News and Current Affairs
Honking Tree Commentary on MPR
Like many North Shore residents, commentator Catherine Conlan had come to see the 113-year-old white pine as much more than a tree.
Farmers Market at UMD
Farmers Market at UMD
EVERY WEDNESDAY 2:00-4:30
UMD Kirby Plaza Bus Hub
LOCAL Produce, Music and Artisans! (more…)
Kako Foundation Benefit
Perhaps you saw the article in the DNT a year ago about Rudy Perrault’s 16 year old cousin, Kako, who was brutally murdered in Haiti, after being kidnapped after school on his way to his grandmother’s house. The silver lining to this heinous act, is the KAKO Foundation, a music education program that has already begun in Haiti, with plans to eventually be established in the Twin Ports. The 2nd Annual Haiti Worthy Cause Concert will celebrate this emerging Foundation with great music and food – and, will celebrate Kako, a beacon for us all.
Sunday May 1, Chester Park United Methodist Church
3 PM, Program
4:30 PM Haitian Dinner
Monkey with a Tool Belt Day
According to today’s Duluth Tribune, today is the second annual Monkey with a Tool Belt day (there was a first?).
Local author/artist/target of much local adoration Chris Monroe will be at Marshall Hardware today signing copies of her book. Apparently there will be hot dogs, root beer, and prizes. It’s unknown if any monkeys will be there.
For your consideration…
Just want to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding the “mystery barrels”. The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa out of Bayfield, WI have secured over $1 million from the Department of Defense to remove about 70 of the barrels for testing. PDF here of the 2008 MN DOH “Health Consultation” regarding the barrels. Link here to Nukewatch’s compendium on barrel research including a full collection of local news releases on the subject.
Please share this info with friends and neighbors.
Stimulus Watch-Duluth projects total $413,263,980
I’m hoping the crater-sized pot hole that nearly swallowed my car on a recent trip to Kohls (Sundby Road) falls under MSA street reconditioning. I realize the Lift Bridge takes a lot of paint, but $5,000,000 worth? That’s crazy talk. https://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_city/Duluth/MN
Winners in Play Competition at the Play Ground
Lake Superior Writers Announce Winners in Play Competition
“The Voice of the Turtle” by Teresa Boyle Falsani
“The Voice of the Turtle” explores life’s losses, the unpredicted impact of important decisions, and the challenges of commitment over the long term.
“This Too Shall Pass” by Matt Wall
will also play
See these award winning plays on
Sunday, May 24
2pm at the Play Ground
Both plays will be performed in reader’s theater format
Free to the Public.
Pomp and (Impressive) Circumstance
I spend a lot of time on what I affectionately call “the dark underbelly of Duluth.” That is, around people in really rough circumstances with tough, long odds against them. As soon as I post this, I am headed up to the Arrowhead Juvenile Center, to spend some time with young dads up there, for example. But one thing that circumstances can’t extinguish is hope. It will live on even against the greatest odds, I’ve seen it happen over and over again and I’m convinced that it’s true.
Celebrate with Ellie Schoenfeld
The public is invited to celebrate the release of Ellie’s new book: “The Dark Honey: New & Used Poems,” published by Clover Valley Press.
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28
Where: UMD Library Rotunda (4th floor), 416 Library Drive, Duluth.
Free parking.
For information, call 218-525-4552 or visit www.clovervalleypress.com
Uses for the Honking Tree
Mayor Bolen of Two Harbors will be convening a public meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Two Harbor Community Center to discuss ideas for using the remains of the Honking Tree.
Suggestions?
‘Honking Tree’ on CBC Radio
The sad story of the “Honking Tree” got national media play in Canada last night on CBC Radio’s “As It Happens.” I’m not sure if the segment was included in the edited-down version of the show that airs on MPR.
The tree segment is a few minutes in; you have to wait through a couple of other segments.
Weather report
About 4:30 Tuesday in the Kenwood neighborhood.
Spaghetti dinner & silent auction benefit
When: Friday, May 8th
Time: 5-7pm
Where: Mr D’s 5622 Grand Ave. Duluth
What: fundraiser for the Kari Hart family
Many of you know the Hart family. They are such a blessing to so many people and have always been willing to help others in need.
Kari was diagnosed with Gall Bladder Cancer and so far medical bills have exceeded $400,000. Terry has missed half his workdays to care for Kari since January 2008.
There will be a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at Mr. D’s along with a silent auction. There are 100’s of items to bid on in the auction including a Cirrus Disign scenic flight for three! Suggested donation for the dinner is $10. I hope you can come!
just a few other gifts and certificates:
Healing Hands Massage, Superior
Burger King
Beaner’s
The Shack Supper Club
Duluth Grill
Athlete’s Foot
Alicia Ligman Pampered Chef
Carlson’s Floor Center
The Reader
Keyport Liquor
Grandma’s Saloon & Grill
and so many more!
For more information or to donate call:
Robin: 218-391-3077
Donations may be sent to:
Kari Hart Medical Fund
MCCU
215 N. 40th Ave. W.
Duluth, MN 55807
Arrowhead Journey – Erik Simula – 1000 mile canoe journey
Arrowhead Journey 1000 Mile Canoe Journey
While on a hike this afternoon with my dog near Grand Marais I met Erik Simula on a unique canoeing journey. Erik is a Duluth native and he is in the midst of a 1000 mile Minnesota canoe journey spread of the next 3 months. The journey started in Grand Portage on earth day April 22nd and Erik will paddle and portage his way from Grand Portage to Duluth to Grand Rapids to International Falls and back to Grand Portage in time for the 2009 annual rendezvous on August 7th. O’yea….BTW… All in a canoe he made by hand and with his paddling partner dog Kitigan. Click Here for the details of his trip on Erik Simua’s blog. Good Luck Erik!
See a couple more pictures I took during my brief conversation with him on the shores of Lake Superior as he landed on shore to camp due to the poor wind conditions and rough seas for paddling. Hopefully he will be in Duluth within the next week or so!! Here is the url to his web site: https://arrowheadjourney.wordpress.com/
Your chance to say thank you
Another great Homegrown Music Festival – it’s absolutely amazing to see the talent that we have in town.
Homegrown would not be possible without the efforts of a lot of people working throughout the year, behind the scenes, to make it happen. Paul Connolly, who has been festival director over the past two years has done a great job. Paul Lundgren, Adam Guggemos, and all of the volunteers who contributed deserve our thanks. And of course happy birthday and thanks to Starfire for giving life to the festival. Remember to frequent the venues who support original live music throughout the year.
If you had a good time this week, take a moment to write a note of thanks for those who made it possible.
Lilly’s closing weekend!
Don't Let Yourself be Held Back!
Where are Duluth’s Protectors?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da1ADqPplQ4
Cincinnati gets caped crusaders and we don’t?
Come on people! Let’s see some Duluthians on this registry!
Honking Tree Mystery
Please add to our soon-to-be rejected police procedural script:
Someone has cut down the beloved tree just outside of town. The tree is famous for being saved from ruin when the big highway was put in years ago. People came to like the tree and honked at it as if it was welcoming them into their town. Some even say it would wave back. It became known as the “honking tree.”
Scene of people gathering at cut tree, offering stories, memories. Some tears. Very folksy small-town scene where everyone seems to know everyone with a strong sense of community.
Enter our detective heroes. They talk to the cops, who say they’ve spoken to all the usual suspects and haven’t come up with anything.
(more…)
Hey, it’s another Homegrown show! With a gimmick!
This one has a fashion show, from Rachel Hart and Apron Elegance.
Sacred Heart Experimental Tuesday
* 7 p.m. – Tim Kaiser
* 8 p.m. – Rivulets
* 9 p.m. – Sight Like December
HOMEGROWN HOMEGROWN HOMEGROWN HOMEGROWN