News and Current Affairs
Show me the way
Has anyone from Duluth driven to Minneapolis in the past 12 hours? They are saying I-35 is out from Hwy 210 (Carlton) to Mahtowa. But what’s a good alternate route? If the interstate is a mess, I can’t imagine what county roads and highways are viable options. I need to be in St Paul by 2 p.m. — help. I was thinking 210 west to 73 south… but 73 west of Moose Lake is closed. Gahhh. What about Highway 61 south? I’m not trusting the DOT 511 Page because it’s not totally in line with what recent news is telling me.
Flooding in Duluth and North Shore
Rain, rain, go away. With 6-8 inches of precipitation in the past 18 hours, flooding in Duluth and the surrounding area has caused serious problems for everyone. With more rain on the way things are probably going to get worse before they get better. I have been personally fighting a flooding basement, but feel fortunate that is all I have had to deal with. I am wondering if now is the time to start building an ark?
Post your Duluth Flood 2012 pictures and videos in the comments. (more…)
Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013 Kickstarter Campaign
Blacklist Brewing: Beer + Art Project 2013 is a year-long project that meshes local artisans with beer and the brewing process to create fun and unique collaborations. Featuring a different artist and brew each month, we bring you a drinking experience worth sharing and talking about. “Share the Love, Share the Beer”
Pledge your funds to ensure this project happens in Duluth!
Learn more about the company at blacklistbrewing.com.
Jim Carlson is running for President?
Is this part of the Zombie Apocalypse?
News From MPLS
Just Take Action (Brewhouse, Tycoons, et al.) to open a Brewhouse-esque restaurant in the old Trocaderos in MPLS.
Anoka County said FU to the Northern Lights Express. Paid executives of the Minneapolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance are just stunned.
Broken car windows — 3:30 a.m. 6/12 — Lakeside
I heard that several cars had windows smashed early this morning, on/near Colorado Avenue in Lakeside.
Grand Cliffs Salon
The “Grand Cliffs Salon” lettering was hung last night. I didn’t have time to stop and ask questions, but apparently the Clifford Johnson legacy will continue in some form.
Duluth’s Mayor Ness: Cooler by the lake
“Duluth’s youthful chief executive is bringing fresh energy and, yes, a sense of hipness to the port city.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Duluth’s Mayor Ness: Cooler by the lake“
Dogs looking for homes
My photo partner and I are filming a documentary on animal cruelty in Alabama. We have two weeks of filming left before we head back to Duluth, at which point we hope to bring dogs and puppies back with us to be adopted in the Northland. If you are looking to adopt, please let us know. There are countless animals looking for good homes. We will be documenting their journey from Alabama to Duluth to represent a happy ending to their less fortunate life in the south.
Contact David Cowardin at 218.290.7209.
Big Water Bike Journal (Day 12-20)
On May 1, Zach Chase and Kris McNeal set off on their bicycles to circle the Great Lakes. It’s a trip that will take 90 days and span close to 6,000 miles. They are filming along the way and will produce a feature length documentary about the communities surrounding the Great Lakes and the importance of the natural beauty in our backyard. Check out the journal they have been keeping along the way.
Get fresh food back into Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park’s Fair Food Access project has been chosen as a national finalist for a Facebook voting campaign called “Cause an Effect,” through State Farm Insurance. Ten clicks of your mouse could mean $25,000 for this project. Voting ends at midnight tonight, May 17. Use your Facebook time for good — follow this direct link to vote.
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PDD Shift: Dan Neff / Lake Superior Art Glass
This is the last of four videos in the PDD Shift series. This profiles Dan Neff, one of the winners of the Greater Downtown Council’s Go Downtown / Grow Downtown contest from last year. At the end of this month Dan is opening a new store, Lake Superior Art Glass, at 202 E. Superior St. The shop will feature classes, various glass artwork, as well as front window demos.
The grand opening is May 31.
“Bernie the bobcat” released
Bernie the Bobcat was released today.
Upset Duluth, May 2012 Edition
May I humbly nominate this photo of Ms. Sramek, featured in today’s DNT.
Related posts:
Upset Duluth
Upset Duluth: In case you missed it
Upset Duluth (Continued)
Upset Duluth?
This will be so great to see gone
Long-neglected house to be razed as Duluth ramps up fight on blight
I saw the above headline on the DNT website and thought, “I hope it’s that house on Mesaba.” Turns out, it is the house I was thinking of. Glory be!
Thanks to Mayor Ness and anyone else involved in getting this property cleaned up. If Duluth were some kind of Sims game, I’d say my happiness rating goes down just a little every time I drive by this house.
Missing Person: Andrew Wagner
Andrew Wagner, age 47, has been missing from Cherry, Minn. since Thursday at approximately 8 a.m. He is believed to be at risk of self harm.
Wagner is Caucasian, approximately 6-ft. tall and 220 lbs., and has short salt-and-pepper hair and dark-rimmed glasses.
He is driving a distinctive red 1964 Volvo 122s, Minnesota license plate NX110, and was last seen at the Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia at 2:00 on the day he went missing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office at 218-479-6010.
Who won Homegrown 2012?
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Bratwurst – 13.6 percent
Gallus – 9.6 percent
Tangier 57 – 7.2 percent
The Blasphemists – 5.6 percent
The Surfactants – 3.8 percent
Big Wave Dave & the Ripples – 3.1 percent
The Keep Aways – 2.9 percent
Dead Guys – 2.9 percent
Sexhawk – 2.4 percent
Various other bands – 48.9 percent
Homegrown Music Fest Twitter Feed #hgmf12
Post your top Homegrown (#hgmf12) tweets in the comments below!
Volkswagen in Duluth
I am really thrilled that they were able to remodel and re-use the Saturn dealership by the mall as a Volkswagen dealership. According to local news reports, Volkswagen hasn’t had a presence around here for 20 years. Does anyone know who the last dealer in the area was? I’ve heard there was once a place on the hillside that sold Volkswagens. Does anyone recall that?
Allen R. Defends Gonzo Science HQ
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQtd-vUHtMA
More brother-on-brother nerf violence as Allen defends against attack inside Gonzo Science headquarters. Both men use a full-auto Stampede ECS. In addition Jim deploys an impenetrable “Captain America” shield.
Poll: Jim Carlson
This is the first in a series of polls I will be posting to try and get a sense of how the numbers break down on certain opinions that pop up on PDD. I’ve closed comments on this post, because the purpose here is boil things down, as much as possible, to a set of numbers.
For background and/or the opportunity to weigh in on this topic, visit the 12/07/2011 post: Is the Last Place on Earth ruining Duluth? If you want to point out a problem with the poll itself, feel free to email me at barrett@perfectduluthday.com.
The poll will close this Friday night/Saturday morning at 12:00am.
[poll id=”11″]
Repurposed Duluth Day: North Shore Architectural Antiques
John McCarthy opens North Shore Architectural Antiques every Saturday.
[This five-part series profiles local dealers of used goods, in all their rich variety. Others in the series: Sellers Auction, Retro Antiques, Central Sales and Art in the Alley.]
In a drafty old 1930s movie theater, environmental consultant John McCarthy sells antique building elements on his days off.
McCarthy, a geologist, opened North Shore Architectural Antiques in Two Harbors nearly 10 years ago. His inventory includes windows, doors, light fixtures, tiles, ceiling tins and other items. (more…)
The Assassination of Allen R.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFteX9hv5aw
Brother on brother nerf violence as Jim attempts to assassinate Allen inside Gonzo Science headquarters. Both men use a full-auto Stampede ECS. In addition Jim deploys an impenetrable “Captain America” shield.
April 14: Another Perfect Duluth Day
Seems like a couple times a year we get one of these, but rarely in April.
I played some sidewalk tic-tac-toe, cleaned up the garden from last year, painted a couple chairs, and took a walk on the beach. I wore flip-flops and sunglasses and took deep breaths of the south wind.
What did you do on this edition of the Perfect Duluth Day?