Random
Matt Ray – “We’ll be OK”
WDSE-TV’s The PlayList captures singer/songwriter Matt Ray performing “We’ll be OK.”
Selective Focus: Ann Klefstad
Ann Klefstad is an artist who is definitely connected to this area, through her work across many mediums and by the writing, promotion and encouragement she’s given to the arts in our area.
AK: I work in sculpture, mostly, with some drawing, including ink and tar drawing on wood. My real “medium”, though, would be my subject matter. Over the years I’ve drawn closer and closer to doing only work that comes out of the ecosystem I’m in. I’m kind of a literalist, I guess. I love the forms of things, and so I use those forms, I try to learn them and come to know them by imitating them, like a kid learns.
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PDD Quiz: Duluth Does Dylan
[This post originally contained an embedded quiz created on the platform Qzzr. It is no longer available at its source.]
Want to celebrate Dylan? Here are some Dylan-related questions! Good luck, Dylan fans!
The next quiz will be out on May 29 and will be a review of May 2016. Send your questions and answers in to lawrence @ perfectduluthday.com by noon on Wednesday, May 25 to get them included.
Duluth-area Coffee Roasters in 2015
The coffee industry has undergone significant changes in the past couple of decades, as an increasing number of specialty roasters enter the market. The Duluth area is now experiencing what some call the “third wave” of coffee. The first wave of coffee was about convenience and mass production (think instant coffee, like Folgers). The second wave of coffee involved the rise of chains like Starbucks, where consumers were introduced to fresher and better quality beans and the experience of drinking in coffee shops.
PDD Quiz: April Fools
[This post originally contained an embedded quiz created on the platform Qzzr. It is no longer available at its source.]
Duluth is home to some eccentric folks. How much do you know about your neighbors and their crazy pastimes? Let’s find out.
The next quiz will be on May 1 and it will be a review of everything that happened in Duluth in April. Well, 10 things. Yours could be one of them. Send your suggested questions (and answers) to lawrence @ perfectduluthday.com by noon on Wednesday, April 27.
Job openings at Hartley Nature Preschool
Are you looking for a job teaching young children outdoors in all seasons? Hartley Nature Preschool, a program of Hartley Nature Center, is expanding and hiring lead and assistant preschool teachers for full- and half-day preschool classes. A background in early childhood education and/or environmental education is preferred. Applications are due March 15. More information at hartleynaturepreschool.weebly.com/employment.
Rob Wittig and UMD Writing Studies students nominated for New Media Writing Prize
Visit “I Work for the Web” and learn about the New Media Writing Prize award nomination received by Rob Wittig and students in the Writing Studies majors and minors at UMD.
I am very proud of my students and colleagues.
Where in Duluth? Bathroom Edition
How many of these five Duluth establishments can you identify just from their restroom signs? Hint: all but one are from restaurants or bars. Click the thumbnails for a closer view. (more…)
They Aren’t Paid Enough to Be So Nice at This Time of Year: A Nod to Cashiers in the Holidays
Not the self-checkout at the Duluth Target, but I like it
I was noting the new self-checkout at Target. I don’t like it. It feels like Wal-Mart, which is enough to make me never use it. But beyond that irrational knee-jerk, it feels like Target would like to create a shopping experience in which I interact with no one whatsoever. If I wanted that, I would shop at target.com. Which I do for things not carried at the Duluth Target. (I still can’t believe there will be only one Target in our area soon. Aldi will still draw me to Souptown, I guess.)
So I was really happy when I decided to try it today, and the coupon system stymied me, and a cashier walked over and hung out until I was happily rung through. Human touch. (more…)
Shout out to St. Luke’s
Thanks to everyone over at St. Luke’s who helped me through my heart attack this past weekend. I came to the ER on Sunday morning and within minutes I was hooked up to a EKG and within hours had an emergency angioplasty with a stent. I was discharged the very next day! It was a close call, and I’m glad I went in as soon as I felt something was wrong. To the guys and gals at St. Luke’s: You guys rock! Have a happy holiday, you can bet I will!
Book Culture in the Twin Ports
Poster of MN Bookstores
So today, I stopped by the Amazing Alonzo used bookshop. It was my second used bookstore adventure in two weeks, and it makes me think about book culture in the Twin Ports. (more…)
Lost cat in Chester Park area
Moses is a white cat with a grey patch on the top of his head. He is missing the tips of his ears.
He was last seen on Oct. 31 in the area of 20th Avenue East and Eighth Street, across from the Central Little League baseball fields. Moses is unfamiliar with this area and is likely hiding under a deck, shed, low-hanging hedge, wood pile or something similar.
If you find Moses, contact the owner at 763-458-3388 or email helpfindmosescat@gmail.com. Do not attempt to catch him. He is shy and terrified of new people.
Reward: $500.
Rink Relief: Episode 1
Video by Rawlin Kessler shot at Rip Williams Memorial Rink at Chester Park.
There’s so much energy in us …
Last night the family unit and I made our way down to Bayfront to the Bridge Festival. As the night went on I started to think about where we live and why we live here. I moved here in 1985 and Duluth was, at that time, pretty much a cultural desert. There were few restaurants, virtually no original music to be found. You never saw people riding bicycles, you did not feel any sort of energy, other than that which came from the natural beauty.
Now you look at where we are. This is a truly special place to be. Is it perfect? No. Will it ever be perfect? I hope not. This community has been on a long journey. We have gone from a “Will the last person to leave, turn out the lights” era to a time when the community is bustling with energy. (more…)
Iron Range restaurant reviewed in New York Times
Mr. Roberts Restaurant and Resort in Pengilly will be featured in this Sunday’s edition of the New York Times. Duluth-based writer Robert Lillegard reviews the “surprising new flavors” chef Sarah Master has brought to the lakeside eatery. The article was published online today:
In Minnesota’s Iron Range, Midwestern with a modern twist
Master is a Pengilly native who left her position as executive chef at Minneapolis’ Café Barbette to form a business partnership with Dan Beckwith, opening their restaurant and resort in early June.
We have a Historic Preservation Corps?
Northern Bedrock Conservation Corps is run like a New Deal program teaching young people skills in the field of historic preservation (apparently there will be lots of jobs as tradespeople retire). Who knew? They’re readying for their next excursion fixing a historic building in the BWCA. I want to run away and go.
Development Officer Position at UMD
The University of Minnesota Duluth has an opening for an associate development officer (working title: development officer). This development professional will work in partnership with the development officer in fundraising efforts for UMD’s College of Liberal Arts and College of Education and Human Service Professions. The associate development officer will be responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation and solicitation of mid-level donors. Applications must be submitted online. For more details or to apply for this position, click here and search for job opening 302836. Contact: Lawrence Johnson,
218-726-6696.
Invasion Plant Reduction
A small group of us will be removing wild parsnip from the ditches of Fond Du Lac at 121st Ave. and Evergreen Memorial Drive (aka Commonwealth Ave.) near Perch Lake on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 10:00-1:00. If you would like to help, show up with long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. If you have sensitive skin, it would be best for you to sit this one out. If it is raining, disregard this date and time.
Free fix-it clinic Saturday, volunteers needed!
I know this is a bit late for it, but we’re seeking volunteers for our fix-it clinic! We’ve been holding the fix-it clinics monthly on the third Saturday of each month, and we’ve been getting a decent turnout of fixees. Unfortunately, even our most regular volunteers can’t make it every month, and it would be great if we could add some talent to our pool of lovely helpers. We’ve only got two people fixing tomorrow, and people all over Duluth with broken stuff could really use your help! (more…)
Lost iPhone in Downtown Duluth
I lost an iPhone on First Street Wednesday evening, July 29, following the Superior Siren / Devil’s Flying Machine show at the Red Herring. It has a gray “encase” case.
If found, please email me at grindcadence at gmail dot com. A $50 reward awaits. Thank you.
Lost: Orange Cat in East Hillside
Lost July 21:
Orange/”champagne” Tabby
Female, adult, 10 lbs. (pudgy)
Spayed, micro-chipped
Very timid and skittish around strangers and in unfamiliar places
Sweet, friendly, vocal
She wandered away Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and we haven’t seen her since. It is unlike her to go far from home. She would have been seen near Fourth Street and Eighth Avenue East or in the alley behind.
If seen or found please call 952-807-3882. She is very loved and greatly missed.
Lost cat in Lakeside
Maddie is lost! She’s a 10-year-old shorthair spayed female cat. Maddie is a dominantly white calico cat with a caramel-colored “mustache.” Maddie weighs about 10-11 lbs.
Maddie is an indoor cat who never goes outside. She’s sweet and cuddly when at home, but she’s timid and skittish in strange situations. She’s probably very frightened and hiding in bushes or under a deck/porch. Maddie was last seen on July 18 near 48th Avenue East and Cooke Street in Duluth. (more…)
What’s being built beside Mike’s Western Cafe?
I’m hoping that the construction site near 28th Avenue West and Superior Street, right beside Mike’s Western Cafe, isn’t for another gas station but I’m ready to be let down. Does anyone know for sure?
ARAC Call for Community Volunteers to Evaluate Grants
I volunteer with the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and I can say surely and with enthusiasm that some of the best people I have met in Duluth I have met through ARAC, including grants manager Ashley Kulka, executive director Bob DeArmond, local artists and arts organizers across the seven-county Arrowhead region. If you have a desire to support the arts, doing this work is immensely awesome.
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is recruiting community members to be a part of ARAC’s Rural and Community Art Project and Career Development grant review panels. Each program has two panel meetings a year that require members to read between 15 and 30 applications per meeting. If you are interested in serving on either of these panels, contact the office at 218-722-0952, 800-569-8134, or info @ aracouncil.org. This is a great way to learn more about our regional arts community; the council and its programs; and the grant review process.
Lost cat in Miller Hill area
Cat lost early on the morning of June 28 in Duluth at Miller Creek Townhomes on Miller Creek Drive. Name: Snickers, female, spayed, 6 years old, large, fully clawed, no microchip or collar. Short hair, tortoiseshell. Escaped through caretaker’s screen door during pet sitting, so Snickers is unfamiliar with area. Mostly indoor cat, friendly.