News and Current Affairs
Denfeld and Ordean – DNT nails it
I think today might be the third time the Duluth News Tribune has editorialized that Duluth’s two high schools (when the long range facilities plan is complete) should be called Denfeld and Ordean. (‘Denfeld,’ ‘Ordean’ preserve past, discourage east-west divide.)
I couldn’t agree more, and I wish the school district would finally put this issue to rest. Are you with me, people?
That Didn’t Take Long
Referring back to an earlier PDD post on Supreme Court decision related to “Corporate Free Speech.”
So, they say they’re doing it ironically, but a liberal PR corporation is now running for Congress. Here’s a NY Times brief news, and funny-scary first campaign video. How long before a corporation actually does run for Congress? Any Duluth bookies making odds on that?
Thanks, mevdev, for sending me this one.
Minnesota Olympians
I am not a huge sports watcher. I like the Vikings, I appreciate the Twins and once in awhile I will watch a bit of the NCAA Men’s BB Tournament in March. But I do enjoy the Olympics. Especially the Winter Olympics. And I think part of the reason that I appreciate the winter games so much is that there are so many local athletes. I’ll admit, my favorite aspect of the “Miracle on Ice” game from (ouch) 30 years ago now is that so many Minnesotans played a role in that underdog-david-vs-goliath-come-from-behind-victory.
Here are a few lists of Minnesotans that are in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver from Bob Collins MPR NewsCut blog, and the Star Tribune, plus a cursory search of the NBC Winter Olympics web page. (more…)
Help Duluth YMCA Camp Miller get 50k grant from Pepsi Refresh Project.
The local Duluth Area Family YMCA is in the running for a grant offered by Pepsi in their “Pepsi Refresh Project” (Learn more here) to build a high ropes course at Camp Miller. They are current ranked #2 and need your help by voting for them. It is easy, click, signup and vote. Vote now here — >: https://www.refresheverything.com/YMCACampMiller
Comment on Sulfide Mining
Please remember to comment on the toxic PolyMet metal-sulfide mine Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) if you haven’t done so already.
The deadline is this is 4:30 p.m. this Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
We can’t allow Minnesota’s rivers to be damaged by acid mine drainage like rivers have been throughout Montana, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. Making comments creates an important public record for future lawsuits.
Comment:
https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2051
More Info:
https://waterlegacy.org/sulfide_mining
Please pass this allow to any friends who might be interested.
Jitterbug’s Newscast
I thought that the “1000 foot shitters” was great but she may have topped it with “I am still stuck on the beaver!”
Good luck in Haiti. Miss you on the news!!
Wind Power Jobs
The news this morning of a major wind company considering Duluth, Superior, and the Iron Range is something we should really go after. There are four states in the running. If you like this type of development, contact your congressman. I’m sure they know about this but I think it would be really important to go do this. This could be huge for Duluth. This opportunity will not come every day. Thanks to those folks who were out front on this and got it to this stage. Anything I can do to help, ask.
Minnesota video producer’s contest-winning commercial won’t air during the Super Bowl
Despite being re-cut CBS ruled the spot, featuring a couple cubical clowns breaking wind, broke the barrier of good taste.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvRQ_9J_GDg&feature=player_embedded
Northland’s News Center? (the MLK version)
Came here to post on this but I see dlhmn beat me to it with a comment on my earlier post Northland’s “News” Center?
SMDC Rejects Contract Offer, Authorizes Strike
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/156923/publisher_ID/36/
FYI, SMDC netted $28.7 million in profits (despite being a “nonprofit” hospital) in 2007 and purchased over $5 million worth of property last year. CEO Peter Person makes $1.1 million per year. The average medical transcriptionist makes just on the threshold of a living wage – $35,000 per year. Solidarity! (Stay tuned for info on how you can help out…)
Recovering from Christmas (seen in Duluth)
A couple of items that struck me today. People apparently just dump their old trees in the Mount Royal Shopping center parking lot. And this sign didn’t seem to be doing much to stop them.
I also have been seeing a lot of construction equipment out clearing sidewalks. Near as I can tell about 2/3 of the city is covered in 2 inches of ice. Beneath the snow, that is.
News Tribune dumps Karwath, McLoughlin
Two more high-ranking executives in local media are out of work. Duluth News Tribune Executive Editor Rob Karwath and Circulation Manager Tim McLoughlin were laid off today. This follows the firing on Monday of Julie Moravchik, who was news director at Fox 21 News.
Duluth News Tribune Publisher Ken Browell released this statement:
Effective today the company has restructured management within the Editorial and Circulation Departments, resulting in the elimination of two management positions at the News Tribune. Executive Editor Rob Karwath and Circulation Manager Tim McLoughlin have been laid off. Both of these individuals have made significant contributions to the News Tribune during their careers. These were difficult business decisions. I will miss Rob and Tim both personally and professionally.
Hillside Market re-opens
It will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This is going to remain a family-owned business, as it has been since I can remember. But like every small business, they have almost overwhelming competition from [insert-name-of-big-box-chain-retailer here] so, they need all the support they can to make it, or better yet, to prosper.
This is a good opportunity for people who are boosters of small, family-owned businesses to engage their mouths along with their wallets. So, if you count yourself in that group, please stop in make a purchase as soon as you can, and thank them for making a commitment to our city’s economy. Then … keep coming back, whenever you can.
Publishing, in the future
Here’s a really cool video showing one R&D company’s view of the future of e-readers. Having been in the publication design biz for years, I loved seeing somebody take the idea of an electronic magazine beyond the blog or web site format. Some of the stuff they do in here is really cool, and features the photography and art beautifully.
Somewhat related, I saw a few posts today speculating about the fabled Apple Tablet, what it will actually be, and whether it will be a disappointment or not. I was saving up for an iPod touch, but I think I’ll wait to see what shakes out from Steve Job’s announcement in a few weeks.
Lake Superior Brewing wins Gold Medal at World Beer Championships
Lake Superior Brewing Company‘s Oktoberfest won a gold medal at the World Beer Championships.
Not sure why I feel like the resident apologist for Lake Superior Brewing especially since I’ve never tasted the stuff but … somehow I am a big booster of this gem of a Duluth business and I was very glad to see them get some recognition. Who knows? Maybe this is a stepping stone to better and better things for them and our fair Lincoln Park. Congratulations Dale and boys.
R.I.P. Lakeview Castle Duluth
Word on the street is the Lakeview Castle will be closing it doors.
Merry Christmas!!
Kenny wishes you all a Happy Holiday!
After numerous comments on my “Merry F***ing Christmas” thread, I got a phone call from Chief Gordon Ramsey. He was most cordial and apologetic about my ticket and offered to take care of it in a manner amenable to me. So, I deleted the previous thread- and have a lot of respect for the power of this little ol’ PDD blog and for our DPD Chief. Kenny wishes you all a Happy Holiday (and he is still for sale).
Coal Train (Soultrane?)
Parked (?) train blocks view of Lake Superior from https://duluthdailyphoto.vox.com/
I thought this was intended as a temporary winter seawall.
But Duluth Daily photo (above) and later the Duluth News Tribune had some good coverage of this that straightened me out, apparently these coal cars are just being stored on those tracks, even though they do sit in a storm prone spot. Now, DNT’s Brandon Stahl writes that the train will be moved to Leif Ericson Park. (more…)
“Precious Waters” – Minnesota’s Sulfide Mining Controversy
The short film “Precious Waters” which takes a hard look at the sulfide mining industry’s history of failed predictions and the potential impacts it will have on northeastern Minnesota will be showing in Duluth this week and next.
Thursday, December 3
Duluth League of Women Voters Forum
US EPA Conference Center
6200 Congdon Blvd, Duluth
Showing of Precious Waters at 6:30 p.m. followed by a panel discussion and audience questions
Monday, December 7
Teatro Zuccone
222 E. Superior St.
Movie showing at 7 p.m., followed by a panel of local speakers
Tuesday, December 8
Teatro Zuccone
222 E. Superior St.
Movie showing at 7 p.m.
The film is also available in it’s entirety for viewing online along with more info regarding this important topic at https://preciouswaters.org.
More harsh online criticism of the Duluth News Tribune
Just when PDD had gone a full month without a post specifically targeting the local daily newspaper, Business North coughs this up for us to share:
Body Love, Size Acceptance & Health at Every Size
A Women’s Resource & Action Center Brown Bag Presented by Linda Gokee-Rindal
Wednesday, Nov. 18th 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Kirby Student Center 268
Sponsored by UMD Women’s Resource & Action Center, UMD Women’s Studies Department & UMD Health Services
Free and open to the public.
Contact info:
UMD Women’s Resource & Action Center
Kirby Student Center 266
wrac@d.umn.edu
218-726-6292
https://www.d.umn.edu/mlrc/wrac/