD
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Brewhouse at Great American Beer Festival
Big congrats to the Fitger’s Brewhouse for winning a medal at the GABF 2012. Fitger’s Framboise took the bronze in the American-style Sour Ale category. I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure it’s fantastic.
Virgin Mobile claws back TBT hashtag
Twitter nerds will understand this. Hashtag humor. It’s a niche category.
Click the image to go to the referenced Instagram pic of Trampled by Turtles playing at a Virgin Mobile event. Our boys are growing up. *sigh*
Haines Road temporarily open between Skyline Parkway and Morris Thomas Road
Haines Road has re-opened between Skyline Parkway and Morris Thomas Road. (Haines Road below Skyline, where it connects to 40th Avenue West, remains closed.) This means it is again possible to travel along Skyline across Haines Road.
(more…)
So I bought $40 worth of coke today …
So I bought $40 worth of coke today … Coca-Cola that is. The final production run of Coke in returnable 6.5 oz bottles in the US was made last week in Winona, MN. Sad, the end of an era, an American icon and they were one of many things I like about my little river town. They are selling the last 5500 bottles for $20 each and all the proceeds go toward maintaining and improving Winona’s bicycle paths around the lake. I am saving one bottle forever and the other I will drink after after a nice autumn motorcycle ride and with a good meal. Cheers!
Learn more or order.
UMD Grad Dr. Brian Kobilka Wins Nobel Prize for Chemistry
Brian Kobilka, a 1977 UMD Chemistry graduate, has won a share in the 2012 Nobel Prize for chemistry. Dr. Kobilka can be heard in an interview with a representative from the Nobel Organization at nobelprize.org. (more…)
Fond du Lac young people march for kids
I was on my way into work this morning and I saw some young people from the Take Back Our Rez Facebook group walking along Big Lake Road on Fond du Lac Reservation. That’s like the equivalent of rush hour as it is the main artery to and from Highway 33 and I-35, lots of cars headed up and down the road on the way to work or school. (more…)